Location: Leonel's Room – Morning
The soft sunlight filtering through the window was the first thing to greet Leonel upon waking... or at least, that's what he hoped. Instead of the usual morning tranquility, something... or rather, someone... was weighing down on him.
He slowly opened his eyes, feeling a strange warmth and a feminine presence on top of him. The first thing he saw was loose blonde hair, a decorative pirate hat askew, and a wild grin accompanied by sparkling green eyes looking at him shamelessly.
—Good morning, treasure —Francis Drake greeted, her tone playful and voice hoarse from just waking up, while her chest brazenly pressed against Leonel's.
—D-Drake? What are you doing here...? —Leonel stammered, trying to sit up a bit, but his movements were interrupted when Drake, wasting no time, kissed him passionately.
The kiss was as sudden as it was intense, stealing all his breath, until Drake pulled away with a mischievous smile.
—I owed you this from last time. You had a debt to settle with me, right? —she said, winking at him.
Leonel barely had time to respond when the door swung open.
—Leonel!! Are you coming to breakfas...!?
The melodious voice of Nero Claudius stopped abruptly upon seeing the scene.
—W-WHAT IS THIS?! —she shouted, marching into the room with vigorous steps.
Kiyohime and Tamamo no Mae were right behind her, and their reactions were no less intense.
—Leonel-sama...! How could you let THAT pirate be on top of you first...?! —Kiyohime shrieked, immediately activating her yandere side.
—Ohhh no no no! This is unfair! I had plans to wake you up like this on Monday! —Tamamo protested, puffing out her cheeks in indignation.
Leonel, trapped in the sheets with Drake still on top of him and the other three girls approaching like an elite squad, could only sigh internally. The romantic chaos had begun again.
—Girls, please, I can expla...
—We want kisses too! —the three shouted in unison.
Drake rose triumphantly, giving the others a sly look.
—First come, first serve. Isn't that how treasure works?
—We'll see about that! —Nero retorts as she lunges for Leonel's lips with imperial determination.
Tamamo follows seconds later, cupping Leonel's face gently in her hands to gift him a long, affectionate kiss, with a little bite at the end to mark her territory.
Kiyohime, jealous but in love, looks at him intensely before kissing his forehead, then his cheek... and finally his lips, softly but obsessively.
Leonel, now fully awake (and red as a tomato), simply surrendered to his fate.
—Another day in Chaldea... —he whispered to himself, as he was pampered, kissed, and practically devoured with love by his harem.
Outside the window, a digital bird chirped cheerfully. Meanwhile, Mash, Jeanne, and Artoria, who were passing by in the hallway, heard the commotion inside the room.
—Not again... —Mash whispered, gripping her shield in frustration.
—Why can't I stop looking? —Jeanne wondered, on the verge of giving in to her feelings.
Artoria, red to the tips of her ears, closed her eyes and quickened her pace, muttering:
—This is indecent... but... why does my chest ache a little?
Location: Chaldea Main Cafeteria – Noon
The atmosphere in Chaldea's cafeteria was lively and warm. The murmur of Servants enjoying their meals mixed with the soft clinking of cutlery. At a central table, Leonel was surrounded by four presences that did not go unnoticed.
Drake, with her typical wild smile, took a long swig of her drink while using her other hand to offer Leonel a piece of meat.
—Come on, treasure, open up —she said mischievously, winking.
—I was going to feed him first! —Nero protested, standing up energetically and holding a forkful of pasta, clearly ready for a romantic counterattack.
Kiyohime, curled up on Leonel's other side, looked at him with overflowing adoration, as if she might melt from love at any moment.
—Leonel-sama, your lunch won't taste the same if it doesn't come from my hands... please, let me pamper you —she whispered with dangerous sweetness.
Tamamo no Mae smiled calmly, but with a sharp gaze that showed she had no intention of losing this competition.
—Fufu~ my dear husband needs energy... and I will give it to him with love, affection, and magical protein.
Leonel, trapped between caresses, giggles, and spoons, just sighed and allowed his partners, in turns, to pamper him with bites and sporadic kisses.
From another table, Mash watched them with a gloomy expression, poking a salad listlessly.
—I would also like to... —she murmured to herself.
Jeanne, sitting beside her, tried to ignore the scene, but her red cheeks and constant glances away betrayed her inner discomfort.
—It doesn't affect me... it doesn't affect me... It doesn't affect me! —she mentally repeated to herself.
Beside her, Artoria pretended to be totally focused on her tea, though her red ears said otherwise.
—Why do I feel this pressure in my chest...?
Meanwhile, in a more distant corner of the cafeteria, Jeanne Alter stood with her arms crossed, observing Leonel intently with a critical gaze.
—So this is the guy that silly saint is sighing over... hmmm... —she analyzed to herself, frowning—. He has potential... if I corrupt him, it could be interesting. Maybe... too interesting.
The romantic atmosphere was abruptly interrupted by the metallic screech of Chaldea's emergency intercoms.
—Leonel, report to the command center immediately! —the voice of Olga Marie rang out, clearly upset.
Leonel set down his fork with resignation.
—And just when dessert was about to arrive... —he murmured quietly, eliciting laughter from his companions.
—Then you'll have dessert when you get back, treasure! —Drake promised, winking at him.
—And more than one! —added Tamamo with a suggestive smile.
Nero, Kiyohime, and Tamamo stood up with him, following without hesitation. Behind them, Jeanne, Mash, Artoria, and Jeanne Alter also stood, each for her own reasons: jealousy, confusion, or simply a desire not to be left behind.
Emiya, still wearing his apron, came out of the kitchen wiping his hands, just in time to join the group.
—Another mission? Well... I've finished all the dishes. Guess I can go kick some ass now —he commented with his typical calm attitude.
And so, with a small procession behind him, Leonel walked with firm steps toward the command center, knowing that another battle for humanity's fate was about to begin.
Location: Chaldea Command Center – Minutes after Olga's Call
The doors to the command center opened with a mechanical and elegant sound. Leonel, followed by his personal entourage of Servants and companions, entered with firm steps. Despite the earlier commotion in the cafeteria, a solemn atmosphere reigned here.
Olga Marie, holding a holographic folder in her hand, turned as she saw them arrive.
—You're finally here! We have important news!
Romani, more relaxed but clearly concerned, greeted with a smile.
—Good morning, everyone. Sorry to interrupt your romantic breakfast, but we've just detected a new Singularity.
Da Vinci, with her characteristic cheerful energy, activated a screen showing an ancient map of Europe.
—Destination: London, year 1888. The entire city is engulfed in a dense, poisonous fog. It's not known for certain what's causing it, but the magical signs indicate the Holy Grail is involved.
Leonel observed the data attentively, though inside he already knew what was coming. "Jack the Ripper..." he thought, remembering the game. But if the Singularities are changing... I can't rely on that.
—Are there any known figures present? Active Servants? —he asked calmly.
—So far, no clear records —Romani replied—. But the mana levels are unstable... there are probably several Servants involved.
Leonel turned to his Servants.
—Alright... who's coming with me this time?
Tamamo, still with her kimono slightly disheveled from the breakfast events, lazily raised her hand.
—My adorable husband, I'll pass this time. I'm still exhausted from our trek through Okeanos. I need a day of beauty and magic... and maybe plan something special for your return, fufu~.
Leonel swallowed hard.
—S-something special?
Nero stretched like an empress tired on her throne.
—Ufufu, I will also abstain. I must prepare an imperial evening worthy of your return, Leonel! With music, wine, and passion!
Kiyohime simply looked at him with fiery eyes and a sweet smile.
—I have something... very, very special planned for you when you return. So, please... survive.
Leonel broke into a cold sweat.
—...Duly noted.
Drake, leaning on a console, got up suddenly with a wild grin.
—A mission in London?! Count me in, treasure! I have debts with that city. Besides, someone has to keep you sober.
Mash stepped forward confidently.
—Wherever you go, I will go, Senpai. Always.
Artoria, serious as ever, looked up at the image of London on the screen.
—That place... was my home. I cannot ignore this. I will go as well.
Jeanne, arms crossed, sighed.
—This time I'll stay. I want... to reflect on some things.
Leonel looked at her curiously but nodded without pressure.
Emiya, arms crossed, seemed to ponder the situation.
—London sounds interesting... but if I leave the kitchen, Chaldea descends into chaos. Did you know Olga threatened to close the cafeteria if the curry ran out again?
Olga, from her corner, yelled: —And I'll do it again!
Finally, a familiar but heavily ironic voice was heard from the back.
—I'll go. —Jeanne Alter appeared, walking slowly with her arms crossed—. Not for you, of course. I just want... to observe. To study you. See if you're someone worthy of me when the other "me" isn't around.
Jeanne the Ruler, from the entrance, slowly turned her face towards Alter.
—Excuse me?
—Nothing, little sis —Jeanne Alter replied with a mocking smile.
Jeanne fell silent, but a chill ran down her spine.
—...Something bad is going to happen —she murmured to herself.
Romani clapped once the team was confirmed.
—Very well. Leonel, Mash, Drake, Artoria, and Jeanne Alter will form the main team. Get ready. You depart in one hour.
Leonel took a deep breath and looked at his team.
It wasn't the most balanced... but it was the one he had.
And that was enough.
—Let's put an end to this fog... and find out just what the hell is happening with the Singularities.
Location: London, 1888 – Singularity Entry Zone
The ring of light from the magical teleportation faded slowly, leaving Leonel's team standing in the middle of a dense, thick grayish fog. The ground beneath their feet was damp and muddy, and the air felt heavy, laden with an intangible substance that slightly scraped the throat... at least, if you weren't prepared for it.
Leonel took a step forward, observing his surroundings. The sky was a dark canvas, barely visible through the opaque layer of fog covering everything. Sunlight barely managed to filter through, turning the city into an ethereal limbo.
—Can't see a thing... —he murmured, squinting.
The voice of Tezcatlipoca resonated in his mind.
—It's not just fog, little one. This... is a magical veil, laden with hatred and death. It doesn't come from nature, but from something... cursed.
Mash, right beside him, held her shield firmly.
—Initial analysis confirms the presence of harmful magical particles in the air, but thanks to our connection, Senpai, you are protected by my defenses. The poison won't harm you.
Leonel nodded in relief. The Servants, for their part, didn't seem affected in the slightest. Artoria, with her sword in hand, scanned the blurry outlines through the fog with her eyes; Drake spun her pistol with a relaxed but alert smile; and Jeanne Alter simply crossed her arms in annoyance.
—Is this the best this supposed "Singularity" can do? A city with zero visibility that smells like dead fish. Fascinating.
Leonel closed his eyes for a few seconds, trying to use his knowledge from the game to identify the exact location, but he couldn't recognize anything. The streets, the buildings, the sounds... everything was distorted.
—I can't get my bearings. There are no landmarks —he said with frustration.
Then, Tezcatlipoca spoke gravely:
—Leonel. Something is approaching. Not human. Not natural.
Everyone tensed up. Mash raised her shield, Drake took aim, Artoria shifted her sword into a guard position, and Jeanne Alter... simply smiled.
From within the fog, light footsteps were heard, almost as if someone were walking barefoot on puddles. Then, a soft whisper... childish. Innocent. And completely out of place:
—...Mommy?
The figure emerged. A girl with white hair, a small body, with visible scars on her arms and legs. Her eyes were dull, and in her hands, two sharp knives gleamed with murderous intent.
Leonel took an instinctive step back.
He knew her. There was no way he couldn't.
—Jack... the Ripper —he whispered, his words like a bucket of cold water.
—Huh? A little girl? —Drake asked, bewildered.
—Don't be fooled —Leonel said firmly—. She's an Assassin. Very dangerous.
Without warning, Jack lunged directly at Leonel, her knives aiming for his throat.
—Senpai!! —Mash shouted, blocking the attack with her shield.
CLANG
The blades struck Mash's defense with force, causing sparks. Jack jumped back with an expressionless face, as if she didn't understand why her attack hadn't worked.
Artoria stepped forward.
—Prepare for combat!
Drake grinned, raising her pistol.
—This just got interesting.
Jeanne Alter clicked her tongue with amusement.
—A crazy assassin, a hellish fog, and Leonel always surrounded by girls... Some things never change.
Leonel positioned himself behind Mash, quickly coordinating:
—Don't underestimate her. She's fast, silent, and lethal. Let's neutralize her!
And so, amid dancing blades, battle cries, and the cursed fog enveloping them like a living tomb, the new Singularity began.
And this time, the darkness was thicker than ever.