Ruby couldn't take her eyes off of Rider. Were it any other time, it would have been because of some kind of hero worship. After all, it is not every day that the actual Rusted Knight is in your home. However, what made Ruby stare wasn't the fact that it was the Rusted Knight but that said Rusted Knight was none other than her own male bestie, Jaune Arc. Again, if it were any other time, Yang would have teased her a little with her having a crush.

Actually, that would have been preferred right now. As it was, Yang didn't so much as pay attention. Yang was only really here since everyone else was and that headmaster Ozpin kept apologizing for his failure of protecting his student. Seeing her older sister lose her flame was a sight Ruby did not want to experience. If only she would tease her for staring at Rider or make a terrible pun. Anything. Anything at all. Just give the old Yang back. Ruby lost enough already.

She still couldn't believe it. Blake running away? Sure, she had run away from team RWBY when her secret had been revealed but she had vowed to never run again. Blake had faced the White Fang head-on. Drag the rest of them along sure but still head-on. Now she was gone. With Yang in this state and Weiss being brought back to Atlas, Ruby needed a direction. She didn't know what to do and she was supposed to be the leader. Now she had to participate in some death match with legendary characters from history and fiction? And one of them is vomit boy back from the dead? Ruby may be fast but even she needed to slow down every once in a while.

Looking towards the other team, Ruby wasn't sure if JNPR were doing any better either. Sure, Nora seemed to be the peppiest of them all at having their team leader back but that was only relative to the rest. Nora was still subdued for the most part and was conflicted as headmaster Ozpin continued to explain the Holy Grail War to them. He told them of this Salem person and the Grimm. He told them of an old ally called the Mad Saber who is apparently not of this world. Ruby recalled that title somewhere but couldn't place it exactly. Weiss had always been the more studious one. Was it in doctor Oobleck's classes? The Maidens and Cinder's involvement. Only Pyrrha didn't seem surprised on account of having supposed to be the Fall Maiden before Cinder came along. Ruby's father and uncle weren't surprised and neither were the Servants.

"The Jabberwalker is here too, huh." Ja—Rider shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. He had said that it would be best for them all to call him that. Better that they see him as a Servant than as their friend. A difficult task considering he just revealed himself to them. Then again, they would have found out sooner or later on voice and demeanor alone. Rider had Jaune's mannerisms, if a bit more confident and certain in himself. He obviously had the matured version of the voice which would have tipped them off probably. "If the Cat was here too, we'd have the whole set. Maybe Alyx too but I'm sure that won't be happening anytime soon."

"We have yet to decipher the identity of the Archer and Caster," Saber replied. With Saber and Ozpin, it was actually much easier to differentiate the two. They both have different faces. "Curious Cat is hardly Archer material which leaves Caster open."

"Not Assassin?" asked Lancer. Ruby still couldn't believe that she had her own Servant. It was the strangest way to find out that her silver eyes actually meant something too. "Don't get me wrong, Curious Cat sounds like a Caster—albeit in a detective that had to become a Servant sort of way—but wouldn't Assassin be an option?"

Saber shook his head. "Curious Cat couldn't possibly have the capacity to travel that fast. Even so, that should be difficult without some aid by the Master." He showed them a map of Remnant, there were circles on what Ruby guessed to be the major kingdoms. There were a few that were probably major settlements as well.

"So, we're looking for a Master with a teleporting semblance?" Rider placed his fingers on his chin, contemplating in thought. "Sounds difficult. Would require a lot of aura even with the Grail's benefits." He looked towards Qrow who only shook his head.

"Perhaps, Rider." Saber shrugged his shoulders. "But we can at least conclude that Assassin is not aligned with Salem. I doubt we could recruit them to our side either. They have their own reasons."

"But how are we going to go about it?" asked Qrow. To Rider, he continued his inquiry. "Is Leo really a traitor?"

Rider sighed. "Take it with a grain of salt. I was alive in that one. I can't say with the same certainty this time. For all I know, Leo would be more than happy to help."

Right, Rider was apparently supposed to be alive in his time. From what Ruby could gather, that also meant that they won as well, right? However, Pyrrha had taken Jaune's place in that one. Was that really supposed to happen? Couldn't Ruby save both of them? She had been too slow in saving Jaune and now, she would have been too slow in saving Pyrrha as well? It just wasn't right.

"Oz?" Qrow asked.

Headmaster Ozpin had his eyes closed. He wasn't sleeping; they could see the wrinkles of his furrowing eyebrows. Then, he turned to Qrow and said: "let's assume that Leo had betrayed us. The fact that miss Fall's team had come from Haven couldn't be a coincidence. Raven on the other hand—"

"No," Qrow interrupted. "I am not putting Yang in danger, Oz. I'm drawing the line there."

"I wasn't going to. But that does open up the possibility of regaining the Spring Maiden to our side." Ozpin massaged his temples. "To think that she would take it to protect herself. Hopefully, she is not a Master on top of it. She isn't the most sociable people so she can't be the teleporting Master. It is bad enough to deal with one Maiden-Master."

While the adults and the Servants were conversing, Ruby wiggled her way next to Yang. Her sister's head was down and her eyes had no life to them. If anything, Yang wanted to be anywhere but here. Ruby could see the frustration and annoyance. Dad had only brought her here so that she wouldn't be alone and be brought up to speed.

"Hey," Ruby whispered weakly. Yang made no reply. "So uh… big reveal huh? Didn't we use to think that magic was real and that we were knights and princesses? Now we even got Servants too. You know? Get served?" Yang made no response. She wasn't even looking towards her direction. "Well we might be travelling soon, you want a souvenir?" Again. No response. "I could get you a keychain for your bike?"

"What?" The sudden sound of Qrow's shock took everyone's attention. Even Yang had been jolted into the present. Taiyang looked like he was about to fight someone. "All this time?" He turned to Rider for confirmation.

"It wasn't mine to tell," Rider replied.

"Neither was it mine," Lancer said. "Technically I never learned of it. I'd be an old crone by that time. If I lived long enough to be an old crone, that is."

"You must not have come from the same one I did. You still had some fight left there too."

"I did? Didn't even get to settle down?"

"I wouldn't know." Rider shrugged.

"Ah, shame." Lancer shrugged as well. "Mine's mixed with this whole Silver-Eyed Warrior thing. Can't even be my own. Just glad that I'm the base."

"You too, huh." The two Servants shared a chuckle. Then, Rider continued. "Mine's a given, clearly."

Ruby's uncle Qrow ignored them both. "Was that why you brought Ruby in two years early Oz? Was that why you made team RWBY?" His fists tightened. Uncle Qrow had a terrible air about him as he approached the headmaster. "And because of what? Just cause you and Salem had the nastiest divorce known to Remnant?"

Headmaster Ozpin couldn't have given a worse response. He nodded. "I did, Qrow. I did."

Flying across the room, headmaster Ozpin had a blackened eye as he fell to the floor. The wall cracked and some of their knickknacks have fallen and broke. Saber didn't move to protect his Master. In fact, Ozpin wasn't even using his aura to heal. Qrow stomped his way towards the headmaster and pulled him up by the collar. Ozpin didn't even try to block it. Qrow pulled his free arm back, ready to strike Ozpin again.

It was Rider who moved, holding Qrow's arm. "Alright, that's enough."

"Kid, what do you have to defend him?" Qrow's eyes were red and for once, it wasn't the alcohol. "You lost your life here. Your partner lost her life in your time and she was going to be made into a Maiden when she shouldn't have! All of you kids were brought into a fight that shouldn't even be yours!"

"Because we didn't have a Holy Grail in ours," Rider explained. "We had to pull some tricks. Sure my memory after the Ever After may be fuzzy, but with a Holy Grail present? It makes things a lot easier." To Ozpin, Rider asked: "STRQ and RWBY, they were means to stall Salem until we get a Grail War going in this time, am I guessing correctly?"

"Even without the Grail, Mr. Ar—Rider," Ozpin replied. He still hadn't healed that black eye. "I had to think of something for humanity. Stall her for a time until I can think of a loophole or an exploit. If not, I would have settled for it and commit my selves all towards keeping her there."

Ruby gasped. That sounded terrible and tragic. Nobody deserved that. It was practically a prison. Ozpin was willing to let himself go in that direction? That's not a happy ending at all!

"Then you have my support this time." Rider let go of Qrow's arm. Thankfully, Ruby's uncle calmed down enough, still seething though. Rider turned to Pyrrha. "Right, Master?"

"Huh? O-oh, yes, right." Pyrrha nodded hastily. "O-of course."

Lancer spoke up, turning to Saber. "Surprised you didn't even try to defend your Master, Saber."

"I am, quite literally, the same person. Master would have stopped me from intervening if I did, wasting a Command Spell. Besides, Qrow is justified in feeling the way he does. I will not deny that I have become inhuman over the lifetimes. For the record, the divorce came after death do us part. We never really filed the papers."

"I'm beginning to wonder if I am needed here at all," Ozpin added. He still hadn't used his aura, as if wearing that black eye as some kind of atonement. "But yes, with the Grail, we now have a permanent solution. Even if I feel like it didn't come from the Brother gods."

Oh yeah, Ruby thought. Gods are real now, too. That was yet another thing for her to keep track off.

"So what?" Taiyang, Ruby's father, has holding himself back. Ruby could see that his fist was tight as well, disguised by the crossing of his arms. "You're going to send them on their own paths? Deal with the other Servants and then take the Grail for yourself?" It was clear that both he and uncle Qrow were less trusting of Ozpin after that reveal.

"On their own?" Ozpin replied. "No. Other than their fellow team members and Qrow, I intend to have both Masters stay together. Better to overwhelm them with numbers. I am not leaving much to chance with the Grail on the line. Our enemies rely on division, Tai. The attack should be obvious enough of that."

Taiyang neared Ozpin only to be stopped by Lancer. She shook her head. Ruby looked towards her father's fist; aura was flaring there as the nails must have tried to pierce his own skin.

Headmaster Ozpin continued. "Besides, Servants have a limited range. Beyond that and they would strain their Master's aura reserves. I cannot just leave on account of being a councilman and headmaster of Beacon, yet."

"That's why you're giving Glynda more things to do." Uncle Qrow seemed to realize something. "You intend to resign."

All the students there looked towards their headmaster in shock. Headmaster Ozpin was resigning from Beacon? Only Yang was the exception. Still nothing? Come on.

"If I could," Ozpin said to Ruby and Pyrrha. "I would personally accompany you both." He then turned to Qrow. "As it stands however…"

Ruby turned to Qrow. After the reveal and their apparent place in the headmaster's plans, most were understandably hesitant to follow the headmaster. It didn't help that there were those who betrayed the headmaster already. Those ones must have found out in some way.

She placed her hand on her uncles. Ruby looked to him with pleading eyes.

"Ruby," Qrow said.

"I know." Ruby nodded. "But I'm a huntress. Mom would have done the same." This way, she could do some good. There was a real chance that she could do good. Her eyes darted towards Rider for a moment. She would be fast enough this time that no one else would have to lose what she did. She wouldn't be too slow this time. With the Grail, she'll lift the curse on both Salem and Ozpin. As a huntress, she can take on the Grimm just fine.

Behind her, Taiyang sighed. Both men would have known Ruby's mother more than she does. They often said how much Ruby reminded them of her. Ruby focused on Yang. There was still nothing. Nothing at all.

Her uncle Qrow gave in soon after. "Alright, fine." Towards Ozpin, he asked, "and Raven? What are we going to do with her?"

"If it were possible, we could try to recruit her back. Salem's immortality isn't as certain as it used to be anymore. Perhaps the promise of that permanent end would entice her. If not, the least we could do is secure her away from Salem."

"But she won't be coming back after." Taiyang laid down the rule.

"We will not ask her for anything beyond the Vault," Ozpin assured him.

Taiyang entered the conversation asking, "should we even get the Relics? Seems like the Grail is all we need."

"We will take what we can," Saber replied. "Gather the pieces in our favor. But keep them separate from each other. I do not believe the Brothers would have approved of this Grail War if they knew of its existence."

"Why wouldn't they?" asked Taiyang.

"It is not something that they would have done," Ozpin guessed. "The concept of a Grail War, be it fate or chance, was brought here from someplace else. Whether that means good or ill for Remnant, it means that the Relics—and by extension, the Brothers themselves—might not be as needed by humanity as a whole. I've known them personally, Tai. One of them may not be particularly fond of having his order disrupted."

Silence reigned the household.

"And I'll practice these silver-eye things!" Ruby interjected, trying to bring some life back into this. It was getting too heavy for everyone. She turned towards her Servant. "Right, Lancer?"

"Of course," Lancer replied, matching her forced enthusiasm. "I would have made you go through it even if you didn't, kid. It's going to be harsh but pressure makes diamonds and all that."

Ruby beamed smiles. It had the intended effect as most of the others had begun to lighten even a little. She turned to Yang and nearly faltered. There was still nothing. Ruby began to tremble a little at the sight of her older sister still out of it.

"That's okay, Ruby," Taiyang said. "We understand."

The plan had been settled there. Ruby, Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, Qrow, Rider, and Lancer are to go towards Haven Academy in Mistral with uncle Qrow separating from the rest and search for Raven Branwen in the hopes of convincing her with the Grail War. Taiyang would stay at home since someone has to look after Yang.

"Miss Xiao-Long," said Ozpin. He took some kind of identification card out of one of his pockets. It was Yang's professional huntress license. "Should you ever find that fire again by the time of departure, know that there will be empty seats waiting for both you and your father on the airship."

Yang didn't respond. There was some head movement that Ruby decided was good enough for a nod of acknowledgement. It really was a terrible thing to see her like this.

"Not taking any chances, Ozpin?" Taiyang asked.

"One way or another, Tai." Ozpin's voice was firm. He stood tall and Ruby would admit would have looked heroic had he healed that black eye of his. "This shadow war will end. Let me live with this curse forever if that is what it takes; I could always try again should I be chosen in the next Grail War. But Salem's immortality must end with this one. This time, if I must, I will pull the trigger myself."

When they had left, Ruby had overheard that conversation. She was sure of it now. She'll be fast enough this time. She won't fail this time. For those that she could not, Ruby will save those that she could so that they wouldn't go through what she did.

/-/

It was only after the affair had been settled at the Xiao-Long-Rose household that Saber's Master had healed that black eye. It wouldn't do well to let the people see their headmaster and leader of Vale's huntsmen in such a state.

The mainland had greeted him with the sight of shops and fishers selling their catch. Some were even trying to entice him with pearls and shells. Saber had a change of outfit as well; it was one of Ozpin's own clothes. It was peculiar that similarity also extended to general body shape and size. It wasn't always the same depending on the life but those differences were miniscule for the most part.

"I really must apologize to miss Rose," Ozpin said. "She's stronger than she knows, holding the pain she feels like that. All for what? To hold on to that heroism of hers?" He shook his head. "I am not the man I used to be."

"I'm more concerned about miss Nikos," Saber replied.

"You were observing?"

Saber nodded. "Lancer and I conversed shortly before we left. Rider is either ignorant or isn't taking it as seriously as he should. They will not betray us for the time being, that is for sure."

Ozpin sighed. "I do not blame her." He chuckled. "Remind you of someone?"

"Let us just hope that Rider will not make the same mistake we did." Saber didn't feel like chuckling himself. "I'm sorry for not telling you about earlier."

"The Grail?"

"Yes."

"I understand." Ozpin felt the same way. His expression turned serious. "Miss Nikos will hate us if we did. But we cannot allow Salem to keep on living and we will go after her if it was left to just us. We've already seen how many bled because of one woman's grief and desparation just to bring back what she had lost."

Saber took a deep breath. "I pray that it will not come to that. To be the one to deny her wish. Let us hope that she will learn to let go by then." With the Grail possibly bringing him back just as Ozma had been? The only solace was the lack of immortality.

Their trip back to Beacon was carried on in silence. Saber could tell that his Master was in deep contemplation about his observation. Had it been better if Rider had kept his identity a secret? On one hand, his true identity would be revealed at some point. On the other, it could have been primarily as the Rusted Knight; his identity as miss Nikos' old partner was unnecessary. Then again, the similarities between them, both voice and mannerism, would have given it away to those most familiar with Rider.

"There is no winning that argument, Saber. No matter what side you'll take." The benefits of having a Master of a literal same mind meant that he had confirmation of any of his assumptions. "Rider made a choice. Whatever consequences that it would entail for them both should not be our concern."

"You're right, Master." Saber nodded.

"I am worried about them, too." Of course he would be. "But I do not think that miss Nikos will necessarily follow the same footsteps as her. There will be no immortal curse here. Only what the Grail would give her."

The two soon arrived at Beacon's front door. The repairs were still on-going but the office had been moved to a different location, making his trip back much easier. Glynda was still present there, busy at work.

"How did it go, Ozpin?" she asked.

"As well as it could be," Ozpin replied. To Saber, he requested, "make a cup of tea and coffee."

"Ozpin?" Glynda tilted her head.

"It is nothing. Only that I owe you an explanation as well."

Luckily for Ozpin, Glynda had been more accepting of his explanations and reasons. She was still angry and Saber certainly heard the shouting even on the other room as he prepared the drinks. But she calmed down soon enough and the absence of a scuffle meant that it went significantly better than before.

"And miss Xiao Long?" Glynda didn't immediately take her cup of tea but she was already holding it close to her lips. Where had their conversation gone?

"It is best that we set aside two ships, one smaller." Ozpin shook his head. "Such things will take time to heal and even then, I am not certain if she ever would be back."

"We've lost enough huntsmen and huntresses already." Glynda lamented. "More have stopped their education. It is not looking good Ozpin."

The old lingered while the young had given up. Saber wasn't sure if he could do anything. There were no kings anymore in Vale and he couldn't bring them there if he wanted to. He wasn't the most inspiring speaker, often leading by example instead. Those were always difficult. It is often for those reasons that Saber, and most definitely Ozpin, must steel themselves for the battles to come. They've already secured allies in other Masters and Servants but there was still more that needs to be done.

"How about communications with James?" Ozpin asked. "If I could speak with him sooner, perhaps Atlas and Mantle wouldn't be lost this time."

"Are you really certain of trusting of the information of Rider? Is he really—"

Ozpin nodded.

"Poor girl, that miss Nikos." Glynda shook her head. "Miss Rose may sound like she is doing fine but that is a clear façade."

"Both of them are stronger already just by agreeing to be a part of this Grail War despite everything," Saber said, entering the conversation. "The other Servants are capable. But our enemies have a strength that we do not possess."

"Anonymity and a head start." Glynda guessed. "With Mistral's huntsmen being compromised, there is no telling how much of a foothold they already have there."

"It is for that reason that I made sure that they stick together," Ozpin said. "With miss Xiao Long out of it, I cannot demand that her father leave her and join the others. We will need all the numbers that we can get."

"With any luck—which isn't much with Qrow around, I'll admit." The two shared a bitter chuckle. Sorry Qrow. "It would end soon and with less casualties."

"But it could really end one of two ways, won't it, Ozpin?"

"One Master is an immortal queen and the other is a reincarnating wizard that shares a body with like-minded individuals. The only question here is whether my status as a Master would transfer along with me and if Saber here gets to have my face added when it happens."

Glynda sighed. "Just… just don't go too hard on the students, Ozpin. Miss Nikos is a given but I'm quite certain that miss Rose will be attached to Lancer just as much."

"I know." Ozpin nodded. It wasn't going to be easy. As much as both Master and Servant have the same goal and desire, being made to deny the others of their own was a difficult thing to do. But it had to be done. Salem's curse has to end soon. Let mankind live out the rest of their lives as they wish, just let this eternal conflict end.

Both headmaster and deputy headmistress enjoyed this silence together. Saber stayed out of it and looked out towards the empty hallways of Beacon Academy. Many of the repairs and renovations were still ongoing, though most were out of sight. While the CCT still stood, communications were down preventing any sort of message of getting between themselves and Atlas.

If what Rider says is true, pondered Saber. Atlas should be undergoing lockdown and an embargo on Dust should be expected. He informed the two so that the rest of Vale could prepare for it. Dust prices will go up and small time shops wouldn't be able to fill the vacuum left behind by the SDC.

Soon enough, Ozpin and Glynda parted from each other's company and Ozpin made his way to his new and temporary office. The old one was too unstable and with one elevator only, there wasn't a safe passage to and from it. Ozpin sat on a different chair. It wasn't as comfortable as the last one but that was helpful for him. It was less likely that he would start dozing off, not like he would be able to with what was weighing on his mind.

Saber stood watching the hallways. He too was in deep thought. Both Master and Servant having a silent conversation, accurately predicting what the other would say. It was almost like telepathic communication. As it stands, they were likely on the same page. Assassin wasn't aligned with either of them. Archer wasn't known to them yet but it they are erring on the side of caution and assume that Salem also has three Servants. All seven Servants are accounted for with the loss of any one of them running the risk of breaking that balance. They needed more allies.

"And where are we supposed to find aid, Master?" Saber asked out loud. "Do that and we risk bringing others into the Grail War when they shouldn't be." Assuming that they would be capable at all. With Mistral compromised, those left behind would be of terrible quality.

"They will be, regardless," Ozpin replied. "Salem will not let be idle this time. She failed the last time and while I have no doubts that her wish is pretty much the same as ours, she has no qualms about ending the lives of others in order to achieve it."

The two continued to ponder and communicate in silence. Then, Saber felt a presence. Ozpin noticed the change in behavior as well.

"Already?" Ozpin asked.

"There is no harmful intent yet." Saber readied his hand but did not bring forth his sword. "Glynda would have intervened if she did." For what little that would do.

The two listened closely. That momentary silence was immediately broken by a boisterous laughter. It came from one of their own faculty, Peter Port.

"Ah, headmaster!" Port said as he entered. "Oh, a guest? Am I interrupting something important?" He wasn't part of this Grail War. Port wouldn't know who Saber is.

"Not quite, Peter," Ozpin replied. "Just… reuniting with an old friend."

Saber snorted.

"Please continue," Ozpin said. "What is it that brings you here?"

"Excellent news actually!" Port sounded so happy, it was infectious. Both Master and Servant needed that. "We have a new applicant to our faculty! I dare say he would make an excellent addition."

"Bolstering our numbers?" Ozpin tilted his head. He turned to Saber who returned with a nod. "Bring him in."

Port turned around, probably addressing this new applicant. "You may come in now, my new comrade!"

When the new person entered the room, Saber could not deny just the kind of individual this new applicant was to be. Both Ozpin and Saber had to do a double take at the sight of him.

"Yahoo!" said he. "Vale's Companion Rider, Astolfo! Pleasure to be here again! Or is it my first time here?" He looked to be in mental anguish. "Timelines are weird!"

/-/

In a forest, somewhere on a tropical island. She appeared as she always had. Always in a form of a child. Always with that pale and cold skin. Always with the same task and same mission. Find the child. Find the child and bring him to the Master. Maybe then, she will regain her own voice. Maybe then, she will be free from the cold posessing her.

Where is it? Where is the child? She must find him. Lost. Hidden. Protected. Find the child. Must find the child. Get back her own voice.

Be patient, Poppy, my child. Master was speaking. Master was using her mind again. We will correct this mistake. Voyager will be removed from this world before this world learns of the probe's secrets.

She bowed her head. She has been to many places already. Asked so many others. They all were the same.

"Please don't," she said. It wasn't her voice "Please don't."

Master sighed. Still limited in your speech. Despite all my efforts, you are still subject to these legends and myths. This... foreign intrusion should never have been here. To think that I would have to follow these rules. Has Remnant itself grown ungrateful for what I and my Brother have done? The other interlopers must have appeared by now.

"Please don't. Please don't. Please don't."

She could only say the last thing that was said to her when she touched them. She could only speak in their voice. They were all the same. They were all the same.

Silence. If you nothing of importance to say, then waste no more air.

She heard a noise. Conversation. More of the same. They were all the same. All of them were cold. All of them felt cold in the end. They were all the same. She moved closer to them. She stayed out of sight.

She stopped. There was something different. There was something different. Not like the others. Not like the others.

They are here? Master could feel them. Master could tell. Master was angry. Just like last time. Always acting when I'm close. Hmm. Perhaps, that is the purpose of this so-called ritual. Master was getting angrier. Master realized something. Assassin knew of it soon enough. It's treason, then.

She obeyed. She was made by Master. She only exists because of Master. She was Assassin. It will find the child. They were all the same. There was something different. Not like the others. Not like the others.

The different was approaching. The different was nearing. Not like the others. Not like the others. Different was suspicious. Not like the others.

"Please don't. Please don't. Please don't," she whispered. She faded away. She needed to hide. Not like the others.

"Sanson!" a voice was heard. Like the others. "Is everything alright?"

"Nothing, Madame." Not like the others. "Just checking on something."

AN: I couldn't even make it to 10 chapters before something makes this Grail War not a standard one. But when I think about the different entries in the Fate series, I guess that's actually kinda standard.

Anyways, we have the reveal of the Assassin, Poppy the Grimm Child. Arguably the most difficult one to work with given the lore but it was one that never left my mind the moment I came across it. It was an interesting to see it; a legend/myth/fairy tale about Grimm.

About Astolfo and Sanson, all I can say is: it is the same circumstance as Sasaki Kojirou. Taking a page out of Samurai Remnant, except instead of Strays, I'm calling them Companions. Anyone who has been reading my other fics will probably have noticed it as well: most of them are from previously written fics (with Sanson going far back as my second fic ever posted; additionally, he's the reason that Kojirou took the Companion Saber slot).