Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belong to their awesome owner. I do not own anything.
"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed… Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are… Death awaits you."
- Nyx Avatar (Persona 3)
The door leading to the mansion dining area, opened when Hakuno, Tamamo, and Sanson entered the room. The three look exhausted and troubled as they sat on a chair. Everyone inside the room notices it and their anxiousness toward, Ren Amamiya condition grew. "Is he safe from danger now?" Jeanne d'Arc asks the sovereign seating across the long dining table. "We can't say that he is. Moon Cell refuses to heal his body after feeling threatens about him and the beings he summoned yesterday." Hakuno began to explain to everyone.
"But his body is away from dying. We manage to fix the mana leak on his body." Tamamo-no-Mae followed up and continue the explanation on her master's behalf. "However, what we did is just a simple patch up on his body. It didn't fix his mana flow entirely, but we need to stop the leak or else he'll die from it." The caster informed while feeling partly relief about the situation of the thief. "He abuses the limitation of his body to the point it about to break. What a crazy young man he is. I know he did it to save France, but still! He's going to kill himself if he keeps pulling this kind of stunts!"
Everyone agreed to what Tamamo has said. Especially the saint of Orleans who knows the thief longer than everyone. Her worries grew after hearing that his still not completely safe. "As long as he doesn't use his power, the patch up we did will keep him safe," Hakuno stated. "We might able to fix his body on Rome, but it's not guaranteed because of Moon Cell refusal to help him." She looks upon the regalia on her finger before giving in to a sigh. "He's still going to wake up right?" She heard from Astolfo as the paladin voices his concern on the young man. The girl also saw the alarming look coming from Jeanne and Marie.
"We can only wait for it." The sovereign felt crestfallen as she answers the paladin's question. "Even if he wakes up, we can't tell if it's going to be him." as she lay down the revelation. The air around the room thickens as everyone got surprised by hearing it. "W-what do you mean by that?" Marie Antoinette was the first one managed to asks among the group. "The mana leak on his body isn't the only problem we've faced. His identity begun to change as he released the noble phantasm, Zion. Enoch legends outweigh Ren, during that time, Ren is slowly losing his identity and getting replaced by another."
"The king of angels warn me about it. I did my best to recover his identity, by erasing his memory about that summons, we can only hope that its enough to bring him back." Hakuno replied in a hopeful tone at concerned servants. "Where's your faith at him? He's going to wake up with that same attitude we've all know about it." Sanson commented while making a soft smile painted on his face. "So let's just wait for him to wake up and greet him with smiles." He stated and saw everyone blinking at him in bewilderment.
"It never crosses my mind that one day, you'll going to suggest anything that related to smiling." Mozart expresses his surprise on the white-haired executioner. "Do you have a fever or something?" The musician said as he approaches Sanson and about to check his temperature. "Shut up.." He said before shoving the male caster hand. "I'm just trying to lessen up their worry." The queen of France giggled from watching two of her friends interacting at each other. "You two seemed become much closer." d'Eon teasingly commented at the two.
"No, we're not!" Sanson and Mozart exclaimed at the knight of lilies.
The group began to make soft giggles and chuckles from watching the two unlikely friends. "I guess we just going to wait for him to wake up." Marie stated while looking at Jeanne who's seating beside her. "Yeah." The saint answered in satisfaction before nodding her head at Marie's direction. "Then is it okay if we talked about something else?" Hakuno suggested across the table. "That would be nice, there's a lot of things bugging in my mind." answered by the crimson emperor.
"Like what are those beings with wings that Ren summoned?" She asks in wonder of the angels from yesterday. "They are powerful, but most importantly beautiful! Have you've seen the female being wearing golden armor?! I've had never seen such beauty beside Venus herself." The girl commented in delight as she indulges in reminiscence from the stunning beauty she saw. "Does anyone know her?" Nero said as her eyes roam the room to seek if anyone knows.
"That must be saint Gabriel," Jeanne answered across the table. "She is indeed beautiful, seeing her face to face, I can confirm that she is." Nero nodded her head eagerly after hearing the carefree reply of the saint. "I wish I've been indulging to see her in that situation as well." The saint sent the emperor a soft smile before answering. "There's always a next time. I believe we will see her again."
"But what is she? What are they?" Tamamo-no-Mae let out a sigh and painted her face in disbelief from Nero's question. "Are you serious right now? I thought you're just joking about them yesterday." The caster said and made the emperor look at her in bewilderment. "They are called angels, celestial beings residing in heaven, surely you've heard about them right?" She asks, but the emperor's reaction stays the same. "Goodness, how oblivious are you!?" Nero crossed her arms and become embarrassed by her lack of knowledge about angels. "I-I was busy doing imperial stuff during my time, that I didn't bother myself from listening to gossips around Rome."
"Well, they are just but stories even in Greece during the age of the Gods," Medusa commented in a composed manner. "But that makes them terrifying from the Gods I've known." She said as rely upon her memories about their story. "It's common for Gods and Goddesses to become prideful, they don't want to lose on anyone." The rider pause to make a soft smiled before continuing. "Olympus is stored with that kind of beings. So imagine their reaction when the story of angels reaches their ears."
"Beings who reside in heaven and serving a God who's crown by many as God of Gods. A place that they didn't reach and a title that sounds outrageous and fictitious for them. They are enraged from hearing such a story that they befall misfortune to anyone who's spreading the story of angels." Her smile grew a bit wider from the hilarious actions that they did. "But deep down, they are frightened about their existence. It struck fear into their hearts and their action of denial shows it."
"Soon afterward, the age of the Gods started to decline." Medusa eyes then set at the caster beside the sovereign. "It just speculation, but that might be the reason why that age has passed." She said while looking at Tamamo for her opinion about it. "It wasn't going to stay forever though. But yes, that might be the reason for it. They keep throwing tantrums on the beings they didn't know if actually exist, their followers get tired of it and move on, thus their existence slowly declined."
"They're that powerful that Gods feared them without any actual appearance?" Nero asks in disbelief. "Yes." The two answered and made her disbelief grew and begun questioning herself, why she didn't hear about them. "They did show themselves on selected people and offer their hand to help. Meanwhile, some people heard God's voice and task to do things, like Jeanne." Tamamo stated while pointing at the saint direction. "Yes, I've heard the lord voice asking for my help."
"There's also the appearance of the messiah," Medusa commented and then look at Nero. "Don't tell me you do not know him either?" The crimson emperor shakes her head at the rider. "It happened in Rome. The trial that leads him to crucifixion." She answered and Tamamo followed up. "You're singing a Christmas song and you don't even know about him?" Nero looks at her side to avoid the gaze of disbelief coming from everyone. "I-I get it already! Angels are powerful beings feared by the Gods… Praetor help me!" She said before brushing her face on the girl's arms.
"Oi, that enough!" Tamamo pouted and pulled Hakuno's arm away from Nero. "You can't hide the fact that you're oblivious during your time!" She said and begun to lecture the saber. "Praetor!" Hakuno felt her body shaking as she seating between the two arguing servants. "I guess at this point the conversation is going to keep drag somewhere else." Medusa commented and everyone besides the two arguing servants quietly agrees. "We should call it a day right? Altera over there looks like going to fall asleep any moment now." Marie replied to everyone.
"Yeah." Jeanne d'Arc answered and a moment later, everyone got up on their seat and leave the room to rest. "Jeanne, you should take a rest as well. Ren's going to be fine, no need to watch over him." Marie called out the leaving saint. "Sasaki's going to bring the children that Ren saves here tomorrow. You don't want to greet them while looking like a panda right?" She jokingly said at her. "I-is that so?" Jeanne answered in hesitation. "Ma-Marie!? w-what are you doing?" She asks in a panic as the queen pulled her arms and drag her on the hall.
"Just to be sure that you'll be going to rest. Me, d'Eon, and you are going to share a room!" Marie declared before continuing pulling the saint in her room. "d'Eon you don't mind right?" She looks at the knight of lilies. "As you wish your highness." d'Eon replied and made the queen smile in delight. "You're not going to ask me?" Jeanne accusingly asks the queen while getting dragged. "I'm not going to take no for an answer." Marie Antoinette answered while making a giggle.
"That is my report." The fearsome assassin known by not needing a second strike, Li Shuwen said at the charismatic king seating on the throne. "Angels…" Karl der Große murmured after hearing the report that Li Shuwen gathered. "So Gilles lose to the celestial beings." The king paused before smiling smugly. "The angels are powerful beings made by God. The inevitable lose won't change even if we help him." He stated then called the immortal witch hiding behind the pillar. "Don't you agree, Scáthach?"
"Ren Amamiya." She utter before making herself out of the shadows. "If he has the ability to summon a legion of angels, won't he become a problem on your crusade to the throne?" The female lancer was surprised about the thief summoning ability. The appearance of an angel isn't something easy to ignore. Powerful and fearless warriors from heaven, anyone who've heard about them knew how mighty they are, only powerful demons can stand toe to toe against them. But she isn't too much worried about it, as her curiosity on his power took over.
Last time they fought each other, he shows the power of the world or so what she heard before he collapses on the ground. Are the angels part of that power as well? Or entirely different? What else he can summon? Does he already reach the limitation of that power? And so many questions about him that Scáthach wanted to know. "I can take care of him if you wanted." which is why she asks the king for permission. The assassin's report made the immortal witch become more eager to face the thief once more.
Maybe its enough to end her own-
"You'll get your wish soon, Scáthach. But for now, the preparation should come first, after that you can do whatever you want about him. Kill him, destroy him, or fight until your last breath. All of it will come at the right time." Karl der Große replied with amusement painted over his face. "You seem not concern about all of this." Li Shuwen commented after noticing the expression that the king made. "That young man might become your biggest roadblock on the throne."
"Sure they have someone that can summon angels and other beings. Sure they might take France away from us and beat Gilles alongside it. But I have God on my side, he already told me what to do, that is more than enough for me to keep my confidence." He said in a cool and collected manner. "Powerful beings as they are, what can they do if I have God on my side? The same one who created them?" after hearing the king's statement, Scáthach crossed her arms before asking Karl der Große. "Isn't that worrisome? Should the angels be on your side? After all, you've said that their creator is on your side?"
"What he did is nothing but a counterfeit of what God created." The king stands on his feet and took a step away from his throne. He then turned around and raise his arms. "The Almighty God said it to me, his word is nothing but the truth, and as a loyal follower, I've trusted all of his words." He said before glancing at the lancer behind him. "Ren Amamiya will not stop me on dethroning Hakuno Kishinami and take Seraph for me to lead, just like what he assigned me to do."
"It would be nice if we meet this God you're talking about." Scáthach said while waiting for the reaction his going to make. "You'll meet him once I've become the sovereign." He answered with a soft smile before walking back on his throne to seat. "Even if I've been defeated. He'll come regardless to take the throne for himself." The king whispered under his breath. "What are we going to do with Gilles? There's a chance he's going to snitch us out." Li Shuwen asks and didn't catch what the king said.
"Also, what about Ren Amamiya? Regardless of whether or not you're not worried about him, he's still a great asset for the sovereign to use." The immortal witch followed up a question. "Let him talk, I want them to be aware of my plan." He replied answering the assassin question. "About Ren Amamiya, we'll deal with him now that God told me what to do." Scáthach saw the king looking at her with expectation. "We will use Seraph against him, after what he did, The Moon Cell probably think his a much greater threat than I."
"I want you to expose his power. Make him use it so that the Moon Cell will become threaten and make its move towards him." The smile that Scáthach seeing from the king, he knows that she will not refuse, he knows that she wanted it, to fight Ren Amamiya while making him expose his power. The immortal witch didn't hesitate and nodded in his direction. "Excellent." He said before leaning his back on the throne. "If you don't mind me asking, what are we going to do with the king of heroes?" asks the assassin servant. "Are we going to keep him?"
"Of course, we are going to use his mana to make our army grow. The shadow servants might be degraded, but we can use their number against Hakuno's little faction. His usefulness won't end there, Uruk won't last long without their king, soon they cannot resist my rule anymore." He said before noticing an approaching silhouetted figure behind Li Shuwen. "Great to have you here, son of the sun God, Karna." The king greeted the white-haired servant. "With you on my side, the preparation will be finished soon. Hopefully, you don't mind destroying the city of the sovereign you've served before."
Karna nodded without saying a word. "Great, his words are enough to convince you huh?" Karl der Große asks in wonder. "He didn't." The lancer calmly answered but become conflicted when he continued. "But my father did." The king made a chuckle and look at him in discernment. "You've talked to your father huh? The work of God almighty is amazing doesn't it?" Karna didn't answer and regain his earlier composure. "Regardless, make yourself comfortable working with Scáthach, you two needed it for our upcoming plan."
"Also, before I forgot. There's a top servant saint among Hakuno's group. So Scáthach, I want you to take her, she could be a great addition to the team or my growing army. Remember what I ask you about Ren? If you can do both then that will be excellent. If not then you can ask for Karna's help." The king look at the composed female lancer for an answer. "I can manage to do both of that task you've given to me." She answered and the king smile. "Wonderful, now go." The two lancer servants disappeared immediately after Karl der Große said that. Seeing the two gone, the king leans his back again on the throne. "Don't force me to destroy you slowly, Hakuno Kishinami. Just hand over the throne or else." He uttered while staring at the ceiling.
When he opened his eyes, he felt the warm sunlight touching his body, the gentle breeze that made his soul calm, and the sound of the birds singing made his mind relaxed. He didn't realize his standing in the middle of the same chamber where he asks for his help. "Welcome back, Trickster." He heard the voice of Metatron descending on the stairs to the heavenly throne. "Despite your body's condition back on reality, your mind and soul seem to do fine." The metallic archangel said as the two are standing face to face. "Where are the angels?" Ren asks as he looks around and saw no one beside Metatron.
The king of angels smiled softly before answering his question. "Out there exploring the city of Zion inside the sea of soul." Seeing the look of disbelief on the young man, Metatron chuckle and couldn't help himself. "Zion?" Ren asks in puzzlement. "You don't remember?" His expression didn't change, so Metatron took that as a yes. "I see. Nevertheless, your mind may forget about it, but your soul will not. With that, I shall say my thanks to you for the things you've done."
"Thank you, for making me realize that freedom isn't entirely bad as what I claimed it to be. Afterall I experience that kind of freedom before." He genuine expresses his gratitude toward him. "S-sure…" Ren answered while at loss. "A-anyway there a city inside my sea of soul!?" He cried out in surprise that made Metatron amused from hearing it. "There is now. Though you may not remember it, Zion is part of your power now. Alongside the Guf the treasure of souls."
"Explaining things that you don't remember won't get us nowhere. So just remember that we angels will fight alongside you, as long as we see it righteous we will come to your side." Metatron stated to the trickster. Ren nodded his head and grasp what the archangel is saying. Even though he still cannot grasp what actually happens, he can tell that his success in getting the angels to help him again. "But you still have hardships to face and trials to triumph. Remember what that person in the tower said? About the one who will use Gods and Goddesses against you?"
"What you have right now isn't enough if you wanted to win against him," Metatron said in a serious tone. "And from what I could tell, you're not physically and mentally ready to face him right now." Ren felt that Metatron know who it was, so he decided to asks the metallic angel about who's this person is. "The person in the tower will tell you about him." He gives his answer, but Ren still not satisfied with it. "You will know more once the two of you meet. So for now, just prepare for everything."
"Train yourself to the hardest, so that when you knew who it was, you're ready to face him." The king of angels stated before noticing Michael entered the heavenly chamber. "Don't you agree, brother?" Ren turns around and saw the mighty archangel Michael standing behind him. "One must make an effort to overcome trials." He answered before putting his hand on Ren's shoulder. "I know you already know it, but a little reminder won't hurt." The thief felt his body shudder after seeing the soft smile from Michael.
"Which is why I believe that a little sparring match will help you reminded about the importance of it." He said then look at the metallic archangel standing in the throne. "I agree as well. As long as its a spar, it won't affect your body, besides headaches." Metatron simply answered. "Wait just a sec-" Ren got interrupted when the king of angels transformed the entire chamber into empty space with just a snap of a finger. "I'll be honest and say that I'm disappointed that you've surrender when I'm expecting a fight." Michael then makes space between him and Ren before summoning a light spear on his hand.
"This time I won't be disappointed right?" Michael said with a smile on his face. "Well, I've been wanting to punch you on the face when we walk side by side," Ren replied before summoning his weapons. "Not because I wanted to do it, but because of 'him' who wanted to punch you." He said then six pair of raven wings spawn behind his back. "Are you ready?" Ren asks and made the archangel Michael smirk. "Show me what the two of you got, Ren Amamiya and Satanael."
Ren dashed toward the waiting archangel. Michael readied his spear for his assault, but he changes course to Michael left and fired his long-barreled gun at the archangel side. Eight explosive bullets fired at the surprise archangel, but Michael is an experienced warrior, if things surprise him in battle, he always let his instinct to take over. Spinning the holy spear in front of him, he deflected all the bullets and send it somewhere else. The thief waited for his chance when Michael lowered his spear, Ren charges toward him with the dagger on his hand.
But Michael stops him by pushing his hand in the air and send a powerful wind that stops Ren and thrown him away from the archangel. "He stops both of my attacks." The thief whisper under his breath. "Melee won't work, I have more chances in range attack." He said then raise his gun and pointed it at Michael. But when the archangel charge in, he used his gun to defend himself from his assault. "Your footwork is good, but without proper training, it won't improve any further," Michael said while pushing Ren to his knees. "Your weapon mastery is impressive for someone who just learns it by himself. But against an experienced warrior, you're moving can be easily read."
Michael jumps back when Ren tried to use his dagger on him. "You see what I mean?" The trickster took a deep breath and recover his composure before raising the dagger on his chest and the long-barreled gun on the side. "Make your move." said the archangel at Ren, the thief charges forward again at his opponent, but jump in the air when the holy spear about to hit him, he then points the gun at top of Michael then pulled the trigger. When Ren landed with his feet on the ground, he turned around and charge toward Michael, who's inside the cloud of smoke.
But he rolled on the other way when a spear was thrown at him. Michael spread his wings and remove the smoke around him. The archangel is inside of a magical shield he cast seconds before the bullets hit him. "That got me by surprise." The archangel said as he cleared his throat from the smoke he inhaled. "For a sparring match, this is getting a little bit extreme don't the two of you think?" asks the king of angels. "Let's call it a draw." Ren immediately falls to the ground after the match got called. "You won that sparring match." He said to Michael.
"I say, that you need to train yourself. Remember, you're not fighting a shadow anymore." The archangel stated. "You and Satanael are slacking off." He said with a soft smile on his face. "I can tell he's making an argument inside me." Ren replied in exhaustion. "If I won this match, then technically he loses to me as well. If you want to win against me, you need to help the trickster to get stronger." Michael said before he chuckles and Metatron joins him after. "Get yourself stronger or try to find someone that can teach you how to fight. Also, try to talk to the other personas here in the sea of soul and get them on your side."
"There are beings like Samael who are an archangel as well who reside here. Samael might be a bit harder to persuaded to join you, but still, try to find a way to get him," suggested Michael before pulling Ren back on his feet. "There are also the Grigori or Watchers. Azazel, Samyaza, and the others may be fallen angels, but they can still help against the army of Gods and Goddesses your soon going to fight."
"On the other side, there's also Lilith a powerful demoness that regretfully can help you as well. I also heard that she is very fond of you, trickster. Let me remind you that she's a dangerous woman, be aware of that." Ren heard from the king of angels. He remembers when the demoness answered his call on the velvet room, Lilith already showed her fondness feelings toward him, even today his avoiding calling the female persona alongside with Cybele and Yaksini. Because somehow these personas have feelings toward him when they first meet. "There are the demons in Ars Goetia and the other demons that can help you as well. After all, the man wanted you to use both angels and demons against him."
"Keep that in mind when you leave this place." Metatron said before the heavenly chamber appeared once again. "I will." Ren replied and keep a list on his head on what to do next. "One last thing, the man in the tower said that once the city cleanses from wrath. The sound of the ringing bell gives the man a chill when he heard it." The king of angel stated in all seriousness. "A bell-ringing symbolize many things. One symbolizes it to ward off evils spirits, while the other represents the voice of God."
"But sometimes it also symbolizes death. A sound that announces an approaching death." Metatron looks critically at Ren before he continues. "The man saw it from your perspective. Which means that whatever it meant, it's coming for you…So be careful, Ren Amamiya." Ren listens to the archangel, unsure of what to say. "Brother, kindly escort the trickster on his way out here." Michael nodded a tap the thief's shoulder. "Let's go."
Hakuno Kishinami pushed the door leading to Ren's room. When she entered, the sovereign got greeted by Marie and Jeanne seating in a chair beside his bed. "Did you two watch over him this whole night?" She asks the two female servants before finding a chair to seat into. "No, we didn't." The queen answered then glance at the saint beside her. "But Jeanne woke up early to check him up, I decide to join her afterward." Hakuno smiled as she watches how the blond saint twirls her index finger together in the embarrassment of getting caught.
"You really care about him, huh?" The female master asks and made Jeanne's body startled. "W-well, we know each other for a while now. He helped me with lots of things, so I'm just returning the kindness he showed me." She answered while trying to avoid looking at Marie and Hakuno. "It can't be just 'like' that right?" Marie said while leaning closer to her. "W-well, that's private." She whispered and the queen didn't hear what she said. "Sorry, what was that?"
"Nothing." Jeanne answered before taking a deep breath and recollect her composure. "Have you ever wonder if Ren already has a lover?" The saint composure immediately replaces by panic and embarrassment after hearing the question that came out of nowhere while sounding very innocent from Marie. "You two know each other more than anyone else right? Does he ever share any stories about his love life?" Marie watches the saint shake her head before answering. "He didn't."
"Did that sort of topic ever come up between you two?" This time it was Hakuno who asks. "We didn't talk any sort of that topic." The queen of France then followed up with another question. "Did you try?" Jeanne made a sigh before answering. "I didn't since for me it was too much personal thing to talk about." After hearing her answer, Marie leans back on her chair while looking unhappy. "It would be nice to know what kind of girl he falls in love too or what kind of girl he preferred." She said and saw Jeanne looking questionably at her. "Why do you want to know about it?" The saint asks the queen who'd smiled at her while pointing her finger in the air. "Le secret."
"Then again, can you imagine what kind of girl he likes?" Marie said and the saint began to wonder about it. "His charming look does make him a bit of a player." The queen commented before crossing her arms. "That is true." Jeanne replied feeling dejected about it. "A thief that stealing hearts, maybe what he wanted on a girl is that someone that can steal his own heart." Hakuno suggested and made the queen stand on her feet. "That's it!" Marie said and delighted with Hakuno's suggestion. "Why do you look so happy about it?" Jeanne asks while starting to become cautious at the girl beside her.
The queen just giggled and didn't answer her question. She about to press for an answer but the slight movement of Ren's hand stopped her. "Ren!?" The three cried out in surprise after seeing the raven-haired opening his eyes. "Where…" Ren utters slowly. "You're inside my mansion!" Marie replied feeling a bit teary from the sight. "You've made us worry, you dummy!" The girl said as she wiping the tears building up. "Are you feeling okay? Do you feel any sort of pain on your body?" Jeanne asks in worried and poured a glass of water for him. "Just a bit of headache." He answered and took the glass of water to drink. "Thank you."
"If you don't mind me asking, but can you tell me your full name and what is the last thing you've remembered?" He heard from Hakuno. The question is a bit confusing and sudden but perhaps needed since his mind felt like its missing something. "Ren Amamiya…The last thing I've remember…is when I've got rescued on the guillotine." He said before shaking his head to rub off the headache that's building up. "Did we succeed?" Ren asks in concern, but it didn't last long when Hakuno looks at him with a smile on her face. "We did, France is no longer in danger."
"Thank goodness." He said and let himself feel relieved from hearing it. "I feel like I haven't moved for so long." The thief commented after feeling heavy on his body. "That's probably because you've been on this bed for two days now. You should not move too much though." Hakuno answered and begun to explain. "Your body is still in recovery, might take more than days to fully recover so please do not push yourselves too much and don't use your power for a while, alright?" Ren looks at her in confusion. "I can't use my power?" He asks and the sovereign nodded. "You've probably don't remember it, but you release too much that your mana started to leak. We still don't have the proper treatment for it, so we just patch it up to stop it."
"Right now, your body isn't regenerating any mana, and you're only using the mana that left on you." She explained while feeling crestfallen about it. "If any of it begun to leak, then you will be danger of dying." Jeanne d'Arc looks at him and saw him looking dejected about it. "Ren…" She whispered in concern towards him. "You'll be fine, Hakuno said that she might able to fix you in Rome!" Marie stated while trying to lift his spirit. "Isn't that right?" She asks and looks at the female master.
"Ye-yes! That's right! I'll do my best to fix you!" Hakuno replied cheerfully. "Just follow her advice, alright? You'll be well soon!" Jeanne said and cheerfully raise her fist in the air. "Thank you," Ren answered with a smile his showing at the three. "I'll do my best to recover-" He stops himself as the door opened widely. Revealing Astolfo on the front holding his tears, Charlemagne who's genuinely happy to see his awake, and the other servants behind them. "Darling! You're finally awake!" Astolfo said and run toward him and jump into his bed to hug him.
"How dare you to make me worried!" He said and pressed his head onto Ren's chest. "Astolfo!? w-what are you doing!?" Jeanne angrily asks the paladin. "Why are you calling him darling?!" came from Marie with a rare sight of irritation painted on her face. "He'd lose his memories, right? I'm just helping him to recover it!" He said in Ren's chest. "Darling!? don't you remember your super cute wife, Astolfo?" The paladin said as Ren pushing his face away from him. "I may not remember some things! But I do know for sure that didn't happen!"
"Noooo!" He said as Jeanne and Marie pulled him away from Ren. Charlemagne stands beside his bed, already feeling exhausted from his paladin antic. "I'm happy to see you awake, expected to my newly recruited paladin and rival." He said with a genuine smile. "To know that I've become a rival of the king of paladins. I guess I'd better step up." Ren jokingly said, but the saint lightly hit his shoulder. "Did you forgot about what Hakuno said?" The thief could only make a nervous laugh from the serious gaze that Jeanne giving to him.
"Should we call this for a celebration!?" Nero excitedly suggested in the group. "You know that France is still in recovery." Tamamo replied feeling downhearted about it. "We can try to make a small feast here in the mansion." Archer offered with a soft smile. "We can do that!" Marie replied and the mood of the group begun to light. "Mhm! A celebration is a good civilization." Altera said and let the feline cat jump onto Ren's bed. "Morgana missed you, Ren." She said and felt happy seeing the cat getting pet by its original owner. Seeing the group laughing and chatting at each other. Altera watches them in awe and joined them.
Another busy day has passed in France. Slowly recovering from the terror that Gilles de Rais, his horrifying sea creature, and the Gigantic Horror the marshal has become. The city will soon bloom once again and returned to normal, the sight of its people smiling once again is a good sign for Marie and Hakuno's faction who are lending their hand to help. The queen appreciates their support and thanks each of them personally, which is why she heading toward the last person she needs to thank, the raven-haired thief who's assigned in the kitchen to providing food for everyone. Quietly approaching her target, Marie gets into her position with a surprise on her hand.
And then-
"Surprise! The Chocomint is back!" Ren stared in puzzlement at the queen and the Chocomint products on her hand. "Did I surprise you? Or the rising popularity of the Chocomint and its return did?" She said and beamed him with a smile. The thief could only let out a sigh from seeing Marie's favorite dessert once again. "They are popular now? Wow, I'm glad…I guess." He replied and continued chopping the potatoes for the curry he's making for dinner. "Are you still against the Chocomint?" She asks and pouted behind him.
"I liked the presentation though, I'm just not a fan of the taste." Ren answered honestly. "Maybe you need to taste it one more time!" She said and opened a Chocomint flavored bar. "Here, here, say ah!" Ren turned around and sigh once more. "I can feed myself though." He said but the queen only gives him a smile as an answer. Meanwhile outside the kitchen, Jeanne d'Arc saw the caster, Tamamo-no-Mae, hiding behind the doorway to the kitchen and looked like holding herself from making a sound.
"What are you doing, Tamamo-san?" The saint asks the overjoyed caster. Tamamo pointed her finger inside the kitchen and Jeanne took a peek on what's happening inside. There she saw Marie feeding Ren with the Chocomint she heard earlier. "Don't they look so sweet?!" The caster murmured behind her in delight. The saint didn't answer as she felt downhearted from the sight. "Kyah~ I wish my husband let me feed her as well." Tamamo commented and notice Jeanne seat on the wall beside her.
"Are you okay?" There was a worried frown on the caster face when she asks. Tamamo then seats beside the saint who's hidden on her knees. "I'm fine, just give me a second." She heard and felt how Jeanne force herself to answer. "I see, now I get it," Tamamo said with a motherly smile on her face. "You like him do you?" She asks and saw the girl shake her head. "Come now, you'd need to be honest." Jeanne felt the caster hand on her shoulder. "I don't know…"
"You don't? then why are you acting this way?" Tamamo then let out a giggle after that. "You know, this kinda reminds me of how high school girls react about the confusion of their feelings toward someone." She then leaned on the wall while staring at the ceiling above. "Jealousy is one of many ways of showing how much you like someone." Jeanne leaned back on the wall but her eyes are set on her lap. "Confusing at first, but you should ask yourself why do you think you're acting that way? Why do you enjoy being with him, and why does it hurt when you see him with someone else."
Jeanne tried to think of an answer to her question. Her time with the young man started to play, the first time they meet under the rain, the time when he saves her against the bandits and Vlad III, their fun time together at the town of Lundy, everything about it is nothing but fond memories. The smile that makes her feel butterfly inside, just seeing him smiled at her, Jeanne could not explain the feelings inside her.
She wants it all for herself.
She knows it sounds greedy and selfish, but it is too much to ask for? The small gesture of the man she finally realizes fallen in love into, not because of outside look, but because of how he treats her with kindness, and how he saw her as Jeanne d'Arc and not a saint. The her who probably going to have a normal life, normal prayers, and normal romance if she didn't answer the lord's voice. She's genuinely happy to have someone that can see her as that normal girl.
"Have you finally realize?" Tamamo asks and she nodded. "I'm happy for you then." The caster then stands on her feet and offered her hand at the girl. "Now all that left is for you to confess to him!" She said after pulling Jeanne back to her feet. "C-confess?!" Jeanne cried out in panic, luckily Tamamo covered her mouth so that the people inside the kitchen wouldn't hear. "Or maybe the other way around. Regardless you need to make your move or else your love rival will get him." Tamamo said with a wink.
"B-but, I don't know what to do, I've never experience falling in love before. This is entirely new for me." She embarrassingly confessed her lack of knowledge about it. "Mikon~ don't worry, I the great love adviser, Tamamo-chan! I will help you with your love problems!" The caster said before pulling something on her sleeves. "This book shall be your answer!" She then pulled out a pocketbook and place it on the saint hands. "101 guide for dummies who's in love." Jeanne read the title of the book. "It has a 70% chance to work!" The caster added.
"Th-thank you." Jeanne accepted the caster help, she going to read this book tonight and try to apply everything when she with Ren. "Your welcome!" Tamamo replied happily. "We should get going then, it will be bad if they found us here." She said while hiding her laughter on the sleeve. "Yeah, lets," Jeanne replied and felt satisfied with herself. She also remembers that she asks for an angel to come so that she will realize her feelings toward him. They did come, too many for what she thought going to happen. This book she holding is definitely for her, a book for a dummy like her. Regardless she going to do her best. Ren better be ready for her! She'll be going to read all the pages until the end, so that one day, they become more than friends, and perhaps ended with 'I do.'
"I wonder if the angels going to be there when that happened." She whispered to herself before letting a giggle and followed the caster to chat.
"We're here to asks you some questions, Gilles." Hakuno Kishinami stated as she and Jeanne d'Arc stand in front of the caster's prison cell. "Of course," He answered. "But before that, I would like to apologize for everything that I have done in your group." Gilles after becoming the Bluebeard felt genuine apologetic for all crimes he did to his victims. "I-, no you don't have to accept my apology. What I did is unforgivable, I will atone to it, every single one of it."
The caster then looks at Jeanne in guilt. "I know that you're disappointed with me. I've been blinded by my thirst for revenge, that I even force my selfish desire into you. Forgive me, Jeanne, I was a fool to think that you've wanted the same thing, I should know it." The saint shakes her head and wipes the tears on her eyes. "I should apologize to you as well, none of this will happen if I only talked-."
"Don't blame yourself, Jeanne. I know to myself that even if you tried to make me understand the reason for your sacrifice, I'm still going to end up like this. After all, you're very important in my life, no explanation could be said when someone loses something that important." Gilles felt himself smiling softly when he said that. "I've finally said it. I didn't know it's going to lift so much in my shoulder, the feelings I've been keeping all this time, finally." The caster then took a deep breath and release it with a smile, before continuing. "I know you have someone in your heart. I've seen it, but that's fine for me. I was happy to see you found someone. As long as he treats you right, then I will be content with it."
"Gilles…" Gilles laughs wholeheartedly after feeling satisfied with letting go of everything he been keeping. "You're here to ask me a question right? Go ahead, I answer them as best as I could." Hakuno decided to step up, seeing the saint could not ask a question at this moment after all of those things. "Thank you for your cooperation." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "It's about, Karl der Große. Tell me his plans, his group, where can I find him, everything you know about him."
"He wanted to take the role of the sovereign on you, he claimed that God himself talk to him and told him that he's the rightful ruler of this world." He stated and made the two females stared at him in disbelief. "God himself?" Jeanne utter while the caster nodded his head to her direction. "All the move he made are all in accordance with what God told him to do." Gilles then looks downcast as he continues. "I, myself, heard the voice of God he speaks to. Its the reason why you've seen me as a saber when we all first meet here in France. I can confirm that he's really talking to God."
"Are you implying that his God exists in Seraph?" Hakuno asks the imprisoned caster. "After hearing his voice, I've believed that he isn't spouting nonsense about being chosen by God. But its existence here is questionable," Gilles become trouble as he recollected his memories of his battle against Ren. "But then the angels showed up here in Seraph, an army of them alongside the powerful archangels that been known to mankind. The voice of God himself appeared here in this city."
"Also the spear of destiny, Longinus. Witnessing all of that, I started to believe that the God that Karl der Große is serving, might actually exist here in Seraph." Jeanne after hearing all of that started to look conflicted, meanwhile the female sovereign is having a hard time believing the word of the caster. But then, if the voice of God finds its way to appear here in Seraph due to Ren's ability to summon. Then what Gilles has told them might as well not just a fragment of imagination.
Seeing the two is in a state of shock. Gilles cleared his throat to get their attention. "Don't dwell on it too much." He said and saw the sovereign nodded. "About his group. The servants that joined him are individually powerful, starting with the valorous king of Persia, Darius III. The knight of the lake, Lancelot. The queen of the 'Land of Shadows', Scáthach." Hakuno listens and agreed to what Gilles has said, each one of them is powerful, without the paladins and Ren's help, they wouldn't be here and hearing all of this. "There is also the assassin, Li Shuwen."
"Can you tell me why is he there?" Hakuno asks, wanting to know why her former commander turns his back against them. "The king offered him a duel against Scáthach." Gilles's simple answer made the sovereign crestfallen. She knows the man wanted to fight someone strong, but turning his back against the group she thinks like a family now. Hakuno felt betrayed by the assassin she thought a member of their family. "He also captured a white-haired lancer on your group."
"Karna?"
"Yes, is that his name?" Gilles asks and the sovereign nodded. "I'm afraid the next time you saw him. He's going to become your enemy." Hakuno felt like she swallowing a hard pill. Karna becoming their enemy, that thought never cross her mind as the lancer is so kind to everyone. "The servants on his group might be smaller than yours, but as I said, they are capable to fight on their own. Added that his army is growing almost infinitely because of the captured powerful servant. The king of heroes."
"Gilgamesh?! he got captured?" This time it was Jeanne who've asked. She and the king of heroes did become allies while they're at Altera army. The king might be harsh when it comes to words, but there is wisdom in it that Jeanne took in mind. "He's being used as a fuel for his army." Jeanne becomes concerned with the king, she becomes acquainted. "Where can we find him?" Hakuno asks wanting to know where Karl der Große's location is. "That is hard to tell, his base operation is a floating castle and they are moving from another place to another."
"Last time I've heard, he's negotiating with a Celtic Queen to join him. The other place he visited is Uruk who seems didn't work out as its people resist him." The caster then seated on the side of his bed and felt tired from standing. "You should go back to Rome. He's going to make a move against you soon, I suggest to prepare for it or else this time, he might succeed in dethroning you." Hakuno heeded the caster warning and will be going to talk with everyone about their next move. "One last thing before you two leave," Gilles called out with a calling card on his hand. "This card came from him, it said it's going to take my heart and make me confess all my sins."
"What is said on the card happened. It's like a miracle, to be honest, I didn't think that I'll become genuine to apologize after becoming the Bluebeard." The caster then looks at the two. "If something like this happened to me, then perhaps it could work in Karl der Große as well." He stated in a pleading tone. "He isn't a bad person, but he soon becomes one if this continues. So please save from himself, please let Ren know about it." Jeanne incline and made the caster smile.
"Thank you."
Charles Patricius: Our Transient Glory, a floating fortress manifest outside the boundary of the city. Hakuno's faction is surrounded by its people and giving their goodbyes to them, knowing that they become their allies. Roman, France, the town of Lundy, and the land that Tamamo created are now part of Hakuno's growing alliance. "Wait, you're going with us?" The sovereign asks the white-haired queen who's standing in front of her. "Yep! We need to talk about the benefits of us, joining your alliance. Also to explore Roman as well~" Marie replied in delight as Mozart and Sanson drop her baggage behind her. "Thank you, very much."
"Did you not remember what going to happen?"
"He's going to attack Rome right? I remember that, which is why I'm going to help as well." The queen replied with a smile. "I might not be a great help in fighting, but I can help with other things. I won't be a burden and once everything returned to normal, I'll return here again." Hearing what Marie has said, Nero could not help herself but feel troubled so she decided to speak up. "Wouldn't that be bad? You're still a queen and France needs you."
"My people know it, knowing that I'm going to Rome for alliance purposes, they let me." She then turned around and her people cheered their agreement to their queen. Nero and Hakuno look at each other before giving out a sigh of defeat. "I also told them to not spread stories about the angels that have summoned here." Hakuno smiled in relief from hearing that. The story about what appeared here will only go to lead them to Ren. Who knows what's going to happen when they find him. Also, the Moon Cell thinks that the angels are threats in Seraph and refuse to heal Ren's body. She needs to figure out why it thinks that way.
She needs too or else Ren might become an enemy of Moon Cell. "Well, we should prepare our leave then." Nero said beside her. "I can't wait to take a bath back on Rome~." Marie's curiosity lighted up after hearing what the emperor had said. "Are baths from Rome different?" She asks in wonder. "Bath in Rome is the best! Not only it's relaxing and good for your skin, but it also allowed you to take a companion!" Hakuno watches the two chattings and how the queen listens in pure awe.
Meanwhile near the doorway inside the floating fortress. Jeanne d'Arc the saint of Orleans, put away the pocketbook that Tamamo give to her the other day. Taking a deep breath, she approaches the raven-haired thief. "Look cute and act cute, that way I can attract him." She whispered to herself. "Is being cute better than being beautiful?" The girl let out in wonder before rubbing the thoughts out of her mind. "Wait, I remember that it said, wearing different clothes will make a girl more appealing."
The saint then looked at the battle dress she wears most of the time. "Should I retreat for now and go back once I change clothes?" She asks herself, but before she can come up with an answer. Ren turned his back and saw the girl and greeted her. "Oh, there you are." Jeanne startled when the raven-haired thief came close to her. "According to Hakuno-san, Metatron wanted to give this to you." He said then showed a beautiful pendant resting on his palm. "For everything you've done and faith in them."
"Here, let me put in on you." Ren said and go behind her. "W-wait." Jeanne tried to protest her embarrassment but felt his hand touch her neck. The saint embarrassment grew as her face turned red. "There, turn around so I could see it." Ren said, but Jeanne could not do it, knowing her face is burning hot. "J-just give me second." She force to reply. "Gosh, relax, take a deep breath." Ren heard from the girl in front of him. "The book didn't tell me what to do in this situation."
"What book?" Ren asks in curiosity. "N-nothing that you should take mind too!" Jeanne cried out in a bashful manner. "Huh? The pendant is glowing!?" She said and saw the pendant is shining in light. Before she could turn around, the pendant exploded in light. "Jeanne?" Ren called out the girl after opening his eyes from the explosion. His eyes grew wide from the sight. "Ren?" Jeanne notices the thief is staring at her in admiration. "Beautiful…" She heard from the thief and felt her heart skip a beat.
Jeanne d'Arc notices her clothes have changed. She still wearing the same dress, but the color change to white, her shoulders are now exposed, and also hair isn't tied anymore. The saint then looks at Ren who's still staring at her in awe. "S-stop staring." She said before turning her back at him. "Sorry," Ren replied and felt embarrassed by what he did. "H-how do I look?"
"Stunningly beautiful."
"Really?" Jeanne asks and looks at the raven-haired thief after gathering her courage and determination. "Why are you averting your eyes on me?!" The girl pouted and the thief could only laugh slowly. "I can't stare for so long, my heart skipping a beat if I did."
"Re-really?" Jeanne felt her heart skip a beat as well when she heard that from Ren. Their moment got interrupted when Hakuno and Marie called them in the distance. "Guess we better go." She heard at the thief. "Mhm." She answered and felt dejected. Jeanne wanted it to continue or at least hear more praise from him. "No! Don't let your rival get over your head! Rule no.15 from the book." She said to herself before storming off toward the group, leaving Ren staring at her in bewilderment.
Author Note: The last chapter that ends France Arc is done! The build up for the next arc is starting as well, yep! I'm ready to start the next Arc~ Probably lots of you guess where we going next and yes, where going back to where all roads end. Back to Rome! expect characters from that singularity in FGO (Probably not everyone.) to appear! Some other servants that didn't appear will come as well!
After reading this chapter, you all probably know who's going to come next right? I'd drop the info which has something to do with ringing bells if you guess it! Then tell me are you excited for the face-off? Or perhaps are you curious about someone else? Anyway I'm excited to write them off and hopefully y'all going to enjoy it.
Also wow, I got like many reviews last chapter! It felt good reading all of it, I'm glad to see that you all enjoyed what I did last chapter, I'll do my best to exceed what I did last chapter!
One more thing, I'm going to put the description of the noble phantasm that been used last chapter. (Seriously I'd just copied it on this site tmfatefanon . fandom wiki / Diviner_(Fate/Renaissance).) but I kinda change it a little, regardless this is it. Also credit to who'd created it!
Name: Utopian City of the Righteous: Zion
Rank: E~A+++
Type: Anti-Evil Barrier
Max Targets: 1~10,000
Effect: A representation of the Zion Enoch built, it was a Utopian city of only the righteous, and the strength of the barrier depends on the righteousness of the people within the barrier. It is a Noble Phantasm Barrier that is particularly effective against any Evil and Chaos Aligned forces.
(The site said its effective against Evil aligned force, but I add chaos since technically it can also cause evil as well. As long as you have evil or chaos alignment, you'll be affected by its barrier. Also, since there are angels inside when Zion got summoned, the rank also increase as well. Ren can also be affected by the barrier since he belongs to chaos alignment (Only him and not his persona's.) he's weakened by the world arcana is a good thing to use as plot armor XD.)
Metatron spear can be considered as a noble phantasm, but its named didn't got revealed so I can't put a description about it. (Not that I have one in mind T_T)
Name: Treasury of Souls: Guf
Rank: EX
Type: ?
Max Targets: ?
Effect: When he became god's attendant, Enoch became the guardian of the Celestial treasury, and was taught all mysteries and secrets, giving him access to all forms of mystery, and the Celestial Treasury itself, holding the souls of all human beings, he can channel the soul of a heroic spirit to borrow it's Noble Phantasm, and it also contains weapons forged by the gods, fairies, and such (again provided that they are non-demonic in origin).
However, he cannot use Noble Phantasms that are evil in origin. (Literally copied and paste, didn't change anything since I find it fitting.) Description said that only Enoch can use it, but Ren has Metatron that remembered his life as Enoch while inside Zion. Guess that made the condition for the Noble phantasm to use as check.
Well that's all for now! Leave a review, feel free to send a P.M for question, follow the story for updates notification and favorite it if you liked! Bye-bye.