"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Mental link"
"Noble Phantasms"
POV
Chapter 20: Pushed once too many
Master Group
"Come on guys!" Ritsuka shouted as he sprinted towards the castle "We need to catch her before she does anything…" he made a strange gesture with his hands "Evil!"
"...Evil?" Mash asked, slightly confused as she jogged alongside him, the other servants exchanged glances of confusion.
"I was under the assumption she was already doing acts of dubious morality." Ash replied, a slight frown behind his helmet "Would this not be par for the course?"
"Well…" Ritsuka threw his hands up "More evil then!"
"...She can do that?" Ash leaned over to Cu and whispered to him, the blue haired lancer shrugged his shoulders.
"Hell if I know. All I figure is she's just gotta die."
"Perhaps we should pick up the pace then?" Jeanne muttered in slight irritation "I mean no offence, Fujimaru, but if we are to prevent her, should we not speed up?"
"I'm running as fast as I can!" Ritsuka shouted back indignantly, sweat pouring off his brow as the other servants seemingly jogged alongside him.
"Ah!" Kiyohime giggled "In that case, I shall provide assistance Master-sama!" she grinned, then immediately picked Ritsuka up into a bridal carry and broke off into a sprint towards the castle, much to the sputtering embarrassment of the boy and the childish glee from the Berserker.
"Senpai!?" Mash cried out at the same time and picked up her pace to chase the pair down.
"Stupid lizard!" Elizabeth shouted at her "We're in the middle of a serious moment here!"
"You ever see anything like this?" Cu asked Ash, the Saber servant shook his head "Thank the Gods, neither have I."
"Y-you don't need to carry me, Kiyo-" Ristuka was cut off when the side of the castle promptly exploded outwards, the group skidded to a halt as a bright beam of lighting carved up through the side of the walls of the fortress and then arced into the sky before being cut off.
"That was My Lord!" Ash cried out "I would recognise that lightning anywhere!"
"What the Hell is he doing then?" Cu shouted out in confusion, a wall on the opposite side exploded outwards in a purple haze of fire.
"That was the other Jeanne!" The true Jeanne shouted out in surprise "They are fighting someone in there!"
"But the only people there are Gilles, her and…" Ritsuka trailed off as his eyes went ride in realisation "He's mad about not being able to finish his fight!" he shouted out "Remember!" he turned to Mash with a wide grin "He said that the Dragon Witch kept insulting his pride!"
"She cut him off from his duel before he could finish…" Mash widened her eyes "The Dragon witch must have run out of command seals to stop him!"
"They're killing eachother!" Ritsuka turned back to the castle "Onwards! Lets see what's happening in there!"
"Of course!" Kiyohime nodded her head and sprinted off with the boy still in her grasp.
Faraam and Jalter POV
"Insult after insult!" Faraam kicked a lump of wall at Jalter, the woman snarled and punched it, the projectile crumbling into dust under the force of her blow. She was quickly forced to bring up her standard to block the downwards strike from the larger Rider. Her knee's buckled and the stone beneath her feet cracked as the sword spear slammed into the flag pole.
"My Jeanne!" Gilles frantic cry echoed throughout the room, his bug eyes narrowed and a manic snarl overtook his face as he opened up his book and summoned forth nearly a dozen of the eldritch abominations from the nearby corpses "Unhand her, betrayer!"
"Betrayer!?" Faraam growled out in increasing anger "You dare to lecture me of betrayal!?" he lashed out with a kick, Jalter's eyes widened and she coughed out a lungful of air as the shin of the Rider smashed into her side and launched her across the room and through a wall.
The large Rider turned just in time for one of the creatures to fling itself at him and latch itself around his body, razor sharp teeth from the giant circular buried themselves into his shoulder and punched through the thin armour as he let out a grunt of pain. He reached up to rip the creature free when another one wrapped its tentacles around his arms and tightened their grip.
He grunted as he pulled, he proved the stronger force as with a roar of anger he jerked his arm forwards, the creature was lifted off of the ground and into the air, Faraam released another cry of rage before he slammed the beast into the ground, the monster exploded in a shower of blood and organs.
Shaking his right arm free of the limp tentacles he reached up and clamped down on what he assumed was the back of the beasts head, his hand tightened into a fist and the monstrosity released a whine of pain as his fingers ripped through the skin and tightened their hold on the creature.
Barely making a sound, Faraam effortlessly pulled the creature from him and flung it as hard as he could. The monster smashed through a wall and was liquefied upon impact.
"How!?" Jalter snarled as she re-emerged from the hole in the wall "The command seals-"
"Created a paradox you charlatan!" He snapped at her was he fixed her with a venomous look "'Use all my power to defeat my enemy even if it means my death' and 'Do nothing to jeopardize your safety if I do kill myself'!" he cracked his knuckles as more of Gilles summons closed in on him "I recognise you as my enemy which means I will do everything to kill you even if it means my death!" a vicious smirk made its way onto his face "Fortunately your second command seal will take care of that, after I snap your neck with my bare hands I will ultimately be forced to end my own life. But I will have killed my enemy even if it means my death."
Jalter fumed with rage at the loophole he somehow discovered "Gilles!" she screamed "Kill him! I need to summon more servants!"
"I think not, you swi-Grrr!" He charged her when the creatures latched themselves around his legs and back and forced him to halt his charge "I will not be denied!" lashing out with his free arms he swung wildly at the beasts at his feet, blow and blow destroyed their bodies and left Faraam covered in purple blood.
Gilles watched with a grim expression, the Rider would eventually break through his summons. His expression morphed into a grin, but by then his dear Jeanne would have already summoned the necessary forces to kill this parasite.
She would win and this would all be over soo-
"Holy shit!" A voice called out from the other end of the room, Gilles whirled around with a shocked expression to the source, only to see the enemies of Jeanne storm into the room with the mockery of his Jeanne.
Master group POV
"I hear them up ahead!" Ritsuka shouted out, Cu ran first and then kicked the doors open.
Just in time to see Rider lift one of the tentacle creatures into the air and rip it in half in a rather bloody display of strength "Holy Shit!" the blue haired lancer exclaimed.
"Interlopers!" A shrill voice cried out, the group looked away from Rider to see the bug eyed caster fixing them with an enraged glare "You will not impede Jeanne!"
"Take him out!" Ritsuka shouted out and pointed at the Caster, he leapt from Kyiohime's grip as the servants charged the Caster.
"Kill them!" Gilles shrieked and pointed at the charging servants, nearly a dozen of his summons screamed out and flung themselves towards the charging group.
"My Lord!" Ash sprinted towards the Rider and swung his blade, he sliced away the monster holding the back of the larger Rider, the God grunted as he raised his foot and stamped down on the summon attached to his leg. The creature exploded as the boot crushed it before the Servant turned and stared Ash down.
"It seems we shall be unable to finish out duel." Rider grumbled as he manifested his spear "The witch intends to summon more Servants." he spun on his heel and marched to the door at the far end of the room "The caster should be little challenge to you!" were his parting words as he slammed open the doors and disappeared down a corridor.
"Curse you, curse you, curse you!" Gilles screamed aloud as he began flinging mana projectiles from his hands at the group as they wrestled with the summons.
"Gilles! Stop this madness, please!" Jeanne pleaded with a desperate look as she pushed one of the creatures off of her, spinning her standard so it was pointed downwards, she thrust through the open mouth of the monster and nailed it to the floor.
"Ah, Jeanne." Gilles gave her a deranged grin "How it saddens me to see you reduced thusly...so blind to what has been done to you...truly God has cursed me so to see your cursed self alongside your freed person."
"Cursed!?" Jeanne recoiled "Gilles! She's going to kill everyone in France! The country we fought to protect! You and me, side by side as comrades! How can you allow this!?"
"Ah!" Gilles shook his head "You poor, poor thing...I fought for you dear Jeanne...I fought for France because your fought for it…" his face turned enraged "But they killed you! For all your sacrifices for these people they murdered you! Therefore I will aid your perfect form in delivering justice!" a wide grin threatened to split his face "She will give France exactly what they deserve for killing you!"
"Less talk-!" Cu snarled as he punted away a summon with his spear "-More killing!"
"Indeed…" Jeanne's face turned remorseful "Gilles...my old friend...I shall set you free of this madness…"
"Worry not, Dear Jeanne." Gilles replied "Even if you are an ignorant copy of the real figure...I shall end your life painlessly."
Kiyohime snarled and took in a lungful of air before flicking her fan away from her mouth and breathing forth a small wave of fire, the creatures in front of her wailed and screamed as their flesh was sizzled and a rancid smell of burnt abominations spread through the room.
"Go, Master-sama!" Kiyohime shouted "I will deal with these creatures! You deal with this scum."
"Mash!" Ritsuka shouted "push through them!"
"Right!" The pink haired shielder agreed and then broke into a sprint directly at the Caster, Jeanne ran along behind her as the girl bulldozed her way through the summons, those who attempted to flank her were quickly subdued by rapid thrusts from Jeanne as the duo charged the mad servant.
Gilles continued to shriek obscenities at the pair as he flicked through the pages of his book and chanted in a language that few could even dare to understand.
Then the castle exploded.
Faraam vs Jalter POV (Moments earlier)
"Get back here, wench!" Faraam roared as he broke through the doors into the main room where Jalter stood above a summoning circle "You will answer for your transgressions against me!"
The woman snarled and looked up as debris from the exploding door landed around her, her eyes narrowed in anger as she brought her blackened flag into existence "You just couldn't do it could you?" she growled at him as she paced around the room, Faraam moved forwards and the two began circling her.
Despite being clearly injured, his right arm being littered with serious burns and being unable to move his left leg correctly, he still had an imposing figure which was only exacerbated by the flickering of lightning coming from his body, with barely concealed rage Faraam glared at her "I would have done as you asked, all I demanded in return was leeway to fight my own battles...but you couldn't even grasp something as simple as that, could you!?"
"I summoned you to fight and die." Jalter snarled "That's what servants are for! You just had to do what I asked and we all would have been content with the result!"
"What result!" Faraam roared "What would have been left after your mindless slaughter? Fields of ash and dirt. That is no war, that is simply the result of a petulant child throwing a fit because life failed to yield itself in a way she desired!"
"They betrayed me!" She screamed back "They deserve to be wiped out! This whole fucking country betrayed me!"
Faraam stopped pacing and levelled an unimpressed stare at her "Hmm...You truly are pathetic, aren't you? Despite your boasts and power you have done everything to undermine yourself." he chuckled "Your own cause is alien even to your disgusting spirit that your soul can't abide it. Fighting city by city." he smirked at her "If you truly wanted this country ashes, you would have simply released your wyverns and the dragon on mass. Instead on in small groups."
"Shut up!" She charged him, Rider flicked his left hand and brought forth his spear and blocked an overhead strike aimed at his torso. He winced as his damaged leg was placed under a great deal of strain in blocking the blow. With a cry of exertion he pushed his spear to the side, sending Jalter stumbling slightly before he struck out with his right arm.
He released a grunt of pain as he swung the bag of his wounded arm like a club at the Ruler servant, Jalter growled as she saw the blow coming and responded by punching forwards and smashing her armoured knuckles into the back of Rider's wrist.
There was a loud cracking sound as the Servants wrist broke and he instantly recoiled his arm with a cry of pain.
Taking advantage, Jalter rushed forwards and tried to skewer the giant Rider. Faraam narrowed his eyes and threw his whole body to the side while sweeping his spear towards her, the weapon released a blast of lightning. The woman smirked as the blast of electricity smacked into an invisible barrier in front of her and exploded outwards. When the smoke cleared, she was revealed to be untouched from the attack.
"Magic Resistance, idiot." She gave a scoff "Your petty little lightning tricks ar-Ooof!" she was cut off and spittle flew from her mouth as in a burst of speed Rider leapt at her from the ground and delivered a massive kick at her solar plexus with his right leg.
What little armour she had did little to protect her as the impact released a small shockwave before she was sent flying through the air and smashing into a wall.
"You never learn when to cease your prattle, do you?" Faraam huffed as he lowered his leg and tightened his grip on his spear "Regardless of how this ends, if I cannot have the head of a worthy combatant...I shall settle for yours."
"You'll settle for nothing!" A voice roared out from the broken wall, Jalter burst forth with a murderous look on her face and blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. She fixed Rider with a glare which could melt steel as the air around her began to heat up.
Faraam scowled as he raised his spear above his head and twirled it so it was facing downwards, with a sickening crack he forcibly popped his right hand back into position and moved it to tighten its hold on his spear "This is the strength of sunlight…"
"This is the howl of a soul filled with hatred!" Jalter ripped her blackened sword free from her scabbard as the space around her burst into flames which radiated a malignant energy.
"The purity of its strength banishes all!"
"The agony of a burning spirit!"
"Cry forth with the glow of the sun itself!"
"La Grondiment du Haine!" Jalter thrust her sword forwards, sending forth a river of fire which smashed into Rider, the servant gave little indication of being affected even as burning columns erupted from the ground around him.
The area beneath his feet exploded outwards as pikes thrust upwards towards his body, as they did he thrust his spear downwards "Solis ab Hasta!" and slammed the glowing point of the spear into the ground in-between the thrusting pikes.
The lance exploded with a bright light which instantly engulfed the room and was swiftly followed by an explosion of power which consumed both Jalter and Faraam.
Master group POV
Ritsuka coughed as his vision returned, he blinked a few times and shook his head, looking upwards he saw the endless visor of Ash staring back down at him. He looked at their position to see the Servant had quickly thrown himself over the Master in order to shield him from the blast.
"Wh-" Ritsuka released another violent cough "What happened?" he looked around as Ash returned to his feet and extended a hand to the downed boy. Ritsuka clasped the hand and let out a startled gasp as Ash pulled him back to his feet in an instant "Wh...Where is everyone?"
"Here!" "Are you alright, Senpai!?" "Master-sama!?" "My dress! This was my best Idol outfit!" "...Ouch…" the last one came from Lancer as he pushed his way out from underneath the largest pile of rubble.
"What the shit?" Cu grumbled as he looked around, then saw that the once spacious room they were in was now little more than a ruin. The walls had been blasted outwards and the were large holes in the ceiling.
"What happened there!?" Romani's panicked voice called in, Ritsuka held up his wrist and allowed the hologram to appear "We suddenly picked up readings which showed a massive release of magical energy, are you all okay down there!?"
"F-fine." Ritsuka coughed out and rubbed his throat, his entire body covered in dust "Anyone know what happened?"
"My Lord said he would go on ahead." Ash pointed at the adjacent room, now exposed to them to reveal little more than a scorched pile of rubble.
"Think he got her?" Cu coughed out and looked around "Where's that bug eyed creep?"
"I lost sight of him aft-" Mash attempted to explain, until the sound of exploding stone forced her head to snap towards the opened up area. The entire group quickly turned their attention as a pile of rubble blasted outwards and sent lumps of debris in all directions.
A black gauntlet punched through and into the air before snapping downwards and clamping down on the ground. From the pile, the pale skinned and darkened figure of the Dragon witch climbed out.
The woman was bleeding from multiple cuts on her body, much of her armour had been burnt off and scorched with pieces of her clothes having been incinerated to reveal exposed and charred sections of skin along her shoulders and waist.
The woman craned her head around as she took in her position until she saw the Chaldea servants staring at her. Her lips curled into a snarl as she took a step forwards. Then buckled and collapsed to her knee's her broken flag being the only thing that kept her from falling over completely.
Panting and coughing out blood she kept a hated look in her eyes which intensified when Jeanne began to approach her.
"Jeanne!" Ritsuka called out in worry, the Saint turned back to him and shook her head. The message being conveyed. Reluctantly Ritsuka acquiesced and allowed her to advance.
"Bet…" Jalter attempted to speak then coughed out again "Bet you're loving...loving seeing my like this…" she sneered.
Jeanne stopped a few feet from her and stared down at her with a saddened expression, saying nothing which only seemed to anger the Dragon witch further.
"Well!?" She screamed "Say something you bitch! Fucking kill me now if you have the guts! I won't be this pathetic for long and when I get back on my feet I'll rip you and those servants behind you to pieces!"
"...What happened to you?" Jeanne eventually said, the words coming out as a low mutter but she was close enough for her duplicate to here. The dragon witches face contorted into one of incredulity as she stared at her other self.
"Are you stupid?" She bluntly put "Has all that bowing and scraping to a vacant God robbed you of your intelligence?" she coughed out and let loose a bitter chuckle "They betrayed me...you think...you think that didn't piss me off? That they didn't deserve this!"
"I would never resort to this." Jeanne replied "I knew I would never live a peaceful life the moment I picked up that flag. No matter what the end was. I would accept it."
"Then I guess you really don't know yourself at all, do you?" Jalter sneered, Jeanne surprisingly nodded her head at her.
"I suppose so…" She replied "However...I have thought much on you...perhaps I don't know myself truly and if you will answer me this one question. I will accept that perhaps...perhaps there was a small part of me that did want this."
"Pffft…" Jalter attempted to laugh which only turned into a coughing fit "Fine, dumbass. Ask your question."
"Do you remember mother?"
"...What?"
"Mother." Jeanne replied, her face turning into a nostalgic smile "The woman who raise us...who raised you...who would sing to you every night to help you go to sleep."
Jalter blinked and scoffed "Wh-what does that ma-"
"What of the father, who taught you how to care for the farm animals." Jeanne continued "Who showed you how to milk cows and care for sheep."
"That doesn-"
"Because I remember them." Her smile became sadder "Because not matter how dark or bloody the battles I fought became...I would always remember the happy life of that simple little peasant girl."
"I...I don't…" Jalter began to blink as her face morphed into a frustrated expression as she raked her mind for memories which didn't exist.
"You can't remember...can you?" Jeanne muttered softly, Jalter snapped her head back to her with wide eyes "You can't remember...because they aren't there…"
"N-no!" Jalter snarled and pushed herself to her feet "What does it matter if I can't remember my days mucking around in pigshit! I am Jeanne d'Arc!" a dark aura manifested around her as she threw away her broken banner "You want to make yourself believe I'm some kind of magical clone!? Fine!" she screamed and clenched her fists "Beat me then! Prove that your love is better than my despair!"
Jeanne stared at the figure, barely on her feet and glaring down at her. Despite the obvious power her 'Dragon Witch' counterpart had, it was clear that even then it would do little to aid her in her current state.
"As you wish…" Jeanne whispered and closed her eyes, her banner disappearing as she walked towards her counterpart "Then I shall defeat you not with hatred...but with sadness."
"Come on then!" Jalter snarled and threw her whole body forwards, she went for a clumsy punch aimed and Jeanne's head, the woman ducked under the blow and lashed out with and fast jab into the woman's injured side.
Jalters body briefly spasmed as the impact registered, causing her to retreat slightly, as she did Jeanne advanced and caught the woman with an uppercut. Jalter stumbled back as blood flew from her mouth. Her eyes narrowed as she launched and overhead punch at the Saint.
Jeanne's head snapped to the side as the fist caught her just above her right eye and sent her lurching to the left, Jalter seized the moment and careened forwards while clasping her sword hilt.
Jeanne's eye went wide as the Dragon witch ripped the blade clean of its scabbard and went for a thrust. Jeanne clasped her hand around an invisible pole as her opponent thrust towards her.
A squelching sound echoed throughout the room which was quickly followed by the splatter of blood on the ground.
Jeanne's eyes were filled with sadness as the golden eyes of her counterpart glared at her.
Ritsuka sucked in breath through his teeth as he stared at the scene.
And the standard of Jeanne having skewered the dragon witch through the chest, the woman went limp and her sword clattered to the ground as she coughed out a mouthful of blood.
Jalter, with what little strength she could manage, pressed her hands on the shoulders of Jeanne and pushed herself away from the Saint and quickly crashed to the floor and onto her back.
"I-impossible…" She coughed out "I...I have...the Holy Grail...H-how could I…"
"Jeanne!?" A voice called out, the rubble to the right of the group was thrown outwards as the injured form of Gilles stumbled out, the bug eyed Caster looked around the room before his insane gaze fell upon the Dragon witch. His expression warped itself into one of frantic worry as he rushed towards her, completely ignoring every other servant in the room "Oh, dear Jeanne! What a pitiful sight you are!"
"G-Gilles?" Jalter weakly called out and reached out her hand to the deranged servant, Gilles crouched down and took the hand into his own "Gilles...you're here…"
"Yes, Jeanne." Gilles replied to her "I'm here." he pat the top of her hand "I'm here...you can rest now."
"Rest…" Jalter coughed out, her face turned confused "N-no...I can't rest...I haven't...I haven't destroyed France yet…"
"Don't worry about that…" Gilles replied to her with a smile on his face "Now that I, Gilles de Rais, am here you don't need to concern yourself with that task. I'll take care of everything."
"Everything?" Jalter muttered, Gilles nodded his head.
"Of course. You're just feeling a little tired right now." He replied as her legs began to turn into golden motes of light "Just a little sleepy...close your eyes and rest. I'll have taken care of everything when you wake."
"Of...of course." Jalter feebly nodded her head "I'll...I'll rest...with you at my side Gilles...I'll…" she trailed off and closed her eyes. Her form quickly being blown away into the wind. There was a clatter of metal as the Grail fell to the ground where the woman had been.
"The Holy Grail!?" Romani shouted out "How can that be there!?"
"Because the Dragon Witch wasn't me." Jeanne narrowed her eyes "She was never a Servant from the Throne...but she still possess the strength and skill you would have expected the Grail to grant her."
"Then…" Ritsuka took on a confused face "Then how was the Dragon witch even here?"
"Because…" Jeanne replied, never taking her eyes off the hunched over form of Gilles. The man chuckled as he stood to his feet and turned around.
"You always did have a powerful intuition." Gilles spoke in a jovial tone "Yes…" he held out a hand in front of him to reveal the Grail "She was my Wish."
"What?" Mash recoiled in surprise.
"Your wish?" Ash inquired "You created her?"
"I wished only for the revival of Jeanne." Gilles replied "That was all I ever wanted of the Grail. A wish from the bottom of my heart." his face warped into one of anger "But the Grail, the omnipotent wish granting device that it is, said such a thing was impossible!" he screamed "But I only wished for you and you alone! Thus I created you! A Saint I envisaged! The Saint I saw! The Saint this country who betrayed her deserved!"
"But she never knew that, did she?" Jeanne asked with a frown "Because I could never become your dragon witch. I was betrayed and mocked...but I could never hate my homeland even after all that happened."
"Ah Jeanne…" Gilles face returned to a more serene expression "Your words always are too kind...but you forget...even if you never hated this country…" his eyes went wide and veins along his neck bulged as his face contorted with rage "But I always hated this country for what they did to you! For this betrayal, I would tear this very country down and bu-" he was cut off by a flash of steel.
Everyone recoiled in surprise as the two halves of Gilles fell to the ground, the Grail dropped from his hand and rolled before bumping into the feet of the man who cut down the ranting caster.
Everyone seemed to realise the presence of Faraam. The rider was breathing heavily as several holes could be seen in his chest which revealed horrific burns across his body. He let out a bloodied cough as he let his spear fade away before he crouched down and picked up the Grail.
"This was all caused...by the machinations of a mad man?" Faraam mused as he stared at his reflection in the chalice "...What a horrible joke this is…" he looked over to Ritsuka "Here boy...claim your prize from this pathetic affair." he threw the grail over to him.
Ritsuka gaped and then juggled the Grail in his hands before he grabbed it and clutched it close.
"Honestly…" Faraam coughed out as he limped over to a large piece of debris and sat down "...I should have simply killed her the second she summoned me…"
"My Lord…" Ash walked over to him, Faraam looked up and chuckled.
"We never shall finish our duel…"
"Apologies."
"Feh…" Faraam waved him off "My summoning here has been a joke from start to finish...a grand insult. Of all the duels I fought in...I wasn't able to kill a single fighter…" he looked away and back at Ritsuka "You are the summoner?"
"Y-yes." Ritsuka nodded and looked Faraam up and down "You...you aren't going to fight us...are you?"
"…" Faraam stared at him, then looked down at the visible wounds to his body and the holes which went straight through him, then looked back up at Ritsuka "...That...would be embarrassing for all involved. Just...if you ever summon me...make sure...I can at least kill something…"
"Sure." Ritsuka nodded his head "We'll bring you to the craziest singularity we can find."
"Hmph…" Faraam chuckled as he began to crumble into golden motes "I...will hold you...to that…"
"Confirming death of Dragon Witch, Gilles de Rais and...Faraam." Romani called out "Confirmed retrieval of the Grail. This timeline is going to reset itself. Preparing for a return Rayshift."
"You're leaving, so soon?" Jeanne turned to them.
"We have more work." Ritsuka shrugged and smiled "But...I'm sure we'll meet again."
"Indeed." Jeanne nodded her head, Rituska nodded back and then found his right arm being yanked towards Kiyohime.
Ash remained staring at the spot were Faraam vanished as Cu walked up to him "You good?"
"...I believe so." Ash replied "He never did get his duel."
"No…" Cu clicked his tongue "Poor bastard...can't think of a worse insult for a warrior."
"Well...Perhaps we shall see him again."
Cu chuckled and slapped Ash on the back of the shoulder "I hope so too! Me and him are also due for a rematch!"
"As am I." Ash nodded, Cu looked over at Ritsuka fighting off the Dragon girl while Mash tried to put herself inbetween the two.
"I'm tired…" The blue haired Lancer muttered "This has been...a crazy fight."
"Apparently we've only just begun." Ash sighed.
"Think Chaldea has a tavern?"
"Tavern?" Ash turned to him "You refer to a place of gathering?"
"...Yeah." Cu nodded "Beer...can you drink beer?"
"Undead taste buds are virtually non-existent." Ash replied "It would need to be potent for us to even register the effects of any liquid. It is why we consume Estus for more than its healing qualities."
"...So...you need super Alcohol then?" When Ash nodded, Cu's grin became shark like "Best kind there is!"
"Returning to Chaldea in 4...3...2...1" Romani called out.
Elsewhere 60 A.D.
"Oh dear…" A man in a green suit frowned "That's just perfect…" he muttered as he turned away "Seems as though they've taken a Grail in France." he frowned "I should have known that insane fool could ruin the Kings plans so greatly."
"It is only a minor setback." A figure in a black cloak replied "A rather unfortunate series of events. Nothing more." he turned away and walked through the room "They will be prevented here."
"Oh?" Lev turned to the figure with a raised eyebrow "How can you be so sure of this?"
The figure paused and turned around "I have my ways. I assure you, the beast I pulled forth is capable of a great many things."
"Yes...that beast." Lev's lips curled into a frown "That caused quite the disturbance."
"Yet you do not seem overly concerned with the arrival." The figure chuckled "I dare say that its arrival is fortuitous to you. It will give the Chaldean's something else to concern themselves with."
Lev shrugged "I suppose so. What of this singularity?"
"I have a figure in mind." He reached into his cloak and pulled forth an item "You need a catalyst for summoning, do you not? Here." he threw the item towards Lev. The man caught it and stared down at the object with a raised eyebrow "Use that. The spirit it calls forth will be more...useful than what you would have originally obtained."
"How so?" Lev asked, slightly curious.
"Ultimately he will serve his purpose." The figure replied with a shrug as space warped in front of him, he turned to see a back tear open up in front of him "It seems I am to be recalled." he stepped towards the tear and turned around "A word of advice however…" he paused and turned away "Make sure to keep him fed. He'll be more content then." with that he stepped through, the rip closing behind him.
Lev was left alone in the room before he looked down at what he held in his hands.
He was slightly curious what manner of Spirit a doll could summon, but it didn't matter too much. Provided they did their job it was of little concern.
AN: We are through with Singularity France! Also...We are officially at 100k words!
Took a while…
Made me realise I should probably write longer chapters, so I'll probably do that in future.
Also noticed something unfortunate.
Some of my stat sheets are missing the '+' signs. Only on Moblie...for some reason I don't really know.
Anyway. In earlier chapter I put forth the Stat sheets of Yhorm, Ornstein and Nito. So...here is the dialogue sheet of those three.
Yhorm the Giant
Summoning
"I am the Servant, Avenger. Yhorm the Giant...I hope to be of use to you."
Dialogue 1
"...Patience is considered a great virtue...I shall wait as long as is required before I am told to act."
Dialogue 2
"Corridors are slightly...cramped are they not?"
Dialogue 3
"You...want to ride on my shoulder? Why?"
Dialogue 4 (If you have Siegward)
"Hmm? Oh! Hello old friend! I should have guessed you would be here! Yes...what is the great Siegward without adventures! Do you still make that...that drink of yours?"
Dialogue 5 (If you have Hawkeye Gough)
"I-is that...Is that Hawkeye Gough!? M-Master! That's Hawkeye Gough! He's even got the great bow! I'm going to go and greet him!"
Dialogue 6 (If you have Kingprotea)
"I am told that she is smaller than me...yet when I speak with her, she is often taller...Hm? She doesn't like being shorter than someone? I see. Still...she is pleasant company all the same."
Dialogue 7 (If you have Vendrick)
"You know, in the old tongue 'Vendrick' means monster. To see him is...disconcerting."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Ashen one)
"He helped Siegward uphold his promise. If that little onion thinks of him as a friend...then I shall see him as one too."
Likes
"Likes….there was one thing I did...a long time ago...She's...nevermind."
Hates
"Failure to protect what truly matters is unacceptable...I...nevermind."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"It doesn't matter..."
Bond Level 1
"You don't need to call me 'King Yhorm'...I don't think I'm worthy of the title."
Blond Level 2
"I was made King of Goldborne...Although it was called the 'Profaned capital' by our rivals as an insult to our never ending flame."
Blond Level 3
"My rule as King? I knew what they wanted. I lived as a guard dog...still...There was something worth protecting in that city."
Bond Level 4
"They all hated me. I knew it, they knew I knew it...but it didn't matter. I accepted their crown and all that came with it. Still...Aelwin...she was what made it worth it...Hm? Who was she? Another time perhaps..."
Bond Level 5
"Aelwin? She was my...Do you know why I protected that city? Yes, it was the crown and their asking of me...but more than that...when that young woman spoke with me...she smiled. I will never see a more beautiful smile..."
Birthday
"You have my blessing on this joyous day."
During an Event
"Hm? Perhaps we shall show them how a Giant competes."
1st Ascension
"Hmm...I feel more powerful than before."
2nd Ascension
"Yes...this is getting closer to what I once was."
3rd Ascension
"...For you...I would wield my Shield again."
4th Ascension
"You have committed much to this Giant...For this kindness. I, Yhorm, swear to protect you in all your journeys."
Ornstein
Summoning
"Servant, Lancer. I am Ser Ornstein of Anor Londo. I ask of you...are you worthy of my spear?"
Dialogue 1
"One should not dally. Let us make haste to battle."
Dialogue 2
"Your arms...they are too thin. Perhaps training is in order."
Dialogue 3
"There are...a lot of others here...are there not?"
Dialogue 4 (If you have Cu Chulainn)
"Oh? The Demi-God who wields a spear? Perhaps a duel is in order to see who is truly the master of the weapon."
Dialogue 5 (If you have Gareth)
"She is a squire of potential...I would not be adverse to aiding her realise it."
Dialogue 6 (If you have Knights of the Round Table)
"Hm? These...Knights...Not bad...for humans..."
Dialogue 7 (If you have Nameless King)
"...To think that My Lord would be here once again. I will always be his first spear."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Chosen Undead)
"Hm? What do you want undead? Huh? 'We meet again'? What do you mean...You and I have never...Anor Londo? I left...oh...Gwyndolin..."
Dialogue 9 (If you have Gwyndolin)
"Lord Gwyndolin...It pleases me to see you...Yes...I did abandon my post...Yes...Lord Faraam always was Charismatic."
Dialogue 10 (If you have Artorias)
"Ah, Ser Artorias...Sit down here. You and I are going to discuss your...infidelity and why is is a bad idea."
Dialogue 11 (If you have Ciaran)
"If you are looking for an Assassin...she is the best. Not my preferred approach but...it needs doing."
Dialogue 12 (If you have Gael)
"That servant...in the red hood. When we pass eachother I sense...a strange feeling. As if I know him from somewhere..."
Dialogue 13 (If you have Hawkeye Gough)
"He can see again, that much is good. He never missed a shot in the Great War...when we caught those who filled his helm with resin...well...Ciaran always was fond of the Giant."
Likes
"Training. If you are to fight, you must be prepared."
Hates
"I would say betrayal...but that would make me a hypocrite. Therefore...I shall say an inability to remain true to friendships."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"I don't have one...although...perhaps seeing Lord Faraam return to his rightful place..."
Bond Level 1
"Hmm...you have some potential. Do not allow yourself to die before it is realised."
Blond Level 2
"I can see it now...your growth. You could never be a silver knight...but perhaps a talented squire?"
Blond Level 3
"You shall be joining me in the training rooms. I have elected to teach you personally."
Bond Level 4
"Yes...I can see it now. You have made fine progress. You are a most excellent squire."
Bond Level 5
"It has been quite a journey. I would have no shame in raising my spear in your name. You might be an adequate squire...but you are certainly a capable Lord...for a human."
Birthday
"Blessings of the Sun on this day."
During an Event
"Let us go. I am eager to see your skills in action."
1st Ascension
"Ah yes...This is most sufficient."
2nd Ascension
"Another one? Good…I believe my armour is shinier yes."
3rd Ascension
"A cape? Yes, it was typically only worn for parades and tournaments. I never wore it in combat...it caught fire easily."
4th Ascension
"Come then, squire. Let me show you what the Captain of Gwyn's Knights can do."
Nito
Summoning
"Hmmm...Human? How...curious...I am Nito...First of the Dead. I have been summoned as an Assassin...Ha..."
Dialogue 1
"Why do you sky away from me? Is my appearance unsettling...Heh...heh...heh..."
Dialogue 2
"You had best not wait to long to move..."
Dialogue 3
"I do hope you don't die quickly...I haven't been invested in something in quite a while.
Dialogue 4 (If you have Ereshkigal)
"Hmm? What a strange thing...so this is my counterpart? She cares for the dead...I gave up on such a thing...There is little point in caring for the departed...I cannot change fate in such a way."
Dialogue 5 (If you have First Hassan)
"...You say he is not a God of Death? How peculiar...He would fit the role quite well..."
Dialogue 6 (If you have Nitocris)
"You...have a link to the dead...don't you? Hmm...How strange..."
Dialogue 7 (If you have Valkyries)
"I'm not a wraith...If you try and harvest my soul to your afterlife I will reap you here and now."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Jack the Ripper)
"She hides under my cloak sometimes. I once caught her trying to play music with my ribs..."
Dialogue 9 (If you have Nitocris [Assassin] Stage 1)
"...If I discover you are mocking me...I shall be displeased."
Dialogue 10 (If you have Undead Servants)
"Disgusting things...Hm? Why do I hate them...I control death. I am death. They are undead. A perversion of the natural cycle."
Dialogue 11 (If you have Chosen Undead
"Should I be more angered he killed me? Perhaps...although considering I accepted that all things must one day die...I have little room to complain."
Dialogue 12 (If you have Gilgamesh)
"So he set about separating humanity from the Gods. Why should I care? They'll still die just the same."
Dialogue 13 (If you have Gwyndolin)
"If it isn't the 'Good little prince-ling' doing all that dear old Gwyn wished of him...Halfwit always was too dependent on the whims of that fool."
Likes
"Death."
Hates
"Immortality and undeath. Truly repugnant things."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"...You have such human like thinking to believe I would need a 'Wish granting' device to uphold the basic concept of dying."
Bond Level 1
"I am Death and you are my Master...what does that say about you that I am in your company?"
Blond Level 2
"How strange...most humans would be disturbed by my presence...yet you seem to be uncaring of my role..."
Blond Level 3
"Your peculiarity continues...That I am still here is most odd. Are you attempting to curry favour with me?"
Bond Level 4
"So you do not seek to try and convince me to grant you extended life...most would beg for such a thing...yet you do not...Hmm..."
Bond Level 5
"You will die one day. I will make sure of it...but I do hope it is not too soon...It would be terribly dull without your being here."
Birthday
"How does it feel...to be closer to death?"
During an Event
"What is that noise?"
1st Ascension
"Death is inevitable...thus so am I."
2nd Ascension
"This power...it is all for the simple cycle of life."
3rd Ascension
"My scythe is sharpened...How grand...soon it shall be swung."
4th Ascension
"Let us make haste...there are corpses to make, graves to fill and souls to harvest."