Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Use an Escape Route. Assassin will break through the Blackened and escape out of the Pyramid. She's done enough and she should focus on running now.

She was getting swept up. Assassin had time to grab hold of herself and focus on what mattered now. While it was true that information on the Blackened's capabilities was important, she didn't have to go through such a risky method. That's right. She had seen enough of what she could. It was time to pull back and letting her curse devour her here wouldn't amount to much other than compromise Hans.

Assassin felt that Saber was right. Out of every Head of the Mochizuki, she ended up being the most compatible with it. Hans truly has helped her get this far, huh? She couldn't let herself fall here. That would not only be shameful but Hans would just end up doing something stupid if anything happened to her. He was after all a simple man once she truly had him under her finger.

For now she had to make her retreat. Judging from the Blackened's moves, he couldn't just leave that necklace be. It would prove to be quite the tool to give her an advantage but she couldn't get to it from where she stood now. Her eyes darted to the exit and figured out a way to get past the Blackened. Orochi's curse continued to crawl all over her body but she had it restrained for now, letting it drip into her spirit to give her the burst of strength she needed.

Rushing forward, Assassin made her way towards the Blackened as a feint and make him think she was still after him. The Blackened predictably reacted as he swung his staff upwards and fired off bursts of lights in the air. Assassin dodged and weaved past them before she jumped and tossed pellets into the air, having them detonate.

Smoke burst forth as Chiyome hooked herself to the ground to avoid the piercing beams of light penetrating the smoke. She tossed out a firecracker to the far right and had it explode to which the Blackened reacted.

He slashed through the air with his staff, splitting the smoke apart before he glanced to his side to see Assassin pass him.

Slamming his staff into the ground, light swirled and coalesced into the bestial form of a monster of glittering stars. Assassin looked up to see that it took the form a faceless Sphinx looking down on her. It then tensed and swung its arm at her, blazing claws lighting up as Chiyome drew upon a Shinobi tool and expanded a metal umbrella which took the brunt of the blow.

Through the molten steel and shattered debris, her serpentine eyes glared at the Sphinx as it moved to swing again. However she was already on the move, evading the strike and going under the creature as mud gathered at the entrance of the chamber. The Blackened Servant rose up and swung his staff at Chiyome, forcing her to swing her sword and clash with him.

How persistent!

The ground began to glow before Chiyome disengaged just before the man was swallowed by a beam of light. His body burned as he took the two kunai Chiyome threw and endured, the kunai promptly exploded and knocked him back. Assassin took this chance to get past him as he turned and grab her arm.

"Gragh!" Chiyome gasped as she was thrown straight into the frame of the chamber's entrance before pinned there.

She looked into the Blackened's golden eyes before she noticed his corruption clinging on to her flesh. Was he trying to corrupt her as well? No, it's the mud that was doing this.

"S-Saburou!"Assassin growled as she summoned her Serpent and it hissed upon smashing against the Blackened, freeing Assassin. The Serpent was promptly torn apart by the Blackened's bare hands but Assassin was already gone.

She managed to dash up and looked at the spot the Blackened pinned her down. The corruption didn't take root so she was safe for now but that was another thing to report. Whatever happened, Servants must not come into contact with that mud. Otherwise they'll just end up like the Blackened as well. It's good to have confirmation but Chiyome wasn't about to stick around to find out more.

Her eyes widened once the passage switched from what she remembered. Forks and intersections were closed off and walls shifted as the ground itself quaked. She grunted as she leaned against the walls before noticing that the Blackened must have been shifting the interior of the Pyramid itself to keep her boxed in.

Chiyome reached into her pouch and held out a glowing green gemstone. Luvia handed her this particular gemstone and told her to crush it.

"Show me the way," Assassin breathed as she crushed it in her hand, watching it break apart and the dust drift through the air and spark electricity. A sharp tendril of light then flew through the air and guided her forward.

Assassin moved down the passage and rushed through the numerous halls. Traps were set and even as she tripped them, she had enough perception and dexterity to clear them without getting hurt. The light moved her from the underground and she felt herself rising higher and higher up the pyramid.

Murals lit up as she ran, Assassin didn't stop for anything until she came upon a hall with pillars lining up the side of the carpet leading to the exit. The glowing green light turned into a sphere and floated by the side of Assassin's head as she looked ahead. Someone was waiting for her at the end of the hall, causing the Servant to stop and look.

A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes stood at the far end of the chamber and had her eyes widen in surprise. She then cracked a smile and placed a hand upon her lips before pointing to the right. The wall collapsed, revealing a passageway not previously there.

"Ayumi?" Assassin breathed but she blinked once and the girl was gone, only the passage she made remained. The green light then went haywire and popped, leaving Chiyome with no guide to lead her out of the Pyramid.

The ground bubbled and from the mud emerged the Blackened Servant, rising up slowly as he had to drag his body out of the floor.

Assassin didn't waste anymore time and moved to the new passage that was opened for her. The Blackened managed to get up and chase her but the entrance sealed itself off even to the Blackened. Assassin staggered back staring at the reformed wall as she found herself in Darkness, leaving her to adjust for a moment in order for her to see.

Once she did, she ended up realizing that she was looking down a dark hall. What was strange was that she can feel wind up ahead.

Assassin kept moving until she turned a corner and found an open room concealed behind some white curtains. She stepped forward and walked through it to find that it was a modern looking room with a bed, a table and some furniture. What was surprising was the girl that stood looking out the window.

"Miyu?" Assassin asked, causing the girl to turn in surprise.

Miyu tensed before turning to look right into Assassin's eyes. She stared in shock for a moment before she parted her lips, struggling to find her voice.

"Assassin?" Miyu murmured as she inhaled sharply.

She was being kept here? Then... Did Ayumi point Chiyome in the right direction somehow? No, the window was there, she could make her escape but Miyu was here...

She could take the girl. She could take her here now.

With a serious look, Assassin stepped forward, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Don't!" Miyu cried out as she held up her hand.

That put Assassin to a stop, "Miyu?"

"You... Shouldn't be here. No, maybe this is for the better," Miyu murmured as she clenched her fists. Assassin was confused but Miyu soon raised her head and spoke, "Please tell Hans and the others to abandon the War."

What?

"Tomorrow, Ayumi told me that the one controlling the Blackened will come. I'm going to bargain with Manaka to stop her from doing this. To end this War," Miyu said as she met Assassin's gaze, "I... I can talk to Manaka. If I bargain my ability as a Grail, maybe she'll just stop this whole farce."

Assassin grimaced and said, "You... You'll just end up putting yourself in danger. There's no telling if that person would even listen."

"She helped us in the past and surely if I offer something in exchange she'll do so again. She can be reasoned with," Miyu decided as she wore a determined look, "That way, you won't have to fight her... Or her Beast."

"Miyu... Do you realize what you're saying?" Assassin asked.

"If this war will only bring its participants suffering, then as the Holy Grail I will put an end to that suffering," Miyu answered as she opened the windows and let the gentle midnight breeze in, "So go... I'll handle things here."

"Where does that take you then? What happens to you?" Chiyome questioned with a sharp tone, "Where does that leave 'Miyu Sakatsuki'?"

Miyu winced but otherwise didn't meet the Servant's gaze. she could only say in a quiet whisper, "Sorry..."

Assassin wore a grim expression before she noticed the wall bubble with black mud. Time's up...

[] "I see. So we have until tomorrow then. Hans will enjoy the challenge. Just sit tight here... We'll definitely save you, okay?"
[] "You're underestimating our stubbornness, Miyu. Seems like we still have much to talk... But we'll do so after we rescue you."
[] "Hans made his promise to protect you, didn't he? You don't have to do that. He'll come here tomorrow... We'll both come for you."
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