Fate/Blackened Sugar
- Thread starter AnonymousRabbit
- Start date
- Fantasy Modern
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
10 minutes
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
Votes closed. Sorry for the lateness. I was just struggling
Silent Night
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
[] Let the Lancer faction defend Miyu by themselves. You can keep working in figuring out Assassin's ailment on your own.
You stared at the woman before you before nodding, "Very well. I can stay here."
"It would put us at ease if you can watch out for Miss Kirishima as well," Luvia said as she sipped her tea.
"As long as you keep Miyu safe, that's all I ask," you told them in a calm tone.
"Rest assured then. We expect you to resolve this before we spring our plan a few days later. Assuming we get out of tonight in one piece," Luvia said as she glanced at Sakura.
Sakura for her part crossed her arms, "This war is unpredictable, there's no telling what the other Masters would pull. If anything, having you stay behind would act as an insurance should anything happen."
"I dislike the idea of staying behind but I can see your point," you shrugged as you leaned on your seat, "I just have to figure things out for now. Well, fast enough that you won't try anything against me."
"We're not like you, Mr. Derrinsmith. But that's only to be expected of someone who's made it his life going through these wars," Luvia said with a hard look.
"Luvia!" Sakura admonished.
"It's fine. I may have spoken out of line there. But what she said wasn't untrue either," you admitted as you waved your hand, "I didn't survive this long by being careless."
"I see..." Sakura murmured as she turned her gaze down.
"I'll leave things to you," you told them as you leaned back on your chair.
.....
....
...
"So you're not going?" Miyu asked as she glanced your way.
You gave her a sad smile and shook your head, "I won't be of much use. Plus someone has to look after Assassin."
Miyu gave you a look and nodded, "I see. That's good."
"You did tell me to do something. This is as much as I can do for now..." You replied as you shook your head. You then met her gaze, "Will you be okay?"
"We'll have to see. That will depend on the defense. But even if things do go wrong, I have confidence," Miyu said as she smiled lightly, "You'll come and save me, won't you?"
"Assuming you're not hoodwinked or brainwashed, I'll try my hardest," you replied with a nod.
"That's a bad joke, you know?" Miyu pointed out with a frown. You chuckled and her expression softened as she looked down, "Wake her up."
You smiled and walked over to her, patting her head, "Of course I will."
.....
....
...
Dusk had settled over the city and the promised time had come. Miyu and the others have left the apartment under your protection, leaving you alone with Kirishima and Chiyome. You had made sure to keep everything secured until they returned... Though you did notice Lancer give you the stink eye.
You couldn't help but feel that you just dodged a bullet. You didn't want to be anywhere alone with Lancer for the foreseeable future.
You sat down at the sofa and sighed as you looked over your Command Seals. You can't help but worry but there's no word from the Aozaki yet. She promised that she'll have an answer tomorrow, tonight at midnight the soonest if you expect her to be prompt.
A Grand like her must have some connection she can draw from. She has to find an answer.
You raised your head to find that someone had walked by. Kirishima Ayumi stood nearby with a wary look as she turned away. She must be feeling strange after your last encounter. You never properly spoke to her haven't you?
"Have... Have they left?" Ayumi asked as she raised her gaze.
"Yes. They should be fine. They're capable Mages after all," you replied as you glanced her way. Her appearance had drastically changed since you first met her.
Her hair had turned pure blonde and her skin was pale. It was reminiscent of the image of Manaka you met within the Mirror. At this point, she just looked like an older version of the girl that possessed her.
Manaka's soul had irreversibly changed her entire form.
"Are... Are you sure it's fine to leave them be? Aren't you afraid they'll just take Miyu away?" Ayumi asked with a frown.
"Luvia was right. They're not like me. So I don't expect them to do that," you replied as you leaned back on the couch, "They're not all too bad."
Ayumi flinched from meeting your gaze and looked to the side, "Then... You're out too?"
"No. Assassin is out of commission," you replied with a patient tone, "She's resting. Why don't you sit down? It'll beat standing around for sure."
"I see. So you still have your Servant," Ayumi murmured as she sat on the armchair, "Though it is strange."
"What is?" You asked with a curious look.
"You care for her. She's just a Heroic Spirit. A ghost. Why would you go so far for a Servant? Is it just because you need a weapon in this War?" Ayumi asked as she glanced your way.
You thought about it before shaking your head, "Isn't it just normal? To look after people you're close with? O can't win this war alone but my reasons extend beyond that for helping Assassin. It's not because she's my Servant."
"I heard that you fought wars and won them. Is this how you do it? Wasting away every single time you fight?" Ayumi asked with a grimace.
You gave her a look and chuckled, "Let me ask you then. How'd you get involved if you have this distaste for the Holy Grail War?"
"It was an accident. I never asked to be here," Ayumi replied as she held her head, "Its just... The one who possessed me. She just... crawled into my mind. My family has Magus roots yes a-and I could be considered third rate by most... But we disavowed the Moonlit World years ago. I..."
"And yet the Grail still deemed you worthy. Whether you like it or not, your involved now. If you truly want to be out, you can seek the church's protection once this is over with," you said as you leaned forward, "Or are you having second thoughts?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I already lost my Servant," Ayumi said as she crossed her arm.
She still didn't know that she was a ticking time bomb. No one knew except for you and Chiyome. You need to keep a close eye on her. Time was running out, can you really end this war in just a week?
"Tell me. How'd you get here?" You asked her with a frown, "Long way from home? You said your family disavowed the life of a Magus and yet here you are."
"Yes. That's true. My participation is an accident. I ran away to reach London and find my own path. This... This whole thing is just some sick detour," Ayumi said as she rubbed her shoulder, "I guess that's just fate I guess."
"Fate, huh? That's funny," you chuckled as you thought to your own experiences, "So, what made your family give up the trade and what made you take it up again?"
"They were... Content. They understood that reaching the Root in the modern age is futile. I understood that but this thing we have, I don't just want to give it up," Ayumi said as she raised her head, "That's why I traveled to London to look for someone to train me. I heard about the Grail Wars and I thought that maybe it would be interesting to observe it. I just didn't want to be fully involved in it."
"If your family gave up due to that... Then I'm sure they'll be looking for you now. They can't be as harsh as true Magus families," you replied with a raised eyebrow.
Ayumi glanced your way and spoke, "Worrying about others? You're still such a strange man, Hans."
That tone of voice...
"Huh?" You blinked in surprise.
Ayumi seemed confused, "What's wrong?"
"I... No. Nothing. It must be my imagination," you sighed as you shook your head. You then felt a sting and grit your teeth.
"Hey!" Ayumi cried out as she watched you hunch over.
You blinked and saw... The city.
.....
....
...
You saw the sea of lights that was the city. Your vision blurred as you went down.
Miyu was located beneath a high rise office building. She was standing alongside Luvia within a Parking Lot, her presence being echoed towards your Command Seal.
.....
....
...
You held your head as you let out a shaky breath.
"Are you okay?" Ayumi asked as she stood in alarm.
"Yeah. I'm fine," you looked at the back of your hand and grimaced, "It's starting."
Ayumi stared at you before asking, "How... You're a survivor of many of these wars. How do you stay strong? Do you get used to it?"
[] "Is that how it looks to you? That's new. You're free to think how you want but I don't have an answer. Maybe before but now? I'm not so sure."
[] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
[] "I try not to get used to it. My goal is the only thing keeping me together. And I'm not as strong as you think I am. I'm just a sad man wasting away."
[] Write in...
You stared at the woman before you before nodding, "Very well. I can stay here."
"It would put us at ease if you can watch out for Miss Kirishima as well," Luvia said as she sipped her tea.
"As long as you keep Miyu safe, that's all I ask," you told them in a calm tone.
"Rest assured then. We expect you to resolve this before we spring our plan a few days later. Assuming we get out of tonight in one piece," Luvia said as she glanced at Sakura.
Sakura for her part crossed her arms, "This war is unpredictable, there's no telling what the other Masters would pull. If anything, having you stay behind would act as an insurance should anything happen."
"I dislike the idea of staying behind but I can see your point," you shrugged as you leaned on your seat, "I just have to figure things out for now. Well, fast enough that you won't try anything against me."
"We're not like you, Mr. Derrinsmith. But that's only to be expected of someone who's made it his life going through these wars," Luvia said with a hard look.
"Luvia!" Sakura admonished.
"It's fine. I may have spoken out of line there. But what she said wasn't untrue either," you admitted as you waved your hand, "I didn't survive this long by being careless."
"I see..." Sakura murmured as she turned her gaze down.
"I'll leave things to you," you told them as you leaned back on your chair.
.....
....
...
"So you're not going?" Miyu asked as she glanced your way.
You gave her a sad smile and shook your head, "I won't be of much use. Plus someone has to look after Assassin."
Miyu gave you a look and nodded, "I see. That's good."
"You did tell me to do something. This is as much as I can do for now..." You replied as you shook your head. You then met her gaze, "Will you be okay?"
"We'll have to see. That will depend on the defense. But even if things do go wrong, I have confidence," Miyu said as she smiled lightly, "You'll come and save me, won't you?"
"Assuming you're not hoodwinked or brainwashed, I'll try my hardest," you replied with a nod.
"That's a bad joke, you know?" Miyu pointed out with a frown. You chuckled and her expression softened as she looked down, "Wake her up."
You smiled and walked over to her, patting her head, "Of course I will."
.....
....
...
Dusk had settled over the city and the promised time had come. Miyu and the others have left the apartment under your protection, leaving you alone with Kirishima and Chiyome. You had made sure to keep everything secured until they returned... Though you did notice Lancer give you the stink eye.
You couldn't help but feel that you just dodged a bullet. You didn't want to be anywhere alone with Lancer for the foreseeable future.
You sat down at the sofa and sighed as you looked over your Command Seals. You can't help but worry but there's no word from the Aozaki yet. She promised that she'll have an answer tomorrow, tonight at midnight the soonest if you expect her to be prompt.
A Grand like her must have some connection she can draw from. She has to find an answer.
You raised your head to find that someone had walked by. Kirishima Ayumi stood nearby with a wary look as she turned away. She must be feeling strange after your last encounter. You never properly spoke to her haven't you?
"Have... Have they left?" Ayumi asked as she raised her gaze.
"Yes. They should be fine. They're capable Mages after all," you replied as you glanced her way. Her appearance had drastically changed since you first met her.
Her hair had turned pure blonde and her skin was pale. It was reminiscent of the image of Manaka you met within the Mirror. At this point, she just looked like an older version of the girl that possessed her.
Manaka's soul had irreversibly changed her entire form.
"Are... Are you sure it's fine to leave them be? Aren't you afraid they'll just take Miyu away?" Ayumi asked with a frown.
"Luvia was right. They're not like me. So I don't expect them to do that," you replied as you leaned back on the couch, "They're not all too bad."
Ayumi flinched from meeting your gaze and looked to the side, "Then... You're out too?"
"No. Assassin is out of commission," you replied with a patient tone, "She's resting. Why don't you sit down? It'll beat standing around for sure."
"I see. So you still have your Servant," Ayumi murmured as she sat on the armchair, "Though it is strange."
"What is?" You asked with a curious look.
"You care for her. She's just a Heroic Spirit. A ghost. Why would you go so far for a Servant? Is it just because you need a weapon in this War?" Ayumi asked as she glanced your way.
You thought about it before shaking your head, "Isn't it just normal? To look after people you're close with? O can't win this war alone but my reasons extend beyond that for helping Assassin. It's not because she's my Servant."
"I heard that you fought wars and won them. Is this how you do it? Wasting away every single time you fight?" Ayumi asked with a grimace.
You gave her a look and chuckled, "Let me ask you then. How'd you get involved if you have this distaste for the Holy Grail War?"
"It was an accident. I never asked to be here," Ayumi replied as she held her head, "Its just... The one who possessed me. She just... crawled into my mind. My family has Magus roots yes a-and I could be considered third rate by most... But we disavowed the Moonlit World years ago. I..."
"And yet the Grail still deemed you worthy. Whether you like it or not, your involved now. If you truly want to be out, you can seek the church's protection once this is over with," you said as you leaned forward, "Or are you having second thoughts?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I already lost my Servant," Ayumi said as she crossed her arm.
She still didn't know that she was a ticking time bomb. No one knew except for you and Chiyome. You need to keep a close eye on her. Time was running out, can you really end this war in just a week?
"Tell me. How'd you get here?" You asked her with a frown, "Long way from home? You said your family disavowed the life of a Magus and yet here you are."
"Yes. That's true. My participation is an accident. I ran away to reach London and find my own path. This... This whole thing is just some sick detour," Ayumi said as she rubbed her shoulder, "I guess that's just fate I guess."
"Fate, huh? That's funny," you chuckled as you thought to your own experiences, "So, what made your family give up the trade and what made you take it up again?"
"They were... Content. They understood that reaching the Root in the modern age is futile. I understood that but this thing we have, I don't just want to give it up," Ayumi said as she raised her head, "That's why I traveled to London to look for someone to train me. I heard about the Grail Wars and I thought that maybe it would be interesting to observe it. I just didn't want to be fully involved in it."
"If your family gave up due to that... Then I'm sure they'll be looking for you now. They can't be as harsh as true Magus families," you replied with a raised eyebrow.
Ayumi glanced your way and spoke, "Worrying about others? You're still such a strange man, Hans."
That tone of voice...
"Huh?" You blinked in surprise.
Ayumi seemed confused, "What's wrong?"
"I... No. Nothing. It must be my imagination," you sighed as you shook your head. You then felt a sting and grit your teeth.
"Hey!" Ayumi cried out as she watched you hunch over.
You blinked and saw... The city.
.....
....
...
You saw the sea of lights that was the city. Your vision blurred as you went down.
Miyu was located beneath a high rise office building. She was standing alongside Luvia within a Parking Lot, her presence being echoed towards your Command Seal.
.....
....
...
You held your head as you let out a shaky breath.
"Are you okay?" Ayumi asked as she stood in alarm.
"Yeah. I'm fine," you looked at the back of your hand and grimaced, "It's starting."
Ayumi stared at you before asking, "How... You're a survivor of many of these wars. How do you stay strong? Do you get used to it?"
Silent Night
[] "Is that how it looks to you? That's new. You're free to think how you want but I don't have an answer. Maybe before but now? I'm not so sure."
[] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
[] "I try not to get used to it. My goal is the only thing keeping me together. And I'm not as strong as you think I am. I'm just a sad man wasting away."
[] Write in...
- Location
- The End of Glory
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
- Location
- a Minecraft Rollercoaster
[X] "I try not to get used to it. My goal is the only thing keeping me together. And I'm not as strong as you think I am. I'm just a sad man wasting away."
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
- Location
- Your Native Universe
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
- Location
- Somewhere North of south
Probably because hans is kinda falling apart
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
ChildishChimera
A umbran summon
- Location
- New York
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
- Location
- West Michigan
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
Spectral Waltz
Scatterbrained Writer
- Location
- Walking the Endless Corridors
[X] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
Votes closed
Limbo
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
[] "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
You blinked before shaking your head, "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
"The Luctworth... Your family?" Ayumi frowned as she met your gaze, "They're renowned sculptures from what I heard of them."
"Same ones. Proficient in making automata and melding magecraft with clockwork golems. Not as famous as the almighty Einzberns but ancient enough," you said with a low chuckle, "They're cunning folk letting their dolls do their dirty work... And for what? A stupid box."
"Box..?" Ayumi asked with a frown.
"Pandora's Box. A Mystic Code of the Gods bearing the Curses of the World. It's different from All the Evils of the World which corrupted the Fuyuki Grail. They seek to create it using a perfected Magus. A Pandora," you explained as you looked at the back of your hand.
"Why? Is that how they believe they'll reach the Root?" The girl grimaced.
"The Root doesn't matter to them. What they want is the last object hidden in the box. Once all calamities had ravaged the earth, Hope will remain. And through Hope they'll do... Something," you said as you leaned on your seat, "It's their grand thousand year plan. At least the Einzberns just want to recreate the Third Magic. Still, even then, the Luctworth aren't close to realising their dreams. They're trying hard though. They're trying to kill me first."
"You're fighting an entire House of Magi? Your own family?" The girl asked you with wide eyes.
"Been doing it for ten years while managing a company on the side. Don't try it, it's not fun," you chuckled as you shook your head, "Ten years... That's a portion of my life I'll never get back but... Human spite is a powerful motivator."
Ayumi judged you from where she sat before speaking up, "You must have a deep grudge if you're willing to go this far. No, ten years... That was an understatement."
"I didn't exactly come out of that ten years unscathed. So don't go writing off what I am because of what I told you. I may not be like the Luctworth but I'm still an asshole," you sighed as you got up your seat, "You should get to bed. I'll go back to my room now. I have to figure something out to help Assassin."
"You're not going to wait for the others?" Ayumi asked from her seat.
"They should be fine. If what they promised was true," you said as you made your way to your room, "I'll see you in the morning, Miss Kirishima."
You walked into your room and shut the door. You glanced to see that Chiyome was still asleep. You moved the nearby chair and sat down by her bedside. You sighed as you glanced at her face.
"What can I do?" You murmured as you clenched your fist, the feeling of your Command Seals burning on your flesh.
No, you should resist. If you were going to do this, you were going to do it properly. Touko's answer should be coming soon. You shouldn't be hasty... Still.
"Sorry," was all you could say as you watched over your Servant.
.....
....
...
At the battlefield, a Duel was being done among the hallways of the building rang. Archer moved through the halls and retreated as she fired three arrows and raised her hand. Lancer swatted aside the projectiles just as the hands of corpses reached out from the walls and grabbed her.
Stomping on the ground, chains flew about and smacked the hands away before Lancer looked to see a glaive come for her. Harpe sang in her hands as she exchanged blows with her foe.
She narrowed her gaze as Archer went onto melee, leaning back to avoid her head from being cut off before slamming her leg into Lancer's side. Lancer smashed into the wall before Archer struck her straight into it, the two of them flying out into a ballroom.
Archer rolled to stand up before grabbing a table and throwing if at Lancer. The purple haired woman cut it in half before arrows flew towards her.
"Is that all you have, Archer? I'm not impressed," Lancer hissed as she cut them aside.
"Beads of Vajra ," Archer smirked as tiny balls lit up around Lancer.
Lancer blinked before jumping to evade being skewered by several beams of light. She turned her body and launched her chains down as Archer shot them aside.
Using the chains, Lancer pulled herself downwards and spun, cutting through the air and forcing Archer to dodge. Harpe sang and managed to draw blood from Archer.
Archer braced herself and they clashed hard enough to push each other away. The Priestess woman let out a breath as she cracked her neck. She touched the wound Lancer had dealt and noticed that it was healing slowly.
No... It wasn't healing at all.
"Fascinating. A weapon that can kill Immortals," Archer murmured as she eyed Harpe.
"Afraid, Archer?" Lancer breathed with a narrowed look.
"Me? No. My blood is boiling in fact," Archer replied as she stepped forward, "Though are you truly in the position to waste time here?"
Lancer tensed as she looked up.
"Sakura!"
.....
....
...
Luvia detonated her gems and obliterated the bodies of several undead. Arrows flew from behind her and struck the corpses, robbing them of their magical energy as Sakura notched another arrow. She fired and a corpse was knocked off its feet before Luvia rushed in and swung a vase against the next one.
A kick landed into the corpse's stomach before Luvia performed a neck breaker so hard it snapped her foe's head off. Rolling up, she swept the legs of her foes just as one lunged at her.
An arrow to the head stopped the monster and allowed Luvia to sock it in the face.
"Miyu stay behind me," Sakura breathed as she guarded the girl. Looking ahead, she then said, "Luvia, we're moving!"
"Roger!" Luvia replied as she ignited a gem and created a controlled inferno which swallowed the Undead... However more took their place, forcing the women to run.
Sakura took Miyu by the hand and pulled her along. They ascended to the upper floors of the building until they reached the rooftop. Luvia shut the door and sealed it with a barrier before Sakura went to the edge and notched her bow.
"It seems like Archer's Master is more persistent tonight," Luvia breathed as she clenched her fists.
"We have to hold out at least until Lancer can get a breather. We're still open to attack up here... We have to-" Sakura began just as the door was blown open and Undead spilled out.
Sakura fired, landing three shots into each Undead before a wall of fire erupted to burn them. Luvia had detonated another of her Gems before her eyes widened.
"Watch out!" Miyu cried just as a person jumped through the flames and delivered a kick right into Luvia's guard.
The woman was sent flying straight to a wall.
"Luvia!" Sakura yelled before she took aim at the new assailant. Firing her arrow, silver streaks were flung to the air before being caught by barriers.
A man stepped forth.
"You ladies are quite capable. But it's the end of the line," he said as his coat flowed behind him and the wind made his blond hair sway. His amber colored eyes met Sakura's, "Though it would seem that Derrinsmith isn't here... Neither is the Irregular. A shame."
"You're... Archer's Master?" Sakura narrowed her gaze.
"My grandfather did what he could pretending to be Archer's Master but I can't sit idly now. My name is Matthias Gwence, Master of Archer and a mercenary hired by the Luctworth. I've come to kill Hans Derrinsmith... But seeing as he's not here, I suppose I could trim the number of Masters from this war some more," Matthias said before facing Sakura and letting more Undead walk out of the door from behind him.
Sakura stood before Miyu and raised her bow.
.....
....
...
You woke up from your sleep as you raised your head. You heard the door open down the hall so you got up and took your cane.
Stepping out of your room, you braced yourself to fight but only found Lancer dragging an unconscious Sakura with her. You noticed the gash and bruises the woman had as Miyu looked alarmed by what we happening.
Ayumi had gotten out while you struggled to comprehend what you were seeing.
"Don't just stand there, help us you fool!" Lancer spat at you as you quickly went to her side.
Ayumi did so too and she held her hand to her mouth, "Oh my god..."
She laid down Sakura on the sofa while you looked over her. Cuts and bruises, you could detect some fractured bones that will need some healing salves...
"Stand back," you told the Servant as you drew a rune on Sakura's shoulder as it was turning purple. You need to relieve the pain as much as possible and then work on the other wounds.
No cuts or lacerations... She looked like she had been beaten up.
Miyu was just silent on the side with a terrified look on her face.
"It's going to take some doing but I can heal her. It'll be faster with some bandages and ice..." You said as you turned to Ayumi.
The girl turned and walked away to search for what you needed.
[] Reassure Miyu. The girl looks like she was about to give and she wasn't the emotional type.
[] Ask Lancer what happened. Where's Luvia? Who did this? How did Sakura get injured to this extent?
[] Keep silent and work. You could notice that Sakura was conscious even for a little bit.
[] Write in...
===================
note: sorry for taking so long again. I'll try to be consistent from now on. The writing juices are flowing.
You blinked before shaking your head, "The day I get used to this is the day I'm disqualified from continuing. I'll be no different than the Luctworth then."
"The Luctworth... Your family?" Ayumi frowned as she met your gaze, "They're renowned sculptures from what I heard of them."
"Same ones. Proficient in making automata and melding magecraft with clockwork golems. Not as famous as the almighty Einzberns but ancient enough," you said with a low chuckle, "They're cunning folk letting their dolls do their dirty work... And for what? A stupid box."
"Box..?" Ayumi asked with a frown.
"Pandora's Box. A Mystic Code of the Gods bearing the Curses of the World. It's different from All the Evils of the World which corrupted the Fuyuki Grail. They seek to create it using a perfected Magus. A Pandora," you explained as you looked at the back of your hand.
"Why? Is that how they believe they'll reach the Root?" The girl grimaced.
"The Root doesn't matter to them. What they want is the last object hidden in the box. Once all calamities had ravaged the earth, Hope will remain. And through Hope they'll do... Something," you said as you leaned on your seat, "It's their grand thousand year plan. At least the Einzberns just want to recreate the Third Magic. Still, even then, the Luctworth aren't close to realising their dreams. They're trying hard though. They're trying to kill me first."
"You're fighting an entire House of Magi? Your own family?" The girl asked you with wide eyes.
"Been doing it for ten years while managing a company on the side. Don't try it, it's not fun," you chuckled as you shook your head, "Ten years... That's a portion of my life I'll never get back but... Human spite is a powerful motivator."
Ayumi judged you from where she sat before speaking up, "You must have a deep grudge if you're willing to go this far. No, ten years... That was an understatement."
"I didn't exactly come out of that ten years unscathed. So don't go writing off what I am because of what I told you. I may not be like the Luctworth but I'm still an asshole," you sighed as you got up your seat, "You should get to bed. I'll go back to my room now. I have to figure something out to help Assassin."
"You're not going to wait for the others?" Ayumi asked from her seat.
"They should be fine. If what they promised was true," you said as you made your way to your room, "I'll see you in the morning, Miss Kirishima."
You walked into your room and shut the door. You glanced to see that Chiyome was still asleep. You moved the nearby chair and sat down by her bedside. You sighed as you glanced at her face.
"What can I do?" You murmured as you clenched your fist, the feeling of your Command Seals burning on your flesh.
No, you should resist. If you were going to do this, you were going to do it properly. Touko's answer should be coming soon. You shouldn't be hasty... Still.
"Sorry," was all you could say as you watched over your Servant.
.....
....
...
At the battlefield, a Duel was being done among the hallways of the building rang. Archer moved through the halls and retreated as she fired three arrows and raised her hand. Lancer swatted aside the projectiles just as the hands of corpses reached out from the walls and grabbed her.
Stomping on the ground, chains flew about and smacked the hands away before Lancer looked to see a glaive come for her. Harpe sang in her hands as she exchanged blows with her foe.
She narrowed her gaze as Archer went onto melee, leaning back to avoid her head from being cut off before slamming her leg into Lancer's side. Lancer smashed into the wall before Archer struck her straight into it, the two of them flying out into a ballroom.
Archer rolled to stand up before grabbing a table and throwing if at Lancer. The purple haired woman cut it in half before arrows flew towards her.
"Is that all you have, Archer? I'm not impressed," Lancer hissed as she cut them aside.
"
Lancer blinked before jumping to evade being skewered by several beams of light. She turned her body and launched her chains down as Archer shot them aside.
Using the chains, Lancer pulled herself downwards and spun, cutting through the air and forcing Archer to dodge. Harpe sang and managed to draw blood from Archer.
Archer braced herself and they clashed hard enough to push each other away. The Priestess woman let out a breath as she cracked her neck. She touched the wound Lancer had dealt and noticed that it was healing slowly.
No... It wasn't healing at all.
"Fascinating. A weapon that can kill Immortals," Archer murmured as she eyed Harpe.
"Afraid, Archer?" Lancer breathed with a narrowed look.
"Me? No. My blood is boiling in fact," Archer replied as she stepped forward, "Though are you truly in the position to waste time here?"
Lancer tensed as she looked up.
"Sakura!"
.....
....
...
Luvia detonated her gems and obliterated the bodies of several undead. Arrows flew from behind her and struck the corpses, robbing them of their magical energy as Sakura notched another arrow. She fired and a corpse was knocked off its feet before Luvia rushed in and swung a vase against the next one.
A kick landed into the corpse's stomach before Luvia performed a neck breaker so hard it snapped her foe's head off. Rolling up, she swept the legs of her foes just as one lunged at her.
An arrow to the head stopped the monster and allowed Luvia to sock it in the face.
"Miyu stay behind me," Sakura breathed as she guarded the girl. Looking ahead, she then said, "Luvia, we're moving!"
"Roger!" Luvia replied as she ignited a gem and created a controlled inferno which swallowed the Undead... However more took their place, forcing the women to run.
Sakura took Miyu by the hand and pulled her along. They ascended to the upper floors of the building until they reached the rooftop. Luvia shut the door and sealed it with a barrier before Sakura went to the edge and notched her bow.
"It seems like Archer's Master is more persistent tonight," Luvia breathed as she clenched her fists.
"We have to hold out at least until Lancer can get a breather. We're still open to attack up here... We have to-" Sakura began just as the door was blown open and Undead spilled out.
Sakura fired, landing three shots into each Undead before a wall of fire erupted to burn them. Luvia had detonated another of her Gems before her eyes widened.
"Watch out!" Miyu cried just as a person jumped through the flames and delivered a kick right into Luvia's guard.
The woman was sent flying straight to a wall.
"Luvia!" Sakura yelled before she took aim at the new assailant. Firing her arrow, silver streaks were flung to the air before being caught by barriers.
A man stepped forth.
"You ladies are quite capable. But it's the end of the line," he said as his coat flowed behind him and the wind made his blond hair sway. His amber colored eyes met Sakura's, "Though it would seem that Derrinsmith isn't here... Neither is the Irregular. A shame."
"You're... Archer's Master?" Sakura narrowed her gaze.
"My grandfather did what he could pretending to be Archer's Master but I can't sit idly now. My name is Matthias Gwence, Master of Archer and a mercenary hired by the Luctworth. I've come to kill Hans Derrinsmith... But seeing as he's not here, I suppose I could trim the number of Masters from this war some more," Matthias said before facing Sakura and letting more Undead walk out of the door from behind him.
Sakura stood before Miyu and raised her bow.
.....
....
...
You woke up from your sleep as you raised your head. You heard the door open down the hall so you got up and took your cane.
Stepping out of your room, you braced yourself to fight but only found Lancer dragging an unconscious Sakura with her. You noticed the gash and bruises the woman had as Miyu looked alarmed by what we happening.
Ayumi had gotten out while you struggled to comprehend what you were seeing.
"Don't just stand there, help us you fool!" Lancer spat at you as you quickly went to her side.
Ayumi did so too and she held her hand to her mouth, "Oh my god..."
She laid down Sakura on the sofa while you looked over her. Cuts and bruises, you could detect some fractured bones that will need some healing salves...
"Stand back," you told the Servant as you drew a rune on Sakura's shoulder as it was turning purple. You need to relieve the pain as much as possible and then work on the other wounds.
No cuts or lacerations... She looked like she had been beaten up.
Miyu was just silent on the side with a terrified look on her face.
"It's going to take some doing but I can heal her. It'll be faster with some bandages and ice..." You said as you turned to Ayumi.
The girl turned and walked away to search for what you needed.
Limbo
[] Reassure Miyu. The girl looks like she was about to give and she wasn't the emotional type.
[] Ask Lancer what happened. Where's Luvia? Who did this? How did Sakura get injured to this extent?
[] Keep silent and work. You could notice that Sakura was conscious even for a little bit.
[] Write in...
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note: sorry for taking so long again. I'll try to be consistent from now on. The writing juices are flowing.