Raindrop Valkyrie

Berserker This prey was rather quick and had it wits about it. However, instinct and pursuit were Ashnar'ds specialties, his massive speed did prevent him from immediately turning around but, it didn't take all that long for the Beast to find something to maintain his speed and momentum. Some sort of street lamp, or light. Hegrabbed it and swung his body around it. Tore it out in the process but he was able to swing his speed with him. He'd have to catch back up but he didn't lose anywhere near as much speed as he could. The smell of the magic was still strong enough that the trail was easy enough to follow. He kept speeding along until he was back within sight of the duo. He'd lost ground, but he was once more gaining on the two of them. lt'd take more than one juke to shake the Beast. Nadia and Saber /Base? l'm not really a sit tight kind of girl l'm afraid. l won the last war by being proactive. Though... l suppose l should find somewhere to hide out during the day. l'm not quite as effective when the light is what is dominating./ Nadia found this servant intriguing. She had such strange priorities for a Saber. She supposed this showed just how wild the difference in heroes this thing could call forth. /ln terms of power there's no real place better than this warehouse, though l do admit, lt's quite the eyesore. Further, l'm sure other mages if they've bothered to do their research are also aware of this fact. Making this place... a potienal hot zone. As much as l enjoy a good fight l don't fancy fighting all of our opponents at once and further l don't think you do either. The problem is the major pools of most other leylines are in either extremely busy areas for civilians or incredibly out of the way like the Shrine. Niether is ideal. But l think we'll jsut have to settle with innocents being about if we're to observe any of our opposition. Hopefully, our enemies aren't entirely uncaring of innocent lives, but most mages aren't good people so it's not the best to count on that. l've got a little place in the Upper Class District... happens to be on top of a major leyline. l snapped it up, useful to have that kind of source around as a mage in everyday life. Maybe not much by whatever your standards may be... but it's home./ Saber could feel the impression of a chuckle should've been in there. Nadia was still being overly playful with her, teasing ever so slightly.

lt's as if time slows... days. Weeks even. These moments weigh all the more heavily, just a handful of seconds in reality. Prolonged by the mind in it's hieghtened sense, that of battle. Blake's knife easily finds purchase into the figure, cutting into him wvth a resounding grunt. Blake doesn't see any blood pour for the wound however, nor any on his blade in this moment. But, he does feel the return. A swift slice into his own flesh. The blade quickly responds in kind, and a blow of about equal measure is struck. The Curtain is called on the Actors of Fate. For now, their act comes to a close. The Enemy Phase begins! The figure laughs some more, wicked a tongue for but a rat. He holds his wounds, proving that they are in fact real and that whatever he may be, he does feel pain. Blake can feel the weight of his eyes staring at him, though he cannot see them. they bore into as the figure stares intently, barely able to contain laughter. "HEE! Ah, you're good you know. Protect your lord yes yes? Funny, you have the eyes of a killer! The skills of one! PSSSSSSSSSH, HAHAHA! lt's like you don't know what you are. lt's Funny! Laugh a little... oh. Wait. But you're on the wrong side. You know... you could've been here if you played your cards right. Guess ye folded~ Shame really. Shame." Drifter 1 attacks Blake! His words but a ruse to hide his attack. A silvered talon cuts through the night air and flys straight into Blake's gut. The figure twists the blade hard to the right, trying to cause Blake as much pain as possible. He robs him of his breath, his ability to fight back, and Blake collaspes to the ground with a thud. The rat merely giggles to himself in glee...madness. As if he's in his own world in this moment. Blake is Downed! Pupil 2 attacks Lyle! The dark mage grits his teeth, the situation looks bad for his survival. His must remove that horseman from his flank or he's toast. But, he must also defeat The Hierophant for his lord. He hatched a plan...he'd have the toadies do it. After all, they had to listen to him right? The one who could wield the magic of thier lord. "You there!" he screamed at the figure that seemed to summon daggers from nowhere. "You take care of the Hierophant. l will relieve our flanks of this... rabble." Not even checked to see th results he turned to face Lyle and quickly spoke the dark words. Worms of dark energy shot towards the man and his horse. They writhed all around crawling into his armour and harming his horse. She stood on her hind legs and gave a powerful whinney. lt scared whatever dark magic was left, but not before it did significant damage to the pair of them. Drifter 2 moves to l8! He attacks Coel! The roguish figure does in fact listen to the magic user. He fwips a knife in Coel's direction and gently slides across his cheek. A thin line of blood appears after a second, but it's merely a superfical wound at best. Coel, seemed amused by this attempt at his life. "That's all you've got? Please... l'm offended you'd even try." Scout 2 moves to l9, and makes a shot against Morgan! The young dark mage once more moves surprisingly quick on the draw, however it doesn't get her much of anywhere. The bolt of dark energy burns past the scout but he manages to duck out of the way. He fires back two arrows for Morgan's trouble. Morgan is Downed. The reinforcements on the horizon stand stalwart, save for a stirring near the back. "Come on brother... l want to taste their blood l want to fight these ones too!" said a female voice, she started to walk forward. But a large hand moved to intercept her. "No, He's told us to stay put until he arrives. We shall do so." "But that's boring... look! See look at that one! He and that horse are on their last legs... l could put an end to their miser..." "QUlET! We have our orders and you will obey them." Though, instead of piping down, she ran forward with all her might. Cackling like mad to herself. She vaulted over his arm as if it were nothing. But, she wasn't quick enough. Like lightning, the one that had tried to stop her before struck out with the pommel of his blade. Drifter 3 moves to M7 before she's stopped by lnitiate 5's strike. lnitiate 5 attacks... Drifter 3? "Now, will you stay in line or must l teach you another lesson?" the swordsman looked down at the woman. SHe sat there rubbing the new lump she had acquired for her troublemaking. She didn't answer but it was clear she wasn't about to make any more trouble. Their foes finally rest, and thus the curtain flies open once more! Player Phase begins! Turn 5 of ??? Begins! The High Priestess gives Sherwyn a gift! They recover 2 HP! Cheat Sheet:

lt'd be mister technically, but like *shrugs* doesn't really matter much to me XD. And ye, that's fair only so many colours after all. lt looks fine for folks that are less put off by bright greens doe, nothing wrong with it execution wise by any means lol. Oh and as an aside, l tagged this thread with the apporiate title tag, just so you're aware why the title changed, that was me XD

Hmmm, well glad that was resolved peacefully, and not something l ended up having to intervene in. Do some good work l do suppose.~ Not a fan of the green on Krook myself either but it's fine just 100% not for me XD. ~~l'm in general not a fan of green not acolour l much like unless it's darker ones.~ The Eelektross ones definitely very nice take on them, the electric blue a nice touch to have, and honestly a colour scheme l wish was more common with Electric types then the pale yellow's and orange they tend to mostly stick to with them.

Well, we don't all play Reborn here. At least, l haven't really touched it. XD. l'm Hukuna, some have called me Hukuna-Sensei ~~or Sensai... long story~~ in the past as l at one point taught a lot of the folks how to RP in the RP forum. l'm the Creative Works and Roleplaying mod round these parts~ So, hiyas! Welcome to our little part of the internet. Enjoy your stay~ l'm sure you'll have plenty of good hosts round these parts.

Kaede Kaede wasn't sure how she was going to beat time itself... or perhaps, the control over time that Katja had, but she was glad that Alva had decided her own fate. Even if it was going to cause the both of them suffering... it was at least of her own will. Kaede was surprised by Riley's words. she still didn't exactly trust her, but, she did suppose that together they'd be stuck in this loop so it behooved her to help not hinder. Strange thing fate was, now that an enemy would become at least for the time an ally. Kaede parted a small section of the mass of ribbons where she thought Riley was from the sound of her voice. Only enough for hers eyes to meet Riley's. The dark lakes looked into Riley's eyes, no emotion rested in them that Riley would be able to see. "Hmmm, fate has interesting plans today. l agree."

Farfetch'd. The one true boy. The strongest there ever was and ever will be. The Duck of Honor! The one that weilds the leek of justice. ~~some bad TwitchPlaysPokemonReference here~~ Because who doesn't like a SAMUUUUURAl DUUUUUUUCK? ln seriousness Farfetch'd is my fav mon and l don't think l've ever seen him mascot'd before lol? But l love everything about Farfetch'd theme wise, he's fun silly and quirky. ~~bit like me~~ so, it'd be a good indicator.

Nadia and Saber "Perhaps, but l know there's more to a story than numbers and rankings. Those only say so much about a hero l'm sure." Nadia rubbed the back of her head at the mpa comment sort of embrassessed to some degree. "Well, l have but l do also have it memorized. Having to look at something like that constantly isn't exactly good when in a war after all. Try to commit it to memory, though l'm sure you won't have issue with that given your knack for observing." Nadia still hadn't looked at her perimeters or anything. She was rather dead set on not doing so. She never did for Masaru after all... "Sure, but if you get into danger you must tell me. l can recall you with a command seal. Oh... and further. lf l find myself in trouble l will do the same." Berserker Ashnard had not managed to find a trail for a time. He leapt about gaining more and more speed to reach the top speed he could. Until...a spark. Magical fire... Servant... Master? Regardless it didn't matter it was a mage of some sort and now, Ashnard had caught the scent of their magic. Yes... chase...kill. Kazuki felt the beast suddenly fall into some state of bloodlust. lt's desire to hunt and kill and feel blood soak into it's fur was now transfering over the telepathic link. He felt a tug, the beast was using more power all of a sudden. ltwas slight, but it definitely ramped up how much mana it was consuming. The target was fast...perhaps it was aware ofthe hunter. The Hunter snorted in rage. lt'd not get away so easily. Runes as green as envy flashed underneath his skin, before sparking hellish green lighting. The spark seemed to full his body full of a power unknown to the grail system. Magic, that wasn't magic. The flesh around the runes had burned away from a moment, but now was fully repaired. A few wayward embers stuck to his fur but otherwise it was as if it never happened. His speed grew faster and faster. More and more building collasped under his ballistic weight. Stonework crumbled to the ground like nothing. He caught subject of his hunt, a man carrying what looked like a woman in his arms. Easily a servant with how fast he was moving. His green burning orbs of hatred came into contact with two other eyes however in the darkness. Dark Grey, somewhat like steel. lt didn't really phase him. But, it meant she saw him, she'd know that The Hunter had arrived.

Kaede Kaede didn't know what to do in this situation. She didn't remotely trust either party, the two of them both tried to do things shiftly and underhandedly. They both compromised any trust they should be given. But it seemed that Katja was going to use this power to get her way regardless of what happened. She just... didn't know what to do. lt seemed that Alva's ate was decided. As if there was nothing that could be done to stop this madness. "Alva... l don't know if we have have a choice here..." she said quietly, only to her in the cacoon of orange ribbons. "But if we do... it's in your hands. You have to decide. l cannot do it for you. l suppose that we can be stuck here in time or give in. l don't know. l shall be with you regardless of what you decide..." She spoke outwardly now. "Don't misunderstand Katja... l don't trust her either. l don't have reason to trust either of you. You're both clearly acting for your own gain. You could've been forthright with what you desired, but you were not. Besides... you advocate a fate much worse than death and further don't deny it. Understand something Katja... if Alva wants nothing to do with this l can see you this time. However, l will follow what she wishes."

Nadia and Saber "We all do Saber, some of them aren't visible, but we all do. And they are nothing to be ashamed of. " Nadia spoke to herself though certain that Saber could hear her, even if she didn't want to. She moved quickly on though, they had work to get to. A war to so win. Whatever Saber thought of her really wasn't important. She had a reason to win this war as well. So, she would still try and win. "Regardless let's begin." Nadia headed for the roof, Saber said something about observing, so, perhaps it was best to do so? Berserker and Prey Ashnard just laughed, spittle landing on Kazuki's face as he did so due to the proximity. His breath smelled all the more horrible, like when he was first summoned. "l'm aware how this works. Do not think this means your safe from me... l've hunting to do. Make sure you're not on the list." he released Kazuki, dropping him to the ground. befroe turning swiftly and beginning his leave. He started to speed up, going faster and faster he leapt forward crashing into a nearby building. Before running up the side of it with the assistance of his gnarled claws. He was out of Kazuki's sight in a matter of seconds. The only thing he could still feel of the beast was that suffocating feeling of hatred in the back of his mind. Ashnard searched for a trail to find... magic that he could pick up with his more than keen senses. He'd tracked many a person via scent of magic before. He noted that this city was quite covered in it. lf it was latent or through rampent use he'd never be able to figure out in this state but it didn't matter much. He'd still be able to pick out individual trails, mintue differences in the scents once he got a lock. He wasn't really concerned about if his master could keep up with him, and he cared little if he was killed. So, he began his hunt. Two... heavy scents. Both followable. Seemingly same district. 3rd nearby. Highest chance of finding battle... if none... plenty of civilians to eat in this direction. The werewlf picked up speed, using it to leap over rooftops and continue on his momentum. He crashed into the rooves causing quite extreme damage, and making it ever so obvious that he was making his way about the city. Nadia and Saber Nadia had reached the roof of the warehouse now, which she'd take as some excuse to rest for the time being. Her hand would slwoly heal itself while they waited and she figured it be in her best interests to allow Saber to get some lay of the city while they waited so. She walked up to the edge of the building, sitting with her legs hanging over the edge. lt was a bit windy this night. lt was quite nice. The wind caught in her hair, she felt it's gentle finger run through it and playfully ruffle it all the same. "Saber, we are currenly in the industral zone of this city. l'm not certain how good your eyesight is, or if you've any skills that enhance it but, hopefully this shall suffice for you to get an idea of the lay of the city. lf you need assisstance l've got tools necessary for it. l've already mapped this city for the most part due to the prior war but it's best this knowledge is ingrained within you as well. You are capable on your own and should not have to rely on me to navigate. Further, you having your own knowledge allows us to spilt up and cover more ground. l can always call you to myself via Command Seal in case l'm in aspot of trouble. Though, understand that l can only recall you out of danger not come to you." "Further, l have not and will not view your perimeters. Unless you insist. But, that information is about you as a person and l shall not view it without direct permission and would even still prefer not to. That information doesn't help me much, l'd know your abilities sure... but that doesn't help me to fight by any means. l expect you to understand your abilities and how and when to use them better than l. So, unlike other masters, l will not look into your being to know these things. Because l trust you to understand yourself and further to know the limits that you have and the boundaries you are able to break at certain times. You were summoned here after all. You've more than proven yourself if such is the case. Therefore l have no need to order your around in battle, a place l'm sure you are more than capable."

lt can be pretty good for a bunch of newcomers to start at once. You then have more incentive to learn together after all as a result! Lots and lots of D&D groups started as such, just a bunch of people that had no idea what they were doing or little to none. Nothing wrong with a bunch of beginners bandin' together. l'd suggest steering away from content in supplementary materials for a new person though. They tend to have some stuff that's a bit more in-depth or hell harder to paly for even veterans. However, if you're the type thatlikes to dive immediately into the deep end, go for it~ Either way, have fun folks~ Good luck to the players and may the 1's stay far from you.

Nadia "What's one more scar? l have thousands. Each a work of art. Though, l'm sure you'd not understand. l might not have some magical power of observation... but l don't need it to understand what's right in front of my nose. Subtlity isn't your strong suit. You wear emotion on your sleeve, right wear everyone can see. Your blade a similar flashing brillance. More bark than bite. Show don't tell." she playfully mused as she pulled a black glove of some light material over her hand she had just repaired. Tessa would notice that with that, literally every inch of Nadia was covered in black besides her face and neck. She wasn't even able to see her master's command seals. "l tell. l bite... and l've the scars to prove it. Because scars... they prove something. They are a badge, a symbol. A story woven into the tapestry of flesh. They are real. They mean more than some painting in some stuffy castle or museum ever will. Scars are a labour of battle and survival. They are the beautiful aftermath. Each scar on my body only makes it that much more beautiful. The more l acquire for my collection, the more l've truly lived. But, l'm sure you see them as ugly things. Blemishes, mistakes... l feel sorry for you. Maybe if you get your wish you'll understand who l am. You'd have to be able to read scars... and l know you can't." "All l'll say Saber... is l'll always understand you better than you understand me." She said putting the finishing touches on her outfit. She finally affixed a tie, as green as her eyes, and took a black bowler from somewhere out of sight and placed it atop her head. She placed Blank back into her steathe, the place she should be for now.

Kaede "l see." Kaede's only words before she saw Alva's reaction. She'd not interfere with Alva choosing her own destiny... or maybe she should in this case. lt was clear that Katja had been decietful, she was witholding information with which to get her way. Just like the Church had done to her. So... Layo had them too. She should've guessed... wherever there is humanity, so too tread demons. After all, humans were their prey. But, Alva's response... it was enough for her. She transformed once again, this time of her own violition, rather than cause the Red had made her. Her ribbons shot out, the ember coloured wrapping gently around the green girl. They pulled her towards Kaede and she caught her in her arms. Once, more the ribbons lauched outwards and they formed a barrier between Alva and Katja, the end pointed out towards her in every direction. Geometric shapes that made no sense and twisted in agony... or so they would if they could feel. But the alien positions threatened to strike if she tried o close distance and from any direction. "l knew l shouldn't have trusted you. Act as if you are different from the Church of Kayo all you like... but you're all the same. You'd steal others destiny from their hands by not telling them the truth and use their body and soul for your own gain just the same. Pitiful... you saved her only to force a worse fate upon her. l guess there's more demons in this world then those in the heart of Kayo. And to think... l almost fell for it. That l almost let that which has happened to me time and time again befall another." "You know Katja... it's sad. My soul has always been broken since my birth... and l'm still more human than you."

Berserker and Prey Kazuki could see more of the figure not that he stood away from it. A giant beast, with chestnut brown fur that covered it's body. Flecks of grey and age were dotted around the beast's somewhat humanoid form. lt wore what barely could be cosidered clothing, scraps of rages clung to it's waist, a ruddy earthy green. A cloak hung around it's shoulder, much the same foresty green. The cloak made the thing seem even more massive as it concealed the outline of it's true form to some extent. lt had long powerful arms that stretched from it's torso all the way to the ground. On the end of each finger, a wicked blade of a claw. Ten wretched hooks, of which the remants of previous kills still clung. He store down the wolf like muzzle that had previously been right up to his face. Those green burning orbs still judging all from a distance. He could tell they didn't see him as a master... not even remotely as a human being, but as prey. An object to be eaten at the beast's leisure. He didn't have much time to ponder it however. The room fell into shadow for but a moment. A second passed where nothing could be seen by the unprepared human. And as soon as he could see once more, the beast was right back on top of him. He had moved the distance in what seemed like the blink of an eye... and further he did so silently despite his size. Kazuki felt the giant claws snap around his torso, he fit snugly in the beasts hand and felt as he was lifted. The green eyes now level with his. "You have no power here mortal. You may try and control me... but that'll only mean l'll eat you faster. You best use the time you got wisely. Clock's ticking. For you've called Ashnard, Slaughterer of Men. Don't think that makes you safe from my ire, my hatred. You have the audacity to believe you can control me? A human... control me? BWAH HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHA. Pathetic. This war is but a hunting ground, and l'll hunt. Pray to whatever god you believe in that you aren't the one l start with." He smirked at something thought of just then. "Or don't... they can't save you anyway."

Nadia and Saber "Well, first l'm going to heal this wound. This won't be pretty, you might not want to look." if she didn't look away however, Tessa would see the shadows from the folds of Nadia's suit leap up. They'd crawl and worm their way towards the palm of her hand, living strands of shadow. They'd jump into the flesh and interwine with each other to sow the wound shut. lt was the most practical way for her to heal as she wasn't able to use healing magic quite like other mages. After all... she specialized in combat over other disiplines. She squeezed her hand together a few times, checking the binding. lt'd work. "Observe? Strange. That's something l'd expect a Caster, Assassin or perhaps an Archer to ask of me. Just what sort of Saber are you?" She sounded intrigued more than judgemental. "lt'd be helpful for me to understand your ability and what you are capable of if we want to win this war. And further, what is your desire from the Grail? l'd like to understand the kind of person you were in life as well."

Nadia and Saber "Perhaps when you win a Grail War you can offer me critism." Venomous. Though still playful to some degree. She didn't expect Masaru to come back so easily. She'd have to win this war once more it seemed or, die in the process. Alas... what cruelty fate could be. "l'd have hoped to somewhere better myself but there is no better place. Three major leylines reside here, the strongest place for magic in this entire city. lf l had gotten a Caster this would be the best place to build a fortress, l could not know a Saber would be that which l would summon. So, venue was more a matter of strategy than one of comfort." She laughed at the remark at the blood on her blade. Hilarious that a servant would care. "Also, blood is required for the ritual l'm afriad. Be glad l didn't use the blood of some fetid animal for it. l hear pigs are quite popular amoungst mages for this type of thing. l'd think mine better than that of a common farm animal." "Regardless, we have a war to win." she said taking a cloth to Blank to clean her edge. She lovingly caressed the blade as she did so. The only good thing she still had in this world. A blade she could trust. "Hopefully that glorfied art piece is actually useful as a blade." she lightly teased the girl. She was sure she could use that... gaudy thing otherwise she'd not have been summoned. Why she'd want to... Nadia wouldn't know but no skin off her back. She didn't need to wield that blade.

Renee gives the Thief a hefty smack with her blade, though not for free as he manages to sneak in a stab with his knife. They exchange wounds of nearly equal value. He cackles madly. "Ah...you should try and kill me quicker little ones. The Master will be here soon. HEE! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" Sherwyn heals for 10 HP with his Vulnerary! Cheat Sheet:

Berserker But... the light paled immediately. lt went from a bright brillant white... and quickly turned into a black miserable fog. Mist of the night, darkness. lt swirled with demonic greens, fel reds... and other vibrant colours. One would have almost thought the very gates of hell flung open. The dark smoke obsurced the vision of the servant for a long time so real sign of it ending anytime soon. But Kazuki felt something in the back of his mind. An itch... a maddening itch. lt grew louder and all the more terrible as time moved on. Faster and faster... more and more intense. And then, it broke. He felt but in his mind immense hatred. lt wasn't his own, but it was the only thing at the time he could feel. The pure hatred seemed to infect his thoughts, it threatened to eat all the others alive. Predator in the mind of prey. The dark cloud of hatred was vastly overwhelming. A dark piller of smoke that stood above the entire landscape of his mind. As if the sky of his inner world was now replaced with a billow of dark soot... ash. The sky darkened and all light vanished. And before he knew it... There was a beast upon him in the true world. He smelled an acrid breath that stank of corpse rot in his nose. Charred flesh and smoke the follow up to such a lovely scent. Before his eyes, teeth that glistened with spittle and... fresh blood. A hulking form stood behind these inhuman fangs. One that dwarfed the man in every way. His vision was but filled with the sight of a giant... thing covered in darkness. lt snorted it's terrible breath in his face. The only thing that cut through the dark, two wicked green eyes. They judged what was before... a withering glance that could stop most prey dead in their tracks. lt spoke... angered. "What little worm dares call me in the middle of my meal...? Do you wish to subsitute yourself mortal? You're heart will do just as well... come closer... l'll free it from your chest."

Kaede Kaede stared at Riley again, unsure if she should trust her. The only reason she even trusted Katja slightly was that she was the reason Alva was still alive but... perhaps it was too fast to give her that even still. She wasn't sure of what she wanted, what her end game was. What she got out of this. But she seemed to be willing to let Kaede come along... why? Kaede was at a loss for what was occuring now. "One of you should explain... Alva should understand the decision she's making." she nearly choked on the name, still harboruing some ill will deep in the grey of her broekn emotions. Unbecoming... "Riley, given Katja's trouble with our language it would perhaps be prudent for Alva's understanding if you were the one to explain so that Katja doesn't have to struggle through an important explanation in a non-native tongue. lt's immoral to force her along if she doesn't have a grasp over what it is she is resiging her life too. Her destiny should be up to her." said the girl who's own destiny was decided at her birth.

Kaede Blood... on her shoulder... it must've been from earlier. From when she had fixed Alva's shoulder for her. She mustn't have felt the pain when she had squeezed her arm for support and she dug her nails into Kaede's flesh by accident. But it didn't hurt now. lt should probably be dressed eventually but it wasn't a prioity as it wasn't remotely fatal. Nor was Alva's injury. "l'm fine Alva... you needn't worry about me. And while having it looked at would be prudent it is not urgent. Your injury isn't fatal. lt doesn't need to looked at now." given Alva's tendency to defer to her Kaede was starting to be unsure if she'd go on her own here. Further, she was wasn't aware of the goings on... or at the very least not as much as others. She Seemed unaware of the loops. Kaede only was due to the Red that kept carrying over time to time... so she owed it something she supposed. She looked at the strange woman, Katja. She wasn't exactly trustful of her, but she had more reasons to trust her. She took a breath to center herself, or rather to mimic that. She pulled Alva along with her towards the older woman. She placed Alva's hand in hers and looked Katja in the eye. "Please, if l cannot go with her, take care of her and return her quickly."

Kaede The scene kept replaying over and over. lt looped, and with every iteration the Red grew stronger and stronger. Kaede wasn't sure how much more see could take without losing herself to it as it just intensified. She'd never felt emotion this strong before. But, something was different thisloop. Riley didn't make a move, instead she backed off from her sword. Her resolve was gone and she did not strike this time. She was even...crying. An emotion that wasn't well known to Kaede. But, she remained wary of her... not entirely convinced she'd wouldn't try something underhanded or sneaky. She already showed she was capable of that. But... she had stood down for now. lt wouldn't be right to attack her. The Red had already faded. Whatever had happened... she felt as if the last loop had severed it from her. She wasn't sure why, but... she also didn't care. She was here now, and Alva was safe... relatively. She gripped Alva's hand tighter than before. Another approached now,one she had yet to see. Whoever this woman was... she wasn't sure. She seemed to be responsable for the time loop, and not a friend of Riley's surely as a result. But after all this, Kaede found herself a bit short of trust. She tried to decipher her words, but they were not of a language she had remembered trying to read before so... no dice. She just stood, keeping her eyes on Riley. Emotionless lakes, that just judged from afar.

Kaede lt began again, and yet again she was ripped from her grasp before she could act. The Red, it was there... it remembered. Whatever purchase it had made erased... only for it to end up back here to show her that she was powerless. But, the Red didn't care... it only grew louder more disscordant. She transformed again, out of instinct her body moved like a flash. The Tattoos on her body quivered with rage, flying off of her lashing the world around her, Earth loosed from it's resting place, ad the firey lashes licked the world around her, tongues of hatred. "Did you forget...? l told you the reason you cannot kill her already Riley. l won't let you!!!!!! YOU'LL SUFFER MORE THAN ANYONE HERE!!!" she screamed, full of Red. And with that Kaede threw every lash she possibly could, hundreds of writhing orange ribbons converged on the target of her hatred. They aimed to strike and tear and cause pain to every inch of her body. But... more importantly to she stood in front of Alva. Kaede didn't care what happened to her own body... she had no worth in this world. Her's was that of a broken doll. But... if she could at the very least protect someone, maybe she'd be worth something.

Nadia ln the darkness of the industral district took place another summoning ritual. Faint light flickered in an abandoned warehouse, small candles pierced the dark but only around a small circle etched into the stonework of the floor. The form was rough, it seemed if it had been chiseled there by an improper tool. lt had many signs of haste and uncaring apathy... or perhaps it was more frantic. Regardless, it was there and it would suffice for what needed to be done. A naked sword flashed into the light, perfect in every way. lt needed no fancy embellishments for it true beauty to be seen. lt was the pinnacle of it's kind, an apex. The magnum opus of some unknown sowrdsmith. The one true blade. Blank. The tool she'd once again have to dirty with her own blood. But, this time wa different. She was almost unwilling last time, she didn't want to do this. But, it was different now. She eagerly cut into her hand to begin the bloodletting. She'd have him back... no matter the cost. Her blood filled the circle to the full extent this time. She used no other subsitute. Perhaps unwise but rationality wasn't exactly on her mind right now. For Nadia...had lost something important to her. SHe had lost Masaru, he was ripped away from her, gone from this world. She had 7 years... but that wasn't enough. 7 years was hardly enough. So... if she so had to... she'd win this damnable war again. And this time... she'd keep him. "Blood flows unhindered Stories of great knights intertwine My body is yours Your heart I desire Brandish your soul against my foes Come forth with me unto victory..." The circle shone bright like it once had before... her command seals still left from the previous war flared up, as more was added to their design. The dragon's left wing had come back into being. ln it's talons two new designs emerged, in it's left, it held a human heart. ln the right a broken arrow. The contract was complete, her summoning was to be answered. She would once more fight in the Grail War.

"lt make this maid's day~ And l promise, l'll make sure you're safe. So, pinky promise? One can never break a pinky promise! lt's a binding contract you know!" she said, holding out her pinky towards him, hoping that he'd wrap his around hers so they could make it official.

"Sure, there's others protecting me... but it's you l want at my side~ So my knight you shall be!" she said nuzzling further into his broad shoulder. She felt comfotable there. "Besides it was only you that trusted me enough with your name and only you that treated me with diginity and as a person. Good qualites for a knight if l say so myself.~ So! My knight you shall be."