Inner World [2]

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With Mars's training beginning inside his mind. Ritsuka could only sit near the tepidness of the campfire and bask in its warmth. So much has happened in her life recently that she couldn't help but feel like she was doing this for years. It was the feeling of the mountainous pressure setting course through her veins. She made it this far with the help of her Servants and Mars, both a Master and a Demi-Servant. 

Ritsuka wouldn't voice this publicly, but she felt envious of Mars's power. Sure, Mash was in a similar boat, but Mars was also a Master, someone with an abundance of Magic Circuits and a large pool of Od that he could maintain being a Demi-Servant. It was natural for someone of her caliber to feel inferior. 

Yet, she couldn't help but hate herself for having those feelings. She was a pleasant and energetic individual. The feeling of jealousy and envy shouldn't be within her character. She could only watch as Mars sat on his floating Red Carpet in a meditative state. 

"Master, are you alright?" Medea interrupted Ritsuka's reverie, getting the orange-haired girl's immediate attention. "Okita is asleep and can't feel the emotions through the bond now." 

Ritsuka felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She diverted her gaze with a whistle, getting an oddly melodious chuckle from Medea. 

"Thinking about the young man, hm? Although not in a way that would be jovial. I can practically feel the negative emotions through the bond, Master." 

"I…."

"You're jealous, correct?"

Ritsuka stammered, her words not finding the courage to deny Medea's claim. 

"It's human nature, Little Master. You can't hate yourself for having what comes naturally to you."

Ritsuka's eyes went back to the billowing flames. The vermillion-colored flames released the sounds of small crackles, mixing in with the pestering sounds of the crickets. Medea, for once, sat on the log to the left of Ritsuka, taking in the flames with her own eyes behind her hood. 

"Yes, I know it is," Ritsuka sighed heavily. "However, he's done nothing but help me along the way here…I feel-"

"Useless?"

"Yes! That's exactly it. I can't properly cast the fire spell I used after the first time. If I could, I would also help in the front lines, but I can't do anything while everyone else is fighting."

Medea was not one to give counsel on these matters, but she could relate to Ritsuka in the sense that she was "useless." The Witch Of Betrayal remained silent, her mind coming up with what words she could use to alleviate her Master's plight. 

"Your affinity seems to be fire, so I'm assuming that is your element," Medea wasn't talking to Ritsuka per se. It sounded like she was analyzing something but couldn't keep her thoughts suppressed with her mind alone.

"Mhm."

"Normally, I wouldn't bother to help, but I can help you with a few fire spells. For you to utilize your Magic Circuits and Magic, you need to keep trying. It's not something that's one and done."

"I appreciate the-"

"I wasn't asking if you wanted to learn under me. You will do so because, at some point, Mars will not be there to help you, and neither will we. You have to…learn to defend yourself in situations you can only solve and escape." 

Ritsuka was surprised by Medea's sincerity. She didn't have that teasing, deceitful voice she spoke with, but one that was genuine and resolute. The girl kept her state of shock to a minimum, considering she was ready to squeal in delight on the inside. Learning under Medea would be beneficial, but the road wouldn't be as simple. 

"When can we start?" Ritsuka asked with tamed excitement. Medea rolled her eyes, seeing that the girl wasn't trying hard to appear composed. Her eyes were practically twinkling like the distant stars.

"After we finish our mission here. Chaldea has training rooms we can use so we can remain unperturbed by annoyances."

And by annoyances, she most likely means everyone else besides Ritsuka. 

"Thank you! I won't let you down!"

"Hmm, I'm only doing this so Atalanta's Master won't outdo us," Medea nodded with satisfaction, feeling as though she could use this to one-up Atalanta in the future. 

"Wait…"

"Anyway, get some sleep. You need to maintain your energy to supply us for the battle ahead. I will keep watch. Atalanta's senses are also helping us if someone makes it past my wards…however, very unlikely for that to occur."

Ritsuka put up no argument and dozed off.

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"Berserk-Rider. I'm sending you to go after those rodents. You and your Dragon should be able to handle them."

"Of course. I will get it done."

"Is it not wise to send the Servants I summoned, dear Jeanne? I'm sure this…Saint is planning something," Gilles's voice was adenoidal, which could make anyone glitch in its presence from the sheer sound of it. Jalter remained unfazed by this. 

"Even if that's the case, she can take a few of those Servants with her," Jalter answered confidently, her voice daunting but firm. She knew Saint Martha was planning something but wasn't exactly subtle about it. 

"Very well. In the meantime, what should we do now?"

"What else besides destroying more of these pathetic scoundrels? I want France destroyed, but not only that, I want humanity gone. France is but a pit stop in our goal, Gilles. I will spread these flames of hatred across the land and the fear of Dragons back to the limelight."

Gilles only nodded at Jalter's plan, which aligns with his own. They would destroy everything that gets in their way. God abandoned them, so they will kill everything that God loves. It was, after all, a fair trade, right?

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Afternoon came by for everyone, and by now, everyone should be ready…but Mars was still in the same position from the previous night. He was completely still, unmoving, and ignorant of what was happening in the real world. His body may be there, but his mind and soul weren't.

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AN: Not too much to say about this chapter, just more moments for other characters besides Mars. I hope you all enjoyed it!