I do not own Genshin Impact of Fate.
First of thanks to everyone who's favourited and supported. I did not think this story would become so popular.
Guest: Thanks for the advice. The Honkai elements are really limited with us following just one character, most connections will be just discussed of theorised about. There will be no Herrschers or anything like that.
English is not by strength so apologies for any spelling or grammar errors.
I hope you all enjoy!
Marisbury Animusphere checked the top of his white shoes as he neared his destination thankful that no blood had accidentally gotten onto them. He mentally chided himself for not minding his surroundings while walking and for being distracted by the outburst coming from Mr. Weins telephone call.
His usually calm demeanor was a little of today, and not because of the mystery god. Mystery god, it was what some of the younger and more excitable members of the Clock Tower had dubbed the recently discovered divine entity. The title was appropriate in some sense, but then again magecraft revolved around mystery itself so one could simply slap the word onto pretty much anything and get away with it.
The meeting with the other heads of the Clocktower (which had ended just a few minutes ago) had floated the name alien god, although Marisbury himself was not ready to support such a title yet. When looking at all the news footage floating about any person would automatically assume that the entity came from the stars. But as head of the Astromancy Department Marisbury and the students under him weren't just anyone.
Indeed, his department had become the greatest asset to the Mages Association recently be they from the Clocktower or Atlas. Even other institutions such as the Holly Church needed the information they found, and of course the Astromancy department answered. A certain piece information was the reason Marisbury couldn't say with certainty that the new god came from some part of the human universe of awareness or dare he say the context without.
The thing which had interestingly enough created such a question was surprisingly simple, not anything to do with the stars, Types, or the digging up of information in regard to what led to the end of the age of gods. No, it was simple math. Specifically, the angle of that golden pillar of light the god had entered with. Which despite apearing to come in a straight path when tracked back seemed to angle quite strangely. A change in direction perhaps? A small piece of data no doubt and hardly one that disproved the god coming from the stars, but regardless something which had to be factored in.
Young Wodime had been responsible for that discovery and in a quick amount of time to. Along with this the young magus had unintentionally and unofficially become the vice director of Astromancy do to all the people asking for his assistance. Marisbury felt it appropriate then that he officially left Wodime charge of the department while he attended the numerous meetings with the lords for the day.
Marisbury had presented the information to the other lords of the Clock tower and now there was a thought (among many) in the heads of the clock towers minds. If the mystery god did not come from the heavens but instead the Earth would that be better?
An odd question admittedly as most would see both situations as terrible. But depending on the type of magus a person was one of the options was very much be a boon.
Firstly, if the god was from the world then chances where it would be more controllable through the planet's authority. Both Gaia and Alaya would see it as a disruption to the natural order of things and the Counter Force would send its counter guardians. Yet strangely enough those had been quite with not a single action yet taken. Another puzzle to solve Marisbury thought.
Continuing on the god would also likely be diminishing in power due to the laws of the modern age, although there was no way to prove that.
On the other hand, if the god had come from the world, specifically the reverse side who was to say that more divine entities wouldn't follow. That this god was but the first, and that the deities from ages past had found a way to circumvent the tower which fastened the outer layers of the world to rebuild their age.
To a lot of magi such a thing would be seen as wonderful, especially the older generation, the return of the Age of Gods.
Marisbury was less ecstatic. He may not know what the exact future of proper human history was but anything which could cause stagnation on a global scale was something to be feared as the divine and fairies weren't exactly known for change what with their connection to the planet in various ways. Their timeline would most likely be turned into a Lostbelt and pruned at the centuries end. Although if the gods were making a comeback, they likely had a plan for that.
In Marisbury's mind however that was his preferred scenario because if the god came from the context without then… Well, needless to say, no one wanted a Velber situation. If that was the case however, chances were that the human layer of the world would have been gone by now to put it simply.
Truly, it seemed the universe be it the one within Gaia's supreme reality Marble or the one outside of it wished to threaten humanity.
Such was the nature of reality Marisbury supposed.
None of these were the reason Animusphere was a little off now, no if anything the worry and uncertainty caused by the unknown god had helped him beyond his department in the pursuit of his little pet project Chaldea. What a better way to prove the need for humanities protection than a situation which lay all its vulnerabilities wide open.
He had just begun looking for extra investment and funding as sadly his oil rigs weren't anywhere close enough to what was needed. It would be difficult without a doubt, but it appeared Fate had at least for the moment turned in his favour with all the investors he had spoken to earlier now no longer on the fence. That and he was more than willing to leverage the current situation for favours. Never waste a crisis. Yes, despite his ordinary appearance Marisbury Animusphere knew his Policies well.
This last statement was quite fitting as he arrived at his destination. A rather ordinary door, but one which held the cause of his slight nervousness in the form of its occupants. Individually the people within wouldn't have caused any issues within him regardless of their rank, accomplishments or abilities such was his control. But considering that two out of the three people within had one thing in common, the third persons position in the Clock Tower,
and that they had all simultaneously called for him well that was enough to make any magus just a little anxious.
The door opened and Marisbury walked in a calm smile on his face. The silence of the room greeted him even before the door finished closing with it not staying open for not a second more than needed.
The room as predicted had three occupants.
The first most notable in terms of physical features had long vibrant blazing red hair which cascaded downward like a waterfall. Despite that the most notable thing about the person to a magus family would be their clothing, casual, vary casual what with the jeans and white T-shirt. The reason for such an appearance were evident on their face what with big bags and them releasing an uncontrollable yawn. Yes, Aoko Aozaki the wielder of the fifth magic had just flown in a few hours ago on short notice and was very much suffering from jet leg.
"May I take a seat?" Asked Marisbury.
"By all means." Said the oldest out of all of them. His hand motioning to the seat next to the fifth magician which Marisbury took silently.
The old man sat opposite to Aozaki and close to the occupied head of the table, his cane seated beside his chair. His clothing could be summed up in one word, black. Black pants, black shirt, and a borderline black cape with but a hint of greyish green. Such lack of colour however did not take away from his appearance as it perfectly contrasted his pure white gloves on both hands and equally snow-white beard and hair.
The second magician certainly was easy to recognise even without hearing of his extraordinary accomplishments.
Accomplishments which the respect of the third person in the room and who sat at the tables head.
Few things needed to be said of the occupant what with the iconic whip beside her, the gauntlet which would usually adorn her right arm, and her abilities which bordered on true magic. Barthomeloi Lorelei, the vice director of the Clock tower.
Who had somehow managed to beat Marisbury to this room despite just being in the same previous meeting as him.
"Seeing as were all here shall we begin?" The wizard Marshal asked.
"That would lovely." Aoko said as she sat up in her chair after a stretch.
Barthomeloi Lorelei all the meanwhile sat quietly observing the conversation about to take place.
"Professor Animusphere I assume you know as to why you are here?" The second magician asked kindly.
"To a certain degree, yes. I assume that this has to do with the ritual in the East currently taking place, the mystery god, and with these." Marsbury raised his hand and removed the white glove on it to show three red command seals.
Zelretch nodded his head, "Holy Grail war to be specific but yes that is correct. You and everyone in this room have also been chosen to participate in the ritual."
Marisbury put his glove on back on as he said, "I summarised as much; I admit to not knowing about the ritual initially but since the command seals appeared, I have done my research on the basics."
"When did you find the time for that with everything going on?" Asked Aoko as she glanced at her hand, the only bare one in a room she noted as she was to only one to not where gloves.
Marisbury moved his head to the side to look at her as he answered with that ever so calm and velvet like voice of his. "Truth be told I wouldn't have had the time ordinarily. But I was able to deduce that the command seals appeared when the mystery god arrived in our world thanks to my departments research. I then felt that it was appropriate to commence research on the subject."
"And you were smart enough to not speak about it to the rest of the lords at the main meeting." Zelretch remarked before turning to the vice director and saying, "that confirms it then, our visitor was the one who resulted in the rituals change."
It was then that the queen decided to speak for the first time since she had entered the room,
"But that still leaves the question as to how such at creature was summoned in the first place. I highly doubt that you and the magi in the east have such knowledge and abilities." She was blunt which despite the wording was delivered in a tone that was not insulting in any way. It was factual, simple as that.
The second magician nodded respectfully, "You would be correct in that regard. Even accounting for someone tampering with the greater grail and being purely optimistic, they would only be able to summon a divine spirit at best. Even so such a thing would kill the summoner near instantly due to the mana requirements alone, and thus the spirit would eventually fade.
The information being exposited was clearly for the vice director as despite knowing the basics of the Holy Grail War Aoko and Marisbury had no knowledge of its internal mystical mechanisms.
That being said Marisbury was more than happy to make some mental notes on what was being spoken about for research purposes.
"You sure seem to know allot about how the grail works grand marshal." Aoko remarked.
"Yes, well I did help in its design and construction."
"So, your cup is broken." Aoko said light heartedly.
"In some aspect's it appears so such as the summoning of servants yes. But overall based on what the Holy Church has told us it is in perfect condition and fully functional. The war has merely been expanded through the grails failsafe, as initially designed."
"Which means?" Aoko left the question hanging. Seriously she was the only one asking questions at this meeting, a little embarrassing considering she was one of two magicians here.
"It means that that based on all the evidence we have so far our mystery god despite its power is likely a familiar in this war, and if the counterforce continues to not no act as it has so far then the fourth Holy Grail war of Fuyuki will continue as planned. With us commencing a hunt against the enemy team." The Vice director said.
This made Aoko and Marisbury think for a few minutes before Aoko shouted, "Wait you want us to fight a full powered god!"
Zelretch spoke up again, although this time non to happy about what he had to say, "If what lady Barthomeloi has said turns out to be true then yes. The panic of the mage's association will turn into unbridled curiosity, and the fourth Holy Grail War will become the most important event in the history of the association since it's founding. That being said you are free to resign from the war once at the Fuyuki church."
Aoko sighed in relief at hearing that last part, "Well I appreciate the offer I really do, and normally I wouldn't look back on a situation but I'm afraid this time I'll have to."
"Your sister has been confirmed to also be a master." The vice director calmly added.
"SHE WHAT!" Any apprehension of possibly ending her entire family line, losing the fifth magic, or dying left Aoko's head in an instant. For in the end what power did a god have when compared to old sibling hatred and rivalry, "When did you learn this!"
"She got in contact with me through her Clocktower connections while you were still in flight." Zelretch said casually.
Aoko turned her head to the Barthomeloi, her eyes focussing like a predator with an accusatory look, "You want me in the war that badly huh?"
The queen didn't seem the least bothered or perturbed by Aoko's look as she replied with, "You are the fifth magician. There are few magi in the association who could take your place without it being a downgrade in quality even if you were to use your magic but once."
"And the Grail chose Touko, not the vice director." Schweinorg added.
"Oh, don't play smart with me, and who's her connection in the Clock tower. It's Alba right, it's got to be him." Aoko said as she continued rambling. She was gonna do something to Alba if it was him. She didn't know what or why but when a person is connected to someone you dislike especially in the world of magi things got nasty.
Aoko also admitted that she didn't know how she would stop her sister when they were on the same team, but she would! Mark her words she would find a way!
It was at this point that the sound of Marisbury clearing his throat could be heard getting Aoko to stop. "If I may ask, considering that five of our team have already been accounted for who are the other two?"
"Yet unknown I'm afraid but we are still searching." Zelretch said simply.
"I see, but this is all based on the idea that such a being can be controlled by a human or is willing to serve one for the war. If that is not the case what happens then?"
"Then we will work collectively regardless of team to deal with the god. Without the Counterforce taking action heroic spirits present the best option at dealing with this situation do to some of their histories." That was the best option available but only if the correct servants were picked, Marisbury would need a proper catalyst for the summoning. Zelretch finished with, "Lord El-Melloi has already agreed to this."
"A smart idea, work together, prevent any un-necessary deaths, and help keep things secret from the public. Kinda shocked that a magus could come up with such a plan." Aoko said.
The Grand Marshal lowered his face a small humble smile on his lips, "My thanks, I am glad that you approve of my idea. But Holy Grail Wars hardly proceed with such order and efficiency. There's a reason no victors have emerged from the previous three competitions. It is at its heart a device made to reach the Root, even when not fully powered it can grant most material wishes. If the god does ends up fulfilling its contract with the master who summoned it then the other team will have little reason to give up their most prised warrior."
"And when will we know which direction the war has taken?"
"When the other team unifies. Lord El-Melloi will confirm the situation for us, if the god and its master agree to work with its team member's we will follow the model of a standard war. At which point Lord El-Melloi will end communications." The Marshal concluded.
Aoko and Marisbury nodded their heads silently in agreement.
Lady Barthomeloi then continued "Seeing as all that has finished, we will move onto acquiring the catalysts you need…"
Of course, the question on the back of the four master's minds was… what master could have done this.
"You can't use Mora as housing decorations!" Cried a drunken Waver.
"But Zhongli said Mora had a multitude of uses." Glen said.
"Ya but, but," Waver tried to say.
"Oh, does it not look good here." Martha asked as she pointed to the top of the front door.
"It's fine but it would look better if you put them in a pattern around the living room window." Honestly Non-magi when will they ever learn the young magus thought.