Crimson light lit up the skies as everyone looked to see what caused it.
After all the attempts to delay the Queen of the Shadow Island, she is finally able to fight properly. A circular rune appeared at her feet giving her something to stand on, and so the goddess charged forward like a missile, dragging the golden-haired lancer with her.
"Finally started to do something useful" commented the corrupting king dodging the Berserker's blows, "I won't waste any more time with you Lancelot, GET OUT" the king's sword was energized making it turn into a sword of pure black light, forcing the servant from madness to summon the sword to protect himself.
But without success, when the swords collided, the saber was used with a horizontal cut, causing the black knight to be thrown like a rag doll through the air.
Noticing the shield girl was trying to buy time for her master who was kneeling and muttering something. She hurls her sword at the masked and horned assassin.
The servant dodged the sword that hit a building causing it to collapse.
"Your screen, what'll you do without your…" the Assassin turns his head only to receive a mana-energized punch breaking his neck.
"What am I going to do without my what?" Raising his hand and calling his sword back the saber stomps on his head just assuring that the job was done.
Looking at Master and Mashu "I hope what you're doing was worth it", her master was covered in dirt and blood and had a cut on her left cheek even so she gave a smile, giving Saber a thumbs up. Making Mashu sigh with the girl's attitude.
"I'm helping, well I mean he will help" the comment caused Saber's eyebrow to rise.
The goddess was in a clash with a spearman, the man blocked and dodged the woman's precise blows.
"I'm a little disappointed" The spear point cuts the top of the spearman's hand making him have to hold the spear with only one hand.
Scathach grabbed his opponent's spear and pulled him, making him lose his balance, turning his weapon in his fingers. The woman moves the spear... in the opposite direction, surprising the spearman.
"Do you really think this would work boy, maybe with a few centuries of experience" the goddess moved her head to the left avoiding being pierced by the foil. Her spear pierced him in the heart.
Holding the spearman's weapon preventing him from retrieving the spear, Scathach notices the environment grow hot around her and the spearman disappears in a pool of blood.
A wave of flames crashes onto Scathach creating a huge explosion.
"You must be kidding, why don't you give up and DIE AT ONCE" The corrupted saint was furious with the insect's insistence.
"Sorry miss, I can't let that happen" said the man with a cloak and staff type. He was sitting lazily on top of a building with his finger pointed towards the Crimson Spear's servant.
Feeling the prana of the lancer-berserker disappearing, the witch noticed that the man was impaled on the wall.
What happened to … burnt tree roots were where the goddess should have been shielding, the woman noticed there was a small hole in it 'She threw the spear?!'
Hearing the sound of metallic boots approaching, the corrupted servant turned her neck to see who was approaching.
The Ruler servant threw herself at the counterpart pinning her to the ground.
"ENOUGH of this madness! there's still another way it doesn't have to be this way… you can change" looking at Ruler, her armor was almost non existent it was falling apart the clothes of her clothes were scorched and her mouth was covered in blood.
Where was Martha and Marie's support!? Where were the rest of the Servants? The woman turns her head, noting that Charles was enveloped by tree trunks and crushed to death.
The Berserker was fighting what appeared to be wooden dummies along with Saber.
…
The dragon witch looked at her counterpart.
…
…
…
HATRED
On its back were twelve red symbols, one symbol started to disappear.
"Madness? Second chance? Another way?, I think you're too stupid to notice that I'll only be satisfied when everything BURN" the expression on Ruler's face was one of pity and anguish.
"It still does … LANCER WAIT!" Scathach decided they were wasting their time and leapt into the air, aiming for the witch's head as she fell.
Although
It was received by a kick
Sticking the tip of the spear into the ground and giving a boost, the goddess falls to her knees.
"You again… must admit for a mortal it hits pretty hard" she spits blood onto the floor.
All Martha did was stare at her, her expression showing that the saint didn't want to do that.
"Wait…" Jeanne couldn't finish what she had to say when part of the city walls were violently torn down.
A dragon had fallen on the city walls along with a bloodied man with what looked like blades on his arm.
"FAFNIR!" She takes advantage of Santa of the flag distraction and hits her with a headbutt making her retreat with surprise and then a powerful kick.
The corrupted servant cuts the distance between her and the dragon in the blink of an eye.
Martha stood in front of Ruler, preventing her from following her counterpart.
Touching the dragon's head, the woman notices that his chest had a hole, even if it wasn't big, it was to worry, what would penetrate his skin?
Hearing the noise of stones falling to the ground, the witch notices a man in the rubble.
"Before you start screaming, the gecko started it" He gave the witch a sarcastic smile.
…
…
…
…
No
No
No
NO
NO
NO
…
know what screw this … everything turns to ashes.
One by one the marks on her back began to fade until there were only six left.
"!?
The dragon began to rise and the mark on its chest began to glow.
"This is dangerous!" Said the caster jumping from the spot that was about to join his master.
The dragon gives a boost and quickly rises to his feet with the glow in his chest growing and growing.
Scathach enters a combat pose and summons an absurd amount on her spear forming a red glow illuminating the entire place the woman was prepared to throw the spear however…
?!
The spear disappears in specks of light, surprising the woman.
Now she remembered the spear the goddess was using wasn't hers…
Looking at the wreckage, Scathach saw the archer was still for as long as his eyes were open.
"JEANNE STOP WHAT ARE YOU DOING IF YOU DO THIS YOU WILL DIE TOO" a voice came in her head.
"I DON'T CARE ANYMORE I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING!" The woman screamed.
Everyone looked at the woman wondering who she was talking to, but everyone's attention was called when the day turned into night and all that was seen in the skies was a green light.
The saber began to power up his sword and lift it over his head.
!?
The woman was taken aback when the Berserker gave her an armbar around the neck interrupting her attack.
"AR….THUR"
Ruler looks at Saint Martha noting that the woman has cross symbols on her dress.
"why…"
"Sorry" was all the blue haired Santa said looking down.
A purple magic circle appeared under the feet of Santa, the Witch and Berserker.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING NO YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT" the woman tries to get rid of the circle but is unsuccessful.
"Sorry dear Jeanne I can't let you do this, I'm sorry"
The witch bites her lips until she draws blood, she will come and look at the group.
"If you think this is the end, you are wrong when we see each other again the situation will end differently" the circle was at her waist and rising.
Before being pulled out completely, the woman looks at the man in the rubble.
"Smells like metal and embers" she whispered before disappearing.
Martha continues to look at the group as she disappears.
The dragon Fafnir was swallowed by the magic circle before fully charging its attack. And so the night returns to day.
"How unexpected" the voice caught the attention of everyone who entered into a combat pose.
"Calm down, calm down, I'm not here to fight" the white haired woman raised her hand in defense.
"Who are you ?" asked the master.
"Well I am Marie Antoinette, one of the servants invoked by Jeanne D'arc" said the woman as she bowed.
"So miss, is there a reason you're still here?" The forest sage smiled under his hood as stared at her.
The woman put her finger to her cheek "Well, I never wanted to be a part of the witch's schemes but I had no choice, she was my 'MASTER' until recently. Now I'm free to do what I want" She approaches the body of a servant who was disappearing.
"Wait, wait, a servant summoning another servant... is that possible?" Ritsuka stepped out in front of Mashu, scaring her a little.
"Well … if it wasn't possible now it is, I never agreed with Jeanne's actions but I still understand why she is doing this" Marie kneeled next to Charles and played with his hair "I want to help them stop her, she thinks of nothing but REVENGE"
"Whether you were her servant until recently what made the connection disappear or are you just trying to deceive us with your words, little one" Scathach took a few steps forward and raised his hand summoning the spear.
"With Jeanne being out of control she used too many command seal's, I took this opportunity to break the bond, before that I got no results, thank you all for that" Marie continues playing with Charle's hair "Martha should notice that soon"
"So my command seals…" Ruler questioned
"Yes, your summon was just to be used as a battery and your counterpart took all the seals with the help of Gilles de Rais"
"! Gilles … him too" the Santa lowered her head.
"I'll say it again, I want to help them stop Jeanne's thirst for revenge" Marie holds Charles' head and kisses him on the forehead.
"Revenge will only bring more suffering... for everyone"
And so the man disappears…
"Well… the more the better, right?" Ritsuka gave a smile.
"Senpai…" Mashu whispered that the girl was really an air-head, she was too quick to trust others.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, we're going to need all the help we can get to take down Fafnir" she got up from the ground.
"So that beast was the legendary dragon Fafnir… shit that witch really knows how to bring fun to places" Cuchulainn put his staff on his back while holding it with both arms lazily.
Scathach looked at the spear, if the stories were true about the beast her weapon could not penetrate the beast's skin.
The goddess remembered something 'Archer', the woman turned her head only to notice the saber had placed the man's head in her lap and was playing with his hair.
…
SHE DIDN'T LIKE
"Well if Sigfried is alive maybe we have a chance to defeat him"
"The dragon slayer, was he summoned as well?" The saint of the flag questioned
"Yes, the plan was to summon the only weapon that would stop Fafnir and control him but he rebelled and we fought Saber… that's when Gilles had a plan to summon you and steal the seals so that this wouldn't happen again, if he still alive there's a chance"
"Then we have to stop my counterpart, a legendary dragon and servants... she can still summon more... it's really not good" Ruler bit his nails on his grieving hand.
"Don't lose faith, everything will work out" the comment made Saint smile.
"Well..." the archer heard voices "we must..." his vision was clouded "we have..." only a silhouette could see before everything went dark.
Grand Order
-4-
All that the man saw was the gigantic white, no matter how much he walked only WHITE.
"Are you lost? A voice calls to him.
He looks at... what appears to be a silhouette of a child but has no face or clothes, just the silhouette.
"I think I am, could you tell me where I am?"
"First I have to know why you're here" the being replied with a question.
The man scratches his head "Well, I guess I made a deal…"
"So it's you, I was waiting for you"
"Waiting for me, why?" he was confused.
"To show you the way" the being pointed his finger in front of him, the man followed the finger revealing a red sea.
It wasn't here until a moment ago "Wha…" it had disappeared.
"..."
"Guess I'll have to cross" the man looks down at his boots which have been covered red by the water.
And so he entered the sea and walked.
His clothes were simple, just a white shirt, white pants and boots.
The sea was not deep, but it still covered the man just below the neck.
Still the man walked... and walked... and walked…
He walked through what felt like days… what felt like days turned into weeks and weeks into months.
Until it finally came to an end.
He was tired... very tired.
"Hmm, I didn't expect you would get it, I was wrong" the being appears again, but the man on his knees was just trying to catch his breath.
"Now to complete everything you just have to drink all of this, take your time" and so the being disappears once more.
"To drink ?" And so he looked at the sea without "..." without questioning the man began to drink that red sea that seemed to have no end.
And so he stayed for what seemed like decades.
he drank
he drank
he drank
And finally after what seems like millennia he finally took the last drop.
His attention was caught by someone clapping.
"I'm impressed, you really did it, you're really different from the others"
"... I did everything you asked me to do, now answer me, what is this all about?" He asked.
"Well I'm just doing what you asked right?"
"?!" He did not understand.
"Don't be like that smile rejoice Sh— Emiya, from that moment on you are a HEROIC SPIRIT"
and that's when the taste came to his mouth... it was... blood, the man looked at his hands... that wasn't water it was BLOOD.
His shirt was bloody, his pants had turned red and his white hair was covered in blood… he was covered in blood… that blood… couldn't… could be.
"You got what you wanted, aren't you happy?" The being smiled at him using a childlike attitude.
He looked at his hands... his knees fell to the ground with violence but he counted looking at his bloody hands, something wet went down his cheeks, something happened to him that hadn't happened in a long time he CRIED.
The man cried and cried like a child. It wasn't tears of happiness, it was just of pain and sadness and the sound of his crying echoed throughout the void over and over again.
"You should be happy, not crying HERO" the being smiled and smiled like a happy child.
-4-
He feels someone ruffling his hair, by sheer reflex his hand grabs the person's wrist.
"Ah woke up, I was getting worried" a soft voice came in her ears.
He finally opened his eyes "Artoria" and she smiled at him.
He was maskless and her armor was cracked, but she was still smiling.
"Where…"
"We're in a town that Marie said would be the next target for the Witch of the Dragons" she replied before his finishing.
"Marie?" He looks and sees a woman with white hair.
"Hello" she nods childishly "I've been getting worried, I've been taking a while to wake up and these things sticking out of your arm just keep popping up no matter how hard we try to take them off one by one" the woman points to her arm.
"..."
"Sorry, I must want to know who I am, well I was your enemy until a few hours ago" he comments with a child's enthusiasm.
"...I see" he wouldn't ask about it, the man felt a lot like dejavu with him and knowing after being summoned into Chaldea.
"You're finally awake, mister Hedgehog" the saint of the forest said smiling.
Looking at the individual made the man get up from the saber's lap brutally "... not you... why always you..."
"We met ?" The comment left him confused.
He remembered that servants had no memories of their last summon, only in some cases.
"No… no" he didn't want to draw more attention than he did now.
Looking around they seem to be inside a castle.
"Ah archer you woke up I was getting worried" his master jumped hugging him from the back "I thought you were going to disappear and then I would have to try to summon you again and if I couldn't summon you since I have nothing of yours Ah you must me give something if you disappear I can call you again" the girl spoke so fast it was hard to understand.
"Ah, I see you've already met Cuchulainn, this time you'll be allies isn't it amazing" he couldn't see the girl but he imagined she had a smile on her face behind him.
"RELEASE" cold ran down her spine causing her to let go and run behind Caster.
"CU, Saber is being mean to me" the attitude caught the man off guard.
"Hey hey hey little lady, don't pull you're going to rip my weeds apart" the girl was pretty in the Wizard's eyes but lacked maturity… maybe in a few years.
"Senpai, please don't cling to people like that" Mashu entered the room already going to unglue the girl from Caster.
The archer felt someone watching him and a finger touching the scar on his back, calling his attention. He turns and notices Saber there and Scathach leaning against the side of the door.
"I would be disappointed if I died with so little mortal, after all even if you are a human you are still a HEROIC SPIRIT" the last words came tearing his eardrums.
"It's not like you were being helpful to begin with" his usual sarcasm was there.
She was acting weird, and she wasn't bragging like she continued to brag.
The suit below the left knee was detonated, revealing courtly on the leg her mask was destroyed, her armor was almost non-existent and the rest of the costume that looked like a second skin was damaged revealing the skin and cuts and one side of his face had blood that had dried.
"What makes you say that" she shifted awkwardly as if she didn't want to move her body too much.
"I had to give you a weapon, just so you'd have a fighting chance" His smile grew.
"I didn't ask for your help, and besides I didn't say that I would kill you if I used that weapon" crossing her arms in an uncomfortable way she leaned her back against the wall causing a rumble in her body even though she didn't show it.
"Said the woman who was kicked from one place to another cracking all the ribs" commented the saber with a sarcastic smile.
The goddess closed her eyes 'BITCH', the comment was a more painful blow than any wound she had.
The caster sighed and whispered "You really haven't changed at all, teacher" but the comment was heard by the goddess.
"Satenta said something" the man shuddered.
"Now that we have time, you are using the runes I taught you differently… is there a reason why…"
Shit
"Well… and…. The reason… I'm clear" he just thought the way she used the runes was shitty and uncreative… he wouldn't tell her that.
"Hello, I see we haven't met yet" the archer turned to see the saint on the flag.
"You were the ally that had our back, I thank you" she spoke in a cordial manner.
"If by protecting you be beaten, then yes miss" he rolls his eyes.
"Jeanne I'm Jeanne D'arc" she says putting her hand on her heart "I can know your name, normally I can see the name of the servants but this ability was taken from me"
…
"Sorry to disappoint Miss, I don't have a name" that surprised her
"You are a HEROIC SPIRIT… how can you not have a name" confusion consumed her.
"I abandoned you a long time ago, just call me Archer" the servant ruler wanted to question him further, which made her curious.
Noticing that the man was practically naked in front of him, the right side of his pants flared to the knee. He had no shirt and his left arms had blades on them. Part of his hair was messed up and there was dried blood in it.
Even in this state, the hot cheeks don't help that the man has a nice body. She looked away.
The Ranger noticed part of his messy hair and the slicked back.
The archer noticed part of his messy hair, the man fixed his hairstyle.
The sight didn't help the saint to calm down, when the man lifted the whites to fix his hair, his muscles contracted. He didn't do it on purpose, he was just doing something basic. That doesn't change the fact that it hit the saint of the flag making her turn the whole body to not think of anything 'bad'
The archer raised his eyebrows.
the saber sighed
And the goddess narrowed her eyes
"Looks like we have a heart killer" Cuchulainn put his arms around his master and Mashu who just nodded in agreement.
Marie put her hand over her mouth "oh my"
The archer tried to rebuild his armor and cloak but without success.
"It won't help, thank the enemy caster, the whole place has a protection that prevents servants from recovering on their own if it weren't for that lady, it would have disappeared" the comment brought a smile to the girl's face.
"If I could recover I would have done it already… this is not an acceptable state" Scathach takes a look at herself.
Jeanne finally calmed down
"All the mana that should be restored is stolen instead, without a master a minion doesn't have long without disappearing" she comments trying not to stare... too much.
"Wait, if this situation is like this because of your counterpart… how did they let us in?" he faces the saint.
"Eh about that" she scratched her cheek with her finger.
"The little knight over there threatened to destroy the whole town if they didn't let us in, you had to see the faces of the guards, it was hilarious" the sage of the florest said as a smile appeared on his face.
The archer looks at Artoria who just looks away.
"Please don't look at me like that" her cheeks were pink and with her almost albino skin it was easy to see.
"Don't worry, it's for everyone's good, after all we're here to help" the master gives a thumbs up.
"I think there are more… civilized ways Senpai"
"Nah"
The man observed the situation around him
The caster had his arms around Mashu and the saber master was having an argument with Scathach as usual and Ruler and Marie were talking, the servant ruling every now and then looked at him only to look away which made Marie laugh a little by little.
Even though everyone was in what looked like a relaunched situation the state of the majority was pretty bad apart from Marie and Cuchulainn who were summoned.
Even though everyone was in what looked like a relaunched situation the state of the majority was pretty bad apart from Marie and Cuchulainn who were summoned.
The archer looked out the window, 'Looks like we've won the battle, now all that's left is the war'
-4-
The archer walked through the corridors observing the structure of the building.
He decided to observe the structure of the city to gather information, after all information is power and he wanted to be prepared.
Coming close to a window he can have a wide view of the city without having to leave the castle due to his improved range.
The moon lit the window, bringing a blue glow with it.
"I see he's still alive, it's impressive considering that it was Fafnir he faced" he continued looking at the city.
"Very bold of you to come here… at least in parts" he replied
"What did you really expect I would be stupid to come here" the voice gave a mocking snort.
"I don't think so, ma'am Jeanne" he finally looked at her that as much as it seemed that she was there, from time to time her body showed 'interference'
"It flatters me sir, a humble peasant like me to be recognized" she smiles leaning against the wall beside her.
She looks him up and down and likes what she sees.
"What are you doing here, I don't think you came from a tourist visiting the place" he gave a half smile.
"No, I came for you" his smile grew.
Now he was curious.
"Explain"
"There is no reason to fight, you have no chance as my Caster is already in the process of summoning new servants, I have the Grade with me and Fafnir is more powerful than ever and it is useless to resist… however I am benevolent if you join me" she turns her face to him watching his body even more.
When the witch saw the small hole in the dragon's chest anxiety consumed her no one had ever done this to the dragon but Sigfried and when she summoned him to make sure no one could bring the dragon down the wretch refused to follow her orders. She had to make sure nothing was going to stop her toy and besides what would hurt to have a little fun.
She licks her lips.
"Tempting, but I don't see the sense in carrying out a slaughter for just one reason"
"..." she stared at him.
"Isn't burning a little girl who saved an entire nation a good reason?!" Her voice comes out hoarse.
"Oh it's a terrible thing, but it still justifies what you're doing" he looked at the witch sideways.
"...I gave them everything, my whole life, my identity, my freedom and all I got in return was pain" an image of a man with a rope around his neck.
"I begged just one person to save me" a blue haired woman tried to get through the crowd "THEY JUST SAW ME BURNING AND NO ONE CARED" her voice was practically screaming at this point.
The nun screamed his name in desperation, for some reason it made him happy that after all SOMEBODY CARED.
The witch was taken by surprise when the man hugged her.
"What…"
"I understand" he tightened the hug even tighter.
"No… you… no…what…" she didn't know what to say she had no answer, who did he think he was to understand her suffering.
And finally with a smile on his face the rope broke his neck.
"I understand" he repeated again.
"..."
Something descended on the witch's cheek, they were tears, tears descended on her face and for the first time the woman remembered.
She CRIED.
"I understand"
he repeated.
"I understand you"
Tears like waterfall falling down to her cheeks and like a child she cried as she disappeared into purple specks hugging the man tightly.
"I UNDERSTAND YOU"
-A-
Author
I want to try to develop the story a little and not be just fight scenes and fan service but the key word is to try, the uniqueness of New Orleans has many servants being invoked and the introduction of new characters in the work, makes me have to portray their personalities and how they interacted with other servants.
DIFFICULT that's the word I should use in this HEROIC mission, without taking away the research I have to do.
Well I hope you developed the chapter well, I'm designing a cover to represent the uniqueness of New Orleans. The one that is at the moment represents the first chapter of Emiya and Scathach meeting. I want to create a cover for each main point of the chapter, I hope you like it.
See you in the next chapter.