[] "Always have a flair for theatrics, huh, Miss Hortensia?"
You raised your head as you met her gaze, "Always have a flair for theatrics, huh, Miss Hortensia?"
"If you can make quips, I'd assume you're still fine," Caren said as she crossed her arms.
"A ceasefire? What, is the situation too much for the Church Girl?" Minerva snarled from the side as you held your wound.
Caren turned towards her, "If you disagree, you can opt out and go back to being burned by Derrinsmith's words, Doll. We don't have any use for dead weights if you don't mind."
"You..!" Minerva hissed but Saber raised his hand to stop her, "Saber!"
"Lady Hortensia, surely you don't expect us to agree to this with no compensation. Maintaining the integrity of this war was your responsibility. Surely, you have something to offer in turn?" Saber asked as he narrowed his gaze before Artoria stood between him and the Nun.
"Of course. If you all behave, then I may just have enough Command Seals to give out as a reward at the end of this. Take care of the Blackened that appear and I will relinquish these Seals," Caren declared as she glanced between each and every one of you, "The War will be postponed until due notice. Anyone who breaks the ceasefire... Will have a bad time."
Artoria stabbed her weapon into the ground to make a point.
"But I doubt your aim is to make this a competition. As we are, none of us here can touch that Blackened that took Miyu," you said as you tried to catch your breath, "Think you can keep us working together?"
"I can try. This isn't about your Petty War anymore. We can't let the Grail be taken by those monsters, not unless we end up having a bigger problem in our hands. So I'll need you to fight... Find that Blackened Servant and take back the Grail," Caren said as she looked down on all of you with Artoria by her side.
You blinked before you smiled. What a funny joke. That makes this the second time, huh? Well... You could play along for now. For...
Ah, your vision was darkening. Chiyome moved from the side and called out to you.
You fell forward and darkness engulfed your mind. You blacked out.
.....
....
...
You were falling... Down into the deep abyss.
You turned and saw light beneath you. You reached out and saw a brilliant cluster of lights all around you.
Brilliant, every single one of them. They were all reflected in your eye, each beating and shining as you watched them go.
You eventually hovered before a blue mote of light. You felt that it was familiar so you held it close on your palm, gently looking down upon it before you saw it turn dark. It went into static, leaving your eyes widening as you saw that it turned muddy purple and you watched as it pulse as the life within it was snuffed out.
You raised your gaze and found a girl hovering before you.
Her blue eyes twinkled as her smile curled upon her lips. The muddy mote of light turned into a mudball of corruption, spreading its web of darkness to the other lights around it as you heard the familiar cry of the Beast.
"Merry Christmas, Hans. See you soon."
.....
....
...
You opened your eyes and grimaced as your entire body ached. Sore muscles... It's a sign that you haven't moved in awhile. It couldn't have been a few hours, right? You grit your teeth as you tried regaining control of your body before you started internalizing where you were. You were... in your Room at the Church.
Light came in from the windows and the smell of morning was obvious enough. Your lips and throat were dry but your leg was just aching. You couldn't feel the gunshot you had in it but that didn't take the tingling away. A moment later you tensed up once you realized someone was in the room with you.
"Color me surprised, you're the last person I expected to pay me a visit, Ophelia," you sighed as you faced the woman by the door.
"Still running your mouth off I see, Hans," Ophelia said as she crossed her arms.
"How's your injuries? Will anything last?" you asked with a raised eyebrow.
"..." Ophelia hesitated saying anything before rubbing her forehead in exasperation, "Well, better than what you went through. Severe Prana Deprivation, heavy internal injuries and a gunshot wound to your knee. You're lucky you're still breathing. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder what it'll take to kill you."
"Not that you'll do it. You're too soft hearted for that," you pointed out.
"Frankly, I may be so soft hearted that it'll be a mercy at this point. Do not test me, Derrinsmith," Ophelia said as she rubbed her shoulder, "You're pretty lively for a man that slept for four days."
Four... Oh fuck.
"Wait, four?" you blinked as you tried rising up.
"Your body caught up to you. Every one had the chance to kill you right then and there but your little Assassin looked like she could take on Saber at that point and win if anyone touched you. Still, this should be good news for the others that you woke up," Ophelia said as she met your gaze.
"Miyu... Did you find Miyu?" you asked her as you tried taking off the blanket on you and sit up.
"Yes. Yesterday the broadcast occurred. She's being kept in a Pyramid off the Bay of the City. It's a heavily guarded magical fortress hidden from the naked eye by ancient curses," Ophelia said as she showed you her phone, giving you an image of Pyramid just sitting in the middle of the bay, glowing at night but unnoticed by the civilians of the city.
Your eyes widened once you saw the flock of wings surrounded its peak.
"Sphinxes... How many Phantasmal Beasts are we up against? If those attacked the City all at once..." You breathed as you felt your side ache.
"Don't push yourself. In any case, the Blackened hasn't made any moves. Not in attacking our servants or causing trouble. But there has been someone that managed to get close to it and even enter it," Ophelia said as she stared down at you.
"Who?" you asked.
"Kirishima Ayumi. Your little friend that injured me in the last fight," Ophelia said as she shook her head, "Hans... As much as it pains me to say this, we can't do this with just Rider, Lancer and Saber. You need to help too."
"Don't need to tell me that. I'll do it. We don't have much time..." you replied as you looked down at your Command Seals, "Still, that doesn't explain why you're here. I would have at least guessed you were trying to hex me or something."
"Under the ceasefire, no. But I've only joined last night once Miss Hortensia visited me personally and explained the situation. I thought I could drop by. I never expected you to wake up," Ophelia said as she sighed. She then glanced at you, "You're a stubborn man, Hans. Sooner or later... Right, you hated lectures."
....
"I guess I'll go now and tell the others," Ophelia said as she turned around to leave.
Time Limit
[] "Ophelia wait... About what I said that night. It... I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of it."
[] "You really don't belong in this War, you know? You missed your chance to go home with your Chaldea."
[] "Hey. Do you think we have a chance? Do you have any idea what'll happen if we somehow lose?"
[] "Pleasure working with you, Miss Phamrsolone. You're quite the role model Magus from where I'm sitting."