I do not own Fate/Apocrypha nor any other Servants depicted here.
To The Skies
"What a lovely day," said Rider as she and Jack walked down the path to the village. Out of her armor, she was wearing a simple red dress with green highlights and a pair of ordinary sandals.
"I guess..." the homunculus muttered rather haltingly. Truth be told, he didn't really want to have a 'day off' as it was. All the other injured homunculi were stable and on the way to recovery. The few that were beyond repair were taken in by Sir Roche. Even so, he still wanted to observe the preparations that were going on to assault the Hanging Gardens.
"Are you alright, Jack?"
Her question jolted him out of his thoughts. Then, he finally noticed that they had already reached the village. "Erm... sorry, I wasn't really paying attention," he admitted apologetically.
"In that case, I'll reword it. Is something wrong, Jack?" she asked with concern, falling in step with him.
He remained silent for a moment as they walked down the road. "I guess... I wanted to take part in the preparations," he admitted after a while, "You know Berserker was teaching how to fight. He was preparing me for this, wasn't he?"
"Maybe. I cannot claim to know what he was thinking when he did that," she replied with a smile as she watched a pair of laughing kids run past them, "For all I know, he was just giving you something for self-defense."
"Maybe, but I can't help but feel I should do something more," he confessed with a slight frown, raising his hands to stare at them, "I want to do something more. I should use this strength that was given to me to do more." He clenched them into fists and said with determination, "I want to join the assault."
She suddenly grabbed his shoulder and spun him around to face her. Placing both hands on his shoulders, she stared at him for a moment before asking, "Are you sure about this?"
He couldn't meet her eyes when she did that. What little time he spent with Berserker and Rider, he got a fair sense of what drove them. He still remembered what they said. Change. Family. He wanted to strive to do something that did both. He had already changed the fate of the Yggdmillenia homunculi. They became his family. And now... a chance to do more?
"Yes, I am," he replied as he returned to meet her eyes.
Rider let loose a sigh while closing hers. "Not too much of a surprise... still," she muttered as she reopened them and released her hold on his shoulders, "I think you've been around heroes a bit too much."
"Saving the world is what they do, don't they?" he asked back with a slight twitch of the lips.
"I suppose," she replied with amusement as she turned around, only to catch sight of something unexpected. "Well, what's going on here?" she exclaimed as she walked into the shop. Puzzled, Jack walked in after her and was just as surprised to find Saber of Red with various dishes in front of her, the food mostly polished off already.
Her eyes fluttered open. Her body felt stiff and her head felt heavy and leaden. Slowly, she sat up and cradled her head in her hand.
"Oh, you're awake?" someone called out. Somehow, the voice sounded really familiar.
Blinking away the sleep, she looked to where the voice was and caught sight of Sisigou sitting at a table. She quickly noted that she was sitting on a mattress and around her were her fellow Masters. They were in a large room, probably large enough to be a ballroom. The large paned windows were draped with fancy curtains. Having satisfied her middling curiosity, she focused on the magus in question, "What? Kairi? Wh-where are we?"
"Oh, we're at the Yggdmillenia Castle," he replied in a relaxed manner, "Ï admit, they are rather generous with being hosts."
"Huh? That's strange. I thought we're rival factions," sounded a man behind her. Turning around to find Berzinsky continuing his summarising, "I suppose we have you to thank for our... accommodations?"
Another horrified exclamation, she turned to her left and found the younger Pentel brother consoling the older.
"Just what is the meaning of this, necromancer!?" shouted von Sembren with all the bile he could muster, who had been lying in the mattress next to hers.
Said freelancer smirked and told them, "Alright, get on your feet. I'll call over some chairs and some food and drink. There's going to be a lot to cover."
She nodded slowly, slowing taking in the new information.
What in the world happened to the Red Faction?
"Hmm, what are you two doing here?" Saber of Red muttered in between bites. She caught sight of Jack and Rider and kept an eye on them as they made their way to the table and sat down.
"Oh, nothing. We were just passing by," replied the wyvern knight with a gentle smile.
"Why are we here though?" the homunculus asked the Servant, the curiosity evident on his face.
"I was hoping to get a second opinion," she said as she gestured to the knight. Turning to said Servant, she explained, "Jack wants to join the assault on the fortress. As much as I want to keep him safe, he insists on it. I was wondering what your thoughts were."
"Huh, it's his life. He can do what he wants with it," the knight Servant remarked as she gobbled down the rest of her food, "If he wants to throw it away, let him." Wasn't her problem.
"I won't be throwing it away. I have trained for this," protested Jack, keeping his voice level as to not draw too much attention, "I can definitely make do with what Berserker has given me to save the world."
"Berserker? Berserker of Black, you mean," she muttered, wondering where this was going, "Your scrawny self wanting to save humanity is a joke itself."
"And you're not? Aren't you supposed to be a hero?" he retorted.
"Nope. I fight for my wish," she said truthfully, "It only just so happens I'll be saving humanity in the process. I don't really care what happens after that. They aren't really worth protecting at all."
"Oh? I happen to think people are worth saving," spoke out someone aloud.
"Tch, Saber of Black. What are you doing here?" she grumbled, noticing the Servant walking up behind Rider and Jack, his hands shoved into his pants pockets.
"Sightseeing, what else is there?" he snarked as he pulled a chair from another table and sat down, "Besides, you're wrong, daddy's girl. Humanity is worth saving."
"Will you shut up about that, you bastard?" she retorted angrily, the subject of her father riling her up, "What gives you the right to mention Father?"
"Eh? What are you gonna do, daddy's girl?" he asked nonchalantly as he leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head.
"Why I-" she growled as she got up, ready to throw a punch.
"Enough," stated Rider as she got up while glancing at the both of them, "You will not be bickering like little children."
"Who the hell are-ow-ow-ouch-wah?" she started but Rider immediately grabbed her ear in a vice grip and sat her down again.
"If you are going to be a child, you shall be treated like one," the Servant of the Mount stated sternly. Releasing her ear, the wyvern knight continued, "Now, do behave."
Saber of Red just rubbed her throbbing red ear with a scowl on her face. She was quite surprised that this scrawny knight had a strong grip on her.
Saber of Black snickered and said, "So... I guess you have daddy issues, huh?" Before she could retort, he continued as he leaned in, "You ain't alone on that one. Why... mine cut off my arm once. And when I got it back, I kicked his ass."
"Che," she sounded while averting her eyes and crossing her arms in front of her chest. "I led a revolt and killed him," she muttered softly. A well deserved revolt too. This is what Father got for not acknowledging him. She was better and she will prove it.
"Huh, this ain't a competition, you know," Saber of Black said as he got up and returned the chair to its proper place, "Oh well, I'm heading back. If anyone you wanna spar, I'm all up for it. Gotta keep sharp and all that." With that, he left the little eating place.
She glowered at his retreating form. Grunting, she got up and moved to leave as well. The place was starting to become stifling and she wanted out.
"How... troubling," muttered Cabik as he and his brother Deimlet stared at their tea.
"So annoying. To have lost our Servants in such a way." grumbled Rottweil. Staring at Sisigou, "I guess it falls to you to win this then, necromancer."
"Such disgrace," mumbled as von Sembren slammed his fist on the table angrily, "How in the world can I face the Clock Tower now?"
"More importantly, what do we do now?" stated Jean as she sipped her drink, "I presume we are being held here by the Black Faction?"
"Yeah, that's correct," confirmed Sisigou with a nod, "They might be persuaded to let you roam free with attendance but... I doubt it. Letting you all go in disgrace would probably be arranged after the War is over." Glancing over to the elder Pentel brother, he asked, "So... Berserker still doesn't have a Master. Are you interested in contracting him again."
The Gum brother shuddered slightly and said, "That first night... that dream... I think I will have to refuse."
"Hmm? You mean the Servant's past?" questioned the Master of Saber, "Strange. Shouldn't you get to know your Servant through the dreams?"
He seemed to shiver and rubbed his arms as if the temperature had dropped, shaking his head. Cabik sighed and muttered, "And he's supposed to be the older one."
The doors to the grand ballroom opened, drawing everyone's attention to it. Sisigou grunted a little as Celenike and Sagara walked through them.
"I take it out guests are satisfied with their accommodations?" the Master of Rider asked.
"Things could always be better," proclaimed Rottweil with faux joy, "Proper beds would be a start. Or maybe our own rooms?"
"Or how about a room of your own... in the dungeons. I believe there is plenty of room there," replied Celenike with some eagerness to her voice.
"On second thought, here is just fine," backpedaled the Silver Lizard.
"A pity," she stated with seeping disappointment. Turning to the necromancer, she informed, "Arrangements have been made. We start tonight."
"Oh! That's good news indeed," he said eagerly. Giving a mock salute to the others, he declared as he got to his feet, "Wish me luck."
"Considering you still have your Servant, I doubt you need it," snarked the Gale Wheel.
"I always welcome more," he replied with a grin as he followed the other two Masters out.
Jack trudged up the dirt road heading towards the castle, Rider walking by his side. However, he wasn't at ease. "Am I really doing the right thing?" he wondered as he made his way back, "To help in saving humanity... Which Saber is right? Rider of Black would save them. Would Berserker of Black?"
"Welcome back," greeted someone, jolting him out of his thoughts. Ruler stood by the doors with an angelic smile.
"Ah, hello Ruler," he returned the greeting while Rider just waved. He considered his next words and then said, "I want to join the assault."
"Eh? Eh!?" she exclaimed and then marched over to him and grasped his shoulders, "What are you talking about? This is a very dangerous mission. You who called yourself the representative of the homunculi want to put yourself in danger?"
"Because I feel like I could do more," he replied calmly, "Ï should do more. There has to be more that I could do. I want to show that even a homunculus like me could reach just as far as a normal human."
She gave him a sad look. "It seems that Berserker of Black's words has come true," she muttered as she shook her head, releasing his shoulders, "He did say you would not be able to stay away from the fight, after all."
"Sorry," he apologized, suddenly feeling a little remorse creeping into his heart after looking at her crestfallen face.
"No, do not apologize. This is simply what your heart is telling you to do," she stated as she placed a hand to his chest, over his heart, her smile now not as radiant as before. "Now, I believe both Sabers are sparring in the castle courtyard," she continued as she stepped away from his, her hands falling beside her.
"Huh? How did you..." he asked in surprise.
"Saber of Black asked me to relay that to you before he began," she simply stated.
"Come, let's go and see what he wants," urged Rider as she tugged him along. He glanced back at Rider for a moment, watching her look to the setting sun, before he turned his head around to make sure he doesn't stumble all over the place.
The clear crash of metal could be heard getting louder as they neared the courtyard. Saber of Red, in full armor, was exchanging strikes with Saber of Black, who was dashing in and out with wide swings of his sword. The red knight favored heavy blows and heavy swings. The black swordsman had speed, making use of short dashes to weave in and out of Saber of Red's attacks.
"If you are still intending to join the assault, maybe a spar will do you good," stated the wyvern knight.
He stood there silently, still watching the spar. Then, he muttered, "Alright."
He clenched his fists and curled his arms up. His skin turned black, his veins ran white, and the nanomachines spread all over his body save his neck and head. He then dashed forward, getting in between the Sabers, their swords crashing against his hardened body.
"Oh, the kid's out to play," taunted Saber of Black, his joking manner very clear, "Nice. Show me what you got."
"So, this is it."
The six Masters of the Black Faction stood outside the castle entrance with Jack and Ruler as well as several attending homunculi. Fiore and Caules had decided to represent the Faction, with the others agreeing.
"Take care of yourself and the others, Uncle Gordes. I leave this place to you," the young girl wished on him.
"Yes..." he answered as he coughed a little, "So, you know... come back alive."
"Yes, I promise," she said with a smile. And then, "Please take care of them too."
"Hmph, they are already quite capable of taking care of themselves," he replied.
"Do not worry," the female commander explained, "He may behave like this, but he truly does care."
"Now why is this one speaking out of line?" muttered Celenike.
"Be silent," retorted Gordes, "I will handle that later."
"Are you coming back?" she asked Jack, calmly ignoring the Icecolle heiress.
"I cannot promise such a thing. It is ultimately a very dangerous mission," the representative admitted.
"Is that so... in that case, thank you for all you have done for us," she said as she stretched out her hand.
"Ah," he sounded in affirmation as he took her hand and shook it.
"I wish victory upon you," said the former.
"Thank you, Toole," replied the latter.
Then, they parted and the assault team talked down the road, where a car driven by a golem was awaiting them. Soon after, they were speeding down the road, heading straight to the airport. When they reached there, it was deserted. Nobody outside to greet them at the entrance. Entering the departure hall, one could see the entire place devoid of people. As they went in further, slowly, the other Servants materialized. Rider of Black. Saber of Black. Archer of Black. Berserker of Red. Assassin of Black. They came closer to the double sliding doors that led outside. On the tarmac, the entire staff had been swapped out with non-combat golems.
"Everyone knows their part?" spoke up Caules. Getting affirmation all around, he continued, "My sister and I will be following behind in a smaller plane. Good luck everyone."
As the entire group stepped on the tarmac, Archer said, "Abandon hope, ye who enter here. After this point, there will be no turning back. It is either victory or nothing at all."
"As emo as that sounded, you're right," commented Saber nonchalantly, "It's all or nothing from here on out. Time to rock."
"My sword is hungry./ They will drown in blade and gun./ There is not enough."
"I will bring victory. This is for humanity," declared Rider.
Berserker materialized his combat shotgun and cocked it.
With each their own declaration, they split off. To each their own plane except Rider, who called out, "Minerva!"
A loud roar echoed through the night sky and her mighty wyvern swooped low. She jumped into its saddle neatly and flew up, on the currents, riding high. It was time to take the battle to the Gardens.
Caster of Black stood at the edge of the tail end of the Gardens. All has been done as he predicted. The Servants coming to the Gardens. The Masters hiding in the castle.
Pink flesh suddenly began growing all around his feet, a small circle. As it slowly rose up and enveloped him, he smirked. The mound of flesh enveloped him and slowly dragged him into a circle of endless night. When it was done, it disappeared, without a trace. It was time to reap what was sown all those days before.
Commentary:-
Welcome back to the next chapter of Doubtful Origin. I hope you are well, dear readers, for we live in troubling times. Thus, I hope this new chapter will lift thy spirits. Another rest day before the action happens. We also see the former Red Faction masters as they wake up, the poison finally leaving their system. The day sets, the Servants get on their planes, Caules and Fiore get in a smaller one, and everything seems to be going according to Caster of Black's plans.
Another thing. I've recently been watching a lot of clips about the v-tubers from Hololive Japan. It's lovely. The more I watched, I started to wonder. What if they are characters in Dungeons and Dragons? Some of them can be converted easily. Some, a bit more difficult. So, I did. I pretty much converted many of the Hololive Japan v-tubers into D&D versions. Some scary. Some cool. Some a bit of both. Then, I started to wonder if I can use those characters in a story. Hmmm...
But for now... If you're able to, please leave a comment or a review after reading, would you kindly?