Fate 1961 – Part 2
A Fate/ series fanfiction
Antartica, Einzbern Winter Mansion
"I can't believe this... What kind of monster was that ?!
-Calm down, kid. Sure, the other got pulverized, but that's not really surprising, is it ? In any case, Berserker may be strong and has a few tricks up his sleeves, but nothing we can't cope with...
-And we won't."
Karl sat down and place his hands in front of his eyes.
"Hey, come on now. There's stille no official winner, you realize what that means, right ? That means the other Servants are going to take action. Why not join in on the fun ?
-You never listen, do you... I've said it a million times already. We Einzbern must see through the failing of this ritual.
-"We Einzbern" are not a thing, son. To them, you're just a disposable tool, you do understand that, right ?
-Shut up ! I'm their best asset yet.
-That what they told you ? Trust the magical expert here, you're not half of what my own guys were able to produce, rookie."
Karl turned his red eye towards the Servant.
"Why should I trust you on this ?
-I never lie, you know ? I'm hurt that you'd even think otherwise. But if you need proof, a phone call is all I need.
-You are not getting in touch with your "friends". That's part of the agreement.
-Too bad, too bad."
Caster chuckled while reopening his book, letting his glasses drop from his forehead as if the conversation was closed. Karl, however, couldn't just ignore what had just been said.
The fight between Berserker and the american Servant had been unquestionably one-sided, yet his Servant was confident that Berserker wasn't as terrible as he seemed. Karl knew of Caster's past and abilities, and it would be stupid to just ignore his input.
Joining the war with a superior Servant was definitely tempting. But Karl had orders, and he intended to follow through them. No matter if Caster tried to make him think he was a puppet or a fool, he knew deep inside what the truth was...
"If you're trying to impress them, why don't you claim the Grail for them ? That's their ultimate goal, isn't it ?"
Karl's thinking froze. That... wasn't a bad plan, either. There was a risk that some pairs would associate and defeat Caster while they laid low, which would put a definitive end to their plan and compromise the main family. But if they devanced it and attacked instead, they would have no trouble summoning the Grail and securing it.
One problem still stood, Caster. Although he was a valuable familiar, his goals and wishes were definitely evil. Whatever the cost, he could not lay a finger on the Grail. But Karl still had three Command Spells to spare ; it should be alright.
"Alright. We'll join the battle. But we're going in with method.
-'Atta boy. So what's our plan ?
-Well... Let's leave Berserker for last. We need to pick the others one by one...
-Ooh, Assassin-like. That's an interesting method to leave for a Caster, but don't you worry your pretty head, I got it ! Am I finally authorized to set up shop ?
-I guess so... Just make sure to stay unnoticed.
-Discretion is my third middle-name, you know ? Let's do this !"
With a 'clap' from his book, the bald man stood up and raised his arms.
"From the depths of Hell and in the name of your leader, I summon thee, darkness and misery. By my power and True Name I bind you to my will, and order you so : raise from the fire and the flames this castle that is mine, in this land of ice and despair cover the whiteness with pure black : Cocytus."
As he spoke with many theatrics and large movements, the walls of the ice mansion erected by the Einzbern tainted themselves red, then black, the darkness spreading in every direction in a star shape. Once he was done, the somewhat humble yet opulent ice structure had been completely turned into a gothic castle with black rough walls and gargoyles guarding its entrance.
Karl, who wasn't expecting something like this, was getting up from the obsidian ground, unable to mask his revulsion.
"What... have you done ?
-Built meself a workshop, what do you think ? Well, borrowed, anyway. I'm not changing it even if you don't like it !
-That's... How did you build something like this so quickly ?
-What, you haven't been told ?"
With a wide smile and even wider embrace, he stood there in the middle of his work.
"My first middle name is the Devil !"
Antartica, Mage's Association campsite
The next morning, both Cecil and Lancer kept their thoughts to themselves. Drinking coffee for an hour, the young mage only wrote a few things in her journal, while Lancer busied himself cleaning the room once again.
None of them had forgotten the previous night. Cecil especially, was not feeling great. Her job as a spy regularly came with coming across boundless horrors, committed by mages and normal humans alike. She had learned to cope with this, but she still felt uneasy seeing it happen first hand without being able to intervene. And now...
"Are we fighting ?"
Lancer interrupted her with this apparently simple question, heavy with meaning.
Were they fighting ? She did declare having no intention of winning this war, only staying alive. And she still intended to do so. She herself didn't have a wish worth the risk, and Lancer said that he was fine with this decision.
But things were not that simple anymore. The lack of a winner announcement could only mean one of three things. The first was that no one had won. Lancer's silence when Archer had disappeared felt strange in retrospect ; maybe Archer was simply still alive and the main match not actually complete. Berserker's disinterest was also strange, although coming from a madman it could be nothing of value.
The second one was that they were tricked into an actual war. Someone, maybe even from the Mage's Association, could have arranged for the war to develop further than it was supposed to. If that were true, then whe really was doomed.
Finally, and not such a happy prospect, it could be that Father Wilde was detianed, or worst. Without a supervisor, the outcome of the match could not be shared to anyone ; but Cecil could not imagine a man such as Wilde to fall for a trap.
Whatever the case was, the other Servants were definitely going to make a move, and eventually catch up to them. Worst case scenario, defending would prove fruitless.
"Lancer, what did you think of Berserker ?
-As far as fighting goes, he is only average. He does seem to have some warfare knowledge, but he isn't a born fighter. If his looks are anything to go by, I'd put my guess on a king used to battles but not to individual showdowns. Even his strength is only worth what his Madness Enhancement allows... Unfortunately for us, an entire country is backing up this one. His true might lies elsewhere, namely, the fact that he sustained a fatal blow without blinking.
-Hm ? You mean the gunshot ? I thought it just missed.
-No. Although guns didn't exist in my time, I have seen similar wounds before. That bullet definitely pierced his heart and maybe even a lung, if his bloodloss is anything to go by. Servants are naturally more resistant and can fight even while sustaining fatal wounds, but they would definitely be weakened. That was not the case with Berserker, something else is definitely at play."
Cecil thought for a moment.
"Let's see. We have what looks like a king, wearing clothing prior to medieval times... There's also the chains.
-Chains ?
-Did you not hear them ? There weren't any proper, but invisible chains or conceptual ones are not that rare in Magecraft. Sound is proof enough of their existence.
-I understand... I'm used to trust my senses, so I didn't think of them as real before. What does that make ?
-Well, we're searching for an antique king who was likely imprisoned, right ? That shouldn't be too difficult to narrow the search down. Once we get his identity, defeating him should be easier.
-I... don't know about that. But I trust you.
-Uh, thank you, Lancer."
Slightly embarrassed, Cecil kept going.
"And what about the other one ?
-The other Servant, you mean ? ...I should probably have told you already, but I did not sense them die, although they indeed disappeared suddenly. I'm not sure what happened, but they may still be alive, especially if my theory is correct.
-I kinda knew that already, but what's done is done. What is your theory ?
-Based on their equipment, by which I mean the rifle, they are most likely to be the Archer Servant. They don't fit the description for any other class, unless they simply did not use their assets correctly. Archers naturally survive longer in this world, due to their strong wills. Hence why I think they are probably still alive.
-That's more conjecture than theory, but I can get behind it. That leaves Caster, Rider, Assassin, and Saber unaccounted for.
-At least three of those were watching the scene last night. They most likeley sensed my presence too.
-And with Assassin's natural ability to hide his traces, they may even all have been there... In other words, the war is already on. I'd like to say we could ally with another pair, but that seems higly unlikely.
-Indeed. So, what do we do ?"
Having to make a decision, Cecil closed her eyes. The last time she had decided to fight didn't go as she had hoped, but it may be her only option this time around. And this time, she was the only one involved, save for Lancer. The worst that could happen was her own death. Having gained some more resolve, she slowly reopened them to look Lancer straight on.
"We'll fight. Not for the Grail, but for survival.
-Good. Because someone is coming this way and they don't seem especially friendly.
-Oh for Merlin's sake- COULDN'T YOU HAVE WARNED ME EARLIER ?
-Careful there, we still have time."
Not wasting any of it, Lancer summoned his weapon, a simple medieval spear used in jousting. Expecting slightly more impressive, but pressed by the countdown, she didn't comment and started painting on the floor symbols forming a square, varying colors whenever possible, to Lancer's dismay.
"And to think I just cleaned that...
-Complain later, I'm saving our lives here.
-I'll buy you time."
Saying that, Lancer exited the campsite and jumped on the roof, facing north. Not long after, their silhouettes standing out in the snow, one girl and her bodyguard appeared. Untying the flag of Camelot wrapped around his lance, Erec raised it high above his head. He took the risk of compromising his identity, but his intuition told him that may be enough to dissuade the pair to advance any closer.
"Look, this guy gets it, right ? Clothing and fabric is the new way to fight !"
Saying this, miss Sleeveknot crossed her ams with a satisfied look on her veiled face. Meanwhile, Saber pressed his fingers on his eyes with a contained sigh.
"Yes, alright. What's next, a tea party ? Coming here was your idea, remember ?
-Oh come on, don't tell me you can't take on a simple knight !
-That guy isn't a "simple knight", Master. Can't I get a bit of credit for worrying ?
-Fine, I get it. Just get to work already.
-Understood."
Saber removed his gloves and dropped them in the snow, and slowly took his rapier out, helding it vertically in front of him, before shouting from a distance.
"Knight of Camelot ! I challenge you to a duel."
With an hesitation, Lancer tied the flag again and dropped from the roof, approaching at a reasonable distance from the pair. Holding his spear horizontally, his arm straightened, and spoke :
"Very well, I accept your challenge. The prize will be reddition of the losing party. Is that okay with you ?
-Of course. If you may give us the signal, Master ?
-Aye aye, as you wish. Go."
Lancer swiped the air from left to right with his spear, diverting the incoming attack from the man in the suit. Surprised, Saber stepped back a little, giving Erec an opening to thrust his weapon towards his chest. Dodging barely, the bodyguard countered by lunging his rapier in the direction of the spearman's face. Blocking with his other arm, Lancer retracted his lance and jumped backwards, putting once again some distance between the two fighters.
The young lady observed the fight with great interest, playing around with her hair. In the meantime, she took a small notepad out of her handbag and started cribbling down on it.
Lancer, on the other hand, had to rethink his strategy. While he could avoid the enemy's attacks fairly easily and had a much better range, he was undoubtedly slower than the rapier-wielding Servant, which was a feat in and of itself. Additionally, his opponent clearly knew what he was doing and no tricks could help him. While fending off and buying time was his only objective, that wasn't his adversary's, and he wasnt sure whether or not he could manage with their strength difference.
Next is a series of stabs, from upfront.
Lancer ducked and sent his spear upwards, forcing Saber to modify his plans and parry the attack. Taking a deep breath, he resumed his guard.
"You... Are you predicting my movements ?
-Believe what you want."
Erec changed position, planting his spear in the ground before jumping on it. Now at much more advantageous position, he used his spear as a pole and launched himself forward, ready to kick his opponent at high velocity. As his feet made contact with Saber's guard, a voice resonated in his mind.
Lancer ? I'm ready. Come back immediately.
Very well.
Pulling himself to his spear again, which dislodged on the way, he got back to his feet and face the duo.
"I am sorry to put an end to this battle, but I am aked elsewhere. I hope to resume this fight soon.
-Is that so..."
While getting his breath back, Saber tucked his sword back into its sheath.
"In this case, could you bring a message to your Master ?"
Sleeveknot chimed in with a playful tone, adressed to Lancer :
"Tell miss Die that there is a traitor in Clock Tower, that she knows well.
-And you are ?
-Oh, I'm sorry."
Bowing a little, the tiny girl smiled.
"My name is not of importance. This should give your Master all of the necessary information."
Slightly confused, but in a hurry, Erec returned the bow before jumping the distance to the campsite. Saber and his Master stayed where they were, the Servant left to examine the recent fight while stroking gently his moustache.
"So, what did you think of our new little friend ?
-He's... more crafty than I'd have thought from a Knight of Camelot. That last movement especially tells me he cares less about honor than the outcome of the fight, although he stays polite and respectful of traditions.
-Man, can you be any more dense ? I'm not talking about his personality, I'm talking about his skill ! You useless bonehead.
-My head is not that angular. And the two are more linked than what you'd expect... Though I digress. His ability to predict my movements is the key here... You were right in thinking that he would make a good ally.
-Why of course ! I'm never wrong. And with a Master like his, it's only a matter of time until we reach an agreement ! My plans really are flawless.
-Out of curiosity... Why could we not have simply asked them to join us ?"
Sleeveknot paused for a moment, her chin resting on her hand.
"Hmmm... No reason. It's just more fun this way !"
Restraining himself from the desire to facepalm, Saber retrieved his gloves now covered in snow. Tapping them to let the white powder fall from it, he formulated the hope that his Master's plan didn't backfire.
Meanwhile, inside of the campsite, Cecil was finally done with her work. Not a single wall was spared from her painting, now looking like a gigantic map of blue, green and white paints. As Lancer came back, a passing thought of his efforts being wasted crossed his mind, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of comfort from looking at the wall art.
"So, what is this life-saving plan you were talking about ?
-Oh, that's simple. I'm going to hide us inside a pseudo-universe of my creation that covers most of the war-assigned area.
-...And, in simple terms ?
-This is a bounded field, which is essentially a pocket dimension. But instead of protecting a place, it's going to protect us no matter where we go.
-I think I get it.
-Congratulations ! Because I'm not repeating that. Anyway, here goes nothing..."
Adjusting her spirit to the drawings and symbols on the walls, which started to shine lightly, she incanted :
"De virtute in virtutem et in ipso, clypeus et gracia Martia, praepostere incantate, sit rursus ut glaciem herba quantitatum imaginariarum demonstratur. Come to me, Bounded Field of illusions, and let the senses of my enemies be fooled by your sight. Disseptum extra."
The symbols lit fully, bright as suns, and soon the cabin disappeared, letting in its place a rural western interior, showing on the outside a large wheat field and a river.
Lancer, who had stood still during the spell, whistled a little at this sight.
"I have to admit, even hearing your overcomplicated explanation didn't prepare me for this.
-Well, I don't blame you. This takes a while to setup, so basically no one ever tries to.
-I didn't know you had such tricks up your sleeves.
-Well, I'm not a Brand mage for nothing."
Noting a trace of pride in this sentence, as well as some sadness, Lancer coughed a little.
"I'm afraid I don't know what this means.
-Of course you don't, you were never affiliated with mages in your lifetime, were you ?
-Not counting Merlin, whom I never even met, no, I've never been acquianted with mages before. Speaking of mages..."
He sat on a chair next to the newly-appeared wooden table, inviting his Master to do the same. Cecil nodded while doing so.
"That's about the guys you stalled ?
-Indeed. I am to believe they were Saber and his Master, a teenage blond girl.
-Go on. What have you learned ?
-Well, Saber fights with a rapier, which if my information are correct, would indicate a soldier from the 17th century. As for the Master, she had a message for you.
-Huh, a musketeer ? I can think of a few deserving ones who could be Saber-class. What message ?
-"There is a traitor at the Clock Tower", one who you apparently know well. Her presntation was fairly lacking, but she said that would still give you an idea : "my name is not of importance"."
Cecil clenched her fist and teeth, managing to stutter in-between :
"That stupid girl is also a Master ? Just my luck...
-You know her ?
-Unfortunately yes. It's all in what she said : her name is "Not", or rather, she doesn't have a name so that's what everyone calls her.
-I don't follow.
-Well, her background is fairly complicated, but she's a non-human who assumed human form, or so the story goes... She's a mage only by name, and isn't affiliated to the Mage's Association, although she actively participates in the Clock Tower's shenanigans... I've had to deal with her on missions a number of times, all very unpleasant.
-I see... Well, it's good that you know each other, then. That's one less unkown threat to worry about.
-I suppose... Although her threat is still very real. But right now I'm more worried about what she wants ; why go out of her way to warn me of the presence of a traitor ? And a traitor working for who ?
-I'm personally concerned about that Saber. As far as pure fighting strength goes, we're on par, but he hasn't once used any noticeable ability or skill during our fight.
-Wait, you two fought ? Nevermind, coming from her, I shouldn't be surprised that she went this roundabout way. We can't trust her in any situation."
They both fell silent for a while. Erec watched as the light of day slowly dimmed, before lighting the fireplace. Although the feeling of cold had disappeared when entering the Bounded Field, the warmth reminded them of the truth of being stuck in Antartica.
Cecil laughed.
"Well, look at me overthinking it. That's just Not being herself. Whatever that traitor thing is about, the main problem is still the War at the moment. If need comes, I'll just contact her again.
-I've been wondering about it for a while now, but what is your activity exactly ? You don't seem like the image I have of a mage.
-Most mages don't see me as a regular mage, but I see what you mean. What do you say, I tell you about my life and you tell me about yours ? You too have been awfully dodgy about that."
Confronted, Lancer tried to defend himself before sighing.
"Alright, you win. You first, then. I'll make us some tea.
-Seems appropriate, thank you."
Collecting herself, Cecil dived her eyes into the fire.
"I was raised in an orphanage. My last name being what it is, kids used to pick on me a lot. I grew used to it, and I wasn't really fighting it. I had a few friends, and by a few in mean few. Eventually, I got taken in by a teacher at the Clock Tower academy of magecraft, specifically the Creation branch. That's where I met Not, she and I were classmates, even though our interests diverged very early.
Without flattering my own ego, I progressed quickly and became top of my class in a short time. Most people thought it was because my adoptive father was going easy on me, and they're not completely wrong, but I'd like to think I had some merit. I also met my first real friend there after a few years, Joan Oronado, a junior. Rumors started to spread about us and, well, it ended poorly. That was mostly my fault, but I doubt he still considers me a friend after what happened to him.
-Did you hurt him ?
-Not directly. I fought and won against our detractors, and the took it out on him. In retrospect, that was an expected development, but that doesn't excuse anything. So anyway, I focused on my studies and became a Brand rank six years ago. After that, the Clock Tower administration decided to send me around the world for espionage missions, in order to protect the secret of magecraft in these troubled times. Seeing how that lead the two superpowers to fight over a magic ritual, it went about as well as you can imagine. I've had to associate with Not multiple times, and each time she managed to fail the mission. I've had to wonder if that wasn't on purpose, but she showed no affiliations to any other organisation.
-So what you're saying is, you're a spy and so is she ?
-Nothing exceptional here. Since the end of the war, nearly everyone is a spy. It's even more true in the world of mages where plots and corruption are the norm.
-Feels rough living in this time.
-Well, we have a few good things. TV and progressive rock, for one."
Laughing again, she took the cup of tea Lancer was holding to her and drank up.
"Thanks, I really needed that. That's all on my front, I suppose. And you ?
-Right... Well, I was born a noble. I've learned knighthood under my father, and followed my king in the unification of Great Britain... One day, I was protecting the queen when a dwarf approached and made fun of them. I had to follow them in order to protect the queen's honor, but I was without an armor. I signed up for a tournament in order to face him, and to that extent I bought a new armor from a pennyless noble... One of many who had been left without wealth at the end of the conquest. He made me promise to marry his daughter after the fight.
-Enide ?
-Yes, I see you're already familiar with all of this, so I'll be quick. Enventually, Enide and I fell in love and got married before Arthur, blessed by the queen. After that, I... quit, I suppose. I was happy as a land tenant and husband, but I too had to suffer the rumors. A recognized knight is supposed to show his valor in hunts, tournaments and the like, and I did none of that. Enide too, suffered from it... She cared about my image more than I did. We fought over it and ultimately, I took her on a journey as a demonstration of what it entailed to be a knight. I acted stupidly, asking her to stay quiet during our travels, as if I had a right to scold her for being angry at me... I was quickly proven wrong. She saved me many times on this adventure, breaking her promise for my well-being, and I was just... frustrated of being what the rumors accused me to be, a rusty knight. Eventually I freed a friend from two well-known bandits, not without my share of wounds. I collapsed, and awoke only to find Enide supplicating another noble to let us go. She thought, as did everybody, that I had died ; and maybe I did, the old me anyway."
Lancer stopped a minute to drink and refresh his throat. Cecil, on the other hand,seemed captivated by the story. She had read about it, of course -even some excerpts of the original text, although old french was not her strong suit-, but it felt much more real being counted by the man himself.
"With a new resolve, I fought unknowingly against my father, Enide being the one who opened both of our eyes to what we were doing. Enevtually, we joined with Arthur's court, whom I asked for forgiveness of my neglection. He put me to the test in a tournament, which I won, and obtained the right to live the peaceful life I had dreamed about without any rumors to torment us. That concludes my legend... Or so I'd like to say.
-Hm ? There's more ? That's the first time I hear about it.
-Well, I've told you about my father... His name was king Lac. As you may surmise, he initially ruled over one of the kingdoms of Britain, which I inherited when he died in the dark hours of the land. The quest for the Grail, which led to Arthur's madness and the fall of Camelot's unity... I was also present. I tried reestablishing the former kingdom of my father to prevent its collapse along with the realm of Camelot, but... Obviously, I was met with some resistance.
-So you turned against your king ?
-I know what I did, and I know why I did it. I have no regrets, aside from not assisting Arthur instead of turning my back on him... In any case, Gawain was sent to repress my insubordination, and thus I lost my life in battle against him.
-That must have been... a difficult fight.
-It was... For both of us, I'd say. But I was just one of many, and I doubt he'd remember me among the ranks of those who betrayed Arthur in his time of crisis.
-Well, you never know... In any case, he is likely not one of the Servants in this war.
-Indeed, with the most likely positions taken, I doubt he will show up... Fortunately for us. We would stand no chance, and I'd argue even Berserker would have a hard time against him during the day."
Reminded of their situation after this long talk of exposition, having shared their personal experiences, both remained motion-less. Eventually, Cecil stretched and stood.
"I think this is more than enough for tonight. Tomorrow, we will scout the places of importance and mark it in this field, then think about our strategy. How does that sound ?
-Sounds good. I'll prepare a meal for tomorrow."
Exchanging a complicit smile, Cecil went to bed while Erec stayed by the fireplace.
Antartica, unknown campsite
When Archer opened her eyes, it was snowing. The glass ceiling of the dome she had been transported to let the powder melt and flow down upon contact with the warm interior, giving a sense of rain even in this cold desert.
She sat up, her head still fuzzy, and immediately the pain pierced her chest and her arms, forcing her to let out a gasp.
"Oh ! So, you're finally awake !"
Next to her, sitting in front of a television powered by a small battery, displaying an animation of flames, was a man wearing jeans, an Hawaiian shirt and a necktie, as well as a helmet and a shower curtain laying on his shoulders like a cape. The man, with comically tiny eyes and a goatee,was watching her intensely with a sincere smile. Unable to process his appearance and the pain, she just laid back again on the ground, easing the second of these problems.
"Y-you should be more careful... Healing magic is n-not my specialty, at all..."
Looking to the side, next to the dome wall, was also a young boy, no older than twelve, with brown hair and scared eyes, searching through a freezer.
Where the fuck am I now, was all she managed to think before falling unconscious again.