[] Go for the winding alleyways. Somewhere she can't use her fucking chariot.
It 2am.
You didn't waste any time getting to the nearby alleyways and booking it. You reinforced your legs but that didn't last long due to your deprivation of mana. You cursed Cu under your breath as you held Gae Bolg while running for your life.
Run. You had to keep running from the girl you cherished. Or else...
You turned to see her come down in front of you, that Rainbow Sword bared towards you. It was like some sick joke. You couldn't help but feel amused. You dodged her strike and keep running. You didn't stop, from the start this was always what you were good at.
Even after all this time, after these days, these weeks, you were always a coward.
You ran away from the war by deluding yourself into fighting it. You ran away from fear by distracting yourself with Medb. You ran away from the future by indulging in the present. You ran away... You ran and ran. Deep inside you, you blamed Olga for her mistakes, so you ran away from those ugly feelings and sought to do good.
You always ran away when it all mattered. You pushed the fights to your other self and shut your ears. It was your cowardice that pushed you to this point, that led all to this.
Rider's wish? That's just you being a coward too. It's just a delusion you cooked up to keep yourself afloat, to give yourself purpose, you clung to a desire not your own because you had none.
But there was one thing you did want. You were a coward, you could only run from your problems, you could put up facades and pretend it's all going to be okay. However you wanted to live.
From the start, running from Medb like this, that's all you wanted. You didn't fight for anything other than yourself, everyone just keeps benefiting from your actions. So you ran as hard as you could as Rider chased you down.
You're not going to give yourself up to her, not in her love or longing, you'll keep running if it means extending your life. After all, she was the sort of girl that relished in the chase. You went through the winding alleyways of the older portion of New Rimeland. You kept running as you held your spear before you felt the air change.
You moved out of the way as Rider appeared beside you. Dodging her strike, she was looking to kill you.
You reinforced your legs and jumped away from her straight back. You slammed Gae Bolg on the ground and use it as leverage to swing yourself into the next corner. You staggered before you kept running.
You ran away from the ugly feelings inside you. The cruelty, the apathy, the craving for violence, you pushed it all away and ran from them. Everyone has been hurt and everyone hurt someone in this war, that was just how things went.
You weren't any different.
You were scared. Deep down even at your highest moments you were afraid. When you fought Caster, Minerva and Olga, you were afraid. You were afraid that if things went wrong, you will become like them. When you spent time with Emiya, Scathach and Medb you were also afraid. You were afraid you'd lose their warmth and kindness of you did something wrong.
That feeling took hold of you and became who you were. Your soul had so much things that it experienced that you've become more than just someone who ran. Sadness, anger, joy, rage, grief, despair, cheer, warmth, love and happiness... Those were the things that made up the girl named Brie.
It wasn't just cowardice.
You were also many things. A friend, a lover, an enemy, an ally, a monster, a Hero, a murderer, and a Master.
That's what it means to be human.
To be a great number of things than what you think you are.
"Minerva!!!!" Rider roared as she thrust her sword at your back.
You stomped the ground and turned, Gae Bolg swinging as you pumped your circuits with your remaining prana. You parried her strike and the mere act of it nearly shattered every bone in your arm.
But you held your ground and faced her, your worst nightmare, the girl that killed you thrice in that dream.
It was time to stop running.
The impact left you sliding back out into the open streets.
"Are you having doubts, Rider?" You asked her as you lowered your spear, "You weren't trying to kill me that time."
"You... You weren't fighting back. You haven't summoned Berserker either," Rider said as she looked around, "That and this place is familiar."
"Why do you think that is, you stupid Queen?" You breathed as you held your spear.
"It's the same place where I rescued Brie in that bounded field. This same street, this same alley, this same scenario... It's all the same," Medb said as she looked at you while tightening her grip on her sword, "Brie told me that you'd be here, alone."
You fell down on your rear. You can't run anymore.
"She was being strange. I can't shake the feeling that something was wrong," Medb continued as the moonlight shined down from behind her, "I have to make sure..."
"Make sure of what?" You asked her as you looked into her eyes. You sat right up from the ground as you stared at her.
She was beautiful. The moon revealed itself in the sky as it's light bathed her in full. Her hair and white cloak swayed with the peaceful breeze rolling over the city as her golden eyes looked down on you.
"Tell me, girl. Are you my Master?" Medb asked you as she had an uncertain look on her face.
Reunion
[] "Yes. I am. Kept you waiting, huh?"
[] "What gave it away? Was it the hair or face? Maybe it's my eyes? Or maybe it's the fact that I was running from my life on foot? Rider, I love you, but you're a fucking idiot."
[] "Well... It only took you like what? Ten minutes of us running around with you trying to kill me? That's not bad, you absolute moron."
[] "Yep! It's your favorite Cheese, the one and only Stray Master! Now in compact form! Are you gonna stop murdering me now, Stupid O n e e-c h a n~?"
[] Write in...