Ophelia ran through the forest, trying her best to keep up with Mash. Sigurd had gone ahead of them, being much faster and capable on his own.
Ophelia cursed her uselessness. Why hadn't she noticed Shirou had left?
She could see some smoke raising up above the trees. The forest was sparse enough to allow for that, in that opening, she saw a familiar shadow jump down to join them.
Sigurd joined the group, keeping up with their pace.
"I've found them," he stated. Ophelia nodded.
"Good," she said. Sigurd hummed.
"Can you take me there?" Ophelia asked. Her mind wandered to Mash, who, while fast, wasn't as fast as Sigurd.
"With enemies still around, I wouldn't recommend that," he said. She heard Mash gasp under her breath.
Ophelia felt stupid. Of course she didn't want to leave Mash. But in the clock tower, getting any advantage one could get was necessary. Even if she didn't like it, it had been what was expected of her.
"Right. Sorry, mash. I didn't mean to–"
"It's alright, Ophelia-san," Mash replied with a smile. With a nod, Ophelia went silent.
After a minute, they left the clearing, giving them view of a smouldering village, some embers still being lifted up into the air.
"W-what happened?" Mash asked.
"There are no villagers, but some signs of violence are still present. A fight between Servants took place. As for the rest, well, you better look for yourselves," he said, closing his eyes for a moment.
Ophelia grimaced, and they descended the hill they were standing on. She had some fall control magecraft, so it was not an issue to go down. In fact, it was better, since she could avoid rocks and other obstacles that would normally injure her.
Seeing the village closer, Ophelia's heart sank. She knew Shirou was prone to injuring himself to say the least, and the Valkyries, well, with how the Norse gods treated death and war, she had few hopes for them.
They made their way through destroyed, burned down houses, until they arrived to the village centre.
A lone pedestal for a statue that no longer had an upper body stood there, with not much else. Every other building looked the same.
Near it, Qin Liangyu and the Valkyries crouched near a prone body in black and white, while a green glow surrounded it. It did not move.
Ophelia took a deep breath, which almost sounded like a hiss, and she ran forwards.
Mash was far less silent. "Emiya!" She shouted, rushing towards his body. She went on a knee, balancing on her shield. Ophelia and Sigurd stood behind her, watching the Valkyries use healing runes on him.
Shirou was pale, standing over a pool of dried blood. There was a gaping hole in the middle of his chest. Ophelia could not see the exit entrance, but she hoped, prayed, that his spine was not severed.
"His injury is grave, but it can be healed," he said, as if reading her thoughts. She nodded absent-mindedly.
"W-what happened?" Mash asked, distress present in her voice.
Qin Liangyu stood up, looking at Thrúd, who simply tended Shirou, seemingly unaware of any new arrivals. The spearwoman then turned to Mash for a moment, wielding a frown on her face, before going back to Thrúd.
"It would be better if you explain," she said, voice stern. Thrúd didn't look her way.
"I… no… we believed that we could resist her commands. We were mistaken," she stated. Ophelia's felt as if something gripped her stomach. She remembered Beryl's Archer very well from their encounter in the forest.
"You… you went against a Crypter on your own?" Ophelia asked, trying to control her voice. Shirou and the Valkyries were similar for sure, but to have the same level of foolishness?
"We didn't correctly asses the power of her commands. Thus, when she uttered them, we acted on instinct," she said, voice monotone.
"So… it was you who–?"
"–Affirmative," Ophelia's body grew stiff. There was not a hint of regret on Thrúd's voice, only the monotone talk of a robot. Of course, that's how Valkyries were, but seeing them on Chaldea, they had never behaved like this.
"How… how could you do this?" Mash asked, eyes strained, glaring at the Valkyrie. She did not look up at the Shielder.
"It was an order, on the same level of the All-Father's commands," she uttered. Ophelia held Sigurd's breath interrupted.
"I see. So that's what our opponent had under her sleeve," he muttered. "I should have seen this coming."
"Don't be too hard, Saber. Isn't your knowledge blocked?" She asked. Sigurd looked at her, with some regret.
"Yes. But I foolishly believed…" he did not finish his sentence as he looked at Thrúd. "Never mind, we should be going back, no? The Shadow Border is vulnerable."
"You should not worry about it. That thing our Emperor keeps around is invincible, and will see any trickery Lady Akuta could use," Qin Liangyu stated. Ophelia nodded, looking at Shirou's face. He was unconscious, breathing uneven.
She had to do something. His wound was not bleeding, but it remained open.
She pulled off her coat, leaving her in her black and white shirt and skirt, and went to his body to drap it around him.
The Valkyrie continued healing him.
"No need. Eventually–"
"There is no time," she stated, looking at her. For the first time, Thrúd turned to look at her. Her eyes seemed almost dead.
"Understood," she stopped the healing, green runes fading away. Ophelia used her shirt do wrap Shirou's abdomen and cover his wound.
She turned to Sigurd. "Could you carry him?"
"Yes. Help me, Shielder. We must be careful," he said. Mash nodded.
"Yes!" she said.
Sigurd lifted from the torso, while Mash from the legs.
"Good. Then let's go back. Will you be coming, Qin Liangyu?" She asked. The general nodded with a smile.
And so, the group began their walk back. Although not as fast as their first trip, they were making good time.
Sigurd and Mash took the rear, while Thrúd, Ophelia, and Qin Liangyu walked on the front, side by side.
Ophelia glanced at Thrúd occasionally. The Valkyrie seemed to be totally devoid of anything. Like the one she met in the Scandinavian Lostbelt, what Skadi often called 'a perfect daughter'.
It worried her, enough to make her squint her eyes.
"Do not blame her," Qin Liangyu stated, drawing her attention.
"What?" Ophelia asked.
"I'm just asking that you do not treat her harshly. She was only following orders, like any good soldier would. It was that fiend's witchcraft that confused her mind," Qin Liangyu stated, frowning.
"So she forced her through activating her conditioning…" Ophelia muttered, rubbing her chin.
"She did no such thing," Thrúd stated, voice loud but sight forwards. "Her orders were simply of high priority. Even if fake, we had to follow them, like any good Valkyrie would."
"But you could… have done otherwise," Mash said from the back. Qin Liangyu's frown deepened.
"That would be treason. And treason is… never good. It only leads to suffering. The only solution to this problem would be to freeze, or otherwise dispose of the Valkyrie. Am I correct?" Qin Liangyu asked. Ophelia looked at Thrúd again, and she did not seem to react in any way.
"Yes. That is correct," was her answer.
A groan was heard from behind them, Shirou began to stir. Sigurd and Mash quickly put him down.
Ophelia felt whatever was constricting her chest loosen up. Yet, when she glanced at Thrúd, she noted that the Valkyrie did not react at all.
Any other thoughts were cast aside as she crouched near the heaving Shirou.
"Are you alright? How does your chest feel?" She asked, trying to keep him lowered.
"I'm… fine…" he responded, talking with some difficulty.
"It seems his lungs were pierced. Talking and breathing will be difficult. Fighting and other activities impossible," Sigurd assessed. Shirou looked at him with widened and empty eyes, as if some life had been drawn out of him.
"Can he walk?" Ophelia asked as Mash put a hand on his chest, to steady his breathing.
"I… think so…" Shirou said, moving his legs a little as Mash helped him put his upper buddy straight.
"Alright. Please help him Mash,"
"There's–!" Before Shirou could finish, a violent fit of coughing interrupted him.
"None of that 'I can do it alone!' Emiya-senpai. One Master under my care doing it is enough," mash said, gripping Shirou tightly, like a big sister to a feisty little brother.
Ophelia grimaced. She wanted to be able to express that care, but the practical side of her told her it was unnecessary.
She hated it. She couldn't silence it. Even after everything Napoleon did for her, expectations still weighted on her mind. It made her want to hang her head and berate herself.
"Alright. Then let's go," she said, pushing those doubts back. Shirou didn't complain, and Thrúd didn't react to that either.
Ophelia turned to see Qin Liangyu. However, the woman was busy. She had walked away from the group and pulled out what she guessed was a very strangely designed radio, too bulky to be practical.
"Yes, Emperor," she said. Then, Qin Liangyu's eyes widened, before growing cold and narrowed. "It… will be done."
"General Liangyu?" Ophelia called out. The woman turned to her, not a hint of the cordial and friendly personality she had before.
"I must attend something. Excuse me," with that, she ran away towards the village. Ophelia grew worried.
"Could that be Beryl again?" Mash asked. Ophelia grimaced.
"We should focus on Shirou. Come on," she said, urging the Shielder forward.
Ophelia felt something terrible creep into her stomach.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the village. Dusk was slowly creeping in, painting the landscape red.
Ophelia guessed the celebrations had ended, given the silence. She could see the Shadow Border at the edge, along with the camp.
"There's the Shadow Border, hope they finished scanning it," Mash mused. Thrúd was still silent, which worried Ophelia.
She didn't know what to think about what she had done. She felt bad, not offering some comfort. Useless even.
"Thrúd," she said as they walked side by said. At being addressed, the Valkyrie turned her head towards her.
"What do you require, Lady Ophelia?" She asked. Hearing her cold, unfeeling voice, Ophelia gulped down some fear.
"Are you alright? Whatever happened–"
"–We take full responsibility," she stated, her yanking forwards.
"I… I know. That's good. But they way you are acting worries me. I don't think it's good for you or… the mission," she stated. Thrúd faced her again, facade breaking slightly.
"I'm… I'm acting properly. But if my behaviour dissatisfies you, I'll bring one of my sisters out. Forgive me," she said, and air began to surround her.
"No… I didn't mean–"
"Is that…?" Mash brought their attention towards the sky. With a loud crash, Spartacus fell into the ground, a group of people cradled in his arms.
"Spartacus...!" Shirou said, extending his arm. The Berserker Servant stumbled towards them, teeth grit so much blood came out of his mouth, and body covered in deep wounds. This seemed to be enough for Thrúd to float towards him.
"Let me assist, Lord Spartacus," she said, helping pull the people out of his tight arms.
"Ah, my Master and Lancer. Good timing. I just barely saved them," he said as Thrúd put down the villagers. They were a frightened woman, a cowering Supervisor and the boy that had lead them through the forest. They were all covered in blood, their clothes stained red.
The boy looked around, and upon spotting the Valkyrie, he ran towards her.
"Miss Valkyrie!" He said, hugging her legs. "They- they- they hurt everyone!" he cried, burying his face in her white waist cape.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"The oppressors… they started murdering the villagers… I wasn't strong enough to both stop them and save them. But I will return…" Spartacus said, his tone of voice low.
Ophelia felt a tight hand grip her chest. She felt something, a pressure that pulled her spirit down. The sound of hooves shook the earth as all sights turned towards the village.
The creature from before, Xiang Yu, walked towards them. Swords drawn, wind blowing, covered in blood and guts. It was a sight that made her knees weak.
"Last targets detected. Proceeding to eliminate," he stated. His eyes glowed green as magical energy pooled around him. Ophelia felt shivers down her body, and she almost wanted to drop to her knees and surrender to him.
"Stop, Xiang Yu," said a voice from the sky.
"Ophelia-san," Mash whispered, leaving Emiya gently on the ground and going to stand in front of her. "The enemy seems ready to engage."
Hearing her, Ophelia shook her head, doing her best to repress the feeling that seeing the creature gave her.
"Hold on, Mash," she said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Then, she looked at Xiang Yu square in the eye. He did not move, simply staring at the group. "What is going on?" She shouted to the sky.
"You should know what is happening, confucians. But since you seem deeply unaware of your foolishness, I told Xiang Yu to remain on hold," said a voice from the sky. The Emperor. His pleasantness was gone, but he still sounded as arrogant as ever.
"Confucians?" Ophelia asked him.
"Even more foolish than I calculated. We have tolerated you, even appreciated what you have done to help our people, but I'm afraid we cannot allow you to infect their minds any longer."
"W-we haven't done anything!" Mash cried out.
"Oh really?" Asked a female voice. From behind Xiang Yu, Akuta emerged along with her Servant. "Then why is that boy drawing runes and writing?"
The boy flinched, clinging tighter to the Valkyrie. "I–I wasn't–"
"How is that confucianism?" Ophelia asked. She did not understand that concept. Although an uneducated populace was applicable and maybe even beneficial from a selfish, cold and calculative point of view (and what most Magus would use) Ophelia simply refused to believe someone would do something so monstrous.
"You all try to preach justice, courtesy, wisdom, knowledge and benevolence. You think that it brings progress, but in reality, it only brings conflict. Chaos. Once a human has a different opinion from another, they can no longer coexist, and only mutual destruction remains as they become dissatisfied with themselves and the world. Am I not right? From what I've been told, your world has, is and will always be shrouded in warfare and suffering. All because humans are incapable of coexisting with those they disagree with. And thus, although it pained our heart, we eliminated confucianism from our kingdom as the tumour it is. Our people live in blissful ignorance, is that not better than whatever you preach?"
"So they deserve to die? Just because they don't think like you…" Shirou said, struggling to talk. Anger was palpable on his voice, on a level Ophelia hadn't ever heard before.
"Because they don't think like us, sooner or later, they will become an enemy. Tell me, you know this, you know their lives will endanger others. Do they really deserve to be saved over countless others?" Asked the Emperor. Shirou clicked his tongue, as if in pain.
"I… I'll save them anyways," He answered.
"I see. I've met your ilk before. A so called Hero of Justice, am I correct?" Asked Qin Shi Huang. There was tension in the air.
"Y-yes," Shirou replied with some hesitation.
"You are the worst of these confucians. Wanting so save people, and deliver evil onto justice, without thinking about ending it. You think you save others, but you only thrive on suffering. There is no need of you on a peaceful world. So it is better if you remain silent for the time being," he said. Shirou clicked his tongue, but did not answer.
Ophelia grit her teeth. In a way, the emperor was right. Absolutely right. Humans did not take to disagreements well. Even people supposed to be close to each other, like parents and children, could have their bond broken over petty, innocuous differences.
Her parents never allowed her to disobey. To do so only ever earned her harsh punishments, days of painful experimentation with her eye. And she'd heard worse from other Magus families.
But she had no time for this debate. Shirou was injured, Ritsuka was dying.
"So what now? Is the deal off?!" She asked, swallowing. Mash seemed to hold her breath, as the Emperor went silent.
After a few moments, he answered. "We appreciate the help you have given us, even if it was uncalled for and unnecessary. So, we'll give you Kochinski, and banish you from our world. But your interesting vehicle will stay with us, and you will hand over those last contaminated workers," he stated. Hearing this, the remaining humans cowered.
"W-why would the g-great emperor–?"
"Worry not. No matter what, I'll keep you safe from these oppressors," Spartacus said, wounds closing and expelling vapour.
"What is your decision? Elimination is what awaits should you oppose us," The Emperor said. Ophelia bit her lip, looking at the ground. She was the only conscious Master, Holmes and Da Vinci were probably dead or on the Shadow Border, along with Goredolf. If they lost them, and the vehicle, they would certainly be crippled.
She looked back at Shirou for help, but he was seeing the villagers instead. The boy hugged Thrùd's legs even tighter, almost burying his face in her waist cape.
Shirou noticed her stare, however, and turned his sights to her. His eyes were strained, yet, there was something harsh in them. "Ophelia…"
"What should I…?" She stopped herself. She was asking for help once again, depending on others. She desperately wanted that, but seeing Shirou
However, they still had Sion, the Wandering Sea, and Ritsuka. Leaving Da Vinci and Holmes could be a necessary sacrifice.
"You know what I will do," he replied, serious. His eyes told her everything. What to do was up to her.
"Go ahead. Do it and get out of my world," said Akuta, snapping Ophelia out of her thoughts.
"W-what?" she asked her. The Crypter stepped up, being side by side with Xiang Yu.
"Is that not what humans and confucians do? They only care for themselves, by hoarding every bit of knowledge, and killing those that think different," she said. Although some of it sounded faker, probably trying to appease the emperor. "And you are a magus, right Ophelia? You are ruthless. You should know what to do. Not like you care about these people anyway. They are meaningless."
Ophelia clenched her teeth harder, to the point her gums hurt.
"But Akuta! Emperor! The people of our world–!" Mash said. However, Qin Shi Huang interrupted.
"–Let me guess. They can enjoy life even if they suffer every single day. Am I correct? Hmph. What kind of world Is that? What kind of world would allow untold violence and suffering for a moment of respite that will be whisked away? Foolishness, I say. Our world is made of everlasting peace. Yours is hell. So hellish that you'd need Heroic Spirits of the dead to save you from destruction," the disgust in the emperor's voice was palpable. Even if she couldn't see him, it was evident he was at his wit's end.
"Ophelia, what do we do?" Mash whispered, going to her side.
Ophelia didn't know. Indecision plagued her mind.
She needed someone else to… to tell her what to do. To give her an example.
What would Wodime do?
What would Shirou do?
What would Napoleon do?
None of them were there. She was alone.
Taking the path of the magus, of a cold hearted person, would be what everyone she had met in her life would do. It was just logical.
And she was so weak she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Yet… she remembered something.
Don't worry. You don't need my help anymore. Now go, achieve your dreams, and reach a happy end.
He came when she asked for help. Yet, he didn't free her.
Napoleon only gave her the chance to free herself. It was her who chose to help him defeat Surtr.
And now she was being told to run away. After all of that.
She raised her head, and looked Akuta straight in the eye.
She would not run from this. She would not let others tell her what to do.
She would reach that distant world, that rainbow behind dark clouds, without leaving anyone behind, without having anyone give up their dreams for her.
It was self centred. The need to prove herself, by putting others in jeopardy.
She swallowed her guilt and answered.
"We're not leaving without the Shadow Border. And you're not going to kill these people. Who are you to tell us what to teach? To decide wanting a better world is wrong?" she said, tone steady.
Akuta glared daggers at her.
"So you would continue to spread your disease to others, believing you are right despite your hypocrisy. You come to deny our world, and yet accuse us of denying others." said Qin Shi Huang, his voice betraying the slightest hint of anger.
"That's correct!," said a grave voice, Sigurd's voice, as he stepped near Ophelia, voice raised to the sky. "You say you are a king. A ruler. A king has no right to decide their subject's worth based on what they think, only on what their actions are. Your enforcing is based on capriciousness and fear!" He shouted. His voice reverberated through the area. Ophelia had never seen him so emotional.
"I've had enough of this. Purge this disease at once, lord Xiang Yu!" The emperor ordered before going quiet.
"Understood," the robot horse's entire body began to emit sounds of metal, steam and energy fighting against each other.
Sigurd stepped in front of Ophelia, sword drawn. "Master, I can take them all out. But I won't make it out of here alive."
Ophelia grit her teeth. "I'll have none of that. I'm staying by your side, Saber!"
Sigurd glanced at her, and smiled. "Very well."
"Mash, preparing for combat!" Said the shielder, stepping at Sigurd's side.
Then, the Shadow Border began moving, driving away at a speed faster than she had ever seen before.
"Thrúd! Don't let them get away!" She shouted to the Valkyrie. Nodding quickly, Thrúd took flight and launched herself after the vehicle. After that, ophelia turned to Spartacus. "Berserker, take care of the enemy Saber!"
"Very well. I'll leave the villagers to Master and you," he said, joining Mash and Sigurd. His body was fully healed now, and to add to that, it was pulsing with magical energy, enough that Ophelia could feel the pressure.
Ophelia looked beyond her shoulder, at Shirou. He was crouched, barely able to stand up.
"Shirou, protect the villagers," she ordered. He nodded.
She looked back at the battlefield. Akuta, her Saber, and Xiang Yu on one side. Sigurd, Mash and Spartacus on the other.
Neither side would step down.
Akuta looked at Ophelia straight in the eye. "I hope you're ready Ophelia. This time, I will kill you for good. No Wodime, and no Marisbury will save you."
Ophelia balled her right hand. "They won't need to. Saber, give it everything you've got!"
With that shout, Sigurd threw his sword towards the enemy.
The Shadow Border moved fast, fast enough that Thrúd had to put all her magical energy into her Mystic Code's flight function. Even so, their enemies did not drive the vehicle with Goredolf's proficiency. They were simply on a straight line, often bumping into terrain.
Sister… Ortlinde muttered in her head.
What is it?
That boy… we taught him runes… because of us…
We only did what was right. What was expected of us.
But…! Hildr cried out. "It was wrong, we… we killed them…
No! We did not! Stop this right now! Valkyries don't doubt. Valkyries don't fear. Valkyries don't repent! Now be quiet and let me concentrate!
Saying that felt good, and yet, after it was over, Thrúd felt awful. She felt alone, her sisters silent in her head.
But her target was near. She approached the vehicle, and landed on it's roof. In the short time she had operated with Chaldea, she had gotten a good look of it's exterior. There was a hatch that she approached, trying hard to keep her balance.
The hatch had a rotating lock that she opened with ease. However, once she lifted it, from the interior of the vehicle a pair of legs shot out, hitting her in the face with enough force to almost fling her out of the vehicle's roof, had she not stuck her spear into it to steady herself.
It hurt. The damage was acceptable, even if she now bled from her mouth.
Looking back up front, she noticed that now Qin Liangyu stood in her way, face impassive and unpleasant. Behind her, a man of small stature and wide proportions also left the vehicle.
"Oh, so this is the model?" He asked, Qin Liangyu barely spared him a glance.
"Yes. Now go back inside, tactician," she told him.
"Now wait just a second, I need to gauge her reactions," he said, eyeing her with glee. It felt… wrong, to be treated like toy. She was a Valkyrie! She had pride!
She stood up, facing Qin Liangyu. "Move. This is our last warning."
"Why would I? You want to destroy this world's peace, and I need to stop you," Qin Liangyu stated. Thrúd grimaced.
"Our directive was not to do that. We simply taught the boy runes so he could fight and defend himself," she stated.
"Really now," Qin Liangyu said, caressing her spear's shaft with an uninterested expression.
"Instead of teaching him how to hide, how to flee, how to pacify, how to convince, you taught him how to fight. How to use blasphemous magic," she said. She was disparaging their skills. It was unacceptable.
Still, Thrúd had to keep calm. "it's what we were made for. Our purpose."
That statement made Qin Liangyu glare, as she stabbed her spear into the roof. "Indeed. You know nothing but war, and now you are here to destroy our peace. You are like a diseased rat. It doesn't know it's spreading filth and death, it only lives it's life. You are worse than evil, you are foolish and ignorant!"
Those insults, they hurt. Coming from a fellow warrior, or what she believed was a fellow warrior, hurt deeply. Valkyries didn't feel pain, not like that. And yet, it felt like a stab in the chest. Like a betrayal.
"You are a warrior too. You know it's the only way of life!" Thrúd stated, keeping her voice barely contained.
"I chose this life. I sacrificed many things. What have you sacrificed? What are you even fighting for? Once my duty is done, I leave this world. But you remain, aimless, searching for more conflict until you are left no choice but to make it yourself. That is all you can do. You have no future," Qin Liangyu stated.
That was enough. Thrúd felt her chest once again be overcome with a furious flame.
"Very well then. I'll show you what a maiden born for war is made of," she told her, readying her spear to thrust while her shield was held in front. Qin Liangyu did the same, except she held her spear with two hands and a low pose. The fat man simply remained back, looking at her as if she were nothing but a prop.
"Alright general, this model doesn't look very adaptable, even if it is mighty. Once you find a hole in her technique, just exploit it," he said, stepping back into the vehicle.
"Understood," Qin Liangyu said, eyes narrowed.
Both warriors waited for the other to engage, but neither moved, until a bump in the road shook the vehicle.
That was the signal. Thrúd rushed forwards, lance extended. Qin Liangyu docked, and thrust with her own. Deflecting with her shield, Thrúd went on the offensive again.
And so both warriors danced around each other, delivering thrusts and whips with their spear, barely missing each other. Yet,
Qin Liangyu seemed faster, focusing on her blind spots, and poking around her unbreakable shield.
Thrúd was a Valkyrie, a proper Valkyrie. She was using everything she had been taught by her father, by her elder sisters.
So why was she being pushed?
She thrusted again, however, this time Qin Liangyu moved her head to the side without much toruble, and thrust back.
Thrúd raised her shield, and that was the first mistake. The spear slid off and slashed at her neck.
Thrúd stepped back, grunting. An unforgivable mistake. Qin Liangyu didn't press, instead twirling her spear with her same impassive expression, as if judging her as worthless.
Her flame grew. With a shout, she used her Mystic Code to charge with force. Qin Liangyu saw it coming, and jumped over her. Anticipating this, Thrúd threw her shield. Qin Liangyu was forced to evade the hit with haste, which gave her an opening.
She thrust her Gungnir towards her, intending on piercing her chest.
Yet, Qin Liangyu simply raised her leg, and stomped on her spear, losing her all the momentum.
That was another fatal mistake. Why was she making so many mistakes?
It was unforgivable. Unacceptable. Was she broken?
Maybe she was. A failing Valkyrie.
One that Qin Liangyu used to pierce her shoulder, almost splitting it from her body.
Thrúd cried in pain, and kicked her in the stomach, pushing her back. Her right shoulder was useless now, she could not wield her weapon.
This time Qin Liangyu did not taunt her, instead, she pressed her assault. The white shafted spear came, intent on destroying her Spirit Core.
Thrúd recalled her divine Iron Shield and blocked it. Once again, the spear slid off and she barely could grab hold of it, locking both women into a stalemate.
To reach a stalemate was also unforgivable. So many mistakes. So much punishment she'd have to endure.
They were now close, nearly face to face.
Qin Liangyu glared daggers at her, as if she were her most hated enemy.
"See? You war machines cannot grow. You have nothing to push you forward. I have the peace of my world," her ears rung. Her shoulder stung. Her mana was depleting quickly. "Now I'll eliminate you."
With strength she could hardly resist, Qin Liangyu broke their lock by punching her in the face. Thrúd was now near the edge of the vehicle, without a spear and an incoming enemy.
Thrúd growled. Another failure. She would not even die in battle properly.
We'll get another chance, sister. Please… Hildr said, voice pleading.
D-dying here would not be proper. You'd say so yourself if you were in our position. Let's retreat. Ortlinde added. It was two against one.
They were a collective. Even if she disagreed, the decision was made.
Qin Liangyu charged. Thrúd held her hand, and her spear returned in time to block the attack. Using the momentum, Thrúd spun her enemy and flung her away, before jumping off herself.
She touched the ground, and immediately found herself rolling around it like an animal, unable to right herself.
After a moment, she stopped.
It hurt. It all hurt. She would recover, but it still stung.
She got up, watching her duty, her one purpose, ride away into the distance.
The flame in her chest burned her. It made her eyes sting.
She had failed Emiya, she had failed her Master.
She had failed her sisters.
A/N: Heya! Now things are getting exciting, or so I hope. Not much to say for this chapter, except that it's the one I was very excited to start writing. I only hope I got the characters right.
Since it's NaNoWriMo I'm going to be pushing out chapters a bit faster. I only hope the quality will keep up.
That's all for now. See you next chapter!