By the Bonfire: A notice of the past
She heard the call and she answered it.
Actually, she had been meaning to heed the summoning for a while now, but it would always be just a touch too short for her to get hold of. Individuals kept jumping in front of her and rushing down before she had a chance.
…It got a little vexing after a while, but this was her chance and she knew that her patience would eventually be rewarded. Getting upset about it wouldn't do anything other than lower her mood.
It would also have been very immature of her.
Light bathed the room as she materialised, stepping forwards through the shimmering display, she pulled a smile that was wholly befitting of the title of Saint and gazed down, locking eyes with the dark haired young man before her-
…Wait, didn't they look a little too young?
It wasn't that he looked as though he aged gracefully, it was more like they were just a teenager or something. He couldn't have been older than eighteen, on the cusp of manhood at the very least. To say nothing of the girl in the light grey coat - hoodie, the throne informed her - worn over the top of a black one piece shirt and skirt.
Lilac coloured hair and a single visible eye uncovered by the forward hanging bangs.
Keeping her smile in the face of this rather odd display was a touch challenging, but she was aware of something happening that was truly dire. The world was at stake, so clearly they weren't in a position to choose who they could use to save it. Such was often the case with those who were destined for such things, it was normally whomever they had at the time.
Truly, it was lamentable for souls so young to need to call upon her.
"Greetings." Her voice clipped out, polite and gentle. "My name is Martha, I have answered your summons to save this world from danger. I look forward to working alongside you through this trying time."
There.
That was exactly the sort of thing that a Saint would say.
Silence stretched, for only a single moment, then the boy smiled back at her and nodded their head once. Gesturing to themselves as they responded, their own voice in an equal measure of politeness to her own. "Thank you for answering our summons, Martha. I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru and I look forward to getting to know you as well."
Getting to know her?
…
What a nice thing for them to say, what a polite young man they were.
They had been raised quite nicely then, a relief to see.
"Yes!" Stifling a jerked movement, her eyes switched over to the rather loud call from the lilac haired girl as they stepped forwards and bowed their head, a little too deeply if she was being honest, and continued to speak in a louder than normal voice. "My name is Mash Kyrielight, Demi-Servant. I look forward to working with you as well, Saint Martha!"
Ah, so they had heard of her?
Well, it wasn't as though it wasn't something she expected but-
Her mind froze for a fraction of an instant.
"Demi-Servant?" She tasted the word, it didn't sound all that palatable but for reasons that she couldn't quite comprehend yet. Already informed of what a Pseudo-Servant would have been through the Throne, but she hadn't any information on a Demi-Servant. "I cannot say I have heard of the term before…"
With a shake of the head, she set the matter aside and stepped forwards. "But It is a pleasure to meet you both."
Something crackled in the air around her, she froze for half an instant before turning her gaze to the source. At the far end of the bleached room was a singular pane of glass, through which she could see a collection of figures. Two women and one man.
The brunette was obviously a Servant, she could sense that much, the white haired woman was a little bit different. Still young looking but certainly an adult, then came the final man with strawberry like hair and a look on his face that set her hackles up for whatever reason.
She wasn't sure what it was, but they struck her in such a way that was rather displeasing to look at.
Did she really just dislike someone upon a single glance?
That was a rather terrible thing to do, she silently sent an apology in the direction of the man.
He did not deserve such unjust ire levied at him.
"Wow, you summoned a really strong Servant this time, Fujimaru-kun." The voice of the man echoed through the room, leaning forwards and speaking through some device that intensified their words. "Saint Martha of Bethany is pretty famous, most of all for having met Jesus. She was the sister of Lazarus which…well…that should go without saying, you've probably heard of them, right?"
…Alright, maybe they were a touch pushing things a little.
To witness the resurrection of her brother was indeed a Miracle she would never forget, but she could still recall the pain she felt upon finding his body the morning of his death. It was a miracle that was as beautiful as it was rooted in tragedy.
"And then there was Tarasque, the dragon that was said to have tamed through the power of love."
Outwardly, she smiled and nodded her head up and down with their description.
Inwardly, she felt herself sweat a little.
She needed to ensure that Tarasque never spoke of what happened, it was of the utmost importance of her image.
"Really?" The tone of Ritsuka sounded more amazed than sceptical, they turned on her with bright awe filled eyes. "Woah…I guess that means that Jeanne is going to be happy we have someone else-"
"Jeanne?" She blinked, then leaned forwards slightly. "As in Saint Jeanne? La Pucelle?"
A rapid nod of the head came from Mash this time. "Yes, she's been in Chaldea for some time now. I'm sure she would be very happy to meet you as well."
Right.
Yes.
A fellow Saint.
That was wonderful.
…It was Jeanne d'Arc.
They would probably see through her efforts like they were windows, how would she be able to put up a display of a true Saint when they had the likes of La Pucelle already walking around in the halls of Chaldea? She would look more like a child playing dress up than any action Saint of worth. She was going to make an utter sham of the title, she could just tell.
Wait, no.
She could not afford to think so negatively.
She had vague recollections of meeting them before, hazy but there, and by all accounts her speakings with the Saint had been rather cordial and somewhat pleasant. If there was nothing outwardly troubling about those memories, then she could assume that there was no problem with her. She was just a touch surprised to learn that they had been summoned to Chaldea before she had, but that wasn't anything to gripe about.
If she remained true and diligent, then she was sure that keeping her less presentable qualities would become simple. With individuals as well mannered as this as her Master and companion, and with the likes of Jeanne d'Arc already here, then she was sure that this place was a bastion of goodwill and harmony. She doubted there would actually be anything to set her off.
"Oh, looks like you've got a couple more summons on the way, Fujimaru-kun."
"Again?" This time the voice was that of the white haired woman, who sounded more than a little exhausted. Further proven when they brought their hand up and rubbed away at their temples. Turning their head, she just about heard their muffled words in the background. "Can we at least determine if it is a Divine Spirit this time or something else?"
Martha blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then tilted her head.
Another what?
The word brought visions of not the Lord in Heaven, but of being on a beach surrounded by odd compatriots and a rather scruffy looking giant who demanded to see the dragon she tamed. And another image of being in a coliseum, this time with an armoured man who was a messy eater and tried to get her to fight him.
She wasn't sure what those images were supposed to be.
Past summons, perhaps? But she couldn't quite recall them.
She dismissed it, only briefly, and turned her head to the pad.
The pillar of light reached for to the ceiling as a silhouette formed in the middle of it, growing out into a humanoid shape before it faded away, the light settled and revealed the form of a man with lime green hair and a rather plain attire, she saw the staff of a shepherd held in their hand, a cordial smile on their face.
"Hello-"
"Oh. Great."
Martha turned her head to the speaker, the man through the glass was leaning forwards with his head in his hands, sounding as though someone had just done something unspeakable. The reaction implied they knew the freshly arrived Servant, but their tone of voice was hardly welcoming.
The green haired man paused, then sent a wry look towards the direction of the window. "That seems a touch rude, doesn't it? All I said was hello and then you're acting as though I've just said something outrageous."
"I'm getting ahead of the curb."
"That seems very preemptive of you."
"It should say more for you that I feel the need to do this quickly so I won't worry about it later."
By all accounts, this display would have been something better shown between an odd group of friends. Or individuals who just did not like one another, but she wasn't sure what she was supposed to make of it. Her eyes flickered between the two of them for a couple of seconds, then she cleared her throat, just loud enough to draw attention to her.
"Might I remind you all that we are still in the room." Her eyes moved from one to the other, then back to the Servant. "Perhaps this is not the most appropriate first impression to make. We are, after all, working together."
A thin smile crossed the lips of the green haired man as he descended. "You are absolutely right, my dear. Indeed, it would be rather rude if your first impression of me was that I was an unpleasant character."
He gestured to himself. "You may call me David and you…"
They trailed off, Martha watched a peculiar look flicker through their eyes as they leaned forwards ever so slightly. Her brows pinched as she leaned backwards, not so fast as to appear disturbed by them, but far enough that she made it clear she wasn't pleased with what was happening.
"...You have a deeply protective nature about you…you could be Abishag."
She could be who now?
The man tapped a finger away on their chin, humming thoughtfully to themselves as they leaned back to their original position. Their eyes squinting and looking her up and down as though examining a statue.
…Now she was getting a little bit irritated.
Wait…
David?
Abishag?
Her mind ground to a halt.
"...King David?"
Keeping her voice measured was a little bit of a challenge, especially because this was the King David of Israel, the one who slew the Giant Goliath, exorcised the demon from Saul through the song spun by his harp and was holder of the Ark of the Covenant.
Chief of all was that he was the ancestor of the Messiah.
…And she just thought he was a creep.
"Ah, so you have heard of me." David replied with a nod of the head, smiling once more and lowering their arms to their side. "To have my name known by such a beautiful woman, truly this is a wonderful place."
…Oh.
Right.
Bathesheba.
It was difficult to forget about that little part.
"I am afraid you are mistaken, King David." She spoke in a slow and concise manner. "I am Martha, of Bethany. A fellow Servant."
The brows of the man shot up. "The Martha, there when Yahweh brought Lazarus back from the dead, and who tamed the foul beast Tarasque with only her love?"
She could only offer a stiff nod.
A long breath escaped the man, the staff vanished in a flash of light, David's hands dropped to his hips as his expression shifted, going from surprise to cringing and then finally to apologetic. "In which case, I would like to offer my sincere apologies to you for my behaviour. I'm afraid I have something of a weakness towards beautiful women, but for a fellow messenger of Yahweh, I can defer respect as you deserve."
His smile widened. "Especially for that of a venerated saint. I'm a little jealous now, all I did was throw a rock and hit someone in the head with it."
Martha felt as though she should have gotten angry on his behalf. It was not just the fact they slew Goliath with a simple rock, it was everything else they had done - both good and bad - which earned them fame. From a humble shepherd to a great King, even with all the trouble that came with it at the end.
No, she wasn't letting this slide.
"As a fellow messenger of God, I feel the need to at least have you recognise your contributions. I applaud you for being humble about them, but you have done far more than throw a garden pebble at the head of a thug."
Her comment seemed to earn her a flicker of amusement from the man. "Well, far be it from me to argue with a kind hearted woman such as yourself. Though I would feel a bit troubled if I took all that praise and let it go to my head. Perhaps I might split the difference and say that we both achieved wonderful things for Yahweh?"
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head.
Indeed, getting into an argument over who had done what better than the other would be rather silly. They were not children.
"Indeed." With a smile blossoming upon her face once more, she turned about to see how her Master was reacting. Though she found it curious that they were instead looking in the direction of the window, staring at the strawberry haired woman who was the focus of several stares.
"Seriously, Romani? Not even five seconds?"
The man, Romani, exhaled and waved a hand. "You're right, Fujimaru-kun…but I know this sort of guy. You all saw it for yourselves! He's here less than a minute and already trying to track down Abishag all over again!" their declaration was coupled with a finger thumping against the glass. "He's going to be all over the female Servants in Chaldea and then they'll start filing harassment complaints."
That sounded like slander to her.
Rather outrageous slander as well.
"Is that really the sort of language you should be using with them?" She turned on the man, narrowing her eyes and hardening her tone. Naturally, the shift in her voice earned a mild flinch from the man. "While I cannot deny their words were somewhat unwelcome, I do not believe it warrants this sort of belligerent response, does it?"
"...No, ma'am."
Satisfied, she gave a single nod of the head. "That's good. As long as you understand and move forwards with only your best. That being said…"
Now turning to David, she gave them a polite smile. "It would be unfortunate if I have defended you for it only to be revealed that the judgement of this man was rather accurate. It would hardly do for you to fall victim to the same vices a second time, would it?"
David remained silent for a few seconds, then hummed and nodded his head up and down. "Yes, I suppose that would be the case."
Excellent.
She felt as though she was making a positive impact already.
"Now then, perhaps we might-"
"Oh? Looks like we've got one more."
The way they spoke of the arrival of Servants was rather troubling to her, there should have at least been some semblance of awe about it.
Still, the attention turned to the summoning pad once more as it stretched up with a pillar of light before fading away.
This time, she was treated to a rather peculiar sight.
The man stood tall, slicked back dark hair and a smile on his face that felt a little oily. Though she preferred that not to be the first picture that came to mind when she looked at the man, especially because he was draped in the cloth of the faith. Though she could not recognise the symbol of the pendant around their neck.
Dressed with a dark cassock, a strip of white draped across their shoulders and down their front, the tall man moved off the summoning pad and inclined their head ever so slightly. "I see that I have at last been granted the privilege of being summoned to the Covenant of Chaldea, for this opportunity, I thank you."
His head came up, grey eyes flickered first towards her and then to David for a moment or two.
"And I see I have been granted the honour of being summoned alongside those of the Lordkin. It does my heart good to see such characters already having taken root here. I trust that I shall not do anything to insult either of you while I remain."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, good sir." David spoke first, offering a smile of their own and extending a hand towards them. "I'm sure that everything will work out pleasant enough for all of us. I'm David, just simple David. A shepherd."
A crooked brow from the newly arrived Servant was the response, but they slowly reached across and took the hand of David into their own, shaking it up and down before retreating the limb. "A human with a mark of divinity upon you then? Blessed you were by your patron Lord. I'm intrigued as to your standard of character, for a simple shepherd."
His eyes moved to her, locking her with a stare that set her on edge for some reason.
It was just a feeling deep in her gut, but she wasn't sure why.
"I do not suppose this is where you introduce yourself as merely a simple village girl?"
The mirth that filled question brought her own amusement up ever so slightly, her brief aversion faded as she answered them. "That would suffice for now, I am just Martha."
"Just Martha, hmm?" Grey eyes flicked over to the cross staff in her hands, his pointed look lingered for a moment before it faded, the smile turned genial and their hands brought themselves together. "Just Martha and plain old David? I see, in that case, I should indeed follow suit with these introductions. I am-"
Something bubbled in the air around her.
It was a flash instinct warning of the sudden surge of magical energy.
She moved on pure instinct.
Her hands grasped at Ritsuka's shoulders and pulled him back, at the same time she watched David spring into action and throw himself in front of Mash with his staff at the head, their earlier carefree look replaced by one of stern fierceness. They both knew something was amiss.
As for the newly arrived Servant?
They just smiled as though they were about to greet an old friend.
Light split through the room, they formed like a comet surging forth their with hands reaching for the throat of the man. The rest of their body followed suit, divinity bathed the room along with the blatantly murderous intentions of the new arrival.
They slammed into the man, thrusting them into the ground with such force that the metal panels bent out of place to accommodate their body. All the while, the man with slicked back hair just continued to smile like there was nothing out of the ordinary, no, it looked more as though they had just been told a joke.
Martha, by this point, stared at the new arrival with a flicker of shock.
Nevermind that the sheer overwhelming presence of Divinity denoted them as a Divine Spirit, but their appearance was rather striking as well. Porcelain white skin and appearing just as delicate, well groomed long platinum coloured hair, bleached white dress with a golden collar implanted into the fabric itself.
All of which was offset by the murderous snarl and the hissing snakes jutting out from the bottom of the skirt, pulling a hand away from the throat of the man, it clenched into a fist and with the obvious intention of being thrown into a punch.
Martha was acutely aware of where they were.
She shot forwards, grabbing the figure by their bicep and pulling them off, stunned by how much she was actually able to overpower them with those simple movements, easily prying them from the man and dragging them backwards, all while they bucked and hissed to try and free themselves. Though she wasn't sure if it was the snakes or the God themselves who was the one hissing.
"Calm yourself!" She ordered, raising her voice into a not quite shout. "If you go any further, you're going to tear this room apart-!"
"He has to die!" The God bellowed out with a cracked voice, still yanking at her and forcing her to pull them further back. "Let me go! He needs to die! I have to kill him! Ritsuka! You have to let me kill him! Ritsuka!"
The fury gave way to a terrified desperation, now wrestling in her grasp like a trapped animal trying to escape. The sort of behaviour that she was wholly unprepared for as being her first encounter with a God-
"I see you're a touch fiercer this time, Gwyndolin." The calm words of the man echoed through the room, pulling themselves from the floor with nary a sound. Their right hand came up and rubbed away at their neck, as though there was anything for them to pull away. Coughing once, they lowered their arms and folded them behind their back.
Suddenly, she found the smile on their face to be much more disconcerting than moments prior.
"And this feels like quite the turn around, does it not? I recall being the one in such a rush to meet with you the first time we met and this time, you turned the tables on me."
A chuckle, they glanced down at the damage and raised a brow, turning back to the God still fumbling away in her grasp. She doubted they heard anything they were saying.
She winced as the snakes started to try and nip away at her exposed skin, feeling their fangs punch away at her arms and legs. Though whatever venom they had - if they had any - was nothing compared to Tarasque.
"Who could have imagined that you would change so much? Nonetheless, I'm pleased you came all this way to see me for a hello. I know how much you hate going out of your way for this sort of thing."
"Shut up!" The voice of the God, Gwyndolin, reached an entirely new octave as they shrieked. "I'll kill you! I'll smear these walls with your entrails! I'll bring you back just to kill you again! I'll see the stars go out in the sky before I debate letting your suffering end!"
"...Quite a bit more vocal as well. A changed God, it seems." The man exhaled, lips pulling up. "I'm so pleased to see our meeting had such a profound impact on you. It changed me as well. We've been influenced so much by the other-"
"Rrrrrraaaaaagggggghhhhhh!"
The only response from Gwyndolin was an incoherent screech as they thrashed about more.
She was about to use a bit more force before suddenly Ritsuka was in front of them both, standing between the God and the Servant, her own warning died on her lips when Ritsuka threw himself forwards and wrapped his arms around Gwyndolin in a hug, stepping forwards and dragging the God from her grasp and towards the door.
Clearly they were not so out of it, the failings of the God died rather quickly, but they were still snarling and thrusting their hands out to try and grab them. Mash quickly gave chase and followed them out of the door.
Leaving herself and David alone in the room with the newly summoned Servant.
The man blinked twice, then made a small noise.
"You'd have thought he had a problem with me."
Ritsuka held firm as he moved out of the door and into the hallway, still with his arms around Gwyndolin and his chin resting on the shoulder of the God, they were surprisingly light and their lack of resistance made it painfully easy to drag them out of the room, their serpentine legs trailing loosely along the floor.
He was vaguely aware of Mash following him, but he was more focused on Gwyndolin.
Namely when their furious growls and snarls shifted into pitiful whimpers and the tears started trailing down their cheeks. Their resistance faded to nothing, the God dropped their head onto him and started to weep into his collar, their hands came up and clawed at his shirt, tight enough to strain the fabric but not so tight as it would rip.
There was only one reason Gwyndolin would have that reaction.
There was only one person who could give Gwyndolin that reaction.
Perhaps he should have said something, but the words couldn't quite find their way to him. Thus he settled for just holding them in his arms and letting them vent all their emotions out, a brief flicker of his brow as he felt the snake legs move up and start coiling around his body for support but he ignored it. Figuring it was just the snakes reciprocating the hug.
"...Gwyndolin-"
"He needs to die, Ritsuka." Their muffled voice cracked, "Y-you have to get rid of him. You need to get rid of him. Please. Please just make him go away."
…He was really going to have to bite the bullet on this one.
"Can we speak about it later, please? I'll be along to talk with you then, alright?"
He waited for a response, sure that they were going to push the issue. Then they nodded their head up and down, loosening his grip, he let them pull back and wipe their face down, sniffling as they did so. Their eyes glanced up to meet his, already the ugly red was seeping into the otherwise peerless gold.
"...Alright."
With a smile he didn't much feel, Ritsuka offered them a pat on the shoulder and watched them flicker away with a burst of light.
The moment they were gone, the smile vanished entirely from his face.
…He was going to really regret doing this.
Turning back around, he locked eyes with Mash.
"Senpai…are you-"
Silently, he shook his head from side to side.
Mash's own expression flickered, turning troubled before she slowly nodded her head up and down. When she spoke, it was in a quiet whisper. "Gwyndolin-san won't be very happy about it."
He breathed out a reply. "I know."
…He wouldn't be surprised if they hated him for it.
Moving for the door, he opened it once more and stepped into the room.
Everyone was still at their ready positions, Martha and David turned to him in a split second with equal amounts of curiosity in their gazes, clearly somewhat puzzled by the recent display, though they would probably pick up what the problem was in no short order.
"Aldrich."
The man - Aldrich - gave a thin smile in response. "Ah, so I see you do know of me? I'm not all that surprised-"
The air shimmered in a moment.
Stahl materialised in the room with their axe gripped in both hands.
The sudden appearance of the golem was enough that Aldrich stopped speaking for a moment, turning their head to the Berserker and cracking a brow.
"...I cannot help but wonder if all of this sudden aggression is based purely upon a cordial relationship with Gwyndolin, or if we might have encountered one another in the past." Their eyes flicked to him, the smile returned.
"Though I shall put to rest any doubts, I'm afraid that I have little idea what actions I might have done to wrong you in any way. So, I shall resume where I left off." Clearing their throat, they gestured to themselves. "Ruler Aldrich, Saint of the Deep. I have come to answer the plight of humanity and offer my services unto you. If you accept, of course?"
"Terminate this contract immediate-"
"I accept."
He stepped forwards, then extended a hand to the Saint and ignored the shocked and downright mortified gasps from the window to his left, likely coming from the Director and Romani.
Aldrich, still smiling, took his hand into their own and gave a slightly firm shake of the hand.
"I am rather looking forward to what shall no doubt be an interesting partnership." They chuckled, then raised a brow. "Especially to a human who has the ear of Gwyndolin, yet would still work alongside his killer…You remind me very much of another man I worked with in the past. We made quite the team as well, so I'm curious if we shall reflect that partnership."
Ritsuka felt the need to comment about that. "I'm afraid I'm not all that much like Sulyvahn."
There was a disturbing twinkle in the eyes of the Ruler. "Oh…We'll see about that."
A hand slammed into the table, the echo drummed around the room.
Ritsuka didn't flinch at the sound, nor did he break eye contact with the person standing opposite him.
"What the hell was that?"
His lips drew thin at the blunt question, slightly troubled over where he was supposed to start in trying to give an answer to her. It bounded around in his head for a few moments, then he decided that the direct approach was the best.
"He answered the summons, so I accepted his contract." His reply was slow and clear, and it registered with the Director if her growing look of mortification was any indication.
As though to contradict her, neither Da Vinci nor Romani said anything, the two of them remaining silent with the former keeping a placid smile on their face while the latter stared at the table.
"Are you-did you slip over and slam your head off the floor when you were approaching the summoning chamber?" Olga asked, sounding none too pleased with his reasoning, but it was purely as simple as that. "You know who that Servant is, don't you?"
He nodded his head. "Aldrich, a man who - by Ash's stories - is a monstrous cannibal and through personal experience I can say to be a somewhat unpleasant character to be fighting against."
"Exactly!" She thrust a finger at him. "And knowing all of that, knowing what his inclusion into Chaldea would do, you still just walked up to him and shook his hand!? Are you forgetting that he was the primary opposing force during the Roman Singularity? That it was because of him that we nearly suffered some sort of infestation from a different texture?"
Another nod of the head. "I was there, Director."
Her eyes bore into his, her fingers dragged through the table with a scraping sound as her eye twitched. "What on earth are you playing at, accepting a contract from someone like that? Especially after you were warned and I recall telling you not to accept it and terminate their presence."
She did indeed tell him to terminate the contract and he did the exact opposite, he wasn't going to make an excuse for what he did. "And I decided that I would accept their contract instead. I wasn't prepared to send them back after they had arrived."
The Director leaned forwards, her mouth opened to presumably chide him further.
"I was never not going to accept his contract, Director." His response cut her short, her brows furrowed upon him and all but demanded an answer with her eyes. "I'm not going to start picking and choosing who we can and cannot have help us. They came forward and offered to help, so, until I have reason to suspect otherwise, I'm not going to turn them away."
"That is exactly the point of view that-!"
The Director cut herself short, her mouth snapped shut with an audible click, then her eyes slowly closed. Her hands came up and rubbed over her face. When she spoke again, it was in a much quieter tone than before.
"...That is exactly the sort of attitude that can lead you to being taken advantage of. They are a known threat and instigator for violence. If not just because of their previous actions then because of their relationship with current Servants here as well."
Pulling her hands down, she locked eyes with him. "Unless you mean to tell me you somehow managed to miss the display of Gwyndolin trying to tear them apart with his bare hands. The knowledge you're keeping their murder around will no doubt incite some measure of distrust and that is…dangerous."
"I'm not going to start acting as judge and jury over the actions of past summons or even past lives." Ritsuka shook his head from side to side. "Nor am I going to say that I think Aldrich is here to turn over a new leaf, I could tell that he was far from apologetic for his previous actions."
A beat, he frowned. "But he isn't the only one in Chaldea with a coloured past and despite the demands from either of them, I am not going to kill either Ash or Sulyvahn just because they have problems with the other."
He watched the brows shoot up from Da Vinci. "I would say it goes a little beyond problems with Sulyvahn…"
Ritsuka exhaled and gestured to her. "Yes, he is an arrogant and somewhat psychopathic tyrant who thinks his way is the only way forward and everyone else who doesn't follow him is stupid and deserves to die. I'm not ignorant to that, nor am I ignorant to the fact he is a mass murderer."
With a shrug, he continued on. "In the same way that Leonidas was once a slaver and King Gilgamesh is now roaming the halls, his attitude towards those he deems worthless being to shoot swords first and ask questions never. Very few Servants around here haven't killed someone in their lifetime."
Ritsuka's scowl deepened. "Even ignoring the fact his first course of action upon being summoned was to tear his way into Velka's quarters and very nearly tore her apart, might I add. Compared to the introduction of Aldrich, it has been a touch more peaceful on his own part-"
"This isn't a case of what is moral and what isn't." Olga cut the argument short, thumping a fist into the desk once more. "Nor is it a competition of who has the most skeletons in their closet. Sulyvahn - for all his faults - has at least proven themselves committed to the cause, if only because he believes we subscribe to his ideals."
She made an expression of visible distaste at the notion, he supposed that wasn't all that surprising. It wasn't as though Sulyvahn was a pleasant sort and he knew what sort of methods they would condone in the name of progress. They were the walking personification of the saying 'The ends justify the means'.
"This is a case of a genuine threat being present."
Ritsuka raised a brow. "We have Velka here-"
"Not by my choice." Olga all but growled. "And if it were not for your leniency, I'd have been far less inclined to give her even an ounce of time to make herself more of a nuisance…"
Yeah, they still didn't like one another.
"Mash." Olga turned her head onto the girl who was sitting near him, she flinched at suddenly being called upon but soon straightened in her seat. "Surely you understand the danger that such a person would pose to your Master?"
Mash's eyes flickered to him and then back to the Director. "If…If we are talking about dangers, then I would…I would place my faith in Senpai that he knows what he is doing." a beat, then she made a small addendum. "And we do already have some former adversaries working with us, like King Arthur from Fuyuki and Faraam-san."
Yeah, Faraam had only turned on the altered Jeanne because of their repeated insults against them.
If they hadn't done that, then they would have been perfectly content with fighting Chaldea to the death.
Ritsuka felt himself perk up a little on the inside, her confidence in him was really welcome but the fact of the matter was he was just acting by his gut. It was telling him that just killing Aldrich before they got a chance to do anything like help them was wrong.
Olga groaned, then dropped into her seat. "This is absurd."
He supposed he could ask her something.
"If Kalameet got summoned and Torin came bursting through the walls and demanding you to kill them, would you do it?"
Silence stretched across the room.
The Director froze and snapped her head onto him as though he'd slapped her, he also saw Da Vinci perk up with a clear interest in the question as well, turning her head towards the woman and leaning forwards, tenting her arms on the table.
"...Tch. That is different-" Even to him, that didn't sound all that convincing. Her thoughtful expression lasted for several moments, then it slipped off her face and was replaced entirely by exasperation. Her head dropped into her hands.
Da Vinci cleared her throat. "I don't see why we cannot assemble some precautions while we try to determine the validity of their request for help." she suggested, leaning back into her chair and waving a hand. "And besides, Fujimaru is right. Servants with coloured pasts aren't all that rare and I doubt that Aldrich is the last one we're going to have to deal with."
A beat.
"He isn't the first either, no one is expecting Boudica and Nero to be friends but they aren't making concerted efforts to murder one another in the halls."
She turned to face him, smiling. "While I would say this is risky, you were able to convince a mage hater that you were a decent sort, so I'm confident in your abilities."
Romani cleared his throat. "I'm…also going to side with Fujimaru-kun on this. Even if it might prove dangerous to us, deciding to start executing Servants is a very slippery slope that I would rather not step on at all…It would be different if they proved themselves a danger to everyone but…" the man drummed his fingers on the table, then shrugged. "They haven't actually done anything yet."
Leaning forwards, they cleared their throat. "The version we encountered in Septem registered under the Caster Class; this version was summoned in the Ruler Class. I'm not saying they'll be like Jeanne but I…I figure this version would be more manageable. The problem is…well…"
How he was going to approach Gwyndolin with this.
The answer was simple.
Pulling himself up, he turned around. "I've got someone to speak with. If there isn't anything else, Director?"
He waited for a moment, but got only a grunt in response from her that signalled him to depart.
Thus, he did.
If that first encounter in the summoning Chamber had done anything, it had set the precedent for what Chaldea was going to be like. Given that beyond the initial panic, she noted that few people had bat an eye about an altercation near the summoning chamber between two Servants.
Which did not make her feel comfortable that violence such as that was considered commonplace.
"There's ups and downs, it happens when you have so many different figures in one place." Their impromptu guide - Arash Kamangir - remarked as he led them on, it had been short notice as Ritsuka said he needed to deal with the situation.
She believed him wholeheartedly, she was not so demanding as to say that a simple tour came first, they had a lost of responsibilities.
"I can imagine." David replied to them with a nod of the head, pausing and tilting it. "I hope it isn't too common. I'd hate to think that people settle their differences with violence."
Arash made a small noise. "Neither here nor there, some incidents have been worse than others but it's slowly settling in. Managed to get some dialogue going once the problems were found out and ever since then, I'd say it's been…relatively smooth sailing."
Relatively?
Martha kept her dissatisfaction to herself, outwardly nodding her head up and down.
"Feel like I might end up giving you guys the wrong impression about all of it." Arash chuckled, shaking their head and placing their hands on their hips. "It's not bad, not by a long shot. I'd actually call it something of a feat that we've managed to assemble so many Servants from such diverse places and we've only had a handful of teething problems."
Well…when they phrased it like that.
"Hmm." David hummed, showing his own support of the answer. "Quite right, I can feel a great many Servants around here. Especially given that a traditional summoning is only supposed to have one…how many do you have around here currently?"
A brief pause from Arash. "...I don't believe anyone has really counted. You just see them in the halls and then wave to them as they go by."
A door ahead of them opened.
"Ah, morning Tametomo."
"Response: Greetings, Archer: Arash."
Martha stared at the starch white figure of armour, twin glowing eyes peered down at her as a controlled hiss escaped the suit, its eyes switched with an electric whirring and turned on her, a coldness in their gaze that came from something not quite alive.
"Presence of additional reinforcements: Confirmed. Personal statement: Your assistance is welcome." They straightened out. "True name of Fuselage: Minamoto-no-Tametomo. Servant: Archer."
It took her a moment to blink, then she realised it was a greeting. She smiled back to them and gestured to herself. "Indeed, it is a pleasure to meet you as well. I am Martha, Rider Class."
"A fellow Archer?" David hummed, then inclined their head. "David, Archer as well."
The head of the armoured figure turned on David rather sharply.
"Archer: David. King of the Israelites." A moment of silence passed, followed by a whirring. "Firepower is registered as Anti-Giant. Slaying of Goliath. Conclusion: A powerful ally. Running analysis on comparison between our Noble Phantasms. Request: Setting aside a time for a comparison?"
Martha raised a brow at them, realising they had literally just figured out that David slew a giant and now wanted to compete with them. They might have phrased it differently, but she could still see the signs of them being almost eager for a competition between them.
David merely let out a light chuckle. "Oh, I'm not really one for that sort of competition, I am afraid. My Noble Phantasm only really works against giants and using it in here would be a bit damaging even without any of them."
Tametomo kept silent for a moment, a hiss followed by their shoulders lowering. "Argument: Accepted."
Their head turned to the final figure, the one who had been following them from behind at a respectable distance. Not that Martha was pleased with them being out of her line of sight, having her back to them felt like a very unwise thing.
"Ah, I see. Saint Aldrich, Ruler Class." The man introduced with a bow of the head, only to pause and then cup their chin. "I must say…I've never quite seen a Golem with your level of intellect."
Tametomo straightened instantly. "Assertion: I am clearly human."
The incredulous brow raised by Aldrich proved they weren't convinced by that remark, but they kept their mouth shut about it. "...If you say so."
With a whirring noise, the tall Archer turned on them once more. "I shall depart. Farewell."
She waved her own parting to them as they marched down the halls, the retreating sound of their heavy steps echoed all around before finally fading away.
Martha glanced at Arash as he turned to her, then offered a wry smile. "Like I said, we've got quite a bunch."
She could see that.
Ritsuka knew this wasn't going to be easy.
His knuckles wrapped against the door before pulling back.
It was only a few seconds before it opened, a rather dishevelled Gwyndolin stood in the doorframe, staring at them for a few seconds before moving to the side and silently inviting him inwards.
He hesitated for only a moment, then stepped into the room, hearing the door close behind him.
Gwyndolin moved around, slithering towards one of their decorative illusion seats and sitting down upon it, dropping their arms onto their knees.
Ritsuka opened his mouth to speak-
"You are going to keep Aldrich, are you not?"
His jaws snapped shut.
Gwyndolin turned on him with a bitter smile. "Truthfully, I knew from the very moment that I asked you to slay Aldrich that it was a futile effort. That is not the manner of soul that you are, else you would not have gone through such lengths for me after my…actions."
A sigh escaped the God, their fingers drummed on their lap. "...You have already accepted Sulyvahn and Velka, even Gwynevere despite what she did to her own son. Characters who have wronged me so many times, by all rights you should have killed them too…but you did not. Because that is not who you are."
Ritsuka opened his mouth, then closed it again, his eyes shut themselves as a sigh rippled out from him. He faced Gwyndolin once more. "I just came to apologise to you. Really…I can't begin to assume how its going to make you feel but if…I would understand if you were angry with me for letting Aldrich stay and doing nothing about it after…after I said I would be here for you."
Bobbing their head up and down, Gwyndolin rolled their lips inwards. "I am far from pleased. Not just because of what they are and what they did-" a crack in their voice, cut them short, their head snapped down.
Ritsuka stepped forwards, then paused and kept himself back.
"But if I…Demanding that you will him would…change who you are. It would turn you into a hypocrite within that single moment and I…will not force you into that position."
They brought their head up, smiling at him rather bitterly. "You need not worry, I have many years of experience dealing with issues that I am disappointed with. This will be no different-"
"It shouldn't." Ritsuka clicked his tongue, dropping his hands onto his hips and closing his eyes. "I don't want you to pretend that you like them. If insulting them or sneering at them is what you're comfortable with doing, then by all means but…but I can't start picking sides around here and killing the other because it sets a precedent that I…"
He didn't want to do that.
He really didn't want to do that.
Not again.
Never again.
Because sometimes he still felt it, sticking to his hands.
That ugly red.
"I can stomach Sulyvahn, barely." Gwyndolin's words broke him from his thoughts, the God grunted and looked off in disgust. "I can tolerate my brother and sister, barely…I tolerate my mother, barely. I just-"
"It's not just you against everyone anymore."
"...I know." Another nod of the head from Gwyndolin, their lips pulled for a split second before evening out. "Maybe that is how I might live with it…if Havel can tolerate walking amongst dragons and sorcerers in the rabid state of a Berserker, then what would it say of me if I cannot handle being in the same room as mere scum?"
They were putting on a brave face, Ritsuka could tell.
"...Are you alright?"
"...No. No I am not." The eyes of the God turned down. "...When he betrays you…let me kill him."
Ritsuka kept silent, then nodded once. "If he betrays everyone and tries to kill us, then yeah. I'm holding nothing back."
Gwyndolin's lips pulled into a tiny but genuine smile. "...Thank you, Ritsuka."
"Don't mention it."
Aldrich, Saint of the Deep
Servant: Ruler
Height: 184cm
Strength: B (-)
Endurance: D (-)
Agility: C (-)
Mana: A
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: C
Road of Sacrifice: C (Anti-Army) Max Target: 50, Max Range: 0-50
Takes place upon any path that could be stated to be a road or path. Aldrich can manipulate his territory in this location, weakening Servants that step upon it. Their strength is sapped away from them and gifted to Aldrich, the longer they remain the weaker they become.
Banhus pæþ heofon - The Body That Paves the way to Heaven: B+++ (Reality Marble) Max Target: 1, Max Range: 0-5
The Noble Phantasm of his Caster self under a different name, but in this Class it does not so obviously manifest itself. His body retains its current shape, but that which he consumes it brought into himself and made one with his being.
With this Noble Phantasm, he can consume the abilities and skills of other Servants, even those of personal skills. However, as his summoning as a Ruler he is a touch less brutal, though still vicious. Because of this, the Personal skills can never surpass the rank of B and Noble Phantasms he consumes are degraded a rank. That being said, unlike another Servant who can consume the Noble Phantasms of Servants, his will not stagnate.
Aldrich can grow with each Noble Phantasm, finding new ways to combine and implement them.
To achieve this, he must consume the Spirit Core of an opposing Servant, or even that of whatever he seeks to claim. Doing so will allow him to take their abilities for himself.
Class Skills:
Territory Creation: A
Lord of Cinder: B
Can ignite his Divinity and rapidly grow in intensity until it reaches equal rank to a Divine Core of Rank B
Magic Resistance: A
High magic resistance gained through his devotion to the Deep.
Personal Skills:
Saint of the Deep: A
High knowledge of curses and Abyssal Sorcery
Signifies his ability to understand that which came from the Dark.
Charisma of the Saint: B
The Saint of the Deep, Aldrich can convince many to follow him despite his rather disturbing traits. It is more effective at convincing pure humans and although his history is known, he can still turn people to his mind.
Dreaming Clairvoyance: A
Aldrich can sleep at any time and be granted visions of what is occurring elsewhere in the world. Superior to scrying spells however it can only be accessed through his dreams.
Therefore it is weaker in other scenarios.
Devourer of Gods and Legends: C+++
This is the point at which he can consume the Personal Skills of Servants. All compounded into this one Skill that becomes composite. As his Noble Phantasm grows, so too does the skill of this ability. At its base, it allows for basic modification of his body to alter his physical parameters. Opting to choose Strength, Endurance or Agility.
Summoning
"So I have been summoned under this class as well? Hmm, how intriguing. Though perhaps it is a far more fitting class for me, my summoner. Ah, but where are my manners? My name is Aldrich, Saint of the Deep. I look forwards to working with you, I'm sure you and I shall accomplish great things."
Dialogue 1
"Ah, so it is rest that comforts you? I can only assume, given how often I find you with such a lowered guard. That is quite risky, you know."
Dialogue 2
"Master and Servant? No, think of it more like a shepherd and his flock. Just because you are my anchor does not mean there is much I cannot teach you, so long as you are willing to learn, of course."
Dialogue 3
"My perception among the Servants? I suppose you could call it a coloured past, hehehehe. Though, in truth, they may view me how they wish. In the end, they shall all come to share in my opinion, sooner or later."
Dialogue 4 (If you have Divine Spirits)
"I have a great deal of respect for the Gods, you know? What's that, you do not believe me? Oh, I do not lie. Their resolve and their power is worthy of respect, you see. As is their wisdom, to contain all their essence in a single being and represent that through their mere existence. Ah, I speak of the original Lords, mostly. The ones who kept their souls unbroken."
Dialogue 5 (If you have Gwyndolin)
"Is that Gwyndolin I spy? My, my. I think he is wearing a rather sour expression on his face, almost as though he's unhappy to see me. I do not mean to jest, merely noting the obvious. You have your work cut out for you, if you intend for us to work side by side."
Dialogue 6 (If you have Ashen One)
"...Ah. I see. So he is here as well, is he? Haaaaah~ Of course he is."
Dialogue 7 (If you have Anri of Astora)
"Hmmm? That one looks familiar to me, perhaps we have met before although...Well, they were present for my death, but that familiarity comes from long before. Hmph, perhaps it does not matter. It must have been an unpleasant encounter for her, given the look of hatred she wears."
Dialogue 8 (If you have Pontiff Sulyvahn)
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Sulyvahn, my old friend. Ha, not that he would call us such. In the end, we used one another for our own goals, but that does not mean I do not respect his drive. Though I would take care of that one, sometimes he can be a touch too overzealous, just ask the poor people of Irithyll."
Dialogue 9 (If you have Kiara)
"Are you troubled by how often I spend in her company? I assure you, we do nothing untoward. We merely discuss the future, consider it a professional courtesy from one follower of the faith to another."
Dialogue 10 (If you have Kama)
"The Goddess of Love who hates her role? What an interesting notion that is, but I do respect her drive to seeing the task through, even if she did not enjoy it. Yet she was ultimately doomed for failure. A Heaven in which even a single soul is miserable is not one worth existing."
Dialogue 11 (If you have Jeanne)
"Ah, a fellow Ruler. She is very firm in her beliefs, isn't she? But I commend her for her unwavering faith. It is that very unbroken resolve that I do admire so much about the pious. Hmmm? Ah, just because we do not share a faith, does not mean we cannot compliment one another. The Heaven she speaks of though…now there is some difference."
Dialogue 12 (If you have Caitha, Goddess of Tears)
"...I was indeed made a Lord of Cinder at her behest, during a time when the Cathedral I presided over had yet to totally fall under my influence. Though it was ultimately for the best, I swore to my followers that I would rise once more and they believed. In the end, it was my death that turned the Cathedral to my faith. Though…to think that is what she truly was…not even I could have foreseen that."
Likes
"That which I enjoy? Hmmm. I suppose you would call it 'Heaven' but in truth, every other word works much the same. Nirvana, enlightenment, you understand, yes?"
Hates
"Ah, hates…How curious you are? But those who stand on the path to Heaven and work against me, they are obstacles which must be removed. Though a nuisance, they are natural. Not all understand the greatness of my vision."
Wish for the Holy Grail
"A Lord Vessel? It cannot aid me in my dream, thus it is of no value to me."
Bond Level 1
"Oh? Do you find yourself puzzled that I am not a monster? But of course, who would follow a creature of bloated skin and fat? It was just as important to appear approachable, just as we are now."
Bond Level 2
"Are you not curious why it was that I amassed such a following under the eyes of the Church itself? Ah, do not bother denying it. You're curious all the same, but it is a fair question. You have no doubt heard the rumours and the stories of me before. Know that the truth is always a touch more complicated."
Bond Level 3
"We are starting to work well together, perhaps with time I shall consider you worthy enough to share my grand plan."
Bond Level 4
"That which humans describe as 'Heaven' can be seen as a form of salvation. What all humans truly seek is safety. A place which keeps them secure from all threats, be they physical or mental. A place that provides them with a home clear of doubts and fears.
That is Heaven. The same security that animals feel when they find a burrow, why then do we suppose that this Heaven that you speak of is only found after death? Why do we not assume that this Heaven can be obtained in life?
That is what I seek to find...the path to this sanctuary that provides comfort to the body and the soul, a land free of all horrors of the world. If this utopia did exist, then is it not that which was locked away by the Gods at the dawn of history?"
Bond Level 5
"The Dark Soul was sealed away by the Gods, I ask why? Is it perhaps so that we would seek Heaven not within ourselves but within the faith placed in others?
In that case...Is the path to Heaven not within the Dark Soul?
And if one were to make the Dark Soul whole once again...would they not have achieved this Heaven and could they not open this path to all who walked in their step?
That is what I seek, my summoner. Heaven itself, the unification of all Souls into the form they were at the dawn of existence. The single, unbroken, Dark Soul."
Birthday
"A birthday? How wonderful. Perhaps a celebration to mark the occasion…perhaps, a feast?"
During an Event
"Oh? Come then, let us mingle with the masses."
1st Ascension
"Oh, this surge of power. It is quite exhilarating."
2nd Ascension
"Another step closer to Heaven."
3rd Ascension
"Well done, my Summoner. With this rate of progress, I shall become the shape I was destined for."
4th Ascension
"Oh, is this as far as it shall allow. A pity, but there is no easy path to Heaven, is there? In which case, I shall have you accompany me further, far beyond this meagre levelling as it is called. We shall reach Heaven and then you shall see what it was worth fighting for…at least…until you too become part of Heaven."