Chapter 7: Berserker of Black
The morning sun barely touches the misty forest when Riya wakes once again from sleep.
This time however His body feels heavy, his legs trembling under his own weight.
The aftereffects of the connection with Jeanne d'Arc seemed to effect him now — He grits his teeth, steadying himself, refusing to let Muramasa see any weakness.
Muramasa, sharpening his blade nearby, casts a brief glance at him but says nothing.
A silent acknowledgment passes between them — they are warriors, and warriors endure.
As Riya gathers his strength, a fluttering sound breaks the morning's stillness. A parchment, sealed with ancient magic, drops at his feet.
A message from the old man who had helped him summon Muramasa.
It reads simply:
"The Red Master Commander requests your presence. The Church. Noon."
No options. No courtesy. Just an order.
Awesome.
At the Church:
Inside, under the light of the stained-glass windows, stands a man who exudes both serenity and menace: Shirou Kotomine.
By his side, in the shadows, pulses a monstrous spiritual pressure — the aura of Tezcatlipoca, the god of chaos and warriors, now bound as Shirou's Servant.
The meeting is cold.
Shirou welcomes him with a smile too perfect
And introduces himself along side his servant Tezcatlipoca.
Its seems that he wants to proposes an alliance:
Join the Red Masters. Share information. Fight together under a single banner.
Shirou speaks of order, salvation, and unity — but Riya can see the cracks beneath the words.
Something about the man reeks of deceit.
Riya's answer is sharp, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
"I'll fight my battles on my own. I don't work well with others."
Without waiting for dismissal, Riya turns and walks away, ignoring the slight narrowing of Shirou's eyes.
Back at the Camp:
Later that evening, as Riya and Muramasa set up camp again under the thick trees, the forest air turns tense.
An instinct, sharpened by battle and survival, prickles the back of Muramasa's neck.
From the darkness between the trees, a figure steps out — muscles coiled, teeth bared in a wide, predatory grin.
Beowulf, the Berserker of Black, has found them.
The ground shakes as Beowulf charges, and Muramasa meets him head-on, blades clashing with savage force.
But Beowulf's sheer brute strength begins to overwhelm even Muramasa's precision.
Seeing no other choice, Riya activates his power.
Golden light flares around him as he draws upon Jeanne d'Arc's skills for ten precious minutes.
His mind sharpens — and with True Name Discernment (A) active, he instantly reads the name of the wild Berserker:
"Beowulf. King of the Geats. Slayer of monsters."
Armed with this knowledge, Riya coordinates with Muramasa, using defensive tactics and precise strikes to gradually turn the tide.
Beowulf, though mighty, is cornered.
Sensing their Servant's defeat, the Black Faction's Masters use a Command Seal, ripping the reluctant Beowulf back through magical force before he can fall.
The battle ends as abruptly as it began, leaving scorched earth and battered trees behind.
Cut to: Shirou Kotomine's Hideout:
In a cavernous, candle-lit room, the Masters of Red lie unconscious, sprawled across the floor.
Above them stands Shirou Kotomine, his face serene, his arms etched with countless Command Seals, glowing faintly in the dark.
The true depth of his ambition is revealed — but not yet fully understood.
In the distance, There are servants hidden from view for now, their contents unknown.
The war has only just begun...
and Riya's path grows bloodier by the day.