8 Chapter 7: Wish

"Hey, Iskandar?" Jade called.

Iskandar hmmed. "What is it?"

"What is the importance of having a wish?" Jade asked.

"What do you mean by that?" Iskandar glanced at Jade.

"I..." Jade paused. "I just want to understand what it is like to have a wish."

"Isn't there something you want but fail to possess?" Iskandar riddled.

"Not really," Jade said sheepishly.

"What about your memories?" Iskandar commented.

"What about them?"

"Don't you wish they return?"

"No thanks, I rather have not a major headache." Jade half-heartily chuckled.

"I see. So you are not curious about your past?"

"Why would I? The past or the future, neither of those things matter. To me, what matters most is me now."

"I see," Iskandar replied before the silence between them grew.

Jade coughed before jokingly saying. "And besides, I don't want my memories back if only leads me to realize that I'm a sadistic psychopath priest who has a desire to kill."

"That's very specific." Iskandar laughed.

"You could never know." Jade chuckled.

"Iskandar!" a voice echoed down the hall.

Iskandar and Jade turned to see a green-haired man raced toward them. The green-haired man halted in front of them with a single huff of breath.

"Do you want to clash weapons with me?" the man said with a proud grin.

Iskandar hummed before he turned to Jade. "When is your break over?"

"Another half-hour." Jade shrugged they're shoulders.

"Want to come and watch?" Iskandar suggested with a large grin.

Jade stared at Iskandar before they glanced at the green-haired man.

"I guess I can..." Jade said as they gripped onto Iskandar's cape.

"Hmm? Is she coming along?" the green-haired man said.

"Yes!" Iskandar smiled while Jade hid away behind him.

The three of them walked to a room. The room was dome-shaped with a surprisingly clean floor. Jade stood next to the door while Iskandar and the green-haired man walked to the centre of the room. The two servants summoned their weapons before they fought with one another. Jade sat on the floor with they're knees to they're chest. Jade observed the conflict while they also focused on the green-haired man's features.

A single bang hung over the left side of his face, but otherwise, his hair was spiky green. His silver armour also featured a bird on its chest piece. His body is wrapped loosely in orange cloth. Although his face is pleasing to the eye, it's not like that of the knights of old whose courteousness softened noble ladies' hearts. It is hard to tell if he is crude since he has raptor eyes, a solid build, and no outward signs of crudeness.

Jade could not understand, but the more they gazed at the man, the more they felt forgetful. Jade could not put they're finger on it, but they saw that man from somewhere. Or maybe somewhen?

As they fought, the two servants laughed loudly. It was almost deafening to hear their laughter. As they fought, Jade remained to observe the scene. The green-haired man then glanced at Jade while he shared eye contact with them. He winked at Jade while Jade rolled they're eyes.

Although Jade wanted to become irritated, it's hard to blame the man for his misinterpretation. Jade was not a woman, but they possessed an extremely feminine face. Jade had to explain multiple times to others that they were not a woman. Others refused to believe it was true, while others apologized. Most of the men and women masters bullied Jade for they're attempt to "fake they're gender". One of the masters spoke up and ended the discussion quickly. It was a master that wasn't too fond of Jade, which was surprising to all the masters of Chaldea.

His name was Byron Elvin, the eldest son of the Elvin Family. Byron was the one who stated that Jade was a man. Jade wasn't a man, but Byron was the first person who addressed Jade as one. Everyone was confused yet convinced by Byron's statement. There was a time Jade asked Byron about his statement. Byron was flustered but embarrassingly admitted he saw Jade using the men's public toilets. Jade couldn't tell if they should be embarrassed or amused. Jade could never have thought to be spotted using the men's urinal. It was both hilarious and humiliating.

When Jade came back to reality, the servants' fight was already over. Iskandar stood victorious while the green-haired man was on the ground in defeat. The two servants continued to laugh.

Iskandar walked over to Jade with a huge grin. Jade slightly smirked before they stood up. Iskandar lifted Jade with ease before Jade sat on Isandar's shoulder.

"I hope you weren't too bored." Iskandar chuckled.

Jade shrugged they're shoulders. "I was fine."

"You two seem close." the green-haired man laughed.

"You laugh a lot, even after you lost?" Jade scowled as they expressed a grim face.

The man laughed again. "If you cannot laugh on the battlefield, you won't be able to laugh on Elysian fields either."

"Wouldn't a laugh in battle may offend your opponent?" Jade questioned.

Jade then felt a strike of pain behind they're head. As Jade saw images in they're minds, they held their heads. Jade clenched they're eyes shut.

That was right. How could Jade forget such a thing? Jade knows this man because they fought him before. In the war for the Greater Holy Grail.

"Are you alright?" Achilles asked with a concerned expression.

"Jade?" Iskandar called.

"I don't feel so good." Jade groaned before they buried they're face into Iskandar's hair.

"Do you want to go to your bedroom?" Iskandar asked while Jade nodded weakly.

"Very well," Iskandar said before he turned to Achilles. "Could you inform the Docter of this?"

"You asked the right guy." Achilles grinned before he dashed out of the room.

"Lancer..." Jade muttered.

Iskandar hummed. "You want Lancer?"

"Yes..." Jade uttered.

"Alright, I'll tell him you want to see him." Iskandar chuckled.

"Thank you..." Jade muttered.

Lancer stood in front of Jade's bedroom door. He remained still as he heard scratches and animalistic growls from the other side. Jade usually called Lancer when they felt unwell because they didn't want anyone to see they're chest wound. However, today was different.

[A few moments before]

"Jade is sick again?" Lancer asked.

"Yes. Jade also wanted me to tell you something." Iskandar said.

"What is it?" Lancer questioned.

"Dragon," Iskandar answered.

"Dragon?" Lancer lifted a brow.

Iskandar shrugged his shoulders. "That was all Jade said."

"Okay?" Lancer said before he walked to Jade's bedroom.

[Present time]

Lancer sighed. "Jade. What did you drag me into?"

Lancer entered the room with the doors closed behind him. He stared into the darkness until he flipped the light switch. There were deep claw marks on the walls and furniture, the closet doors laid on the floor, an enormous lump was on top of the bed.

"Jade?" Lancer called as he summoned his spear.

The lump wriggled and growled. Lancer approached the bed with his spear in hand. He then tore off the sheets to see a black scaled creature.

Lancer's eyes widen. "A dragon?!"

The creature stared at Lancer before it howled. The creature wore a purple bandana and a torn tracksuit. As it tried to hide, it rolled on the bed.

Did this creature harm Jade? Where did Jade go? What did this thing do?

Lancer lifted his spear before he noticed the creature's chest. There was a hole in the dragon's chest. Lancer's spear de-materialized as he stood there shocked.

"Jade?" Lancer called.

The dragon howled again while it wagged its scaley tail.

"What happened to you?" Lancer asked as he placed the sheets on Jade.

Jade shook they're head.

"You don't know?" Lancer sighed.

Lancer turned himself away from Jade as he muttered under his breath. "This is a mess."

"Lan... Lancer..."

Lancer turned back to Jade as he saw Jade's claw attempt to reach out to him.

"Lancer..." Jade howled.

Lancer clicked his tongue before he held Jade's claw.

"Listen to me, Jade, okay?" Lancer with a soft voice.

"Lancer..." Jade howled again.

"I'm going out for a bit. While I'm out, don't leave this room. Can you do that?" Lancer said as he tried not to sound trembling.

Jade croaked. "Come... back... soon..?"

Lancer nodded his head. "That's right. I'll be back quick. You won't realize that I'm gone."

"Okay..!" Jade barked while they wagged they're tail.

He walked out of the doors as Lancer gritted his teeth. Lancer dashed through the halls of Chaldea until he halted in front of a highly-secured door. Lancer materialized his spear as he glared at the door.

"There are probably better ways to deal with this," Lancer admitted.

He gripped his spear tightly. "But screw it!"

Jade groaned as they shifted in they're bed. They dug their claws into the bed and slammed their tail against the wall.

Where was Lancer? Jade questioned themself.

The doors slid open as a familiar face entered the room.

"Hey, Jade!" Lancer grinned.

"Lancer..." Jade howled.

Jade's vision was blurred. Either it was from the transformation or Jade's tiredness. Jade saw Lancer's blue form. Behind Lancer were two towering figures that Jade could not make out. Jade squinted they're eyes as they attempted to focus they're vision. Lancer possessed something in his hands. It seemed similar to something you would find in Gilgamesh's treasury.

What was he holding? Jade questioned.

Jade then felt an unfamiliar warmth inside they're chest.

What was this? What was happening? Was Jade dying?

"Don't panic, Jade. You're fine, I promise." Lancer said calmly as he gently patted Jade's head.

Jade's vision faded into black as all sound fizzed out.

The sound of a single droplet echoed into Jade's ear. They slowly opened they're eyes. They lay in a black area while the floor underneath them was white. Jade wobbly stood on they're feet. They wore a plain white singlet dress. Jade scanned they're surroundings and saw nothing but endless black walls.

"What are you looking for?" spoke a voice.

Jade turned around before they faced a smirking man.

"Kirei?" Jade gasped.

"You shouldn't be surprised, that man is a part of you." spoke another voice.

Jade turned again and saw another familiar face.

"Sieg..." Jade uttered.

They slowly walked backwards before they were against Kirei's chest. Kirei stared down at Jade with an amused gaze. Jade gulped deeply.

"Where am I?" Jade muttered.

"You really don't realize?" huffed a voice.

Jade turned to they're right to see a boy with black eyes and black hair that was above his shoulders.

"Who..?" Jade uttered.

"Looks like they still don't remember." spoke a feminine voice.

Jade turned to a girl who had long wavy brown hair and eyes.

"Are you serious?" the boy pouted.

"It can't be helped." said a man who stood next to the boy.

The man had black eyes and spiky black hair. He put a cigarette in his mouth as he ignited his lighter.

"Could you spare one?" spoke another man's voice.

He wore a blue hoodie with black cargo pants. He had a sickly pale complexion, white hair and one blind eye.

"Sure, why not." He passed a cigarette to the sickly man while shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't understand..." Jade first uttered. "What's going on?"

"Poor thing, you are completely helpless." Kirei cooed as he played with Jade's hair.

"We don't have much time to waste!" Sieg stated.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I'll be blunt with you. You are currently dead." the girl said.

"I'm dead?" Jade questioned.

"Of course you are! How else do you think you could talk to us?" the boy huffed.

"It's only temporarily, though." the sickly man coughed.

"That's right." the spiky-haired man commented before puffed out smoke.

"For how long?" Jade asked.

"Not too long, so time is precious." Kirei chuckled.

"That said, you have an important duty when you return to the living again." the girl said.

"What is that?" Jade questioned.

"Your wish," Seig answered.

"My wish?" Jade said.

"YOU FORGOT YOUR WISH?!" the boy yelled.

"Oh no..." the sickly man coughed.

"That's going to be problematic." the spiky-haired man puffed another breath of smoke.

"You must remember! You must remember your part in this war!" the girl yelled in a pleaded voice.

"My part in this war?" Jade uttered.

"Remember why your still here," Kirei said.

"YOU CAN'T FORGET WHO YOU ARE!" the boy yelled.

"Go back and focus on receiving your memories back." the spiky-haired man groaned.

"Gather all our memories and remember." Seig lastly commented.

Jade's body began to float upwards as they were flying off the floor.

"Wait! I still have questions?! Who are you guys?! What is my real name?!" Jade yelled as they attempted to return the floor.

"J U S T R E M E M B E R ! R E M E M B E R Y O U R W I S H !" they all called before Jade vision faded into black again.