[Command Center – Chaldea, minutes before the Rayshift]
White lights blinked softly over the main room of the control center, where the final technical checks were being carried out by a reduced team of operators. The silence was broken only by the voices of Romani and Leonardo da Vinci, who stood before the main platform, observing the three members of the first incursion team.
Leonel, already dressed in the standard Chaldea uniform, stood with his arms crossed, serene in appearance but alert. Beside him, Mash Kyrielight nervously adjusted the belt of her suit. And right behind them, Nero Claudius flaunted her scarlet combat dress with a smile as bright as it was defiant. Though she didn't fully understand the technology around her, her bearing was firm, imperial.
"Alright, team," said Romani, consulting a tablet. "This is your official first Rayshift. Your objective is to investigate and stabilize the Singularity located in France, year 1431, during what should be the course of the Hundred Years' War."
Leonel gave a slight nod. He already knew the key events of this singularity but kept his face impassive. Talking about Jeanne d'Arc, about the corruption of the Holy Grail, would only generate unnecessary questions. For now, silence was best.
Da Vinci, leaning against the console, interjected with a smile:
"Remember, your priority is to reconnoiter the area, identify the causes of the temporal distortion, and survive. The anomaly seems to have a pattern of burning cities... so it won't be a countryside stroll, ragazzi."
Mash swallowed, her shield hanging on her back. Despite her nerves, her voice remained firm.
"Understood. We'll be alert to any sign of magical distortion."
Nero raised her hand as if in a theater.
"So we march to battle? Excellent! Finally, an opportunity worthy of showing my glory! Although... I still don't understand how a battle fits into a metal coffin."
Leonel couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Just... follow my instructions, Nero. Don't underestimate the danger."
She tilted her head with a lopsided smile.
"And what if I already underestimated you?"
Romani coughed to break the moment.
"Well, if everyone's ready... enter the capsules. The Rayshift will begin in three minutes. And... good luck. Olga is still unconscious, so for now... everything rests on you."
Leonel exchanged a serious look with Mash, then with Nero. He nodded and headed towards the nearest capsule. The hatches opened with a soft hiss.
"Let's go. It's time."
One by one, they entered their respective Rayshift capsules. A deep hum began to fill the room, accompanied by lines of light snaking around the platform.
Da Vinci and Romani frantically checked the monitors.
"Coordinates stable. Vital signs within range. Activating spiritual particle compression in 3... 2... 1..."
A flash of white energy enveloped the room. The capsules were empty. The three had vanished.
Romani let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Rayshift completed successfully. All three... have arrived in Orleans."
Da Vinci nodded, but her face was serious.
"Now the hard part begins..."
[Orleans Singularity – France, year 1431 – Cloudy Evening]
A gust of cold, damp wind brushed Leonel's face as his senses fully returned. He blinked several times, his boots sinking slightly into the thick mud of a rural road bordered by dry trees and ruined buildings.
The sky was covered with low clouds, and the air carried a faint smell of smoke... and something else. Something unnatural.
A few meters away, Mash finished materializing in a shower of particles, falling to her knees but quickly getting up. Behind her, with a brighter, more theatrical flash, Nero Claudius appeared in a triumphant pose, as if she had descended onto the stage from Olympus.
"Ho! What a glorious entrance! Ah, how I missed feeling the ground beneath my feet!" exclaimed the empress, twirling around to observe the surroundings. "Though... this place is certainly not Rome. Where are the cheers of the crowd?"
Leonel took off his right glove and touched the ground.
"Ambient temperature... abnormally low for spring. High humidity." He stood up, looking around. "There don't seem to be immediate signs of life, but... this is definitely not normal France. Everything feels dead."
Mash checked the device on her wrist, the Chaldea communicator.
"Signal stable. We can communicate with base, but no satellite data is available. This area is covered by a dense fog of magical origin. We have no aerial view or complete map."
Leonel clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Typical. Then we rely on manual exploration."
"And on my brilliant intuition!" added Nero, raising her arm confidently.
Mash approached Leonel.
"Master, what shall we do first?"
He crossed his arms, thinking quickly.
"Locating a high point would be ideal, but we also need local information. People, if any remain... and to see how much the magical flow here has been polluted. How much has the Grail contaminated this place?"
Nero walked a few steps ahead and pointed to an old, half-ruined bell tower in the distance.
"Perhaps from there we can get a better view... though..."
A sound interrupted her words.
Shouts.
Not far away, to the east, came the metallic clash of weapons, followed by a guttural roar and the unmistakable sound of a burning building collapsing.
Leonel turned immediately, his expression hardened.
"Was that... a battle?"
Mash nodded, adjusting her grip on her shield.
"It seems to be coming from a nearby settlement. Magical interference increased in that direction... there's the presence of non-human entities."
Nero smiled broadly, her hand already on the hilt of her sword.
"Finally! My martial debut in this world! Let's go, Master, battle calls to us!"
Leonel sighed, though he couldn't help his pulse quickening at the imminent action.
"Alright. Triangle formation. Nero at the front, Mash on the right. I'll cover the rear. We approach in silence until we have a clear line of sight. No acting on impulse, understood?"
"Aye, aye!" Nero exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Understood, sir," Mash responded firmly.
And so, Chaldea's first squad ventured into the mist towards the echo of battle, not yet knowing what kind of enemies awaited them... nor what allies they might find amidst the chaos.
[France – Outskirts of a Ruined Village – Evening]
The magical fog grew thicker as the group approached. The crackle of fire and the echo of desperate shouts were no longer a distant echo. Now they were there, just a few steps away.
Leonel stopped behind some bushes blackened by smoke and crouched down. With a silent signal, he motioned for Mash and Nero to take cover beside him. Both obeyed, and the three observed the disaster before them.
A village burning.
Wooden houses reduced to rubble. Charred corpses. Trampled fields. And in the middle of this hell, a group of peasants armed with makeshift spears... facing creatures that shouldn't exist.
Dragons.
"...Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" Leonel murmured, somewhere between astonished and annoyed.
Mash nodded with a furrowed brow.
"Visual confirmation. Three dragon-type entities, medium size, but emitting immense magical signals. This... is not normal, Master. Historical records of this era don't mention dragons."
Nero leaned forward, with a mix of awe and impatience.
"Magnificent! True dragons! An adversary worthy of my imperial sword! But...!" Her expression changed to a more serious, almost cold one. "If this is the Grail's doing, then we are facing a war without honor."
One of the villagers was caught in the jaws of one of the creatures. His screams were silenced in seconds, while the others ran in desperation.
Leonel frowned, his hands clenched.
"We can't stay here. This isn't simple observation. We intervene!"
Mash stood up immediately.
"Yes, sir!"
Nero unsheathed her sword with a flash of red light.
"Now they shall see the fury of Rome!"
With precise speed, the three emerged from cover, advancing through the mist towards the battlefield. The villagers, seeing figures emerge from the smoke, screamed louder... but this time, in fear. They couldn't distinguish between savior and monster.
"Mash, maintain defense! Nero, look for the dragons' blind spot and attack in unison!"
Mash interposed herself between one of the dragons and the few remaining villagers, her shield glowing with magical energy.
"Noble Phantasm partial activation: Lord Chaldeas!" she shouted, stopping the beast's claw strike with a burst of energy.
The creature roared, spewing fire directly at her, but the shield held firm.
"Take this, scaly beast!" Nero yelled as she ran along the flank. She jumped onto some rubble, her golden sword surrounded by crimson light. "Aestus Domus Aurea!"
Her blade sliced through the dragon's wing as if it were wet paper, causing the monster to fall with an infernal screech.
Leonel observed from the rear, analyzing the movement patterns. He gritted his teeth.
"They're acting like wild beasts, without strategy or coordination. They're not normal summons... are they corrupted?"
The second dragon tried to take flight, but Mash blocked it by throwing her shield like a projectile. The impact was so strong it knocked the monster back to the ground, just in time for Nero to leap onto its back and impale it with a war cry.
Within minutes, the three dragons lay on the ground, dead or too injured to continue.
The battle was over. But the silence that followed was not one of relief... but of confusion.
The villagers, terrified by the power they had just witnessed, fled without thanks, without looking back, screaming "sorcerers!" and "demons!" into the wind.
Mash lowered her shield, looking at Leonel.
"...They fear us."
Nero let out a sigh, cleaning her sword.
"Tch. It's always like this with the weak. They don't understand the difference between savior and tyrant until it's too late."
Leonel walked over to the body of one of the dragons, squatting down to observe it.
"This isn't normal. These dragons aren't from this era... and there's a smell... dense, corrupt. As if someone molded them with malevolent energy."
Mash approached.
"Could it be the Grail's doing?"
Leonel nodded seriously.
"Or someone using it. No time to waste. We need information... and to find the Servant responsible for this anomaly."
Nero raised her sword, raising her voice theatrically.
"Then let's advance! For the glory of Chaldea and eternal love! And of course, for my dear Master!" She winked at Leonel, who just sighed as he got to his feet.
"Don't let your guard down, Nero. Here, everything you know about history... might be backwards."
And with those words, the group once more ventured into the mist, in search of answers... and the truth behind the madness that had transformed France's history.
[France – Ruined Village, shortly after the battle – Dusk]
Smoke still floated in the air as the villagers tried to rebuild the little that remained. Leonel, Mash and Nero walked among them with serious... and frustrated expressions.
"Alright, now we need information. To find out why there were dragons here, if there are other attacks, or if they've seen any Servants," said Leonel, with a hand on his chin.
Mash nodded, her data notebook in hand.
"I'll look for a local resident who can help. I'll do my best with the basic French words I've been able to compile... though my database is still incomplete."
"French? Bah!" Nero crossed her arms with a confident smile. "The language of the heart and the sword is universal! Rome didn't need translations to conquer the world!"
Leonel looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, that's not going to help us now..."
They approached a group of villagers who were looking at them with distrust and fear. Leonel tried to start the conversation.
"Excusez-moi... nous sommes... voyageurs? Cherchons... informations?" he pronounced with difficulty.
The villagers looked at him. One of them frowned and responded with a rapid burst of French that left Leonel completely lost.
"...Aha. Perfect. I didn't understand a damn thing."
Mash tried to intervene, with a calm voice and a friendly gesture.
"Bonjour. Avez-vous vu d'autres créatures... ou... euh... Servants?" she asked, while pointing to a poorly drawn sketch of a dragon.
The villager blinked. Then responded, but seemed confused. He offered them a potato.
"...Is he giving us food or calling us idiots?" Leonel murmured while taking the potato anyway.
Nero, for her part, stepped forward with a flower she had picked, and with her best smile declared:
"Parlez-vous... romain magnifique?!" and twirled as if presenting a theater piece.
The villagers slowly walked away, murmuring among themselves.
Mash sighed.
"This is going to be harder than expected."
They continued trying for a while. Each attempt at communication was worse than the last: misinterpreted gestures, out-of-context phrases, drawings that looked more like threats than requests for help. At one point, Leonel accidentally asked for a cow instead of asking about a Servant.
Finally, an elderly woman approached them. She wore rags and walked with the aid of a cane.
"Vous cherchez la sorcière, n'est-ce pas?" she said in a raspy but clear voice.
Leonel looked at her, surprised.
"You... understand what we're saying?"
She nodded slowly.
"My late husband was... a traveler. I learned some words of his language. I understand enough."
Mash almost dropped her shield in relief.
"Thank God!"
Nero gave a little applause as if she had just started an opera.
"Finally, someone sensible!"
Leonel bowed respectfully.
"Please, can you tell us what's happening? Where did those dragons come from?"
The woman looked at the sky, where the shadows of the smoke columns could still be seen.
"We don't know. They just... appeared. First came the fire. Then, the skies opened. And then, the monsters. They say it was a curse cast by a witch."
Mash swallowed hard.
"A witch... that fits the Singularity records."
"Where was she last seen?" Leonel asked.
The woman pointed north.
"In the ruins of the old castle. They say the demon dwells there. That's where it all began."
Leonel nodded, looking at his companions.
"We have a direction."
Nero raised her sword to the air.
"Then let's advance! The curtain has risen and Rome marches towards victory!"
Mash smiled, energized.
"Activating local map. I'll coordinate the best available route."
Leonel, despite the fatigue, smiled too.
"And please, let's not need French lessons in the next temporal leap."
The camera pulls away as the group sets out under the starry sky, advancing towards the next threat... and the mystery surrounding the Orleans singularity.
[France – Dusty Road, outskirts of a nameless village – Late afternoon, two days later]
The sun was beginning to slowly descend, tinting the sky orange and gold as the group of three advanced along a dirt path. Mash carried her shield on her back, checking her navigation device. Nero, her dress stained with road dust, remained animated, talking non-stop about how grand the next city would be. Leonel, in contrast, walked in silence, observing the horizon with his mind focused on the next steps.
"We're near the village, Senpai," Mash reported. "If we keep this pace, we could rest tonight."
"Finally! A city worthy of my greatness! I hope there's wine, music, and at least a theater," said Nero, stretching her arms with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Leonel smiled softly but didn't lose his concentration. He was alert... and with reason.
A slight tremor in the ground made him stop. A hum in the air. An instant later, a terrible roar rumbled in the distance, causing birds to flee in a stampede from the trees.
"Was that...?" Mash began but stopped upon seeing columns of black smoke rising on the horizon.
Leonel narrowed his eyes. From where they stood, they could see the village they were heading towards... and it was now burning in flames. Winged creatures flew over it, raining fire and chaos upon the rooftops.
"Dragons," he said gravely. "Again."
"More of those insolent reptiles! They won't learn until they taste the edge of my imperial sword!" Nero shouted, drawing her sword.
Mash stepped forward, shield raised.
"Senpai, do we intervene?"
Leonel didn't hesitate. He took a small map from his pocket and unfolded it over a rock.
"Yes, but we can't charge in recklessly. Mash, you go first. Use the terrain for cover and look for trapped civilians. We need to make sure there are no victims."
Mash nodded firmly.
"Understood!"
"Nero," Leonel continued in an authoritative but calm voice, "you will be the spearhead. Attack the dragons directly, but do so from the central square. Draw their attention, distract them, and prevent them from destroying key buildings. Don't destroy more than necessary."
"Understood, commander!! Rome charges towards glory!"
Leonel positioned himself on elevated ground at the outskirts of the village, from where he had a complete view of the battlefield. His gaze was sharp, measuring distances, observing movement patterns, predicting attacks. He had no intention of fighting, but his role was equally, if not more, vital.
[In the Village – Minutes later]
Chaos reigned.
Dragons swooped down, spewing flames over the houses. Mash ran through the rubble, covering villagers with her shield. Children cried, and adults fled without understanding what was happening.
"To the left, Mash! A civilian trapped behind the stable!" Leonel's voice came through her communicator.
"I'm on it!"
Mash leaped over the remains of a wall and shielded an old woman with her shield as a fireball passed overhead.
In the central square, Nero laughed uproariously while dodging fire with theatrical grace.
"Is that all?! I've fought more imposing beasts in the Colosseum!"
"Nero, watch your right. Another dragon swooping down," Leonel said firmly.
"Oh! Thank you, my strategist!" she exclaimed while elegantly spinning and cutting the creature's throat in a dance of swords.
From his elevated position, Leonel observed everything. He coordinated attacks, dictated evacuation routes, and kept his Servants out of lethal danger. Though his hands wielded no weapon, his mind was the edge directing the battle.
"Nero, don't chase them! They're trying to separate you from Mash!"
"Tsk! Cowards!"
"Mash, regroup with Nero. They're retreating. Don't pursue. Secure the area and help the wounded."
After a few more minutes, the dragons, wounded and disorganized, retreated, disappearing among the clouds. The flames still burned, but there were no more roars in the air. Only the crackle of fire and the sobs of those who had survived.
Leonel finally descended from his position and rejoined the group. He walked with serenity, but there was tension on his face.
"Are you both alright? Any injuries?"
"Only the pride of the dragons has been wounded!" Nero said with a broad smile.
"I'm fine, Senpai," Mash replied, dusting off her shield.
Leonel sighed, looking at the smoke-tinted sky.
"This wasn't a random attack... they're appearing at key points. They want to instill fear, weaken morale. We're not just fighting beasts... someone is behind this."
Mash and Nero exchanged a glance. The silence was heavy.
"Then," Leonel continued, frowning, "more than ever, we need answers."
[Village in Ruins – Shortly after the first attack]
The group had barely managed to contain the first assault. The flames had subsided and the villagers, many wounded, began regrouping. Mash helped clear rubble while Nero, still euphoric from the battle, encouraged the most gravely injured with pompous words of cheer.
Leonel kept his eyes on the sky. Something didn't fit. The wind smelled of magic. Of manipulation.
And then he saw it.
A sudden tremor. A new roar.
The same dragons that had fled minutes earlier were returning, but now they weren't alone. At least a dozen more crossed the sky like living projectiles, their eyes glowing with an unnatural gleam. Black magic covered their bodies like pulsating veins. A shadowy presence directed them... from the shadows of the Singularity.
"No... They're being manipulated!" Leonel said with rage. "This was a distraction! They want to raze everything!"
The screams began anew. Panic returned like a tidal wave among the survivors.
"Mash, Nero! Defensive positions! We must protect the civilians!!" Leonel ordered while quickly spreading another map on the ground, marking key zones with stones and branches.
"Let's go, Mash! Another round! The Empire does not fear controlled beasts!" Nero shouted, leaping towards the village center with a reckless smile.
Mash nodded, though her face showed tension.
"Understood, Senpai! I'll do everything I can!"
[Second Battle – Village in Chaos]
The dragons descended like a living storm. This time, they were more aggressive, more coordinated... more cruel. Their flames seemed to purposely target the points where refugees were hiding.
From his elevated point, Leonel commanded like a general from another time, his shouts of command clear, calculated, precise.
"Nero, don't chase them! Stay near the well! Protect the civilians!"
"Mash, shield wall to the left! They're attacking from three angles at once!"
"Drive them away from the granary! There are wounded inside!"
But despite his impeccable orders, the situation worsened.
Mash was panting. Her shield was cracked.
Nero had cuts on her leg and blood on her forehead, though she kept smiling.
The dragons seemed endless.
And then... a light descended from the sky.
Like a spear tearing through the darkness, a figure dressed in white with a large banner appeared amidst the flames. Her presence was pure, firm. As if hope itself had descended from Heaven.
"Jeanne d'Arc!" Mash whispered breathlessly. "A Ruler!"
The Maid of Orleans raised her standard and her clear voice rose like a bell.
"People of France, fear no more! I have heard your prayers!"
With a war cry, Jeanne launched herself into combat. Her standard repelled the flames, her voice strengthened hearts, and her presence united everyone under a single cause.
Leonel smiled upon seeing her intervene.
"Just in time."
With renewed strength, Mash and Nero regrouped, fighting in unison with the Ruler, while Leonel adjusted his strategy on the spot.
"New formation: Jeanne at the front, Nero flanking, Mash covering the rear. Let's push these monsters back!!"