Fragmented Rebirth;1

The Moment of Awakening


A black void.

One where nothing can be felt, seen or heard. An embodiment of emptiness, an embrace of serenity, or perhaps a state of total peace. No sky or land, no horizon or zenith, no light or darkness. In fact, even the fundamental aspects of existence themselves are not present.

And in that void, a human figure floated.

No, rather than floating, it's better to say that it is in a state of suspension. As the void itself is deprived of such trivial fundamentals like motion or physics, the suspended body is deathly still.

No features can be made out on it, as not only is it a literal human figure, a soft light azure hue seemingly made up of its composition. A round head, no hair, medium build, no genitalia, or otherwise. The figure seems to lack the fundamental aspects of a human being, making for a fitting addition to the equally as lacking void.

Perpetually in an eternal moment, the void and figure seems to just... be. And rather than live, the whole picture seems to lack life itself. And how could it not be so?

For the space lacks Mana.

An energy so primal and old that it is what makes up the world and all that inhabits it.

The light of life, the shadow of the void, that which started the universe.

Mana, an energy so vital that the lack of it would baffle reality itself. And yet, the void itself seems to lack it, making a confounding mystery in determining whether or not if it is something that actually exists.

Moments passed. And perhaps moments more. And even more. The very picture of nothing seems content in its current activity. Just being.

However.

The world is in a perpetual state of motion. Life itself is constantly moving. Everything has their limits and the end comes for all.

And so the azure figure contorted. No, it's more accurate to say that it moved, defying the already illogical laws of the void in which it resides. Rather than the figure moving, however, the energy itself seems to be moving in a machine-like motion as it steadily spun around the figure's outline. Pure cosmic pressure seemed to be leaking out as the azure energy worked its way around the body and, little by little, shaping the figure.

At first it was the body itself, the energy constantly moves in as it shapes what is no longer a standard figure but one with the right combination of leanness and masculinity, therefore answering the question of the figure's gender. Still covered in the same blue energy, the head sized accordingly with its new body as hair-shaped tendrils grew from the previously bald surface. It grew and grew, and when it seemed like it would go on forever, the growing outline stopped as it reaches the figure's feet. The previously barren head now sports what can be assumed as a wild mane of hair that for some reason, seems really fluffy.

The energy stopped for a moment from its process, seeming to examine its work so far. Moments later, it seems to be content as it moved on to shaping the rest of the now confirmed human. Literally being carved from an human-shaped energy-made marble, the figure's face came into existence and revealed its handsome features. A masculine jaw, lean cheeks, thin eyebrows, perfect nose and appropriate sized eyes adorn a face so perfect that it seemed to be made by the Gods themselves. Though the figure has their eyes closed, it can be assumed that they possess a strong gaze and if decorated with emotions, would be able to move nations with the merest twitch. Down on the neck, golden rings covered the body part protectively, yet can be assumed to be practical enough to allow for head movement. The rest of the body seemed to refine itself as the figure now sports tightly-packed swimmer's figure on top of its already perfect build.

Moving around a bit more, the energy made a few minor adjustments before stopping and seemingly gazed at its masterpiece. As if to put on the final touches, tendrils started to sprout out of the human figure and with them, the rest of the azure hue. The tendrils formed a small circle around the figure, like a caterpillar's cocoon before the emergence. With the energy no longer covering the figure, perfect light brown skin revealed itself to be covering the human's body.

Furthermore, strange tattoo-like marks adorn the figure's arms shaped in a peculiar pattern, reaching down to cover the hand's backside. Each arm is adorned with five golden rings on each side, three covering the forearms and 2 on either side of the elbow joint. Ten rings adorn all five fingers on each hand, each seemed to be immaculately crafted despite seemingly simple in design. Moving down to the lean yet muscular legs, a different pattern of tattoos also covered both of the appendages, running from the upper thigh to the backside of each foot.

The lion mane-like hair showed itself as a dark shade of white that still seemed to be shining from non-existent lights. Wild bangs with spike-like protrusions frame the figure's face with the front leaving two strands of hair that cover the top part of the left eye. On the same side, a long braid that reaches the front middle of the figure decorated with a golden band at the end floats lightly.

The cocoon, now sporting the same pattern as the human's arms, spun lightly around the human as the final remnants of its residue leave, steadily maintaining itself even when near completion. Once finished, it continued its protection, awaiting for its next command.

And the circle spun, and spun, and spun... until the moment of awakening.


I opened my eyes.

Or at least, I tried to. The feeling of heaviness seemed to weigh on my everything. I haven't felt this tired since... since... wait, when was the last time I felt this way? Despite feeling like this is the first time in a long while that I can relax, I can't seem to remember anything. A feeling of emptiness arise whenever I tried recalling my previous memories, yet the only thing that responded was a dull pain that seemed to only grow if I tried to force it.

...This, I suppose, is the moment where I should be freaking out. Usually people don't end up with amnesia and not being able to move their body, not to mention their eyes. Yet I don't feel like it. Being here, without needing to worry about anything, besides how I ended up here, it's... nice.

Though even if I want to, my limbs feel like they've been filled with lead. The most I can manage is a small twitch on my face, which is good, considering that means I still have my body. Feels like this isn't even the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me, which is concerning seeing as how this is usually the weirdest situation a person would ever face. Or maybe the most dangerous, I mean, for all I know, I've been kidnapped by the Magis and is being experimented on.

I stopped myself. Kidnapped by magis? Experimented on? Magis, as in wizards? But, they shouldn't be-

A sharp pain made itself known inside my head.

Argh, w-what the hell... I-It felt like my head was going to be split open!

The pain was definitely worse than earlier, before it was a dull pain like being sick. Now it was a full on mind-rending headache that seems to make me disoriented for a few seconds, despite me not currently standing up. What was that? As soon I as tried denying the existence o-of magic, of all things, my mind seemed to reject the very notion. What does that mean? It exist? Something so fantasti-

I used to be heralded as its creator, after all.

Another headache, though thankfully less painful, speared through my consciousness. With it, a brief confident yet tired statement that seemed to have been made from me. Again, what does that mean? The creator? I... created magic? With a grandiose feat like that... there would be only one man. Though many wizards and sorcerers exist in legends and myths, only one can be called the creator.

A king who ruled wisely. A puppet moved by God.

A man who was just and fair. An empty husk without will.

A loving husband who shares his love equally. Nameless bodies draping themselves over a machine.

A man that stood amongst legends as the one of the greatest. Credited with the creation of magecraft, held as the goal of many. A ruler of a rich land that prospered under his jurisdiction. That's right... his name was-

Hello! My name is Dr. Ro**** ******an!

...What? What was-

It's nice to meet you, R***k*.

What's happening? What's going on?

I didn't teach you to dress like that, M***!

Urgh... wait, stop! Stop it!

For some reason, people just call me Dr. R****.

(Ugh, aaahhhh...!)

Since we both have nowhere to go, why don't we spend some time and deepen our friendship?

(I-I sa-said, stop it...!)

I am not that self-depreciating, right?

(What is this...? Goddamnit, please...!)

That can wait, I am going to miss Magi Mari's show!

(JUST STOP!)

Don't worry about it, I am sure you can do it!

(AAAARRGGHH... guh... aaaaAARGHH!)

Push on! The grail is just ahead.

(...hah... hah...)

Part of Human history is in its rightful place! We did it, R***k*!

Countless memories rushed into my head, memories filled with hardships... yet also, a familiar warmth.

Days filled with nightless sleeps, so similar yet different from the memories of a life before. Interacting with people that he could call friends and family, rather than needlessly worrying about his duty and people.

Playing the part of the good doctor, bantering with a beautiful brown-haired genius, supporting the adventures of a black-haired boy and his lavender-haired kouhai. Though it was filled with days of worry and accumulating stress of keeping Humanity's last hope alive, it was also so... so, so liberating.

Never had he felt such thrill, had he experienced such wonderful emotions, and never had he felt so happy. Even if...

Even if it ended in a goodbye, it was worth it.


A lone man stood in front of a massive throne room, surrounded by warped space. His white coat billowing as everyone's eyes turned to him, stunned by his revelation.

"...That's Solomon's tenth ring... The one I-no, he- lost..."

Adjusting his grip on the now discarded white glove, he spoke.

"Yeah, it over a decade ago."

And so he spoke, telling them the story of a pitiful man who worried and worried, even after his death.

"His wish was a very ordinary one: 'I wish to be human.'"

The grotesque creature that was responsible for the situation furiously denied it with all his might. For the King that once held the 72 was-

"He was inhuman! Cold! Cruel! The man after whom I was patterned could not have possessed such an ordinary wish!"

It stung. Even if it's his enemy now, it was once one of his closest companions. Yet it did not understand what he really wanted, despite living through the same dull life as he did until the very end. But he pressed on, weaving his enraptured audience a story of that same King, now human, as he worried for the future. He told them of his conscience finally telling him what he should do, and ironically, made him the same as before. Like the brown-haired genius had stated, he didn't trust anyone when he was working at Chaldea. He could not. After all, though the man sacrificed a lot and meant well, his Master committed many atrocities in the name of the Greater Good. And if he could not trust his partner in the Holy Grail War, how could he trust strangers?

That was, until he met a boy. His stature was ordinary, yet his blue eyes, seemingly so bright with hidden determination and will, seemed to captivated the good doctor. Possessing mediocre talents as a Mage, he only ended up in Chaldea as a last minute Master Candidate. He was an awkward, bumbling mess, being sent back to his room by the former Director and he should've, by all means, just an observer to the Grand Order. Yet, he couldn't shake off his feelings that this boy was going to be special.

And how right he was. He had made it here, the last Master of Chaldea. Seven singularities equalling to seven ordeals, and one Grand Order. Though he was ordinary, his journey had made him extraordinary. And that's why...

"Of course, a few instances of good fortune helped me along the way. The greatest of them all was you, R**u**." He had to tell them. His feelings, his gratitude, his happiness.

"And I don't just mean on the day we met. During this entire Grand Order, there was never a time you weren't there to help me." That's right, though he was someone that should've been able to do a lot more, he hid behind his selfish desires.

"I thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to you and Mash, i was able to reach this moment." In the end, it was only through the efforts of that special boy and his ever-present purple-haired companion that allowed them all the chance to restore Human Order.

'Yes... and that's why this has to be done. I am satisfied with my second life. They have given me all the happiness I don't deserve and taught me the wonders of the world.'

"...Goetia."

"You said you had no need of the name "King of Mages" anymore. I'll take it back, then."

And so the King took the stage once more. To do a final act that only he could do, all to give the last Master fighting a chance to defeat the combined might of the 72.


According to legend...

Though King Solomon had rings that granted him true omnipotence, he used them only once.

And in the end, he chose to return them to Heaven of his own free will.

He seemed to be saying that the era in which fate rested in the hands of the Almighty was over, and the era in which humans would live freely had come.


"My third Noble Phantasm... The Time of Birth Hath Come, I Am the Remedy of Eternity: Ars Almadel Salomonis. My second Noble Phantasm... The Time of Coronation Hath Come, I Am the Beginning of Eternity..."

Ars Paulina

"..And now, O Heavenly Father, I return to you your blessings."

"...Omnipotence is too much for humans to handle. My work shall be done within the limitations of mankind."

"Recreating first Noble Phantasm... The Time of Parting Hath Come, I Am He Who Surrenders the World…"

Ars Nova


...Life always comes to an end. Life is a pilgrimage of suffering.

"Yes… but it is not a story of death and separation."

How fitting of an end for a incompetent King. Just like Goetia said, Solomon was the very incarnation of all laziness and compromise in this world. But that's why he was glad.

Even if the cost of it was his very existence, so be it. For his final act was used to create a better future. And because of that…

It was worth it.


"And so the story of one cowardly king ended. Yet through his final sacrifice, he had done something worthy of a hero."

"...Wouldn't you agree?"

...I do. Yes, that's right. Such a foolish man, he could've revealed himself earlier and helped. He, however, hid behind his selfish desires. Constantly preaching about efforts and courage, indulging in his insecurities and hiding behind his mask. What a hypocrite.

And yet, I can't blame him.

For if I do so, I would also be the same.

"Yes, that's right."

And silence reigned once more.

…But, I still can't recall anything. Though the memories I just witnessed seemed familiar, I can not confidently say it was my own.

"And that is fine, that would've ruined this whole process after all."

...What do you mean?

"It does not matter now. But before you decide to play detective, you should be able to feel something, no?"

Feel something?... I do, a small warm core of sorts. Though I still can't move my body or open my eyes, the warmth somehow seemed to ease me comfortingly despite me having no way to confirm such a thing.

"Then that is good. The process is done. Now recall yourself, *******, and awaken to your duty."

...What did you call me?

"Ahhh, it seems you need a reminder. Do you recall your promise?"

A promise… of what? What did I promise?

"Something along the lines of… redemption, perhaps?"

Re...demption?

I swear with all my heart and all of my being, I will do it even if I have to die again!

...Yes, that's right.

For my fallen friends, for the sake of the whole world, I will take up the mantle of savior once more!

A promise to honour, a vow to be remembered, and an oath to keep drive my very core.

"Now then, remember your honoured promise, your sworn vow, and your eternal oath."

Yes… I am the one who carries the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"The one who carries our final hope."

I am the one who took on the mantle of messiah and king.

"He who promises to usher in a new age of Humanity."

The one who inherited the legacy of one, the beliefs of another and the existence of the third.

"The King, who provided his powers. The Savior, who provided his mind. The Deity, who provided the weight of his very existence."

"That's right, you who became the new star of all..."

I, who swore an oath to be the new hope…

"Awaken now..."

It's time to wake up from this slumber.

"So you can fulfill your promise..."

And carry out my duty once more.

"For you are…"

For I am

"Our final hope"

"Solomon, the King of Humanity!"


And thus the human spoke his grand declaration, and the world...

...Existed once more.