They Call me Vox

Singularity 1: Act 5

I stand there, hand itching to trace a rune, as my Servants and I stand on one side of the town square of La Charite. Jeanne stands at the front of our group, while Mash, Gil, and Ushiwakamaru are to the left. I stand in the center-right position, with Artoria close to me on my right. 

Across from us are six Servants, judging by their mana density, who sit atop black steeds. The furthest two on the left look like a couple of people that took gothic and royalty and smashed them together. The middle two on the right are dressed in stark contrast, wearing white and blue. The furthest to the right has a more black and white attire.

I honestly don't pay them much attention, though, as I glare at the center-most left Servant. Like Artoria Alter, Jeanne Alter looks like a "dark" version of Jeanne. Her entire attire is the same as my Ruler friend, except it's a combination of blacks and greys. Alter's eyes are a pale yellow, and her hair is a shade lighter than that.

"What, on earth?" Alter asks, breaking the silence, "Who knew... who knew such a thing could happen?"

The mere sound of Alter's voice is annoying, and I'm sorely tempted to use Kenaz to shut up whatever long-ass monologue she's got cooked up.

"Could someone please pour some water on me? This is bad. It's awful. I think I'm really going to lose it. It's so funny I might die from laughing!" Alter cackles, "Take a look, Gilles! Look at that pathetic girl! What is she, a wimp? A mouse? A worm? Either way, they're all the same! So puny, I can't even muster any sympathy!"

'I'm not sure who that insult was aimed towards, but I am going to shove a fireball down her throat if it's the last thing I do if she doesn't shut up with the monologue!'

"Ah, truly... a country that only clings to me. Comparing them to mice is an insult to mice. Hey, Gilles, don't you think so-," Alter cuts herself off as she looks behind her at someone who isn't there, "Oh, I see. We didn't bring Gilles along."

"You... who are you?" Jeanne asks, finally mustering up her courage.

"I'm going to say she's a crazy, annoying, psycho version of you that was created through the use of a corrupted Holy Grail," I mutter.

"I could ask the same of you. Alas, as a leader, I should answer that," Alter says, either not hearing or flat out ignoring me, "I am Jeanne d'Arc. The saint devoted to France."

"Nonsense!" Jeanne declares, "You are no saint, just as I am no saint. But, that is already a thing of the past. More importantly, why did you attack this town?"

"Why, you ask? As the same Jeanne d'Arc, I thought you would understand," Alter replies, "Are you stupid now that your alignment has changed? The reason I attacked this city? What a foolish question. It's obvious, isn't it? It is for the sole purpose of destroying France. I am, after all, a Servant. Politically, economically, these methods take too long. Is it not better to simply physically crush everything?"

"So, revenge?" I guess.

"Finally! Someone who gets it!" Alter laughs, "These people, who we fought for, killed for! These people, who betrayed and spit on us! I will be fooled no longer. I will be betrayed no longer. I no longer hear the voice of the Lord. That fact, alone, means the Lord no longer blesses this country. So, I will destroy it, in accordance with the Lord's grief. I will cut away all the bad seeds at the roots. I suppose you could never understand, though, other me. Always playing the saint."

A light on my armband turns on, indicating that Roman is about to chime in and say something stupid. I quickly mute the doctor.

"You are worthless. Nothing but a ghost with a misguided effort to recreate history," Alter continues to mock Jeanne, before turning to the two goth Servants, "Berserk Lancer, Berserk Assassin. Finish off that country girl."