Chapter 7
Lyons.
The Town of Lyons, once a bright town full of life...now a graveyard with nothing but the undead roaming about. Just like town before, Jeanne Alter's wrath knows no bounds. Doomguy and the others stand at the hills that look over the smouldering ruins of Lyons. Mashu tries to contact Dr Romani to get a scan but there was interference. Vega volunteers to do a scan of the area ahead with the absence of Chaldea's support.
"...I am afraid that I detect no life signs in the town ahead," Vega said as he finishes his survey of the area. Jeanne was disheartened with the news but she pushes forward as the group split up to clear the town and look for clues.
Gudao, Jeanne and Mashu took the Eastside while Ritsuka, Maire and Amadeus took the west. Vega suggested that Doomguy patrols the outside walls in case of an enemy ambush. At first, Doomguy seemed against that idea, Vega did mention The recent battles have proven that Jeanne, Marie and Amadeus were capable in protecting the masters and Mashu.
"Don't Worry Doomguy. If it all goes south, I'll call you with a command seal." Ritsuka assures her servant. There was still hesitation within the Slayer but agrees with it for now. Both groups go to there expected routes while Doomguy chooses to climb the stone wall that surrounded the town. Digging his fingers into the stone and using his monstrous strength, he reaches the top with ease. He was angered with the site of the burned town with walking dead filling the streets…
It never ends...the suffering..the murder and bloodshed...it won't end...until it is done…the Slayer was seeing red again...without thinking he punched the nearby wall and the stone bricks shatter like glass...
He felt his rage beginning to boil over on its own...Something he thought he mastered long ago, however, his madness enhancements is proving a challenge. Doomguy quickly pulls out Daisy's paw to calm himself once more before he did something drastic.
Count to four...inhale.
Count to four...exhale.
After a few short moments, his rage quelled under his command once more. Anger was his weapon, Not a force to control him. Now in the proper headspace Doomguy begins to run along the top of the wall that surrounded the town while Vega used his suits Auto Map to keep an eye out for enemies. As he ran across the ruined wall he could see the progress of the two parties clearing out the town of monsters.
"Everyone has rendezvous at the centre of town and are now beginning the search for Dragonslayer servant. Enemy density within the town has been reduced by 75%" Vega reported as his drone body was with Ritsuka to keep an eye on them. All seems well but the Slayer could not shake the feeling that this was to easy. His group had numbers but one Berserk servant is enough to put everyone at risk…
"Alert, Servant spotted by the search team," Vega warned.
He hated being right…He was about to jump down when his hud was flashing another alert
"Servant detected within your vicinity! I cannot lock on to its an exact location" Vega alerted him to another enemy. With no time to waste, he spawns his super shotgun to get ready for the ambush. He looked to his left...Nothing...The right? Still nothing… The slayer then felt something wrap around his foot and, before he could react, was dragged off the wall. Doomguy manages to claw his left hand into the stone bricks to avoid being sent crashing down to the ground. Doomguy felt an immense force trying to pull him down via the black chain wrapped around his foot with the other end being pulled by...Saint Martha?!
"That is impossible...I had confirmed with Chaldea that her spirit origin disappeared right at the moment you shot her." Vega was confused as the slayer shoots the chain with his super shotgun, freeing his foot and allowing a solid landing. Without giving him a second the chain whipped at the slayer with an eardrum bursting crack. Doomguy dashes out of the way with his suit thrusters and reloads his gun. Closing the distance he pulls the trigger unleashing two devastating blasts of buckshot at the saint.
Doomguy already gave this woman mercy, he wasn't going to give it again if she was an enemy once more. Martha dodges the gunfire and dashes forward with blistering speed along with a blank look in her eyes.
"RAAAAAAH!" She yells whipping the chains around with immense strength. Causing shockwaves with each crack that were becoming more devastating than the last. Doomguy dodges each strike as he closes the distance once more to get another shot at the enemy. He loads in two more shells into the gun as Martha goes for another crack with the chains. As he aims, Martha whips faster than he could react and wraps it around the super shotgun. With a monstrous pull, she yanked the weapon out of his hand and into her own.
The super shotgun was then turned black with red cracks within her hands as she let out a growl. Doomguy was pissed...One, he could tell that this was not Saint Martha but some demon using her likeness...Second...They took his gun...No one ever touches his guns!
Doomguy dashes forward with an unholy rage he catches the chain and rips it apart with bare hands. Martha aims her new weapon but the slayer continues his approach, he wants his gun back now!
"Activating Sentinel armour," Vega said as his triggers the praetor suits defensive measures. His armour glows green as the false saint pulls the trigger as the Slayer was just in the guns effective range...
BOOM BOOM
A Song for a Shield...
Ritsuka felt a shiver as Mashu and the others fend of Another berserk assassin. This time it was a man wearing half a mask and what appeared to be black 1800s attire. All looked normal besides the Blood-red claws for his fingers and sickly pale skin that could mistake this servant for a vampire.
The man introduced himself as the infamous "Phantom of the Opera," A murderer with an obsession with the vocal arts. Driven even more insane thanks to the curse of madness enhancement, he dances around the party as he slashes with his claws. Even though they have the numbers against this lone servant, He was proven a challenge for the females of the group.
"Dammit! His charm is messing me up!" Mashu shakes her head trying to silence the words of this mad vocalist.
"I hate to admit it but even I am having difficulties striking him down!" Marie admitted as she covered Jeanne with her Beautiful princess skill as the saint took a hit in the leg.
"Amadeus!" Marie called upon her friend.
"I am afraid I am doing my best without hurting you all in the process!" Mozart said as he continues to conduct his music to counter the Phantoms own.
"Where's Doomguy?" Gudao looked around for the Marine but he was nowhere to be found even though they are currently in a fight.
"Unfortunately he is occupied with another servant of unknown origin. I am afraid that we are on our own for the time being." Vega reported causing worry to the Slayer's master that stacked on top of the current battle. With Jeanne incapacitated, Marie protecting her and Amadeus covering the two masters. It was down to Mashu to face off against the Phantom of the Opera.
"La-La-La!" Phantom sings as he swipes his claws Mashu who blocked the attack as he continues his song of madness. He then jumps backwards, looking disappointed at the results of his performance.
"I believe it's time for this song to end….Sing. Sing. My angel. Christine Christine!"
With those words, the man summons his infamous organ. An instrument of death…
Time slowed down as Mashu's mind was in a panic, She didn't know what to do to save her team. She wasn't as strong as Doomguy or any other servant
Mashu then got a flashback to the night before as she was patrolling with the Slayer.
"Doomguy-san? Can I asked you a question?" The curious demi-servant ask the Bane of Demons. The man nods as they walked through the forest on patrol.
"You are very experienced in battle, more than I could ever imagine. I was wondering if you had any advice." Mashu asked as she hoped to improve herself as a combatant. Mashu already knew that the slayer wasn't one fore talking but Mashu was learning from Vega on how to read him. The slayer stopped and thought for a bit to answer her question.
He nods and gestures her to focus. Mashu happily did so as she looked at Doomguy.
He gestures breathing in...Then count to four and exhale and repeat. Without question, Mashu copied the technique. Mashu looked back to the man as he gives her a thumbs up.
Now back to the fight at hand, Mashu Close her eyes and breaths in.
Count to four...exhale
Everything became clear to her now and without a second to waste she casts her Noble phantasm.
"LORD CHALDEA'S!" She yelled with invigorated strength as her shield projected a mighty wall of protection. The blast of Phantom's organ of bones was strong, however, Mashu didn't falter as she continued to follow Doom-guys advice.
"...Count to four...inhale...Count to four Exhale!" She stands tall as the blast is reflected at the assassin sending him flying through a building. The Phantom of the opera was heavily injured and it was now time to finish this fight!
"Senpai!" She calls out to her master requesting his aid.
"On it!" Gudao Cast Instant Enhancement upon her increasing her power. Mashu dashes full sprint after Berserk Assasin with renewed focus and determination.
"I will not...lose this role to a mere shield!" He yelled charging at her from the rubble.
"I am sorry to say that this is the end for you!" Mashu yells as she dodges the flurry of claws and counters with an earthshattering bash with the edge of her shield. The force sends Assasin to the ground creating a small crater in the cobblestone road and closing the curtains on the infamous vocalist.
Mashu Krylieglight is victorious against the Berserk Phantom of the opera. As the servant fades he raises his arm to the sky for one last message.
"Still, My mission is accomplished...Though I shall never be rewarded...never…" He then fades away leaving the group confused about those last words. Gudao runs up to Mashu to congratulate her for winning the fight. However, the time for celebration was cut short with a sudden message from Romani.
"Finally, I got through to you all! I recommend we evacuate the area! From these readings, you got something bigger than a servant heading your way!" The doctor warned the group.
"Bigger than a Servant?!" Both masters say in unison as tension rise once more.
"Yes, the worlds a big place! No time for chit-chat! You got three servants coming your way as well. Doomguy is already facing one of them!" Romani's words caused concern within Ritsuka about her servant.
"Romani, How is he doing?" Ristuka asked.
"He took a hit but is still standing, According to Vega, His dependant action suits him for solo fights like these." Romani left out the part where the enemy shot Doomguy point-blank with his weapon.
"Do not worry Master Ritsuka, I have been assisting him while being with you all this entire time. If the incoming enemy is beyond a servant, the odds of it being of dragon origin is very likely. We need that Dragon Slayer." Vega calms his master's nerves. The Ai already calculated the Ways that the Slayer could take the enemy on his own, however, with the man madness enhance faltering his judgement. It leaves too many variables for both masters and Mashu's safety.
Now on a time limit, the group decides to continue there search for the dragon slayer so their search wasn't in vain.
Two warriors. One of Earth...One of Hell.
"Arrrrtthararrra!" The enemy servant screams as Doomguy haymaker's it in the face after a struggle to get his gun back. Of course, he won and got his prized weapon back in his hands. Not without a cost, unfortunately, as he took a shot his right shoulder form his Super shotgun. Vega reduced the Damage with Sentinal armour but it took nearly all of the reserve power to reduce it's ravaging damage. Leaving his arm still attached but unable to raise it to aim a gun. The Slayer looks back at his enemy and was surprised to see that the enemy was not Saint Martha, but a knight in dark black armour with a shroud of darkness constantly covering the body.
"That mist is preventing my sensors from getting a proper reading on the enemy servant. From what data I have collected, the enemy's noble Phantasm appears to weaponize and enhance whatever is in his hands." Vega said as the black energy that shrouded the Super Shotgun evaporated. So this enemy can use anything in his hands a transform it into a weapon, his right arm was injured and he was alone…
The odds were ever in HIS favour.
Time to get angry…
He cracks his Knuckles as he awakens his Noble Phantasm. He was seeing red, the rage-fueled by years of pain and suffering filling his mind. His body ignites in an unholy fire as his strength is boosted to beyond that of a titan.
"RIP AND TEAR!" The Slayer yells as his fist burst into flames.
"ARRTHURRRRR!" The Berserk enemy screams as he draws a sword of its own and charges forward. Both nearly matched each other in speed, nonetheless, the slayer was faster with his stats boosting him through the roof. Doom-guy punches the knight in the gut the grabs his hamlet and sends his praetor armoured Kneed right into it. The sheer force shattering the helmet revealing a man with pale skin and long dark hair. With his head vulnerable, all it would take was a good punch to send it flying
"Berserker, Nows the time!" A males voice calls out. Distracting the Slayer for a brief moment allowing the dark knight to zip around him and stabbing in the back with his sword. The blade just missed anything vital and only pissed Doom-guy off even more until a swarm of hands come rising out of the ground pinning him in place. He struggles against the restraints put upon him, with each hand ripped apart a new one takes its place
"Trapped like a Bear. I told her that it was all a matter of strategy." the sound of echos as a guillotine materializes above the Slayer. The infamous device of executions that were used for centuries. Now taking the form of noble phantasms and ready to behead the Doomslayer.
"La Mort Espoir!" The blade that claimed the lives of many convicted come sliding down upon the slayer. Time slowed down for him as he could feel calling of the gates of death.
"Death at the gates again...
Howling my name…
Can't greet you today…
I have a war to win…"
With a sudden increase in control of his rage, Doom-guy fires an ices bomb at his feet freezing the restraints. So, with one more yanked on the arms restricting him. He freed himself with hairline space between the blade and the backplates of plates of the praetor armour. With the attempt at his life now failed, it was time to even the odds.
"Arrthurr!" The enemy berserker yelled swinging a sword that appeared in his hands. The slayer dodges the slashes and counters with a punch to the gut taking the wind out of his foe. Stunning them for a brief seconded until they found themselves in a chokehold. The enemy screams and roars as he tries to break free, but his time was at an end. The slayer snaps the corrupted knight's neck with a snap that echoed throughout the nearby forests.
The enemy falls over and fades away as the Slayer partially recovers. He looks down at fading remains of the man he fought...This servant had to be a true berserker like him…A warrior that gave into the madness and was nothing more than a weapon to be used. Unlike them, however, he wasn't lost to his anger and that is why he can remain on top. That fight showed promise in attempts of controlling his madness but he needs more training…
"Servant defeated. I no longer detect the second servant that put you in the guillotine. It would say it was time to rest, but there are still enemies approaching the town..." Vega reported while giving the Slayer an urgent update on the others. They were able to find the Dragon Slayer holding out in a nearby building, wounded. Also, Jeanne alters decided to Join the fight with an immortal Dragon named Fafnir that was striking than any single servant. Sounded like real trouble to Doomguy as he was about to run back into the town but was stopped at the sight of a pillar of teal flames shooting into the sky.
"Do not worry, that was Saber warding off Jeanne alter and her Dragon Fafnir. Marking rendezvous point on your hud." Vega said calming the Slayers concerns as he runs to the waypoint.
Judge, Jury and...
Everyone began to run away while Fafnir has been pushed back thanks to the hero Siegfried firing his noble phantasm. Wyverns chased them as they exit the town and onto the roads leading to the far hills. As they run, two figures appear blocking their path. One was the fearsome Carmilla who was still furious that Chaldea killed her king. The other was unknown to the group minus the french servants among them. Amedeus instantly jump in front of Marie with anger towards the man standing beside Camilla.
"...Damn you." He said with disgust in his voice while Marie was calm and decide to greet the familiar face.
"My, what a coincidence. I never forgot your face, you lazy artisan." She said with a smile.
"That's good to hear. I've never forgotten yours either. Your face and pale neck." The young, grey-haired man said as he places a hand into the pocket of the trench coat he was wearing.
"At the same time, I feel like this is destiny. That you and I share a special connection. Don't we? The fate of an executioner killing the same person twice, I feel that only we share that connection." the man said with a small grin on his face.
"...not only in life but now you are eager to execute. Charles Henri-Sanson...Could it be that you are genuinely mad?" Mozart said revealing the true name of the man who was the cause of the French queen's death. More small banter occurs between the musician and the executioner as the other devise a plan.
"If there was any time to use a command seal it would be now. Mashu and Jeanne on defence while Mozart and Marie on offence." Gudao suggested and everyone seemed to agree but Ritsuka seemed worried.
"Ritsuka-Senpai? Are worried about Doomguy-san?" Mashu asked her redheaded senpai.
"A little but Vega still with us so it still gives me hope-" Ristuka words was then interrupted with the laugh of Charles.
"If your wondering about your Berzerker...he is most likely dead. My Gulliotine leaves none to be spared. Even if he did survive, I doubt he as long left with our Berzerker waiting." The words of the executioner sending shiver down Ristuka spin as the sensation of fear returns. Part of her wanted to go and rescue him but that was out of the question...However, if he was dying.
"That is highly unlikely, Executioner Sanson" Vega said contradicting Charles words.
"How so?" The man asked.
"While I have been only with him for about two years...I have records proving his existence throughout time. Spending all that time killing demons over and over in Hell for aeons. They were able to stop him for once...but not for long and his crusade never ended since." Vega stated, revealing some information on the Slayer. Charles glared at the drone refusing that idea that that brute was some hellish warrior...he saw him die…
"Shut up you insulate little piece of trash! Will avenge my king and shower in your human master's blood!" Camilla said her eyes glowed in her mask.
"Yes, I believe the time for pleasantries has ended…" Charles then draws his sword as the roars of wyverns echoed throughout the land. It looks like a flock of them is targeting the nearby french army which will slaughter the mere human soldiers. Jeanne was about to go and assist the soldiers when a ball of green energy was fired at the beasts from the nearby forest. It extended tendrils to each one it passed by causing them to explode one after the other. Once the sphere hit a wyvern a massive blast was unleashed that took out the remaining flying lizards.
"Holy Shit…What was that?" Dr Romani said over comms just an awestruck as the team on the ground.
"Energy Signature confirmed. That was a round from the BFG 9000 that The Slayer wields." Vega confirmed.
"He has a BFG? You gotta be kidding me!" The Dr said facepalming at the name of the weapon.
"Which means that he is one his way!" Ristuka said relieved that Doomguy is ok.
"...No matter. My sword of Execution is pure. It's not for the likes of you who do not submit to death but..thinking of it, this entire nation is an execution site. Now, I shall remove your head with a single strike!" Charles draws his blade while his ally sharpens her claws.
"About time...you owe me, Holy maiden for making me wait so long…" Camilla said with bloodlust at Jeanne. Both assassin charge at the group who was ready to fight them with all they got! Mashu took on the Charles along with Mozart while Marie and Jeanne took on Camilla. Siegfried, the Saber dressed in black and silver stayed with the masters as his wounds were too great to risk a fight.
"Curse your foul notes!" Charles grunted as his ears were assaulted.
"That's why you deserve for talking to Marie like that!" Mozart snapped back as he continued supporting Mashu as she clashed sword against Shield. Vega already warned everyone on how the Executioners Noble Phantasm worked so now they were ready for anything the man can throw at them. The berserk Assassins stood their ground but they began to be pushed back by the group of four servants.
"Impossible! How are they keeping up and pushing us back?!" Camellia hissed and was about to trigger her noble Phantasm.
"Because we got to experience. It isn't much your Madness enhancement is becoming old news." Marie said with a smile.
"...she's not wrong…" Charles cursed as his blade is parried by Mashu's shield nearly sending him off balance.
"Fine then! Then how about this!... Phantom-" Camilla was about to use her trump card when both servants froze in their places…
"Is the Dragon witch telling us to fall back?!" the Vampire yelled.
"This battle isn't in our favour, and won't improve at all with that Berserker..." The executioner sheathes his sword.
"Humph…" Camilla then fades to spirit form with a foul mood.
"Note this, my queen, I will have your head once more…" Charles then fades away as well. Just in time as the slayer Just caught up to the others...covered in wyvern blood and armour damaged.
"Doomguy! Thank god for your alright!" Ritsuka said running up to him but was horrified at his condition. His armour was damaged, his chest plate and right pauldron.
"Looks like you got hit with pure Dragonfire," Siegfried mentioned and the Slayer nods noticing the new guy.
"I can confirm that Jeanne Alter ordered Fafnir to send a singular fireball at him. It was the reason he was late rejoining us. As you can see her attempt in killing him has failed." Vega said as observe Doomguys injuries.
"I would recommend we return to the leyline to recover while we still can." The AI recommends and the group agrees to some much-needed rest.
Dark Truths...
As the team on the group take time to heal and rest, Dr Romani goes over the data collected on the current situation. As usual, everything seems normal until he reviews records of Doomguy. The mystery servant that showed up out of nowhere that kicks a lot of ass. He takes a sip of his coffee as he leans back in his chair.
"Ughh, Director Olga would be fuming right now...Or any magus for that matter." The doctor said.
"Is there an Issue Dr Romani?" Vega said out of blue nearly startling the
man off his chair and spilling hot coffee all over the console.
"Gah! Please don't spook me like that!" He said catching his breath.
"My apologies. I did not mean to alarm you. I forget that this facility is not like the one I was made from." Vega apologized as the doctor took a sip.
"Speaking of which…" Romani was still curious about both him and Doomguy.
"Do you have an inquiry about us?" Vega asked ready for any questions within his logical reasoning.
"Woah just like that? Why are you so open now?" Romani asked.
"At this moment, I believe it to be in our best interest to show that the Slayer and I are no threat to Chaldea. I can't reveal everything but I have organized some data that should suffice." Vega offered and medic turned Director happily took this opportunity to fill some logs and maybe calm the worries of some staff members.
"Basic stuff I see, While then, Where did you guys come from?" Romani asked.
"If comparing Chaldea's databanks and my storage showed anything. It would prove that we are from a parallel world. The major difference is that the current year of my earth would be 2152." Vega continued mentioning the rise of the super corporation called the "Union aerospace corporation" and how they were the leaders of technological science for humanity. It was also the same company that developed VEGA in the first place.
"Wow, These guys are no joke...so what about Doomguy…?" Romani asked after getting enough about the VEGA.
"I am afraid that is where information would be...disturbing for some people. I would recommend keeping this confidential for now." Vega warned and Romani agreed. He was acting Director so he the power to keep some data classified from the staff.
He almost regrets even asking in the first place…Vega did his best to make the information about some of the projects at UAC as digestible as possible. Especially the things involving the very thing the Doomslayer hunts for eternity...Demons.
"That's just...Batshit insane...I have heard stories of some magi doing some crazy things but this takes the cake. I think I'll take a break for now Vega." Romani said taking a sip from his coffee while rubbing his eyes.
"I have to apologizes, I did my best to minimize the shock factor. I am going to need to make more adjustments…" Vega said but the doctor waved it off.
"Nah you did fine, I may be a just a doctor here but I knew what I signed up for at Chaldea. Demons are just another enemy we must face," he said with his usual smile which gave Vega some piece of mind.
"...So have you told the masters and Mashu?" Romani asked.
"Negative, I have been trying to avoid any more mental stress than the current mission is already causing," Vega said and the doctor raised a brow as it looks like he knew something the AI did not. He then explained that Ritsuka might be already experiencing some the Doomguy memories via dreams due to the master-servant relationship.
"...this would explain Ritsuka's words with the Slayer during that night...This is troubling," Vega said as he knew that what Doomguy experience could easily break the strongest of man. He can't imagine what it could do to a young master like Ritsuka.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much. She might get nightmares but as long Gudao and the others are around, Ritsuka should be fine." the doctor reassured Vega as they end their informative chat. Right after the transmission ends Romani leans back on his chair and lets out a heavy sigh…
"I think it's time for some Magi-Mari...I had enough talk about monsters for today."
Back at with mission group
Everyone was resting up after the assault from Jeanne Alter's forces...Unfortunately the Seigfried, The Dragon Slayer they were after was injured with a curse. So they are going to need help purifying it, thus becoming the next objective.
Vega just updated the Slayer on his talk with Dr Romani as the marine did his patrols. The information about Ritsuka viewing his memories through dreams made him stop in his tracks.
"I'm afraid that we cannot stop the process as it's heavily connected to our contract with her," Vega said causing some frustration within the slayer. He's been trying to avoid getting her hurt both physically and mentally, but this was out of his control. What was he going to do now? His past was supposed to be his alone, not one that the youngsters would have to deal with.
"The best thing you can do is be there for her. Your positive bond with her right now may affect what she sees. This is just a theory, however." Vega suggests and the Slayer just nods. He's been trying to keep thing calm between him and the trio and hopefully, it will stay that way.
AN: Another day, Another Chapter. Nothing too much to say here other than I pulled that breathing technique from Wolfenstein the New Order/ The Old Blood that was used whenever Blazkowicz needed focus. How does Doomguy know about it? Well, he was military before hell pissed him off so maybe it came from that or...a certain someone taught him it.
Anyways, Have a nice day!