Introduction First, Interactions Later

Who are you?

Where did you come from?

Why are you in here?

Where is she?

How is she?

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it.

You shouldn't be here.

You can't be here.

Nonononononono...

.

.

.

No. That's not it

You...you are...

...what are you?

Chapter 1: Introduction First, Interactions Later

My eyes are spiralling with my entire world in this mess. This light, this feeling, is this….Rayshifting? Impossible. She said I will be reincarnated as a random staff member. How could a normal staff member Rayshift?! Aaaaahhhhh! What is happening anymore?! The Rayshift Process which is deliberately meant to nauseate me scrambles my mind more than it has ever been, due to the hellscape I were in earlier.

I can feel the senses on my body returned as the Rayshifting process ended. My thought is rearranging together and I can start feeling my limbs. Good gracious. Now how can I-wait. Why am I fal-

BUUUSSHHH!

" Oww! " is what I was going to say, instead, it is replaced with a whimper. Dizzied, I tried to stand up but the for some reason, my boots(?) just wouldn't give support. And just like that, I failed my standing test.

What's with these boots?

With the rest of my consciousness still miles away, I tried to make use what's there to help myself. So I started to think. What the hell is happening?...my mind repeats again and again. I don't understand the current situation at all. Who am I? There's no way a staff member could Rayshift. Then why would he call me….

" Fou! Fou! " a familiar sound barked.

" Fou..? " I make out my words. Relief couldn't describe it when I know Fou is also here. That little critter has been on my side and Mash's since the first Singularity. There's no way I could ever forget him as our mascot.

" Fou,fou fou. Fou? " His cute barks filled my left side. I could tell he's as confused as me with this entire situation. Enough questions spin across my mind, and I have no patience to think all of it. I have to compose myself and make sense here.

Enough muscles cooperate, and I began to stand up. Miraculously. I felt as if there's nothing wrong. Say, didn't I was crushed earlier? I dismissed the thought when my eyes have enough energy to open.

One after one..at least it comes back-

Fire….hell…corpses….ashes….

Impossible! This scene…this catastrophe…this city..this is…! My mouth ran dry when it tries to open. My confused mind was engulfed in a flood of shock, terrifying nostalgia.

Fuyuki. Just as I remember. But why…why did I return to this place?!

I still remember the burning ruins of my city. The abundance of ghouls and skeletons, first encounters of Shadow Servants. The terror of Berserker. The will against Saber. And the death of Olga-Marie. The summary of Singularity F flashed through my mind for a second.

Maybe I don't fully understand the situation I'm in right now. My mental health isn't exactly the greatest before then and it stays the same right here. Getting returned back in time could never make sense. Unless it's magic. For now, I have to recompose myself and groups with everyone else.

But that will come over once I can actually control myself. I still feel my body shaking, all with different proportions than my mind are used to. My legs wobble around like a boiled spaghetti and my hands felt softer than ever. Is this body ever leave Chaldea before?

Alright, you can do this. I took my first step in this new body, and...

" AAHHH! "

BWAAASHHH!

..my next vision is filled with dirt and rock. I definitely am not used to this.

" Fou! Fou! " He barked, spinning around me to comfort myself.

I recalibrated back my body and took a sitting position. This whole event starts to get into my nerves. I tried to get back up, only to repeat the same result. But now I noticed something. Have my legs gotten shorter? I never got to know everyone in Chaldea before the explosion, but from my knowledge, the only staff shorter than me is Sylvia and Muniere. It couldn't be Sylvia though. She's definitely higher than the person I'm now.

Does this mean I'm possessing a dead body? God, this can't be. I can't be living as somebody else. All these memories, all the feelings, I don't deserve this! Oh God, Oh God, I didn't wish for this! I only said that out of instinct! I didn't mean any of it! I'm sorry, whoever you are...forgive me...

After calming myself from the horrifying realization, I started looking at my hind legs only for it to be blocked by these two large tracks of lands, confirming the female body I'm inserted in. I took a look, and realize that my legs are covered in black metallic boots that nearly reached my ankles. These shoes looked familiar...I gave a thought.

One thing came after another, and I started to realize the familiarity this body gave. My hands, for first, seemed to be covered in what looks like a purple/black glove. Wait, this does look familiar...!

My eyes pull back from her hands and looked back at the clothes I wore. A similar-coloured dressing with its metal skirt complimenting the armour. No, these leggings, these gloves, this dress, this is all...NO!

My brain went haywire with the thought became darker and darker with each passing seconds. The body I'm possessing couldn't be here! She has always been on my side, on every fight, in every hardship...I can't be doing this to her!

" Senpai, please wake up. " her kind words woke me up.

I ran, trying to find a mirror or any reflection to dissuade myself.

" Fou?! "

" Senpai, please hide behind me! " her brave words persuaded me.

My legs broke up any rocks that tried to stop my tracks.

" Senpai, this, this is...! " her joyful shock warms me.

A river! My legs went faster.

" Thank you, Senpai. " Her words of gratitude broke my heart, knowing we'll never meet again.

...

...

...!

This face.

I pull back from the water, too scared to see her. This has to be a coincidence. She must be on the other side.

I looked again, this time even longer. I want to call her name, but my heart ultimately stopped from doing so. Because, on the other side, her face is copying me. Those gentle, purple eyes, the radiant lilac hair and that kind, soft and passionate face...

This body...is really is...Mash Kyrielight's...

" Ahhh...aahhhhh...AHHHHHHHHH! " my scream reached the heavens.

" I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." I continue to apologise, even if her voice never returned. How could this be? All I wanted is to protect her. Why does something like this happen to me? Damn you, God. Why it has to be her? Now, Mash is gone, replaced with an absolute fool like me. I cannot live like her. I cannot smile like her. I can be kind like her. I can't be gracious like her. I can't be...anything like her!

" Damn you, God! How could you do me like this?! WHY?! WHY-

SPLASH!

My legs fell onto the riverbank of Mion. I don't dare to stand up, too ashamed to stand on her two legs. I can't do anything like her. I can't even pretend to be one. The person who's always wanted to see beyond the skyless horizon, the person who's always wanted to be guided, the person who never gave up, the person who's saved him from all the world's evil...and I stole it from her.

" I'm sorry Mash...I'm sosososo sorry..." My tears won't stop gushing out of my eyes, mixing with the water as it flows out to the ocean. I won't drown, I wanted to drown, yet her words haunt me to this moment.

Live on.

I wanted to live, but with you, Mash. How can I live if you're never here with me? I can't accept that, but if I don't, I'll betray her last words, wasting all of her sacrifices for me. I don't want to stand anymore, Mash. What should I do?

Live on.

Reluctantly, I stood back up. My heart aches when I see her legs the one who stands up for me. Her face is now tainted with my tears and despair. Even if I hated it, I still have to do this. I have to live as her, protecting myself and save everyone as one.

Just for this once, Mash, I'll fulfil your dreams.

" Fou! Fou! Fou! " Oh, it's Fou. Did I abandon him? " Fou! " his figure blitzed towards me, without a sign of stopping.

" Fou. " I said, looking at his fast appearance. This is supposed to be Mash's…will he identify me?

"Fou! Fou!" How will he react if Mash he sees is no longer the one he knows? My emotions are stirring back to those thoughts. Just before I could even move, I have to say the truth. Fou isn't an idiot. He knows more about us than we know ourselves. A single smell would immediately state the truth about my condition.

" Fou, fou, fou kyu..fou?" He stopped just as he's front of me. I can't hide it. No matter what I do, those that know me well would recognize my differences. So I didn't try to pretend, only lowering down and hugging him with all of my grief, knowing full well that I have stolen her from him.

" Fou,fou….." There's no way I could understand his words, but in my heart, I could feel his realization and subsequent grief for her. Sorry, Fou. I didn't mean to….

With all my tears wasted and sounds of encouragement from Fou, I strengthened my resolve and remembers back her original purpose. Protecting him.

In my path of finding back myself, the Master one, there's still a lot of unfinished question lingering around my mind. For first, ' who is that spirit? '. I don't reach any conclusion during my talk with her, so I haven't got a clue. Secondly, just for what purpose I was reincarnated? Why couldn't she just travel me back in time, in my body, instead of choosing reincarnation? There might be some motive. Lastly, how could she reincarnate me? Raising somebody from the dead is impressive enough, in this day and age, but to reincarnate it back in time? Why would any powerful gods waste their time like that?

Seriously, if Holmes is here, I wanted to dump it all on him. I'm not made for solving mysteries.

Stood on my shoulders, Fou spoke. " Fou, fou, fou, fou. " He inquires, knowing about the distress I'm experiencing. An empath like him is the best cure I have right now, what's with all this horrible predicament surrounding me.

" Can you believe it? Backward reincarnation. All my experiences don't prepare me for this. I felt horrible, Fou. How could I be a fool to accept her words? "

Fou answered, " Fou fou fou fou…fou fou fou! " Of course I don't understand that, yet I understood what he's trying to say. It's not her fault it turns like this….you're simply an idiot! It's weird, knowing what he says despite a communication barrier. Wait, is that advice or an insult?

" Fou…." I wanted to calm him down. He looked me in the eyes before turns his head away in anger. " Fou! "

Again, I'm sorry, Mash. I probably won't have a great relationship with him for a while.

I walked further and further away until I felt my feet stumbled upon a hole on the ground. I was released from my thought to look at the cause. Ruins of flame and ashes, flaring out the ground and the neighbourhood apart. And from the origin of it, a collapsed house of wood I could recall easily.

This is...Fujimura estate. My heart tinged at the face of the ruins as I remembered the memory of passing through this house every day. I hate it. To know my old city has turned into this hellhole, I can only felt more and more anger towards that wretched Beast for doing this to us. The sight only gave me more reason to uphold Mash's wish of me to live.

I am too deep in thought when a realization stuck in. Wait, where am I again? I am in the Shinto residential area, but Mash back then finds around the business area, so that means...oh no. I face back to the city and saw how far I have diverted from my original position.

" How could I mess up this badly?! " I shouted as I rushed to the Shinto business area, where my Master self, laying around, with skeletons in all directions.

With my current speed, I couldn't make it in time. I am far too away from myself. What should I do?!

Then, I remembered something. I looked back at the residence and saw that the garage is still intact. Suddenly, an idea struck in.

" Me, just for god's sake, wait for me! "

Myriad of memories spun around my head. The memories of beetle-hunting in Hokkaido, dancing with my mom, my time in Hawaii, arguing with my friend, meeting Mash, burning down...uh, what happened? I remember the last time before it all went dark, where she holds my hand, saying weird stuff about 'letting her go' or something and then...

Ughh...my head hurts. I can't seem to wake up from this dream. It has to be a dream. Mash, Romani, Chaldea, fire...there's no way this could be a reality. Maybe if I slept a little bit...

" Wake up, Senpai! "

That voice again...I can hear her voice floating in my ears...

" Please, wake up, Senpai! "

Ah..what a weird dream...I can even feel my body tugging up...

" How should I do this? This isn't working..."

Thank you, Mash, but I have to...

" Ah, I know. "

..wake up-

" WAKE UP OR I'LL KILL YOUUU! " the sweet, angelic voice that I once heard suddenly changed to that of a roar of a volcano that is spilling all of its guts to the heaven, pushing all of my senses to overdrive mode. My eyes shuttered open, my limbs gone all fours, trying to get away from the source.

" P-p-Please don't kill me! " my mouth blabbered, daring to speak against whatever devil that's mimicking her.

" You-you're awake? Haha..hahahahaha! " the devil laughed as if she's enjoying every second of it. I opened my eyes slowly to see her true form, just to see Mash, sitting in front of me, wearing that weird, purple/black, armoury outfit, surrounded by a pile of bones, a broken scooter and burning debris...what?

" Mash, is that...you? " My mind is far too messed by this hell I'm in, thus the only thing I can comprehend now is the girl (or not) in front of me. No way, no way this can be the same person...

She quickly stops her laugh, and after an awkward while of staring, suddenly grabs my hand.

" Huh?! "

" Quick, we need to get out of here! "

I tried to release my hand from her, but her grip is too damn strong! " H-hold up! What's going on here?! " my question went unanswered as she glided me with her hand. This is ridiculous! I deserve some answer right now! God, I know I don't believe in you, but please save me from this-

SKRAAA...

" ww-what-"

" Don't look back! "

In plain sight, I can see about 50-60, no, an army of skeletons came out from the hellish inferno, holding out various weapons with a clear intention.

SKRAAAA!

My shock is so great I might probably pop out my eyes. Instantaneously, I climbed up her back and begged, " Get me out of here, please! "

" What the hell do you think I'm doing right now?! "

I ran and ran until we finally escaped from the business area. Even then, I tried to become cautious and find us a home to hide in. Only once we entered the most inner room I put him to the ground and sat down. Fou also followed through and sat on my lap.

*huff**huff* " Thank you..Mash..." *huff**huff*

" I did not deserve the honour, senpai. "

Really, this is actually far easier than I thought. Who knows I could take them all and save him just in time? Must be a miracle at work here.

Now, this when my actual challenge came. Talking to him. I don't have the guts to tell him the truth yet. Even if I told him, there's no way he can understand it, being a novice and all. I've tried my best to be like her, but he maybe got the wrong impression with how I woke him up back then. Shoot, I haven't even greeted him properly.

" But really...what happened here? " he started asking, completely confused with how the events work out. I cannot blame him for being like that. I was the same as him, scared and terrified with the whole city he knows on fire. " First, we were at the observatory then, we're both at this burning city.."

Ah, this is how it is. Even when the events gone off the rails than I remembered, the one in front is still me, Ritsuka Fujimaru. Guess nothing has changed.

Okay, here it goes..

" Did you remember what Director Olga-Marie said? About why you're in Chaldea? It's like this-"

After a while...

" You wanted to go to Diamond Head Beach?

" Of course I do! The pristine sea, the silky sand..-"

" Nonono. I don't recommend that. What you see in the pictures isn't true."

The conversation went better than I expected. I intended to give him a brief summary, yet somehow, we suddenly talked like two penpals finally meeting face to face. I only picked memories of Mash all around and tries to tie in with what I know. It felt natural, talking with him about the life I've never have as if I'm the one who lived there. Has Mash always been this pleasant and adaptable, or is it me who has changed her way of speaking? It doesn't matter, as long as the conversation doesn't turn awkward. And that's the outcome I wanted.

" Anyway, Mash."

" Yes? "

" You said you've fused with a Demi-Servant. " His started, anxious with his true question. I know what's this about. " I don't how to say this, but...does he/she or you that picked that outfit? Because...oh god it sounds stupid, your outfit...doesn't that look too.."

" Lewd? Immodest?... Kinky? " I answered, fully expecting a reaction from him.

His face went red in embarrassment. " No! Of course not! "

Oh, how cute. This opened a full can of possibility. I just love messing around with people from time to time, and I probably got the best person to mess, myself. Now I was wondering how much of whelp I was back then. I still remembered how I always hide besides Mash when a threat is up close, how I certainly retreat when a situation turns sour, or once I became a doormat for every Servant summoned. Honestly, if I were a little bit more courageous, maybe Olga would...

Hold up.

" Mash, is there anything wrong? " Ritsuka asked, uncertain with my sudden shock.

Olga? Now I think about it, where is she?

" Mash? "

No way, no way, there's no way she could...

" Mash, what is it? "

If my memory serves me right, she's still at...

" How could I forget?! "

" Mash?! "

I shuddered, terrified with the possibility that certainly happened. I quickly stood back up and summoned my shield. As I started running to the entrance, Ritsuka holds my hand up from my back, still confused with my reaction.

" Why aren't you answering me?! What's with you all of a sudden?! " he questioned, anger fuming by being locked out of my loop.

I turned my back to face him. I don't have the time for this. " Follow me! We are missing somebody! "

" Somebody? At the city?! "

" I don't know how she's been there, but we must help her! "

" From the sea of skeletons?! "

" Of course. "

Ritsuka's face darkened drastically. " Who, Mash?! How could you miss somebody that you know is here, in that city?! "

" We don't have the time for this! Come on, quick! "

" Who, Mash?! Who?! "

" AAAAHHHHHHHHHH! " we heard the scream ringing in our eyes as we smashed our way into the crowd. I'm still surprised by how I defeated these waves of skeletons in seconds. I wanted to guess it was from Galahad's skill, yet it feels as it was natural for me. Guess all the training from Scathach isn't for nothing.

Still, if it cannot clear our way, then it's useless as a brick. These skeletons came out more than I was expected, creating this seemingly endless amount of skeletons. Each time I killed 30 or so, 60-70 more will appear to attack me. Even with my training, we can only pass through a few shops. This is frustrating as hell.

" Mash, how far away is she?! " Ritsuka exclaimed from my back, his shouting rang loudly in my ears. I would appreciate it if you're more silent.

" Just a few metres more! " Olga-Marie can be seen from our site, yet this sea of skeletons make it seem like a distance to us. Not like they're stopping for us either.

" We cannot pass this position! Where the hell did they come from?! " Unfortunately, I have no answer either.

This is dangerous. Just a few feet in, we're already flooded with them. I wished we have a wave-clearer like Mordred or Karna on our side, but that won't come to be yet. Now, this is where we are. A junior Master and a fish-out-of-water Master in a barely experienced Shielder, leading against the sea of Evil Bones. We have to face them with these disadvantages on our side. This has to be a comedy. There's no way to cross this. Think! Think! I survived harsher stuff than this! I swear there is an advantage we can make use of...

I turned to see my Master's hand, tattooed with a red seal on his right hand. Suddenly, like a lightbulb, an idea appeared in my mind.

" Senpai, use your Command Seals! "

" What?! "

Of course, a Command Seal. The symbol of a Master-Servant relationship. In the past, Command Seals are used as an anchor towards a Servant's existence in the Holy Grail Wars. Something about avoiding Gaia's deletion or something. Three seals entrenched on the Master's hand to command their Servant for their victory against the Servant's wills. I'd always exhausted my Command Seals in every singularity as an energy boost for my Servants. I haven't thought of that ever since I met with the Master me. Now, this is the best option to save her!

" Order me to create a clear path to Director Olga! " I suggested.

He's clearly shaken with my suggestion, as proven by his refusal to follow, " No way I would do something like that! "

God, we're not discussing moral ethics right now! , " This is not the time to act like a girl, Senpai! "

" But-but-"

It's hard to make me angry, but seeing me being annoying created a sense of irritation for me, " We're in a life-or-death situation! Don't be such a coward! What are you, a weed eater?! "

A vein popped up. " Don't call me a weed eater! "

" Then do as I say! That's the point of Command Seals! "

I can hear his teeth gritting in distress, " Okay, okay! I'll do it! Stay still! "

The Command Seals fires off as Ritsuka tried his first order, " Mash Kyrielight, under the order of my Command Seals..."

"...gave us the power to clear the path to Director Olga! "

A surge of power was released and sent to my body, filling every vein with overflowing energy. Powerful! Is this what my Servants feel when they were supplied with my magical energy?!

Stop, this is not the time to think about this! Focus! Focus! I redirected my eyes to the sight of the struggling Director, clouded by the myriad of skeletons.

I took a deep breath, and concentrate my energy to my hands and feet. I pulled my shield to my front and stuck the pose of a runner.

Alright, here goes nothing.

" Hold on. " I ordered, finally pushing my leg as I move forward at an incredible speed. With it, enormous power was released within me. My shield broke through the abundance without much concern. This is amazing! Within seconds, these legions are nothing but dust.

With them out of the way, we can finally see Director Olga-Marie clearly as we're closing on to her. The general plan is working out.

" Director! " I screamed on top of my lungs to make her notice our advance. And noticed she did. " Huh?! " her expression is one of shock and relief at our arrival. Great.

" Hold my hand! " Ritsuka extended his hand, involving himself to bring her out of here. Without question, she held my hand and went gliding with us to the end of the street.

I dropped both Ritsuka and Olga off me and aided her to stand. She's no worse to wear, her hands nearly blackened from exhausting so many Gandrs, if her ragged clothes and messed up hair are any indication, she's been fighting them ever since we're here.

Still, she's in one piece, and I managed to save her. Any fear of her safety is all salvaged by this, and I couldn't be happier.

" Mash? " I hugged her tightly, in tears of joy and relief. Olga is confused, but I don't care at all.

I'm glad you're safe, my joy couldn't be overstated.

Yet, in that momentary feeling of happiness, I've felt as if I've forgotten something important.

I'-ry….-dn't…sa-u…

Eh…..maybe a breeze.