"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Mental link"
"Noble Phantasms"
POV
Chapter 15: Plan of Action
"So how is it going over here?" Ritsuka asked as he walked over to where Jeanne and Georgios were treating Siegfried and Cu. The blonde servant looked over her shoulder, her face showing strain however it contrasted with her pleased expression.
"Myself and Saint Georgios have been able to undo most of the curses affecting Sir Siegfried." Ritsuka nodded at her, a relieved smile gracing his lips "We suspect it won't be long before he has been purified of his affliction and we can get to work on Lancer."
"That's a relief to here." Ritsuka sighed out and rubbed his forehead "I'll start thinking up a plan for out offensive against the Dragon Witch." Jeanne nodded to him and then returned to healing Siegfried.
Ritsuka walked back to the others who were busy setting up their camp for the night. He spied Ash sitting away from everyone else and gazing into the sky with his arms crossed. He frowned and made his way over to the undead Servant.
"Ash?" He called out, his only reaction that the Servant heard him was a slightly tilt of the helmet in his direction before it turned back to gazing at the sky. "Is something wrong?"
"…" Ash remained silent before releasing a weary sigh "Perhaps…" he turned his head and looked at the approaching Master "Are you...do you place your faith in a Covenant?"
Ritsuka blinked in surprise then raised an eyebrow "Are you...asking if I'm religious?"
"I suppose the question could be phrased as such." Ash nodded his head idly in thought before looking back into the sky.
Ritsuka chuckled "If you'd asked me before all this...I might have said no…" he sighed and looked up at the sky as he stood next to Ash "Now? I...I don't really know...I've already met one God so who's to say that there aren't more...but I suppose its not their existence I decide whether or not to believe in...its what they represent…"
"Represent?"
"Hmm." Ritsuka hummed and nodded "Say...say there was a God who's teachings were explicitly aimed at the spread of evil...to them, the more sadistic their followers the better. I'd accept that they exist...but I couldn't bring myself to believe in their teachings."
"A fair answer…" Ash nodded "There were Covenants like that...The Covenant of Rosaria's Fingers, they invaded worlds to kill and consume souls for their master…"
Ritsuka grimaced "Sounds...sounds unpleasant."
"Most of them were." Ash nodded along "Those I encountered would often breach the veil between worlds for the express purpose of killing me and offering my souls to their 'Goddess'" he spat out the word "I know not who Rosaria was...but her followers were...fiends."
"Ash...What's wrong, really?"
Ash took in a deep breath "Rider...He is the first born of Gwyn. Patron Deity of the Warriors of Sunlight." he looked to the side, the visor of his helmet bore into Ritsuka's eyes "...Of which I am a member of…"
"Oh…" Ritsuka blinked and looked away, his grimaced and bit hit lip "I...see."
"I killed my own God…" Ash sniffed and turned away "I was no stranger to killing Gods themselves...but I had no real link to them...This however...I am in a position which many of my Covenant would find themselves envious of...and I'm to slay our God yet again."
"Do you…" Ritsuka stopped himself and looked away, he thought of something else they could talk about then his eyes widened in realisation. "What are they like, The Warriors of Sunlight?"
Ash's head snapped to him in confusion before he relaxed his posture "We are a Covenant of Co-operation." he explained "We are summoned across worlds to aid our summoner achieve victory in their task. It is one of the oldest Covenants in the world...but there are still many members in it." he chuckled "It is also dedicated into its praise of the sun."
"The Sun?"
"Indeed." He looked up "The sun...There is a saying, one of the first members of the Covenant came up with it. 'The Sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent father.' it provides light to the land, warmth to those who bask under it...and life to those who need it. He looked back at Ritsuka, is it any wonder it deserves worship?"
"I guess." Ritsuka nodded his head "They sound...They sound nice."
"They are. A noble Covenant."
"You said they are to bring glory to their summoners in their battles, right?"
"...Yes…" Ash said after a moment "It is the reason we leave our signs to act as a beacon across time."
"If I am your summoner...would it not possible to say that you are doing Rider proud by fighting with us against him?"
Ash blinked behind his helmet and crossed his arms "It...That is certainly one way of looking at it…" he looked back at Ritsuka "You have given me much to think on…" Ritsuka took that as his cue to leave, as he went Ash called out to him "However…" Ritsuka turned back around with a puzzled look "...I thank you...it is...refreshing to talk about my Covenant with those who appreciate it."
Ritsuka nodded at him "Any time...The idea of helping people against adversity…" he looked around "It seems kind of fitting...considering our situation."
Ash let out a small laugh "I suppose so...I wish you a good night and the blessings of the Sun upon you."
Ritsuka smiled to himself as Ash turned back around and gazed into the sky, he wandered back into camp and caught sight of Siegwards head look up at him.
"I see you have returned from your talk with Ash." He spoke up, his voice taking on a worried tone to it "How is he?"
Ritsuka smiled at the Onion knight "He's...he says he's got a lot to think on...but I think he's doing better."
"That is a relief to hear." Siegward nodded "Considering his position. I believe he is due some support."
"He was telling me about the warriors of sunlight."
"Oh?" Siegward titled his head and looked at him with a raised eyebrow "I see. Some find their worship of the Sun peculiar...but they are good people." Siegward nodded and smiled "Certainly pillars of support for Lothric."
"I was saying we could do with more like them."
"Hohoho!" Siegward released a boisterous laugh "We could indeed."
Ritsuka's communication disk flashed in his pocket before they could continue their conversation. Ritsuka pulled it out and switched it on, the faces of Roman and Olga immediately popped up.
"Master Candidate 48, status report." Olga immediately demanded, Roman sweatdropped in front of her.
"Saint Jeanne and Saint Georgios are currently undoing the curses on Cu Chulainn and Siegfried." He replied, then went a little sheepish "Also we've discovered the identity of the enemy Rider…"
"Good work." Roman replied, then flashed Ritsuka a small smile "Have Siegward or Ash any information to shed on them, now they know his name?"
"Apparently he's the firstborn son of the King of Gods from their world..." Ritsuka gave a nervous smile as Roman's face froze and Olga let out a long sigh and palmed her face.
"Anything else?" Olga asked, dreading an answer.
"He's the patron God of Ash's religion…"
Roman leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose with closing his eyes, Olga rubbed her forehead before giving Ritsuka a frown "Can Saber be relied upon to fight him?"
"I…" Ritsuka began then frowned in thought, he bit his lip before looking back at Olga "I believe so."
Olga released a sigh "We're too short staffed to try and remove a possible liability from the battlefield." she fixed Ritsuka with narrowed eyes "Try and keep him away from the enemy Rider if he can't be trusted to actually fight him. A command seal would likely lead to problems in the affinity between you two."
"Yes, Director." Ritsuka nodded "How are we with supplies?"
"Hmph?" Roman blinked then sat up straight "Ah, yes! Marcus has got them all set up now, we're prepared to send them to you. Have Mash set up her shield to act as a receiver."
"Right." Ritsuka nodded, then looked over at the pink haired girl talking with Mozart "Mash." she looked over to him, then waved her goodbyes to the musician and walked over to her Master.
"Yes, Senpai?" She asked as she joined him.
"Roman says they're ready to send the supplies here." He explained "They need you to set up your shield."
"Right." Mash nodded, the large cross shaped shield manifesting itself in her hands. She walked to a small clearing in the centre of the camp and sat it down "Ready, Senpai!"
"Marcus." Roman called into the screen "You're up."
The Shield flashed to life, in an instant there were several crates upon it marked as 'provisions' in a similar manner to the last time they received them.
"Thanks." Ritsuka nodded to Roman, the doctor nodded back and shut off the communication. Ritsuka pocketed the device and turned to look over the group they had. "Guys. We got food."
"Undead can't taste anything." Ash called from his spot "Its why Estus soup has no taste save warmth."
"O-oh…" Ritsuka cringed slightly and looked over the rest of the group "How about you guys?"
"Wait till I get my stomach fixed." Cu called out, then smirked "I know Servants don't need to eat, but I wouldn't mind some grub."
"They got any sweets?" Elizabeth perked up, then frowned at the curious looks she received "What? Its a legitimate question." she puffed her cheeks and looked to the side.
"I don't think they have any confectionery." Mozart hummed in thought, a small frown on his face.
"Won't know until we look!" Marie sang as she darted over to the box and ripped the lid open, she studied the contents with a scrutinising eye before she evidently found what she was looking for. She stuck her hand in and then pulled free her prize "Chocolate!"
"Certainly excitable, aren't they Mash?" Ritsuka chuckled as he stood next to the Shielder servant. Mash have him a small smile before nodding her head.
"Its strange, Senpai." She said as she watched the group begin to argue over the food "We're in the middle of a crisis...tomorrow we're going out to fight against the Dragon Witch...and yet everyone seems so happy."
Ritsuka nodded his head "They do don't they? You wouldn't think that they thought they might die tomorrow." he looked up at the sky as Mash sent him a puzzled look "But...finding those little bits of joy when you're in a bad place...fighting against the odds with a smile." he looked her in the eye and gave a wry grin "That's what makes us human."
Mash blinked and stared at him with shock, Ritsuka held her gaze for a few moments and then looked away and blushed "S-sorry about that…" he awkwardly scratched the back of his head "I just said something super corny there."
"N-no!" Mash waved her hands "Its not that bad Senpai!" she looked down "You think so too, right Fou?"
The white haired mammal looked between the two of them before releasing a snort and skipping over to the food provisions. "Fou!?" Mash let out a betrayed gasp as the squirrel ditched her.
"That thing was still here?" Mash and Ritsuka turned to see Ash approach them, helmet in his hand and his gaze focused on the white squirrel with a look of puzzlement on his face "I had assumed it had wandered off."
"Fou likes to stick around." Ritsuka replied "So...how are you feeling?"
Ash looked down at Ritsuka before he nodded his head slowly "I don't know what I'll do if I encounter the Rider again with this new found knowledge…" he gave Ritsuka a small smile "But I will ensure that no harm comes to you tomorrow. You have my word as a Warrior of Sunlight."
"Thanks." Ritsuka nodded.
"Do we have a strategy for tomorrow?"
"I was going to think of one tonight to be honest…" Ritsuka scratched the back of his head and let out a nervous laugh "I've...never actually done this kind of thing before...everything normally happens too fast for me to plan out anything."
"Understandable." Ash nodded, Mash gave Ritsuka a reassuring smile and pat him on the shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out, Senpai."
"Thanks Mash." Ritsuka smiled back at her.
Faraam POV
Miles from the group, the Nameless King stood upon the walls of Jalters keep.
He had avoided all of her other Servants, including the red caped knight. Faraam didn't know why, but being around him brought on feelings of shame and disgust.
He sighed as he looked up at the moon.
"Is this how you thought of me…" He whispered to the sky "Was this truly how I appeared to you, brother?"
The moon didn't reply.
"What a joke this all is…" Faraam scoffed "I just wanted...I wanted to see if I was wrong...to know that Father hadn't acted out of petty hatred of the Everlasting Dragons when he sought to exterminate them…" he slumped his shoulders "I wanted to know if he was the exception...that a War based upon emotion wasn't a genocidal affair...that it didn't have to be…" he sighed "She's insane...a pathetic little child throwing a tantrum because someone, somewhere, did her a wrong and whatever God she believes in no longer whispers sweet nothings in her ear. She would be pitiable if she wasn't so vexing…" he shook his head "It doesn't matter anymore though...does it brother?"
He remained still for a few more moments before he sighed to himself and called out "For how long do you intend to skulk in the shadows like a rat skulks in the sewers?"
At first there was no answer, then a flash of light to his left was accompanied by the sound of stone cracking as something emerged from the wall next to him.
"This one humbly begs your forgiveness...I merely thought it best to approach you once you had...finished reminiscing."
"Hmph." Faraam scoffed, not looking at the figure "Do not waste my time with false sincerity. You care little for eavesdropping upon my talk, nor do you seek my forgiveness for the act."
"True...However, when speaking to a Lord it is always wise to approach with platitudes...even if they are false."
Faraam looked over at the visitor and raised a single eyebrow "What manner of ill-begotten experiment birthed you? If it were not for the lack of Chaos stink, I would accuse you of being the spawn of Izalith."
"True...my appearance isn't what it once was...and I have much in common with the Witch...we both sought to change fate with our own hands...and failed…"
"Quite the failure indeed…" Faraam mused before turning back to the sky "Speak your piece, false Chaos, before I tire of your presence."
"What do you think of humanity of this world?"
"Humanity?" Faraam parroted in confusion "You sneak into this place. Openly greet a hostile God and then ask him what he thinks of Humanity?"
"Indeed."
"Did your failure rob you of your sanity as well as your body?"
"It did not...However, even with your limited time here, have you not formed an opinion of Humanity? Is this what you expected would occur with the age of Dark?"
"I separated myself from the world after my exile. I have no expectations for whatever Humanity may accomplish."
"That is not an answer, O' fallen lord."
"I see why my father feared them…" He said after a few moments "They strive against impossible odds and somehow seize victory where one would expect defeat. The humans have potential when they are not bound by a curse." He looked back to the figure "Is that an answer to your question."
"It shall suffice." The figure acquiesced "I thank you for humouring this humble scholar."
"Hmph." Faraam huffed and looked away "Leave then. 'Humble Scholar'."
The figure retreated back into the ground, leaving Faraam along atop the wall.
The God sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose "I suspect this will be all over soon…" he looked out into the distance "I trust you not to betray my expectations. Master of Humanity…" he turned around and scowled as he stared at Jalters keep.
Right now her command seals were the only thing stopping him from killing her, he knew it and she knew he knew it.
It left them in a precarious position. She had wasted three command seals on him with her stunt. However they left him with very little room for flexibility when it came to combat.
He would fight her enemies, as was expected of a Warrior of Sunlight, but that didn't mean he had to like it…
He blinked in realisation.
'Jeopardize her safety…'
He allowed himself a smirk. He could do nothing to jeopardize the witch's safety…
He slowly turned his head to the large dragon nesting outside the walls.
However, she said nothing about the safety of her own forces. He frowned as he thought about what he was considering.
Allowing breathing room for his opponents to offer meaningful resistance to satiate his own honour was was one.
To purposefully allow his summoners pet to be put into a position to be killed was another…
'You may attach as many titles as you need to yourself. It will not change what you truly are…'
The words of the Silver Knight. Of Arkon. Came back to him. He closed his eyes and released a breath.
He was already considered a grand betrayer of his family.
His summoner had spat upon his honour, and the honour of those he deemed worthy. He looked to her castle.
When insulted so many times...
What was one more betrayal?
Master Group POV
"First, we'll go over who we know is a part of the Dragon Witch's force." Ritsuka began as the Servants gathered around him "We already know about the enemy Rider, they have an Assassin, who we have identified as Charles Henri Sanson, A berserker and another Assassin who we have yet to identify." he paused then frowned "We caught a glimpse of several other Servants when she first appeared in the city, but we don't know their class or what they are capable of." he sighed "We're going to have to create a flexible plan to account for them."
"What do you have in mind, Senpai?" Mash asked, Ritsuka briefly looked over to her then back to the group.
"We need Siegfried to kill Fafnir. The dragon poses the greatest threat right now." He frowned "However, the enemy Rider is also another threat we need to deal with."
"I could distract him." Astolfo piped up "I can use Hippo-kun and try and keep him in the air and away from you guys while you get the big lizard."
"We'd need an incentive for him to follow you though."
"Which is why I'll be with him." Siegward chimed in "I should be able to provide enough of an incentive for him to go for us rather than you."
"What if he only sends his dragon after Rider?" Jeanne asked with a frown "If he does that, then he would still remain on the ground and a threat to us."
"If he does." Sasaki spoke up, the group turned to him "You could always lure the beast towards me...it has enough feathers to be considered a swallow."
"R-right…" Ritsuka blinked, then looked over at Marie with a pensive expression "Sanson seems to be fixated on you Marie...I hate to ask this…"
"Don't worry." Marie waved him off and smiled "I'm fine to take care of Sanson."
"Maria…" Mozart began, only to be cut off by the girl raising her hand.
"It makes sense...he's right in that we are linked like that…" She smiled "Besides...I wouldn't mind talking with him."
"What about Berserker, Senpai?" Mash asked.
"I'll take care of him." Cu interjected with a wide grin on his face "I think I'm owed that rematch with the big lug."
"That leaves the unnamed Assassin, a presumable Archer, Saber, Lancer and Caster…" Ritsuka hummed in thought with a small frown.
"I suspect Caster to be Gilles…" Jeanne said hesitantly "The...other me...made mention about how she forgot to bring him with her…if that is the case, he won't be at the front lines."
"Okay…" He nodded his head "Then that leave the-"
"I'll take of the assassin." Elizabeth spoke with a frown "She and I have...personal differences to resolve." she gave Ritsuka a small smile "I'll be satisfied if I can face her. If I have any spare time after defeating her, I'll lend you a hand."
Ritsuka decided not to press her further, considering how deeply she seemed affect by this "Okay...Sasaki." the Assassin straightened slightly "How well would you fair against a Saber?"
Sasaki smiled "I'm not one to brag...but I am confident in my skills against a fellow swordsman."
"That shall be your purpose." Ritsuka nodded "You'll focus on their Saber as the main target...If you can take them out, you can have a crack at the Dragon."
The Assassin nodded, a pleased smile on his face.
"This leaves only the Archer and Lancer…" Ash pointed out "The Dragon Witch's lair is a fortress. The enemy Archer would be a fool to abandon the position and meet us in the open." he frowned and crossed his arms "The Lancer will likely take to the front along with the others…" he looked at the others "I can fight him should he appear, however that would take me away from the main assault of the fortress."
"I will deal with their low class footsoldiers and wyverns." Georgios spoke up "My dragon slaying skill may not be as high as Sir Siegfried, but I am more than capable of keeping the wyverns away from you."
"I shall be at our Masters side then." Kiyohime's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"I don't really have a grudge with anyone aside from Sanson…" Mozart sighed "But Maria is determined to face him...so I guess I'll help get the Wyverns attention."
"I shall face the Dragon Witch in combat then." Jeanne stated.
"Can you defeat her?" Georgios asked with a concerned expression, Jeanne turned to him with a determined face.
"I will be victorious." She stated matter of factly "Whether or not she is the real Jeanne d'Arc. I shall defeat her."
"Sounds like you've got a plan all worked out." Roman's face popped up as the screen sprung to life "That's good. The Dragon Witch's castle is North of your position, so you'll be in for a long walk to her."
"This is it Master Candidate 48." Olga spoke in a stern tone as she leaned towards the screen "We cannot afford any failures in this operation. Mash." the pink haired girl popped her head up "You are not to leave his side, make sure he stays alive."
"Yes, Director." The girl nodded. Olga, seemingly satisfied with the answer, nodded her head and gestured for the call to be cut.
"See you guys in the morning!" Roman waved to them before the screen disappeared.
"...Well." Siegward cleared his throat "I'm going for a nice nap." and then walked off and sat down next to a tree.
"Sounds like a plan." Astolfo nodded as well and skipped away to a sleeping bag "Night, night everyone!"
AN: The grand fight begins next time!
The REGEND of France wants the big bird dragon? Why wouldn't he, after all…
Dragons are just bigger swallows.