Chapter 11 - Chapter 11

The Wolf waited. Not too long ago, the strong human passed him. 

He was charred and the scent of blood followed him. And with it, he carried a trace of another familiar scent. 

She was here. And she was after it. It hasn't yet grasped her smell, she wasn't close enough. But it will, soon enough. 

So now it stood in front of a building where the strong human and his woman lived. Unlike its imposing frame it felt… tranquil. 

It didn't want to kill. But it had to - it was its essence. 

The aggressive nature of the Wolf was just tiny embers for now. 

It wanted to grow past it. To tame it. It didn't work most of the time. Because going against its own instincts was futile. It still wanted to try. 

But Wolf always knew. 

*SNIFF-SNIFF*

A familiar sensation tugged at its senses. Not just smell, it felt like its entire being was screaming of the imminent danger. She was near.

 The embers grew into flames, fueled by unending memories of struggles and battles. Oh how it wanted to escape them. To escape its nature. 

But alas. 

It will always be a big and bad Wolf. 

*****

As Ritsuka Fujimaru held on for dear life, clinging to Mash as she ran through the forest to their final destinationk, she couldn't help but think - that they were shit out of luck.

She knew all too well that her lucky streak of betting on wildcards had to end someday. Just think about it - having Jalter, housing Gilles De Rais (caster),trusting Dr. Jekyll, having Jack the Ripper. Hell, her sticking with Roland was probably what some wouldn't call sane by any margin.

Yet it's only now that betting on some unknown blew up in her face. And she could only thank her lucky stars that merc decided that the wolf was more important. Because Arturia was quite far away, and she couldn't just excalibur the threat into oblivion. 

But now they were one ally less, with Culter's troops hot on their heels and a bit of distance left to cover. What's even more unfortunate - human body (stomach in particular) was not created with these kinds of Gs in mind. And she once again realized why Chaldean guidelines for masters did not recommend this kind of transportation.

-I'm about to throw up…-she protested weakly, swallowing back the bile rising up her throat. 

-Senpai, just tell me if you feel worse,-Mash came back with her reply the next second, tone caring, but firm, hinting that they really couldn't spare any more time than a minute. 

Gritting her teeth, the Master cursed her job. 

 Sensing her friend's distress, Shielder squeezed her hand in reassurance, halting and giving Ritsuka room to breathe, for but a moment. 

-We will be there soon, Master,-lavender-haired girl smiled weakly, helping Ritsuka to lean on a tree. 

-In a few minutes, at this pace. The city is in sight,-Roland cut into the conversation, jumping from the tree, eyes fixed on their destination. 

Suddenly, he turned around, rifle in hand, shooting down spearmen going for Ritsuka. 

*BAM-BAM-BAM*

-Best not to stick around, though,-he continued, giving the surroundings a once over.

The redhead groaned, but buckled up for one final push. 

-There aren't as many signatures as I thought - Alter had probably thrown all his men at Edison. But sensors say there are a few left in the city,-Roman's voice tore through the small pause, breaking the silence. 

-Small mercies,-Rama muttered under his breath.

-Okay, the stop is over, let's get moving,-Ristuka got her shit together and jumped on Mash's back. 

There were no stops after that. 

*****

-Romani, lead us to the palace, preferably, so we don't meet trouble on the way,-said Ritsuka, as she finally touched the earth with her own two feet. 

-Alright, so, uh, now turn right and go straight!-Doctor missed his cue but recovered quickly, and led them forward. 

They slowed down, picking caution over speed - rushing straight into the trap was never a good idea.

As they went, Ritsuka routinely checked up on her comrades, noticing how Mash had some scratches here and there, how her hand movements were slightly strained. Probably because of Cu Alter's attacks. Rama, on the contrary, was riddled with scratches and there wasn't a place that wasn't bloody, but the appearances were deceiving - he had an endurance at B, and chances were - all the wounds were already healed. That is, if the blood was even his.

Probably why Nightingale wasn't running around tending to his wounds. It was Roland that made her worry.

His movements were sharp to an unnatural degree, mask rapidly but swiftly changing directions, not leaving a single corner unchecked. He tried not to agitate his right shoulder too much - the little present from Arjuna not healing fully just yet. 

But there was something more than any of that. Something frantic, chaotic? 

Then, as they approached the palace and she heard the ensuing battle it hit her. He wanted to fight too. 

But, perhaps, the realization was a little too late. 

A black shadow passed her and the only thing she could do was scream in vain: 

-Roland!

*****

Roland was itching to fight, his fingers shook slightly from all the anticipation and adrenaline and anger, but he gripped Durandal tighter. Calming himself, if only slightly. He could have rushed just then, but he wasn't just a ball of anger and issues anymore. But…As they approached the scene where the four most prominent spirit origins gathered. 

Two were a queen and a king. 

Other two - a beast and a hunter.

They saw the collateral first. Buildings - crumbled, trees toppled, stone ground to dust, craters scattered all around the perimeter. Then were the sounds - glottal roars and screams - impossible to tell which one was a monster - and who was a hunter. None of those scared him, no. He had a score to settle, the vindictive side of him, which hid somewhere in the recesses of his mind after teh closing of the Library - it was prowling, observing. The anger kept his body warm, muscles - tense and mind - ready. 

He only really needed a trigger to spring into action. 

And as they stepped onto the street - he saw the bloodied, ferocious wolf - mouth agape and full of blood. 

He lost hold on his emotions for just that one second. He wanted to get even, to at least have something to say for when he comes to say his apologies. 

Anger, so much less of it and yet, so invigorating, pushed him into the line of fire. 

He was a black bolt of lightning, merciless, unforgiving and out for blood. 

The problem was, he was now all alone, allies left behind. Without a plan and full of uncontainable wrath - against two beings who could be considered a force of nature. And he was dragged into their wild dance.

*****

 Red Hood wasn't all there. She was, at best, a bunch of nerves full of magma like fury, at worst - a psychopath out for her prey. The thoughts surfaced and drowned in her consciousness, while instincts deeply engraved into her very existence took hold, fighting, dodging, slicing. All she saw was a Wolf and a dot of black on the periphery of her vision. 

She took aim, both hands rising with fingers on the trigger. One aimed at the dot, another at the wolf. 

The dot was annoying; it was breaking up the pace, not fast and strong enough to fit in, disrupting her flow. But it had enough speed to move out of the way. 

Suddenly, the pain - like heated metal seared through her hand. 

-RRAAAAAAAARH!-a beastly roar, which couldn't possibly be borne of a human throat, escaped her, as her dagger launched into the wolf latching onto her hand, ripping part of its ear out, meat and blood mixing together and splattering on the ground. 

The dot once again slices at the bastard's sides, making it bare its teeth, eyes narrowing in disdain and minute agony. Only to change its position, throwing the attacker out with its body into some rubble. 

She couldn't help a grin. Serves the fucker right. He was a nuisance. 

She continued her assault, the pain not for a second bothering her - the sweet adrenalin alleviating every emotion and sensation. 

Letting out a breath, she smiled a bloody, wicked smile. A smile that had replaced the one of joy of being alive. 

Yes, she lived for these moments now. The ever-present hatred now her reason to live.

…and wasn't that just the saddest thing?

*****

The black wearing human. It remembered him well. He was strong, but he was in the way. Always striking when busy, always cutting where it hurts. 

But he was in the way of the hooded woman too, so that was good. It shoved him in one of the sidesteps, after having its sides pierced. 

Externally, the beast growled, but on the inside it was thinking of running away. 

It had nothing to protect, after all. There was no loyalty, like to a pack leader. No need to die here, to protect everything with its life. 

The strong human knew this - it knew as well. 

Why the human even took it - it didn't know. It only followed out of curiosity. To see how this new scenario could go. 

As it turns out - the same way it always did. 

 It dodged, pawns skidding off the ground, leaning forward, allowing the blade to pass just above its scalp, lunging forward, biting, again and again, until it bit into steel.

Its eyes focused on a giant hunk of metal in its mow, with a girl holding it in place. 

The next moment, it felt something slicing at its back. 

*****

"Ritsuka, I might need a bit of help!"-Roland pleaded in Ritsuka's mind, clearly overwhelmed with what was going on. 

Fixer knew his limits well enough, and after fighting as/with/against both abnormalities, he thought he could match them in this dance. 

The only thing he had succeeded in was being a nuisance, throwing both combatants off and getting a retaliation from either. 

It only took the first couple hits for him to realize that he had gotten himself mixed with something he shouldn't have. He had got a hold on his emotions pretty fast after that, but couldn't turn this around without everyone stepping in. 

Thankfully, the Wolf wasn't very radical in its problem-solving, allowing Roland to recuperate while lying in a broken building, as he was flung there not two minutes earlier. 

-ROOOoland!-Ritsuka's face peeked out of the hole in the wall that he had made, screaming his name in askance,-You alright buddy?

Scratch that, her tone was borderline mocking, with a tinge of worry mixed in there somewhere. Neighboring admonishment and the unspoken "I told you so".

-Yeah, KHA-KHA, yeah, good as fucking new…-he groaned out. 

-Nightingale!-as soon as she screamed, the nurse appeared and quickly inspected Roland for injuries, applying some of the medicine on the fly where she could and bringing Roland back to shape in no time flat. 

-You are a miracle worker, Ms. Nurse,-Roland said as he limbered up, pain flaring up in some places, but he suppressed the growl. 

The flinches didn't escape Ritsuka's notice, though.

-You'll know better than to charge like that,-she said in a reprimanding (if a little smug) tone, slapping his right shoulder (which still hurt) - making him hiss out in pain,-Anyway, we'll talk about you being a deadbeat later. We promised to help her out, so we'll do just that. Plan is simple: Mash takes the first hit while you cover her from the hood, Rama and Nightingale flank it. Afterwards Mash comes to defend me and you try to steer Hood into hurting her nemesis. Got it?

-Crystal,-he nodded, admitting to himself that okay, maybe he could've done the smart thing from the start. 

-Alright, then you better get to it,-as she said it, Mash shoved away Red Hood as she took the bite of the Abnormality on her shield.

Twin swords in hand, Roland was already at her six, blocking a dagger strike, while the wolf let out a whine, as the collective might of a Berserker and a Saber knocked the air out of it. 

-Out of the way!-the crazed woman screamed as she once again launched at him and Mash, and Roland did the reasonable thing - bolting aside, shielder in tow.

Dagger swift and deadly, it scratched the tough skin of an animal,tearing at its eye and making it howl in pain, before finally finding it in itself to jump away, almost falling to the ground. 

It couldn't recover fast enough from the jump to evade a merciless uppercut from the nurse, with Hood persistently stalking her prey as it was on its last legs. 

At that point, the mad merc had her sights set on one thing only.

On the run, she took the aim and damaged its forepaw while it was staggered, approaching rapidly as undeniable desperation filled its eyes. 

It realized, then, that it was going to die. 

Its mind burned with dogged determination, culminating into… 

It kicked the ground with the last of its strength, gaining the needed distance, betting everything on this. Sucking the air into its lungs, it... 

Roland realized what was about to happen. He was too far to cancel the howl with his gloves so… 

-COVER YOUR EARS!-he shouted with ragged breath, his eyes straying to Mash covering the ears of Ritsuka. And then he covered his ears as hard as he could.

And then the world spun. 

A howl, a screech, a last ditch effort. 

-AWOOOOOOOOOOOO!

It ripped through the air, soundwaves clearly visible to the naked eye. Everything touched by it was blown away with powerful gusts of wind.

And then it happened again. 

-AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Harder, stronger, more desperate - the Wolf hung onto this lifeline of its. 

Roland could hardly stand by that point. His vision swam, his ears turned into white noise. 

Frankly, he didn't even know if he was standing. He assumed the best, though. Because he certainly didn't feel like lying on the ground. 

On this scene, however, there was one person, who couldn't give less of a fuck. 

-FUCK RIGHT OFF!-Red Hood screamed through pain as her ears leaked blood, and then just as deafeningly, she fired.

Shot after shot. 

*BANG-BANG*

One after another. 

*BANG-BANG * * CHING-CHING* 

She dropped the empty pistols, the onslaught of lead not stopping for a second.

*BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG*

And the Wolf couldn't stop it. 

Bullet struck its head and ear - it turned away, exposing its body to protect them. 

Bullets grazed its legs - it shrunk as much as possible, and lead rained on its frame in full force. 

Metal dug into its skin, tore at its hide, dark-red blood scattered all around, mixing with dirt and dust. 

And the merc? She saw the opportunity, and she wanted to do it herself. 

She approached the frail and vulnerable animal, her eye crazed with thirst for violence and revenge. And perfect hatred. 

Perhaps, she was too drunk on her victory to notice how it was just about to spring into action. 

But Roland could. Through pain and white noise, he managed to steady himself. 

Through painstaking effort, he kicked the ground with as much force as possible, leaving no sound whatsoever. 

A second later, Durandal cut through the forepawn the Wolf had its full weight on. The same one he cut only a few days ago. 

It flopped to the ground, the mows closing a centimeter shy of Red Hood's leg, prompting the Merc to kick it away. 

Immobile, hurt and desperate, the Abnormality still struggled to live, it thrashed on the ground, trying and failing to move. Gnashing its teeth in an attempt to look more dangerous. 

Then, its eyes landed on its nemesis. 

Wolf's pupils stilled, body shook and went stiff without motion. Abnormality stared its death in the eye without as much as flinching. 

It realized. The jig is up. 

(The bloody part is about to start. If you wish to continue, do it at your own discretion. If you do not… I can understand. Writing it was just as revolting as reading it again during the editing.

However, I must also provide you an opportunity to experience what I wanted to put into this. So… Play: Ultrakill Act 2 OST: 6-2 Gabriel's Organ)

And Roland watched, standing with difficulty, how the Hunter was approaching its prey.

A step, another.

The Red Hood was dwarfing the previously imposing frame of the Wolf, looking like a grim reaper.

For just a second, she stilled before her enemy, stared it in the eye.

And for a moment, the images overlapped in Roland's mind.

The dirt and mud turned into black wood. The grand palace behind them, turned into the expanse of untold amount of books, stretching for infinity.

The figures, turned into a bloodied man and a crying woman.

*SWISH*

The mirage was cut by the dagger.

With a splatter, a lump of flesh - the Wolf's remaining forelimb - dropped to the ground, dark-black blood staining the soil.

A cruel flame lit inside the mercenary's eye and she wasted no time acting on her hatred.

She kicked it on its back and slowly guided her serrated blade down its stomach, opening the meaty innards, all the while cackling madly.

The screeching laughter made Roland come back to his senses. Emotions he didn't think he could experience while looking at the scene, suddenly tugging at his chest in two completely opposite directions.

While she was at it, the Merc cut off the rest of the pawns. A long and miserable whine echoed through the street.

Rama frowned, his disgust with this clearly shown.

Hood's hand dexterously slid into the opened hole and the Hunter pulled out the contents of the wolf's stomach. Slowly, as if to prolong the pain. The intensities were sprawled on the ground without much care soon after. Like Red Hood got bored of them after not finding anything there.

Ritsuka stiffened in horror. She had seen many things on her journey. Corpses of all kind, human or otherwise, but this… Was cruelty for the sake of cruelty.

Except, she couldn't even act to stop it. Not that she wanted to save the one who killed Jacky either. Besides, that would put a target on their back, probably make them involved in another battle, make them more tired, waste more time…

But the wolf kept struggling and whining in pain, trying to move with its nonexistent pawns. Blood-chilling howls resounded all around Washington. Despite being the nightmare from beyond the mortal world, despite being big and bad and evil - it felt pain. Excruciating, all-consuming, maddening agony.

Master winced, closing her eyes, wanting desperately to just be done with this. She was behaving like a coward, she knew that. But… she just couldn't let others get involved. So she motioned Rama not to do anything and gave Mash a very strained, very guilty look.

However, there was another wildcard on this field.

Nightingale stared intently into the beast's eye. For a second their eyes crossed. Blue met red, and Nurse was left surprised. A plea for help. It was in its eyes.

Giving Ritsuka a passing glance, Nightingale set out to her newest patient. Inwardly, Bersercker class servant didn't condemn Ritsuka for her choice. She wasn't a commander – she was a nurse. Ritsuka was doing what she thought was best.

Nightingale, likewise would do what she thought was best.

She detached from the group, three pairs of eyes looking at her back with mixed emotions. Her stride was purposeful, confident, making her stand out amidst the devastation.

A small pause occurred in the execution, as Hood was too buys removing part of her mask and licking the blood off her dagger. Nightingale frowned at the sight, but decided to use these spare seconds to stop and ask one thing.

-Will you stand on the sidelines?-she asked the masked man.

A poignant silence. And then…

-No, I think I'll sit this one out. Don't think I can allow myself to play the hero,-Fixer looked down at his battered suit with occasional tears and bloody spots. Hell, he could hardly move his right hand anymore. Nothing a mystic code or a healing scroll couldn't fix, he'd reckon, but he wasn't about to jump into danger again. He'd learned his lesson for today.

At that thought, his recently broken arm and pierced shoulder flared with pain in agreement.

-I see,-Nurse nodded and continued her stride.

-I'll be right behind you though,-he added at her retreating back, promising his support if things go awry.

Eventually, the Nurse reached her destination.

The dagger, about to rip into the Wolf's back, was abruptly stopped by a hand holding onto the Merc's arm.

-Stop it,-Nightingale intoned, the two's eyes crossing momentarily, as the arm with the dagger tried to break free of the grasp, almost successfully.

The frigid, pointed stare of red eyes made lucidity creep into Hood's mind, making her hold of the weapon just unsteady enough.

But a flash of consciousness didn't last.

The eye of yellow blazed with hatred and the other hand whipped towards the pistol hanging in the shade of her coat.

Fast and effortless, the gun was put almost pointblank against the nurse.

*BANG*

But it didn't fire.

Roland's rifle did.

-Tch,-the man himself scowled as pain jolted down his shoulder and spread throughout his upper body. Thankfully, Black Silence didn't miss.

Whirring through the air, the pistol was knocked out of Hood's hand and dropped on the cold cobblestone.

Nightingale twisted the hand with a weapon and it fell to the ground. Then, grasped the other hand, pulling both together into a sort of hand lock, not leaving the eye of the Abnormality for even a second. And Red Hood didn't resist too much. Something in her gut was telling her not to.

Coherence, slowly but surely returned to her, as both of them stood still, their eyes fixed on one another.

-Why must you be so cruel?-finally asked the nurse.

-Cruel? ME?!-Hood's anger flared up again, her agitation tensing her muscles and making her eye narrow. 

-Have you seen what it does to its enemies?! How insatiable it is? How even now it eyes your neck, in hopes to close its jaws on it?! HAHAHA! YOU ARE MAD!-Hood broke out in a mad fit of laughter, her neck turning to the sky.

Nightingale craned her neck in a silent question.

-Then, perhaps, you can show me which part of its gaze screams of bloodlust?

-Ha!-she stared the medic dead in the eye, a confidence overtaking her body language,-Fine.

With a brisk motion, she broke out of Nightingale's hold and approached her nemesis.

-Hey, Bastard,-she kicked the body of the wolf and grabbed the barely living hunk by the nape,-Look this lady in… the eye.

The merc's confidence melted as her yellow eye met that of dim blue.

There, she was met not with aggression or thirst, but something else.

She could not place these emotions. It wasn't what she was used to. Seeing anything else felt so… surreal. Alien.

-DON'T YOU FUCKING PLAY WITH ME!-unsettled, Hood's first reaction was anger.

Her second was hitting the Wolf.

*THUCK- THUCK*

Dull sounds of flesh being hit were quickly replaced by belligerent murmurings.

-Don't you dare play the victim here…-Hood might not have recognized the emotions in the beast's eyes, but she guessed what it was trying to do.

-You don't have that right… You have killed too many. Broke too many lives. You have no right to look for pity, for help,-holding the wolf by the collar, her grip on its neck grew in strength,-You have brought me to this life. It was all, because of you…

-You say that…-a new voice had entered the stage,-but you know how bullshit that statement is.

Roland slowly walked to the three.

-And what do you know, Blacky?!

-More than anyone here, admittedly,-the man shrugged, his mask nowhere to be found,-For one, you could have just walked away.

A glottal growl escaped the merc's throat, like she was about to pounce on him.

Roland remained calm, his posture light, relaxed, despite the visible strain from all the wounds. 

Despite the fact, that he didn't know how her story went. But he could guess. From all the experience. From understanding what these creatures were meant to represent. But it was apparent - even when he said that last bit - he didn't really believe it.

-You kidding, right?! You know that this thing couldn't be left alone. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that it's out there somewhere. I couldn't sleep at night without enacting my revenge.

-And look where it left you,-he pointed at her, arching his brows,-Oh and remember that breaking lives spiel? In your blind fits of fury, you have killed just as many. And the funny thing? When no one could kill you… it what that bastard that came back to hunt you down.

This part – it wasn't a bluff, however.

A calm, forlorn smile crept up his face. As for Hood? She looked confused. Out of her depth.

-You wouldn't remember it,-he motioned, strolling closer,-because they probably all feel like blanks in your mind. One moment you are in the fight, and then… you turn up somewhere. Honestly, I kinda can relate to that…

The man sighed, somewhat wistful. Nightingale leveled him with a stare, trying to deduce what he was trying to do.

-And? What's your point?!-Red Hood spit out.

-Nothing, really. Just pointing out your hypocrisy. One hypocrite to another, so to speak,-laid-back, he answered. His smile gained a dark, deprecating edge to it. Whom he was judging, no one could tell.

Her eye narrowed and her hand stretched to the dagger lying beside her.

But was stopped as Nightingale fearlessly walked past her and to the Wolf, now lying still on the cold ground. She sat down near it, picking it up gently by the nape, supporting its neck with another hand. The ragged, bloodied fur didn't deter her, as she stared into the dim eyes, that grew dimmer by the second.

-How can I help you? I admit, animals are not my specialty, but as long as patient is willing to be helped – I will provide it,- she said, as composed as ever.

The animal looked at her for a second, before leaning in and just staying like that.

-I see, so you wanted an embrace?-Nightingale changed her hold, now fully embracing the dying Abnormality.

Red Hood looked at this… shell shocked.

-what… why are you helping him? Haven't you heard it…

-It needs help. And as a nurse – I would provide it with it,-the reply was curt. 

-You… you are insane…

Roland looked the other way. He shared Hood's sentiment, but then he remembered – Nightingale was a berserker, and suddenly – everything made sense. Even helping something that wasn't human.

He heaved a sigh. The scene itself… it made him uncomfortable.

Roland would be the first to admit – he wanted Wolf dead and gone. He also wouldn't hide that he took a small amount of enjoyment from that torture.

But he wouldn't be killing it. Or Hood, for that matter. He won't be part of this cycle of theirs. And he wouldn't be the one to break it. If it was even possible.He took in a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. Then, he noticed how the wolf started to turn into black ash.

So this is how it ends.

The Abnormality itself noticed its imminent death. It started licking Nightingale's neck and ear eagerly, like a dog would.Nurse broke the embrace and looked her patient one last time in the eye.

-I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I'm sure, were we to meet under different circumstances, everything would have been different.

It nodded lightly, and then licked her hand one last time, before disappearing into black ash before her eyes.

Nightingale gaze lingered on the place where the ashes scattered a second longer before standing up.

-We shall go,-she said simply and marched towards the palace.

The rest of Chaldeans exchanged quick glances and hurried after her just a second later.

 -Wait…-just to be stopped in their tracks by the hoarse voice of another Abnormality.

Everyone turned around to the sight of Red Hood looking so extremely… lost.

Her eye roamed the group, seeking something, and then eventually stopping on Ritsuka.

-Tell me, Princess,-she approached the Chaldeans, who had their guard up,-Why did you cry for that guy? You know, the Sunny one? And allowed that other one to do that little mock-battle and then escape? Why?

Admittedly, Ritsuka couldn't give a clear answer. And she couldn't think for too long either – time was ticking.

-His name was Karna. And he was… he was a friend. We didn't spend much time together, but I always remember those who I shared time and a battlefield with.

Red Hood huffed.

-Like everyone? Every single one who died beside you?-to Red Hood the notion was unthinkable.

-Yes,-the answer came out short, without fervor,-I can name every person that had died for me.

Her voice sounded hollow, to almost an unnerving degree. Nevertheless, she continued, some life returning to her voice.

-And as for Arjuna – I could agree with Roland. Maybe, he needed a second chance to turn things around.

Red Hood stared intently.

-And do you think that Wolf deserved a second chance? Deserved the help he got?

Ritsuka threw a look where the ashes scattered.

-I don't know…-her speech trailed off,-It killed my friends. I will never forgive it. But… I think we all deserve for there to be someone to help us. I believe that,-Ritsuka replied. Her hair swayed with the passing wind, making her face features seem sharper.

Master could feel Mash's gentle petting of her back.

-And me? Do you think I deserve help?-Red Hood's shoulder's hunched, looking at her from below the darkness of her hood, somewhat dangerously.

-Yeah, why not?-she replied without much thought.

The ease with which she said it bewildered the merc into silence.

"She is contemplating if she could trust you,"-Roland suddenly broke the silence in her mind.

"Trust?"-she didn't have the time to receive an answer.

-You know,-Red Hood started speaking, grabbing one of her hood's edges,-I used to have a name once.

Taking the closer look, Master could see how bad of a shape that part of the coat was. Scratches covered the entirety of it, smears of what she supposed was blood and dirt covering it in a thin layer.

Yet despite that, she could see two letters.

-L.B.?-Master asked out loud.

-I don't know what they stand for, if that's what you are asking. I… forgot. A long time ago,-at this moment, for the first time, you could notice a slight hint of sadness in Hood's voice.

Their eyes then met.

-You said that I too, deserve help? Then, help me out.

The dagger swished through the air, cutting off the piece of fabric with the letters on it.

She then made a few steps forward, to Ritsuka, with her hand outstretched.

-I want you to hold onto this,-Hood's eye has grown a tint whiter, the ever-present anger subduing.

Ritsuka stepped forward, to the dismay of those who wanted to protect her. But Master, despite the Abnormality's earlier cruelty, despite how scary she was… Ritsuka couldn't find it in herself to reject. Perhaps it was the fatigue, or the volatile mix of emotions. She did not know what pushed her forward.

The fact is – she took the few steps forward.

Without even being able to perceive it, Hood grabbed Master by her hand and forcefully put the pushed the piece of cloth in her palm.

-I want you to promise me something, Girly. Promise me, that you will carry my name to the grave with you. Promise me, that you will carry the person that I once was, that I could have been – till your last breath. That you will mourn who is buried under all of this hatred. 

Ritsuka did not dare to move her eyes from the Merc's, so she witnessed in full, how the yellow hatred left it, like it had dried up – leaving only the normal, human white in its stead.

And what was left on the bottom of that well was desperation. Horror. Regret.

-I promise,-she nodded, as Hood slowly retracted her hand and made a few shaky steps back.

Ritsuka peered into the piece of fabric, like she wanted it to open all of its secrets, to reveal the name of the one before her. For a sole reason – she wanted to alleviate the other's misery.

But red cloth was stubbornly good at keeping its secret. With many scratches running across the letters, making them almost unintelligible. With dust, dirt and blood trying to cover the long lost history.

And failing.

Yes, perhaps this item alone summarized Red Hood best. 

The girl looked up to the scene of Hood growling as she lurched back and almost fell to the ground. She wanted to help, but was suddenly stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

-Don't. Just watch,-the somber notes in Roland's voice tipped her, that something bad is about to go down.

Red Hood steadied herself and from under the hood – the blazing yellow was staring at her again.

-I must go. I must kill it. It must be out there somewhere. It can't have died. It never does…-Mercenary muttered manically, regaining her footing and looking around, as if in a trance.

Ritsuka realized then – it was only hatred that remained. A small reprieve from madness and then – a repeat.

-It's not here. No in this world. Yes… Yes… I must murder it. Tear it apart,-the murmurings grew more disturbing by the minute until…

Fast and swift, Red Hood reached under her coat.

Mash sprang into action, trying to shield her master… But it was unnecessary, for Red Hood had other target in mind.

Pistol flashed on the dim light of the setting sun and…Deafening crack of gunpowder blowing up resounded throughout the capital city. Red Hood's head, now just minced meat – flying through the air, dying the cobble with black, mud-like blood and what might have been brain matter.

Master turned around quickly, her stomach – so stoically persisting throughout the run here and the torture, which she managed to partially miss thanks to Mash – finally gave up.

She threw up.

Roland petted her on the back, while watching how the abnormality turned into black ash.

-Ritsuka, it's… oh,-Romani's face popped up in the most unfortunate moment, but Ritsuka decided to get her shit together.

Wiping the bile from her lips with the cuff of her uniform, she asked.

-What is it, Roman?

Her tone was deathly serious.

-Right! Sensors are detecting a great influx of mana! You need to hurry. There seems to be some kind of ritual taking place!

"Well, that can't be good…"

-Roland, carry me,-she ordered, and Fixer complied, giving her a piggyback.

The group rushed to the palace at full speed.

The cycle began anew.

**** *

The group rushed through the halls not meeting any resistance.

The closer they got to the room - the more unease could Ritsuka feel. A rule of thumb in her life whispered that if something, somewhere, was too easy - it means that somewhere, someone, is about to have a very bad time. 

Which made her give the command to speed up, despite her stomach about to give up. 

-Romani, where?!-Roland asked in Ritsuka's stead. 

-It's…-you could see Doctor's eyes darting across monitors and maps and then coming back with a…-Right above you!

-Rama…!

Nightingale beat him to the punch. Literally. 

With overwhelming force, the ceiling was turned into rubble, as the group ascended to the throne room. 

-Tch. People these days can't even come through the front door!-sitting in a brightly lit magical circle was Medb, drawing something with her finger.

-How much?-was Culter's response as he turned to the intruders, spear spinning in his hands. 

-Ten seconds!

Roland didn't need to be told twice. By this point, everyone knew - things were about to go down. 

So, whipping out his rifle, Roland did three shots - only for them to be deflected by a spinning spear. 

As the rounds hit the ground, a silent understanding was reached among the Chaldeans. 

Another second passed. Nine remain. 

-Attack!-Ritsuka yelled at the top of her lungs, the bad feeling building up.

Rama sprinted, spear meeting sword, over and over in a ferocious dance, only to suddenly be replaced with Mash's shield. 

-Annoying!-Alter barked as he kicked with his leg, the impact sending her meters away. 

And be met with a fist to the stomach. 

A growl left the king's mouth as he thrust the spear forward, grazing the nurse's abdomen, drawing first blood. 

Eight. 

A sound, clear and resonant - bullets flying thorugh the hall. 

-Thurisaz!-with just a small twist of a thinger, a small transparent barrier stood in the way of the projectile, cutting it a meter short from the target.

Seven. 

But it came at a cost. 

-Why won't you piss off already!-King howled in anger as a sword cut into Alter's side, and a punch landed on his shin, making him kneel just to be met with an uppercut with a shield. 

Swiftly shifting his center of gravity, the Berserker swipes his spear with the momentum from the fall, making Shielder lose her footing, and stumble onto the nurse. 

Another hit from the sword is missed. A wide cut stretches across the King's side. 

Six. 

It's at this time that the fixer opted to act. 

His approach silent, he moved with the twin blades to attack as he almost pressed himself into walls, as far away from the main fight.

Leaving only a gust of wind and a trail of black smoke behind him. 

Unfortunately, the prey wouldn't take it lying down. 

-CU!-Medb shouted in alarm as the fixer approached and had only five meters to cross. 

Five. 

And Roland wished it was enough. Except it wasn't. 

A cold breath of death and bloodlust rained on his back as his first instinct was to RUN!

A jump to the right - a spear swirls past, but doesn't stop. 

A step - a thrust. For each motion - A thrust. For each parry - a thrust. Unstoppable and deadly, the hound was on the trail and out for blood. 

But the protector was too eager, forgetting for the moment about the one being protected. 

But as the silhouette of a hound suddenly turned to haze in front of the fixer, he realized that no. 

Four. 

The prize wasn't theirs yet. 

Others pursued the Queen, but fell a few meters short of their destination, the battered visage of the King now before them once more. No more than five meters separating them from the duo.

Not losing time, Rama assaulted Alter, sparks from the clash showering the surroundings with heat. 

Mash was always somewhere on the periphery, just out of reach, but close enough to take the hit. 

And Nightingale struck where it was most painful. 

Three

Roland attempted to attack again, yet the hound disregarded defense to protect Medb. 

Hits went through, but the steadily building mana made everyone push even harder.

Because no matter how much they roughed up Cu Alter - everyone had a distinct feeling - they didn't stop Medb - it's game over. 

So Rama took off, becoming a blur to Ritsuka's eyes. Pushing everything out of himself along with Roland, who took his spear and launched at the Queen. 

-Thurisaz!-scattering his attention, and being hit at his side, Alter managed to place another barrier around Medb.

A shallow cut through the arm is what it cost. 

Two

But achieved what he wanted. 

Roland struck the invisible wall, the rebound crashing at his arms, making him stagger. 

As a last ditch effort, Nightingale brought out her gun, and took aim… A breath and the shot rang true. But missed the head. 

One

-Everyone, out of there!-Ristuka could only shout as a blood-chilling premonition dropped her heart into the pits of hell. 

The servants obeyed and managed to get out in time as… 

-I summon thee…-said Medb, her dress stained in red, from the wound on her shoulder. 

Zero

- Ritsuka, down!-someone shouted, as the world exploded in mana, making everyone take a step back from the wind and the whiplash… 

But nothing happened. 

Ritsuka picked herself back from the ground, eyes searching first for her servants, then to what had changed and… couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

But then her communicator buzzed to life and… She wished it didn't. 

-Ritsuka,-Romani's voice was deathly hollow, lacking energy, but firm still. No stutters, no fear. 

Just plain despair.

She realized it. Things were bad. But not here. 

-We detect… twenty eight demon pillars where the northern army is fighting. It is… I'll be frank, they won't hold out for long. And they need all the help they can get. But from what Arturia says… they seem to regenerate on the spot. Our sensors also indicate that there is a strong flow of mana from where you are to their location. 

As cold sweat trickled down her dirtied forehead, she had a distinct feeling that this wasn't the end of it. 

Romani appeared as a hologram in front of her, his eyes stern and body poised, not betraying the turmoil raging within his mind:

-Given enough time to rampage, the singularity will become unrepairable. That's our estimate. 

God. Damnit. 

Servants on both sides heard the entire conversation. And Roland didn't quite get it in its entirety, but what he got away from it was this: 

-Ritsuka,-he half-turned to the redhead, his black mask painted with grime and dust,-Are we fucked?

-Yes, Roland, we are pretty fucked,-her reply was curt and to the point, the nervous, hysterical notes clear for all to hear. 

Fixer nodded. 

The rest of the conversation went on inside their heads, as the group of servants was in a typical Mexican standoff - Cu and Medb on one side, Chaldeans on the other. 

"And if I say I have a way to get us out of this mess?"

"Then you better offer it quickly".

"Remember my Reality Marble?"

"Okay, that can give us…"

"There is no us here, unfortunately. I can do it all alone - I have some spare hands in there to help. While you can sort out everything else".

Ritsuka's face soured at the prospect. 

"It's too risky. And I don't want to lose any more people. Take someone with you".

"Ritsuka,"-the man turned fully, exposing his back. His mask disappeared in mores of blue opening the sight of his black eyes, staring at her. 

She saw stubborness in them. 

"This is the only way. I can't bring you with me, because it will affect you just as much as everyone else. It would just be inefficient. You'll get all the detriments and none of the benefits". 

"Then we can find another way to…"

"Cut it out!"-Roland shouted through the link, huffing a sigh and calming down,-"I need it. I can explain the details later but I really need to kill those two in there".

Roland's voice was somewhat heated, but, somehow, she thought she could hear genuine care in his voice. 

"..."-they stared at each other, Ritsuka still apprehensive. What if it goes wrong? What if it goes even more to shit?

Her leg started to tremble, just a bit.

"Just trust me. I'll bring you that grail and cook you something delicious as a thank you".

-Sigh… -And then the trembling stopped. 

 "What do you need?"

"Two command seals."

-Ha!-she couldn't hold down a laugh. The demands of this man! 

Everyone else looked at her funny. Maybe they feared she was losing it? 

Perhaps she was. Because only an insane person would consider this gamble as a viable solution. 

But then again… They were out of options as is. 

-Fine, you win. By my first command seal…

-Ritsuka, what?!-Romani straightened up as he couldn't understand. 

-Roland, use your Noble Phantasm and defeat the Queen and the King. 

The said two were now on guard, eyeing Roland on high alert. 

The Fixer smirked. 

I have nothing but my sorrow and I want nothing more

It has been, it still is, faithful to me

-By my second command seal,-Ritsuka continued, and only then did Cu Alter bolted into action.

Why should I begrudge it

Since during the hours,

when my soul crushed the depths of my heart

It was seated there beside me. 

But he was stopped. With Mash's legs dug deep into the ground, enduring the onslaught of the spear, along with Rama, who limited movement and made it slightly easier to hold on. 

Now it was the other team who had very little time before the inevitable. 

-Roland, use your Noble Phantasm and win, -her voice rang full of hopeful expectation. 

Fixer crossed eyes with the girl one last time before finishing the chant. 

Black orbs shined with confidence. 

O sorrow, I have ended, you see, by respecting you,

Because I am certain you will never leave me.  

And like that, Cu Alter, Medb and Roland disappeared in a whirlwind of golden pages. 

Ritsuka looked at it, the ephemeral paper slipping through her fingers. She really hoped that she had made the right call here.

-Ritsuka what were you…!-Romani came back with confused shouting, but she leveled him with a glare. 

-I trust him, Roman. Get Boudica and Jeanne here. Tell Jeanne to go straight to the battle. Can you drop Boudica anywhere near us? Don't forget to give them communicators-she cut the doctor off, taking none of his panicking. 

Bewildered as he was, Roman was always good at doing his job, so he caught on fast. 

-Can't rayshift them to your position. But near is possible. 

-Good,-she nodded,-then do it now. I'll summon Rider with the last seal and we'll get to the scene prompto. 

-And Roland?-that question came from behind her. Ritsuka turned around to see Rama, wearing a worried expression. He knew how bad Cu Alter could be. 

-Said to trust him,-she ignored the sensible part of her, that whispered how unlikely him actually winning was,-But I'd be glad if someone stayed here. 

Nightingale stepped forward. 

-I will make sure he returns in fine health,-she stated. 

Ritsuka bit her lip. A healer could be good on a battlefield. And they couldn't leave anyone else…

-Alright. Romani, how's the rayshift?

-They're at ground zero!-was the reply. 

-Good. Here,-Master offered a communicator to Nightingale, which she accepted without words-This will allow that bloke to return even without us. 

She then sighed. It was a long and tired one. 

She blinked rapidly, clenched and unclenched her fists, swept the sweat off her forehead. 

-By my last command seal…

She looked at the spot where Roland was just a minute ago.

-Boudica, to me,-she spoke without hesitation. 

There was no turning back now. 

*****

(Play music: Library of Ruina Theme 1)

Cu Alter looked around the unfamiliar interior, Medb doing much the same. Around them were books. A truly biblical amount of them. And though the sheer quantity of them failed to impress him in any way, the King couldn't help noting that most lacked titles. They were of different colors and sizes but there was little order to where they stood. 

Medb stepped it up further, picking one up, and opening it - discovering random letters scattered in no particular order. 

Looking further - was a staircase leading to a normal looking door. The path to it was laid with arches, and the stairs were dimly lit with golden light. 

*SNAP*

A second for the spear to appear in a flash of blue. 

A fraction of that to thrust at the enemy.

*SNAP*

And miss. 

-Wow, okay, you know, you are not the first to greet the receptionist like that, but isn't it rude?-Roland joked,standing four meters away from where Alter sensed him last. 

-Oooh, that looked interesting. What's your name again? I didn't bother to remember last time,-asked Medb, her eyes shining with curiosity at Roland's trick. 

-I was just getting to that, actually,-he leveled a mocking glare on Cu Alter, who at this point was just glaring at the Patron menacingly,-There is a procedure for these kinds of things, you know? 

-Khem-khem,-Librarian fixed his tie and started his explanation,-Greetings dear guests. My name is Roland, and I'm a Patron Librarian of the Floor of General Works. 

Medb listened in rapt attention, racking her brain to remember any man which had a legend connected to a library. There weren't that many. Especially this skilled. And that made her spirit flare with even more interest.

She liked interesting and unique men only slightly less than strong ones, after all. 

-The rules of this place are simple: You go through that door and you fight. You'd usually get a book you want, if you win, but we are skipping over that step. Not like we can give you anything anyway. 

-Oh, oh!-Medb raised her hand.

-Yes? 

-What happens if we lose? 

-Right, knew I forgot something. You turn into a book,-Roland explained with all the nonchalance of a news reporter. 

-Emm, okay, that's a weird ability for a Reality Marble,-Queen scratched her head. Now she was even more confused with the man's identity. 

-But not so much for an E.G.O,-Roland deflected casually, and Medb got a distinct feeling he was making fun of her,-Oh well, anyway, I'll be waiting for you guys on the other side. If you don't come in the next minute - I'll teleport you anyway, just so you know. 

Before, however, snapping his fingers, his eyes met with Cu Alter's.

-Actually, before I go. Wanted to ask - why didn't you attack when we were fighting that thing?-Roland voiced his curiosity.

Alter leveled him with an impervious gaze.

-Well, if you don't want to answer...

-I just wanted to see how it ends, when rabid dogs are put down,-the reply held no emotion.

Roland inspected King's countenance carefully, before nodding. And then snapping his fingers.

*SNAP*

With a snap, he was gone. Cu and Medb exchanged glances. This was a very weird place and they didn't seem to have a choice, so, nodding at each other, they stepped up the stairs and opened the door. Leaving the music behind them, they were treated to a staggering sight. 

Around them were countless books. Above them - books. Below them - books. Books, books, books. Everywhere. Even the floor beneath them was made out of gray books. Medb carefully took a peek beyond the bridge - a black, lifeless abyss greeting her back. She recoiled and looked to the other side of the bridge and noted five people standing, looking at them intently. 

*SNAP*

( Play: Keter battle)

And with a snap, they were already standing in front of them. Music entered Medb's ears, the beat rhythmic with piano leading the charge and violin pulling the melody in its absence. Strangely enough, it didn't detract from her attention. 

She looked at her King. He was standing there, impassive, already seizing up his competition. 

She pulled out her crop and decided that it was time. She might still be a bit tired from the summoning, but she would beat these people and…

As she tried to move forward - to the enemy, she found herself stilled in place. And judging by a very angry look, Cu couldn't move as well. 

Meanwhile, on the other side, a chat went on: 

-Holy shit, he is already on emotion level five!-exclaimed in a whisper Arthur, eyeing the scary-looking guy. 

-Oh, he is a Berserker,-Roland scratched the back of his head,-I guess I should've expected something like that? 

-Oh, he looks like one angry motherfucker, that much I can tell you,-eyed Dakota the guy on the other side, who seems to have figured out that a non-violent action is permitted. 

Roland looked at his opponent with a analytical eye. Admittedly, the more wouldn't be the better here. 

He'll have to face the man himself, until the rest gain enough Light to go against them on equal footing. 

Which was a lot easier said than done, considering he won't be getting any power ups until he gains more Light as well.

…But you gotta do what you gotta do. 

-Everyone, take care of Medb. 

-Bimbo,-nodded the purple haired woman, fixing her shades, affirming the new name for her target.

No one paid that any mind. 

-And I will stall the big guy until we get enough Light to fight him. 

-Sounds like a plan to me,-nodded Destiny, the rapier of Purple Tear finding itself in her hands. 

Everyone got ready. Oliver's spear appeared in Eugene's hand, a sword and a guandao fell into Dakota's, the scythe of silver came into existence above Arthur's palm. And with that…

*SNAP*

With a snap, combatants were placed on their positions. 

And with another, the stage came to life. 

The four assistants attacked ruthlessly, Dakota tanking the crop on her guandao, spewing fire all around, then launching a counter attack.

Medb evaded, falling right into the hands of a Destiny, her rapier relentless and swift, feeling like snakes were swirling around the Queen as she, for now effortlessly, skipped by the hungry thrusts. 

Just to almost get sliced by the silver scythe and the black spear, coming dangerously close to her head and abdomen, mercilessly cutting at her hair.

This mockery she could not stand. 

-Well this must be stopped now!-and as she swung her crop she realized… that she could not, all strength suddenly leaving her body. 

But likewise, her attackers stopped in their tracks, the same golden shimmer keeping them in place. 

-Tch, we'll get her next time,-someone mouthed, as Medb quirked her brow in askance. 

Ways away, the metal rang one last time and… 

A snap again. 

A moment of reprieve . 

And then another. 

People stirred into motion. Roland's spear ripped through the air, leaving the floor - the books, to fly into the air.

A thrust, a thrust - both blocked. The axe redirecting the spear of bone, the parmach striking at King's leg. 

A swing of a tail, a broken stance - the moment missed and the last minute block by the hammer sends the spear to the side, not the heart. 

A growl of pain and katana flashes to life and slices the spearman. Who has no Light to defend himself. 

First blood is drawn. 

The scene reverts to how it was before. 

And with another snap, the play continues. 

 Medb became faster. She noticed straight away. It felt like she reclaimed a part of her agility after jumping around, evading these clowns. She smirked, now she would show them. 

But they too, had something to show. 

When two strikes found her sides, she couldn't help a very unqueenly growl. When she attempted to evade and did it by the hair's breadth, she started to sweat. And then scythe sliced through her fur coat, leaving the elegant blue behind, along with her blood? 

She realized that she wasn't the only one who had gotten faster. 

*SNAP*

Scene 4

A practiced look went around librarians. The choice they had to make now was crucial. 

Yet they all looked at the battered form of Roland and reached a conclusion.

The beating of the heart reverberated through the Library. 

*SNAP*

Cu Alter wearily looked at his opponent. Something had changed. His intuition told him so. How the man suddenly gained more vitality and looked more… alive. 

Like he had caught a second wind. 

They clashed again. This time, he took on the black sword head on, trying to gauge what exactly changed. 

Not strength, he realized, nor was it speed. 

Then, he avoided the greatsword, making a step to the right and caught a sound. 

A sound of another heart beating in the man's chest. 

King's eyes widened. 

And with a snap, he was back in the position. 

…This could prove troublesome. 

Everything returned to its place. 

And then started over. 

Medb was getting impatient. With each of these repetitions passing, she was losing more and more ground. She had noticed how she had about fifty percent of her strength now, but the miscreants who stood against her were also getting stronger.

A lightbulb lit above her head.

If it's the numbers that are the problem, then she just had to make one of them hers. 

The group assaulted her again, she deflected the sword with her crop, making the flamey one exhaust herself early, then noted how the attack of the one with a rapier became just a bit worse. Like they degraded. 

And then the two she was after came at her. One had red hair and a silent disposition, the other had a bit of a messy blond hair and careless look around him.

Oh well, the red-head looked better. 

She avoided the scythe, slapped her crop against the assailant's face and kicked him in the nuts.

The man screamed with the agony of one who had lost everything, yet Medb had better things to worry about. 

The man she sought stood some five meters from across her, cautious and calm. He didn't attack, strangely enough. 

She licked her lips. Yes, this one will do quite nicely. 

 Her hand reached into her fur coat as the young man tensed but what she brought out made him quick a brow.

-Could you please drink this!-she asked, her eyes - pools of all the world's kindness. Beauty exuding her very frame. 

-DON'T YOU FUCKING DRINK IT EUEGENE!-came from exhausted Dakota, who was set in place by the golden shimmer. 

But the man was not listening, he made a step, another took hold of the cup and… 

Medb, for just a second, peered into his eyes and froze. 

There, an entire universe resided. Countless stars shone and scattered into dust as light spread through the expanse of endless cosmos. But in the middle of this space, was something . A center of this galaxy was something -sucking everything that came near it. Be it light, matter, even thoughts. It was a heart-shaped black hole of blue light. 

And it was staring back at her. 

-Your whispers are enticing,-Eugene said quietly, the cup still comfortably lying in his hand,-but nowhere close to the Star. 

In a swift motion, the drink was all over Medb's face and Eugene's spear was flung right through her stomach. Impaled, she coughed up blood, her hands firmly pressed against the hole as she staggered back a few steps, the spear slipping off her frame. 

And then - a snap. 

Medb found herself on the other end of the bridge and, looking down, the hole was still there, visible in all of its morbid glory. 

 Cu's eyes darted to her, unperceivable emotion igniting in his chest and his red orbs showed the full extent of his confusion. Or, perhaps, it was just annoyence from having to fight more?

For sure he could tell, that a twich of something squirmed in his gut from seeing her… ever annoying, ever determined - so hurt. 

And Medb? She was overcome with emotions. The breath of death has never been so chilling, despite her already passing on. She felt fear, she felt helplessness and she couldn't get these emotions under control. 

Perhaps, it was these volatile emotions that made her miss the whispers of cold that came and went by the arena. 

 But then the snap came, Medb found that emotions weren't the only thing out of her control. She could not move an inch. Her endurance, as bad as it was, was still inhuman. Yet she felt exhausted, broken even. And the four people rushing at her? They looked like demons about to claim her soul. But it would be someone else who would. 

-Roland, do it!-shouted someone, and Medb stared as enemies passed her, the clash of blades instead ringing somewhere from behind her, the heat from the fire blowing at her back. 

A foreboding feeling settled in her chest. A slight twist of her head is all that she could allow herself. But it was enough to look into the deep dark pools set on her with murderous intent. 

-Furioso. 

Impassive and cold, the words left the man's lips. 

And Medb knew pain.

It pierced her shoulders, nailed her head. Her abdomen was ripped apart, her head crushed under a hummer, her limbs almost cut in half in less than a second. Her sides were torn with a knife, her shoulder was split apart by an axe and her head was smashed by the parmach. 

She could only watch, with what was left of her head, in mounting horror, as a heavy looking greatsword descended on her. 

Her last thought was that she won't get to hear what Cu thought of her. Would he have said that she did well? Praise her? That he lo…

The blackness came. 

The arena went completely still, as Medb, having been turned into something just reminiscent of a corpse, transformed into golden pages. Along with them, a golden chalice dropped and rolled on the ground. 

Roland couldn't grab hold of it in time. 

Another snap. The stage was set back to how it was supposed to be. 

And the chalice lie at the feet of a now lone King. 

Cu looked at the chalice with unreadable emotion. 

-You did so much, but just had to stumble on the last thing,-he shook his head,-I admire your spirit at least. You did a damn good job protecting this "country". 

Suddenly, everyone could feel how Cu Alter had changed. The mana surged around him, and with the next second…

-Oh boy, the guy is gloving up!-Arthur exclaimed, sweating a bit. 

-And it looks like a shit ton of trouble,-Dakota snared. 

In the commotion, the screeching of wood was left unheard by the King. 

-You ants were a pain in my ass for long enough. We are going to be finished with this now,-as new plates covered his entire body and his tattoos filled with menacing red glow, the spearman swung his weapon and took a stance… 

*SNAP*

And all hell broke loose. 

Destiny switched the stance just in time to get the attack on her greatsword. The purple serpents blocked the attacks with vicious vigor. When she couldn't, Dakota would take the hit, inflicting burns and making Cu's fur catch fire. 

Eugene faced brutal opposition as his spear failed to deflect the many thrusts, but was saved by Roland coming to the rescue. Twin swords danced, but were overcome with a few carefully placed feints. 

Sneaky and patiently, Arthur waited for the enemy to expose his back and took a slice out of him with his scythe, the sudden feeling of something invading his very being, making him out of tune with surroundings - forced Cu to frown.

Hits were exchanged further, but Roland was ultimately the only one capable enough to keep up. 

But that scene too, had to end. 

*SNAP* 

-We can't overpower him as we are,-declared Eugene, having come to that conclusion after the clash. 

-It's either we bring him to our level or make ourselves stronger,-nodded Destiny. 

-Take the Frost Splinter,-Roland ended the discussion. 

Everyone nodded and as soon as the second snap came… 

- The castle stands still… And the frost is inescapable,- Eugene's voice was detached, completely void of emotions,- And so you shall rest here. Frozen eternally. 

The sword of condensed cold materialized in his hand and… the scenery changed to a halls of pristine, immaculate ice, so transparent you could see yourself. 

And it all changed when a sword descended and filled it with a chilling blizzard. 

*CLANG*

The sword clashed with the floor, the blizzard let loose on the King. 

Some parts of his scales were now frozen, his exposed skin bitten by the frost. 

And then a second wave came. 

*CLANG*

The legs of a king were now bound, the permafrost eating away at his fingers and seeping into his body. 

No Magic Resistance could save you from the power of an Abnormality. 

 The rest took no time at all to use this opening. Except Dakota. 

-I'll be spent after this, so don't you guys dare to lose this opportunity,-said Dakota, as suddenly, the armor that she had suddenly on her caught fire, tendrils of flame extending from her form and the dragon-like wings sprouted from her back. 

-RAAAAAAAAARGH!-a roar of a veritable dragon escaped the woman's throat, the shockwave of heat melting the surrounding ice. 

But that wasn't all. 

-OUT OF MY FUCKING WAY!-everyone scattered in fright, having realized what this pyromaniac was about to do,- TAO TIE! 

From her Guandao, a dragon sprung into life, swirling around its prey. 

Then, it flew up to the castle's ceiling and… Descended with untold ferocity.

The heat was hellish, melting the surrounding ice with unimaginable ease. 

-KHA!-Cu Alter could only stagger back, the heat of the attack making some of his scales melt along with his skin. 

Weakened, there was now no way librarians would miss such an opportunity.

Katana sliced nonstop, rapier mercilessly cut into flesh and the scythe reverberated with its victim, making the pain all the more pronounced.

But the onslaught had to end. 

*SNAP*

Combatants stood from across each other. 

Librarians heaved sighs as most had no Light to continue fighting. 

And Cu Alter… was getting better still. The grail in his hands flashed and the most severe of injuries receded, like they were never there. 

-We are fucked,-the usually unflappable Eugene had only this much to say. 

-Oh, no shit!-returned Dakota sarcastically. 

They were the two people who had no light left. And, as it would seem, the Alter had picked up on that particular detail. 

-Guys, what do we pick?-whispered Destiny.

-Blizzard, maybe? It would give these two enough time to get their bearings,-Arthur supplied, looking at the two. 

Roland nodded and chose the abnormality page in his mind. 

The frost filled the entire arena, turning the people around him into glaciers. 

The last thing to do was to pick another page and an E.G.O. page. 

Well, it was all or nothing now… 

The space above him ripped with many eyes, all scrutinizing his each move. Trying to find fault, trying to find a reason to punish. 

 The EGO page chosen, he prepared his blade and… Went on the offensive. 

Every weapon went, dealing devastating blows, cuts, slices, blunt attacks. 

The abnormality created ice scattered, melted as it broke free in countless little pieces, but the attacks were relentless and many. 

Roland sincerely hoped that this would be enough… But just to be sure. 

He disengaged and gained some distance before launching forward again, his attire changing to the one of a white dress and a bonnet. 

-You are not part of this play. Begone,-Roland spoke with a voice not his own, full of playful cheer, which was clearly faked. 

A golden hourglass spun above his head, and leaving a purple line in the air, the sword cut through the neck of the servant.

A snap freed everyone of their icy shackles. 

And what they returned to was borderline harrowing. 

With his eyes dilated and blood still trickling down his throat, stood Cu Alter, his posture full of primal rage and madness. Scales burned and frozen, skin ruptured and healed with runes. He still stood there, hunched, as new skin was growing on his body. 

-You trash almost did me in… almost. But the wish still drives me. And so…-clenching the chalice, even more mana flown into him,- I will tear you fuckers to pieces.  

Berserker took the stance Roland remembered from the Cu he knew. And it was not hard to figure out who it was aimed at. 

The approach of the inevitable *snap* made everyone all the more nervous. 

-You guys play it by ear, I'll take the hit. Deal as much damage as possible…-resigned, Roland steeled himself to what was about to come.

Librarians looked at their boss like he was crazy, but didn't refute. He was too tough of a bugger to die like that. 

An idea sparked in Destiny's head, things making sense to her 

-Put everything you got into this. I think I know what bossman is doing!-she shouted, and the snap came. 

The twenty meters between the combatants seemed so short and yet large right now to Roland. 

-Haaa,-he sighed, as his assistants rushed forward,-Well, it was about time I experienced my heart being pierced. Can't be worse than losing most of your limbs, right?-fixer joked, as, like a spring about to be set into action… 

-GAE BOLG!-the lancer threw his weapon. 

It reached the Patron in less than a second. 

And yes, the pain was so much worse than he could have imagined. 

-Crescendo,-but his employees knew how to get things done. 

-Mirage Storm. 

The universe around the group erupted, being cut by a perfect line. Then, silence descended for a second, only to be torn into a deafening cacophony of space ripping itself apart. But the next second, a perfect serpent-like lightning dug into the enemy's back and wrecked it with a greatsword, piereced by a rapier, slashed with a katana. 

Everyone else wasn't so far behind, leaving burns and marks all over what little skin there was left to damage. The scales, at this point, too sturdy to actually break through. 

But the servant, despite being weaponless, thought with all the ferocity, his claw-like hands dug into the skin, his tail pierced and flung the four around. 

Leaving them, by the end, in a rather sorry state. 

A snap broke the fight apart. The spear returned to the owner.

And Roland could now be called one of the few people to have survived the inescapable attack of Gae Bolg. How? 

The man rose from the ground, dusting himself and working out the kinks in his shoulders. His suit is as impeccable as always. He had only one thing to say: 

-Tanya's page is busted,-he declared with a smirk, which did well to hide how close he was to passing out from all of his internal organs bursting at the same time from impact alone.

Choosing Leer was not the smartest decision, in retrospect. 

On the other side, the Alter stood, now fully encased in scales. To call him human… would be to lie. What was before them is a beast. 

-I think I'll take it from here, people,-Roland said, seeing how things were only getting worse. 

-Okay, fine. I've got my fun, don't see any problems here,-Dakota shrugged, the flames billowing behind her calming down. 

 -Be careful, Bossman,- left her final warning Destiny, with everyone else just nodding in agreement. 

The four stood behind the man, as he cleared his throat…. and the second part of his aria came out. 

Ah! I realize it: your beauty lies in the force of your being. 

You are like those who never left the sad fireside corner of my poor black heart.

O my sorrow, you are better than a well-beloved: 

because I know that on the day of my final agony, you will be there, lying in my sheets, 

O sorrow, so that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.

(Play: Gone Angels - Mili - Violin and Piano Duet by Tor1ko)

The librarians turned into golden pages, forcefully expelled from the arena. 

In the stead of the endless books, the two… no, three people were now standing in what seemed to be an endless gray plain. The earth, riddled with cracks more reminiscent of scars, had rare grass, just as colorless as everything else, growing from it. 

It was the sky, however, that one should pay attention to. 

If you were to lift your head, you would notice - a hole was made in the curtain of thick smoke. And beyond it? The night sky - limitless and brilliant. With the stars as the faithful guides, the ever glowing reminders of possibilities. 

Three people stood on this plain. One was Roland, now in a considerably better shape. His face was locked behind the mask, in his hands lie his trusted sword. 

Next to him - was a woman, at least, a ghost of one. She was sharply dressed, with a ring hanging on her neck and a pair of gloves covering her hands. 

The same gloves that Roland still had on him. 

Firm grip on her parmach and axe, she was looking forward, standing just a step shy of Roland, who…for a second allowed himself to embrace her. His chest filled with warmth, but the lack of substance under his arms brought him back to his senses, back to the cruel reality. He broke the embrace quickly. 

Roland might not have noticed it… yet the ghost smiled, ever so slightly. 

Opposite them - was a beast. His head had a long red horn on his forehead, and his whole body was covered in scales. His hands became claws, his tail became that of a scorpion. 

There was nothing of the king left in there. Nothing of a human. 

Now that the stage was set, they only needed one thing to spring into action… 

*SNAP*

The husband and wife were like liquid - flowing from one place to another, covering for weaknesses of each other, the monstrous speed of their opponent now hardly an advantage, as the movements themselves turned animalistic. 

Parmach deflects the tail, axe takes on the claw and gives just enough space to avoid being struck by the other. Black sword swings in an arc, throwing the balance off. The duo switches positions and two lances light with silver - derailing the oncoming attack, and then the duo push the tail to the ground with Wheels' industry. 

A moment needed for katanas to flash, then flash again and again - the scratches and cuts biting into the dark chitin. 

The silent couple side-step attacks and create openings for one another with pinpoint precision. The crystal atelier in both of their hands flashed with silver and black, creating the beautiful, monochromic cross going though the enemy. The dance continued uninterrupted, the Light seeping out of the fighters - their emotions unbridled and bright.

Even if those were hate and desire to murder one another. 

The wild bout of combat was left uninterrupted. Both sides were routinely put in their places on the stage, but it didn't take more than a second for them to be ready and at each other's throat again. 

A snap and then again, a clash and then another, a roar and then some more. 

The scenery was stained with violence. Blood was the only color to paint the everpresent white canvas that was this desolate plain. 

However, there always comes a turn… 

Another beastly roar filled the space but this time, Cu Alter stood perfectly still, radiating such unthinkable bloodlust it would suffocate the most seasoned of veterans. 

And the duo stopped in their tracks, waiting for the attack they both knew would come. A gut feeling was wreaking havoc in Roland's mind. He knew that this couldn't be good. 

Like a wild animal, the Berserker threw the dirt up in the air with his legs and rushed like a bull in the direction of… Angelica. 

The thought of how stupid this was came a second later, after Patron threw himself in the way of danger. 

Well, his instincts did him some good. 

He suddenly felt like his whole body was picked up by many invisible strings, pulling at his legs and arms, adjusting his height, putting him in the same position the rabid berserker took. 

And then, like a phantom, the same scales encased the fixer like a second skin. 

He felt his legs push against the dirt, lunging his body at the enemy. 

Two vicious strikes came at each other, and again, and again and again. 

Ferocious and unrelenting. Roland could feel the sheer hatred in each strike. Both his and his enemy. 

But in the end, it was Roland's that did more damage. The repeated clashes bound the beast, made him slower. Which gave Fixer just the right opportunities to wave off strikes from himself and deal more in return. 

Each cut was more grievous than opponents, each bash packed more punch. 

As blood-red sparks flew, the clashes fell in intensity. Roland understood. It would all come to a single strike. 

-RAAAAAAAARGH!- alter screamed in both pain and exertion, his clawed arm reaching and hitting the mark. 

But likewise, he could find the very same thing done to him. 

-Argh,-a strangled scream came from the other side, but Cu was not focused on that.

Through the bloody visor, the King could see how the cursed spears spread across his opponent's body… 

And how these very same spears… have already sprouted from his own. 

*SPLASH - SQUENCH - SPLASH*

Erupting from everywhere, was the very spear he used. His shoulder, his abdomen, his legs, arms, back. 

Pain brought back lucidity and with it, the spearman realized… that he'd die before his opponent did. 

The last thing the King saw was how the man - Roland - slumped on the ground, like a marionette with his strings cut. 

But was caught by a ghost with all the tenderness of a beloved. Carefully allowing her husband to sag to the ground and then putting his head on her lap as she sat down. 

Her ghostly thingers caressed his black hair, slowly taking the mask off and then brushing a strand of hair from his face. 

The bloodstains on the perfectly white ghost looked surreal, but even more so, was her smile. Pure, despite the gore and blood. 

The last thing Cu thought was… that this was where his body drops. 

Darkness came. 

…

The shuffling of golden pages - that's what was left in Cu Alter's place. Someplace else, books with his name on it were now stacked neatly on the table, along with Medb's. 

With his demise, the cursed spears disappeared as well, making it slightly easier for Roland to breathe, giving him a shot at surviving. 

His last moments before he lost consciousness were occupied by a white silhouette. 

***** 

It's been… about ten minutes since Arjuna had sacrificed himself, Ritsuka grimly noted in her mind. Edison and Tesla managed to hold off the forces for a very long time, but even then - with how fast demon pillars could regenerate… 

She was only there to see the end of it. How the great heroic spirit burned his very essence to rid the world of evil. 

But reality, the ever cruel mistress, had other plans. The reprieve that Arjuna paid with his life didn't last long. It was only a matter of four minutes before everything returned to the way it was before. The electric cage went up in full force again.

And again, someone had to give them more time. So… 

-STELLA!

Arash's shout, as he let go of the bowstring, still vividly rang in her mind. 

What would haunt her nightmares is that it was she who had given the order to do it. To basically kill himself. The smile he gave her… meant to pacify, it only made her even more guilty. 

This time, it took longer. Romani noted that the stream of mana was running thinner, and that pillars had less energy to burn, which made containing the enemy a bit easier. 

-SENPAI!-Mash deflected another rock flying their way. 

Ritsuka was ripped from her thoughts by the overgrown tentacles suddenly writhing in pain. 

-Reporting! The mana flow has been cut off! Nightingale reported Roland's return with the grail. Just one final push everyone!-Romani shouted through the comms, his surprise and joy apparent. 

-They are trying to get through with one final attack!-yelled Robin, allerted by the movements of the enemy. 

-Mash, Jeanne, we are going to tank it! Rama, do your thing!-frantically, Master thought on her feet, reaching the optimal conclusion. 

Liz and Mash switched, the latter moving to the front to take the hit. 

-LORD!

-Luminosité!

The two intoned at the same time, with Jeanne lifting her banner high. 

-CHALDEAS!

-Eternelle!

The barrier of gold layered on the vision of a giant blue shield, holding the attack from hurting anyone. 

-Rama!-Ritsuka shouted to the only capable heavy-hitter here.

It cost Arturia an arm and a leg (literally) to keep the initial wave of demonic pillars at bay and a few Excaliburs back to back. Which exhausted and opened her to the attack. Thankfully, Jeanne arrived just in time for the rescue.

Meanwhile Rama... 

-The Immortal Blade that even the Rakshasa King succumbs to, take form!

The blade flew from his hands and started spinning, turning into a disk of divine flamel. 

-Take this! Brahmastra!-the disk of pure plasma reached its opponent in no time, slicing through its weakened form with ease and continuing forward, slicing and slashing through more demonic skin. 

-I'll take it from here!-Li Shuwen, ever enthusiastic when it comes to all things battle, took it as his cue to go and take on the last of the demons. 

His previous enemy, Beowulf, didn't object much. He was actually the first to rush and kill the stragglers. 

Being unable to resist both the pressure of the world denying their existence and the servants, the demonic pillars ceased to exist soon after. 

When the dust settled, and the last of the pillars were gone… 

Ritsuka took in the sight of destruction. The field and forest which stood here, now no more than a wasteland. The many mechanical parts scattered - the only other reminder that the war was waged here. 

-Senpai, we did it,-Mash dragged her feet from exhaustion, but the glee in her voice was undeniable,-We've won Senpai!

The Shielder embraced her friend. And Ritsuka hugged her back, tightly. 

-Yeah, we survived Mash. Thank you for your hard work,-her tone was far from enthused, but she was sincere in her gratitude,-Thank you, everyone…

The last part was nothing but a sorrowful murmur, dedicated to those who didn't make it to the end. Mash decided not to say anything. She just hugged her friend even tighter. 

-Ritsuka,-from her wrist, Master heard a very serious voice. 

The duo broke the embrace, their eyes glued to the hologram of Nightingale. 

-Nightingale! How's Roland?!-Ritsuka was ashamed to admit that for a second, the rush of victory overcame her mind completely, and she forgot about the one person that even made this possible. 

-His injuries are serious and extensive. Were he any less durable, and I'd have grave news to bring you. 

Ritsuka's body went stiff. Please. No. No. No. No. 

-Don't fret,-Nightingale read the expression of building horror correctly,-His condition is critical, but he'll live. He is quite resilient. I have already provided first aid, but…

-HOLY CRAP!-that was Romani on the other side of the screen,-Da Vinci, take over! I'll go get those scratchers! His spirit origin is almost falling apart!

First thing Ritsuka thought about was that the Doctor clearly forgot to mute. 

Second thing wasn't a thought. It was an all-consuming panic. 

-PULL HIM OUT ROMANI FOR CHRIST SAKE!-she shouted back into the communicator, noting for a second, how comically still and silent the doctor became. 

-Khm-khm, I'm on it,-Da Vinci was a lot more collected than her colleague, taking the situation under control as soon as she took the seat,-Nightingale, please continue to provide assistance. I'll try to calibrate rayshifting to be as gentle as possible. But that would take another few minutes. 

-Of course,-came the expected answer. 

-Good. Now, Ritsuka, you have around fifteen minutes to say your farewells. We can't hold you in there for more. That time period is as damaged as they come already. 

-Alright,-her reply was curt. 

Not saying anything, Da Vinci disconnected and the Master-Servant duo exchanged glances. 

The emotional rollercoaster from utter defeat and sadness, to panic and the uneasy feeling of an approaching goodbyes made Ritsuka's head go round. 

She shook it and decided to wait with the introspection until later. 

-So, where is the rest right now?

-Ano… They should be a bit further from here. Should I carry you?

-Nah, I think I've had enough of that…-she held her stomach, the memories of being carried around giving her motion sickness. 

The goodbyes themselves went like a blur. A hug from Blavatsky, an attempted murder by hugging from Edison, a nod and an apology from Tesla. 

A heartfelt smile from Rama, a salute from Robin, a promise to come and organize a concert from Liz. 

A nod from Li Shuwen and Beowulf. 

Then, what was left of Chaldean servants approached. Jeanne and Boudicca supporting Arturia on both sides, as she limped with her one leg.

To think that they'd lose all the servants of the main line up except two… 

Ritsuka once again swallowed down the bitterness. She considered this singularity to be a failure of hers. Despite how hectic it all was from beginning to the end. 

Her eyes roamed the wasteland one last time and her eyes caught onto the piece of red cloth wrapped around her arm.

…A look of deep rumination settled on her face for a second, before she gripped the cloth tighter. Thoughts ran through her mind, but she decided to address them later. 

-Roland successfully rayshifted to this side, along with the grail. He is being carried to the medical wing as we speak,-Da Vinci supplied, looking over the monitors,-It's your turn now. 

-Bye everyone!-Ritsuka put on her best, most cheerful smile. 

She wanted to say her goodbyes with a smile, despite everything. 

Everyone who hasn't disappeared already waved at her and… 

-Rayshifting in 3. 2. 1…

What felt like space itself pulled on her very existence, carrying her through the tunnel of light and colors she didn't know how to describe… and then she woke up with a start.

-Haaaaa!-after taking a deep, long breath the liquid filling the coffin disappeared, and she had to do her damn best not to just fall flat on the ground.

Next to her, she reckoned, Mash went through much the same experience. 

-Hey. Risuka, you with me?-that was a very familiar voice. 

-Yeah, Roman, I'm with you,-she said and was pulled up on the gurney. 

-Okay, that's nice to hear,-Doctor smiled,-Here's your transport, take a nap on it. We'll get you to the infirmary to do a routine check up. 

The last thing Ritsuka remembered before blacking out from sheer exhaustion is how she made herself comfortable. 

And then there was long and dreamless sleep. 

___________________________________________________________________

Floor of General Works - Keter (B - A - A+) (Anti-Team 1 - 5 people) (Range - 40 meters)

A Reality Marble that represents Roland's association with the Library. When active, the rules present in The Library apply. Both Guests and Librarians get Light which represents their stamina and prowess, which is used on attack. Servants who enter the RM get weakened, but can reclaim their prowess through gaining Light. The Emotion level applies to both Guests and Librarians. Abnormality pages become available. E.G.O pages become available. Assistant Librarians appear with various Key Pages. Key pages are customizable. Roland has a Shimmering trait (this is why he could fight without problem). Other traits are customizable. 

Also, Roland has his Strength, Endurance and Mana increased to B. Agility rises to A. With the caveat that the increase is gradual and reaches the peak at emotion level five (comes with Light). 

(Visually - it's the same floor of general works. With the BGM of Keter if Librarians have the advantage, and the enemy BGM if foes have the upperhand). 

Stage change: At emotion level five, Roland says the last part of the chant, Assistant Librarians disappear and instead the Spirit of Angelica takes the stage. Moveset changes drastically. Soul Link trait is acquired and combo attacks of Angelica and Roland gain more power. All the stats gain a slight boost in power. 

Explanation: To assist Roland in his journey, Angela managed to make this part of his "Legend" as Black Silence. 

(In terms of the visuals, the floor changes to the scenery where we can hear "Gone Angels" - a desolate desert with cracks. But unlike his reception, there is now grass growing from the cracks, and the smoke is cleared enough to show the night sky with stars shining down on the arena. The music I referenced starts playing.)

Stage Change:If Angelica dies, Roland suffers the damage dealt to her and gains Madness Enchantment A. The clouds overtake the skies, ground shakes. Under the effects of the library and bad memories - Roland takes on the form from his reception. Moveset changes to the one from the final phase of his reception. 

Explanation: As a last resort, Angela put this in. Should Roland come dangerously close to losing, the Library would influence Roland's saint graph, making him temporarily take on the form when he was at his strongest. The influence of the Library will fade, should he leave the Reality Marble, however his mental state after this is hard to predict. 

The Battle ends with either of the sides dead, or Reality Marble being destroyed, or Roland dismissing it. 

Note one: All of this takes an incredible amount of mana out of master to change the stages (summoning and sustaining is not as taxing as it usually is). Roland cannot move to the next phase without either the power up of the command seal or full support of mana reserves of the master (preferably a top-notch one) (although summoning at its base level would not be as taxing). 

If another Reality Marble tries to overtake Keter, then the floor itself will adapt to the new surroundings. This means that it cannot be canceled by summoning another RM. 

Note two: is that other people can't use abnormality and E.G.O. pages, as they had been made with beings made of light in mind (like Patron and Assistant librarians). As such, it's problematic and generally disadvantageous to allow servants to take the field. Not to say impossible, though. However, how these pages would affect the servant's saint graph is hard to predict. 

Other uses of this Reality Marble is that it can be used as a living space. People designated as "visitors" can be taken in the Library. Due to the low cost on the initial stage, it can be sustained for prolonged amounts of time. The problem is, you can't bring in too many people in - the upkeep increases with each visitor. 

The assistant librarians can be revived after death. Roland cannot. After battle, the books of servants can be burned and their key pages - obtained. 

Note three: Due to the adaptable nature of the Library, if certain conditions are met, the predetermined Stage can be changed to something else.

Chant : Prayer for Loving Sorrow

Phase one:

I have nothing but my sorrow and I want nothing more.

It has been, it still is, faithful to me.

Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours

When my soul crushed the depths of my heart,

It was seated there beside me?

O sorrow, I have ended, you see, by respecting you,

Because I am certain you will never leave me.

Phase two: 

Ah! I realize it: your beauty lies in the force of your being.

You are like those who never left

The sad fireside corner of my poor black heart.

O my sorrow, you are better than a well-beloved:

Because I know that on the day of my final agony,

You will be there, lying in my sheets, O sorrow,

So that you might once again attempt to enter my heart.