Ren looked up at Jeanne. Though his body was far too warm and sore from utilizing his magic circuits, his mind was still extremely clear. Her expression was conflicted and he couldn’t exactly blame her – she was a saint, and he had summoned a part of the Devil just then. Wait… no, it wasn’t just her. Both Archer and Lancer were frowning in his direction. It was clear they wanted answers as well. Mash looked nervously between everyone but didn’t say anything, torn between wanting to defend Ren yet at the same time also wanting to know what was going on. Marie and Mozart kept quiet. Despite their whimsical natures, even they knew better than to butt in.
His communicator beeped as Roman appeared on the screen. His face was far more grave than usual. “Ren, I don’t think I need to tell you why this is a huge deal,” he explained. “But to clarify. First off: You just summoned a divine spirit as your power. A fraction of one, maybe, but a divine spirit nevertheless. And second, you summoned Satan, a being who has been recorded and regarded as the mortal enemy of both God and humankind. I would even say his existence is the anathema for almost anyone that’s in the Throne of Heroes, let alone Servants.” Though Ren couldn’t see it, Da Vinci was also nearby watching the conversation, her ever-present smile gone. The staff monitoring the situation were watching intently what was going to happen as well.
Morgana moved to stand between Ren and everyone else, his cutlass in his hand. “Do we really have time for any of this?” he asked sharply. “Ren is the best chance you guys have – frankly, all of you should be relieved he can summon such a power! What are we gonna do, make him into some sort of heretic?”
Lancer scoffed. “Don’t get me wrong, cat,” he drawled. “Under any other circumstance, I’d be more than happy to have a Master with that kind of firepower on my side. But first and foremost, I’m also a hero – you could even say I would be obligated to strike down the Devil if he appeared no matter what, to say nothing of the saint here.” Though his body language was casual, his blood-red eyes was sharp as he kept an eye on Ren’s every move.
“The appearance of a being such as Satan would be enough to elicit a strong Counter Guardian response on its own,” Archer added. “The fact that there hasn’t been one surprises me, especially since it seems this isn’t the first time you’ve done such a thing before.” His arms were crossed as his own steel-grey eyes focused on Ren.
Ren flicked his eyes to each of the Servants staring at him, as well as the doctor watching him through his watch. His vision muddled from exhaustion. All of a sudden, he was back in the interrogation room, slouched up against a wall. He had been fiercely beaten, his handcuffs chafing against his wrists. His mind was delirious and muddled – they had injected some kind of truth serum into him. His eyes moved up again and he saw those officers in his cell, coldly glaring down at him like he was scum.
Come on, cooperate. Or what, you want another shot?
He glanced again at the doctor on the communicator. No doubt that this transmission was being recorded.
Huh? What about the camera? Are you thinking it can be used as video evidence?
Ren chuckled, his mouth twisting into a mirthless smile. “I’ve nothing to tell any of you,” he rasped. “You call yourselves heroes, saviors, or saints, yet the minute you see something you don’t like, you panic and immediately try to cover your own tracks. You’ll just kill or remove whoever’s in your way, don’t you? Yeah, that’s typical in the end.” As he spoke, he quietly dragged himself back up to his feet.
Roman faltered. “Wha- Ren, that’s not-“
“What, you wanna see if I’m some criminal or devil in disguise? Or were you just looking for a chance to label me one?” he continued, glaring at the assembled Servants. Morgana’s eyes widened. He hadn’t seen Ren act like this before. The most was anger at Shido and Yaldabaoth, but all of the Thieves were angry at them for good reason. Lashing out like this wasn’t like him at all. “Everyone I know and knows me is gone. Would be a good time to get rid of me. Want me to convince you? Fine – how about this?!” He tore off the mask again.
“Archangel!”
A winged, armored figure appeared right behind him, its stern face glaring down at them through his open face plate. In its hand was a sword to be used at any moment. Jeanne’s eyes widened. It was without doubt an angel Ren had summoned. Archer and Lancer gaped at it as well. Mash’s gaze, however, immediately shot to Ren. His eyes were manic with despair, rage, and panic. Morgana saw much the same. “Joker – Ren, snap out of it!” he cried out, shaking his pant leg.
However, the dam had burst. Ren barely felt the heat of the magic circuits – just that of his own anger, frustration, and sadness. “What, that not enough for you?” he asked mockingly. Archangel disappeared. He called forth yet another presence he now held.
“Metatron!”
A blinding presence came in a flash of blue flame. A large metallic angel, clothed in white, in all its glorious splendor. Jeanne had to step back, her mouth falling open. She hadn’t heard of an angel called Metatron, yet the presence in front of her was without a doubt a holy being that eclipsed the Archangel Ren had just summoned before a thousand times over. Its presence was weaker than that of God but only slightly. Her shock was the only reason she didn’t immediately fall on her knees and prostrate herself.
“S-senpai!” Mash screamed. Her words brought everyone else out of their shock as they followed her gaze to Ren. His body was steaming as his magic circuits burned. He coughed, hacking up blood. However, he didn’t seem aware of the pain still. He just saw faces – the cruel police officers, Sae glaring at him across the table, Shido, even fevered delusions of Akechi holding a pistol to his head. He had been a fool to trust them. There were no heroes or saints. Just people with power abusing it like they always did – and he was facing them alone. Completely, utterly alone.
“But fine,” he snarled as Metatron faded. “If you really wanna label me as some sort of criminal, then I might as well go whole hog!” He reached for the last presence – an infinitely powerful one that would most likely be his end at this rate. “LU-“
Before he could call it out, he was whacked on the head from behind. Ren let out a breath as he crumpled into a motionless heap. Morgana landed back on the ground, having jumped up and hit him on the head with the back of his cutlass. Even he was shocked at what he just did. For a few moments, there was only silence as everyone caught their breath, trying to comprehend what happened.
It was broken by the sound of a distant wyvern roar. Archer immediately looked up. “We’ve most likely given away our position,” he observed. “We need to move – now.” Everyone nodded but hesitated with Ren. Mash reached down to pick him up but Marie stepped forward. “Allow me,” she offered. “It may do him better if he was woke up to unfamiliar yet friendly faces at this point.” Mash hesitated, then nodded, stepping aside. Smiling gracefully, she leaned down and carried the young man in her arms. He was larger than she was overall but as a Servant, she had no trouble carrying him.
They rapidly moved further south, keeping to the forests so they wouldn’t be found by any wyverns or Servants. The sun started to set as they move, the lengthening shadows occasionally tripping up Morgana or Mash while the other Servants moved without too much hassle. During the entire trip, Ren hadn’t stirred or woken up. His face was tight with pain as he sweated profusely. Marie frowned. “He is burning up,” she commented. “We’ll need to stop soon – he needs rest.”
They all looked at each other and nodded. “Over there,” Lancer said, pointing to a small, sheltered clearing. There was enough distance that Ren could be separate from them but still within sight. Marie laid him down, then quietly knelt down beside him and placed his head on her lap, smiling softly.
“Go now,” she said to the group. “I will attend to him.”
Mash felt a pang of pain in her heart, seeing her senpai’s head in another woman’s lap, but it was overridden by concern for him. She opened her mouth to speak only to feel a hand on her shoulder. She looked over to see Lancer, who simply shook his head. Glumly closing her mouth, she walked with the other Servants away. Morgana was the last to follow, only looking sadly and despondently at Ren before also turning away.
Marie quietly watched them leave, then looked at Ren resting in her lap. “Such a handsome young man,” she remarked softly, her cool hand stroking his burning forehead. “But so much pain for one so young.” Her lips creased sadly. “I wonder if he led a privileged life like I did, then had it all torn away from him…”
Mozart sat beside them, his expression pensive. “Hm, he’s like a deeply discordant concerto,” he observed. “And he keeps trying to play solo, drowning out the accompaniment. Ah, there’s a certain beauty to the music, but it is so very, very tragic…” He sighed, then a moment later, he looked up at Marie. “Ah, if I was wounded or suffering in such a manner, would you perhaps do the same for me?” he asked hopefully.
The young queen looked at Amadeus with a beatific smile on her face. “Non, Amadeus,” she replied cheerfully. “I’m afraid I’ve little sympathy for human garbage.”
Amadeus held a hand over his head in shock. “Ah, your words wound me, my dear Marie!” he cried out. “And yet, I feel something indescribable as a result of your insults!” Marie simply rolled her eyes with a friendlier smile at Amadeus’s antics. She looked back down at Ren, who was shifting in pain. Was he having a nightmare? Or just suffering from overusing his magic circuits? She glanced over at the others, who were silent, pondering their own positions. They would need to talk soon.
Suddenly, Archer looked up. “We have company,” he muttered, summoning his swords. “Marie, Mozart, keep an eye on our Master.” Mash scowled and summoned her shield, moving herself between the unconscious Ren and the enemy. Jeanne blinked and picked up her flagpole as well, with Morgana and Lancer also taking out their weapons, standing at the ready. There was a moment of silence, then a figure stepped out from the foliage. The woman they had seen earlier with long purple hair and white robes. Her stern eyes landed on each of them before finally resting on Ren, her gaze intensifying into a glare.
“Move,” she growled.
Lancer chuckled darkly. “Well, ain’t Master a lady magnet,” he joked though neither his body nor stance relaxed. “Sorry, but no matter how good looking you are, we’re not moving for an enemy.”
“I was sent to observe you by the other Jeanne d’Arc, but I cannot stay silent any longer.” The woman gripped her staff so tightly her knuckles went white. “That… person summoned the essence of the Devil, then proceeded to command the power of angels, with one bordering that of our Lord. Whatever powers he bears aren’t natural. He’s an abomination and needs to be destroyed, else he would bring Armageddon on our heads!”
“You would be a bit late for that,” Archer drawled. “Humanity’s been incinerated in the future. We’re here to prevent that, our Master that you’re calling an abomination included. Though normally I wouldn’t approve of such things…” He risked a glance back at the unconscious Ren and smirked. “Frankly, if a situation as ridiculous as the Incineration of Humanity has occurred, then perhaps a ridiculous power is what’s needed to set it back on course.”
Lancer blinked, then guffawed. “Hahahaha! You got some damned ridiculous logic there, Archer! Can’t say I don’t like it though!” He looked back at the woman, his grin fierce. “Lady, don’t know if you realized, but us heroes aren’t exactly clean either – we did a lot of things that would have us called demons, one way or another. Yet here we are, still revered and still walkin’ forward. And frankly, I prefer Masters who can hold their own on the battlefield.” He glanced over at Morgana. “Right, kitty cat?”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Morgana scoffed. “I’ll get you for that later, Lancer,” he grumbled. Despite everything, he was still smiling. Ren still had that talent of gathering allies wherever he went. He was proud of his closest friend.
The woman hesitated, then finally turned to Jeanne. “And what about you? You’re a fellow saint, aren’t you?” she demanded. “You follow His word, His will. You know well that this boy is a living heresy and blasphemy against Him. Are you still going to let him live?”
Jeanne didn’t speak, hesitating. She took a deep breath. “It is written that killing is a sin,” she murmured. “In life, I have been at the forefront of countless men, leading them into battle. I’ve not once taken a life myself, but that does not mean blood isn’t on my hands. But still, I pushed onward, so that my people and my country could remain free and would see a new dawn.” She faced the woman, her eyes shining with resolve and determination. “My will has not wavered, nor my faith. Ren Amamiya may be able to summon both demons and angels, but I am sure he only seeks righteousness for all. This I know. Therefore, I am happy and proud to consider him an ally and friend!”
The woman scowled. “And if he really is the Devil’s minion sent to tempt you?”
“He is not one,” Jeanne declared. “I am certain of it.”
The woman sighed, then brandished her staff. “Then there’s no point discussing this any longer,” she stated. “I am Servant Rider. My true name is Saint Martha, she who has seen the Messiah’s grace. I was compelled to obey the other Jeanne’s orders from a forced Madness Enhancement and was ordered only to find you and report back, but I’m countermanding that order with what will I have left! Face me, oh saviors of France, and let me see if you have the strength necessary!”
Her prana rapidly exploded in a burst of power. “The son of Leviathan, now protecting people…” she murmured. As she whispered, a gigantic creature appeared behind her. It looked like a giant turtle with a spiked carapace, but it bore the head of a black lion with a white mane, topped with black horns. Its feet were tipped with razor sharp fangs as its powerful tail lashed out. Its eyes glowed red with unbridled rage as it roared.
“Become a meteor! Tarasque!”
Martha backwards into the air past Tarasque, but instead of landing and leaving Tarasque to fight, she swung her staff and slammed it into the creature, causing the turtle-like dragon to shoot forward, spinning wildly out of control towards them. Mash raced forward and raised her shield, summoning her own power once more.
“Lord Chaldeas!
Her shield flashed and multiple magic circles appeared in front right before the power of Tarasque collided. It sparked and grinded against the magic shield as Mash grit her teeth, holding her ground. Her feet started sliding backwards from the sheer force as she put more of her strength into weathering the assault. Behind her was Ren, still resting with Marie, and Mozart who had taken up a rearguard. They were the last line of defense, but hopefully they would not be needed. Before long, the attack abated as Tarasque finally stopped and faded away.
That didn’t mean the others were idle, however. Archer and Lancer immediately moved around and struck at Martha’s flanks. The saint in turn sent a beam of light that knocked aside Lancer before raising her staff to ward off Archer’s strikes. Just as she shoved the latter back, she was shoved hard into a tree by cutting winds. She glared at the source – the catlike being who had a spectral duelist appearing behind him. Another being the similar powers as the abomination.
Before she could move towards him, she raised her staff once more as a flagpole clashed with it. She scowled at Jeanne who was bearing down on her. “To think, two saints must fight like this,” she commented as they traded blows.
Jeanne nodded, whirling her flagpole to thrust several times at Martha, who warded off each one. “Yes. Had circumstances been better, Saint Martha, I would have gladly fought at your side,” Jeanne replied. Backing off, she swept low, seeking to knock her off her feet. Martha jumped over, about to raise her staff when several arrows struck her on the side, sending her crashing to the ground. Lancer immediately was on her, with Martha only just managing to block him. “Tarasque!” she called out. The turtle dragon appeared once more and lashed out with its claws, forcing Lancer to back off.
Individually, Martha was stronger than the collection of Servants here, but they were working together as allies, covering for one another. She wasn’t about to get a good hit in while they were whittling her down. If she was fighting by herself, for herself, she would retreat or at least get some better bearings. But she couldn’t – not with the other Jeanne’s Madness Enhancement incorporated into her being. Nor did she want to – if this group couldn’t overcome her, they had no chance of defeating that Jeanne and winning. In a sense, what she was doing was perhaps the most merciful thing she could offer in the limited freedom she had.
A boxing glove appeared out of thin air and thrust forward, though she barely managed to duck in time. She caught a glimpse of the catlike being scowling in dissatisfaction before running to reposition himself. And once more, before she could pursue, Lancer had closed the distance and she had to ward him off. She cried in pain as two curved blades sliced and dug into her sides out of nowhere. She managed to push away Lancer and turned – and caught a flagpole to the gut.
“Forgive me, Martha,” Jeanne apologized.
Martha blinked and smiled, despite the pain and the blood pooling from her mouth now. “That’s up to Him, but there’s nothing to forgive, my fellow saint,” she replied. Jeanne withdrew her flagpole, causing blood to spill out of the new hole as Martha dropped her staff. It was a mortal wound. She could force herself to continue fighting, but she didn’t wish to. She simply allowed herself to collapse to the ground, holding the wound.
She looked back up at the group. “You’re strong… all of you…” she panted out. “But… not strong enough. The other Jeanne commands a great dragon on top of the wyverns. None of you will be able to defeat it. However…” She took another breath, wincing at the pain that caused her. “At Lyon, there’s a dragon slayer. Go there and seek his strength. He will be able to help.” She looked over at the still unconscious Ren as she slowly dissolved into golden light. “And… what I said before… forget it. Maybe one day I’ll be able to see him closer and make my own judgement. Until then… I believe in your trust, Jeanne d’Arc. May His will grant you victory.” With that, her form dissolved away, and she was gone.
All was silent now. Much of the forest lay in ruins thanks to their frenzied battle. Archer was keeping watch but it seemed that Martha had been the only one sent to tail them. Whatever the doppelganger planned, it was clear they weren’t part of her plans for some reason or other.
The only sound now was a faint breeze.
----------------------------------------
Ren’s eyes twitched as he slowly opened them. He winced as his body throbbed, feeling far too hot. The back of his head felt comfortable, but extremely sore. He glanced up. A young woman looked back down on him. She looked familiar. Then his muddled mind put the pieces together: she was one of the Servants who had helped cover their retreat earlier. “Ah, you’re awake, monsieur,” she chirped, smiling down at him.
He blinked, then let out a low laugh. Right, she had already introduced herself. Marie Antoinette. “This is the second time I ended up in a cute girl’s lap after overusing my magic circuits,” he joked. “Maybe I should do it a lot more often if the trend keeps up.”
Marie giggled. “Well, at least you are getting better if you can joke like that,” she replied. “Are you able to sit up?”
Ren paused, then moving his hands underneath, he pushed up. He winced as his circuits roared in protest, but he could power through it regardless. Once he sat up fully, he turned and bowed to Marie. “My thanks, your majesty,” he said, remembering his manners overall.
Marie clicked her tongue, wagging a finger. “Non, non, monsieur,” she chided him. “I am currently not currently queen of France. I am simply Marie. And if you are grateful, then do grace me with your name – it would not behoove me to call you something as unflattering as a ‘heretic’.”
He blinked at the title. A heretic? He was about to protest, but thinking about it, his mouth twisted into a wry smile. Well, he did kill two gods and brought forth the Devil in front of everyone. That title was rather fitting. “It’s Ren. Ren Amamiya,” he replied, holding out a hand for her to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Marie.”
She smiled and took it. “And you as well, monsieur Amamiya.”
Before they could continue to converse, there was a shout of “JOKER!!” and Morgana tackling Ren at full speed in a hug. Ren could only react with an ‘oof!’ as he was knocked right back over. “Hey Mona – ow ow ow, careful, I’m sore right now!”
“That’s the least you deserve from scaring us to death like that!” Morgana yelled, tears streaming down his eyes as he burrowed his head into Ren’s chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was beside you the whole time and I didn’t notice how much you were hurting. Just… you know you can always count on me, right? So… please tell me, okay? We’re partners! Always will be!”
Ren blinked in surprise, then softened into a smile as he gently pet Morgana’s head. “Yeah, I will,” he murmured. “Sorry for worrying you.”
“Gonna apologize to the rest of us for that as well?”
Blinking, he looked back up to see that the other Servants had joined them as well. Lancer grinned down at him with Archer frowning in concern. Mozart was a small distance away, humming to himself. Mash knelt down beside him, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay, senpai?” she asked gently.
Ren nodded, smiling at the shielder. “Yeah, though I think I need to rest a bit longer.” Looking around, he saw Jeanne hiding behind the other Servants. Knowing she had been noticed, she shuffled forward and knelt beside him as well. “Ren, I beg for your forgiveness.”
That caught him off guard. “Forgive… For what?”
Jeanne gulped. “I had reacted unnecessarily towards your powers. I doubted your intentions and existence despite everything so far you have done for my people and for France,” she lowered her head. “I am still in need of your powers and abilities, but I will not fault you if you rescind it. The fault is mine and mine alone and will bear all responsibility.”
Ren blinked several times, then he let out a chuckle. Despite everything throbbing, he felt lighter than he had in a while. “No, don’t worry about it, Jeanne,” he replied easily, waving her apology away. “I mean, I DID summon the Devil after all, mainly for the shock value so we can get away. It worked out well enough – just didn’t think of what would happen afterward.”
“No, you certainly didn’t,” Archer pointed out. “We should count ourselves fortunate that the doppelganger hasn’t mustered all her forces to track us down after that little display. She only sent one Servant as a scout, and we’ve dealt with her.”
At that, Ren looked over to see the devastated forest nearby. He scratched his cheek. “Um, yeah, I can definitely see that,” he muttered. “Still, I’m really sorry for lashing out at you guys,” he apologized, looking at each person there. “Things have been…. A bit stressful lately. And I didn’t have a decent outlet. I’ll try to have better control of myself. I can’t afford to lose focus, after all.”
Lancer chuckled. “Kid, I’ve been lashed out at by a lot worse,” he replied. “You’re doing a lot better than you think. Most other greenhorns would’ve broken far quicker, far earlier, and far worse than you.”
Ren nodded gratefully. However, Morgana’s serious expression caught his eye. “What’s up, Mona?” he asked.
Morgana looked carefully at Ren, opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head. "No, nothing. Don't worry about it." he replied.
He frowned, but got the gist of what he was about to say. Igor’s warning about telling magi about the Metaverse was still very clear in his mind. Still, the longer they held their tongues, the worse things were going to get. He gulped as he considered, looking around. Everyone else was looking him expectantly. He took a deep breath and made his decision. “After this Singularity is resolved,” he said. “We'll talk more about what's going on." Morgana looked up in surprise, then gave an approving nod.
“Ah, to not be privy to such secrets,” bemoaned Mozart. “How dreadful!” Then he smiled. “But that matters little to me – at the very least, it is clear you’re the conductor here. However it ends, I do wish to see what kind of concert you will perform!”
Ren blinked, then chuckled. Mash decided to pipe up. “Um, senpai, we’re currently on a leyline right now,” she explained. “If you wish, I can set things up and have supplies sent to us? Particularly medical supplies. We might need to treat you in case your magic circuits caused any damage.”
He considered. “We can also switch our Servants, right?” he asked. Mash nodded in confirmation. Ren nodded. “In that case, Lancer, can you switch you with Saber? Since our presence is basically revealed at this point, there’s little point in remaining a low profile. We might as well have some more firepower.”
Lancer chuckled. “What, I don’t have enough for you, Master?” he asked jokingly before nodding. “Yeah, you got it, kid. I’ll tag out. You be careful though – it’ll probably get worse before it gets any better.”
Ren scoffed. “Yeah, you’re telling me.” He started to get back up before gentle but firm hands grabbed hold of him and pulled him back down – right back into Marie’s lap.
“Monsieur Amamiya, you are still in no state to move,” she admonished. “Do rest here for now. If you are needed, I’m sure everyone else will call upon you.” Meanwhile, Mash was off to the side burning with rage, but she didn’t react or say anything. It was enough for Archer and Lancer to edge slightly away from her though – they certainly didn’t want to deal with it.
He could only blink in surprise, then sighed. “I’m not gonna convince anyone else here that I’m fine and can help out, right?” he deadpanned.
“Nope,” came the simultaneous reply.
Sighing, he reluctantly allowed himself to rest on Marie’s legs once more. “Still, did one of you wallop me to stop me?” he asked, rubbing his aching head.
Everyone stopped then looked at Morgana, who began sweating buckets. Ren’s gaze slowly turned to his close friend.
“Morgana…” His voice was soft but the menace was clear.
“Wow, look at the time, Joker, you REALY need to get to sleep, so sleep!” the catlike being hurriedly said. “Now Mash, come on, we need to get that summoning up for supplies and Saber! Come on, let’s go, let’s go!” Mash could only stammer as he started pushing her on the back of her legs to get her moving. Lancer just followed with a shit-eating grin on his face, obviously enjoying the situation too much.
Ren finally sighed, then turned his gaze towards Archer. “There’s more, isn’t there?” he asked. Archer said nothing, but a small shift in his body language gave Ren the answer. “Tell me what I need to know. We’ll figure out a plan from there.”
And so Archer told him how the encounter with Martha went. And Ren’s mind boiled with the information as exhaustion caught up with him and he eventually drifted off once more.
They had much to do the next day.