Chapter 13: The Calm

The realization that Ms. Scarlet is the Spirit codenamed Lancer and that Kurumi will always be back no matter what was making Shidou restless. He wanted to talk to Ms. Scarlet so bad but she was nowhere to be found and that his dreaded reality that Kurumi will be always come back came true.

"So Shidou, how are you? Yesterday's date was whack; don't you think?" Kurumi casually commented, as if what happened yesterday was just a norm for her. She was back in her uniform again, unlike her Astral Dress that makes her dangerous. They were by the locker in front of the entrance and Shidou was staring at Kurumi, as if she was a dream.

For Shidou, it was a nightmare yesterday and all of it was just too much for him. He wanted to save Kurumi no matter what. If what Mana said true about Kurumi yesterday, then he felt sorry for both of them; Mana needlessly killing Kurumi everytime she pops up in the radar and Kurumi being killed whenever she was given a chance. Shidou couldn't accept it. He will find a way to break this horrible cycle and free both of them. He also counted Ms. Scarlet; he also wanted to save Lancer for the same reason too.

Shidou ignored Kurumi's remark earlier. "Kurumi, I will save you no matter what." He said tensely that broke Kurumi's façade. The Nightmare smirked contently, seeing Shidou's resolve. She wanted to make him face the reality that not everyone can be saved.

"I see. Then follow me on the roof." Kurumi told him as she retreated to the stairs as he glanced toward Shidou.

Shidou immediately obliged.

"I knew you would come." Mana interjected when she immediately saw the red hair brat that she lured bite the bait. Kotori was surprised.

"Mana? Why are you here." The commander of Ratatoskr complained. Mana and Kotori where inside of the abandoned house, perfect for hiding secrets.

"I knew you push onni-chan to dangerous situation. How come you called yourself his little sister, huh?"

"What do you mean, Mana?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I knew you are the commander of the Ratatoskr. Shidou confessed to me yesterday." Mana said confidently. "And don't blame Shidou after what he witnessed that bloodshed. Your organization was really twisted."

Kotori just calmed down and crossed her arms under her chest. "Well, even if he did tell you… it seemed that he didn't tell you everything." And Kotori will have to devise a kind of punishment once she will meet Shidou in the house.

"It's obvious that the way you treated onni-chan in neglect means you forfeited your rights as his brother."

"…and let your corrupted company Deus Ex Machina to steal my brother? I don't think so."

"How did you know?"

"Don't be stupid and don't underestimate me."

Both of their ferocious stare where so fiery to the point they didn't notice someone was nearby and was laughing. Both broke to their composure and looked for the source of that laughter.

"Guahahahahah! Is this the infamous sister-vs-sister rivalry I've heard of? Beats the old wives' tales though." The stranger commented before she chugged down another bottle. It was later found out it was Drake who was simply snoozing on the second floor, observing both of the sister whom arguing each other.

She placed her arm on her head serving as a support, as she tried to peek down. She looked as if she was ready to painted like a French woman save for the bottle she was holding upright.

Mana immediately recognized her. She shouted at her. "It's you! How did you get there? I've checked this building several times and found nobody." She was now explicitly curious about her to the point that she must needed to investigate her once she needed to resolve with her brother.

Drake just shrugged off. "I don't know… I am just sleeping here at first and just ignore the noise down here, since delinquents do use this building to do some … stuffs. Consider my shock when I saw both of you."

Kotori just squinted at Drake. It is obvious that Drake somewhat knew Mana and Mana have already met this drunkard. "How much did you hear about our conversation?"

Drake was thinking for a moment, of course she heard everything but why would she be telling truth here? "Sister on sister fighting? That's hot for me." Her reasoning could be reinforced with her drunkenness.

Slowly, Drake descended from the second floor through the use of a secret compartment. Drake can just drop herself down the floor without repercussions but she wanted to feign being drunk.

Drake then revealed herself and approached the both of them. "I'm Francesca Drake but I bet you already know about me?" Both of Shidou's sisters nodded instinctively. "Good. Good that's better."

"Why are you here? This is not a coincidence if you actively eavesdropped on us on purpose." Mana was ready to activate her CR-unit and slammed this mysterious woman. Drake be better be a normal human being or else…

Drake just waved off their concern. "Pfft. For your information, this is where I hide my crates of liquors. Can't bring it to the dorm obviously." Kotori was just as shocked as Mana.

To make sure that Drake was telling the truth. Mana immediately activated her CR-unit and pulled down the crate Drake mentioned using the will of force alone. True to Drake's word, Mana managed to feel the crate and begin to dragged it down, breaking some precious liquor to pieces to Drake's shock.

Drake was immediately disappointed and was pissed off. "Bloody hell, lass." Also she witnessed Mana's transformation. Was it worth describing it now?

Then Drake glared at Mana. "Was it worth it now?"

However, Mana nonchalantly replied. "Yes, you've proven your alibi or else I might kill you on the spot."

"Hey, you just can't kill some innocent bystander!" Kotori interjected. Mana knew she was wrong but can't she just tease Francesca alone. Nevertheless, Drake didn't even budge from her threat.

"Ugh, I think I'm done here." Mana felt their earlier talks came to waste thanks to Drake's entrance. She immediately retreated and went out of the building on her own.

Kotori meanwhile just gave the Rider a glare.

"What?"

"Nothing… you just ruined a private moment you know?"

Drake just scratch the back of her head in confusion.

"Spirits. So this world was deluged with Spirits using spacequakes." Da Vinci Lily said after Ritsuka briefed upon the Chaldea about the information about this world and one of them was the appearance of the Spirits. Ritsuka was accompanied by Mashu carrying Fou and Scathach. They were currently in the woods on the hills, recommended by Circe due to a good leyline. Its Scathach turn to hide them while ongoing communication.

Ritsuka nodded from what Da Vinci claimed. "Interesting. I thought they were Heroic Spirit at first but it seemed that I was in fault. They are totally different from them. They are entirely different I see."

Da Vinci's figure then caressed her chin for a while and then sighed. "On our ends, we continued our investigation on this particular and we realized that this is not a simple singularity but a parallel world."

Ritsuka felt the hair on her nape stood out. "Wait, so you mean the Kaleidoscope is involved in this case?"

"Not involved per se. We don't know how since rayshifting shouldn't be capable of doing it. Heck, even communicating should impossible by now. This is all entirely an impossible case. It is now a possible that maybe we have indeed a culprit in your predicament."

Suddenly, Sherlock's holographic figure appeared before them too. "Apologies for the late introduction. First of all, how are you, Ritsuka?"

"I'm fine… really. Nightingale and Caster has taken care of me all the time."

Somehow, Sherlock was saddened. "Then that's great… for now."

"For now? What are you suggesting, Holmes?"

Sherlock just sighed. "Your condition seemed to be worsened, Ritsuka."

Da Vinci immediately interjected. "Holmes!"

"… Well, according to our instruments as it is but seeing you still active up to this moment was greatly perplexing us… By the way, Ritsuka has the right to know what her condition is that was reading at our devices."

Ritsuka was really worried by now. "How?"

"The imitation Holy Grail inside of you. It was doing something to you and we still can't figure it how but comparing these records from previous days its density seemed to increase bit by bit. Are you sure are you alright?"

"Mr. Holmes, I'm saying that I'm alright!" Ritsuka was somehow angry this time.

Somehow, Sherlock didn't listen for her for a moment, instead he was looking at somewhere. "Your mana readings spiked all of the sudden… and the imitation Holy Grail was actively spreading at this moment. Whatever that power source inside of you is… it's now confirmed that its activity and entirely reliant on your emotions, Ritsuka."

"…Eep, I'm so sorry!"

"Hold on… its retracted back to its passive form and back to its original size."

Da Vinci then interjected. "Double confirmed, the imitation Holy Grail isn't active anymore and was reduced into its benign state. This should have been a worst case scenario already and have you rayshift already… which is just impossible." Da Vinci was really worried right now since they really don't want to let her die pointlessly. Sure that she is confident because Ritsuka has her Servants supporting her but as long as the Fake Grail still exist inside her, they can't feel relieve right now.

"Ritsuka, despite what Da-Vinci said, you still need to calm down and think for yourself. As long as you are still alive keep on living and fighting…"

Ritsuka seemed to be quiet for a moment, and then just smirked.

"Big words coming from a Detective, I daresay." Ritsuka just mocked Sherlock. Its seemed that everything calmed down for a moment.

Sherlock just chuckled. "Exactly, This is how Ritsuka should react… and I'll be frank, I am not a good doting father. However, there's one thing that made me arrive in one conclusion in all of this chaotic situation."

"Don't keep us waiting Detective…"

"Da Vinci's physique report to your body condition and the situation where we couldn't exactly retrieve you and Mashu from that place—now confirmed as a parallel world according to Da Vinci and Sion… I presumed they are the works of same culprit… Ritsuka, you being somehow ended up on that world isn't coincidental, its all according to a plan."

"Eh?" Amazing Detective by the way.

Sherlock then knitted his eyebrow in worry. "I am not worried about you Ritsuka, seeing that you are healthy at its best … rather, it's the endgame of this plan."

"If only you can accompany me, Mr. Sherlock."

"That's the other strange thing; this world restricts Male Heroic Spirits… I don't know how it will works for Astolfo, De Eon, and Enkidu."

Before Ritsuka could speak, something made her interrupt her thoughts and she instinctively looked at the direction of Shidou's school and widened her eyes in surprise.

Even Mashu and Scathach took a second glance at where Ritsuka was looking...

"Isn't that the school were you teach, Scathach?" Mashu wondered. Fou shifted in her care.

Scathach however felt conflicted, the school looked so wrong in many levels. She immediately materialized her spears in instinct, she look at Ritsuka's face again and realized that she's also concerned too.

"I need to hang up, Da Vinci! It seemed that the school is in trouble!"

Da Vinci nodded in agreement before the hologram blurred out of existence. Scathach immediately cancelled the disguise and donned her battle outfit. Even Mashu was now in her Shielder form and carried Ritsuka as they took a great leap.

"To the school!"