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

Miska had readied his sword. Should he intervene-?

*fwip*

“…!”

An audible gasp left Miska as an arrow flew past her and lodged straight at the big Ghoul. It wailed shortly in a silent roar, but soon dropped dead. Not all the Ghouls reacted to one of them being felled, but as the position of the big ghoul was right in the end of the path lined by the ghouls, the sight was clear for all the dead to see.

Miska ducked down the instant Rider’s whisper reached her. Even in the dark, the burning gaze he gave his Servant had no mistake in its intention. There was anger in there, like the one he displayed before. But this time, the anger was because of something else.

“What-What are you doing?! You gave our presence away!!” whispered the Master, clearly infuriated at his Servant.

Ghouls might be dumb enough, considering they were bodies without souls. But this peculiar Vagrant Spirit with a strange emblem on his back, who walked slowly the streets rather than flew over it; Who checked houses before entering; Who used proper roads as if visiting the residence of an acquaintance; This Vagrant Spirit clearly would not just keep still seeing a big ghoul felled by a prana arrow right in front of its eyes. It turned its hooded head around, as if searching for something, before dashing around the perimeter of the house. It seemed intending to use the wall furthest from the entrance, the place it deduced to be the most likely origin of the arrow.

And then the Ghouls reacted.

They were unreactive at first, seemingly just going their own way after their biggest one felled right in the middle of them. But then one of them looked towards the unmoving giant, and then another, and before long many had circled around the giant, agitated.

Without warning, an all-out fight broke among them. Ghouls tearing at each other, biting, punching, kicking, in an almost unnatural rage. More limbs were pulled and more heads rolled, and then more ghouls poured out from the house to join the brutal fray. It was an unheard of behavior of The Ghouls. But looking at the brawl Miska instinctively understood the situation.

It was a fight for supremacy. A fight to be the Khan.

Without consulting her Servant, Miska bolted from the fence back to the dark street they had come. She intended to hurried around the corner and perhaps caught the Vagrant Spirit on the other side. The fight was interesting to be recorded for Chaldea, but this time she had more important things to do.

“Πιο αποτελεσματική.”

And with two times as fast as her running speed would allow, Miska turned over the dark corner of the crossroads…

And with two times as fast as her running speed would allow, Miska turned over the dark corner of the crossroads and almost went straight to a ghoul peeking around the corner. Miska skidded, very nearly being in its deadly grasp, but the next second the thing was knocked back with an arrow through its skull. Miska glanced. The stupid Servant had done the deed, and was now knocking yet another arrow. He had protected his Master. But the Master, without a single glance of thanks or acknowledgement continued forward. In her mind her Servant was simply doing what he was supposed to do. No more. No less. Certainly enough, the situation would not be like this were he did not foolishly gave away their presence like that. Who knew what would happen in the courtyard before the arrow flew?

Around the corner…and there it was! The silver symbol on the back of a Vagrant Spirit, gliding along the middle of the street. Miska hid behind a bent lamp-post, its light flickering more often dead than alive just as The Vagrant Spirit turned around, seemingly making sure that it was being followed. It seemed pretty confident, because soon it continued its path and did not look back again. It must have thought that the darkened street would hide it perfectly well. And it did, its red robe was almost dulled by the darkness and even the silver symbol on its back seemingly vanished behind the thin red mist that was permeating the area. Too bad it did not know that Miska can improve his eyes’ sensitivity severalfold to be more effective at seeing in the dark.

Moving discreetly, Miska followed the overconfident Vagrant Spirit along the sidewalk, occasionally hiding behind trashbins or crouched in the shadow of looming fences lining both sides of the street. At this moment she had not consulted her Servant for quite some time. If he could do his job properly, that would be enough for Miska. The more she did not have to look at him and his hand- horrible face, the better for her.

The street took him through another row of houses, this time seemingly more Japanese in style. They had large but featureless courtyard, and low-roofed houses that seemingly sprawled rather than looming like the European mansions before, although they both seemingly loved high walls for fences. They used uniquely wooden architecture and extensive porch that intrigued Miska even in their derelict state. But as much as he wanted it, he could not stop and take a look. Moving shadows told him that there were several ghouls residing in each of the houses, perhaps led also by a giant ghoul like he saw before…

"…"

Which made Miska remembered. In the first house where she was accidentally transported to, the first ghould she knocked out was a rather large ghoul. Larger than the rest she thought… But at that time it was her first experience with a ghoul so she did not really have a clue about their sizes… But then-but then, did not the ghouls started chasing her around that time…?

His thoughts was interrupted when he realized that the faint silhouette he had been following had vanished from the middle of the street. Miska stopped, peering to the front. There was nothing. On her left was yet another walled residence with wooden gates, while on her right across the street was a wall with one of its section crumbled. Inside seemed to be a rather plain field for courtyard encircling an elevated wooden house and what seemed to be a tool shed on the far-end of the corner. But there was no sign of the Spirit, nor of any ghouls around.

A presence told her that her Servant was near her. She turned towards him, only now realizing that the street where they were in was in almost total darkness. But even in the dark, the feeling emanated from her gaze was unmistakable. ‘Look what you’ve done. Now what?’ could never have been articulated so clearly as in Miska’s silent stare.

Miska turned around to see her Servant, only to find that he had disappeared.

His first thought was somewhere along the line of ‘I knew it all along.’ Genghis Khan. Ruthless, barbaric warlord whose one favorite tactics was to offer a settlement surrender only to slaughter the inhabitants once they opened their gates. Surely such a man would remain untrustworthy even in Servant form. It was a miracle that he had not stabbed Miska from behind. Until now. Maybe he thought this dark street enveloped with red mist would be perfect to finish off his Master?

But even as Miska’s fingers gripped her sword tight to fight against any assault from the treacherous Servant, another thought seeped into his mind. ‘Wait- If he had disappeared, does it mean I am alone now? What if- What if ghouls ambushes me here? He’d really leave me here to die? Really- really?'

Slight panic creeped into Miska. Somoehow, the dying wind that swept his hair felt colder. The Lordling refused to acknowledge it, but there was some… -strange- feeling of not having a Servant arou- What was he thinking?! That dog was about to kill him! He should be readying himself for any attack instead of worrying about-

His eyes scanned his surroundings. “Rider where are-“

But his coarse whisper was cut by a disembodied voice from somewhere near the walls. "The Spirit moved toward the house on the right, it seems to be checking the entrance of the shed near the house. It is capable of becoming completely incorporeal, be cautious Master."

Miska turned her head towards the thick, stone-layered wall. That amiable voice. Rider? Why was- he could turn invisible too?! Wouldn’t it not make Genghis Khan even more dangerous? Miska had to report this to Chaldea soon! Really, really soon! They should put some form of restriction -or leash- or anything on this dangerous man!

Sadly, no one in Chaldea bothered to explain about Servant peculiarities to Miska before. Perhaps they thought that being from a proper lineage of Magi meant that one completely understood Servant-Master system. They forgot to research that Miska’s family was very peculiar on their singular aim to perfect their ancient spell. If the Servant-Master System did not help them in their quest they would not bother telling it to their descendants, Miska included.

As of now, the Kopparsard lordling faced a dilemma. Could he trust this Rider thing? Did he make the information up just to lure him to an ambush? What would he do once Miska enter the courtyard?

Miska stood still for a few seconds, weighing her options. But at last she tiptoed very carefully to the crumbled wall and peeked inside, keeping her form hidden behind the shadow of the thick wall. A waving hand sign suggested to Rider to ‘you go first’, although the vigorousness could also be interpreted as ‘go away. I don’t need you.’ Either way, the Master seemed unwilling to move to a more vulnerable position, perhaps for the better.

"Very well, I can't fight in this state and my vision is limited Master. Please call for me if something happens." The Servant seemed to be stressing that point as much as he could. "We promised. If you focus you will feel our contract, our connection Master."

At the mention of the last words Miska flinched. Connection…with him? Did she- of course! If Servant is some sort of familiar there must be some kind of contract that bind them to their Master right? Miska suddenly felt another urge to throw up, but for a very different reason than being cornered to near-death by a pack of ghouls before. This one was very subjective.

Thankfully, the lordling was raised properly to hold his composure, at least in fortunate times. Miska kept his stance and watched closely as the “presence” of Rider entered the courtyard and crept closer to the shreds. For a time Miska could only hear his own breath as he waited outside the wall, covered by its shadows. The wind died down. There was only stillness.

As she waited, she looked around her surroundings, to the sight of the desolate town and reddish sky, and something heavy fell on her heart. Alone in an abandoned street… In a ghastly town full of walking corpses... Forced to work with a barbarian warlord in trailing a disembodied phantom that walked the street like it had known it… How could she be in this situation? When she was little, she would not never dream of it. Miska Kopparsvard was led to believe that her life would be spent in tight family circle, perfecting her ancient spell just like her father and grandfather had done before her. So now how could she stand waiting in a cursed town like this?

Silently, Miska made a sign of the cross. At times like this, this was one of the times he truly feel alone. ‘For sure, God has a plan for each of His Children…’ Maybe he would talk with Sir Godfreya again when he return….

“I don’ sense any enemies, Master.”

Her glum thoughts was interrupted by the hated Heathen’s voice. Looking around once again to make sure that no Ghouls was trailing her, Miska took a step and stood facing the hole in the wall. She had certain apprehensiveness about entering a house after what happened in her first visit. But even then, she knew she had to do this nevertheless.

Inhaling deeply, he lifted her foot and entered the front yard.

Now she realized that the house was rather large. Quite like the first European-styled house, but sprawling instead of towering. On the other side of where she stood she could faintly see a cobbled walkway that surely connected the main gate to the front door, so it seemed she was at the left or the right side of the house. Several steps ahead was what seemed like a small building detached from the main house building. If Rider was trustworthy, this must be the tool shed he was talking about.

Making sure he stayed under the wall’s looming shadows, Miska crept carefully towards the shed. The front yard of this house was large. But unlike the first house it was rather devoid of trees. It was as if the owner of this house liked small shrubs and elegant stones more than a more wooded park.

Well, used to like.

She was three quarter on her way to the tool shed when Rider landed near her. "Master, the Wraith is moving into the house. Also I found some sort of magic circle in the shed, you should take a look at it."

At the mention of a magic circle Miska perked up. ‘Magic circle? Has there been a Magus here recently?’ Miska knew that most Magic Circles do not last long enough to be found later. But some that did, usually, were the more troublesome ones.

His eyes shifted to his Servant. “What kind of Magic Circle Rider? Is it-“ and then he realized the futility of asking about Magic Circles to Genghis Khan, “Forget it. I’ll check it myself. You follow- No. You come with me, Rider.” He still suspected Rider enough that he would lead him to a trap. If so, it’d be better to have The Servant with him than going alone. He tried to make his gaze as strong as he could telling the Servant not to do anything funny, but he wasn’t sure if his message was conveyed enough.

And so, staying close to the shed wall as close as she could, Miska circled the shed and entered through Its unhinged door. It was a tool shed, sure enough, and it seemed to have many contemporary junks. Broken fans, an old TV, an electric heater… It made Miska disappointed somewhat. She was a little hoping for a more miraculous object near an abandoned Magic Circle, but then she reminded herself that this used to be an ordinary town.

And in the middle, sure enough, was a red pattern in the shape of a Summoning Circle. A particular Summoning Circle.

“This is a powerful Summoning Ritual.” Miska said, unconsciously thinking aloud as he quickly walked over the pattern and examined it closely, for a time forgetting his hostilities towards the Khan. The urge of understanding things was always strong in the Kopparsvard. “But…not always. It was not always made for that purpose- this symbol is to draw energy… leylines… odd… Healing? Life-sustaining? This pattern is undoubtedly of a Western Family… Not human?” It was fascinating to see the Three Families’ Sorcery Trait in action. It was as if even the most random of pattern could be taken it and be understood by a complicated process not even the First Family Matriarch could explain.

“Rider, Keep sight of our target. I think I’ll need a little more time here.”

And with that, Miska bended down and start poking the red pattern here and there in a completely nonsensical way to Rider. Sometimes, a slight energy pulsated from her finger and lighted a small part of the pattern to bright blue and died again. If Miska would report this to Chaldea, she better get a good understanding of it first.

_______________ __ __


Inside, the Vagrant Spirit moved through the doors and wooden hallways as if it had always known where it was going. Several turns and it arrived on what used to be a kitchen. It made an odd gesture with its head. Several shakes and a bow, as if forcing someone to accept an offering. Then, it went behind the dusty stove.

And started moving like it was preparing food, although no utensils and obviously no food was present.

______________ __ ___


A few streets from the house with tool shed, there was another Eastern-styled house. Its courtyard was a little smaller from the first, but it still boasted an elegant wall and a perfectly-preserved gate. Two statues resembling a small lion-like creature flanked both sides of the gate, glowing even in the dimness of the red mist.

And then the gate creaked open.

An ugly head stepped out. Rotten, ugly flesh that could hardly be called a head, along with decayed two-legged body resembling a human. Whatever it was, it was big. Its huge rotten palms were the size of shovels.

And waiting for it outside the gate, was another ugly creature. Almost as big, with a host of smaller creatures behind it.

The ugly head grinned. Behind it, more smaller creatures poured out of the opened gate.