Fate/Broken: Kaleid Liner Prisma of Fear

[dat_noob1926812]

Right so this section might be a bit difficult to understand, but if you have questions feel free to ask.



Entomophobia: Pt: 2


I feel a sensation of movement like something forcing me to sit up.

Wait what?

Right then I suppose I have control, I can feel him waking up though…

Eh, oh well it's not like he can stop me now.

Medea you better not be messing with me

Please, her doing that provides no benefit.

I can't hear my voice what's going on?

I stretch my arms and back before grabbing the ring and putting it on.

Ring respond.

Nothing happens when he asks, I suppose I've got control for a little while at least. I'm sure I'll do a better job than him. I sneak my way to the front door and leave.

"Right now it's my turn to try, ring FTL Matou house."

Am I asleep?

"Command confirmed."

It seems likely.

The scenery flickers as I walk up to the front gate, no need to be reckless about this.

I suppose I'll watch for now.

Dumbass doesn't even realise who's the one in charge, I hold the ring out.

"In blackest day, in brightest night.
Come see your fears made into light,
Let those who try and stop what's right,
Burn like my power
For my own might!"

I yell at the gates as the lantern exits the subspace pocket and fires a yellow beam at the ring.

"Charge 100%"

Right then that went well, no giant light construct insect ruining my day. Now how to trap his mind... I hold my right hand up.

"Zouken Matou, you have ten seconds to surrender yourself and let me kill you quickly. Otherwise, I'll show you a form of immortality that no one wants."

Since he almost certainly won't take that deal I begin drawing up plans for a computer powerful enough to contain a human mind, I mean I could probably fly to the moon and scan the moon cell. But there's a chance it doesn't exist and if it does there's probably a certain presence there I don't want to wake up by accident.

Laughter reverberates from the trees, no insects on the trees.

"Threatening me with immortality?"

To be fair he is right, I don't know him very well. But I'm fairly certain he can't kill me, unless I've massively miscalculated my odds.

"Dreams can become nightmares with the slightest beating of hooves."

The noise of insects stops.

"What?"

To cryptic? Perhaps I should be more obvious.

"Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it."

The gate opens slowly, and the elderly man from earlier walks out.

"So then, why have you come here to threaten me?"

I start to walk forwards and hold up a single finger.

"Just a moment."

As I pass the gate entering into the garden I feel the pressure begin to build up again. Now that I know what this is I can do it on purpose. The tree branches start swaying violently as if in a gale, but there is no wind.

"What are you doing?"

Zouken appears a little dumbfounded that I'd just walk past him after threatening him. The pressure releases and the insects go berserk thousands of them lunging at me from all around.

"Oh, shit."

That's a big wave of bugs, I start drilling downwards with a construct and bring up a hastily generated shield. The mage made of bugs uses bugs to attack who'd have thunk it. I generate construct guns, warhammers, swords and shields in a seemingly vain attempt to kill them all while keeping them off me. Laughter reverberates from the insects around me.

"Where is your confidence now boy?"

Alright, it looks like my threat may have been overstepping my abilities a little. How do I kill a man made of bugs? Fire that'll do it. I generate a Geistflame thrower, filling the tank with flammable gases and letting the rings power provide a spark and ignite the area around me flying out of the hole I dug for myself.

"It appears that I have to retract my offer-"

Oh shit, this is gonna get noticed isn't it? I let out a sigh I can probably make it look like a normal house fire? Let's try that. I turn the flames onto some of the trees and the edge of the house.

"-I'm just going to kill you."

No wait I'm overthinking this ring generate anaesthetic, regulate the dosage of the neighbours and keep them asleep.

"Command confirmed."

More laughter reverberates through the insects surrounding me.

"I can feel your power boy, with a few adjustments you could be of use to me."

Right, ring every scan we've got, record everything about the structure of all Zoukens bugs, lets try and find every insect in the house so we can systematically exterminate them.

"Command confirmed."

Whoa that's a lot of insects, right fire on the outside, pesticide on the inside avoiding the rooms with people in them. Ah damn, I'll have to clear that out manually, now how to deal with the ones underground.

"Don't like bugs sorry."

I send construct filaments through the earth grabbing and squishing each insect, worm, arachnids and whatever the fuck else is alive down there. Ignoring the ones in the basement, I can deal with those later. Most of the front lawn, or at least what passes for it gets torn up in the process.

Malice enters the voice again.

"You've made a mess of my lawn boy."

And, that's the last of the ones outside, I run into the house searching for the person with the most worms inside them. There she is.

"Good evening Sakura."

I finish talking as I the room confirming I'm talking to the right person

"Who are you?"

Sakura looks frightened, well I suppose that makes sense strange man trying to kill your grandfather and setting fire to garden and all is probably pretty scary.

"You are being saved, no more bugs and the like. I can't promise no more pain because, well, life can be a pain, however, the worst of your hardships are at an end.-"

She goes convulsions in front of me. Ah fuck the worm Zouken probably still has control of them, ring keep her alive, numb the pain, kill the bugs.

"-Shitshitshit."

This wasn't supposed to be like this, I'm supposed to win, I was going to save everyone that lazy bastard was sitting on his hands for.

Oh, I think I can hear you again…

I feel a twinge of fear for a moment, but nothing happens. Good to know he hasn't woken up fully yet.

Oh no I'm pretty sure I have and honestly I'm not impressed.

"Shut up!"

Sakura's eyes go wider in fear if that was even possible as her convulsions end. It's not like you could do any better.

"Wh-"

I shake my head and let out a sigh. Well at least she shouldn't die now.

Hold on if he can here me then...

"No, not you, you're fine I jus-"

RING RESTORE NORMAL MENTAL PARAMETERS.

I feel the control begin to seep from me.

 

[bigreader]

What exactly happened in this does the main character have a split personality and his supposedly nicer personality took over while he was sleeping? And if he does have a split personality how does the really know what his normal mental parameters are?

 

[D-san]

You're right this is confusing. Why did he go after Zouken without any plan whatsoever and acted so brazenly despite knowing the stakes? There is confidence or pride but then there is this. He really had no reason whatsoever to believe he could handle him in the slightest given that Rin nearly blew off his hand a few chapters ago. It's more than a little confusing how devoted to his act he is to the point of suicidal and senseless recklessness. He must be high off a truckload of drugs or something because that's the only way that this makes any sort of sense...wait a minute.

 

[edukated]

Huh. Thought the ring was letting him ignore the physical but not mental effects of sleep deprivation. But after this chapter the question arises, "normal parameters" according to who?

 

[dat_noob1926812]

What exactly happened in this does the main character have a split personality and his supposedly nicer personality took over while he was sleeping? And if he does have a split personality how does the really know what his normal mental parameters are?

Click to shrink...

OK first part of your question's answer is a spoiler for a future update, but basically yes. The ring is restoring his mental state to what it was when he first awoke.

You're right this is confusing. Why did he go after Zouken without any plan whatsoever and acted so brazenly despite knowing the stakes? There is confidence or pride but then there is this. He really had no reason whatsoever to believe he could handle him in the slightest given that Rin nearly blew off his hand a few chapters ago. It's more than a little confusing how devoted to his act he is to the point of suicidal and senseless recklessness. He must be high off a truckload of drugs or something because that's the only way that this makes any sort of sense...wait a minute.

Click to shrink...

Arrogance and stupidity, Watching the 'main mind' doing things and thinking (what a chump I could do much better).

Huh. Thought the ring was letting him ignore the physical but not mental effects of sleep deprivation. But after this chapter the question arises, "normal parameters" according to who?

Click to shrink...

Yes and first consciousness detected.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Entomophobia Pt: 3




"No, no, what are you doing?"

His is bullshit you already tried and failed to use the ring, this isn't how I want to leave, I still have work to do.

"Command in progress."

That's not how this works, you shouldn't be able to do this. I'm supposed to win, you're a murderer! you brainwashed yourself into not feeling anything!

Oh, what about Zouken?

C'mon we both know he deserved it and I'm not even sure he's dead. That bastard might have a bug hiding somewhere. My hands rise to my head as my mind starts to lose control. This isn't possible it didn't work before HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS.

I don't know, hell, I don't even know how you exist or what you are, to be honest. Personally I think it's cause you fucked up and realised I wasn't as wrong as you thought.

"Stop distracting me or the constructs keeping Sakura alive will cut out."

She continues to stare wide-eyed at me as if I'm some kind of psychopath, but something is wrong with her eyes… they look, resigned? She appears to have gathered herself.

"What are you going to do?"

At least she's talking, that's a good sign, right? Probably whatever small relation she's built up with Shirou at the archery club. I feel more of my control leave my body, my foot starts tapping on the floor. I try and force it to stop but I can't.

Does this mean I win? I suppose I'll have Medea look into you afterwards.

"No no no."

The constructs cut out and Sakura starts convulsing again. Fuckfuckfuck, I wanted to save her not kill her. What something feels different?

"That's better.-"

I generate the life support systems keeping Sakura alive as I start to rebuild the parts of her body that have been 'eaten?' So to speak in accordance with what her DNA says it should look like under perfect conditions.

"-Oh, by the way, I'm trying to save your life... apparently."

Remember to cut her pain and fixed all the holes from the bugs. Now, why is she still not getting better? Goddammit I'm gonna have to call Medea in to fix her, aren't I? This is why I didn't want to rush this.

"Wh-who are you?"

Ah, life back in her eyes, not much fear but I suppose that can be expected.

"I am William Bartholomew, a pleasure to meet you, unfortunately, I had planned for it to be under cleaner circumstances but it appears a less rational part of my mind had other ideas."

She nods, not moving any other part of her body.

"I can feel them dying."

What? The worms? that's strange she shouldn't be able to feel them. Should she? Ah, fuck I just realised how little I know about her condition.

"Well, that's a start if all the worms die then Zouken dies too."

Presumably. Life leaves her eyes once again.

"Oh, so that's what's happening."

She speaks in a small voice, so what's happening? If I'd had a chance to plan this out I might've yelled the unlimited blade works chant at Shirou and gotten him to help out, although he doesn't appear involved in the 'magus world' so to speak, I wonder if he actually can do magic?

"So what's, what's happening?-"

Her eyes seem to lose focus again as she lets out a sigh.

"-ok then don't answer me, listen I've got a friend I'd like to give you the once over to make sure you're alright ok?"

She didn't respond, watching the roof with a bored expression on her face, I'll take that as a yes then I suppose. I generate a constructed bed as I began to turn all the insecticide I'd put in the house to kill the bugs back into oxygen.

The sound of coughing alerts me to the presence of someone in the doorway.

"Someone help."

Oh, it's him… I let out a sigh, bloody hell I didn't intend to poison him why couldn't he have just stayed in his room? ring purge the poisons from his body and repair it. Might as well I suppose, maybe killing all the people is what's causing my bad luck. Although I'm not sure helping Shinji gets me 'good' karma. I let out a sigh, goddammit, sakura knows how to cook right? Wait I doubt Kiritsugu would let her within five-hundred miles of Shirou… she might not be a great cook in this world. Ah, fuck I'll keep monitoring them, Ring monitor subjects, Shinji Matou and Sakura Matou let me know if they start dying or anything like that will you?

"Command confirmed."

Laughter reverberates through the house again, fucking hell were are you hiding these fucking bugs?!

"It seems all your promises are broken boy."

Goddammit, I do not want to have to deal with superbug mage five-thousand later, I drag Shinji's unconscious body into what I assume to be Sakura's room and send a sonic pulse throughout the house and basement. I close my eyes and look at the locations where non-bits of house have registered and start destroying them methodically on a case by case basis. It's probably not all the bugs he's comprised of but I'll find the rest later. I hear a coughing sound from my feet as two wide eyes look up at me.

"Waaa?"

Oh don't you fucking start, Ring whatever passes for knockout gas, Neothyl will do I suppose, make him sleep.

"Command confirmed."

His body falls to the fall without a struggle. Right, ahh, ok what's next? I'll have to get Medea to do magic a circuits check on the girl, I should probably get her breakfast ready too for when she wakes up hopefully that makes her slightly less mad at me. Because honestly, the last thing I need right now is to get tied up in the basement and get experimented on, ahh, fuck you've really messed this up whatever the fuck you are.

…

I wait a moment and get no response, ok that's bullshit, try and convince me not to kill for practicality but when you fuck up it's all quite. I close my eyes and pause you a moment.

…

I have just attempted to solicit a vocal response from literal voices in my head.

…

Probably not the sign of a healthy mind. Right breakfast, use ring to keep Sakura alive, politely ask Medea for help after breakfast then somehow play matchmaker with Shirou and Sakura for mostly shits and giggles.

That looks reasonably like a plan.

Actually, would even that work in this mad world?

 

[Jaune Pendragon]

It must work. Shirou x Sakura OTP.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

It must work. Shirou x Sakura OTP.

Click to shrink...

Yeah now he just needs to fight Luvia and Rin over it

 

[bigreader]

I don't know, hell, I don't even know how you exist or who you are to be honest I think it's cause you fucked up and realised through your actions that my choices whereas correct we could make.

Click to shrink...

This sentence seriously need to be rewritten. it is confusing and I'm not sure what he is trying to say.
I think you need someone to go over this chapter a second time. There are a few grammar errors.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

This sentence seriously need to be rewritten. it is confusing and I'm not sure what he is trying to say.
I think you need someone to go over this chapter a second time. There are a few grammar errors.

Click to shrink...

Thanks I'll have someone go over it when I get home

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Entomophobia Pt 4:


I take a sip of my earl grey as I cut my bacon into smaller slices, I wasn't much of a tea drinker back home, I mean I enjoyed it from time to time but I never had a specific 'type' so earl grey seemed like a normal-ish pick to buy. Either way I'd been meaning to get myself a proper English breakfast one day for the past few years but never got around to it. I watch Medea's eyes across the table keeping the construct filament out of her line of sight, she lets out a sigh.

"Are you going to tell me where you disappeared to?"

What? She was asleep when I got back I checked, how did she notice the 'whatever the hell decided to take my body for a joy ride' left? I place my knife and fork down and rub my eyes, letting out a sigh of my own.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice that while I figured out a way to broach the topic."

She takes a small bite of baked beans covered toast and swallows it.

"Of course I noticed, I have realised I need to keep at least a semblance of an eye on you and your scheming, least it blows up in our faces."

Alright what to explain first, ask for help for myself or for Sakura? Excuse or permission. A thought occurs to me. Why not both?

"Right, something has gone wrong in my head an-"

She rolls her eyes as if that's the most obvious statement I ever made, ouch.

"-d I 'woke up' in the middle of an ad hoc rescue mission that a different, 'consciousness' started."

She eyes me suspiciously for a moment before raising her hand towards me and forming another purple circle I don't understand that I assume in magic.

"Hold still."

Her eyes flash and the room is engulfed in colours and patterns filled with arcane knowledge that the ring attempts to translate, giving me a slight headache.

"But wait there's more?"

Her eyes narrow for a moment.

"I couldn't see it before underneath all the noise."

See what? That sounds dangerous, what's hidden underneath all the 'noise'?.
U- Uh oh
"What is it?"

The patterns change distinctly

"Another consciousness, here."

She pulls her arm to the side and I feel something get dragged off me as my body feels heavier. A new voice perks up.

"Ah, I was hoping you wouldn't see me."

I look up to see a semi-transparent version my myself manifested from the waist upwards.

"What is that?"

I don't understand, what the fuck?

"He was hiding so to speak, I thought something seemed off about you-"

She gestures towards the apparition.

"-identify yourself, what manner of being are you."

He gives out a slight chuckle and stares at me pointedly.

"Someone who isn't a psychopathic murderer and doesn't abandon young ladies to being tortured."

What? Is he referring to Sakura? I was planning on handling that once I had proper intelligence on the situation in this world. He ought to be less impulsive.

"Whatever he is can we kill him right? I think he's been bothering me for a while.

He shrugs.

"Don't bother I can feel myself fading anyway, without a proper 'body' to latch onto there isn't much I think I can do."

What? Just I don't understand is he ok with dying, I'm certain not ok with me dying.

"It's a trick he's probably got an ace up his sleeve."

He scowls.

"Damn I thought we had a better poker face than that psycho."

We? what does he mean we?

"I have got a pretty good poker face, I don't know who you are. But I'm just running off the assumption that you're at least pretending to be me cause that's what I would've done."

"Give me a moment."

Medea draws another circle and begins muttering under her breath.

"Well shit Medea, you don't have to be that cruel, what have I done against you?"

She lets out a sigh and turns her head to face me briefly.

"Can you deal with him while I get this finished?"

I nod.

"Sure we gotta take care of this quickly or else the food will get cold. How about we start with where you came from?"

He facepalms at me.

"You moron I thought I was smarter than that, even I've figured out where I came from by now. Medea you sure you want to work with him I'm clearly the smarter one."

"Oi, I didn't start a rescue with no idea how to ensure the safety of the target or the combat capabilities of Zouken!"

Medea, perks up at that for a moment, while the 'half me' freezes.

"You what?"

"Uhh, look here I-"

I cut him off with a wave.

"That's the other thing I wanted to talk to you about, but I was hoping to have you check up on the rescue later after we had breakfast… sorry."

She closes her eyes for a moment.

"I appreciate your honesty in this case."

"What no."

I turn back to the 'half me'... I've got to think of a better name.

"Right then, what did you figure out."

He pauses for a moment apparently in a huff at being ignored my Medea.

"Alright psycho since apparently you the only one willing to talk to me I'll explain it to you and hopefully, Medea will listen before attempting to exorcise the REAL William."

What is he on about is he delusional.

"I think you underestimate how smart Medea is if you think she'll fall for that."

He continues apparently unperturbed.

"You see the Ring only affect physical parts of you and well, you should know since this is a place with magic, that ain't the only part of a human. Now we, me came from a different world-"

Oh, shit that's a different can of worms I didn't want to open, I glance at Medea for a moment but she appears unfazed maybe if I pretend not to know what he's talking about she'll assume its bullshit?

" -and our mystic presence didn't quite fit into the space that physical bodies inhabit here."

I nod understanding.

"Like that story, we once read of the girl who became doctor fate."

He nods in return.

"Yeah exactly like that, except you killed a bunch of people and realised our press about being a cold-blooded killer was BS, and you used the ring you stop yourself feeling guilty so you could keep killing people you HEARTLESS BASTARD."

I Don't jump back at his sudden snap and place my cutlery on the table again.

"I only did what was necessary to keep my head about water, everything I did was logical and justified."

He crosses his arms.

"Oh fuck off, no no I'm calm, I'm fine. Look, the ring only affects the physical body and while that meant most of me had it's thinking mutated by the ring since our 'soul' for lack of a better term didn't fit-"

I finally catch up to myself.

"And you're the bit that wasn't affected, huh, I didn't think my mode of thinking would've changed so much since arriving."

He shrugs his arms.

"Yeah, well I wasn't a mass-murdering psychopath when I left in spite of what I convinced some people, hey Medea you really want to work with this cold shell?"

She appears to have finished whatever spell she was working on, I notice that a bead of sweat rolls down the side of his head. Huh, I guess he was wrong our poker face is pretty good.

"Unfortunately for you he's the version that saved me and you're not."

I feel an incomprehensible jolt and go bolt upright.

"You're giving me too much credit you basically did that yourself."

I reply a little too quickly earning a coy look, oh shit, that can't be a good sign. Uhh, uh-

"Now that's a little unfair I wasn't in control, I'd have saved you too."

My attention refocuses on the task at hand.

"Perhaps, but that wasn't you was it?"

He swallows, his facade of confidence cracking he's getting desperate what he's not going t-.

"Now, I'm the original version surely you can't just kill me and let this faker take over my body, how is that any different from what ap-"

Medea releases the spell shattering him into purple dust that flows away in the air, come on, even I knew that was a bad idea.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Right sorry, I'm a little late but life's been busy for a few weeks with two mid-semester tests and a big old assignment (along with a fair amount of procrastination if I'm honest) but today's update is ready!



Triumph in the brightest night Pt: 1


It was nice to hear that Sakura was going to be okay after minimal adjustments from Medea and by the time I'd dropped her back off at the Matou residence there weren't any more bugs waiting for us, barring Shinji. I left them a phone number anyway, in case they needed anything. Although I honestly don't know if they really believe what transpired, afterwards, I found the grave for one Kariya Matou. According to official records, he disappeared without a trace, and the family had a funeral assuming he was dead...

It's probably not far off the mark, to be honest.

"Adding Imaginary numerical axis-"

I'd remembered that she enjoyed dressing Saber up or something so I figured I'd take to her and let her have a crack at playing with dolls and models and apparently it was close enough because she hasn't been out of her room for twelve hours…

"-to the fifth instrumental variable,-"

I'm sure if I leave that alone she will be fine I mean I left a note saying I was heading out with basic instructions on how to reheat food in the fridge, if there's still a house here when I get back I'll consider it a win.

"-preparing inversion. Confirming existence of multiple spaces-"

So on the plus side, she has got a hobby I suppose, I just hope I haven't opened a pandora's box on myself. Dealing with that unsettling butler that Luvia sent to inform me of where I was supposed to be headed for the next card was…

"-fixation of centre coordinates complete forming reflective path with a radius of two meters-"

Disconcerting. I'm not sure what it is about him, but he just puts me on edge, it felt like he was looking into my damn soul when he handed me an address or more accurately grid coordinates to a forest and told me to turn up at midnight. I let out a sigh as the tension in the air gets to me.

"Jeez, why are all of you so tense and quiet lighten up a little."

The four of them turn and look at me like I'm an idiot… did I miss something? They've been like this since I turned up, they all seemed to be getting along just fine then I show up, and all the conversations died down like they didn't want me to hear.

"Nothing?-" I let out another sigh. "-fine, most of us are being strongarmed into this anyway now."

Although to be fair I'd probably turn up anyway, I'm not sure, but I feel kind of… responsible since I prevented Luvia and Rin from going 'Splat' Illya frowns at me for a moment.

"-performing partial inversion of mirror world connections, coordinates stable, dimensional transport completed."

The world is engulfed in a vaguely familiar spectrum of light and shapes as we are transported to what the staffs refer to as the 'mirror world' which since we neither entered a mirror nor perceive everything as inverted sounds like bullshit. I glance over the area surrounding us and frown.

"What?"

"Not an opponent or card in sight, what's going on here?"

Thank you Luvia very helpful, right if what I remember is correct we should have a Lancelot berserker, who isn't very subtle and a big hand assassin… no what was he called… ah that's right Hassan of the cursed arm or something, given the lack of screaming I'm guessing assassin?

"Did we come to the wrong place?"

That's Naive Illya I'm pretty sure those two wouldn't fuck up like that, I mean they aren't me or anything.

"That's not possible, the fact that the mirror worlds here means that the card responsible must be nearby."

Ah, that's helpful Rin.

"I see that makes sense."

I reflexively raise my hand.

"Umm… since one of these 'mirror worlds' had two heroic spirits wouldn't it make sense that one of these…-"

I pause for a moment, planes, realms, worlds?

"-mirror worlds would be empty?"

Rin looks at me with her left eye twitching a little.

"The cards cause the mirror worlds."

Right, that makes sense, I frown, of a sort. I'll ask Medea about it later. Maybe give her a card to play with, might keep her occupied for a day or so. I nod anyway, best not to distract us too much.

"Ok, I suppose we should begin searching the area then? I could probably send out a scan and find wherever the heroic spirit is if you'd like?"

Both mages look at me as if I've stopped making sense.

"He can find the card quickly for you."

Miyu translates my offer to them, and I nod in thanks. Rin looks at Luvia with her eyebrows raised who responds by looking mildly flustered and turning to me.

"Do so."

I nod, right. Ring scan the area for human size and shaped things…

"Command confirmed."

Really that worked, right that's a lot of contacts. Now it's unlikely that Hassan carved fake wooden humans to throw me off but… I shake my head. And it is Hassan given the hiding and the cloaks.

"I got dozens of possible contacts... all of which are moving? Hold on for a moment."

I have a construct hand try to grab one of the nearest ones, but it dodges out of the way while Luvia does not hold on for a moment.

"What's the problem I thought you could find them?"

"I think I have, but it doesn't make sense…-"

I trail off as I start to uproot several trees to create a clearing.

"-this isn't what I exp- uurk!"

Pain explodes in my neck as I stagger back a step.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Bamn, right so I got a trial date for a part-time job for 9 hours, soo I'm gonna be uploading this today, as it will be a very physically active job and don't want to edit when I get back.





Triumph in the brightest night Pt: 2


"Guruhgugh."

I feel the blade in my throat but the pain isn't quite there and something feels off almost numb.

"Illya watch out!"

Every fucking time, Ring work on fixing my wounds would you?

"Command confirmed."

The blade gets dragged out as my throat sticks itself back together, the world spins a little, why do I feel so dizzy. I get a sensation of cold from my side as I try to pull my head up, why do I feel so sluggish. I think something shakes my shoulder, I turn and see something I think is black hair.

"Hey, get up."

I'm… on the ground? I roll over and try to get my arms and legs under me, what's going on it feels like there's a physical wall blocking my thoughts. I come to a realisation.

"poison."

Ok, I've been poisoned that is what has happened here, so the next step. Right, I don't want to blank point restore my mental state so... Ring purge poisons from my body.

"Command con-Command failure."

What? That's not good, I feel like I'm gonna be sick.

"Guuruhguh!"

Blood oh dear that's blood, blood in the dirt, ok stay calm. Welp, I swallow down the blood left in my throat. More creative solutions it is then, Ring attempt manual replacement of all blood in segments.

"This is unfair, why are there so many of them."

I get a vague sensation of blond hair moving in front of me.

"Command confirmed."

Black spots cover my vision as I lose what little hearing I had left. one, two, thr- and my senses come back, ok I'm face down on the ground I blink a few times to clear my mind.

"What's wrong with him?!"

Thanks for your concern Luvia, I can see some movement in the shadows, but nothing concrete. Illya has curled up into a ball, Miyu and Luvia firing beams and throwing gems respectively, Rin is standing over me? Or at least she was now I'm upright I tower over her even hunched over.

"A little bit of poisoning don't worry I think I've dealt with it. Oh, shit."

Illya appears to have several cuts and stab wounds on her, FUCK FUCK. I immediately have the Ring begin to stitch up her wounds, if she dies then I get a very alive Kiritsugu knocking on my door. Well probably more Rin and Luvias doors first, but I don't want to take the chance of getting in order my head again.

"Where are they?"

Illya's bodily injuries heal for the most part but it still doesn't look like she's in a good state.

"Alright, good enough for now, Illya should live."

I have the Ring generates a plain wall of light between us and the forest, that immediately shatters. At least it brought the fraction of a second needed to get Miyu's shield up, which actually holds.

"Why isn't she getting back up like you did?"

Glad to see Rin cares about her quasi-servant. I Strip a bunch of magnesium into thin strips and disperse it in a wall in front of me, then light it. The night turns today for a few moments as the magnesium oxidises with the air, not sure what I was expecting there. The flames die down around black cloaks, ok targets, next what to do, what to do…

"She's been poisoned and I can't reliably purge it from her system."

Or at least not without completely removing large quantities of her blood, that wasn't fun when I did that to myself and I'm a little bit distracted right now. I generate a Line of construct flak cannons and open fire in the general direction of the assassins, that should keep them at bay for a while.

DAKKA-DAKKA-DAKKA

"Do you know who this heroic spirit is?"

I can barely hear Luvia's question over the gunfire, why does it even have to make that noise there shouldn't be actual bullets inside the constructs.

"Hassan-"

How many of them were there thirteen?

"-or one of them anyway I'm guessing it's the one that has multiple personalities.-"

Which is certainly not what I was expecting, he's supposed to be hasan of the cursed arm right?

"-which means he can create multiple versions of himself."

The flak guns start going down, slower this time. I'm a little glad to see that these constructs are holding out a little better.

"I think we figured out that much!"

Look, I know it wasn't helpful Luvia but I honestly don't know what else to say. I think I remember something about assassins not supposed to be this strong, but now I think I can see nearly a hundred of the bastards. I suppose I can take a look to see if I can break them out, but I don't know if I'll have to do each of them individually. I let out a sigh, alright Ring lets take a look.

I see what feels like thousands of fears and terrors, the only clear one is a hundred souls all screaming for unity begging to be one, deathly afraid of being alone among a million different personal phobias. I don't bother to count them all, as I start screaming myself.

"ARGH!"

What the hell was that I lower my hand from the side of my head. Ring what just happened.

"Eh? Are you alright."

Subject is demonstrating sign' of information overload.

The ring pulls up the relevant websites, ok helpful I know have something like a hundred different perspectives on being an assassin. Rin had turned away from where she is checking over Illya for a moment to see what caused my exclamation.

"Little bit of information overload Rin, I tried to… use the ring to see what they're afraid of."

I thought the multiple personalities would all come as the same mind, not a million different bloody fears. Out of the corner of my eye, I see that Illya has stopped shaking, that'll be good if she can get back into the fight proper we can coordinate an effective strategy.

"Alert magical energy build up detected "

 

[bigreader]

so can the ring reliably Shield you from a nuclear explosions radiation and kinetic Shockwave? if so I'd say it's time to create a construct nuke and just nuke all the assassins from orbit.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Triumph in the brightest night Pt: 3

"I'm going to die…"

Well, that's a bit pessimistic Illya, I know It started poorly but I think we've gotten a handle on things now. One of the assassins jumps at me with his knife draw going for my neck, but with my Ring feeding me his location I'm able to turn and catch him by the throat and wrist.

"Looks like I've caught a sa-"

The assassin doesn't listen for the end of my statement and launches a kick causing me to drop him, goddammit that's what I get for trying to get quippy.

"Die…"

I block his knife arm and roll my body into a jab as I talk a step towards the assassin, but he deftly blocks my arm and punches me in the face. I have the ring create a .45 construct and fire six rounds into his chest, knocking him onto his back allowing him to crawl away.

"Is everyone alright…"

I glance at Illya for a moment.

"Die…"

If I get a moment I should try and help her.

"Everyone except Illya then."

I glance around and see Luvia and Rin standing back to back throwing jewels and what I assume are gandr shots around them, Miyu is positioned behind me to the left making a good account of herself.

"Alert magical build-up detected."

I heard you the first time Ring I've put that to the side for now. Honestly, I have half the mind to just glass the area, I glance at my compatriots, but it's probably not the best I mean I could probably shield them… but what little cover we have would be annihilated. I see a building glow out of the corner of my eye, what's that?

"Look out!"

What are you on about Luvia? I turn and see Illya letting off what I think is a frankly very unhealthy glow, right that.

"Miyu shield!"

I generate a front line shield as I give the order to ensure everyone else's safety, Ring take a complete scan of her body. In fact I have a tendril attached to her arm and take a blood sample, woah that's an unhealthy amount of unknown energy flowing through her body.

"Command confirmed."

The air around her begins to absorb all light in what looks like quasi clouds, well either that or it's tearing holes in actual reality which is a possibility I'd rather not consider.

" die..."

I consider bringing up a void shield as she 'detonates' for lack of a better word, I feel the constructs crack and shatter as Miyu's shield takes up the slack giving me time to bring up another shield. I can't see anything as the world is consumed in blinding light, probably a good thing we got the shield up.

"It won't hold."

Miyu that is the last thing I wanted to hear from you, hmm... that could work though.

"Well, that just means we all die."

Miyu redoubles her efforts focusing at the cracks in her shield and Luvia and Rin stare at me.

"What do you mean we all die, can't you do something?!"

Not really Luvia.

"Why do you seem so calm about dying?!"

I try and draw on the fear of death creeping into the trio.

"I told you Rin, I can heal from most things, I should-"

Almost certainly not.

"-be able to fix myself up. Although I wouldn't like to think about what condition I'd be in afterwards."

The pair continue to stare dumbfoundedly.

"I-is this because we threatened you?"

"We? don't drag me into this it was your idea."

Rin attempts to distance herself from Luvia as I start to laugh, those two are hilarious honestly teasing them is the most fun I've had in ages.

"HAHAahah, hehehe-"

They both look at me particularly pleadingly particularly annoyed.

"-little secret-"

I wave my ring hand.

"-the Ring runs off fear, the more afraid you are the more likely I can save you… also the more capable I am of killing you but whatever, that's not important."

Their faces go through a complex series of emotions as they try to figure out what I'm doing. I try and peer through the light but at this point it's almost a solid wall.

"Can you do anything?"

An astute question Rin, I mean probably most magic seems to bullshit its way into hurting me anyway so I don't know what kind of effect this will have. I bring up another shield as Miyu's begins to fail in earnest.

"Well, this explosion has been going on entirely too long it should have been long over by now-"

I look over to the rest of them.

"-any idea why?"

As if to spite me the blast cuts out, taking out my construct shield and knocking me to the ground.

"Die, die, die…"

Illya remains curled up in a ball at the epicentre of the explosion, I leave Rin to handle her minion.

"I-Illya are you ok?"

I turn around to see another assassin limping away, I generate a construct hand and drag him over to us.

"So… who wants him?"

Miyu doesn't hesitate in blasting off his head, leaping up and grabbing the card in a roll before landing next to me.

"Class card assassin acquired Luvia."

I shrug, oh well I still have the saber card and the caster card by proxy and it's not like my future position and education rely on them like those two.

"Clever girl.-"

I pat her on the head and walk towards everyone else, Rin seemingly satisfied that Illya is in fact not about to die stands quickly invading my personal space forcing me back a step. Her right hand pointed at me in lecturing position.

"-Yes Ri-"

She cuts me off immediately.

"You've been getting involved in things you should have left alone."

I nod unsurely, glancing to the side.

"Quite possib-"

She cuts me off again this time almost screaming in my face.

"NO! no tricks, no dodging and no wordplay, we need to talk after this and you WILL use plain language and tell me exactly what happened."

I get the feeling she's not talking about the cards… I nod in a half-hearted attempt to hide my embarrassment as the three other girls stare at her in surprise.

 

[bigreader]

Everyone expect Illya then."

Click to shrink...

Except
There was some improvement in this section I can actually understand the flow of events mostly seems like a Leah got possessed by some curse of the assassins and tried to kill everyone and then case finally understood that he is something that's outside of context of her worldview and wants an explanation of what he is.

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Except
There was some improvement in this section I can actually understand the flow of events mostly seems like a Leah got possessed by some curse of the assassins and tried to kill everyone and then case finally understood that he is something that's outside of context of her worldview and wants an explanation of what he is.

Click to shrink...

Thank you corrected, also thank you I've been working on my writing and hopefully will continue to improve I've got some other writing projects that I'm hoping to do after this is done so this fic is basically a test run to work out how to write gooder. (I think I've understood that correctly)

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Triumph in the brightest night Pt 4


Rin does not seem pleased with me, having sent Illya home alone at what basically is the middle of the night only serves to compound this impression on me. I gulp in a manner that I hope isn't too loud as I recall the earful she gave Luvia when she wanted in on the discussion, of course, it didn't help that Luvia backed down without much of a fight only serving to compound my unease. I don't think I've seen Rin this serious, no scratch that I don't think I've seen this Rin this serious, Rin was this serious when she tried to kill Shirou…

…

Balls.

"Soo… ho-"

She raises a hand to stop me from speaking, then walks towards a bench beckoning me to follow.

"-Okay?"

I nod to myself, she hasn't resorted to threats or torture yet which is probably a good sign. She sits down on a bench and signals for me to sit down around a foot away from her, this doesn't appear to be the time to mess around so I do as I'm told.

"Who are you?"

I frown at that question, while I've certainly implied things that aren't true I don't think I outright lied about who I am.

"I told you my nam-"

She interjects preventing from finishing.

"Stop lying!"

What? She thinks I'm lying? I turn firmly toward her taking as relaxed position as I can.

"What exactly do you mean?"

She takes a second to attempt to keep her temper in check.

"Did you think we wouldn't check? The only 'William Bartholemew' that vaguely fits your description is hundreds of miles away and thirteen years old!"

I gulp, ah, right… that could be an issue, now how to go about this? Selective disclosure?

"To be honest I'm surprised you found the connection between us."

I consider things for a moment.

"W-what do you mean?"

Rin seems genuinely surprised I came right out of the gate in admitting that, oh well. I point at her and let out a sigh, welp it's sink or swim.

"Rin Tohsaka age seventeen, daughter of Aoi and Tokiomi Tohsaka, had a good relationship with one Kariya Matou. A childhood friend of her mothers alongside a little sister, who was put up for adoption and promptly abused in an abhorrent manner for ten years.-"

Her eyes widen.

"Wait, what?!"

I continue.

"-she later became friends with Aoyako Mitsuzuri and had a bet on who would get a boyfriend first. Had a crush on one Shirou Emiya-"

She frowns.

"Who?"

Right, ok so that hasn't happened.

"-stayed in Fuyuki after her father died in a ritual known as the fourth holy grail war-"

This confuses her more.

"Wait, my dads not de-"

I cut her off again.

"-while she was around seven years old, in nineteen-ninety-four.-"

"What?"

"-Waited ten years, honing her magecraft under the tutelage of Kirei Kotomine in Fuyuki until the fifth holy grail war occurred in two thousand and four."

She takes a moment to process what I've just said, appearing to consider my words as I let out a sigh.

"That is not the story of my life."

I nod.

"Quite I didn't expect it to line up considering you should be twenty-seven if it did, however, it is the version I am familiar with."

Well, most familiar with, I don't really know what happened in prototype. She rubs a hand against her head.

"I don't know what you mean by that."

I simile and cock my head.

"Don't ask questions when you're not ready for the answer, come on Rin you're a clever girl."

I realise that this is a futile attempt to delay the inevitable return to the awkward conversation, but to be honest I don't care if I'm going to buy as much time as I can.

"But…-"

She shakes her head, then resolves herself.

"-So you're from another world?"

I nod, well that was coming out sooner or later.

"Bingo, you were supposed to head to the clock tower in a few years or so with Shirou as your minion or something."

Among other things, but I'd rather not describe that. Rin places her hands on her knees and slumps slightly.

"I don't want to believe you but parts of what you said were too close to my past to disregard…-"

She places her hands on the sides of her head and appears to have a fit.

"-AHH, why is it you always do this?"

I smile in what I hope is a friendly manner.

"Because it's fun."

She scowls at me.

"How much of what you said was true?"

I consider this a moment, placing my hand to my face.

"All of it probably."

Almost certainly, well as true as I can remember.

"Did you know your version of me? Where we friends?"

Ahh…

"Not particularly we certainly weren't enemies."

She brushes that off.

"Not that that matters now, I have a more important question.-"

Well, that went better than expected, the existential crisis successfully averted.

"-Did you kill Zouken Matou?"

I nod.

"Yes, I did. Well, as much as I could kill him."

There is a better than average chance he survived, I mean his shtick is surviving right?

"What do you mean by that?!"

I shrug.

"He was literally a bug man, I honestly have no idea how to kill him so I hunted down and killed every insect I could find, there's a chance he had some hold up somewhere or something."

She turns on me placing both hands on my shoulders and looking intently at me.

"Is Sakura safe?!"

I nod, more than a little thrown off by her extreme reaction.

"Y-yeah she should be, we can check in on her if you're worried."

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Right it's a tad late I apologize My uni exams have started up and well... y'know.



Ineptitude Pt 1:


I take a sip of the glass of light beer I'd ordered with the okonomiyaki as I finish describing the events from last night with Medea. I had considered leaving her in her room and periodically bringing up food, drink and doll and model making supplies… but then reneged on that idea, without someone else to tell me what to cook I tend to devolve quite quickly to bread and water and nearly getting killed again didn't put me in a 'cooking' mood. Combining that with the fact that I prefer not to go out alone lead to me taking up what I expected to be the tedious task of dragging Medea out of her room. I mean, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that it hasn't consumed every facet of her life, I mean she does have some pride. Either way, it did lead to me being able to enjoy an afternoon tea with a… screw it. It's not like she can hear my thoughts, quite literally a beautiful princess.

"Interesting though I'm unclear why you're telling me."

Of course, once Rin was satisfied that Zouken wasn't immediately going to come out of the woodwork as kill us all she became more than a little appreciative. I suppose that's one good thing that came out of that mess.

"I'm telling you this under the assumption that you want to be kept in the loop."

While she wasn't exactly wrapped up in the conversation, she did demonstrate that she was paying attention so that's a plus, I guess. Of course, interspersed at the start by asking me whether I knew what the various dishes tasted like, I mean I do and I definitely didn't use the ring to cheat on anything.

"How kind and out of character of you."

I let out a sigh, I suppose not planning out things and making it look like I had a coherent idea of what I'm doing would lead to some trust issues between myself and others.

"Are you mad at me over something?"

Either that or she just doesn't enjoy my company, which while not surprising does hurt a little bit.

"No, you're just…-"

Boring?

"-Unsubstantive."

I frown, what is that supposed to mean? I mean sure once you take me out of my slowly collapsing life give me a power ring and throw me in an unfamiliar setting sure my priorities change and I focus on stability rather than grand projects.

"Ahem, I am aware of certain… gods for lack of a better turn that tend to 'delete' certain worlds once they diverge from the beaten path and would prefer to avoid them."

Provided that I don't know what 'stagnation' means for a timeline it's probably the best course of action, although I am going to have to find a way around that eventually and I'm already not looking forward to that. She frowns for a moment.

"How would you know what you do would not be apart of the 'beaten path' as you put it?"

I lean back eyeing up my half-empty plate and let out a sigh.

"That is a long story that involves several existential crises, a missing hitman, an aspiring hero and a cup."

She seems almost bemused as she lets out a chuckle.

"Now that seems like an interesting story."

I place my elbows on the table as I lean back in.

"Actually, it was, even if it was one of the most complex stories I'd heard of. But that's beside the point because I'm still not retelling it to you."

She pouts causing me to blink in surprise, what is happening?

"Spoilsport, although I'll trust in your judgment this time."

I nod gratefully.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Now how to go about suggesting the basic magic tutorial she offered occurs sooner rather than later?

"If you're planning to ask about magic I've been working on how to dumb it down to a level you could understand."

Eh?! Am I that predictable? I take a moment to get my features under control.

"Was it that obvious?"

She gives a soft shake of her head.

"No, but it was the logical next step in the conversation after you finished talking about fighting assassin."

I nod definitely this time.

"Right, that makes sense, take your time then, I imagined there'd be a mountain of difference between our relative knowledge of magic."

She stares at me for a moment before nodding to herself.

"My magic was taught to me directly by the goddess Hecate, 'mountain' doesn't even begin to describe the level of difference between us. I can cast spells on a higher plane of existence than anything you could even imagine, with it being that you aren't even a neophyte at magecraft."

Harsh, I mean accurate, however, I can imagine what I've 'seen' so I suppose that includes reality marbles in 'things I could imagine' so… maybe not as accurate as she thinks? I roll my eyes.

"Harsh, but not entirely untrue, but it should be within your abilities to eventually achieve an explanation I could understand? Hell, you could probably enlist our 'friends' if you need help dumbing it down."

She appears to consider this.

"Hmm… you haven't asked for me to pick up the pace in case it's asking the impossible of me and even attempted to offer solutions, perhaps you're more of a decent person than I imagined."

A brief roar of laughter escapes my mouth before I get it under control, I attempt to interject before she can take offence.

"Sorry, sorry. You just reminded me of something one of my friends told me once."

I try and wave it off, but I don't think she buys it. Either way, we've both finished eating at this point I chug the last of my beer and get up.

"Right, on a tangentially related note, I had been wondering what were you doing before you came into possession of that ring?."

Huh? Where'd that come from? Medea stands as well following me.

"Well, I was recovering from an injury after a large metal door collapsed on we while I was recovering from a week-long archery tournament actually. I was quite pleased that the ring let me cheat the last month of recovery."

Multiple broken ribs and minor organ damage did not make for a fun break, nod to the clerk and begin payment.

"And how did you perform in that tournament."

I can't tell if that's actual interest or just boredom.

"Eh, I didn't think I did that well I only came away with one silver from one of the five events."

That appears to surprise her.

"You don't strike me as an archer."

I smile and I shake my head as we exit the restaurant. It was a nice enough place I might even come back one day.

"That'd be because I'm not that great at it despite being at it for years."

I feel a soft thud and look down to see a head of white hair in front of me.

"..."

"Ah, sorry I didn't see you there are you alright?-"

The figure remains quite as it takes a step back, allowing me to recognise them properly.

"-Illya? Are you alright?"

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Ineptitude Pt 2:

She stares with a blank expression for a second on her face before bursting into a childish smile. Well, that's not disconcerting at all.

"Ah, yeah I'm fine, jeez you sound like Sella when you talk like that."

I frown, where have I heard that name before? Ah, the maid wait not relevant. I consider her reaction, well that's a blatant lie if I've ever seen one, now I'd usually ignore it but… my life could very well rest on whether or not Illya is in a stable frame of mind…

I let out a sigh, goddammit.

"Medea, would you mind if I handled this?"

She actually smiles at me before starting to walk off.

"I'm sure I'll be fine, although I will be curious about this situation later."

I nod gratefully.

"Thank you."

Illya stared quizzically at the situation before coming to a realization and attempting to wave it off with both hands producing another smile.

"I told you I'm fine."

I let out a sigh as I contemplate how to go about this.

"Ah, well you see, there's clearly something you need to get off your chest and bottling it up could result in mistakes that get people killed.-" I wave my fingers. "-people like me so I'd prefer it if you came clean so to speak."

Her smile falters for a moment reforming for a second before her head and shoulders slump, beginning to speak in a small voice.

"I'm worried I'm getting in the way and holding all of you back…"

Ah, classic self-esteem issues, I mean it's unexpected but should be easy to deal with.

"Don't be ridiculous, you fended off rider, took down Saber and wiped out over two-thirds of the assassins single-handedly. You're more than pulling your weight."

"Yeah, but…-"

She frowns.

"-I didn't beat Saber Miyu did."

What? my face scrunches up, where did she get that idea?

"Who told you that?"

She returns my look of confusion.

"Rin did."

I scratch my forehead, what? Why would she do that?

"Did you not remember what happened?"

She shakes her head from side to side.

"No, I thought I passed out."

Strange.

"No, you installed the archer card, channelling the heroic spirit em-Archer and stabbed Saber in the back. Did you not know that?"

Her head drops again.

"It's because they don't trust me… it's probably because I'm a danger to you all."

I let out a sigh.

"Look Illya, you aren't a liability, hell the ruby stick and you represent a good chunk of our fighting force-"

Which has nothing to do with the Ring not working too well against heroic spirits I should really try and figure it out before anyone notices.

"-and you're doing fine, hell you're doing a damn side better than me for the most part. If you ever feel that you aren't up to it you can ask Rin to stop."

She blinks slowly.

"W-what?"

I frown more.

"I mean I'd prefer it if you didn't because I think your presence is a net positive on the battlefield."

She appears to consider that for a moment. That and the remaining card is berserker and given that most of the heroic spirits have been basically insane anyway, I imagine Lancelot taking control of a yellow ring and shudder.

"Th-thank you.-" She frowns at me for a second "-are you alright."

I shrug.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me but, if you ever need someone to talk to feel free to come find me, enjoy the rest of your day."

Now that Should keep her parents out of the loop. I have a feeling if Kiritsugu found out what is going on, we all die in our sleep. I think I spot a small head of black hair but ignore it, eh I'm sure it's fine.

"Illya,-"

Now, where did Medea get to I rush along in a half jog in the direction she went back home. Ah, that's where she is, I spot her waiting at a park bench.

"Ah, I'm surprised to see you waited and sorry for keeping you waiting."

She continues walking as I catch up, I am a little bit touched by her patience.

"My curiosity got the better of me, what did you want to speak with her about?"

I try and wave it off.

"Oh, just some self-esteem issues, apparently she was worried she was endangering us by taking part."

She places a finger on her lips.

"Hmm… it didn't sound like she was from your description."

I nod in agreement.

"Right? It's strange, how did she get that idea."

Ah, we should be nearing the house now, I feel her glance move over to me again with a shiver unnerving in my body.

"She did blow up and nearly kill you all, and you couldn't be sure about how she'd react as the archer."

I frown, well I could be certain about how the archer card would act but she hasn't inquired into parallel universe shenanigans yet and I'd rather that stay under wraps for now.

"I-I was fairly certain neither of those events would kill us."

I mean I was certain but that's beside the point.

Our conversation becomes less animated as the topics devolve the closer we get to the house. I remove the keys from my pocket as we approach the front door.

I feel the energy beside me increase as the keys to enter the door and the second it opens.

WHOOSH.

Medea runs at what appears to be full-tilt I presume back to her models.

I can't help but roar in laughter in response.

 

[Jaune Pendragon]

models of what?

Saber?

 

[dat_noob1926812]

models of what?

Saber?

Click to shrink...

The SI hasn't checked, but they were in the same mirror world...

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Alright if I've horribly misunderstood how od, mana, magical energy and prana work please correct me. Because honestly, I've found three different sources that all contradict each other.





Ineptitude Pt 3:

Medea gestures from me to sit at the table in the living room.

"Take a seat, we may be here a while."

I sit down in front of her standing form, mentally preparing myself for the potential lecture I'm going to have to sit through.

"Alright, so you've finished dumbing down the theory then?"

She nods in response.

"Quite, I have simplified it enough that even you should be able to understand it. Among other things.-"

I try not to look offended at the implication.

"-First off, the difference between od, mana. Now, are you aware of the difference?"

I close my eyes and consider the question.

"Uhh… mana is the magical energy that can be used to cast spells, it's available in the environment and concentrated in ley lines?"

Her expression holds for a moment eyes regarding me with something a little less than suspicion.

"Go on."

Uhh… I wrack my brain for every mention of od, now I know I've heard of it in the context of magic circuits or something? I open my eyes as I decide on a train of thought to go down.

"And od is some power source to do with magic circuits?"

Her eyes remain blank for a beat, while I think I feel my blood drain from the upper half of my body before beginning to burn up.

"Half marks you where close, mana is the energy in the surrounding environment, known as a greater source, that can be gathered to cast spells and od is the life force of all living beings known as a lesser source, which can also be used to cast spells to a lesser extent. Now, why do you think this is relevant?"

The question throws me off as I clamp down my instinctive response of 'because you wanted to teach me magecraft' and consider my options before answering.

"It is testing the level of knowledge I have?"

She shakes her head.

"No, it to start by explaining yourself to you. As I mentioned previously you leak mana, I did not say you leak od, that would require you as a being to have an internal storage of it. For all intensive purposes, you don't have a 'life-force' like a normal living being."

I blink.

"What?"

I'm not alive? she lets out a light sigh before continuing.

"A normal person has magic circuits that purifies an inner storage of od which in turn is their life force, you have no such storage. There is a point inside of you that simply produces vast quantities of magical energy with no metaphysical attempt at storage whatsoever. In the process instantly diffusing into the mana of the environment leaving you alive without a life force. Not that it's supposed to work like that, but that's a different story."

I blink trying to catch up, pointedly ignoring her whispered statement.

"So I subsist of the magical energy I produce as it diffuses into the environment?"

That gets a nod.

"Again half marks on that point, I already told you half of that statement."

Now it's my turn to sigh.

"Here I was expecting a lecture and this has turned into an actual test, what does that mean for me?"

She pulls out a series of incomprehensible purple magical circles, removing what I assume to be some form of magic circuits?

"I haven't spent the past few days purely on my hobbies, I suppose as a gift for your attempted service I was inclined to make you something."

I blink dumbly, my chest tightening for a moment. I think I'm actually touched.

"Thank you, I genuinely didn't expect you to make magic circuits."

Yet… I mean I was going to bide my time before asking hopefully with something to trade, but if she's gone and done this of her own volition then I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. She pauses for a brief moment before speaking.

"Not quite magic circuits, these are far more cut down that proper magic circuits and I wouldn't be that grateful yet, installing them will hurt."

I let out another sigh, of course, there's always a cost. I hold up my ring hand and wiggle my fingers.

"Probably a lot, lucky I've got myself a cheat stick that'll keep pain suppressed."

Provided a lack of magic bullshit superseding physical pain nullification. She cocks her head to the right eyeing me out of the corner of her eye.

"If you're sure about that, now hold up your left arm. This might not work and I'd imagine you'd rather only lose one of your arms."

Ahh… I'm sure that'll be fine, what could possibly go wrong. I hold up my arm and smile, ring pain to my left arm.

"Well, what could go wrong."

The not-circuits spark with energy causing an instant of pain before the ring suppresses it.

"Alert unknown magical energy interacting with corpsman detected."

I noticed. My numb arm raises slightly as whatever it is, is inserted.

"So, are you waiting for me to figure out what this actually is?"

She makes an effort to only frown a little.

"There is a little bit more going on than what you can see and I was concen-trat-ing and done. Now hopefully you'll be able to directly provide me with extra mana."

I look down on the arm it doesn't look any different? But then I suppose that it would look the same, ring cease numbingohfuckthat hurts.

"Grreah."

"Command confirmed."

The burning sensation fades a little as the seconds pass by, right that's what I get for not asking the ring if those nerves were still firing. The pain tampers off, pulling towards my fingertips eventually fading out.

"So… what happens now?"

Medea moves my hand placing it on the table, palm down.

"Focus on the table, attempt to funnel magical energy into it to improve its structure."

What? I cock my head with what I hope is a confused look.

"How?"

"Focus on your arm there should be noticeable energy within it, imagine that energy entering the table."

O-k? I focus on the table, I think I feel a pressure increase within the internal structure of it before it explodes.

"Well, that could have gone better."

She looks mildly disturbed by the result.

"I'm glad I tested it on the table first, try again."

 

[dat_noob1926812]

Ineptitude Pt: 4

"So, how has adapting to life without crest worms?"

I mean transferring applying on her behalf to the archery club, even faking signatures and placing it on the relevant teacher's desk was relatively easy. Convincing her to actually attend on the other hand has been… an issue, she continues to stare at me with blank eyes.

"It has been fine."

And I've come to realise in-depth how difficult it is to maintain a conversation with someone who only gives short answers. I let out a sigh, I've been doing that a lot lately haven't I? I wonder why? Aside from all the almost dying… Although the other activities haven't been that taxing, have they? Teaching Medea to use a phone was fun, meals are fun, in fact, I don't think I've ever actually enjoyed cooking before...

"Have you considered my suggestions?"

Not at all hypocritical given my personal avoidance of most clubs during high school. But in this case, she definitely needs a wider support network than I can supply and I'm not sure that leaving her to Shinji's devices is a good idea.

"Yes, I do not want to join any clubs."

Now, I couldn't prove that Shinji's done anything and given the differences from any medium of fate I'm familiar with I can't know for sure that he's an abusive rapist asshole… and this version of Shinji has been more… cooperative than I expected. Her eyes remain dull as she sits like, well… someone who has died inside.

"Do you understand my reasoning for suggesting you do?"

Because if she doesn't, I'm going to have to properly spell it out for her. Although maybe Shinji's being helpful because Zouken's dead? I mean I don't think he was fond of his grandfather. Either way if I do find that he's been doing what I expect him to, I think I can't risk another mental breakdown to remove a vile rapist from the world. Ahh, why do I have to deal with the consequences of my actions?! She continues to stare at me blankly before responding.

"When will it end, why are you doing this?"

I frown, I'm not sure if I was supposed to hear that first bit… Either way, it's probably not the sign of a healthy mind… I reflect on my previous situation that caused this and suddenly feel mildly hypocritical. I pointedly ignore the why question, the poor girl has enough to deal with without me giving her an existential crisis.

"When will what end?"

Her eyes raise from the ground widening at me.

"Why do you keep pretending? Grandfather."

I frown, interesting, pretending what? To care? I mean explaining my investment in this situation isn't happening. I try to crack a comforting smile, cocking my head to the side.

"Pretending what?"

Her head falls and shoulders slump, what could she be talking about.

"Stop this grandfather I know this isn't real why do you insist on prolonging this? Why are you trying to give me hope? I know it's my fault but I don't understand this lesson."

Denying reality? lesson? Why would she?

"What are you talking about Zouken is dead."

Or at least as dead as I can make him, I've spent a bit of time over the last few days hunting oversized bugs, I don't know if those insects were related to Zouken bbuuut… better safe than sorry. Sakura slumps eyes falling to the ground again, I mean at least I made some progress in that she's showing signs of being alive. But why i-

Oh…

Right, this version of Sakura didn't even have the pretence of normalcy offered by her relationship with Shirou.

I am definitely in over my head here, Ring book therapist for her, or several.

"Command confirmed."

Ok, good I think that is most of what I can do. I hope that the therapist is discrete.

"Alright, Sakura I've booked you a therapy session at this date-"

I write the date and time on a piece of paper from subspace.

"-I hope you will go."

I stand and wait for a moment in the doorway for a response, I have no idea how else I can assist her any further the final aspect of her troubles is something she is going to have to beat herself. I glance at my Ring, I mean I could probably use the ring to force her mind into some semblance of normalcy but given my experiences with it, it's probably not the healthiest solution. I let out a sigh and turn to leave.

" I will go… "

Well, that's progress I suppose, I turn back as I close the door.

"Thank you."

"Ah, lord Bartholomew, are you satisfied with your visit, I've been doing a good job haven't I?"

I look at Shinji through narrow eyes, there is literally no way Shinji should be being this helpful, why is he being helpful? I try and fix him with a hard stare.

"Quite, the fact she is accepting therapy is a sign of progress, you have been treating her well yes?"

He flinches before marshalling himself to nod fervently.

"Of course, I would never mistreat my beloved sister."

Now you see the problem here is that I know that isn't true and I can't figure out why he's acting like this. I hand over money for expenses so that he can look after his sister, double-checking the footage from the cameras I've set up seeing nothing abusive, perhaps I should set up listening devices as well?

"Excellent work Shinji-."

He beams like a dog that has been given a treat before my phone goes off.

"-Keep up the good work and do not disappoint me-."

Because if I see any abusive behaviour I will kill you. The environmental shield flickers as I pull up my phone and see that Medea was calling me.

"-Hello, Medea."

That was convenient timing

"The man you said was coming, Luvia's servant? Arrived, you have a time and place for the next card."

Wonderful.

 

[Crusader Jerome]

"Focus on the table, attempt to understand its structure."

O-k? I focus on the table, I think I see the internal structure before it explodes.

Click to shrink...

Wasn't that something literally only Shirou could do, rather than a fundamental technique?