The Queen of Shadows

Chapter 24: Never Going Back Again (Part 1)

After his "encounter" with Scathach, Gudao did eventually rejoin Gabrielle and the Servants. They retired to their quarters for the night, leaving the two masters with Mashu until Gabrielle turned in herself. The Demi-Servant was accompanied by Gudao when they arrived at her quarters, with Fou walking beside them. Before she went inside, Mashu stopped in front of the door and turned to her master.

"So how did things go with Doctor Roman?" she asks him. Unbeknownst to Gudao, Mashu had been wanting to know what was on the boy's mind since they checked back with Roman earlier.

"Pretty well," Gudao replies soon after, sounding nonchalant. "He said that they're no signs of a singularity forming, so we're still good outside of Chaldea for the time being."

Despite the boy's laid-back demeanor, Mashu thought it best to press him further. She knew since they had all left Chaldea that Gudao was not being as forth coming with her as he usually was on assignment, and it worried the Shielder.

This all started after she fainted unexpectedly after the American singularity...

"Did he say anything else?" Mashu asked nervously, putting her hands behind her and swaying. She appeared naturally curious, but Mashu was watching Gudao's facial expressions as he replies with:

"Like what?"

Mashu notes his guarded look before clarifying:

"You know, like asking about all of us... if we're okay, alive and breathing..."

"Oh right!" Gudao said suddenly in realization, but Mashu thought his initial response was exaggerated. "Now that you mention it... he wanted to know how you were doing, what with Scathach putting you through her training and all."

"And what did you tell him?" Mashu presses subtly.

"I said that you were doing fine..." Gudao answers, rubbing the back of his head like he should have understood her sooner. "Nothing that a Servant can't handle..."

Mashu's face turned sullen, and Gudao stops once he notices.

"Senpai..." she starts. "I know you aren't being honest."

Gudao's eyes widened slightly.

"About what?"

Mashu sighs as Gudao stares at her with what looked to her like with a sense of dread.

"You lied to Roman..." she lightly admonishes. "You saw yesterday how on edge we all were with each other. Today was not much better in terms of our teamwork. Our training has not been going well at all and you know it. Not nice of you to keep that from him, Senpai."

Gudao blinked at her for a moment. Mashu observes as his face turns to that of... relief?

"Oh, I... I didn't want to worry Roman," he admits, his demeanor lightening considerably. "He's taking a huge risk with us being outside the barrier."

"But if this doesn't work out, what are you going to tell him then?" Mashu asked, sharing her doubts with him about Scathach's training. Gudao assures her:

"That won't happen," he said while putting his hands on her shoulders. "We can't be thinking like that, Mashu. Once me and Gabrielle hone our magecraft more, any issues with the team will be alleviated."

Mashu manages a weak smile, wanting to share in the boy's optimism. Yet, after what had transpired between her and the other Servants so far since arriving at Castle Dunscaith, she was completely convinced.

"I honestly think it's going to take more than that, Senpai," she admitted to Gudao as she gently grabbed his wrists and slowly lowered his arms off her. "Brawn alone is not going to be enough to defeat Solomon. I've been doing all I can, but I can only do so much as a single Servant."