[color=708090]
[hider=Blood, Guilt, and Love; Part I (Collaboration between Enkryption, Suku, and Guess Who; Involving: Aoi and Kuremi)]
[color=708090]
[color=ffffff]Okita walked down the hallway drawing on Kuremi’s own memories to guide her to the right spot in the labyrinth that was the school. A hand on the wall for guidance while another was gripped tightly on her sword Okita walked her eyes darting back and forth for potential trouble.[/color]

[color=808080]While her classmate’s servant was cautious and careful, ready to defend herself against whatever danger may present itself, Longinus was speeding through the halls, his master’s feet skidding to a halt outside the office. Not wanting to waste any time, the spearman knocked down the door with a strong kick, turning it into splinters. With access to everything he needed for temporary treatment, he would begin the process of removing the remnants of Hana’s blade.

Usually a person was not supposed to remove any sharp object that may enter their eye, but what they are meant to do is create an eye shield to protect it and he couldn’t do that with the tip of a sword protruding out. Besides, she wouldn’t likely be able to see again with this orb. Holding the eye in place with one hand and using the other to hold the sharp intruder, Longinus began to slowly and carefully pull it out. It was at this moment he would receive a guest.[/color]

[color=ffffff]Okita continued her pace if memory was to be believed the Nurses office should be coming up shortly. Cursing her luck Okita gripped her sword tighter feeling the presence of another close by knowing not if they were friend or foe. Carefully Okita edged her way towards the other person sword drawn in a more defensive stance before calling out simply [color=6ecff6]“Friend or foe?”[/color][/color]

[color=808080]As soon as he felt the approaching presence of Okita, Longinus released his master’s bleeding eye and reached out toward his spear. When he saw her enter the room though, two things stood out to him immediately. One, the hand she still held to her wound. Two, she wasn’t made of stone. Of course this could mean that she was leading them and some other servant and master had been the one to deal the blow, but even if that were the case he didn’t have the strength to fight back at the moment.

[color=9e0b0f]“Merely a wounded soldier, much like yourself,”[/color] Longinus said, his master still recovering from the trauma and idling in the back of her own mind. Releasing his weapon, the servant grabbed the eye again and yanked out the last of the blade. Before it even had time to clatter onto the tile floor, the Lancer began to wrap gauze around Aoi’s head to cover her injury.[/color]

[color=ffffff]Okita lowered her sword as she started to search for the items needed to tend her wound. Normally she would have wrapped it up in silk but that was far and inbetween in this case so she made due with what she could find. Borrowing knowledge from Kuremi on things like the antiseptic medicine among others before tightly bandaging her side with expert precision and care. Okita lowered her sword as she started to search for the items needed to tend her wound. Normally she would have wrapped it up in silk but that was far and inbetween in this case so she made due with what she could find. Borrowing knowledge from Kuremi on things like the antiseptic medicine among others before tightly bandaging her side with expert precision and care. [/color]

[color=808080]While he trusted the newcomer enough to not point his weapon towards her, Longinus would be sure to keep his only eye on Okita as she banaged herself up as well. He was at a major disadvantage if she ended up being hostile, but it was better that she not think of him as a threat than to attempt a pathetic display of defense in his weakened state. As he watched for any sudden movements though, his master began to reawaken. [color=6ecff6]
“Ku-Kuremi?”[/color] Aoi asked, her voice sounding noticeably more like her usual tone and air. [color=6ecff6]“You too huh?”[/color] Not even she was sure if she was referring to being injured or being possessed by a figure of humanity’s past.[/color]

[color=ffffff][color=6ecff6]“I am sorry but she isn’t able to speak at the moment due to a incident earlier”[/color] Okita spoke honestly. Which was true Kuremi was still catatonic almost allowing Okita to puppet her body her mind still reeling from before as she continued to doubt herself among other things. Though one could see a glimmer of recognition in her eyes showing even faintly that she was there just not fully herself just yet. [color=6ecff6]“She encountered someone close and the results shook her mind to the point of being catatonic.”[/color] Okita continued truthfully Kuremi seemed to trust her so she will extend the same trust though with clear signs of hesitance. [/color]

[color=808080]Aoi nodded in reply at first, staying silent for several seconds as if it were all she had to contribute. When her mouth did open though, the words sounded serious and deep. Longinus had regained control.[color=9e0b0f] “Such an event is not foreign to us. The eye was due to a fight with my master’s sibling,”[/color] he said, pointing to the now covered injury. [color=9e0b0f]“I don’t suppose you have found any clue as to who has caused these innocent people to turn to stone.”[/color][/color]

“[color=ffd700][i][b]It is the will of Mahatma, of course.[/b][/i][/color]”

The interruptive voice came from nowhere and everywhere; bouncing around the room, as if multiple people were speaking, at once, and yet, only bore a singular voice.

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Mahatma will take you, too.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Mahatma is a benevolent existence.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Fold in with me, with us, with all.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Become one with the Hierarchy.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[color=ffffff]Okita tensed As she hastily tied of the bandages and gripped her sword tightly looking for the sound of the voices. The idea of voice projection or that wasn’t unheard of all things considered knowing a few others who did such things. [color=6ecff6]“Show your face!”[/color] She exclaimed as she fingered the sword anxiously awaiting for a fight that may come. [/color]

[color=808080]Aoi’s head also moved to find the source of the voice, or perhaps voices. Longinus, still in control of the girl’s words, replied back, [color=9e0b0f]“Whoever it is you follow, I refuse to follow suit. There is only one that I praise and I refuse to turn my back on him again. Take your higher power to another.”[/color] His master’s body ached as the Lancer forced her to stand back up on her feet, gripping both hands on his spear. If this entity didn’t appreciate his truthful refusal, he was prepared to pay for his loyalty.[/color]

“[color=ffd700][i][b]You follow. We follow. All follow. Mahatma is all, and the Hierarchy is all..[/b][/i][/color].” There was a thoughtful pause, which evolved into a pregnant pause, and then downgraded into an uncomfortable pause. “[color=ffd700][i][b]That sounds silly as a pitch, doesn't it? But, how does one pitch a collective hive mind? I don't know.[/b][/i][/color]”

There was a rattle of curtain, and the corner set privacy bed slid open. Prim and proper, legs crossed at her knees, left over right, and arms crossed beneath her bust, sat the school nurse; a woman in her early-fifties attired as if in her early-twenties. Hair tressed up, faded blonde littered with streaks of violet, fell over her shoulders, and framed her face; bringing attention to her face, and, especially, her lips.

Which didn't move, as she tutted, “[color=ffd700][i][b]You're both so hurt. How sad. Mahatma will welcome you, pitiable and all. However, you will be better received in healthier states.[/b][/i][/color]”

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Heal then.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Mend them.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Fold them.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[color=808080]His eye looked over the new servant, focusing most on attempting to find any weapons she might have on her person. The fact that he didn’t find any yet worried him more than if she had had one.[color=9e0b0f] “Perhaps if it sounds silly, then you shouldn’t bother,”[/color] Longinus replied. Despite how aggressive his words were, it meant to be taken as a joke. Somewhat. It was the closest to one that anyone in the room would ever hear from him. Despite his, by his standards, friendly attitude, the roman soldier trusted the nurse about as far as Aoi could throw the Spear of Destiny without installing his power. He refused to lower his weapon just yet.[/color]

[color=ffffff][color=6ecff6]“I serve only one and you are not him”[/color] Okita said coldly refusing the offer outright. She has sworn her blade to the emperor and as such to the nation. Any offer would be met with disdain and refusal. Her status as a servant was no different in this case her master was more of a potential student. Her blade was still sheathed but it was clear she was eager to draw it and only held back out of consideration for not attacking when the person had the chance. [color=6ecff6]“A shinsengumi obeys the emperor to act as peacekeepers for the nation. We act as a blade and not blindly follow remember that.”[/color] She stated softly more for Kuremi’s sake than anyone else.[/color]

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Children are so full of foolish idealism.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]No.. ideology?[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Of course not. Ideas, foolish ones.[/i][/color]”[/center]
“[color=ffd700][i][b]Hrm... Can we bribe them,[/b][/i][/color]” the nurse wondered, tilting her head, as if to frown; her face a seemingly permanent smile. “[color=ffd700][i][b]Candy? Cake? Cards?[/b][/i][/color]” she mused, “[color=ffd700][i][b]Mahatma should be enough.[/b][/i][/color]”

Eyes closed, smile on, the nurse looked at Aoi's and Kuremi's shells... peering straight into Longinis and Okita. “[color=ffd700][i][b]Such convictions. How pious. How devot. Mahatma will cherish you.[/b][/i][/color]”

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Cherish.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Cherish.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Cherish.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[color=808080][color=6ecff6][i]Uh, she’s really starting to freak me out.[/i][/color] More and more, Aoi was beginning to make her return within her own head, her thoughts becoming just as prevalent as Longinus’.

[color=9e0b0f][i]Yes, child, this woman is most assuredly mad. This will make predicting her next actions much more difficult. If you still wish to be in contr-[/i][/color]

[color=6ecff6][i]No, for now I leave it to you. Just… I’d rather you not try killing her if you do get into a fight.[/i][/color]

Longinus nodded, looked back up to the school nurse, and explained. [color=9e0b0f][i]In a battle between servants, such a thing is almost unavoidable. However you can rest assured that I’ll avoid lethal force as long as I can. I enjoy death and slaughter as much as you.[/i][/color][/color]

[color=ffffff][color=6ecff6]“A person who may seem crazy can only appear to be so who is to say said person didn’t achieve enlightenment?”[/color] Okita asked outloud mainly to herself as she looked at the woman in front of her. Kuremi was starting to gain her footing willing to trust Okita in her decisions for this situation as Okita let a smile graced her face should the need arrive she would strike without doubt and with lethality should it be required. It was clear that action was needed but what was the right choice seemed to weigh heavily on her. As she quietly tried to judge the situation to see what approach was best. [/color]

The nurse stood, followed by the sounds of stone; fractures grinding against each other, as multiple terracotta soldiers started to stand. Unlike the normal ones, they were not completely shelled; they were, unless, littered with cracks and breaks, with sections of their bodies exposed to the elements... flesh, bloodily, branded with an unintelligible symbol -- unless you were a ninth-level intelligence, with serious connections.

“[color=ffd700][i][b]Let me heal you,[/b][/i][/color]” the nurse offered, extending her hands. “[color=ffd700][i][b]I can be your prophet and your emperor, yours to call savior and yours to be servitor[/b][/i][/color],” she says, eyes never opening, mouth never moving, and yet her gaze and words were clearly upon them. “[color=ffd700][i][b]Just come to me, and be free of this suffering and pain, like them[/b][/i][/color].”

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]No pain.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]No suffering.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Free.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Free.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Free.[/i][/color]”[/center]
The chanting rose, as the terracotta soldiers rose off the floor; showing they'd been under the beds, behind them, and lying out of sight in the changing room. Bodies in simple, perfect service to Mahatma's Avatar, Helena Blavatsky.

[color=ffffff][color=6ecff6]“My blade is sworn to defend, to protect, to be in service to the Emperor he who is descended from Amaterasu. I will not allow this to continue![/color]“My blade is sworn to defend, to protect, to be in service to the Emperor he who is descended from Amaterasu. I will not allow this to continue! Okita shouted as she unsheated her blade ready to fight despite her injury should she fall she would do so fighting like a true shinsengumi! Blade at the ready she leveled at her turning it sideways as she waited for the first move to be struck. People will fall who was unknown but she would do her best to make sure that she took down as many as she could! [color=6ecff6]“Okita Souji Captain of the Shinsengumi have at you!”[/color] She yelled her blade ready to cut the terracotta beings down.[/color]

[color=808080]While the swordswoman prepared to fight the surrounding mobs that now followed Blavatsky, Longinus lept into action to cut off the head of this proverbial hydra. This was partly because taking out a force’s leadership was the most effective way to bring a quick end to a fight, but also because this woman’s feeble attempts at trying to sway his allegiance had pissed him off. With the Spear of Destiny pointed straight at center mass, Lancer charged forward.[/color]

Ever-smiling, the school nurse stepped to the side, and allowed the charge to harmlessly pass her by -- straight towards the core of one of her dutiful followers. Sighing, she tilted her head, as her followers slammed hands of flesh and blood, stone and mana, down down the tip-end of Okita’s blade, and held it steadily; not attempting to arrest control of it, but kept her still. Longinus’s spear was in the same straits, as the devout attempted to impale themselves upon the haft, and keep it immobile.

“[color=ffd700][i][b]Sad, sad children, don’t you see? You make them hurt themselves. I freed them of their pain, and you wish them to be hurt again, by resisting His Wisdom,[/b][/i][/color]” she cooed, her smile only more alien and her eyes still shut, “[color=ffd700][i][b]Just a single caress, and you, too, are free. Free, forever.[/b][/i][/color]” The nurse extended her hands, palms cut open by her own Noble Phantasm; the symbol, His stigmata, blazing beneath her willingly shed blood. “[color=ffd700][i][b]It won’t hurt, now, nor ever again...[/b][/i][/color]”

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Be free.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Become.[/i][/color]”[/center]
“[color=ffd700][i][b]Heed His Call, His Wisdom,[/b][/i][/color]” the nurse grinned even more frighteningly. “[color=ffd700][i][b]All Belonging For One.[/b][/i][/color]”
[/color]
[/hider]
[hider=Before The Firing Line (Involving: Lia, Jin, and Dorian)]
In spite of the grand display of power that Jin set forth, it did nothing to deter the small line of three summoned spearmen and two spearwomen that were called forward by their appointed General; stone-faced, stone-armored soldiers ready to defend, advance, and overcome the obstacle set before them. They’d no sense of fear for the incoming assault, and took it with all their might.

...and shattered.

Jin’s fearsome impact, and the brutal might of Tamashi, overcame the overwhelming might of their numbers with sheer strength. In an instant, the violent spinning sweep crushed the terracotta armor, sliced through the flesh underneath, and cleaved through the body. Jin’s unstoppable attack ended where Morimoto stood -- her weapon having blowing a hole through his chest, as if struck true by a cannonball.

Morimoto didn’t flinch, as his biological functions, and the lack thereof, caught up with him, and his spear dropped to the ground. Emotionlessly, he shrunk back, and felt to his knees. It was clear, the terracotta was struggling to move his corpse, as it twitched his arms and legs, but, the lack of spine didn’t allow the motions to connect. Like those behind her, Morimoto joined the five corpses that Jin had left.

Like insects, the terracotta soldiers twitched in their death throes, before stilling as hearts ceased pumping to intestines and organs spilled out onto the ground.

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]How sad. How sad.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Collect. Fold.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Give. Save.[/i][/color]”[/center]
Suddenly, arms wrapped around Lia; some flesh; some stone; some bleeding; all strong and digging in. Behind her, trio of terracotta soldiers were attempting to drag her down, and break through the manifestation of her Servant's defensive Spiritrons -- all the while, bearing down on her with closed eyes and Glasgow Smiles. They sought the same of Dorian, in spite of his shield and show; his power little more than an invitation to try harder, heal better, and save him from suffering.

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Piece together.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Place together.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Heal together.[/i][/color]”[/center]
From the stony grove tree, more terracotta soldier dolls came out, and started to push together the bodies of Jin's reckless massacre; carving symbols into their flesh. In moment, cleaved corpses twitched, and struggled to raise. The damage was severe, but they had a renewed faith...

Behind Jin, they sloppily rose, and started on her on hand and knee.
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Angry.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Sad.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Be free.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[/hider]
[hider=An Emerald Leaf Upon A Dragon’s Heart (Involving: Noboru and Maggie)]
[center][[color=6b8e23][i]Don’t let him go![/i][/color]][/center]
Maggie’s hands launched out, and captured Noboru’s closed hand in both; bring it, and him, close to her face. “[color=f26522][b]I’m safest with you, Anchin,[/b][/color]” she mewled, no, growled, really. Her form reeked of mythical strength; Herne could determine, it was dragon from his own nature of knowing nature, and Noboru could take a wild guess, based off the large [b]horns[/b] that screamed, [b][i]‘Hey, I’m a dragon,’[/i][/b] growing from Maggie’s head.

For a moment, Noboru could take a sense of irony from the hair that they sprouted from; the emerald tresses retained no traces of the crimson he’d knew earlier, as if, her hair was the green light on her life, and she had no intention of relighting the red light. Equally, so, it seemed she’d no intention of fighting him -- if anything, she seemed determined to possess and cherish him. 
[center][i]Purely the opposite of a standard Berserker.[/i][/center]
However, that didn’t remove the fact that she was, and anything could undo the eerily sincere disposition that she conducted herself with. Arresting his movement, taking control of his action, and directing the flow of intention; Maggie did all this with brute strength alone. Her unknown Servant had born the flame that knocked down all the soldiers that had posed him threat, and pinned them to the floor with their own form. Herne’s connection to the forest had told Noboru they were in less than dire straits, but they weren’t dead.

Berserker never fought with restrain, and yet Maggie had. Why? To impress him? No, to impress Anchin? Whatever the reason, he could think about it long, as she dragged him towards the roof. “[color=f26522][b]Steady, Anchin! We’re going to be free together![/b][/color]” Maggie cheered, as she bodied opened the securely locked down like it was rice paper, “[color=f26522][b]Just one leap of faith![/b][/color]”

Unfortunately, faith was, decidedly twisted, and not on their side, as the roof was occupied by terracotta soldiers in the middle of a one-sided melee, as several were digging into the others with twisted expressions of unending glee; by knifepoint, swordpoint, and arrowhead, they shattered the expressionless soldiers, and brutally carved their skin, until the stone fractured upon their faces, and they joined the ranks unknown.

[center]“[color=ffd700][i]There's more.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]More.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Join in.[/i][/color]”[/center]
[center]“[color=ffd700][i]Be free.[/i][/color]”[/center]

The school was slowly becoming a deathtrap.
[/hider]
[hider=The Divine Shield Charges In (Involving: Roselynn, Nathan, and Rebecca)]
Excitement poured off his body, as Nathan thrust himself into the fray; battering to either side soldier after soldier with his divine shield. Casually, Roselynn followed with her water gun; firing bullets of Od into their shells, and giving them a simple suggestion to follow, “Kindly get some rest, now,” which locked them into place, despite their original command -- such was the power of Origin-derived Magic. “[color=ffd700][b]Mother, seems she’s cross,[/b][/color]” Nathan called, passing by Rebecca; her unthreatening form attracted his attention, but didn’t sway his mission.

Roselynn swiped open her phone, and opened a program. Into Rebecca’s indignant face, the marvel of smartphones was thrust, and the camera was scanning her up and down. “[color=f88379][b]Saber. Servant Identity: Uncatalogued. Historical Regional Data: France. Not a lot of French Servants running around,[/b][/color]” she says, reading over a digital feed, “[color=f88379][b]Catalogue only reads back Marie Antoinette, Marquis de LaFayette, Jeanne d’Arc, and Gilles De Rais. A depressingly short list, I must say,[/b][/color]” she looked down, “[color=f88379][b]No Include. Spiritrons are inactive. Values are too low for a Manifest. Potential, sure, but, I don’t see her Installing.[/b][/color]”

Suddenly, Roselynn’s phone started to ring, as a flood of texts poured in; values, percentages, warnings, and the like. “[color=f88379][b]Nathan, don't hold back on anyone in terracotta,[/b][/color]” she says, “[color=f88379][b]Blavatsky escaped.[/b][/color]” Nathan glowered from beneath his helm, “[color=ffd700][b]That woman is free? Her Class Card was under stasis. Arrested Spiritrons can't just go free.[/b][/color]”

Roselynn frowned, as she dialed. “[color=f88379][b]Maelstrom,[/b][/color]” she says, before hanging up. “[color=f88379][b]Blavatsky takes priority. Her Noble Phantasm is spread by physical contact, so don't let her touch you, Nathan. Break her hands, and render her unconscious. Go,[/b][/color]” Roselynn ordered. “[color=ffd700][b]Understood. Stay safe, mother,[/b][/color]” Nathan stated, before running off. “[color=ffd700][b]Lead me, Gods, to she that perverts free will with honeysuckle lies and blind devotion! She shall stand not before Rho Aias![/b][/color]”

“[color=f88379][b]I don’t know you, you don’t know me, so let’s forgo the cliches, and just follow me, if you want to live, seriously,[/b][/color]” Roselynn says. “[color=f88379][b]I’m Roselynn Evercale, Caster, Task Director of Ratatoskr, and quite possibly, the last face you’ll ever see. Nice to meet you, Saber. Your name?[/b][/color]”

[/hider]
[hider=To Quell Dissent, An Emperor Acts (Involving: Kozo)]
[[color=ee82ee][i]In one hand, an emperor must hold kindness, yet the other must hold cruelness. Between them, the mind must hold sureness.[/i][/color]] Kozo shifted in his seat, eyes shut in concentration, as he oversaw his growing empire. [[color=ee82ee][i]Do not falter here, Kozo. There is much work to do. There is dissention among the peasantry, shall you stand for it or venture forth and silence it?[/i][/color]] Eyes opening, Kozo stood, and went to his window; once again, admiring what he'd created with his hands, ambition, and the benefaction of his card-bound Deity. “[color=a2d39c][b]To swiftly quell dissent, an emperor must act in accord,[/b][/color]” he says, drawing his Noble Phantasm; a simple knife with a great power. “[color=a2d39c][b]I will see this done with my hands, as I always have.[/b][/color]”

[center]- - -[/center]
Settling his helmet, Kozo sat astride a stone steed. Like his soldiers, it was something reformed by his Noble Phantasm, as its power grew. In this instance, it was the car he rode to work in; a test of conceptualization -- could a concept like “horsepower” give birth to its root word, as “worker” had born him soldiers? Satisfactorily, it had. It gave him infinitesimal possibilities, and he had to do was take a stab at it, so to speak.

“[color=a2d39c][b]Fudomine Academy,[/b][/color]” Kozo says, reading off a scroll-bound report. “[color=a2d39c][b]School, I could not think of a more proper place for a headache.[/b][/color]” Stashing the scroll away, he turned his horse, and the beast reared in natural readiness. “[color=a2d39c][b]Follow,[/b][/color]” he ordered without ceremony, as he whipped the reigns against the horse. Expressionless, wordlessly, the amassed soldiers followed him.

As if the thunderous herald of a hurricane, they rode like the wind for Fudomine.
[/hider]
[/color]