Fragments of Chaldea
A Fate/Grand Order Fanfiction Series
Fragment 71 Insight
A romance-heavier fragment is usually few and far between, but there’s usually at least one or two per season. Healing, soul-searching, and Slice of Life goodness usually take priority, so romance usually acts as a supplement topic if anything.
So, Frankenstein made for a great candidate for obvious reasons. With all the time that has passed for her as Chaldea’s third servant, there’s really nothing to “fix” at this point. Her problems are all pretty much solved. Though she’d still like to see others like herself, she’s definitely treated as a human being now. She’s a friend to quite a few and gets to live a rather dreamy life where she gets to relax all the time.
That pretty much leaves the fragment to explore her interests, add some key friendships, and then make an anchoring, pivotal moment for her life: Accepting Anton’s proposal. Now her wedding dress battle attire will hold a little more meaning for her. I doubled down on the tender romance theme and did everything to ensure Frankenstein’s life is seen as nothing but relaxing and happy now: She gets to collect those beautiful moments she learned could exist for her thanks to her former master.
I originally had a scene for her where she was shopping in a singularity, but it felt too out of place so I decided to move it to a later entry.
Nursery Rhyme’s attitude shift was honestly a little headcanon I had for a while. Since her attitude and disposition can change to suit her summoned master, I figure it could also still slightly shift depending on circumstances. She had some pretty decent attitude in the Extra series, as example, so I thought it’d be funny if she takes tea parties much more seriously than usually depicted… aka, she becomes very noble and almost a bit snobbish.
However, I wanted it to come across as cute and endearing, so I added Jailter’s attempts to match her… and fail at using big words. Another little quirk I decided to “activate”. She loves feeling smart, but it becomes cute when she trips over big words that she wouldn’t normally have to know/use.
Roman hadn’t really made any ‘big’ slip-ups in a while, so I decided it’d probably be best he be the one to offhandedly blow the cover with friendly chatter.
Final bonus: This is the cover that best portrays how I imagined Jeanne would sing the Aerosmith song.
Teaser: It’s finally time for Shakespeare’s play!
Fragment 70 Insight
This was one hell of a confusing and hectic fragment to write. I had to do quite a bit more research to make the scenario a little more viable, and also provide some proper context on why Hundred Face wasn’t really seen much throughout Season 2 and 3. Well, this is the answer.
She had an impossible task. She’s the representative of a hundred different identities, yet she tried to hold firm on not developing her own personal life that she’d grow attached to. Obviously, this failed horrendously given Chaldea’s warm state, and it left her in a massive problem: She was now supposedly going against the collective will.
The collective wants to become one, uniformed identity famous under a single name… which is tragic and ironic considering the circumstances.
Hundred Face is famous because of her disorder (that the throne took up a notch with separate bodies). Getting rid of that means she’s not Hundred Face anymore, both in identity, specialty, and circumstance. She’d likely still have all the accumulated knowledge and be one hell of a scholar and Jack of All Trades, but she wouldn’t be her anymore. Hundred Face wouldn’t exist, per se, because she’s no longer a hundred identities.
I merely introduced the thoughts that showed her the issues with her perspective. She was worried about showing off Yedda (who I named personally since the concept identity didn’t have a name) and having Chaldea grow too attached to her, when they were already likely attached to her personality. They’ve already doomed themselves before they even began.
Yet, there’s still some hope that I offered to her but still left as her own uncertainty at the end (even if she’s now going in a more promising direction for the identities). If the identities are all present, they’re all weaker, but the voices are no longer echoing in her mind. If they also all grew interested in their own identities, then they likely wouldn’t combine either. I merely left it as food for thought for her to continue thinking about. As shown, not all problems are solved in a fragment, but the fragment can still portray a massive turning point to make future showings more viable.
Sprinkles of hints and some comedy abound as usual, but I tried to keep them minimal to maintain focus on the rather complex issue she suffers from. Some wishes just need to have their flaws pointed out since their circumstances would make a real mess.
Teaser: Another perfectly lazy day in their little slice of paradise. They didn’t expect anything special from the day, but that’s why they loved what currently was. Their present was more than they could have ever imagined since they arrived so long ago, and everything else was merely a happy bonus.
Fragment 69 Insight
Back when the series first started as a simple fic, someone posted a recommendation for it on the reddit. Someone then joked there should be some sort of porn scene, and I offhandedly commented back that will be Fragment 69. Well, it wasn’t shown, but it was definitely highly inferred and a plot point.
So, Cu’s Fragment provided some serious issues at first. There’s not really much to go off with conflict, and he’s perfect for Slice of Life stuff. Unfortunately, that meant the fragment felt a touch too ‘episodic’ on first draft. I introduced a general, rather common problem to fix that and that made the scenes feel more properly connected and related. Essentially though, it’s someone else’s problem that’s affecting Cu’s rather ordinary days, and since it’s a friend, he’s more invested in remedying it when it drags on.
So, I granted two people their fantasy: Medb and Gabrielle slept with Cu at the same time. Instead of having both overly happy about the success, I decided to make a small contrast to the results. “Lancer Luck” strikes in a different way, and it’s a small little joke how the saber class, or at least a specific saber, beat him in an unexpected angle.
Other than that, I showed some other friendships that hold strong as well as a few new faces. The woman referenced by Hijikata last entry? Appeared here with one of Part 1’s last remaining servants. Those interactions were straightforward, so there’s no real need to address it further, nor the multitude of hints I’ve dropped as the typical foreshadowing/interconnectivity between entries.
There was initially a depiction of Li Shuwen and Cu sparring, but it was a touch redundant since Li’s was two entries ago. It turned into just a reference line, but there was no need to describe typical Celtic battle-fervor through the usual means. Instead, we got Scathach’s intense battle with a fish.
I think the entry turned out pretty well the second time through. A few funny moments, some heartwarming stuff, and plenty of the usual introspection. It offers plenty of Slice of Life and a problem solved by a rather ‘ordinary’ response (considering they’re servants).
Teaser: They’ve always had an idea what was supposed to be… what was always true. They looked forward to it and pursed it, but after months in Chaldea, they weren’t quite sure who they were anymore, nor what should be.
Fragment 68 Insight
It’s time for one of the second EOR era servant to make their appearance (since Arthur was technically the first). If it wasn’t obvious enough, this is a Hijikata separate from the one during the second Guda Guda. Obviously that will be addressed, but that will come in time when ChaCha finally comes around.
Based on his my room lines, personal history, and other dialogue, it’s no stretch to presume he usually takes things in a serious to stern manner. He’ll also usually likely stay rather reserved regarding things that are outside of his personal interests or responsibilities. His Mad Enhancement is also very viable and acts up the most during combat for obvious reasons. That made it rather straightforward on what path needs to be taken to introduce him to Chaldea.
So I focused on what is the core embodiment of Hijikata and made it the general theme: His outright conviction.
Though he’s stringent on his own rules, it’s for a good reason, yet he still cares for his comrades in the end. When you see the history of the Shinsengumi and the controversies caused in its early days, it’s no wonder Hijikata would have been as strict as he was. He doesn’t want to give a bad image to anyone about the organization and comrades he’s dedicated to. However, he is also not afraid to go to extremes to show how they’re supposed to live, fight, and die on the battlefield without faltering. It’s ferocity to an outright extreme that the masters now have to take into consideration before they finally let him ‘engage’.
Someone so strict and serious coming to Chaldea to see all of its zaniness will not take it as well compared to others, so it gave me the opportunity to showcase more crazy situations people have come to expect. Lots of it. This is one of the highest counts of random encounters I’ve dropped in a single entry. While any new servant would likely just think it’s crazy, Hijikata would believe it’s nearly outright admonishable.
That is, until he notices the underlying bonds beneath that glint in their eye.
Crazy as they are, I can safely say I’ve done a good job of showcasing the strength of Chaldea’s underlying bonds. Though they can argue and disagree, and maybe not like some as much as others, there’s a loyalty forged between them even without humanity’s survival at stake. It’s this fidelity that Hijikata can definitely come to respect, as shown in Guda Guda Meiji when he was defeated and flatly acknowledged Okita’s loyalty to the master. It’s a bond between warriors and comrades that cannot be explained easily to those outside.
And so, he’ll accept his new allies while ensuring the Shinsengumi lived on with him… and of course, Okita.
Teaser: They were one of the first in Chaldea, and had come to witness all that had transpired. They didn’t change much in the many months, but they didn’t have to. They merely enjoyed the entire ride.
Fragment 67 Insight
I’m almost positive no one saw that coming, so just to briefly address the elephant in the room first:
Yes, it’s all in the circumstances. The Fate System can’t summon… but being brought home isn’t the same as being summoned. There are ways to bypass that rule, and this is merely the first of a few options. It will be the only one of the season though, but Season 4 will definitely be opening up a few more doors.
On to the main topic though, you may have noticed a curious, and maybe even jarring, split with this fragment. That’s the whole point. I wanted it styled like Hector’s that shows he’s both lazy yet dedicated, but Li is different. Li’s entire purpose and desire is to engage in a valiant showdown with an enemy servant. To crush an opponent’s life is not very “Slice of Life” friendly, but it did have its place. I merely decided it was a great opportunity to showcase the idea of duality.
Duality in this case is a simple idea of two opposites being embodied by the same person. Take a soldier going to war only to come home and spend loving moments with his family. That’s pretty much the basis design that would allow Li to enjoy his time in Chaldea. Besides sparring, training, and forms, the battle is necessary to keep Li satisfied, and so it must be shown. Once completed, he simply switches ‘off’ and winds down with forms to transition home appropriately.
Where he’s a barber. I’m pretty sure no one else saw that coming either, so I linked it with penjing/bonsai trimming to show a basis. It was simply a matter of meditation evolving into something else. It also went well with the concept of duality because, let’s face it, Li, who is arguably more famous for his assassin rile in the Extra timelines, doing haircutting stuff? It’s kinda like Soichirou being a history teacher. You don’t expect it, and it’s also a bit unnerving to some who think about it. As he said, though, it’s mainly as meditation and as a calm way to spend time with others.
Which raises the final point. He enjoys spending time with others, but doesn’t become the center of attention most of the time. This is on purpose because he’s rather reserved compared to most (look at his My Room lines for example). To make him the one pretty much engaging conversations instead of reacting would seem off. That’s also why it’d make sense he’s on fairly decent terms with Shiki, since they’re both rather reserved compared to their much louder drinking partners.
Teaser: Chaldea was different… yet they couldn’t help but see the similarities. The two were both sometimes orderly… sometimes undisciplined… and yet they fought with an admirable and vibrant spirit. Chaldea was different… but they may come to like it yet.
Fragment 66 Insight
Following the newly transitioned trend, another light-hearted fragment arrives! Nothing crazy or hectic to discover. All straightforward and obvious, and a touch fluffy.
Boudica’s fragment did have the potential for drama considered her grudge with the Romans, but I decided not to go with it. As one of Chaldea’s earliest servants, she has the highest chance of ‘mellowing out’ compared to most especially when given her positive attitude. Her issue with the Romans has also been pretty much addressed throughout several fragments, so I decided to just give it a minor scene at this point. Just shows where she’s at and how far she’s come.
Angra Mainyu lead the charge, but now more servants get to appear again. Boudica made one of the more ideal servants to introduce two (child and mother) so she earned a free bump based on some story placement. She was also a great option to showcase a variety of other servants because she is a rather nurturing individual herself. Nothing too in depth most of the time, but just enough to show how involved she is with so many.
The knitting group hasn’t had very many long interactions ever since Naomi’s fragment, but that was a matter of ‘ideal placement’ for servants. They’ve had plenty of scenes, but I hope these additions helped showcase just how close they are.
The knights’ scene was another I wanted to add since Boudica is close to ‘British Heroes’, but I wanted to change things up a bit. I gave the girl readers a bit of a fanservice-styled setting this time around considering the flirty knights’ occasional antics. Boudica just happened to be the lucky and always involved one to walk in and receive special treatment. It also gave me the opportunity to shed light on another well known but less than savory revelation.
Otherwise, what else is there to say about all this? It’s clear-cut and fluffy with hints sprinkled about as usual.
Teaser: There was little to compare to the thrill of battle, or the satisfaction of fighting a serious opponent. However, Chaldea had opened their eyes to much more than just seeking the occasional fight with a worthy opponent. Who knew their precision could have founded such an unusual hobby for them?
Fragment 65 Insight
While I spoil a lot of things in Fate/, I don’t think I’ve spoiled anything as thoroughly as I have Hollow Ataraxia in this entry. It was a necessity though.
There were multiple ways to go with Angra Mainyu. Considering his my room lines and how it’s inferred he remembers Hollow Ataraxia’s looping days… yea, it was fairly obvious which way I should take him. We’ve had enough drama recently so it’s time to return to more uplifting Slice of Life.
Therefore, I decided to be a touch ‘controversial’ with this fragment in terms of how this avenger is handled. Dantes and Joan were full of feels, but I didn’t want to make it three in a row. The potential was certainly there for Angra Mainyu, all things considered, but so was the potential for accidental humor. So I went with playing on situational cues, others’ perceived notions, and Angra’s usually careless heed for words to set him up for ‘good’ disasters. Cue a smorgasbord of potentially humorous scenes you guys would laugh at.
Despite being funny, I didn’t want Angra to appear just completely happy go lucky. He’s an avenger, and Hollow Ataraxia definitely depicted how much hatred and darker urges still hold sway with him. However, I was relieved I could avoid an angst fest and make him feasibly fit in with lingering amounts of skepticism from the remaining cast. I did leave quite a bit of references to that time to make it far more fitting for Angra, as well as a giant time reference by ending it on dawn of the fifth day. I hope that was enough of a nod for everyone who’s played.
I understand some may have wanted to see him interact with more of the other FSN characters or those he’s interacted with before, but I also wanted to show how serious he was about building this new life by actively avoiding conflict. It’s his life now, not Shirou’s, so he pursues it accordingly and safely while doing his best to withhold his urges and tendencies.
Cue Joan slip.
If there’s any interaction skipped out on I wanted to add, but felt it would’ve dragged things on unnecessarily, it was a talk with Mephistopheles. I decided to leave it for next fragment and let someone else’s perspective throw comparison cues instead. We’ve had three pseudos/super fragments in a row, so I didn’t want to push my luck further.
Teaser: Their days were simple and uneventful. Months of being in Chaldea helped to mellow their only lingering grudges, but they still remained. They did not react appropriately back then either, but the past was the past. They only wanted to help make this as comfortable a home as possible.
Fragment 64 Insight
This was a joy to write. Without a doubt, this flew onto the keyboard, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it. The only thing more satisfying than making it was sprinkling the build up for so long before this critical moment.
For those who can tell, yes, Arjuna’s second interlude is interwoven into the fragment because it plays such a perfect part. My only regret is that it perhaps not as intricate as it could have been since the interlude completely disappeared from tumblr two months ago. It saddens me, but in all that time no one has found it again. It’s a shame, because it was a really nice interlude that granted Arjuna the character development he needed.
Since I don’t like rehashing, I re-envisioned it as only part of the entire picture I wished to paint, and welded it to a concept that fits perfectly to the self-conscious and overly perfectionist Arjuna: Staring into a mirror. There’s nothing quite like looking at your reflection to spark all different kinds of reactions depending how you feel. Thus, I made it central to the entire piece so it becomes symbolic.
Anishka played a huge role in this fragment, but that’s alright because that’s actually canon. The master played a massive role in Arjuna’s character development, and so I portrayed it as such but with a properly suited master. It’s partially why his fragment came after hers, but it’s mostly because of the timing issues. ‘Krishna’ would definitely want to act ASAP on killing her inconspicuously, which meant the night after she gets the contracted connection to Chaldea.
Many may be surprised Karna and Arjuna’s interaction seemed so brief and short, but that’s on purpose. Arjuna wouldn’t want to drag it. He’d say it and be done to hide him further humiliation for even mouthing it. He wouldn’t want to linger, and so Karna would actually grant him that with a small reply of his own.
For those who don’t know, Geronimo’s speech to Arjuna is a story told by the Cherokee tribes, which are admittedly far more east than the Apaches. The word are roughly the same, so that was just some fun trivia for you.
Hyde’s dialogue is always fun to write, and he made a perfect fit for poking at Arjuna further. Not much really needs to be said about that. Hidden darkness aspect is pretty obvious. I just added some Spartacus humor so this fragment retained some ups and downs… just like Marie and Mata Hari mistaking the final scene for a love confession.
Which brings up the final thing to note. I also used Arjuna’s Valentine’s return gift accordingly here, because it worked well. Obviously no chocolates involved, but it’s the message of giving her his shame that counts.
Also, for the music that was playing, it wasn’t openly stated, but this is the song that was heavily implied Mozart and Phantom were serenading the two with:
Next week: This was not supposed to be. They retained memories that should have shattered and faded like stained glass, yet there was no doubt in their mind. Glimpses of a life that were never truly theirs combined with their own to form one absolute thought: Those fleeting moments could finally be their own.
Fragment 63 Insight
Ah. The rare OC Fragment. Not going to be another for a long while (aka, not this season) so I had to make this shot count.
I needed to make sure Anishka’s development matched that of Gudao and Gabrielle’s at this point. Many may be surprised by how much info I’ve dropped for her and then point out Gabrielle and Gudao don’t have as much. Actually, they do have this much, believe it or not. Most of it was just shown in the supplements, because the best way to show someone’s brightness is through action and difficult situations. In particular, Redemption from Sin even made the big drop of their origins.
Now with Karna describing their elements here, along with some other subtle info drops on the two original masters, they’re all about even (except experience obviously).
As stated before, I wanted Anishka to fulfill roles that the other two couldn’t. Though respect and reverence obviously depict her interactions when compared to the rather neutral yet pleasant Gudao and the often too-friendly/casual Gabrielle, that was just part of it the full picture.
I also wanted an original character who has handled constant pressure and expectations throughout her whole life, and worked doubly hard to ensure they were met… even if it meant hiding things from her parents she didn’t want exposed. That’s something people can relate to.
Obviously, the bigger one, and controversial point for some, is that she’s not straight. She’s in the closet, and she’s afraid to come out. Obviously this points to a certain demographic of readers, but I’m not intending to alienate anyone by making a character out of it. Anishka, like my other OCs, is designed to feel like another person you can meet on the street. They’re there to supplement the servants while also providing perspective from the average (aka, non-servant) person. An LGBT styled character, whether you like them or hate them for it, is simply another angle uncovered.
One thing I really need to make a note of here is Rama’s saint graph surgery. Considering Sita hasn’t been released, I lack the proper specifics for why she can be in the same area as Rama without Tara’s curse going full loco. Unfortunately, that meant I had to roll with something, so I figured if canonically a Saint Graph can be modified thanks to Scathach (Summer 2016), they may be able to do ‘surgery’ to remove an unwanted tag-along (like the curse). It’s definitely tentative to change when the game finally releases her, and this is a great example of why I don’t want to summon anyone not yet in the game. Circumstances play a huge role.
But hey, it made for a nice, happy ending for the fragment, no? I considered replacing her with Parvati, but that wouldn’t have made nearly as much impact as Sita could… plus it played into another thing next Fragment.
Next week: He was proud of her. She had come so far and would serve as a respectful and proper master… yet she saw too much. (Dead obvious this week as an apology for the break. It’s also a Super-Length Fragment.)
Fragment 62 Insight
First: Yes, I know Jack and Nursery Rhyme have been getting quite a bit of screen time. Unfortunately, if I need to involve “adorable little kids”, they fit the bill much better compared to the usually more mature Illya and Kuro (especially Kuro). It’s an issue I’m aware of and have been moving forward quickly to remedy in this season. Yes, that was a blunt, heavy-as-hell hint directly from me.
It’s been a bit, so I decided to do a split “day-in-the-life” entry that takes place of two days instead of one. It’s partially to show Hector’s two speeds, which are laid-back and committed. Thus, when he’s sent on some errands, he puts effort into it to get them done faster so he can go back and enjoy his lazy day. On the other hand, when something is serious and calls for it, he won’t be rushing things as shown on the second day.
To place background on his laziness, I threw in that small tidbit flashback about his previous life. Nine years, even with ‘breaks’, is a long siege. As an exemplary leader who managed to hold back the massive Archaean force, he’s no slouch at heart, but all the fighting would be like overworking. Sooner or later, he’s going to want a nice break or vacation, and now he has Chaldea for that. However, he knows his duty and responsibility as a defender, and does not shrink away from that when the time calls.
I gave him a smorgasbord of interactions and a few dedicated pieces with several individuals. I just wanted to show he was overall accepted, but generally listens during conversations and only provides input when he feels it’s necessary. Again, capitalizing on minimal effort, but doing what needs to be done.
Plenty of preparatory insight into the coming event appeared here, but that’s because it was proper with Hector. Nothing really needs to be said on why it’s a fit, obviously.
The little incident with Li Shuwen I thought it would be a fun exchange, but I was initially going to scrap it. I obviously decided against it to show Hector can get very serious (As shown and depicted in-game), but prefers not to do it or else he’ll lose his own calm, composure. It’s his ultimate taunt, per se, but made for a one-time-only flinch from the great Li Shuwen when Hector suddenly went full Spartan.
There’s also the engagement scene, which I debated on how to depict. In the end, since it was supposed to be an absolutely privateproposal, I decided not to show it (it would have felt very shoe-horned regardless of which servant and perspective), but at least told of how it went down through Nero… who would likely bombard them for answers of the beautiful scene. So I gave a few glimpses of how it likely went and a rough summary, along with the lead-up line to the big question to at least give the audience an idea of the romantic gesture.
At least Hector at the end was like:
Next week: There’s no teaser this time. As evidenced in Season 1 (last one was Fragment 12), there is sometimes the rare OC fragment to shed light from the staff’s point of view, and 63 is one of them. It’s time to crown the third master.
Fragments of Chaldea 
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