Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Ask Manaka if she's been killing more than she should. Confront her about the disappearances you've been hearing about.

You don't like where this is going. You decided to distract her with something else. You have been meaning to ask her about it. You stepped towards her and spoke.

"Can I ask you something? I know you've sacrificed a few people for that Blackened Servant to appear. While that's fine and all, I do hope you're not overdoing it," you said as you met her gaze, "Are you?"

Manaka turned to you with a curious look, "None than I already have. Why?"

"You know why," you replied with a raised eyebrow, "People are disappearing and I am hoping that you're not responsible for them."

"Partly, Hans," Manaka giggled as she smiled at you, "But to be honest, there hasn't been the pressing need for it. At least not yet. As long as we keep killing Servants, we should be able to summon more Blackened Ones to help us. There's no need to kill people. Not unless you approve of such a thing but then again, I don't believe you're that kind of man."

"You're siphoning off power gathered by Miyu, aren't you?" You frowned as you met her gaze, "Then that means you're not involved?"

"Otherwise I won't be able to coax my dear child to offer me a hand," Manaka said as she turned away from you, "No, something else is out there doing the killing."

"Can't you consult your omniscience to find out?" You asked her with a curious tone.

"Wonderful attempt, but no. I'll leave it to you to find out... But in the benefit of helping Miyu, I'll direct you to where her mother is," Manaka said as she skipped towards you and pressed her hand against your chest.

Your eyes wide-

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You were in the air, the sky, you were looking down the city. You were looking down at an area in the outskirts. A hidden mansion guarded by Luctworth forces and Sculptures.

Dolls of your Sister.

Within it, a woman was being kept.

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You gasped as you staggered back and fell down your knees. Leaning on your cane, you felt your mind race as you looked up at the girl before you. She leaned down and tapped your cheek with her hand.

"Good luck, Hans," Manaka said with a peaceful smile.

"What are you planning to do?" You asked her as you tried to ground yourself to reality.

"I'm going to keep looking for my King. I wonder if he's truly out here as well... How do I bring him here," Manaka said as she looked up the sky.

"Hey. Do you want anything to be brought back?" You asked with a frown.

Manaka faced you with a strange look, "Now why would you ask that?"

"Well, I was just wondering if you want food from the outside. Or is that beneath your standing?" You asked as you met her gaze.

Manaka cracked a smile and said, "Something sweet."

"Got it," you said as you turned to walk away. You exited through the door leading down from the roof and went back to your room, leaving Manaka to stare at the blue sky.

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Manaka just confirmed where Miyu's mother would be for you so you gathered your forces to begin scouting around the area. You can focus on dismantling the bounded field the Luctworth had erected in the mansion's territory while letting Berserker make as much noise as possible.

Fortunately, you had another Servant for the job of extracting the woman from within the mansion. You sat at a nearby motel overlooking a gas station while you had some coffee.

Miyu sat before you with her head hung low while your people worked. She was nervous, you couldn't blame her for feeling that way.

"Assassin won't let harm come to your mother," you assured her with a determined look, "Trust us."

"But if something happens, then it would be my fault for asking," Miyu said with a worried look.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Miyu," you said as you looked out the window. You recalled Assassin's words to you just this morning, "Sometimes we have to take that step forward to get what we want."

Miyu looked out the window with a worried look. You then took out a piece of candy and slid it towards her.

"You really like sweets, don't you?" Miyu asked with a frown.

"I happen to have a sweet tooth. I get stressed when I don't get my sugar. It's surprising I lasted a week without taking one until yesterday," you said with an awkward chuckle.

"Sweet tooth," Miyu murmured as she popped the candy into her mouth. She then looked out the window once more.

You sipped your coffee as studied her expression. All you could do now was wait and see.

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Assassin landed among the grass and slipped into the shade as she took to cover. She could feel Berserker's presence drawing the attention of sentries already. She dashed through the woods and came upon a protected estate.

Taking a step onto the ground, she kicked off it to launch herself into the air. Her eye scanned the ground below as she saw magically imbued sculptures that made up the Luctworth defenses.

Baring her kunai, she threw them down at the sculptures and shattered them one by one. Landing within a few bushes, she concealed herself before moving forward.

BOOM

An explosion rang out outside of the estate. Assassin darted forward as the security measures unleashed a swarm of glass insects into the air and created a barrier that was about to come down.

Assassin slid beneath the barrier and kept herself hidden from the familiars. Looking up at them, it seemed like they've gone off to search for Berserker. She then moved to the windows and found them magically reinforced.

Pulling out a sealing tag, she disabled the enchantments and opened it. Slipping in, she kept low and stood up to find herself in a hallway.

A bounded field covered every inch of this mansion. Assassin found herself being more alert than usual. She was all alone now, she had to find Miyu's mother while she could.

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Berserker slammed down his sword and cut apart another Sculpture sent after him. Splitting apart the construct, he was able to move on to the next and drive Naegling into her chest.

Slowly, he inched closer to the mansion as he fought through the hordes of sentries. He smiled as he watched a swarm of familiars rain down on him.

"Not interested in you pests!" He roared as he cut his sword upwards and shattered the familiars with sheer brute force.

Watching the familiars fall, he rested his sword over his shoulder.

"I was just about to get bored. How's it feel on the other end of the shit you pulled a couple days back?" Berserker grinned as a man stepped out of the fog surrounding the estate.

Saber smirked and looked from beneath his straw hat, "Impatient, aren't you? Well, if it's a duel you want, I won't hold back."

"Maybe this time we won't get interrupted!" Berserker roared as he dashed forward and Saber slashed.

The two men clashed.

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Assassin moved through mansion and eventually came across one room in particular. She had dodged through sentries and familiars roaming the halls right until she reached the room she found herself in. It was a different layout from the Western style Manson she had been going through.

It was Japanese styled room... No, it seemed like a portion of the mansion had been converted into an oriental styled building. Tatami mats and walls alongside screen doors leading to the outside greeted Assassin's eyes.

Stepping in, she remembered her training and silently stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. She walked through it and silently made her to what seemed like a bedroom past an open door leading to the rock garden.

She silently opened the door to find a woman sitting inside.

A woman with long black hair wearing a floral patterned kimono sat facing an altar. She had a beautiful flower arrangement bouquet in her hands and seemed to be busy providing the finishing touches.

She perked up and turned to face Assassin. Their eyes met and a surprised look came upon her face.

"Oh my, I wasn't expecting visitors today," the woman said with a gentle smile, "Are you Lady Minerva's friend?"

Assassin was at a loss for words. This woman looked like an older Miyu. A preview of what could be... But if the war continues then that child...


[] "I am Servant Assassin. I'm here to kidnap you."
[] "No, I... I'm not a friend of this Minerva. I need you to come with me please."
[] Say nothing and put her to sleep. Extract her quickly before the mansion goes into high alert.
[] Write in...