Fate/Blackened Sugar
- Thread starter AnonymousRabbit
- Start date
- Fantasy Modern
Rowknan
Roar
- Location
- The Unknown
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yah know, I never felt the connection to Chiyome that I did to Medb...but these past two chapters have really made me care about her.
Heh. Kinda weird that that only started now instead of all that time of character development...but I feel that she and Hans have a much more healthy relationship than when they started. Chiyome cares a lot about Hans...but she's also grown much more of her own goals beyond serving him.
It's been quite the arc for her.
My only worry for the eye is its potential energy cost. We absolutely cannot spend a lot of mana right now upon risk of death...I fear successive uses would be absolutely deadly for us.
Heh. Kinda weird that that only started now instead of all that time of character development...but I feel that she and Hans have a much more healthy relationship than when they started. Chiyome cares a lot about Hans...but she's also grown much more of her own goals beyond serving him.
It's been quite the arc for her.
My only worry for the eye is its potential energy cost. We absolutely cannot spend a lot of mana right now upon risk of death...I fear successive uses would be absolutely deadly for us.
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Muramasa
Best Girl
Hans is always flirting with death in his fights. Not really anything new. The guy is simply masterful at it and insane enough to somehow pull it off.
- Location
- West Michigan
[x] Accept Ophelia's offer.
Baron Ouroboros
Emerald Leaves and Crimson Petals
- Location
- Vancouver
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Accept Ophelia's offer.
- Pronouns
- Kay
[X] Accept Ophelia's Offer
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
Votes closed
Blackened Sugar
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
[] Accept Ophelia's offer.
You hesitated as you stepped forward, only for Assassin to hold your hand. You stopped before glancing her way as she gave you a serious expression. You slowly let go of her hand before placing your own on her shoulder. Assassin conceded and stepped back but not before speaking up.
"You better know what you're doing," Chiyome said as she met your gaze.
"Don't worry, it'll work out. No matter what it takes, I'll win. Let's do this, Ophelia. You better not chicken out," you told her with a grim look.
Ophelia smiled right back as she slowly got up the table, "Overseer. Ready the backroom."
"Are you two sure about this?" Luvia asked as she held her shoulder with a pained expression, "There's several factors you need to consider upon transplanting a Mystic Eye. If it Rejects Hans due to incompatibility, there's no telling what the consequences would be. Not only that but your Eye is supposed to be Jewel Ranked, you're just going to hand it over?"
"He'll need all the help he could get," Ophelia said as she held her head.
You glanced at them and said, "Well, guess that's one thing that's true. Assassin, Luvia, Sakura, I'll be seeing you three later."
"Very funny, Hans," Luvia sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
You smiled and waved your hand as you and Ophelia were brought to the back by Caren. This was going to be an experience, wasn't it?
.....
....
...
And so the surgery began. Assassin was left standing inside the Church while waiting for her Master. She didn't know what the surgery entailed but she was familiar with how powerful Ophelia's Mystic Eye was. Was she really just handing it over to him to combat Manaka? Chiyome couldn't help but feel worry and hesitation.
Maybe she should have stopped him.
"Assassin, you should relax. It won't be good for your wounds," Artoria advised as she crossed her arms.
Assassin blinked and moved to sit down on the side. Artoria then glanced at Luvia and deigned to ask, "Tell me, Luvia. What's the worst case scenario?"
"Death among other things. The ritual/surgery the Overseer is performing doesn't necessarily mean she's pulling the eye out and giving it to Hans. It's more of a Buddhist Foundation than anything. She's going to try and move the boundary and allow the transfer to occur, namely preventing Hans' body from rejecting the eye outright," Luvia explained as she grimaced. She shook her head and said, "Even thought it's a temporary measure, using it as a weapon in this stage of the War is just... You saw what happened to Ophelia and she owned that Eye. What do you think someone like Hans borrowing it would do to him?"
"But he's going this far just to end the war," Sakura said with a quiet tone.
"He's trying to win, that's what he's doing... He's not a typical Magus but he's not normal either. He's insane if he still seeks victory at this stage," Luvia growled as she glared at the door Hans and the others went through.
"You're wrong," Chiyome murmured, causing Luvia and Sakura to turn her way.
Artoria faced her and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Winning or losing, none of those matter. Not to him at least. All that's left now is getting Miyu back and he's willing to drop everything for the present. It's true, he's obsessed with his past sins but he doesn't let them shackle him from what's happening before him. The only thing we know now is that Miyu needs our help," Assassin said as she kept her gaze forward, "Winning can come later, when the dust settles and the embers fade."
"Can't you convince him to stop? His body..." Sakura murmured as she watched Assassin.
Chiyome shook her head as she replied, "No. All I could do is guide him... And help him make the right choice. That's... What I decided to do for him."
.....
....
...
It was 2am and the doors opened.
You staggered out of the backroom with Caren supporting your weight. You were breathing hard as you got used to walking with one eye open. Assassin stood up from her seat to see you before she ran forward and helped you in Caren's place. For her part, Caren looked visibly exhausted as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
You were unconscious during the surgery and you didn't know what sort of trouble she went through but it must have been something. You on the other hand felt like you gained weight on the left side of your head. It was being covered by a black cloth which acted to keep the Mystic Eye from Activating.
It wasn't something you can turn and off at a leisure. Nonetheless, it should work if you open it. You were a little tired but you should be able to move. You held on to Assassin's shoulder as you smiled at her.
"Guess we match now, huh?" you managed with a small chuckle.
"That's not funny," Chiyome hissed as she let you sit down.
Luvia turned to Caren and asked, "So you managed it? Only people with the Absorption Trait should be able to acclimate to such surgeries."
"Wait, then couldn't I have-" Sakura began before Artoria glared at her.
"Don't even think about it. Even then, it's too late already," Artoria said as she crossed her arms. She then glanced at you and asked, "How do you feel? Where's Miss Phamrsolone?"
"I feel like shit," you grunted as you held your head. It was still throbbing... You shook your head and said, "Ophelia is sleeping, it should help her pass through the pain. I have to return this by the end of the night or I'll have my ass up shit creek with some scary people."
"You should rest and take a moment. You don't look too good," Sakura noted as she held your shoulder.
"He can't. He has to go," Caren interrupted as she grimaced, "The longer that thing stays in his socket, the quicker it will erode. Past that point, it's a dice roll."
"But that's-!" Luvia sought to argue but you held up your hand.
"It's fine. Let's just get this over with," you said as you got up your seat and faced the Church's doors, "If we fail, I'll leave things to you to handle the Clocktower. I'm sure they'll think of something that'll deal with this mess."
"You... Damn it. Artoria, could you make sure he doesn't die?" Luvia grit her teeth in frustration.
"I will..." Artoria said as Assassin walked by your side.
"We'll bring Miyu back," Chiyome assured Sakura and Luvia while staying close to you. You also gave them a reassuring look as you walked towards the door.
This wasn't the first time you drawing the curtains to a Holy Grail War.
.....
....
...
You... Commandeered a car to take you to your destination. You were seated in the backseat alongside Chiyome while Artoria drove the car for you. You knew where to go this time, you knew where Miyu was waiting for you.
It shouldn't take you long now.
You still had two Command Seals left, it was all you had left to face your final foe. You endured the pain on your left eye, biting back your urge to wince as you watched the city go by outside.
Snow fell from the sky as everyone was spending their Christmas Eve in relative peace. You were breathing shallowly as you held Chiyome's hand. You took comfort in her warmth as she squeezed your hand.
You were used to this feeling, the final battle in each war.
Will you be as lucky as the last 7 Wars you have fought?
You were slowly falling asleep. You eventually weren't able to handle your own exhaustion and dozed off, leaning against Assassin. She didn't mind and let you rest as you slumbered.
.....
....
...
"I knew a man like him," Artoria began to speak as she kept her eyes in the road.
Assassin glanced her way and blinked, "You did?"
"Obsessed men are troublesome to rein in. They're so fixated on what they want that they lose sight of those around them. But for this one by your side, he loses sight of himself while protecting what's around him," Artoria sighed as she gripped the car's wheel, "What a selfish man, you have bad taste."
"Did you grow find of the man you knew as well?" Chiyome asked.
Artoria paused for a moment before smiling, "I am. I still do."
"Then your taste is as bad as my own," Chiyome giggled.
Artoria glanced at the rearview mirror and asked a question, "Tell me, Assassin, what do you think about Fate?"
"It... Can give us the sweetest things but also let us taste bitterness after. Too much of one thing isn't good. I think it's the best of both things," Chiyome replied as she leaned against Hans, "Like Blackened Sugar."
"Sweetness and bitterness. I see. Then if you had a chance what would you wish for the Holy Grail?" Artoria asked as she looked ahead.
Chiyome looked out the window and said...
You hesitated as you stepped forward, only for Assassin to hold your hand. You stopped before glancing her way as she gave you a serious expression. You slowly let go of her hand before placing your own on her shoulder. Assassin conceded and stepped back but not before speaking up.
"You better know what you're doing," Chiyome said as she met your gaze.
"Don't worry, it'll work out. No matter what it takes, I'll win. Let's do this, Ophelia. You better not chicken out," you told her with a grim look.
Ophelia smiled right back as she slowly got up the table, "Overseer. Ready the backroom."
"Are you two sure about this?" Luvia asked as she held her shoulder with a pained expression, "There's several factors you need to consider upon transplanting a Mystic Eye. If it Rejects Hans due to incompatibility, there's no telling what the consequences would be. Not only that but your Eye is supposed to be Jewel Ranked, you're just going to hand it over?"
"He'll need all the help he could get," Ophelia said as she held her head.
You glanced at them and said, "Well, guess that's one thing that's true. Assassin, Luvia, Sakura, I'll be seeing you three later."
"Very funny, Hans," Luvia sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
You smiled and waved your hand as you and Ophelia were brought to the back by Caren. This was going to be an experience, wasn't it?
.....
....
...
And so the surgery began. Assassin was left standing inside the Church while waiting for her Master. She didn't know what the surgery entailed but she was familiar with how powerful Ophelia's Mystic Eye was. Was she really just handing it over to him to combat Manaka? Chiyome couldn't help but feel worry and hesitation.
Maybe she should have stopped him.
"Assassin, you should relax. It won't be good for your wounds," Artoria advised as she crossed her arms.
Assassin blinked and moved to sit down on the side. Artoria then glanced at Luvia and deigned to ask, "Tell me, Luvia. What's the worst case scenario?"
"Death among other things. The ritual/surgery the Overseer is performing doesn't necessarily mean she's pulling the eye out and giving it to Hans. It's more of a Buddhist Foundation than anything. She's going to try and move the boundary and allow the transfer to occur, namely preventing Hans' body from rejecting the eye outright," Luvia explained as she grimaced. She shook her head and said, "Even thought it's a temporary measure, using it as a weapon in this stage of the War is just... You saw what happened to Ophelia and she owned that Eye. What do you think someone like Hans borrowing it would do to him?"
"But he's going this far just to end the war," Sakura said with a quiet tone.
"He's trying to win, that's what he's doing... He's not a typical Magus but he's not normal either. He's insane if he still seeks victory at this stage," Luvia growled as she glared at the door Hans and the others went through.
"You're wrong," Chiyome murmured, causing Luvia and Sakura to turn her way.
Artoria faced her and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Winning or losing, none of those matter. Not to him at least. All that's left now is getting Miyu back and he's willing to drop everything for the present. It's true, he's obsessed with his past sins but he doesn't let them shackle him from what's happening before him. The only thing we know now is that Miyu needs our help," Assassin said as she kept her gaze forward, "Winning can come later, when the dust settles and the embers fade."
"Can't you convince him to stop? His body..." Sakura murmured as she watched Assassin.
Chiyome shook her head as she replied, "No. All I could do is guide him... And help him make the right choice. That's... What I decided to do for him."
.....
....
...
It was 2am and the doors opened.
You staggered out of the backroom with Caren supporting your weight. You were breathing hard as you got used to walking with one eye open. Assassin stood up from her seat to see you before she ran forward and helped you in Caren's place. For her part, Caren looked visibly exhausted as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
You were unconscious during the surgery and you didn't know what sort of trouble she went through but it must have been something. You on the other hand felt like you gained weight on the left side of your head. It was being covered by a black cloth which acted to keep the Mystic Eye from Activating.
It wasn't something you can turn and off at a leisure. Nonetheless, it should work if you open it. You were a little tired but you should be able to move. You held on to Assassin's shoulder as you smiled at her.
"Guess we match now, huh?" you managed with a small chuckle.
"That's not funny," Chiyome hissed as she let you sit down.
Luvia turned to Caren and asked, "So you managed it? Only people with the Absorption Trait should be able to acclimate to such surgeries."
"Wait, then couldn't I have-" Sakura began before Artoria glared at her.
"Don't even think about it. Even then, it's too late already," Artoria said as she crossed her arms. She then glanced at you and asked, "How do you feel? Where's Miss Phamrsolone?"
"I feel like shit," you grunted as you held your head. It was still throbbing... You shook your head and said, "Ophelia is sleeping, it should help her pass through the pain. I have to return this by the end of the night or I'll have my ass up shit creek with some scary people."
"You should rest and take a moment. You don't look too good," Sakura noted as she held your shoulder.
"He can't. He has to go," Caren interrupted as she grimaced, "The longer that thing stays in his socket, the quicker it will erode. Past that point, it's a dice roll."
"But that's-!" Luvia sought to argue but you held up your hand.
"It's fine. Let's just get this over with," you said as you got up your seat and faced the Church's doors, "If we fail, I'll leave things to you to handle the Clocktower. I'm sure they'll think of something that'll deal with this mess."
"You... Damn it. Artoria, could you make sure he doesn't die?" Luvia grit her teeth in frustration.
"I will..." Artoria said as Assassin walked by your side.
"We'll bring Miyu back," Chiyome assured Sakura and Luvia while staying close to you. You also gave them a reassuring look as you walked towards the door.
This wasn't the first time you drawing the curtains to a Holy Grail War.
.....
....
...
You... Commandeered a car to take you to your destination. You were seated in the backseat alongside Chiyome while Artoria drove the car for you. You knew where to go this time, you knew where Miyu was waiting for you.
It shouldn't take you long now.
You still had two Command Seals left, it was all you had left to face your final foe. You endured the pain on your left eye, biting back your urge to wince as you watched the city go by outside.
Snow fell from the sky as everyone was spending their Christmas Eve in relative peace. You were breathing shallowly as you held Chiyome's hand. You took comfort in her warmth as she squeezed your hand.
You were used to this feeling, the final battle in each war.
Will you be as lucky as the last 7 Wars you have fought?
You were slowly falling asleep. You eventually weren't able to handle your own exhaustion and dozed off, leaning against Assassin. She didn't mind and let you rest as you slumbered.
.....
....
...
"I knew a man like him," Artoria began to speak as she kept her eyes in the road.
Assassin glanced her way and blinked, "You did?"
"Obsessed men are troublesome to rein in. They're so fixated on what they want that they lose sight of those around them. But for this one by your side, he loses sight of himself while protecting what's around him," Artoria sighed as she gripped the car's wheel, "What a selfish man, you have bad taste."
"Did you grow find of the man you knew as well?" Chiyome asked.
Artoria paused for a moment before smiling, "I am. I still do."
"Then your taste is as bad as my own," Chiyome giggled.
Artoria glanced at the rearview mirror and asked a question, "Tell me, Assassin, what do you think about Fate?"
"It... Can give us the sweetest things but also let us taste bitterness after. Too much of one thing isn't good. I think it's the best of both things," Chiyome replied as she leaned against Hans, "Like Blackened Sugar."
"Sweetness and bitterness. I see. Then if you had a chance what would you wish for the Holy Grail?" Artoria asked as she looked ahead.
Chiyome looked out the window and said...
Blackened Sugar
[] Write in...
taovkool
Forever Gone
- Location
- The Library, Department of General Works
[X] To stay with Hans.
Mostly because I'm secretly a romantic and this way there's a potential for her to appear in the next sequel as a super shinobi with Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
There...really is going to be a sequel, right? That bit about Chaldea had me really hopeful that there would be a sequel. Please @AnonymousRabbit, let there one day be a sequel.
Mostly because I'm secretly a romantic and this way there's a potential for her to appear in the next sequel as a super shinobi with Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
There...really is going to be a sequel, right? That bit about Chaldea had me really hopeful that there would be a sequel. Please @AnonymousRabbit, let there one day be a sequel.
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[X] To stay with Hans.
honestly this is better than my original idea
honestly this is better than my original idea
- Location
- The End of Glory
[X] To stay with Hans.
Frozen Flame
Fragment of the Devourer
- Location
- The Darkness Beyond Time
[X] To stay with Hans.
- Location
- Somewhere North of south
[X] To stay with Hans.
Might aswell.
Might aswell.
Spectral Waltz
Scatterbrained Writer
- Location
- Walking the Endless Corridors
Visions and Delusions
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
[] To stay with Hans.
Assassin only had one desire now. A small smile curled upon her lips as she spoke her hypothetical wish.
"I'd like to stay with Hans if I could," Chiyome replied as she held her hands together, "I don't know what he'll do without me. When I was first summoned, I never had such a wish, save for freedom from my curse. But Hans risked his Life and Soul to make me embrace my curse, that I was stronger than it was."
The car went further out into the outskirts of the city. Trees raced by outside the window as the car went farther and farther.
Assassin continued to speak as she clenched her hands into fists, "For generations my clan has been haunted by this curse, only now in my existence as a Heroic Spirit did I truly overcome it. I would have never done it on my own. He has his own demons but he still helped me. I thought serving him would make it up to him but... I realized that I just wanted to be by his side. That's enough for me."
Artoria blinked and saw the expression in Assassin's face, causing her to reflect as well. The King of Knights thought back to her second chance at life and felt the same towards the people that accepted her. Looking past her Legend, they treated her as a person, a human being rather than a King.
The trip through this war may be worth it, if she could bear witness to the bond of this Shinobi and Magus.
If Rin hadn't done what she did, Artoria may have returned to where she belonged without experiencing this.
"Sweetness and bitterness," she whispered as she kept driving forward.
.....
....
...
"Hans. Hans wake up. It's time."
You opened your eyes to see Chiyome smiling down at you. The car seemed to have stopped as you slowly got up, the ache on your eye was not as bad as before. You recognized the outside of the car and it seemed that Artoria had already departed from the vehicle.
Chiyome sat by your side as you tried to get your bearings before speaking, "Are we here?"
"Yes. It's almost morning," Assassin said as she nodded.
"I see. I fell asleep. I didn't dream anything though," you replied as you held your head, "Sorry about that, I should have spoken to you more."
"I think regaining your strength is what's more important," Chiyome said as she cracked a small smile, "We have a big battle ahead of us."
"Yeah. This is the last fight. Let's make the most of it," you told her as you met her gaze.
Chiyome stared up at you before drawing close and giving you a deep kiss. You didn't resist and returned it by bringing her close, letting her warmth spread through your body before you parted from her, pressing your forehead against hers.
"You ready?" She asked with a confident smile.
"We have a War to finish," you replied as you both stepped out of the car.
Shutting the door, you looked up at the amusement park which served as the first battlefield for this War. At least, it was the first battlefield you held against the other Masters in this war. It was the one you and Manaka held down and where you made your promise with Miyu as well.
It all just had to return here, huh?
You walked forward alongside Assassin to the entrance. Artoria guarded the rear as you noticed the bounded field which covered the entire amusement park. Manaka must have restarted the dormant spells you left in the vicinity to work for her instead.
As soon as you stepped in, it should notify her of your presence. However as soon as you passed through the barrier, you immediately saw a girl standing at the center of the Main Street. Manaka had her back towards you as she looked up the broken down castle in the distance.
She perked up and turned your way.
"So you came," Manaka said as she met your gaze, "You've done something unexpected again, haven't you?"
"Call it a precautionary measure," you replied as you stepped forward, "You know why I'm here. Give Miyu back."
Manaka smiled as she spread her arms, "Sure. If you can get to her. But every story's end had to have a final confrontation, doesn't it? The protagonist will face their final foe in an epic battle."
"If you're going to pen a story, don't write it in the blood of others," you told her, "I'm done with you, Manaka."
"Well, I'm not done with you, Hans," Manaka replied as she held up her hand as the ground behind her bubbled and a man emerged.
He had long black hair and grayish robes as he stood up.
"There's still so much more you can do. So many more plans to make," Manaka said as she spread her hands, "I want to play some more. This feeling I have, only you could give it to me. A real 'challenge' so to speak."
"You really are just a child," you told her with a narrowed look as you stepped forward.
Manaka's eyes widened as she watched you approach her.
"Do you truly think that just because you've seen everything from the Root, that makes you something special? Do you truly think that just because you wield power you never even earned makes you special? Are you so delusional that you could play god when this world itself rejects them?" You asked as you glared at her, "You're just a kid who won't leave her bubble. You can see things yes, but you will never understand. That makes you inferior so cut this shit out and let Miyu go."
"Is that so?" Manaka breathed as she looked up at you, her eyes glowing but you took off the black cloth concealing your Mystic Eye.
Trails of blood marked the side of your face but the Mystic Eye shined bright. Manaka's spell never came to be as her expression turned to that of surprise.
"You... What have done to yourself?" Manaka asked on genuine surprise.
You felt like your head was just shot by a handgun but you endured, you stared her down with your Mystic Eye and culled the magecraft she was about to perform.
The Blackened by her side reacted but Assassin was faster, cutting apart the sphere of energy he let loose while he pulled Manaka away. Assassin moved to pursue but arrows descended from above to keep her at bay.
A Blackened Archer was perched on the rooftops of the shops but Artoria had jumped to get in his level.
Manaka was staring at you in shock before her expression turned to amusement, "Hans... You really are insane."
You shut your eye and breathed heavily as you fell down to your knees. That was one use. You could hazard a guess that you can keep it up ten more times. Beyond that, it would be too dangerous. Your body was rejecting it vehemently, you're not sure if you could keep moving beyond your limit.
"I'm coming for you. Just you wait," you declared as you and Assassin faced her, "I'll get Miyu back."
Manaka smiled as she gently pushed aside the Blackened holding her, "Fine. Come and get me then, Hans!"
Manaka vanished in a burst of light leaving behind the Blackened Caster before you. Above you, you could hear the sound of blades swinging as Artoria began her advance on the Blackened Archer, kicking off the roof to charge forward.
Fire erupted from the feet of the Blackened Caster, forcing Assassin to pull you back as she dashed forward. She got the Blackened to aim at her instead, getting her to jump as she drew her glowing blue sword.
She slashed down and forced the Blackened to dash back.
Glowing gemstones appeared on the sides of the buildings, sparkling all at once before shooting down at Chiyome. She reacted by cutting through the air and shattering each gem the moment they fired.
Assassin stood tall as she held her sword in hand.
"Where'd you get that one?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Saber gave it to me," Chiyome replied as she glanced at you, "Nice isn't it?"
You couldn't agree more.
[] Fight alongside Chiyome and take down the Blackened.
[] Go on ahead and chase after Manaka while Assassin and Artoria kept the Blackened busy.
Assassin only had one desire now. A small smile curled upon her lips as she spoke her hypothetical wish.
"I'd like to stay with Hans if I could," Chiyome replied as she held her hands together, "I don't know what he'll do without me. When I was first summoned, I never had such a wish, save for freedom from my curse. But Hans risked his Life and Soul to make me embrace my curse, that I was stronger than it was."
The car went further out into the outskirts of the city. Trees raced by outside the window as the car went farther and farther.
Assassin continued to speak as she clenched her hands into fists, "For generations my clan has been haunted by this curse, only now in my existence as a Heroic Spirit did I truly overcome it. I would have never done it on my own. He has his own demons but he still helped me. I thought serving him would make it up to him but... I realized that I just wanted to be by his side. That's enough for me."
Artoria blinked and saw the expression in Assassin's face, causing her to reflect as well. The King of Knights thought back to her second chance at life and felt the same towards the people that accepted her. Looking past her Legend, they treated her as a person, a human being rather than a King.
The trip through this war may be worth it, if she could bear witness to the bond of this Shinobi and Magus.
If Rin hadn't done what she did, Artoria may have returned to where she belonged without experiencing this.
"Sweetness and bitterness," she whispered as she kept driving forward.
.....
....
...
"Hans. Hans wake up. It's time."
You opened your eyes to see Chiyome smiling down at you. The car seemed to have stopped as you slowly got up, the ache on your eye was not as bad as before. You recognized the outside of the car and it seemed that Artoria had already departed from the vehicle.
Chiyome sat by your side as you tried to get your bearings before speaking, "Are we here?"
"Yes. It's almost morning," Assassin said as she nodded.
"I see. I fell asleep. I didn't dream anything though," you replied as you held your head, "Sorry about that, I should have spoken to you more."
"I think regaining your strength is what's more important," Chiyome said as she cracked a small smile, "We have a big battle ahead of us."
"Yeah. This is the last fight. Let's make the most of it," you told her as you met her gaze.
Chiyome stared up at you before drawing close and giving you a deep kiss. You didn't resist and returned it by bringing her close, letting her warmth spread through your body before you parted from her, pressing your forehead against hers.
"You ready?" She asked with a confident smile.
"We have a War to finish," you replied as you both stepped out of the car.
Shutting the door, you looked up at the amusement park which served as the first battlefield for this War. At least, it was the first battlefield you held against the other Masters in this war. It was the one you and Manaka held down and where you made your promise with Miyu as well.
It all just had to return here, huh?
You walked forward alongside Assassin to the entrance. Artoria guarded the rear as you noticed the bounded field which covered the entire amusement park. Manaka must have restarted the dormant spells you left in the vicinity to work for her instead.
As soon as you stepped in, it should notify her of your presence. However as soon as you passed through the barrier, you immediately saw a girl standing at the center of the Main Street. Manaka had her back towards you as she looked up the broken down castle in the distance.
She perked up and turned your way.
"So you came," Manaka said as she met your gaze, "You've done something unexpected again, haven't you?"
"Call it a precautionary measure," you replied as you stepped forward, "You know why I'm here. Give Miyu back."
Manaka smiled as she spread her arms, "Sure. If you can get to her. But every story's end had to have a final confrontation, doesn't it? The protagonist will face their final foe in an epic battle."
"If you're going to pen a story, don't write it in the blood of others," you told her, "I'm done with you, Manaka."
"Well, I'm not done with you, Hans," Manaka replied as she held up her hand as the ground behind her bubbled and a man emerged.
He had long black hair and grayish robes as he stood up.
"There's still so much more you can do. So many more plans to make," Manaka said as she spread her hands, "I want to play some more. This feeling I have, only you could give it to me. A real 'challenge' so to speak."
"You really are just a child," you told her with a narrowed look as you stepped forward.
Manaka's eyes widened as she watched you approach her.
"Do you truly think that just because you've seen everything from the Root, that makes you something special? Do you truly think that just because you wield power you never even earned makes you special? Are you so delusional that you could play god when this world itself rejects them?" You asked as you glared at her, "You're just a kid who won't leave her bubble. You can see things yes, but you will never understand. That makes you inferior so cut this shit out and let Miyu go."
"Is that so?" Manaka breathed as she looked up at you, her eyes glowing but you took off the black cloth concealing your Mystic Eye.
Trails of blood marked the side of your face but the Mystic Eye shined bright. Manaka's spell never came to be as her expression turned to that of surprise.
"You... What have done to yourself?" Manaka asked on genuine surprise.
You felt like your head was just shot by a handgun but you endured, you stared her down with your Mystic Eye and culled the magecraft she was about to perform.
The Blackened by her side reacted but Assassin was faster, cutting apart the sphere of energy he let loose while he pulled Manaka away. Assassin moved to pursue but arrows descended from above to keep her at bay.
A Blackened Archer was perched on the rooftops of the shops but Artoria had jumped to get in his level.
Manaka was staring at you in shock before her expression turned to amusement, "Hans... You really are insane."
You shut your eye and breathed heavily as you fell down to your knees. That was one use. You could hazard a guess that you can keep it up ten more times. Beyond that, it would be too dangerous. Your body was rejecting it vehemently, you're not sure if you could keep moving beyond your limit.
"I'm coming for you. Just you wait," you declared as you and Assassin faced her, "I'll get Miyu back."
Manaka smiled as she gently pushed aside the Blackened holding her, "Fine. Come and get me then, Hans!"
Manaka vanished in a burst of light leaving behind the Blackened Caster before you. Above you, you could hear the sound of blades swinging as Artoria began her advance on the Blackened Archer, kicking off the roof to charge forward.
Fire erupted from the feet of the Blackened Caster, forcing Assassin to pull you back as she dashed forward. She got the Blackened to aim at her instead, getting her to jump as she drew her glowing blue sword.
She slashed down and forced the Blackened to dash back.
Glowing gemstones appeared on the sides of the buildings, sparkling all at once before shooting down at Chiyome. She reacted by cutting through the air and shattering each gem the moment they fired.
Assassin stood tall as she held her sword in hand.
"Where'd you get that one?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Saber gave it to me," Chiyome replied as she glanced at you, "Nice isn't it?"
You couldn't agree more.
Visions and Delusions
[] Fight alongside Chiyome and take down the Blackened.
[] Go on ahead and chase after Manaka while Assassin and Artoria kept the Blackened busy.
- Location
- The End of Glory
[X] Fight alongside Chiyome and take down the Blackened.