A/n: Hey guys! Psychojack here with another chapter of Holy Nail War. After an unusual negotiation with Silva Busujima, a Poisonmancer, Honda and the gang are in for a battle against an overwhelming force of skeletons that make their way to the tower. How will they survive this wave of undead? Only one way to see how they fare against the might of this monstrous army! Let's find out.
The gathering army of bone walking soldiers marched towards the Deacon tower, the sound of their steps echoed towards the occupants of the fortification, sending ripples like a drum of war, declaring victory with sheer numbers alone.
Honda slipped his mask on. His giddiness was in his voice.
"My god! Just look at this! This shit's crazy, I mean look at it!" Honda said, astounded with the production value that the Holy Nail War would invest for immersion. It was almost too much.
"Honda! We need to focus!" Stria warned Honda who immediately looked in her direction.
"Oh right, right! Immersion. Okay! First things first!" Honda said before clearing his throat, his voice shifted to that of the Warlock.
"Niki, how many homunculi we got here?" Honda asked Niki, the maid eager to be of help on her demeanor.
"I suppose about 200 maids and 400 security guards. Those are good odds, yes?" Niki asked her master with a small smile.
Honda nodded slowly. He took a look at the skeleton army. Using a spyglass, he saw how tall they were, leaving heavy imprints on the lifeless ground. 'Those guys must be some built stuntmen with all that weight. Means they probably got enough strength in close range combat. In terms of numbers we're literally outnumbered five times over! The advantage that we hold is the fact we got walls. Without siege weapons at the moment we can dwindle their numbers before things get hectic.'
Niki added, with a notable inflection of pride in her voice. "All of us possess skill in cooking, nurturing and cleaning up the most vile of messes and grease stains due to regiments we were put through as part of serving the Deacon family."
Honda stiffened. "What about fighting?"
Niki answered honestly. "Each of us has undergone a multitude of regiments in terms of basic self defense, including judo, fencing and basic magic defense."
Honda looked at a nearby security homunculus who he remembered giving a high five to. The magician noticed that the hands of the security guard which were currently clasped around a bardiche were shaking.
"How about combat outside of training?" Honda asked Niki. He could see the fear in the homunculus' body language.
Niki tilted her head. "So far only one."
Honda turned towards the maid. "Which one?"
Niki put a finger to her chin in thought. "I suppose that time you fought us with your golem. With that experience you are in excellent hands my lord."
Stria sweatdropped. "That was only a few hours ago…"
Saber and the other servants heard that, their hearts pulsing in anxiety.
Honda crossed his arms, nodding off the much needed input. 'Yup! All things considered we're completely screwed in terms of skills and numbers! Gotta have a better plan! The Holy Nail War seems to really want masters to think as strategists would for these tower defense minigames.'
Honda looked towards Stria. He said simply. "Hey, wanna abandon ship?"
Saber protested, her eyes bespoke of outrage at the suggestion. "Master! You would run from battle!"
Honda looked at the army, keeping the conversation away from the other homunculi, whispering to Saber. "I mean no offense but do you see the size of that army? They'll kill the hell out of us without even breaking a sweat if we tried to fight. There's bravery and then there's suicidal."
Assassin looked at the army. "Honda does have a point, these homunculi aren't soldiers…they're mostly caretakers."
Mordred sighed in irritation. "Never did care much for homunculi, but I thought they were more battle ready. I guess that's the problem with most wars, you could prepare and prepare but nothing can ever replace good ol' fashion face to face combat.
Saber sweatdropped. "Honda! As a knight, though I am sworn to serve you, I cannot shirk my oaths! I refuse to flee!"
Honda raised an eyebrow. "It's not fleeing, it's more like living to fight another day!"
Saber shook her head in the negative. "I still must refuse! It would be dishonorable to leave from battle!"
Honda scratched his head. "I understand you want to stay and fight but are you willing to risk the lives of every adorable chibi albino of the tower as well?"
Mordred looked curiously at Honda. "Chibi?"
Niki added with a blush on her face. "You think we're adorable? Am I adorable as well, my lord?"
Saber, whilst the others were distracted, thought about it and seemed sullen. It was true. In her time period, knights were battle hardened and followed a strict chivalrous code. However, the more she observes the current army, the more she notices the sparks of doubt in their body language.
Despite being artificial beings, they still possessed the all too human sense for self preservation against seemingly impossible odds. They also seemed to await Honda, taking glances in his direction for guidance in this truly horrifying time. Being a King, Saber couldn't deny, it reminded her so much of the many young men who would fight and die in war. Even in the Battle of Camlann before her own death.
'And they died…because of my lacking leadership…' Saber thought guiltily, seeing the point Honda was trying to make. It wasn't only his own being he was trying to preserve, it was also those of his followers and the simple realistic possibility of losing completely and without making much of an impact.
'In some ways…I suppose that is why you saw to it to relinquish me and Mordred of our blades. You've seen enough to determine our unworthiness as knights. Being as grand a magus as you have been thus far, I see as to the wisdom behind the need to flee. I may be a knight…but I am an outsider in this time period. I cannot expect others to fight and die needlessly for a mere wish…' Saber thought, finding herself agreeing with Honda the more she thought on things.
Atalanta looked at Honda incredulously. "Master, even if we were to leave, that Silva magus poisoned the landscape surrounding the estate, it would taint the life out of you and all of us were the gates to open."
Honda noted as he looked at the outside of the gates, noticing a faint green miasma with his spyglass. 'Yikes! Almost got an instant game over with that option. Thank goodness I spared Atalanta!'
"Whoops, my mistake! You really do care about me Atalanta! Thanks!" Honda said with gratefulness in his voice.
Atalanta narrowed her eyes. "I-I just don't want to lose needlessly! It has nothing to do with you!"
Honda grinned under his mask. "And that blush on your face is just for show right?"
Atalanta tsked and looked to the side in denial. Stria pointed at her. "Don't listen Honda, her tail says it all. Atalanta likes you Honda! She's a tsundere cat girl!"
Atalanta widened her eyes with her teeth gritted. "My tail is just on alert! Don't apply such foolish titles to me!'
In that same moment, Idores made her way onto their side of the tower. Stria and her made eye contact, a silent message being clear that they would remain allies for now before the frost magus spoke. "The only thing that's going to be keeping this place alive are the walls themselves. They are magically imbued with runes that block out other rune based magecraft at ground level. They are durable, but not invincible. If any of those undead climb over and open the entrance from the inside, the walls would be rendered useless." Idores explained as she seemed to have a determined look in her eyes.
Honda pressed a finger on his chin, despite the mask being on. "I see, retreat is out of the picture! Just wanted to see our options. Least we know the rules of this game!" Honda said as Mordred sweatdropped.
"Game? Game or not Honda, you do realize that I am not one to run anyway right? You may be my master but one thing you need to know about me is that I never run from a good fight." Mordred said with a fanged grin. Saber looked aside.
"It's no wonder you are so brash and violent." Saber said offhandedly.
"Hey, you mind saying that louder! Especially how you were practically begging to fight anyway!" Mordred challenged.
Saber deadpanned. "Only as expected of a knight. In your case it's more for self pleasure!"
"*clears throat*" Honda let out voluminously before the two knights calmed down, as they didn't really want Honda to deprive them of their blades again and then punish them through more embarrassment.
The red and blue knights looked down in shame. They both begrudgingly said. "Apologies…master…"
Assassin commented. "If they breach the gate, that poison magecraft will spread into the estate grounds killing all who occupy it within mere minutes."
Idores looked around. "Magecraft on this scale costs a lot of prana to fuel, no doubt that the most someone even of Silva's rank could do this for is a maximum of an hour especially since she has a servant to command, anymore would run the risk of taking prana needed for her servant to fight efficiently."
Honda took a look at the bronze walls, noting how there were aqua runes that kept the faint miasma of poison magecraft out of the estate grounds.
'So that's the reason why this poison spell hasn't simply reached us through the air, at least roleplay wise.' Honda thought to himself.
Stria looked at the interior of the gate, noticing a lever at the bottom.
"Most likely they will aim for the lever on the inside of the gates to let the poison do its work." Stria pointed out, the other servants following suit
Saber narrowed her eyes. "They'll most likely attack by climbing the walls, the guards there can keep them down for a bit but against this many, they'll be sure to be overrun.
Niki heard that from the once King of Camelot. Her eyes seemed to droop in apparent sadness.
"We will do as we are commanded to the best of our ability regardless. Your life and the life of Deacon is at risk. I promise, we will not fail you my lord…so long as you are with us…" Niki said, in a manner like a child looking to appease their parent, wanting to be of help, even when the ability they possessed may seem insignificant.
Honda placed his arms on Niki's shoulders. "I do believe in you guys, Niki! We all do! No need to worry, if we can't escape then we'll win the legitimate way!"
Niki seemed to perk up at that, her eyes shimmering in hidden glee for her new lord to place his trust into her. It wasn't something familiar to the otherwise clean-up duty homunculus. This was a moment for her to be useful as a protector.
Honda however, looked thoughtful. Thinking back on many things he has been exposed to. 'I'm getting goosebumps from all the excitement. That and a bit of nervousness. Never once would I expect the Holy Nail War to put me in a position to literally command an army. Yet here I am, and the show is about to go on! So the ground rules of this battle are…'
-Honda Vision Begin-
Honda's vision took on a delusional birds eye viewpoint of the tower and the armies slowly coming forward like an rts video game. The armies appeared small due to the distance from the ground level. Honda and his crew were highlighted as separate hero class units, whilst the homunculi and enemies were organized as battalions. A user interface appeared glowing in blue letters and a blue font.
[NOTE: Mission Objectives
A.) Defeat the skeleton legion!
B.) Do not let them reach the lever!
C.) Protect your homunculi waifus!
Bonus Objectives:
-Slay 100 skeleton troops personally without the use of Ebony.
-Use the Grimoire 3 times.
-Defeat Silva in a one on one match!]
Honda looked at the landscape, noticing how open the field was and how high the walls were.
'Not seeing much siege weapons yet, most likely this is merely a warm up. If that's the case using special abilities should be out of the question for now. But after seeing Mordred and Saber almost duke it out, I gotta admit I can tell those girls are some serious one shot powerhouses. Assassin is great at stealth and is hella fine in close range when she needs to be. And Atalanta is a great shot with a bow. I got a good plan going so far. And~ '
Honda looked at Stria and Ebony, raising his eyebrows. 'Ding ding ding! Order up!'
-Honda Vision End-
Honda turned to the servants. "All right my ever watchful sexy servants! I got a plan for the fight."
The girls paid attention. Though they were all battle hardened warriors in life, they were still looking for their masters' command first. It did seem he had something important in mind and thus they chose to listen unless the plan was completely unreasonable.
He points at Saber, causing her to take a step back with the speed the entertainer pointed at her. "You lead the Western Wall!"
He then pointed at Mordred. "You lead the Eastern Wall!"
He points at Atalanta, causing her to edge her head back in order to avoid the prominent pointer finger. "Cat! Head to the top of the tower, I noticed there's a 360 degree view of the entire estate, it's perfect for an archer class right?"
Atalanta looked upwards to confirm. She looked at Honda's determined frost eyes beneath the mask. His Warlock appearance made him appear to take more space, and thus a more dominant and commanding presence. She narrowed her eyes and nodded.
"I am not a…*sighs* I can do that, master. I'll provide cover fire. Though in all honesty I could do that from the front as well."
Honda shook his head in the negative. "That's not the only reason my little hell kitten! Those ears and eyes you have make you perfect for spotting things most of us can't, mix that in with that bow of yours and you can hit 'em where it hurts should you need to. I'm trusting you!" Honda said before enthusiastically petting Atalanta.
Atalanta stammered. "H-hey. Don't just touch me like that."
Honda scratched her ear a bit.
"Hah! Master!" The wild green archer squealed as her master made her ears twitch from the unexpected sensation yet again.
Honda looked at Stria. "Hey Stria, I'm gonna need you to lead the maids here by the tower!"
Stria widened her eyes a tad. "You…you wish for me to lead…but I can't!"
Honda placed his arms on her two shoulders. "I've seen how many prop guns you're always packing already for the roleplay. You're like a walking armory! Might as well help these long range maids know where and when to fire and keep your eyes on the lever if anyone shows up. Provide covering fire for the ground troops and take care of stragglers should they get past the guards at the wall. Okay?" Honda asked the chauffeur.
Stria looked left and right in nervousness, as if uncomfortable with the sudden change. She was used to taking orders, not enacting her own, especially with the expectation of competence among other homunculi. She didn't think she was ready for such responsibilities. What if she failed?
Honda slipped up his mask. He placed his lips on hers with a smooch. There was no tongue involved, it was one of amorous affection, one Stria couldn't help but lean into with eyes closed, standing on her tiptoes to reach the taller Fuyuki street performer.
Idores had to attempt to look away as Honda made face with Stria. It was crazy that seeing the photo of Ford and her can be echoed even now between these two. That and Honda practically traumatized her with his olympic endurance and bedroom skills. Upon peeking she couldn't help but notice Stria taking a peek from her left eye, looking directly at Idores as she did so. Idores gulped, as Stria seemed to be aware of something.
Idores' eyes widened. 'She's doing this on purpose! Why would she-? She knows! She knows about the damn closet!'
Upon releasing the smooch, Honda spoke with encouragement to Stria.
"Like I said before, part of the trick of magic is the belief! I know you got this, I think it's about time you did so too!" Honda inspired the albino, her red eyes reflecting his face as she heard the words of her Warlock, setting her heart ablaze with the support he was providing. It was worth more than gold to the socially inept and normally reserved bodyguard.
Mordred grumbled. "I better get mine after this!"
Saber looked to the side. "No need to let petty jealousy sabotage the mission."
Mordred looked at Saber, noticing something. "If that's the case then why the hell are you looking away with a pouty face."
Saber denied the accusation. "I did not! I-I just have something else on my mind."
Honda looked at Assassin. "I'm gonna need you with me on this one." Head downstairs to join the wall unit for now!
Assassin tilted her head. "Master, if you are willing, I do have one ability that could even the odds in terms of numbers."
Honda stepped towards her. "Oh, mind letting me in on this secret ability?"
Assassin nodded. "You are already aware that all servants have real names correct? Would you like to know mine?"
Honda smacked his forehead. "Yeah you're right! Out of all the others I never got your name! *Holds both her hands, interlacing their fingers* I'm sorry Assassin, what's your name?"
Assassin looked to the side where the other girls were. For the sake of her own anonymity, she instinctually wondered as to whether to still keep this a secret. When she looked at Honda however, her usual cutthroat instincts took a backseat, in favor of…something else. Whatever it was, it made Assassin lean more into Honda's embrace as she spoke.
"I am…I was…Hassan-i-Sabbah of the Hundred Faces." The enigmatic shadowy figure answered.
Honda looked analytical. "*whistles* That's quite a nickname. You must have been quite a sneaky little minx to pull that off! By a hundred faces does that mean you looked like a hundred people? Is it a chameleon ability?"
Assassin stepped forward, whispering in his ears. "In life, in order to carry out…orders…I was forced to adopt many identities, many faces, many skills. Together we make Hassan, but…I'd rather you call me Asako when its just us." Assassin purred.
'Different identities huh? So this Assassin is literally like 100 for the price of one! Talk about a lot of bang for your buck!' Honda grinned a tad perversely beneath the Warlock mask, making sure to feel up the amazon woman in his arms. She pressed her crotch against his.
Honda felt his breath increase in excitement, liking the sound of her many unknown 'skills'.
Her hand grazed Honda's chest. "And all of them are here inside me, at your command. All you need to do is ask me to use my noble phantasm if you need them. I will warn you though I could only summon 80 at a given time."
Honda grabbed her right hip, giving her a squeeze. She let out an audible gasp. At the same time Honda had groped her left glute. "With all the mana you got from the exchange, you are gonna be my little ace in the hole."
SQUEEZE
Assassin gasped, uncaring as to the other servants in the vicinity as Honda nuzzled the right side of her neck causing her to moan from the attention she received.
Atalanta, atop the tower, looked miffed. "Even now he is still turned on. Does he ever turn off!? The animal!"
Saber and Mordred pouted and gritted their teeth respectively, seeing Assassin cozy up to their master in such a way. Assassin peeked over Honda's shoulder, looking at the two knights and lifted up a victory sign with her left hand behind Honda raised with her pointer and middle finger displaying a v letter.
Saber and Mordred clenched their blades as fire could be seen simmering in their eyes. Though they were in an incoming battle of mass proportions, they were practically begging for it to come sooner so they could take their anger out on something.
At the same time both knights were thinking 'That sneaky little bitch!'
Idores had clenched her hands as she bore witness to Honda clenching Assassin's buttocks. 'Seriously Honda! Now's not the time for this!'
Stria blushed as she was still remembering how she and Assassin double teamed Honda and wound up exhausted. Next to Idores she said. "Honda sure is quite a plentiful man. That booster from earlier is quite impressive."
Idores sighed. "It was only supposed to be a drop, you gave him a whole vial!"
Stria whispered. "So you admit to watching us then?"
Idores widened her eyes like soccer balls. She looked at Stria who stared innocently. "Did you like it? I couldn't help but notice you were almost naked before the attack. Next time you can join us if you want."
Idores' pale face turned as red as a tomato and sped walked away, trying to preserve whatever dignity she had left. Her voice sounded desperate in faux helpfulness at the fact that she was caught red handed. "I'm going downstairs to support the walls with my craft. Good luck!"
Assassin released Honda. "Very well master."
Honda winked inside his mask towards the shadowy assistant. He then flapped his cape as he walked towards the edge, posing as he spoke to his gathered army who awaited the enclosing legion.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Lend me your ear!" The Warlock spoke.
The homunculi look to their new lord. Their eyes held a curious look, unsure as to what he wanted.
"Today we stand here, facing against the tides of shadow who threaten our path to victory for the Holy Nail War!"
Saber raised an eyebrow. "Don't you mean Holy Grail-"
"Shhh!" Stria mumbled to Saber, shutting her up.
"Outside these walls, monstrosities approach, power in the form of waking death awaits."
The homunculi seemed nervous.
"This tower, this monument of perfect craftsmanship is the one thing that protects us! A tower fit for a Warlock! A tower that YOU built!"
The homunculi stiffened. Their panicked eyes looking upwards in recognition. Recognition of their contributions to the tower they would die for. Niki included, felt her eyes widen.
"For generations, the Deacon tower stood as a symbol for all of mage kind! Not of division! Not of status! But a message! A message for all the world to hear the call of homunculi! That their lives held meaning, brick by brick!"
Stria blinked at the line Honda used. It resonated with her.
"That they too had dreams, though in servitude, they alone kept their wills and those of their masters alive!"
Idores felt her hand clench the red book containing the picture of her and Ford together.
"Now these bastards will deprive you of said monument! YOUR monument! YOUR tower! YOUR home!"
The homunculi felt their jaws clench, their hands tightened on their weapons with each impactful word of their new lord.
"Like a storm they seek to make it rain the blood of you valiant beings and desecrate all that you own on this good earth! I say let them try!"
Saber found herself looking at her sword. In times past, she too had heard of men with such rallying cries. And this one, though not aimed at her specifically, was one that resonated to her. To the kingdom that she had lost.
Mordred grinned a fanged grin. Being a homunculus herself, she had to admit she was feeling the impact of the speech. It made him appear kingly.
"Let them know that fate bends the knee in the face of this tower, and the great beings that birthed it. Tonight, they will know the true meaning of oblivion for daring to threaten your home and those you care for! Tonight, let them know true despair under the might of our call! Let them know-
Saber and Mordred drew their swords. Assassin whipped put her dagger.
Miki and Niki had their weapons ready, as subtle determination took on their faces.
Idores from below, among the other homunculi, felt her heart pound in her ears as to how Honda's glowing blue eyes poured deeply into the men and women of the tower. He appeared almost like a god of shadow, an omnipresence that stood ever watchful of the tower despite only recently taking over this tower. Despite being only a man, the way he spoke was that of a hero, a beacon to all who heard him.
Atalanta pulled out an arrow from atop the tower, hearing the power of Honda's speech. It was quite a prideful display, a strong one…a sexy one…
Atalanta shook her head of her thoughts.
The wind stilled, as the homunculi, now with notable trails of tears that flowed down their cheeks, as hope claimed their eyes.
"-that the price of their ignorance shall be paid in BOOOONNNESS!!" The Warlock roared. His voice echoed in the night. As he said his last word, Ebony shot outward from Honda's back, still connected to his cape and in its bulking golem form, its divine frame standing as a glowing avatar of morale, one that would aid in the battle to come. It made the wind still, whilst the sky tinted a purple hue that emanated from the grand spectral golem. Underneath the glowing light of the golem a silhouette of a lone man could be seen at the center, with arms outstretched, and frost blue eyes peeking through even past the glow towards his audience.
A loud unison of voices bellowed and cried out in emotional displays of pride, of dignity, of human spirit.
A wall of white guards stood at the walls, the towers filled with maidens veiled in black and wielding prana infused long scoped rifles. All possessed glowing scarlet eyes, staring down at those who threatened them. There would be no surrender from them.
Idores couldn't describe what she had bore witness too. Seeing him like this was like staring into a mirror. One that took the form of her own master, Ford Velune. The way he spoke, the manner of his gestures. The power he commanded in people, was that of one worthy of being a Velune. And despite that, he was merely a man, a performer.
At the moment however, she saw this figure of pride, a miracle brought to life in the form of Katashi Honda. And with him, his Red Eye Legion.
From what started as aimless servants, an army was born, under the banner of Honda the Warlock.
The Warlock pointed towards the bone legion. Ebony appeared to charge a purple flame like energy in both her hands. With his mask in place, Honda commanded his armed and emboldened united tower guard:
"FIRE!"
CHAPTER END