Section 1: Knight of the Sands
Dust buffeted her face time and time again, winds so strong she struggled to keep upright. She could barely see or hear, and had trouble breathing.
"Senpai!" Screamed a voice. In front of her, she could see a figure shadowed by a large block. No, a shield.
"Mash!" She screamed, struggling to get to the Servant due to the strong winds.
"Another wave is coming, get behind my shield!" She screamed. As she got closer, she could see both her partner Ritsuka Fujimaru and Da Vinci taking cover. The boy was under Mash's shield, while her own Servant Thrud blocked sand with her own shield, though it was only enough for her face and Da Vinci's.
Finally, she managed to get under Mash's shield, snuggling tightly next to the boy. He was warm, and he looked away with some embarrassment.
"What a welcome, huh?" She asked, trying to clear the awkwardness. She was not used to close contact.
"Yeah. It's like a million pebbles hitting my face. I hate it. I hate sand." He answered, spitting something from his mouth.
"We'll get out of here as soon as we can, Senpai!" Said Mash, holding the shield for the two Masters.
"This is insanity! The Director sent us to the wrong coordinates! There's no way this is Jerusalem!" Screamed Da Vinci, fumbling with a device on her mechanical arm.
"I can't reach Chaldea!" Said Fujimaru. Emiya touched her communication device, but the apparatus remained inert, only blipping slightly.
"Me neither. What's going on?" She asked, resting against the shield. Why was she so tired? They weren't even there for five minutes.
"I'm so gonna rip into those two when I can get this working again." Said Da Vinci with frustration.
"So... what now?" Asked Fujimaru.
"We need to find some shelter. My shield will hold fine, but enemies could be around any corner." Said Mash.
"Let me scan the area. I'll find us a place in no time." Said Da Vinci, again with her wrist device and a more pleasant smile on her face.
"Thrud, can you fly up and see around us?" Asked Emiya to her servant. The Valkyrie, who remained in her posture with a blank stare, seemed to spring to life.
"I cannot fulfill that command, Master. The wind is too strong to fly." Said the servant, shaking her head.
"I can't see anything." Complained Emiya, looking around. She attempted to enhance her eyesight with a spell, with that didn't help at all.
"Master!" Said Thrud, voice loud. "Enemies are coming! From the north!" the group looked from the front of Mash's shield. Coming in a direction against the storm, in a canyon formed between dunes was a group of shadowy figures were advancing upon them, fast.
"Are they really enemies?" Asked Fujimaru.
"We can't chance it. Thrud, engage." Said Emiya. The Valkyrie nodded, and went at full speed to meet the hostiles.
"Mash, go with her, we'll be fine." Said Fujimaru.
"Understood Master. Going into attack mode." Said Mash, dislodging the shield from the ground and following the Valkyrie down the dune.
"Alright! Perfect time to show you my genius! Do take notes, you hear?" Said Da Vinci with a wink. The Caster servant followed the other two down the hill. The wind was still going strong, and the Masters had to cover their faces to prevent any injuries. Emiya realized that without being able to see the battlefield, they wouldn't be able to command their servants properly.
"Hold on." She said to her partner. Taking a breath, she activated the Magic Crest in her left forearm. A treasure of the Tohsaka family, given to her by her mother during her childhood, containing dozens of spells passed down by generations of Tohsaka mages. She could not access them all yet, Some were beyond her elemental affinity or skill level, but others were useful, and not having to remember them entirely was a boon that outweighed the foreign feeling of the implanted magic circuits.
"Erde. Wenden Sie sich unter der Hitze der Sonne Geistern und Glas zu." She chanted. A spell that crystallized sand into a barrier by energizing it, created by her great great grandfather according to her mother. The sand under them rose, and became enwrapped in magical energy before turning to crystal. Once it was done, they were protected and able to see the battlefield. Although the wind still limited visibility and hearing.
Three figures fought against three. However one lagged behind the battle, struggling to catch up while it's allies engaged the enemy
"Mash, what are you seeing?" Asked Fujimaru. Obviously, the boy intended to use the mental link, but he still had trouble with sending the thoughts and opted to speak out loud whenever he did.
Emiya did the same with Thrud. What do you see?
Gazer and Soul Eater, Master. Da Vinci has engaged the beast, while Mash and I combat the eye.
She heard a sound, of metal deflecting energy. A tinge of pain in her chest.
You alright Thrud? She asked.
No debilitating damage. But it's keeping us at bay. We cannot rush it due to the storm. Recommend coming up with a strategy, or waiting for Da Vinci to assist.
With that, the link was closed. She could see it now, Mash and Thrud circling the Gazer, shields raised and the creature quickly spinning to attack them in cycles. Each attempt to close the gap was detected and stopped.
"Damnit." She cursed. She could use a spell, or her mystic code. But the figure catching up to the battle seemed much more menacing.
"I got it!" Screamed Fujimaru, catching her attention. "Shield Run!" He screamed, hands in the air. The female master looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" She asked.
"You know, Shield Run. The attack we practiced." he said. The memory suddenly sprung to the front of her mind. During their training in between Singularities they would often team up and have their servants work in tandem with each other to take out single targets. Of course, Fujimaru put much more energy into it than her, but it proved effective at times.
In particular, their latest 'Technique' as Fujimaru called it was a rush attack using both Maiden's shields to keep their defense up, in a quite creative way.
"You named it?" She asked, about to burst into laughter.
"Yeah. It's easy to remember, rolls off the tongue, and sounds awesome." He replied.
"And who said that? You?" She asked.
"Well, yeah. Not like I have a committee to take these things to." He said.
The girl pondered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Let's do it. But I'm not calling it 'Shield Run'" She said, crossing her arms.
"Oh come on! That's the best part!" He said, almost screaming like a child.
"I'm NOT using that name!" She replied with an equally shrill voice.
"One day, you'll use it." He said, turning back to the battle. "You hear that Mash? Can you do it?" he said into his link. After a moment, he looked at her and nodded. She did the same, and opened her own.
Thrud; we're doing the attack we practiced with Fujimaru and Shielder.
Roger. Engaging in 'Shield Run'
Not you too…
Fujimaru said that was it's name.
The girl sighed mentally. Just do it.
Another attack impacted Mash's Shield. The metal armament held fast, now barely making her flinch. Her defense had come a long way since singularity F, and she could now withstand mighty blows without letting up any ground. Even so, the Gazer was causing her trouble. She and Thrud circled the creature, but any attempt of getting close was met with a barrage of energy bolts.
The storm blocked sight of the spherical enemy, making it hard to tell the direction it was facing, and the strong wind prevented any fast movements. They were at a standstill, without the use of Noble Phantasms of course.
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed in her head, belonging to her Master. Her Senpai was still not used to opening mental connections organically, and so he shouted very loudly when doing it. It was charming, but also compromising if enemies were nearby.
You know, Shield Run. The attack we practiced. She heard her Master say. It was not directed at her however. Her Master went silent once more, and after some time spoke again.
You hear that Mash? Can you do it? Her Master asked, referring to the technique. The girl considered it effective, and was eager to test it in battle ever since hearing about it. She needed to regroup with Thrud, however.
Yes, Master. Initiating Shield Run when near Thrud. She said in the mental link. Circling the creature again, she reached the Valkryie, who was also attempting to get near her.
"Thrud-san! We have execute 'Shield Run'!" She told her, shouting trough the storm. Another volley came, and the Valkyrie blocked it with her Divine Iron Shield.
"I've been informed. Ready, Shielder?" Asked the Valkyrie, looking straight ahead and not sparing a glance towards Mash.
"Yes! I'll do my best." She said. With that, Mash put herself in front of Thrud and blocked another attack. Behind her, the Lancer Servant readied her spear, and threw it with a scream. The projectile flew towards the enemy, glowing with a bright golden light even trough the sandstorm. It hit and the creature screeched in pain.
With that done, the lance bounced off and returned to Thrud. Mash rushed to her side, the Servants prepared for phase two. Thrud bent her shield arm backwards, and with all her might threw the defensive armament towards Shielder, flat side facing forwards.
Stepping aside, Mash drew her shield backwards, and with all her might smacked the incoming divine defense towards the enemy that had already recovered. The Gazer attacked once again, and it's energy beams impacted the incoming shield. However, it was not stopped by the force of its attacks, and it struck the creature, stunning it.
"Now!" She screamed, and both her and the Valkyrie charged the creature with all their might. Without incoming attacks, they were able to close the distance quickly. Thrud jumped into Mash's shield, and the demi servant used it to propel the Lancer towards her target. Two handing her spear, the Valkyrie drove it right in the middle of the Gazer's eye. The creature screeched and struggled, but in the end, Thrud drove the spear deep, and the creature died; falling to the ground before vanishing into purple smoke.
Extending her arm forward, Thrud's shield returned to her as if attracted by a magical force.
"Enemy eliminated. Proficient work, Shielder." Said Thrud. Blushing at the praise, Mash nodded.
The two servants could not relish in their victory however, as Thrud pushed the demi servant away. In the second after that, a huge blade had landed in their previous position, said weapon wielded by a tall figure shrouded in a cloak, that along with it the sandstorm made it impossible to make out any distinguishing features.
"Enemy detected! Engaging!" Yelled Thrud.
Mash! There's a big guy on top of you! She heard her Master scream in her mind.
We noticed! She replied, attacking the new enemy with her shield. However despite the multiple impacts and attacks she and the Valkyrie dealt to it, the golem didn't budge.
It swung it's sword with steadfast technique and force, holly focusing on her. She blocked his attacks, but it gained ground with each hit, and mash was forced to retreat. The figure did not let up and followed her, ready to swing it's sword again.
"Odin-Sama! Give me your power!" She heard Thrud scream. Then the figure's torso became encased in ice. The Valkryie had used a rune. The golem turned around, it's attention now on what it considered a bigger threat.
Mash! You hear me? Her Master's voice,
Yes, Master! She replied.
Hit behind it's knees! It's looks too tall for it's own good, bring him down. She heard. She looked again at the battle. Thrud was engaging the golem. She was faster, but her attacks did not seem to penetrate it's skin.
Understood. Here I go! She said. Grabbing her shield, she went behind the figure and smacked the back of it's knees. She heard the distinctive sound of metal hitting flesh, and the creature knelt slightly. She attacked again, and the creature was forced to fully kneel.
Using this opportunity, Thrud drove her spear trough it's neck, ending the construct's life. It, like the gazer, faded away into moths of purple light.
Mash rested her shield, breathing heavily.
Battle's over, Master. We won. She said into her mental link.
Okay. We're coming down. She heard. She looked at Thrud, who stood with confidence, not even winded.
"Excellent work, Thrud-san. You're just as powerful as your sisters." She praised her. The Valkyrie looked at her with a curious expression.
"I'm glad my combat performance was to your pleasure, Shielder." She replied dryly. Mash was about to reply when a dark body landed near both girls, startling them.
"Oh dear! What a tiresome battle!" Said Da Vinci, coming up to the creature Mash recognized as a soul eater. It soon dissipated into smoke.
"You had better luck than us it seems, Da Vinci." Said Mash.
"No luck involved with a genius, dear. Only my own advantage." Said the genius, waving a finger.
"Guys! You okay?" Shouted her Master, running towards them while covering his face, Emiya not far behind him.
"Yes, Master. Battle has finished. All enemy signatures are gone." Said Mash, bowing to her Master. From nearby came a cute sound trough the sandstorm, not quite cat not quite squirrel. When Mash looked in the direction where it came from, her vision was inundated with white.
"Oh, there you are Fou." She said as she grabbed the small creature and let it sit on her shoulder.
"I was kinda worried for him. I'm glad he's alright." Said Fujimaru, now near the servants along his partner. The boy went near Mash and petted the small creature.
"Of course he's alright. He's the cutest most loveliest creature arou-AH!" Emiya tried to pet him and talk sweetly to the small cat squirrel, but it only growled at her before switching to the girl's shoulder. At seeing this, the girl's shoulders slumped. "What did I do to him? It's been five singularities already!" She complained. Although Fou liked everyone in Chaldea, Emiya was the exception, the creature was always scurrying away from the master for no apparent reason. Mash theorized he found her overbearing.
"I'm sure he'll warm up to you, Emiya-senpai. Just give him time." She said to the Master.
"You already said that once." Said Emiya, now more dejected.
"And I'll say it again. Fou's lovely, you'll see." She said, patting the Master on the head after some hesitation. After being met with no negative reaction, Mash continued her motion as the girl moaned in despair.
"All right. I found us a water source, and shelter too! You can praise me now!" Said Da Vinci. She extended her hands as if to receive admiration like a hug.
"That was fast!" Said Fujimaru.
"Of course it was. I'm a genius. This way." She said, looking at a device in her artificial arm. As she headed off into the dunes, the group followed her.
Emiya Ritsuka stepped again into the sands, covering her face. The Masters and Servants were like pilgrims in the desert, advancing with barely covered faces against the raging sandstorm. It was an unpleasant feeling, with her hair and every orifice in her body covered with sand, her every step uneven in the dunes and her breath ragged and raspy. She shook her head, trying to ignore the complaints forming in her mind. Thrud was at her side, covering her with her round shield while she herself remained unfazed by the sands.
Fujimaru was the first to break the silence that had lasted an hour already.
"How much farther, Da Vinci?" Asked Fujimaru, bent slightly forwards, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Ten more kilometers, Fujimaru-kun. Keep that spirit up." Said the genius.
The boy sighed as he put his hands on his knees. At a moments notice, Mash was at his side.
"You feeling tired Senpai? I can lay down the shield like a sled and carry you." Said the girl. Emiya smiled, she was too sweet for her own good at times.
"How about you, Emiya-san?" She asked, looking at the redhead.
"I'm good. Thanks, tough." She said, stopping near Fujimaru. She too felt out of breath and almost suffocated. The air was full of mana, not unlike in London.
"Thank you… Mash… I'm good it's just… hard to breathe…" He said between breaths.
"You feeling out of breath too, Master?" Asked Thrud. That surprised Emiya.
"Yes. Pretty… much." She said, now breathing like the black haired teen.
"It's no surprise. The mana density in the air is off the charts. These atmosphere is extremely hostile to humans." Said Da Vinci, looking at the two tired teens with worry in her eyes. "Here, take this."
She handed them two cylinders with a small hose leading into a transparent mouth mask.
"A mask?" Asked Mash, arching an eyebrow. "When did you make this?"
"Just now." Said the genius with a wink. "It's improvised, but it'll filter mana. I told you you would need a genius." Said Da Vinci, no doubt seeking more praise. Emiya shook her head at her antics before taking the masks off her hands and handing one to her partner.
Upon putting it on her face, she took a few breaths as if she just got out of a long dive underwater. She felt relieved and full of energy again.
"That's so much better. You're the best, Da Vinci." Said the Redhead. At this, Caster smiled. Beside her, Fujimaru was having similar reactions to her upon putting on the mask.
"I'm good to go now, I think…" He said.
"We better hurry, Master is looking rather pale." Said Mash with worry. Her Master grunted with slight annoyance. He WAS pale, his lips were chaffed and his eyes slightly bloodshot and irritated.
"I'm fine, Mash." He said, brushing her off and walking again. Emiya caught sight of the Demi-Servant looking dejected, and went to the girl to clap her on the shoulder.
"I'm glad at least someone is looking out for him." She said with a smile before moving again. The group silently traveled the sands once again, braving the sandstorm and avoiding being eroded like rocks.
The desert seemed endless, not only because they spent ten kilometers doing nothing but going up and down dunes, but also due to the fact that Ritsuka Emiya could not see if it was truly endless thanks to the sandstorm. She could make out a few dozen meters ahead, whoch meant the storm had somewhat subsided, but that was all.
Her throat felt dry and she was getting tired. Fujimaru looked worse than her in pretty much every aspect. Despite Olga Marie's attempts and her own at making him train his body, he still had ways to go. Emiya herself was quite fit, thanks to the training her mom put her through and also following her dad's example of early rising, eating healthy and doing exercise every day.
"We're almost there, behind this dune." Said Da Vinci, looking at her wrist device while walking. Emiya hastened her pace, anxious for some water. Climbing the tall dune with the help of her hands, she reached the top on her arms and knees to see what was ahead.
It gave way to a large sand valley significantly more flat than the terrain they had been traveling. The storm seemed to subside much more in this area, allowing for much better visibility. In the middle of the valley, the redheaded Master could make out a rectangular shape with several sticks in it's vicinity.
Using a far-sight spell, she could identify it as a temple that resembled those she had seen from Egyptians in the history books.
"Anything interesting up here?" Asked Da Vinci, now on top of the dune. Emiya stood upright in embarrassment.
"A temple." Said Fujimaru, now having climbed to the top along Mash and Thrud. "Finally some shelter."
"It's no good, we'll have to look for something else. Maybe I can synthesize some water, if given a few hours." Said Da Vinci with a serious voice while rubbing her chin. The change in her normally cheerful behavior unnerved the rest of the Chaldea squad.
"What do you mean no good?" Asked Fujimaru, speaking for everyone else.
"Look carefully." Said Da Vinci. All eyes turned to the temple in the distance. Emiya could now see that it was not the only thing in the valley. Surrounding it, she could see quadrupedal shadows patrolling the grounds. She began counting them, trying to figure out how many they were up against.
"One, two, three…" She heard Fujimaru say out loud, counting just like her.
"I stopped after twenty." She said with a sigh.
"Maybe we can get around them, or pick them off one by one, or attack them from afar…" Began mumbling the boy. Emiya was always amused when the boy came up with plans in the blink of an eye. Despite how many times he spoke without thinking, he was quite the tactician in certain situations. She remembered his plan to lure Heracles to the ark back in Okeanos.
"Absolutely not. Those are Sphinxes, Divine Beasts of the highest category." Said Da Vinci, her voice stern.
"Caster is correct. A Sphinx will quickly repair it's spirit core, along with it's strong body and mental prowess, it's a fearsome opponent. One is a challenge, multiple is well outside our capabilities at this moment." Chimed in Thrud. Looking dejected, Fujimaru looked at her.
"What about you Emiya?" He asked her, clearly wanting her approval. She had none to give.
"Sorry, but if it's too dangerous, it's better to just look for something else. There has to be in this huge desert, right?" She said.
"Right." He answered in barely more than a whisper. The group began to turn around when the boy looked back at the temple, and his eyes widened.
"Guys…" he said.
"What's the matter Senpai?" Asked Mash.
"There's a shadow coming towards us. Wait… like six or seven…" He said, squinting his eyes. At this, the group went back to it's previous position overlooking the valley.
"The Sphinxes? We need to get out of here!" Said Emiya.
"Those shadows look more… human Senpai. Are they from the temple?" Asked Mash.
"Don't know, but the Sphinxes are after them, keeping some distance. And they're coming this way." Said Da Vinci, stepping back slightly. The shadows moved at a coordinated speed, with the one leading the charge seemed faster than the others.
"We better get…" Began Fujimaru before being interrupted. A shadow sprang from the low end of the tune to the top in a large jump leaving the others lagging behind.
Except the figure was no shadow at all, tough it appeared to be trying it's hardest to be one. Out of it's dark cloak she could see a skull faced mask. The figure looked at the group, standing menacingly with a small dagger drawn. The killing intent put the group on alert with Mash, Thrud and Da Vinci standing in front of the Masters like a barrier.
"Damn. That armor… you're from the holy city?" Said the figure, looking at Mash directly.
"Holy city?" She asked the figure. It chuckled with sarcasm.
"Are you lost? Or just stupid? Regardless, you will not stand in our way. Move." She demanded.
"This magical energy… Are you a servant?" Asked Da Vinci. Ritsuka Emiya could feel the air tense around the servants. She grabbed her right forearm where her crest was located.
"I've got no reason to answer that. Now..."
The figure was interrupted however, by another group of red cloaked wanderers carrying a purple haired woman bound and unconscious.
"Lord Hundred Personas! The Sphinxes are coming! We have to go!" One of them shouted. Hundred Personas sighed, throwing it's cloak away, revealing a dark skinned woman with an impressively toned body.
"Hundred Personas?" Asked Fujimaru, stepping near their frontline. "You're a Hassan!" He said, but the servant ignored him. Emiya tensed, knowing that the Hassans were all Assassin class servants.
"Shame. We'll have to take care of you, lest you snitch on us to the Lion King or whoever you work for." She said, going into a combat stance. The figures behind her drew weapons as well.
"Get back Master, she's ready to attack." Said Mash, raising her shield and gently pushing Fujimaru back.
"Magical signatures are extremely low on the enemy side, Master. They're humans." Stated Thrud, raising her shield in front of her and poking her spear from behind it. The sandstorm grounded the Valkyrie, but it made her as lethal as if she could use her Swan Mystic Code.
"Try not to kill them. Please." Said Fujimaru. Mash nodded, then Emiya looked at Thrud. The girl did not want anyone to die, especially humans that had little to do with Servants and Gods.
"Try to be gentle, Thrud. Use the pole of your spear." She stated. The Valkyrie looked at her and then nodded.
"Understood." Said the Valkyrie, and Emiya could swear she felt a tinge of annoyance coming from her servant's voice.
The battlefield remained still, no one daring to make a move except the sandstorm. When the wind blew upon them once again, the Hassan jumped back and disappeared into the sandstorm. From behind her, two more figures also bearing skull masks jumped into the fray and attacked the servants.
Chaos broke out. The red cloaked figures charged forward, but stood no chance against the servants easily pushed back by Mash or incapacitated by Emiya's magic. Meanwhile, Da Vinci and Thrud engaged the Assassins in a one sided fight, easily overpowering them and making them retreat.
Emiya used her crest to channel the Earth spells stored within. Earth magic was her affinity, and those spells related to energy manipulation, cultivation, embedding and transformation. A previous Tohsaka, she imagined, had dabbled in electric spells, which allowed her to stun the human combatants in order for Mash to knock them out.
The two Masters stood far back from the fight, with Fujimaru shouting orders to Mash and Emiya supporting the servants with spells. She saw Thrud push back the Hassan, and then turn to them, specifically, Fujimaru.
"Fujimaru-dono!" She screamed, preparing to throw her spear towards the boy. Before Emiya herself could react a shadow snuck behind the boy and grabbed him, putting a knife to his thorat. The boy's face scrunched up in horror.
"Drop your weapons. Or your little Master dies." She said coldly. Emiya reacted on instinct. Her chest tightened, as if her heart was the one being held at knife point. The entire fight stopped, the Servants looking with strained faces towards the Assassin.
"Why is it always me?!" He screamed in mild annoyance. It was not unusual for the Masters to be targeted by more intelligent enemies, and of the two, Fujimaru was always seen as the easier victim.
"Let him go!" She screamed, readying a powerful Gandr shot. Assasins had no innate magic resistance. Even if the Hassan was a servant, the curse was strong enough to at least do something. That's what she hoped, because changing spells at this point would only get her friend killed. Her friend, one of the last people she had left.
"Did you really think an assassin like me would fight cleanly?" She said. She then looked at the female Ritsuka, who was doing her best to not do anything rash. Her hand shook slightly. "What are you planning to do girl? Attack me with magic? You, a human, against a servant? You'd best surrender."
Emiya's felt her ears ring and head hurt. She felt powerless, like in London where no matter what she did, what spells she used or how many command seals she spent, she could not defeat Solomon, and got Hildr practically killed. How could she prevent loss, in the state she was in? How could she save humanity? Images of her mom went trough her head, cutting for a moment to a wasteland, then her father, and then another wasteland lined with swords.
"I…" She tried to say, finding her voice lacking. Fujimaru looked at her, still fearful yet not freaking out like her. How could he do that?
"Well, we have your captive. So, rather than surrender, how about we trade like good wanderers of the desert?" Asked Da Vinci, now fully turned to them. At her feet was the lady that the group of assassins had captured, a red cloaked figure lying on it's knees behind her.
"Sorry, Lord Hassan. She's quite the trickster." He said. The Assassin sneered.
"Like I'd trade with Holy City knights. I think I'd take my chances killing this boy." Said the woman. Emiya's chest tightened even further, the girl clenched her teeth like never in her life, all to prevent any sudden movement.
"Senpai! Pleae don't! I'll stand down!" Begged Mash, now turning, her voice desperate.
"You'd best not do that, good servant of the shield. That's not what you're here to do. Hold your shield and your belief steadfast like a castle." Said a smooth voice from the direction of the east. Before anyone could react, a silver figure moved in and slashed at the Hassan. The woman was forced to drop the boy and jump back while throwing daggers at the new arrival.
The figure did not let up, and after deflecting a dagger, slashed at the face of the Assasin. The woman was unharmed, but her mask was destroyed.
"Damn you!" She said, clucking her tongue. The figure stood still now. A knight in armor with white skin and whiter hair, who, in Emiya's mind looked quite young and attractive. She shook those thoughts away, running to Fujimaru's side while keeping her Gandr ready. With her advantage lost, the woman looked at her compatriots.
"Let's retreat for now. The Old men of the Mountain are protected from these winds. We'll let them decide your fate." She said, before nodding to the rest of her group. The red cloaked figures split from their opponents. Not wanting to harm them, the Servants did not pursue.
"Wait! What do you want?! Let's just talk!" Screamed Fujimaru towards the woman.
"Hmph. I won't speak with clueless people like you. Once you see these lands with your own eyes, maybe we'll talk." She said, before vanishing into the sandstorm.
With the threat now gone, the servants lowered their weapons, and the knight sheathed his own. Both Masters took a sigh of relief, and Ritsuka Emiya immediately knelt next to Fujimaru.
"Are you okay Ritsu? I'm so…" She began to say before being interrupted by another girl.
"I'm so… so sorry Master! I should have stayed near you! Are you harmed?" Asked Mash desperately while searching Fujimaru's body for wounds.
"I'm okay Mash, Thanks. It was my mistake for not taking that woman into account." Said he, scratching the back of his head.
"And mine too." She said, looking at the ground.
"You are right on that Master, you underestimated your enemies' wit." Said Thrud, strolling towards them. Emiya could not say anything, the Valkyrie was right. "If you don't repeat that mistake, then there is nothing to be sorry about."
"I've gone trough five singularities already. I should know better." She admitted.
"According to Ortlinde and Hildr's memories, you fought admirably against enemies that mostly crumbled under your constant assault. It's not surprising that you would be caught off guard by enemies so intent on surviving." She said again, in a cold but stern manner. Even tough it was harsh, she felt a little better.
"Thanks, Thrud. I guess…" She said, looking back at Fujimaru. "You sure you're okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine, really. We should be thanking white knight over there." He said, pointing towards the knight who stood there with a neutral expression.
"My, my. What a handsome face. Who might you be?" Asked Da Vinci, joining the group along with her purple haired 'catch'.
"I'm Lucius. A servant without a Master. I'm glad I was able to help." He stated.
"Without Master? Then…" Fujimaru began, intent on forming a contract. However, Lucius stopped him.
"We've not bonded enough for a contract. I just wanted to help, that's all." He said coldly. Fujimaru stood up, along with Mash and Emiya.
"Well, you can join us, still." he said. The knight nodded. Then the black haired teen turned his attention to the girl in bonds.
"What do we do about about her?" He asked.
"She's unconscious and unharmed it seems. Definitely the work of a stealth expert." Said Da Vinci, releasing her restraints and proceeding to poke the girl in various places. She mumbled something in her sleep, about her ears and a pharaoh.
"I don't think we should be doing that…" Said Emiya, seeing how regal she looked despite her little amount of cover.
"She should be grateful there's a genius to wake her up. Come on now, wakey wakey!" Said Da Vinci. Finally, her eyes opened suddenly, her face freezing up and body going stiff.
"Oh, she's awake." Said Fujimaru, looking at her curiously.
Faster than her eye could see, the woman got up and retreated away from them, standing upright with a staff on her hand and a look of shock and outrage on her face.
"You! What is the meaning of this! You dare touch a pharaoh!" She shouted, the magical energy around her growing in strength.
"What? No… we saved you from those assassins!" Said Fujimaru, but the girl was having none of it.
"Nonsense! I was in my temple, dutifully attending the mission King Ozymandias gave me, then I wake up here, with you claiming you rescued me from the claws of death with no reason or even knowing who I am! That story is simply impossible to believe! She said.
I don't think she will listen to us Master. Said Thrud trough their link.
Yeah. This might get complicated, as always. Said Emiya as the Pharaoh continued to ramble.
"Please miss. Just let us explain ourselves!" He said, but nothing seemed to get trough the woman's head.
"Even if I believed you, you witnessed my disgrace. Now you'll have to demonstrate your worth, or perish under the judgement of the Pharaoh's divine beast!" She exclaimed, raising her staff. From behind her, a creature landed with the body of a lion, wings of an eagle and a masked face came forth.
"Master! A sphinx is about to engage! Orders please!" Mash shouted towards Fujimaru. As everyone else got ready to battle the beast, Lucius came forward, demeanor calm and collected.
"There's no need for that. A battle born of misunderstanding is nothing to waste your time or resources over. Let me handle it." he said, facing down the creature with an impassive expression.
"Lucius?" Asked Emiya, trying to reach out to him before he did something reckless. A hand stopped her. Thrud looked at her with a stern look.
"He may look weak, but he has an extraordinary power. Let him fight." She said. Emiya looked at her servant then at the knight and back at her servant. She had never heard Thrud so sure about something. Nodding, she stepped back.
The creature roared, but the knight simply raised his right arm. It was not armored at all, in fact, it seemed to be an artificial arm made of steel and beautifully engraved. The beast charged the knight, but he only muttered something that Emiya could not discern except for one phrase.
Switch On
She felt a pang of pain in her mind, and before she could react, the knight had slashed the creature with his arm, now enveloped in a golden light. The creature fell with a grumble and disappeared, leaving no trace behind. The group was stunned at the sudden display of power, and the woman was left with her mouth dangling agape.
"You… You… How…?" She stuttered, retreating slightly.
"No spiritron reconstruction detected! He felled the Sphinx with one sweep of his arm!" Mash said.
"Indeed. There's no doubt about it, that's Airgetlam, the War God Nuadha's arm in Celtic mythology. But how did he get access to a divine class artifact?" Da Vinci muttered, quickly recomposed and her curiosity raised.
"Honorable Pharaoh Nitocris, Incarnation of Horus!" Lucius exclaimed, now looking directly at the woman. "These interlopers from Chaldea saved you honorably from the Old Man of the Mountain. I witnessed it myself. If you still refuse to believe them, I'll have no choice but to use this silver arm yet again." He said, raising his right arm to chest level. The Pharaoh retreated slightly at the sight of the weapon.
"But… They have no reason to help me… They're not citizens of Egypt…" She said meekly, looking at the ground.
"Do you really wish to argue further? Won't your standing with the Sun King deteriorate even more if he found out what you did here, mistreating these travelers?" Asked the knight sternly. The pharaoh was at a loss for words, looking ashamed and saddened. Long gone was the upright looking queen that took no offense from anyone. She looked like someone that would be teased constantly. That's when Emiya saw an opportunity.
"Quickly, Fujimaru, do your thing." She told him quietly.
"My thing…?" He asked, confused.
"Yes, the talking thing. Do it!" She said, shoving him forwards. Glaring at her slightly, the took a deep breath and then faced towards the knight and queen.
"Pharaoh!" He yelled, catching her attention as well as Lucius'. "You finally believe us!" He shouted, pointing a finger at her. The mouth of the woman became a thin line, her face blushing red.
"Why? Why are shouting that all of sudden?" She asked, but Fujimaru didn't let up.
"We saved you! And then you attacked us! We demand compensation!" He said, putting his hands on his hips and puffing his chest out. The pharaoh looked again at the ground, clearly embarrassed.
"I… I guess your right… There's no other explanation for my situation. I believe you, travelers. I guess I must thank you." She said, rubbing her arm.
"That's right! We demand some water!" Shouted the boy. The Pharaoh looked at him in surprise.
"V-Very well… If that's all…" She said, but Emiya was not going to let this opportunity go to waste.
"We also demand fruit!" She shouted.
"A-Alright then…" However, Mash also stepped up along with Thrud.
"And some shelter!" Said the Shielder.
"And a banquet" Said Thrud nonchalantly.
"And a bath, and being able to relax and be tended to too!" Exclaimed Da Vinci. The three teens at her side looked at her with deadpan expressions while Thrud covered her eyes with one hand.
"Fou, Fou!" The little creature chimed in, probably also demanding something.
"What's with you acting so brazenly? I… Alright, I'll see that you demands are tended to, since you saved me. Follow me to the central city of Egypt, Ramesseum Tentyiris. I'll welcome you as my guests, and you will not have to solve a sphinx's riddle to get in. You only need to escort me there." She said, regaining some of her composure.
"Fine by us. Right?" Said Fujimaru, looking at the group for approval. All of them nodded.
"Very well. Now… let's get rid of these bothersome winds." She said, turning around and knocking the ground with her staff. "Oh winds! I release you from your duties! Show us a view of the heavens by decree of Nitocris!" She shouted to the sky. So Nitocris was her name.
At first, the winds seemed to grow even stronger, but after a moment, they subsided, and the wall of dust that obscured their entire vision dissipated, allowing the view of an endless sea of sand under a clear blue sky.
"Wow! The storm is gone, Senpai! The sky is blue as far as you can see!" Said Mash, looking happily at the sky while Nitocris smiled. The group looked upwards, and while Emiya thought the sky was nice, it was soiled by the familiar band of light present in all singularities.
"That thing is still there. The band of light." She said.
"It's been there for a long time now. It's frustrating, really. Only the sun should reign in the sky." Said the queen with a frown, before turning around and pointing her staff west. "The city is to the west, about two hours from here. Please follow me." She said, starting to stroll forwards. The group followed her closesly, until Emiya noticed that not everyone was walking.
She turned around to see the knight looking at them go, with what seemed to be melancholy.
"You're not coming, Lucius?" She asked.
"No. It is not my mission to assist you. I did it simply on my honor as a knight. You may consider it a lucky coincidence." He said.
"Still. After all that, won't you be better off with us?" She asked.
"I'm sorry but no. I'm a wanderer, unfit to be in company of others." He said, looking sadly at the ground, as if those very same words hurt him. "If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave." He said before turning and walking away in a direction opposite to theirs. Emiya lost sight of him once he crossed the final dune.
Master, is something the matter? She heard her Servant ask.
Lucius left. She told her trough the link, turning around to see the group had already gone ahead, with Thrud levitating slightly and waiting for her.
A shame. He was an excellent warrior. She told her. After she reached the Valkyrie, they picked up their pace and followed the group. She could hear Da Vini, Mash and Nitocris ahead, talking about something related to demonic beasts.
"Hey Thrud…" She said, catching the Servant's attention. The Valkyrie looked at her curiously.
"You told me to trust Lucius. How did you know?" She asked. The Valkyrie looked ahead, pensive, before answering.
"As a Valkyrie, I am designed to identify potential Heroes and brave souls to guide to Valhalla. Lucius seemed to be split, he was a hero, but also a coward. His power resided wholly on that arm of his, but his constitution seemed to be that of a Heroic Spirit of the highest caliber." She said.
"So, he's a really weird Servant? We have seen our fair share of those." Said Emiya, glancing behind her towards where Lucius had walked off to.
"For a moment, he seemed completely human. That's what bothers me. I couldn't properly identify him." Said the Valkyrie, sounding unsure of herself for the first time since Ritsuka summoned her. Emiya wanted to comfort her, even if it was unnecessary.
"Maybe if we meet him, you can take a better look at him. He did leave pretty fast." She said, patting the Valkyrie on the head. The wings atop her fluttered slightly, but the Valkyrie's expression remained stern.
"I'm sure this encounter was no mere coincidence, Master. Fate is a strange thing indeed, we'll meet him again. I only hope he knows what he is by then."
A/N: So that's the first part of Camelot. Next up, our crew meets OzymanDIO and heads off to the Holy City. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, even if I didn't get every character perfectly, especially Da Vinci. Listening to the Uncharted 3 soundtrack helped quite a bit.
So Gudako's element is Earth, and since it is never explicitly stated what spells the Tohsaka crest has or what Earth spells do exactly, I made up some bull. I hope you don't mind. I also wanted to show off the teamwork between not only the Masters but their Servants, since I feel that's a thing they should be able to do.
I'll try to make further chapter the length of 7k to 10k words, but no promises. Also, the christmas event is coming in FGO and I gotta prepare for that lotto.
That is all. Please tell me where I effed up so I can improve and fix. Chiao!