Author's Notes: I own nothing. Familiar of Zero belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi while Fate/Stay Night - Heaven's Failure is a Doujinshi made by Limit Break.
Legend of the Sword Dancer: Light a Path
With the Galleon now airborne, the Emilya could hear Arthur and the Basilisk Commander, Sir Salazar giving orders. The Knights and Soldiers gathered were scrambling. and along the chaos she spotted the disguised Karin. She was somewhat surprised that Karin is now willing to follow orders, but based on her movement, still quite new to being a subordinate.
"Arthur," Emilya called out as she approached Arthur and Salazar.
"Another of your Knights Sir Marcillac?" Salazar asked. "They seem to not care much of position or status."
"I apologize on behalf of my friend, Sir Salazar," Arthur said. "Emiya is a friend of mine, I asked for his help in assisting my Musketeer Squad if the worst case happens."
"I see," Salazar noted.
"He was also the one who landed a hit on the Galleon," Arthur continued. "Thanks to him we know that it has a strange barrier protecting it."
"Duly noted Sir Marcillac," Salazar said. "Now if you excuse me, I have to make sure we are ready for what comes next."
The Basilisk Commander then turned and left Emilya and Arthur, and began giving orders to the Basilisk Knights and the Soldiers under them.
"What's his deal?" Emilya asked.
"His pride and belief is wounded," Arthur sighed. "This battle has affected him badly."
"I'm sorry," Emilya said. "I never expected a full blown battle to erupt."
"You are not to blame here," Arthur explained. "From what I have gathered, there was a spy in Albion's Fleet. A defector who approached the Conquistadors before Albion received our message."
"And if there are defectors in Albion-" Emilya realized.
"There are also defectors among the ranks of Tristain." Arthur finished. "Which meant that your plan was leaked even before we executed it."
"Maybe I should have made a better plan."
"No plan is set in stone Shirou," Arthur said. "There will always be trouble along the way."
Both then put their attention back at the approaching Galleon and Airships. Emilya's eyesight was sharp enough to notice movement along the Galleon's deck. But she noticed the flashing of light coming from the Galleon, and realized what that meant. Quickly she jumped up and prepared the defensive Noble Phantasm she could use and stretched her arm forward.
[Rho Aias!]
Aboard the Galleon, Joseph was looking at the gathered crowd of Tristanians hiding in the hills. His partner activated a strange pedestal that allows one to view great distances. It was akin to a moving painting, the colors and figures match in real life.
"My Lord the Tristanian are regrouping." the one controlling the Galleon stated. "Shall we follow through with our plan to ignore them and proceed to Tristania?"
Joseph watched as the group are being commanded by a man with a Basilisk Insignia and a blonde haired male. He saw another person approach the group. A Mage with a strange helm wearing red. The same mage who managed to land a hit on the Galleon if he recalled correctly. Had not the strange green barrier active, he would have thought that the Galleon will be damaged.
"The Mage whose spell hit the Galleon is there." Joseph said. "Had he not have tried to attack us, we could have recruited him to our cause."
He could see that the mage was facing them, no doubt looking at their direction. The blonde Knight Commander was also with the mage in red, and it appears that the two are having a conversation before both turned their attentions back at the Galleon.
"Control the cannons," Joseph commanded. "And aim at the mage in red."
"My Lord?"
"That mage will only cause trouble if we ignore them," Joseph replied. "Do you remember how he manage to attack this Galleon?"
"He fired something at us," hooded person answered. "A possible combination of Earth, Wind and Fire spell. Earth for there was something solid that hit the barrier, Wind for he was able to cast it at a great distance, and Fire for the resulting explosion that occurred. But a Triangle Class Mage in a Knights Division is not a rare occurrence my Lord."
"True," Joseph replied. "But how that mage cast it is odd."
"..."
"Thanks to this Galleon we can spy on our enemies," Joseph explained. "When that mage attacked us, I commanded you to follow the trail of the attack. Though it was quite late, I managed to catch a glimpse of the mage holding a black bow."
"And you believe that the bow is his focus?" asked the hooded figure back.
"I have yet to hear of a mage who cast using a bow," Joseph replied. "The defectors from Tristain never mentioned such a mage during their Council Meeting."
"Yes," the hooded figure replied. "But I have told you before my Lord, where I am from is more advanced than here, I have seen mages cast using paper or gloves with written symbols. A bow, while strange, is not impossible."
"It is impossible that he is from your lands," Joseph said. "The way the blonde Knight Commander casually approached him meant they know each other. If he came from Han like you, there should be distrust in him among the ranks of Tristain's Knights."
The hooded figure once more looked at the mage in red hoping to see anything of familiarity. But the mage's helm concealed his face, no matter how far the Galleon could spy on them.
"Aim the cannons and fire." Joseph commanded.
"As you wish."
The hooded figure placed both hands on the wheel, and once more runes glowed beneath the hood. The Galleon's cannons began to shift and aimed towards the direction of the Tristanians. When the figure fired the cannons, something strange happened. For even before the beams of light hit the hills, a pink four petaled flower formed between the hill and the beam.
The beam of light clashed with the barrier formed by the pink flower. The Knights and Soldiers, both from Tristain and the Conquistadors, were awed at the sight of something that could withstand the destructive power of the Galleon. But the awe would be short lived as the fist petal broke, and the caster Emilya could be seen struggling against it. Then the second petal broke, the sleeve of Emilya's disguise was torn off. And then the third petal broke, Arthur who was close by could see cuts appearing on Emilya's arm.
When the beam has stopped, a single petal remained. Emilya fell down, and felt someone catch her. She knew it who it already was as she saw herself being carried to Severus, who immediately began to treat her wounds.
"That was reckless Sir Emiya," Severus said as he began to heal her arm with a water spell. "I have a potion to help with the blood loss I recommend you to drink it now."
Emilya only turned to look at Arthur. Her face was still covered by her helm, but Arthur got the message.
"I'll make sure he drinks it Sir Severus," Arthur said. "We must prepare to move out first."
Severus narrowed his eyes and looked at Emilya, then at Arthur, before sighing. He offered a Crimson Potion to Arthur before leaving. Arthur scanned the surrounding before giving Emilya the signal to open her visor. She quickly drank the potion and closed her visor immediately after.
"Bitter." Emilya commented.
"There is a rumor that Sir Severus purposely makes it bitter." Arthur said. "How are you feeling?"
"My arm still hurts." Emilya answered.
"You acted instinctively," Arthur said. "Had you said something, I could have helped you."
"Sorry," Emilya replied. "I had to act fast, since Karin is also here."
"What is here disguise?" Arthur asked.
"She's wearing a white blouse beneath a long blue sleeveless coat." Emilya answered. "She also wears an iron mask that conceals her face."
"Noted," Arthur said. "I'll have one of my Knights secure her after we destroy that Galleon. Do you have any suggestions?"
"I-"
"Sir Marcillac!" Ezra called out as he ran towards Emilya and Arthur. "A strange giant illusion has formed in front of the Galleon, and a woman's voice is heard speaking."
A projection, Emilya thought. That meant that the ship has a projector that allows the one controlling it to send a message. The projection was that of a robed and hooded figure.
"Greetings Tristanians and Albonians," the hooded figure said in a woman's voice." I would like to be the first to congratulate you for somehow surviving an attack from the Galleon, but I suppose I should have not held back too much."
The gathered crowd began to talk to themselves wondering about how much was held back.
"Among you is quite the powerful mage, and has proven himself capable." the figure continued. "Therefore I will have to once more offer you the chance to join us."
Emilya then noticed more doors opening from the Galleon, and more cannons are deployed.
"Or I shall demonstrate this Galleon's full power."
The projection ended, and there was only murmuring heard among the gathered Tristanians. Emilya looked around and she could see a mix of fear and awe in the faces of the Soldiers. The Knights were already debating with Arthur and Salazar, she saw an Iron Masked Knight standing in the sideline awkwardly. She approached her sister and got close enough for their conversation to be unheard by the others.
"You should leave now," Emilya whispered. "You saw how powerful that blast of light was, if they claimed it was still not full power-"
"And you are not?" Karin asked back. "That barrier you formed, what was it? It is no Wind Magic or Earth Magic I know of."
"Now is not the time." Emilya replied. "I'll show you when I get back."
"You're not leaving?" Karin asked.
"I need to be here to help Arthur," Emilya said. "There is a "spell" that needs the two of us."
"You can use [Unison]?" Karin asked. "But only the Royal Family of the Kingdoms can use that kind of Magic."
Before Emilya could answer Arthur waved at them, signaling both to get ready. The gathered crowd began to leave and prepare for the worst.
"It is hard to explain right now," Emilya said before leaving Karin.
Arthur carefully looked around, he noted that everyone is already out of earshot, and cast a simple [Wind Barrier] spell to avoid unwanted listeners.
"Ana somehow broke his hand when you left them," Arthur said, looking at Emilya. "The Basilisk Knights will continue to retreat with the wounded, while Albion and the Knights of Round will cover the skies as they fall back."
He then looked at Karin. "You go with Ana, act as their escort. I have already instructed Ana to cover for you when you disappear."
"Sir Marcillac?" Karin asked confused.
"I know it is you Karin," Arthur replied. "While I am against someone so young to experience a battle of this scale, I cannot let this pass. You are powerful and skilled, yet stubborn and rebellious, you have no awareness in the battlefield and almost had yourself injured, or worst, had not your sister manage to save you. This is not a controlled training or duel, your enemies will do everything in their power to live, and so must you."
"But-"
"There are other ways to become a Knight Karin," Arthur interrupted. "This may be one of them, but it is not the best way to do so. There are still many things you need to learn, there is more to becoming a Knight than just power."
Arthur could not see beneath the iron mask, but he knows someone has to correct the mistakes Karin had made. That is the harsh truth that many young Nobles refuse to believe in.
With the wounded and Karin already on the move, the others began to anticipate an attack. Emilya was with Arthur on the back of his Familliar flying along side the Albion Airships.
"Saber," Emilya began. "Remember back when you used [Caliburn], you said your weapons recognize you."
"Yes," Arthur confirmed. "They may be able to recognize me."
"Then we came up with a plan to both use one of your weapons against this Galleon."
"I suggested Excalibur," Arthur said. "But you asked for something stronger than the [Excalibur] you know."
"Yes," Emilya replied. "Since you mentioned that it would be awkward to swing a sword while mounted on a dragon."
[Trace On, Rhongomyniad]
On Emilya's hand was a bluish white lance that looked like it was woven from metal.
"The Holy Lance Rhongomyniad," Arthur stated. "How are you able-"
He then noticed that Emilya began to breathe heavy. Tracing the Holy Lance while being injured after using a defensive [Noble Phantasm] to protect them. He placed a hand on the handle, and the Holy Lance began to glow.
"We have one shot."
The Galleon and the Conquistador's Air Ships began to move. The same projection of a hooded woman appeared before the Galleon.
"I see you have chosen not to join our cause," the hooded figure said. "No matter, you will still be aiding us... Once we made an example of you, no Kingdom will refuse to join us."
The Galleon once more opened all it's gun port and all its canons were deployed. Albion's Air Fleet began to move out of the way. Same was done on the ground as the Knights of Round, the Basilisk Knights and the wounded were hurriedly scattered. Only a lone dragon and its two riders stayed in front of the Galleon. Many aboard the airships called out for them to get move, yet it never did.
Arthur and Emilya both held on to the lance and raised it up.
"Let light be released from the Ends of the World... It shall split the heavens, and connect the land... Anchor of the Storm!"
[Rhongomyniad]
The Galleon fired all its cannons. And in response, Arthur and Emilya activated the Holy Lance sending a spiraling beam of light that collided with the beams form the cannons. The wind erupted outwards as the two beams collided, and soon it could be seen that the beam from the Holy Lance is overpowering the cannons of the Galleon.
Aboard the Galleon, both Joseph and the hooded woman was shocked that the Galleon's cannons were being overpowered by a "spell".
"My lord we have to leave!" the hooded woman shouted as she grabbed Joseph and and ran to the back of the Galleon. Joseph looked back, and was able to see the barrier that protected the Galleon penetrated by the spiraling beam of light.
Both managed to subtly evade death as the Galleon was hit with the spiraling beam of light that continued onward until it reached the skies. At the sight of the destruction of the Galleon, Albion's Air Fleet moved in along with the remaining Knights of Tristain. The Conquistadors were taken by surprise and was scattered about. The army they managed to amass slowly being taken down.
"Such power..." Joseph said in awe from his hiding place. "I should have focused more on the mage in red."
Both were able to see that the mage in red created a strange lance using the screen on the Galleon. But something happened when the blonde haired Knight held it.
"A [Unison]?" the hooded woman asked. "Then that would mean both are Royalty."
"Unless both are Bastards," Joseph said. "And it is unlikely for that to be true, my informants inside Tristain and Albion never mentioned such. And another is that [Unison] is done by a man and woman both of Royal Blood to signify their heritage."
"That means the mage in red is girl in disguise." the hooded woman concluded.
"What I find strange is that the mage in red was able to transmute a lance while she was riding a dragon mid-air." Joseph said. "Unless she did not transmute it from earth."
"My lord?" the hooded woman asked.
"The one of the Galleon's pedestal showed that she gathered something from her surroundings to create that lance," Joseph explained. "The only conclusion would be that she used her Willpower to create it."
"Then that would mean-"
"Yes, Sheffield," Joseph said. "We found Tristain's Void Mage."
POST CHAPTER NOTES:
To answer/reply to some recent reviews:
1. Oy vey...
2. It's a FanFic, there will always be references scattered about.
3. About Emilya's power level, because Heaven's Failure is somewhat a doujin, all I can get is that, she has greater magical power but slightly physically weaker because of Illya's body. So a firing a Broken Phantasm from Archer's Bow in succession might be too much for her current body to handle even with Reinforcement.
(I would also like to apologize in advance to those who may consider this a big nerf for Heaven's Feel Shirou, because technically Heaven's Failure is Heaven's Feel Route that went wrong, and many consider Heaven's Feel Shirou the Strongest Iterations of him of the three routes.)
Author's Ramblings:
I gotta say, I never expected to this to get 600 plus favorites, and nearing 900 follows as of writing this chapter. I mean... Wow... I'll do my best to make this work.
Anyways, as to why Rhongomyniad... Well, almost every FanFic with Arthur and Shirou it would always have Excalibur or Caliburn. And well, I wanted to try something new. Also it was suggested to me, by a fellow FanFiction Member, and we had quite the discussion about this.
Again, I have no clue as to when Sheffield was summoned but it should be somewhere before Canon. And well, I have no clue as to how old she is, and considering that Karin looked young during canon, I'm just setting her age as a few years older than Karin.
Sorry for not updating for a while. I've been busy with personal matters.