Hey everyone...I know it's been a while. I've...just been super busy with my new life. I've been married, I've graduated from college, I've been working on my house and I've had a massive case of writers block on all my stories. I've had no motivation to write whatsoever. However, I got bit by this bug a long time ago and have been planning to do this story for a long, long time. I just never got around to doing it because I've been terrified that no one would want to see this. For those of you who don't know what this is, this is basically my experience in Fate: Grand Order, a mobile gacha game based on the Fate anime series and such. The story is actually super good and I've been enjoying it immensely. So I decided to do a story of my experience in it. All of the Servants mentioned in here that come back to the main place I have actually managed to acquire. I do take some liberties with this because again, my own experiences and such. Anyways, I'm going to let you read. I hope you enjoy the prologue of this story. The title of this is subject to change...I'm a bit bad at coming up with titles ngl.

Prologue

I can hear screaming. It's faint, but that doesn't mean that it's not there. It's the kind of scream associated with someone losing someone close to them. A parent screaming for the child in terror, a name…but I can't make it out. It's not mine, I'd know that.

I feel something cool and hard, like metal, touch my hand. It's light and gentle and it turns into a warmer, softer, almost leather or cloth texture. A hand?

"Will you hold my hand one more time?"

The voice is calm, quiet, gentle…I feel like I've known this voice a very long time, that I could trust this person with my very soul if they asked it. There's an underlying tone of grief, of pain, in that voice…but I can't see who it is. It feels as if I decide to reach out my hand, the speaker will die. I don't want to let them die.

"Please, your hand! I cannot do this alone!"

I reach…but it's too late, there is a light that sets every atom of my being aflame, I hear the scream of the girl in front of me…

"Why couldn't you take my hand?"

"Fou? Fouuuu!"

Cira blearily blinked, something was licking her cheek and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. Her hand reached up to see what was actually licking her and was met with incredibly soft and fluffy fur. Like that puppy her sister had got all those years ago. She sat up, rubbing her head.

"Ugh, what?" she muttered, blinking again as her eyes finally focused on whatever was licking her.

It was small, about the size of a large housecat or small dog. It's ears were long and pointed, perked up and pricked forwards as inquisitive violet eyes peered through the white, pink and violet fur.

"Fou! Kyu!" the creature chirped as it licked her nose.

"Well hi there," Cira smiled, gently fluffing the fur between the creature's ears and getting it to yip in delight before curling up next to her

The sound of footsteps caught her ear and Cira looked up to see a girl about her own age round the corner. The girl was dressed in a white and gray hooded sweatshirt over a black dress and red tie. Her pale, heart-shaped face was framed by pale lilac colored hair that flopped over her right eye, leaving a singular, startlingly violet eye to peek out from behind a pair of glasses.

She skidded to a stop on seeing Cira and blinked before opening her mouth.

"Um…since it's neither morning nor night, please wake up," she stammered.

"Sorry," Cira blinked, sitting up as the little creature skittered back a few steps, "Um…who are you?"

"That…is a hard question to answer so suddenly…maybe because I'm not important enough for you to know my name," the girl replied, a downcast look in her violet eyes.

"You do have a name though," Cira pointed out, "Right?"

"I do have a name!" the girl sputtered, "A proper name! B-But I never really had the chance to use it…I'm just afraid I'm not leaving a good first impression with th-"

She cut off, shaking her head as if to clear it and cleared her throat.

"Sorry," she apologized, "Anyways, can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot," Cira nodded, getting to her feet and brushing herself off, noticing that she wasn't wearing her normal blue jeans and t-shirt, but a white button down blouse and black skirt with leggings.

"What the hell?" she thought, "Where did I get these?"

She turned back to the girl, shaking her head.

"Sorry, go ahead,"

"You were asleep," the girl pointed out, "But I don't see why you'd sleep in the hall. Can you not sleep unless you're on a hard bed?"

Cira gave an embarrassed smile, well…it was kinda awkward she was found in that position. She had no idea what she was doing here just that she woke up in this situation.

"Well, yeah," she smirked, "I can't sleep unless I'm on a hard straw mat…preferably with bricks underneath and a bed of nails on top of that."

"I see," the girl nodded, "Well, I guess I can tell the staff that your roo-"

"It's a joke!" Cira sputtered, waving her hands, "Honestly I don't know why I was there. I just…kinda woke up there."

The little creature chirped again and pawed at her leg. Cira smiled as she picked up the little fluffy thing and cuddled it, giggling happily.

"Oh! I completely forgot!" the girl gasped, "I still haven't introduced you yet, have I, Fou?"

"Fou? Is that your name?" Cira beamed, tickling the creature's stomach and getting the high-pitched 'fou!' from it in return.

"Yes, that squirrel-like creature is Fou," the girl explained as she came closer and patted it on the head, "He's a Privileged Life Form that's allowed to roam freely around Chaldea. Fou led me here and that's how I found you here,"

"Privileged Life Form?" Cira raised an eyebrow, "Chaldea?"

"Fou!" the little creature yipped, squirming out of Cira's arms and landing lightly on his feet before scampering down the hallway in a flash of white.

"Uh…?" Cira looked back at the girl before her.

"He ran off again," she shrugged "He does that sometimes, just walks around."

"I've never seen anything like him," Cira smiled, "He's certainly a cutie."

"Yes, he normally doesn't go near anyone besides me, but he really seems to like you!" the girl nodded, "Congratulations. Now you shall be the second caretaker of Fou in Chaldea,"

"I still don't know where that is," Cira pointed out, "Or know your name?"

"Oh, s-sorry! Um…" she stammered, "My name is M-"

"Oh, there you are, Mash!" a man's voice called, causing the girl to jump nearly out of her skin, "That won't do you know, wandering around without permission!"

Cira's eyes narrowed as she saw the man come forth. He was dressed in an olive green suit with a black fur ruff complete with a tophat that perfectly matched the suit. He had a very...smug look that Cira very much disliked. All in all, the sight of the man made her skin crawl. He put a hand on the girl, Mash's, shoulder and Cira couldn't help but notice the girl flinched.

"Oh, you're already with someone?" he smiled, catching sight of Cira, "You're…"

He paused as if he were trying to place a name to her face.

"Ah, I see," he hummed, "You're that new rookie who got assigned here,"

"I don't know anything about 'assignment', more like abducted and dropped in the middle of nowhere," Cira deadpanned, "And you would be?"

"Oh where are my manners?" the man purred, "I'm Lev Lainur, one of the technicians employed here. And your name?"

Cira frowned, looked at the girl, and then back at the man. Names meant everything in the mage society, Cira knew that. So, begrudgingly, she gave her full name.

"My name is Cirawynn Nimueh Albion," she grumbled, nearly spitting out the rest of her name, "But please, call me Cira."

"Hm...Cirawynn eh? So you're the last of the 48 candidates," Lev smiled, ignoring the grimace from the young woman in front of him, "Welcome to Chaldea. I'm glad you're here. I heard you were selected out of many public applicants. How long was your training? A year? 6 months? 3 months?"

"I'll leave that to your imagination," Cira deadpanned.

Lev gave a laugh.

"I see you already know how competitive it is in here," he chuckled, "You're going to hide info from your rivals?"

"Dr. Lev," Mash piped up, "Miss Cira's training was a little over a few hours, I think it's from embarrassment,"

"Et tu, Mash?" Cira asked, giving a slight smile, "I mean, kidnapping kinda puts a damper on training now, doesn't it?"

"Kidnapping?!" Mash sputtered her eyes wide as Lev put a hand on her shoulder again.

"Oh? Well...now I see," he said, looking towards Cira, "We had an...emergency opening for applicants to fill out numbers. So you're one of them? Do forgive me, I was inconsiderate,"

"What kind of magus institution kidnaps people off the street?!" Cira thought.

"But, please don't be discouraged because you're a public applicant," Lev reassured her, "We need all of you for this mission,"

"Mission?" Cira asked.

"38 elite mages, plus 10 talented public applicants," Lev explained, "Somehow we were able to gather all possible candidates,"

He continued talking, but Cira's face was a bit stormy as she mulled over his words.

"I know my family line hasn't produced a proper mage in a very long time…" Cira thought to herself, "But I'm perfectly capable! What is this mission? Why are they bringing us all here?"

"...you need anything, don't be afraid to ask Mash or myself," Lev's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing her to reality.

"Oh, of course," Cira nodded,

"Come to think of it, what were you two talking about, hm?" he asked, "That's not like you, Mash. Did you know her before?"

"No," Mash shook her head, "I've never met her before. I just saw her sleeping here, so I just…"

"Sleeping?" Lev asked, a slight smile on his face, "Cira? Asleep here? Ha! You went through the simulation when you entered! Those Spiritron Dives can get you if you're not used to them,"

Cira's face was red and she gripped part of her skirt, not wanting to look anyone in the eye. It was starting to come back. She remembered a rock monster while shimmering hosts took form around her, a man with a bow, a man with a spear and a woman with a sword. She remembered a brilliant blaze of golden light and the creature before her crumbled into pebbles as the figures faded away into golden specks of light. It was...sadly beautiful really. There was a cool blue light and she had walked through it...the next thing she knew Fou was licking her cheek.

"You seem fine," Lev pointed out, "But I would like to take you to the infirmary just in case,"

A loud bell pinged overhead, making Cira jump out of her skin.

"Ah...you'll have to hang on a little longer," Lev shrugged, "The Director's orientation is about to start. You should hurry over,"

"Director?" Cira blinked.

"The person in charge of Chaldea, and the commander of our special missions. Since you're a rookie from the public, you may have only seen the pamphlet?" he asked, then seeing Cira's shrug, nodded, "I see. The Director's profile hasn't been made public."

"She has no connection to the Director," Mash said, "Only Mages from families that have been around for over a century show respect to the Animusphere name."

"The Animuspheres run this place!? So it's a star observatory of sorts? Or space?" Cira frowned.

"Hm, right," Lev continued, "Well, whether you know the Director or not, it shouldn't interfere with your performance as a Master. So I'd say it wouldn't be a problem at all...however it is a good idea to not get on her bad side. So if you want to work in a peaceful environment? I suggest you hurry."

"Annnd what way is that again?" Cira asked.

Lev pointed with his cane down the hall.

"Orientation is that way in the Command Center. You really can't miss it, it'll be in about five minutes," he said.

The confused look on Cira's face didn't seem to escape Mash's sight, instead she gently stepped between the two.

"Dr. Lev, do you think I'll be allowed to sit in on the orientation too?" she asked, her voice was quiet and unsure but it oozed kindness.

"If you stand way back in the corner I'd doubt she'd notice you," Lev admitted, "But why though? You know this facility inside and out,"

Mash's fingers intertwined with the bottom of her shirt and balled into the fabric, she shifted on her feet slightly but she kept eye contact with him.

"I just thought I should take her to the command room. It's possible she might fall asleep on the way there,"

Cira rubbed the back of her neck. While her pride kinda took a blow there, Mash was right about one thing...Cira was still tired, even now her eyes had a hard time keeping themselves open and everything felt like it was being weighed down by an anvil.

"If I leave you alone like this, the Director might yell at me as well," Lev hummed, "I should tag along with you...that is of course what you want, right Mash?"

The girl nodded firmly and what seemed to be amusement flickered over the older man's face. Cira came up beside Mash and looked expectantly up at the man.

"I take it you have no more questions then?" he asked her.

"Nope," Cira shook her head.

"Then let's be off," came the cheerful smile from the older man as the three walked towards the Command Center, "Stand up straight, but remember to relax, just...not too much."

Cira leaned towards Mash, her voice lowered to a whisper, "Kinda contradictory isn't it?"

Mash paused for a second, mulling it over for a second before giving a soft chuckle.

"He means well," she replied as they stopped in front of the Command Center doors, "This is the Command Center. Your number…"

She looked at the clipboard posted to the wall and winced slightly.

"Single digit...you're in the front row," she hissed in sympathy as Cira's vision went foggy, "You are going to be right up next to the d-"

The sound of the sea crashing on the beach, raucous laughter filled the air as a hand clapped on my back. A sweet, honeyed smell as well as the smell of salt filled my nose...a flash of vibrant pink and shimmering gold…

"Cira? You're looking a bit pale…" Mash's voice cut through the dream and Cira snapped back to reality.

"Sorry...starting to space out again…" the other girl murmured as Mash put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's an aftereffect of the simulator...I wish they would have let me take you to the infirmary…" Mash muttered, "I…"

Lev took Cira's arm gently.

"No more small talk...the orientation is beginning," he warned, leading Cira to her seat.

"I'll be ok," Cira reassured Mash as she was being led away, "I think…"

Lev cleared his throat in warning and Cira looked forward to see a very smartly dressed young woman. Her creamy-ivory hair cascaded in waves down to her waist while her dark amber eyes seemed to bore holes into Cira...at least it felt that way. Two dark suns that wanted to burn through the cool storm-blue clouds that belonged to Cira.

"Well, that wasn't on time," the woman sniffed, "but it looks like we are all here now."

Cira's mind went foggy again.

I can smell coal and soot, the chiming of a large clock...I've heard this before! Big Ben? It's so foggy, I can't see my hand in front of my face...but something is wrong, it burns, the mist burns…why is there lightning all around me...crimson and silver...

Cira shook her head, driving the dream and mist from her head. She had to pay attention to the director as she spoke!

"...Director, Olga-Marie Animusphere…"

Green fields of grass and golden wheat in the wind. A banner flies in the wind, white as newfallen snow while roars and shrieks pierce through the air as dragons dive down, claws extended…

"You have been selected…"

A white city glows over the sandy desert, a golden light pierces the clouds and seems to outshine the sun. The ground is giving way! I have to run! The ground isn't stable! It's gone!

"For your rare…"

The smell of smoke and taste of ash in my mouth. Everything is on fire, I hear the crackling of flames everywhere...nothing but death in this blasted hellscape. There's a light up ahead. It's not like the fires around me, it's...black? I hear armor against stone? The light's getting more intense, I can feel it burning, oh God. Oh God I need to get out of here!

SMACK!

Cira yelped and hit the floor, her cheek stinging as a red welt began to appear on it. She looked up at a very furious Olga-Marie.

"Get her out of here!" the Director fumed.

Cira felt gentle hands on her arms and looked up to see Mash helping her to her feet. The two quickly and quietly made their way out of the room as the other 47 candidates whispered and laughed among themselves. Once they made it outside, Mash immediately turned to Cira.

"Are you alright?" she asked as Cira rubbed her cheek again.

"...I fell asleep didn't I…" she muttered.

Mash nodded.

"It seemed like you were in REM sleep by that point," she winced, "But the Director's slap seemed to wake you up completely,"

"Hooray…" Cira deadpanned, "I feel so much better now,"

"You won't be when you hear this…" Mash started, "You've been left out of the first mission. I was taking you back to your room whe-"

Her words cut off as Fou suddenly leaped up onto her shoulder, giving a short chirrup as he scurried around her back, making Mash laugh and double over so that he did not fall off. Cira laughed as she picked the little creature off of Mash's head.

"Squirrel on your face?" she grinned.

"Ah...n-no, this is normal!" came the laugh from the other girl, "Not a problem at all. Fou likes to attack my face, slide on my back and settle on my shoulder,"

"Fou-fou!" the little creature chirped as he nuzzled Cira's cheek from her own shoulder.

"Don't be a nuisance," Cira scolded, tapping him on the muzzle with a light finger, Fou grabbed at it much like a small kitten, "Did you name him?"

"It...was the first thing that popped into my mind," Mash shrugged as they continued onwards, "I'm surprised you knew that! You're a lot more perceptive than I thought,"

"I have talents," Cira scoffed, "They just...come in at weird times,"

Fou chirruped, nuzzling Cira's cheek and making her grin as she scratched under his chin.

"I think he likes me," she smiled.

"I think so too," Mash beamed, "Apparently he's embraced you as one of his own. Not many people are like that an-oh! We're at our destination, this is your room,"

Cira looked at the room and nodded before turning to Mash.

"What team are you on?" she asked.

"First mission, A Team," Mash stated before starting, "Ah...speaking of, I need to get back before they start,"

"Fou, fou! Kyu!" Fou chirped, scampering around Cira's shoulders and making the young woman start laughing as his little paws tickled and Mash smiled in return.

"He says he'll take care of you," Mash nodded, "At least that puts my mind at ease, With that, I should probably get going. If we're lucky, we'll see each other again,"

"Take care of yourself, ok?" Cira asked, "I'd hate for something to happen to my first friend here,"

Mash physically reacted to the statement, almost as if Cira had smacked her. The young woman blinked rapidly as she canted her head to the side.

"Friend? But we just met,"

"Doesn't mean I can't ask to be friends," Cira smiled.

"R-Right!" Mash's violet eyes lit up happily as she gave a wave and started off back towards the Command Center.

"Odd girl, but nice," Cira smiled as she pushed onto the smooth metal door, marvelling at it easily sliding open with a whooshing sound, "So...my rooooo-"

She stopped...staring at the man in the room before her. He was tall with errant reddish blonde hair that was tied up in a ponytail. He had his back turned towards her, seemingly eating what looked like candy out of a clear little bag.

"Uh...hi?" Cira started.

He jumped at least three feet into the air and the plastic bag went flying as the candy spilled out. He whirled towards her, his green eyes wide as he struck a comically ridiculous martial arts stance.

"Who are you!?" he demanded.

"I'm Cira," Cira started, picking up the bag that had fallen at her feet and handed it back to him.

He snatched it back and held it protectively to his chest.

"This is an empty room, it's where I go to slack off and not be found doin-what are you doing here?!"

"I was gonna ask what you're doing here since this is my room apparently but you just answered that, slacker,"

The man's face turned into a scowl as he crossed his arms and Cira mimicked him.

"Touche," he huffed before giving a small half-smile, "So you're the last one, huh? Nice to meet you, Cira. Didn't think I'd run into you like this but...hell, it's better than you coming in on a gurney. Anyways, let me introduce myself. Name's Romani Archaman, I'm the head of the medical department...Though people call me Dr. Roman,"

Cira extended her arm and Romani took it, shaking it firmly.

"Nice to meet you, Doctor Archaman,"

"Eh, just call me Roman. Everyone does...it has an almost sweet and cool ring to it, not gonna lie,"

"So you're the fluffy type, huh?" Cira grinned, her storm colored eyes glittering in mischief.

"Oh you mean my hair?" he asked, "Eh I've just been busy so I've let it grow. But I think I've figured out what your deal is,"

"What my….deal?" Cira asked.

"You just got here, new recruit...and within the first ten seconds of meeting the director, you pissed her off. Am I right?"

"...Yeah…"

"Well in that case, welcome to the club," Romani grinned, "I'll make you Vice President. She's yelled at me a lot too so you're not alone,"

"Team anarchist huh?" Cira laughed.

"Pretty much I suppose," Romani smirked, "Anyways...you know the Rayshift experiment is about to start, yeah? Everyone's there...the entire staff has been sent out to help…'cept me. My job is to monitor everyone's health so there's not much for me to do. The whole 'Machines are better at monitoring than humans' schtick. You know what she said?"

He rolled his eyes before adopting a very snobbish and posh air, pitching his voice higher.

"'When you're here Romani, everyone slacks off!'" he mocked before huffing, "And she threw me out! So I've been sulking here. Then you showed up...guess that's a blessing in disguise,"

He offered a brightly colored candy and Cira took it, popping the sugary piece into her mouth and humming happily as the orange flavor exploded in her mouth.

"So what did you do?" he asked.

"I...fell asleep during orientation," Cira admitted, "The Spiritron Dive kinda took everything out of me,"

"And they didn't bring you to me right away!?" Romani demanded.

"...Nooooo…?" Cira's voice was small as she almost huddled into her shoulders.

Romani's face turned red as he pointed to the bed.

"Sit," he ordered and Cira hurriedly sat down on the bed.

Romani pulled out a penlight and shone it into Cira's eyes.

"Pupils reactive, tracking the light, that's good…" he took out a thermometer and motioned for Cira to open her mouth, which she did and he listened to her heart and lungs.

He took the thermometer out and looked at it before humming.

"Little higher than normal, but no fever," he said, "Your heart and lungs sound strong...you were just tired, yeah?"

Cira nodded and Romani hummed, going over to the sink and filling up a glass of water and handing it to her.

"Drink," he ordered, "I'd say for you to get some sleep but I don't want to leave you alone quite yet and you don't know me well enough to safely sleep with me here. I'm not dumb despite what people say."

He sat down on the stool next to the desk.

"So, why don't we start with getting to know each other, yeah?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me," Cira nodded, "So...let me start off with a question. Where the hell am I?"

Romani began to give an in depth explanation about where they were and what this place was. He was going into some of the inner workings of the water supply and making Cira nearly fall asleep again...when the communication device on Romani's wrist crackled to life and Lev's voice rang through the speaker.

"Romani, we're going to start the Rayshift soon. Could you come in case there's an emergency?" he asked, "A Team is in perfect condition, but B team is less experienced and is showing some slight abnormalities,"

Romani's head rolled back and an exasperated sigh left him. He looked back to Cira and shrugged.

"Duty calls, it's probably just anxiety...the Coffins are like cockpits," he turned his attention back to Lev, "We could give them some anesthesia…"

"Just hurry up. If you're at the infirmary, you can be here in two minutes,"

"Slacker," Cira mouthed and Romani waved her off with an eyeroll.

"I'll be there in about five," Romani said, terminating the call, "Should be ok...A Team is fine anyways for sure. For a guy who created the Near-Future Observation Lens...we call it Sheba...he sure panics over the slightest mishap."

"Sheba?" Cira asked.

"It's basically a telescope that watches over the pseudo-planet Chaldeas," Romani replied, "Chaldeas...think of it as a future Earth. Sheba also serves as the security system for Chaldea. Considering that the previous Director created the summoning/unsummoning system that's being used for this thing. I don't know why I have to be there but if I'm called I gotta go. I'll see you in a bit. Don't. Leave this room. I need to make sure you're ok after that thing. But hey...if you're in the infirmary next time, I'll treat you to some cake, sound good?"

"Sounds great," Cira nodded, "See you later, Roman,"

"See you later, Cira,"

And that was when the lights went out.

"What the...?!" Romani demanded, "The lights went out? That's not good at all. Did someth-"

His words were cut off as a shrieking alarm blared through the facility and the lights flared blood red.

The room shook and Cira yelped as she fell off the bed. She felt Romani's hands on her shoulders as he helped her stand.

"Was that an explosion!?" he asked, "What happened?!"

"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! A FIRE HAS BROKEN OUT IN THE CENTRAL POWERSTATION AND THE CENTRAL COMMAND ROOM. CENTRAL AREA'S CONTAINMENT WALL WILL ACTIVATE IN 90 SECONDS. ALL STAFF MUST EVACUATE FROM GATE 2 AT ONCE!"

"Monitor!" Romani barked, "Show us the command room! Is everyone alright?"

The monitor in the room flickered once, twice before turning on...showing the ringed planet of Chaldeas and the room covered in flames and broken machinery. There was dark liquid that oozed over the floor and Cira's hands shot to her mouth.

"...Where's Mash…" she breathed, "Roman, Mash is in there!"

Romani's green eyes widened in...fear? Protectiveness?

"Cira, I need you to evacuate right now," he ordered, heading out the door, "I'm going to the Command Room. The containment wall is about to close. Get yourself out before it does."

"I'm not leaving her," Cira snapped, running after him, "I'm going with you."

"Oh my God you are just as stubborn as she is," Romani groaned, "Fine! Just make sure you get to that gate before it's too late, ok?"

"Got it," Cira nodded as Romani opened the door to the Command Room.

Both man and girl recoiled from the heat, coughing from the smoke that billowed outwards and nearly retching from the stench of burning flesh.

"Go, but be careful!" Romani ordered, "Mash! Mash can you hear me!"

He went on one side of the room while Cira went down the other side, sidestepping over broken concrete...and a few dead bodies.

"No lifesigns over here!" Romani yelled over the crackling of flames, "Only Chaldeas is safe! I don't think this was an accident, this was sabotage! Cira, careful!"

"I don't see her here!" Cira called back, "Maybe deeper in?"

"If you don't leave now the containment wall is going to close!" Romani shouted back.

"I'm not leaving her!"

"She wouldn't want both of us to die trying to find her!"

"GENERATOR OPERATION STOPPED. POWER LEVEL CRITICAL. SWITCH TO BACKUP GENERATOR. ERROR. PLEASE MAKE SWITCH MANUALLY. CONTAINMENT WALL WILL ACTIVATE IN 40 SECONDS! THOSE THAT REMAIN IN THE CENTRAL AREA, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!"

"God…" Romani sighed before cupping his hands around his mouth, "I'm going to go to the underground power station! We can't let Chaldeas' light go out! Go back the way we came! You can still make it!"

"Not without Mash!" Cira snapped.

"Stubborn chi-JUST DO AS YOU'RE TOLD FOR ONCE!" Romani finally roared, "Go outside and wait for help!"

He ran out after that.

"I'm not leaving her," Cira huffed, continuing further.

"System switching to final phase of Rayshift. Coordinates: AD 2004, January 30. Fuyuki, Japan. Laplace's shifting protection established. Singularity's additional factor slot secured. Unsummon Program set. Please start final adjustments."

Cira climbed down into the main area where the Coffins lay. She coughed as she shielded her face with her arm.

"IS ANYONE ALIVE!?" she yelled, "MASH!? DIRECTOR!? ANYONE!"

Her voice dropped in volume as tears choked her voice.
"Please…please answer me…"

"...C-Cira?" a weak female voice croaked, hoarse from the smoke.

Cira's head whipped around, trying to find the source...just to see a flash of light reflection off glasses near her feet.

"Mash!" Cira gasped, kneeling next to her new friend, her knees splashing in a pool of blood that seeped around the poor girl, "Oh God…"

Mash was pinned underneath a large chunk of concrete. Hard to see under all the smoke from where Cira and Romani had been standing. Only the top half of her body was free from the debris, though the amount of blood she was losing was not good. She didn't have long left.

"You...you came…" Mash stammered, her face scrunched up in pain as tears of relief fell down her face, "You came…"

"I'm here...I'm going to get you out," Cira soothed, grasping the concrete and heaving, trying to get a good grip...but her shoes slipped in the blood.

"It's...alright…" Mash murmured, "You...you can't save me...just go...don't mind me...run…"

"I am not leaving my friend!" Cira snarled, tears streaking through the soot on her face as she tried again to lift the concrete, "AGH COME ON STUPID ROCK MOVE!"

"WARNING ALL OBSERVATION STAFF. CHALDEAS' STATE HAS CHANGED! NOW REWRITING SHEBA'S NEAR-FUTURE PREDICTION DATA. UNABLE TO DETECT THE EXISTENCE OF MANKIND 100 YEARS IN THE NEAR FUTURE ON EARTH. UNABLE TO CONFIRM HUMAN SURVIVORS. UNABLE TO GUARANTEE MANKIND'S FUTURE."

"Chaldeas...has turned...bright red…" Mash gasped, the light of the 'planet' above them reflecting in her glasses and painting them with hellish light, "No...never mind...that…"

The doors slammed shut, making Cira jump and Mash give a whimper.

"CENTRAL AREA: SEALED. 180 SECONDS UNTIL INTERNAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURE."

"They...shut off...the area," Mash murmured, "Now...we can't...get out…"

Tears streamed down her face as Cira knelt down, her hands stained red with Mash's blood as she crawled over to her friend.

"I'm sorry…" Mash whispered, "It's my fault...I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have...made friends…"

"Don't ever be sorry for that," Cira told her, laying a hand on Mash's shoulder, "We'll figure this out. We'll get out."

"Coffin Vitals: Masters Baseline not reached. Rayshift requirement not met. Searching for qualifying Master."

"They're gone…" Mash cried, "Team A is gone…"

"Qualifying Master: Found. Candidate No. 48. Name: Cirawynn Nimueh Albion. Resetting as Master. Unsummon Program: Start. Spiritron Conversion: Start.

Mash's eyes snapped fully opened and she grabbed Cira's hand with surprising strength. The girls eyes flamed golden in the light. Her breaths calmed and she took a long look at the girl before her and nodded, letting go. She closed her eyes briefly.

"...C-Cira…" she whispered, "You're...going to Rayshift...with me...please…"

She reopened her eyes, tears streaming from the amethyst irises as she shakily stretched her hand out again as sparks of light pricked at Cira's vision, glittering gold.

"Would you mind...holding my hand?"

Cira nodded, tears streaming from her own eyes and she grabbed Mash's hand, holding on tight to the steadily weakening grip.

"I...can...go happy now…" Mash whispered, closing her eyes as her hand went completely slack.

"MASH!" Cira shrieked, grabbing the girl and holding her tightly, "DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME! STAY WITH ME!"

"Rayshift starting in 3…"

"MASH!"

"2."

"PLEASE!"

"1. All procedures clear. First Order: Commencing Operation."

And Cira's vision suddenly burst into silver and blue light as she felt herself falling into a swirling abyss of radiance.

Singularity F.

Humanity Foundation Value: C

AD: 2004 Flame Contaminated City: Fuyuki

Prologue