Connection [2]

Memories were a fickle concept. They could shatter like glass or stay on the surface like the calm, nightly waters of a lake. However, they can become a plague that would deteriorate one's spirit, leading to several problems down the road. 

Jalter, for one, was enjoying the pleasant memories of the one named Mars Goldwyn. Naturally, one would question why she was getting memories of someone else. She had a front-row seat as a spectator of his younger days. He was nothing more than a kid who had been dealt a terrible hand in life. 

One such memory she first saw was when Mars and his Father discussed the future. It was a heart-wrenching moment, at least for Mars. Mars was only five years of age, yet the discussion happened like two civilized adults. 

However, Jalter couldn't finish listening to the conversation as she was pulled back to reality, which dampened her mood. She wanted to hear the last bit of information about her enemy. Perhaps they came from the same pits of hell and were once friends, but one could move forward while the other stayed behind, staring enviously at the back of the one who continued to march forward.

"It's time. I have to complete my goal," Jalter's nap was well-needed, having solidified her resolve more than ever. 

.

.

.

Mars appeared in a void, his eyes blinking with curiosity. A light shined in the distance, resembling a ball of fire as Mars approached the small but fearsome flames. They were purple in color, but the feeling was cold, completely different from what you expect from such colorful and radiant flames.

"This place isn't my mind at all. It should be Uruk," Mars had no way of figuring out what was happening. He was suddenly placed in here.

The only light source was this purple flame that felt oddly comfortable to Mars, its presence like that of a treasured item. The small bundle of flames began to move with sentience as if suddenly aware of Mars's presence. The young adult didn't move with that of caution. His red eyes could only stay locked onto the flames that floated around like a lantern in the wind.

"How…are you here?" The flames spoke with timidness. It sounded like a frightened child.

"I'm wondering that myself," Mars replied with a nonchalant shrug. He's seen weirder stuff than talking flames.

"What do you see?"

Mars was caught off guard by the question, he blinked, but the void appeared different afterward. He could only see large, hollow pits that seemed infinite, a sky with the color of brimstone, and the smell of charred asphalt. 

"Hell," Was Mars's immediate reply after taking in the sights. His gaze mirrored that of someone who returned home. 

The flames in front of him suddenly stretched into a human shape with a short stature. Mars's eyes widened as he saw that it was Jeanne…but it wasn't her. 

"So, you've finally made it here," Jeanne seemed more depressed than anything else, resembling Jalter in all but mannerisms. 

"Are you…no, you're not…." Mars suddenly used the power of his eyes that Gilgamesh bestowed upon him, and to his shock and awe, this Jeanne was an altered version as well.

Was the other one truly a fake? No, she has her own mind, soul, and goals. She was very much her own person. Mars knew that certain Servants could have multiple classes, each with their own traits and personalities, but why was Jeanne like her altered version and not like the original one?

Did Jeanne die with regrets, and this is what she looked like when recorded into the Throne Of Heroes? 

"…I see," Jeanne spoke impassively, her golden pupils losing a bit of their light.

"You want to talk?" Mars had no other choice. He was pulled here for a reason.

"To…talk? Shouldn't you return to your mission?"

Mars looked around, ignoring Jeanne's question. "Can I use my powers here?" 

Mars closed his eyes, trying to access the Gate Of Babylon, and much to his surprise, it worked, but the ripples themselves weren't the golden brilliance that he was used to, but an amethyst hue. 

"Purple is my favorite color, but I feel Gilgamesh would shoot me down if he saw it," Mars chuckled nervously, imagining the furious look he would have if he saw his powers in a different light.

"Oh? He allowed me to share this place with him."

'This is my mind, but it doesn't explain why Jeanne is in it.' 

"Sorry, but my summoning was flawed, so I arrived here. The Ruler version of myself seemed to have taken my place. I would've liked to reprimand the Dragon Witch for having gone astray, but I won't be able to be properly summoned until the Dragon Witch is defeated. I can feel her entering your mind unconsciously. Perhaps she's seeing your memories through me."

It was Jeanne's best explanation for all this, but it was still weird at the end of the day. Could the Dragon Witch be a splintered soul from this Jeanne? Having the more chaotic approach to her sorrow? 

"I already know your class, but I want to hear it from your voice."

"My voice? Hmm…I am Lancer, my true name is Jeanne D'Arc," Lancer Jeanne introduced with a bit more life, but it still held the impassiveness of her characteristics. 

"Well, my name is Mars Goldwyn. At the moment, a Caster-Class Demi-Servant, and a Master somehow. If you're in my head for now, does that mean you were summoned back to Chaldea but managed to slip under the radar?"

"I do not know, but this is one part of your mind coupled with mine."

"Hell?"

Jeanne nodded, her lips carried a frown. "Everyone has two sides to them, Mars, I'm no different. Perhaps I'm also a faker, but you give us hope. So, as long as I'm with you, I won't let you walk Hell alone."

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AN: Lancer Jeanne's appearance doesn't change much of my plan. If anything, she adds layers to everything. I wanted to get this out since the last chapter was early. We've also officially hit 30+ chapters. That's the most I wrote for any fanfic tbh. So thanks for reading.