Words Count: 4425
A/N: I lost electricity around 4pm yesterday, which means the water's out too since the water pump still needs electricity. The entire day was spent in darkness and isolation cause I don't wanna go out looking, smelling like a homeless person(Even though I kinda am? I do have a small apartment but if I get kicked out now, that's it for me.) Anyway, here's the Ep.
Anyway, here's my usual spiel:
You can start reading up to Episode 61 of Fate: False Sovereignty in advanced. The Tier starts from as low as 1USD! You can support me and read as soon as I release an Episode, check it out:
P(a)(treon).com(/) LiamThePoor
"What an annoyance." I muttered, glancing towards the pile of rubbles that had become of the South Wing- the picture-perfect example of a War-torn battlefield.
To make it worse, that place used to be our Workshops once upon a time- mine, Shiro's, Rin's and most recently, Sakura's- the newest addition to our Ranks. We didn't train there often, but any discoveries regarding Magecraft made by us would later on be stored inside the cutting-edge, state-of-the-Art computers I had had made as one of many shareholders of the ever expanding Apple.
Now, they're naught but scrap-metals…
Fortunately, I had had the foresight to prepare a private, military-approved Server for our data. The computers were set to upload all our date- researches and documents automatically to the secured Server. Of course, due to how… Tight the security was- with those nigh impenetrable firewalls, retrieving our researches would prove to be quite a pain later, but that's a problem for future Leonis.
Besides, at least they were not lost. "Archer, can you provide support for Saber and Lancer, Berserker and I will deal with that little rat in the East Wing. What do you think big guy, up for a bit of a tussle?" Raising his ragged sword-axe Herakles snorted in distain at my words, as if he's trying to say, 'Do you really need to ask?'
"The bunker will hold, right?" Unlike the other Servants, Artoria's concern lied solely her with her auburn-haired, wayward Master.
Honestly, I loved Shiro to death but she could be such a hassle at times. I had told her again and again- repeatedly: We had the number advantage in this situation, hence there wasn't a need for her to risk it when we- the Servants and I- could deal with the intruder, yet she was still quite insistent on coming along in spite of both my and Artoria's protests… Thus, I… Well I was forced to knock her out.
Don't worry, I used Magecraft- no reason to give that hard-head of hers a concussion for no reason.
"That place was built to withstand nuclear strikes, Archer. I am under no delusion it will be able to weather the extended attacks from one Servant, let alone two–" Seeing the cautious looks the group had adopted, I quickly made to add. "– But it's well-hidden and will hold for a while. If they keep their heads down- make no noises, I doubt anyone will find the bunker and even if they did, it'll take time to break inside… And though we might lack a lot of things, time is definitely not on that list."
Not when we outnumber them 2-to-1.
3-to-1 if you counted Gil and I also… Speaking of which, "Lancer, where the Hell's Gil?"
She wasn't in her bedroom last I checked.
In fact, she wasn't in the entire structure at all. "Gilgamesh has left earlier tonight, Master. I do not think she'll return any time soon, it's looking like one of those nights."
Ah-Right… Had I ever mentioned the Golden Queen's ridiculous tendency to just up and go off on her own all of a sudden, only to appear a day- a week- Hell, sometimes even a fucking month later? She tended to do that. Sighing, I swiped a hand down my face. "Didn't know the Hell I was expecting. Looks like we outnumber them 2.5-to-1. Still better odds than if we have proceeded with a 1v1 I suppose. C'mon, let's–"
A thought abruptly hit me with the force of an eighteen-wheeler going at maximum-speed as I- with a look of suspicion slowly creeping on my features- turned to a certain blonde who's known for her sense of honor. "Artoria… I feel stupid I'd even have to ask, but you- Uhmmm- you're gonna to try and make this a 1v1, right? 'Cause that will make this a lot harder than it has to."
Blinking owlishly, Artoria coughed. "I understand the laws of War well, Lord Mag- Leonis. Unless the opposition proposes a duel, I won't–"
"Yeah…" I drawled with a rumble to my voice, interrupting the blonde. "That's not going to fly, Artoria. I know you are a Knight and all, but this is a War. Though the Holy Grail War just barely fit the category, the fact remains: There is no honor in War, King of Knights. Only victory or defeat." Anyone- and I did mean anyone who believed otherwise was utterly delusional. War was the place where men's hopes and dreams went to die- forgotten alongside their corpses in a ditch somewhere. "Lord Magnum, I respect you but that's not–!"
"Alright, alright. Settle down, you two." Archer- likely sensing a verbal battle coming- decided to step in. "We have enemies on our doorsteps right now. How about we deal with them first? Everything else can wait."
Behind us, Berserker's gazing at the distant tower- lit afire by Simo Häyhä… Or rather the person who's wielding his Class Card- while Lancer already had his Chains up in case of an attack, though whether he's weary of the two Servants running amok in my Castle or Artoria herself, I couldn't quite tell. "Master, pardon my insolence, but I think Archer's point has merits. Infightings should be left until after our foes are at our mercy."
Crossing my arms, I harrumphed- looking offended. "I'm not trying to cause conflict, I simply want Saber to see reasons. But, I will give you this: You are correct. Let us deal with these intruders first, any… Ideological battle can wait."
— [Fate: FS] —
"Fantastic. How're we supposed to return fires now that Zero's down for the count?" Damian muttered, his back pressed firmly against the little remained of his cover.
Yet, the storm of bullets continued to rain down on them like a barrage from Hell- refusing to let up, as though the Servant hadn't the need to reload whatsoever, which given where they're at, Damian reckoned it was not too far from the truth. "I'll make a distraction while you rush him, how does that sound?"
In a joking manner, Jack spoke, yet the look in those brown marbles- the determination and sheer resolution creeping on his expression were unmistakable. Jack's offering to do this- to be the martyr so their Team could get a slim chance at survival, knowing full-well he's going to perish, or at least ended up maimed to Hell and back. Staring at the face he had known for the better parts of his life, Blue Team's Vice-Captain sucked in a breath and, "I'm throwing that stupid coins collection in the bin if you die."
Lips twitching in annoyance, Jack growled. "You touch my shits and I'll claw my way out of Hell to give you a piece of my mind... With my fists, you prick."
"And what'd you know about pricks? Yours doesn't even work." Damian taunted, a boyish smirk plastered on his face at the banters.
"Yet your mother was begging for it last night." Jack shrugged- an identical smile hanging by the corners of his lips. "See you later, brother."
Leaping out of the cover, Blue Team's Captain immediately brought his knife up protectively… Sure enough, the enemy Servant- or Pseudo-Servant wasted no time taking that headshot. It was something they had all noticed, the White Death only took shots from the torso up. Call it 'professional pride' or whatever, but the Archer clearly wanted to one-shot them. Knowing he did not have much time, Jack's left hand balled up as he whispered an Aria in Elder Furthark.
"ᛊᚺᚱᛟᚢᛞ ᛟᚠ ᛞᚨᚱᚲᚾᛖᛊᛊ!" Darkness converged to the spot he was standing on,
Filling every nook and cranny until Jack's silhouette could no longer be seen- smelled, heard, nor sensed. In all honesty, while the [Shroud of Darkness] was a huge part of his arsenal, he wasn't too sure how effective it'd be against Servants and- frankly with his life at stake- Jack didn't want to know either. It would accomplish nothing but serve to undermine his determination.
Depriving all senses from his opponents by creating what appeared to be a Reality Marble- something Jack had taken inspirations based on the cursed lands of Britain- drenched in the bloods of the fallen- the Shroud was an useful tool when faced with ranged-attacks- making it virtually impossible for the shooter to aim- and it was an even more useful in hands-to-hands combat as unlike the poor souls which were his opponents, Jack did not suffer from the same debuffs.
In fact, within the vicinity of the Shroud, Jack's senses were highly heightened to Superhuman levels, coupled with [Reinforcement]… Well, he might as well be omniscient.
Unfortunately, he now faced not a human or even an Apostle, but a Servant! Yes, it was a Pseudo one with low synchronization-rate judging from how many bullets he had missed thus far, still it didn't detract from the fact the White Death's a being considered far beyond ordinary humans- One renowned for his sharp-shooting, those exceptional hawk-eyes and his apathy towards his targets too. "ARRGHH- Goddamnit!"
Jack didn't manage to bite down on the pained scream that ripped out of his throat just as a bullet tore its way out of his calves- you heard that right; calves, not calf. "SHIT!" Jack hissed, hands reaching to clutch his injured legs before stopping as he realized where he was. Taking a break would grant him temporary respite, but it'd almost certainly guarantee his demise. No, no! Although he might be willing to lose his life for those idiots he called his friends- his family- that did not mean he was okay with dying here and now.
Jack hadn't come this far- succeeded where thousands other within his Lordship's Ranks had failed, just meet his end in this backwards City- let alone allow the cause of his demise to be laziness and lack of discipline… There was also his coins collection to consider too. Yes, Damian might've said it to break the tension, but having known the man since they're babies wearing diapers, that bastard might be insane enough to realize his words in an attempt to summon him out of Hell or whatever Afterlife he ended up in.
"Fuck you. I ain't losing it… I AIN'T LOSING MY FOOKIN' COINS COLLECTION!" All fired up, Jack charged forth- every step caused him to wince in agony- every step made his face scrunch up, yet he didn't stop. Continuing even as the shrapnel scrapped at the insides of his calves- even as more and more bullets grazed the flesh of his limbs, internally wondering just how long this had gone on- how much distance his Team had managed to cover- how much he had managed to.
Turned out? Pretty far.
Given the slight glints of Karma's Barriers flashing above the rooftop. Obviously, since Jack could see the glimmers, the White Death could too. "Fuck! Why is she using Magecraft? And why the FUCK ARE THEY USING THE DAMNED ROOFTOPS?!"
"Niiso, Infernal."
The words which reverberated atop their heads brought Jack great relief. Nearly as much as it did arousing reverence and worship in him. "Finally! Thank the Gods–" Jack paused, mind wandering back to what Magnum had said- one of the first few lessons ever taught to him and his Class. 'Don't look at the Heavens for strength, look inside.' Besides, Gods weren't to thank for this… If anything, it's his Lordship- it's Leonis.
"Praise be Lord Magnum!"
Looking down at his feet to see worms and filths of every kinds, Jack felt the burdens in his chest and on shoulders lighten. Even more so when those wiggly demons- revolting as they might be- dug into his calves to replace the lost flesh and bones. The entire Castle's ground seemed filled with tainted, demonic Mana as creatures- each uglier than the last- rose from the shadows.
A rush of adrenaline surged through Jack's muscles, causing him to jump with newfound strength as veins- discolored and pulsing- rose to the skin around his eyes. Even his voice was twisted- distorted beyond recognition, yet Jack merely laughed- mocking audible in vis tone.
"YOu ARe fUcKEd!"
— [Fate: FS] —
"Zoe! Keep it down!" He's angry- Nay, anger couldn't possibly hope to properly convey the immense rage that was quite literally boiling Damian inside out. His childhood friend- a term usually associated with lovers, though in this case, it's used to refer to their brotherly bonds.
Like every siblings ever, Damian and Jack would fight, bicker and even curse the other's existence at times, but it was undeniable they loved one another even more than their actual family. Needless to say, the Vice-Captain of Blue Team was worried. Rationally, he realized the need for a distraction and Jack- being the sole member of their Team to possess Spells dealing in the five senses- was the perfect guy to do it.
That didn't mean he had to like it. Normally, Damian wouldn't mind Zoe's antics, but this was a high-stakes situation where even the smallest of mistakes could cost all of them their lives and cause Jack's sacrifice to be in vain. The woman in the guise of a child pouted, her head tilted down as though she was sad while muttering to herself something inaudible. Blue Team's Vice Captain didn't deign to entertain her any longer, marching forwards.
"Let's make haste before the Servant realizes something's off." It had been quite a while- about five to ten minutes- since they separated from Jack. The Shroud would confuse him for another five minutes at best, it's only a matter of time until the dreaded White Death realized their disappearances. Sadly… His calculations were just a bit off as a gunshot exploded near their feet, grazing Damian's face.
If not for his phenomenal instinct, Blue Team would've become leaderless- easy picking for the attacking Servant. Zoe simply did not have the qualities to lead- she's too childish, same went for Karma but for a different reason. The brown-haired woman might be mature, but she was a product of her environment- having been raised in a rather… Let's just say conservative household, the woman refused to take parts in any major decisions, stating: It's not her place.
"Where's his Lordship? Is he boggled down by those girls?"
Unlike the rest of the Elites, Damian had never approved of those women.
Just as his words would suggest, he believed those girls nothing more than liabilities to his Lordship's rise to Power. Even with Servants, they had proven themselves to lack everything valued in their Organization: Loyalty, discipline, comprehension of the situation at hands and most importantly: Competence.
Already, Rin Tohsaka had caused his Lordship plenty of problems. Yes, those problems had mostly- mostly been resolved, but it did not change the fact her incompetence had been an obstacle to Magnus Corp. Nor did it change the fact she had done nothing to help. She didn't deserve the treatments granted to her, and she certainly shouldn't outrank them in importance. To further justify his dislike of them, 'The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree.'
The elder sister was a pain, the little one was even more of a fucking hassle. Some might think his Lordship overreacted, Damian said: 'Good riddance. That's a long time coming.'
Was he overstepping? Perhaps.
Did he care? No, not in particular. "Karma! Cover us! Zoe–"
He paused, realizing how stupid he sounded. Zoe was a close-ranged fighter and her weapon- unbefitting of her appearance- was a hammer. A giant, fearsome looking thing that glowed an ominous red- a weapon forged straight from the fiery pits of Hells- Hells born of his Lordship's powers. To them- the Elites- Leonis Magnum might as well have been a God.
His position in their hearts was unshakeable. Though at times a few of them did question his judgements, he hadn't led them wrong yet and if he did, Leonis was always there to rectify his mistakes… Until those women were involved. "Wait… That's it!"
Clapping loudly, Damian turned his gaze to the skipping, childlike woman. "Zoe."
"Uhmmm?" Head tilted cutely, she hummed in response.
"That building, can your hammer reach it?"
"I think I can, but from this distance it'll really, really hard! Plus, Lord Magnum–"
"His Lordship won't blame us if we manage to take down the Servant." He interrupted with a wide smirk, before initiating the negotiation. "Four tubs of ice-creams, take it or leave it."
"Seven." Zoe pouted.
"Five, final offer." Shrugging, Damian rolled his eyes. "And maybe I'll throw in a box of cookies if you do a good job."
"DEAL!" As though fearful he'd retract his offer, she hastily agreed.
"This is Blue's Vice Captain speaking." Talking into the coms, Damian smiled. "Is anyone in the East Wing?"
""""No. / Negative, over."""" A round of voices echoed in return. "Good, 'cause we're bringing it down… Time to level the playing-fields. Zoe! Smash!"
A grin tugging at the corners of her lips, Zoe summoned her hammer and heaved. "Haaaa!"
Bullets tore apart the Barrier keeping her safe, yet she didn't seem to realize, even as those shots ripped cuts on her skin. One almost did hit her square on the forehead, but Karma had already conjured more protective Barriers by then and– ""Heartbeats?""
Karma and Damian echoed in unison, yet it's too late. Once Zoe had winded that hammer, there was no stopping it. Demons- horrifyingly ugly things- rose from the shadows just as her hammer came down, utterly annihilating the East Wing in the process.
Meanwhile, Simo Häyhä- who was singlehandedly keeping at least four Teams occupied- widened his eyes as the building collapsed beneath him. At the same time, horde upon horde of demons rose all around, their feet leaving the entire rooftop where he perched a smoldering crater. "Wha–?!"
Having been born a Finnish boy to a family of four, Elias- different from the other boy his age- had grown up admiring psychopaths- the War Hero Simo Häyhä specifically.
Thus, one could understand his fascination when he suddenly received a glowing Card that floated towards him. He hadn't even done much besides stalking the abandoned building near his house, hoping to encounter someone- anyone to amuse himself with. Even better! The Card allowed him to speak to his Hero! The man who blew the brains of 500 enemy soldiers without a shred of remorse! But, as the saying went, 'Never meet your Heroes or you'll be disappointed.'
Simo Häyhä did not like Elias- he didn't like him one bit and the Heroic Spirit made it crystal-clear to him the whys. Simo was a soldier, he took no pleasure in the act of murder, nor did he enjoy watching the bloods of his enemies spilt. He just did his job, which's to kill as many as he possibly could and over time, he grew good at it- great even.
Having received memory- instructions of how the Grail War worked, he couldn't understand why he had been given to this- this man- this monster in the guise of a person. Unfortunately he couldn't completely deprive the man of his Powers as a Heroic Spirit, thus the only way he could express his displeasure's by restricting the amount Elias could gain access to. It's why despite having Simo's Class Card, Elias still sucked at shooting.
Those people- soldiers- down below would've died a long, long time ago without him to limit Elias. At last, with his vantage point lost, Simo could only hope those people would be able to kill the monster and free him from this Hell- free him from the mind of Elias and return that peace he had craved and rightfully earned… Until they came. Demons- foul creatures which shouldn't exist in the Human World rose to life, some mere insects that crawled beneath the Earth,
Others with horns of goats, face of cattle as they roared, as though to make their presences known to the whole World. 'You will die here, Elias. Your dreams, your existence forgotten by all, not that many people even like you in the first place… But do you really want that to happen?' Startled by the gentleness- Nay, calmness of the voice which's usually cold and stoic. "Ha! I know- I just know you'll grow to like me eventually!"
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Simo continued after a particularly loud sigh. "Silence! My Powers, I'll let you access them fully on one condition.'
"Say it! Whatever it is, I'll do!"
"Wipe these filths from the face of the Earth, and the one responsible for their summoning… I want him gone, permanently.' Regardless of who won this farce of a War, it mattered not to Simo, though as a Hero, he would like limit the amount of casualty as low as possible. He had thought Elias was the worst of the participants, clearly he's wrong. Should the Wish fall into this Master's hands, it might just spell the end of Humanity and that….Well, that he simply couldn't allow.
Without a moment of hesitation, Elias yelled. "I agree!"
With that, their Pact was strengthened and while airborne, facing certain death, the Finnish boy twisted to slow his fall, pulling out an army knife in anticipation for the battle which awaited him below. Zoe, Damian and Karma charged at the falling boy, hesitating when they saw the… Change in his demeanor. The White Death they had moments ago was an egotistical idiot- this one's the real deal. "Don't let him regain balance!"
But it's too late.
With access to the Class Card's full might- Simo Häyhä's powers, Elias jumped on the falling debris with the grace of a cat and the speed of a cheetah. The smirk had long been wiped from his face- replaced by an unfeeling expression that resembled boredom- as he maneuvered around every attacks thrown his way. Even Damian's whip could not get past his defenses and to make matter worse, the army knife seemed imbued with something-
Something which effortlessly tore apart Karma's Barriers. Landing with a thud, instead of continuing the assault while his opponents were caught off-guard, Elias rose to his full height, a disinterested look on his features yet it alone failed to hide the sadism fueling him. "You–!"
"Are you done?" Said Elias in perfect Japanese.
"We need backups immediately." Damian whispered in his coms. "Please, invite more over. I'm dying to dig my knife into you all."
"DIE!" Creeping behind the man, Zoe raised her hammer to smash at his back, yet Archer appeared to have predicted it- or maybe he had sensed her presence.
Pulling out his M28/30, Elias blew a hole in her torso, sending her tumbling back as Damian and Karma charged forth. The Barriers which had held against his weaponry now little more than inconveniences. Damian's whip lashed at his legs in an attempt to immobilize him to no success while Karma summoned four blocky Barriers to block off his retreat and yet…
* BANG
* BANG
* BANG
"Pretty cool, right–?" Deflecting the whip nearing his face, Elias' fist clenched around the weapon, coiling it around his forearm. Knowing he'd lose the contest of strength, Damian let go of his beloved weapon while simultaneously retrieving his knives. The whip- tainted by the Demonic Mana- burnt the Pseudo-Servant's flesh, yet he had no reaction beyond a small exclamation- mere words of acknowledgement. "Hmmm? Yours looks cooler, but is it better?"
Like he's handling a piece of trash, the psychopath threw the whip to the ground, cracking his neck as he approached, menacingly. "I'm disappointed… Where are the other guys? Your Boss and that Red Archer, they look more challenging than guy bunch."
"Is that so?" A dagger whooshed past, almost successfully gorging out Elias' left eye. Contrary to Blue Team's expectations, the man merely laughed. "You aren't dead yet?"
"Nope." Jack popped as a distraction, having finally caught up to his teammates. Abruptly, the knife- called by its owner- tried to impale the Pseudo-Servant on its path back, only to be deflected- straying from its trajectory. Elias sent the man a look which spoke, 'Really?'
And Jack smiled, pointing behind Elias. "I brought reinforcements too."
"Detroit–"
"Wha–?"
"– SMASH!" Like a freight train, Izuku's fist collided with Elias/Simo's knife, throwing him skidding back. "HOWITZER IMPACT!"
Flying in a circular motion, Bakugou's Ki burnt the very air it occupied and before Elias could even react, he's already consumed in a storm of infernos. "Rule #6: Don't ever presume your enemies are dead until you have seen their corpses and even then, make sure to double-tap… Everybody, keep bombarding that cocky little shit!"
Jack screamed and on command, they all continued the attack. Izuku's shockwave blew the dust and smokes away to reveal a slightly bruised and bleeding Elias- the white cloak on his back a tattered mess. Bakugou's AP Shot blinked forth, barely blocked by the army knife clenched between the Pseudo-Servant's fingers while Jack, Damian- having retrieved his whip- Zoe with her hammer and Karma continuously threw their strongest attacks towards the injured man.
"Let 'him get up, let 'him get up!"
"Fight back, motherfucker! Fight back!" Fists, hammer, knife, whip and even Barriers kept smashing into Elias as he groaned in agony- pained whimpers leaving his lips. "Eat shit! Cocky little fuck!" Soon, the demons also joined in the beatdown. "Grrr…" A growl was heard, yet it didn't come from the demons, nor Team Blue and the two Martial Artists, but Elias'.
Then, a click- a grenade click to be precise. "BACK AWAY!"
Unfortunately, having put up Barriers to block his escape-path, Karma consequently caused everyone to be caught in the explosion as they were all blown back, charred and hurt.
'Careful above… The other Servants have arrived.' Through sheer determination, Jack- who's the least harmed of the group- tried to get a hit in. 'Tank that attack. Do not avoid if you don't wish to die.'
Sure enough, an arrow nearly headshotted Elias- it'd have if not for Simo's guidance. 'We have failed. That little girl's the weakest link in their group- her and the demons. Just charge through them and retreat. Once we're far away [Presence Concealment] should keep them from discovering us– Use it now!' Elias' entire body seemed to blend into the air as his form started to fade, just when Chains- golden and beautifully-crafted- rained on his head. 'Two Servants for us alone? I'm honored.'
Simo muttered, before barking. 'Don't try to retaliate, just run.'