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Post by muramasa on Oct 15, 2015 20:44:33 GMT
And so the archer followed rider and they both vanished, leaving the little girl behind with Muramasa... Ah, if he only did not need anyone to exist further, he guessed he could make do with the energy he could gather from the hordes of ghouls around, but how long would that last. Definitely not all eternity and it was not what he wanted to do after all. He had other plans and those did not even really need himself, although he would rather like to see them come to fruition. looking to his side, he saw that Ai had begun to cry, apparently he had hit a sore spot and the pure memory of her parents being dead brought her to tears.
Troublesome, but nothing he had not expected. After all, looking at her, it was pretty clear that there were no parents around, parents were too restricting and even the worst ones could tie a daughter like that down with one word most likely. Muramasa did not know about this feeling, he did not even remember his parents. It was common to lose your parents in this very country several centuries ago, but nowadays it had an even bigger impact. The people had become so soft.
His smile became a bit sad as well as he stopped her and pat her head again just as gently, not saying much, but rather waiting for her to calm down. Even if he cared enough, he did not even know what to say since he had always taken death as something natural. He sold death in the form of blades and killed too many people to even guess at the ramifications such a trauma could have on a person nowadays. At least he remembered how he had to comfort his children and wives for whenever something happened, none of them having seen the same kind of things and all of them spoiled by their wealth from his works. "Well, I won´t say I understand your pain." Muramasa said after a few moments, deciding to speak a little after all, if only to make her think about something else and see if she was able to be forged into something better. As they say, impure iron brings out the most unexpected results. "Let it all out, but remember, would your family want you to be sad about them or would they rather you can walk with your head held high. Knowing that you tried at least and can still move on, carrying the memory of your parents with you. Become stronger for them and do not lose anyone ever again just as you said."
Muramasa had the weird feeling that they were watched, but it was most likely just a few hundred ghouls and archer. "Hmm... Let´s see, since you are my master at the moment it should be okay. How about trying to be able to defend yourself? If you want, the great Muramasa, swordsmith of legend is ready to create a weapon for you, I do not know all too much about magic or thaumaturgy, but if you want I can see to it that you are at least equipped and able to swing a sword that can actually do damage." He grinned at her and hoped she would snap out of her crying again. He doubted it would further their teamwork if the other servants saw it and even though she seemed quite weak and it would be best to take control of the team from her, it seemed like a hassle and it would not help anyone really. This way she could learn and maybe one day turn into a usable weapon. With the right push at the right time she could become his first test subject for this.
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Post by genghis on Oct 15, 2015 21:46:42 GMT
It had been centuries since Genghis had been on the battlefield. Though he used the word lightly, a group of four against animals was hardly cause for him to call this battlefield. Still it felt right that he was able to fight just as well when he was in his prime. Knocking arrows into place, twisting his upper body and loosing arrows was something he had done since he could ride a horse, it was something that brought him a degree of calmness.
On his ride he didn't go directly for the bridge, that was simple and easily achievable with his mount. The purpose of taking the position of vanguard was to take care of as many Ghouls on the route as possible. Of course, he was aware that his actions would attract more attention from the slumbering Ghouls but it would mean less surprises for the main group. Khan became aware of the support behind him and slowed down his mount. He looked back and spotted Archer a fair distance away dealing with Ghouls as well as feeling a pang of pain? with his connection to Ai, he frown but as Archer did not seem to take any action he didn't worry. Ideally if his mount was more... natural he would have taken Ai alongside him but as it stood the beast that replaced his True Noble Phantasms was not healthy for humans. There was also the issue of a collapsed building right infront of the street.
Rider released another arrow and nailed a Ghoul to the crumbling piece of a wall. He maintained his gaze on Archer, Genghis moved his arm up aiming at the sky, then he made a sign for negation quickly shifting to moving his arm in a circling motion indicating that the road ahead was blocked off and that they would have to circle around the debris.
Genghis rounded back several blocks, taking care of his pursuers and would wait for Ai and Muramasa to come into view, once they did he would signal for the new path to take. Meanwhile, he continued his duty of attracting the Ghouls attention as well as thinning their numbers as they came into view. Once he confirmed that they were on the right track, Genghis would continue scouting and clearing the roads.
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Post by ai on Oct 15, 2015 22:20:32 GMT
The sadness in her heart from a hurtful memory was flowing out non-stop, her remarkable tears and laments about being useless back then kept on depressing her but if it was not thanks to Muramasa's words, Ai would have been unable to keep on. She took a deep breath, cleaned her face and tried her best to stop crying.
I'm sorry... I'm really sorry you had to see that... You're right and this is my path and I will show my parents how strong have I become now.
Even though Muramasa had this aura of death and danger around him, his words and actions of a caring spirit made things easier for Ai to handle. It took some minutes for Ai to regain composure and as soon as she did Saber was already offering to craft a weapon for her to defend herself.
No, it's fine... I'm more of a supportive type of magi... I'm better off being behind and acting as a healer so that's why I kept you with me... We should pro--...
But before Ai could even finish her sentence she noticed something was odd around them.
Wait... something's not right... Rider and Archer just left but I don't hear them anymore... no.. it's not even that... it's just too quiet right now...
Ai's intuition for dangerous situations was sharp but this one specially had her very concerned, both Rider and Archer took the same path but the whole area around them was still unknown for them. Literally being located in the center of an hostile area was already bad and standing there on their own by a long time didn't make it any better. Ghouls are almost no different from beasts but the records she read from the previous team showed that in big groups they could be very deadly.
Muramasa san... This is bad... We shouldn't make too much noise... I think we're surrounded... I can't fight but I can provide support if you can take them on your own... I didn't want to be a bother in the first place but this is something I didn't count with...I trust my life to you!
Soon as she finished her speech, around 12 ghouls had them surrounded, all of them coming out of their hiding spots from houses and beneath the earth as if they were waiting for a perfect ambush. With Archer in the front and Rider scouting away from them, that left Ai's life in Saber's hands now.
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Post by emiya on Oct 15, 2015 22:34:50 GMT
Conversation between Ai and Muramasa ensued, which seemed to be of little consequence. At the very least, it dried her tears and would seem to let her proceed with the mission without any problems. Perhaps he would need to revise his opinion of the Saber. Just as he was about to turn away, he's interrupted by the sudden attack of ghouls, in some absurd ambush that neither he nor Temujin spotted.
Quick as a flash, an arrow is traced and ready, notched into his bow. As he pulls back the strings, several more blades, weapons with the quality of being Noble Phantasms, appear in the air above him. Releasing the arrow, the swords fire with the strength of a cannonball, seven deadly arcs that take the ghouls that were in Archer's line of sight down. That much at least should make it easier for Muramasa to protect their Master, he nocks another arrow, but does not trace more weapons. It was an inefficient use of his mana, so long as Muramasa could do his job.
The arrow isn't able to be of help to them. Archer turns around at an instinctive warning in his head, seeing a ghoul appearing next to him. "Tch..." Archer kicks it away, before firing the arrow off into the ghoul's head. He turns back, tracing another arrow, but at that point, he was sure either Muramasa would have the situation under control, or his Master was already in danger. He didn't feel any pain over the connection, however, so for the moment he believed she had to be safe.
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Post by muramasa on Oct 15, 2015 23:03:20 GMT
Ah, finally she had calmed down and begun to act like she was supposed to, even though he was a bit peeved about her denying his offer, there was nothing to be done. Magicians would always be weird, no matter what they were called and even if he did not really believe in support of any kind and that even the simple act of healing could be seen as a double edged blade, he would not press the matter either... for now. As for the enemy, he had not given them much thought, with three servants of calibers like this, he doubted anything beneath an enemy servant would be a real challenge, the only problem they really faced were the obstacles of houses, landscapes and keeping their anchor alive and functioning well enough to push a button. Maybe Muramasa should learn how to operate such a machine, he had always had a knack for such things and seeing as he was good enough with curses operating a little magic should not be too difficult either.
"Yes, you are right, it seems like we drew some attention, not to worry, I doubt they will pose much of a threat as long as we move on afterwards. Usually these kinds of things can smell their comrades blood and gather just like carrions and lesser beasts usually do. But really, it makes me wonder how many they took out for there only to be this many, I was hoping for more. Not for me to fight, but rather to see how the other two would come to help with it." Muramasa said and lifted the sword from the floor and just like a good smith gave it the final adjustments with the wave of a hand. The serenity of the blade seemed to become even purer, but now it was as if magic energy was oozing out of his hand and into the weapon as he pointed at one of the ghouls still a bit off as if to call a homerun. But instead the ghoul he had pointed at suddenly was slashed in half, each half going a step before falling. Several shots from where the other two had gone off too, took care of most of the rest, leaving even fewer.
The projectiles that had been shot looked interesting, although they were much too powerful and seemed like wasted energy, or maybe he had just that much to spare? "Ai, stand still and don´t move, my blade does not make distinction." Muramasa said, a hint of danger in his voice, looking toward his first enemy as he suddenly sped off. He may not be the greatest swordsman there was, but his speed and equipment made quite the difference when it came to that. The air was singing as he raced toward two ghouls that were running toward them together, the personified curse in his hand screaming in the air for blood it was drawing shortly after as Muramasa lazily swung the blade through the first one, cutting just above the hip, while his other hand was outstretched toward the other and a blade materialized from thin air, piercing the ghoul to the ground. Screaming and wailing from the sudden madness that overcame it, so loud it rang in your ears, but too weak to pull out the weapon and go on a rampage, doomed to die a slow maddening death.
The next ghoul was luckier as he cut through it´s shoulder and severed it´s head cleanly from it´s neck. The last one was getting close to Ai at that moment, but Muramasa pointed at it again and the curse hit it squarely and cut it apart just like the one before, falling apart just in front of Ai. Moving close to his master again, he smiled at her as he walked by her and created another blade to pin both the writhing hands of the last ghoul to the ground, not wanting for it to even touch Ai, after all he had agreed to keep her unhurt and for now it was what would get him what he wanted. "I think that should be about it." Muramasa said above the whails of the dying ghoul, scratching at the blade stuck in it´s torso and the ground beneath it to no avail. It´s eyes focusing and unfocusing between incredibly insane madness and utter despair on the two of them, while Muramasa ignored it completely, having nearly forgotten about it already, it being not his problem anymore. "Let´s go, I think they are waiting for us, you alright?"
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Post by genghis on Oct 16, 2015 15:05:10 GMT
Genghis maintained his position, he currently had broken his line of sight with Archer so he was unaware of the unexpected "ambush" the Ghouls had performed on Ai and Muramasa. If he knew this had happened then he would have chastised himself for underestimating husks of humans. He wasn't a man who went easy on his opponents and resorted to using just the necessary force when dealing with an obstacle. However, exactly because of this approach to life, Genghis could be rather "rude" to the point of being cruel to others.
By no means he was an impatient man, he preferred careful planning over senseless action. But he was no arm chair general and he knew that on the field for the most part initiative won the day. While shooting another two more Ghouls from his mount, the Khan began to consider that if Muramasa and Ai took any longer he'd be forced to pick up Ai and bring her with him. Though that meant that she would likely die due to the toxic nature of his steed. But he could get her relatively quick to the location, if she was lucky she'd live long enough to retrieve the box and get to a medical ward of Chaldea. If she was lucky.
Still Genghis had no reason to resort to such a drastic action yet, he had some faith in his companions and his master. They were people who had faced adversity and now carried the hope for the future of mankind. If they failed and fall at this stage then the great Khan would be saddened as he knows that humans carry infinite potential, they simply couldn't fail at the start of their struggle. Whatever that was risking humanity was still far away, they needed information, resources and be unified to face that threat.
Even if he had to once take the role of an enemy to mankind he would gladly do so if it meant that mankind would live to see another day. As flawed as it was, he loved humanity and though his legend was distorted he at his core was a Hero that wished for humanity to thrive.
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Post by ai on Oct 17, 2015 0:40:10 GMT
Almost in the blink of an eye the sound of the wind being cut by something sharp could be heard, but what was it? The second she blinked out of her shock 7 ghouls were about to fall on the floor dead with arrow-like wounds on their foreheads, clearly an amazing power coming from Archer who was still protecting Ai even from afar. Muramasa in the other hand felt more calm about the situation, the warning didn't scare Ai at all but awoke a sense of curiosity inside of her. The way he slung his sword, his fighting style and how accurate his movements were was really something to admire.
S-so cool...A little speechless and still in shock, her face was nothing more but surprised.
M-muramasa! That was awesome!! the way you cut them through... the way you fight!... I am fired up!! let's move quickly to the bridge, I say we follow Rider's path until we are close enough to him or Archer!
And as eager as Ai could have become after what she witnessed, she decided to take the lead and ran forwards where she thought Rider location was, unfortunately for them, she was running towards the wrong direction. Ai's determination is almost at pair with someone stubborn, you can't simply stop her unless you show her she's wrong and the further she ran, the farther she and Saber would be separated from the team.
Muramasa-san! Don't stay behind! We have to catch up quickly! ...she yelled from a safe distance as she continued running. Ai really didn't know where she was going, she wasn't even following her instinct, she just assumed that the bridge was on the direction she was going but little did she know that she was going to end up in a dead end if she continued.
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Post by emiya on Oct 17, 2015 1:07:31 GMT
Emiya was satisfied seeing the ghouls drop. Muramasa was clearly a confident fighter, something that wasn’t a huge surprise based on his myth and class. The remaining five ghouls lay scattered on the ground, and Archer could see the wounds that lay on them. He could tell from this distance away that his blades left powerful curses: not quite as strong as the ones in the water and infecting the land, but powerful nonetheless. Still, that should be expected from the demonic blade crafter of legend.
Since the way ahead was picked clean, he spares a moment to make sure that his Master and her guardian were returning to the proper path. Only...they weren’t. At all. Ai ran ahead of Muramasa in some strange direction. Emiya wasn’t sure if it was because she was disoriented from the fight, or because she was simply forgetful, but she was heading away from the bridge, and into an area that used to be a gas station, but after the fire ignited the fuel, was simply a crater filled with pooled curses.
This wouldn’t have been a problem, in normal situations. Muramasa would simply correct her course and they’d be off. However, he did not. The Saber-class Servant simply trailed behind Ai, allowing her to walk into the death trap. Rider was too far away to communicate to, so if he wanted to get the mission done, he had to make a detour.
He wasn’t particularly fast as far as Servants went, but he was far from slow. Ai didn’t make it too far before Archer appeared at her side. “Ai. You’re going the wrong way. The river is over there.” He points in the correct direction. “If you get mistaken again, I will fire an explosive arrow into the sky. That should allow you to hear it, as well as use the sparks as a flare to find the way you need to go.”
He then turns to Muramasa. “A young girl I might forgive for forgetting details about the mission, but I find it hard to accept that from a Heroic Spirit. Are you going to be someone I need to shepherd until the mission ends?” His tone was sarcastic, but his eyes were deadly serious. “In any event, I’m not sure we need someone who can’t even remember which way it is to the objective protecting our Master.
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Post by muramasa on Oct 17, 2015 1:39:36 GMT
Ah, there it was, the innocence of a child that washed away those troublesome tears and memories that had incapacitated her before and gotten them to fight with ghouls. It was more to be expected from someone like her than a sudden breakdown and this was definitely more appreciated by him. Less annoying. Less infuriating. Less needing to be eradica... He closed one eye and looked at Ai with a grin, shrugging while his inside swirled with the hisses and demands of the spirit inside of him. More blood, more death, more. With a single thought of him it was gone again, but he knew that it was just beyond his small walls he did not keep in working order anyway since his and the spirits demands were usually the same. The only problem was that it got so easily excited, him changing and taking this form did not really help either. Feeling the ghoul he had pinned to the ground die, he felt the energy of the dead flowing into him and fueling him a little. Not enough to make a master useless, but at least not as useful as for most servants. Having a reliable way of getting mana was a good thing, if only to commit to memory.
"Thank you Ai, I am trying." Except he was not really, simple slicing and dicing, swords created and placed in the area to be picked up and drive others to madness. Listening to her exclaims as she moved, he simply inclined his head to the side and nodded at her suggestions, quite aware that they were going the wrong direction. Not that he would stop her, why? There was absolutely nothing he could win from ending this mission quickly, he could just tuck her under his arm and run in a stright line for the hospital, cutting apart houses and enemies in their way and then go back, but where was the sense in that? No, he would much rather see more of this desolate sea of flames and even though he was not big on intel, he did not mind sightseeing. "Okay, coming." Muramasa said, his desire overlapping with Ai´s and agreeing readily with her demand. Walking a bit faster to keep on her heels until one of the other servants appeared and attempted to correct Ai in her path.
Looking at the servant who then began to talk with him, Muramasa simply smiled back in the same way he did and said: "What are you talking about, my mission is to keep her safe and stay close to her. If I remember correctly, it was your job to keep us on track. As for the way for the hospital, I have no idea as I said before, I am just following you around since this is one of my first times here. Are you not being a bit unreasonable? Let´s go Ai, rider is most likely getting impatient, lead on Archer." Muramasa said and moved his hand in the correct direction. "And please do send us a message if we stray from the path again. Let us hope we did not draw even more attention from ghouls because we did not receive enough information from you." Although his words were practically poison, they sounded sweet and as if he honestly thought so and was quite enthused to get back on the road toward their destination, seeing his own points as quite valid.
As for the sense in his commentary and words, he wanted to see and test the other servant, see if he was capable and worthy of trust and consideration of an ally. As someone who was betrayed from every customer and every person he met, being called a demon and his work created with sweat and blood mocked and denied their righteous place, it was difficult for him to just trust or think of someone as capable enough.
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Post by genghis on Oct 17, 2015 3:00:31 GMT
Genghis was far from idle while waiting, as Ghouls occasionally wandered into his general surroundings. The Khan merely used his bow and arrows to dispatch them cleanly. Under him though his horse was getting restless. While the Khan himself merely waited, that is until he began feeling as the distance between his Master and him grew ever so slightly wider. Bemused the Khan took the reins of his horse and had it climb the rubble to stand on a partial roof top, that way he could scan his surroundings.
Though he lacked the means to see far and up close that other Servants had, he was still an Archer. Some fair distance away he spotted the figure of Archer racing at the general direction their master was heading too it seemed. The Khan did not have a change in expression nor any feeling of confusion seemed to emerge within him. But as he tactically described it, "It would seem our plan has changed". He sniped one more Ghoul while weighing his options.
He could race back to Ai, at full speed it would take his mount less than a minute to make it there. It would make solving whatever issue they were having easier to solve. He could also move to the Hospital and locate the box, bring it back to Ai and resolve the mission. He couldn't activate the K-box but he could transport it back to the main group, if they were having issues they could survive them until he returned. That might raise some tensions with his companions, but then again he was the type of man that could live with being disliked or loved in equal measures. His link to Ai told him there at the very least she didn't feel threatened so he had that assurance that both Archer and Saber would be looking after Ai.
Because he felt no imminent danger on Ai, Khan chose the option that would ensure more success. He took the reins, scanned for the bridge and though it was half collapsed it looked as if it was still useful. The hospital was a few blocks farther but a manageable distance.
The Khan rode down back into the ruined street and began riding toward the bridge. He still fulfilled his duty of clearing the brunt of Ghouls that crossed his path and made sure to make enough noise to attract their attention. For now he would hope that his companions were capable enough of catching up to him.
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