Work Text:
—there was a voice.
It was as if they were once again running alongside the animals of the wilderness, free of any will or intellect, yet drawn every so often by the call from a distant city. At the time, they would only spare a glance to that voice before retreating into the forest.
But now—
They hurled themselves toward the sound, shattering the darkness that had long cradled them in slumber, and found themselves overwhelmed by a warm, radiant light.
They fell upon the mosaic floor with a crash. However, before they could get their bearings, they were prodded by something underneath them, and they thrashed violently in response. Even they, in their primitive state, could tell that they were being attacked.
From the lump of clay which made up their body, a form began to emerge. Limbs sprouted so they could stand on all fours, while antlers burst from their head.
Amidst the chaos, they became aware of someone watching them. Once the enemy ceased its struggles, they turned to acknowledge the young girl staring up at them, her eyes wide and mouth agape, sprawled as though she had fallen backwards on the ground. Her dark brown hair covered her forehead in bangs, while the rest tumbled in curls past her shoulders.
For a fleeting moment, a flower crown rested upon her head and a plain tunic replaced her foreign garb. Even long after the vision had passed, an oddly familiar calm remained.
Are… you… my master?
—
Their master was kind.
Though they were still a beast, they knew this much: No matter how fearsome they appeared, or however savage they became, she met them only with kindness, her touch unafraid.
Their master was strong.
The war was cruel and relentless. Yet, through whatever fresh tragedy that befell them, she would grit her teeth and hold her head high. Together, they pressed onward.
While her servant was capable of transforming into the Holy Grail itself, they did not possess the intelligence to properly utilize that power. At least, as a Berserker, they could wield their raw strength.
Their master was gone.
But, in the end, they were not able to protect her. Before the final round, she had been taken from them.
They despaired at her absence, raged at their own weakness, but once they immediately sought to track her down, they heard the voice which kept calling to them. Somehow, they knew she would be safe.
So they severed the bond.
Forgive me, master. If that one were to take my place, your wish will surely…