A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2]

Miska

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A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2] Dec 17, 2015 8:10:14 GMT

Post by Miska on Dec 17, 2015 8:10:14 GMT

It didn’t make sense.

Miska glared at the Magic Circle, hoping somehow that in doing so she could make the Magic Circle divulged its secret out of fear. She was so close at finding the complete picture, yet something important seemed to elude her. This made the Kopparsvard lordling frustrated somewhat. Her Family had made it their life’s aim to understand anything that could be understood, and so facing something so exciting yet completely hidden like this meant Miska was loathe to give up. She needed to try more.

Putting his finger at another place in the symbol, Miska sent another pulse of prana to the Magic Circle, making it glow in some place. He watched carefully as some lines appeared to fade more quickly than the others. No, he already guessed most of what the Magic Circle did and how it had been used. It was used first to gather energy for an unknown entity. Then there was a great outburst of stored energy, something that was most obvious and what made Miska thought it was a Summoning Circle at first. After that, it was used in a very strange cycle of gathering energy and releasing it little by little in an intermittent manner. As the slight disturbance in the pattern showed, this was a very inefficient way to do this. A Magus would be much better creating a new one that suits his or her purpose rather than continuously altering and fine-tuning an already existing Magic Circle. It was something that Miska believed the original creator would not have done.

So the question was, why? Why was it used so? Who needed small amounts of energy for an extended period of time and for what purpose? And why would a Spirit came here and checked this spot first? Why did it do in that other house with a giant ghoul? Heck… why did it use roads instead of flying?

These and many other unanswered questions filled Miska’s mind as her Servant called out to her. She could see out of the toolshed the abominable Servant stood on the courtyard with a smile. Miska herself was hidden in the shadows of the many racks in the toolshed, so she doubted Rider would be able to read from her face that she did not want to be bothered.

Then he could see a few steps in front of the warlord was gliding the Vagrant Spirit. Suddenly, it turned its head a little, directly towards Miska, as if it could pierce the shadows and knew Miska was near the Magic Circle. It looked at the place in a way that Miska could only interpreted as protective…

Miska’s eyes widened as something clicked in his mind.

“I know it!” He shouted suddenly, almost jumping in joy, “I understand! You!” he said, calling to the Spirit in the courtyard outside, “You were using this Magic Circle, weren’t you? You had to because it was the only thing that-“

A loud growl stopped Miska in her words. There was no mistaking it. That bestial growl, which soon was followed by other growls that filled the silent air like a pack of rabid wolves.

That could only mean that Ghouls had besieged the area.

Last Edit: Dec 17, 2015 8:10:31 GMT by Miska

Miska

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A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2] Dec 17, 2015 8:13:50 GMT

Post by Miska on Dec 17, 2015 8:13:50 GMT

“To me Master!”

The Khan could be heard barking the order, and soon the Lordling came running as if being obedient. But it seemed it was not so. In the bright eyes of the excited Master was already a set of orders ready to be passed at the earliest opportunity. He seemed overly excited at finally finding a meaning to this whole pattern that it was doubtful he fully realized the full gravity of the situation.

“Rider, you hold them here!” He barked, barely stopping before begin running off again, “I have to confirm things! I know it! I know it!”

Like a fox seeing a dead fish Miska bolted towards the dojo and vanished under the building. If Rider could hold them all at bay there should be nothing to fear. This would be the best time to show that he really was the Great Khan! If not…

“You!” Miska panted, pointing a finger on the seemingly astonished spirit. She had entered the dojo and, without even bothering to take off her shoes had arrived in front of the Spirit. “You were protecting this place, weren’t you? By using the Magic Circle? By using the ghouls?” She forgot that Vagrant Spirit could be dangerous. Forgot that she was facing something that they supposedly had to follow without it being know of it. She forgot it all. The image of Rider tamely followed the Spirit around seemed to have dissipated all the scary thoughts about it.

The Spirit seemingly had wanted to move towards a corner where rested a decrepit bow and a set of arrows, but it stopped in its tracks. Miska, not realizing the gaze, continued his exposition without interruption, pacing round and round in a sudden burst of energy. “You were using the Magic Circle not for you, but for the ghouls. It was here. It was already here. You wanted to- No, it wasn’t the Circle you wanted to protect, was it?” he paused, tilting his head towards the Spirit but soon continuing, “No. It was the house itself. The house- not yours? You love this house? But then, such easy access to energy would attract all beings in the land. So what could you do?” Miska shook his head, “What could you do? You asked them– manipulated them against each other of course! Ghouls cannot access leylines- You can. You harness the energy. You offered it to the strongest pack of ghouls. You offered them a little at intervals, making sure they would protect this house from the others! Because it’s the only way they can have exclusive access to you! You sacrifice yourself to protect this house!”

Miska ended the exposition in a triumphant note. Head held high and proud that she had once again decipher the indecipherable.

But soon another realization dawned on her. She lowered her head. “But why would you go that far for a house that isn’t even yours? And that big ghoul- don’t tell me that we have disrupted your…?”

The Vagrant Spirit raised its head, meeting Miska’s gaze with it’s own deep, purple eyes. One look at them and Miska understood. Understood it all clearly. The simple, so simple yet so complicated reason that came crashing down at her, making her hard to breath in the dawning of understanding.

“You…” he whispered, completely at a loss.

Last Edit: Dec 17, 2015 8:24:44 GMT by Miska

Miska

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A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2] Dec 17, 2015 8:18:09 GMT

Post by Miska on Dec 17, 2015 8:18:09 GMT

But soon, an order, spoken like a true lord, reached Rider. Miska had used the connection for the first time.

And even from what little connection the Lord could feel, there was no denying the confidence, the absoluteness of this word. Were Rider was thinking about a chick about Miska before, now he could definitely see a proud phoenix, lording over the mountain in unwavering dignity.

“Rider, please exterminate all of these Ghouls. Use your Noble Phantasm if necessary.”

For prana, there would be no problem at all. Miska’s prana was more than enough for just a single use of Khar Sulde. But it was not the worrying part. Miska knew full well that, in this close a distance, he would suffer once again under the corrosive effect of the Noble Phantasm. Last time, she definitely could not handle it.

But this time, could she? Rider would not have anyway to know. What was obvious was that Miska would not back down. She had seen her target. And, like a true Mongol, she refused to let her arrow lose its sight of it, come what may.

***
genghis
I love how you expanded the situation! Thank you very much!

genghis

kozeph

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A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2] Dec 23, 2015 22:36:21 GMT

Post by genghis on Dec 23, 2015 22:36:21 GMT

"Miska wait!" Rider shouted, then he gave one exasperated sigh. He wasn't sure if the Vagrant Spirit would harm his Master. Something had drawn it's sanity back, something had reminded that Soul of it's life and it was none hostile for now. But it could turn back to being aggressive again.

"Naive, naive." He said, giving an exasperated sigh followed by a thin smile forming on his lips. Cutting down the first Ghoul to rush at him, he forced his attention at the matter at hand. It would be a shame if his Master died to something like this, he had promised to carry the youngling to help them find success.

Well, you live, you fail.

The Red Haired Mongolian proceeded to release his magical energy. He submerged himself into the status of "Demon King". The vile brand he had received from the world. He made himself the threat, the evil of mankind. The enemy of all.

Even if the Ghouls were reduced to a feral state, they at one point were something human. By instinct they knew the danger that Rider posed, it was a threat that needed to be slain before awakening. He successfully lured all the Ghouls to him while he himself planted between them and the dojo.

The numbers were large, but not outright overwhelming. Still they were enough that the Khan would not be able to comfortably defend from if they all piled up on him. Genghis was reluctant to call for his steed on the situation. While he worried for a second breakdown of his Master, he was more concerned on the effect it would have on their objective. So he would not call on that foul thing unless he really had too.

But he had other means. He was not suited for extended fights in the traditional manner. But he had other means for being defensive. Preparations would be rushed and not as effective as they could possible be, but against these enemies he estimated that they would suffice.

The Mongol began running, he would only swing his weapon whenever a Ghoul got on his way. All the while he would place his hand on the floor, briefly.

He repeated his motion several times, staying away from any harm due to his statuses as a Servant, martial capability but more importantly due to his proficiency at disengaging from combat. The way he waged war and battle weren't heroic but undoubtedly successful.

Yet he was surrounded.

He heard his Master speak, an unneeded order. His intention had been all along the total elimination of the Ghouls.

"Haha." It was an vicious sounding chuckle, no, it was the laugh of an adult when asked a quaint question by their child. "Do not see me in such a poor light Master, I do not even need my foul steed for this rabble." He called out.

There wasn't any explosion, there was at first no dramatic action. But one by one the Ghouls began to fall down, no they crumbled. There wasn't any moaning or horrifying screams. Instead they silently degraded and fell still, finally receiving a true death. It was the poison of "war". He could not channel it as well as his steed or as lethally as his Noble Phantasm but he now close to the personification of "War", of violence. He was the poison to life. He was also a general who could disable his enemy without ever drawing his weapon...

The sight was not pleasant, the Ghouls clawed with futility, some even ripped their throats trying to breath others could not even attempt it as their limbs rapidly decayed beyond use. Flesh didn't so much as burned or melted but disintegrated. Not even the largest of the Ghouls remained standing...

What Genghis called forth was a different form of a corrosive evil that infected Fuyuki.

Amidst the one sided massacre, Genghis exhaled just as the final Ghoul found an end to it's life. He walked toward his Master as his "demonic" aura dissipated, turning back to his unassuming but kindly aura.

"What have you learned from our friend?" He asked, interested in the insight his Master had gleaned. He would not ask questions, he had already settled on his insight but he would listen to Miska's interpretation.

Once the talk had finished, Genghis looked over at the gate where he could see the Condemned Spirit of the Girl peeking at them.

"The mission is over, but what do we do about her?" He asked, respectfully though he was settled in his course of action. He would put the poor soul to rest one way or another.

A life cannot remain like this."

"Do you have a means to put her to rest?" He asked, crossing his arm. "Or do you believe is best to leave things as they are?"

There was no salvation for her, but they could grant some form of permanent rest to the Spirit that desperately tried to protect the precious life it once had, the light that had vanished and the vestiges she desperately tried to clutch. The act she maintained, the act that would crumble and slip away like sand soon enough.

***

The final challenge!
Miska

Last Edit: Dec 24, 2015 3:51:57 GMT by Dr. Roman

Miska

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A Day In The Life of Vagrant Spirit [MISSION for 2] Jan 17, 2016 8:22:56 GMT

Post by Miska on Jan 17, 2016 8:22:56 GMT

“War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion. It destroys states. It destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it.”

Those wise words from a learned scholar invariably seeped into Miska’s mind as she watched Rider decimated the ghouls. Opening the dojo’s door slightly, only a shade of her red hair was visible as she peeked at the horrendous sight on the courtyard. The Vagrant Spirit she had told to stay far away from the door in case Rider’s Noble Phantasm affected it too. It was, however slight, once a human. And Miska did not want any harm to happen to it.

…yet. She had not decided what to do.

But at the present sight. At the horrendous spectacle of massacre and disintegration, it seemed to Miska that the most inhumane thing was Rider himself. The demonic aura cloaked him was so strong it was visible. And even in this distance Miska could clearly feel the endless hatred piled onto the shoulder of the foul Servant.

Miska had known Genghis Khan like the history books taught him to know. A ruthless warlord, born out of a merciless childhood in a chaotic society, who rose to assemble one of the largest empire ever known to man. For Miska, he was but one of the many bloodthirsty conquerors mankind had so often produced. Vile, ambitious human who decided that other human’s lives were not worth his aspirations. Miska read about them, and often found himself wondered: Could it be that they have a benevolent reason behind their sinister enterprise? Could it be that they saw what we did not see?

But looking at Rider as he was now. And remembering the killing mist that was his Noble Phantasm, Miska decided that, at least for this man named Genghis Khan, there was no saving him.

He simply lived for violence.

Never mind his polite mannerism. Never mind his sometimes considerate attention. Miska believed, that, deep down inside, it was all but a ruse to conceal the Man of War that was Genghis Khan.

That was what this short experience taught her about.

The Master and the Spirit kept dreadfully quiet as Rider mercilessly finished each and every Ghouls on the courtyard. At last, when the last groaning sound fell quiet, Miska could not detect any more movement on the outside. He slid the door fully and carefully stepped out of the dojo. The Vagrant Spirit, behind him, decided to peek from the safety of the sliding door.

He was greeted with Rider walking towards him. On the background, the final ghoul found an end to its life.

"What have you learned from our friend?" The Servant asked, unassuming and kindly as if nothing had happened. For Miska, this only amplified the cold-blooded killer aura of the warlord.

“Not much.” He answered curtly. His eyes wandered to the courtyard, trying to find any trace of the battle. There was none. Khan was incredibly efficient in his destruction. “I mostly found out myself. She –It- didn’t help much.”

Even now, the Kopparsvard lordling still found it hurtful to her pride that the Servant would thought her to understand not by herself but by asking the mute Spirit. For one thing, it could not even talk.

“What I did understand.” He continued after finishing his survey. His gaze landed straight at Rider now, “is that the Spirit would not impede Chaldea Missions in anyway, provided that- that Chaldea has no interest in this house. This mission was –I think- useless. The Spirit only wanted to protect this house…”

Unintentionally. Miska’s voice dropped to a hush, as if she was afraid that her voice could be heard.

“…Which I think would not last long, anyway…”

There was a certain disturbance in Miska’s expression as she said the last words. Miska was a Magus, yes. One who was taught to discard humanity. But that did not mean that no aspect of humanity could touch her heart so.

The Servant pressed on. “The mission is over, but what do we do about her?”

‘Yes…What to do?’ Miska stayed quiet, thinking. But the Servant was impatient.

"Do you have a means to put her to rest?" He asked, crossing his arm. "Or do you believe is best to leave things as they are?"

Miska lifted his eyes, again hatred shining in his gaze. Clever Servant. Trying to put all responsibility on him and him alone. Whatever happened at the end, it was Miska who had to live the burden of his decision. Not the Warlord.

Although Miska knew these things would happen. She was, after all, raised to be a Lord. And it was always the Lord who had to decide the fates of their subordinates.

He wet his lips. “I…can think of a way…” He started unsurely, “It-it is not well understood…At least- at least not now… But if there is just- I mean,“ He raised his shoulders, “It only wanted to protect the house, right? Even in this state, it stubbornly did. So perhaps…perhaps it would not mind going, um, a -little- further…”

And then she fell into more like talking to herself rather than to Servant, muttering words like “Two-way connection” and “Magic Circle” and “enveloping leylines”. But at last, she stared long and hard at the ground and fell silent for a while.

“It’s worth a try.” He suddenly said, raising his head. “Follow me, Rider.”

She led the Servant back towards the dojo. Behind the door, the Vagrant Spirit was still peeking out, its expression unreadable. It did not greet nor nodded its head when the duo returned, only eyeing them warily.

Miska was the first to walk closer to it. They stood face to face, almost touching.

“Listen, um, you…” The lordling tried his best to sound as authoritative as possible. But as always, his voice faltered. “We- I mean- him. Him is sorry to disturb your plan.“ He looked sharply at Rider, expecting him to just play along and take the blame. After all, he was the one who killed that Giant Ghoul. “I –think- we understand just how much sacrifices you’ve made just to- just to be here. It-it is not nice, I think. Your circumst- No! I mean- the current situation is not good for you…”

Darn. How did one talk to a Vagrant Spirit that is not even solid to the eye? Already Miska sweated groggily, but she pushed on.

“But I think I know a way,” She continued, noticeably sounding more spirited now that he had arrived in the part technical explanation. “You know- The Magic Circle in the shed. It can direct energy two-way! So, if you could just stay still for a while I think we…

----!”

It happened so fast.

In her eagerness to explain, Miska unknowingly had leaned her face too close to the Vagrant Spirit. It happened in just a split second. The time needed for The Spirit to realize that with the ghouls gone, the greatest threat to it’s abode was the two displaced beings in front of it now.

The Vagrant Spirit attacked.

The swipe of its clawed hand narrowly missed Miska, who jerked his head backwards in reflex. But the next instant both of its hands had gripped Miska’s jaws tight and attempted to force it open.

It was trying to take possession of her body!

Panicking, the young Master could not even protected himself properly. In this do-or-die situation that would not last more than a second, Miska was already lost.

There was no time to think. Nor time to exercise caution. A bold, swift action was desperately needed.

***
genghis
Sorry for the delay! I hope we can finish this.