Interlude 20: The Demon's Plan

"…" I wordlessly walk down the streets. It's past midnight so the city is almost completely lit up. It has so many things that are eye-catching for me such as the neon lights and the cars. Both are something that I have never seen when I was originally alive. But that was a long time ago, many centuries have passed since then so of course technology has developed.

But that's not important now. My goal is to save my Master, Ayaka. That's what I have sworn time and time again to do. So, I must accomplish that goal no matter what happens, even if I have to sacrifice this new life of mine. I will not allow tragedy to occur again.

'My name's Manaka. Manaka Sajyou. Let's save the world together.'

I won't allow it. Never again. And in order to prevent that, I will find the cure. It has to be in this city since the poison is as well, that much should be obvious. However, I doubt that it's in this part of the city.

There are so many people here. Everywhere I look, I see a person who looks completely different from the last. But even though some of these people have wicked intentions there are enough good people here to prevent most crimes from occurring.

That's why my destination isn't here, but deeper into the city. I walked into an alleyway and noticed trash all over the ground. These parts aren't lit up for a reason as the city itself rejects them. Ergo it doesn't want you to know about them.

Even still, I traverse through the garbage around me. It's the least I can do for her. Once I made it deeper into the alleyway, I noticed a few people sitting on the ground. They all watched me like hawks as I passed by them.

"Hey kid, want some?" One of the people asked me. I noticed that he was missing a few teeth and utterly reeked. The thing he was holding was a small bag that definitely contained a specific drug. This meant that he was a seller.

"No." I refuse.

"Suit yourself." The man spoke as he lit a cigarette and smoked.

"Actually, I have a question." I asked.

"I'll only answer if you're buying something." The man replied.

"Then…are you selling Muerte?" I asked as the cigarette fell from the man's mouth and the people around me gasped.

"No! Like hell, I'd ever sell that shit! If that's what you want, then have fun dying!" The man roared as he stood up.

"You lost someone to it…didn't y-" I spoke but was interrupted before I could finish as the man tossed a glass bottle at me though I dodged it.

"GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" The man roared like a demon as I did just that. I walked deeper into the innermost depths of the city. The amount of trash that covered the ground only increased as did the putrid smell that was caused by it.

Damn. I don't see anyone here. There were some people here yesterday. Did they leave and move somewhere else? No. That's unlikely. Sellers, another word for drug dealers, claim spots here as their territory. They wouldn't just leave-

"AH! Hey! Are you ok?!" I yelled as I noticed someone on the floor that was covered in trash. I ripped the trash off of them. There was a hole in his chest! I tried checking for a pulse just in case but-

"…He's dead. Damn it!" I yelled as I hit the wall in front of me hard enough that it created a hole in it.

"…" I breathed in and out in order to regain my composure. After I was calm again, I pressed on until-

I sensed that someone was trying to kill me.

'BAM!' I immediately materialized my armor and Excalibur and blocked the attack with the latter. I then noticed who attacked me. It was-

"L-Lancer?!" I yelled.

"Oh, my bad." Lancer spoke as he unmaterialized his lance. I then noticed the person behind him. It was Ayaka's rival, or are they friends now? To be honest I'm not completely sure.

"Me and Lancer were searching for clues when we saw you. I thought you were blondie because you know, your hair. Sorry about that." Misaya apologized.

"It's fine. But are you on Ayaka's side or not? If it's the latter then I will defeat, you." I declared.

"Oh yeah?! Ha! I would love to see you try!" Lancer roared as he materialized his lance.

"Lancer, stop." Misaya spoke as she snapped her fingers.

"Fine." Lancer replied as he unmaterialized his lance once more.

"Then you're on her s-" I spoke but was cut off.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not on Ayaka's side. But I'm not going to be picking a fight with her boyfriend until she recovers." Misaya declared.

"B-B-Boyfriend?! We are not-" I spoke only to be cut off again.

"It was just a joke. Laugh." Misaya replied.

"Ha~ha." I awkwardly laughed.

"I thought it was funny." Lancer chimed in.

"Shut up Lancer." Misaya replied.

"Anyway, let's have a temporary truce for now." Misaya spoke.

"Temporary truce?" I replied.

"That's right. What that entails is that me and Lancer will still be fighting our battles while you fight yours. However, we will exchange information when one of us learns of something. Sounds great, right?" Misaya explained with a smile.

"Alright. I accept." I replied.

"Eh? J-Just like that?" Misaya asked.

"Of course. If it means saving Ayaka then I will do anything in my power to do so." I replied.

"Hahaha." Misaya laughed.

"D-Did I say something funny?" I asked.

"No. I'm just jealous of her. I would kill to have a handsome guy say that to me." Misaya replied.

"Then…if it means saving you then I will do anything in my power to do so." Lancer spoke as he held Misaya's hand in his own.

"Shut up Lancer." Misaya replied.

"Huh? I thought you said you would kill to have a handsome guy say that to you?!" Lancer asked.

"Yeah. I just might kill you if you keep messing with me!" Misaya replied with a sadistic smile as she cracked her fingers and for a second, I almost thought I saw her fire magic burning alongside her hair. Guess it was my imagination. But then…

"COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!" Misaya violently coughed and was about to collapse to the ground, but Lancer caught her in time.

"Shit! Hang in there!" Lancer shouted as he pulled something out of Misaya's pocket. A syringe. He then injected her arm with it.

"AAAH-mmph!" Misaya let out a scream for a second only to have her mouth covered by Lancer in order to not alert any civilians. This lasted for thirty seconds, until…

"Haah…haah…much better." Misaya spoke as she tried to catch her breath.

"Um, what the hell was that?" I asked.

"Hey, that's the same reaction I had." Lancer replied with a smile.

"It's because of my curse." Misaya replied.

"Your curse?" I asked.

"It would be faster if I showed you." Misaya replied as she took her shirt off.

"WHAT?! I-I-I can't look at your defenseless body!" I yelled as I avoided looking at Misaya's exposed appearance.

"Just look. The young lady could care less about you seeing her like this." Lancer replied.

"A-Are you s-" I asked but was cut off.

"JUST LOOK AT ME ALREADY!" Misaya roared at the top of her lungs.

"I-If you say so." I replied as I did as she ordered me to do. Wait! She isn't my Master! Ayaka is! So, I don't have to look if I don't want to-and I was already looking at her. I noticed her black bra-and I immediately avoided staring at that and looked lower and-wait! What was that?!

"You see them, don't you? The li-" Misaya spoke but I interrupted her.

"I see those. But I was referring to that." I spoke as I pointed at her chest. There was a scar there. It was almost hidden by her b-assets. But it looked like something that almost killed her.

"Hey, I see that too! How did you get that?!" Lancer asked.

"Oh that. To be honest I can't really explain that." Misaya spoke as she closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue in a playful manner.

"What?! You don't remember?!" Lancer shouted.

"Idiot! It's not like I haven't questioned it! I asked my parents when they were alive, but they didn't tell me shit! That's not my fault!" Misaya snapped back.

"Anyway, continue." I asked as I attempted to get this conversation back on topic.

"So, my body is covered with these lines. But now even this barely does anything against them." Misaya replied as she tossed the syringe onto the ground.

'Bam!' The syringe shattered into pieces.

"Young lady?! Why did you do that?!" Lancer shouted.

"You of all people should know why. Look. They are still visible and thick. They used to be barely visible before. But not anymore. Which means…" Misaya spoke as she paused for a second because she didn't want to jinx herself but decided to continue.

"…I'm going to die soon." Misaya declared.

"How are you so sure?!" I asked.

"Yeah, what other blondie said! You told me before that you were going to die in four or five days, but that has long since passed!" Lancer shouted. Other blondie?

'Four, maybe five days, if I'm lucky.'

"You said that on the 23rd I think! And now it's the 29th! Your prediction was off!" Lancer shouted again.

"Even if that's true, it must have been dumb luck. I know my body better than anyone. That's why I can say with certainty later tonight…" Misaya spoke but paused for a second until-

"…Will be the end for me." Misaya finished.

"…Fuck." Lancer cursed as he looked down at the ground.

"Hey! I'm not going down without a fight! Before I die, mark my words…" Misaya spoke as she paused for dramatic effect and then-

"…I'm going to kill Archer's Master!" Misaya declared.

"You aren't even going to let death stop you. Got to admit, you remind me of my master. You're just as stubborn as her." Lance spoke.

"Is that a compliment?" Misaya asked.

"Of course! You're pretty cool!" Lancer replied.

"Shut up Lancer. I hate compliments." Misaya replied.

"Hahaha." Lancer laughed.

"So far, I haven't been able to find any information about Archer's Master. Well besides the fact that he has money." I replied.

"Wait! What did you just say?!" Misaya asked.

"I haven't been able to find any information on a-" I replied but was cut off before I could finish.

"No, you idiot! After that!" Misaya snapped back.

"That he has money?" I asked.

"How much?" Misaya asked.

"Hmm. It must be a lot." I replied.

"How are you so sure about that?!" Misaya asked.

"Young lady, why are you asking all of these pointless questions?" Lancer asked.

"Shut up Lancer! This is the key we've been searching for! Continue Saber!" Misaya asked.

"Because he obtained a very dangerous drug called Muerte." I replied.

"That's the Spanish word for 'death' right?" Misaya asked.

"That's right. It's also very expensive." I replied.

"And how much are we talking about?!" Misaya asked.

"A million yen." I replied.

"Ha…" Misaya chuckled until-

"…Hahaha!" Misaya laughed hysterically.

"Hey, what's so funny, young lady?" Lancer asked.

"Archer's master isn't a mage! Hell, I doubt he even knows what Magecraft really is! He's just a filthy rich mother fucker!" Misaya replied.

"A-Are you sure?" I asked.

"Hell yeah, I am! If he was a mage, he would have finished off Ayaka himself! Instead, he sent a goon to do it for him because he has the power to do so! That can only mean…" Misaya spoke but paused for a second until-

"…That he's the richest person in this city!" Misaya finished.

"Or he's one of the richest people in the city." Lancer spoke.

"Shut up Lancer." Misaya replied with a smile as she closed her eyes.

"Wait. If he's rich, could he be running for governor?" I asked.

"I mean, yeah. To get the word out in order to have a successful campaign you'd have to be pretty rich if you would want to run for governor. Why do you ask?" Misaya asked.

"Could this be Archer's Master?" I asked as I took out the piece of paper from my pocket. On the way I looked over it out of curiosity and it read 'Vote for Higa Akuto to be the next governor of Tokyo!'

"Take a look." I asked as I handed the piece of paper to Misaya but then…

"AH! Get that the hell away from me!" Misaya shouted as she slammed the piece of paper onto the ground.

"What's wrong, young lady? It's just a piece of pap-ah. No. Something is definitely wrong with this paper." Lancer admitted.

"No shit! My head was fucking throbbing from holding that shit!" Misaya complained.

"I understand what this is! This was made to brainwash regular people into votin for this guy!" Lancer revealed.

"Wait how did you know that?" I asked.

"I was a mage when I was alive, so I know this stuff! Though this form isn't suited for that." Lancer admitted.

"But why did it affect me? I'm a mage!" Misaya asked.

"That's the thing! This is clearly intended to hurt mages! Which means…" Lancer spoke but paused for dramatic effect and then…

"That guy was tryin to stop any Masters from learning of his identity!" Lancer finished as he lit the paper on fire, and it turned to ashes.

"Wait! I didn't catch his name!" Misaya interjected.

"Don't worry. I remember. It's Higa Akuto. This is definitely the guy we're lookin for!" Lancer declared.

"But wouldn't he be a Mage if he made that then?" Misaya asked.

"Well, he could have just hired someone. He's rich right? Plus, there is a chance you could be wrong." Lancer replied.

"Uh no. I'm never wrong." Misaya declared as she rejected that notion.

"Weren't you wrong about Ayaka?" I asked.

"Tch. Jeez, you really know how to rub salt on these wounds don't you?" Misaya replied.

"I don't see any salt or wounds?" I pointed out.

"Idiot." Misaya muttered.

"So, what now?" I asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Misaya asked with a smirk.

"I got it! We're going to kick that guy's ass!" Lancer replied.

"Correct. Me and Lancer are going to take out Higa Akuto. However, Blondie is going to try and stop us from doing so. Do you know where I'm going with this?" Misaya asked.

"I'll deal with Archer!" I declared.

"You sure will otherwise we're screwed." Misaya replied.

"Huh? Why the hell aren't we going to fight Archer?! I want to kick his ass too!" Lancer asked.

"That's because the guy we're dealing with very cautious! I wouldn't be surprised if he has a shit ton of henchmen at his place at all times just in case someone is foolish enough to attack him!" Misaya replied.

"So…us?" Lancer replied.

"Lancer, you're going to be the death of me, aren't you?" Misaya replied as she facepalmed herself.

"Ok! So, let's do this now!" I asked.

"Uh no. We, and I mean me is not prepared for this in the slightest. I need to prepare for this unless you want to me die. I'm sure you don't want that, right Saber?" Misaya asked.

"No." I replied.

"Good. Because if you said, 'but you're going to die anyway' I would have had Lancer kill you on the spot." Misaya spoke with a smile as she closed her eyes.

"Gah!" I gasped. Is this girl on our side or not?!

"Just kidding." Misaya replied as she winked at me. No. She's just a demon wearing human flesh.

"Here take this." Misaya spoke as she tossed something at me.

"What's this?" I asked.

"It's a pager. Anyway, give me three hours to prepare. Once, I'm ready, I'll contact you when me and Lancer are going to hit his place! And you at the same time, fight against Archer! That's the plan!" Misaya declared.

"One problem. How am I supposed to get his attention." I asked.

"I don't know. You figure that out. Get a microphone or something and insult his hair or whatever." Misaya replied. I-Is she serious about that last part?

"We're outta here! Later Ayaka's boyfriend." Misaya finished as she waved goodbye and disappeared from sight with Lancer. Ok so that went well! Hang on Ayaka! Soon you'll be-

"Ah." I gasped before I knew it, I was teleported away from the alleyway. Wait. This is Ayaka's room. She must have used a command spell. But why would she do that?

"Saber…" Ayaka muttered as I turned around as I noticed her with tear-stained eyes.

"…Why?" Ayaka asked as she paused for a second and then…

"…Why did you kill Onee-chan?" Ayaka spoke as I realized that my mistakes have finally caught up with me.