Yukitamas

Fate/Moribund Swarm

[@breogan]

No presence of a servant. No presence of any individual, or even a familiar.

Perhaps there was some great misunderstanding on the Japanese front that they had. To Saber’s knowledge despite all of their visits there had been only one time where there was an actual hint of an enemy presence. Was it truly a war they wished to fight? Even as they moved all around their land with a number disadvantage the enemy was content to remain unseen.

It was strange. From what he had learned of the enemy families the Einzberns were foreigners who stayed in their homeland, who came to Fuyuki and Japan for the sole purpose of participating in the Grail War. They even held a castle that they used as their home and base for other wars, a holding that was their answer to the Matou and Tohsaka who lived as part of the city.

The Tohsaka were at their manor for at least a night, but abandoned it without any real willingness to defend it.

The Matou. Was it that their representative saw no value in their estate or that he believed it safe with that man, Zouken?

What are the views of the Einzberns he wonders. Does their castle have no worth to them now, or do they believe it to be safe against the enemy even without a servant?

To protect something is to find something valuable. If they were concentrating themselves somewhere else then it was likely where the Grail is. What else would motivate the enemy to completely let their enemy wander about the city without any direct intervention?

Something as half-hearted as simply giving an illusion of unimportance would be foolish. He could not think of anything that would motivate them to hide away beyond the Grail.

Where would they then store it? Where would they be in lieu of a workshop?

He could not think of many more places that they could be in the city at this point.

He looked to his master, who he had set down when they reached the forest.

"Perhaps I should advance to their castle alone. Or perhaps we should go there swiftly and see whatever... if there is anything at this point to expect, they have ready for us. We may miss something, or perhaps a more normal walk there would give you time to think and realize something, but it might be best for us to move with my speed and get the full picture of the Einzbern's holding swiftly. It is possible that even if they do not have a servant here right now that they will finally send one after all."

Let's Rob a Magic Museum [Urban Fantasy] [Party of Thieves]

Sounds good.

Fate/Moribund Swarm

"There is no worry of that, and there is no need for that."

A direct response born solely of Saber. Where most of the time he allowed to be driven by the commands of his master, even if he in turn forced her to make a firm decision or suggested the course of her action, Saber addressed the elder of the Matou himself as an individual rather than a familiar or warrior. Part of it was his annoyance, and the relief that abated it of the lack of presence of the Japanese.

Even if the master was not here there was one who would remain and not simply let their Roma be pillaged and destroyed.

"There is no need to fight, it is as you say. Yet the fact that you are willing to fight brings me satisfaction. I do not approve that in a battle such as this the representative is not here and has essentially abandoned their home, but I disapprove of one who stays in their home only to flee at the first sign of danger even more."

Saber contemplated the darkness. Yes, it was unsettling, and the form of the magus still eluded him, both physical and in a more abstract sense. But what little he could sense, what little he could see. Despite the disturbing and foreboding presence that this Zouken gave there was more to approve of than a frightened youth and their folly.

Magi are hard to understand.

Magi are strange.

Magi can be surprising.

"Precious things should be protected, things are precious because we protect them and offer ourselves as sacrifice and risk in their stead. The Tohsaka clearly did not value their home dearly, then is there any right to complain when it has been lost? It is as you say, there is nothing for us to steal away or destroy. Yet there is something for you to protect. One could not hold more of a reason for peace. But I shall leave things to my master."

Perhaps it was unfair to speak his own heart before entrusting the decision, to make so clear his own stance. But that was the cost for bringing a hero as a familiar, one who was a tool and yet more than a tool. For even the most dutiful servant had a wish and their own will. It was their strength, and perhaps their folly.

Fate/Moribund Swarm

Fate Nazis Kill Themselves.

Fate/Moribund Swarm

The Form of a Man

Unsettling. It was an unease that brought a perturbed feeling to most. Not to Saber. He wondered which brought the black. Which came first with the overbearing darkness that seemed to be a blackness that would stand as a firm opposition and enigma even in the face of the light of heroes in these halls. Was it the man who spoke, or was it the land itself that was seeped into this sense of oddity. The old voice, did it reflect the land or did the land and manor reflect it?

Yes to fight in a magus's workshop, to fight in a soldier's hometown. It was in defending what was precious to them, to fight where they were the most connected to their own origin and identity. A magus was a magus because of what they toiled towards and created in their workshop. A soldier was a soldier because they fought for the sake of their nation.

This was the Roma of the Matous, the place where they would most be the Matous.

“That is indeed true. All are complete, their strength waxed when they are at a place they leave part of themselves, whether it be their ambition or heart. We have brazenly intruded, your words are correct. My master did not propose an alternative idea, but I shall admit truthfully I wished for such a trespass. A challenge let us say. I wished to see the mettle of the Matou, of the Japanese for what we have seen of the Tohsaka is lacking, disappointing. I feel no servant, nor do we feel a master. But there is someone here, there is someone who will declare this is their home. You are different from the one who fled without a challenge."

His words bellowed into the darkness like a tangible roar which held a firmness that was at odds with the oppressive and murky pressure of the world so separate from the world of the city of Fuyuki. Almost like an alien presence, inserted into the home of the Founding Family, the roars of the lion clashed with the chattering of insects.

It was hard for Saber to understand and judge magi.

Self-suggestion, the art of hypnotizing and changing one’s self in accordance to the chances they enacted externally. Something as fundamental as that was part of what Saber had come to understand, and was told of in what his master had shared of her sister.

A magus could change themselves, prepare the existence of a persona that was a heartless machine that carried out a singular process, create a face that would mingle with and charm normal humans, or reach a state of enlightenment and nothingness that transcended the world.

A malleable existence, so different from the servants that were records of the past completed and captured. Yet even without considering that Saber was a man who lived earnestly, dedicating his entirety of being to one life and one being.

He was the Lion of Rome.

What were they?

What was this ancient man whose voice echoed with an age that seemed beyond any magus he would have expected.

What was the woman who stared into the halls, whose eyes held a wish for the darkness to be revealed as something else. She was a regal mistress and a frightened lamb. But that was the expression of a lady, and that of a human even through the lens of the life of a magus.

What was she, really? He could not feel it, he does not know. What is the nature of the Roma he protects?

Despite his desire and curiosity he kept his attention focused on the presence, and the void in the manor. The threat that was not there, the threat that was already there. His duty to protect his master came first, but still…

“I am Saber, the blade of my master. I ask who we speak to. I ask who has stayed behind, and who welcomes us in the stead of the one whose duty should bring them here, the master.”

Fate/Moribund Swarm

@Angry Hungarian

Christians.

They suffered under Roma, flourished under Roma, grew strong through the adversity of Roma. The church with a name holding the meaning of universal was born during the time of the Empire that encompassed all. Perhaps, in retrospect it was natural for Christianity to spread and grow where Roma faded. The relation between the empire and that religion was a mixed one, and indeed, it was the Romans who executed the son of god as taught in their doctrine. Saber found the blame turned towards the Judaiac folk amusing in a sense, but he was no learned scholar or priest. In the end if asked his opinions on the teachings that spread across the globe he would simply comment that he respected the convictions of its many martyrs. Ironic because of, or perhaps especially because of the fact that he took the form of a Lion, the executioner of Christians back in the Empire. Respect and love, hate and scorn. It did not matter, if the Fourth were to stand against him and become an obstacle he had to protect his master from then he would execute him as though a beast of the past.

He had arrived too late. One minute at his maximum speed. Fifty seconds too late. What was the point of a patrol if they could not reach each other even when not shackled by the limits of the modern world? There was only one he could protect simply by virtue of existing, and he felt the life of Rider slip through his fingers. A strange man, a man who did not talk with at length. An ally, a man he was meant to protect and save.

He did not know failure in his life. He had lost battles, he had suffered wound and troubles. He did not fail for Roma stood, his master still stood. This was merely the loss of a battle. He did not succeed, but he felt a failure in the sense of not being able to protect the well-being of the goal of his master.

Arriving to the scene that held a lamenting man who buried his grief he swiftly realized the fact that the battlefield, the manor was abandoned. Saber materialized as he watched Emmerich work for a few moments, approaching only when he had opened up the manor with his own tools.

Without a sound Emmerich was pulled back with a large hand before he charged into the manor. He had no doubts that even in such a moment that the soldier noticed his presence, especially considering Saber had no intention of hiding it. There was merit in letting one vent out their grief, but a soldier especially should not be coddled no matter the circumstance.

“Let us go in together.”

The home was surprisingly bereft of anything that seemed relevant to the war, save for gold that tried to stain those around it with its influence. Yet the splendor of gold was outshined by the glow of a hero, and with the help of his own abilities the soldier was able to avoid exposure as well.

Something dangerous, and something to take with them in case the enemy had plans for it, as he agreed with his master after consulting her opinion.

It was a normal home in comparison to the ragtag workshop and military base of the Church. He wondered if Rider found it disappointing he died fighting at ground that seemed so divorced from the nature of conflict. To Saber it was a worthy place to protect, one’s home, one’s ancestral land as he understood it with the position of these Tohsakas in relation to this city.

From the earlier reports he knew that there was no contact with the enemy, yet the presence of the enemy was confirmed, both servant and master. The man of the church did not fight or even observe the enemy. The enemy had run and abandoned their ground and home.

…

This was their Roma, and they had left it without a fight. How shameless, how unsightly. Cowardly, cowardly to the greatest degree! To watch Rider fight and perish, then decide that their Roma was not even worth the effort of protecting. No, in the first place they did not even see if they would even need to defend it. So fearful of the man of the church, so fearful of fighting, so fearful for their lives that they abandon everything but the next breath that they take.

Mighty Porsena, mighty Porsena with the large armies of the Etruscans cowed his fellow men at the bridge. Yet the Romans still fought, only breaking into chaos with their leaders struck down. Their mistake was the fear that they had failed, that the time for their victory had past.

So long as one lived there was always a path. So long as he was alive he could hold off the bridge for the sake of Roma. Against an army he fought and against an army he would fight once more without hesitation. It was never over, never truly over.

Saber made one promise to himself that day and it was to never despair. No matter what if something is precious one had to fight for it. No matter the cost one had to protect it.

What did these Japanese protect then? He had thought them those who banded together to protect their land from their foes and invaders, protecting their wish and homes.

What value did these magi hold? What convictions did they have? He found himself disgruntled, annoyed.

As Emmerich prepared to say his goodbyes to the Manor of the Tohsakas, what little of value taken out to be brought back by the two he found himself hoping that the Matou would show themselves to be more worthy of respect.

==============

He later found it that it would not be the case. The manor felt empty in a sense, the sense that there was no great presence that he knew to be their equal, a peer as a spirit or hero. It was possible that Assassin was around, but… This time the master was not even present then.

@Shioban

"With a man such as you a man such as me would have never been needed, Archer.”

A hero was only needed when the army and general could not overcome their foes. While Archer was no less a ‘hero’ the kind of hero they were happened to be very different. The hero who made up for the lack of virtue of the army. The hero who commanded and honed the power of the army.

Yes, indeed. When it came to the matters and powers of man they had no lack.
But if only if it could be said that men were all that fought in this war.

@Angry Hungarian
I've been quite useful, quite useful all this time thank you very much. I've been talking to our beneficiaries after all. Would you honestly believe we could win on our own against the creators of this ritual in their hometurf, especially when they have the support of their nation? If you sensibly disagree with such a notion then badger me not. As it is the greatest danger to us is our dear own Schutzstaffel that you yourself belong to, so I’d rather not you have any attitude. It was your lost of Rider that’s causing that issue in the first place!" He was more harsh with Emmerich than Jancika in retrospect. The lack of involvement in this incident, and the build up of a long day causing his tongue to hold his ground quite sternly and unkindly.

Nipping thoughts of anxiety plagued him, but he suppressed them with ease. A magus was one who remade themselves for different needs, for they themselves were the means to achieve the ends they enacted upon the world. He was calm, he was proud. Continuing to carry himself in his grandiose way he lifted his right hand, a massive ruby that caught the lights of the church, and reflected them like a kaleidoscope that revealed all the possibilities of red, of war. “I’ve been at thought, and I have figured out a way to make my talents relevant for our war. Fraulein Frederica’s aid is something I’ll be reliant on for it… but it is a elegant enough solution to the matter of my contribution.”

Without skipping a beat he let his hand fall to his side and spoke with redoubled energy. The ruby disappeared from sight as he moved the conversation along before the question of what he’d be contributing was raised beyond the vague details he had shared with the soldier before. The Ruby was stowed away and his hand rose back up to this time invite Emmerich.

“It has been a long day, a very long day for all of us. But it is not over yet. I expect and hope the two women to perform well enough to make up for what blunders we have made as a whole, or rather I can only plan around that. Further failure cannot be accepted, for further failure simply brings the end of our lives, as Germans, Magi and of course, as actual lifeforms.”

He shook his head. “We cannot slack, so let us get to work. You can eat after we’ve searched. Of course I’ll have Harriegilta help us. If anything she might recall something. I’m sure it is here in the church. Where else can we look after all?”

Turning away from Emmerich he retreated to begin his search somewhere secluded, somewhere alone... somewhere he could simply be without any eyes upon him.

Menial. This task could only be called menial. Yet it was vital to their success, it was vital to their survival. In the face of that to be stubborn was even more disgraceful. Annoyingly he felt as though he could hear the questioning thoughts of his allies. Why was he here other than to simply supply Archer with an anchor and energy? Why was he chosen as the one who came, why is he the user of the tool?

Perhaps they would only see his current use as one who could do such a rudimentary search. How annoying, if he had know that the future had a battle in it for him then he should have learned a few more basic tricks. He pursued simply what was important, simply what would further his family’s efforts and bring salvation. Even if he would be seen as harmless or useless because of that he felt no regrets.

But that didn’t mean he felt nothing about it either way.

@Shioban
"Archer, while the tale of the results of Rider against the Burial Agent proves that a delay in the usage of a Command Spell is fatal, and our current situation adds to such, it is best you still keep me updated. If I see fit I shall pull you out or support you with a spell as necessary."

He let out a sigh before taking a breath, preparing as though he were speaking out loud before calling out to Archer with his mind. "You will be given relative freedom for this venture. Try not to create a crater, but prioritize survival and success over the Manor. Sieg Heil Viktoria, Archer."

With Archer not so close to the enemy, moving with an ally, and not cooped up in a church he felt much more confident about the chances of his Servant in combat. But still to not be there was admittedly both a relief and a source of worry, all the more so with every word he heard of the tale of Rider's end.

With a bad day that only got worse and worse, he felt himself feeling an odd mix of discontentment, anticipation, hope and dread. Frankly if he wasn’t in his own position he’d be feeling a lot of schadenfreudian for whoever was in his shoes.

Now where could it all be...

Fate/Moribund Swarm

There was no motion of acknowledgement, no word spoken. Saber moved. The further unnecessary commands that were given lost to the gale that was left reeling in the wake of Saber’s unrestrained passage roared out like a beast, torn apart by the man and left clinging to the memory of his presence.

“Don’t worry about me, don’t think about it.” The words were almost greeted later by Saber’s mind with an amused scoff. There was no need to say that to him of all people. Among heroes there are those who are the greatest at slaying evil, those who are the greatest at bringing wisdom and blessings to their people, those who bring ruin to nations, those who would twist destiny and fate, those who would break gods and mountains in their wake.

His legend was more human and humble, ironically so perhaps with the grand stature and appearance it gave him. It was a story, short and small, yet it gave the chance for the greatest tale of all to grow. It was not by his hand that the sapling grew to become the tree that spread across and became synonymous with the world, with man. He was not the seat of divinity and authority to which all the world flowed towards. He was not the blessed progenitor who planted the seed, who also planted all the rights and blessings of the emperor.

Yes, he was a momentary shield, like a transient snowflake. He was not the only protector of Roma but it was the brightest most important detail to his life. Even as a blade he was the Scutum. Although it was likely that a class such as Shielder would suit him better and fulfill his role as the protector even greater. Bringing not just the inspiring figure of the lion, but also bringing forth into form the mentality of one who was courage, and the virtue itself.

But that was an irrelevance. He was not the first, he was not the last. But it was most definitely thanks to him that the sapling in its cradle was not uprooted. With pride he beared his scars even as they brought pain and lameness. Ah, this body, this damaged body was proof of the survival of Roma.

There was one attribute he claimed without equal among men, and that was to be a protector. So long as Saber exists then Roma is safe, so long as Saber exists so too will his master be under his protection. Perhaps there are gods, those who reached heaven, or were extinguished that could rival or exceed him. But among normal men, among those who counted themselves as mere mortals and heroes he would fulfill that one duty better than all of them.

If that was the case… why was there no hesitation in leaving his master? His attribute was to protect his master, not to be a dutiful hound who obeyed like a hero of charity. He was the one who protected without fear, and he was the shield of his master. The notion that so long he existed his master was safe was not one born of a boast, or an allegory for his unwavering drive and courage that would not compromise. So long as he existed his protection extended to his Master. No matter what time or space separated them he would be able to be her shield. It was because of that ability that he had no fear in leaving her. For even if he was not by her side his body would bear all for her. There was no need to hesitate, no reason to worry. Not about her, not for him. The river was already gone from sight when he finally allowed himself a moment to respond through their link.

“Survive? Even if I am not the one who walks by the side of your sister there’s hardly a need to ask me to do so. I am the shield who lives to see the glory that awaits at the beginning of the end. Ah, if we are making requests however…”

Faster, faster, faster. Unrestrained by the limits of humans in his own body, nor restrained by the burden of man in the form of his master, freed completely to enact the illusion and relic of the past, the speed exceeded the travel of the modern world even with him not being the swiftest of servants.

He was fast, fast as he could ever be. But would it be enough? He had no fear for his master, but he wondered if he would arrive in time to protect his ally. But whatever adversity awaited him at the manor his path was clear, unchanging.

“Trust in me. There is no need to worry, for I am here.”

A Nation was not simply a land, a nation is not simply the lives of the humans within. It is the whole, the culture, the convictions, the dreams and virtues of a people. To protect a nation is to protect their values, lives, property and way of life. It is to hold it sacred and to prevent it from being despoiled and stained.

He would protect his master, and leave her to grow without blemish. As a master, as a magus, as a human.

No matter the opposition that awaited him…

He simply need work towards that one task.

Fate/Moribund Swarm

CHAPTER 1

Fate/Moribund Swarm

The small thrum of rolling film sweetly filled the church with a whisper. The no longer secular, and perhaps even heretical church filling up with the many telltale signs of Brauer Herstelle. Supplies, tools and other such things were placed to make it the combination of a military base, a magus workshop and a home. Brauer was at work, creating the formation of the Black Sun within the church’s basement while the Homunculus toiled in back, the scent of food that spread through the building from her cooking.

Humming to himself, Brauer leisurely walked back up, the culmination of his current work with the Thule Society laid down. The Black Sun was left in the darkness, waiting for its moment to shine. Ah, but what to get for it… Well, there was that method of acquiring supplies and reagents… He’d have to call Emmerich and ask him to place an order.

Hidden away from the moon, basked in the simple lights of the church. Despite the fact that they were here for a conflict, a ritual, a war, Brauer admitted that he felt rather comfortable for a time. Perhaps it was the fact that they managed to attain the church without a battle in the end and the lack of an enemy presence?

With a light touch a phonograph he brought with him whirs to life.
The sound of a ragtime band began to fliter through a player, almost like a yawn as it eased into the halls of the church. Another whimsical indulgence, or perhaps not. Film and music, the visual and audio. Together they were what formed a movie. So he considered it one little hobby, which was most definitely more acceptable than two little hobbies that had nothing to do with his work.

When he noted Archer’s presence he raised one of his gloved hands to him. Ah, the familiar that wandered as he pleased. Still, there was no harm as long as he did his task as he was meant to.

“Edward carefully approached his master and with a hand over his heart he asked Master... Do you have any orders for me?”

“Hm… no, not really.” he decided upon after thinking. An idle tool was not good to have, but to make use of something simply to give it work was also foolish.

“I think it is best for us to simply rest, Archer. Tomorrow we will go on a search for information on the grai-”

Oh.

Oh no.

Nevermind the report he would have to make of this. For a magus something such as a heretic hunter was a great danger and fear. Yet what now roamed the city was something that monsters and fantasies that should have been completely beyond the reach of mankind feared.
“Archer. What do you know of the activities of the Church, their eighth sacrament and their greatest force?”

The film and music that was playing was hardly a comfort and the news that were screamed into his ear left him with sweaty palms and a painfully loud throbb in his head. His heart was beating, pounding, crying out in fear with each moment. He was afraid, he was afraid and he was afraid the moment he’d stop being afraid is when he was dead.

He let out a gasp of breath as though he were a strange fish forced onto land. “Ah... “ he called out. “Tonight I think a drink is in order with dinner.”

Fate/Moribund Swarm

FUN.