Chapter 6
Before his foot reached the ground, Archer's clothes had materialized onto his body. He gently rose from the bed, as not to disturb the sleeping girl. Hakuno slept soundly, snuggled under the covers. She looked so innocent and peaceful. Archer smiled at the sight. He then looked to the night stand. Sitting on it was the regalia. He took it, placed it on his finer, then quietly left the room.
Technically, it was also his. Hakuno made that clear, but it still felt like stealing. However, he needed to check on something, and he didn't want Hakuno to know, at least not yet. The man Hakuno described, was someone he wanted to avoid. He didn't think he could lose, technically he won against that enemy already and he was sure he could do it again. But this time was different, this time he had someone to protect, and this time he could keep her. And this time, he wasn't taking any chances.
The reason he was checking was because what Merlin had described sounded just like Hakuno's dream. If there was a possibility that she had somehow gained the power of sight, then maybe that wasn't some daydream.
The virtual sky had turned to night, that was revealed by the skylight in the throne room.
"You're up late," Archer looked to see Merlin, approaching him.
"You're still here?" Archer asked, he didn't hate Merlin, per se. However, he didn't trust him either.
"There's no need for that, I assure you I'm on your side, Shirou Emi-…" Merlin stopped talking when there was a sword at his throat. Archer's gaze was deadly.
"There is only one person permitted to know, let alone speak that name," he said in a low tone, "And she is currently asleep."
"Apologies," Merlin raised his hands in surrender. Archer lowered his blade in acceptance.
"How do you know that name?" Archer asked.
"I am gifted with foresight," Merlin said, "I've seen the future, as well as several possible ones. So, I know your strength."
"I once put an arrow in the king of hero's skull," Archer said, "Remember that."
"Speaking of the king of hero's," Merlin said, "You here to use the regalia to see if you can find him."
Archer's silence confirmed it.
"Did the master order this?"
"You know she didn't," Archer growled, "She doesn't even know he exists."
"You're not even sure he's on the moon," Merlin reminded.
"I don't have the… best luck," meaning he had the lowest ranking luck possible, "Odds are if we're to continue this fight. The most dangerous heroic spirits, might come into play."
"And you don't want anything to happen to that lovely master of yours?" Merlin asked. Archer just glared and went to the throne. Once he sat down the panel appeared in front of him and began a search on Gilgamesh. After a few seconds information on the first hero appeared.
Apparently, due to his great amount of power, he cannot go anywhere he pleases on the moon. He could only exist in a stable state in the environment of Far Side. And until the needs him he was put in stasis.
"Merlin, the velber, does it exist on Far Side?"
"No, it is on near side," Merlin said. Archer had an inward sigh of relief. Fighting Gilgamesh wasn't his favorite thing, and he wanted Hakuno as far away from him as possible. Gilgamesh's pride was only rivaled by his ferociousness. And Hakuno's pride was rivaled by her smart mouth.
"Good news I imagine?" Merlin asked.
"The king of hero's can only exist in stability on Far side and is in stasis, unless the moon needs him to perform a specific task. How the SE. RA. PH believes he will take orders is beyond me," Archer stood, the monitor vanished.
"That is excellent, such a pure soul does not deserve to be harmed," Merlin said. Archer looked at him.
"You think she's pure?" Archer asked. He believed that, but Merlin should know she survived the Holy Grail War. Winners are either strong or blood thirsty.
"Do you believe her time in the war has tainted her, because she killed for survival?"
"She didn't kill anyone I did."
"At her behest," Merlin reminded. Archer gave him another glare.
"Purity, isn't as fragile or finite as most believe." Merlin began, "In the soul and mind it can be regained. The body… is-…" Merlin was interrupted by Archer summoning his sword. His facial expression, basically saying, 'choose you next words carefully.'
"Sorry I'm part Incubus, I can't help it sometimes," Merlin said, "The point is, she is strong enough to find joy after tragedy, she doesn't let her sins slow her down. That is something a leader needs."
"Did you tell that to Arturia?" Archer asked his voice sounding bitter. Something flashed behind Merlin's eyes.
"I'm perfectly aware, once you had a good relationship with my first king, and I'm also aware, you're convinced her downfall was my fault," Merlin said.
"You're denying it?" Archer asked.
Merlin was silent for a while before answering, "… No. I'm not."
Merlin looked up into the sky, "I… could have done better. Perhaps trying to force the hopes and dreams on one little girl, who was not loved by her own father, was not the best… for her or Britain. I never wanted her to end up like that."
"Congratulations, you failed," Archer snapped. Merlin did not appear fazed.
"Don't worry," Merlin said, "I won't turn her into a martyr." After that Merlin left the throne room, leaving Archer alone. He decided to return to the room.
Once he was back in the bed next to Hakuno, he turned to look at her sleeping form. His hand reached out and gently stroked her hair. She moved a little but didn't wake up. Archer smiled, she was just helpless. He had to win this fight.
The next morning
Archer and Hakuno walked through the strange new area, "This is where the velber is supposed to be?" Hakuno asked.
"Yes, if the magician is to be believed," Archer said.
"What are we going to do about the Titan?" Hakuno asked.
"We're just here for reconnaissance," Archer reminded, "We'll leave if we get spotted."
Hakuno sighed, "I guess you're right. We'll be able to be less conspicuous if there's only one of us." Hakuno entered the regalia. Then Archer jumped to into the sky towards another area. Unaware of a pair of red eyes watching them.
The reconnaissance went without a hitch. So, they returned and planned. Merlin was with the servant and master.
"The area we searched had a fortress," Hakuno said, "It looked fortified. Is the Titan behind this?"
"Possibly," Merlin said, "It might be a fraction, but the Titan has a regalia, odds are it made a fortress."
"So, we need to plan on how to infiltrate it," Hakuno said, "Maybe we should-…" The alarm rang through the air, interrupting Hakuno's thoughts.
"Someone's attacking?" Hakuno asked. Archer looked alarmed.
"This is not good," Merlin said before looking at Hakuno, "Remain here while we go handle it."
"You want me to stay here while the castle is under attack?"
"Stay here, master," Archer said. He and Merlin disappeared, and she could tell the doors to the throne room were locked.
Hakuno stood up and stomped to the center of the room.
"Hey," she shouted at the top of her lungs, "The last time I checked I was the master… Come back here and take me with you!" After a few minutes of silence, it was made clear they weren't going to come back until the fight was finished. Hakuno sighed, she looked at her bare hands. Well, Archer had the regalia, so if he needed the moon cell's power he'd get it. She still didn't understand why he left without her. They were a team, then again he had been acting strange. She stood there in the center of the room, she looked at the door, wishing she could see past it.
"To think the faker could actually win the war," a voice behind her said in an arrogant tone, "But at least he finally left."
Hakuno turned around to a pair of red eyes and a flash of gold
In the east corner: A demigod and a king rolled in one. The only thing bigger than his wealth is his ego, in fact it's so big its universal. The wielder of the original noble phantasms. The golden king, the king of heroes, the first hero. You know him, you love him, the one, the only, king-
"Mongrel, stop taking so long and introduce me!"
Me: Hey, it's my fic. I cursed Jacques Schnee! Don't think I won't use my fanfic powers to turn you into a teddy bear!