Interlude: White King's Banquet
?-?-?-?
A figure stood alone, engulfed by a sea of green, shadowed by golden light that reflected off of every surface that it touched. A verdant forest stretching as far as the eye could see, and the eye could see little, blinded by the very thing that illuminated the forest. There was no sun, for its brightness was outshone by whatever it was that gave them the light. There was nothing else to see, nothing else to feel beside the immediate surroundings.
And then a hand emerged from the light, reaching for something, latching onto another hand. A free hand, that was pulled by this entity. This person. Pulled along the blinding forest, trailing down the path of dirt that was barely recognizable by the sound of footsteps atop it, along with the occasional crunching of grass. The sound of running water soon became audible, and not too long after the color blue joined the green that was blinded by light. A small river, meandering on the earth. Walking beside it, keeping to its shore.
The hand that was pulling was becoming ever visible. A hand that lead to a shoulder holding white cuffs just below it. Nothing else was visible yet, the entity still obscured by the light, though the immediate surroundings had become a bit clearer.
The walk felt like it took an eternity, towards an endless abyss that stretched on forever. One final step though, and everything became clearer. The light receded, showing more of the surroundings. The verdant forest was a beautiful sight to see, enhanced by the lake that the river met. The water so clean, so clear, yet so deep with the blue reaching a depth no one could guess. A spout of water emerged from the middle, giving the imagery of a fountain. And they were not alone.
Sitting across on the other side of the lake, was a tall pale woman with hair so ashen, clad in tainted armor of black. A crackling lance was laid beside her, untouched as her hand was holding a golden apple. An apple that was being fed to the horse that lay beside her. Its neighing filled the air, mixed with the ambience that the forest carried. What looked like a helmet was on her lap, designed to look more like a dragon's head. Her yellow eyes were focused entirely on her horse, a calm expression on her face bellying her intimidating appearance.
To their left sat another woman. Smaller than the first, leaning her back to a tree. Her form was out of shape, almost lifeless to their eyes, with the woman's green eyes showing little light. Her armor and blue dress was broken and tattered, caked in dried blood. It was hard to tell, if it was hers, or someone else's. The wounds on her body were palpable, a gory sight even though they were, in a sense, clean. Her blonde hair was a mess, hanging freely around her. A woman who was defeated, in almost every possible way.
Standing opposite her, to their right, was a familiar figure. Clad in black armor, not unlike the first woman, though her armor was also shattered. Unlike the previous woman, this one stood tall and proud, her corrupted sword planted on the ground with both her hands atop its pommel. She carried with her a darkness that resembled the first woman, and yet she herself carried a more malefic aura. Her face was free of anything that would cover it, showing a youthful face that openly scowled at them. Any defeat to her, was only temporary.
The sound of clopping emerged from their direct left, joining them. A beautiful white horse, covered in regal armor. And the one who rode it, holding onto its reins, covered head to toe in armor. Nothing about this person was visible. A glamorous red cloak was wrapped around their shoulders, flowing with the wind that carried itself inside the forest. Their helmet, unlike the first woman, gave the image of a lion. And yet, unlike the three before them, there was hardly anything human that could be felt from this person.
And finally, the hand that was pulling, that was bringing them here. A hand that belonged a woman- no. Not a woman. A mere child compared to all who gathered here. Clad in armor that wrapped around her torso, with a beautiful white dress underneath. Her blonde hair was tied with a large black ribbon into a ponytail. And her eyes, green and innocent. Full of hope and wonder, smiling happily. A smile that didn't last.
As the last of the five gathered, her smile faded, and her innocent demeanor disappeared.
Something else was needed here.
And it was not her innocence.
2017
"Sylvia, zoom in on the United Kingdom, please."
"Yes Doctor."
The large monitor within the control room showed the blue holographic globe of the earth, with SHEBA showing it in full above the Central Bulkhead. All their eyes narrowed on the black dot that was both on the monitor and SHEBA. A dot that centered itself on the British island. They've seen blue dots. Red dots. Even white dots. They had never seen one that was black. One that somehow brought an ominous atmosphere to the room.
"That location should be, Wales. If my geography isn't failing me." Roman said, scratching the side of his head unsurely.
"No, you are correct." El-Melloi said, stepping forward to place a hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "I'm wondering how it suddenly appeared."
"It appears to be quite different from the Singularities we are facing." The Director added, her narrowed eyes entirely focused on the dot. "It's different from the one South East of it. Are we sure that's London?" she asked them.
"Oh for sure." Da Vinci replied before any of them could. "The date is the one being put to question in regards to whatever is in London. Now, this one in Wales is the most curious one."
"When did the dot appear? Does anyone here know?" the Director asked the room, giving any of the technicians a chance to answer.
"2 hours, and 37 minutes ago, Director."
"Very recent then. The problem is, we do not know if it is dangerous." The Director sighed, before she turned to the three who had inadvertently became her council. "Any suggestions?"
"I have one, Director."
And yet it was neither of the three that answered the question.
The four of them turned to the entrance that had closed, seeing the short white clad Saber standing before them, her sword fit inside her sheathe snugly. She smiled at them, though it was not the innocent smile that she would often show them. Her face, her expression, was carrying that rare demeanor of a true king, one who could easily bend Sir Lancelot with her words. This was not the hypothetical existence of Arturia, walking down the path of adventure and honor. This was the King of Knights.
"Director." She gave Olga a curt nod, before doing the same to the other three. "Doctor. Professor. Da Vinci."
"I don't get a special title?" Da Vinci asked with a pout.
The innocent smile flashed briefly on the Saber's face. "Da Vinci is already an amazing title for you!"
"Oh, you flatterer." A rare blush tinted the Genius' cheeks.
"You have a suggestion, Arturia?" Olga moved herself to fully face the Servant, giving the shorter blonde her full undivided attention.
Her serious demeanor returned, as the green eyes of the King matched the golden eyes of the Director. "I do. Send me."
"And why should we send you?"
"Because I am needed there." Olga reeled in confusion, shaking her head before she turned to the others, who also shared her thoughts. Except for Da Vinci, who looked calm, with an almost smirk on her face.
"Then we should set up a team then, for this sudden rayshift." Said Roman, as he turned back to his console.
"No, Doctor." He stopped before he could do anything, turning back to the King. "I myself am enough, along with a Master to accompany me." Her eyes were assured, brokering no further argument.
The four people that stood at the head of the Control Room looked to one another, a silent conversation being had between. They turned back to Arturia, standing patiently in waiting, her hand on the pommel of her sword. Then, in unison, the four of them nodded.
"Would you ever… take out a bodily function?" Ritsuka asked, as both he and Ayako walked down the Chaldean corridor.
"What do you mean?" she asked as she glanced to him, herself sipping on an emptying juice box.
"Uhm, like, make it so you don't have to pee anymore. Or, you know, go through that monthly cycle?" a light blush formed on his face, glancing away from her eyes.
"I mean I could, but I wouldn't be human anymore by that point." she replied with a shrug of her shoulders. She placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it tightly. "Remember, I'm trying not to deviate too far here."
"How far are you willing to go?" he asked, turning back to her with curious eyes.
"Oh, now that's a loaded question." Her chuckles filled the space between them, their steps unhindered as they walked on. "Honestly? I don't think I even know that myself."
"Maybe it'll change, as time goes by." He offered, eyes looking up to the ceiling in thought.
"Maybe. But that sounds like talk for the far future." Three pips echoed between, coming from the wrist communicators. The both of them looked to their own respective bands, seeing the sudden alerts, brows furrowing in confusion. The previous Singularity was still only a week ago.
"Well, let's see what's what, Ritsu-chan." Her hand reached out to slap the slightly taller young man on the back, almost sending him buckling forward. "Whoops."
Five people, four Masters and one Demi-Servant, sat to one side of the large table inside the briefing room they were gathered to. Across them was the Director, sitting with her arms crossed on the table, frustration clear on her face. On her sides were Lord El-Melloi II and Da Vinci, the former's furrowed brows mimicking the Director's feelings while the latter kept the picture perfect beautiful smile on her face. Standing to the side was the Doctor, carrying a rare frown on his face. Sitting on the table with them, between the Ground Team and the Director, was Arturia, for perfect with her hands connected on the tabletop.
The session was started with a frustrated sigh from the Director, glancing to the Doctor briefly. "Let's not waste any more time. Romani."
"Right, Olga." He pressed something on his tablet, bringing something to the forefront of the monitor. The blue map of the world.
"You found the next Singularities already?" Ayako asked, noticing the bright red dots that dotted the map.
"Only one exact location." The Doctor replied, pointing to London. "The other locations are still to be determined."
"So you haven't determined the date yet?" Koleen questioned, her hands keeping the black kitten on her lap occupied.
"Not yet." Doctor Roman replied with a shake of his head.
"That is not the topic of discussion today." the Professor spoke up, snuffing the cigarette that was in his lips. "We might have another problem here."
"And that is?" Mash asked, her lavender eyes searching the map.
"Here." He pointed to the black dot that resided slightly North West of the London dot.
"That's new." Kagiso commented, his metallic hand scratching the bottom of his chin as his eyes narrowed on the dot. "And we know nothing of this?"
"Nothing at all." Da Vinci spoke up, "Well, I know something, but it's not my story to tell."
"We do have someone who claims to know what it is." The Director added, gesturing with her eyes to Saber, who had been silent throughout all of this.
"She didn't say that, let's be clear here." Da Vinci quickly interjected. "She said she had a suggestion, and that is to send her there."
"So whatever this place is, is connected to you then…" Ayako noted, looking back to the dot before returning to the Saber. "You're Welsh, aren't you?"
Arturia smirked innocently, tilting her head at her question. "I should be?" her answer came out as another question.
"Then it all makes sense then. It's probably is tied to her in some way that only she would know." Her golden eyes glanced to the Saber briefly. "And I assume you're unwilling to share the reason?"
Silently, Arturia shook her head, still keeping the innocent smile on her face. Ritsuka instead took the moment to pitch in. "I guess it's a very personal matter then." She nodded, confirming the fact as she turned her face to him.
The Professor audibly groaned, his fingers tapping the tabletop. "I see you've been hanging around the Bathory quite a lot lately."
"I will admit that she has rubbed off on me." Arturia responded with a not so innocent smile.
He scoffed lightheartedly, shaking his head in a subdued manner. "Much to your Knight's consternation."
"So, what is the plan here then?" Kagiso interjected before the conversation could devolve further. "Should we gear up for a sudden excursion?"
"Only one of you will." The Director replied, letting out a long sigh. "Arturia requested only her, and a Master to accompany her."
"So this really is a personal endeavor." Mash noted, her bespectacled eyes looking between them all, with Fou perched on her shoulder.
"Then how will we determine that? I feel like this is a very important distinction we need to take into account." Koleen asked, as she too began to see the complications of this excursion.
"Simple." Arturia's voice drew in their attention, bringing their eyes to her like a magnet. She in turn had her green eyes looking over the Ground Team. "Have any of the Masters, experienced the Dream Cycle recently?"
Briefly, the Ground Team looked to one another, before a hand carefully rose. Their eyes turned to the Puppeteer, for once looking worried between them. Contrasting the expression on her face, was the Director sighing with relief. "Oh, thank god…" The realization that Chaldea's most experienced Master being the one to be sent had finally put her at ease.
"Do you remember any details?" the Doctor asked, leaning slightly on the table.
Ayako shrugged her shoulders. "I had that dream three days ago. All I remember vividly are trees, blinded by light."
"That is all the confirmation I needed." The innocent smile on the Saber Class Servant's face hardened, becoming one of conviction. "Master Ayako and I will rayshift to this… Anomaly, together."
"Is there anything you can share, Arturia?" Ayako asked, trying to further understand the situation, especially since it was now her life on the line.
The Saber tilted her head as her eyes aimed upward to the ceiling. "Mmmmmmm. This might take a few days, possibly longer."
"What? Why would this take so long?" she asked with incredulity.
"Because we will most likely be waiting." She explained, giving her and the room a single nod. "Especially if we leave as soon as we can."
"Well, looks like I'm gonna make a bento box." Ayako replied with a sigh, resigned to her fate as she stood up. "I assume that's it?"
The Director also stood up, followed closely by everyone else in the room. She nodded in response to Ayako's question. "We'll give you time to prepare, Aozaki."
Ayako sighed for the umpteenth time. "Thanks, Director. I'm gonna need it."
"Ayako-san." She was on her way to the cafeteria when the familiar voice of Ritsuka called her out, turning on her heel to see him approach her. An eyebrow rose when she noticed Kagiso walking closely behind him.
"Sup guys." her body turned to fully face them, giving the two her undivided attention.
"It seems that you will be getting some alone time with Arturia." Kagiso commented as both he and Ritsuka stopped beside her. "You should take this opportunity to ask her about it."
"About what?" her brows furrowed, wondering what the two meant.
"Remember, before we left for the Atlantic Singularity, when we were looking over the duel between Arturia-san and Lancelot-san?" He gestured with a hand, prompting her to remember.
She closed her eyes, pressing her thumb to her temple, a few seconds passing. She opened her eyes with a gasp. "Oh my god, you're right! Ah, we just pushed all that aside when we got the call."
Kagiso took a step closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. "There is definitely a connection between them, and Mash."
"And if we know what it is, perhaps it can help her." Ritsuka added.
"Yeah, I'll try and see if I can get a moment with her." She placed her hands on their shoulders, nodding to them.
"What are you guys talking about?" Ritsuka almost jumped out of his skin, his body quickly turning to face the approaching voice. Mash, with Koleen beside her, and their creature companions in their hands.
"Uuuuuuhhhhhh…" his hand moved to scratch the back of his neck nervously.
"We were just asking Ayako something." Kagiso replied for the both of them, before suspicion could cloud over them.
"About what?" Mash further pushed, her eyes narrowing onto them.
"About what to get for my birthday." Ayako added, rolling her eyes and sighing.
"Your birthday?" Koleen looked taken aback, eyes looking to her in confusion. "Wasn't that last month?"
"Exactly!" she sighed exasperatedly, perhaps a little too exaggerated. "I told them they were a month late."
"So perhaps we can set up a special dinner then?" Kagiso suggested, somewhat sincerely. "Invite a few more other people to join in."
At this even Koleen rolled her eyes. "If you can find anyone else awake at midnight." They five of them shared a good hearty laughter with one another.
"Master!" she turned around again upon being called. Although she was around her fellow Masters, it was obvious that it was her that was referred to, considering the voice that reached their ears.
The sight that had become unfortunately rarer for her to see, of Kiyohime jogging down the corridor, carrying something in her hands. On her face was a smile that had been even rarer since their talk so long ago.
"Kiyo-chan, what's up?" her hands met her hips in akimbo, putting most of her weight on one leg.
She stopped the moment when she neared them, gasping for breath even though she wouldn't need to as a Servant. "I had planned on making you something, with the Red Archer's help, but I heard that you will have to leave for another Singularity."
She held back the sigh that almost left her lips. She sooner end up losing all her red hair at this rate. "Yeah, it came up all of a sudden."
"I see." Kiyohime didn't bother hiding her irritation with her sigh, her golden eyes closed for a second. "It seems the Red Archer's suggestion was not off key." She brought forth the item she was holding. The very exact thing that Ayako had planned on making. "He said that a bento will help you stomach this ordeal."
"Well, he's not wrong. I wanted to make one myself, if only so I won't be twiddling my thumb later." She smiled appreciatively, taking the wrapped bento from the Berserker, who's smiled widened as her eyes watered. "Thanks, Kiyo-chan."
"Are you going to head out now then, Ayako?" Mash asked, seeing as the one thing that the Puppeteer had intended to do was accomplished by another.
"Looks like it." She responded by turning to face her team again. "See you guys next week, or whenever."
?-?-?-?
"When is this, anyway, Saber? Doctor, have you determined it?" she asked both the Servant, and Chaldea, as they appeared in the clear Welsh fields.
"Inconclusive." He replied, confusion laced in his voice. "Whatever this place is, it was very easy to latch on to."
"Almost as if it wanted to be found." Ayako's golden eyes glanced to the Servant beside her, as they walked down the cresting hill. "Where are we heading?"
"North." Arturia replied, a hand rising to point towards the direction. A canopy of trees that lead to a deeper forest.
"Well then, lead the way."
And lead, she did. Despite the distance between the spot where they arrived at, and the green forest that served as their destination, they reached the canopy of trees in what felt like a moment's time to Ayako. Her eyes blinked rapidly when she realized that they had traversed the distance in such a short time the moment her foot stepped inside the grass of the forest. She glanced behind her, behind the figurative path that they had walked down, wondering what the hell had just happened. Her eyes widened when she saw nothing.
Flashes of the dream returned to her, as she saw nothing but an abyss of light. She brought her communicator close to her as Arturia pulled her alone, dragging her by her hand. "Doc, you still there?"
"…we're getting a lot of interference..." static filled the air at his answer. "…attempting to reset…"
Now it was just her, and Arturia. Any sort of dread she would have likely felt was quelled by the young Servant, of which she was somewhat thankful. But, again, that just leaves the two of them alone. How convenient.
"Saber, I got a question if you don't mind me asking." She spoke up, picking up the pace herself so she wouldn't be dragged all the way.
"Go ahead, Master." The Saber replied, glancing to her with a smile.
Here goes nothing. Ayako thought to herself. "What's going on with you, Lancelot, and Mash?"
Not even a flinch from the Saber, still following down the blinding path as if nothing had happened. "What do you mean?"
"The both of you were always… careful, whenever Mash was around. Lancelot, especially." Again, Arturia's face didn't falter, with only a slight tilt to her head being her response. "You know who the Servant she's bonded to, don't you?"
Her smile took a more calming note. "I do." She admitted simply. Ayako was surprised by how easy it was.
"And you're not telling her because…?"
"Mash needs to fill into her role on her own." Arturia replied, facing back to the front as she pulled Ayako along without rest. "Without my help. Without Sir Lancelot's help. Without the Spirit that's bonded to her's help."
"And what must she do then?"
"That is entirely up to her." Although she couldn't see it, Ayako was certain that there was a smile on the Saber's face. "She needs to find meaning, in her life. In her role. In her duty. Knowing who the Servant bonded to her is not enough, especially since they are being quite, stingy. Once she finds it, then she will truly be able to shine."
"So you know who it is then." She sighed inwardly, understanding the Saber's reasoning.
"I do. So does Sir Lancelot." Her grip tightened ever so slightly around Ayako's hand. "And I hope you won't share this with Mash. It is very important for her growth."
She sighed, already irritated with this new development. "Fine, I won't tell her." She looked around their path, noticing that she wasn't blinded at all by the light like in the dream, aside from it encapsulating the forest like a suffocating blanket. "We're getting close, aren't we?" she asked again, noticing the stream of water that they were nearing.
"Yes we are." Arturia replied, keeping a steady pace as they marched further deeper into the forest.
"Is it… is it where the Lady of the Lake is?" she hazard a guess.
The Saber shook her head. "It is not. Though that is not a bad guess."
"Is this place even real then?" another guess, as she noticed how… wrong this place felt, despite the tranquil air it provided.
"Probably. Maybe." She giggled, covering her hand with her free hand. "We might never know, this was always Merlin, or Morgan's, expertise."
"… Hello, Ayako." The familiar voice of the Doctor echoed in the forest, bringing Chaldea back into the equation. "We're back. Sorry it took a while, we had to troubleshoot what the problem was, but hopefully everything's fine."
"It was only 5 minutes, Doc. It's fine." She responded with a chuckle. The chuckle died when she didn't get an immediate response.
"… How long has it been, Ayako?" he asked, his voice sounding… horrified.
That sent a pit down her stomach. "5 minutes?" she repeated, hoping to whatever deity that was still around that it wasn't what the Doctor's words implied. "Why? How long has it been?"
"Ayako, it's close to 10pm already here. It's been 9 hours since the rayshift." The proverbial pin had dropped in the empty room.
Her own hand tightened around the Servant's, as the shiver that ran up her spine kept on running, and running. "Well, guess now we know why Saber said that it could take a few days…" she tried to make light of the situation, if only to just clear her own nerves.
"The fact that we have only audio on you right now makes this whole thing even sketchier." She outwardly groaned at the revelation.
"Of course, why would things ever be easy?" she looked to the Saber, only seeing the young Servant's back as she continued to drag Ayako as if there was nothing wrong with the world. "Are you gonna clock out?"
"I was planning to, but now… I'm going to be up all night just trying to determine what went wrong." He told her, his tiredness audible to her.
"Get the Professor and Da Vinci there as well to help." She in turn said to him. "You're still human, Doc. You need your damned rest."
"Fine, I'll get them up to date. Let's hope things don't pass by too fast." He said with obvious reluctance.
"We have arrived."
Ayako looked up, her conversation with the Doctor pushed aside as the both of them stopped. Seeing it all, was like the feeling of déjà vu, as the dream became clearer by the second. The clean, clear water that seemed to reach depths she could only imagine. The spout of water in the middle that gave the lake its own natural fountain. And the woman sitting across their location, her weapon laid to the side with an apple in her hand, being fed to the resting black horse beside her.
Ayako's eyes widened when she realized who this woman exactly was, as she looked up from her horse. Pale yellow eyes looking at the both of them, her face expressionless.
"The White Lily has arrived, second to all, I see." Her voice was both familiar, yet foreign. Even more so than the King Arthur they encountered in Fuyuki. The woman's eyes then moved onto her. "And this young woman is a Chaldean Master, I take it?"
"That's right!" the Saber replied without hesitation, promptly sitting herself down onto the grass, pulling Ayako along with her. "I guess it's unsurprising that the King of Storms would be the first to answer the call."
The woman scoffed, though not with malice. "It's unsurprising for the both of us to be here so early, being but rare figments in the story of King Arthur."
"Don't say that." The young, hopeful voice of their Arturia responded. "By simply existing, even as shallow as we are, shows how important we truly are to our legend."
They locked eyes for a few seconds, before the older woman turned away. "Hmm." She continued feeding her horse in silence.
"Can I pet her?" Arturia asked with childlike hopefulness.
A few seconds stretched out before the older Arturia replied. "Sure."
"Yay!" Ayako could only stare in bewilderment, after seeing only the serious Arturia for the past whole day reverting back to the young maiden that they had all gotten to know. She followed after the Saber as she took off, running towards the other side of the lake.
It only took a moment for the two of them to join the tall woman, with Arturia's hands already digging into the horse's mane. "Oh, you're so beautiful, Llamrei." The horse neighed delightedly, scratching its head into her hands.
"What is the King of Storms?" Ayako asked the taller Arturia, as the Chaldean Saber's focus was stolen by the horse.
"I am the leader of the Wild Hunt." She answered succinctly.
"Oh shit." Was Ayako's only reply, earning a chuckle from the taller woman. "So are we in the Fae realm or something?"
She shook her head in response. "If we were, you'd be dead."
Should she be surprised? She shouldn't, really. She brought her communicator back. It had been 3 minutes since she last touched base with Chaldea. "Chaldea, come in."
A few seconds went by before someone answered her. "Ayako. It's been a while."
"I was hoping it hasn't." she remarked dryly. "What time is it now, Waves?"
"4am, sharp. Can you speed up whatever it is you're doing there?" the Clock Tower Lord asked.
"We're waiting for other people to arrive." She told him with a tired sigh. "I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this is probably going to be a meeting of sorts."
"That is precisely it." The pale Arturia added, her fading yellow eyes closed to the world.
"Who was that?" El-Melloi asked with a sudden start. "That sounded like Saber, but different."
"It was the leader of the Wild Hunt." She replied with a smirk.
"Wild Hunt? Ah, I see. Well, I expect this meeting to be quite the humdinger." His sighed carried over through the connection. "Keep us posted."
"I'll try. See you later Waves."
"Don't get lost to time. Chaldea out." And just like that, the connection was cut again.
She sighed tiredly, looking to the two mirror Servants. Their young Servant, fussing over the horse that would belong to her. The older Arturia was content to sit in silence, occasionally glancing to the Saber. Ayako settled with leaning her back on the horse, taking out the bento that was prepared for her. Might as well. She thought to herself, anticipating her long day to be even longer. Not it was simply a waiting game.
It wouldn't be for another half hour, her half hour, until finally another person appeared. A very familiar person, with bits and pieces of her armor shattered and broken. Yet she walked to the lake with pride, planting the tip of her sword in the dirt, her hands held atop its pommel. Ayako's brow rose at the sight, seeing the corrupted Saber level a glance their way. The taller Arturia sent a quick glance before returning to her horse, while Chaldea's Saber held a prolonged eye contact while her hands were still roaming around the horse.
"You could've freshened up before coming here." The taller woman commented, scoffing dismissively.
Their once villain chuckled darkly at the remark. "It is but a mark, for the White Lily to see what her Master had accomplished. The Chaldeans declared that they will stop this False King, and I will see if they can fulfil this promise." Her pale eyes then narrowed onto them. "And her progress? How goes it?"
"She's slowly filling into her role." Ayako replied, the question all but confirmed what kind of Spirit Mash was bonded to. When she gets back, she'd need to do some research on them.
"Hm." Was her only response, before she returned her gaze to the fountain-like spout.
Ayako touched back with Chaldea, grimacing and holding back a curse when they relayed to her that two full days had passed. Her body fortunately was still functioning as normally as it should. Cries of alarm surged within the Control Room the moment she relayed who the latest arrival was, but she assured them that nothing would happen to her. The Puppeteer's eyes flickered to the location that she and Saber had arrived at.
"Hang on, another one popped up." She said, noticing a tall white horse emerge from the trees, with a tall armored figure riding atop it.
"We'll give you some privacy then." It was the Doctor's voice this time that answered her, before the connection was cut. They said that they only had audio coming through to them, but could they even get anything from whenever this place was?
"It seems we are drawing near." The tall Arturia remarked derisively, surprising Ayako, for the woman had so far been cordial with everyone. Her mannerisms bellied her intimidating presence.
"That we are." The irritation was shared by the corrupted Saber, glancing to the newcomer with obvious distaste.
"Please, we shouldn't be so hostile with one another." Their Saber said, an arm reaching out to the tall woman, intent on stopping her from escalating.
"Yeah, I think we should hold steady, until whoever it is that you're all waiting for arrives." Ayako said in support, the tingling feeling running up her spine intensifying at the newcomer's presence. Unlike the other three Arturia's, this one didn't feel human.
Even compared to the woman they were next to, who had a completely detached air to her. Said woman glanced to them briefly, before relenting as her shoulders relaxed.
A loud thump signaled the last arrival, all eyes turning to the one who had suddenly appeared, leaning on a tree in pain. This woman's armor almost mirrored the corrupted Arturia's, as it along with her dress were broken and torn. Her face, the expression on it, was forlorn. Compared to their Saber's innocent visage, at times the mask would fade to show the true King underneath. Compared to the tall woman they sat beside, a calm demeanor with her words carrying farther at a whisper. Compared to the corrupted Saber, pride and power despite the disheveled look she held. Compared to the one before her, who showed nothing else, but their armored self.
This is the King of Knights? Ayako thought with furrowed brows, worry creeping up within her.
"The King of Knights." The armored figure spoke for the first time, their voice distinctly still familiar, and yet so completely foreign to her. Their gaze was aimed at the crumpled King, and Ayako could only guess what sort of expression she bore. She then turned to where they sat, and she felt the figure's gaze on her. "The Chaldean. The White Lily." She acknowledged the both of them, and the tall woman beside them. "The King of Storms." The tall woman growled beneath her breath. "And the Tyrant King." The armored figure closed off, before settling their gaze on the blue clad Arturia.
"And to you, Lion King." The corrupted Saber said with a sneer. "Now you, King of Knights. Spill it out, we are here because of you."
The Tyrant King's bark was ignored for a full minute, they all were, as if they didn't exist.
"Have you lost your reason?" the King of Storms asked, her tone firm yet caring. "Have you lost your will?"
At this, the King of Knights stirred, turning to face them with a glare. "Do you… not understand?" she asked them, pushing herself up off the ground. "Camelot, has failed…"
"Has it?" the Tyrant King retorted with a scoff. "It was inevitable, we were warned of this from Merlin."
"Plenty of times, in fact." Their Saber added with a nod of agreement. Ayako could only sit there in silence, just watching this exchange with rapt attention.
"What are you trying to get here?" the King of Storms asked, her voice becoming harder, heavier. "What were you trying to accomplish?"
She stood there in silence, her glare sharpening like a blade. "To fix everything!"
"Do not be such a fool, King of Knights." The King of Storms said, standing up to her full height. "Nothing needs to be fixed. Everything is as it should be. Are you trying to go against Merlin's words? Do you honestly think that you can change reality so easily?"
"Where the hell did this come from?" the Tyrant King asked with a scowl. "Where is the King of Knights, who knew naught of how her people felt? Who showed no emotion? Where is she?!"
"She is dead! Atop the Hill of Camlann! Skewered by my own Knight!" the fire in her green eyes erupted in fury.
"Do you consider that a failure, King of Knights?" their Saber asked, her soft voice halting the escalating argument.
She took a step back, confusion briefly flashing across her face. "How could you not? We have failed them, our people, our Knights…"
"Did we?" her voice matched the hardness of the taller woman beside her. "I'm certain that most of them would say that they had failed themselves. Have you spoken with any of them?"
"Spoken… how could I? After what I have done?"
"Simple. You just speak with them, they are still people." The White Lily's words earned chuckles from the Tyrant King. "Is that so difficult?"
"They would not want to see my face…"
"They most likely will." Their Saber shook her head, obvious disappointment clear on her features. This was such a rare sight to see, even more so than usual. "Even as you are now, our Knights will not hesitate to stand by you. Stand behind you. Stand beside you."
"Do you have such little faith in your Knights?" the Tyrant King asked.
"I do not! How dare you insinuate that!" rage emerged once more in the battered King's face.
"Then prove it." The King of Storms challenged, crouching down to pick up her blackened lance, before pointing the weapon at the King of Knights. "Do you realize that this path of yours shows how little that faith is? You insult their character."
The fire in her eyes began fading, eyes widening as she took a step back, her back touching the tree. "Do not be so harsh on yourself." The White Lily questioned, her feet taking her to the King of Knights. "This is the life that we lived, some of us deviated elsewhere." She gestured to the other three Arturias. "Do not look to the past with such tinted glasses. Even as we are now, we have to look forward."
The King of Knights fell back down, back still to the tree, shoulders and arms slack. Ayako couldn't imagine what she was thinking through.
"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength." The King of Storms lowered her lance, chuckling amusedly with a smirk on her face. "Leave it to the most innocent of us, to show wisdom."
"That is enough." The Lion King spoke, after keeping to themselves, leaving the others to speak. "Let her ruminate on her misgivings. If she is still, uncertain of where she stands, then we will come. But we all have our own… responsibilities." At those words, a shiver ran up Ayako's spine, and lingered far longer than it would. She'd have to table this… gut feeling of hers.
The sound of steel leaving the dirt followed her speech. The Tyrant King had made her move. "As much as I loathe to admit it, the Lion King is correct. Leave the King of Knights here, an image of her final resting place. A fitting place."
"The Chaldean Master also needs to leave. A human has stayed far longer than they should here." The King of Storms glanced to Ayako, still sitting on the ground, nodding to her as the black mare rose up. "This… likeness of Avalon, even a fake, is too much for her."
"Even locked up, he still accommodates for us." The White Lily remarked, her voice returning to the innocent maiden that Ayako was comfortable with. "The next time I see him, I will thank him sincerely."
"Better you than I, my younger self." The King of Storms commented, reequipping her helmet. "I would not be as happy as you are if I were to see him again."
"Nor I." the Tyrant King commented with a dark chuckle. "And it seems the Lion King has disappeared already. Damn her."
Ayako blinked her eyes rapidly. She didn't even notice the armored figure leave. There was no sound, no movement. They were just gone. So suddenly. There was an alarm ringing in her mind, but all she could feel was relief, at no longer having to be in their presence. And no longer having to stay in this realm. She stood up, brushing off the nonexistent dirt off of her. She made sure the now emptied bento was in her hands.
"Well, if we're finally leaving, then hallelujah." She commented with a chuckle. She felt heavy hands on her shoulder, causing her to look up. The tall Arturia, now already atop her own steed, was looking down on her.
"Do not waver in your path, Chaldea. It will be a harsh one." Her voice was slightly muffled by the helmet, but she understood her clearly.
"I won't. Even if you somehow stand against us, I will not waver. We will not waver." She responded, straightening her back, meeting where the King's pale eyes would be.
The hand on her shoulder tightened, just a bit. "Good." She nodded, before freeing her shoulder from her grasp. "Llamrei, ride!" With a loud bellowing neigh, the black steed rode off, disappearing into the forest.
She caught eyes with the corrupted Saber, the Tyrant King, for a brief second. Despite the history, they both nodded to one another, before the Saber turned on her heel, and left back where she came from.
"Do not lose yourself in these thoughts, King of Knights." Their Saber said, crouched down beside the battered Saber. "But, understand, that you have done no wrong. This is your path. Stay true to it." She said, hand patting the King of Knights' hair, before she stood back up. She turned to face Ayako, the smile back on her face. "Shall we return, Master?"
Ayako breathed a long, sigh of relief. "Let's."
2017
"Seven days? I've been there for a whole damn week?" Ayako questioned with incredulity, sitting on her opened coffin, her body still wet all over.
"It was unnecessarily worrying." The Director said, arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping nervously. "And, we only got bits and pieces of whatever it was that transpired."
"And only audio too, at that." Ayako ran her hand through her hair, letting the braid unravel free. "Well, there was a lot more to it, aside from being a motivational meeting between the Arturias."
"It is fortunate that you noticed, Ayako." Said Saber commented, standing not too far from them. Her smile wasn't as bright, but it was still genuine.
"We'll face them, won't we?" she asked the Saber with furrowed brows.
Arturia shrugged her shoulder. "Perhaps."
"Let us continue this in the briefing room then, you can debrief us there." The Director said with a short nod.
Ayako sighed, but she stood up either way.
"Yeah, there's a lot to talk about."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
the first Interlude is here!
i had a bit of a hiccup there in the middle, but overall, i'm very happy with this. especially with the way i'm writing Saber Lily. and we also got to meet the other Sabers! that was also fun.
i've got an idea for another Interlude, but nothing concrete yet, so it will probably be awhile until we'll see the next one.
next chapter, will be a bit of a breather, followed by a few ones as well. then, i think we'll begin touching an Event, hmmm?
speaking of events, any of you guys doing the rerun? i'm feeling a bit lazy, so i'm hardly putting in an effort. at least my support's set up.
i think that's it? so, let's get to the reviews!
Rotciv557: oh it'll be fun, i've got a lot of ideas with Abby and Koleen. and yeah, i've missed a lot of mistakes, be it grammatical or spelling. i used to have more time to write, now i don't, so it's been difficult.
Addicted2fanfics: Cthulhu's not a cat, but that cat is something.
King0fP0wers: yeah, it's my way of making up for the lack of interactions that would have happened in the beginning. it'll also make the Lostbelt hurt more.
Guest: that would definitely happen. it's happened before, in F/Z, with Lancer breaking one of his lances, and Rider losing his Gordius Wheel. i don't have a plan for Martha to lose Tarrasque as of the moment, but i do have a plan with someone else losing a Noble Phantasm.
The killer7: oh, Native America will be difficult for me, that's the most foreign of cultures to me. it'll be interesting come America.
MirageSPL: hmm, i wonder.
TalonScythe: yeah, i saw that Medea, it is phenomenal. i even commented on it! it's chef's kiss. and yeah, catch ups are definitely necessary since we get to see the things that we sorta missed it.
well, thanks again everyone, for reading this! it's awesome!
drop a review if you don't mind, and i'll see you all next time!