Fate/Eclipsed Stars (Project Moon/Fate Grand Order)

The group trudged through the desolate ruins of Fuyuki, their footsteps echoing faintly amidst the crackling embers and distant whispers of the dead city. Angela walked ahead of the group, her cold gaze scanning the surroundings. Her weapon—a thorned club ending in a skeletal head—had been dematerialized back into her book, which she held tightly in one hand. Behind her, Mash, Ritsuka, Olga, and Cu Chulainn followed, their expressions reflecting the exhaustion from both the journey and the battle.

Olga huffed, brushing soot from her coat. "I can't believe we're stuck walking through this hellhole. This is disgraceful."

Cu chuckled lightly, leaning his staff against his shoulder. "You get used to it. Besides, it's a great way to keep the blood pumping."

Angela glanced back once. "You all look like you've never walked before," she remarked dryly.

Olga frowned, brushing soot from her pristine attire. "Excuse me if we're not accustomed to the… whatever you call this exercise," she snapped. "Unlike some of us, I wasn't designed to be a combatant."

Angela didn't look back. "Complaining will not change the circumstances. Save your energy for what lies ahead."

Ritsuka chuckled nervously, "We'll be fine, right? It's not like things can get worse…"

Cu Chulainn snorted, walking casually with his staff slung over his shoulder. "Don't tempt fate, kid. Trust me, the Grail's nasty surprises have a way of finding you."

Olga staggered slightly, her exhaustion becoming evident. Mash quickly stepped forward to steady her. "Director, please, let's take a moment to rest," Mash urged.

Olga scowled, muttering under her breath. Ritsuka attempted to lighten the mood, his tone nervous but hopeful. "Fine we'll rest after finding a safer spot soon. Let's just keep moving."

---

The group settled in a small clearing amidst the rubble. Cu lounged against a shattered wall, his staff propped nearby. Angela stood apart from the group, her expression unreadable as she traced her fingers over the cover of her book.

Mash sat beside Ritsuka, her shield resting on the ground beside her. She fidgeted slightly, her gaze distant and filled with uncertainty.

"Something wrong, Mash?" Ritsuka asked, noticing her unease.

Mash hesitated, then nodded. "Senpai… I don't think I can protect you properly."

Ritsuka tilted his head, his brows furrowing. "What do you mean? You've been doing great so far."

Mash looked down, her grip tightening on her shield. "I don't know the name or full power of my Noble Phantasm. Without it… I'm incomplete. A defective Servant."

Before Ritsuka could respond, Romani's hologram flickered to life. "It's more important than you might realize, Ritsuka," he explained, his voice calm but serious. "A Noble Phantasm is the crystallization of a Heroic Spirit's legend—their ultimate weapon or ability. Without it, Mash is at a significant disadvantage."

Mash lowered her head further. "If I can't even access my Noble Phantasm, how can I call myself a proper Servant?"

Ritsuka frowned. "But that doesn't mean she's useless, right? Mash is still protecting me just fine."

Cu pushed off the wall, his grin returning. "Well, there's a simple way to fix that."

Mash blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Cu twirled his staff, his tone light but firm. "You don't know your Noble Phantasm? Fine. Let's push you until you figure it out. I'll attack, and you'll protect your Master."

Olga shot up, her voice sharp. "Have you lost your mind?! This is reckless!"

Angela tilted her head slightly, her expression impassive. "It may be reckless, but it's not without merit."

"Relax," Cu said, waving a hand. "What better way to push her limits? Don't worry, I won't kill the kid. Probably."

"Cu…" Mash's voice trembled. "I don't think—"

Cu's grin faded, his tone turning stern. "Listen, kid. You're worried about not being able to protect your Master, right? The only way to get stronger is to face your doubts head-on. If you can't handle this, how are you gonna handle what's ahead?"

Mash's eyes widened as she processed his words. After a moment, she nodded, her grip on her shield tightening. "I… I understand. Let's do it."

Ritsuka stepped back nervously. "Uh, Mash? Are you sure about this?"

Mash gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Please trust me, Senpai. I'll protect you."

---

The group moved to an open area, and Cu took his position a few meters away. He spun his staff lazily, his grin returning. "Alright, here we go. Don't hold back, little lady."

Mash raised her shield, her posture tense but determined. "I won't let you hurt Senpai!"

Cu charged without warning, his staff glowing faintly as he struck swiftly with a fireball directed toward Ritsuka. Mash intercepted him with her shield, the clash ringing out with a sharp metallic echo.

"Not bad," Cu said with a grin. "But let's see if you can keep up."

He attacked again, his strikes faster and more forceful. Mash blocked each one, though the strain began to show in her trembling arms.

"You've got good instincts," Cu admitted. "But instincts alone won't save you."

He feinted left before striking right. Mash barely managed to block, stumbling slightly. Cu pressed the advantage, forcing her back step by step.

Ritsuka watched anxiously. "Hang in there, Mash!"

Mash gritted her teeth, her determination growing with each strike she blocked. "I won't let you through," she said firmly.

Cu suddenly stepped back, spinning his staff with a grin. "Alright, time to turn up the heat."

The air around him shimmered with energy as he began to chant. "Sins of man… Turn to ash along with disaster. Wicker Man!!"

Mash's eyes widened in fear, but she planted her shield firmly into the ground. "I won't run… I won't let you down, Senpai!"

A massive flame giant erupted from the ground, its fiery form towering over the battlefield. The Wicker Man raised its colossal fist, aiming directly for Mash and Ritsuka.

Mash's eyes widened in fear, but she planted her shield firmly into the ground. "I won't let you through!"

The Wicker Man's fist descended, and Mash's thoughts raced. Memories of her time with Ritsuka flashed before her eyes—their bond, their trust, their shared struggles.

"I'm not useless… I'm not defective! I will protect senpai!" she shouted.

A brilliant light erupted from her shield, surging upward to meet the Wicker Man's strike. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, scattering the flames into embers.

Mash's voice rang out, steady and unwavering. "I will protect you, Senpai. No matter what."

The light faded, revealing Mash standing tall, her shield glowing faintly. Cu whistled, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, look at that. You've got some fight in you after all."

Ritsuka ran to Mash's side, his eyes wide with awe. "That was amazing, Mash! You were incredible!"

Mash smiled, her exhaustion evident but overshadowed by her newfound confidence. "Thank you, Senpai."

Olga crossed her arms, her tone begrudging. "Well, I suppose you're not entirely useless after all."

Romani's hologram flickered to life, his face beaming with pride. "Great job, Mash! That was your Noble Phantasm!"

Mash looked at her shield, her smile faltering slightly. "But… I don't know its name."

Olga scoffed, tapping her chin. "Well, maybe from fighting you can sense the name?"

Cu chuckled. "Not bad for a test run. Now let's see if you can keep that up when the real fight comes."

Angela see the crowd surrounding Mash praising her reminiscing her past. What if her creator notice her and not ignore her? What if her torture in that hell following the script won't be so tormenting if someone or anybody help her?

Angela perish the though and remember her objective of obtaining the One True Book to make her whole, to prove to her creator once and for all.

---

A/N:A short one but the next one is longer. Very long in fact and the final of fuyuki singularity

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