Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Return to the City and search for Manaka at once. Leave the other things you had in mind to your employees. Manaka was your priority.

You appreciated Assassin's words as you made your decision. You decided that you were going back to the city. Leaving Manaka unattended after this encounter was just going to make you worry, not only that but you'll need her for the defense tonight .

Discreetly leaving the Luctworth territory, you made your way back to the city. Berserker wasn't around so he was the only one missing from your group. You sat in a vehicle with the Sakatsuki mother and daughter while Assassin kept up outside, running alongside the car.

Miyu was talking to animatedly with her mother while you sat at the passenger's seat beside your driver. You had several cars identical to the one you were in in hopes to fool would be pursuers.

Minerva wasn't going to let your defiance slide tonight once she gets to you.

"Are we returning to the safehouse?" Miyu asked out loud, her eyes currently on you.

"You will be. Not worry though, Assassin will be with you. You'll be safer there," you said as you glanced at her, "However in the interest of keeping your mother safe, she will have to depart a few hours before the broadcast."

Miyu gave you a look before nodding, "As... As long as she's safe."

"Oh my sweet baby girl, it's all right. It's good enough for me to cuddle you now, you don't have to look so serious!" Hiyoko giggles as she tried hugging Miyu, only for the girl to place a palm on her cheek.

"Mom, please. Hans, you will keep her safe... Right? It's not just me you have to protect, you have to protect the two of us," Miyu said as she glared at you.

"It's a package deal," Hiyoko said while winking at you.

"I'm not sure about that. But you will be safe. That much I can promise," you said as you looked ahead, "I just have a few things to look into at the moment."

.....
....
...

You left Hiyoko Sakatsuki and Miyu in Assassin's hands. While your Servant had her grievances she eventually relented once you showed her your Command seals. You'll call her when you needed anything.

Right now, you were looking at the aftermath of the battle that took place last night. Standing before the doors, you entered it as you muted your presence from the eyes of normal people.

You needed to investigate where Manaka disappeared. You ascended through the elevator of the finance building and waited. Ophelia shouldn't be a concern for tonight which brings her out of the possible threats you have to deal with.

At this point, Minerva and Lancer could show up again to take a shot at you. No, not just that but Archer should be around as well... There's no evidence she vanished yet so she may be waiting to strike.

She could be still allied with Minerva after all.

That's three Servants you have to watch out for. Not to mention their Masters. Lancer was supported by two Magi, one more of a pain than the other. Minerva was an expert at killing and would utilize both modern weapons and magecraft to get a shot at you.

And given Archer could still be out there, her master must have not revealed themselves. If anything, Archer's master was playing the true long game if this was the case but you had a lead on gaining Miyu's trust.

The others would have to work to convince her to grant them their wish.

The elevator stopped and you were currently at the top floor. It took you a couple of minutes to reach here, huh? Stepping out, you were immediately able to detect faint traces of prana in the air.

The site leading to the roof had been sealed off and there didn't seem to be anyone here at the moment. Cameras wouldn't be able to discern your presence as you walked by so you should be able to wander about.
Clearing some of the obstructions, you stepped through.

Climbing up the stairs, you opened the door to see the demolished portion of the building. It was most likely caused by a Noble Phantasm going off... Whatever sort of battle happened here must have pushed both Magi far.

Looking down the ground, you knelt and noticed dried blood. It was only what could be a small amount but the quality of prana in it was outstanding. If it was Manaka's blood then you could have a means of tracking her.

You then pressed the tip of your cane on it and uttered a short spell.

"Hounds. Search," you breathed as you felt your circuits flare up. A familiar appeared before you, a hound bared it's teeth and howled out loud before turning away.

They ran and jumped off the building, providing you a path to trace. If they had a trail then that must mean she wasn't blown to bits.

.....
....
...

You followed the trail through the city and eventually found yourself back at the abandoned amusement park. You weren't even surprised and from the entrance, you knew where to go. You walked and noticed the eerie atmosphere which pervades the park.

Even as you felt like you should turn back, you kept going. You kept walking until you reached the hall of mirrors Manaka invited you in before. Walking in, the familiar feeling of weight on your shoulders set in.

Walking through the mirrors, you eventually managed to reach the center. Lying with her back against the giant mirror was Manaka, sitting on the ground as she slowly raised her head.

"I knew you'd come for me," Manaka said as she cracked a small smile.

You saw the drying stain of blood on her side as well as the bloody pieces of metal dumped on the ground. She was hurt this much?

"What the hell happened?" You asked as you stepped forward and looked down on her. She was healing... But it was a slow process.

"This body is too frail. I was blindsided by the fact that it isn't as powerful as my real one. I got hurt," Manaka said as she held her side, "Strange... As soon as my power is gone, I become helpless."

"I can't not say I told you so. Now look at you," you sighed as you shook your head, "Guess this story took a life of its own, huh?"

"I made a slight blunder. That's all there is to it," Manaka said as she looked your way, "I can heal given time."

"You're making a good show of it, I'm sure," you replied as you knelt down before her. You wondered what would have happened had she possessed someone with better circuits overcall if she's limited by her host.

Manaka smiled at you and said, "Even now, you can still joke. Well then... What are you going to do? Are you going to save me or will you kill me? I can see... Several possibilities at the moment. Well, Hans?"

She held out her bloody hand and touched your face. Her touch felt cold... There was no warmth at all.

[] Take this chance, draw the blade in your cane and stab her. Do it now while she's still weak.
[] Grab her hand and pull her up. You're getting her to a doctor. She needs to be treated.
[] Write in...