Recruitment Drive
She missed it, when the Antarctic wasn't just all storms.
This icy desert was still cold as hell, but it didn't feel like thousands, millions of needles just prickling on her freezing skin. Even with her wearing the Chaldean Winter Uniform instead of her usual getup (though she still chose to wear her pants. Even the so called Winter Uniform had an unreasonably short skirt for women. Who designed this? What the hell!?), along with a sweater and her red coat for good measure, it was still a freezing hellscape she found herself in. Even though Chaldea's nature had created some sort of Eye for the storm, making it comparatively calm compared to the absolute void her eyes were staring at.
Maybe she should cover her head, at the least. The tips of her hair was already frozen, and she couldn't feel most of her face anymore. Sitting just at the cusp of the entrance wasn't enough of a shelter from it. And she knew it, too. She needed to remember the next time she does this.
"So it's you, Ayako." She heard a voice from behind her, followed by the sound of the heavy entrance closing. She turned her head around, seeing the protected form of Doctor Romani. Although his mouth was covered, she could tell he was smiling, from the way his face was creasing. "We've been getting reports from Security, of someone leaving the entrance once a month. Since nothing's happened after all this time, we assumed it was mostly benign."
"Was I that worrying?" she asked with a smirk, as her gloved hand patted the spot beside her. "Join me?"
"Might as well." The Doctor said, situating himself beside her. He offered a cup of something to her. She guessed coffee, considering his history.
"Thanks." She took it, somewhat begrudgingly. She was still not a fan of coffee.
There was a silence that found its way around them, amplified by the storm that battered Chaldea's walls. She took a sip of the bitter drink, cringing slightly.
"What's up, Doc?" she asked, glancing to him from her side.
"I was just curious." He hugged his hands into his pits, his form quivering under the cold. "Who was it, that kept on doing this? I thought to myself."
"Yeah, I could see that." She took another sip, her eyes returning into the blackness that surrounded the mountain.
"Any particular reason as to why?" he asked her in turn. "I assumed it was in memory of those who fell, what with it being close to the end of the month every time."
"Because that was when Flauros' sabotaged us." She nodded her head, understanding the direction he took as she remembered that day. The 25th of July. "Not exactly." She admitted.
"Then, why is it?" he continued questioning. "You're out here for hours, it's not good for your body, no matter how artificial it may be."
She sighed into the cup, sipping its contents as she deliberated internally. "I'm just remembering why I'm here."
"Why you're here? In Chaldea?" he sat back, a hand on his chin as he dug through his memories. He knew, that she knew too. "Your mother."
"Mhm."
"You came here, volunteered in fact, because you wanted to do some good. All because your mother didn't want you to go down her path." He surmised, all but repeating the exact same thing she said during her interview.
"Damn, are you eidetic or something?" she asked with an amused chuckle.
"It was a rare reason for those few who volunteered." He said in response. "So you're here, to remember your mother?"
"I came here with her in mind, after all." She said with a longing smile. "And I'm… all in on fixing the Human Order, just so I can get her back."
"Just her?" he asked with an amused tone.
"And anyone close to me, obviously." She chuckled, before it devolved into a sigh. "But she is the most important person in my short life." The cup was slowly crushed in her hands, the leftover coffee spilling and soaking her gloves. "King Solomon, or whoever this asshole is, I'm gonna make 'em pay." Tears left her eyes, freezing almost immediately under the harsh weather.
He laughed nervously, probably at her anger towards his supposed idol. "Well, regardless of my reservations, you'll know I will help you all the way."
"Even if it is actually King Solomon?" she asked him, turning her tear stained eyes to him.
"I still don't think its King Solomon. It's just, impossible." He denied in the shivering cold. "But yes. We'll get everyone back, Ayako. We'll all make sure of it."
She smiled at his words. Genuine, and heartfelt. She could very much tell. She wondered, how Chaldea would have fared if she didn't save Olga. With a man like him, it might have done okay, at the very least. She wiped the frozen tears with her coffee stained gloves, dirtying her face with the bitter drink. "Thanks, Doc. You must've been one hell of a lady-killer in your youth."
He laughed nervously, his hand scratching the back of his head. "Haha, I guess you could say that."
"You better let down a girl gently, if they ever come to you."
"It's not like that!"
"Mhm, I'm sure it isn't."
The heavy entrance opened and closed, to the sound of amused laughter, filling its cold sterile corridors on this day of remembrance.
"How long would the arm take?" Kagiso asked her as they entered the Summoning Chamber. The Doctor was already at the terminal, powering the entire system of the Summoning Chamber up.
"Normally, less than a day. It doesn't take long to make an arm, or a leg." She replied, showing the Shaman her own arm. "But, with your request, I'm taking the time to make sure it's perfect. So, three days, tops."
"That is still not long." He said in amazement.
She smiled in turn. "This is why I asked you to drop by a couple of days ago. I've had an idea stewing in my head since."
"And after that? What's on your list of projects that you're going to tackle?" he asked as they lined themselves up before the Summoning Circle, with Mash placing her shield at the center.
"Between helping 'Dea with something of hers, and making puppet bodies for the future Servants." As she finished her answer, she glanced around the room, trying to get a bearing of it. Lord El-Melloi II stood with Olga, where the both of them were not too far off from the Doctor and the terminal.
Da Vinci was with them, for once. She was conversing animatedly with Medea, presumably about the project the Grecian Caster and roped them into. Cú Chulainn occasionally offered his input, expecting the two to turn down his words. Instead they took it to heart, their conversation becoming even more animated.
"Alright, we're commencing the Summoning Ritual everyone! Kagiso, take the lead on this one!" the Doctor's voice was amplified by the room's internal speakers.
"Yes, Doctor!" the Shaman took a step forward, standing just ahead of the rest of the Ground Team.
"How would his Command Spells work?" Ritsuka asked in a somewhat whisper to her.
"They don't have to be on your right hand, Ritsu-chan." She answered, showing him her right wrist, the one bearing her own Command Spells. "It's where it will commonly form, but it can be anywhere else."
A light thrumming pulsed in the room, as the materials were used to power the Summoning Circle, the light dimming intermittently by the draw of it. An assortment of colors emerged from the bright light that shone through, almost blinding their eyes. When it finally reached its apex, it flashed even brighter, before finally dimming. The lights of the room returned as the power was rerouted again. And as the kaleidoscope of colors faded, a figure stood upon the shield that anchored the Circle.
A tall man, with tanned skin and white slicked back hair. His body, toned and chiseled that it almost showed through his black body armor. Armor that looked far more modern than what the other Servants here have shown. A red shroud covered his shoulder and arms. His eyes, faded and grey, showing a lifetime of turmoil. And in his hands, were two falchions that mirrored one another. Black and White, almost symbolizing the Yin and Yang.
"Archer Class Servant." His voice had a deep timbre to it, his eyes meeting theirs one by one. "I have been summoned and have come at your request."
"Welcome, Servant Archer!" Kagiso opened, approaching the Servant who had descended from the raised platform. "You have no name to share?" he asked the question that was on her mind.
"I have discarded it in my life." He answered simply. He then looked around the room, gathering everyone else. "But it seems it might be necessary to differentiate myself."
"It would be nice, if another Archer ever answers our call." Ayako said as she joined her friend. The other three followed behind her.
"We do after all have four Casters here already, just as an example." Koleen offered next to her.
"Very well." His swords dematerialized, freeing his hands from his weapons. "If need be, you may refer to me, as EMIYA."
"The Magus Killer." The Ground Team turned their heads as one, seeing the Director almost falter in her steps, fear in her eyes and her pale skin becoming even paler. She then gathered herself, keeping herself in check from hyperventilating. Lord El-Melloi even looked like he flinched.
"No, I don't think he's the Magus Killer. I've seen his picture." Ayako commented, as she turned back to the Servant, eyes narrowing to scrutinize his form. "But… EMIYA… are you, from the future?" she asked rhetorically. "If that is the case…"
"Then you are a Counter Guardian." Kagiso surmised, nodding to himself. The new Servant turned his grey eyes to him, eyeing Kagiso curiously.
"What's a Counter Guardian?" Ritsuka asked them all.
"They are the Will of Alaya, Senpai." Mash answered for him.
"And Alaya is…?"
"We'll cover that later, Senpai."
"A Servant of the future! How exciting!" they heard Da Vinci exclaim all the way from where she stood.
"I was wondering when they'd arrive, considering the situation we are in." Kagiso continued, nodding in approval of his appearance.
"If he answered our summonings, then he is not here as the Counter Force." Lord El-Melloi II said as he approached them, looking far more put together than their Director. "At the very least, though, he is the contingency plan in case we all fail."
"Well that's frightening." Ritsuka commented with a nervous chuckle.
"That about summarizes my existence, yes." The newly revealed Servant said with a defeated chuckle.
"Regardless of all of that, welcome, Archer!" Ayako herself took the Servant's hands, shaking it. They engulfed her own. "You're the tannest Japanese person I've ever met." She commented idly.
An eyebrow rose on his face. "And you're the palest, I've seen."
"I'm not that pale!" she took a step back, looking at her own hand. "Am I?"
"We haven't seen the sun in months." Koleen said, keeping the kitten on her shoulder steady. "I wouldn't be surprised if we're all pasty."
"Oh god, you're right."
"I knew you'd be here, one way or another." Another voice joined them, this one belonging to the Druid. "Still as dour as ever, I see."
The Archer eyed Cú Chulainn's approaching form. "You're a bit different than how I remembered you."
"Yeah, that's what they all say." He said with a disappointed sigh. "Your eyes will definitely be of help to the Masters."
"Then I am ready to be of use."
"Well good, 'cause we have Supply Runs out the wazoo." Ayako said with a shared chuckle around her, before turning back to Olga. "Director, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Aozaki." She replied, clutching her chest with her arm on the terminal. The Doctor was beside her, checking her condition. "I just had a mild heart attack."
"I can make you a new one, if you want." She offered, mostly in jest.
The pause in Olga's answer surprised her. "I'll bear that in mind." She turned to Romani, patting his shoulder with her tired hand. "Find a Minor Singularity. We need those Supply Runs."
"On it." He brought his communicator up, lighting his face with its blue hue. "Sylvia, give me a status report."
"Ground Team. You have a few hours to gather yourselves. Use the time wisely." The Director to the group with a semblance of authority.
"Yes, Director."
"I must say, I like you better this way." The Archer commented with an amused smirk.
"Yeah, I bet you do." The Druid smacked his wooden staff onto EMIYA's back, not really enough to hurt the tanned man. "Even on our side, you're still an asshole, I see."
"Do you two know each other?" Koleen asked the question that Ayako had on the tip of her tongue.
"I've come across iterations of him." The Archer said, pointing to the Celtic Caster with a thumb. "Presumably."
"Presumably?" Ayako asked as she wrapped an arm around her friend.
"Counter Guardians tend to not get summoned with their memories intact." He answered, folding his arms over his chest. "Just our mission, and maybe our memories start to trickle in, but that's it. The fact that I have most of my faculties this time around is quite telling."
"And this guy right here was the Archer in Singularity F." Cú Chulainn said with an accusatory glare, and was responded with a questioning gaze.
"Oh, so you were the one that bombarded us." The hellfire of Fuyuki came to the forefront of Ayako's mind, causing the Archer to turn to her curiously.
"That was an unpleasant experience." Ritsuka said, the only other Master around at that moment.
"That does sound like how I operate." He admitted. "I'm surprised you're both alive, if I'm honest."
"I had Mash save me." Ritsuka said, causing said Demi Servant to blush. Then his brows furrowed, as he turned to Ayako. "How did you survive?"
"Pure luck." She said with a smirk on her face. "I wrapped my coat around myself, and ducked inside a bathroom. If any of his arrows would've hit me, I'd be paste. He made short work of the apartment I woke up in."
"Ooh, now I'm just remembering Singularity F." he visibly shivered, shaking his head to rid himself of his nerves. "Then it's a good thing that Archer is on our side, now."
"I hope I'm not late." The latest addition to the Ground Team joined them, wearing a brand new Combat Suit. He was adjusting the temporary prosthetic he was using, what with his actual arm still being worked on.
"We're still waiting." Ayako replied, seeing two forms follow behind him. Two of the Servants who were shorter than her. The Saber, and the Lancer.
"Oh, is this the new Archer?" Arturia approached the tanned man with a bright smile on her face. "Welcome! We are glad that you could join us, Mister Archer!"
His eyes glazed over her, faltering for a nanosecond, before nodding in response. If there was any lingering doubt to his unique nature, seeing his very minute reaction to the white clad King Arthur was truly telling. It was a shame that he was a Counter Guardian. She would have liked to ask him questions concerning the future, yet she could tell that she would not like his answers. The look in his weary eyes was enough of an answer.
"Yeah, she's quite different, ain't she?" the Druid said knowingly, nudging Archer's side. The Singularity F Veteran was milking the situation for all its worth.
"That she is." He replied simply, causing Arturia to pout.
"That's right King, pout more!" Elizabeth hopped on her feet, giggling as she placed her hands on the Saber's shoulders. "Show the world your cuteness!"
"It's a good thing Medea isn't here." Koleen commented with a smile. "I don't think she could handle this."
"Listen up everyone!" Their heads turned to the Doctor, interrupting their conversation, what with all of them standing inside the Control Room. Olga sat at her chair, with El-Melloi standing up beside them. The monitor displayed the map of Central Europe. He smiled reassuringly at them. "We got something."
"Do you think, I'll ever get used to, all the killing?"
She looked up from the arm she was working on, seeing Ritsuka stared off into the distance. He had a book in his hand that he was reading.
"From what I've heard, you've done little to no killing, Ritsu-chan." She said back, placing her tools back on the table. "Be it from you, or the Servants under your command."
"But still…." He turned his eyes towards her, and there was a weariness to them. "We, are always, brought to a battlefield. Or, a fight. It's never something we can talk our way out of. And, even if our side does nothing, it feels like we see nothing but death."
"Unfortunately." She agreed, nodding back to him. "But that doesn't mean we won't come across someone who's willing to listen. Wartime and conflict are just the periods that's most easy to disrupt."
"So… I have to get used to it?" he asked again, to which she shook her head.
"Don't." she said as she moved closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Keep this, burden. This weight. It will be the one thing that's anchoring your humanity. To know that we shouldn't commit such horrors, and that we should rise up above them. And if it gets too heavy, remember we are all here to share that weight."
His sigh was long, and heavy, his shoulders dropping. "But, in yesterday's Minor Singularity, none of you guys were phased by it. Not you. Not Koleen-san. Not Kagiso-san."
The Minor Singularity, their second one after their expedition to Rome. One that brought them to Germany.
1944, Germany.
It made sense. He stood out among her fellow countryman that she at one point went to school with, for knowing the atrocities that Japan had committed in the Second World War. She was quite surprised when he showed such knowledge, with his answer being that his family from his mother's side were quite the activists in regards to the unbiased historical truth. But, even knowing the accounts, he was still unprepared for seeing the equivalent that occurred within Europe.
Seeing, was after all, Believing.
"That's because of the environment that shaped us." She replied, moving her chair across him. "Kags grew up in a continent that was rife with death and conflict. Modern day warlords killing each other for power and sport. There's no telling what he did to get here, to be as levelheaded as he is. Kalls, her Witchcraft goes against human nature. It is inherently dark. There's an aspect inside her that takes after this dominion. And me? The life of an Aozaki was never simple, no matter how hard my mom tried to make it for me. Death just kept gunning after us."
She stood up, letting his eyes follow her, as she approached him. She placed her hands, one covered with a white glove that she was wearing, on both his cheeks. "We did not live the ideal life, Ritsu-chan. You did. And because of that, you are the best amongst us, with your humanity intact. With your empathy. With your soul."
His eyes never left her, enraptured by her words. Encouraging. Reassuring. Understanding. There was a part of her that was envious, of the life that he lived. The simple life. The life that her mom had tried to give to her. And, just as she had told him, it was a life that was impossible for her. Because even if she was born without talent, without the capability for magecraft, simply by being an Aozaki meant that for her, and her family?
That a peaceful life was never an option.
It says a lot, that the most peace she had in her life, was her early years within the Clock Tower. And what a harsh truth that was.
"Did you notice? How all the Servants, at a minimum, somehow trust you? Even Kiyo-chan, despite of her fixation on me." she said to him, her voice quiet and soothing. "That is your humanity. Humanity that was cultivated, because of the fact that you did not live the life that we lived."
She brought his head close, leaning him onto her chest as she hugged him comfortingly. "You might be envious of the power we have. But take it from a person who magi consider too human; you are more human than any of us."
She felt his arms wrap around her, finally returning the hug. "Thank you, Ayako-san."
"Mhm, you're welcome, Ritsu-chan."
The sound of the door slid open, Ritsuka startled in her grasp as another person entered her workshop. "Ayako, may I ask- AH! I'm sorry! I'll come back later!"
"Mash, its fine! Get in here!" she called out, feeling Ritsuka squirm. The Demi Servant came back in, looking at them unsurely with pink staining her cheeks. "Come here, help your big sis out. Ritsu-chan was feeling a bit down in the dumps." She said, gesturing with her fingers.
At the mention of Ritsuka's wellbeing, Mash's eyes widened as they focused on him. "Senpai! Is something wrong?!"
"I'm fine, Mash!" he tried saying, struggling under her hold.
"He needs a hug. Come." She could feel him curse beneath his breath, as that was all it took for Mash to join them. He might be embarrassed by this at the moment, but Ayako was confident, that he would thank her later down the road.
She didn't expect that later to be later that night.
The cookie he baked was delicious though.
Koleen… was worried.
Inside her workshop, alone, she sat at her chair, staring at the back of her hand, where her Command Spells were. But, her eyes were not focused on the blood red marks that signified her status and role within Chaldea. She was focused on the tremors.
Tremors that she never had before.
Her hands were vibrating, shaking, unsteadily. She couldn't stop it. Not with her other hand, that was also tremoring. She was worried, feeling the vibrations snake up her forearm. And worst of all, was that she knew why she was like this. Her family's Witchcraft was dangerous. Legend has it, that this was God's punishment, for the Accuser. A punishment to Her soul, to bear the sin She had accused. The sin that her children, and her children's children, would bear as well. And should they call forth the Sin of the Accuser within their blood, then they will bring ruin upon all.
She herself never really believed the story, since there was little, to no evidence to suggest that her family was descended from Abigail Williams, aside from the words of her grandparents' grandparents. Especially since the person in question disappeared off the face of the earth.
But right now, seeing the effects of her Witchcraft, seeing the toll it's taking on her body, she was starting to understand why her family had stopped its practice in the first place. They treasured the tomes like some kind of artifact, or ancient family heirloom. But they never once opened it. Never once even touched upon it since. Not until her, and that drive inside of her.
Koleen sighed wearily, leaning back into her chair, changing the back of her palm for the no longer sterile ceiling of her workshop. It was stained black thanks to the cauldron that never stopped burning, never stopped boiling. It was always making something. And right now, the color her cauldron was spewing was that of a deep pink. Like how her eyes used to be.
She felt a lump form in her throat. Koleen stood up, and turned to face her desk, where a small mirror now stood. She brought it closer to her face, eyeing her eye. Her left eye, just at the corner, was turning red. It wasn't like a blood vessel popped, the pinks of her eye was gradually shifting into a darker color. She was turning into a freak of nature.
"You know if you're really concerned, you can probably ask Birdie to make you something new."
"Jesus!" she yelped in surprise, dropping the mirror that was deftly caught by the Lancer that she had failed to notice. "Liz! When did you get here?"
"Like fifteen minutes ago." The young Servant said with a shrug of her shoulders. "I kept on knocking and knocking, but you never answered. So… I let myself in."
"Ah, ok…" a tired sigh escaped her lips, her body dropping back down onto her chair. "Was there something you need?"
"No." the Lancer shook her head. "I just wanted to hang out together."
"Oh… what do you have in mind?" she asked as Koleen took the kitten that was sleeping on her desk, tucking it into her hands.
"Let's go watch a movie!" the Servant declared excitedly. "I got a couple of movies from the Doctor, and a few of the crew! We can watch something in the breakroom!"
"Alright. Are you bringing anyone along?" she stood up with Little Roman in her hands, eager to take this moment. She needed to push her thoughts away to more relaxing ones.
"Birdie's busy with Teddy's arm, so I didn't ask her. Don't wanna mess up with her work. But Teddy himself said he'll be there! Puppy's busy with 'Dea's lessons, and Deerlet's helping him out. The Professor, of all people! Said that he might drop by! Can you believe it?! And then, I asked the Old Man and that new Archer guy, they said they might come along. Da Vinci herself said she'd join later…"
And just like that, the worries that plagued Koleen's very being slowly whittled away, as her entirety became consumed by the young Elizabeth Bathory, the words spilling out of her like a rapid waterfall. But it was welcomed, feeling her heart ease little by little. A smile found its way on her face, after being absent for so long.
She wiped the towel on her face, drying the liquid agent that stabilized their bodies when inside the coffins. Her braided hair had become loose, letting the red sea that is her hair flow freely, clinging to her head and back. She looked up, seeing her fellow Masters drying themselves off. The Servants that came with them were scattered around the room.
"How's the arm?" Ayako asked the Shaman from where she stood, seeing him flex his aching shoulder somewhat tiredly.
"It's a masterwork." He replied with a smile on his face. "It feels like I never lost it in the first place." He brought the arm to bear, showing his mechanical fingers. There wasn't even an artificial epidermis to cover it. His arm, for all intents and purposes, looked like two interlocking slabs of metal. It was way out of her comfort zone, and a point of pride when it comes to her works.
"As it should be. If it felt weird or foreign, then it means I failed in making you a proper arm." She said as she walked towards him, patting a hand on his shoulder.
"I can even feel that." He said, flexing his shoulder again. "So what's next on your agenda?"
"I'm gonna take a bit of a break, and then stock up on my runestones." She replied with a sigh. "And then, I'll probably help 'Dea out on that little project of hers."
"Oh right, you did say that. I can't believe i forgot about it." he asked, grimacing at his own lapse in memory.
"Mhm. It's real something, let me tell you that much." Ayako said with a lulling nod. "From what she told me last time, she's still working on the specifics of it. It's like she's missing one key ingredient."
"And what's the ingredient?"
"I'm not sure." Ayako shrugged, turning her eyes back to the other Masters. Koleen was sitting on the floor tiredly, while Ritsuka was inspecting the mechanical crossbow that Da Vinci made. "We'll see soon enough."
"Then we will wait with anticipation."
The next couple of Supply Runs went by without a hitch, granting them the necessary materials for the next batch of summonings, along with other things that they, or Chaldea, would need. The room was not as crowded as it was before, with only a handful of Servants accompanying them this time. Medea and El-Melloi, standing with the Doctor, while EMIYA and Arturia stood with them. The Director was also standing with them, though she made sure to stand on the opposite side of the Archer.
"Start it, Romani." Olga ordered with her arms relaxed at her sides.
"I wonder who it will be?" Arturia thought aloud, barely keeping her excitement in check.
"-lease be a Rider please be a Rider please be a Ride-" Ayako kept on muttering, fingers interlocked as if in prayer.
"We know what Ayako-san wants." Ritsuka said with a light laugh.
"The Rider Class is also the only Class that has yet to answer Chaldea, so I can understand her intentions." Koleen petted the kitten that was resting in her pocket, sticking out like a small ball of fur.
"Initiating Summoning Sequence!" Roman's voice spoke through the internal speakers. "Someone please, take the lead!"
"I'll give it my best!" Ritsuka said with a single step forward, as the lights around them began dimming.
The raised platform coalesced with power, drawing forth another who would answer Chaldea's call. Light shining brighter than the ones in the room, before it exploded in a flash. The power converged on a singular point, on the person now standing before them. Clad in an entirely green ensemble, with thick black metallic gloves on their hands that were holding a sleek black and green bow. Her striking eyes were green, as was her hair, before it faded into a stark blonde. Feline ears stood out atop their head, along with a yellowish tail coming from behind her.
"Servant, Archer. Atalante. My bow, is in your hands."
The moment the new Archer's name left her lips, Ayako's widened eyes immediately turned to the Caster behind them. Medea's face bore the expression of surprise and disbelief, before a look of hurt took over, as she drew her hood back over her face, and proceeded to leave the room.
The series of actions did not go unnoticed by Atalante, and her fellow Masters, as it turned out. "Was that…?"
"Yes, it was." Koleen answered, sighing weakly as she too had seen the Caster go.
Ritsuka looked between them, before his eyes widened in realization. "Ooohhhh."
"I apologize." Atalante said as she stepped off of the raised platform, her face showing pain and regret. "I will see to this."
"You would?" Mash asked with concern.
"Yes. My arrival was the one to cause this discomfort." Her bow dematerialized as she made to approached them.
"Give her some space first." Ayako said with a grimace. "Seeing a familiar face must've been a shock to her. Especially one with her history."
The feline Servant stared back at her unsurely, before nodding in acceptance. "Then I will."
"That could've gone better." Arturia said with a frown on her face.
"It also could have gone worse." EMIYA responded, his tanned hand ruffling her blonde hair.
"I suppose so." she agreed reluctantly, before looking up at the new Servant, eyeing her weirdly. "Is there something wrong?"
Atalante held her gaze for a second, before blinking her eyes and shaking her head. "No, there isn't."
"Romani, carry on!" the Director ordered, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hopefully the next Servant won't disrupt Chaldea any further."
"Initiating second Summoning Sequence!" the lights began dimming again, as the process was repeated.
The bright light flashed once more, and they saw a silhouette that was obscured by the light. One that was a very dark purple, almost as if it was a shade of black. And a flash of red. That was all they saw, before the figure let out a blood-curdling scream, blurring towards them.
No, it wasn't towards them.
It was towards Arturia.
Within an instant, her armor was back in place, and her sword drawn to block the sword that came down on her. Her eyes widened for a single second, before they narrowed onto the Berserker they had summoned.
Mash, without her shield, had to make do with making sure that Ritsuka was behind her as they backed away. Ayako herself turned to the Director, wrapping her arms around the latter's waist, and leaping away from the conflict. Kagiso and Koleen took only a few steps back, staying the Archers from firing on the Servant. Lord El-Melloi II had materialized his fan, making sure he covered Doctor Roman. Their orders were silent to the Servants, and even the Doctor refrained from sounding the alarm.
The Saber, even with her struggling underneath the pressure the Berserker was putting her in, looked oddly serious. At odds with the knight in training they have all gotten used to. Gotten to know to. It was as if, a glimpse to who she really was, was showing itself.
It was because of that that the Masters gave their trust to Arturia.
"Is that you, Sir Lancelot? Is it really you?" she asked, her voice just above a whisper, getting only a scream of rage in reply. "I see." Her hands tightened around the grip of Caliburn, before it relaxed. Just a little bit. "Take off your helmet, Sir Lancelot."
The screaming stopped, as if the Berserker was stunned. The pressure that was holding the Saber down disappeared, as the Berserker took a step back. And another. And another, as his sword fell from his hand.
"Please, Sir Lancelot." She commanded- no, pleaded. "Please, take off your helmet, so you can show me your face."
He stood there, his form wavering beneath their eyes. His hands were shaking, they could all see it. A long, deep guttural growl kept emanating from him, like an aura of madness. Then, his hands began moving. Slowly, they moved up, towards his head. Towards his helmet. Those purple gauntlets reaching closer, grabbing onto the helmet. And then, he pulled it off of him.
The helmet was dropped unceremoniously onto the floor, discarded like trash. His face was bare for all of them to see. He looked, handsome. Gorgeously handsome. If his armor wasn't so dark, he might have been the fitting image of a Knight in Shining Armor. As expected, of the Knight of the Round Table. His hair was long and messy, spilling out now that it had nothing holding it back. And he himself? He trudged back towards Arturia. Towards his King.
"Ar… thur…" his voice lacked the effect of the Madness Enhancement, as was his entire being. He dropped to one knee, his hands falling to his sides.
"Sir Lancelot. What has brought you to such a state?" Arturia asked as she too lowered her weapon, approaching the kneeling Knight.
"My King…" his words sounded strained, hollowed. "Please…I only wished… to die by your hand…"
A breath hitched from Arturia's mouth, her eyes looking bewilderedly at him. "Why?"
"Because! I have committed the greatest betrayal!" his shoulders shook as he sobbed. "I do not… deserve such leniency! My… affair! Brought ruin, to Camelot!"
"Do you not understand, that I forgave you?"
"But I do not deserve your forgiveness!" she placed her hands on his plated shoulders, causing him to meet her eyes. "My King?"
"If you truly desire to repent, Sir Lancelot… then do so, by aiding Chaldea, aiding Humanity in its time of need." She spoke to him in gentle words, but carrying the weight of a King. "If you cannot accept my forgiveness, then accept this call that you have answered. Be the sword to our Masters."
Tears began welling up in his eyes, slowly flowing down his face. She brought his face close, bringing him comfort in her embrace as he sobbed into her chest. "My King! Yes! I will! I will!"
He declared his fealty, not with words of righteous fury that would challenge their foes, or a calm determined will to fight by their side. But with tears and clarity in his eyes, harboring that of a deep rooted regret. Ayako could only grimace at the sight, not because she loathed the sight she was seeing. But because she sympathized with his plight. Such was the nature of Berserkers.
And so, their day ended, not with a bang, but with a whimper.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
this chapter, took a real long ass time to finish, let me tell you. its initial draft was a meeting between the heads of Chaldea, including Ground Team, but it ended up being just a long section of exposition, so i scrapped it entirely. switched it up with the Doctor though, especially since he's hardly shown himself aside from a few comments here and there, so i'm rectifying it a bit.
speaking of, i also realized we haven't seen much of Waver in Chaldea. i couldn't find a spot to fit him in, and i'd rather not force him in if it didn't mesh with the scene. i do have something in mind for next chapter, so hopefully it works out.
at the end of the day, i'm really happy with how the chapter ended.
we also got a new batch of Servants! these guys will pretty much see Okeanos with the Masters, along with a few others who will also fit in the Singularity.
the chapter also initially had recounts of the Minor Singularities they fixed, but it also ended up expositiony, so i replaced the with more character focused sections, as you guys might have realized.
now, with that out of the way, let's get to the reviews!
Quartermass: i'm also not a fan of yanderes (hell, i'm not even a fan of most tsunderes too), but i have a soft spot for Kiyohime. by virtue of being one of the older FGO Servants, and being one of the favorites, her character's been quite expanded upon throughout her appearances. in a sense, it made me like her, beyond just as one of the faces of the Stalker Trio.
King0fP0wers: oh, the shenanigans that will ensue if Kiyo ever meets Touko.
and yeah, pretty much! i'm hoping we get to see more of Kagiso in the coming chapters too!
Guest1: i'd like for them to summon Danzou, that'll be awesome too.
C2M1: i love tvtropes! i use it all the time. it's awesome. and Musashi will definitely form a bond with Ayako. i don't know if Ayako will trigger Musashi's Bishoujo's radar, so i guess we'll see when it comes to it!
Warlord of Chaos: Ayako will definitely push Kiyo now that she's open the door, so to say.
primus101: now that is the question, isn't it?
Addicted2fanfics: aw dude, i also can't wait until we get to the KnK event, it'll be fun!
Ramax Viscurio: ah, i was kinda hoping she wouldn't be too crazy in that way. i hoped i did show some sort of vulnerability here, and hopefully i can do better and show more of it down the road. and thanks!
emiya: unfortunately she won't. as you know, i try to keep the Servants that appear here to the Servants that i personally summoned.
and Fujino eluded me.
Guest2: thanks!
GARNiDELiA: thank you too!
thank you all so much for dropping by and reading the story!
leave a review if you don't mind, and i'll see you all next time!