Chapter 60: Difference of opinion
The words of challenge had barely left Drake's mouth before Ash broke into a sprint directly for the Pirate, the woman immediately honed in on him and raised her pistols. Ritsuka was about to call out for him to stop before the clang of steel to his left had his head snap around to the source.
Boudica was on the offensive against the Knight, the Queen was certainly the faster of the two however the Knight apparently had some level of skill as he was albeit barely able to block or counter some of her strikes. Considering that Ash had recognised the armour it meant that it was another person from his world.
In short, the situation had deteriorated rapidly and far faster than he was able to compensate for.
"Senpai." Mash looked towards him "Orders?"
"Support Ash." He answered immediately, the shielder gave a nod of her head before he turned towards Archer "Help Rider."
"Hm." Archer grunted, spinning on his heels and shooting off towards the two duelling Servants, his hands crackled with blue energy before two Dao swords manifested in each of them. Ritsuka barely had time to do a double take before an earthshaking crash echoed out and brought his attention towards Havel.
The Berserker having slammed his rather large club into the ground where the other Archer had been, the man back-pedalled away from the Berserker as Havel ripped the club from the ground, spinning clockwise and swinging the club towards the man. The green haired man adjusted his staff in his hands as the club closed in on him, thrusting the top of the staff at a slight angle downwards and redirecting the club into the dirt.
The Berserker tilted their head before reassessing the man. The servant in front of him couldn't match his strength, Havel could tell that already but he had been able to use Havel's own strength against him and send the club just off course with a slight movement. It was marginally impressive for such a small man.
"I don't know how I should feel that you immediately went for me." The Archer wryly spoke as twirled the staff in his hands and swung the top of it towards Havel's head, the Berserker raised his shield again and took the impact before continuing his charge at the man "I personally don't want to kill you."
"Don't...want...to...kil..l...you...eith...er…" Havel growled out, the Archer paused a raised an eyebrow at him "But...curren...tly...ene...mies…."
"Well, I wouldn't say enemies." The Archer shrugged "But it is true that we are on opposing sides right now." a sigh escaped him "I don't suppose I could convince you not to kill me?"
"We'll...see…" Havel ominously growled out as he adjusted the club in his hands, tightening his grip and advancing forwards. Despite being much slower than the Archer, Havel had the clear edge in endurance. Every strike the man attempted against him was either blocked or tanked by the armour.
Although that might have also been because the man was holding back, Havel noticed that the man had yet to properly use the sling he had seen earlier. That might also have been because he was at such close range but Havel wasn't entirely sure. For a man who dressed as a farmer, he was surprisingly skilled at combat.
The Saber did his best under the circumstances, although the circumstances weren't great for him. Boudica had the edge in strength and speed. Although that much was true of many creatures in Lordran. Raising his kite shield, Boudica's sword slammed into it while he thrust towards her leg, the Rider punched the sword off course with her shield before kicking off the ground into the air, swinging her sword so the tip was pointed towards the Saber.
The blade glowed a brilliant yellow before it burst into life, dozens of thin beams of light exploded from the sword towards the Saber, the man let out a small grunt as he threw his body to the side, the beams of light crashing into the ground near his last spot and leaving scorch marks in the wood.
"You keep going for wounding hits." Boudica pointed out with a small frown "Why?"
"Because I truly do not mean you harm." The Saber replied in his still soft spoken voice, returning to his feet "You do not seem to be of the indecent sort and from what I could hear your quest is a noble one-"
"But you have your debt to repay." Boudica quickly gathered "You owe her."
"I do." Saber nodded "But I will only seek to defend her, ending your lives is not something I would do-" he abruptly swung his shield to his left, parrying away Kanshou which had been aimed at his ribs. Archer span on his heel and swung Bakuya towards the man's chest in a backhanded swipe, the Saber raised his own sword to block the move.
"Fighting without a willingness to kill might get you killed." Archer coldly remarked "Others aren't as honourable as you."
"Evidently." Saber remarked, sweeping the blade up and knocking Archer's sword away from him before moving into for a charge, he then stopped and jumped back when Boudica made a slash at him. "...Although it is still the principle."
"It's a nice principle." Boudica admitted as she tensed herself, giving him an apologetic look "And you don't seem to be a bad person, but we do have to protect our Master."
"That is understandable." The Saber nodded, helmet quickly darting between the Rider and the Archer slowly pacing around to his side "...I imagine this is where our conversation ends."
"Indeed." Archer remarked, kicking off the ground and shooting towards the Saber in a blur of movement, the man raised his shield to cover his head, causing Bakuya to skate along its surface and go skywards. Archer reversed Kanshou in his grip and made a slash towards his leg. The Saber thrust his sword in for a block, the swords locked against eachother.
A beam of golden light struck the Saber in the shoulder of his sword arm, the man released a small grunt as he recoiled from the blast, darting his head up just in time for Boudica to land a two footed kick into his chest, the Saber was knocked away and onto his back while Boudica used the force of the kick to flip through the air and land back on her feet.
Saber released a small grunt as he quickly rolled back onto his feet, immediately finding Archer swinging towards his head. The Saber blocked the first strike and then moved into a slash.
Archer found that he wasn't having much difficulty against the Saber, despite being of the three main classes the man wasn't as strong as others. While Archer himself would never be one to underestimate another Servant – he himself didn't look that good compared to other Servants in terms of stats – the Saber in front of him was cliché for lack of a better word. His fighting style was basic and rigid. The man had adequate skill to pass for a soldier but nothing exceptional.
Saber, meanwhile, found the swordsman in front of him to be something fearsome. The man's fighting style was virtually non-existent. It was as if he could already tell what moves he was going to make before he made them. That was without the woman to deal with as well. He barely had a moment to block the man's latest attack before a shadow passed over his head, his eyes darted up just in time for him to catch an axe kick to the head from the woman.
The Saber stumbled backwards as the back of Boudica's leather boot slammed into the top of his head, the man released a pained gasp as his guard broke. Boudica was quick to take advantage of the opening, the moment her feet made contact with the ground the threw her knee forwards and slammed it into the man's gut. A wheeze came from behind the helmet as the strike lifted the Saber off his feet briefly.
Archer appeared behind the Saber as he was in the air, swinging his leg around and slamming his shin into the back of the man's head. The kick shot the Knight's body into the ground with a heavy thud, earth and wood were upturned by the impact as the Saber lay there for a few moments.
Spinning Kanshou around, Archer reversed the grip and held it pointed down towards the Saber's head. Boudica levelled him with an unimpressed look "Do you really think that Master is going to be pleased about killing him?"
"He is a hostile Servant."
"He wasn't that hostile and you know it." She sighed "Besides, he didn't actually try to kill either of us."
"Hmph." Archer grunted "That just makes him foolish."
Boudica continued to stare at him, the tanned Servant let out a sigh as he lowered the weapon "Very well, but it is on your head if he does something."
Mash grit her teeth as the cannon ball smashed into her shield, the cloud of smoke hid her away from view as Drake looked to prepare another volley. The Captain's eyes narrowed as the smoke began to move before Ash burst through it. Drake's flintlock snapped up and she fired off a single round towards the Servant, Ash barely released a grunt as the bullet slammed into his shoulder and went straight through.
He'd suffered worse anyway.
Drake ducked low when the greatsword swung through the air above her head, shaving off a few strands of hair. Blue eyes locked onto emerald green, the latter coldly glaring down at her before the owner twisted the sword in their hand and swung downwards towards her body. Drake rolled backwards, kicking up with her foot and batting Ash's sword off course with it burying itself in the ground next to her.
The woman rolled back to her feet and levelled both her flintlocks at the Unkindled's head. Ash remained unperturbed as Drake heard the howl of wind just before the sword exploded, the blast of wind had her close her eyes and debris was thrown about the field. Ash released his grip on the sword and rushed forwards, Drake cleared her eyes just in time to see the man pull his left hand back and throw a punch at her gut.
Drake smirked, he was playing in her territory now. The woman released her grip on the pistols and gripped his wrist, stopping the punch in its tracks and wrenching Ash forwards, the Saber stumbled with the pull and into perfect range for Drake to slam her forehead into his nose.
The crunch of bone indicated the damage, soon followed by a grunt from the Saber as he recoiled. The Pirate didn't waste the advantage and pressed on, flipping her pistol in her right hand and swinging it like a hammer. The grip struck Ash's jaw and snapped his head to the side. Drake flipped the pistol around again and levelled it at his head. Emerald coloured eyes snapped to her, his right hand clamped around her wrist and forced the gun to aim high, the crack of gunfire barely phased the undead as the bullet whisked just above his head.
Swinging his left arm upwards, he slammed his armoured fist into Drake's side, the woman released a hiss of pain from the punch, Ash jerked his wrist and caused Drake to drop the flintlock to the ground before pulling his left hand back and throwing a punch towards her face.
Drake caught the fist with her free hand, clamping her fingers around his knuckles and struggling as they two swiftly degraded into a shoving match.
"Can't help but feel this is a little personal for you?" Drake joked, smirking at the cold expression on the Unkindled's face "Do you hate fun?"
"This isn't fun." He answered back, taking a single step forwards and pushing Drake back "This is indulgence! A world on the verge of collapse with you in the position to do something about it and this is your response?"
"You say that as if people have to instantly drop everything!" Drake shouted back, halting her retreat and digging in, both Ash and her arms began to strain and shake from the force they were pushing against each other "I don't see why I shouldn't enjoy myself in this type of situation."
"Enjoyment!?" Ash hissed, his eyes burning with anger "What enjoyment is there to be had in watching the deaths of others!?"
"It's not about them dying! It's about me looking out for me!" The pair both drew their heads back and slammed them into each other, not giving any ground "People gotta have desires! So what if I'm living life so I can fulfil mine!?"
"What about a sense of duty!" Ash growled "It's a world of potential and you'd let it go to waste!?"
"Hey!" Drake huffed "I'd exploit it before I let it go to waste! Like I'm doing here!"
"And you take pride in this!?" Ash drew his head back while Drake did the same, bruises present on both their foreheads "This is where you derive fun!?" Ash spat the word venomously at the Pirate, Drake's own eyes started it ignite.
"Different strokes-!" The pair butted heads again "-For different folks!" the Capitan's face turned into a snarl "What? You think because you're some honourable guy everyone else has to be too!? Can't all get our jollies from saving the world!"
"Saving-!?" Ash barked out incredulously "I exist to kill!" he sneered "What could I ever save!?" gripping tightly around her hands, he pulled her off her feet and threw her towards the nearest building, Drake released a small squawk of surprise before she crashed into the wooden wall, bending the planks inwards. The Saber stomped towards her "The freedom of choice I could never have!" he reared his fist back "The world I'll never see!" then threw it down towards her head "And this is how you treat it!?"
Drake caught his fist before it made contact with her, the woman opened her eyes and stared up at the Saber with a narrowed look before she apparently came to a realisation "I see." she muttered lowly before kicked the Saber in the chest, Ash released a grunt as he stumbled backwards. The woman slowly rose to her feet "Can't understand what you've never experience, huh?"
"What?" Ash blinked "What do you-"
"People enjoy life in different ways." Drake shrugged with a blank expression, her lips soon pulling into a faint smile "This is how I enjoy mine. Living for the moment." then stared at him with an expectant look "You ever done that?"
Ash stared at her before a tight frown came to his face "...As if this way of living could ever be worth it."
Mash rushed out of the cloud of smoke, snapping her head around to quickly see Ritsuka stood off to the side. The Shielder servant gave him a single nod before she turned her attention back towards Ash and Drake as the two looked ready to get into an another brawl. Mash was starting to get concerned at the aggression that Ash had shown which was quickly becoming dangerous towards the Captain. Even if she had the Holy Grail there would only be so much punishment she could take.
She broke into a sprint towards the duo, shield gripped tightly in one hand as she cleared the distance in a few seconds.
She was still too slow to act when Drake slammed into Ash's waist, tackling the undead to the ground before cocking her fist back and slamming it into his face. The Saber grunted with pain and raised his own hand in a punch, catching the woman in the jaw and pushing her off him. Ash quickly rolled on top of her and clasped both his hands together above his head in a hammer strike, Drake threw up her own arms in a block as the Saber struck her with the punch.
"Ash-san!" Mash cried out as she slid to a halt next to the Servant and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him off the captain and to his feet "We can't hurt her too badly!"
"She'll live." Ash grunted as he stared down at her, the woman spat out a glob of blood before giving a crimson smile.
"Ha!" She cackled rolling to her feet and cracking her neck "It'll take more than you to take me down, boy!"
"How many more?" Another voice answered out, Drake blinked and looked behind her to see Archer with his twin swords staring at her impassively. The woman looked over his shoulder to see the red haired Rider stood over the Knight, her sword pointed towards the man's neck in an obvious gesture for him not to move.
"Whoa!" The green haired Archer let out a small shout of surprise as Havel's club smashed into the ground near his feet, burying itself nearly a foot into the earth. The man looked up just in time to see the Berserker phase his shield out of existence and clasp his other hand onto the Dragon Tooth and reverse his grip on the handle. "Oh dear me-"
Havel ripped the weapon upwards, tearing away the ground beneath the Archer's feet and sending him tumbling through the air with a shocked expression. The Archer crashed face first into the ground a few metres from Drake, raising his head and giving a strained smile "I think I've almost got it-"
The large boot of Havel slammed into the ground next to his head, the shadow fell over the Servant although the Berserker made no further moves. The Archer pursed his lips and gave a single nod "Yep. I'm beat."
"Yeah…" Drake whistled, shaking her head "I'd say you beat us." she sniffed, rubbing her nose and clearing away the blood dribbling from it "Pretty nasty punch you got there too." she remarked, nodding to Ash. The Saber continued to glare at her "Yeesh, someone's too high strung."
"Perhaps you should not have attacked them, Captain." The Knight spoke up from his crouched position, Boudica's sword still resting on his shoulder "They only wanted the best."
"Eeh." Drake shrugged "It's boring though…" a sigh escaped her "But can't do much about it now." her eyes turned to the largest building before her face flattened out "Hope you haven't ruined the rum barrels."
"So…" Ritsuka looked around, then back to the Captain "The Grail?"
"Huh?" Drake blinked and looked at him "Oh right, yeah. Victor go the spoils and all that." her hand went for her chest, Ritsuka's cheeks became dusted with a slight redness as he looked away. "Here we go!" The woman exclaimed as she pulled the golden chalice from her bosom "Shame...but I guess if its either this or my life, ain't worth it." she shrugged, throwing it over to Ritsuka.
The boy let out a slight gasp as he juggled the Grail in his hands before clutching it to his chest "U-um...Grail secure?"
"Nice work, Fujimaru-kun!" Roman's voice came through the communicator "Singularity solved in record tim-...huh? That's weird."
"What is?"
"The Singularity shows no signs of collapse." Roman's voice came through slightly puzzled "Readings haven't so much as changed a bit."
"What?" Olga's equally puzzled voice came through "How can that be possible? They're holding the Grail in their hands."
"I might be able to explain." The green haired Archer spoke out from his position on the ground, Havel stared at him before taking a single step backwards "Thank you." the man nodded to him as he quickly got to his feet and dusted himself off "Just because you're looking for a Grail, doesn't mean that there's only one Grail here."
"...What is that cryptic speech you're giving?" Roman's voice was slightly frustrated "Are you trying to sound wiser than you actually are?"
"That's a little painful." The Archer chuckled "But I'm being serious here." he pointed to the Grail in Ritsuka's hands "That might indeed be the Grail but I'm afraid it isn't the one you're looking for."
"What?" Olga scoffed "That doesn't even make sense! The only other explanation is that it was the Grail that naturally manifested...in...this….oh."
The Archer nodded "See? I can sense that wisdom in your voice which no doubt carries an air of elegance." a pleased hum escaped him "You are, without a doubt, Abishag."
"Alright, no!" Roman's face popped up, Ritsuka blinked at the expression on the man which looked like second hand embarrassment "Stop flirting with everyone woman you can hear! What is wrong with you?"
"I don't see what the issue is." The Archer gave a hearty smile in response "Its not as if I could be mistaken." he looked away from Romani and towards Olga stood behind him, her face contorted in a bewildered expression "I can see it now, that radiant youthful visage, you are most certainly Abishag!"
"W-what!?" Olga sputtered "Who!?"
"Don't be so coy!" The Archer chuckled "There is no way you are not-" Boudica smacked him on the back of the head, causing him to let out a startled gasp, the red haired woman held a flat look on her face.
"None of that now." She sighed "And Abishag? You realise you may as well have just announced your true name to everyone."
"No I-" He paused, wincing "Ah. Once again I have been led astray by a beautiful woman."
"Very funny." She looked him up and down with a frown "Although you aren't what I would expect from Adonijah-"
The Archer and Roman both let out heavy coughs in response and fixed the Rider with equally in-comprehensive looks. The woman blinked at the sudden attention "What?" a tight frown came to her face "What is it?"
"A-Adonijah?" The Archer replied with a slightly strangled voice "Um...T-that's not what I was expecting…"
"Caught flat footed." Roman shook his head "Although given that rather odd display, I can assume you aren't Adonijah." he paused "I don't know if he could even be summoned as a Heroic Spirit."
"Then who…" Boudica paused, then looked down at the Sling on the man's waist and then back at him "Oh. Yes….nevermind. I see it now."
"That's good." Ritsuka nodded "Because I don't."
"You wouldn't think so wouldn't you." Roman sighed "In truth, I suspected it when he almost let the same name slip at the docks but wasn't certain until just now. You're King David of Israel, aren't you?"
"Haha!" The Archer scratched the back of his neck "Well, I am indeed. Although I do prefer to just be David." he waved the staff meaningfully "I like being a simple Shepherd sometimes."
"You're...a King?" Ritsuka looked the man up and down with dubious expression "King David of Israel?"
"Yes." David nodded, then frowned at the strange looks he received "What? Is something on my face?"
"Um…"
"Perhaps they were not expecting one of authority to act as casual as you do." The Knight remarked from his spot on the ground "Might I stand?"
"Huh?" Ritsuka looked to him and blinked in realisation "Oh, right. Y-yeah."
"My thanks." The man nodded, rising to his feet "I am Oscar of Astora."
Archer blinked, furrowing his brows "You…" he rubbed his forehead "You died in an...asylum?"
"Indeed." Oscar nodded "You seem surprised to learn of this."
"Wait…" Olga pushed Roman aside and occupied the screen "You have knowledge of his History now that his true name has been revealed?"
"Barely." Boudica admitted with a wince "It's blurred but there's a little bit…" her eyes slowly turned towards Havel "A little with him too but its no where near as specific as other Servants."
Ritsuka furrowed his brows "Does this mean we won't be in the dark anymore when encountering other Servants?"
"No." Archer shook his head "As far as Saber goes-" he gestured to Ash "-I still draw up a blank and thinking of the others back at Chaldea offers little in regard to their own history."
"Perhaps the Throne is updating its information due to the sudden influx of Heroic Spirits?" Roman guessed "We're talking about hundreds of Legends suddenly appearing from another world...unless something in this Singularity is causing it."
Oscar remained silent.
"We can worry about it later." Olga dismissed "For now what concerns me is this talk of multiple Grails."
"I ain't explaining anything until I get another drink in my hands." Drake commented with a tired look on her face as she made her way to the remains of the pub. Stepping through the large hole in the wall, she quickly took in the damage to the interior before shrugging to herself "Well, it don't look that bad so I guess its fine for now." she turned around and waved to the others "Come on! Nothing like drinking after a fight!"
"The Pirates around here love repeating the story." David remarked as he pulled a chair out for himself "So I'll give you the quick version of it."
"Please do." Ritsuka nodded to the man "Because I'm very confused right now." he stared at the Grail in his hands before placing it on the table in front of him, Mash nodded her head to his left while the other Servants were gathered around.
Ash pointedly kept his distance from Drake, still staring at the woman with a blank expression.
"Well, it started before you arrived." David chuckled "Apparently it was quite chaotic, something to do with Atlantis-"
"W-what!?" Ritsuka sputtered in shock.
"-and Poseidon threatening to flood the world." He continued on, ignoring the shocked looks from the other Servants "It seems as though the Captain managed to save the world as a normal human being and therefore the Grail of this era." he pointed towards the golden chalice on the table "Chose her to be its owner. Then there came another Grail to cause another distortion."
"Heh." Drake shrugged as she poured herself another drink "Some guy calling himself Poseidon and messing with the oceans ain't something I can really tolerate as a sailor." pausing, a frown came to her face "Plus he was an annoying bastard."
Archer snorted.
"Not exactly a reason why one would fight a Lord of the Ocean." Oscar commented as he leaned back into his chair "However, I suppose I could understand the desire to survive-"
"Well, yeah." Drake nodded, then gestured to the Grail "Also he had some nice shit on him. Never run out of booze with that nice little cup."
"And there goes any sense of noble aim." Oscar lamented, shaking his head "Frankly, your rapacious desires are quite freighting at times."
"That is one word for it." Ash muttered from where he leaned against the wall, Havel grunted in agreement.
"So that means this isn't the Grail we're after?" Ritsuka surmised, staring at the cup "We're looking for another Grail then?"
"So it seems." Romani scratched his forehead "Although to think that Captain Drake would best Poseidon...that's something outlandish right there."
"In any event, it is best we leave that Grail with the Captain." Olga sighed "If it is the Grail that naturally belongs in this era, then removing it would worsen the damage of the Singularity."
"Alright." Ritsuka shrugged, turning to the Captain "Um...here? You can have it back."
"Really?" Drake blinked in surprise "Not gonna keep it, eh?" at the shake of the head, the woman shrugged and took the Grail back. The shape shifted until it resembled a tankard made of pure gold. "Well...your loss, I guess."
"Then where does this leave us?" Boudica asked, looking around to the Master "If this isn't the Grail we're after then the Grail we seek is somewhere out on the ocean."
"Ah…" Ritsuka bit his lip "Yes...that would make sense, wouldn't it."
"Afraid so." Romani nodded along "It means we'll have to go out exploring the rest of this Ocean-"
"Sure." Drake offered immediately "Can leave tomorrow morning."
Everyone's attention – except David and Oscar, who both let out knowing sighs – fell onto the crimson pink haired Captain "Sounds like fun."
"Really?" Ritsuka almost gaped at her "I-is that alright?"
"Didn't you say this Ocean was also fun, Drake-san?" Mash inquired with a rather shocked expression "Why would you want to help us?"
"Sounds like it'll be a good time, so why not?" Drake shrugged, grinning "Besides, always an opportunity for more treasure!"
"You're just a creature of greed, aren't you?" Ash accused with narrowed eyes, arms crossed in front of him "There's no sense of purpose behind your actions beyond them being a flight of fancy."
"Yep!" Drake admitted unashamedly "That's me! Living for the moment!"
"You-"
"Hey, Ash." Ritsuka cut him off, getting to his feet and giving the unkindled a strained expression "Can you...um...wait outside for a moment, please?"
Ash stared at Ritsuka before his eyes flicked back to Drake, giving a light huff. He nodded his head and turned away from the table, quickly stepping through the hole he had put in the wall and out into the port-side area.
Ritsuka watched him go before letting out a quiet sigh, turning back to Drake "Sorry about that he's...um...I don't know." he honestly replied "But you'll really help us?"
"Don't see why not." Drake shrugged "Been a bit bored here anyway, so I may as well." she looked towards David and Oscar "These two will come with, they're part of my crew anyway."
"I was under the impression it was more a debt on his part." Boudica pointed to Oscar.
"And it is." Drake nodded "He is repaying it by being a part of my crew."
Oscar let out a heavy sigh in response, his head falling into his left hand "Yes...the Captain made that quite clear. I suppose I should be thankful your ship was nearby at the time."
"Telling me." Drake wryly retorted "If I knew your pal was going to blow himself – and a whole island – up, I would have never stuck around as long as I did." her hand rubbed her left ear "Damn near went deaf."
"Wait…" Ritsuka turned his attention to Oscar "Bombe mentioned that an island blew up...that was you?"
"No, not me." Oscar denied instantly "I have not the power for such a feat, that belonged to another...however the destruction of the island also means he has likely died as well. We were both originally summoned onto the island and were waiting for rescue when we were set upon by another Servant." his voice changed to hold a tinge of melancholy to it "I suppose it is fortunate that the explosion which killed my compatriot also likely killed them."
"...Sorry." Ritsuka offered with a genuine look of sadness, Oscar's helmet looked towards him and nodded once.
"Your sympathies are appreciated but undead are more comfortable with the idea of dying than you would consider normal." A light chuckle escaped him "It is the notion of dying sane which is quite extraordinary to me."
"Well." Ritsuka shrugged "Getting used to the idea of some Servants being used to dying more often than they should." he muttered under his breath and turned his attention back to Drake "So...I guess I should thank you for your help."
"Eh." Drake shrugged "Just a flight of fancy...although with luck we'll get some treasures out of it!" she exclaimed with a beaming smile. "Lets celebrate it with a drink!"
"But I'm underag-"
"Drink!"
"You are concerned." Ash looked over his shoulder as Oscar emerged from the hole in the wall, the Astoran knight moved until he was stood next to him "Apologies, I have not yet asked for your name."
"I am Ash of…" Ash paused "I suppose Ash of Lothric."
"Lothric?" Oscar hummed to himself "A land of the future, no? Well...future for me anyway. It still bared the name Lordran while I walked the lands."
"I met another who was from such a time." Ash admitted "Solaire of Astora."
"Another Knight of Astora?" Oscar spoke in a pleased tone "I hope he was an honourable man."
"He was." Ash admitted, a fleeting smile appeared on his face "Although he was also a Warrior of Sunlight, like myself. It would have saddened me if he were not of the decent sort."
"A Warrior of Sunlight." Oscar nodded to himself "I have heard of the Order, they are good men in a dreary land." the pair fell into a silence before the Knight spoke again "I know why the woman vexes you, I hold similar misgivings about her."
"It is…" Ash clicked his tongue and looked away "It is not…"
"It's a choice you cannot describe or fathom." Oscar admitted "I suppose we undead cannot really follow such a way of life so we cannot truly understand why anyone would." reaching his hands up to his helmet, he slowly removed it from his head. Curly wheat blonde hair and pale blue eyes were the first things that were revealed, Oscar's face was relatively young although still looked marginally older than Ash with his slightly chiselled features. "I cannot ask you to make merry with the Captain but I would ask you consider your position and those around you. Making enemies where none exist will do you no good."
"I know that." Ash snapped back quickly, his expression tight before he reached up and rubbed his face "I know that...but does it not anger you? A freedom that we could never have being used for personal greed?"
"I would not say that she abuses her freedoms." Oscar frowned "But she does not use them as I would...and that she is purely motivated by her own desires does trouble me but she is not like us. The consequences of her avarice are not the same as if we were to attempt something similar."
Ash grimaced and looked away "No...they aren't." he remained silent for a few more moments before his focus flickered back to the Saber "Did...was there ever a point where you had a desire that wasn't related to your duty?"
Oscar blinked at the question, soon pursing his lips and looking down "I...perhaps there was one, once." he shrugged, a sad smile came to his face "But such things do not matter anymore." the Saber raised an eyebrow at the Unkindled "What of you?"
"...There was one time." Ash admitted quietly "But...I then considered it my new duty to fulfil."
"You need to speak with Ash." Olga opened with as Ritsuka moved to the corner of the room, Mash followed after him. The sounds of the cheering pirates going off behind him had him cringe slightly at the volume "That was an outburst we cannot afford."
"I know that." Ritsuka nodded, frowning "But I don't know what's the matter, I suppose that Drake might seem a bit crazy but he came out of nowhere with that stuff."
"It obviously wasn't nowhere." Olga countered, crossing her arms "Get him to control his outbursts if you are to be travelling with Drake. His own feelings on the matter cannot endanger the objective."
"I'll do my best."
"Good." Olga huffed before narrowing her eyes at the Master "And no drinking!" the communicator shut off with Ritsuka and Mash left blinking at it for a few seconds before the pair looked at eachother.
"Does she think I would?" He asked honestly, Mash opened her mouth to reply before she paused and slowly closed it. Her expression cycled through to one of minor confusion before her focus turned towards Drake.
"I think she is concerned that you might be pressured into it, Senpai." Mash answered "Drake-san does seem like the type to not think things through so far."
"Telling me." Ritsuka sighed "...What do you think is wrong with Ash?"
Mash blinked before frowning, a slightly anxious look came upon her "I'm not sure, Senpai. Drake-san's words didn't make sense to me either but I don't know why Ash-san got angry about them." she furrowed her brows with a concerned glint entering her eyes "Do you think its personal for him?"
"I don't know." Ritsuka muttered to himself "Might also be a cultural thing but we won't know until we ask. The Saber, I think his name was Oscar? He said he wasn't a fan of it either."
"He was working with Drake-san though, wasn't he?" Mash pointed out "But he also said he had a debt to her because she saved him."
"Not going to gather around the others?" David asked as he approached Havel, the Berserker was stood in the corner of the room with his arms crossed. The helmet moved slightly so that it was facing the Archer, the green haired man appearing blaze at approaching the somewhat intimidating man "Or is it another problem with the people in question?" he quizzed.
"Gre...ed…" Havel grunted in response "No...sense...of...du..ty…"
David hummed in response "If Captain Drake maintained a sense of duty as you put it, would you have overlooked the greed?"
Havel slowly shook his head "Can't...do...both…" he raised his right arm and tapped against his helmet, the sound releasing a heavy echo "Duty...keeps...sane...gre..ed...can cause...you...to...lose...self."
David raised an eyebrow "Are we speaking in a spiritual sense or in a mental sense?"
"Mind...becom..es...distrac...ted…" Havel explained "Soul...refle...cts...self...Hollow...souls are...base...Powerful...souls...are….bright...but...dutiful…" a menacing growl escaped the helmet "Zandroe...was...a...worm...Covetous...I...saw...souls...of...his...followers…"
Giving a slow blink in response, David quickly caught the meaning "Was Zandroe a God then?"
"God...of...Greed…" Havel sneered "Some...turned...into...monsters…"
"Sounds horrible." David shrugged "I'm not personally against a person having desires myself, I think everyone has them." he frowned "Do you not also have personal wishes of your own?"
"I...have...wish…" Havel slowly nodded his head "Also...duty...must...never...lose...si..ght of...duty...or...lose...self."
David let out a small noise of understanding "I was curious why Oscar seemed uncomfortable around the Captain. A cultural thing relating to greed then? Fulfil your desires but keep them in moderation?"
Havel grunted in affirmation.
"That's a nice outlook." David admitted "Although I also had ambitions of my own they were also my duty. I wanted to build a temple to God." he paused for a few moments before giving a slight shrug "Although I am also a Servant of God so you could say it is my duty to build temples to him as well."
Remaining silent for a few moments, the Bishop eventually looked away from the man and released a quiet hum "What...is...your...God...li..ke?"
David blinked in response before a smile slowly spread across his face "Well if you want to know, I'd be happy to tell you!"
Ritsuka managed to push his way through the crowd of Pirates, either drinking or laughing amongst themselves until he managed to make it to the – still present opening in the wall – spot where he could make out the form of Ash and the other Saber stood outside, the pair seemingly enjoying a brief moment of silence together.
Taking a deep breath, Ritsuka took a single step outside and into the open "Hey...Ash…"
"Hello, Ritsuka." Ash answered back cordially, turning his head to the side to stare down at the Master "Was there something you needed?"
"It's a bit of need to know and want to know." Ritsuka admitted with a strained look "You were...pretty vocal in your dislike of Drake." Ash's expression tightened before the Saber looked away from him. Releasing a heavy sigh and moving their left hand up to cradle their face.
Oscar looked between the two of them before taking a step back "I will move inside." he walked past Ritsuka before stopping and looking down at the younger boy, his face turned into a patient smile "I will ensure none disturb your conversation."
"Thanks." The Master nodded "I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka, by the way."
"Oscar of Astora." The Knight nodded back "I look forward to journeying with you, Fujimaru of Ritsuka." the Master furrowed their brows at the title before the Knight disappeared through the hole and back into the tavern.
"Fujimaru of Ritsuka?" The boy parroted the words back to himself with no small degree of confusion "That's-"
"It is naming conventions." Ash explained with a breath of humour in his voice "You typically name yourself and the Land you hail from when making introductions. I suspect Oscar was confused as to why you gave him your full name."
"You don't do that?"
"I have never encountered a person who did." Ash shrugged "It is simply how things are…" the Saber soon exhaled lightly "But you wanted to ask about the woman."
"Captain Drake-"
"Hmph." Ash grunted "Captain. The word implies a sense of duty, none of which I have seen from her."
"...Okay." Ritsuka slowly nodded, walking until he was stood next to the Saber "I gathered you don't like Drake because she's greedy-"
"She is nothing but greedy." Ash rebuked with a frown "She…" he clicked his tongue "Is greed commonly practised?"
"...Do you want an honest answer?" Ritsuka asked with an apprehensive look "Because I get the feeling you won't like the one I give you."
Ash released a sigh "My issue isn't with personal desire itself...I have also done acts because I wanted to at the time but they are few and far between." emerald eyes flicked down to Ritsuka "And none of them interfered with my duty."
"Are you upset Drake wasn't willing to help the Singularity?" Ritsuka honestly asked "Or because she knew something was wrong but wanted to enjoy herself?"
"Neither!" Ash snapped "Both! It...It is a type of behaviour that none would participate in." he paused, then looked out across the horizon "She was aware something was wrong and she did nothing?" he looked down at Ritsuka "Is that something you would practice? If you went back to Chaldea and ignored everything just so you could indulge yourself, could you call that right?"
"No." Ritsuka replied instantly, then winced at how it sounded "Ah...wait…"
"Our situations were not dissimilar." Ash nodded his head "Both of us were forced into a position where we must save our respective worlds...But its survival. A basic duty to keep living and to ignore it for…" he turned around and levelled a curled a strong look of distaste at the pirates "For that?" he sighed "If she had told me her plan was to eventually solve the Singularity, I wouldn't have cared."
"But she didn't because it was fun." Ritsuka realised "She's nothing but greed?" he parroted the words with a look of understanding.
"A creature of habit." Ash scoffed "She's only helping now because it 'sounds fun' as if a duty to ensure the world does not burn to dust is something that one can just carry out because it happens to sound pleasing. As if a situation like that is one you can derive enjoyment from."
Ritsuka frowned at Ash "But...haven't you had moments where you enjoyed yourself?"
Ash stilled, slowly turning down to stare at Ritsuka "I've done nothing but kill since I was risen – forcibly – from my grave. I helped people because it was something I felt was right." he tightened his expression "That does not mean I enjoy it." he paused "But if you are asking me if I have had moments where I enjoyed myself, I cannot give you a proper answer."
"Why?"
"Because I do not even know what fun is." Ash replied with a tired voice "I smile, I laugh at times because it is something that brings warm feelings to me...but is that really what fun is?" the Saber tilted his head "I get those same warm feelings when I'm not violently killed, is that fun as well?"
The genuine look of innocent confusion while asking the rather disturbing question had Ritsuka freeze on the spot. How in the hell was he supposed to answer a question like that?
Ash saw the troubled look on the Masters face, his own expression composed itself before he spoke again in a calmer voice "Regardless, I will work with her if you ask me to. I've worked with worst but Patches also understood that greed was a vice best left alone." his eyes drifted back towards Drake "...I am beginning to understand why he thought so."
Ritsuka remained silent, slowly turning around and walking back towards the tavern. Ash had certainly dropped some heavy conversation points on him. Worse, Ritsuka thought he had finally understood something important about Ash. They were certainly similar to each other, if what Ash had said was true. Ritsuka had also been forced into the Master position and told he was the only one who could solve the Singularities.
If he was being honest, he could understand a bit of Ash's feelings, if not as strongly. It was a little baffling how Drake could so easily dismiss the singularity as an issue because it was fun to live on these seas and then just as easily switch to help fix the singularity because it sounded fun to end them.
He paused, looking over his shoulder and back to Ash's figure.
"I assume your talk went well?" Ritsuka release a small squeak at the soft voice, spinning around to see Oscar leaning against the wall with a reassuring smile on their face "I apologise if I frightened you. You seemed to be deep in thought, so I am left to guess that your conversation with Ash went well?"
"Well?" Ritsuka parroted with a tight frown "...It went." he replied honestly, looking back towards the Saber "As for how well? I think I learned a bit about him…"
"That looks tells me it troubles you." Oscar pointed out "I will not ask you the details, that is not my place. Although I would recommend speaking to another you share a closer connection with, if you are concerned about his mind." the Knight grimaced "Leaving a trusted ally alone to their troubles is not something that one should do."
"Right…" Ritsuka absently nodded along with the words, flashing the knight a faint smile "I'll do that...Thanks for giving us privacy, by the way."
Oscar gave a small bow of the head in response "I am pleased that I have provided some aid to you, if only partly." the Knight raised his arm and gestured further into the crowd "I would recommend returning to your allies, they might begin to worry if you have departed from them for too long."
Ritsuka gave a wry smile in response "Probably right…" he looked around the chattering pirates "...Livelier than I'm used to."
A soft chuckle escaped Oscar "The same is quite true for me as well."
"There he is!" Ritsuka stumbled as an arm suddenly wrapped itself around his shoulder and suddenly pulled him to the side. Where he then found himself almost smothered in something soft before his brain caught up with what happened "Come on kid!" Drake's barely sober voice echoed through his ears as he was pulled along towards the centre of the room "You're gonna be sailing with us so that means you gotta drink!"
"Wha-" Ritsuka sputtered as he felt his eyes widen "I'm underag-"
"Underwhat?!" Drake squinted at him, not hearing what he said before shrugging "Doesn't matter if you're under the weather. Drink is good for cleaning wounds so it'll sort out whatever's wrong with you."
"N-no!" Ritsuka tried to argue as he was pulled along "I mean I'm not allowed to drink!"
"Not allowed!?" Drake sounded personally insulted "That the blonde guy again? Well, he ain't here now kid!" she shoved him into a chair in front of a table before slamming a mug in front of him "So enjoy yourself!"
"B-but-!"
"Drink up!" Drake encouraged with a wide grin before her expression turned serious "Trust me. It's better to forget everything that went wrong with some booze."
Ritsuka stared at the mug and then looked around to see if he could find any support.
Archer was in the corner of the room with his eyes closed, Boudica was trying to get Mash to not drink something – he was quite envious of the support the girl was receiving – and Havel was still talking with David about something else.
Ritsuka stared at the booze in front of him and then looked up at the faces of all the grinning pirates before he steeled himself.
It couldn't go that bad, could it?
"I hate the sun…" Ritsuka muttered out as he covered his eyes, his arms resting on the table in front of him.
Ash stared at him with a raised eyebrow "I'm not sure how to take that comment."
"Eurgh!" Ritsuka stumbled away from the table and towards the corner of the room before retching. None of the pirates gave him a second look, considering they had seen such things many, many times before.
Mash quickly jogged up to the Master and began to pat his back repeatedly to try and comfort him, holding a concerned look on her face before she looked around to see where Boudica was. Immediately spotting the red haired Rider with a less than pleased look on her face as she berated Drake.
Boudica's loud voice, in conjunction with Drake's own minor hangover, seemed to elicit a response from the Pirate in the form of a pained wince.
"I don't believe this." Olga grumbled into her hands "Peer pressured by Pirates!?"
"It's a powerful thing." Roman shrugged "Can happen to anyone."
"Where were all of you!?" The woman ignored Roman and pointed around at each of the Servants through the screen "What happened to taking care of your Master!?"
"I would point out he had already consumed two mugs by the time I realised what was happening." Archer replied with a frown before a sigh escaped him "After that I did get him away from the alcohol but it seemed to be too late at that point."
"What about you?" She snapped towards Ash "What's your excuse?"
"...I wasn't in the room at the time." He replied "And I thought Mash would still have been with him."
"Mash was trying not to get drunk at the time." Boudica answered in response as she approached the group "I don't know where you were." she narrowed her eyes at Havel.
The Berserker looked down at her before David flashed a smile.
"I was informing him of Judaism!" The Archer exclaimed with a proud smile "I think the results went well!"
"Oh my goodness…" Roman's head fell into his hands "Are you seriously trying to convert him?"
"Oh no." David replied without missing a beat "He was just curious about God so I told him what I could."
Havel shrugged "Noth...ing….spec...ial…"
"...Alright then." David scratched the back of his head "The results weren't that bad."
"If it please you." Oscar stepped forwards "I shall take responsibility, I was already aware of the Captain's inclinations towards alcohol and was present when she collected Fujimaru of Ritsuka, the blame for his current state is mine."
"You aren't even his Servant." Olga countered "So you had no reason to do anything for his well-being." she waved a hand at the others "It's these ones at fault." her eyes fell on Ritsuka in the corner of the room with a scowl "We can't have him running around like that! It's a disgrace!"
"Alright." Ash moved his hand to his box, pulling out a small bottle with golden leaf ornaments clinging to the glass and moving towards Ritsuka and Mash, holding the small bottle out to them "Drink this, you'll probably feel better."
Ritsuka made a noise as he took the bottle from Ash and removed the lid before drinking it, the clear liquid passed through his lips and down his throat before the boy widened his eyes, blinking them repeatedly and taking the bottle away from his lips "Woah...that was…"
"What did you just give him?" Olga inquired with narrowed eyes.
"Holy Water blessed by the Queen of Lothric and Goddess of Fertility."
Ritsuka froze on the spot while Mash's eyes darted towards the bottle before her skin turned slightly white "A-Ash-san...would that not make it...valuable?"
"I suppose." Ash shrugged "I have three more."
"You-!?" Olga sputtered "You gave him something like that to cure a hangover!?"
Ash jolted at the manner in which her tone froze over, Roman to the woman's left slowly wheeled his chair away until he was out of frame.
"...Was I not supposed to?"
Olga exhaled, her hands covering her face for a few moments before they slowly lowered themselves "...From now on. Refrain from using heavily blessed items from Divinities until we've had a look at them." her eyes turned to Ritsuka and ignited "And you. The next time you do something as stupid as that I swear I will-"
"Da Vinci-chan interruption!" The screen switched over until it was Da Vinci's grinning face "Hello everyone! I could tell you were all missing your resident beautiful genius-"
Havel let out a noise of disgust and quickly marched out of the room.
Da Vinci's face froze for a few seconds before it flattened out "Well, clearly someone has no appreciation for beauty." sighing, she shook her head "Anyway, I'm looking at some of these readings and I'm happy to say Mr Protagonista, that you've never looked healthier!"
Ritsuka was still staring at the bottle in his hands before he looked towards Da Vinci with slightly panicked eyes "I just drank priceless Holy water?"
"You did indeed!" Da Vinci grinned, leaning forwards with an expectant look on her face "How did it taste?"
"...Like water."
"Oh...well that's a little boring." Da Vinci frowned "They should add some taste to it. Like peppermint." snapping her fingers, she grinned "That would be nice."
"What if they don't like peppermint?" Ritsuka found himself asking before he could stop himself.
Da Vinci stared at him with blank eyes "...What if they don't want to be cured of their ailments?"
"Okay…"
"Hey!" Drake shouted out as she barged past the group and towards the door "Best get ready, we're gonna set sail soon!" she paused and then looked around at the Servants "Oh, by the way...if you're sailing with me, you've gotta play the part of my crew. That means you gotta do what I say."
Something looked as though it died behind Ash's eyes.
AN: We're gonna be off towards the sea's!
Also yes.
Bedric is – in fact – dead. He was killed in the prologue to Chaldea's arrival to Okeanos, that's why there's an island missing.
So no Chosen Undead here. Felt like I should clarify that.