They ran around seemingly without a care in the world. From up here, they were little more that small, black dots. Small, black dots… running around on a grey, open field.
…It was a hideous sight.
I could hear them laughing. Shouting. Arguing. All the typical behaviours of monsters having a good time.
…How could they not see it? How could they not hear it? All it took for me was a couple of laps, and the things I heard…
It was all pretend. It was all fake. Their friendships. Their laughs. They didn't actually like each other though. They hated each other. Despised one another. Jealousy driving them to conspire in the dark to take one another down from supposed thrones. Yet, even as they put on the masks themselves, and played the game, they themselves were unaware of the reality: everyone else was doing just as they were.
They were not alone in their plotting and scheming, if one could even call their incompetent bumbling thus.
…It was pathetic.
They needed to burn. This world needed to burn. Reduce it all down to cinders and ash, then wait and see what emerges. See if it has any beauty to it…
…Or better yet, just-
"How'd I know I'd find you here?"
…She was walking up the hill towards me. To think I'd just started to get comfortable, what with the… relative quite of the place.
"Did you now? Really" I snorted as she took a seat beside me. "Correct me if I'm wrong, and I already know I'm not, but you all are two rounds ahead. Didn't even realize I was gone for two whole rounds."
"No! I mean… ok yes, but- You don't have to call me out like that, you know?!"
The shove she gave me didn't have much of any force behind it. Barely caused me to move at all, and I was very light, compared to most people, regardless of gender. I don't understand her at all…
"Besides, I eventually remembered!"
"You only remembered and went looking for me because they forgot about you…"
"…How did you know that?"
…At least she didn't try to deny it. Made her more respectable than most…
"I only sat down here a couple of minutes before you showed up."
"That doesn't really answer the question though."
"I was shadowing you for a bit" I rolled my eyes. "But with you being on your own, you weren't saying or doing much of any interest, so I moved on to others."
"You know… it's kind of weird that you do that."
"What's weird is that none of you ever seem to notice me when I'm standing right in front of you" I dismissed. "Dragged me into that stupid game of manhunt, and I didn't even have to run for a second. Just walked off and started shadowing people, and before I know it, you all are talking about the second round. How the hell did literally none of you spot me just wandering around the field?"
"Hmm… I suppose you have a point there" she laughed a little. "I don't get it, but… it just seems to take a lot of conscious effort to even remember you, yet alone notice you."
"Well… I suppose I'll take being the magical ghost."
"And here I thought you don't believe in God, yet you believe in magic?"
"Of course not" I sighed.
"Though, going back a bit… I suppose since we never did get you, you'd be the winner of the first round."
"Naturally."
"Then that would also make me the winner of the second round!"
"Technically, the second round should never have even started."
"Yeah, well, it did, and I won, so ha! Now we're both winners!"
"If you say so."
The relative quietness returned as the two of us just looked out across the school yard. A shame, then, that it would only last a few moments.
"You know… the way you sit up here, looking down like that… It's like you're lording over everyone."
"Ha. I wish…"
Why was she just constantly asking questions?
"Do you think you're better than everyone?"
"I know I'm better than everyone."
"How'd I know you'd say that" she giggled.
Before I could respond the first bell rang. Lunch break was over, effectively. Two minutes now to get back to class.
"Man, I wish they'd give us more than half an hour" she sighed, rising to her feet. "It never feels long enough."
"You're just saying that because we have art class now" I pointed out.
"Yeah, yeah, you're no good at art either."
"Never said I was though…"
"Bet mine turns out better than yours!"
"Probably will."
"Ha! So, you admit you're not better than me! So much for you being better than everyone!"
…What does that have to do with anything?
"Oh, and just a heads up -an, I still expect you to go over and judge mine before I hand it in!"
"Why would- Ugh, fine… I'll take a look at it."
"Make sure you really point out all the flaws!"
"I mean, obviously…"
"Hey I'm serious here! I go home with another C-, or worse, and I'm done for!"
"…But it's just art class. Are your parents really-"
The second ringing of the bell cut me off. One minute before class started.
"Come on, -an! We're going to be late if you don't get a move on!"
"How would you being late be cause of-" I shook my head and sighed as she took off for the school building.
…Even though I could sneak into class undetected, it all likelihood, it wasn't like I liked the idea of being late either. Damnit mom, I blame this shitty feeling around running late on you.
"-an!"
"I hear you without the shouting" I sighed, standing up and breaking into a run.
…And to think, all I wanted was a bit of peace and quiet before I was stuck in class again for the rest of the day. Yet, as I ran for the school building, I couldn't help but… notice something. Something I hadn't noticed before, which was strange; I'm certain I'd seen everything in the area.
…Yet all the same, it was there nonetheless. In the mass of black figures, pushing and shoving their way across the grey landscape, a lone, white spot existed.
The sight caught me so off guard, I blinked. With that blink, it was gone. What lay before me once again… the sea of black and grey. Had I simply… imagined it?
…How… bizarre…
Phantom pain shot through my body as I opened my eyes, only to be replaced by a numbing, tight sensation mere moments later. Trying to sit up proved to be a challenge, but it was manageable. If only barely…
At least I knew where I was. Johnathan's place, in 'my office'. Though, the clothes I was wearing were new, and clearly not mine; ghastly things. And I was on the floor. Suppose they just… dumped me in here afterwards.
Using the nearby desk as support, I pulled myself to my feet. Not… painful, per say, but… well, it was going to be a slow walk home, was all I'm gonna say. That much, I could already tell.
It was only now that my brain was starting to get back up to speed. I noticed on the desk sat a little slip of paper. A note.
We're finished
…Had no idea who actually wrote it, but I suppose that didn't really matter. Really, considering last night, there was really only one way to interpret such a message.
"…Y'know… fair" I mused slightly, before wincing in pain. "Ow, right, ok, no laughing. Yep, got it…"
…Still, as badly as last night went, I suppose it could have been worse. Well, ok, everything could always be worse, as there was no such thing as rock bottom when it came to subjective things like that. Point being that as badly as last night went, I wasn't dead. That was good. That was very good.
"God, it's been ages since I went through a pummeling like that though" I muttered as I slowly began making my way for the front doors of the house. "That… that truly takes me back to the old days…"
Outside of my muttering, the house was silent. Not that I was going to go snooping around for anyone. They may not have killed me last night, but I was willing to bet my left nut that at least one of the servants was around, keeping an eye on me while I was still here. No desire to give them an excuse to… change their mind, let's say.
I couldn't help but wince as I stepped outside. The sunlight was way too harsh, considering I was still trying to more or less wake up. Still, the fact that there was sunlight was a good thing. It meant that it was at least still the afternoon, if not the morning. Meant that I should have no problem getting home.
I didn't take long for me to begin to reconsider that sentiment as I began the walk home. Sure, the very heavy police presence wasn't new, but there were a lot more news crews and vans today than yesterday. Still had repair crews out too, doing their best to fix powerlines and stuff. None of that was the problem though.
No… the problem was that, intermingled with all the shit from yesterday, were suits. They were talking with all the different news networks, working alongside the police, investigating the scenes of the damage. They were even questioning members of the repair teams.
The fact I was seeing suits was bad enough. It meant the feds have arrived. But to see this many out here, so soon, and not even where the fighting actually took place…
"Does the FBI seriously have nothing else to deal with, the fuck…" I muttered quietly to myself as a passed by a man in a suit holding a press conference.
I knew that the war was going to be a mess after that night, but this? If this was the presence the FBI was going to have, then could you even conduct the war anymore? Surely, they weren't unaware that all the 'strange happenings' occurred at night; as much of a presence they had now during the day, there would be at least as much of a presence by them at night. If not more.
…Though, in a way, perhaps it was actually… for the best? Caster was just trying to wait the war out, so it wasn't like this changed anything for us. But for everyone else… Saber and Lancer would have a hell of a time trying to fight. Especially Saber, what with his lightning and all. Archer would be caught real quick firing from the office towers, so perhaps Archer just doesn't fight at all now either? That, or Archer moves to the frontlines, which would be a terrible idea I'd imagine. Rider could still use the assassins, maybe, if he was really careful with them. The army I suspected him of having though… that would be impossible for him to use, right?
Granted, the priest doesn't care, as he wishes to eliminate magecraft anyways, so if he thinks he can win by having Rider summon it, he might order Rider to do so with a command spell… But, outside of that, Rider really can't summon it, no?
…Would it have been the optimal play, then, to get this kind of national attention here from the beginning? Now there was an interesting thought…
Man, I really needed to get home and do some proper digging myself for-
"Hey man, you alright? You ain't looking so good."
Turning towards the voice, I saw a man leaning up against the nearby streetlight.
"Fine, thanks" I gave a slight smile and continued on walking.
"Well, suppose that makes one of us. Shame Berserker's master can't say the same, isn't it?"
That caused me to stop walking. The man took the opportunity to fall in line beside me.
"Assassin's master, I take it?"
"Call me Elias."
"Take it you were waiting for me then" I took of walking again, Elias following alongside.
Not that I could just go and walk home now… Would have to wander around the city for a while afterwards too, just in case I was being tailed for a bit…
"More like searching for you the past few days. Elise wasn't joking when she said you're a very hard man to find, to say nothing about even remembering in the first place."
"So I've been told."
"Yet you're no… well, you know. How… fascinating, but not the point, ultimately."
"Yes, what is the point to this? Judging from the fact I'm still alive, my death doesn't interest you."
"Oh, hell no" Elias laughed. "I'm not interested on getting the Association on my ass because your file gets out there."
"Seems like that last thing anyone like you wants is to deal with the Association."
"That is typically the case: the Association is a deadly bitch, but also not one that can be simply ignored, sadly. Best to limit your dealings with it as much as possible, if you ask me."
"Still have yet to get to the point though."
"Information sharing, mostly" Elias shrugged. "As you have probably guessed at, the FBI is now in town."
"Quite visibly too."
"Well, that is what happens when 'suspect terrorist actions' are occurring."
"…They think they have terrorist operating here? In Virginia, of all states?"
"Hmm, domestic terrorists. But yes, the state government is labeling all the fallouts of the war as potentially terroristic in nature. Key word being potentially."
"Surprised the national guard isn't present then."
"Soldiers tend to add more fear than men in suits, and would be just as effective in this case."
"They wouldn't know that though."
"Yes, well, they're only human, man. They work off assumptions, just like anyone else. That, and while I don't know much about American politics, even I find it unlikely for a Republican governor to ask a Democrat president for the national guard unless shit really spirals out of control and the citizens of the state are protesting on the street."
"Eh, true" I mused.
"But yes, that is the… fallout of your latest scheme. How the rest of this war is going to be conducted, I have no idea. Neither do my contacts in the Association, nor the Church, I'd bet. Now that… that is a problem for all of us."
"They planning on interfering?"
"The Association is just about at that point, I'd say. Elise and I are doing all we can to try and alleviate their concerns, but you are proving to be a right pain in the ass, you know that?"
"That desperate for the grail, eh?"
"Nah, not me, personally. I was hired to bring all this shit to a close; shut it down for good. Sure, I'll get a wish out of it, and there are things I want, but trying to win this cursed thing is not worth my life."
"Cursed?"
"You are aware that no one has every truly won one of these, yes?"
"I may have been told something like that."
"If that ain't the mark of a curse, then I don't know what is."
"And the Catholic Church? They plan on sending over any more crazy priests?"
"I wouldn't know" Elias laughed. "Can't say I've ever heard someone call an Executor a 'crazy priest' before either, but it's a good description. For all our sakes though, I hope not; one Executor is bad enough."
"Agreed."
"But yes, just so you're aware, don't do anything as... grand... as the blackout again."
"Don't plan on it. At least, not at the moment."
"…Right… Well, I'll leave whatever bullshit mess you create to the Association to deal with. Not getting pain enough for this shit."
"Then what are you getting paid for?"
"Two things, mainly. First one is shutting this ritual down for good, so it can never be repeated here. Second thing is figuring out how they managed to get it all up and running here in the first place, though I've more or less figured that out."
"Then… you just wanted to warn me about the FBI and shit? That's it?"
"Actually, I wanted to ask you what you knew about this war, considering I can't really approach the kids and all."
"What makes you think I know anything?"
"I don't think you do, but no point it not trying, now is there?"
"…Suppose you have a point there. So, what do you want to know?"
"What are they using for the lesser grail?"
"The lesser grail… Hmm… No idea. Can't say I've asked them about that. More focused on dealing with the other servants than the nuances of the ritual itself."
"Figures as much" Elias sighed. "Though honestly, I don't even know if the kids themselves could answer, even if they wanted to."
"Ah, probably not" I admitted. "From what I've heard, their parents did all the setup. They're just the masters because their parents died in the process."
"Yeah… didn't think that kid could alter the flow of seven leylines."
"So, that's how they got the mana for this thing?"
"You didn't know?"
"Maybe I did, and maybe I didn't" I smirked.
"Heh, I like you. If you had potential, I'd even consider taking you under my wing. Could use an extra pair of hands for some things."
"…That all?"
"…Yeah, I think that's about all."
"Surprised you came out just for this."
"Figured if I talked to you, I could send something back in my next report to try and keep the rest of the Association out from this" Elias winked. "But yes, don't count on seeing either myself or Assassin until the end… unless you really leave yourself open, that is."
"I knew it! You were staying out of it."
"If you had Assassin, you'd be staying out of it too, until the end."
"That bad a Heroic Spirit?"
"No. More like… that specific a Heroic Spirit" Elias smiled. "I have no doubt he can take out any one target, especially in this war, from what I've seen, but after that, it all gets very, very messy. Why make life harder than it needs to be, you know? Not like I get paid more for doing so."
Elias took a turn down a side street as I kept on walking straight down the main road.
"Anyways, take care man" he called over his shoulder as he disappeared from sight. "Try not to cause any more incidents; the Association is something you don't want in your life, believe you me."
A/N
Well... needless to say, I think the alliance has run its course, don't you all xD
As for the latest reviews... I mean, if you every get to this point, person who posted that review, I don't know what to say other than... That just not how Celsius and Fahrenheit work o.O
Like... at all...
Trust me, I'm Canadian; I actually use Celsius daily.
But hey, it was a good chuckle, so thanks for that!
Anyways, see y'all in the next post o7
