Chapter 62: Cave Diving
"Have you ever been to a place like this before, Ash-san?" Mash asked as she followed after the Saber, Ash bat aside a low hanging branch as they trudged through the undergrowth of the island forest. The blonde haired Saber gave a small hum in response before he answered.
"I've been to area's that were heavily forested." He admitted, swatting away a bug near his ear "Although they were less hospitable than this."
"Hospitable?" Ritsuka slapped his neck, removing his hand and grimacing at the remains of the mosquito "That's a word for it...Still, is this really what you consider hospitable?"
"Nothing's broken through the treeline to rip me in half yet." Ash replied without missing a beat, sliding down a small muddy inclined onto a clearer section of the greenery "And I've yet to see a poison swamp or Ghru shaman cast dark magic's at me."
"What the hell is a Ghru?" Drake asked as she continued on ahead of them, looking over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm told they have a resemblance to Goats." Ash replied in a disinterested tone of voice "Although they still had the body of men. The smaller ones were almost twice my height."
Ritsuka stared at his back "And the larger ones?" he asked, already sensing the answer wasn't going to be a pleasant one.
Ash frowned and looked around for a few moments before he pointed towards a tree "That size." Ritsuka, Mash and Drake followed his line of sight towards the four metre tall tree. "Or there abouts."
"...That's nice." Drake grumbled to herself "Friendly sort, were they?"
"No."
Boudica frowned as she stepped over a small hole in the ground before continuing on her way "I don't suppose we have a specific direction we're searching for?"
"Just following my gut!" Drake hollered back from the front of the line with a voice full of bravado "Never led me astray yet."
"It's not as though we have many leads to begin with." Archer commented as he scanned their surroundings "It isn't an especially big island but all the same, I would recommend caution while exploring. Most Magi tended to accompany bounded fields like this with traps."
"Trea...cherous...rats…" Havel grumbled as he walked through a log, the wood doing little to block the Berserker's path and shattering underfoot. Archer and Boudica gave him a bland look at the display before continuing on as if nothing had happened. "Should...fight...face...to...face…"
"Yes, I've never heard such a stronger incentive." Archer voiced out with a slightly mocking tone of voice, Havel paused and turned his head to stare at the Archer, the tanned man gave no visible reaction at finding himself under the gaze of the larger Servant "Considering your physical prowess, it wouldn't be wrong to say that any Caster fool enough to fight you in hand to hand combat wouldn't be long for this world. Especially given your ability to render their magecraft useless."
He walked past the Berserker who was still standing frozen on the spot, head tracking the Archer as he paid no heed to the Servant "That's typically why they have to rely on tricks like this to level the playing field."
Havel remained silent for a few moments before he released an irritated grumble "Still...annoying…"
Boudica released an amused snort as she similarly walked past the Berserker, giving him a faint smile "I know it's annoying but try to bear with it for now."
"Fi..ne…"
"Senpai." Mash whispered to Ritsuka as she looked over her shoulder "I've noticed that Havel-san seems to get along with Boudica-san and David-san."
"Me too." Ritsuka acknowledged "Might be because neither of them are really mages." he reasoned "I don't know how he feels about Ash or Archer though. Considering Ash uses magic."
"I use Pyromancy." Ash's voice had Ritsuka and Mash turn their attention towards him "It's a different school altogether with no ties to Seath." he paused and slowly took a step back towards the pair "Although I am surprised he has not mentioned my use of black flames." he shrugged "Perhaps he does not care."
"I'm a little jealous of that." Ritsuka admitted "Still think he doesn't like me that much."
"He probably doesn't." Ash replied immediately, causing Mash to shoot him a rather disappointed look at the way Ritsuka flinched "Although you will have time to earn some modicum of trust from him, I should think."
Ritsuka gave an appreciative hum in response before he looked towards Drake "By the way, Captain?"
"Yeah?" Drake raised up a bush, looking either side before casting a glance over her shoulder.
"How did you meet Oscar and David anyway?"
Drake blinked and scratched the back of her head "Well, the green haired guy just walked into the bar one day and asked if he could join the crew." she shrugged "He's not terrible in a fight but it was mainly because he could play."
"Play?" Ritsuka titled his head "He has an instrument?"
Drake nodded her head "Plays a Harp, always a good thing to have some music on a voyage, no?"
"I've never really been on a ship before today." Ritsuka replied with a slightly sheepish expression "So I probably wouldn't know."
"Huh…" Drake blinked, turning her head "What about you Mash? You ever been on the sea?"
"Huh?" Mash jolted at being addressed before she shook her head in response "No, this is the first time I've really been out into the world."
Drake stared at her with a blank look for a few moments before turning away "That so…" she sniffed "Anyway, as for the Knight. Well...was sailing one say and caught sight of a signal fire on an island. Figured it would at least be worth checking out." she blew air from out between her teeth "Next thing I know these two guys in armour come sprinting out as if they've got the devil himself riding their ass. Oscar makes a break for me and just says to sail, even pushes the ship away from the shore and all."
"The other must have been Oscar-san's friend." Mash reasoned "Did you see what was chasing them?"
Drake shook her head "Nope. Never saw that, all I know is that we sail away as fast as we can and then the island explodes." she shrugged "He just said that whatever it was is probably dead now."
"I'd imagine its more than probably." Ritsuka wryly retorted "Considering the island blew up...still." pursed his lips and looked at Mash "Probably a Noble Phantasm, yeah?"
"Most likely, Senpai." Mash replied with a nod "Although the damage would make it a very high ranked one. Most likely into the Anti-Fortress category or perhaps higher."
"Feel like we should come up with a new category." Ritsuka replied "Anti-Island?"
"Well it was just gone next moment." Drake waved her hand "Although he didn't seem too broken up about his mate, I assume that's just a ghost thing with you lot, no?" she directed the question towards Ash.
"We're just more used to death." Ash replied with a toneless voice "You get used to it after some time."
"Hah, fair enough." Drake dismissed easily as she squinted her eyes ahead of them "So...none of you ever been on the ocean before then, eh?" the woman looked over her shoulder at the group "How you finding it?"
"Certainly unforgettable." Ritsuka replied with a strained smile, his mind flying back to his cleaning duties in the ship "Although I suppose it's an experience."
"And you Mash?" Drake looked to the girl "How you finding life at sea?"
"Well...um…" Mash blinked, struggling to find the right words "Well...It's big but I've been so busy on the ship I haven't really had time to notice more of it." she admitted after a few moments with a sheepish expression.
Drake gave her a discerning gaze before her face softened "Don't worry about it kid. Before we're done here I'll make sure you can see the Sea for what it is." a smile came to her face "It'll be a sea unrivalled in beauty." her eyes fell onto Ash, the Unkindled advancing without a sign of emotion on his face "At least so you can appreciate life more than this one."
Ash paused and sent the woman a mild glare in response before huffing and looking away, Ritsuka and Mash watched the reaction with slight concern on their features before Drake turned on her heel and bat aside a branch in front of her.
"Come on then! Clues ain't gonna find themselves!" She called out as she charged into the undergrowth, Ash still staring off to the side as Ritsuka and Mash jogged up to him.
"Are you alright, Ash-san?" Mash asked with an apprehensive frown on her face "You can Captain Drake have been...at odds?"
"At eachother's throats." Ritsuka supplied, crossing his arms and looking the unkindled up and down before his own features turned worried "Are you okay?"
Ash sniffed once before turning back to the pair and putting on a smile "Nothing worth worrying about. She has her inclinations and I have mine." Ritsuka had noticed that Ash's smiles were increasingly forced as of late. He'd noticed that most of the time his smiles were just put on as if he was trying to appear jolly.
The only time he'd seen a genuine smile on the Saber's face was when they met up with Cecilia in Rome, although given that Ash and the 'Fire Keeper' had a personal history it was probably understandable.
"Whatever else, she is correct in this regard." Ash turned away from the duo and walked on after Drake "We do have a search ahead of us if we are to find a way off this island."
Ash hadn't even answered the question, Ritsuka noted with a frown. Clearly Mash had noticed it as well, given that she was also sporting a similar look of her own. The two exchanged glances before they followed after the Saber and Drake.
"Wonder what has them so concerned." Boudica frowned as she watched the trio ahead of them, not having been party to the conversation.
"Ash probably has some issue's with Drake still." Archer voiced out as he walked alongside the Rider "As long as he doesn't do something stupid then I doubt there will be much of an issue."
"Hmm." Boudica made a noise which indicated she wasn't quite convinced of that fact "Well...I suppose if someone didn't have a lot of experience with others then they might be a bit difficult to get along with."
"She's probably lucky he doesn't know about her History in its entirety." Archer grunted in response "Although that depends on what his opinion on the Slave trade is." Boudica winced in response, she could see how that would be an issu-
Something snapped behind them, causing them both to whirl around to see Havel having walked through a log and paused, staring at the pair of them. Helmet moving in-between the two of them repeatedly.
"Sla..ve...tra...de?" The Berserker tilted their head "You...had...sla...ves?"
Archer pursed his lips and turned away, Boudica shot him an annoyed glare at his retreating form as he left her to explain the nuances to the Berserker with no telling how he would react to it.
"Not me specifically, but there was a History of slavery."
Havel shrugged "Didn't...think...you...had...it...in...you." was all he offered as he walked past her, seemingly uncaring about it "Giants...more...useful...though…"
Boudica stared at his back incomprehensibly for a few moments before she released a sigh. Berserkers were always a handful, although she wasn't exactly sure how she was supposed to respond to that piece of advice. She paused, furrowing her brows as she tried to recall a conversation she'd once had with Siegward.
'Wasn't he best friends with a Giant?' She thought to herself, shooting another glance at Havel's retreating form. Her expression tightened, thinking it best to not mention that in the presence of the man, or he was already aware of how Giants were treated. Either way, it probably would be best if she didn't try to bring it up considering it would most likely dampen his mood.
"What sort of thing are we looking for anyway?" Ritsuka asked with a curious expression, Drake paused ahead of them and looked down at the trio behind her. The group having started to climb up a small embankment of rocks.
"Don't know yet." Drake replied with a shrug "Still following my instinct." a carefree grin came to her face "But I'll know it when I see it!"
"That sounds terribly vague." Came Ritsuka's part worried part bemused reply, his lips curling into a half smile. He'd started to get an idea about the type of person Drake was that this point.
"That's the whole thing with instinct kid." Drake waved her hand in response, turning around and resuming her climb "You'll never know what's going to happen until it hits you square in the face."
"Isn't it normally too late to do anything about it by that point?" Mash looked towards Ash for some small part of assurance. She found herself marginally disappointed when the Saber merely nodded his head in response to Drake's comment.
"That is typically how it works with exploration." Ash voiced with a knowing tone "More often that not, my own ventures were a case of picking a direction and walking." he paused, looking towards Mash "You get used to it after some time. Especially if you are in an area you have never been before, the only thing you can really do is just follow a path."
"He gets it." Drake pointed towards Ash before tilting her head and frowning "How is it you understand the basics of going out on an adventure without actually getting the adventure part right?"
"Because its a useful skill to have." Ash sharply replied "And not one I obtained just so I could gallivant around the ruins of Lothric." he pursed his lips, looking away from them "That was something that appealed to others more than I...and it worked out just as well for them as I expected."
"Bet they had more fun than you though."
Ash aimed a burning glare at Drake, the woman took the anger in stride before turning away and continuing up the rocks before coming to a stop at the summit of the incline. "Well. That's what we're after!" she exclaimed with a triumphant tone, turning around and waving the Chaldean's towards her "Told you it was all about instinct!"
"I don't know what I hate about her more." Ash darkly muttered under his breath "Her personality or the fact she's consistently right." Ritsuka and Mash sent worried glances at him as they climbed up towards Drake. Archer, Boudica and Havel cleared the treeline behind them and quickly took after the quartet in climbing to the top of the rock formation.
Drake was awaiting them with a patient smile at the summit, hand resting on her hip before giving Ash a challenging smirk "Ready for an actual adventure?"
Ash didn't deign her with a reply, instead moving past her and staring down, promptly blinking once before he frowned "That's unexpected."
Drake clicked her tongue at the rather lacklustre reaction before looking to the others "This something we're after?"
The other's peered past her and into the rather large entrance to a chasm carved into the side of a rock face leading downwards. Faces promptly morphed into ones of bewilderment or incomprehension – with the exception of Havel who remained silent – at the sight that greeted them.
The interior of the chasm had been carved, rather than a formation of loosely collected rocks or stalagmites what instead greeted the Chaldeans was an intricately carved structure, staircases made from chiselled marble stone which seemed to shoot off in ever angle alongside arches which were bent at completely the wrong angle or paths which seemed to lead towards the sides of the walls and them climb upwards into new structures.
"What the…" Ritsuka breathed out in shock "That's...um…" his eyes darted in every direction before he wet his lips "Y-yeah." he let out a shaky breath before looking towards Mash "That's the type of thing we're after, right Mash?"
"I...Yes Senpai." Mash gave a firm nod, although she was still transfixed on the sight before them "This has to be the work of whomever set up the bounded field around the island."
"No sense in waiting then!" Drake cheerfully exclaimed as she jumped down onto the smooth path below which led to the nearest staircase "Lets get going then!"
"W-wait!" Mash tried to stop her "Shouldn't we also get Oscar-san and David-sa-"
"If we go and get those two then come back, what if this place is gone?" Drake turned back to Mash with a raised eyebrow "And what if someone comes for my ship while we're all in there?" waving a hand towards the absurd layout of the chasm "You gotta seize the chances that present themselves Mash." the woman span on her heel and marched on without a care in the world "This is what it means to be a part of my crew."
"...She's not wrong." Ash grumbled as he dropped down "Once again." his boots slammed into the ground with a heavy thud before he followed after the Captain, Ritsuka and Mash looked at eachother before the former offered a shrug.
"Guess we're doing this, huh?" He pat Mash on the back "I'm sure it'll be fine...probably."
"That doesn't sound very encouraging Senpai!" Mash worriedly replied before a heavy thud had them turn their heads towards Havel, the stone armoured Berserker stared down at the buildings and support pillars jutting from the wall at odd angles before he turned his head towards Ritsuka.
"You...going...as...well?" The Berserker asked, the veiled challenge in his tone.
Ritsuka met the Berserker's gaze with his own determined expression, giving a single nod in response "Wouldn't be much of a Master if I abandoned my Servants, right?" he asked before looking down "Besides, if our answers are down there. I want to be present as well."
Havel stared at him before turning away and quietly muttering under his breath "Not...bad...answer…" the Servant stepped off the drop and plummeted towards the ground, Ritsuka instinctively covered his ears as Havel crashed into the marble flooring. The rock shattered under his impact and released a dreadful sound which seemed to echo through the entire chasm. Ritsuka slowly took his hands off his ears and turned to face his other Servants.
"...Guess we don't have the element of surprise anymore, huh?" He rhetorically asked with a shrug.
Archer crossed his arms, staring at the formation "No, but with something of this scale the caster of it would instantly be aware of intruders anyway." he looked back at Ritsuka and gave him a thin smirk "So we never truly had it to begin with."
"...I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse now."
"You can decide later." Boudica offered with an encouraging smile "Do you want to climb down or do you want myself or Mash to carry you?"
Ritsuka stared at her unblinkingly for a few moments then looked down at the nearest climb before back at the Rider "I...I think I'll give climbing a go."
"Suit yourself." Boudica replied, not appearing offended in the least at the rejection.
"Did we pass that pillar already?" Ritsuka suddenly asked, pointing towards one of the marble pillars off to the side of them. Ash turned and looked over his shoulder while Drake paused. The pair of them stared at the pillar before looking back at Ritsuka.
"No." They both replied at the same time.
"Ah." Ritsuka absently nodded his head "Just checking...feels as though we're going to get lost in here though."
"I have experience navigating mazes." Ash reassured him as he turned on his heel and continued walking along the path, Ritsuka followed after him and tried not to think about how they were technically walking sideways along the wall. "This is somewhat reminiscent of dungeons of Irithyll."
"How'd you end up in dungeons?" Drake asked, sounding slightly interested in whatever answer Ash was going to give her.
"I was looking for entry into the Profaned Capital." Ash replied back "It was said to lie beneath the city which I had heard Dungeons typically lay at the base of."
"So you went exploring through dungeons on the off-chance it did lead towards a secret passage to a lost city?" Drake surmised, looking over her shoulder and giving the unkindled a smirk "You missed your calling as a treasure hunter."
"I very much doubt that." Ash dismissed almost immediately with a curt tone, their eyes turned upwards towards the other parts of the structure. The Saber paused walking, staring up as the twists and turned extended further than the eye could see and continually intersected in differing pillars, stairs and arches. "This has all the hallmarks of an illusion."
"Illusion?" Ritsuka titled his head "You mean like what Gwyndolin does?"
"Of a sort." Ash nodded "The bottomless boxes were crafted through use of illusions. The exterior of the box is smaller than the interior." he pointed upwards and drew Ritsuka's attention to the seemingly endless expanse of decorum across the cave interior "I assume this cave would never be able to hold this within it otherwise."
Ritsuka stared for a few moments before he slowly nodded his head in affirmation "Probably. Although a lot of this magecraft stuff is going over my head at the moment."
"I assume Olga is getting irritated at that."
"Oh yes." Ritsuka chuckled as he walked past Ash, following after Drake "I am trying but I think she's just stressed right now."
"She has reason to be." Ash replied as he walked alongside the boy "Our current situation is somewhat stressful and towards those with no experience I do not blame them for being almost overwhelmed. Although she should be commended that she has yet to give in."
Ritsuka hummed in response "I don't think 'giving in' is much of an option." he admitted quietly "Kind of don't have a choice."
"I suppose we do not, do we?" Ash remarked "Although you have to decide upon yourself if there is truly such a thing as no choice."
Ritsuka was silent for a few moments before he looked to the Saber "Do you think there's such a thing?"
"I think there is such a thing as always having a choice." Ash replied "Whether or not the choice has any meaning is something very different. More often than not I was faced with no choice because the alternative held no purpose to it. An option for the sake of saying there was more than one available." he pursed his lips "Perhaps there is such a thing as no choice in those situations. If only because you cannot bear the idea of allowing it."
"Suppose this would be one of those times, huh?"
"That depends." Ash shrugged "You can either attempt to save humanity or you can lie back and just let them all die." he looked towards Ritsuka with a blank expression "There is a choice available to you in that situation, but the alternative would not be considered."
"...Yeah." Ritsuka nodded his head slowly "That's...that's true enough." he muttered, frowning as he continued to walk through the Labyrinth "Where do you think we are, anyway?"
"Don't know." Ash shook his head "Rarely seen decorum like this." he ran his hands along the deep brown stone wall "There were parts of Anor Londo which were similar enough, especially the ascending stairs but this layout is maddening."
"Yeah...how do you think we've been walking on the ceiling this whole time?" Ritsuka asked, Ash stared at him and then looked down at his feet before turning his eyes up. They remained staring upwards – or perhaps downwards – for a few moments before returning their attention to Ritsuka.
"Magic?" Ash offered as way of an answer, Ritsuka stared at him for a few moments before he cracked a faint smile of his own.
"Probably right."
Mash was a short distance behind the duo of Ritsuka and Ash, she had wanted to keep pace with the pair of them – mainly because it was her duty as a Servant to never stray far from her Master – but an unexpected variable had kept her at away for the moment. The variable in question being the rather large stone armoured Berserker currently giving her a side glance as they walked side by side.
"Is something wrong, Havel-san?" She eventually asked, the Berserker remained silent for a few moments before he pointed at her sword on her hip.
"Didn't...use...when...we...first...met." His head tilted slightly "Why?"
"Ah." She understood the question "I didn't have a sword at the time. I've only recently acquired one. It's mainly because Verndari-sensei said that I shouldn't fight with just a shield." she paused before pursing her lips "Although I admit that it is easier to use the shield rather than the sword it...feels right."
"Hmm." Havel grunted and looked ahead of them "...Tried...club?" he shifted Dragon Tooth on his shoulder for emphasise "Don't...need...lot….of….skill."
Mash stared at him before shaking her head in response "No, I've only been practising with a sword. Although Ash-san suggested I use a spear instead because I'm using a great-shield." she paused for a few moments "I haven't actually gotten around to practising with a spear though."
"Feh…" Havel made a dismissive scoff "Club...better…" he removed his own from his shoulder and held it out in front of him "Made...from...Dragon...tooth...Never...break." he turned down to look at Mash, then seemingly stared at her arms before making a thoughtful noise "Arms...look...ski...nny...thou...gh…"
Mash felt as though she should have taken offence to that, while she was certain that the Berserker was physically superior to her, that didn't mean she couldn't pull her weight. She would have liked to think so anyway. Her eyes turned away from the Berserker, thus far she felt as though others had been doing most of the work for her. "I could try it though, right?" she felt like asking, staring up at the Berserker.
Havel let out a small noise in response "Small...club…" he pointed out, resting his own large weapon back on his shoulder "Light...on...feet." the helmet directed its attention to the shield "Looks...weighty…"
"It isn't that heavy." Mash replied quickly.
"Hmm...good...club?"
'Club?' She stared at the shield, something inside of her felt mildly affronted that the shield was referred to as a mere 'club' but it wasn't exactly wrong. She had found that swinging it at enemies was something that came easier to her than sword play. It did feel more natural although she had put that down to her Heroic Spirit not manifesting with anything other than a shield.
"It...has a lot of weight behind the strikes." Mash replied after a few moments "But it is easier to wield with two hands than one."
"Big...shield." Havel dryly replied – or as best he could with his gravelled voice – as he nodded towards it "Prac..tised...much?"
Mash shook her head "These Rayshifts are the only times I can effectively utilise my power as a Servant. Although I have been getting some experience as of late, especially during the dumpling heist."
Havel released a sigh "Not...much...then…" he pondered to himself "Hand...to...hand?"
"I…" Mash opened her mouth to speak and then slowly closed it, looking away in thought. She hadn't received that much in the way of hand to hand combat. It wasn't something bad to learn. If she lost her sword she wouldn't be able to retrieve it in the same way she could with her shield and if an enemy Servant did get close enough it would be best if she could defend herself. "I haven't, no." was the eventual reply she gave.
Havel released a thoughtful hum "The...Smith…"
"Andre-san?"
"Hmm." Havel nodded his head "Ask...him…"
"Eh?" Mash blinked at the Berserker "Why?"
"Looks...like...he...can...throw...punch…" Havel grounded out. He could tell with one look at the man. Then again, only a fool went to Lordran in the later years without knowing how to fight for themselves in some capacity. That and having some level of physical prowess was common for Astoran's. "Worth...a...try."
"Do...do you know how to fight without your...club?" Mash slowly asked, a curious expression on her face. Havel was silent for a few moments before he gave a slow nod to her.
"Depends...if...I'm...still...ar...ound…"
Mash understood his meaning, frowning heavily "Havel-san...Does Senpai act like Mages you know of?"
Havel was silent for a few moments before replying "Not...bad...so...far." he eventually replied in a quiet tone before he continued on, Mash's slightly hopeful face faltered at his next sentence "Nothing...special...so...far...still...chance...to...dis...appoint."
"Senpai isn't like that." Mash replied almost instantly.
"Hmph." Havel let out a dismissive grunt "Will...decide...for...self."
Drake paused as she came to a cross-section. The wait allowed the others to catch up swiftly, the woman looking left and right for a few moments before shrugging and walking left.
Ritsuka and Ash exchanged glances before following after her.
"Feels like we've been walking for a little while now." Ritsuka commented with a frown "How far does this place go?"
"Who knows." He looked over his shoulder to see Archer just behind him, the Servant held a heavy frown as his eyes continually scanned their surroundings "However what concerns me is the lack of response." steel grey eyes turned their attention to Ritsuka "I had though we would have encountered something by now. Either a trap or an inhabitant."
"But there's nothing." Ash continued on, nodding his head in affirmation "Yes, an area of this scale should house something of note but there is little here. Not even signs that anything lived here to begin with."
"Is that good or bad for us?" Ritsuka asked, Archer pursed his lips and released a sigh.
"It could go either way." He replied after a few moments "We've either entered an empty territory of another Servant while they're away or the owner of this is playing it cautious and lulling us into a false sense of security."
"...Great." Ritsuka whispered under his breath "Either no one is home or they're secretly waiting for us to slip up?"
"Precisely." Archer bluntly stated, looking towards Mash "I'd recommend you keep by your Master's side. He'll be a prime target if something is waiting for us in here."
Mash nodded her head, quickly jogging over towards Ritsuka and almost sticking to him like glue. The boy didn't look as though he minded, however. Although that was likely because Archer had told him he would be the first target of a possible Servant attack that had him slightly more jumpy.
"Don't get that look on your face." Boudica chided Ritsuka with a playful slap on the back, giving him a warm smile "We're all here to protect you as well. Letting anything get its hands on you would make us pretty terrible Servants."
"She's correct." Ash called out from ahead of them, turning around to face Ritsuka fully with a determined look on his face "As a Warrior of Sunlight, keeping my summoner alive is essential to my oath." he paused for a few moments before giving a half shrug "You also aren't terrible company to keep."
"Does that include me?" Drake amusedly called from ahead of them, Ash's features flattened as he turned to her.
"You're still alive aren-" Whatever else he was going to say was cut off when the wall directly to his left exploded outwards, debris from the crash was sent flying through the entire hallway. Mash instantly dived in front of Ritsuka, raising her shield while the other Servants all readied their weapons.
Drake let out a curse and stumbled backwards, raising her pistols and aiming them towards the cloud of smoke having been kicked up by the sudden arrival of something.
Ash span around to face the new hole, instantly going for the sword on his back before a roar emerged from the cloud. The sound instantly cleared the obscure figure and revealed a giant, standing around three metres tall with lightly tanned skin, fluffy long hair and only a metal waistband for armour with red fabric as a skirt descending from it, it became fully visible to all.
The head was covered by a black iron helmet shaped like a bull, twin jutting horns shot upwards as the giant's attention fixed itself solely upon Ash. The Saber barely managed to pull his sword from off his back before the giant servant released another roar and charged him. The Servant – because it couldn't have been anything else – slammed into Ash with all the force of a rampaging bull, instantly blasting him off his feet and crashing into the wall behind him, the Servant didn't stop with flinging him before it continued its charge. Crashing into him in a burst of speed that rendered it little more than a blur to the naked eye and carrying the pair of them through wall and out of eyesight. The continuous sounds of crashing rock and heavy footfalls beginning to teeter off indicated that the Servant was carrying Ash through nearly everything it could.
"Ash-san!" Mash's voice entered Ritsuka's ears soon after, sounding downright horrified at the surprise attack.
"After him!" Ritsuka called out before he could help himself, scrambling past the Shielder and towards the direction of the new hole. Sliding to halt in front of it he saw the Servant had carried Ash through virtually everything behind the wall until neither were visible, although he could still vaguely hear the sounds of heavy impacts in the distance.
Surprisingly enough, Drake was the first one sprinting through the hole, barging past Ritsuka "Ain't no one stealing my crew!" she exclaimed in an aggressive tone "Even if he's an ass!"
In any other instance, Ritsuka would have found it amusing. Right now he couldn't appreciate it all that much considering that Ash had basically been kidnapped and was now alone with whatever Servant was.
"That would have been the owner of this place!" Archer clicked his tongue, sprinting after Drake "Hurry!"
"Yes!" Mash fiercely nodded her head "Come on, Senpai!"
Havel watched as the pair of them followed after the Archer, noticing Boudica barely give him a glance before she followed after them. The Berserker remained stationary for a few moments before he broke off into a sprint as well. He lacked subtly and virtually matched the enemy Servant in volume as his footfalls echoed out around them.
Ash wasn't sure how many walls he had crashed through at this point. He'd lost count and was acutely aware they had changed direction at some point, the servant in front of him still with its shoulder slamming into his chest and driving him backwards at full speed.
Managing to get his left hand free, he slammed it onto the front of the bull shaped helmet. The Pyromancer glove began heating up before letting loose and explosion directly onto the face of his attacker. The bull headed servant released a roar of pain or anger – possibly both – as it slowed down abruptly. Ash continued on, being flung away and crashing head first into a nearby pillar.
His head was still shaking, he couldn't remember the last time he'd been hit by something that hard. If he was to hazard a guess the time Yhorm kicked him probably came close. Shaking his head, he fixed his attention on the Servant in front of him, quickly rising to his feet and drawing Storm Ruler from his back and holding it with both hands.
The bull head was till glowing red with head, accompanied by a slight sizzle but the Servant didn't seem to care. Tightening its grip on the dual halberds it held in each hand, both being longer than Ash was tall.
He'd experience this type of thing multiple times however, and with the earlier attack he at least confirmed that he could use his pyromancies against this thing.
The two of them stared at eachother for what felt like hours, Ash steeled his expression while the Servant began to pace around him. The eye ports on the helm giving off a subtle red glow to them.
After a few moments, the enemy Servant stopped moving. Tensing its body and placing one leg behind the other and bending at the knee. Ash recognised the charge and readied himself to dodge.
The Servant exploded into action, kicking off the ground with enough force to shatter the stone underfoot and sending a blast wave shooting backwards in a buckshot, the shards obliterating the nearby walls and pillars. The halberd in its right hand was thrust towards his chest.
Ash ducked low, rolling under the thrust and feeling the axe head barely clip against the chain-mail under his cloth before righting himself and swinging up towards the Servant's left leg. The second Halberd stabbed itself into the ground upright, Storm Ruler slammed into the pole and stopped short. Ash instantly fired off a blast of wind and shot himself away sideways as the thrust from the first halberd changed into a slash. The weapon missed him entirely as he escaped to just outside of its range.
The Servant reeled in the halberd, gripping it tightly just underneath the axehead and pulling the other one from the ground before charging him again. Ash reacted first, freeing his left hand and tossing a fireball quickly towards the Servant's face as he rolled to the side, the Servant ceased their charge and raised the flat end of their weapons to block the spell, blocking Ash from their sight.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Ash charged towards the Servant's right side. Thrusting the greatsword towards the knee. The Servant barely caught sight of them as a blur in the corner of their eye, the helmet snapping down to him in an instant as they swung the pole of their right halberd backwards to divert the strike, the black metal clipped the grey blade and forced it instead to just graze the Servant's thigh. Ash clicked his tongue as he felt it barely make an impact. A small bruise appearing where the Servant had been struck but no blood.
Pulling the sword back, he held it up in a block as the second halberd was swung towards him, Ash's knee's buckled as the giant slammed the weapon into his guard as hard as it could. The ground cracking beneath his feet from the impact. The Servant pushed down at an odd angle, breaking Ash's guard and sending him stumbling backwards.
The Servant pulled back its left halberd and thrust the spear-tip at the top of the weapon towards his head, Ash bodily threw himself to the side as the weapon just avoided his head as he went into a backwards roll to get some distance.
Letting out a growl, the Servant raised bow halberds above their head and swung them downwards towards him. Ash jumped back as they slammed into the ground where he had been stood, the weapons instantly cratering the stone floor and sending spider web cracks through the entire room.
"Rrrraaagghh!" The Servant cried out, charging towards him as they removed their weapons from the ground.
"Hah!" Mash slammed her shield into their side as she came charging out of the opening the pair had come through, the Servant stumbled from the impact and span their halberd around to strike at her only for a beam of light to slam into their shoulder.
Drake let out a triumphant howl as the Servant stumbled back, the cannon disappearing over her shoulder, and the strike aimed at Mash went high. Completely flying over her head.
The red blur of Archer came in next, wielding a pair of black and white short swords as he immediately rushed towards the Servant's legs. Shooting past them, he slid to a halt and span on his heel. Reversing his grip on the blades and slashing at the back of the Servant's legs. The twin blades seemingly cut deeper than Ash's sword, drawing trace amounts of blood from the fresh cuts and having the Servant buckle under the strike.
Several flashes of gold light slammed into their face, causing them to reel back as Boudica flew into the room next, her sword still glowing from having released the magical attacks on the Servant.
Ash thrust Storm Ruler towards the Servant's right leg which Archer hadn't cut. The sudden gale force of winds smashed into the ground and caused them to lose their footing. The larger servant stumbled as they swung out with their right halberd. The weapon skated off the surface of Mash's shield, causing the girl to grit her teeth but not fall over.
A heavy charging footfall indicated the sudden arrival of Havel.
Who ignored any sense of strategic targeting and just slammed into the Servant at full force, the bull headed figure receiving a similar experience to Ash as Havel lifted them off their feet with a waist tackle and smashed them into the nearest wall. They instantly shot their body up straight – striking the enemy Servant in the chin with the top of their helmet as they did so – and took a single step backwards. Dragon tooth manifested in their hands before both of them clasped onto the handle.
Havel reared the club back and then swung it towards the Servant's exposed chest at full force. The enemy had enough sense to raise their arms in a blocking motion to try and mitigate some of the damage. Not that it evidently did them much good as the moment Havel's club made contact with them, the sounds of snapping bones echoed around the room and were soon followed by screams of pain from the larger servant. Their right arm having been at the fore front having taken the worst of the blow and now sporting an unfortunate bend in the wrist.
They lashed out with a kick, their shin struck Havel in the side and caused him to stumble before he raised his left hand and punched downwards into the ankle. The Servant let out another cry of anguish as a popping sound soon filled the room.
Havel raised his club above his head, preparing to deliver a final strike. The Servant seemingly exploded into action as if propelled by some new found fervour. Their left hand shot out and clasped itself around Dragon Tooth before his right leg kicked outwards, striking Havel in the chest with his heel and sending him skating backwards while also ripping the club from his hand.
The Servant pulled their arm back and threw the club as hard as they could, the tooth shot across the room in an instant. Mash jumped in the way of the throw, attempting to block it as the weapon made contact.
"Guh!?" She released a gasp as the impact blasted her off her feet and carried her backwards in the direction she had come from.
Ritsuka chose that unfortunate moment to stumble into the room, still breathing heavily just as the blur of Mash approached him. Archer roughly gripped his shoulder and tossed him out of the way as Mash shot past him before crashing into the ground and sending the club flying on in a spinning motion.
"Careful idiot!" Archer chided him heavily, spinning the twin swords in his hands "This one still has some fight in them!"
Ritsuka could barely release a noise as Boudica helped him to his feet and jumped in front of him, preparing her small shield and sword.
The enemy Servant stabbed their left halberd into the ground, using it as a support as they slowly rose to their one working foot. Hobbling slightly as they stared at the group in front of them, a fearsome growl resonated from their throat "Won't...let...you…near….her…" they warned, tightening their grip on their weapon and attempting to get themselves into some type of stance.
Havel stared at the direction where his club had been hurled before slowly craning his neck to face the Servant again, raising his hands and cracking his knuckles.
He took a single step forwards before he paused, sucking in heavily and spinning around to where the new hole was "Show...self...Lord!" he growled.
A silence filled the room before the gentle sound of heels against the stone floor filled the emptiness. From beyond the darkness a small figure emerged, shorter than Mash by around twenty centimetres. The purple haired girl with a youthful – and somewhat attractive – visage stepped into the light. Wearing a silken dress with black highlights and an apprehensive look on her face.
"I'll go with you alright!" She snapped at them, earning looks from all of the Servants in the room "I'll do whatever you say!" she rushed past them, Havel's head followed her movements until she was stood in front of the other Servant with her arms outstretched and almost a glare on her face "Just don't hurt him anymore!"
A completely different silence filled the room as the Servants all looked around at each other, exchanging dubious glances before turning their attention back onto the girl.
"Well?" She looked around them "What are you waiting for!? It's me you're after right! Your freakish Captain wants me doesn't he!?"
"Umm…" Drake scratched the back of her head, looking around for a few moments before staring at the girl with a confused expression "Pretty sure I don't."
"...Huh?" The wind was seemingly taken from the girls sails as she stared at Drake with a dumbfounded expression "What? But why are you...aren't you here for me!?"
"Uh…" Ritsuka peaked from behind Boudica with a puzzled look "No?" he sheepishly answered "Unless...do you have the Holy Grail?"
"The Grail?" The girl looked at him weirdly "No? Why would I have that?" an insulted expression came to her "Aren't I enough for you!? You think you need more than me?"
"Why...so...small?" Havel's voice eventually came out form his helmet, staring down at the girl. His whole form wreaking of genuine bewilderment "Thought...you...were...God..dess.."
"Wha-" The girl sputtered and then fixed Havel with a glare "I am a Goddess you giant oaf! Stone armour!?" she looked him up and down before gaining a self satisfied smirk "Fitting considering you're head must be as thick as a rock if you can't recognise my beauty as nothing short of divine."
"Gwynevere...prettier…"
The girl froze on the spot as an icy glare entered her eyes, her lips thinning out "...Then perhaps you just have no taste."
"I…" Mash stumbled into the room, still looking dazed from the blow "I'm back Senpai!" she exclaimed full on confidence, then froze as she took stock of the strange gathering present "Eh? Where did…?"
"So...you're a Goddess then?" Ash asked for clarification as he squinted at her. It was true that he could most certainly feel potent divinity from her, however a frown soon came to him "...Why do you feel so weak?"
"You think all Divines are mindless brutes?" Clicking her tongue, she softened her features and flicked her hair back "Some of us chose to pursue true beauty."
She was met with blank looks in response, her expression soon faltering into an indignant glare. "What? Where is all the lavish praise you're supposed to give me? A genuine Goddess of beauty stands before you. Isn't this why you came here?"
"Um…" Ritsuka scratched behind his head "We...weren't really looking for you."
"...Really?"
"Yeah…" He awkwardly finished, looking away from her "We kind of…"
"We got stuck." Drake carried on, giving the girl an odd look "And-"
"Are. You. Serious." The girl cut her off with a glare "You're all so misleading! You come barging in here and hurt Asterios!" she gestured to the Servant – now named Asterios – behind her. The large figure let out a small groan in response.
"I mean...technically you attacked us first." Ritsuka pointed out, eyes flicking between Asterios and the girl "He did kind of throw Ash through several walls."
"More than that." Ash shouldered his greatsword, looking at the girl with a frown "And there is the matter of this Fog wall you have put up, trapping us on the island."
"The wha- Oh, you mean the Bounded field." She sighed, raising her right hand to cradle her head "It wasn't meant to trap you. It was meant to stop him from getting to us."
"Um...him?" Mash asked, trying to understand "Are you being pursued by someone."
"Yes." The Goddess answered with a slightly disturbed tone "He's a nuisance and a disgusting pervert to boot."
"Sounds terrible." Drake raised an eyebrow, tapping her boot on the ground "So can you free my ship or not?"
"I suppose if you aren't here for us there's no sense in leaving you trapped here." She turned and away from them, quickly making her way over to Asterios and fussing over him "You sit down, you're hurt enough as it is and I won't have you making your injuries worse." the Servant let out a small noise of affirmation before slowly lowering themselves back into a seating position.
Ash gradually made his way back over to Ritsuka and the others, still making sure to keep the Goddess and the brute in his line of sight "What do you suggest we do, Ritsuka?" he quietly asked when he was close enough to them.
"I'm not sure." Ritsuka replied "She said she'd take down the Bounded field so we can leave now, right?"
"We should be able to, Senpai." Mash replied with a nod, looking back over to the two Servants with a mild frown "Although I am surprised that convincing her went as easily as it did."
"I'm not." Ash crossed his arms "Her bodyguard is wounded and as far as Divine presence's go…" he trailed off with a frown, looking over to Havel. The Berserker turned to face him and gave a nod in response.
"Path..etic…" Havel threw a thumb over his shoulder at the small girl "Like...child…"
"Child!?" The girl span around with a scowl on her face "I heard that, brute!"
"And?"
"Honestly! How rude!" She grumbled to herself "For your information, I am the Goddess Euryale."
"...Who?"
The girl released an annoyed sound and went back to tending to the larger Servant.
"The Goddess Euryale is one of the three Gorgon sisters." Mash explained to Havel "You met Medusa in Fuyuki, didn't you?"
"Hm?" Havel tilted his head "Weird...harp?" Mash nodded her head "Oh...remember...her…"
"And the Director said she met Stheno when we found Gwyndolin-san." Mash looked back to Ritsuka "Euryale is the second oldest among them with Stheno being the oldest and Medusa being the youngest."
"Oooh." Ritsuka nodded his head, then paused and looked back at the small girl. His brows furrowed in confusion and then looked back at Mash "Second oldest?"
"Divine Spirits are different." Archer answered "Their appearances aren't always as truthful as you would believe."
"Alright." The boy made a small noise of understanding "So what do we do now?"
"Leave, I assume." Archer replied, then frowned "Although it might be easier to just kill them."
"Nah." Drake shook her head, a thoughtful look on her face "Hey, girly."
"What?" Euryale turned around to face her with a frown "As soon as Asterios is well the Bounded field will be taken down. What else do you want?"
"You got someone chasing after you, right?"
"It has nothing to do with you." The Goddess frowned when Drake shook her head and cracked a grin.
"See, it does. I love interesting things." Drake grinned "Dungeons, monsters, treasure hunting, all of it. This world has so much of that stuff to enjoy." the woman shrugged "But that's that. See…" her eyes fixed themselves upon Euryale "You two need to avoid whoever's chasing you and we're looking for help finding this Grail thing."
Ritsuka had a notion he could see where this conversation was going.
"So the answer is simple!" Drake exclaimed, pointing towards the Goddess "You two are coming onto my ship!"
"...Huh?" Havel turned about to face her "You...crazy?"
"Nah!" Drake grinned "Perfect, right? The little Goddess and her pal get safe passage off the island alongside a bunch of protectors and we get a Labyrinth bred bodyguard and Goddess to boot as allies for our Grail hunt! Win-win situation!"
"You do know what we are, right?" The Goddess looked at Drake as though she was an idiot "Who he is?" she gestured to Asterios with a frown.
"So?" Drake shrugged "I got two walking corpses." she gestured to Ash, who frowned at her "A bishop." gesturing to Havel "Ghost people." Archer and Boudica "And a couple of kids!" she let out a bark of laughter as she finished "I'd say we're about as crazy a crew as it gets. What would a Goddess and her bull friend be compared to that?"
"...You're a strange human." Euryale muttered under her breath as she stared at her.
"This is a rather...sudden decision, Senpai!" Mash whisper shouted to Ritsuka "It seems like something strange to fight someone and then demand their help moments later!"
"So its not just me, right?" Ritsuka replied with a baffled look "Yeah...this is rather sudden."
"Hey." Drake shrugged "My ship. I can be as sudden as I like." her eyes fixed themselves back upon the Goddess "What's it gonna be?"
Euryale stared at the woman for a few moments before looking over her shoulder at the Servant behind her "Asterios, what do you say?"
"I'll...go...with...you…" The Servant ground out, Ritsuka blinked at how soft their voice sounded "Lonely...alone…"
"...Fine." Euryale clicked her tongue "I suppose we'll go with you." her eyes flickered back to Asterios "You'll have to wait until he is better though. You can't expect him to do much like this."
"Ash." Ritsuka whispered to the Servant "Think you can...you know...heal him?"
Ash stared at Ritsuka with a frown before he shrugged "As you wish...although I am dubious about this arrangement."
"You're dubious about everything I do." Drake rolled her eyes at him "I could tell you the sky is blue and you'd argue with me."
"I could tell you the sun is made from gold and you'd try and steal it." Ash replied instantly with a scowl "That is why I am dubious about you."
"...I mean...who wouldn't try and steal it?"
Ash let out a sigh as he approached the Minotaur, stopping a few feet from the Servant and holding out his left palm. The Servant tensed themselves as a golden orb floated up from the Saber's hand before hanging in the air, soon a golden hue fell upon the Servant.
Euryale stared at the orb before her eyes fell onto Ash and narrowed "That's not Magecraft."
"No. It isn't." He answered in a disinterested voice "It will heal him up as best as it can. Hopefully he will be back on his feat soon enough."
Euryale stared at him in silence before giving a small nod "Well...at least you know how to act when in front of a Goddess."
"I've met many Lords before." Ash blandly answered "...They were also more impressive."
"Nevermind." Euryale clicked her tongue at him "You're as rude as the others."
"Are you sure about this?" Boudica whispered to Ritsuka with a frown "I'm all for accepting help where we can get it but this feels…"
"Foolish?" Archer answered for the boy "Naive. Idiotic."
"...I was going to say risky." Boudica replied with a flat look before turning back to face Ritsuka and Mash "But he isn't wrong."
"Well…" Ritsuka shrugged "Way I see it, Captain Drake isn't exactly wrong. They need help just as much as we do." he nodded to Asterios "Also it doesn't seem like bad help to get."
"Still...stupid…" Havel turned and faced Ritsuka, tilting their head slightly "I...see...you're...optimistic…"
"Probably." Ritsuka admitted easily "But in this kind of situation you've kind of got to be, right?"
"Difference...between...optimi..sm...and...nai...vety…" Havel grunted, crossing their arms and staring down at him "But...your...choice...Won't...save...from...stupidity."
Asterios rolled his arms as he slowly returned to his feet, letting out a small noise as they placed pressure on their wounded ankle and stared down at their now repaired arm. The bruises on their body slowly healing up from the Miracle based Pyromancy. Their bull head slowly shifted towards Ash "Thank...you."
"He's the one who asked me." Ash gestured to Ritsuka "Thank him by taking down the field."
"Hmmm." Asterios let out a small noise, then the room they were in abruptly began to rumble and become transparent. The others let out noises of surprise as the area around them dissipated into nothing. All of them soon finding themselves stood in a regular cave.
"The Bounded field is probably down, Senpai." Mash affirmed "What now?"
"I'd say we return to the shi-" Ritsuka made to answer before being cut off when Drake marched past him.
"Treasure hunting it is everyone!" The woman hollered as she stared into the darkness of the cave with a wide grin on her face "Lets get going!"
"Eh?" Mash blinked at her "But we've already achieved our objective, surely we should head back to-"
"Nope." Drake cut her off with a smile "It ain't called an Adventure if you stop halfway through. You've gotta see it through until the very end!"
"It's a waste of time and will gain us nothing." Ash's cold voice called out from behind them "We're free and have other concerns to deal with which are not related to whatever flight of fancy has taken hold of you now."
"Hah…" Drake let out a heavy sigh "Figured you'd say no but I'm going exploring and the ship won't go without me so…" she shrugged "You can either wait or you can follow." she marched on into the darkness "But you'll never know what you're missing out on if you never seize the opportunities that present themselves!"
"This isn't an opportunity." Ash growled "It's indolence."
"What's the matter kid? Never taken the scenic route before?" Drake cackles echoed around the cave, Ritsuka and Mash looked towards Ash and promptly winced.
His expression looked almost murderous.
"That-"
"Ash-san." Mash's voice cut him off, he glanced towards her as she awkwardly fidgeted on the spot "We can't really let her go alone."
Ash let out a heavy sigh "...Fine." he responded in a clipped tone "We'll have to follow her then. Won't we."
Ritsuka forced a smile as he jogged after Drake "Maybe we'll find something useful?" he reasoned, trying to simmer Ash's temper "Never know."
Boudica was the sole exception to their group, the woman holding a patient smile as she followed after Mash and Ritsuka into the cave while Archer held a disinterested face as he slowly followed after them.
Havel was silent as he walked past Ash, although the Unkindled heard a weary sigh escape from the Servant's helmet as they passed them.
Ash, Asterios and Euryale remained behind for a few moments, the Berserker leaned down and scooped the Goddess up onto his shoulder. "I suppose we are following them, no?"
"Uh…" Asterios let out a small noise of confusion in response.
"Unfortunately." Ash clicked his tongue "If she wasn't so important I think I might have killed her already."
"Charming." Euryale drolly replied to him "Come on Asterios."
"Alright." The Berserker nodded his head, walking past Ash and further into the cave system.
"Are you sure its a good idea to antagonise Ash-san?" Mash asked Drake as she caught up with her "You know he doesn't like this kind of thing."
"He's never tried it so how can he say he doesn't like it?" Drake rolled her eyes in response "Besides, I ain't gonna change the way I live just because of a couple of nay-sayers. Otherwise I'd never get anything done."
"But-"
"Mash." Drake cut her off with a sigh "People like him lead sad lives." her voice turned sour "They lead sad lives because they never see beauty in anything. Everything they do is always a job for them so they never appreciate what the world has to offer." she shrugged "That's why we have adventures. Because it ain't always about the destination, it's about how we get there that matters just as much."
She gave Mash a carefree look "Do I antagonise the guy? Probably. Do I care? Not really. Way I see it, he needs to figure out there's more to life than just a job." the woman turned away from the Shielder "But that's up to him. Won't force him to do anything if he's too stubborn to accept there's more than one way of life."
Mash pursed her lips and looked away from the Captain, it didn't make much sense to her either. She could see that Ash was correct, they had removed the Bounded field so they should have departed as soon as they could. Yet Drake had charged off with Ritsuka right behind her.
It was strange but perhaps it would be a waste if they stopped halfway through their investigation of the cave. She couldn't say for certain.
It also made her think of Ash. At times he seemed as clueless as she was to some things and certain behaviours. Mash wasn't ignorant, she knew she was like this because she'd had no experience with others until now.
But from what she had seen, Ash had still frequently gone into the outside world and even met outgoing people like Siegward. The fact he was still like she was…
She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
But she didn't think it was a good thing.
AN: Asterios appears.
Havel tackle.
I know people might complain but bare in mind Asterios got rushed by like five Servants, including Havel and Ash. Both of whom are experienced slayers at dealing with monsters and the sort.
In a straight up fight where he doesn't get taken by surprise, Asterios probably would have been able to do better. Just I case anyone accuses me of downplaying certain Servants.
The Heracles fight won't go down that easy.
Not really much else to say to be honest. We're probably going to get our first encounter with Blackbeard in the next Chapter. Which is going to be tonally wild for Ash.