Fate/Grand Order - Monkey King

[3rd POV]

Kinto'un sliced through the sky at high speed, shooting toward Fafnir. The dragon let out a deafening roar as he swung a colossal claw at me.

The wind howled in response, the force of the blow making the air itself vibrate. I planted my feet firmly on the cloud, leaning my body to the side.

Kinto'un responded instantly, gliding in a graceful arc to evade the strike and spiraling around Fafnir's scaly arm, leaving a golden trail behind.

The dragon, with a furious flap of his wings that shook the clouds, opened his jaws and lunged after me.

At the peak of the climb, I spun my body in midair.

"Grow!" I shouted, and the staff stretched instantly, expanding to fifty meters.

Gripping the staff with both hands, I struck with a sudden upward swing, smashing into Fafnir's jaw. The brutal sound of the impact echoed across the sky, forcing the dragon's head back.

He turned his gaze to me, full of hatred.

It seemed like I had made him angry.

I thought with a grin, as our fight turned into a dance across the sky.

Fafnir charged with fury, his claws slicing the air, while Kinto'un barely dodged, spinning and diving. Our attacks clashed midair—my staff slamming into his draconic tail, the sound of the collisions echoing like thunder.

But suddenly, he pulled back, opening his mouth as flames surged from his throat. The magical pressure felt suffocating until Jeanne raised her banner and struck Fafnir's skull, halting the attack.

"Don't you dare! He's mine, and I'm going to kill him!" she screamed, turning to me with eyes full of obsessive hatred, a cruel smile forming on her lips.

My fingers, tense around the Ruyi Jingu Bang, relaxed. That last attack was dangerous—it felt like it could erase a city from the map. Honestly, I was ready to summon my Noble Phantasm, but I guess that wasn't necessary.

I thought, looking down to see Jeanne chasing after me on the back of the black dragon.

Let's get the beautiful Black Saint off this giant lizard first, right, Kinto'un?

As if responding to my thoughts, the cloud spun in a dizzying loop before diving toward Fafnir like a golden arrow. The dragon roared, his wings flapping with renewed strength as he sped toward me. His claws stretched out, tearing the sky in a diagonal slash.

"Heavy!" I muttered, making the staff grow unbearably heavy in my hands. I flexed my arm, twisted my body, and hurled the Ruyi Jingu Bang with all my might.

The weapon collided with Fafnir's claw in a thunderous explosion. The impact shook the air, shattering scales and sending a shower of dark blood raining to the earth, followed by a guttural roar of agony.

Seizing the moment, I crouched briefly before launching myself forward, leaving Kinto'un behind as it vanished into the mist.

While Fafnir writhed in pain, I grabbed Jeanne by the waist, yanking her off the dragon's back.

Her eyes widened, but before she could scream or react, I pulled her down with me. Together, we plummeted from the sky, the world around us becoming a blur, the wind's roar drowning everything as we fell like a shooting star.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Jeanne screamed, slamming her flaming banner against my back.

With the Monkey King's Robe tanking the damage, I gave a faint smile. "We're falling… in love."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're the strangest creature I've ever met," she said, twisting her wrist and firing a burst of flame at me.

The fire danced around me, but there was no time to burn because the ground was already beneath us.

We crashed into the earth like a meteor, the ground giving way with a deafening boom. A crater erupted around us, dust and debris flying in every direction. I felt several bones snap in my body, searing pain surging like a tidal wave, while Jeanne, flung to the side, spat blood, the dark liquid staining the ground. Our bodies rolled from the impact, finally stopping several meters apart.

I gasped for breath, the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth. For a first experience… it was fun. But I'm never doing this again.

I thought, trying to recover. But before I could move, the sky darkened above me. Fafnir dove down in a furious descent, one of his claws nearly mangled, and his eyes blazing with hate.

With a guttural roar, he whipped his tail toward me. The brutal strike smashed me deeper into the crater, over and over, crushing my internal organs.

He raised his tail and opened his mouth again, but Jeanne stood up, her body soaked in blood.

"Fafnir, I told you—he's mine!" she shouted, glaring at me with those eyes.

Hey! You're not in great shape either. I thought, as my body began to regenerate.

She walked toward me, lifted her left foot, and pressed it against my chest forcefully.

"Come on, scream for me!" She stomped harder—Jeanne wanted to hear me cry out.

"How does it feel to be stepped on like this?" she asked, lifting her foot again and slamming it down with more force.

"Sorry..." I raised my hand, catching her foot before it hit me again. "For now, I don't have any foot fetishes, so I can't really answer that," I said, blood dripping from my mouth.

"Hahahahahaha!" She burst into hysterical laughter. "I'll tear off your head, cut off your arms and legs, and keep you alive while I destroy that little saint right in front of you." She kicked my hand away and raised her sword.

"Let's start by removing that arm with the Command Seals—to teach that annoying girl a little lesson." Jeanne brandished her sword, and I flexed my arms, ready to defend myself, but…

"That's not elegant," a voice said, halting Jeanne's movement. "Not this city, not this fighting style. Frankly, I don't like your philosophy or your principles either. You're beautiful, but you wallow in blood and hatred." The voice was young and pleasant. "For better or worse, shouldn't a person seek to be freer?" The words seemed aimed at Jeanne, and they made her visibly more furious.

"Another damn Servant?!" Jeanne shouted, her voice dripping with rage.

I thought the same—minus the "damn" part.

A whistling sound cut through the air, and in the next instant, a peculiar object landed between us, making Jeanne leap back.

Immediately after, Okita appeared between us, brandishing her katana. With a swift motion, she pushed the dark-armored Servant further back.

"You really made a mess, huh?!" Nobunaga appeared at my side, casually hoisting me onto her shoulder.

Hmm, is this how Ritsuka feels? Is this some kind of cosmic payback?

You know, I haven't lost yet. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. But since it's warm… I'll enjoy the free ride.

"A little," I replied, as the two Servants who had fought mine now stood at Jeanne's side.

From Nobunaga's shoulder, I caught sight of the newcomer. A delicate-looking young woman with porcelain-like pale skin. Her light blue eyes shone intensely, and her long, snow-white hair radiated a regal aura. She wore an elegant red dress, crowned by one of the most peculiar hats I had ever seen—real or imagined.

"Definitely another Servant," I murmured, coughing up blood.

A nice, healthy blood-cough... of course.

"Yes, that's right! I'm so happy!" she exclaimed, nearly bursting with enthusiasm. "This is how a Heroine of Justice is supposed to make her entrance!"

She's… pretty flashy.

As I thought that, her blue eyes locked onto Jeanne Black. Okita jumped to my side, giving me a worried look, which I answered with a smile.

Don't worry—I'm doing just fine.

"I know who you are," the new Servant declared, addressing Jeanne. "I also know how powerful and terrifying you can be. Truth be told, I've never trembled in fear before anyone. But if you intend to destroy this nation, I'll stand against you—even if I have to tear my dress. You must be wondering why, and the answer is..." She paused dramatically, very theatrically.

"Wait! You're not…" The Berserker Saber, whose identity I still didn't know, widened their eyes as they looked at the flamboyant Servant.

"Oh? You know my True Name? Have we met before, splendid knight?" Far from offended by the interruption, the young woman answered with a radiant smile.

Jeanne Alter, realizing Berserker Saber recognized the newcomer, turned to them in fury. "You know who this pest is?!" Her tone was seething. As her subordinate remained silent, the Dragon Witch glared at them with a threatening expression. "Answer me," she ordered, in a tone that demanded obedience, forcing them to speak.

"I can say who she is, even with murderous rage burning in my heart," They replied, eyes locked on the beautiful Servant. "Her beauty is as unmistakable now as it was in life."

They paused briefly before continuing.

"She is the Flower of Versailles… Marie Antoinette."

I blinked, surprised. That was unexpected. I didn't think I'd run into a former French queen here.

You'd better stay far away from the guillotine.

"That's right!" Marie Antoinette confirmed with a wide smile.

"Thank you for saying my name, splendid knight!" The joy on her face shifted into a more determined gleam, a hint of resolve in her voice and gaze.

"And as long as that name exists, I will play my role-no matter how foolish it may seem."

••• ••• •••

Don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me.

(Marie Antoinette - Character Image)