Abnormality In Type-Moon: Madness Of Animeverse

At the Aozaki Residence.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Nakano Ichika woke up simultaneously from the dream world, gasping for air as if they had been pulled from the depths of a nightmare. Their faces were pale, reflecting their lingering fear and unease.

"Ichika, are you okay?"

Nakano Miku, startled by their sudden movements, rushed over to check on Ichika. She handed her a glass of water, concern written all over her face.

"Just barely…" Ichika muttered, still shaken. She accepted the glass and took a sip, hoping to calm the tempest of emotions raging within her.

On the other side, Hayasaka Ai passed a glass of water to Utaha.

"Congratulations, girls. You've taken another step forward," Aozaki Touko remarked dryly, her sharp gaze flicking to the still-unmoving figures of Tohsaka Rin and Illya. Her tone implied she already knew their mission hadn't gone smoothly.

"Now, who among you feels calm enough to explain what happened in the dream?"

From the courtyard outside, Aozaki Aoko leaned against the doorway, her silhouette outlined by the faint light of dawn. "I'll take any details you can give me."

"I'll do it," Utaha volunteered, standing up with deliberate composure.

She described the nightmare realm, recounting the eerie landscape and the monstrous entity that had dominated their experience. Her words painted a vivid picture of the horrors they had faced, leaving the room heavy with tension.

"A curse spirit…" Touko mused aloud, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "So, this is Angra Mainyu's scheme."

She didn't seem entirely surprised, as though she had anticipated such a move.

"Well then, Aoko, it seems it's your turn to step in."

"Can't do it," Aoko replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Touko froze, her expression souring. "What do you mean, 'can't do it'? Roy is in danger! Surely the rules don't apply to dreamscapes?"

"They do," Aoko admitted, letting out a frustrated sigh as she scratched the back of her head. "I can't intervene without a… nudge, you know? Something giving me the push to act. I've felt it before, twice actually, but this time, I don't sense anything urging me forward."

"Twice?" Touko frowned, her mind racing. "You've intervened twice before because of some mysterious force? And now it's absent?"

"Exactly."

The implications weren't lost on Touko. Her gut told her this "push" wasn't simple happenstance. But there was no time to dwell on that. Right now, Roy's survival was what mattered most.

Suddenly, a clear chime echoed through the house.

Ding-ding-ding.

The sound of wind chimes broke the silence, jolting everyone's attention.

"Someone's breached the barrier," Touko said grimly, her expression darkening. "At a time like this? Who could it be?"

The barrier surrounding the Aozaki residence was connected to wind chimes at the entrance, which rang whenever the protective wards were disturbed. With Roy incapacitated, Aoko restricted, and everyone else preoccupied, an intruder could spell disaster.

"I'll handle it."

Aoko pushed off from the doorway, heading toward the front courtyard. Though she couldn't take offensive action, self-defense was fair game, and as a mage who could manipulate time, her defensive capabilities were second to none.

The gate creaked open, revealing a Servant standing on the other side.

The figure exuded an aura of overwhelming malice, as if steeped in resentment from the depths of hell. Yet, surprisingly, they showed no hostility. Their weapon remained sheathed, and their gaze carried a curious humility.

"You are?" Aoko asked cautiously.

The Servant hesitated before bowing slightly. "May I come in?"

"…Are you serious?" Aoko blinked, utterly taken aback by the strange request. "You're a Servant, aren't you? You've fought Roy before. Why would I let you in?"

The Servant didn't lift their head. "I… I know how this looks. But Roy is in trouble, isn't he? I want to help him."

"You? Help him?"

"Yes. This isn't my Master's order. It's my personal decision," the Servant insisted, their tone earnest.

Aoko raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's hardly a reason for me to trust you."

"Please!" The Servant lowered themselves further, their posture almost groveling. Despite the intense resentment clinging to them, their demeanor was pitifully meek.

"I swear I mean no harm. I was… compelled to come here by a force I can't explain. Something is guiding me to assist Roy. If you don't believe me—"

"Wait." Aoko held up a hand, her gaze sharpening. "What did you just say?"

The Servant blinked, confused. "That I was compelled by a force?"

"I see. That explains everything." Aoko let out a soft sigh, her earlier wariness melting into reluctant understanding.

"Come in."

The Servant hesitated, clearly not expecting such an easy acquiescence. Still, they wasted no time stepping into the courtyard. Following an invisible pull, they navigated through the house until they reached the main bedroom.

Inside, they found a group of women surrounding the unconscious Roy. The scene gave them pause.

Their expression twisted slightly, a mix of bewilderment and subtle disapproval. This is what he's been up to?

Before anyone could react, Touko's sharp voice broke the silence. "You… You're that Servant!"

She recognized the intruder immediately. Footage from her familiars had captured this Servant during their first confrontation with Roy.

"No time for introductions." The Servant brushed off Touko's alarm, walking toward an empty spot on the floor. "Send me into the dream world as well."

"What?" Touko blinked in disbelief.

The Servant knelt on a spare futon, closing their eyes as if preparing for battle. Their resolute demeanor left no room for argument.

"What are you even doing here? And how did Aoko let you in?" Touko demanded, her tone incredulous.

"It's fine, Touko," Aoko said, stepping into the room. She wore her signature lazy smile, though her eyes betrayed her own confusion. "She's here to help. Trust me on this one."

"…Fine." Though clearly reluctant, Touko set to work preparing the spell.

As she sent the Servant into the dream, she couldn't shake the feeling that she might come to regret this decision.

"Let's hope I didn't just make a huge mistake…"

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