[Altair Brando]
Cú Chulainn
I furrowed my brow and crossed my arms as I studied the man in front of me. I knew this man very well... he belonged to the Fate/Stay Night universe.
But...
Why the hell is he a Caster? Dude, shouldn't you be a Lancer?
[Strange.] Nahida's voice echoed in my mind, sounding intrigued.
Hmm... You noticed it too, Nahida?
[Yes... but it seems there's some existence behind him... like a small reminiscence of a... divine being.]
I blinked my eyes, somewhat surprised by my companion's words.
How are you able to perceive that?
[I can analyze the target by performing a scan of their composition through your vision or through perception of the target's magical energy.]
[Although for a deeper analysis, physical contact from the user is necessary.]
"..."
That's quite a convenient ability... but I'll pass on touching someone, especially if it's a guy.
While I was thinking about this, Mash instantly positioned herself between the newly arrived Servant and her Master, as if ready to protect him.
"Tsk! Another Servant." Raikou rolled her eyes, staring at Cú Chulainn with disdain.
But Cú Chulainn didn't care at all about her expression.
Smiling, he opened his mouth and said, "You're a cutie..."
Before he could complete the sentence, the sharp whistle of an arrow tore through the air. The sharp point embedded itself in the dirt ground with a dry impact, vibrating a few centimeters from his feet violently.
"Okay, I'll leave you alone, madam." Cú Chulainn raised his hands in surrender, a relaxed smile on his face.
I guess no matter what the class is, this guy is a scoundrel in any of them. I tapped my finger against my arm, staring at him while Olga took a step forward.
"Who are you?" Trying not to seem insecure, she moved her hand, holding a piece of the Monkey King's Robe.
"At your service, milady." Cú Chulainn tilted his head, his red eyes shining with an intense light.
Ignoring his words, I twirled a lock of my hair around my index finger.
"Why the hell are you a Caster?" That was quite an honest question.
You can't change your role without the director's permission, Hound of Ulster.
Cú Chulainn seemed surprised by my question.
"Oh! You know me well." He shook his head, placing his fingers on his chin. "I agree with you, friend. This doesn't suit me at all, but I was summoned in this class and suddenly lost my incredible spear." A sad expression formed on his face.
There's nothing sadder than a man without his spear.
[I can make a list of at least ten sadder things.]
You wouldn't understand, Nahida.
I shook my head, letting out a light sigh.
"My condolences."
This guy wasn't made for any class other than Lancer.
"The important thing is that this is one of the few normal servants who isn't against us." Olga crossed her arms over her chest, looking at him suspiciously. "Where is your master?"
"Dead." Cú Chulainn shrugged, as if talking about rare meat. "My only goal is to kill Saber." He pointed at us, winking.
"Why haven't you done it?" Raikou asked with a mocking expression.
"Things aren't that simple. Saber, alone, managed to defeat six of the seven other Servants summoned for the Holy Grail War. Only I remain. Besides, Saber is probably being guarded by Archer and Berserker, who together protect the Greater Grail, the source of all this chaos."
"Greater Grail!?" Ritsuka tilted her head to the side, confused.
I had no idea what that was either. I knew about the Holy Grail, but the Greater Grail was something completely new to me.
"Little miss, I also have no idea what it is, but from what I know, the Greater Grail was designed to reach the Root, serving as the foundation of the Holy Grail War system... or something like that."
It seemed quite complicated.
Just the fact that it was designed to reach the Root, a metaphysical location that acts as the "force" that exists at the top of all theories in all dimensions, was already quite absurd.
I raised my hand, massaging my temple, deciding not to think too much about it.
[My information about the Root is also quite shallow... but perhaps we can get more information by accessing the reminiscence of the divine being in Cú Chulainn's body.]
Why do I think you're just curious about this divine being?
[...]
[Curiosity is like a bird that insists on flying into a storm.]
You know... that wasn't the best metaphor for someone curious to make. I smiled slightly, taking a few steps toward Cú Chulainn.
So how do I access this reminiscence?
[Just touch him, and leave the rest to me.]
If he weren't a guy, this task would be so much easier. Letting out a sigh, facing him, I opened my lips.
"Hey!" Cú Chulainn turned his face in my direction. "I'm going to touch you!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Son!?" Raikou blinked in confusion, placing her hands on her breasts, casting me an apprehensive look.
"Sorry, dude, I respect all kinds of sexuality, but that's not my thing." Cú Chulainn took a few steps back, raising his hand. "First, shouldn't you pay for dinner before we go to that party? I may seem like an easy guy, but I like to do a little charming before the..."
"Idiot, it's not that." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I guess I was too direct. "I have an ability... of analysis. I can find out why your class was changed, but I need to touch your body."
For some reason, Olga let out a sigh of relief, while Ritsuka seemed to be using all her strength not to laugh. There were even veins forming on her forehead... If you keep holding back your laughter, there's a chance you'll have a stroke.
"You could have explained that before saying you were going to touch me, dude." Cú Chulainn shrugged, smiling slightly. "But it's okay, touch me to your heart's content." He opened his arm in my direction.
"Why are you making it stranger than it is?" I sighed, moving my finger toward his forehead.
"Because it's fun... by the way, it's my first time, be gentle."
I just ignored his words, touching the tip of my finger to his forehead...
[Analysis... connected... accessing divine reminiscence...]
Nahida...
Before I could ask, I felt my consciousness fading.
"Altair-senpai!"
"Al-kun!"
"Brando!"
"Master!"
Hearing the girls calling me, my last thread of consciousness snapped. Before passing out, the last thing I felt was Raikou's hands wrapping around me.
====◊====◊====◊====◊====
"Al, wake up!"
I felt a pair of little hands shaking my body from side to side.
Not now... just five more minutes.
"Be at least a little original."
A beautiful, familiar, and rather youthful voice echoed in my ear as my body continued to be shaken.
I furrowed my brow, opening my sleepy eyes.
I hate mornings!
A bit groggy, I rubbed my eyes, sitting up on the ground.
I lowered my hand from my face and finally saw the figure shaking me like a drifting boat.
I couldn't help but widen my eyes upon seeing a petite girl, who had long white hair with soft, pale green highlights at the tips. Her long hair was divided into two large strands that fell over her shoulders. One part was tied in a side ponytail, adorned with a greenish floral ornament.
Just as I was looking at her, she was also staring at me gently with her large bright emerald-green eyes, with floral details in her irises.
On her small body, she wore an elegant dress, predominantly white, with green and gold details. The dress was decorated with patterns reminiscent of leaves and natural arabesques.
My eyes blinked as I looked at the small girl before me, who smiled slightly.
"Nahida?" Naturally, that name came from my lips.
"Hmm… it's the first time we've met like this, so your confusion is understandable." She raised her small arm, placing it on her chin. "In a situation like this, a brief introduction should be considered important."
Her bare feet were adorned only with white and gold flower-shaped anklets. She walked toward me, stopping in front of me.
"Hehehe! My name is Nahida… pleased to finally meet you in person, my companion." Nahida smiled gently, staring at me with her emerald-green eyes.
Coming out of my stupor, I smiled slightly. "A pleasure. I am Altair Brando, the most beloved star of the arts."
With both of us introducing ourselves again, we let out a light amused laugh.
After the reintroduction, I looked around, seeing that we were on a translucent light bridge that extended to a large door with some strange symbols.
"Where are we?" Surrounding us was a dark sky with countless stars.
"Probably in the projection of the divine reminiscence in Cú Chulainn's body." Nahida rubbed her chin, thoughtfully.
She didn't seem worried at all, almost as if her curiosity for knowledge overshadowed all her concerns.
At least her thoughtful expression had an undeniable charm.
With that thought, I moved my hand, scratching my shoulder, but strangely the tips of my fingers brushed against the surface of my armor.
Monkey King's Robe!?
Shouldn't this armor of mine be with Olga?
My fingers brushed against the fabric of the armor while a confused expression formed. "Why am I wearing my Monkey King's Robe?" I blinked my eyes in confusion.
Hearing my question, Nahida raised her gaze in my direction.
"We're in something close to an astral projection; the way we imagine our body is reflected in this place." Nahida tilted her head to the side in a quite cute manner.
Calmer, I could only think about how someone can be so cute.
Unconsciously, I moved my hand, rubbing her hair. Nahida widened her eyes a little, but didn't seem offended at all—in fact, she tilted her head slightly in my direction.
Her hair was so silky and soft that it felt like a small slice of nirvana. I could get addicted to this.
"What will we do now?" I asked, stroking her hair.
"Hmm... if you're not sure what to do next, how about I take you for a walk?" She pointed to the door right behind her, while her face was beautifully red.
"That's our only option." Reluctantly, I pulled my hand away from that little slice of nirvana. Nahida seemed a bit hesitant, seeing my hand stop caressing her.
Finding my companion cute, I smiled slightly.
"Let's see who this divine reminiscence is." I moved my hand, offering it to her.
"Sure!" Nahida smiled, wrapping her palm in mine.
Holding Nahida's small hand, we walked toward the door. In a few seconds, we were before a large wooden door.
Gently squeezing her hand, I pushed the door, only to see a large tree and two ravens flying around it, until they perched upon the shoulders of a one-eyed figure seated on a throne.
"I, Odin, All-Father and Lord of Asgard, greet you, little invaders!" Their voice reverberated through the hall, making Nahida squeeze my hand harder.
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A/N: I noticed that very few fanfictions explore Norse mythology in Fate/Grand Order, so why not dive a little into that mythological side?
Don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review or drop a comment to motivate me.