Orleans was the second bastion of humanity to fall under the Dragon Witch's wrath.
In a campaign that took little under a day after Rouen was left as a brimstone promise to the country, the center of the Loire Valley was now a nest to Dark Saint's pets.
From outside the fortified and illustrious structure that the Witch had made her home, groans of dark creatures droned on and on as wyverns returned and left the stronghold.
Under the night's sky, decaying Bodies limped and jostled themselves towards any direction without thought or want, their only instinct being that of the kill. Anything not their master, would die by their hands if they somehow managed to avoid the wyverns notice.
Human life was a non-factor here now, in this city on the river. Death was law, just as Jeanne decreed. A just penance to the sinners who stood by and let her die for their insignificant wants and hypocrisies.
'Tell me, was there no one who helped you, or showed you kindness before you died?'
In her chambers, alone, ungarbed and out of view of the bug-eyed conjurer-Jeanne sat up, her flaxen eyes stared into the darkness.
Under covers of the finest silk, atop a bed of an aristocrat she had personally killed when taking the structure, she couldn't find it in herself to sleep.
Servants didn't need to sleep, of course-but they could fake it, they could dream, though the dreams would go to their masters as well.
She didn't need to sleep herself, the grail she held kept at peak capacity. The Dragon Witch honestly just used it as a way to get away from her obsessed ally. Gille, who watched her every move and was thrilled by her every action even if he had managed to console himself in the moment.
He was annoying, useful, but annoying. Though he wasn't what was keeping her awake. She cringed, clenching the covers as a mental image of that blood drenched stupid boy came to her.
The temperature of the room heated up a few notches. He humiliated me...who does he think he is? Coming out of nowhere, insulting her acts and calling them unoriginal. What right did he have? His brazen cocksure talk as she was trying to end his life, interrupting her final verdict on her moronic counterpart, and having the...he made me lose sight of my vengeance…
She growled, the room now having the same feel as a boiler. What the hell was that!? Since the moment she awoke, realizing where she was and what this country had done to her-she wanted nothing but violence.
From the highest aristocrats to the lowest beggars, from those bastard holy men to their insignificant followers. She wanted to burn all that her naive former mindset had let live.
Why did she have to be a martyr? Why did she have to give up everything for a conflict started because of succession for a throne an illiterate farm girl like her shouldn't even care about? Why was she her master's puppet? Couldn't he have done something?
Why was it my responsibility to clean-up this mess of a country? She asked no one, never expecting an answer. Because everyone else was too cowardly and I was too gullible to see that…
The Strange Master had somehow unweaved that side of her, even so, whatever had stopped her for a moment-was now hazy.
She didn't have a good picture of her life. That is if she was to even attempt to look back. She remembered her end, the pain of the fire and seeing some dumb, foolish girl just allowing it to happen without even attempt to bite back at this cruel fate handed down to her.
Though enraged presently, it was like being among the crowd-an outsider to her life. Her death was clear, everything else was broad strokes to say the least. Why? Because it isn't important...then why was she taken aback by the boy's words?
She had no answer, maybe it was just whiplash that had gotten to her, the master's change of tactics from insulting her to attempting to coax her like she was ill of mind. He lowered her defenses for a moment.
She had shown him well enough for crossing her, making her think even for a moment, that she was wrong. How can I be? Is the rage I feel wrong? No...it's who I am, vengeance is sweet, and she never felt any better whence the shackles that had bound her in life had been lifted.
She was a monster, a cruel defiler of the Lord's values, a witch. And seeing that distraught look on that farm girl's face was proof enough. She didn't have a leg to stand on, repeating the same pleas. How could I have such hate? How can you not? Only a fake couldn't hold hate, a ghost of a person summoned in some sort of idealized form by her followers. And with all fakes, they could never surpass the importance of the original, or their mass effect.
'Jeanne D'arc' was a weak defense to the ever-encroaching noose that was the Dragon Witch's dark wish. An imperfect copy, lacking any hate to grant her strength. I don't have such a weakness… she bit her lip and inhaled, "Fuck that master and damn her... they'll both die screaming."
Her covers began to smoke, a blaze shining under her palms and fingertips on the cusp of burning the soft fabric. It hit her nose, cringing from its evocative fumes, she lessens the intensity of her flames.
A sour sigh was utter from her mouth, under her breath "I'll make sure she dies with hate in her eyes…" Even if she didn't, even if she keeps up the good girl act-it'd be all for nought for the farm girl, Jeanne will win, and the spoils of her campaign will be proof enough. I won't be my master's or this country's martyr
She would define her fate, she had to, needed to. She was rea-
Taken out of her thoughts as her Berserk-Assassin and Berserk-Lancer called out to her. Apparently, their siege of that insignificant settlement had gone south. She considered just leaving them to die or fight their way out. They were two of history's most infamous killers, surely they could handle a few measly servants.
Instead, she withheld this judgment call, the night had cultivated her frustration. Lording over her servants letting loose her frustration while berating their failure was just what she needed.
Entering the, for lack of a better term, throne room, in full darkened attire, Jeanne stared vitriolically at her servants. Gille waited for her by the throne like the obedient thrall he was.
The throne was immaculate, with reflective flooring. golden upholstery and deep red furniture.
Vlad's attire was in tatters, the remnants of blade cuts assumedly. He held himself proudly like there were no wounds at all.
Carmilla was the opposite. She held a wounded arm that still bled from a large gash. Other than that, the Countess of Blood herself was in almost pristine condition (if you ignored her annoyed expression.)
The Dragon Witch didn't say anything at first, heading for the regal seat of the noble she'd slain had once sat in. A heated atmosphere encumbered the room from the moment she walked in, either from her annoyance or just an empathetic effect. "I sent you there with thirty wyverns...thirty wyverns are dead. You wasted my resources, correct?" she asked sternly, angrily, gauging a reaction from Carmilla who was about to speak, before Vlad raised his hand as a warning to her.
Carmilla continued to cradle her arm with a brattish frown.
"Yes, master. Our forces were killed by enemy servants. I faced a ruler by the name of Amakusa Shirou Tokisada before he was aided by a servant with a shield and that master from la Charite. Then I believe a caster servant came to aid them." He looks to Carmilla to lend her side of the siege.
"...I fought with that sickening counterpart of yours, annoying as you would expect...I nearly had her before an archer came in and ruined my fun…" under the mask, her eyes were unsure. She shook it off "along with an airheaded queen, Marie Antoinette, who I think may have been a caster, or maybe a rider...I don't know" the dark noble admitted agitatedly.
Gille frothed enraged, "WATCH YOUR TONE ASSASSIN!"
Vlad sighs as Carmilla huffs, "I'm answering the question you perverted dolt!" summoning her staff, she motioned it towards the caster threateningly. "I suggest you watch yours before I sully my maiden with your hideous carcass!" she hissed.
The caster slips a human-skin bound tome from his robes, opening it quick he chose a spell, "I prithee my savior-let me feed this misbegotten bloodsucker to a creature of unending terror, cacophonous in its being and many limbed for the process of killing" he looks to the dark saint with a whimsical sneer, "it will be so cool, my Jeanne!"
Vlad rubbed his forehead in abject disgust, Oh for God's sake
Jeanne spoke, "As much as I'd like to see such a horrid sight" she lied, she was a monster, yes. But her former ally and his means of depravity were few steps beyond what she could stomach. Even then, it was so fucking exhilarating to see my killers twisted into such shapes...the executioner allowed that man to give me his trink- she withholds an outward reaction, she would not show weakness in front of them "I'd rather berate such a poor display of resources. I gave both of you some of the finest phantasmal predators and in a single night they were all slaughtered. Was the bastion of sin at least annihilated?"
"No, master, as we were escaping, I saw a gathering of people in the nearby forests. Commoners from what I remember of my briefest sight of them. They escaped your judgment." Vlad answered.
"Did they now?" she asked in a contemptuous manner.
"Not all of course, I made sure of that. twenty-five by my own hand while witnessing ten by the wyverns." He recalled
Carmilla snorts, "I drank plenty of them, enjoying their frail yet delightful forms go limp in my arms" she smiles proudly remembering the sweet taste of the young women, before becoming dismissive "I had your pets devour the dregs that didn't suit my tastes"
"Though I will admit my blunder as to not noticing their escape until it was too late" Vlad answered.
"A blunder? That's what you're calling it, what was it? What was so fucking important that you didn't notice my wyverns dying? Did you not hear them cry out their last breath? And if you were too busy with those enemy servants-why didn't you use your noble phantasms? ARE YOU TWO DEAF OR DUMB?!"
"Listen here you overcooked peasant!" Carmilla began before, Vlad motioned for her to be silent. "No, you old fool! She's berating us like the help! I have enough mind to just cut my contract and watch that slender body of yours be squeezed completely of your blood!"
"SUCH INSOLENCE!" Gilles howled; he began reading his book a dark aura of some coming beast emanating from him.
The Dragon Witch rolls her eyes, "Finish that gibberish and I'll make you regret it. I'll have you clean my throne room with just your tongue!" she warned.
Gille's didn't seem to get it, "I'd be happy to do that my Jeanne-die you philistines!" a vicious grin seized him before the dark saint left her throne, grabbed the caster by the throat and began pounding him into the floor for a few solid moments.
The only sound in the room was the haggard and pain sputters of Gille De Rais as the ruler servant let go of some much-needed aggression.
The assassin and lancer watched without pity. The son of Dracul gave a 'what are you thinking?' expression towards the countess. She rebuffed it with a nasty chuckle, the display before her was worth the nobleman's chagrin.
Jeanne released the grip from the former knight, his neck singed with a mark of her hand. She looks to her servants and crosses her arms. "Answer my question, bloodsuckers"
"Such passion…" cooed Gille in a quiet tone as he laid on the floor.
Vlad gives his perspective on the matter, "Tunnel-vision, master, aided by the berserk aspect you spliced into my saint graph." A sliver of shame rolled through him, "I was too enthralled by the fight with the ruler" he was hesitant to mention it, but he wasn't the disloyal type.
"So you're blaming me for your fuck-up?" she sniped, sitting back into her throne with a harsh swagger.
"No. He knew me and I knew him. Suppose you could consider it a gesture of respect for a deed he had done for me in the past. Not smart in a tactical sense, he's an enemy, of course-but as the battle went on and I lost track of my surroundings due to my respect for his deed. When the master and the other servants came, it would have been a waste of time and my own mana to even attempt to use my noble phantasm when it can only target one individual. I would have been left open."
"You said you had tunnel-vision" the Dragon Witch accuses.
"I had a moment of clarity when they backed me into a corner."
"So, you ran, HA! The most feared man in Europe, who has killed hundreds, young and old, ran like a scared animal with his tail between his legs!" Jeanne mocks.
"I retreated after judging the facts of my situation. I've done it before, any good leader knows that it's better to cut your losses if a battle grows overwhelmingly out of your favor." He then added, "If I were in my native land, it wouldn't even matter how many there were. I am not and I considered it frugal to save the resources we still have. Adding on to that, I presume our enemy this time around played it smart. An archer positioned to keep his eyes on the sky, the other Jeanne sent to deal with assassin, while I took on my opponent. Simple tactics, as for that master and the servant with shield, they could have busied themselves with taking out wyverns on the ground or possibly getting humans out of the area. And lastly, the caster was stranger to the master"
Carmilla chimes in, "That irksome Queen, was new to my adversaries as well...you should have heard that blonde dreamer, immediately coming to the girl's aid when insulted! Sickening…I didn't expect anyone to come to that blonde beauty's aid-I had her teetering, bleeding, bruised...you should have seen it~~"
Gille picks himself up from the floor and returns to the side of Jeanne's throne.
A slight smile comes to the Dark Saint's face at that last bit, before returning to a frown. "So, what changed exactly? You had her on the ropes, why didn't you just kill her?"
The assassin becomes standoffish, "I made the wyverns beat her. I wanted some life left in those eyes to personally take away~~" An embarrassed flush comes to her, "...I never expected anyone to actually come and help when I was watching"
"Watching?" Vlad and Jeanne both say.
Carmilla rolls her eyes, "I don't get my hands dirty with the common barbarism you two enjoy. I like my killings to be more personal and with less fight from my victims...though struggle is nice every once in a while"
Vlad rubs his temples.
"And look where that got you, a bum arm that's still bleeding. Tch, I would commend you making her suffer if it actually panned out-useless" Jeanne complains. "Absolutely useless. And you didn't think to keep your eyes open, or were too focused on your next slab of meat being tenderized like some glutinous oaf?"
"How dare you!?" The dark noble hisses.
"My apologies, a glutinous hag?"
Under the mask, the dark dominatrix's eye twitches. "Well, maybe this wouldn't have happened if you had just killed that master when you had the chance-clearly they're his servants, and your blasted doppelganger is with them! Maybe you're the dullard here, master!"
Gille began to squawk.
"HUSH UP!" The assassin snarled, "What? Did you choke or something? Not have the stomach to finish him yourself? If you're so perfect, why did you summon us to fight him, and not even kill him when we were busy following your orders?!"
Jeanne rose from her throne, "I'm going to kill you, how does that sound? Or better yet, maybe I should lock you in the lowest pit of this town. No holes and no candles to light" Strutting over to the assassin, she pulls La Pucelle from her scabbard.
Carmilla wavers only slightly as memories come back to her of a place she could not leave. "Do your worst!"
The lancer gets in between the two. "Master, please...she isn't the brightest if you can't tell. She snarls because she is as embarrassed of this failure as I am. I lead the charge on the settlement and left her to her own devices, I will take any punishment you would have given her along with whatever you have planned for me because of our failure" Vlad says calmly, receiving a brattish glare from the assassin and a perturbed one from the ruler.
A few seconds pass, and Jeanne slides her sword back into its hold. "Go to any of the open rooms, I don't care which." Gille had already set this structure up as a sort of refueling station for wyverns and servants after any of their campaigns. Depending on the amount of damage or mana used, a servant or magical beast can regain their strength over a short period of time. "When dawn comes, take sixty wyverns and torch that hobble, scorch the earth without a second of pause. Fail me again and you'll see my wrath personally..."
"Of course, thank you" Vlad says, turning to his partner in crime and motioning her to follow.
Outside of the throne room, Vlad was slapped.
He rubs his cheek, "You're welcome"
"I didn't need your help!" She snarls, her arm slowly beginning to heal.
Vlad gives an exasperated sigh. "I'm not apologizing if that's what you want me to do" He turns and begins heading for one of the spare rooms. "I'll see you in the morning"
"GAH! I don't want your apologies. I want you to stop treating me like that asinine girl!" she stomps her heels.
The maiden blocks the lancer's path, he looks over his shoulder and sees the venom the pale women are sending him. She points at him, her teal nail in the vein of a spear. "And I don't need you to try to make excuses for me! So, what if our master kills me, it would be my own fault. Just another tac on my list of mistakes, and if so-I'll own that pain and the anger I cause"
The Impaler prince gives nothing away with his features. "It'd be wiser to not get yourself killed for running your mouth. Suppose you and her have that in common." He flashes her sickly smirk, one that drives the blood countess mad.
"Get that out of your head, old man! She's a naive child that thinks the world can just forget what I did by playing pretend. She is a fantasy, and I am the grim reality..." she says bitterly.
"Then maybe you should use your real name, instead of the one that author forced on you" He snaps back in a calm manner.
She snickers "I own the monster mankind turned me into. I don't have to hide my tastes behind falsities, and without any need to worry about my children wellbeing, the other nobles and peasants looking for a way to bring me down-I am free to be what I always was~~" She says in a relieved manner, "Shouldn't you be glad that you're remembered as a savage monster that pathetic humans fear cross? I think you should be thanking me for inspiring your transformation, Lord Dracula"
He shakes his head. "I would rather be remembered for what I did, not what fiction says I did. And if that's all you have to say I will be taking my leave Elizabeth…" Before she can argue, the servant goes into his spirit form and leaves the assassin to her lonesome.
The Hungarian noblewoman huffs "Doddering old fool"
Jeanne sits upon her throne in silence, Gille beside her with the burn on his neck already beginning to fade.
She adjusts herself, putting one leg over the other.
Left over right,
Right over left,
Left over right,
She looks to her side with a nasty sneer "Aren't you going to ask why I spared them?"
Gille only smiles "I believe your judgements"
Jeanne sighs, "Of course you do…" Lancer took out Siegfried, so he's at least proven himself as useful she justified to herself. If he hadn't her dragon may not have survived the second day, she summoned it if the dragon slayer managed to reach her. And Assassin is a debaucherous killer, her crimes an affront to God...with a terrible, unloyal attitude. Though at least she isn't some brain dead sheep...she side eyes the caster. "...why? Isn't that a tad too merciful?"
Gille looks at with a queried eye "Perhaps. Though those cowards that took you from us, they would have killed them without a second with how flagrant their atrocities are or if someone up top didn't see them as useful."
"Like how they got me" she sneers, "What a pathetic end...and this land flaunts it with some 'perfect' idiotic copy!"
She gets no reply from the former knight.
"If she makes it here, what will you do Gilles?" she asks in a deprecative tone.
"I will fight," he responded immediately.
"What if fate takes her side?"
Gille smiles, "It won't-the end has already come to pass. That master will die by your unholy force. You already proved your superiority to him once and the human order before it is snuffed out, will remember you..." the caster trailed off a thought seemingly occurring to him that he didn't share.
"What of her?"
"You will be remembered, my Jeanne…as though you were a dark messiah. All the world's evils will be nothing to you but an ant to a monolith with that fact."
"What of her, Gille-I won't ask again…" she said in a low bitter tone.
"Ah yes, the other Jeanne...a fake. Has to be...my savior wouldn't still defend this land that cursed her for all that she had done...it would not make sense" he says under his breath.
"It wouldn't make sense, would it?" She gets up from her seat and heads for the door, ready to return to her slumber. Before her gauntlet clutches the handle, she looks over her shoulder to the caster. "If she is fake, would she have my memories? Would they be clear to her?" She looks inward to the brief moment that boy made her pause "Would they make her…"
"Memories are quite malleable, my Jeanne, there are many creatures that corrupt them...she is fake, meaning the memories given to her will be weak. If there is a sliver of truth to them, somehow-the fake spirit saint graph would break because they'll realize they're stealing what isn't theirs"
Her grip tightens on the handle, melting it slightly as tension rolled over her. "Then let us make sure she breaks" her eyes sharp she refocused herself, I am real and I will prove myself. Fuck this land, fuck that master and most of all, damn her…
In the forests deep and out of sight of the land's normal populace, the group had finally come to a halt.
"An X marks the spot, set up that summoning circle and we'll have some fresh supplies heading your way" he said in a cheery tone.
Amadeus snickers at the Doctor, "What a malignant tone-deph response after our previous situation"
"He's just trying to lighten the mood...even if his mindset is tad shall we say pedestrian" Marie remarked.
Peter heard the Doc give a halfhearted sigh. Huh...he thought dryly, keeping his eye on Nameless and staying about seven feet away from him as the group settled themselves near the leyline.
The doctor led them to it, having picked it up as they fled from Gilles De Rais and his battalion.
The cover of the treeline made the night even darker, though it wasn't impossible to navigate past the wooden trunks.
Peter leaned himself against a tree, attempting to cool his nerves as Mash set her shield down upon where the leyline laid. Okay there has to be a logical explanation for this. The grail gives servant info on the present, right? So maybe he was imposing knowledge about the cape and costume crowd from my time on to me...it's usually like broadstroke stuff, right? Maybe some esoteric references here and there...I mean-I have to be over thinking this. Right? He sighs, that version of him in Fuyuki knew who I was. But that was in the past so-He inwardly groaned, feeling headache coming on as he tried to piece this together.
A few moments passed, "Uh...senpai?"
His junior's voice drew him from his confusion. All eyes were on him, with of course, the vexing glare/smirk of the archer who leaned on the base of a tree right across from him. "What?" he asked blankly.
He heard the archer laugh softly as Peter quickly put it together. His eyes went to the shield. "Oh yeah, summoning circle, of course"
He looked over where the escutcheon lay for a moment. He recalled the basic layout of Olga's circle, and a few examples Da Vinci had shown him from the lesson the day before rayshifting here. Because giving the ground a cool tattoo can unlock magical power his more logical mind snarked feeling out of his depth with this stuff like usual and this was apparently basic (though it could become more meticulous depending on the skill of magus or what needed to be brought forth/made).
"Okay…" Looking about the dark forest, he scanned for a stick of some sort to carve in the soil. It wasn't a second before his spider sense warned him.
Something small, sharp, going for your head*
Reflexes quick, he caught the handle of a dagger firmly in his hand. The minute blade had come from the direction of the red bowman.
Mash was shocked, while Amakusa and Jeanne went to berate the archer who gave his explanation. "I saw my master looking for a tool to create the circle. So being the good and loyal servant I am, I decided to help him" He then raised a snide brow at Peter "And I knew he would catch it, right Master?"
He knows, he definitely knows. "Thanks," Pete replied sardonically. How? I have no freaking clue...but I need to nip this in the butt. His eyes drifted to his command seals. No Pete. He's an asshole-but you're not going to stoop to that level
The new additions to his group observed the commotion before silence returned and the brunette went about creating the circle. This took a few minutes.
"What fast reflexes!" He heard Marie comment to her cohort.
"Quite" He heard Amadeus say with a suspicious ring.
Dirtying his mystic code more than he had previously, he felt the watchful eye of Mash over him with a projection of Da Vinci beside her. The renaissance artist gave him tips on what angles were needed, along with curves and some miniscule symbols.
During this process, proper introductions were made between the servants (as well as a rundown of the Present's current fate) though Peter gave some attention to the brief interludes of conversation-
Jeanne (in her intro) admitted that her ability to discern the true name of servants was null. But she was able to divine that Grumpy Jeanne's servants were enhanced to have the traits of Berserkers. Madness Enhancement that could give them the edge in battle and keep them in the fight presumably.
The japanese catholic said he noted the same thing when he was fighting the lancer. That notwithstanding, he wondered why his opponent would just run when given this for lack of a better-term upgrade. As during their brief exchange, the lancer hadn't looked withered despite various knicks the ruler had given him. "But I suppose no potential upgrade could compare to the boost he would have in his native soil"
"Native soil?" Romani pondered, expression slightly startled "...that's not too dissimilar to the concept from Bram Stoker's Dracula–but he's fiction…for the most part, which means that lancer would be Vlad Tepes"
The priest nods
So I was right on the money when it came to that 'Dracula' quip…well leasts its not as big revelation as Dracula being actually 'real' Pete reassured himself, It just means the real dude was a vampire probably…I mean I sort already knew they existed–kind of…unless watching that one dude be turned to ash by that Wesley Snipes looking dude was just some fever dream I had…what did he call himself? Knife? Machete?
Nameless piped in, "Heh, that madness enhancement didn't do much for that dominatrix." His rigid tone drove Pete's anxiety up as he worked.
Jeanne gave a possible explanation, "She seemed to be a noble of some kind. And (no offense Marie), most nobility aren't that physically strong/resistant. Plus she was an assassin and they are more based on evasion than full brunt force combat"
Questions aside that could be gone over when everything was settled, Marie and Amadeus explained their deal. To recap, no masters called upon them, Marie didn't believe Jeanne D'arc was a genocidal maniac. This called into question the odd nature of the situation that Romani gave them the elevator pitch of what was going on in the present. Conjecting that the singularity was still in essence a grail war. But the grail was manifested already, and it was the fixture that kept the irregularity in the timestream stable
As for how they were summoned, that Romani couldn't answer but Da Vinci theorised that it was possible the counter force-
Just felt a chill run down my spine...
-summoned non-aligned spirits to the land in effort to mend the corruption. It went along with what D'arc-and-Fiery had said about their Jeanne when they met in La Charite, about the land manifesting her to defend it.
Sure, that makes as much sense as being able to use my own fluids to supercharge somebody's magic reserves...why? Why is that a thing?! A comment that went by quickly as his focus continued to be on the circle and Nameless.
Would the throne tell him about Spider-Man? But I'm small potatoes compared to everyone else. And I haven't done anything historic compared to literally anybody else!
His pupils were pint-sized as his mind was solely aimed on the movements of the knife. Whatever topic the spirits were on to now was drowned out by a growing terror. Nameless...why did it have to be him. Does he remember Fuyuki? No-that doesn't...does it even matter Parker? Everyone's dead, why are you trying to keep up this pointless show? Is keeping your identity worth the fucking sweat? He cringed, digging the knife deeper into the dirt as he dragged it. There's literally no one you need to protect. And they'd have to be dumb not to see through it. Be smart!
This cynical thought cut through sharper and faster than Nameless's dagger through the soil. A horrible, selfish feeling came over him that he didn't want to even recognize. Did he really need this secret? In this place, with these people who'd probably never even be able to snitch on him.
But can I even take that chance? Time travel and magic ghosts or not-just letting go of that like it's nothing would be...irresponsible. He didn't exactly believe it but-I'm keeping my identity secret. Because I don't know if I can trust everybody in Chaldea. Maguses are apparently worse than your average supervillain when it comes to human rights...so I'm not taking any more chances than I need to. A sterile justification that he could stick with. Wasn't per se the truth. Nonetheless, it would do. I'll find an excuse, I'm a good liar...I needed to be a good liar.
He could feel the shadow of the archer, even when he wasn't right next to him. Stop freaking out! There's an easy way to solve this...just ask what he knows about the present. If he knows about the Avengers. I can at least chalk it up to him insulting me by using them as an example.
The final symbol was carved, taking the knife out of the dirt the brunette stood. The knife broke upon extraction, chipping and returning to a particle state.
Not bad for a science geek...
What came out from the small labor was a somewhat crude but workable circle that immediately became energized when it was complete.
His focus drawn away from the task, he finally noticed that someone had been trying to grab his attention.
"And you, master?" It was Marie-beside him (probably a bit too close for his comfort).
His hazel eyes became puzzled, "And me?" he asked dumbly.
She snickers at his question, "During our conversation, you didn't bother to introduce yourself...and while I could get it from the others. I prefer the individual to grace the listener to their title on their own volition"
"His name is Pe-" Mash was about to answer before the Queen graciously raised her gloved finger in a commanding but not even remotely rude gesture.
"Non non~~ I appreciate the energy, but don't be a spoilsport. That is unsuitable for a young maiden in her carefree age"
"Sorry, I get lost in my thoughts sometimes" Peter shrugged, stepping away from the rider and laid himself back against the tree he was on previously. His nerves were settled for the most part. "Peter Parker...master of Chaldea, I guess" he said kind of hesitantly.
A fire crackled, lighting the area about eight feet outwards from its origin point. Behind a tree, Peter dressed himself in a fresh mystic code delivered directly from Chaldea.
Mash watched what she could make out of her master from side glances. As she warmed herself up by the fire. A hint of blush was on her face, lecherous thoughts coming to her from time to time that she had to swat away as quickly as they manifested. Though this was to the annoyance of Fou, who was frowning at the fact that the girl from Chaldea's attention was being taken away from her pampering of him as he laid on her lap.
Amadeus chuckled at her which made the shielder even more embarrassed.
"Stop shaming her. Though I suppose trash like you disregard modest inward reactions'' Marie sniped in a disappointed manner towards the caster. "It wouldn't be a travesty if you lost those sewage laden eyes of yours"
"I would still have my ears, and that'd be enough for me" He then gives the Queen of Lilies a haughty smirk "As if you're one to talk. Quite unqueenly to be so bold in your statements"
Marie shakes her head like the musician was an embarrassing relative "It's my right to be bold. Not my fault you have a rubbish personality that can't be praised"
The composer gives her an incredulous smile with flared nostrils "That's the ticket" he was in a husky breath.
The Queen of France then turned away from the musician in a huff "Pervert"
Amakusa and Nameless took first watch, though it was more that the two servants stood more towards the edge of the camp relaxed yet ready to cut anyone who could mean ill towards the group.
Jeanne sat next to Mash in conservative manner. Staring intently at the fire, she considered what their next move was to be. They could head straight to Orleans, though it was no doubt the riverbound city would be a frothing hive of dragons and whatever else her counterpart had brought forth using the grail. The wyverns could be handled with a good enough plan-but their biggest contention would be her other's dragon.
Even without the full setup of her class, she knew that Fafnir was a beast to be reckoned with. Your average servant couldn't possibly bring it down, and it was possible that either Sigurd or Siegfried were under the thrall of the Dragon Witch if they were indeed summoned here. Or just wandering through the country aimlessly if they were unaligned like Marie and Amadeus. And she didn't want to leave her fate in the hands of chance when it came to finding them.
She became aware of a watcher, looking to her right she found Marie just looking at her with a sincere and cheerful smile. "My apologies but it's not every day I'm able to see one of my idols so focused" She folds her gloved digits between each other before placing them in her lap in a content manner. "Jeanne D'arc, I used to pretend to be you when I was a young girl...I imagined overwhelming armies that would be vanquished by a keen mind and the grace of a fierce maiden. All while never pulling my blade, to show I was a kinder sort that could lead them salvation"
The Saint of the Flag blushed, but she couldn't accept "I never had much grace...I wasn't so different from other kids in my village...none of the boys even thought of me like that"
The petite queen waves off her doubts, "Boys are sometimes blind to beauty, even the tomboyish kind we share"
The composer laughs "You, a tomboy? Marie, I find you enchanting in many ways-but the idea of you being a tomboy is…"
With a near stiff yet cute upper lip, Amadeus refrained.
"Just being honest"
"And who asked for honesty from scum like you?"
"No one, but like a fantastic consonance before the final act of performance-my tongue won't be stopped" he says proudly "And trash like me enjoy seeing pretty lady's reaction to our audacity"
Nameless pinches the bridge of his nose "Of all the servants that had to be summoned...we had to run into a pervert with what amounts to a humiliation fetish" He groans before connecting eyes with the stern face of Jeanne who told him without words-
Be Respectful
Amadeus had a rebuttal to the archer, "I'm merely an interpretation of this horrible world of ours"
You don't know horrible EMIYA thought poisonously. "Yeah, sure you are" he bitterly replies as his attention turns to the master of Chaldea, who came out from his hiding place with his previous mystic code balled up in his arms.
The Japanese Catholic queried his eyes somewhat at the musician's words, "Interesting perspective. More cynical, debaucherous comments aside-I wouldn't say you're any worse than any of the other more barbaric servants from the throne. You remind me of play write I know of, though I'm unsure which one of you has more class"
"I'll take that as a compliment" Amadeus says cheerily.
"And I wouldn't say this world is exactly horrible-more chaotic when it comes to the hand of fate he hands out to us. Good can come from it, and evil" Amakusa added as he looked over his shoulder to see if there were any passersby. "I for one like to think the world has gotten better (at least before the incineration), since my passing." I wouldn't have made my choice to betray my brother if I didn't believe it
"Do you now?" The archer asks with a dry glower. "And what makes you think that?"
Mash chimes in, "The throne? Right?" she asks meekly. "...that's at least how it was explained when I was first learning about heroic spirits." That the Throne Of Heroes gave the servant a range of info so they could get their bearings in whatever era they were summoned in.
Amakusa sighs, "Unfortunately, I know very little about the current era" He smiles nonetheless, "I have faith, Nameless"
"But you don't actually know" Archer "tch, figures"
Romani projection pops in, "Could be because of the interference within the timeline"
"Maybe" Or because I remember two separate lifetimes after the 3rd Grail War. He takes a breath. "What about you three? Do you have knowledge of the present?"
They confirmed that their knowledge was regulated towards the era they were in for the most part. And a few extra caveats from before the turn of the millennium.
Marie looks up in the thought, "Though I wouldn't mind learning about what people say nowadays, ooh and what the fashion girls of the present donned!"
"Why? So can you empty out another King's expenses?" The composer trolls, before receiving the puffed-cheeked frown of his comrade.
"I could probably give you guys a run down; don't think I have to worry about creating a paradox since you guys are…you know" The bloodied mystic code was crusty and smelled absolutely horrible. Imagine a small receptacle in a butcher's shop and you'd have a good idea of the stench. He dropped by the base of a tree before heading to the warmth of the flame. "Doc could probably give you more detailed answers if you need them"
Marie claps, "OUI! OUI! That'd be excellent"
Peter had cleaned himself head to toe with some water, soap and wash towel Chaldea had provided to him. Wasn't warm, especially on a cold summer's night but it wasn't terrible. He smelled better than he did and felt rather refreshed, but the sort of refreshed where you wanted, you'd go to sleep on a dime if you so much as lay your head down.
He sits criss crossed beside the log Mash was on, he noted the almost frazzled look on her face that was slowly going away. His eyes shifted over to the archer who was now looking deep into the forest. "...so where'd you like me to start? I'm not the biggest history buff (know a few esoteric specifics here and there) but I'll give it a shot"
"Something simple, what's the biggest event that's happened in your lifetime?" The Queen of Lilie's asks cheerily.
Besides a spider-bite that I honestly should have gotten cancer from. An immediate thought comes to his head, "Well...there was an alien invasion in twenty-eleven"
Everyone except for Mash and Nameless took pause at the brunette's words
"Aliens?" The composer asked befuddled.
"Erm...more accurately, it was an invasion from an alternate dimension. Hmm, yeah that still counts as alien if we're going by the dictionary definition"
"You're pulling our leg? Aren't you master of Chaldea?" Amadeus chuckles, "I pegged you for the trickster sort with your verbiage towards that lancer"
"Senpai is telling the truth, Mr. Mozart...four years before our current year, several countries across the Earth were attacked by an alien armada" The Shielder said truthfully "I didn't believe that it happened either when the Doctor told me about it"
Amakusa was silent. When he was still an agent of the Church, was aware of at least one instance of an antagonistic extraterrestrial force coming to Earth that was taken down by an unknown member of SHIELD and an opposing entity. South America if my memory is correct But anything bigger than that group should have been taken out by act by the Counter Force.
"You know, it was like Independence Day...which is something you guys have probably never seen." He blows out air "Let's see, I remember there being a bunch of bug-like ships in the sky with one gigantic mothership hanging over Times Square. I was in school at the time when the portal over New York opened and it wasn't long before the footsoldiers started making way towards my neck of the woods" He remembered the beginning of that day going so slow, he wasn't one to watch/read the news-so word of Loki going to Germany and a city near Wakanda in was nowhere near his headspace.
When the portal opened, the rest of the day and however many hours that followed seemed so much like a blur. "So we hid, puting plenty of walls between us and whatever was out there. I heard there were a few that tried to make a run for it from the back of the school...and that was pretty much it" he terrible guilt wracked over with the carelessness nature of that statement "The staff tried to calm us down, but I could tell the were just a scared as the rest of us-even through the wall, I could hear their blaster fire and screams as they brought hell" He didn't think much of it at the time, he hadn't learned his lesson yet. And he couldn't have done anything anyway.
"Did you have an idea of who the invaders were?" Jeanne asked, a deep familiarity coming through her about the situation in a way. Nothing she would know normally, but her connection to the throne gave a vague inkling of a dreaded monolith from beyond.
"Yeah, some guy named Annihilus-big green and purple bug dude. With the help of Loki" He takes pause, "Hey, Doc could you project them, so they have a better idea?"
Roman obliged, and instead of him appearing instead the holographic form of Annihilus and then Loki were presented to the servants.
"Well that's a demon if I ever saw one" Amadeus commented on the Negative Zone's tyrant before it switched to Loki Laufeyson.
Marie taken aback by his good looks, "What a suave looking gentleman"
Roman cut in, "Well that suave guy basically put the world on the brink" A pang of shame rolled over because in a way, another person of that sort had done the exact same thing.
"You said his name was Loki? As in Laufeyson?" Amakusa eyes sharpened, "The Norse God of Mischief?" That couldn't be accurate...he should be on the Reverse Side of the World. As well as impossible to summon, unless he had a host?
He looked to Jeanne who seemed to share the same look of confusion "That shouldn't be possible…" she uttered.
"You mean the whole Divine Servant thing, right?" Peter shrugs, "That's what Da Vinci says, that he's the real deal...I think he's just an alien" The time I met him didn't do anything to change that idea. "But considering when it comes to our current situation-who knows. I'm no magic expert." He sighs "getting back on track, my school was on lockdown until it was confirmed that the invasion was over and since Chaldea is active, Anihilus and Loki were stopped" He gives a polite version of a no duh expression.
Nameless spoke in a dry exasperated manner, "How?" Peter could tell he was being coy but didn't let it show across his voice.
"Well, Andrews-the Avengers" The teenage vigilante said with a smirk that made the Red Bowman snarl for a moment.
"What?" Amakusa/Jeanne said in shock. Moreso, Amakusa who looked like he was having a slight freak-out.
Peter chuckles at their response, "Before you ask, it's not the class. I would rather not do the whole song and dance I did with Casty back in Fuyuki if I can help it…"
"Who's Casty?" Marie asks.
Peter answers, "A Skid Row reject" he says with a smirk, "bit rough around edges but pretty cool"
This made Marie a tad more confused to the joy of Amadeus.
Feeling sorry for her, Mash answers "Cu Chulainn was his actual name"
"Oh" she replied in a cute manner.
Peter continued, "There were eight of them that day in New York (at least eight that stayed to answer questions). It was honestly a day unlike anything I or anyone could ever have imagined...even if people like them kept coming out of the woodworks like it was the newest fad" He began naming them off, Romani providing visuals from still images to videos taken from that period of time of each hero in action.
"Billionaire tech genius, Tony Stark aka Iron Man" The crimson and gold avenger through the sheen of the blue light formed. "Built an armor powered by an energy source he devised. He was going to use it as a source of renewable energy-but after the invasion he decided to wait on it." He moved on.
"Physicist (he's a tad more than that), Hank Pym aka Ant Man" The red spandex and silver helmeted form of the scientific adventurer shifted into view.
"His partner, Janet Van Dyne aka The Wasp" The former fashion designer was shown in full Wasp regalia, a pure black skintight suit with a yellow serrated chest. "They both can change the mass and density of their body with Pym Particles, a subatomic particle discovered by Pym. Can't really tell you more than that, Pym has pretty much kept the formula for it close to chest since he went public." I'd kill for a chance to look at a sample through a 'scope.
"So, science has gotten that far?" the priest asked. Never exactly paid attention to any big changes of that nature-besides hearing about that one American when I was first summoned. He didn't really care about the war back then; it was just another piece of evidence that justified his original plan for humanity.
"Look at Chaldea, Shirou-that pretty much speaks for itself" Pete tried to justify before Mash nixed that.
"It's a mixture of science and magecraft, senpai," she reminded kindly.
"Yeah…" He still couldn't get his footing for that as he just took Roman and Da Vinci's word on that. "...you'd have to use magic to time travel I guess" I mean if Reed couldn't do it by his own means…
"And it's not some form of thaumaturgy?" The caster asked after scrutinizing the projection of Janet with a wry smirk. "I may not have been an expert mage in life (dabbled in demonology for some inspiration), nevertheless, I'm sure there has to be some kind of spell and the like that can do what your describing"
"You're stuff can only really exist or work strongly if we regular schmucks don't know about it" However that works "...considering that they've been changing size for close to a decade now in public-I'd say no" Peter moved on.
The projection shimmered to the form of a gold-red-starred helmeted man in a dark spandex, golden shoulder pads and three discs on his pecs and upper abdomen. "Nova, to sum it up-dude's a space cop with energy based abilities. Can't really tell you more than that, mainly because his identity is a secret" And I usually see him flying in the sky when I'm on patrol. That's if he's in the city and not in space or something. "There's apparently more Novas out there in the universe protecting other planets. This one's ours"
"So there's life on other planets?" Marie asked with wonder in her eyes.
"Yup"
"Ooh~~ How exciting! Not to mention, the helmet he wears is just chéri!"
The Japanese Catholic's expression becomes even more consternated. How is he allowed? "Is he human?" Mutant? Energy-based abilities are in their purview, he recalled as his mind went back to the Grail War in Fuyuki where a mutant was the master of the Third Rider. Then more showed up when Avenger got loose
"I think...he looks human enough. But that's just a guess–I've never met the guy" Peter raises his left brow, "why?"
Jeanne answered, she had the same confusion as the other ruler. "It's unusual…" she tried to search the recesses of her mind for a concise answer. "...but if he's human like the others you mentioned, I don't see any problems" She didn't like the answer she gave, but it was the best she could come up with thanks to her current predicament.
That doesn't explain Loki Shirou thought, maybe this Annihilus was able to summon a divine servant...His mind drew back to his pasts. Considering Lilith's uprising at the turn of the millennium, along with the other Dark Lords that had somehow managed to claim a hold of the mortal plain despite the Age Of Gods ending. This may not be so farfetched...That was always a headache inducing line of thought when he went through that version of his second life. That somehow, some way-vile creatures like Dormammu and that Prince Of Lies had clung to existence like roaches. He was at least thankful that counterforces like the Sorcerer Supreme and Lord's righteous vengeance still walked the earth, whatever happened to Daniel and Sara? After his visit to New York, his former apprentice was working at a chapel. And the rider, it seemed like his life was beginning to be broken down. Such was the fate, it seemed for those given such holy tasks, even if they weren't actively a host-Blaze was damned with his sacrifice...but maybe they will still alive.
"Does it matter if he's human?"
The priest gave a kind smile to the boy's question, "No, it does not" he says in a caring manner. "Please continue, Peter"
The boy nods "King T'Challa, Ruler of Wakanda aka The Black Panther" Covered head to toe in black, no skin showing-the feline masked man of the Sovereign appeared.
Amakusa's eyes widened, Wakanda? That's a surprise to say the least. The country was an enigma. The Church (not to mention the Association) had attempted a few times to investigate the reclusive land going back a few hundred years. There is always one survivor that manages to return with each attempt. The only info they received from said survivor was their group having been ambushed by a lone figure dressed in black. It took invaders to finally have one of their numbers go public-and they're king no less. I didn't even know Wakanda had a monarchy.
"Oui! Oui! A King protecting commoners even if they aren't their subjects-how heroic!" Marie praised, much to the chagrin of her male compatriot.
"Wakanda? is that new kingdom that has arisen in the present?" Jeanne asked.
Mash took the reins on this one " It's an African nation that's said to house untold riches (read: technology)" She remembered learning about the country when reading an article on fabled kingdoms like El Dorado or Agartha. "If I remember correctly, it wasn't officially recognized by most contemporary countries until the early nineteen hundreds-though it was still thought of as a barren nation until King T'Challa went public after meeting the Fantastic Four" She took a moment "Oh-the Fantastic Four are another group like the Avengers-they didn't partake in the Battle of New York…I do not know where they were..." she said sheepishly.
Peter could feel a chill at Mash's mention of the FF and he probably knew why. As for Mash's last comment-"Because they were dealing with another part of the invasion. Specifically, a number of ships Annihilus had sent around the world to basically just fire lasers into the Earth for some reason I could not even begin to tell you…"
The projection shifted to a mammoth of brute, his skin an alarming shade of green. Muscles on muscles and berserker's rage engraved on his face. "Dr. Bruce Banner..." He cracks his neck to loosen any nerves. "He used to be known as one of the greatest minds in the modern day field of gamma radiation...until he became this, The Hulk" Peter explained his cataclysmic change that took place at ground zero of gamma bomb. "It was a one-in-a-million chance more or less"
Amakusa wasn't per se taken aback by the goliath. He had heard rumors about such a beast circa 2003 from various members of the Church, though more from members more connected to modern society that kept their ears out for any odd happenings. And from individuals that had weaved themselves into the seemingly good graces of SHIELD as essentially information brokers (on a need-to-know basis of course coming from both parties).
He hadn't paid much thought to the beast as he and Kirei were preparing for the grail war the following year. Making sure their side was set when it came to the fifth war's odd three team system. He summoned his assassin and incapacitated (most of) the Second Team's masters, retrieving their command seals and so on. While Kirei took a subtle and at times brutal approach when interacting with the third team (not to say he was an angel when it came to his own tactics). Bazett...I didn't think he was going to kill her, even if he didn't know about it until after his brother ridded himself of the facade of salvation the Rebellion Leader thought they both shared. Even so, he lamented the death of his one-time ally during the Lilin Insurgence.
To summarise, he had a lot on his plate, so he chalked up The Hulk as another in the vein of Fabro Rowan with a similar event, a previously human individual of intellect having tried to play God when they shouldn't.
"...and he's not a berserker?" Amadeus asked. "Because from what you subscribed...muscle on muscle, minimal vocabulary-that sounds like a berserker"
"Nope, well...I've never met him so you know" And Peter could say he was honestly glad he hadn't met the jade goliath in the flesh. On the side of the angels or not, considering who he is-it didn't take a mathwize to see rage machine quippy smart alec= smashed guy in red and blue tights somewhere between Hell's Kitchen and Arthur Avenue. "Plus I've never come across a berserker" Really hope I don't-having to deal with lunkheads like Juggnernaut or Tombstone is enough for me thank you very much!
With a red billowing cape, a winged silver helmet and armor from that of yor. In his right hand was a large hammer with a short handle and a lanyard at the end of said handle. "Thor, supposed God of Thunder and you know, Loki's brother"
There was a distinct lack of shock at this reveal to say the least. Some raised brows by Amakusa and Jeanne but other than that–
"He look's like dumb yet brave oaf…" Amadeus said derisively.
"So both Loki and Thor were able to manifest themselves?" Jeanne said to herself, "That makes sense in a way…they were adversaries…but the fact they are both publicly known is confusing without any sort of problems is confusing"
"Oh believe me" Romani replaced Thor, "modern day magus's have been trying to figure out why they're able to still be in this era since Mjolnir landed in New Mexico years ago"
Amakusa wrinkled his nose, "So Thor's been around for a while…" Does that mean Asgard has a similar anchor of sorts to mortal realms like those other realms?
"Pretty much" The Doctor said bluntly.
"My money is still on aliens, no offense Da Vinci" Pete snarked
"No offense Peter, but you can have both science and magecraft be possible–it doesn't have to be either or" The artist snarked back with the same grace she always had. "I assumed my lessons would have made that clear"
"Guess I'm stubborn" he shrugs nonchalantly, "But I'm passing with flying colors, eh? No B's or C's on my Hogwarts report card! Maybe an A- or two"
"I may recommend some remedial lessons–perhaps I'll add an art course. Maybe a sculpting lab or two…it never hurts have some hands on practice, and I've been looking for a model…and I still need those measurements Peter, perhaps you gotten a bit slimmer and tighter since then~~"
"DA VINCI!" Mash sputtered with a red face as she imagined something not-so-safe-for-work behind closed doors"
"And…you just made this weird, Leonardo" Peter's reaction was more laid back, yet just as uncomfortable with something of a blush coming to his cheeks.
All servants except for Nameless either chuckled or smirked at the pairs shared embarrassment.
Wanting to get away from this quickly, "Anyway moving on– (Doc, please help me get back on track!)" said exasperatedly.
Romani obliged.
The final member of Avengers was projected. The star-spangled, red and blue garbed Atlus of man "Steve Rogers-"
"Captain America?!" All servants (minus Mash and Nameless-as well as Amadeus, though he raised a brow) exclaimed.
"Oh...you guys know him…" Seriously how does this work, does the throne just throw darts at a wall of the World's history? "...I did not see that coming"
Marie snickered at his bewilderment "Well of course, it'd be quite bizarre for me not to know a legend from the country that influenced my people's decision to take the reins of their destiny…"
Peter felt a chill, though nothing seemed amiss with the Queen of Lilies perse when she spoke.
"...such a valiant man that went forthright against such a dark period of human history. Who never relented what he valued even in the face of death. Such a marvel reminds me much of Jeanne" Marie praised.
Jeanne blushed at the raise though with a slight cringe to her features. Putting that aside, "He's quite well known in the Throne, though his collective strength ability wouldn't be much compared to older heroes" she explained using what she could grasp.
"How much do you guys know then?" the brunette asked.
Amadeus chimed in, "Well for me, broadstroke to say the least. He fought the Nazis if I remember correctly, and some demon of man with a crimson skull for a face." He shrugs "Never really gave much credence to him-too jingoistic for my liking, especially that show tune that went along with him"
Peter gave a non-decisive shrug to the composer.
"The moron put himself on an active warhead heading for the U.S. and lost his little sidekick...he was a kid, and he just let him die for the sake of the mission" the Archer said coldly.
"It's not like that happened on purpose" Peter refuted.
"No... but it's weird how sacrifices have to be made when it comes to saving the world" Nameless replied with a snicker of breath. "I mean you're going to lose a few here and there...innocent people just become necessary collateral for guys like that. And they just soldier on with their ideals intact, never even consider-"
Peter gives him an annoyed glare, "Get off your soapbox please, sorry he didn't match your standards... -oh yeah No-Name" he says with piss and vinegar in his tone.
"Is my amnesia funny to you, Master? That's really callous, especially for someone who tries to pretend to be a hero of justice-like something like that is even possible. And some childish fant-"
"Seriously dude, what is with you?"
Sweet Jesus they're doing this again Romani deadpanned.
Nameless smiled grimly "Nothing's with me. I am who I am–what's with you master? Why are you so touchy?"
"Well besides working with a guy who nearly killed me just a few days ago…I'm going through an adjustment period to put it lightly"
"That wasn't me though, master and 'adjustment period' huh? You're handling it pretty well, trying to avoid me instead of just letting go of what that other me did"
"Oh you make it sound so simple…" He has a point Pete; it wasn't him but…this guy's still a jackass "...it takes time. Sorry to say, Andrews"
"I'm sure it will"
I bet you do. He groans, "Yeah…anyway, you guys know who Cap is–cool. To put it on main street, he never died. He was in block of ice for over sixty years, was unthawed and is now kicking ass and taking names in the present"
With all the publicly known Avengers named, "they stopped the invasion, got Annihilus and Loki put in a concrete hole somewhere and the world kept turning like it always has…any questions?" Pete asked with a smirk.
Nameless shakes his head, "They put those two in jail…despite them killing how many people? Of course, they deserve some mercy for something as small as trying to raze the world? Eh master?"
"Excuse them for not being judge and jury, and secondly–"
Before the archer and master could reignite their argument, the Japanese Catholic decided to press on the growing query he had. "Earlier you said there are others like them. What did you mean by that, Peter?"
"You know, superheroes, metahumans and everything in between. Guys in crazy costumes either stopping crimes or causing crimes. They just keep popping up either because something happens to them that makes them more than normal or they just decide to do it because why not (for better, and unfortunately for worse). The Fantastic Four are another team like Mash said, they got pelted by cosmic radiation to make them more than human…" Peter coughs and brings his focus to the fire, his mouth dry from his explanations. "...does that answer your question?"
"More or less, I was wondering if–"
"So, are you a superhero then?" Marie asked, taking reign of the conversation like a ballerina wielding a mallet. Graceful but blunt.
His pupils shrunk, but he kept his cool–for the most part "Heh what? No…why would you think that?" You know exactly why Pete quick to stay one step ahead–rubbing the back of his neck hesitantly "I'm just a normal kid from New York…who's just knows how to punch well" He diverts his eyes from Marie, picking himself up from the log to get himself something to drink from the supplies Chaldea dropped. "Nothing more than that…heck, I'm not even a mage– I didn't believe 'magic' could even be real before this crap happened" he laughs awkwardly, praying that she'd buy it. Heck that'd everyone would buy it.
"Can normal kids from your era keep pace with heroic spirits? If so, that is splendid!" Marie clapped. "Strange, that's a gap in what I know? But I didn't know about those Avengers so maybe it was just a funny accident!"
Peter refrained from answering. He looked at Mash who seemed to be close to biting her lip. Come on, think of something? What do you have to lose Pete, just make up something!
"Does that always go for that white gunk you ejaculated upon that lancer?" The composer asked with amused smarm.
"A bit coarse, but I was also wondering that exact same thing, Peter?" Amakusa added with a raised brow.
"As was I?" The Saint of The Flag agreed with the type of tone you'd expect to hear from a suspicious older sister.
"Senpai has a tool for that…" He could see a pang of guilt on her face, clearly, she wasn't used to deception. "...he uses it to help him maneuver in fights…Ms. Da Vinci, already knew about them so it wasn't as if its a sec–"
–Cret, good on ya Mash! The Renaissance Artist already knew about along with Romani probably, and he already gave an idea that he was pretty bright for his age. Taking advantage of this, his slid sleeves to show off his web shooters "Yup! Made Em myself, along with the adhesive I load into them–they let me swing around like I'm Tarzan" his aims and whips towards a nearby tree but doesn't swing, detaching the webline promptly "They usually last around sixty minutes, so don't they clog up my routes…its faster than walking, believe me" he smiles confidently.
"I suppose that makes sense," The priest spoke. "But if I'm being honest, I have a hard time believing that anyone normal can move like you do in the present…if that's true that'd mean the Doctor or any of the other members of Chaldea could do what you do, right?" The dark-skinned holy man's amber eyes stare into Peter's.
"Yeah, it means I could throw a knife at anyone in Chaldea, and they'd catch it without even looking twice. And that's totally different compared to those superheroes" The Red Bowman snickered.
"I-I mean I wouldn't say everyone could do it–it takes practice…plus I just got lucky, I saw the glint of the knife before Andrews threw it and I…just reacted" Peter looks away from the two as Jeanne leaves her seat with a stiff upper lip. "That's completely normal? Yeah!"
"And why would you make gadgets that fire adhesive that sticks to anything like–hmm, let's say webbing…for shits and giggles, master?" Nameless goaded
HOLY CRAP! You're not even trying! Peter's eye twitched. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained–besides it's something I do in my spare time!"
"True, kids–especially teens have a lot of spare time nowadays, even with schoolwork!" Romani explained. "We should probably discuss that ring you saw in the sky Pete, keep our head in the game and all tha–"
"Why are you avoiding our eyes, Master?" Jeanne asked as she came to him.
"Well, besides you guys have rather scary looks…I find it rude to stare" he brushes past her to sit beside Mash again.
"And why would you find them scary, eh Master? What would a normal human be afraid of?" Nameless asks.
"Besides realizing that I'm literally surrounded by the living dead (no offense everyone except you!) ...I wonder?" Peter tried to bluff God that was a low blow…
Jeanne wasn't having any of it, coming up to Peter placing her hands on his shoulders and staring him straight in the eyes "I worked with a lot of people when I was alive, and I know when someone is hiding something…it may not be my place to ask for your trust so early, but I find it troublesome when someone is clearly avoiding the truth…you have nothing to fear from us…" she looks over to Nameless who gives her a raised brow "...for the most part."
Amakusa goes beside her, as well as Marie "If you're uncomfortable with talking about this it's understandable–say the word, and I and everyone else will snuff out the topic…it's already a weight to take in when it comes to info about the incineration and the apparent invasion…but I rather you not try to just lie to our faces" He said with rather regretful features.
Marie gave a sympathetic pout "Lying isn't a good quality for anyone heroic! It's rather ugly in all hones–"
Really that's not heroic!? Peter tensed, maneuvering from the female Ruler's grasp and to the other side of the log with a backflip, he faced away from them "I got nothing to lie about and I have nothing to hide!" he said with a huff, clenching his fists "Now if you excuse me! I'm going to go and collect firewood!" he said in a huff,
Before anyone could cut him off, he fired a webline and was within the darkness of the fours in mere seconds–leaving the light of the campfire.
"Senpai…" Mash uttered in a saddened manner.
"Well, that was certainly intense!" Amadeus snarked. "I think you scared the poor boy, Marie"
"If I wanted your opinion, I'd ask a literal human gutter!" The Queen of Lilies sniped.
Nameless gives a toothy grin but hides it as quickly as it formed, that was great! He only stoked the flame a twinge, didn't even have to be the hatchet man to get the kid to freak out. "Woof! Somebody better go after him–make sure he doesn't hurt himself out there!" He let himself break away from where he rested, "I'll take care of babysitting his as–"
Blades clashed, sparks flew as Amakusa, and EMIYA locked themselves into combat stances. "No. You won't…"
"Why? It's not like I made him run away, Choir boy"
"You're right, but I have the sneaking suspicion you're not exactly heartbroken about him running off either."
"I make no bones of who I am, at the end of the day–I'm something to be used by my summoner…not my fault he has a few hang-ups that he can't get past"
"And I thought I had issues" The composer snickered.
Mash got up with Fou leaping to her shoulder, "I'm going after him…" She felt like she had failed him. I froze…I couldn't just li– "...he needs me"
As she was about to follow, she felt the golden blonde saint's grip clench hers "Let me go with you Mash, please?" Jeanne asked with a genuine concern to her tone, and a sympathetic eye.
"Thank you!" With that, and some help from Romani they began trailing the Master of Chaldea, leaving only four servants to tend to the campsite.
Amakusa the Red Archer had not left their deadlock "I noticed you weren't exactly surprised by his story…and gauging what cryptic crap you said earlier, you knew about the invasion." That wasn't a question, that was a statement.
"Yeah, the throne gave me some more info than the rest of you–big deal! It happens, not my fault you didn't get lucky"
"I don't care about that; I care about my master's mental health–something you're not concerned about quite obviously…adding your comments and reactions. What is it? What am I on to, Nameless? Tell me, please?" he asked mockingly.
"Don't be stupid, our master gave us the answer without even saying it…excuse me for not wanting to play ball with that sort of bullshit" he said coldly, dematerializing his blade and and laying against the base of tree he was at previously.
Amakusa unsummoned his katana, "You're assuming that, it could be a number of things…he lied, but it wasn't a good lie." He is a normal kid, or atleast was…I shouldn't have let my own suspicions get the better of me. Dammit! "If he wants to tell the truth, I'll let him do it on his own…"
"Heh, a priest who allows liars to prosper. Fantastic!"
Amakusa had no response to this. He simply sighed and went back to his post as his own troubles of a past weaved in his mind. I'm a hypocrite at the end of the day. Aren't I? Of course, I am… He then went into spirit form, his body particalizing in an instance
The petite queen of France, looked to the archer with a funny little smile to which the red bowman only scowled.
"The hell are you looking at?"
Marie went straight up the archer and looked him over, but booping him on the nose to the taller man's annoyance "Hmm, yes-you're one of those rough exterior types with a valiant inside? No?"
Nameless went into spirit form without so much as a retort.
"I doubt he is, Marie" The composer argued, "A lot of rage in that one when he and that master go at it."
"He still accepted to be his servant, in some way…I think he sees Peter as a kindred spirit of some sort. That ugly outside of his, it's a show…nothing I haven't seen before. Reminds me of Henri" she says fondly to the chagrin of her compatriot.
"*sigh*...you are too forgiving, Marie…scum is scum, ugly is ugly–that's how humans are. There are some diamonds here and there…but they are not common"
The Queen looks to him knowingly, "Judging by the story Peter told us, and your thoughts on a certain someone…diamonds are quite common. Even if they are rough around the edges…"
The pale man smiles, his dark eyes soft towards the girl. "I stand by what I said, I can't just rewrite the performance…but as always, it's up to the audience's interpretation" Mozart looks up towards the night sky and then to the fire. "I could be doing anything else…but I feel happy knowing…" he trails off as he finds Marie next to him resting her uncapped head on his shoulder.
"Hush up, save your voice so you can apologize to Peter when he gets back"
"Me apologize?"
The brunette landed,
And he didn't know what to do. I just ran. I just ran? I JUST RAN?! "Good going Parker! That's really healthy! What's next, you gonna crawl up in a ball and cry because you got pushed an inch from where you're comfortable?!" He groaned, he felt his palms spark and with no one in sight, he threw a right hook into the closest tree to him.
He flew back from the fist's explosive impact. Bark flew, and the smell of burnt wood wafted through the forest.
The teenage vigilante stood up straight and saw the ten inch hole he had left in the trunk. He sighed. "Dammit…" he looks at his right hand. "...I don't get this? Seriously! What the hell?" It's not enough that the whole world ended! But I have to have my body going through some kind of mutation! "And I still don't know why it's happening…but that's not the issue right now"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, "How the hell am I going to explain that reaction…they know I'm lying!" Who cares, you lie all the time–what makes this so different? "Yeah, but I don't actively go jumping around and acting like Spider-Man when I'm Peter-freaking-Parker! It's like being caught by Jonah or Aunt May when I'm clinging to a wall, I can't just say they were imagining that! I mean I can–but it's hard to do that if it's clear as day!" He gives a stressed chuckle, and the only people to ever really do something like this was MJ and Matt…but that was more like he was desperate to get my attention when he was getting dogpiled by a bunch of rioters. His mind then went to Mash, yeah…her too "You're a flake–I'm a literal flake…I just left them and made an excuse–I don't even have the justification of fighting The Spot or something!" He palmed his forehead and looked skyward, "Lord give me strength…how the hell am I supposed to do this? How can I bring everyone back and…keep everything like it was?" That's if everything goes back to normal and the CIA Harry Houdinis don't think I'm a good specimen to take apart! Or they just 'take me out back' because I know too much! And what about everyone else, what will happen if I actually manage to do it–will they just forget me, will they get rid of them as well or use them as leverage?
He shakes his head, some days I wish that spider didn't bite me…he gritted his teeth. He hated that thought, it made all those lives he either saved or failed pointless. But he felt like it was true sometimes. Would a normal life be so bad? Guilt took him, but he stayed standing. "I would have ended up like everybody else, erased like somebody got vindictively bored of what was on the drawing board…cripes I'm a piece of work…"
His thoughts went towards another issue of his 'And what if that's the only way you can win?' 'Then why didn't you?' "...I know I shouldn't care...but I can't stop myself…why the hell are they so human? Why? It's not…it's not right…I can't just…kill them…can I?" His pupils shrank.
Spider-sense blasted, was silent, then blasted off again. This went on for a few moments as Peter's head snapped to the direction his (apparently on the fritz) danger sense was telling him about.
From the shadows of the forest, a worried yet serene smile faced him.
Wielding a staff with a cross as its peak. Adorned in a white, gold trimmed veil upon her flowing purple lockes. She wore a holy white low cut one-piece dress with red trimming that exposed her ample bosom. A black belt around her waist along with an exposed trim section that exposed her navel section.
A short blue cloak that was connected straight to the dress via red collar. Blue leggings, green metal boots and gauntlets.
Her blues greeted him kindly yet spurned him for mere seconds.
She was nine feet away from him. After taking a breath, the holy woman spoke–"I see you're still troubled…I apologize, but this only ends one way…"
Author's Note:
Been awhile, apologies for this chapter being published a few months after Chapter 12. Let's just say a mixture of writer's block and real life got in way of my progress. Other than that, I nothing else to say except happy holidays and merry Christmas (for those of you reading the day this was published). Hope the chapter was enjoyable and good day/evening/afternoon to you all.