And I feel quite bad for how long this took. Lostbelt 6's release was a big factor, and then event after event and a bad case of writer's block. I thoroughly enjoyed my time playing Lostbelt 6 though, I have new favorites and have gotten on a kick for writing things that will be implemented here when I get there. So expect some fun when we...eventually...get there. Septem should be wrapping up in a chapter or two, thank God, and I'll be able to move on to chapters that I don't get bored doing.

Septem: Attack the United Empire

The ride on the way to Rome was uneventful for the most part, more bantering back and forth by Artoria and Cu Chulainn as they bickered over who in fact won their little competition while Lily tried not to laugh and Cira tried not to groan. It seemed as if things were going back to normal for once. Cira patted her horse as the mare shook her neck, snorting.

"How's your journal writing going, Mash?" Cira chuckled, casting a look back at her friend, who seemed to jump and juggled the small pad of paper.

"Please don't startle me like that," Mash sighed as she replaced the pad in the saddlebag, "It's...going…"

"Why exactly are we doing this again?" Cira asked.

"Doctor Roman asked me to keep one, like a military journal," Mash admitted.

"I figured it'd be interesting!" Romani's voice piped up as his hologram sputtered to life over Cira's wrist, "'specially since you became a Roman praetor, Cira. I'm thinking…'Novus Commentarii de Bello Gallico'. Y'know, have the title in homage to the book written by Caesar,"

"As an apology for killing him earlier?" Cira asked.

"In a sense yeah," Romani shrugged, "But it does sound interesting. Though you'd have to cover the part where a god showed up…"

"Wait a sec," Cira frowned, "Are you planning to publish this? Isn't that like...a breach of confidentiality? I thought we were this super secret organization…"

Romani's grin suddenly froze. He opened his mouth once, trying to speak but nothing came out. Then he tried it again to fail once more. His face fell and his shoulders sagged.

"Yeah...I suppose you're right," he admitted, "So let's talk about something else...more serious!"

His image stretched in his chair, rolling his neck a couple times before crossing his arms as he looked at them.

"Suppose you guys do save the world. I thought about what would happen after that." his voice was somber and his eyes downcast as he leaned back in his chair, "The tragedy of Chaldea can't be reversed. In other words...there's no guarantee of our salary. You understand the rest, right?"

"You mean prevention is better than the cure," Mash piped up, leaning over Cira's shoulder, "But why are you the one avoiding physical labor, Doctor?"

Romani held up his hands and laughed.

"Nonono I'm joking, I'm joking!" he smiled, "Why would I count my chickens before they hatch when the world is about to end?"

"...If that is the case, now that I know it's purpose I will dispose of the journal right now," Mash stated.

"OH COME ON!" Romani protested.

"Shame to throw it away though," Cira sighed.

"You sound like you were having fun! Allow me to join in!" a familiar voice called.

Cira and Mash looked up to see Nero approaching with a secondary force, Boudica and Spartacus riding in the chariot not too far behind. The Master lifted a hand in a wave before raising her voice.

"I thought you were staying in Rome to take care of things there?" she asked.

"I got done with all that and was bored," Nero replied, "Now, tell me what happened!"

"Emperor," Jing Ke started, coming up to Nero, "Let me give the report,"

As she did that, Boudica brought the chariot up to her and Spartacus' Master, bumping forearms with Artoria as she passed and sending the clank of armor into the air.

"So you two tagged along, huh?" Cira asked, smiling.

Boudica gave a soft huff as she looked at her Master.

"I did not think it a good idea to let my Master be gallivanting across the countryside without her Rider and Berserker with her," she stated, "And I was very close to doing something that would have caused her to be upset with me."

"Nero getting on your nerves again, huh…"

"You have no idea, Master," Boudica growled, "If it is permissible, we shall take the rear guard with this...Lu Bu I believe his name was? Get as far as possible from Nero,"

"Go for it, stay safe you two," Cira nodded.

Boudica clicked her tongue and snapped the reins, causing her horses to whinny and Spartacus give a whoop of joy. Cira chuckled as she watched them go, only to hear shouting from the front of the line.

"What's going on?" she demanded as Artoria and Lily steered their horses to better protect Cira and Cu Chulainn made his way to cover where they couldn't.

"Scout caught sight of an army in the front and behind," Cu Chulainn said, "We're gettin' pincered in. Either they're good at guessin'..."

"Or they knew we were here," Artoria finished, "Master, where are Queen Boudica and Spartacus?"

"I just sent them to the rear guard to get away from Ne-" she stopped, "Oh God Spartacus and Lu Bu are gonna end up chasing everyone until the ends of the Earth if we don't stop them aren't they,"

"That does seem like something they'd do…" Lily admitted, "So...what are you wanting to do?"

Cira gave a groan as she put her head in her hands for a second.

"Need to stop them...come on, let's go," she sighed, grabbing the reins of her and Mash's horse and starting to head towards the back of the column, where already the sounds of battle were erupting and dust was being kicked into the air.

Without needing to be asked, Artoria and Lily spurred their horses forwards, leaping off and using the momentum to launch themselves into the fray. Cu Chulainn dashed in behind them as a bolt of azure, carving a swath of bloody carnage through the enemy line.

"Your turn," Cira smiled as she felt Mash release her hold around the blonde's waist and shift slightly, swinging one leg around so that she was hanging on one side before running alongside the horse, releasing and continuing to rush forward.

Cira pulled on the reins, getting the horse to stop as she raised a hand. She pointed a finger at an enemy soldier and braced her arm with her other hand, aiming. Wisps of pure white light glittered around her pointed finger and Cira closed an eye, feeling warmth build up from her chest and rush down her arm before coalescing into a brilliant white star...her Gandr.

The star shot forwards in a streak of pale white light, glittering with a brightness that was hard to look at. It screamed into the enemy lines, slamming into a soldier that was about to bring a sword down on Lily and knocking him backwards long enough for Lily to roll out of the way.

"I can do this!" Cira grinned, charging up another shot.

"MASTER STOP!"

Cira jolted as she heard Mash's voice ring through her head. That was the first time she'd heard her friend do this, and she could have sworn she heard two voices rather than one.

"You are going to burn yourself out…" there was a grunt as Mash blocked a hit and swung her shield back into the man who struck her, "Again! And I don't want you passing out on me!"

Cira lowered her arm and gave a sigh, holding her hands in front of her as her heart felt heavy.

"I just want to help...and not sit here and do nothing…" she murmured.

The battle ended not long after that and Cira's Servants returned to her side. Lily held her arm as blood oozed from between her fingers, Artoria was fussing over it and trying to staunch the bleeding though Lily kept batting her fingers away with a 'it's just a scratch! It's not that bad!' Mash looked a little battered and tired, but unharmed. Cu Chulainn seemed untouched though his clothes and armor were spattered in blood. Spartacus and Lu Bu were both covered in gore, so much so that Spartacus' skin seemed to be scarlet rather than grey and was offset by the eerily white teeth of his smile and his eyes.

Cira counted heads...and then counted again...and her heart dropped.

"Where is Boudica?"

To say that Cira was not in a good mood was a bit of an understatement. First she lost Boudica in the fog of war, unable to contact her and was advised against using a command spell to bring the queen to her for fear of accidentally causing her harm. Then there was the obstacle of a large fort in front of her that housed the captured Servant. Of which, Cira was very certain was booby trapped every step of the way.

And now Mash was saying she was sensing two Servants before them. Neither of which was Boudica.

"Answer me Boudica!" Nero demanded, standing before the fort, despite all attempts to hold her back, "I know you are still alive! You would never die!"

Cira heard the clank of armor and turned to see Artoria pinching the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

"Isn't that a rather selfish way of putting it?" a young voice asked from before them, "Rest assured, she is safe. Right now, she is fast asleep thanks to his spells,"

Cira looked back at the entrance of the fort. A young boy with dark red hair and equally crimson eyes stood before them. Dressed in leather armor with a sword strapped to his side, he gently patted the neck of a pitch black colt, which nuzzled his neck fondly. At his side was a tall, slender man with dark hair dressed in a suit. Glasses flashed upon his nose, obscuring the charcoal grey eyes that looked sternly at the group...though when they landed on Artoria they seemed...surprised?

"Do you know him?" Cira asked quietly as Artoria looked up from her headache concerning Nero.

The King shook her head.

"He is not one of the men I knew in life," she said as Nero ranted at the two Servants and Cu Chulainn had to grab her to keep her from charging, "I do not know him."

"I assume you two are both leaders of this fort?" Nero's voice cut above Artoria's declaration and caused Cira to turn her attention back to her, "I will allow it. Tell me your names,"

The boy gave a light, joyful laugh as he crossed his arms.

"You're making us tell our names?" he grinned, "Hm, how should I put this...I have several names, so it's hard to pick just one."

Lily covered her mouth to hide the snort at Nero's unamused face.

"Alright, here's what I'm gonna do." the boy gave a winning smile as he saw Lily's attempt to hide her laughter, "I'm Alexander. To be precise...that's Alexander III. And he's…"

"Lord El-Melloi II," the tall man stated, "Due to certain reasons, or should I say fate, I am his strategist."

Cira and Romani both choked.

"Lord...El-Melloi!?" Cira sputtered, "But...he's…"

"From modern day...a Clocktower Lord…" Romani finished, "How the hell!?"

"Due to one of your praetors sputtering, I assume you know my name," El-Melloi II said, his gaze scanning over Cira with laser focus, "I am not a true Heroic Spirit. I'd probably have another name as one, therefore it is ok to forget my name,"

"Oh, that doesn't work!" Alexander scolded, "We are enemy generals to her! Isn't that right, Roman Emperor?"

"Of course!" Nero scoffed, "What, don't tell me you're doing all of this only for it to not come down to a fight!"

"Exactly!" Alexander beamed.

Nero lowered her sword, shocked into silence for a few heartbeats.

"W-What…?"

"I was waiting," Alexander shrugged, "For you to get here. And it was the only way I could think of it. I just wanted to talk,"

"Talk. Here." Nero's eyes narrowed, "Why?"

"I was interested," Alexander smiled, "And I have to thank El-Melloi II...because he made that selfish wish of mine come true,"

"More than half of them were your directions," El-Melloi II dismissed, "I don't know what you're talking about,"

"Look," Alexander said, "We need to hurry this up. The United Empire's soldiers are on their way and unlike El-Melloi II and myself, they will attack you on sight. Despite what you may think of me, and yes I can tell you are angry because of the loss of life, I do respect human lives, they are sacred to me. I thought it was the best way, sadly, because you caught my attention...Fifth Emperor of Rome, Nero Claudius. So...I want to know,"

He shifted position, his gaze seeming so much older than that of a child as he looked up at the taller woman.

"Why is it that you fight?"

Nero frowned, staring at him and Alexander continued.

"Why would you not show allegiance to the United Empire, and keep fighting like that?" he asked, genuinely curious, "If you had chosen to be one of those 'united emperors', you would have avoided many unnecessary conflicts."

Nero was silent for a few seconds, though Cira noticed that her grip on her sword tightened and her knuckles went white.

"Did you call this fight unnecessary?" Nero hissed, "How dare you!"

"I did," Alexander said, casually putting a hand on his blade, "And what are you going to do about that?"

"I won't forgive you, that's what," Nero snapped, "It doesn't matter if you are my resurrected kin, or a wise ruler from the past! Or a brave general! Or a great king from ages past! The only one suitable to be emperor is Nero Claudius!"

She set her blade over her forearm and shifted her weight, Cira drew a hissing breath. This was not going to end well…

"Loved by the people," Nero continued, "allowed to love them, wanted by them...there is only one! The one and only ruler! A shining star like so! Arrogant to carry all the burden like so! Even if all the gods descend and tell her to surrender to the United Empire, she'll never back down! How can I back down? Such is my life to believe this philosophy, such is my fate!"

Her emerald gaze turned fiery and Cira saw Artoria shift, ready to move.

"Master, she is not going to be reasoned with," she stated, "She will fight Alexander to defend her honor. What are your orders?"

"If it devolves into a fight I need you to get Boudica and get her back to me," Cira said, "Since I've been advised not to command spell her back...though we might have to get past Lord El-Melloi II. I don't think he'll fight but...It doesn't sit well with me that he's here…"

She gave a soft sigh.

"Take Lily and Cu with you, Mash and I will deal with Lord El-Melloi II if he decides to try to stop you," she finished, not taking her eyes off the three Servants before her, "At least...we'll try,"

"I won't back down!" Nero continued, her voice rising to an indignant pitch, "I will rule and I will prosper gloriously! I am, without a doubt, Rome itself!"

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear!" Alexander beamed, "You pass. Go forth and become a ruler. No, an emperor! You have the right to do so! A rose that attracts glory and prosperity, a sin only allowed for humans, a Beast that shows the number of the Fallen. Even, haha, become 'the Devil'!"

"You don't need to say any more, shut up!" Nero snapped, "Mash! Cira! I need your help to take this ba-"

"He hasn't fought us though!" Cira protested, cutting her off, only to flinch as Nero shot her a glare, "Nero, come on, they're just words! We don't have to fight them!"

"I believe you are my praetor and I ordered you to help me," Nero hissed.

Cira stared at her, shaking her head dumbfounded.

"Saber, Lily, Lancer, please go and get Rider...we'll...try to diffuse this," Cira stammered.

She looked up at El-Melloi II.

"That's still fine, right?" she asked, "We just want our Rider back…"

"Alexander just wished to talk, that is all," he stated, "Neither of us will stop you from retrieving your Rider,"

"Thank you," Cira nodded, looking back at her Servants and nodding.

The three made their way towards the fort entrance while Mash and Cira slowly made their way towards the irate Nero and the calm and slightly amused Alexander, who had swung himself up on to the black colt's back.

"I don't like this at all," Cira sighed, "There's no reason to fight,"

"Unfortunately your Emperor and my King are both strong willed warriors who like a challenge," El-Melloi II stated as he followed them, "I am not one for fighting, I merely direct the pieces on the board."

"So you're somewhat like me," Cira reasoned, "Though...you've got a lot more experience under your belt and actually know what the hell you're doing."

The taller man gave a brief chuckle.

"Perhaps," he admitted, "Tell me your name, Master from a foreign land,"

"Cira," she said, "My name is Cira,"

"Miss Cira," he hummed, "I do believe that you would have done well as one of my students in another time, you show good potential from what I had seen on the battlefield recently...so, let me fully assess that now. Show me how good of a mage you truly are,"

"Master…" Mash started as the sound of a neighing horse rang through the air and Alexander charged Nero.

"Go help her," Cira said, "I'll...entertain Lord El-Melloi II I guess…"

"I will not kill her," he stated, "As I said...I want to assess her potential as a mage. That is not to say she won't get hurt, but she will not die. I have that much control at least,"

"Lancer, Saber and Lily will be back soon with Rider anyways," Cira reassured her, "I can have one of them change places with you when they do,"

Mash didn't look convinced...but she did as told and dashed forwards, blocking a blow from Alexander as he struck at Nero. Cira on the other hand gave a shaky breath as what looked to be a feather fan appeared in El-Melloi II's hand. Cira readied her arm, feeling her magic bloom with white hot warmth in her chest and travelling down her arm, gathering at her fingertips in glittering white bits of starlight.

"A light mage," he hummed, "That is uncommon, I have not seen one of those in a long while. Now, come, Miss Cira, show me what you can do,"

"What little I can," Cira admitted, holding her arm in a firing position, "I'm still new to the whole 'mage' thing,"

She fired a gandr shot at the Caster Servant, only for it to glance off the fan he used to block it. The bolt of light cratered the ground to his right, smoke and dust spilling from the hole. He swiped his hand as three glowing disks appeared around him. Cira had barely enough time to duck, hitting the ground with a thud as three streaks of warm yellow light blazed over her head. She smelled smoke and immediately rolled out of the way as a pillar of flame erupted from the ground where she had laid. She spat hair out of her mouth as she quickly got to her feet and fired off another shot, which again, was blocked.

"I thought you were not trying to kill me!" she demanded.

"I never said that you wouldn't be harmed," he stated, returning fire, "Your shots are wild, uncontrolled. They carry a lot of power but they drain your reserves,"

Cira dodged another bolt and caught sight of Mash dodging out of the way of hooves. The blonde Master took a shaky breath and lined up another shot. Light streaked from her fingertips and managed to actually strike at the Servant...it only managed to make him stumble a step back, but other than that did little more than singe his tie.

"Good," he nodded, "But you should also be aware of your surroundings,"

Pain and heat shot up the left side of Cira's body and she screamed as the blaze caught hold of her clothes. She immediately hit the ground from panic and tried to extinguish the flames.

"Master!"

There was a blur of black and violet, Cira heard the sound of something heavy striking flesh and the quick 'oof!' of someone getting the wind knocked out of them. She felt cool hands picking her up and cried out in pain as the burns flared from the jostling. Heat built up in her chest, fiery as the edges of her world turned white.

"Mash...eyes…" she ground out as her world went brilliant white…

And then dark as she sank into the numbness of unconsciousness.

Master: Cira Albion

Servants:

Servant: Shielder- Mash Kyrielight

Servant: Saber-Artoria Pendragon

Servant: Lancer/Caster-Cu Chulainn

Servant: Saber- Saber Lily

Servant: Berserker- Spartacus

Servant: Rider- Boudica