ARC 2 - Prologue : Roaring Snowstorm

"We're escaping in THAT thing??"

In front of Gudako stood a huge metallic container that was shaped into a box. Looming over the group, Gudako couldn't even imagine how they'd escape from here. She doubted the box could even move.

"Yup!"

"Heh...hahahaha! You guys are hilarious! Man, this is great-no amazing! This whole fiasco might even be comparable to the showdown that happened in Liyue! Hahahahaha!"

"Da Vinci, what is that? That wasn't here before!"

"You'll see soon Mash~."

"Gudako! Mash! Ms.Da Vinci! Other guy! Fischl! You guys finally made it! Check it out! We're using this container as a shelter!"

"Hey! My name's Childe!"

"Sorry, my bad."

"Meuniere! Nice to see you too. That aside, how do we escape in a box that clearly doesn't have wheels?"

"Don't worry, Gudako. The box is set upon some rails to eject it out of the building. It's also made of highly durable material. It'd take a tank shell to dent it. It might be a bumpy ride, since we'll have to make the trip by sledding all the way down the mountain, but at least we should be able to make it to the bottom."

"How interesting. So we are to ignite the flame for this travel by first spreading our wings and soaring over the white terrace. Hmm, this is worthy of the Prinzessin's songs and sigil."

"Your what now?"

"Mein Fraulein means her praise and blessing."

Meuniere nodded, his head still hanging out of the door.

"You got it, whatever her bit ment! Now come on, everyone else is already on board! You five are the only ones left! Let's get going before they find us!"

"So you're all safe! That's wonderful! I knew Mr.Holmes could do it!"

Meuniere's smile suddenly faltered.

"W-well...all of us who escaped to the west hall, anyway..."

" ...Just the west hall...? Does that mean..."

" ...There's a wall of ice blocking the way to the east hall. Everyone who escaped there is frozen solid."

"What!? But how...!? That shouldn't even be possible!"

"Maybe not, but it's true. I saw it for myself back in the Command Room. One girl froze the entire east hall single-handedly. Hard as it is to believe, she's a Servant. She must be a Heroic Spirit who was summoned outside of Chaldea, the one we saw on the screen a couple days ago. She headed to the Command Room after freezing the east hall, so that might be frozen solid by now too."

"A Servant summoned outside of Chaldea...But still...How...? Doctor Roman said it was impossible to summon Heroic Spirits without this shield, let alone outside of Chaldea...!"

"Oh? That's pretty interesting. Seems like there's a lot more to this situation than it would appear."

"I know. Which is why the circumstances are so precarious. That Heroic Spirit shouldn't be here; this whole situation shouldn't even be possible. They caught us completely by surprise. We have nothing at all to go on at the moment beside whatever hope we put into summoning those two. Gladly, that worked, but it definitely isn't substantial enough to put up a good resistance. Which is yet another reason why we should beat a temporary retreat. We can call the Mage's Association for help, gather intel on who we're up against, and–

"...Uh...S-somebody! Anybody...! If anyone's hearing this, please, answer me! Anybody at all!"

Gudako whirled around to look at the speaker mounted on the wall, her eyes wide.

"Someone's still alive...!"

"That was...that was a survivor! I'm sure of it! He needs help! But...which block could he be in...?

"C'mon, what're you waiting for!? Holmes is yelling for us to go already! We're out of time! We have to go now! I feel for whoever that is, but luck just wasn't on his side! We've gotta forget about him!"

"You heard the man. Holmes is right, and of course, I agree. We just don't have time. The only thing we can do for him now is pray that he makes it out alive on his own. Unless...you two are willing to stay behind to help someone you don't even know?"

"I..."

"Oh God, they're coming! They're coming...! Ah...Ahh...Aaaaaah! Somebody! Anybody! Argh, why does this sort of thing always happen to me!? Dammit all! Who do they think I am!? I'm Goredolf goddamn Musik! The eldest son of the Musik family! I was going to lead Chaldea to glory! Yes, glory! That's what was supposed to happen! But now...!

"...Goredolf?"

"So it's that Musik bastard, huh? All the more reason to forget about him! He's got no one to blame but himself! Why should we help a guy like that after everything he did to Chaldea!?"

"You're not wrong, but..."

"Aaagh! Ow, owww...! Ah...Aah...Ghnnn...!...Why. Why do things always turn out like this? Why do they always turn on me in the end!? This always happens to me! Always! Nothing's changed at all...! No matter where I go, no matter what I try, I was always an outcast. A loser. A social leper. I knew what everyone was thinking! I knew they all hated me! But what was I supposed to do about it!? I don't know WHY they hated me! I don't know HOW to get people to like me!"

"..."

"But I tried! I did the best I could! I never had my sights set on first place, you know? I would've been happy with second or third! But, haha, just look at how things turned out. Forget third! I didn't even end up placing at all! Dammit! After a life of failure, I thought this would finally, FINALLY be my shot at success...! But a loser is all I'll ever be, no matter where I go or what I do. Dammit...Dammit...!!! I don't wanna die! I'm not ready to die! After all...No one's ever praised me before! No one's ever loved me before...!"

Childe blinked, having paused to also hear the speech coming out over the intercom. Something inside him felt pity, but at the same time, he also felt a strange feeling of sorrow. He too had once failed in a task he thought he couldn't possibly fail at. Perhaps it was but empty sentiment, but to hear someone else going through the same thing...

"This man...."

Fischl had also paused, her ears listening to the words. Although she had long since left behind her past and stepped into a new world, she had felt the same thing; the feeling of being unable to accomplish what she really wanted to. And, at the same time, despite the front she put up, she too had a heart that ached for those who suffered...

*At the same time as Childe* "This being...."

"Little miss from Teyvat, you have the same feeling too don't you?"

"Indeed, bearer of foul darkness and endless fear. Someone who wishes naught for their own flare to extinguish..."

"...Especially one who has yet to accomplish anything he thinks is worthy for praise. Someone like that..."

"...Is worth saving."

This time Gudako spoke, her mind already made up. Those words she had heard were so similar, eerily similar, to the last words of her. The previous director of Chaldea. Although Gudako was too weak to save her, she was different now. This time, she could still save someone. And she would.

"I agree, Master! Let's go rescue Goredolf Musik!"

"Huh!? Have you guys lost your minds!? Why would you risk your necks for a jerk like that!?

"...Sorry about this, Meunière. Tell Holmes to wait until we get back! Once these two have made up their minds, they won't budge an inch! But don't worry! My limitless universal genius will see us back safely in no time!"

"Count us in too!"

"Oz! To me!"

"Yes, mein fraulein!"

"Let's just say today is Goredolf's lucky day. 'Sides, I have to admit, you can't hear all that and then not help...So, nothing ever went right for him, huh. Then, this time...this time for sure, we make sure we get there in time. Isn't that right, Gudako?"

"..Yes, ma'am!"

"Mr. Meunière, please watch Fou while I'm gone! Don't worry, Fou, I promise I'll be right back!"

"...Fou. Fooou!"

----Goredolf's location----

"O-oh God, oh God...I'm doomed...My magical pistol is out of bullets, and I've used all my talismans...This is going to hurt, isn't it...? That one sickle hurt like hell...They're probably not going to kill me quickly, either...I've seen these things in the old records...They're the tsar's Oprichniki. They're soldiers expressly designed to make humans suffer. Demons in human clothing. I don't know why they've come back to life here and now, but...Oh God, this is going to hurt so much...I guess I'm going to die as unlucky as–"

"Well, well! I'm impressed you've managed to stay alive this long, Goredolf!"

"Wha...!? You're that Caster! And, you're that Demi-Servant girl...and that third-rate Master, Fujimaru!? Huh? There are two others as well!? Wh-wh-what are you all doing here!?"

"We're here to rescue you, believe it or not! Don't thank me, though. This was entirely Fujimaru's idea! Not that I can really see a prat like you ever thanking someone!"

"Four black-garbed soldiers are headed this way...! Your orders, Master!"

"Mash, stand down! You're a defense-oriented unit on top of the fact that you aren't in tip top condition right now. I'm sure Childe and Fischl can handle them just fine."

"Of course! Move aside, girlie, and leave this to us. Haaaaah!!"

In a swift motion, Childe pulled out two watery blades from thin air before dashing straight into the four soldiers.

"Oz, back the warrior up!"

"Mm!"

In a flash, the violet bird appeared, lightning arcing across its wings as it flew behind Childe and dived towards any part of the enemies that Childe's blades did not hit. At the same time, arrows tipped with lightning rained down on the enemies, each arrow aimed carefully so not as to hit the ally. Within seconds, all four had disintegrated into nothing.

"The battle is over. Goredolf Musik is safe now."

"That's a relief, huh?"

"Grrr, what are you doing here!? Do you actually think you've helped me just because you've saved my life!? I'm the REAL victim here! They should have broken up Chaldea after all! The Heroic Spirit Summoning System turned out to be a broken-down piece of junk, and the supposed star of the show, Chaldeas, overloaded the moment I got here! Then I go and lose contact with the outside world, I can't find Koyanskaya anywhere, and to top things off, I run into those Oprichniks! What sort of wickedness have you brought upon us now!? Don't tell me you went and destroyed the world AGAIN!?"

"Destroyed the...? Um, I'm afraid you're greatly mistaken...We weren't the ones responsible for the Incineration of Humanity, but–"

"Don't you DARE talk back to me! Just shut the hell up and start fixing this mess you-mmph! MMMMPH!!!"

"Uh, that's my....you know what, forget about it. At least it was put to good use to shut this thing up. So much for saving him."

"Ah, thank you Fischl. You see? I knew this would be more trouble than this coglione is worth. Anyway, we REALLY don't have time to explain everything right now. For the moment, let's get back to safety. I'm sure everyone else is on pins and needles waiting for us."

"You're right. We'll need to apologize to them. Still...I'm glad we weren't too late. Aren't you, Senpai?"

"Absolutely!"

Soon, the sound of breathing filled the hall as the group dashed through it with Fischl, Oz, and Childe cutting down any enemies that appeared. While Mash and Gudako were panting hard, Goredolf's entire face was red. Fischl had removed the scarf to let him breathe easier, but even then, he was clearly having trouble keeping up. At the very least, the effort of the run made it so that he had no energy to talk.

Suddenly, the clack of heels sounded in front of them and the group skidded to a halt as a familiar figure appeared before them backed up a number of Oprichnik.

"Okaaay, that's far enough~. Looks like you're not going to be crossing this particular finish line, are you?"

"Damn! They were waiting for us!?"

"Th-this is terrible! Those things have captured Koyanskaya!...I see. After my quick thinking let me escape from the Command Room before anyone else....she must have found herself all alone, and was forced to give herself up. The poor thing..."

"How dense is this person?"

"As muddle-brained as barren stones that stand in the pathway to a doorway beyond."

"...So very?"

"Indeed, Mr.Childe, that is what Mein Fraulein means."

"No, Mr. Goredolf, the Oprichniki didn't capture her. She's the one leading them! I don't know why she did it, but I think she's the one who orchestrated this attack on Chaldea!"

"Y-you're joking! Then, you mean she's been deceiving me all this time!? That she only traveled far and wide and worked herself to the bone so I could land Chaldea for HER sake instead of mine!? Dammit! You little minx! How dare you toy with an innocent man's heart like that!?"

"...That was quick."

"My heart bears complete, utter agreement."

"Oh my, I think we have a misunderstanding,Your Excellency. We recommended Chaldea to you as a purchase with tremendous value. We were completely honest about that. You saw its value, accepted the offered price, and invested your personal fortune. We assassinated your rival bidders to guarantee your purchase. As a result, you gained sole rights over Chaldea and its property, and we were able to complete our objective without the Association interfering. That sounds like a win-win to me. But then you go and call me a minx...? I'm normally very gentle,but that really ruffles my feathers. So now we're going to kill you all. It's time for all of you to pay up for everything you're worth~!"

"...! Master, Mr. Musik, get back! Her smile is utterly false! I've...I've never sensed such fierce bloodlust before...!!"

"Oh, how interesting, little miss. How about fighting me instead, mm~? You seem to be quite the strong opponent."

"Ooh, the unrecognizable one wants to challenge me hmm? Someone as unknown as you couldn't possibly be that strong~ But don't worry, mmkay? I couldn't care less about other Servants, so I'll make sure to kill you all quickly. The only prey I really like to take my time with is of the human variety. The ones I'm really fond of, I like to stuff and mount on my walls. In fact, I've got quite a nice collection now, if I do say so myself. You know how some people like to hunt foxes? It's just like that, only with humans-"

"Silence! Begone, vile wretch who hold neither a foothold nor a name in this land!"

"!! You!"

A cold wind blew through the corridor, freezing Childe's blades solid. Gudako peered beyond Koyanskaya, spying the girl from the video feed slowly moving towards them.

"...Stand down."

"...Ah, Grand Duchess."

"Death to those who would disobey the glorious tsar. Eradication to those who would betray us. Viy, I will wish this myself. I will curse them myself. We will reduce all good people to stone, to ice, to nothingness. Open your Wicked Eye, Viy!"

"That's the witch who surrounded Chaldea...! She's a Servant! She froze the entire east hall solid! This is it. I'm really done for this time! You're no match for her, Da Vinci! She's got you beat in abilities and looks ali–Oof!"

"Whoops! Sooorry! I really should be more careful with my staff! But Fischl should have really made you shut the hell up earlier! That said, Gudako,I'm afraid Goredolf isn't totally wrong. She IS a Servant. And not the kind we know, either...Make sure you're ready to back me up with those Command Spells. We need to settle this quickly, before she gets serious! Fischl, Childe, some help?"

"Of course."

"The missionary needs not a request."

The four of them then began to fight Koyanskaya and the mysterious girl. Yet despite all the attacks they made, none seem to get through to her.

"Arghh! It's like there's some weird spatial distortion in front of her! My blades can't reach her!"

"Mine seekers of darkness cannot penetrate her domain. It is of no use!"

"The little purple one is right, it's useless. A Servant from Proper Human History has no chance against one from the Lostbelt. She's survived hardships and environments you can't even imagine. You all never stood a chance. Though I will say you did pretty well, at least for Servants from this cushy world."

"Hey! We aren't-"

"Yes, I can see she has quite the formidable Spirit Origin! And you know what they say: the bigger they are, the more common their weakness! Here, I'll show you what I mean! Thanks for being so incorrigibly smug!"

"A bomb!? Ack!...Tch, how troublesome. Let's go after them, Your Imperial Highness. There's nowhere left for them to run. They're trapped like rats."

"Rats, rats, rats...There were a lot of rats in that house, too. All they know how to do is gnaw at their surroundings and multiply...and multiply...Still, I recognize that that is one of Proper Human History's greatest strengths. If their strength lies in multiplying, we will show our strength in eradicating them all the more fiercely. Our world, the Lostbelt we come from, is a cruel and frigid place. How laughable to think they consider this mild environment cold. Soon, we will show them what a true hellish cold is..."

---Where The Team Escaped To---

"...Hey Da Vinci."

"Yes, Childe?"

"Leave that girl to me next time. I think I know how to fight her or at least hold her back."

"You sure? We didn't even scratch her when we worked together."

"I'm sure."

"..."

"After all, what she threw at us wasn't even as cold as my hometown. Real coldness...is much, much colder."