Chapter Text
Your eyes stung from the bright rainbow of magical light. You took a step back from the summoning circle as you felt the immense magical pressure of whoever you had called. Da Vinci placed a supportive hand on your shoulder as she smiled knowingly at the great plume of magic before you both. The command seals on your hand burned as your newest contract was forged. Holding your aching hand to your chest, you watched with wide eyes as the light dissipated to reveal a painfully familiar face.
“I am Cú Chulainn, summoned at your request!” His red eyes looked down at you with mild irritation as he noticed your owlish expression at having summoned someone like him.
“… My color has nothing to do with you.” The Alter muttered as he stepped forward and regarded you fully, glancing from Da Vinci’s inquisitive stare to your excited eyes. He frowned.
“W-Wow! I can’t believe I was able to summon you! Welcome to Chaldea, I’m glad to have your help here.” You mused, introducing yourself to him. Cú’s red eyes narrowed at your friendly words before looking past you and walking towards the exit of the summoning chamber. You took his cold demeanor in stride, recalling his unfortunate existence from the Fifth Singularity. Perhaps this could be a second chance for the man.
The hand on your shoulder gave you a light squeeze as Da Vinci cleared her throat to get your attention. Though wearing her typical, care-free smile, her bright eyes held concern as she spoke.
“I know what you’re thinking, but this is a servant you may need to tread carefully when dealing with.” Her soft voice held the wisdom and heart you appreciated from her as you brought your hand over hers. A determined expression she knew all too well came to your face as she sighed in exasperation at you.
“Mash isn’t going to like this, y’know?” Da Vinci teased as she let go of you and went to report the arrival of the Alter to Romani. You chuckled but hurried past her towards the exit where Cú Alter had gone. You loved getting to know servants and helping them find comfort at Chaldea, but Cú Chulainn Alter was something else entirely. You had already summoned Caster, Lancer, and Proto from your early days at Chaldea so you already had personal interest in the Berserker.
A small frown fell to your lips as you thought of the heartbreak you felt in America when you learned of the man’s fate. Cú Chulainn, in all his other forms, was a servant you loved dearly. He was loyal, a delight to be around, and someone you could always rely on. To have then come upon Alter, who looked at you with only bloodlust back then, was painful to say the least. No matter how much the other Cú Chulainns comforted you and swore themselves to you during the Fifth Singularity, your heart bled for the Alter. Even as the Mad King sneered at you back then and attempted to murder you every chance he could, you never held it against him. You felt sorry for him. After all, you knew the real Cú Chulainn. It wasn’t Alter’s fault for what Medb had forced him to become.
Clenching your fists at your side, you quickened your pace and followed the clean hallway to find your new Berserker. He may be an Alter, but he was still Cú Chulainn. You were going to do everything in your power to understand him and hope he’d one day understand you.