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Fate/paradisus Scramble
Embroiled Conspiracy I: Ambition
2/26/2024 Fairdale Hills, Siesta City Midnight - Clear Sky
Third Person POV
It was nighttime once again. Here at the humble abode where Meifang currently lives… and uses this house as her own base of operations in order to live a "normal" life while being part of the war. Meifang was at her main living room where she was seen watching the cult classic film known as Texas Chainsaw Massacre after one of her girlfriends recommended her to look into the movie. Yet, she has built a high tolerance of jumpscares where someone would get killed by a crazed killer wielding a chainsaw to eviscerate people. She would end up becoming unfazed. However, she was all alone in this room and sent her Servant Another Lancer to do the job. She proceeded to smoke the cig as she was ready to do so. But upon realizing why she has been doing it… She takes it out from her mouth and extinguishes it with an ash tray as she eventually changes her mind.
"Maybe I should quit smoking…" Meifang said to herself as she sighed and continued watching the movie during the night.
For the longest time, she would think about her times where she was trained by her mentor where she was trained rigorously hours on end until she achieved perfection through the use of Magecraft. She experiences one particular memory where she would eventually kill her own mentor as a way to prove her strength. Throughout the years, she would live her life the way she sees fit. Yet, she eventually found herself here, becoming the Master in this Holy Grail War. Not caring about the ways of how she'll fight. She just wanted to have a better life with three girlfriends she met throughout the journey. From America, to Japan, and even Spain. She began to stare off into the ceiling where she began to ponder to herself about her own life. However, she would get an expected visit from her own Servant who had apparently returned to her.
"Master… There are a lot of armed people outside your home… Want me to deal with them? Meifang's Servant said to her as she stood up from the couch and looked at him.
"No, don't. Those must be the person who managed to call me about this deal they want to offer. I'll handle this myself. You're allowed to come with me but don't cause any trouble for me, will ya?" Meifang said to her Servant as he silently complied and followed her outside.
The two headed outside of the house where the gate had already been opened up where there were tons of bikes parked with headlights on to shine on the two as the 88th Street were standing there face to face.
"So… you found out where I live? Usually, I'd kill you all but I assume you're the person who accepted my call? So who's ever standing behind the group… come out or else I'll change my mind." Meifang demanded with a threat as it put the gang members of 88th Street on edge as they held their weapons ready.
"HOLD! STAND DOWN!" The voice of the leader arrives as he pushes through his men as he finally meets her. "We finally meet, Master of Lancer. The names Vasil Michael Vassiliades, the Master of Rider. Or rather… BlackSteel calls our Servants 'Another'. I heard rumors from my Servant here that there were two Lancers fighting each other to the death which later caused the destruction of Nashwood. Is that true?"
"Yes…" Meifang's Servant Achilles responded. "That Lancer I fought against was on par when it comes to speed. When she unleashed her Noble Phantasm on it. I managed to survive the blast. Glad that I didn't die."
"I see… Either way, BlackSteel's Commander and so-called CEO named Bryce decided to defame us for killing hundreds of people in that explosion. We know where one of their pretty forts are at so we're going to return them our… favor. Which is why we need you. Your Servant is quite strong, is it not?" Vasil asked her as it peaked her interest.
"I see… So you want our hand? What's in it for us? I'm not fond of people wanting to form alliances with me." Meifang said with a stoic look on her face.
"Please, no need to be this hostile. Consider this our future endeavors. All we need is to take down Bryce and the BlackSteel bastards and be done with it. After that, we can go back to being enemies. How does that sound?" Vasil said with a smirk on his face, knowing that she never wanted to get involved in their bloody mess. But his words had eventually reached her as she had come to a conclusion.
"Fine… you win. I'll join your foolish crew . If you so wish to kill this Bryce. I'll help you. But…" Meifang said to him as Vasil looked at her.
"But?" Vasil asked.
"In exchange for helping you… we are to reveal our true names of our Servants if we want to get along. It's not a bad deal you shouldn't refuse, right?" Meifang spoke with an exchange deal… a deal to reveal their own Servants' True Names.
"Really? Now you're making this complicated for me… Fine. I'll accept your conditions. But since you offered first. I suggest you tell me your Servant's True Name. Then, I'll tell mine." Vasil said to her as she nodded.
"Very well… My Servant's Lancer name is quite familiar with where you're from. Based on your full name… You're from Greece. Tell me. Does the name Achilles sound familiar to you?" Meifang said to him as Vasil instantly knows what the name is as he begins to recall and ponders.
"N-No way… The Hero of Troy? Born from the sea goddess Thetis and the hero Peleus… I would never have thought of seeing him with my own eyes…!" Vasil was amazed but astonished of a particular Servant Lancer being none other than Achilles himself. "If I recall, his only weakness is his heel, yes?"
"Yes…" Achilles continued as he pointed his lance at him with a cold, serious tone. "But I suggest you leave my mother and father out of it."
"Now that I revealed my Servant's name… Tell me yours, Vasil… Who is that Servant next to you?" Meifang said to him as Vasil's Servant, Another Rider appears next to him as she remains calm but silent. Though, he only smirked as he said his Servant's true name as it abruptly cuts to black as he said the name.
"Hephaestion…"
OPENING ACT 2 - spiral by DUSTZ [TV Size] (Blood-C)
*Theme plays*
The theme plays as it shows the first scene of Ryuga drowning under the ocean as there were pieces of shattered glass showing reflections of unknown Masters and Servants in Siesta until he slowly opens his eyes to see the mysterious silhouette of a woman reaching her hand out to him as he proceeds to reach her hands until the scene transitions.
Samayou trap in endless night
Sonzai jitai ni imi ushinai
Modorenai kako don't you dare to know
The next scene shows him waking up as he was sitting on the couch in the main living room in the Forvedge residence during the morning where he yawned quickly and stood up as he was preparing to leave as he called Nagao to come with him as Fiore appears and informs him. He nodded as he left the door with his Servant in tow.
Kuzureru all things that I believe
Genjitsu mitakunai kurai hibi
Nukedasenai joukyou don't know where to go
The next scene shows Ryuga and his Servant as they were walking down the populated streets of Pacifica Square as the scene switches to the two at the mountain shrine in New Hiroshima as Nagao was seen praying as Ryuga watches her as he felt the wind breeze from behind as he turned around to see the view of the city in daytime where Svin was seen taking the stone stairs down to leave the shrine as the next scene shows the mysterious Master and Servant sitting on a seat of a limousine down the city streets.
Do you know that hope is fake in this world
And despair is the only truth I've got
Yami wo kirisaite
Then the next scene shows Yu Meiren standing alone on the skyscraper during the night as the breeze blows her hair by the wind as she holds two long daggers on each hand with a serious look on her face. Then the next scene shows Mario Gallo Bestino walking down the empty streets in the residential area of Fairdale Hills as he had a smirk on his face. Then the next scene shows Bryce, Ophelia, and Cidolfus with their respective Servants as there were soldiers behind them but it shows Bryce's sinister smirk on his face.
Mugendai sewashinai why I must bleeding
Nigerenai melancholy
Genkai agaiteru hakkyou sunzen
Because it will never end
Then the scene transitions to a battle of Nagao and Another Assassin exchanging blows with their weapons as sparks fly and steel clash each other as the another battle shows Achilles and Melusine clashing each other as the two fought at breakneck speeds until a powerful collision of their weapons created a massive destruction within the area. Then the next scene shows Berserker roaring in rage to attack Baobhan Sith as she fires dark pink bolts at her enemy until True Archer intervenes from afar as it fires raining bolts of arrows as the two dodged as it caused more destruction.
J'ai plus rien à croire
Cette vie, qu'est-ce qui a à voir
Kanawanai this suffering
The next scene shows Ryuga using his knife given by his sister to defend himself from Yu Meiren's attack as he blocks her attacks as more sparks fly as the two clash more of their weapons as they come face to face. Then the next scene shows Vasil with Another Rider Hephaestion as he was on her chariot with his Servant riding it in the sky as she was dodging blue arrows that was homing on her chariot as it was shot by True Archer as Ophelia was next to her Servant to see the arrows explode in mid air like explosive fireworks.
Mugendai kowashitai That's my last scream
Sakerenai reality
No pain no gain zettai kousei if really there is an end
Then the next scene shows Nagao being surrounded by an army of BlackSteel soldiers with their weapons ready. She readied her spear and katana as she dashed quickly into battle as the soldiers quickly fired at her but the soldiers were getting brutally eviscerated one by one as blood flies and splatter everywhere. The scene slows a bit to show the soldier's body being sliced in half with blood spilling out everywhere to show Nagao's inhuman smile during the night.
A quoi je m'attends
Apocalypse maintenant
Kawaranai this suffering world
Then the next scene to show the smoke that was being cleared off by the wind as it showed Ryuga kneeling on the ground as he was beaten as there was Bryce and Melusine standing on the top of the hill looking down on him until Ryuga noticed to see Nagao lending out her hand as he accepts it. The two then charge towards their opponent with their weapons ready as the scene finally shifts to the spear and katana stabbed on the sand near the beach during the sunrise.
2/26/2024 Fort Renus, Asphodel, Siesta City Midnight - Clear Sky
At the other side within the island of Siesta is a militarized fort located within the tropical shores of Siesta's Asphodel district which is heavily guarded by BlackSteel after they managed to take over during their arrival. The base is rather large as soldiers were going out their night to protect and keep things in check. But on the watchtower where the particular sniper was seen bored as he puts his sniper rifle against the wall as he was seen smoking his cig just to smoke. Yet, he was rather bored with the task as everything felt so peaceful for them to not do anything at all.
"I hate my job…" The sniper said to himself as he continued to smoke and go about his night.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a sharp spear which was thrown at inhuman speed which apparently impaled his skull as it pierced his head as blood spurts out violently as he was pincushioned to the wall. But the handle of the spear had something on it as it was beeping fast. It appeared to be an explosive device as it set off an explosion which eventually destroyed the watchtower, alerting all of the BlackSteel soldiers as they saw. Far from the fort where the group of gang members on their dirt bikes and ATVs where they saw the destruction unfold. But the spear that someone tossed was none other than Vasil himself who is surprisingly good at throwing spears. Meifang and Another Lancer saw of his strength which was indeed, not human. He had a smile on his face, pleased that he killed a person with a thrown spear that detonated.
"Impressive… So you use those magic circuits to empower your left arm. Are you that skilled?" Meifang said to him.
"It's good enough, alright. Besides, I haven't rusted my skills yet. Now that we managed to alert them… I need another spear!" Vasil demanded as one of the gang members provides him another spear with a bomb wrapped near the blade. "Now… we wait…"
"B-Boss! They're bringing out the tank!" The gang member informs the boss as the large gate opens to reveal a heavily armored tank with the BlackSteel logo plastered on it as it begins to move out with the barrel of the cannon directly aimed at them.
But Vasil didn't mind it as he readied his throw once again as he felt the magic circuits flowing right to his right arm as he used his eyes to calculate the aim. As he got it right on the money, he proceeds to throw the spear at violent speeds as the burst of winds react violently. The spear traveled straight right into the tank cannon like a bullet. Just as the spear entered right inside the cannon… it created an explosion from within as the tank was completely destroyed. This wasn't normal for a man to seemingly destroy the tank easily. The soldiers began to quickly close the gate but Vasil was having none of it.
"Rider!" Vasil called his Servant where she was seen flying on her chariot being pulled by two bone wyverns as she had her sword pointing towards the gate.
"Everyone! With me! Kill those who would fight back! AAAALaLaLaLaLaLaie!" Rider commanded Vasil's men as they all cheered and charged with her with their weapons ready as they fired their guns. With Rider crashing through the closing gate which is now broken. She flew up to the sky as the mounted AA Guns began to fire at her but none of the shells couldn't reach.
BlackSteel Soldier 1: "Shit! The gate's broken! The Servant damaged it and those 88th Street are charging in! We need to- AUGH!"
The soldier was shot through the head as the helmet completely broke as he fell on the ground.
BlackSteel Soldier 2: "Damn it…! Where the hell is Commander Glenbrook!? We need him now! We're being overwhelmed!"
The soldiers of BlackSteel were in panic as they needed help from the Commander himself who commands a very strong Servant. But he is not present at the time as he is dealing with things elsewhere within the island of Siesta City. However, Meifang arrived at such speed as she appeared behind the soldier.
"You won't be calling help anytime soon…" Meifang said with her cold tone as she used her hands like a blade as her sharp nails pierce through the soldier's chest as blood sputtered out, revealing that she had grabbed the heart as she pulled it out as the soldier fell on the ground, leaving a hole on his chest. The heart was still beating as she looked at it until the group of eight soldiers surrounding her as they held their assault rifles ready. "If you're looking to die…"
Meifang then raises the heart in the air as she crushes it with force as blood spurts out as it starts to spill as she proceeds to drink the blood for herself until there is nothing left. She looked back at the soldiers surrounding her as she was ready… Her mood was indeed killing intent.
"…Then I'll give you so." Meifang then tosses the crushed heart right at the soldier's face as his view is obscured as she ducks down to avoid getting shot. She then proceeds to use her hands like a blade as her sharp fingernails swiftly slit his throat as blood splurts out violently like a spray of rain. She grabbed the gun from the dead soldier as she threw it to knock the weapon away from them as she rushed close to their range. She uses her legs to pin him down as she snaps the neck, killing him.
[RATATATATATATATAT!]
The sounds of gunfire shot at her as she backflips to regain her footing as she proceeds to slide on the ground to take cover of a stone barricade as the soldier continues to suppress her. She hid behind the cover real well in hopes for the men to waste their ammo. Just as they did, they all stopped and reloaded their weapons while aiming. They slowly approached the cover in hopes to find her there. Just as they reached, she was gone…
[STAB! GUSH!]
Meifang had already snuck out quickly and used both hands to pierce the back of their neck as she pulled it out, causing them to fall on the ground. She turned around to see her Servant Another Lancer who had already dealt with the remaining soldiers who were trying to kill her.
"Yo, Master. I see you're skilled in hand to hand combat, I'm impressed." Achilles continues. "To think that we're working with an enemy that we're supposed to fight. Guess he really wants this Bryce guy dead… but I already got the feeling that he's the Master of the same class as I am. This will give me an opportunity to kill him as well."
"Lancer… that is Vasil's problem. Not ours. He only wants to clear his name by killing him. Our job is to simply help him. For now, we need to focus on killing the rest of the soldiers-" Meifang was interrupted as Another Lancer noticed something from a distance.
"Master! Spread out!" Another Lancer quickly informed her as both dodged out of their way from the supposed missile blast that exploded on impact. The two saw the explosion that apparently killed their own soldiers who were caught in the blast. But they heard the clap as it gets louder and louder the more he takes a step.
"Impressive. You survived my Servant's missile attack. Sadly, it also killed my men. Commander Bryce would not be too happy by the results. Either way… This is BlackSteel territory." The voice of a British man who reveals himself from the smoke. He had blonde hair and wireframe glasses as he tips to readjust it.
"If you're not Bryce… Who are you…?" Meifang asked him with a cold look in her eyes as she kept her composure and readied herself. But the blonde man then gracefully bowed and spoke.
"As for my manners… Cidolfus Harman, I am the right-hand man of Bryce and the Master of True Berserker. Of course, I hail from the United Kingdom and was born from my prestigious Harman family of magus. But please, call me Cid." Cid introduced himself but he looked down and bit his lips a little… "Tch… if it wasn't for those blasted Animusphere that have shamed upon my family's glorious deeds. The Clock Tower should have- That matters not."
"So… You said you're the Master of True Berserker, right? Where is it?" Achilles then pointed his spear right at him.
"Oh don't worry, she's already here. Besides…" Cid shrugged as he called forth his Servant as it appears to be a female mecha of some kind as she has white hair and sky blue eyes. But she also wields two blunt weapons at once but has missile packs on her back that act as thrusters. "I've been told that my Commander is bitter that you somehow survived True Lancer's Noble Phantasm. Let me be clear… You've stepped in right into our trap and you'll be leaving here alive. Berserker, kill them."
"Understood. Activating combat mode." True Berserker compiled without question as she readied herself.
"Lancer… You know what to do… I expect you to do your best." Meifang commands her Servant as he nodded with a smirk on his face. He was ready for anything.
"You got it, Master!" Another Lancer replied as he prepared himself. However, True Berserker then readies her thrusters on her back as she boosts herself and quickly grabs Another Lancer as she decides to handle this fight outside of the fort.
"Now… that just leaves you and me-" Cid was about to finish his sentence as he noticed Meifang's close range as she somehow dashed at inhuman speed. Her hands were ready to kill as she prepared to thrust right at him. He quickly uses his magic circuits on both of his arms as he conjures up a magical barrier shield to protect himself as blue sparks fly out of control when her hands have made contact. "Hmph. If you're this ignorant. Perhaps you should know your place."
She does not respond but proceeds to dash right behind him and tries to go for a backstab. But he quickly predicts her movements and deploys another barrier to protect himself. While her hands were clashing with his barrier. He grabs out a blue crystal-like rune as he holds it in his hand while it is levitating. The blue rune starts to crack and morph quickly into a broadsword as he holds it in his right hand. He quickly thrusts his crystalized runic sword right at her when he disables his magic barrier, she quickly takes a step back to avoid his killing distance as she looks at the weapon he was holding…
"Honestly… I never knew you were THIS violent. But this sword… I've worked on this myself during my time when I first joined Bryce's company. You see… he's a humble man. Sure, he loves to kill people out of boredom but he always does the right thing for the sake of justice. A typical American justice… He wanted more than that… His interest in introducing magecraft as a weapon… a technological advancement that would shape humanity's future. Think about it…" Cid tells her about Bryce's ambition. His goal is to use magecraft as a new technology to push humanity forward. Yet, she didn't seem to care.
"Why are you telling this…" Meifang said to him as she kept herself in a stance.
"To see if you're interested in joining us. Surely Bryce would forgive you after what happened during the Nashwood incident… While my Servant is fighting yours… Huh. Seems they're fighting outside of this fort. No matter. All I can say is, you should join us-" Cid was interrupted.
"No." Meifang simply responded. "I've already held up my own end of the bargain with Vasil. I made a deal to help him kill Bryce… Seems you're not the one. But killing you would be easy since you're a Master."
"I see…" Cid then places his left hand to cover his face but to reveal his eye as he was filled with disappointment and anger. "So you decided to ally yourself with a bunch of petty criminals… whose leader is also a Master. Such a shame. It seems our negotiations are over. The only thing left to do… Is to kill you."
Meanwhile far from the fort where Vasil watches from his binoculars to see his Servant being under attack by an Archer-class Servant. He then tosses the binoculars away as he proceeds to grab another explosive-wrapped spear as he activates his magic circuits once more as he aims right where the enemy Servant is at. He tightened his hand as the Master of Another Rider as his expression became focused but angry.
"Get the fuck… AWAY FROM MY SERVANT!" Vasil then readied himself as he threw it with strong might.
[FWOOSH!]
The spear thrown by Vasil was sent at incredible speed as it finally reached to where the Archer was sniping Hephaestion as the tip of the blade was directly aiming towards his chest. Just as the enemy Servant Archer noticed the time he saw…
[BOOM!]
The spear exploded right up close as Vasil saw it happen with his eyes. Knowing that Servants are impossible to kill but halting its attack would prove the most effective. The smoke dies down as Archer remains unaffected by the attack as he shifts his head to set his sights on the aggressor who attacked him… And that aggressor was Vasil himself.
"New target detected… An enemy Master… Awaiting orders." True Archer said in monotone.
"Kill the Master if you can." True Archer's Master, Ophelia said within the mind as the Servant complies as he readies his bow once again.
"Understood. Targeting enemy Master." True Archer said as he then pulled back the string. But he noticed to look up as he cancels his charge up attack when he saw Another Rider who got off her chariot as she dived down with her gladius as the Archer quickly splits his bow in two as it gains energy blades as both weapons clashed.
Hephaestion then bounced back as she landed on the ground to confront her enemy with her weapon ready on her hand.
"I must commend you." True Rider continued. "But, this is where it ends. I cannot allow you to succeed any further."
"Rider. Don't die on me, ya hear me?" Vasil said to her within the mind as she nodded.
"Don't tell me twice, Master. I'll handle him and everything will be okay once I defeat my opponent." Another Rider replied as she readied herself as she swung her blade right at her as True Archer blocked the attack with his bladed bow as the burst of wind reacted violently.
However, Archer then prepares himself to catch her off guard by swinging his other bladed bow right towards her head until she ducked down and backflips to keep her distance. Then, she switches her weapons from a gladius to a staff as she conjures red streams of light as it begins to swirl around the enemy Servant as it creates a red explosion to damage it. But the Servant was unharmed as he merged his weapon back as he fired a power arrow straight at her. She quickly switched to her gladius once again as she parried it away, causing the stray arrow to be flung somewhere as it crashed down on the ground from afar in Asphodel. But the two continue to exchange blades at each other as more sparks start to fly. Meanwhile back at the battle where Cidolfus and Meifang were butting heads at each other as she was performing unorthodox attacks in order to give herself the edge. However, Achilles was sent crashing back to the ground where the two would be fighting. But Another Lancer was bruised up but he still stands. True Berserker remains unharmed after she withstood his attack despite the cuts she had received. Meifang and Another Lancer were close together behind their backs while facing their respective enemies.
"I see you've taken too much damage, have you?" Meifang asked her Servant.
"Who cares. I'm just having fun. Yet, she's a real problem after I managed to attack her from her blindsight. Got any plans Master?" Achilles said to her.
"I'm going to kill Berserker's Master. You do you…" Meifang replied as she readied herself as she proceeded to focus. But Cid begins to shift his crystalized sword back into a rune as he tossed it in front of him on the ground. She was confused why he would do that.
"Attempting to kill me? Very well. I concede! You're free to get your kill. After all… You win." Cid said with a convincing smirk on his face as she ignored.
"Master… He's lying-" Another Lancer tried to warn her but she quickly stepped ahead with a swift dash.
[FWOOSH!]
Just as Meifang dashed right towards her… But in a moment's moment, Cid then raised his right hand as he proceeded to do something with his finger.
[SNAP!]
Upon Meifang's reaction. She was too late. The rune that he had tossed to the ground started to react as it quickly took the form of a spike that was rising towards her chest. Just as the sharpest tip of the crystalized spike begins to pierce through her…
[SPLURT!]
"URRGH…!" Meifang felt the pain as the gush of blood spewed out like rain as her chest was impaled by Cid's shifting rune as she began to vomit out blood as it spilled from her mouth.
"MASTER! NO!" Achilles screamed to call out his Master after her chest was impaled by Cid's crystal rune as the former began to laugh.
"Ahahahaha! I told you not to trust my lies! I just wanna see how foolish you are when it comes to me faking my defeat. Persuaded you to kill me and you just went with it! Bloody hell you're pathetic! I could watch you suffer throughout the night! Man this is hilarious!" Cid then continues to laugh as he playfully slaps her dead up and down as she is starting to die slowly as blood leaks from her body down to the crystalized spike. "Now then… Another Lancer… I don't know your true name. But it's a fact that you're already fading away. To think that you have a lot of mana to keep fighting. So face it, I've won for the sake of Bryce's goal-"
"Not… yet…" Meifang said as she was barely still alive. She begins to slowly raise up her hand to reveal her Command Seal as it was glowing as she was going to do something. "By the first order of my Command Seal… Lancer… I order you… to… to…"
However… her Command Seal stops glowing as she succumbs to her wound and dies, limping like a ragdoll as she had failed to command her Servant to do something… Instead… Achilles begins to fade away in golden light as he lets his spear down, knowing that she is dead. He kneeled on the ground as he looked up at the sky.
"So… this is it, huh?" Another Lancer said to himself as he begins to slowly fade away from existence now that his Master is killed by Cid. And just as that, he was gone.
Far from the base where he saw the death of Meifang with his own eyes. Yes, she was indeed impaled after Cid had tricked her and it worked. Not to mention, most of his members were also killed because the soldiers are kitted out with better armor but some of the soldiers died. They were unable to kill them all and take the fort outright. He took quite the risk, unaware that there was another Master such as Cid who would appear in the now.
"Damn it… This is a lost cause… MEN! RETREAT! Rider! We're leaving! This operation is a bust! We're getting out of here!" Vasil called back his gang members and his own Servant to make their escape as the members of the 88th Street were falling back to escape. Another Rider on the other hand heard her Master's word. They've lost. She was bitter over her Master's decision over a defeat but she had no choice but to comply as she stepped back.
"Seems my Master wants to fall back. Why not stop this fight for the night. After all… Can't believe they've lost. We will meet again." Another Rider then jumps back as she gets on the incoming chariot that was summoned as she flies away as True Archer watches. Vasil and the others have left. And Cid had seen them retreat, leaving the dead body of Meifang left impaled as the soldiers suffered some of the loss as the soldiers were left injured.
"Master. They're seemingly retreating. Shall I wipe them out?" True Berserker asked him as he shook his head.
"No need. They've suffered more losses than we have. As for her… She was this stupid to fall for it but oh well." Cid then snaps his finger again as the spike quickly forms back into a rune as it homes on back to his hand as the body of Meifang falls on the floor. "I'll have to inform Bryce about this but… He and Ophelia are busy doing their own dirty work. Let us clean up the base. I don't wanna get on his bad side…"
And so, Cid and True Berserker have begun leading his own soldiers to help clean up the mess due to the aftermath of the failed operation as 88th Street has lost a lot of men because of this. However, the same brown haired woman with long braids and glasses was watching within the forests above from the hillside where she saw everything as she proceeded to disappear out of plain sight…
Meanwhile inside the church in Fairdale Hills, something has changed within the turn of events where Frederick was apparently killed by a dark purple spear-like weapon as his body was pinned to the ground. But there was a shattered stained glass where the killer had apparently escaped. There, a young teenage boy with blonde hair and powerful emerald-green eyes. He had pale skin and wore a red and black hoodie with a decorative zipper, baggy white shorts, and matching red, white, and blue shoes. Yet, he dressed casually that night. But since Frederick had died, the young teen examined the body of him as one of the nuns with her eyes closed as she was appearing out of the shadows.
"Have you found the one who killed this priest overlooking this pathetic war?" The young teen said to the nun as he continued examining the body.
"Fortunately, yes…" The nun continued. "We believe that the murderer of Frederick appears to be a young girl with long hair carrying a spear like the one she used to kill the Overseer. But she escaped from the moment she saw us."
"Describe her appearance…" The young teen asked her as she shook her head. "Tch… Figures… So much for the Church to send me to replace this man to act as the new Overseer of the war. To think that the Grail allowed this much Servants to appear. There could have been a Ruler-class Servant by now…"
"However, Acting Prelate. If you can command us to gather any active Masters to meet you regarding this situation. We can search them out as long as we can sense their prana, of course." The nun informed him as he sighed.
"Fine, very well… fine these Masters if they're available to meet me. I want to get this issue over with and find this girl who killed him. Search these Masters out as soon as possible. So go!" The teen commanded the armed nuns as they all graciously bowed and proceeded to leave the church.
"Now then… All I need to do… is to wait." The teen then sat on the carpet steps as he began to wait patiently during this night. However, right after the nuns left not too long ago. A new stranger comes in. A young demure woman who wore a black, two-piece business suit with a red-violet necktie. She has long magenta hair and a mole just below her left eye and wore two ovaloid earrings. Plus, she also wore black tight gloves as one of her hands was most likely hiding a Command Seal. Yet, she was serious and yet calm.
"So… I heard you're replacing that dead Overseer. I never thought this war would go overboard in a city like this." The woman said to him as he took notice. Much to his surprise, he smiled a bit.
"It is. But I'd never expect you to arrive here, Mages Association's lapdog." The teen said to her as she maintained her composure.
"I could say the same thing… Acting Prelate. As much as I hate taking part in this war. I've got no choice. Since that new enemy you're trying to search isn't a human or magus. However, I'm willing to exchange information to you… if you want to know what that girl is thanks to the information Lord El-Melloi II has provided me." The woman had said with convincing words that would interest him.
"I see. So he sent you here on his behalf… Fine, I'm all ears. While my nuns are out and about to gather the remaining Masters who can come. Tell me, who is that girl?" The teen asks her for answers. So… she had already begun exchanging information. Much to his surprise. He never thought a non-human being would descend upon Siesta… to prey on the innocents.
Forvedge Residence, Willowton, Siesta City Midnight - Clear Sky
First Person POV
It was night time once again. I had a good rest thanks to Fiore providing me a room to sleep in. Rider did her usual duty to watch over me outside of her house. But now it's night… me and my Servant have once again left the house after I told Fiore that i'm heading out to hunt. Though, she told me not to die so I'll take note of that.
"Master. Think we'll be able to kill some Servants today? I was thinking about having that rematch with that Lancer. I'd love to decapitate him and present his head to you." Rider said as she pondered about the idea while thinking about the desire for a rematch.
"Maybe don't decapitate him and just kill him outright, Rider? I don't want you doing any thoughts on killing through disturbing ways. If we do see him, I'll give you permission to fight him. For now, I'm only left with this hunting knife that my sister gave to me when I was young." I sighed. "What a night to start off by defending myself."
"Don't worry, Master! Rest assured that Bishamonten's blessings are with you!" Rider said with a hearty laugh as I groaned and lightly facepalmed.
"Please, Rider. Not now…" I said to her as we continued walking. That is until I let my hand down to see what's ahead of us… a nun?
"You must be a Master, right?" The nun said to us. Judging by her clothing and her eyes being closed all the time. She must be from the Church.
"Yeah. You from the Church?" I said to her as she nodded.
"Yes. However, I work for a higher ranking member. I'm merely here to scout you to bring you to the Church as the others are gathering any available Masters who can come here. While this is indeed mandatory, you must come and meet the new Overseer." The nun explained as it brought to my confusion.
"Wait, a new Overseer? What happened to Frederick?" I asked her in order to know.
"You will see him once you're there. Now then. Shall we get going?" The nun said to us as I sighed.
"Master. What do you want to do?" Rider asked me.
"Go into spirit form. I'm going to the Church as per request to find out the hells going on." I commanded her as she nodded with her usual smile as she disappeared out of thin air. So, I proceeded to follow the nun as we made our long walk to the place… The place where I first met Frederick. I never liked that guy in the first place but what the hell happened. Either way, the answers will be found once she takes me there.
Church, Fairdale Hills, Siesta City Midnight - Clear Sky
As soon as I made it inside to the Church as the nun opened the door for me. I stepped inside once again as it reminded me of my first visit. According to the information I received from D. Overseers from the Church are to act as the mediator for the Holy Grail War to keep things in check. Think about referees in sports. They make the rules whether they deem it acceptable or what's not. However, I'm not the only person there… There were others… Other Masters who answered the Church's call here. A young man with blond hair, an orange long haired girl, a woman with a business suit, and a red haired man with a scar mark over his right eye. Just who are these people, exactly?
"Acting Prelate. I have bought another Master here." The nun said to someone as I heard the voice… a kid standing next to the dead body?
"I told you to call me Overseer for this war…" The kid continued as we're the only people gathered here. "Anyways… I assume this is all you can gather?"
"Yes, Overseer." The another nun said. "This is all we can gather."
"Alright…" The kid then proceeds to speak. "You all understand why you're all gathered here. Don't you? No? I suppose you don't know the answer. Not that it matters, of course."
"And who are you? You're just a kid…" I said to him with my usual tone of unfazed expression.
"Oh? Then are you willing to be killed on the spot just because you called me that?" The kid had a smirk on his face as someone spoke to me.
"Watch your tongue." The woman with magenta-colored hair spoke. "This 'kid' you speak of holds a higher regard than you think."
"Why thank you. Ahem… I am Mario Gallo Bestino. I will be acting as the new Overseer to replace the already dead Frederick after he was unexpectedly killed when we first arrived. With all the remaining Masters gathered here… I suggest you should introduce yourselves and reveal your Command Seals." The kid named Mario explained to us that we had to comply. We showed off our seals on the back of our hands but the magenta-haired woman on the other hand took off her glove on her right hand to show her seal as well.
"Ryuga Ashikaga. I'm the Master of Rider." I said first as the others went next in order.
"Svin Glaschiet. Master of Berserker."
"Ophelia Phamrsolone. Master of Archer."
"Francis Lucchini. Master of Saber."
"Bazett Fraga McRemitz. Master of Caster."
"I see. So there's only five of you." Mario then looked over to his nuns. "What happened to the Masters of Assassin and Lancer?"
"The Master of Assassin was not present at the time. But for the Master of Lancer, however… is confirmed dead. The Master of Archer here has presented proof that the Master is none other than the magus assassin from China… Meifang Langrisser." The nun said as Mario seemed to be a bit surprised.
"Is that so? How unfortunate. If she had died. Her Servant most likely disappeared back to the Throne of Heroes already." Mario then continued. "But whatever. This would do. Originally, I would consider hiring a Magician to do the job but she would destroy everything in sight like a reckless weapon… Now then, the reason why I'm here as your Overseer. Starting now, this war will be on hold."
"What!?" Francis continued in shock. "But we were just getting started to fight each other for the Grail! Isn't that what we want!?"
"Silence! Let me finish talking." Mario continued. "The reason why I'm holding this war off… is because of McRemitz's information regarding a newer threat. I'm here to tell you all… That we have a Dead Apostle running amok in this city."
"A Dead… Apostle?" Svin continued. "Those things never existed. Why would it appear now!?"
"Would this convince you?" Mario then shows the dead body of Frederick who was impaled by a spear-like weapon. We were shocked by this revelation but this was the most unexpected.
"I… I see…" Svin replied with silence.
"What is a Dead Apostle, anyways?" I asked as Mario looked at me.
"For a incompetent Master like you. I assume you were not informed. Very well, I'll be very brief." Mario then continued as he explained. "Dead Apostles are beings… monsters that have discarded their humanity who crave destruction and violence to satisfy their needs. They're vampires. Always craving to thirst blood off of innocent bystanders in order to maintain their form and power. However, there was a Dead Apostle back in Souya which was already dealt with four years ago. But to think there was another is deeply concerning."
"So what you're telling is… You want us to find the Dead Apostle and kill her?" Ophelia said to him as he nodded.
"Exactly. That's the reason why I'm temporarily halting this war. However, I'll make this an exception. Whoever kills the Dead Apostle, will be awarded with a fourth Command Seal." Just as he said it… it took all of our interest and focus. A 4th seal? Then… if I manage to kill this Dead Apostle. This vampire… Is it true that I'll be awarded with one? But the problem is, everyone's going for the same goal.
"Fine by me. I'll make this quick and send my Servant to kill that monster regardless." Svin said with confidence as the other person like Francis who scoffed it off and glared at him in annoyance.
"You? By yourself? Non mi fare ridere, ragazzo. I shall be the one who'll kill her first. Even though this… this vampire is in the form of a young girl. I'm not afraid to take someone's life who became a vicious mostro." Francis said with his own language as he doesn't like Svin's attitude for some reason.
"You know what, once this Dead Apostle is dealt with. I'll have my Servant to kill you next." Svin spat back with a rising hostility.
"Non sfidare la fortuna." Francis continued his with italian sentence. "My Servant Saber is the strongest there is. There is no way you'll send your Servant of Madness to kill me."
"Honestly… I just want to have the urge to kill them both once the vampire is dead…" I said within my thoughts as the two continued to bicker with each other with hostility.
"If you idiots are going to throw words at each other… Take it outside." Bazett said to the two coldly as the two stopped fighting and looked away. However, Ophelia then approached me.
"Hey, you're the Master of Rider, right? Ryuga Ashikaga?" Ophelia said to me.
"Err… yeah. You're Ophelia Phamrsolone. The Master of Archer. Just heard you introduced yourself when we first met Mario." I said to her as she nodded.
"Yes. Though, you seem like a more reasonable person. Say, how about we become friends?" Ophelia said to me with a sudden surprise out of nowhere.
"Wha? Friends? But aren't we enemies?" I asked her as she chuckled a bit.
"Not anymore. We'll be working together to take down that new threat now that the war is halted. After all, it's better if we were to work together." Ophelia then lends out her hand. "So, I think we'll help each other out, Ryuga?"
"If… If that's what you want, I guess…" I then accepted her handshake as the start of our alliance. Our first time working together. We stopped shaking hands as I looked at that woman. "What about you?"
"I have no interest in siding with either of you. I work alone." Bazett then stood up as she prepared to leave. "Once this threat is killed. I'll be defeating you all and taking the grail for myself."
And so, Bazett leaves the church without elaborating further. It just leaves us four, Mario, and his group of nuns.
"I don't know why you're still in my church. But you're all dismissed. Go. Get some rest already. I just need to dispose of this corpse and be over with it." Mario told us as we were forced to exit the church. As the four of us begin to make our leave. Svin and Francis have gone their separate ways to plan their attack on the Dead Apostle.
But as for us. We were just casually leaving the church as Ophelia was rather interested in me for some reason. But for what? As we were just leaving the area while chatting… My Servant had appeared next to me through materialization.
"Master. I heard about what's going on, right? We're not going to fight each other?" Rider said to me with curiosity about what happened inside the church as I noticed her.
"Rider!?" I said as I sighed and remained calm. "Yeah. The war's put to a halt due to some Dead Apostles causing trouble in the city. Which is why we're given a break by the new overseer for a reason."
"So that is your Servant Rider. Is it?" Ophelia took a look at my Servant.
"Err… Yeah. That's my Servant. Rider's been very helpful during this war. What about your Servant? Archer I mean." I asked her about it as she shook her head.
"Sadly, my Servant is rather shy when meeting masters close up. He tends to watch from afar." Ophelia explained as it almost reminded me of something… The night where arrows were shot right at us during the Servant fight and we got out of there unscathed.
"Wait a second… Your Servant shot arrows at us when I first summoned Rider at San Aldecado! So it was you!" I said in surprise as she let out a small smile.
"It is. Though, I do deeply apologize for having my Servant try to kill you two." Ophelia lightly apologized to me as my Servant laughed a little.
"None taken, Master of Archer. I'm sure everything is fine now that we can't fight each other now… And yet, I don't get it." Rider said as I rolled over my eyes as I made my decision.
"Anyways. We should head back and call it a night. You should do the same. After all, tomorrow's going to be our hunt on our main enemy. So, what do you say? Since we are working together." I said to her as she nodded, agreeing to make our own personal alliance.
"Of course. I should head back as well. Do get some sleep and be safe on your way back home." Ophelia then lightly waved her hand to signal her goodbye as she left on her own. And so it leaves the two of us. Me and my Servant.
"Now then, shall we head home and earn some rest, Master?" Rider said to me as I nodded and yawned.
"Yeah… We should. Think you can summon your horse Houshoutsukige? I'm getting tired…" I said to her as she then called forth her trusted steed as she got on, I grabbed her lended hand as I sat on her steed to hold on tight as she rode her steed down the path. Starting tomorrow night… the hunt for the Dead Apostle begins.
Store Basement, New Hiroshima, Siesta City Midnight - Clear Sky
Third Person POV
Meanwhile somewhere under the basement in the commercial area in New Hiroshima where Bryce was seen holding the pistol in hand as he apparently killed a young man with black spiky hair as the bullet had already shot him in the head. But his hand reveals that he was a Master. He is seen smoking a cig to relieve some stress until he gets a phone call from Ophelia as he notices. So, he decided to answer her call.
"I heard we got a new Overseer now, is that true?" Bryce asked her on his phone.
"Yes, Commander." Ophelia continued. "The overseer named Mario has halted the war due to the appearance of a certain Dead Apostle. Which means we have to halt our plans to eliminate some Masters and find this vampire."
"A Dead Apostle… interesting. I do believe that Lord El-Melloi guy mentioned it once when I was working at the Clock Tower. Never knew vampires could be real, huh…" Bryce continued. "While you were away. I managed to find this Master of True Assassin and killed him. Can't believe that he sucks at hiding somewhere when it comes to places like this. But rest assured. We don't listen to the Overseer's rules. Just let the others deal with them. After all, we all made a pledge with a secret organization within the US. Our plans to reveal Magecraft to the world is gonna take some time. If they found out…"
"I know. You expect to keep this quiet." Ophelia responded.
"Exactly. For now, just play along with that Overseer and see if you can kill that Dead Apostle." Bryce said to her.
"But, if you manage to kill the Dead Apostle. You'll be awarded with a 4th command seal from Mario if you do." Ophelia informed him.
"I have no interest in having an additional seal." He replied with arrogance.
"But-" Ophelia was interrupted.
"This conversation is over. I got things to do." Bryce then ends the call as he smokes the cig again. "So, True Lancer… You heard the news that the Master of Another Lancer has been killed? You can thank my best right-hand man Cid for getting the job done."
"Such a shame that she chose to die at your fort." True Lancer said with sarcasm and a small smile.
"A shame it is." Bryce continued. "Did you defeat the Assassin-class Servant as I told you?"
"I have. He didn't even put up a good fight. Aside from being good at evading." True Lancer replied.
"Good. Now then… onwards to the next step…" Bryce and True Lancer then leave the area since the body of the Master of Assassin was left there. With the war halted, things are taking a very different turn.
[TO BE CONTINUED…]
ENDING - Life by Rude Alpha TV Size Ver. (Dr. Stone)
*Theme plays*
The theme starts with Ryuga resting on the grass fields on the mountain plains during the starry night where he was staring at the falling star streaking through the sky as he proceeds to lend his right hand out that shows his Command Seal. As the scene transitions.
Maybe I don't know what to do
Hurry up, my mind in on the moon
Flying up to where the wind blew
The sparrow bird was seen flying through the night where it flies into the forest, flying past through the trees until it flies towards a small mote of light as it gets bigger, engulfing the bird with that light as the scene transitions.
Tenohira ni afurete kuru jounetsu ga me o samasu
Samayotteru dake no this WORLD
Hitotsu dake hikaru kimi no PURE
Sabita KNIFE nanka ja sasenai
I am burning like a fire gone wild
Kokoro ni ya yo hanatareta shunkan
Matowaritsuku zatsuon ga hajiketa
Everything was different from that moment on
If I don't try, I'll never know
Then the next scene shows Ryuga walking down the sidewalk at Pacifica Square in the daytime filled with pedestrians and vehicles as he had both hands in his pockets as he continued walking down the street then to the crossing where a lot of people were walking through. Then the next scene where he was seen sitting on the beaches of San Aldecado where he watches the ocean waves reach but sinks back. Then to the next scene where he was at New Hiroshima where he was seen praying at the shrine filled with people. Then to the next scene in Fairdale Hills where he was seen sitting at the bench at the nearby park as he drank his cola as he proceeded to sigh and close his eyes.
Naze hana wa saku no darou
Kimi no koe ga hibiku yo
The next scene shows Fiore tending the flowers on the rooftops as she flowers them. Then the next scene shows Svin in his own apartment room where he was laying on the bed to stare at the ceiling as the scene transitions to show the flower petals being blown by the wind into the blue sky.
Tell me why?
I just shouted to the sky
But you are no no longer here, that's right?
Ano hi bokura tashikameteta LIFE
The next scene shows the flock of crows flying through the sky above the small town as the next scene shows Meifang walking with three girls as she smokes a cig down the sidewalk. Then the next scene shows Yu Meiren who was seen in her casual clothing as she drank coffee at a coffee shop.
Hakanai yume to iware tatte ii kara
Kizudarake no kyou kara sukuidasu yo
Then the last scene shows Ryuga waking up on the same mountain but it was daytime. Nagao lends her hand to him as he takes up. He got up as the two headed to the city together as the sparrow flew toward the blue sky.
Author's Notes: Thank you for reading the second arc of the first chapter. Yup, you heard it right. A Dead Apostle has seemingly made her home here in Siesta. Now the Masters will have to take part in a hunt to slay a vampire lurking in the night. I know what you're thinking. Why are there Tsukihime Remake characters in this story? Good question. This story's universe will be its own self-contained story that will not connect with the original. It was something that I wanted to do and so I did. And yes, Bryce is still being a psychopath as usual after he has killed the Master of True Assassin. Ophelia has started to become "friends" with Ryuga despite he's completely unaware. And Vasil is still swallowing in defeat after Meifang's death by Cidolfus. And now, onto the serious stuff. The reason why this story is taking WAY too long is because something has happened IRL. My grandfather has peacefully passed away at the age of 93. And I feel quite torn and devastated by his passing. Sure, it only increased my anxiety but I've come to the terms that I accepted this life the way it is and move on. This isn't my apology or a sorry statement. This was my choice to take a break on writing stories and prioritize my mental health/self-esteem first in order to move forward. Sure, the anxiety may come back but I've been self-practicing box breathing to remove these fears. I do this pretty much here and there. Anyways, serious talk over. I will be taking a break from publishing new chapters but I will be working on them behind the scenes. I'll let you know once the new chapter is published with a newly updated Author's Notes so I can explain to you once I do feel better. There won't be a Servant Compendium for this chapter but the next one I will include them. Until then, peace out.