They Call me Vox

Singularity F: Act 1

"Yip! Yip!"

"Kyu. Kyu."

'Ugh, my head.'

My head throbs and I can't remember what happened.

"Senpai, please wake up."

'Mash?'

Everything comes rushing back to me. Arriving at Chaldea, the orientation, meeting Roman, the explosion, the Command Room, Mash...

"She won't wake up. Perhaps I should use her official title?"

My eyes fly open to see Mash, wearing something that could barely be described as armor, standing over me. On either side of me is Fou and Sionnach.

"Mash? You're alive!" I scramble to my feet, and I'm immediately aware of our surroundings, "The hell? Mash where, what, how?"

We're standing in the middle of a city, a burning city. Buildings are burning and half-collapsed and the sky is blocked by smoke. I scrunch up my nose at the smell of death and fire.

'Ugh, this is one of the times I do not appreciate having a good nose.'

"Thank goodness you're awake Senpai," Mash says.

"Mash, what the hell is going on!?" I shout.

"Grooooooo..."

We are interrupted by strange creatures shambling towards us. They look like skeletons, and their eyes are replaced by orbs of blue fire.

"Mash! Down!" I shout, tracing a rune ᚲ, "Kenaz!"

A fireball shoots out of the rune and impacts one of the skeletons, destroying it.

"Stand back, Master. Mash Kyrielight, engaging," Mash says, and a giant fucking SHIELD appears on her hands as she charges the skeletons. With strength that defies her dainty figure, Mash smashes apart skeletons with her cross-shaped shield.

'I'm not even going to question this.'

"Like hell, I'm staying back!" I quickly trace three runes ᚲ, "Kenaz!"

Three fireballs launch from the runes and impact against three skeletons, destroying them. I look back at Mash as she walks over to me, having finished off the rest of the skeletons.

"Alright, explanations. Now," I demand.

"I'm not so sure what's going on myself, Master," Mash answers.

"I'm sorry, did you just call me master?"

"Uh, well-," Mash is cut off by the watch on her wrist activating.

"Yes! I finally got through to you!" Roman exclaims, his hologram appearing over Mash's watch, "Hello? This is Chaldea Command Room, do you copy?"

"This is Mash Kyrielight, a member of A-Team," Mash answers, "At this time, I've completed the shift to Singularity F. My only companion is Vox. Both my mind and body are intact."

'So, this is Singularity F.'

"Rayshift compatibility and Master compatibility are both satisfactory," Mash continues, "Please register Vox as an official researcher."

"Vox got dragged into the Rayshift, huh?" Roman asks.

"I'm right here, y'know," I say.

"Oh! Right! My apologies, Vox," Roman says, "Also, Mash, I'm glad you're safe and all, but what's with the outfit? It's shameless! I didn't raise you to dress like that!"

'Wait, Roman raised Mash!?'

"I transformed into this. I couldn't protect Senpai wearing Chaldea's uniform," Mash answers.

"What do you mean by transformed, Mash?" Roman asks, "Or was it-"

"Doctor Roman. Please be quiet," Mash cuts Roman off, "Please check my condition. I think you'll understand the situation better."

'I don't understand a single thing that's going on.'

Sionnach, who has climbed onto my shoulders, nods in agreement.

"Okay..." Roman looks away, probably checking something, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Physical strength, Magical Circuits, everything's improved! You're not so much a human but a-"

"Yes, I am a Servant," Mash says, "I don't remember how it happened, but it seems I have survived by fusing with a Servant."

'I want to call bullshit, but magecraft, in general, is bullshit.'

"To investigate and resolve Singularity F, a Servant was provided in advance at Chaldea," Mash says, "The Servant lost its Master, and, before it disappeared, offered me a contract. In exchange for his abilities, I have to solve this Singularity."

"A Heroic Spirit and a human fused," Roman mutters, "A Demi-Servant? That's Chaldea's sixth experiment. So it finally succeeded. Does the Servant still have his conscience?"

"No, he gave me his combat abilities and vanished," Mash answers, "He also never revealed his true name, so I don't even know who he is. Nor do I know their Noble Phantasm."

"Can we get back to the current situation?" I ask, "Like, what we should do right now?"

"Right, of course. Although, Vox, it says here that you are Mash's Master," Roman says, "That means-"

"Yeah yeah. Mash is my Servant. She depends on me for magical energy to sustain herself. Bla bla bla, I know the shtick!" I shout, "I'm not stupid y'know."

"Sorry sorry! Anyway-" Roman cuts out suddenly, a static sound in place of words.

"Doctor Roman, you're breaking up," Mash says, "Ten seconds until connection is lost."

"Great," Roman groans, "There should be a Ley Line about two kilometers from your position. Use it to get a stable connection. And be care-"

The connection is cut.

"Well, you heard the man," I say, "Let's get moving."

"Yes, Mas-

"Don't call me master," I order, "Call me Vox, or senpai if you must."

"Yes, Senpai," Mash says.

I nod and look around, before realizing something, "Um, did Roman tell us which way to go?"

"Uh, no, I don't think so. But don't worry! As a Servant, I should be able to sense it. The Ley Line is..." Mash looks around, her eyes squinted as if she's trying to concentrate on something. She eventually stops and points down the street, "That way!"

"Alright, lead the way, Mash," I say, "Oh, and a bit of advice. Don't try and keep me out of fights. I won't listen."

"But, you are my Master. And it's my duty as your Servant to protect you," Mash argues.

Solas Dawn appears in my right hand in a flash of golden fire. I plant the end of the staff in the ground, the runes glowing with power, "Don't worry about me, Mash. I can take care of myself."

"Very well, Senpai," Mash concedes, "But! If we do encounter an enemy Servant, you are to let me do the fighting."

"Sure. Now, let's get going," I agree.

"Right, come on Fou," Mash says.

"Fou!"

Fou jumps onto Mash's shoulder and Mash begins walking in the direction of the Ley Line.

"This ought to be interesting, Sionnach," I mutter, "And why do I get the feeling the craziness only just began?"

"Ow wow," Sionnach warbles in agreement.