Fate: Zero to Hero

Sion then spoke as she looked at them. "I hope the other are doing well".

Scathach looked at as she spoke. "I mean how bad can they have".

Meanwhile in that of Vanaheim, Kadoc, Anastasia, Achilles, Atalanta and the shadow Aozaki was falling from the sky, teleportation went wrong again.

As the group plummeted through the sky, their surroundings a blur of swirling colors and the harsh winds of Vanaheim, Kadoc's voice echoed in the air, tinged with both frustration and exasperation.

"Why do I always fall?" he muttered, gritting his teeth as he transformed into his Infinite Ice Mode. The frigid aura of his new form emanated, slowing their descent and giving him control over the icy winds around them. The cold worked in his favor, allowing him to stabilize himself and the others mid-fall.

Anastasia, eyes wide, looked at Kadoc and the others. "I don't know, but this is definitely not how I imagined entering a new realm."

Achilles, grinning despite the chaotic situation, readied himself. "Well, at least we're not landing in the middle of a battlefield this time. And besides, we get to make a grand entrance."

Atalanta smirked, her sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. "You say that now, Achilles, but wait until we hit the ground. Not all entrances are worth it."

Aozaki, the shadow version of herself, remained eerily calm amidst the chaos. Her presence alone radiated a chilling and ominous air. "We will survive the fall. You should be more concerned with what awaits us down there."

The group finally made contact with the ground in Vanaheim, rolling gracefully as they landed. The soft impact of their landing was a result of their quick thinking and teamwork, though they couldn't fully avoid the harsh terrain that greeted them. Standing up, they dusted themselves off and surveyed the new environment.

Vanaheim's sky was a mix of vibrant colors, the golden light filtering through the trees that stretched high into the heavens. The trees were enormous, their trunks almost like towering pillars, and the ground beneath their feet was soft but uneven, covered in moss and strange plants that glowed with an ethereal light.

Kadoc, still in his Infinite Ice Mode, exhaled deeply. "Alright, enough falling. Let's get the job done."

Anastasia looked at their surroundings, noticing the distant presence of other beings. "There's something strange about this place... I can feel the magic in the air, but it's not like anything I've felt before."

Atalanta nodded in agreement. "It's... unsettled. We need to stay cautious."

Achilles cracked his neck, ready for anything. "Fine by me. Whatever's out there, we'll handle it."

Aozaki remained silent, her eyes narrowed. "Let's move. We're not here to explore; we're here to finish our mission."

The group quickly adjusted, deciding to press forward through the dense forest of Vanaheim, hoping to find clues about the Bifrost seal and any other challenges that awaited them. Despite the tension of the unknown, each member of the group knew that together, they could face whatever trials the world had in store for them.

The group was waking, as then Kadoc looked at Shadow Aozaki. "Quick question, not all of Ritsuka Umbrel Summons can talk, but you are one of the few one who can".

The Shadows Aozaki just looked at Kadoc as it spoke. "It is probably because I am of a higher rank".

Kadoc raised an eyebrow at Shadow Aozaki's response, the cold aura surrounding him making his expression even more intense. "Higher rank, huh? Care to elaborate on that?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Shadow Aozaki's eyes gleamed as she shifted her weight slightly, her presence almost unnerving. "Simply put, I'm not just some low-tier summon, Kadoc. Unlike many of the others Ritsuka calls forth, I am of a more advanced nature. My connection to the shadows, my origins, my abilities—they all place me at a higher level in the hierarchy of summons."

Anastasia, walking beside Kadoc, glanced over at the shadowy version of Aozaki. "So, you're telling us you're not just a mere shadow copy of the original? Interesting," she remarked, a touch of skepticism in her voice.

Shadow Aozaki's lips curved into something resembling a smile, though it was more chilling than anything comforting. "I suppose you could say that. My existence transcends simple replication. There's more to me than just a shadow. But even so, I am still bound by Ritsuka's will. I simply choose to communicate more openly."

Kadoc snorted, his eyes narrowing. "So you're saying you're special because you talk and are stronger than the others? I'm guessing you're not just here to make witty remarks."

Aozaki's shadowy form took a moment to process his question before answering. "That's one way to put it. But ultimately, my role is to assist in the mission, not to become a spectacle. I am here to ensure that things go smoothly and help where needed. And perhaps, my higher rank allows me to perceive things others might miss."

Atalanta, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, her tone light but with a hint of amusement. "So, you're the brains and the power behind the shadows, huh? Good to know we have someone who's actually useful with us."

Kadoc smirked, eyeing Aozaki. "Guess we'll see just how useful you are when we run into trouble. I don't know about you, but I'm not here to babysit any summons—no matter how 'special' they think they are."

The Shadow Aozaki didn't respond to the jab, her eyes scanning the forest around them as they continued their journey. The atmosphere in Vanaheim seemed to grow heavier with each step, as if the very trees and earth were watching them. Yet, the air was still, almost too still.

Anastasia's ice wall shimmered with a deep blue glow as the elemental spears slammed into it, creating a resounding crash that echoed through the forest. The spears were made of various elements—fire, lightning, and earth—each one more destructive than the last. Yet, the wall held, cracks forming but not breaking entirely.

"Damn," Anastasia muttered, her focus sharp as she reinforced the ice with a burst of her magical energy. "I knew it was too quiet."

Achilles, never one to shy away from a fight, was the first to react. His golden armor gleamed in the light as he drew his spear, ready to strike. "This is getting interesting. They're not wasting any time," he said with a grin, his eyes scanning the forest for any signs of the attackers.

Atalanta was already in motion, her bow drawn as she nocked an arrow, aiming at the treetops. "We don't have time to wait for them to reveal themselves. Whoever is behind this is already making their move. I suggest we take them out first."

The air around them seemed to crackle with tension as the elemental attacks continued, each one seeming to aim for the gaps in Anastasia's ice wall. Shadow Aozaki, remaining calm despite the chaos around her, raised her hand slightly. A low hum resonated from the shadows at her feet, and suddenly, a shadowy tendril shot out, wrapping around one of the elemental spears, pulling it away from the group and redirecting it harmlessly into the air.

"Nice save," Achilles remarked, eyes narrowing as he scanned the surroundings. "But this isn't enough. We need to deal with the source of these attacks."

Just as he finished speaking, a sudden shift in the air made everyone tense. A figure stepped out from behind the trees, draped in dark, flowing robes. Their presence felt almost unnatural—like the very air grew heavier with each step they took. A pair of glowing, ethereal eyes pierced through the darkness, watching the group intently.

"Well, well. It seems the invaders have arrived," the figure said, their voice cold and menacing. "I was hoping to test my new creations on more… worthy opponents, but I suppose you'll do."

The figure raised their hand, and from the shadows, several more of those elemental spears materialized, swirling around them like an ominous storm.

Atalanta drew her bow again, her fingers steady as she aimed. "Looks like we found the mastermind."

Anastasia's ice wall cracked slightly, but it was still holding strong. "We need to take them down quickly, or we'll be overwhelmed."

Shadow Aozaki stepped forward, her calm demeanor unwavering as she faced the figure. "We don't have time to waste," she said, her voice laced with authority. "Attack now, before they can prepare any more tricks."

With that, the group leaped into action. Achilles charged forward first, his spear crackling with divine energy. Atalanta followed quickly behind, her arrows launching with deadly precision, each one aimed at the figure's weak spots. Anastasia and Shadow Aozaki worked together, Anastasia conjuring ice shields and barriers to protect the group while Aozaki manipulated the shadows to disrupt the flow of the elemental spears, forcing them off-course.

The figure laughed softly, the sound echoing ominously in the stillness of Vanaheim. "You think you can stop me? You are nothing but pawns in a game far beyond your understanding."

Anastasia, observing from the back of the group, narrowed her eyes. "Then let's make sure we end this game quickly."

As the group clashed with the mysterious figure, the shadows around them seemed to twist and writhe, and the elemental attacks grew fiercer. But with their combined strength and coordination, the tide of battle began to shift.

Shadow Aozaki, finally moved forward, as she punched and sent the god back. "I've had enough of this," he growled, and with a single of her Shadow tendrils, she shattered a group of elemental spears, sending shards of ice and fire flying in all directions.

The mysterious figure flinched, clearly surprised by the unexpected strength of Tank's strike. "Impossible… You shouldn't have the power to…"

But before the figure could finish their sentence, Achilles was upon them, spear raised. With a single, powerful thrust, he pierced the figure's chest, the divine energy in his spear overwhelming whatever dark magic the figure had been using to protect themselves.

The figure let out a guttural scream as they collapsed to the ground, their body dissipating into a cloud of dark mist.

The battle ended almost as quickly as it had begun. The group stood panting, their weapons still drawn and ready for any further attacks.

Kadoc was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the silence. "That was just a puppet, wasn't it?"

Anastasia nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I thought so. They were too focused on testing us, too… theatrical."

Achiky grunted, lowering his spear. "No one messes with Master's team."

Kadoc, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "We should move quickly. The seal isn't going to destroy itself, and there may be more of these puppets waiting for us ahead."

With no more time to waste, the group continued onward, their focus sharpened. Whatever lay ahead in Vanaheim, they were ready to face it.

Kadoc looked at the group. "If they was a puppet, if means we are getting close or will landed close".

Anastasia then spoke. "And if that is a puppet, if meant what ever is depending the seal's is probably a puppet master".

Achilles then spoke think. "Is there like any god in Norse Mythology know for puppet, or just anyone on general like legends".

Kadoc rubbed his chin thoughtfully, thinking about their situation. "A puppet master... In Norse mythology, there isn't really a figure that specifically controls puppets, but there are a few trickster-like gods who manipulate others. Loki comes to mind, though he's more about causing chaos directly. But someone with the skill to manipulate people like that... could be a powerful seer or even a powerful spirit."

Anastasia frowned, adjusting her ice barrier as she looked around. "If we're dealing with someone who manipulates others from the shadows, it might be more than just Loki. There's also Hela, goddess of the dead. She controls the spirits of the dead in Niflheim, so maybe there's a connection."

Achilles scanned their surroundings warily. "Hmm, a puppet master, controlling from afar... We need to be careful. If we are getting close to the Bifrost seal, that means the person controlling these creatures wants to stop us, probably at any cost. Let's keep moving."

Shadow Aozaki, who had been silent until now, spoke in a low tone. "Someone who's controlling the elements and creating these puppets might be a sorcerer of high caliber... or maybe a cursed being with that kind of power."

Anastasia glanced at the shadow version of Aozaki and nodded. "Whatever it is, I don't like it. We need to find out who's behind this before they set their next trap."

The group prepared to move forward, each aware that the mysterious puppet master might be waiting just around the corner, pulling the strings of the next confrontation.

Atalanta then spoke looking at them. "Will it can be Loki he is on our side and with Ritsuka group, and it can't be Hella she is probably busy dealing with either Sion or if she wen to Helheim her domain probably dealing with Akuta team".

Kadoc nodded, considering Atalanta's point. "You're right. Loki has been working with us, and Hela wouldn't leave her domain unless there was a significant reason to. It's unlikely they'd be the ones behind this... But if it's someone pulling strings in the background, then we're dealing with someone else entirely."

Anastasia squinted ahead, her breath forming mist in the cold air. "Then who? If it's not Loki or Hela, we might be dealing with someone less known... Perhaps a forgotten figure, or someone from the old myths, someone lost in time but still holding power."

Achilles clenched his fists. "No matter who it is, they're using tricks and manipulation. We need to be on our toes and be ready for anything. At this point, I don't care who they are, just that we get through it."

The shadow version of Aozaki, who had been keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, chimed in. "If it's not Loki or Hela, it might be someone with a hidden agenda. A god or spirit from another realm, someone who would see the Bifrost sealed for their own purposes... or perhaps someone who has nothing to lose."

Kadoc turned to Aozaki, a little surprised at the insight. "Someone who has nothing to lose... I suppose that makes sense. They wouldn't need to answer to anyone. We'll need to proceed carefully and stay alert."

Atalanta's sharp eyes scanned the horizon. "Whatever it is, we won't let them win. We're here to stop this, and we're not leaving until we do."

The group nodded in agreement, setting off once more to find the source behind the mysterious attacks, knowing that the real challenge was just ahead.

To be continued

Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy