Second Singularity, Part 5: Grand Progenitor
60 AD
"That's… a lot of people surrounding the city." Ritsuka commented, swallowing the lump in his throat nervously.
"They're anticipating us, and the Emperor's army." Ayako took a spoonful of the MRE she was eating. She turned around, facing the rest of the Ground Team as they grouped up on the hill overlooking València. "Are there any new Servants?"
Medea shook her head in response. "Still the same two. However, I have detected a, sort of demonic signature. One that is definitely familiar to us. I am also detecting an increase in magical energy coming from the city. I think whoever is pulling the strings, is planning on summoning another."
"Well, that puts an unnecessary timer for us." She sighed after swallowing the food in her mouth. "It's a shame the Roman Army doesn't have access to Riders."
"We only have access to one, Ayako." The Witch said with a smile, letting her kitten lick Ayako's face as she nodded towards Boudica, who was deep in conversation with Saint Martha. "We're just fortunate that our Ruler has some aspects of her Rider self." And how true that was. With Martha and Boudica's efforts, they had arrived just at the cusp of València in a little under three days.
"So, how feasible is it for us to attack right now?" Ritsuka asked them, flexing his hands nervously.
"Technically speaking, we could mow them down like they were nothing." Ayako answered with a growing grimace.
"But, these are people, unlike the undead and the wyverns of the Dragon Witch. It's best if we can keep the deaths from our hands to a minimum." Koleen added with guilt tampered on her face. "My uncle's never been the same after he returned from service. I'd hope I don't go down that path."
"It's good to see you three take this seriously." Sanson said as he approached the Masters, with Mash trailing beside him. "But, be prepared, that you will have to make decisions that others do not."
"We know." All three answered with a resigned sigh. Such was the responsibility they all have now. "And we all understand." Ayako finished for the three of them, her hand finding their shoulders, shaking them lightly.
"So, are we just going to wait for Emperor Nero's army?" Arturia asked, looking between them, fingers curled around her sword in nervous anticipation.
"That would be the smart thing to do." Ayako replied as she rejoined the rest of the group, crumpling the emptied MRE into a ball of trash, before it ignited in a pale blue flame. The Ground Team, their Servants, and the Rouge, standing in a close circle, all their eyes on the Puppeteer. "But a few skirmishes here and there would help us in a multitude of ways."
She waited for anyone to interrupt her, but they all were listening to her with rapt attention. "We will be able to whittle down their forces; to get a better read on their soldiers, and possibly the Servants; maybe make them act out at us. To 'Poke the bear', so to say."
"A bit risky, but nothing we can't handle if we do this right." Koleen agreed, nodding along as her hand brushed through the fur of the kitten.
"Exactly." Ayako pulled out a few of her runestones, running through it in her mind for what she could do with them. "Here's what I propose…"
Nine days.
It took nine days for the Roman army to reach their little forward camp. Longer than any of them anticipated, but the Emperor did arrive with a far larger battalion than when she had did in Massilia. She spared no expenses, taking the time to build up her forces for her retaliatory invasion. It was a remarkable sight, one that Ayako had never personally ever saw with her own golden eyes. It was a bit unfortunate that the modern world no longer had any empires to speak of.
Then again, not like they needed it.
In those nine days that had elapsed, the Ground Team were just as busy. The first day, Saber and Ruler put a sizable dent to their numbers, while still holding back their full might. With just their skills alone, they held the United Empire back from pushing further outward. With the divine mandate to rule, and the backing of God, they showed stayed true in culling those swayed by villainous intentions. The second day was far more subdued, with Rider and the Pseudo-Caster taking the field aboard her chariot. She ran them down easily, while he eyed them with the scrutiny of a world renowned tactician and the foundations of a modern genius, tearing them apart with his mind's eye. He would occasionally throw out spells, not like his combined magecraft actually did much to help the Queen of the Iceni. It was the thought that counts.
Mash and Caster stuck with the Masters, working together in making sure of their wellbeing and safety. The United Empire were not short on skilled men, those who were sent to assassinate the Masters and strike at the heart of the Ground Team. Their efforts amounted to nothing with Mash's defense, and the army that Medea could call forth so easily.
By the third day, the United Empire's Servant finally showed himself. The same Servant that greeted them on their first day, though he barely could shout out his orders, merely instead shouting at them with a Berserker induced rage. At this point, Assassin joined his fellow Servants, though he mostly kept to hit and run tactics in delaying Caligula's advance. He was careful with his actions, for a single misstep would spell doom for the Assassin Class Servant. Aside from him, the next two days progressed similar to their first attempts.
By the sixth day, the one who Nero both respected and feared entered the fray. He was unlike Caligula, able to function with a clear mind, and in turn the United Empire soldiers were rallied under his banner. Sanson only attempted a single attack on him, before retreating back. The others also scaled back their skirmishes, until all four struck together on the eight day. They also made a clear attempt to not face Romulus, barring only Arturia who could face him without fear repercussion.
So all in all, it was a productive set of nine days. One of the only chances for the Masters to end up well rested by the time Nero and her retinue joined them at their camp, just as her army had set up theirs.
"He really is here." Nero's strained voice reached their ears, using a pair of augmented binoculars that Da Vinci had crafted for Ritsuka. She lowered them, her eyes gazing upon València with a barely held frown. She offered Ritsuka his binoculars back to him, turning on her heel to face the assembled Ground Team. "Have any of your people spoken with him?"
Ayako nodded, placing her hand on Arturia's shoulder. "Our loveable Saber did. She dueled him."
"That I did!" she replied with a bright smile. "He spoke a bit weirdly, but he was charismatic and honorable. He is our biggest hurdle to get to the keep."
"You speak beyond simply taking it over to signal our victory?" the Emperor asked, now flanked by two members of her retinue.
"The magus who summoned these Servants is planning on summoning another." Ayako replied, her fingers rummaging her pockets for her runestones. "Whoever they are, they have spent the past week and a half building their reserves."
"And it is reaching heights that we should be concerned for." Medea concluded, her hood obscuring most of her face.
"And this mage is the mastermind, then?" she questioned them.
"All signs point to yes." The Puppeteer replied. "We kill them, and this will all be over."
"All be over…" though she whispered, Nero's words carried itself to their ears. "Will everything just, fix itself? I apologize, most of this seems to be beyond me."
Both herself and Ritsuka shared a glance, the answer to that question was something that not even she was certain of. She remembered what they had told her during the orientation portion of Basic Training, but if she were to be truly honest with herself, she wasn't exactly confident in their answer. This was all experimental technology they were using after all.
"In a matter of speaking." She eventually answered, meeting the eyes of the Emperor. "The exact specifics of it are also beyond me, but the reason we are all here is because of this anomaly that stand against the proper timeline."
Nero's gaze trailed downward in thought, digesting her words thoroughly. A single nod opened her words. "Umu. I will take your word for it. You have done good for us, and for that, you have earned our trust." She turned to the one to her left, nodding to him. "Sound the horns. Rally the men. Rome. Strikes. Now!"
"Yes, Emperor Nero!" the retainer rushed off past them, sprinting back to the Roman camp.
"What is your plan?" the Emperor turned back to them, arms crossed over her chest. Arturia's cheeks briefly reddened.
"Most of our Servants will be helping your army in dealing with the United Empire. Mash, our Saber, and Assassin, will help you out in dealing with Caligula, and Romulus. We will support in any way we can."
"You… are leaving them to me?" Nero asked incredulously.
"All these Servants we've fought have been trying to get to you. We are just preparing for the inevitable." Ayako explained as her eyelids closed. "Besides. It'll be fitting, almost poetic even. A faceoff between yourself, against your uncle, and your progenitor."
The Emperor's eyes widened briefly, her lips quivering for a second before settling on an upward curve. "I see you still understand the weight of honor! Umu! Then I will need to call forth my own mages!"
"No need, Red Emperor." Medea approached with her staff raised, glowing with channeled power. "I can lend you our power." A flash emerged from the staff, coalescing on Nero's form.
"Umu! Yes, this will do!" she exclaimed, smiling ecstatically, as she drew her sword to its full height. "Let us end the reign of the United Empire!"
All around València, the ground shook with Roman fervor, with all eyes on the glory that was taken from them.
It was a chaotic mess.
Steel, against steel.
Bronze, against bronze.
Brother, against brother.
Father, against son.
Such was the true weight of a civil war, regardless of one's true leanings. The streets of València became a bloody battlefield that would leave an ugly scar on its earth. On one side, stands those with a face of betrayed anguish, unwilling of felling their own kinsmen, yet know that this was the path that leads to their salvation. On the other, those who knew that they were standing on the wrong side of history, yet knowing they were incapable of doing anything else, other than to plead for the Emperor's mercy.
The Red Emperor herself was keeping her sword at bay, only unleashing it on those who would strike upon her, least of all to keep the Servant of the Spell's enhancements back. She was able to keep up with these wraiths, further increasing her appreciation of them, having only seen a glimpse of it back when she had first met these Chaldeans.
The one called Saber, and the one named Mash, were running beside her, blocking any attacks that were trained upon her body. The Assassin was nowhere to be seen, but she was assured that he was nearby,
Skeletal soldiers emerging from beneath the ground, called forth by their female Caster, floating high above them while raining down fire and lightning without hesitation. A frightening visage, more akin to a witch. The apparent Saint, the Ruler, was standing atop a turtle-like Phantasmal Beast as it breathed out its featureless breath, sending the United Empire troops running with their tail between their legs. The woman herself was keeping the dragon afloat and untouched with the blessings she carried.
She heard cries further away, coming from where Boudica was, as she trampled their enemy beneath her chariot. And it seemed she was not bothered by potential friendly casualties. The other Caster was beside her, dictating the best course of action for the Servant of the Mount, occasionally sending out his own spells at the enemy.
The three young mages, the apparent Masters of these people, were following somewhere behind them. She could see their redheaded leader a good distance behind them up above, with spears bouncing off of her red coat. She couldn't see where the other two were, but they shouldn't be far behind.
"Emperor Nero!" she heard the shieldbearer call out, suddenly rushing in front of her, tanking a hit that was aimed directly at her.
Their steps were slowed to a crawl, with the Saber launching a counter attack, sending the enemy back with a swing of her sword. With bared knuckled fists, their enemy has shown themselves. Nero couldn't help the sharp intake of breath when she caught sight of her uncle, looking far more maddened than she remembered him. She wondered for a brief moment, if this was because of the summonings that she had been told of, or if he was always like this, and that she had remembered differently. Her migraines have been far harsher lately too.
"Oh, Nero. Beautiful, Nero!" the soldiers, both of Rome's and the Empire's, cleared the area around them.
Nero brought Aestus Estus to its full height, easily towering over her own self. Mash and the Saber stood at her sides, sword and shield at hand to assist her. "Caligula! Stay your hands, and I will show you mercy, as a member of my blood!"
"No! I must! Have you!" he bellowed a gurgled roar, digging his heels into the street, and launching himself towards her.
Once again, his attack was blocked by the Demi-Servant, the massive shield ringing like a bell and echoing across the streets. Both Nero and Saber emerged from Mash's flanks, striking in tandem with their swords. The gleaming white attempting to swipe at Caligula's abdomen, held back by his free hand. The deep red was aimed at his neck, forcing him to retreat back. Both sword wielders chased after him, moving to support one another.
"Stop this, Caligula!" she kept on trying, peering to his inner humanity, even though a part of her already understood that he was far gone as she brought Aestus Estus down onto him.
He sidestepped the attack, all the while roaring at the Emperor. "I will! Have! Your purity! NERO!" he launched another attack, a powerful fist aimed at her head.
The Emperor's face was met with blood. But not hers.
A clean cut by Saber's sword that sent him back again, giving them another opportunity to strike. Nero couldn't help the anger that was growing on her face, yelling herself as she swung again, striking his chest and tearing apart his armor. His bellow of rage shook the ground, swinging his handless arm, sending Saber back into an abandoned building. His formed fist charged back, and swung with a haymaker onto Nero.
The Emperor was sent back by the attack, her feet dragging along and throwing rubble around, resorting to her pinning her red sword into the ground. The air in her lungs were no more, expelled the moment Caligula's fist met her body. Instinctually, she brought her sword back up, deflecting another oncoming attack by the Berserker. His hand was already moving again with another powerful attack, but was deflected easily by Assassin, taking this moment to show himself. The Shielder came forth right after, pushing him back with a heavy bash of her shield.
"Nero! Come to me!" his efforts were held back by Mash, still attempting to bash through her defenses as Assassin quietly slipped into the shadows once more.
"You must not second guess yourself, Emperor Nero." She directed her eyes to the Saber that had freed herself from the rubble, approaching her with a serious expression on her face. "Follow your way, the path you've set yourself. Do not be disturbed by their words, whatever they may be."
Nero felt her shoulders relax, just a tiny bit, comforted by the youthful Servant's words. "Your words are true. I need to face this without a quake in my heart."
Saber's smile shone through the dreary battlefield, the warmth pushing Nero forward. They both rushed to back up the Shielder, once again coming from both sides to strike back at Caligula. A double effort that was more in sync than their previous attempt. With three Servants attacking him, never giving him any room to breathe, he was forced back with each blow that he had blocked. They were relentless, all the more fitting in a fight against a Berserker.
There was a moment, a gap in their rhythm, that Caligula took notice of. He launched a quick punch to Nero, but he was rewarded with a heavy bash by Mash's shield. Staggered on his wobbly feet, Saber pushed her sword through his leg, pinning him in place. He cried out in pain, his eyes landing on Nero as she approached him with a hard expression on her face. Without the hesitation she had before, she placed the tip of Aestus Estus on his chest, and pushed.
The Berserker sputtered blood, coughing in pain, his white eyes not once leaving Nero. His handless arm rested itself on her massive blade, while his intact hand rose, reaching for her. "Nero… my beautiful niece…"
"Yes Uncle. I'm here." The frown on the Emperor's face was telling, the discomfort only growing from here on out.
"My sister's daughter… how I… miss you…" his words were growing softer, and softer, as his form was encapsulated by a layer of golden light.
"I do too." She whispered back, seeing his body slowly disappear, leaving nothing behind but dust. She mourned for him one more time, letting the silence take over.
"Emperor Nero, we need to keep moving." Mash said, grimacing as she did so.
"I know. And we shall." She proclaimed, straightening back up to face them. "Let's us go."
"That was a bit risky, wasn't it?" Ritsuka asked her, looking back at the scene before them.
"It was. But again, it was fitting." Ayako replied, placing her coat around her friend.
"Didn't peg you for a sentimentalist, Ayako." Koleen's entire body coated with a black, thick mist, her comment not going unnoticed by the Puppeteer.
She chuckled softly, turning to the Witch with mirth in her eyes. "What can I say? Sometimes, I like the romanticized versions."
She saw him.
Standing there, overlooking every single road, every single soldier from the perch he stood on. And in his hand was the pillar of their empire, the blood red lance of the progenitor. And just like how her eyes gravitated towards him, so did his upon her. She could feel his red eyes the moment they landed on them, eyeing them as they ran closer and closer towards him. The Crimson Divine Father, of the great Roman Empire.
She steeled herself as they entered the cleared square, for now he stood before them, his steps measured and calculated.
"And so, you have all come. For that, I welcome you all, with open arms." He said, beckoning them with arms open wide.
"Romulus." she greeted the founder of Rome with great trepidation. "So you, are the one who leads these insurgents?"
"Insurgents? I fail to see how that is the case, Nero. These people are Rome. Their ancestors, and their descendants, all Rome." He gestured to the battle around them, and the few stragglers of people that lingered within the battlefield. "I am sure that you, of all people, understand that. For it is you, brave soul, that rules of Rome today. Never forget, that you too are Rome."
"How is this Rome, Great Founder?" she asked, reverence seeping through her voice.
"It is Rome, for I am Rome." His words were heavy, they could feel it in their souls. "Join us, the true Rome, and it will rise to glory. Join us, for only we can give the love that you deserve."
Her hand relaxed, setting Aestus Estus closer to the ground. "I want to believe, Great Founder. But, after all of this, after all that I have been through. After all that Rome has been through! I cannot!" she raised her sword again, conviction returning to her. "Look around you! They gravitate towards you, but I see no smiles! All I see, is fear from your people!"
"You will stand against Rome, Nero?" he asked, a hint of despair coming from him.
"I will, for you stand against what is truly Rome! You stand against your own foundations, Romulus!" with the enhancements of the Grecian Witch, she rushed forward, her red sword meeting his heavy weapon. "And I will show it to you, Romulus! That I, too, am Rome!"
"Then show it to me, dear child!" he retaliated with his weapon, deftly blocking an interception by Saber as she joined the Emperor. "Show how your Rome is above all else! If you think me a lie, then prove to me how your Rome is the truth!"
"Umu! I will!" she pressed the attack, striking harder with her blade, yet she found no purchase, as once again he blocked her attempt with his.
She saw a glimmer behind him, as Assassin attempted a sneak attack. And yet even the Executioner's massive blade was stopped by Romulus' hand, thrown to the side and disarming the Servant. His bronze hand reached for the Assassin's neck, holding him aloft before throwing him onto the ground, leaving a crater in his wake. Nero took another opportunity in striking him, swinging her sword down on him, which he caught easily. She sent a punch from her golden fist, catching his exposed chest though it did little to deter him.
He grunted in pain when Saber slipped past him, striking his back with her glowing sword. He swung a backhand to her, caught by Mash as she shielded the Servant. She held steady, feeling the weight of Romulus' light attack that almost loosened the shield out of her hands.
Nero caught sight of his eyes turning elsewhere, before he took a leap back, with her own instincts allowing her the same. A tincture of some kind landed on where he stood, splashing a viscous liquid of deep yellow and red, melting the brick road beneath them. She glanced behind her, seeing the three Masters reach their position as the Witch began tracing something on her open hand. The single male Master uttered a weak chant, shooting a curse that momentarily kept Romulus in place. She heard the Witch's voice take a dark turn, gurgling a heavy curse that snaked around his form, though unfortunately Rome's great founder was able to shrug it off easily.
She saw the redheaded Eastern mage holding her empty hand above her head, bringing it down with her. A brief crackle of thunder resonated from the skies, before lighting came down upon him. He weathered through the magical barrage, withstanding their combined efforts in keeping him in place. Despite this, the smile on his face grew wider.
"Your companions, are lovely, Nero! From them, I too can see Rome!" he declared before closing the distance between them, causing her to block the sudden attack.
"Umu, they are! They have brought glory to Rome in their short time here!" she pushed him back with all her might, striking back with her heavy blade. "They are proof, that my Rome is right! They are proof, that Rome is eternal!"
Assassin appeared again, interlocking his heavy blade with Romulus' red lance, pulling it free from the Servant's hand. Saber and Mash took his place, working in tandem as they now strike at the disarmed Servant. Nero wasted no time herself, striking at Rome's founder without an ounce of hesitation. Not any longer.
"I see. I see!" his words became laced with fervor, even as he fought back with only his bare hands. "This is the beauty of Rome! Your conviction to her, I can see it!"
"Of course, it is because I carry your blessings with me, Romulus!" Nero declared even as she struck at him. "The Crimson Glory that is our Golden Empire!"
"Our Eternal Empire!" he kept on fighting, even as Mash pushed back his attempts.
He kept on fighting, even as Saber cut through his defenses, and bringing him down to his knees.
He kept on fighting, even as Nero showed him the meaning of her Rome.
He will not relent, even with all of them finally taking him down. For even though he saw the worth of Nero's Rome, his own Rome must also be true to himself.
And that is why, when Nero struck at his spiritual core, he could only smile in acceptance.
"So, dazzling. So very… dazzling." His words were fragmented as his form glimmered in golden light. "Prove, to everyone, just how right your Rome is, Emperor Nero."
"I will, Great Founder."
"I entrust Rome to you. All of you." His red eyes trailed over the over Servants and Masters around them. "Don't forget… Rome, is Eternal."
"Rome is Eternal." She repeated with a heavy nod.
"Therefore… the world must always… be Eternal." His red eyes dimmed. His eyelids closed. And his form, disappeared.
The leader of the United Empire, was no more.
Aestus Estus fell out of her hands, landing with a thud onto the shattered brick road. The Emperor herself fell to her knees, feeling the weight of the world both becoming heavier, and lighter on her shoulders. Her breaths were ragged, her body growing ever more lethargic as the enhancements given to her faded from her own self.
"What happened?" she heard a whisper approaching from behind her. Turning to see the three Masters now accompanied by their Servants.
"What is the matter?" Nero couldn't help but ask, pushing herself up off the ground.
"What? Oh." It was the Witch that responded. "Nothing, I was just wondering about something. It's not important right now."
"Umu, I will take your word for it." She dusted off her red dress, and picked up her fallen sword. "The United Empire is no more. Once word spreads, the entire army will be routed, with nowhere else to go. But, what are your plans?"
"To see this 'mage' they've been talking about." The Puppeteer replied. "The one that summoned all of them." She turned to her fellow Masters, a look of determination plastered on her face. "Call the others. We're finishing this now."
"The mana detected here has already reached the peak of Singularity F. We best make haste, Masters."
"Duly noted, Caster." Ayako replied, as they walked down the empty halls of the capital building in a rushed jog. "Doctor, keep an eye out in case we get distracted."
"Eye, kept. We got you guys covered." His voice was a welcome comfort to them at this very moment.
"I am eager to see the fool who had wrought chaos upon my Empire." The Emperor was beside them, electing to join them on this mission of theirs. Three of her retinue followed, especially now that she no longer had Medea's reinforcements.
"If he's as dangerous as you say, then we need to stay back." Koleen said to her fellow Masters.
"You don't have to tell me twice." Ritsuka sighed nervously, his mind replaying Singularity F almost vividly at this point. He had Fou resting in his arms, mirroring Koleen with her still nameless kitten, who seemed to be oblivious to the world.
"Saber, Mash, Ruler, and Assassin you all will be our frontlines, alright? Boudica, I hope you don't mind lending your aid here as well." Ayako turned to the Rider, who had been silent ever since they reconvened.
Despite the tension that was visible to them all, she flashed her a welcoming smile. "Don't worry, I have agreed to this arrangement after all."
"Thank you. Our Casters will be right beside us, also to keep an eye on our backs and find a way to retreat if need be." A silent nod was all she got from the Casters, and that was all she needed.
Saber and Ruler slammed the large double doors open, spearheading the group as they entered the wide open space that housed their target. The Holy Grail, right before their very eyes, channeling unparalleled power that blanketed whole city with its presence. On the floor was an intricate summoning circle, erected to cover a third of the room. And standing in the middle of it, holding the golden chalice in his hand, was the green suited man emitting malice that unfitting for a human. The rows of sharp teeth that emerged when he smiled further reinforced the imagery.
"Of course he would fail. It is quite difficult, to find people who would follow orders to the letter." His voice changed since the last time they heard him. There was a deeper timbre to it.
"Well, you should've summoned Servants that weren't human. That's your problem, assuming heroes of humanity would abandon it for whatever it is you're doing." Ayako commented with a defiant smirk as the five Servants took their spots in front of them.
The smile on his face formed into a scowl. "I had almost forgotten that you were here."
"Yeah, well, I can't apologize for that." She shrugged in an attempt to goad the man.
His eyes lingered on her, before shifting to the Pseudo-Servant behind them. "And I see that there is another familiar face at play."
The cigarette hung loosely on his lips, with Lord El-Melloi II staring at the Professor in bewilderment. "Seeing is believing, I suppose." He commented to himself, taking the cigarette into his fingers and flicking it away.
"Your little group has grown! I really should have tried harder, but hindsight is 20/20." His eyes looked around the room, searching for nothing in particular. "Romani! I know you're there! Show yourself!"
The holographic display that showed the Control Room appeared beside the Masters, and his eyes widened when they landed on someone else that was inside the room. His scowl grew, just as Ayako's smirk did.
"Told you." She folded her arms over her chest, her golden eyes taking in the anger that he displayed.
"Olga…" he seethed, his rage building and blinding to the sight of the Director, who herself was unable to utter a single thing. "So you really are back. My King will be heavily displeased with this, unfortunately."
"Your King?" Koleen asked back, hoping to prod him for more.
"Yes. This is all, his prerogative after all." His eyes closed for a couple of seconds, his breathing audible even to them. "Olga, you must be dying to know, why? All, of this?"
"Lev… what are you?" she finally spoke up, finding her footing in the situation.
"What am I? That is the question you ask of me?" he scoffed at her, shaking his head disappointingly. "I'll tell you something of me, and maybe a bit more. Just for you."
"BUT!" his empty hand rose, sending the Servant on alert as he held his open palm to them. "Not, without a price."
"What price, Lev?" she asked with growing determination.
Ayako felt a mind-numbing shiver crawling up her spine, when her eyes noticed the devilish smirk that formed on his face. "Pain." Without any sort of motion, a bright light shot out of his palm.
Pain.
That was what was coursing through Ayako's being, as she found herself struggling to breathe. Struggling to feel the beat of her heart. She glanced down, seeing blood seep down her shirt. Or what remained of them. A hole, though less of a one, and more of a large cavity. Her heart was gone, her lungs destroyed, and what was left of her spine was almost falling apart. Blood coughed out of her, her vision blurring as her eyes glassed in pain. She saw the ground becoming closer. And closer.
She landed in a thud on her own blood and viscera.
"AYAKO!"
AUTHOR'S NOTE
that was a bit difficult to write. because, aside from a bit of Romulus' lines, there wasn't much else. i don't know why i was expecting a bit more of character, but literally they just praised Nero endlessly in the game. i hope the end result is good enough after what i did with it, 'cause i'm still not sure.
at the very least, i think i at least did the fight scene justice though. 3 star be damn, this is the motherfucker who founded Rome. he will not be weak.
speaking of, Flauros really sucks. every single Servant he summons either just does everything they can to delay his plans, or just outright kill him. what a useless piece of ass. at the very least, i wanted to showcase that he wasn't some run of the mill magus here, so boom.
well, with that out of the way, let's get on to the reviews!
trexboy164: i don't know how many questions you just asked there. yes there will definitely be a longer downtime. i sorta rushed Orleans and Septem because those Singularities were available at launch, or as close to it. some interludes yes, some crossovers, yes.
King0fP0wers: although that is a magus mentality, it's not the case for Ayako and Koleen. they have other, personal reasons why they don't hesitate with human lives, which i'll hopefully show in later chapters.
the lack of interactions, for Septem at least, is a byproduct of my earlier decision of planning to rush Septem. it's why i tried to rectify it a bit when i changed my mind. but, i figured the necessary peptalks Mash got from Mozart (from Orleans) and Nero happened in the background. mostly 'cause i didn't want to rehash the scene. that's why every time the group split up, Ritsuka and Mash were with Mozart and Nero.
Lia Angelique: that's not a bad idea actually. that'll help out Chaldea in the long run.
Ho4qin: that's probably going to be a natural progression of Ayako's puppets, especially with the hell they will inevitably come across with.
Guest: i have an idea on who Ayako would face, if we ever get that far. it's still subject to change, it's not set in stone yet.
as for her status and rank within the Clock Tower, that is also a plan i have set. don't you worry, she's Touko's and Aoko's best features combined. she at least has to match them. it'll come to fruition around EoR.
with that out of the way, thanks again for reading guys!
drop a review in you don't mind, and i'll see you all next time!