Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Only one problem with bringing angels and fallen into Fate: Hell explicitly doesn't exist in the Nasuverse. So where are the fallen supposed to be?
I'm Not a Regular Mom (FGO OC)
- Thread starter Blinktwice13
- Start date
Blinktwice13
Underpaid Struggle Bus Attendant
- Location
- Eastern US
- Pronouns
- He/Him
All over the place. Divine spirits, familiars, etcetera. The Ars Goetia is a collection of sentient spells, for example.
Essentially Raphael straddles the line between Divine Spirit and Familiar: they have an insane amount of power, but can't use it without an anchor. Add in a mystic code with its own core like the Shield, and there you have it.
What common human knowledge understands as demons in the Abrahamic sense has a lot of explanations in Nasu.
Beyond that, before we got the fire and brimstone hell popularized today, we had Sheol - a darkness that was simply out of God's sight. In fact, in some texts that was just the afterlife people got akin to Kur. There are so, so many possibilities for what that could be.
Rambling aside, there's possibilities available for interpretation.
- Location
- A never ending hell of Myoukous
I liked that Raphael scene but man, that's a solid depiction of the "oh fuck" horror of biblical angels being in your postal code.
Except from a tiny cutesy mascot ball.
Except from a tiny cutesy mascot ball.
- Location
- Germany
Stern Big Sister Mash.
The sheer concept of sweet Mash acting like this is GENIUS!
And the execution is perfect.
Me LIKE!
Astolfo is now running arround with a magic knife.
What happens when (WHEN not IF) he trips and falls while holding it?
Doesn't that make the whole thing even scarier than it was before?
London. Not with the 3 big abrahamic Religions...
1.
England/London has ties with India, so anyone of the millions of "demons/fallen from grace" from THAT corner
- Mara might come back for a rematch
- Rakshata or whatever the antagonist in Rama's story was
- Kama/Mara an expert in corruption
2.
wait...
"Christianity, Islam, or Judaism" != "Christianity, Islam, and Judaism"
A "demons/fallen from grace" that is relevant in all three?
3.
Aleister Crowley with Aiwass
He is English and Aiwass, as far I know, doesn't fall under "Christianity, Islam, or Judaism"
And Crowly was the original Cultist Guru. Bad influence all around.
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Garreon
Paldean Top Champion
- Location
- Mesagoza, Paldea
without looking at the link...lemme guess, Razzle and Dazzle? I mean, they are cute as a button...ok I'll take it
jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
With the way Raphael switches tracks/personalities/behavior I have to wonder which is closer to the 'real' Raphael or if they're all facets of the same being.
Sounds like Fou's marking his territory. Mash is one of his humans, no matter how many Angels start following her.
In Which A New Headache Appears
Blinktwice13
Underpaid Struggle Bus Attendant
- Location
- Eastern US
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Whole lotta plot, and I introduce the 'other voice'. Also, the ending dovetails into the comedy event! After that will be another chapter or two of downtime, then Okeanos!
EDIT, 5/11/2021: I decided to remove the bit where Gaheris had a crush on Kay. While it was interesting (to me) while I wrote it, there's just not enough room to unpack that with the respect it deserves. Tackling Middle Ages homophobia and compulsory heterosexuality and whatnot is a bit beyond the purview of this fic beyond a one-off joke. Not to say certain issues in history won't be addressed, but that particular plot point is dropped.
Minor Content Warnings: Crude Humor, Slut-Shaming, This is Not How Therapy Works By Any Means.
__________________________________________________________________
"So. Decided to up your physical training?" And thus was I cornered in the hallway by Cu's super scary teacher.
Crap. Crap, crap, crap.
I gave a timid smile. "Just, uh. Showing why I'm not much of a front-liner?" I squeaked.
Scathach gave me the most unimpressed look I'd ever seen. And I have references! Da Vinci, Roman, Ritsuka-!
"How did you even know?" I whined.
"I overheard it. Given the immediate jump in your sister's skills - which I have yet to personally observe and test - she makes a poor sparring partner for you." The warrior queen planted a fist on her hip. "Either someone closer to your level or capable of moderating their strength would be a better match. One you could learn from, win or lose."
"Mash can hold back, so… what do you mean by that?" That actually made me a little curious.
"There's a difference between holding back enough so that damaging blows may be non-lethal and moderating strength. The latter requires knowing your opponent's limits, your own, how to regulate your own movement and anticipate the moves of the other." Scathach gave me an appraising look. "There is no such thing as a harmless attack. If it lands wrong - or right - even a cat's claws can take an eye. Whether it be by hand, spell, shield, or spear, true mastery is in finding the proper application of effort and force to accomplish exactly what one intends and executing it without fail. Neither overcompensating nor underestimating what is required."
I touched Aoibheall lightly at my neck. "That's pretty hard to do. Fine control is a lot more difficult then just unloading in one direction or an area."
Scathach actually smirked. "Indeed. The term 'mastery' is used for a reason." She returned to her usual cool mien. "If you wish to push your martial skills or your command of mystics, I can make recommendations in terms of who may guide you best."
...on the one hand, Mash has always been able to kick my ass if she could get her hands on me. On the other, sucking less in a direct fight would be nice. No matter how much the deck is stacked, there's always a chance for advantages to be overcome.
"Hm. Follow me." Scathach turned on her heel, not even waiting for a response.
...of course I followed her. I've seen what she puts Cu through on a regular basis and she likes him!
In the span of minutes we arrived at Scathach's training room. It had plenty of room to maneuver, reinforced mats, and was well-lit. Empty save for a few chairs along the walls, it suited the purpose chosen for it.
I followed, keeping a bit behind her. When she stopped, I did as well.
Scathach turned. Her eyes met mine with clinical interest.
"What is it you wish to learn?"
A good question. Morgan implied that my powers were still coming in, and that there was a darker aspect to them. My outbursts had given that some credence-
In the beginning, there were numerous designer babies. Each was calibrated with the intent to host a Heroic Spirit - but the calculations resulted in only two successes. One was due to the spirit being righteous enough that he would not abandon a young life to perish in his absence. The other-
I grit my teeth against the oncoming migraine.
The Aegis Titania, composed of breastplate and leggings, greaves, armlets, and throatguard. The Queen forged this by her own hand to augment her physical capabilities and give protection while she wove her mysteries in the field of combat. Later, she would add a crown to grant speed in her workshop, defense against those who would pry forth her secrets or control her, and to partition away that which was undesirable. It would section off all that would run counter to her objectives, thus quieting a more mercurial nature.
The light was too bright, and my skull felt like it was beginning to break. My knees began to buckle, and I planted my hands over my ears. But even as I began to crouch, the agony steadily ebbed away.
Avalon, the sheath of the Sword of the Planet. Invocation allows the user to step outside of time, and let all pass by. Imbibement allows it to a lesser degree, whence it would freeze 'time' for the holder and halt aging. Further, it would impart regenerative powers that would require instantaneous demise to halt. Through the actions of one who claimed the name of 'Morgan', the sheath was lost to the King of Knights in her time of greatest need.
ENOUGH.
I blinked the spots from my eyes, breathing hard. Faintly, as though through a thick veil of cotton, I heard movement around me. Voices, muffled and distant although I knew the sources were near.
And for the first time… this voice spoke to me.
It may please you to know that you and yours were half-right. The Counter Force does reach for you, if only to give the bare minimum. Such a lack of direction is… distasteful to me. So I offer you knowledge and guidance. Whenever you hear of secrets unprovoked, it is my voice that gifts them to you. The voice was calm and composed. Secrets and manipulations; the shackles that bind you. These suit not my design, nor your benefit. Ever shall I offer you truth, should you accept it. So I swear.
That's enough, whoever you are. Morgan's voice was a low growl. You have to be-
No. That is the Counter Force. The harm it deals - well. You would know. There was no accusation there. Merely the statement of fact. However, if you wish to halt it, you would let me do this work for him.
...who even are you?
A voice that haunts dark places, which ever seeks to bring enlightenment to those most in need. I am no saint, no demon, nor that which lurks 'twixt the stars. My aid is limited. What I can offer, I offer freely and without regret. A name is power, Goddess of Anwynn. You of all things know this.
Hands grasped my shoulders, my knees buckling once more.
So I will offer a bit of advice to you instead: 'ware Erosion's blade. 'Twould be unseemly to fall into a trap once escaped.
And everything fell into soft darkness.
____________________________________________________________________________
Slowly, I forced my eyes open.
Roman examined a clipboard before glancing at me. His eyes widened. "Oh! You're awake!" He quickly pulled a thermometer out of his pocket. "Right, open up."
"Wh-" I was cut off by Roman deftly slipping the needle of the device under my tongue. "Grk?"
He pulled it out. "Normal. How's your breathing? Any stuffiness or strain? Any pains?" Roman leaned over me with a frown.
I sat up, forcing him to step back. "I'm fine. I think."
At least, as fine as having a full-on party in my skull allows. So that's what - Counter Force (Version Humanity), my adoptive mother, and now This Bitch?
'This Bitch' who, along with giving you information any would kill to know, is keeping said Counter Force from causing an aneurysm your artifact would then need to repair. Gratitude, thy name is pixie.
I squinted. "Yep. I'm good now."
Be better if this mouthy fucker went back to trivia.
Matthew Kyrielight. Despite copious amounts of trauma, a great deal of the effects are thoroughly repressed. However, thanks to over a decade of touch starvation and social isolation, his go-to expression of that which leaks through is to search out more mature partners who will fold him like a mekupelet and permit him to return the favor. Gender is of less than no concern.
For a long moment, I stared into thin air.
I think I just got slut-shamed by a voice in my head.
How does that fare as 'trivia'?
"Anyways, I'm. Fine."
Roman gave me a long look. "Right. Mash and Gawain were looking for you, actually." He smiled a little. "I think Gawain wants to take time to get to know the both of you a little better."
Gawain of Orkney. Stalwart, loyal, and conditionally kind. Also lacking anything resembling taste buds. The face of a youth atop the body of a mountain. His power is at its zenith when the sun shines in specific positions in the sky. Wielder of the sister blade to Excalibur, which holds a shard of the star of day.
I knew that already!
The voice subsided, but I could feel the smug radiating from its source.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Roman frowned. "What happened, exactly?"
"Something tried to tell me something I shouldn't know. Then I short-circuited." I scratched the back of my head.
That would be your crown. Tool for defense, focus, and repression all in one. However, removing it would be… inadvisable, assuming it were possible.
Weren't you all 'thee' and 'thou' earlier? What happened to that?
I art thou, thou art I, go forth and sticketh thy dicketh in a man two heads taller then pass out on top after.
...I REALLY liked you better as a wikipedia pop-up!
Suffer. Eth.
I scowled. "Yeah. There's a third voice in my head now, and it's sassy. Otherwise, it's helpful at least."
Damned by faint praise.
Roman's frown deepened. "Do you know who it is?"
"No, but Morgan hasn't made moves to haul them out yet and they're keeping the Counter Force from scrambling my egg." I squinted at him. "They mentioned Goetia and Solomon at least twice now. Is there a chance Goetia's gone rogue? I mean, aside from the obvious tells."
Roman began to sweat visibly. A droplet rolled down his cheek with alarming speed.
This isn't a good line of questioning, Morgan cut in hastily. So maybe-
The Ars Goetia is thoroughly off the rails and resents its creator. Hence the attempt to destroy mankind. You're welcome.
"Oh. Guess it hates Solomon enough to torch the world? I guess?" I rubbed my chin.
Roman swallowed harshly. "It would, ah, seem that way. Sure!" His voice was a higher pitch than I'd heard from him yet.
Though, that seems to be more due to inaction on its creator's part. The system was made to observe human suffering, and since humanity couldn't fix it, the collective decided to scrap it all and start over. Pride and pity, as it were. Of course, this ignores free will as a concept alongside all good that has come of the human spirit, so please take that conclusion with as much salt as the Dead Sea may provide.
"So why wouldn't Solomon intervene in human suffering?" I asked aloud, partly to keep Roman in the loop and partly just to mess with him. "If things got bad enough that all seventy-two of the Ars Goetia decided to reset humankind as a concept…"
"If one considers that Solomon was exposed to the voice of his god from a young age, and that he mostly moved to the whims of both god and people, he was simply incapable of responding in a human manner." Roman's voice was clipped, terse. His eyes narrowed. "While that may be, he would never condone what the Ars Goetia is doing. They are fully autonomous. All he did, he did responding to the wishes of YHVH and man."
I shuddered. "That's… awful. So he was their slave?" I wasn't able to suppress my grimace. "Poor guy…"
Roman stood, eyes wide and voice silent. After a few seconds, he rapidly blinked. "That. I wouldn't go that far."
"But he was made to be a tool, and never got away." I balled my hands into fists. "That's the worst. For people who made you, hurt you, to dictate your life. To have no freedom at all." It would be like if Marisbilly lived, or the researchers in charge of 'Caster Seven'.
I flinched when a finger sharply poked my forehead. "No. Stop." Roman's voice was firm, but… fond? "Solomon lived a life. It may have been robotic, clinging to the wisdom of a divine spirit, but it was still a life. There was joy, and sorrow, however muted it may have been. And he definitely didn't go through the same things you did, no more than you've endured what he did."
"Huh." I tilted my head. "You sure know a lot about this guy's thoughts and feelings."
Roman froze. After a second, he cleared his throat. "Well, he was the servant Marisbilly won the Grail War with. I knew Marisbilly for quite some time; it's not beyond imagination that our paths could intersect." He gave a shaky smile.
Mm-hm. For once, the voice didn't elaborate. Merely expressed dry amusement.
"Well, if we manage to summon the guy, maybe you can convince him to put his kid in time out. Maybe without killing them?" I grimaced. "Goetia… I dunno. I'd need to learn more, but they do kind of sound like me, if nobody was around to. I dunno. Love me, I guess. Maybe they don't know how to love right because they weren't loved themselves?"
Roman looked at me with an emotion I couldn't parse. "Whatever the reason, the Demon Gods incinerated humanity. There isn't really a way back from that, morally speaking. Even if restrained, the Clock Tower would never accept it. And the majority of the Clock Tower banned human experimentation, before you ask. Only outside their reach does it take place."
True, if only for practicality's sake. The more people go missing, the more likely the veil drops and the Moonlit World is revealed. And, well. Mystery. That was Morgan's immediate explanation.
"Not to mention we've already lost time. However this resolves, we will have lost over a year to stasis. It's honestly amazing that this timeline hasn't been pruned…" Roman trailed off.
You assume that Alaya and Gaia are fit to do more than cling to what guardians they can summon at the moment, the voice murmured in amusement. Time distorts and wrenches, and we might even see paths intertwine. Those where Gaia wakes may well meet the common sense of man. It is impossible to unwind human history from the world's. As much as humanity would claim exceptionalism, they are still part of the planet - if only just.
...I don't know much about timelines, but that sounds bad.
Silence.
"Right. Well, this has been an unsettling conversation." Roman clapped my shoulder before freezing. His expression was almost startled.
"What?" I blinked.
He stared at me for a long moment. "N-nothing." He smiled. "Nothing at all." He leaned in, and my eyes widened when he gave me a brief, one-armed hug. "Just glad you're doing well. Now, your siblings are worried about you. Go spend time with them, alright?"
I hesitated, but gave him a quick squeeze in return. "I… yeah. Don't overwork yourself, ok?" I scowled at him. "There's only the one of you, after all. Once we wake Wodime up, then he can handle the paperwork. Jackass."
I shuffled hurriedly from the medbay, ears burning with Roman's startled laughter.
____________________________________________________________________________
Mash spun the shield and met Gawain's oncoming sword. With a sharp clang, the weapons connected. Mash dug her heels in, giving only a few centimeters at most - then threw her free hand to the side. With a gesture, a trio of black hilts fell between her fingers. Blades bloomed, and she swung wide while using the shield to move Galatine out of the way.
Gawain stepped back, angling Galatine to intercept the Black Keys. The thinner blades shattered along Galatine's length, spraying shards across the floor. In a brisk movement, Gawain's sword was held upright and ready in both hands.
"Mmmmr! Why can't I help!?" Raphael bounced in the air, hovering behind Scathach's hand. "We're a team! With my powers, I could totally put that big lug on the back foot!"
"Because I want to see how far Mash has come on her own," Scathach replied. She assessed the two. "Gawain is a fully-fledged Knight of the Round. Aside from Artoria, he's our best resource for comparing Mash's fighting style to Galahad's." She paused, frowning. "And now we have interference."
"Heh?" Raphael performed a full-body tilt.
Gawain took a sharp breath. His eyes widened, and his feet flew out from under him. With a crash he landed flat on his back. He held Galatine across his body, warding off an invisible attacker.
Mash looked around the room. A squeak escaped her and she windmilled her arms, still holding onto her shield. She spun in place with inhuman smoothness, weapon held straight out. It did not avail her.
A sharp cackle echoed, and Mash too fell to the wiles of physics and a thin coat of ice across the training room floor.
Scathach knew it was magically produced. If it were otherwise, the Servants would have had no issue maintaining balance.
Matthew appeared in midair, grinning impishly. His legs were crossed beneath him, and he gripped his ankles in both hands. "So how's the weather down there?"
Black Keys flew through his still form.
The image blew a raspberry. "Ohhhh no. It's my turn to win this time. You want to get me, you're gonna have to work for it." And it winked out.
Scathach had to admit, it was clever. Applying magecraft to create an advantageous environment rather than trying to bypass Magic Resistance directly was a valid tactic. Winning with it was another question entirely, however.
Mash growled and rolled to her feet, only to hold a crouch. She slid across the ice slowly, legs bowed. With effort, she straightened her legs. Her legs somewhat spread to distribute her weight, she drifted a little further.
Gawain regained his footing with ease. "And once again I find myself grateful that Mother never taught Mordred her magics," he grumbled. With a firm sweep, he positioned the tip of his blade towards his back and lowered his center of gravity.
Scathach narrowed her eyes against the sudden sharp gust that blew through the room.
Both knights began to slide once more.
"Stop toying with us!" Gawain snapped. With a flex of his arms, he swung.
The air rent upon itself. The force created a countergale that blew past the knights and toward the opposing wall.
Keys flew through the air. With swing after swing, Mash loosed handfuls of blades until they began to dot the walls.
Scathach frowned.
"Hm." Raphael bobbed in place. "Oh. Ohhhh. Tricky."
She looked at them. "Do you have something to share?" she asked.
"Yeah. It reminds me of one of my siblings - from when there was the whole war." Raphael's wings fluttered. "They'd commandeer entire battlefields. Small, subtle changes that would force the enemy to slip up, or attack each other. Misdirection."
"You mean-" Scathach began, shoulders tightening.
"Ugh, no. Why does everyone assume him?" Raphael did a funny little swivel that may as well have been an eye-roll. In the background was another crash. "He… disagreed on a lot of policy set by Father. Not enough to rebel, but, enough." Raphael made a noise like clearing their throat. "Anyways! He hated fighting, and his power could reach far distances. So rather than do something he'd have to be responsible for, he just changed a few things. If Helel couldn't compensate for a shifting battlefield, it was his own fault. Stuff like that. I think he hoped Helel would stop fighting and come home, but…" Raphael trailed off.
Scathach glanced at Mash and Gawain. Both had stopped attacking the room - which by then it was clear was otherwise empty.
"Point being, he never entered a battlefield personally. Cat's-paws for days, I tell you. ...there was one time I saw him fight."
Scathach looked to the doorway.
Matthew craned his neck around the edge, peering in. "You guys good?" He tilted his head innocently. Fou padded up his shoulders and perched his front paws aside Matthew's head.
Mash gave him a frustrated glare. "Really, Matthew?"
He gave a 'clueless' smile.
...it was a stark departure from his fighting style up to that point. He'd gradually been fighting more from the rear and letting others do the heavy lifting while he played support. However - he was still prone to dashing in and using his armor to take the most dangerous blows on behalf of others.
Mash trod over, her armor fading into her casual clothes and lab coat. Matthew stood up, still in his sweater and pants. After a moment, Gawain went to join them.
Scathach narrowed her eyes.
Mash turned to look at her, the question on her lips-
"Go ahead," Scathach dismissed them. "I've got plenty to consider."
The three left, chatting amiably - but Raphael stayed behind.
For a moment, there was silence.
"What was it like, when your brother fought?" Scathach finally asked.
"It's funny. Everyone thinks it was Michael who brought Helel low, forced him into Sheol. But Sheol is, by definition, a place 'without God'."
The symbol turned to face Scathach, and the deep blue of the sea bled into it ever-so-slightly.
"So who would open a path to such a place? And who would drag all the forces of rebellion into it?" Raphael's voice reverberated, as though underwater. "With ferocity and pain… he dragged our errant brother into the closest thing to Hell that ever existed. If I ever saw him fight again, it would be millenia too soon."
"And his name?" Scathach prompted.
Raphael shuddered. "Don't ask that of me. Talking about him is one thing, in abstract. To name him, to… I can't." Raphael turned away.
"He frightens you that much?"
"...'frightened'? No. But it hurt me in places I didn't think possible. And…" The blue receded. "I miss him," Raphael admitted quietly.
...the burden of immortality. Either loss lingered as long as you did, or it stacked and blurred until it all blended together.
"Understood." Scathach put a hand on the back of the angel and gave a gentle push.
Raphael flew in the same direction the new Orkney siblings had left - leaving the Queen of Dun Scaith with new pieces of the puzzle to turn over.
...perhaps the Grand Magus would be of aid.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Wheeeeeh!"
Mash finally let go of my cheek, brushing her hand on her coat. "Hmph. That was a mean trick you played."
"Cunning. It reminded me of something Agravain would have done." Gawain gave a rueful smile. "Though likely with less gloating and more blood."
"...well that's creepy," I muttered.
Gawain shrugged. "Agravain was sent by Mother to betray the king. He never found the chance, given he died exposing Lancelot's sins."
I exchanged a look with Mash. "Hm."
"It's wonderful that outside of his - apologies, her majesty - I am the first Knight of the Round to arrive. Well, save Galahad for obvious reasons." Gawain chuckled.
"Artoria described me as a less awful Merlin," I offered. "Though the first I met outside of Artoria and Galahad wasn't you."
Mash nodded. "Mm, back in Orleans." She didn't elaborate.
"Hm? Who might it have been? I've yet to see any of my brothers in arms." Gawain's genial mood took a sharp upswing.
"Lancelot."
...and then an equally sharp downturn. "Ah." He gave a bitter grimace.
"If you're angry, consider that he doesn't view his actions charitably either." I shouldered Gawain's arm lightly. "He turned into a Berserker. Tried to smash me into paste until I broke through the madness with my voice."
Gawain's eyes widened. "You can do that?" he asked, distracted from his ill humor.
Fou pawed at my cheek.
"It takes it out of me, but yeah. Easier to just communicate." I reached up and poked Fou's paw. "Anyways, he's not best pleased with himself, so. Yeah. Strong as hell, but suffering in his own insanity. Though apparently he can recognize my magecraft as faerie-make thanks to his upbringing."
"He did mention Lady Vivian was his foster…" Gawain muttered. "Still. You'll have to forgive me for not accepting his self-mutilation as sufficient penance." His eyes narrowed. "Especially since you said he tried to murder you as well."
"In all fairness, he thought I was the King at the time." I shrugged. "I think he just really wanted to be punished by her for what he did. Or something; I can't claim to understand the man on that count."
Gawain's lips thinned. "Hm."
Lancelot did also murder your 'siblings' in his mad rush to save Guinivere. Gareth and Gaheris, Gawain's two most treasured people in the Knights. You know. Just a little thing like that.
Oh. Shit.
Morgan let out a low groan. I can't leave you alone for a minute!?
"...sorry. It slipped my mind, somehow."
Mash frowned, but jerked with realization a moment later.
Gawain let out a low huff. "Lancelot is not without redeeming features. Given you two were spared the… event… that was Camelot's fall, you likely lack the majority of the baggage associated with the man."
"He did kind of give his life to stop a vampiric horde from overtaking Orleans," I admitted apologetically. "And gave me the opening to stop an eternal starless night."
Gawain paused before resuming his stride.
"Gawain…" Mash looked downward.
"No. I can't blame the two of you for acting according to your experiences. Besides, my grudge is my own; if my sister were here she'd no more blame Lancelot than you - if for other reasons." Gawain grimaced wryly. "And I would not judge her for it."
"Reasons?" I repeated.
"Gareth idolized Lancelot. She'd give her left arm to quest with him regularly." Gawain's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing his eyes. "Though it wasn't remotely romantic. More that she viewed him as the epitome of knighthood. In terms of skill I would be hard pressed to disagree, but in terms of conduct..." Gawain glanced sidelong at me. "Well."
"Yeah, she married uh... Lyonesse?" I tilted my head.
"Yes, she did." Gawain chuckled. "Went through hell for her too. There was an entire quest where she defeated knight after knight, and... well. She takes after me in terms of pursuing her partners." He winked cheerfully. "Gaheris on the other hand... ah, he just went along with most things. It's how he got the more... energetic sister, Lynette."
"So what were they like?" I glanced behind us. Raphael floated along, seemingly happy to just listen in.
"Gareth was sweet. Impulsive, bold. Far stronger than her build would suggest - she decimated the forces of the Red Knight of Red Lands on her own, and was a force in her own right. I'd hesitate to be on the other end of her lance, and not merely for sentiment's sake. A true knight in every regard. Gaheris was… different. A handsome youth, though one of his arms outstretched the other. He was quiet, poor with words and better with action. I would almost call him shy. He was certainly touched by the fae gifts Mother wielded, though he never utilized her darker magics. He was also quick to anger…" Gawain trailed off. "His rage was usually just, but the display was in excess. Whatever fool dared offend rarely got a second chance."
"So with Gareth marrying a woman, it explains why you weren't surprised by Matthew and Cu Chulainn," Mash observed. "They have that in common."
"He reminds me more of Gaheris actually, if a bit shorter and more inclined to mystics than melee. Though I will say the number of partners and tendency to chatter puts me in mind of Kay." Gawain tilted his head. "They are all aware of each other?" His tone was teasing, but I could tell the curiosity was genuine.
"It's more like Musashi and Medusa are dating, Cu and I are a pair, and the girls… I think they're into me romantically? Pretty sure, given the conversations we've had. Someone pointed out that they're more into each other than me, which is fine." I shrugged. "But yeah, we're all kind of entangled. In a good way. Except Gilgamesh; he's kind of hanging around and waiting on me. Kind of."
"Hooo boy. Even I know his story. That's a minefield and a half!" Raphael piped up.
Fou's head whipped around, and the tiny animal's fur bristled. "Fouuuuuu…"
"Pbbt!"
...I have no idea how Raphael did that without lips.
"So what about you?" I asked.
Gawain perked up. "Ah, me? I would say of the Knights, I had the most strength in feats of arms. Between my blessings and that, I was second only to the King - though Lancelot was a near match." He shrugged. "Other than that, so long as it's for the King's sake I would take up any task. Mucking the stables, collecting debts, journeying and fighting…" A chipper grin crossed his face. "Though I will admit, I am grateful for this second chance. After all, my marriage vows no longer apply."
Mash made a disgruntled noise.
"Eh?" I blinked rapidly.
Gawain cleared his throat. "Yes, well. The young maiden with the large… arms was quite a sight, but it seemed that she's a bit smitten with the King of the Franks. And trying to compete with Hakuno for any of her brides is a non-starter." He paused. "Tell me, do you think that lovely redheaded woman is single?"
"Touko Aozaki? The puppetmaster? One of the youngest magi to earn the rank of 'Grand'? Someone who got hit with a sealing designation and was never caught, because she flat-out killed everyone who came after her?"
With each assertion from Mash, Gawain's head lowered a little.
Mash slowly turned her head to me. "And here I thought no one would be worse than you," she said in disbelief.
"Hey, I just haven't met anyone else who sparked an interest that reciprocated. I totally eyed up Siegfried's… assets." I crossed my arms, scowling. "Give it time, I'm sure I'll get more notches in the bedpost."
"You were hardly that bad before this started and you know it!" Mash hissed.
Gawain, Raphael, and Fou looked back and forth as though watching a tennis match.
"Blame the Irish in me," I snapped with a shrug.
"We're designer babies! And if Morgan is anything, she's Welsh!"
I waggled my eyebrows. "Never said it was a bloodline. Men of Ulster hit different."
In retrospect, I should have seen the fist aimed at the top of my head for that one.
Behold, the wages of horny.
You don't even go here! Morgan hissed.
Now I do!
____________________________________________________________________________
Kiara lightly rested her hands in her lap.
"So… how does this work, exactly?" Matthew's leg jittered, heel bouncing but never touching the floor. "I mean, I know from what I read that it's nothing like in fiction."
"It can be any number of things. You can vent your problems. We can address past trauma and work through it. The core of it, however, is to give you tools to navigate day-to-day life while coping with the world around you. If you become better socialized in the process, it would also be a pleasant side benefit."
Matthew slowly nodded. "Right. Uh. Where do I start?"
"Wherever you like. We can address any immediate concerns you have, long-term goals, or you can just talk about yourself."
Kiara watched as Fou clambered into Matthew's lap, curling under his hands. Something about it tweaked her memory.
"Hm. Would you say you rely on others often?"
Matthew looked up. "Can't say I do. Nobody was really there for me when I needed them. Not until Da Vinci, I guess." He looked away. "I can protect myself better, now." His hand gently stroked Fou's fur.
"I was referring to emotional reliance," Kiara clarified. "It's something I noticed. You ground yourself with the presence of others. Though at the same time, you perform to dissuade any notion of distress."
"Not well enough," Matthew muttered. He looked at her. "Look. I know I'm not the cocky asshole I act like. I'm painfully aware just how much is between me and danger at a given moment. But until recently, showing weakness wasn't an option."
Kiara waited.
"Tears didn't get me anything. No matter how much I begged, or pleaded. Logic wouldn't get me anywhere either. I wasn't a person to them. I was a thing to be used." Matthew's eyes narrowed. "So I made them fear me. The only language magi speak is power, so I made damn sure they knew they weren't safe near me."
"And how did that go?"
"It left me open to Beryl Gut." Matthew grimaced, shivering. "I don't know what he was thinking. Knowing what I do now, that the bastard… he probably thought it was cute or something. A kitten brandishing its claws. Not enough to spare me his bloodlust, but enough that he took his time to lull me into a sense of security." He swallowed. "So no. I don't rely on people to protect me. Not since then."
"Hm. Have you been emotionally vulnerable, though?"
"Like…?" Matthew's free hand gripped the arm of his chair.
"Shared parts of yourself with others. Let down your guard and be honest with them about yourself."
Recognition flashed in his eyes.
"I noticed that Cu Chulainn was rather keyed into your emotions back at Seraphix. He was quick to ease you with a touch or nudge." Kiara raised her hands and folded them under her chin. Her elbows rested on her knees. "Is it only him? Or do you have that sort of rapport with others?"
"...Ritsuka knows me some. I banter with Mash, but she's… harder to open up to. Not as bad as it used to be, but still hard." Matthew shifted his feet. "Musashi and Medusa… we care about each other, I think. And I've talked to them some. But our relationship isn't quite as…" He trailed off, clearly searching for words.
"There's care there, and you trust them to watch your back," Kiara clarified. "You just haven't confided in them as fully as with Cu Chulainn."
"Right." Matthew exhaled. Fou stirred under his fingers, and he dragged his nails through the fur gently.
"What other connections do you have here in Chaldea?" Kiara continued to lean forward, unmoving.
"Uh. Well, there's Kadoc. He was the first person close to my age I interacted with. We don't spend as much time together as we used to, but then we kind of figured we'd be stuck together. He wanted a Caster, I was a Caster…" Matthew shrugged lightly. "Da Vinci was assigned to me not long after summoning. It was a last-ditch effort to reign me in since I'd maimed the Director. The bastard." Matthew rolled his lip in his teeth. "I was a real hellion. Dodging lessons and the like. I only really started to turn up after…" He fell silent once more.
"You said she helped you," Kiara noted. "How so?"
"Put her life on the line to save me from Gut. I mean, after that, it's hard to deny someone has your needs in mind right?" Matthew's voice was quiet. "And she did. Hell, she's the one who helped me figure out my sexuality. I knew about guys and girls at that point, but other guys?" He gave a light snort. "I started to freak out a little because some of the pictures I saw in study definitely… yeah. Her response was to chuck a book at my head." He flushed a little. "Let's just say it was a real eye-opener. And the reason why I paid a little more attention to Greek myth than other stuff. Not a lot, but…" Matthew trailed off.
"What book?" Kiara asked, curious.
"'The Song of Achilles'. I mean, I know it's romanticized and probably nowhere near an accurate depiction of Achilles or Patroclus, but. It helped to know that I wasn't the first guy to have those sorts of feelings." Matthew gave a small smile. "It was while I was reading it that Pepe started to hang around me. Funnily enough, he didn't run when I took the odd swipe at him."
"Pepe?" Kiara parroted.
"Scandinavia Peperoncino," Matthew clarified. "He- I'm pretty sure he's a he. At least, he never corrected me if he wasn't." A thoughtful look crossed his face. "Anyways. For whatever reason, he decided he liked me and just started coming around. He'd talk at me, and when I started to answer he'd speak with me. He was always friendly, down-to-earth… but also really flamboyant." He gave a small grin. "One thing about Pepe is, he definitely marches to his own beat."
"You admire him," Kiara observed.
Matthew paused for a moment, thinking. "...yeah. He never sweat the small stuff, but you could also tell that if you really pushed him you'd regret it. I dunno if I'd want to be exactly like him, but I do aspire to that."
Kiara considered her next words. "So from before the Order, they were your only comrades here? Kadoc Zemlupus, Scandinavia Peperoncino, and Leonardo Da Vinci."
"Well, there's Mash and Ritsuka now. And Roman and I are… better?" Matthew offered the last in a hesitant voice.
Kiara raised an eyebrow, leaving the floor to him.
"And… there was one other person." Matthew cast his eyes downward. "She…"
____________________________________________________________________________
The young-seeming woman lowered her book.
The others had long left, leaving her almost completely alone.
The only one remaining was a young boy with blond hair and green eyes.
"Is there a reason you're sitting here?" she asked quietly. Not overtly rude or dismissive. Probing.
"I don't like people," he rasped. His voice was rusty from disuse - she recognized the signs.
"And yet here you are." Hinako Akuta raised her book, keeping an eye on him. "So am I some sort of exception?"
"...you don't like people either. But they avoid you." The boy didn't blink.
Neither spoke.
After a moment, Hinako shut her book and laid it on the table. "I did trust in some people. They met poor ends. I try not to get attached." Her gaze pierced the boy. "Don't expect me to be your friend."
He gave a small frown.
"If that's a problem-" Hinako made to pick up her book.
"What's a 'friend'?"
She paused. Looked back at him.
Caster Seven tilted his head, a small spark of curiosity in his eyes.
Hinako folded her arms, warding herself. "It's complicated. You wouldn't understand what one is unless you had one. Friends, lovers, family-"
"I know the last one," Seven rasped.
She frowned, confused. "...family?"
"Yeah. They all died. Everyone who came, left." Green eyes were fixed on her. "Everyone but Morgan."
Hinako ran her fingers over the binding of her book. For a long moment, she considered Seven.
"You're different from the others." Seven continued to meet her gaze.
"How so?" Hinako asked, forcing her voice into cool neutrality.
"You haven't screamed yet. Or tried to run. Or tried to hurt me."
...that was a bit close to home.
Seven tilted his head to and fro before setting his chin on the table. And with that, Hinako considered.
"...do you have a name?" she asked.
"Mash has a name. I snuck around and looked at names too." Seven blinked. "Matthew seems like a good one. She's my sister, so it makes sense. Doesn't it?"
Matthew.
"Hm. My name is Hinako Akuta." She plucked her book up, and flipped it back open to where it was shut. "And now we're introduced to each other."
"...does this make us 'friends'?"
Hinako turned an eye the color of dried blood on Matthew.
"It means I acknowledge you. We'll see about the rest."
____________________________________________________________________________
"Matthew?"
I jerked out of reminiscence. "Yeah, sorry. So, Hinako. Honestly, for back then… she was probably the one person I could meet and not be threatened by. Weirdly enough. She did share some things about herself, but only in the abstract."
Hinako Akuta-
ONLY. IN. THE ABSTRACT.
The voice cut out.
"I see. So since all of this began, you've become more emotionally available. Would you say that's been good for you?" Kiara asked.
"Yeah." I nodded, moving my hand behind Fou's ears. He kneaded my legs with his paws, yawning. "It's…" I thought about it. "For the first time in my life, I feel safe. More often than not." I grimaced. "And I'm aware how fucked up it is that it took the incineration of human history and a terrorist attack on my home for me to get there."
"Aware, but not regretful," Kiara noted.
"...you can tell what I've been through, right?"
She nodded. "As part of the powers given by Guanyin."
"I… I should be more messed up. Right? Ritsuka, Cu… they shouldn't have gotten through to me that fast." I fidgeted. Fou stirred under my hands. "And other people…"
"Hm. On the one hand, there's no 'right' way to express trauma, only ways to cope and work through it. Some are healthier and preferable to others." Kiara sat back, folding her hands in her lap.
"It's like… I like it when I help people, and I think that's part of me. I get mad and hold grudges, but sometimes it feels like it bleeds away so fast."
"Mm. 'Fake it 'till you make it', no?" Kiara gave me a long look. "By affecting a blasé manner, you put distance between yourself and your trauma. You react to triggers - the encounters with the Lunar Vlad and the Observatory made that clear. But in their absence, you feel as though those parts of you are no longer present?"
"I. Yes. It was pointed out to me that the circlet I wear partitions my mind. It helps me with crafting and protects my mind, but acts as a. A thing." I swallowed. "So, I dunno. I think I'm me? If that makes sense? But not all of me?"
Kiara lowered her eyelids, but kept looking at me.
Matthew-
"It does suppress your worst impulses," Kiara acknowledged. "But the 'you' I'm speaking with right now is all too real. If you were to remove it, you would likely have similar personality traits, but prone to less restraint in your emotional extremes. Think of it as the symbol of yin and yang," she continued. "This 'you' is primarily positive, with darkness included. The other face would be reversed - you would still have your attachments, but the way you interacted with the world around you would change. It's nothing so simple as a change of mood, but it can't be qualified as a change of personality. Two connected halves make a whole… let us call it advanced compartmentalization."
Morgan stirred in the back of my mind, uncomfortable with the direction of the discussion.
"So I'm still me," I murmured in relief.
"Yes."
"Even with the Counter Force, and Morgan, and whoever surprise number three is in my head," I continued.
"Yes, Matthew. You are in no danger of being controlled. Influenced perhaps, but not in any way a normal person wouldn't be." Kiara smiled. "I assure you of that."
I let my breath out. Fou squirmed, then scampered up my shirt and curled around the back of my neck.
Whatever you may think of me, I value free will over all.
The voice was solemn. It still hadn't slipped back into that archaic way of speaking, but the tone…
I believe in guidance, not compulsion. Teaching, not control. To ensure people act in their own benefit, you must show them how.
We'll see. I'll be watching you, Speaker of Secrets. The ice in Morgan's voice was palpable.
Likewise, Fairy Queen. Likewise.
...right, the tension's too much.
"Kiaaaraaaaa!" I whined. "The voices in my head are fiiiiightingggg!"
Kiara opened her mouth. Her eyelashes fluttered. Then her lips closed.
Both of them clammed up.
"I'm afraid I lack certification for this. I… will consult." Kiara's eyes flickered in an almost shifty manner.
Fou yawned.
____________________________________________________________________________
Medusa turned the page of her book. It seemed to be some sort of paranormal romance… not quite a bodice-ripper, but there was definite tension. Something involving werewolves, vampires, and steampunk. Interesting enough.
"Parasol Protectorate?" Matthew asked, leaning over her shoulder. "I liked them alright. Haven't read her other series, but…"
She closed it. "Yes. It's a light read. A good distraction." She looked up.
Matthew fidgeted, clearly nervous.
Medusa pat the seat next to her in invitation. "You look like you have a lot on your mind."
Matthew hopped over the back of the couch, nimbly seating himself beside her.
He was a sweet young man and didn't ask for much. Theirs was a comfortable relationship, Medusa felt. He gave her space and never seemed perturbed when she'd secret Musashi away for time alone. Added to that, he never brought up her past - though she half believed he simply didn't know of it. If Morgan hadn't informed him as of yet, he might not.
"So I've got another voice in my head," he began.
And at that, Medusa frowned.
"Free real estate?" he joked with a shrug. The nerves returned a heartbeat later. "Anyways. Whoever it is seems to be some kind of knowledge-hoarder or something. They claim not to want my free will interfered with. Claim that they want to protect me from backlash by the Counter Force. Morgan doesn't like them, and wants to keep an eye on them."
"I see. I can't say I've encountered that kind of circumstance in life or afterwards." Which was true. Euryale and Stheno seemed to be eerily in sync, nearly to the point of telepathy. As Medusa grew, changed… she and her sisters drew apart. There was no meeting of the minds for her.
"Yeah. Though, I did spend some time with Gawain and Mash beforehand. Lunch with them was fun." He gave a little smile. "I think he was going to hit on Bradamante before Mash cut him off. Someone better make sure he doesn't go after Medea either."
"Ah. A philanderer, then?" Medusa arched her eyebrows, unimpressed.
"Eh. More a skirt-chaser, but I wanna believe he'd be polite about it. Knightly conduct and all that." Matthew paused. "Idealized knightly conduct."
"...how do you feel about these voices?" Medusa asked. "You've dealt with a fair amount since we've met." Not to mention what had come before.
"...it's a lot," Matthew admitted. He crossed his legs beneath him, and gripped his ankles. The movement made him look younger than he was - his short stature didn't help with that. "And I… I don't think you guys have seen all of me, yet."
"Hm. It's rare for a person to share all of who they are with another, without restraint." Medusa watched him closely. "What do you mean?"
"I… it's still me. But it's the worst of me. The moods, the feelings… they come out sometimes, like steam from a kettle. But otherwise they go away." He reached to his head, and the thin band of silver shimmered into vision. He tugged lightly at it, but it remained fixed. With a ripple like breaking water, it sank back into his skull. "It keeps whatever could make a monster bound, I guess."
For a long moment, Medusa was quiet. She observed Matthew, tapping the book in her lap with long fingers.
"I dunno why I said that, ignore me," he said quickly, visibly self-conscious.
"Hm. And what makes a 'monster', exactly? In your opinion." Did he know? Was he offering this as some sort of common ground?
"...grief. Trauma. Wounds that fester instead of healing. Anger, rage, vindictiveness. Spite. Though some people are just born broken, and either live their lives keeping the pieces together or trying to shatter everything around them." Matthew shrugged. "But even the best person can be brought low by pain and loss."
He wasn't wrong, Medusa mused. The hatred of mankind kickstarted her development, and her role of guardian led her down a path that turned her into a killer of heroes. A kinslayer.
"And what would make you a monster?" she asked.
"If I hurt someone I cared about to the point I couldn't make amends. Where I couldn't…" He trailed off, haunted. "Kiara said that it was still 'me', but without restraint or things like pity or mercy. I'd still love and care, but…"
But that was a slippery slope. Medusa loved her sisters too, once upon a time. But then the blood was too sweet, and she was drunk on destruction. The heroes come to kill her and steal her sisters were baby steps on the road to damnation. Their deaths were the leap off the cliff to Tartarus.
"Mm. I understand." Medusa leaned back, and lowered her eyes. "Have you spoken to Musashi or Cu Chulainn about this?"
"Not yet. I'm not sure how Cu will feel about it, and I don't think… Musashi hasn't been in that position, I want to say." Matthew shook his head. "I just figured that… you seem so calm and collected all the time, and you wouldn't judge me for it."
Which was true, after a fashion.
"Mm. I wondered if it was because you considered me a kindred spirit in that regard."
"What do you mean?" Matthew raised his head, inquisitive green eyes peering at her.
"I was a monster, once. A hero-killer." Medusa's voice was level. She found… well. She didn't fear, really. Nor did she feel anger or anything of that sort.
"Yeah, the Gorgon," Matthew replied. "You said something about a Bloodfort? I dunno, you said that it was a lot." He scratched the back of his neck. "To be honest, it slipped my mind."
At that, Medusa cracked a small smile. "I see." Her smile fell. "It's what you said, about hurting those you love. I can understand that fear."
Matthew's back straightened. "Yeah?"
"I had sisters, once. Two of them. We were goddesses. Beauty, grace, the things men desired. They were unchanging idols, eternal maidens. I… I was an irregularity." Once she started, Medusa could not find it in herself to stop. "I grew in size and power, all to protect them from men who would harm and dirty them. After a time, we retreated to a Shapeless Isle where we resided for many days. Heroes came searching for them, and I killed. I killed, and killed. Petrification. Bloodletting. Strangulation. Compound Fracture. Breakage. Crushing. Shattering. Melting. Over time, I lost my divinity and became as a curse upon the world. My rage at the hatred of humans was without limit."
Matthew reached for her arm, but she took his hand in hers.
"And one day, I ceased to be 'Medusa'. Only 'Gorgon' remained. There was no more joy but that of the hunt. No more pleasure but that of murder. That was the day my sisters offered themselves to me. The day I, without feeling, consumed them entirely. And so the idols of eternal beauty were devoured by the great earth serpent." Medusa recited the tale as though by rote. There was a distant burn of regret, but what she felt most was melancholy. "This form is as I was before my transformation. If I use my strength to a certain degree, I could still metamorphose." She turned to look at Matthew.
He stared at her with wide eyes, mouth slightly agape.
"So yes, Matthew. I understand your fear. You fear outside forces might change you into something unrecognizable. Or that your own actions will lead to the dark inside you emerging in full. Either way, the result is the same: you fear destroying those you love." Medusa gently squeezed his hand. "However, there is a difference."
"There is?" Matthew asked softly.
"You have people around you who will not permit you to fall down that path. Ritsuka and Mash would never permit it. Nor would Cu Chulainn or Musashi. And now that I know, I would stand at your side - reminding you of what you value." Medusa smiled. "That goes without mentioning the other Masters, or Da Vinci and the good doctor. You aren't alone, and those around you won't let you indulge your darker nature to the point my sisters permitted me to indulge mine."
"Oh." Matthew furrowed his brow. "Yeah…" After a moment, he smiled. "And it's the same for you, yeah?"
Medusa tilted her head. Her eyes as they were, she could not blink like a human would.
"We won't let you fall back there. Not so long as you want to avoid it." Matthew's smile firmed into a confident grin. "Because we're not alone anymore."
"Precisely." Medusa's smile widened, and she saw the moment Matthew's breath caught.
She leaned forward, gently kissing his forehead. Her hair fell over his shoulders, and Matthew gave a long exhale that tickled her neck.
Medusa smiled a little. "I'm aware I'm not as fair as my sisters, but it's gratifying that I can get a reaction like that from someone like you."
Matthew stared at her through slitted eyes. "Uh-huh, sure. From the sound of things, you're definitely more my type than they are."
Medusa laughed quietly. "It's kind of you to say so." She opened the book back up to where she stopped.
"Oh, is that the part where the love interest lost his clothes?" Matthew leaned next to her, a mischievous grin on his face. "There's a manga version and he's a total beefcake."
"Hmph. You definitely have a 'type'," Medusa murmured in amusement.
Matthew cackled, and Medusa continued to smile.
____________________________________________________________________________
I wandered into the coffin room. Inside, four Masters still slumbered in their icy prisons. Wodime, Pepe, Hinako, and Void. I hadn't been in since we'd woken Ophelia up.
Fou padded along by my feet, following me.
Hinako had internal damage. Pepe had a critical head injury. Wodime was plain fucked. Void… I forgot. Wodime was next, but talking about Hinako and Pepe earlier…
I missed them.
Oh sweetheart. Morgan sighed. I'm sorry. But even with things dying down, playing along with that will be more beneficial in the long run.
I couldn't see inside Pepe's coffin. The coat of frost inside was too thick. Hinako too. But I could just… tell which ones they were.
You're welcome.
...thanks.
I placed a hand on Hinako's coffin and sighed. Talking to Medusa had helped a lot, but…
"Matthew?"
I twitched, looking up.
Kiara walked in with an understanding expression. "I thought I might find you here."
Fou scampered up my body and sat on my shoulder, using his claws to scale my sweatpants and sweater without harm to me.
____________________________________________________________________________
"And she's off," Morgan noted. Her eyes narrowed. "Merlin."
The magus shrugged. "Whoever it is either has a power that can deliberately obscure clairvoyance or is simply that good. Or perhaps they reside where my eyes can't reach."
"And yet they can reach my son."
"Raphael made a valid point. You should have waited for him to fully hybridize before giving him that power." Merlin scratched the bridge of his nose. "Although the 'unseelie' aspects you claim to be giving him seems more like a copout in other regards."
"Merlin," she said warningly.
"Don't mind me. Just know the longer you keep it a secret, the worse he'll react." Merlin smiled. "But what do I know about such things? Suppressing what was there and continuing to build on it." His eyes narrowed. "Though you're shaken. Interesting."
Morgan's spine snapped straight. "Careful, magus." Her low hiss echoed through the tower chamber. The armor she bore flickered from white to black and back again.
"Ah. Ah. That was the point of divergence." Merlin closed his eyes. "Very well, Morgan. I'll keep that observation to myself."
Morgan's fingers dug into the stone of the windowsill, leaving gouge-marks. "At the least this next assignment will be simple enough."
"Compared to Seraphix? Definitely. And it should add some much-needed firepower to Chaldea for the inevitable assault on the Temple of Time." Merlin hummed. "I will admit to surprise at the actors in play, however."
"This should be the last push," Morgan noted, changing the subject. "Chaldea is saturated with mana thanks to the runic layout. The coffin chamber is no exception. Further, a Grand Ritual was performed twice in the room without any sort of containment."
"How did the song go? 'The fair is a veritable smorgasbord-orgasbord-orgasbord'?" Merlin chuckled. "Though in this case rather than a rat, it's a thaumovore."
"One of my people - a Xian, to be precise. An elemental from China." Morgan's lips twitched. "Not a True Ancestor, but not unlike them either."
"And now…" Merlin trailed off. "Ah. It's starting."
Morgan smiled. "Good. My boy deserves something nice after all he's dealt with."
"He got an entire sibling already. Not to mention new friends and a therapist-" Merlin began. He cut himself off at Morgan's arch look. "You spoil him," he muttered.
"A mother's prerogative," Morgan replied with a huff.
____________________________________________________________________________
Hinako's coffin began to shake.
"Matthew?" Kiara asked, squinting at the coffin.
"It's not supposed to do that," I whispered, looking for any sort of display on the machine. There was no sort of beeping or anything I could use to read the situation.
Well. She feeds on magical energy. Which your 'Temple' thoroughly saturated Chaldea with. Not to mention your rituals.
Wait what.
I was GOING to tell you-!
The shaking stopped.
Kiara and I exchanged a worried look.
Fou sneezed.
With the sound of tearing metal, the lid of the coffin shot upwards, spinning to lodge edgewise in the ceiling.
A slender leg pointed upwards, with a dainty, if bloodied, bare foot. The gash across the sole closed rapidly before our eyes, and a shard of glass was forced outwards till it fell with a soft 'clink'.
There was a tearing sound, and slender fingers plucked what looked like tubing up and out, flinging it away. A head of dark, damp hair crested the edge of the coffin. Eyes red as rubies stared at Kiara and I.
Her lips parted, and I was struck by the length of her canines. I'd never really thought about it, given my aversion to most humans.
The three of us stared at each other in silence.
Fou sneezed again.
Then everything turned into light.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Preparing coffin for Rayshift," Da Vinci called out, a look of consternation on her face. "We have a location. It seems to be in China, during the Tang Dynasty."
Ritsuka marched towards the coffin. "Mash! Gawain! Medusa! You're with me!"
Medusa stalked forward, casting a glance over her shoulder. Cu Chulainn and Musashi held back. Musashi kept a hand on Cu's shoulder, keeping him from going forward.
"Existence verified. Master 'Hinako Akuta' is active. Confirmed: Caster Matthew Kyrielight, Saver Kiara Sessyoin, and a partially-registered Rider Servant," Da Vinci rattled off.
"I'll bring them home," Medusa promised with a nod. "We all will," she continued, directing it to Ritsuka and the others.
Mash nodded at her with a glint in her eyes. Gawain grunted assent before taking position around the coffin.
"At eighteen-hundred hours, an unauthorized Rayshift took place," Roman announced. "Your mission is to make contact with the group, establish a summoning circle for communications, and await return to Chaldea."
Medusa watched as Ophelia, Kadoc, and Asako took position by Roman and Da Vinci.
"We'll be back as soon as possible." Ritsuka exhaled. "How…?"
Roman rubbed his forehead. "The Shroud is fully charged, and there was no sign of advanced magecraft. We're working on incomplete information."
"At least Kiara and Matthew are with her," Asako pointed out. "If anyone needs healing there, those two can handle it."
Ritsuka's expression lightened. "Yeah. You guys ready?"
"Yes!" Mash took her place at the head of the coffin.
"Of course. We'll bring my brother back without fail," Gawain proclaimed.
Medusa looked back at Cu and Musashi once more. "We'll get them all back. And if there's a threat, we'll kill it kindly." She strode to the coffin.
As her Master clambered in, she forced her arms to relax. Her eyes narrowed behind Breaker Gorgon.
We're not alone anymore.
She wouldn't fail in protecting what mattered. Not again.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Uaaaaah!"
This was not her day! Not at all! First, she was separated from her travelling companion! Then, she was captured! And now! And now!
"RUN, you morons!" the angry woman with pigtails screamed.
"Don't order me around!" the white-haired woman snapped back, dashing forward as she carried the monk's feet on her shoulder.
"Why are you even here?" the blond boy asked, confused. He held the monk's head and shoulders, wings beating behind him.
"Oh my!" The bodhisattva ran with her hands upraised, somehow managing not to stumble in her heels.
"Ah, my Yu… why do we flee instead of fight?" A tall man easily kept pace with a powerful gait. His long hair trailed behind him, and he was clad in armor fit for the time. A long blade rested at his side.
"Who? You got the wrong lady, guy!" the blond called back.
"NO HE DOESN'T!" the angry one yelled.
In the distance, the monk heard a child's howl and the roar of flames.
"I just wanted to go Wesssssst!" Xuanzang Sanzang cried, struggling against the rope that bound her.
"Go left? Okay!"
It would be later that she learned their names: Matthew Kyrielight. Olga Marie Animusphere. Kiara Sessyoin. Hinako Akuta. Xiang Yu.
But for now…
"SOMEONE SAVE ME!" she screamed.
"WORKING ON IT!" her carriers yelled in unison.
A small furry animal rode on her stomach. It sneezed, then pawed at its nose.
Starry Sanzang Gets Kidnapped By Elementals!
No West! We're Going Home!
____________________________________________________________________________No West! We're Going Home!
Ritsuka, Mash, Medusa, and Gawain stared at the man in front of them.
He planted a fist on his hip and gave a cocksure grin. A long red rod with golden caps rested across his shoulders. He wore a gold circlet beneath short black hair, and wore a vest and baggy pants. A tail with fur the same color as his hair flicked behind him.
"So I help you find your friends, you help me find Tripitaka. Ok? Ok. Let's roll!"
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Zakara
Semi-Found Cat
- Location
- Chaldea, Bleached Airspace
Yes. Whatever developments I don't find appealing for various reasons, dragging the Monkey King into the picture is an instant win for me. The most he's gotten in the Nasuverse is a really weird Pseudo-Vessel involved with Waver's crew.
Gonna be having some fun with Hinako too, and it's going to be so hilarious to see the cast realize that all the damage she sustained was effectively a papercut for her. If she hadn't gotten the deepfreeze treatment she'd probably have woken up ages ago. Even in canon Ritsuka has a metric fuckton of servants raising the ambient mana level through the roof by Okeanos.
That new voice is totally God by the way. If the privileged knowledge concerning Goetia and Solomon wasn't enough of a hint, the odd word that was used while slut-shaming Matthew is Hebrew, and is actually the name of an Israel chocolate treat. I can see why names were avoided, you're actually supposed to avoid using the Big Guy's true name.
Gonna be having some fun with Hinako too, and it's going to be so hilarious to see the cast realize that all the damage she sustained was effectively a papercut for her. If she hadn't gotten the deepfreeze treatment she'd probably have woken up ages ago. Even in canon Ritsuka has a metric fuckton of servants raising the ambient mana level through the roof by Okeanos.
That new voice is totally God by the way. If the privileged knowledge concerning Goetia and Solomon wasn't enough of a hint, the odd word that was used while slut-shaming Matthew is Hebrew, and is actually the name of an Israel chocolate treat. I can see why names were avoided, you're actually supposed to avoid using the Big Guy's true name.
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jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
Well for normal people. Matthew is by no definitions 'normal'.
Archangel. She also does the best birthday parties.
And apparently it's allergy season for proto-Beasts.
Zakara
Semi-Found Cat
- Location
- Chaldea, Bleached Airspace
Might be related to Hinako. She's an Elemental and he's the Beast of Gaia, there's probably some synchronization going on at some level.
jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
Is there any other kind of fire when this mad-house of lunatics, clowns, prima-donnas and long suffering token sane men (and women) is involved?
Tale Swapper
(Unverified Madman)
- Location
- Lost Among a Sea of Imaginings and Dreams
Oh hai Sun Wukong. Good to see you there, looking forward to your performance.
Is this chapter going to be more silly, or more serious? Because I'm hoping for silly. Silly means Dragonball references.
Sometimes the dumpster fire catalyzes into an explosion. Then the garbage gets everywhere. Is it still a dumpster fire then?
- Location
- Mobile, Alabama
An apocalyptic one? Just need to walk a few miles away from Chaldea to see the first one that is still ongoing.
Garreon
Paldean Top Champion
- Location
- Mesagoza, Paldea
I mean, Morgan called it Keeper of Secrets, that says more Raziel than God, just saying. After all Raziel is the The Keeper of Secrets and Angel of Mysteries.
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- Location
- Caracas
... Well then, this is going to be a thing, given sun wukoing is practically impossible to kill, hurt or permanently injure.
Meanwhile I am surprised it seems to be Raziel who is talking and not Metatron.
Yes, but no. Thing is, she had been supressing her powers for a long while by then to pass up for human. That's also why Daji's Jotunn bomb hurt her so much that she needed to nom-nom-nom Lanling to get back up. A Servant's Spirit Origin was what the doctor had ordered to get back at Xian Power Levels. Or at least an equivalent amount of mana.
- Location
- California
Wait do they even need the shroud when they have Guanyin there to heal them?
jwolfe_beta
Semi Genre-Savvy Overlord
- Location
- Canada
Considering the three-ring circuis of personalities that just rescued/kidnapped Xuanzang Sanzang:
I expect shenanigans.
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Maybe, but the description of manipulating battles and tweaking things to let the enemy make mistakes is... not really how Razzie ran, as the distributor of secrets and clarifying prophesy. Not to mention it wasn't them who forced Lucifer out of the light of God and into the darkness of Sheol with their "ferocity and pain", unless we really have left all interpretations of The Morning Star's fall behind.
My money's on Gabriel. They're a guardian, but not a general and warrior like Michael. They also act as a messenger of straightforward news about what God is going to do. The whole incident with Zacharius' doubt may inspire the fact Matthew's new head-buddy takes nobody's shit: They tell the blunt, straightforward truth. You doubt that, you're getting proof in a way you will very much not enjoy.
It's never Metatron until the modified battle mode is revealed, the television and live studio audience is cheering, and Matthew is dance-fighting with a robot that strangely resembles a dark-haired Alter version of him to techno music.
Blinktwice13
Underpaid Struggle Bus Attendant
- Location
- Eastern US
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Kind-of yes. The damage is severe enough to each person that opening the casket for her to get at them isn't feasible, and using her NP isn't something she can do casually. Kiara doesn't have access to Guanyin's complete power because then she'd pop like a tomato - she lacks Hans' NP and the whole devouring BB plus Melt and Lip thing canon Kiara did. If she could use her NP then space-phasing healing would be a cinch, but since it pokes pretty hard at causality and reality is already a little tender...
In terms of the event, goofy as all heck. In terms of Hinako and Matt reuniting, there'll be a little seriousness at least.
So since people have pretty well guessed, yeah. I'm using Raziel, but with a severe spin on interpretation. As has been pointed out, Hell isn't a thing in Nasuverse so Raziel dumped them in Sheol. As in Nasuverse, Alternate Character Interpretation and Not Quite Right Historical Interpretation are on the table.
And there's a few things pertaining to him that makes the situation more complex. For example: consider what Merlin said, and what that implies. And why such a thing might have occurred.
Ehh. -wiggles hand- I wouldn't assume so. At least not now; human history is on fire and incredibly unstable so the connection to the World would still be tenuous.
- Location
- Germany
I think she messed up the planing phase for that journey
In a way Sanzang has much in common with Astolfo: a magnet for adventure!
and generally considered a non-combatant.
I recall that Goku changes gender like other people change their socks.
and doesn't his female form look a lot like Gudako?
Is his male form a Ritsuka-Face?
Will Mash now dream of her own Ritsuka-Harem?