Dance

As Ritsuka and Medusa made their way towards the dance floor, the lively atmosphere of the celebration enveloped them. Music echoed through the halls of Chaldea, and everyone was enjoying the momentary reprieve from the constant battles. Ritsuka glanced around, spotting familiar faces from his allies and servants, all of them in good spirits, sharing drinks and laughter.

Medusa stayed close, still a little wobbly from the wine, but her usual grace and poise hadn't completely left her. They moved to the rhythm of the music, a bit awkward at first, but as the mood lightened, even Medusa began to enjoy herself.

A few moments later, Mash and Ophelia approached, their faces lit with excitement. "Senpai! Medusa! You're both dancing?" Mash asked, looking pleasantly surprised.

Medusa chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling. "It appears I've been convinced to join in."

Ophelia smirked, glancing at Ritsuka. "Looks like you're getting everyone involved, Ritsuka. I wouldn't expect anything less from a newly ascended Dragon God."

Ritsuka shook his head, laughing lightly. "It's not every day we get to celebrate something like this. Might as well enjoy it, right?"

The group danced together for a while, the joy of the evening contagious. Even Medusa, typically reserved, found herself laughing and twirling alongside them. The weight of their mission, the battles, the lostbelts—all of it felt distant, if only for a moment.

After some time, Ritsuka stepped away from the dance floor, taking a moment to catch his breath. He stood by one of the windows overlooking Chaldea's snowy exterior, the cold glow of the night giving him a sense of calm. Despite the celebration, he couldn't fully shake the gravity of what lay ahead.

Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning around, Ritsuka saw Aozaki standing there, holding a glass of sparkling juice. "Taking a moment to reflect, huh?"

Ritsuka nodded. "Yeah. It's hard to turn my brain off, even with all the noise. We're getting close to the end, and it's… heavy."

Aozaki handed him the glass. "You've come a long way, Ritsuka. You've faced down gods, demons, and now you're literally part dragon. You're allowed to have these moments. But don't forget to enjoy the victories."

Ritsuka took a sip of the juice, appreciating the gesture. "You're right. I'm just wondering how much longer this journey will last. With only three lostbelts left…"

Aozaki's eyes softened as she looked out the window with him. "It'll be over soon enough, one way or another. But for now, focus on what you can control—protect your people, win the next battle, and keep doing what you do best. Save the world."

Ritsuka smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Sensei."

Before Aozaki could respond, Goredolf barged in with his usual boisterousness, a glass of wine in hand. "Ritsuka! What are you doing brooding over here? Come back and join the fun! This is a night of celebration!"

Ritsuka chuckled, looking back towards the party. "Alright, alright. I'm coming."

As he rejoined the group, Medusa waved him over, clearly having recovered from her earlier lightheadedness. Mash, Ophelia, and several others were all enjoying themselves, the camaraderie lifting the spirits of everyone in Chaldea.

For now, the impending battles could wait. Tonight was a night for celebration—an acknowledgment of how far they had come, and the hope that they could succeed in the battles yet to come.

Ritsuka took a deep breath and smiled, ready to face whatever the future held.

Ritsuka then felt a tap on his shoulder as he saw it was Morgan, as she extent her hand

Morgan looked at Ritsuka with a rare smile. "May ask for this dance my Husband"

Ritsuka looked at her. "Sure dear, let's dance"

As then Dr Romani turned on the music higher, as the music it was I wanna part from the Rio movies

[ Play the music in the background if you want ]

As Ritsuka took Morgan's hand, he couldn't help but smile. The Queen of Fae, Morgan le Fay, rarely showed such open affection, but tonight, under the celebratory lights and music, she allowed herself a brief moment of vulnerability. Together, they moved towards the center of the dance floor, and with graceful ease, they began to sway to the upbeat rhythm of the song from the Rio movie. The vibrant music filled the room, adding energy to the already lively celebration.

The crowd of servants and allies watched, a mixture of awe and amusement at seeing the usually stern Morgan smiling, dancing with her husband. Mash whispered to Ophelia, "I've never seen Lady Morgan like this before."

Ophelia smirked. "Ritsuka has a way of bringing out the unexpected in people."

Meanwhile, as Dr Romani adjusted the music, he suddenly felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he found Sheba, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Would you care to join me for a dance, Doctor?"

Dr Romani blinked in surprise, but he quickly recovered, offering her his arm with a charming smile. "Why yes, I'd be delighted."

As the party continued, Ritsuka and Morgan moved together in perfect harmony, their steps matching the rhythm of the lively music. Ritsuka couldn't help but feel at peace in this moment, a rare instance where they could simply be together without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Morgan gazed into Ritsuka's eyes, her rare smile still present. "You've come so far. Not only have you become stronger, but you've also united all of us in a way I never thought possible."

Ritsuka smiled softly at her words. "It wasn't just me. I couldn't have done this without all of you by my side." He squeezed her hand gently as they continued to dance. "And having you with me gives me the strength to keep going."

Morgan's expression softened, and for once, she allowed herself to lean into the warmth of the moment. "We'll face whatever comes next together."

As the dance continued, Dr Romani, dancing with Sheba, twirled her around with surprising grace. The crowd was now fully engrossed in the celebration, with even the more reserved servants and staff joining the dancing. The music, laughter, and joy filled Chaldea, creating an atmosphere of unity and hope.

For this one night, they were free from the burdens of battle, and in the arms of friends, allies, and loved ones, they celebrated not just Ritsuka's ascension but the bonds they had forged along the way.

Ritsuka spun Morgan gracefully and bowed as she stepped away, smiling warmly at him. But before he could catch his breath, Kama appeared in front of him, pulling him into another dance without hesitation. Ritsuka chuckled, knowing full well that tonight was dedicated to making sure every girl in his harem got her moment with him. He didn't mind, though; it was a night of celebration, and he was more than happy to share it with the women who had been by his side.

As Ritsuka twirled Kama across the floor, he glanced over to where the others were having fun. Gudako, in her usual carefree manner, was absolutely nailing a breakdance routine, with Mordred and Nobu enthusiastically joining in. It had become an impromptu dance-off, and the sight was drawing a crowd of both masters and servants. The energy was electric, laughter and cheers filling the air.

On the other side of the room, Kadoc found himself in a rather uncomfortable predicament. Caught between the two versions of Anastasia—both Caster and regular—Kadoc could only watch as the two Anastasia's began their tug-of-war over him. "Oh no, this is bad," Kadoc muttered under his breath, realizing that being in the middle of this was a dangerous place to be.

Meanwhile, as Elizabeth took the microphone, everyone in the room collectively froze. The fear of her infamous singing voice sent shivers down their spines. Emiya, ever the vigilant guardian of everyone's sanity, immediately recognized the impending disaster. "Oh hell, someone stop her before we lose our ability to hear!" he yelled, already sprinting towards her.

Before Elizabeth could hit a single note, Kiyohime appeared out of nowhere, tackling her gently but firmly to the ground. "Sorry, Elizabeth, but we can't let you ruin the night with that voice again," Kiyohime said with a sweet yet stern smile.

The room let out a collective sigh of relief, and Ritsuka couldn't help but chuckle at the chaos around him. With the music back on track and Elizabeth's performance thwarted, Ritsuka knew it wouldn't be long before the next girl in his harem took his hand for a dance.

His eyes met Ophelia's across the room, and she gave him a small smile, clearly waiting for her turn. Mash stood nearby, looking equally eager but trying to play it cool. BB, ever the mischievous one, was likely planning something to surprise him later, while Marie Alter, Olga, and Koyanskaya waited patiently for their moment. It was clear Ritsuka had his work cut out for him tonight, but he was more than ready to embrace it.

Tonight, they would dance, laugh, and celebrate everything they had achieved—and all that was still to come.

Later that night, after the party had come to a close, Ritsuka found himself on the top of the first layer of the Wandering Sea, helping a very unsteady Kadoc deal with the aftermath of too much celebrating. Kadoc was leaning against the railing, clearly regretting his life choices as he tried to compose himself, but the occasional heave made it clear he was still struggling.

Ritsuka, standing beside him with a sympathetic smile, handed Kadoc a bottle of water. "So, um... too much to drink, or did the tug of war between your two Anastasias finally get to you?"

Kadoc groaned, his voice weak as he wiped his mouth and took a sip of the water. "A bit of both... Ugh. I swear I wasn't even drinking that much, but they... they were relentless. I thought they'd rip me apart. Who knew having two versions of the same person fighting over you would be so exhausting?"

Ritsuka chuckled softly. "You know, most people would be thrilled to have that kind of attention."

"Yeah, well... most people aren't me," Kadoc muttered. "I didn't ask for this. Besides, one Anastasia is already a handful. Two? I thought I was going to be dragged into a Lostbelt all over again."

Ritsuka patted Kadoc on the back. "Well, at least you survived. That's something. And hey, at least the party was fun, right?"

Kadoc leaned back, finally looking a little more stable. "Yeah... I guess. It was nice seeing everyone having a good time for once. Even if I did have to deal with a lot of chaos."

Ritsuka looked out at the stars twinkling above them, the night calm and quiet now. "We don't get many nights like this," he said softly. "Where we can just... forget everything for a while and celebrate. Sometimes I forget how important that is."

Kadoc glanced at him, noticing the weight behind Ritsuka's words. "You've been carrying a lot, haven't you?"

Ritsuka smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, but that's just how it is. I've got everyone counting on me. But tonight... tonight was nice. Even with all the chaos, it felt good to just be... human for a while."

Kadoc nodded, his usual cynicism softening a bit. "Well, you're not in this alone. Even if we don't say it much, we're all in this together. So... don't think you have to carry everything by yourself."

Ritsuka gave him a grateful look. "Thanks, Kadoc. That means a lot."

Kadoc sighed, feeling a bit better after their talk. "Alright, enough of this sappy stuff. Help me get back inside before I freeze out here."

Ritsuka laughed, standing up and offering a hand to Kadoc. "Sure thing. Let's get you back to bed before Anastasia—both of them—come looking for you."

As they made their way back inside, the quiet of the night wrapped around them, a brief moment of peace before the next battle ahead.

"you all had some fun"

Ritsuka and Kadoc immediately tensed, their instincts kicking in as they both activated their respective transformations. Ritsuka's God Shift flared with radiant energy, while Kadoc's Infinite Ice manifested, his aura turning frigid as frost crystallized around him. The two stood on alert, only to be met with a familiar figure casually strolling toward them.

Kirschtaria Wodime, of all people, was approaching with a calm smile, his usual composed demeanour firmly in place.

"Activated the transformation already?" Kirschtaria said, raising an amused eyebrow.

Ritsuka just stared at him in disbelief, his mind scrambling for an explanation. "How the hell did you get here? It's not New Year's, and we definitely didn't open our borders."

Kirschtaria gave a small chuckle, his gaze shifting between the two. "You might want to double-check your security protocols next time you throw a party. Especially if the person managing the barrier is… indisposed."

Kadoc looked like he was about to say something, but Ritsuka just blinked, completely dumbfounded. "...Someone is getting a pay decrease," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Kirschtaria's smile widened. "Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble. I heard there was some sort of celebration going on, and I figured I'd drop by. It's rare to see Chaldea in such high spirits, after all."

Kadoc crossed his arms, the icy mist around him slowly dissipating as his tension eased. "You just happened to 'drop by,' huh?"

Kirschtaria shrugged. "What can I say? Old habits die hard. Besides, I thought it would be fun to see how my former comrades were doing. You two have been quite the spectacle lately."

Ritsuka rubbed his temple, still trying to wrap his head around the situation. "We were just helping Kadoc... uh, recover. You know, after a long night. I didn't expect a guest appearance from you of all people."

Kirschtaria looked thoughtful for a moment, before nodding. "I see. Well, I won't keep you. Just thought I'd say hello and remind you that the world is still watching. Even when you think you're safe, things can change in the blink of an eye."

Ritsuka narrowed his eyes. "Is that supposed to be a warning?"

Kirschtaria's smile remained, but his tone softened. "More of a reminder. You've come a long way, Ritsuka. But the road ahead is still filled with challenges, even for someone like you."

Kadoc, finally fully recovered, gave a small snort. "I'm sure we'll manage. We've faced worse."

Kirschtaria gave a nod of approval. "That's the spirit. Well then, I'll leave you to it. Next time, don't forget to invite me properly."

With that, Kirschtaria turned, walking away as calmly as he had arrived. The tension that had filled the air dissipated, leaving Ritsuka and Kadoc standing there, still processing what had just happened.

Ritsuka exhaled. "I can't believe it. The guy just shows up uninvited and makes it sound like we're in a school reunion."

Kadoc shook his head. "Typical Kirschtaria."

As they turned to head back inside, Ritsuka mumbled, "I really need to have a talk with whoever's handling the barriers…"

As Kirschtaria stopped and turned back to them, his eyes gleamed with a cryptic yet knowing look. "One more thing," he said, his voice carrying a subtle hint of amusement. "Let me give you a hint about my Lostbelt King. He controls thunder, is considered the strongest, and his red hair moves with the wind."

Ritsuka's heart skipped a beat as the vague yet ominous description sank in. A King who controls thunder? Strongest? Red hair? It was too much to ignore, yet not enough to fully grasp. The air around Kirschtaria began to shimmer as he casually crushed the crystal in his hand.

Before either Ritsuka or Kadoc could ask anything further, Kirschtaria vanished, teleporting back to the Norse Lostbelt. The quiet night air filled the void left by his sudden departure, leaving the two standing there in stunned silence.

Kadoc frowned, his arms still crossed. "Thunder... red hair... strongest... that's not much to go on, but it sounds like we're dealing with someone big."

Ritsuka nodded slowly, his mind racing. "Yeah, but it's more than enough to keep us on edge. Whoever it is, we need to be ready."

Kadoc sighed, his Infinite Ice finally dissipating as he relaxed. "Great, just what we needed... more cryptic clues from the guy who always knows more than he's willing to say."

Ritsuka chuckled lightly. "Well, at least we know where to look next."

The two of them stood in silence for a moment longer, staring at the spot where Kirschtaria had disappeared. The tension in the air was palpable, but there was also a shared resolve between them. The road ahead was only going to get tougher, and now they had yet another powerful foe to contend with.

"Let's get back inside," Ritsuka finally said, his tone serious. "We need to prepare for what's coming."

To be continued

Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones