Fragments of the Lost [Fate/Grand Order] [Abandoned]

Chapter 31

"Ahhhh!" With a cry that rang in the underworld. A loud thud was heard.

Ereshkigal, the Goddess of the Underworld, is also a Pseudo-Servant just like Ishtar. Possesses Tohsaka Rin as her vessel of sorts. Ereshkigal looked at the person who fell into her underworld. Wondering who it was that fell and... Died?

"Magus of Flowers?" Ereshkigal looked at Merlin who lays on the cold floor. Face flat as the magical Caster but groaned. Huh, no wonder why his yells were so familiar. "H-How did you die this time? Did you die in another long event? Another mission? Were you targeted by Riders? Berserkers?" Ereshkigal panicked as she looked down at Merlin. Then again, that's why she's here of course!

Resurrecting the fallen Servants is one of her duties. As the Goddess of the Underworld, those that die fall into her domain.

"Ahhhh!"

THUD

"ANOTHER ONE?!" Ereshkigal panicked but at the same time, as morbidly as it sounds, she is happy that new company arrived. Mostly because...

She's lonely.

Not many have died for quite some time, besides Arash or Oda Nobukatsu. She swears... At this point, each time someone dies. It's always those two that appear, to the point where they usually discuss or have tea until the time for resurrection occurs.

"Emiya-Kun?!" Ereshkigal screeched as she realized who exactly died and fell into her domain. Quickly, Ereshkigal panicked and rushed to the bowman's side, ignoring Merlin who lifted his face from the ground, only to be shoved back down as Ereshkigal stepped over him and the back of his head. Causing the Incubus to simply stay face flat on the hard ground.

"Ah! Ah! How did this happen?!" Ereshkigal kneeled to Archer's side as the man simply groaned.

"Ishtar... No... Tohsaka happened..." Archer whispered. Loud enough for Ereshkigal to hear.

"W-what did my sister do?" Ereshkigal looked worried as Archer got up slowly. Sitting right on the ground as he sighs.

"I died... Because I got shaken to death."

"... Eh?" Ereshkigal held a poker face as she stared at Archer. She looked at the mirror in her underworld as it then showed footage of Ishtar shaking Archer as the man struggled against the Goddess's grip. With flam falling from his mouth, and eyes rolled back. The man simply then died there as he faded into particles. Ishtar realized what she did snd yelled in shock and freight.

"I killed him!" Ishtar yelled. Shocked as she realized what she did.

"You stupid goddess! Learn to control yourself!" Gilgamesh (Caster) yelled as everyone saw the Bowman die. Gilgamesh (Caster) repeatedly flicked Ishtar in the forehead. Cursing and yelling at her, for her stupidity.

"..." The mirror went blank as Ereshkigal just looked at the man. "What about Merlin?" Ereshkigal looked back to the mirror as footage began playing.

"RHONGOMYNIAD—"

Shut

Ereshkigal looked away from the mirror. That's enough context. But why Merlin got attacked is unknown to her as of yet. And Archer too...

"So why is it... That the both of you died?" She was too scared to know.

"Ahahaha!" Merlin stood up. "Well, you see... Let us speak of the King's tale. And this other tale! It all began when the King met an auburn-haired boy—"

Archer smacked Merlin with an enormous broadsword. Also known as the Buster Sword which he got from one of the world's Zelretch sent him... To "entertain" the wizard for a bit.

"What happened was..."

-~-

"I-I see... So that's what happened to the both of you. And it seems like Ishtar didn't take it very well... And Merlin well... Deserved it." Ereshkigal said who sweats at the tale. Mostly she blushed like a tomato as she now knows that Archer and the two adult versions of Artoria had quite the "moment".

"Yep... Quite frankly... I'm scared of what other misfortune I'll encounter once I get back up there. Also, if possible, can you resurrect me as soon as you can?"

"So quick to leave huh...?" Ereshkigal mumbled. A slight frown as she gazed saddened.

"You're allowed to leave the Underworld you know? It's not like you're forced to stay here all the time." Archer asked. "Besides, I have a kitchen to maintain. My shift is almost over."

"Understood." Ereshkigal nodded. Closing her eyes as she then raised her hand, then lowered it down, aiming right at where Archer is.

"Come stop by the kitchen. I'll be sure to make you something."

"H-huh?" Ereshkigal opened her eyes and blushed at the man's words.

"I'll whip you up something special. Consider it hospitality and thanks."

"Thanks? For what?"

"For all your hard work of course." Archer smirked. "It's because of you that we can all continue to help out Master. Resurrection and whatnot, but I feel like simple thanks aren't much for appreciation."

"I-It's fine Emiya-Kun..." Ereshkigal said, smiling a bit. "I just love to help with what I can... Simply thanks is all I really need."

"Even so... You work hard, don't you? At least... Come by when I'm working. I'll cook up something special. Besides, I'm sure many people would be glad to see you more often. Even Ishtar and Parvati... Saber... You're Ereshkigal, but you're also Tohsaka you know? I don't think I ever told you this when we were alive. But I really did admire you." Archer smiled earnestly at Ereshkigal. Disappearing from the Underworld.

"... That's just like you." Ereshkigal smiled. "But it's hypocritical of you to say such things. When you don't accept rewards or praise for your hard work, Emiya-Kun. But still... Not fair, leaving me like that with that final piece of information." She couldn't help but blush. Just like her sister, she too is Tohsaka Rin. While also being the Goddess Ereshkigal.

"Ahahaha~ Talk about a turn of events." Merlin smirked. "I truly can't wait to see what awaits in the future. Things are getting excited aren't they?!" Merlin grins.

"..." Ereshkigal looked at Merlin who only laughs. "You can stay down here for a bit." Ereshkigal said.

"E-Eh?!" Merlin then found himself inside a cage, locked inside as it fell upon him. He could not get out of the place. "Ah... Hey Goddess Ereshkigal, shouldn't you resurrect me as well? Ahahaha?" Merlin chuckled nervously. But saw as Ereshkigal turned and walked away. Leaving the man alone caged up.

"I suppose I did deserve this..." Merlin laughed despite his despair. This just makes things even more amusing!

Ereshkigal meanwhile clasped her hands up to her chest. Blushing as a saddened smile escaped from her. Thinking back to the Red Archer. She looked at the cage in her hand, staring at the soul.

Although the soul is silver, dull, worn-out... She can't help but be fond of it. She hugged the cage tightly.

Truly how saddening it is the way their fates turned out to be...

-~-

Word Count: 1151