章 6: Destroyer of worlds part 2

Ritsuka's perspective

After a brief explanation and introduction to Seele, she said that she will take us to the leader of wildfire, his name is Oleg. One thing everyone noticed is that Seele is very aggressive especially towards Bronya since she is from the surface.

Something that's bothering me is this damn weird feeling when I see Bronya and Seele together. This is strange since I don't know Bronya much personally and I just met Seele, so having this impression that I've already seen them once bothers me a lot.

"Tch! No matter how many times I try to remember I'm sure I didn't know them before. So why? Why do I have this feeling of nostalgia?" - I think about it getting uncomfortable, but I keep a poker face so as not to attract anyone's attention.

Anyway. Seele told us to meet her at the entrance to the mining area and from there she will take us to Olog. Seele also said that Bronya's fate will be decided by him.

On the way into the mining area we just came across Natasha who is with some miners.

Seele:What is Natasha doing here? Things must be worse than I thought. - Seele said when seeing the doctor.

We approach the doctor who notices our presence.

Seele:Nat, I didn't think you'd be here. Where is Oleg? - Seele asks the doctor.

Natasha:Hey, Seele and.....Sampo's guests. It seems like you two have already met. I didn't see Oleg. The miners told me he took his group deeper. - Natasha said.

Stelle:These people.... - Stelle said, mentioning the group of people behind barricades.

Natasha explained that a group of miners found a large package of materials, the amount surpasses the last major ore discovery thirty years ago, however due to the fragmentum infestation spreading in the underworld, it ended up leaving many miners out of work and the information was not shared,a gang knowing this tried to blackmail the miners.

Because of this there was conflict and many people ended up getting hurt and that is why Natasha left the clinic and ended up here.

Natasha: So you are here to resolve the conflict? - Natasha asks us.

Seele: They are here because they need a favor from boss Oleg. I'm escorting them. And seeing as you need a helping hand, it wouldn't be much for you to help this situation. - Seele said looking at me.

Ritsuka: Why not? I see no reason not to help. At the end of the day, we are here to help you. - I say this leaving Seele a little surprised.

Seele:Oh..... That's good coming from you. - Seele said.

Ritsuka: Hey. Do I look like an ignorant person? - I say this thinking her comment is strange.

Natasha: Hahaha....We are dealing with kind people Seele. As you can see, the situation is very... "tight". If you can, I would really appreciate it if you could help people. - Natasha said.

With that we started to go deeper into the mining area and along the way we helped some miners who were injured. One of the miners said that the area where the large mineral is located is full of robots that are blocking the entrance tunnels, apparently the owner of the robots is an individual called Svarog.

Seele said that Svarog is dangerous and that we should not clash at the moment.

Continuing on the path we find another group of miners who are being threatened by a group of bandits, we deal with the group easily making them flee.

The mining company called Antonia thanks us for saving her and the other miners.

Seele:Adonia. Did you see, Oleg? - Seele asks the mining company.

Antonia:Oleg? He took a group into the inner section. He said it was to clear the area of invading robots. They've been gone for a while now. Hmpf. If wildfire were here those bandits wouldn't dare. - Antonia said.

Seele: It seems that the central problem is Svarog's robots.... - Seele comments.

Ritsuka:Who exactly is Svarog? - I say that.

Seele: He appeared suddenly when the guards were redeployed, and became a major player in the underworld. Svarog announced himself as the guardian of humanity, all robots without owners obey his orders. They have occupied the furnace core hub, and are not letting anyone get close. No one knows why Svarog does these things.... He doesn't leave the central furnace and interfere unless disorder occurs in the underworld. - Seele said.

"A guardian of humanity....hehe... That's a title that Emiya would like to hear...although...I'm actually a guardian of humanity if you consider the help I received from Counterforce ..." I think about it getting interested in the title of Svarog.

Bronya: A "Guardian of Humanity" who can command robots? I've never heard anything like that. - Bronya comments.

Seele: It seems your architects are not as all-knowing as you thought. - Seele said, teasing Bronya and I let out a sigh.

Ritsuka:Seele, we know you don't like Bronya for your own personal reasons, but can you at least keep your irritation to yourself? This way you're just showing Bronya that the people of the underworld are a bunch of people with short fuses. - I say this, drawing the attention of Seele herself, who is irritated with me.

Seele: I don't have a short fuse! Another thing, people in the underworld are not a bunch of impatient people! - Seele said in a loud tone.

Ritsuka: You're just proving my point. - I say this making Seele stay quiet.

March 7: Wow, I didn't think Ritsuka would be able to make her stay quiet. - Said March 7.

Stelle: Maybe this is due to the experiences he had with Herta? - Stella comments.

Bronya: I didn't expect you to defend me. - Bronya said, showing that she doesn't like me very much at the moment.

Ritsuka:It sounds like you're still angry about what happened on the surface. Anyway. We better continue on our way. Antonia, you'd better take your team to the entrance to receive treatment from Doctor Natasha. - I say this.

Antonia's group heads towards the entrance where Natasha is while we approach the area where the large mineral is.

On the way there was a problem on the way that we had to fix to be able to pass, this was resolved quickly and upon arriving at our destination I came across a large humanity robot and a small girl with white hair and red eyes.

"IIlya?! No. It can't be her. If it were her, Hercules would be here ...." - I think this confusing the girl with someone else I know.

Seele:Svarog! We haven't resolve our final score. - Seele said to the humanoid robot that is Svarog.

"So the guardian of humanity is a robot? I wish Minamoto no Tametomo or Xiang Yu were here it would be a cool meeting. - I think this by analyzing Svarog's appearance.

Svarog:Seele.... subordinate of the wildfire..... Your resistance is futile. The results of my calculations are unequivocal: Remaining in the underworld is the most optimal strategy for survival. - Said Svarog.

"Xiang Yu would be a great help in talking to Svarog." - I think about this having already dealt with Svarog's personality type.

Seele:This again? Result of calculations, survival strategy.... I don't have time for your theses. Save your strength or I'll lose my cool. - Seele said.

Svarog: Watch, Clara. Even under abject conditions. Humans are unable to avoid division and conflict. - Said Svarog to the child next to him.

Clara:But, Mr Svarog.... - Clara said.

Svarog:Human failure to accept the calculations result is a significant threat to the survival strategy of the underworld. Calculations complete. Unequivocal result: Armed suppression of wildfire and other allies is the optimal course of action. - Svarog said.

Ritsuka:So he uses these calculations to predict a possible future....just like Xiang Yu's calculation ability..... - I say that.

March 7: Is it serious that this robot can do this? - Said March 7.

Ritsuka: It's not impossible to have this ability. I heard of someone who can do the same thing, but at a certain advanced level. One way to have this ability is to do the tests that the Aeon Nous gives to certain people in his temple, however the temple itself contains various difficult tests that are calculated by the Aeon himself. - I say this commenting on Nous.

"I received the invitation to enter the temple when I entered the simulated universe for the first time. Herta went crazy to see that the universe itself was reacting strongly to my presence, meaning Nous must have noticed that I am an anomaly.... Professor Ratio encouraged me to enter the temple, but I don't think it's a good idea - I think about it remembering my first days on the space station.

Svarog seeing that there are new people in the underworld said that the calculations were changed due to a new variable. With that he retreats with the girl named Clara, leaving some robots for us to face.

As expected we dealt with everyone without any problems. After a slight break from a battle, the person we were looking for appeared.

Oleg:Good job Seele. We were being attacked from both sides by robots without knowing where they were coming from. We thought we were in it for the long haul,hahaha! - said Oleg with a group of people behind him.

Seele:Boss?! Is everyone okay? Is anyone injured? - Seele said, worried.

Oleg:We're fine. We are used to this point. We send the robots and the ragtag troops out. The mine should be quiet for now. And who are your friends here? - Oleg said looking at us.

Seele:Ahh them! They are outsiders that Sampo brought down from who knows where. They need a favor from wildfire, so I brought them with me, it will be faster for them to explain it to you. - Seele said.

We explained to Oleg our mission and what happened on the surface. Seele was pleased to know about the confusion we caused up there.

Oleg said he doesn't know anything about Stellaron and probably no one else in the underworld knows except Svarog. It looks like Svarog was there from the beginning, so he probably has the information we need to know where Stellaron is.

Oleg also said that Cocolia is a liar who doesn't care about the survival of people in the underworld, obviously Bronya didn't like hearing that, but she couldn't argue seeing the truth of the situation around her.

Oleg told us to rest and tomorrow we'll have to look for Svarog and convince him to help us, which I'm sure won't be friendly at all. March 7 was worried that what happened on the surface would be repeated here in the underworld and Stelle came up with the idea of Dan Hang being the watchman while we sleep.

However, Bronya decides to take Dan Hang's place, after she has a private conversation with Oleg, which certainly wasn't pleasant. Bronya said that Oleg promised that nothing bad will happen to her in the underworld and that Oleg is a trustworthy man.

With that resolved, we decide to enter the underworld hotel to rest from another busy day.

Narrator's perspective

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Ritsuka's Dreams

A lone man is walking a white desert with only sunlight being present. His feet are heavy from walking, but he continues his aimless walk leaving a trail of blood behind him.

The further he walks in the desert the more weight he feels on his back, but the strange thing is that he is not carrying anyone on his back, in fact the man is carrying himself.

Eventually the trail begins to turn into hot flames that reach the man, but he himself doesn't feel any different and he continues his walk with hot blood in his hands.

The man ended up passing over several bodies full of blood, one of the bodies was a humanoid wolf,a small blonde girl, a boy, an Indian family, a Greek brother and sister, some fairies and finally several bodies of small dinosaurs.

These are the victims of the man, the people who were forgotten by the world, but the man carries their memories, the happy moments, the bad moments, everything that happened in their last moments, he is carrying everything.

The man ends up arriving at his old hometown where he was just a simple student, but just like the white desert, the city is empty with no one present. The only thing present are several bodies of people who have been forgotten by the world.

With this, the man continues to walk carrying the feelings of people who were forgotten, but they did not die in peace... they want answers!

Why did we have to die? For what reason? Who is to blame for this? He must pay! This cannot go unpunished! I lost my family!!!! Mommy! Daddy!

These are the countless screams of agony and despair of the people who were killed who were forgotten, but still the man received everything they wanted to make the person responsible pay for having done such a cruel act!

He must pay!!! We have to have vengeance!!!! Justice!!!

Vengeance!!!!

The bloodied man stopped walking when he saw a flaming sword standing before him.

The sword has a very familiar appearance to him, but its blade is not emitting that light that represents the hope and willpower of humanity, instead the blade is emitting a strong destructive fire, which represents the purest rage,the purest thirst for revenge the sword has become a personification of vengeance and anger of a lost planet and is calling for its master to use it to wield it and kill everyone who stands in the way!

However, the man hesitates to wield the sword knowing the consequences of using this tremendous power, after all he is not that type of person. However, with the desire for revenge, people begin to put pressure on the man, demanding answers, demanding that something be done.

It reached a point where he could no longer take it and everything was consumed by fire.

End of the dream..

Returning to Ritsuka's perspective.

I get out of bed panting and very sweaty after having a terrible nightmare.

Ritsuka:Same nightmare again.... This is getting really bad for me. Where are those pills... - I say this looking for the medicine in my pocket and see that I only have one left.

"I better get some fresh air before I go back to bed." - I think about it leaving my room, but before leaving the hotel I hear a loud gasp coming from Stelle's room.

Ritsuka:Stelle. Are you okay in there? - I say this by knocking on the door.

Stella: Ritsuka? You may come in. - Stelle said and I go into her room.

Ritsuka: It looks like you had nightmares too. - I say this seeing that she has just woken up.

Stelle: I wouldn't say it's a nightmare, but rather a strange vision about Cocolia... - Stelle said.

Ritsuka:An insight into Cocolia...Hmm...that's a pretty bizarre case. Well since you deserve to have a rest day you better use it. - I say this by giving my pill to Stelle.

Stella: What is this? - Stella asks me.

Ritsuka: It is a medicine that calms the mind and helps you have a more peaceful and serene sleep. I bought this medicine after I had sleep problems at my work at the space station, the owner of this medicine is called Bailu. She is a small girl with a dragon tail and horns. - I say that.

Stelle: Dragon tail? - Stelle said, confused.

Ritsuka: I was also confused when I saw her in person, but she is a lover of my stories and I used that to make these pills, the one you are holding is the last one in my package. - I say that.n

Stelle:Are you sure you want to give this to me? Isn't it very important to you? - Stelle said and I let out a light laugh.

Ritsuka:No problem. Going a day without taking the pill won't hurt me. Well, I'm going to take a walk around the place. Have a great sleep, Stella. - I say this while leaving.

Stelle:Are you really okay, Ritsuka? You seem very tired.... - Stelle said with a tone of concern.

Ritsuka:Don't worry about me, partner. I am fine. - I say this with a happy smile.

(A/N:The legendary Emiya smile.)

I leave Stelle's room and leave the hotel. At the entrance I see Bronya who immediately notices my presence.

Bronya:Who's there?! Do not hide! - Bronya said, being alert.

Ritsuka: It's just me, Bronya. You don't need all that. - I say that and she lets out a sigh.

Bronya: Don't sneak up behind me next time. Lucky for you I'm not armed. - Bronya said.

Ritsuka: Not that it should change the result of the fight.... - I comment remembering our battle.

Bronya:Did you say something? - Bronya said in a threatening tone.

Ritsuka:I said nothing. - I say this showing an innocent smile.

There was silence between us until I decided to break the ice.

Ritsuka: Look, I know what happened on the surface wasn't pleasant at all, but is it possible for you not to get a little aggressive around me? - I say that, but Bronya doesn't respond.

Ritsuka: I'm not going to get into an argument about my past actions, but I will say that some of what you heard from Cocolia isn't true. - I say that.

Bronya: I'm sorry about that. I just....can't accept that you admitted that you are responsible for the destruction of an entire civilization. - Bronya said.

Ritsuka: Everyone has their secrets, Bronya. And mine aren't what people consider "correct". - I say that.

Bronya: Why did you do that? I refuse to accept that answer of yours on the surface! I want a real explanation. Please. - Bronya said.

I stay silent, contemplating whether or not to tell her the truth.

Ritsuka:Okay. You won. I'll tell you, but don't expect a detailed explanation because there are things that even I don't have answers to. - I say this with a serious expression.

Bronya: Okay. - Bronya responds.

I started telling Bronya about lostbelts and what they are. I also gave a brief explanation about Chaldea to give more context to the information. Obviously I did my best to simplify everything to help Bronya understand everything.

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(A/N: I had in mind to write Ritsuka giving the explanation, but explaining the lostbelts is a headache for me. I can understand the craziness of the nasu-verse, but I'm terrible at explanations!)

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When finishing the explanation, Bronya is looking at me with a pitying expression.

Bronya:I.....I didn't imagine...that.....That was possible.....- Bronya said, almost speechless.

Ritsuka:I ask you, Bronya. What would you do if you were in my place? Would you give up or move on? - I ask her.

Bronya:I-I...I can't say...having such responsibility on my shoulders...I would be suffocated. - Bronya said with a certain expression of fear as she imagined it.

Ritsuka: And exactly what I feel every time I was about to enter a lostbelt, the pressure of responsibility, the risk of losing everything at the moment of my death. But even though I survived all of this, the reward I received at the end is hilarious. Hehehehehe....- I comment almost letting out a crazy laugh.

Bronya: Ritsuka. Are you well? - Bronya comments, getting worried when she sees me losing my composure.

Ritsuka:Ah! Yes sorry. Ahem! I let myself be carried away by my feelings. I don't blame you, Bronya, for not liking me. After all, who would like a person with the blood of more than millions of people on their hands? - I say that.

Bronya has no response to what I said and I let out a sigh.

Ritsuka: I'm here wanting to have our friendship back. I end up ruining it. - I say that.

Bronya: We can still be friends. What you did is in the past, what we have left is to focus on the present. I don't want to see you get hurt by something you had no alternative to. - Bronya said, looking a little red.

Ritsuka:Hehe. Thanks for the advice Bronya. So does that mean you like me now? - I say this with a smile teasing her.

Bronya: What?! Pay attention to your words! Someone might misunderstand what you said. - Bronya said.

Ritsuka: Misunderstand? Bronya, did you think of what I said in a romantic sense? Haha ha! At least take me on a date first. - I say this laughing at her.

Bronya: Tch! You really have a gift for getting under my skin. - Bronya said, her cheeks red,but even then she starts to smile.

In the end the atmosphere around us is so pleasant that we can't hide our smiles. It's these little moments that I really enjoy, no matter how much I eventually have to leave this place, I will never forget these little experiences.

To be continued....