19:09:34:27

"I'll have you know that I have had no issues with sleeping outside before." The two were drudging through the forests just outside of Lute Village, hunting some monster that was spotted. A leftover from the previous wave, from what the scouts had stated. The description, to Arturia, made it seem like it was a lesser Wyvern. Small, barely worth mentioning to anyone. But it seems that they're revered as nasty things that cause havoc wherever they go.

"Do tell, Éclair. Have you marched for tens of miles each day? There were times where tents couldn't be posted and we were forced to use no more than the bedrolls we had on our horses. The common soldiery had even less to work with."

"Well… If I'm to be a knight worthy of standing beside you, then I will have to sacrifice a few pleasures for higher priorities." Éclair wasn't convincing the king with how she was lightly twirling her hair absent mindedly. The woman knew comfort most of her life but still strived to train each day to have any chance at becoming better than the day before. It was admirable. Truly.

Arturia smiled at her declaration, "Not to worry, Éclair. Lute is not far, so when we are finished here, we will return to it. No need to break camp when an inn is available." Éclair's sigh of relief almost brought a chuckle to her lips but refrained. Éclair was a fresh perspective in this world over most of the guard being over the top in their bowing and praising. At least in Melromarc, that was the case.

Arturia kept her eyes looking side to side, often checking the sky above due to their quarry's capability to fly. She isn't sure just how large the beast is, but if it was able to take a cow from the farmer's field, then it was at least as large as a city bus. Her memories, thankfully, helped with comparisons more often than she assumed. Modern humans were capable of unique things.

"Can you tell me more of Camelot, or perhaps any family you happen to have?" Ah… that. Arturia took a breath and schooled her features. The steps through the forest were all that were heard for a time before she spoke.

"I suppose that it's only fair after all you've told me of your own life." She began to sift through memories, any that would be considered appropriate.

"I had a brother. His name was Kay, one of my best friends growing up. For a time, I was his squire and he taught me everything I know now." Kay was always there for her, despite his issues during the war when her decisions brought about his ire. Her own people's livelihoods taken from them to bolster her army, all for the sake of stopping the mad man that was her uncle.

Years of the same cycle brought wear on their bond as siblings, but it never broke it. He never liked it, but always understood the necessity of what they were doing. Take one village to spare ten. War is hell, but it isn't at the same time. An old man once told her that hell is where sinners go, and in war, there were little in comparison to the innocents caught in the fold.

"Did he die?"

"Most likely, but I never saw him at the Battle of Camlann. I assume he had died before reaching the battlefield." It was true, she never saw him there. The last time did was before she left on her mission to find Lancelot, who was possibly in Rome at that time. Her dear brother… they had not left things well off when she left. That last argument before leaving was the final thing that had happened between them.

"I… miss him. Aside from Ector, he was all I had growing up." Her face remained steady, but her heart kept hurting. The pain was always manageable, despite everything.

"Ector?"

"My father."

The two turned silent, choosing to walk in favor of speaking. It was an unintended ending to the conversation but within time the two began to talk again.

"I'm sorry for having you speak of these things. It never gets easier, does it?"

"…"

*Crack*

"It's here." Arturia readied her sword and waited.

There was a chance to possibly speak to the wyvern as it is still a dragon despite being much less. Her heart allowed her to communicate to dragons of all shapes and sizes. This world, different as it may be, still holds a semblance of familiarity when it comes to creatures of myth and legend. There were, of course, dragons that were small and were pulling carriages. It should have been insulting to them, but the creatures seemed… content with the menial task. As if happy to pull a human's cart. Same with the Filolials. Though they don't really like her all that much. Just as much, if not more, with the rest of the draconic cart pullers.

One such merchant explained that it's been a rivalry between them for as long as can be remembered.

Understandable, if inefficient.

The wyvern was close, but it was keeping its distance. It knows what she is and is hesitant. The only reason it hadn't outright flown off is her stature. She is much smaller than it. Hesitance is all that kept its fight or flight from happening. Her eyes swept across the foliage, looking for any possible sign of its immediate location.

There!

Mana burst flowed through her body, and with out warning, she launched herself through the trees, cutting through any that was in the vicinity of her body. Her speed had not slowed down, the trees were nothing more than grass being walked underfoot. A force of nature if one could describe it.

Her goal wasn't to kill it right away, but to disable its ability to flee. Cutting its wings would only prove to anger it, all dragons love their wings, even though she had none. Her ability to fly through the air from physical force alone helped alleviate the hidden feeling of her heart's longing for the sky.

The appearance of the wyvern baffled her, as it deviated from any memory of them from before. A bright pink colored beast of the sky… how strange. Almost a second had past since the wyvern was revealed before she promptly tackled the creature. It thrashed and swung its tail erratically in attempts of smacking her off. Her strength alone was enough to keep it pinned.

"To think one of the greats is this fast… what?"

Its movements slowed slightly to gain a better view of her. Its eye widened in alarm and confusion. It clearly wasn't expecting a human to be capable of pinning it down. It's too large to properly hold it in place, so she prioritized holding it by the wing and neck. Small pressure points that she knew of to keep it immobilized for a time.

"A human… but a dragon? Are you a therionthrope? There is only one I know of, and it is not you."

A shifter? Dragons weren't necessarily capable of shifting to human form. Not that it wasn't impossible, but they deemed humans as inferior and would never shift into the form of such a species. If there was one here, it would be wise to tread carefully.

"Tell me what you know of this shifter and I may just let you live. I have no qualms killing my own kind." To think a human could speak the tongue of dragons. It was simply unheard of. Granted, there were those that could speak the language of humans but those were the Dragon Emperors, and any that were closely related.

Éclair has appeared from the trees to see the situation and was shocked. To her, it was a new thing to see a human pinning a dragon down to the ground. Well, a wyvern, but it was still a dragon in some way. Her eyes lingered on the dragon before settling on Arturia.

"You're much stronger than I anticipated. To think you could hold a wyvern to the ground." The creature in question only hissed and growled at her.

"Begone, foul human. Your scent is unbearable." Arturia pressed on its throat with more weight, slowly choking the lizard. It coughed and hacked lightly before glaring at her.

"And what does that make me? Does my stench put you in the ground also?" To add emphasis to her words, she pushed it into the dirt ever harder. It wriggled in pain and suffocation before settling again, losing stamina in another failed attempt to escape.

"You smell more of dragon than human..."

"You can speak to it?" Arturia turned her head to Éclair before focusing back on the wyvern. Without looking.

"I've always been able to converse with dragons. This one is no different. Now then." Her attention returned to the wyvern. Its gaze wavered under her own, it was clear who is superior in this. It bowed its head lightly, submitting itself. To think it would do it so quickly and without a fight. Either it was weak minded, or it knew it wouldn't win this no matter what it tried.

"I want to know about this shifter."

"I do not know her name, but she is powerful… and so are you." Frankly, the compliment was ignored.

"The villagers around here say you came from the previous wave. Is that correct?"

"It should be obvious to you, half-breed. Most come willingly, their instincts governing their actions. Others are not as such. The world I resided in is no different from this one. The lands are not the same, but the same putrid humans are present in it."

That would mean this world is one of many, perhaps an unlimited number of different worlds colliding with one another. The fissures created from these collisions only tell her that something is afoot. Merlin didn't explain much, but he knew enough of what he deemed the Kaleidoscope, named by another, to be able to see many different worlds. Most are simply different renditions of the same world that she resided in. Different timelines, different people, but the same world, the same magic and methods.

The idea that these worlds are touching when they shouldn't, indicated that something is making it happen. Something of much higher power is causing these events to take place. She wanted to find out more, but unfortunately, her questions will remain unanswered as this wyvern was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"If you are finished, then kill me. I have no wish to serve you."

"You still have not told me of where I may find this shifter. Is she in this land? Or in another?"

"In the land to the north. The kingdom is shrouded in smoke, a kind that is not natural. What lurks there is a destroyer of the land. Human inventions have covered the sky in an ash blanket. The sun almost never shines there."

"Do you know the name of that kingdom?"

It snorted, small tendrils of smoke seeping from its nostrils. "No."

"Éclair."

"Yes?"

"A kingdom to the north. Smoke fills its skies. Do you know of it?"

"Yes. Faubrey. The reason for the smoke is that technology has advanced farther than any other kingdom in the world. Their inventions are to be feared."

"Elaborate."

"I've only heard of the name of one such piece, but I've never witnessed its capabilities. Something called a gun." Arturia nodded at the information before focusing on the wyvern and raised her blade.

It was over in an instant, her blade swung downward and through its neck, effectively decapitating it. There was no use in sparing the beast as the surrounding villages wanted it dead. There was no option here.

Arturia sighed, closing her eyes. They opened again before she proceeded to grab the horn of the wyvern.

"We're finished here?"

"Yes."

"The head should suffice as proof for the people. To let them know that it won't terrorize the area any longer."

"Indeed. Let us return."

"Mhm."

The ordeal with the village lord went splendidly. Compensation was provided for the head of the wyvern but was declined. The reason being that Arturia suggested that the money be used to keep the economy strong here. Whatever could be used to rebuild what was destroyed in the consistent attacks. Even to bring up the numbers for cattle and other animals that were crucial in providing for the village.

The lord did however give them stay at the inn for however long that they intended to remain here. It was an offer that was gratefully accepted by the both of them.

Night was already falling by then. The two decided to take one room with two beds. It would've been two rooms but for efficiency, the former was chosen at Arturia's suggestion.

Éclair was seated on the bed reading a book while Arturia was at the table. Éclair noticed how her eyes were almost always dull. There wasn't as much life as she expected. Granted, these past few days weren't the best. Mostly the traveling around the land was tiring in itself, including the times when it rained and despite it, Arturia continued to walk forward, ignoring the deluge.

There were times, when Arturia wasn't looking when Éclair took a closer look. To her, Arturia seemed sad. It was well hidden from everyone, but every now and then, the mask would crack. Almost imperceptible, but Éclair noticed.

"I can't help but ask you this, but you seem like you're missing something. I understand that our travels are… unorthodox compared to what you've done all your life, but I had to say something."

"You assume correct." Arturia sat up straight from the table before looking at her partner.

"Dying in times of war are not bothersome. The risk comes with the duty, as with all manner of soldiery. I enjoy our time together, and I myself have traveled my own land when I became a knight of my own. That was the only time I had been able to experience the world without needing to participate in a battle every other day."

"What made you stop?"

"There was a sword, planted in a stone outside of a small village. The inscription, known by all of us knights of the Round, indicated that whoever pulled the sword out, was named the rightful King of Britain."

"Seems like a strange way to appoint a ruler."

"In times of war, any light of hope would be enough."

"You aren't wrong on that. Even here, the King tries to make everyone happy. Even if he is second to the Queen, he still has the power to handle most issues in terms of protection and economy. Before you were summoned, years before, he held an insatiable hatred to the demi-humans. Not much is known why, aside from the war from years ago."

"I assume it's more on a personal level. He must have lost a family member to a demi-human."

"Ah, that's right. It slipped my mind. His sister. He lost her to a clan of dangerous demi-humans that were remnants of the army that went to war with Melromarc."

"Grudges like that are hard to let go. What changed?" For a king to hold a grudge is quite common. Though they were handled quickly with either execution or hanging, rare were there times the offender was exiled. Off with their heads, like most kings said. While she never held a grudge in her life, she was no exception to executions of traitors or spies.

Those that were accused of offending too much were spare most of the time, as much as she tried. Nobles held too much contempt to those they deemed beneath them, hence why there were many times that peasants were in chains, accused of a crime they didn't commit.

"I believe the Queen gave him a dose of reality. Making him see the bigger picture. No one knows what exactly she did, but his turnaround was well received by the people. Slavery is still a commodity though, unfortunately."

Arturia nodded before lowering her gaze to the tabletop. A lone cup of tea rested there, untouched. Her mind wasn't in a frenzy, but her mind kept wandering back to a single person. Naïve. It was the first word she would ever describe him. But it was felt with endearment now over when they first met.

"These past few years had been wrought with progress and confusion. The slave trade is on the smaller side now, but its roots are too deep to simply remove. Conditions are now in place to keep the quality and health of the slaves in better shape. Overall, it's the best he can do without causing too much uproar."

"That's good."

"I know there's something else, but I won't pry."

"Thank you."

"Shall we go to bed?"

"Yes, there is still much to do tomorrow."

Éclair brought the covers over her form before settling into the bed. Arturia looked at the cup of tea before grabbing it and drinking it all at once. The taste was lesser, but she had no wish to waste good tea.

She got up from the table before blowing out the candle.

The townsfolk were in higher spirits in the morning now that the wyvern was no longer an issue. During their time before leaving, Arturia talked with the lord about the surrounding area. Anything that would be out of the ordinary and coincidently, the lord was intending to let them know of a band of highway men up the road by half a day's walk.

It was in the opposite direction of Castle Town, but it would work well for familiarizing more with the land. Yesterday's situation was thankfully close to the village, but now they were in need of horses. The lord directed them to the stables and allowed them to purchase two of his best for half the price. It was still a hefty price, so Arturia compromised and bought a more common breed for them both.

Speed wasn't a requirement most of the time, so there was no need for a fast mount. Standard breeds of horses were still fast. Filolials were still out of the question, due to their obvious dislike for her.

"Thank you, Deacon. These horses will be care for."

"I know they will. Come back safe, that's all I ask."

"Surely with the highway men removed, merchant lines will be back on track, yes?"

"I can only hope. For me and the people here."

Getting on the horse, she gestured Éclair to follow. Once they exited the gate, Arturia kicked her heels before increasing the pace to a steady trot with Éclair not far behind.

"The horses are well behaved." Éclair stated.

"Yes, they are. When one has money, and is smart with it, they would make sure the animals are treated well and trained to accommodate for any rider. These are no different."

Horses have always been the staple of cavalry for any army. At least that was the case in Britain. Here, it's mostly the same but there have been sightings of knights on filolials that were big enough to handle the weight. Horses are sturdier and can handle more weight. Due to their fast nature, filolials have thinner bones. While not hollow, since they have no need to fly, they are still not as strong as a horse's.

The pace they set would bring them to their destination in a few hours, no more than two probably. Depending on any obstacles on the way, or is the weather holds. Clouds have been forming overhead since this morning. While they don't seem dark enough to indicate a downpour, one can't be too sure of it.

"It's a good thing you bought those cloaks when you did, it might rain tonight." Arturia nodded in agreement.

"It is better to be prepared. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

"Wiser words can not be spoken. I hope we find the time to spar again. I really wish to see your best."

"You cannot hope to see it without dying." She didn't have to turn her head to know that Éclair was currently looking at her, baffled at the proclamation.

"Uh."

"I meant what I said. My strength is too much for… a lower leveled person."

To say the terminology is strange to those outside of this realm is an understatement. The status screen that appears at random is still a nuisance of its own whenever she killed any beast. When she beheaded the wyvern, the screen reappeared. Two names on top of one another, her own and Éclair's.

Arturia Pendragon Lv. 279

Éclair Seaetto Lv. 37

The number difference was quite apparent. When the Grail provided understanding of the Japanese language among other dialects, numbers still seemed to be universal among them. It will be a long time before Éclair even reaches halfway. Éclair once said that the status magic was usable for most that were in the party of the heroes, yet she doesn't seem to notice the level difference. Or she refuses to believe it, yet says nothing on the matter.

Perhaps it had something to do with her sword. Books that held descriptions of this world's "Holy Sword" were rather detailed. But it was obvious that to her that Excalibur is still superior due to it being still with her over the other. The books explained that the weapons were bonded at the soul of their wielder for better handling on the growth of power.

Maybe the sword is still with her, somewhere she hasn't found it. Or, as preposterous as the idea sounded in her mind, Excalibur absorbed the sword itself into its own being. There is still much to figure out, but for now, the task at hand took priority.

"So, you keep saying. I'm level thirty seven now, I feel I can handle your strength a bit more."

"You still have a long way to go, Éclair. But when we find the time, we will spar." It will be one sided again, but it would help to see just how capable Éclair is. To be fair, Arturia has been taking out most of the monsters in the area without letting her partner take some out, so she hasn't been able to witness any feats of strength or speed from the fellow knight

It was to be expected when one spends their entire life doing the job of many. Avalon made it possible until it was lost in battle. Though it was obvious that it was stolen in a moment of complacency. All o it was in the past now, it no longer mattered here. Only memories.

The road ahead began to curve through a man-made canyon. It was an immense task due to the size of the hill and how deep the workers had to dig to level it as much as possible with the road. An S-shaped path led off the main road towards the upper parts of the hill that was avoided in favor of a more straight path. If Arturia had to wager, it would be that area that might house their target.

Unfortunately, there was little information on how many there were, and the job didn't require any of them to be captured as they've grown to be more than a nuisance. Best to kill them and be done with it. It wasn't a hard choice, and whoever happens to be their leader may have useful information on the surrounding area and other encampments of their comrades or competition.

It was a straightforward thought when it came to bandits. Being no different to the Saxons and Picts that dwelled in the north and across the sea from the mainland. The Icelandic people, from what was remembered of them, were a bit more docile compared to the Germanic tribes. Not by much, but enough to at least converse. In the end, they still became an enemy of Britain.

Éclair was still keeping an eye out at all angles, constantly in a state of alert. They were getting close; they both knew it. There was no smoke nearby, and for good reason. It's asking to be found.

Arturia's sharpened senses gathered what could be heard and smelled from the area. One scent stood out the most, a dank odor, foul to a point of gagging if her stomach were weak. It only solidified that their enemy is nearby.

The smell indicated that these men did not practice decent hygiene. Granted, there wasn't much of that in her home too, but the river made short work of the smaller issues. These, however, don't care about it. Almost pitiable. Almost.

She held her hand up, prompting Éclair to stop next to her.

"Leave the horses here. We continue on foot. Leash them to the trees, I'll go on ahead. I will not start any attack until you have returned." The order is well received, if the nod in acknowledgment is any indicator.

Arturia got off her horse before walking ahead, sword in hand. Invisible Air will be used in this encounter, if only for the use in the factor of confusion and anxiety of an invisible blade slashing through their allies.

A small smile found its way onto her face, if only for a moment before it turned serious. No emotion must be shown to these brute, they will try to use it against her, however useless the attempt would be.

A hundred paces went by in a couple minutes as she neared the curve in the road. They knew she was coming, the rustle of bushes overhead with the occasional shifting of rocks were heard easily.

A shadow appeared overhead before raising her blade to intercept the attack from above. The strength of the blow was negligible, easily swatted to the side and she watched as the offender found himself face first in the road. His attempt at a surprise attack was thwarted before he even jumped from the hill.

Turning her sword down, she plunged the blade into his back. His hollow gasps of air were all that would be heard by the rest on top. Éclair was not far behind, and in a way, Arturia still kept to her word as she had not initiated the attack. They did.

These highway men, if he home was anything to compare, were not the type to threaten for valuables. They simply attacked and lotted whatever corpses that were left behind. Caravans that went through never stopped, no matter what, not even for the dead. A dangerous job.

The next one to drop down made sure to keep his distance in his landing. It was too bad that before he even landed, her sword was already though his torso before swinging sideways, throwing his body to the dirt and stone wall, leaving a large stain on it.

Arturia looked up at the rest, realizing they were not so intent on coming down. Éclair won't be able to make the climb in time to intercept, so a decision was made in advance.

Crouching lightly, she launched upward with a loud boom, throwing dust and dirt all around. The heights she reached would make for an easy landing in the thick of the group. Putting Excalibur above her head, she waited until the ground was near before slashing downward, creating a gust of wind so powerful that it cut into the stone and dirt itself. The force of the blast, for those that weren't caught in the immediate attack, were blown away. The ones below, however, were not as lucky.

The slash that cut into the earth also tore a number apart with ease.

No quarter was shown to these men, and her blade would see to it.

Éclair was simply waiting by the horses a few minutes later at the realization that her help wasn't needed in this and couldn't help but wonder if she was needed at all. Arturia was clearly powerful enough to go at it alone, no matter where she went. Her abilities didn't need an incantation to be used, if they were even magical in nature. Aside from her sword that was somehow invisible.

She leaned against the trunk of the tree before looking to the sky, listening to the faint sounds of the battle that was soon to end, no doubt. The clashing of swords was lessening as the number of men dwindled in the vicinity of her friend.

"Level two hundred and seventy-nine… I don't think anyone can stand against that. Not even me." She was speaking to herself at the revelation of the power difference between her partner and herself. Fellow knights they may be, but one was obviously superior to such an extent that it would take more than a lifetime to reach.

But then, Arturia wanted her to join anyway. If not for strength, then it might just be something else. She heavily doubted it was pity, as Arturia is clearly showing none of that to the resident band of bandits on the hill.

She laughed to herself at the thought. She would figure it out soon enough. All that mattered right now, was the task at hand. Even if Arturia was flying solo in it.

I still can't shake the thought that I'm missing something. I'm getting decent at making sure the chapters are decent in length, but my mind can't help but be dissatisfied in my work.

Constantly telling myself that I need to make it better, but I can't figure out how.

Anyway, I've downloaded the JP FGO, as much as a hassle it was.

It's quite different, even if I can't ready anything, I can at least remember what buttons do what.

It's quite fun, and a lot more rewarding in the story mission rewards.