Fate/Lost Moonlight

War Entry 8: Hotel London

With a flash of light and a rush of mana, Felix Le Tonnelier and EMIYA found themselves transported back in time to Britain on the eve of World War II, August 31st, 1939.

While a somewhat unceremonious transposition, it was nothing the Archer hadn't experienced before. So it was that upon manifesting within a small English town, EMIYA immediately got to work...

"Here Master, hold on to this'," she bade Felix as the Counter Guardian projected a stealthy Noble Phantasm to ensure their secrecy.

"Thank you EMIYA. Say, do you know where we are? I assume you're well versed in a multitude of locations-"

"We're in Great Britain." EMIYA explained, her gaze off in the distance. "I can see a few Union Jack's in decorations and on flags, and judging Doom the architecture and machinery, we have to have dropped in sometime in the 20th century, more than likely the early half of it."

Felix looked around, his brilliant blue eyes scanning the area. Sure enough, he could see those same details scattered around the town, now that they'd been brought to mind.

"Well, what now? What's the next step, EMIYA."

EMIYA paused for a bit, stroking her chin as she considered their options. Without warning she leapt as high into the air as she could, returning to the ground in graceful manner after a few seconds had passed.

"I think I recognize the landmarks from... erm, I'll give you the details later. All you need to know, Master, is that if we head northeast at good speed we can reach London before sunrise."

"London.." The implications was immediately apparent to Felix. Everyone knew about the Clocktower, and if they could reach its simulated equivalent, there was no telling what sort of boons they could net for themselves.

"Okay. It makes for a good first step. Just know, archer, that we'll be diverting our attention to rendezvous with the others the moment we find out where anyone else is. Okay?"

She gave him a thumbs up and walked in front of him, kneeling down and becoming him to climb up on her back.

"Well, there are worse ways to travel..."

***

A few hours in, and God knew how much ground covered, and Felix heard a handheld Radio EMIYA had projected to them buzz to life on the exact channel the White Faction had reserved for potential coordination efforts. On the other end he heard Oscar, sounding a bit frazzled yet no worse for wear. An exceedingly short dialogue later, and Felix had the exact coordinates of what would surely become the White Faction's team base this round.

"Thank you Oscar. Call back if anything important goes down. Felix out."

With that he turned off the radio, stowed it away, and fastened his right arm back around EMIYA's waist, glad he was lucky enough to not lose his grip during the call.

"We should make haste to, London" he advised. "It seems our allies are expecting us at some church, and we have much to discuss with them."

"Got it. Heard the whole conversation. You don't really need to relay the details to me. Hold on now, I'm going to go as fast as I can, and I don't want you falling off of me."

Felix did just that as the cool night air on his skin went from refreshing to frigid, his hair blowing behind him and his glasses shaking on his face as EMIYA went as fast as she could without hurting him. Piggybacking off of EMIYA's back as the Servant ran off at high speeds was certainly an experience, as frightening as it was strangely intimate, and something Felix wasn't sure how to feel about.

In any case, it'd get them to Oscar and Mary that much quicker, so he was happy EMIYA had suggested it.

As they quietly sped through the quaint English roadways in the dead of night, Felix couldn't help but feel a sense of uncanny unease. He was a young Mage of only 19, with the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. Inexperienced, yet possessed of a quiet confidence that belied his age, born from his innate ability to manipulate luck. That very trait told him that... something... was wrong. He couldn't guess at what, not right now anyways, but he'd try as he could to figure it out the moment they stopped to rest.

Deep on thought, his contemplations turned for a moment to EMIYA. She was a mysterious figure, a young woman who had once aspired to be a hero of justice. Now, she served as a Counter Guardian, bound by the Counter-Force to protect the balance of the world. Despite her tragic past, she remained dedicated to her cause, fighting to preserve the innocence of those she sought to protect. And yet... though he couldn't put his finger on it... all he knew of her, all she'd told him about her past... something about it didn't fit.

His intuition was rarely wrong. Which was a real headache with her, because as much as her story felt off, he felt just as much like it was on point to her.

He banished those thoughts, refocusing on the regrouping situation as they made their way towards their comrades. Felix and EMIYA were quick to work out a plan: EMIYA would scout ahead, ensuring their path was clear of any potential threats, while Felix would secure accommodations at a nearby hotel. They would then rendezvous with their White Faction allies, Master Oscar and his Moon-Cancer Class Servant, the Virgin Mary, at the Catholic church that they'd currently decided to set up shop in.

Upon reaching the outskirts of London, EMIYA dropped Felix off and began her reconnaissance mission, her amber eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

Meanwhile, Felix made his way to the hotel through conventional transportation, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead...

***

As Felix finished checking into the hotel, Felix couldn't help but think about the weight of his own responsibility in the Holy Grail War. He knew that his partnership with EMIYA was essential to their success, and he was determined to make the most of their unique abilities. Yet those thoughts still nagged at him, uncertainties that he just couldn't shrug off.

So what else was there to do but look for the truth?

As he made his way to his room, the answer was clear: he'd do a Tarot reading, and scratch that ich plaguing his mind, of what it was about this Grail War that he just couldn't put his finger on...