Whatever advantage gained for Vale was immediately and quickly lost. The Grimm tore through the Paper Pleasers with effortless ease. Paper bounced off the Grimm's strangely tough skin, no matter how much momentum they had. Paper arrows only crumpled when they touched the Grimm's softer underside. The modified Imps on their heads, with their elongated and stretchy arms, were like blades, shredding through the Paper Pleasers; had the Paper Horses any voice, a horrid cacophony of dying equines would be heard mixing in with the guttural screams of suddenly silenced riders.
Those fortunate enough to avoid the shredding of the Imps faced the flattening and tearing of the stomping Goliaths. Vale's Servants could see that Caster was among the group, personally leading the charge atop the largest Golialth of them all.
Cthnonians only further pressed the Grimm's advantage. Nevermore from the skies rained down their iron feathers like arrows.
It didn't take long for the Grimm and Salem's side to reach Vale's broken walls. They even broke down the toys that moved too slow, forcing an unintended alliance between Vale and the god of light. Yet, the god himself did not act, he only observed.
Ozpin sat atop his paper horse. His eyes staring down at the god of light. He, the god of light, who made everything that walks on Remnant, was unable to act by the machinations of a woman grieving.
Ozpin shook his head. He may have been absent then but he knew the tales. Salem had convinced the kingdoms of old to rebel. Gods of Remnant, by their nature, fail to understand their own creations. They could never see through the eyes of man just as man could never truly see through the eyes of gods. Only those fully human and fully god could ever know. Where would someone like that even exist?
Jeanne d'Arc slammed hard against the Repha'im. Ozpin's eyes widened as that familiar protective layer being used appeared for a second.
"They have aura?" Jeanne saw it too. "They're Grimm! They shouldn't generate aura!"
Paper Pleasers couldn't penetrate through aura. Not entirely. Paper Pleasers continued their assault but with aura protecting these Grimm, that would be a matter of time. How many would be torn apart before one of these would even fall. That wasn't even including the Grimm that supported these monstrosities.
"Salem," Ozpin concluded. "That spellbook. She figured it out."
That last Grail War. The shadow behind Remnant's Great War continues to loom its shade even today. Ozpin's failure then crept back to haunt him.
Ozpin stared at the cross-guard of Gilles' sword. Its glowing gem, a reminder of his duty and failure, stared back at him. Menagerie had been Salem's last visit. They have taken the souls of faunus there.
Grimm continued to tear them apart. Beowolves and Ursa tore the Paper Pleasers while the Boarbatusks crumpled them. There were no noises beyond the growls and roars of the Grimm mixing with the stone-breaking noises of god of light's toys and the ripping and tearing of paper.
Repha'im cared not for their fellow Grimm. As the tusks of the Goliath part flung both paper and toy into the air, Grimm were flung with them. Some had wires that connected their tusks which only swept the unfortunate fighters that were caught in it.
The Imps continued to screech their banshee screams. Their enemies too far from the Goliaths were struck down by the Imps' extendable arms. Small craters in the ground caused many too close to trip and fall.
Even as aura broke for these Grimm, they resumed their rampage. They had thicker skin on them which made it difficult to take it down. Hundreds of Paper Pleasers were torn apart just for aura to fully break. Hundreds more were shredded just to wound it. Yet, not one of these Repha'im fell.
Making things worse was that the aura replenished. Normal Grimm kept the Paper Pleasers and distracted the Servants long enough for Repha'im aura to recover. Though little, Vale's defenses were quickly depleting, not even slowing down the momentum of this black tide.
Above, Monstra was in full view. There was no one in Vale who wouldn't be able to see this.
Saber, Rider, Astolfo, Jeanne, and Chiron all gave their orders separately. The Grimm were stampeding through Vale's ruined streets that whatever building still stood fell to rubble.
Vale was under threat of being removed from the map. Ozpin made no excuses nor did he have any delusions that Vale could ever recover. Not in his lifetime, not even in the next nor the one after that. If Vale could even reach that point at all.
Many strips of paper glittered the softer, but still tough, underparts of the Repha'im. Paper arrows, lances, and defeated remains that managed to get past the aura of these Grimm were pushed out once the aura recovered.
Jeanne d'Arc put distance between herself and one of the Repha'im. A spear of light manifested in her hand. She steadied herself on her own paper horse and threw the spear like a javelin. It struck through the Imps on top of the Goliath.
A horrid screech came from that Repha'im and the Imp part soon fell lifeless and the blackness began to fade away, revealing a faunus underneath.
"They're…" Ozpin thought out loud. He had expected but he did not see that it would be like this. "They're all Repha'im?"
The Goliath part kept going but with the faunus hanging limply on it, there was no soul that kept that aura up. Paper Pleasers soon overwhelmed this one Grimm and it fell. Yet, even as it fell, it took out many others along with it.
Jeanne was quickly on the side of the faunus she had killed. She had the same shock on her face as Ozpin's own. A faunus, with fins as their noticeable trait, now lay lifeless with a spear-sized hole through their chest. Jeanne carried the faunus in her arms, her head shaking. That distraction had cost her as she had been struck from behind; another Repha'im had attacked.
Ozpin's grip tightened around his sword. His eyes closed. His voice was soft. "Bring them down." He raised the volume. "Bring them down." He shouted louder than his throat allowed. "Bring them down!"
He didn't need to be up close with any of the Servants to know that they have steeled their faces. Though he was certain that it pains them to deliberately harm and even kill these innocent faunus. They were, all of them, warriors. Each one having experienced some kind of great conflict and strife; they wouldn't have been Heroic Spirits otherwise. Each one left a mark in history and legend, be it of this world or another. Ozpin was sure of that.
Astolfo and Rider were the most capable. Astolfo was this paladin. A warrior by his own right and knew of the risks. Though Ozpin's orders were to take them down, Astolfo didn't hesitate to spare those he could. It wouldn't surprise Ozpin if Astolfo was already making his own plans to save them.
Rider hid his features underneath that mask of his. Ozpin couldn't tell if Juniper was using Tranquility to calm Rider's nerves or relieve him of those worries and pains. The Rusted Knight was a hero to many children, capable of many great things and always finding ways out of a conundrum. Dull and boring as those get in entertainment, Ozpin will always find those much better than the darker tales masquerading themselves as realistic. Those who lived through those realisms could appreciate the simpler things, even long for them.
"Focus on the Imps!" Chiron cried out as he loosed an arrow, piercing through the remaining aura of the Imp and the faunus that was trapped within. Paper Pleasers, those with paper arrows, followed Chiron's commands.
"Dig them out!" Saber called out. Ozpin's Servant just gave his heart away. "Their feet connect to these Goliaths!" Even in this battlefield, any incarnation of Ozma would have sought some means of saving them all. But with the number of faunus retrieved coming up dead, Ozpin wasn't sure how long the heart of his Servant counterpart could last.
Regardless, Ozpin had a duty to do. He had to defend what was left of Vale and its people. Raven had yet to join them. Did she run? Ozpin didn't know. He was certain that Raven would as soon as the people were evacuated at least.
Recovering huntsmen, though they have no ammunition left, rejoined in the battle. Grimm were things that these huntsmen could do and do well. Unlike the toys, huntsmen knew how to deal with Grimm. They knew best how to battle their oldest enemies.
Ozpin swung his sword and a Beowolf fell.
Those left that had come from Menagerie screamed at the sight of their fellow faunus being recovered from the Repha'im. Ozpin didn't give them a chance to grieve nor did he allow them to stay still in their spot.
"The greatest mercy you could grant them is to give them none!" Ozpin slew the Boarbatusk that rolled towards him. His paper horse bore the weight of the Grimm's momentum. Before it dissipated, Ozpin used the Boarbatusk's corpse as a makeshift hammer and slammed hard against an incoming Beowolf.
Ozpin gave them one last look before leaving. If they were truly huntsmen, they would know to bury these sentiments until they survived to the end. If not, they will not live long enough to grieve for them fully. Ozpin didn't have the luxury of granting them his condolences as he should have.
The biggest threat to Vale among these armies were the Cthnonians. It pains Ozpin to admit it but these Cthnonians and Grimm are a capable force. They were two armies fighting as one. Meanwhile, Paper Pleasers were shredded in their thousands while huntsmen had to juggle between keeping themselves alive dealing with the Grimm, Cthnonians, and the toys; their alliance with the latter was more on circumstance than anything concrete.
Faunus from Menagerie practically froze at the sight of these Cthnonians.
"They're back! They're back!" they wailed.
Morale was difficult enough for Ozpin as it is. Menagerie ran in all sorts of direction in their panic, only to be slaughtered by Grimm or toy.
Above them, the looming force of Monstra continued its approach.
Ozpin scanned the battlefield. Caster had been among the armies. Ozpin didn't know where the other Servants were but Caster was a known quantity right now, and one that he needed to get to; the face of Gilles de Rais will not be stained further by Caster's actions.
The Cthnonians guided Ozpin. Where they were most numerous was the path where they spawned. Soon, Ozpin found Caster continuously bringing more of these horrid creatures into existence. Ozpin held back his disgust at the sight of Caster feasting upon a still-beating heart. It couldn't be from any of the huntsmen; none were nearby. It couldn't be from the fallen faunus for only source was the Repha'im that Caster stood on.
"Is there no low that your Master would sink to?" Ozpin demanded. His voice was heard as Caster turned around to face him, Repha'im serving as Caster's mount.
An unnatural elephant-like creature with the upper half a demon connected to it faced down a horse made of paper. To anyone else, Caster's presence would have been one to strike fear into the hearts of all his foes. But Ozpin had to stand his ground, no matter how his heart yelled at him to run.
Caster came closer. It was that face that nearly made Ozpin crumble beneath the weight. Archer and Watts hadn't lied to them when they said that Caster bore Gilles' face. Seeing it again, pleasantly serving Salem in this time, only pained Ozpin.
"Why such pain on your face, dear Ozpin?" Caster asked. He descended from the Repha'im. The battles around them spread out, granting them this one space for conversation. "You don't look quite pleased to see me. We have just met and already you despise me. Is there something on my face?"
"You bear his face," Ozpin returned. Gilles' sword pointed towards Caster. "That alone is crime enough."
"Such a horrid crime that I've been accused of!" Caster feigned offence. "I did not ask to be given this face, nor did I ask to be made in his shadow. Yet, I am to be punished as though I had committed high treason? What kind of tyrant does Vale welcome in their arms? What kind of man did my Master once call husband?"
Caster raised his sword to defend but the attack did not come from Ozpin. Caster buckled from the weight and momentum.
"Your quarrel is with me, Caster." Rider, atop Juniper, got between Ozpin and Caster. "If you even have half the dignity of the noble house you hail from, you would face me, a Servant, and not him, a Master."
Between Ozpin and Rider, at least Rider imposed a much greater threat towards Caster's Repha'im on image. It wasn't much given that Juniper was an adorable rabbit with antlers while the Repha'im was an abomination of a monster.
Caster pulled out his book. Cthnonians began to appear around him along with tentacles that have begun to surround Ozpin and Rider.
Paper Pleasers from outside held the tentacles back for long enough for Ozpin to escape. Rider made no move to follow as he continued to stare down Caster who never broke off contact, either.
"Rider," Ozpin said, he'd rather face Caster himself, even if he knew he wouldn't win. "I am not your Master. But I believe I speak for miss Nikos that you should look after yourself."
There was no telling what Rider's face said for it was hidden underneath that rusted helmet. It was better that way. Ozpin would rather see the Rusted Knight than any of his students, even those that have gone before he did, face off with the criminal that bore Gilles' face.
Ozpin rode off to fight where he was needed. He met Saber along the way.
"What news, Saber?"
"Only Caster has been accounted for." Saber's face was grim. "We have no sign of Berserker nor of the Curious Cat. Chiron has been looking for them but they are currently occupied."
"Berserker takes priority." Ozpin made his decision quickly.
"Are you certain? Even knowing what Berserker could do? This early?"
"We have unfinished business, Saber." Ozpin wasn't going to hear any argument otherwise, even from himself.
/-/
Rider made no effort to escape. He allowed the tentacles to entrap him like he was in a cage. There had been another reason for his helmet staying on: he could move his eyes without moving his head, giving away his plan.
Airborne Grimm were all flocking around Jeanne. In her hand was Harpe. On one side, there was the god of light. On the other, there was Salem.
Damn it! Rider cursed. Caster had the experience of a seasoned warrior. Bluebeard. Known to be a serial killer of his wives, one thing that people could miss about him was that he had gone to wars and quests; he would leave his wives at home as he went off to them.
A lone and distant tentacle had wrapped itself around Jeanne's leg and pulled her back down, into the group where Grimm and Cthnonians were most concentrated.
Caster laughed to himself. Rider failed to see what was hilarious. It was good for Rider that Pyrrha wasn't around. No boasting and no bluffing, Rider wouldn't want Pyrrha involved in this at all. Knowing Bluebeard and what he does was enough to make Rider boil.
"Oh how fanciful it is to finally meet you, Rider!" Caster proclaimed. "You are no bride nor do I have any intention of exempting by having you as the first groom." Caster's sword pointed at Rider.
Rider responded in kind. "I am Jaune Arc, the Rusted Knight." He was getting his formalities out of the way.
Caster grinned. "Aren't we missing something, oh Jaune Arc?"
"Your True Name for one," Rider replied.
"Oh yes." Caster faked a gasp. "Where are my manners. True Name: Bluebeard. One made in the image and likeness of the horrid acts of Gilles de Rais. There, one stone for two birds."
Rider stayed quiet. Battles kept going around them. Somewhat was taking charge of the Paper Pleasers in his absence.
"Ahem." Caster coughed. "I believe there is something missing in your introduction there, Rider."
"What is there to miss? That I am also Voyager? I didn't think of you as someone who would be interested in that sort of thing."
"Let me remind you, then!" Caster snapped his fingers.
In Rider's peripheral, he saw Jeanne being slammed back down to the ground. Neither Astolfo nor Chiron could support Jeanne with the walls of Grimm and Cthnonians getting in the way. A holy flame ringed around Jeanne, keeping enemies away long enough for her to get back on her feet.
"See my point, now?" Caster asked. "Jeanne d'Arc was the comrade of Gilles de Rais before he succumbed to the madness. I was made in that madness. You have a kindred spirit to the Maiden herself."
"I am also my own person."
"Indeed." The Repha'im bowed and Caster stepped down, meeting Rider in the eye. Well, Rider was the one looking down now since he refused to step down from Juniper. "Just as I am my own."
Caster adopted a stance more fit for a noble knight than an occult serial killer.
"But you and I cannot deny a kind of kindred spirit with them, no? If nothing else, I shall see why Cinder Fall obsesses over you so. Poor Berserker!"
Rider swung his blade as Juniper crouched down, ready to hop into battle. Antlers lowered. Though they weren't sharp, those antlers would hurt, especially with Juniper's speed.
"And Rider," Caster added. "Try not show off such innocent ideals. I really do not intend to take you as a groom." Caster's eyes popped out that Rider wanted to poke them hard. "Had Gilles de Rais himself been here, I would have taken pleasure of taking his beloved Maiden in front of his own eyes!"
The visor of Rider's helmet had two red dots on them. Juniper's Tranquility did not reach to him in time. Pink lightning flashed from Rider's place. Tentacles had been waiting for him; they've talked for too long.
Juniper couldn't move well with those tentacles carefully shaping themselves into hooks and rings for her hooves to get tangled in. In the distance, Jeanne was having similar struggles as she couldn't break free from her own entanglement. Astolfo had to come in and help her out with Chiron shooting at the strays preventing Astolfo from getting any closer.
Meanwhile, Ozpin and Saber were fighting together as any other Master and Servant. Those two exchanged commands with upmost trust in the other's capabilities.
Rider's own Master, along with Lancer and her Master, and the rest of their team were nowhere to be found. Rider wouldn't deny anxiety about the state of his Master; Curious Cat was still somewhere out there in this chaos and Berserker would be coming for them eventually, if they haven't already.
"I believe it is I should be distracted, Rider!" Caster swung his sword, guiding the tentacles to act. Caster was the conductor with the Cthnonians acting as his orchestra. These otherworldly tentacles were his instruments.
"Juniper!" Rider called out. Pink lightning ringed around them, frying the tendrils that wrapped around them. When they had cleared, Rider whispered, "I'll handle this alone. Help Somewhat."
His mount hesitated there but followed orders. A large flower engulfed Juniper and spat out Rider in that same spot. His broken sword drawn on one hand. His rusted shield, fully deployed. Paper Pleasers cut their way through the tendrils that caged them in.
Caster's smile only grew as the Repha'im behind him left the cage to join in the battlefield.
Jeanne was still struggling to get past the air-tight defense. It almost didn't matter who she was going to target as neither Salem nor the god of light could be reached with ease. The god of light had begun to repel the Grimm that surrounded him by commanding the toys to attack; he himself did not raise a hand, even to smite.
Paper clashed with tendrils and lost. Broken sword clashed with refined steel and won. In contests of strength and skill, Rider took that advantage. His shield helped in keeping Caster's sword away and allowed Rider to close the distance for his shorter blade.
Though they were Servants, the two fought like knights. Two knights, born from the tales and brought to life by the works of another that drew from real lives.
But Caster had been of that class for a reason. Part of Rider's greater prowess had been because Caster used only one hand to swing his blade. The other hand was on a book. A small blast shot Rider out of their circled arena and into the greater chaos of Vale's battlefield.
Skirmishes were everywhere. Whatever scraps of building that could be used were abused. Above them, black birds filled the skies that Rider couldn't tell the difference between actual birds or Nevermore. For all he knew, Raven could have been among them already, if she had stayed to fight at all.
Cthnonians and Grimm all charged at Rider. Rider met them head on.
His shield bashed at the Beowolf. Before the Grimm could respond, Rider kept moving forward and raised his shield high, flinging the Beowolf over his shoulder. A Cthnonian had been behind that Beowolf and Rider made use of his own momentum. As his shield was raised, he swung with the broken sword, cutting the Cthnonian. But that Cthnonian had some fight left; the Beowolf hadn't been killed yet either.
Rider twisted his body as moved aside, the Beowolf's lunge had targeted the Cthnonian instead. He dug his sword deep into the Beowolf and then jammed it in further until it reached the Cthnonian before pulling out.
There was no time to see if both Grimm and Cthnonian had been killed. A Boarbatusk was rolling towards him, barreling over and through its own allies, uncontrolled in its momentum and direction. Rider didn't choose to take it head on. Caster was putting distance between them and closing the gap towards Jeanne; she still held on to Harpe.
Two Ursa came next. As Jaune Arc, Rider might as well be a specialist against these ursine. One mighty swing for each of them and the bear-like Grimm fell. Rider raised his shield over his head the first moment he caught a Nevermore's feather landing just by his feet.
Black feathers rained down as Rider kept going. Paper Pleasers resumed their skirmishes with the Grimm, both paving the path and getting in the way of Rider.
He took a deep breath. "Villain," he said. Fairytale Knight's influence was allowed in. "You will go no further."
Rider's swordsmanship changed. It felt natural to him. Not him as Jaune Arc but as the Rusted Knight. Shield collapsed back into a sheath that then welcomed the broken sword. Many enemies stood in the way of the Rusted Knight.
The two-handed sword felt better in Rider's hands. Fairytale Knight always went for the clichéd imagery with its influence, but with it came with the skills and techniques that the living Jaune Arc could never have done, not without significant training.
Light and fleet of foot, Rider went through scores of Grimm and Cthnonians. Paper Pleasers shielded his head from the raining of black feathers.
Cthnonians took hold of his sword. But Rider wasn't helpless without it. Chiron's Pankration kicked in and Rider slipped into that which was natural to him. Grounded and less acrobatic, Rider stood his ground even as a Boarbatusk barreled towards his back and an Ursa pounced on his front.
Sparks flew as the Boarbatusk's rotation did little to chip away his rusted armor. Rider bore through the weight of the Ursa with one hand and waited for the Boarbatusk to slow its rotation. When it did, Rider took hold of the tusks and slammed one Grimm against the other.
Rider kept moving forward, even recovering his sword as the Cthnonian that held it were ruthless torn apart by many paper cuts.
Caster was focusing on him now for Rider could see Jeanne breaking free from her encirclement and reaching the air. With Astolfo and Chiron, that encirclement only loosened further. Jeanne's eyes were on him in that one moment. But Rider wouldn't let them worry, a Fairytale Knight was supposed to be one.
A paper horse had appeared and Rider took his mount. His sword returned to its dormant form and hung on his back as a paper halberd replaced his weapon. Grimm and Cthnonian all charged at Rider but Paper Pleasers formed themselves into weapons and gave up their parchment forms taking out one enemy as another took their place.
Paper sword cut a Grimm. Paper spear impaled a Cthnonian. Paper arrows shot down those in the air. Paper horse kept moving forward.
Caster's frustration was painting his face. He commanded more Grimm towards him and a few Repha'im were even sent Rider's way. These Repha'im were the biggest challenge to Rider for within them housed the imprisoned faunus of Menagerie. A Fairytale Knight shouldn't be slaying the innocents. But Rider was being forced to.
Then, select Paper Pleasers had joined Rider in that moment. Each of them folded into people that Rider could only recognize courtesy of Voyager and the Grail. Fairytale Knight meant that Rider would have to be closer to those ideals if it meant reaching the full potential of this skill. Those nine Paper Pleasers were proof of that, to be a Fairytale Knight is to be a Worthy.
Distance between Rider and Caster closed quickly as Paper Pleasers regained their momentum against the Grimm and Cthnonians. Though still fragile, the Paper Pleasers outnumbered them even after their losses against the god of light toys. Rider kept moving, he kept pushing. Driven, as though by knightly oath, Rider, in that moment, was the Rusted Knight as the people think of him.
Rider stopped. There was much space between himself and the Grimm and Cthnonian alliance. Caster had retreated as more shielded him from Rider. Caster was fully intent on focusing on Jeanne.
Jeanne was close to breaking free. Tentacles were desperate to keep her back. Astolfo and Chiron fought furiously to free her. A Maiden was in danger. A Maiden was in distress. As a knight, it was his duty to save her. An evil kept her in that tower of tendrils.
Just as he had the Jabberwalker many a time ago. Burning fires and breaking bows, cawing crows, flying spears, crashing waves, a broken sword, he came with biting blade. He will purge this land of a sinful beast this day. Though not the Ever After, this faraway place shall know freedom and peace shall be its reward, now and forever. The Rusted Knight shall make it so. That is what the Rusted Knight does, at the cost of all thing. He shall drink the poisons in their steads.
The sheath went back to its arm and expanded into shield. Rider drew the sword. Under the morning sun, it's rusted hilt glowed in the lights of fairy stories and of childish imagination. Rusted hand shall never let the old blade sleep. In a contest of right, fortune favors honor and might.
A black beast leapt forward to shred. But the Knight raised his sword and cut the poor beast's head.
The Rusted Knight moved onward. He was right in front of these monsters of the sea and the Jabberwalker's kin. Behind him were the paper warriors of his house but the Knight outpaced them. Lights burst with each step. Aura Amplification granted the Knight his greater strength. With flaming roar, his voice was heard across this faraway land of Vale.
When the broken sword flies, lines of paper warriors arise. Against the evil sea, a hero goes to scourge his enemy. The Rusted Knight sailed forth to pay the score and conquer that sinful shore. There, Caster believed himself safe from enemy might, but nothing had yet to contest the Rusted Knight.
A fairytale flame from old days came. From the tales of fantastical knights, souls of crystal and gold burst forth in might. Huntsmen and huntresses, protectors of peace and the masses, rose and rode against the sea of blackness.
Vale's hearts began to beat in chorus. With weapons unsurpassed, spears, axes, and halberds, metals white as snow, Vale's protectors will go. Blows precise in hardy vice, bursts of flames burned within them. For their kingdom over grass, they vowed to conquer their foes.
The Grimm came to Vale's land, and so it's people fought hand to hand. Sweat and blood turned the grounds to mud. By the sounds of their boom, all enemies will be sent to their doom. Heroes, all of them, as huntsmen, they answered the call of those fairy halls and will fill it with their songs.
Among them was the Rusted Knight. Among them was a worthy of Remnant. Jaune Arc was nowhere to be found. All that was was the fairy tale.
/-/
Jeanne managed to break herself free from her entrapment. With Caster being too focused on Rider, she had free reign over the skies. However, something about Rider rubbed off the wrong way in Jeanne's eyes.
"Fairytale Knight," she thought aloud. "He's fully committed to it."
"Jeanne!" Chiron called out. He shot down a Nevermore that was about to devour her. "What are you waiting for?"
"Astolfo!" Jeanne made her decision. That's not her little brother. "I'll leave this to you!"
"Eh?" Astolfo nearly dropped Harpe. "Why me?"
"I need to get to Pyrrha." Her eyes glowed furiously. "Rider is the Rusted Knight." As much as she can't deny the effectiveness of his current status, Jeanne couldn't allow Rider to stay like this. Pyrrha couldn't lose him again, not when they've come around to it. "But he's not Jaune Arc."
Jeanne flew around the battlefield. Finding Pyrrha was as simple as finding a Servant. Finding those was as easy as being able to make out their shapes amidst the chaos. From her height, everyone was like insects of varying species with those Repha'im around.
It wasn't Lancer that Jeanne saw first. "Curious Sanson?" They were sneaking around, hiding among the chaos in the battlefield. They were heading somewhere. Jeanne found Lancer at the end of it. "Saves me from trying to find them."
Jeanne flew downward. She double-checked herself. The leaves were still there. Berserker was the only one left unaccounted for.
AN: More on the chapter's title really, it is based on the title of my other fic which is a play on Gilles' NP name, Saint War Order.
Gilles de Rais being the most influential character is still odd. But it's cool, the greatest cool.
Lastly, at least on FFN, I've looked through the profiles of other writers and simply followed their lead. Should anyone be interested in that Google Slides file, I've placed said link in my FFN profile (with modifications for the benefit of those who don't know about links and FFN). Let me know if you could actually see it though or if I need to do some more modification to it.
Can't say for AO3 yet since I have yet to see how others do it.
If it doesn't, try my youtube channel (same username, same profile pic, might want to filter though by channel, or use "featheredink8971"). I placed it in the about section and in posts (community?) where it is simply there as is, no modifications were needed. Just copy-paste and you're good to go.