Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Write in: That's Saber, Berserker, and Caster, and maybe Lancer actively in play. Archer and Rider has not made any appearance yet. Track down where the Grail is going and under no circumstances will she reveal herself. Watch and observe. The moment to strike is near.

Thinking fast, you made your decision, "There's a total of four Servants at play now. I need you to track the Grail's path. You must not reveal yourself, okay? Watch and observe as best you could. Our time to strike may be near."

"Understood," Assassin replied with a firm tone.

You kept the Scrap Bird perched where it was while you watched the battle between Saber and Berserker. They haven't activated their Noble Phantasms yet, they seemed to be still gauging each other's skills. As long as they weren't serious, you can't get anymore meaningful data on their identities or capabilities others than they're absurdly powerful.

You hoped that Assassin could do her job.

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Assassin hid in the shadows as the carpet rose up. The Servant in the vicinity readied his fists as the fire demon swung at him. He evaded the strike with a flip before kicking off the ground.

He ascended to the air as his foot began to spark. He then dived down with a falling kick and smashed into the fire demon's arms, breaking them apart as he landed on the ground. Infernal fire escaped the monster's mouth but the Servant clenched his fist and raised his leg, kicking aside the fire before punching the fire demon's fist to the side.

"I'm not impressed, Caster," The Servant declared as his armor burst with power and he held his hand up.

He shot towards the familiar and clashed with it. The flying carpet ascended and took off into the sky with the Grail on top it. The Servant tried to break off the but the fire demon kept him in place, grabbing his Cape and slamming him down.

"Damn you. I'm not used to fighting in this form... But it's necessary," the Servant cursed as he got up.

Assassin knew that this was her signal to move. She slipped through the shadows and stayed out of sight. She followed the Grail's tracks as the carpet flew in the air.

Jumping over the park's fence, Assassin kicked off the spikes and jumped towards the next building. Grabbing on the edge, she left the warzone the park had become and gave chase. Skipping over some vents and water towers, Assassin did her best to chase the carpet as it flew.

She stuck to the darkness, moving silently and without making the slightest sound. She stalked the carpet as it shot through the city at an insane speed only a Rider could keep up with. The girl on top of it seemed unfazed by the wind, denoting some manner of protection against the incoming air.

The child did look fearful of the height beneath her.

Assassin moved and jumped from building to building, canal over canal until she hit the street and slid to the side. She ran up the wall, taking to the air and struggled to keep up.

She stopped just as the carpet gained speed and vanished from sight.

Caster has the Grail.

The Master will not be pleased.

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The fight between Berserker and Saber ended only when the latter pulled back. He jumped away and sheathed his blade.

Berserker frowned and called him out, "Hey! We're still not finished yet!"

"Better to retreat now. Our quarry has already escaped," Saber advised as he glanced at Berserker, "You're a fine foe. Your reckless attitude may just cost you this war. Be wary of foes in the shadows."

"What's that supposed to mean?! Hey!" Berserker said as Saber vanished in a curtain of gray.

The man was left on his own before noticing the commotion happening nearby. He smirked before turning away from it. He must have chosen to go with Saber's advice.

Now that the Grail was gone, they had no reason to stay. Chiyome better be all right... You flapped your wings and ascended to see what was going on at the other end of the park. Gliding towards that direction, you looked down to see a fiery monster being held back by a man in dark armor.

He seemed to be trying to escape it but it wouldn't let him. You watched as the man flipped back before he landed and summoned a weapon.

A flash and the creature was cut.

You didn't catch what weapon he used but his cape swayed with the wind as he watched the monster break. He moved and vanished from sight soon after. You flapped your wings and exited the area.

"Master, I deeply apologize. Caster has the Grail. The carpet she was flying on was too fast to chase."

You figured as much. No matter, as long as she wasn't discovered, this night was a net gain.

"Return to the hideout. You've done enough for the night," you told her as you flapped your wings to perch the Scrap Bird to a safe building.

This war had a lot of big players.

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You sat on your bedside, on your second candy wrapper while you waited for Assassin. You raised your gaze as she stepped out of the shadows and immediately fell down to kneel before you.

"I've returned, Master," Assassin said as she lowered her head, "My failure is a result of my inadequacy, I will accept punishment in exchange."

You blinked as you raised your eyebrows.

"It's not really a failure, you know? I don't think a punishment is necessary," you told her as you tossed your trash in the bin, "We found out what sort of Servants we were dealing with and that's enough for me. I won't ask you the impossible, Assassin. One wrong move could easily put you in danger."

That and any real chance of winning this war goes down the toilet if she dies.

"Still... I believe I could have done better, My Lord," Assassin said as she grimaced.

You unwrapped another piece of candy and pondered a bit, "Well that's true. But I believe we made the right calls considering the circumstances."

You stood up unsteadily. It was quite difficult with your cane but you hobbled over to Assassin as she came up with a reply.

"But..." Assassin began as she raised her head, only for you to stuff her mouth with the candy.

"You sure love beating yourself over this, huh?" You noted as you watched her eyes widen from the sweetness. You rested your hand on her head and ruffled it, "It's fine, Miss Mochizuki."

Assassin simply lowered her head and ate the candy.

You stood up and walked to your desk, "Well, while it's problematic that Caster has the Grail, I can guess how things will go next. The other Masters would surely decide to turn their attention to Caster and the threats they encountered tonight. We're low on their priority list."

"Do... Do you wish to hunt them while they're preoccupied by the Grail?" Assassin asked you with a surprised look.

"That's one way of doing it. The other is forming alliances," you replied as you looked down your study to look down the map.

"The one who holds the Grail the longest will have the most influence over it. Is this wise?" Assassin asked.

"Either we help another Master or we let them track down Caster for us while we kill them," you told her as you sat down on your bedside, "We can't make any rash decisions. Those Servants are more likely to kill each other than us having to lift a finger though."

Though tracking down Caster's hideout and exposing them would be a good move too.

Assassin looked at the ground with a difficult expression and said, "I... I'm sorry."

"Did it taste good?" You asked her as you studied her.

Assassin blinked before realising that her candy was gone. She nodded her head, causing you to crack a smile.

"The sweetness isn't half bad. I take them when I need to think hard," you told her as you glanced at the Map of the city, "If you ever feel bitter, I have some in stock. You did well tonight, Assassin."

"Understood, My Lord," Assassin said as her shoulder relaxed while she bowed her head, "Thank you."

And so the first night ended. You had a lot of work cut out for you.

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You dreamed.

Of loss.

Of Grief.

Of self loathing.

This curse will never wash away. This curse of her ancestor... And her children too...

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Opening your eyes, you were greeted by the smell of food being cooked. You held your head and blinked before you noticed that someone was working in the kitchen.

A person stepped with a tray of a rice bowl and some fried fish. A pair of chopsticks and a cup of water was also on it.

Assassin has brought you breakfast.

"My Lord. Good morning," Assassin greeted you as she set the tray on your study before stepping back.

"Right. Morning," you told her as you rubbed your eyes, "You made food?"

Assassin looked different today. She was wearing a blue parka labeled 'Arts' over her usual... Can you even call that outfit? Well at least it was more modest now.

You need to give her some pants.

"Yes. I did my best. However it would seem that my skills have deteriorated ever since..." Assassin caught herself before shaking her head, "I-It has been long since I have cooked for someone."

You took one look at the food and it looked all right.

"Oh it can't be that bad," you said as you walked over to your desk and sat down. You took your chopsticks and took a piece of fish and rice.

Taking a bite, the taste hit you with the force of a truck.

You paled.

It's horrible.

"My Lord?" Assassin asked with a worried look.

Oh god it's bad. The presentation was fine and it looked and smelled edible but what was this taste and powder-like consistency?

Was it an illusion?

No it can't be.

What do you say? You... You have to say something. Anything!

Your bond with Assassin is too low. You'll need to increase that bond for her cooking to improve.


[] "This... This is pretty good. Assassin."
[] Say nothing. Just eat it all. Suck it up and finish what she made.
[] "Um... Do you want to try pasta instead? There's a restaurant nearby."
[] Write in...