School had come to a slow, agonizing end. For the second time in his life, Haru felt emotionally drained. His pace was slow, enough that many students practically sped right by him at normal walking speeds. What the heck was Shitori-senpai thinking? he thought, still troubled by what she told him. Killing someone… no way I could do that. Even if this guy is killing people, I...
Please, don't think about that woman, Master.vAltera told him, concerned. If we encounter Assassin and their Master, I will strike them down.
I know you will, Altera, but...
He was still uneasy about all of this. He understood that this was a Grail war, but he couldn't really stomach the idea of killing someone. Even if that someone is a murderous scumbag.
Seriously… why did it have to be him? Couldn't this have happened to someone else?
But...
His pace picked up. His mind raced back to what he thought when Sona told him he could give up his Command Seals. The image of his first meeting with Saber. Even now, the sight of that beautiful woman, facing him with a terrified Raynare looking on behind them. She was every inch the warrior she looked—a steely face, cold intensity, and killing intent worn on her sleeve.
And yet… beneath those eyes of hers, even if it was just for a moment, he saw something. Something that made him want to keep these damn seals.
Master?
A small smile formed on his face. It's nothing, Altera. He told her. Anyway, let's head back home. Kaachan must have dinner ready by now. With a shrug, he then took off in a run.
… All the while unaware of a deathly figure watching him from afar, a sickening grin spread across their face.
"Found you."
The train ride had, regretfully, come to an end. The crowd of people that spilled out was hard to navigate through, but she managed to step out onto the platform. Because of her clothes, she stood out like a sore thumb, especially when they recognized that she was a foreigner.
It was worse when she tried to ask for directions. Admittedly, her Japanese wasn't very good so she still had trouble understanding what they were saying. Even so, she persevered and managed to find her way to her destination, even though it had been hours later than when she first meant to arrive.
She happened upon a small park with a fountain. Coupled with the setting sun, it made the sprinkling water rather beautiful. She found a boy nearby, playing until he scraped his knee by accident. Unable to watch him on the verge of tears, and against the fact that a woman—no doubt her mother—was nearby, she used her Sacred Gear to heal him. Afterwards, the mother pulled him away, though the boy shouted something she didn't understand.
Arigatou… that means, thank you, right? the blonde nun thought, putting a finger to her cheek before she smiled. Well, at least he is okay!
She was glad. Glad that she was able to help someone. It always left behind a pleasant feeling, though the look on the mother's face reminded her of the looks of the robed men who threw her away. Her fingers clenched around the only link she had to her parents—the rosary that hung around her neck. She couldn't think about that. She refused.
For now, she must head to the church. Someone was probably awaiting her arrival there.
With an inhale of breath, she took a brave step forward...
"Kyah!"
… And promptly fell face-first into the ground.
"Uuuu..." she moaned in pain as she pulled herself up.
As she rubbed her head, she noticed a hand extended out to her. "You okay?" Looking up, it was a Japanese boy with red hair and golden eyes, wearing what she guessed was a uniform.
"Y-Yes. I-I'm fine. I just tripped." She accepted the hand and the boy helped her up. His hand felt slightly rough, bigger than her own, but slender. She also took notice of the bizarre red tattoo on his hand, which vaguely resembled a dragon. "K-Konichiwa..." the young nun bowed her head. "D-Did I say that right? I'm looking for the Church. Do you know where I can find it?"
The boy smiled. "Yeah, I do." The blonde blinked. The words coming out of his mouth were not Japanese, but perfectly fluent English. "Are you new to town?"
"Y-Yes! I am. I was just transferred here not too long ago."
"I see, well welcome to Kuoh Town."
The boy smiled a bit, extending a hand. "I'm Namikaze Haru. Nice to meet you."
"And I am Asia Argento." the nun smiled back, taking his hand again. "I must say, though, your English is perfect."
"Yeah, well… you can blame my witch of a grandmother for that."
Haru had to admit, his day had gotten slightly better when Asia had fallen down and gave him a good glimpse of her pure white panties. Such a beautiful sight was a welcome grace, given everything that's happened these last few days.
That being said… what was a cute little nun like her, a foreigner no less, doing here in the middle of nowhere? Kuoh was hardly anything special. Not to mention the Church was pretty banged up. It had fallen apart ever since Shidou and his parents left, and was left in a state of disrepair.
As far as he remembered, there was no one who ever thought of fixing up the Church for public use. Even the town government forgot about it now that they no longer had a priest.
It was all but abandoned.
It made him a bit suspicious to learn that Asia was being assigned there of all places.
Wait, what am I thinking? Haru questioned himself. Asia looks too sweet and innocent to be up to something. After he thought this, he was instantly reminded of Raynare and winced. It was harsh to compare them, but… he once thought the same about Raynare, too. Listen to me. I'm starting to get so damn paranoid about everything.
Altera watched as her Master had a mental debate over Asia, whether he could trust her or not. The Saber felt something… off about the girl. But it was far too early to tell.
She had the makings of a magus. She could feel the power flowing through her circuits, but they were in considerably less number and potency. Nevertheless, she had awakened magic circuits. The question was what type of magecraft she specialized in, if any.
"So… what brings you to town?" Haru asked curiously. "I mean, Kuoh isn't really anything special. We're pretty much in the boonies."
"Well, I was recently assigned to the church located here."
"Even though it's run down?"
"Yes." She nodded. "Actually, if possible, I want to try and repair it. After all, it is a House of the Lord!"
"Repair it? Isn't that a big job for a single person? I mean, it's been run down for years."
And that was an understatement. Even from where he saw it from a distance on his way to school every day, the building looked ready to fall apart any second. It was a wonder how in the world it was still standing. Well, then again, he supposed a goal like that was pretty admirable. As they climbed up the hill, Haru felt the hairs on the back of his neck tingle. He wasn't sure why, but… something felt wrong. Why was the air so cold? And why was it starting to become so hard to breathe?
Master! Altera's voice became urgent, nearly screaming in his mind. I sense a Servant nearby! And their Master is with them!
'What?!'
"Why, hello there."
Both teens turned to the source of the greeting, one in confusion, the other in shock. Standing before them was a white haired man in white priest robes. However, while he wore the clothes of a priest, the items he held in his hands were not. In one hand was a sword made up of pure white light. In the other, a handgun. Etched over his face was a wide, sickening smile while madness was reflected clear in his mind.
Sona's warnings from earlier came to mind. Instantly, Haru knew who this man was.
The Master of Assassin.
"My name is Freed Sellzan." the Stray Exorcist greeted with an exaggerated bow. "I'm a former member of the Vatican Church. So pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Master and Ms. Holy Maiden!"
Asia recoiled, eyes wide. "W-Who are you?"
"Oh, I'm so glad you asked!" Freed grinned. "Assassin, how about we give her a proper greeting?"
A rush of wind plowed through the area. Haru's eyes caught something moving. A sense of wrongness. A sickening distortion that ripped through the air. His eyes widened. It was moving too fast. He could barely keep his eyes trained on it, and it was coming straight for them.
He felt his hand burn as one of the wings on the tattoo glowed before it began to fade. He didn't process the sudden flow of power that went through him, but Altera did. An order registered in her mind, subconsciously given to her by her Master when he saw the cloaked distortion coming straight for them.
Just as it reached them, a scream ripped from Haru's throat. "SABER!"
Silver gleamed through the air, poised to cut through his neck. However, dancing lights slammed against it. A shockwave sent Haru and Asia flying through the air, hitting the soft grass on their backsides before rising to all fours. There, in the middle of the open field, was Altera, garbed in her white dress with ruby eyes locked onto those which were filled with malice.
"Any who dare harm Master shall meet their end by my blade!" she declared as she threw Assassin aside, sending him back to Freed's side. With a swipe of her blade, she aimed its tip at the two. "Prepare yourselves!"
Assassin cackled, licking his lips. "My my, what a pretty little thing you are!" he said gleefully, craning his head to look at Freed. "Say, Master? If you're taking the nun, can I have Saber? Pretty please?"
"But of course, my beloved pal. She's all yours for the taking… right after we off that Master of her's and take his Command Seals. Then she's all ours!" Freed cackled.
The way they talked so casually about such things—Haru had seen enough hentai with rape scenes to know what they were talking about—made the redhead's heart sink with horror. Even more so when Assassin had mentioned Freed wanting Asia. But why? No, nevermind that… he knew how dangerous this was.
These men… they were going to try and kill them both.
"Master." Altera called. "Please leave this to me and flee."
He wanted to object to that, but the fear in his heart told him otherwise. He knew it was foolish to leave her to fight against these madmen. As much as he wanted to help her, he knew how useless he would be. After all, he knew nothing of how to fight.
Cursing, he grabbed Asia's hand and ran as fast as possible. He headed to what he thought might have been the only safe place he could think of in such a panic:
The Church.
"Hey hey hey!" Assassin shouted in dismay. "You can't leave! That's against the ru—ACK!" He was cut off as Altera appeared behind him and stabbed her blade right through his back until the tip protruded from his front.
For a moment, the Servant wondered if she had cut him down. She soon banished the thought when she felt no resistance in her thrust. A scowl made its way to her face when she noticed two blurs coming out from behind her, silver gleaming wickedly. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, she twirled on her heel, creating an arc of deadly rainbow lights that cut down the two Assassins. As soon as the light slashed through them, their forms shimmered out of existence.
"Illusions." she deduced with annoyance. "According to the Master of Caster, she claimed you were of the Assassin-class. However, this reeks of the work of magic."
From somewhere, Assassin's laughter rang out, echoing in her ears. "What can I say? Perhaps I'm just greatly talented! Now then, Saber! Dance for me! Dance dance daaaaance!"
Around her, countless copies of Assassin landed on the ground, all bearing sickening grins with their tongues hanging out, scissors in hand with the intent of slaughtering her then and there. Altera stood in the center of this horde, face calm and sharp as she readied her sword. From afar, she saw Haru and Asia running as fast as possible towards the church, Assassin's Master chasing after them.
I must deal with this Servant quickly. she thought. Before his Master can kill them!
And so the Homonculus, granted power by the Devil Mephistopheles, began his onslaught while the Servant of the Sword stood tall, facing her foe head on.