What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you the next chapter of the Fate SI story.
Here's an interesting review I recently received from toadfist: typical amerimutt not even halfway into first chapter and already talking about bbc
So, I'm just gonna say that this guy does not like Americans. And let me point out, that part was written by my friend, Kamen Rider Duelist. No idea why he would write it. I don't even need that at all. I'd change it but admittedly, I'm a bit lazy. Regardless, if you have a problem, you can hate it but just know you've read it. Still counts as a view. So…you know, suck it, fool.
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, the Fate series. All rights belong to Type-Moon and Kinoko Nasu-sama.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Chapter 3: Two-pronged Assault
You know what I like about coffee? I can add as much stuff as I want in it. Like cream and sugar. My grandpa once told me that real men drink their coffee black…
…clearly, men back then had no sense of taste.
Ah, I'm getting distracted. My current predicament was currently resting on the coffee table in my apartment. Assassin was in the bath doing…who knows what. I'm not willing to use the Master-Servant bond to see through her eyes and catch her in the nude.
Right now, my attention was on the False Book of Attendance which held the Command Seals that allowed me control over Rider. I wonder if Medusa would've killed me if I threatened either Shinji or Sakura…maybe just Sakura but the thought of hurting the purple-haired girl was rather morbid.
With a sip from my much-needed drink, I opened the book and placed my hand on it. "Rider, come to me." I ordered without invoking the Command Mantra's magic.
On cue, the beautiful purple-haired Servant appeared in front of me.
"You…" Rider murmured in surprise. Despite her eyes being covered by her blindfold, I could tell they were wide.
"Yeah, me." I said. "First off, before you say anything, I don't want a repeat of you trying to kill me. And two, yes, I'm your new Master. The bastard Shinji gave it to me, after I threatened him with Assassin. You're welcome by the way."
The woman gave me a hidden calculating gaze behind her blindfold. "What is your angle here?"
"Would you believe me if I said that I don't want Sakura to be part of the Grail War?" I asked.
"No," She answered sternly.
Well, she definitely isn't willing to bullshit. I like that about her. "Okay, to be honest, you want to help her, right? That's why you agreed to be her Servant because she reminded you of yourself from your past."
"How do-"
"-I know that? Well, let's just say, I have…Clairvoyance." I replied while drinking my coffee. "I'm willing to discuss a deal. Between you and me, if you're willing to listen?"
Rider stood there for what seemed like an eternity before answering me, "What are you proposing?"
"Simple, really," I started, setting my cup down before leaning forward on my seat, giving Rider the most serious glare I'd ever given. "Would you be willing to forge a contract as my Servant in exchange for safeguarding Sakura from this War?"
I would've seen Rider's eyes widened once more if only because of the blindfold obscuring it. "I-I beg your pardon?"
"I didn't stutter. You become my Servant, and you can ensure Sakura's safety throughout this entire War."
"Even if what you say is true, there are no Masters who could control two Servants at once." Rider pointed out.
Except Fate/Grand Order did that…but something that Rider mentioned during our first meeting got me curious.
"You said that there was something about my soul that enticed you. Something that practically sent you into a frivolous hunger." I said, leaning back in my seat. "This is only a theory, but I suspect that you might have felt something spiritual in nature. Possibly even a Magical Core."
"To be honest, even I myself do not know." Rider admitted. "But there is something within you. That much I can tell."
No kidding, if that weird voice that spoke to me before Assassin's summoning was any indication.
"In any case, are you willing to be my Servant? I guarantee that I'd be a much better Master than Shinji. Plus, I know for a fact that having extra help would be beneficial in the long run." Came my remark, standing up to hold out my hand towards the tall woman. "Do we have a deal?"
Rider stared at my hand for a moment, as if calculating and observing whether or not I was lying, but I knew I wasn't. I really want what's best for Sakura-chan and I'm gonna end this fucked up war one way or another.
…even if I have to stain my hands in blood.
"Very well." Rider said, holding out her hand to reach mine and holding it. "Consider our contract forged."
The moment she said that, I felt a drain in my body. Not enough to make me collapse but enough to make me momentarily dizzy. The Command Spell that was in the False Book disappeared…before materializing above the one I had for Assassin.
"Excellent." I said with a smirk. "With that done, we can prepare for a little outing together."
"An outing?" Rider asked, with her eyebrow raised.
"Indeed. We need to have ourselves a little party…with Caster." I replied as my smirk turned dangerous.
If I can get a hold of Rule Breaker, then this War is as good as done. I'll make it quick. But I can't get cocky. Even if she doesn't have Sasaki guarding her, Medea is still a dangerous opponent in her own right, especially when she's in her own territory.
"What's the plan?" Rider questioned.
"Ever heard the phrase: Divide and Conquer?"
The night air was cool against my skin even with the jacket I wore. My newly contracted Rider stood beside me looking resolute as any other Servant.
Before us stood the stairway entrance to Ryuudou Temple, Caster's hideout.
I had sent Assassin ahead on a special assignment if this little encounter with Caster turned out bad. But I was confident in my chances of succeeding.
"Well, Rider, how are you feeling?" I asked the blindfolded Servant.
"Anxious yet calm." Rider answered. "I will do what is needed to protect Sakura."
"Glad to hear it. And from what I'm seeing, your stats are much better than they were before." I commented while advancing up the stone steps. "You're actually able to stand up to at least a Knight Class."
"Is that so…"
"Mainly because you had a shitty Master." I shrugged. "Speaking of, even if this plan of ours goes south, I don't intend to leave empty-handed."
"You mean…" Rider trailed off.
"I do. That is…if you're up for it."
"I would not be here if I believed your plan to be flawed." She commented.
I cannot say it's perfect either but no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Hence why I had Assassin go on ahead of us.
"Well then, shall we knock on the front door?" I quipped.
"After you." Rider gestured.
"Ladies first. I insist." I grinned.
I could practically feel the eye roll she was doing behind her blindfold as Rider advanced through the gate and into Caster's territory with all the grace of a dancer. I followed behind and, to my relief, found no sign of Sasaki Kojiro guarding the gate. Thank God, I managed to snag Assassin. Otherwise, my plan would be shot to shit.
When I arrived at the forefront of the temple, Rider and Caster were already engaged in battle. Medea probably thought she'd be able to repel Rider on her own because of her flight and long-range abilities. Medusa made up for it with her Agility and her seemingly extrasensory skills.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to sneak around and see if I can try to do some kind of pincer attack. Overall, the skirmish between Rider and Assassin before had nothing on the spectacle in front of me. Rider nimbly avoided laser after laser that had been shot down at her like a colorful rain storm. Caster keeping her distance from the snake woman and her deadly chain daggers.
As for me…wait, what kind of magic do I even have? I didn't think that far ahead!
Okay, scratch any potential suicidal attacks then. I did not think this crap through. Well, as long as she doesn't see me then I won't have to worry about being turned into Swiss cheese and- shit, she saw me!
Maybe if I stay still, maybe she- oh shit! Here comes the lasers!
I immediately dived out of the way and I definitely wasn't screaming like a little girl as I fled for my life. Nope, I totally wasn't. Stop judging me, dammit!
"Well, well, what have we here? A Master coming out of hiding? My, how very brave…and so foolish." Caster snidely taunted me as I ran and dodged every beam that narrowly came close to killing me. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was playing with me like a cat with a mouse.
"Bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day, bad day!" I yelled.
Where the hell is Rider!? Seriously, is she gonna let me die?!
"It was foolish of you to expose yourself, Master of Rider! Now you will die and your Servant will-"
"Rider, shut her up already!" I exclaimed loudly, interrupting the Witch of Betrayal's rant.
Immediately the dagger attached to the chain flew towards Caster, who turned around and dodged it. But then-
"You're mine…"
Assassin?!
Why the hell is she here!? I didn't tell her to come here!
Caster was barely able to dodge Assassin's knife from cutting her throat as Assassin jumped back after dodging one of her lasers, and stood in front of me, her knives at the ready while holding them back-handed.
"Assassin, what are you-"
"I'm here to protect you."
"I appreciate that but since you're here, can I assume you completed your mission?" I questioned, a little frustrated inside.
"This is me you're talking about." Assassin smirked at me.
Precisely why I asked…
"Who are… Wait, you are the Assassin Servant, aren't you?" Caster questioned after gaining distance from us.
"So what if I am?" Assassin questioned.
"Well, well, I guess that makes things easier."
The hell is she going on about?
"Tell me, Assassin. Who is your Master?" Caster questioned my first Servant.
"Why should it matter?" Assassin pondered.
A sinister chortle left the witch's lips as her hooded face seemed to linger on me. "Natural curiosity. I find it quite interesting that you would openly protect Rider's Master when you yourself aren't even a physical combatant. Unless…" She trailed on with a knowing smirk.
Oh shit, she's catching on that I'm Assassin's Master too.
"This is quite the predicament." Caster chuckled. "To think you would-
*WOOSH!*
Caster didn't finish her train of thought as she had to dodge several more knives from Assassin.
"Before you start mentioning my Master, you should be wondering what happened to yours." Assassin retorted with a cold grin on her lovely face.
Caster looked confused, but a split second later, she started realizing the implications. She must be wondering…how come she didn't sense her Master being in danger?
"Confused, Caster?" I couldn't help the wicked grin from forming on my face as I watched the Witch of Betrayal's panicking behavior. "Simple. Rider and I were a distraction. I had Assassin go on ahead to do a little task for me."
"You… YOU!"
Oh yeah, Caster was getting real pissed now.
"That's right. He's gone. And with no Master, the Grail won't tether you to this world any longer. Unless…" I mockingly trailed off.
"Unless…?" Caster seethed.
"You become my Servant." I finished. "Do that, and I might use my Wish to bring him back if you join me willingly. Any hint of betrayal and the deal is off then you die."
"Bastard." The witch cursed.
"It's your choice. Though I'd recommend the first option." "
"Why should I trust you?" Medea gave me a scathing glare.
"You shouldn't. Just like I don't trust you, Medea." I said, revealing Caster's True Name.
"What?" Medea gasped, looking absolutely floored.
"I know all about you. Possessor of the Golden Fleece. The Witch of Colchis. The Witch Daughter of the King, who tasked Jason and his Argonauts to plant dragon's teeth in the field, in which warriors will grow. Sounds about right?"
"How…how do you-"
"Let's just say I'm well versed in world history and leave it at that." I teased with my grin turning wicked.
"Tch…" Medea clicked her tongue in annoyance. She really was in a pickle. This was my intention after all.
"So? What's it gonna be?" I asked.
Medea gave me a scowl…before releasing a resigned sigh and nodded, "Very well…"
"Glad you can see reason, my dear." I said in a happy-go-lucky tone. Yes! With this, I now have a team of Servants like Grand Order! Now nothing's gonna stop me!
*BOOOOOOM*
A sudden explosion behind me that led up to the gate of Ryuudou Temple drew my attention along with my three Servants towards the entrance…
…and the giant monster of a man that stood menacingly across from us.
Why can't anything be easy?
"That better not be who I think it is…" I muttered.
"Berserker." Caster said with growing terror.
Yep, I knew it. Standing in front of us, was that colossal statue of a man who is described as a "black giant." With very ripped muscles, the wild black hair and the menacing yellow and red eyes that gleamed in the night. Yeah, I ain't dying today.
"Okay ladies, change of plans, we're getting out of here." I told the Servants around me.
"Master, that is Berserker. We have no chance of escaping him." Rider pointed out.
She had a point. However, we're still technically in Caster's territory. "Worry not, dear Rider. Have you forgotten? This is still Caster's home field. And I doubt she's shown us all her tricks." I pointed out while glancing at the witch.
"Hmph, perceptive young man, aren't you?" Caster smirked mirthlessly as she regained her footing and looked at me. "True, I've yet to reveal my whole hand but I lacked a proper guard dog to protect my territory. Your handiwork, apparently."
"I will not apologize for wanting to survive." I retorted playfully. "In any case, if we're going to survive, you'll need to use all the tricks you presently have."
"Hmph, don't presume to order me around. I haven't even forged a contract with you." Medea snidely remarked.
"Less talk, more distraction." I told her impatiently. I wasn't willing to give Hercules a chance to carve me into a red smear on the ground.
Caster scoffed before she brought up her staff which glowed with mana. "I hate pushy men." Then she spoke rapidly in what I assumed to be Ancient Greek then hundreds upon hundreds of skeletal creatures appeared from the earth. Dragon Tooth Warriors, magical familiars used by high-class mages as cannon fodder and soldiers. On their own, they're strong enough to fight against combat-class homunculi but against a Servant, especially the legendary Greek Hero, Hercules, they might as well be ants against a giant.
Still, they serve their purpose. Case in point as the skeletal warriors assaulted Berserker, who wasted no time in retaliating against them. A perfect chance for us to escape.
"Time to make our getaway. Assassin, let's move. Rider, take Caster and follow us." I ordered my two Servants.
Assassin swiftly carried me in a bridal carry (much to my humiliation towards my manhood) while Rider carried Caster with one arm. As we fled, I heard the monstrous bellow of rage from the legendary Greek Hero as he took his anger out on the unfortunate Dragon Tooth Warriors that became our meat shields.
Our return back to my home base (ie: my apartment) was met with little resistance. Overall, I can safely say that the mission was a success. I beat Caster while also simultaneously recruiting her as evident by the additional Command Seals on my arm. Strange, I should be feeling drained but I haven't felt tired at all, even with a possible Magic Core.
"Tell me, Master," Medea said with barely contained irritation. "What exactly did you have planned in recruiting more Heroic Spirits?"
"To put it simply, the big bastard that wanted to rip our heads off and shit down our necks." I replied, reminding the Witch about the famous Greek Hero, Hercules. "Berserker is too strong for just one Servant. I've studied him and I know that his Noble Phantasm involves resurrection as well as granting him a resistance to all but A-Rank attacks."
"And you know this, how?" She asked me.
"Careful study and minor clairvoyance."
"For some reason, I believe that."
Never doubted that you did, Medea. The Nasuverse is crazy as hell and pretty damn confusing to boot. Now it was time for the bigger question…
"By the way, Caster," I said, getting the witch's attention. "Do you think you could teach me Magecraft?"
…
…
…
"I'm sorry, what?" Medea looked at me like I had grown a second head.
"Yeah, now may be a bad time to mention this but…I don't know any Magecraft." I admitted with a sheepish grin.
…
…
"I lost…to a novice…" Caster spoke softly in disbelief.
When you put it like that, it sounds embarrassing. But there's no denying that you still lost in the end and are now contracted to me.
"I lost…to a novice…" Medea repeated, her hood having fallen to reveal her lovely face, elven ears, and long blue hair. A look of disbelief still present.
Oh shit, I think I broke her.
"Uh, Caster? You…alright?" I asked.
"I lost…to a novice…"
Yep, I totally broke her.
So, after I gave Caster some jasmine tea to calm her down, I returned to my bedroom to rest but just as I was about to sleep a horrifying realization struck me…
…where were my other two Servants going to sleep?
Assassin, it's understandable that she would be in my bed. I mean, I woke up with her in bed, despite her nudity. But Rider and Caster are now contracted to me and I'd feel like a terrible person if I let pretty ladies sleep on the couch.
"Is something wrong, Master?"
Speaking of said Servant, in came Medusa who was no longer wearing her skimpy battle attire but a long-sleeved black shirt and a pair of blue jean pants with a pair of glasses that I vaguely remember being Mystic Eye Canceling Glasses or something along those lines. Gives me a pretty good view of her purplish-pink eyes and the square pupils without suffering a sudden case of petrification. Overall, still good-looking.
"To be honest, I'm wondering about sleeping arrangements." I answered.
"Sleeping arrangements?"
"Yeah. See… Assassin's gonna be sleeping with me… no ifs, ands, or buts." I muttered. Yeah, emphasis on butts… "Can't argue with her, even if you tried."
"I do not see the problem here, Master. We are Servants, we do not require sleep nor food." Rider corrected.
"Yeah, but the principle is that I'm a gentleman. I have to be a good host to others, especially pretty women." I replied, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'd feel bad if I showed favoritism or denied you the simple pleasures of life."
Rider stared at me for a minute before a soft chuckle left her lips. "You are such a strange man, Master."
"So I've been told."
"And to think chivalry is dead in this century…" Caster said, suddenly appearing.
"Oh, Medea. Feeling better?" I asked.
"Not another word out of you." Caster glared at me.
"Zipping the lip." I said quickly.
"Hm, I suppose sleeping arrangements are to be made after all. This little hovel is sizable but there are hardly any other rooms aside from a space I could use for another workshop." Caster remarked after examining my home in this universe. "I suppose since the bed is quite large enough, four separate bodies could sleep on it."
…what?
"You do realize the skill I possess, correct?"
"Ahhhh… shit. You're an A Rank in Item Construction." I facepalmed.
"Besides, if you are to be a proper Master, I will mold you into a proper Magus. And that requires plenty of rest and tor- I mean, training."
She was about to say torture…I know it…
"And it's not as if you can complain, Master~?" This time, Medea's tone became teasing. "After all, a warm-blooded young man such as yourself in bed with three beautiful women?"
"Why do you make it sound like it's intentional?" I asked, dryly.
"Is it not our duty as Servants to protect our Master?" Medusa interjected, her tone the usual no-nonsense with…a hint of teasing? Is she-!?
"That's not the-"
"You don't want to sleep with us, Master?"
Assassin?! There she was, on the bed, dressed only in a large t-shirt that barely covered her smooth thighs. Judging by the cleavage…she ain't wearing undergarments. Not only that, she has that cute, innocent tilt!
"I uh…" I gulped. What was I supposed to do?! How can I say "no" to that face!?
And given how my dream went with her…
"I have no other choice, do I…" I sweat dropped.
"Like you said, Master," Rider remarked as she stretched her body, unintentionally having her large boobs bounce from the motion. "Assassin doesn't take no for an answer."
Oh, how I hate myself for throwing that out there…
"Sweet lord have mercy…"
This is gonna be a looooooong night.
"Hm, I do not approve of your current choice in clothing. I believe a shopping trip is in order." Medea suggested.
…I should've let Berserker kill me.
A/N: And that's the chapter. Short, sweet, but gets the point across.
Anyways, our hero now has three Servants at his command. But how is he able to support them all? That…is a mystery for later on.
In any case, to those who think I'm not really following Fate, since this is an SI kinda story, you guys know I'd be deviating from it. Then again, my co-writer only ever saw UBW, which is a bit of a bummer. But if any of you readers are interested, I could use a beta reader.
Review and comment on this chapter. Love it, hate it, but just know that you've read it.
Peace out, everyone!