Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 2

Olga Marie's voice echoed down the halls, surrounding Leo Valualeta as he walked. A vast window covered the wall beside him, offering the snowscape outside. Leo paused for a moment, caught up in the beautiful environment. He had never left his home country, Australia, nor travelled within its borders beyond the major cities. The icecaps dusted with snow reached out to the sky, a sight that could not be truly captured in a photo. After a moment he pulled himself away from the window and continued to move along the corridor. He had a mission and limited time to see it done. In his mind, he let out a quick curse at Zeltrech. Wanting him to save Chaldea, but only giving him 30 minutes before the most important opening event? The old mage was mad.

The time was a problem. Within 30 minutes he needed to find and disable the bomb that had been placed to destroy the Coffins, the essential piece of Rayshift technology that Chaldea had created. Except of course, that the story of FGO he had enjoyed never went into detail about the where or how of the bomb. A great first problem to solve. Of course, with no knowledge of Chaldea's layout, nor where anything might be, he may as well be fumbling in the dark.

'Should I just go to the control room?' Leo paused and considered, before shaking his head. He needed to find the bomb first. If he couldn't disarm it, then nothing would change. The fate of Olga, of Team A, would remain the same.

"I promised I wouldn't let them die, and I can't go breaking my promise right after I have started a new life," he muttered.

"What promise Mr Valualeta?"

Leo jumped at the voice that emerged from behind him, spinning around in surprise. Behind him was a young girl, with glasses and soft pink hair that fell over one of her eyes. She looked up at him curiously, fortunately not seeming to notice how stunned Leo was. This was someone he knew very well. Arguably the game's main heroine, Mash Kyrielight. The protagonist's shield and stalwart companion.

"Mr Valualeta? Is there something wrong?" she asked, head tilting quizzically.

"No... nothing Miss Mash. Nothing at all." Leo answered hurriedly. At his response, Mash looked surprised.

"I see. You just seemed a bit lost, that was all."

"I am actually." Leo jumped in, realizing this was his chance. Mash could show him how to navigate Chaldea, she had been here long enough to know her way around the place. He pressed on eagerly.

"Miss Mash I am afraid I have completely forgotten how to find my way around. Do you have a map or know where I could find one?"

"I ... your armband Mr Valualeta." Mash shook off the surprise on her face and answered him calmly. "Can you not use the mystic code's map function?"

Stepping forward Mash tapped the band on Leo's wrist. A small holographic map quickly formed, displaying Chaldea.

"That... is PERFECT. Thank you, Mash!" Leo grinned and quickly began to look through the map. There would only be a few spaces that were close enough to the control room and coffins where the bomb could be placed. As he checked the map, he realized there would only be one space that was close enough to work. Quickly working out where he needed to go, he turned on his heel and began to run. As he started, Mash called out to him.

"Mr Valualeta, is everything alright? You ... haven't ever spoken my name before and you seem more... active than usual."

"I'm fine!" he yelled as he ran. "I'll see you in the command room Miss Mash!"

Mash watched Leo run away, a bit puzzled. Leo Valualeta had never spoken to her before, and rarely if ever left his chambers. 'He must be nervous because of the Rayshift.' She thought. Collecting herself, she continued to walk down the corridor. Whatever was happening with Mr Valualeta could wait, the director needed her.