I still remember the first time I read that bad ending. Out of all the other ones that was the only one where I legit couldn't sleep the night after.
How could an innocent looking girl, so casually, behead a person and make them unable to die!
His blood-chilling, agonized crying from pain…
That haunting music…
"Master!"
Saber's firm yet concerned voice snapped me out of my daze. "What are you distressed about?" She inquires.
My hands are shaking. I could technically ignore Shirou because he made his decision; the consequences are his to handle. However, I could not live with myself if I did. I would not be able to look myself in the mirror anymore, especially if I never tried in the first place!
I looked Saber in the eyes. Her expression guarded, not betraying any emotion.
I swallowed hard, trying to reign my fear in. "How long ago did you separate from him?" I asked.
I see a very slight frown on her face. Come on, you already suspect that I want to off him? "More than half-an hour ago. But as I have already said he-"
"Berserker's Master gonna kill him." I blurted out.
Her eyes widened at the revelation. "Why would they? He gave up his position. There's nothing for them to gain from this!" She demanded an explanation.
"She would have come after him whether or not he is a Master. This is personal for her." I shook my head. Now is not the time to debate, every second we waste here Shirou is closer to becoming a modern-art masterpiece!
"Then we will have to search for him!" Her tone left no room for debate. "Although, the city is a large area, and I'm afraid we may be too late."
Thank god she did not ask questions like "How do you know this? Have you met them that you know it's a she? If so, why didn't they kill you?" etc.
The problem is I don't know where she found him exactly, only where she didn't. Only the modern district is a cross.
"Not the modern district, we have to search across the bridge." I gave the starting point. I swear she wanted to ask me "How do you know this?" but she refrained because we are on the clock.
Without ceremony, she picked me up. Like a bride.
…
I feel my last fragments of "pride" as a male being exterminated.
I would have gushed about being held so close to someone so beautiful and powerful and my head being in the clouds. Sadly, my mind was still trying to comprehend the speed at which she carried me. Let's just say adrenaline was pumping.
I don't know how long we searched for, but by the time we found him-
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A blood chilling scream broke the silence of the night.
-We were too late.
Saber dropped me around the corner and dashed against Berserker. Forcing him to pick up the silver haired girl to back off by a few meters. Adrenaline still cursing through me I too turned around to see something I wish I could forget.
My knees were wobbling, not from exhaustion but the horrific sight before me, bordering on being incomprehensible for the mind.
My legs were on autopilot.
Shirou Emiya's right arm, opposite side of the road, next to a wall, painted with his blood from his severed limbs.
This was the tamest part.
His body...His body… I don't know if that was his body, or some real talented delinquent artist painted a gutted body to the asphalt… I couldn't tell what was from the third dimension.
His head… His severed head…
Still alive… Still blinking…
By now I was next to what remained of him. I couldn't help it, it was the only natural reaction to a sight.
I turned my body and emptied my stomach out. I don't know how I did not pass out from the sight.
"Eww! Onii-chan that's gross, and you're Saber's Master?!" Illya whined, disgusted at me.
'Gross' my mind echoed. What he did to his adopted older brother wasn't. But this was!
The sound of metal piercing flesh snapped me back to reality. Saber, not masking her sadness, ended the suffering of Shirou Emiya.
Lifeless eyes, with a hole in his forehead…
Her hands were shaking, from fury. The injustice of his situation, the torture, the pain he must have felt. Only her discipline held her back.
Boy do I know Illya's situation, of her suffering, her loneliness. I had a great deal of sympathy for her.
Keyword: Had.
You can bitch about me of your suffering all day long, but there is a line you don't cross. I drown out the dread as death is standing next to the abused Einzbern. I'm clenching my hands to fists, doing everything in my power to steel my nerves and cool my head off. It is not easy.
The Einzbern pouted "Did you have to? I was gonna play with him in my castle." Then she begrudgingly introduced herself, lifting her skirt up. "But where are my manners, I'm Illyasviel von Einzbern and this is Berserker!"
Saber's restraint was reaching its limit. 'Play with him!?' Before she could do something I grabbed her by the arm. Her glare softened. Probably trying to think about my situation and getting me out of here since we failed to do our task.
All my rational cells screamed at me to haul ass, because Berserker will make a scarf out of my hide.
However, I remember Saber said that unlike with the unfortunate soul before me, she feels a connection with me. I have no idea how or why I can supply her with mana, but that is a question that is best answered later down the line if we survive.
Luckily I know this servant. Why? Because he carried my sorry ass through Part 1 of FGO, then I had to start to learn using my grey matter.
"His identity is Heracles," I whispered to her. She was about to ask something, but I pressed on." He has twelve lives, and any attack below A rank he just shrugs off, furthermore he gains resistance to the attack that killed him."
She nodded, absorbing the information I provided her.
"Oh, Impressive!" clapped the tiny-murder-machine. "Well, if you are finished, I will have my Berserker kill your Saber and then you~!" She giggled.
Saber, seeing that the street won't be a suitable place for a fight, drew the Berserker for a more suitable place for battle.
Both of them were fast away, The sound of fighting could only be heard faintly.
Saber is fighting Heracles, and in front of me is a full fledged magus. She could kill me effortlessly.
My eyes scan my surroundings, trying to see if an attack comes I could… Dunno, dodge maybe?
The killer in front of me giggled like I'm silly. "I did say Berserker will end you, not I. Why are you so scared of me? I won't be hurting you unless you attack first."
...She is not lying. The only reason I dare to untense my muscles is because I'd be a red stain on the floor if she wants me to be.
Still, I wish I could see Artoria's parameters. Then again I have no clue how who to compare it to because I never really memorised it. I'm so mentally exhausted. I'm not a night person, not to mention the cycle of emotions I felt just this one night alone.
Maybe that is the reason. As in the 'body' of the deceased hero of justice lying in front of me...
I broke the long silence between us,
"How?"
"Hmm? How what?" She inquired.
I just couldn't give a shit right now.
"How does revenge feel, Illya?"
She gives a thoughtful pose. "You mean revenge against my father? Did you know him? Hmm probably not, maybe you're more resourceful than you look-"
"Just answer it!" I snapped.
"Fine, it feels…" She hesitated "...None of your concern.!"
"Why?" I asked rather unkindly, sneering. "Let me guess, nothing? You feel empty, like you did the last worthwhile thing in your life and thus your existence has no meaning."
"You know nothing!" She said with growing agitation.
I could not help myself. I let out a hollow chuckle. "Is that what you call literally being thrown to the wolves?"
"!" Her eyes widened.
"You could have asked him, you know. He would have taken away that loneliness you feel so much. Oh right, every story has two sides, but you were never taught to think like that!"
She schooled her features. "You're lying." She stated it like a fact.
"Oh, right I'm sorry, I will tell you the truth then." Oh sarcasm will be the death of me. "I dare you to ask Acht."
"About what!?" Her patience with me is dimming.
" 'How many times did Kiritsugu attempt to rescue me?' "
Her hands were shaking. She is in denial, but of course she never considered this angle.
I'm sure she's really rethinking killing me, for aggravating her this much.
My emotions just had to come out like this.
Fuck me! Am I really this dumb!? Why do I talk mad shit when I'm within dollification range!?
I will reap what I've sown. I will likely get a special place in "Dumb ways to die."
"!" Both of our eyes widen, but for different reasons.
My body is in pain. I'm hot like I'm being ignited from the inside. As if I was fighting off an unknown element within my frame with every fiber of my being. I'm clenching my sides. By the back of my hand I see the start of a line, which ends by the sleeves. I pull it back, and I see the line continuing.
My magic circuits, so I have those! But shouldn't I need to hypnotise myself for them to work? Unless…
Saber forces mana out of me? Damn, is this a Kariya situation!?
Illya is surprised for a different reason.
"Berserker?"
'He's formidable,' I thought while struggling to block his latest swing, 'though I wouldn't expect anything less from the fabled Heracles'. I cried out in effort and pushed back the blade along with its wielder, creating some desperately needed space between us.
Truth be told, I was initially skeptical of my new Master's claim about Berserker's identity and abilities, but as we continued to exchange blows my doubts slowly crumbled one after the other. The sheer physical ability and skill still present even in the grip of madness, I could think of few others who could fit the description.
I shifted my stance slightly, subtly taking in our surroundings. Our chosen battlefield was a small park in the suburban part of Fuyuki, not far enough to possibly leave our Masters exposed to others, but also not close enough for them to be in harm's way. No matter how I looked at the situation, collateral damage would be inevitable.
'I just hope he will be alright alone… losing one Master already was enough,' I thought morosely, though my sadness was greatly eclipsed by the anger guiding my motions up to this point.
I forcibly willed my hands to stay still, defeating Berserker would be a daunting task just by itself even without the strange mixture of emotions I was currently experiencing.
I winced inwardly to myself, if I was at my best this would be an even fight, however…
This was my third battle already on this night. My energy reserves were running low. Even if my new Master's ability to supply me with mana was more than sufficient, the effects of Shirou's irregular summoning of me won't go away so easily. There was also the wound left by Lancer's Noble Phantasm that was still hindering me.
This would be an uphill battle, victory was unlikely-
'No, not again. My defeat here would mean my new Master's death.'
The flash of a familiar face, eyes holding so much terror and suffering.
'I won't let another one of my Masters die.' It was my duty as a Servant to ensure their safety. At any cost.
I would not fail again.
I took up an entirely new stance, the invisible blade of my sword held above my head.
Berserker took this as a sign for our battle to continue. He exploded from his position and hurled himself at me, his sword-axe poised to strike me down.
The air shifted around my blade and Invisible Air dispelled itself, revealing the golden brilliance of Excalibur.
Berserker reached my position in the blink of an eye and we struck each other like lightning. He rocketed past me and crashed into a tree upon landing.
He did not stand back up. The only sign of movement from him was the fountain of blood spraying from his open chest cavity. The light in his eyes faded soon after.
One.
Attempting to fight like I was at full capacity in my condition would be incredibly taxing and dangerous, but if I relied more heavily on my bond with my new Master, I could ease the burden. I would still have to burn through my reserves in a rapid manner, but like this I had roughly…
Two and a half minutes.
A red light flashed in Berserker's eyes and his chest stitched itself back together.
Against 11 lives.
Berserker roared as his Noble Phantasm brought him back to life. Without a moment's hesitation, he charged at me again.
I raised my guard in response and held my ground. Blinding gold met dark obsidian in a violent collision and the pressure generated weighed heavily on my wound. I grit my teeth, meeting every single one of the madman's flurry of attacks with my own. His assault was relentless and without opening, I realized, unless I created one myself.
I channeled a significant amount of mana into my arms in a single burst. Relying on my instincts, I waited for the opportune moment when his latest swing was at its apex and then-
Excalibur parried the attack at the last possible moment, leaving my opponent completely open.
My metal descended upon him in retaliation and Greece's greatest hero was cut in twain.
Two.
My reprieve was short lived however as barely a moment later, his sword was sailing through the air again in an effort to bisect me. It was all I could do to hastily block the attack.
It was like a battering ram hammering against me, I was blown away by the powerful blow and sent flying through the air. Berserker was quick to take to the skies after me, but to my surprise he reared his arm back instead of his weapon. His fist and my sword met midair, the latter easily cleaving through the former, but his intentions quickly became clear to me when his cut open arm hit me straight in the chest.
Saliva flew from my mouth and I was launched away again towards a small lake in the park. Upon hitting the water, my feet found hold on the surface, courtesy of the blessing from the Lady of the Lake, and I very nearly collapsed in place, still reeling from the blow.
A savage roar alerted me of an incoming attack and I swiftly dodged Berserker striking the same position I was at a moment's prior, although lacking the protection against bodies of water, he disappeared under the surface.
Seeing the opportunity, I infused Excalibur with even more mana and aimed it at the depths below me. With a battle cry I swung the holy blade and released the energy stored inside it.
Golden light cleaved the waters and briefly illuminated the night. Berserker's muffled roars abruptly cut away.
Three.
I jumped ashore and waited for him there. I had to consciously correct my posture numerous times, the toll of intense battle was accumulating mercilessly on my body. My time was limited.
The sight of bubbles breaching the surface snapped my attention back to the present and a moment later, Berserker charged forth from the waves and hit me with the force of a speeding freight train.
If his previous attacks were vicious, then they were positively monstrous now. His first blow sent me skidding across the ground with such force that my feet left a shallow trench in their wake.
It didn't stop there however. Trees, wrenched straight from the ground, were thrown at me one after the other. Excalibur danced frantically in front of me, cleaving them apart before they could hit me until I finally came to a stop.
Cutting down the last projectile, I was faced with the mad Servant leaping at me to take their place. Our weapons met each other again and the earth shook in response. I was about to break our stalemate when he unexpectedly allowed his weapon to be forced away, only to use the momentum to kick me in the side.
Bones rattled and cracked inside me and I was launched away by the sheer power behind the blow. Landing haphazardly, I turned to face the charging Servant once again. I held Excalibur in an underhanded stance and swung it diagonally in front of me.
Golden brilliance blinded me as Excalibur's holy light consumed the area before me.
The light receded a few moments later, revealing the burning husk of Berserker's corpse on the scorched ground.
Four.
I wavered in place, the taste of blood in my mouth was overwhelming. My armor was similarly stained red from both my own and Berserker's blood. I soon found myself on one knee while using Excalibur as support. My hand reached for my midsection almost instinctively.
Berserker's body stitched itself back together again, his newly reformed hand already reaching for his sword's handle as if it was a similarly crucial part of his body.
I panted heavily at the sight and staggered to my feet with a pained grimace. Our battle was nowhere near finished, there was no reason to rest yet.
Berserker's renewed roar signaled the end of the resurrection process and this time, we decided to meet each other in the middle.
Our weapons clashed again, the force of the collision was enough to disturb the ground and kick up dirt around us. I disengaged first, ducking below a follow up strike I sliced at his midsection. A spray of blood erupted from his side, but he seemed to ignore the injury as if it didn't even matter and continued attacking my guard.
Swing after swing, he relentlessly hammered away at my defense. My body shook with each hit, but my posture never faltered. Now was not the time for that, not when I had so little time left…
An opportunity presented itself.
The colossal Servant moved to strike at me with a downwards swing, intending to completely shatter my guard.
I waited until the last moment before sidestepping it, letting the ground take the crushing blow in my stead. I pivoted in place and swung my blade at his neck.
Blood poured out in droves from the mad Servant as Excalibur slashed open his throat.
Fi-
My short celebration was over before it could begin, despite the fatal injuries the light in his eyes stubbornly refused to go out.
Before I could react, I could feel him sweep my legs from under me with the obsidian sword stuck in the ground and then-
Pain.
Something heavy struck me directly in the chest, chipping away my armor and sending me crashing into a nearby tree. Bark broke into splinters on my impact, sending small pieces of shrapnel all around me.
My chest was heaving and I couldn't help but cough up globs of blood. My grip subconsciously slackened and Excalibur fell from my grasp.
Berserker was in no better shape, his roars soon became weak gurgles as he staggered around. It didn't take long for him to choke on his own blood and collapse in place.
Five…
This can't be kept up. If I use my Noble Phantasm, I may be able to destroy the rest of his lives in a single blow. But in my current state, I would disappear too.
…
No, I can't afford to be selfish. My time was over. He still has a future.
I get up, and I prepare to unleash Excalibur-
-But the giant dematerialised.
"!" His Master must have recalled him.
With sheer willpower I make haste.
I was clutching my sides, but I couldn't help but feel a little smug at her dumbfounded reaction.
"It seems I underestimated your Saber." She glared at me.
"How many times?" I had to know.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Cheeky brat.
If it were 1-3 lives she wouldn't bat an eyelash. 9 or more, she would be hysterical already.
So somewhere between 4-8 lives
And I still have yet to see a Kamehameha from a Sword…
...Holy shit what am I feeding Saber through my connection, G-fuel?
Maybe I can bluff her.
"You know I still have all three of my Command Seals, would be a shame if I used them to obliterate your Servant." I tried to deliver nonchalantly, like I'm in control of the situation.
But sadly me being in pain, just doesn't sell the image.
"Good effort, onii-chan, but I see you are struggling to keep supplying her with mana. She would disappear the moment you use it."
"Maybe you're right, but at least it would be karma, your revenge leaving you with nothing from now on."
I raised my left hand. Command seals glowing. "If I die here at least I'll make sure to leave you with nothing."
Call my bluff, I dare you! I can feel my heart beating in my throat. Please let me fight another day!
Her magic circuits flared through her body. "Berserker, Come back!"
In an instant, the giant of a man was next to her.
I'm gonna fucking die! Yay!
Just as I was about to use one of my commands-
"I changed my mind, it wouldn't be fun if you died here tonight, this grail war would be boring~" She said with a smile.
A mood swing saved my life...Or maybe she was actually afraid of me following through with my threat. I mean I was cornered.
Berserker picked up the chibi, and she sat on his shoulder. "Try not to die before I get you."
And they walked off.
…
I slumped, my legs giving out on me.
"I'm alive. I'm alive. I'm alive." I mumbled the mantra, as if me living contradicted the laws of the universe itself.
I'm crying from relief. Momentarily letting things out.
"Aaron!" A voice snapped me out. I turn towards the sky to see Saber, who, "HOLY HELL!"
...Yeah she looks like she's been through the grinder. Her clothes stained with blood, several wounds across her body. How is she not collapsing!
She scans my surroundings. "Where did they go?"
"She really didn't want me to waste Command Seals to pulverize her Berserker...I think." I explained.
She let out a sigh of relief. "That's good, because that was what I was about to do."
Well, I've got timing that's for sure.
Still…
I managed to get back up, "Will you be okay?" I asked with concern, I hope he did not hit her anywhere vital.
"Your concern is appreciated, but I will recover, although I did use up most of my mana to keep up in the fight, I won't be able to replicate this feat for a while." She explained.
"Yeah I literally felt as my magic circuits activated to supply you." My body was still sore from it.
She put on an apologetic expression. "No big deal, I rather feel this pain then-"
I winced and tilted my head…
"-that…"
"We can't leave his remains like this, he deserves a proper rite." I couldn't disagree, but I don't have the stomach for this.
I took out my phone and I still have no service. and even if there was a phone boot, I still don't know the numbers for the authorities, not to mention my lack of money.
I shook my head. "I want to but we can't do anything. I hate it I do, but we have to leave him and let someone else who can actually deal with this do their things."
She gave me a stubborn look, but she relented.
Oh! I almost forgot.
I steel my stomach and nerves and take a deep breath. She already did something she did not want tonight. I won't ask her to defile a corpse.
I kneeled down, and OH GOD GROSS. I'm shivering
"Master!" She looks at me, her expression absolutely judging me. "What are you doing?"
I swallowed the bile in my throat. "He has Avalon in his body, I'm trying to get it out of him."
If I only knew how!
"...I will have a lot of questions, Aaron."
'I'm sure you do.' I thought .She kneeled down, and her hands sank into his chest.
And pulled out the magical artifact.
Her wounds instantly started regenerating.
"I'm sorry." I apologised. "You already made a hard decision today, and I did not want for you to make another. "
She let out a sigh. "It's...all right, but can I assume you already know my identity?" It was more of a rhetorical question.
"King Arthur."
"Well, since you already know, I want to formally introduce myself. My name is-"
If it's Altria, I will fucking-
"Artoria Pendragon."
Yes! Suck it Nasu!
I got up, "Well, let's start over then, since we survived and all." I coughed and wiped my bloodied palm into my coat." Aaron Eagle." I hold my handout for a shake.
She had a small smile on her lips. "Nice to meet you. Aaron." and shook my hand.
I will never wash hands ever again! But I have to wash the stains off from it…
As we walked off, I realised a bigger problem.
We have no base. Technically I could use Shirou's if I knew how to mess with people's minds, but even then I wouldn't.
Even if I never would have wanted now I have to ally myself with someone. Thankfully the choice was obvious.
If you're guess wasn't Tsundere-Thighs Rin Tohsaka, I don't wanna talk to you.
The only relatively "normal" person in this universe. Medea would stab me in the back, even if I'm the most sincere person this side of the cosmos, because Kuzuki and she won't take any risks.
Shinji, pffh I have standards!
I told Saber we need to make an alliance with Rin.
"It isn't unusual for Masters to make alliances but they are the ones that tend to break with ease."
"I want to make one that sticks to the end."
She stops and I look at her.
Oh boy.
She let out a frustrated sigh. "Aaron, I'd like to ask my questions now."
I bit my lip.
"From what I've observed you aren't a magus, therefore someone who was dragged into this competition. However, you know things that under your circumstances shouldn't be possible. You knew Shirou was going to die, just by meeting me. You knew Berserker's identity without meeting him prior, not to mention you were aware of my sheath being in his body. Why and how do you know these things?"
Yeah I did not try to be subtle at all.
...How do you explain this to someone? "Hello I'm from a world where everything here is part of a fictional anime/VN!"
That would undermine their entire existence! Not to mention existential crisis! Heck what if I'm the one who was fictional the whole time and this is me waking in the real world!
How do I get myself out of this situation? bluffing that I have clairvoyance? Fat chance of that!
I massaged my face. "I… Don't know how to say it. I mean it would sound so unbelievable, because it is." My voice is so defeated. I know I should lie.
But how could I lie to someone who bled for me?
Her expressions softened. "Is your disposition that extraordinary?"
I nodded tiredly.
"Then...Could you at least tell me how you got involved?
"Would you believe me? Even if it is the most farcical thing you've ever heard?" I asked but I couldn't keep my hopeful tone out of my voice.
"You have yet to lie to me."
That is true.
I took the deepest breath of my life so far. Let's rip off part of the band-aid. I looked her in the eye
"I'm from 2020 and in a world where magic doesn't exist." There I said it.
I could tell a glance she wanted to call me out but she either refrianed or begrudgingly accepted.
"How...did you get into this timeline?" She asked reluctantly.
"I was on my way home, then suddenly found myself from Hungary to Fuyuki. And then I saw the date and it clicked when and where I was."
Even Saber had recompose herself. "I want to be honest with you... It is difficult to swallow."
I let out a bitter chuckle. "This is the tamest part."
I was about to turn around and start walking, but her voice drew me back. "One last thing, because you seem to know much. Do you know of the Last Holy Grail war? How it ended?"
I nodded.
"Why did he make me destroy it…?"
"I want to be honest here, Kiritsugu was a dick." I was blunt. "However when he ordered you to destroy it, that time he did not betray you."
"What do you mean?" She asked. No, demanded.
I sighed. "This will come up with Rin and honestly this is a conversation I only want to have once. Besides I think I have proven for every answer I give at least two more questions will come to mind."
"Please be patient just a little bit more." I pleaded.
She relented.
The first rays of the sun were coming up.
It was a long night for the Tohsaka heir. You see she was never a morning person, but the neighbourhood was silent so at least it usually let her sleep.
Until now.
For the first time in her life Sunday was ruined for her.
By a loudmouth in front of her house.
"Wake the fuck up Rin, we have a Grail War to win!"
This person was so dead!
Beta and Fight scenes: The Royal Protector
Hello, I hope you guys enjoyed it!
So as you have guessed, this story isn't really for Shirou or Illya fans.
And trust me it hurt to kill Shirou, but if the MC has no failures then he can't grow, and Mary Sue is what I'm trying to avoid.
Also our main character won't be strong, mentally sure, but physically? At best he can kick Shinji's ass, but let's be real that ain't a benchmark.
Furthermore I really want to leave an open weakness for others to exploit on the MC, because in this story our favourite Saber will be on steroids! That's right I want our girl to shine!
Also if anyone is calling BS on Artoria killing Berserker Five times then remember that it was said that with a proper master Artoria would defeat him. MC has a lot of mana but he has yet to learn how to activate his magic nerves, so as Arty fought him, she gradually siphoned mana from our MC, and it hurt him, his magic circuits were forcibly activated. And his body tried to fight it off as if it were a virus. Also Mana Burst is A rank so it is totally valid to kill him like that, HF anyone?
Also shoutout for The Royal Protector, he wrote the fight top-to-bottom because I'm a hopeless case when it comes to that :D
Anyways cya guys!