Review answers:-
xXwolfsterXx644, Garp74, Zack:- Thank you for your kind words, hope you enjoy reading this chapter as well! Also really liked the Trigger idea, gonna apply it's principle in the fic soon so watch out for that!
Zet4:- Thank you for your kind words, and as far as Mashu's shield dematerializing, don't forget that she is currently in her weakest form, in her first proper experience of real combat. Tanking Rhongomyniad and many of her other impressive feats occur after she has gained a lot of (life and battle) experience and while she is actively using her NP. Also, a Servant's strength is directly proportional to the magical energy they receive from their Master, and currently our MC is not doing a very good job on that front. Adding to the fact that it's Heracles that attacked, all the factors stack up on one another and results in Mashu's current predicament.
olvitsi:- That's not a bad idea, but it won't make much sense seeing as both in canon and in my fic's timeline the MC only hears/feels the tremors of the explosion while chatting with Roman and then goes to investigate. So he never actually sees the explosion occur, only it's after-match.
Yay-man, Anc1enT, Onsidefall:- The Shield getting hit by Berserker's sword is a really neat idea and I'm kinda salty that I didn't think of it myself earlier! Hope you still what I chose for the Trigger at the end though!
TetSuoRai:- This is such a god-damn epic trigger idea that I am feeling really sad that I cannot use it for the MC, mainly cause he doesn't really have a broken heart or anything of that sort! ... Yet. Who knows what the future may bring and how he may change as the story plays out...
JackL1795, JaimonDosFendu, Dat-boi-waddup, Roland Tepes:- I like the ideas, but they're kinda low stakes so I'm afraid that I'm going to have to reject them in the end. Sorry!
Jamieoeyes:- Olga... well let's just say that I've got some plans in store for her. *Insert evil anime chuckle and pushing up glasses to make them shine menacingly*
GodOfDeathAndUndeath:- Thank you for your kind words and encouragements, and don't mind me as I take inspiration from your ideas of romantic triggers...
Pannenkoekenrage:- You will be right in thinking that running from Berserker is the safest option... but Protag-kun doesn't really have a good track record of doing that, does he? He's good at running away when it's his own life in danger, but when others are involved... Case in point, staying behind for Mashu even though he should know better during the Chaldea collapse.
And you're right about the traits, sometime in the future, perhaps at the end of this arc, I'll post a separate chapter detailing our MC's Stats, Skills, Relationships and other stuff. Thanks for the idea! And the kissing thing to transfer power... an interesting line of thought that I am certainly going to put some thought on and use in the (possibly near) future! Also liked your Mata Hari ideas, there's some promising stuff there that I'm definitely doing to be looking into.
Attttth:- Criticism is always appreciated, though I wish you had been a bit more specific on how to improve/add to the story, rather than just point out the parts you didn't like. Thanks for the feedback though, I appreciate the fact that you read through my fic and reviewed even though you didn't find it to be your cup of tea!
Huck233:- Thanks a lot for your encouraging words!
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Also, I highly recommend you put on "Kishi Ou no Hokori [フェイト/ステイナイト - OST]" in the background while reading through the first part of the chapter. The Studio DEEN Fate adaption has it's fair share of issues, but the music is not one them.
And now without further ado- Please read on and enjoy!
In the rippling field of grass that stretches out like a vast, endless ocean— Stands a young blonde girl. Her clothes are simple and boyish: A white tunic worn over brown riding pants and similar-colored boots. And yet, her regal bearing and noble visage make the unassuming garments look more elegant than they have any right to be.
Bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun, so akin to her own golden tresses, she stands perfectly still as she silently gazes at what lies before her.
A Sword... embedded in Stone.
Her face was stoic, but her jewel-like eyes sparkled like emeralds– Completely mesmerized by the only other thing that stands out in the green meadow, beneath the slowly brightening dawn sky.
The naked blade lay stuck in a stone structure that was much too symmetrical to be a natural formation. Both the sword and stone are placed upon a raised pedestal with steps leading up to the blade. The whole structure is beautiful in its simplicity, yet the young girl's eyes do not stray. She is single-mindedly focused on one thing and one thing alone.
The Sword of Selection. And the golden inscription carved upon its ornate hilt, which read as follows:-
"Whosoe'er pulleth out this Sword of this Stone, is rightwise King of all England."
A strong yet soothing wind blows, causing the grass to sway like gentle waves on a calm sea. And as the sun slowly rises over the horizon, causing the previously dark sky to become aglow in a tapestry of red and orange hues– The young girl also rises. Walking up the steps needed, she now stands upon the same platform as the Sword. She is close enough to simply reach out her hand and be able to grasp the gilded royal blue hilt.
But before the maiden could do that— A voice called out to her, interrupting the idyllic scene by referring to the girl by the name she used to hide the truth about her identity and gender.
"O' Artorius!"
And for the first time since arriving at the meadow, the girl takes her eyes off the brilliant blade and turns to face the speaker. She is neither shocked nor questions how the hooded old man appeared in a gust of wind and colourful petals at a place that moments prior was devoid of any person.
After all, the Magus of Flowers may have been an infernal troublemaker and prankster; But he was also her trusted mentor and advisor, who visited and taught her in her dreams. The Vagrant of Paradise was a friend, one of the very few she had, whose counsel the young squire was willing to listen to with rapt attention.
"O' noble and chivalrous knight-to-be! Think carefully before thou pull'st out the Sword. For once thou dost remove it... Thou shall remain human no longer.
Is the burden of Kingship one thou'st are willing to carry forevermore?"
"Yes." There is no hesitation in her answer. No wavering is present in her voice. Her reply is swift and filled with certainty. The single word was filled with unwavering and unshakeable conviction, simple yet noble, strong yet graceful, just like her swordsmanship.
"I have come forth with the desire to pull this esteemed sword out of this stone. This is the path that I have chosen. And on this path I shall walk... While carrying no regrets, to fulfill my destiny."
She knew, even without ever having to be told. Her birthright. The very purpose of her life and the reason she had been born in the first place - A maiden with the soul of the red dragon in her body. The only reason that she swore to bear her sword, because only a King could save a ruined country headed for death. She knew in her heart of hearts, that her whole life has been leading up to this one single moment. And she will not back down now.
And so she extends out her hand and grasps the hilt of the Sword in the Stone, and without a moment's hesitation, she pulls.
And in a single smooth movement, the Sword was pulled out— As if it were the only natural course of action, and the area was filled with light. The rising sun itself seemed to shine brighter, as if waiting for that very moment, as the golden rays of the dawn sky swept across the dewy grass, making each droplet shine like a precious gemstone.
And as the blinding golden light subsided, there she stood. With a smile on her face, that was as warm as the glow of the sun. Her eyes, shining brighter than the most valuable of gems. With the sword held aloft, pointing up towards the heavens, towards the now cloudless azure sky. Signaling the arrival of a new day. The beginning of a new age. A torch of hope, that will burn so bright that it will illuminate the night and chase the darkness away.
She, who will bring to her nation the light and warmth of the Promised Dawn.
She, who chose to sacrifice her own happiness for the smiles of her people.
She, who shall forever be known as the Once and Future King of Britain.
She, who will go on to become the proud and virtuous King of Knights.
She, who holds aloft the Golden Sword of the Victorious.
She, who is named—
[Wisdom Check... Success! Environment requirements... Met! Congratulations! Gained Memory Shard:- The Legend of the Sword in the Stone]
*SLAAAP*
"OWWWwwww!"
"Wake up already, you incompetent Master! Now is hardly an appropriate time to be taking a nap!"
I wake from the vivid dream with a start, my cheek stinging in pain and my ears ringing from the shrill screaming. I let out a groan as I groggily open my eyes and rotate my throbbing head slowly as I dimly make out my surroundings. I am currently sprawled out on the hard floor of some kind of storage room or shed, I assume, judging by the various boxes, broken appliances, and miscellaneous tools laying around. And judging by the feeling of hard, flat objects digging into my back, (which I identify as blue tiles), and the giant hole in the ceiling, I did not take the door to enter this dusty toolshed.
"Well then! Have you finally decided to awaken from your beauty sleep, you fool!?"
Bringing an aching hand to my face to rub out the last vestiges of sleep from my eyes, I turn my head to properly face the pale white face of our resident tsundere Director. I was about to let out a snarky comment at the rather rude awakening, but the words catch in my throat as I caught sight of her eyes.
Why?
The reason is simple. Because for the first time since I have met Olga, her eyes were not showing contempt, smugness, anger, or any such emotions. No, her amber eyes were wide with fear. Terror and panic in equal measures mar her face; her already pale face is now completely white, though she tries to hide it, and her hands are shaking as they grip my forearm tightly. And that's when the memories of the recent events flood into my brain.
Running from Zayd. Asako and the kid saving me. Olga healing me. Berserker showing up. Being sent flying by his hit. And being protected by... MASHU!
I spring into a sitting position. Or rather, I try to. I achieve partial success but can only get halfway there before my whole torso aches terribly and I momentarily lose control over the motor functions of my body as I almost fall back. The only reason I don't , is because Olga's tight grip supporting my body and keeping me upright.
"Slow down, idiot! You probably have a concussion, along with who knows what other injuries! Romani identified a dislocated left shoulder and multiple cracked ribs before the signal got cut off again, so sit still while I heal the worst of your wounds!"
Breathing itself is difficult and painful, yet I force myself to take deep breaths in an attempt to clear my head as Olga awkwardly yet gently rubs my back and brushes away the dust, splinters, and broken tile pieces stuck to my shirt. It does more harm than good, as wherever she touches causes a small jolt of pain to go through my body, but I keep my complaints to myself.
Mostly because I don't have the breath to waste on small stuff like that, and also cause I'm kinda touched she even cared to do that in the first place. But focus on the defrosting ice queen later, me, focus on making it out of this current predicament alive first!
"Forget about that–" I mumble out when I manage to save up enough air in my lungs and oxygen in my body and brain so that I stop feeling faint and can finally string up proper words. "Wha– What the hell are you doing here!? I told you to get away!"
"You didn't tell me anything; you picked me up and tossed me like a bag of flour!" My boss yells out, her shrill voice causing my already-present headache to worsen. "Don't be so presumptuous as to order your superior around! Feel grateful that I even bothered to come back to check up on you after Assassin left me alone! Do you have any idea how far you and Mashu flew away!?"
"Wait!" Grasping a hold of Olga's forearm, I ignore the adorable squeak she lets out and focus on inspecting her fully first... And I let out a sigh of relief as I don't catch sight of any prominent injury. Still, better to be safe than sorry though, so I raise my eyes to look into her wide and flustered ones and ask, "Are you okay, though?"
"Me!?" Her voice cracks on that single word, and she looks at me with an expression of sheer disbelief, like I'm some kind of special kind of idiot. Which, to be fair, might not be that far off the mark... but still! You can be a little more tactful than that, woman! "Y-You absolute buffoon! Are your ears still ringing from your fall or something? Did you not hear a SINGLE word of what I just said!? You are the one who was on the receiving end of a Servant's attack! If it wasn't for Mashu–"
"MASHU!" The tone of my own voice rises by an octave as all cognitive thoughts hone in on that name. "I-Is she okay!? Where is sh–"
Now, I dunno if fate is real. But if she is, she's a bitch with a sick sense of humor. Cause guess what interrupts my questions regarding the well-being of my Kouhai?
*CRASHHHHH*
The very same girl, who comes crashing through the closed doors, causing them to break and fly off their hinges, and goes flying past me in a pink and black blur and crashes into the back wall, with only the various wooden and cardboard boxes present to cushion the impact. It's only due to pure luck that either of us were not hit by her or the debris caused by her sudden appearance. Both Olga and I let out yells of shock, but I gathered my bearings first and realized what had happened. And so I force my aching body to respond through sheer fucking will, and half run half crawl to the young girl that not lay slumped and bloodied against the wall.
"Y-You've got to be kidding me! Don't move so recklessly! Just moments ago you couldn't even sit up without my help!"
"Circu–*huff**huff*–Circumstances change... boss! And adrenaline... Is a hell of a drug–! *huff*huff*huff*"
Yeah, the conditions are the same. The smallest of movements, the tiniest of breaths—just the act of staying awake hurts. I want to lay down and sleep until I can't sleep any longer, but I can't. My unresponsive left hand weighs me down, but I manage to power through the pain for the moment. A dislocated shoulder– No, don't focus on that. Everything else can wait. I can't rest now. I can't. I won't. Not while Mashu lays motionless like that, her face scrunched up in agony.
So I grind my teeth and force my legs to move—through sheer stubbornness or reinforcement magic, I cannot tell anymore—until I finally come close enough to almost collapse on top of the pinkette. Luckily, I managed to regain my sense of balance at the last moment and stop in time to not collide with Mashu, and instead collapse right next to her and grasp her shoulder with my good right hand.
Mashu stirs lightly at my touch, and her eyes finally flutter open. "Se... Sen... pai–—! *coff*coff*coff* "
Her weak voice gets interrupted halfway as she breaks into a terrible coughing fit, leaving me to helplessly watch her cough up a concerning amount of blood that cannot be hidden even as she tries to cover her mouth with her hand. The crimson liquid spills from the side of her palm, and all I can do is bite the inside of my mouth in frustration as I curse my own weakness.
Mashu looks... terrible. Calling her current state "battered and bloody" feels like an understatement, but that's the only way I can think of describing the condition the poor girl is in. Every inch of exposed skin was either painted red with still-wet blood or discolored due to a terrible bruise. I briefly glance down at her stomach... but I immediately bring my eyes back up to her face. I-I can't focus on that wound or I might just puke or pass out or– or– Arrrgh!
"Sen... pai–—"
Her eyes were mostly hidden by her bangs that were stuck to her forehead from the blood, but from the brief glimpses I can catch, her eyes are unfocused and glazed. After her coughing fit subsides, all she can do is take in ragged breaths and call out for me in a broken voice, and I feel my heart ripping apart.
This girl... This sweet, innocent, pure girl is in such a state because of me, and still she calls out to me in her half unconscious state? She still calls me her senpai? First the Chaldea explosion, and now this!? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why!? Why must she go through something like this for my sake!? Why am I so weak?! So pathetic to have let something like this happen?! Why? Why? Why!? WHY?! WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WHY!? WH–
*SLAAAP*
"OWWWwwww! D-Deja vu!?"
"For the Root's sake, get a grip of yourself, commoner!" So lost I was in my spiraling thoughts that I didn't even notice when Olga caught up to me and Mashu, until I felt the stinging pain of her slap for the second time in the last ten minutes. Third time in the day, actually, if you count the happening of Chaldea as a part of the current day. I certainly hope this doesn't awaken something within me.
"Have a panic attack later; you lost the privilege of being able to get scared on the field when you signed up as a Master Candidate! Fujimura Ritsuka! You are no longer a human, but a tool to ensure humanity's future! You're far from a decent one, but you are still a Master! You're her Master! Mashu needs you right now! Those Command Seals are not just for show– Your Mana is what sustains Mashu's powers and strengthens her body. Feel that connection, and focus on sending her strength! For all of our sakes!"
For a few seconds, I can do nothing else but gape stupidly with my mouth hanging open. But not for long, as I focus on taking a deep breath and attempt to clear my mind of the panic, pain, and focus.
For once, I can't help but feel thankful for our resident tsundere's brash and aggressive personality. A gentle approach wouldn't have been as effective at bringing me back to reality as simple violence did in this case. That vibe check was sorely needed, and I can't thank Olga enough for that. I can wallow in self-pity later; I have a Kouhai to save first!
Olga's words sparked a sense of recollection in my mind about something I had forgotten about so far. It's difficult to make out in the dark surroundings, but bringing up my right hand close to my face, I can make out three crimson-red tattoo-like markings etched upon the back of my wrist.
Command Seals... The proof of the contract forged between a Master and Servant. The physical evidence of our bond— The connection between me and Mashu that is permanently engraved onto my naked skin. A finite resource, I remember, only three strokes that lets an ordinary human hold complete dominion over creatures vastly superior and more powerful than themselves. But if my knowledge of how this works is even remotely correct...
I place my hand on Mashu's chest and concentrate. I reach in deep and call for my magic, not even bothering to react to the pain that comes with my magic circuits activating. It hurts... but not being able to help Mashu will hurt infinity more, and so I endure it. And with every fiber of my brain, I focus on the tattoo-like markings on my hand and my single wish to just make her better. To force my magic into her body through the bond that links our souls and wake her up.
My concentration almost falters as I feel a hand placed on my back, but my fears disappear immediately as I recognize the softness of the palm and the familiar melodious voice that is chanting from behind me. And as I feel warmth spread from the point of contact and circulate throughout my body, lessening the pain and granting me more energy, I make a mental note to give the damn tsundere the biggest hug of her life when this whole fiasco finally settles down.
And as the Seals on the back of my hand start glowing, I realize that the time has come. I form an image in my mind. Of Mashu, standing tall, without a scratch on her body. Smiling broadly, a smile bright enough to rival the sun. I know instinctively what I need to do, and I waste no more time. Concentrating on that mental picture with all my mind, focusing on all the gathered energy in my palm, I close my eyes and imagine pushing it all into Mashu's chest— No matter what it costs me, I will force that image to become real. And I speak the first words that comes to mind. A command. A wish. A plea. For my cute Kouhai to just...
"Smile."
"Please... just... smile for me again."
The effect is not outwardly flashy or impressive, but the results are still immediately noticeable. I feel all the energy from within my body leave as the biggest stroke on the back of my hand flashes brilliantly, briefly lightin up the immediate vicinity, before the light fades away and leaves behind nothing but a smudged and faded outline where the mark used to be. And I felt my body give in, like my backbone just collapsed in on itself. It was like I was a paralyzed person and someone just pushed me out of my wheelchair. I wouldn't have collapsed then and there if not for Olga's hands gripping my shoulders firmly and keeping me from face-planting into the ground.
The second, and frankly more important, development happened with none other than Mashu, whose erratic breathing stabilized, and she let out a sudden and loud gasp as her eyes shot wide open. The glazed look was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a look of alertness that immediately honed in on my half-collapsed body next to hers, held up only with the white haired Director's help.
"Se-Senpai...? SENPAI!–—Owww...! A-Are you alright, Senpai!?"
I look on with relief as even the grusome stomach wound from which I had originally averted my eyes from was slowly closing in on itself. And so it was with a lighter heart that I answered my newly awakened Kouhai's question.
"I just got hit... So hard... that I went soaring through the air... and crash-landed into someone else's flashback." I force out the words with a weary chuckle that comes out more like a wheeze. Damn... even laughing hurts. "And now... my body feels heavy and motionless like a puppet... with its strings cut. So... I'm not really in the greatest... of shapes at the moment, Mashu... *huff*huff*huff*"
"That's enough out of you; cease your superfluous prattling this very moment! Conserve your energy, you fool!" Olga's voice commands me sternly as her grip gets momentarily tighter to emphasize her words. "You really are a useless Master, with terrible quality magic circuits to boot, to have overextended yourself like this with your first ever Command Seal usage. Your body could not handle the vast amount of power passing through it, causing it to temporarily shut down. So follow your body's example and keep your mouth shut too, and don't annoy me as I heal you!"
"I-Is Senpai going to be okay!?" Your concern warms my heart Mashu, but please! Focus on your own health, you were the one with half your guts hanging out of your body just moments ago!
"He will be, if you people COULD JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO CONCENTRATE!" Olga screams out as she props me upright with one hand and reaches into her coat pocket, and pulls out a folded piece of paper, which I recognize as an identical copy of the Healing Scroll that Mashu had used on me.
And as she opens the scroll, all the while muttering something about always getting the short end of the stick and about incompetent and insufferable subordinates,(which again, is fair but come oooooon...!) Mashu attempts to stand up, but stumbles and falls back down to her knees; Immediately causing the Director's head to swivel and shift her glare at Mashu, instead of me. And I would have done the same if my head didn't feel heavier than a lead block at the moment.
"AND WHAT IN THE CLOCKTOWER'S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!? Sit back down Mashu, your injuries are still in the process of healing, you are in no state to be getting up right now!"
"Forgive me... Director, but... I can't do that right now." Speaking slowly and in a strained tone, Mashu extends her hand and her giant cross-shaped shield materializes out of thin air, which she holds onto and uses it like a crutch to finally stand upright. Olga's face depicts equal amounts of anger and concern as she glares at the Shielder, as she tries once again.
"As the Director of Chaldea and your superior, I, Olga Marie Asmleit Animusphere, order you, Mashu Kyrielight, to SIT the hell DOWN!"
At those words, Mashu finally turns her head and looks straight into Olga's eyes, causing the hot-headed director's words to falter as she unconsciously pulls her whole body back a little. And with good reason, because there is no longer any trace of fear or pain present in my Kouhai's gaze. In her eyes, there was only undeniable will. For a moment, I had to wonder whether or not I was looking at the same meek and shy girl who only hours earlier had so awkwardly asked if her name was important enough for me to know or not.
It was like a blazing fire was burning in her eyes, the flames refusing to extinguish until she completed whatever her mission was. And in this case, that goal would be to...
"Then that is an order that I'm afraid I will have to disregard, Director Animusphere. Please excuse me, Director, Senpai."
And she starts walking, using her giant shield like a crutch to hobble her way away from us. Her words are resolute, and her lips were pursed in a determined line. Olga could do nothing but stare with wide eyes and gape at this new development, but I wasn't gonna be having it.
"Not really... The most ideal time... to be entering your rebellious phase, Mashu! ...*huff*huff*..." I croak out with some difficulty. My voice was so soft that I could barely hear it myself, but Mashu stopped at my words, so I continued. "You can't... defeat him Mashu. You're just... an ordinary girl... not a warrior or anything like that! Please, don't– *coff*coff*coff* "
Don't face forward! Look me in the eyes! Come back! Please! Because if you don't come back now...
But the words that I want to say get swallowed by a coughing fit that makes me double over in pain, and as Olga hurries to steady my body, Mashu continues walking without turning back once.
"Thank you, Senpai... Your words make me really really happy...*sniff* S-Sorry for not turning around, Senpai, I'm afraid my resolve will crumble into dust the moment I look into your eyes! Fufu~ I-I really am weak, aren't I? Hahaha..."
No. Nonononononono please no. You can't even stand up straight you idiot, where do you think you're going!? And don't laugh like that. Laughter is not meant to sound so painful! You're a terrible liar, Mashu, don't pretend to be fine with the current situation! Don't force yourself to laugh to keep the tears at bay! Please stop walking and come back, Mashu! Because if you don't return now, I feel like you will never return again...
"You're right, Senpai. I'm not a warrior. I am not a fighter. A-And... I've been lying to you all this time! I-I'm not even a proper human!"
The pain in her voice was clear as day. It hurt me to see how much she was struggling to say those words. But she forced herself to continue on; To keep speaking. And as if a dam had burst, the words continued to pour out like a torrent. Like she was trying to desperately voice out everything... In case she never got such an opportunity ever again.
"Forgive me for deceiving you all this time, Senpai. I was created artificially in a lab, for the sole purpose of being the vessel for a Servant's Spirit Origin. And I-I couldn't even properly do the one thing I had been created to do! As I am now, Mashu Kyrielight is barely even an imitation of a Heroic Spirit! Nothing more than a failure of a Servant! I am nothing more... than a fake."
I. DON'T. CARE...! I don't care about any of that! I just... I just don't want the first genuine person who was kind to me in this new world, to die like this! Without even giving me a chance to back up my big words and fulfill my promises... please don't leave. Don't leave me alone in this dangerous world... Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me Don't leave me! Please don't leave, and take your hope-giving smile away from me–
However, my body that I have been running ragged all this time has finally betrayed me. No matter how much I try, no proper words escape my lips. I am complete and utterly helpless, incapable of doing anything other than helplessly stare at my Kouhai hobble away, her back grow steadily smaller. Mashu's incredibly fragile voice continued speaking, unable to hear the desperate thoughts screaming inside my mind.
"Y-You cannot defeat that monster, Mashu."
Olga's weak voice is but a feeble whisper, a last ditch attempt at trying to reason with the Demi-Servant. But I can tell that at this point reason and logic is not going to work. My Kouhai is too stubborn for her own good. In any other scenario I would have been proud, but now–
"... I can sense Asako-san's Spirit Origin growing dim. She did really well to distract and hold off the Berserker for so long. The young one has gone off in search of the Caster of this Holy Grail War; According to Asako-san he's the only other Heroic Spirit that has yet to be Corrupted and turned into a Shadow Servant.."
The weakness, pain and sorrow that was previously present in her voice is gone; replaced with steady words filled with resolute determination. She is no longer limping or using her shield as a walking stick, she walks with purpose and with her head held high. The power of the Command Seal I'm sure, amplified further by Mashu's own will. But it won't be enough, even if I was to use up my other two Seals. The adversary was much too strong for her to face, and yet her gait did not falter even once. The Shielder walked forward to face certain death, and yet her step never once hesitated. What a terribly beautiful sight.
"You're right Director; A half-baked Servant like me cannot defeat that Berserker. But I can buy you both some time until reinforcement arrives. With this power that I have borrowed from you, Senpai, I will fight. As long as my body can move. As long as my arms can hold up my shield. As long as my legs can support my weight. And as long as my body can take in breath; I will protect you. This, I promise you, Senpai."
Mashu takes in a deep breath and takes a combat pose, bending her knees to get into a half-crouch while digging in the heels of her feel into the ground. She firmly grips the handle of her shield as she adjusts it so that she has an unobscured view as her whole body tenses. Her shoulders, her arms, her back, her calves; every muscle contracts and holds, like a compresses spring waiting to be released.
All is quite for a few moments. But then I feel it.
Or rather, then I feel h̶̛̺̩̠̭̝̿į̵̳̖̥̆̔̓m̵̨͚͖͋̐̀͠.̶̛̣̭͈͛̂ͅ
It's like a current passed throughout the entirety of my body. All my senses suddenly go into overdrive. My muscles lock, hairs rises up and my heart skips multiple beats at the same time. There was no mistaking it; My Danger Sense is giving me a warning, the same one I had gotten moments before he had arrived. And as I turned to the source of the sudden all-encompassing terror, the first thing I heard was his heavy footfalls. Followed by his shadow that was darker than the night, until finally the goliath himself stood at the destroyed entrance of the shed from where Mashu had come flying. And finally I could get a good look at him.
The giant is a colossal, statue-like man who was easily more than eight feet tall. His body seemed to have been sculpted from boulders, each of his muscles looked like they could deflect bullets. And in his hand was that accursed jagged blade, that was as tall as Mashu herself. Wreath in shadows that seemed to blend into his gray skin, his piercing eyes locked onto mine. Molten gold and crimson red. And then he opened his mouth and growled out at us the top if his lungs.
"̸̢̛̩̯̟̯̣͚̳͓̔̐̑̎̒̔͘R̸̬̝̠̪̻̾͛͆͒̇̌͒͝͠Ȃ̸̛̝̮̱͓͑͑͑͠Ā̷̡͖̻̼͖̘̄̀̍͜ͅA̵̬̝̅͑̋̓͜͝A̶̛͉̙̙͕̒̅͒͗̀̔A̷̢̨͇̯̫̪͖̭̹̓͒̾Ä̵͖̑̾̄Ȃ̷̠̳̳͎̩̞̓͋̑̐͊̅̇͝Ŗ̶̝̍̋̎͝Ṟ̷̢̧̮̼̖̮̫͊̆̓̊̈̊͘R̷̨͇͗͑̈́̓̄́ͅG̷̣͙̞̈̿G̵̱͖̮̳̮̥̈́̀̂͝Ğ̷̢̹̱̲̲̺͔͋G̸̬̥̯̐͂̍̾G̶͈̎͂͌̕͠R̸̢̳̭̞̥̙̲̬̓̾̌̇R̴̨̟͎͑̓H̵͎̬̬͉̺̓̽͒̈͘͘ͅͅͅH̷̯̩̫͌H̷͍̲̃͌͑͌̊͘ͅH̸̯̭̤͓̭͍̩̊̇"̷̢̛̞̪̭̣̩̱͕͂͗͛̒́̏̐͘
And the last thing I see is Mashu rush at the Berserker, before I once again pass out.
Dark yet bright. Weightless yet heavy. Floating yet drowning. Silent yet deafening. Scorching hot yet freezing cold. Everything yet nothing. Inverted. Inverted. Broken down. Inverted. Inverted. Split apart at the seams. Inverted. Inverted. Build back up. Who? What? Crimson Moon. Where? Why? Vermillion Dawn. Kaleidoscope. Void. Kaleidoscope. Empty. Kaleidoscope. Cerulean Sun. The rocks are quiet because the trees are listening. Emerald Sky. Soldier of Christ, why art thou hidden? The Demon of Babylon disguises himself with the coat of the righteous. Penultimate Night. Steel Cogwheels. Glass Hearts Shatters. Female and lion. Angel and pollution. An endlessly rippling Lake. Seventh Scripture. Broken hourglass. Upwards falling sand. Cracked window and a door without a Handel. Unlimited Raise Dead. Darkness. Darkness. Darkness. Darkness. Darkness. 666 Beasts crying Gold. Broken Table. Towards endless reproducing stars without meaning, without will. Pity. Regression. Pleasure. Formless form. Headless eyes. Crying Earth. Unholy Chalice. Bleeding Roses. Unsinkable Sun. Treacherous Red. White Cloth of Steel. Pluse of Death. Stillness of Life. Sharpen your Soul. A Story of Scars. Ephemerally eternal bliss. Give in. Give in. Give in. Rest. Float Endlessly. In the Seas of Seventh Heaven. Fading. Fading. Fading. Fade away. Fade away. Fade aw—–
"Yoooosh~! Finally got you, and just in the nick of time as well! You got really close to having your consciousness melt away there, my friend~!"
I awaken. Just as suddenly and abruptly as I had fallen, I find myself back to being... me again. Opening my eyes, I immediately realize that I am not in Fuyuki any more. I am lying on my back, looking up at the clear, dark sky that holds an innumerable number of brightly shining stars, as I feel soft flower petals tickle the back of my neck. There was no greenery in the shed, and the small view of the sky I could see through the hole in the ceiling was obstructed by black smoke.
"Where... Where am I?"
"Under the sky that is the beginning of all things, where there are no walls, no castles, no nations— Where the primordial planet dazzles from the bottom of the earth! We are currently in the domain of the soul, formed from the fabric of your dreams~!"
I hadn't realized that I had unconsciously spoken my thoughts out loud, but the immediate answer caused my body to go alert instantly. But then I relaxed. After all, my Danger Sense was not activating, so I had to assume that the owner of the voice did not mean me any harm, and having been passed out for who knows how long, the person would have harmed me by now if they really wanted to. So currently, I'm safe. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully.
"—And in case you were wondering how you got here, the full force of Berserker's bloodlust hit you and caused you to temporarily lose consciousness. And I took that opportunity to pull you here in that split second of unconsciousness, that's how you currently find yourself in this land made of dreams."
"AGAIN!? Geez, talk about looking uncool... At least last time he actually attacked me! This time he just aggressively looked at me and I pass out? The hell!?"
"You're too hard on yourself, buddy. You and your companions are facing one tough cookie in the Waking World— Against someone who is widely considered to be one of, if not the, strongest warriors alive during the Age of Gods, it's hardly a surprise that you couldn't handle Heracles' aura, highly diluted it may be. So don't feel that bad; there's literally nothing else you could have done!"
Doesn't make up for the fact that I pathetically passed out and am relying on Mashu to sacrifice herself for my sake to survive, I think bitterly to myself as I clench my fists and mentally curse my weakness.
Unaware of my thoughts, the friendly, androgynous voice continues its original explanation. "But more specifically, I suppose, we're at a crossroads. Or rather, to put it in a more apt manner, we are currently at the border, which is separating your subconscious mind from the Reverse Side of the World!"
That breaks me out of my state of self-pity and hatred. I blink once. Then twice. And I finally sit up and look around at the seemingly endless field of beautiful and softly glowing flowers, before looking up at the constellation filled sky and let out the first thoughts that come to my mind.
"Respectfully... what the fuck!? My mind is currently connected to the what of the what?"
Readily ignoring my words, the voice continues on, "That's what it's commonly referred to as by modern Mages. Though, I'd prefer calling it the Inner Sea of the Planet; after all, it is essentially an internally deployed Reality Marble conceived by Gaia herself! The layer of the World that retains the laws of the Age of Gods, housing surviving Phantasmal Species instead of people! Don't tell me you don't know something so basic~?"
... I swear I can hear a smirk in the voice as it continues to speak words I only half understand. This – This bastard's enjoying my confusion! They're deriving entertainment from my current situation! Curse you and your soothing voice, mysterious bodyless stranger!
"Fufufu~ Don't glare so hard or your face might get stuck in that unpleasant expression! I kid, I kid, I know you are not from a typical Magus background, and I would gladly explain the intricacies of this dimension. But it's a complicated matter to explain in a single conversation, I'm afraid. In short, this land goes by many a names in many a cultures:- Utopia, Annwn, Tír na nÓg, the Garden of Eden, Alfheim, Avalon; Trust me, I could continue giving examples for a while. And they are all applicable, and yet simultaneously not at the same time. In essence, it's a mismatch of concepts and ideas given form in a dimension that directly parallel your own. For example, the Island of Apples can only be found directly opposite to England in the Reverse Side because of the myths of those particular lands, even though it technically exists all throughout the Sea... Or wait, am I getting the order mixed up here? Can it be only entered through the land of Britannia while the Conceptual Space exists—"
"Are you enjoying being deliberately cryptic and confusing the fuck out of me, mysterious voice-san?" I interrupt the impromptu speech, having stayed silent for far too long and choosing to forgo subtlety and straight up just ask in a deadpan voice. Is it a little rude? Yes. Am I also out of fucks to give? Also yes.
"... Fufu~ You caught me, human-san~~!" I should be feeling more annoyed, but it's honestly hard to muster up any proper anger when faced with such a musical and pleasant-sounding giggle. "Sorry, sorry~! I apologize for rambling like that, it's a bad habit of mine and I've been told many a times before that I'm a little too theatrical for my own good! Not to mention how I got excited at the prospect of holding a proper conversation with a human after such a long time!"
"That's interesting and all, but are you expecting me to just ignore the really worrying first words you spoke to me?" I ask incredulously, with a pointed glare at the starry sky. I mean, it's not like I have a face to focus on, which just makes me more mad as I continue. "The hell do you mean my consciousness almost melted away!?"
"... Well about thaaaaaat—" At least the voice had the decency to finally sound a little sheepish. I'm sure that if I could see the speaker, they would be rubbing the back of their neck or scratching their head at this moment.
"Essentially, to directly communicate with you, I needed to connect with your mind through your dreams, which would have been a breeze... if I not for the fact that I am currently stuck in my pris–*ahem* place of dwelling, in the Reverse Side of the World. And since you exist on the fabric of the World and I am currently residing under it, I cannot enter dreams quite so easily any more. But then I thought, 'If I can't leave the Inner Sea... Why don't I just bring it with me!?' "
"... And I'm sure that had course of action has no unforeseen consequences. Riiiiiiiiight?"
"H-Hahaha... I mean, uhh— D-Don't interrupt someone in the middle of telling a story; That's bad manners!"
Don't think I'm as gullible as Mashu to fall for such a blatant attempt at changing the subject! But I stay quiet for the moment and let the voice continue, I can pass my judgment after listening to the whole story. No need to be hasty here, it might turn out that nothing problematic happened after all! ... H-Hopefully!
"Now normally it would be impossible to do, as such an act would fall under 'breaking the rules of the World' and immediately catch Alaya's notice, causing the Counter Force to intervene instantly. Especially when I am involved. Buuuuuuuut, it turns out Singularities are pockets of time outside of Alaya's influence, and hence are a blind spot for her! So I'm a bit more free to meddle as I see fit~~! Fufufufufu~"
Oi, Oi, excuse me, but could you show a bit more care while tampering with the fabric of reality!? Could you sound a little less gleeful at having found a loophole to exploit?! I'm both very impressed and extremely worried about your casual disregard of the rules of the World!
"And long story short, traversing Imaginary Space is actually pretty complicated, even for someone like me. And while I succeeded, seeing as we're currently able to freely converse– We are essential present in the middle of the bridge that is connecting the Reverse Side with the Waking part of the planet. With the materials of the bridge being your mind, and my power being the pylons and cables that hold the bridge up and keep it from collapsing. Except... weeeeeellll~ Co-Continuing with the bridge analogy, I suppose you could say that the rigging may or may not have come a little loose in the beginning... And I may or may not have let just a tad wee bit of the Consciousness of the World into your mind that, which almost resulted in it consuming your mind whole!"
.
.
.
"O-Okay that sounded a lot better in my head..."
"THAT SOUNDS INCREDIBLY RECKLESS AND DANGEROUS!"
Judgement has been passed, and it's not looking good for Mysterious Voice-san. I simply silently stared up at the sky for a few seconds, before throwing my hands up in the air and yelling out in exasperation. "Also, I'm pretty sure 'rigging' has nothing to do with bridges and is a term used for ships and stuff!"
"H-Hey now, d-don't point out the mistakes in my analogy and ruin my whole 'Mysterious Genius Magic Sensei' vibe! I was understandably nervous about breaking the news to you, and messed it up a bit! A-And it's not that bad! You wouldn't have died— Just become completely brain dead, an empty shell of a body with no conscience thoughts left..."
By this point, my eyes were so wide open I was almost certain they were going to roll out of their sockets. "That sounds objectively way worse than death!"
"Okay, I'm sooooorry! I messed up and acted too rashly and almost put you in danger! But I immediately healed you of it's influence the second I noticed, so you're completely fine now, I promise!"
.
.
.
"*Sighhhh* Fine... I forgive you, I guess."
There was a brief pause followed by a exclamation of genuine surprise from the voice that made me snort. "... HUUUUH? That easily!? I-I mean, I appreciate it really, but like, I almost caused your brain to melt! And you're just gonna let it go, just like that!?"
I simply shrugged at the astonished voice as I finally stood up and stretched a little. Niiiiiiiice~ I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be able to move without feeling pain. "Yeah...? I mean, you sound genuinely sorry and distressed at having put me in danger, and you fixed the mess you created in the end, so I don't really find it worthwhile to hold a grudge over something like this."
"... You humans just seem to get weirder and weirder as more time passes."
"Nah, that just might be me." I chuckle sardonically at my own words. Yeah, weird is a good word to describe the current events of my life that I am experiencing ever since I woke up in Chaldea's hallways with the Dating Sim System attached to my soul. "Does that trouble you, Mysterious Voice-kun?"
"ON THE CONTRARY~!" I almost jump from the suddenness of the shout that follows my question. "That very fact is what makes you humans so fascinating to observe! You had my curiosity before, Fujimaru Ritsuka, but now... You have the entirety of my attention~~!"
"A-Ahem!" I feel my cheeks heat up from the way the voice almost purred the final words directly into my ears in a sensual whisper, and I attempt to cough into my fist to try and hide the slight blush that I must be currently sporting. But the giggling that follows my action tells me I did not in fact manage to hide my embarassment. Quick, change the subject, me!
"A-Anyways, you seem to have me at a disadvantage here. You know my name, but I'm simply calling you Mysterious Voice-kun and honestly it's kind of a mouthful to say everything time. Hell, I can't even tell your gender from your voice, what pronouns should I use to refer to you?"
"Hmmm... I like you well enough, so I suppose I should offer you this courtesy. Would you prefer for me to be male or female?"
"... What?"
"Oh, I'm a shape-shifter," The voice informed me nonchalantly, like they were telling me something completely ordinary like their hobby or what they had for breakfast this morning. "Quite a good one at that, and I've spent enough time in the bodies of both sexes to feel equally comfortable in either one. I don't really have a preference, I'm honestly pretty fine with whatever you might choose!"
"... Well then, I'm a bit more partial to the female form, if you don't mind."
Hey now, don't judge me! I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth here, and you heard the voice, they're fine no matter what I choose! So sue me, for going for what will be more appealing for me to spend time with and look at."
"Ah, a man after my own heart I see~ I too, find the female form to be quite beautiful and worthy of admiration!"
The difference is subtle, yet immediately noticeable. The tone of thei– her melodious voice shifts so slightly into a slightly more high-pitched yet breathy timbre. It's like when you bring up your finger in front of your eyes and focus on something in the background. The finger blurs and seems to split into two. But when you focus on the finger, the two images combine, resulting in a single clear finger. That's what her voice turns into, from androgynous to undeniably feminine.
"Thanks for accommodating me, but I think it's time I ask the questions I probably should have asked at the very beginning," I close my eyes and take a deep breath, to steel my nerves and ask the needful. "Who are you? And what did you want from me?"
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.
.
For a moment, silence is all that follows my words and just as I think it is going to be the only answer to my questions, a strong gust of wind picks up out of nowhere, picking up with it many a beautiful and luminescent flower petals and causing me to instinctively raise my hand and close my eyes.
*WOOOOOSH*
But instead of the sharp gale that I expected, I am instead hit with a soft and gentle breeze that feels more like a cozy hug. And as the fragrance of the flowers wafts over me completely, I find myself properly relaxing for the first time in a while. Muscles that I hadn't even realized were tense loosened up, and I let out a breath of contentment as I lowered my raised hand and opened my eyes. And promptly let out a gasp of surprise.
For in front of me on a raised mound covered in glowing ivory flowers, that was not present seconds ago before I had closed my eyes, sat the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.
Wearing a robe woven with the finest of fabrics, that looks modest and covers her entirety, yet does not mange to hide the curves of her voluptuous body. Her long hair, divided in two twin-tails that billow behind her, seems to be dyed with all the colours of the rainbow under the sunlight. Leaning her gorgeous heart-shaped face lightly on a majestic looking staff, she peers at me with mischievous lavender eyes that sparkled like pink sapphires as she grins impishly at me, seemingly enjoying my flabbergasted reaction.
Also, she has pointed elf-ears. Did I mention that? If I didn't, please take note of them now, because they are some of the cutest little things I have ever seen as they wiggle up and down in excitement.
"Surrounded by the most beautiful garden not of your world, trapped in a tower with no roof and a never-ending staircase - To ascertain the world of humans until the end of the universe, without being able to even die... As if to say that this is the fate of a foolish mage, who playfully meddled with the fate of a single girl. Am I good, or am I evil? Well, that depends on how you perceive me, of course! Fufufu~"
Her voice was like wind-chimes, musical and most pleasant to listen to; Her giggling was almost addicting in it's beautiful melody, bewitching me and wanting me to listen to it more. The woman in front of me was a bona fide temptress, someone who no mortal woman could compare up to. And she was someone who was well aware of her supernatural charms and was not afraid to use them. She was dangerous... and yet I couldn't help but get drawn in, like a moth to a flame.
"It's quite simple really— To humans who only go towards the future, I am like an unseen fairy, aren't I? You're future is sure to be filled with painful struggles, may the flowers bless the path you journey. But a battle that is not painful is not a battle at all – It is simply just a task. It is good to think that even pain and suffering are important... But that does not mean one should suffer needlessly, or let others suffer needlessly when you can do something about it~!"
And finally she broke eye contact and stood up and moved to the side, and I felt my eyes widen even more at what had laid hidden behind her figure all this time.
A Sword... embedded in Stone.
Right on the peak of the mound, shining brilliantly like never before, surrounding by beautiful flowers that seemed to reflect it's shining light, the blade that I had only seen once before in my dreams. The Sword of Selection. The Golden Sword of the Victorious. And the half-human half-succubus old mentor of King Arthur, extending her hand and motioning to me to walk forward.
"Who am I, you ask? I am the Magus of Flowers, the Vagrant of Paradise, the Creator of Heroes and Grand Caster Candidate; Merlin!
And with my authority as the World's most Prominent Kingmaker, I have come forth to unlock your potential and grant you the power needed to become the Hero you need to be, to save the Human Order! So tell me, Fujimura Ritsuka... do you choose to accept my assistance?"
So here we have it! A larger chapter than usual, with lots of stuff going on in it, hope it was worth the wait! I promise that the next chapter's gonna come out sooner than this one did, and I promise you, it's going to be one hell of a chapter!
Share your thoughts on the chapter by leaving reviews, and tell me what you thought of the Mashu's sadness and her attempt at self-sacrificing herself and the surprise Merlin reveal! Honestly it was kind of a surprise for me as well, I had not planned it out before hand at all, but the idea just randomly came to me and very annoyingly refused to leave, until I had to finally relent and add her into the story in the end. And no, the design is indeed that of Prototype Merlin, but it is actually the canon Merlin who has shape-shifted into the body of a woman for Protag-kun's sake. Cause she's trying to make up for almost dissolving his brain in the Inner Sea... Or to make it easier to manipulate him! Yeaaaaaah Merlin's kind of a wild card and a hot mess, and honestly, that's what makes her so fun to write!
Thank you for reading so far, and hope you enjoyed it! Hope to see you in the next chapter, until then— Adios!
