Fate/Grand Order story · Part 2: Cosmos in the Lostbelt, Lostbelt No.1: Permafrost Empire, Anastasia
Birth of a Yaga
Lostbelt No.1: Permafrost Empire, Anastasia. Rebel Stronghold
3 scenes, 113 lines
1. Before the battle
69 lines(...Ah. Gotcha. This's your dream, eh.)
Pain that grows more terrible with each passing moment. Unfathomable bewilderment. Fear that threatens to swallow you whole.
And above all, complete and utter loathing for the soldiers who look down at you in scorn.
In an instant, my pain turned to pleasure, and I vowed I would kill them all myself.
Yes... There was never a time I did not hear this voice.
Not that Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Alexei, Papa, or Mama ever noticed.
I could always hear this voice, whether I was playing a prank or climbing a tree.
...But I also knew it wasn't anything like a guardian angel.
If it was...I wouldn't be dead right now.
Even when I only had seconds left to live, all he did was stare at me.
He was a creature of fantasy, summoned by my desire to kill those who had wronged me.
A monster with Mystic Eyes who only appears to Romanovs who were born with the ability to see him.
The soldiers hacked my body to pieces. Then they burned me, and buried my ashes.
Even as my clothes were stripped off, my body chopped to pieces, and my ashen remains planted in the ground...
...I was still conscious enough to understand what was happening.
And that is why I made certain those soldiers would never again enjoy a moment of peace.
"Death is too good for you. No, you're going to live in fear for the rest of your lives. I, Viy, will always be watching you."
"I will forever pass judgment on your sins. I will forever see to your punishment. I will always, always be watching...until the day you die."
"Always, always, alwaaays!!!"
(...Ugh, dammit. Gray skies. A world without light. I've never known anything else...)
...Did I wake you?
I wasn't sleeping. I was just dreaming.
...Is there a difference?
Huge. It's the difference between your mind being shut off and your mind changing gears.
Dreams have long since abandoned my sleep, and now, I no longer need sleep.
That sounds just like it is with Servants.
...So what's the occasion? Did something happen?
We received a report from the Oprichniki we sent out to the frontier. It didn't have much to say, but...
...it did mention that they had burned down one of the rebel army's storehouses.
That should make things more difficult for them.
And then there's the Servants who aren't with the rebels. We should figure out what to do about them soon, before they think to challenge the Tsar's glory.
We should be able to handle them together. The metropolitan can take care of things here in the meantime.
...Then it's a date. I'll go get ready.
What do you need to get ready for? Just go like that.
You really don't know how to treat your Servants, do you? You're supposed to send me off with a smile.
Lay off. I'm all about efficiency.
There's no other way an ordinary guy like me could ever catch up to a genius.
The only way to beat someone who understands efficiency at a practical level is to dream up something even more efficient.
...I see. In that case, come help me get ready. That will be more efficient than simply waiting around.
...Yeah, yeah.
And stop answering me like some lazy soldier. It makes me feel like cursing you.
All right, Anastasia. So what is it you want my help with?
I want you to help me choose which coat I should wear.
...(Sigh)...
What an innocent, heartwarming sight.
It was like watching them dance a waltz on top of the thinnest of ice, where one crack could send them tumbling into the abyss.
Hehe. I guess it just goes to show that the Grand Duchess is a good match for our timid Kadoc.
A boy weakened by his reluctance to give up on anything, and a girl empowered after giving up everything, huh?
They are quite the pair. Each makes up for the other's shortcomings.
Even I can't think of a Servant and Master that are better suited to each other.
Which is why you really should stop stirring them up just for your amusement, Koyanskaya. As the Tsar's aide, I can't overlook this any longer.
Oh my, I didn't know you were so patriotic. Does it pain you to see your beloved homeland so messed up?
Well, lucky for you, I was just thinking it's time I was on my merry little way anyway.
I've already said hello to the Chaldeans, and I've confirmed that the Tsar is coming along nicely.
So since there's no work left for me to do here, I'll be moving on to my next assigned destination.
Especially since Lord Wodime has apparently gone and sent out Ms. High and Mighty Caenis too.
By all means.
Your preferred forms of entertainment are nowhere to be found in Russia anyway.
There are no humans desperately fighting for their survival here. Not a single person you would enjoy trampling all over.
No matter how you look at it, this Lostbelt is utterly devoid of hope for the future.
...Yes, so it would seem. That's the one part that's truly a shame.
Well, I'd best be on my way. No point sticking around a barren land with no money to be made, after all♡
I see you travel light. Oh yes, would you like me to pray for your safe travels?
No, thank you. I have a feeling your prayers would only bring about the opposite of what they sought.
Well, here's to doing business again.
Remember, when you want to get rich at others' expense, or want to be happy no matter who else it might hurt...
...make sure to call on NFF Services! We make all those sorts of dreams come true♡
...Heh. Rats, I believe she called them? It takes one to know one, as the saying goes.
You should learn to be mindful of the dangers that line your path, Koyanskaya. As things stand now, you may as well be a rat fleeing a sinking ship.
2. Before the battle
19 lines
Well that was a productive chat. Nice to get some good news for a change.
All right, Billy. You take it from here.
Sure thing, Beo. Hope we meet again down the road!
Where're you off to, Billy?
Oh, I'll be riding with them. Beowulf will be running this show from now on.
What? You're joining the rebel army...!?
Sure am. I know you don't hold humans in high esteem, but there's heaps more to 'em than you think.
Servant or no, I'm still just a good, old-fashioned human. Suits me just fine to rebel with the rest.
... ...
See you around!
Two days after setting off on their journey...
...Huh?
Shanshan's trying to tell us something.
...It seems there are Demonic Beasts nearby. Are you ready, Patxi?
Yeah, yeah, I know the deal. Time for some fresh meat.
Hey, that could be your catchphrase!
？！
...Sometimes, I have no idea what you're talking about...
Well, they ain't exactly delicious, but there's plenty of meat on them. All right, what say we rustle up some grub for the rebel army?
3. After the battle
25 linesAll right, we got meat!
You guys're all gonna have some too, right?
Well, Servants ain't really gotta eat, but if there's enough to go around, I'll have myself a bite.
But the REAL silver dollar is the alcohol you have with stewed meat.
...I know how you feel. I would love some cider myself...
Cider, huh? I'm partial to bourbon myself. Tequila ain't bad either.
'Course, back in that village, I'd brew just about anything I had on hand.
...I've heard there's different kinds of alcohol, but I've only ever had the one kind. What do the others taste like?
Ah, right. Most of what y'all got to drink's just straight vodka with no kinda flavor to it, yeah?
I've still got a bit of the last batch I distilled. Care for a nip?
Sure, I'll give it a shot.
...That's good. Really good. ...Though it DOES taste a little weak.
Actually, this here's about as strong as it gets back home. Guess you Yaga really can hold your drink.
A little TOO well, if you ask me.
We should be there soon.
No signal fire. It seems things kept running fine even though we were gone for quite a while.
We're back! Open the gate!
Welcome back, Boss.
...I see you've returned.
I have some good news. Another Servant by the name of Billy the Kid has agreed to join us.
Howdy. You must be Avicebron. Billy the Kid. Nice to meetcha.
Oh? What is it?
...We are on the verge of running out of food altogether.