Fate/Twin Roses Chapter 3: Crybaby
By Bluestar076
Hello everyone! Bluestar here with the third chapter! And with this, we officially starts the various clashes of the Holy Grail War, something you've all been waiting for! I don't know why, but in these days, every time I start a new chapter for a story I'm hyped, probably because I'm posting many chapters of my various stories and because this story is getting so much support and really, I'm even surprised of myself! I do really thank you for the appreciations you left on the previous chapter and I hope you'll like this one as well. Before we go right in, I wanted to say two things: the first one is that someone fairly noticed that the term 'Monkey' used in the previous chapter sounded a little bit racist, but don't worry. I've only put it because Maximilian was annoyed and didn't trust Adewale at all, I'm not racist. I think that everyone are the same in this world. As for the second one I wanted to give you a fun fact about this story! As you know, it takes place on a parallel universe, which could make you wonder…what changed? Well, the major change is once again in the Third Holy Grail War. In this universe, the Einzberns didn't summon neither Angra Mainyu nor Shirou Amakusa Tokisada, but rather a normal Servant. Plus, both Zouken and Darnic died in the war, so there weren't particular changes to the Holy Grail itself and in the end, the war concluded with no victor. I still don't know what number give to this war. What do you think? Let me know after reading this chapter!
And as always, enjoy!
Note: I do not own Fate. All rights and characters belong to Kinoko Nasu and TYPE-MOON.
Chapter 3: Crybaby
The night was cloudless…showing a beautiful deep blue sky full of stars that shined brightly. In the castle of the White Rose Faction, no one was living there apart from the Masters and their Servants, so most of the area was filled with an impressive silence…the crickets could be heard around the giant building, along with the water that came out from the various fountains and the leaves that were softly moved by the wind. Many could say with ease that the night from that castle was simply fantastic…and one of the few inhabitants of it…knew well.
Berserker of White was in one of the gardens of the castle, looking up at the moon. Its pale light made her pale skin seem even whiter. Most of the other pairs were inside the castle, and since she wasn't such a social person, she wanted to stay on her own…just her…and the moon, which actually had a more deep connection that someone could think. The female Servant then looked down…at a small pond, which had only two leaves, so she could see better her reflection. She stood in silence for a while…simply looking at her reflection in the clean water…until…she had seen something else.
Her reflection changed in a different version of her…a more…human one, which had green and yellow hair and green eyes. "Ah!" By having that vision, she immediately turned around and made a deep breath. "…Dammit…i…I still have that vision…no…calm down…don't let that image damage you…" She said to herself. The girl tried to maintain a clean mind…but it had already been a while since that image tormented her. This gave her…a little bit of sadness, as if she…missed that appearance of her that she saw in the water.
"Oh, there you are. It's unusual for you to stay far from me." Suddenly, a familiar voice made her raise up the head. It was Adewale, who stared at her with a worried face. "Are you ok, Berserker?" Her Master said.
"Master…no. I'm ok. I've just…wanted to stay alone." Berserker replied with still some insecurity. The mage already understood that she was hiding something, so he insisted on talking with her. "Are you sure?" He demanded.
"Yes! You know that I don't like being with the other Servants or their Masters. I'm more of a…solitary type. That's all." Berserker said, looking back at the moon.
Adewale didn't know how to answer to that, but he was sure that his Servant wasn't sincere in that moment, and he was a person who always tried to find a dialogue with the others, even if it was an enemy, so he kept on insisting. There should have been something he could do. "Berserker…if there's something that's been bothering you…you can tell me, you know? I'm your Master." He simply said.
Berserker of White was impressed by this persistence of her Master. By looking at him, she could understand that he wouldn't have gone away without a more detailed explanation. This made her remind of the people of her time, who were known to practice a lot of dialectic between them. She was shy to admit it…but then she tried to talk.
"…Master…why was I summoned…like this?" She asked. "Uh? What do you mean?" Adewale asked. Berserker looked down…with a rather sad face. "Sometimes…I wonder why I ended up having this appereance…you probably know my past…and since that…I should be of a different class…not a Berserker. Yet…I've ended up summoned for the war…like this. But…" She started to explain.
"…Let me guess…you don't like this appearance, do you?" Adewale tried to guess. "…No. It's repulsive…i…I look like a monster…it's true that I am an Heroic Spirit…but…this looks…frighten me! And…I fear that i…could scare someone else…" Berserker of White answered, looking at her hands while trembling with frustration.
"Someone else? Who?" Adewale asked. His Servant's answer surprised him a lot. "…The children. Ever since I remember it…I loved the children…their innocence…their smiles…in this era, it is said that children represent the future, and I'm happy to see that the world trust them so much...and sees them as a symbol of hope." She answered. "…Master…if I tell you something, will you promise to not laugh?" She then said. "I…I really wanted to go in city one day…and see some people and children…how they live out there…and how they find happiness."
"I don't see why I should laugh. We could still do so. Where's the problem?" Adewale answered. But Berserker of White still made a grunt, as she looked back at her reflection with a disgusted face. "I'm the problem. T-This look is terrifying. I could scare someone to death! Don't you understand?" She said.
Adewale was surprised to see such a reaction from her. But at the same time, he made a smile. It was true that this Servant was a strong and serious girl…but at the same time, it was difficult for her to hide her tender side. He could see how much she actually cared for someone else, which made her an Heroic Spirit in every sense. "…Well Berserker…I don't know how you're supposed to look like…but…you shouldn't be harsh to yourself like that. Maybe what you said is right, someone would be scared of you but…on the other hand…it's just your thought! Well…I'm not an expert of aesthetic or beauty but if I have to be honest…I don't think you look like a monster." He explained.
Berserker had her eyes wide open, as she looked at him. "What…? You…think so?" She asked. "Yes! Despite the armor, I think you can be considered a cute girl! Plus, an important lesson to life is to never judge someone by their appearance. If someone gets frightened by that, do you know what you should do? Talk to them! Prove that you're not dangerous and people will start to like you more, even children! You know what they say…never judge a book by its cover." Adewale answered. She didn't show it…but those words moved Berserker particularly. Since she knew him for just a couple of days, she couldn't know what type of guy he actually was, but now…she had a more clear idea of it. But her Master wasn't over. "Plus, if you can't find anyone, remember that you still have me. I'm your Master after all. We need to work with each other to win this war."
"…Master…" The girl Servant simply said by rubbing her eye. "Are you crying?" Adewale asked with a smile. "No. I just got something in the eye." Berserker simply replied. "Eheheh. Well, the important is that you're ok. Shall we go back?" Her Master then asked.
"Yes…" The girl replied. With that, the two of them started to walk towards the castle. "So…what will happen today?" Berserker then asked. "I don't know. There are high probabilities that a fight will occur. Tygo and Isak can be strong if they want, and they have powerful Servants on their side. But…we don't know what can happen at the same time. Plus…this is only the beginning of the war. The real deal has yet to come." Her Master replied.
"Yes…you're right. Oh! By the way…" Berserker of White then wanted to say something else that made his Master turn around. "Yes?"
"…Thank you. For comforting me. It's strange to say it but…I appreciate it." Berserker said, trying to look away to avoid more embarrassment. "You're welcome! We should have chats like this more often! Perhaps you could tell me more about you!" Adewale replied.
After that, they continued to walk through the castle. And while they were having their relaxing moment…the action was about to start in the middle of the city.
(Author's Note: Since many of you gave to me the consent, I'm glad to show you the opening of this story! I hope you'll find it nice!)
[Katekyo Hitman Reborn – Boys and Girls]
*Seven Cards that represent the seven classes of Servants appear one by one before splitting in two different decks, each one having the seven cards*
[Boys and Girls be ambitious, Boys and Girls keep it real, Boys and Girls be ambitious, Boys and Girls keep it real]
*Kazuto and Archer of Red open their eyes, and then Kazuto with flames on his hands and on his head starts to perform various melee attacks while Archer of Red attacks with the katana, the nagitana and her bow. After that, the two start to fly in the sky*
[Following the manual, jumping out of everyday, you are a boy…]
*Kazuto wakes up and quickly prepares himself to leave the house with Archer of Red while having a croissant in his mouth. The two of them leave while Hinobu looks at them with a smile from a window.*
[Not able to become an adult, but not able to stay as a child, times like that will come…]
*Kazuto and Archer of Red are reached by the remaining members of the Red Rose Faction. With Gordon give some punch to the air, Saber of Red give his Master a pat on his shoulder with a big smile, Calem walking with a smile and his guitar on his back, Lancer of Red walking with her eyes closed, Alvis looking at the phone while Rider of Red tries to get his attentions by licking her lips, Marcus giving tips to the group, Astrea joining the chat by talking alongside Caster of Red, Cahya who looks at the group with a light smile and Assassin of Red that walks happy with her hands on the back of her head*
[Where everyone is in a hurry, in the world that we live in…]
*Meanwhile from the top of a roof, Seram, Isak, Cynthia, Tygo, Adewale, Oeneus and Maximilian along with their Servant are watching the Red Rose Faction, with Cynthia giving a quite serious stare at Kazuto*
[We stopped upon a shooting star!]
*Suddenly Kazuto and the other members of the Red Rose Faction stop and turn around, noticing the constellation of a rose in the sky. Then, the camera zooms at Kazuto's eyes before the screen becomes white*
[One thing that I cannot give up, with just one, I can become strong!]
*Saber of Red and Saber of White clash their swords and make a battle cry, while Rider of Red runs on her carriage to reach Rider of White, who summons her giant to attack her. Meanwhile, Assassin of Red and Assassin of White both make a fight pose before attacking each other with melee attack. Then Assassin of Red released some golden stardust with a determined face while Assassin of White threw plates with a grin on her face.*
[You were scared and I pulled your hand, we keep walking!]
*Lancer of Red gets surrounded in purple flames before creating purple dragons that are cut in half by Lancer of White with his lance, who jumps towards her with an excited face.*
[Our breath increasing in the head wind!]
*Caster of White attacks Astrea with magical beams, but the girl is saved by Caster of Red, who cuts the beams with her staff and is ready to fight, while Berserker of White dives with anger to attack Berserker of Red, who is furious as well and he's ready to attack her.*
[Boys and Girls be ambitious!]
*Then, Kanashimi holding the Black Keys with a worried face, Hinobu making a smile with a thumb up and a shadowy figure that turns around are seen.*
[ Boys and Girls keep it real! Boys and Girls be ambitious! Boys and Girls keep it real!]
*Archer of Red is preparing a flaming arrow while Archer of White is ready to shoot with his gun. The two Servants throw their blasts which clash against each other and form an explosion. Then the screen turns white and in the end, all the Masters and their Servants are seen striking a pose while a rose stands on the center. The opening ends*
Shibuya – Tokyo – 20.00 P.M
One of the most populated centers of the capital of Japan was full of people around this hour. Many normal persons that were walking, working, eating or doing other regular stuff, not knowing that in the meantime, humans with supernatural powers, accompanied by powerful beings, were about to do their first excursion…and start a war. It was the moment all 14 mages and their Servants were waiting for, the first phases of the Holy Grail War.
Kazuto and Astrea, alongside Archer and Caster of Red, were now standing at the top of a skyscraper, observing the city from above. The Tohsaka mage gave a closer look to the district in order to check if there was any magical presence nearby, but it seemed that there was no one at the moment.
"Are you feeling anything, Master?" Archer of Red asked. "No…not at the moment. It seems that the district of Shibuya is free from any sign of magecraft." Kazuto replied before he could hear someone breathing heavily behind him. Kazuto made a face that was a mix between sceptic and worried as he turned around, since that person was Astrea, the other Master that decided to go to the investigation. She was panting heavily and was already on her knees, with Caster that made a facepalm.
"Anf…anf…anf…I'm…exhausted…" Astrea said. "Astrea, we haven't even started! Aren't you exaggerating a little bit?" Kazuto asked. "Exaggerating!? I thought this was a war! You know, where you walk on the land until you finally encounter your enemy and engage him in battle, like in all those fantasy books I've read! I didn't know we were supposed to be some sort of substitution of Batman!" Astrea complained.
"Uhm…Master…there are all the things you just said…only with less people." Caster fairly pointed out, making her Master get quiet for a second. "…Oh…"
"Oh dear lord…listen Astrea, I know this may sound exhausting, but for now is better for us to move in this way. Quarters like Shibuya are very big, and it could be dangerous for the regular citizens to be around us." Kazuto then tried to explain her the situation. "Yeah. There could be terrible damages, and the events of the war would be known from everyone." Archer added.
"They're right, Master. In a Holy Grail War, the participants must do their best to do their actions without being undetected…well…it's not always like this, but I think you got what I wanted to say." Caster said with a smile. Astrea made a sigh of resignation. It was clear that there wasn't another way to act, at least not for the moment. "Fine…I understood, Master- I mean…Caster. But I'm tired…I don't think I can make another one of those jumps again…" She said.
"Sigh…fine. I'll carry you." Caster answered, not finding more solutions. She then grabbed her Master and put her on her back. "Wow! This reminds me of Lord of The Rings! Except that we're not going inside a volcano…" Astrea commented. "I think we're free to continue now." Caster then said to the other pair, who nodded. Once that little scene ended, the small group started to jump from one building to another.
In the meantime, another group, from the other faction was doing their first excursion as well, but unlike Kazuto and Astrea, they were searching on the ground floor. Tygo and Isak arrived at Shibuya and started to look around. "Hmmm…so this is the city of Tokyo…interesting. It's the first time I come here, and despite resembling many metropolis which I've been, it still has its charm." Isak commented with a smile and while scratching his chin. "I don't think we have time for this, Isak…we should move…what do you suggest?" Tygo asked.
"For now it's better to split up. The Masters of the Red Rose could be anywhere, so I think it's more suitable for us to visit more areas of the city at the same time, instead of going together in one zone by one." The leader of the White Rose suggested, even if that decision left Tygo a little bit confused. "What? Don't you think it could be dangerous? What if we met more than one Master with their Servants?" He asked.
"There's no need to worry about that. If you find the enemy you know what must be done. Plus, you can count on your Servant's strength, which is not little. Or perhaps are you saying that you don't trust your leader?" Isak asked back with a smirk.
"N-No…I'm not saying this…" Tygo answered back, a little bit scared from that expression his boss made. "Maybe it's better for us to follow his indications for now, Master." Rider of White's voice suggested. "Yes…I agree…"
"Well then…I think it's time. Good luck." Isak then saluted the other Master before going away. Tygo decided to go on the opposite way.
The young mage gave a look around to anyone that was close to him. Maybe among all those people…there was one that held magical powers. Who knew it? In a war like this, it was a smart move to make clever decisions like hiding among the ordinary people and make sure that their own magical energy was not perceived. This is the thought Tygo had in mind for the moment and what made him decide to walk through the city.
The boy kept on walking while his Servant, Rider of White, followed him on a spiritual form. He had a neutral expression, but he was actually feeling a little bit anxious on the inside. If someone passed close to him, they could have noticed that he was actually sweating from his head. Despite choosing to be among the first ones to battle and taking a little bit of courage thanks to the discussion he had with his Servant, Tygo was still a little bit unsure of how he would have handled the situation.
"…I don't feel anything…it seems that they're not here…guess I have no choice…" He thought. The mage then closed his eyes and decided to use one of his magecraft powers: the spirutual invocation. This was a specific magecraft that was passed down in his family from generation to generation. This power made him possible to summon spiritual animals through a part of their body as catalyst. Each of these spirits had a special attribute that could help him both in inspections and battles. This time in particular, he took a feature…and a beak. By maintaining calm and order in the magical circuits, he was able to summon two spiritual animals, and both of them were birds: A pigeon and a vulture. Luckily, they were invisible and only Tygo and his Servant could see them, so the other people didn't notice him.
"Find out if there are any mages around here." Tygo simply ordered to the two animals. While the vulture started to fly towards the sky, the pigeon started to fly around the area the young mage was standing. "Oh? What purpose do those animals have?" Rider of White's voice asked.
"The vulture has the attribute of sight, while the pigeon has the attribute of hearing. Thanks to them, I will notice the presence of enemy mages more easily." Tygo explained. "Interesting! You hold more surprises than I thought, Master!" His Servant answered.
"Well…thank you. Ok…time to move. Now that all the Servants had been gathered, even the Masters of the Red Rose had started moving…I'm sure of it." Tygo concluded before starting to move while the pigeon followed him from high.
Meanwhile, Kazuto, Astrea, Archer and Caster of Red were still jumping through one palace and another, but it seemed that their research from above didn't seem to bring any results. It appeared that there wasn't someone hiding there. "Hmmm…we've been jumping for a while but we didn't find anything. Guess we'll have to change tactic. Well, Astrea, be happy, we're going down." Kazuto said.
"Oh, thank god…I was starting to get dizzy…ok, Master- I mean…Caster…you can put me down…" Astrea said. "As you wish!" Caster replied while doing so.
"So…uhm…Kirito, right?" Astrea asked. "Kazuto." The Tohsaka mage corrected her. "CRAP, I KNEW IT AND I MADE A MISTAKE!" The other mage shouted, feeling ashamed. "N-NO! Calm down…think of what Master- I mean…Caster would say…ok…I'm calm. So…how are we gonna get down? Are you planning to go inside the building and coming down the stairs?" She then asked.
"No. We'll jump directly from here." Kazuto answered back with a normal tone, while Astrea on the other hand…shouted bewildered. "WHAAAT!? Are you serious!? You'll get killed! We can't afford to lose a Master immediately! Marcus would kill me!" She said, holding her head with her hands (She almost tore her hair).
"Master! Calm down! If Kazuto wants to do so, I'm sure he has a reasoning behind it!" Caster of Red tried to assure her Master. "Y-Yeah…thanks, Caster. I'll use my firing magecraft to go down." Kazuto explained before turning to his Servant. "Archer, turn on your spiritual form. We'll go down among the people for the moment."
"Got it." Archer simply replied before disappearing. "I'll do it too! We'll watch over you in case of trouble." Caster added, disappearing as well. "W-WAIT! Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo dead!" Astrea exclaimed, going in full panic. Kazuto understood that agitation of her. Unlike the other mages he had seen, Astrea was an average girl, and she didn't want to participate in the Rose Grail War in the first place, but…she was a comrade now, so the boy had to help her feeling better somehow. "Hey…Astrea. I know that this is putting a lot of pressure on you but…you know that if anything goes wrong, we're here. Do you trust me?" He asked.
The girl looked at him with tearful eyes in silence for some seconds. And then…she answered. "…Y-Yes…ok…" She said. It seemed that at least, she appreciated the effort.
"Good! Then hang on! We're going down!" The Tohsaka mage suggested, Once Astrea attached herself to him, the boy looked down. "Ok…let's land." He said, before making a jump. He was going down on high speed, but this didn't seem to scare him. He knew exactly what to do. Kazuto opened his hands that emitted two bursts of fire that worked as jetpacks that helped him go faster.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! IT'S TOO FAST!" Astrea shouted, feeling the impetus on her whole body. Once he was close to touching the ground, the boy made a pirouette to overturn himself and turn the fire on the ground, so that he and Astrea could land gently.
"Phew, done! See? It wasn't that bad!" Kazuto said to Astrea, who was staggering and had her hair messed up. "Aaaaaah…i…I need to breath…" She said. The Tohsaka Mage looked at her with a nervous smile and a drop of sweat coming down from his head. "Eheheh…maybe I've exaggerated…" He said.
Once the mage girl felt better, the two of them started to walk through the city, oblivious to the fact that their enemy was doing the same thing. Now they were some meters away from the district of Shibuya, in a zone of the city where some skyscrapers could still be seen, but there were less people.
"Hmmm…maybe this zone will be much easier to inspect, don't you think, Astrea? Uhm…Astrea?" When Kazuto turned around to ask her friend a question, he made a confused expression since the girl made a weird one.
Astrea had a quite delighted expression with her mouth wide open and she was drooling quite a lot. Her attention was caught by something that she was staring. When Kazuto looked in that direction…he could understand why.
There was a small crepes stand. "O-Oh dear lord…crepes are among the most delicious things in the world…i…I know we have a duty to do but…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I can't resist! I must have one right now!" Astrea said before turning to Kazuto. "Can I get one? Pleaaaaaaaaaaaase?" She asked, sounding like a child that asked for a candy.
"A-Astrea! We can't lose time like this! The enemy could be close and-" Kazuto tried to make her reason, but then, even Archer of Red seemed attracted by it. "I don't know what that is but…I'm interested now…it must be delicious." Her voice said. "I know I shouldn't say something like this but…maybe a little break isn't a bad idea at all." Caster of Red added. At this point, Kazuto didn't know what to do…but then he saw that stand again and he noticed that they were giving nutella crepes…and started to drool as well. "…Maybe a little crepe…" He said.
In the meantime, Tygo continued his research while eating a small kebab. "So far, everything seemed fine…there haven't been signs of enemies and the boss didn't call me either. But a day without result would be kinda disappointing…" He thought. "Through the vulture and the pigeon I've created, I have a more wider vision of the city, but for the moment…they didn't sense anything irregular."
But then…he suddenly stopped…and had his eyes wide open. A passerby looked at him and came closer to him, worried. "Uhm…are you alright?" He asked. The mage was quick to give an answer that could solve that little scene, as he turned around with a smile. "Yeah, don't worry! I just choked for a second on a piece of salad." Tygo replied.
"Hmm…ok. Be careful next time." The passerby said before leaving. Once he left, Tygo made sure that no one else could see him…and then…he turned around with a serious stare. "Found them."
Through the eyes of the spiritual vulture…he had seen them: two persons with magical powers, accompanied by two more strong entities. There was no doubt.
Those two were mages of the Red Rose Faction.
With that in mind, Tygo started to run as fast as he could towards their direction. Through the eyes of the vulture, he could see the position where they were standing, and know what road to take, like a sort of magic GPS that told him where to go.
Among the animals that he could summon, there was another one that could help him reach those two Masters in a shorter time, but he couldn't do it at the time, so he preferred to trust the sight of the vulture and the hearing of the pigeon. "Did you find them, Master?" Rider of White's voice asked. "Yes! And they're not too far from here! Get ready, Rider! We'll have to battle!" Tygo answered, sounding both excited and serious when it came to this. His first enemies were in the area, and he didn't want or couldn't lose them. It seemed that for the moment, he wanted to be the protagonist of that night and do something very important. But then…
"Ack!" Tygo suddenly fell down after clashing with another person. "Ouch…s-sorry…I wasn't paying attention…" He said to the person he clashed with, but when he opened his eyes…he swallowed a bit.
It was a man nearly two meters high with black hair and blue eyes, wearing a black jacket with a white fur, black long jeans and black leather shoes. This individual immediately glared at Tygo, who understood that this wasn't an easy person. "You have some temper to dare pushing me down and making an excuse like that, pipsqueak…maybe I'll have to teach you a lesson." He said.
The mage couldn't do nothing more but get ready. "Dammit…now I'm forced to fight with him and he might slow me down…I have no choice…I have to get rid of him as soon as possible!" He thought. Thanks to the magical circuits he had in his body, Tygo was surely stronger than him and could take him down easily, but still, this situation stressed him a lot. Now that he had the chance to see if he was worthy to participate in this war, he couldn't slow down because of some thug.
He had to pass, no matter what.
Tokyo-Wan Aqua Line, 22.30 P.M
Once they've eaten their crepes, the two Masters and the two Servants belonging to the Red Rose Faction continued their inspection. It was starting to get late, so the streets of the city were starting to get empty, helping those two couples with their research, even if the walk continued normally for a while.
And in the end, the four of them reached the Tokyo-Wan Aqua Line, a giant combination of a bridge and a tunnel that built on the bay of Tokyo. "Wow…this bridge sure is long…are you sure you want to go here as well?" Astrea asked.
"Indeed. Maybe we could find an hint that could lead us to an enemy Master as well. Once we've passed through here, we can come back to the headquarter and end the night, since it's been a while since we started searching." Kazuto answered. "Yeah, I think you're right. Man…this sure is disappointing…" The other mage said, making the Tohsaka one curious. "Hm? What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean…ending the trip empty-handed would be sad. It's like going on a treasure hunt and find an empty chest! I'm just saying that…it would be disappointing to just end the walk without no achievement! This war could be recognized in the records for having a boring prologue!" Astrea replied. "Hmm…I understand how you feel, Master. But you know, maybe we'll be lucky next time! Patience is a great virtue!" Caster of Red told her. Both she and Archer of Red were now showing themselves since there wasn't anyone around them.
Kazuto then took the chance to look at the sea. Seeing something so calm and beautiful made him relaxed. "To think I've used this bay to come here once I've came out of prison yesterday. Sure Tokyo is a good city." He said.
"Uh? Prison?" Astrea asked. "Yes…as you know, it was unclear if I would have participated in this Holy Grail War at all…because I was in prison actually." Kazuto answered while looking at the ocean. "And…why that? Did you try to make a coup d'etat?" The other mage tried to guess before getting a small slap by her Servant. "OUCH!"
"Master! Get a hold of yourself! It's a serious thing!" Caster told her. "Oh…right…sorry, Master- I mean Caster…" Astrea answered.
"Yes…I was in prison, but just like I said to Archer yesterday. It doesn't matter to me anymore. It's all in the past now." Kazuto said. "…Are you sure? It must have been heavy for you…what…what does it make you so sure?" Astrea then asked.
"Hmmmm…" The Tohsaka mage tried to think about some words to use it. "It's hard to explain it…but…ever since I was able to see the outside world again…I started to have feelings again. Being trapped in that room for over four years was stealing me every type of emotion I had in my heart…I was starting to look like an empty shell. But…then I had a dream…where a voice told me that the time has come…and it was my turn to fight. At first I didn't realize what did it meant, but then I've had the fight with Assassin of White yesterday…and everything became clear…I've found my reason to fight…and thanks to this…I've started to look forward. Uhm…just like I said it's kinda complicated to express but…I guess you could say…that now that I'm free again, I won't let anyone steal my freedom." He explained.
"Oh! I see…uhm…oh god what should I do? I…I want to say something but…I can't find the words!" Astrea said, massaging her temples. "Don't worry, Master! Be natural! At least…don't try to do uncomfortable questions, and I'm sure Kazuto will hear you gladly!" Caster of Red said.
"O-Ok! Uhm…well..that's a good way of reasoning. At least…you have a reason to fight…unlike me that I don't even understand at all what this Grail War actually is…and to think that it all started in a random way!" Encouraged by her Servant's words, Astrea started to find the right words.
"You said something about a phoenix, right?" Kazuto asked. "Y-Yeah…I may not look like it but…I'm a huge nerd. Ever since I was a kid I've really liked fantasy books that talked about long adventures and magic. And as you could guess…my favorite one is Harry Potter, so I've ended up practicing some magecraft on my own after getting inspired by all the tales I've read about. And one day…I've tried to summon a phoenix…I've had it all…the pig's blood…the items I got from a grocery store…and so i did the summoning, but instead of a phoenix…" Astrea started to explain.
"You've summoned Caster." Archer of Red said. "Yeah…and my first reaction to her…wasn't that great…as usual." Astrea answered. "Yeah…she yelled for two good minutes…I've had to hit her to make her stop." Caster of Red added.
"Oh God, why did you say that? This is so embarrassing…but…back to the story…she was the one who told me about this war…and that I ended up being chosen by the Grail as one of its participants. And now…here I am. And despite it had been a while since Caster entered in my life i….i don't know, I just feel ankward. It's true that a life full of magic would have surely interested me but…I never thought I would have ended like this. I mean…look at me! I don't sound like a smart person! And yet the Grail had chosen me! Sometimes…I even wonder why…" Astrea continued.
"I see…well…I can understand you a little bit. Even I felt the same as you yesterday. I've studied all my life for this moment and then…it turned out that it all had been different. Plus, if it can make you happy, I wasn't suppose to participate in this war either!" Kazuto said with a smile.
"Why not…?" Astrea asked. "Because probably…the Grail would probably have chosen my father…but he died a some year ago." Kazuto answered. "Oh…uhm…condolence…" The mage girl simply spoke.
"So yeah…I know how you feel. It can be natural for you to react like this. Unless you were grown in a family of mages, it's hard to accept this type of role." Kazuto continued. Somehow what he said, made Astrea think of a memory that sounded…painful for her?
"Y-Yeah…I guess you're right. Even so…I still think it's worth trying to be in this war…at first I didn't intend to participate at all, and I thought of some cheap way! But then…" Astrea continued before pointing at her Servant. "She made me change idea."
"Hm? Caster did?" Archer asked curious. "Well yes. To be honest, I was surprised to have a Master like Astrea but then…I immediately realized what was her problem. I don't know if it is fate, or if it is a coincidence that brought us together but…In that moment…I knew she needed someone like me. So I've decided to become her Senpai for a while! And despite not showing it…she's learning well! And that means that Buddha must really like her!" Caster explained with a smile. "And I'm happy to see that Astrea is trying to get out of her shell! Even courage is a great virtue!"
"Awww, it kinda reminds me of you, Kazuto!" Archer said to her Master. "It does?" the Tohsaka mage asked. "A little bit."
"If you say so…anyways…just like Caster said, it's good to see that you're trying to find the courage to be useful. It's something you should be proud of." Kazuto then said to his friend, who started to tremble a little bit with her cheeks read. "K-Kazuto…you'll make me fall in love with you by saying these things…" She said. "Uhm…I already have someone…" The Tohsaka mage quickly answered.
"Oh…never mind, then. Ahem! Now…we have to pass through this giant bridge right?" The girl asked. "Yes…that's what we wanted to do…" Archer of Red replied, but then…in that exact moment…something caught her attention. Her ears were attracted by a noise that was getting closer, so she started to be cautious of the environment.
"Uh? Is everything ok, Archer?" Kazuto asked her. "Something…is coming closer…" His Servant answered, making the others vigilant. "Oh god! Are you serious!? Please don't tell me that the Dark Eaters really exist! DAMMIT! I KNEW THEY WERE AFTER ME!" Astrea exclaimed, started to panic. "Master! Calm down!" Caster told her.
Archer of Red tried to understand what was happening…and then she had the answer by turning around, and looking up. And she saw something that wasn't reassuring…
A person was diving at high speed towards them, with the intend to attack them. The Servant immediately realized it, as she grabbed Kazuto before jumping away. "We have to get away!" She exclaimed. "What!?"
"Master! We too!" Caster said before grabbing Astrea and jumping as well. "AAAAAAH!" Astrea shouted a little since she didn't expect it. And just as they all jumped away, the person who tried to attack them crashed with violence on the bridge, creating a small crater.
"Anf…anf…what the hell was that!?" Astrea exclaimed. "If it directly attacked us…it must means only one thing…" Caster of Red answered, standing on guard. "Yes…just like it happened with me yesterday…" Kazuto added.
Once the smoke disappeared from the crater, the figure that attacked them was finally revealed. It was Tygo, who stood up and cleaned his clothes while Rider of White appeared behind him.
"D-Dear lord! He made a hole like that?" The girl mage commented. "Well…he's a mage like you, after all…" Her Servant replied.
"You made me run for a while, Red Rose Masters…I've even ended up knocking down a bravado one in order to chase you. But now I've finally got you…and there's no way I will let you escape…" Tygo said to them.
"You were…chasing us?" Kazuto asked. "And most of all…you knew of our position…how?" Archer added. In that moment, the pigeon and the vulture that Tygo summoned before returned to him and disappeared, turning back to a feather and a beck. "I've had a little help. Thanks to them, I was able see where you two were hiding. It took longer than I expected, but I made it." The mage explained.
"Wow…that seems cool…i fear that he could outsmart me…but still…" Astrea thought. "That magecraft…is the first time I see something like that…I think we'll meet more mages with unique skills from now on…I can't forget it…" Kazuto thought, by looking at the catalysts his enemy was holding. "So…you were looking for us? What a coincidence. We were doing the same thing. At least we'll have a satisfaction before we leave." He then said, getting ready to fight.
In that moment, Archer of Red looked at the woman that was standing beside Tygo and immediately noticed that the magical energy inside her was much superior to the mage's one, which meant only one thing. "I suppose that you are his Servant." She simply said.
"Indeed. I don't think there's any need of presentations, since we all know what our purpose is." Rider of White said to them. "So you prefer to go straight to the action! Eheh…I already like you!" Caster of Red said, getting ready as well, making her staff rotate and holding it tight.
"Crap…I hoped to find someone tonight…but I would have never expected to meet two of them…if Isak was here things would be much easier…no! I don't have to be scared! Remember why you're here, Tygo…you can do it!" The White Rose mage thought. There was still a sign of his anxiety, but he was also able to find a new determination to fight. Now that he had the chance to show his utility, there was no way he would have wasted it.
Astrea looked at the situation while sweating. She could already notice that both Kazuto and her enemy were ready to attack in any moment, while she was still afraid. She didn't know why, but she couldn't stand being in that position. She thought of the chat she just had with Kazuto, and all the things she had learned from her Servant. She still thought the thing she said…if she was there, then perhaps there was a way to be useful…right? "Aaaargh…dammit! I can't believe I'm going to say it…but I made a decision!" She thought, looking more resolute than the usual.
"Ok! Whenever you're ready!" Kazuto said to Tygo, ready to snap his fingers but then…"Wait Kazuto!" Suddenly Astrea calling him. "Uh? What is it?" The Tohsaka mage asked. The mage girl was shaking all over her body. She was starting to regret what she was going to say, but now that she made her decision, she wouldn't have change it. So for once…she took courage.
"I…I want to fight them! Just me and Caster!" She confessed, surprising everyone, even Tygo and his Servant. "What? She wants to fight on her own? No…maybe she has a plan…kh…I need to be extra careful now!" The White Rose mage thought.
"Astrea? Are you sure of it?" Kazuto asked, worried. "More than sure! If I have to be in this war then I'll take my role! Leave them to me and Caster! We're badass enough to handle them!" Astrea replied.
"Astrea…" Caster of Red was surprised by her sudden change of mood…but at the same time she made a long smile. She was delighted to see that her Master was starting to get some courage. Maybe in the future, if she continued like this, she would have shown her true potential. "Well…if that's your decision than I cannot let you down! Glad to see that you decided to take action!" She said while going beside her Master. "Don't worry, Archer, I can handle myself against that Servant." She then spoke to Kazuto's Servant.
"You sure?" Archer of Red asked. "Yes! I have the spirit of Buddha with me, so there's no way I could fall down that easily!" Caster of White replied with a smirk. "Y-Yeah, the same goes for you Kazuto. I've got it here. Listen, there's a tunnel under this bridge…I suggest you to go down there, maybe there are other mages belonging to the White Rose!" Astrea said to Kazuto.
Both him and Archer were surprised by the will of those two girls. They looked at each other…and then they nodded. "Got it. Let's go Archer!" The Tohsaka mage said before starting to run. "Got it!" Archer of Red followed him.
"I'm proud of you Astrea! Do your best!" With that, both Kazuto and his Servant left…leaving the four fighters alone.
Astrea versus Tygo…and Caster of Red against Rider of White…what the outcome would have been?
"I hope we'll have a good fight, Servant of the White Faction, I don't want to scare you, but I'm kinda tough. Can you keep up with me?" Caster of Red asked. This made Rider of White giggle, as she took a lire and started to play. "Of course. I won't hold back either, warrior of the Red Faction. I'll attack with the best of my techniques." She said. Suddenly, the earth started to tremble, as a shining light appeared out of nowhere, revealing a giant bull clad in a white and golden armor, who took Rider on his back.
"H-Holy cow! Oh shoot, I made a terrible joke…" Astrea commented. "Ahah! So you must be a Rider! Very well! Like nowdays kids would say, TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL!" Caster of Red said, sounding excited to start the battle, as she started to run towards Rider of White. She then jumped and attacked with her staff, making the bull recoil far away from the two Servants Masters.
"Rider and her Servant started the battle. Now it's just me and…her." Tygo thought, looking at his enemy with a worried face. Even Astrea had a worried face. "Ok…it's my turn now…I need something to provoke him…oh I got it!" She thought.
"I'll let you know that I come from a prestigious mage family of the Netherlands, so it won't easy for you to-" Tygo was about to give a proper introduction until…he felt something small hitting him on the head and falling down. When he looked on his feet…he saw something that…confused him…
What hit him was…a dog treat. Yes. A dog treat.
Tygo looked up again…and saw Astrea with a smirk, feeling very proud of what she just made, as she put her fists on her hips and snorted with her nose. He…he just couldn't believe that she had just done it. "Did…did you just throw a freaking dog treat at me…?" He asked, sounding offended.
"Yes! Wait…i…didn't have to do that, right?" Astrea asked.
An embarrassing silence followed and then…
"TSEAAAAH!" With an outstanding speed, Tygo threw a punch on Astrea's face. "WUAAAAH!"
Meanwhile, Rider of White was still on the top of her gigantic bull, playing the lire. The melody composed generated three lightning that tried to attack Caster of Red, who knew how to dodge them. The monk warrior ran around the area, with this, the lightning appeared only behind her and failed to hit her. Caster of Red ended up being behind the bull and jumped in an attempt to attack Rider with her staff, but the animal knew it well, so he made a kick with his hind legs. "ACK!" Caster of Red was sent a few meters away, but she quickly gained balance and landed on her feet. Despite the attack she received, the Servant smiled. "I consider the bulls and cows an holy animal, so it saddens me to attack one of them, but as my enemy, I have no choice." She said.
"This bull is a gift from my beloved lover, and he had ran far and wide in the world. It won't be easy for you to surpass him." Rider of White answered with a confident smile, as she turned around, while the bull was getting a running start.
"Are you sure of it? Have you ever heard the tale of Son Goku? Even he thought to be at the top of the world, but still he couldn't realize that he was walking on the hand of the Buddha. Try not to make the same error!" Caster of Red stated, as she looked at the bull with defiance.
Soon, both her and Rider of White's bull started to run towards each other, until they clashed, releasing a blast wave that damaged the pylons around them. To Rider of White's surprise, Caster of Red was pushing against her bull, holding her teeth tightly. But the bull didn't notice one thing: The enemy was holding him by the horns.
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…" With great strength, Caster of Red started to lift the bull…and then…he threw him away. "WRYAAAAAAH!"
"D-Dammit!" Rider of White was thrown away as well, since she was on the bull's back. Once the animal fell to the ground, Caster of Red immediately ran towards him and started to attack his belly repeatedly by using her staff. "DORARARARARARARARAAAAA!" With a stronger blow, she pushed both of them away. "See? I told you I wouldn't hold back."
But then, the bull immediately stood up and put Rider of White on his back again. His eyes started to glow, as he glanced at the enemy Servant. "Oh don't worry…we're just getting started." Rider of White said, with still a smirk. The bull then made a loud roar and started to run towards Caster of Red, who got caught by surprise and got hit by a head-butt of the animal, before he turned around and gave her another kick, sending her a few meters away.
This time, the monk Servant felt the attack and spit some blood from her mouth, but she wasn't defeated yet, so she stood up. "Eheh…this will take longer than usual, but that's fine for me! I've been waiting a while for a battle this!" She stated while making her staff rotate.
"AAARGH!" Astrea in the meantime was getting hit by various punches made by Tygo, who attacked determined. "Come on! You can't do better than that!?" The White Rose mage exclaimed. But Astrea made a smirk. "Oh, I don't think so! Have a bite of this!" The Red Rose one answered by making a ring she was holding shine. In that exact moment, Tygo ended up getting electrified all over his body by a strong shockwave. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Due to the pain he felt, The mage had to jump away. "K-Kh…electricity!? What the hell!?" He exclaimed.
"And I'm not done yet!" Astrea exclaimed, as she clapped her hand. Once she did so, Tygo could feel like being attracted by an invisible force and got attached to a pylon. "G-GAH! What is happening!? I can't move!" He said, as he tried to struggle.
The Red Rose mage didn't lose any time and quickly ran towards him and punched him repeatedly. "Time to pay you back!" She exclaimed. "Wow, I really said something like that!? Oh my god! Is it strange if I'm feeling cool?" She thought.
"D-Dammit! She doesn't seem that smart, yet her magecraft is extremely dangerous! I can't afford to be eliminated first! The others would humiliate me forever! I NEED TO INVENT SOMETHING!" Tygo thought. By using all the strength he had, he took absorbed the magical energy from the fossilized claw of a deinonychus, which boosted the muscle on his arm and made him use a strong punch against Astrea. "ORYAAAAAAH!"
The girl got hit on her chest and spit blood from her mouth. "C-Crap! Not this again!" She thought before flying away and falling to the ground. She took a breath before standing up again, only to see that now Tygo was absorbing the magical energy from the fur of a gazelle, which powered up the muscles on his legs, and thus, making him faster. The White Rose mage started to run, reaching almost the speed of sound, and he gave another fist at Astrea.
Even she didn't know how, but thanks to a pure stroke of luck, Astrea was able to block the punch by putting her arms in front of her. But Tygo wasn't done yet, and threw a kick on her spleen. Astrea gritted her teeth to hold the pain and elbowed on his leg, making him yell with pain. Both of them then kept their distance in order to take breath.
"Y-You're mocking me…you make stupid stuff and yet you are this powerful!?" Tygo exclaimed. "You know…I'm surprised as well…but now that I know this, I feel that I need to continue!" Astrea answered. "I'll continue as well…I'LL NEVER BE A BURDEN FOR THE OTHERS AGAIN!" Tygo said, before running towards her.
"BRING IT ON!" Astrea answered back while running towards him as well.
"NGH!" Meanwhile, Caster of Red was being pushed away again by Rider of White's bull and she ended up falling to the ground. "Anf…anf…anf…eheheh! She's putting me on the spot! Things are starting to get real pumped up!" She said.
"MMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Bull didn't stop and charged against the enemy as well, who moved on the left to dodge him and run away, chased by the animal. But she wasn't intending on running forever, as she had a plan, and Rider of White noticed it. "Uh!? Be careful! She's up to something!" She tried to advise her animal, but it was already too late.
The bull was going to stab her with his horn, but Caster of Red made a jump back to dodge him. While still on mid-air, the Servant belonging to the Red Rose Faction turned around, and now she was at the same height as Rider of White. "Take this!" Caster of Red proceeded to give her a kick that made her fall from the bull. "Aaaack!" The Servant of the White Rose Faction ended up falling to the ground, while Caster of Red was now on the bull's back. "Time to go to sleep!" She said before hitting the bull's back with her staff, making him stop and fall down.
That sight made Rider of White sad, as she called him back and made him disappear. Caster of Red landed on her feet and the two Servants looked at each other. "I see…you've called him back to prevent more suffering. Not only you have a beautiful appearance, but you also seem to keep that beauty even inside your heart! I like it! You're worthy of being called an Heroic Spirit!" Caster of Red said.
"Really? Thank you!" Rider of White answered with a smile. "I think the same of you! Despite the superior strength of my bull, you still maintained balance in your movements and even outsmarted me. I can see that you've trained yourself in body, mind and spirit to reach your results. The more I see you, the more you remind me of the proud warriors that once lived in my land and became heroes."
"Oh really? Then I think it's a shame I wasn't there! I would have really wanted to meet them and text their power! But you don't joke either!" Caster of Red commented. "Indeed they held an incredible power, just like you. It's a shame that fate had decided to make us enemies…and I've made a promise to protect Tygo, therefore…I can't fall." Rider of White answered.
"You seem to care pretty much to your Master…I'm curious. What is the reason?" Caster of Red asked. "Oh, it's not that of a big deal, actually. It's just natural for me to be affectionate towards a person who stays close to me. Back when I was alive, I've had many descendants that ended up becoming important figures in the story of my land…some in a positive way and some in a negative way. Those children even had children of their own, which made me happy! Becoming a grandma is wonderful! Even though, I couldn't be there for my grandchildren like I would have wanted to. Then, when I was summoned by Tygo, I could feel the same emotion of my family. I immediately understood that boy needed me in order to become a better person. For me, it's like a grandchild, teheh!" Rider of White explained.
"Impressive! So you see him as someone to protect and take care of! I could say the same about Astrea. I've had many disciples in the past, but of all them, Astrea is surely one of the most interesting ones! She's a girl with a great potential, but she still has some problems when it comes to life, therefore I felt the duty to stay by her side and teach how to live free and without problems. And that's something I intend to keep." The other Servant said with a smile.
"Wow…even though we are enemies…we both share the affection towards the ones who summoned us." Rider of White noticed with a smile. "Indeed! And I absolutely respect that side of you! But, I still intend to continue the fight, and look forward for the victory, so I won't hold back." Caster of Red replied, ready to restart the battle.
"I know that…and that's why…It's time to use my asset." Rider of White stated. "Uh?" The other Servant asked. "My bull isn't my only weapon. I have another reason to be classified as a Rider Servant. And it's…this…"
Rider of White then closed her eyes and raised her hand up to the sky. Once she did so, a giant red light appeared behind her, looking like the giant crater of a volcano…and from that same crater…it appeared.
A giant made of iron that reminded an ancient warrior, with various parts of its armor made of lava…emerged from the crater. The being lowered his hand to let Rider of White jump on it. Once she did so, the giant put her on its head and then looked at Caster of Red…ready to fight.
"Woaaaaah…so that's what you were hiding! Outstanding…I couldn't ask for a more wonderful challenge! Very well! Time for Round two! BRING IT ON!" Caster of Red stated, holding her staff tightly and running towards the giant with determination.
(SEID IHR DAS ESSEN? NEIN, WIR SIND DIE JAGER!)
[Attack On Titan – Guren no Yumiya]
The giant immediately threw a punch towards Caster of Red, who jumped on the right to dodge it, The monk warrior couldn't take a moment to relax, now that the enemy had to take out her most powerful weapon, so she quickly rotated her staff and attacked the giant's arm with it, making the being withdraw the hand. Then the giant used its other hand to crush Caster of Red, but the woman Servant jumped on the left this time and answered with a strong kick. "HIYA!" Even in this occasion, the giant had to withdraw the hand, and then it charged a beam of fire from its chest that successfully it the enemy, making her fly a few meters away and lose her hat.
But this wouldn't have been enough to stop her, as she stood up with still a smile.
(Without knowing the names of the trodden flowers, birds that have fallen to the ground, carry the wind…)
"HERE I COME!" The monk Servant started to run at high speed towards the being, who continued to shoot red beams from its chest. Rider of White helped it by playing a melody with her lire that generated lightnings. Caster of Red continued to run and to quickly move from both sides in order to dodge both beams and the lightnings, but one of the thunders ended up hitting her and made her fall to the ground. "Gah!"
(Nothing changes when I pray. It's the determination that will change the "Unwilling Situation"!)
The giant closed its hands to fists and made them crash against the ground to finish Caster of Red. But much to Rider of White's surprise, her enemy quickly disappeared and reappeared on the giant's right hand and with a confident smile, she started to climb through its body with the attempt of reaching Rider of White.
(A pig that has the will to go beyond the corpse…)
The giant immediately placed the left hand on its right arm to stop Caster of Red's climbing, but the girl jumped forward to doge it and continue. The giant then tried to use a punch, but Caster of Red used her staff to block it and continue. Then, once she was close enough, the monk warrior jumped high and was ready to attack Rider of White, just like she did with the bull before. But this time, the Servant belonging to the White Rose Faction knew how to answer, as she played the lire to create a lightning that stunned Caster of Red. In addition to that the giant shot a laser beam from its head, that pushed Caster of Red yet again.
But Caster of Red still stood up, despite all the damages she was taking. Most of her body was now soaked in blood, but she still kept that smile. "You're heavily damaged, yet you continue…" Rider of White said. "You shouldn't be surprised at this point. A good fighter always resists and fights back until they're not knocked out!" Caster of Red answered, making Rider of White giggle. "That's what I wanted to hear."
(The well being of livestock, false prosperity, the hungry wolf "freedom" to die!)
Once again, Caster of Red started to run towards her enemy, and this time, she rotated her staff to shoot yellow spheres from it that attacked the iron's body, making him recoil a little bit. The being continued to shoot beams from both its chest and its head, and this time, Caster answered by releasing even more golden spheres that went through the beams and generating little explosions.
(The captive humiliation is a counterattack used by who kills the prey beyond the wall, JAGER!)
"GRAAAAAH!" With all of her strength, Caster of Red then jumped forward, reaching the giant's knees and attacked them by using powerful kicks that made the being fall. Then by using her staff, Caster of Red generated a golden ring around Rider of White that wrapped itself around her. By closing her hand, The Servant of the Red Rose made the ring explode, making her enemy fall from the giant. "Aaaack!" Rider of White fell to the ground and lost her crown.
"Phew, I risked a lot but I did it!" Caster of Red commented before getting suddenly attacked by a red beam of the giant. "AGH!"
"If you think it's over, you're wrong…" Europa stated, holding the lire on her hands while the giant stood up.
(Scorching himself to the screaming "murderous intention" and piercing at scarlet dusk…)
"That's fine by me!" Caster of Red exclaimed before attacking repeatedly Rider of White with her staff. The other Servant quickly moved her head to dodge the attacks and push the opponent away before playing a melody that generated a lightning that hit Caster of Red, who still continued and punched Rider of White on her belly, making her spit blood and recoil. And right in that moment, Caster of Red had being pushed away as well from a fist made by the giant.
Despite everything, the two Servants were willing to continue. They wouldn't have stopped until one of them would have fallen down. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" They both made a shout before throwing themselves one against another.
(THE BOW AND ARROW OF CRIMSON!)
Meanwhile, the two Masters, Astrea and Tygo were having the same resolution and power that their Servants were using.
Tygo used a karate chop with both of his hands on Astrea's spleens, making her spit blood from her mouth. The girl gritted her teeth and gave a strong headbutt to Tygo, damaging his nose and making him recoil. But this didn't stop the boy from attacking, as he raised his head up and gave a strong punch to the other Master.
Astrea didn't expect it, so she got fully hit by it, and recoiled as well. She looked down…before spitting something from her mouth.
It was a teeth.
"Anf…anf…anf…" Tygo had to take a breath after all the attacks he had given, so once he saw that his opponent wasn't moving, even though he didn't understand why. Maybe that bizarre girl was about to fall down, making him the winner of the battle?
Nothing happened for a good minute…why wasn't his enemy doing anything? The battle wasn't done yet but…Astrea didn't seem to move…so what was happening?
"Why aren't you moving? Are you trying to give up?" Tygo asked. But Astrea didn't answer…yet…something could be heard from her, and it was something that surprised the mage of the White Faction.
Sobbing.
In fact, when Astrea raised up her head…her face was full of tears that went down like waterfalls. "W-What the…? Why are you crying?" Tygo asked. "Are you telling me that after all the attacks you've thrown at me you're crying for that simple punch!? Don't be ridiculous!"
Astrea didn't know what to say…this was one of her typical moments when she was stuck in a decision…that regretted. It seemed that in that moment, she replaced her brain with her heart. She took the thing so hard and she was starting to fell apart
She tried to explain, but before she could start…those crybaby tears came out of the dark. And for her…Tygo was turning the handle of the faucet in her eyes.
"E-Even I don't know why I'm crying! It could be for the pain you gave to me, or because I'm hurting another people when I don't want to! It's just that…FOR ME CRYING IS NATURAL IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING, BUT I'M STILL DOING IT! I've decided to face you and both Kazuto and my Servant decided to put their trust in me! I'm scared of this whole situation, but I still wanna do it! I need to take some courage and be of some help for the others!" Astrea exclaimed, while continuing to cry. At this point, her eyes were starting to turn red by all those tears.
Tygo was surprised by that answer…and somehow…this made him cry as well. Why? Why was he crying? She was the enemy right? There was no reason for crying at all.
But deep down…he knew why those tears kept going down through his face. Because…he was starting to feel sorry for her.
Because after all…she seemed just like him. Just someone who wasn't completely smart…but still desired to be of some help. By looking at her…many memories flashed through his mind.
When he thought that it was not him, but them. When he was one of a kind and no one could understand. But still…those crybaby tears kept coming back again.
"H-Hey…you're crying too…" Astrea noticed. "I-I know…but…I can't let some water to block me! I…I need to move on…is…is that what you're thinking too, right?" Tygo asked.
"Y-Yes…" The girl mage simply replied. "I…I understand what you're feeling…somehow…t-then…let's continue!" Tygo concluded before attacking again. Astrea, too, started to throw punches at him.
Tygo's thought was right in the end. Both he and Astrea were similar. Both of them were impulsive, and did their best to help even if they weren't the best of their kind…and they got often scared by the situations and end up being paranoic…but they also had one big quality at the same time.
Despite the fear…they both kept on walking and ignored those tears…because they still wanted to try-
They would have been called crybabies, crybabies…but they didn't fucking care. Crybabies, crybabies…if they could they would have laughed through their tears. The tears kept on falling down, but they would have left them drown.
Both of them gave a strong punch to each other. Then Tygo took the ear of a hare and absorbed magical energy through it, which helped him increase his agility and quickly go behind Astrea. The girl didn't expect it, and got caught by her enemy, who threw her away by using a suplex.
"AAAAGH!" Astrea ended up to the ground, but she didn't give up, and used another one of her magecraft skills: body augmentation. Her arm started to extend like a large spring and grabbed Tygo's neck. "W-What!?" He exclaimed.
Astrea didn't lose any time and threw him against a pylon. The boy immediately stood up and thanks to the spiritual energy of the hare, he made a long jump and attacked Astrea in a dive with a double punch. The girl blocked those two punches with her own ones, and the impact generated a strong blast wave. In that moment, the two of them looked at each other, still with those tears on their eyes.
One looked at the other and they saw themselves. They both didn't know anything about each other, but at the same time they knew the other better than anyone else. They had the same faucet in their eyes, so her tears were his.
Tygo then proceeded to kick her in the head. As a result, Astrea fell to the ground, but immediately got up and elbowed Tygo in the belly, making him spit blood. The mage girl had not finished yet, as she used her ring to give her opponent a strong electric shock. "GAAAAAAAH!" The pain for Tygo was immeasurable, but he didn't want to quit. So with all the strength he could gather, he took the horn of a bull and powered up the magical energy in his muscles and pushed away Astrea with a strong slap on the chest.
Both of them were panting heavily…soaked with tears and blood and looked at each other. It was in that moment that panic took over their hearts. They both wanted to stop fighting. At this point, they both were scared to continue, but at the same time, they thought that the one would have finished the other. So they both of the same solution.
They raise their hand and used it…
"I order you by this Command Spell! Come help me!" Both Astrea and Tygo shouted.
Caster of Red and Rider of White were still fighting in the mean time, but as soon as they heard the order in their bodies, The Servant belonging to the White Rose made her giant disappear and they both teleported back to their Masters.
Caster of Red appeared in front of Astrea, ready to attack Tygo, while Rider of White appeared in front of Tygo, ready to attack Astrea.
And in the end, the two Servants clashed against each other, with the Red Rose Servant using her staff and the White Rose Servant using her lire.
"Astrea! Are you ok?" Caster of Red asked worried. "Tygo!" Rider of White added. The two mages looked at each other while panting heavily, afraid of what would have happened now. It was at this point that the two Servants realized what was best for them.
"Both of them are pretty injured…and they even called out for our help…" Caster of Red noticed. "At this stake, I can't let you harm him. But the same could be said about you…" Rider of White answered. Both of them looked at their Masters…who nodded.
"I see…then there's nothing more to add. We shall leave for now. We can consider it a tie." Rider of White said.
"Yes, I think it's the better solution for now. I've had fun fighting with you. I hope we can end our match one day." Caster of Red answered. "I can say the same about you." Rider of White told her back before summoning her bull and put both herself and Tygo above it. "Then, we bid you adieu…for now." With those words, the pair belonging to the White Rose Faction left.
With that, Astrea could fall to the ground and take deep breaths. "ANF…ANF…ANF…I'm…I'm exhausted…I can't move…" She said.
Once the enemy was gone, Caster of Red could put back her hat and look at her Master. "Master…did you do that to him?" She asked, referring to all those wounds Tygo had in his body.
"Y-Yes! I-I didn't even know I could do all that! It was like I was some sort of battle shonen protagonists, there were barrels, lightnings, boosts and another ton of things! I…I'm shocked…" Astrea said while she still couldn't believe what just happened.
This made her Servant smile. "Well, it seems that the training is starting to give its fruits! But…why did both of you decided to call us? You could have ended the battle if you wanted." She then asked.
Astrea looked up at the stars…and thought of it. Why…did she do that? She would have answered with something like 'I was too scared', because it was true. But…she also felt that it wasn't entirely the reason. "I…I don't know either if I have to be honest…maybe it's because…I didn't want to end it right there…" She answered.
Caster of Red didn't fully understand what she meant, but…it didn't care for now. "Well…I thought you would have done something like this…after all…this is only the beginning of this Holy Grail War…even though, you've used one of your Command Spells. But…for now we can relax at least, and you did a pretty good job!" She said.
"Thank you…even though it makes me sad to know that I can't help Kazuto…what if another Master attacks him!? AAAAAAAH Oh god oh god oh god! I'm starting to feel as useless as a comic relief in a superhero comic!" Astrea answered by panicking again.
"Master! Calm down!" Caster of Red exclaimed. "Y-Yes…sorry, Master- I mean…Caster." Astrea answered.
"Don't worry about Kazuto. I'm sure he'll take care of himself. Plus, don't forget that Archer is with him!" Caster of Red then said. "Y-Yes…you're right…I wonder what he's doing now…" Astrea replied.
Meanwhile, Kazuto and Archer were walking through the tunnel that was placed under the long bridge. It had been a while since they've started to perlustrate the long road and during that, they could hear a lot of strong noises coming from above. But now…they seemed to have stopped.
"I don't hear them anymore…maybe the battle is over?" Kazuto wondered. "It's a possibility. But if that's so…we should head back and see what happened." Archer of Red suggested.
"Yes. I was thinking the same. Plus, we've checked out all the tunnel and we didn't find anything. Let's go." Kazuto answered….but…just as they were about to leave.
"Oh really? What a shame…to think that I had just arrived." A voice suddenly said.
The Tohsaka mage could feel his heart stop for a second…and his eyes were wide open. He didn't know why…but…that soft…calm…and kind voice…gave him a lot of pressure. His body was trembling…and he was starting to feel cold. Why? It was surely the enemy…then why was he feeling so terrified? It just…didn't make sense…
Archer of Red turned around and made a worried face. "M-Master…behind you…" She advised. Kazuto felt like he didn't want to turn around. But…he couldn't do that. He…had to turn around…and to see the presence that disturbed him that much. For him it was incredible how a single sentence scared him that much…and this meant only one thing…this mage…was probably tremendous.
While still trembling…Kazuto slowly turned around…and saw him. Once he made an eye contact with that individual…the pressure started to accelerate…and the breathing was more heavier. Just because….he saw him.
Isak was there…standing right behind him…with his usual grin.
"Good evening…Master of the Red Rose."
And with this, we are done! Man, I didn't know it would have become more emotional than I thought! But personally I'm satisfied with what came out. As you could notice, this chapter was mostly based on Astrea and Tygo and how the two of them (Including their Servants), realized that in the end, they were similar. Writing their reaction was really interesting, since I love writing about the emotions and the psychological state is feeling in a particular moment like a battle, and I think the lyrics of a song helped much!
In case you wonder, the word 'Crybaby' refers to the song of the same title composed by Melanie Martinez from which I used some of the lyrics in the last segment of the battle between the two mages, as I think they fit well the two characters, since the song talks about a person who is constantly afraid of everything and ends up crying, but they don't care of this and continue for their own path, much like Astrea and Tygo. (As for the Attack on Titan opening, it was because I thought it could give hype XD, and it was also the first time I write the lyrics for an insert song!)
I've always loved to associate the scenes I write with music, and even this time it worked for me!
Plus, I take the chance to ask you a question about music! What song do you think it's more suitable for your OCs? As for me, I think Kazuto fits pretty well with Whatever it Takes from Imagine Dragons, but even other songs like Payphone from Maroon 5, Total Eclipse of Heart from Bonnie Tyler or even Symphony by Clean Bandit (You will see why these particular songs as the story moves on). I'm really curious to hear your choices!
After this information, we can close here. What do you think of the chapter? Did you like the fight? What is your opinion of the protagonists of this episode, Astrea, Tygo and their Servants? As always, let me know in your reviews! I still thank you for the support you gave to me and I hope to see you soon!
From Bluestar, Arrivederci!