"Do you think I would get cursed if I call him a freaky fish guy? Cause seriously that demonic face," Ritsuka commented as they walked through the twisting and turning hallways of Atlas, while watching the footage that Andy had recorded via her armor.
"I literally call him 'Slutoman,' you should be fine," Andy assured her fellow Master.
"Again, thank you for the footage, Ms. Murphy, now that you aren't in a life or death situation with the man, what do you think then you look at him?" Holmes asked the two of them.
"Well, the fact that King David looks nothing like him didn't make any sense at first until I re-heard this part," Andy said, not having rewatched the footage in months.
"After my death, I was brought back to life by my own powers as a Heroic Spirit in my own body, I am both a Servant and living being. No Master commands me, I did all of this of my own volition." The recording helpfully provided.
"Which also means that those are likely the real Rings of Solomon, but now that I'm looking at him...one of them is wrong."
"Yes, I have noticed that too once again thank you for the footage Ms. Murphy, so the most likely explanation is that he lacks one of his rings, which probably means that at the moment he lacks some of his power but not that it probably matters to him," Holmes responded.
"The big ring of death in the sky cements that," Ritsuka commented. "But when I hear him talk, I get the feeling like he is not consistent in his speech patterns like they are changing depending on who he is talking to?"
"Yes, that is true. It would be accurate to describe the King of Magic as a mirror," Holmes stated.
"A mirror?" Mash asked.
"Yes, a mirror is meant to reflect back on the person who is standing in front of it, though perhaps emulation is a better word. If you're rude, he will be rude, you speak with respect, he will. But that is not to say that he doesn't have a sense of self or the Incineration would never occur. He is not confined to a single alignment," He explained.
"That is kinda how Senpai is sometimes," Mash commented.
"Hey," Andy interjected. "Don't go implying we're two sides of the same coin or something, I might have an aneurysm. Also, I like to think I'm Neutral Good, or something like that."
"I think you're closer to Chaotic Neutral Ms. Murphy, but don't fret over that, sometimes a hero and a villain reflect one another in certain aspects like the professor and me," Holmes commented.
"Though Mr. Holmes, he said that he had no interest in humans. That life has no value. But none of us present held those kinds of thoughts. So if he was like a mirror, why… I don't have the right words to describe what I want to," Mash said.
"...That's exactly it. That is the part that I find frightening, Ms. Kyrielight. No interest in humans… That is the truth for the King of Mages. As proof, he has already destroyed Humanity. He's unlike the Lion King, who seeks to destroy this era. He has already won, which is precisely why he has shown his true form. Of course, he would have no interest in us. It's because he has already moved on to his next project," Holmes stated.
"Next project?" Andy asked incredulously. "So wait, destroying Humanity was just step one of his plan? What more could there be once he's reduced Humanity to non-existence?"
"Don't have that part of my theory down, but imagine this. For example, suppose there is a desk. Sitting on top of it is a project labeled 'Incineration of humanity.' He finished that project long ago. Now he is at a different desk, ready to start anew. Normally, that would be the end. Humanity wouldn't even have the option of fighting against him. Truly the perfect crime, Moriarty would be quite jealous and mad at the same time. However, a miracle occurred. It goes without saying that the miracle was Chaldea." He took a breath before continuing. "Although it's simply a minuscule space remaining at the now uninhabited desk."
"So to Solomon, the Incineration of Humanity is already a finished project. You're saying that is why he has no interest in us?" Mash asked for clarification.
"Yes. To be precise, it is because he is occupied with his next task. Like you said, Ms. Murphy, this was just part one, and whatever part two is? Well, that image actually frightens me," The detective stated.
"...Shit, now that I'm thinking about it, what could it even be? Making the world in his own image? But then, why? What then? And if not, if there's no humanity, what other threat could there possibly be?" Andy stilled. "Is...is he going to try and kill God?"
"Those are questions I can not answer, maybe Atlas can a few. But I am just a detective. I can't do anything about this. I can only react to crime, not prevent it. That is where you three come in you, Chaldea can undo this and prevent whatever the King of Magic has in store."
"Well, thank you for your confidence in us, but speaking of Atlas, what exactly is this place, and why is it like this? I know it's a research institute, but it's designed like a maze and filled to brim with defenses," Ritsuka said just as their Servants destroyed another one of the automated defenses of the place.
"Prof didn't say much either, but the maze and stuff make sense. It was built by Magi, after all, you know how much they like overcomplicating things." Andy said flippantly.
"While a funny stereotype Ms. Murphy they do serve a purpose, but I am glad you asked Mr. Fujimaru. This is an institute of alchemists built in the Atlas mountains of Egypt. It is also known as the Titan's pit. It's one of the three branches of the Mage's Association, dealing with accumulation and measurement. Their alchemy is not like the alchemy that you know, the kind that became popular during the Middle Ages, as practiced by Flamel and Hoenheim. They are progenitors of Magecraft, focused on investigating the principles of the world. While they are certainly mages, I understand that their Magical Circuits are rather paltry. Consequently, they don't rely on magical energy to learn the mysteries of the world, instead using a great number of tools. In a way, these tools evolved similarly to scientific progress. They treated Pseudo Spiritrons… souls as energy that could be observed and manipulated. This led to Homunculi lifeforms that possess Magical Circuits. 'We have no need to become the strongest. We simply have to create the strongest tool.' That was their motto and true to their words they created many weapons."
"...I see." Andy said neutrally. "We'll need to see if they left any of that behind."
"You probably couldn't find and get them even if you knew where they were as they sealed them away. In the world of Magecraft, they are known as the Seven Taboos. The Atlas institute created seven weapons capable of destroying the world." Holmes took a puff of his pipe as he jumped over a downed defense unit. "...There are many theories about why they decided to build such weapons in the first place. The Director of the Atlas Institute was given the title of Atlasia. I saw a nameplate on the wall earlier. It said Zepia Eltnam Atlasia. He was the last Director. There seem to have been designated a successor, but the name wasn't recorded. The directors of this institute would always go mad, and as a result, they would always create forbidden weapons that would destroy the world. It's also possible that they would try to prevent the destruction of the world, fail in the progress, then go mad as a result… Regardless this place is a storehouse of Mystic Codes unparalleled anywhere else on earth. Although, in reality, it is more like a disposal sight. The alchemists of this institute would constantly invent things. These were treated as failed creations, and so a mountain of terrible weapons came about. And we're headed to the center of that. Now what do you think of my little Ted Talk of the Atlas Institute, did you understand?" Holmes asked.
"Mostly," Andy said as she stored one of the busted defense systems for later study. "Still wanna raid this place for anything that's not nailed down. And maybe some of the stuff that is. Failures to them might prove vital to us, that kinda thing."
"Ignoring the kleptomaniac, you still didn't really answer my question of why this place is designed like an optical illusion?" Ritsuka asked again with Bedivere, adding a comment of his own.
"Yes, seemingly every tunnel split into two, but then you look back around. It is actually three."
"Because it was designed to keep people in and to prevent them from leaving, easy to enter but almost impossible to leave. Those are the laws of Atlas, all that is created must stay, and in return, you could make anything no matter how immoral or wrong it was. The exception is the seven contracts that were created then Atlas was established that allows those holding to request aid from Atlas. They later realized that was a mistake and so far have retrieved four of them." Holmes explained.
"Well, that makes a bit of sense, though you mentioned earlier that it was also called the Titan's pit. Why is that?" Ritsuka asked.
Holmes just smiled, yes the man loved to explain and exposit. "Hm, do you know the name of the titan who held up the world in Greek Mythology?"
"Atl-oh, my god." Andy started only to cut herself off as she realized. "Oh. You've got to be kidding me."
Holmes was silent for a hot second, and he realized what she was implying. "Oh, nothing like that. His name and story is merely just an influence in the selection of the name of the place like its location may have been. But for why it is called the pit, a little more elaborate explanation is required. The origin of alchemy at the Atlas Institute is with the progenitor of Magecraft in Egyptian Mythology. The Goddess Isis. That connection might be why the institute appeared in this false Egypt created within this Singularity."
"Sir Holmes, you say that this is an institute of learning and studying, but we have yet to run into anyone here? Did it fall to ruin before this time?" Arturia asked as she crushed the head of a automata.
"...No, as far as I've been able to deduce, the Atlas Institute was active from the BC. Era until the Incineration occurred. If there aren't any people here… No, I shouldn't speak based on assumptions we know for certain once we reach the center. An underground academy filled with mysteries. A research facility created with unknown techniques - Is its true identity an ideal shelter, or is it an enormous tomb? That is why it's called the Titan's pit," He answered.
"I see, I see," Andy said. "Hopefully, if we find anyone in here, they're alive then, and not pushing boulders up hills as it were."
"Let's walk with hopes in our hearts. Now rejoice, everyone, we are nearly at the center. Many answers await us ahead. The Old Man of the Mountain sent you here for two reasons. The first relates to this Singularity: To gain knowledge about the Lion King's objective and her sacred lance. The second relates to all seven Singularities. In other words, a part of the mystery behind the Incineration of Humanity. I'm prepared to answer both of those via what lies in the center. However, before that…" The detective said as new alarms started blaring.
"We have a battle to do," Ritsuka stated.
"No. I have a warning. More like a declaration. The greatest reason why I appeared before you is that the peering eyes of Chaldea cannot reach you here. Let me tell you in advance. I do not trust Doctor Romani Archaman."
"...Why." Andy ordered more than asked.
"I will explain later, but more context is required that I cannot give now. Now beat the enemies that stand before us," Holmes said.
Xxx
The battle had finished, but Holmes had stayed silent afterward, not speaking a single word, as they continued to walk towards the center, and two hours after they had entered, they were at the center of Altas.
"So this is the heart of Atlas. We're underground, but there is a sky Senpai," Mash said with a wondrous tone in her voice.
"This place is the size of a city… I can't believe they were able to build such a vast structure here," Bedivere said in a shocked tone of voice. "Guess they made the sky so that the people would not go to stir crazy."
"I suppose so," Andy said as she looked around for anything interesting. All she'd been collecting had been those cube things, and she was still a 'bit' mad at Holmes' suggestion earlier so she'd decided to [s]steal[/s]acquire some things to calm down. "Though...I don't think that's actually accurate to the real sky, since there are clouds."
"The obelisk in the center is the Atlas Institute's greatest recording medium: a Pseudo-Spiritron Calculation Engine dubbed Tri-Hermes. Trismegistus in Chaldea was based off it," Holmes exposited.
"Ooh, so that's why it's named after the founder of Hermeticism." Andy realized aloud. "Also, glad to have you have you back with us, Sherlock, hope that cold shoulder isn't freezing right now."
The man ignored her.
"Also, is it me, or does this place look kinda familiar?" Ritsuka asked as he looked around the place.
"You're right, the place looks like Chaldea's Command Room, though it is covered in sand," Mash said.
"Huh. So Trismegistus being based off Tri-Hermes extended to the room, too then… Is this whole structure one big calculator?" Andy pondered.
"That would be an accurate statement. Though to use it, we would normally have to ask the staff to grant us access, but they aren't here, but thankfully, I managed to acquire the access right, so we just have to use it without their permission."
"Yes, we didn't manage to run into anybody, but despite being covered in sand, stuff seems to function normally," Mash stated.
"Yes, and now I know why, for this is the Atlas Institute of the current year, of 2018," Holmes answered.
"Does that mean it was recording all the way up to the Incineration itself?" Andy asked, putting together why they were here now.
"Yes, the alchemist may have been incinerated, and we may be currently walking their ashes, but that is altogether a very different topic," Holmes morbidly explained. "Now, let's get to the main issue here. Like Ms. Murphy said, Tri-Hermes contains recordings of all events. Since we aren't alchemists of Atlas, we wouldn't be able to understand everything it contains. But… The simple truth… We should be able to understand the results. Although it would be like looking at a mathematical equation's solution."
"So, you ask it questions, and it spits out the answer?" Ritsuka asked.
"Hopefully, it doesn't just say 42…"
"I got that reference, Senpai," Mash commented.
"Yes, that is basically what it does, though there seems to be a limited amount of power left, so we only get a few questions. Though first I have to ask of you? What do you know of the Holy Grail War that took place in 2004?" Holmes asked.
"Of the one in this world, basically just that Marisbury Anumisphere won it and founded Chaldea," Andy answered.
"That is correct, Senpai, and the Doctor did say that he was there with him, right?"
"Oh yeah, that's right, wasn't he like Maris's assistant or something?" Andy asked, remembering now. She hadn't really thought too much about the 'real' Holy Grail War, as it hadn't seemed all that important before.
"But why are you asking Mr. Holmes, are you saying that, the war was the origin of Incineration?" Mash asked.
"No, not the origin, but an important factor in it happening, but that is why we're here to find out. Though I am surprised, you knew that much. As all records of that event have been scrubbed away, the Winner of the War was said to be the Master of Saber, but that is clearly not the case. So Tri-Hermes soaring bird of the underworld! Answer my question! Tell us the truth of the Holy Grail war that took place in 2004 in the nation of Japan and of the man named Romani Archaman?" He asked, and they all heard the machine come buzzing to life. "Now, we just have to wait for it to spit out an answer."
"...Okay, with how much focus you're putting on the doc, you're making me worried here, Holmes." Andy said. "Especially since he'd probably just...answer if asked, more likely than not."
"That is because, like I could not find any records of the 2004 Holy Grail war, I could not find any records of the man named Romani Archaman from before 2004. It was as if he just popped into existence that year, though I hope Tri-Hermes proves me wrong as based on your reactions and words, he seems like a good man."
"He is, the doctor is a very good man," Mash muttered.
"Kouhai is korrect," Andy said with a nod.
"And we shall have the answer now as Tri-Hermes is done," Holmes said as he went over to the obelisk and tapped it a few times the machine letting out a few beeps. "Ugh, that was an unpleasant experience of getting information downloaded directly into your brain. You were correct in the fact that Marisbury won the Holy Grail War killing all the other participants and obtaining wish granter. And while the system doesn't record wishes only results from those results, it is easy to see that Marisbury wished for Fortune and with it turned Chaldea from the simple observatory that it was into what is today."
"He wished for money?" Andy asked incredulously. "Of all the things he could wish for when granted an omnipotent wishing device, it was money?!"
"That he did. Going over the records, he was a man of good sense, and very ordinary. Not the kind of person who would wish for the Incineration of Humanity. In that case, he was either used by a third party, or he stepped into a minefield of destruction, without even noticing it himself."
"And what about the Doc?" Andy asked, since that was apparently the whole reason for the question in the first place.
"It confirms my theory before the Holy Grail War he did not seemingly exist at all, but then records show up of him being there as Marisbury's assistant. And then a year later joined Chaldea and became the Head of Medical," Holmes answered. "That is why I don't trust him. He is an unknown existence that holds secrets regarding the truth."
"You know, as far as we're concerned, so are you, Sherlock," Andy said accusingly. "The only known way for a Servant to get from one Singularity to another without being summoned again is through Rayshifting, or whatever method the King of Mages' minions uses. And sorry if this sounds rude, but I don't trust smart types who show up and say they are good guys without proof, after the last one blew up Chaldea."
"And you're allowed to discard my words if you want, but I will say this about Lev Lainur that just causes headaches. He is most assuredly on the side of the King of Mages. He was appointed to Chaldea at the turn of the century, which coincides with the construction of Sheba, which he made. So Chaldea caught the eyes of Lev, and he infiltrated it. In that case, there must have been some issue at Chaldea before the Holy Grail War of 2004. That war was just a way for Marisbury to obtain capital. There is a possibility that it wasn't related to the Incineration of Humanity. Honestly, there are simply too many holes in this mystery."
"So, we're back to ground zero of not being actually any closer to figuring things out?" Ritsuka asked.
"Yes, I had hoped for answers, but I was left with even more questions regarding this quite frankly bizarre situation that we have found ourselves in," Holmes stated with a downward expression.
"Hey, we still have a few questions left, right?" Andy asked, pushing aside her feelings on the matter for later. "We came here in the first place to figure out why the Lion King is doing all this, so unless you know that Sherlock, we should ask Tri-Hermes, right?"
"That is correct though, that will be the last question as the search for Romani's records drained quite a lot of power. So Tri-Hermes tell us the truth of the sacred lance?" Holmes asked once again.
"Honestly I am quite interested as well, despite being its owner I know very little about it," Arturia stated.
"Truly your majesty?"
"Yes, I only used it twice once to kill Vortigern, and the second time was me killing Mordred. Not even Storm, my alternate-self knows much about its full capabilities. Only the consequences of overusing it. And that it is the 'Tower at the Ends of the World that pins the Human Order to the planets surface' that was all Merlin said about it."
"Oh fuck me sideways, the Lance is what's holding reality together?" Andy asked as the thought of what would happen if one were to 'pull the plug' as it were.
"Yes, that is the current theory that there is the physical planet and upon many textures are layered two of which being the Reverse and The Human Order, it being created through the collective consciousness of Humanity of how they understand it. The Tower at the End of the World is the phenomenon that sews it in place. Though it is not limited to the British Isles, there exists many around the world who cast their own shadow upon the planet one of which is the lance held by the Lion King, and another I theorize to be is the spear held by Romulus as it is called the spear of Nation Building. Though only a theory," He explained.
"Okay, so how does this relate to the Holy City, and what does the Lion King intend to do with it?" Ritsuka asked.
"Getting the answer now, Mr. Ritsuka… It seems that the Lion King intends to use the lance as the Tower. The Lion King intends to create an ideal world at the Holy City by gathering only chosen ones. Not simply a pure human being but one that will always do the right thing no matter what. According to Tri-Hermes, the lance can store up to 500 souls. The Holy City was built over the Holy Land in a single night. It seemed impossible, but not until you understood why… That city is the sacred lance itself. People that were brought to the city have been sealed inside of it. The Lion King claims that she is quarantining pure humans, but the truth is that she is not letting them getaway. It is an elaborate trap."
"But why, tho?" Andy asked, confusion (and anger and disgust, but mostly confusion) filling her. "What purpose does it serve? Are they to fuel something? Or is it some really twisted way to 'save' people?"
"Not to save people but to save their virtues. The people will be consumed by the sacred lance, the city will become a tower, a miniature version of hell. As they will be put on display to show the value of mankind with the Lion King watching over them for all eternity."
"So that is what the Goddess Rhongomyniad is planning," Arturia stated as she seemingly was at a loss for words.
"...I literally cannot follow the kind of thinking it would take to get to that plan." Andy admitted. "But at least we know it now… dammit, where's Leo when you need her..." Andy was then struck by an idea "Wait a minute! Tri-Hermes, if you have any power left, please tell us where Leonardo Da Vinci is right now!"
"...Huh, well, it seems that she is a camp with a few other refugees here in the desert alongside Xuanzang. And that is a good question, Ms. Murphy, what kind of mind could connect such an idea? Certainly not a human one. And like her majesty said Goddess yes, the Lion King is a Goddess and such has a perspective that could be called 'Alien' to a moral mind. And there is also the fact that only a god has the 'right' to accomplish this plan. As a manifestation, the Tower here requires a sacrifice."
Andy let out a relieved sigh at the news that yes, Leo was alive. "Thank God that worked… and yeah, I suppose that makes sense. But what do you mean 'sacrifice'? Her Humanity, or something bigger?"
"Bigger this Singularity. The act of manifesting the Tower will destroy everything that is not the Holy City. There is a reason this Singularity is the exception among exceptions. The King of Mages is no longer the one destroying this Foundation of Humanity. And that destruction has already begun if you went to the edge of the desert. You would see it currently being consumed by the void."
"Okay, that sounds beyond bad," Ritsuka simply stated.
"Doubleplusungood bad." Andy concurred. "And since it is that bad, we've done what we came here to do, right? Or does Tri-Hermes still have a little juice left?"
"No, it is dead."
"Yes you have gathered all the knowledge that the Founder has asked you to seek, now we must prepare to invade the Holy City before the Lion King can finish her plan," Asuka said speaking for the first time since they had entered Atlas.
"Right. So we get out of here, deal with Lancelslut and his goons if they're still out there, go pick up Leo and Laoshi, and then work out the exacts from there. Sounds good to everyone?" Andy laid out the plan, now in higher spirits, with the confirmation that Leo was okay.
"Yes!"
"Very well, if you're ready to leave. Let me guide you to an exit," Holmes stated.
"Please do."
Xxx
"Ah, I can see light at the end of the tunnel, Senpai!" Mash stated.
"Thank you for showing us the way Holmes," Bedivere thanked the detective.
"Well, glad to be of service to you all. And on that note, I must bid you all farewell," The detective said.
"...So, Chaldea can't be trusted after all?" Mash asked with a tone of disappointment.
"Hmm, true, there is much mystery surrounding Chaldea. But there are others that I must chase right now. Namely, the Phantom Spirit who… No, I must not discuss that here. If you excuse me, Ms. Murphy. How about a little riddle, as a parting gift. The simplest of puzzles regarding the Incineration of Humanity. I've been thinking why 2018? Why now of all times?"
"...You coked-up bastard, that's going to keep me up at night now." Andy bemoaned as she pondered the question that she really had never even considered, 'why now?'.
"You never questioned it? The King of Mages erased human history itself. So, going by the western calendar, that means the world should have ended before you were even born. However, he went with purging everything in 2018. He altered the history leading up to now. Think. Incineration in 2018 and burning backward into history. Why is that? There is only one logical conclusion. The King of Mages had a reason to wait until 2018. Let's suppose he exists in 1000 BC. Between 1000 BC and 2018, there are approximately 3000 years. He needed to burn all of it. Do you follow? The King of Mages did not destroy it because he wanted to. He burned it because he needed to. The result may be the same, but we cannot overlook this tiny detail."
"But now it's starting to become contradictory?" Ritsuka stated.
"Exactly. How can one bear murderous intent if they don't care at all? However, this is where the inquiry becomes a little tricky. Needless to say, the reason is a complete mystery."
"...There's only two real possibilities then." Andy said as she thought harder about this than anything she'd ever thought about before. "If he needed to do it, then he was forced to right? But he doesn't hold any murderous intent. Which means either he was ordered to do it...or something happened that made him think killing all of human history would be the solution. And either possibility points to the reason being God, whether he's following orders or going in opposition towards him, but I might be a bit off on the second possibility."
"I'm not willing to count God, but the better question to ask would be something will happen? My theory is that the King of Mages could not see past the year 2018. King Solomon had the ability to see the future. And if for some reason even he could not see past 2018, then...?"
"Could it be a feedback loop?" Andy asked. "That his Clairvoyance relies on the existence of something, likely God, who thusly relies on the existence of humans, and his visions stopped because that source went away, which he himself ends up causing, looping around itself in a self-fulfilling prophecy?"
"One of many possibilities, but no matter which one it is. I hope this theory is not the case. But now I must truly bid you farewell. I hope we will meet again in a bustling metropolis like London and not a wasteland like this," Holmes said with a smile as he turned around and began to walk away.
"I don't know if I should take that an ominous or a hopeful statement?" Ritsuka asked no one in particular.
"Let's go with ominously hopeful," Andy concluded. "But speaking of going, we need to find Leo. And deal with Lancelslut and the Juice Crew if they're still here."
"Let's hope not, mother," Arturia said as they exited the tunnel and stepped out into the sunlight. The desert in front of them and a white knight with a bunch of enforcers. "I retract my previous statement."
"It seems that we're surrounded," Ritsuka stated the obvious as they all looked at Lancelot, who upon closer inspection looked like he was about to keel over from depression with how sad he just looked.
"All according to keikaku, I assure you," Andy said.
"There is nowhere to run, please surrender," He stated in a monotone voice.
Xxx
A/N: If you like this or any other of my stories, you can donate to my P A Treon. com (slash) StreamingViking and read commissioned stories
