Fate/Eclipsed Stars (Project Moon/Fate Grand Order)

The road to Vaucouleurs Castle was long, stretching over uneven terrain bordered by wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The group trudged on, their spirits somewhat buoyed by the promise of finding refuge and answers. The silence between them was broken as Hong Lu, with his characteristic casual demeanor, tilted his head toward Mash.

"Hey, Mash, you seem like the smart one here. Who's this Jeanne d'Arc everyone keeps talking about? Some kind of legendary warrior, I take it?"

Mash blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. "Jeanne d'Arc? Oh… well, she's one of the most famous figures in French history." She adjusted her shield, her voice growing steadier as she continued. "She was a young peasant girl from a village called Domrémy. At the age of thirteen, she began hearing voices—what she believed to be messages from saints like Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. They told her she had a divine mission: to drive the English out of France and ensure Charles VII was crowned king."

Der Freischütz, silent up until now, scoffed softly. "A girl with a banner inspiring soldiers to victory. It's a tale that borders on the fantastical, yet history clings to it. Strange how people weave legends from truth and truth from legends."

Mash glanced at her, a little surprised by the remark, but nodded. "Her story is definitely the stuff of legends. After Orléans, she led more campaigns, and eventually Charles VII was crowned at Reims. But her victories painted a target on her back."

"What happened?" Ritsuka asked.

Mash's expression darkened."In 1430, she was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English. They put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. It wasn't a fair trial—her enemies controlled everything. They accused her of all kinds of things, including wearing men's clothing, which they claimed was a sin."

Angela's voice, as cold as ever, cut through the air. "And so, the symbol of France's salvation was destroyed by its politics."

sadness laced in her voice reminding her of something in her past. "She accomplished so much, only to meet such a terrible end."

"It is more than tragic," said Der Freischütz, her voice calm but heavy with disdain. "It is the clearest example of humanity's flaws—raising up their champions only to cast them down when their purpose is served."

Ritsuka gave a small smile. "You really know your stuff, Mash. I didn't realize you were such a history buff."

Mash's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and she averted her gaze. "Well, um… I never had the chance to go outside Chaldea, so I spent most of my time reading. There wasn't much else to do, so I learned about history. It's fascinating, really."

Hong Lu chuckled, clearly amused. "A scholar and a warrior. Impressive. Though, I have to say, all this talk of wars reminds me of something from the City."

Angela's gaze shifted to him, icy but curious. "You're referring to the Wing Wars, I presume?"

Hong Lu smiled faintly. "Exactly we call them Wing Wars ever heard of them?"

The name elicited confused looks from Ritsuka, Mash, Cu Chulainn, Medusa, and even the voices of Romani,Olga and Da Vinci chiming through their holographic connection.

"Can't say we have," Romani admitted. "What are they?"

Hong Lu leaned on his spear for dramatic effect, his tone light but laced with a hint of dark humor. "Well, imagine the biggest corporations you can think of—giant, all-powerful conglomerates called Wings. Each controls a major district of the City and holds immense sway over its people. Now, imagine what happens when two or more of these Wings decide they don't like each other anymore. That's a Wing War."

Mash tilted her head. "Corporations… fighting wars? That's… strange."

Hong Lu shrugged. "Not so strange when you consider what's at stake. Territory, resources, technology… People are just chess pieces to them. And trust me, the aftermath isn't pretty. It's a spectacle of carnage and chaos—makes your Hundred Years War look like a playground scuffle."

Angela, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke, her tone even but sharp. "An example would be the Smoke War."

Everyone turned their attention to her. Ritsuka frowned. "Smoke War?"

Angela's expression remained impassive, but there was a glimmer of cold memory in her eyes. "The Smoke War was a rare occurrence even in the City—a war between the Wings themselves. It was catastrophic. Chemical and biological weapons were unleashed on an unimaginable scale. Entire districts were reduced to ash and ruin."

Medusa's normally composed demeanor faltered. "And the people caught in the crossfire?"

Angela's lips pressed into a thin line. "Casualties were not accounted for. Entire populations were collateral damage. The war culminated in the fall of the Old L Corp. and G Corp. Two Wings erased from existence. Their remnants paved the way for others to rise—Lobotomy Corporation being one of them."

Hong Lu smirked, though his tone carried a hint of sadness. "You'd think such chaos would scare the other Wings into behaving, but nope. History repeats itself. People never learn."

Cu Chulainn, who had been listening quietly, crossed his arms. "So these 'Wings'… They sound like the rulers of your world. Fighting over scraps and leaving everyone else to suffer."

Angela nodded curtly. "That is the reality of the City. Power dictates survival. Ideals and morals are nothing more than fleeting luxuries."

Cu Chulainn crossed his arms, his expression dark. "Sounds like the rulers of your world are nothing but cowards, hiding behind power and letting others fight their battles."

Medusa nodded. "It's horrifying to think people could treat life so cheaply."

Hong Lu shrugged, his tone light but tinged with cynicism. "That's just how it is in the City. Power decides everything. Ideals like justice or compassion? Rarely worth the trouble."

Angela glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "A grim truth, but one worth remembering. Those who cling to ideals often find themselves broken by reality."

Ritsuka frowned, digesting their words. "It's hard to imagine a world like that. So much suffering, all for power and control. I guess it's not so different from what Jeanne went through…"

Mash looked down, her voice soft. "It's awful to think about. But… maybe that's why we're here. To make things right, at least for this singularity."

Angela's gaze flicked toward Mash, her expression unreadable. "You're an idealist. That will serve you well… or break you entirely."

Before anyone could reply, the silhouette of a castle loomed on the horizon. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the structure.

"We're here," Mash said, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension.

The gates of the crumbling castle creaked open, revealing a once-proud stronghold now reduced to despair and ruin. Before the group could take more than a step forward, a weary-looking guard, his uniform mismatched and dirty, stepped in front of them. His sword was sheathed, but his hand rested on its hilt.

"State your business," the guard demanded. His eyes lingered on their strange clothing, particularly Angela's and Hong lu strange clothes.

Ritsuka took a step forward, adopting a calm, friendly demeanor. "I'm a merchant from the east," he explained, gesturing toward the group behind him. "We've come seeking shelter and safety."

The guard's sharp eyes narrowed, scanning the eclectic party of strangers. His gaze lingered on Angela's imposing presence, on the quiet Medusa, and finally on Der Freischütz, who stood with an air of quiet confidence. Her long, dark blur coat swayed as she adjusted her rifle on her shoulder, her expression calm yet commanding.

The guard's lips tightened. "A merchant? And how exactly did you manage to make it past the dragon's territory? No one survives those lands without being reduced to ash."

Ritsuka hesitated, glancing at his companions. He had prepared for such a question. "I hired some very skilled mercenaries," he said confidently, motioning toward his party. "Their skills are second to none."

Angela, standing with her arms crossed, tilted her head curiously. "If things are so dangerous, why is the castle so underprotected?" Her tone was calm, but her piercing blue eyes seemed to demand answers.

The guard's face darkened as if her words had reopened a wound. He let out a bitter chuckle, tinged with despair. "You must truly be strangers if you don't know. Half of our soldiers and even the king himself were burned alive by the Dragon Witch and her cursed minions." His voice trembled with anger and grief. "We're all that's left—a handful of broken men trying to keep the castle standing while the world around us burns."

The guard stepped aside, reluctantly waving them through. "Enter, if you must. But don't expect safety within these walls."

---

The interior of the castle was a shadow of its former glory. The once-proud stone walls were cracked and weathered, and the people within wore the unmistakable signs of hunger and despair. Villagers huddled together in small groups, their eyes hollow from starvation. Soldiers staggered about, their armor barely holding together. The air was thick with tension and quiet murmurs of fear.

"Senpai," Mash said softly, her eyes filled with worry. "Let's be careful."

Ritsuka's fists clenched as he took in the scene. "This isn't right," he muttered under his breath. "We can't just—"

Before Ritsuka could respond, Olga Marie's hologram flared into view, her imperious voice cutting through the heavy air. "Ritsuka, remember your mission. You're here to gather information about the singularity, not to fix this broken kingdom. Do not get involved in their affairs."

Ritsuka turned toward her, his frustration spilling over. "How can you say that? These people are suffering! Are we really going to just stand by and watch?"

Olga's expression hardened, though a flicker of unease crossed her face. "Your mission is to restore the timeline, not play hero. If you die trying to save these people, humanity's last chance will die with you. Do you understand that?"

Ritsuka turned toward the hologram, his frustration bubbling over. "How can you say that, Olga? These people are suffering! They're starving, scared, and completely unprotected! Are we really going to just stand by and do nothing?"

Olga's expression remained stern, though a flicker of hesitation crossed her face. Before she could respond, Da Vinci's hologram joined the conversation, her tone calm yet firm. "Ritsuka, I understand your anger. But remember, the singularity isn't just about saving the people here. The timeline is broken, and it can only be repaired by restoring the singularity to its original human order. If you die trying to help everyone, then there will be no one left to fix the singularity. And then, humanity itself will be lost."

Her words hung heavily in the air, and Ritsuka felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He looked around at the suffering faces in the castle and then back at the holograms. "So we're supposed to just… ignore them?" he asked, his voice trembling with frustration.

Da Vinci's gaze softened. "It's not about ignoring them. It's about prioritizing the survival of the timeline—and yours. You're the last Master of humanity, Ritsuka. As much as it pains me to say it, your life matters more than theirs in the grand scheme of things."

Ritsuka let out a shaky breath and lowered his head. "I understand… but that doesn't make it right."

---

The tension in the castle was suddenly broken by a commotion near the center of the courtyard. A soldier, wild-eyed and trembling, stood among a small group of villagers and other guards. His voice was loud and erratic, filled with fear and rage.

"This is God's punishment!" he screamed, pointing an accusatory finger at the sky. "We abandoned the Saint, and now God sends His wrath upon us! The Saint wasn't our savior—she was the Devil herself, sent to punish us for our sins!"

His words sent a ripple of unease through the crowd. Some murmured in agreement, while others looked away, ashamed. The soldier's ranting grew louder, his voice cracking with despair. "She came back from the grave, not as a savior, but as a witch! A Dragon Witch! We're all doomed because of her!"

"The Dragon Witch is her true form!" the soldier continued, his voice rising. "She pretended to save us, but she was a monster all along! This is her punishment for our wickedness!"

Before the soldier could say more, a woman stepped forward from the crowd. She was older, her face lined with age and sorrow, but her voice was strong and steady as she slapped the soldier across the face. The sharp sound silenced the courtyard.

"How dare you!" the woman cried, her voice trembling with anger. "Jeanne d'Arc would never do such a thing! She was a pure, sweet girl who loved France with all her heart. She gave everything to save this country. How can you speak of her like that? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

The soldier staggered back, clutching his cheek. For a moment, it seemed as though he might strike the woman in retaliation, but his hand faltered. He looked away, his shoulders slumping as guilt and frustration warred within him.

Der Freischütz, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. Her calm voice carried an undertone of quiet authority, and her gaze pierced the soldier. "It's easier to blame the dead for your suffering than to face the truth," she said, her words cutting like a blade. "But lies won't bring salvation, nor will they save this castle."

The woman glanced at Der Freischütz, her expression softening slightly. "You're right," she said quietly. "But it's hard to hold on to hope when everything around us is falling apart."

Their conversation was interrupted by the tolling of a bell. The mournful sound sent a shiver through the crowd, and panic began to spread as the roar of wyverns echoed in the distance.

"They're here!" someone shouted. "The wyverns are coming!"

The castle erupted into chaos as villagers scrambled for cover and soldiers prepared for battle. Shadows passed over the walls as the winged beasts descended, their fiery breath lighting up the darkening sky.

Ritsuka and his group sprang into action. Mash raised her shield, standing protectively in front of Ritsuka, while Cu Chulainn and Medusa drew their weapons. Angela's expression remained calm as she analyzed the incoming threat, and Der Freischütz stepped forward with her rifle, her movements deliberate and efficient.

"Looks like we're out of time for debate," Hong Lu remarked, his usual carefree tone tinged with excitement as he adjusted his sleeves. "Let's see what these dragons are made of."

"Wyverns," Angela murmured, her tone sharp. "Mindless beasts, not true dragons. But deadly nonetheless."

Der Freischütz smirked, her voice tinged with a mix of amusement and determination. "Let them come. I'll make them taste my cursed bullets."

The first wyvern swooped down, its claws extended and fire gathering in its maw. Ritsuka gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. "We may not be able to save everyone, but we're not letting these people die!"

The group charged into battle, ready to face the oncoming storm. The sound of steel meeting scales echoed through the courtyard as the defenders of humanity stood firm against the tide of destruction.

---

A/N:Don't forget to suggest a servant tommorow is the last day before I spin it so suggest as many character,abnormalities or distortion so I can spin it.

Have a happy chinese new year

I won't be back till 31 january or 1 febuary got to collect me some money ;)