FGO Specter of Glass

China Ch5

Laurine asked about the stranger, curious as to where someone with an outfit like that came from. It wasn't anything like the ones Chaldea had, or from any of the realms. She might have been from another world. Laurine didn't believe those existed at first, but Carmen, Mitra, and Akko proved that to be wrong. Akko finally got his tea and was ready to leave, he summoned his orbs and was about to activate Rome's until Yu called. She got a report from Douma and Ibuki requesting assistance. Their mission to Japan was cut short when they were attacked by a high-ranking demon. Rather than be killed, they chose to return to Yu and report back.

Since Yu was busy in the capital with Nero and Helena, it was up to them to take care of the threat. They headed to the gates of Japan with the doctor tagging behind and Laurine staying to take care of the stranger. They noticed how the guards were missing and there was no one around the area. The towns were a different story.

Japan was slowly being rebuilt, some structures were cleaned, and the roads were clear. In front of them was the church, where the priestess stood. She had black hair, and red eyes, and wore a traditional black Japanese robe. Behind her, was her brother in a white robe. His eyes were covered with a wrap, and he barely spoke, according to the priestess, he was in a fight when he was young and lost his sight and eyes. She shook her head, it didn't matter. She let the group in to show them around. The demon that attacked them had broken many important relics from Japan's history and even tried to kill them.

The priestess started crying as her brother stroked her back, a way that he calmed her down when they were kids. She apologized for her rudeness and finally introduced herself, she was Homura Kizuki, with her brother being Ryuu Kizuki. They were orphans raised by the church and taught to welcome all people into the church. She pointed at the statue of Amaterasu, the goddess who once protected them from the demons long ago, and who died at the hands of Xiang Yu when he wanted to awaken the demons. She was a hero who the church worshipped and hoped that their prayers could bring her back to life.

Their conversation was cut short when the lights went out, the flames of a wheel were the first thing they saw before it crashed into the church, destroying the altar and returning to its holder. A tall man with dark skin, flaming red hair, glowing orange eyes, and Indian clothing. He was Ashwatthama.

"You two... you'll PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" He raised his chakram and pointed at the siblings.

"Stop!" Carmen got in the middle of the field, "I don't know what they did to hurt you, but can't you talk it out?"

"Talk it out... TALK IT OUT?! They killed my father!"

"Ashwatthama," Carmen said, surprising the archer. "Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ashwatthama answered with a scorned look on his face, "I've been escaping the clutches of Arjuna's army for the past two years. And if it weren't for those two... my father would be with me."

"What are you saying?"

"Demons can't be trusted... like the ones you're standing next to, I suggest you and your other friends step away from them... unless you want to get eaten."

"Douma and Ibuki haven't hurt anyone, and they've proven to be more trustworthy than you," that was Carmen's final answer.

"Have it your way, you're lucky my father taught me to protect people because I'll be there to get you out when they decide you're their next meal."

He didn't say another word before leaving.

Carmen looked back at the Kizuki twins; they seemed not to know what Ashwatthama was talking about. Then Ryuu whispered about a report, some envoys from India were asking about anyone with Indian clothing. They did tell the envoys about the travelers, and it might have led to the death of Ashwatthama's father. They were responsible in a way and wanted to speak to him again. Homura went off to do just that, leaving Ryuu to take care of the guests. He held his hand against the wall to feel his way through until he found a door, he felt the doorknob to find it was diamond-shaped.