Chapter 8.5: A Long Awaited Interlude

It's a cold night within Fuyuki City, and a colder breeze follows a young girl making her way home by night. A cliche, yet one many find themselves falling into… Seems the girl Ayako Mitsuzuri will be among them. Ah… A dark night… Empty street… Lone girl… A classic, and she only has herself to blame.

She should've gone home the second she saw those bright lights from the outskirts of the city. Yet here she is… Walking back home at a snail's pace, at the dead of night. She had completely 'forgotten' what she saw earlier in the day. The sickly purple light she witnessed was nothing but her 'mind playing tricks' on her after all.

Sadly for her, this would not be the last 'trick' her mind plays on her tonight.

Ayako Mitsuzuri POV

The day had been exhausting for Ayako… Her 'friend' Shina had been distracting her the entire school day with stupid questions and wouldn't let her focus on class. And after all her pestering she had decided to ditch her during archery. Like seriously who does that girl think she is! She didn't even offer an explanation, she just up and left!

Definitely didn't help that she was being more of a nuisance than she usually was. Even Emiya got annoyed at her! Combine that with a few tests and her fucking up her shots during archery, yeah Ayako isn't having a good day… Though that wasn't even the worst thing… After school she had been on a jog around Fuyuki, and she saw it.

Whatever it was, it was terrifying. A horrifying glow of orange, yellow, and red. What would usually be a dull forest of greens and browns had been turned to ash. Yet she was the one who saw what happened, but what she saw could not be explained, it was impossible. It had to be a trick! Even the news said it was just a wildfire caused by a few dumb kids!

Yet, a demonic thing etched itself into her very brain. The image was haunting— a disgusting purple and yellow, what else could it have been but a demon? M-Maybe the stress was just getting to her and seeing the fire so up close made her brain go all haywire… Yeah that makes much more sense! There's no way that the forest was burned down by a giant fucking ey-!

Ayako's thoughts would never finish as she became distracted by the sounds of clanging metal and hearty combatants. "Huh?", she dumbly stated as she scanned around for the source of the noises. Eventually she turned upward and saw three figures clashing against each other. Though it seemed more like two were fighting one.

She could only make one of the figures out clearly. The other two were well hidden by the shadows of the night, only their figures showing. She could not make out their features at all… But of the one she could see, she'd call the woman… Regal? Is that the word for what she's seeing? Because she doesn't think that is correct.

This 'regal' figure danced around the other two with… Grace? Again, doesn't feel like the right word. Regardless, Ayako was entirely entranced by her movements as she danced around her two opponents… Realization set in as awareness of the scenario came back to the forefront of her mind. They're fighting?! On the rooftops! WITH SWORDS! What the hell is she watching! Why can't she look away?!

The 'regal' figure stopped her assault on her two opponents and lowered her weapon before speaking aloud, "I believe it's rather rude to treat an Emperor such as myself so poorly! If you're going to do battle, go all out! Umu, I will not stand such disrespect!" The blade in her hand began to burn brightly, it was actually on fire! What the fuck was happening!

One of the dark figures rushed forward pulling out two massive blades that stopped the advance of the 'regal' woman's flaming sword. The fire from the woman's blade lit up the surrounding area, allowing Ayako to make out the dark figure. Yet it did not help her with coming to grasps with what she was seeing. Bulked in black armor was a bald man carrying two large machetes.

The bald man retorted, "Heh, well… I guess if that's what you want! Saber, now!" The remaining darkened figure charged forward and with a flurry of swipes began to push back the 'regal' woman. As she got put on the defensive a bright glow emanated from her head. Despite this, it became no easier to make out any detail on the figure.

Then, the 'regal' woman began her counterattack, with a hasty slash towards the chest the now bright figure was sent tumbling back. As the figure stood up the light dimmed and details of the figure became visible. A tan-skinned girl with long white hair wielding a large… Light sword? The colors green, blue, and red shined from not only the blade but her head.

After standing back up she relayed to the bald man, "Forgive me Master. It seems I am not as close to optimal condition as I thought."

A loud smack echoes as the bald man slams his hand onto the back of the tan girl, "You've got nothing to worry about Saber! This was just a test run! We'll be sure to take your 'limits' into account from now on!" Not even flinching, the girl nods as the two turn to leave.

The 'regal' woman's face shifts into a shocked expression as she speaks in a panicked tone, "Huh! We haven't even gotten started! Umu! Where are you going!" As the woman made chase the two other figures disappeared from sight. Due to the fruitlessness of continuing the chase the remaining figure fell to her knees in disappointment.

In a lackadaisical manner the woman rose from her position and spoke out morosely, "Sigh, here I was hoping I'd be able to prove my superiority to my master… No matter! As Emperor I'll simply endeavor to do better next time! Umu, no point in getting upset!"

Ayako suddenly became fully aware of her surroundings again as the shock of what she just witnessed vanished. However she was not out of the woods yet. She could not bring herself to move… She was completely frozen in fear, all she wanted to do was run. Yet… All she could do was stare at the 'regal' woman.

She silently begged that the woman would not notice her and just leave… Well beggars can't be choosers… Ayako couldn't stop herself from letting out a squeak as the woman turned around. "Hmm? Was that a mouse… Oh… A witness… Hmmmmmm… I am having a hard time remembering what my master said I should do in this scenario."

The woman was staring directly at Ayako now… Her face twisted into deep thought as she contemplated what she should do with Ayako. Ayako wanted to be anywhere else. Anywhere but here. She felt so scared and she didn't even know why. She felt like she was going to die. "I don't think I can just let her go… Ah, forgive me, citizen. As a proud emperor I shall make this quick! Umu!"

Ayako was no longer staring at the woman… She was now running. Running, running, running, running! RUN FASTER! … What else did she think would happen… Running that fast without paying attention, everyone could've told that she would trip. And she did, that woman had caught up. It… It was over…

"N-No… P-Please…" She was going to die.

Ayako cried pathetically on the ground as the woman approached her. Kneeling in front of Ayako's face the woman began to wipe the tears from her eyes, "Please understand that I don't wish to do this. However, I am certain my master would be quite cross with me if I didn't fulfill my duty as servant. On my pride as Emperor, I'll be sure to make this quick."

Standing back up the 'regal' woman brought her sword up into a high arc before bringing it back down on the frightened young woman. Yet it never landed. Caught on her own tears, Ayako made no noise as another figure inserted itself between Ayako and her attacker. Yet again shock filled her system as a rather skimpily dressed woman with a sword and shield blocked the blow for Ayako.

A serpentine chuckle came from behind Ayako's ear as a searing pain entered her right hand. A red tattoo had stained her skin before glowing, the 'regal' woman gave it a glare of recognition before swatting away the scantily clad woman with her girthy sword. Ayako did not wait for the woman to attack her and began running in a random direction, hoping to get as far away as possible from the situation.

"So you're a master? Perfect! Mine will be pleased with the news that one of our competitors got taken out so early!" Jovial was the tone that came from the woman as she struck at Ayako with her flaming sword.

Thankfully the skimpy woman came to her defense once again blocking the blow giving Ayako time to run away. "I won't let you hurt my master, Roman! Wait, you!" Recognition was the woman's tone. Ayako, unabated in her escape, did not get to hear the rest of the conversation that ensued. But that doesn't mean we don't.

Boudica POV

It was her. Of all people it had to be her. Either fate is smiling upon her or mocking her. Though with the strength of the few swings she had blocked so far, she was certain it was mock. For her to not only face a Roman but the Roman who had caused her so much grievance? With no way to win? What else could it be but a mocking jest?

She wanted nothing more than to attack the Emperor standing before her with reckless impunity. But, she was already aware of the greater purpose she served in this grail war. Her master's victory. Would unlikely vengeance be worth her master's life. No… No it wouldn't be… Yet... She can't deny it was tempting.

Then the Emperor decided to open her mouth, "Umu? Do you recognize your emperor? Oh, should I recognize you as well? I must admit that your appearance escapes my memory at the moment." Yes, it was very tempting.

"Irregardless of your relation to yours truly. You surely realize that I will have to slay you. If you're truly one of my subjects, I shall make this swift!", The Emperor did not know when to stop talking, it seemed. She'd like to say that she went out in a blaze of glory defending her precious master that she developed a deep bond with. Yet it seems she'll just get smacked around by her former and current tormentor instead, without having even talked to her master once.

Blocking the repeated onslaught from Nero her-fucking-self TM with her flimsy shield proved to be a difficult task. Just blocking four strikes had left Boudica battered and burnt. For her master's continued survival she'd need to escape the current situation and reconvene with her before coming up with a battle plan for the grail war.

Yet Nero was making that exceptionally difficult for her! Then a flash of remembrance had been brought forth, she had access to her chariot, however she'd still need to get some distance from the Emperor. She only had one chance, then Nero gave the perfect opportunity.

Nero raised her sword up once more before pausing then speaking, "You're rather weak you know? I expected more from a servant. Though even that other servant from earlier had difficulty measuring me blow for blow! Guess I must be rather strong, huh!?" She wasn't even taking her seriously! Entirely fair, but seriously!

While Nero was distracted with talking Boudica deflected the overhead swing, knocking Nero's sword out of her hands. "Oops!" Quickly jumping back, Boudica prepares her noble phantasm, though she finds it difficult to summon the energy to bring it forth.

Her master isn't at low capacity so why is it taking so much to summon her chariot! "Come forth, Chariot of Boudica! The chariot without promised victory!" If it wasn't for how taxing it was to summon forth her chariot, she would've cringed from how she said that. It sounded way better in her head.

Thankfully she managed to fly out of there before the disarmed Emperor could recover. A moment of reprieve from her rather hostile summoning. She could not deny that luck played a large part in her escape… Or perhaps it was fate?