Chapter 13


It was early in the morning, and yet Ritsuka merely sat on the bed, looking at the sleeping woman beside her. He smiled, seeing as how peaceful Skadi slept.

He knows that Servants don't need rest nor food, but he couldn't help but ask: surely, they get tired in some way?

He had already freshened himself up, and was actually planning on doing morning workout routine early but he realized that this calmness, this serenity he feels is as rare as they'd come, and he should savor it.

He looked over to Skadi, and poked her cheek. The Caster merely groaned cutely, turning towards him, still asleep.

The Master's smile only grew bigger. "You really are adorable." He softly said.

He didn't want to mess with her sleeping peacefully, so he decided to get out of his room and wander about.

He checked the clock on his bedside table, and saw that it was merely 4:30 in the morning.

"I really did wake up a bit early…" he muttered, as he covered Skadi with the blanket. He then exited the room quietly.

He didn't expect someone to be just outside his room, seemingly waiting for him.

"Oh, good morning Master. Did you sleep well?" the female asked, and Ritsuka felt at ease the moment he heard her speak.

He looked at this woman, appearing ephemeral and yet grounded in reality. Her flowery, almost festive kimono is certainly alluring, likewise her face.

She smiled. "You look shocked, Master, as if seeing a ghost." She spoke. Ritsuka chuckled, shaking his head.

"I was just…surprised to see you around, Shiki." He replied, and the woman giggled. "I suppose I am like a ghost who suddenly appears at random."

Ritsuka chuckled again.

The peacefulness he felt earlier still remained. He couldn't help but think that it's because of her.

"Shiki." He softly said.

She looked at him, and gave him yet another smile. Calm, beautiful…but it felt solemn.

"Did you sleep well, Master? You seem strangely out of it." She asked, concern washing over her.

Ritsuka rubbed his eyes a bit and answered her. "Oh, yeah. Yeah, I did. Sorry, I'm really just surprised." He chuckled nervously, a bit embarrassed. Shiki giggled again.

"Well I'm glad that you slept well." She replied, as she began walking down the hall.

Ritsuka followed, staying by her side. "Don't you rest, Shiki?" he then asked. He mentally cursed at himself for asking a dumb question he already knew the answer to, but he can't retract it now.

"To be honest, I don't sleep." Shiki answered, and Ritsuka felt something from those words. Sadness? Pain? 'Strange…' he simply thought.

He observed Shiki as she continued talking, and he noticed that even her smile felt distant. "That's why I spend the nights alone by myself."

'Ah.' Thought Ritsuka, finally having his answer. 'Loneliness.'

"I can't help but feel like I'm missing out, but I suppose it does give me the chance to watch you sleep." She added, now looking at him kindly.

Ritsuka smiled back, but realized what she said. "W-Wait does that mean you saw me sleep with—"

"Indeed, I did. I saw you sleep with quite a few Heroic Spirits, including the Goddess of Ice and Snow that rests peacefully in your room." She spoke, and Ritsuka felt embarrassed yet again.

Shiki giggled. "I don't think it's a problem, Master." She reassured him, while Ritsuka just covered his face. 'Maybe not, but I still feel ashamed a bit…' he simply told himself.

He noticed that Shiki stopped walking, and before he could stop, hands touched his own, and as they were removed, he saw Shiki's distant smile again.

"I only wish I could protect you in your dreams, too…" she softly spoke.

"Shiki…" he simply called her name. He suddenly felt extremely cold, that he shuddered, closed his eyes, and covered himself with his arms.

The moment he opened his eyes again, the Saber wearing a kimono was nowhere to be seen.

He felt sad. He couldn't help but wonder: had she always been like this?

"Like a ghost, huh…" he muttered.


"Senpai! Good morning!" greeted Mash, entering Ritsuka's room. She got surprised to see that it was empty, and only a sleeping Skadi remained.

She immediately covered her mouth.

She was about to get out when hands were placed on her shoulder. "Hey, Mash." Greeted Ritsuka, kissing the top of her head.

For him, it was a natural act, a mere affectionate greeting, but for Mash, it meant something else, and she blushed, flustered at such a simple yet sweet act.

"S-Senpai…" she softly greeted, and Ritsuka went in. "Sorry for surprising you like that." He said, and Mash shook her head. "N-No its alright!" she replied softly.

"You might be wondering why I'm here instead of doing my daily workout routine, or doing rounds in the simulator." He began, and Mash listened attentively.

He showed her a smile that almost seemed…cherubic. He looked at the sleeping woman at the bed, and back to Mash. "I told Da Vinci that I'll take half a day's break. I wanted to look over Skadi for a while: she did exert a lot of magical energy yesterday, during our training." He explained, and Mash simply nodded, remembering how ferocious the Goddess attacked.

It made her shudder, but the feeling didn't stay.

"When I told her that Skadi was still sleeping, she told me that this could be her 'exhaustion' from yesterday's ordeal, so she agreed, and even told me to stay here for as long as I need." He added, laughing a bit. Mash laughed along.

She always knew that her Master is hardworking, but it never ceases to amaze her how deeply he cared about his Servants.

Mash felt warm, and yet…

…there was a pang of cold within.

She paid it no mind, and focused at her Master. Her Senpai.

Her Ritsuka Fujimaru.

Her feelings from before were overwhelming indeed, that she ended up crying, being consoled by Holmes, even.

'I'll make sure,' she thought, 'I'll make sure Senpai knows. I know that these feelings are true, and they're only going to blossom further, so I'll make sure that the timing would be right…for him to know.'

Ritsuka noticed the determination on her face, and he was confused. "Hm? Is anything bothering you, Mash?" he asked, and Mash merely shrugged it off with a smile.

"Its nothing, Senpai. Seeing you this caring and hardworking only made me want to do the same." She replied, nodding. "Alright, I'll go do my best today, too! I'll see you later, Senpai." She spoke, bidding her Master good bye, for now.

Ritsuka waved his hand as Mash exited the room.

"Surely you should've gone with her, Master." Then spoke a voice. Ritsuka turned around, and he smiled. Skadi looked at him, confused as to why he was smiling.

"You look half-asleep, Skadi." He spoke, laughing a bit as he sat on the bed as well.

Skadi merely stared at him, and Ritsuka noticed that her eyes looked weary still.

The Caster then leaned towards the Master, seemingly falling asleep again, but Ritsuka was there to catch her.

She ended up embracing him. "Servants don't need rest nor to intake food, and yet I feel drowsy…" she spoke softly.

Ritsuka then gently laid her on her back, and as he got out of the bed, she placed the blanket on her. "You really did exert a lot of magical energy yesterday." He remarked, and Skadi blushed.

'Definitely adorable.' Thought Ritsuka. "Y-You didn't have to remind me…I needed to cool down…" she spoke in defense.

Ritsuka simply kissed her forehead. "Rest for as long as you need, I'll be here." He spoke.

"…do that again." She softly requested.

Ritsuka wanted to pretend not to have heard what she said, but he laid off on the teasing. And he knew where she wanted to be kissed.

He leaned in, gently pressing his lips onto hers. The Caster accepted, and she felt relieved.

"More…" she softly spoke. Ritsuka looked at her, and he noticed that she was looking at him no longer with weary eyes, but with needy ones.

"Are you sure, Skadi…?" he asked. This side of hers, while still adorable, was something that Ritsuka never expected to see.

Skadi shyly nodded.

The Master went nervous a bit, but he knew what he should do.

'It's not like it's the first time! I was told before that this is considered mana transfer, so I shouldn't be nervous!' he screamed internally, but he calmed down immediately.

Skadi's flustered face made him calm, even though the excitement within him was exploding.

Indeed, it is not the first time he would be doing this, but Skadi suddenly becoming timid made him stop and think for a moment.

"Master…i-it's fine." Skadi then spoke. She may not show it, but she was eager to do it. She was giving him the 'go signal'.

"Alright, we'll do it slowly, like last night…" Ritsuka softly spoke, as he went down and kissed her again.

The kisses went from soft, gentle ones, to occasional sweet pecks, to longer, maintained ones. Ritsuka didn't want to surprise Skadi with a passionate one like what he did last night.

His hands then went to her breasts, and before Skadi could yelp, he silenced her with another kiss.

As they disconnected from the kiss, and as he was gently groping her breasts, Ritsuka saw Skadi smile.

"Master…I love you." She softly spoke.

Ritsuka didn't have time to process the sweet words she spoke, as the Caster pulled him in for a passionate kiss.


Is this what a second chance feels like?

I am the Bride of the Gods…well, I once was.

I was loved, and gave love. I showered those worthy…and slew those that would tarnish the love I gave them.

…but in the end, I, too, was slain.

I have thought that my love was merely too much for the people of this world, and yet…here I am now, my body bare, but warm, being held lovingly and gently, by a human.

No, he's not just any human. He is my Master.

He is named Ritsuka Fujimaru, and his love overwhelmed me, but I accepted nonetheless.

Whereas I blessed those that I loved, and loved those that are worthy, his love was…boundless.

Unconditional. Special. Warm.

Beautiful.

I feel his soft breath on my bare neck, and while it excites me, it also eased me. It gave me comfort, knowing that he was right there, holding me firmly.

His lips touched my neck, and I let my soft voice be heard. "Ritsuka…" I called his name.

"I'm here, Skadi, you don't have to worry." He softly replied.

That alone was enough to lull me to slumber. His comfort was indeed something that I find addicting.


What? You expected that I'd write the entire scene? I suck at writing smut HA!

- The Void Sprinter