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Chapter 41 | A taste of Blood

I'm sorry if she doesn't look like Fanny, I did my best. ;~;
Hope you guys enjoy today's long, special chapter!

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A snow owl fled towards to the massive castle made out of ice, flapping their purely white feathered wings without hard work even though the harsh blizzard tried to make them give up and fall into the cold snow that covered the ground.

Aurora looked through the large, closed window in front of her, seeing the snow owl flying fast towards her with something shiny between its beak. The Queen of Nost Gal made the large window open once the snow owl arrived close. The large bird swirled around the throne room before landing on one of the sides of Aurora's shoulders, lifting its beak to show a nicely designed scroll holder for the Queen to open.

The snow owl loosened its grip on the scroll holder to let Aurora grab one of the ends of the scroll holder to pull it out. She opened the cap out of curiosity, tilting it down to let a rolled up letter slide out of the scroll holder. The letter fell towards to the palm of her hand, it looked fancy and quite important. Aurora made the scroll holder disappear, then unrolled the rolled up letter to see what message has been sent to her.

Outside of the castle lies a land nothing, but ice and snow. Even with low armor and less coverage, Natalia's body manages to withstand the raging blizzard that Aurora is causing to hide her location. The hooded assassin pulled her legs up and stomped it back down to the thick snow, a groan escaping through her mouth. Natalia was frustrated at the way that she's currently walking, desiring to run towards to the castle made out of ice so that she can get her body warm quick, but the thick snow stopped her from doing so. Once she saw the massive castle, she did not take a moment to look how enchanting and beautiful it is, but rather she quickly walked over to the entrance, only to see that it is closed. Natalia looked at the nearest window that she could enter, planning out how she'll be able to climb the slippery walls that are ice.

The hooded assassin eventually got an idea after thinking, quickly pulling out two daggers out of her small bag then used it to pierce through the thick ice, pulling herself up then pierced through the ice just above her head by using one of the daggers that she's holding and then pulled her body up. Natalia did this repeatedly until she made it to the window, smashing its glasses into fragments without hesitation and then quickly pulled herself up through the now broken window. Natalia safely landed on the ground, running towards to the corners of the hall where the shadows lurks so that she can become invisible and one with the darkness. Aurora heard the window break even though it came quite far from where she is. Even if she did not hear the noise, her magical castle will alarm her that there is a trespasser. "May I ask what the scroll says?" Karina suddenly asked, disturbing Aurora's thinking of who dares to trespass into her territory. Aurora looked at the night Elf assassin, her gaze becoming cold towards Karina. "I am invited as a honored guest for a tournament that is held in the City of Scholars; it is located in the realm of Eruditio." Aurora answered, her gaze moving into Estes. She then continued on with the rest she has to say. "I am certain that you, King Estes has the letter as well. Every rulers, great heroes and heroines are invited to come to this special tournament to see different types of creatures that are strong willed and powerful. You are permitted to bring few friends with you as your companions for this event, they are even allowed to join the tournament, if they are capable enough to fight. But people such as you and me are not allowed to participate in an event like this nor interfere, we are only allowed to guess who'll win and watch how it will go." Estes rarely ever goes to an event, since most of the events that he gets invited to are battles and fights to be crowned as a champion. Estes did not want to see any blood splatter on the ground and walls, he merely wishes that these kind of events should just disappear. A show for the sadistics, Estes would say those words inside his mind whenever he hears an event about battles. "I am sorry, but I have to decline this invitation." Estes said, clenching his hands into a fist. His sudden behavior made Karina quite worried about him, Estes being suddenly upset concerned her. Karina bit her lip out of disappointment, wanting Estes to go for she needs to be there with her other allies to start the plan. At the same time, Karina didn't want to go, but the spell that Alice cast upon her is hard to resist, almost impossible even. "It sounds interesting! Are you certain that you desire to turn this invitation down? Maybe the people there knows how to break my curse." Karina tried to persuade Estes. Holding both of his hands tightly to show him that she sincerely wants to go with him in the tournament. Estes looked at her begging face. For some reason he just can't say no to her, it felt like she was casting a spell on him. With that, Estes gave up, letting out a sigh that sounded tired. "Fine, but expect me to be late once a battle begins." Estes said, pulling both of his hands out of Karina's grip. The night elf assassin grinned, giving Estes a sudden hug as a sign of thank you.

Meanwhile inside the Headquarters of where the event will take place. Fanny raised both of her thin, yet sharp and deadly blades out of their iron cases. Alucard held the handle of his long sword, thinking that Fanny will attack him as a revenge, for he has sliced both of her arms off. Fanny just chuckled at his defensive stance. She lowered one of her blades, the other she flatly placed against on the left side of her shoulder. "I'm not going to attack you, why would I?" Fanny simply smiled, trying to act the way that she acted when she was still a living human being. Alucard let go of the handle of his sword, glancing at Fanny's face. "Because I-" Alucard suddenly stopped his sentence, quickly turning his head to look away. Guilt stabbed his heart, making him unable to speak of what he did to his once friend. Fanny glanced at Alucard's strange behavior, scanning him for what caused his current action. "I am censoring an emotion called guilt all over your body, this feeling made you unable to finish your sentence, but I can finish it for you." Fanny said, her voice becoming monotone and quite robotic. "You don't need to, I already know what I did, and I am...sorry that I sliced your arms off. I know that you won't be able to forgive me, I can't forgive myself either." Alucard said, hanging his head slightly, but did not show any sign of shame. Fanny took a few steps close towards Alucard without caution. "Oh, Alucard. You did not just slice my arms off," Fanny said, shaking her head in disappointment. She thought that Alucard clearly knew what he did to her, but she thought wrong. Fanny took a deep breath before continuing the rest of her words. "You killed me. A human such as me is not capable of surviving that long after losing a large amount of blood, but at least I am standing in front of you, looking bright and-"
  "Fanny, that's enough talking." A robotic male voice said out of the blue, making Fanny stop her sentence. Fanny made herself face where the voice of the man came from, only to see Saber's face. She quickly fell to one of her knees, placing a clenched hand against the left side of her chest and then hang her head. "My apologies, sir." Fanny said, as if she was being forced to. The eerie swordsman-Saber walked towards to Fanny. Each time he took a step get chilly and his appearance made him looked cold as ice and tough as steel. He stopped walking once he got close to the human that he turned into a machine like himself. "We must talk in private." Saber said, his voice sharp and a hint that he's being serious.

Fanny lifted her head up to look at Saber, immediately standing up to her feet. "Yes, sir." She said without a second thought, no hesitation. She is unable to disobey any command or action that Saber gives her, be it kill a person in public or execute herself, but Saber is not that cruel and cold-blooded.

The two assassins walked away, going towards to an elevator. Fanny did not turn her head to look at Alucard for she felt like she'll anger someone and she sincerely hoped that it won't be Saber. The robotic swordsman pressed the button that made the elevator's glass doors open to make a way for them to enter. "Ladies first." Saber looked at Fanny, insisting her to go inside first. Fanny accepted, walking inside the elevator with Saber behind her. Saber would sometimes tries to act like a gentleman towards her when no one is around them, but it would often accelerates into an awkward situation. Once the elevator began to move, Fanny stared at the view of the city. They were going to the top floor and she just can't stop herself from forcing her eyes to lock into the scenery of the city during the night. "Don't get too close to that fallen huntsman." Saber suddenly spoke, looking at the view that the glass doors showed. Fanny looked at him, confused by his words. "Why don't you want me getting close to him?" Fanny asked the swordsman whom stayed quiet for a short period of time before answering her question. "He will hurt you if you do anything funny, and you do know that if someone hurts you, I'll have them taste their own blood." Saber sounded terrifying and Fanny couldn't help but feel fear. She didn't want anyone to get hurt by Saber, he can kill an entire large group of people if he desires to. "After I win the first round, will you let me get close to Alucard?" Fanny asked, hoping that Saber would say yes to her. Saber wanted to laugh at her for thinking that she'll win the first round in ease, but he did not want to show her that she has a slim chance of winning. "For the last time, Fanny. I don't want you getting close to Alucard." Saber grimly said, turning his head to look at Fanny's frowning face. "But sir-"

Before Fanny could continue her sentence. Saber suddenly pinned her body against the elevator's steel walls, grabbing both of her wrists. "You're not getting close to him and that's final." Saber said sternly, a bit frustrated by Fanny for wanting to get close to Alucard. Just the thought of them talking together made his energy core heat up insanely. He felt envy and protective at the same time since he didn't want an ally to get hurt, but his feelings of envy puzzled him. Fanny did not make any eye contact, instead she looked at the city's view that Saber is blocking, unable to respond to Saber.

When the elevator made a ding sound, the doors opened, making a way for a small elf whose name is Lolita to enter. Lolita's eyes widened at the sight of the two assassins, her cheeks beginning to show a pink tone. "I-I didn't mean to ruin a scene! You t-two can go ahead, I'll take the next ride!" Lolita stammered, turning her head to look away. Saber gradually pulled himself away from Fanny, letting go both of her wrists. "You can come inside. We were doing nothing." Saber said, his voice becoming monotone. Lolita let out a sigh, walking inside the elevator then pressed the button that made the elevator's doors close to make it move again. "I didn't know Saber has feelings for you!" Lolita leaned close to Fanny to whisper into her ear so that Saber can't hear her words.

Fanny turned her head to look at Lolita with a confused expression on her face. "Feelings? We're both robots. We do express and feel some emotions, but not love. Besides, we cannot reproduce, so it is utterly pointless to feel love." Fanny said, her voice becoming like a robot again. "You don't have feelings for him?" Lolita asked, looking disappointed. She did think them as a couple, they would even act like one sometimes. "No. I do not have feelings for him." Fanny answered, sounding so sincere and honest, her truth making Lolita frown. Fanny sighed, turning her head to look at Saber. He was quietly leaning against the elevator's steel walls, slightly hanging his head. "We're just allies." Fanny quietly said to Lolita. The small tank made an upset sound, looking at Fanny grumpily. "Are you sure? I am very disappointed right now! I actually shipped you guys!" Lolita grumbled quietly to Fanny, crossing both of her arms. She envied the two robots, always training and doing other things together. Lolita wanted to do countless things with Bruno, but she doesn't have the guts to tell him, and Bruno would often go somewhere and do his duties alone.

Fanny patted Lolita's back, thinking that it will calm her down. "I do not know what you mean by shipping me and Saber, but-"
  "You don't know what shipping is?! Have you been to the internet?" Lolita suddenly gasped, interrupting what Fanny was about to say. "No, I lived in the realm that takes place in the medieval times. I am currently adjusting to this realm, Eruditio that surpasses the technology that my realm has." Fanny answered, curious what this internet might be.

Before Lolita could explain what the internet is to Fanny. The elevator made a ding sound, announcing that a desired floor has been reached. "Aw. I have to go, but I'll explain what the internet is when we meet again." Lolita smiled gleefully, looking so adorable, but underneath the cuteness lies a strong tank that is able to protect her comrades even if she gets damaged. A loyal and protective friend that loves all of her comrades.

Lolita waved goodbye to Fanny, walking outside after the elevator opened its doors. Fanny waved goodbye to Lolita as well, she enjoyed the weird little talk they had and she hoped that Lolita will tell her what the internet is. Fanny liked the feeling being around a friend, but at the same time it saddens her. "May I enter?" A chilling and quite mischievous voice asked Fanny. A spinning wheel is quickly placed between the elevator's doors to stop it from closing. Saber quickly identified the owner of the voice's without even looking. It was the young warrior leader of Alaghat, Karrie. Fanny pushed the button that made the elevator's doors open, allowing Karrie to enter. The young warrior leader grabbed her spinning wheel before it hits the ground, walking inside the elevator. "Is this your precious comrade you were talking about?" Karrie asked Saber, glancing at Fanny, observing her appearance. From Karrie's perspective, Fanny didn't look weak at all, but she lacks something that Karrie cannot tell what. Fanny looked agile, swift, and deadly with her blades by her sides. "Yes. Her name is Fanny, she's my partner here." Saber answered, turning his head to look at Fanny.
  Fanny looked back, quite unsettled by the fact that Karrie and Saber are looking at her. "Fanny, this is Karrie. She's a warrior leader in a lagging hat." Saber joked at the last part, he wanted to see how Karrie will react. Karrie disliked the joke, but she must not take it seriously, it would be a stupid action if she did. "Alaghat. It is not a lagging hat." Karrie corrected, even though she knows that Saber is only joking with her. "I'm sorry for my wrong information." Saber said in the most insincere way as possible. He walked over to Fanny, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Fanny, she'll be one of the first competitors of the first round. It won't be you and Ruby." Saber said, instantly feeling that Fanny is upset by her aura and behavior. She hung her head and clenched her hands, frustrated at how Saber just said those words casually. She was ready and prepared, she couldn't wait a single second. Fanny wanted to win the first round terribly, but Saber saw her weak and needs more training.

Saber didn't want to see Fanny being upset and feel her core overheating, which is bad since the core can explode, even if it had a low chance of doing so. Making Fanny to train more isn't the only reason why Saber didn't include her in the first round, its because he didn't want to see her hurt.

"Why don't you believe in me?" Fanny suddenly asked Saber, turning her head to look at him. Her eyes were beginning to tear up, she was frowning and it was horrible to see for Saber. The swordsman didn't answer, instead he leaned close to her, almost pinning her against the wall. He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, then pulled himself away. "I do believe in you, but you need more training." Saber placed a hand on Fanny's shoulder.

Fanny's body was stiff, her core beginning to cool down. She felt an endearment kind of feeling, it was similar feeling when she's around Alucard. It was something that she lost when she died, something that made her feel warmth. For some reason she couldn't say that word, she wanted to say it for so long, but the feeing that she felt from earlier is now instantly gone from her body full of mechanical parts. "I will do my hardest when I train, sir." Fanny said, returning back to her usual robot personality.

"You weren't joking when you said she's your partner." Karrie grinned at Saber, who was looking away from her. "We're comrades. When an ally is feeling sorrowful, I try to eliminate that emotion. There's a special round today, you are chosen to participate by your realm's ruler. The other participant is still unknown." Saber calmly said, waiting patiently for the elevator to get to the highest level of the Headquarters.

The sky is bright blue and the clouds are looking fluffy and blended with the sky. Miya held on tightly to Yun Zhao that is currently on his dragon form, following his father that is flying towards to Eruditio. "Where are we going?!" Miya said loudly so that Zhao can hear her.

"To a tournament! I know you'll love it!" Zhao answered, sounding extremely excited and cheerful. Miya slowly began to grow excited since she hasn't been to an tournament before, she is mostly known to be busy for protecting the Elf Kingdom that she hasn't got any time for fun. Once they arrived in the realm of Eruditio, they took a small tour around the City of Scholars. Miya instantly got enchanted and mesmerized by how different and unique it is. Flying vehicles, floating houses, and bright neon lights that looked like magic. People's clothes are more conservative and futuristic, it was like a whole new world. "Here we are! Headquarters of the Protecters in the City of Scholars." Ju-long announced, flying down to a safe spot, transforming back to his human form. Yun Zhao fled down to where his Father landed, letting Miya climb down before he reverts back to his human self. "Let's go to my friend Elion, the previous Elven King. I'm certain that he's inside this building somewhere." Ju-long said, quickly dashing towards to the Headquarters' entrance. He was obviously excited to watch the Tournament since he hasn't been to an event for eons.

Miya and Yun Zhao followed behind Ju-long, dodging people while they tried to catch up to Ju-long's speed. "Wait! Father!" Zhao said loudly, successfully catching Ju-long's attention. He turned around, seeing his son immediately stop running. "Was I too fast? Forgive me, son. I got too excited." Ju-long chuckled, patting Zhao on the back as he tried to catch his breath. Ju-long asked, his eyes searching for Miya, but he couldn't find a sight of her. "Where's your elf friend?" He asked Zhao, who took a deep breath and stood straight up before answering. "She's right behind-" Zhao's eyes widened when he turned his head around and saw Miya wasn't there behind him, she must've lost track when they were dodging some people from earlier.

Suddenly, the Headquarters' lights went off, a music can be heard beginning to play nearby the area. "Great rulers, heroes and heroines! This is a special round that enables a particular ruler to pick their champion and fight another ruler's champion! A show off to see which ruler has the best fighter in their realm. This year's rulers are from Alaghat, a mysterious Empire and the great Elven Kingdom. May this year's best champion wins this special round!" A loud, proud male voice announced. The special round beginning to start. Ju-long gently grabbed his son by one of his wrist, quickly pulling him where the voice came from. It led them to a massive opened doors, revealing a large arena at the center. People all over the world gathered to watch this Tournament, their voices roared out of excitement and screamed for their favorite champion. "Father! We need to find Miya quick." Yun Zhao said, pulling his hand away from Ju-long's grip. "Your friend will be here, she'll certainly follow the announcer's voice." Ju-long said, trying to calm Zhao down, but it sadly did not work.

"Alaghat presents to you their deadly champion. Young warrior leader Karrie! A deadly markswoman capable of fighting the strongest tank there is." The announcer said loudly. A fog filled the arena, making Karrie's sudden entrance of acrobats tricks to a more dramatic grand entrance. "Father, you can stay here and watch. I'll go find Miya as fast as I can." Yun Zhao said, his voice revealing that he's anxious and concerned. Before he could quickly ran away, his father stopped him by grabbing his arm. "You don't need to." Ju-long said, a grin expression on his face.

The fog that filled the arena disappeared, allowing streaks of light of a holographic moon to fill the arena instead. "The previous Elven King, Elion, chose one of his realm's great archers. She is a fair maiden that is blessed by the Moon God and the Moon Goddess, she saved the Emeralds Woodlands and this current generation's King Estes. Expected to become a legend, Miya the moonlight archer!" The announcer said, the massive crowd immediately cheering once Miya suddenly appeared on the arena by a teleportation spell.

Miya felt like being buried alive, while Yun Zhao felt like he'll lose something after this. His lover.

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