The Flames Of Determination

"I can still feel his connection, but he seems to be quite far away. I would imagine at most two hours away."

A few hours away from Mars and Jeanne, the original group consisting of Ritsuka, Mash, Medea, Okita, Atalanta, and Percival wandered toward the nearest town, hoping to gather information about the Singularity and events that shouldn't have happened.

With her quick wits and skills as a Huntress, Atalanta led the group, studying the faint footprints to decipher how many people were here before. From her estimate, it was a small platoon.

"Master is a strong man. I'm sure he's also trying to investigate problems," Percival spoke to Atalanta, who was perched on top of thick tree branches, scoping out the distance.

"Yes, you're right, but he's a bit of an idiot, too," Atalanta replied, her thoughts returning to those little moments when her Master did something moronic. Yet, she could tell that he was facing something in the midst of his moronic tendencies.

Atalanta also recalled when Medea spoke to her recently about Mars. Medea was sure he was of divine origin, possibly a Demi-God, yet it was very faint. He was perhaps only a quarter or less. That was what was troubling her Master, and it didn't help that he seemed to lack the awareness of it. No, more like something happened to his mind.

It's for these reasons she wanted to make sure he doesn't do anything drastic. Learning the truth about certain things can break a person. Her Master was strong, but what if the revelation destroys him?

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After a while, the group managed to find another stronghold called Vaucouleurs. It was run down, with the top of the castle-like structures being torn off, as if a speeding boulder crashed into it. The run-down appearance made for a gloomy and depressing atmosphere; such devastation was unnecessary, but in Singularities, nothing is normal.

Ritsuka found herself looking at the despair-filled soldiers. They all looked tired, mentally shaken, and dead. That would describe them at this moment. She didn't know what to think. The person who brought about this much hopelessness was someone dangerous. She knew that whoever it was, was behind this Singularity.

"Master, I gained some useful information," Medea floated to the right of Ritsuka. Her eyes brightened, and she nodded for Medea to continue.

"A person who should've been dead has returned."

Ritsuka furrowed her brow. "Who is it?"

"A Saint by the name of Jeanne D'Arc."

"WHAT?" Roman shouted from the transmission. "Jeanne D' Arc, at this time, should have recently died. They were a national hero and the world's most famous Saint. She saved France in the latter part of the Hundreds Year War, stopping the English Invasion."

After the brief explanation, everyone soaked in the information.

"Another thing," Mash spoke firmly. "Jeanne D' Arc's attacks have already forced the English to retreat from France. However, King Charles VII was killed, leaving the country in a state of instability. Jeanne D'Arc is using Orleans as a base to strike other towns."

"One last thing, Master. Supposedly this Saint has been using a flag with a Dragon Symbol…as well as using a Dragon," Medea's words soaked in before the transmission from Roman appeared again.

"That's…terrible news. Creatures that appear in many myths and legends are called Phantasmal Species. The Dragon species reigns supreme among them all. If it is a named individual, not even a Servant can compete, but that isn't the worst part."

"The main problem here is that in the 15th Century France, Dragons shouldn't exist. If that's the case, Jeanne D'Arc has summoned a Dragon like one would a Servant. She most likely possesses the Holy Grail."

Ritsuka closed her eyes tightly. This Singularity was by far one of the most draining. With Singularity F, there wasn't anything like this. Seeing everyone living in fear of Jeanne D'Arc and her Dragon, sucking away their hope for a tomorrow, was painful to look at. Her soul wavered momentarily before she remembered something that Mars said.

<i>"Even If I wasn't here, I'm sure you and Mash would overcome the future Singularities."</i>

Those words ranged through her mind, and her resolve grew brighter. "We'll find Jeanne D'Arc! And stop this as soon as possible."

Roman hummed, satisfied with Ritsuka's declaration. "Great! You're adapting well. Now-"

Atalanta's ears twitched, and she raised her head, her eyes meeting with descending figures.

"WYVERNS!" An officer near a large gong bell cried out, hitting it. The sound served as a warning of the impending disaster that would befall them.

"SOLDIERS, MEN, TAKE UP A WEAPON!" The same man continued to shout. "WOMEN, CHILDREN, FIND SAFETY! YOU'LL GET BURNED!"

"I think-"

"I know what you're about to say, Doctor. I know that these people aren't real…in a sense, but they're still people! As such, I will help them because I have the power to do so!"

Roman remained silent at Ritsuka's words. A sigh left his lips as he felt the depths of her determination. "Very well, Fujimaru! I trust that you'll make it out! Show them what you got!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Master, what're your orders? For the time being, until Mars returns, we're to follow your orders!"

Ritsuka looked at Atalanta and Percival, her eyes glimmering with thanks. "Atalanta, this should be nothing more than a casual hunt, so shoot those Wyverns down! Percival, help anyone that hasn't found safety! Medea, help Atalanta. Okita, you and Mash will lend support to the ground forces!"

After her orders, no one questioned it. It seems she was running on adrenaline at the moment.

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It was total chaos. Even with the help of the Servants, the Wyverns were proving resistant. They did manage to kill a few Wyverns, but most of those Wyverns were able to kill off some of the soldiers.

Ritsuka grits her teeth. She turned her head to see a Wyvern charging up a fireball. The direction was to a large group of people trying to flee to safety. The state of fear and panic mixed in the air, allowing the Wyverns to utilize that to their advantage.

Ritsuka, still pumped with her adrenaline, could only think about saving the people. Even if she wasn't anything special, she still needed to save these people, even if they were nothing but illusions in the grand scheme.

The fact they were expressing emotions like any human was enough for her to step into the flames of danger. Before she knew it, she was charging in. The sound around her went mute. Her mind focused solely on the security of the people.

Her circuits flared, and unknowingly, a ball of fire formed in the palm of her right hand. Its vermillion hue reflected not only her hair color but also her fierce passion for saving others. It wasn't much of a fireball, but as she sent it flying at the Wyvern, it was enough to redirect its attack.

<i>For once…she accomplished something, even if it was meager.</i>

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<i>AN: Won't lie. I think is one of my most lackluster chapters, but nonetheless, I'm not the perfect writer, so I can't give myself too many complaints. I decided to call Ritsuka…Ritsuka. I had my reasons for not doing it, but the change is here. </i>

<i>I wanted to give Mars a break for one chapter, and I felt this was the perfect chance to do so. Initially he was going to pop up at the end, but I scrapped that so Ritsuka could have some time to shine. I wanted to give her at least some sort of attack, so naturally, I went with fire. </i>

<i>Anyway, this marks the 3/7 chapter for the week.</i>