LOCATION: [CHALDEA- PRIVATE ROOM]
YEAR: [2012]
"They do not know..." Romani assured himself, head bowed into a faucet, eyes hunted by the culpability he'd wrought to his friends.
With his interaction to the Servants, Masters and other employees deteriorating due to distrust and disgust, he says no more but to leave them be. He let them on their own device, and mulled over his guilt and the words he said in front of everyone. It's shameless, irresponsible, totally immoral and just plain stupid... yet they do not know. Few will understand but the majority will not take it lightly due to their morals. They spoke of his despicable decision, the abnormal thought of salvation- but they do not know the weight of the responsibility in his shoulders.
They do not know the sacrifices and the consequences he probe just to clarify and define the best move.
They do not know the ideal problems it will bring to the organization.
They do not know how much of a burden this is for him to act as their leader.
They do not know anything but the unjust act that went haywire, dismantling what good impressions they had on him, and undeniably ignore his good will- subservient to the fault they seen and judge his character in a negative way of thinking.
He sighs for the last time, flashing out the medicine he vomited and trekking out of his bathroom to sit in his bed, head still bowed low, ignoring the buzz of attention Chaldea's doing to their first time travel in the future. He raised his hands to his vision and smiles sadly at his palms. He did it. He completely ruined his name to the face of his friends- his long awaited day, albeit it's quite solemn- being viewed as the bad person- who only knows how to aid in the infirmary rather than guiding an army.
He is completely useless. Normal and flimsy. However, what good will he do if he rectify his plans? He has no knowledge on how to produce a long lasting strategy, he has no primal thought of the brutish actions to eradicate an enemy and he has no charisma or any passion to his title, which merely drive him in depression and meticulously stepping close to his death.
He is born to serve others as a doctor, to guide and heal them after their long journey and adventures... but he is not a leader, a simpleton like him is nothing like those with a mind of creativity and passion. He is not like the King and Queens of the past worthy to be called upon to save humanity. He is not like Gudao who improvise everything and grasp every victory. He simply is not Gudako, who sees the needs to save everything who wanted their assistance and thus, serve herself like a twisted person in charge of helping anyone. And most importantly, he is not Hakuno, who came as weak as a cat, but as time passed by, she grows and turns into a venomous lion, ready to defend what she believe, in charge of a position befalling in the hands of an amateur, clearly adapting to circumstances. He can't become them, because whatever he do, whatever clues and options should he replicate their character and strong personality, he is but his own person.
A normal human shoved as a Chairman.
A weak mongrel who joined an organization with innocence.
A doctor amidst the call of blood and flesh.
A coward, face with facts and he will turn away.
He remembers a single memory of Hakuno, a spark of recognition when she held his hand and unconsciously passed a clue to her forgotten past. A walk of trial... the first set of feet who bypassed her weakness to achieve her goal.
"... Oi, don't move! What are you doing?! Stop, Hakuno you'll-! Huh? Why am I getting work up? Who are you anyway, if you don't stop you'll die, dumbass... aren't you hurt?" A voice penetrated her mind, which she gladly replied with the word 'fine'.
She's slowly walking, one arm holding the other in pain, scraping the floor with the soles of her shoes- breathing loudly as the virus spreads at her body. Her vision was a mirage of dark splotches, electrifying every core of her system, warning her to stop and walk away. Yet she didn't, even if she dies here with the electric current of living orgasm rejecting her spirit particles on different wavelength.
"Hah... what an idiot. Just give up already." The bored voice of her Servant echoes within the labyrinth, soulless and irritated- just the way she can recall how her Servant should be. However, she did not listen to it- her greatest weakness is not giving up after all. Thoughtlessness, yes, but she have no choice. She has to walk further deep within Mordred's heart. She needs to release the real Mordred in the sculpture, that's the only way she could be of assistance and punished her Servant for taunting her to surrender.
"I won't." she replied bluntly, continuing in her track.
"... You're weird." Mordred huffs, reverting back to that of an impatient girl in her own throne.
The assault to her spirit resumes, gauging viruses and dismantling her over and over again. She's in pain- very much so, but she kept walking, the coast is near and she'll be damned to backed down after all the pain of being electrocuted ends her on the spot. If she can pull all the strings this slow maybe-
"Kh!" she grinds her teeth, her left shoulder felt numb, and she's colder than ever. She can't feel anything down her waist, but miraculously she can still slide her feet, getting closer and closer to her destination. Fortunately, her sense of pain isn't functioning well, she just felt gross, with her body being lighter.
"... You," Mordred whispers, almost in astonishment or just plain infuriation, she does not know, but she will keep everything forward. For her, if she can still move, then it is still all right. Even if this really hurts, too much, she does not know the reason why she's still grasping for her goal to slide in and touch Mordred's instinct atop that statue. Maybe it's because she trusted her so much, she'll give her life just to elevate the cloth of ignorance Mordred have when it comes to the relationship they have.
"Look, I'm kind of getting annoyed with your perseverance. Just give up with your pitiful act, girl."
She will not. Not until she reach out to the marble statue of her Servant from afar, curled up like a baby in a bed of thorns, awaiting this stupid of a Master to summon and call her name. She walks and walks, with the shock intensifying as she progresses in her goal. But then, with one last final force which knocks her down to the ground, she slumped in heap of pain, wheezing her fatigue and biting her lips to stop the tears from falling.
"..."
"Now Senpai~! Just be a good little girl and rest there, okay~?" a voice full of uncaring soft lullaby hushed in her ear, but she relents and shook her head and decide to crawl instead. BB will not get away with this, taunt her, seduce her- anything. She won't back down from a challenge, and neither will she submit to her desire to stop and turn her back to the Servant who risks her life every single time to protect her from harm.
"..."
'I can't leave her alone. Mordred... I... I can't leave her alone... She's waiting.. My Servant's waiting.' Her mind repeats it like a mantra again and again, as the contract they had at their first meeting went in and out in her head. She remembers the act and the responsibilities she had as a Master and participant of the Holy Grail, she remembered her position in the Student Council and the joy and burden it brings. Yet she held the hopes that she will not yield in grief with her Servant by her side, guiding her, loving her and disciplining what childish acts she have offered to the world.
While she crawls and digs her hands to the ground, a few inches down the slope of the statue, Mordred's voice reverberates to the whole area, incredibly flustered and assumingly nonchalant.
"Say, what drives you to look like a worm as it is?" the words are rude, but the concern behind it warms her heart. She move to reply, but her voice stops functioning, so she tried to slowly move her lips according to the syllable, wishing it is enough if Mordred can see her face.
'You.'
"You're weak just like any other else, what made you think I will accept you?"
'I didn't.'
"... You're moronic and a half- bake idiot. Why are you so persistent approaching my lair?"
She smiled at the last phrase, chuckling to herself before giving an answer.
'Because I love you, idiot.'
With that memory rounding on his mind, he can further conclude Hakuno's resilience as a weak have been her border case to infiltrate her own inferiority and encourage herself of what she can do beyond the scope of her knowledge and strength, while ideally, Romani felt the envy of being outmatch by a little girl in the sense of braveness and determination to face the world. He could not do it, accept his faults and be an improvise man that he is now, and thus his jealousy to everyone's achievement and the growing need to just end it all.
With a depressing laugh to his predicament, Romani laid back with a single tear shed in his left eye, one arm hiding his hurtful gaze, before he succumb into a single thought, close on giving up for a semblance of peace to his mind.
"I wonder... how many days will last before I died and leave this place in their capable hands?"
"I'm afraid I cannot let you go for now, Romani." With a new familiar voice breaking his monotonous thoughts, Romani went alert, branching off and activate his circuits to guard himself.
Right, there's another thing that made him do that pitiful act of weakness, and that is...
"Archimedes..." he growled with all his might, glaring at the brown haired Servant supporting himself at his door.
It seems the vassal of Velber comes to tweaked humanity's last hope.
00100001(Fate Extra: Grand Order)00100001
LOCATION: [CHALDEA- COMMAND ROOM]
YEAR: [2012]
"This is it, sis. No backing out now." Gudao flippantly sighs, organizing the documents in his hands and closing his eyes in tiredness. With a wild turn of event and a disposition of agendas they are trying to work in after the short days after their Babylonian incident- the change of pace when they heard of the news from the future was disconcerting. Acting as the older brother to his sister, he knew not to test the water and disobeyed his adamant sister when she set her mind into the fray.
He gazed at his sister forlornly, completely engrossed inside her head, with a flicker of will and determination on a verge of spilling in the eyes of the moment. Out of all the people who heard Romani's revelation, Gudako have taken it hard the most- as she's much closer to Hakuno than he thought she would, and the specified Servants who went missing into the explosion of magic have been nagging the girl the whole day.
He is upset too, sure, he has another and different purpose to be mad at after all, but the recompression of the thought have made them jiffy and uncomfortable, silencing further arguments as they lay their strategies they will act upon entering the warzone of future. Yes, they will do it tomorrow, an impossible act before, however, with the beacon laid on the previous cafeteria- the last success of a program from the Moon Cell as Enkidu suggested- everything will turn into a complete conquest. He do not dwell into details, but they pointed out it is a part of Hakuno's rights as the Master of the Moon Cell. The patterns of Command Seal suggested her order forgotten a long time ago, an alleyway to the Moon Cell Core- entrusted in their hands to save what should have been lost.
"We still have an hour before we set and laid out our last decent sleep before our next travel," he then broke the silence yet again, pulling out a piece of paper and presenting it to his sister. "... do you want to make arrangements before I talk to the Servants about our choices?"
"..."
"Gudako."
"I trust your judgement, bro. No need to let me see them." Then the little sister murmured in annoyance, painstakingly rubbing her tired eyes with her hand. "We just have to pull this off and get down to business, Hakuno and the others are waiting for our help for dang sake!"
"I insist you look, sis." Gudao replied with ease, patiently waiting for his sister to turn into that of a jovial person next to Astolfo's cheer. "I don't want you peeing in your suit to organize who will back you up. Though I don't actually mind if that happens but..."
"Do I really have to?"
"Like what you always used to? Yeah, pretty much. It seems you're still in the gutter with your thoughts, if you want me not to pry with that head of yours then at least look at the list of whom you wanted to team up with."
"You're brutal, bro. Just plain brutal." With a long breathe of air, Gudako finally regard her brother's presence with her eyes, before the list of names catches her attention as she scrutinize every Servant's name upon it. With her eyes getting droopy and murderous, she have an urge to ripped the paper in her hands which she quickly crumbled, before she tossed it at her smirking brother's face. "Really? Really?! You're out of your mind, you know that right?" she shrieked, rubbing her hands in her arms to keep the goosebumps off.
"Well, at least that got your attention- Ow!" Gudao laughed, earning another glare and a kick to his shin.
"Ten Kuroyukihime under my wing!? Have you forgotten the last time you ditch me? They harassed me! They even went as far by lying next to me naked!"
"Well, spoilsport I have you know it's not my fault. She jinxed everything and rummage on my desk. But that aside," he then stopped his banter, taking a professional look as he present another paper, now with a gaze of a predator. "... How's that combo for our next hunt?"
Gudako tentatively scoffed and ripped the paper away from her brother's hand, looking at the list and simply raising her brow up to her hairline. This was by far the most interesting combination of all.
"Like what you see, sis?"
"If I hear one mocking word in your mouth, I will totally kill you." Gudako threated, but the smile in her face told otherwise, eyes lighting up like a child. "... But you have a really good taste. Let's blow the next generation with a bang, shall we?"
00100001(Fate Extra: Grand Order)00100001
LOCATION: [FUTURE- SCHOOL'S COLISEUM -FATE EXTRA]
YEAR: [2043]
"Sister! Sister! Grandpa! Uncle! Brother! Brother's big brother! Seaweed head brother!"
"Welcome back." The sisters said in unison, one neutral- the other, serene and warm.
"Ah, little Alice. Done playing, I presume?" the brother merrily laughed, giving her a dashing smile in his handsome face.
"It's Shinji to you, brat!"
Ignoring the nosy reply to her greeting from the undeserving person, Alice came bounding down the portal connected to the Arenas from the Coliseum where the seven other famous standing Masters of the previous Grail are in, all portraying their personality of the design to their chairs forming an arc- dressed in all black and violet patterns- visibly infected by the Umbral Virus.
The surrounding Coliseum is just that of a deep sea, no lights passing through the digital and the dim shine of their chairs were the only thing that made them visible in the very dark place.
Alice never comprehends why they were bring back in time and cage in the desire of the Umbral to penetrate the system of Moon Cell. Mayhap, they were doing what it orders against their will and they were punished if they do not eliminate everything... but the question why they were still retaining their previous emotions, memories and beliefs enhanced and foiled by the virus is still unshackling.
Alice sniffs one last time before looking at everyone, clutching the broken pieces of Jabberwocky in her arms and pondering who would be the perfect person which can accommodate her whims.
She starts at Dan Blackmore, a man of honor. The Grandfather she always obeyed to, and the father figure she admired. She could perfectly see the kindness within his cold eyes, but she knew he would not hesitate to crush anyone whom failed to enter their group of nobility. Also, his mature personality would be inadequate to her little whimpers of tears and thus, she turns her eyes to his side and looks at other person, imperfectly annoying to her little mind.
Gatou, a man of beliefs and premonitions to his culture and study, bringing nothing but nuisance and pain in the ear- a great listener for a well- rounded and boisterous man, but he still do not have enough sanity to understand her- the virus making him berserk to the reality of the situation they are in.
Shinji Matou and Julius Harway are not Alice's options. She's not quite fond of them after all, because of their immaculate tendency to stray havoc and assassinate even their own soldiers. Maniacs and psychos rubbed out of their freedom to choose and made a path on their own- the viruses call of warning- the chain binding them to their seats.
She likes Leonardo, the little perfect modern king for the new world. He is the epitome of a royalty, a hand lending to listen and to care for others... but Alice do not think it would be best to talk him out of his high horse with a few glitch in his expressions- an unanimous reactions of flimsy deprivation and anger.
Rani VII is an enigma, a robot hiding in the shell of a lady wandering like a ghost. She's kind and compassionate to whatever she did, but she's not the compatible person who can understand her- a cyber ghost in possession of Umbral Virus, but have a will and freedom like before.
And so, Alice dashed close to the last person, playing to a small ruby gem with the most boring expression on her face. Rin Tohsaka- a professional wizard and leader of the terrorist on Earth, the epitome of a grand warrior... and perhaps, the only person who will know the call of longing within Alice's violet orbs.
"Sister Rin!" she whines, hugging the surprised black haired woman, looking at the little girl which leapt at her red couch and presently pressing her face in her waist.
Rin smiles serenely, touching the head of the girl. "What is it, Alice?"
Alice sniffs and sobs in her waist, looking at the warm sister who will understand everything... the closest person to her wanted person...
"Hakuno- nee's here... I want her back, sister... I want her back..."
... The only friend Hakuno saved until the end.
00100001(Fate Extra: Grand Order)00100001
LOCATION: [SCHOOL'S ROOFTOP- FATE EXTRA]
YEAR: [2043]
Out of the place they called dystopia, Hakuno and her companions let a sigh of content when they open their eyes and saw the barren rooftop of the school atop the Maze. She looks up and found the same sky of zeroes and ones, glimpse of the artificial sun is entertainingly making her relax before her eyes gazed at the usual spot her friend Rin was fond of. With a last breathe of tension exiting her lungs; she went to secure the terminal in her pocket, certainly grateful that the portable's not so sensitive to elements except viruses and corrupt data. Finally, with the attacks out of the way, she could finally rest in peace...
"Husband~!"
... Or so she thought.
"Eh- Tamamphhh!?" After all she went through, this is the most startling welcome she would likely refuse right then and there if only she has time, as a huge meat of flesh is pressed in her face, making her prisoner in its depths while she gave a muffled noise of sigh, gesticulating with repetitive tap in the shoulder of Tamamo implying she needs air.
"Oh, what a joy this reunion have bring~! I have been worried sick for your well- being my beautiful tail frizzles, husbandddd~!" Tamamo joyfully went in her dreamland, giving of the vibe of a perverse woman in bed... which, is not exactly far by any means, in the perspective of those who knows her well.
"Hold thy tongue, you're presence have worsen my day." Jeanne Alter came behind the fox- woman, eyes sharp and narrowed in scrutiny, looking up and down everyone, before settling to focus her gaze on her liege.
"... How an idiot like you could possibly survive alone, I wonder?" Jeanne Alter pursed her lips, holding back a sneer of completed disguise, covering up the ease of her muscles when she saw the gangs are safe.
Mordred blinks confusedly, looking at her sides to seek any signs of person beside her before the words kicks in. "Oh, you mean me?" she laughed, pointing to herself, cheekily grinning at the Avenger.
"And I see my moniker to yours truly is true." Jeanne Alter snapped, leaving as soon as she enters the moments, in exchange of the Maiden of Orleans, warily looking at the Avenger going to the exit before moving herself next to Saber Mordred- crouch and breathing heavily.
Finally, with some little prompting and the intrusion of the Emperor of Rome, Hakuno was freed from the mighty clutch of the fox, moving closer to Mordred, and drawing out the pressure freezing her muscles in pain.
"We made it." She whispered, squeezing the hand of her lover in front of her, observing the view with inquisitive eyes like the others. Mordred's attention was swept and instantly locks on Hakuno's eyes, affection burning within – remembering the gained memories, enchanting her more to cave in.
"Of course we'll made it... Master." Mordred replied, scorching the surprise and joyful expression of her lover in mind- clearly astonished and happy at what she heard. "Remembered your dream about me in a sea so blue? Me wearing almost nothing but red cloth hiding my chest and nether region? The cliché talk you did? The Servant and Master gist you're sprouting before? Guess what, it's perfectly real. Congrats, Hakuno- you dropped the fortune telling on me."
"You... Saber... you remembered also?"
"Not fully complete, actually. Mind and Heart combined but..." the blonde snorts, rolling her eyes and indifferently shrugging her shoulders at what must be done. "... I'm still me."
"Then... th-then..." Hakuno suddenly lowers her head, eyes simply refusing to slip the tears in her cheeks. "Then we...I... you..."
"Relax, Hakuno..." Mordred consoled, "Take a deep breath and relax for now. We just got out on bad situation- we'll talk the details later be you burst your brains, alright?"
"U- un..."
"Come on, now. Cheer up!" Mordred grins at Hakuno until something occur, almost toppling the brunette forward when a heavy weight forcefully pushed her down at the arms of Mordred, which is looking quite surprised at what transpired behind.
"Daughter!" Altria called out, but Arturia's faster- softly sliding her arms at Saber Mordred's unconscious form, her son's head in between her neck and shoulder, eyes concern and questioning, tightly holding Saber Mordred to her body like a lifeline.
"Woah, what happened?" Astolfo asked in concern, trotting back to them after he whirled and ogled at the place they are transferred to.
"Is she alright?" Jeanne asks disturbed. Altria too, are making a disposition of emotions- disposing it with a clench of her gauntlets- hiding it to the world.
Hakuno tightly lace her fingers at Mordred's neck before standing up to her own feet, staring at the concern gazes of the Servants. Mordred and Hakuno shared a glance, before she trotted forward, kneeling as Arturia laid Saber Mordred to the side of the entrance of the roof. She checks the Saber's vitals with a small [Code Cast: Scan], running its course in different directions, before she cupped the cheeks of the unconscious Servant, face creased in pain.
Hakuno momentarily furrowed her brows in confusion, if she recalls correctly- Avalon's sheathe is within Saber Mordred's now, repairing inner particles clustering in osmosis, not blocking the supply of mana from her circuits close to her chest which is literally happening now. She seen different unexpected illness before, yet not quite she heard this reverse reaction when it comes to Avalon.
"Avalon's blocking the circulation of mana to her heart..." she informed the others, sliding her left palm to Saber Mordred's slowly heaving chest carefully, as if trying not to wake a giant from its slumber. Alas, a violent reaction was produced by the unconscious blonde, hurling a grinded wheeze and a blood cough to spurt out of her mouth.
"Blocking? ...!? My Lady!" Altria shouts in alarm, eyes bewildered when she spoke her findings, "Forgive me for not stating before but it might be because of my daughter, King Mordred of Camelot."
"King Mordred... of Camelot?" Hakuno simply muttered, all eyes drawn equally intense to the Lancer, curious at the conspiracy she evoke.
"What blasphemy are you uttering, Altria?" Arturia argued, eyes dangerously glaring fire which drill holes. Altria meet her eyes in equal vigor, thin lips tight in tension.
"My daughter... King Mordred of Camelot is within... within Arturia's son, the Knight of Treason. She is another entity besides the Mind which latch to Saber Mordred, and I believe she was assisting the body of Saber Mordred until now, hence the acceptance of the mana in Avalon. Yet... yet I do believe the real soul of the vessel is back on course- her primary history rejecting the cause of Avalon- doing damage more than good."
"Then we don't have time for idle chatter." Mordred's lover stated like a sharp knife cutting to the butter of frozen incredulity and expressions, directing her eyes to the fox maiden, attentive to her person.
"Tamamo, I do not have enough mana to heal her, can you extract the Avalon with your skills as Caster?"
"Arara~ I have the utmost confident that I can, husband~! However, I believe I have the right person which can accurately do the magic~!" Tamamo no Mae giggles in response, eyes twinkling to the little brunette's confusion. "Now~, to the Infirmary we go~!"
00100001(Fate Extra: Grand Order)00100001
LOCATION: [PAST- THRONE EXTELLA]
YEAR: [UNKNOWN]
LOCATION: [PASSIONLIP'S INNER BIN- FATE EXTRA CCC]
YEAR: 2043
"KIIIIINNNNNGGGG!"
"Ahahaha! Come and get me you booby woman!"
"Curse your name, MORDREEED!"
"What!? I just compare your size to-!"
"I'll behead you, you little rumbustious filth!"
"I'm your KING!"
"GO DIEEE!"
"I'll- WOAH!"
"DIEEEEE!"
"Waaah, I want to play too~! Mama, I want to play too!" Jack yelled in her lap, raising her hands in an adorable way, turning in her seat to give her a look of pure cuteness, with her black hoodie drape comfortably in her head. "Mama, I want to play too! Please, Mama!" she repeated, making Hakuno shook her head slowly in refusal.
"No way will I let you, Jack," she consoled, brushing her hands on top of the child's head. "And look carefully, they are not playing, you see. They're hunting each other, do you want to stand in that crossfire and made more damage than actual fun?" then, as though the events were in agreement to her words, an explosion detonates in the Throne, with two persons dancing like cat and dogs with their barks and cusses in different colors and ratings.
"... But isn't 'hunting' playing for Assassins like me, Mama?" Jack pouted, confused to be forbidden to an act she done many times before.
"Indeed it is," Hakuno murmured, before adding another statement. "... but like I told you before, I'm your mother and mother knows best when it comes to her children, no?"
"Uuhhh..." Jack slump in defeat, but she could not help but sulk for a moment, as her mother pampered her with soft hushes and little pecks. "I wish I could play~! Do you know someone I could play, Mama?"
"Once, Jack, but she's not here anymore. Her name was Alic-" her words were cut, the tremor of the vocal rashness made her do so- enrage for some reason not beyond what she do not knew.
"YOU LITTLE EMBICILE!" Jeanne Alter bellowed with all her might- there, struggling to get the hands off her breast is the Avenger, being teased by the knight who jumped back and ran with a shouting victory on her face. Hakuno visibly flinch when the word echoes loudly in the vicinity. She pray it will not be heard outside of the throne, lest a panic will ensue in their citizen.
"My, my. We sure have a fine morning to start the day, Master." A green haired man wearing a simple white clothing materialize at her vision, a man of legend- Enkidu, half- turn in greeting to both sides of different persons.
"Fine morning? I just hope I'll discover the day when they will ever grow up. I'm too old for this." she sighs in exasperation, but the kind kindle in her eyes represents her amusement to the comedic act presented in her throne. In front, is a young blonde knight in a silver armor, using skills to dodge and sidestepped a fuming white haired girl with yellow eyes, offended through her inner core as she seek vengeance to the blonde, the accursed groping she experiences in the hands of her king is still fresh in her mind.
They quarrel and fought with laugh and curses combine, creating a welcome noises which reverberates in every side of their beautiful castle, made out of white unstained stones. The two beautiful young woman- Jeanne Alter and Mordred- made Hakuno's tense cheeks loose and relax due to their refreshing squabbles, entertaining her tired mind and building a wall to her insecurities as a Master of Moon Cell.
"I believe it is my line, My Lady." The teasing voice in her left side halt her mindset closer to her darker thoughts, belonging to a woman resembling Mordred- the once and powerful King of Britain- Altria Pendragon. She giggles at the words of their trusted father figure, standing straight and ready to always obey her needs. "You are not even in your twentieth birth date nor have I seen a single strand of your hair marred with age." Altria continued, deflecting flying debris to the side without looking to the brawling youngsters.
"Sometimes I felt you've been debating with me so much." Hakuno snorts cutely, raising one brow to imply the jest...
"Hm? Whatever do you mean?" yet, for some reason- obliviousness runs in Pendragon's veins.
"...It's like a pot calling kettle black."
"... Master, we have no such thing in our kitchen resembling a pot and a kettle." Altria blinked in confusion- out of the loop of where the previous responses have gone from.
"Ugh... It's just an expression, Altria..." She responded, looking straight to the eyes of her husband's father. She deliberately loved this moment of serenity, where they will see each other as a family- with her as a mother, Mordred as her husband, Altria as their paternal figure, Enkidu as the kind brother, Jack as the daughter and Jeanne Alter as the overbearing sister- in- law. She loved the moments of tranquility over the course of two clustered invasion in their lands, hence, when the opportunity arise such as this- indulgence was all she liked to do. Perhaps... what she needs to do before a series of failures and siege wraps up her time for her family that much.
She recuperates to her blunt reminiscence and enjoys the dazzles of enmity of her trusted Servants- Enkidu stepping on the warzone to pacify and balance the hatred and camaraderie they had to pull out of the battlefield.
Mordred chose the Servants well. It connects and maintains competitiveness and friendship against their classes, and inevitably ignores the greed to acquire the greatest kind of Servants compensating to involve trustful companions evolving higher than the programmed caliber next to gods.
"Your thoughts have been running in circles, Master." Altria whispered, while Jack ends up running close to the two now calmed women, leaving them all alone in their private conversation.
"Is it?" she replied, mulling over if it's been like that at all. "I can't think of anything bad at all. You seems to be mistaken, Altria." she emphasizes, swiping her hand to the other Servants conversing a little faraway. "We have a good day to start another page of journeys, Altria. Is it bad to reflect back on how we achieve this role we have now?"
"It is not a sin to look back to where you came from, Master. However, you could not hide the pain of what the future has to offer."
"I am perfectly okay, Altria."
"You might be in denial, but you cannot lie."
"Can't I?"
"Yes," the parent figure confirmed, eyes digging holes at Hakuno's own- brightly colored green with the tint of yellowish divinity. "You can't. You might twist your words and reduce the damage and not burden others. One way or another, you predict the end results of your decisions. I am proud to say you are an honest human who walks on earth with her head held high, so try not to make yourself lowly to deny something you cannot hide."
And just like that, all has come to ruin her façade of resolution. She closed her eyes to hide the pain away- she hopes Altria will not see it, but the King has an experience more than she do. Running kingdoms, ordering armies and trusted friends to their death- Hakuno's in turmoil of her feelings when it comes to ruling in this tag of war. She's in her absolute when she agreed upon her Mordred's declaration to the unknown enemies consuming their land, but once in a while- as a human girl illiterate and out of option- doubt floods her to articulate what's the best for everyone.
"The strain... it's too much." Hakuno then speak her fears, bowing down her head in defeat. She could not say the next words to them. There's no way she will drain them with what she see in the Moon Cell Core, she dragged Altria once until this moment- she could not fathom pulling the others with her down.
"..." Altria let her be, just an arm reach to give comfort if needed- like a good counsel she have always been. She sympathize the Master, yet her admiration surpassed the inferior feeling of what she held in her soul. They trades secrets no one know, even Mordred- their daughter and husband respectively- cannot understand the responsibility of a girl holding the future of their world in her fingers.
"... Altria, is it the right thing to do?"
"There's no right or wrong actions, merely how this move will be interpreted as by the other perspectives, Master... However, I believe this is the most favorable, calm your heart- I will guide them to our success." The father figure answered back, bangs covering her eyes- as she was the only one being entrusted on what will transpire.
Hakuno sighs one final time before meeting the gazes of everyone, close and concern- some indifferent to her expression. It seems they stopped bantering while she and the father figure's quietly exchanging conversation.
"What's with that face, you idiot." Mordred grunts in suspicion, palming Hakuno's cheek, which the brunette leans to remember the warm of her husband... one final time... before she gave the smile of her last goodbye...
"You have a schedule to go and interact with our citizens, right?" she asked Mordred gently, raising her hand to brush Mordred's chin smudge with dirt. Her husband gave a simple nod, narrowing her eyes as Hakuno retract her hand and clap in finality. She knew something is bothering her wife, but she hold her tongue and let Hakuno decide whether she wants to say it to her privately.
"So why don't you go now, I know the day's not that long for you to meet every one of them." Hakuno urges the group, still sitting in her own chair.
"You won't come, Mama?" Jack asked.
"I'm afraid Master's still not fully recovered from the last siege, Jack. Come, let Master rest for the day and disembark we go." Altria soothes them, stepping out from Hakuno's side.
"Hm? Who will stay to protect Master?" Jeanne pipes in, cocking her head to the side in wonder. Hakuno used this to intervene, "Archimedes will be here shortly. Don't worry about me, just go and enjoy your stay there. If an issue were to arise, I will use my authority as a bearer of Regalia to summon you, as quick as it could to my side."
"Then it's settled." Jeanne nodded, satisfied to her speech before disappearing without a trace, the Servants following closely... all except one.
"Hurry, beloved. The others are waiting."
"Don't sweet talk me, Hakuno... What's wrong?" Mordred whispers, bending down and leaning close to Hakuno- kissing her lips while her left hand caress the nape of her lover. "... You've been acting strange lately. Did I do something wrong?"
"N- no! No, you didn't."
"Then, what's in your smartass head? You're like a fox caught in the headlight."
"I'm not smart and it has nothing to do with my ass, and isn't it a 'deer' caught in the headlight?"
"Same thing." Mordred shrug with no care at all, yet she bumped her head painfully into Hakuno, green hues laser sharp and focused. "But seriously, what's wrong? Do you want me to accompany you? I can just ditch 'hem and let them handle the subjects."
"No, that would be bad for your image." She refused, clenching her fist to stop the rush of emotions ready to explode.
"Hakuno?"
"I... I'll just miss you."
'More than you could imagine.' The thought lingers dangerously as much as she wanted it, but the fact is still hidden- everything is amiss from the start when it comes to their arrival here again in Moon Cell after all.
"Uh... how am I supposed to react to that?" Mordred blinks in contemplation, naïve as ever when it comes to Hakuno's obvious affections.
Hakuno bit her lips to keep the tears from falling, or moreover- prevent Mordred from seeing her agony in terms of heart. She closed her eyes and pulls her husband forward. She savors the soft and slightly wet lips of her Mordred, forging it in her memories the final time. She instinctively hides how her body will unconsciously grasp anything about Mordred- so thus her yearning to not let her go.
Hakuno's afraid of what will happen, but she has no choice but to do this alone. They separated and look affectionately into each other's eyes, with Mordred's grin making her giggle- obscuring what she can't stomach inside.
'Don't go.' Her heart pleaded.
"I'll be back before you know it." Mordred assured, kissing the ring on her finger one last time.
'Please, don't go!' Her soul cries.
"Un, I'll wait for your return." Hakuno nodded- hands folded tightly in her lap. Mordred stands straight and slowly disappeared in a shower of different particles, green hues never leaving her form. "I love you, idiot." The blonde said in earnest, the blood rushing to her cheeks as a sign of her true adoration.
'Please... Don't leave me alone.' Her body whimpers...
"U- Un..." she forces down the bile in her throat, the tightness on her chest, and the smile of her farewell. "... I love you too, blondie." And just like that, a tear broke free from her clutches.
Mordred was frozen in what she saw, but she's too late now, she can't materialize back for a short minute- the drawbacks of a virtual transportation. Now, with her love ones gone and safely out of reach of the upcoming tragedy, she stands in her throne and greeted the Servant of the nemesis, slowly walking without any malice- a dark entity inside those kind faced of a personality. Finally, the deed will be done.
"Archimedes..." she greeted blankly, all her functions at the ready.
She can't back out now.
This timeline will not survive with him around.
"... Ah?" the brunette blink awake, her eyes still quite daze and touched with the sensual touch of sleep. A dream- no, a recollection of the complete Hakuno evades her without sanction even in this literal trash bin, which decrease her decaying time. It must be the effect of getting close next to the complete data, still recalling the embrace they done for many days passed. She sits and brushed the trillion cubes in different colors coating her figure, wondering how many days she was asleep. Her white sundress, lined up with blue design greeted her vision, almost abysmally taunting her to recognize that she have so much to do. She's the Soul after all, and the meetings of the other functions in that place unharmed by time are still fresh and vivid in her malfunctioning thoughts.
She did have a feeling that something will happen, but she knew for sure the 'quick' word is bugging her to move. And fortunately, the place she is in is still awake, tooattentive not to ignore her needs.
"... Ano... Senpai?" that cute call, too adorable and endearing- given it was the voice of a child in a woman's body, asked the brunette in the pile of cubes. The Soul chuckles lightly, looking way up the entrance of this abyss.
"Yes, Passionlip?" she replied from nowhere, after all, she's inside Passionlip's body- the trash bin between the valley of the Alter Ego's breast, which thankfully sunk into that of an average size- nullifying the lust of seeing such piece of meat strap with belts.
"U- um... Good m-morning, Senpai... S- sakura is... I- is u- um... S- s- she's c- ca- calling us... S- senpai." The stutter apprehends her to stand, and thus her agreement to respond clearly to the Alter Ego.
"Did she say why, Lip?"
"U- um... S- she's ... um... She's talking... a- about another Senpai, Senpai?"
"... What?" while Passionlip's stutter is adorable, it's quite difficult to understand her words.
"U- um... there's a... s- system hijacking sh- she said? Um... she's asking.. if... if Senpai's still with me?"
"Of course I've been here all this time, what's the problem?"
"O- oh... um... She's saying that... S- senpai's with her though... with d- different S- Servants?"
"... Huh?"
"A- and another Senpai's r- requesting to see uh... Senpai?"
And with that, the Soul blinks for a bound of a minute before it all sink in. She palmed her head in tiredness, depressing aura consuming her refreshing wake.
"S- Senpai!?"
"I'm not even ready yet." She sighs, perfectly ignoring the innocent eyes peering like Goliath in the ruptured sky. "Ugh, at least I made progressed and found her too." she murmurs to herself, irritated for some reason.
Passionlip could not reply, she did not know what to say either, so she just stays quiet and curious to the Senpai's antics- questioning in herself if Hakuno needs a system repair like she does once in a while. That's what she marvels, until the Alter Ego looks at the horizon, just up and about the branch of the Sakura tree above the labyrinth of BB.
00100001(Fate Extra: Grand Order)00100001
Matrix Level
[Original Level]
Name: Mordred Pendragon [King of Moon Cell]
Strength: EX
Defense: A++ [without the Secret Pedigree]
EX [with Secret of Pedigree]
Agility: A++
Magic: A+
Luck: B
Skill List:
OFFENSIVE:
[Dragon's Breath]: inflicts A+ magic to the enemies, scorching the target inside to outside in a period of time. Fatal and deadly, also inflict 10% damage to the user.
[Prana Burst]: a skill to enhance the Matrix levels in a short amount of time. Can be use in daily basis, especially in combat. It can be used defensively, but the amount of damage it produced made it as an offensive type of skill.
[Dance of Camlamn]: a chain attacks of a wild swordsman, perfectly match for numerous amount of enemies in one area. Inflicts lethal brashness of the sword, dangerous for Servants lower than Riders.
[Red Thunder] or [Red Lightning]: a skill to stun and deflects lower than B skills of enemies, can also be use as a counter measure and an airstrike to an army.
DEFENSIVE:
[Dragon's Skin]: enhance defense in 79%, transforming the usual silver armor in red scales of a dragon- nulling even certain Noble Phantasms.
[Knight's Code]: enhance the odds of gaining Luck and regeneration in the heat of battle- acquiring survivability and potential victories.
[Stupid Luck]: name's personally created from Mordred herself, a way to deflect upcoming strikes by facing it head on and aiming it with her fists. 80% suicidal, 20% effective below C rank level.
Noble Phantasm: [Secret of Pedigree]- the helm given to her by her mother- Morgan Le Faye- obscuring her Matrix Level and Skill List from the enemies and concentrating her defense in 80% vitality. Enhancing defense into EX, can deflect certain Noble Phantasms.
[Clarent: Camelot's Glory] – a Sword of Peace in the hands of a treasonous Knight. It's previous title, [Clarent; Blood Arthur] was eliminated due to the user's acceptance to her mistakes- the love of her father and the redemption of her sins. Acquired after gaining inheritance of the title [King of Moon Cell]. It's previous form, with silver and red accent, was replace by a thin sword parred with Excalibur made of crystal like structure and red and yellow accents combine in its previous design. The guard transformed into two heads of the dragon- one red and one yellow- representing her past and present action- with an orb in the middle- the symbol of Pendragon imbedded to the stone.
MORDRED [Heart and Mind combined] PRESENT MATRIX LEVEL:
Strength: C
Defense: D
Agility: A
Magic: C
Luck: D
Author's Note: Oh hey guys, been a while huh. I'm actually pretty nervous now, it seems my mind goes blank and I don't know what will type unlike my other chapters- but it doesn't I will end this though- I just can't figure out why my style seems different, I guess. I don't know why but the continuation on my author's note the previous chapter didn't show up. I tried to fix it in my doc manager, but I don't know where it goes. Weird, I think FF's on me. So I guess the hell with it for now because I pretty much actually don't remember what I replied before? Weird, haha. So here goes to chapter 10:
Fidd99: Yo, pal what's up!? I mean, yeah I pretty much went down in the last one because I didn't write anything for one week- ONE WEEK!- and I forgotten how I make it more interesting back then. But hey, thanks for enjoying this until now- and about the image: it's my sketch at the back of my book, my friend saw that and she dared me to post it or else she'll blackmail me in our school's cartoonist journalism- and let me tell you, it's very very busy. And I'm kind of perplexed though, Hakuno have a harem, but she will not acknowledge it at all- sorry, pal. I crushed expectations so much. Haha, hope you forgive me.
amerdism: Hey, sorry for not responding to your last PM but it gave me a thing to develop this story though, thanks! And soon enough you'll get what results you wanted, just so you wait.