This...was a rather disastrous day for Olga Marie Animusphere. She had her doubts, deep doubts about how the rug would be pulled out from under her. And she knew, somewhere deep within her very being, that she'd end up a failure. That she wouldn't be able to hold up her family crest as her father before her did. He probably knew I'd blow it.
She missed him, even with how distant he was, she did miss him. She could never forget how he looked at her when they spent the barest of time with each other-disinterested. But she knew why, it was for the dream, it was for the Grand Order. Though, the greater meaning to it besides the safety of the human order was still very much lost to her. I couldn't just not try, Lev believed I could do it, and I...I thought I...why did I think I could even bother to try?
The shuffling of footsteps drew past her on the outside, the wordless movements of the damned edging her off into just screaming for help. She was close, very close, she kept her mouth shut though. Fight or flight was not an option in her head right now.
There's too many of them, and even if I was half the mage my father was…I...I'd still die. She felt a cold chill run down her spine and the tears beginning to build
She knew about the doubters that talked behind her back, saying she was too young to have such a position. That she was the second choice, that she was not even a 3rd rate magus. They were right…they were all right. She couldn't look into the eyes of her father's only success, how could she, the very idea of what her father did, what Romani did to those children made
Olga Marie had been thrust into this position, handed the keys to the kingdom when someone like Kirschtaria would have been the more ideal choice. She couldn't just say no though, never say no when your worth is tested, she'd just prove everyone right. The salt of any magus was if they'd buckle under any pressure thrown. Loathing, stress and fear were all weaknesses to the modern magus, it made them unfocused with whatever goal they had, whether it be for the root, immortality or just trying to raise their acclaim in the eyes of a world veiled from normal people, a world that had already changed a lot over the past fifteen years due to the rise of capes.
She thought (not really) she had done her best, taking Chaldea by an iron hand and acting in a way her father would have approved. Cold, ruthless and a perfectionist when it came to those under her. That newbie was an example of this (should have been), she would have brought down the hammer on him, torn off his mystic code and called him a disgrace to maguses everywhere. It didn't turn out like that, just another mark on Olga's long list of failures. He showed me up and had the gaul to just fall asleep in front of everyone. I looked like a fool in front of everyone, just...just like I always do. Least Lev was there to say something encouraging...I hope he didn't die.
She heard the tell-tale step of one of them, it peered in through the threshold beside her hiding spot, clutching the sides of it and wrapping its blade against its body like the sick gesture of a psychopath. It looked left, it looked right-finding no prey, it whacked the side of the side of the threshold, small chips of its wooden frame flying off on its impact. It waited, and Olga held her mouth tight to choke out the scream that was pummeling its way out of her vocal chords.
When no one came out, the skeleton left to join the rest of its menageries of the damned, leaving Olga to shake and take in as much air as she could to whittle out her nerves. I'm going to die here...alone...and probably not to the detriment of anyone.
The area, quite industrial in its nature, was a killing floor in the waiting as the shambling forms of the Singularity's creatures stalked their way about. Sometimes getting into fights with each other and tripping over themselves.
If she was to credit herself, Olga admitted she had gotten away from the prying eyes of the skeletons as quickly as she possibly could and found a good hiding spot in some rinky dink hobby store. How long this place would last, was another story for her.
A skeleton came to the threshold or entered the store every few minutes, whacking anything in sight and waiting for a response. She was glad they didn't look behind the counter, or she'd be dead in an instant. That's just you Olga, hiding and hoping for someone to save you when it's...it's pointless. You deserve this for even thinking you could be more than you are….damn it, damn it, damn it- She let herself cry, keeping her teeth together so as to not allow sound. Though the whimpering could be heard to an attuned ear or if anybody was close enough.
Lev, a man that was a rock in her life, someone in her corner that truly believed in her-when even her father didn't-was not there. Just another way the universe was screwing her over. He'd probably smile, pat her head and say something grand in its nature, how she was destined for great things. Something that'd give a little boost to get her through the day, like always, but...he's probably dead, as smart, skilled and tactful as he is...Lev, Lev is dead and it's because I didn't check or double check something. That's so like you Olga.
She let out a little yelp at the realization and felt herself go weak as her eyes spiraled and the signature sound of a shambling body with no meat to its person made itself known to her as it looked over the counter. And if Olga wasn't seeing things, it's smiling at me…
Rapidly, a foot in front of the other, chest heaving and the adrenaline of fear coursing through her veins, Olga Marie Animusphere ran for her life. You should just let them take you, why postpone the inevitable, was what one part of her thoughts, the other more basic, survive and prove them wrong.
They weren't fast but they had numbers and Olga did her best to weave through the crowd of skeletons as they sliced the air oh so close to her. She screamed, crying for help that she knew was not coming, ever.
She tripped, considered laying down and accepting fate, but got up anyway as they drew upon her like vultures in the desert.
Futile, Olga you're being ridiculous. Just prove that Daddy was right about you? Come on, are you scared? Of course you are. It made her angry, knowing that this voice in her head was right in a way.
Hands closed, heart racing and beating as faster and faster Olga knew she was running out of options. She was out in the open, she had foolishly, and all too like herself, ran into the heart of the skeleton crew. Into a killing den as they all looked at her and simultaneously knew it was time for a slaughter.
She froze, the fear this time not helping her to move. This was it, the overwhelming odds had finally caught up to her. She, who always felt one step behind others, would take her final breath in a hellscape she had tried to send others into. I'm alone. She fell to her knees, the sounds of bones hitting the incinerated asphalt being the only thing she could hear. Her body wouldn't move, reality told that moving would just slow the inevitable.
Even so, she couldn't help it-the one part of her being, from her origin to her soul that told her that dying wasn't her only option cried out-in turn she screamed for help. Her cynic decried every plea she made. There's no one around Olga, enjoy the death-at least these things aren't judging you. Be thankful for once in your lif-
The thought was cut off as Olga became weightless, her feet flew off the ground and felt herself be held tightly by a single arm as the wind rushed past her hair. "Wha?" She asked sniffling, a pitch in her voice as she looked into one the eyes of her saviour.
"Keep your arms and legs on the ride at all times, please and thank you!" The delinquent that had shown her up during the orientation, shot her a cheesy grin as they curved in the air and descended fast as he let go.
"KYAA!" she screamed, Of course it'd be him! Why does the universe hate me?
The kid had rushed past him as soon as the screaming started, propelling himself up the side of a building, leaping off it and firing a strand of white goo from those little machines on his wrist swinging out of view.
"Senpai! Wait for me!" The shielder yelled, running past him in a huff with the white fluffball in close proximity, leaving the man once known as Setanta in his youth, alone in an alleyway near the center of Fuyuki, to be more specific, the shopping district.
He crossed his arms and stroked his chin, he wasn't annoyed, more confused. He's not a magus, doesn't understand basic magical concepts-yet can run up a wall like he's sticking to it and swing away like he's a damn spider...maybe he's from the church or something. A skeleton scrambled its way from the shadows and moved towards him with lethal intent, The tanned priest could pull off some crazy shit-he was a servant though, so that doesn't count. With a wave of his wooden staff, a rune activated and the skeleton was burnt to a satisfying crisp.
He groaned, scratching his head. Throne's giving me nothing here! Come on ya damn excuse for an afterlife-give me anything! Nothing, though there was a split second of untold rage that made Cu Chulainn freeze for a moment. The hell? He rolls his eyes. This is getting me nowhere.
It was one thing after the other for the Hound of Ulster, first his original master gets killed, and he ends up a slave of a conniving priest with the coldest set of eyes he had ever seen. Colder than the hags...do I want her to fucking stab me? Add on the constant insults by Mr. Golden, the pompous ruminating of the Caster of Red, the arguing by the Archer and Lancer of Red. Cu felt like a ninth wheel in the grand scheme of things, especially when he had to go and track down the Berserker of Red when he decided to go and 'avenge the oppressed'. Damn that was a nightmare, especially when Ruler got involved. Then he had to go and kill that redhead who saw him fight the Archer of White and it just kept getting worse for him from there. I became a lackey to a couple of scheming priests, I was punished by three berserkers at once and used as target practice by Goldie and the other archers. Wasn't this supposed a battle royale, why did I get summoned into the definition of a 'clusterfuck'? This point was drilled in even more by the priests having a civil war on church grounds after an argument. Something about going to far, an orphan or something-I don't fucking know!
He groaned inwardly, taking quicker steps to catch up to the battle that was occurring, when he arrived, all he found were stragglers that he quickly took care of with infernal artistry. Can't say I'm not impressed, The lass finished off another skeleton in quick succession, she moved well despite being an enigma of a rookie to him. She moved like any good warrior should, running at the enemy when she needed to, and quick stepping out of the way when she saw an enemy over her shoulders. Looks and skill, the kid's an idiot for even trying to fight her.
Speaking of which, the brunette rookie came in hot, he let go of his white line and held tight to someone with chalkless locks. He landed with an oomph, black dirt blowing asunder amidst his landing as he sat the young woman down next to Cu. The girl looked like she had seen her entire life flash before her eyes as the kid quickly looked over her and then snapped his neck to Cu with a suspicious brow. "Don't burn her!" he warned with his index before backflipping and firing a line to the closest monster near the shield girl without a second word.
'Don't burn her' he says, where does this brat get off? He was brought out of his glower by the young woman who muttered wordlessly as she shook. He bent his head down to her "You okay there lass?"
"AAH!" She recoiled and fell on her back, her head hitting the ground. "...ow..."
Cu pinches his temples, Add that one to the list I guess.
Pete hit the ground, ash kicked up by the impact of his heels as he launched a breakneck fist as the closest thing in front of him. It's bones shattered like thin ice, he couldn't help but comment, "Boy, you guys need more calcium in your diet!"
Spider-sense, flared *something sharp swinging at your neck*
The teenage vigilante let's his knees buckle and the blade just barely slices a strand of his brunette hair. Now, I go for its leg. He does just that, extending his arm and clenching the ankle of the skeleton like his arm was a rather kinetic snake. With that, he flings it into the hair and down hard against the blackened asphalt.
"I'd watch your step-" He jostled back up to his toes, "-never know what jerk's gonna trip ya up!" He explained to the now disassembling mass of darkness that was once one of the thralls of the undead.
He took a quick look over to Mash, the lavender holding her own quite well. The lower point of her shield cleaving the skull and bones crew like they were butter as their marrow crack like the crackling of a campfire. Hate to be on the other side of that...again. Spider-sense flared and he straight-up decks a skeleton coming up from behind. The skull caved in under the pressure, the body stumbling backwards and knocking over a few of its friends that grouped together.
Taking the moment of pure stoogery the skeletons had found themselves in, Pete clenched his fists. The adrenaline that kicked up in him as soon as he heard the Director scream let him enact quick and successive skull busting action. When it was over had Peter sprinting out of the mass of black and onto the next bunch of living dead.
As this fight was about, the Parker boy took note of his surroundings. We're making good time, hopefully we'll be able to re-establish connection with Doc. The mass of bones were lowering in number with each one he and the cute girl from Chaldea took out. Pete even spotted a few fires starting and ending quick succession as the 80's Hair Metal reject took out any of the bone crew that got near the Director, said white-haired woman cowering behind him and seemingly thanking the wizard. Okay, maybe...maybe I judged the guy a bit too harshly.
He webs up the skulls of two of the bone brigade on his left and his right. With a simple tug of his wrists like he was flying a kite, their heads collided like a car crash in regular motion. Just stragglers now, nothing I can't handle.
Mash, despite the aloofness she put on-could admit to herself the creatures were terrifying.
A hammer came down against her center of the shield, a shield she knew not the name of, or who once wielded it. That doesn't matter right now, just keep fighting. With vigor, she swings her arm against the hammer and slams the crucifix-esque weapon into the body of the beast. It's bone splintered as the darkness overtook, the body was extinguished before it even hit the ground.
She didn't feel the need to take a moment, breath and collect herself as whomever had become one with her, Whomever allowed me to, to become as strong as senpai, lessened her more mortal needs. The next enemy came at her, and she cleaved it without a thought, her toes pirouette, the action dis compartmentalizing another skeleton, then another, then another like she was the devil from Tasmania himself. Though she wouldn't get the reference if Peter were to make it to her. She had her books, those were references enough for her. I feel a bit dizzy though. Wonder how…
She heard a loud crack from behind, "BONE-apetite!" Peter's back went against hers. "So let me get your opinion on this-what do you think it's like not having skin?"
Mash gave him an unsure look, "That's an odd question to ask, Mast-"
He gave her a wink, shooting a line to bring another enemy in close. When the space was shortened, Pete brought his elbow down against its collar in a split second. It turned to darkness and Pete finished, "I'm betting it's pretty hollow!"
Mash queried her eyes, though the shy smile of amusement did come to her.
"Yeah, I admit the punchline doesn't really work-but I don't usually fight the cast from Curse of the Black Pearl, so I'm scrounging a bit for quips." He waves it off "Eh, hasn't stopped me before." He takes a look around, Mash follows his gaze.
He turned back to her with a serious glimmer, "I'm counting ten left,"
Mash nodded, "As do I."
He gives her a thumbs up, "Lastonetotake'emoutisarottenegg!" He backflips away from her and gets back into the fight. Leaving the young Kyrielight to her lonesome.
He's...taking this in stride now it seems. With a hard step she bounds to the closest skeleton to her. Pressing herself against the shield, she rams into the body of bones. It comes apart, she skids to a stop, the tip of the noble phantasm carving a trail as she uses it to launch herself to the next skull. Because this is nothing new for him, fighting. She uppercuts it and does a rapid turn to cleave its spine in two. Her features were stoic, same as the day she became cognizant. Through her eyes, it showed the doubt that began to plague her mind. I've never fought a day in my life, never trained. Yes I helped him fight Lancer-but he thought she was human...now he knows about heroic spirits…
This thought softened her reactions, the hit she delivered her third skeletal foe just sending it flying, it hit the fiery wreck of an SUV, down, but not out. It scrounged from the fire, the tatters of its attire burning as its body became enraptured by flame. It slowly began to disintegrate, but not without one last attempt at harming the shielder.
It threw its axe, the blade of it sailing through the air as if it were a shuriken and its thrower a ninja. It would have made Mash scared, she still was, even if she wasn't still 'human'. For most of her life, she had been conditioned for this scenario, or something close to this. Becoming one with a heroic spirit, someone who had done great things in their lifetime. This was the role she was given, selected for, made for.
The flaming skull broke on impact with the escutcheon. I think I hide it well, the fear. But beside him. She sees him trip one with his webbing, leap over it and slams his heels into its back, destroying it. He somersaults like the world's greatest olympian as he grabs another skeleton by the skull and thrusts it exactly into the asphalt with a solid thunk.
"Come on guys, can you at least try to dodge me? I feel like you're not giving me you're a-game here." He had taken out three, same as her, but lacked Mash's look of control, and the lilac irises that revealed her worries.
I can't help but feel a tad out-classed. He's smiling, making jokes, moving like this is second nature to him...he's doing well without me. Despite their conversation earlier, the understanding that Mash now had about who her senpai was. It left her unsure of how things were to go from here. He said we're partners, but maybe he was just doing that because he felt bad. Human's do that...it's not like I haven't been treated like that before. Her grip tightened against the handle of the shield, she bit her lip and found herself cringed. STOP IT! Focus on the task at hand!
A skeleton came at her from the back, it slashed downwards and she was hit. She yelped, the blade not penetrating but still leaving the hint of a bruise.
She then heard the tell-tale sound of bones breaking, "You okay?" She turned, her lilacs peeking through her lavender locks to meet her Master's. His eyes were full of worry, even so, this moment-it proved something to Mash. "It's just a bruise, senpai…" Peter seemed to notice her reluctance.
"We got three Jack Skellington's left, nothing we can't handle." He did not leap away from her, he didn't need to. The enemies were drawing in, survival instinct not being even a concept to them as they brandished their weapons.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO WAITING FOR!?" the lavender head girl from Chaldea heard the cry of the young Director, who was still very much hiding behind the Caster-class servant clad in azure.
Said Caster then added, "I second that...stay steadfast, shielder." The tone of his voice hit her, same with his gaze. His eyes read her like a book, they were sharp and they were waiting for her to just stop.
Senpai, apparently ignored this, rolling his eyes. "Everyone's a critic!" He cracks his knuckles and he side-eyes Mash with a knowing grin. "You go high, I go low." She saw him ready to trigger the devices on his wrists.
Mash nodded, believing she understood. "Roger, Master." With that, her senpai bolted forth, sliding to his knees and clicking his wrists. The lines sprang out and stuck two of the three remaining foes.
Peter stopped pressing his right, letting the line fly for a moment before grabbing it in quick succession and sticking it to the line on his left that was still spraying. He clicked, like an outlaw of the old, and triggered on his right to get the last one. When it was stuck, her master took a hold of the webline and pulled with inhuman gusto, sending the webbed skulls sailing over him and to Mash.
Mash bolted forward, the large buckler raised to her side. When in range, she brought the shield in front of her and let the three bodies smash against the front of the cross-like shield.
The force of the impact made her heels skid back a few inches, she held firm though as the noise of all three splitting to pieces sounded off like Fireworks on the Fourth of July.
The cloud of darkness ran past her as wind picked up and blew it past her. She lowered the noble phantasm, the shield she knew not the name or origin of and felt its weight in her hand. She looked down on the ground, seeing her senpai lifting himself off of the ground.
"I swear if I see another extra from Jason and the Argonauts-it'll be too soon." He patted black dirt and ash off his clothes, as he mumbled something Mash couldn't catch. "...wasting webfluid like it grows on trees…"
She felt a slight beam of pride go through her as he brought his hazel eyes to meet her lilacs. He gave her a thumbs up, and when he seemingly found himself staring at her too long, his cheeks reddened-quickly, he went back to cleaning himself of grime.
Even with this victory, a thought still lingered like a bad specter. He could have done this all his own. He only let me help when I got hit… The pride she felt weakened, she stared sightlessly at the shield. He's used to this, I should expect this. Why would he need a servant, why would he need me?
City still smells like the worst hell imaginable, better than the sewer in New York though. When Pete found he had done enough reeling against the admittedly, cute, girl he had found himself partnered with. He figured it was time to get things back to being casual. He dramatized his voice, "A spectacular victory by Captain Chaldea and her sidekick, Muggles Mcjumpkick!" He sauntered over to Mash with a hand raised. He returned his tone to its normal cantor, "Captain American and Bucky, eat your heart out!" He chuckled to himself, then he noticed that Mash looked away from him with a dull expression he could not read, well she always seemed a bit distant-besides like a few moments that'd raise MJ's eyebrow. The 165 cm tall brunette let himself meet the eyes of the girl who was 7 centimeters shorter than him. "Hey, what's up?" Her lilacs saw his hazel, and for a brief moment-Pete saw shame, an overwhelming shame and embarrassment that the Parker Boy couldn't understand.
"Senpai...it's-" She was cut off by the intrusion of the recently rescued Director Olga Marie Animusphere.
"In any other situation-I would have your candidacy as a Master revoked, especially after you fell asleep during my speech," she added, quiet enough for Pete to hear "-But I can't say I'm not impressed by your skills Mr..."
Pete turned to her, seeing Cu also following from behind. "Just call me, Pete or Peter-just don't call me late for dinner!" Olga gave him a stern glare, and Cu just shook his head like Pete was the biggest idiot he had ever met. Tough crowd.
"Yes, well, Peter. Minus the fact that you quite literally threw yourself into danger (a bad move in any magus's mind), I thank you for securing my safety-and congratulations on making a contract with another servant in the meantime."
"Huh?"
Caster whistled condescendingly, "She means me brat,"
"Oh, nah-he's just a tagalong, found him scrounging for scraps and he just keeps following us like a stray."
"I will burn you, you know-don't think just because I helped take out a few stragglers it means we're allies." Peter notices Olga straightened up and shy away from Cu as he said it.
"Good for you, Johnny Storm." Actually, Johnny might get along with this guy. Both have that same unearned cocksure attitude.
"What?" he snarled, the reference going clear over his head.
"You wouldn't get it."
Olga coughed, clearly vexed, the attention returned to her. "Moving past you two's apparent little machismo squabble-Mash, are there any other Chaldeans, or are you two the only ones who managed to rayshift?"
"Only me and senpai, we've encountered no human/intelligent life besides Caster and a Lancer."
"Strange, maybe we survived the process because we were all outside the coffins." Olga furrowed her looks.
Peter gave her a confused look, "How would that make sense, I'm still new this magical gobbledygook" Olga cringed at his description, "But wouldn't it have made more sense for us to be goners if there was nothing in place to protect us from...rayshifting? Yeah, rayshifting." He shrugs, "I'm glad we're alive and all, but I just wanna make sure we didn't get zapped and go the way of Doctor Banner." I think I already have honestly, seriously-I couldn't radiate sparks from myself before I was swallowed by that light.
She sighs, muttering something about him being naïve. "Peter, forget the rules you know. Mana, Spiritrons, the power of the World itself is nothing like the insanity of capes you civilians are accustomed to. Speaking of which, Mash, place your shield a few meters to your left."
Mash, does as she is told. "Right here, Director?"
Olga nods, "I assume your reason for being here is because of the leyline in the area?"
"Yes, Director Olga."
"Good to know….good to know…" she clicks her teeth, her thoughts seemingly being on something else.
"Wait-call me a rube," Been called worse, "But how does laying Mash's shield down do anything?"
Olga scoffed at him, "Guess we recruited you for your martial arts prowess, not your brain."
Ouch. He heard Cu snicker, I will web that guy's mouth before the end of this-I swear.
"To answer your question, Mash's noble phantasm-" Another term unknown to Pete, "Will help us set up a basecamp and line to Chaldea. Meaning we can get supplies and stay connected to everyone while we're here. First, I need to create a summoning circle." She does just that, tracing the symbol around the shield while Pete watches.
He looked over to Mash, who still looked a bit sullen. "Noble phantasm?"
"It's the armament of a heroic spirit, they represent a servant's history or rumor if strong enough. They can be weapons, specific spells made famous by a person in history or something conceptual the spirits wills into existence like a specific landscape and the like."
"So I take it that a noble phantasm is like a special move in a video game, right?" Peter asked, figuring the metaphor was apt.
"Nice to know the master brat here is partnered with someone so knowledgeable-" Caster smirked at Pete's unamused frown, "It's our ultimate skill and can be the last critical move in a fight if things are worse for wear. But it comes with a price-if we use our noble phantasm our true identities would be revealed to our foe." Not to mention the cost of mana it has.
It clicked for Peter, "So your name isn't actually Caster then, and if you were to say-I don't know-" He sucks in air through his teeth, "-Marie Antoinette, it'd be the guillotine?" He felt an ick saying that, but Caster didn't seem to disagree.
"You pick up fast-and here I thought you were as thick as the underside of a mountain."
He heard Olga mumble something about Achilles being a better analogy or something like that.
"I can learn fast when I want to!" He said in slight defense, Hell I've needed to, a couple times in the fast-highlights including my run-ins with Electro, Hydro-Man and old'Sandferbrains.
"But to answer your suspicion, my name is not Caster."
"Heroic spirits are summoned generally within seven classes, senpai." The girl who called him master/senpai, listed them off succinctly "Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Assassin, Caster and finally, Berserker." At Mash's listing off, the brunette scratched his chin.
Okay I have a good idea of their deal based on their class. Sabers probably use swords, Lancers use long pointy-sticks (though does a scythe count as a lance?). "And I'm guessing you'd be a berserker, based on the fact that the title sounds like they use more brute force than the others."
Mash shakes her head, "No, master I'm something else." A looks downwards as if in thought. "Even then, I don't know the name of the noble phantasm I wield." She sounded far off, her tone deathly close to hollow.
Peter just shrugs, patting his servant on the shoulder with a compassionate look, "Eh, that just means it'll be harder for bad guys to sniff out what your kryptonite is."
Mash, though still seemingly saddened, gave a sly smile-a smile that made the teenage vigilante's body heat go up a few notches. "Thank you, senpai!"
"*cough* N-no problem Mash-what're friends for? But to pick you up when you're down!" He laughs it off, trying to get rid of the warmth. What he didn't notice was Caster's and Olga's examination of Mash, their eyes worried in the Director's case or critical in Caster's case.
Olga took the reins of the conversation as she continued to work, "There are extra classes, but they're generally not summoned based on the fact that they're catalysts need to be specific in how they're made." She looks over her shoulder and to the lavender head, "If I were to guess, Mash Kyrielight has bonded with a servant known for their skill using the shield. Which is something I did not expect."
"Shielder would be the word lass." Caster corrected, "Not many can be summoned in that class from what I can scrounge-and even the guy who you'd think would be summoned in that class hasn't entered the throne yet."
Peter figured he knew whom Caster was talking about, hell he'd teamed up with the guy once or twice. But he held firm, I'm already on the razor's edge of identity slipping. I don't need them to sniff out that I know Cap. He also filed Throne away, he'd ask about it later when things weren't so on fire.
Olga stepped away from the shield, the summoning circle apparently being finished. "There we go."
"Now what? We wiggle our hands and quote Chris Angel to get it running?" Olga was shocked and appalled at this statement.
"Excuse me! You did not just compare magecraft to some sideshow gimmicks!"
He puts his hands up in defense, "Well that's sort of my only reference to magic, would you rather me reference Walt Disney?"
Olga palms her face and groans, "Amateur, can fight like you're a cape, but you the gaul to compare thaumaturgy to-" She breathes in heavily, and waves it off "Doesn't matter, you'll get a crash course on magecraft later with the other qualified candidates." She turned back to the summoning circle. "This is Director Olga Marie Animusphere can anyone read me?"
Mash whispered to Peter, "Be careful what you say around Director Olga senpai, she can be rather evil when it comes to those under her."
Peter reeled back a little at Mash's descriptor word for the young director, "Hey come on, I wouldn't describe her as evil-maybe a bit rough around the edges. But really, who wouldn't be in this situation?" I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I did blame her, especially with my breakdown when I first got here.
"Mkyuu." Pete looked down and saw Fou looking up at him staunchly. The buzzing kicked in, though it seemed to be less than it was.
Where the hell does he keep coming from?
"Even so, Chaldea-despite being a security organization, is very much run like a military. And the Director punished subordinates for less."
"Good thing I'm not in the military."
"Senpai." She looks at him with drastic eyes, "Don't give the Director any more reason to stress out, she already has a hard enough time as it is."
The brunette from Queens purses his lips nonchalantly, "Yeah probably, she looks like she just got out of the college and I bet running an organization has its own stressors." Why is someone at her age leading an organization? Not saying it's not possible, just really odd. Maybe that's the way wizards do stuff. That and summoning the spirits of the dead.
"Not to mention what the staff think of her…" she says somberly.
"What are you two talking about back there?" Olga interjected, looking over her shoulder with a disapproving glare.
Pete spoke first, "Just getting a refresher on your wizard terms-I really need to ace that test, won't be able to go college without it!"
Mash sighed, He's like a confused and stubborn kitten I swear. But at least he's finally grasping the situation it seems. Fou leaps onto her shoulder and gives a quiet coo in agreement to Mash's thoughts.
Olga pinches the top of nose, whispering "Why did he have to be outside of the coffin?" The summoning circle began to glow a lovely azure, and the group's attention turned to it as the connection became established.
Though during this, Caster got one last jab in-"You're a terrible comedian."
"To each their own Mr. Burns."
Cu Chulainn thought glumly, I'm going to fight him, not today, not tomorrow. But I'm going to let this brat know his place.
Surely, and eventually, the holographic form of one Romani Archaman appeared before the group. "Okay cool, we've got contact and let me be the first to say-"
"ROMANI!?" Olga barked, like the man before him was a jester who told a horrid joke to the King's guests.
"Oh hey-it's that wimpy looking sack of crap again." Caster said jovially.
"Dude you just met the guy like thirty minutes ago, he's pretty harmless." Peter defended, Still owe him for the meds earlier, maybe I'll get him a gift card.
Romani scratched the back of his head, "...sheesh insulted by a guy I just met, that's just my luck-Oh and Director, good to see you're well-we about thought you were amongst the -"
"WHY ARE YOU IN THE CONTROL CENTER!?"
"Because I'm the only one available at the moment." He said meekly, tugging his collar nervously.
"Where's Lev?" The name sent a slight shiver up Pete's spine, but he played it off.
Roman breathed in succinctly, and closed his eyes. Before seemingly looking into the eyes of the young director. "We can't find him, the running theory right now…is that Lev Laniur is amongst the deceased."
Olga went breathless, her eyes spiraling as the color drained out of body. "No...he can't be dead, he-"
"And since I'm the most senior person on staff, I'm currently running operations as of now until we can get you back," He pauses, hesitant about his next words. "The recent numbers came in five minutes ago, we're at fifty-four casualties. Master candidates and staff included. So far, we've only had eight confirmed survivors not counting you, Mash and Peter. Team A, but their condition is not exactly one-hundred, they're currently being set up for cryostasis."
Olga was silent for a moment, Peter seeing the hint of someone in over their head in the worst sort of way. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't exactly find the words. How do you say, sorry for something like that? Cap would probably know the right thing to say...too bad he's not here.
The director regained her composure, stiffening with a steeled expression. "Why wouldn't you have done that already, the coffins have that feature built-in?"
Romani scratched his forehead with a tsk emanating from his mouth, "That's the thing, the entirety of Team A were found outside of their Coffins and against the wall leading towards the command center."
Olga gave a puzzled look, and Pete slowly began stepping backwards behind Mash. "How could that be?"
"Video was hazy, but I've confirmed that someone got them out of their coffins amidst the fire and right before the rayshift activated. As to who it was, your guess is as good as mine."
Eight huh? Better than nothing. Least I was able to save some people. "Well moving past that Doc, and I don't mean to speed through the sitrep-" It does us no good mourning right now when everything's in the can (I know, I'm one to talk). Save the world first, then let the absolute state of the concept of death tear us apart later. "-But I think it'd be best if you finished your explanation about how me, Mash and the Director here are going to go about saving humanity-because that's what you said right, the world's on fire?"
Roman took a moment, and the Director glowered at Peter for his brazen act. "Yes, I'll give a full rundown of casualties later. If that's alright, Director?"
Oga bites her lip, "So it's finally happened, the calamity we tried to stop came to pass. No word from anyone outside of Chaldea?" He pupils shrink in fear, trembling slightly awaiting the Doctor's answer.
"Not even from our neighbors at Outpost 32. The coms may just be broken still...it doesn't mean we've failed yet director." He says, in a tone not too dissimilar to a caring father.
"Yes, you're right...don't know why I thought the world ended...that's...that's unbecoming of an Animusphere." She says in a hushed tone, clenching her hands and biting her lips in duress. She let out a heavy sigh and turned to Peter, arms crossed and firmly expressioned "Well, disregarding your lack of barring, Peter-I'd agree with your assessment. We can mourn the dead later." She turned sharply to the hologram of Romani, "You're our eyes Roman, any clue as to what is causing the singularity?"
"Well if I had to take a guess," Roman looks to Caster, "You were a caster in this city's grail war, correct?"
Okay, I really need to start taking notes at this point. Peter thought dryly.
Caster nods, "Yup, and I see where you're going with this shrimp." Roman deflated at the word somewhat, "I know exactly where the source of this singularity, as you call it, is." He taps his staff, with a dramatic spin of it, he extends towards the darkened horizon. And between the buildings and arisen smoke, the staff directs itself towards a darkened mountain. "There is where the Greater Grail lies, under the mountain and guarded by the last servants that still dwell in this haphazard war."
Olgra curled a brow. "Last two servants? What happened to the others?"
Caster smiles lupinesquely and thumbs himself up, "That'd be me lass, took'em out one by one after Saber turned them. Took a bit, the Berserkers were probably the hardest to take down."
Olga, Mash and Roman shared the same reaction of blank shock, "That's...really impressive." Olga uttered.
"Yeah, but I've been avoiding Mount Enzou due to the fact that Saber is easily the most dangerous servant at this point-she was a hassle before the fire erupted and now with whatever's corrupted her and the rest of the city. I'd say I'd have trouble going against her even if I was summoned as a lancer."
"That tracks. The Saber-class, is known for being the strongest of the seven." Romani posits, "If that's the case, who's the other servant allied with them?"
"That'd be Archer, tough bastard and annoying...not as annoying as the brat over here-"
"Jeez, thanks man."
"-he's guarding Saber from what I remember and he most likely knows I'm going to try to go for the grail soon."
Olga inhales deeply, "So he's expecting us then-wonderful, we don't have the element of surprise."
"Ah don't be down in the dumps, lass, I'm an A-class servant even as I am. And the cute shielder over here has proven herself more or less capable of defending herself," There was heavy pause after he said it, as Caster seemed to gauge Mash's reaction.
"Thank you for the kind word's Caster-but I'm just an amateur, especially with my lack of insight on who dwells within me." Peter, noting her reluctance, took the opportunity to repay the kindness Mash had shown him earlier.
He snaps his fingers, "We took on Lancer well enough, don't count yourself out my purple-locked amiga." He bumps her with her elbow to get her out of her stupor. "There's always a way to out think a sitch. I mean good ol stars and stripes gets by without being some kind of magical ghost-why can't you?"
"Fou fou!" the furball agreed, patting her head.
She smiles, appreciating the gesture-He doesn't understand. Even as I am, I know it's not good to lack knowledge of the hero who I'm a part of. Or maybe he thinks he can handle it himself and that, I really offer nothing to him. Capes were always known as a tenacious bunch. Even when facing down a despot from space, their ilk never looked back. What am I really adding to his dynamic? Besides being someone for him to worry about. "...Master, you're still new to magecraft. But, it's rather pathetic for a heroic spirit to be like I am. It's like a gymnast with a sprained heel."
"Maybe, maybe not. But we don't exactly have the option to get all worried about not knowing our secret techniques, Mash." He lets himself turn grim, the cool façade of casualty ceases. "People are counting on us, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters. We're not the Avengers, I'm no one special-just a kid who got shanghaied into this nightmare, but in this case, I'd say we're the next best thing." It looked like something clicked for him. "Just look at me. Ever since we got here, my hands have sparked-I don't know why-I don't know how, but I'm not going to let that stop me from bringing the beatdown on whatever jerk thought it'd be a good idea to end the world."
"Wait, did you say your hands sparked?" Romani asked, his brow raising.
"Yeah...I may need to see a doctor, luckily I know one!" He motions to the projection of Romani, the Good Doctor laughing it off.
It really doesn't matter to him. And I suppose, I'm thankful for that in a way. Though the longing to know what she could do still emanates in the back of her psyche. I'll learn to get past this, and I'll find out who I am now in time. He's right-this isn't the time or place for doubt. "Thank you, senpai!" She beamed him, making the brunette turn away from him and cover his face like he was about to sneeze.
"No problem Mash."
"While your assertion that bringing in capes would fix this, it wouldn't by the way," That stung a little bit, "I'd agree with you. Kyrielight, we'll figure out why you lack knowledge later. As of right now, we know where we're going and what sort of enemy we're facing." She snaps to the projection, "Roman, charter us the quickest route to that Mountain."
"Aye aye el capitan!" He salutes. When he sees Olga's sour glare, he laughs nervously and gets to work.
Olga turns her attention to the lone caster, "Are you willing to help us Caster?"
Caster shrugs, "No, but I will accompany you to the mountain. Then, I'll see if your lot is even worthy to get my help."
"Boy, aren't you a good Samaritan." Peter mocks, as he looks over the devices strapped to his wrists.
"I usually am, brat. Nevertheless, some of us still need to learn and understand."
"Ooh cryptic."
Olga huffs loudly, "Let's get moving, the smell here is making me sick."
Cu studied the shielder as the group of four walked, Can't tell if the kid's thick or still a novice in the situation. A servant, a skilled one, is nothing without their noble phantasm. He plays it down, probably thinks he can beat Saber and Archer with just blood, sweat, roundhouse kicks and that white stuff. Every few minutes or so, creatures that blighted Fuyuki came crawling out of the woodworks, and every, single time, it was brunette who jumped at the gun and into the fight. Cu noticing the teenager tense up before the skeleton crew even made themselves known to the group. He knows when the attack is coming, yet doesn't say anything.
A lot of things about the kid struck him as odd. The tech he used, his fighting style that seemed too natural, like he hadn't trained a day. The fact that he kept mentioning people Cu had barely any reference to. The repeating of the word, Avengers, made him twitch. He didn't know what they were, his context for what an Avenger was made him have a pit of disgust. There was always a sheen in his eyes when he mentioned the word. His voice has the contour of respect towards it. It doesn't seem right. To be an Avenger, was to be a being of pure unadulterated malice-not like a Berserker, they were almost entirely unthinking in their rage. Instead, an Avenger was always in control, their rage silent and beckoning-threatening to swallow all in its cavalcade of madness. That's how it was when I met this war's Avenger anyway, he was a weakling though.
His original comparison of the brat to the redhead stood firm though, despite the teen's prowess in combat-which the redhead lacked last time he saw him. He still throws himself head first into danger, letting the girl have to follow his lead. I'd give him credit for not being a pansy like other Masters I met during the war. But he barely orders his servant when it comes to strategy. He'd give the teen and shielder their little team-up takedown of Lancer and the skeletons. Nothing more.
And from the moment they entered battle, each time he saw the Shielder waver. Though it seemed she was glumly accepting being left in the dust by her master. That's going to get her killed one way or the other unless the brat realizes how he's shaming her.
As time went on and they drew closer to the mountain, the brat asked questions. How did they know the world was going to end? Terms were thrown out that went over Cu's head,
LAPLACE- a device that monitors the past and collects knowledge known and unknown.
CHALDEAS- a replica of the world to view the common era and others beyond that.
SHEBA- the system within CHALDEAS that gives detailed description/information of said eras. The future it once saw, now gone with the only thing it could observe being the dark anomaly of Singularity F.
TRISMEGISTUS- a computer which implements and oversees the rayshift process as well as assisting LAPLACE in giving real-time analysis of phenomena reported by SHEBA.
And FATE- the system (though still being fixed) which allows Chaldea to summon servants to their aid. Though there had only been three successful attempts by Chaldea. One summoned by Olga's father, the unknown servant summoned within the Shielder and (to the brunette's interest and some excitement), Leonardo Da Vinci. Though the fluffy man in the lab coat said the heroic spirit is a tad different than he thinks. When asked how, Roman as his name was, simply said. "You'll have to see it to believe it Pete."
The kid seemed to let the information simmer, contemplating and analyzing. His expression stretched and scrunched as he fidgeted with his wrists and looked at his command seal. "I figure you magic guys are pretty hush hush in operations, can't exactly let the common man know how you pull a rabbit out of a hat."
"Please, stop referring to magecraft as simple parlor tricks. Or I will seriously consider revoking your master status and-and give them to Romani!" Olga threatened, much to the Doctor's and Mash's worry. The brat wasn't phased.
"Force of habit, I'm kind of a whiz kid. My world view deals more with the facts and logic set up by guys like Edison and Tesla. Stuff we regular schmucks have on hand." He scrunches his face in realization, "I've had a question at the tip of my tongue since I first hit the dirt in this hellhole." He looks to Olga and by proxy, Roman. "Why didn't you guys call the Avengers, heck-why not get the Fantastic Four on speed dial. Obviously Chaldea isn't all smoke and mirrors, you guys have some science as a backbone (not really familiar with it, I'm more of a biochemist myself,) you guys seem more fringe science-which is right up the alley of someone like Reed Richards and Tony Stark."
There it was again, Avengers, along with now a mention of something called the Fantastic Four. Cu let the conversation roll, listening in and preparing himself for his plan when they reached the base of the mountain.
Olga shook her head and gave Peter a look of pure shame, "Capes, they do nothing but blow a situation out of proportion."
"What? Sure, Hulk and the blonde dude from Norway can be a bit of a hassle. But that's just because they fight some tough guys. I mean they help people, plus Reed Richards goes off planet and goes into different dimensions all the time. I'm pretty sure time-travel would just be a skip and hop away for him."
Roman saw the Director's frustration, "One of the rules of Chaldea is a total avoidance from metahumans. Based on how, they, for a lack of better word-" Olga cut him off.
"The invasion proved this fact to my father. There were other ways to stop that bug's army, with less death and less destruction of public property. A virus coded with the DNA of the invaders, assassinating their leader, parlaying." Her tone was cold, scathing. "Instead, the action figures took the fight to the streets of Manhattan, toppling buildings, the loss of life-while yes, mitigated by their help, was still costly." She waved her hands and wriggles fingers mockingly, "But it's fine-they beat up the bad bug man with his dumb purple shoulder pads and took him to jail. Leaving him alive, protected and still able to cause another bloody invasion!" Her footsteps became hard, with meaning.
"Would you rather them have done nothing? I was in school when it happened and let me tell you, a lot of us were thankful that the Avengers stepped in." He grimaces, Cu seeing anguish underneath the façade the boy put on, like when they first met. "Yes, people died and I'm not trying to play that down. But they still helped people afterwards, they didn't just go home after the battle was over. Hell! Cap and Ant-Man came to check on my school to see if we were okay! I saw the news that night, Wasp, Black Panther and plenty of others were helping in the relief effort." He points at Olga objectively, "The world was saved that day, and the fact that Chaldea doesn't think it's at least a bright idea to bring in some of these guys strikes me as really dumb. No offense." Though, I mean some offense. Come on, I'm technically a 'cape'.
"Senpai…" Mash warned, though Olga stopped her.
"Roman, explain to Mr. Parker as my father did, why don't we allow capes?"
Roman gives a soft and reluctant frown, "Capes are like a hammer, blunt and destructive. To keep humanity existing into the future, we need a surgeon's accuracy. No dime store heroics, no pulling punches, and nothing as destructive or unsubtle as portals opening around the world to pull in our enemies."
"You guys sound like SHIELD, sound like government spooks. You sound like you're willing to do something inhuman to stop judgement day." Peter complained. "That's not exactly my sort of philosophy."
But it is the way of the magus, boy. Sorry you have to find that out the hard way. Cu pitied the boy, he was learning the cruelties of the world. The world changed a lot after 2004 it seems. Cu considered, like a new age of gods. Though with mystery as it is, what creates these champions the brat mentions? Though, they seemed weaker than those of his time, not taking out someone who had apparently invaded Earth? I'd impaled him before he could even utter a single syllable.
"And what do you know of SHIELD Mr. Parker?" Olga inquired, a cruel smile forming at the boy's frown.
"Nothing at all." He answered lowly.
"Sure. If Nick Fury was here. He'd agree with our way of doing things, he already does. You may have saved me Mr. Parker, but remember, you're just a body, an expendable body. You're only useful to me and Chaldea inasmuch as a master. And even then, you're a rather poor master. I mean who constantly throws themselves into battle? When they have someone who's essentially invincible in their back pocket?" She looked to Mash, her tone harsh, but her eyes sorrowful.
Peter clicks his mouth, "I'm not the type of guy to stand to the side Director, and no one is expendable."
Roman looked away from Parker, and Olga met Peter head on as the group stopped. "You are if the world is threatened." Mash tried to get between them, and Olga reacted justly. "Mash, keep your master here on track. He's sounding too much like a cape." She whipped away from them and continued walking.
Cu heard the boy, and smiled at his bravado. "They're called superheroes," Pete looked to Mash. "I can see why you described her as evil, and I thought Jameson was harsh."
"She's only doing what she thinks is best, master."
"Best is subjective in this case." He groans, and looks at Romani. "You agree with her, Doc?"
The doctor looks to Olga, who was off in her own world it seemed. He shakes his head hesitantly. "And even she doesn't entirely believe what she says."
"Yeah, it really seems like it."
"Kyuu fou." Fou states solidly.
There's a difference between the two. The brat's more tactile it seems, the redhead simply acted without foresight when I saw him go against the Berserker of White. But they share the same idealism that always grows rotten. The next test would be the mountain, and the Sage of the Forest was ready to put the servant and her foolhardy master to the test.
Mash looked upwards, the stairs rising and leading to where the source of the singularity was. Caster was in front, at the threshold of the stairway. So, this is it. We're about to face Saber and Archer. The shield became heavier in her hand as she gulped. I'm not ready for this. She was winged, driving a car with no hands. I'm without a noble phantasm, and Senpai thinks we can still win. I appreciate his hope, but I'm essentially useless. Peter says differently, but it never really mended the angst.
"Up there, and within, is where our enemies await. Ready to fight for their very life to protect the grail. So I ask you, Chaldeans?" He waves his staff, and a ball of flame erupts and heads straight for the Mash's master. "Are you ready?"
She reacts, faster than any normal human and with a speed that blows dust like wind. She blocks it, only to find that Peter had leaped out of the way and was crouched next to her. "I FREAKING CALLED IT!" He stands up and extends a webline towards the staff. Caster burns it as it sails through the air.
"I've seen your tricks brat,"
"Uhuh, I got a lot more up my sleeve Treebeard!" He looks to Mash, smashing his fists together to signify the impending beatdown they were going to send up Caster. "Time to do it to it, eh Mash?" Fou stands next to Pete, snarling at Caster.
The shielder nodded, though, she felt like something was off. "Why are you doing this, Caster?"
"I SECOND THAT!" Olga cried, hiding behind a ruined piece of debris beside the mountain.
Caster twirls his staff, symbols forming around the area and-under Peter and Olga. Peter tries to leap, but he finds himself stuck. "The hell?"
"Rune magic, that's what I specialize in when I'm in this class. It can do a lot, even make clothes, and trap unsuspecting Masters who think they're big shit."
"Are you doing this because I called you Mr. Burns?" Peter asked, struggling to break free of the rune's hold.
"No...I'm doing this for the cute girl next to you." He points the staff towards Mash, who readies her shield.
"Okay dude gross, you're totally too old for her!"
"Yes, keep making schoolground insults brat, that's all you're good for, besides hitting somewhat hard." He sends a wave of flame towards Peter, Mash promptly blocks it. The shield caused the fire to move past them like a tunnel. "You're a poor excuse for a master," Caster remarked when the flames stopped.
"I never asked to be a master, pal!" Peter defended himself.
"Well you sure act like it, but more than that-you shame the servant contracted to you. You flaunt this shame each time you launch yourself into battle. I'd normally praise such gall, but for you. I'd say it's a lack of tact that really grinds my gears."
The holographic form of Roman came next to Mash and Peter, "What's he talking about Peter?"
"Hell if I know, Mash and I work pretty well as a team from what I can tell."
"You say that, but you lack a critical understanding of the purpose of servants and what the lass is feeling." His eyes stared sharp daggers at Mash, egging her on to act. "A servant is no good without an understanding of who they are, along with a purpose. And that starts with their noble phantasm. She doesn't know it, and you say it's fine."
"Oh my god, are you really trying to guilt trip me for saying it's okay that she doesn't know everything!?" He pushes against the barrier of the rune's field, it doesn't break. "She literally has someone apparently in her, I don't expect her to be an expert on it on the first freaking day you jackass!" He let out a breath to say something else, but stopped himself.
"No, everyone, even I, can keep learning. But you're hindering her, every time you fight without thinking of your role as a master." He tilts his head condescendingly. "I don't know why she hasn't gotten fed up yet, because it's clearly eating her up inside."
Peter looks at her, and Mash couldn't help but look away in shame. "Is...is he telling the truth?"
Mash wanted to crawl into a corner and die, but the servant within held her firm in front of her senpai, her master. She needed to be honest, "I thank you senpai, for saying it didn't matter. But I feel like I'm no good to you, that I'm not even a good servant. You're so strong, fast, and you were unaffected by the horrors surrounding us after you understood the situation." Mash cringes, "I feel like you don't need me."
"Mash, I fake it well, I'm scared as shit being here. What sane man wouldn't be? Sure I play it off with jokes, but that's how I cope." He clenches his fists and sparks pop. "Dammit, Mash, you saved me when I was fighting against Lancer, we fought together against the bone brigade, you calmed me down when the entire situation was becoming too much for me! How can you say I don't need you?" He grits his teeth, "I haven't known you for that long, but we've literally faced death together-you're a friend as far as I'm concerned." Peter looks to the hologram, "Tell her it's okay," He shouts for the Director, "Please!"
Roman, apologetically looks to Mash. "It's fine to feel like this Mash, it's human-I've felt useless every once in a blue moon. But, Pete doesn't seem the type to lie like this, if he says you're helping him-you're helping him."
"N-No, Roman-C-Caster's right." Olga counters shakily, sending the Doctor into a tizzy. "For Mash to be m-more effective as a s-servant, she needs to know her n-n-noble phantasm!" The squirms at the sight of Caster. "That's-that's what you're trying to do right? Get her to unleash it so we can better face-face Arc-Archer and S-s-s-saber!?" Her body vibrates in sheer terror. "I mean, you're not actually going to kill us are you?"
Caster shrugs, "A little this, a little that. One, to pay back the brat's constant mocking, and two, to see what the little miss here is really packing." He slams his staff to the ground, fire erupts around him in a dramatic fashion. "That, or I will absolutely kill you all and take the grail for myself. I'm feeling picky today honestly!" He snickers, then turns grim. "So what's it going to be, lass? Are you going to let the world walk over you, or are you going to kick my ass?" His staff becomes flame itself as strikes a pose one who fights with a spear would use. "The choice is yours."
Her gauntlet clenches around the handle of the escutcheon. She swallows all her fears and looks into Peter's hazel eyes. Eyes full of anger, confusion and fear. "I'll fight you Caster, I'll prove myself. But not to you, but to myself and my master's sake."
"Mash, you're playing into him-he's goading you!" Pete warned, his palms becoming encumbered by static. "You don't have to prove anything to me."
"Possibly, maybe I'm just too enthralled by the drama human's have and can't see the forest for the trees." She raises her shield to her side, tenses her muscles and readies herself to bound. "I'm sorry senpai, but I will protect you."
Pete sighs, the electricity stops. "I'm not going to convince you, am I?" He looks to Roman, who gives him a nervous shrug.
"Mkyuu kyuu!" the fluffball says encouragingly.
"Thank you Fou, don't worry senpai...I'll win!" She leaps, heel kicking up the ash and within a second, she is on Caster. "Servant, Mash Kyrielight, commencing operation!"
Caster smiles savagely, welcoming the challenge and meeting her head on. A shock is sent out, blowing blackened dust past Olga, Fou and Peter and hindering their view of the fight. But they could hear it. The unmistakable tune of wood hitting metal, along with the sound of battle ready grunts. Peter couldn't make out either Mash or Caster, before Caster was thrust from the black cloud, his bare heels and bottom of his staff skidding to a stop before Peter.
"Fast, good. You hit hard with that shield, Not bad lass-you may beat me yet!" He glances at Peter trollishly, "Or I could just burn your master right now, play dirty and all that!"
"HAA!" Valiantly she cries foul, surging forth like a Valkyrie from Valhalla itself to strike the azure caster. The caster braces for impact, the center of the shield slams against his free arm and he cringes gratefully.
"Did I strike a nerve?" He twirls his staff, slams the ground and launches himself into the air like a rocket. When airborne, fire is sent down like a maelstrom.
Acting fast, Mash raises the shield and takes the brunt of the flame. It stops, and Caster lands, doing a few stretches before Mash comes at him once more.
He sidesteps, and fires at her back. Spinning swiftly, she blocks the torrent of flame-its force pushing her back a smidge. She digs her heels and trudges forwards, pushing against the fire. "Hnn," the wind makes her lavender hair go wild, whipping her eyes. She persists, she has to. Come on. Prove yourself, you were made for this! Without warning, no I heard it, through the flame I heard the noise of something being summoned, she was sent flying back.
She tumbles, the shield flying away from her. No…She feels something attach to her body, sticky and quite effective in the way it changes her trajectory. And with assurance, she was in the embrace of Peter, who had caught while still stuck in the symbol.
He snarls at Caster, who desummons tendrils of wood with his runes "Jerk apparently isn't a one trick pony!" He looks down at Mash, and she couldn't help but feel as helpless as she did when she was stuck under the debris of Chaldea.
I really am useless, aren't I? Pete, saw the doubt.
"Whatever you're thinking, I get it-more than you could probably ever understand." His hazel eyes become soft, "I don't fully understand the whole master-servant dynamic, I'm pretty sure that's obvious at this point." He gives an odd look to Caster, who simply waits, still looking ready to fight. "The heck...eh screw it, Mash I have an idea,"
He whispers in her ear, Caster simply enjoying being able to show off his prowess as a servant it seems. "That, that may work." She nods to him with a ready and willing smile. "Yes, master! Thank you." She lets herself go of his arms, her left hand clutching something tightly as she dematerialized and summoned her shield to her right gauntlet
"WOO GO MASH! Kick that guy's ass!" The Doctor cheers, his exuberance like that of father at his kid's little league game.
Peter salutes her, "Break a leg."
"Yes, Master!" With that, she heads straight back into the brawl.
Caster arches his brow, unimpressed. "Seriously, you could at least tell her to try something different, brat." He brings his staff to his side, holding it tightly with both hands. "Tch, whatever-you're funerals." This sent the Director into a panicking tizzy.
"OH GOD-I DON'T WANNA BURN TO DEATH! LEV SAVE MEEEEEEE!"
Mash sounds off, "Don't worry Director-" She braces for the whirlwind of flame, it comes like her senpai, her master, said it would. "-No one's dying today." Using her willpower, a strength she hoped to one day grow to understand. She pushes through the fire, then she hears the noise of Caster's runes pulling something into this world. Now! She rolls to the side, the long tip of the shield letting her stand up fast as it dug its way into the ashened ground.
Hoping to catch Caster off guard, she takes Peter's advice. "HAGH!" With strength older than herself, she slams the flat of her shield to the ground. In an instant, the impact pushes the black dust upwards. Blinding all as it expands far and outwards.
"Heh, trying to blindside me-smart, you two may prove me wrong ye-" Caster, stops hearing the Shielder's footsteps coming up on him. He prepares to be hit by the shield, but something untold happens instead. His staff is ripped straight out of his hand and before he could react he is met with a face full of darkened metal.
He crashes into the base of the stone staircase, his body leaving a hole larger than himself. Head spinning, he can't help but laugh. She got me good. He begins to pick himself up, but quickly finds himself stuck to where he now lies. How in the hell? The brat's white goo was on him, binding him. He couldn't have gotten out of my trap? The ash clears, and he sees.
The shielder had one of the brunette's devices on her wrist, it looked uncomfortable over her gauntlet, the gauntlet that held his staff. "The battle is finished Caster!" She walks over to him, her shield ready to end him. "Accept defeat."
"Wow, you actually found a way to use your little toy in a fight of servants-I commend you, Master of Chaldea!"
"Oh thanks man! That totally makes up for attacking us!" He draws in a tone so obvious in its sarcasm.
"But the thing is," Caster clenches his fists and strains himself. With herculean strength, he pulls himself from his trap, with a breath to pause, he thrusts forward at Mash, the shielder already raising her shield up to defend herself.
He slams against the shield, let's himself drop to the ground, hefting himself using his palms, his swing kicks and trips Mash, she doesn't expect it and the Child of Light eyes flash predatorily as his little tactic works in his favor.
Thus gets to his bare feet and wrenches Mash's ill-gotten gains, with that, he backs away quickly. Impressed, Never expected him to share his toys, quick thinking on how to use him and his servant's skills. Smart, but he's done that before-let's see if the lass can do something all on her own. He flares his nostrils, and began to speak with meaning "My spell is the coffin of flames, a giant of verdant thorn,"
His form begins to glow, and Mash can't help but be in awe.
Peter meanwhile, his spider-sense was going mad. "What the hell is he doing!?"
Roman looked how Peter felt, "He's unleashing his noble phantasm, the scanners read the magical energy flowing from him-it's-it's going to kill you all." His voice was hollow, edging into complete panic.
In that moment, Peter's palms sparked in rage, and his form, unknown to him but seen by Romani-disappeared from view as the fear overtook him. "MASH GET OUT OF THERE!" As long as she got out, it'd be fine-He tried to aim the single web shoot he had on him. It clicked, It's empty! He reached into his pocket, and quickly tried to reload. Thing was, he couldn't find his own arm. What the hell is happening to me!?
"Retribution, the forest that will purify human misery-"
The world seemed to go slow. Mash, fear, awe, determination, sorrow. These feelings all ravaged her mind, her soul, her body. The servant inside kept her steadfast towards the form of the Caster. Her master's voice was distant, he was worried about her, He cares-I know that. Why did I let my own insecurities bring me here? Because I thought I wasn't good enough for him, to protect him when he showed he could keep up with me. I've become too human I suppose, but… She remembered the way Peter looked at her, a nervous smile, worry and stress before he first understood what she was. He comprehends what I can do, but he's still learning. I'm still learning. She raised her shield with meaning, as her own body began to glow. We'll learn together, we'll fight together.
"Befall the Wicker Man!" Caster jabs his staff into the ground as runes form and outgrows a titan of pyre and forest. "And behold, as both good and evil bite the dust-!"
I'm a protector, Olga Marie, Fou, Peter-everyone that exists or will exist needs me to stay strong. Or they all will disappear-So even if it's fake, even if I'm still clueless as a kitten- She brings her fury down in the form of the shield, her eyes like a lupine guard protecting its own. "-I MUST UNLEASH IT!"
She howls a war cry, and as the titan brings the pain down upon the Chaldeans, the Shielder unleashes her noble phantasm...