Fate/Grand Order - A sword, a shield and their wielder

A sword, a shield and their wielder

Fate/Grand Order.

One-shot.

Ritsuka Fujimaru x Artoria Pendragon (Caster).

"A sword, a shield, and their wielder."

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-[Fragment 1: Awakening]-

Many people don't believe in fate, simply because the idea of not being the owner of one's destiny and actions are terrifying. People have fought against fate for countless of years, through hundreds of methods, cultures, eras, and worlds, just to prove themselves that freedom do exists, that with enough determination and passion, with a will strong enough, you can become free and rule over yourself.

However... ironically, other people do believe in what's called the "Domino effect", the idea that something as harmless as waking up with your left foot can cause a chain of events that will impact not only your life, but the life of others. Everything we do, from the moment we open our eyes, has an effect on the people around us.

Words specially.

"Alright! I've made my mind!"

Yelled the black-haired man, making everyone look at him with a puzzled expression. Smiling, Ritsuka Fujiamru walked towards the so called child of Prophecy, grabbing her hand between his own. Artoria's face lighted up in a red tone, as she started to tremble. From the sidelines, Oberon raised an eyebrow as Muramasa smiled.

Da Vinci simply close her eyes, knowing what came next.

"E-e-eh?! R-R-Ritsuka?!"

Master number forty eight put his other hand on his chest, right where his heart was. The human's face, contrary to Artoria's nervous expression, was filled with hope, excitement... and honesty. This, alongside the sudden handholding of course, took the blonde girl entirely by surprise, to the point she felt like she could faint.

"Artoria, I'll accompany you on your pilgrimage all the way until we defeat Morgan!"

That phrase, unbeknownst to him, triggered something within the so called country bumpkin. As the alternative counterpart of King Arthur started to yell, unable to make sense of his desire to travel with her even after finding Mashu, his determination, his eagerness, had another effect that would've never managed to bloom had they went their separate ways.

Ever since they found each other in the same tent after being lost in the Nameless Woods, not even being able to remember their names. There was a key difference between Artoria Pendragon, the King of Britain, and Artoria the Child of Prophecy, from the Land of the Fae. One sealed shut her heart long ago, and swore on her name that her only purpose would be to ensure her kingdom prospered into a bright future, no matter what destiny had in store for her, and her subjects.

But for the woman who carried the Staff of Selection... she was nothing but an innocent, sweet girl.

Without even wanting to, without even trying to, her fate always was meant to be intertwined with his.

This was the first domino effect.

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"Ahhhh! I just can't wait!~"

Cheerful as always, the caster girl jumped on her feet carrying the staff and waving it around like it was no big deal. Walking through Chaldea's halls, paying no attention to any of the multiple heroic spirits that waved or said hi to her, most of them were heading to their own rooms, others were most likely going to spent the night at the simulator, or hanging around in their own, unique ways.