"Jesus… Jesus Christ."
"I am he."
"But… the real you. You as in you."
"I am all that is me. Is there anyone who claims to be me but lesser?" Jesus smiled brilliantly at the question. Ritsuka found his own grin growing.
Across from the Son of God, a princess of France, a famed classical musician, wandering ronin, the wisest of kings, and, across another blue screen, the most famous of Renaissance artists and a Chaldean Mage, stared. Their expressions ranged vastly between one another, be it clear awe or immense disbelief.
They were in the same home that Ritsuka had woken up to before, now around a wooden table and many stools. Jesus sat almost separated along one side, all eyes on him, as he appeared above them, as he looked at eye-level. His hand ran across the table, almost judging the woodworking. Ritsuka had to dine to ask if he was thinking of it like his father's, and he admitted it was more of a reminder of his earlier work, happy to make use of another's man's toil for a serious conversation.
"I just can't believe we found you again."
Clap. "It was I who found you, for Ritsuka called for me in my home." His hand rested on the young man's shoulders, and the Chaldean Master flushed.
"He did approach us as we prayed, and though I have spent my life searching for him, I did not find him waiting for me, but rather reaching out towards me." Longinus added, still unhelmed. "But this is beyond any fortune I thought I would receive in this life."
"I agree! Now I can play for the Son of God! AHA!" Mozart waved his baton in the air, his jubilation like that of a child. "Oh my Lord, your father loves me and my craft so. Wouldn't you wish to hear me play for you?"
"I would enjoy hearing you use my father's gifts." The man began to wave his baton. "But how will I hear others if you play?"
"Can't you listen to them later?"
"Non! Don't be rude Wolfgang!" The princess pushed her friend's arm. "Forgive him, Jesus. He has always had a head as strong as his heart. It is with great pride as a ruler to be and have been of these lands that I see you."
"I consider it a joy to meet you as well. You brought much hope to the people last night, and for that I thank you." The noble woman beamed.
"And I was there to play the music! Don't tell me you didn't hear?"
"I heard and I enjoyed. I had a more filling conversation with those who left to listen to my father's word." Mozart gave his first frown, and it was matched with Solomon's bright grin. That was until he turned his eyes to the man, and they two stared.
Ritsuka took a moment to realize what he was seeing. The wisest of Israelite Kings, the Word made Flesh, hundreds of years apart in life, but both instrumental to bringing God back to the men who had forsaken him. They stared at one another, and the silence was filled with God's word.
"I am glad to see you again," Solomon finally began.
"I am pleased you wear my father's gifts. The choice was yours to leave them aside."
"I made that choice before," he admitted, staring at his hand, counting the rings with his thumb. "I did so when I accomplished all that I needed, and wanted to live the life I was never permitted, with my own choices and regrets. Now I wear these rings again to help the future of mankind, that I was asked to entrust my final ring to." His smile matched the treasures of his kingdom.
"Don't talk like you've been the Wise King for the past few weeks!" Olga broke the moment. "You were pranking me and Ritsuka by eating my food and blaming him."
"Well… I didn't accept all the rings." Solomon laughed as he held up a hand. Sasaki chuckled behind him.
"Speak well to the Lord, Solomon," Longinus broke in again. "It is not respectful to make light of his gifts or highly of your actions."
"Oh I'm not talking myself up. I know what I did was wrong. Buuuuut it was fun, and I know it didn't interfere with any lessons or activities. If it had, I wouldn't have done them." The tanned man waved his hands before the Roman. "I've learned many lessons since I gave up the rings, and though I have them again, I know it would be a foolish act to act against those."
"And what wisdom are you acting on now?"
"A good work life balance, of course." Sasaki was chuckling again, and Ritsuka was sure Olga was being held back by Da Vinci across the screen. "But now that we had our pleasure and fun last night, we must keep mind to what must be done today."
With a clap, the persona of the Doctor was gone, and the alabaster haired mage looked every bit the Jewish King famed throughout the world. Only Jesus Christ, sitting across from him, outshined him. Both kept their faces soft and smiles broad, even if eyes were focused.
"My Lord, you must know that what is happening now is far from normal. It closely follows the disruption that happened Fuyuki, but now focusing on another pivotal moment in time."
"The time following the death of Jeanne, making mockery of her sacrifice and threatening this land to tear." Jesus held up his, separating his fingers. "Dividing man further, and keeping them from witnessing my father's majesty."
"That's the reason why this is happening here?" Olga asked. "How do you figure that."
"Do not question the Lord."
"I'm not saying he's wrong, Lancer. I just want to know how he knows it."
"Why do these beasts in the air chase the way they do? Why do the enemies before you spread about like fallen rain?"
"Divide and conquer strategies," Sasaki, of all the Servants, spoke. "It is a common tactic of many Lords with warriors in their ranks to separate their forces. Ensuring the protection of one land while capturing others, or capturing a multitude to limit the traversable land of their enemies."
"If this were a military campaign, I would be in agreement," Longinus added. "But we both know the Servants we saw have no need to do something as make travel more difficult. They could kill every man in this land within a few weeks' time, and any army would do little but slow them."
"But we're here," Marie added. "And we can surely do more than slow them."
"There were only two last we fought, and we had the Wise King Solomon on our side." The robed man nodded. "Why then did we flee?"
"Because…"
"Because of me," Ritsuka spoke on. "I was in danger, and I have been made clear that all of you are here because I am. I'm a… conduit?"
"That's right, or close enough," Olga admitted.
"Right, conduit. So if I die, then that would be it." The words came out easier than he thought they would. Just saying it felt heavy, and yet, it was what is was.
If he died, it was all over.
"You speak easily for so heavy a subject." Sasaki caught on quickly. "You show your merit as a Master twice over now."
"He's done so far more than that," Longinus followed. "Your words are true, and it brings to light the terrors for what is happening if the others attack. You will be their focus."
"Not him?" Mozart asked, his baton pointing at Jesus. Princess Marie slapped it.
"No! Jesus was able to return from the dead after being crucified! He is heralded as the greatest of men and the only true divinity! The worship of him throughout these lands alone is vast! To have the idea of them targeting him would be foolish."
"Of course~. It would be like their priority of breaking a wall rather than opening a door~." Da Vinci added. "It's good to see our dear princess thinks well on her feet~." The large-hatted girl grinned with the compliment, but Ritsuka wasn't thinking on that.
They all talked, but what she said sat with him. It was something he realized, combined with the lessons that Olga told him. The strength of the servants had many parts, and one was the adoration of their name. The most famed of spirits were the strongest, and the most famed were the most beloved.
He didn't know anything about the Servants from Fuyuki, but everyone else knew their name. And they were strong.
Jesus… even those who laughed at him as they passed the church knew his name. They knew he was strong, immortal, the son of God. If there were those who doubted him, if there were those who mocked him…
"What if… they are trying to impare you, my Lord?" Ritsuka asked the question. Jesus's simple smile turned to him, peace being laid upon him.
"What do you mean?"
"Yes, what do you mean?"
"I-I mean that you told me that Servants have power derived from their worship," his eyes looked to the blue screen. "It was why you were happy Jesus came to our aid in Fuyuki." Not that he was their savior, but that he was famous. The Director didn't deny it.
"Of course. That still holds true."
"Here in this Hundred-Year War, Jeanne showed his teachings by winning a war through mercy and love of God. I believe she never raised her blade." Sasaki brushed his chin, smiling at the idea.
"Oh no she did, but at the cost of her life." Mozart added. "It was her famous banner that she always rode in on, the Fleur De Lis." The man's baton made a shape in the air. Ritsuka could see it. "It was a sign of purity."
"It was a sign for my mother." All eyes turned to Jesus again. "A symbol of purity and chastity, like that of my virgin mother."
"Yes! Yes!" Ritsuka couldn't help the bout of excitement, hearing the praise of Mary through Jesus Christ. He swallowed on nothing, as the calm eyes of Jesus returned to him. "But right now, after death, terror has started to sweep over land that worshipped you. If there are fewer here to spread and worship your name… would that…" He fought the word from leaving his mouth.
"Would it what?"
"I was going to say weaken," Ritsuka admitted. "But it sounds odd to say that anything could weaken our Lord."
"Nothing could. Not even death." Longinus affirmed.
"Because you all worshipped him, AND he was still alive." Ritsuka felt there was a dichotomy in that statement. Alive and dead. "But if people who know him are killed, or his name is spited, it could do something to his ties to the land, though even a loathed name on the throne is a powerful name."
"There are many Lords from my land, famed for the desecration of graves and robbing of lives, that sit higher in the throne than I." Sasaki confirmed. "That mentioned, I find it hard to believe that even something as vast as turning this portions of land's faith would do much."
"If it was at another point in time, you may be correct." Solomon added. "However, this is a pivotal moment in the Catholic Faith. And what's more, it would be for the worse, in so many ways."
"How so?" Sasaki dared to question. "As I see it his name may move from one of peace to one of revenge. Careful not to spite the servants of your Lord, or else his wrath will fall upon you. Is that not true for any ruler?" Ritsuka was fighting himself to dispute the words.
"If such were true, I would not be here." The answer came from the Roman. "For one who slaughtered the Lord was forgiven, not tortured." His hand touched his pale eyes, rubbing him. "Tortured with guilt, but forgiven in blood."
"Exactly," Solomon pointed. "And if the name of God moves from that of Forgiveness to that of Wrath, he will be indistinguishable from any other worshipped God. Zeus, Mahammitt, Thor, the Kitsune, all of them were wrathful divine beings. Jesus's father is the only one to forgive before he punishes."
"You speak as though they are akin to my father."
"I speak as others would hear them, my Lord." The wise king… wisely, bowed in answer. There wasn't a break in speech. "And it is why this is worrying me."
"Because some of the first to die were those who killed Jeanne," Olga added. "You were told that when you came here."
"And the towns that have been attacked since have been about the castle where she was burned." Longinus added. "It fits, in both intent and a similarly cruel machination my former leaders would employ."
"How terrible! How tragic!" Marie almost jumped up. "We cannot let this happen! We have to rush out and stop them at once. They all need to know that there is no way they are being abandoned. It is up to us to show the cruelty of others is not absence of good. We French cannot be put down in such a way!"
"And we will do that," Solomon agreed. "As soon as we know where to go."
"To the castle of course! That is where we must go!" The large-hatted princess pushed back. "It is not the time to wait and enjoy our food, it is time to throw down the spikes they throw at us and mount the walls! Viva La France!" Ritsuka swore he heard the townspeople outside shouting the same.
"Yes, but before that, we need to do know what to do. Unless your cries for a long-lived France means a short-lived Master?" Eyes flashed at him. "My Lord, Jesus, you know of who we speak of. Correct?"
"I do know a force works to undermine the sacrifices of a Saint. One who gave up much to show the love of my father. Her name being trampled by another, and letting death follow, is not just cruel or unkind."
"It's blasphemous." Longinus added. "Then we should act to preserve her name, your Grace?"
"How do you believe we should do that?" The return of the question stopped him.
"By talking about her?" Ritsuka spoke the answer as if it were obvious. The looks he received implied the opposite.
"An excellent idea!" Solomon responded, with a smile that Ritsuka couldn't measure as sincere or not. "We'll tell all the French about the noble woman they slaughtered while acts of mysticism rain down upon them!" Sarcastic it was.
"We would explain the two aren't related."
"Would they believe you?" Jesus questioned. "All men draw their own conclusions, especially when they don't want a truth, but an answer. A simpler answer for a difficult question."
"The wrath of God is a simple thing?" Sasaki posed the question. Ritsuka saw Longinus draw his hand about his infamous lance.
"Compared to the descriptions of our enemy? How would you describe the truth?"
"That we are facing a set of foes summoned across the orders of mankind looking to subvert that very Order with the intent to incinerate all humans in the future?" Olga spoke aloud. "I suppose for farm hands, it would be rather difficult."
"Oi, it would be. We French are intelligent in what we love, but we love our home and our food." The princess returned. "But we are also astute listeners. Perhaps if there were a man with words that could call out to them, they would listen? Rude as some of my countrymen may be, they will never spit on one who is respectful to them." Her eyes were clearly on Jesus.
"And I am willing to speak to them. They only need to listen." Jesus stood with his words. "I will tell them the truth, of Jeanne and of my father. This way they will know the depths of his love."
"My Lord, you do not need our permission for that."
"I do not, but I also do have little desire to act without your knowledge." His smile held. "Least not when it is appropriate."
Ritsuka got that.
"Hold on. That won't work." Olga, by her words, didn't. "They won't remember anything you say."
"What?" Longinus almost growled. "You say our Lord will be ignored."
"You're not hearing me! I don't doubt you, not at all." Ritsuka knew she did. "But we are familiar with why you are here and are looking to have you help us stop the disruption of the Human Order. The rest of the villagers not only won't understand why you're here, they won't even remember you. It is the very definition of a waste of time."
"What Olga means is that everything we do will be corrected by the Human Order to, at best, model as it was before." His tanned hand reached out towards the princess. "Else the Human Order would need to explain how a slain princess saved France a hundred years before her birth."
That… made sense.
"They will listen to me, and they will know me." Jesus countered. "Be it that they remember I spoke or they recall another, it does not matter. My father's love is eternal, and he will not allow his Thrones to undo what is said."
"But they will!" Olga argued back. "This is a fundamental concept of Rayshifting! It's something that has been thoroughly researched!"
"To be fair, young… miss?" Mozart's question made Olga snarl. Sasaki chuckled. "I believe the love of God is a bit older, and still present. Them forgetting his words would be like forgetting my music. I don't believe it can be done."
"I can assure you all that if you do go out there and lecture, instead of looking for a way to stop the Servants, then you'll be wasting precious time."
"Troubles are all around you, but be not afraid. For all that is in this world is a gift from my father, be it the trails or tribulations. Each breaks you more than the last, forcing you to open your eyes. You open your gaze and you search for an answer, and in doing so, may find his light. Should you be in the midst of pain, know that you experience it so you can find comfort. If you find agony at your door, know that prosperity is short to follow."
Jesus was speaking to a crowd. Or as Ritsuka would correct Olga next time they spoke, he was speaking to all of the village.
He sat at the edge of the collection of villagers, knowing that he already had the privilege to speak and travel with Jesus and did not wish to rob anyone from hearing him speak. So far aside and he had to strain to hear his Lord talk, the distance of several buildings away, standing upon a platform made with haste from tables and chairs. If anyone else had crafted it, it would have failed.
But Jesus was the son of a carpenter, and he stretched out his arms to show the breath of God's love.
"Are there any here who hear of the terrors of the world and think less of it? Are there any of you who imagine this be a place made barren of love?"
His question brought a few to speak, hands raised as they attempted to gain his attention. No one was forceful enough to walk forward.
"Look around and know you are not alone if you harbor such thoughts. But know that you carry an idea that is not truth. This land was made as a Garden to let you prosper, and the Word can be heard within it. The truth that will make your soul light and life blessed is in this world. It is not hidden, kept, or locked away from you. Any who seek to hear it may find it. It is no different than you all who can pull from this land items and gifts no creatures of my father can receive."
Ritsuka forced himself to look from Jesus, eying the many French natives. Their expression started with confusion and disbelief, some clearly starting up to jeer his Lord. But those faces had shifted quickly to contemplation, and now, many nodded, with smiles stretching across their features.
"You may pull wheat and fashion bread. You may crush grapes and ferment wine. You may mold clay and build bricks. You may tear down a tree and build a stable. You all are gifted with the Word, and you use those gifts." His hand waved over the crowd again. "Yet as you work you listen not to my father who speaks to you, but of the terror that roam these lands. You think punishment will be swift if you speak ill, you fear retribution if you do not cower, or at worst, you may damn for thoughts of being stronger."
The younger members of the crowd, Ritsuka could see them. A few nodding with stern gazes. Others, the elders, were looking ready to hit their kin.
"Then amen I say to you. Amen to you who believe my father would deliver me from heaven to have you hear his word, then take it away for spite. My father has been wrathful to those who mock him and worse to those who covet him, but to those who love him, he loves in return. A request of love is given from me in his name, and I will love all who approach. All, even those who have slighted me for apathy."
Ritsuka looked to Longinus, seeing the man bow his head. His helm was on again, hiding his features. He understood. Sasaki next to him, however, was watching with the eyes of a cat. Ritsuka had seen enough on the streets to know how they behaves. His stillness, silence, and unblinking gaze mimicked them well.
"But you who carry my father's will, you all who have kept the church I wed centuries ago, you be not afraid." His smile, even across the crowd, was vibrant and glorious. "The trials of his world are many, but take heed, for I have conquered this world."
The crowd cried out for him.
Not cheers, not roars of applause, not as if he were an orator to normal men. That was not Jesus. No, Ritsuka knew this was cries for comfort and understanding. He'd heard it and seen it between the fathers he'd assisted in the churches, and then those who were desperate for salvation.
Then it was always one, maybe two. Jesus had roused the entirety of a village, and he smiled down upon them, arms wide and inviting.
"Gloire! Gloire! What a song he sings with his words!" Marie was jumping next to Ritsuka, her hat firm on her head even as tears bounced free. "It is no wonder the beauty of this country dedicates itself to him! To fill us all with such love with words! Viva la France! Viva la France!"
"There is more glory for God than France in this crowd," Solomon added. "Though I wish he had made himself known when I was king. Perhaps then many would start to seek his council over mine."
"You were his predecessor, were you not?" Marie asked. Ritsuka beat Solomon to answer.
"No. He was mistaken as the Messiah, but he was a man. A wise man gifted by God, but a man. Jesus… Jesus speaks with the Word of God." His eyes were upon his savior again.
"Yes, he does. Though I will say again he would have given me more time to… live life." That confused Ritsuka.
"Haven't you?" The former Doctor rolled his shoulders.
"Now I have, after I gave back his gifts and… lived as a human." He flexed his empty palm. "Then all of this happened, and I'm here again. Except now I can listen to someone else speak and not expect others to ask me to follow."
"He'd be impossible to follow!" Marie agreed. "Mon! He will surely fight back against any ill the people will have had over the desolation of the land."
"His incitement is unique, and strong." Sasaki made himself known, stepping behind Ritsuka. "Few Lords I've interacted with could even compare, and of those I dare to say none could deliver what they promise. The rarest of gifts in a Lord such as this, to be able to promise the world, and be assured he can deliver it."
"He can. He already has," Ritsuka's words made the Ronin turn. His smile held strong. "And now we're helping him to save it again."
"Don't you mean he's helping us?" Solomon's question was an odd one.
"No. Because the world was made by his father, and we are gifted to stand on it. It's still his world, us his children, and he's working to save us all. We're just helping."
"He's made his vassals strong in conviction as well." Sasaki continued to judge. "Though not all."
"He hasn't?"
"He's speaking of the Director of Mystics, your superior." Longinus walked to them, but eyes still firmly on their Lord. "She will be upset, as other leaders have been when their authority challenged, but I care not for a child who thinks our Lord's love will disappear by the whims of the world." Longinus brushed off the observation. "She'll learn either in the course of correction or a journey of her own her faults."
"We could call her up and tell her now." Mozart prodded in. "I could even fashion a tune for it! Something like… I told you soooooo~." He tried to hold the note as his baton strummed through the air. Flutes played with it.
"No no, we shouldn't that." Solomon pushed down Mozart's baton. Ritsuka was thankful for it. "We need to wait until we make it through this Singularity and return to Chaldea. Then we'll be able to prove that Jesus's words carried through France beyond the restoration of time." He was less thankful for it. "Trumpets would be better than flutes, make her shake, right?" He wasn't thankful at all.
"Of course! Of course. Must time the symbols appropriately." The oddly dressed musician nodded. "Though I do have an idle curiosity about all of this."
"What's that?"
"The goal is for his love and words to carry through time, to help with the restoration, correct?" Ritsuka nodded. "Then his specific words may not carry. People may not recall them just as they can't speak of the exact moment I command a violin's chord or an organ sounds."
"Love born from his teachings are all that matter."
"True, and I'm not contesting that. It's the same for music. While I'd appreciate people being able to call out the notes, it's something just as enjoyable to have them enjoy what the music does." His baton flittered through the air, drawing out a chorus of violins that rose with his hand.
"Why ask then?"
"I was curious if people would remember something specific, something that would truly make a mark." Longinus and him both stare at the musician.
"More than Christ speaking? What could that be?"
"If he let out a long-wet fart."
Sasaki was roaring with laughter at the suggestion, whilst Solomon was quick to put arms to Longinus's shoulders. Necessary, as the man had no intention of hiding his intent. Grabbing at his lance and unlatching it as he tried to take a step forward. He was not the only one disappointed, the Princess slapping her friend's shoulders, shouting in the native French. The words went over Ritsuka's heads, but his mind was spinning with the suggestion.
"It's a simple curiosity. I often wondered if I would be more famed if I let a rip out at the conclusion of one of my many orchestras. It would make quite an impact, wouldn't it?" He shrugged, even as he laughed as his friend berated and beat him. Sasaki was doubling back as his laughter grew.
"That… was a despicable suggestion," Ritsuka finally forced out, even as Longinus shouted something, quelled only by the wise king speaking to him.
"It was only a question, hardly a suggestion. Idle curiosity, though experimentation is never far behind." He reached up with his baton.
"Non!" Now the princess shouted as she grabbed at the conductor's tool, wrenching it from his hand. "You will not do something like that to him! He is inspiring the people, Wolfgang! No one of high standing interrupted your music, and you will not make a mockery of him while he encourages the people. Is that understood?"
"Of course! Of course I won't," the rainbow speckled man laughed. "Though can you make that clear to our compatriot?" His eyes were on Longinus, the Roman's gray eyes focused like a sword's tip. "You help, Master?"
"You speak to him," was his immediate answer. "I don't know if you won't try it." He stepped away from the man. "I'm going to speak to Jesus… and warn him to watch out for you."
"You do that! I'd like to speak to him at another time. Perhaps I can write a symphony as an apology!" He shouted as Ritsuka left the group, rounding around until he approached Jesus. The crowd still cried out for him, but his Lord let his gaze fall to the boy who approached, smile as broad and welcoming as ever.
Despite the circumstances, and the crude remark still ringing in his head like the cries of the wyverns, the Master took a moment to stare at his Lord, his savior. The man who had the crowd reaching out and calling to him, some with tears in their eyes, others with smiles broad as their arms. They desired him, and he came to share with them.
Small sights like this, they reminded Ritsuka of the strength of his faith, and the power it gave him.
"Are you well, young Ritsuka?" Even above the crowd, the voice of his Lord was clear. "You have no need to exert yourself to reach me." Exert?
"I'm alright, my Lord. I'm well." He was perfect, being before his God. "I was just… looking for you."
"Were you unable to see me?" His voice was filled with curiosity, and features slanted in confusion. "Did you not hear me?"
"I heard you! I did!" He was quick to amend. "I just… I just want to be near you again." That was all he could think of. Why did he rush up here? Because of Mozart's crude joke? That couldn't be it. The man was disgusting, but his Lord made himself known to lepers and the downtrodden. He would not be perturbed by odd jokes.
Clap. The strength of his Lord's hand on his shoulder shook his thoughts.
"You came to me in your confusion. There is no sin in that. Do not fret or find reason to search for me." Right… that made sense to. Ritsuka smiled as the words of Jesus filled him. "Rather, it would do your soul well to worry for those who have not heard me, yet wish to witness what I may bring."
"Like them, my Lord?" His eyes were on the crowd. Their voices were quieter, watching and listening, but clearly no less enraptured. His Lord smiled.
"Yes, all of them," he confirmed. "And those who chase us now."
That part Ritsuka did not understand.
"Chase us?"
"DRAGONS! DRAGONS!"
The cry shook the people from the stupor of Jesus's preaching, turning their gaze to the far side of the square. Ritsuka and the others, on the opposite die of the crowd, followed. A village on horseback plowed into the cobblestone streets, in full gallop and not looking to slow himself. The marks of the devil, the fear of evil, filled his face.
"Monsters! Dragons! They're coming!" It was a miracle his voice could be heard.
No sooner after did the cries of the wyverns fill the air, rushing over the roof of the buildings like the jackals of the night. The air ripped as no fewer than a dozen climbed into the air, wings expanding, so much making them look like the dragons they were feared as..
And fear ripped through the crowd.
"KYAAA!" "RUN! RUN!"
They crowd dispersed in a panic, trampling over one another as the villagers tried to run about. The panic was so much like clinking gold to the wyverns, turning the long snouts and beady eyes towards them. They cried out, diving towards the people. Ritsuka was only just getting a hold of his sense, watching what was happening once more.
SHINK!
The blade of Sasaki cut through the closest one, diving past it and blade coming out bathed in red. the dragon fell in two, and the villagers nearly toppled by the head running over the pavement. The samurai didn't turn to look at them. His eyes were on the skies, and the wyverns screeching down at him. It was only in that stillness that his mind began to work.
"E-Everyone!" He cried out. So few turned to him. "The buildings! You have to run for cover!"
"That won't work, Master." Mozart spoke over his shoulder. "When people are frightened, no music can reach their ears. Even Jesus knew that." Jesus! Of course!
Ritsuka turned his gaze to his savior, looking at the man standing on the podium staring up at the wyverns. His face was placid, it lacked the empathy he showed to others, and behind him huddled many of women who were close to him. The monsters were above him, circling, but not approaching.
"He could command them to leave, but fear takes them. It is no different than in any of my performances." The man produced his baton. "Before you can lull the people into the peace or rise of music you need to… give them a crash-course." He lifted and dropped the tip of his stick.
A resounding, and unseen, boom echoed. It made Ritsuka's feet jump, and the wyverns above cry. He was about to ask why the musician did that, until the people started looking about, staring at the pair of them. The Servant pushed him forward, and Ritsuka took his wits about him again.
"Everyone! Run to the homes, buildings, anywhere!" He thought of the best place in a moment. "Hide in the church! Protect yourself there!"
He wished to say that everyone heeded his words, but in truth less than half did. Many did pick up their feet and begin to spring, carrying their young or supporting an injured friend, but many others were running in aimless directions, trying to grab at sticks or tools as if to beat off the mosnters.
"Non! Non!" The princess cried out next to him, and above him. "Master, let me gather them!" Ritsuka didn't have the time to turn his head before he felt the woman picking him up effortlessly by the collar.
He was on the back of a glass steed, much like the few horses he had seen thus far, but jagged and sharp, yet warm to the saddle. It carried the large-hatted princess on her back, and she galloped about the square. He thought it was going to shatter to pieces with each foot fall. Moreso when he looked up and saw another pair of wyverns coming down, screeching with fanged teeth.
In an almost pirouette like fashion, the horse stopped, spun on its forelegs, and slammed its feet into the beasts. So much unlike glass, it won over the force of the flying monstrosities, sending one falling over and the other back into the air, righting itself with a whimper. The one that fell rose back to its legs and wings, turning its serpentine head towards him.
Marie's horse was already airborne, Ritsuka grasping to her back as it flew. Doubly so as it came crashing down, legs smashing on the creature's back. It did not puncture so much as it smashed the monster, making it writhe and cry out. The horse was already spinning away as the monster tried, and failed to collect itself.
"My people! My fellows! Do not let fear take you!" Her cries wee strong, and the people looked to her. "You have heard the voice of God command, now respond as you would as people of France!" The glass stallion turned, and Ritsuka knew it was the shine of the creature that made people stare. He was sure of it. "Lift up your legs as you would your hearts to the Lord, and make your way to safety! We will protect you! Viva La France!"
"V-VIVA LA FRANCE!" The sudden cries came from the people, and they began to run. All of them, and with purpose. Ritsuka watched them in almost shock, stopping only when he saw Sasaki and Longinus bathing or slicing away at the wyverns that continued to descend around them.
They never got close, and the people continued to flee as directed.
Across them, all Jesus stared at him with a strong smile. The nod he gave was a command of God.
'Do as you must.'
"Go-Good job!" Ritsuka shouted to the princess. She smiled at him over her shoulder. "But we have to get back to the others!"
"Oi!" The word came as she galloped, and Ritsuka felt the wind bite at him. Before he knew it, and with tired arms, they were before Mozart and Solomon. His breath was out, even as the other Servants looked up at the princess.
"You always had a talented tongue, your highness."
"I follow what the people need to hear, same as you." Marie grinned at Mozart. "But now, we must do as we are here to do. We must defend them! Viva la France!" She raised her fist into the air, horse rising to its rear legs.
Ritsuka fell back as the horse rose, head over heels and afraid he'd land on the stone. He was caught by a pair of strong arms, righting him before he fell much further.
"She's energetic as her friend, but she's correct." Ritsuka looked up at Longinus, the soldier taking his hands from him. "Look to our Lord, Master. I'll kill these monsters."
"I shall help catch a few of these winged beasts. There's little else to practice my skill on." Sasaki's sword rung as he swung it, stepping next to Longinus. Ritsuka took the moment to step away, watching the pair of warriors step forward. Lance at the ready and sword at the side.
"Master." Ritsuka felt Solomon touch him. "I'm not going to help them again."
"What?"
"Every time I use my magic, with how you are now, it puts you in great pain and jeopardy." He couldn't deny that. "Four Servants are here, not including Jesus, and there are no enemy Servants thus far. I'm going to leave this to them."
"Then… then what-"
"Do as Longinus asked and stay by Jesus." He moved his cape, showing something that Ritsuka had missed. The man who had come riding into town was behind him, next to the horse he rode in on. The horse's body was still, jaw open and tongue out. The man looked no better. "I'm going to care and talk to this man. I'll be alright, but you need to stay close to Jesus."
"He doesn't… need me."
"No, but you need him." The Wise King answered. "And he can protect you far better than I." There was no denying that. "Go. Now!" Ritsuka turned with his cry, not understanding.
He saw the reason for it as the remaining Wyverns, as if spurned on by the reduction of humans, charged at once. Longinus and Sasaki Kojiro ran and jumped forward. The Samurai was in the air like the birds he proclaimed to kill, jumping to the wing of a beast. His sword sailed through it like butter, taking the creature into at tumble. It was dead before it hit the ground, Longinus's lance having raced through its skull.
The pair retracted their weapons and turned again, facing a new monster. As they did, a pair of them raced for Princess Maire. They were too slow for her glass horse, the mare able to carry her about the field at a speed their wings couldn't match. One tried to grasp her with its talons, only for a quick gallop to put it beyond its reaches, stopping before another could grasp her. Her smile was bright through the display.
A song rang out as they missed, violins playing before the crashing of drums. They matched the wyverns crashing into unseen walls, falling down with cries drowned out by great bellow of a trumpet and horn. The monsters writhed for little time, but were stopped as Longinus dashed passed them, his lance spinning like a blade, tearing their guts out and flinging them like debris. The courtyard was becoming gored with their efforts.
Ritsuka took a deep breath, looking to Jesus. The Son of God watched still as stone, robe billowing between the cries of the monsters and efforts of the wind, but not a feature on him. The words of his fellows in his head, he took off running for him. It was only on his tenth step he realized his mistake, the one Olga had drilled into him.
He was a weak Magus, dependent upon the Servants. He was not capable of fighting.
Yet he had just walked out and put himself in the eyes of the monsters. He heard them cry out for his blood, turning his head to watch the maw of one approach.
Ritsuka did not cry, putting his strength to his legs. Lessons learned in the streets of Tokyo, doing little against the monsters of God's kingdom. He could not outrun this beast like a Yakuza drone.
SRHINK! But he did not need to. The monster having fallen over with a lance through its wings. Fallen, but not dead. It screamed as it rolled around, the spear having torn through the pair of its wings having taken flight from it. But it did not need flight to close its jaw. Ritsuka did not slow his legs.
He continued to run, the monster coming to both its feet and charging at him. Wings dragging and tearing up the stone, and cries that sounded as ready to do the same to his soul. His feet barreled underneath him, eyes on Jesus. His lord watched him, not a single emotion of fear or concern about him.
"My Lord!" He called out. "Please help!" A shadow came over him. He looked up, seeing the beast's form having risen above him, and jaw falling to him.
It reached no further, the ground splitting as it came to dead stop. Ritsuka fell forward now with the force, rolling over himself as he caught his breath. He looked up, knowing who had saved him, ready to thank his savior again.
But watching his Lord hold open the mouth of a monster, hands on its teeth and letting it growl in rage, was something that stalled his tongue.
"Be well, Ritsuka. You have no reason to fear." Jesus spoke calmly as the monster began to writhe above him, looking to close its mouth. For all its efforts, it was held still by the sturdiest of nails. For all that Jesus was, he did not know what he was about to do.
Not until he looked up.
"Now, begone."
The wyvern turned to ash.
Not flames, not a pyre, not even smoke. So much like ash that Ritsuka wondered if it was ever there before. Ash that was taken into the wind and spread about in a moment. It left him staring up at the empty air, even as Jesus let his arms fall. His sandals clapped as he walked forward, passed Ritsuka with a stern expression. The Master turned, watching as he approached those who gathered behind him.
They were there, but they were not well. Those that were injured in their fear, those trampled upon, swept away in the wind. They were crying out, and Jesus was beside them. He was ready to ask if he should help move them, until he realized it wasn't necessary.
He turned around to see the monsters that had plagued the skies already gone, their corpses beneath the Servants.
"Speak to them, Ritsuka." His Lord commanded. "The people are afraid, and I am not to abandon them." Ritsuka looked at them. Their fear was so obvious sit was palpable. The same as he was sure he had before when he started to see the monsters.
Back in the city that was burning, burning, burning, BURNING, BURNING!
"I'm not leaving you."
"You're doing as I have asked." Jesus waved towards the Servants. "Assist them in my name, so that we may know who mocks the Word." Swallowing heavily, Ritsuka stood, bowing to his Lord.
He approached slowly, as if afraid they would wonder why he left Jesus alone. Longinus's gray eyes did just that, staring at him, but he nodded slowly when their gazes met. Perhaps he knew he approached by order of the most high, or maybe he was thinking as the soldier he once was. It was difficult to say, but as Olga may have added, it didn't matter.
"Did you have a chance to speak to the man?" The question came from the princess, aimed at the Wise King.
"I have," he confirmed. "He comes from a town clearly a half-day's travel on horseback. He arrived here sooner by literally working the stallion to death." Solomon spoke with the severity of a king. "He did not rest himself and his mind was addled by terror."
"His shape is poor, having witnessed something in humane. Perhaps unholy," Longinus added. "But the concern now is where he came from."
"As I was saying, a half-day's travel on horseback. To the north-east, closer to our destination, but still rounding on the point rather than approaching it. He may have come from one of the villages closest to the castle now, or perhaps was. I emphasized his state because it shows he clearly saw something as terrible as death."
"It puts the well-being of the town under scrutiny." Sasaki added. "A terrible thing again, but do you believe the man a coward?"
"For running?"
"No, I ask because I have seen many others flee from the wyverns and Servants, but none so violently as this man." His lavender robe raised as he pointed to the sky. "They saw war in this land for decades, and for it they understand blood and death. But this man ran from something he had either not seen, or could not understand. That is, so long as he is not a coward."
"Non, he is no coward," Princess Marie followed. "He ran to his fellow French to warn them, crying out for us to save ourselves at the expense of his own. This is not a coward's way."
"I agree with the princess," Solomon concurred. "Cowards run to save themselves. He ran to warn the people."
"Then that still means he saw something beyond the war. Something akin to the Servants." Longinus tilted his head. "What of the other unnamed Servants? Those who have not yet been seen?"
"Well," Mozart began, waving between himself and Princess Marie. "We have seen six different Servants, though none of them seem to be as monstrous as this. A poor song I may here, but it's something else entirely to be so bad as to force the audience to flee."
"You described four. Who are the other two?"
"One is an unassuming Archer," the musician listed. "A dullard, unfortunately, who spent his time screaming and shooting bolts from a crossbow. I may be a contestant for him."
"And the other?"
"A woman who rode the back of one of the wyverns." The princess answered. "She was too far for us to see, too high in the air, but she was swinging a blade and the wyverns followed her, coming down on the villagers. She is evil, laughing as they were slaughtered."
"Quite evil, indeed." Longinus confirmed. "Making servants of beasts to slay men."
"A Rider and an Archer then, but neither sound as if they were able to do this." Solomon rubbed his chin. "You said there were six before, could that number have changed?"
"Peut être. I do not know enough of Magecraft to know if there is a limit to what they may summon, or what has been created."
"It also can't be overstated there likely are more Servants, or perhaps that there are Servants that cycle through the castle." Solomon added on. "I had suspicions before but didn't voice them, but knowing the size of the castle and it being the location Kadoc is likely being held in, it would be odd for every Servant to leave and give him a chance to escape."
"It may be best to assume there is someone else," Sasaki put in. "It would be wiser to consider the enemy to grow in number than ability. One requires better preparation than the other."
"It means we have to be more careful about how we approach this, but we must do so now." He took a long breath of air. "If we wait any longer, with this terror on the lands, it may start to threaten others at a greater pace."
"To the village then?" The princess asked.
"Yes, as soon as we collect ourselves, and our Lord." Solomon turned towards the injured, seeing Jesus stand. "And I don't believe we're about to be given good news." Ritsuka looked up at Solomon in confusion.
"What makes you say that?" Ritsuka.
"Something that I loved and loathed to have for the past decade. A feeling." Solomon's face was all smiles when Jesus walked to them, hands folded behind his back. Ritsuka, who had traveled with his Lord through a burning city, saw the stern expression of his Lord was the judgement of God. It could be nothing else.
"Have you all spoken?" The question was short and simple.
"We have," Ritsuka answered. "Something must have happened to the man to make him so desperate, and it is possible that the Servants from the castle have either summoned a new Servant, or something else far worse."
"He stretches what was said, but isn't entirely wrong," Sasaki spoke up behind him. He was ignored.
"That's why we are going to head towards this man's village, to save those who are there."
"Go ahead of me, and prepare them." Jesus commanded. "I will follow, and you will have them ready to see me."
It wasn't what Ritsuka expected. The sigh from Solomon said the opposite.
"What?" The word came from the Princess. "You're not going go to help us? But we will need your help to stop them, to free the people! Viva la France!"
"They will be saved, but why must I abandon a flock desperate to follow to assist another you can save? Do you doubt your own ability?" Blue eyes looked from her to their group.
"I do not," Sasaki answered.
"And I can not!" the princess parroted.
"Then you will go and save them, and I will follow you. Prepare them, ready them, and when I am needed, I will come." Ritsuka swallowed on nothing, trying to find the right words to say. Jesus wasn't coming, he was commanding them to go ahead of them… but why?
"Would they not be ready for you now?" Solomon posed for Ritsuka. "I cannot imagine any person who would do less than admire you if you were to save them."
"What do you see before you, Wise King?" Jesus's hand was towards the crowd, people who were terrified, peaking out from behind homes, huddling around loved ones, carrying others. They were hurt and desperate… and afraid. "What do you behold?"
"The survivors of a tragedy, the same as those who are waiting for us."
"I see those calling out for me, who have endured the very pain I have described, and now look for that light to guide them." His stood to his tallest with the words, and Solomon was forced to look up. "You claim I must go to help another for he calls to me, despite those present who do the same."
"I was not attempting to tell you, Lord."
"No, you were attempting to guide me. A habit my father instilled in you, but one I do not need." Jesus did not smile. "I am here to guide, a shepherd to a flock that endured a wolf's fangs. I must tend to them, but another pack chases another flock, and so you think I must leave. Is this what you say?"
"It is," Ritsuka answered for him.
All eyes were on him in that moment, none more than Solomon.
"But… you want us to go ahead, much like a Shepard's dog will run ahead of its Master. You are not telling us to act on our own… you are telling us to save those who need us. And then, you will save them when we are done."
There was a sound of understanding from behind him, Ritsuka didn't know who made it. He only watched as Jesus focused blue eyes on him. His hand reached out, carrying the same strength as his words.
Clap. It landed on his shoulder, strong as every time before.
"You know my will well, for you hear my Word." Jesus commended him. "Lead them to those in ways, and I will come when you are ready." He said nothing more, turning from them and approaching the villagers again. He was quick to see one, speaking to her as she wept with fear before him. It was not long to last, Ritsuka knew it wouldn't be.
"A wise man indeed. Perhaps the wisest of all." Sasaki complimented. "Your tales of his greatness seem more believable with each word he says."
"And they will not do him justice." Longinus added. "But this is not a conversation for now. Master," the Roman started. "Let us be off. The Princess said that on her steed, she can travel vast distances quickly. We may be able to follow, so long as you are braced by her."
"Oi! I'll keep you safe like we couldn't while you were unconscious before." Oh yeah, he had forgotten about that. "We can make it there in time to help them!"
"Then let's… let's do that," Ritsuka took his breath. "We'll ride ahead and stop whatever this is. We have to, because the Lord said we do."
"By his word, it shall be done!" Longinus hit his armor, the smile proud beneath his gray eyes. Ritsuka mirrored his look.
Jesus was standing at their back. Who could stand before them?
Author's Note:
Eh, I rushed the ending of the chapter. I don't have 100% confidence in all the character interaction, but that's what happens when you have so many characters and don't saddle up on every dynamic. Some dialogue seems off, others missing. But I'd rather missing dialogue you can't add then forced dialogue that disrupts a character. At least now I can talk about a Rider that is coming that you will not expect, at least if you don't watch Disney like I do. Know them, and the stories they come from.
Modern Disney has made me WISH for this kind of story. Because boy howdy they NEVER topped the Hunchback, literally singing of the eyes of 'Notre Dame' judging the guilty.
PSA: Notre Dame is french for "Our Lady", so the song literally translated is "you never can run nor hide what you've done from the eyes, the very eyes, of our lady."