My attention is now divided between this and Battle Gears, as the Poll is evened out between them. Now, for the first time I can think of for this story, I have a few things to tell my reviewers.
Skeptic Guest: I see your point, but I also noticed and am trying to correct that mistake from here on in. I kinda focused on Jack and Asiko, so I forgot to actually manage the other characters' personalities and for that I do apologize.
KRP: You are absolutely right, I completely forgot about it. My mistake.
Yami Accelerator: Thank you for your continued support, but could you leave more than one word in the review box and tell me what you actually like?
All other supporters who just haven't reviewed: it is greatly encouraged that you do. I need to know how to improve and the more input the better. Just please nothing about Atalanta. I've been getting crap reviews about a chapter I flat out said was crap.
Darkness and Light, Into the Chaos!
Shakespeare sighed as he cut yet another of the smaller Gohmas' eyes, killing it. "Such bothersome insects." He complained dramatically.
Queen Gohma dropped to the ground and made to attack, only to have the Caster slingshot it in the eye. Collapsing in a daze, she barely registered the pain of Shakespeare's attacks. Recovering her wits, Queen Gohma climbed the wall again and ejected three more eggs. Shakespeare sliced all three and waited for the giant bug to drop, but didn't notice the three extra eggs behind him before they hatched and jumped after the poet.
Shakespeare was caught completely off guard as the first knocked him over and the other two jumped on him repeatedly. He could feel his bones breaking.
...
Still in London, Jack and Asiko had found most of her parts. Jack now looked closer to her thirteen years old self as she ran alongside her boyfriend. "Just two more, the twin unborn and we'll be good as new!" She called over the noise.
"And QG has just about finished Shakespeare. We're home free." Asiko replied with a smirk. "Wonder how the rest are doing?"
...
"Geez, this is so annoying!" Rider complained, dodging another of Semiramis' attacks.
"I have to agree with Rider, this is bordering on pathetic." Archer added, leaping back and trying to take aim. Another of Semiramis' chains came from the walls before he had a chance to fire, forcing him to dodge again.
"I'm sorry, but you won't be getting through to stop my Master." Semiramis laughed, holding her hand out to call for another chain attack. "While he uses the Grail to bring Salvation to mankind, I'm stuck with you instead of beside him." she muttered as she flicked her wrist. Another chain came from the ground, which Mordred sliced.
...
"Oh, how I wish I could be sitting in my chamber, recording the entire thing." Shakespeare lamented, dodging another larva's attack. "Instead my Master throws me into the fray when he knows of my weaknesses."
Does this guy ever quit talking? QG thought, clearly fed up with the dramatic Servant. Choosing to forgo her usual attack patterns, she dropped right on top of Shakespeare, crushing him underfoot. That'll shut you up for a while. the parasitic queen chittered.
"I am afraid I do not speak your language, creature." Shakespeare commented dryly. He was rewarded by another stomp from the giant insect.
...
"QG's finishing up." Asiko informed, watching as Jack re-absorbed the last two pieces of herself. "Let's see if we can find the border of this thing."
"Okay!" Jack replied with a smile, skipping down the street with her usual cheerfulness returning. Asiko shook his head and followed. After what felt like hours, the Magus stopped. Noticing, Jack turned around. "What's wrong?"
"I don't think this is a Reality Marble." Asiko replied, placing his hand on the ground. "This is just an illusion. And if it's an illusion," the magus smirked, "I can break it. Release!"
The London streets vanished in a flash of light and the couple found themselves back in the hall of the Gardens. "Alright!" Jack cheered, her knives appearing in her hands.
"Jack, knife me." Asiko ordered. With a nod, Jack tossed one of her knives to the Magus before conjuring a new one. "The Gohma's have him distracted, we won't need the fog and should really save mana for when we take on Shiro." Asiko analyzed, Jack nodding in agreement as the pair ran into the battle.
Shakespeare never knew what hit him. One second he had batted away another Gohma and the next he was set upon by a black blur, followed closely by a blue one. Multiple cuts began appearing on the writer's body, blood pouring out of each new one. "So this is the end. How tragic I won't be able to chronicle the last of the Grail War. Will my Master prevail? Will he fall to the Black Faction? I suppose I shall never know now." he whispered.
Asiko then cut his throat, causing the Servant to vanish. Jack slowed to a stop, happily stroking a larva that approached her and nudged the Assassin's hand, asking for attention. Noticing, the Magus smiled at the happy expression on Jack's face before turning to Queen Gohma. Make for the Greater Grail. Keep everything away from it until I get there. he ordered. The insect chittered before scuttling across the ceiling in what seemed to be a random direction.
Well, that's that. Will Jack and Asiko rejoin their allies and take the grail? Or will Shiro's plan prevail? Next time: Assassin vs Assasin. Last opposition!