Disclaimer: I don't own neither Fate/Prototype nor Campione. Those two series are property of their respective authors, I'm just a fan writing things for fun.

Year 410 of the Gregorian Calendar, 1163 years since the founding of Rome. Winter ended a few weeks, the snow only starting to melt in the colder regions of Europe. The Roman Empire was on its last legs, invasions of barbarians from all fronts undermining their borders. While Honorius, the Western Roman Emperor, was busy with the revolt of the general Flavius Claudius Constantinus he sent diplomatic letters to the roman colonies in Roman Britain to tell them they must provide for their own defence against the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons.

It's exactly here, in the island that will one day give birth to one of the largest empires in history, that the seeds of change started to blossom.

It's here, that the legend began.

[*]

The region of Caer Aricon, near the mainland. It was a clear day, the sun shining down on the earth and warming its inhabitants, melting the last remnants of snow. In the sky the white clouds formed great mountains and other formations that inspire figures of fantasy to children and even adults with great imagination since the beginning of time. Not a single gray or black cloud in sight for miles.

And yet.

KRA-KOOM

A single lightning bolt traveled the sky in defiance of natural laws, its movements akin to a living being. From below humans could catch only a fleeting flash that inevitably got dismissed as a product of the imagination. But if one were to get closer, close enough that the voice would reach it...he would see a knight's figure inside the lightning. The knight wore a steel armor of the purest white and was riding an armored war horse with white fur. Secured to the noble steed's flanks were a lance and a shield of exquisite craftsmanship.

If the impossible feat of riding in the sky in the form of a lightning bolt wasn't sufficient, the knight's majestic appearance and inhuman presence would surely cause anyone with the slightest intelligence to identify him as a War God and cover in deference.

Having resurfaced from his myth in recent times, the God's first instinct was to travel instead of directly searching conflict. For he was used to find a worthy challenge only at the end of a long journey, and saw no reason to change. The only reason why he visited the island of Britain then, was simply on a whim dictated from curiosity, from the desire to see places never seen before. Britain fit this simple requirement.

Then, as he left behind human settlements to enter the vaster wilderness he suddenly felt the presence of divine power not his own. Descending from the clouds he discovered that the forest below was saturated with the power of a God of Earth, marking it as the God's domain. Now, normally his nature as [Steel] would bring him to fight the [Earth], as it was the destiny of the former to stand above the latter.

However, one single fact stayed his hand: the fact that he recognized the other divine power. And that it belonged not to an enemy, but to a dear friend of old. Thus the knight decided to put aside the thrill of battle for now and instead pay a visit to his acquaintance. Stopping at the edge of the divine territory he let out his own power in slow soothing waves, both to show the lack of hostility and to allow the other to recognize him too.

It didn't take long.

"Serendipity!" A young blonde woman wearing a toga came out of the forest riding a giant eagle, fingers folded over her bosom while on her beautiful face was an expression of pure delight. "Everything I expected, but not to receive such pleasure as a visit from you! Joyous event!"

"It's good to see you again, Blithe Cybele." The knight finally spoke with a deep and very masculine voice. "I humbly beseech to be allowed entrance into your sanctuary. Let us speak and enjoy ourselves like in the past."

"You don't even need to ask! Please come: my home is your home, today and forever."

[*]

In the heart of Cybele's domain the two Gods, both once worshipped by bold and ferocious equestrian tribes, rekindled their friendship while dining on the fruits of the forest and the meat of quarry for the remaining of the day and into the night.

"A while ago, I met a rather interesting member of [Steel]."

The old friend smiled as she chatted.

"[Steel]... This Knight's kin?"

"Yes. He was an odd fellow: very powerful, yet ignorant of most facts that can be considered common knowledge." Cybele tilted her head in a cute manner. "But what is most strange…"

"Yes?"

"Is that at times, beside [Steel], I would swear he also felt like a [Dragon]."

The knight's interest was instantly piqued. Dragons and snakes: the violent manifestations of Earth Mother Goddesses, since time immemorial they are the sworn enemies of Gods of Steel. While it could be possible for some to hold a deeper connection than just 'sworn enemies' compared to the others, a God of [Steel] sharing his nature and the source of its power with [Dragons] was unheard of.

Needless to say, the War God was excited at the mystery. "Then his name is?"

"He called himself Arthur, Artus in this land's language. His appearance made clear that he was a monarch of great prestige and a knight like dear friend. Bearing righteousness and battle's prowess unmatched, not too long ago he most splendidly slaughtered the god-slayer rampaging on this island."

"A King and also a Knight? How very interesting." The War God chuckled, remembering his own circumstances. "And to hear he already claimed the most worthy of preys. Where is he now?"

"After vanquishing the god-slayer, he spent some time providing wisdom to the leaderless humans before retiring to a secluded location. The people of this land started worshiping him as the island's guardian god, calling him the hero 'Artos.' But why the interest, my dear friend?" Cybele smiled mischievously. "Were this one's meaningless chatter sufficient to arouse your spirit?"

"Hmm. After all, this Knight simply journeys along a directionless path. One shall visit this one's kin as a way to pass time. Can you inform this Knight of the location?"

Cybele happily acquiesced. Thanking her for the answer, he bid his old friend goodbye and departed. Riding the divine steed to gallop across the sky, he sped off to the legendary hero's location.

[*]

Snowdon, in ancient Welsh "Yr Wyddfa", is the highest mountain in the region of Wales, with an elevation of 3,560 foot) above sea level. In the current era, however, it was still nameless, a towering mountain that stood out purely for its height.

And for being the home of the Hero that a couple of years ago defeated the evil Tyrant Gracianus Municeps, bringer of terror and war. It wasn't unusual to see groups of Britons aiming for the peak, risking their lives for the sake of offering prayers of reverence to the hero 'Artos' believed to be there. Yet, it was said were anyone find themselves in danger, like falling from a cliff, they would be seized by unnatural strong wind and brought to safety. That's why, despite the Hero having never appeared in person, the peregrines firmly believed that his spirit was watching over them and offering his blessing.

To the northeast side of the peak there was a cave reachable only by flight, with a small patch of flat ground in front of it. Arthur was sitting in front of a bonfire, hands in front of him with the palms facing each other. A bit far away Llamrei was eating from a sack of wheat left by one of the worshippers.

Suddenly a miniature whirlwind suffused with an azure glow appeared in the space between Arthur's hands, its form quickly changing between various geometrical figures. Then it disappears, and with it Arthur, before both re-appear back.

Nodding in confirmation Arthur dispelled the whirlwind and relaxed. He has ditched the upper armor, leaving him in a blue, long-sleeved hooded blouse. "So I was right." He mused, one hand under his chin. "Still, so much progress in only two years...this is no longer the [Sacred Tool] of a Heroic Spirit, but the [Divine Authority] of a godly being..." She shook his head. "What I have done with my life?"

Following the defeat of Gracianus, Arthur took upon himself to purge the old government of corruption and incompetence, while mentoring Raoh on the duties and responsibilities of a King, as Merlin once did for him.

The only thing he left out was any hint or suggestion at the philosophy upon which to found the reign: Arthur's old one was a failure, so he decided to let the man create his own. Until now, based on the bits of news he collected it seemed to have worked.

Well, laws under the new Governor General were quite strict and he was famous for working soldiers to the bone, regardless of rank, but with the threat of barbarian invasions ever present it was a necessity. Arthur would have done the same.

He was more surprised at the fact Raoh managed to find a horse large and strong enough to endure his considerable size: he never knew Britain's breeds of horse could grow to the size of a small elephant!

Once satisfied with his work he left, deciding to retire in a secluded location in order to better study the changes undergone when he woke up in this new world: the increased strength of his Noble Phantasms, the strange knowledge his instincts would occasionally provide...

Take, as example, Invisible Air: despite its title as the [Bounded Field of the Wind King], it was merely a Rank C Noble Phantasm that manipulate wind on a very small scale, letting him do things like make his sword invisible, shoot a bullet of compressed air and erect a quick barrier. Despite being impressive by modern magecraft's standards, its Rank means its strength was only average among Noble Phantasms.

Now however Invisible Air's range was able to cover more than half of the mountain he stood on, taking control of all the air inside. With just a bit of training Arthur was rewarded with a control of precision that eclipsed the previous ones: he could make himself and others invisible, manipulate the wind to increase his speed and attacks in new ways, and also sense with precision any presence inside the field.

That's how he was able to remain unseen by the peregrines coming to the mountain to pay homage and save those that get in trouble without revealing his presence.

In short, Invisible Air seemed like a completely new Noble Phantasm: if its previous Rank was C, now Arthur would easily categorize it as A or even A+. An incredible powerful mystery that he wouldn't have been surprised to see used by a Caster class Servant that originated from the Age of Gods. And it was his to command, as easily as breathing.

Experiments made with his other Noble Phantasms only cement the natural conclusion further.

"From human, to Heroic Spirit and now a God?" Arthur suppressed the urge to groan.

Llamrei neighed.

"That's not funny." He deadpanned.

Did he mention that now, somehow, he could tell what his horse want to communicate, putting into words what once were just general intents.

That's how he discovered that his old friend possessed quite the attitude and a sassy tongue. It wasn't as annoying as Merlin, but it came close. Very, very, very close.

He opened his mouth to counter his horse's attempt at humor, only to abruptly closed it when he sensed someone with incredible magical power approaching the mountain. 'Cybele?' His first thought went to the Goddess that helped him when he arrived in this world, but quickly shot down that supposition when he realized the energy was different...stronger.

He stood up on his feet, armor materializing on his torso and arms. "We have a visitor." He also called upon the essence of Excalibur and Avalon, not enough to materialize them but to make them ready to do so in a moment's notice.

He couldn't be sure without seeing it with his own eyes first, but in a world lacking Heroic Spirits and creatures like Dead Apostles, such a powerful presence could belong only to a [Heretic God]. Not to say he was expecting battle; it doesn't, however, hurt to be ready for the worst.

Deciding to show at least common courtesy he manipulates Invisible Air to form a glowing blue corridor of wind in the path of the newcomer, leading to the place he was standing right now.

It didn't take long for the guest to arrive, and at the sight Arthur couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a nostalgic feeling blossoming in his heart. There, trotting in the air as if it was solid ground, was an armored knight riding a plated horse, both a pure white that spoke of nobility and solemnity appropriate for a noble warrior in the service of a famous king.

Needless to say, such a refined fellow wouldn't have looked out of place among the Knights of the Round Table.

"Greetings." The knight spoke with a deep and masculine voice, the armor that covered every inch of his body preventing any other clue about his gender from leaking. "Pardon this intrusion. This Knight humbly visits this place, seeking the war god who respond to the name of Arthur."

'Steel.' The moment his mind registered that word Arthur understood that he was in the presence of a God Steel. A warrior like him.

Then again, he was the King of Knights. Friend or foe, there wasn't another type of person with whom he was most at ease.

"That would be me." He replied with confidence, just a hint of ferocity on his smile to show he wasn't one to be messed with. Courteous certainly, yet also a proud warrior. "Forgive me for receiving you in such an unwelcoming place." He gestures to patch of land on the border of the abyss. "But I didn't expect to receive visitors."

"T'is of no consequence." The knight dismounted his horse with a grace that spoke of countless hours training in the art of war. "I am used to long journeys, where one cannot find easily suitable accommodations. I was in the middle of one, until I happened upon an old friend. Blithe Cybele, she mentioned a peerless hero exterminator of Devil Kings. This Knight wishes to converse and become friends."

"As one who helped me in the time of need, any friend of Lady Cybele is more than welcome." Arthur's posture relaxed at the mention of the Earth Goddess' name, detecting not an ounce of dishonesty in the Knight's words. "My name is Arthur. Anything else beside my name, is of no consequence anymore and doesn't deserve to be mentioned. Whom I am the honor of addressing?"

"Very well, hero without past. Like you, this Knight will also bare himself. This one is know as the [Lancea God] to the people of this era." He took a step forward. At that moment his armor dissolved into particles of light, making visible what was previously concealed.

Short, honey-colored hair and sky-blue eyes. The body of a mature woman, a tall and slender physique with an astoundingly voluptuous bosom and exceptionally mesmerizing hips. The one who wore white steel armor was a beautiful caucasian girl with an exquisite face like an angel's, displaying all-surpassing purity. She wore a light chain mail to protect her torso and under that blue clothes with brown boots on her feet.

"But in ancient times this one was known with the name of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons." He-No, she continued with a refreshingly cool and very feminine voice, smiling amiably. "I was told you're also a King. But if possible I would like to converse as fellow Knights, as I have little patience with the palace's etiquette."

The newly revealed Hippolyta expected many manners of response to her presentation. But even with her vast experience she failed to predict the mysterious Arthur performing what, in another time and place, would be know as the act of [double-take].

"W-What?" Arthur gaped, staring in shock at the woman in front of him. "Y-You're a girl?!"

"Why, yes. I believe it is most apparent." She replied with a bit of surprise, not knowing what could have possibly instilled such doubt in the mind of the other knight.

"Then, why were you speaking with a male voice?"

"This is not a battlefield, and one's armor has been removed. Displaying this Knight's original voice on occasion is condoned, is it not?"

The quick and direct answer stunned Arthur, leaving him at a momentary loss of words.

In the background Llamrei laughed.

Recovering from the brief loss of dignity, Arthur thought again about the strange situation he found himself in and realized that, after experiencing two Holy Grail Wars and battling renowned heroes from different eras, the idea of a girl wearing male knight armor wasn't so preposterous. Why, maybe it happened during his own times!

...Not that he recalled ever learning of such an occurrence, but it could have happened.

It was because his mind was filled with such thoughts that, when he opened his mouth again...

"Uh...your mimic ability is very good?"

...That was what came out.

Hippolyta blinked before she made a very happy smile. "Why, thank you! No one has ever complimented me on that!"

Then again, the reply he received was also completely unexpected.

[*]

"...And then he said: 'This, Your Majesty, is what I call a bountiful harvest! Now excuse me, I'm going to enjoy my share! Yip Yip!'. He transformed into a squirrel and ran away, leaving me to deal with the angry husbands." Arthur finished his anecdot, the expression on his face half of exasperation and half of melancholic amusement.

Hippolyta let out a laugh that almost edged the border of impolite, nonetheless sounding like precious jewel in the still cold air. "This advisor of you was a mostly amusing man! I would have like to meet him, even if I believe it would have lead inevitably to me trying to stab him with my spear."

"Most likely. That old man was a pervert through and through." 'Not a surprise, considering his father was an Incubus.'

After the somewhat awkward introduction was out of the way the two warriors sat in front of the bonfire. Lacking any main topic to discuss they started talking of light-hearted stuff, like their impressions of Britain and their preferred tactics in battle, until it came to stories of their pasts.

"...So Heracles gained the right to borrow my girdle fair and square." She pat the belt around her waist with a proud smile. "But Hera thought we were showing him favoritism, so she spread discord among our ranks. My memories are a bit hazy, but I woke up the next morning covered in wounds, luckily none life threatening, and half of the harbor in ruin as if hit by a tornado." She shrugged. "We never pieced together what happened."

"Uh, I guess myths aren't always recorded correctly." Arthur mused, remembering how modern scholars thought Iskander to be of average height...while in reality he was a giant of man made entirely of muscles.

Him and his master made an amusing pair, that's for sure.

"Now that I think about it, there is something that perplex me." Hippolyta brought a hand on her mouth, dainty fingers tracing the cherry-red lips. "I am to understand you taught the late God-slayer's subjects and then left them free to govern themselves."

"That's right." Arthur confirmed. "What of it?"

"Why don't you crown yourself king? By right of conquest, the God-slayer's territory, riches and subjects are yours. No one can dispute that. I can understand if you left to search more worthy challenges, I would have done the same, but instead you came here in reclusion. So this Knight wonder about his fellow's reasons."

Arthur didn't reply immediately, falling into silence as he stared at the flickering flames with a wistful expression. The female knight, realizing she inquired about a delicate subject, waited for Arthur.

Finally the bearer of Excalibur spoke. "I said I was a king. I am a king." He looked up at the amazon. "But I was not a good king. Because I did too well as a king."

One of the burning logs cracked.

[ Play: "Ever-present Feeling", Fate/Stay Night OST ]

"I was the son of the previous king. After passing the test left behind by my father when no one else could, I took the throne. Since the country was in turmoil, I strived to be the best king I could be. I wouldn't accept being anything than perfect, so I poured all my efforts into being a king without flaws.

There was no room for the human Arthur, only king Arthur."

The wind blowed, harshly swaying the king's blond locks.

"I killed my emotions and personal feelings. I always chose the most efficient solution. I placed the wellbeing of the country above my friends, my family...sometimes even my own honor. I fully believed a king must protect the country, even if the people were to see me as cold and uncaring."

"But?" Hippolyta asked, as the warrior in front of her didn't match the one described in the story.

Arthur gave her a wistful smile. "I met another king, who told me it is not the king that protect the country, it's the country that must protect the king. That the subjects follow the king because they admire him, they wish to be like him. That those who sacrifice everything for someone else are martyrs."

He raised his right hand in the air, before letting it drop. "And who want to follow a martyr? The people may admire him, but will never want to follow his example."

Hippolyta found herself in agreement.

"I rejected him. But then, even if I didn't his advice came when it was already too late. Many knights rebelled: some for personal reasons, others because they believed to be in the right."

Flashes on a young boy with his own face passed through Arthur's mind, memories of his own flesh and blood.

How foolish he was, to believe that the boy's generous heart made him unsuitable as a king!

"Thus, my country fell into ruin. Because I was unsuitable to be a king for the people."

Despite the grim words, a sense of contentment appeared on Arthur's face.

"...However, I never regretted my choices. What I regretted was that the country was in ruin, but I made peace with that at this point. You can't change the past, and even if you could it wouldn't be right."

Arthur looked up to the sky, a truly serene smile forming on his lips.

"In a way, my failure set me free. My pride as a king and my ideals are still with me. But now, now I can be [Arthur the Knight] instead of [Arthur the King]. I am finally able to help others without the need to lock my heart away."

"Mmmhh..." Hippolyta seemed to be deep in thought, hand under her chin and eyes closed.

Arthur scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, maybe what I said was too complicated..."

"It was." The amazonian queen's blunt reply made Arthur wince. "But I could tell you spoke from your heart. Ah, but of course."

She put her closed left hand on her open right palm, nodding to herself as if reaching a satisfying conclusion. "Words are a nice medium to convey emotions, but not efficient for everyone."

She stood up and walked to the center of the clearing. Suddenly she spun around to face Arthur, her armor beside the helmet materializing on her body as the spear on the white steed's flank detached itself and flew into her hands. So armed she pointed the weapon at the still seated blond. "Since ancient times, warriors convey their feelings through their swords! Come at me, oh King without a past: this Knight wishes to understand you!"

Arthur looked stunned for a moment. The next one an excited smirk threatened to split his face into two. "So in the end it still comes to a duel, uh? Actually, I may have looked forward to it."

To shake the monotony of repetitive days...to feel the thrill of battle, the intense border between life and death.

Knights belong on the battlefield.

The nature of [Steel] is to fight.

Past and present mixed, giving rise to elation. Without malice and ill will, just a pure contest of skill.

The last Pendragon got back on his feet and slowly walked towards the amazonian queen. On his left side magic gathered and formed a sheath with inside a sword, both embroidered with gold and blue. His right hand grabbed the hilt and slowly drew out the sword, letting the rays of the sun shine on it.

Hippolyta's eyes were intensely drawn to her opponent's sword. The double-edged blade was extremely long, broad, and heavy in structure. But compared to its shape, the sword's most outstanding feature was the brilliance radiating from the blade. Even her instincts as a [Steel God] were humbled at the sight of the blade. So high was the perfection of the blade, so ethereal the feeling coming from, it was like it was forged not from iron, but from the same stuff dreams are made of. The light radiating from the blade was so pure, it put even the sun to shame.

[Glory.]

That was what her instincts were telling her. A divine sword indeed. A sacred sword indeed.

"How truly beautiful..." She exclaimed in admiration.

Whether in beauty or power, there was probably no existing sword that could rival it. The amazonian queen was also a sword that had been born like a white meteor, a dragon-slaying and snake-slaughtering sword god. A single glimpse was sufficient for her to know how astounding the golden divine sword was.

Arthur smirked. During the Holy Grail War he had to conceal Excalibur with Invisible Air, but now, in a new world, he was able to freely show it to the world without an ounce of shame. "Thanks. But...I think that at this point further words are unnecessary?" He assumed a two-handed stance.

"True." Hippolyta grabbed her spear with both hands and also assumed a stance.

For a few seconds there was silence. Llamrei and Hippolyta's horse used those seconds to retreat to a safe distance.

Then, without warning a torrent of pure magical power erupted from both [Steel] Gods as they leap at each other, sword and spear clashing with such force that the whole peak trembled from the shockwaves.

"LET'S FIGHT!" Arthur and Hippolyta yelled at the same time, identical smiles filled with bloodlust and happiness on their faces.

[*]

Q&A:

Crimson Dragon Emperor: They will appear in the near future. Yes, Morgan le Fay will appear too.

suplexedatrain: It's way, way, way more powerful. A EX Rank Noble Phantasm.

Feng Lengshun: no, he will not turn evil. Yes, he will cross paths with Uldin and Aisha

Toaneo07 Ver2.0: for a relative meaning of "good".