They Call me Vox

Interlude 1.2

"Keep your sword up, Vox!"

"clang"

"It's not fair! You're the Servant, a Saber for that matter, with skills and abilities beyond that of which a human is capable of!"

"clang clang clang"

My muscles screaming in protest, I bring up my training sword to, once again, block a strike from Artoria's training blade.

"clang"

My Saber might have put a bit too much power behind her swing, as I'm sent stumbling backward and onto my ass.

"Ow," I mutter, rubbing my backside with one hand.

"Apologies, Vox, I may have let myself get a tad overexcited," Artoria apologizes, reaching a hand down to help me up.

"It's fine," I grunt, clasping Arty's forearm and letting her pull me to my feet, "As long as it's all in good fun."

"Thank you, Mas-Vox," Artoria corrects herself.

I sigh, a long-suffering sigh, and use my training sword as an improvised cane to help me hobble over to a nearby bench against the wall.

It's been a week since Singularity F, and Chaldea is still feeling the effects of the attack. The nearly two hundred healthy staff are capable of keeping the place running, if only barely, while the injured and recovering are working the less labor-intensive jobs. In the meantime, I've been having daily training sessions with Artoria to improve my swordplay. They've also been a good opportunity to bond with the blonde Servant, though I'll never admit that to anyone other than Sionnach.

As for my other Servants. I found out Mash loves reading anything mystery-related, so I've taken some time to read with her, discussing who we think might be the guilty person and all that. Ushiwakamaru, meanwhile, has been drilling into me things like tactics and lessons on war. Turns out, Ushiwakamaru is the childhood nickname of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a Japanese military commander and samurai, and she found it fit to teach her Master, me, everything she knows in order to prepare me for the coming conflicts.

I push these thoughts aside as I twist the cap off a water bottle and guzzle down half its contents. I then screw the cap back on, place the bottle back on the bench, and turn to Arty, who is patiently waiting for me.

"Alright," I groan, rubbing my sore right arm, "Let's get back to it."

"Gladly, Vox," Artoria says, "Now, prepare yourself!"

Artoria lunges forward in an overhead swing, and I bring my sword up to block.

Timeskip(brought to you by Vox playing chess with Ushiwakamaru)

'From times long gone, from magic old

I seek the help of brave and bold

Come forth heroes, villains, saints

Your silent rest will have to wait

I call for you in my time of need

And thus I offer an ancient creed

From despair, I will save this Earth

Now come, it is time for your rebirth.'

The summoning room is, for the second time this week, bathed in a blinding light. I had decided to summon another Servant, using three of my remaining six Saint Quartz. I was also joined by Artoria for this endeavor since she wanted to see the process for herself.

When the light fades, I open my eyes to see my newest Servant. His hair is blonde, eyes red. He wears a blue shirt with gold trim and loose pants with a white, green, and brown camo pattern. The most notable trait of my new Servant, though, is that he is a child.

"Hello, Master," the kid greets, smiling, "I'm Servant Archer. My name... let me see... just call me Gil!"

"Nice to meet you, Gil," I reply, "My name is Vox, and please don't call me Master."

"Uh, okay! I'll do my best, Miss Vox" Gil says as he walks over to us.

'Lugh, this kid is adorable!'

"Don't call me Miss, kid. It makes me feel old, and I don't like that. By Lugh, I'm only nineteen!" I exclaim, dramatically.

Gil laughs, and I turn to face my Saber. I raise an eyebrow at Artoria's shocked and confused expression.

"You okay, Artoria?" I ask, knocking Artoria out of her funk.

"Artoria?" Gil asks, confused, before his eyes widen, "Oh... you're the girl my older self is obsessed with."

Gil shivers, disturbed by something.

"Uh, what? Not enough input, brain confused, please explain," I say, feeling left out.

"Oh, uh, how do I explain this?" Gil asks, and I'm not sure if he's talking to himself or Artoria and I, "My true True Name is Gilgamesh. When I say older self, I'm talking about the older versions of me."

I blink, not expecting that, "Okay... but that doesn't explain what's going on."

"You see, Master," Artoria says, and I resist a flinch at her calling me that, "Gilgamesh, the older version, somehow survived his Holy Grail War, the fourth one, and got involved in mine. During my Grail War, he had some strange obsession with me and was convinced I belonged to him."

The Kitsune parts of me snarls at the mere idea of someone taking the girl I am courting... and I'm pushing that down to deal with later. Back! Back into your corner!

"I hope that his actions will not affect your view on me," Gil says, rocking back and forth on his heels, "If it helps, I don't approve of his actions at all, and neither does my Caster self."

Artoria, after a few seconds, nods, "I will do my best to keep an open mind."

Gil smiles brightly, "Thank you, Miss Artoria!"

'Can't. Hold. Back. Any. Longer. Must. Hug. Cute. Child!'

"Aww, so cute!" I exclaim, whilst picking Gil up and hugging him.

"M-Master!?" Gil yelps.

"Okay, I'm good," I say, putting Gil down, "Now, let the tour commence!"

"Uh, is this normal?" Gil whispers to Artoria.

"I'm afraid so," Artoria replies, the smallest smile on her face, "Our Master can be a bit... eccentric at times. Luckily, one tends to become accustomed to her antics after some time."

"I can hear you, y'know," I interrupt, crossing my arms and pouting.

"Wha? How?" Gil asks.

In response, I drop the illusions over my ears and eyes. I had already stopped using the one for my skin tone after Singularity F, and the illusions over my ears and eyes no longer double as power limiters.

I grin as Gil stares, shocked, at the white fox ears that poke out of my red hair.

"Y-you're a Kitsune!" Gil gasps, "But, the Throne of Heroes says your kind is extinct!"

"That's a long story," I reply.

"Speaking of stories, I was told by Mash about your relationship with Caster," Artoria comments, "I believe she and Ushiwakamaru are still waiting for that explanation."

"Do I have to?" I whine, ears drooping, "Can we at least give Gil a tour first?"

I give Artoria my best puppy, or kit in my case, eyes. Arty holds my gaze for a full minute before she sighs and nods.

"Yes! C'mon, kid, let's go!"

"Right behind you, Miss Vox!"

"I'm not old enough to be a miss!"

I swear I heard Artoria laugh at me when I said that.