Being a Handler at Chaldea Sucks!

by axel4ekruz

It was supposed to be an easy deal, do the rounds earn your paycheck then rinse and repeat. But the universe along with worm-demons, aliens, gods and other forces decided to play strip poker with humanity, so it all came down to this... A sad outcast and his harrowing thoughts ends up teaming up with a greenhorn and a moody rich girl. A perfect recipe for success.

3. Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Other than the standard stuff that's keeping my sorry ass from getting sued for copyright infringement and whatnot. FGO nor any of it's numerous relatives are not in any way mine nor I make any profit from writing this. Cool, now to the fun part.

Being a Handler at Chaldea Sucks!

Chapter 3: The Pathetic, Dirty Foursome

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"Are we sure this is the right spot?"

"… Well, the tracker is pointing the exact location… At least according to what Dr. Roman send us."

"…"

Mash turned around from the dilapidated remains that were left in the wake of where Tohsaka manor was supposed to be. "Wait, where is Mr. Tristan? Wasn't he just here?"

"He went around the back." Olga Marie said, holding her chin in thought as she gazed at the ruined house of another family. "That aside, this is putting us in a more unfavorable position."

"What do you mean, Director?" Fujimaru, ever the still ignorant of the magical world jumped at almost every bit.

He was honestly like some lost puppy, now that Olga Marie thought about it. For now it was time for imparting some knowledge into these freshmen, "We are about to enter upon a home of a Magus. What's more, they are the owners that oversee this land, if they are any bit as good as we assume based on the logs, then they would have their values protected against any and all foreign invasions."

Fujimaru blinked, so that's what the problem was, "So they have a magical security system against home invaders, is what you're saying, Director?"

Olga Marie sighed to herself, "In a simple layman terms, yes. But there is also the fact that we don't have enough information about the family to make a more educated guess on what can we expect from their protection."

"Maybe not all of it!"

They all turned to the incoming voice as Tristan seemed to slip from the shadows, as if they were his natural environment. Olga Marie frowned slightly, but those kinds of questions would have to wait for another time. "Did you find anything useful, Ermentraut?"

"Yup, you could say." He tossed something small, and shiny towards the group. Mash being the most dexterous with her newly Demi-Servant body caught it first.

"This is… A gem?" There in her palm was the slightly cracked on the surface, but otherwise a shiny polished ruby.

Tristan nodded, brow scrunched over something that he just thought of, "This might not be so easy as I expected… See, the backyard's security system's still up and running. Talk about quality, man that's something alright."

Now even Director Animusphere looked alarmed, "Still working? Despite the damages done to this area… I see, so that was acting as a binding point and being deployed as a permanent ward."

Tristan sighed, hefting his blade over the right shoulder, "If they were using precious stones for fueling their Magecraft like that, then these aren't just any newly fresh out of the boonies Magus family… I seem to remember another family using something similar. From Sweden, or was it Finland?"

"You are referring to the Edelfelts from Finland… Goodness me, now it makes sense. I had a passing acquaintance with one of the heirs even." A new migraine for her is on the way, just perfect. It had to be that one's family.

"That right?" Tristan asked, face constrained, "Man what a mess… Too bad there's no connection here, we might've given your classmate a call and ask for some tips."

"I'll have you know that I'm Luviagelita's superior, thank you very much!" The Animusphere Magus defended herself, knowing that any further on that topic was just Ermentraut's attempt to rile her up. While admittedly younger in age than the Edelfelt, that girl's behavior is far from reflecting someone of the good family and more of an upstart that they really were.

"Luvia… Gelita…" Tristan tried the name and decided it didn't sound right to him, "What a mouthful, bet she's a real piece of work. I like yours better anyway, this one's sounds like some ice cream maker."

If possible Olga Marie would've tripped while standing, "Wh-Wh-What?!" She tried to keep her composure, not mentioning that the picture of an attempted elitist such as Luviagelita in a cooking uniform with a hat and hairnet binding all those ridiculous amount of curl rolls was ridiculous she might have burst of laughing here and now.

"What's with you?"

Olga Marie pointed a finger, face to the side not directly looking at him, "Me? What's with you, Ermentraut?! Don't think that flattery will get you any graces from me, is that your plan?!"

"No," He stated, now cleaning the wax from his ear with his pinkie, "Learn how take a compliment, yeesh. I just thought that 'blessed of the sea stars' sounds way better that whatever that mishmash Finnish manage to splurt out." Wasn't that the truth.

Both Mash and Fujimaru were left astounded at how off topic these two managed to get, yet for some reason it didn't make it any less appealing to watch.

"Should we do something, Senpai?" Mash whispered, awkwardly trying to use her shield as a visual barrier.

And no matter how much he wanted to, Ritsuka's guts were telling him the opposite. It was like he's seen the scene like this and be familiar with, until it hit him like a falling rock, "I think it's best to leave them to sort it out… Um, to be honest Mash, they kind of remind me of my parents arguing…" Or some version of them in their younger age, not that he'd know too much about it.

"Well, no matter," Olga Marie averted quickly, if to save some dignity, "Our best course of action is to access the Tohsaka home without triggering too much of their security." And who knows whatever else these easterners have left in their wake to protect their meager accumulated knowledge of a couple of centuries.

"Right, I'll go first." Tristan stated, already moving pass the gates.

"Are you serious, Ermentraut?"

He gave her a sideways look, "Uhh, no, I'm Tristan…" He called the only other capable bruiser in the group, "Hey Mashy-girl, what do you say when someone asks 'knock knock'?"

Caught by surprise, Mash glanced at the Director nervously biting down on her thumb, or was it anger to Mr. Tristan, well, it didn't seem that hard, "Who is it?"

"Claire."

Ritsuka could see where it was going, but couldn't react in time for Mash.

"Claire who?"

"Claire the path! We're coming through!"

"Oh boy…" The only sane person lamented as there was a bang and Tristan almost stumbled flat on his face from how easy the doors gave in.

But there was nothing else, no explosion or a booby trap or a bunch of blades appearing from thin air to skewer anyone who dared to traverse upon the sanctity of a Magus home.

"Huh," Olga Marie feigned surprise, as if she didn't cover her eyes at the last second, "That was anticlimactic."

"I know, right!" Tristan seemingly unaware at the jab at his welfare moaned, his head slightly downed, "Oh, but check the digs on these folks, like wow! Someone's head got stuck way too much in Traditional Home magazines."

The rest of the group slowly followed Tristan inside, the man taking out a small flashlight to illuminate his path. And he was right as far as the décor was concerned. It was as if they stepped straight into a Victorian era.

"It's passable at the very least." Olga Marie sniffed, and held back a sneeze, this place needs winding, "The location is decent though, I think I can feel the general Layline close… Let's see then." While she went to quickly investigate but careful not to cast anything to offset potential alarm, Fujimaru and Mash found themselves in the living quarters.

It looked cozy even. Some chairs and furniture ware upturned, dust was everywhere, some cracks marred the walls, but it was mostly intact.

"So this is the house of a Magus…?"The dark haired Master wondered, eyes wandering everywhere but focusing on nothing in particular, "It kind of looks like a museum."

"… It's very different." Was all Mash managed, Chaldea had nothing on the interior decoration that was Tohsaka residence, the only glimpse she ever caught was from that movie Doctor Roman showed her.

Ritsuka frowned slightly, looking at Mash at his left. She didn't really seem to speak much of late. Not that it's been long he knew her, but she obviously had trouble expressing herself. And the way she talked when going to battle the first time he saw her, deployment and ready… It was really sad from his point. Maybe he could try something to cheer her up if only a little, since he still felt like he'd contributed with basically nothing. Even Tristan-san was doing so much better with all the running, planning and fighting, like it came naturally for him.

Oh heavens, was he getting envious now?

"Bummer," The person called from the back across the room where another area, likely kitchen, was. As in of cue, the light of a small powered device came first, and adjusting to the eyes Tristan became visible, clearly distraught about something.

"Is everything alright, Mr. Tristan?" Mash turned to the taller man who was for some reason carrying a pair of broken bottles with an inscriptions on them. He didn't look pleased at all.

The man gave a huff that was both sad and disappointed, "Yeah, can you believe these guys. Say what you want about them, but these guys were loaded silly." He showed one of the bottles that read Chateau Lafite 1869 on the label, "This is top of the line stuff here. One of these cost like two hundred fifty grand a bottle! And they're just letting them lay around like some cheap Christmas champagne! Shhhiiiiiiiiiiiiit…"

Mash looked put out by the way he drawled the last word, not to mention because it was vulgar, while Ritsuka tentatively took one of the bottles and spun it around mindful of the sharp edges.

"It's really that expensive? For just one of these?"

"Yeah, most folks don't even make that salary on a yearly basis… But I suppose it figures, what else'd you expect from these fat cats with deep pockets." He said and chucked the bottle behind him as it made a shattering noise after the impact.

"Hey, what's going on there?!" Olga Marie's voice reached, being slightly muffled but still clear enough. "Is somebody trying to bring the house down on our heads? It must be Ermentraut!"

Ritsuka couldn't help but let out a chuckle, and even Mash looked like she was trying to stop by the way she bit on the inside of her cheek.

Tristan on the other hand just rolled his eyes, giving them a conspiratory wink and motioned to follow after. "Relax boss lady, we're just havin' fun gossiping about our superiors. Ya know, it's a standard practice among staff." He withheld another eye roll at Fujimaru's care about the state of the house as the boy carefully left the broken bottle on the near small side table.

"Hmph, I'm having a hard time believing that." The sound now clear, they found her kneeling in another room, more intricate and staggering than the rest. Not in thanks to the fact that a giant hole was giving a clear look at the yard, books, furniture and shelves broken, burned and tossed about like a hellish hurricane went through. "You are the only presumptuous enough here, the string of uncivilized backtalking can all be traced back to you, I say easily."

"Ow be still, my wounded heart, for you have known worse than this." Tristan jeered while grabbing his forehead, not even bothering to place the hand on the said organ.

Olga Marie scrunched her face, as if smelling something nasty, "Ugh, by all existence and Earth… Can you cease with and not spoil every single classic in the world with your presumed wit?" Though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.

"Let me think about it, those are some big words, and I'm not but a simple man." The muscular man tapped his chin now looking out the giant crater that was once a wall, "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request."

All he got was a glare for effort, a sudden crack from Ritsy-boy, and a thoughtful Mash.

He turned to the only other guy, grinning, "Looks like somebody's dragged Ma an' Pa for a round of Pirates of the Caribbean." Not that he was a fan of the trade, but some dialogues were pretty clever and well written not to be remembered.

"Eheh," Fujimaru scratched his cheek a little sheepishly, "It was pretty good."

"Hm, you are without a doubt the worst Magus I've ever heard of."

Ritsy-boy, in character, raised both his fingers to his lower chin, smiling he said, "But you have heard of me."

And so the brand new fresh camaraderie in the latest non-history of humanity was born.

Mash didn't understand it best, but it was surely a good sign. Senpai and Mr. Tristan were getting along well, while Olga Marie was sorely tempted to find anything to plug her poor ears from the amount of rubbish she'd heard in the last hour than in her entire adult life.

"If the pair of you are quite finished with the traveling performance," The head of the Animusphere said in exasperation, "I need some help here."

Expectedly, Tristan volunteered first, "Isn't it great when people work together though? Even when big Lords and Ladies can only sit back and sip tea watching us commoners do all the hard work."

"Will you stop with that, Ermentraut…" She stood up slowly, pointing at the now revealed hidden doors leading down, "I did my fair share, now you do yours. Show us that that big anatomy is useful for once… Or that you are simply compensating."

Small cracks and popping sounds were heard as Tristan flexed, ignoring the soreness and welcoming the sensation of getting the blood flowing between muscles and joints. "Yeah? Was that what you thought under me in that pile of rubble?"

If she tried to kick him, it would only put too much strain on her injured leg. Naturally, Olga Marie did what the generations of accumulated knowledge of Animusphere taught to do in these situations. She went for a slap, barely hit his neck and collarbone, then after pretending a job well done, turned her back with a well placed humph!

Both of their spectators felt sweat running down their necks for entirely different reasons they dared not say out loud.

"Is… that what a tsundere is really like? Sugoi desu ne…"

"The… the force is truly strong within our Director… Amazing!"

Tristan however, didn't have such limitations, despite all logic, "Nice left hook," His tone was joyous, but his face scary, "Ya got fire, Lady Director! If we weren't so pressed for time I'd have given you a lesson in CQC!" There's nothing like giving someone a good whooping to better hone their fighting skills.

"As if I would need to learn to fight like some brute." It was beneath her, inelegant to the very end, she would never stoop so low.

"Mash," Fujimaru leaned closer to whisper, not wishing to gain any attention from the two seniors, "What is CQC?"

"Oh! I believe I know that term!" Mash, now oblivious to any need to remain subtle exclaimed, "It surely refers to a close-quarters combat, a term defining high-intensity conflict characterized by violence at close range between two or multiple opponents!"

Fujimaru was surprised, backing away, wondering why Mash would know that an explaining it in such clinical way.

"Points for our Mashy-girl, that was spot on!"

Mash, spurred by praise glowed just a tad more in pride.

"Alright, alright, enough of that. Give me a hand here, Ermentraut." Olga Marie waved her hand impatiently, "I managed to unlock the doors but there's still rubble blocking the way. Let's hope it didn't bury the Workshop completely."

"You're not afraid of entering another Magus' Workshop alone? Isn't that supposed to be some sacrilege?" Tristan popped his fingers now and went to work.

"Mr. Tristan, I can help, and you're not in best shape…"

"Thanks, but no need for that, Mash." He declined, grunting as he lifted a stone almost as big as his thorax. "We're still in danger of getting ambushed even now. Stay on your guard."

Mash nodded hefting her shield and being at ready, but Olga Marie didn't seem pleased for some reason. First of all, the way everyone seems to fall in line when he gives orders like that. It wasn't that act in itself was wrong but the fact that Mash was a Demi-Servant contracted to another Master, who while a complete rookie just stood by and let it happen. It was frustrating because that isn't how a proper relationship between Master and Servant should be, otherwise it could also damage the way of how Mash would interpret someone's orders. Would Ermentraut's supersede Fujimaru's? That simply won't do, and she needed to deal with it soon or they'd risk falling into disorganized mess during a battle.

For now, she had to keep Ermentraut occupied with other things, and focused on her. That's right, the Magus in her told her if those two are to grow and develop more in combat, they needed their own separate space. "That will do, Ermentraut. Now you two stay here while we investigate. Let's go."

"Roger that," He made a face behind her back and shrugged to the couple they were leaving behind for now. "Watch yourselves."

It was only when they were out of sight, swallowed by the darkness of the basement that Fujimaru's shoulders dropped with a heave that he had to lean on the wall.

"Senpai?" Mash called, standing vigil in front of the giant opening across from them.

He smiled awkwardly, "Ah, it's nothing really, Mash. Just… All this teleporting, Grail War, Servants and fighting, running, hiding… Phew, it's honestly staggering to believe." At that was just a top of his mind. This life or death situation hanging over his head, it's taking his all not to waver and fall under such intense pressure.

"Ah… I see." She regarded the dark gardens and darkness ahead, the shadows still dancing in the far off flames, "If I am being honest as well… This is all very new experience to me."

"What do you mean?"

Mash vaguely indicated her shield and then armor, "Ever since my abilities as a Demi-Servant resurfaced… I've had this feeling, or the need I guess for something. Yet I'm not sure what it is. The Servant that bestowed me with his powers as I lied under the rubble surrounded by flames. It was for the purpose, of that I'm sure of!"

"Mash…"

"That is why, I will use it to my fullest. To help Chaldea, and also you, Senpai. Because I think that is why he choose me to do."

Fujimaru stood stunned for a moment, this was the most he heard her speak since the meeting. And with such conviction. He still didn't know many things, and didn't feel like he could teach Mash anything worthy, but if this is what she felt like, he'd at least have the courtesy to respond. "Then in that case, I'll be counting on you Mash."

Mash's eyes widened slightly, reaching out a hand before retracting as if burned. "How very precious."

That wasn't the voice that belonged on someone like her. Suddenly, they both felt uneasy. The slivers of black slithering in the background didn't feel like harmless trick of the light anymore.

"Hmm, what have we here…" The gentle sounding tone practically purred, a cold blade under a heart, "A little frightened boy almost succumbing to his nerves… And, are you supposed to be his Servant?"

"Stay behind me Senpai!" The shield bearing girl said to her Master, eyes darting frantically in the dark, but for all her effort the sound seemed to be coming from everywhere. And at the same time no where.

"Now, now, that's very rude." The hissing was getting louder, but still there was no clear sign of the source. "Hiding like that behind shields, are you afraid you might not like what you see?"

It was getting his nerves fired just by being near, Ritsuka tried and failed to keep the shaking oh his legs and arms under control by regulating his breathing. It barely made a difference, it was like they were completely surrounded. Was the enemy left, right, up, front or from the back?

Down.

It was late until he felt the pull, as something cold wrapped around his ankle and pulled. He could do naught as breath leaves him, being pulled towards devouring maws of black.

"Senpai!"

With a flash of steel and inhuman strength, Mash managed to pivot on her feet, using the blunt edge of her shield to momentarily stop her Master from being snatched like some prey.

But the fine strands were not so easily severed, especially without a sharp edge. Only slowed down, Mash didn't pay any attention to her own safety as two more snake-like violet thick strands yanked her back and threw her into the garden's hedge. The buzzing and electrical stings of a bounded Field bouncing off her skin.

"Naive."

For the first time, Ritsuka could place a face to the voice. Smooth and low, like someone who was once venerated, but scorned. The darkness parted and from it came a woman, hair bright purple, clothes and armor dark and foreboding unlike Mash's and a pair of glowing eyes even from the hood over her head.

"Well then, I am almost disappointed for not getting the big one and the other girl. They would make the most worthy prey…" She slowly licked her full lips, the pale skin glinting, "Especially that man, but I suppose you will do for now. And so young at that."

The woman frowned in diastase momentarily, before she brought out a staff with a long curved head, blocking the strike from behind.

Mash's teeth ground as she put her all, but this Servant wouldn't even budge an inch. "Hngh!"

"Little girl," The hooded Servant clicked her tongue, in one smooth move, without even looking behind, she pushed Mash's shield with her own weapon, and thrusted the blunt end of her weapon straight to the staggering girl's stomach. The sheer force made Mash spit saliva along with air from her lungs as she staggered back. But the onslaught wasn't over, with the grace of the most lithe dancers, she stepped up hooked the bladed part of her weapon and as it screeched off Shielder's gloves she pulled her towards herself, grabbed her face with her hand spinning she threw mash until the resounding impact cracked the mortar.

Vision hazy, Mash breathed in short bursts as she managed to dislodge herself from the wall, back on her feet which were slowly losing strength to support her. So this was a real Servant fight, her previous encounters had nothing on it. "She's strong… Senpai."

"I was expecting at least some challenge, how you defeated Assassin and that screaming trollop of a Rider is beyond me." The mysterious Servant flicked her bountiful hair until chains manifested in every direction, closing the hole and trapping them with her in range.

The Shielder remained tight lipped, no in truth it was them who were saved, and by the way she spoke of them it seems that Assassin and particularly Rider who may have lost her mind to think clearly during a battle were nothing but flukes. And they also had help from Director and Mr. Tristan… But left on their own like this, Mash felt her determination slip, they were no good, she was no good to anyone like this.

"Mash, stand."

Senpai's voice in her ears made her both happy and distraught. Why is he still here, and as she failed as his Servant, "Senpai, I'm not sure I can win this… I'll hold her as long as I can, you must get away."

"Kotowaru! I won't, Mash!" He didn't run from her in that fire, after all she has done for him, he refused to turn his back. It would be wrong, it would be betrayal, and he would not have it so! "Just like before, I'll stay!"

The words rose a dichotomy in her heart, and brought a film of water at the edges of her eyes.

"Oh, what a sweet sight," The long haired Servant intoned, now approaching slowly with almost no worry of retaliation, "Then if that is both of your wish, I shall grant you it! Know that this Lancer was your death! Ψόφα!"She raised her scythe-like weapon only to momentarily switching it to the side to deflect a flying dagger aimed at her head.

"Okay, this one's gonna be tough." Tristan's voice called from where he stood at the entrance of the Workshop, hand quickly going for his blade and moving to a Vom Tag stance. "I don't normally do that kind of thing lady, apologies, but I can't have you chopping my two colleagues there."

Lancer narrowed her eyes slightly, this was the one, his guard was very good for a normal human, "So you are the one… The strongest of this pathetic little group."

It wasn't much of a question, but he still deigned with a response, "Well, I am quite good if I say so myself… Tristan Ermentraut, it is an honor warrior woman. You are?"

The violet haired Lancer chuckled lowly, twirling her weapon before crouching low, "Do you really expect me to answer? Fight for your life, human!"

The space they were fighting in wasn't exactly vast, Tristan kept his eyes on that weapon. If she's a Lancer, then that's probably her strongest weapon beside the rest she might have. Oh how he hated fighting spear wielders with a sword, and not even a proper long-sword.

This has got to be his toughest opponent yet. It wasn't a mindless monster despite what he believed, each thrust he tried his best to parry, it took every bit of his knowledge and using the terrain. But it would prove his doom if he didn't find a counter because he was being pushed back and losing stamina. Breathing was already heavier in the short span they traded blows, Tristan ignored the beads of sweat that reached his eye.

"Is that all you can do, defend?" The Lancer mocked, not seeming out of breath at all, "You are no better than the failed Servant of a girl." She dug her heel and bashed at his weapon, and if he wasn't so clever at the last moment to redirect her attack where Harpe managed to nick the piece of his right ear, blood flowing from where a dangling flesh now hung.

"Go, Mash!"

"Fool," Lancer said, again having to stop the nuisance of a Shielder, as the girl tried to slide into her guard closer, she ripped off her hood and locked the gaze of a child behind the slab of metal, "Petrify, Cybele!" In the corner of her eye she saw a flash where the dagger from before stood loose, the weakling boy trying to run her through. How preposterous and foolish of one Master, even if half-baked.

Ritsuka was kicked back by a well-placed swing of a foot, his back hit the chains that seemed to have a will of their own as they started to shiver and vibrate, and the next thing he knew, he was ensnared.

"This is the result of expressing your intentions, weaklings." Letting go of her weapon, with her other gloved hand snatched the blade aimed to decapitate her, her grip iron as the bigger man struggled to pull it out. Going for her head required a special form of punishment, this one was getting a special treatment. "As for you, your corpse shall be a nice addition to my collection."

"Ah, I'd guessed," Tristan grunted, still trying to wrangle the kriegsmesser until cracks formed, it was almost time, with a mighty yank, the blade snapped, it was a miracle it lasted this long, he lunged with the rest only to get a fistful where Lancer used the other broken fragment to slash across his face, taking out the fragment of the useless ear cartilage with it. "Ugh… Damn!"

"Mr. Tristan!" Mash made an effort to step in, but her movement was sluggish from the effects of Lancer's ability, she was easily swept by a powerful right leg with a snake-like tattoo, and Lancer kicked her like a football ball even before she made it to the ground.

"Annoying insect." Lancer spat, hearing a whizzing sound that cut through the air before she felt a pain in her tight. With a beastly shriek unexpected of suck low voice she blindly kicked back, managing to catch Tristan who skidded back, face bloody from a new gash, and a manacle with a jewel similar to the one on the dagger that was sticking out of her leg. "You actually stabbed me… Me? A Servant injured by a mere human?!"

Tristan smirked a bloody smile, tapping the topaz colored jewel and in the flash the dagger smeared with blood was in his waiting hand. Good stuff, this Tohsaka treasure, not to his style, but it would serve its purpose.

"Maybe if you weren't looking down on others all the time you'd have seen humans are far from helpless…" Tristan said, but he strangely didn't look further up than her legs. "But I suppose it's in your nature to act like that, am I right, Gorgona Medusa, is it?"

There were three shocked sounds, two surprised, and one quickly morphing to anger.

"You dare utter that name… Human, you have a death wish."

"Heh," Tristan wiped the blood with the back of his left hand, still carefully observing how her legs were placed, still not quite for charging at him, "We stumbled on your little… Hunting trophies were they… Words make me sick. Poor souls you trapped and who you feed upon, is that how you lasted this long without a Master?"

"What of it?" Medusa replied casually, but an undertone of bite was there, "They are nothing but wretches, a source of food for us Servants."

"They're innocent souls, dammit!" A sudden loud expletive made even the Lancer blink in surprise, "You had no right to condemn them to such fate! Do you truly wish others to see you as a monster so much? Weren't you a priestess once? How can you allow yourself do defile life like that?!"

Next thing that every spectator knew, Tristan was slammed against a wall, a hand chocking him, while Harpe was left stabbed in the ground. The sight of a smaller by a head and half woman holding a grown man up against the wall his feet almost losing ground was terrifying for both Mash and Ritsuka. As were the words she couldn't stop from her mouth.

"SILENCE, ΚΆΘΑΡΜΑ!" Medusa shouted, switching between common and Greek in quick succession. "You know nothing; not the humiliation, not the sadness, not the disgrace I've been through! Or those malakas that did this to me! They all deserve to suffer, the wretched humans and their gods-blasted lives! Όλοι τους! All of them!"

Tristan's newly acquired dagger dropped to the ground and the watching duo feared for that she has suffocated or broken his neck, but the big man's hand went up an enclosed her wrists. "I'm sorry to hear it…"

A faint red glow on the back of his hand drew Medusa's gaze suddenly, "What in the…?! You are a Mast-GUH!" The slight pause was enough for Tristan to deliver a strong knee to her chin, and followed with a push-kick back to her weapon.

The man fell on his own knees, gasping for breath, a thin but fine strands of steam rising from his right shoulder and back. It was time for the final act.

"You…!" Medusa, flexing her mostly bruised jaw and grabbing hold of the Harpe, racked her eyes on the form of the man, no, that was no man. He simply cannot be. She had to kill him!

"… the name of honor! To me, Servant!"

"Impossible!" Medusa thought as she closed the gap between them in second, and that measly second was enough for a light, greater than any, materialize and bring forth the harbinger of her demise. While Harpe was batted to the side by another shield, a gleam of silver armor appeared in her vision, and a blade went through her Spiritual Core, for she couldn't do anything to divert her path. "Not fair… Why always…"

As she fell back, the weightlessness took her over, her whole body relaxing as if on command, and the light of the spiritual particles that made her container started to drift away in the empty. Back to where once was, back to there. The helmet that covered newly summoned Rider's face was expressionless, yet one could see it was lowered, was it thought, pity or simple motion, it didn't match the one that was visible on Tristan's sombre face.

"… Rest, O' Lady Medusa, ye were wronged…" And her head was last until she knew no more.

The chains that held Fujimaru dissolved into mist, as if they were never there, and Mash was barely able to pick herself up but still she somehow powered through. Tristan was starring just at the spot where Lancer was, still pensive, still with his eyes closed and lips muttering something under his breath.

"That was one of the Gorgons from the legend?" The new rich, yet slightly ruff voice said, it held an echo since the speaker still wore a helmet. "Truly a tragic tale that one." The knight said, still not sheathing his sword, he turned his attention to Mash.

"Steady now, they're with us." Tristan said in warning, not wanting for the Servant to get any wrong ideas. It was still amazing, but Olga Marie was right in her theory at least. "Go easy on them, they're just kids."

"No child should wear that kind of equipment or take part in wars then." The knight snipped back, tone not critical but not unfriendly either. "But very well, I shall defer to you, Master."

"D-Did it work?" A wary voice was heard from the opening of the Workshop, Olga Marie peeked like a frightened rabbit until she saw the state of everything. "Stars, it did! Of course it did, I knew it would!"

Tristan chuckled dryly to himself, yeah it worked somehow, "Right, tell that to my several busted places and face, man, I think some of my bruises are starting to form bruises."

"Don't complain too much, Ermentraut, you sound like some old man." Olga Marie remarked in passing, limping slightly to see the work she hastily did with such little time and preparations, "This is the Servant Rider then? A knight, now I wonder why that is." She threw a suspicious look at Tristan, but he just shrugged in turn.

"Hey, you're the one who scrambled and jury-rigged that summoning formula, not me." He glanced at the back of his hand and indeed the pattern was there, he almost laughed at the irony. One winged shield and sword, with the wing now fading. "These are the Command Seals then, I never wanted a tattoo… Guess this counts as a freebie then."

"You ingrate, did you not pay close attention to when I was explaining. Those are the proof you are a Master, however ridiculous I think the chances are… Also you have to use them sparingly, not all of…"

"Yeah, I got it, or the magic body ink goes away and I'm left skin-broke."

Rider was watching the exchange carefully, he came to the conclusion that he was summoned by an odd pair in an odd war in an even odder circumstances. Also, for note was the belligerent tension between his Master and this Magus woman. "If you do not mind me suggesting, Master," He didn't understand why his Master showed dissatisfaction when spoken to as such, "I would like to know more about our present circumstances. From what the record has shown, this is not the kind of War I expected to end in."

Tristan frowned, he did owe Rider that much for basically saving all of their hides, "Yeah, simply put, we're not fighting for the grand prize here. Something happened that caused the disturbance in this city Chaldea calls Singularity F. We're here to investigate and possibly deal with the problem… If we could only find what's wrong in the first place."

Those were quite the news, Rider switched again to looking at the other younger couple of Master and Servant. Indeed, they were young, but there was potential. "I see, if that is how things stand then we operate outside of the typical war's setting."

"You could say that," Tristan thought about it, but throwing caution to the wind extended his hand with a small smile, "We're Team Chaldea then; our members include the youth Ritsuka Fujimaru, Master and Mash Kyrielight his partner. This one here is our captain, Olga Marie Animusphere. It's my honor to welcome you aboard."

"It is an honor as well, Master Tristan," Still uneasy with the title, his Master, but he seemed like an honest yet a bit run by age and time man who's seen things. A seasoned warrior at least. The Magus woman he would be careful of, but he didn't forget his courtesy to her either. The young pair was most curious though, "You will forgive me for being upfront, but I know not of any notable hero named Mash Kyrielight… Are you by chance of a more modern age?"

With a real friendly Servant's attention on her, Mash was again put out by being put on spot, but it would be discourteous not to answer, Rider seemed polite so far, "It's a bit more complicated than that. I am in fact human, but fused with another Heroic Spirit making me a Demi-Servant."

Rider's head tilted ever so slightly, this was truly unexpected, they couldn't see a slightly uneasy face he was making behind his helmet, but his Master's words snapped him back.

"I'm sorry, Mash, can you go about it one more time?" Although neutral, Tristan's stance was getting tense by the moment, "I think I heard you wrong when you sad that you were fused with a Heroic Spirit."

"… Yes." Why was she suddenly feeling like she was telling him the dirtiest secret in the world. Did Mr. Tristan not know the background on her… "Oh… no." Of course not, how could he? He wasn't one of the researches, and even then he never made any sign that he saw her as anything much than a normal teenage girl. She had to stop him from doing anything wrong right now. Like picking up that dagger and…!

Sheathing it and latching on his side, he turned to a confused Olga Marie now, expression cool, "We're gonna have a long talk later."

"Wait a minute… Why?" They were doing good now, it finally went uphill for them. They defeated three masterless Servants, and gained an addition in Rider, bolstering their strength by a significant margin. So why was Ermentraut being anything than thankful or ecstatic right now?

"I think you know why… Let's move, Rider with me in front, Mash guard the rear, Ritsy-boy middle." He was barely keeping himself for rounding up on the infuriating woman and demanding answers. Answers he knew shouldn't shock him since these were magi he was dealing with, but because it was Mash who was the topic.

The walk didn't last long after they departed the Tohsaka residence, not finding any more useful information proved troublesome. There were no new indications to where their search should go next, or for all intents and purposes what even happened to cause a singularity. No records, no written last minute confessions, just a bunch of paper on research, some precious gems, a busted grandpa clock, and a pair of Mystic Codes.

A ping was heard and from Ritsuka's wrist communicator, Doctor Roman's image popped up. Good, Tristan couldn't find it in him from the backlash of that last info about Mash to think more clearly, at least Fujimaru could still operate somewhat normally.

"I hear your search of the Tohsaka's house ended. Did you find anything, anything useful at all?"

"Lots of thing happened again, Doctor." Fujimaru supplied, not quite knowing where to begin. Tristan was weirdly quiet now, it must be serious, but the Director took it as a sign to approach.

"We didn't find anything useful pertaining the Singularity, Romani. Apart from being attacked by yet another Servant, you'll be happy to know we settled the matter most effectively… Also that over there is our new Servant, Rider."

Roman looked perplexed, leaning closer to his console, "Oh! What a development that was! So now Chaldea is richer by a help of a third official Servant, amazing work… Ah, but is everyone alright, no serious injuries or alike?"

Olga Marie snorted, now he wanted to play doctor while sitting in that chair, "We are alive, limbs and all, never mind that." She spared a glance at Ermentraut, who is yet to get out of whatever stupor his brain ended up in, "What is the situation on the other side?"

"We managed to put out most of the fires, the crew is trying to clear the ruble and our men from Engineering are trying to work on stabilizing the reactor… Phew, for now I'd say we're out of the danger zone."

"Good… That is good." She found herself turning towards Ermentraut, before suddenly a realization hit her. Why in the name of all was she starting to have dependence on him lately? Did so much change in such short time? "Well, this is it for now Romani, we will keep looking and should you detect anything new on the scanners be sure to notify us posthaste!"

"Understood, Director! Romani out!"

The comm went blank, and the silence was back. This was concerning now, she thought. "Right then, since our little exploration found us mostly nothing, let us try new ideas. Anyone?" Because she was slowly getting out of what to do next. Judging by the looks on Mash and Fujimarus's face they were a lost cause. The irony, it all brought her back to the person suddenly giving her the cold shoulder.

"…"

A steel scraping sound interrupted whatever she was going to say next, the blade shone with a slight red tinge along the middle, Rider turned towards what used to be an alley. "Before that, Lady Animusphere, it appears we have more company."

Everybody tensed, even Tristan took out his new dagger, "Alright, we just went through this crap enough times already… Show yourself, or stay in the shadows like the coward you are!"

"Woah," A wind passed, and a ruffle of robes was heard, the colors of light blue sky, "You're a little high-strung there, buddy."

"You try wrestling with a gorilla and go a round with an angry snake lady with issues then talk to me about high-strung… Buddy."

"Ahahaha!" The laugh echoed down the street, "You're just that type of guy then, I like ya already. Now, if you all don't mind putting down your weapons, then I'm thinkin' we can have ourselves a nice nightly chat? Sound good, no?"

Tristan's brow twitched, great his worst nightmare, an enemy with a sense of humor rivaling his own, "Can you track him, Rider?"

"I'm afraid not, Master." Rider's voice also showed some frustration, "There is a presence, yes, but well concealed. You say you slayed Assassin? This one must have quite the knowledge of magic to stay hidden without any special Class Skill."

"Magical expert," Olga Marie heard, this could only mean one thing, "You there! You are Servant Caster then, I assume?"

"Smart lassie this one. Guess I'll be talkin' to you instead of the angry big grump. I'd hate to have followed you all this way for nothing."

Tristan's eyes narrowed, still trying to fruitlessly pin the Servant of magic down. He followed them, does that mean what he thinks it meant? He saw in the corner that Olga Marie broke rank and started to approach alone into the open. Stupid woman! He quickly motioned to Rider to encircle her and like well trained unit the both of them did. To her annoyance however and largely theirs.

"Excuse me, I'm trying to negotiate with another potential ally here."

"My ass," Tristan scowled at her, "Potential ways to die, are you nuts? Who taught you to walk out like that with no one to cover for you?"

"Oh I apologize gallant hedge-knight, I was of the opinion we were not on talking terms for the duration, was I wrong?"

A rambunctious laughter filled the night, it was not a sinister or mocking, simply a sincere man who was apparently watching something funny that caught his eye. "You guys are really something else! Is that how courting looks like these days? Or are you on some kind of premarital tiff?"

"Dios mío, I certainly hope not." Now Rider was giving him a funny look, he could tell without seeing. "That is not a way to treat a lady in a verbal conflict."

Tristan had to diffuse this baloney before it got out of hand, he was losing face, "Okay, one; nobody uses the word 'courting' today. Two; you're expecting me to let our captain walk like that into a potential trap, undefended and alone. What school of warfare did you went? Either none or you're just pulling my leg here."

Caster waited, weighing his options likely before deciding, "And what's my guarantee you won't just strike me down if I show myself?"

"My word and that of my group." Tristan said, this was beginning to tire him, so he would just pull the other card and see how it goes, "If you've watched us as you say, then surely you've seen proof enough we are trustworthy."

"Hmm, you're right 'bout that one. I've seen you all got guts, skills and smarts… But seeing isn't the same as believing."

"Great…" Olga Marie muttered, this might not turn in their favor.

"Tell ya what, I'll do it under the condition that I ask the lot of you one simple question a person, you answer honestly and from there we get along just fine! Lie to me and we go our separate ways, how's that?"

"But how will you even know if we're being honest?" Fujimaru chimed in from the back.

"Oh, I'll know believe me, lad." There was a noise of stones hitting stones and further front, there were three dimlited stones, big enough to fit into each persons palm. Rider went and collected them, and upon further inspection Olga Marie and Tristan recognized the symbols carved on them.

"Those are Runes." Olga Marie said with a thin veiled amazement, this was a quick job, but the craft itself was done by an expert. "What will happen if we answer falsely, will it not trigger a curse?"

"No cursing there Missy. You lie, you fail and that's it. So for the sake of our future alliance and good relations, just answer honestly to the questions, will ya?"

There was so much wrong that could come out of this, especially on how will he word questions. Will they be something about her family's secret? No! She can't say anything about that, there was no way! Or what about if it was something truly embarrassing topic, she's not sure if she could ever live it down! This was starting to be such a bad idea, but before shoe could stop her companions, Caster called them.

"Who want first? It won't hurt, swear on me Da'."

"I will." Tristan answered first. "Come on then, try me."

"Alright, let's see what you're made of, tough guy." Caster paused, formulating the question, "Would you kill your closest kin just to save a person you barely know?"

"What?!" Tristan exclaimed in shock.

"Would you ki-"

"I heard you, dammit! The heck kind of a loaded question is that?!" There was so much wrong with it, his thought started swimming, the worst kinds of personal demons peeking on the surface of the dark sea of memories.

"Ermentraut…" Olga Marie tapped to get his attention, he didn't turn but he was listening, "Let another answer their question first and maybe…"

"No do-overs or retakes, Missy. Time's a precious resource we all got so little but never appreciating it the way it's supposed to. So, what about you big guy, can you be a kin-slayer just for some stranger you've never met?"

Tristan pulled in a long breath, squeezing the stone so hard he hoped it to crack so he can chase this motherfucker and feed him to it. "No, I would not."

The stone suddenly started glowing completely white until it was gone. Everyone waited in suspense on the Caster's verdict.

"Look at that, wasn't so hard was it? You pass!" Tristan responded by chucking the stone so hard it made a snapping sound as it hit some poor dead tree. "Well that was a waste of a perfectly good, one-time lie detector. Next!"

"I want to!" Fujimaru approached from the back, standing furthest right from Rider. "I'm ready." I think so, is what went unsaid.

"Here's a simple one for you, laddie; If you had to save the people you care for, would you sacrifice your entire being?"

"… I – yes." It just came out, and before he could gauge the reactions that varied from alarmed, to understanding to grim, his stone also glowed white.

"Huh, not bad, not bad at all… Alright, Ms. Magus of the group, your turn now."

Olga Marie breathed deeply, exhaling she asked something that bothered her though, "Are you not going to ask question to the Servants?"

"I could… But this is your test, here goes; Would you abandon your family's ambition for the sake of the good of humanity?"

The answer should have been a simple one so much so that even a half-wit could give it. Then why were here mouth dry like the desert and cold like the coldest tundra all of a sudden? A starless sky above, with no stars to guide you into the future… Then where was she headed?! What did having a clear future even mean then?!

"Your answer is…"

"Hey, can it man, can't you see that she's…!"

"Leave it… I-I don't know… My answer is that I don't know the answer. If having to turn my back to what the centuries of generations of what my family taught and passed onto me… For just a glimpse in that one clear future, then that is the future I would move towards."

There was no reaction from the stone, she looked at the carving again and again from different angles, head frantic. Oh no, she failed them! Of all of her companions she was the one supposed to lead and be an example to follow. With this, everything will spiral downwards. She was now starting to think that a giant black hole should open up and swallow her for the failure she's become.

"That was intense," Caster's voice was so close to them she could almost hear it no a few meters ahead, but the drawing of weapons is what made her look up. "Not sure if I was expectin' that kinda answer, but what runes can't always tell you I just go with my guts and say; I give ya pass, Missy. So how 'bout a hearty greeting and a drink now?"

He caught the stone she returned back him, he didn't favor a sore crotch, no real man did.

"Some greetings you put us through… You do this to everyone you meet or are we just an exception?"

The blue haired Caster shrugged, "Would you believe some geezer walking about dressed like me on your first go?"

"Yes."

"Hell no."

Caster laughed to the answering Masters. "Takes all kind to make a world, I s'posse."

Tristan snorted, dagger withdrawn, hands held akimbo, "Alright then wiseguy, you trust us now, but how do we know we can trust you?"

Caster juggled his remaining stone a bit, then hid it inside his robes, "You don't know this, but I've already helped you guys before. Just ask the kids there."

That got Mash to perk up, "Wait, I think I remember… When we were attacked in the city by those projectiles, that was you that made it stop, right?"

Hearing this, Ritsuka also nodded in confirmation, "She's right, at first it was like somebody spraying us from up top, then suddenly nothing."

"That's right," Caster said, head held high, "That Archer bastard's a tough one to deal with, let me tell ya that. But ain't nothing a good well-placed spells won't do the trick. He's retreated to his stronghold for now… Which is also a place we are headed."

"Hold a moment, Caster."

The blue haired magician raised a single brow at Olga Marie.

"There are many things unclear to us since the moment we stepped foot into the singularity. The war, the rogue Servants, the missing people… We need a clear picture and understanding of what has transpired here before we wish to proceed anywhere."

Caster scratched his hair, then looked at Rider and Tristan, seeing as how both of them would still draw blades if necessary. Though, he couldn't really blame them for being cautious. "Man, typical knight… But I guess I owe you that much, you've shown me you got courage enough. Come, I've set my own base after chasing down that blasted Archer."

It turns out that the base, was not much of a base but an abandoned school building. Tristan's brain was sending goosebumps across the whole body now. Bleeding from the face didn't help things.

"Oh yeah, we're in the middle of a post-apocalyptic city, filled with creepy crawlies, no other people and now entering an abandoned school building." Th man groused, dozens of horror flicks passing through his mind, "Anyone finds the scenario just a little too close to the horror genre? Ritsy-boy, wasn't there that story of those pasty murdering ghosts that haunt people and make those creepy sounds like broken doors?"

Ritsuka's brows and eyes went up, but his face blanched a bit immediately after, "You mean Ju-On?"

"That's what the name was? I thought it was Grudge?"

The Japanese teen nodded briefly, "The first one is the original, the rest are mostly remakes by American production houses… But wait, are you saying those kinds of things are real too?" There was a reason his parents didn't let him watch those movies alone, now he knew why.

"Sure they are." Tristan confirmed, tentatively touching his damaged ear shell, "Angry ghost haunting houses, real. Zombies-like thingies stalking graveyards, real."

"Even vampires and werewolves?!"

Tristan winced, retreating his bloody hand, well the damage was done now, "It's complicated for the vampires, but yeah they're out there. Werewolves are rare though, mostly because they're recluses and some experts even consider them freak mutations nowadays … Meh, like that's not true for the other ones."

Ritsuka pressed his fist to his forehead. Great, just great, what has he signed up for. That means that probably other local legends like Oni and Tengu are real… This was getting insane by the minute, he had to try and focus on something else. "Think positive, Ritsuke, the positives. You got this far somehow."

"Stop exaggerating things, Ermentraut. There are people who handle those sort of cases, Fujimaru. There is a good reason monsters haven't overflowed the world in the known recent history." Olga Mari tried to assuage the concern and straighten the large man's inaccurate accounting.

Tristan snorted at the hypocrisy, "Oh yeah, they handle. Ever wonder why nothing ever gets on TV or any news outlet, and just as buncha urban legends and myths nobody takes seriously?"

Again, the Magus of the noble family cut in, "Again, for a good reason, you forgot to add. It is the duty of those who protect ordinary people that also keep their minds at ease and not cause mass panic."

The former security officer at Chaldea shook his head, "Spoken like a true person that's never been out to the field. Bravo for the pep talk. I'm sure that's what they all keep saying after another day at the office. God's good work and the welfare of Magecraft! Man I love those ads, should have more of those printed!"

Before a new argument erupted between the eldest pair, Caster called, "Alright, we're here. There's a sign pointing to the safe room on the first floor. Don't wander too much, take a breather and we'll be moving in an hour." He secretly also wanted to split the lass and the big guy, because oh boy did those two get along like fire and water.

"I'll go to the nurse's office, see if there's a med kit or something to stop me from bleeding all over the place." Tristan informed the party, to Casters relief, "You can give me the short version later."

As he went on his own way, he noticed the small sigils here and there, Nordic in origin. Caster wasn't lying then. The thing he also noticed after finding the place he was looking for was the constant sound of clanking metal following him every step of the way.

"You could've stayed with them, Rider."

Rider regarded him for a moment, "Regardless of us being traveling companions or walking the same path. It is you whose call I answered as my Master."

Tristan wasn't so convinced, opening the doors and searching through every inch of the place carefully, "It was our Lady Director who did the actual summoning, you are aware of that."

"But it was you who was given the Command Spells, no?" Rider retorted just as easily, "In spite of unique circumstances of my summoning, it is your authority I ultimately recognize. So I ask you not to treat this so lightly, my Master." The matter of master and Servant bond ran deeper that the one supplying mana, to Rider the voice and the call of the soul whose voice reached and he answered are the paramount.

"You're pretty blunt for a high Familiar."

"Believe me, Master Tristan, I have words to share and sharp blades to offer. However, as a knight, I cannot overlook your negative attitude."

Finally finding what he needed, Tristan went for antiseptic, gosh that stings just as he remembered. "What do you mean?"

"To make a point right now, you had a bad experience with one noble house or the other. Now you are directing that anger at the closest target. Lady Animusphere might act like that which her upbringing required of her, but you must not forget that she at the end is as much human as you are."

"Noted," Applying the final touch, he dried it dabbing with a cotton and putting a band aid. It would hold, but he will likely need stitches. "Just don't tell me you of all people don't know what a menace highborn can be. I don't care how virtuous they think their cause is, most of the times they put those around them to ground with their pride and greed."

For the first time since his summoning, Rider let out a deep sigh, the air passing through the opening on his helmet. His Master was more perceptive than he gave him credit for. "Be that as it may, honor and duty are also noble virtues as well. With that in mind, it is our job to be of use and if whenever possible give a nudge or advise them should things turn bad."

Picking up the rest of the bandage, he moved towards the exit, Rider dutifully behind him, "Because that always turns so great at the end." He might've been telling the truth, and was right about things. Still, it wouldn't stop him from doing what he was supposed to.

XxX

Olga Marie Animusphere has learned that nothing should even begin to surprise her today. Really, the daily stress that came with running Chaldea, she could handle. Signing paperwork and giving out instruction, alright. Hearing the personnel and employees talk in secret about if she was competent to do the job after her father passed… Relatively fine-ish… Bearing the burden of of more than fifty lives that were potentially best hand-picked recruits for preserving the future of mankind, now dead or dying… "Nauseating."

But not nearly so much as of when she was welcomed with the latest news on what exactly their end goal should be. If their source is to be trusted, and she was on her last nerves she'd pretty much now embrace anything that made sense. Just as long as it doesn't turn out to be a red herring in the end, with a nasty surprise in the back. At times like these, distractions were also welcome.

Scolding Fujimaru for his laid-back ways and not taking things more seriously. Such as falling asleep in the middle of important briefings and hers at that matter!

Mash, she honestly didn't know what even to do with that girl. She both frightened and made her uneasy. Not that she should fear that the Demi-Servant to suddenly fly into murderous rage for what was done to her… Would she? Data on that is inconclusive as of yet.

Caster she'd gag if possible and pluck his eyeball and stitch it to his other one so the only thing he'd see was his own wretched, perverted self if he didn't stop to check her leg every few seconds. Stars, why is everything so complicated and out of hand crazy lately, where are the good ones you could rely on like Lev… or maybe him?

"I am reaching a new level of down low… Black hole would open and swallow me if I'd rather verbally spar with Ermentraut than any of this." She fisted her hair and then pressed it at her forehead. Ignoring the curious looks and feeble calls asking if she was okay?

Did she look okay?! Her mouth almost opened to scream in frustration, come what may, only to let her at least feel a bit lighter and this sickening feeling to go away!

"Check out this Midnight Society group, Rider. They're all just plotting and scheming the next move, and we're are none the wiser."

Sometimes the guiding stars work in small mercies, but if this was one then she is just as damned to make most of it, "You certainly can't get any wiser, Ermentraut, not with that panegyric… And plots and schemes are the same thing anyway."

"Sticks and stones, Lady Director, sticks and stones…" He turned to Caster, the man seated most casually, yet positioned right next to the nearest exit and an open barrier. "I'm gonna need a small favor from you."

"That right?" Caster asked in turn, "What can this humble druid do for you?"

Tristan paused there, mildly curious, "The hell kind of druid uses Norse Runic magic?"

"Aye?" Caster affirmed, his red eyes now slits, "That's a vast overgeneralization… And frankly a little insulting you'd think the knowledge was limited only to Scandinavia region. Knowledge travels, just like legends and myths and stories. It's a fascinating trail of threads made by passengers, people and all who migrate. One spark is sometimes all it takes to start the flame."

Tristan racked his brain to hearing the most overly inflated explanation worthy of graybeard wizards would give a narrow-minded provincial. And realized he is, in fact said provincial. Supposedly he deserved, but man does can this guy talk runabout for a mile. Must be quirks of being a Caster… Though, now that he thought about it, something didn't add up. He tried testing a theory.

"Cool, and speaking of flames," Tristan unsheathed his dagger, making the rest tense, only Caster was looking at him blankly, "What? Chill the F out guys, I need a hand with this. Medusa's weapon, whatever the hell it was must've been some legendary tier, cuz I have a gash right here."

He started removing his custom coat-jacket, and indeed on his shirt there were several small tears, but the one he refereed to was staining the dark material. Caster whistled, "Impressive, gotta say it's a wonder you're handling it this good big guy."

Olga Marie felt she should avert her eyes from the shameless display for she had a feeling what comes next. Mash, for all her innocence looked lost, and Fujimaru like he was watching one of his superheroes and finding he wasn't made of iron after all.

"We have little time, indeed," Rider understood what his Master was implying, moved in, "You wish to seal the wound with heat if possible. A risky endeavor, that is." But a brave one too, if his Master can withstand the instant pain.

Tristan nodded, a relieved smile on his face, "Alright fellas, we understand each other then. So, Caster, got a light?"

Caster quicker than an eye could follow drew a series of gestures in the air, he needed to produce a flame but also to keep it steady and not explode in their faces. They carefully heated the surface of the blade until it was hot enough, but not enough to damage the integrity. When Tristan was satisfied with a glow, he applied it to the wound releasing a hiss of sizzling flesh.

Ritsuka found the whole process mind boggling and even a little sickening, but he quickly scolded himself. This was a man who if he hadn't jumped in they'd all probably be goners by now. Petrified, sliced to pieces or crushed. It wasn't fair to Tristan-san at all. "You're really strong, able to take that and a Servant on."

He didn't know if small talk would help, but it would at least be good to distract the older man from the present for a bit. Judging by his face, it might have worked.

Tristan grunted, removing the cauterizing tool and leaving it to cool down, he might as well pass the time with Ritsy-boy while he waited, "Not the first time I did it, but boy does it hurt like a bitch…" He glanced at Lady Director suddenly clearing her throat in reprimand and rolled his eyes, "You get used to it, just don't think about it too much, and you're good. But that Medusa… I don't know what to tell you. Frankly, I'd have died if it lasted a minute longer."

"But you fought really well, Mr. Tristan." Mash exclaimed to the man's down attitude, "Um, I mean, your sword technique and the way you parred each strike…" She suddenly found every face at her, and tried to hide embarrassment by lowering her gaze. Maybe that was to much on the nose.

"Appreciate the words Mash, but you felt her strength in that tussle?" Tristan paused putting back his shirt and jacket on, to the gladness of some and dismay of others. "I still remember every strike, hard with purpose, it's a surprise how stronger than a human one Servant is… No, what saved me was her own failings. She was toying mostly in that fight, and then I used her anger and lack of awareness to our advantage. Rage is a good fuel in a fight, but you let it unchecked it's your downfall."

Rider nodded sagely, returning the dagger to his Master, "Correct, I might also add that in the future you refrain from such instances as facing a Servant on your own."

"Technically I wasn't alone, but I get your point, Rider." Now to address the elephant in the room, "What about you, Caster, ran out of old man's wisdom?"

Caster snorted, his staff softly clacking the ground, "I'd say its fifty-fifty when it comes down to rage point, yeah it might be dangerous using it as a crutch, but it has its pros… Hmm, but sure it all comes down to how you use it and when." A distant memory clashed with another, and he had to suppress a shudder. Wasn't a picture he liked to be reminded of.

"You're a real fount of answers and riddles. If I didn't know any better, I'd have pegged you as certain warlock… Don't tell me you were a skald in your old life?" Tristan's face showed distaste.

"Luckily you don't know me better, there's a problem when too many dudes are gathered in one place, it totally kills the atmosphere." He nonchalantly indicated to, in his opinion, an unfavorable gender ratio in their group. Before any of the ladies could comment, he kept going, "And you're subtlety is shit man, let me tell you. You wanted to know my name, all you had to do is ask."

"That simple?" Well, they weren't in an actual Grail War where Servant's identity could prove to give an edge to the enemy, now that he thought it, "You weren't that eager at the start."

Caster moved one shoulder in a half-shrug, tapping the other with the wooden staff, "Don't think it makes any difference now, but here goes, prepare to be amazed," He spun the staff suddenly, before slamming it to the floor, a minor crack appeared faint blue light emanated from it, "Name's Cu Chulainn, and due to circumstances we've no time to discuss at length, my current class is Caster."

The elder part of the group stared rather unimpressed, while the youth showed amazement. What, no reaction? No surprised gasps, or crowd's awe? Not even a hand clapping. And he went through all that trouble.

"You are Ireland's Child of Light then." Olga Marie surmised succinctly.

The newly revealed Caster looked up, finally some recognition for a start, "Yep, that's me." It wasn't much of a reaction he'd hoped for from the Missy, but she was a Magus, they didn't really believe in openly display of emotions. Sad.

"I think I've heard of you…" Tristan said, though his knowledge of Celtic and cultures north of Hadrian's Wall was a bit lacking, "Right, right, you're the one they call a dog! You hulked out into an ugly spasm during a battle and then before dying tied yourself with guts on a rock… Badass, props from me."

Cu was a little surprised and reluctant on that particular detail, but he felt that the praise and recognition were truly genuine, warrior to warrior. "Heh, well, it's good to be known around." Even if there is a ton of more in his opinion amazing things that they could've remembered him by. And some not.

"How odd that you are lacking your legendary weapon." Rider's voice brought them down from a high. "I remember stories telling of a wicked barbed spear the hero of Ireland inherited. Was it not so?"

"Rider is right," Olga Marie quipped, eyeing the now despondent Caster critically, "I do not recall anything mentioning you as someone who was adept in spellcraft and sorcery… What is the meaning of this?" It couldn't be, yet her mind reeled back on every historical fact. Was this some sort of trick then?

"Augh, feck," Caster actually moaned, slumping back on his cane, "You just had to go for that… Ye never find a good hubby with that kinda sharp mouth…"

Tristan held up the extra gauze, fresh bandage and tape, standing in-between the line of fire, "Your turn, Lady Director." Caster merely swept off to Mash and Fujimaru, to whatever his intentions were, this was better.

Olga Marie face nearly contorted from the previous comment, regarded the bigger man, "I'm sorry, my turn for what exactly?"

He held the ingredients, recalling her previous complaint about hygiene, "Proper medicinal tools. Now let's give you a treatment befitting your station, Lady Director…" Then he smirked down at her, but his eyes held warning, "For the record, if you try to kick me, I'll tie you up and have Rider sling you over his mount."

Where even was Rider's mount? He didn't manifest with one in the first place. "Just… just be quick about it, Ermentraut."

"No worries, Lady D." Tristan assured, unwrapping the old layer of cloth and removing the improvised splint. "You won't even know I'm here."

For some reason, it went exactly how he promised it would. The pain and discomfort was there, a dulled throb still in the back off her head sent by her nerves. She couldn't tell the severity yet, but it would do her good to not lean on it for too much. Which brought down a question, should she make a request or try her luck?

Finishing his work, Ermentraut disposed of the old off-the-cuff binding cloth, then turned to Rider. "I changed my mind, bring out your horse, she not walking in this condition."

"I can manage just fine!" The young woman in question exclaimed.

"Master Tristan is right I'm afraid." Rider said, and with a soft whistle and a sparkling blue dust a horse materialized with a wave of its mane. "Calma, calma, we're not in battle yet. This requires finesse for we are to carry royalty."

Something passed over Tristan's face while he watched Rider chide his beloved horse, what a sight, to think such loyalty that a faithful steed follows his master to the afterlife and beyond. "Come along now, up." He gestured to Olga Marie before even Rider could have a moment of chivalry, "And remember always, the greatest threat to you horse-riding is not your enemy or flying projectiles of doom… It's chafing."

Olga Marie stared at him for a long minute while he held his hands as if to pick her up like some small toddler. "Ermentraut," She said in a tone dryer than the streets of Timbuktu, "Your attempts at humor are downright horrible."

"I fear it is no joke, my lady." Rider politely interjected, holding the strong looking steed by its reins, slowly bringing him closer, "You have no proper riding equipment for saddle, and with an injured leg you will have to ride on the side for now."

Perfect, equestrian lessons. Just what she wanted. "Fine, I suppose that-WHOAH!" She didn't get to finish as Ermentraut picked her up by grabbing underneath armpits, and carefully positioned her on the saddle, then Rider instructed her on how to properly hold the reins and not fall off. "I will never forget this." She glowered at Ermentraut after memorizing the brief instructions.

"That's one way of leaving an everlasting impression," Tristan muttered, then looked back to the Caster and the teenagers that were talking until now. All eyes were on the horse, and he knew it by the way it strutted, causing Olga Marie to let a yelp before steadying herself. Mash in particular looked interested. "Man all this running about and I nearly forgot, but where exactly are we going?"

This time Caster piped, ending whatever weird lesson he had with Mash and Fujimaru, "There's a temple upon the mountain up there," He pointed his staff in the vague direction, "The Grail is hidden in the cave at the base behind, hard to find, but I've done my homework pretty well."

"That's good," They finally had a direction, finally no more aimless walking around, bumping into whatever more horrors infested this infernal place, "We go there grab the Grail, and we can go home while whacking whatever little gremlins and creepers on our way."

"Wait until you hear the good news." Olga Marie said bitterly from her place, now standing taller above everyone else.

Tristan shrugged, felling confident for once, "Well, can't have everything so straight and narrow I guess. Don't tell me there's some test we have to take, like the ones from the old chronicles?"

"Dunno anything about that, but the Grail has a guardian. Two exactly." Cu Chulainn motioned to the Master and Demi-Servant pair, "They met that damn Archer, shit for brains may he have red diarrhea… But the one you really got to worry about is the one actually standing vigil. The one who first succumbed to corruption and took the rest of the Servants with him. Present company not included of course, I'd look terrible in black."

"Out with it then, druid, who is our adversary?" Rider's patience was also getting thin, as was his Master's he could feel it.

"… It's King Arthur."

There was a silence, Rider looked at his master starring through the window, processing the information. Suddenly he bobbed his head in determination and turned on his foot in the wrong direction.

"Wha… Ermentraut, where are you going now, that's the wrong path!" The man disregarded her shout.

But not before notifying the group as a whole of his intentions, "I'm taking a piss! Anybody else feels the urge, now's the time!"

To the older man's surprise he heard steps behind him, no metal, lighter. Must be Fujimaru. "Wait, Tristan-san!" The teen had a slightly hard time following the bigger steps of his fellow Master.

"Welcome to the club, Ritsy-boy." He gave the shorter boy the side glance, and walked straight to the first bathroom.

"This one is for girls…" He heard the Japanese say, freezing on the doorway.

Tristan frowned, looking around, not seeing the difference at all, the non-existing signs on the outside told him as much. "How can you even tell that?"

The teen scratched his cheek sheepishly, "Well, they are always on the right side." He watched the man have an internal debate mostly, then with a deep sigh moved to the proper bathroom for men.

"Your bladder having anxiety problems, too?"

That was a very question that he didn't feel like should be a topic of any conversation, not even after he heard a satisfied breath from Tristan who exited the stall. "Aren't you nervous? I mean for facing King Arthur?" Even this far east, the name of the legendary king reached the ears of people. Maybe not as much as in who he was, but the first though of The Sword in the Stone was almost ubiquitous.

"To be perfectly straight with you, kid, I am." Tristan looked ahead, hands on a still whole sink, the mirror in front fragmented, showing numerous faces of him in its cracks. "Boys who ever dreamed of becoming knights, first thing it comes to mind is him. A perfect king, an example of chivalry, the one who united the kingdom and held the crown ruling steadfastly… Until you look at the other side of the reflection."

His eyes were sad, and tone grim, it resonated with Ritsuka who until now considered the man before him an example. "But surely we can manage this, right? We have you, the Director, Mash and now with Rider and Caster both, we have a chance to win!"

Tristan didn't look at the other when responding, "Winning isn't always what matters, Fujimaru Ritsuka… We're here for that Grail, and on our path stands a person who left such a mark on history and the world in comparison we stand as mere rabbits." There is absolutely no way that this will be easy, there is a mental factor in this that someone he had in high regard would be facing him as enemy. Trying to maim and kill him, with the blade that is considered as a peak of martial prowess not of this world. Excalibur.

Ritsuka wasn't used to such speech colored by defeatism from Tristan, still he tried to reach out somehow, they needed to all stick together and go home. They were a team, just like he said, and teammates look after each other. "You will fight with us? Won't you, as a part of the team?"

Flipping a switch, Tristan turned to the young man almost half his age. There it was, that youthful optimism. "'Course I'll fight with you, Ritsy-boy. What did I say about me giving a word… It won't be easy though, you have to understand we were really lucky up until now. I almost lost that foolish Director of ours, and I hear yours wasn't a walk in the park either. Steel yourself, hold your head straight and we'll all pull through somehow."

A solemn nod and a smile answered, and Tristan was again briefly stuck in that distant unnamed memory. Youth, far left behind echoes of youth.

XxX

"Does everyone understand the plan?" Seated like a proper noble befitting her status, grateful her poor feet don't have to touch uneven grate-filled dirt, Olga Marie finally looked like proper authority figure.

"We do, Director Animusphere." Mash said seriously, this was it, their final test of mettle. And against such powerful and legendary figure, her core was trembling with an unknown feeling. "Mash Kyrielight is at full capacity."

"… Mashy-girl, we seriously need to work on your catchphrases."

Mash's determined lilac eyes did a one eighty as she turned to Mr. Tristan, mouth pulled down, "Really… It was that bad?"

"That's kind of harsh Tristan-san, don't you think?" Fujimaru joined, taking his junior's side now. As much as he held respect towards the older man, it wasn't right to abuse his status.

"Oh, look at that," Tristan, to Fujimaru's astonishment didn't take things in stride like most normal people would, "We're marching to our potential deaths and the wee ones are showing more guts… I like it. But no, kid, I'm saying this for the good of our Mashy-girl here. Can't be having you riding to battle with a pretense of Arnie's slimmer bad copy… It needs more razzle-dazzle, know what I'm saying?"

"I cannot believe a grown man uses the words 'razzle-dazzle'…" Olga Marie bemoaned, thinking that this truly might be their last hours.

Her chatter went largely ignored as Tristan peered back at Mash, "See here, I have my own, but it'd be copyright infringement to just hand them out like dixie cups on a fair. I'm thinking you got the unrealized pool of latent aptitude for doing your job and looking cool doing it. Just like John McClane, Travis Bickle and Steve Rogers we'll make you into one lean mean fighting machine that kicks ass and takes names."

Young Mash's brain overloaded with all the unfamiliar terms and characters. She decided to for once go by her instinct and deal with it in a way atypical of old Mash Kyrielight. It was in a way a gift from Mr. Tristan, and he always delivered. "Yessir!"

Tristan smiled lightly despite the sting he felt, she was willing to learn at least, "Baby steps, we'll get there eventually."

Ritsuka came to from the other side pointing something out, "I just realized, but there's actually six of us. As in Team Chaldea's members."

Tristan frowned, backtracking, then looking to his right at Mash and her faithful shield, then back to Ritsy-boy when it dawned on him. "You might be on to something here… Okay, there were five of them originally, but semantics. Mash is a no-brainer right? I call dibs on Thor obviously, just need a hammer… Hmm, others might be tricky, how good's your aim?"

"What are you three doing now?" Olga Marie called them from the front, watching the trio with suspicion, "Ermentraut, we do not have time for anymore of your shenanigans!"

Tristan regarded her, then turned back to Ritsuka both nodded resolutely, "Black Widow definitely."

"Or maybe the Scarlet Witch, because you know, uh, magic…"

If she didn't need her hands to keep balance on the horse's saddle, she'd have slapped her face and the two morons for talking nonsense right before they would enter maybe the greatest battle of their lives. "I am going to die today… I will die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the known realms."

Cu Chulainn snickered beside her, "Ah cut 'em some slack, Missy. Those two ain't exactly made for this kinda thing, even the shield-girly. Big guy's actually doing a favor."

"I agree with the pagan," Rider said seriously, ignoring the stink-eye from the Caster in the group, "Although an unorthodox method, Master Tristan is fully aware of the gravity. By easing their worries be it with humor or other distraction it would serve them well as a novices before the start of a fight."

"Was that the practice in your time as well then?" She queried to the both.

"Eh, it was more noise back in my time. Some would drink themselves silly," Again, he ignored the derisive snort from the Rider, "Others sang and yelled to high sky, hurling insults and issuing challenges to the enemy."

"Not bad for a tribe that fought mostly naked then," The only real knight in the group proclaimed, his short teal cloak rustling, "Mine people had their duties; securing the armor, tending to ones horse and readying the armaments. You do not go into a battle half-blinded by inebriation and with your genitals swinging in the wind."

"Oh yeah? I take offense now, Mr. Knight, damn yer all alike." Caster groused, pointing the end of his staff towards the armored man who looked unimpressed, "If I had been a Lancer right now, I'd've make you eat those words right from the tip of Gae Bolg!"

"Ah, sí? I'm positively trembling in excitement to that day… Most unfortunate that you are so indisposed by trick of fate."

Olga Marie could feel the literal sparks now flying between the two Servants. She had to resist the urge to facepalm, lest she finds herself welcoming the hard ground. She'd had plenty of that today. Fate was indeed cruel sometimes. It's better then to take up the advice and find a distraction or find a silver lining. One that just so happens to be the number of stairs they had to climb to the temple while she had none of the consequences. Small mercies.

It didn't take that long to climb up, then with Caster's guidance they traversed the thick foliage and went beyond the complex of Ryuudou Termple. There was a gorge down there, it looked half natural and half artificial, have none of the temple's followers aware of it?

Caster pointed at the slant where the broken path led to what seemed like a cave opening. "There, I'm sure that some of you can feel it. It's almost like a natural source of energy just pouring out."

Tristan crouched at the edge, getting a better look, "The terrain doesn't work to our advantage at all. Down there we'd be easy targets for any kind of attack." And with only one way forward, straight to where the apparently strongest Servant that bested the rest resided now. What great odds despite the enemy being outnumbered.

"It is a good thing we have armored cavalry." Rider spoke, then motioned to the only other armored member in the group, "I do not know of your full potential Lady Kyrielight, but that shield is not to be taken lightly."

"I understand," Mash clenched her hand around the handle of her manifested Servant's power, "My role is to provide cover so the rest may have safe passage. I will strive to do my upmost, that I promise!"

"Already speaking as if you have a chance at winning. Some would consider it rude and a peak of arrogance."

The group immediately sprang to their already spoken before tactic. Servants Rider and Caster in front, Mash just behind to provide protection if needed or quickly switch back to the Masters and Olga Marie.

From the top hill above the mouth of the cave appeared a man. Tanned but with hair ashen, his boots crunching the gravel and a bow in one hand while in the other he held a weirdly shaped arrow that seemed more like a failure in metallurgy from all the jagged edges.

"Would you look at that, we barely knocked but the eternal disciple comes right out." Caster said with slight sarcasm, cocking his head and fully regarding Archers form which was even more ragged than he recalled, "What's this, Saber working you so much to the ground you've look like you're about to die there."

Instead of being insulted, Archer gave away a nasty smirk, nocking the disproportionate arrow that started thinning and shaping into a much slimmer form. He let it loose, its course predetermined by the prey it was meant to hunt.

Tristan watched it sail above them into the distance. "Fuck me, is Archer class made of archers or what?" Because this absolutely sucked even for modern standards.

But Archer didn't drop his enigmatic smile, as if he knew a secret they didn't.

"Something is wrong here…" Rider pointed his blade at the opposing Servant, the faint red glow spreading slowly to the body, "What is the meaning of this? Do you mock us with trickery or is your intent here deception?!"

Archer hmphed, trading nasty looks with the knight until realizing something, "You could say that in a fair fight, I'm likely no match for you as I am now… It must be painful for you to be kept in a dark like that though, is it? Master of the Battlefield?"

For the first time since appearing, the humans in the group saw Rider stunned, "That is not… So it must be your hidden talent I assume. No matter, this is where you fall Servant of the Bow, prepare yourself!"

"Now, now," Archer sighed, materializing another, this time plain sword to serve as a projectile, "Like I said, such chances don't really give me incentive to play fair. If you catch my drift."

Cu Chulainn's eyes widened, now hearing small explosion from afar, and something else. "It can't be…! Oh you're an arsehole, a fuckin' arsehole ya hear me, Archer?! Do you want to take us all along to the grave that badly?!"

Tristan was fed up with a game of words, putting aside on how some bowman could figure out his Servant, this was getting them no where, "Alright, that does it, are we gonna just talk like some fishwives or…!"

▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!

Then the sound reached their human ears. A pure harbinger of destruction marches to the battlefield, his only purpose – kill those standing. Leave no survivors.

---

Phew, and that concludes the number three. I think we all know what's coming, right? I told you all there's gonna be changes, it's practically a given since there are already so many ripples ever since the bombs went off. Stay tuned dear readers, if you have any questions, you know where and how to find me. Adiós for now!