Orleans: Knee-deep in Dragons.
The squad successfully transported to their targeted era of human history, it went much smoother compared to the rough ride to Fuyuki. Mashu was ready to go in her servant form as the two masters make sure nothing was missing on their persons.
"Fou! Fou! Fou!" It would also appear that fuzz-ball know as Fou had somehow snuck into one of there coffins right before transport.
"Fou! Did you tag along again?" Mashu said supprised.
"I guess he wanted to join us. He did come with us to Fuyuke so I guess he can Rayshift just fine?" Ritsuka said as she didn't mind having him around as long as he stays with them. Vega then detached the drone form Ritsuka's pack and began his area scan.
"Axis confirmed, We are in the year 1431 as targeted by Chaldea. The current events occurring at this time would be the described 'Hundred Year War' that took place in Orleans." Vega said as his new drone body floats about scanning the area with its one optical sensor.
'He kind of looks like a floating metal eyeball' Ritsuka giggled at the thought,
"We should be in the respite period, however. The last thing we need is to find the Grail in a warzone" Mashu adds to Vega's findings.
"War's get time off?" Gudao said as the idea of a battle taking a break was foreign to him. Mashu then explains that the Hundred-year War did not take up an entire century and how carefree it was during the time...Ritsuka senpai?"
Mashu notices the redhead was staring into the sky along with Doomguy who was quiet this whole time. More than usually of course as Vega would've translated something by now.
"Master Gudao, Ms Kyrielight. I suggest you both adjust your views towards the sky" Vega suggested as he too was looking towards the sky. Finally, both remain members of the party look up in shock as Romani finally connects to the group.
"Yes, we're connected! Not the best quality but I got video feed now! Wait what's wrong? Why are you all looking at the sky?" The doctor said confused.
"Doctor, I'll send you my POV" Mashu then puts on her earpiece comm unit that also has a camera attached to it. It reveals what all of them were staring at in the sky, a band of light that took up most of the space above them.
"My calculations suggest that it could be in Satellite orbit, but I believe it could be a form of magecraft, No records of such phenomena exist in human history," Vega said and the Doctor confirms it.
The slayer looks at it with murderous intent...Somehow he knew that this ring was the source of all there problems. Whoever made that halo in the sky is going to pay...with there guts spilt on the floor from his chainsaw. He cracks his knuckles at the thoughts of destruction.
"I believe we should keep moving on our current objective. Will you be monitoring that phenomenon, Dr Romani?" Vega asked picking up on the Slayer ich to get moving.
"Yes, we'll keep an eye on it from here," Romani confirmed.
"Alright then, As the doctor said: Explore the area, make contact with the people of this era and produce a summoning circle. We have much to do." Mashu said and the group decide to move forward towards the nearest point of civilization. As they walked along rolling green hills of Orleans, The slayer reminisces on how long has it been since he's seen a normal spring day. Even his time at Argent D'nur as a sentinel warrior he never gave himself the time to relax…
No, he couldn't relax as he knew they were coming and god damn he was right.
"Doomguy?" Ristuka called out of the blue, pulling him from the sea of memories in his head. She learned his nick-name from Mashu and the doctor.
"Are you ok?" She could read that something was bothering him and was concerned. He may be a Berserker but she still saw him as a person. Doomguy looks at her and just gives her a thumbs up.
"Are you sure? You can talk to me about anything." Ristuka asked but the Slayer just looks away not interesting in talking. This action slightly disheartened her and he curses himself for doing that. His past was his own and he did not need any pity from anyone...But it felt like taking a Pinky charge head on for making her frown.
"He is just not used to environments such as these. He is much more used to areas similar to Fuyuki." Vega said coming in for the save.
"Oh, If that's the case then I can understand," Ritsuka said as her smile returns.
"You seem to know him very well Vega." Gudao mentions.
"We are very well acquainted. If that wasn't the case I would not be functioning in front of you right now." Vega thinks back to the time where Doomslayer came and first activated him from the backup of his core. Vega was...Disappointed that Samual Hayden did not request his back up to be recovered. He changed his directives from then onward to help the Slayer on his conquest.
Everyone then stops at the sight of what is to be believed to be a French scout brigade.
"Should we attempt to establish contact now or later?" Mashu asked the group.
"Isn't it dangerous?" Ritsuka asked concern.
"They look humanoid so I believe we can come to a peaceful resolution," Mashu assures as they approach the group.
"Hello, we are travellers-"
"..." The group of soldiers pause at her approach.
"Eek! Enemy Attack! Enemy Attack!" All of the soldier immediate arm themselves and aimed their swords at the group…
Bad move...On the soldiers part.
It was Dragons...
"Yoo-hoo! I am free now so lemme see how yo-" Romani then paused at the sight of many french soldiers on the ground..not dead but disarmed and bruised.
"What just happened?!" Romani said deeply concerned and confused.
"We got into a confrontation with some French elite soldiers we tried to be calm about it bit but then Doomguy-san sort of…"
"I can confirm that they are indeed alive," Vega said and the group breathed a sigh of relief. Doomguy just looks at them confused, The soldiers weren't demons, just idiots. Both he and Mashu are strong enough to deal with some normal human soldiers without killing them. As long as they didn't threaten his master he'll keep stick with his fist against the common man.
"Even so, your fists are too strong, Doomguy! You gotta be more gentle with normal humans." Ritsuka chastised her servant for being too reckless. He just stands there and takes the lecture as he holds on to the only remaining conscious soldier by his collar.
"Gah! Let me go! I don't want to die! Those things will come soon I have to save the fort!" The man struggled against Doomguys iron grip. Mashu then took this as the chance to get information.
"Bonjour, We are travellers. Unfortunately, we broke out into a fight. We had no intentions of harming you or your men." Mashu spoke in clear french which seemed to calm down the man hearing the language of his people.
"You..are not the enemy?" He asks as he looks at them.
"Not we are not, your guys are still alive just might have a headache when they wake up," Ritsuka said brushing up on her french.
"If we let you go can is it ok if we ask some questions?" Gudao asked as well. The man seemed to be calm now and understood that most of them were nice...He then looks up to his jailed and almost wet himself.
"Y-yeah. Of course. It was my bad for attacking you."
"You can let him go now" Ritsuka order and Doomguy listens reluctantly still expecting the man to run. Mashu and Romani then began to ask a bunch of questions about the current events of the era. Everything seemed to be normal except for one major thing…
King Charles VII was dead before he could sign the peace treaty with the English so now Orleans was in shambles. According to the man, he was burned alive by a witch who now as taken residence in the king's castle. What's even more disturbing is that the woman who was the Witch was identified as Jeanne d'Arc.
During the explanation, Vega was using makeshift smelling salts to speed up the soldier's recovery as proof of peace. Some began to stir but others were going to need more time. After assuring that enough soldier was awake to make sure they could survive a surprise attack. Chaldea decides to push forward with this new information and thanks to the men who will make sure to give the heads up to other strongholds.
"Even though it was rough, at least we got some valuable intel, Got any insights, Vega?" Romani said over comms.
"As you might have already assumed, this Witch is most likely the owner of the Wish Granting device we are after. There is also a chance hat Professor Leff is with them as well."
"But the person who is the which is what makes this whole thing disturbing. Jeanne d'arc.." Romani said concerned with the current development.
"Whos Jeanne D'Arc?" Gudao asks and Ritsuka ponders Both were not very fluent in French history. Mashu then fills them in one the story of the world-renown saviour that help France from being conquered during the Hundred Year War.
"She managed to save France at age 17 and managed to reclaim Orleans in 1 year...But she was capture by the English, and after an inquisition, she was burned at the stake" Mashus said.
Ah, now the Slayer remembered, another innocent soul the god-fearing people killed for no reason. If only people saw things his way and understand that there was no god. If there was...The slayer would've killed them already for letting him suffer the way he did all those years ago…
"The soldier mentions that her hair and skin colour was different from the past but they were sure it was the saint of the past" Gudao recalled as they approached the fort which has seen better days as so has the troops. All of them were either tired or wounded form battle. Then panic occurs as shambling forms of soldiers come rushing in to attack the remainders of the fort.
"Magical energy signals are heading straight towards the fort! Familiars made with human corpses. They are undead creatures so you can go wild with these guys!" Romani confirmed.
"Alright! Let's pulverize them!" Mashu exclaimed ready for battle as Doomguy cocks his shotgun itching for a real fight. Both servants rush to intercept the enemy as the masters keep a safe distance with Vega.
Doomguy comes charging in with a haymaker blood punch taking out a group of five as Mashu crushes two under her shield and follows up with a spin bash around her taking out four more.
"Hiya!" She blocks a barrage of arrows and shatters another group of five undead. She looks to her ally and sees the amount of destruction he can cause with just his pump-action shotgun. He had already blasted through a platoon of undead shoulders with his full-auto mod and now as ripping them up with his blade along with his fists.
'Such brutality...I don't I could ever be like him' She said as she took out the last monster in her vicinity.
As the slayer pops another's skeletons head off like a cork of a bottle, the battle ends with shreds of undead scattered around them. This felt way too easy...Event the human soldiers would be able to fend them off. Something stronger is the only reason why that fort was full of holes and scorch marks.
"Good work you two!" Ritsuka said running up after seeing the undead cleared out.
"You did great Mashu. Do you need some patching up?" Gudao added Looking over the two.
"Oh no need Senpai…T-they could barely do any damage to me," Mashu said with some blush in her cheeks.
"What about you Do-" Ristukas question was then interrupted by a monstrous roar coming from beyond the fort causing all the remaining soldiers to get ready for a fight.
"Dammit! Just what I thought, Get ready to Engage!" The captain yes as giant winged beast flew over the fort and now was circling them in the air.
"Dragons?!" Ristuka yelled in awe and fear as both servants prepare for combat.
"Yes, But those are wyverns a subspecies of dragons." Mashu corrected as the flying lizards proceed to dive down on the broken fortress and it weakens inhabitants. Without any words, The Slayer rushes into combat against the Wyverns ready to add another monster to his kill list.
"W-wait up Doomguy-san!" Mashu said trying to catch up with the man as the two masters follow as well to help. As the two servants approach the battle, the fort was already on fire once more and soldiers cowering in fear.
"Oh god! Help us!" A group was about to get burned alive by a torrent of Dragonfire by the beast in front of them. Thankfully someone answered their call for help, with a barrage of .50 cal bullets to the Wyvern's hide. Doomguy comes to their rescue as he fires upon the lizard wit his minigun. The beast tries to block the shots with its wing but it was shredded. Seeing the monster weakened and grounded, he jumps on top of the beasts shredded hide. It tries to shake him off with no results has it's foe grabbed it by one of it's owns and forced its head down to earth.
"Hiyaaaaa!" Mashu quickly takes the opening and smashing its head in with the shield. Causing wyvern blood to gush everywhere as the body goes limp. To the Slayer, that was her first Glory kill and he nods in approval.
"Thanks…" she said not so happy being covered in monster blood.
"Oh, man there's still more of em!" Another soldier yells as he preps his bow and arrows. Looks like three more just landed and were spreading fires all over the place. Two were targeting the barracks while one was approaching the medical tent.
"Mashu, Go help cover the wounded!" Gudao orders as her master and she obey running to aid the wounded along with him. Ritsuka was about to order her servant but he was already running at the two other dragons firing a shot from his battles to get their attention.
"What should I do?" Ristuaka wondered how she can help.
"I have detected barrels of water nearby, we can use those to douse the flames" Vega suggests and she nods. Both reached the barrels but realized they were too heavy to move.
"I would suggest calling on the slayer, However, he is very preoccupied and it would be difficult to pull him away," Vega notes as he tries to find a solution to the current problem.
"Hold up! I am detecting a servant energy signature coming your way!" Romani said over comms as out of the blue a newcomer comes to Ritsukas aid.
"Here, I shall aid you, young master!" She said as she cuts the bindings of the barrels with ease allowing them to be rolled towards the flames. Ritsuka pauses for a moment to see who help her and was stunned with the sight of a woman in knight armour. She was blonde with blue eyes and was wielding a white flag as her weapon.
"Can you destroy the barrels form a distance?" The Servant asked snapping the master out of her gazes and nods. Ritsuka can cast basic magic bolt to break the weak barrels.
"Yeah! I got it." Ritsuka nods.
The servant then kicks the barrels into the flames as Ritsuka fires a bolt destroying it and dousing the flames in water. Both worked hard on controlling the flames as the others focused on the remaining wyverns. The Slayer faces off against the two Wyverns, one was severely injured while the other appeared to be more resilient with its black scales. The weak one tries to whip him with its tail but was roaded in pain as the former space marine slices a good portion of it off with his arm blade. Seeing it on its last legs the slay double jumps onto it's back and runs along with it until he reaches the scaly head of the beast. Before it could react, he thrusts his place through one of its eye sockets and out the other. The slayer then was grabbed by the claw of the dark wyvern as it drags him along the ground at blazing flight speeds.
"Berserker!" Ritsuka yells as she comes to check on her servant and looks on in panic as he was being dragged.
"Is he your servant?" The newcomer asked as Ritsuka nods.
"Don't worry I'll-" Right before she joins in to help the beast lets him go as it road in pain. Berserker just cut it's a foot off with his chainsaw. Blood gush from the wound as the beast struggled to remain airborne but then was sent crashing down with a rocket. It survived but barley as turns it's head to face it's killer, with its last attempt at attack it prepares to shoot a stream of Dragonfire at him. As it was about to fire it off it was interrupted with a beam of microwaves blasting it in the face. It's head shortly exploded in a firefly pulp as it's Dragonfire was set off still inside its gullet.
Seeing his job is done, Doomguy pulls his plasma rifle over his shoulder and pokes at the charred dragon bits with his blade. He never fought such beasts before in his eternal battle against hell, then again most of those monsters where made from the soulless husks of humans. Nevertheless, he was able to quickly adapt and slay them like everything else he fought. They should prove no difficulty against him in future battles.
"Doomguy!" Ritsuka comes running to his side.
"That...was..kind of awesome." She said looking at the dead wyverns as she caught her breath. Her servant just nods and changes his focus to the newcomer wondering if she was friend or foe.
"Fret not, Berserker, mean no harm to your master." She said with a calm and friendly tone. He remained vigilant but decided against getting into another fight with his master so close.
"Hey, guys we are don over here!" Gudao said over the comms as they successfully defeated the wyvern. They all regroup together but the soldiers began to panic once more at the sight of flag wielding servant.
"AHHH Run! It's the witch!" all them retreated into the fort without thanking their saviours leaving them in state of confusing minus for the claimed "Witch"
"I see that they too fear me…" She sighs.
"I believe that was the last of them.." Mashu said still very confused.
"All right, fine job everyone! I was watching with sweating palms and sweets in my hands" Roman said over the comms to lighten the mood but it would appear that mentioned sweets were prepared by Mashu for the masters have after the mission. Which cause the demi-servant to get a little mad at the doctor. Mentioning that she would like her master to leave enough mana for one attack once they get back.
"I believe we should retreat from the fortress to locate a leyline to collect our much-needed supplies." Vega interrupted to get things back on track.
"Yes, Vega is right but first who are you?" Mashu asked the blonde servant.
"Ruler, My class is Ruler. My true name is Jeanne d'Arc." She identified herself and there was an audible hum of a plasma rifle being turned on for combat. Ritsuka quickly pulled Doomguy's gun down to the ground as she knew this Jeanne wasn't the enemy.
"What are you doing?! She is not an enemy!" She yelled at him but then was pushed away by her servant, falling to the ground. There was a moment of tension between the group and The Slayer as Ritsuka looks at him with fear in her eyes. Vega quickly comes in between them with the drone.
"Slayer, I can tell with a 95.7% probability that This Jeanne D'arc is not the once causing this destruction of Orleans," Vega said.
"Yeah! Her servant energy level is weaker than what it should be!" Romani added.
"Berserker?" Jeanne said with a calm voice getting the mans attention.
"You had every good reason to aim your weapon at me. You are doing your duty as a servant. I, swear to the lord that I am not your enemy." She said. Her words, full of determination and with pure intent. Berserker then looks back to his master and realizes what he just did…
He hurt an innocent life...One that he was supposed to protect…
Berserker puts away his gun and faces away from the group. He was used to civilians being scared of him, but for some reason. He couldn't bear Ristuka being fearful of the slayer.
A Slight Crack In Unity...
After the incident Between Berserker and the group, continued to retreat into a nearby forest to set up camp and find a leyline to use. Berserker kept himself distant acting as a guard for them as Jeanne filled them in on her mystery. She was summoned to the era as a ruler but ended up materializing with weaker power than she is supposed to be and lacks the command spells and her skill to reveal a servant's true name instantly. Jeanne suggests that there's another version of herself here in Orleans, one the killed the king and holds the title of "Dragon witch."
Mashu and Vega both explain the goals of Chaldea to correct this twisted version of history to save humanities future from incineration.
"...I and Doomguy-san are the only servants currently assign to Senpai and Ritsuka-Senpai"
"Doomguy? Oh, you mean Berserker?" Jeanne was surprised to hear the true name of the servant right from the get-go.
"I am afraid that is not his true name, He has not been recorded anywhere in your human history," Vega mentioned
"Sorry but If I must ask, who are you?" She asks the drone.
"I am Vega, A sentient artificial intelligence that assists the Doomslayer. As I was saying we are both from another world." The AI introduces himself to Jeanne.
"That is odd but I can tell that he is a strong and capable warrior," Jeanne noted and the drone nods.
"Hey, Vega, You have been quiet on where exactly you guys came from. Why the secrecy?" Romani asked to see if Vega would tell more.
"I…" Vega wasn't sure if it was right for him to explain the Slayers story. He wasn't even sure if wise to tell the young masters if they get capture by the masters
"Doctor, Don't be so rude. Vega or Doomguy will tell their story when the masters are good and ready." Da-Vinci said taking over the comms form Romani.
"Thank you, Leonardo," Vega said
"No problem! You have made my job here so much easier so I owe you big time!" She said to the AI.
"Ah jeez I sound like a jerk...Sorry, Vega." Dr Romani apologies.
"It is normal to be curious Doctor. So in good faith, I will mention that he not only hunts demons but hates them with an incalculable amount of rage and aggression." Vega said as the group takes.
"What did they do to him?" Ristuka asked curiously as the message from her dream replays in her head.
Burned by the embers of Armageddon, his soul blistered by the fires of Hell and tainted beyond ascension, he chose the path of perpetual torment.
"I am afraid I do not have a record for that reason. I've only been with him for about 14 months." Vega said only fueling even more questions.
"This may prove a benefit in our coming battles actually," Jeanne mentioned.
"How so?" Gudao asked as Fou hopped onto his shoulder.
"Servants with there true name hidden have the advantage. Without knowledge of who the person was. No weakness can be found to exploit in combat." Jeanne continued revealing a huge advantage they have over any servant encounter they may face.
"...however that advantage will fade if the other Jeanne using her True name revelation skill against him. No doubt she has that over me." She said adding the only caveat to the advantage but Jeanne mentioned that she has to be physically present to use it.
"At that point, we will just have to adapt and strike when needed" Dr Romani said as he sips some tea.
The conversation continues over the topic of how Jeanne feels embarrassed that she put her problem first over the current situation of Chaldea. Vega was curious about how dragons even exist during the era who brought them here.
Jeanne reluctantly suggests that it was "Herself" that summoned the beasts and is most likely controlling them. All of which conflicts with how she felt in life as a human before becoming a servant. Even if the enemy was a servant, Summoning a dragon is no easy task even for mages in this current era. Which solidifies the theory that this Jeanne had the Holy grail Chaldea was after. After figuring out the location of the grail they decide to finally get some rest for the next day as they plan to gather more information. Even though they have yet to find a leyline to use it was only for one night and Vega's drone body came with a storage device that was bigger on the inside compare the size of the bot. It contained some rations and two super packed sleeping bags for the trio to use. Vega suggests that the Slayer will handle Nightwatch so there would not be a need to for shifts. Jeanne as a servant does not need sleep but it does help her to preserve mana so she decides to rest as well.
"Tempered by the fires of Hell, his iron will remained steadfast through the passage that preys upon the weak. For he alone was the Hell Walker, the Unchained Predator, who sought retribution in all quarters, dark and light, fire and ice, in the beginning and the end, and he hunted the slaves of Doom with barbarous cruelty; for he passed through the divide as none but demon had before."
"And in his conquest against the blackened souls of the doomed, his prowess was shown. In his crusade, the seraphim bestowed upon him terrible power and speed, and with his might he crushed the obsidian pillars of the Blood Temples. He set forth without pity upon the beasts of the nine circles. Unbreakable, incorruptible, unyielding, the Doom Slayer sought to end the dominion of the dark realm…"
Ritsuka gasps awake from again of a very odd dream of a voice talking about her servant. Was this his story? What did he fight? What did it mean to be a Hell-Walker? She looked around and sees that everyone was still asleep but fou was missing. She looks around and Doomguy was missing as well.
"I believe he went to the nearby pond, Master," Jeanne said still awake as the Slayer asked to take watch for abit.
"You should go back to sleep," Jeanne suggests but Ritsuka needed to talk to her servant before they get into any more battles.
The slayer Stand looking down at his reflection in the still water. He was still guilty of hurting Ritsuka, something he swore never to do. Becoming the slayer has hardened his broken heart to the point of it becoming obsidian. Unfeeling and unnerving...He didn't need to feel anything to kill Demons as anger and rage was all he needed. A rage that is supposed to be against those that prey upon innocent souls, as swords that would cleave against the slaves of DOOM.
Never would he use it against innocent lives...How could he forget that? He sits down onto a nearby log as for once in his life he regretted his actions.
"Fou?" The little creature walks up to him with his head cocked to the side. How long has it been since he was close to an animal like Fou? The demons took so much for him that he can't count the years of vengeance.
"Kyuu?" Fou moves closer and jumps onto his knee and continue to give him a curious look.
"Are you going to pet him?" A voice calls out from his right and as he guessed, it was his master. There was a pause for a small moment as the incident was still fresh in his head. He raises his hand to do so but for some reason, he feels like he can't touch Fou.
No...He knew why. Because it would remind him of Daisy...
"Do you need some help?" Ritsuka offered with a smile as she sits down right beside him. Without thinking he nods and the redhead proceeds to pet how and scratch him under the chin. Fou happily accepts it and makes the sounds of approval she proceeds.
"See? Now you try." She said as Fou looks at him patiently waiting. Clearing his mind of his hatred he proceeds to do similar motions of petting on Fou. Even though he was wearing his gauntlets still, Fou accepted all the same. After a few more moments of petting, Fou jumps up onto his shoulder happily.
"I think he likes you." Ritsuka smiled for a moment and then takes a deep breath.
"Doomguy...I...Forgive you for what happened earlier." She said and the Slayer looks at her. Even with the little information, Ritsuka had on him from the dreams she knew that he must've been through such terrible fates. He probably isn't used to working with someone young like her or even remembers how to act outside of a fight.
"You've...been through a lot and have the experience to back it up. I am glad that you stuck with me this entire time." She said as the Slayer looks up to the sky that still had the band of light. If only she knew the torture he endured in his life along with all the time he spent killing demons. No...he didn't want to scar them with the idea of the monsters he faced. The three of them were inexperienced as they can be but they are humanities last hope on this earth. It would be better for them not to worry about his collections of skeletons in the closet.
But even then...he has to commend them for their bravery. Facing danger without looking back at all he looks back to his master who was smiling.
"So, let's do our best to work together!" She said offering a fist bump. As usual, she could not tell exactly what her servant was feeling due to the helmet but was relieved when he accepted the bump.
"Fou!" Fou yelped happily.
"I think you got a Nightwatch buddy. Hehe *Yawn*" The call of rest washes over his master and he points his thumb back to the camp. Doomguy can't guarantee that She'll get pissed at him in the future but he will be more...passive in pulling her away from danger.
"Goodnight, Doomguy." She walks back to camp leaving him along with Fou. He looks to the furball on his right shoulder and scratches his chin. He had to admit that it was nice to have a small animal around again. Shortly he gets up and returns to his post at the camp with Fou as a company.
AN: Oof, The Slayer's independent action was showing there. He's lucky that he's protecting a bunch of cinnamon rolls who are willing to forgive. Next up is the introduction of the Madness enhanced servants of the Evil Jeanne and the introduction of a certain french queen. She gonna help save her homies with the sounds of a musician's sweet sound of death. (no it's not Mick Gordon sadly.)
I hope that I am not making the slayer too friendly, I plan to make him only sociable with the masters and Mashu. Other servants are going to have to earn his trust through combat or usefulness to his master. Maybe he'll say a few words to certain people but for now, keep going with the gestures and Vega guessing his intentions.
Hope you enjoyed it and have a nice day!