Chapter Text
Halloween. A freaky time of the year where civility is abandoned for horror; where devils dress as saints, saints dress as devils. Where the living parade as the dead, and ghouls and monsters alike come out to play.
The party to be at on SE.RA.PH for Halloween was at none other than Castle Čachtice –recently constructed by the Moon Cell, and even more recently reclaimed by the Blood Countess herself, Elizabeth Bathory.
'Now I think of it, I've never heard the Master scream.'
'Wanna see who can scare her first?'
'No. I'm not a child like you, Lancer.'
'100 QP to the winner?'
'... Prepare to lose.'
Cu Chulainn and Nameless were standing in a giant stone walled room, at the end of a nearly equal in size polished table. On the table was an overabundance of dishes, each one different in tastes, yet somehow all drenched in the same deathly red colour. As such, the spread was left untouched, much to Bathory's annoyance. Yet the idol remained hidden, leaving behind an air of quiet disturbance.
Cu Chulainn crossed his arms and laughed through the demented wolf mask he wore. 'I'm gonna scare her on my costume alone, you got no chance!'
'Like a dog is going to scare her' mocked Nameless.
'I'm a werewolf, idiot!' yelled Cu, 'what are you supposed to be anyway?'
Archer crossed his arms. Laid-back as usual, his skin was now tinged green; an effort was made to add fake scars and bloody stitches to "zombify" his face. He dryly replied.
'The distortion of a nameless soul removed from death, doomed to mindlessly kill for eternity.'
'So in other words, yourself?' came a snide voice from behind them. Tamamo no mae placed her hand on her hip and slyly smiled.
'Close.'
Tamamo's usual deep blue kimono had been replaced for the evening. She donned a school outfit, complete with black knee high socks and a grey sweater wrapped around her waist.
Archer raised his eyebrow. 'Aren't you a little–' he began before earning a look from Tamamo that screamed, "I will destroy you if you finish that sentence."
'– NOT old to be a school girl.'
Her tail swished back and forth as she happily mused. 'Isn't it natural for couples to coordinate their outfits on Halloween?'
Lancer laughed. 'Ah so the little missy is bringing out the old school uniform again?'
'I have no idea!' Tamamo replied cheerily, 'but I'm sure whatever it is I'll be perfectly suited to her. That's the kind of wife I am!'
'If anyone is going to be perfectly matching my Praetor, it is I who will take the glory!'
Inside the castle's dining room emerged Nero. Replacing her crimson gown she wore leather, gladiator-like loincloth. Instead of what would have been a mortifyingly bare chest she had a set of fake abs wrapped around her torso. Lancer, Caster and Archer just looked upon the red Saber and frowned.
'Hah!' Nero exclaimed, 'tis only natural for you to be rendered speechless. I don't even need to tell you who it is I have fashioned myself after.'
'Please do' all three muttered together.
'I highly doubt that my husband will be coming here dressed like you' Tamamo stated.
Before Nero could retort, Nameless spoke. 'Speaking of the Master, what's taking her so long? Elizabeth's been getting, well, more Elizabeth.'
'I HAVE NOT!'
A high pitched voice shrieked from a series of sound speakers scattered about the castle.
'Ahem, I mean, nothing strange going on here– continue your pointless peasantry socials!'
Nero chose to ignore the insult, but not before scowling towards the high pitched voice. 'She and Altera have engaged in a hunt for the greatest tributes confectionary can offer.'
Tamamo just shook her head. 'They've gone Trick or Treating' she explained. 'Having Nero around made the evening too easy– everyone just kept throwing candy at the Emperor as gifts the moment they saw her.'
'Oh so that's why there are so many lollies on the road!'
The group diverted their attention to the next Servant that entered the castle. Entering through the grand double doors was the Rider Servant Astolfo. He shoved a bunch of coloured sweets into his mouth. 'Free candy! And I didn't need to take it from strangers!'
'Rider?' Lancer said and snickered. 'I get Halloween doesn't need a scary costume but uh...'
Astolfo looked down at his outfit. 'Huh? What's wrong with it?' From his neck to his knees, the middle of his body was completely blocked by an enormous orange pumpkin.
'Just be glad he could get through the front door.'
The knight Charlemagne stalked in behind Astolfo. Abandoning his fantastical blue and white attire he was dressed in all black; a long sleek black coat draped over his shoulders with a sharp upturned collar. Through the fake fangs that he wore he spoke. 'I lost count with how many times he lost balance and fell over on the way here.'
'My King!' whined the walking pumpkin. 'I thought we were going to come in at the same time!'
Charlie swished his cloak, lifting it up to hide his face in classic monster movie style. 'Come on, I'm a vampire; I NEED my entrance to be awesome! I was even waiting for a lighting strike to light up my entrance! But I got tired of waiting.'
He walked up to the group and beamed. 'Awesome costume, Aunty Rome! Or should I say, Heracles!'
'Umu!'
'What!' Caster, Archer and Lancer exclaimed.
Astolfo tottered up to the dining table and began reaching for something that resembled an unnaturally red chicken drumstick. Archer slapped Rider's hand away from the inedible abomination.
'Trust me, the only frightening thing tonight is that table spread' he said, earning a frustrated sigh from the nearby sound speakers.
'There's a real storm out there brewing' said Charlie. 'Where's the Master?'
'She and Altera should be here soon' Tamamo replied. She turned to Archer and Lancer. 'Which reminds me. What was this "bet" you were going on about?'
'To see who could scare the Master first' Lancer said. Tamamo and Nero glared at them both.
'It's not that bad' said Archer. 'NPCs are notoriously hard to jump scare; we just wanted to know what she's scared of.'
'Ooh that sounds fun, I want in!' Astolfo chirped. Charlie placed a glass on one side of Astolfo's pumpkin outfit and the Rider fell off balance, face planting the ground.
'That sounds really rude!' Charlie retorted. 'Scaring someone means they become emotional and vulnerable. As a knight I have to protect–'
'I'm in!' Tamamo and Nero blurted out. 'I'll take extra special care of her should she become vulnerable' Tamamo added slyly.
'You infernal vixen! I shall the one in charge of caring for Praetor!'
A lightning strike washed the castle room in a blinding white light. In the frame of the doorway, silhouetted in shadow stood a female figure, accompanied by a smaller female figure.
'Master!' Charlie yelled over the thunder clap. 'Aww she got the awesome entrance!'
Hakuno held the hand of what everyone assumed to be Altera; the tiny Saber was cloaked in a ghostly white sheet, holding a bucket brimming with coloured sweets. Her red eyes peered through her sheet's cut out eye holes.
'Hey guys. Sorry we're late' Hakuno said. As they both walked closer everyone sidled up to get a better look at the Master's costume. She wasn't wearing a school uniform, much to Tamamo's disappointment. Neither was she wearing anything remotely resembling classical Greek. Instead she wore a onesie; a brown squirrel outfit from head to toe. Made from fleece, it was complete with a hood, squirrely ears, and a fluffy tail attached.
Everyone fell silent. Hakuno blankly stared at them and spoke. 'Elizabeth sent me this costume with her invitation.'
'I was wrong Astolfo– there's a less scary costume tonight' Lancer said.
'Ah my Husband looks adorable in anything!' Tamamo swooned while Nero nodded approvingly.
'Umu! I declare this to be your new Formalwear!'
'... Well it is comfortable...' Hakuno mumbled. She looked around the open room, 'so this is Castle Čachtice.'
What would have usually been made of gothic stone and cold walls reminiscent of an old horror movie had been revamped for the occasion. Bright orange pumpkins hung around the room, glowing like candles. Fake (or real?) cobwebs dangled from the ceiling and neon plastic skeletons were nailed to the walls. Not exactly the terrifying experience Hakuno was expecting.
She glanced to the truly horrific part of the castle; the red filled food provided for Elizabeth's guests. Which begged the question.
Where's our Host?' asked Hakuno, opting for a chocolate bar she'd earned earlier that evening.
'No doubt waiting for you' replied Nameless. 'Pretty sure she's frustrated by how long you were taking.'
'I AM NOT! I mean uh... no she's not. The lovely and super popular idol is too busy for such peasant little squirrels, and is TOTALLY not me!'
Everyone casually replied. 'Uh huh.'
Hakuno turned back to Archer. 'We would have been here faster but it's really cool out there! It's the only time of the year Darius' undead army can go about and not frighten anyone.'
'Hey little sister!' Charlie said as he knelt down in front of Altera. 'Get a good haul this Halloween?'
She flipped up her sheet and grinned. 'Everyone just gives you candy!' She picked up a lollipop and handed it to Charlie, who accepted it with a big grin and put on his best vampiric accent.
'I shall take this in lieu of your blood!'
'This is the best night ever!' Altera chirped, and everyone chuckled.
'Oh, the night is just beginning.'
The sound speakers came to life. This time with careful practice, Elizabeth lay on a well rehearsed foreboding air. Lightning flashed again and the lights cut out, the castle falling into darkness.
'Welcome, my beloved fans. To the reopening of Castle Čachtice! I, the popular singing sensation Elizabeth Bathory, am your beloved host this night!'
'Ellie?' Hakuno started, pulling up the hood of her squirrel outfit. 'What's going on?'
'Ooh the little squirrel is talking to me! She wants to see me! What should I do–?'
Hakuno sighed; she imagined the dragon girl behind a microphone, cupping her face in her hands and swishing from side to side. She'd seen it far too many times.
'No, this is my party! I'm the leading role! I have a reputation to uphold! The paparazzi need their cover story! But a scandal between an idol and her livestock is, oh–!'
While Elizabeth continued swooning, Charlie turned to Hakuno. 'Master? Did you want to talk to her?'
Hakuno shook her head. 'You saw what that did. You just got to let her go through the motions.'
'Does anyone want some candy?' Altera offered. In an instant, everyone forgot about Elizabeth's mini-meltdown, all grouping around the tiny ghost as she handed out different sweets.
'Perhaps I can... Hey... WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! THIS IS MY STAGE!'
Elizabeth's voice shrieked, rippling vibrations around the dining room.
'Ahem... Please enjoy all that's to be had tonight, for you will never leave this castle. Not until you find... the key.'
Blinding white lightning flashed through the room once again, leaving no shadow. Wind lashed at the front doors, making them crash together and close with tremendous force.
'Wait, are we supposed to be trapped?!' Astolfo yelled. Everyone sprinted to the now locked doors.
'Elizabeth you fiend!' Nero yelled. 'Heracles demands you set us free at once!'
'HAHAHAHA!'
Lancer took out his spear. 'We could just bust through– it's not that hard.' The sound speaker gasped.
'Wha– What?! That's against the rules!'
Archer placed a hand over the lock. 'Or I could just project another key. Trace On!' A perfect replica of the key materialised into his hand.
'No, no no no!... Ggh!'
Elizabeth's words choked in her throat, like she was about to cry. It was unfair; no matter how evil Elizabeth was, Hakuno never could fight against her whenever she began to cry. Hakuno's stomach learned that the hard way back on the far side of the moon.
'Guys' Hakuno said and sighed. 'Whatever's going on here, it's clear Ellie has put a lot of work into it. Don't be jerks.'
'Umu, it is as my squirrely Praetor says! Continue to entertain us Bathory!' Nero stated. A small shriek of delight emanated from the speakers. The host continued her monologue.
'Yes! Welcome to tonight's Halloween special:
Kimodameshi– Elizabeth's great Test of Courage!'