Disclaimer: I own nothing but my children (The Saber, The Lancer, The Beast, The Caster, The Berserker, and The Avenger) and the World of Dreams, Dreaas. Blackwing's story "Fate's Gamble" and its Sequels both present and far into the future, belongs to Lupine Horror, while the Fate-series belongs to Kinoko Nasu predominately and the Harry Potter series belongs to J.K. Rowling.
AN: The second half of the story, hope you enjoy.
6 days after start of War-
The streets were filled with those unaware of the War occurring in their midst, his Mistress enjoying the freedom his Master gave her for the day, allowing her to do as she wished until the night returned again. His Master was so kind despite the cold exterior, that was one of the many reasons he chose to discard his wish for the sake of his Master. He would sacrifice his entire being if it meant others would be happy, that was the way Father would have wanted and he had already sacrificed his body for the sake of his children for their peace.
His Mistress was surprised for some reason, when he followed her gaze he discovered why, she was looking at the Hero-King in civilian wear. The smirk upon his face had shown that he was aware of their presence, and seeing as he had remained visible throughout his Mistress's trip without changing his attire, he could see how the King was able to find them easily. The Archer walked over to them, passing by without any acknowledgment, the Saber looking over at his Mistress with a question in his visible eye. She gave him a simple nod, adding with a single sentence, "Just make sure you are able to get to me easily, Kiritsugu would be mad if you aren't."
He gave his Mistress a bow, moving to follow the Hero-King at a respectable distance, not close enough to invade the king's personal space, and not far enough to be considered spying. The King of Heroes kept his smirk throughout his walk, eventually coming to a stop to look over some worthless trinkets, the gesture understood by the Saber with his walking up to stand beside the King. Neither spoke for several minutes, a chuckle leaving the King's mouth and being mirrored by the Fragment, finally the King speaking, "You must have a reason to be following me, speak before I change my mind about letting you stay at my side Saber."
The being remained quiet for several seconds, letting his voice be heard after they moved away from the storefront, "My Father… spoke highly… of you… Hero-King…" He paused for a moment at hearing the other Servant give a small laugh at the words, continuing once the Archer was finished, "I had simply… wished to talk… with the being… Father admired…"
The First Hero of Gaia let out a hmm, his eyes closing for a moment as they stopped by another store, the King taking his time in preparing his reply, "I will admit to being curious about you, and to a lesser extent the person you call 'Father'." They both stood in silence for a moment, both patient with one another as the Saber began to talk again.
"I am… part of a… human… none amongst… Gaia's world… will know of… me… I exist only… in legend… on Father's world… Father gave up… his life… so that I… and my siblings… could live…" The Archer turned to the Remnant, and eye raised in question but allowing the being to continue. "I am a… fragment… I exist because… Father destroyed… his mind… he was only… eight years old…" Red eyes widened slightly for a half-second before returning to normal, the Remnant unknowing to the reaction as they left the store to walk around again. "I am… both the oldest… and the… youngest… I was last… to be born… from Father… I made his… world a… reality… and gave… life to my… siblings and… children…"
The being shook his head once, stopping and bowing to the Archer to the latter's slight surprise, "I am sorry… for taking… up your time… Great-King… I shall… leave now… if that is… your wish…" They both walked in silence after the words were uttered, the King closing his eyes for a moment, a simple three-word question asked when they were open, his gaze set firmly on the fragment. "What are you?"
The Saber let out a chuckle, his reply not fully expected considering the nature of their current existence, though the being once more shocked the King of Heroes with his words, not enough to let the expression be known to the world, "I am… unable to answer… that question now… perhaps if… we meet again… in this War… my answer… can be given… I will sate… your curiosity… with a… simple phrase… I am… many things" With those last words the fragment bowed again before turning away, his Mistress waiting a few shops away for their talk to finish, both melting into the crowd away from the King's sight.
A frown was marred on the Hero-King's face, taking his time to return to his 'Master' as his mind tried to understand the curious existence known as Saber. From each interaction he had with the hero, he came off as selfless and willing to sacrifice himself for his Master and Mistress. He was unlike many heroes upon the throne not a single ounce of pride in himself, willing to discard his own wish for that of his Master's, and a genuine humbleness that made him much more bearable to be around than any of the remaining Servants. While he didn't care much if they met again, if they by chance met again he would answer the King's questions, if the answers satisfied him, perhaps he would grant the being the single wish before taking the Grail for himself, just to see what the Saber would wish for.
A chuckle left his lips as he made his way back to Tokiomi's residence, the man close to being considered an annoyance as well as boring, perhaps a change of 'Masters' would do well for him, Tokiomi's apprentice was easily much more interesting than the Magus.
A howl echoed throughout Fuyuki, that of a beast defying human comprehension. Clashes of metal against steel-like bone resounded within the alleyways alongside the cracking of concrete and buildings collapsing. Then a scream of pain echoed out from the same source as the howl.
The Beast slid back from the Berserker, right arm residing next to her bloody blade, a bone-like sword in the remaining hand. With a growl, The Beast waited warily, his bones regenerating to from a skeletal limb devoid of flesh and muscle. Another roar echoed out of the street-turned battlefield, and a splatter of blood sprayed across the cracked ground.
A tail made from bone swayed behind the Beast of Infinite Bone, blood dripping off to form puddles. The Beast rushed forward, tail and claws prepared to combat the Maddened Demon. The bone sword was dropped, ineffective as it was against the strength of the Demon Maid.
The great blade swung vertically with speed belying its great weight, the Experiment dodged it with barely enough room, its tail moving to strike the girl in the chest. The tail speared her through, the demon grabbed it and brought her zweihander to bear, the Beast rolling under the sword and swinging up to grasp her head.
The Beast twisted its body, snapping the neck of the Demon, while loosening the hold she had upon its tail allowing the Beast to leap away. The Berserker's right hand came to her head, roughly grabbing it and twisting it back to its original position.
Twin streams of blood splattered across the ground from the being's back, a set of wings made from bone adorning the Beast. They flapped once, launching SC-3 high into the air with a single beat. The once-human creature flipped until it headed at the Berserker, corkscrewing with the wings folded back. The Beast rushed past the Berserker, a spray of blood occurring from her shoulder, upper chest and neck.
Her head fell off, the body standing up-right, flesh reknitting itself despite the impossibility. Soon enough a head was regrown to replace the old one, the right hand picking up the fallen mask and putting it back on. She turned around, painted eye staring at the Beast, apathy and bestial rage being the only things the two felt.
They both disappeared, craters forming from where they once stood, clashing in the air once they returned to a mortal eye's sight. SC-3 pushed down with his wings and hands sending Onimeido to the earth below, eliciting blood from the flesh and blood of his left arm, the other limbs still having blood trickle down their frames. The maid landed, sword poised immediately to block the tail from the flipping Beast.
The Servants broke apart, one instinctly knowing they had no chance, yet fought on despite that to deny impossibility to remain alongside the Master. A long howl rose from the depths of the Beast, desperation leaking into his call, his hands placed against the concrete. All around their little world became white, bones in the shape of trees, flowers and bushes rose from the ground, each holding at least one 'petal' or 'leaf' on their frame.
The Beast leapt back to grab one of the 'trees' behind it, clinging to the bone before bounding to another, doing a similar action when it hit the next one. Soon the Beast of Infinite Bone became a blur, amongst the trees, grabbing branches and bark to swing around, it finally went fast enough to the point that the maid's eyes could not keep up if she had been trying. The Zweihander lashed out, not quick enough to dissuade the Beast from attacking, but resulting in knocking it off course and injuring it. The left leg of the Beast flew off, sending blood raining upon the ground, bone replacing the limb in a grotesque parody. She felt a trickle of blood going down her bandaged arm, paying it no heed as it healed.
Small dots of black rapidly appeared at the corners of its vision before disappearing, telling of its total injuries. The Experiment went as fast as its body would allow, becoming invisible to all even the Servant present. An impact made the Berserker stumble back two steps, a hand firmly lodged in her chest, grasping he heart.
The Beast tore the organ away, a steady torrent of red-black blood erupting out of the wound. The right arm cocked itself the moment she recovered, barely missing the Beast, forcing it back instead. Once more it became invisible to the eye as it bounded along, against and through the trees. Once more the once-human impacted the Maddened Demon, then again, and again, claws raking through flesh every time the Beast made an impact.
The sword was swung with the flat out, impacting against the left side of the Servant, crushing the left arm and sending it flying into a tree. Another limb was made from bone when the arm was torn off, similar to how its opponent had done several nights prior. It gave off a low growl, blood trickling from the mouth, eyes and ears, making his vision fade in between the world of black and white, color already lost. The demon grabbed one of the trees of bone, ripping it from the ground and hurling it at the Beast, who drunkenly stumbled out of the projectile's path. The Experiment fell to ground as the Berserker followed and brought her fist down, drilling the once-human into the ground.
The child Master watched from his spot looking down upon the battlefield, tears in his eyes as the Beast howled in pain. The boy whispered out words that only he could hear, wind carrying it elsewhere, "Beast, please win, fight with all you have, so you can come back and stay with me." Two command seals flashed before fading from the boy's wrist.
A surge of energy flowed through the creature, bones gaining black lines upon them, while flesh gained blue markings in the images of his skeletal system still hidden. The wings cracked bending in a way nothing should be able, pinions finding purchase in the Demon Maid, the tail arcing around to impale the regrown heart, taking it outside the body. Blood sprayed across the two and their immediate surroundings, the Beast's claws began rending skin and muscle.
In return she broke the Beast's bones, the skeletal limbs cracking and reforming to pristine conditions. She threw it back, the non-human instantly back upon her the moment it gained traction. It flashed around her, wings, claws and tail lashing out to let strings of blood fly from wounds that healed within seconds.
Eventually the creature tired, slowing to a stop behind Onimeido, who turned to face the creature, blood-soaked clothing and mask dripping the red-black blood onto the ground. The zweihander was thrown, spinning erratically until it nailed the Beast directly through the chest, narrowly missing the heart. The blade pulled the creature until it embedded itself in a 'tree', trapping the once-human while the demon walked forward until she stood directly before it.
She grasped the blade with her right arm, tearing it out of her foe's body and lopping off its head, the body collapsing to the ground without a sound. The Forest of Bones cracked before shattering, a simple sword made from bone left behind as all traces of the Beast, known in live simply as SC-3 faded from existence.
The Maddened Demon sheathed her sword, returning to astral form and leaving back to her Second Master. The boy came down from his observation area, tears streaming down from golden eyes as he bent to pick up the sword left behind, completely hiltless, a single sharp edge and tip. The boy sobbed as he cradled the last memento of his Servant, the one command seal remaining still etched on his left hand. Still crying he picked himself up and headed towards the park, slowly shuffling along past the rubble-strewn way.
The Beast was a mockery of the creature of flesh and blood it once was, bone being the majority of what its body was composed of. The woman he had protected had repaid the small debt, shielding him from harm as the chains of the inhuman creature lashed against her skin. The chains had instantly torn her apart, burning through her flesh and bone until she was short an arm and then a chest.
The Forest of Bones had helped to fight against the swordsman, the creature unraveling to reveal an unconscious child once the woman had died, leaving only the Swordsman to fight. The katana the man held was worn beyond all repair, cracks all over the frame as he raised it above his head. The Beast knew something was off, but knew it was to die this day. The Forest shattered into fragments, SC-3 stumbled around, then dashed at the swordsman.
The blade was brought down, the Beast felt pain, but continued on. The swordsman's katana shattered into pieces, straightening up just as the beast reached him and slid past on its side. A tear streamed down the swordsman's face, even as it fought to stand up again. Then all went black for the Beast when Mitsu knelt by the once-human's side, a sad smile on his face, a similar expression on the Beast's face. Thus ended the short legend of the Experiment 3-5-SC-3, the only being to challenge the Greatest Swordsman and come close to winning.
6 days after start of War-
Weariness. He finally understood the concept as best as his mind would allow, he could feel it through the link he shared with his Master and Mistress whenever he spoke with them. They were tired from this war, from the strain his magics put upon their bodies and soul, even if they were unwilling to show it they wished to be rid of him and his curse. It mattered little to him, he only wanted to feel the embrace of his family and try to comprehend the emotions he felt in their presence.
He was able to get a part of that simple wish, his path through the town's outskirts allowing him to meet with the Caster and the child she cared for, the Servant instantly stiffening as she saw him. He kept walking until he was noticed by the Master as well, stopping with his smile in still place. The Being born of Death rose a single hand in greetings, eyes closing in mimicked joy, "Hello Caster, little one." He wasn't greeted with a reply at first, the child moving behind her Servant and peeking out at the Lancer in fear, the Carefree Artist wary of the Servant of the Lance.
When no reply came from either of the two he spoke with the being opened his eyes, a sigh leaving his smile as he prepared to keep walking, "I had hoped I could have a conversation with another before tonight, I guess I was to be disappointed." Without turning he went past them, the Master shivering from the presence of Death until he was several meters away.
"You're Master is about to die, isn't he." The Caster's voice stopped him from leaving, both looking in the opposite direction of one another. She continued on, turning to look at the Lancer's back while the words came out, "I remember you weren't very sociable when we walked alongside the others of our family. The only ones you talked with was our sister that summoned the Shinigami and the Child-King, only when the nations decided to be rid of us did you begin talking with the rest of us. So I ask why you seek a conversation now."
The Lancer remained silent for moments, turning to regard his sister with a sadness-tinted smile, "You are correct, my Master and my Mistress are on Death's door and a single battle will kill them from the stress. I pity them, as they will die so long as they bind themselves to me, and yet I admire them as they willingly keep the contract despite knowing that death awaits them." The being turned back around, his expression hidden from the child and Servant, a sigh leaving the Lancer as her question was answered with another question, "Do you remember, where I was created?"
A nod was his answer, slight confusion spreading across her face until it clicked, sadness replacing the confusion, "You… why can't you be selfish for once… try and win so you can come home." Laughter was heard as the Avatar of Death shook his head, his body moving away as his parting words were heard, "My selfishness was the reason I was barred from Death, I was told the consequences and I accepted them. I had my moment of selfish desire, now and back then I paid for it and have no regrets. Goodbye sister, I doubt we will meet again."
The sound of a child's laughter caught her hearing and made her look up from her current sketch, seeing a boy barely beyond his first decade dressed fully in white playfully twirling and bounded around in between the trees. Her interest was piqued when he kept to his playing after seeing her multiple times through the crystal foliage, and so she set to adding a single detail to another of her artworks.
Neither called out to the other, simply content in their respective activities and the relative tranquility. A single voice disrupted the calm, that of a woman in fully grey clothing and hair of silver, metal gleaming from her right arm and leg. Both the child and painter looked up at the voice, the child continuing to laugh as he ran towards the woman and leapt into her giving a hug before jumping back to return to running.
A sigh left the woman's lips, moving to sit upon the log just a few meters behind her, idly taking a glance at the work of art detailing the boy weaving in between the trees of black rock and red leaves, the boy's face tilted just enough to view a single yellow eye and the Cheshire grin. An eyebrow was raised and promptly ignored, the Artist continuing to paint the boy and scenery surrounding him, already debating her answer to the boy known as the Child-King.
The Rider arrived at the front of the Einzbern castle, his master at his side as they drove up in the Gordius Wheel. A grin was plastered on his face, mirrored by the Saber as he descended from the main hall. The Remnant gave a bow to the Conqueror-King, which was returned slightly by Iskandar, the Saber started the dialogue between him and the Rider, "Have you come… to test your dreams… against mine… Rider? Or is this… a social… visit…"
The King gave a laugh, voice tinged with amusement, "I have not come to just talk, that was the main point behind our talks two days ago. I have seen your World of Dreams, let me show you my dream, shared by those who followed me!" A sphere of light expanded from the Rider, while the Saber and Rider's Master stood witness, blinded for a moment.
Their vision returned seeing a vast desert, one that held mysteries and secrets, one mystery coming to aid the Rider. A steady rumble echoed out from behind the Rider, his chariot gone for the moment, then clanks of metal were heard. An army came over the dunes, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of men answering the call of their King.
The Rider held his arms out to the sides, greeting those who followed him and his dream, they who he called friends. "This is my dre… no, our dream. Ionioi Hetairoi… Their bodies may return to ash, but their spirits still hear my call! These men are my legendary heroes – my loyal followers! They're my true friends - breaking the rules of space and time to fight once more at my side!" A resounding roar of approval echoed throughout the dunes, a man leading the King's horse to his side.
The being opposite of him laughed, fully one of happiness, violet flames licking the cloth of his cloak. "Conqueror-King… Iskandar… We are alike… You and I…" The single hand rose to the air, palm facing the sky. "Are you ready… to see my… World of Dreams… Iskandar… Not a… imitation… of the… Shattered Realm…"
The Nursery Rhyme once more ran through the being's mouth, jovial and fast despite its sad undertone. "I'm an Echo… Lost in the Meadow… My name's Forgotten… The flowers are Rotten… This is my Grave… In the Garden of the Depraved… My body Wilting… The world Tilting… Bright Dark… Embrace the hollow Lark… I'm a spirit of Nothing… Looking for Belonging… Fading to Black… With life I lack… By all Means… Enter my World of Dreams…"
The desert behind the Remnant of Nothing became flat, white grass covering the ground, with a city of black appearing in the distance, contrasting one another. Another army formed behind him, similar in size to the Conqueror-King's, a host of black washing over the white. The Knights were the only splash of color, reds, blues, greens, purples, and others adorning them and their relic weapons. One among them led a horse wearing no armor, the man's silver armor reflecting his status as king of the Vu~anpaia Kishi.
They reached the Remnant, the king handing the reins to the First God, who mounted it shortly after with a nod to the king. The man spoke to the being known to them as 'Father', tone serene and carrying nothing akin to reverence, "Shall we?" Both armies gave out their cries, shaking the worlds with their resolve, marching to a battle none but they and the Rider's Master would witness.
Archers from both sides nocked their arrows sending them to fly at one another, the projectiles blotting out the sky for a moment before crashing into the opposing army. Thousands of men raised their shields, armors sometimes becoming homes to arrows, making some fall and fade away.
Those that weathered the arrow rain leveled their weapons, spears and swords brought back while shields were placed in front of their bodies. Battlecries went through the air, languages and sounds both lost to time and not echoing before the crash.
Time seemed to slow the moment before they clashed, the Rider and Saber staring at one another, grins in place. Their swords were drawn, silver and steel readying to slash at their master's foes. Time resumed and the sound of weapons crashing against one another resounded through the desert/plain air. The two Servants rode past one another, one laughing happily while the other let out his warcry, swords mirroring the other's swings without realizing it.
Time was not able to be measured properly while the battle raged by those in it, some thinking it was hours, others minutes when they stopped to rest before throwing themselves back into the small war. The kings were, through uncertain means, engaged in combat, the emerald spear with a black tip thrusting out to counter the Conqueror's sword. Both fought on foot, one having yet to call his mount, and friend, the other losing his steed against others' weapons.
A trumpet was called from Iskandar's army, chariots appearing over the dunes from the side of the battlefield. Another instrument, a horn, sounded, horsemen appearing in equal numbers to blind-side the chariots. The horses crashed against one another making an entirely new skirmish that raged off to the side, occasionally straying into the infantry's war.
The archers of both sides let loose a steady amount of arrows at one another, both amounts decreasing in roughly similar amounts. Soon siege engines materialized next to them, ballistae and onagers sending all manner of projectiles flying above the battlefield, occasionally striking one another and sending debris to rain down upon the warriors below.
The two kings kept at their fight, neither able to land a deciding blow against the other, until the King of the demi-vampires stumbled over a corpse, the other king capitalizing on the mistake. Sword cut through the armor made from pure silver, blood splattering across the Conqueror-King and sands. His foe fell to the side, spear weakly thrusting one last time as he fell, missing the Rider as he side-stepped the emerald spear.
The Rider took a short reprieve, taking in the burning ground strewn with wood, rock and steel. He saw the armies. Both a fraction of the armies that were first shown to the Servants at the beginning remained, engines of war burned in both crimson and azure flames, arrows embedded themselves all over the battlefields, weapons of all kinds littered the ground from axes and maces to swords and spears. It did not deter those who remained, fighting with determination bordering on fanaticism.
A horn blew and the world of white and black faded, leaving the desert behind though it followed shortly after. The Saber, the Rider and the Master of Rider were left alone in front of the Einzbern Castle, grins upon the Servants' faces while Waver had a look of awe stuck on his face from witnessing an event that would never again be replicated in this reality.
The two who considered themselves equals walked to one another, standing directly before the other. One held out his hand, the other shook it, the first let go walking back until the other called, "You held back… Didn't you?" Iskandar turned to look back at the smiling Remnant, violet flames making the mouth complete for once. "So did you Saber, next time let us see which of us has the stronger dream. As the last two to remain in this Holy Grail War!"
The man's enthusiasm was infective, the other raising his hand in a salute to the Conqueror-King. Then the two were gone and the Remnant was left alone for a time, his Master oddly unlike himself as he prepared for the next few days. Perhaps having Kiritsugu seeing his history was not such a good thing, if that was what was wrong with him.
The child stared around the room with blank eyes, noting the individuals that loitered around the room occasionally. The child in pure white and ever-present grin always stayed within sight no matter the circumstance, none but the boy seeing the angel. His mind had cracked several more times, more and more of his mind breaking off to keep itself intact.
The boy had lost everything that made him human, he was just a Remnant of what had once been a happy boy. A total of 10 'Masks' were made to shoulder the child's suffering and madness, the boy in white being the product of his Insanity taking form. The little amnesiac boy with a chain around his wrist bore his Fear, the great giant of black shadows that faded in and out of reality held his Hatred.
The man with the bloodied arm held his desire for violence, for War, the puppeteer saw the world and chose to lounge about on the roof, Apathetically tinkering with constructs fueled by sand of iron. The boy with a yellow hoodie and cyan toxic symbol coughed regularly, never able to stop the Sickness that fueled his body and cursed him, the towering creature of pure black armor standing at his side never once shirking from its duty of Protecting him.
The violet-headed boy with a content smile always walked through the halls, contemplating life due to being born of Death, while the girl with two katanas and a cross pike stood dutifully at the boy's side, Loyalty to her maker keeping her from experiencing life. The man with words appearing and disappearing across his robes leaned against his staff, watching and reading to the boy who remained unresponsive.
The husk of a human that laid in the bed became a 'Mask' himself, he was Nothing, the origin of all and the end of all. He was the Remnant of Nothing, his true name forgotten, all memories of his past before the incident left him, the sword Reum pulsing once with foreign energy as he let himself fade, the machines around him going into a whine. The doctors and nurses rushed to his room, nothing greeted them, the boy disappeared.
7 days after start of War-
The violet-haired boy and his white-haired Servant sat at a café, enjoying one another's company for as long as they could with the current War, only a few days left until the end. Neither of them cared to win the Grail, one for the reason that she had forsaken any hope of obtaining any form of judgment for her crimes, the other having no particular wish that hadn't already been accomplished by his own two hands.
The Infinite Archive let out a happy sigh, taking a sip of his drink before continuing his listening of the Avenger's reminiscing. "… my brothers and sisters were much fun to be around, especially the younger ones. Croa and Loa played among the skies and ground each day, weaving Light and Dark together into their playful nature. They took everything like a joke unless it threatened us in a manner of death. I can't… wait to play with them again, watch them get into mischief and mayhem."
A look of longing appeared on her face, sadness and happiness both evident in her eyes and voice, "My elder siblings, Mia and Ria, they were quite strict and stubborn, never-changing and always willing to help, the opposite of Fire and Ice. They were the closest we had to a mother and father, and they regaled us with tales of our parents each time we asked. Also they were the best chess players you would ever find, the only one able to even match one was the other, not from lack of trying either."
"My twin Nea…" She stopped, a tear running down her face before she shook her head and continued "…he was everything I once was, happy, loving any challenge thrown against him, and obsessed with the notion of choosing one's way. We were Earth and Wind, never to be bound by another so long as we lived, and that we were. Not once in the thousands of years we lived did we every fall under the sway of another… I miss them."
Tears fell from the Dragonkin's eyes, a slight hiccup in her voice even as she was comforted by her Master. "I'm sad… that I'm no longer the person I once was, I am Blood now, I can never be that person again. That's the saddest part, I can never go back to being Ce, the sister of five and the Paragon of Earth, a simple Dragonkin that was happy with her life. I am Ce, the Paragon of Blood, a Monster that forgot the meaning of happiness and sadness in her path to gain revenge, that's all I am now."
The godling spoke softly, his hands on top of hers, "I have no idea how much loneliness you've had to endure, nor of the pain you've endured. The most I've lost is the girl I gave hope to in my youth, the pain is limited to my own body. I can't replace them, only make the pain lessen however slightly." He took his hand off hers and stood up, holding his hand out with a small smile. The Avenger gave a smile in return, wiping her tears away and grasping the outstretched hand. "Shall we go Avenger, and make the most of our remaining time together?" A nod of the head was his only answer, and the only one he required.
Explosions rang out, accompanied by the occasional sound of clashing metal. "You're just like the mad dog, mongrel. Just die!" The Golden King snarled out the words at the Being born of Death, the Gates firing their treasures at the being. The scythe twirled, deflecting what was able to be, while others impaled his flesh, dust leaking out from the wounds. The bombardment of weapon-fire never ceased, the King of Heroes utilizing many of his treasures to put down the being.
The bandages were cut apart, the scythe releasing the pressure of death it held back. Flames of emerald fire burned across the black bones, illuminating the street and weapons with its eerie light. Each weapon that was deflected was burnt with the Flames of the Dead, all burning to ash unless they held flame-resistance. The King grew enraged at the sight, "Now you destroy my treasures, mongrel! You will beg for death when I'm done with you!"
The flame spread up his arm, burning away the cloth and flesh of the Avatar of Death. A chuckle sounded from him, demented and full of insanity. "I wish… I could go back to Death." The laugh turned chilling in a moment, before an arc of fire went soaring at the King. Two weapons intercepted the fire, bathing in flame until they faded away.
The Archer grinned momentarily, a great amount of doors opening around him while a laugh left his mouth. While his eyes still burned with rage, the King was delighted, the empty man had killed his Master and replaced him. The Lancer waited for a moment, flames licking half his body, then he sped off, trails of green lingering behind him.
He appeared in front of the Golden King, hovering before the lamppost as the scythe swung its burning head at the Servant. The King jumped away, mere moments before scythe would have bisected him in h-half. Emerald light bathed the area surrounding them in an ethereal glow, each step he took leaving a footprint etched into the concrete with the flames.
The fire kept spreading across his body, he heard two gasps of pain from the connections he held, his Master and Mistress feeling the weight of his magics. His cloak transformed into the flames, blackened bones were all that remained of the mortal form of the Lancer. He disappeared once more, weapons cratering the place he once stood.
The Golden King felt a rush of wind pass his neck, turning to find the being held in the chains of Enkidu, a growl echoing out of its mouth. It strained against the bindings, hearing the voice of his Master, pained and gravely. "Lancer, with this Command Seal I command you, defeat Archer." The chains strained against the Lancer, groaning from the force he put upon it.
The King of Heroes walked away, portals to the great Treasury opening to reveal their splendor, weapons made to endure flames shooting out to impale the creature. It did not stop struggling even with twelve weapons that began to burn despite their immunity to flames. A single link gave way, the scythe swiped a few feet in the air, though that was enough for what it needed.
An arc of fire rushed at the Archer's back, it caught the First Hero off-guard, able to send a single weapon to block the flames before they crashed into him. The Servant turned around, the other's weapon greeting his sight for a second before a spear knocked it to the side, the weapon of death grazing his arm.
The presence of death became heavy, almost becoming dense enough to touch. Mortals near the area had panic attacks, while the other Servant stumbled for a moment when it appeared. The chains slipped off the bones, smoke rising from the links of metal named after his only friend.
Laughter echoed once it was free, flashing in front of Gilgamesh, before impacting a fist against the King's armor, the second time it cratered as he was sent flying by a being that defied logic. Flames lingered across the metal, a hand gripped his face and he was forced down into the street, the creature leering down into his eyes.
The flames flickered once, the other hand was raised to deal a mortal wound. It came down on the king, dissipating mere centimeters from impact. The creature backed away, allowing the King to stand back up, watching in slight interest as the beast returned back to normal, then began to fade into dust.
The Being born of Death heard nothing, his Master dead and Mistress barely alive. He fell forward, just as he did at the end of his mortal life, never to impact the ground. The Archer faded back to his Astral state, his face marred by the handprint-shaped burn. "You died, as befitted a mad dog."
They all had retreated before him, his body just a skeleton surrounded by green flames. He was an abomination to the cycle of life and death, more than the Constructs, Homunculi and Undead could ever be. Water, Lightning, Ice, Rock, all manner of magics and projectiles were launched at the creature, not one fazed it.
It cut through flesh with the scythe of emerald flames, a chilling laughter echoed out from its skull. A wave of its hand produced a nova of fire around it expanding quickly to encompass most surrounding him.
The laughter stopped suddenly, the flames abating to reveal the body of Shiniga. He fell forward, his body gone into dust before he hit the ground. Those that remained around him were confused, before they headed off to battle the rest of the Child-king's family. That was the last day of the Second Age. The day where the world became frozen and dead.
8 days after start of War-
A wall of earth rose behind the Caster, separating the Artist from her Master. Near-instantaneously the sketchbook was opened and a page ripped out, consumed in fire the moment it left her hand to engulf the street. The armored figure strode through the flames, face hidden by their helmet while twin swords sat in hand. Eyes hidden by red lenses gazed into simple brown, both conveying nothing to their opponent.
The Avenger dashed forward, swords aimed at her opponent's vital organs. The black serrated edges were deflected by the blue sketchbook, its owner hopping back to paint a quick artwork. The hand touched the paper, right before one of the twin sword attempted to remove it from her body. She was blown back by a gust of wind, flipping over twice before crashing into a building, the Artist taking the time she had gained to draw as much as she could.
Cracks appeared in the pavement starting from the building, spiking upwards along the cracks, the Paragon walked back out, a set of red marking etched in her armor. The Painter finished her drawing, dust swirling in front of her when it was finished, metal formed in the shape of a humanoid's legs silver-colored and unblemished. It continued to make a humanoid of metal, until it finished forming, a single yellow eye opening on the left side, green tattered robes manifesting alongside a ring staff with seven rings and a simple katana.
The Paragon stopped for a moment and flinched when the single eye gazed upon her, disapproval and acceptance in its gaze. The Caster stumbled back before ending on the floor, gasping for air from the exhaustion of the one she summoned. The staff was raised by the Ferrumvir, being brought down to impale the ground, a shockwave echoing out and cratering the ground beneath it. A single word, resounding in a grating and rusty voice came from the being.
"…Disappointed…" Lightning shot down from the sky, missing the non-human by inches and leaving a scorch mark behind. The stave swept through the air, icicles appearing for a second before rocketing off. They shattered on impact with the Paragon's armor and weapons, though they did force her back along with allow another set of markings to appear.
A wall of concrete erupted from the ground, blocking any remaining icicles that were summoned. Quiet sounded for a moment, oppressive and nerve-racking, then the Dragonkin heard a rock tumble behind her, turning around to meet the Ferrumvir. The katana was pointed directly at her, somehow the sound of a gunshot echoed out, the woman was sent flying through both conjured walls, past a startled Blackwing and Sakura, though the former hid his surprise well.
The Dragon of Vengeance flipped in mid-air, evading the great blade that would have bisected her if she hadn't. The Berserker put her blade down, head turning to regard the Eldest, the two other Servants and their Masters. The non-human picked herself up from the crouch she landed in, warily looking over her opponents. The Maddened Demon disappeared from sight, Blackwing reacting by summoning Prismakreuz, the titanium staff taking the brunt of the flat strike of the great blade.
The 'Master' of Avenger was sent high above the buildings from the strength of the Demon Maid, almost unprepared for the sword that sent him into the air to be sent after him. His wings appeared for a moment sending him flying away from the weapon before disappearing. He landed on a rooftop, not accompanied with an expected stumble like most would believe.
Sakura ran towards an alley, being swallowed by the dark, Kariya exiting that same alley with a passive look on his face. "Berserker." The Demon looked at her Second Master, a sense of nostalgia taking over the experimented. "Let loose the Demon." The sword crashed into the ground near her right hand, shearing off a few of the bandages covering the connecting limb.
Slowly the rest of the fabric fell off, rusty-colored skin with protrusions similar to small spikes adorning the limb being what was shown. The demonic limb reached to grasp the mask, pulling it off and crushing the porcelain with ease. The hand gripped the sword, ripping it out of the ground with enough force to make a crater that eclipsed the one it had made on impact.
The Berserker let out a sound akin to a roar, leaping at the closest enemy to her, The Paragon of Blood and Earth discarding her swords and instead unsheathing the polearms quick enough to block the raging Demon. Even with four sets of the Dragon's Blessings she was pushed back across the entirety of the street and through two buildings with a single swing of the Demon's blade. Others would consider her a Monster, she was not one, that title belonged to those who were his broken fragments.
The rubble of the buildings shifted, sending debris to the ground atop the rest, the woman once more emerging from a building, though with an almost unnoticeable wince. The second-to-last set of markings appeared on her chest and back, with speed close to a Lancer's she disappeared and reappeared behind the Caster. A swipe of the Blood Paragon's polearms was dodged with a haphazard roll, the book, deflecting the second and fourth strikes, the third leaving a gash across her abdomen and left arm.
Still running on low prana due to her Master not being a 'Proper Magus', the Painter of Reality was forced to wait a few moments and remain on the defensive until the Eldest or Berserker arrived. The former arrived first, the ring staff blocking both polearms with ease despite the strength they held, the katana once more pointed at her. The shot fired, though the Avenger was prepared this time and braced herself the moment the sound was heard, skidding instead of flying through the air.
A black spear tip erupted from the Caster's body without warning, the woman in question coughing blood before turning around. Blackwing met her gaze, Prismakreuz in hand, red blood with tints of green running off the blade. He pulled the spear out of the Artist's body, and leapt away as the demon Maid went after him, a sad smile appearing on the Caster's face. 'Father… would be proud… I gave her a… happy ending.' And then the Wandering Artist passed on once more.
Rage filled the grey eyes of the Berserker, the maid and sister of the Child-king feeling the effects of a command seal being used followed by another, and then a third. "Berserker, avenge the Caster, Servant of Sakura Matou. Fight until Sakura is safe and far away from this place. Allow yourself to return to your beloved First Master, once she is safe." Those were the three commands uttered by her Second Master, every one of them bringing a smile on her face.
She saw her Second Master leave, somewhat like her First Master in purpose. Then she was forced to weather a rain of white lights from the bow of the Infinite Archive, explosions appearing from each point the lights hit. Smoke rose before being blown away with a single swing of the girl's blade, skidding along the polearms as another volley descend from above.
The Avenger and the Berserker dueled alongside the explosions, several impacting into or directly next to the combatants, though neither were fazed by the high-powered explosions. The great blade was brought to bear against lava-like metal, both cracking from the strength being forced upon them. A single punch sent the Last Dragonkin careening back, an imprint making itself known on the black armor.
Ce raised her right polearm to the sky, red mist coalesced above it turning into a sphere with large quantities of prana found inside it. The Berserker strode forward, slightly hampered by her opponent's 'Master' and his arrows of light, each would have been enough to overwhelm a less dangerous Servant. A green light impacted her, followed by dozens more, she spasmed once with each hit before moving on, her curse nullifying the weaker bolts of death. They were nothing compared to Shiniga's presence and magics.
Ce brought down her weapon to point at Onimeido, the sphere of prana following the motion and somehow rocketing through the air to appear before the Maddened Demon in seconds. 'She is safe.' The Demon kept her smile, not blocking or dodging the orb. It impacted, then she was gone once more, a column of red light lancing up into the sky from the area of impact.
Ce sheathed her weapons, the markings fading away from sight. Neither of her opponents had been Human… they were too broken to be one. The only ones she could count as Human were the Two Kings, and some of the masters. They took the guise of humans, but they weren't a part of that race. They were like her and her Partner. They looked like Humans, but they weren't ones, they were dolls, Monsters, Demons, Angels, Grigori and many other names. That was how the world became near the end of its Second Age, there was little among true Humans, many were something else entirely, though they hid it well enough that only a non-human could actually see it.
Her 'Master' landed next to her, she walked off and he followed close behind, making sure that she did not get into any trouble that could be avoided. 'Do you hate what I've become, Nea? I know you never enjoyed killing, but it was necessary. Do you still love me… Brother?' She continued on her way, not allowing Blackwing to question the words he could vaguely hear, there was one more battle to fight, and then she could rest again.
She was on her knees, looking into the sky of a sight she would have enjoyed to paint. It looked as though one of the moons was descending upon the ground, those fighting simply not caring to worry themselves over such a trivial thing. Āto wished her brush was still in her hand, the painting would rival her unfinished piece.
A cough racked her body in pain, she saw only three remain amongst those who went to face the Endakai, her little brother tainted with Insanity, her sister carving a bloody path worthy of monsters, and her littlest brother sickness racking his body still. She watched as Byōki reached his limit, not caring for life anymore, he fueled his magic with his own body, instinctively knowing he wouldn't survive.
Kodomo… they felled him, after a day of fighting, they had killed the boy. He had a smile upon his face, while the ones who had done the deed cried. He was peaceful, his body still upright, the only breaking of the image being the numerous weapons that had spilt his white blood residing in his body. The Demon noticed her master gone, and let her fury run wild, her sword exploding any that touched the blade from sheer strength.
Onimeido howled her grief, right before the meteor impacted directly on her, the second one following directly behind. Both the girl and the woman never got to see the end result, one dying on impact, the other flash-frozen the moment it neared the surface.
The Third Age began.
The Saber looked at his Master, leaving the shed with a heavy heart around him, moving over to attempt to comfort the empty man. "Master…" Kiritsugu looked up at his Servant with a blank face, acknowledging the Saber with a small nod before continuing into the home, the Remnant following after him. "… are you… sad that she… will fade away…"
The man stopped for a moment, turning slowly to look into the Remnant's eye, a look of sadness within the man's black eyes. "Saber, I am saddened slightly by her passing soon, but so long as the wish is granted, her sacrifice will not be for nothing." The man became quiet, watching as his Servant bowed his head slightly, the ever-present grin no longer present. He walked over to check his equipment one last time, the Remnant leaving him to his own devices before going to visit his Mistress.
She greeted him with a sad smile whilst he kneeled next to her resting place, her hand reaching out to brush against the shadowed face. "It's alright to cry if you want to, Saber. Kiritsugu already has, you should too before going out again." Silence reigned for a moment before the Servant reached up and put her hand back against her side, a sad smile inhabiting his face.
"I've… shed my tears… All that… is left is… to say… goodbye… and goodnight…. Mistress…" They stayed in a comfortable silence, both demi-humans merely enjoying each other's company until it came time for the Saber to leave. With sadness tainting the air the Servant left, his body shaking once out of sight of Irisviel. "Why… Why am I… unable to cry… even for one… such as Mistress?"
With those lingering words the Remnant faded away, off to join his Master in preparing, to forget the momentary pain and guilt he experienced when talking to her, and the immense sadness of losing one he was close to for near-eternity.
10 days after start of War-
The Remnant and the Paragon of Blood stared down one another, the building burning around them as the prize formed further ahead. Blackwing had not shown up within the room, instead checking on the other two Masters that remained in the War, the Priest and the Magus-killer. Both combatants had their swords out, the black serrated swords giving a contrast to the silver straight broadsword. Red and violet light cast shadows, the substance of a Dragon-god running through the armor and skin of the Paragon's left arm, while the violet flames replaced the Remnant's eye.
The swords they carried were discarded, in the case of Avenger, or shattered, in Saber's case, the former retrieving the polearms she carried, while the latter raised his hand to the ceiling. "Nedetes…" A gauntlet appeared where a left arm was meant to reside, white and black randomly marking the armor their own. The cloak caught fire, the ash falling into the armor as it created an arm piece to take its place.
A sword made of a white metal appeared in his armored hand, what remained of his chest was replaced by the armor, steel crawling up the neck and other limbs to replace ash that was once flesh. The flames exposed the being's skin for short moments before they too burned from the flames, black light condensing into a sword similar to the first one he held.
By the time the Armor of Madness finished forming the Avenger had another set of lines across her right leg, while the substance was bubbling on her right arm. They both walked forward, one trembling in restrained rage, the other humming in a maddening language. Swords and polearms struck one another, sparks flying alongside flames falling from above.
A sweep at the neck was made by the Avenger, the blade reminiscent of lava blocked by the Sword of Black Light, the other knocking away the Sword of White Dark as it allowed an orb of darkness to form and fire the moment it was knocked aside. The Dragonkin lunged forward with a single polearm, the second being dropped before being grabbed at the pommel. The lunge was blocked by the First God, the next being dodged before six orbs of light appeared directly in front of him, lancing off to impale the Avenger.
None came to harm her as she slashed through the first one, spun around the next two, and deflected the other three, each crashing into a wall or post, occasionally allowing portions of the ceiling to collapse from the strain. The next set of markings bubbled into existence upon her left leg, effectively having her stats raised to the point where she was able to fight on par with the original form of Remnant. The Polearms of Blood clashed against the condensed Light and Dark swords, deflecting them away from her person as she spun away, one of the weapons she held spiraling away from her towards the Remnant.
It scraped against the armor, not leaving any mark and bouncing off to be caught by an airborne Ce. The white sword was aimed at her, a black orb gathering at its tip before rocketing off at the woman. An explosion occurred as she was sent backwards, the polearms having shielded her from the worst of the blast.
They rested for a moment, the second-to-last set of markings appearing across her chest and back, white light glinted through the red lenses of her helmet. She disappeared, the Remnant brought his blade to the side, the other pointed at the visible Paragon. The Dragon of Vengeance ducked her head back, the polearms she held clashing against the black blade. She was not quick enough to avoid the little lance of Darkness, shattering a portion of her visor even as she threw herself into assaulting the God. A red slitted eye bored into the violet flame, one holding naught but rage, the other nothing.
Blades of pure-white and pitch-black scraped against lava-like zanbato-polearms, sparks flying every time the two sets were smashed against one another. There was only the crackling of the flames to accompany the ringing of metal on metal, neither side able to interact with human speech anymore due to their respective curses.
The bubbling substance that made up the markings that adorned the Dragonkin appeared around her helmet, white instead of red while the other markings turned to white, her armor turned red, the red eye became milky white. Wings erupted from her back, red with white lines running across them, they were not wings of any animal or creature to have existed upon Gaia, the pinions were separate from one another, straight and block-like.
With a single beating of the wings, the Avenger was directly in front of the Saber, polearm directly in front of where a normal being's heart was located, stopped only by the opponent's sword. The woman was shoved back, a wooden beam falling between the two crackling with fire. Without pause she flung herself through the flames, beginning a dance with the one who dreamt of the World of Dreams when he was whole.
Weapons clanged against one another for mere moments before they leapt away, every second filled with the clashing of at least one set of opposing blades. The humming eventually stopped, not a word or sound uttered from either Servant. A single sound echoed out after what felt like a life-time, that of blood dripping to the floor.
The Remnant removed his blade from the confines of the other's armor, crimson blood with white lines decorating the liquid staining the tip of his blade. A polearm touched the puddle of blood, greedily lapping the substance until nothing remained, "Eiyune." The weapon gained an aura of misty red around it, swiping horizontally to release of a wave of energy at the God.
Motes of light fell from the rising black blade, a melodic sound resounded from the confines of the empty armor. It fell, an arc of light clashing with the energy of blood. They exploded against one another, the two Servants dashing into the smoke, metal ringing on metal sounded throughout the remains of the building.
The smoke swirled with each beings' movements, keeping the screen from dissipating into non-existence. Droplets of blood fell from the slight gash in Ce's armor, her blades drinking of the life and fueling their power. Each strike they sent at one another held enough strength to demolish entire buildings.
Light and Dark met Blood within the confines of the smoke, each collision sending more and more of the cloud-like object around the two. Finally there was a sound that was not yet given by either of the two, a pained gasp left the Avenger, backing out of the smoke clutching at her chest, blood running through her fingers. The smoke finally left, showing the Saber with sword held out, blood dripping off the weapon made of Darkness.
The woman stumbled backwards, the left polearm being dropped to clatter against the floor. She looked down at her wound, something she had not experienced before in her life, a stab to the heart. The Avenger fell to her knees, Keirine being the only reason she did not fall to the floor. The Last Dragonkin rose slowly from her kneeling as the Remnant walked over to her, she looked up, the white eye looking into the violet flame.
Then she collapsed, falling into a pool of her own blood, her markings fading away alongside the blood. Blackwing stopped his observation of the Priest and Magus-Killer sensing the ending of his Servant, a tear leaving his hidden eyes. While not necessarily close, they had enjoyed each other's presence and it hurt to see her fade away.
The Remnant looked upon one of his daughters, she who had massacred entire nations to gain revenge for her slaughtered kin and race. His armor faded once more to be replaced by his cloak, a drop of liquid escaping from the dark confines of the hood, splashing against the blood-stains as he watched Ce fade back to the Throne. He walked away further into the building sensing the last Servant within the walls, alongside the source of some evil.
It was time to become the Sacrifice once more.
He saw the cup, golden and ornate as expected of something named the Holy Grail. What was not expected was the black mud that spilled over the ground from its lip, though it did not deter the Saber from walking up to it. He felt Kiritsugu attempt to use his Command Seals, a simple question stopping the Magus-Killer, "Do you… trust me… Master… Kiritsugu." The man paused, and the sword Reum hovered over the grail.
"I am… Saber… Upon the Grail… I give this wish… I wish to… take upon… the Curses of… Angra Mainyu…" The liquid seemed to stop, as if it was stunned as his Master. Then the world exploded as the black mud burst from its place upon the ground, flames sprouting as the entirety of the building collapsed. The liquid spread out into other buildings and the park, setting cursed fire upon the ground, structures and trees.
It did not go far, receding soon after reaching a few meters past the entirety of the park. It converged where the Remnant once stood, and still stood, taking the place of the missing limb and body, black skin stood in contrast to the white of his mortal shell, lines of violet and red crisscrossing along the fake skin.
A half-red, half-violet eye slowly opened on the left side, flame-like qualities flickering into existence once it fully opened. A white dot opened alongside it, looking into the world with two eyes for the first time in a long time. His body faded into prana, leaving his Master to weep and find the Child Master some time later.
The Remnant breathed heavily, the Beast destroying his left side from inside of him. He left to his meadow, a flick of his trembling hand allowing a coffin of red crystal to surface within the black and white grass.
The Remnant stumbled, the Second God catching him and helping the First God to the coffin. The Remnant of Nothing went to lay in the coffin, the lid forming and settling into place once he was fully within it. The lone eye remaining closed, drifting to sleep without dreams.
Canuseius laid next to the coffin, curling up to the crystalline structure and drifting into sleep, tears staining the being's face. The Remnant was never seen of again by those who called his world home, only the First Races knowing of his existence because of the Eldest, third son of the Remnant. He woke briefly to see the meteor cause the Third Age to begin, and woke again when his world faded away, smiling sadly as he stood shakily on two legs.
The sword Reum shattered into pieces, a smile tinged with sadness upon the being's face. The memories the sword held flowed into the Remnant, finally able to remember his past and see what had transpired while asleep. The meadow that had stood for so long faded into non-existence, the Remnant being the last to disappear.
He was able to say his true name before he disappeared, "Grey…son" Then the World of Dreams disappeared, its story unknown to all others.
Class: Caster
Name: Āto
Title(s): Carefree Artist, Painter of Reality
Gender: Female
Alignment: True Neutral
Stats-
Strength: E-
Endurance: E+
Agility: B-
Mana: A+
Luck: A-
Noble Phantasms: A
Class Skills-
Item Construction: -, Unable to create any items or Mystic Codes. Can be considered a failure as a Magus.
She cared little for priceless relics and artifacts of Magecraft, only loving her artwork and those of others.
Territory Creation: -, unable to make any form of Bounded Fields. Can be considered a failure as a Magus.
She had given into her wanderlust, leaving alongside the puppet-maker from the Library of Magicians and Golem-makers.
Personal Skills-
Eye for Art: A, able to discern any Servant's/Noble Phantasm's identity if there is an artwork depiction of them/it. Image must be somewhat accurate for effect to work.
She was among the greatest artists in the Second Age, rivaling those among the Culrick in the First, She knew every painting, drawing, sculpture, statue and building by heart.
Thaumaturgy: A, has knowledge of modern and ancient Magecraft. (Unable to put knowledge to use beyond theoretical due to lack of practice).
She was the second magical prodigy of the Library, learning alongside the iron puppet-maker in subjects that bored both.
Independent Action: A+, Servant can remain in this world indefinitely even without a Master. However, in order to activate her Noble Phantasm, it is necessary to first acquire an extra supply of prana from alternative sources.
She knew no master, served no king, only coming in contact with them if they commissioned an artwork from her.
Noble Phantasms-
Sketchbook, The Paintings of the Wandering Artist: E, a book that contains within it every painting and drawing Āto ever created. The book itself is durable enough to withstand most forms of modern weapons and Magecraft.
Āto loved her drawings and paintings more than her own life, enchanting her book to withstand the tests of both time and battle.
Reality Breaker, The Drawings Live: EX, The only form of magic she is able to utilize, Āto can turn any of her paintings and drawings into a part of reality. Images of places will teleport her to that particular area, so long as it is in the same dimension. Images of an object/being/word will bring that into existence, so long as the picture's image exists within the same dimension at any given time in history.
Her love twisted reality, bringing them to life.
The Last Painting, Family Portrait: A, used only in conjunction with 'Reality Breaker, The Drawing Live', Āto remembers the last painting she made and her greatest, despite never being finished. She paints a picture of those associated with the Child-king, granting them life for a time. A blank spot resides within the center of the portrait, in the shape of young child, directly next to four boys and a young girl playing tag.
She held the blue book to her chest, blood pooling underneath her, the last page never to be completed.
Class: Berserker, Saber
Name: Unknown (Lost to fragmentation of mind)
Title(s): Onimeido, Maddened Demon
Gender: Female
Alignment: True Neutral
Stats-
Strength: A+ (EX)
Endurance: EX
Agility: B (A+)
Mana: E
Luck: D
Noble Phantasms: A
Class Skills-
Mad Enhancement: E (A+), Rank up for parameters, but most of one's reason is robbed. Due to undergoing consciousness equalization with the Master, one has become a more mechanical Servant.
The mask kept her calm, breaking it unleashed a monster upon the World, all learned to never target the mask.
Personal Skills-
Mental Pollution: B+,
She held no emotions, losing her way unless directed by her Brother and Master.
Regeneration: A+, able to regenerate any wound, including lost limbs, organs and head, within seconds unless destroyed entirely in one attack.
The Mad Men tried to make her into an engine of war, they were successful but were unable to ever exploit due to Escape.
Monstrous Strength: A++,
Her body knew no limits, its strength beyond that of all within the Realm of Dreaas and those beyond.
Battle Continuation: A, Makes possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound.
Upon her death throes they had impaled innumerable weapons in her flesh, while fallen limbs that were once hers held weapons within them, a meteor descended from the sky, and she closed her eyes.
Noble Phantasms-
Mad Mens' Desires, Arm of the Demon: A, Onimeido's bandaged right arm, while bandaged it reduces the Strength stat to ranking levels and drop her Agility by four ranks. Only usable during the effects of Mad Enhancement
The Mad Men made her a demon, her arm to be the first of what her body was to become, then Kodomo freed them from their cages.
Gift from Brother, the Zweihander: D, a steel zweihander that is too heavy to be used properly unless having A-rank Strength or higher. Kodomo had this forged for Onimeido when the latter was asked if she had a weapon.
She held the blade with one hand, her Brother looking on with a curious glint in yellow eyes, the blade was dropped for a moment to rest, the ground cratering from its weight, while she hugged her Brother for the first and last time.
Gift from Master, the Mask: D, a porcelain fox mask given to her by Kodomo. The Mask calms Onimeido and makes her unable to go into a rage no matter the circumstance. If it is destroyed Onimeido will instantly activate Mad Enhancement A+.
She held the Mask, the Child-king looking at her with his Cheshire-grin, she put it on, and the world was muted.
Let Loose the Demon: A+, the command used by Kodomo when the Outcasts of the World fought against the Endakai. Onimeido goes into a rage, activating Mad Enhancement A+ despite 'Gift from Master, the Mask', and removing the bandages limiting 'Mad Mens' Desires, Arm of the Demon'. There is no way to stop Onimeido once the Noble Phantasm has occurred, only death or elimination of enemies will end the Phantasm.
Her master called out the words, the mask was broken, an inhuman howl echoed, the bandages were torn, and a Demon was let loose.
Class: Berserker, Beast
Name: Unknown (Lost from fragmentation and regression of mind.)
Title(s): Experiment 3-5-SC-3, Beast of Infinite Bone, SC-3
Gender: Unknown
Alignment: True Neutral
Stats-
Strength: A
Endurance: A
Agility: A
Mana: D
Luck: E-
Noble Phantasms: A
Class Skills-
Monstrous Strength: C
Its strength born of its superior bones, it trampled through all but the Swordsman Mitsu.
Personal Skills-
Mental Pollution: A+
Mind broken from years in their clutches while only instinct guided it, The Experiment lost all aspects of its Humanity.
Instinct: A, Refined sixth sense is now close to true precognition. Bonus effect of reducing by half the penalties caused by obstructed vision and hearing.
More Beast than Man, the Beast held itself within the laboratories of the Mad Men, following only what it felt was true.
Eye of the Mind (False): A, The ability grants an effect of offering resistance against penalties caused by visual obstructions.
SC-3 beheld the swordsman, seeing the way he gripped the katana, instinctly knowing something was wrong with the way he held himself.
Battle Continuation: D
Its bones reformed no matter the damage its body was put through, by the time it died, all but its heart and head were still covered by flesh.
Noble Phantasms-
Mad Men's Desires, Growing Bone: A, The source of SC-3's abilities, gives the ability to utilize and manipulate bones as weapons. SC-3 is able to grow unnatural body parts from his bones, resembling wings and a tail most times.
His bones were stronger than steel, able to contend against the Greatest Swordsman's skill, the only being that was able to do so besides the Child-king.
The Forest of Bones, A Beast's Escape: A+, placing clawed hands upon the ground, bones erupt from the ground as imitations of Gaia's trees.
Within the Tower hidden in the sands, SC-3 fought against Mitsu, both evenly matched until the Swordsman unsheathed his sword, a forest of bones erupted from floor, only the front row was cleaved halfway through.
The Swordsman's Treasure, The Beast's last Blade: C, A sword of bone from the left arm, this 'sword' was the only 'common' weapon durable enough to resist the amount of pressure Mitsu put his blades through, taken from the corpse of SC-3. This Noble Phantasm only activates on Death, allowing the victor to claim a bone as their prize before his body fades away.
The swordsman pried the blade from dead claws, weeping tears as his wish did not come true once more, only four days left until his sickness stopped his heart.
Class: Lancer, Caster
Name: Shiniga
Title(s): Being born of Death, 'Red Riding Hood', Avatar of Death
Gender: Male
Alignment: True Neutral
Stats-
Strength: B
Endurance: B+
Agility: A
Mana: D+
Luck: D-
Noble Phantasms: A
Class Skills-
Battle Continuation: A, Makes possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound.
He died of time at the age of 16, his magics draining his life while his body healed every wound from weapons and other magics.
Magic Resistance: C, Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against Magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals.
He was blessed and cursed by Death, nothing would harm him beyond the ancient magics.
Personal Skills-
Necromancy: B, able to summon and converse with the dead, those with this rank are unable to understand the Living or comprehend the Dead.
His friends were the dead, living among the spirits of Necropolis and the being he was made from, he knew not what those of the Living viewed as reality.
Mental Disorder: A+
He understood neither life nor death, being a creature made from both, unable to connect with either side.
Mental Pollution: A+
None save the dead and Third God understand the Being born from Death, A mortal given life through the concept of death.
Noble Phantasms-
The Curse of the Third God, Death's Presence: B- (A++), the aura surrounding Shiniga and the source of several of his magics, a pressure of impending death exudes from the boy unconsciously making all who are within 20m. Usage of magics shortened life span drastically while alive, while invoking them now imparts weakness and life-span reduction upon the Summoner.
Those around him backed away from the teen, the aura around him promising death, while the content smile reinforced the Image.
The Flames of the Dead, Cold Fire of Necropolis: A, green flames that burned both body and soul in equal measure, only those with a connection to the Realm of the Dead could wield the flames without fear of burning.
The Flames were handled by four practioners during the Dawning of the Third Age, each as skilled as the being that had gifted them the knowledge of the flames.
The Gift from Death, Scythe of Blackened Bone: A+, a scythe made from the bones burnt by the Flames of the Dead, any who held the scythe was cursed and blessed to have a short, eventful lifetime. The weapon was known to harm the soul rather than the body, and made Death Magic more potent than reality would allow. The bones are wrapped in brown cloth, holding back a majority of Shiniga's presence and most of its power.
The scythe reaped a bloody total upon the Endakai, their fear of death coming to a front in the face of the Avatar of Death.
The 'Mask' of Death, A Child's Peace: E, The reflection of being one of those that held the being who created Dreaas main concepts and emotions. Shiniga was created to anchor the being's wish for death, born of wishing to be with his parents and family. The 'Mask' merely dictates what emotion/concept the person holds and experiences most often.
The being was always thinking of his death, eager to enter the void to be amongst his children and family.
Class: Berserker, Saber, Caster
Name: Unknown (Lost to fragmentation of mind)
Title(s): Remnant of Nothing, First God of Dreaas
Gender: Unknown (Referred as a He)
Alignment: Neutral
Stats-
Strength: B- (A+)
Endurance: C+ (A+)
Agility: B+ (B)
Mana: EX
Luck: A- (E-)
Noble Phantasms: B (EX)
Class Skills-
Magic Resistance: A (EX), Cancel spells of A-Rank or below. In practice, the Servant is untouchable to modern magi, so it would not be an exaggeration to title the Servant a "Magus Killer".
He was known to have introduced Magic to Dreaas alongside creating it from nothing, while the armor he wore nullified it completely when it formed.
Riding: C, Horses and Two-Wheeled Vehicles are able to be ridden with decent results
Remnant was never known for being able to ride beasts or machines, though was capable of the feat.
Personal Skills-
Independent Action: A+, Servant can remain in this world indefinitely even without a Master. However, in order to activate his Noble Phantasm, it is necessary to first acquire an extra supply of prana from alternative sources.
He knew no master, nor bowed to any, neither Mortal King nor Alaya and Gaia held any sway over his actions nor that of Dreaas.
Territory Creation: EX (-),
Known as the creator of Dreaas as well as the six dimensions connected to it, Remnant made his world from dust and thought, also making the area were his tomb would belong which only the Second God and himself are able to access.
Mad Enhancement: – (B), Rank up for all parameters, but takes away most of sanity.
Within the armor made from Its Madness, he reminded them why he held the maddening beast within his soul.
Battle Continuation: A (A+), Makes possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound.
His body held no heart, nor did it hold his left arm, his chest and the left of his head, no blood flowed through his body, and so he took to rest within that place where mind could not imagine.
Charisma: A (-), Can be said to have achieved the greatest level of popularity as a human being.
He created them and loved them as his children, even when he was struck by them he still loved them and would not strike them, they loved him as their Father and would follow him no matter the reason.
Divinity: EX
He was hailed as the First God, the creator of Dreaas, and the one that tamed the Maddening Beast, He is revered by those among Dreaas and the realms connecting to it as Fate, Origin, Void, and Madness.
Ultimate One: - (EX), While on Gaia receives no bonus, when within Dreaas will gain full effects.
He created that place, It gave him its power to repay its eternal debt for existence.
Noble Phantasms-
Sword made from Memory, Reum: D, a silver steel broad sword, the blade is a culmination of every beings' history from the world Dreaas. While not having any specific powers or abilities the sword is unbreakable except to Anti-World or higher Noble Phantasms, Not usable While 'Armor of Madness, Nedetes' is active.
It held the memories of the being he once was, alongside all those that inhabited the world Dreaas, making it the perfect library of the world.
Armor of Madness, Nedetes: B, a suit of armor made of overlapping plates of metal, the armor is a mixture of white and black being completely random in the 'texture' of the scheme. This armor can only be summoned when enraged and replaces Remnant's body when formed, granting Mad Enhancement (B), Battle Continuation (A+), Magic Resistance (EX), and boosting Strength and Endurance to (A+). Removes Charisma and Territory Creation, alongside bringing Agility down one rank and Luck to (E-).
The armor that came into being when the beast was merged with the Remnant, It was never once broken and the sight caused all of his children to know to stay away.
Blade of Light, Kodomo: B-, a pure-black sword named in honor of the Child-king of Dreaas, most forms of light are able to be manipulated while wielding the blade. Only usable when 'Armor of Madness, Nedetes' is active, Replaces 'Sword made from Memory, Reum'.
The Child-king was amongst the greatest of the Remnant's children, rivaling and challenging the Gods and Goddesses numerous times over his brief life of 15 years, Remnant created this sword alongside the Second God to cement the Boy's legend.
Blade of Darkness, Iro: B-, a pure-white sword named in honor of the Child-king's Shadow and first brother, most forms of darkness are able to be manipulated while wielding the blade. Only usable when 'Armor of Madness, Nedetes' is active, Replaces 'Sword made from Memory, Reum'.
The Denizen of Darkness was little known and mainly a rumor, he would always make the Child-king laugh and play despite not saying a word, He died alongside his brother shielding his body from further weapons, Remnant created this sword alongside the Second God to cement the Being's legend.
Maddening Beast of Nothing, Nesaia: EX, a creature that Remnant bound to his soul, it threatened to destroy Dreaas during its beginning years were it not for the Remnant. The Beast takes the form of a ball of chains when first summoned. Gradually the Beast will free itself from the chains, starting with its arms then its head. The Beast itself is pure white with clawed hands and a faceless head that is only broken when the beast opens a spiked mouth. This Phantasm is only usable when 'Armor of Madness, Nedetes' is in use.
The Beast and God fought for months, neither gaining an advantage, then the Remnant's children came to his aid, and the Beast was imprisoned within soul of the First God.
Dreaas, My World of Dreams: EX, The manifestation of the being that was to become Remnant's dreams and thoughts, this Noble Phantasm is a Realty Marble that encompasses three ages and seven dimensions that all connect to the world Dreaas. When active any being/creature/place/group/nation is able to be summoned from Dreaas's history and lore, ranging from men of metal to creatures of death and undeath to angels, demons and fallen. This Phantasm is unable to be used in conjunction with the 'Maddening Beast of Nothing, Nesaia'.
That place where the trees are made from crystal and stone, where the grass is black as night and white as snow, the sky is red with a shattered moon and two others, That place where a young boy wandered in his youth, creating a world for his Children and their Children.
The Last 'Mask', a Child's Fate: E, the reflection of being a fragment of the being who created Dreaas. The Remnant was the last 'Mask' to be 'born', coming into being from the child's body and embodying the concept of Nothing. While normally only dictating what concept/emotion an individual feels, due to 'possessing' the body of the child he was 'born' of he is able to feel slight amounts of happiness and sadness.
The child's body faded to Dreaas, the eyes opened but the boy was gone, the Remnant woke up and proceeded to create the world the child envisioned.
Class: Avenger, Caster, Saber, Berserker, Lancer, Beast
Name: Ce
Title(s): Paragon of Earth and Blood, Last of the Dragonkin, Dragon of Vengeance
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Stats-
Strength: D-
Endurance: D-
Agility: D-
Mana: D-
Luck: D-
Noble Phantasms: A
Class Skills-
Personal Skills-
Independent Action: EX,
She beseeched only the Crimson Dragon for help, and when it went to kill her after the deal was done, she killed it without remorse.
Divinity: A
She killed the previous Dragon of Vengeance, gaining the title and power alongside the status of the previous Great Dragon.
Battle Continuation: A, Makes possible to fight even with deadly injuries and can remain alive so long as one does not receive a decisive fatal wound.
Wounds littered her body, both great and insignificant, still she slaughtered Humanity, just as they had done to the Dragonkin.
Eternal Arms Mastership: A+, Mastership of combat arts has reached the point of being said to be unrivaled in one's era. By complete merging of mind, body and technique, it is possible to make use of full fighting skills even when under the influence of any sort of mental hindrance.
Amongst all during her time, she was paragon among warriors, living and killing thousands per battle when she took to the field alone, none managed to best her with any weapon, no matter how unique.
Natural Body: B-, (Ranked lower due to lack of several body parts from outside influence)
She once held wings and a tail, though they were torn off by those that slaughtered her kin.
Noble Phantasms-
The Dragon of Blood's Blessing, the Six Restraints that bind the Paragon: EX, gained when she asked the Crimson Dragon for vengeance upon Humanity, Ce became a demi-god the moment the Dragon gave her his blessing. The power she gained appears as tribal markings that glow red when in use, upon both arms, legs, chest and back, and head. Each time a restraint is activated all stats go up by two +, and Ce descends further into a cold rage. By the sixth restraint being activated, her armor and hair will turn red, and her eyes and all markings will become white, a tail and wings made from red-white energy are able to be formed. 'Eiyune and Keirine, Polearms of the Blood Paragon' must be active before usage of 5th Restraint. Each Restraint can only be released within 2 minutes of each other unless a command seal is used, and can last only 20 minutes before another restraint must be released to continue or the Phantasm will end, the only exception being the 6th Restraint.
The human warriors backed away in fear of the Dragonkin covered in red markings, her eyes focused on the cowering men before her blades swept through all.
The Twin Blades of Earth, the Weapons of the Paragon: C, twin serrated dark-grey words with no hilt, those that held these weapons were in tune with all manner of rock and stone, gaining the ability to manipulate any form of Earth so long as the swords are grasped. Cannot be used in conjunction with 'Eiyune and Keirine, Polearms of the Blood Paragon' or 'The Dragon of Blood's Blessing, the Six Restraints that bind the Paragon' during the 5th and 6th Restraints.
She received the blades the same day her siblings received their own, all six bestowed with the title of Paragon, each pair of twins getting the opposite element of their twin.
Eiyune and Keirine, Polearms of the Blood Paragon: A, twin polearms/swords with zanbato-like blades, each blade portion has a lava-like appearance while the pommel is spiked. The weapons held sway over all blood the wielder saw, growing stronger with each bit of blood added to their insatiable hunger. Unable to be used in conjunction with 'The Twin Blades of Earth, the Weapons of the Paragon'.
They stood within a pool of blood, liquid lapping at their knees as the Dragonkin took notice of them, a great wave passed over from behind her, and none were left sans her.
AN: For those of you who have read this story to its end, however few or many, I regret to say this will likely remain a single story/'Two-shot'. Unless I have inspiration to do either the 5th War, or write what happened after the 4th War but before the 5th, you will likely not hear again from this story.
If anyone wishes, they may use my children within their own stories, so long as you gain my permission. Please note that this is just a small portion of my family, and I should be able to transfer other characters from Dreaas to the template used for this Story/Fandom or another rather easily.
I thank those who reside within the Forum, for accepting this fractured boy into your midst. I thank Lupine Horror, for without you I would not have written this story. I thank Sakura Lisel for that very touching review, helping to keep me from not finishing.
All deserve a happy ending, aside from this fractured child and his world, their happy ending is reserved only when the child can lay eyes upon his world. I now bid you all, Goodbye and Goodnight. Pleasant dreams.
As of 6/16/2015 8:03 CST Several interaction scenes have been added, and the Servant sheets moved from the first chapter to the second.
