Title: Embers of The Fallen Kingdom
Authorโs note: Fic is originally published at AO3 hence this looks different when Iโm not able to edit it properly on mobile.
Pair(s): Hakunon / Charlemagne, Gudao / Okita
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"And thus I make my oath that we shall live in harmony for eternity if fate wills it."
The adventurous young king of France had rather made the oath with his Master, Hakuno Kishinami. She smiled wryly up at the much taller man, "I'll look forward to it then."
Charlemagne smiled at the woman who was only a small speck on his height. "You're so tiny... like a doll..." he teased with utmost joy, bringing a hand down to brush her hair out of her face, only to make a mess of it. "A tiny Master... You'd be even cuter with a tiara on your head."
Hakuno looked away as a warm flare started to accumulate and spread across her face. "Don't say things like that, you're embarrassing me."
"Why would I not say things like that? They're all true, Master." For a second, Charlie imagined that he was hallucinating that his beloved Master was perhaps blushing?
"You don't need to flatter me. Besides that, Iโm still young and growing. Iโll be taller than you in no time." Hakuno pouted with her cheeks puffed up like an adorable squirrel.
"That may be true, but I am not one to lie, my Master." Charlemagne said, leaning down and placing a gentle pat on Hakuno's head, this time with much more gentleness as to avoid her wrath if he were to make a scruffy look with her brown locks. "If I may be blunt, my Master... Your cuteness is something to behold."
"It is?" Hakuno asked, looking back up at her servant.
"Of course," Charlemagne answered. "If you would permit me, I would love to put a tiara on your head myself. Perhaps it could be our wedding ring, yes?"
"Wedding ring?" Hakuno repeated, tilting her head to the side as to imagine how itโd even look on her.
"Ah... I guess there was not enough time to do it properly..." Charlemagne frowned, looking away from his Master. "Master... Do you want to be with me for the rest of our lives?"
"If it's possible, I doubt that would be possible," Hakuno sighed softly before continuing. "You do realise that you'll disappear once the Holy Grail War is finished, right?" The short brunette stared at her carefree servant with half lidded eyes, wondering if there was any sort of possibility for him to stay even afterwards.
"Oh? Why would I do that?" Charlemagne asked, looking back at his Master, a large smile on his face. "I've made my oath that I will spend the rest of my life with you, and thus, I cannot just go back on my word. Besides, I have yet to show you my empire! We have much to do before I return to the Throne of Heroes!"
"That's impossible," Hakuno argued. "Once the war is over, you'll go back to being the usual heroic spirit summoned elsewhere, and I'll go back to living the same empty life I was before. Even if my wish were to be granted by the grail."
Charlemagne embraced her and tenderly gave each of her puffed up cheeks a playful squeeze. "Master... Have you been paying attention to the words I've been saying to you?"
The apples of Hakunoโs cheeks deflated and snapped back at Charlie with confusion. "Huh?"
"I've told you time and time again, and yet... I've told you that I will be spending the rest of my life with you! My words were not said lightly."
Hakuno could only blink as she processed her servant's words.
"And thus," Charlemagne continued, "if it would make you happy, we can hold a ceremony here and now. It will be just you and me, but I will gladly take your hand in marriage, and if the universe allows it, we shall grow old together."
Staring at her servant blankly with those big beady eyes until she needed to blink, Hakuno tried to process what the young king had just blurted out loud, all the while her brain was thinking like an old computer stuck on a dial. "Are you serious?" One brow raised higher than the other, Hakuno was still in a state of trying to comprehend what just happened.
"Of course," the young king answered with glee. "I have no reason not to be. I do love you, my Master, and I do wish for us to grow old together, whether it's here in the present, or in my empire."
"You know I'll probably look a lot older than you when I'm an old woman, right? While youโll remain forever young in your form." Hakuno explained, trying to convince her servant not to pursue such a foolish thing.
"I am aware of that, but if you are worried about the appearance, worry not, my Master, I have no preference," the young king answered. "Whether you're a worm or a 90 year old woman, I will stay with you. If you would allow me, I would love for you to take your place next to me, ruling the lands as queen."
Somehow this was moving too fast for the poor girl to have a moment of peace to think it through, especially when one of his declarations caught her off guard that she had to extend her hand out right in front of Charlieโs face. "Hold on, what's with the 'worm' in that last sentence of yours?" Hakuno asked.
"Ah... well, you see... I do love all the living things on this earth. Even if you become a worm, I would still love you."
"You're not making much sense." Scratching her head, trying to make out Charlie's unique metaphorโฆ
"What I mean is, that even if you transform into an old hag, or a worm, I would still love you with all of my heart." Although what he said out loud seemed romantic in his empty head, the poor king should really take it into consideration before speaking. As Hakuno viciously glared at her servantโs face with sharp daggers, just enough to send fear throughout his entire body as seen by his dribble of trembling. Hence Charlie shouldโve chosen his words carefully when he received a fatal attack to his own cheeks when Hakuno unleashed her own form of attack by pinching the young kingโs face with the strength equal to a crabโs pincers.
His poor cheek stretched like a rubber band with such intensity that his skin could possibly snap at any given moment. โOW! OUCH! AHโ!โ A single tear escaped his eye as Charlie tapped his Masterโs shoulder in quick succession to express his submission.
"You really are an idiot." Hakuno muttered, โWell, I am your idiot.โ Charlie reminded and corrected her and he swore that a hint of blush was somewhat starting to form on those cute cheeks of hers, thus causing the flustered Master to look away, not wanting her servant to see her evident blush. "What makes you think that I'd want to marry someone like you? All you've done is embarrass me, especially to all the Masters we fought beforehand. What's in it for me anyway?"
"I'm a Master, I already spoil myself, granted if I get my hands on that grail."
"Then... how about this..." Charlemagne leaned closer, lowering himself to match Hakunoโs height and pressing his forehead against his Master's. "I'll love you. All of you. Your past, present, future and any version of you. I'll give you all the love that you deserve, and even if you're a worm, I'll give you love even worms would dream of. So... will you marry me, Hakuno Kishinami?" The last bit was a struggle even for the mighty servant such as Charlie to even announce that he could practically feel his spirit origin crumbling from openly pronouncing himself to Hakuno.
"..." Hakuno's cheeks burned a bright red as her servant continued to stare into her large brown eyes, and she turned away. "You know... the answer is obvious. I already spent so much time with you... How could I say no to you now?"
Charlieโs ears perked up, and he leaned forward with anticipation. "That's a yes, correct?" If he had a tail right now, Hakunoโs focus would be distracted by the young kingโs constant wagging in a form of excitement.
"I already said that I'd love to spend the rest of my life with you," Hakuno looked away with her tone becoming tranquill at the end.
Fist pumped straight into the air as the young king of France yelled in celebration, "YAHOOOโ!!!" Charlemagne cheered with his eyes forming sparkling stars, bringing his master who lost all of their balance upon being brought into a tight embrace within his arms. "I'm glad to hear that, my Master!"
Unbeknownst to his joyous moment, Hakuno gasped with her lungs collapsing from the crushing force and her remaining oxygen depleting from her brain. "You're going to crush me at this rate..." Hakuno pointed out, tapping on her servant's arm to snap him out of his excited state.
"Oh, forgive me." Charlemagne apologised, releasing his Master from his hug as tight as a vice grip. "So... about that wedding..." He cleared his throat, bringing up the subject to her attention.
"Iโd prefer if we started out slow, butโฆ We can have it when the war is over," Hakuno answered. "It'll be the only thing I'll be able to remember anyway. I don't want it to end quickly."
"Of course, of course. I'll do my best to make this experience a memorable one, then."
"Just make sure that your promise stays true, okay?" Hakuno made sure that the adventurous king would keep his word, for the young Master reached her pinky out for him, giving an indication as another form of a contract that theyโd keep their promise fulfilled.
"Of course, Master. I am a man of my word." Charlie copied and wrapped his pinky around Hakunoโs own, together they shared a brief moment with a smile on their face.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Then, my dear, we will have a ceremony once the war is over," Charlemagne said, bowing down to kiss his Master's hand, the same hand where her Command Seals are tattooed, with one out of the three faded. "Until then, please stay by my side, and let us win the Holy Grail War."
"Right, I'll be in your care," Hakuno answered, pulling her hand away, blushing furiously.
"Yes, and I'll be yours."
"I won't need it. Not when I have you, Master." Suddenly upon hearing it Hakuno felt her heart skip a beat. "That's embarrassing." Hakuno despite her efforts, showed no signs of hiding her feelings unlike earlier.
"But it's the truth, Master."
"Still, could you stop flirting with me? It's too much."
"Alright, if you say so," Charlemagne laughed, bringing a hand to pet his Master's head. "I love you, my future queen."
That caught her off guard, but the title clicked on her mind and didnโt sound all that terrible. "I... Love you too..."
"Then, we'll be victorious." Charlemagne claimed it wasnโt just a normal proclamation but heโs going to make sure of it into a reality.
"I hope so." Hakuno places her trust on her Servant, afterall she wouldnโt have made it this far without his aid and trust in her, something that the other defeated Masters lacked in with their Servants. While other Masters sought to see their Servants as nothing more than mere tools and pawns to win their game for a prize, the pair Hakuno and Charlemagneโs were much different and more harmonic as they treated each other more than a temporary contract.
"With you by my side, I am confident that we will be."
"But you never did tell me, Charlie. How do you plan on staying by my side after the Holy Grail War?" Hakuno wondered, looking up at her servant with curiosity.
The young paladin hushed the woman with his index finger and a wide grin forming on his features. "It's a secret, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Master." Charlemagne smiled, placing another soft kiss on his Master's hand. "After all, we've won the Holy Grail War, and now, I have the power to do anything, including making my dreams come true."
"But you like me." But instead he gave a laugh and shot back at her.
"Then, it's settled, I'll always love you."
"We'll have our happily ever after, yes?" He raised the question, awaiting a response from his Master.
"Yeah..." In truth she didnโt have the confidence that theyโll make it out alive, let alone if Charlieโs secret plan to stay after the Grail war would be successful.
"You don't sound convinced."
"It's because you're an idiot."
"Come now, Master, say it." The childish paladin continued to prod and poke his Masterโs cheeks with his pointer finger.
"S-stop it." Hakuno let out a long sigh, followed by gently swatting his hand away and with the palm of her hand shielding her face.
"Never. Not until you admit it."
"Ugh, fine. I'll say it, just please stop saying it."
"I love you, okay? Happy now?" Although it was delivered in a tone that came off sarcastic.
"Very." Charlie nodded, finally achieving victory over Hakuno.
"But I'm an idiot you love."
"I'm starting to wonder if that's a bad thing."
"How could that be a bad thing? You are my light, Master. You are the most important person to me, and I will cherish you with all my heart, and even if I'm just a Heroic Spirit, I'll protect you. For the rest of your life."
"Charlie..." How was she supposed to respond to that!? Hakunoโs heart was practically beating extremely fast and her head was starting to spin in circles.
"Yes, my beloved Master?"
"I'd really appreciate it if you stopped saying such embarrassing things."
"Forgive me, but I have no plans on doing so. We are to be wedded, yes? I believe it's my job as your lover to say such things."
"But they're embarrassing!" She raised her tone much higher and the Paladin found her explosive reaction to be cute.
"I'm afraid I'll have to continue doing so." Charlie continued to tease.
"Can't you just keep your love for me between us? It's already too much, having you tell me all of this."
"If that's what you wish, then I shall grant it. But please, just remember that everything I've said was nothing but the truth, and that I will forever treasure you."
โAs long as you donโt try to throw me away inside your treasury like some blonde Archer I know of.โ Hakuno murmured, shivering at the time she encountered a blonde servant clad in all golden armour that tried to take her away from her Saber who came to her rescue just in time.
The brunette recollected her memory during that time when she encountered the enemy Archer after walking out at night for a breath of fresh air to soothe her nerves down, instead she is greeted by how he stared her down with folded arms and the cold breeze blowing her brown hair.
โWhat has brought the weak Saberโs mongrel for a Master here?โ Just his way of speech shook her core trembling, not to mention the massive threatening aura backed up by his overflowing mana that coursed throughout the Archerโs Spirit Origin.
Hakuno wanted to respond, but her overwhelming fear did not allow her. โ...โ She wanted to speak up, but her lips refused to open up.
โHo? Refusing to answer a Kingโs curiosity? You should be honoured that I havenโt dismissed you personally with patience running thin.โ The King of Heroes stepped forth, marching unto the stunned Hakuno who couldnโt feel her legs move from his intimidating presence. Just now he halted his movements, eyes scouting the area if this was a potential ambush laid for the King of Heroes to bite into, and yet he sensed that the near petrified girl didnโt have Servant nearby.
Hakuno was too stunned from the presence of Gilgamesh to reply, her mouth opening and closing with her eyes locked onto the man. The king had an aura of arrogance as he stood there, hands on his hips as if he were waiting for the proper praise. His eyes were closed and a small smile was beginning to form on his face.
Hakuno swallowed back, her body was stiffening up as she tried to force the words out. "Ghk-!"
"It's Gilgamesh." He interrupted, "I see my fame has spread far enough that my charisma has struck you and yet, that you don't know me, but it is the height of arrogance to use only one of my titles. It's rude. I will let it pass since I am so merciful." His tone was somewhat lighthearted, and his eyes finally opened, the red orbs staring into Hakuno's. The colour was so dark red, Hakuno felt herself falling into them as she watched the man's body relax, realising that the woman possessed no threat to him.
"So, why have you appeared alone without your Servant?"
Hakuno couldn't even speak, the man was so much more than she could have imagined. The stories did not do him justice like from the ones she learned from class. She felt her mouth going dry and her head spinning. This was the first time she had been face-to-face with such a powerful force compared to the rest of the Servants she fought against with Charlemagne by her side. The power of him was making her head fuzzy.
"Well, that doesn't matter." He sighed in boredom, "It appears you have no manners just like all the mongrels of this era."
โI will give credit where it's due, your stunning display of bravery to stand before the mighty King of Heroes is admirable. Most would seek to retreat upon meeting me, but you? A mere human? You pique my interest.โ
The man took a step forward and Hakuno froze in place when an attempt was made to flee. She wanted to move away, her eyes darting around the area to find some way to escape, but his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, the hold tightening as the other hand gripped her chin and made her look back into those eyes.
"I have not had any fun in a while, and the idea of playing with a human is quite intriguing. You seem to be a rather weak one at that."
He was smiling. โPerhaps I have misjudged you based on your actions alone.โ The King of Heroes stared at her like a light poking through a hole and into her soul. โSince I have a better look at you, I have decided you are no ordinary mongrel. But a captivating one.โ
Hakuno on the inside was panicking, despite displaying her best to remain blank and calm on the outside appearance. "Now then, let's see if I can have some fun. Perhaps you can offer me a good time unlike what my pathetic Master fails to provide."
Hakuno's body was trembling under his grip. She couldn't understand what he was saying, his words were lost on her ears.
"Ah, what was it again?" He mused, his grip loosening just slightly, "That spell. To have a master and servant."
Gilgamesh's hand moved to the back of Hakuno's head and gripped her hair, the strands pulling in his hold. She couldn't look away, even though she tried, the pain keeping her still.
"My foolish Master and I are temporarily connected by a contract after ending my previous Masterโs life, and yet, he insists I fight." He sneered, his nose crinkled up in disgust.
"Why don't we change that, hm?"
Squirming to get herself a bit loose from his hold "No!" She cried.
Hakuno's voice was hoarse, a weak croak. "Let go!"
The grip tightened and the king grinned, a dark look overcoming his features as his face lowered closer to hers.
"I don't think you have a say. Letโs say that you form a contract with me should my Master mysteriously perish under unknown circumstances, shall we?" The King of Heroes silently whispered into her ear with his warm breath brushing past her earlobe and before Hakuno could react. His lips were on hers in the next instant. The feeling was rough and the grip was harsh. She felt his teeth bite at her bottom lip, drawing blood. He had bitten her hard enough to draw blood, forcing the poor girl to open her lips in pain so that he could conquer with his successful siege.
Hakuno was fighting the king, her hands pushing at his gold plated chest, and her legs kicking him. It was all useless. The king did not even flinch as she struggled, his own mouth moving over hers, the tongue forcing its way in.
The taste of the king was strong, and his body was warm. Her body was going lax in his arms, her head feeling dizzy and her mind becoming foggy.
The spell, the binding, was beginning to glow from her hand. Her mouth might have not been able to communicate with her words, but her struggle sent a signal with the power of Hakunoโs Command Seal to call him.
A flash of gold and a roar filled her ears.
Hakuno fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Get your hands off her!"
She couldn't see who it was. Her vision was swimming and she couldn't focus.
"Oh, this is just lovely." The king's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Of all the times."
Hakuno rolled onto her side, the sight of her faithful Servant coming into view.
He was standing protectively in front of her, his face turned towards the king, but his body angled to shield her.
Gilgamesh was no longer smiling, now faded he frowned with the Servant that interrupted his moment of beauty.
"King of Uruk. What are you doing here?"
"I was bored." He replied with a shrug, "I came to have some fun and it seems your master is not as pathetic as I thought." Followed by a smug expression on his face.
"What?" Charlemagne raised a brow, trying to make an understanding of what the blonde king meant.
Gilgamesh took a step towards the two. "She deserves a more fitting Servant under her command. Therefore I will be claiming her as mine."
Hakuno had never heard her Servant so serious. He sounded as if he were speaking from the very depths of his soul. The tone was dangerous, and the air was becoming heavy.
"She's not yours to have. You will leave her be."
"I have claimed her." Gilgamesh replied, his thumb wiping at his mouth with the stains of Hakunoโs blood and saliva and licking it right in front of the young Paladin who gritted his teeth. "Her lips have tasted my own. FUHAHAHAHA!"
โPardon? Hellooooo~ Earth to Master!โ Charlie waved at his Masterโs face, trying to snap her out of the trance state she was in. Thankfully the two managed to escape back then unscathed from the King of Heroes.
โHuh? Ohโฆ As I said, you don't need to do that for me."
"But I want to. So please, allow me to." The Saber prayed with his puppy like eyes pleading.
Hakuno couldnโt say no, but not like she was going to with a face like that begging for her. "Fine, but could you also do one more thing for me?"
"Stop being so formal with me. Please, call me by my name."
"If that is your wish, then I will grant it, Hakuno."
Once more, Hakuno's heart skipped a rhythm for the second time. Although the moment this young Paladin spoke and the way Charlie addressed her given name sounded so natural in his lips.
"Good. Thank you, Charlie."
"By the way, Charlie. Why are we here in this sacred area?" Hakuno asked, as Charlemagne prepared an answer.
"This is the Aachen Cathedral, the place where the Holy Grail should appear once all of our opposing factions are out. It's also the place where I was buried during my time." Charlemagne answered. "It was a long, long time ago, when I was just a mortal King and not a Heroic Spirit that I am today, but my memories of this place are still strong, even now. Yet faint as my other half is more so my kingly self."
"So this is your grave, huh..." Hakuno mumbled, her eyes watching with delight of the King of Frankโs gold and expensive tomb encased behind a glass case. "That's interesting. It's quite pretty too. Is it really okay for the two of us to be here, though? This place does seem like a special place for you, Charlie."
"Not a problem. After all, I brought you here myself. In fact, I'm the one who should be apologising to you, Hakuno. It was never my intention to drag you here."
"Huh? What are you talking about? You didn't drag me here, Charlie. In fact, I came with you willingly, didn't I?"
"No, that's not what I meant, Master."
"Oh... Then what did you mean?"
"I wanted to show you a better scenery than the one back there, Master. However, due to my negligence, it seems that the Grail has appeared here before us."
"Oh, you mean that thing?" Hakuno said nonchalantly, pointing towards the cup-like object floating just inches above the pedestal.
"So, is this the Holy Grail, Charlie?"
"Indeed, but the bigger mystery is why did it appear so soon?"
โIf I recall, it should only appear once all the servants except for one should be enough for the Grail in order to materialise.โ Hakuno laying out the facts from the knowledge she has, yet the very object they fought for had magically appeared so soon.
โThatโs exactly it, but the only Servants remaining are that golden Archer and myself.โ
โPerhaps Archerโs Master died and disappeared alongside?โ Hakuno hypothesised, creating a scenario of all possibilities that couldโve caused the Grailโs materialisation. She emptied her mind with a blank state, running through any conclusion and thatโs when it struck her. Hakuno felt a faint flow of mana nearby that was leaking and blood from her face drained.
"Hakuno, are you okay? You look rather pale."
"I'm fine, Charlie. It's just... something is telling me that this place is dangerous."
"I think I can feel someone else's presence. I can sense a Servantโs mana leaking."
"Someone else's presence? There's no way, Master. No one can be here except for us if the Grail has appeared before us. No, perhaps..."
Over the distance, there was a distant sound of armour clanking with each motion they took. The sound was growing louder, and the tensity rose with each step.
"Who's there!?" Charlemagne called out with his sword drawn out, whilst standing in front of his Master.
The mysterious shadowy figure soon appeared with the limited sunlight coming through the cathedralโs window, shining a spotlight at the Servant. "What a pleasant surprise," the figure, Gilgamesh, emerged from the darkness, a smug smile on his face. "To think I'd find the two of you here waiting to take the Grail. What an opportunity."
"Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes..." Charlemagne glared. "It seems that we now have an answer since he's here."
"So the enemy we feared the most was him," Hakuno said, grabbing onto her Servant's cape.
"What's this? You're here as well, mongrel? And I was told that you gave up long ago. How boring." Gilgamesh scoffed. "Tell me, did you obtain the Holy Grail, mongrel?"
"We didn't get a chance to get it, it may have materialised but it isnโt complete until youโre out of the equation.โ Hakuno answered, stepping out from behind her Servant.
But before the King of Heroes could continue, Hakuno halted him with a question that has been bothering her. โBefore you appeared willingly, I sensed that your mana was leaking. Why is that and where is your Master?โ Hakuno demanded an answer seeing as she could only sense three people present within the vicinity.
โHehโฆ FUโHAHAHAHA!!!โ The King of Heroes laughed hysterically with his arms folded beneath his chest. โIt should be obvious, my mongrel for a Master is dead.โ His tone fell flat at the end.
โBut how are you still here? Itโs not possibleโโ Charlie was cut off so suddenly when Gilgamesh raised his right hand high. โI merely took what belongs to me, so any remaining mana from his body was,โ He took a long pause before forming a smile again, โConverted into mana for my well being.โ
Using a Masterโs remains for any glimmer of mana calls for desperation, and Gilgamesh took whatever was necessary to survive.
โYouโre sickโฆโ Hakuno clenched her teeth and Gilgamesh frowned upon his ears and caught wind of her comment.
"What are you trying to do?" Charlemagne asked, stepping towards Gilgamesh who had his direction facing Hakuno.
"Why, what would any man do? I'm going to take the Grail, and that woman beside you as my own." Gilgamesh scuffed.
โYou should be grateful, mongrel. That I see you more than a mere concubine, but as a partner as well.โ The Archer smugly comments with eyes snaking the last remaining Masterโs entire figure.
"Over my dead body." Charlemagne growled, gripping his sword.
"You're not the only one who desires the Holy Grail, Servant. Once the Grail is obtained, I will be the one to decide. Whether it's the woman or the Grail, I'll have it all."
"That's not happening," Hakuno stepped forward. "Neither of us will give you the Holy Grail nor will I become your plaything."
"One way or another, youโll be mine. Itโs only a matter until I kill your pathetic Saber."
"Charlie," Hakuno turned back to her Servant. "We have no choice. This is our final battle."
"I understand. Please, stand back, Master."
"Now then, let us begin, King of Heroes. As long as both of us draw breath, no one will be granted the Holy Grail."
"Such courage. Very well, I will humour you, and I will grant you an honourable death."
"The honour will be mine, King of Heroes."
As Hakuno was about to rush off to a safe distance, Gilgamesh stopped her dead in her tracks with his golden chains wrapping around her entire body. Fully immobilised, Hakuno tries to wiggle her way out but to no avail it was useless.
"And where do you think you're going, mongrel?" Gilgamesh stared her down with his chains holding her tight with zero room for escape.
Seeing his dear in danger, Charlemagne rushed to the offensive without a thought. "Master!"
"Let go of me! Let me go!" The girl helplessly squirmed but it was useless.
Golden gates appeared from the air with a variety of weapons poking out before launching with a snap of the blondeโs fingers. "Do not worry, Hakuno Kishinami, for the moment this mongrel is disposed of, I will take you with me." He walked towards her direction at a slow pace, paying no mind to the Saber who worked tirelessly to deflect the bladed weapons launched against him at rapid successions.
โHmm, now that I have a much closer look from the last time we encountered one another. I will admit that youโre far more precious to be with me, than to be a Master for a worthless king like that Saber of yours.โ Gilgamesh scratched his chin, eyeing Hakuno and his other free hand cupping her cheek. โYou should be honoured for what Iโm about to do to you once Iโve dealt with your Saber.โ Reaching in for a kiss, Gilgamesh was met with an unexpected surprise when Hakuno spat at his eyes in disgust at his act of perversion.
โYou dare? YOU DARE, YOU MONGREL!?โ Seething with rage Gilgamesh momentarily lost his focus on the bigger threat, as Charlemagne took advantage of the blinded Archer by surprise. "Don't underestimate me, Gilgamesh," Charlemagne roared, lunging towards the Archer.
"Tch!" Gilgamesh guessed and fired a multitude of his treasured weapons from his gates, but Charlemagne was able to dodge most of the attacks. With some grazing his arms and legs. Eventually the Paladinโs luck would soon run out when he found himself impaled by a dozen spears and swords alike.
"Charlie!" Hakuno watched in horror as she could do nothing, her Servant was struggling against a god-like opponent, even when his mana was limited.
โFoolish mongrel, should I have enough mana with me I wouldโve finished you off personally with my precious Ea and all of its power at my disposal!โ The King of Heroes desperately opened his gate with haste as he hopped back into a safer distance while whipping an enormous blade with the appearance similar to drill.
Luckily when the desperate blonde unveiled his weapon, Hakuno sensed that there was a ginormous surge of mana within the air depleting from Gilgameshโs spirit origin. Soon the bounded Hakuno found herself free from the chains weakening for every second the battle lasted against Charlemagne, but he too was at his limit. His body had taken a massive beating, multiple lacerations and holes in his body caused by the relentless assault from the Gates of Babylon.
Now free from chains, Hakuno raised her clenched dominant hand and her Command Seals glowing, mouth open and sweat dripping. Hakuno stood bravely behind Charlieโs rear and shouted with an empowering command, โCharlemagne! With the power of my Command Seal, I order youโฆโ Breath heavy, face sweating. Hakuno uttered her order beneath her tired mouth, โSlay the King!โ
With an insurmountable amount of power flowing throughout his whole body, it was like another massive power up for the Paladin with the support from his Masterโs mana surging through his veins. โOrder received, Master!โ The wounds on his body began to heal, wounds closing and able to push himself back on his one two feet and away from his kneeling posture. โItโs about time we let the holy light shine on everything, everywhere!โ He looked back at his Master with a plastered wide smile that radiated on his face, before returning to meet his opponentโs terrified features. โNow King of Heroes, Iโll show you why Iโm the coolest Saber around with my awesome technique!โ
Panic was beginning to set in the eyes of the once indomitable King of Heroes for he was in a losing battle, in a call for a desperate measure he opened a widespread, scattered number of portals on his sides with the deadly intent on finishing off the Paladin before his Spirit Origin could fade.
Teeth grinding against the other, Gilgamesh readied one last strike, an attack that seeks to annihilate the courageous Saber ahead of him and a force with an aim to end the Grail war itself on his own terms. โMONGREL! Curse you! I will not let you have this victory.โ With Ea erect and spinning with the force of reality starting to warp, and the portals loaded with all the large variety of weapons he could use and aimed head straightforwardly.
Whereas the great Charlemagne was preparing his own conclusion to the final battle of this frontier. With his glowing aquamarine wings forming with a long wingspan stretching far wide, and accompanied by his twelve blades; one per each of the Paladinโs legends. โO everlasting Holy Light, O infinite colors, O my peerless knights! Demonstrate my royal prowess! Your tyranny ends here with one strike.โ
But Gilgamesh wasted no time and unleashed a salvo of his prized treasures, yet Charlemangeโs speed outmatched and dodge with the help of his flight. Though the King of Heroes could do nothing more but curse, he steadily aimed Ea, seeking to end it. But thatโs when his limit hit the roof, forced to feel his powers crumbling with miniscule amount of mana left in his tank to even take Charlie head on, his fate was sealed.
Followed by a powerful warcry, the Paladin led his brave charge head-on, and sought to eliminate the last opposing Servant in play with his utmost and coolest move. โJoyeuse Order!!!โ
A thunderous noise emitted throughout the room with a crack, as the young Paladin found himself waking up with a small bump, now forming on the top of his head after falling off his comfortable bed. Rubbing the specific part where the bump is, Charlie rubbed it with one eye closed and his mouth hissing in slight pain. โOwโฆโ Upon having a rough landing that woke him up, Hakuno on the opposite side of the room rose up in a sitting form with her roughed up and baggy pyjamas that are loose, followed by carefully scratching her eyes with yawn afterwards. โOh, good morning Charlie. Did you have a nightmare?โ She spoke with a flat tone affected by the lack of sleep caused by her Servantโs constant motion when sleeping.
โWhat? Huh?โ Charlie looked around his surroundings with a completely dumbfounded look, wondering where he was and for a moment, the Paladin remembered after a short pause that he was residing inside the Shadow Border with his Master, Hakuno. In a journey to aid the remnants of Chaldea with saving the world from catastrophes from various places and timelines.
Shaking his head side to side, Charlie sought to correct his Master what he had experienced. โHeh-heh! Itโs more of a wonderful dream, if anything.โ He smiled brightly, then again it was a reality he wished was real when his shining expression faded upon realising he hasnโt officially announced his poured out feelings for his short Master. A feeling burning inside his heart, pulsing and aching just to be released so that the great Charlemagne can finally confess his love.
โSay, Master?โ Charlie began, his eyes barely keeping into contact with Hakunoโs beady brown orbs.
Struggling to find the words or how to even bring it up was a task more difficult than being a king or fighting others, yet Charlie tried as he might. โMasterโฆโ Charlie inhaled and exhaled before prepping his next words to build up that courage within him. โHaveyoueverconsideredacertainspecialsomeoneinyourlifebeforelikeinarelationship?โ His lips worked quickly with his words blurted at lightning speed that Hakuno was left completely dumbfounded with constant blinking.
Sweat profusely dripping down the distressed Paladinโs forehead, he waited for his Masterโs response to his personal question.
โYโYes!?โ Ears perking up like a puppy, his soul on the verge of tension.
Hakuno opened her mouth, โIโm sorry but, I did not understand a single word you just said.โ
Defeated, Charlie was unable to even ask a simple question he leaned back only to crash the back of his head against the base of the bed he sleeps on, now adding another bump to the collection. Hakuno sighed, and got off from her own bed to comfort her Servant with whatever troubles are stunning him from being able to speak directly without messing up.
So Hakuno helped Charlie up to sit together on the edge of his soft bed and pulled him into an unsuspecting hug. โWOAHโ Master!?โ He stuttered and lost all thought for a moment when brought to a rather comforting embrace by Hakuno who patted his back like a child to ease his mind.
โA part of my mind tells me that you want to tell me something important, so why donโt you relax and take the tension off your shoulders before speaking, hmm?โ One hand patting and the other caressing his dual black and white hair locks in between her fingers. But how could he not release all that tension when heโs this close to Hakuno? Not to mention when Charlemagneโs face was helplessly buried on her chest.
The young Paladinโs mind was spinning in circles, his cheeks flaring up that he had to briefly push his Master away with both hands, while Hakuno resisted unknown to why heโs acting this way. Instead they accidentally laid on his bed, with Charlie on top, pinning Hakuno against the soft mattress while wearing a semi blank and confused expression on her face.
โIs there something thatโs troubling you, Charlie? Youโre acting awfully weird compared to your cool self.โ Hakuno raised a single brow, yet both unmoving from their position with Charlie being the only one feeling anxious.
โNothing, Iโ Iโm sure of it.โ He lied, but his Masterโs sharp mind obviously knew that wasnโt true. So she cupped his cheeks by bringing both hands to his face and spoke up with a soft and warm smile. โI know youโre hiding it from me, but I wonโt pry into it. But as your friend and not as a Master, Iโd be grateful if you speak up when you need to. Iโm here for you.โ Her gentle and soothing voice had magically drained the troubles away that he was lost in thought with her features just now.
โYouโre right, Master.โ Charlie exhaled, followed by Hakuno giggling. They stayed like this for what felt like an eternity.
โYou can get off me now, Charlie.โ Hakuno pointed out that she was still pinned down by her unwary Saber who just noticed shortly after the realisation that made not just his cheeks but his whole face red like wine.
As if things couldnโt get any worse, Astolfo came barging into the pair's shared bedroom with a shout. โYAHOO! GOOD MORNING! WAKEY-WAKEY! ITโS TIME FOR BREAKFAโ!!!!!โ
There is a long pause with Astofloโs mind arriving at the right place at the wrong time. โI see that Iโm sorry for interrupting His Majestyโs โprivate momentโ. Iโll see myself out now, ehe~โ Astolfo can be seen skipping out the doorway, thus leaving Charlie with a misunderstanding.
โWait. Astolfo it's not what you think, you dumbass!โ He cried, but the pink braided hair was already long gone.
โBREAKFAST!!!โ Shouted by a masculine voice on top of their voice.
โBREAKFAST IS THE TOOL TO HELP FIGHT OFF OPPRESSION, HAHA!โ That voice was none other than Spartacus who ran down the hallway to make their way to the cafeteria whilst shaking the entire floor with each thundering step he took.
It was going to be a long day for the two, especially Charlie who needed to clear things up both with his Master and his idiotic Paladin, Astolfo whoโs most likely gossiping with the other Servants with spicy content to share.
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