They Call me Vox

Singularity 1: Act 11

"LUGH DAMMIT!"

Solas Dawn slams into a nearby rock, shattering it. Breathing heavily and seething in rage, I turn back to Jeanne. A small number of monsters had been on their way to attack Thiers, and we were delayed by them. They were finished off quickly, but it hadn't mattered. We ran into Ushiwakamaru, Jeanne, and a new Servant, who introduced himself as Georgios, a third of the way down the road between Thiers and the town Georgios was in.

We were then given a rundown of what had happened: encountering Georgios, helping with the evacuation, and Marie sacrificing herself to buy everyone else time to escape.

"WHERE IS THAT DRAGON BITCH!?" I roar, gripping Solas Dawn tightly, "I'M GOING TO RUN HER THROUGH!"

I may have only known Marie for a week, but she was still my friend, and no one hurts my friends and gets away with it.

I halt when a gauntleted hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me from further raging. I whirl around and lock gazes with Artoria, who is sending pulses of understanding and comfort down the Master-Servant bond.

The rage bleeds away and I squeeze my eyes shut - I don't want the others to see me crying. I fall forward and my forehead lands on Arty's shoulder, while Solas Dawn falls from limp fingers and dissolves. Strong, comforting arms wrap around me.

I hear the Servants begin talking, but I only perceive it as muffled background noise while I cling to Artoria. My Saber gently lowers me to the ground, holding me as the tears finally come out. I'm not sure how long I sat there with Artoria, but I do my best to pull myself together as I feel a Servant approach us. Arty's whole being tensed, a smoldering fire in her eyes that warns against any who wish to hurt what's hers. Warmth spreads through me at the King of Knights' protectiveness, but I force myself to focus.

"Master," Kiyohime says as she walks over to us.

I quickly glance around. Mash, Ushiwakamaru, Gil, and Elisabeth are talking. Amadeus is further back, probably wanting to be alone after what just happened. Jeanne and Georgios are beside Siegfried, probably trying to cure him.

"Can-" I clear my throat and take a deep breath, "Can I help you?"

"Yes, I would like to form a temporary contract with you," Kiyohime answers, "Sticking your pinky out is enough. Oh, and this is a pinky promise. If you lie, I'll make you swallow a thousand needles."

I stare at the Berserker, unamused, "Sure, why not."

I hold my hand out in a fist, with only my pinky finger extended. Kiyohime smiles and quickly links her pinky finger with mine, and I feel a small dip in my reserves as the contract is formed.

"My, what mana reserves you have, Master," Kiyohime comments before her smiles becomes unnerving, "Just so you know, I really will make you swallow a thousand needles if you lie."

I hear a rumble from Artoria and I glance at her to see her glaring at Kiyohime, who holds the Saber's gaze. The two dragons seem to have a silent conversation, a clash of wills. Kiyohime breaks first, bowing her head and backing off. Artoria's arms tighten around me, and the fire in her eyes dies down as she glances at me.

'What the hell just happened?'

I shake my head and resign myself to resting against Artoria, waiting until something happens. I almost drift off when a roar pierces the relative silence.

I scramble to my feet, shouting orders, "Wyverns incoming! Let's move people! Gil, Amadeus, knock 'em out of the sky. Mash, protect them. Ushi, Jeanne, Arty, get them while they're down!"

As my Servants move to enact my orders, Siegfried, Georgios, Elisabeth, and Kiyohime walk over to me.

"What will you have me do, Vox?" Siegfried asks, "I am now capable of battle."

"You better be, we could use a dragon slayer right about now. Go help Artoria. You too, Georgios," I order, and Siegfried and Georgios run off as I turn to the last two Servants, "Can I help you two, 'cause I'm too busy to decide who should win whatever stupid argument you two are having."

Elisabeth huffs, "We're offering to help, foxy. You should be more grateful."

Kiyohime shoots a glare Elisabeth's way before bowing her head to me, "We wish to help you, Master."

I shake my head, "Fine. You two ladies are dragons? Go show those wannabes their place."

"Hai!"

"I  suppose that will do."

The Berserker and Lancer run off to join the fray, though the fight is practically over by now. All of the wyverns have been grounded, and most are already dead. I see Siegfried lunge at one of the remaining dragons and strike it down with Balmung, while Georgios makes quick work of another. The final wyvern, one of the more powerful red ones, is struck down by the combined effort of Elisabeth and Kiyohime.

After a few minutes of making sure the wyverns are dead, the Servants regrouped around me.

"So, what's our next step, Master?" Mash asks.

I sigh, pulling myself together. It's not like Marie is gone forever, I can just try to summon her back at Chaldea. 

"Since Siegfried is back in fighting shape, we're moving to Orleans," I answer Mash, "Now, let's get moving. We'll set up camp down the road, and, tomorrow, we're going after that dragon!"

Timeskip(brought to you by Vox playing with Gil)

"Okay, what've you two geniuses thought up?" I ask Siegfried, Artoria, and Ushiwakamaru as I walk over to them.

We had set up camp along the road to Orleans. A small fire blazes in the center of the camp, around which are logs that the Servants and I are using for seats. Artoria, Siegfried, Ushiwakamaru, and I are discussing our next step while the rest of the Servants, minus Gil since he's playing with Sionnach and Fou, listen in. I had asked the Sabers and Ushi since they are the only ones with experience in fighting armies.

"Well, it is quite obvious that the enemy outnumbers us greatly," Siegfried says, "Though we make up for that in quality and more mobility."

"Normally, this would give us two options," Artoria continues, "We either fight them head-on or we ambush them, using our smaller numbers to move quickly. Unfortunately, our enemy most likely already knows our position."

"Which negates any ambush we may set up. We will be forced to confront the enemy directly," Ushiwakamaru concludes.

"I will see to Fafnir," Siegfried says, "While the rest take care of the enemy Servants and wyverns."

"Sounds like a plan," I grin.

"One last thing," Elisabeth says, "Foxy, there is someone I have to fight. Would it be all right if I focus on her?"

"Sure, Elisabeth," I say, "And do be sure to give Camilla my regards."

"Wha- bu- how!?" Elisabeth sputters, shocked.

I chuckle, "You were yelling very loudly during that argument with Kiyohime."

Elisabeth pouts, crossing her arms and turning away from me. 

"I, without a doubt, will be facing the Dragon Witch in battle," Jeanne says.

"Can you defeat her?" Georgios asks.

"Of course she will! After all, I'm going to be right beside her," I state, grinning, "I have a score to settle with that dragon bitch."

"Senpai, language!" Mash scolds.

I laugh, "You're only saying that now, Mash?"

After a few more minutes of hashing out the finer details, and Artoria shooting down Kiyohime's attempt at taking the position of my bodyguard, I head to bed. I only vaguely notice someone lift my head from the grass to place it on something softer, my mind occupied with one last thought.

'Tomorrow, we're gonna raise hell.'