Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belong to their awesome owner, I don't own anything.
Also thanks for my beta reader Zuskato Zyus for proofreading this and making it much better!
"The wish of wanting everyone to be happy is merely a fairy tale!"
- Archer from Fate/Stay Night
Hakuno Kishinami. The Victor of the Moon Cell Holy Grail War. The Protector of Seraph and wielder of the regalia ring which signified the proof of her authority. The Moon Cell give her this task in exchange for living in the virtual world it created. Becoming the world sovereign was no easy task, but being a master is much harder, especially if those servants were fighting for your attention as it was happening now, yanking her arms from left to right.
"Praetor, I heard we're near France! How about we visit there after eating the curry?" Nero said as she pulls Hakuno's arm from the left side. "Master-sama, how about you let me feed you something?" Tamamo-no-Mae said as she pulls her master arm on the right side.
Hakuno simply smiled as the two female servants continued pulling her to their sides over and over again. "They'll never stop doing that, will they?" A servant in blue of spear asked while riding a horse. His name is Cú Chulainn. One of the general of Mare Aurum or the Roman built city which is lead by Nero Claudius and Hakuno Kishinami.
In all honesty, the child of light wanted to stay in the city to rest. He didn't even want to join in this "Team bonding." or whatever the crimson emperor kept telling them. "I could not agree more." answered by the son of the Sun God himself. His name is Karna and a servant of spear just like Cú Chulainn.
He is the second in command at Mare Luxuria, or alternatively called Millennium capital that filled was with sakura trees but everyone usually calls it Tamamo's land since the name is much more shorter and easier to say. "I'm surprised you left fishing for this "Team bonding" instead." Cú Chulainn replied to his fellow Lancer.
"I'm very interested in trying this delicious curry they talk about." Karna answered in all honesty. "I also heard that they make coffee that perfectly blends with the curry." He added.
"It intrigued me to say the least, however, watching them makes me exhausted." The two men heard as they looked behind them, a man with a long white hair with an outfit consisting of red. His name, Archer, the servant's true name is still unknown for his peers but he had his reasons for not sharing his true identity.
After all, he prefers getting called by his class rather his actual name. He's also one of the generals of Nero's empire. Archer's reasons for why he was here is similar to Karna but mixed with Cú Chulainn. "Come on, let them have fun. They have been working hard since that event with Velber and Archimedes." A female voice decided to join their conversation. Her name is Medusa, the Gorgon from Greek mythology. She belongs to the rider class. The scout and also the general of Tamamo's empire. Medusa, in all honesty, has begun trusting Tamamo's nature but she will still not let her guard down around the kitsune.
"I guess that's true. But we also did a lot of things to maintain our territory in check, so I think we deserve a break as well." Cú Chulainn protested as he continued to watch the two bickering. "There is no use in crying when we're already half way to the town," Archer commented to the blue lancer.
"Hey is Lu Bu okay? He's been walking on foot for a while now!" Cú Chulainn yelled at the other servants behind them. "He seems okay!" yelled by the blond-haired young man. His name is Gawain, servant of sword and also another general of Nero territory. "Are you sure!?" Cú Chulainn replied. But instead of Gawain's voice that the Irish hero thought would answer he instead got a roar by the walking fortress of Tamamo land, Lu Bu.
"Okay, I'll shut up now." Cú Chulainn told to himself which caused the servants of Hakuno to chuckle in amusement, but their laughter stoped when they saw someone in the road a very familiar figure to the generals of Nero's empire. "Is that Assassin!?" Archer shouted in alertness as chaos ensured.
As soon as the stagecoach crushed on a wall. Nero immediately grabbed Hakuno into bridal style to jump off the crushing stagecoach with Tamamo and Altera following afterwards. The four of them tried to find a place to hide and recover from the ambush that just happened.
"What about the others?" Hakuno said with concern to the three servants with her. "We need to help them before-" She tried to say before getting cut off when Altera tackled her on the ground to avoid a spear aiming for her head. "Praetor!?" Nero shouted as she summoned Aestus Estus her crimson sword, frantically looking around before spotting her love's would be killer. "You will pay for that!" Nero yelled.
"Too predictable." A monotonous voice said as beautiful woman easily parried the crimson sword with a similar colored spear. "Oh really?" She heard behind her and saw a talisman thrown at her direction. "Curse: Thunderclap!" Tamamo chanted and a strong current of electricity burst out off the talisman. "Not a chance." the spear-wielding woman said and surround herself with rune magic. "Reflect."
"Saber get back!" Tamamo yelled at the crimson emperor as the magic she threw reflected back onto them, but it was too late, the lightning hit the both of them with a strong push that flung the two of them to a wall. "Dammit, who are you!?" Nero asks as she struggled to stand up. "What do you want?" The beautiful woman looks coldly at Nero. "My name is Scáthach, My task is to kill the sovereign of Seraph."
"Scáthach!?" Tamamo burst out in surprise after hearing the name of their opponent. "That's impossible!" Scáthach looked at the fox-eared caster. "So you are aware of who I am?" The crimson emperor raised her sword and pointed it at the enemy servant. "Who doesn't?" She replied as she charged once more towards Scáthach.
The enemy lancer raised her weapon and challenged the upcoming crimson sword at her. The two danced around each other while swinging their weapons hoping to end their enemy's life, however, as it dragged on Nero was having a hard time trying to get a clean hit on Scáthach. "Your skill with the sword is impressive." She gave a compliment to Nero. "But it isn't enough to stop me." Scáthach then swung with the blunt end of her spear and nailed Nero's stomach with such force that it flung her directly to a wall, smashing it.
"Saber!" Hakuno cried out in horror as she witnessed what happened to her servant, Scáthach turned her attention to Hakuno and approached with her spear poised in her hands. "Get away from her!" Tamamo shouted, throwing talismans at Scáthach. Each one of the talismans exploded in different elements such as wind, fire, and lightning.
Tamamo dashed around Scáthach while simultaneously keeping the pressure on the immortal with her assortment of talismans. Dark smoke soon appeared as the ground was getting repeatedly glassed yet it didn't appear that Scáthach would falter soon. "You're wide open!" Tamamo heard and suddenly a massive sized root appeared and rammed into the unprepared caster body.
With the two servants of Hakuno out of sight, only her and Scáthach were left. The immortal witch noticed that the white-haired servant was no where to be found, She was about to ask Hakuno where that servant is but was then interrupted by a voice behind her. "Well done, Scáthach. Well done on taking care of those two." Hakuno then saw a group of unknown servant dragging the unconscious servants of Hakuno.
"Good day, Victor of the Moon Cell Holy Grail War and the ruler of Seraph. We have finally met." A figure of tall and muscular bearing is standing in front of the unknown servants. He adorned golden armor and a white and black bodysuit, with gold line details. A golden cross is also placed at the center of his chest, and black cloth drapes from his pauldrons. He had a handsome, aged appearance, with a cross-shaped beard, long, curled hair, crimson eyes, and a tall crown upon his head.
"I'm Karl der Große the chosen ruler of this world by God. It is a pleasure to meet you Hakuno Kishinami." The man introduces himself to her. The gentle smile on the servant's face gave Hakuno a strange feeling. The man didn't come to just introduce himself, he's here for something else with the way, he looks at the ring on her hand. Hakuno figured out what this servant wanted.
The day was still getting started for the people living in the town of Lundy with the stores now ready to sell their item to customers. Restaurants were now opened as well and ready to serve their delicious foods. Cargo supplies are now finally at the town after a long day of their journey. Children are now at school and playing with their friends. Speaking of school. The leader of the phantom thieves of hearts, Ren Amamiya. Is preparing the curry he will serve for the children that was attending the kindergarten school in Lundy. Jeanne d' Arc woke him up early today just for him to make curry for the children. She also noted that she looked forward to it as well. Without much of a choice, he agreed to it.
"Nee, big brother. Is the curry ready now?" A group of children ran to him and started shaking his arm. "I'm hungry big brother!" One of the children yelled. "It will be ready soon," Ren answered and find it very challenging to keep himself in the balance as the children are pulling his hand left and right. "Can we play together after this? I want to play house with big sister Jeanne." Asked a female child.
"Eh? House? But I want to play tag with big brother Ren!" A male child replied. Because of that, the children stopped shaking his arm but ended up arguing with each other. Ren knew he had stop the children but before he could voice his reasons someone came to help him. "Everyone look, do I look good at this apron?" Near the doorway entrance of the kitchen. They saw Astolfo wearing a pink colored apron with Charlemagne who doesn't know how to react to what his friend is doing, aside from covering his face.
"Best sister Astolfo, look so pretty." The group of male children said in unison with dust of pink in their cheeks. "Thank you very much tee-hee." Astolfo sent them a wink, making their faces blush even more. "Astolfo, do they even know your gender?" Charlemagne whispered in disbelief at the paladin. He didn't answer. Instead, using his elbow, Astolfo hit Charlemagne stomach.
The leader of the paladins felt the pain from that and decided not to question it anymore, he didn't want to break their fantasy and possibly traumatized these innocent souls. "Astolfo! There you are!" Another figure appeared, this time it was the saint of Orleans, Jeanne d' Arc who looked tired from chasing the paladin. "You, took my apron. I need it back." She said and forcefully took the apron back from him.
Astolfo tried to stop her with his teary expression, but it seems the saint was too tired to notice it. "Are you going to cook as well Jeanne?" Ren asked as he chopped the potatoes in pieces. "I'm going to help you." She simply answered after wearing the apron and walked towards Ren's position. "I guess we'll leave you two then" Charlemagne told the two and tapped Astolfo's shoulder. "Astolfo I think the children will love it if you showed them your mystical beast."
Hearing Charlemagne's suggestion. Astolfo quickly beamed him a smile and called the children out. "Everyone, its time to leave them here, besides they need some time together." Astolfo quickly left afterwards and didn't wait for the reactions of the two.
"What?!" Was all Jeanne could let out with a blushing face.
Lunchtime finally arrived and everyone in the kindergarten is enjoying the food they eat. Especially the curry that Ren made. The curry didn't even last long in the table as everyone immediately makes a line to get a curry on their plate. Just like that the curry is gone and made the saint of Orleans in shock. She didn't even get the chance to eat it. Ren told her it's fine and in the end, the children loved the curry and wanted another one.
After that, Ren and Jeanne found a table to use and take their break. The two of them watch the children playing with each other after finishing their lunch. Ren and Jeanne looked satisfied that the children are having fun and energetic.
"I didn't even have a chance to eat it with rice," Jeanne muttered to herself, she was looking forward on eating the curry that made Lundy a tourist spot. "Here," Ren said and hand over a bowl with curry in it. "I know that you were looking forward to it, so I saved some for you." He said with a friendly smile on his face.
"Eh?! Thank you very much, Ren." Jeanne happily takes the bowl on his hand and let Ren serve her rice that she looked forward to as well. "Your welcome," Ren said and become more satisfied as the saint was enjoying her food. "So delicious!" Jeanne squealed in satisfaction after taking another bite of the curry.
"By the way Jeanne. I still haven't thanked you for that day you saw me." Ren said and started remembering that rainy day in Seraph. He was lost from the moment he woke up and if weren't for his encounter with Jeanne. Then he wouldn't know where he could be right now. "Thank you for the raincoat and thank you for everything else. It means a lot to me."
Jeanne stopped for a moment and stared at the thief's face. She didn't do much during that time and she had no idea that it meant a lot to Ren, they've been friends more than while now and this is the first time that Ren told her about this. "I-its nothing. I just did what I thought was right." said the saint. "But still thank you." Ren showed his gratitude at her by giving a smile that came from his heart with every charm he had. "Oh, you have something on your face," Ren said as he reached into his pockets and pulled out a piece of cloth, guiding it to her face cleaning the curry.
"There." The saint of Orleans was flushed at what he did and that smile he gave her. Jeanne tried to recover her composure by looking away from Ren but after she looked at her side. Jeanne saw Astolfo, Charlemagne, Saint Martha, Saint George, and the children smiling mischievously at them. "I wish I had my camera with me." Came from Saint George feeling disappointed he didn't get to catch this moment on picture.
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Was all the panicking saint could manage to muster as her reddened face betrayed her words. "Sure we won't. But if this keeps up, we might start to think about it." Astolfo said as he tried to hide to smile from his face. "Don't ever get the wrong idea! We're just friends that's all!" Jeanne replied with a flustered face.
"Friends these days are that close to each other now?" Martha commented, teasing Jeanne and making her face blush even more. "I didn't want him to. Hey, say something about this!" Jeanne demand Ren to help her. But the thief was already gone, dumbfounded, Jeanne tried looking for him only to see that he picked the used plates at the tables near them. She was about to call him out, but instead of an answer, Ren just simply sent her a wink and left a smile he used at his females' confidants.
This left Jeanne and everyone present in shock. A moment afterwards the room ended up in a uproar while shaking the saint of Orleans for answers. Ren eventually got punished by Jeanne because of that. By making him wash the dishes alone. He didn't mind, and he apologizes afterward. But it looks like he needed to cook her another bowl of curry to get her forgiveness.
Hours passed after the chaos that was their lunchtime with the peaceful atmosphere in the town of Lundy returning once more, but as fast as it came it left as fast, when everyone heard a sudden explosion somewhere outside the town. The king of paladins immediately made his way out off the kindergarten to know what caused that explosion. He saw a flock of birds flying away on the smoke at the distant mountain.
"What happened!?" Charlemagne heard Astolfo's voice behind him. "It looks like the cause of that explosion came from that mountain." He informed his friend. "Let's investigate that place quick." After Charlemagne said his words, the saints and Ren came out off the kindergarten in a hurry. "Goodness, what is happening on that mountain over there." said by the male saint.
"We will investigate it if you allow us, Saint George," Charlemagne ask for the saint's permission. "You do not need my permission, king Charlemagne. But please be careful on your way there." Saint George said in a concerning matter while giving the paladin a gentle smile. Astolfo then looks at Ren and asked him. "Will you join us, Ren?"
"It's better if you do, Ren. We'll make sure to keep everyone calm." Saint George stated. "But make sure you three will return here safe alright? That is all I ask." The male saint then looks at Jeanne and Martha. "The townspeople of Lundy are must likely in a panic after hearing the explosion. Us saints need to calm their minds and hearts, so I trust you two will not have any problem if Ren, Charlemagne, and Astolfo go ahead to investigate what happened?"
The female saints nodded to answer. "Make sure you three follow what Saint George said okay?" Saint Martha stated. "I trust you three won't do anything that will lead you to danger," Jeanne said before sending Ren a look. "Especially you Ren. You tend to do reckless things." She said in worry about him.
"I'll keep an eye on these two! You can trust the great Astolfo on that!" Astolfo said with a beaming smile on his face. "Let's get going, Charlemagne and Ren!" The paladin said before summoning the mystical creature named Hippogriff and mounted on it's back. "Don't be shy, this pretty cute creature doesn't bite!" He said while tapping the back off the creature.
Without wasting any more time. Ren and Charlemagne rode the Hippogriff and flew towards the explosion's position, on their way there, they saw a large part of the forest destroyed as if a fierce battle took place. "What did this?! It's like some kind of disaster passed through this forest." Astolfo said and tried to describe the cause of this destruction. "Look I could see trails below us," Ren stated, activating his Third Eye which traced a large amount of animal footprints. "Bring us down, Astolfo." Hearing his king's command, Astolfo relayed the Hippogriff to descend onto the ground.
"It looks like this footsteps came from a horse," Charlemagne said as he examined the ground. "A lot of them, look." He then pointed out a trail different from the horses. "This shape's probably from a wheel. Perhaps a stagecoach." He then followed the trail before looking at his companions. "What do you guys think?"
"This place reeks in mana," Astolfo commented as he felt the air around them feel different. "Could there be a fight happening here?" He asks. "Seems likely.." Ren whispered slowly after finishing his examination around the forest. "It's strange to see a stagecoach taking this way off the road, because it'll take them deep inside the forest."
"And this air around us..." The two paladins looked at Ren and waited for him to continue. "Could it be that something attacked this stagecoach?" Ren said and followed track trails of the stagecoach wheel. "I think they took this path to avoid an ambush, after that I don't know." He concluded with the information he had as little as it may be. "That some detective's eyes, you have there, Ren." Astolfo complimented, impressed of his skills.
"I learned from a friend. Anyway if we follow this trail, we should find what happened to them." Charlemagne nodded to Ren's suggestion. "Then let's keep going." He said and the three of them followed the stagecoach's trail. Along the way, they saw the continued destruction of the forest. "Hey look over there!" Astolfo shouted before running towards a destroyed stagecoach. "It's destroyed alright and no one's inside. Thank goodness." He expressed in relief, grateful for not seeing a dead body inside.
"The trail ends here, but the air around us has thickened." Said by the king of paladins as he began surveying the area. "What do you think happened, Ren?" He asks the raven-haired friend of his. "I could see more trails over there." He then walks and followed the trails and lead him in a cave. "Do you think they're inside?" Astolfo asked.
"The trail we followed is still new. So yes, they might be inside." Ren answered the pinkette's question. "Let's keep quiet and investigate this cave," Charlemagne cautioned before they entered the cave. They saw lights below them, the three slowly made their way on a ledge to have a look. "Servants!" Astolfo almost blurt out but luckily Ren covered his mouth before he could compromise their position.
"I'm sorry." Astolfo apologized in a soft voice. "But look at how many servants are below us." He pointed out. "Most of them are beaten to the ground though." He commented. "Is this what they called a hostage situation?" Astolfo looks a the two beside him. "That girl in the middle doesn't look like a servant though," Ren elicited and pointed at the brown-haired girl. "Something feels different about her."
"I feel the same. But we can figure it out later on, what's important right now is to find a way to rescue those people." Charlemagne agreed but reminded the two their goal. "Those five servants below us, if they manage to take down eight servants with ease by the looks of it, then it's obvious that they are powerful and we might not have a chance if we fight them in a group."
"But I don't think we can avoid that possibility." Ren firmly said. "They will see us if we're going to save their hostages, and from where we are, there isn't anymore exits in this cave." Charlemagne sighed, taking the thief's words into consideration. "So our only option is to fight them?" He grimaced, hoping to avoid any unnecessary fighting.
"Yes, but we could get their attention." Charlemagne turned his attention to Ren. "Do you think you can get the hostages out of the cave?" He asks. "I don't think I can. Some of them are already passed out and carrying them one by one will take too much time." Ren replied. "But maybe we can sneak behind them and take them out?" He offered.
"Backstabbing isn't my style," Charlemagne stated. "Then let me get in position and I'll do it," Ren replied. "It's easier to fight them if we lessen their numbers." Astolfo and Charlemagne glanced at each other before giving their answer. "Just find a place to surprise them when things started to spark alright?" The three of them agreed to the plan before walking separately.
Ren was about to find a good spot for an ambush but he stops, when he saw a small white-haired girl enter the cave, he tried to calling out to her as quiet as possible, but the girl either didn't hear or notice and kept running, sighing, Ren followed her but didn't notice the hole below his step which caused him to fall and sink into the water inside the cave.
Charlemagne and Astolfo the two great paladins, hid their presence from the enemy servants and found a spot to hide, the two surveyed the area and felt something at the giant man wearing a gold crown, but for Charlemagne, he couldn't believe what he was seeing before his very eyes. 'That man.' He thought to himself. 'Why is he here?' Charlemagne grimaced.
Astolfo turned his head and saw Charlemagne's reaction, tapping his shoulder, the pinkette was able to snap him out of it. "Charles look at that girl in the middle." He urged Charlemagne. The two of them gazed at the girl in the center wearing a white dress and looked very different from the servants around her. They heard her shouting and asking them to stop.
They saw the servant that made Charlemagne uneasy. Punishing a female servant wearing red. She was holding herself from screaming out the pain to not make her master worry. She bite her lips to keep her voice from leaking out to the point that it started bleeding.
"Forgive me for this but it will continue unless you hand over that ring to me, the longer it's in your possession the more she'll suffer. Believe me, I will cease this once you do, dear sovereign." The man wearing golden armor stated. "Praetor, do not give the Regalia to him!" The girl in red yelled to her praetor. "But-" The girl in red didn't let her finish. "It's fine! Praetor, but... Please leave... Get out of here." She pleaded, her voice sounded so painful, she doesn't want to leave her praetor alone. But if it's for her safety then some things are needed to be sacrificed.
"I admire your love for each other, crimson emperor. But you are getting in the way of the plan that God has given to me. So please forgive me for this." The man raises his hand. Signaling for another assault. "Stop!" A voice interjected, Karl der Große turned around and saw Charlemagne standing with his sword in hand, wearing a face of determination. "You?" Karl der Große let out in disbelief which quickly turned into anger. "I told you not to get in my way!" He yelled at Charlemagne.
Charlemagne stood firmly and braced himself for Karl der Große's anger. "What are you doing here?!" Karl der Große demanded the man standing bravely in front of him and his servants. "Get yourself out of here before I kill you." He warned and shifted his attention to the wounded saber and was about to continue punishing her but Charlemagne yelled back at him. "Stop!"
Karl der Große turns his back and looks once again at Charlemagne. This time his face showing anger. "You desire to end your life that much? Fine!" He looked at the black-armored knight to his side. "RAGHH!" The black knight roared and recklessly charged towards Charlemagne. "Don't just stand there, Charles!" Astolfo cried out as he forcefully pulls Charlemagne away from the black knight.
"Astolfo!?" Charlemagne let out in surprise. "Just what are you doing!?" Astolfo asks angrily at his king's action. "Snap out of it!" He says and pulled him back to his feet. "RRAGG!" The black knight's roars echoed throughout the cave as he charges towards them once more. This time Charlemagne and Astolfo blocked his sword with theirs. "He's strong!" Astolfo let out, feeling himself, rapidly being overwhelmed by the servant's might even with his king helping.
"HARRG!" They heard another roar behind them. They snapped their heads and saw a mountain of a man about to smash the paladins with its weapon. "Jump!" Astolfo yelled and the two jump away from it, but in the process, it separated Charlemagne and Astolfo from each other. The king of the paladins was still in the process of recovering when his instincts kicked in and immediately drew his sword against the mountain tall servant's weapon.
'Ren where are you!' Charlemagne shouted mentally to himself while simultaneously fighting the enemy servant. He narrowly dodged a spear flung straight towards him. Once he tried to find who throw it. He got surprised when a beautiful woman appeared before him. With another spear on her hand, pointing it straight to his heart.
"Gáe Bolg." She whispered with a cold stare.
The moment Ren Amamiya opened his eyes, he found himself staring at a tower while slowly falling to the ground. The tower itself looks very beautiful and the scent of a flower looming around the air made his heart and mind at ease. Ren could not look away at the tower even if he wanted too. He doesn't feel his body and yet he wasn't panicking about it.
Slowly falling. Ren saw a person wearing a robe that looks like it had been made from the finest fabrics. He couldn't see the person face but felt a smile on their face. "We finally meet. Your Ren Amamiya right?" He heard the person ask. Ren couldn't tell if its a male or female but he can tell that they were very glad they meet. "Goodness me, I forgot that you cannot move your body."
"But do not worry. I summoned you through your dream." Ren felt his body stop falling as he stares at the person inside the tower. "Or perhaps that is not the correct term since your inside the Moon Cell." He heard the person chuckle. "But all that matters is that I manage to find a way to contact you."
"You see. I have this dream that felt very strange. It's not very ordinary and I haven't experienced it before." The person paused to recollect the memories of the dream. "In this dream I found myself kneeling on the floor in front of a throne. On that throne, someone is sitting and giving me a gentle smile."
"But I felt that smile isn't real. There is something more beneath that smile I saw." The person then stands and walk around inside the tower. "I saw this man smiling at me in amusement. I don't know why but I don't like his smile, especially if that amusement involves me."
"I didn't want to get work up to about some dream, but this man was giving me a feeling. A feeling that I should not easily ignore."
"He talked to me and told me about the fate of the world. He told me his plan and how he's going to conquer not only the moon but also the world we know. He will rule over us and we cannot do anything about it." Ren found the person staring at him. "Once he controlled the moon. Then everything is over."
"He also said your name. I could feel a mixed feeling when he says your name. He said it like you two know each other. But then there this tension on his voice. Perhaps you have a history with him? But regardless we're both players of his game, he tricked me on a deal that I cannot decline."
"He made me find you. He ordered me to find you and goodness it was a tough work to connect here, but forget about that, he told me to make you aware of him and forcefully make you a player as well."
"We do not have much time anymore. I will find a way to materialize there. So let's meet on the Angelica's Cage, there I will tell you everything you need to know about this man." He felt himself falling once again and this time his diving straight to the field of flowers on the bottom. "Watch out on your way to the Angelica Cage's alright!" Ren saw the person waving goodbye to him.
The moment his head hit the bottom floor. His eyes snapped open and he could finally feel his body once again, but he woke up drench in water. Ren looks beside him and saw the white-haired girl he tried to chase, they both stared at each other with silence between them. Another moment passed and no one said a word. Ren decides to break the ice between them.
He then remembers that he fell on a hole and everything went blank, Ren looked at the girl and ask. "Are you perhaps the one who saves me?" The girl nodded. "Thank you very much, um?" He then tried to get the girl's name. "Altera." She simply answered. "Nice to meet you, Altera. I'm Ren Amamiya and once again thank you for saving me."
The girl didn't say a word after his introduction. Ren could only assume that it is either the girl is shy or perhaps that is how she talks to strangers, It took some time of recovery before Ren could remember what he's here for in the first place. 'The hostages! I need to go there now.' He finally remembered. "Altera, this place is too dangerous to stay in." Ren explained, yet Altera didn't express much emotion, she simply stared at him impassively, he knows that leaving the girl here alone is dangerous, but Charlemagne and Astolfo are probably still waiting or worse, already found out by the enemy servants.
Altera pokes her hand and pointing in a direction. "This way." She said and grabbing Ren's hand and pulled him up, It wasn't a long walk and they found a good place to hide, the enemy servants are just below them. But Ren saw Charlemagne who looks exhausted. He notices the wound near his shoulder. The king of the paladin is fighting against a black knight and a tall figure. He also saw Astolfo up against a spear-wielding woman. The pressure that the woman giving is noticeable as Astolfo is struggling to keep his defense up.
"Master." Ren heard the worried voice from Altera. She looks very sad after seeing the girl in the middle. Ren saw the girl that felt different from the servants. "Can you… Can you save them?" Altera asks him. "I wanted to save them. But I don't have that power right now." She said while trying her best to keep her emotion from flowing. "Can you please save them?" She asks with full of hope at Ren.
She's in the verge of crying. Until she felt a hand on the top of her head. It felt similar, It felt like how Hakuno do it when she did something right. "I will. I promise you that. So please don't cry alright?" Ren said without looking at Altera. She saw the gentle yet confident smile on his face. "I'll try," Altera replied and tried the tears on her eyes. "Please go save them, Ren." She said and saw Ren jump off the ledge.
Karl der Große didn't expect that there will be another one to appear, he stared at the young man impassively, he wore a mask and an outfit colored in black, a pair of red-colored gloves that touched the ground, his eyes were closed, but the moment it opened they revealed a set of gray-colored eyes and its strong gaze sent chills down Karl der Große's spine, but it didn't last long.
There is nothing to fear, he knew that God is with him and not even this boy could stop him from what God planned for him to do.
"Ren!" The king of the paladins, Charlemagne called the young man's name. "Ren?" Karl der Große whispered in repeat, not recognizing the name, he knew every single Servants name yet the name Ren didn't ring a bell, which made him wonder if this young man is worthy to even remember.
"I'll handle them, please get everyone out of the cave." He ordered at the two paladins who stared at him in disbelief. "You'll handle us?" Karl der Große taunted, so this he thinks he can just handle all of them single-handedly?. "Do you recognize our numbers? Or our strengths? We can easily take you out."
"Please, get everyone out of here." Ren asked the two paladins in a calm voice. "But-" before they could protest, Ren already switched into a fighting position pulling out his knife. "Trust me." The determination can be seen in his eyes, reluctantly, the paladins nodded to him but still worried about him. "You must be out of your mind." Karl der Große stated, mocking the thief. "Do you think you can fight us? You who's name I don't even recognize. What legend do you hold? And what makes you think that you can fight us?"
"I'm Ren Amamiya, otherwise known as Joker. The leader of the Phantom thieves of hearts." Ren declared, making his presence known to the king and everyone inside the cave, his mask lit up and bursted into azure flames, one by one, transparent figures appear behind him.
He smiled confidently and Karl der Große hasn't seen such confidence from an outnumbered opponent. "We take the hearts of corrupted adults and change them, but most importantly we make miracles not for myself, but for everyone who believes in us. That is who I am. That is what the Phantom thieves of hearts are."
"Well said, Trickster. You followed my teaching and became one of the greatest Phantom Thief that there is." One of the figures finally revealed itself. A figure with black angel wings and crimson-colored suit. The figure chuckles darkly, finally fully materializing. "My name is Arsene, the Pillager of Twilight!"
The second one appeared from above, It took on a shape like a UFO with a metallic Gargoyle statue crouching on its top. The UFO's exterior was decorated with lime green glyph of various origins. Suddenly a green light came from it. The servants initially thought it was an attack, yet no harm came from it, yet that was not the point of the light. It wasn't mean to hurt, its purposes were to scan the surrounding area and the servants.
Once it was done on processing, it sent the result to Joker's mind. Alongside the many possible choices, he could choose from. "The forbidden knowledge has been revealed. My name is Necronomicon and no mysteries, no illusions shall deceive us any longer." They heard a female voice coming from the floating undefined object above Ren.
Tried of wasting time, Lancelot and Darius III didn't wait any longer and lunged at the still preparing thief, but even before they attack, a various light colored hues bombarded their eyes, they felt intense pain coming inside on their head as they felt like their skull was getting smash over and over again. It hurt the two, it hurt them to the point of forcing them to their knees as the madness that powered them up not only worked against them, but it intensified the already horrible pain, the two screamed as they held their heads.
"Please have some manners when someone is about to introduce themselves." A female voice informed the two, She appeared to be wearing a black and pink Rococo style dress, with red and pink vertical striped puffs on the sleeves of the dress that extends to her elbows and wearing pink gloves. The bottom of the dress is in pink color with gold trim around the dress, which has a golden lip on the center of the dress that makes it resemble a smiling face.
"My name is Milady de Winter, more commonly referred to as Milady." She gracefully introduced herself, she was a fictional character created by Alexandre Dumas for his seminal novel. The Three Musketeers. "Do not underestimate me or you will end up like those two." She said while pointing her folding fan at the two Berserker class servants.
Lancelot even with the intense pain inside his head, had gathered enough willpower to recklessly lunge towards Ren with the intent to cut him down, but a strong gust of wind pushed the black knight away and instead threw him to the cave walls, leaving a noticeable crack. "Where's the cavalry, where's the honor, where's the pride on attacking someone who's just getting ready?" A man with an outfit consisting of black and a cape, he wielded a rapier and his body was muscular and buff. A masked swordsman of justice who fought in California against corrupt officials during the era of Spanish rule. He always left his "Z" mark with his rapier wherever he appeared. "Maybe I need to teach some sense in you. I, the great Zorro will be your opponent."
Meanwhile, Gilles De Rais would've like to laugh at the knight's failure, but he knew for the fact that their failure is also his failure. The king still needs to make his wish come true, so Gilles De Rais summoned monster unknown to mankind, commanding them to eat the boy alive, but they couldn't even make contact with the thief as they immediate burned into ashes by the ember flames that came from the female figure that got summoned.
"My, what horrible creatures they are. Luckily they burn easily." Quipped a beautiful woman with an extremely gorgeous body, she wore a red dress with a rose attached to the waist part, some vines attach to a heart shape headed man. A gypsy thief from the novel, which became famous through the opera. She is a femme fatale who is beautiful but very capricious.
"My name is Carmen, I'm not here to give entertainment, I'm here to burn everything that stands in our way." The female servant introduced herself, using her power to force the air around them to raise in temperature.
Darius III recovered from the pain and stomped his way through Ren, he raised his weapon above his head before smashing it back down onto the thief, yet he was suddenly interrupted when two cannonballs colluded with his stomach, the sheer force of the blast made him fall to his knees once more and glared at the one who fired it, seeing a the flying ship and a skeleton riding it dressed in a pirate costume. "Stay there and witness the great pirate of all time. My name is Captain Kidd. I love treasures but I also have a found hobby in wreaking havoc."
While Darius was on his knees, a motorcycle slammed into him with enough force to make him cough out his breath, he felt his stomach getting crushed and sent him towards the same wall Lancelot had crushed into. "Divine punishment from the heavens." The voice coming from the motorcycle sound so feminine and gentle even. The motorcycle had a female face on the front. "Evil should be punished. My name is Johanna. I will rain down punishment to those who committed evil." There wasn't much to say about her appearance. But she is a mysterious female pope of the Middle Ages. She posed as a man and eventually made it up to the pope due to her unrivaled intellect. Her existence shook the history of the Catholic church.
"Enough, surround him." The enemy king finally commands his group. But then they heard a low whispered from the rouge-like a figure. "Vorpal Blade." He said and suddenly a wave of slashes crushed everyone around Ren. "Beautiful. What a beautiful sight. My name is Goemon and I will use my sword for the weak." Goemon has weird shape hair, but it pale in comparison to the shape of the smoke pipe he was holding. He wore a modified kimono that has a number five imprints on it. He was a thief who stole from the rich and gave to the poor in Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The kabuki scene of him sitting on the gate of Nanzen-Ji is famous.
But from the smoke the mighty warrior Scáthach appeared with a crimson spear in her hands. She dashed so fast that Ren had a difficult time trying find her, then Scáthach realizes that it was a bait, the moment she got closer to the young man. Arsene was already finished charging up his spell and her timing was all too perfect. "Eiha!" Arsene yelled.
Yet somehow Scáthach still managed to slide away from the spell. She then created some distance between them. She stared at him, so far everyone that appeared got her curiosity, but it was this young man named Ren Amamiya and his power which made her interested. He introduced himself as a Phantom thief who can summon historical beings. Yet the thief's name itself doesn't held any title unlike those he summoned that were comparable to the likes of Nero, the fifth Roman emperor. Just how did he get that power. It looked far more than just a simple summoning.
Scáthach hid her smile from just thinking it. She summoned another spear on her hand. This time she going to test how skilled Ren Amamiya is. Test him if he could kill her. Test him if he could survive a fight with her. "Let's see what you got, Ren Amamiya." She whispered and charged towards Ren with the intention of killing him.
The moment Hakuno exited the cave. Altera ran straight towards her, embracing her master. "Master!" Altera said while pressing her head into Hakuno shoulder. She felt a wet feeling on her shoulder and realize that Altera was crying. Hakuno petted gently to make her calm. "We should find a place somewhere safe." The nameless Archer in red told everyone.
"Any idea on where we could stay?" He asked the king of paladins, Charlemagne. He wanted to keep everyone safe especially Hakuno who cannot defend herself from those servants. Considering that everyone is wounded. They need to find a place to recover and rest. "I know a place, follow me," Charlemagne answered.
"Alright then. Let's get moving." Archer said and followed Charlemagne. But Hakuno stood there and looking at the cave with concern on her eyes. "Wait what about him? We can't just leave him." She asks. Hakuno knows that everyone isn't in the condition to fight right now. Even Saber and Caster cannot help her right now. But then she remembers that this would never happen if only she hadn't let her guard down. She's angry at herself. Because of her, everyone is injured right now. Because of her, someone stay behind inside the cave fighting those servants.
"Praetor." A touch on her cheeks snaps her back to reality. A finger wipes the tear that was about to fall on her eyes due to her frustration and anger. Hakuno didn't notice that she was on the verge of crying. When she looked on who's hand it is. Nero is looking at her with kindness and gentleness.
"Praetor. I know what you're feeling right now. But don't blame everything to yourself. We, your servant are at fault as well. Don't take everything to yourself. This burden. We will eventually find a way to get through it, Right Praetor?" Hearing the kind words of the Roman emperor. Hakuno holds Nero hand tightly to hers. She felt the warmth of the one who's been with her for the longest time.
"No fair! I was about to say something similar! You took my spotlight again Saber!" Tamamo-no-Mae suddenly chimed in, now on her own feet after fighting the female Lancer. She is not completely recovered but seeing her master having a moment with her rival. She cannot let that pass even though her back aches when she moves.
"But Archer is right. We better move, we don't know how much that boy can hold them off." Tamamo agreed to what the nameless archer said. "But we can't just leave him there!" Hakuno said in protest. "I know that you realize that we aren't in a condition to fight right now. Going back there is suicide. But, trust me. That young man knows what he's doing. Hell, I think we'll just become a hindrance to him if we go back." Cú Chulainn answered. He saw how that man stood there bravely against those servants. He can tell that man knows what he's getting into, one that Cú Chulainn respects.
"For once I agree to what he said." The crimson archer commented. Like Cú Chulainn. He saw that young man and the heroism he did. He can feel that the young man will make it. "Master. Like you, I want to help him as well. He seems a good civilization. But right now, we need to find a place to heal your wounds. So please, master?" Altera pleads her concern to Hakuno.
"You all go ahead." Astolfo voice gets everyone attention. "I'll stay here and help him. So you don't have to worry." He said and looked at Hakuno's eyes. "Are you sure, Astolfo?" Charlemagne asks his friend. "Of course, we'll see you back in Lundy okay?" He replied with a beaming smile on his face. "Please, help him," Hakuno said at Astolfo. The paladin nodded to her and kept the smile on his face.
They started to move once Astolfo summoned the Hippogriff and flew up high in the air. Hakuno looks at the regalia ring on her hand. "Please keep everyone safe. Please don't let anything happen to those two." She silently whispered to the ring, hoping it will listen.
The battle continued as Scáthach quickly dashed towards Ren, but the rouge persona, Goemon stood there and protecting Ren with his sword. Seeing that she needs to deal with Goemon first. Scáthach continued her course but immediately slid underneath Goemon's legs, the persona quickly turned around and parried away the crimson spear with his katana, if he hasn't it would've pierced his heart.
Huffing, Scáthach backed away and relentlessly attacked the persona with a series of slashes and stabs that he couldn't keep up with, he slashed in a wide arc to keep the spear from stabbing him but doing so left him wide open, and with one fell swoop, the immortal witch thrust her spear forward, piercing his heart.
'That's one down.' Scáthach started to count in her mind, her instincts suddenly kicked and activated her defense runes when she saw the ball of fire throw at her. It exploded upon impact and covered her in smoke, hearing a huff, Scáthach immediately dodged to the left, avoiding a black whip as it smashed the ground she previously occupied.
Scáthach tried to close the gap between her and Carmen, yet the persona didn't let the servant anywhere close to her as she immediately flung two fireballs at Scáthach, frowning, the immortal witch dodged them with ease but it left Carmen a chance to wrap her whip around her spear, flinging her up Scáthach let go of the spear in the last second as Carmen slammed it back to the ground.
Immediately while in the air, the servant summoned another spear and threw the crimson spear at Carmen who just realized her mistake, it pierced through her and killed the persona. "Another one." The servant whispered as she retrieved her spear from before.
Scáthach felt the wind around her started to shift and she soon was flung up and hit the ceiling of the cave. Gravity pulled her down and Scáthach saw Zorro lifting his rapier and making his "Z" mark in the air. She felt a strong gust of wind pushing her up again and hit the ceiling once more. She knew that this going to keep looping if she didn't do anything about it.
Once Scáthach felt the rock ceiling of the cave on her back. She didn't let herself fall, instead, she used the ceiling to charge herself up towards Zorro who's about to cast another wind magic to her. Using the ceiling rocky surface, she flung herself towards Zorro, the persona's spell didn't stop Scáthach's acceleration fast enough.
The cave begun to shake after Scáthach's spear connects to Zorro's chest. "Only few remain." She said before summoning two crimson spears renewed in her hands. "The magic you're using is very impressive. I can tell it has so much potential." She said and stared at Ren's eyes. "But I see one problem with it." Scáthach then pointed one of her spears to Ren. "Your body cannot handle it anymore. Luckily your mind and soul is still intact. But once the body gives up. Those two will follow."
"How long can you last before my spear pierces you?" Scáthach smiled. "Go ahead and try, miss who likes to point her spear." The skeleton pirate, Captain Kidd taunted. "But let's see if you can even get closer to us! Everyone fire!" He roared and led the remaining personas of Ren to fire their spells at Scáthach.
The female servant moves around to evade everything that thrown at her. "You're making this easy for me." Scáthach said and jumped high in the air, with all her might, she threw Gáe Bolg and kicks it towards Ren, the crimson spear then cloned itself and become a shower of raining Gáe Bolg. "Get out of the way!" Arsene extends his black wings and pulled Ren away from the Gáe Bolg.
Scáthach perfectly landed on the ground and only leaving a dust of smoke at where Ren originally is. Unfortunately, Arsene and Ren manage to get out of it. "Did you commanded them to do that? Or did they decided on their own?" She asked Ren and the black-winged thief. "Or perhaps your mind is starting to give up as well?"
"If that is the case. These beings you summoned are connected to your body, mind, and soul." She finished her observation at Ren abilities. "You won't last long at this point, Ren Amamiya," Scáthach said summoning another pair of crimson spears and walk slowly toward Ren. "Can you even still comprehend what's about to happen?"
"Make me understand." Ren challenged and before pulling out his knife. "It seems your mind is still intact." Scáthach smiled before dashing towards him in fast speeds. "Arsene!" He shouted, Arsene. The gentleman thief charges his curse spell before slamming it in the ground. Scáthach felt the ground shake and saw the dark spheres coming straight at her.
"Entangled roots." She chanted in her runes and then suddenly roots burst on the ground and blocked the coming spells. Scáthach then surfs at the root summoned and jumped to thrust her spear at Arsene. "You're wide open!" She heard Ren voice coming to her side. Scáthach quickly shifted her spear position to parry Ren's dagger.
The two manage to perfectly land on the ground before continuing their fight. Scáthach uses her weapon advantages over a dagger and made Ren move around to avoid getting pierced. Ren knew he cannot get close to her at this point so he called Arsene to help him out. But Scáthach is too attentive on her surrounding and she swings her spear vertically, hitting Ren and Arsene in process.
Ren pushed to the ground but immediately rolled when he saw Scáthach jump in the air and throw her spear at him. He stands back to his feet but his opponent didn't let him recover. Ren force back to dodging Scáthach assault at him. He tried to pull out his gun but Scáthach kicks it and sent his gun up in the air.
She then used the flat end of the spear and hit his stomach sending him flying to the nearest wall and crush into it. "Did you ever get proper teaching on how to use a weapon?" Scáthach asked. "Perhaps you just learned from experience." She mumbled as Ren pushed the rocks away from him.
"Enough with these questions. Scáthach finish him already." She heard the voice of Karl der Große behind her. It looks like everyone finally recovered from earlier. "The sovereign isn't here anymore. Our job is done, so finished that man already." He reminded at the female servant. "This is it, then." She said at Ren while feeling disappointed about it.
"But then again. Your bravery is admirable, Ren Amamiya. You even make the warrior queen feel disappointed from ending you." Karl der Große said to Ren. "Which is why I'll let you choose. Serve me and live or die here alone." He made an offer for Ren to pick. "Time is ticking, Ren Amamiya. State your answer now."
"No." Ren simply replied. "So you choose death over serving under me. Pity, if only you were much wiser on picking the correct answer." He said, feeling crestfallen. "Proceed with ending his life." Karl der Große then began walking away from the scene. Scáthach summoned another spear on her hand. She looked at it and confirmed that this one spear will rob the ability of the young man from moving.
"Sad to see one life go away without reaching its true potential," Scáthach stated before looking one last time at Ren's form. She saw him just standing on that same location with the same confidence he had moments ago. 'Why?' She asks herself and wonders what is the reason for his confidence. "Why does he feel confident even when facing death." The warrior queen whispered before shaking her head, instead focusing on her task.
Scáthach immediately dashed while pointing the newly summoned spear at him. Ren closed his eyes and simply stood there, once the spear connected with Ren's chest it pushed him up and pinned him in the air. 'Why didn't he move!?' Scáthach wondered as she stared at Ren. She then charges the second crimson spear at him. "Farewell, Gáe Bolg Alternative!" She yelled and threw the spear at fast speed.
"Arsene!" She heard from Ren as the gentleman thief appeared before him. "There's nothing you can do to stop it, Ren!" Scáthach yelled as she watches the gentleman thief try to stop Gáe Bolg with his bare hands, and as expected, Arsene's strength wasn't enough as the spear slowly slipped through his hand and started penetrating his chest at the same time she saw Ren open his eyes once more.
She noticed the different shade of color in his eyes. His gray colored eyes took on a yellow or perhaps gold color. The warrior queen watches Ren and Arsene stop her spear using just their hands. "Impossible." She whispered and notice Gáe Bolg getting slower. She watches as Arsene disappear, leaving Ren alone, and the moment he reaches the ground. The crimson spear stop as well, but Ren keeps his hold on it.
Scáthach stared with disbelief and looked at the Gáe Bolg on his hand. "I have The World with me." He whispered before she saw him passing out on the ground. She didn't move as she was still trying to comprehend what just happened. How did he stop her Noble Phantasm? Even Gods cannot stop her Noble Phantasm once she uses it.
"The World?" She tried to ask but then realize that Ren's already passed out. She then walks slowly towards him but then something came from above and picked up the unconscious body of his. "Hippogriff?" Scáthach said as the mystical creature flew above and left the cave. "Looks like he managed to escape." She said before picking up the Gáe Bolg on the ground. The warrior queen could still feel the heat from where Ren held her spear.
"What a servant." She softly said to herself. "Hopefully we see each other again." The warrior queen didn't notice Karl der Große was watching everything that happened. "Ren Amamiya." He whispered. "The World." Scáthach looked behind her and saw the shock expression of him. "Unfortunately I failed to kill him."
"I saw what happened and even I could not believe what just I witnessed, so I understand." Karl der Große assured to her. "Our goal is accomplished. Sadly it looks like there's more hindrance with Hakuno Kishinami then initially thought. Regardless we captured the son of the sun god. Our forces will grow much stronger alongside what the King of Heroes will provide us."
"I would like to keep an eye on Ren Amamiya." She requested to Karl der Große. "I would like to be the one who's going to deal with him." He smiles after hearing her request. "You will. But for now, we need to focus on our next task. God wanted me to unite the strongest forces here in Seraph and take over this world."
"Which is why I wanted you to prepare for your next assault."
"Very well." The warrior queen didn't protest anymore and just agree to that. "Our forces are starting to move. Soon everyone will join our fight against Hakuno Kishinami and dethrone her position. Just what God wanted." He said before the two of them teleported back to their home base.
Changelog:
1. Alter Ren has been removed into the story and replaced by a much more familiar character on the Nasuverse.
2. Robin hood and Francis Drake has been removed on the original scene for better story pacing.
3. Change the original from Charlemagne and Karl der Große are strangers into they knew each other.
4. Added new scenes.
Author Note: Since I'm not following the canon story of Extella Link (Haven't played it.) I decided to come up with something and slowly building the villain of this story. Can you guess who it is?
Well, that is all for now, leave a review and follow this story if you're interested. Favorite this as well if you like it. Bye-bye~