Chapter 10
Another Familiar Face...
"Ompf!" Valen grunted getting sent skidding across the ground as he just took a punch to the chest from the Slayer. the man did not fall to the ground from the blow as he was still on his feet
"I will yield. I see your skill's are still as sharp as ever-," Valen comments on his ex-student abilities as a servant.
"-But you seem to lack your accuracy as before. Is something the matter?" Valen asked the Slayer with a questioning look with his one good eye. Doomguy looked away in frustration as his past teacher confirmed his worries, the madness was making him sloppy in his battles.
"We believe it's the Madness enhancement of the Berserker Class impairing him. In combat, he is still as strong as he always is. The rage however, blinds him to call of allies ." Vega said and Doomguy nods in agreement.
"It risks the master's lives then?" Valen guessed and pondered a solution for this very dangerous impairment. He too was a servant but not of the Berserker class, so Valen was at a loss for an answer.
"I am afraid that I cannot give you an answer to the madness raging in your mind. It took all of my knowledge to reforge your broken self from the mess it was when we first found you." Valen said what the Slayer already knew, as it was up to himself to get this impairment under his control.
"However, This journey you are apart will be full of opportunity. Maybe one your new quest you find someone to help you." His old teacher said much to the Slayer's distaste, as he was not that willing to trust others...Looks like there is no quick and easy solution to his problem…
Not that he ever got a simple solution for all his struggles ...Other than a trigger pull.
The next day comes and the squad was out to Mt Enta to secure a Leyline with the generous permission of Nero. They reach the surrounding area of the volcanic mountain with ease even though this area was near The United Empire territory.
"Hold up! I am detecting Demonic presence ahead!" Romani warned as he finally got the Chaldean systems to detect the foreign demonic energy with the help of Vega. Doomguy cocks his shotgun with anticipation, however, he worries about Rituska and Gudao. Valen couldn't spare any sentinels to go with them as they were preparing an expedition and Mashu can only do so much on her own.
"I guess we are sitting this one out again, eh?" Gudao said understanding the situation.
"It would be best until we can bolster our forces, we send the Slayer to face against any of Hell's army," Vega suggests and Mashu nods.
"I'm sorry Senpai, I still am not strong enough yet to protect both of you at the same time." Mashu said with a little embarrassment in her voice.
"Don't worry about Mashu! When we can get some more help, you can fight alongside to Doomguy to get better!" Ritsuka said looking over at her servant with a wink. Doomguy nods in agreement as this was the best course of action at the start of these missions.
"T-thanks, Everyone," Mashu said smiling.
"Gotta keep things positive! I like it. Alright Doomguy, do your thing and clear them out so we can get at that leyline," Romani said and the Slayer nods while creating an orb of yellow energy in his hand. He crushes it causing the energy to flow around his body and ran ahead with lighting fast speed.
"Fou-fou?" Fou yelped.
"That was his Overdrive ability, it grants him a boost of speed," Vega said explaining the power Doomguy just used. Vega then connects to the Slayers helmet systems to observe his progress.
"Would you to view his helmet feed, Masters?" Vega asked and Both said yes as they wanted to see more of what they were up against. Vega then projected the video feed from the drone as the slayer was approaching the small group of demons.
It didn't take long for them to notice their arch-nemesis so they all roared and charged at the man. The group was primarily full of hell knights and imps being led by a Baron of Hell. Looked like they were busying with something as the Baron was standing near a chained up hooded figure.
No matter, it was slaying time.
Ritsuka and the others watched as Doomguy cut through the small group with his Chaingun fire staggering the brutes leaving them open for glory kills. Kicking an imp into the air and chopping it up into bits, punching a hell knight in the exposed arm bone causing it to break, most of his brutal tactics were on display….Some might say it was a bit too much but no one was going to tell that to Doomguy.
"Are you doing alright? I can understand his tactics can be hard to watch." Vega offered to stop but Mashu and the Masters shook their heads. There was no point in avoiding seeing violence, so building a stomach for it was the right choice.
"I'll admit it's a bit...Much...But they are demons. They deserve whatever coming at them right?" Gudao suggests and everyone agreed right as Doomguy killed the Baron with a loud neck snap followed by a punch to the face. With the Demon out of the way, it was not time to see what they were guarding. As he approached it the chained up being, Doomguy started to recognize it from long ago.
"By the pits! It's the Great Doomslayer! Thank goodness, I was just minding my own business then these bastards showed up. 'Still sore from my smart decision in not pissing you off." The shadowy figure said as it raised it's head from the ground as it regains consciousness. It was cover head to toe in a dark robe with a shadowy mist emanating from the ends of the cloth.
"I knew you weren't too far behind when those fools decide to invade this world!" It said as it manages to push itself up off the ground to sit upright while Doomguy started to get a familiar image from the being in front of him.
"Oh I guess the new look is confusing you, it's been aeons since you spared me long ago. It's me! The Wretch who shall not be named! Any chance you can help me from these chains?" The demon identified himself and Doomguy finally recognized the one Demon who dared to side with him and gave him the original praetor suit. A major boon for the slayer who and a smart move for the Wretch at the time. As a 'thanks' he was spared from Doomguy's crusade against the Dark Realm. Now, the big question is why is HE doing here in Rome alongside the Demons.
"Right, I am a demon regardless of my new look. Listen, I still have some use to you before you kill me." The wretch said casually and paused to listen as the Demon was useful before but the slayer kept his finger on the trigger.
"The Demons here do not really know what's going on and are just taking any chance to invade. Some have been summoned by weaklings while others are just taking whatever pathway opens to them. For this area, something is definitely summoning them here to cause chaos." The Wretch explained some inside information on the demon's current invasion.
"Should we trust him?" Gudao asked as he watched the feed.
"It's hard to say. He did make Doomguy's suit according to the Slayer Testaments. But he's still from Hell so it makes it hard to really believe what he's saying." Romani commented. Ritsuka remained silent watching her servant, trying to guess what he was going to do with the demon in front of him.
"I am forever in your debts, Slayer, I have no reason to betray you or I am dead for sure. I can't fight nor run from you. I just want to keep on livin'," The Wretch pleaded for his continued existence right as Doomguy made a Decision.
He extends the Doom Blade and walks forward.
"Well..guess this is it…" The wretch prepares for his death as the man raises the blade over his head and slashes downwards. Ritsuka was about to say to spare him but it was too late as the sound of metal breaking echoed….but not followed by the sound of cleaved flesh.
"...I-I live?" The Wretch said shaken but relieved to be spared once more.
"Alright, Alright, Alright! Wooo! Take that you utter chumps! The Wretch is still kicking!" The demon said floating about and bragging at the dead demons. Doomguy just stared at him while the others raised their eyebrows at the Demons antics.
"hehe...Right! Down to business! I'll keep tabs on the horde for you along with any other requests you might have. Free of charge! As long as I still get to keep on living, you keep ahead of those bastards." The Wretch then fades away into nothingness as he knew it was not time to waste the Slayers time with small talk.
"By the Way, Great work on improving my designs. 'Glad the praetor suit is still kicking ass." His voice echoed as he vanished to wherever he decided to hide for now. That whole situation was...strange...When Doomguy met the Wretch the first time, the creature was akin to imp wearing black tattered robes. The robes didn't change but now its body was made up of shadows...There wasn't even a face in the hood, just a dark mist. Doomguy shook his head and ended up not caring what happens to that Demon if he wants to help he can just stay out of his way. After doing another check for more hellspawn, the others join up to set things up with the leyline for supplies.
The journey back to the capital was peaceful and eventless as they reached the city before sundown. Once they entered the capital building, Nero was already there to welcome back from their excursion without harm. Chaldea explained that they ran into some demon activity near the leyline and about the Wretch.
More New Faces...
"A demon that will betray its own kind for its own survival? How strange, but I will trust your judgement Praetor Slayer! Oh, I nearly forgot to mention that I will promote you to Praetor as you deserve from the story Valen told me! Umu, Congratulation!" Nero said beaming with charisma as an emperor while just getting a small nod from the man.
"D-Doomguy-san, I don't mean to sound rude but please show some respect." Mashu comented while looking embarrassed.
"I do not mind it. Not at all. Each person shows appreciation in their own way." Nero added as she was not offended at all. Nero then explains that she would like to take an expedition to the city of Gaul as it was the frontline of the war against the United Empire. In support of them joining her, Romani mentions that it's a likely chance that a servant with a Holy Grail could be rampaging there and a chance at finding Leff. It will be dangerous but since when did that stop them from going on an adventure?
"We'll do our best to be Careful. Let's go." Ritsuka said agreeing to join the Roman Emporer on her expedition.
It was a long journey as they crossed the lands on the way to Gaul with Emperor Nero's Caravan of Troops and Supplies. Emporer Nero was taking the lead on horseback With Chaldea walking right behind her along with a few Night sentinels. Valen remained in the capital to defend it from invasion whether it being United Empire or Demon.
"Ritsuka, Gudao, are you both not going on horseback?" Nero asked confused as the masters were walking up until now.
"I do have a riding skill, but I am afraid both of them are not used to horseback. Are you both all right? You've been walking non-stop all this way. Are you not tired?" Mashu explained referring to an incident of the two nearly falling off of the horse assigned to them.
"I'm good." Gudao answer taking a deep sip from his cantine while Ritsuka was doing the same.
"You shouldn't try and keep up with Mashu, both of you. Demi-servants have mind-blowing stamina." Romani said.
"I agree, the health of the master is a priority," Vega added as he took out two more canines of water for them from his storage unit.
"Fou?" Fou yelped looking around to Doomguy.
"Where is Doomguy-san?" Mashu said looking around and heard galloping from behind them as the man in question came riding in on horseback. Turns out he too had a riding skill as well and was using it currently. Doomguy hopes off and gestures for the two of them to get on the empty saddle.
"Umm, we both nearly fell off last time…" Ritsuka explain as she wasn't willing to attempt again. Doomguy then pats the horse on its mane and holds the reins in his hand, showing that he'll be in control this time. The man was persistent in getting them both off their feet, so they both agreed to try again.
"Hup!" Ritsuka grunted trying to get onto the saddle but was failing with each attempt. On Ritsuka's third attempt, she felt two hands help her get on the saddle and of course, it was Doomguy lifting her. With the extra help, she gets on in a proper position compared to the last time. Doomguy does the same with Gudao and both are now on the horse securely and he has the horse follow him as they continue.
"Doomguy-san, you are really good with animals," Mashu said, impressed with him and Doomguy just shrugs as it felt natural to him.
"Perhaps he has Animal communication skill? Nonetheless, both of them deserve some rest." Romani said as the carven moved along. Ritsuka was quiet as she just stared at her servant as he led the horse while she and Gudao rode. It reminded her of a time with she was younger and with family…
"Weee! Look, mom, Dad helped me get on the horse!" A little Ritsuka cheered as her father lead the horse around a field.
"This is...like that time with Dad…" She muttered.
"What was that?" Gudao asked.
"N-nothing." She said remaining quiet for the rest final lengths of the trip to a camp that was near the area of Gaul. As they arrive it was late afternoon, but that did not stop Nero from giving a speech to announce their entrance.
"-Victory Belongs to me, and the Rome you love!" Nero Boasted and the Troops cheered as the moral was sent through the roof. Even the few knight sentinels joined in as they respected the empress and were excited to fight alongside the Slayer.\
"Listen to those crowds. So this is how Charismatic she was Emperor Nero was at her peak?" Mashu asked, amazed alongside her master's.
"Probably, but it's also a mystery, She is so charismatic now, but in her later years…" Romani paused.
"Dr. Romani, I recommend referring to the policy of not telling the people of the past the future." Vega interrupted politely.
"Of course. We aren't here to change anything. Just restore it. Hold up as second...I am picking up servant readings." Romani said as his console warned him of approaching heroic spirits. They were close as Doomguy and Mashu both looked in the same direction to find two individuals coming to greet them.
One was a woman, red hair, cyan eyes and her attire were primarily white with a red battle skirt.
The other was a man...A monster of a man as he was taller than anyone here...Kitted out in gladiator armour showing his grey skin…
"Well, Emperor Nero Claudius came earlier than I thought.-You there! The two young ones that look like rookies. Are you two the guest commanders we heard so much about? I guess looks can be deceiving." She complimented as they approached. Ritsuka and Gudao were happy to see new faces while Doomguy remained calm, but couldn't shake the feeling that this man of muscle was a ticking time bomb. It also didn't help his stature reminding Doomguy of the Shadow Berserker back in Fuyuki.
"Thank you for travelling this far. I'm Boudica, General of the Gaul Expedition." The redhead servant revealed her true name as the Celtic queen of Britannia.
"Boudica-?" Mashu both and Vega said as they were confused due to her being an enemy to Nero...So why was she working with her now?
"Yes Boudica, The 'Former' Queen of Britannia, this huge fellow is…" Boudica was about to explain who was the man decides to talk.
"Another Champion who was invited to the Battlefield. You should be pleased, this garden of battle is full of oppressors…" The man rambled on about rebelling against oppressors, describing with an onslaught of words that only confused everyone around him. Even Vega had a hard time translating what he said and he's been with Doomguy and he interprets most of his intentions without error.
"Huh? Whoa, that's extremely rare. Spartacus hardly takes a liking to someone at first sight." Boudica translates the man's barrage of words into something everyone else can understand while revealing his true name as well. The man was Spartacus a Roman warrior from the arenas summoned as a berzerker of pure muscle. He can talk but not in a way of normal comprehension or reasoning, they were lucky that Boudica was able to even get a read on him. Regardless of the confusion, these two servants prove a theory that Vega and Romani were working on: There will be allies to find in the Singularities.
"Great news indeed!" Romani said satisfied with the results of this meeting.
"Um...are you this invisible mage?" Boudica asked.
"Oh excuse me, let me introduce myself. I am Romani and…" The doctor lets Mashu take over the introductions for Chaldea.
"...I am Mashu Kryrielight, and these are Master's Ritsuka and Gudao. The metal eyeball is Vega and the armoured one is Doomslayer-san. I am a servant to Gudao Senpai and he is Ritsuka-senpai's." Mashu introduced the group to them as both servants looked at Doomguy.
"I have heard of your names, news travels fast around here. So, you are the King of the Sentinels, they all speak highly of you," Boudica said looking at Doomguy while the Chaldeans were perplexed at what the servant just said about him.
"The overlord of the great Slaughter! The coming culling shall bear fruit for the Rebellion!" Spartacus greeted the man with his own strange words while Doomguy just remained silent.
"Wait, Doomguy is a king?" Gudao asked curiously to Ritsuka who was just as confused.
"How am I supposed to know? He doesn't talk at all, not even when it's just me and him." Ritsuka stated.
"I'll save you Ritsuka. I just started reading on the Night Sentinels from the Codex Vega gave us…." Romani said as Nero stepped forward.
"Boudica, mind taking care of our guest for the time being? I am a little tired from the journey. Tell them about the situation here in Gaul. I have a terrible headache. I am going to lie down." She said abruptly while rubbing the temples on her head. Ritsuka and Gudao felt a tinge of guilt for raising their voices for not noticing her royalty was in pain.
"Understood. Leave the youngsters to me." Boudica accepted and Nero walked to her tent tired and in pain. Right after Nero left another group of Knight Sentinels came into the camp with a few tied up enemy soldiers.
"We have Intercepted enemy scouts that were observing our camp, General," the Squad leader reported. Boudica thanked the troops and asked to be locked up for questioning.
"Very well." The Sentinels then salute both Boudica and Doomguy.
"Now, How about you all tell me your story for now while you all rest up?" Boudica suggested and the two masters agreed. They found a place to sit down on some logs near a campfire to chat about many things ranging from Chaldea to why was Boudica working with Nero.
"...My body moved on its own. Not for Nero's sake, but for the people that lived there...Or did I feel guilty for the Londinium fellows that, whom I brutally murdered for the sake of my vengeance?" Boudica explained her reason to be fighting in Nero's army as the sun began to set, turning the skies orange and lengthening the shadows.
"I've always been like that. I think fighting to protect something is just my personality. what comes naturally. So apologies to Nero, who wrongly sees me as 'worthy living opponent but..." Boudica said.
"You are keeping your servant status as a secret from Emperor Nero." Vega assumed and Boudica nodded.
"Yes, Because somehow she is more dangerous than before. If she becomes overly concerned about me who knows what she would do." Boudica sated solidifying herself as a heroic spirit to Chaldea. Mashu was very interested as she was still a rookie wanting to learn from veterans while the masters liked to hear their stories. Vega was curious in learning about this word's history and above all, saw the world beyond a facility. Doomguy was...just sitting beside his master listing into the conversations but not joining in.
"So, Master Ritsuka was it? May I ask about your Servant? If that's alright with him?" Boudica asked as she studied the man with her eyes.
"You mean Doomguy?" Ritsuka asked while looking to her right where her servant was sitting. Shotgun still in hand ready for anything...Doomguy gave her a nod. Boudica has proven herself enough to be trusted...for now…
"Alright. Vega, mind filling her in?" Ritsuka said and the AI obliged with expositionary information on Doomguy.
"Interesting...well then I have a question for you. Do you think the three of them are experienced enough in battle?" Boudica asked Doomguy with questioning eyes similar to a strict mother. Doomguy thought about his answer as the three of them got through Orleans pretty much unscathed. Both masters were still green as can be but they pulled through. Mashu stands strong with her shield and has adapted to fighting demons incredibly fast. He nods, giving his approval.
"Well, then I shall take your word for it then. I was going to test them but I think having myself fight you might cause some issues with the Sentinels.": Boudica said as she noticed the sun going down. Doomguy notices her posture seemed to disagree with her words…it reminded him of doubting Sentinels in the early days of Argent d'Nur.
"Anyways, I can understand having a Shielder can be so reliable." Boudica changed the topic to Mashu as she stood up to get a closer look at her.
"Hmm." She stared at Mashu causing the girl to blush in embarrassment.
"Excuse me?" Mashu said but then was pulled into a huge but Boudica.
"Come here, Come on! There, there!" It was like a switch, Boudica had turned herself into a doting mother or older sister and was crushing Mashu in a big hug.
"Ah! What is it, Boudica?" Mashu said being overwhelmed by Boudica's smothering hugs and pats on the head.
"You are like a little sister to me! There, there! Same with you Ritsuka-chan!" Boudica then grabs Ritsuka into the bear hug as well. Gudao shivered as he was oddly terrified for his female teammates wondering how he was going to fair against this servants affections.
'I hope she's not like Kiyohime…' Gudao thought about a particular dragons servant that stalks him in the night. After one more shiver, he turns to look at Doomguy who was just staring at the uncomfortable big sister adoring fest...
"Hey uhh, you there?" Gudao asked and the man snaps out of his gaze and shakes his head. He looks over the questioning boy waiting for what he wanted to say
"You okay?" Gudao asked as Doomguy just stands up and walks away from the group.
"Happiness brings that one pain, similar to those who fought the oppression," Spartacus stated in a sentence that only added more questions than answers.
More Questions than Answers...
As day turns to night, The Masters and Mashu go to sleep in a tent in preparation for an assault on the city of Gaul in the coming morning. As the camp rests, Doomguy is taking night watch like he always does. He walks by the tents that both Roman and Sentinals shared, hearing the light-hearted chatter among warriors. He continues until he crosses paths with the Celtic warrior Boudica.
"Nice night isn't it?" She said looking up at the sky then back to the man.
"I wanted to ask you something...But not here." She then gestures for him to follow her and she took him to a cliff face that overlooked the camp. While the view was nice, Doomguy wondered why did she want to talk to him in private.
"You are a fierce warrior, a living legend among these Sentinal warriors. To these invading demons, a bane of their existence." Boudica said gazing over the camp then stops at the tent that Ritsuka, Gudao and Mashu were sleeping in. She then faces the Slayer with a withheld fury in her eyes, causing the marine to take a battle-ready stance.
"Why do you risk their lives when you are strong enough alone. Surely, you can complete this mission without having them so close to the danger. Even with the limitations of a servant, You have to take responsibility for the safety!" Boudica shouted letting her fury boil over as she thought it was unfair for children to be risking there lives. Doomguy looks at her...Clenches his fists as she was about to draw her blade…
Count to four, Inhale...Count to four...Exhale…
Calmly, he walks past her and gazes at the tent the trio were sleeping in...He zooms his helmets optics and activates the thermal imaging revealing the three of them fast asleep and dreaming of better days. Doomguy promised to keep them safe...If things where his way they would stay at Chaldea, away from the dangers.
But...this was not just his fight...it was theirs as well. It's their homes on the line so they fell obligated to save it. Doomguy reaches into this back pockets and grabs the trinket of his past.
Boudica looks over his shoulder and see's the paw of a rabbit in his hand. At first, she thought it was just a lucky charm of his, however, she felt something else from Doomgy. Pain and loss, both thing she was all too familiar with…
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have judged you." Boudica said taking her hand off her blade as Doomguy turns his head to face her.
"I was worried that you'd been dragging them along due to your Madness Enhancement but clearly you know the risks...and so do they…" She reminded herself that it was the children's war as well, so there was no point in stores, I am such a mess, working with my historical enemy and accusing a man dragging them into danger. Her experience with Spartacus made her biased when it came to berserkers so she was glad to see that the man in front of he was more controlled and sane.
She was mostly right...
"I guess that's my will to protect others jumping to conclusions again. Just putting children in danger." She said shaking her with embarrassment as she could tell that Doomguy was ready to protect the young Chaldeans. With her concern resolve, she bid the slayer a goodnight, leaving him to his watch over the camp.
Doomguy thought about Boudica, it takes real willpower to work with someone you hated during your living life. He could see the seething vengeance hiding under that smile of hers. He'll need to keep an eye on her as built-up negative emotions like that are hard to keep under control...Or it can be easily used against you with false promise's made by darker forces.
Let's hope that the servants can resist the lies of hell...
"Ahhhh…Umu" Thank you, Vega. My headache is much better now." Nero sighed in relief as the tea she drank help reduce the pain migraine. The emperor was suffering from a major migraine that struck her skull in the middle of the night. In response, vega procured some tea and requested some selected medicinal herbs to be added.
"I am happy to be of service. I was lucky enough that the apothecary was well stocked." Vega said as Nero finished her tea and lays back into her bed in her tent. Vega used the zero-point energy field manipulators on the drone to retrieve the teacup and put it away.
"If you don't mind me intruding, are you feeling well your empress?" Vega asked the Emperor of roses as her health was a priority for restoring this singularity. At first, there was silence from her but she rolls around to face the drone that Vega controlled.
"I have been living with this for most of my life until now...I was...poisoned as a child and my mother refused to give me the full antidote. She took it to the grave and I have been in this state ever since." Nero stated with a saddened look in her face. Vega was surprised that she was so open to him.
"I...am sorry. I didn't mean for you to recall painful memories." Vega said as he was just trying to find the cause of her migraines.
"Hehe...Do not worry, wise familiar...I am glad to answer your questions. As your presence reminds of someone that...Brings me ease." Nero said as the urge of sleep was taking over her eyes.
"Who?" Vega asked.
"I..do not know...But I know that I meant this person in a different time...far away from my Rome…" Nero then falls asleep and Vega decides to leave the tent to continue to transmit locational data to Chaldea.
After completing his task, the AI was alone with his thoughts. Vega was going over many questions for the current mission ranging on the Demon activity in the singularities to how many historical discrepancies he will run into. He already came up with many theories and expectations for the future, leaving him with nothing else to do...Other than think about a question that kept coming back to him ever since he was summoned with the Doomslayer.
Was he Vega, or the Father?
AN: That one took way too long, Sorry about that. Got distracted with game releases... Back on track now. The Wretch is now here with my personal interpretation of the demon. Remember this just my interpretation, DOOM devs has yet to give the character any form of appearance or personality. So I got inspired by a few shifty characters I know from other games.
Note I didn't have Boudica and Spartacus fight Doomguy because I just saw it as a pointless fight for the sake of a mission node in FGO (which has a lot of em) So I threw in a Story reason for it not happening.
Might start throwing in some FPS game easter eggs and cameos. (E.g Elisabeth calling Doomguy Chief reference Master Chief from Halo)
Just a little stuff here and there cause I think its funny :P
Next up is the battle against Caesar and...STUFF
Thanks for reading and Have a nice day.