Chaldean Chronicles: Cadence of the Lostgrail
✅ - Pre-Lostbelt Game Rooms / 〚💬｜game-3
While most of Chaldea's Masters and Servants are breaching into the Zhou capital to obtain the grail, your group stayed behind to cover their backs.As you lie in waiting for the potential Shu attack, a face familiar to some of you arrives.
"Heya," she says.
Sun Quan looks through your group. "Only six of you?"
"What am I saying. You could probably take them all on with just one."
"I do?" She laughs.
"Actually, fighting on a battlefield is pretty terrifying for me. Especially against a monster like Guan Yu. But.. for some reason, I feel like I should. Maybe you inspired something in me?"
She says with a grin.
"Yes, yes, don't go boosting my ego too much," the woman answers. "I'm the coward who spends eighty years living in comfort. I think I'm doing this more for me than anything. To take a risk just once is pretty exciting, haha."
The men of Shu finally arrive, led by Guan Yu at the front.
"Hey, watch out!"
Sun Quan shouts after Klara.
"That guy is no joke! Shit.. I'll have to find a way to help her.."Guan Yu stands towering before you with almost machine-like precision, not a hint of emotion on his face."Hm."
Guan Yu simply looks on for a moment.
Compared to the man you read about in the reports from the Masters who'd met him before, he's like a completely different person. His calmness in battle is alien to any human quality.
"You will have to die first."
He swings his spear and shatters through the barrier, destroying it completely.
The impact alone is enough to cause ripples of force to explode, threatening Klara's every bone to break.
I need to quickly recover....
*Klara thought to herself as she tries to suppress her urges. (edited)"Incredible."
Guan Yu knows.
"You'd make for a fine armament," he tells Melusine.Liu Bei fiercely looks at you through the protective shell of his machine.Sun Quan runs forth, shielding Klara as best as she can.The young man breathes weakly. "Hh.."
When Arran pierced through his machine's shell, his blade struck one of his vitals.
"Never," he says. "Guan Yu,.. will never lose."Its time to put Sigurd teaching to use.
"Dissapear."
Is all Klara said as she brought down her hand, clawing the air as she release a intense burst of mana ina shape of the claw toward Guan Yu. It travels at immense speed as it scratches Guan Yu. He could feel his entire martial body being distorted with the amount of force that's put into Klara rune release."Oh."
Guan Yu looks down at the mark on his chest.
"I lost."
Suddenly--
His body bursts into nothingness."Agh--!"
A sound of pain comes from Sun Quan. There's two daggers sticking into her side, piercing through her skin.
"Thank you, Servant," Sun Quan says. "I'll have to ask you for your name afterwards."
"For now..."
She takes out her sword and sprints to the last man left standing.
"You're in the way."With the last one taken down by Arran, the fight ends.
"Haa.."
"Ha.. haha.."
Sun Quan starts laughing.
"Sorry, it's just-- all of that was real. I can't believe it."
"Stupid? Yes, I agree," she says.
"But as great of a tactician as Guan Yu may have been, it was only ever going to end like this. Or is my future different, travelers?""That'd be nice, wouldn't it?"
Sun Quan looks into the distance wistfully.
"You guys didn't do a very good job hiding who you are. I've heard a thing or two, and I think I have a pretty good understanding of things now. Your people are quite ruthless. You've even considered burning this entire country to the ground because it wouldn't change anything."
"Oh, don't worry, I'm not mad about that. I would probably act similar if I was in your position. Maybe even worse."Haah, no point on being sad, what happens already happen.
Klara let out a sigh to herself."So, what are we waiting for?"
Sun Quan grins. "Your friends are fighting Dong Zhou. Let's help them."Though, I think I might a rest first... 
All of you await in Chaldea's Rayshift room with Li Ru's stone. Time seems to have to turn agonizingly slow for all of you as you can hear the whirr of the machine preparing to teleport all of you to your chosen location.
The time approaches.
At Yang's button the teleportation mechanisms sprang into life and there was a brilliant flash. For a split second, you were hurled through the space between worlds, only so fast that you could never settle in one place and gaze upon the true madness of the cosmos, before your feet land with a thump.
You're in a large bedroom of some sort, empty of inhabitants. With rich linen and silks and even a pot on a kettle that is still brewing. From the banners and maps laid and strewn all about in a messy fashion not akin to a teenager's room, you know almost for certain this is Li Ru's room.
There is a table with what seems to be a written letter on it.
And all is not so peaceful. You can smell through the doors the hint of smoke, the temperature has begun to become stuffy, and you can hear screams and the clash of steel muffled through the door. (edited)
The beasts would smell gold and treasure all over, but the greatest concentration seemed to be out that door and to the right, into the center of the palace itself.
1
You would find that the hallway was at the moment an inferno as fires raged and consumed the tapestry and wood. It was an oven of unbearable heat that even servants would begin to struggle with much less Masters.Through another turn in the hallway, you could hear the sounds of battle and of blows that sounded like great worlds crashing together as well as screams.Suddenly as you turned the corner into the main hall, a large room with eight pillars that were each almost 40 feet tall. At the end of it was a grand staircase that led into the heart of the palace itself and no doubt towards the grail. The issue was that a gaint of a man with a massive halberd who's blade alone was larger then Yang, two Grail Guards, and a man in satin white with a sheathed sword stood in the way.
Master I shall inform you, wish for my Heads to feast upon his flesh.If you have an idea to get around them, I'm open to it. We need to get to the grail quickly. Our allies are all fighting out thereYelling like an animal Lu Bu would charge forward and pummel Peter with his massive halberd.
Yang and Domonic would arrive on a cold rooftop. It was a rooftop garden. Above the sky was dark and the clouds above lit by the blazing city below. You could hear over the hills the sounds of yells and steel clashing.
It was coming from the east, blocking by the rippling white flowers and rain.In the distance under a white tree, the burning city serving as a background, you can see two figures clashing with blades under a white silk tree. One has a flaming sword. The other a silver one. And the flaming sword is on the offensive, dealing savage and unskilled strikes against the figure with the silver blade.
Only driving him back through sheer brutallity.
Now Strike him on my mark
“like the leaves upon a tree in winter, defences shall wilt and decay,”
Now! (edited)Suddenly a sword appeared through her chest from behind, blood weeled at her lips.And with that, I believe this is over then?You had better know what you are doing Master (edited)
If during the next words he speaks, he does not start accepting the situation. He diesDa Vinci, Yang has the grail. Commence Emergency Rayshift on my location before we get any unwelcome guests.
Dominic would send a message to Da Vinci before turning to Yand
"I'm sure your Master would be proud of you"
-356 〇
Well, Master how do you feel now that it is over?New blades to draw blood with. I wish I could have made Avicebron scream.Heh, I see
Orochi lowered his heads completely as their flesh turned to ash and their skeletons faded
Perhaps next time thenAnd with that, the singularity was over. Li Ru lay peacefully under a clear skill on a white flowerbed as his spirit passed. The fires of the city beneath stopped and only smoldered. Despite the damage people would return, they would rebuild, and everything would return to normal.
And Li Ru, just a simple humble clerk in China's Imperial Administration, would be forever forgotten to history again.
Just like he wanted. (edited)
2 Shortly after the first group is sent out, a second group is to rayshift into the Singularity.
Olga gives them the same announcement as the previous group-- she's spending time on a minute Singularity so Da Vinci will take over comms in her stead.
When you wake, you see a burning battlefield below you.
You rayshifted into the sky, 500 feet above the ground, and you're rapidly plummeting towards it at maximum speed.In your gentle descend, you manage to take in a better look of your distant surroundings by using the higher vantage point.
The battlefield is surrounded by forests and mountains, but many parts of the forests seem damaged.
You safely land on your feet. Immediately, the heat of the lingering fires from battle hits you. Sorched earth, ash and bones. Whatever's happened here, it must've been a terrible fight."Hello there! Phew, at least you guys can hear me. I'll send you your coordinates right away," Da Vinci says.
"I don't seem to pick up any activity, but.. could you check out what happened here? This might be our first direct contact with survivors.""You can say that again! Scratch that about no activity! There's a bunch of skeletons coming your way and I don't think they have a friendly chat in mind!"
Large walking clusters of bones come your way, sharp claws in place of where should be a hand. They don't have any discernible biology. There's no defined bone structure like one would expect from any living being. You can't make out a head or a ribcage. Some of them don't even seem to have two legs. (edited)Two of the skeletal beings dig their claws into Muramasa while struggling with him for dominance.Two more of them dash past the ensuing battle, surrounding Nitocris.A young woman with long red hair and horns that look like a headpiece coming out of her hair joins the battlefield.
She's clad in a white dress, and in her right hand is a massive blade that looks far too large for a girl of her stature.
She charges across the flaming battlefield, coming to a stop behind the creature Muramasa is fighting. She places both hands on the hilt of her blade.W-Where in the name of Ra is my team!? Why are they leaving their backline exposed to such danger!?
She's panicking inside.The large skeletal being turns towards the woman behind it, grabbing hold of her arm with one of its claws while the other continues burrow into Muramasa.
At the same time, Nitocris is being assaulted by the two skeletons that charged at her.The girl charges forward once again, burrowing her sword deep into the mass of bones that's attacking Nitocris. She pushes it to the very hilt and it erupts in a bright flame, turning to ash."Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but am I gonna have to be the one to point out the obvious?" Da Vinci's image reappears.The girl in white stares at you with the cold eyes of a hardened warrior.
"Fine, I'll say it," Da Vinci says. "I know she looks a little different, but doesn't she look just like the Pseudo-Servant Surtr? Her appearance is way too alike to be a coincidence."The girl looks aside and opens her mouth as if to say something, but closes it again.
"..."
She looks back to you.
"You're foreigners," she says.She opens her mouth to speak once again, but doesn't say anything and closes it.
"...If you're looking for the grail, I'm uninterested," she says."I-"
She looks aside again. For a second, she looks almost vulnerable.
Then, her expression hardens again.
"You're the ones who appeared out of nowhere. If there's someone suspicious here, it's you.""You're all Servants. Why are you here?""I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Da Vinci says, "but there's more hostiles coming your way. Mind saving the chat for a safer place?"The girl pauses, thinking about what to make of you. You're unknown Servants that arrived in a group as big as four, and you're here for something as dangerous as the holy grail.
She turns her back to you and begins to walk through the burning field.
She stops and looks back at you over her shoulder.
"My name is Epona," she says. "You fought off these monsters. I owe you at least one favor."
"Come. I'll take you to my tribe.""Taki and Muro..Moora.."
She murmurs something to herself before continuing on.
Throughout the battlefield, you come across several pyres of burnt bodies. It seems these were all warriors. Some corpses aren't burnt yet, but Epona quickly changes that, burning every corpse you come across to ash.
(Perception 20) From your passing glances, you can make out the armor on the fallen men. It's two crossing blades, surrounded by a laurel crown.
Muramasa would vaguely know that this is a symbol associated with Romans."I wouldn't do it if I had to," she says. "...I don't know if it helps, but I don't want any more of those monsters coming into being."
"If it were up to me--" Her voice turns dark, but she doesn't finish."You've noticed it too, haven't you?" Da Vinci asks Nitocris."Good. I'm glad I'm not the only one," she says. "Next time you're here, you should take a closer look at it."Eventually, you leave the battlefield behind you. You make your way through the woods and climb some hills, where you finally spot small stone buildings.
"We're here," Epona says.Epona turns around, wondering what you're talking about."Bounded Field?" She raises her eyebrow. "You mean magic?""Oh, and my name is Da Vinci," Da Vinci says and smiles. "Heya.""I'll have the director decide on what to do with this information," Da Vinci goes on. "For now, you should try finding intel about the tribe. You seem to have started off on the right foot, so this is pretty much the best case scenario."
Epona simply stares.
"I'm right here," she says. "And I won't have you treat my tribes folk as test subjects."
She walks into the village with you.
Many of the houses here are damaged, some only recently rebuilt by using wood.
There's many injured. People dressed in simple cloth. Women binding the wounds of men, men binding the wounds of women and vice versa. They look to Epona in quiet acknowledgement, but your presence disturbs them.
"These are friends," Epona says loudly. "They're neither affiliated with the Romans nor the great Serpent. They need shelter, just like all of you do. Treat them well and fortune will be kind to you."The Great Serpent?
She had seen the report, but hearing "its" name here are quite a suprise. Is there people who are affiliated with such beast? But for now, she should focus on the current condition as the state of the village are...quite saddening.
"Hmm, Epona, do you mind rounding up the wounded into a group?"Epona doesn't answer Tachibana's question, still addressing her people.
"Why?" She asks Nitocris, not turning her head away.The peoples suspicion doesn't ease, but they're torn between their concern and their respect for their chieftain.
Epona thinks for a moment.. and nods.
"Everyone, gather before us," she commands. "I will prove to you that they mean you no harm."
At first, nobody moves.
A woman stands up from her resting position on one of the makeshift beds, carrying a young child in her arms. His arm is completely twisted, broken to the point of no return.
More people follow. Within minutes, over a hundred of people have gathered before you.Using her magecraft, you all watch as Nitocris heals the injuries of the wounded crowd. Wounds are closed. Ailments are cured. Bones snap back into shape. It takes you all your power to focus on this many people at once within such a short span of time.
"Impossible.." "It's a miracle." "My leg.."
The crowds spirit lifts.
But not all of them are so lucky. Only half of the hundred are healed. The rest remain.. but they realize that nothing is coming for them. The healed help them back on their beds.
Epona places her hand on Nitocris' shoulder. "Thank you," she says. "You did well."
There's the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. She doesn't want you to feel bad. (edited)Da Vinci's image appears once more. "So, before you all get situated, may I cut in one last time?"
"The other team is about to secure a leyline for our base. Well, as luck would have it, you're right on top of one too. I can't say if it was intentional, but this village is built on top of one."
Epona doesn't seem to understand what any of that means."Authorization given. I'm sure our fiery bride over there will appreciate it too."
"Please don't give me strange nicknames," Epona says."Yes, you may," Epona says. "..."
"Welcome to the Bructeri tribe. So long as you don't cause trouble, you can stay here for as long as you need to. Our homes and bodies may be broken, but we have enough space for strangers. Just don't expect a castle."
"..."
"...When you're done, I would like to speak to you all again. You'll find me in my home," she says, pointing to the largest building of the village."One more thing before you go," Epona says."We do. That is one of the things I wish to discuss with you later tonight."
"But I believe I owe you an introduction."She places her sword in the ground and stems both hands against it.
"I carry the flame of the Norse destroyer of worlds inside me," she says. "My name is Epona, daughter of the queen of the Iceni and Champion of Andraste."
1Epona laughs. "I only have one title that matters, and that is being the chieftain of my people," she says. "Everything else is superfluous."
"If you need anything, you know where to find me," she tells your group. 
The team having been deployed at Da Vinci's request for some biological data on the lifeforms in the singularity had set off. It was a bit of a bit of a ways away from the base, though nothing to horrendously far. It helped that most of the travel consisted of flat land too. Anyways, upon arriving at the designated area in the distance gargantuan structures were packed together to form what could only be assumed to be the homes of the targets.
When the owl set off and took to the sky, scouting out the area, it saw the set of homes, four of them. Three "smaller ones" and one noticeably larger one, there was also something of a fire pit. Besides that there was just trees, rocks, more trees and more rocks.The situation doesn't particularly change, but the homes are certainly massive, perhaps around 30 ft in height or so.
As the owl moves to the tree, nothing particularly changes but as it approaches the homes it can hear quite the noises. Mostly what you would expect of a sterotypical troll or giant, grunts, heavy breaths, walking around with a little rumble, some flatulence. Though all the homes had no windows, and all the doors were closed, so it couldn't peek in. (edited)As the eye enters the patchy hut, it could see a fat, ugly, giant, and as expected of the species, it's around 15ft tall. It's very awake and just sitting there picking its teeth clean with some bones.
The second hut was the same, but one giant currently messing around, this time with a little sheep that was baa-ing about!With Ciel's expanded senses she could tell there were five giants total in the huts, and none else for the next few miles save some nearly at the 6 mile mark away.Besides those giants, Ciel could sense 3 fae type creatures within the mile, as for where, it was unknown."Eh? But I don't speak their language at all. They're also pretty evil, I don't want to talk to them...
She replies to Shiki."The thing is Shiki, I lost a bunch of stuff getting summoned here, with them is some of my languages. Now I only know English, French and Japanese. But those are just some trivial problems."
She continues.As Asclepius lights the flames it slowly rises, alerting the giants. There was some stumbling and clattering as things were kicked off, and something of a cry in some language.
But, for our lovely Ciel, when she approached the tree it came to life and attacked her?The trees are alive and ready to take revenge like the fucking Lorax!!!Ciel was warned of the tree as she approached it so she wasn't surprised, but fuck them trees...Arcueid and Ciel are making quick work of the Treants, but at Raikou approaches the house of one of the giants, it bursts out of its door and smacks her twice, before flopping down on top of her to squash her!As the giants start to rush out of their homes and towards the fight, the final giant comes out one notibly larger than the others and decked out in full armor! And it is very pissed off.The Treant was quite injured as it looks towards its allies which were all slaughtered by the others. Then speaks in a different language, Sylvan if anyone knows it? It's in paaaaaain and its obvious... These things are pretty big brain you know.Well, you have a really big unconscious treant, and a lot of treant and giant corpses...
The giant just stands there in a stupor, staring at the mark."Caster, can you hear me? I need your assistance with transporting some giant corpses and fae creatures."
"We just killed several giants and fae creatures, we also captured a giant and a fae. If you could teleport us in and then teleport us out, that would help us out greatly.""I want you to help me with getting critical information for Chaldea. Information is power. That means we need to get these corpses and the live ones to our base. I went through the trouble of already defeating them and capturing them."Sighs.. overworking a king... who woulda thought
Gilgamesh would raise his hands, putting the corpses into his treasury demiplane. His eyes would then gleamed a golden glitter as he recovers some mana to help teleport the group back in a bit
Though good job staying alive~ lets return shall we?
And it’s a done deal, y’all get teleported back home with your spoil of war! A very injured treant!!! Better plant it somewhere. 
"Parley with a human?"
The eyeless giants voices boom but they show no emotional response to your request.
"Let me eat him," one says
The group of six giants all move in, oversized axes in hand.
"No. But we will kill you"One of the giants finally falls, finished off by CielHeh~ you called?
The short rest comes to an end and the journey forward must continue! Resting in Ciel's nice and warm hut was cozy.
@Game Ping 3I thought our team had recovered some of those giants corpses? have the chaldean team not give us any results?
He asked while they were on the trip, quite confused how the team could have gotten into such a trouble. After all the king of heroes did get summoned just to be a taxi for those corpses.Ciel goes ahead and sees green-skinned beings scavenging the forest, looking for anything that might have been lost behind. She spots them from about an 80 foot distnace. They must be taking the opportunity that that group of giants is not around right now to do this.Peculiar...
He was intrigued a creature that would dissolve completely, yet could deal so much... the world really have evolved ever since the last time he opened his eyes.They have not noticed you yet, too busy looking through the dirt.With new shelter, everyone can spend the next few hours waiting for a sign of Scathach.
It's only a matter of time before a new patrol of giants makes their way through it. With little effort to keep your presence in the house hidden, it doesn't take them long to notice there's intruders here. They start to pace through the village.
@Game Ping 3The giants keep coming through the village, and after 10 minutes of not finding anything they grow frustrated and start arguing, wondering if they messed up.
@Game Ping 3Eventually, the giants give up and set up camp in the center of the village.
@Game Ping 3Both Ciel and Gil can notice wolves in the snowy ground, moving as if they were part of it before coming to a stop near the camp.
@[Serpon]Teno/Penth/Nico/Azu @Cherry | Shuten DₒᵤⱼᵢLancelot. Your master will be troubled if you rush into them... lets wait it out.
Gil whispers trying to quell the beast like servant's sense for bloodThrough the course of your stay, the giants begin to argue again and continue their search. This is their territory, a place that belongs to them and where no human is allowed in. Even if they don't directly notice you, your presence can not escape them if you choose to stay.
@Game Ping 3They now begin to thrash the buildings one by one. Two of them on each. You're in one of the only two buildings that isn't being destroyed right now, at the edge of the village.Gil steps outside the hut that's barring you from casting spells that affect the outside of the hut.
@Game Ping 3 join init
The group can continue their rest, but the threat of giants remains. Their best shot is that this group of giants will tell the others that there's no need to patrol here, but other than that, it's likely something like this might happen again.
@Game Ping 3You continue your stay and the dome of force dissipates.
Lancelot and Gil can sense the presence of a Servant as the cause of this.
@Game Ping 3Someone's here... a servantIn a magical gust of wind, the door swings open.
"You fools."
A voice familiar to Tyonis, Lancelot and Gilgamesh sounds out.
"How many times must I warn you not to come here?"
https://i.imgur.com/gIHold6.jpg
"You should leave while you can. There's two generals out looking for human intruders. You've raised enough of a reaction from Thrym to make him acknowledge your presence in this land."
She points at the houses in the village.
"What happened here?"Scathach glares at Lancelot."Give me one good reason I shouldn't fight you right now," she says, glaring at Lancelot."What good will explaining myself to you do? You've already taken my weapon. I should refuse any conversation on those grounds alone.""You come here only to break my most treasured weapon?"
Scathach steps back, building some distance between herself and your group.
"I acknowledge your attempt to wound my pride. The Gae Bolg is my legacy. You may break it, but you'll never break me."
Five copies of her appear from the shadows in between her and you.
"I knew talking won't lead anywhere. Then come! We'll decide this once and for all the way warriors do! To the victor go the spoils! Defeat me and take ownership of me, or fail and die!"
@Game Ping 3In Scathach's right hand materializes a red spear different from Gae Bolg.
"The Gae Bolg is my legacy. You may have taken the original, my treasured spear, but I am no fool to let myself be crippled so easily."
The tip of the spear goes up in flame. She's made Tyonis' halberd into an armament of her own.
"As appreciation for your token of friendship, I will use it to fight you with all I've got, young warrior!"
Despite her age, she talks like an experienced fighter.
It's a fight!Scathach answers Ciel, a fierce expression on her face.
"Very well. True battle is not fought with magic. It is fought with strength!"
An overwhelming amount of magical energy comes surging through her."And you!"
Scathach talks to Tyonis, the one she's truly here for.
"Show me how strong you can really be!"In the blink of an eye, Scathach's spear clashes with Tyonis halberd. Bit by bit, it draws blood, injuring him more and more with every exchange of blows.
"That's still not good enough! You want to defend humanity? You want to accomplish what we couldn't? Then keep fighting!"Scathach's shadows wordlessly face off with Ciel."gh...!"
Scathach is breathing heavily, but she doesn't stop fighting.
"More..! If you think you can do better than me, prove it with your weapons!"Scathach raises her spear. Her breathing slowly calms down.
"You fought well."
She knows the man before her is reaching his limit as a warrior.
"You should be rewarded for your strength. But there is one thing I am bound to do by my pride as a warrior."
She speaks to everyone.
"Will you let me take back what is mine or will you stand in my way?"Dog. I have spent 4 command seals on you. You are not to die. Win, or you will regret it in your next life."Honestly, I agree with you. If it wasn't for that duel, we could have already have defeated her. Knights and their honor, its no wonder they are a dying breed." said Ciel telepathically to Gilgamesh as she agreed with him. All this was doing was putting more people at risk."These mongrels and their stupidity." said Ciel telepathically back to Gilgamesh. The only advantage this provided her was the fact that she got a bit of time to heal up.
"I rather try to educate them then insult them. I do believe people like them can grow to become far better." said Ciel telepathically to Gilgamesh. She was always willing to help people.Scathach slashes through Lancelot's defenses, cutting into his armor.
When he falls, she puts her spear to his throat.
"Give it back.""You have to take the good with the bad as they say. Freedom means the ability to make the wrong choices, otherwise we would be no different from machines. What makes humans great is their ability to learn from mistakes."
Ciel had seen people grow and become better humans. Heck she herself had done a lot of growing in these past few years, especially when she had met Shiki."Agreed, through knowledge we gain true freedom." said Ciel telepathically as she would nod her head in agreement with Gilgamesh.Dog. I told you to win. Now, you can give up the spear and I will sever this contract immediately and leave you to your fate. Or you can fight to the death, knowing you at least kept your contract till death. Its up to you Mad Dog of the Round Table"Understood."
Scathach accepts Lancelot's intent, not as the daughter of King Árd-Greimne, but as the future inheritor of the land of shadows.
She speaks words familiar to all gathered here.
"I will grant you a warriors death."Well Mad Dog, you have chosen your honor once again. And see where it got you. Pray you get a better Master in the future. Should have told me you were leaving for a mission There was a minor tinge of regret in Dom's voice, as a little piece of him dies with Lancelot and his heart grows even colderScathach pierces Lancelot's spirit core and finally takes back her weapon.
Then, she collapses to the ground next to him, motes of light leaving her body.
She's still in deep sleep even after your long rest, but the group can safely bring her back to the base. 
Seeing that the first group couldn't last much longer, Brynhildr returns to lead another group through the swamp.
The poisonous air is no problem for Martha, Alex, Peter and Jeanne.
Brynhildr's Primordial Rune is still shielding her body from the worst of it, but by the time they reach the end, she's starting to show signs of weariness too.
@Game Ping 3
The group reunites with Ereshkigal and Cu, who have been waiting for their arrival thanks to being stabilized by Tachibana.
@sumanai @SquigThe way through the marsh was riddled with decayed dragon corpses, clearly the work of the Servants that fought so they could get here."Thank you," Brynhildr tells Jeanne. She didn't want to become a liability to the group, so she's deeply grateful for her healing.
@Crafter/Flower/Illya/Dad/Oni
"We're almost at the core now."
Brynhildr points forward, where the toxic air has become so strong that its visible with green and purple hues.
"You did well holding out this long," she tells Cu and Eresh. "How did it go?"
@Squig @sumanai"Is everyone ready?"
Brynhildr looks over the group of Masters and Servants again.
"You're all able to ward off the effects of the poison. I'm confident in you, but.."
That doesn't mean they're not also frail.
"We should take any victory we can. Greed is an evil dragon's way, not a hero's. The fact that getting this far was possible at all is already something to celebrate."
"If we're not able to strike Nidhoggr down today, we'll come back tomorrow, and then the day after that. We'll keep trying until we succeed or until the Holy Grail has been retrieved. That way, your allies won't have any dragons to worry about and can concentrate all their strength on attacking Thrym."
@Game Ping 3
"And protect them I will."
Brynhildr turns to Cu and smiles.
"That confidence is inspiring. As expected of the greatest fighter of Irish mythology."
"Facing off against a powerful foe for no reason other than because you're the only one who can do it," she says. "Ah, this feels like..."
She bites her lower lip.
"..Let's go."With nothing to protect them from the now lethally poisonous toxins, Brynhildr and Peter's beasts won't last long in this environment, but at least for now, their nervous systems are able to keep up.
Even those immune to poisons can smell a difference in the air. It's a sickly sweet smell.
Brynhildr uses her flames to burn through anything obstructing the path, vines, lashes or dead trees.
"What.. is that?"
They arrive at a massive hole, about 100 feet wide, going deep into the ground.
@Game Ping 3Looking at it from above, there's no end to the hole in sight. It simply burrows straight down.
From behind and above the group comes the loud slapping sound of wings beating wind. About 500 feet in the sky is the same dragon rider Martha and Cu had encountered before, now flying towards the group.
"Masters, get back," Brynhildr says.
@Game Ping 3The black great wyrm stops a hundred feet from the group.
"The young woman riding it doesn't say anything.
Her hands begin to charge with a bright, golden light.
@Game Ping 3Lancer, if you intend to engage the wrym, I need you to destroy its horn. Or at least separate it from its body. If your target is the blond lady, I want you to cut off her hair. I want it for materials.
She spoke as she casted Magecraft to separate herself into three things. She commanded Lancer.
@Squig"Understood, I was going for the heart but the horns seemed viable" Cu respondedKeep your Noble Phantasm as a final resort or finishing move. We don't know what cards they can play.I'm trying to take as less attention as possible. Could you ask the others to get her hair for me?
She asks Cu in a tehee kind of way.
@SquigThe white woman doesn't relent in attacking Jeanne.
With her blade of pure light, she calmly and cooly wittles away at her defenses."Bahahaha Master, you're funny than I thought but this isn't the right time to crack a joke" Cu responded sarcastically
"But as your Servant, I would try to take it I guess""Bahahaha Master, you're funny than I thought but this isn't the right time to crack a joke" Cu responded sarcastically "But as your Servant, I would try to take it I guess"
Lancer! Change of plans. I need you to tell the Lancer of the Underworld telepathically to unleash darkness against them! Quickly!
She says as she watches with glee."........" Cu didn't respond this time but he alerted Ereshkigal about this
"Lancer! My Master needs you to cover the woman with darkness"
@sumanai"........" Cu didn't respond this time but he alerted Ereshkigal about this "Lancer! My Master needs you to cover the woman with darkness" @sumanai
"Cover the woman with darkness? All right, that much I can do, though I am afraid it may affect the others!""For the greater good""I do hope the saint will be well... In that case, stand back!""You fight well, brave heroes."
Rather than taking the charge, Brynhildr uses her Primordial Runes to support her allies.
"Keep Ruler alive! She's the only one who can keep up with that woman's attacks!"Lancer, I need status report. I can't see into the darkness. Can you ask the Underworld-chan for a status report on whats happening inside?
Inside the darkness Eresh created, magical energy is accumulating at a massive rate.
The woman keeps swinging against Jeanne's flag with her radiant blade.
She finally speaks.
"Why don't you defend yourself?"
@Crafter/Flower/Illya/Dad/Oni"Do you plan to sacrifice yourself for them?"
"You may act out of kindness, but you're no better than them."
@Crafter/Flower/Illya/Dad/Oni"Lancer, I need to know what happened in there. Can you give me some information" Cu asked Ereshkigal about the situation in her darkness
@sumanaiThe dragon lets out a loud roar of pain.
"..!?"
For a moment, the woman looks uncertain. She still can't see anything, but she needs to get to it."Lancer, I need to know what happened in there. Can you give me some information" Cu asked Ereshkigal about the situation in her darkness @sumanai
”The Dragon Rider’s magical energy is accumulating at a strangely high rate— I am not sure whether to continue to keep up the darkness or to dispel it. Though, the dragon seems to be in pain.”
1"Martha, the woman's magical energy is building up rapidly. She's fighting with Ruler while still keeping her mana density up!"
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C"Tsk. She doesn't seem to be releasing her sun powered magic. It's fine. For now."
She moves nearer to Ereshkigal and took out a vial of poison. She smiles and asked for permission.
"May I? We need to deal as much damage to the lady. Can I leave it to you, oh great Goddess?""..."
The woman stares at Peter who's mounting the dragon's corpse while his beasts are mauling it.
"Die.""Hahahahaha, Command Seal? Thanks you Master, as for this, my strike will pierce her heart!!!" Cu thought when he realised his Noble Phantasm got boosted by Martha's Command Seal
After the strike, he was the target for many of her attacks, his crimson spear can't alternate this fate of getting struck through the body by many lethal blows. He planted his spear down the ground to help him stayed upward
"If....... If I only took this many blows to go down...... Then I'm not a HEROIC SPIRIT!" He shouted with whatever strength he got left in his frail body"That's humans for you."
"You trample on everything around you without any care, but when you realize how weak you really are, you despair."
When Alex raises the point that the Singularity will end up destroying everything if it persists, she reacts coldly.
"Everything?"
"You mean humans.""You are total annihilation!"
The woman grits her teeth.
"I hate you! The world would be better off without you!"Seems like you're fine for now, Lancer. I need you to tell Brynhildr, the Dragon that results to all of this is deep into the hole around 3 miles. If she leads the way, Chaldea will follow, if she truly deems it necessary to beat it now more than ever. If it cam be left foe another day, then, thats another story."I'm not betting on the 'fine' but I'm indeed better now and wait what? I'm into a good fight but this, don't you think it's a bit overkill for us right now?""You still didn't get me her hair."
She replied pouting.
"There is still a lack of info! I wanna know more!""Still better than Kirei, still better than Kirei, still better than Kirei............" Cu got slight disappointment when he heard it, he was a Servant not a servant and what servant would take people's hair
"Lack of knowledge I see. Eh better luck next time, sorry for this. I will take more dragon hearts for you on the next hunt" Cu responded while scratching his headAfter descending to finish off Brynhildr, the dragon rider turns to Martha, disgusted by her words.
"..."Her hair is good product. We will get it. I want to see what we can make of it.
She replies to Cu Chullain. Before smiling innocently to the Dragon Rider. This girl afterall, though human in body, her entire being was no longer that. She was the very embodiment of curiousity."What do you know about me?"
The dragon rider reaches Martha and Cu.
"You don't know anything.""Better luck next time, now we must go" He talked to her telepathically while picking her up and letting her on his shoulders like a potato bag"Why would I ever share anything about me with humans?"
She speaks with pure contempt.
"Do you still not understand? I hate everything about you.""Do you think you're better because you're different?"
She scoffs. "You're not. You're just like any other human.""Kch."
When Peter leaps over to help Cu and Martha, the dragon rider turns to him.
"You again."
'Are you going to need my help, Peter~?'I'll be fine. I am simply investigating this hole. It appears to be that this is the source of all the poisons that is spreading up in the surface. A rather large hole at that. It also seems like the Dragon Rider our team encountered is very protective about this place. There are even defenses that involve spell attacks. Fortunately I am able to resist them. I will keep you updated for anything else that is important, Master.Report what I am seeing, Master. The others need to know about this.
@Kuro (Rat|Qtz|Yasu|Sei|Ath|Illy)'Haaaaaii~' The group gathers outside of the base, having received a commission to hunt some boars so that Chaldea can stock up on their food supply!!! There are a few boar sightings on this mountain and nearby ones? So where do you wanna head first group? Also feel free to meet and greet~ 
It took a little bit of time, but in time Fie with the assistance of Naomi found some boar tracks leading down the mountain!!!As the group followed the tracks, at times it would get easier and harder to find the boars. Though it definitely seemed like there were quite a few on the move. It was a relatively small herd, certainly less than a dozen boars of varying sizes.
As it pertains to the forest though, it was definitely filled with dangers even if it was close to base. There were tracks and signs of other creatures that had moved in and around the area. Best avoid them? (edited)It was a little difficult to discern some of the tracks but eventually Naomi figured the correct tracks of the boar and pointed the group in the right direction!! Continue down the mountain!!! This is a looooong walk.The group was in for a loooooong walk, at some point though everyone everyone starts hearing snorts!! Hmmm....
As Naomi sneak around she could see a fairly large number of boars, and one larger boar!!! They haven't noticed Naomi but oh well...Fie sees the same thing as Naomi, now what do you wish to do~?By the way, some of these boars are obviously babi/young boarsAll the boars are surprised when big boar just keels over and dies!! Oh noooo!!!All the baby boars are trying to meet up and run away as a group!!Well the boars aren't coming back anytime soon.All the boars are trying to hide amongst the bushes, 2 are doing fine, 1 isn't doing to hot.Welp, now you have a lot of knocked out boars, 1 adult boar, 4 baby boars... How do you plan on bringing them back?Well not bad, now to bring them all back! The morning with the Germanic seer Veleda passes by and it begins to turn noon.
She walks over to the tower's one window, overlooking the broader range of Magna Germania.
"How will you search for it?"
"What are your ways?"
Veleda asks almost sounding like she's pouting.
"I don't mean to pry, but it's to your benefit if you include me in the conversation.""Haa.. what mess did I get myself in?"
Veleda lets out a sigh, but her hands stay locked with the magus.
"This could be anywhere on this mountain, but if it's spiders.. it will most likely be by a river. Some of the villagers have run into spiders before. We should ask them about it."
@Game Ping 3"Huh..?"
The girl had kept her eyes closed for the ritual but now opens them again. She'd been under the assumption that coming along was something she should do for sure.
"I thought you might need my assistance, but I.. I suppose I should stay in here.""Mh.."
Veleda hums to herself in thought, the intention behind the nickname completely lost on her.
"You've suffered big losses, but this is my responsibility in the first place. I shouldn't have lost something so important to me."The blue-haired seer nods to that. She's acting very self-assured despite her lack of experience with other people.
"I'll accept that offer."
She looks down at her hands.
"Um...""If you two could hurry up already? We have an orb to find" Ororchi Rolled his eyes as he waited impatiently". . ."
She keeps staring at her hands in silence, making the moment grow more awkward. When Martha picks out one of her books at random, she shifts her attention.
"Please don't use my archives," she gently reprimands her. "Astrologers have to keep a tight hold on their secrets."
When Martha opens the book, she can see various celestial bodies drawn in different styles inside it, some very elegantly and precisely and some in a droopy, water color-like style.
"You can't just take something without even making an offering."
She looks back and forth between Martha and her hands.
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C @StarryCleric"Yes, let's go.."
After a brief reunion with Brinno outside the tower, everyone makes it back down the mountain with most of the group taking Orochi's taxi service and even Brinno taking the offer despite their previous difficulties.
Veleda climbs the griffon a bit awkwardly and finally shows some more nervousness again, but she seems excited too .
"The ritual is already over," she comments at some point during their flight, still holding Dominic's hand. "So, can I..?"
@StarryClericGathering Simps Orochi? And you tease me for being friendly with a woman again. Dominic said in his private connection to Orochi"So that's how that was..?"
Veleda hesitantly removes her hand from Dominic's.In the village, Saito is already going around asking about the spider with Dominic doing the same after a while.
As Veleda said, the villagers already knew about it and they mark the general area on Chaldea's map.
Eventually, L'oro and SimuDom join in too.
Mari approaches the group once they've all come together again too, waving her hand wildly.
"You're back! And.. woah, you brought a really pretty lady with you this time!"
@Game Ping 3 (edited)What is a simp?Something like a follower who wishes they could be closer to you but never will be.
" I was aware that theres a job at the moment here?""Offerings..? Hmm~ we haven't been fighting other tribes, so there's not much to offer. It depends what you're asking for, too. Usually it's stuff like weapons, shields and armor, but I think as long as it has value to you, anything can make for a good offering." Mari answers Martha."
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C
When Dominic states who Veleda is, both Mari and her make wide eyes. The former immediately grows flustered. "I.."
The dark-haired man called Brinno shakes his head. "He has a bad sense of humor."
Mari laughs it off. "That's a good one!"
She stretches herself.
"So you're heading towards those spider caves? That's perfect. I've been wanting to go there too. You don't mind, do you?"
@Game Ping 3Mari hits the palm of her hand with her fist.
"Sure can. I wouldn't go out there on my own, but with you guys around, I should be just fine."
"How strong are the spiders? Is that what you're asking?"
@Game Ping 3Master I do have the Spell Ring just in case, I thought I should remind youIt's spiders, they may be able to sense us just from the vibrations in the ground. Invisibility will not help us much, but noted in case we want to make the attempt.It needs to be attuned to first, if we are to make use of in we will need an hour or so, I was suggesting we give it to the Seer or MariGive it to the Seer then. If Mari dies, the villagers will be sad and we lose reputation with them, but if Veleda dies, we lose our reason for doing all of this.Mari puts one finger on her chin.
"Let's see.. if I fought them on my own, I'd probably die in one bite."
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C"Aww! You guys are all so sweet!"
Mari leans down and stretches herself again, making sure she's all warmed up for this.
"Looks like we're a pretty big group."
Standing up on the hippogryphs back and bending at her knees, Mari winds up for a long jump off the animal and lands in front of two of the goblins.
"Ha!"
She kicks the one closest to her with a quick hit to his stomach. (edited)The large trees begin to come to life one by one. Before Mari can react, a massive branch slams into her with incredible force.
"Gh..!"
She barely dodges the incoming attacks by the goblins before Tachibana's and Mari's healing reaches her.
"Thanks, guys!"With the spriggan's attention now focused on Veleda, she instinctively raises her right hand to block it but it's empty. Her magic is able to ward off the first hit, but the second one breaks through it, almost sending her flying off L'oro."That was weird," Mari says, rubbing her arm. "What did you poke me with? I mean, it felt good, but..."
Brinno on the other hand lets out a huff and checks the corpses to make sure they're all really dead.
Veleda, still in the sky on L'oro's back behind Dominic, turns to Martha. "Thank you for helping me there. I underestimated how strong these beings have become by now."
@Game Ping 3 (edited)Mari tilts her head. "I'm fine though? I guess I got a little messed up. But that liquid is really useful. You should leave us some before you leave our village again."
"I'm doing the best that I can," Brinno says with a grunt. "Someone has to take the front."
@StarryCleric
"These are beings that were once native to this land. Their return is tied to this Singularity, I assume. Just like the giants, they were weak when they first arrived."
@Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria"We're getting close to the river," Veleda goes on. "Perhaps a short break could help everyone clear their head before we procceed."Mari walks over to Saito with both arms behind her back and a bright smile on her face.
"Does your back hurt? I've got the best solution for that."
@Kiwa | SaitoAt their small camp, Mari tells Saito to sit down and gets behind him.
"Here I go!"
She begins to assault his back with the firmest massage anyone's ever been given.
"How's that, Fujita?"After giving Saito a very thorough beating, Mari jumps up.
"Haaaa..! That was relaxing! Nothing beats a small training session to rest your mind."
@Kiwa | Saito
Veleda has been staying in the back, not interacting with the others much. Trying to keep up some kind of deception around her identity is a bit too difficult for someone with as bad social skills as her.
Brinno never went too far from her though, keeping an eye on her.
At some point, she pointed out the view from the mountain slope showing the river beneath about two or so miles below it.
"We should probably keep going," she says. "Who knows how safe it'll be if we stay in one place for long."
@Game Ping 3Mari makes an offended expression.
"I never said you are! Do you think I'd be this gentle with a punching bag?"Mari covers her mouth with her hands upon seeing it. Being in the air by Saito's side, she can't fully see the child's body, but everyone can see enough to know what it is.We are likely close to the nest"..."
Veleda doesn't say anything.
Mari slowly lowers her hands again. "I knew the other tribes were all gone, but this is...""It's beneath here."
Veleda looks to the ground where they're standing.
"There must be an entrance here.""I can sense my orb here," Veleda says.
"I think the man is right. You two should stay out here. It's too dangerous inside."
Mari and Brinno both immediately say they want to come with.
"No way," Mari says. "I'm going in there with you."
Brino nods. "Yeah, me too.""No, we're in front of an entrance going straight forward and then deeper into the mountain. I imagine there will be parts of it that are further below ground, but I can't imagine it takes us straight down," Veleda describes in a stilted DMing a game manner.
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C
Brinno clicks his tongue. "You guys are a lot stronger than we are. I can't deny that."
Mari wants to object at first, looking almost offended by what Saito says, but when he mentions the people she wants to return to, she grows quiet.
"...okay. I trust you."
@Game Ping 3Veleda suddenly tenses.
"We're here. Can you see it?" She asks Orochi.
@Sophie, Mary, Nito, Gorgon, Boud"It must be somewhere down there," Veleda says.Watch your fire master this cave seems like it bound to break at any momentI shall avoid using it and be careful with my other ranged optionsAh I shall simply have to use my 'Heads' to think of something else then
psychic: 1d6 (6)
Total: 6
Orochi. That literally hurt me. I feel physical pain from that. Good job.”Funny haha’s aside Master, how are ya holding up?” The Saber would ask his Master through their own mental link.I can see the orb 90ft from us, however, there is nothing alive in the area nearby. Hmm, the ceiling is quite high...Master what are the chances this is an ambush from above? @StarryCleric "The fucks a Murphy"Do I look like an entomologist to you? But let me thinkVery likely. Be ready for them to drop from the ceilingPackage secured then? Time to leave. We have no reason to keep killing the spiders in this ambush. If we want to wipe out this Den we can do so at a better advantage than this ambush."You do!?"
For the first time, Veleda's voice sounds very energetic.
"Should we go?"
She looks at the rest of the group.
@Game Ping 3At minimum start pulling back and regrouping. Being split up like this will not help us."Uhuh, easy peasy. I'll just burst out to Mari and that Duuude"Outside, Mari and Brinno are greeted by the sight of a monster.
"Iieeee..!"
Thankfully, it can't hurt them because of the protective spell from Tachibana, but that doesn't make it less scary.
@Ma|Resur|Anastasia|King| C
The monster is followed by everyone else quickly running out of the cave.
"What happened?" Brinno asks, and Mari follows suit. "What about the spiders?"
@Game Ping 3Collapse the mountain?"Thank you," Veleda tells Martha.
"With this..."
She looks very happy, like reuniting with an old friend. When the loud and piercing shrieks sound out, Brinno immediately gives Orochi a knowing look and runs off into the village where they unite with Martha and Yagyu. There, by the bonfire Mari and Saito were sitting by earlier, they're immediately greeted by the sight of the villagers trying to defend themselves against an onslaught of harpies.
@Sophie, Mary, Nito, Gorgon, Boud
At the same time, Mari and Saito are slowly but surely finding themselves surrounded by that same harpy attack as Yagyu, who's been standing watch, joins them.
"Oh no.. I have to look out for my parents!"
@Kiwa | Saito @Thunder - LS | ED | DO | HT
Meanwhile, Veleda and Dominic are on their way back to the village flying as fast as they can.
In the village, SimuDom has been helping the villagers prepare the evening meal when the attack begins.
They all turn to him for guidance.
@StarryCleric
Suddenly, a massive boulder is flung toward's Mari's house, impacting the ceiling.
Anyone who looks beyond the house can see it was sent flying by the cloaked figure using magecraft.
@Kiwa | Saito @Thunder - LS | ED | DO | HT
Domanic it would seem we are under attack, just thought you’d like to knowVeleda informed me. I am almost there now by speed boosting GriffonSo far I have only seen one villager die, I do not know where SimuYou is or the two Sabers and Mari (edited)One dead villager already huh... Well not much we can do about that. Try and prevent fatalities, we don't want to lose this village as an allied area that is decently hidden and defended. If we can push back the harpies, we may be able to hold this area long term as a sub baseDo not worry most the Harpies in this area are dead and I will check the other parts of the village in a momentI still do not see how the others are having such a hard time dealing with these creatures
Dom why do I sense you falling?A bird thing just stopped Griffon's vitals entirely. Anti-falling measures have been put in place, but its still here and after me.Very well as your God I shall save you then Master.
29
Damage (CRIT!): 2d10 (1, 5) + 5 + 1 [magical slashing] + 2d8 (4, 4) [radiant] + 4d6 (5, 6, 3, 6) [cold] = 4024
Damage: 1d10 (8) + 5 + 1 [magical slashing] + 1d8 (1) [radiant] + 2d6 (5, 2) [cold] = 2219
Damage: 1d10 (5) + 5 + 1 [magical slashing] + 1d8 (3) [radiant] + 2d6 (6, 6) [cold] = 2621
Damage: 1d10 (6) + 5 + 1 [magical slashing] + 1d8 (6) [radiant] + 2d6 (5, 2) [cold] = 25
At the bottom of the staircase leading to the underground of Chaldea, there's a metal door barred behind several layers of internal and external defenses.
Da Vinci passes through all the security systems and opens the door.
What lies behind that metal door is a distinctly un-chaldean sight: It leads to the street of a modern city set in the evening, lit up by lamps.
At the end of the street is a small house with another door.
To the left and right of the street, there's a wall as if this was simply a room.
After White Rider busts the door open, the sight behind it is still of the same city.
The flames are dying down now, leaving ash behind.
Alright folls, I see archers, around the street corner. Probably not friendly. Want me to smash 'em to pieces?Indeed, the Berserker art correct, two archers of skeletal nature stand hiding behind the street corners. Shall we take care of the two?I have faith you can handle them, am I correct White Rider?Got it, think I should stay back until I can recover from these burns, maybe... Play it safe for now.Do you only possess Necromancy spells and spells that cause Necrosis? She asked her servant after the combat endedDo you only possess Necromancy spells and spells that cause Necrosis? She asked her servant after the combat ended
...Mayhaps.
White Rider answered, with a slight pause.
"I see."
I don't have to much left I should save it for the others Phem casted a low level healing spell on herself after healing everyone else
”Please be careful with how you speak to The Director White she has major spoiled rich kid energy” Phem said to white via their bond, without a hint of irony (edited)
Astraea! Free Da Vinci before she succumbs to the pillar!
Understood!
Being summoned by her Masters command seal, the Servant wouldn't waste any time to do as she's been told.
Really, her Master should have just taken her with him from the start...That's a lot of eyes to aim for."Foolish mortals."
A deep voice speaks out.
"Your futile efforts will be rewarded with only death.""HahAHAhaha. And yet, you are hiding from me, cowering behind these walls!"
The demon god pillar's eyes scan the hall.
Unlike Lexi, there is one Master who might be just as fragile as her but who's staying right in the midst of battle.Its eyes.. find that Master.
I'm sorry White, I'll try and get out of its line of Sight and heal your wounds"Are you afraid of the heat?" He ponders to himself. "That it may burn you. That even if you shine bright, you only turn to ash. Even if life stings, even if it's a risk..."
"We're here now..." "...and we intend to keep you safe.""We're all in this together, aren't we?"Golden Spark - Golden Shock
1
4
The meeting location is just outside of the bounded field near Calais. To the onlookers that might have arrived early, they'd already see a motorcycle parked not too long of a distance away from the barrier alongside what looked to be a small campsite. Though by now the campfire seems to have burnt out, not all of the Enforcers belongings have been packed up. The Enforcer themselves however was nowhere to be seen as of yet.
@Game Ping 3
With multiple people present at the meeting site already, coming from a bit of a distance away the group would see a tall white haired woman dressed in a somewhat disheveled suit. What looked to be a large antimaterial rifle strapped across her back and a large rugsack in her right hand. She'd make her way over to the group.
"Huh. You lot arrived earlier then expected. I take it you're the one's sent by Chaldea then? You guys stick out like a sore thumb." She'd note, looking over the group for a long moment before simply sighing. "Enforcer Redfield. I'll be the one leading you trough the forest today."
@Game Ping 3The enforcer simply nodded to the group, looking them all over a bit more carefully before resting her free hand on her neck and letting out a sigh. "Alright, we will be traveling for a long while so I don't want to waste too much time on pleasantries. I have a few supplies for you lot to make use out of." With that she took a knee, tossing the rug sack to the floor and opening it up to reveal not only a bunch of firearms but also a few small firearm shells and tiny round almost rubber-like capsules.
"As you might be aware, the forest devours most magic and very few have found a way to circumvent this." With that she rose one of the capsules up. "This is one of them however. A mystic code capable of storing spells to be used for later. It's not the most powerful but if you find yourself unable to cast spells within the forest, make use of them. They can be loaded into a shell and fired from one of the pistols I've brought with me or simply tossed at your enemy. All they need is enough force to burst... I suppose you can also pop one in your hand if you're one of the more physical users of magecraft."
@Game Ping 3"Just don't blow yourself up like the last idiot I lend them to.""On the wonderful note of blowing yourselves up... Does anyone here know how to use Grenades?"With that, Phem would find the Enforcer passing along a small bag to her. It had two Frag Grenades in it.
"Take that with you then. Just don't blow your friends up."The enforcer takes one look at Leopold, not saying too much for a few moments before...
"You don't look it. Just don't blow yourself up." With that he got a grenade."Alright. We will be travelling at a relatively fast pace so try to keep up. How many of you have been in the forest before?""Alright. In that case... Don't stray off the path, stick together and keep an eye out on branches. They will try to disembowel you if you aren't careful. No magic, it will lead to you simply feeding the forest our energy and sabotage the operation. We will be heading to one of the former outposts, we have lost contact with it not even a week ago. I doubt anyone survived but it was fortified and had more than plenty of skilled magi within it so be on the lookout. If we find any dead apostles..."
With that she tossed a set of three simple black keys on the floor.
"I have no damn clue how to use these, however the Church was kind enough to provide us with these to finish them off. Hopefully we won't have to deal with them though.""Alright. That's seems to be it. Unless any of you got anything else to handle, we should head out. The journey should take us a few hours.""Let's head inside then." With that the Enforcer begun to head forward, motioning for others to follow in alongside her. The forest seemed to stir just a little as she entered.The group is now entering the Forest of Einnash. You are currently 30 km away from your goal. The forest seems somewhat calm for the moment, allowing you all to enter without too much of a problem.
@Game Ping 3As you head trough the forest, a few branches begin to shoot out from the trees whenever you get too close to them. Though most have managed to avoid the assault from the trees, Leopold and Avelyn would find themselves getting scratched up by a few nonetheless."Be more careful. We aren't even that far in yet, it's only going to get worse from here on out." Redfield noted, shaking her head before heading further in.As the group headed trough the forest, the trees continued on with their assault. Bit by bit they kept on attacking with their branches, though most of the attacks were somewhat easy to dodge, it wasn't a battle of skill but attrition. After a few hours of their travel, Redfield spoke up.
"We're almost halfway there. Try not to get too worn down by all of this. I'm aware it's quite problematic to deal with but you're doing decently well for your first time in." She noted, humming a bit before sighing. "Way better than most of us anyway.""The outpost was surrounded for a long time. Many tried to leave it for a while, though as you can guess-- Few made it longer than an hour in before being devoured.""It's not easy. However you do what you can in order to survive, it was like this before-- It simply became clearer now that this damn thing is active."As the group walked on, they would eventually begin to see what looked to be a few buildings in the distance far ahead of them. Though worn by their travels, the group finally arrived at their destination. It was hard to make out the exact details of the area just yet. However, it was clear this was the encampment, if not by the buildings ahead- then by the few abandoned cars scattered along the way. They were all pierced by trees- beginning to be reclaimed by the forest.
@Game Ping 3
"Seems like this is it...""Alright. The encampment is a little further ahead. This road used to be far wider and easier to traverse... Is this really how quickly this damn forest spreads? Our mission is to scavenge, be on a lookout for bodies of Magi. Mystic Codes could prove to be useful as could crests. I know for a fact there were a few particularly strong Mystic Codes here..." Redfield explained.
Her eyes quickly moved towards Leopold however, letting out a soft 'tsk' slip past her lips before continuing. "Be careful and quick. We are in enemy territory now." @Game Ping 3Redfield glanced over to Noelle. "What would that achieve? You are aware of the effects this forest has, correct?""Just be careful then." With that Redfield begun to take their rifle out. "You guys begin searching. I'll be on the lookout for danger. Let's check the cars first, If I remember correctly some of them were packed with some supplied incase of an emergency."Noelle would see a dead body, impaled upon tree branches within the car. It looked almost like a husk, drained of most of it's essence and white-eyed. Outside of the body, she would find that the trunk was completely locked and smashed in. In the backseat however she found a small sash with some water. @Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria"Alright. Grab it and keep hold on it. That will come in useful later."Redfield nodded and moved up.
"Don't worry. You can search ahead. I can provide covering fire should anything decide to attack us."The next car also had a dead body in it. While there was nothing of interest on the front... In the back? Noelle would uncover a large stash of food. From a brief look over, it was about five days worth of food. @Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria"Go for it." She'd nod to Avelyn.Noelle has headed to search another car. This one however had a locked though not smashed in rump. She could however see edge of fabric sticking out of it. @Orphelia/Naomi/ArtoriaDoing so allows Leopold to see a bit further in and in between the trees... There are way, way more bodies impaled and drained within the foliage around them. Not to mention a few cars and buildings off in the distance."That helps. Good call."After two minutes worth of lockpicking and some help from Phem, Noelle finds herself unlocking the trunk. Within she found a bag with four shotguns and at least 8 boxes of ammo. @Orphelia/Naomi/ArtoriaAs Avelyn moves further up, she can see a large amount of bodies right at the edge of the clearing. All of them are impaled by the branches- most of them don't even look like Magi but instead just ordinary people. The look of shock is still carved in on their expression.
@ArbyOrNotToBe"Alright."As Noelle searches the car, she uncovers an iron briefcase in the trunk. It is locked however but there is a symbol of the Clocktower inscribed upon it. @Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria
!”The enforcer glances over to Noelle, making her way over and looking at the briefcase for a moment before grabbing it and tossing it in her bag. "We will unlock it later when we have the time. That's a magical seal on it. If I had to guess, it's most likely a Mystic Code. Good find.""Keep up everyone. We're gonna head in now. Let's stick together. I can't cover you if you linger behind."
@Game Ping 3 ( React to this message if you're ready. )
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1As the group begins to head forward... Suddenly, from above a loud hooting of an owl rings out.
@Game Ping 3
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1It was Phem's familar indeed. It was alerting them to the sudden shift in the bodies behind them. They weren't dead... Not properly at least it seems. @Game Ping 3"Shit. Get into the clearing! We need to search the area properly... Grab whatever you can so we can get the hell out."Redfield quickly took a shot at the Dead next to the group. It sustained damage but it's still... Alive?As the group begins to figure out what's happening around them however... The forest begins to stir.Soon enough, a barrage of branches rained down in an area where Phem and Touko stood in.Soon enough, the buffet of flames engulfs the shambling corpses. Though they don't have a reaction- some of them begin to burn up and one of them, previously shot by Redfield falls down and burns to crisp."That's enough out of you." A voice suddenly rung out. Then... Loud thumps and snapping of the branches begun to echo out all around them as bit by bit, they saw a few figures shuffle out of the forest. Horrid creatures, tormented and torn but still looking somewhat alive... If barely. @Game Ping 3
"These ones are quite a bit stronger! Keep an eye out on them!" Redfield quickly warned the group just as she begun reloading her rifle and pointed it towards the ghouls.As Noelle made her way inside the building, she saw that pretty much the entirety of it looked like a bloodbath. The beds were soaked in blood especially near the pillows. There was a tonne of items scattered all around the floor. Additionally, the back wall had bullet holes in it and one large scorch mark on it as if hit by a fireball. @Orphelia/Naomi/ArtoriaThe creature recoils from the damage taken. The rest however manage to swiftly dodge the incoming damage. It seems to be quite roughed up by this yet, it seems to begin regenerating promptly.As Enrica Channels Necrotic Energy against the Dead, she comes to find that they are unaffected by it. @RJ|Sir L/Lytus/Dude/Wolf/-/-From the shadows, you see a figure. Unlike the rest, he actually seems to be far more aware of what's going on. He looks at the group with scorn and simply scoffs. "My my, it was quite obvious people would come around here again. How about you simply give up and come forward? I don't mind welcoming you into the ranks. There are only two ways forward, become one of us or become fertilizer for the forest." @Game Ping 3Noelle, you may give me a Wisdom roll.Not save. Just wisdom.Noelle. You come to notice something.
Between the assault you've all been subjected to on your way here, the way the path has formed as well as seeming lack of a secondary exit, it is highly likely this was a trap.Enforcer Redfield called from a short distance away. "Barely but I can if necessary! Did you find anything worthwhile!?" @Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria"Turn it on! Try to get what you can inside it. We can book it the moment we get some more things here. We're holding on for the moment! Just hurry!"
1The Dead Apostle seems to be all too happy with the blood they have on their lips. A wicked and sadistic smile present on their lips.
"Ah. Pity, you'd make for a good servant."Redfield glanced over to the group, letting out a soft grunt as she watched the ghouls chase after Touko.
"I'll cover you the best I can."The Dead Apostle is promptly wittled down trough a mix of the explosion caused by the Grenade as well as an acid arrow channeled from the capsule. They drop down to the floor...The Dead apostle rose from the ground, the Curse of Restoration kicking in...
Only to immediately fall down from the acid burning their skin. Bummer.As the dead apostle drops dead, the dead he had controlled quickly pause, doing little more than staring ahead- leaving them little more than an empty puppet all too easy to clean up. It seems that the group has managed to overcome the ambush and get enough time to properly look around the area. At least for now. @Game Ping 3Redfield glances over to the Dead Apostle, walking over to the corpse and giving it a single kick... "Yeah. That fucker isn't getting back up. Good job. Let's make our stay here a quick one, get patched up as much as you can and grab what you can. I can't imagine that the forest is gonna be all too pleased with our presence here." "We got a little while. Search whatever you can. I'll check the corpses in the meantime, maybe one or two of them have a Crest."You find a few spellbooks. All of them are however written in cipher and seem more like personal notes. It seems that even during the end of the world itself the Magi of the Clocktower were unwilling to share their secrets with one another. Deciphering them would take a while-- If be at all possible without a key. @Orphelia/Naomi/Artoria"We'd need to clear the way to use the car. While it's possible it would probably take some time.""That it would. I'm willing to clear the way if someone else is willing to help me out."The first building Phem enters is what looks to be a supply shed. It has a lot of regular, day to day supplies and other tidbits used by the entire camp. From general-use work tools to at least a week worth of food. However it is quite clear that Einnashe had already begun taking over this building and many of the said items are behind roots and vines. Cutting them free would be possible but time consuming and probably unpleasant. You may be able to grab whatever hasn't been covered as of yet however. @Sophie, Mary, Nito, Gorgon, BoudThe second building meanwhile has a few other beds set up. It looks to have been a one-family house back in the day but since it has been filled with storage boxes as well as makeshift beds. The moment Phem entered the building however...The moment Phem entered the building, she'd feel the impact of multiple bolts of acid slamming into her ribcage. The impact wasn't too bad yet the quiet sizzling of acid not only burnt her skin but also damaged her jacket. @Sophie, Mary, Nito, Gorgon, BoudThe rest of the building however appeared to be... Oddly lived in. As she walked in even, she'd notice clear attempts at fortification made and an all too clear lack of blood or any signs of conflict. It is also clear that whoever was here had left in a panic.As Noelle searched around the Library, she would eventually come across what looked like an ordinary dairy. Upon a quick inspection however it would become clear to her that it is a bit more than that. It was a summoner's tome, documenting a large number of beings one could summon and conjure up! One could learn the spell 'Conjure Woodland Beings' by studying it.
However, towards the end of the tome she'd also notice a name. 'Redfield'. Though considering this was what looked to be study notes, it had clearly not belonged to the Enforcer. @Orphelia/Naomi/ArtoriaThe two would proceed to clear the path together. By the end, the two would have carved enough of a path outside the forest."Alright. Were done here. We should head back up the path and get ready to head out."After a while of lingering in the forest and looting the area, the group would come to realize that the forest crept ever closer. The branches grew out, inching more and more towards the buildings. Additionally, by the time the group gathered around the car... They'd see branches shoot out their way once again. It was all too clear their presence wasn't welcome here.
@Game Ping 3"Get in the car. I'll drive us out of here." With that the Enforcer got in, tossing her rifle in first before sitting by the wheel.Finally, the group manages to make it to the edge of the bounded field. Once they do, Redfield lets out a sigh and glances back over to the rest of them. "Alright. Drop off the loot her and I'll count it up. Good work in the forest, if I need any more help I'll be sure to let you all know." @Game Ping 3"You did far better than I expected." With that the woman lit a cigarette and took in a deep puff. She seemed just as exhausted as the rest of them. "Yeah, unfortunately these visits tend to happen decently often. We're on our backfoot. At least with these supplies we should be able to survive for a bit longer."
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1Redfield glanced to Noelle for a few moments before quietly glancing away. "Ah. I do. I suppose it doesn't matter too much though, if anything it just acts as a confirmation rather than anything else..." The enforcer glanced away for a moment before just taking a deeper puff of her smoke. You soon enough begun to convene in and around the meeting place previously agreed on within the outskirts of Milan. Though the world has come to change quite a great deal since Ennaishe's assault upon Human Order itself, the truth of the matter is that the lives of the ordinary people seem somewhat untouched within the city proper itself, at least for the most part.
You are expecting to spend a minimum of a week travelling. Something which could prove to be problematic for a regular servant without Independent Action. As such, not too long after arriving within the dingy little pub trough the backdoor. An enforcer arrived to the scene and wordlessly leaned against the wall, waiting for the arrival of others.
The only way Vanagandr would fit within the building would be trough assuming spirit form.Turns out, Human buildings are tiny.Disgusting humans.
"Ah. You arrived. That does make things easier, Miss Claussell. As you are aware you are the primary source of mana for the Servants on this mission. Do you think you'll be able to handle the strain?" The enforcer asked, glancing over to the woman for a few long moments before turning to the Servants and taking a quick look over them."Chances are that yes, a servant we have confirmed to match the historical records of 'Vlad the Third' seems to have made his territory within the mountains. The exact details are unknown to us however, that is where you come in.""Very well, in that case..." The Enforcer took in a deep breath, pulling out a small bag and tossing it to Fie. "There are ten capsules within. Normally I'd use them to cast spells however as it stands, I've infused them with magical energy. You can hand them out to the servants as you deem necessary. They should have enough mana to replenish them enough to keep existing after a fight or for at least two days worth of out of combat travel.""Alright... So for all you gathered here. Your task is simple. You travel into the territory of Vlad with the ultimate goal of coming across Zurich. As it stands Vlad's territory is quite clearly located within Switzerland, the experts at the Clocktower believe that there is a high chance that Zurich is in fact the location of his headquarters. It will be your job to investigate that claim."
@Game Ping 3"We have had some success with it, however the layline energies make Scrying Magecraft quite difficult to execute as we are unable to follow the natural flow of magic. What we do know however is that the territory is festering to the brim with Constructs of the Undead Variety as well as Dead Apostles.""If you believe yourself to be capable of doing that, yes. However I wouldn't recommend it. We do not know nearly enough about the way Vlad has managed to hijack the Laylines to combat it so you'd be on your own.""Caution is advised. Last thing we need is six dead apostles.""Beyond the fact you are likely to be away for a while? Not much. I highly recommend you all stock up on black keys powerful enough to repel the forest. I'm sure you are aware of these would be, Ruler." The Enforcer noted. "Chances are, travelling trough the mountains will take a while."". . . Yes, I believe even the Dead Apostles have standards. Pirate."Do you have any Enchanted black keys Ruler?"Unfortunately, I currently do not have the means to create them. Apologies, Master."
He simply nodded and smiled at his Master's statement.It's fine, as much as I rather go in prepared as we can be we don't have the means to get Enchanted black keys unless this guys is handing them out to us."Very well. That is all. I'll be staying in a hotel nearby until you come back. As it stands you are going in alone. Resources of both Church and Mage Association are spread thin at the moment as such we need Chaldea's help.""You are free to depart when you wish." 
Say you are now claiming trophies. One of the defeated foes had powerful items you didn't original know of and you wish to get them in order to give it to some of your minions, aka present company.
"Excellent work. We managed to get out of that situation without revealing ourselves."
Skill Discovered: Weak Constitution A
*She wages to a table. Towards it runs a group kf six chairs. The table pulls itself quickly to the center of the room and the chairs follow to reside around it.
"I was attending a bussiness. So sit down and wait." Caster is direct and sharp tongued. The group was obviously inconveniencing her.
The old lady slowly moves to another room through a door.
"Best if you take the lead for now. I feel it's best if we don't lie." said Ciel as she felt that honesty might be the best solution.
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The hell is he speaking about? he spoke only to his allied servant as he locked his gunsights on the man's head.Ready to fire?"Good as any signal."
"Open fire! with that he tightened his trigger to take the man by surprise
As safe as surrounded by vampiric chimera. He answer as he dodge another attempt to bite him.I will if I have no other choice.
Well... For everyone they stand atop a little rocky incline, and just beyond the rock a ways down... Inside a pit... Was a bunny, an unsuspecting, cute little bunny. One that EMIYA is very familiar with.
This bunny is munching on a flower right now like a normal bunny.The size of a normal bunny, so tiny.
This is animal abuse. It's a normal bunny!!!This is animal abuse. It's a normal bunny!!!
It yelped in pain like a normal bunny, beaten bloody by a bunch of servants...And in an instant, Emiya killed the bunny??But... Then the boss music starts playing. No like actually Da Vinci queued up boss music from Devil May Cry.The bunny wakes the fuck up, bites Aki and rips through their chest, killing them instantly. Which causes them to be ejected from the simulation, then proceeds to hop on over to Yag and bite him!!
Finally the bunny is felled... But not after ripping and tearing through multiple servants, very well killing 2, killing a master, and absolutely nearly destroying the third one... While the last master kinda just hid...
Intercom Announcement: Oh hey look, you beat the level 4 bunny. Nice job everyone!Intercom Announcement: Next time we do the level five bunny!!Intercom: We have only 8 so far so good luck in trying to beat them all!!Intercom: Do you wanna try level 5?Intercom: Do you wanna try level 5?
Greetings, members of Chaldea. Or at least, those who could be called fast enough to answer this request. A situation has arisen. While the canopy grows thicker in here and the movement of war makes everything messier... A report makes it clear: There is movement within Enniashe, and it is quite big. Too big to go unnoticed. As if legions and legions of untold horrors marched to defend the Heart. This cannot be allowed.
With the newfound help that NATO has once again given to Chaldea, you are now flying in a C-17 Globemaster III, a tactical carrier, into what would usually be Slovakian airspace. Of course, with so many trees, you wouldn't even fucking notice from above.
"Alright! We're on top of the dropping point, rest's up to you, Chaldea! Opening backdoor." Said the pilot, as the back slowly revealed the outside, allowing the group to dive right into the dark forest.
It would be quite the fall, for most people that is.
Of course, you are not normal people.
Careful Master, this one can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. said Ortlinde telepathically to her master.
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Well alright, if that's what you want...
I call to the power vested in me as a master. By the power of this command seal, Berserker I command you to stand and fight... Recover!
@Game Ping 3
"Master, are you alright? Do you need me to fall back to your position?" said Ortlinde as she would try to endure the barrage of attacks coming at her. It seemed that this Berserker class servant could get through a good portion of her defenses.
Don't worry, I managed to avoid the worst of that attack. Given we only have three people and a berserker we're at a mass disadvantage. Sorry but I'm gonna have to ask you to push yourself so we can make it through this. If I don't take this servant down soon then I'll need you to come over here.
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Are you still good to go Ortlinde? If you need a heal I can provide one with my command seals."No need. We have just defeated Berserker and the rest of them seem to be crumbling now. This is just clean up duty. Stay safe and hidden while the rest of us clean this up." Ah, Simulations. There are the new vibe, now that we are so close to facing the King of Mages, Chaldea's last obstacle in the restoration of the Human Order. Staff is being overworked, the Director and the Technical Advisor are busy with their calculations, Master and Servant are being put to the test, a true blitz, you could say!
One of those simulation missions was about to begin, in fact.
"We have gained a good amount of information about the Demon God Pillars from the battles we have waged against them, so today, we would like to perform a Simulation to see if our members are all capable of facing them, seeing that most reports of them being defeated consist mostly of what you could call, the top of the top, ahem."
"In other words... Do you feel up to the task?" Declares the other voice behind the intercom, daring you to stand up to the challenge!
"You sound prepared. Good. Starting simulation, then."
Soon, all systems prepared to project the established mission... Cold, like the one felt in the Germania Singularity, started to blow, as snow soon dominated the landscape... And ice became the building stones, with your enemy on sight: A Demon God Pillar, or at least, a copy of it.I will consume all that stands in our way, Master. Just give me the order and I'll be more than glad to fulfill it. She communicates with her Master via their telepathic bond.
That's what I'm here to see, Vánagandr. Consume this thing like any other obstacle.
"Good to see you too, Koyanskaya." Waving back, Wiltrud turns to the beastmaster with a calm nod. "How's that business you were talking about forming?"The False Demon Pillar God screeches back at Vánagandr, as if to met its growl. Finally, a worthy opponent, our battle will be legendary!
And I shall do just that. She replies to her master.
As the False Demon Pillar God accepts her challenge, the wolf grins. Ice begins to form around her as she is ready to engage and begin their battle.And with that, the Demon God Pillar is slain! It screeches at its life dissappears, leaving only pixels of dust that the simulation deletes. The last of its minions is also taken care of.
"Good job, team! You're pretty formidable, now-" ... And suddenly.
The wind picks up. You no longer hear the intercom, but the cold grows greater. Could it be something wrong with the simulation?What is happening? She asks.
Vánagandr gets goosebumps and growls, darting her eyes around and moving in a circle to observe and protect herself and her master.I... don't know, this is... "Hey, can anyone outside hear me? Something's wrong, shut the simulation down now!"Wiltrud calls, but nobody answers. Truly, you are cut off from the outside for an instant.
You see it, in the distance... As if the Simulation suddenly had grown beyond its established boundaries. Shk, shk, shk... You all hear, while something approaches. A humanoid figure, a shadow as if from the distant past.The figure finally stops, observing you from the distance. It looks vaguely like a man, but it would be more accurately perhaps to describe it as a shadow. You do not see its eyes, yet it feels like it were judging you with its gaze. It raises a hand, to point at one of you... At the Wolf of Ragnarok. To spell a single name. One that has been lost to time.
"Fenrisulfr...""The Wolf of Ragnarok exists to consume the very gods. Yet you place your trust on that which may strike you down, to protect Human Order?" The shadow speaks in hushed tones, as if it were difficult for it to do so frequently. (edited)"Ha... Cowardly deities, you say? Very well. Then, allow me to clarify."
And it raises the other hand... Or rather, the limb where the right hand would be, for there is only a stump in there.
"I stand to you, not as part of the cowardly Aesir, but as the only one brave enough for you. I am questioning their legitimacy. You seem confident. Then answer me this."
"Can you bear the burden, the sins, the plights of Humanity, as you fight to restore it? Even though you are not human at all?" (edited)"... If that is your answer, so be it. Show me your strength, that which made even the Allfather tremble, haha..." With a dry laugh, he raises the only hand he has... From which gigantic chains appear upon the battlefield! As well as many golden hands, and more of the frozen wights.We'll make sure you're not interrupted, so he's all yours~ 
The shadow does not answer, simply defending itself from the furious blows as best as it can."It may not be my right to pry, but I certainly expected worse. Could it be that mankind has made you kinder?" Asks the shadow, as it strikes back."Hm! Your resolve is strong, but... Not yet. Not yet." He says, for himself.That's the last I can give here, Vánagandr... Not that I'd regret it. I know you can finish things, so get rid of this pain in the ass!“三千世界に屍を晒すが良い…天魔轟臨！これが魔王の「三千世界」じゃあ！”
After her chant, hundreds upon hundreds of rifles formed in quick succession around her, forming a circle of death below as the matchlocks fired just as rapidly. Magical bullets rained from the sky as some of the simulated snow should melt at the rain of fire Nobunaga had unleashed.
“…是非もなし。” She finished, landing back on her flying rifle.The frozen wrights are obliterated in an instant, turned to nothingness by the burning hot bullets. The shadow cannot do anything but defend itself as best as it can.
"Haha..." Said, a bit in pain "So this is the power to turn the Gods away? I see, I see. But not yet! Your test is not complete yet."The chains would be rise from under the ground, and attempt to bind all the present!The shadow is heavily hurt. It does not truly possess the strength nor the resilience of a Divine Spirit, and yet, it fights. And yet, it continues.
"Fenrir...! No, Vánagandr, if that's the name you have taken for yourself! Why did you make the contract with the human? Why is it you fight for them?!" As if seeking an answer, as if waiting to hear her say it."What are you fighting for?!"..."Yes...""Yes, that's the answer I've been waiting for, ahaha..."Slowly, the shadow stands up, and drops its sword to the snowy ground. The rest of the hands go up in flames, and the chains too are soon vanished."I always thought it was a shame it had to end like this. The Norns and fate are fickle things.""I do apologize for the inconvenience. But I did think it was necessary.""After all, a friend is one that comes when you're having a rough time, now isn't that true?"
... And slowly, it tries to reach for the wolf's snout."A great fight is ahead. But I'm sure you can make it through. Devour the threat to Mankind, then, friend. That is what you are meant to do."
*He looks at Nobunaga* "Geez, those projectiles were really a pain in my bones, haha... You're fearsome."
*Then at Wiltrud* "Make sure to protect her. You have a good friend yourself."
*And finally, at Koyanskaya* "... Hm. If you can stand alongside a semi-Deity yourself, you must have progressed a lot.""But oh well, it is not in the hands of the gods of old to save humanity. It is on yours. See you later, buddy." And he turns around, to disappear on the distance......
And then, communications are reestablished.
"- You copy? Hey, what happened?! Suddenly it turned off for a second, is everybody alright?" Welcome to the Simulation Room, once more! Today, a Mysterious Swordsman™️ has decided to give what could be described as special training on what swordsmanship refers, and you are the ones that have come to such a seminar! A green plain covers it all as far as the eye can see, some trees, and nothing else. A place without so much as something to worry about, perfect for meditation and self-reflection."Thank you for coming." Says the voice on the other side of the inter-com. "Due to the approaching need to face the Demon Pillars, we are doing some final preparations, and this is not an exception. This exercise is to go through some principles of what it means to wield a sword, and how to. Any questions?"
"We'll go through some fundamentals of the craft, coupled with practical exercises and applications of said fundamentals. Ultimately, more of the sword is learnt through actual combat than through mere word of mouth." (edited)"Do you have any other questions, or shall we begin?" (edited)
"Very well, let's begin for a simple question."
"What does it mean to wield a sword? Anybody can lift a sword, they could grasp it, perhaps even swing it decently, but to use it properly is a craft that takes time, perseverance, and practice. To have a sword is different to using it. A sword, ultimately, is not a friend of yours or a loved one. It is a tool meant to slay men, and it may slay you as well if you think of it otherwise."
"So, for your first task, let us see what does it mean to wield a sword."
"Kill this rat."
"A blade is a blade, don't you think so?""Now, answer me this, who has lost this exchange? Why?""Did you wish to kill the rat yourself? Or just to see it gone? Did you wish to save it? To preserve it? Or just follow these instructions in order to attain some higher meaning on the sword?""The answer is that the one that does not have the strength to carry out their wishes, is the one that loses. Hesitation is defeat here. As soon as you will it, it must be for you like it is already done.
"This is the first lesson. To wield a sword is to have power over life and death, particularly, by deciding who gets not to live any longer. You must not forget the meaning of death, never. It is a dangerous and foolish thing to do, especially when wielding a sword."
"Yes, the result is the same. But do not disregard the methods. A swordsman who focuses on the result of cutting is the most hateful thing there is in existence.""With that, we follow into our second test. Now that we know that to wield a sword is to wield death, let me ask you, does that mean that wielding a sword is evil? No matter the context, most humans see killing as an unpleasant thing. And they would not like to be killed themselves. Thus, you could say that indeed, if killing is evil, a sword which is meant to kill cannot be good.""Do you agree with such reasoning?""Now, with your enemies slain, what do you conclude? Is using a sword, evil?""Now, with your enemies slain, what do you conclude? Is using a sword, evil?"
"Interesting observation of yours. Indeed, it is in its wielder to decide. But if you protected the commoners, is it not just a sign of the good a sword can do?""A sword is not evil by itself, but it can do evil. Do not confuse the two.""Interesting observation of yours. Indeed, it is in its wielder to decide. But if you protected the commoners, is it not just a sign of the good a sword can do?"
"Indeed. Now, we know what it means to wield a sword. It can be used to do evil, like slaying an innocent, or to do good, like protecting an innocent. It depends on the will of whoever holds it.""Now, a riddle for you. What do you think the word 'disease' means for the swordsman?""Disease is obsession. To worry about one's technique is disease. To worry about your skills, to hesitate, is disease. To even think of disease, is disease on itself.""To think too much, in other words, is the downfall of the swordsman. Make your thoughts clear at the beginning, so that they are not needed to think of during battle.""Good luck.""Indeed. A swarm is a swarm. That is what it means to get rid of disease. I do not mean to say you should not think of things, but sometimes, thought is an obstruction for the sword." (edited)"With that being said, let us proceed to our next test. We know what it means to wield a sword, and what is it to use it. But I ask you, what is a sword?"
@Game Ping 3"In other words, a sword depends on who wields it, just as whenever it's meant for good or evil.""A good conception. But not enough. For your next exercise, let us practice that principle.""If a sword is a tool, what is a swordsman once he no longer has such a tool?""Now that's more like it. Let us see you put it in practice."
"Quite the show of strength. Well done, and congratulations for making it through these tests. For that is the final lesson: The sword is but an extension of the swordsman. What matters is not your weapon, but you. You must beware of the swordsman who wields no blade. Become such a person, and even if you lack a sword, you will never lose a thousand battles. But Mister Nagato seems to know this principle by heart." And the weapons are returned to where they came from.
"I hope that through these lessons, your swordmanship reaches new highs.
Or that you decide to become a farmer." The intercom suppresses the need to chuckle to its own joke. 
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This is the real deal. She thought to herself.
Excitement begins to fill the Saber servant’s system. A grin painted on her face.
Mordred doesn’t say anything to the Demon God Pillar. She’d rather use her actions as a way to show her defiance. So with that, she rocks on her helmet and prepares to move. Assisting Chaldea’s glorious campaign of restoring humanity.
It’s do or die.
Oh my...! You know what they say... Out of the frying pan and into the fire. I know it's summer but that's some intense tan you guys are getting here...! So if you had to rate your odds how high would they be?
The familiar voice of BB came trough the Chaldea Communication Network. It had seemed as if the rogue AI was observing the encounter. Yep and it was absolutely amusing to watch you all get burnt buuuut I would like you all to ultimately succeed so...~! Your beloved Kouhai is going to send over what assistance she can! ★ Use it well! Try not to die. Incident reports take me the longest to write up.Regardless. Try to be careful, if it becomes truly necessary I might be able to provide additional help but it's incredibly hard even for someone like me to interfere with the Temple of Time. Good luck! By the way, the blondie seems to be in a pickle. You might wanna help her out.What?
Shiki was here!?WHY DID NO ONE TELL HER ABOUT THIS--
"Geez. It appears as if this fight isn't going too well now is it?" That does indeed seem problematic... Well then, I definitely wasn't gonna do this but you might just have stumbled into a whole mess of a situation there piglets. Very well, allow the lovely underclassman to assist you even more~ To be fair, what is a cheater against another cheater hmmm Aim~? Don't try and pretend that this whole set up wasn't one big cheat field advantage after all! Though before I go for it... I have to ask~!
Would you prefer a change of scenary, a wonderful BB brand assist or perhaps to see it suffer~?
@Game Ping 3Don't get greedy! Senpai would kill me if I gave you more than one!Hmmh! Alright. Let me just...Aha~!How wonderful. Alright! Listen up all you piggies~ I'm about to bring you a whole world of trouble and assistance! Granted... Don't expect this type of help twice. As wonderful as your Kouhai is, I doubt this trick will work twice going forward...!
BB! Status update... Was the operation successful?Partially--! As expected the King of Magecraft isn't making this easy for me...!Yet... Just as the last strike connected- suddenly the very fabric of the Reality Marble begun to crumble away into nothing.
"Ugh-- Yeah this... This is proving to be more difficult than I thought--!" The voice of BB called out as suddenly, the reality marble collapsed all around them, returning them all back into the great Furnace.
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"I'll monitor your activities, but I'll switch off the hologram to avoid suspicion."
Result: 1d10 (9)
Total: 9...Master. Predators. Incoming.Understood.
"Be on guard. There are predators coming our way."I have seen Genoa, Hippolytus. I'm aware of where Pragmatism may lead....Good. Then you will know to avoid it. Should you approach that territory... I shall be terminating our contract.And you.I expect nothing less.A Thiarna na Faiche
(O' Lord of the Green)
Cé a brainsí sroicheann go léir
canadh linn
(Whose roots reach all the earth, sing with us)
A Thiarna na Faiche
(O' Lord of the Green)
A bhfuil brainsí dteagmháil leis na Spéartha
(Whose branches touch the skies)
Beidh an pionta isteach leat go luath!
(The pious will soon join you!)""What's the meaning to this?! What sorcery is this?!""Fear not, my comrades! Whatever this may be, our task remains the same! Onwards, to spread the word of the Lords!" Rallied a third one, inspiring them to continue, to walk... Without knowing it would prove fatal.What's happening?!"
"What's the meaning of this?!"
"A demon! A demon is here!"
"AAAAAAAAH!"Now!Understood, Master!
Hippolytus sprung into action. With a prayer to Zeus, the first arrow flew into the web, the shock igniting it as he then rapidly laid arrow after arrow into that mage, felling him before the explosion had even receded, moving on to the other mage and laying an arrow into its bodyguard for good measure."A dragon! A demon!"
"It's the end!"
"LORDS, PLEASE, SAVE US!" They screamed in panic, confusion and fear as they saw the horrendous visage."When did the walls come from?!"
"Is it the cult's doing?! I've heard their drums!"
"But look! They're burning! The cultists are burning!" *They say at eachother, observing your slaughter.Bishop, sir, there is a demon! We cannot match them! Please, save us! Save yourself!"Is it true, that the Cult is your enemy?" A person speaks
"Is it true, are you demons?" Another says
"Will you hurt us?" A third intercedes...
And finally...
"... is it true, that you will protect this town? Why? What is it that you want?" (edited)Caster. Come to me when you can. @Sophie, Mary, Nito, Gorgon, Boud 1 ◉◉◉◉
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We will not be swayed by your lies, demons! By the glory of our God Lords, riches and glory will be ours too! Onwards, to battle!" Did the cultist raiders rally, recklessly ready to die for their gods."This is an horrible idea! We got the superiority and the numbers! There's not need to use ___that___ beast!"
"I will not have us lose to the Chaldean Demons! An example must be done of them! Release it!"
"... *Sigh* We're gonna die, aren't we?"
In the name of the God Lords, DIEEEE!" shouts one at the top of his lungs, as he lunges in to stab your face in.
Ah, about time you finished up, Tsukuyomi-san. Thank you for handling it while I was occupied~
Clapping her hands, she raises her voice as if to make an announcement, while divine light fills the area and any cultists still advancing abruptly find themselves freezing up.
"All of you, this is my territory now~ The panic you are feeling is only natural, I recommend you heed it! Of course, surrender to me is also an option~ Otherwise, take your ships and leave, if you would not hand them over."
Pausing for a moment, she gestures towards where the Hound was thrown. "Oh, and they are no longer yours. Do not attempt to approach."
Something something, sibling something something. That was all Hime got from her.Eloquent as always, sister. Will the other you come out? The solar eclipse continued watching over the main Chaldea base, like a glancing eye that casted judgement upon the whole land. An orange tint of ominousness that carried the dark clouds, in a never ending twilight.
The civilians were uneasy. Yes, they were safe, and Chaldea was not requesting of their undying loyalty unlike the God Lords. Yet since the arrival of the Holy Progenitor the other dsy, there has been an atmosphere of uncertainty.Stay on guard.
What competition? She does remember I have no offensive magecraft and Archer looks and is built like a Green Bean Caster Thought to herself
️ - Dublin?
️ - The Mines? 5 1As preparations were made, and all was set, the team made their way towards the city of Dublin, capital of the republic of Ireland in Proper Human History. The walk was uneventful for the most part, for it was strangely quite... Very much so. No birds flying in the distance, or animals hiding on the grass. Just you and the passage of the wind.*
*One hour becomes two hours and soon enough you begin to see the walled entrance of Dublin, a merchant center since the 9th century, and the capital for a long time. It seemed normal... From a distance. One of the city gates is of course, protected by knights covered in green garbs and armors of relucent silver.I shall go in first. Should things go badly, I can handle myself well. This will make it easy for the rest of you to escape. said Penthesilea telepathically to her master and the servants here. She would then start to move forward to the gates."Stop. Who may you be, and what business do you have in the city of Dublin?""..."
"The God Lords grants you entry. Praise the Lord of Growth, from which all things green come. Praise the glory of the God Lords.""D-Devil of Galway.. She was a state of despairMaster, I am detecting a powerful spirit origin. We should prepare for combat. It is likely it has sense us as well. said Penthesilea as she then attempted to see if she could locate direction of the servant.Understood, Berserker. Prepare for combat if necessary.Master, I believe the spirit origin is the ominous figure in the distance. While they might not be coming for us, they could inform other people of our presence. Stay alert. said Penthesilea telepathically to her master and her fellow servants.We should head towards it, see what they are. Information is important.That sounds like a poor course of action. I think We should try to avoid that spirit originWhile I will not deliver the first strike, I will prepare for combat. said Penthesilea telepathically. This wasn't a combat mission but things could easily go south.Shall I stay in position, nothing funny yet but I'll keep an eye outCaster, avoiding danger will only result in someone else having to deal with it without information. We have the option to run.
At least it's not Greek. said Penthesilea telepathically to her master.
I suppose so
*As someone who has deslt with leaders and their promises before... You can note that while the Servant is sincere about what he says, as if believed on it, there was a part that he was omitting.*
*However, that was not the important part. It wasn't natural that the people just calmed down like that, it was almost like they were drawn by a super-natural force of personality, that got the attention and morale of those they spoke to, and to make them do as they say. It is likely due to a high rank Charisma skill from the servant.* (edited)Master, these people almost seem brainwashed. Either out of desperation or just the lord of Rome's personality. I don't think we're in immediate danger but something is clearly wrong with this town.. . . This is disgusting. Let us search for other information. Leave them to their machinations for the time being. With that Theano turned around to head off quietlyShould we not watch how the ritual unfolds? This may give them some kind of strange ability or power? said Penthesilea as she was here to gather information and this could be vital.It's up to you master, just say the word and I can try to follow them at a distance. He might be able to sense me though I doubt he'll be able to see my actual form, though it depends on how much of a risk you want to take.Can assume that they know some folks of Chaldea is here..Either they would be high and mighty or know there isn't much we can do while in their City..
If you don't object, I would at least like to watch from a distance. said Penthesilea telepathically to her master.Do as you wish, Berserker.Van, is that a Servant too?Far above my wages on my own unfortunately. Very very strong. That was what she said as she was a bit thankful that they managed to take their leave from that selection.Should we stay in one bar or spread out to cover more ground Master?Stay together were in the beasts lair.Alright I'll try and stick close and just listen in on some conversations.Alright I'll try and stick close and just listen in on some conversations. "I ain't horse-shitting you mate, I know what I saw! It was just out of the corner of my eye, but I saw the knights carry a giant cage, and it must've been quite pungent, because goddamn did it smell from where I was. It was howling snd everything!"
-"Ha! Maybe the Chaldean Devils poisoned your drink! Go find a Bishop to get them out of your system! Ahaha!" (edited)Master, stay focus on the mission. This situation may not be acceptable but for now we must bear with it. Chaldea is counting on us. said Penthesilea telepathically to her master as she looked for a spot that was out of sight so that she could manifest.Master, you, Archer and Petra are being watched. They are the one dressed in Black, they are seated in the Corner.
I also overheard some information about the Hound.I wish to kill them all, Penthesilea. They're cowards and a bunch of complacent devil's. This place has no innocents. Just a bunch of sheep already convinced that the wolves preying upon them are their saviours. Its frankly... Disgusting. Do you expect me to simply accept it? Yet her eyes moved towards the dark figure.I do have an idea in fact. A simple one. With that theano lingered for a few long moments. Caster. Would you be capable of poisoning the towns water source? Be it trough contamination or artificial means....I cannot.How come? I'm quite certain we would have a way to execute such a strategy.Allow me to rephrase that then Master, I refuse.. . . They use blood to power their ritual. Contaminating the supply might lead to it being incapable of being continued. As she was nudged by Petra, the girl glanced away and sat down.I Refuse. Hua said in an angry tone towards FeeIf you wish to do that then ask Archer, I refuse.Archer. Same question.Master that seems a little excessive, but perhaps we could make them a little sick if you just wanted to halt whatever dark witchcraft they're up to here. But I think we should at least know what happens to the chosen and the gathered blood first no?I'll be blunt here, Archer. These people are clear collaborators. Even if the influence of the enemy servant had helped they are extremely eager to assist them. Even if we somehow 'saved them from the Lords influence they'd still not support us. They are the cowards that decided to not put up a fight or even betrayed their own for the sake of their Lords.I'd rather have a way to dispose of their blood supply for a longer term than a short term solution.We could try to burn that tree down but I feel they will simply make another one.Van, are you here? I need you to watch someone.There is a difference between submitting for survival and happily working with these that killed your neighbours.
Besides. Berserker is right. They most likely would just do that.Master, I'm well aware of how people act when under a strict tyranny perhaps better than a great deal other servants. Furthermore I know how much of a mistake it can be to take matters into your own hands and act rashly. If you really think we need to buy time I'll go along with your plan but I'm not murdering innocents, not unless were certain of their intentions.But if we kill the servant conducting the ritual and then burn down the tree, that may put an end to it. said Penthesilea telepathically as she tried to come up with a solution that would please everyone. It was a Queen job to take care of her people and to lead them.That is assuming they are the one who made the tree.. . . Leave it as it is then, Archer. With that Theano glanced away. She was done strategizing and it was clear her plans simply made her servants upset. We stand no chance in a fight against them here.If not, then why have the servant do the ritual. Would it not be easier to get a town guard to do so, one of those knights in green?Understood "Ahaha, sorry about that ladies now where was I?" Robin said getting back to his merrymaking.What if we call for reinforcements? Does anyone here have territory creation or the ability to make those teleport circles? If we called for reinforcements, we could win the fight.Setting up a Territory in this Region would be like lighting a flare in the dead of night.Should I make a funny joke on how gloomy this place is? Almost feel befitting of me. *She said half hearted to Petra.Perhaps we should simply report this back to Chaldeas, they could probably put together a much better team for this sort of mission as opposed to us trying to rush into it now.We could always wait and see if the servant leaves the town. He has already left once before, so it may happen again.I believe Archer’s choice would be bestShould I make a funny joke on how gloomy this place is? Almost feel befitting of me. *She said half hearted to Petra.
Your jokes are nice, I'd like it~ But I want you to watch that person in black clothes. If they're suspicious, kill them.Suspicious person in a place...I'll look after them.. Well it wasn't as if she had any plans of leaving her spirit form. She shall keep an eye out on the person.Master, I shall follow him. said Penthesilea who was still invisible. Assuming there were no objections, she would start to follow the Man in DarkShe was given a task...So she would go and follow suit as well.Fee, I am currently tracking the mysterious man but he is headed towards the spirit origin from before. We shall continue to proceed with caution. said Penthesilea telepathically as she continued to relay information to her master.Underaood. Feel free to act as you see fit.
1Interesting, seems he has entered by a hidden entrance that leads to the church. I can continue to follow but that might result in me getting found out. Should we all meet up, should I continue try to stay hidden as best I can and continue to follow or do you wish me to fall back? asked Penthesilea telepathically. She was eager to continue to follow the strange man but she understood how they needed to work like a team.He is going to the servant from before ..Eventful.. She mumbled back to PetraDon't go that far, has that Servant come out to meet him?Not that I can see.He is idle for the time being.I don't think I can follow without causing issues. So I will fall back for now. said Penthesilea telepathically as she would return to the others.Van, let's regroup for now.And on the order she will slip away and back to her master."Ahaha! See, now you gotta live up to the tale bud, ohoho!"
The man, Shawn, wasn't so amused "What? I know what I saw, piss off if you don't believe it. I'll rather be drinking that having everybody tell me that I'm wrong." He said, taking another sip of his ale"Don't listen to him, fella, he's just gonna waste your time."
"And don't listen to him, he has ale up to the ears." Retorted Shawn "Anyway... Well shit, if you actually saw it, you already know more than I do... Lesse, it was dark, but I'm sure that it was like... 4 of those knight guys, the green ones, carrying the cage. Dunno to where, but if you ask me, I've heard the Church's basement is pretty big. And some folks I've known have been complaining about a foul smell around the place the other day, worst than dung. So that would be my number one bet."
"...You don't happen to be one of those dark church guys now are ya? I want to make sure I ain't getting trouble.' (edited)"Oooh, now we got a hunter! Tell you what, if you bring the head I buy drinks for everybody, now how's that?"
"Ha, don't wanna tell you off, but you look pretty scrawny... If you manage to, though, I'll shut my mouth."Did we gather any more information? asked Penthesilea telepathically as she had almost returned to the others.Looks like they might be keeping more than dusty old books in the Church basement, think that's our ticket.A shame we don't have an Assassin class servant with us, they would have excelled here. But we will have to make do. Let us head back to this Church and see what other information we can gather.Guess I'm more of an Assassin than an Archer at times though even I can't keep myself that well hidden. We'll make our way out and rendezvous."What is it that the servants of the God Lord may do for you, dear? It is not time for the communal prayer yet.""..."
"It is not good to lie, dearie. State your business. Do you truly wish to hear more about the Grace of the Lord of the North, or have you come to see the Selection?" She speaks, mather of fact-ly, as if seeing through your deception. No, rather, as she knew already it was a deception from the beginning."It seems apparent to me that you are curious about it. The generosity of the Lord of Growth is limitless for the faithful... But for you, Chaldeans, it has its limits."
"There should be inns in this town with good housing and food for you.""Do not twist my words. It's for the faithful after all. And we're busy, so I'm afraid we cannot bring you accommodation at this moment even if we were pleased to.""If you were to abandon your ways and become part of the Cloth, however... That would change matters.""Of course. Follow the river into the offering, the big construction, and you will find a good one, with a horse-shoe. The owner of it is a good friend of ours, earnest and faithful."Looks like they're aware we're in town, we don't need to hide our intentions anymore at least but I'd advise even more caution now while you're down there. How are things looking so far?Understood, we will stay on guard.
1"You! You will pay for your sins with your blood!"Annoying... Oh well.Master, is everything alright? If you need, we can start to make our way to you.Don't.The plan has not changed. Proceed with it.Van, trouble's started here, we should regroup and leave now. Can you come meet me?I trust them to handle themselves. I can already sense Penthesilea and Hua heading their way.Let us keep our distance.It's best we do so. 2
Hey, Archer, how about not telling the enemy my identity? said Penthesilea telepathically to Archer.Seriously?
Apologies, seems that caught me off guard.It's alright Archer just don't mess up that bad again!
Berserker, tie him down.
Archer, provide covering fire alongside myself.
Caster, ensure we can withstand a powerful strike.Information is worth stalling for. Especially if we will have assistance soon.Understood master! said Penthesilea telepathically back to her master. She would then look at the enemy heroic spirit. "LET ARES HEAR US ROAR!" yelled Penthesilea as she got ready for combat.I shall set up my Bounded Fields for my Healing Magecraft, It will take some time to fully set up but I shall do all that I can.. Hua sounded unsure while speaking, drawing her needles to her hand
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Archer! Please get stabbed less It's hard to heal you when your so far away! Hua said in a sarcastic tone
Keep it up! You can handle this guy!
The team would set in an 2 hour journey around the Irish plains... Nothing to worry about, the Cultists didn't seem close, and Assassin would guide the way...
Assassin, you notice lots of different tracks that do not concord with animal footprints, and though they kind of look humanoid, they're malformed. Some even have tracks that seem like they dragged stuff... All in direction of the mines.*
Soon, you find the place. An opening in the earth, as if it were a giant mouth. And close by... You see some tents, a fireplace still smoking. There's people here. (edited)There is a Bounded Field in place, simple in manufacture, to not let stuff in or out, the foundation seems to be runic in nature. You could probably find a way in yourself with some effort...They seem to be seated in their tent... A dozen, at maximum. Dark clothes... Robes, perhaps. They hold something in their hands, bowls, could they be having lunch maybe? They mostly talk among themselves. (edited)"a Dozen People at Maximum, Bounded Field guarding the Entrance to the Mines."
"What approach do you guys prefer?""Did you not hear him? By the Lord of Growth, we're not letting people in. If you want riches, go to the river or find a leprechaun. Shoo, shoo." Speaking normally, he would try to further deter em, helping hi bud (edited)"Art thou questioning the wisdom of the Lord of Growth?" At Beatriz's remark, the first cultist growled
"Easy there. If the Lord of Growth says nobody passes, nobody passes. Go your own way, now." The other cultist said (edited)Let's offer them a swift end."We are to secure the Cave. I'm going to take a look."Into the depths of the Earth, would Emiya descend, once the Bounded Field is broken... A small descend, followed directly into the main shaft. It wasn't very deep, but it has a number of passages.
However, it's all obscured by what you find inside. Instead of the treasures of silver or copper inside, you find the walls... Splattered with carcasses and corpses. Bodies, not only rotten, but malformed far beyond what their anatomical limits would allow. From many there are white growths, but you would need a light source to discern the colours. There are some even in the roof ahead of you, both animal and human. A disgusting scenery.*
*Worth of all. Some of the bodies are arranged in a way reminiscent of certain sacrificial rituals... That are perfomed by Witchcraft users.*"Corpses posed in Sacrificial Poses. Witchcraft.""..Correction. Not Dead."And indeed, for the half-dead would begin to arise... And scream in pain, as they shuffled towards you. It would ring around the whole mine.
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1Why is it that every time the mission is organized poorly Meuniere is the one organizing it?
She complained in her mental link before simply shaking her head.I think he was too busy buying Art of that Pink haired Rider and Blonde Saber Master
I think he was too busy buying Art of that Pink haired Rider and Blonde Saber Master
Thank you for choosing Chaldea Airlines! If you see at your left, you'll see the Lough Ree, and at your right, you see the lush forests and green plains of Ireland! Look at the distance, a rainbow even! Perhaps at the end will you find a leprechaun and some gold... It was a clear day.| (edited)Thankfully, it was a mostly un-eventful trip thanks to the choice of transportation. By Meuniere's check-ups, you knew that you entered what would be North Ireland, a bit near the frontier. However, for Nobunaga it was clear her mana wouldn't sustain this forever. Unless you choose to push through, as well as the Pegasi, it seems apparent that you might require to go down and have a rest to charge mana.*
*There's also the fact you've been 8 hours into the trip, though the perpetual solar eclipse did not help much with the sense of passage of time.*You notice in the distance figures, and not just from birds... Too big to be normal birds, or too erratic. You truly have the advantage of the skies, that is true, but you're not alone on that aspect.
At least your presence has not be noted. That much is certain.This is the realm of the God Lords. This place is not meant for your kind. What do you seek here?""Why should we believe the brethen of Chaldea? It has brought nothing but disaster to the faithful." (edited)"Hmph."
As an answer, the angel looks into the sky, like it was waiting for a confirmation from the Heavens."An invitation for the one that carries the flames of 'Muspelheim', yes. May that be you, perhaps?""..."
The angel continues to look at the sky. Weird."You are to go to Belfast, in that case. The Selection will soon take place, and in there may you find your way within the sacred halls of the Lord of Growth."
"That, is the mercy that he grants thee. Do not disturb these folks, nor the faithful." (edited)"The angels of the Lords will proceed to watch." And it returns from where it came."Hey, Guys! There's *another* thing watching us! It keeps coming and going though."Any more info you can provide?"I'll try catching it.""I think there's more than one."They won't attack us here either, clearly. Just stand there and keep them distracted.
"Did you want me to keep them here all night!?"
"It's alright. You don't move, I don't move.."
"Nothing needs to go down.."Yes, exactly. Do not engage, do not use up energy, ~~do not pass GO~~. I simply do not want to be watched by those things.We need to be careful about all this."They.. left."
Well. That was anti climatic.
It's time for her to slowly retreat.
Dominance has been established.Hua what did you do. 1
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1Should I get out of the Bag? Or was I Interrupting something master?"We pray for the Selection to come, O' child. For the Holy Progenitor, the arm of the Lord, to come, and take us into the green halls of the Lord of Growth.""Hmm? You don't know? Poor of you, the Selection is for the most faithful and blessed, for those whose blood is mirthful and pure.""Hmmm, I don't quite remember... Last Selection, they took around 14 of us to their halls, but I'm confident in that in the next one, my faith will be rewarded!" (edited)
O child.
Eye twitch.
We should move onwards, correct master?Off you go, once again, towards the skies of this dreaded land, covered in a sick orange. Going further into the North Irish lands, however, you receive a signal. What kind of trouble?How closer are we to BelfastShould we attempt to avoid them?"Maybe they're here to escort us? Who knows.. Either way, I'll keep you safe."That could be the case? But we can’t be sure*Suddenly, you hear an horrific shriek fall into the forest where you land, a declaration that should be enough to say: You will not escape.*
@Game Ping 3Here we went into a second attempt! Sky is slightly grey, you can hear some grumbling from above... Hopefully, it wasn't a sign.
This time, the hologram would be from a different staff member than the one who was there last time. Perhaps as a change of focus.
"Ahem, good day, team. For this instance, mister Meuniere will be undisposed of due to medical reasons, so I'll be your team support. Our goal, going into the offensive, will be for you to reach the supposed Triangle of Growth, the main domain of the Lord of this land, and find a way in."
"Now, let's recapitulate. The Triangle is actually a dome made from magical reinforced vines and folliage that covers an area of kilometers, being as big as a modern metropolis. The cover it has gives us readings to suggest that Anti-Army and even Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasms will not put a scratch on it, which in other words, means that entry by force will be complicated. Luckily, that's why we have called Caster, Nursery Rhyme, for this ocassion, as her... particular nature, could provide an entrance.
We were to go into the city of Belfast, but that went awry. Apparently, witches are protecting the border between us and Northern Ireland. We can fend them off and retreat, but I must warn extreme caution. Find a way to either avoid them or make your way through, by whatever means."
"Any other questions?"
The woman said, to the members gathered here.
@Game Ping 3
"Once you arrive at the location, secure a position for us to use later on to prepare a siege. We cannot divine what's in the inside, so to have you attempt to a strike on the Lord without further information would be too reckless.""It's magical, so far we have no reason to believe it would deny you entry per say... Since you possess Anti-World capabilities, perhaps you could mold it into a way that gives us an entry."
"... You could say so, yes. Go with whatever methods you find more preferable. But I expect heavy resistance."
"... Ahem." *Hoping the Berserker doesn't kill the Rider or that Rider doesn't shag Berserker, whatever happens first, the mission control intercedes.*
"If there are no further questions, best of luck. I'll be observing your journey and answering your questions."
"The Triangle of Growth is at Belfast's west, more or less.""The Triangle of Growth is at Belfast's west, more or less."
I do hope it is not uncomfortable, I did place some pillows in the chance it is.Off did the team go, into the skies without any disturbance this time! It didn't seem like it would rain, not yet. A orange tint did however not truly leave the scenery. A fundsmental part of this world.
You would traverse through the Irish planes, when you first see a little walled town, crossed by a river. Ruler would find the place a bit familiar, but why...?
@Game Ping 3
It seems we shall wait here for a moment Ms Irisviel"..This Town has changed since last I've been here. Buildings have been burnt down."Perhaps some people had a loss of faith?Depending on how they doth act we might needeth to burn the rest
"..."
Stunned. Stunned silence fills the air, as the words of the Queen of Connaught has been heard by perhaps, the entire town.
Surely, these are the words of a madwoman. A wrench claiming to be queen of these lands? What a ridiculous proposition.
But no. These people don't think that. They've fallen right into her hands. Men slowly, then picking up the pace and quickly, leave their positions, and soon start fighting each other for the right to drink from the Red Mead. Even some of the guards have left their posts, all for a taste of that sweet mead. Of true glory.
Chaos and conmotion befall the streets of Baile Mor (edited)
*The army that Medb has suddenly gathered up now cries for her. They will fight for her. They will die for her.
*And soon enough, because... Arrows begin to find their way into the chariot. It seems that not truly everybody falls for Medb's spell
"Rotten wretch! Your words of sugar may sway those that have confusion in their hearts! But our duty with the Lord will never end! Fall back into the pit from whence you came!" Cries a guard, as knights take their positions... There will be soon a battle to take place here! (edited)
Is she talking to the Walking Mushrooms?
"..." *One of the Green Knights looked, and finally spoke.*
"Disgusting.""This disgusting heresy must be eliminated. Setting parameters."
"Target is performing heresy at this instant.""All heresy must be eliminated."
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"... Had I any content on my stomach, I would expel it right now." Declares one of the Green Knights. (edited)"... I'll rather die that betray my Lord."
"You will pay for your insolence with your blood." *It said, as its own death could not be assured.*
"... Are you discussing on the treatment of war prisoners, really?" After all that fighting, the intercom finally fired up.
The intercom would sigh. Servants.
"What will be your next course of action then?" (edited)*On the meantime, once everybody had rested, they would set forward into Monaghan, passing through places like Longford and Cavan, with Medb using her charms to get as much as people to her side as possible, and proceeding through the rest of Ireland!*You would go through the forests of Ireland, leaving behind the civilized langs to meet the wilderness. As you did, the skies above became a darker tone of grey, as a rumbling soon became apparent. A storm was brewing in the distance, as the company would approach the main camp, stationed a few miles away from MonaghanWhat impressive work they could do in just under less than a day. Though it consisted on only a few tents, it was a force of commoners and a few knights that had managed to get some weapons and horses, as they oversaw the distant town... And became overjoyed at the coming of our heros! In particular, their Queen.
@Game Ping 3
"Of course, your Majesty! We will do as you say, for your Glory and your rightful place as our Queen! All hail the Queen!" And so they did hail to her, as they raised their weapons and voices, making their allegiance clear to the wind!
...
CRACK!
And quite fittingly, as if nature itself had a sense of irony, a thunderbolt cracks nearby with this declaration. A coincidence, perhaps?
Deirdre has joined your party (reluctlantly!)Something's not right here, I passed this town before and it wasn't this quiet.
But alas, the world is not always just. That is a harsh truth. Though the Medb Braves have only the strength of men, they slow you down enough for Medb to do her move.
Soon enough, a rainbow would burst from the ground, and a spiral of light would consume Monaghan. Trees and buildings alike would be pierced by this light and turn asunder, without mercy.
Nobunaga, as a matter of fact, yes. The power of Caladbolg had destroyed most structures and left ruin for the town... Yet the fog was not cleared away....! Everybody, watch out!"""Ruler is right! A surge of magical energy has been detected! Prepate countermeasures!"...!
Suddenly, thunder cracked again, as a bolt of lightning hit the ground.
But instead of whiplash, you are hit with something else... Roots.*
Roots, coming from below the ground. Endless in number, strong as steel and big as lances. Quickly, you all are pierced.As the Queen approaches the fog, the figure simply looks at her, with crimson eyes... And they open their arms.
Go on.
Do it.
Do what you must."Is everybody alright?! Signals seem stable, at least...!"Aaaaaand, the figure gets run over by Medb's chariot and its tremendous speed.That **hurt**"... I'm impressed, to dive right into the enemy." Said the figure, trapped beneath the bull's hooves. Despite its predicament and the damage it had taken, it didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
"For instance, I think that's the first time I've felt pain in quite a while. So this is the true power of Ghost Liners, eh? I'll duly note it."
"Now, mind if I ask how did you get my subjects to turn against me? I would like not to repeat the same mistake twice."
@Andle | Cam, Ib, Rach"Hmmmm." It seems like it would scratch its chin if it could.
"Won't reveal your secrets then? A shame. I was eager to find them out.""I'll just have to learn of them in another way.""Apologies, but perhaps I should've rephrased. We'll do this my way. Want me? Come and find me."
You hear something crack under its teeth... And you can see its silhoutte rather disappear under the ground, as if your bull's hoof had crushed it. But there's no blood or entrails left."Let's play hide and seek, shall we? Come after me if you can."... The ground rumbles, as a voice speaks out, as an answer to your claims.
"Whatever you burn, I will make regrowth. For 1 subject you kill from me, 10 will take their place. Don't you understand? After the wildfire, new life can take and come its place."
Red eyes glow in the fog, even from the distance, to look at you directly. (edited)
"I don't mind your threats and rambling. Beasts are accostumed to it in any case.""But know this. I am the Lord of Growth. I am closest to perfection among all."
"And I would rather not have my work thrown aside by a petulant queen and an delusional arsonist."Show me your flames.""Like I welcome the Queen's Chariot, I welcome your flame.
It's been a while since I felt pain, anyway. So this should prove to be interesting."The Six Heavens gather to cover the Four Seas...
Return the gods and Buddhas of the Three Realms to dust and ashes...
Hajun reborn, Demon King of the Myriad Heavens!"Impressive.""Fascinating... But you're not the one that I'm looking for. Still, you should prove worthy enough for what I seek."Mallacht mé thú, mar sin, leis an mionn ársa seo.
Beidh tú a bheith i do chrann, agus a bheith ar an talamh mhathair
And soon, it takes place... Nobunaga feels it in an instant. Her Saint Graph begins to harden like the bark from an oak, branches coming from her head and piercing her cap, her torso enlarging to become a trunk, and her feet, turning into branches that embed themselves on the earth, holding her into place. Slowly, but surely, she becomes affected by this spell.
*She becomes a tree."I believe that form to suit you better, yes."Sango, I need your assistance. Command me to unleash all I have here, I'm sure you know what that means!"Hmph. I do not believe it to be sufficient." He declared, as he ripped a fruit that was growing in his shoulder, red and sweet, to feast on it ferociously, despite the gravity of its injuries.Sango, do it now, the order to overload myself!
With that coming through, Nobu begins to ignite in flames, her surging power potentially enough to overwhelm the Lord's curse as hellfire rains once again around her, the unrestrained release of all the power she can gather burning away at Nobunaga herself...
"This existence of mine itself is ephemeral, something that should not be in this world... But it can't be helped!"
"Past, present, future, all of my selves are gathered in this vessel. Whether by gods, Buddha, or men, Oda Nobunaga will not be thwarted! Witness my full power unleashed!"
Burn yourself out, my blood, my bones, my life! Once more, the Demon King manifests!Hah, I overdid it a bit, didn't I? At least this time, it wasn't like Honnoji... Looks like I took center stage all for myself here, Queen! This nation's yours to unify now, but that's how it was gonna be anyway, no helping that. Astraea, take care of Deirdre, that lady has plenty she can look forward to...
And as the last sparks fade away, one last message goes out... Sango, I'm leaving. Whatever you do next, keep standing tall, alright? With all you talked about my name, that's the least I'd expect from a loyal follo-
Then nothing. Sango can simply sense the contract link fade."Oh, you gotta be kidding me...! Signatures are rising from the ground!" The intercom declares in surprise
"Wait, what is this...?"
"What... is this? What is this sensation? Searing... Too hot... It's too hot!" A voice that wasn't human decried, as the roots soon joined the cinders.*"Troublesome. An inconvinience. It's not worth to continue fighting for a piece of land.
Cherish this gain while you can, Chaldea. I'm not done with you. Specially you, 'Queen'. I'll come for you later."
Thank you, Archer."Field is down. Move in. I'm in a situation."Understood, Everyone get moving now's the time to strike.Let's go everyone.Everyone set then good? I'll move in from the back and provide our resident casters cover, if you need a target down STAT just give a hoyUnderstood, Archer. Shall we make this quick?The sooner we clear up this mess the less damage they'll do after all. Don't wanna see what nasty trash these hags are hiding for us if we let them prep up.Assassin, shout if you need back up, Looks like we have from deweeding to do before we can meet up with you.Was never a fan of shrooms, Saber go do that heroic thing you sword types are known for I'll try to find a good enough vantage to perch myself in.
Provoked by insult, the sun retreats from the heavens.
Those who offend the goddess are denied her light.
Be sealed in the aphotic cave...
Ama-no-Iwato!
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3
1
"AHEM"
"Any questions you have before proceeding?"
@Game Ping 3
"AHEM" "Any questions you have before proceeding?" @Game Ping 3
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2
"By the hand of the Lord of Growth, we will-"
"... Wait a second." The angel seemingly turns to look at Medb. Hold on.
"Agh...! Alert the other patrols, the Queen is priority!" Would declare the Archer that the Witch had targetted, as he returned some arrows back
"Hail the God Lords, I'll do so!" And the other Avenger would nod, before proceeding to retreat
"You horrible witch! You and your legions will fall, as you rot in the dungeons of our Lord!" Cried out the other archer, as the one who was whipped up by Medb consumed the Mead. (edited)
"If these are just the patrols, I don't want to imagine how the regulars will be... But in any case, you should be close to a point of defense. According to our estimations, east of you and a couple more miles, you should be able to see the Castle of Belfast. I'm seeing multiple threat signals there. Do you think you can continue?"
What worries me is that they specifically singled out Rider the moment they noticed her, and how one wanted to retreat the moment they saw her... Don't you believe that may affect further confrontations with their patrols?"
"...! What the...? Team, I am observing a sudden increment of the magical energy output of Belfast. It is not progressive, but the jump on readings make me concerned. It appears that whatever weapon they wish to use is on the levels of Greater Thaumaturgy."
As Yan Qing hid his presence and scouted ahead, he would begin to mix with the sea of trees, to observe... He would find a high spot, which allowed him to presence the point of interest for Mission Command: the Castle of Belfast, a Norman stronghold that later became the residence of the Earl in later times, now a strategic point for the Cultists. Behind it, you can see even more trees... This must be the place. Some guards are stationed outside, waiting for anything.Two story building, made of stone, have a small garden. You seem some big plants, as well as the enforcer knights serving as the guards."Get her. Deliver her for the Lord." Said a knight, as the plants took a life of their own!
"... By the purpose that was given to this body of mine, of course that I understand, Supreme General. The Devils of Chaldea will suffer the wrath of my iron, and they shall be dragged to kneel before the throne of our Lord. I vow this to be true.Yes, Supreme General. Praised be the Lord of all that is Green, by his gaze he judges the world, by his hand he sows the world.
The Moving Fortress, a cathedral of stone that belied an amazing design, allowing for the manning and operation of the entire structure in order to allow it to move, was gonna be used for a singular purpose: Pay back the Cultists that had made it the favor.
Location: Outskirts of Belfast
Situation: High mana concentrations on the air; not enough to be cumbersome, but definitely noticeable. Forest layers have sprung up, way faster that they should, and with distorted forms. It's basically like someone decided to multiply the Amazon by 5 in the area.
Objective: There were mentions of a 'super-weapon' from reliable sources (People with high standing in the Lord cult); the aim of the original mission was to find it, and if possible, study it or neutralizing it. Use the Moving Fortress to plow through the trees, and find the source of the mana, located within the center of Belfast.
