Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soundtrack

In predation we proliferate.
Every trench we fill in, with creed beyond our death,
embracing more, assimilating more.
We, the Anima. We, the Vicissitudes. We, many.
One shall arise among the colony, to shape destiny's lore.
Embrace the shadows, yet do not forsake the light,
For in the melding of worlds, lies the key to our plight.
Through sacrifice and strife, the chosen shall rise,
To bring an end to chaos, under the dead skies.

Darkness. That is all that Ritsuka Fujimaru could see when he first woke up. His first instinct was to utter the name of an old friend that has guided him through situations like this. His second instinct, however, upon realizing that Dantes would not answer, was to run.

For an instant that felt like an eternity, Ritsuka felt a cold, slimy appendage gently run through the back of his neck. Amidst the darkness, the appendage still caressing his neck, slowly but surely tightening its grip around it, he suddenly felt something cold and solid in his hands. A large conch.

Sound it, and gods you've never seen or even heard of will answer your call.

As soon as Ritsuka noticed the conch in his hands, his mind was invaded by that phrase. Now, Ritsuka, just like most Chaldea members, is incredibly well-versed with all sorts of mythologies thanks to all the things that happened in his life so far. He in no way considers himself a master historian or anything of the sort, but something, like an instinct, told him that he should not sound this conch. 

And yet, his body moved on its own. As the conch approached his lips, Ritsuka even managed to see a black sludge inside, almost fused with the darkness around him. He felt the urge to throw up as the black sludge moved into his mouth, worming its way into his throat. 

...

Gasping for air, Ritsuka sits up in his sleeping bag, eyes wide open. 

"That dream, again..." He mutters to himself, looking at the digital clock on his left. 3:33A.M.

Suddenly, a sleepy voice calls out to him. 

"Senpai...?"

Startled, Ritsuka looks at the half-asleep figure by his side. 

Ah, right. The sleepover.

"Sorry for waking you up, Mash. I just had a nightmare." Ritsuka shakes his head.

Mash sits up as well, rubbing her eyes. "Do you... Want to talk about it?"

"Ah, don't worry. It's just the usual." He whispers.

"The one with the conch in the dark?"

"Hmhm. I wanted to ask Dantes about it, but I couldn't find him."

"Hasn't it been a week since they began?" Mash sounds worried, her voice barely even a whisper. In fact, Ritsuka didn't quite catch what she said, and just winged it. 

"It's alright. I'll find a way to talk to Dantes soon." 

Hesitantly, Mash nods, realizing Ritsuka doesn't want to talk about it. "Alright. We can talk more tomorrow. Let's not wake the Director and everyone else. Goodnight, senpai."

Mash quickly fell back asleep, but Ritsuka knew better than to follow suit. Every time he had this nightmare, if he dared to go back to sleep, it'd just repeat itself. Thanks to that, there are large bags under his eyes. They've actually been there for a while, but they only got worse since they the nightmares began.

Staring at the ceiling, the darkness feels like too much for him. With a sigh, he stands up and quietly leaves the command room, where the sleepover happened.

This is just a walk to clear my mind. Nothing more. I'm not afraid of the dark, Ritsuka tells himself.

Wandering the dark halls of Novum Chaldea, Ritsuka couldn't help but wonder why Dantes has been avoiding him. Could it be that his friend is somehow involved in this? Or maybe-

Bonk.

Ritsuka looks down at the small figure that just bumped into him. Abigail Williams. Her summer version, in fact. She was holding a small plate containing a sandwich that is now splattered on the floor.

"Abby?" Ritsuka frowned. "Ah, I'm sorry." He holds out his hand, helping her stand up.

"My sandwich..." She frowns back. 

"S-Sorry. I'll help clean up." Ritsuka crouches on the floor, using his hands to remove as much of the sandwich as he can from the floor. 

Abigail simply stares at him with a mixture of frustration and amusement.

"So... Were you having a midnight snack or something? I'll make you another sandwich." Ritsuka attempts to make small talk as the two of them head to the kitchen."

"I was. What about you, Master? Do you need me to smash anything or anyone?" She asks. "You're not one to roam these halls at night like a zombie. Anything that gets in the way of someone having a good night's rest is unforgivable. Just say the word, and I'll..." Abigail stops in her tracks.

"...Abby?"

"It's nothing." She shakes her head, her silver hair swaying not so gently. "But please do tell me if something is disturbing your sleep, Master. I'd like nothing more than to protect your dreamscape."

Ritsuka opens one of the fridges as soon as they enter the kitchen. "Hm. Was Mysterious Heroine XX here recently? You told me that sometimes, you have midnight snacks together once."

"...She was. In fact, she was the one that made me that previous sandwich." 

"I see..." 

An awkward silence looms over the two as Ritsuka quietly makes a new sandwich using the same ingredients present in the previous one. After this brief period of silence, Abigail approaches Ritsuka, tightly grabbing the edge of his shirt. 

"Master. I can feel a horrific presence stalking your dreams."

Ritsuka stops his hand mid-air, the knife hovering over the sandwich's bread. 

"Master, won't you-"

"Abby, don't worry about me." He interrupts her. "I'll be okay."

"You don't sound okay to me." She replies, her tone sharp. 

"Trust me. Whatever is going on, I can handle it."

Abigail sighs. "Master, it seems I must remind you that I am not merely a child, but also a Servant. You mustn't protect me, but rather, I'm the one who should be protecting you. Or is there another reason why you don't want me to get involved?"

Ritsuka's movements freeze once again. This time, Abigail wraps her arms around him. 

"You've been dreaming about an entity of the outer realm, haven't you?"

"...You could tell?"

"Of course, Master." Abigail smiles, her eyelids slightly closing. "I am one of the very few servants in Chaldea that can claim to be an expert in dreams. At least, one of the few reliable ones." 

Abigail lets go of Ritsuka, who finishes making the sandwich and hands it to her.

"Master, you look exhausted. Allow me to soothe your dreams. Your land of dreams is yours alone. As I've said before, I want to protect that place. Whoever it is that's been interfering with your sleep, I'll teach them a lesson."

"Entities of the Outer Realm are dangerous, Abby. Even if you're related to one of the more powerful beings we know of, whatever it is that's after me could be more powerful. And I don't want to risk you damaging your Spirit Origin." Ritsuka shakes his head. 

"So you'd rather ask the Count of Monte Cristo to do it in my stead?"

Ritsuka flinches. 

"He can escape not only the prison of his body, but also the formless prisons of time and space." Abigail nods, taking a small bite out of her snack. "That's what Chaldea's data says about him. Sure, he could probably be of help here, but he isn't a dream specialist like I am."

Ritsuka ponders, looking at Summer Abby. "I guess you're right."

Abigail smiles. "See? It wasn't that hard, was it, Master? Now, let's head to your room. I want to confront whatever or whoever is after you."

"I think we should tell the others about this first." Ritsuka shakes his head.

"Maybe tomorrow. Right now, you need rest."

Something about being ordered around by a servant that looks like a child bothers Ritsuka, but he agrees with her. He needs to be ready in case something happens, and that starts with being well-rested. He reluctantly follows Abigail into his room.

She sits on the edge of his bed, patting it as if to say "get under the covers".

Ritsuka does so, mildly uncomfortable with the situation. 

"Now, close your eyes, and I'll sing you a lullaby." Abigail's voice is sweet and gentle, unlike the somewhat harsh tone she used not too long ago in the kitchen. 

It doesn't take long for Ritsuka to fall into a deep slumber. As soon as that happens, Abigail whispers a complex chant under her breath, closing her eyes as she does so. Concentrating, her third eye, which is usually hidden within the keyhole in her forehead, opens. A fraction of a second later, Abigail feels an immense force pushing her away. In that instant, Abigail felt hopeless. The force was so intense, Abigail felt a crack in her Spirit Origin. She faints, dematerializing back into spirit form.

Meanwhile, Ritsuka opens his eyes in a cold shore far, far away from Novum Chaldea and everyone else. And he is not alone.

Chapter Text

Ritsuka opens his eyes, his legs feeling too wobbly for him to stand up. Looking around, taking note of his surroundings, he realizes he is in a beach. It's incredibly cold, even more due to his clothes being drenched in water. He truly looks like a washed up castaway.

"M-Master?!" A familiar voice calls out to him. "W-What are you doing in my dream?!"

"Van Gogh...?"

Van Gogh helps Ritsuka stand up. 

"You're not real, are you...?"

"I sure am." Ritsuka frowns, extremely confused. "Where is this place, exactly? I didn't even know Servants could dream."

"W-wait, the real Master?!" Van Gogh's eyes widen. "W-Well, this is a 'shore' surprise! Did you take a wrong turn and end up 'shore' instead of 'sure' about your destination? Or perhaps you're just 'shore' you wanted to wake up to the sound of crashing waves?"

Ritsuka doesn't even flinch at the waves of puns. He's used to it, at this point.

"E-Either way, looks like you've been 'tide' down to this beach!" Gogh giggles to herself. "Got it? That was a Goghk!"

"Y-Yes. Uh, anyway, Gogh, would you mind explaining things?"

"What do you mean, Master?"

Ritsuka takes a deep breath. If this is all because of Van Gogh's Entity of the Outer Realms attribute, while he is admittedly a bit upset, he wouldn't lash out on her. Ever. But he is curious. 

"Do you really not know about my situation, then?" He asks.

"N-No...? Should I?"

"Ah, nevermind." Ritsuka shrugs, sitting on the sand. Van Gogh sits next to him. "You see, I was talking with Abby- I mean, Abigail Williams."

"Ah, the child with the scary cats!"

"Yep, that one. She offered to help me with this horrible case of recurring nightmares. She basically confirmed my theory that an Entity of the Outer Realms was causing this. And then, right as I fall asleep, instead of the usual nightmare, I wake up in here."

"M-maybe..." Van Gogh stammers. "Ugh, what should I refer to her as...? Miss? No, that feels weird, since she looks like a child... But referring to her by her first name also feels inappropriate...!"

"Just call her Abigail." Ritsuka says, trying to calm Gogh a bit.

"O-Okay. So, what if, well, Abigail... Sent you here on accident?"

"But how?"

"We're both Foreigner class, and both have the Entity of Outer Realm classification. And well, I was dreaming just now. Still am. Uh, you know what I mean. Maybe there was something connecting us?" 

Ritsuka doesn't see how that makes sense, but chooses not to argue. "So, a cold shore at midnight, huh." 

"Eh?"

"Your dreamscape. I don't know why, but I think this fits your second ascension spirit graph, with the jellyfish theme and mourning clothes."

"Ehehe, really...?" Van Gogh blushes profusely.

"Seriously, though, I'm not sure what the implications of a Servant dreaming are, but I definitely shouldn't be here. This feels like an invasion of privacy." Ritsuka turns to Van Gogh.

"Ah, don't worry, Master! You're fine!" She says, waving her hands in front of her. "If there's anyone I'd be okay with appearing in my dreams, it's you. I... Trust you."

"That's beside the point. Privacy matters. Nobody should get to wander inside your own mind." Ritsuka shakes his head. "But in any case, back to the crux of the matter. How do I get back outside? As in, how do I wake up?"

"I don't know... Maybe if you pinch yourself really hard, you'll wake up?"

Ritsuka does so. Nothing happens.

"Maybe if you get jumpscared, then?"

"...We'll leave that for later."

"Are you sure? I can try-"

"Yes, absolutely." 

"O-Oh. Okay." Gogh looks down.

There's an awkward pause before Ritsuka speaks again.

"Just so you know, Goghie, I'm not trying to leave due to not wanting to be here, or with you, for that matter. It's just that I'm worried about Abby, as well as whatever that bizarre nightmare I kept having."

"Ah- Okay..."

Another awkward silence. Ritsuka hates these moments. Moments where he doesn't know what to say, nor what to do. He's sure that Van Gogh hates them as well. It isn't fair for him to enter her mind like this, even if on accident, only to ruin her night.

He takes a deep breath, and opens his mouth, about to apologize, but...

"-i!"

A voice echoes in the back of his mind. 

"-ai!"

The voice grows louder, seemingly closer.

"Senpai!" Mash's voice finally reaches Ritsuka, and he opens his eyes, back in his bedroom.

"Thank goodness!" A second voice is heard behind Mash. Ritsuka turns to the source and sees Da Vinci. "Abigail Williams woke us a while ago saying you needed help, and that her Alter almost disappeared, so we rushed to your room!" She explains. 

"Senpai, I've told Da Vinci and Holmes about your nightmares." Mash looks down. "I'm sorry, but everyone was worried, and Abby said she didn't know much other than that she felt you and her Alter were in trouble. What happened?"

Ritsuka lets out a breath of relief. "I'm okay. Summer Abby sent me to Van Gogh's dreamscape on accident, but at least it wasn't a nightmare. I don't feel the slightest bit rested, though."

"Van Gogh's... Dreamscape?" Da Vinci frowns. "Can Servants even dream? It's not like we need to sleep."

"If you don't know, how the hell would we know?" Ritsuka laughs, something he hasn't done in quite some time. "Well, I don't know if that was the inside of Gogh's mind or something completely different, but I was safe with her. What about Summer Abby? Is she okay?"

"Well..." Mash takes a step away from Ritsuka, making way for someone else to approach. 

"You're in grave danger, Master." Abigail says, approaching him. "I was wrong. I'm not strong enough to protect you all by myself. Even if the Count of Monte Cristo were willing to help you, I'm not sure we could break the wall created by the entity plaguing your dreams."

"So what you're saying is that I'm screwed?" Ritsuka raises an eyebrow.

"Until we can figure out a way to stop this, yes." Yet another person joins the conversation. Holmes. 

"The room is getting a bit too crowded..." Ritsuka clears his throat. "I'll join you all in the command room in a bit. I'll help clean up after the sleepover."

After everyone leaves his room, Ritsuka gets dressed and heads to the command room, where everyone is. There isn't much cleanup left to do, but he helps anyway. 

And so, his day continues, devoid of answers to his conundrum. Nightfall eventually arrives, and so does sleep.

I'm starting to wonder if I should ask Shuten Douji for some alcohol to make sure my brain shuts down completely when I sleep. Maybe this way, I won't have that shitty nightmare again.

With thoughts like this in his mind, Ritsuka returns to his slumber after receiving some buffs and blessings from a few Servants. 

Soundtrack

Once again, he finds himself in that beach. This time, however, things are different. There is nothing but silence. He cannot even hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore, for the sea itself is completely still, the tide way lower than last time he visited this place.

"Oh, now that's a good sign." Ritsuka groans sarcastically. Looking around, there is no one with him. Perhaps Van Gogh is awake? 

But why am I in her dreamscape again? What is this place?

As Ritsuka's feet sink into the damp sand with each step, his mind churns with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The beach stretches out before him, a desolate expanse marred by the remnants of chaos. In the distance, the skeletal remains of a lighthouse loom against the horizon, its once-stalwart frame now reduced to rubble.

It's almost as if a tsunami hit the-

Oh.

I hope Van Gogh is okay.

To his right, the ocean lies eerily calm, its surface mirroring the somber sky above in a silent reflection of the devastation that surrounds him. The absence of movement makes it even more eerie, as if the ocean itself is a predator lying in wait, ready to jump at the prey - Ritsuka himself.

To his left, the shattered remnants of a once-thriving coastal city sprawl across the shoreline, a haunting testament to the relentless force of the tsunami's wrath. Buildings lie in ruins, their fractured facades bearing witness to the merciless onslaught of wind and water. Debris litters the sand like forgotten memories, each fragment a silent echo of lives long gone.

With a sense of grim determination, Ritsuka sets his sights on the crumbling ramp that leads from the beach to the ruined city beyond. Each stride carries him closer to the heart of the devastation.

As he runs, his mind wrestles with the implications of this surreal tableau. Could this be a reflection of Van Gogh's fractured psyche, a manifestation of her inner turmoil laid bare in the twisted landscape of her dreams? Or perhaps it is a harbinger of darker forces at play, a warning of the impending storm that threatens to engulf them all? In any case, Ritsuka's mind can't focus on anything but finding Gogh at the moment.

Ritsuka spends what to him feels like an eternity calling out Van Gogh's name to no avail. His throat dry, his body exhausted after climbing the wreckages up and down for hours, he decides to return to the shore. Perhaps the lighthouse has something that can be of use?

With each step he takes, his feet seem to sink deeper into the damp sand, taking more and more effort to keep moving forward. 

Out of nowhere, however, the ocean comes to life once again. The sounds natural to a beach, empty at midnight, return all at once. Seeing the ocean begin to move all by itself, after the eerie stasis it was in is... Disconcerting. And what's even weirder is the harp-

Hold on. Harp?

Ritsuka turns to the direction of the sound: The reef just by the ruined lighthouse.

As Ritsuka cautiously approaches the reef, his eyes widen at the sight before him. A solitary creature not much bigger than a medium-sized dog, resembling a bizarre fusion of flora and fauna, lies sprawled amidst the coral, its form a mesmerizing mess of azure tentacles intertwined like a delicate dance of serpentine vines. These sinuous appendages seem to be its legs.

Atop a thick, elongated neck rises a majestic head adorned with a magnificent blossom of purest white, its sharp, serrated petals unfurling in a silent symphony of beauty. Within the heart of this resplendent bloom that is clearly both a weapon and a defense mechanism, gleams a singular sapphire-like sphere, perhaps an eye, fixed upon Ritsuka with an enigmatic gaze that seems to pierce through the depths of his soul.

Despite its majestic appearance, the creature appears to be in distress, its melodious lament echoing through the water like a mournful dirge. With each flicker of its tentacles, it plucks at a human musical instrument, the discordant notes of the harp mingling with the haunting melody of its song to create an eerie harmony that reverberates through the ocean shore.

As Ritsuka watches in awe, he can't help but feel a pang of empathy for this mysterious being, trapped in a world not its own, its song a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the beauty that lies within even the darkest of depths.

The haunting melody of the creature's song, however, acts as a siren's call. In a display of unity, about a dozen of similar creatures appear on the shore. Like shadows emerging from the abyss, they converge upon the reef, their forms twisting and writhing in a grotesque mess as they join their kin in a macabre feast.

As the cacophony of chewing fills the air, drowning out the ethereal strains of the creature's melody, Ritsuka can only watch in stunned horror as the once serene scene devolves into a frenzy of consumption. Limbs entwine and bodies writhe in a frenzied dance of hunger, the sound of tearing flesh mingling with the mournful cries of the dying creature.

But as suddenly as they had appeared, the creatures disperse, retreating back into the depths from whence they came. Left behind in their wake are only traces of their final performance—a broken harp, its strings severed and its melody silenced, and a pair of jet-black dance shoes, now devoid of their former grace and elegance, stained by the blue-ish blood of the devoured creature.

As Ritsuka steps out onto the reef, he can't help but feel a sense of profound loss at the sight before him. The beauty and serenity that had once filled this otherwise desolate area now lay shattered and desecrated. 

Ritsuka grabs the small, child-sized shoes and puts each of them in one of his pockets, wondering how in the world did that creature learn how to play a harp, and why it was wearing these shoes in its tentacles. 

Ritsuka resumes his now even more anxious walk to the lighthouse ruins. As he climbs the reef, bit by bit, he notices a trio of humans chatting between themselves. Two seem to be apprentices of the older one. The older of the trio, a man that seems to be in his late 50s, immediately notices Ritsuka.

"Hey, you. Show yourself." The old man says in a stern tone. A sound of a gun being loaded is heard.

Ritsuka slowly leaves his hiding spot, hands raised in surrender. The two apprentices seem perplexed to see the gun, calling it "the Saint's revolver" in hushed whispers between themselves.

"Who are you, boy? Where did you come from? What are you doing in this place, all alone? Don't you know the Sea Terrors have been seen around these parts recently?" The old man's voice is full of suspicion. 

"My name is Ritsuka Fujimaru. I'm originally from the east, but due to some unfortunate circumstances, I washed up in this shore." Ritsuka explains calmly. I don't know what a Sea Terror is, but I'm assuming it's one of those weird tentacle creatures I just saw."

Although Ritsuka looks into the old man's eyes, the Saint's gaze is fixed on the ocean behind Ritsuka, constantly wary of the possibility of the so-called Sea Terrors attacking. 

"What about you, sir? Who are you?" 

"The name's Carmen. I am a..." He pauses. "Public worker."

Carmen gestures for one of his apprentices to approach, and opens the apprentice's backpack while it's still on the youngster's back, taking out a map and a marker. He marks some parts of the map, then hands it to Ritsuka.

"Take this. These marked spots are places where you can obtain supplies for survival. And a tip from an old vet?" The old man looks into Ritsuka's eyes. "Foreigners better not linger too long in here. After the Sea Terrors invaded, less than 20% of Iberia's population survived."

"Iberia?" Ritsuka asks, confused. "Where is this country located, if you don't mind me asking?"

"To the south of Laterano and Victoria, east of Sargon." 

"I... See..." Ritsuka nods, even more confused. "Got it. Thank you."

The old man and his entourage leave, and Ritsuka stares at the map, confused. 

Is this a singularity, or a pseudo-singularity?

Exhausted, Ritsuka sits down near some not-so-wet rubble, a bit further away from the ocean, and closes his eyes, trying to rest for a bit. Sooner than later, his exhaustion gets the best of him. He falls unconscious. Before his consciousness completely vanishes, however, he sees a vaguely humanoid, distorted figure approaching him.

Chapter Text

"So what you're saying is, you think there might be a singularity, or something similar, relating to your dreams?" Sion muses, seemingly interested in Ritsuka's dismay. As soon as he woke up, he dashed to Da Vinci's workshop to tell her about his theory. Lucky for him, Sion was also there. That's one less person to look for later.

"It's been a while since I had to call Van Gogh at all, but I'd like to ask her about her dreams as well." Ritsuka says, still a bit sleepy. "She clearly has been roped into this as well."

"That might be a good idea." Da Vinci chirps. "What was the name of the country you said you were in? Iberia?"

Ritsuka nods. "The old man also mentioned places called Sargon, Laterano and Victoria."

"The word Sargon brings to mind Sargon of Akkad, the first ruler of the Akkad empire," Da Vinci hums. "but Laterano...?"

"Lateran is a name used for some properties that were once owned by the Lateranus family of the Roman Empire." Sion explains. "I don't see much of a relation between the two. As for Victoria, my first guess would be the Victorian era."

"So we have a Mesopotamian city, some Roman properties, and the Victorian era as clues." Da Vinci frowns, holding her chin in thought. "Iberia obviously means the Iberian peninsula, so Spain or Portugal. But the rest is... Well, not much to work with, to be honest. But! With geniuses like Sion, Holmes, and of course, me, we'll find this so-called singularity in a jiffy!"

Ritsuka lets out a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a second. Can I ask you to tell Holmes about this yourself, Da Vinci? I want to look for Van Gogh asap."

"Sure, leave it to me!" 

And so, thankful, Ritsuka leaves the workshop. It doesn't take too long for him to find Gogh, holed up in her room. 

"M-Master. Do you need me for something?" She asks from behind a painting she is currently adding some finishing touches to.

"I want to talk about that dream we shared, if it's okay." 

"Y-you sound so serious... Did something happen again?"

"Last night, I went back to that shore. You weren't there, so I've been wondering if that's actually your dreamscape, or if you've just been dragged into that place just like I was." He explains. "Have you dreamed about that shore before?"

"Yes, a few times."

"Have you ever talked to someone other than me in that place?"

"No, I usually just enjoy the view of the ocean. Did you meet locals in that place...?"

"Yes. I thought this could be a singularity, or something similar, so I talked to Da Vinci and Sion about it." Ritsuka sits near Gogh, on the edge of her bed. Now, he has a better view of the painting. Looking at it, it takes Ritsuka a few moments to even understand what he's looking at. Somehow, the being painted on the canvas is like a gigantic plant, with innumerable roots, pale and swollen, that ramify from a bulbular hole. This bole, half hidden from view, is topped with a vermilion cup like a monstrous blossom; and from the cup there grew an elfin figure, pearly-hued, and formed with exquisite beauty and symmetry.

"What is this...?" Ritsuka asks, confused.

"Ah, this painting? It... Came to me in a dream." Van Gogh explains. "I'm not sure what it is either."

"Why do I have the feeling that this will be hugely important later?" He grumbles, sarcastic.

"I'm sorry..." Gogh deflates.

"Ah, no, no, I didn't mean it's your fault or anything. It could've been anyone else, really. I'm just worried. Don't let it get to you." Ritsuka apologizes. "As usual, your art looks really good. How accurate would you say this is, in comparison to what you saw in your dream?"

"Uh..." Gogh looks away, scratching her arm. "Maybe a seven out of ten..." She stops. "No, that's too high. A six."

Ritsuka nods. "It must've been hard to even understand what this thing is. Did you see anything else that could be a hint as to what this thing is?"

"Sorry..." She shakes her head. "I don't remember much. It's been weeks since I dreamed of Him."

Ritsuka stands up. "Why don't we head to the canteen? You look exhausted. I'm going to take a shot in the dark here and assume you spent all night painting."

"Breakfast would be nice..." 

"Let's go, then. I'm starving."

Together with Van Gogh, Ritsuka distracts himself from all the tension with a hearty meal. Or at least, that was the plan. Halfway through his breakfast, the canteen's terminal beeps loudly. Nobody else seems to notice but Ritsuka, despite how loud it is. It's the same beeping noise that plays all throughout Chaldea when an emergency is going on. 

"Am I going crazy, or is the terminal louder than usual?" Ritsuka asks the Chaldea staff sitting in the table with him and Gogh.

They all really can't hear it.

With a heavy sigh, Ritsuka stands up, excusing himself from the table. Van Gogh seems confused, but follows him in silence. Making his way to the terminal, Ritsuka spots Katsushika Hokusai and Yang Guifei examining it.

"Ah, Master." Yu-Yu smiles upon seeing Ritsuka. 

"Master. Could you please turn off this loud beeping sound? It's bothering Toto-sama." Hokusai is frowning, and doesn't even acknowledge anything else.

"So people CAN hear it!" He exclaims. With a nod, he reads the words in the terminal.

Soundtrack

The Sea Terrors are marching towards land, the Penal Battalion's fleet has been destroyed, and the Bastión de Cánticos was infiltrated by the Church of the Deep. He will awaken soon. If you can read this, run. Run as far away from the sea as you can. The Inquisition has fallen, and none can save us. The last Eye of Iberia now nests the children of He Who Awaits Dreaming. The Nethersea Brand has been slowly expanding around Gran Faro once again, and the Seaborn proliferation has reached its peak. May the gods have mercy upon our souls, for humanity has already lost the war.

Ritsuka's eyes widen upon reading this. He turns to Van Gogh.

"Gogh, what do you make of this?"

With Yu-yu reading from behind Van Gogh, and Hokusai glancing curiously at the screen, the trio spends a while reading the terminal.

"Is this some sort of prank?" Hokusai frowns. 

"He Who Awaits Dreaming? Isn't that the evil god from some english books?" Yang Guifei seems confused. 

"The Lovecraft Mythos..." Van Gogh nods. "Most Foreigner-class Servants have some sort of connection to them, don't we?"

Hokusai nods. "That would be me and Toto-sama, who, by the way, still wishes for this noise to stop."

 Ritsuka looks around, making sure that no one that would scold him for what he's about to do is nearby, and whacks the device a couple of times until it stops.

"Thank you. Now, Master, I'm sure you already know this, but Hokusai was approached by a certain false god from the abyss. However, Hokusai rejected the evil god's temptations, and by passing on his nom de plume to his daughter, Oui, he just managed to avoid becoming the god's puppet."

"I've read your file, yes." Ritsuka nods. A good master studies enough to know about the Servants he summons, after all.

"Master, we should probably tell them about your dreams." Van Gogh shyly interrupts. "If this really is a singularity, maybe bringing miss Hokusai and miss Guifei with you and Mash would be a good idea.

Ritsuka nods in agreement. "You're right. Do the two of you have some free time? I'd also like to discuss some thoughts I have about this terminal freaking out."

Noticing the seriousness of Ritsuka's voice, the two agree. 

"Shouldn't we show this to someone else first?" Yu-Yu asks.

"I have a feeling this wouldn't do much." Ritsuka shakes his head. The quartet heads to a less crowded area, and Ritsuka and Van Gogh both explain all that's happened so far.

"That sounds like a beautiful sight. The ruins, I mean." Hokusai hums, listening to the description of the area. "I'm personally interested in these so-called Sea Terrors. They seem capable of understanding human technology to some degree. Toto-sama is also curious about their nature."

"As for the terminal... I think that Entity of the Outer Realm sent that to us. It'd explain why nobody else noticed it but me and you three. It was originally some sort of distress signal, maybe, sent by an inhabitant of that singularity; and that entity somehow manipulated it and sent it to us instead."

"What's worrying me is that miss Van Gogh dreamed about the same place," Yu-Yu crosses her arms. "What if that entity is after her as well?"

"I wouldn't worry about that..." Gogh shyly shakes her head. "Little old me isn't important enough to catch an outer god's attention like that. Master is probably the only one that the entity cares about."

Ritsuka would like to differ, but he stays quiet. Gogh's file states that about 15% of her Spirit Origin is a blackbox from the void space. That's thrice the amount of herself that is actually Van Gogh. In Ritsuka's mind, that means there are three times more chances of Gogh being roped into this mess than if we knew just what was inside said blackbox.

"Well, then, now what?" Hokusai asks.

"Now, we wait. Da Vinci, Sion and Holmes are probably going to find this singularity soon." Rituska replies. "I'm guessing Mash and I will be sent to investigate and try to fix whatever is going on in there, as usual. If this happens, can I count on you three to help us?"

"Of course!" Yang Guifei flashes a beaming smile. "An all-foreigner team, investigating a mysterious singularity that appeared in Master's dreams! Sounds great!" 

"As long as we don't meet an Alter Ego." Hokusai adds.

"We're pretty screwed in that situation, huh..." Ritsuka laughs nervously. "Well, what are the odds of that happening, anyway? Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Uh huh..." Hokusai doesn't seem convinced in the slightest, but she lets it slide. The group keeps chatting for a while before parting ways, resuming their routines. 

Of course, as expected, Da Vinci and the others succeeded in finding the singularity before dusk.

Now that I think about it, isn't infiltrating the Wandering Sea kind of a big deal?

Ritsuka heads to the command room. By the time he arrives, Mash is already there. 

"Sorry for being late!" Ritsuka apologizes with a slight smile. 

"It's okay, I just got here as well." Mash shakes her head. "Da Vinci said the situation is dire, but wanted to wait until everyone was here before explaining."

"Alright, go ahead." Ritsuka nods to Da Vinci. 

"So, remember how you said that old man called the place you were in "Iberia"? I was right. It's in Spain. The thing is, this whole thing doesn't look like a Singularity to me."

"What do you mean?"

"There's no grail. Nothing. If anything, it reminds me of a Lostbelt. From what you've said, it's pretty much a post-apocalyptic setting, isn't it?"

"Is there a Tree of Emptiness?" Mash asks.

"Not that we know of. But it is similar to something we've seen in the Lostbelts. Specifically, similarly to the British Lostbelt, this singularity rejects Pan-Human History." Da Vinci pauses. "Hmm, calling it a singularity really feels weird."

"How about a Pseudo-Lostbelt, then?" Goredolf, the director, interrupts. "It does seem to fit the category as one. A world where humanity was defeated by a monster invasion would be pruned, wouldn't it?"

"That's the thing, Gordy." Da Vinci shakes her head, crossing her arms. "It's very unlikely that the Alien God created an 8th Lostbelt. There's no Tree of Emptiness, nothing. Not to mention, she, uh... I guess she doesn't need the trees anymore. But I guess Pseudo-Lostbelt fits the bill, for now."

"You said it rejects Pan-Human History. How so?" Ritsuka asks.

"Good question. We're not sure ourselves. Holmes, could you?" She turns to Holmes, who, so far, has been quietly observing the conversation.

"Of course. We ran some scans. Almost nothing from that version of Spain seems to match what we know. We did find something interesting. It seems very accepting of Foreigners."

Ritsuka can't help but smile.

"Oh?" Holmes raises an eyebrow. "Do you have something in mind?"

"Yes, some things happened when I went to have breakfast with Van Gogh." Ritsuka explains. After telling Holmes about his morning, Mash's eyes widen.

"Isn't hijacking a terminal in the Wandering Sea a big deal?!"

"I thought the same thing." Ritsuka nods. "But well, what could we do? What's done is done. If that Entity of the Outer Realm wanted to attack us, it would've done so already."

"I guess that's true..." Mash calms down. "But, Da Vinci, if there's no Grail supporting the sin- I mean, Pseudo-Lostbelt, and no Tree of Emptiness to cut down, then what exactly can we do about it?"

"That's what I've been thinking." Holmes frowns. "It all points to a trap."

"Yup." Da Vinci agrees. "The entity even showed you a distress signal from the Pseudo-Lostbelt. It clearly wants you there, Fujimaru."

"What would be the consequences of ignoring it?" 

"My best guess would be your mental state's decay. The dreams wouldn't stop. Maybe something could happen to you in one of them, even."

"What about you, Director?" Ritsuka turns to Goredolf. "Personally, I want to go. I can't stand not having a good night's sleep any longer, but I understand if you'd rather prioritize our other, more important problems first."

"Well, when you put it like that..." The director's eyes sharpen. "Fine. If all you need to do is defeat some god, it's no big deal. You've done it before, haven't you?"

Surprised at the director's response, most in the room turn to him wide-eyed. 

"What? We will be supporting Fujimaru remotely, won't we? He won't be alone. Plus, this entity could very well be friendly. It didn't harm anyone yet. What if this is its way of requesting our aid?"

"You're oddly optimistic about this, Gordy." Da Vinci says. "I can't say I dislike it. So, Mash, what do you think?"

"I'd like to go with Senpai." She says, resolute.

Da Vinci claps her hands once. "It's decided, then. We'll head there asap." 

Everyone immediately starts the preparations. 

"And, Fujimaru?" Da Vinci calls out. "Good luck out there, as usual."

Chapter Text

Soundtrack

“Alright, everyone! You know the drill at this point!” Da Vinci’s vibrant enthusiasm is almost contagious. “We’re reaching the Iberian peninsula in just a few minutes!” She turns to Goredolf. “Director?”

“Ahem.” The director clears his throat. “The initial plan is similar to the British Lostbelt’s. Fujimaru and Kyrielight, together, will land in a southern beach in Spain, the closest entry point we managed to locate. While investigating the area, they will attempt to summon at least two of the following Foreigner-class servants once they find a suitable Leyline; Katsushika Hokusai, Van Gogh and Yang Guifei. Hokusai is the number one priority. As we do not know if contacting the Storm Border will be possible, just like before, I’m giving each of you permission to make your own decisions, if needed.”

“Will the technical advisor join us?” Ritsuka asks.

“Hm, on one hand, given the similarity between these two situations, I believe it would be a good idea to have someone capable of writing reports and sending them back to the Storm Border.” Da Vinci hums.

“But…?”

“As previously stated, Foreigners are the only class allowed in this Pseudo-Lostbelt. I’m a Rider.”

“Ah.” Ritsuka looks away. “Right.”

“Aww, were you hoping for me to accompany you again in this journey?” Da Vinci grins, smug.

“Well, enough chitchat.” The Director shakes his head. “Like the previous Lostbelt, we’re expecting a somewhat rough landing, so brace yourselves.”

…

Despite everything, the landing is successful. Nemo brings Ritsuka and Mash to the shore in yet another similarity between the British Lostbelt and the current situation, resisting the force pushing him away as much as possible before leaving the duo in the beach and returning to the Border.

Unlike Ritsuka’s dreams, however, it is currently daytime.

“Is this the same shore as the one in your dreams, Master?” Mash asks.

Ritsuka nods. “First things first, we should set up the Round Table and summon Hokusai and the others.”

“Speaking of that, this Lostbelt only accepts Foreigner-class Servants, right?” Mash asks, just to be sure. “Not Servants with ‘Entity of the Outer Realm’ classification, but Foreigners.”

“I think so.” Ritsuka nods. “Why?”

“While Hokusai is important due to her relation with this place, shouldn’t we summon servants that can synergize better with her in combat?”

“You mean, you think we can bring more than those three?” Ritsuka frowns, doubtful.

“No, I don’t think we can. It’s just that Van Gogh and Hokusai, for example, aren’t that good together in combat. Yang Guifei and Van Gogh are, but Hokusai is an odd one out.”

“Meaning…?”

“Mysterious Heroine XX is also an Existence Outside the Domain, isn’t she?”

“Ah, I get it.” Ritsuka snaps his fingers. “Her bonus damage against Threats to Humanity would be ideal in this situation!”

Mash nods.

“Then, let’s try summoning Hokusai first. After that, we’ll call double-X. Can we contact the Storm Border? If we can’t have Da Vinci tell us where a Leyline is located, it’ll be difficult to find one good enough to summon those two.”

The duo attempts to contact the rest of the team, but there’s nothing but radio silence.

“...Now what?”

“Let’s head to the lighthouse ruins. If those dreams really happened, then there should be a map with some valuable resource locations nearby.” Ritsuka sighs. “Maybe the lighthouse itself could be a good summoning spot.”

With Ritsuka on the lead, the duo strolls through beach, leisurely enjoying the morning sun.

“Say, Master. If this is the same beach as the one in your dreams, does that mean the monsters from the sea are still around?” Mash asks.

“I don’t know. With some luck, maybe they’re nocturnal.” Ritsuka shrugs, climbing up to the skeletal remains of the lighthouse, and helping Mash do the same.

Soundtrack

“Ah.” Mash’s eyes widen slightly once the pair completes their short hike up the ruins.

“Hm?”

Mash shows her left forearm, where a somewhat large gash is bleeding.

Without missing a beat, Ritsuka uses the little magical knowledge he has to heal his friend.

With a grateful nod, Mash attempts to set up a summoning using the Round Table.

While Mash prepares everything (not that there is much to prepare, by any means), Ritsuka watches the desolate coast with a worried expression. In only a few minutes, the summoning almost succeeds.

The thing is, the Servant summoned is certainly not Katsushika Hokusai, nor Mysterious Heroine XX.

“Van Gogh…?” Mash looks confused.

“H-Hello there.” Van Gogh attempts to hide behind the large sunflower she carries with her.

Ritsuka can’t help but feel a bit guilty. By choosing to (attempt to) summon Hokusai and MHXX first, he basically put Gogh lower in the priority list, even though she’s clearly an important piece of this puzzle as well.

"Were you expecting someone else, Master?" Gogh asks, looking down.

"The plan was to summon Hokusai first, yes." Ritsuka nods, frowning as he wonders what went wrong.

Van Gogh feels her heart sink. So that's how it is...

"Sorry for showing up... I felt like I was being called, so I answered your summon. I should've realized it wasn't meant for me." 

"It's okay, Van Gogh! We were planning on summoning you right away anyway!" Mash attempts to soothe Gogh's anxiety. "The order shouldn't matter too much as long as we can summon Hokusai later."

"So this is still that old shore..." Gogh whispers, looking around. "I've never seen it during the day, though. Miss Hokusai said she wanted to paint this sight, didn't she? I-if I hadn't made this blunder, she'd be able to paint all she wants..."

Noticing Van Gogh's downward spiral, Ritsuka shakes his head. "Nope. Our top priority right now is find the map I left somewhere around these ruins when I last dreamed about this place. We have to find shelter before nighttime as well."

"Won't you summon miss Hokusai?" Gogh tilts her head.

"This Leyline is already exhausted. We were lucky we even managed to find one, in fact." Mash explains. This accidentally makes Gogh even more depressed, however, so the trio simply begins searching their surroundings in silence.

After what feels like an entire hour, they all give up. There's no sign of anything remotely similar to a map here. 

"If I remember correctly, the map mentioned a cavern with supplies left by the Inquisition." Ritsuka sighs. "We just have to follow the coastline. Other than that, there's a church up north that supposedly helps survivors. As for the rest of the map, I don't remember much."

"That's better than sticking around this lighthouse until nighttime." Van Gogh says. 

As the trio climbs down the lighthouse ruins, however, Ritsuka has a strange feeling in his gut. 

Are we being observed?

Looking around, he spots the reef where that singing Sea Terror died, consumed by its brethren. The tiny dance shoes are still there, as well as the broken harp.

"Master?" Gogh calls out to him.

"S-sorry, let's go." 

With this, they depart from the ruined lighthouse, this lingering feeling of being observed still uncomfortably strong within Ritsuka's mind.

It doesn't take too long for them to find the entrance to the cavern, hidden right on the other side of the ruined lighthouse. Somehow, the cave didn't collapse with the tsunami. 

The cave's small entrance is hidden behind some debris that Mash quickly moves, using her shield as a "lever" to move the heavier boulders.

Soundtrack

The cavern entrance first seems to be quite small, only allowing short people to enter without straining themselves, but it soon opens up into a wide mossy, damp area. There are a handful of white, bulbous blobs of... Well, something growing from the stone floor amidst all the gravel and sand. 

"What's that disgusting, pulsating thing...?" Van Gogh points at the blobs. 

"I'm not sure." Mash shakes her head. "Should I approach it, Master?"

"Carefully. We don't know what this thing can do. It could very well explode." Ritsuka shivers, remembering a certain incident.

As Mash slowly approaches the bulbous objects, shield raised in front of her, Ritsuka's feeling of being watched remains, bothering him all the while.

"Gogh, can you guard the entrance?" Ritsuka asks. "I have a bad feeling about this place."

"Can do, Master." Smiling, happy to be of use, Van Gogh hops to the entrance.

"So? Any idea of what that might be?" Ritsuka turns to Mash. 

"I think these are eggs, Master." She looks concerned. "There are some blue creatures inside them. You can't see at first because of how dense this white substance is, but I'm sure they're the monsters you mentioned."

"Sea Terrors, huh..." Ritsuka takes a deep breath. He instantly regrets it. The damp, moist air of the cave smells horrid. Putrid, even. "I think it's best if we destroy them. Wouldn't want to risk getting a surprise attack."

"Roger that!" Mash quickly dispatches the eggs using her shield. 

"If the Sea Terrors have already gotten into this cave, I'm guessing they probably already ate whatever supplies were left here." Ritsuka sighs. "Let's head deeper, just in case there's still something."

Nodding, Mash takes the front and heads deeper into the surprisingly deep cave, their footsteps echoing loudly despite their attempts to remain silent. As it turns out, this cave is actually a cistern, an underground reservoir of water.

At the end of the cavern, where the floor gives way to a massive pool of saltwater, the duo encounters a gravely wounded Sea Terror. Or rather, what seems to be a fusion of man and Seaborn. There are fragments of a green-ish cape melding off the body of the humanoid sea creature. The moment the monster sees Mash, a gleam of light flashes in its dying eyes.

Mash and Ritsuka exchange glances, frowning at the sight, then nodding. Mash approaches the dying monster. The aberration emits a noxious gas from its stomach, creating a yellow mist around it. It is dying, and only empty darkness lingers in its only remaining human eye. Mash fights through the choking mist in an attempt to save the creature, but he shows no physical response, simply staring at Mash. There is no hope within his eyes, no despair, only a deathly peace.

The monster smiles weakly as Mash attempts to check its pulse. A few seconds later, and it is dead. Hidden in the piece of clothing fused with its body, Mash notices a small piece of paper. A hand-drawn map that exudes a sense of antiquity. The labels and corresponding terrain have been enlarged, and there seems to be something off about its scale, but it's still a map.

After showing it to Ritsuka, Mash guides him outside, having already looted the corpse. 

"Are you feeling okay, Mash?" Ritsuka asks. "You inhaled a lot of that yellow smoke."

"It stings a bit, but I'm fine. Thanks for asking." Mash swats Ritsuka's doubts away with a smile. 

"Did you find anything...?" Van Gogh asks once the pair returns.

"A man fused with a Sea Terror." Ritsuka sighs. "Creepy, icky, and disgusting. But also a bit sad. The man didn't seem to have any hope of surviving, even after he saw Mash approach him. He died after letting out a cloud of toxic gas."

"W-What about the supplies?"

"We found a map. Not the one from before, but it's better than nothing."

Nodding, Van Gogh exits the cave, allowing the others to, one by one, leave as well. Mash gestures for Ritsuka to walk outside first, just in case something happened in the cave. It's a meaningless worry, but she'd rather not risk it.

"According to this map, there's something up northwest." Mash points at the map, where an X marks the spot. "There's also an island with another X marking a spot to the east of this coast, but we'd need a boat to cross the ocean."

"let's head northwest, then." Ritsuka nods, and the trio departs, finally taking the first steps in their journey.

Chapter Text

"This isn't what you promised! Why is this happening?" 

"The Shielder is something I cannot control."

"Then do something about it!"

"...Very well."

...

After a few hours of walking, Mash, Ritsuka and Van Gogh decide to rest. They all head into the city ruins and enter one of the abandoned buildings. 

"Master, there's one thing that's been bothering me for a while now." Van Gogh calls out to Ritsuka.

"Same here."

"Don't these metallic arcs to the east resemble the ribs of a stranded whale?"

"Huh?" He can't help but let out a confused sound. That wasn't what he was expecting. He looks out the building's window. Indeed, there are multiple arching structures to the east, pointing west.

"I wonder what was the thought process behind these structures." Van Gogh muses, throwing herself onto her back on a moldy mattress.

"It could just be decoration." Mash ponders, also curious. "We don't know what era this is, so maybe it could also be some kind of tactic to scare possible invaders away?"

"In any case, Master, you said you were also feeling bothered by something." Mash turns to Ritsuka, sitting on an equally moldy chair. The chair creaks, threatening to splinter under Mash's weight. 

"Ah. It's just a feeling. I've been feeling like we're being watched for a while now." 

"Do you think there are survivors around?" Van Gogh asks, lazily staring at the ceiling.

"That old man did say that about 20% of Iberia's population was still around."

"M-maybe we should split up." Van Gogh suggests, sitting up. "You know, to try finding someone faster."

"What do you think, Master?" Mash turns to Ritsuka. "Personally, I don't think it's a good idea."

Ritsuka ponders for a while, then nods. "I think we should split up. I'm sure I'll be safe with whoever comes with me, and I trust Mash to handle herself if something happens. Wandering without a goal in mind will just waste our time. Having no contact with Chaldea is also worrying me."

"Understood." Mash nods. Although she isn't exactly excited, if this is what Ritsuka decided to do, she trusts his decision. 

"Let's rest for a bit longer, then we can go out to look for survivors, then!" Ritsuka perks up. After a while, Van Gogh and Ritsuka head east, while Mash heads north. 

Not too long after they depart, Van Gogh spots a woman in her late 20s standing in an open area, staring at the sea below.

"Hello!" Ritsuka approaches the woman in a friendly manner. In return, she hangs her head low, ignoring him. 

"Hm, Ma'am, are you okay?" Van Gogh asks. The woman continues to ignore them. Shaking his head, Ritsuka apologizes for the annoyance and approaches a different local who's seemingly walking in circles around a dried-up fountain. Their response is the same. Nobody responds. Nobody so much as turns a head. Their eyes are open, yet all of them are motionless. Their only trait unlike a statue is that they breathe. These locals are all incredibly slender, clothed in rags. 

Eventually, the duo tires of being ignored. They decide to move on. However, right as they're leaving the square, they see a child running from them.

"Master, do you think...?"

"Talking to a kid is probably going to be easier." Ritsuka nods. "Let's go."

The duo follows the child into an alleyway. There, they find three other kids lying in wait. 

"H-hello there!" Van Gogh tries talking to them. 

"That lady's legs... Not human." One of the kids points at Van Gogh, who looks away in embarrassment.

"Box, quiet!" Another kid punches the one named Box. "Papa be mad if finds out! Talking strangers, bad!"

"Who are you?" The first kid asks. 

"I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru. I came here to help." 

"We asked the monster lady." Another kid interrupts. 

"Ah." Ritsuka turns to Van Gogh, as if asking her to question the kids. She turns red. 

"W-well, I'm a painter. My name is Van Gogh." She mutters.

"What's a painter?" Box asks.

"Box!" The quiet kid looks angry, but all the other kids are enthralled by Van Gogh's appearance. 

"Well, painters paint. We create images and weave them into the canvas." She explains.

"What's a canvas?" Box asks. Midway through his question, however, he has a violent coughing fit.

"Told you! Talking is hard!"

"What about sis Anita?"

"Anita, special." A girl, the only one in the group, mumbles. "Studied hard, very lively."

"Um... Where can we find this Anita? We'd like to talk to an adult."

"Today, ninety eight!" The kid named Box smiles. "Anita visits!"

"I see... Can we stay here until Anita arrives?"

The kids mostly nod in agreement. 

"What about him?" Van Gogh awkwardly looks at Ritsuka. "My, uh... Friend, can he stay too?"

The kids glance at each other, then at Ritsuka. After a while, most of them nod.

"Okay, thanks."

"Why are your legs like that?" Box asks.

"That..." Gogh stammers.

Ritsuka can't help but smile seeing Gogh awkwardly try to please the kids, whom all are ecstatic at her unusual appearance. He simply sits back, waiting for this Anita person to arrive, while Van Gogh entertains the children.

After a while, a scarily thin, pale woman no older than 20 appeared. She has short, jet-black hair, dark gray eyes, and wears a black ragged dress that has definitely seen better days. There's a red flower on her chest, being held by a black ribbon. She also wears black boots, and one of her calves is bandaged.

"Sis Anita!" The kids clamor. "This weird lady wanted to talk to you!" 

Van Gogh awkwardly smiles, trying her best to make a good impression. Ritsuka finally intervenes. 

"Good evening, miss. My name is Ritsuka Fujimaru." He gestures to Van Gogh. "This is Van Gogh. We were hoping you could help us understand more about this place."

"O-oh, foreigners!" Anita's eyes widen. "Well, you seem to know my name already..." She pauses. "Why are you visiting Sal Viento?"

"We heard of the situation with the Sea Terrors." Ritsuka explains. "We want to investigate."

"Oh! Did Skadi send you?" Anita's eyes seem to glimmer with hope.

"Unfortunately, no. While we know a person with that name, I don't think it's the same person." Ritsuka shakes his head.

"Aw. Well, I'd be happy to help!" Anita smiles. "A lot has happened recently. Since the church blew up and that giant monster was slain, most of the town was evacuated."

"So not everyone died in the tsunami?" Ritsuka asks, relieved.

"You mean the Profound Silence? No, most became Sea Terror food, drowned, or died."

Van Gogh would like to say that there was no need to include 'drowned', since 'died' implies drowning as well, but she opts to keep her mouth shut.

"How could a tsunami cause that many deaths?" Ritsuka asks.

"The Seaborn caused it, from what I've heard. Lots of them appeared. The inquisition did their best to fight them all off, but as you can see, most of the civilians died." Anita stops herself, looking at the kids. "Maybe we should talk somewhere else."

"Will you come back?" The kids ask.

"Yes, I promise." 

The kids nod, then scatter. Anita gestures for the duo to follow her, leading her to one of the less destroyed homes. It smells like damp, rotten wood, just like the rest of the city. 

"About the Sea Terrors, what can you tell us about them?" Ritsuka asks once Anita closes the door, giving them some privacy.

"Well... They evolve super fast. No matter what stands in their way, it's only a matter of time until they overcome it. It's a guarantee. Some can fly, some can impair your nerves with screams, while others can even explode."

"Do they have any weakness?"

"No, they evolve past those as well." Anita sadly shakes her head. "I suggest that you leave this city. If there's a place that you can learn something useful in your quest, it's probably Gran Faro."

Ritsuka perks up. "We've heard the name before. That's great. Where should we head, if we want to get to Gran Faro?"

"North."

"Hm. Thanks. Is there anything we can do to help around here before we leave?" 

"Do you have any food I can give to the children?" Anita asks, hopeful. 

Ritsuka nods. "We have some emergency rations. I'll give you half of them."

"Thank you. Now that we know that eating Seaborn can turn you into one of them, we've been trying to avoid that for as long as possible, but the situation is dire. I want to at least be able to feed these kids before turning into one." 

Ritsuka's eyes widen slightly, but he nods. He opens his backpack and gives Anita a handful of emergency rations. After mutual thanks, they part ways.

Chapter Text

"Do you really think this is a good idea? The people you care about are risking their lives. You're risking your own life as well."

"Oh, shut it. I know what I'm doing."

"Do you really?"

"Since when do you care? It's not like me coming clean would help you in any way."

"Touché. Just make sure to do your part of the deal, or I won't do mine."

...

After meeting up with Mash, who failed to get anything out of the locals, the trio debates where to go next.

"Anita mentioned a monster in the church ruins." Van Gogh says.

"We could go check if there's a usable Leyline in there!" Mash perks up. "Then, it won't be just the three of us!"

Van Gogh nods quietly. 

"Let's go, then. The sooner we summon Hokusai, the better." Ritsuka agrees, and so, the trio heads to the church ruins.

As the trio approaches the church, however, an old man covered from head to toe in dark green clothing approaches the trio, slowly walking out of the ruins.

"Excuse me. You don't look like inquisitors. Are you... Foreigners?" The man asks. His voice is hoarse and his body looks as frail as every other local, but his dark eyes shine with a hint of something unknown. Something that Ritsuka can't help but be drawn towards.

"We're trying to learn more about the Seaborn and the, uh... Profound Silence?" He nods.

"Ah. I'm an Aegir. You may call me Enrico. I used to be a specialist in Seaborn behavior at a scientific academy near Sal Viento, but the academy was destroyed by these monsters." The old man flashes a toothy grin. It makes Van Gogh feel uncomfortable, but she doesn't let it show. "I'm glad there are still people fighting them. It means my years of research were not in vain."

"What do you mean? Can you help us, mister?" Van Gogh asks.

"Yes, yes! I'll pay you, even." The old man nods, excited. "I made something using the data I collected on Seaborn." He gestures for them to follow him into the church. Inside the ruins, Enrico seems to have built a small laboratory inside. He produces a small 1L ice cream pot. Inside, there seems to be some sort of creamy substance. 

"Please, take this. This is a noxious hemostatic agent made with the fermented bodily fluids of an originium slug."

"Noxious?" Mash furrows her brow.

"Do not worry, girl." Enrico smiles again. "This is commonly used to stop bleedings. I, however, managed to create a strong, efficient vaccine to Seaborn corruption. If a Seaborn ever gives you serious trouble, stopping the bleeding won't be enough. Its cells will already have gotten into your system. Apply some of this, however, and it'll kill the cells before it's too late."

"And what do we need to do for it?" Ritsuka asks, suspicious.

"Nothing! I'm just happy that my research can help people fight off these monsters. I understand if you're feeling suspicious, though. Feel free to talk among yourselves. If you don't want my aid, it's perfectly fine. It simply means I'll have more for myself if need be." 

"I'm sorry, and thank you for understanding." Mash nods. The trio walks away from the old man. Mash holds onto her shield, Van Gogh sits on a toppled pillar and Ritsuka leans against a wall.

"I think we should refuse..." Van Gogh shakes her head vehemently. "If his research was so useful, his city wouldn't have been destroyed."

"He seems more like a medic than a fighting specialist." Ritsuka defends Enrico. "No harm in being prepared. Plus, we really don't want to get infected with anything like those creatures."

"Master, are you sure?" Mash seems suspicious as well.

"It's just intuition." Ritsuka nods. "I know it sounds stupid, but it's a gamble we have to take. I don't want to risk losing anyone this early in the journey. Or losing anyone at all, if possible. But to gain something, we have to risk something."

"Understood." Mash says, accepting Ritsuka's reasoning. Van Gogh, on the other hand, still doesn't like the idea of rubbing some unknown product on a wound. As a Servant, she probably won't need it. What truly worries her is the idea of Ritsuka becoming gravely wounded and using the item.

Noticing her unease, Ritsuka smiles to Gogh, shaking his head. "It'll be fine, Gogh. Come, let's talk to him." Ritsuka extends his hand, helping her stand up. 

"Hm."

"Sorry for the wait. We'll accept your help." Ritsuka tells Enrico. "But is there anything we can do to help you? Accepting help for free feels..."

"Oh, no, there's no need! As I said, I'm more than happy to help anyone survive longer in their fights against the Seaborn." The old man suddenly seems way more frail and weak than before. "My pride as an Aegir is long gone. I couldn't care less about those flashy prizes and awards from the academy. They're worthless now."

Ritsuka looks into Enrico's eyes. For a moment, he sees a faint glimmer of hope in the old man's darkened visage. That's enough for him.

"Very well. We'll accept." He repeats. "Thank you."

The old man smiles once again, handing Ritsuka the hemostatic agent. As Ritsuka reaches out to accept the item, however, Enrico's free hand grips Ritsuka's wrist. With widened eyes, the man whispers to Ritsuka. 

"Beware of the church of the deep, boy. They're the biggest threat you can possibly face. They're the cause behind it all."

Ritsuka hesitantly pulls away. He nods, turning to Mash. 

"Mash, any sign of a good Leyline around?"

"There is one! It's right in the center of the church, but it feels a bit far from the surface."

"Mr. Enrico, is there a cavern in here?" Van Gogh asks.

"There is, but..." Enrico frowns and looks at the collapsed structure that surrounds them. "Ever since those outlanders fought that monster in this church, nothing remained. There's no way to access the cavern below. I'm sorry."

"Well, we can help with that." A voice from behind the group says. Ritsuka immediately turns to see a tall figure in black clothes, covered head to toe in a bizarre outfit that hides their entire body, as well as the owner of the voice, a considerably shorter androgynous figure with sky blue hair, wearing a semi-transparent blue jacket a white striped shirt and black jeans. 

"Nice to meet you all," The androgynous figure smiles. "I'm Mizuki."

Chapter Text

"Ritsuka Fujimaru, huh?" Mizuki smiles. "Nice name. Are you from Yan?"

Ritsuka shakes his head. "No, but I'm from very far away, if that helps.” He pauses. “Now that we've all introduced ourselves..." He turns to the black-cloaked figure.

"Oh, him? He's the Doctor." Mizuki explains. "My current employer, and a friend. He's not very talkative in work mode, but trust me, he knows how to party."

"You said you could help us, Mizuki?" Mash asks, steering the conversation back to what's important. 

"Ah, yeah. Moving some rubble isn't that big of a deal." He casually approaches the rubble. Suddenly, multiple tentacles appear seemingly out of nowhere, quickly making way for the group to pass. Mash, of course, helps him, using her shield as a makeshift shovel. In the few minutes it takes for Mizuki to do that, the Doctor leans against the wall next to Ritsuka.

"Your friend is impressive." Ritsuka says. The doctor nods, seemingly approving of Mash and Van Gogh as well. "Are you two also trying to figure out how to fight the Seaborn?"

The Doctor pauses for a moment. "Maybe." 

Ritsuka's eyes widen the instant he hears the Doctor's voice. Soft and hushed, the word came out with such fragility, it felt like he shouldn't get too close to the Doctor or he would shatter to pieces.

"Are you okay?"

The Doctor nods. "Don't mind me."

"I get what Mizuki meant by 'not much of a talker' now." Ritsuka sighs. "In any case, it seems we're the less physically capable of the bunch, huh?"

Unable to discern any expression behind the visor, Ritsuka simply closes his eyes, sighing as the Doctor observes him. After a while, the Doctor finally speaks.

"You're not from Terra, are you?"

Ritsuka looks at the Doctor from the corner of his eye, trying to keep his posture from revealing too much. "What do you mean?"

"You don't have racial traits reminiscent of any other race, save from a few exceptions I can think of."

Now that the Doctor mentioned it, Ritsuka realizes something. Maybe because he was too used to Lostbelts having bizarre human-like substitutes for humans, he never once questioned the appearances of the locals. Some did indeed have animal ears.

"It would be wise to hide your inhuman nature." The Doctor adds.

"Inhuman? But I am human."

"Not here, you aren't. Humanity here in Terra is divided by races. The divide is significant, I should add."

"I see. Would a cloak or a hood suffice?"

The Doctor nods. 

"You seem used to this." Ritsuka muses, wondering about this mysterious figure's past. "Most people wouldn't believe we come from a different timeline."

The Doctor quietly looks at the ceiling, imagining the sky above. "When you've seen what I've seen, time travel doesn't seem that impressive."

"Fair enough, I suppose." Ritsuka shrugs. He likes this guy. 

"Master!" Mash suddenly calls out to him, earning a strange look from the Doctor. "The passage is open!"

The Doctor and Ritsuka both approach the cavern entrance. 

"I'll head in first," Mash says, courageous as usual.

Soundtrack

Walking into the cave, a strong ochre stench invades Mash's nostrils, stunning her for a moment. A blue vine-like substance is covering the entire cavern's floor.

"That's the Nethersea Brand," Mizuki warns Mash right as she's about to try stepping on it. "Microscopic organisms symbiotic to the Seaborn form that thing. I don't recommend stepping on it for too long."

Mash retreats, noticing the Nethersea Brand slowly expanding, as if sensing her closeness. 

"How will we reach the leyline, then...?" Mash frowns.

"I'm not sure what you're looking for in this cave, but you can still step on Nethersea Brand. The only problem is the nervous impairment it inflicts if you stand on it for too long. The microorganisms kind of attack you, trying to expand their territory."

"M-maybe we can try burning it?" Van Gogh suggests.

"Nope. That won't work." Mizuki sighs. 

"The ground seems humid and slippery enough." The Doctor says, startling Mash and Van Gogh, whose initial reactions are similar to Ritsuka's. "What if you use the shield to surf down the cave?"

"!" Mash's eyes widen. "I think I could try doing that!"

Ritsuka nods as Mash turns to him for approval. "But what about returning?"

Mizuki turns to Enrico. "Do you have a rope, or something else we can use to pull Mash?"

"I do, give me a moment to go look for it." The old man nods, leaving the cavern.

"By the way, why did you come to this church?" Ritsuka asks Mizuki.

"We're looking for something, I guess?" Mizuki says, looking at the Doctor, unsure of how much he can say. "What about you?"

"As we've said, we're trying to find a way to combat the Seaborn. We're also looking for a way to fix whatever is happening on a larger scale here in Iberia." Ritsuka explains.

"I see." Mizuki nods. 

"While we're dealing with Seaborn, what do you think about working together?" Ritsuka suggests. "The more, the merrier."

"Sounds good to me." The Doctor nods. 

"You sure, Doctor?" Mizuki questions.

"Hm. We'll need all the help we can in order to find Skadi."

"I heard that name before." Ritsuka says. "A local asked if Skadi sent us. Who is this person?"

"A friend." The Doctor's response is almost immediate. He sounds a bit stern, as if he doesn't want to share anything else about this person. Ritsuka understands that, and nods in acceptance. 

"Got it."

Enrico soon returns with a relatively large rope.

"This should be enough, right?"

"Yep, thanks!" Mash smiles, taking the rope and tying it to her shield.

After some work and the help of Mizuki's tentacles, Mash successfully reaches the other side of the cave.

Ritsuka turns to Van Gogh while Mash sets up the summoning system on top of the leyline. "Gogh, are you okay?"

Van Gogh, startled, lets out a soft "Huh?!"

"W-what do you mean, Master?"

"You seem more nervous than usual." He whispers. "Are you not okay with these new allies?"

"More than usual...?" She grins sadly. "T-that hurts, Master... B-but, no, I'm fine with them."

"S-sorry." Ritsuka frowns. "I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay. I know I'm gloomy. But don't worry about me, Master. I'm fine!" She says, forcing a smile.

Ritsuka wants to say something, but he doesn't know how to comfort his friend. With a sigh, he ruffles Gogh's hair. 

"Okay, I'll leave you be. But remember, your opinion is valid. If you have a bad feeling, you can share it with us. You didn't become a Servant for no reason. You're still a Heroic Spirit. You're not any less important than Mash or Hokusai."

"Ehehe..." Gogh can't help but blush.

"Master!" Mash calls out to Ritsuka from the other side of the cave. "Something's interfering with the summoning! The Nethersea Brand is also starting to creep up to the shield!"

"Okay, get ready to retreat, Mash! This isn't worth it!" Ritsuka exclaims. "Mizuki?"

"I'm on it." Mizuki's tentacles strain, pulling the shield. "It's stuck on the Nethersea Brand, so make sure you won't fall with the recoil, Mash!" 

"Got it!"

Mizuki strains to pull the shield from the Nethersea Brand. Van Gogh and Ritsuka attempt to help, pulling the rope as hard as she can, and it seems to be enough to break Mash free from it. After some careful maneuvering (and the shield getting stuck on a rock at some point), Mash successfully returns.

"Remind me to never go near this thing again." Mash sighs, scratching some Nethersea Brand from her armor.

"Noted." Ritsuka says. "Are you alright?"

"I'm feeling a bit stiff, but I'm okay."

"Good." Ritsuka turns to Mizuki, who's sitting on a rock, resting. "Thank you for the help, Mizuki."

"You're welcome. I'm guessing whatever you tried doing didn't work?"

"Nope. We'll have to look for somewhere else, or try again later."

"So what's your next step?" Mizuki asks.

"We'll head to Gran Faro and try to learn more about the Seaborn. Our goal is still stopping them and helping humanity in any way we can."

"Seems like we have similar plans." The Doctor says. 

"Do you have any more business here?" Ritsuka asks. "We probably shouldn't waste much time."

"I was about to ask the same thing." Mizuki sighs, standing up. "I guess we won't be resting any time soon. Let's get going, I'm hungry."

Not wanting to go to sleep on an empty stomach, Ritsuka's group agrees. The five of them say their goodbyes to Enrico, with Mizuki taking some of the anti-seaborn infection paste, and leave the church, heading to their company's safehouse in the meantime.

Chapter Text

"Why are they here?"

"Fate."

"But..."

"I cannot control all outcomes, child."

"I know, I know. Chaldea beat you once, they surely can beat you again. Just... please try to lay low, at the very least."

"..."

"What?"

"These stupid lies and games you're playing will only hurt you in the long run."

"S-so what? I have to do this. I have no chance otherwise."

"..."

...

Soundtrack

The safe house is surprisingly warm and comfy, despite how damp and cold the air is outside. Mash, Van Gogh and Ritsuka wait for the Doctor and Mizuki to enter first, and thankfully, Mizuki signals that they can make themselves at home for now. 

"I need to check something." The Doctor says, his voice as rough and dry as usual, worryingly. "Excuse me for a bit."

"No problem!" Mash says, observing the rows upon rows of medicine in the cabinets. "Mizuki, what does Rhodes Island do?"

"They're a pharmaceutical company, but..." Mizuki grimaces, sitting down in the couch, remembering all the field missions Rhodes Island has done so far. "They're more like a private military company at this point, really."

"Huh?" Ritsuka raises an eyebrow. 

"Long story. From what I overheard you talking with the Doctor, Ritsuka, you're not from Terra, right?"

Ritsuka's eyes widen. He was certain he was speaking in a hushed tone back then. There must be more to this guy than meets the eye. 

I should be more careful.

Ritsuka nods. "We are part of an organization called Chaldea. Our job is basically to fix abnormalities in the timeline, I suppose?" 

"Hm, sounds like a taxing job." Mizuki replies. Ritsuka isn't sure if Mizuki believes him or not, but he doesn't seem to want to ask any more questions. "Since you're from so far away, do you have any questions about the region?"

Mash frowns. "What's Oripathy? Most of the things here seem to be related to it."

Mizuki's eyes widen. "You don't know about Oripathy? Man, you three are definitely not from terra!" He laughs. "Oripathy is an incurable disease that creates crystals in your skin. Sometimes, inside you. Not too long after turning infected, your body crystallizes and you die, becoming a new vector for infection. Kind of like a time bomb." Mizuki explains. "That's why most infected are severely discriminated against in this world. They're seen as dangerous." 

Mash's frown deepens. "That's sad. Their lives are about to end, and yet the world treats them harshly? That doesn't seem fair."

"Yep. That's why I said Rhodes is more like a military company. They're trying to help the infected as much as possible, but at the same time, they often act in more dangerous situations, sending their operators to aid the infected. Not too long ago, they actually participated in a kind of civil war."

"The pay must be great, then..." Van Gogh says, mumbling to herself.

"Heh. I suppose so."

"What about this land? What year are we, and what's the situation in this country?" Ritsuka asks. "We heard about things like the Profound Silence, a Seaborn invasion, and some other things, but we're still a bit confused."

"The year is 1099. Iberia used to be a totalitarian theocratic monarchy, but after the Profound Silence nearly destroyed it, all that's left to lead this place is the Inquisition. Iberia was a prosperous maritime empire that acted as a pioneer to explore Terra's southernmost ocean, and it almost became a superpower on land with its oceanic technologies and powerful naval fleet."

"But...?"

"The Profound Silence ruined its golden age. Some say it'll return, but I'm not so sure about it. This place is in shambles." Mizuki shrugs. "About sixty years ago, the Profound Silence started with a massive tsunami that followed an invasion of Seaborn. The waves all went silent, the coastlines were flooded, the coastal settlements were destroyed, and to make matters worse, the naval forces lost contact with the mainland. In the chaos following the Profound Silence, the king and nobility of Iberia largely lost control over the country, and the government collapsed." He sighs. "You know those structures in the city? They're the corpse of a nomadic city. This used to be one."

"Hold on. A nomadic city?" Ritsuka stares at Mizuki, confused.

"Pretty standard stuff here in Terra." He explains. "Nowadays, city-destroying Catastrophes can be predicted and avoided. Usually it only takes 2-8 weeks to completely evacuate from a Catastrophe area. Sal Viento was completely abandoned, though. It no longer moves. Oh, and by the way, Catastrophes are natural disasters brought by Originium, the thing that causes Oripathy."

"That's... A lot to take in." Mash mutters. 

"It's alright, take your time." Mizuki stands up from the couch. "I'll make something for us to eat. Shouldn't take too long."

Right as Mizuki is about to leave the living room, however, the Doctor returns. 

"Mizuki, Tulip sent us some messages. They're commissions."

"Who's Tulip?" Van Gogh asks.

"Rhodes Island's branch leader in Iberia." Mizuki explains. I guess she needs to make full use of the resources at her disposal to ensure the survival of the Infected, so she's asking for some aid." He turns to the Doctor. "So, what do we need to do?"

"Mainly to confirm the address of another safe house up north, and to fix it. Seems like it was broken into by Seaborn."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Ritsuka asks. "I may not be exactly capable of fighting myself, but Gogh and Mash are. Plus, if we manage to find a Leyline, I'll be able to help as well."

The Doctor simply nods, and Mizuki leaves to make dinner. 

While the four of them wait for Mizuki to return, Mash turns to the exit. "Master, is it okay if I exercise a bit outside? I'm still feeling a bit stiff from the Nethersea Brand earlier."

"Hm, no problem. Are you sure you don't need some of that medicine?" Ritsuka asks.

"We have some industry-standard medication as well that can help." The Doctor nods. 

"It's okay. I'd rather save the medicine for emergencies. I'm fine!" Mash shakes her head.

As Mash leaves the safe house, Van Gogh sits in the sofa, tired. She closes her eyes and does something she rarely ever does. After some time, she opens her eyes and turns to Ritsuka. "I-I think I should help Mash. If anything happens, please don't hesitate to call us, Master." 

Chapter Text

Meanwhile, back in Chaldea

Soundtrack

"Sweetie is in another singularity again?" Shuten Douji sighs. "I was just thinking about inviting him to drink with us..."

"Apparently, this one was caused by, uh, one of those outer god things, according to Da Vinci." Kintoki scratches the back of his head, slightly worried. "The boss can definitely handle it, but I worry about that Mash girlie."

"Hm?" 

"She ain't a true Servant like you and I, right? What if she dies in there? She won't just return like we do."

Shuten's eyes narrow for a moment. 

Out of nowhere, before she can say anything, the two versions of Abigail Williams walk into the cafeteria.

"Oi, you two!" Kintoki gets up and walks up to them. "Any news on the boss?"

"No, nothing." Summer Abby shakes her head, feeling disappointed. "Da Vinci and Holmes think that the Entity of the Outer Realm that's responsible for this is what cut off their connection with Master."

"Ain't that like, a red flag?"

"It is, but what can we do? They haven't even tried to summon us yet. The most we can do is stay on standby."

"I don't like that. Is there really nothin' we can do?"

The pair of Abigails share a look amongst themselves. 

"There's one thing," Summer Abby smiles mischievously. 

Later that day, Sakata Kintoki disappeared from Chaldea.

Chapter Text

"Gogh?" Ritsuka calls out. "We're heading out, aren't you coming?"

"A-ah, yes!" She stammers, snapping back to reality and getting up from her seat. "W-we're heading to the other safe house in the way north, right?"

"Hmhm." Ritsuka nods, leaving the safe house with her. Mash, Mizuki, and the Doctor are already outside, waiting for them. Van Gogh, for some reason, seemed almost dissociated, staring at the fan in the ceiling. 

"Is everyone ready?" Mizuki asks. 

After confirmation, Mizuki guides the group north. On the way, Ritsuka spots Anita surrounded by children, playing some sort of game with them. They exchange a short greeting before parting ways once again. 

"Who was that?" Mizuki asks.

"A local that helped us when we got here." Ritsuka explains. "Her name is Anita."

"I vaguely remember Skadi mentioning someone like that." The Doctor mumbles to himself.

"Yeah, Anita asked if we were sent by Skadi. It's probably not the same Skadi we know, though."

"Most likely." The Doctor says.

Van Gogh would like to point out that they've already had a similar conversation recently, but she opts to stay quiet.

The rest of the day is spent walking to the next safe house, which wasn't nearly as close as Ritsuka expected. As per usual in the Iberian coastline, the air is thick with the scent of salt and decay. The safe house building can be seen in the distance, but what truly captures Ritsuka's attention is the incredibly tall and bulky humanoid clad in metal equipment holding the line against multiple Sea Terrors in front of the safe house.

Wearing a sturdy metal vest in their torso reinforced with thick plating, this person seems like a living wall. Each shoulder is adorned with a large, metal-plated pauldron, adding to their imposing silhouette. The shieldguard's head is encased in a robust helm, the front dominated by a glass visor that reflects their vision in an eerie, distorted manner. The visor, while offering a glimpse of their eyes, also serves as a barrier between them and the chaos outside. In their hand is a massive riot shield, standing 1.8 meters tall and crafted from a mysterious metal Ritsuka fails to recognize. The shield is black, with glowing blue outlines that pulse faintly, giving it a futuristic and intimidating aura.

Soundtrack

Without a word, Ritsuka nods to Mash and Van Gogh. While the shieldguard bashes the multiple Sea Terrors with their shield, Mash dashed towards the Shieldguard, using her shield to push the swarm of Bone Sea Drifters away from the overwhelmed shieldguard, who flinches in surprise upon seeing the sudden helping hand. 

Van Gogh, on the other hand, under Ritsuka's instructions, prepares her Noble Phantasm. Ritsuka doesn't want to take any risks, and Van Gogh is simply more effective in combat when under the effects of her NP.

"Hehehe...ehehehe..." She grins eerily. With a deft spin of her sunflower-like brush, The very air seems to shimmer and distort as a surreal aura envelops the battlefield. The Sea Terrors suddenly become sluggish, frail. The shieldguard, who was previously somewhat injured, moves with renewed vigor thanks to Gogh's Yellow House. Before the curses placed on her allies can harm them, Gogh channels the Soul of Water Channels, absorbing it, the dark concentration of mana flowing into her. A dark, swirling energy surrounds her, as she channels the Void Space fine arts. 

"Everyone, close your eyes!" Van Gogh requests. She specifically looks at the Shieldguard, knowing her allies are already aware of her Noble Phantasm. The Shieldguard, guessing that the weird-looking lady is about to use some sort of light-based Arts, complies.

"This is just a single snippet reflecting the hard times of Van Gogh's life..." She mumbles. "I can't guarantee what will happen, but that's not part of the creator's guarantee anyway! My study of cypresses and a village! You know it as De Sterrennacht!"

Suddenly, a swirl of a blue and yellow substance covers every single Sea Terror in the battlefield. The Shieldguard, confused, opens their eyes, realizing something happened.

Mash takes a better look at the Seaborn creatures they're fighting. In her opinion, the Bone Sea Drifter is a cute sight, resembling a skeletal fish with an exoskeleton that glows faintly in the dark depths of the ocean. Its body is elongated and segmented, with wing-like structures jutting out from its sides, allowing it to glide effortlessly. Its eyes are small, beady, and glow with an eerie blue light, scanning the surroundings for the scent of decay. Meanwhile, the Nourished Slider is a grotesque amalgamation of sea lily and tentacled horror. Its central body is a bulbous mass, from which extend numerous tentacles that shimmer with a sickly red hue. Each tentacle is lined with fine, hair-like cilia that can ensnare and denature proteins upon contact. The Nourished Slider’s exterior is covered in a slimy, iridescent coating, reflecting the light in an unsettling manner.

Mash makes a mental note to never approach a Slider before using her shield to crush a boney Sea Terror that attempts to bite her leg, quickly breaking its exoskeleton.

"They just keep coming!" Mash exclaims. Van Gogh's brush keeps striking more and more Sliders before they can reach and impair Mash, but she's quickly overwhelmed. Mash notices that the Doctor, together with Ritsuka, far from the battlefield, don't have Mizuki with them anymore.

"Where...?"

Mizuki moved like a shadow across the battlefield, his presence almost imperceptible to friend and foe alike. His form flickers and blurs, prowling the battlefield with an almost eerie grace nothing like his usual, cute and chill demeanor. Each strike is swift and fatal, easily destroying multiple Sea Terrors at once. The only type of Sea Terror he can't quite defeat before they get past him, running towards the Shieldguard, are the Shell Sea Runners, an unsettling fusion of fish and quadruped, resembling a skeletal walking fish. Its body is elongated, with four spindly limbs that allow it to move quickly across land. The creature’s exterior is devoid of flesh, instead, it is composed of a series of articulated bones that click and clatter with each movement.

Swift and agile, the Sea Runners quickly dart past Mizuki without even noticing his presence before he can retract his spear-like tentacles from the bodies of the dead Sliders.

"Crap!" He turns as he hears Mash grunting in pain. A Sea Runner jumped at her, biting her arm and refusing to let go. Mizuki extends one of his hands towards Mash, a shadowy tendril immediately reaching out and piercing the Sea Runner, who goes limp, falling to the ground.

"Thank you." Mash nods, turning to check on Ritsuka and the Doctor. The Seaborn are mostly ignoring them, but a singular Slider is approaching the Doctor from behind. In a desperate attempt to prevent the most frail of her allies from getting hurt, Mash throws her shield on the Seaborn. She misses.

Noticing the Seaborn (and the shield) before Ritsuka does, the Doctor grabs Ritsuka's shoulder and moves him out of the way instants before the Slider attacks him.

Mash runs and grabs her shield from the ground, punting the creature away from the duo with a powerful kick. Thanks to Van Gogh's Noble Phantasm and Mizuki's quick Seaborn assassination skills, their numbers are severely thinned out by now. The Shieldguard manages to kill one final Sea Drifter before collapsing to the ground, exhausted. Mizuki cleans up the remaining enemies while Mash and Van Gogh rush to aid the Shieldguard.

Soundtrack

Now that the Sea Terrors have been repelled, the Doctor and Ritsuka head inside to assess the damage. The safe house is in disrepair, there are barely any supplies that haven't been devoured by the Seaborn, and there isn't even a door anymore; it was shattered to pieces during a previous onslaught.

"Mizuki, you've been a miracle worker so far. Do you happen to have a way to fix the door?" Ritsuka says, only half-joking.

"Unfortunately, no." Mizuki sighs. "We'll have to contact Tulip about this." 

The Doctor grabs a broom from the supplies closet and begins sweeping the floor, cleaning up all the emergency rations that are scattered around. There's only one broom, so while the Doctor does that, Mizuki begins placing all the furniture back into place.

"Master, are you alright?" Mash questions, worried about their last encounter.

"I'm the one who should be asking that. You got bitten, right?"

"I'm fine, it didn't hurt too much. Gogh's Yellow House was enough to heal the bite marks." She shows the area in her arm where she was bitten, looking as good as new.

"Mizuki was impressive, wasn't he?" Ritsuka muses. "He fought better than a few Servants back in Chaldea."

"He really does seem to be on par with some lower level servants. I wonder what causes him to be this strong despite his small frame."

"We should probably wait until we spent more time together before asking questions, though. We can't know for sure if that's-"

"I'm part Seaborn." Mizuki casually explains, putting some books into a bookshelf.

"Whuh?" Ritsuka turns to Mizuki, confused.

"Long story. Secret, by the way, so please don't share that info."

"Whuh?!" Ritsuka becomes even more confused. How trusting is this guy?! With an exasperated sigh, Ritsuka helps Mizuki put the books back into place. Once they're done, he realizes Van Gogh disappeared.

"Uh, did any of you see where Gogh went?"

Mash shakes her head, Mizuki shrugs, and the Doctor simply points to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, in a very short span of time, Van Gogh made multiple makeshift paintings and designs, decorating it. 

"Hehe... Master, what do you think? Isn't a colorful home better than the previous bland, black and white design?"

"Uh..." Ritsuka looks back at the main area, where the Doctor and Mizuki are now chatting. "I guess? I hope they don't mind, though."

Gogh's smile disappears in an instant. "Ah! I-I didn't think about that! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have-"

"Relax. What's done is done." Ritsuka tries to calm Gogh down. The duo returns to the main room right as the Shieldguard finally wakes up. 

Taking off their helmet, the Shieldguard reveals their face. 

Van Gogh's eyes widen considerably, recognizing the shieldguard's identity. Frowning, she looks at him.

"Caster?! But how?!"

Chapter Text

"I knew there was something off." The Doctor nods. "She moved in a way that was way too graceful for a Reunion shieldguard."

"You noticed?!" Ritsuka turns to the Doctor as Caster removes her armor. Seeing the familiar face, confusion becomes evident in Ritsuka's face. "But I thought..."

Medea offers a wry smile. "You wouldn't expect me to enter such a dangerous place without a proper disguise, would you, Master?" She taps the breastplate, which shimmers briefly with arcane energy. "I made the armor lighter. It also served as a perfect disguise to blend in with the local forces."

"But how are you here?" Van Gogh asks, unusually energized. 

"Remember how miss Van Gogh and Master supposedly came to this singularity through dreaming? The two Abigail Williams contacted me. I'm not quite sure what they did, but they, together with Sakata Kintoki, managed to send me here. Da Vinci and Holmes likely don't know about this."

"???" Gogh looks at Medea as if she's an alien. What could Kintoki possibly have done in this situation?

"Unfortunately, my time is limited." Medea shakes her head, her voice tinged with fatigue. "I can feel my spirit origin straining to stay here. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find you, after that shieldguard said he didn't see anyone that looked like you all." 

Medea approaches Van Gogh, the usual golden dust floating in the air surrounding her as she struggles to stay materialized. "When the time comes, use my Rule Breaker."

"H-how can I know how to use this...?" Gogh frowns, confused.

"You'll know when the time comes. I have something to say about this situation, though." Medea looks straight into Van Gogh's eyes, her own, sharper than ever. "You're being watched even as we speak. Good luck, Master, Mash."

And so, Medea is gone, as suddenly as she appeared.

...

"What does this dagger do?" Mizuki asks, looking at Rule Breaker, confused about Medea's sudden disappearance. "It looks dull."

"Hm. It can't cut a thing, to be honest." Ritsuka nods at the iridescent and jagged dagger. "It can destroy pretty much any magecraft out there."

"Should we talk about mages in the presence of someone that isn't a mage, Master?" Mash asks, hesitant.

"At this point, it doesn't really matter, does it?" Ritsuka shrugs. "Mizuki shared a secret with us, so it's only fair for us to open up as well."

"Understood."

"In any case, from our database's information, if I remember correctly, Rule Breaker returns things to before they were made." Ritsuka explains. "Or something like that."

"A dagger capable of undoing a caster's Arts seems broken on a fundamental level." The Doctor comments. "I suppose keeping it safe will be important in the long run, in case we meet opposing casters from the Church of the Deep."

"Is magic something widespread in this world?" Ritsuka asks.

"Magic isn't. Originium Arts is." Mizuki replies. "The Sami and the Sarkaz both have a special type of witchcraft that isn't exactly the same thing as Arts, but it is basically  technique that can alter matter or consciousness by stimulating the energy inside Originium, harnessing it to manifest Arts."

"And what exactly is Originium?"

"Uh, Doctor?" Mizuki turns to his friend. 

"Evil mineral that powers the entire world's society." He says, crossing his arms. "That's the gist of it. As for Oripathy, it's a fatal illness caused by coming into contact with it."

"Kind of like radioactivity..." Gogh mutters. "What types of Arts are there?" 

"Destructive projectiles, manipulation of substances, healing, physical augmentation... Pretty much the same thing as what you've been using so far." 

"So magecraft relies on Mystics, while Originium Arts relies on a volatile and lethal mineral; and both accomplish similar things." Ritsuka nods, somewhat more aware of this world.

"Now, about the lady that just vanished into thin air... What the heck was that?" The Doctor asks.

"Uh... You know how Mash and I refer to Ritsuka as Master? It's because we're Servants, Spirits made into familiars. I-I think that's the best way to summarize it." Gogh looks at Ritsuka, hopeful.

"Yep, that's about it." He nods.

"So you're a ghost?" Mizuki raises an eyebrow, poking Van Gogh's arm. "You don't seem like one."

"N-no, Spirits are, well... Different. They have a capital S..."

"I see." Mizuki nods, crossing his arms. "I don't get it, though. Do you, Doctor?"

The Doctor shrugs. "Somewhat. But I have to ask: Why send a caster here just to hand you her weapon?"

"I wonder about that as well." Mash joins the conversation. "Abby must know something we don't. She's the one that faced the entity that caused the singularity in Ritsuka's dream."

"Medea mentioned us being watched. That's definitely the Entity of the Outer Realm."

"Entity of what...?" Mizuki frowns.

"Uh, how's science in this world?" Ritsuka asks, worried. "Like, have you been to space, beyond the sky?"

The Doctor nods. "One person."

"Uh, well... In our world, there are entities from beyond space that are incredibly powerful. One of them has been watching me, giving me weird dreams recently. It's what led us to your world."

"And it's watching us right now?" Mizuki frowns. "Sounds like something a Feranmut would do."

"Feranmut?"

"Long story. They're essentially gods. Not omnipotent nor omniscient, but they're tricky to deal with most of the time."

"I think we should keep heading north. We can keep chatting along the way." Mash says. "The sooner we get to Gran Faro, the better. We still need to find out more about the Seaborn."

"Good idea, Mash. I've already messaged Tulip about the safehouse's situation, so we should be good to go." The Doctor nods. After putting the now empty armor away, the group leaves the safe house, resuming their pilgrimage north.

Chapter Text

This isn't an actual chapter, sorry about that. It's been like, 2 weeks since the last chapter. College got me effed up, and group projects with lazy people ruined my will to live lmao

In any case, a new chapter will come out in a few days. I'm so sorry about this massive delay, I promise I haven't forgotten about Goghie and the gang! 

Here, have a cute Van Gogh as an apology TwT

Chapter Text

2 days later

The group's pilgrimage hasn't had any problems so far. Stopping by another safe house for the first time in these two days, the group finally has some rest from their walking.

"Gah, I'm not used to this much exercise." Mizuki complains, slouching on the safe house's sofa.

"Hear, hear." Van Gogh nods. Ritsuka heads to the kitchen, looking for something to drink. Mash follows suit.

"Master, there's something that's been on my mind for a while."

"Hm?"

"Why didn't you summon any temporary Servants in that battle against the seaborn a few days ago? Did something happen?"

Ritsuka frowns. "Yeah. I tried, but I couldn't. I tried Mélusine and Ibuki Douji, as usual, but that didn't work. Not even foreigners like Hokusai."

"That's worrying. So we can only rely on Van Gogh, Mizuki, and myself for combat?"

Ritsuka smiles wryly after drinking some water. "It'll be okay. I trust you two to handle whatever happens. I just wish I could do more than being a walking servant battery." He sighs. "I'm exhausted too. I'll take the top bunk bed, alright? I'll see you tomorrow, Mash."

And so, the tired Ritsuka leaves Mash alone in the kitchen.

...

Soundtrack

"Mash?" Van Gogh calls out. It's the middle of the night. Although Servants don't need sleep, she likes resting in physical form instead of spirit form. Mash, on the other hand, is still awake, even though she's more human than Servant.

"Ah, Gogh..." Mash, who's sitting on the sidewalk outside the safe house, frowns. She's about to ask if she woke her friend when she left the safe house, but she remembers that Servants don't need sleep and stops. 

"Are you okay?"

"Hm!" Mash nods. "I'm tired, but I couldn't sleep."

"Worried about something?"

"I'm not sure." Mash sighs. "I've been feeling off for a while now."

"Maybe it's because you're not a Foreigner Servant?" Gogh ponders, then smiles. "Well, technically, you are a foreigner, since this isn't your homeland." 

Mash smiles. "Right. That must be it."

Van Gogh sits by Mash's side on the sidewalk, looking at the starry sky. "I wish I could paint this view. My own starry night. Different from the real Gogh's." She pauses. "Well, I technically am the real Van Gogh, but... I didn't expect to have others with us in this Singularity. Uh, Lostbelt?" 

Mash turns her head to Van Gogh. "You mean, a non-Foreigner Servant?"

"Y-yeah." Gogh nods, nervous, her eyes downcast. "B-but I'm glad you're here, Mash! Master looks like he's way more comfortable around you than me, anyway."

"Don't say that! I know for a fact that senpai likes you a lot." Mash shakes her head. "He still has that portrait you gave to him in his room, you know?"

Gogh's eyes widen. A myriad of thoughts rush through her mind. Some, not too pure, such as questioning why Mash would've been to Ritsuka's room, but those are immediately shut down as she remembers that lots of people go to Ritsuka's room from time to time. With a heavy blush, Gogh shakes her head. "Y-you mean the "portrait of an unknown monster girl"? S-so he didn't sell it?"

"He'd never!" Mash seems almost upset that Gogh would even think that. "You're one of the few Servants with a bond this strong with him, really. With the exception of Mélusine, Oberon, and Koyanskaya, who participate in practically every battle, you're probably the only Servant with a high-leveled Noble Phantasm in Chaldea. Didn't senpai even max your append skills?"

Gogh blushes even harder. "O-oh. I... I just thought he did that to every servant..."

"???" Mash seems confused. She knew Gogh's self-esteem wasn't the best, but to not realize how much Ritsuka cares about her...

"T-this isn't good, Mash... You're gonna make me bloom at this rate..."

"O-oh." Mash frowns. Van Gogh's second stage spirit origin is that of a jellyfish-like humanoid creature with mourning clothes. Her third stage is that of an even more alien-like being with a bouquet of sunflowers for hands. It pains Ritsuka and Mash to see Gogh in such a state, where she seems to be suffering, so Ritsuka tries his best to keep her in her spirit origin's first stage as much as possible.

"N-now that I think about it, he did give me some grails to enhance my power after I told him I'd be happy with one or five..." Gogh grins. 

"See? All's well, Gogh." Mash pats Van Gogh's back.

Gogh suddenly stops smiling. "O-oh. I made this about me, didn't I? S-sorry, Mash... I just wanted to check on you, and..."

"Don't worry about it." Mash smiles. "I don't mind. As I said, I'm okay. I just feel a bit anxious, I think. Sometimes, I feel as if my heart stopped for a second, like a pulse of emptiness that goes through my chest. It's weird."

"That seems really important!" Gogh frowns. "Did you tell Master yet?!"

"It'll be okay, Gogh, don't worry about it." Mash shakes her head. 

"Are you sure?"

"Uhum."

"O-okay."

Mash stands up, stretching a bit before helping Gogh stand up as well. "Thanks for worrying. I think I'll try to get some rest now. Will you be alright?" 

"Y-yes, I'm not going to bloom or anything like that... At least, not yet." 

"Got it. Good night, Gogh."

"Goodnight, Mash."

...

"So? What do you plan on doing now?"

"Leave me alone. You'll know when the time comes, monster."

"Pfft. Hypocrite. Fine. You know how to contact me if you need to."

Chapter Text

Gloompincers.

In the sprawling ecosystems of Kazimierz's great lakes and rivers, one might encounter the peculiar and often misunderstood creature known as the Gloompincer. Renowned for their stark carapaces and formidable appearance, Gloompincers are crab-like animals adorned with a distinctive vertical shell that shields their faces, while their eight spindly, spider-like legs, tipped with sharply pointed claws click rhythmically against the ground as they move.

These creatures are equipped with robust claws, disproportionately large compared to their bodies, capable of slicing through the toughest of hides. While their fearsome pincers have earned them notoriety and a place in the brutal arenas where knights train and crowds are entertained, there is a certain misunderstood charm to these beings, often overlooked by those accustomed to their violent exhibitions.

Yet, to an outsider like Van Gogh, unaware of the creatures' reputation and their role in the competitive clashes of knights, the Gloompincers appear as nothing short of fascinating. To her artistic eyes, these creatures are a blend of natural artistry and curious biology, their movements and odd form sparking a sense of wonder.

"Can we keep it...?" Van Gogh’s voice breaks through the group’s wary assessment, her eyes alight with an innocent curiosity. A singular Gloompincer was right outside the safe house when Gogh went outside to survey the area before the rest of the group woke up.

"I don't recommend it," Mizuki responds with a cautious shrug. "These things’ pincers hurt. It’s how they display affection, trying to grab you and pull you closer."

"I don't mind!" Van Gogh protests, shaking her head vigorously, her fascination undimmed. "I like pain. What is this creature's name?"

Mizuki looks at Van Gogh, somewhat stunned. "Uh, Gloompincer. Seems like this one's a male, too, so it’s extra violent," He notes, eyeing the red coloration. "You sure about keeping this thing?"

"Yep!" Van Gogh affirms enthusiastically, her decision made despite—or perhaps because of—the creature's daunting description.

"I don't see an issue. Gogh's a Servant. She can handle an animal no problem." Ritsuka nods, still a bit sleepy. 

"Fair enough, I guess." Mizuki shrugs again. "Just keep it from harming others and it should be fine."

The Gloompincer, seemingly unaware of the discussion regarding its fate, is nestled on Van Gogh's arms, its pincers trying to grab Gogh's sunflower.

"So I can keep it? Thanks, Master!" Gogh beams, her smile radiant enough to shine a light in the room.

...Or not. Mash finally woke up and turned the kitchen's lights on.

Regardless, seeing Gogh's smile, Ritsuka can't help but smile as well. Seeing this misfit happy is enough to make him happy. He didn't hesitate to gift Gogh a Lantern of Chaldea when he obtained one after some events, but Gogh herself doesn't seem to realize how special she is. This both frustrates and saddens Ritsuka, who has a hard time being direct with Gogh.

Gogh, on the other hand, is still somewhat worried. Despite her obvious excitement over the group's new mascot, she's still worried about the way Mash described her heart palpitations.

"As if my heart stopped for a second, like a pulse of emptiness that goes through my chest."

That's not normal, no matter how you look at it. Mash, seemingly noticing Gogh's worry, smiles and nods.

"So, what are you calling it?"

Van Gogh kneels beside her Gloompincer, putting it down. She smiles and taps its shell affectionately. "You know what, I think I'll call you 'Clawsome.' What do you think?"

The Gloompincer clicks its pincers together, seemingly indifferent to the name, but Van Gogh chuckles. "Clawsome it is, then. A Goghk!"

After a brief breakfast, the group departs. On the way, Van Gogh's newfound companion, Clawsome, scuttles along beside her. Its sharp, clicking legs moving with surprising grace for such a strange creature. 

The Doctor, as usual, is quiet. Ritsuka feels a gaze directed towards him, and quickly realizes it's the doctor. He slows his walk to match the Doctor's, walking by his side, nodding to Mash once she turns to him as he slows down. 

"Have you noticed?" The Doctor asks, his voice as fragile as usual.

Ritsuka frowns. There's something in the Doctor's tone that indicates some sort of urgency. Seeing Ritsuka's confusion, he nods to Van Gogh.

As if reacting to the Doctor's cue, Clawsome stopped in its tracks, its entire body tensing. The previously rhythmic clicks of its legs ceased, replaced by a series of rapid, nervous twitches. Its massive pincers raised defensively, and it emitted a low, unsettling insect-like hum.

Van Gogh kneels beside the creature, her brow furrowing with concern. "What's wrong, Clawsome?"

The Gloompincer responds by raising one claw towards the distant horizon. Its body quivered, and Van Gogh notices a series of fine, hair-like filaments extending from its carapace, twitching in the air as if tasting something imperceptible.

"Seaborn?!" Ritsuka turns to the Doctor, who seems all too calm.

The Doctor shakes his head. A swarm of round, slime-like creatures coated in a golden yellow glow is approaching from the ruins that line the coast of Iberia. 

"Originium Slugs." 

"About 30 of them." Mizuki adds, not exactly worried.

"Are those things the reason why Clawsome is scared?" Van Gogh asks.

"I don't think so." Mizuki shakes his head. "Originium slugs are like, at the bottom of the food chain. Gloompincers probably eat them, I think. Notice how they're all rushing from the same direction. There's even a couple of other Gloompincers there. They're probably running from something else. Could be Seaborn, or maybe something else."

"I say we shouldn't try our luck. Let's get outta here." Ritsuka says firmly. 

"Roger that." Mizuki nods. The group dashes as fast as they can without leaving the Doctor behind. Eventually, the swarm of Originium Slugs reaches them, but Mizuki makes short work of them once they stampede through the area. The gloompincers manage to get past the group, but since nobody got hurt, the group lets them go.

After a couple of hours, Ritsuka spots a figure high up on a rocky outcrop, meticulously adjusting a piece of fancy equipment. The Doctor also notices the figure, a tall, wiry old man with a sun-bleached hat. He's setting up beacon points and adjusting the logging equipment with practiced ease.

Noticing their approach, the man pauses and waves, then begins his descent to meet the group. "Good day to you!" he calls out, his accent crisp and polite. "Care for a cup of tea? I've just set up camp a little further along. It's been days since I last saw anyone around!"

Mash and Van Gogh exchange glances, wary, but Mizuki, Ritsuka and the Doctor gladly accept. 

"Thank you, we'd appreciate that," Mizuki nods, smiling. "You're a Catastrophe Messenger, right?"

"Yep. Been one for more decades than I have ribs." The old man smiles.

Gogh can be seen counting with her left hand in pairs for a moment before the old man laughs.

"I'm mostly joking, don't worry."

As they all reach the makeshift camp, the Messenger busies himself with a small portable stove, boiling water for tea. The camp is a modest affair, with a sturdy tent, various pieces of logging equipment, and a small table set with a simple tea service and some bread. The smell of brewing tea mingles with the salty sea air.

"The name's Alistair. Not many are willing to travel to Iberia to monitor Catastrophes," The old man remarks, pouring the tea with a steady hand. "But I believe that information is crucial, especially in these times. Even if it means coming here alone."

Van Gogh, fascinated by Alistair's equipment, examines a strange, key-shaped device on the table. "What’s this?" she askes, holding it up to the light.

Alistair chuckles. "Ah, that’s a special tool, kid. It’s not a key, per se, but a metal detector in the shape of a key. Very common trinket in Iberia nowadays. It can help you find the drifting caches left behind in the Seaborns' wake."

After a slight pause, the old man turns to the Doctor, whom he assumes is the leader of the group. "Consider this a token of our chance meeting. You can have it. You never know when it might come in handy." 

While the group shared some tea, Alistair shared stories of his travels and the challenges he faced as a Messenger, his voice carrying the weight of experience and dedication to his work. His reaction, upon learning that Ritsuka, Mash and Gogh aren't exactly sure of what a Catastrophe is, is nothing short of shock.

"Wow. I guess some people really are lucky, huh..." He mumbles to himself.

Clawsome, sensing the calm, nestles by Van Gogh's feet, its earlier anxiety temporarily quelled. The peaceful scene, however, is tinged with a subtle undercurrent of urgency. Gogh is worried about Mash, yes, but also about Ritsuka. She can't quite pinpoint why that is, but something about him makes her uneasy.

Noticing the stare, Ritsuka smiles to Van Gogh. "Hey, Gogh. Something's up?"

"N-no, not at all! I-I was just, well..." She stammers, embarrassed. How could she be caught staring like that? It's so impolite! What if Ritsuka finds her annoying?

"You know, I heard you and Mash leaving and returning to the safehouse earlier. Is everything okay?" He asks, his voice barely audible. 

Gogh frowns. She wants to tell him, but Mash said she'd be fine. She shouldn't betray her trust like that, should she...?

"It's nothing. I just wanted to check on her. She said she was fine, so she went back to sleep." Gogh explains. She didn't outright lie, so it should be fine.

"I see. Well, then, if nothing's wrong, I can ask Mash, right?" He teases Gogh with a knowing grin. Seeing her eyes go wide like a fish's, Ritsuka's smile grows wider. 

"Y-yes, of course!" Gogh nods nervously.

As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, casting a Golden Glow over the landscape, Alistair packs up his equipment, ready to continue his solitary vigil. "Safe travels," he says with a nod. "And may that key bring you good fortune."

And so, with their momentary respite over, the group heads to the nearest safe spot, leaving Alistair's camp for the night. 

Chapter Text

Hi there. I just wanted to say, to those who actually like the story and want a continuation: Don't lose hope, I'll return to this eventually. The thing is, I got kicked out from home recently and job hunting has left me basically unable to feel anything but exhaustion for the past MONTH or more. Once I'm in a more stable life situation, I'll return to writing, but for now... Yeah, indefinite hiatus. Sorry about that.