Thetis Nikos, mother of one Pyrrha Nikos, readied an image of herself and already lit the candle. She was the only one that wasn't surprised when murders have suddenly spiked in Argus. Similar patterns were had in the murders found in the other kingdoms and major settlements.

Chiron had informed her of this. When Pyrrha had gone to Beacon, that self-proclaimed horse faunus had little much else to do. He was always welcome in their household and it was there that Thetis had learned of this Grail War, of Assassin and the fate of Remnant itself. All of that was revealed to her once Pyrrha had left.

Part of Thetis wanted to scream at Chiron for just letting Pyrrha off to defend herself against literal gods. Another part of her realized that the danger would still come and in that alternate scenario, Pyrrha wouldn't have any means to defend herself.

Was it narcissistic of her that she already had that image of herself as though she had passed away? The end comes for everyone but not everybody prepares it for it in this manner. Usually, the loved ones would be doing that. But with Pyrrha probably wouldn't make it in time, from what she heard of Chiron's informants.

Should she run? Where would she run to? God of light is far too focused on ensuring all of Remnant reverts back to where this Voyager never came. But Thetis couldn't picture a better teacher for Pyrrha than Chiron. She couldn't see any other future where her daughter isn't a huntress.

Thetis chuckled. She could still see it. Those training days where her young daughter was eating dirt from her spars with Chiron. Chiron would teach her all the things that she did wrong, both in theory and in practice.

Young Pyrrha's eyes had that competitive spark to it. She thrived on that challenge and eventually achieved that status of Invincible Girl. Thetis also saw how Pyrrha soon detested that title as competitors didn't match that same spirit with some already quitting before the match began.

She still remembered the harsh lesson that Chiron had taught Pyrrha. Thetis still remembered the entire conversation.

"Grimm won't care about fairness," he had said. "They will claw at you, beat you, and use everything that they have to maul you to pieces."

"But they aren't Grimm, teacher," young Pyrrha had reasoned.

"Then perhaps they should reconsider becoming huntsmen at all."

"Teacher!"

"I mean it. Honor is good, ideal even when facing against other opponents, human or faunus. But your main enemy aren't other huntsmen, are they? You are, and the rest of your peers, training to defend civilization against monsters that care not for it. Had they been fighting to become the best competitive fighters with no intention of becoming huntsmen, then perhaps it is fair. Are they only interested in becoming sportsmen?"

"I… don't think so?"

"Then, they should use every tool at their disposal. I taught you how to shoot when enemies are far. I taught you to use your spear, both as throwing javelin and melee weapon, to control the distance. I taught you the sword when they closed that distance. I taught you to use your shield both for offense and defense. And I taught you Pankration should you be out of weapons."

"Can you tell me more about this other student of yours? I want to know more about Achilles."

"Changing topic are we? Alright. But only because you're resting right now. Afterwards, it's back to running."

Thetis laughed at how predictable her daughter was. Perhaps it was because Pyrrha is her daughter. Pyrrha did make friends though, that is what matters. She found that competitive spirit again and friends who would stick by her side and probably even give her a run of her money.

Is it a bad thing that I'm happy that my daughter could finally lose? Not in this Grail War, no, but in regards to competition.

Thetis sat on a chair and waited. If Assassin were to come, then they would come. She didn't want to be a distraction nor a burden to either Chiron and Pyrrha. There is no denying that they would find some way to keep her safe. But doing so would put the rest of Remnant at risk.

No. She shook her head. No justifying this. She closed her eyes for a minute.

A sound woke her up immediately.

The slightest noise took her attention. Said noise hastened their footsteps whenever Thetis correctly guessed where they were. Knowing what was to come, her senses were heightened.

"You could come out, you know," Thetis said. "There is no use hiding it, Assassin. I know who you are, and your Master."

Assassin appeared by the doorway to the kitchen. Poor girl. Red hair and with clothes far too poor, had she not been part Grimm, Thetis would have offered her some food or drink with that pale skin and sunken features.

She still did. "I have some olives in the fridge. I could probably come up with something if you like?"

"Vanilla no! Vanilla no!"

Sheep's Clothing. A skill named after predatory animal's evolutionary adaptation of mimicry. Allowing predators to get close to or to lure in their prey. For Assassin, that kind of mimicry had to have been the last voices spoken by its victims, an attempt of mimicking human speech.

But Thetis could see the face on Assassin. "Your Master isn't very kind, is he?"

"Vanilla no! Vanilla no!"

"It's not our fault, you know? We never asked for this Grail War or this Throne of Heroes to be a thing here. But the fact of the matter is that it's here now, seems a bit harsh that your Master wants to erase everything and start over if that was the case."

"Vanilla no! Vanilla no!" Assassin then fell to her knees. She looked like she was having a headache.

"I'm sorry," Thetis said. "But I cannot give you the end you seek. Only your opposition can."

Assassin stood back up. The room then turned cold as Assassin's body began to form a layer of cold mist.

"Your Noble Phantasm?" Thetis said. "I'm honored that you would use something like that for little old me."

Assassin's hand opened.

"Just one favor. I want you to pass a message for me."

Assassin lunged. It was the only time that she could say anything else. "Noble Phantasm: Poppy Flower."

"I'm proud of you, Pyrrha."

/-/

The lifeless form of the woman lay on the floor, contented and happy.

"Nonsense," said Master. "Had they truly been free of guilt, they would never have associated with these Heroic Spirits in the first place. Eat, Assassin."

Assassin said nothing and complied. Master hadn't been giving Assassin any energy lately. Too focused on his toys.

"You are a Servant, Assassin, and a creation of my brother's making. You do not feel. You do not question. You are driven and motivated only by that desire to kill just as any of my brother's creation. It is only by my intervention that you have any modicum of restraint."

It didn't stop Assassin from that ugly feeling. Assassin didn't like the holes Assassin was making.

"Continue to feed yourself. I will have much time to prepare. And with these disobedient children being blind and ignorant on top of it, I will have to make up for the losses that we already have thanks to brother dearest's creations."

There was a bitterness in Master's voice. Master didn't like it when his brother creates.

Assassin could only look at the woman.

"I'm proud of you, Pyrrha," Assassin mimicked.

/-/

The headmaster's desk splintered. Chiron's head was buried in his hands.

"What's gotten into you?" Raven asked.

Chiron shook his head. He took a deep breath and sighed. After agonizing minutes of silence, he said, "let's get back to work." He mumbled to himself.

Raven raised an eyebrow. The hell was that?

/-/

"Hey, Jaune," Ruby asked. "Was Argus always this quiet?"

"Not…" Rider hesitated. He didn't even correct her. "Not this time of year."

"It can't be the fall of Beacon," Pyrrha added. "Could it?"

"Not in my time either, Pyr." He didn't correct himself either.

Lancer looked around. Argus, while not exactly a ghost town, didn't have the highest number of people walking around. There were a few but they were always in groups, always wary of lonely travelers and especially towards unattended children. They looked in street corners and alleyways before crossing. When they do, they hurried their steps.

Paying attention to their surroundings, Lancer stepped forward. "We're not going to get anything standing around here, gawking. Rider."

"We could stay at Saph's place. I can guide you guys there." He then vanished into spirit form.

"Rider?" Pyrrha asked.

There was a silent conversation that was had.

It seemed like the Master gave in. "Alright. Follow me, guys."

Pyrrha Nikos led the way. Her back was to them so Lancer couldn't get a read on her.

Qrow leaned in and whispered. "Heroic Spirit business?"

Pyrrha heard them. "No. Saphron and Terra may not have known about Jaune's death but he's not willing to take that chance, especially if their father did come here at some point. He wouldn't want to appear in front of them alive and a little older so suddenly."

Everyone else understood but Lancer noticed that mumble.

"Hey," Nora asked. "Didn't you say that you were from Sanctum? That's around here isn't it? I'm surprised you and Jaune haven't met before Beacon."

"It's just Jaune's sister and in-law that live here. At best, he visits." Pyrrha was shaking her head. "Rider, you could just keep the helmet. Or we could get a hood." Seconds past. "I mean; I guess so? No. That's actually fair."

"Can't keep it a secret, kid?" Qrow asked. "If you'd like, I can stay out most nights. Got to be lonely always looking out tonight."

Pyrrha sighed. "It's more the risk that comes with the Grail War. It's hard enough that they lost their little brother once, Rider's not sure if they could bear losing him a second time."

"I promise I'll win it quick," Lancer said.

"Lancer!" Ruby chastised.

"Sorry," Lancer replied. "Bad joke, I know. But somebody needs to lighten the mood around here. Place doesn't look too happy at all."

Lancer nearly cracked her neck turning so suddenly. She focused on the roofs. There wasn't any movement but she felt certain that there had been someone following them then. God of light was still messing with the skies. But there weren't any of those toys anymore, not in the cities anyway.

"We're only here to stay for one night," Qrow said. "Come tomorrow, we're headed straight to Atlas."

"I know," Pyrrha replied. "But Jaune's sister's place is big enough to house us, and I can testify that myself. My place isn't that big."

"You don't want to see your mom?" Qrow asked. "Sorry if I'm opening any family wounds. I know how that feels."

Pyrrha chuckled. "Thank you for the concern, mister Branwen. But I'm actually on good terms with my mother. If you don't mind, I actually plan on seeing her after we settle down. It isn't the best moment, but maybe I could introduce you to her?"

"Yeah," Lancer answered for them all. "Look forward to it."

Both Qrow and Lancer shared looks. The kids probably didn't notice it or they actually did but didn't comment. Pyrrha was shaking right now. She was uncertain, slightly hunched, stiff strides, and hands constantly trying to warm themselves. Had her back not been towards them, Lancer would have seen the shifting of eyes as she looked around her.

Lancer took this time to look around. Argus' streets were clean. No trashes and no bums nor beggars out here. Either this place was one of the best places on Remnant or something had happened to the people here. Lancer was inclined to believe the latter.

Assassin? Lancer thought darkly. Light's direction did lead to Argus but Assassin's works left trails. There were none here. Atlas influence? Wouldn't put it past them to put away the bodies, death and decay has got to attract the Grimm alongside the health problems. Now that I think about it, is that stickler still there? Not this life but still. One time. She brought peanuts one time. Airship food was horrible!

"Is this it, Rider?" Pyrrha asked.

Lancer whistled at the sight. The place has got to be three-stories tall. For a home for a woman, her wife, and their kid, it's quite spacious. Then again, most of that space had to be for guests, or rather visiting family members.

There was a flower garden facing the streets. There was evidence of them being healthy but there were signs of decay there as well. It wasn't the weather nor the climate that did this. There was care put into this but that had waned in recent times.

The lights were open but none could see any silhouette. There were faint sounds that could be heard: a baby or a small toddler.

Pyrrha was the brave soul that took that first step. She stepped to the door and knocked on it.

"Coming!" a female voice was heard. It was followed by a baby's babble.

The door opened and the group were greeted by a blonde woman, Jaune's sister, no doubt about it; she even had the same eyes.

Rather than welcome them immediately, Jaune's sister looked to them with suspicion. The child in her arms was furthest away from them; she was protecting the child, readying for the first chance of getting the child to safety.

Lancer and the rest waited for Pyrrha. "Saphron Cotta-Arc?"

"Yes." Her eyes narrowed on Pyrrha. There was no recognition there. "Can I help you people?"

Pyrrha sighed. "I'm Pyrrha Nikos. Jaune's partner."

Saphron's hold on Adrian had relaxed. Her eyes went wide and began to shine as the first sign of tears began to form.

"Come in," she managed to say. It sounded weak. "Please, come in."

"I'm really sorry," Pyrrha said. "For the loss of your brother."

Saphron sobbed. "I'm sorry too, for the loss of your partner. He talked about how he had a great partner, you know. But he never once told me who she was."

"I see," Pyrrha said. "He didn't have to. I'm used to it."

"What do you—oh, Pumpkin Pete cereal girl?"

There was a bitter chuckle. "Yeah. I'm guessing you didn't recognize my tournament history?"

"Tournament history? No, not really." Saphron shook her head. "We never really got too involved in the sportsmanship of you huntsmen."

"Oh." That brought a smile to Pyrrha for some reason. Lancer managed to hear the mumble. "That's explains a few things actually."

"Are you all his friends?" she asked.

"Ren and Nora are teammates," Ruby answered as she gestured to the two. "I'm just a fellow team leader. My team isn't here though. These two are my uncle and… auntie. Different sides of the family."

It was good thing that Lancer didn't act on that cover story. Qrow knew how to play along.

"I can see that you take after your auntie a lot," Saphron gave them her warmest smile. Yet, it came across as grieving cold. "What with the hood and cape. You just need the mask."

"Yeah well it's uh… tradition of sorts? I actually got the idea from my mom who did this."

"Oh, I see."

Saphron guided them in.

To the left, there were the kitchens. To the right, there was a staircase that led to the upper floors. Inside, there were more colors with a warmer ambiance. From what Lancer could make out, most of the activity would be had down here with how spacious the place was. The living room was here. The dining room was here. Odds are, the upper floors were mostly bedrooms for the guests and family members.

Apparently, there was a backyard since Lancer could see a door on the other side that had some tree branches peeking in. The place was full of color and reminded Lancer more of Vale than Mistral or Atlas with these colors.

"Please, take a seat," Saprhon said. "You people must be tired from your journey. I don't have much but I could probably come up with something."

"No, it's fine," Pyrrha insisted. "We're the ones intruding and we're only staying for one night. We… thought that if it didn't reach you yet, we might as well be the ones to tell you. Though, it seems that you already know."

Saphron sighed and put her baby down on the floor. The baby then proceeded to crawl towards them. He was a trusting one by the looks of it. Maybe he trusts Pyrrha since she was tthe celebrity.

"His name is Adrian," Saphron said. "And yes, we did know. Our dad actually came to visit us as soon as after the loss of the CCT. Our whole family had been here, actually."

Saphron faced towards the living room. Lancer leaned her head and saw a picture there. Lancer didn't need to confirm whose picture it was.

A sound was heard on the roofs; it sounded heavy.

"Excuse me," Lancer said.

"Be careful out there," Saphron said with a hint of sudden worry. "Things… things haven't been easy around here, and I'm not talking about the loss of Jaune either."

"I'm a huntress, ma'am," Lancer replied. "I can handle it."

"Lan—auntie Lancer," Ruby said. "Don't get too cocky out there."

"Come on now, my dear niece." Lancer had her arms out wide. "You know my semblance. Nothing is going to get past my notice."

"Still."

Lancer stepped out through the backyard. True to her suspicion, Lancer found Rider there on the roof. He kept himself hidden as he stood behind as much cover as he could. No one would be able to figure him out unless they themselves went on the roofs of nearby buildings. He was in that princely outfit of his.

"So," Lancer said. "Mana transfer for your thoughts?"

Rider took a moment to process that. "That is a horrible currency."

"Excuse me?" She had her hands on her hips.

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't think I know what you mean."

"Then think about it. You're old enough to be my grandma."

"Eh." Lancer shrugged. "Considering you, you're old enough to be my grandpa's grandpa."

She took her seat next to him. Inches away from him, Lancer didn't want to ruin that outfit; it looked nice and really was fitting for a prince. She may be a battle-hardened heroic spirit but she was still a woman and had a modicum of taste for dresses and Rider dressed well.

"You know you're not an Archer right?" Lancer raised an eyebrow at Rider's intense staring of the horizon.

"Argus wasn't like this when we arrived."

"You were also alive, too."

"Not that. The city. Everyone is tense."

"We're in a Holy Grail War, Rider. All that rust got into your head?"

"Yet, Assassin has yet to make any moves. The population is still mostly the same, as if Assassin stopped."

Lancer stayed quiet. She wanted to say that Assassin left but she herself didn't believe that. Instead, she asked, "and how can you tell the population numbers?"

"The Origami Acre," Rider explained.

"Ah. Your Reality Marble." Lancer understood. "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet."

"If we're being pedantic, it's strangers are just paper you haven't made yet."

"Lan—auntie Lancer!" Ruby called out from below. "We're going to drop by Pyrrha's mom's place. Saphron says you should come with!"

"Well, I might as well go back." Lancer stood back up. "Can't stay out here for too long lest I want your sister to go out here and find me."

"I'll look out for now," Rider said. He soon vanished from sight.

Lancer made a superhero landing. "So," she asked. "What's this about visiting family, kid?" Luckily for her, Lancer could play the part easier since she doesn't always refer to Ruby as her Master, kid just comes naturally.

"You see." Ruby looked towards the house. They were still there and could overhear. "Pyrrha actually has family of her own, and she's been thinking of seeing her at least. Argus hasn't been doing well actually."

Assassin. Lancer was sure of it. She heard movement from the roofs. It wasn't subtle; that was Rider.

"And Saphron insisted that either you or uncle Qrow," Ruby continued. "Being the experienced huntsmen and huntress that you both are should accompany."

"Well, if that's what my niece wants." Lancer made sure to raise her voice. "I guess it's just what the favorite auntie should do!"

"Your competition is a rodent," Qrow returned.

"Well," Lancer said to Ruby. "Let's go kid. Sooner we get this done, the sooner we can hit the hay."

Making their way back out, Pyrrha was there by the door waiting for them. She was looking towards the roofs. She nodded to someone up there.

Walking back out into the streets of Argus, the trio noticed an empty park. Pyrrha seemed to focus on it.

"Pyrrha?" Ruby asked. "Anything wrong?"

"Apparently," Pyrrha replied. "Rider said that there was a statue of me here. I was the pride of Argus that they made sure I was remembered."

Lancer whistled. "You still could have it up if you want, kid."

Pyrrha shook her head. "No. I'm no heroine. No, Rider. I'm not. Huntress, yes. But no heroine."

Lancer chose to stay quiet on that. Ruby did too. Whatever conversation those two were having were their own.

The night was cool. Remnant's broken moon hung over them and the skies veiled Argus as though nothing was wrong. Homes were still lit but all curtains were closed or down. Lancer could only make out the silhouettes moving inside their homes, entering and exiting the window's frame as they passed.

"So," Ruby opened again. "Jaune's family huh. Turns out he wasn't the only one who didn't recognize you."

"To be fair," Pyrrha replied, there was a hint of a warm smile there, though weak. "I think Jaune is the only one who wanted to be a huntsman. Saphron his other sisters didn't sound like the kind who would keep up with competitive fights."

"But you were on the cereal and Jaune ate those. He sent fifty box tops for a hoodie. Man!" Ruby had her arms out. "It would have been cute to see it!"

"You never saw it? It was cute, had a bunny rabbit on it."

"He always had that stupid chest plate on it. Who even uses armor in this day and age anyway? We got aura."

"Jaune got in by forged transcripts. There's also Cardin who wore full plate armor."

"I stand by what I said. Who wears them?"

"I mean, I'm wearing a few too."

"So? Why do you use them?"

"In my defense. Having the extra armor grants me better mobility with my semblance. I could just manipulate the metal on my armor."

"Okay." Ruby conceded. "At least you make sense."

Pyrrha's eyes went to the back of her head. She addressed them again saying, "apparently Jaune only put more armor as time went on."

"I mean; he became the Rusted Knight didn't he? He probably put more in the Ever After."

Those had been the wrong choice of words. Pyrrha's face lost whatever little color they had and now her eyes look dead. "Yeah." Even her voice got weak again. "Many years waiting, all alone."

"Was it something I said?" Ruby looked like she was panicking. "What do you mean waiting?"

"There was a time fruit, he went back in time. It's how he met with Alyx and had those adventures. Spent years just waiting for when you and the rest of team RWBY to arrive."

"We fell to the Ever After too?"

Pyrrha nodded. "But you all came back, eventually. And well, we already know what happens next, even if Rider's memories of that point onward are hazy."

Their walk soon stopped as they reached a house. It had a pleasant enough view of the ocean while still here in the cities. Lancer could see hints of the backyard; there were evidences of it being used as training. This was definitely Pyrrha's home.

"Rider," Pyrrha asked. "If… if it isn't too much to ask, could I ask that you be present? Just for me?"

There was a minute of silence. Pyrrha had a longing look towards the distance. Then, Rider appeared in his princely outfit.

Rider looked conflicted and suspicious of his surroundings. He still gave her some reassurance.

"I—I'll ask mom if she could cover for you," Pyrrha promised. "I'm really sorry."

"It's alright. I've said it to her once and I'll say it again in front of you if I have to."

Pyrrha took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

There was no answer.

"Is your mom out?" Ruby asked.

"With what's been going on in Argus." Pyrrha knocked again. "She would have to ask the neighbors to accompany her. Or any of her friends really."

"No father, kid?" Lancer asked.

"Dad passed away." Pyrrha sighed. "I was a young girl that time. He got sick and never recovered."

Pyrrha knocked on the door again. Still there was no answer. She knocked again, this time calling out to her mother.

Rider pulled Pyrrha back.

"Rider?" Pyrrha asked.

Rider turned to Lancer. Lancer nodded. Lancer turned to Ruby and said, "get in front of me, Master. You too, Pyrrha. We'll keep you both in the middle."

Pyrrha panicked.

Rider took hold and turned the doorknob. The door opened.

"Mom wouldn't forget to lock the door," Pyrrha said.

Rider's clothes changed to his Rusted Knight. Shield front and sword back.

Lancer held out a kama in each hand and made sure that the two Masters were in them.

Rather than walk inside, Rider shuffled his way in. He refused to let the balance of his stance get toppled. So far, nothing much was too out of place. The lights were left on. Some appliances weren't shut off.

"Mom wouldn't leave anything like this," Pyrrha said. "She gets a little mad when we leave it on, especially the water."

Pyrrha's head was turning left to right and back. Her breathing hastened and she begun to shake.

"Something's wrong," she realized. "Mom! Mom!"

Then, there was a chilling presence that filled this room. Rider and Lancer's eyes all went towards the kitchen. They saw Assassin there. She was pulling her own hair as she seemed to be in terrible pain.

A knife appeared in Assassin's hand and pointed towards them.

Rider would have been the first to move if it wasn't for Lancer getting between the two Servants first.

"Lan—" Rider called out.

"Assassin is Grimm-kind." Lancer cut him off. "Keep my Master safe, yeah?"

Rider took a moment before he nodded. "Alright. Master, Ruby, stay close."

Ruby and Pyrrha drew their weapons. The latter's eyes were burning with anger.

"What did you do, Assassin?" Pyrrha demanded.

Assassin struggled to speak. A voice, too mature for a child's, came out. "I'm proud of you, Pyrrha."

For a moment, Lancer and Rider lowered their weapons.

Pyrrha was the first to break the silence. "That's mom's voice. How did you get her voice?" Her own was rising in volume. "Answer me, Assassin!"

"I'm proud of you, Pyrrha," Assassin repeated in that same tone and mannerism as well. "I'm proud of you, Pyrrha."

Rider held Pyrrha back.

Lancer stepped forward, weapons ready.

Assassin leapt out of the open window and was on one of the roofs.

Lancer followed suit and paused. Assassin didn't move from her spot. Lancer's kama's made sparks as the blade scrapped across the ground. Assassin clutched her own chest.

"I'll make it quick, yeah?" Lancer said. She crouched low.

Assassin took a breath. "I'm proud of you, Pyrrha." Assassin fled.

Assassin was back on the floor. Some of the houses have begun to shout. As far as they know, Grimm have entered Argus.

"Like I'm letting you get away," Lancer said. She leapt and hurriedly followed Assassin.

The skies above them darkened with the unnatural lightning flashing once more. God of light was watching closely.

Assassin was leaping across the buildings. Not once did she look back nor did she make any attempt at any attacks.

More were alerted of Grimm being in the city. The alarms have begun to blare and Atlas' paladins have begun to deploy. Not one living thing were among the first batch of Argus' defenders. They were remotely controlled and moved in stiff, straight lines.

Assassin made use of these machines to hold Lancer back. Lancer made a mental apology as she slashed the paladin in her way. But considering the up-tight prune stationed here, it was less an apology for the damage she's causing and more an apology for her weapons being wasted.

The distance between them grew. Yet, Assassin was still running. She paused and appeared to be in wretched pain, forcing her to circle back. Lancer moved to intercept.

Blades clashed against blade. Assassin had the nimble mobility. Lancer could tell where everything was exactly.

Both Servants avoided the buildings. Both Servants avoided the civilians. Assassin avoided the Masters. God of light was forcing Assassin to go against the Masters.

Whatever conversation Assassin was having against her Master was one of arguments. A Servant was rebelling her Master.

Assassin then put some distance between them. She was panting. Lancer barely broke a sweat.

Servants' eyes locked on one another. Then, Assassin fled. She continued towards the walls of Argus.

"Lancer!" Ruby called out. Pyrrha and Rider were right behind her. "Rider will boost my aura for better recovery, but we'll stay as close as we can."

Lancer nodded and followed Assassin.

Assassin made it past the borders of the wall. Lancer soon followed.

For a Grimm-kin, Assassin sure cares about civilian casualties. The prejudice in Lancer's Spirit Origin was showing. Must be the human part of it.

AN: So the Noble Phantasm of Assassin, currently named after the Poppy Flower. Difficult name to come up with, might change it sometime (or not, idk). Alternative names were Chill and Cold Shoulder. The tldr is that I took the idea of Serenity's Zabaniya. Except instead of poisoning, it's freezing. I don't think I need to go into much detail on Sheep's Clothing over here.

Secondly, I really need to time my chapters better. This chapter would have been so fitting if it were during Christmas, considering the title... have we had a Krampus Servant yet?