Fate/Crossed Souls
- Thread starter GasMaskie
- Start date
GasMaskie
"Wait and Hope"
After a hellish school week, I'm finally back and ready to post. Sorry for the delay, but things got really hectic with two big assignments sharing the same deadline (and my procrastination leading to one of those assignments being done the day of).
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The decision is clear in your head as you lower your head and kneel before your patron. A sudden shock courses through your system and you feel as if your head is being torn apart with precise electrical shocks. You consciously redirect the energy through your body. With an opponent like Royden who has an army of robots at his disposal, the ability to use Magecraft to hack their electronic components seems like a good way to deal with them. After all, Berserker already brings brute force to the table. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“If that’s all Twain, I’ll be taking my leave then. And about that certain being. It seems like your paths will cross soon. Don’t be deceived by its trickery.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]With those parting words, the Thunderbird disappears in another flash of brilliant white light. You briefly wonder if he’s aware of Caster’s presence and his interventions. You tap at your artificial arm. It’s still hard to believe that you’ve lost a limb. You roll up a sleeve and inspect the dull white surface of the doll arm. There doesn’t seem to be any hidden compartments or features unfortunately - you expected something more if it’s really the genuine creation of that top-tier magus. Perhaps Caster was one of those Heroic Spirits who specialized in forgeries? You push the thought to the back of your mind as you step out from behind Berserker.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Thank you for your assistance with the matter Kun. How is your investigation going?”[/SIZE]
“Well… it’s been kind of erm… going nowhere. Mr. Richelieu hasn’t seen anything out of the ordinary either. Oh, but my employer did find this while we were investigating a magus safehouse. It reminded me of Berserker so I figured that you might be able to put it to good use, y’know?”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The young woman presents what seems to be a golden statuette of a horned creature. No wait, it’s the same depiction of the Berserker class on the back of Berserker’s card. Though, in all of the research you’ve conducted, you have never once recalled coming across this object. Berserker eyes it curiously and you inspect it momentarily.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“An interesting find. It does seem to be some sort of magical item. Perhaps it’s related to the Holy Grail War, though I can’t say for certain what it’s meant to do. Berserker, what do you think?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Eh? It’s kind of gaudy but I kinda want to eat it.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...Wh[/SIZE]at?”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The two of you voice your disbelief in unison. Perhaps there’s some hope for Kun after all. You pocket the statuette as Berserker shrugs as if what he just said was the most normal thing in the world. You hear a door opening as Kouki and Rider enter the safehouse. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain. Just got some new intel - that guy’s meeting up with Royden tonight at that building. That Berserker of yours left a pretty sizable dent on his security forces so it’s best to strike while the iron’s melting or whatever you Americans say.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Hmm. I agree. I assume that you also have the building plans, correct? You did crawl through the ventilation systems didn’t you?” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course. It wasn’t too difficult with a few covert operations here and there.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The young ninja retrieves a plastic tube from a nearby shelf and pulls off the cap as he leads the group to a makeshift table. He spreads out the blueprints for Royden Robotics; you can only assume that he stole this from the building contractor or city hall. Mayhunt’s largest skyscraper is definitely a complex building judging by the numerous lines and cross-sectional views. What catches your eye, however, is the large white space underneath the building’s foundations. You can only wonder what Royden has down there.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course, we’ll enter through this backdoor. The security measures will likely trigger no matter what, but with our Servants it shouldn’t be more than a hassle. From what I’ve learned, their meeting won’t happen until 10:00 once all the employees are gone. We’ll infiltrate the building the hour before and ambush them before they can even react.. Rider and I will take the bastard and you two can get your revenge on Royden.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Excellent work. Kun, we should be fine on our own so you should probably focus on that investigation of yours.”[/SIZE]
“Roger! But, you know, if you happen to find some database full of the surveillance footage from those robots that would be really rad. I’m pretty sure at least one of those things has seen him lurking around.”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“I’ll keep an eye out for it, though I’ll probably only be able to fit the most recent entries. Even then, that’s probably several hours worth of footage for you to sift through. But for now, we’ll start preparing.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kouki gives a nod and you watch a hand resting on the corner of the building plans slowly tighten up into a fist. Kun departs first and you pat down your pocket for the strange relic she brought. While you remain at the table to carefully inspect the plans, you notice Berserker and Rider conversing. Admittedly, there’s something strange about Heroic Spirits who are meant to kill each other simply chatting peacefully. You turn your attention to the young man as you begin to plot your moves in greater detail...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The next few hours go by slowly as you and Berserker circle around Royden Robotics several times in a rental car. Though Kouki had provided the plans and intel, you ultimately convinced him to wait and watch before acting. Unfortunately, it seemed that your cautious approach ended up being for naught - everything’s going as planned. Berserker’s stewing in the backseat with a blanket over his head while you’re driving the car in an admittedly conspicuous disguise. Your Servant seemed to tremble each time you drifted around a street corner during a yellow light but you simply don’t understand why.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Your cell phone rings as you bring it up to your ear. At last, it seems like the last of the human employees have gone. Kouki’s voice snakes its way through your phone - a confirmation that the operation is ready to begin. While the automatons constantly return to the building even in the dead of night, from Berserker’s previous encounter with Royden’s army you’re absolutely certain that they won’t be an issue. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You park the rental car on a nearby street corner and job towards the fenced off back area of Royden Robotics with Berserker following closely behind you in plate armor. As you glance upwards, you barely catch a glimpse of Rider’s red hood as two silhouettes zip through the night sky barely illuminated by the starlight. And as per plan, you and Berserker break out into a full sprint towards the rear entrance. Normally, something like this wouldn’t work - it’d be downright stupid. But with your lightning-enhanced speed and Berserker’s ridiculous parameters, the two of you reach the dull maintenance door without even registering on the nearby security cameras. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Berserker draws his sword as you get to work on the door. You can spot Kouki and Rider lurking in the shadows as you channel electricity into your right hand. Then, placing your hand over the door’s electronic lock, you shoot the raw energy into it. What you’re doing isn’t exactly precise - rather, you’re initiating what amounts to a massive brute force attack in the span of seconds. Failed attempts don’t even register as you quickly stop the flow of electricity to the lock for the briefest of moments and resume it immediately afterwards before the security system can realize that something’s amiss.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The lock disengages and you push the door open. Berserker raises his sword up over his head to signal your success to your comrades. You spot needle-like objects soar through the air and embed themselves in the cameras strewn about the area. Of course, destroying cameras haphazardly like that wouldn’t go unnoticed. But that’s what the Servants are for. You and Kouki take positions near the door while Berserker and Rider rush in through the service entrance. A few moments later, the two of you rush in for insurance.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The scene in the brightly lit maintenance bay is one of sheer carnage. Berserker’s blade slices through the white machines with immense ease while Rider’s giant wolf appears to be sucking in the robots through its maw as she rides atop it. It’s clear that with two Servants, Royden’s machines are no match for you. It doesn’t take you long to locate a nearby service terminal. Kouki gets to work on a ventilation grate as you shut off the alarms with your Magecraft.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain! We’re heading to the ambush point from here!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Understood. Berserker and I will meet you there once we’re finished with our work.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Wait, what else are we doing besides killing those chucklefucks?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You ignore Berserker’s confused state as Kouki climbs into the ventilation shaft with a de-materialized Rider in tow. From the service bay, you and Berserker navigate through the empty halls illuminated by fluorescent lights. The building’s surprisingly quiet, though that’s to be expected when a large amount of the skyscraper’s automated security was taken out in one fell swoop. You can hear the whir of machinery behind you - it’s more than likely the service bay’s already begun salvaging the robotic scrap and is in the process of rebuilding a portion of them. You lead Berserker into an elevator and specify an arbitrary floor. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The two of you step off the elevator and into what looks to be a chic office populated by heavily individualized spaces. The amount of whiteboards and half-finished designs seems to indicate that this where Royden’s designers work. Though, you’re admittedly surprised that the few things that catch your eye have nothing to do with Royden’s most iconic products. Berserker merely follows after you with a resigned look on his face as you hack open a door and take a seat at a computer in what seems to be a project manager’s office.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“You know, I may bitch and moan about my legend and all the shit I had to kill, but this is really boring right now. I actually kind of enjoyed getting back into the swing of things - even if they were just tin cans.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You remain silent though as you open up the PC tower located in the project manager’s desk and stick your hand on the exposed circuitry after booting it up normally. This time, you’re more precise with your Magecraft as you gain access into this employee’s account. Of course, none of his projects catch your attention. No, instead you simply use his access to get into the company’s database. Remembering Kun’s request, you retrieve a large flash drive from a pocket. You then begin the long process of downloading the the surveillance footage uploaded by Royden’s robots.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]While the process runs in the background, you decide to indulge yourself. A few more high-speed hacks grants you entry into some of the hidden entries. It seems that Royden also has several magi under his employ as well judging by some of the titles of these files. Though, it seems that most of the experiments they conducted have been marked as inconclusive. Typical, especially since it seems like the only magi he could get his hands on were Mage’s Association rejects. You grit your teeth as you’re reminded of your own status as a freelance magus. Berserker’s leaned up against the wall and yawning as you spot two files that catch your attention.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]CHOICES[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The decision is clear in your head as you lower your head and kneel before your patron. A sudden shock courses through your system and you feel as if your head is being torn apart with precise electrical shocks. You consciously redirect the energy through your body. With an opponent like Royden who has an army of robots at his disposal, the ability to use Magecraft to hack their electronic components seems like a good way to deal with them. After all, Berserker already brings brute force to the table. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“If that’s all Twain, I’ll be taking my leave then. And about that certain being. It seems like your paths will cross soon. Don’t be deceived by its trickery.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]With those parting words, the Thunderbird disappears in another flash of brilliant white light. You briefly wonder if he’s aware of Caster’s presence and his interventions. You tap at your artificial arm. It’s still hard to believe that you’ve lost a limb. You roll up a sleeve and inspect the dull white surface of the doll arm. There doesn’t seem to be any hidden compartments or features unfortunately - you expected something more if it’s really the genuine creation of that top-tier magus. Perhaps Caster was one of those Heroic Spirits who specialized in forgeries? You push the thought to the back of your mind as you step out from behind Berserker.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Thank you for your assistance with the matter Kun. How is your investigation going?”[/SIZE]
“Well… it’s been kind of erm… going nowhere. Mr. Richelieu hasn’t seen anything out of the ordinary either. Oh, but my employer did find this while we were investigating a magus safehouse. It reminded me of Berserker so I figured that you might be able to put it to good use, y’know?”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The young woman presents what seems to be a golden statuette of a horned creature. No wait, it’s the same depiction of the Berserker class on the back of Berserker’s card. Though, in all of the research you’ve conducted, you have never once recalled coming across this object. Berserker eyes it curiously and you inspect it momentarily.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“An interesting find. It does seem to be some sort of magical item. Perhaps it’s related to the Holy Grail War, though I can’t say for certain what it’s meant to do. Berserker, what do you think?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Eh? It’s kind of gaudy but I kinda want to eat it.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...Wh[/SIZE]at?”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The two of you voice your disbelief in unison. Perhaps there’s some hope for Kun after all. You pocket the statuette as Berserker shrugs as if what he just said was the most normal thing in the world. You hear a door opening as Kouki and Rider enter the safehouse. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain. Just got some new intel - that guy’s meeting up with Royden tonight at that building. That Berserker of yours left a pretty sizable dent on his security forces so it’s best to strike while the iron’s melting or whatever you Americans say.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Hmm. I agree. I assume that you also have the building plans, correct? You did crawl through the ventilation systems didn’t you?” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course. It wasn’t too difficult with a few covert operations here and there.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The young ninja retrieves a plastic tube from a nearby shelf and pulls off the cap as he leads the group to a makeshift table. He spreads out the blueprints for Royden Robotics; you can only assume that he stole this from the building contractor or city hall. Mayhunt’s largest skyscraper is definitely a complex building judging by the numerous lines and cross-sectional views. What catches your eye, however, is the large white space underneath the building’s foundations. You can only wonder what Royden has down there.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course, we’ll enter through this backdoor. The security measures will likely trigger no matter what, but with our Servants it shouldn’t be more than a hassle. From what I’ve learned, their meeting won’t happen until 10:00 once all the employees are gone. We’ll infiltrate the building the hour before and ambush them before they can even react.. Rider and I will take the bastard and you two can get your revenge on Royden.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Excellent work. Kun, we should be fine on our own so you should probably focus on that investigation of yours.”[/SIZE]
“Roger! But, you know, if you happen to find some database full of the surveillance footage from those robots that would be really rad. I’m pretty sure at least one of those things has seen him lurking around.”
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“I’ll keep an eye out for it, though I’ll probably only be able to fit the most recent entries. Even then, that’s probably several hours worth of footage for you to sift through. But for now, we’ll start preparing.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kouki gives a nod and you watch a hand resting on the corner of the building plans slowly tighten up into a fist. Kun departs first and you pat down your pocket for the strange relic she brought. While you remain at the table to carefully inspect the plans, you notice Berserker and Rider conversing. Admittedly, there’s something strange about Heroic Spirits who are meant to kill each other simply chatting peacefully. You turn your attention to the young man as you begin to plot your moves in greater detail...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The next few hours go by slowly as you and Berserker circle around Royden Robotics several times in a rental car. Though Kouki had provided the plans and intel, you ultimately convinced him to wait and watch before acting. Unfortunately, it seemed that your cautious approach ended up being for naught - everything’s going as planned. Berserker’s stewing in the backseat with a blanket over his head while you’re driving the car in an admittedly conspicuous disguise. Your Servant seemed to tremble each time you drifted around a street corner during a yellow light but you simply don’t understand why.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Your cell phone rings as you bring it up to your ear. At last, it seems like the last of the human employees have gone. Kouki’s voice snakes its way through your phone - a confirmation that the operation is ready to begin. While the automatons constantly return to the building even in the dead of night, from Berserker’s previous encounter with Royden’s army you’re absolutely certain that they won’t be an issue. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You park the rental car on a nearby street corner and job towards the fenced off back area of Royden Robotics with Berserker following closely behind you in plate armor. As you glance upwards, you barely catch a glimpse of Rider’s red hood as two silhouettes zip through the night sky barely illuminated by the starlight. And as per plan, you and Berserker break out into a full sprint towards the rear entrance. Normally, something like this wouldn’t work - it’d be downright stupid. But with your lightning-enhanced speed and Berserker’s ridiculous parameters, the two of you reach the dull maintenance door without even registering on the nearby security cameras. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Berserker draws his sword as you get to work on the door. You can spot Kouki and Rider lurking in the shadows as you channel electricity into your right hand. Then, placing your hand over the door’s electronic lock, you shoot the raw energy into it. What you’re doing isn’t exactly precise - rather, you’re initiating what amounts to a massive brute force attack in the span of seconds. Failed attempts don’t even register as you quickly stop the flow of electricity to the lock for the briefest of moments and resume it immediately afterwards before the security system can realize that something’s amiss.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The lock disengages and you push the door open. Berserker raises his sword up over his head to signal your success to your comrades. You spot needle-like objects soar through the air and embed themselves in the cameras strewn about the area. Of course, destroying cameras haphazardly like that wouldn’t go unnoticed. But that’s what the Servants are for. You and Kouki take positions near the door while Berserker and Rider rush in through the service entrance. A few moments later, the two of you rush in for insurance.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The scene in the brightly lit maintenance bay is one of sheer carnage. Berserker’s blade slices through the white machines with immense ease while Rider’s giant wolf appears to be sucking in the robots through its maw as she rides atop it. It’s clear that with two Servants, Royden’s machines are no match for you. It doesn’t take you long to locate a nearby service terminal. Kouki gets to work on a ventilation grate as you shut off the alarms with your Magecraft.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain! We’re heading to the ambush point from here!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Understood. Berserker and I will meet you there once we’re finished with our work.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Wait, what else are we doing besides killing those chucklefucks?”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You ignore Berserker’s confused state as Kouki climbs into the ventilation shaft with a de-materialized Rider in tow. From the service bay, you and Berserker navigate through the empty halls illuminated by fluorescent lights. The building’s surprisingly quiet, though that’s to be expected when a large amount of the skyscraper’s automated security was taken out in one fell swoop. You can hear the whir of machinery behind you - it’s more than likely the service bay’s already begun salvaging the robotic scrap and is in the process of rebuilding a portion of them. You lead Berserker into an elevator and specify an arbitrary floor. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The two of you step off the elevator and into what looks to be a chic office populated by heavily individualized spaces. The amount of whiteboards and half-finished designs seems to indicate that this where Royden’s designers work. Though, you’re admittedly surprised that the few things that catch your eye have nothing to do with Royden’s most iconic products. Berserker merely follows after you with a resigned look on his face as you hack open a door and take a seat at a computer in what seems to be a project manager’s office.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“You know, I may bitch and moan about my legend and all the shit I had to kill, but this is really boring right now. I actually kind of enjoyed getting back into the swing of things - even if they were just tin cans.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You remain silent though as you open up the PC tower located in the project manager’s desk and stick your hand on the exposed circuitry after booting it up normally. This time, you’re more precise with your Magecraft as you gain access into this employee’s account. Of course, none of his projects catch your attention. No, instead you simply use his access to get into the company’s database. Remembering Kun’s request, you retrieve a large flash drive from a pocket. You then begin the long process of downloading the the surveillance footage uploaded by Royden’s robots.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]While the process runs in the background, you decide to indulge yourself. A few more high-speed hacks grants you entry into some of the hidden entries. It seems that Royden also has several magi under his employ as well judging by some of the titles of these files. Though, it seems that most of the experiments they conducted have been marked as inconclusive. Typical, especially since it seems like the only magi he could get his hands on were Mage’s Association rejects. You grit your teeth as you’re reminded of your own status as a freelance magus. Berserker’s leaned up against the wall and yawning as you spot two files that catch your attention.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]CHOICES[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]<Automated Personnel Unit - Design Portfolio>[/SIZE]
- [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]<Project Paracelsus - Confidential>[/SIZE]
FearTheKumquat
5-Star Armchair General
2. Confidential? Not anymore!
The One Eyed Bandit
rotworm
We setting about ascending Zerker-kun now?
2. Can't resist a good Project.
2. Can't resist a good Project.
Elowyn
word-weaver
2
White Masquerade
QuirkyAngel's Red Oni
1
GasMaskie
"Wait and Hope"
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You ultimately decide to check Project Paracelsus first - as you recall, he was a physician turned alchemist. In fact, much of his work became the foundation for modern magecraft. Your eyes scan through the file’s contents.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Based on some of the logs you read through, it seems that Royden had been already preparing for the Holy Grail War for quite some time now. Among some of the scanned documents contained in the folder is also a letter from a Magus hailing from the Musik house of Yggdmillenia - a once prominent family known for their proficiency in alchemy. Digging deeper, you find what appear to be notes from a researcher under Royden’s employ.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As it so happens, it seemed that Royden accelerated the preparations two years ago - he intended to use homunculi to supply whatever Servant he planned to summon. According to the personal logs kept by this researcher, this individual had apparently grown attached to one of these artificial humans - a child named Aine. You have a creeping suspicion that you’ve heard that name before, but you can’t recall just where…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You pale slightly as the personal logs seem to cut off at a specific date - there’s an image of Royden’s intended catalysts. They’re something you instantly recognize: three ancient manuscript pages. It’s not as if these selected pages are from other sections of the works - these are the very same pages that Black Caster passed onto you that first night. Yet, that only causes more questions - how did he manage to steal them away? What were his intentions? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You hear an audible click as the lights on this floor all turn on. Lightning courses through your body as you lunge out of your seat and take cover behind the ergonomically designed table. Berserker remains standing - a snarl escapes his lips as he readies his blade. Your eyes narrow as you sneak a peek out from your cover.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]There, standing at the other end of the room with a smug smirk on his face, was the tanned man with white hair. Grant Royden. Surrounding him are the fruits of his labor - a handful of those robotic soldier. Their arms have transformed into what look to be machine guns - memories of your fight with the gun-wielding Enforcer come to mind as you clutch your artificial arm. And… his secretary is standing there loyally at his side. As you plan your next steps, Royden begins to speak.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Hmph, to think you’d be brazen enough to return - though, it’s only natural for fragments to come together once more. If you’re wondering about my business associate, he’s dealing with your ally as we spe-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]He doesn’t get to finish that sentence - Berserker picked up a mug full of stationary. By the time you blink, it’s already an airborne projectile hurtling through the air at high-speeds. You have half a mind to call Berserker out on the absurdity of his attack - but against all expectations the mug shatters as it hits Royden dead-on. Blood starts to flow from a wound on his forehead as he staggers backwards. Berserker’s shark-toothed mouth is agape - even he’s surprised by the effectiveness of his attack. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The Master raises his hand wearily as his secretary supports and his automated soldiers begin their assault in earnest. Deadly bullets begin to tear through the workplace divisions with pinpoint accuracy. Your muscles scream as you push yourself from cover to cover, slowly advancing. A thought crosses your mind as you realize that Berserker has been following your slow manuever.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...Berserker.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“What is it Twain?!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“You’re a Servant - normal bullets can’t harm you.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Berserker. Use your Noble Phantasm while you’re at it. This ambush has already been derailed thoroughly - it’s best to cut our losses and regroup.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Bu-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“I’m already aware of your True Name - and it’s more than likely that several others are as well.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Your Servant pouts and grumbles something as he stands up. And just as you predicted, the bullets bounce off Rank A Endurance body. You glance out from the bullet riddled desk you’ve flipped over - those robots have changed their focus to the black-plated man who has now drawn his sword. You can sense mana being concentrated around Berserker. It swirls around him and seems to be drawn into the blade of his sword. Royden’s eyes widen as he seems to regain his bearings - the sword’s blade is now glowing a bright white.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Unbroken Phantasm - Durandal.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Berserker’s eyes have narrowed as the the very fabric of reality begins to crack under the power of his blade. The blade he wields is one that was imbued with three miracles - one of which was indestructibility. Furthermore, a Broken Phantasm was an attack that overloaded a Servant’s Noble Phantasm and destroyed in exchange for more power. You can’t help but grin as you realize the full extent of Berser- no, Roland’s destructive potential. As Durandal is unbreakable, using it as a Broken Phantasm instead causes the world to collapse in its place.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]He swings the Holy Sword - and a deafening crack forces you to cover your ears. His slash has rent apart space and time - your eyes strain as you attempt to comprehend the crack in reality. His mouth curls into a full-on, bloodthirsty grin as the very world itself shudders - an invisible shockwave rips through the space in front of him. It’d be more apt to say that nothing remained in the wake of his attack - everything in front of him had been blown away from the sheer force exerted by his blade. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You stand up slowly as Berserker scratches the back of his head with a grin - and then the building starts to shake. A quick glance at the scenery in front of Berserker reveals that he had completely annihilated the rest of the floor - and important load-bearing sections of Royden Robotics as well. You immediately begin to regret your command. In an instant, you’ve already grabbed onto Berserker’s wrist - you need to leave immediately. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain, what abo-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course they’ll be retreating as well - it’s obvious that they building’s collapsing.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“No, no! I’m talking about them.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You shoot Berserker a quizzical look before your eyes fall upon a black blob - it melts away and reveals a wounded Royden and his secretary. She’s now clad in what appears to be black clothing from the America’s Colonial Period. Though you’re fairly certain that no one in their right mind would have worn that odd crooked and pointy hat. Nor would they be carrying a strange gnarled staff with an orb affixed around branches. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Ah - so that meddlesome man really has been aiding you. To think that’s where my catalyst had gone. Caster, if you would.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course, Master. Let the shadows take you - Poltergeist!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Before you can react, the woman has already raised her staff. And - something - flies out of the orb. It’s little more than a silhouette in the darkness of the night, but you can make out claws and wisps flowing out of its ethereal body. You attempt to move - but [/SIZE]red characters [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]begin to flood into your field of vision. You prepare for the worst but-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“NGH!” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The Black Paladin takes Caster’s Noble Phantasm head on as you watch in horror. He doesn’t fall - it doesn’t even look as if he’s taken damage. But then his body begins to move unnaturally. As the building begins to fall apart, he turns to you. His eyes have glazed over and you can only watch in horror as he swings Durandal at you without even the barest minimum of finesse. You’d be able to dodge this easily - [/SIZE]but you find yourself slipping away. You didn’t want things to end like this. [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The blade slices through the air and-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“DE MARIGNY’S CLOCK!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Episode 3 - END[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Based on some of the logs you read through, it seems that Royden had been already preparing for the Holy Grail War for quite some time now. Among some of the scanned documents contained in the folder is also a letter from a Magus hailing from the Musik house of Yggdmillenia - a once prominent family known for their proficiency in alchemy. Digging deeper, you find what appear to be notes from a researcher under Royden’s employ.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]As it so happens, it seemed that Royden accelerated the preparations two years ago - he intended to use homunculi to supply whatever Servant he planned to summon. According to the personal logs kept by this researcher, this individual had apparently grown attached to one of these artificial humans - a child named Aine. You have a creeping suspicion that you’ve heard that name before, but you can’t recall just where…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You pale slightly as the personal logs seem to cut off at a specific date - there’s an image of Royden’s intended catalysts. They’re something you instantly recognize: three ancient manuscript pages. It’s not as if these selected pages are from other sections of the works - these are the very same pages that Black Caster passed onto you that first night. Yet, that only causes more questions - how did he manage to steal them away? What were his intentions? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You hear an audible click as the lights on this floor all turn on. Lightning courses through your body as you lunge out of your seat and take cover behind the ergonomically designed table. Berserker remains standing - a snarl escapes his lips as he readies his blade. Your eyes narrow as you sneak a peek out from your cover.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]There, standing at the other end of the room with a smug smirk on his face, was the tanned man with white hair. Grant Royden. Surrounding him are the fruits of his labor - a handful of those robotic soldier. Their arms have transformed into what look to be machine guns - memories of your fight with the gun-wielding Enforcer come to mind as you clutch your artificial arm. And… his secretary is standing there loyally at his side. As you plan your next steps, Royden begins to speak.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Hmph, to think you’d be brazen enough to return - though, it’s only natural for fragments to come together once more. If you’re wondering about my business associate, he’s dealing with your ally as we spe-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]He doesn’t get to finish that sentence - Berserker picked up a mug full of stationary. By the time you blink, it’s already an airborne projectile hurtling through the air at high-speeds. You have half a mind to call Berserker out on the absurdity of his attack - but against all expectations the mug shatters as it hits Royden dead-on. Blood starts to flow from a wound on his forehead as he staggers backwards. Berserker’s shark-toothed mouth is agape - even he’s surprised by the effectiveness of his attack. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The Master raises his hand wearily as his secretary supports and his automated soldiers begin their assault in earnest. Deadly bullets begin to tear through the workplace divisions with pinpoint accuracy. Your muscles scream as you push yourself from cover to cover, slowly advancing. A thought crosses your mind as you realize that Berserker has been following your slow manuever.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...Berserker.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“What is it Twain?!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“You’re a Servant - normal bullets can’t harm you.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“...”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Berserker. Use your Noble Phantasm while you’re at it. This ambush has already been derailed thoroughly - it’s best to cut our losses and regroup.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Bu-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“I’m already aware of your True Name - and it’s more than likely that several others are as well.” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Your Servant pouts and grumbles something as he stands up. And just as you predicted, the bullets bounce off Rank A Endurance body. You glance out from the bullet riddled desk you’ve flipped over - those robots have changed their focus to the black-plated man who has now drawn his sword. You can sense mana being concentrated around Berserker. It swirls around him and seems to be drawn into the blade of his sword. Royden’s eyes widen as he seems to regain his bearings - the sword’s blade is now glowing a bright white.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Unbroken Phantasm - Durandal.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Berserker’s eyes have narrowed as the the very fabric of reality begins to crack under the power of his blade. The blade he wields is one that was imbued with three miracles - one of which was indestructibility. Furthermore, a Broken Phantasm was an attack that overloaded a Servant’s Noble Phantasm and destroyed in exchange for more power. You can’t help but grin as you realize the full extent of Berser- no, Roland’s destructive potential. As Durandal is unbreakable, using it as a Broken Phantasm instead causes the world to collapse in its place.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]He swings the Holy Sword - and a deafening crack forces you to cover your ears. His slash has rent apart space and time - your eyes strain as you attempt to comprehend the crack in reality. His mouth curls into a full-on, bloodthirsty grin as the very world itself shudders - an invisible shockwave rips through the space in front of him. It’d be more apt to say that nothing remained in the wake of his attack - everything in front of him had been blown away from the sheer force exerted by his blade. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You stand up slowly as Berserker scratches the back of his head with a grin - and then the building starts to shake. A quick glance at the scenery in front of Berserker reveals that he had completely annihilated the rest of the floor - and important load-bearing sections of Royden Robotics as well. You immediately begin to regret your command. In an instant, you’ve already grabbed onto Berserker’s wrist - you need to leave immediately. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Twain, what abo-”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course they’ll be retreating as well - it’s obvious that they building’s collapsing.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“No, no! I’m talking about them.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]You shoot Berserker a quizzical look before your eyes fall upon a black blob - it melts away and reveals a wounded Royden and his secretary. She’s now clad in what appears to be black clothing from the America’s Colonial Period. Though you’re fairly certain that no one in their right mind would have worn that odd crooked and pointy hat. Nor would they be carrying a strange gnarled staff with an orb affixed around branches. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Ah - so that meddlesome man really has been aiding you. To think that’s where my catalyst had gone. Caster, if you would.”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Of course, Master. Let the shadows take you - Poltergeist!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Before you can react, the woman has already raised her staff. And - something - flies out of the orb. It’s little more than a silhouette in the darkness of the night, but you can make out claws and wisps flowing out of its ethereal body. You attempt to move - but [/SIZE]red characters [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]begin to flood into your field of vision. You prepare for the worst but-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“NGH!” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The Black Paladin takes Caster’s Noble Phantasm head on as you watch in horror. He doesn’t fall - it doesn’t even look as if he’s taken damage. But then his body begins to move unnaturally. As the building begins to fall apart, he turns to you. His eyes have glazed over and you can only watch in horror as he swings Durandal at you without even the barest minimum of finesse. You’d be able to dodge this easily - [/SIZE]but you find yourself slipping away. You didn’t want things to end like this. [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]The blade slices through the air and-[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“DE MARIGNY’S CLOCK!”[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]…[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Episode 3 - END[/SIZE]
