Lyon had not fallen, yet.
All avenues into the city were fortified with spike walls. Any able bodied soldiers and none–were armed and on constant lookout.
Breaks, if the men were lucky to get one, were brief. This briefness allowed them food, drink, perhaps a prayer or a talk with their loved ones before returning to their post for another day and night.
This constant overplay of their forces did tense the locals. They stayed in their houses the first nights and days. But when no immediate retribution from the Fallen Saviour had come their way–some of the common folk braved their city. They wanted to return to normalcy.
This did not last, the Church urged Lyon's people to stay in their houses so that those who bore swords and crosses would keep them safe–that they would not go through another night of flame as they had in the prior days.
Arguments came of course, it was spring, nearing summer–the supplies of Winter had been done with at this point. People needed food, they needed drink, they needed medicine, they needed hope when prayer wasn't enough.
Their brief glimmer of hope had seemingly gone up in smoke in the wake of the initial onslaught.
Yet they did not leave, curious…
The bishops, the sheriff and the priest could only give them words. Put trust in your fellow man, in the Lord. The good days shall come–we hear you. Not many wanted to speak out against the Church. But hunger was a great motivator.
In the end, Lyon's leaders relented somewhat. The late day break to dusk would be ample enough time for the shops to reopen and for the commoners to gather supplies. Though the children had to stay in doors, too many of the young had already died.
Even with that said, children didn't always listen to what adults said. And more foolhardy of the young sneaked out to play Knights and Witches. The unlucky child who pulled the short end of the stick had to be a pawn of the evil Jeanne d'Arc and be defeated by the 'knights' and 'exorcists' before being damned to Hell.
They were disciplined of course, by their parents and the guards who found them. But at least they had been found alive and not in the ashes of the other side of the river where Saone and Rhone met.
Getting in wasn't hard. Despite the showy appearance of the group, Amakusa was able to smooth any tension that could have been shot their way under the guise of him and the rest being sent from Rome by Pope Eugene IV himself to investigate the claims of the Dragon Witch and her hellish deeds.
After entering the city, actually before even entering Lyon–the stench sulfur and ash encumbered the air as the wind blew it. It seemed the initial notion of Lyon having not been struck by the Dragon Witch was a false one. But from what they've seen, everything seemed fine, structurally speaking.
Romani was quick to answer the question of what could have happened, after using the systems in Chaldea to gauge the area better.
Lyon had been seemingly attacked on the East side, with no human life signatures to be found. Though there were few stray signatures of hostiles, they moved slowly and without rhyme or reason.
This danger stayed on the east side and It seemed whatever defenses Lyon still had, were managing to keep its remaining citizens safe.
"But from a few Wyverns?" Amakusa ruminated.
"Yeah, that's not an obstacle in the least," Nameless agreed.
Roman was quick to answer, "We're not reading anything like that."
"Even as a relatively diminutive subspecies of drake (of which there are a few), wyverns would have an appreciable level of mana emanating off them–so whatever is across the river isn't draconic or wingbound" Da Vinci posited.
The Girl from Chaldea raised a dainty brow, as a thought crossed her head. "...if memory serves me right, Ms. Da Vinci–I recall Gilles De Rais having hypothetically attempted necromancy in life,"
The renaissance artist began "And servants being gifted abilities sometimes from hearsay–"
Peter concludes this thought "-it wouldn't be a big jump to conclude the dead are currently among the living…" The group (aside from Mary) gives him either a dry or sardonic look "...you know what I mean–like George Romero" he received puzzled looks from all, but Nameless. "Really?" So a heroic spirit can know what 'Pantera' is–but a world renowned horror director isn't considered 'pertinent' information–why am I even questioning this at this point?
Da Vinci gave an amused smile as she nodded at his reasoning "Being bolstered by the Dragon Witch and her grail, it could be possible that the former Marshal of France could have place curse upon this land or town so that any that died by his master's onslaught would rise from the dead" She pursed her lips in a photogenic fashion "We can neither confirm nor deny this theory, especially since the previous two settlements you have visited didn't have any terrestrial opponents besides heroic spirits…unless it takes time for the spell to resurrect the deceased, quite odd–nevertheless you have enemies in the area, best to keep on your toes! " The projection of D Vinci says with a cheery clasp of her hands.
The group split off into three. Amakusa with Nameless, Mozart with Marie and Mash with Peter. The plan was to meet up after two hours, back where the gate was to check each other's proverbial notes.
And so, it began…
"If I'm being honest, Father, those horrid past nights are a blur to me…I merely hid and ran" A portly gentleman said with a rather regretful look and tone. "The scream though, I'll never forget them as long as I live–the only I can recall in full detail is my brother-in-law and wife being burnt to a crisp by some gros monstre, as a coward under rubble…I knew them both for fifteen years–I married his sister, she was the love of my life, I was supposed to protect her. And he was my best friend…I let them both die"
The Japanese Catholic places his hand on the portly gentleman, "What happened is regrettable–and I am sorry for your loss. And if this gives you any reassurance–I'm sure they're both with the Lord now, and know this, because of your feelings on what happened. They'll forgive you"
"How, la peur me contrôlait. Sin overtook me, just like our country when our savior was burned…"
"That's up to you, we're all gifted with God's greatest gift–but if you want my advice. Stand up strong, remember the good times you had with them and let the pain the previous days bolster you to act better than the sins that can make man act afoul"
EMIYA was leaning against a wall, arms crossed, as Amakusa consoled the man–drumming his fingers on his elbows. His nose wrinkled, each tap, emphasized the time wasted on this. We're getting nowhere…
"Thank you for your kind words, father."
"Of course," The ruler said with a ingenuously kind smile before the portly gentleman departed. He gave a sad, yet pleased, sigh.
"Congratulations, you comforted a man who is already long dead at and will probably not exist after our 'our master' and us maybe defeats Jeanne d'Arc (emphasis on the maybe)" The archer jeered "And what did we learn? Absolutely nothing"
Amakusa pays the mocking no mind, "The day is still young, my irascible friend (with very little emphasis on the friend part)" he quips with a trickster's wink of his eyes. "Besides, it would be remiss of me to set aside my role as a shepherd in a way even with circumstances as they are"
"So you're actively going to waste time for every sob story we come across? Great." He groans, departing from the wall And I thought I was a literal pain in the ass…
"We both know you're not that ignorant–even with his wallowing, he did reveal something."
"Yeah, there were wyverns here. I could have told you that by the smell of the air" If I wasn't a servant–I'd be gagging to high heaven…who am I kidding? This is nothing
"But there are none now…curious, no?" Amakusa says, placing the knuckle of his index to his mouth–beckoning the archer to ponder the question.
"The dragon slayer, obviously. Or just a rogue servant who has a good Samaritan streak."
"Either way, if they're here or nearby–someone like them will be a tremendous help to our cause."
The archer wrings his neck, "Yeah, another person who actually knows how this works and won't turn tail when things get deadly."
"I wouldn't say that–nevertheless, you do admittedly have a point."
"Glad we can agree on something, Choir Boy." He breaks away from the wall and begins walking/looking for their next person to question "Now only if I could get you to stop coddling our master"
"I'd prefer term shepherding; I wouldn't be a good son of the lord if I didn't speak softly and be understanding while doing so. And despite certain campaigns of my religion–the key teaching of the savior is to love thy neighbor."
"And look where that got him" EMIYA said with a dry sneer, resulting in him being slapped in the back of the head by the Japanese Catholic. He groans "You and Saint of the Flag really love doing that"
He crossed his arms sternly "I don't appreciate blasphemy, Nameless."
"And yet you stood by as a Saint was put down."
Amakusa puffs a breath with a roll of his eye. "Mercy (even if it was the ending of another's life) is a teaching of the Lord" His eyes sharpen, an almost vulpine smile curling upon his lips "It is also a tenant of being a warrior with morals. Better to finish your enemies suffering quickly, rather than let it continue to satisfy your own ecstasy."
"Pretty sure I remember suffering being a key factor in Catholicism. But hey, whatever" Ciel would definitely slap me right now. Good thing she's not here. He got shivers remembering her when she got serious.
"That's a different concept entirely–but I'm quite sure you wouldn't want me to preach at you." Amakusa gives a polite wave to a patrolling guard who gives the two servants dubious glares. The former rebellion leader presented his cross, and the guard snapped his attention elsewhere. "You're already grumpy as it is"
"Call me whatever you like–I'm not here to sing kumbaya."
"Obviously"
Information came slowly, the residents were wary of the new faces they spoke to. Nonetheless–Mash and Peter were starting to get a picture of what had come to pass in Lyon days before.
"So much fire–"
"-I saw my brother top half be ripped from his waste,"
"She laughed at me after biting into my sister's neck,"
"He looked like a noble who did not get much sun,"
"They didn't suffer when they died by his hand…I don't think that's a mercy though!"
"The thing crashed into my house–"
"I lost my arm to it!"
"I hid in a corner; I thought it was going to get me for sure until–"
"He came as if he was a bastion of God's holy spirit of justice!"
"The beast didn't see it coming!"
"He saved my life!"
"Long silver locks of hair–"
"A glowing green symbol of kind on his chest"
"What a chest he had~~"
"My daughter was saved because of him!"
"Dashing, to think such a man would come in our day of need!"
"I ran…I just ran..."
"Had to burn the bridge to keep those unholy bastards on the other side!"
"My little brother was left on the other side…"
"I…I don't know where he went,"
"I'm thankful for what he did!"
"I think he got hurt or something,"
"He could be dead for all I know,"
Peter tapped his chin in deep thought, as Mash and a villager finished talking.
Mash granted the villager a thankful smile as they departed, "Please enjoy your day, monsieur!" she nodded respectfully.
Peter left his thoughts to the wayside, "Come on…"
A few moments, no chatter whatsoever as they entered an alley.
The teenage vigilante leaned against the wooden wall, Mash beside him and Fou resting around her neck like an over comfortable cat.
"So, we have a clue for how half the city was burned, and we know there was a Fabio-looking dude fighting off Nega-Jeannie's posse" he scratched his forehead.
Mash nodded at the review, "That's an apt summary of it, senpai…" her lilac eyes, her doll-like features consternated. "...not to mention by the sound of it, whoever was here was injured by Vlad Tepes given the description. And considering we fought them the other day and the attack on Lyon happen days ago…he could very well be dead."
He palms his forehead "Great, a dead end already." he pinches the top of right cheek in frustration "And I am willing to bet that was the dragon slayer."
"Kyuuuu…" The white fluff balls yawns.
"Don't be rude, Fou, his luck is not bad" she defended.
Peter sighs, "Wanna bet?" His voice sour as he lets himself slide to the ground "Doc, do you have anything on your end? Like…where he could have died? Like what remains of his energy" His logic was simple in a way, and even from very, very minute knowledge on thaumaturgy–entities birthed from mana had a signal. And considering how much power went into an entity like a servant. Maybe it was similar to radiation where once its container is busted there will be some fallout for a time.
The projection of Roman appeared before them, "No go on that, Pete. When a servant's connection to the world is extinguished, the mana disappears completely."
The renaissance artist refutes this info somewhat, "Though in special circumstances, they could leave residue–but we would have picked up on that the moment you entered the city. Sorry to say but all we have on system (besides your servants) are the few hostiles trapped on the other side of the river."
The brunette clenches his eyes.
Mash sees his body tense, and then releases.
"Day's still young…There's still a lot of people here" He leaps to his feet, making the demi-servant beside him jump at the suddenness of the action "And they must know something, so we have to find that something…" he's walks past Mash, about to break out into full on a pace.
His wrist, a hand, clad in cold metal, clasped it desperately.
Peter flinches at her touch,
"Senpai, no, Peter…don't run off, please" the girl from Chaldea pleads.
He turns to her, a tad surprised "I wasn–"
Mash shakes her head, biting her lips.
Her lilac eyes were covered by lavender locks as she looked downwards…
In the command room of Chaldea,
"Oh crap! We do not need this right now!" Roman, with a worried jump–quickly reached for the controls of the Chaldea's hologram projector.
"Roman, I know you're worried about her–nevertheless, Mash needs to ease her stress. You see her emotional levels, they've been on a downward trend for awhile" The renaissance artist pointed out. "And Peter needs to hear this"
"I realize that, but we're in untested waters and blind to the other half of the conversation. There's too many unknowns at this early stage–and I don't want anything drastic to happen to them." He clenches his fists with a reluctant frown "Please, trust me…"
Da Vinci's expression doesn't change, but the Doctor could tell she was angered by his cowardice in this moment.
"I'm sorry" he reaches for the projector controls–his body stops. His muscles tense as he tries to move. Why can't I—what's happening?! His pupils shrink, and he breaks a sweat.
A female voice, sensual and prideful–speaks up. "I see you're having second thoughts, Doctor Archiman. I would too, Leonard Da Vinci had a good idea–and it is my professional recommendation that we simply see how this little turnabout goes'' The voice belonged to Chaldea's on staff psychiatrist.
Roman still tried to move, it seemed like an eternity–
"..." Da Vinci studied the fluffy haired man "Roman?"
"Oh, things are getting interesting…" the psychiatrist quipped poshly "...well, make your decision now." her ocean blue eyes has the excitement of predator that had cornered its prey "Because it's about to be too late..."
Could he really protect Mash forever? Didn't he want her to have a normal life? To be happy? But to be happy, you needed to take the good with the bad. You needed to realize what was wrong so you could fix it–But I just don't want her to be in that state again…Peter was a good guy, brash of course and one to just follow his emotion more than mind. I…I can trust them–NO, I do trust them, and I know they'll do the right thing in the moment. So…what's the harm?
His body relaxed.
"...you were," she says sadly. And you've been doing that since we've gotten here– She doesn't want to say it, or admit it aloud.
She doesn't have to, her features and the way she held herself–admitted it to the boy from Queens. Anguished lilac eyes, her fair cheeks tensed to keep composure. Neck sunk slightly and shoulders bereft of the strength to stand tall. What didn't waver was that even with this apparent angst, her gaze never wavered away from him.
Fou nudges her in the head, advocating her to do what she must. "Fou fou!" he leaps off her and scampers over to Peter. The squirrel-esque animal granted him a great look of shame "...Mkyuu fou fou fo!" He motions his head towards the shielder. And somehow, Peter almost understood 'Look at what you're doing to her!'
He tries to avoid her gaze, but he doesn't try to escape her grasp, something better in him resists the cowardice "..." His eyes drifted to his right hand, where his command seals laid felt like they were burning with an uneasy tension.
Three distinct symbols formed into what looked like a spider. It symbolized that he was a master–her master.
'You're not alone senpai…even if I die tomorrow…even if you die tomorrow…I'd rather it be us on even footing' he remembers feeling her longing embrace from before. It was so tight, it was the hold of someone bereft for so extensively, of anything like it. It was honest, in that moment she had truly bared herself all to him.
'I want you to realize, I'm here, and that you don't have to be alone…' It was honest, in that moment she had truly bared herself all to him. And he deflected like he always had.
"Someone else should have been your master…" he admits under his breath.
The girl from Chaldea becomes puzzled, "What?" her voice was light, but her hand still held on to his.
The boy almost wanted to run, but he was better than that. He had been raised better than that. He forces himself to say again, "Someone else…should have been your master…" his body shakes like it just retched a sickness.
"Senpai, please don't say that…" her voice hushed, nearly desperate. "You're not as bad as you thin–"
"I'm…I'm never going to be the person Chaldea, or you need…I'm too…" He looks to the clear skies above "I already have a way I do things, and it seems like Olga was right about guys like me…" His body shimmers, fear courses through him. "But I'm here now, and I don't know what to do so I just…"
"You fall back on instinct" Her hand lets go of his as the boy turns to fully face her
He nods "...I'm a solo act (team-ups sometimes aside)" he whispers "Because deep in my soul, I don't want anyone to risk themselves in a bad situation for my sake no matter what…especially when I'm the reason they're there in the first place…"
The demi-servant quirks her eyes up at him, "senpai, do you still think this is all your fault? It's not, it's because of Lev Lainur"
"In the grand scheme of things, yeah…but there's always a moment. A moment, so small that you don't even notice it–where something could have been done if you just. Did. anything…" He swallows, "I knew that bastard was going to do something when I first met him…call it my sixth sense. I know when someone is going to do something horrible" He breaks away from Mash and goes to a wall, banging on it and cracking the wood "-but I didn't do anything!" He lets his head rest against it, body shaking with rage and sorrow.
Taking a moment to orient himself, he continues "All of this–is because I knew he was bad news and didn't say or do something! The world is gone because of me. The reason Chaldea is as quiet as it is? me. The reason the people here are dying and are scared for their lives every single day? Ding ding–me."
The brunette's hands begin to spark. "Why are Team A in comas? People who probably could do something useful in this situation! Me as well. And the reason Martha had to beg for death?! Nngh–m-me" The boy from Queens lets go of the wall, and turns to Mash, eyes red and streaming with tears "The reason you're a servant? Because I couldn't get you out of the fire and debris…"
With his palms open and fingers bent like a beggar out of options–he wanted to let his knees buckle "And when I'm given a chance to make our situation better? I don't take it, because I don't know who I would be after that…and I wonder what my aunt or uncle would think? Or what Matt would say? What would Reed and Sue do? I just don't–"
"Senpai!" her voice stern yet desperate to lead him away from the proverbial cliff of sorrow, "It's a terrible event for all of us! And We're all under the same pressure–but what happened is already past us! We know we have a chance to set things right!"
She takes a step forward to him "And even if you feel lost, don't blind yourself to people that will help you!" Her voice had a passionate fury to it "Don't be a martyr, please…don't kill yourself because because you're afraid!"
He leaps to his feet suddenly and gets close to her "Mash, I'm not trying to kill myself–I'm just trying to do the right thing!" he fires back, furiously.
The shielder stomps her foot and makes the ground shake from her strength. "The right thing is trusting us! And you keep putting yourself at arm's length, making jokes to hide it and leaping off…" She nearly backs away from her, her posture becoming unconfident.
"I thought…I thought that sort of thing didn't happen with partners" Mash sighs, still standing her ground despite the reluctance. And she granted her master a forlorn look. "I want to carry your burdens, I want to know what's on your mind, I want to know how I can help…but you just keep pushing me and everyone else away" She clenches her hands and fights tears that had been welling up "It's not fair!"
She clutches her face to wipe away tears, eyes were steeled the moment after "And I don't care how deep you go into your own perdition–" Barely an inch of space was between her bonny face and the taller boy as she looked up into his surprised hazel eyes "If you fight me each and every step of the way!"
The demi-servant backs off and summons her and without pause, slams it into the ground with emphasis, kicking up dirt "I will be your shield! I'll be your servant! No matter how many times you say with your words or actions that you don't need help! Because I know you do, and I know you're better than this guilt that's overwhelming you! Because you're my…"
She takes a breath, "Because you saved me after we just met. You didn't know where I came from, you didn't owe me a thing. I was expendable, nothing more than a…"
The girl from Chaldea didn't want to say it "...a failed project" But she knew she had to "that they thought they could, at least, maybe, get something useful out of…you didn't see me as something less than human and I like that."
Peter grabbed the side of his head in shock "Mash, what are you talking about?" That didn't make sense, Da Vinci, Roman, the remaining Chaldeans and heck even Lev didn't treat her any differently from what he noticed/remembered–besides maybe the status of her health being checked more often than the normal person. But I figured that was just because she's a demi-servant…
Mash dematerialized her shield and looked away in shame. Clutching her shoulders, she tried to console herself. The lavender head knew she couldn't get away from this now "I'm…I'm not like you, Peter…all I've known is Chaldea"
He felt the biggest piece of crap seeing her in this state "I know, you were very upfront about that…" his voice was soft as he approached her. "But that wasn't everything, was it?"
"Chaldea is all I've known, because I was made there. I didn't have a mother or a father–I was designed." her voice was one of shame and panic.
"Chaldea made me for one purpose–to be a host for a heroic spirit." She remembers it all, all the poking and prodding, days without nourishment, days where her body could not even move, days where she was forced to stay awake as lights shined in her eyes, eyes that were not allowed to blink. She figured she had become numb to this point because strange things have happened as of late.
Her breath became haggard "But it failed to manifest, so I was deemed a failure. They let me live though, because I was thought to still be useful in some minor way–but until Doctor Roman, Ms. Olga, Ms. Phamrsolone and Mr. Scandinavia met me…I didn't know there was such a thing as kindness."
She covers her face with her hands and lets out a deep breath "or what it felt like to be treated like a person" Feeling something nuzzle her, she moves her hand to look at the ground.
Fou nuzzled legs. A pleasant hmm, escaped her lips "It was nice, but I know they only did it because they felt sorry for me…"
The brunette took both her hands suddenly, he was gentle though "Or, because you're a good person. And they like you" Peter suggested with a warm smirk, trying to lift her spirits. Why isn't Doc saying anything about this? "Being nice to someone doesn't always have an underhanded reason–it's just 'cause. There's no deeper meaning to it" he shrugs.
Her cheeks that had been stained with tears, curved into a sweet smile "And that's what I like about you. I didn't see you pity me or try to be overly cautious with me, you saw me as anyone else. Not a failure that could be ignored or handled carefully." She puffs out a breath, "But ever since Singularity F, you feel more distant than when I met you–and I don't want you to think you're only one saving humanity, that it solely rests on you. Because it's my–Chaldea's job, just as much as yours, senpai!" Her bonny features have something akin to haughty determination.
"Can't save the world alone, can I?" he snorts at the pompousness of the thought process. "Heh, it's hard for me to think that sometimes…it feels like I have to, especially when it feels like I caused all of this pain and suffering we're going through…"
His shoulders droop, and neck downtrodden "Like I did to my aunt and uncle a few years ago…" He's silent for a moment,
The shielder doesn't prod him.
"...a robber I let run past me. That same night, he decided to rob my Aunt and Uncle's house. My uncle (being a better man than I was) fought back–and he...was killed because of it...I live with the fact I could have done something in that moment when that robber ran by me." He cringes remembering every single millisecond of that day his gig as a wrestler was over, the day he had been screwed out of some money.
Peter gulps "I was so focused on what I could gain with the power I had, I didn't take into account the responsibility that came with it or what the consequences would be…and with this situation, I was so focused on laying low and being cautious–a jackass in green ended the world. I really feel like there's no winning sometimes" He shakes his head, the cynicism almost rolling away "Mash, thank you for telling me…and I, I will never, ever, think less of you because of where you came from"
Sighing, a new sort of resolve wraps its way into his soul "And I'm sorry for not placing more trust in you, especially after everything we went through in Fuyuki…and I guess I'm afraid of this."
"Senpia, I don't blame you…I just want you to be honest and trust us, trust me. I know you can do good, because you have before" she pinches his cheek "And don't say you shouldn't have been my master, or I'll be very mad at you!" she with puffed cheeks.
"Ow! Hey!" he exclaims rubbing his cheek "That was a bit of a hard pinch, don't you think?" he smirks after.
"Sorry, senpai…" she snickers "Also, you are capable of being my master and have been great at commanding the others and me–we wouldn't have saved those people without your direction. You're plan stopped Dark Jeanne from overtaking this land any more than she had."
"Yeah well, she would have been stopped sooner if I had just taken her out–but I didn't, and France is still in danger" He admitted, tone sorrowful. "I can't cross the line, Mash. I'm a detriment to Chaldea if I can't go for the obvious off-switch that heroic spirits have. Because–"
"Just leave it to me and the others, senpai–that's why the heroic spirit that I'm hosting saved me. To fight the battles, you can't"
"You know I can't just stand on the side lines" the Boy from Queens admitted.
The Girl from Chaldea wasn't surprised in the slightest, "I know."
"So what are we going to do?" He asked in a slight precarious tone.
"I really wish I could tell you, senpai…"
He sighs "I guess we'll figure that out when we get there,"
"Yes, when we get there. Master, no more running please, at least don't make me worry when you do (even if you do it because you're a superhero)" she whispers that last part.
He chuckles, before breaking out into a full-on laugh
"Hey, I'm serious, senpai!"
"Sorry, it's just…only one other person has said something to me like that,"
"Really?"
Gotta say it, Parker. Don't go leading her on!
What? What the heck are you talking about?
He rolls his eyes. Mash is just my friend, and I'm good with that.
He did agree in part with the voice in his head. "Yeah, Mary Jane Watson! She's, my girlfriend. She knows (or knew, now) who I am. And you don't know how worried I would make her sometimes when I ran off without telling her and came back all bruised…she would give me hell, but I knew she was just glad I made it back alive, like always" he shivers "like always…yeah,"
"..." Mash blinked at this info and she felt mixed to say the least, she couldn't exactly figure out why though. She eventually found words though, "You'll get her back, senpai. I just know it" she had a thousand yard stare.
"Definitely, oh and hey–when this is all over, I'll for sure take you on a trip to my neck of the woods. My Aunt would just love you!"
"..."
He whistles caustically "And hopefully, MJ doesn't think you stole me or something–eh, who am I kidding, that wouldn't happen!"
"..."
"Gwen and Harry will probably make that joke though…hmm?"
"..." Mash seemed like she had shut down.
"Mash? Hello? Earth to Captain Chaldea aka Mash Kyrielight" He waves his across the front of her face.
"...what?!" She blinked rapidly. "Senpai! What happened?!"
"You kinda went catatonic for a second!"
"I did?"
"Yeah…" His shift left to right "are you good?"
"Yes, I'm quite fine, senpai, quite fine" she breaks away from him in a hurry, "We better get going, senpai–we should be rendezvousing in an hour or so!"
Peter didn't follow for a few moments, Fou stood beside him "...the heck just happened?"
"Fo fo fou…" Fou rolls his eyes as he scampers to follow the shielder.
"I'd say that went rather splendidly!" her puffed-up voice expressed with the haughty self-assurance Roman had heard time and time again from the upper echelons of mage society. This woman stood at 177 centimeters tall, with blemishless fair skin that looked smooth to the touch. Garbed in a white blazer, which revealed her quite ample cleavage/silver bra (this was despite her knowing full well, Chaldea's dress code) and an immodestly short A-line white skirt/legging combination with silver gladiator heels.
Turning away from the screen, the good doctor gave the twenty-three-year-old woman a sardonic look "Yes. It did, but that was risk to say the least–especially when you consider how immature their partnersh–"
She raises her finger, a singular index covered by a prim white glove. Her lips, glossed over a bluish-silver lipstick, curled into a prideful though conservative smile "Doctor Archiman, your organization hired me because I know how to read people–and I do my research." She casts away her voluminous lob honey blonde locks with Vogue model's flair.
Subsequently and succinctly, she points in a thespian's fashion to the shielder servant, who was now interviewing more of the townsfolk with Peter by her side to ask whatever base of question his servant hadn't touch yet" Mash Kyrielight and 'Peter Parker' (as you, Doctor Archiman, are wont to keep calling him), are not the type of individuals to regress into trite antipathy because of angst and miscommunication, to put it simply."
"At heart, they are people pleasers and if they think they are in the wrong they'll try to bottle it up so they focus on the task at hand, in hopes that it will numb their guilt and sorrow. In Master Candidate 48's case, his rage and fear. The girl, her feelings of, hmm…it's entirely not inadequacy (that can be said for him as well) but chafing at her master's (tsk tsk) refusal to fully accept the lethality of his post and in turn, her."
The honey blonde turns back to the acting director of Chaldea, "Nevertheless, the combination of age, lack of experience with this current climate, each other and their shared gauntlet in Fuyuki–their attempts at being unfeigned builds and builds."
"For Peter, he's more in tune with his more reactive emotions–defusing anything that goes against his moral code with derision, vitriol, or if backed in a corner desperate (almost in a way bargaining) for a third option that won't leave his moral code in the gutter."
"For Mash, due to her background, all she knows, is how to be an automato–"
"Ms. Frost, I would strongly suggest reconsidering your next words" The Doctor says with a heavy tone and a hard brow, this made the renaissance artist beside him, genuinely beam for the first time at the Doctor in the last twenty-four hours. "Especially when she's the one out their risking her life!"
"Yes, you wouldn't want anyone to assume that pretty face of yours, is one of a conceded beauty–there's far too many of those in human history" Da Vinci chided.
With a sarcastic roll of her ocean blue eyes, she grants the remaining survivors of Chaldea a blunt sigh "Passive, if that word will please you and your guilt, Doctor Archiman." She suddenly sharpens her eyes, pointing them towards the back of the command room–The honey blonde throws a vexed glare at one of the six remaining members of Chaldea's security forces (garbed in tactical form fitting tactical black and gray uniforms).
This individual was a raven chin-length haired woman that had a noticeable scar going horizontally across the bridge of her nose.
The woman's red and green eyes shot back at Frost with an unimpressed glower–she then cringed in slight pain.
"Suffice to say," she looks back to Roman and Da Vinci "She doesn't have much practice when it comes to orienting stronger emotions. Especially when it's obvious they're the ones born from lifesaving gratitude and a childish crush,"
"It was only a matter of time before she popped off at him and showed something raw. Because that seems to be the only way for 'Peter Parker' to reciprocate the thoughts of others in a high-stress situation" She wrings her neck, snapping her fingers–which promptly gets her assistant by her side with a bottle of sparkling water. "Excuse me, I'm getting a tad parched,"
"Of course, Ms. Frost!" Said assistant (who was the age of sixteen) stood four centimeters short of Frost. Wearing the standard chaldean uniform of orange/gray with white piping top and white skirt. Her black hair was tied in a loose ponytail, almost unkempt but one could tell there was something of a refinement to it. She was of Asian descent (Japanese in fact), with a fair complexion and gave off the aura of someone from high society like Frost.
"Thank you!" Frost shoos her off "Now, be a dear and ready my bath–I'll be departing shortly."
The girl's onyx eyes held a nervous tenseness as she handed the bottle to the woman in white.
Emma languorously waved her hand, before patting the girl on the head daintily.
The girl nodded at the honey blonde and replied, "As you wish!" She left the room promptly.
With that, Frost began to drink the water, to this–Da Vinci scoffs (though her pristine features did not change) "Conceded Beauty, I surmise you'd wear that sort of title with pride, Emma Frost"
Emma blinks her eyes innocently, before smirking "Guilty~~ I enjoy excelling at both mind and body, Leonardo Da Vinci–I thought an intellect of the fine arts would understand that,"
"She forgot soul, obviously–" A slim but slightly portly and bespectacled blonde individual by the name of Jingle Abel Meuniere (age 22) commented under his breath.
Emma's eyes looked over to him for a second before returning her gaze to Roman and Da Vinci. "Where was I?"
"OW!" Meuniere palmed his face, his features cringing.
"Oh yes, this was inevitable with the way the situation was going. It was honestly a toss-up between this and a knock-out drag-out fight with the no-name archer servant. We should consider ourselves lucky that this happened first, mainly because they're both the types that will attempt to mend bridges if individuals they care about on some level, are in duress,"
"So even when they begin their more-or-less argument, once they both hear each other's feelings–they'll always try to make each other feel better and attempt to be better to each other once they reach a presumed understanding," She raises her hands to the command room with a sly laugh "Too bad not all of their feelings came out."
"That notwithstanding, I guarantee teenage hormones will take care of that (pity our hero will have to fall into infidelity for a real breakthrough)"
Roman rolls his eyes, that really throws in a wrench in Mash and Peter getting together. Sorry Mash but– "I think we have more important issues to worry about than your off brand Freudian reading of Mash and Pete's partnership." he saunters up the control console where the mechanism that projected him to singularity is laid. "...I admit you and Da Vinci were right."
"I always am," Emma Frost says proudly with a presumptuous raise of her eyebrow.
The renaissance artist was humbler "Thank you, Roman!"
Meuniere and several others got sudden headaches for no explainable reason.
"That said, I will not tolerate your techniques if this happens again."
Emma gifts him a playful frown "oh? And why is that?"
"Because a singularity is not a controlled environment. The excess stimuli in there, could tip the edge of their emotions. That's why we monitor both a master candidate's mental and physical health, because it can change drastically like if say–you interact with a woman begging for her death! That can tip them over the edge, as the seen the previous night."
"Funny, I don't recall our systems being able to read Peter Parker as of yet."
"It's still not able to," he admitted. "But you can never be too safe, and it's my job to make sure a candidate doesn't lose track of our goal" But I keep messing that up, don't I?
"That is conjecture on your part." She begins heading to exit "You're a medical doctor–Romani Archiman, not a psychiatrist (hell, you're barely wading water as a director)" She grants him a sanctimonious frown "And no amount of personal talks with your lavender haired guilt will grant you the credentials I have. So respectfully, stay in your lane" She left without missing a beat.
The room was silent,
As the tension that had suffocated it,
Slowly ebbed away.
Da Vinci was the first to speak, "I cannot say I like her. She'd make a beautiful subject of a painting–but everything else about her would ruin it"
The Doctor groans "Kiara Sessyoin just had to go to Seraphix. Why'd we lose the coin toss on that?" Roman asks disparagingly
Da Vinci shakes her head "I could not say, Roman" she then shrugs "But we're stuck with her…" She looks at the monitors, her eyes following the master and demi-servant pair "we'll need to come clean to Peter about Mash, at least for the most part,"
"Agreed…"
"And my stance is still firm on just outing Peter. I can't though as your word is law, right?" She crosses her arms confidently "Though, it would be untrue for me to say I wasn't a tad vexed when you consented to the same suggestion I had once Emma brought it up…" she pinched her chin, eyes looking downward intently. "...curious"
Yeah, my entire body just froze. Why? Roman asked himself.
It didn't matter who talked to her. Whether it be young, old, man or woman. If they were deep in their cynicism from the state of their country–her gestures that had been refined to perfection, her grace that had won so many suitors in her day and her darling voice, like that of an angel–could immediately break that barrier.
"Oui! Oui! Thank you for your time, and please be safe!" This was because she simply was.
She could feel Amadeus in awe of her charm with each person she talked to, each individual she charmed. This bolstered her, but one wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at her.
"You have to be nobility; how could you not be?" One had asked.
Another refuted this "No they usually don't care for our dilemmas, are you perhaps some sort of saint?"
"Oh, I could never claim to be something so holy. I did dream to be one though but suffice to say a faintaisie such as that is for a specific sort of rêveur. And I am quite happy being me" The Queen of Lilies felt nary a hint of regret, no longing in her heart. That aside, there were always questions of what she had left behind.
My children, I still see their faces but I can't recall their fates. Did Jean live happily? His beginnings weren't exactly the happiest…
Marie and Amadeus learned of Lyon's sieged of the draconic variety.
What of Enerestine, Armand and Zoë? Were they treated well when I was taken away from them? Though what exactly did that, was hazy to her.
They learned of the pale nobility that attacked Lyon's people and drank their blood.
Did Louis grow to be a kind and righteous king? Would I be proud of him? What sort of question is that? Of course, I would! And my husband as well…
They learned of Lyon's eleventh-hour savior, a glowing mark on his chest, luscious silver lockes. He had wielded a long sword, possibly a claymore–
Did Marie-Thérèse find love? Did she hold herself like her mother?
And he had fought until the very last survivors had escaped to the other side of the river.
Will they truly cease to exist if we fail? She shook her head of such tasteless thoughts. We have the Sainte du drapeau on our side, how could we ever possibly fall? Such a reality could not exist, where Jeanne d'Arc either fell without retaining her virtue, let herself be overtaken by iniquity or failed to prevent this wonderful land that the world and its people called France, collapse.
"Do you know if this hero is still around, mademoiselle?"
The woman, about in her Middle Ages, shifted—avoiding eye contact briefly before looking straight into Marie's eyes "No…none that I know of, have seen him since the attack…I am truly sorry that I cannot help you more"
Marie curtsied with the expected grace of her royalty "Non non, you have been plenty of help! Have a lovely day, won't you!"
The woman blushed, "Yes! I'll try! Tha–thank you!"
Marie sideyed the composer beside her, covering a sly hint of red that had warmed its way on to his cheeks.
She giggled at this reaction.
It was in a hanging moment that Amadeus thought aloud–"I feel as though the saving grace Saint Martha told us of…He may have fallen in the previous nights." His tone was subdued, eyes not saddened, but wary.
He does care so much The Queen Of France didn't give much thought to the prospect "If that could ever happen, the spirit of this bastion of France, Lyon would have let hopelessness darken it's peoples heart." She points to a child hiding from her parents behind the wall of an alley across from them "But I don't see that, I see fear, I see regret and I see sadness…"
The child smiles, covering her mouth to hide uncontrollable giggling.
"...along with these dreary emotions, I see happiness and a resolute hope. If Lyon had lost everything, there would be no joy! If their knight in shining armor had fallen, then surely the Dragon Witch's beasts would have devoured the rest"
The child's mother finds her, she scolds her. The child is bemused, her innocence is telling. And the mother begins to cry, falling to her knees and cradling her baby in her arms. "Merci, mon Seigneur" she repeats, smiling through the tears. She had not lost what was dear to her.
"Regardless of your taste for blagues dépravées that makes you seem not the type of gentleman to read the room, I know you have an eye for detail." Whenever the topic of if the hero had survived, the person they talked to would show a hint of nervousness or just deflect entirely.
Amadeus bit his lip and appraised the memory of Marie and his investigation. She knew he understood the thread she was pulling "It's a hopeful thought, Marie. Regardless, Chaldea and their machines would have noticed him, we would have noticed him. It is more likely he is deader than a doornail, having gone the way all heroic spirits do–into heavenly fart cloud of fairy dust" He sighs and reluctantly gifts his friend and cheerless look "You're looking too deeply into the regular excrement human's give out into the world. Not every gesture is a sign with a deeper meaning, sometimes it is just pure nerves. It's unthinking and without poise. I am sorry, Marie"
Marie rolls her eyes "My fault for thinking scum would even look towards a happier notion,"
Amadeus snickers, clutching his heart dramatically "You wound me"
The Queen of Lilies was not dissuaded though "Yesterday we were graced to be met with Jeanne d'Arc, a heroine without equal who saved my nation and inspired it to be greater!" She faces him and taps the musician on the nose with her red lace gloves "This is proof to me that we are not forsaken. And that all of this will turn out all right!" Her voice was that of a fervent believer who witnessed a miracle before their eyes.
Amadeus closes his eyes briefly tightening them up with a doleful flare of his nostrils "You put too much faith into her. She's as doubtful as the Master of Chaldea, so tangled by emotional sediment. Do you not see how she frowns or questions her place when faced with her dark counterpart? She's human, which means she can fuck u–"
The Queen of France places a finger on his lips with an expression close to vexation "Never say something so despicable to me, ever…" she says in a hot murmur "The Holy Maiden Savior is, and that's all that needs to be said about that. " She draws away her hand and beams with delight "That's all the validation I need to render unto her, my trust and faith."
Amadeus nods, taking a deep breath "And like always, you get your way…" she lets loose a singular heh "I shall follow you and your decree as the lovesick fool I am"
Marie nods at the pale composer, "Merveilleux!" she claps her hands in victory before turning towards the mother and child who were walking away "Veuillez m'excuser, mademoiselle!? May I ask you a question?"
It went the same as all the others. The fear and gratitude playing before Marie and Amadeus like a repeated song. Difference was when asked if Lyon's savior had lived–
"I don't know…so much happened. I wish I could tell you, but I can't–"
"Yes you can, Mama. You said the nice man with the glowey chest was–" the mother claps her hand around the girl's mouth in pure shock.
"No, we don't know anything like that!"
Amadeus grants the mother a raised brow, "Your child says differently, are you saying she's guilty of the sin of lying" he bared his teeth caustically, it was the smirk of a weasel. "Would you teach her such a thing?"
The mother was outraged to say the least "HOW DARE YOU!"
Marie clasped her with a sorry expression, "Forgive his tendency to be filth. I beg of you! If you can tell us anything about this man, it would be very helpful–as he could be the defining factor of if our very nation survives!"
The Queen of Lilies presents her hands, palms open to the woman and lowers herself to her to show she meant no harm "We are but well-wishing rêveurs who seek to bring about peace after so much hardship! We're not villains here to fool you or lead you astray, so I prithee on my honor as nobility" her luminous blue eyes met the mother's "Tell me truly, does Lyon's hero live?"
The summer skies were clear, the hours moving towards the afternoon.
Jeanne d'Arc watched the land and skies unwaveringly, as did the King of Knights and the Shadow Servant who had granted fealty to Peter Parker.
It was silent in the beginning,
"Boring, absolutely boring…" Her flaxen eyes, the eyes of a tyrant, drifted towards Jeanne.
The Saint presented the King with an unsure frown "We're sentries, it's good if nothing is happening."
"I understand that I had watchmen posted to keep my city safe–no matter how bloody it got. And it always got bloody, didn't it?" The Blackened King asks coyly to the Shadow Servant, who says nothing in return.
Though you couldn't tell by his posture, as he held his stature to its full height. Instead, you see the answer he gave by the noticeable shaking of his hands that he clenched his smoke-like gauntlets to halt and calm.
"My point is, I'd rather be doing anything else. I can't show my prowess just by waiting and hoping for your darker half's fragile underlings to come to me and face their final fate" she sighs with droll expression "But a true king nay ever go back on their word, no matter how childish the request of their company."
"Quite honorable" The Holy Maiden Saviour feels the warm spring-to-summer air brush past her bonny face, it was quite calming "I should not have expected anything less from the King of Camelot" Not the say the words before that did not raise my worry of you This added on to by Chaldea's evaluation of King Arthur was in fact a corruption of the original by the Holy Grail.
"My fame speaks for me, as does the terror I bring" The black-clad king nods, pleased with herself. "All the same, a patron saint such as you, nearly rivals my mass effect I'd say,"
The blonde blushes and tries to deflect "I merely did what was right in the moment."
"Yes, and look how you made Britain's people fear you" Arthur remarks with a cold leer.
"..." Jeanne is caught off guard by this, to say the least "Fear is natural on the battlefield, and I was their enemy so–"
"No, you were a symbol that told the dregs of my old kingdom they weren't invincible. Riding into battle with pure white armor that radiated holy light, they thought they were fighting something beyond the veil." The King of Knights clenches her gauntlet and raises it to her chin with righteous intensity.
The pale monarch relaxes "And this doubt of their place in their world, allowed Gilles De Rais and your men to slaughter them without worry of complete resistance" Arthur gestures to Jeanne with an open hand "I respect the gambit, Saint of the Flag"
The praise felt wrong to Jeanne "Yes, I merely wanted to wear something that symbolizes my master, to show I appreciated the guidance he had given me–there was nothing more to it than that!"
"That's a feasible reasoning. It could be happenstance that your attire and the effect of your actions made you a horror for your enemies. Then, how do you explain your final fate? When those you fought for began their rumors to bring you down when you were at your peak? Why was the word witch utter beside your name before the Dragon Witch came?"
Jeanne knew why, it was a cold reasoning "Politics. I was thought an obstacle by those in power"
"Because they feared what you could still accomplish if left to your own devices" she shakes her head with a near wrathful expression "That's why it always happens, because the lowly bugs that look up to us get greedy and worry that we'll take everything." The King crosses her arms "When they should already understand, all belong to us!" she smiles sinisterly "From the moment we take our first breath…"
Jeanne faces Arthur with a Rhadamanthine eye "I'm no conqueror, I am a servant for something greater than my mortal soul! And what you speak of, is the sin of greed and pride–which I won't allow myself to falter towards even if those I fought and protected become wary of me!"
"Then I ask–" Arthur closes the gap between them, bringing her face nigh a few inches away from the Saint "Why does the Dragon Witch seek ruin?"
That resolve she had wielded like a weapon "I...I can't answer that", dissolved instantly.
"I know you can–individuals like us exist long after our deaths because we all share the same sins, as you like to call them" The King of Knight's places her black gauntlet on Jeanne's shoulder, the pressure of it was telling
Arthur's voice, a whisper, was sharp like razor's edge "And you must acknowledge it if you even believe you can truly best her. Wars are not won with rules or paltry desires of something better–they are dominated by sheer ruthlessness and the letting go of one's humanity, Jeanne d'Arc!" her tone deepens.
The King allowed for her power to be felt by the saint. The overwhelming pressure, the mana of a servant like her, had to have "That's why she has ravaged this nation you protected. She understands the wrath of being undone, and what it does to someone. She accepts reality and the consequences of it!" She laughs "I am excited to meet that you, as I know she'll be honest–"
Jeanne pushes herself away from the King, summoning her flagstaff in an offensive stance. "NEVER!"
The King was not looking her way. Both she and the shadow servant bared their arms suddenly. Eyes skyward as the heavens above cried with fury.
Unfortunately, Jeanne was inundated by the maelstrom of her doubt, fears, fraudulence and the want to balk back at these feelings "I…I…no matter what you or anyone else say, I must–"
And that's when fire rained down on them.
Several minutes earlier–
The time limit was up, and two of the groups had reconverged at the gate to Lyon.
Amakusa waved to his master, who sent a casually raised hand with his index and middle finger stretched out "Yo! Shirou!" His cantor, by what the Japanese catholic could tell, was in better spirits than it had been the night before–
Until "...and Andrews, man I was really hoping you would have been zombie chow by now" he snarked, the hostile intention made clear.
This is starting off stellar… The ruler servant groaned inwardly before pinching his temples, "Could you two maybe restrain your vitriol for a few minutes" this went ignored by the red clad archer.
"Same, master. I guess zombies don't eat meat that chatters like a bratty husky, too annoying probably" Nameless fired back with a caustic smirk.
"Nah, I'd make a killing getting them to laugh. Their brain dead so I can use simple gags like *knock* *knock* jokes–knock knock!"
Nameless scoffs "you're an idiot."
"No, you're supposed to say–who's there?"
"Who's there?" Mash asked, with a sheepish voice.
"Bingo! Like that (thank you, Mash!)–And I'd say Awvekinda?"
"Awvekinda, who?" The Shielder asked.
"Awvekinda locked myself out of the house, could you let me back in?"
A few,
Moments,
Passed,
"...that was bad" The Archer says disgustedly, his look one of bewilderment.
–-To which the Former Rebellion leader and demi-servant broke out into laughter. "HA! You have to admit Peter, that wasn't a good joke" he tries to hold back his giggles.
Mash cringed in delight "I liked it, senpai!"
Peter nods, raising his hands upwards to show he'll do no harm "It's called a groaner, Andrews. It's not supposed to be good" he says with a snap of his fingers and a click of his tongue.
"Hmph" is the response Peter got from the red bowman. "So, it wouldn't stop zombies from eating you?" He followed up.
"Good to know the past two hours hasn't stopped you from being a buzzkill"
The archer surrenders with snide smile "Caught me like a fly in a spider's web, master."
Peter glares at him before just shrugging it off with a conflicted groan.
Amakusa breathes a sigh of relief. That went better than expected, he thought as the girl from Chaldea relaxed with a relieved expression of calm. "I pray that your side of the investigation went well, as we found ourselves in a touch of dilemma"
"Ditto" The Master of Chaldea says.
Mash shook her head in agreement "We didn't find any success when it came to tracking the dragon slayer, Mr. Tokisada. Although senpai and I did gain some interesting data on our end"
"Let me guess, the slayer's possibly dead as well as Vlad Tepes and his dominatrix sidekick being the servants to lead the attack on the town–" Nameless crosses his arms with a mercenary expression of reserved astringency "Same info we got, if that's the case"
Roman projected his voice so as to not alarm the locals and guards "At least the stories are tracking. I would love it if they didn't lead to the conclusion that a possible ace in the hole is kaput–but I'm sorry to say, it is not looking good" The fluffy haired man concluded sheepishly.
Da Vinci added her thoughts to the topic "That doesn't necessarily mean we can't defeat the Dragon Witch, but we'll need a servant with anti-fortress noble phantasm (and a sizable amount of mana) to hold off Fafnir while a subsequent group attempt to kill his master and claim the grail" She pauses for moment "Sorry to say, Peter, Mash…"
"It won't be easy…ugh" Peter clears his throat. He rubs his eyes "God, I hope Mary and Amadeus have some better news for us." He looks around "speaking of, where are they?"
Roman was quick to answer "That's odd?"
"Define odd, Doc?"
"They're outside Lyon and heading westward."
Peter and Mash look at each other "Senpai, do you think?" Peter nods in response
Meanwhile, the former Rebellion Leader himself is already figuring out why this could be "They either must have learned something we haven't…" The pseudo-priest looked at his fellow compatriot in red.
The red bowman raises his brow sardonically "You're expecting me to say, 'or they got cold feet', right, Choir Boy?" Nameless rolls his eyes "They are definitely not the type. Actually, the pervy musician could be–but he's not going to leave her alone."
Feline-esque, Amakusa smiles knowingly "Ah, there's hope for you yet"
"Shut it" he replies with calm hostility.
The brunette chuckles "Hey, at least someone is rooting for you, Andrews…plus, I think we might have a lead (I really hope so), yeesh" Putting the stress aside, he smirks at Mash and raised a a fist to her "Ready to get out of here, partner?"
Mash beamed "Always, senpai!" she finishes the fist bump.
"Enough dilly dallying!" The projection of Da Vinci appeared before them in a fanciful fashion "It's best not let them get ahead of you! And while late arrivals are dramatic they out of fashion for our situation!"
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Leo" Peter smirks to Mash with a fist raised near her "Ready to get out of here, partner?"
Mash beamed "Always, senpai!" she nearly finishes the fist bump–
"WE GOT HOSTILES INCOMING!" Roman's voice was vague as the skies erupted in noise. And the people that still dwelled in Lyon began to cacophonously cry in fear as their nightmare had returned.
The Fours' (including Fou) eyes went sharp as they snapped their gaze to the atmosphere. There drew a swarm of wyverns who spewed fire as they soared, destroying all that they could below.
And leading the charge was a large black dragon with a glowing emerald symbol on its chest. A black flag waved atop its back, held aloft by a pale yellow-eyed woman clad in black and seething with wrath unbound.
"Oh come on…" Peter released through a breath of stress. He shook his head and refocused. He motions to the ruler archer "Alright, same as last time–focus on crowd control! Take as many of these winged so-and-so's back to the Jurassic where they belong."
"As you command, Peter," Amakusa replied faithfully.
"Got it" Nameless added without argument.
The two immediately went towards the highest points of the Lyon to begin the counterattack, this left Mash and Peter.
"Your orders, master?" she asked with a determined focus and her shield bared (and Fou having seemingly disappeared somehow).
"Search and rescue, we get as many people out as we can and try not to die. Simple as that!"
"Shielder-Servant, Mash Kyrielight is ready to comply!" Peter felt her energy change in a way.
"Cool!" he responds with a thumbs up.
Da Vinci chimed in "If I may, Peter. I would recommend you use one of your command seals to summon Artoria here to hold Fafnir. Considering that she stunted Tarrasque last night"
The brunette has a crossed expression for a moment, I have to play with the hand I'm dealt, before shaking at least for now "Okay, I can do that–" he clasps the wrist of the hand that held his seal "By the power of my command seal! King Arthur–come here and kick that Sauron-wannabes ass!"
His seals glow red,
They burn red.
WHAT THE HELL?!
His hand felt like–
it was on fire,
the pain never stopping,
It felt unending,
Like blood exposed to acid in its purest form,
And cauterized by the fires of perdition.
Don't have the right!
Until–
Even after being forced to be this?!
The command seal stopped glowing,
Peter's knees buckled.
The pain had faded,
But the seals had not.
Mash rushed to his side, supporting him anyway she could. "Doctor, what happened?!" The Shielder asked, alarmed as the saber servant was not there.
"..." The Doctor didn't have an answer "...Da Vinci?"
The artist was silent. She did not have a single clue. "This should not be possible..."
Why, why didn't it work? Peter asked. He clenched his fists and bit his lips "Doesn't matter–we stick to the old plan! Now let's–" as he's about to get up.
*She's falling fast–need to be quick*
His eyes flick up to the sky,
Mash's gaze follows his and she gasps.
A girl with haired gold and a flagstaff in her hand, fell from the maw of black dragon some hundreds of feet in the air. The laughter of her dark counterpart claws its way through the whirlpool of noise to be heard.
Peter looks to Mash with sorrowful grin "You're going to hate me for saying this, but I'm gonna need to leap away"
"This is no time to be joking!" She exclaimed with a befuddled expression.
"Yeah, sorry Mash–but that's kind of my thing" He picks himself up "But I will need your help. And I'll be back!" He takes her by arms solemnly, his hazel eyes steeled.
Mash dropped all worries "Of course, senpai–what do you need?"
With a crazed grin his first order of business was "I need you to launch me into the air with your shield!"
The lavender head was at a loss for moment, but set aside her confusion "Aye, master!"
It was a quick setup, Peter on all fours upon her escutcheon. Mash was crouched and aimed for the falling holy maiden savior. "I'm READY!" she yelled.
Peter smirked, "On three…" he didn't miss beat "THREE!"
With a combination of shielder servant's might and her master's enhanced agility.
The Master of Chaldea went sky high–
Author's Note:
Yeah, I'm back and just in time for Across The Spider-Verse (two days after, but hey what ya gonna do?). Another dialogue heavy chapter, though I do hope you all enjoyed the interactions even if there wasn't any physical action/fights-the action will come next chapter and it will be incendiary!
Other than that, I'm currently working on a side-story/comic for SAF called Last Bit Of Red which follows Shirou Emiya before the events of Chapter 16. You can find it on my reddit account. Just look up my name or Last Bit Of Red on r/Grandorder. Updates for that will be slow, but it is happening.
Along with that, I'd like to give a shout out to Evowizard25, Woohoopizzamanand StrangerDenB4 for help when it came to the writing process for this chapter. As I admittedly was unsure of certain interactions I had planned and was facing some writer's block as per usual when it comes to my writing.
Also, some edits were made to previous chapters with more to come due frequent spelling errors in previous chapters that I keep forgetting to change. And also, story ideas that I decided to rework somewhat but don't dramatically change the chapter itself as it more or less has to do with foreshadowing. Just figured I should give the heads up on that.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, if not, that's fine (can't win them all) and please do enjoy your morning/afternoon/evening-peace!