"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Mental link"
"Noble Phantasms"
POV
Chapter 25: A walk through the woods
Interlude: A sickening warmth
He remained in the dark area, hands clutched over his ears what what felt like hours. The only visible light coming through the slightly parted seams in the woodwork. He did his best bite his lip to prevent the whimpers from escaping his throat, even as the cold tears ran down his cheeks and the sweat was flowing down his body in buckets.
It had happened so suddenly.
One moment, he had been helping his mother prepare for the morning lunch and the next moment, screams had been echoing out throughout the village.
His mother had immediately bundled him into the house, he briefly caught a glimpse of his father running to the source of the screams with his axe although it was only a passing glance.
His mother had pulled open the loose panelling in the floorboards. It was where they kept the grain during the winters when the crops wouldn't grow, his mother had always warned him against hiding in there due to the possibility of mice, although at the time she didn't seem to care.
With a smile, and a quick farewell, she'd dropped him in there and said that he could come back out when it was safer, and then placed the panel back over the cover.
The screaming hadn't stopped for a while.
When it did. He still sat in the dark.
His mother had told him to wait until she came back for him, and that was what he was going to do.
He jolted slightly when a thudding sound rang out from above him. It was heavy, like whenever his father came back and was still in his armour, although this thud sounded far, far heavier than his.
His breathing sped up, hands flying to cover his mouth, eyes clenched shut and a desperate wish that whatever was there didn't find him.
The thudding gradually got louder. As hesitantly as he could, he cracked open an eyelid and looked up. A shadow had fallen over the floorboards, cutting off what little light there was.
There was another thud as something dropped onto the wooden flooring above him, dust flaked down causing him to shake his head as it dropped onto his open eye.
And nose.
He sneezed.
If he was frightened before, he now felt terrified. He swallowed and desperately begged the Gods that they would spare him, something gripped the handle of the panel above him and pulled it open.
He would have screamed, should have screamed. But the very second he opened his eyes fully and the light revealed what had found him. He froze, the room chilled and he felt his very blood turn to ice. For the life of him, he would have screamed, cried and thrashed around like a wild animal if it meant escaping.
But he didn't. Because as he stared into the empty eyes of what found him, he couldn't help but feel paralysed by their glare.
A large, armoured, hand reached down and gripped the scruff of his old tunic, roughly pulling him out of his hiding place and held him into the air. Arms and legs dangling uselessly as he failed to even muster the strength or courage to move his body to try and break free from the demon.
If he was lucid enough, he would have known it would have probably been useless anyway.
The demon stared at him for a few more seconds, before it raised its left hand, his eyes travelled away from the blackened eyes and towards the offending limb. An ominous red glow surrounded its fingers as it slowly reached for his chest.
Again, his limbs refused to respond.
When the glow was but inches from his heart, the demon stopped. Head jerking to the side as if it had responded to a call, although the boy heard nothing. The demon eventually turned back to him, then lowered its hand back to its side.
It left the house, holding the boy by his shirt like an animal, although his near comatose body would have made it more reminiscent of a hunter returning with its prey.
In the corner of his eyes, he could see more of the demons moving about the village, although he couldn't see his mother or father anywhere.
Eventually, the demon stopped walking and dropped the boy like a stone onto the floor. Without any warning of what was going to happen, the small boy roughly smacked into the ground and rolled onto his back, the sudden sensation jolted him out of his state.
He screamed, frantically crawling away from the demon, which made no moves to pursue him, he continued to do so until his back impacted something.
He froze, it was cold to the touch.
The sweating intensified as his eyes slowly travelled upwards. Until they were looking up at another demon, although this one had glowing white eyes, hidden behind a black metal helmet. A black ragged cloak covered most of its body, although it looked slightly smaller than the other demons.
He watched as the figure stared him down, before an armoured hand emerged from under the cloak, reaching down towards him. He flinched, covering his head with his arms in a vain attempt to defend himself.
Then the hand gently rubbed his hair. He paused at that. Slowly lowering his arms, watching as the cloaked figure crouched in front of him. Glowing white orbs still boreing into his own eyes, although they held a certain warmth in them.
"Quite the pair of lungs on you." The figure joked, an amused chuckle emerging from him. The voice was smooth, almost gentle. It contained the same sort of caring tone his mother had used whenever she praised him for something. He remembered his surroundings, eyes glancing in the direction of the demons as they moved around the village.
The figure, obviously noticing his discomfort, removed the hand from his head and looked around at the demons for a few moments before he released a noise of understanding "Ah yes...They would be somewhat frightening to a young boy wouldn't they."
"I'm not scared." He blurted out instantly and defensively, then froze when the head snapped back to him.
"There's no need to lie." The figure softly chided him, not even sounding remotely upset at his attempt "Fear isn't something to be ashamed of boy. It can keep you alive, drive you forwards."
He titled his head, white orbs intensifying "I hope you remember that lesson Arleno."
They boy froze, he knew his name. How di-
"That was rude of me." The figure tutted and shook his head "I didn't give you the opportunity to introduce yourself. I apologise." he interlocked his gloved hands "Its just that you are a...very special young boy, Arleno." he gestured to him "You might just be proof that I can achieve what I want."
Arleno go the feeling that the man was grinning, although some part of him felt that inbuilt warmth at being praised, for some reason.
"But first." The man interrupted the boys thoughts "A slight test." he right hand reached into his cloak and came out, fingers curled in to protect something, although Arleno could make out a faint glowing from inbetween his fingers "What I have here, Arleno, is very special."
The man extended his arm, until it was inbetween the two of them, and slowly uncurled his fingers.
At first, Arleno thought it was a flame. Only it wasn't. It glowed like a flame, it flickered like a flame, but it was the wrong colour.
And it looked vaguely human, it looked like the old drawing of a spirit. A perfectly black body with a glowing white hue surrounding it.
Arleno found himself transfixed by it, head titling to the side and eyes tracking every little movement it made in the palm of the man's hand.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The man asked, slowly pushing it towards him "Do you want to hold it?"
Arleno slowly nodded his head, bringing his hands up in a cup shape just underneath the palm of the man's hand. The cloaked man titled his palm, allowing the black spirit like thing to drop into Arleno's small hands.
The second it touched his hands, Arleno felt something reverberate around his whole body. As if he suddenly felt complete.
"Gently now." The man amusedly warned the boy "Its quite delicate."
"Wha-" Arleno whispered out "What is it?"
The glowing orbs brightened behind the cloaked helm, the man slowly extended a hand and pressed his index finger onto the body's chest "You."
"Huh?"
"Well." The man retracted his hand "Not you, specifically, but everyone. All humans. That boy, is a soul."
"Soul?" He'd never heard of that before, was it like the Spirits of their ancestors?
"Its what makes us special." The man explained "What separates you and me from...well...animals. But...you can feel it, can't you?"
He could feel something, the little spirit in his hands was calling out to him. It felt like it was, as if it were calling for him to get closer to it.
"You can…" The man whispered out, a slight hint of joy "I'm going to do something now Arleno." the man extended a hand towards him "But I'm going to need that back-"
Arleno clutched it to his chest protectively, he didn't feel like letting it go. It made him feel...nice.
Rather than be annoyed, the cloaked man let out an amused laugh "Don't worry. I'm not going to keep it. That feeling, that warmth you feel...Would you like to never lose it?"
Arleno thought for a few moments, before reluctantly returning the glowing spirit to the man. The second it left his hands, he was left with a sense of longing to have it back again.
"Don't worry child." The man reassured him "I'll return it in due course." he held the spirit up and moved it closer to his chest "I shan't lie to you. This may hurt."
"Will I feel the warmth again?" Was the only question on his mind, concern for his parent? Gone. Fear of the Demons? Gone all he cared about was having that warmth back. It made him feel safe, made him feel whole again.
"You will." The man reassured him, placing the spirit against his chest, just above his heart "And so much more."
The man pushed, the boy felt as if his body burst into flames the second it sunk into him. He rolled onto the ground, muscles seizing but not even having the strength to scream.
"Fight through it boy." The man urged on "I could see potential in you Arleno. Fight through that pain."
Arleno grit his teeth, his mind barely hanging onto consciousness as the pain continued to rake his body. His breathing became laboured as his skin slowly turned red from the heat coursing through his body, after what felt like hours, the pain began to subside.
In its place, Arleno felt the warmth.
He let out a gasp of breath, slumping over and relaxing his muscles. A content smile on his face as he felt that loving warmth in his body. A hand rested on his shoulder, he slowly looked up to see the glowing eyes of the man looking down on him.
"You did it." He stated, the joy in his voice obvious "I'm so, so proud of you. Rest now. I'll take you home soon."
The boy allowed his eyelids to shut, the blissfulness of sleep soon claimed him.
The figure watched the boy pass out on the ground before rising to his feet. He turned to the nearest one of his minions "Take the boy. Return home."
The creature in scaled armoured nodded its head before leaning down and gently picking up the boy.
The man watched as a portal claimed the pair of them before he turned his gaze to the rest of the creatures under his command "We have what we need. You may feed on the rest of the villagers."
Chaldean Group POV
Ritsuka awoke with a gasp.
"Senpai!" He heard Mash cry out, he looked around and caught sight of her staring up at him with a relieved smile.
Wait...Up?
He furrowed his brows in confusion, then looked down to see a mane of light grey fur, eyes moving further upwards had him catch sight of the back of Sif's head. Ears twitched, the wolf's head titled slightly to the right so the wolf could catch a quick glance at him before turning back to the front.
"You're awake, Master!" A voice exclaimed into the back of his neck. He froze, quickly becoming aware of a small pair of arms around his waist keeping him in place on the wolf's back. He slowly turned his head to look behind him.
Then was immediately greeted by Gareth's emerald green eyes and grinning face. A warmth crept up his neck as he took notice of their close proximity to eachother.
"Lancer." He swallowed "Why am I riding Saber?"
"It was easier to move you Master." She replied back, still smiling at him.
"I see." Ritsuka nodded "Why are you holding onto me?"
Gareth tilted her head, expression becoming slightly puzzled "So you didn't fall off?"
Ritsuka blinked and turned back around, mainly to hide his blushing face from her "I mean, why are you still holding onto me?"
"Ah." Gareth nodded her head "That makes more sense." she uncurled her hands from around his waist. He let out a sigh of relief before looking around his location with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Are we in a forest?" He asked.
"Yes." Verndari answered him, Ritsuka jolted slightly as he hadn't even heard the heavily armoured shielder servant moving next to him "Apologise my Liege. I felt it best we move South Via the woods. Provided more cover from prying eyes." he looked around the woods "Also less chance of encountering the spiders."
Ritsuka shivered at the thought of meeting them again, then thought of something "I thought Spiders liked…" he gestured to the woods, rather nervously with his shaky hand.
"Some might." Verndari agreed "Not these though. They prefer caves and the ilk. Strong dislike of the light as well." he answered "They probably won't attempt to follow us during the day time. Their attack was likely a result of Sir Ash's liberal use of his pyromancy shocking them into a reaction."
"Oh." Ritsuka's arm fell back to his side, he let out a sigh of relief "That's good." he then noticed something else "Where is everyone else?"
"Sir Ash and Caster are scouting up ahead." Verndari replied, eyes still set ahead of him "Archer is in the tree's providing an overwatch in case we encounter any other foes who are not so limited as the spiders."
"Okay then." Ritsuka let out another sigh of relief "How long have I been out?"
"Roughly an hour, Senpai." Mash replied, he turned back to see her slightly concerned face "You were looking a little tired."
Ritsuka cringed "That...was longer than I hoped."
"It matters little in the grand scheme of things, my Liege." Verndari waved him off "We have yet to encounter any other enemies."
"I suppose that's good news." Ritsuka acquiesced "So, Ash and Caster are scouting up ahead? What will they do if they encounter someone?"
"Sir Ash has agreed to give a signal."
"...Is it a giant fir-"
"It is indeed a giant fireball, my Liege." Verndari confirmed his suspicions "Whatever else, it will indeed alert us to oncoming threats."
Ash and Beatrice POV
"A sorcerer then." Ash began, figuring he would at least speak to put the rather nervous women to rest "You do not look like you come from Vinheim."
"H-huh?" Beatrice turned to him in confusion, then made an 'O' shape with her mouth before nodding her head "Y-yeah. I didn't. Mother taught me outside of the school, she said all those sorcerers were uptight smug bastards."
"Ha!" Ash released a small bark of laughter "Perhaps she was onto something. I knew a man from Vinheim. Arrogant one he was too, demanded scrolls in return for 'blessing me' with his knowledge." he shook his head "Met a heretic witch to." he gave a wistful smile behind his helm "She was a rather hospitable individual."
"I see." Beatrice nodded, relaxing slightly "Did you ever learn Sorcery?"
"No." Ash shook his head "I tried, but I didn't have the aptitude for it. Pyromancy came more naturally to me." he held up his gloved left hand "I spent hours combing through scrolls and books, learning spells for it." he chuckled "You'd be surprised how diverse it actually is."
"Really?" Beatrice titled her head to the side in intrigue "I never met a pyromancer before, although my encounters with those of the mystic arts was...rather limited."
"Yes." Ash nodded "I imagine they wouldn't take too kindly to a coven witch." his head scanning around the woods "I never really cared much for the sorcerer schools."
"Good." Beatrice huffed and crossed her arms "Waste of time, the lot of them!"
Ash chuckled "Rather passionate all of a sudden, aren't you?"
"...eh?" Beatrice blinked, then flushed bright red "N-no! S-sorry!" she began waving her hands out in front of her "I get really invested in studies and we were talking about them-"
"And she's gone." Ash sighed "I much prefer the more invested Caster." he turned his head to her "Confidence is good for an undead, means you can face whatever monsters head on."
Beatrice stared at him for a few seconds, before a shaky wry smirk found its way onto her lips "Didn't you run screaming out of a house because of giant spiders?"
Ash choked on air "T-that is hardly relevant to the situation. I was in a disadvantageous position and the room was quite disturbing."
Beatrice began laughing at him "O-oh yes, hehehehe, I think I could see your bold confidence as you heroically flung yourself out of the door as quickly as possible."
"Nevermind." Ash sighed "Suddenly I prefer the old Caster."
"I'd say its a welcome improvement!" Archer's voice echoed through the tree line "The little lady has spirit when she wants it!"
"I'm not complaining about her spirit!" Ash called back "I'm complaining about where she's aiming it!"
"Ha! I think it adds charm to her!"
"Eh!?" Beatrice blinked "C-charm!? What are you even-"
"Well." Ash shrugged, looking her over "She certainly has appeal."
"What!?"
"Like a little sibling or something!" Archer shouted back.
Ash snapped his fingers "Don't think I ever had any siblings! Rather embarrassing that she's technically thousands of years older than I am." he sighed "Would that make her a hag?"
"HAG!?" Beatrice roared.
The laughter of the two knight class servants echoed throughout the woods, accompanied by Casters embarrassed wailing.
Master Group POV
"Do you think they know we can hear them?" Ritsuka whispered down at Mash. The Lilac haired girl gave him a slight shrug and an amused smile.
"Idiots." Verndari huffed "You are leading a band of idiots and children, my Liege." he shook his head "A sad day for knighthood when the most competent of our force is a wolf."
"Hey!" Gareth called out, a pout on her face "What about me?"
Verndari's sculpted helm turned to face her "I said most. You are still competent, Lancer." he turned away "Just not as competent as the dog."
Sif let out a prideful snort.
Mash blinked, seemingly remembering something "Ah! Shielder-san! You were going to tell us about the Spiders!"
"Hm?" Verndari looked over to her, then up at Ritsuka. "I was, yes. I mentioned after you…" he paused, searching for the right word "...Decided to mentally leave us. That I had encountered such spiders before."
"Really?" Ritsuka titled his head "Where?"
"Back when I was alive." Verndari went on "In the Kingdom of Drangleic. One of the main mines of the kingdom was Brightstone Cove, governed by Duke Tseldora." he took in a breath "One day we received a missive from the mining settlement, they state that they hadn't had contact with the miners in the cove for several days. King Vendrick had Ser Raime organise a team to investigate." he sounded slightly bitter "Ser Velstadt was away and Ser Raime was needed to guard the King, thus I was dispatched with a team of knights to investigate." he paused, head turning away and seemingly glaring down the forest.
"What happened?" Gareth eventually asked.
"We arrived at the mine, to discover the settlement destroyed. What few survivors there were had spoken of night time attacks from within the Cove itself. I led thirty men into that cove." he let out a sigh "It was a disaster. The mine had been completely overrun by those spiders. After losing over half my force within the first hour I decided to retreat. King Vendrick declared the mine sealed off."
"And they were the same spiders?" Ritsuka asked, more curious than nervous.
"They were." Verndari replied "Which is why their appearance here troubles me." he looked to the pair "I am unaware if your history has any mention of such things."
"Not really." Mash shook her head "Certainly not here and in this time period." she frowned "Perhaps it is a similar case to the Wyverns?"
"Wyverns?" Verndari's head snapped to her fast enough to hear the grating of his armoured against itself "What was that about wyverns?"
"Someone in the last Singularity." Ritsuka explained "They were using the Holy Grail to summon Wyverns…" he cringed "And a dragon."
"You...killed a dragon?"
"Well." Ritsuka shrugged, giving a nervous laugh and scratching the back of his head "Not me personally." he shook his head "But that might be the case, Roman did mention some kind of possible ritual with the Leylines. Maybe someone is using them to summon these Spiders?"
"Its possible." Mash agreed "However we need to restore contact with Chaldea. Which means we'll need to get across into Roman territory."
"Its entirely possible these Romans have their hands full dealing with the Spiders." Verndari muttered "If the damage is so widespread that it-"
A wail echoed through the woods. The group immediately froze.
"What…" Ritsuka breathed out, eyes wide "What was that?"
Verndari slowly drew his sword "I can sense Servants." his head went behind them "They approach from behind." he looked at Mash "Squire-"
"On it." Mash nodded her head, pulling Ritsuka off the wolf and behind her. The second that he was off, Sif and Gareth span around to face the direction.
Ash and Beatrice came sprinting out of the foliage to rejoin them "I heard the scream. I assume you sense it to?"
"Indeed." Verndari nodded, shield raised and sword pointed in the direction he sensed the servants from "They are drawing closer."
The Group assumed defensive positions, Arash perched himself in the branches of a nearby tree, bow ready and his eyes narrowed.
"Prepare…" Verndari muttered, adjusting his stance to be ready to thrust forwards at a moments notice.
The bushes in front of them were flung aside as nearly a dozen men in silver plated armour, red skirts and large tower shields came running out. Only to freeze when they caught sight of the individuals in front of them.
"Romans!?" Ritsuka gaped in surprise "What are they-!?"
"For the love of Mars!" The man, a feathered helmet on his head, shouted at them as he continued running "Run the fuck away you idiots!"
"Huh?" Ritsuka blinked "Wa-wait!" he held up a hand to try and stop them "What are you-"
"Centurion!" A voice called out, from behind the Romans another man appeared. This one wearing chainmail like armour, a white tunic covering his chest with a golden sun emboldened on the front, green feathered collar and a full plate steel helm with a large red feather sticking out of the top "Why have you-" he also paused when he saw the individuals, sword being pulled from his sheath and circular shield with a sun on it, he pointed at them "Identify yourself travellers! Friend or Foe!"
"A warrior of sunlight!?" Ash gasped in surprise.
"Oh?" The man turned his head to Ash "You are familiar with my order?"
"I am one!" Ash held out the pendent with a sun on it, the servant looked at it before relaxing slightly.
"Then perhaps the sun has blessed us." He turned to the soldiers "You may relax." he looked back "I think that she has dealt with the situation."
"She?" Ritsuka quizzed, then blinked "Sorry. Haven't introduced ourselves yet." he stepped out from behind Mash, giving a smile "I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka, this is Mash." he gestured to her, then to Ash "This is Ash-"
"I apologise to cut you short." The servant interrupted him "However, we are still in danger." his head turned back "While I have no doubt she has scared them off, they will return...and with the monstrous knight hunting us down…" he turned back to Ritsuka "I would like to formally request your aid. We are attempting to return back South. Once we are out of danger, I will hear you out in full."
"Prefect-" The Centurion went to speak, the servant raised a hand to stop him.
"They could have killed us all if they wanted." He let out a chuckle "Besides, I do not think a man of my own faith would stoop to work with abominations."
"Who is this 'she' you speak of?" Verndari asked.
The servant seemed to flinch slightly "I realise her appearance may be jarring to you-" several Legionaries snorted "-But I give you my word, she means us no harm."
Ritsuka frowned, then took in a deep breath "We won't attack if you won't."
The man nodded his head to the Master "My thanks." he turned back "She approaches."
Ritsuka could faintly hear a rumble moving through the woods in their direction, he also felt that the air was warming up ever so slightly.
"I scared off the wretched mutts." A distinctly female voice called out from beyond the bushed, Ritsuka blinked as to how intellectual it sounded. For some reason he thought of his old middleschool teacher, holding some sense of authority but only over students. "They'll be back with their alpha soon enough though."
The bushes parted slightly. Ritsuka felt a warmth creeping up his neck, followed by Mash letting out a shocked sputter behind him and Beatrice choking on air. Emerging from the bushes was, Ritsuka wouldn't deny it, a quite beautiful woman. Her features were perfectly rounded, her skin was smooth enough to reflect the few rays of sunlight breaking through the treeline and her dark hair was freely hanging down over her body.
It was her body he found to be the eye catcher, not least of all was the fact that her long hair was the only thing preventing the entire crowd from catching a view of her breasts.
"Oh?" The woman paused, only her top half emerged from the bushes, had Ritsuka been paying attention he would have noticed how she seemed to be unusually elevated from the ground, her eyes narrowed at the group and an intrigued eyebrow raised "Who are these? More wandering vagrants?"
"I would like to think of them as potential allies, Lady Rider." The Knight servant chuckled "I even encountered another warrior of sunlight."
Her lips pursed as she looked over the group once again "Another sun fanatic." she let out an exasperated sigh "And dealing with you was enough of a headache."
"I assume you have a grievance with my order?" Ash asked, a slight edge to his tone.
"Oh, you've singled yourself out for me." The woman, Rider, rolled her eyes "How grand. If you must know, I've had my fair share of experiences from those who bask in the wonders of the ball of fire in the sky. And you all have a nasty habit of sticking your swords where they don't belong." she looked over to Ritsuka and Mash, then titled her head to the side "What's this? More humans? And that one seems to be doing a remarkably skilled impression of an invading wraith."
"Y-yo-Wha-" Ritsuka sputtered for a sentence then turned his head sharply to the side.
"You have no clothes on!" Mash wailed, holding her hands in front of Ritsuka's face, her own quite flushed.
She let out an amused chuckle "Enraptured by my beauty are you?" her chuckle turned bitter as she moved out from behind the bushes "I imagine you aren't feeling quite so interested now?"
Mash paled significantly, holding her hands tighter over Ritsuka's face "Ow! Ow! Ow!" causing him to let out a series of pained noises "Mash! You're squeezing my head!"
"Chaos witch!" Beatrice positively shrieked before diving behind Sif for cover, the wolf growling at the newly revealed Rider. The woman turned, as if noticing the beast for the first time and promptly widened her eyes in recognition.
"Wha-" She backed up slightly "What in the name of Izalith!? Artorias's mongrel!?"
"Hey!" Gareth shouted out from atop the wolf's back "Don't call Sif a mongrel! He's a beautiful boy and an excellent mount!"
For some reason, the wolf winced slightly at that complement that Gareth paid to him, Rider's eyes trailed up and she quickly began snickering.
"Upgraded from mongrel to steed have we?" She let out a genuine laugh of amusement "You are representing your former Master well."
"Mash!" Ritsuka eventually managed to pry her hands off "What is wrong wi-" he trailed off as he was immediately greeted by the sight of the Rider.
His expression froze as he beheld her in her entirety, while her upper body was in fact quite beautiful, her lower body was a quite a freakish display. Her lower torso had more in common with an arachnid's only that it was supersized, far larger than the spiders previously encountered. The armoured skin was a dark red in colouration, multiple glowing cracks running through it wit eight large, bone like, legs ending in sharp points emerging from her body. Elongated hairs which has more in common with spines and a large head at the front of her body with nearly a hundred glowing red eyes and a massive set of jaws with crossing and sharpened teeth emerging from them.
Ritsuka stared at her for several seconds before his eyes glassed over and his shoulders slumped, although he still remained standing.
"Senpai!?" Mash called out in concern, attracting the attention of everyone else to them.
"What is wrong with him?" Rider asked "Too afraid?"
"Fear of spiders." Ash sighed out loud, Rider nodded and smirked. The Saber servant walked over to Ritsuka, then clicked his fingers in front of his face several times. "He's passed out on his feet."
"Brilliant." Verndari growled out "He only just got back up." he turned to the first new Servant "I trust you to keep that-" he gestured to the Rider "-Thing in line."
"It is also within her best interests as well." The Servant replied "She is as in as much danger as you or I." he bowed his head slightly "I am Solaire of Astora." he looked back up "I would hate to rush you-"
"No." Verndari shook his head "As you said, we are all being hunted now." he looked over to Mash "Squire Kyrielight." the girl jumped slightly at the voice "Get him back on the wolf." he turned to the Rider "I am currently overlooking your obvious link to the rumoured Chaos of old, Daemon. Do not-"
"Test your patience or you will strike me down like the beast I am?" The woman mocked "You knights all sound alike, not matter where you originated."
"Hmph." Verndari looked over to the Romans "Can they keep the pace?"
"Well." The Centurion stepped forwards "We've made good progress so far." he swallowed "Also I saw what those creatures back there did to my men...I'd rather not have that happen to me."
"Noted." Verndari turned back to the group, then shouted up to the tree's "Archer! Any sign of hostiles?"
"I can sense a servant a distance away!" A voice shouted back down "They seem to be closing in! Don't have line of sight yet!"
"We'd best hurry then." Verndari muttered, then turned to Solaire "Come then, Warrior of Sunlight. Lead us to your settlement."
AN: Another Interlude and the group have met our favourite Sun Boy! And Spider girl!
How exciting!
Anyway, I'll put stats and the like down below for the pair of them.
Solaire of Astora
Servant: Saber
Strength: B
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: B
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: B
Sword of Sunlight: B
"Luminous Sun" Releases a wave of Lighting towards an opponent (Anti-Army) Max Target 200, Range 20-40
Releases a wave of fire from the sword, swung in a horizontal movement.
Class Skills
Riding: E
Magic Resistance: B
Personal Skills:
Miracles: B
Oath of Sunlight: B
Under the Sun his physical stats are doubled
Mystic Slayer: A
Summoning Stone: B
Can summon himself where a sign is placed, can only be done for a maximum of five minutes.
Can be used for communication as well.
Summoning
"Hello there! I am the Servant Saber. Solaire of Astora! I come in response to your summoning! I hope we can both participate in jolly co-operation!
Dialogue 1
"You enjoy relaxing do you? To each his own I suppose! Still, it is always good to make merry with comrades!"
Dialogue 2
"A Master and Servant? I don't see why we cannot discard titles and view eachother as equals."
Dialogue 3
"I suppose there could be such a thing as waiting around too long...Would you like me to sing you a song?"
Dialogue 4 (If you have Nameless King)
"O-oh...T-that's! M-my Lord! To think that I could have this opportunity to meet you! I have served to fulfil your teachings of the sun to the best of my-? Huh? C-call you by your name!? My Lord! I couldn't possibly- eh? What do you mean 'Not another one'?"
Dialogue 5 (If you have Siegward)
"He is quite a fine fellow that Catarinan! I always heard grand things about them.
Dialogue 6 (If you have Gawain)
"You are also referred to as the Sun Knight? I hope you treat the Sun with the reverence it deserves...I have also heard rumours...that your blade...has a Sun in it...May I see it?"
Dialogue 7 (If you have Ozymandias)
"The Sun King? I've spoken to him once or twice. He does have quite the personality too, certainly acts like a beacon when he enters the room."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Chosen Undead)
"They always seem to freeze when they see me, turn their head and shuffle away. I sense a great guilt in their heart. Quite strange, we last met on the best of terms, that was before I journeyed to Izalith...My memory of that time is...foggy though."
Dialogue 9 (If you have Gwyndolin)
"...I heard...disturbing rumours from the other undead servants...They say Lord Gwyndolin...created a false sun...I...would rather not believe that the majesty of such a thing could be copied like a common painting..."
Dialogue 10 (If you have Cu Chulainn)
"Ah! You! Servant of the Spear! I hear your father was a Lord of Light! I am jealous of you whole heartedly! What is with that face? You truly had the Sun as a Father."
Dialogue 11 (If you have Ashen One)
"Another of my order. It is good to be surrounded by others who recognise the beauty of the Sun. It makes for welcome travelling companions."
Dialogue 12 (If you have Divine Sprits)
"I grew up hearing tales of the Lords of Anor Londo. I never met one myself...But seeing so many Gods around here...And they all have such...enthusiastic personalities."
Dialogue 13 (If you have Karna)
"That man...He radiates a sense of magnificence, yet is so serene...no...He is much like the sun, a presence to be felt without the need to act."
Likes
"Likes? Well...I very much like the sun!"
Hates
"Darkness. No, I do not hate the night...I hate an eternity, a world without the sun and any who would perpetuate it."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"Wish...I always wanted to find me own Sun...but to wish for it rather than find it...Seems a little like cheating."
Bond Level 1
"We make quite the team, do we not? The joys of jolly co-operation."
Blond Level 2
"Our journey continues! I see much growth in you and it is quite the pleasure to see it."
Blond Level 3
"You continue to spend time with me...Why...I may even start to believe you are falling for me. Hahahaha! That is a little joke."
Bond Level 4
"I...I have a goal you see. I wish only to find my own sun, my own magnificence that I can call my own...I hope that I can find it one day."
Bond Level 5
"My search for my Sun may never end. But if it is full of ones such as you, with quests such as this? I may accept that...Because this is not too bad, my friend."
Birthday
"You enjoy another year of life. Blessings of the Sun upon you!"
During an Event
"I sense excitement! Perhaps we best make merry ourselves?"
1st Ascension
"I sense power flowing through me. This is quite the feeling."
2nd Ascension
"So, our continued efforts bare yet more fruit? This is quite the feeling."
3rd Ascension
"I can sense it. My final form approaches, I hope we may yet pursuit my friend, we will journey for goal together."
4th Ascension
"I am full of life! I sense a burning power within my very soul! Perhaps we shall test out this new found might?"
Quelaag
Servant: Rider
Strength: B
Endurance: B
Agility: B
Mana: A
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: A
Heat of Izalith: A (Anti-Army) Range: 0-100, Max Target: 200
Releases a massive torrent of Chaos flames in a direction, spewed forth from the mouth of the Spider.
Guardian of the Fair Lady: EX (Bounded Field) Range: 0, Max Target: 20
Creates a Bounded field of her cave, lined with webs to reduce movement and excessive heat to tire opponents. Boosts her own pyromancy skills while within the field.
Class Skills:
Riding: EX
(Is her own Mount.)
Magic Resistance: B
Territory creation: C
Item Construction: C
Personal Skills:
Pyromancy: A
Long Distance Dash (Arachnid): B
Her lower half being a Spider gives her proportional speed.
Armoured Carapace: B
Boost to Endurance from her exoskeleton
Demon of Chaos: EX
Grants immunity to Chaos flames and an affiliation towards demons and their kin.
Summoning
"Servant, Rider. Your spiritual shouting has drawn my attention. Ha, what's with that look? Does my beauty or my horror draw your eye?"
Dialogue 1
"What are you standing around here for? If we're going to do something. Do it."
Dialogue 2
"Master and Servant? As if. Treat me like some attack dog if you must, but don't try and affix some sentimental nonsense to me. I haven't the patience."
Dialogue 3
"My eyes are up here... And down there."
Dialogue 4 (If you have Nameless King)
"...Huh. Never thought he'd manage to get here. Farram! Did you still have that attraction towards mother? Don't think you can escape so easily!"
Dialogue 5 (If you have Solaire)
"A warrior of sunlight? Those do gooder fanatics. Always wanting to help where they should leave well enough alone...it gets them killed far too often."
Dialogue 6 (If you have Quetzalcoatl)
"I've been feeling this...gaze on my for a while now. Like some is looking at me worse than usual...whenever I turn to look for it all I catch is a fleeting glance of a headdress...I'm actually a little concerned at this point."
Dialogue 7 (If you have Gorgon)
"What a pair of monsters we are..."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Chosen Undead)
"...Apparently he took care of my sister after I died. It's one of the few reasons I haven't stripped him to his flesh and scorched his body."
Dialogue 9 (If you have Gwyndolin)
"I once heard him speaking of my disfigurement. I make no effort to hide it however, nor to I pretend its anything more than a curse. Those snakes from beneath his robe are equally unsightly."
Dialogue 10 (If you have Mordred)
"She's blunt….I like her."
Dialogue 11 (If you have Ashen One)
"Apparently there's an undead around here who uses Pyromancy. I'll be the judge of their skill. I'll not have some match flinger take on the name of a true Pyromancer!"
Dialogue 12 (If you have Demon Servants)
"I sense a presence...Something not unlike me...but also so very different. How odd...probably doesn't matter."
Dialogue 13 (If you have Aldia)
"And I thought we had it bad...You look like a campfire."
Likes
"...Should it matter?"
Likes [Bond Level 5]
"Again!? Fine...I liked my Siblings...alright?"
Hates
"...Never should have listened to mother...but she knew best…or so we all thought."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"...Undo what it did to my family...not Mother though...We all suffered for her mistakes."
Bond Level 1
"You look like a dull fool. I bet your meat would taste bland too...Honestly, what a fool you look."
Blond Level 2
"Why are you still coming back here? Tch, leave me alone."
Blond Level 3
"Your persistent aren't you? Like a bug constantly buzzing in someone's face."
Bond Level 4
"You just keep going don't you...Quelana would have liked you. She always liked persistence...Queleen would have tended to whatever she did to you after though..Fair lady indeed...Huh? I didn't say anything, you must be imagining things."
Bond Level 5
"You never give up do you? Fine...Stick near me if you want...You want a monster for a servant and a guard, that's on you...You would have liked the others, before they went mad...and they would probably find you annoying...not in a bad way though...Tch, now I'm remembering them again...I hope you're prepared to take accountability for this as a Master."
Birthday
"...Am I supposed to care."
Birthday [Bond Level 5]
"You spring this on me now!? Why even tell me on the day!? What do you expect me to do beyond wishing you a happy birthday! Dull oaf!"
During an Event
"Are we going to wait around here or do something like everyone else?"
1st Ascension
"...Would you look at that...more monstrous than before."
2nd Ascension
"I know I'm hideous, yet you seem to take some perverse joy in making me look exceedingly freakish, are you some manner of sadist?"
3rd Ascension
"You must be a freak of the highest order to continue to make such a monster stronger. That says more about you than it does about me."
4th Ascension
"Congratulations...you've made me a rather powerful beast now...so...are we going to do anything with this new strength, Master?"