Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Grab her hand and pull her up. You're getting her to a doctor. She needs to be treated.

Feeling her cold touch, you closed your eyes and held her wrist. You pulled her up from where she sat and watched her stare at you as you stood. This was... The correct choice.

Looking behind her, you saw the thing lurking behind the glass stare at you. A feeling of dread washed over you all at once but you endured it. Your instincts screamed you to run but you stood your ground.

The eye glared at you as you chose to ignore it.

"You're getting yourself treated. You're a mess," you told her with a dry tone as you held her steady.

Manaka cracked a smirk, "So you won't kill me?"

"No. After all, aren't we friends?" You reminded her as she blinked.

Manaka then met your gaze and stood on her feet, "Indeed. Friends."

"We have a long night ahead of us. You're not going to let a little injury get between you and the fun, huh?" You replied as you let her go.

Manaka shook her head, "It seems like you pass. Let's go then. Berserker, you can stop hiding now."

You turned to see Berserker step out of the shadows with his arms crossed. He nodded your way before looking at his master.

"Finally leaving?" Berserker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"We have Servants to eliminate and a little girl to hunt later," Manaka said as she stepped forward.

"Good. I was getting sick of this place," Berserker said as he walked towards you two and picked up Manaka, "Lead the way, boy."

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

You treated Manaka at a nearby clinic under the influence of your company. It was an emergency location for you to use if you were nearby and needed assistance, otherwise it was just a normal clinic. You took the precautions to secure it against magical invasion though.

"You'd go this far for me? Well isn't that nice," Manaka said as she sat in one of the clinic's bed. Her body had been stabilized thanks to the combined effort of your physicians and her own healing factor.

"We need you for tonight. I'll get absolutely murdered if you don't help out," you replied as you leaned on your cane.

"That is certainly one way of looking at it. But you're right, I need to be there. I have a score to settle," Manaka said as she looked at her hands.

"Ophelia got you good, huh?" You noted as you looked her way.

"She has a rather interesting eye. It's almost as unique as that black box you carry with you," Manaka said as she leaned on her pillow, "You seem to be close to her."

"She was just a classmate for one class. We spoke at length only during those times. It's not what you think," you shrugged as you glanced her way.

"So you won't mind if I kill her then?" Manaka asked as she observed your face.

"See, this is why you don't have friends," you replied with a low hiss. You crossed your legs as you added, "I won't stop you but I won't help you either."

"Good enough for me then," Manaka replied with a giggle as she sighed, "It is sort of refreshing, having to talk to someone like this."

"Only because there are few people that can stomach your attitude," you told her with a shake of your head.

"So you believe I'm the problem?" Manaka asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Bite me," you hissed right back.

"You know, had you been the same man a few days ago, I would I have turned you inside out," Manaka threatened as she gave you a cold look.

"What changed?" You asked.

"You truly were what I saw you to be. A strange man fighting for a selfish cause. Driven not for a boring goal but one that you don't even know will work," Manaka answered as she met your gaze, "You're nothing like my King. You're cunning, driven and cautious... Maybe if it's you, maybe you can make that fairytale about the Grail granting wishes true."

You stared at her before shaking your head and leaning back on your seat, "It's still a long road. Stop hyping me up... Or maybe you're using the Root for something as mundane as looking into my future?"

"You said it yourself, who knows what could happen. The Kaleidoscope is infinite like that," Manaka said as she shrugged, "Maybe this time you'll get lucky."

You snorted as you leaned on your cane, "Well if it's luck... I guess I just need to stack the odds to my favor. So get to healing already, would you?"

Manaka stared at you with a smile. It was smile unlike any other she showed you before. This one was warmer than the others.

"I hear you," she giggled as she grinned.

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

You had a new battlefield set for the night. Instead of the amusement park, you chose the underground waterways as your hideout this time. Strategically, this would off-set Saber's Noble Phantasm of calling down lightning while keeping Archer in check with narrow and cramped tunnels.

It would be the perfect place for Assassin to lurk around and set up ambush points. Manaka had separated from you to survey the area.

You had created traps and tunnels filled with explosives to cave in on the off chance your foes would take any of them. You'll be alerted to their presence and you'll be able to direct Assassin accordingly.

Miyu stayed with you this time, sitting on a chair you brought in for her. You can see the worry on her face as she rubbed her shoulder.

"We'll make this quick," you assured her, "I'll get you back to your mother safe and sound."

Miyu looked at you and nodded.

Good... Now then. Let's begin!

Your Command Seals burned. They burned bright as Miyu watched them glow. You blinked and felt your consciousness be drawn inside yourself and you saw from the sky, you were looking down the city, then it zoomed in to show a manhole in the middle of downtown, it then went faster underneath it, through the tunnels and passages until it gave you a view of yourself and Miyu.

You gasped and you returned to your own vision and fell down your knees.

It's time for the ninth day and your second Defense. Your entire body felt a chill.

Something had tripped the alarms, boldly walking in.

"My Lord, my Familiars have something to report. It's Archer... Archer has come."

"Any sign of her Master?" You asked as you raised your head.

"No. She seems to be alone. What are your orders?"


[] Have Assassin prepare an ambush. She needs to hold Archer off there.
[] Let Archer go deeper into the tunnel and then collapse it on top of her.
[] Call in Manaka. Let her deal with Archer for now and give her something to do.
[] Write in...