>>5859064

Looking closer you could see....buildings up above, built along the sides of these mighty woods or within them. Even the dead trees you could see were home to figures and animals that you can barely make out from down where you stand. But the faint sounds of laughter could tell you that this was a rather Joyous place.

"Quite a spot. Isn't it?" You hear The Voice, wistful and...sad. Looking to see a vague figure matching your height, the face obscured by a strange mixture between a harsh light and all consuming darkness that only revealed a few things to him. The body itself seems....disconnected, but still held together by some mysterious orbit that kept a Humanoid shape to him. Within his center, an area just below the navel and above the groin, seems a Void which appeared not empty: but from which something may emerge.

"I suppose so...I just feel sad how this is only a dream." You tell him with an equal melancholy, "It seems so much more livable than what's Out There. Neither human nor Magus can understand something like this unless they have experienced it themselves."

"Ahhh, while that may be true. Dreams are Realities yet unborn!" The Voice gladly responds as an arm is wrapped around your shoulder, "All Individuals have their own Dream World which they wish to see. The tragedy is when those dreams die or are corrupted."

"So, I suppose this is a sort of...reflection?"
"In a way. It's a Desire neither an object or a subject, not unformed...but unobtainable by any means except the Miraculous or Diabolic."

You stay silent for a few moments as you look about, you see wolves chasing after a moose, four tearing at the legs and the rest ripping away at it's guts. Yet the great bull makes not a sound as it is torn apart by the wolves. In fact as it is felled, you see a pale light rise from the beast as it takes on the form of a Man. The Man even goes for petting the wolves as though they were dogs, taking meat from it's Former Body in a respectful manner.

You are not quite sure what to make of this. What there even is to make of. But that's just your mind trailing away, Nature is still just Nature after all.

"Why are you here? What ARE you even? Do you have a Name?" You ask the Being, who seems to crane itself downward in thought when you ask.

>>5859064
>>5859066

"A Name huh? I guess that is a Human thing isn't it?" He mutters to himself, you still find it strange how such an amorphous being can have a firm and clear voice. "Well, I suppose you may call me...Zhen. But that can change as much as anything. For I am the Species who's Future arrives from dismantling the Past, so that the Present may finally be Lived: Homo Creareversor."

"A very dramatic title there, wouldn't you say?" You ask dryly with a smile, you see a similar sort vaguely formed across the "face" of your companion.

"I get it from a certain someone. But I'd like to say, be careful, will ya kiddo?"
"Sure, sure. Given the War coming up I have to be won't I?"
"Obviously. But I mean your Servant, she seems....off. I would be leaving you well alone otherwise, but tread lightly with that one. She has her own agenda for being here and you best figure it out else-"

-------

>>5859064
>>5859066
>>5859067

"Wake UP damnit! Come on I can't have you sleeping in while-"

You shoot awake with your eyes wide, a thud on the floor getting your attention as you see Ronald. Rubbing the back of his head as he is laying against the wall. Giving a sharp glare at you as he stands back up. You have a bad feeling about this.

"About time. I been trying everything short of slapping you around to get you up." He huffs out annoyed, you give your older cousin a sheepish smile.

"Sorry man, I was having a really nice dream." You reply back but your expression hardens as you get up, well thankfully for him you did remember to put on boxers. "So what's the issue?"

"Come downstairs and see for yourself." He states almost grimly as he opens up the door, the sinking feeling in your gut intensifies. Following him out the door you make your way downstairs, a muffled conversation is occuring. When you arrive into the kitchen you see Avenger with Ben, your younger cousin seems elated and bouncing in his seat when you arive. Noticing you he beams brightly and gives a wave.

"Marsh! I was wondering when you'd show, your lady friend here is amazing!" He ecstatically says as he snaps his head back to the Servant who isn't sitting in a chair. Rather taking a seating position without anything beneath her, like sitting on something invisible. "Can you do That Thing again?"

The woman gives a bemused chuckle as she shrugs, "Oh I don't know....I find it to be just a mere slight of hand in all honesty."

"Pleeeeease? Just one more time! I won't ask any more outta you!"
"Hmm, Pinky swear it?"
"Of course! Just do It again!"

Your Servant eyes you and Ronald, her smirk stretching just an inch more than the one that casually rests on her pale face. "Oh very well. Who am I to deny an audience's request?" She says with a nonchalantness as she holds a hand out, a baleful glow eminating from the palm as you watch. Before you could even register what had happened, floating just above her hand in stationary was a blackish-red ball of fire. No, a Star. She held a miniature replica of the Sun within the palm of her hand, you didn't sense her expending any Mana, you heard no Word to indicate an activation.

You could feel your whole digestive system turn into a trembling mess. Ronald looks at you with a rather concerned look, and Ben is staring at it with a childlike wonder. "So coool," your bright eyed cousin breathlessly utters before the miniature star is snuffed out as quickly as it appeared. Like extinguishing a candle flame. "I never knew this Magecraft stuff would be so wild! How come you never pulled this stuff off with me Marsh?"

>>5859064
>>5859066
>>5859067
>>5859069

Because you simply couldn't, as much as it pains you to admit, this was something you couldn't do. No Magus in this Era is capable of LITERALLY conjuring up a star out of thin air so casually. It'd take the combined treasury and accumulated knowledge of multiple Families of Magi to pull something like this off. Yet She had did it with the same non-attentiveness a person flicking a lighter for a cigarette would have.

Your head is spinning. You want to throw up. Every nerve in your body is screaming how something is Wrong.

"The Talents of Men are doled out qualitatively young man." Your Servant says chipper as she tussles Ben's hair, "What one Man may find an impossible absurdity, to another is simply a Truism. If he could teach what I showed: He would agree wholeheartedly. But since he can't..." She let's the sentence linger as she smiles in self-satisfaction, "Well. He ought to know what this means, despite lacking the Talent."

Your brain lurches and face grimaces, she is right. What you wouldn't give, what you wouldn't do for such Power as this. For that's what the difference is: Power. You can't help wondering if your face is somewhat green over seeing such a thing.

But You now need to figure out what happened while you slept.

Squinting your gaze at the midnight haired woman. You force a smile turning your attention to Ronald for a moment, "So...how long has she been doing this?" He lets out a sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose tightly enough you see his fingers quivering.

"About two hours, found her raiding the fridge and chugged down a whole milk jug in about....thirty seconds?" He relays, "Which you-"
"Yeah I'll pay for a new gallon. Now, how about you and Ben give me the room with her. Figure out what all has happened."

Looking at you rather skeptically for a moment he let's out a sigh and pulls Ben away. Taking him out of the kitchen and to whichever other room of the house there is. There's plenty of them he can distract Ben in, leaving You to deal with Her. Taking a seat at the table across from the Servant and giving her a stoney stare, which she still grins widely at.

"Alright then, tell me the story." You bluntly tell which gets a crane from her neck, like the faux innocence of a child having been caught. It's seems so natural to her that you find it a rather bothersome thing for something so mundane.

"You mean my Life's story? Oh we're not at THAT point in the relationship yet, though I have led a most eventful one! Believe me." She says with a casual dismissal which causes you to scrunch your brow in annoyance. "I mean what did you spend your time doing with my family. They're regular humans who don't care for the business of the Reverse Side of the World." You reply back rather irritable at her. Her eyes seem to glint with a playful malice as you cut through the crap and social judo She may have wanted to play.

>>5859064
>>5859066
>>5859067
>>5859069
>>5859071

"Ohhhh, you mean that!" She slaps her forehead and giggles in a mockingly absent-minded way, "Nothing much. I merely introduced myself as a lady friend of your's, said my name is Lucy. I'll say that Benny is a lot more easily amused than Ron, I was demonstrating that little parlor trick for....my almost a hundred times!" She swings her arms wide and smiles about as much as they stretch, limbs making a rather grand gesture even as she's just sitting around before pulling them back in.
"It is curious however, that you care about them being exposed now to the Reverse Side, hm? It's not as though you kept it a secret around the house, you do look awfully green." She says sweetly with that chilling, honeyed voice causing hairs to stand on end.

You can't help but smile at the response really. She can see right into you as though you're a quite literal open book. It's certainly something annoying to be sure as well, still, better You have Summoned Her than some other sap.

"While that may be, I still can't help but wonder WHY you would still do this. You must get something from it, don't you?" You ask her, at the question her expression does not change. Smiling still Avenger leans back within the chair which seemed all too small to fit such a expansive being as She. "A passing fancy. No more different than the voyeuristic 'People Watcher'." She let's out the word People with a venomous sneer that drips past the pleasant expression, "Much may be gleamed by a Man by what company He keeps....or in this case, what company keeps the Man."

"And what, exactly, have you gathered on me from showing up like so?" At that she smiles wider as she sets her hands on the table and leans forward. You keep your eyes at her face rather than the Grand Canyon she has going on.

"You have an air of sorrow about you, what others find the mundane and acceptable you find unbearable and barbarous." She says with a...empathetic tone as her smile falls away, "You wish for Better of both yourself, your Species, and for this burning world. Yet at the same time you struggle with the rightful resentments you have against the Modern Era: The Slavery of Labor imposed by Moneylords and Real Politik-als, the idiotic Moralisms of those who believe that Good will come when you have your head in the sand while condemning as Evil the Enjoyments of Life!" She exclaims with a fiery zeal which causes your heartbeat to quicken

"What you Desire: Is an Out, an Exit, wether you die in this coming War or come to be a Victor. You wish for a means to Flee this....Ugly Civilization." She smiles again after spitting the last words out scornfully, resting her head in one of her hands as she states with those strange eyes. "You wish to be Understood. Ronald is too caught up with how things Are rather than how they Should to bother, Ben too Naive and Optimistic to open his eyes to the vile things Humanity does."

>>5859064
>>5859066
>>5859067
>>5859069
>>5859071
>>5859074

You can't help but feel your stomach churn as she is hitting points that, while you never openly had the thought. Subconsciously, you couldn't help but know to be...right. You weren't planning on telling either of your cousins about what the Grail War ensued, you appreciated being taken in...but you didn't want to be a burden anymore on them. Defeat or Victory: You would leave them without a Word, hoping they would move on, they're better suited to the World as it Is Now than YOU are.

You look down to the tiled floor, clenching your hands together tightly. You do wish to try and enjoy Life, you honestly do. But when Joy is something corrupted and recouped by that which you loathe? How can you? It's like trying to eat when everything just tastes like Ashes.

"I maybe...still am a stranger, but I can be a shoulder." Avenger says rather warmly, "If we are to work together then I would like to hear from you. What do You believe is the great issue of this World?" She smiles a small bit, the material of her clothing seems to almost shimmer with anticipation.

"Well..." You say rather quietly


> Force: "It comes from People not realizing the immense Strength that they hold. Too beaten down to realize it, too cowardly to take a Chance."

> Egoism: "Individuals have forgotten the value of their own Selves! Too Bound up by such idiotic Ideals that have gotten away from them, and the Material things which hold more sway over them than they do in their own lives! And not even acknowledging it!"

> Nihility: "Too Many Problems. Not enough Tackling them. All this talk of what Is or Isn't THE Problem means nothing, there's been enough thinking done on What's To Be Done. But it Hasn't Gotten Done at all."

> Chaos: "People are stifled and corralled by their own Beliefs, seeking security instead of liberty. Wether they worship Progress or cling desperately to Tradition, they are not active in the Changes. They fear it, the revile it, they wish to keep things As They Are rather than Risk the New!"

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>>5859074
>I merely introduced myself as a lady friend of your's, said my name is Lucy.
[spoilers]Feeling more confident my my guess as Lilith. Or you’re literally doing pic related.[/spoilers]

>>5859077
>> Nihility: "Too Many Problems. Not enough Tackling them. All this talk of what Is or Isn't THE Problem means nothing, there's been enough thinking done on What's To Be Done. But it Hasn't Gotten Done at all."

>>5859077
>> Chaos: "People are stifled and corralled by their own Beliefs, seeking security instead of liberty. Wether they worship Progress or cling desperately to Tradition, they are not active in the Changes. They fear it, the revile it, they wish to keep things As They Are rather than Risk the New!"

>>5859280
So what you're saying ishttps://youtube.com/shorts/PaXy8BoB0zA?si=mvBWqruBGmXLdXnZ

>>5859280

I'll neither confirm nor deny, but you are right that Avenger is a Demon. And not some glorified Magecraft concoction like Goetia. She is....Truer to form iykwim

>>5859307

>Spoiler

Fun fact!: The Devil may be called Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub and the like interchangeably. They are seperate entities in their own right

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>5859280
>>5859307

A day has been given. Now the dice'll decide

>>5859861

Nihility it is, writing now

>>5859890

"I find there's too many problems in this world. An exhausting amount I'll say." You bitterly state, earning a tilt of the head from your Servant. She's obviously going to ask for elaboration, so time you elaborate. So you turn on the TV in the kitchen and put it to the one source where you may find All The World's Evils to be turned into prattle by doofuses and demagogues: The News.

Perfectly, the opening story regards a mother being charged for stealing baby formula: "First are the Non-Problems. Not Problems because they don't affect or harm people, but Problems because Something else demands we see it as a failing of the person."

"Oh those I can understand. But why are you bothered by them? They simply happen like wind blowing, rainfalling, don't they?" The woman asks measured and curious, you bark out a bitter laugh and smile.

"That's my issue summarized! These problems are thought to be 'Natural' by those who don't give a fuck about them." You spit out as you surf through other channels of News, Robbery, Murder, the One to One Suffering people inflict on eachother. "What I see? Tragedy of Beings who could've been Grand, if they were given a hand or not born into such a...loathsome sort of Civilization." Continuing on you move on to another News story regarding the War in Europe

Russia had gone for an invasion of the 'ol Sattelite and 'Little Brother' Ukraine just this year over some 'Reason' to defend Russian speakers. Wether it had happened ten years before or ten years after, you can see it happening. Because there is a desperation when one of these Things, a Country, goes to War for the sake of rebuilding a poor and gone empire. Laughable, if it weren't for the fact Some take this joke all too seriously.

Such is the Proper Problems. Comprehensible Problems.

Yet it also mentions how Moscow has gone silent, with whatever journalist going in to try and investigate either being dead. Or coming back with rambling reports of men dressed in black having engaged in brutal torture to them.

After all, is that not the key reason for why they do accept things? Being broken in like workhorses and snuffing out what intellect and spirit are there, or appropriating it towards ends the individual never wished for? Whoever says this is something to be Accepted much less a Good, in your mind: Is browbeaten in the sympathetic case, or they're a snake which wants to cloud judgement with a sweet opiate or spit Venom into your soul for DARING TO DEMAND BETTER.

>>5860033

"But don't they provide You protection from others? From your own Nature. A Beast of your own design to prevent Violence is surely a decent invention." She replies back, of course a Devil's advocate.

"Whoever defends a Thing which causes misery on a Mass scale because they fear what an Individual would do to them, either is one who has been brought to Paranoia by that Thing's Lies or is a benefactor of the order." You state simply enough, in your mind at least. "I prefer a Living World with Danger and Dreams, to a Dead World of Divestment and Dereliction of Self. Proper Nature actually exists, unlike that thing in Flux called Human Nature" You then move on to the one which unnerves you most honestly. The Weather.

Why? Because how erratic and intense it is any more. Another Doomsday ice cap breaking off the Artic shelf and bobing down the currents, droughts which render plant and animal and Human alike dry and withered ravaging vast stretches of land, rainfall swallowing up towns and cities in the lower sea-level planes. And one of the saddest, millions upon millions who try to Flee from such a Hell that their own homes have become. Maybe, if lucky, they don't get gunned down at a border region into the few places that are doing Fine wether by Automated Wall or rabid dogs who think Their People are the ones who matter more than the Others.

That isn't to mention such things as the Permafrost melting. Methane and Plague! More of them soon enough! It makes you sick to your stomach.

"Like I said. Too Many Problems. This Civilization always makes it's own problems to sell solutions." You sigh bitterly as you lean back in the chair. "There's Solutions that Individuals who do care more about this have, but they either get appropriated by this Thing. Or they're belittled by paternalistic retards who think THEY know better. With the chant of: 'Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Only then will it be better!'"

You stop as a lump is forming in your throat, seeing your Servant she gives you a rather pained and sorrowful look. Like she has been in your shoes before, but still, the shoes are your own. May be similar but it is one all your own you have suffered by, but you have it easy compared to others...so Ronald says anyway. Taking a deep breath you regain your composure.

"Destroying it will set things right."
"A dangerous idea to want to Destroy what there currently Is without a Plan for what comes after."
"Probably so. But Destroying leaves room for Creating anew, and sometimes you just need to do so. Though..." You trail off your words, a worry does cross your mind.

>>5860033
>>5860035

Is your urge to Destroy, simply that? To Destroy for it's own sake and leaving nothing else? Has living in this Modern Civilization so twisted your own senses that you cannot imagine how Life will be? How horrifying.

But the sensation of a warm hand on your shoulder snaps you away from such a thing. Looking up you see your Servant give a smile of gracious pity, you could weep, but the Tiredness you feel leaves no energy for wasted tears. "You certainly have much on your mind Ernie, I see why an Exit would be your Wish." She murmurs softly as she pulls you closer.

You spend a good few moments just, taking in the Moment. The strange smell of the Spirit sets you at ease after lamenting. There's...Peace, a funny thing considering you are in a Peaceful time compared to all other points in History. Oh well, that doesn't matter.

After a while you pull away and stand from your seat and make a groaning stretch. "Well that's enough from Me on My end. Now then, Avenger, what is it that You are here for?" You ask as you pop joints and your own back.

"Besides Entertainment? Wellllll." She drawls before pulling a smile filled with teeth sharp and vicious enough any shark or Lion seems like a Herbivore by comparison. "I have a few Troublemakers that I need to take care of. Have it on my good word that they're at least partially responsible for this whole Grail War business."

You nod at her, so she doesn't have Unfinished Business like the Spirit of a Hero or Historical figure. She's come here for more or less a Cleanup. To punish those who are, by your hunch, defying her own rule.

"I can get that. Though I do wonder where exactly this War is happening in the first place." You mutter to yourself, as you do so you hear a car honk just outside your door. Taking a peak through the curtains you see the source: an honest to God Limo, parked right out in front.

"Well well, friend of your's little Alex?" Avenger asks teasingly with a hip check. You roll your eyes with a smile.

"Like I'd make friends with someone in one of those." You dryly retort as you step outside, looking back at Avenger you actually see her shrink her size to a more 'Managable' form but still massive, before dissapating in golden sparks to her Spiritual form. Least she'll fit inside when she appears.

Approaching the luxury vehicle's passenger side you knock on the tinted glass. As the window rolls down you feel an immediate sense of revulsion looking at the occupant. "You must be the Final Draftee! Pleasure to meet you buddy." A man with hair too stylized to be naturally messy and a soulpatch on his chin says, his voice grates your ears as it has the slimy 'Charm' coming from practiced rehersal than any proper Charisma.

"I'm here to pick you up. Orders from the Arranger of this whole shindig, much as I wanna get to where the action is. Was picked out to give you a run down." He says smiling, but his hazel eyes are utterly dead and emotionless.

>>5860033
>>5860035
>>5860058

"Now come on in! We'll have a little chat about Where we're going, and you can hear out an Offer of mine." He says with a false jovialness, you get the impression if you don't comply that he may do something...drastic and drag Ronald and Ben into this. You sigh as you open up the door, stepping inside into the thing.

He smiles smugly like he actually got a win from this, dressed in garish designer style clothes. While they look like a regular grey shirt and sweatpants, your instincts tell you that they're something crafted by professionals to give the impression that this rich bastard is. Well. More like You than he is some loaded moron.

"Let's get going, Madame Secretary."
"As you wish Mr. CEO." Says a woman's voice from up front, smooth and light as air slightly accented. Some type of Slavic? Doesn't matter.

You sit giving a half-lided at the man in silence for the first few minutes. He seems about as uncomfortable with this as you are. He finally clears his throat while reaching into a small fridge and pulling out a bottle.

"Wanna take the edge off? This stuff is vintage, got it as a gift from one of the Board for my good work-"
"Spare me the empty platitudes. I'm the one who has questions, first one being who You are."

His face turns to one of annoyed disgust, screaming in silence at your rudeness. Taking an inhale his face shifts to one of neutrality. "Not one to beat around the bush huh? I don't like it personally, but respectable." He states as he gestures to himself.

"My name is Thomas Furlough. CEO of Astralink and Global Kitschy Business Consultants. A pleasure to meet Me I'm sure." He says assuredly, puffing out his chest and smiling.

"I don't even know who you are." You say bluntly, he almost keels over in his seat like you just hit him. You do admit he's able to recover quickly as he sits back up in his seat.

"W-Well I can assure you they're important! We have-"
"No need to bore him Thomas my dear! Just allow him, hmm...three questions. That should suffice." The Driver calls from up front again, you get a rather odd feeling despite not actually seeing her.

"Yes...you heard her. You get Three, so make them count."
"Fine by me Mr. Important. So tell me"

> "Where exactly is this War taking place?"

> "Why have you picked me up at my House? Much less know where I live."

> "If you're in this War, what Class is your Servant?"

> "Is that lady up front your girlfriend or something? What's her deal?"

> "What reason do you have to participate in this at all? You seem pretty well off all in all."

>>5860085
> "Why have you picked me up at my House? Much less know where I live."

> "If you're in this War, what Class is your Servant?"

> "What reason do you have to participate in this at all? You seem pretty well off all in all."

These strike me as most useful for figuring out this guy’s deal.

>>5860358

Alright then, no opposition so time to write

>>5861132

"If you're another Competitor in the Grail War. What Class is your Servant?" If you're going to get information, may as well have the first question be a useful one. He turns his head to show the Seals at the side of his neck, just over the carotid artery. Best way you can describe it is basically a shield.

"I believe that he introduced himself as a Rider. Before you ask, no, won't be revealing him to you. Save to just say....he's a strong one, so I don't have much worry about winning." He says casual and satisfied, but with the other presence in the vehicle you can sense a mixture between annoyance and a disgust. You somehow doubt that this guy actually has any respect from his Servant, mostly since you can't muster any yourself

One down. Two to go.

"How did you know where I live and just Why have you picked me up?" You cross your legs and lean back in the seat. Thomas gives you a piercing stare for a moment before shrugging, pulling a phone from his pocket. After a moment he shows the screen featuring your home, zooming back out all the way into seeing the Earth from the orbit. And in a dizzying speed it zooms down quickly to following the limo the two of you are riding along in.

"Ah...a sattelite"
"Oh no my friend. Sattelites." He says with a triumphant grin on his face, "Astralink has up to five hundred highly advanced communications and observation sattelites orbiting the Earth! A hundred for each continent save Antartica."
"What about Australia?"
"Who cares? Bunch of sand and oversized spiders, at least being Africa allows me to over see any Developments."

Riiiight. Well you're not gonna touch that spot, or should say See into it. "But what about my original question? Why pick me up and do all this in the first place?"

His mouth pulls into a sort of 'non-smile' when you ask. "Bit complicated, but think I can summarize." He clears his throat as he leans forward, "The business is this: while our dear Arranger of this shindig may have this...Magecraft mumbo-jumbo pretty good. He doesn't have means to get people like You and the Others where we're having this War....despite some hiccups."

"So you're, what, a financer? A logistics consultant?" You ask him dryly, his sour expression gives confirmation before he even says anything.

"Something like that. While the area is more or less a Blackbox, In or Out, He had to have Someone deal with making the trains and planes run on time." He gets a smile back as he let's out a small and bitter chuckle, "May be annoying. But it does have perks, I'm filling a niche and making a killing due to my KB Consultants doing what they do best. You were something of a, how'd he put it? Ah right! An 'Expected Surprise' as it were."

>>5861177

Now that's an odd phrase to use. So you being picked by the Grail is neither an accidental fluke or something the guy made a plan in advance for. Hold on, the letter makes sense now. Whoever this Arranger is had sent it as his own 'invitation' by your guess, that Albion fellow or whatever the name was must've been trying to get in himself. And you got to take part in the Falling Out first hand.

And I do hope you'll be more amusing dear Alex. I don't like to be disappointed, and that Alba would have gotten on my nerves enough to flay him down to a mere thousand atoms. The smokey voice of Avenger echoes through your head.

Oh I'm sure we'll get along fine. I did go through that Slaughterhouse to pick you up, after all.

But that's a thought to ponder later. Last one you gotta ask is simple enough. And it comes around to your current companions possibly favorite subject!

"Final one...why are you in this War at all? You seem to be doing pretty well for yourself all considered." You ask simply. Which gets a look of confusion from the yuppie in poorer drag. But realization lights up his expression quickly afterwards.

"I think that's obvious." He says, leaning over and putting his hand to the side of his mouth like indulging in conspiracy. "I want...to be THE Richest of all time! Fahahahahahaha!" He peels out with childish giddiness, and you can feel your stomach just churn at a banal and empty excuse for a 'Wish'.

"While I may have a few cool billions here and there, I always found there were those MUCH better than I was: Augustus ruled over the Roman Empire and had luxuries abound, Ghengis had Real Estate stretching from the Ukraine to Korea, and Mansa Musa had gold by the fistful. Me? I want to make all of them Paupers compared to my Wealth." He gives a wide and vicious grin as he looks off into space. "People can burn as much Paper and melt Coins down as much as they want, it's still all mine! They eat what I want them to eat, drink what I want them to drink, sleep only when commanded, but above all!: I throw Money, All Obey."

How short sighted of a grand vision! A certain someone I know would love to have this man humbled for a few millenia. A Narrow Greed if ever there was one. Avenger gives comment that takes the words right out of your own mind. But you say nothing to him as you mull over such a vulgar Wish, an omnipotent wishgranter and all he wants is to be is Loaded.

"Now then, I have an offer before I forget it." He clears his throat, "How about you and I come into this war....as equal partners? At least until it's the two of us and we duke it out for who gets the Grail. Whadaya say Mr. Vrilizadre?" He sticks out his hand as his empty yuppie eyes stare at you and teeth are shown less in the smile.

>>5861177
>>5861179

On the one hand, he has an advantage in knowing where everyone else is at all times. And from the sounds of things he has Helpers on the ground to act as his bodyguard and make life easy for him. On the other hand, you simply can't stand him. Hearing him out on his Wish is enough that you have to hold restraint from simply crushing his skull on principle.

But it's ultimately Your Choice.

>I refuse

>I accept

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>>5861177

Forgot the image to go with this post here

>>5861180
>I accept
I highly doubt this non-aggression pact is actually going to last as long as advertised, but may as well take a few days of him probably keeping other people busy for us.

>>5861258

Reasonable proposal, but you are right that the pact won't last long. And he does have his own idea regarding how the others are to be kept busy

Or taken out of this War all together, in a simple and inconspicuous manner

>>5861180
>I accept
We won't put all of our trust in him, he seems the type to backstab

>>5861180
>>I refuse
Seems like a dumbass

>>5861258
>>5861425

Proposal accepted, writing now

While you're not keen on it, he may serve as a useful distraction for other competitors. He has a knife behind his back so it's only fair that you hold similar trepidation. First opportunity he shows he isn't going to be much help, well, that's a foregone conclusion.

You smile back at him and grip his hand tightly, leading him to wince. "Why not? May our little alliance be long and fruitful." He nods along with a bit of a grimace on his face before pulling away, shaking the pain out of his hand. "Of course, of course. Now since we'll be collaborating it's time I tell you Where we're going." Thomas says scrolling through his phone once again, after a few moments he hands the slick matte black brick to you.

"You can't be serious." You flatly state, to which he shakes his head with a shiteating grin plastered on.
"Oh I'm deadly serious buddy. We're heading to Russia!"
"Well...guess I better let my cousins know I'm off to somewhere then." You mutter to yourself as you rub your temples.

Russia, currently engaged in open war with one of it's previous empire items. Does make some sense when you think about it, with the rest of the Regular World caught up in the news of War then battles between Servants would be put down as airstrikes, artillery fire and the like. General conflict intensifying and spreading out in the area as a whole. And the Clocktower Pinheads haven't much good relations or eyes within the country itself, even the Church has a standoffish relationship and they can actually come and go.

As you look at your own Command Seals, you still wonder just How this 'GM' fellow is even pulling this off in the first place. From what you have heard of the 'Fuyuki Incident' over half the town just ended up gone without a trace. Not dead, not destroyed, just simply Gone. The town itself was near totally destroyed save for some of the landmarks of the town, whatever happened you feel that it may be a result of the Winner taking a malicious Wish.

"So, where are we going to be in Russia? It is a big place after all." You ask your riding companion
"Well from what our Host has told me. We'll be duking it out as we make our way East, meeting up at Lake Baikal where he said the rest of the War would continue." His face scrunches up for a moment, brow wrinkling in thought before he speaks up again. "Actually if I remember it right, he specifically said: The next phase of the Ritual shall commence."

Well now. It'd seem that there's stages that this man wishes to follow. I very much wish to see where this all goes. Avenger's voice seems to radiate a slavering hunger to have her curiosity sated. You can feel something similar as well.

Your interest is piqued

>>5862245

---------

After having driven around the city and gotten the information you wanted from Mr. Furlough you ask that he drop you off back home. Once you pull in to the driveway you get stopped for a moment by him once outside. Handing you a manilla card with an address on it, "Once you're all set swing by the airport. I'll have a plane set up to take you along with a few others close as we can get without getting shot down." He says smirking, "All the best! And uh....hopefully we'll both have some equal amount of apperal on next we meet." The limo then drives off as you look about yourself

Well shit you did just jump in with only the underwear on. You just skipped right into talking with this guy still in your skivvies. You sigh out and stare at a space beside you, "Why didn't you tell me about my clothing situation Avenger?" You ask annoyed, leading to a peel of laughter from the manifesting giantess.

"You wanted to jump into things right away, so who was I to stop you?" She giggles as you approach the front door, "It was amusing getting to listen to the Richman's thoughts mulling over why you did what you did."

"Make sure that if this happens again you smack me over it alright?" You groan out, actually, that jogs a memory of your's. Something you wanted to ask. "Say, Avenger?"

"Hm? What is it."
"Before I forget I was curious as to what your Parameters are? May as well do this now before I get ready to go."
"Ahhhh, I was wondering when you'd get around to it. Very well, I look upon me." She says teasingly as your brain lights up with new information

>True Name: ???("Like I said before We're not at that stage of the relationship yet")
>Height: 262cm
>Weight: "Don't Ask"

> Strength: A
> Endurance: EX
> Agility: B
> Mana: EX
> Luck: F
> NP: A++(true parameter ???)

> Class Skills

> Self Replenishment A+: As a ???, Avenger is able to maintain an incredibly high usage of Mana for abilities and attacks and thus is capable of relentless struggling against high class Servants without straining the Master's own magic circuits

>Oblivion Correction(???) A-: ???


> Personal Skills

> ??? A+: ???

> ??? EX: ???

> Oubliete King A: This skill is one which puts Avenger's Endurance parameter into EX acting similar to a combination of Battle Continuation and Magic Resistance, able to recover near instantly from what would otherwise be deathblows for even Servants and to tank Magical attacks of great power. A secondary effect from this is that Avenger is also capable of inflicting endlessly torments of creative cruelty tailored to particular souls, keeping their consciousness in prisms to be utilized in crafting or in battle

> Noble Phantasms


>???, The Infernal Capital (C-A++/???): ???

> Black Qlippoth, The Inverse Kabbalah(A+/???): ???

>>5862245
>>5862273

As the data runs through your head you feel rather...perplexed by the lack in details regarding both Skills and Noble Phantasms. They have a demonic/hellish theme to them from what you see, with how they are in rank they must be extremely dangerous. The stats alone can have her go up against some dangerous enemies, so while you're happy to have such a powerful Servant. You see the other edge being that if she were to feel you're not going along....well you don't want to think on it.

"These are impressive...scarily so." You say rather softly, earning a sastisfied smirk from the midnight mane'd lady.

"Naturally. Although this Class Container I have now is something less suited. If I was in my..." she pauses as she looks at you curiously, is it trepidation? Suspicion? It seems a whole slew of emotions are coming through in the moment.
"In your what?" You ask to snap her out of it. She shakes her head and frowns sourly
"Nothing, forget I said anything. Let's just get you prepared for the trip." She says harshly, must be a sore spot for her then.

As the data runs through your head you feel rather...perplexed by the lack in details regarding both Skills and Noble Phantasms. They have a demonic/hellish theme to them from what you see, with how they are in rank they must be extremely dangerous. The stats alone can have her go up against some dangerous enemies, so while you're happy to have such a powerful Servant. You see the other edge being that if she were to feel you're not going along....well you don't want to think on it.

"These are impressive...scarily so." You say rather softly, earning a sastisfied smirk from the midnight mane'd lady.

"Naturally. Although this Class Container I have now is something less suited. If I was in my..." she pauses as she looks at you curiously, is it trepidation? Suspicion? It seems a whole slew of emotions are coming through in the moment.
"In your what?" You ask to snap her out of it. She shakes her head and frowns sourly
"Nothing, forget I said anything. Let's just get you prepared for the trip." She says harshly, must be a sore spot for her then.

Once you head inside the house, coming to your room silently to throw your clothes on. A new thought, a pressing thought comes to mind. You're going to be heading off into a warzone, a country in a state of emergency, you tell Ronald and Ben about this they'd freak out.

But on the other hand. If you share nothing and simply leave then in the dark or tell a half truth? You'd never be able to live it down hurting them by dying somewhere they can't even pick up your body. What do you tell them? What CAN be told to them?

>>5862245
>>5862273
>>5862274

> The Full Truth: They know Avenger...somewhat already, but you should divulge everything else. What you're doing, where you're going, why, all of it.

>Half the Truth: You should tell them about Why you're going to be away for a long while. They don't need to know everything, just enought to satisfy(requires a roll)

>Tell Nothing: No, you can't worry them over this at all. Tell a lie that you're going to be off somewhere for at least a month. You being here at all is simply too much danger to pull them into Magus' business.(requires a roll)

>>5862276
> The Full Truth: They know Avenger...somewhat already, but you should divulge everything else. What you're doing, where you're going, why, all of it.

>>5862245
>Does make some sense when you think about it, with the rest of the Regular World caught up in the news of War then battles between Servants would be put down as airstrikes, artillery fire and the like.

I genuinely fucking love this idea of having a Holy Grail War in an actual war zone to pass off the damage as normal acts of war - means nobody has to front the cash for it, which the Association made the Einzbern do in Fuyuki.

> From what you have heard of the 'Fuyuki Incident' over half the town just ended up gone without a trace. Not dead, not destroyed, just simply Gone. The town itself was near totally destroyed save for some of the landmarks of the town, whatever happened you feel that it may be a result of the Winner taking a malicious Wish.

Interesting look into the cause of the timeline divergence. I look forward to clues hinting in which Fuyuki Grail War this actually occurred. Weird that Alba lived past the 90’s, too.

>>5862276
>Half the Truth: You should tell them about Why you're going to be away for a long while. They don't need to know everything, just enought to satisfy(requires a roll)

Partial honesty is the best policy!

>>5862543


> I genuinely fucking love this idea of having a Holy Grail War in an actual war zone to pass off the damage as normal acts of war - means nobody has to front the cash for it, which the Association made the Einzbern do in Fuyuki.

Thanks Anon, it was one of those ideas that I had me realize that Nasu COULD do so but simply hasn't. May as well take advantage of it

> Interesting look into the cause of the timeline divergence. I look forward to clues hinting in which Fuyuki Grail War this actually occurred. Weird that Alba lived past the 90’s, too.

I actually gave the first hint in the last thread, it relates to the Year we're in right now

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7 KB JPG

>>5862623
>spoiler
Time to reread.

based

>>5862276
>Half the Truth: You should tell them about Why you're going to be away for a long while. They don't need to know everything, just enought to satisfy(requires a roll)

>>5862546
>>5863146

Half truth it is: roll me a flat d100, no DC but the higher the better and the more you'll be believed

>>5863217

Also

[i]Test[/i]

>>5863217

Quick reminder, it's best of four so you'll be doing a roll each until we get four.

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>5863217
Let’s gooooo

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5863217

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>5863217

>>5862623
>it was one of those ideas that I had me realize that Nasu COULD do so but simply hasn't
The 3rd Holy Grail War could fall under that category, but we'll get a decades-overdue official character-design for Altrouge Brunestud before we get a "canon" breakdown of the events of the 3rd HGW.

Funnily enough, I had planned on using a similar premise in a future arc of Akeldama redux in hiatus purgatory, but it would have been terrorists (mage-funded PMC's) destroying electrical infrastructure to reduce the chances of public surveillance or someone with a smart-phone seeing too much, and also giving a "more plausible" explanation for damage resulting from the Servant-battles.

>>5863777

> The 3rd Holy Grail War could fall under that category, but we'll get a decades-overdue official character-design for Altrouge Brunestud before we get a "canon" breakdown of the events of the 3rd HGW.

While true, since we haven't actually gotten a break down for what happened there I more or less have it as something vaguely there in my mind. While the Golden Tree family sure was in there I see it as something left up in the air on how things actually happened.

I'm 100% sure that Altrouge is gonna be put as long black haired version of Arcuied

>spoiler

That's rough man, I'll be sure to get back into voting when you're out of Hiatus. Take the time you need is what I say, you got some who'll be sad to see you gone for a while, but will be very glad to see you back.

>>5863319
>>5863319
>>5863438

Three down and one to go, I'll be back in the morning to see if we get our last guy

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>5863217
Sorry can usually only reply at late night here ya go.

>>5863960

Well midnight anon I appreciate it.

The rolls come out to a success-ish. Writing now

Rolled 11, 9 = 20 (2d23)

>>5864116

Don't mind this, it's not important

Just who you're sharing your flight with

>>5864119

Well I wasn't expecting either of these guys actually. Should be interesting

You reach your decision soon enough once the clothes are on. Packing some spares in a bag, you note that lying to the one bit of family that you have left would be a distasteful and gross thing. But letting them know the full story is just asking for trouble when the Enforcers come a-knockin'. You'll have to settle for half and half.

Once you're finished you make your way downstairs, finding Ron and Ben in the living room. The two look surprised for a moment before the older brother speaks up first. "Marsh, where the hell have you been? Saw you enter into that limo earlier and hadn't heard you come back inside." Your weathered looking cousin huffs, you give a pained smile as you give a quick hug.

"Sorry for worrying you about that...and sorry to tell you about some further worries." You say somberly
"What're you talking about? Is everything alright?" He asks giving you a look of concern and a narrowed brow, you give him a nod

"Sure, the guy I went with...hired me on for a job. I'll be heading off east to Russia for Humanitarian work, I didn't want to tell you at first, but it's something I have to do." You lie through your teeth, Ronald's face turns one that is painted by perplexing confusion, his eyes shrunken back with thoughts running through his mind and jaw clenched so tightly you worry he may shatter his teeth. Ben looks almost as bad, but putting on a more surprisingly calm mask to hide the pained confusion.

"Do you know how long you'll be away?" Your younger cousin asks meekly, you come over and sit down next to him. Your chest aches as you Summon the courage to tell the next lines.

"I don't know. In all likelihood it'll be a month, so I'm going to miss Christmas sadly." You tell him as his head hangs, but you take a hand to have him meet your gaze. "If all goes well I should be back before you guys know it. Who knows? Maybe I'll have a souvenir or few to bring back." You still see them rather upset at this news, Ronald's face hardening into one lined by a sort of paternalistic anger. Not genuine, but one that does make you rather sad to see on your tired family.

"Marshall....I know you wouldn't take this if you felt you couldn't do well or felt you would do better than someone else." He says softly, but you can hear a strain in his voice as well. "It may be too late for either of us to stop you from going, but just do one thing and you'll have our blessing to head off. And we won't worry on it while you're away."

>>5864150

You don't respond for a moment, taking in a deep breath and exhaling out in anticipation. "Very well. What is it you want?" You ask

"Promise you'll make it back." The two say in unison which causes your eyes to widen for a moment. Your lips scrunch into a frown as a slew of thoughts run through your mind, it'll be a deadly trip you're taking. They know that, but not the other half of it, the main thrust of things is what they do understand though. Standing up you hold your left hand up to them and with a stoney cold expression, tell them:

"I, Marshall Alexander Ernst DeCassere von Cheyrni Vrilizadre, promise that I shall return." You vow solemnly, either alive or dead would be an entirely different matter. But in this moment, that doesn't matter too much. You pull your two relatives in close and hug tightly and they return it in full, this'll be the last you may see them for a long time.

If ever again. But you won't worry over that. You shall savor the brotherly embrace instead, a wetness coming at the corners of your eyes. Why you're not sure if it can be pinned down to any One Reason.

----------

Once you had finished up with gathering materials from the basement and saying goodbyes to your kin. You made your way through Oakvale one last time, taking an easy stroll through and taking in the sights. You'll miss the numbing buzz of chattering people while off, but it'll be something you'll be able to enjoy somewhat being away from.

You head to the address that was handed by Furlough, it was a parking lot. Guess the issue you have now is simply waiting with Avenger, who has taken time to come out from spirit form to stretch her legs. Quite literally as she's touching her toes doing a standing split on one of the concrete pillars, "I hope that our ride will be showing up soon. I may just have to conjure something else for us to take a way there."

"You could do that? Then why aren't we doing such a thing?" You ask as you see her tree-trunk like thighs flex from strain and effort. She gives you a toothy grin in response, her face alight with mischievous glint.

"Well I don't think that your fellow humans would appreciate who or what I pick out for a chariot." She says rather smugly, "Apes cannot withstand the glory that my light brings much less be worthy of it. And my...associates are much less patient and subtle than I am."

"What about me? Am I somehow lacking in worthiness like them?" You ask which gets a light chuckle from your Servant.

"Well you said it not me, but if you Must know, then it's more to do with how you may find me if you understood Who and What I am." She says rather somberly, looking to the ground with a blank and depressive stare "I haven't had much in the way of....Equals, for a long time now. I've been longing for a Change in Scenery for who knows how much time."

>>5864150
>>5864154

You look at this woman before approaching, placing a hand at her back. "Perhaps I'm not ready yet, but I'd still like to get to know You as this War goes on." You give a small smile as she looks to you, "Since we're in this together. It's something small that I'd like to do, for you Avenger."

The Spirit eyes you skeptically before letting out a bitter laugh, "Oh I'm sure. What is it you want from me then, O Master of mine?" She asks with a surprisingly caustic and sharp tone to her voice.

> I want to be your Master, plain and simple. You can serve how you wish, but I shall be listened to wether you want to or not

> I want to learn from you, I always have felt I am...incomplete somehow. Perhaps having you be my teacher will do good for me and you alike

> To Be your Equal. You seem to have an issue with my species, which is fair, so I hope that at least one Ape is worthwhile enough for you to call...whatever you may like.

>>5864156
>> I want to learn from you, I always have felt I am...incomplete somehow. Perhaps having you be my teacher will do good for me and you alike

>>5864156
> To Be your Equal. You seem to have an issue with my species, which is fair, so I hope that at least one Ape is worthwhile enough for you to call...whatever you may like.

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356 KB PNG

>>5864156
>To Be your Equal. You seem to have an issue with my species, which is fair, so I hope that at least one Ape is worthwhile enough for you to call...whatever you may like.
>Height: 262cm
pic related

>>5864374

>To Be a Student

>>5864448
>>5864490

>To Be an Equal

Matching to your Servant it is! Writing now

update is coming a bit slower than previous ones, so in the meantime. An intro to another Competitor who summoned their Servant a few days before you had

> Broken Mosaics

The Moon hung high, full but shrouded in clouds like a voyeur peaking from the blinds. Digging a ritual pattern into the earth with a walking stick, an albino young man dressed in a dirty-white suit. His hair mopped by sweat as he is bent over due to a hunch, his very apperance is a disheveled and raggity creature who has flaws which comeforth and disappear like lungs expanding and contracting at breath. He is a Homunculus, his name is Georg.

This must work now...I must work now.... The mantra echoed through as the rickety non-human forms a great magical symbol. Pulling a pile of manuscripts from inside his filth-splotched jacket, he throws them in the center before limping out of the circle. It better work Georg, or else-

"I know! IknowIknow just. Let me get on with it." He says to the voice he hears, one far enough to not be seen yet close enough to hear like they're in a closed room. The figure takes a breath as he kneels, dripping his blood onto the carved geometry.

"May Iron and Poison form the elements, and the Archduke of Pacts and Stone be the foundation." He recited it monotonously, his circuits firing like a shoddy engine running high. This sort of electric pain is nothing as the circle glows a baleful purple lighting up the symbol.

"Hear me....My Will shall create thy Body. And thy blade shall create mine destiny." He mutters as his Seal spreads across his body, wrapping around and appearing like vines of briar.

"I ask for obedience, though I hold no true reason or will to live. I ask for power which I may not control." He hissed out as the pain seemed to get to him, his teeth clenched tightly down. Can he even do this? What for? Why?

"Worthless." Said the man at the top of the stairs, your whole body had hurt and had contorted really badly in front of grandfather...but maybe he doesn't mean-"Even if there were to be a War, this would be a faulty if dangerous liability, I could never trust this....thing to be the Grail's Vessel." He says as you are unable to move, your spine had hunched violently at a 90 degree angle when grandfather activated your circuits.

His eyes went wide and a sharp breath was drawn into his mouth. And yet another Nightmare-no, another Memory came to him like a posession.

"Completely disgusting!" Said Sheyla, she was one of the maid Homunculi and you simply wanted to pay a compliment to her "I wouldn't take even a single breath on my neck from you much less a touch, you Defect!" She smacks you across the face and leaves you there in stunned silence. You just wanted to say she had nice eyes, but you messed that all up.

The pain seems to melt away as a horrid and clarifying vision comes to Georg's mind. A madness and a hatred against those who pained him for being in pain.

>>5865252

"Unnotable." Said one fellow who knocked your body into a pit with the rest of the dead Homunculi. When you awoke as your melded with your fellow alchemical creations, you proceeded to wither the man away feeding on the Time he had left until he became a dottering dementia riddled old man before dying not long after. You kept feeding and feeding upon those who tried to prevent you from escaping, only feeling a true joy as you sprint out into the snow blanketed forest. The Cold was nothing compared to your trouble being born

Then for a moment he sees....Her. Pure Mana, a feminine and curvy figure holding onto him and bringing him to consciousness in the snow. 'Find me' she said, he knows that's what he heard. She may have the horns of a demon, but what else could she be other than a beautiful bodhisattva!

And at last he stood to his feet, the malformities seeming to vanish away and receed for a time. He growls like an enraged dog, "Let there be no quarels between us. As I seek what is rightfully mine." The light blasts forth in waves, enough to stumble the white haired homunculus for a moment. The trees whipping around from the gales

"Clad in the seven great words of power. I proclaim." The light burned his eyes as he yelled out, his voice a harsh and choked rasp. "Come forth to me, Guardian of the Scales!" The light became totally blinding as it reached it's zenith, slowly fading away as the winds die down.

"Ahhhhhhhh. What sights I see before me!" Cawed out a manic and scratchy voice, as the light faded from Georg's eyes he saw Him: A tall man, rail thin and wearing a Jester costume with scarfs and belts wrapped around a grayscale coat with no visible body beneath. His hands have long and splindly fingers, more like spider legs than human, hands that seem to have a great mass of Bone within them. His face was angular and sharp, piercing yet glassy eyes looked intensely into Georg, his white and whispy hair with a great widow's peak makes him appear like a poltergeist.

"Role: Servant. Character: Caster. I promise that you shall have a staring role in my Theatre!" He says giddily, walking over in long strides. The Homunculus looks at how the air around the being seems to roil with a dark fog from within his sleeves and from the width of the pieced together robe of the outfit. Georg felt a smile form across his face, stiffly and with a spark of joy in his eye as he sees the Servant. "And I presume, that you Monsieur. Are my Master, are you not?"

"Ke-heh," the snowy-haired boy coughed out, taking in a quickly drawn deep breath. "KEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, LOOK GRANDFATHER JUB! I AM OF THE GRAIL! MY TIME HAS COME AT LAST!" His laughter had a sickness and desperation that the spindly Servant beamed at like seeing a beautiful sunset. His resentment, his frustrations, his disgust with himself and others, all most excellent negativities

>>5865252
>>5865261

The Einzbern has a proud and malevolent grin on his face. "Caster...while I am taking part in the war. My goal is not victory." He says, voice rasping harshly.

"Oh-ho? You do not mean to win? Then what do you seek Monsieur Master?" The Madman spoke, curiousity brimming off of him as he craned his neck forward. Not forward but turning and twisting like an arthritic, jittery serpent.

"A....A Woman, A Woman I must-nononono, will have as mine. Before the Grail, I must Find and Wed Her! It's only meant to be!" At this the Jester's smile grew wide, showing teeth like jagged glass and clasping his hands together like a prayer.

"Amor! Amor! A greater madness there is not, my pains and my cruelties pale compare to that Beast Called Love!" He crows out, frantic as he sways back in forth like the shimmering of a mirage, "A bachelor of Ennui and Anome towards Each and All I have been summoned by, SUCH A MARVELOUS GIFT L'GRANDE TARD!" As the Jester raved he had taken into a long and draw out bow, bending like a withered tree to the young man. His skin was cracked like a rebuilt porcalin doll. "Tell me child, what is your name?"

The boy smiled, his eyes glassy and his face burned by teartrails which burn against the cool forest air. He sees Another Like Him, Another Escapee, a creature who actually wishes to know....his own self. He feels a great pain in his chest, he doesn't mind, in fact he welcomes it gladly. "Georg. Georg Whitehead Friedrich Ein- no, Heglenisviel." He smiles back to his companion, the electric and wordless connection between the two beings sharing enjoyment meeting for the first time. Georg does not notice he is for the first time in his life, not degenerating.

"A most handsome name for a fellow such as you." The spindley Spirit coos in a voice almost too much like a woman for a simple gag, shocking Georg with the absurd skill. "I am Antonin Artaud, and I swear on my honor. That I shall bestow the Union upon You and Your Love! Your Servant, and you my Mas-....nay, Muse."

Rolled 54 (1d100)

Alright I am just about done with the next update. Just gonna do one thing here

Ignore it for now. But it'll be relevant in a moment

You ponder for a bit on her words, she likely means this in some sort of derisive way. Something to bait out your intentions for her, you cannot simply control something such as her, she'd have your skull splattered in no time. And you do not wish to be a mere student, as that would be little more than having to slow down a powerhouse. While it may seem absurd, there's only one sensible thing for you to say: "I'd like to try for being your Equal, if I'm being honest."

The bitter grin on her face shifts to one blended between skeptical flabbergastedness and a paranoid yet strangely hopeful expression. "You don't know what you're saying with that..." She mumbles out shaking her head, and you give a shrug in response.

"Perhaps not, but I can learn as time goes on." You say with a light grin
"I am a demon boy, to be my equal then you'd be changing yourself into something entirely inhuman."
"So long as I'm still Me, I won't mind changing to be an equal."
"It'd be torture to reach the heights of Me. And my full glory would be blinding to even the hardiest of souls."

You put an arm around her waist and beam up at her, "Well wouldn't you be the greatest last thing I could see?" You ask cheerily. She turns away and you swear that her ears turn pinkish, it takes a moment before she turns back around to look at you with a tired smile. "You're a hopeless one aren't you?" She asks dryly

"No Hope, No Future. More than ready for the adventure of a life time!" You proudly proclaim as you puff out your chest earning an amused peel of laughter from Avenger.

"Then I suppose once we do reach Russia. I can help you get started, but it's ultimately on you to become a worthy equal." She says with a sort of aristocratic air to her words, nodding along you can only agree to such a thing. As the two of you are finishing the conversation, you hear the mechanical roar of an engine coming your way. A sleek motorcycle blurring past before you can even turn your head to see what is going on, the figure on it being a woman in some kind of flight attendant uniform.

File: The Bitch Herself.png (148 KB, 340x570)

148 KB PNG

>>5865393

Pulling the helmet off a mane of pink hair falls out, adjusting it to show a pretty face. Her yellow vulpine-like eyes look to you, sizing you up like meat before a smirk tugs to the side of her face. "Apologies for the delay, my employer had a few last minute errands for me to run." Her clear and bubbly voice seemed like a mask, but the accent was something you remember from the limo ride with the rich dumbass. "It's a pleasure to see you again Mr. Vrilizadre, but allow me to introduce myself properly. I am the Number One Secretary of NFF Services: Tamamovitch Koyanskaya!" She boasts in an almost...cutsey manner, your stomach churns from the display. Meanwhile Avenger seems to be eyeing the lady with a half lidded stare that had an intensity to it which terrified you.

>>5865393
>>5865395

"Now then my Sharp-Tooth'd Pup, let's be on our way to-"
"Hold thy tongue Vixen." Avenger cut her off, her voice seem dark and malicious. With the pink-haired secretary letting out a huff of annoyance as she turned her attention to your Servant.
"Now look here, you may be a Heroic Spirit but I am just looking to do my job! Can't I pay a compliment to a young man?" She asks incredulously, "I don't see a stamp where it says he's your-" She pauses midsentence as she actually sees Avenger. Her whole confident demeanor washes away in an instant as her eyes meet with the smiling demon, who tilts her own massive head to the side.

"Oh, on contraire my friend. He IS MY Master, and therefore MINE by right." Avenger states authoritative and forceful as she lears over the shorter woman. Ms. Koyanskaya trembling in pale faced terror merely being close to your Servant, who snakes her arms and coils her fingers around the Russian's. "Beди ceбя пpиличнo, лиceнoк, инaчe я вoзьмy нa ceбя poль aнгличaнинa. Tы пoнимaeшь, дa?" Avenger breaks out into a crisp and almost perfect bit of Russian which causes her captured prey to nearly jump out of her skin.

"д-дa чёpт." Koyanskaya stutters out, your Servant smiles serenely letting out a chuckle. Pecking the anxious lady on the forehead. "Good girl." She whispers just loud enough for you to hear, "Well Alex I leave this little one to your devices." And with that she vanishes away in a golden cloud leaving you with a still trembling woman. You approach her and wave a hand at her face, no response.

"Are you...alright? Should I-
"I'M FINE THANK YOU!" She yips and puffing her chest out, taking in a deep inhale before sighing out shallowly. She puts on a good stoic face but you can still sense the tension in her even now. "Let's just get going before....She shows up again to torment me." Sensing you're not going to get much conversation from her after this, you hand her the helmet she set down and sit behind her. With a revving of the engine she peels out, the screeching echo of the tires being the last sound the Lot has fill it.

------

>>5865393
>>5865395
>>5865396

After driving your way through traffic(a term you use loosely to describe this Secretary's chaotic action movie esque bobbing and weaving through cars.) You eventually arrive at an a utilitarian and metal hanger. Inside lies a silver and blue jet with the stairway already down, taking her helmet off and putting her kick stand down you and Koyanskaya step off. "Well here we are, private plane to Mr. Furlough himself. Come along." She says curtly, heels clicking as she heads up the stairs and looking back at your curious expression staring at the head of the plane.

"What's the matter? Afraid of flying are we?" She teases with an impish grin that shows oddly sharp teeth. You shake your head
"No. I just was wondering who the pilot was for this, I don't see 'em around." You say, which after a few moments your eyes drift to the woman in the attendant uniform. She grins wider when you look and you come to the revelation: "Oh God it's not you is it?" You say mortified

She giggles as she puts on a small white hat and strikes a pose, "But of course! I'm not the Number One Secretary for nothing young man. Maybe you'll understand one day when you're older and have one of your own"

You roll your eyes as you follow the woman aboard the plane, being guided to your seat. You lean back into an admittedly nice white leather chair, no wonder Numb-Nuts like your friend from earlier in the day have these as status symbols. A passenger is quite comfortable all considered.

Before long the plane begins to roll out along the asphalt, looking out the cup holder sized window you see the lights of Oakvale pass you by. Stomach lurching as you enter into take off and enter into the air proper. "We have takeoff, thank you for flying NFF Air: NFF Air, We'll Get You There." The intercom crackles with the vixen's voice coming on.

Stretching back you look around you and see two others with you. A Man and a Woman, both more or less ignoring with each forward and backward to you respectively. The Man has a light tan and dandy blonde hair cut short, dressed in what you could generously describe as the 'High Planes Drifter' get up. Swirling around a shot glass full of whiskey in contemplative fashion, looks like he hasn't even taken a drink.

The Woman meanwhile has long and silken black hair, wearing a pair of glasses and...a nun's habit? What is with these people's fashion tastes? The veil is resting in the empty seat next to her as she is squirming about in her seat reading a magazine of some sort. You feel that she isn't reading something any Nun should be given she has a mild blush across her face, thighs rubbing together and a small smile pulling at her lips.

Well you do have a long flight ahead of you. So may as well go for talking with one of them. But which one?

>The Nun

>The Cowboy.

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>>5865263
Interesting, our second non-canon Servant!
>>5865395
Pic related
>>5865398
>>The Cowboy.

>>5865426

Oh anon you may be panicking now, but I have to ask you who do you think that Nun is over there?

>>5865544
FUUUUUUUUremove Kiara

>>5865553

Don't worry. While she may be horny, she isn't the Devilish Bodhisattva we all know and love.....yet. You may be able to help should you try

>>5865398
>The Cowboy.
That num seems like trouble.

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>5865426
>>5865833

High Plains Drifter wins it then, writing now.

Rolling for any FUN incidents that happen once you are flying over Europe

Well you're not going to bother the Nun who seems to be enjoying herself. So the other fellow will be your conversation partner. Getting up from where you were sitting and making your way into sitting next to him, the man still intently staring at the brownish alcohol. May as well perform an icebreaker to have him open up.

"Guess that they don't serve the quality stuff on board here eh?" You ask casually and nudge his arm getting him to sway to the side. He shakes his head and takes a quick swig of the stuff. "Oh it's quality. They just raped my wallet to do so is all." His gravely and hoarse voice replies back, "But I was just thinking back on some old-" when he turns to face you he pauses. His face keeps still but his eyes are like he just seen a ghost right where you are, "...Business."

You nod along, "What kinda business exactly?" When you ask he seems to stiffen up before shifting in his seat. Clearly uncomfortable, but seems more bothered trying to ignore your question. He finishes off the shot glass and takes the iceball from it into his hand

"I was an Enforcer. Y'know, for the Clocktower folks?"
"I'm familiar. Where there's either monsters or Magi who have striven too far for keeping secrecy or the contentment of the Clocktower at bay: They send assassins to subdue or to kill. Mostly kill."
"I don't have to elaborate then. Was thinking back on, well, quite a few jobs. One of them really got to me however." He says while rubbing at his short kept beard in contemplation before shrugging it off

"But I'm gettin' ahead of myself. May be an enemy down the line, but my folks taught me courtesy gets ya far." He says holding a hand out, "Montressor Akretix." You take the friendly gesture and grip firmly at the leather glove'd hand

"Marshall." You say simply with a smile, "So then Montressor, mind answering me a few questions? Got a ways to go I feel before we get where we need."

He shakes his head, "Not a bit. And call me Acton if ya wouldn't mind, so go ahead and shoot your shit. But I'll have to ask for something similar back" He says

Well he does seem affable that's for sure.

>How exactly did you get into this War?

>What is it you're after in regards to the Holy Grail?

>What are your capabilities? Enforcers are pretty well known for being combat monsters

>Just who are You? What's your life's story

>Do you know who your Servant is? Class wise and other wise?

>What's that one particular story that seemed to be troubling you? Seems like it affected you a lot, could be a shoulder for you

>>5866262
>>How exactly did you get into this War?
Hard choice between the first and last options

>>5866262
>>How exactly did you get into this War?
Why not?

>>5866505
>>5867045

How he got in it is, writing now. Oh and while I am doing so, roll me a d100 would you kindly?

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>5867122
Aye aye.

>>5867135

So close, and yet so far...

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>5867122
>>5867156
Best of four?

>>5867750

Yep, best of four

And holy shit that was close

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>5867122

>>5867813
Critfails (and successes) in play, at least for this roll then?

>>5868005

That they are

Well while waiting for the final roll I'll share another snippet

>Laments of a Scapegoat

The being is one that has nothing but trouble to it. It's very existence anathema to what is Good. But where it once would have been born, now it merely nurses injuries and fearful of whatever dangers that it faces. Paranoia, Dread, Self-Loathing and Self-Disgust wrack the phantom as it's mind mulls over what is to occur.

A new opportunity to heal. Another Grail War, although it certainly has no trust for the fellow who has conscripted it to be a mere messanger. The other portion may be safe, but the Spirit holds nothing but contempt for the individual who has binded it's spirit to the ritual. Returning back into a dark room, lit by red flame with black wax which blends in to the alien environment of the same color.

"Ahh so you have returned Petite Mal." Cooed the man dressed in a mockery of a priest's frock, yellow eyes shining with a perverse playfulness that would churn the Spirit's stomach should it have one. A wide brimed hat like an Inquistor covering the thinning silver hair and obscuring the broad face. "I assume you have relayed what needed to be relayed to our Last Contender. No?"

As the Spirit formed the facimilie to the man it nodded, "Yes. I have confirmed that he has the Seals. Unfortunately he had been unconcious." Worse still. Something prevented a posession which would help to make the Spirit's life easier

"Ahhh Merci! I worried that I would not have have another in to be able to enjoy a surplus. But things are going well then!" The old man, Georges Monbrott, giddily says as he comes and circles the Spirit who now has his likeness. "Are you not excited Young One? We shall see the greatest show in History! The true War to end all Wars!"

The Spirit said nothing as it simply nodded along. "Yes. I imagine that it shall be an entertaining venue for a pervert such as-" a blistering pain cut off the Spirit as it forcefully disappates at the flick of the Organizer's hand. Reforming it by clenching his fist tightly

"Now, now Petite Mal...you ought to know that one should never bite the hand that feeds." The smile that stretched across The Organizer's face was a mask of friendliness hiding hatred over the insult. "Know your place as a good dog and all will be well. I say Bark, you do it once. You sit when I say so. When you play dead well...." he trails off into a dark chuckle as the Spirit is formed back into a vaguely humanoid form like a dark haze.

"I....apologize, I should not have spoken out of turn." The Spirit wheezes as the tingling pain still runs along it's form. The Organizer nods in satisfactory approval, before simply leaving the room and having the Spirit all alone. Alone to ponder the Competitors

>>5868205

To the North: Two Martyr'd Free Spirits unknown to eachother despite a past love, an Evil Man who the Spirit places it's hopes in, a Wrathful Man who wishes to Avenge a Family Member, a Uninspired Dolt who's desire is to slake his bottomless greed, a Twisted Being who seeks to be entertained by what The Organizer provides, and a Genius among the Magi and a Reformer at heart


To the South: A Rabid Dog of Law and Order, another Phantom of a Free Spirit, an Heiress struggling with expectations, a Toxic Man wishing to Save his Family, a Life-Starved monster and his fanatics, a woman who would be a Bodhisattva of Depravity, and a Boy who has fought like a Man all his life


To the East: An Aristocrat who revolts against the Modern World, A Predator who's Stomach demands ambition without compare, A "Holy Man" who wishes to make his own Heaven on Earth, A Mother who fights for her Child's Future, a Priest with no virtue, a Prodigal Son of a prestigious line, a Victim of Civilization who demands Vengance for Him and Gaia


To the West: A fearful girl with a deadly secret, A duplicitous man pretending he can be a savior, a Barbarous Woman with no desires save the immediate satisfaction, a twisted and broken thing who obsesses over Love he never had, a Cynic forced back to what he hoped to never do again, an Imbicile Sage who is best not listened to, and a lady who wishes to break her lineage away from the Golden Tree.

And now. A Man of Lawlessness, a Life-Loving Pessimist and a Destroyer-Creator.

All will Come.
All will kill for their Desire to be Fullfilled.
All will do whatever it takes.
Only One shall have it granted

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>>5868206
>An Aristocrat who revolts against the Modern World
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2lvs2FzF64o

>>5868299

Oh yes, this joke has two parts to it actually. You'll realize the other half when you meet this Aristocrat in battle

Rolled 61 (1d100)

Well I gave a few days. So I'll do the last roll myself

>>5868662
>>5867931
>>5867750
>>5867135

Alright that does it then, gonna make a big update to make up for the delays and having the worst simultanious bout of shitting ans vomiting outta nowhere when I woke up

>>5868713
Sick gang!

I just about got the post ready. Stomach bug's been kicking my ass so I've had to write it up between breaks and a nap, but I should have it out soon enough

>>5868929
I hope you feel better soon qm, hopefully it ain't the curse.

"So how did you end up getting into this whole thing?" You ask him, Acton strokes at his beard before he leans forward. His green eyes seem to practically shine with frustration. "Guess that's somethin' I'm also asking myself." He mutters before looking at you face to face.

"In short: Got pulled back in to investigate what exactly is going on with this Grail War. One last job before I'm left to my peace." You nod at his response, so he was retired from doing Enforcer work? You never heard of such a thing before. Enforcers as far as you're aware they usually keep at it until they die at the hands of a Dead Apostle or knocked down due to Clocktower politiking.

"What about the long of it?"
"Heh, well like I said I got pulled back in. A personal request by Lord El-Melloi II and a pair of survivors of the previous Holy Grail War a decade back." He pauses for a moment to check that you're still paying attention before continuing. "They informed me that two friends of their's had gone missing around the time it ended. After some years of digging me and the Boy, real...intense fella, had gotten some evidence that they're alive. Just photos mind you, but evidence all the same."

"Have any clue who the two are?" You ask curiously, he gives a shrug in response.

"Not personally no, but I was told that they were part of some big shot Magus family. And I got some photos of them."
"Can I have a look?"
"Knock yourself out." He drawls reaching into his jacket pocket and handing you a pair of blurry polaroids, you can't quite make out the details of the figures. The first one belongs to a woman, the apperal she has on seems....well skimpy puts it mildly. Her hair seems to be such a blazing white that you at first thought that it was a lens flair.

The other one you can make out more distinctly. A man with long black hair bound up in a tall ponytail, wearing some sort of Kimono with the right side exposed. His rather stoic expression seems...ill-suited for some reason. He's standing next to a guy closer to your age in a priest's frock, pointing to something off in the distance. Interesting most certainly, you hand the photos back to Acton who puts them away.

"Seems you got your work cut out for you."
"No kidding. Worst part is the guy that I'm supposed to capture is a ghost."
You raise an eyebrow, "Literal or you don't know anything about him?"

He chuckles heartily at your jest, "If only he were just some angry Wraith. No, this guy just happened to appear one day. Setting up some kind of Outpost for lack of a better term, at Lake Baikal." That matches up to what Furlough brought up in your little conversation. But you do wonder what exactly it is that this guy is going to gain from this, and more importantly in your mind. How he even gained the Ritual.

>>5869005

"Probably havin' some thoughts about just how this Arranger fella got access to the Ritual?" He drawls and let's out a rather wistful sigh, "Can't tell ya what I know. Because that is Bump-and-Kis my friend, that's the other main goal I got."


"Understandable, can't discuss something you don't know."
"Then lemme ask something that yoi may know. Why are YOU in this whole hullabaloo?" He asks sharply, going quickly to something serious at the drop of his Not-There hat. You pull your lips back taught and 'hm' in contemplation, what would he want to hear? You think you know.

"I just kinda got picked by the Grail I'd say." You say indifferently with a shrug, "Right now I am just focused on the first rung of this shit. But I will be doing whatever it takes to Win this." You say confidently and grinning, for some reason he just seems to look at you with concern.

"Well just be careful out there, y'got to know doing whatever it takes usually leads to-" A loud explosion cuts him off and rocks the cabin of the plane sending you and Acton nearly out of your seats. "Cheese and Crackers, fuck! Just what was that?!" As he's yelling you see the Nun looking outside of the window with a pale and fearful expression plastered on her face. Making your way over and being polite enough to apologize for holding her out of the way, you see....quite the problem.

One of the engines is utterly wrecked. And the wing itself is filled full of holes. You're under attack, the intercom buzzes to life not long after: "Attention all passengers! We are under fire by an unknown assailant, and we have taken damage! We are going down, I repeat! WE ARE GOING DOWN!" As the message ends you feel the lurch take place and the metallic bird groans, lifting the three of you up into the air as the turbulence is rocking the plane enough to where your head hurts and eyes can't make out anything except motion.

"We need to get the hell out of here yesterday!" You yell out over the roar of the descent, "Avenger!" You call out and your Servant manifests immediately after, keeping unnaturally still in the midst of this disaster unfolding. "Get out there and see if you can keep the people shooting at us occupied!"

"Will do!" With that she rushes out toward the back, kicking open one of the doors, and dropping out. Soon after you see a Reddish-Black blur fly past, and as you look to see another barrage firing off. You can see that what's being fired is Arrows, bolts of pure white hot Mana exploding like Flak and rocking your ride further with some piercing through the hull narrowly missing the three of you.

You turn to the woman, "You there! Is your Servant capable of flight?" You ask holding her at the shoulders

>>5869005
>>5869006

You turn to the woman, "You there! Is your Servant capable of flight?" You ask holding her at the shoulders

"I-I believe so yes! What do-"
"Then you get out of here first, we're all going to have to jump outta here before we get turned into just another statistic!" You plead with her urgently, a taught expression over your face as you look her dead in the eye. She seems hesitant, afraid, utterly beside herself even: but she still nods
"If it's our only option, then I'll get going." She says much more calmly, you smile at her as you let her stand up and make a leap out into danger.

"Before you ask me, No. Mine can't fly." Acton tells quickly
"That works still, just need to get out Pilot and a pair of parachutes."
"You're insane! You trust that your Servant will be able to hold off the enemy AND save your ass?!"
"That is my thought process yes."
"We could just leave that bitch in the pilot seat to it! We don't need to-"

Before he can finish his response you tumble your way through to get into the cockpit. The strain on the Secretary's face is easy to see as you make your way over. "You got any parachutes here?"

"Of course I do you idiot!" She snaps at you harshly, "Take them and get going! I'm gonna try and land this-"
"There's no time for that! C'mon!" You unfasten her seatbelt and lift her over your shoulder, looking around to see the two Chutes. Grabbing the sole one you see in hand you get back out, you can only hope that this is gonna work.

---------

>>5869005
>>5869006
>>5869007

As the Boy made his request you complied swiftly. Tossing yourself from the decadent plane you allowed your wings to spread wide, smirking at the glorious things you fly off in the direction of enemy fire. It doesn't take long before you have arrows firing upon you by the volley, many you manage to dodge out of the way but many more lodge right into your flesh with sharp skewers of pain. You grin through it and break them away as your flesh pushes out the arrow heads and knits the wounds back up quickly, while they hurt with horrendously light breeze compared to your own suffering which you ignore.

As you are rushing in you hold your hands out, the fire coursing up through your body and following to your hands. When you see the shape of the Archer firing upon you, the tattoos along your arms and what wings do cover your body transform into malefic and terrible serpents. Six of them roaring and hissing to life as beams of hellish light and fire spew forth in waves, immolating the landscape into a molten slag. Landing gracefully upon the hot magma you are met with more arrows firing, bobbing and weaving as they come from around, behind and above you. Your smirk grows wider as your eight sets of wings flap and dispelling the smoke, the membrane lined with scale-like feathers and the 'fingers' sticking forth like great and serrated scythes as you see your opponent.

"I must admit, you did leave my Master and the other two in quite a predicament Archer." You call out as you see a long haired man in a silken earth-colored robe standing stock-still, another set of three arrows notched in the quiver.

"Hmph, I suppose being in this body has dulled my skills considerably. If I were in a better Vessel, we would not be discussing currently Demoness." He says sharply and calm, my what a tongue! Though nothing compared with your own you let out a pleased laugh.

"As the mortals say: 'Too bad, so sad'! Though by you ignoring what I said, I must have nailed down your Class." He gives a nod with a tiny smirk across his oddly scornful face. "Judging by your apperal let me guess...Japanese? No no, the Body may be that, but your spirit is much older." You mutter to yourself as you analyze the individual, waiting for him to make another move.

"Indeed, I am The Archer of East. The Finest Bowman between Heaven and Earth. Now die." He says harshly as he pulls back and lets loose another volley, which you have the serpents disintegrate in a blast. As he is trying to run at top speed you strafe him with more fire, scarring the landscape as he is launching more at you. With the fight continuing on you notice that the arrows are not simply one, but they multiply while in flight before hitting you. A clever trick you must say.

>>5869005
>>5869006
>>5869007
>>5869008

With a crashing boom you fly in to him, grabbing at the leg and slamming the Archer into the ground before tossing him like skipping a stone across a pond. Leaping back up into the air you see him pull back another arrow notched in, when he fires this one however: The arrow grows to the size of a ballista bolt. Your eyes widen as you catch the thing leading you to fall into the Earth, now that phrase is making some sense, more more simply bragging by a hotshot Hero. More a statement of Fact.

"Much as I wish to continue Demoness. My Master has been caught up in some commotion with a Sun Demigod, and needs my expertise." He says with an affableness that reminds you of that annoying goodie-goodie Micheal. "And of course...your Master seems to be waiting on you. Ta-Ta!"

Well this is disappointing, but you're sure you'll find him later. Looking to the sky where the plane is puffing up black smoke, you see your Master falling while holding on to another person. Unfurling your wings you leap forth and flap them with a sonic boom, streaking like a hellish comet through the overcast sky. Speartackling your Master and the Other, you hold the Boy in your arms like a newborn babe, it makes you smile dotingly at the young Magus.

"Well, just in time it seems." You say with a sly grin etched across your face, Marshall let's out an exhausted laugh which tingles your spirits.
"So it'd seem Avenger, so it'd seem!" You smile wider and as you descend you notice the....Vixen is clinging onto your leg like her life depends on it.

Her terror is so adorable. It contrasts well to His delight seeing you.

--------

>>5869005
>>5869006
>>5869007
>>5869008

As you rest in the arms of your Servant descending down. You can see the other two you were in flight with waving up at you, which you wave back in kind. Once touching down you are set down by Avenger, she immediately pins Koyanskaya beneath her form like sitting on a stool. Not that the pink-haired lady was going to be trying to make a break for it from what you can see.

"Honestly, I was thinkin' you were gonna be a goner." Acton says a bit bewildered but beaming at you brightly, "How'd you know that this little gambit was gonna work out?"

"I had faith in Avenger here to pull me outta the fire. Thanks again." You say gesturing to your giant woman, she gives a satisfied smile looking at you with her crystalline orbs.
"Naturally."

You look back to the other two, the Nun seems to have gone off into the distance speaking with a rather strange looking woman. Her dress you could only describe as like you could her looks: Stellar. Making your way over you hear up the pieces of a conversation

"-ou so much! I was scared when you weren't listening when I screamed out the first few times!" The Nun says elated as anyone would be from surviving a plane being shot down. The other figure, a woman with phosphorus white and shiny hair huffs
"I was going to follow through Master. I just wanted to wait for a few moments 'til the desire to live was strongest...much more savory." Her voice is velvety and smooth like Avengers, but hearing it seems to be more...arousing. For some reason.

Clearing your throat you interupt the two, the Nun rushes you and begins to crush your ribs into a hug. "Oh thankyouthankyou THANK YOU! I wasn't sure that I was going to make it!" She cries out pressing your head into her, suffocating you in her frock that does little to hide her form. You pat on her back at first in thanks, and subsequently in desperation as you need oxygen. "Oh!" She let's go of you soon enough and leaving you to pant for precious, glorious air!

"You...huhgh, are uh...welcome." You pant out as you hold onto your knees. While the Nun smiled pleasantly, the other, the Servant I'd giving you a rather hungry sort of look.

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>>5869005
>>5869006
>>5869007
>>5869010
>>5869011

"May I know your name sir? I am Sessyouin Kiara." You nod at her. Since she asked
"Marshall Vrilizadre.....and who is that back behind you there?" You ask pointing at the other

"Well she's my Servant! Her name is-"

"Now, now Kiara. No need to rush into things so fast." She coos softly as she comes up to you with a light smile hanging off her pale and placid face, her eyes shining like rubies. "If you're to have fun, then a little bit of Tension and Curiosity goes far. This man knows what I mean, surely?"

"If I say yes will you tell me?" You bluntly ask, getting a light giggle from the Spirit.

"How cruel you are! Putting a poor little thing like me on the spot like that, now I can't say nothing unless you view me with suspicion." She whines and pouts like a little brat, before her face quickly pulls up into a cheeky grin as she holds a hand out. "I suppose you can simply call me Assassin. I'm sure you'll love spending time with me." She softly murmurs as you grasp her hand

You get the feeling things are going to get much stranger

>>5868982

Should the Curse make itself known. I am going to Pound itin several ways and put it into it's place to get the quest going. I WILL see this through even if it kills me.

It'll take more than a stomach bug to bring me down

Alright I think I'm gonna call it here for story progression. Thanks for the good time fellas, I'll be taking the rest of this month off so I can properly celebrate Christmas and such with the folks.

But I shall return after New Year's! You have my word on that

In the meantime to hold you fellas off and slake your appetite. I'll write a little something of a "Meanwhile Elsewhere" Bit, so make a choice

> The Investigation of an Old Friend's Death

> The Maiden and the Paladin

> The Three Ghosts

>>5869021
>> The Three Ghosts

>>5869021
Happy holidays qm I'll see you then
> The Three Ghosts

He-Ha! Ho Ho! Merry Christmas to you all! I have the thread archived and it's time I deliver the gift I promised, hope you enjoy!

There exists in the world all sorts of people. No one individual is alike to another save for what is shared, and even those are the same. That's what one man, a Japanese fellow in a jet black kimmono and clogs with a buzzcut was meditating upon. His expression one of contentment, which was about the opposite of his companion as they sit in a ruined cabin within the Ukranian wilds like the picture of Zen admist ruin.

"He's late again. There's bad habits and then there's bad habits which piss me off, his is one like so." The woman, also Japanese and wearing a fur overcoat, plaid fleece pants, her jet black hair done up into a bun and her deep brown eyes squinted in impatience and frustration strutting within the lair filled with splinters and bulletholes. "Always takes so long to do a simple scouting mission. If it was me and Lancer I would be back by the time he and his pet monster would be back an hour ago!" He clear and provocative voice huffs out as she grits her teeth

The man chuckles at the indignance, his face pulled into a bemused mask hiding indifference.

"The land we're in is a big place Itō-san. We just have to trust he is only taking a scenic route, I certainly can't fault that." The man's eyes open showing his own to be a pitch black, the woman named Itō glaring sharply at the fellow in question

"Well forgive me if I'm skeptical for him taking so long Hyoma." She bluntly retorts, "It was supposed to take him three hours at the most, five have come and gone. If we have to wait a minute longer I say we ditch him." The monk-like Hyoma tilts his head curiously at his companion like a confused child, but the smirk on his face is too ill-fitting for anything so innocent.

"Complain all your day!/For the flower lacks sun rays/such a riotous thing." He singsongs leading him to get hit in the face with an empty travel bag

"There must be a lack of folds in your brain if you think this is anything born out of love." She coldly states, hiding a small flush across her nose behind a hand pinching the bridge "Anymore than I have affection for a know-nothing bohemian such as you."

"Ahh I see, from nothing comes any and everything! I thank you for such high praise Itō-san, shows me you care." The cheeky reply acted to get a confused and disgrunted noise from the woman

"Honestly! You're such a pain in the ass, if we weren't joined at the hip by The Frank I would have taken that bamboo flute and shoved it into your brain stem!" Itō had snapped viciously and looming over the other with an enraged expression which the fellow only stared at, but before anything more happened the door had swing open with a loud groaning creak

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"I'm ba~ck!" A cheerful voice rang out, entering into the room was a young man with slicked back black hair and a small neatly groomed mustache. Japanese like the other two, wearing a grayscale overcoat ontop a teal silken shirt along with slacks and dress shoes. While his expression was cheery his eyes held a world-weariness in them. "Hopefully didn't miss anything, did anyone cook bacon? I'm famished." He said looking to a small impromptu fire in the middle of the room, there was, indeed, a few strips of reddish-brown bacon

"About time you made it back Ken'ya-tan." Itō grumbled as the new arrival grabbed two slices and broke out white bread to put into a toaster they found in this house. "Where were you off to that took so late?"

"Can I not get a few bites in before gettin' nagged? It's a bad quality of your's Itō, sends just about anyone a-running." Ken'ya chides as he awaits on the bread to be heated

"And you taking nearly DOUBLE the time you claimed you needed means you can't keep them." The flippant and dry remark from the bored looking woman earning a snicker from Ryoma. "I trust you have good reason for it? Ryoma-san was guessing you were sight-seeing."

"Awwww Hyo-yo, why would you be so hurtful! You know I'm not the type to dilly dally."
"The way you lie so blatantly I'd swear you were a policeman in another life."
"Hah! As if, I would never have enough stomach or lack of soul to shoot dogs or kids."

As the three sat around in a moment of silence while the returning individual ate. Ken'ya clears throat before swallowing down a bite of toast taken. "To let you know where I was. Me and Siggy got caught up meeting an old friend." He says with a bored tone, "Remember the Dead Apostle and her Lizard? I ran into them again, found them making a meal out of some poor soul still alive. Taking out chunks at a time."

Itō's hard expression softens for the first time in hours while Ryoma looks blankly at his friend. "It shouldn't surprise that a creature like that would find enjoyment in the battlefield." Royma lets out a sigh full of pity as he shakes his head, "I suppose you had drove her off?" At that Ken'ya nods enthusiastically as he finishes off the meal made.

"That I did. Gave the poor fellow his mercy and burried him, Siggy seemed...less than enthused by me wasting time." He paused as though expecting a snide remark from his womanly companion, but she didn't speak up, only giving a saddened expression. Ken'ya smiled slightly at that before he conrinuing on, "But glad I did take the time, saw another plane shot down by the Archer."

"We've seen it before, not as though it's anything too unusual compared to before." Itō speaks up again, "Unless..."

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"Unless I saw a Servant swoop out of there like a bat out of hell towards the oncoming fire of the Archer." Ken'ya spoke gravely and stoney in expression, "I have no clue what it is about that one. But I felt a sort of chill run up my spine seeing it dly out, like a crimson lotus bloomed along each column of bone."

"Mm...and how about the passengers? If there Masters aboard then you would have seen them."
"Good catch Hyoma. Yeah I saw, three, maybe four figures jump right out of the plane before it blew to pieces."

The three had went quiet as they mulled over the potentials. While they may be Masters and have their Servants, they're also dealing with however many more are out there in the battlefield. Not to mention the soldiers still fighting AND deserters who are trying to get back home quietly and to avoid being jailed or shot for the crime. Not to mention Rider of the East's Black Dogs, vicious and emotionless bastards them all. Whoever makes it through shall prove theirselves one way or another.

"No biggie, we're simply meant to observe until the majority of them get to Moscow. We hang back, keep our distance, and be sure to intervine when things get too dicey." Ken'ya sighs out rubbing the back of his head, "Pain in the ass that we aren't permitted to kill 'em yet, but those are the cards dealt as it were."

"Speaking of observation." Hyoma speaks up with a sly grin on his face looking out a broken window, "Are you going to come in sometime Lancer? Or are you feeling shy for whatever reason." And almost as though appearing from out of the World itself, an androgyne young man with long moss-green hair and a white robe several sizes too big slips through.

"My apologies Master, but it seemed to me you were having fruitful discussion with your companions." The moss-haired humanoid spoke softly, his voice held a sort of grounded-yet-ethereal quality to it. "I can report that the Mother and School Girl are continuing on their way after a run in with Russian forces."

"I see, and anything else to report?"
"Just two. Firstly: I spotted a Magus girl with snowy white hair and amber eyes making her way due northeast alongside a Servant in samurai garb, I believe she had horns. Another is that I noticed some dolt who was fleeing away from gun fire back in the direction of that plane incident you were discussing. I doubt he'll survive long."
"Very good Lancer, and I trust the way is clear?"
"It is. I have a trail which will keep us inconspicuous."

"Then I guess that means we better get going. Don't wanna get caught by the Mindless Terror that Monbrott has out here to put extra fire under the competitor's asses. Don't want to end up dead again, do we?" Ken'ya spoke up, and without a word the three Japanese had quickly gathered what little they did have and began the trek to head north.

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Ken'ya Chikafuji, Itō Kutsuki, and Hyoma Daigo: The three of them had no real clue why they are together. Besides a shared origin in Japan and being brought back as wraiths by Georges Monbrott, they held seemingly little in common. But all of them held a nagging feeling that they seemed familiar to one another.

There seemed to be a Lack, if only at least one of them knew what.

And that'll be all, see you next year anons! And may it be a joyous one for each of you, because even if you may not care for me, I will certainly care for you