Chapter Twenty Six: Fairy Tales
- Location
- Ireland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
"Do you know me?"
Of all the things to ask, it's probably the least helpful right in that moment. For all you know you've stepped into the heart of this woman's Bounded Field, or you've chanced on someone who seems able to turn this nightmare of a forest into something genuinely breathtaking, genuinely safe. Either way you could be learning how to get out of here, but fragments of memory tease your mind like a lover's touch. Voices that fade into fog when you try focus on them, words that wick away like smoke when you try recall them. It's happened twice now, it can't be a coincidence. It has something to do with the Servant you've been fused with, and you need to know. Even though the sharp question makes heads turn, even though it's shaken Niamh out of her stupor to look at you with such concern that it makes you sick, you need to know.
"Of course not." She's an excellent liar. She's so good you doubt yourself almost immediately, nothing in her expression or her posture or her voice indicating that it's not the truth but you know what you saw. "Though...I shall admit, I am certainly somewhat shocked to see a Master dressed for combat."
Your left arm tingles and you're acutely aware of your armor baring it to her, letting her see the crimson markings that carve their way towards your elbow. Doubt flickers through you again but you refuse to let it set in. You know what you saw. Before you can press her for more, however, Niamh steps forward, her face set in a proud smile.
"My brother is a Demi-Servant. He's already defeated Excalibur. You shouldn't think of him as any old Master!" Her voice burns with so much pride it makes you sick, though you admit it might have something to do with the memories she drags up. She has no idea what it felt like, to face the tide of shadows and not buckle and break. Even now you remember the agony, the weight, the heat. If it makes you more intimidating, you're not going to challenge it, but when she makes you sound like that, like some kind of- of hero? It makes your skin crawl.
"Excalibur...? Oh, my. You truly have been through an ordeal then, haven't you?" Avenger's face shifts into a small, warm smile, and she inclines her head towards you a little. "You may rest assured however that I am not here to fight you. I had been wandering the forest in search of anyone who had gotten lost, but I needed to take a quick nap. It is one of my failings as a Servant, I am rather afraid."
She looks almost bashful at the admission, her pale cheeks dusted with red as she glances away, and even without that supernatural charm you faced moments ago it's still distracting. It's beyond what's normal for a Servant, a more idealized kind of beauty than you're used to. Or maybe you've just never interacted with Servants long enough to notice, and now that you don't have to fear them like you did before you're noticing more clearly. It's hard to say, but at the very least you're not alone. Goemon has a sleazy smirk on his face, and Niamh seems almost entranced by the woman despite her earlier outburst.
"I should assume you wish to leave the forest? It is rather difficult alone, but I am certain you can tell that I bear some level of resistance to it. I can perhaps lead you out, if you so desire." The offer comes out of nowhere, and you can't find a hint of deceit anywhere. You don't trust her, you can't trust her, but if she's offering a way out...
<"...Goemon, Circe. Spiritual form. Archer, be at the ready."> Your Servants vanish and Niamh jumps at the sudden disappearance, though Goemon shoots you a look before he does. Archer's bow was out before you could even finish talking and goddamn but you appreciate it. As much as you've got your concerns about who she is and why she acts like she does, she's always up for dealing a lot of violence at anyone you're wary of.
<"You're a pain, you know that? We run into a sleeping beauty and you make me leave?">
<"Shut up. Both of you, be ready. If she tries anything-">
<"Yeah, yeah, whatever.">
<"I'll make it non-lethal to start, piglet. Take care!">
It's a struggle to keep your frustration off your face, but you manage it regardless. At least Circe's nice.
"Lead the way."
If she's at all put out about your clear display of distrust, she doesn't show it. If anything, her smile just grows a hair wider. "Of course. Do be careful. It does take some time for the forest to change, but we shouldn't be attacked regardless so long as I am present."
She turns and Niamh immediately moves to follow her, and with a curse you quicken your pace to make sure she's behind you. You're fast, but you can't risk Avenger being faster. At the very least Niamh seems to understand what you're doing, two tall Sídhe warriors appearing on either side of her with barely a whisper. She's always been good at creating them, but between these and the Cú Sídhe earlier your theory is being borne out. Tossing her earlier in history is having one hell of an effect on her magecraft.
Avenger's noticed their appearance too, and a quick glance back all of a sudden turns into a curious tilt of her head. "Ah...faeries?"
"Naturally." You can feel Niamh's smile from behind you, turning to watch her toss her hair haughtily. The move flashes her tapered ears and you barely suppress a sigh. Showing off for a potential enemy. She's already played her hand to some extent with the constructs, otherwise you'd be getting angry, but you know what's going on. Something about the other woman interests her, and she's letting it drive her.
"Your ears...I see. You carry faerie blood in you then. Though your brother would seem to lack...?"
"That's right. It was just me, yes."
You clench your fist hard enough that your nails bite into your palm, but you stay silent. So proud. So smug. Preening as her power is recognised, all it took was a little attention and she shifted from praising you to standing tall and bragging about her gift. Bragging about how she had it while you didn't. You take all that rage and that frustration inside you and you crush it down, drag it as deep inside you as you can and stop it spilling forth but you can't hold it all back. You can't even hold it back enough to avoid Avenger's eyes flicking to you for a moment, narrowing just a hair.
"I see. I am well familiar with the fae, and for their kind to be willing to offer you aid is gladdening, magus. However...I would ask you to be quite careful with them. This forest is rather dangerous." She gives another polite curtsy before turning on her heel and beginning to walk again, and you have to grit your teeth to stop yourself from saying anything. Not only is she lying to you, but you know she noticed how you reacted. Perhaps it's paranoia, but given where you are you can't be too careful. If she strikes, you need to be ready.
You walk in silence for a time, the forest still unnaturally empty. No rustling leaves, no quiet winds, no chirping birds. The only difference is that the shadows have retreated, no longer oppressively hanging over you with every moment. It's as if Avenger is a flame keeping them at bay, and a glance backwards only confirms that theory. A clear pathway of dim light peeks through the canopy where you've walked with her, and every step she takes away from it plunges it deeper and deeper into the murkiness that you arrived in. You don't see the blank whiteness of the shadow-beasts' eyes at least, but it's still unnerving. You can't tell how much progress you've made, how long it's going to take you to escape, you don't even know if Avenger's doing as she said she would, instead of just leading you to the deepest part so she can abandon you. Even with Archer close by, even with your other two Servants out of sight, your chest starts to tighten. How long will you be trapped in there? How long before she turns on you? How long-
"Princess Rose?"
Your feet move before you have a chance to think, launching yourself between Avenger and Niamh at the slightest sound before your Instinct screams at you. Behind. You twist just in time to see the emerald blade of one of Niamh's knights cut through the air towards you, faster than you'd ever seen them move before. Not fast enough to be a threat, not fast enough to outpace Archer's arrow rocketing through the construct's chest. It dissipates immediately, but the other is still there, stepping in to block your sister from sight as it swings its own sword. You don't even have to call it for your shield to appear on your arm and intercept the blow, and an instant later there's a rush of air to your side followed by a wet squelch. When you lower your shield to see what's happened, you see Avenger in between yourself and Niamh's warrior, a scarlet blade piercing its chest. It's red from hilt to tip, with a long, thin blade that grows more warped and spiked as it gets closer to the crossguard. Golden metal wraps around the hilt in an elegant knuckle-guard, and though it takes you a moment, you can see what it's meant to be. A delicate golden stem that twists into rows of leaves and twisting thorns, all leading to a decorative rose made of the same scarlet metal as the blade itself. The knight gurgles softly as Avenger withdraws the sword, and just before it dissipates as well, you see dark thorns writhing within the wound. Behind the fading knight, Niamh's face is pale, one hand in front of her mouth as she stares in shock, and it's only the sheer depth of the rage boiling up inside you that gives her a chance to speak. You just can't find the words yourself until she bursts into an apology.
"I-I swear that wasn't me! I don't know what happened, when you moved I was scared and-"
"How troubling. I did warn you to be careful with your constructs, did I not?" Avenger cuts her off with a pleasant smile, one hand raising to her cheek as she looks down at Niamh. "This forest's dangers are myriad, and the constructs of a magus are somewhat more susceptible than others. I had thought that it would be fine for the moment, but please forgive my rash decision. I simply did not expect to find something that would startle you so greatly. The mistress of this forest is rather solitary." It's only then that you remember what made you jump in the first place, and you turn to watch Avenger approach the source of the voice.
There's a little girl standing in the forest, a simple wicker basket in her hands. She can't be older than ten, with bright brown eyes and dark brown hair, and she wears a plain white dress and simple brown shoes. She looks as ordinary as could be, save for one thing. Wrapped around her neck and falling over her shoulders, she wears a hooded cloak the colour of fresh blood.
"Berserker. What are you doing here, little one?"
"My friends told me there were wolves here."
Avenger gives a soft sigh, crouching down to her height and placing a hand on her shoulder. From the tone of her voice, you think she's smiling. "These people are not wolves, little one. I give my word. I shall lead them away so that you may be safe with your grandmother."
"...The others were wolves." The girl isn't dissuaded, staring past Avenger and right into your eyes. She doesn't blink, and if you were a lesser man you might have shivered. "Are you sure, Princess? We shouldn't let wolves live. Grandmother wouldn't like it."
"I am certain, Berserker. Run along home. There are no wolves here, I promise."
The girl hesitates, staring back at you for a few more moments before turning to Avenger and nodding.
"Okay. You'll come play with me again soon, won't you?"
"So long as you remain a good girl. I may be some time, but I will play with you when I return." Avenger reaches out to pat Berserker's head, and the girl giggles softly.
"Okay. Bye bye Princess. Bye bye wolves." You don't see her move, but she vanishes in the space of a heartbeat, like the darkness simply took form and swallowed her. You catch a hint of Avenger's fond expression as she turns to face you again, before it's back to the polite smile she's worn since you met her.
"I do apologise once more. Berserker is rather approving of me, so I had not expected her to bother those I was escorting. I hope that you were not frightened."
Little Red Riding Hood and Briar Rose. You- you need to think. In all the years since the secret of how to craft a Holy Grail had been leaked, you don't remember anything fictional showing up as a Servant. You'd never encountered one yourself, never read a report on one, but now there were two? The magus part of you is frantically sifting through information, trying to come to a conclusion that satisfies it. They could be lying, of course, but then how to explain their powers? They should be weak without a legend or a fame boost to back them up, but Berserker's got an enormous Bounded Field and Avenger seemed average at worst from the tiny amount you saw. If they were who Avenger said they were then you could buy a fairy tale princess having an effect on a fairy tale forest, but even then it wouldn't explain Avenger's shock when she saw you.
Avenger just stares at you with that damnable smile and for a moment your temper flares white-hot. She's hiding something, you know it, she's hiding something just like Niamh was when she attacked you earlier-
"Master?"
Archer's voice is like being dumped into ice-water, a flash of sudden clarity cutting through the fog in your mind. You turn to look at her, her white-knuckle grip on her bow making the wood creak softly. The forest is getting to you, all of you, and you're sick of it. You can think when you're free.
"I'm fine, Archer. Let's just keep moving. Avenger, keep going."
"As you wish, sir magus." Oh, fuck no.
"Edward. Not magus."
"Sir Edward, then." Avenger's smile grows a hair as she turns on her foot, the hem of her dress swishing outwards before she starts to walk once more. You've barely taken a step before Niamh's fingers clasp around your arm, and the swell of revulsion inside you nearly makes you snap. When you look at her she flinches slightly, but you don't have sympathy. You're doing your best to control yourself, and if she's that upset by the tiniest bit of frustration in your expression, she can damned well be upset.
"I promise I didn't do it. It was just- I got so startled and they moved without me ordering them. You believe me, right? You know I'd never hurt you, right? Ever, ever?"
You manage to bite back the bitter laugh rising in your throat.
"I know. I don't blame you. Just don't summon again until we leave." That seems to satisfy her for the moment, though she steps forward so she can walk in time with you and doesn't let go of your arm until you shake her grip free. You can't justify letting her walk too far away from you now that she can't rely on her best magecraft to defend herself, but you wish you could. Having her near you is making you want to be sick, and it's worse with whatever this forest is doing to your mind. Idly, you reach to squeeze Archer's shoulder, as much for yourself as it is for her, and after a moment of stiffness she relaxes, turning to give you a tiny smile.
You can do this. Even if you're being selfish and using Archer to make yourself feel better, you can do this.
A few minutes more of silent walking and you notice that the light begins to cut through the canopy more than just around Avenger. You start walking a little faster, feeling like a drowning man who's finally seen the surface, and when the trees finally part into the daylight you can practically feel the shroud around you burning to nothingness in the warmth. If you were alone you might have laid down for a bit, just to savour the sudden absence of that crushing weight on your thoughts that you can't believe you hadn't noticed earlier, but you're not and you can't. You still have to decide where to go from here.
You can barely finish the thought before Circe appears beside you, shamelessly wrapping both her arms around one of yours and sighing with relief, and you have to suppress the urge to shake her off like a bee landing on you. You need to talk with her about the smitten act because it's starting to get- uncomfortable might not be the exact word for it but it's in the ballpark, really.
"Oh, that was awful. I'm glad you had us dematerialized, I can't imagine how badly I'd have reacted if I'd been physical. How are you feeling, piglet?"
"F-Fine, look, please get off me we need to focus-" You're cut off by a firm slap on your back, turning to see Goemon as he smirks at Niamh.
"Gonna go comfort the poor little princess, don't mind me." If he's hoping for a reaction he's not going to get one save for a single, long sigh that he's already too far away from you to hear. Focus, that's what you need. A quick glance at Avenger's insufferably polite smile is just the spike of frustration you need, and you gently slide out of Circe's grasp before giving her a look.
"Get higher up and see what you can see. We don't know where to go from here, and I want to know how big that forest is."
"Alright." At least she knows when to drop it. She's all business as soon as you speak, her wings spreading wide as she launches herself skyward. You don't have long to wait before she pulls at your tie to her, her voice flitting into your mind as clear as if she was standing right beside you.
<"The forest is big. Really big. A few hundred acres, I think, and it's growing. The Bounded Field is getting a tiny bit stronger by the second. I can't see much, but there's a town to the north and lake a little further east. Good odds on a leyline by the water, can't see anything in specific about the town. I'd recommend linking up with Chaldea first, but it's your choice, piglet.">
[ ] Head towards the lake. Chaldea is paramount. The forest is growing, but it's growing slowly. You'll be able to easily avoid it even going east, and it'll make it easier to navigate going forward. You'll be giving up on learning about the singularity as quickly as you can, but you'll take that risk.
[ ] Head towards the town. Fuyuki was a dead city, but here the sun is shining and the birds are singing now that you're out of the forest. The best way to learn what the hell is going on is to find people as fast as you can. Chaldea can wait for a little bit, they're expecting difficulties connecting anyway.
Of all the things to ask, it's probably the least helpful right in that moment. For all you know you've stepped into the heart of this woman's Bounded Field, or you've chanced on someone who seems able to turn this nightmare of a forest into something genuinely breathtaking, genuinely safe. Either way you could be learning how to get out of here, but fragments of memory tease your mind like a lover's touch. Voices that fade into fog when you try focus on them, words that wick away like smoke when you try recall them. It's happened twice now, it can't be a coincidence. It has something to do with the Servant you've been fused with, and you need to know. Even though the sharp question makes heads turn, even though it's shaken Niamh out of her stupor to look at you with such concern that it makes you sick, you need to know.
"Of course not." She's an excellent liar. She's so good you doubt yourself almost immediately, nothing in her expression or her posture or her voice indicating that it's not the truth but you know what you saw. "Though...I shall admit, I am certainly somewhat shocked to see a Master dressed for combat."
Your left arm tingles and you're acutely aware of your armor baring it to her, letting her see the crimson markings that carve their way towards your elbow. Doubt flickers through you again but you refuse to let it set in. You know what you saw. Before you can press her for more, however, Niamh steps forward, her face set in a proud smile.
"My brother is a Demi-Servant. He's already defeated Excalibur. You shouldn't think of him as any old Master!" Her voice burns with so much pride it makes you sick, though you admit it might have something to do with the memories she drags up. She has no idea what it felt like, to face the tide of shadows and not buckle and break. Even now you remember the agony, the weight, the heat. If it makes you more intimidating, you're not going to challenge it, but when she makes you sound like that, like some kind of- of hero? It makes your skin crawl.
"Excalibur...? Oh, my. You truly have been through an ordeal then, haven't you?" Avenger's face shifts into a small, warm smile, and she inclines her head towards you a little. "You may rest assured however that I am not here to fight you. I had been wandering the forest in search of anyone who had gotten lost, but I needed to take a quick nap. It is one of my failings as a Servant, I am rather afraid."
She looks almost bashful at the admission, her pale cheeks dusted with red as she glances away, and even without that supernatural charm you faced moments ago it's still distracting. It's beyond what's normal for a Servant, a more idealized kind of beauty than you're used to. Or maybe you've just never interacted with Servants long enough to notice, and now that you don't have to fear them like you did before you're noticing more clearly. It's hard to say, but at the very least you're not alone. Goemon has a sleazy smirk on his face, and Niamh seems almost entranced by the woman despite her earlier outburst.
"I should assume you wish to leave the forest? It is rather difficult alone, but I am certain you can tell that I bear some level of resistance to it. I can perhaps lead you out, if you so desire." The offer comes out of nowhere, and you can't find a hint of deceit anywhere. You don't trust her, you can't trust her, but if she's offering a way out...
<"...Goemon, Circe. Spiritual form. Archer, be at the ready."> Your Servants vanish and Niamh jumps at the sudden disappearance, though Goemon shoots you a look before he does. Archer's bow was out before you could even finish talking and goddamn but you appreciate it. As much as you've got your concerns about who she is and why she acts like she does, she's always up for dealing a lot of violence at anyone you're wary of.
<"You're a pain, you know that? We run into a sleeping beauty and you make me leave?">
<"Shut up. Both of you, be ready. If she tries anything-">
<"Yeah, yeah, whatever.">
<"I'll make it non-lethal to start, piglet. Take care!">
It's a struggle to keep your frustration off your face, but you manage it regardless. At least Circe's nice.
"Lead the way."
If she's at all put out about your clear display of distrust, she doesn't show it. If anything, her smile just grows a hair wider. "Of course. Do be careful. It does take some time for the forest to change, but we shouldn't be attacked regardless so long as I am present."
She turns and Niamh immediately moves to follow her, and with a curse you quicken your pace to make sure she's behind you. You're fast, but you can't risk Avenger being faster. At the very least Niamh seems to understand what you're doing, two tall Sídhe warriors appearing on either side of her with barely a whisper. She's always been good at creating them, but between these and the Cú Sídhe earlier your theory is being borne out. Tossing her earlier in history is having one hell of an effect on her magecraft.
Avenger's noticed their appearance too, and a quick glance back all of a sudden turns into a curious tilt of her head. "Ah...faeries?"
"Naturally." You can feel Niamh's smile from behind you, turning to watch her toss her hair haughtily. The move flashes her tapered ears and you barely suppress a sigh. Showing off for a potential enemy. She's already played her hand to some extent with the constructs, otherwise you'd be getting angry, but you know what's going on. Something about the other woman interests her, and she's letting it drive her.
"Your ears...I see. You carry faerie blood in you then. Though your brother would seem to lack...?"
"That's right. It was just me, yes."
You clench your fist hard enough that your nails bite into your palm, but you stay silent. So proud. So smug. Preening as her power is recognised, all it took was a little attention and she shifted from praising you to standing tall and bragging about her gift. Bragging about how she had it while you didn't. You take all that rage and that frustration inside you and you crush it down, drag it as deep inside you as you can and stop it spilling forth but you can't hold it all back. You can't even hold it back enough to avoid Avenger's eyes flicking to you for a moment, narrowing just a hair.
"I see. I am well familiar with the fae, and for their kind to be willing to offer you aid is gladdening, magus. However...I would ask you to be quite careful with them. This forest is rather dangerous." She gives another polite curtsy before turning on her heel and beginning to walk again, and you have to grit your teeth to stop yourself from saying anything. Not only is she lying to you, but you know she noticed how you reacted. Perhaps it's paranoia, but given where you are you can't be too careful. If she strikes, you need to be ready.
You walk in silence for a time, the forest still unnaturally empty. No rustling leaves, no quiet winds, no chirping birds. The only difference is that the shadows have retreated, no longer oppressively hanging over you with every moment. It's as if Avenger is a flame keeping them at bay, and a glance backwards only confirms that theory. A clear pathway of dim light peeks through the canopy where you've walked with her, and every step she takes away from it plunges it deeper and deeper into the murkiness that you arrived in. You don't see the blank whiteness of the shadow-beasts' eyes at least, but it's still unnerving. You can't tell how much progress you've made, how long it's going to take you to escape, you don't even know if Avenger's doing as she said she would, instead of just leading you to the deepest part so she can abandon you. Even with Archer close by, even with your other two Servants out of sight, your chest starts to tighten. How long will you be trapped in there? How long before she turns on you? How long-
"Princess Rose?"
Your feet move before you have a chance to think, launching yourself between Avenger and Niamh at the slightest sound before your Instinct screams at you. Behind. You twist just in time to see the emerald blade of one of Niamh's knights cut through the air towards you, faster than you'd ever seen them move before. Not fast enough to be a threat, not fast enough to outpace Archer's arrow rocketing through the construct's chest. It dissipates immediately, but the other is still there, stepping in to block your sister from sight as it swings its own sword. You don't even have to call it for your shield to appear on your arm and intercept the blow, and an instant later there's a rush of air to your side followed by a wet squelch. When you lower your shield to see what's happened, you see Avenger in between yourself and Niamh's warrior, a scarlet blade piercing its chest. It's red from hilt to tip, with a long, thin blade that grows more warped and spiked as it gets closer to the crossguard. Golden metal wraps around the hilt in an elegant knuckle-guard, and though it takes you a moment, you can see what it's meant to be. A delicate golden stem that twists into rows of leaves and twisting thorns, all leading to a decorative rose made of the same scarlet metal as the blade itself. The knight gurgles softly as Avenger withdraws the sword, and just before it dissipates as well, you see dark thorns writhing within the wound. Behind the fading knight, Niamh's face is pale, one hand in front of her mouth as she stares in shock, and it's only the sheer depth of the rage boiling up inside you that gives her a chance to speak. You just can't find the words yourself until she bursts into an apology.
"I-I swear that wasn't me! I don't know what happened, when you moved I was scared and-"
"How troubling. I did warn you to be careful with your constructs, did I not?" Avenger cuts her off with a pleasant smile, one hand raising to her cheek as she looks down at Niamh. "This forest's dangers are myriad, and the constructs of a magus are somewhat more susceptible than others. I had thought that it would be fine for the moment, but please forgive my rash decision. I simply did not expect to find something that would startle you so greatly. The mistress of this forest is rather solitary." It's only then that you remember what made you jump in the first place, and you turn to watch Avenger approach the source of the voice.
There's a little girl standing in the forest, a simple wicker basket in her hands. She can't be older than ten, with bright brown eyes and dark brown hair, and she wears a plain white dress and simple brown shoes. She looks as ordinary as could be, save for one thing. Wrapped around her neck and falling over her shoulders, she wears a hooded cloak the colour of fresh blood.
"Berserker. What are you doing here, little one?"
"My friends told me there were wolves here."
Class: Berserker
True Name: Little Red Riding Hood?
Stats:-
STR: E
END: C
AGI: D
MAG: D
LCK: C
Skills:-
Mad Enhancement: D
The Class Skill of the Berserker class. In exchange for raising one's physical parameters, madness is inflicted upon the Servant, and their capacity for reason is reduced. At this rank, Berserker's Endurance and Agility are both ranked up. Though she retains some level of sanity, it has been twisted into something more akin to a beast than anything recognizably human, and any form of understanding is all but impossible without a similar mindset, or certain exceptions.
Animal Dialogue: A
A Skill that denotes the ability to communicate with animals and reach a mutual understanding. While complex conversation is impossible, Berserker nevertheless bears the capacity to communicate with and command beasts that are considered to be "below" her. Obedience is not magically compelled, but her orders are nevertheless followed without hesitation.
Further information is hidden.
True Name: Little Red Riding Hood?
Stats:-
STR: E
END: C
AGI: D
MAG: D
LCK: C
Skills:-
Mad Enhancement: D
The Class Skill of the Berserker class. In exchange for raising one's physical parameters, madness is inflicted upon the Servant, and their capacity for reason is reduced. At this rank, Berserker's Endurance and Agility are both ranked up. Though she retains some level of sanity, it has been twisted into something more akin to a beast than anything recognizably human, and any form of understanding is all but impossible without a similar mindset, or certain exceptions.
Animal Dialogue: A
A Skill that denotes the ability to communicate with animals and reach a mutual understanding. While complex conversation is impossible, Berserker nevertheless bears the capacity to communicate with and command beasts that are considered to be "below" her. Obedience is not magically compelled, but her orders are nevertheless followed without hesitation.
Further information is hidden.
Avenger gives a soft sigh, crouching down to her height and placing a hand on her shoulder. From the tone of her voice, you think she's smiling. "These people are not wolves, little one. I give my word. I shall lead them away so that you may be safe with your grandmother."
"...The others were wolves." The girl isn't dissuaded, staring past Avenger and right into your eyes. She doesn't blink, and if you were a lesser man you might have shivered. "Are you sure, Princess? We shouldn't let wolves live. Grandmother wouldn't like it."
"I am certain, Berserker. Run along home. There are no wolves here, I promise."
The girl hesitates, staring back at you for a few more moments before turning to Avenger and nodding.
"Okay. You'll come play with me again soon, won't you?"
"So long as you remain a good girl. I may be some time, but I will play with you when I return." Avenger reaches out to pat Berserker's head, and the girl giggles softly.
"Okay. Bye bye Princess. Bye bye wolves." You don't see her move, but she vanishes in the space of a heartbeat, like the darkness simply took form and swallowed her. You catch a hint of Avenger's fond expression as she turns to face you again, before it's back to the polite smile she's worn since you met her.
"I do apologise once more. Berserker is rather approving of me, so I had not expected her to bother those I was escorting. I hope that you were not frightened."
Class: Avenger
True Name: Briar Rose?
Stats:-
STR: C
END: A
AGI: C
MAG: B
LCK: E
Skills:-
Avenger: B+
Class skill of the Avenger class, marking an existence that lives only to accumulate hatred and claim vengeance, that will never rest nor forget until burnt to nothingness. This skill allows Avenger to recover moderate amounts of mana simply by existing, and boosting the rate of generation while acting towards fulfilling her personal revenge. Clinging desperately to life in defiance of all logic, existing only to destroy themselves as they seek to sate their impossible hunger. Such is the lot of an Avenger, a fate that cannot be avoided.
Princess of Loveliness: B+
A Skill somewhat similar to Charisma, but rather than denoting the capacity for leadership, this instead represents the ability to draw those around them to the bearer. When awake, Avenger is difficult to part from and holds the attention and affection of others far more easily than normal. However, when Avenger falls asleep, this Skill receives a rank up, increasing from a mundane ability to a powerful supernatural charm. Those around her are struck dumb by her beauty and find themselves incapable of harming her, and those of a knightly character will be drawn to her as a protector, willing to fight and kill for her sake.
Additionally, while a powerful blessing, it is a curse. Avenger requires as much sleep as the average human, and will suffer from the same afflictions as them should she be unable to fulfil this requirement.
Further information is hidden.
True Name: Briar Rose?
Stats:-
STR: C
END: A
AGI: C
MAG: B
LCK: E
Skills:-
Avenger: B+
Class skill of the Avenger class, marking an existence that lives only to accumulate hatred and claim vengeance, that will never rest nor forget until burnt to nothingness. This skill allows Avenger to recover moderate amounts of mana simply by existing, and boosting the rate of generation while acting towards fulfilling her personal revenge. Clinging desperately to life in defiance of all logic, existing only to destroy themselves as they seek to sate their impossible hunger. Such is the lot of an Avenger, a fate that cannot be avoided.
Princess of Loveliness: B+
A Skill somewhat similar to Charisma, but rather than denoting the capacity for leadership, this instead represents the ability to draw those around them to the bearer. When awake, Avenger is difficult to part from and holds the attention and affection of others far more easily than normal. However, when Avenger falls asleep, this Skill receives a rank up, increasing from a mundane ability to a powerful supernatural charm. Those around her are struck dumb by her beauty and find themselves incapable of harming her, and those of a knightly character will be drawn to her as a protector, willing to fight and kill for her sake.
Additionally, while a powerful blessing, it is a curse. Avenger requires as much sleep as the average human, and will suffer from the same afflictions as them should she be unable to fulfil this requirement.
Further information is hidden.
Little Red Riding Hood and Briar Rose. You- you need to think. In all the years since the secret of how to craft a Holy Grail had been leaked, you don't remember anything fictional showing up as a Servant. You'd never encountered one yourself, never read a report on one, but now there were two? The magus part of you is frantically sifting through information, trying to come to a conclusion that satisfies it. They could be lying, of course, but then how to explain their powers? They should be weak without a legend or a fame boost to back them up, but Berserker's got an enormous Bounded Field and Avenger seemed average at worst from the tiny amount you saw. If they were who Avenger said they were then you could buy a fairy tale princess having an effect on a fairy tale forest, but even then it wouldn't explain Avenger's shock when she saw you.
Avenger just stares at you with that damnable smile and for a moment your temper flares white-hot. She's hiding something, you know it, she's hiding something just like Niamh was when she attacked you earlier-
"Master?"
Archer's voice is like being dumped into ice-water, a flash of sudden clarity cutting through the fog in your mind. You turn to look at her, her white-knuckle grip on her bow making the wood creak softly. The forest is getting to you, all of you, and you're sick of it. You can think when you're free.
"I'm fine, Archer. Let's just keep moving. Avenger, keep going."
"As you wish, sir magus." Oh, fuck no.
"Edward. Not magus."
"Sir Edward, then." Avenger's smile grows a hair as she turns on her foot, the hem of her dress swishing outwards before she starts to walk once more. You've barely taken a step before Niamh's fingers clasp around your arm, and the swell of revulsion inside you nearly makes you snap. When you look at her she flinches slightly, but you don't have sympathy. You're doing your best to control yourself, and if she's that upset by the tiniest bit of frustration in your expression, she can damned well be upset.
"I promise I didn't do it. It was just- I got so startled and they moved without me ordering them. You believe me, right? You know I'd never hurt you, right? Ever, ever?"
You manage to bite back the bitter laugh rising in your throat.
"I know. I don't blame you. Just don't summon again until we leave." That seems to satisfy her for the moment, though she steps forward so she can walk in time with you and doesn't let go of your arm until you shake her grip free. You can't justify letting her walk too far away from you now that she can't rely on her best magecraft to defend herself, but you wish you could. Having her near you is making you want to be sick, and it's worse with whatever this forest is doing to your mind. Idly, you reach to squeeze Archer's shoulder, as much for yourself as it is for her, and after a moment of stiffness she relaxes, turning to give you a tiny smile.
You can do this. Even if you're being selfish and using Archer to make yourself feel better, you can do this.
A few minutes more of silent walking and you notice that the light begins to cut through the canopy more than just around Avenger. You start walking a little faster, feeling like a drowning man who's finally seen the surface, and when the trees finally part into the daylight you can practically feel the shroud around you burning to nothingness in the warmth. If you were alone you might have laid down for a bit, just to savour the sudden absence of that crushing weight on your thoughts that you can't believe you hadn't noticed earlier, but you're not and you can't. You still have to decide where to go from here.
You can barely finish the thought before Circe appears beside you, shamelessly wrapping both her arms around one of yours and sighing with relief, and you have to suppress the urge to shake her off like a bee landing on you. You need to talk with her about the smitten act because it's starting to get- uncomfortable might not be the exact word for it but it's in the ballpark, really.
"Oh, that was awful. I'm glad you had us dematerialized, I can't imagine how badly I'd have reacted if I'd been physical. How are you feeling, piglet?"
"F-Fine, look, please get off me we need to focus-" You're cut off by a firm slap on your back, turning to see Goemon as he smirks at Niamh.
"Gonna go comfort the poor little princess, don't mind me." If he's hoping for a reaction he's not going to get one save for a single, long sigh that he's already too far away from you to hear. Focus, that's what you need. A quick glance at Avenger's insufferably polite smile is just the spike of frustration you need, and you gently slide out of Circe's grasp before giving her a look.
"Get higher up and see what you can see. We don't know where to go from here, and I want to know how big that forest is."
"Alright." At least she knows when to drop it. She's all business as soon as you speak, her wings spreading wide as she launches herself skyward. You don't have long to wait before she pulls at your tie to her, her voice flitting into your mind as clear as if she was standing right beside you.
<"The forest is big. Really big. A few hundred acres, I think, and it's growing. The Bounded Field is getting a tiny bit stronger by the second. I can't see much, but there's a town to the north and lake a little further east. Good odds on a leyline by the water, can't see anything in specific about the town. I'd recommend linking up with Chaldea first, but it's your choice, piglet.">
[ ] Head towards the lake. Chaldea is paramount. The forest is growing, but it's growing slowly. You'll be able to easily avoid it even going east, and it'll make it easier to navigate going forward. You'll be giving up on learning about the singularity as quickly as you can, but you'll take that risk.
[ ] Head towards the town. Fuyuki was a dead city, but here the sun is shining and the birds are singing now that you're out of the forest. The best way to learn what the hell is going on is to find people as fast as you can. Chaldea can wait for a little bit, they're expecting difficulties connecting anyway.
