Fate/Eclipsed Stars (Project Moon/Fate Grand Order)

The battlefield was silent for only a moment.

Then, Martha raised her staff.

Her voice rang out, clear and commanding, echoing across the burning village like a prayer laced with steel.

"Oh, dragon who never knew love's touch, come to me! Tarasque!"

A pulse of energy surged outward, shaking the ground beneath them. The air grew thick with an ominous presence, the scent of ash and embers suffocating as the very atmosphere seemed to bend under the weight of something colossal.

Then—a roar.

It started low, a deep tremor that rattled through bones and sent a shiver up the spine. Then, it rose into a monstrous bellow, shaking the very foundations of the village. The ground split apart as a massive shadow burst forth from the earth, showering dirt and debris in every direction.

A beast unlike any dragon Ritsuka had ever seen loomed over them. Its body was covered in thick, iron-like scales, its shell adorned with jagged spikes that gleamed in the firelight. Six massive, clawed legs dug into the earth, while a tail, lined with serrated spines, lashed behind it like a whip.

Tarasque had arrived.

Mash gasped. "That's—"

Mozart took a step back. "A giant turtle?"

Angela's golden eyes narrowed. "No. A Dragon."

The beast's glowing eyes locked onto them, its intelligence undeniable. It was not just a mindless monster. It was a force of nature, bound to Martha's will.

Martha exhaled, gripping her staff tightly. Then, without a moment's hesitation—

She swung her staff directly at Tarasque's head.

The massive dragon recoiled, but it wasn't in pain. It was launching itself forward.

Like a boulder fired from a catapult, Tarasque spun mid-air, retracting into his shell while fire come out of the dragon shell. His massive, bladed spikes gleamed as he turned into a living projectile, heading straight for the group.

"SCATTER!" Ritsuka yelled, instinct kicking in.

The team barely managed to dodge as Tarasque crashed into the ground, carving a deep trench through the village outskirts. The sheer force of impact sent buildings shaking as flames erupted from the beast's shell.

Mash barely raised her shield in time to deflect the wave of fire, her knees buckling under the sheer force of the attack. Angela, standing beside her, vanished in a flicker of movement, reappearing on higher ground with a critical gaze locked onto the beast.

Elizabeth twirled her spear, staring up at the beast in awe. "Wow. He's huge."

Kiyohime's eyes flickered, her lips curling into a smirk. "A dragon, is it? How exciting…"

"IT CAN SPIN?!" Ritsuka shouted in horror.

"That's… not normal," Mash muttered, bracing herself.

But there was no time to think. Tarasque launched itself toward the village, its massive shell acting as a spinning saw of death and destruction.

"Cu! Medusa! Der Freischütz! Hong Lu! Kiyohime!" Ritsuka shouted. "STOP THAT THING FROM DESTROYING THE VILLAGE!"

Kiyohime cracked her knuckles, her golden eyes glowing. "A turtle dares challenge me? This will be over quickly"

Cu grinned, spinning his spear. "Finally! Some action!"

Medusa tightened her grip on her chains. "Understood."

Hong Lu sighed dramatically. "Ah, babysitting the rampaging dragon? Fine, fine. Just don't let the rest of us die."

Der Freischütz cocked her rifle, smirking. "That thing looks like it'll be fun to hunt."

As the four rushed off to intercept the spinning Tarasque, Ritsuka turned to martha.

Martha stepped forward, slamming the butt of her staff into the ground. Her expression was one of resolve, but beneath it… there was sorrow.

"I will not hold back," she declared, her voice heavy with determination. "Show me your strength—or fall before it."

The tension snapped.

He turned, rapidly analyzing the battlefield. There was no way they could fight both Tarasque and Martha at once without casualties.

"Mash! Angela! Jeanne! Scorched Girl! Elizabeth!" Ritsuka barked. "Keep Martha occupied!"

Mash nodded, stepping forward with her shield raised. "Understood!"

Elizabeth twirled her spear with an eager smirk "Time to show the world how an idol fight"

Scorched Girl's embers flared. She didn't speak, but her blade ignited, burning a bright, fiery orange.

Angela's weapons shifted in her hands—her book glowing faintly as a twin serrated knife with a green glow formed in her grip. "I will assess her combat capabilities accordingly."

"Marie, Mozart," Ritsuka continued, "stay in the back and support them!"

Marie's usual cheerful demeanor darkened. "This won't be an easy fight."

Mozart scoffed. "Hah. When is it ever?"

VILLAGE!"

Martha exhaled slowly.

"If you cannot stand against me, you will never stand against the Dragon Witch."

Her voice was filled with conviction—not arrogance, not cruelty, but a final plea.

A plea for them to strike her down.

Jeanne stepped forward first. Her banner fluttered in the heated wind, the fire casting long shadows across her golden armor. Her expression was pained.

"…You truly wish for this?" Jeanne asked, voice soft but firm.

Martha met her gaze. There was no hesitation.

"Yes. Show me that you are strong enough. Or perish in the flames."

Then—she charged.

The battle had begun.

---

The battle began with a storm.

Martha moved faster than any of them expected. She wasn't just powerful—she was relentless.

Her iron staff came crashing down like a divine judgment, aiming straight for Jeanne, who barely managed to raise her banner in time. The sheer force of impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, kicking up dust and embers.

Jeanne gritted her teeth, holding her ground. "You still have the strength of a Saint…!"

Martha pushed harder, driving her into the dirt. "A Saint's strength means nothing if it's used in vain!"

Before she could follow up with another strike, Mash intercepted, shield raised. The impact sent a tremor through her arms, but she held firm.

"Then let me bear that strength!" Mash shoved forward, pushing Martha back a step.

Angela was already In a fluid motion.

She closed the gap between them instantly.

Martha barely dodged the first swipe of Angela's serrated knives, but the second slashed across her robes, cutting deep.

Angela's golden eyes glowed in the firelight. "You fight like a beast who has long forgotten restraint."

Martha twisted around, her staff sweeping low in retaliation. Angela leapt back, avoiding the brunt of the attack—but Martha was already on her again.

Scorched Girl struck next.

Her burning sword ignited the air itself, the embers swirling in the heated wind as she lunged toward Martha. The Saint's staff met the fiery blade with a deafening clash, but even as she parried, the flames licked at her skin.

Martha didn't flinch.

She kicked Scorched Girl in the gut, sending the smaller girl tumbling across the ground, embers scattering in her wake.

Marie's voice rose in song, her melody weaving through the battlefield like a ghostly whisper.

Martha winced.

The power of the Queen's song seeped into her very bones, slowing her movements, dulling the fury of her strikes.

Mozart took full advantage of the opening. His fingers danced through the air, his sound-based magic shaping invisible blades of resonance.

With a flick of his wrist, a wave of sound crashed into Martha, sending her skidding back.

Elizabeth, spear in hand, rushed in.

"Try this on for size, you muscle-headed nun!" She thrust her weapon forward, aiming for Martha's unguarded side.

Martha caught the spear with her bare hand.

Elizabeth blinked. "Wait, what?"

With inhuman strength, Martha twisted the spear, yanking Elizabeth forward before slamming a knee into her stomach.

The self-proclaimed idol let out a wheeze before getting launched straight into a wooden cart.

"…Ow," she muttered from the wreckage.

Jeanne was already back on her feet. She swung her banner with blazing determination, locking weapons with Martha again. Sparks flew between them.

"You still have your will, Martha!" Jeanne shouted. "Don't let the Dragon Witch take it from you!"

Martha pushed harder. "Then prove to me that you can stop her!"

The Saint let out a roar, shoving Jeanne away and raising her staff high.

And then—

The ground cracked beneath them.

Martha slammed her staff down with enough force to send a shockwave blasting outward.

Mash threw herself in front of Ritsuka, shielding him from the impact. The force sent everyone sprawling, the sheer weight of the blow tearing through the battlefield like a divine hammer.

Angela didn't let herself fall. She slid back, gripping her weapons, calculating.

Then, her golden eyes flickered.

She felt it.

The resonance.

The battlefield had been full of suffering. Martha's pain, her desperation—it seeped into the very air.

Angela's connection to the abnormalities stirred.

A familiar sensation burned in her chest.

Her grip tightened on her weapons.

Not yet.

Not yet.

She would not give in to that power so easily.

For now—she would fight.

She vanished from sight, reappearing behind Martha in an instant.

Twin knives lashed out, slicing across Martha's back in a flash of silver.

Martha grunted, twisting around, but Angela was already gone again.

Jeanne took the opportunity.

She lunged forward, banner raised high. "Martha—!"

The Saint turned just in time to meet the strike head-on. The impact sent her skidding back, her heels digging into the dirt.

Mozart's magic sang through the battlefield, his invisible blades carving through the air toward Martha.

Marie's voice rose again, strengthening her allies, weaving through the flames like a guiding light.

Mash charged, shield raised, slamming into Martha with all her might.

Scorched Girl's sword burned brighter, flames roaring around her as she struck again.

Elizabeth, having finally recovered, gritted her teeth and charged in once more.

Martha stood at the center of it all.

A lone warrior against the storm.

Her body was battered, her breathing heavy. The Madness Enhancement was pushing her beyond human limits, but even that had its breaking point.

She could still hold her own.

But—

She was faltering.

And they wouldn't stop.

Martha let out a sharp breath.

Then, she stumbled.

The battlefield grew silent.

Martha's breaths were heavy, her grip tightening around her iron staff as her glowing blue eyes burned with unwavering resolve. Madness Enhancement surged through her veins, amplifying her strength far beyond her usual limits. Yet, despite the overwhelming power, she still stood as herself—a saint seeking absolution in battle.

Across from her, Mash, Jeanne, Angela, and the others steadied themselves, bruised but unbroken. They had landed solid blows, yet Martha refused to fall. The divine will within her burned stronger than ever.

"You fight well," Martha admitted, rolling her shoulders. "But I am far from finished."

She slammed her staff into the ground, and a shockwave of raw force erupted outward. The impact cracked the stone beneath them, forcing the group to scatter as dust and debris filled the air.

Angela flipped backward, adjusting her stance as her twin serrated daggers glowed with a faint, eerie light. "Her strength hasn't waned in the slightest."

"That's the power of faith, sweetheart!" Mozart called from behind, still playing his sound-based magic, bolstering the group's strength. "A shame it's being used against us!"

Martha lunged forward with inhuman speed. She struck first at Jeanne, swinging her staff like a war hammer. Jeanne raised her banner just in time, bracing herself as the sheer force sent her sliding backward.

"She's fast!" Jeanne gritted her teeth, pushing against the pressure.

Mash rushed in to assist, swinging her shield in a defensive bash, but Martha dodged effortlessly, twisting her body to land a heavy kick against Mash's side. The impact sent her flying.

"Ugh!" Mash coughed as she rolled across the dirt, barely managing to get back to her feet.

"Stay focused!" Angela commanded. She dashed in, her daggers shifting into the brutal, spiked form of One Sin and One Hundred Good Deeds. With a swift motion, aiming at Martha's exposed side.

Martha twisted at the last second, parrying the skull with her staff. But Angela's attack wasn't a single motion—it was a chain of relentless strikes.

Martha blocked the attack but barely avoid it. Angela's Skull mace smash into her gut, making the saint spit blood.

Martha exhaled sharply, her expression still composed. "Impressive."

Angela didn't respond—she only pressed forward.

The Scorched Girl appeared behind Martha in a sudden burst of embers, her burning blade swinging toward the saint's back. Martha twisted, catching the attack with her staff, but the heat forced her to step back.

The flames licked at her robes, singing the fabric.

Marie took the opportunity to unleash a blast of concussive sound waves, sending ripples through the battlefield. Martha winced at the deafening impact, her grip faltering for just a second.

"NOW!" Ritsuka shouted.

Jeanne and Mash rushed in together, attacking from both sides.

Jeanne swung her banner, channeling divine energy into her strike, while Mash lunged forward, shield glowing with defensive power.

Martha smirked.

She met both attacks head-on.

Her staff became a blur, deflecting Jeanne's banner before swinging downward—striking Mash with crushing force.

Mash barely blocked in time, but the sheer strength of the blow forced her knees to buckle.

Angela and the Scorched Girl moved in tandem, their attacks synchronized—a brutal combination of fire and steel.

Martha spun, avoiding Angela's strike before catching the Scorched Girl's flaming sword with her bare hand. Flames burned her palm, but she did not flinch.

Instead, she tightened her grip—and shattered the flame.

The Scorched Girl recoiled in shock, embers trailing behind her.

Angela saw an opening. She swapped weapons—switching to Fairy Festival, her twin serrated daggers glowing with an ethereal edge.

She lunged, aiming straight for Martha's unguarded side.

Martha met her mid-charge.

Their weapons clashed in a brutal display of speed and precision. Angela's relentless slashes tore through the air, but Martha deflected every one with terrifying ease.

"You fight with skill," Martha acknowledged. "But skill alone won't be enough!"

She drove her knee into Angela's stomach.

Angela gasped as the air was knocked from her lungs. Before she could react, Martha grabbed her wrist—and threw her aside like a ragdoll.

Angela crashed into the dirt, coughing.

Mash gritted her teeth, struggling to her feet. "She's still too strong…!"

Mozart cursed under his breath. "If we don't break her stance soon, we're going to get wiped out!"

Ritsuka clenched his fists. They needed something—anything—to push Martha back.

That's when Jeanne stepped forward.

Her blue eyes burned with unwavering conviction.

"We will not lose here," Jeanne declared. Her banner flared with holy light.

Martha raised an eyebrow. "You have something left to show me, Saint?"

Jeanne exhaled. "Let me show you my resolve."

She raised her banner high—and the battlefield was consumed in golden radiance.

"By the name of God, I shall not falter!"

Holy energy surged forward, a wave of divine power crashing toward Martha like a tidal wave.

For the first time, Martha braced herself.

The clash was just beginning.

---

A/N:Hey hey, miss me, guys? For those wondering, I was hospitalized for three days—thank god I got discharged. But just as I thought I was free, midterm tests came in and smacked me right in the face. Seriously, getting sick and then immediately dealing with exams? My head's still spinning. Sorry for the delay, and thanks for waiting! I appreciate you all!

Feel free to let me know what you think of how the stories are going and where it should go. I'm always eager to hear from you. Leave a powerstone or a comment to support me ;)