Earth (fate grand order alt timeline)
Fuyuki city (Anomaly f)
2004CE
A hooded figure nestled at the edge of a high rising building overlooking the city of flames, as she pondered upon her present situation. She was one of the seven servants chosen to participate in the holy grail war, although looking at the situation now any hope for winning the grail is quite zero.
She had a particular wish she wanted fulfilled… or rather she had a wish and for once a certain someone she had wanted to save no matter what. At her origin she wasn't a normal heroic spirit, she and her sisters. They were created as an answer for the longings of men for true beauty and an ideal idol. She was a divine spirit or rather a spirit closer to that of a divine spirit.
She was medusa the youngest of the three divine spirits, born as the 'perfect goddess'. Although amongst her sisters, she alone was born a defect, as a divine spirit she alone didn't possess the concept of 'un-ageing and forever young' as opposed to her sisters. But while she didn't possess the concept that was covered by her combat capabilities, with her mystic eyes and her divine might she stood as their guard and as their protector from all forms of harm. And times passed with them living a life of joy and luxuries, a life where each and every one of the siblings was all loved by everyone. But then all of a sudden it was all gone.
The goddess Athena in a fit of jealousy cursed only her among all her siblings by taking away the love the mortals once had for her and casting her away to the island of the shapeless isle. The mortals love turned into resentment as those who had once proclaimed their undying loyalty now wished to slay her, she was all alone in her loneliness… that was until her sisters decided to come with her.
Her days of loneliness became more bearable as she had someone to spend it with. But it seems like the fickle gods wouldn't leave them alone as a certain prophesy came into being concerning the trio of sisters. 'Medusa's head shall be looped off from her body by one who is of Zeus's blood and her sisters shall be violated by the very men who proclaimed them worship'. But she would never allow it no matter what. The gods would not take away the last thing that brings her joy; she would fight till the very end. And so the game had begun.
Time and time again the foolish mortals and their heroes approached their island all for the glory of killing the monster and taking away her sibling goddess. And for those that came she killed, even so they all came in their droves no matter the determent. And as a result the island became littered in bones and corpses, with the banished goddess earning herself infamy with the moniker 'hero killer'.
'Was that when the end began' she wondered presently 'was that what had changed me into a true monster'. The killings of the foolish mortals who treaded her abode and the protection of her sisters pushed her to become stronger no matter what, to always push herself so that the next one would not succeed... for the truth was that she just wanted them to be left alone.
But the gods succeeded in the end as all the killings, all the fightings pushed her to become the very monster they always painted her to be, to become 'the gorgon'. And as a result of her monsterizing she ended up being the one to kill her siblings and later on beheaded by the hero peruses.
She withdrew from her thoughts as she slowly stood up tethering at the end of the skyscraper. She hated the gods for cursing her and sisters fate. She hated the mortals who wouldn't leave them alone…. And most of all she despised herself for being the one to let them win, for them to make her become those monsters and so was her prayer for the war, 'I wish with all of my soul… that Stheno and Euryale would never had followed me to that island' that she would be the one to dwell in the loneliness for their sake. This war should have been her chance to claim her wish that was until she met her master. Her wish never changed but still she had another goal in mind, something that she needed to do irrespective of whether she wins the war or not. But even that had been taken away from her.
'Is this my fate' she lamented as she looked over the infernal hell 'to always be the one to lose something, to always be the monster. To never hold something dear in this hands' she asked to no one in particular 'fine so be it. If I cannot achieve anything this time I would just become the monster you've always wanted. This corrupted form only sped the processes'. And she prowled on her corner of the city hunting those who trespass and feeding on those unfortunate to remain in her sight and so it continued until this night.
'Hmm' she turned sensing a familiar presence within her corner of the city 'this presence… where have I sensed it before…." Her face suddenly became that of shock "there is no doubting it this presence… Zeus pawn, there is no way I would forget how his children felt like' her face became that of anger before changing to that of malevolence as a smile that promised cruelty and pain appeared on her face "finally a mortal champion has come into my corner once again… this time will you claim my head or shall I feast on your blood" she said and then vanished from her previous perching spot towards the presence.
The trio of time traveller's side field of vision were filled with plethora of chains streaking towards them at high speeds.
"Mash" billy batson shouted out as he moved both himself and the director to her back for protection from the attack.
"Yes, master" mash replied back in affirmation, showing that she had understood why her master had called to her. She quickly heaved up her shield against the onslaught of attacks. The chains clanged against the shield in a futile effort only for some of the chains to divert as they curved like snakes to attack them from the back.
But billy having spotted them, hastily dropped the director giving fou to her, to deal with the shackles. 'Let's see. One from both the left and right sides with another attacking from above all simultaneously… Thankfully I can manage that' he deduced, and then jumped towards the chains. He moved mid-air dogging the right chain appendage as it was the first one approaching and grabbed it, stretching his hands towards the other left and grabbed it was well, the one from the above snaked towards him in a zigzag manner but he flipped avoiding it like the others. Holding both the chains in a burst of inspiration or maybe desperation he quickly tied them together, the third chain quickly curved back to him but this time he was ready, as the third iron chain approached he stretched his leg backwards and kicked it away sending it far back. And that was when he had reached limit of his jump descending to the ground with the chains in tow.
'Why are you still holding that?' the white haired doctor raised her voice in chastisement 'quickly throw those chains away now. You don't even know what that might do to you' before I could reply back the chains in my hands started to rattle ominously, I quickly took the directors advise throwing as far as I could, which was truthfully speaking surprisingly wasn't far as I expected. As before they could move any further they paused and disappeared mid-air.
"Mash are you alright" I asked her seeing that she had took the brunt of The attacks. Mash nodded without any sign of hard breath "yes master, no problems at all".
"Oh, but that's a problem for me you know" a sultry voice called out to us. Upping up our guard as we warily looked up to the road on the higher ground as our mysterious attack appeared in purple light particles "my greetings to you all and welcome to my lair, unknown servant, unknown master and magus" she greeted. Our mysterious servant was a she with the appearance of someone dressed in all black; she had a tall voluminous figure with a large amount of assets 'am a teenager in puberty, screw me'. She sported a hooded article that didn't seem to cover her purple hair and her facial features which I would dare call beautiful… if it weren't for her eyes which gave me a pause. Cold dead eyes stared down at our group with a malicious cruel gleam that honestly made to want nothing to do with them. Not to mention she was holding a scythe, yep and that.
"And how can we help you miss?" I inquired if nothing more but to buy time and gather information. If she noticed my tactics she did nothing about it as she chuckled playing along, but even her reply sounded cold in my ears "ah little master-san. My name is of no importance but you can address me by my designated class 'lancer' in accordance to the rules of the war".
This time olga marie questioned "and miss lancer. If I may ask what is your business with our group. Know that at the moment we are an outside party to your war and do not wish to participate in your battles for the grail".
The hooded servant looked at us quietly for a few seconds and then bent lightly shoulders quivering in laughter "hahaha oh now that's a funny one. The holy grail war? Look around you young lady there is no war at the moment, for a matter of fact the holy grail war has been cancelled" she said and then continued in a mocking tone "you're a mage aren't you?" she questioned rhetorically "then you must know the reason for the city to be decrypt at the moment".
After she said that she moved forward giving us a bit of light to see her background and what we saw were… numerous stone effigies each showing different expressions of people all in varying state of agony.
"w-what the hell is that?" I asked in confusion with an ominous hunch also stuck in my stomach.
"Humans" olag marie answered grimly "or rather former humans. And I hazard that these people are part of the former citizens of fuyuki. Or am I wrong servant".
"Magnificent deduction mage" the enemy servant praised with sarcasm "as you can see all the people you see around me are part of my garden collections, all prey of different kind that I hunt without fail".
Fear bubbled up within me at the realisation that the stone sculptures that I had seen were all formerly humans, the fear was still present greatly in me but that was soon followed by the creeping anger "how could you" I half asked and snarled.
"…How could I? you ask… anyone I mean anyone could ask that same question and I would assumed it as their right but from someone like you it makes me sick to the stomach" she snarled back all traces of sadistic pleasure gone with a furious snarl taking its place.
The animosity in her words was so great I almost unconsciously took a step back "w-what do you mean by that" with confusion audible in my tone.
"Don't play dumb with me. It was because of your wretched family that you ruined my life and that of my sisters cursing me into the monster you see before you, scion of Zeus and for what, just because of what we are" she said with a furious scowl.
"Lady please you have to understand I honestly have no idea, what you're talking about. Why do you address me as the scion of zeus. I literally don't know that guy".
She swiped the scythe in her hand on the ground with underlying signs of annoyance in her tone "you know what am talking about. You cannot hide it from me; Your stench, your presence, even your stature all speaks of one who bears the blessings of zeus ' godsblood' " she called me that last name in disgust.
I still didn't know what she was talking about, but that didn't make me miss the gasp of surprise within our group, so I turned to them to ask on why she keeps on calling me that "ok ladies, any idea why miss psycho over there keeps addressing me with that name" I asked.
Meanwhile, Olga marie couldn't pay attention to billy batson's questions as the declaration uttered by the enemy servant was still causing waves in her mind 'godsblood. By the root, for all the things he had to be, I would never have imagined him to be that!' she thought in shock. She knew what they were or rather she glanced at billy batson what they are. The clock towers classified them as thought remnants from the gods era 'the prove that no matter the age and time the gods will always exist in the heart of man, and they will always be with us through their blood' all the known children descended from the gods in one way or the other has lost their lives and any record of their descendants seemly vanished. That is until now, 'this is big news, very big news' she thought in panic.
While nothing could be comprehended from the 'godblood's' as a result of their scarcity, their characteristics could be gleamed from their famous precedential counterparts; they would have the body structure fit from the age of gods with exceptionally rare magic circuits, making the learning of magic very easy even allowing the progression of magic to further, it was even speculated that they might obtain special characteristics from their divine progenitors, ranging from the likes of exceptional magic interpretation, longevity bothering immortality, even archiving their chances of learning of the sorcery due to compatibility.
If she wasn't in this situation and within the conformity of her sanctum, she just might have started dancing. After all this could only be described in one word 'jackpot'. The most influential mage families in the clock tower would kill thousands just to have him included in their family, after all, for all their preaching's on the quest for the root, through him, they might have their greatest chance yet, some others would even turn him into their breeding horse for the assured continuity of his bloodline. It was at that she blushed, because that included her too. As the heir to the anismusphere magus family, she was responsible for the continuation of their line and billy-kun here would be what they call 'the perfect specimen'.
Billy batson shivered a little as the look the white hair lady absently gave him turned more predatorial 'what's up with her. A hypnosis attack from the enemy… wait forget about that' I roused her "oy, Miss Director, don't go glazing on me now, what did the lady mean when she called me a godsblood", mash at the front nodded as well indicating that she too was baffled by the term.
"ah right" olga marie shook her head to clear out those thoughts 'now's not the time to think such things' she chided herself 'survive first'.
"Billy-kun" she addressed, happy that while she was elucidating, they hadn't let down their guard as they both still got an eye the servant's movement "godsblood in simple terms is what they call one is from the gods, in other words their descendants. Seeing that she addressed you as the son of zeus, maybe an ancestor's of yours had dealt a bad hand with her when she was still alive… although looking you now I am not surprised she addressed you as his descendant, as that could be a reasonable explanation for your sudden change".
Billy was still muddled by what she had told him but at least he now got the picture 'some psycho ghost lady's calling me a child of a greek god, and the ghost isn't a nice one… seeing how she said she could sense it, there is no way for me to try to lie out of this one' I gave a perplexing sigh 'first let's see if we can avoid confrontation' "hey lady lancer ghost, or whatever you call yourself. We aren't here to fight you if we can help it" 'even though it hurts me concerning the fact that we can't deal with her concerning what had happened to the cities people… but It's too late for them, but not for us' "we are just here to investigate and leave".
The lady in black looked at us sceptically especially me and then smiled "you. You really aren't like the others are you, little master... Maybe it is as you said, maybe you are really all just that, passer-by's not like the others who were after my head" her words almost made me sag in relief… that was if she hadn't continued "but…" she trailed off, moving towards the statue of a young man showing an expression of agony, resting her frame against him. As she rubbed her hand against the figure's face she continued with each words building up bloodlust "…the progeny of zeus and that of a magus, that's two quality souls I can't afford to pass up… it's been a quite a long time since I've have I feasted, and now that I find such an exquisite delicacy before me. You can't blame me for not wanting to take a bite" she finished as she pulled the sculpture's head hard and what erupted out was a geyser of blood, highlighting her in a grim image.
'Whelp, there it is. That's the signal that she wasn't letting us go' I thought nervously 'although, I had suspected that she wasn't going to let us leave even from the start… but what a way to prove your point lady' I felt nauseous at the bloody sight.
The blood petered out, the enemy servant continued in grim assurance "oh please don't worry, I've lost one statue, but seems like am going to be having three new ones".
"It seems our only option is to fight" mash said, I nodded grimly "you're right, seeing those lovely statues at the back only just gives us more incentive to do so".
"Alright" the director took over "mash can you take her".
"I believe I can" she replied.
She nodded and then addressed the master "Alright billy-kun, initiate telepathic communications with mash now".
I tilted at her puzzled "tele-what now".
"Oh, I keep on forgetting that you've lost your memory" she said in a self-berating manner before continuing "billy-kun, now that you're aware that you are a master, do you feel any connection or some kind of feeling that with puts you in the same wavelength with mash?" she asked, and the huge boy nodded positively "good, now I want you to feel that connection and try speaking to her, only this time through your mind".
Billy batson while confused about what she had told him, still tried to follow her instructions 'after all, that might be that strange hunch I've been feeling concerning mash since I got here' he closed his eyes and concentrated. It didn't took much time as he felt… something like an intangible immaterial cord flowing between him and the iliac haired girl that stood before him and held onto it. He opened his eyes and gave it a try 'mash can you hear me'.
The shielder jerked as she looked back for a moment before concentrating on the servant 'b-billy-kun' she replied 'o-oh, so you've established telepathic communications'.
'Right, its better this way now we can communicate without alerting the enemy. Mash I need you to answer me honestly. What are you chances in defeating her' I asked.
Mash looked back at the enemy female servant looking down at them, the bloodlust emanated from her made her shiver a little 'to be honest master, am just taking my chances. This is my first battle so I don't know my performance, although I can perform a few mana burst to keep ahead. Without knowing the enemy combat capabilities I am just basing it all on assumption'.
Her master put on a face of contemplation as he looked nervously at the opposing servant 'what… what if we even the odds? Two against one make it all fair'.
'What are you proposing master'.
'What about me. She called me a godsblood and you saw how strong I was back at Chaldea… I know how strong I am now. And even so to be honest I also don't on my own like my chances against miss lady in black. But if we fight together, With you watching my back, Would it be possible for us to take the win?'.
Mash considered her master's suggestion. Normally in a holy grail war it is unethical for both a servant and master to fight at the front lines. As wars fought by servants should be fought by servants and those fought by masters should be fought by masters. But this wasn't the holy grail war and the servant they were up against was a bloodthirsty one. The result of failure if she couldn't defeat her wasn't going to be good at all and the most important of all 'am definitely unsure of my chances, but' she thought to herself 'with master, our chances for victory would definitely be higher' and so she decided.
'It is possible master, so. What's our strategy'?
'Good' she could feel his nod through their link 'so this how we'll do it'.
The anti-hero servant looked on observing her prey 'a master, a mage and a servant. The mage is inconsequential, so there is no need to deal with her yet, it's the master and the servant I need to pay attention to. Although…' as she gave thoughtful attention she couldn't help but snort as she estimated their battle capabilities 'even though the master is a godsblood, looking his clearly at his radiating tension and jumpiness, his clearly new at this. And it is painfully clear looking at the servant also… this servant fight might be my easiest one yet. But first'.
She strode towards the group predatory, enjoying the looks of edginess on their faces spinning her scythe for menacing effect "it seems like we've both came up with strategies for this fight" the shield servant leaving the group with clear signs of nervousness 'ah, she's clearly a first timer' she thought. "Little girl, is this your first time fighting as a servant?" eyes glowing and figure poised ready to attack "then as your sempai allow me to instruct you. Be careful of what you say and do. For once the word 'fight' comes out from your lips, that means the battle has just begun" she vanished in a burst of speed appearing right above the sheilder bringing her scythe down in a mighty attack.
She smiled clearly as the servant lightly grunted at the weight of the blow, but before she could proceed with the attack she noticed the lilac hair lips quirk up a little and replied back "I could say the same to you as well, lancer. Now master!" she shouted out as the lancer backed up in alarm. A grey blur shot from the shield servant's back straight towards her revealing himself as the girl's master. 'Now's the chance' billy thought and threw a powerful hay maker at her. Alas it was all for naught as the lancer blocked the blow with the side of her weapon.
The lancer grunted at the force of the blow as she flipped backwards in the air to minimize the aftershock 'what strength' she sweated 'if I hadn't blocked that punch in time while it might not had knocked me out, I would have definitely received disturbing injuries' she created chains to land on as she decided to change strategies. Fighting them head-on isn't going to work, i will have better chances when they aren't together…' she spoke out "ah forgive my blunder, little master. It seems like the son of zeus will always remain the son of zeus. But now I shall act accordingly".
"What now master, the plan to attack the enemy has failed, and we've lost the element of surprise" she asked.
"Don't worry mash you clearly saw what just happened it clearly obvious from the way she retreated that the two of us are clearly more than enough" he assured "ok that enough of that. Eyes on the enemy mash".
"Y-yes master",
The servant in question lightly chucked as she put her hands inside her hood and freed her hair. Before I could question her odd behaviour, her said hair shook in the air and changed into rattling chains moving straight to us.
"Here she comes, mash".
Before we could reform the lancer moved towards us. No towards me as the chains diverted to mash "dealing with two servant level figures is quite annoying" she said as she hit my guarding arms with the side of her scythe "so I'll be turning you to a stone statue first".
For billy batson this was the first time since his transformation that he had felt something, pain. The pain was intense as the force of the blow took him quite some distance from mash, sending him a few meters away to the field of human sculpture.
"Master" mash cried in alarm but was unable to move as she was occupied by the raining blows of chains, unable to support as she was protecting the director and the white animal.
'Mash just stay where you are, keep protecting the director' I hastily informed her through our mental connection 'and don't touch those chains, I've got a bad feeling about them'.
I could feel mash mental affirmation as I settled down to deal with my own problem. The lancer servant landed in front of me poised to strike with a sickening smirk.
"I don't suppose you can identify yourself as I can't be calling you lancer this, or lady in black that" I asked secretly trying to buy time.
She chuckled "I suppose not little master. But don't think I don't recognize your delaying tactics. It won't work"
I sighed shrugging "that's a bummer now. Well the only thing left now is to fight".
"I believe so".
The world dimmed as the sound of the far battle dulled between the two combatant's presences. The fires around them crackled loud in their ears as they both slowly rounded each other looking weakness in the others defences. One had a confident smirk and the other with a determined expression.
'This is going no-where. She's obviously waiting for me to initiate the first punch. And I rather start the battle on my own terms than let her dictate it for me' billy thought as he began the attack. He threw another powerful haymaker towards the enemy servant, although this time, she was ready. Positioning her staff she deflected the blow, angling the base of her scythe to stab him.
The unnatural instinct of billy batson tingled as he immediately jumped back narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Most impressive, scion of zeus, It seems like even though you are ignorant of your heritage, you at least possess the instinct to know what this staff is" she praised, smiling sinisterly "lance of immortal killing. Any wound delivered by this lance can never be healed by any means. Do you understand what I just implied".
Billy batson gulped as he unconsciously took a step back 'death by a thousand cut or death by heavy exsanguination. That is if what she said was true. Thank whatever powers that be, that my instincts warned me not to get touched by the edge… although I don't know how much longer I could keep it that way' "that's one creepy weapon you got there lady" he said trying to keep the dread out of tone "you sure don't want us to talk this".
"Oh am sure little master. Not when I nearly taste victory" she purred.
'Well shucks, I've got absolutely nothing to deal with the scythe, and no shield to fall back to. In any case it's better for me to be on the defensive. Better not attack and risk injuries'.
The lancer vanished reappearing before the master using her scythe in a side cut but the master titled back, but his singlet wasn't as lucky. A fine line appeared showing how narrowly he had missed being turned into two 'yikes'.
The fight moved on with both combatants giving it all they got, one attacking the other defending, for Chaldean candidate the mysterious combat memories where all he could rely on for this fight but even that was slowly losing ground 'it's like she could read all my fighting patterns' he grunted as he weaved among the stone effigies, he quickly shook the sweat dripping slowly on his eyes as he gazed tiredly on the other servant who on the other hand wasn't as tired 'at this rate I would be on the receiving end of that scythe sooner than later' he thought in alarm.
'Good, he's getting nervous' the purple hair thought in delight. Medusa as a lancer class servant was different from the other spirits in her class type. Where all were trained in the art of combat she spent a good part of her life, killing heroes. As a result, it wasn't an exaggeration to say analysing and deducing the fighting style of her opponent was her specialty. The godsblood was good and his physicals were among the best she had fought in life as a hero killer, but, He was just too green. He clearly knew the movement of fighting, but not how to implement them. For every blow he threw his eyes always showed the direction they would take, kicks anticipated by the twitching of legs and for every blow he received, he didn't know how to respond to the aftershock 'it's just like fighting a child. Only this time, a strong one but that's all' she mused 'oh well that just make my work all easier'.
The god's scion suddenly turned to run away, the blows he took were overwhelming him slowly at this rate he would surely succumb 'better get to mash now and regroup, before she gets me' but even that attempt wasn't so successful.
"Allow me to give you a little advice little master" the chilling voice of the lancer suddenly appeared at his back. He jumped high in the air to gain space but wasn't fast enough. The servant continued as she was appeared in a much higher position than him "one particular thing about us lancer types is that, we're physically the fastest in all the classes".
And at that she flipped giving him a hard kick to the stomach sending him smashing to the ground so hard a crater formed. Billy batson gasped hard in pain as he wasn't able to react to the further actions of the servant "now you're mine" she cried triumphant, as the edge of her scythe closed in on the downed masters eyes…
Olga marie looked on with fou in her arms as mash weathered the storm of chains thrashing at her. Initially things were looking good as she saw that billy-kun's physical capabilities were capable of sending back a servant, they had this in bag. But a servant is still a servant, there would always be a difference between their thought processes, and so the servant quickly deduced their plan from the get go and quickly split the both of them "divide and conquer. Huh" she smiled mirthlessly, at this rate before mash could go help her master it might already be too late. For as much as she was stunned by his new transformation she wouldn't put her chances on a newly minted godsblood against a veteran servant.
She balled her fist agitated of her own uselessness. But what could she do, even now she could only look on helplessly as she was forced to stay in the side-lines while the chains targeted the servant… 'Wait target the servant' she abruptly thought as she observed the chains, and as it was, the chains since the beginning hadn't diverted the way it had like the first time 'is it because the other servant focus is only billy-kun' she pondered. Hearing mash grunt as she bashed a stalk of chain aside she made up her mind 'it's rather take the risk or die when the
servant is through with billy-kun'.
"Mash kyrielight" she called the iliac servant attention "leave now; go support your master now".
"b-but director, the chains" she protested.
"I know about the chains, but look at their movement. Not once had any of them slipped past you even though your defence is one dimensional… it isn't like the first time" she pointed out.
The servant looked as she took note of the director's findings "you're right director they haven't curved since the beginning of this fight" she answered wide eyed.
"That's right; it seems like the servant, took me as inconsequential and never saw me as a threat. But with that we'll use that thought to turn the tables. And don't worry, I'll be right behind you, I won't be leaving my self-vulnerable to stranglers, so I'll be far enough to not impede you but near enough for you to help".
The servant nodded her expression showing signs of relief "alright let's go" and with that she weaved through the storm of chains with the knowledge that no matter what they wouldn't attack the ones behind her.
TMMGO
'At last the fight's over' medusa thought euphorically as the butt of her scythe descended on the dizzy master. This wasn't her hardest fight since her summoning that belonged to the one that killed her. But this was the most challenging fight she had ever had with a mortal in this age, although seeing that he's a godsblood there was no surprise there, 'with the quality souls of both the master and that mage I just might have more than enough to deal with saber' she happily thought. Even now she hadn't given up on her wish and the grail, but her lack of strength and anchor prevented her from doing much. But with these two souls especially the one of the master might just give enough juice for her to enact her final legend ' becoming gorgon'.
But her approach towards victory quickly came to an end, in her moment of descent the glowing form of the shield servant crash into her sending her flying away from the godsblood into an abandoned vehicle. The momentum was strong enough that the force sent it sent flipping and skidding with the snake termed servant losing her breath.
Meanwhile the light headed master shook his head lightly as he saw mash standing protectively over him "mash" he groaned out.
Still keeping an eye on the servant, she knelt down picking him up "master, are you all right?".
He painfully heaved as he slowly stood up still feeling cramps all over replying "well apart from the fact that I had to deal with a psycho lady, narrowly dogging her death scythe and overall becoming a walking bruise" raising his hands for thumbs up "am perfect" putting up a no convincing image.
Mash face became sympathetic as she rested her palm on my shoulders "good job on not dying there billy-kun" she smiled with sympathy.
He grinned back "well am not just going leaving you alone in this hell hole, after all you're stuck with me" after saying that his smile disappeared as a serious visage took its place "and now how did you escape from that storm of attack and most importantly do you have any strategy in dealing with that woman because I honestly can say this. Fighting her without a pan will only just get us killed".
"Well now that's for me to answer now mash" the director announced her presence walking past mash, looking at me with scrutiny she smiled "well it seems like you've seen better times billy batson".
I wryly smiled back "so I have director. It seems like you were the reason my life was spared, well thank you for that. So, how did you do it".
She lightly coughed "think lightly of that billy-kun, consider this as favour paid in regards for last time" she calmed down and then began to explain how they had escaped and I explained in turn concerning the capabilities if the lancer servant especially that of her scythe.
"Now that's quite the problem" olga marie said with a light frown "and we still don't know her true identity".
"True identity".
"Yes true identity" she answered back "knowing the true identity of any servant, would give us the means to battle them knowing their full capabilities and plan counterattacks, but this servant I just can't pinpoint. After all I know at least a few heroes that in their legends uses scythes, but doesn't correlates with the chains and petrification" she looked at mash "what's the enemy servant status?".
Mash shook her head "am detecting movement, but no sign of immediate attack".
Olga marie nodded biting her finger "well that's good for now, this just gives us chance to recuperate and to at least think of something".
Meanwhile the male of the group raked his brains cells on the details concerning what he had just heard 'think, billy, just think what can we do to in order to defeat that woman. Fighting her one on one won't work seeing as she had trashed you, so that's out. Dealing with her together is the only way but that won't work if she's going to just disrupt us with that chain of hers. In fact what kind of heroic spirit is she, well seeing that she uses a scythe, chains and can turn people to stone who is the most famous person with that characteristics that comes to mind… well the only one I can think of is medusa… But am not exactly sure, the legends said that she was a monster with snake for hair, and very ugly. But that woman clearly looked human. I need to confirm this with the others' he called the others attention "hey guys, I need to ask a question concerning heroic spirits".
"And what is it billy-kun" the director said.
"Heroic spirits, Has there been any case of representation concerning their legends like how they depicted wasn't how they are originally appear?"
She nodded "while not that much, there are some cases where the description or even stories of old are changed or even twisted from how they appear, either as a case of convenience or when one is depicted in bad light by the victor. But why are you asking about that?"
The master nodded "and that's what I thought, ok guys, I might have an idea on the identity of the servant, and how to defeat her".
.....
"u-um master this plan…" mash tried to say but was interjected by olga marie.
"This plan of yours is absurd. You're basing it all on too much assumption. What if you're wrong? That just means giving her the chance to kill all of us" she ranted with scepticism.
"Well do you have any better idea, if so let's hear it" he fired back, seeing that no one had answered he sighed "look, it's not like I don't understand your doubt concerning the plan. But what other choice do we have".
Mash looked at the ground with bawling fist feeling helpless, like her master had said this was their last chance and if that doesn't work or in worst case the enemy servant decide to perform her 'noble phantasm', she then looked at her shield they might all be dead.
The sound of explosion interrupted them as the figure of lancer trudged towards them from the flames with a scary gleam.
The director wrapped up "it seems like we don't have enough time to think of another. So we'll just do billy-kun's idea… alright mash you're right up".
The servant of shield nodded as she glowed performing a mana boost as she shoot into battle.
...
Mash moved forward ahead with boosted speed initiating the first part of the plan.
'Firstly Mash. Can you keep up with lancer' her master asked for clarification.
'I believe I can, that is when i use mana boost'.
Mana boost?'.
'Yes mana boost, when I collect more than enough mana to increase my physical specs. Off topic it seems like you have an extremely large capacity of mana master'.
'I honestly don't know what you're talking about, but since you can use those boost to keep up with her then its all fine and good, but now that you have mentioned it. These mana boost for how long can you maintain it'
'I am not sure master, but if I can give an estimate… for as long as thirty minutes' her answer was interrupted by the gawking sound from the director with the cry of thirty minutes ringing in the background.
Positioning her shield straight ahead she inevitably met with another collision with the servant. Sparks showered at the show of force the ground below them cratered, but this time the force wasn't as strong as before for the sheilder. She then used the shield as a stand to perform a flying kick sending the servant further back. The lancer landed gracefully as she comments "so you've performed a mana boost huh. Not that it matters anyway this just goes got to show how much mana capacity your master has. And I can't wait to savour it".
They rushed back to each other buffeting more wind as they fought. The lancer spinning her scythe gave glancing attacks, but the servant with the shield merely weathered the attacks through her own protection. She could still feel the force of the blows but it wasn't like before. Chains shoot out from the lancer straight to the sheilder prompting her to quickly take to the air, manoeuvring through the air she deftly avoided the chains, and then used her height leverage to perform a falling bash attack.
The lancer clicked her tongue in irritation as she flipped backwards avoiding her attacks, but not the fog of dust it raised. She looked all around taking care to anticipate any sign of movement in the shadows. Seeing no signs of movement she decided to provoke her into attack "little servant with the shield, all those attacks… is that perhaps your method of expressing desperation" she licked her lips smiling "that's good it seems like you have a good relationship with your master just like the saber in this war. But do you know what will happen in the end, he'll die just like the others. Get it out of your head that you will be capable of protection him, know that by the end of this battle I'll be claiming this battle with the heart and soul of your master. And go back to the throne with the knowledge of your failure". She detected movement as she spotted a shadow just at the corner of her eyes 'got you' she gleefully thought as she shot forward and swiped at it scattering the fog around her a little, as it revealed to be a shield… without a wielder.
"What" she thought in alarm, just to hear the female cry of the lilac haired servant as she shot forward at speed rivalling her own, even almost surpassing it. The shield servant cocked her fist back and fried a powerful haymaker at the lancer servant's midsection. The kinetic potential was so great that it blew away the fog, shooting the servant away as she spat out blood.
"Master you turn!" she cried out as the wind blew past her towards the lancer revealing it to the mortal turned godsblood.
Even despite the pain medusa was still a fighter the pain didn't prevent her as she clearly saw the demi-mortal heading straight to her. As she readied her scythe to defend she heard something that while didn't shock her out of her wits gave her a more than enough pause "how does it feel to be the one to kill your sisters… medusa?"
"…! How did you know th-!" her questions cut of as the mortal threw a handful of sand at her.
...….
'Distract her by calling her 'medusa' and throwing a handful of sand at her. Do you hear yourself billy-kun' olga marie said as she reprimanded him.
'Don't worry it'll work' he assured.
She folded her arms akimbo with fou on her shoulder. An eyebrow rose as she clearly doubted it "'and on what basis'.
'on the basis that she would never had expected a plan as simple as this… maybe it will or will not work but the thing I've noticed about you lady is that, you clearly think too much. And as a result you end up missing the answer before your eyes'.
The lady director regarded him quietly as she spoke 'billy-kun it's not like I want to criticize your idea but-but…' she cut off as she her face show a molecule of venerability'… please just don't die you got it. And mash that includes you too'.
The servant nodded determined 'yes director'.
Billy batson winked back 'now that's a no brainier'.
One thing he deduced during his short fight with the lady in black and his time with mash was that no matter how big and powerful servants were, they were clearly just human. And so they would have a human like reaction. The lancer was definitely an excellent fighter with enough experience to back it up, but the pain from the punch as well as the shock from hearing her true name, gave her enough shock to not respond to his dirty trick quickly enough.
She tried to retreat back to clear her self but this time she would find none as billy batson shot after her in a hot chase to thoroughly incapacitate.
As he neared her and settled into a martial stance, his head began to muddle again as strange memories began to appear 'gods not now' he groaned.
He found himself in a beautiful field spanning as far as the eye could see and assorted with trees all over, he turned to see a young tanned skin boy of twelve years standing before a tall man with green hair wearing an ancient tunic the man had a calm disposition as he answered the boy's question.
"Now that's quite the question * you're asking me how to totally destroy your enemy with your fist"
"Yes uncle * I am plenty strong and unlike my siblings I want to focus on unarmed combat. To be capable of archiving victory over my enemies with just my fist" the small boy chirped.
"Hmmm… well if it's you" he drawled out "I suppose now would be the best time to teach you how to direct that monstrous strength of yours in combat" he decided before settling into a stance "now what this closely child. what I am going to show you now would be different from ordinary defence art or strength training you normally do. What am going to show you is the foundation of….'
And from there the memory blurred as the soul of billy batson returned to the present.
The air had changed. That was recognisable to the present parties in this fight. For olga marie it was just like before with the skeletons only now it was stronger.
For the servant mash the mysterious presence surrounding her master increased its pressure.
And for the servant before she could recognize what had just happened the stances the mortal took suddenly were too familiar with his eyes becoming dull voided of light "this is bad I've got to retreat quickly. That stance I might not survive as I am now' but it was too late as the decimation had begun.
A powerful slap to the ear destabilized her balance; a chop to the shoulder bone shattered her arm strength, a sharp punch to her ribcage expanded her wounds making her to cough mouthful of blood.
Before she could jump back, the mortal bent down performing a hard kick to her legs destroying her retreat. The punch flowed endlessly unlike that of water but of fierce wind without giving her reprieve.
"You bastard!" she cursed as she desperately swing her scythe at his general direction, but this time it was sloppy, all her co-ordination was scattered and he was quite sure she couldn't see well now as the only thing clear to her would be blurs.
"Time for the finisher" he muttered. He obviously avoided the attack and transitioned to her back, his feet impacted the ground in a mighty crack. With both palms co-joined together for the final attack using one hand as momentum to the other spear attack. He shot his elbow in a pile-driving motion digging it straight to her spine.
The sound of an audible crack rang across the night followed by the painful cry of the snake anti-hero. The power of the blow was so great that it shot her smashing through the nearest building.
BOOM!
And so the battle ended, with the master plopped to the ground tired.
...…
"Incredible" olga marie muttered as she viewed the assault the godsblood performed against the lancer. Yes that attack performed by billy batson was nothing short of incredible. It was finalised that a heroic spirit was said to be the highest summon tier familiar and as such regarded as the strongest, so the only thing that could go against a heroic spirit was obviously another one. But at this night her world view was shattered, a thought absently crossed her mind ' and he's all mine' she quickly shook her head to clear the forming blush creeping up her cheeks to meet up with her employees.
Mash ran to her master who was obviously tired wasted on the ground, she helped him slowly stand up wrapping a hand over him to support him "how are you billy-kun".
Her master answered back "obviously tired, wasted and never going to be doing that again… by the gods I am so very tired, can't even feel my legs and not to mention the headache" he trailed of rubbing the sides of his head in a calming manner.
"Am sorry billy-kun" she apologised.
"Eh, for what?" he looked at her confused.
"It's because am not a good servant that billy-kun is the one at the front line, and the only thing I could do was watch your back hoping that you'll win and even this shield doesn't allow me to use its true power…" she said with diffidence.
The amnesic master looked at her for a few moments before asking "mash I want you to look at me".
As mash turned to look, he raised his and towards as head and flicked her with his index finger.
She closed her eyes wincing at the sharpness of flick "billy-kun why" she groaned out using the other hand to massage the head.
But billy batson wasn't having any of that "mash kyrielight you really need to curb such kind of thinking before you let it dictate your life. We won and it's all because of you… and before you start to protest. Think clearly on how we won, it is all because you were my shield that I could fight freely without worry. Even looking at your performance I could say you did better than me when fighting her; a few seconds against her got my ass served back to me red hot" at that she giggled, he snapped back without bite "Oy!, don't laugh it isn't funny, I was fighting tooth and nail for my life there".
That sobered her up "am sorry billy-kun" she apologised with remorse.
But he brushed her back "don't worry about it. All am just saying is that you need to give yourself more credit. Ah mean look at that punch you gave that lady" he whistled impressed "that sure was scary it even made my spine tingle".
She blushed at that as I laughed lightly before continuing "so don't worry about it mash, you're doing plenty enough for this billy batson here".
Her eyes tinted with tears as she smiled nodding back "un, thanks for that billy-kun".
He winked "no worries that's just a little pep talk".
Olga marie graced us with her presence with fou immediately leaving her shoulders jumping towards mash.
Mash caught her quickly as the pet climbed to the comfort of her right shoulder "mew, mew" she licked the servant's checks like showing concern.
Mash closed one eye as she petted the animal "there, there fou am alright".
Meanwhile the director look towards the Chaldean candidate no she corrected herself the Chaldean master, as she said impressed "it seems your plan worked billy-kun congratulations".
Billy shrugged as much as he could manage "well what can I say it's all luck, chance and that strange stream of memories".
The director turned to mash "and what's the enemy servant status. Mash"
"Incapacitated director" she replied.
The director's shoulders sagged down in relief "good now let's leave this place, before we run into anymore hostiles".
We all nodded as we turned to leave.
.....
Deep within the building covered in dust and rubble wreckage from the crashed building medusa groaned in pain as she spat a mouthful of blood.
'Oh… it seems like I am going to die, again' she absently thought.
So close. She was just so close that she could practically taste victory. With the souls of the godsblood and the mage she would find the strength to defeat saber and finally wish for a better ending for her sisters.
She groaned as she stared at the ceilings uncaring as dust entered her eyes. Tears almost welled up as she bit her lips so hard it drew blood. It seems like she would always be the villain of the story, the stepping stone for the hero to demolish without remorse. Her pain. Her cries. Her suffering, would be counted as wilful tales, she would never be the one with the happy ending….
Anger bubbled up within her. And so would they... All those who stood in her way, all those who arrogantly said they stood for what is right by committing such acts towards her and her sisters… all those who had made me into this… 'this time I won't be going alone' she declared through the pain 'this would be my last struggle… my last horrah. But. I shall not go alone' she slowly stood up her hair flaying widely uncaring of the destruction she wrought she trudged to her death in defiance.
...…
Pressure like never before settled upon our group, as mash jerked up with her face taking on a serious turn. Bringing up her shield, towards the area I had sent medusa.
"Master, enemy servant re-detected" she said in alarm.
"But that's impossible… How's she not dead, after assault?" olga marie asked in shock.
"I don't know either, but either way here she comes" I replied.
The building walls busted open with hairs dancing around; the lancer class appeared before us once again. Her appearance was a far cry from the one she had when she appeared to us at first, blood stain her outfit and her draped hood gone revealing her face twisted in anguish. Her eyes pupils' silted becoming that of a snake as she looked at us with all the hate she could muster.
Absently I had a stray thought 'I wonder why, even with all that animosity in her eyes…. She still looked like she was about to cry…. Medusa… I don't know why but I can't help but pity her'.
She laughed disregarding the intense pain she felt as the embers of her life began to fade "one again, it seems like once again I shall die miserable. Zeus scion and servant with the shield you have won, be proud of your victory… BUT!!" she shouted as her draped without her form "this time I shall be the villain to the end. Know my name oh foreigners from lands afar. I am medusa, born deity from the heart of men, protector and guardian of the shapeless isle, given the moniker 'the hero killer' and hailed in legend as the mother of monsters. This time I will win even in death. This time even in my own way, I shall obtain my desired ending".
I could feel the powers emanating from her as she pulled all that was left in her, and I knew this was a hero not in the traditional sense, but one who no matter what would never give up till her last breath.
She took a position as her scythe gave of an ominous glow, with hair flowing widely she chanted " HER FINGERS ARE IRON, HER HAIR IS A CAGE AND HER WHISPER IS A SWEET POISON…"
"Everyone get behind me now!" mash shouted out with obvious alarm and fear in her eyes "the servant about to perform her noble phantasm!" she didn't need to tell me twice I could feel it in my soul that whatever that woman was about to do, it would be ten times more dangerous than the crimson rays from before. And so I and the director huddled behind her as she took on a fierce determined expression glowing with another mana boost.
" … THIS IS WHO I AM! CARRESS OF MEDUS…" her chant was suddenly cut off from the voice of a new arrival.
"I feel bad for this but you've done enough. Lancer"
We all perked up as a man in a sage like hood assorted in furs holding a staff appeared. The lancer growled out "caster!" and before she could continue, a symbol appeared below her 'a rune' she thought as she looked down in alarm. But it was too late she didn't have the speed to avoid the attack turning that area to a pillar of flame.
"Ahhhhhh!!" the cry of lancer rang out. As soon as the flame died down the figure of lancer appeared badly burned as she fell down to back first to the ground as her body began glowing.
"What's that" billy batson asked in warily confusion.
"don't worry about kid, she's just returning from where she came from that's all" the hooded man said as he pulled down his hood revealing a man with a roguish type of face, with blue hair and crazed red eyes, looking at the eyes I could sworn they silted for a moment.
"So she's about to die?" I asked for further clarification.
"Well dying, vanishing, disparaging, disappearing, going away take it as you like kid. It's obvious looking at her she's not going to be a problem now" the man replied as he folded his hands with one hand holding a staff.
While I twitched in irritation at him calling me a kid 'I don't know how old I am. But now I know I hate being called a kid" I pushed that away as I looked at the prone form of lancer slowing turning to purples dust of light. Call it reckless, call it stupidity but I impulsively went to her having the feeling that she shouldn't be left alone.
"billy-kun" "master" the voice of both the confused girls rang in the background, but I didn't listen as I went on.
"Leave him be little ladies. Don't worry about lancer, she's no more a threat, and besides" he looked at the back of the master with eyes lightly narrowed "…I need to confirm something".
Billy batson neared the battered body of lancer as she absently stared at the starless night without any regard for his presence. Seeing that, he sighed tiredly as he sat down near her cross legged just as haggard. The silence went for a few seconds as the voice of lancer groaned out "do you know that in the shapeless isle the stars appear once every pyanepsion. I and my sisters would all lie down on an abandoned rock looking at the skies hoping to catch a glimpse of those beauties" she laughed in as more blood drizzled out from her lips, a lump formed in my stomach as I finally saw the humanity of one who was called a monster "… but that was a long time ago. Life in the island was tough, I was the only one amongst my sisters who could fish, cook, or even fetch the firewood, It was totally different from the life of luxury we once had. But… we were happy. As long as we all had each other no matter the trials that may come our way in the form of both the gods and man we would fight it, to the very end. That we all swore and I swore that no matter what I would be their protector. But it was all gone" she weakly squeezed her hands. instinctly the Chaldean master grabbed the hand and squeezed back her unfocused eyes paused as she turned to look at the man who contributed in killing her. But instead of seeing the face of a hero who would celebrate in her death, she saw a grieving young boy who had shed tears at her death and held her hands. And so for the first time since her summoning she gave a sincere smile.
"You really aren't like the others are you godsblood".
"Billy" the boy interrupted "call me billy, that's what all my friends use to call me or at least I hope they do."
"Friend even after all that have happened, you consider me a friend" she said quietly in shock.
"But of course, after all you're that kind of troupe where the villain isn't obviously a villain but some kind of hero protecting something even against the world" he said gesturing back boyishly.
She gave a weak laugh "a hero against the world… I like that phrase... billy batson. If given a chance to appear again in this world I would still commit all that atrocities again. My fight against fate has not ended yet, the next time given the chance I would still fight for the grail".
"And when you go the wrong part I would be there to stop you again. Although the next time you will not find it as easy handing back my ass like the last time" he replied back to her claim with a small smile.
That made her smile "what a strange and foolish man you are billy batson… but also a kind man. How I wish you were the one who had come on my island, maybe I would have chased you away, maybe I would had killed you or maybe… we would have been friends" and with that the monster gorgon. The goddess medusa closed her eyes for the final time and vanished.
Back at the group the caster closed one eye as he regarded the foreign master huffing "the holy grail war is still the holy grail war. A human understanding the heart of a monster, now that's too interesting and if you consider the boy's relationship with him… well it seems like I won't be too bored in this war after all".