She always loved them. The stories granny made up. The ones about heroes. It made her forget about reality. About how heroes didn't really exist in this time and age. Well, aside of the rumors of Lord Takeda, but everyone said it was a hopeless struggle. Still, she giggled as she mimicked the stories. Those that did the impossible. Those who succeeded in hopeless struggles.
One day however, Hisoka asked her why she was so obsessed with hero stories. As young as she was, it was difficult to put into words. It was naive. Yet it was a light that many lacked in that age, not that she had noticed.
"I just like how they change things! Bright and all!"
"Hm. Just like you," the old lady said in a food tone, causing the girl to tilt her head in confusion.
"Heh?"
"You may not know, but you are one of the brightest children, in more ways than one."
She brightened up, practically glowing as she jumped up and down, pointing at herself.
"You think I can be a hero?!"
"Well, you certainly inspire people, hehe."
She couldn't help herself. The girl squealed and pointed at the sky.
"It's decided then! A hero always saves the day then and cheers them up! That's gonna be me!"
For some reason, the old woman looked more somber. She didn't like it when people looked like that. They had that face too often in this place.
"Not every hero. There are many, after all."
"I'll be the savior then!" The girl said with a huff, puffing up her cheeks as she spread her arms. "I'll make sure to protect everyone!"
"Heh. If it's you, I can actually believe that."
/
To say that both sides were sloppy were an understatement. It was not only because of the storm, that caused the ground to be slippy. It was not because of the roars of death and the thunder that deafened them. No, despite all the resolve they gathered, their hearts were clouded. After all, Ritsuka recognized that Mash's strained expression was less due to the strikes she had to block than it was Amako's attacks being nothing compared to what they were against the god she fought. Nevertheless, it was still two superhumans fighting, their speed above what Ritsuka could ever bring out.
The Shielder put her experience to good use. She was not the fastest herself, but she knew how to deal with swift enemies. Despite her large shield, she was able to keep an eye on Amako, who zipped around her. With her feet planted on the ground, she turned around herself, to block the kicks and punches in time. Yet it was a stalemate. Amako couldn't get past her defense, Mash couldn't hit her properly. The one breaking that stalemate was Ritsuka's presence himself.
Amako glanced at him. Mash's eyes widened and moved between them. But that movement was the opening the martial artist needed. Touching the shield, it was as if it was stuck to her hand. Then, with one swift motion, she threw Mash over her shoulder. Ritsuka spread his legs, gritting his teeth. Amako blurred. If she was in her top form, this would be it. But he could see it. The desperation. Desperation that invited mistakes, like that wide swing she threw to punch his head off. Training kicked in. He grabbed the arm and threw her over his shoulder, smashing her face down as hard as he could.
He stumbled backwards, almost falling down when Mash pulled him back. Yet he couldn't help but look at Amako with concern, as she spat out the mud on her face. To his surprise, her nose was even bleeding.
"Amako!" He almost stepped forward. But then he was stopped by the hateful glare he received. As she wiped her face, thanks to the rain water, she grit her teeth, her eyes wet as she grabbed a handful of earth into her hands.
"What's with that look... ?"
She shot up and her arm blurred. The dirt smashed into Mash's face, who was blinded for a moment. Because of that, she couldn't react in time when a haymaker smashed into her face.
"You don't get to feel sad!" She moved past Mash, raising her leg to kick Ritsuka's head off. He ducked to the side, at the same time as Mash tackled Amako, making her miss her mark. She snarled, ramming her elbow into the shielder, but she responded with a vicious headbutt herself. Rolling over the ground, Amako hissed in pain before pointing at Ritsuka in accusation. "You don't get to feel anything!"
Her movements became more erratic. Discarding any strategy, she began to hammer her fist down on Mash's shield. The latter grit her teeth in exertion, but because of that, Ritsuka could circle around. Aiming his hand, he shot off Gandr shots, knocking Amako off balance. Sensing the chance, Mash slammed her shield into her, throwing her away. As she slid over the ground on her feet, she breathed heavily.
"This... all of this is a damn joke... " She choked up, letting out a shaky breath. "Divine Shogun. Alien God. Timelines." Biting her lip so hard it drew blood, she stared at them, pain in her eyes. "You."
An animalistic scream escaped her. This time, when she stepped in, she knocked Mash's shield away. With that opening, she began to wail down on her. Punches, left, right, from below, pushing Mash back as her head was knocked around viciously.
"WHY DOES EVERYTHING WANT TO KILL US?! WHY AREN'T WE ALLOWED TO LIVE?! WHAT'S SO WRONG WITH US?!"
So focused was she on attacking Mash, Ritsuka kicked her in the back of her knees. Stumbling down, she gasped when Mash, face bloodied, turned her around and began to choke her. It was a chance to smash her head in with a shield... but just like him, Mash couldn't do it.
Not like this. That hesitation costed them. Even as her face began to turn blue, she reached up for Mash's hair. Grabbing a handful, she seemed to exude energy. With a motion that was impossible, she threw Mash at Ritsuka. They crashed with each other and landed on the ground with pain. As Amako rubbed her throat, gasping for air, they stared at each other in silence, the noises of death and nature between them.
Then, slowly, she reached for her chest. Clutching the wet cloth that covered her, she clenched her eyes shut.
"It really hurts."
"Amako?" Ritsuka asked softly. Yet he was ignored when she looked up at the sky, a weak smile on her face.
"It really hurts. Nothing hurts as much as this."
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Then, with an expression devoid of the anger she showed before, her eyes were just tired. Honest, but utterly tired and filled with sorrow.
"I liked you guys." The Chaldeans flinched at her words. But then she shook her head, a dry scoff escaping her. "No, I still like you. I genuinely thought we could... " She trailed off. The words unsaid. Ritsuka could imagine what she meant. And he wanted to tell her otherwise... but he couldn't. He didn't have any right. All he could do... was listen to her now. With a pleading look, the rain drops ran down on her face as she pointed at her own chest. "Does it always hurt like this? Having to fight even if you don't want to? To do... the right thing?"
"Every time," Ritsuka said without hesitation. He exhaled slowly, remembering those that had to die. Holding his fist up, he stared at his command seals before lowering his head in shame. "If we could save you all, I would without a heartbeat. But... I'm no savior. I'm... I'm just the Master of Chaldea."
"Senpai... "
As Mash rested her hand on his back, he was surprised to hear Amako laugh for a bit.
"Heh. You really a good people." Her amused mood disappeared quickly as she scratched the back of her head, pressing her lips together. "Sorry I called you cowards."
"Sorry for lying to you," Ritsuka said back, feeling the weight increase. They didn't want to be enemies. They didn't want to fight. Yet at the same time, they turned their heads, looking down the hill. The sight was utterly terrifying.
Bodies upon bodies, filling the field with blood and flesh. Normal people, screaming and roaring, with courage and fear, as they threw themselves at inhuman servants. Those very same servants damaged, bloodied and exhausted themselves. Nobunaga had one eye shut, as her other arm was hanging around in an unnatural way. Kagetora was bleeding from her mouth while her leg had a wide gash on it. With Harunobu, who covered his stomach as best as he could from bleeding, they already lost their mounts. Amako clicked her tongue in frustration as she turned to them once more, raising her hands.
"Can't waste any more time... "
She breathed in. A foot forward. She breathed out. In that moment, Mash and Ritsuka went on full defense. The next moment, Amako's fist smashed against Mash's shield, pushing her back with ease as the shield strained from the pressure. In that moment, they both knew it and could only accept that grim truth.
Amako wasn't holding back anymore. Or rather... she was properly focused now. The moment she let go was the moment where Mash and Ritsuka could barely survive. He knew it from before but her movements were beautiful. No wasted energy. No wrath behind them. Merely acceptance. Ritsuka lost track of time. Every shield bash was avoided by letting the hit go against her relaxed body. Every pathetic punch he threw was parried with ease, at the same time almost breaking his own arm. They couldn't keep this up forever. And in the end... they didn't.
The sickening crack followed by the scream of agony would follow him his entire life. Mash teared up as she dropped to the ground, her left leg bent. Amako shot her a look of pity, before turning to Ritsuka after kicking her away. He could only cross his arms in defense, before she tackled him on the ground. Having mounted him, she stared down. She sighed. And with that, the fists came down.
One. Two. Three. Four. Each attacked hit. Ritsuka felt his consciousness fading. He noticed that something else broke than his nose, the blood seeping into his throat. He saw it from the corner of his eyes, the amulet Amako gave him. When they were still allies. The item that was now broken.
Amako stopped, breathing heavily. Ritsuka spat out some blood, not being able to help himself from shivering in fear. He hoped there was some mercy left in her eyes. Part of him wa relieved that there was. But it wasn't the mercy he wanted. Amako didn't look down on him with a face that promised life.
All he saw…was a sad smile, with her fist raised. The last attack. He could see Mash dragging herself over the ground, pulling at the dirt to move forward. Desperation was in her voice as she tried to get there in time.
"Senpai!"
It was too late. He saw Amako's mouth move. He saw Mash's eyes widened in horror. He saw the fist move down.
"Thank-"
Blood splattered against his face. He blinked in confusion. Amako did the same. Then, slowly, blood ran out of her mouth. She coughed before looking down... at the holes that stood out from her chest and stomach. She tilted her head a bit, positively confused, as if not comprehending what was going on.
"...Eh?"
She dropped down, like a puppet losing its strings. He didn't even think about what to do next. He shot up, ignoring his own pain. He ignored the smoke that came from Nobu's muskets, pointing at their direction before she had to defend herself again. All that mattered was the now dying girl in front of him.
"AMAKO!" He screamed. With his hands held over the chest wound, he began to pour as much energy as he had left into healing. He was never good at it. He was barely suited for first aid. But it didn't matter. He couldn't just let her die. He couldn't just let her choke on her own blood, as she convulsed violently, coughing.
"It-It's fine... !" "J-just… just fine...!" Amako wheezed inbetween coughs, trying to smile. But he could see it. The fear in her eyes. The absolute terror at the thought of what would come. Mash arrived, despite her broken leg, pushing her hands down on the other wound. He smiled at her before focusing again. Just a bit more... !
His thoughts were interrupted when a hand grasped his and Mash's. He looked down, seeing the sudden fire in her eyes, even as she gurgled from the blood.
"D-don't... lose... !" She choked out, only making her wounds worse. She let out a pained noise before trying to clench her hands harder. "Win…! "
"Just take it easy, I got you!" Ritsuka shouted, grabbing onto her hand as much as he could. Damn it, why wasn't a Caster her with him?! They could fix her up-
He saw her eyes. Resignation. In that moment, the truth finally set in. She was going to die. Nothing he would try would work. The only thing he could do was grab her hands with both of his, a motion Mash mimicked even as she sobbed. He felt his eyes burn as well, as he strained his ears to hear her.
"D-Don't... blame... " She spat out a large amount of blood before her eyes began to dim. Almost fearfully, as her tears flowed without end, she pushed the limits of her body to clench her hands one last time against theirs. "F...fr... friends... ?"
Were they friends? Ritsuka grit his teeth in anger. He remembered fighting alongside her. He remembered how much fun they had when they sparred and shared stories. Such a stupid question... !
"Of course we are!" He yelled, his voice choking up and becoming hoarse. Mash nodded furiously.
"Nothing will change that!" An ugly, tear stained smiled forced itself on her face as she pulled their hands to her chest. "When you wake up, when we meet again, we're still be friends! We'll see the world with you!"
When she woke up again. It was a desperate hope from Mash, that this was temporary. That through some miracle, Amako would live past this Lostbelt. He couldn't bring himself of contradicting her, instead smiling as well. Amako's mouth corner's twitched, her eyes almost completely dimmed. Her hand felt so cold, the damn rain causing everyone to shiver. But then he saw it. The last reaction in her eyes. He heard it. The soft whine of a child.
"...I'm...sc...d... "
With those last sounds... Amako Seiryu died in their hands. Ritsuka stared at her body, her eyes wide, her smile gone. He began to hyperventilate as he let go of her hand, staring at his own. Stained in blood. The rain soon washed them away... but he could still feel it. The sticky fluids smelling of iron. With the noise of death down the hill... he broke down. Screaming in agony, he began to hit the ground. Mash's hug, to stop him, was small comfort. But he leaned into her warmth, as he clenched his eyes shut, his heart burning and torn.
This wasn't fair... ! This just wasn't fair!
He didn't know how long the two of them cried. But eventually, they calmed down somewhat. Not because they grieved enough. But because duty spurred them on. The noises of fighting were becoming quieter. Slapping his cheeks, with red eyes, he gently closed Amako's eyes.
"We... we can't just leave her here…" Mash muttered, limping to bring her shield up. By now, the leg healed up a little bit, but not enough to consider it healthy. With that in mind, he winced at the cold flesh as he picked Amako up by her arm. With effort, he had her on his back, the weight almost making him collapse. But he remained standing, exhaling slowly. He turned to Mash, the two of them nodding in determination.
"I'll carry her."
"I'll defend you both with my life."
With that, they started their descent towards the battlefield.