22.1
[Fate/Grand Order]
Battlefront Mesopotamia
Chaldea, Antarctica - 4:55 PM, October 5th, 201X A.D
This Loop, Chaldea had a war room. It hadn't actually had that originally, but Ritsuka had convinced Da Vinci to install one. Fairly easy, given she was also Awake. Thus, the current cast of colorful characters gathered around the table.
Ritsuka sat near the middle of the table, close to the holographic map in the center. She flexed her fingers as the last of the Servants filed in, taking their seats. The last one in, Nobunaga, shut the door behind her, the lights dimming to allow the holographic map to be displayed clearly.
There were twenty Servants in this one room, not counting herself or Mash. Da Vinci was in her workshop, still preparing for the operation, and Altria was going over drills with the other combatants. This group here, these were her squad leaders.
"Alright everyone. As you know, in fifteen hours, we will be Rayshifting to the Babylonia Singularity," Ritsuka began, putting her hands on the table. "As of right now, Da Vinci, Tesla, Edison, Helena, Babbage and Roman should be putting the finishing touches on the final Rayshift upgrades, to enable the sheer scale of our operation." She looked around the room. "Eighty-three Servants and myself, arranged in squads of four. The moment we hit the ground, or even before that, is when the operation begins."
"So what's the plan then Commander?" Fionn Mac Cumhail questioned, the leader of the Knights of Fianna sitting in his chair, arms crossed as he spoke the words Ritsuka knew were coming.
Tapping her hand to the Holographic map, she tapped a point just outside Babylonia proper. "This will be our insertion point, the Cedar Forest," Ritsuka began, already going over the plan in her head. She'd learned this later, one of those things in Baseline she never witnessed.
Huwawa, one of the many creatures slain by Gilgamesh, the beast of the Cedar Forest. In Baseline, the creature was summoned, and engaged by Ibaraki Douji, who had fled Gilgamesh's service to live as an Oni Bandit. She and Kintoki had gone and found her later, discovering that she'd been keeping a large number of humans safe, and similarly preventing the monster from joining the battle against Babylonia, which would have been a massive tip in Tiamat's favor if that had been allowed to occur.
Thus the insertion point, they were going to strike down Huwawa and convince Ibaraki Douji to join up with them to return to Uruk. While she wasn't going to throw everyone at Huwawa, she was going to be bringing a substantial force anyway. "Once there, we'll attempt to make contact with any local humans or Servants. Karna, Arjuna, I know your team Leaders aren't here right now, but I need you to tell Edison and Tesla you all are heading south towards Nippur. If you find enemies, destroy them, if you find people, aid them."
"Understood Master." Karna nodded in affirmation.
"Very well, I'll make sure Tesla gets word," Arjuna responded, not even sparing a glance towards Karna. They would be working together for this, even if their fated battle would happen one day in the future.
"Good, your teams will be the ones going in first. Fionn, Beowulf, you'll be following after them to assist."
"The Knights of Fianna won't fail you Master," Fionn responded, smirking as the Danish Berserker smirked.
"I'll keep his ass clear, don't you worry kid," Beowulf retorted, giving a thumbs up as Ritsuka nodded.
"Aside from those four teams, we'll be sending out Martha's team and Kotaro's team to scout. Martha, your squad is on seek and destroy, full priority, but make sure you four stay alive. Arash is banned from Noble Phantasm usage, as always," Ritsuka ordered.
"Of course, we'll do our duty, Fujimaru." Martha bowed, the saint smiling as she knew exactly why she and her team were on seek and destroy duty.
"And us milord?" Kotaro questioned, the Assassin crossing his arms as Ritsuka turned towards him.
"Your team is on full scout duty. If anyone spots you, pull back immediately, do not engage unless forced to," Ritsuka ordered. The ninja nodded, understanding the situation.
"Finally, Gawain, Odysseus, Hektor. You four are taking your teams straight to this wall," Ritsuka pointed at the long wall that surrounded Uruk on the holographic map. "Make contact, and help the defenders. Every human in this time period is an ally, so even if they attack you, make your intentions of aid clear, protect their lives, and destroy the enemy forces," Ritsuka commanded.
"It will be done, I swear it on my honor as a Knight of the Round." Gawain stood up, bowing to Ritsuka.
"Welp, defending is what I'm good at. I've got it covered Master," Hektor commented, pulling out a package of cigarettes and preparing to light one up. Only a quick glance from several people had him put the smokes away with a sigh as Odysseus looked up as well.
"Sending twelve Servants straight to those walls. You are anticipating a massive battle there," the Hero of the Odyssey noted, and Ritsuka nodded.
"The sheer amount of magical signatures we're detecting makes it clear this is a warzone. Our goal is simply to save as many lives as absolutely possible, and advance from there," Ritsuka relayed, still running a few more calculations in her head. If they did this wrong, they'd wake up Tiamat early. Similarly, they had to give Ereshkigal time to actually dig that pit to drop her in.
This was going to be a long operation… and every last life mattered.
"The operation begins at ten o'cloak sharp!" Ritsuka stood up, looking over every Servant in the room with a determined gaze. "This battle is on a scale we've yet to face before. Similarly, defeat here will mean the extermination of the human race as we know it." The Servants began to stand up. "So, who's ready to fight once more, to save humanity and proper human history."
"I am," Nobunaga declared, the Archer grinning as she tilted her hat. "Short speech, but it doesn't need to be a long one," she joked.
"More than ready Master," Amakusa Shirou noted, the normally grail happy Ruler not even blinking as Ritsuka started to pull Holy Grails out from under the table. He hadn't even made a single move towards them. He understood just how dire this battle was, and how it would be going forward. "I'll follow your lead."
"We'll make this work, don't you worry about a thing," Robin Hood said, the Archer huffing as he adjusted his cloak. Various other affirmations came from around the room, Ritsuka smiling as she gave her final order.
"Everyone, take your grails, and distribute them to the members of your team they will best serve. Amakusa," she started, the Ruler looking surprised as he was addressed directly. "Your team gets two."
"I'm shocked Master, that you would allow this," he commented before she shook her head.
"Semiramis is going to need one no matter what, but I know you and your team are highly mana intensive. Take it," she slid the second grail across the table to him. The Ruler nodded and took the golden goblets.
"Alright everyone, let's give it everything we've got!"
The roar from that room had enough force behind it to shake Chaldea. Their pen-ultimate battle for humanity's survival began once again.
Cedar Forest, Mesopotamia - 11:03 AM, Date Unknown, 2655 B.C
"We have a visual on the Servants Ritsuka," David provided, the Archer taking a long hard look as the Chaldean army was all spread out in their squads to cover a wider area. They'd managed to catch a sensory glimpse of Huwawa and Ibaraki. The past half hour had been spent trying to find the two, which had only been going on longer thanks to the many demonic beasts plaguing the forests.
"Thanks David," Ritsuka provided, looking to Da Vinci, Mash, Edmond and Altria. "Count, you're up."
Edmond nodded, the Avenger vanishing as Ritsuka pulled up her communicator. "Everyone! We've identified the Servants. Ibaraki Douji is engaging Huwawa! I want Nobunaga, Fionn and Siegfried's squads in there now!"
"Which one is the target Master?" Siegfried asked for clarification just before the gunfire started.
"Huwawa!" Ritsuka ordered before looking around to try and catch sight of Shuten. "Where's Shuten?"
Mash grunted as she bashed away an Uridimmu. "She should be with Kintoki's squad," Mash reminded her.
"Yeah, really helpful," Da Vinci commented, spinning her staff before blasting a pair of Uridimmu with magical energy, taking a moment to the output before frowning. "Kintoki's squad is near the back of the formation I think."
"Found them," Ritsuka muttered, raising her communicator again, casually tilting her head out of the way of a blast of magical wind fired from a nearby Ugallu. The lion was torn to shreds by Altria moments later as Ritsuka spoke. "Kintoki get Shuten on."
She watched the Berserker bat away a Soul Eater before tossing his communicator up, and then kicking it towards Shuten before swinging Golden Eater in an upwards slash, cleaving a Chimera's tail off as it was attempting to bite into him. Behind Kintoki, several meters aware Shuten caught the communicator, holding it with one hand as she used her sword in the other, offhandedly locking her blade with werewolf's club.
"Yes Master~" Shuten purred, letting go of her sword and throwing the communicator skyward, leaping up after it and then drop kicking the surprised werewolf, knocking it's head clean off its body as she landed. "Do you require something~?"
"We've located a rogue Ibaraki, mind saying hello?" Ritsuka offered, and Shuten chuckled. She whistled to Minamoto no Raikou, the Berserker turning and scowling, only for the communicator to be tossed at her as Shuten disengaged, rushing towards Ritsuka's position.
Rolling her eyes, Ritsuka leapt up before Shuten could sweep her off her feet, clearly intent on taking her to see Ibaraki. Shuten, amused, just caught her Master and kept running, Mash breaking off from her own engagement to rush after them. The Oni Assassin rushed past several other large scale engagements.
They ran past Nero leading Caesar, Caligula and Altera against a horde of Ugallu and Uridimmu. "『Aestus Domus Aurea!』" Nero cried out, planting her sword in the ground. The trio of Sabers and their allied Berserker vanished as Nero manifested her theatre to give them the advantage against such a massive horde. The sounds of brutal battle taking place inside away from prying eyes.
Robin Hood and his squad of Elizabeth, Cursed Arm and Astolfo were clearing the way. Cursed Arm shoving his arm straight through the eye socket of a Gazer and ripping out it's core as Elizabeth was engaged in an aerial dogfight with several others, spinning her spear to deflect lasers as she continued to flap her draconic wings. She whipped her tail around the bash one out of the way, and Astolfo cheerfully leapt up, skewering it on his lance as Robin Hood ran alongside them for a moment. "Pardon me." he sped past them, throwing out an array of explosive traps and then detonatining them right before a large pack of Chimeras. The creatures roared, changing their charge to follow the green Archer and he led them back towards his squad.
"Incoming Senpai!" Mash shouted, tossing her shield. The armament spun through the air, deflecting a massive laser beam from a much larger than normal Gazer. The beast's eye bloodshot as it locked onto Mash, who leapt up to catch her spinning shield and finally reached Shuten's side to run side by side with her.
"Thanks for the save," Ritsuka gave a thumbs up, Shuten huffing but declining to comment as Ritsuka looked around. "Jacques! We've got some big ones, cover us!"
The last Grand Master of the Knights Templar finished with the foe he'd been fighting, a werewolf, and turned. "Understood. Percival, Shakespeare, with me! Touta, cover us!" Jacques de Molay ordered, raising his shield as he rushed ahead, blocking another beam that would have attempted to hit Shuten and Ritsuka.
"Oh joy, more conflict," the legendary poet commented. "Ah well, allow me to give you a bit of help," Shakespeare pulled up his pen in one hand, and snapped his fingers with the other. "Knights brave and true, arise to your commander's call! First Folio!" As Shakespeare commanded, shadowy figures, crappy imitations of Templar Knights arose. Jacques raised his shield, the false knights interlocking with him and weathering a much larger explosion. The flames washing over the copies and the Saber.
"Ride Kundry!" Percival called, rushing past Jacques and charging with the Longius raised, not for a Noble Phantasm attack, but simply to rush the enemy. He turned his shoulder, tanking a laser with his shield as his noble steed leapt into the air. Percival shouted as he leapt off his horse, diving into the massive Gazer and spearing it's gigantic eyeball. It roared in pain as Touta's arrows continued to pelt it, Jacques rushing by and towards another coming foe. A massive Chimera.
"Holy Grail, grant me strength…" Jacques prayed, before throwing out his sword and engulfing it in flames. "My long pilgrimage continues. Flames of my fallen comrades heed my call." As he spoke, blue flames engulfed his blade as the Chimera roared, charging towards the small prey before it. "『Pèlerinage du Temple!』" he commanded, leaping into the air and stabbing forward, the Chimera opening its massive maw to swallow him. He stabbed it in the nose, flames spreading through the beast's body, immolating it from the inside out before flipping off of the creature as the rest of his team came up alongside him… at least Percival and Touta did, Shakespeare was just standing in the back writing. "We keep the path clear for our allies. Forward!"
Ritsuka nodded as she, Shuten and Mash finally got out of range of that battle. A roar that shook the soul rocked the forest moments later. One she'd experienced a few times when Moriarty hacked the simulator to empower Enkidu.
Huwawa was close, and the sound of mass gunfire made it clear Nobunaga was engaged at least. Indeed as they were closing in, the massive Beast of the Cedar Forest was towering over the trees in all its glory. A biomechanical monster that was currently trying to swat away Okita and Siegfried.
Shuten suddenly leapt up, scaling a tree as a wave of earth erupted beneath them, toppling massive trees with ease. "If you will excuse me. Oh Mash~" Shuten teased, dropping Ritsuka. Mash quick on the draw, caught Ritsuka as Shuten jumped off, bouncing between trees to get closer to the action.
"Towards Nobunaga's position," Ritsuka ordered.
"Hai Senpai," Mash responded, rushing towards the concentrated gunfire. As they approached the firing squad.
Mash set Ritsuka down behind Nobunaga, Billy the Kid, and Hijikata. "Glad you could join the party Rits!" Nobunaga called, snapping her fingers and summoning an entirely new array of muskets to replace her current set, letting off volley fire at the massive beast Huwawa.
"So this is a true monster from the Age of Gods… It's magical energy is indeed impressive," Ritsuka turned as Geronimo walked up, the Caster avoiding the direct battle that was raging against the Cedar Beast.
"Is it any wonder it took both Gilgamesh and Enkidu to put it down?" Billy muttered, before looking at his revolver and sighing. "I don't even think I'm scratching it."
"You both suck, I know I'm doing something!" Nobunaga declared.
"That's because you're stronger against older things Nobu," Ritsuka pointed out, the Archer sticking out her tongue as Huwawa roared again. "Mash!"
Mash leapt forward, raising her shield and blocking one of Huwawa's stray lightning bolts with her shield. The beast's wide array of elemental powers causing it to be an exceptionally tough opponent. But from what Ritsuka could see, it was very badly damaged already from the sheer amount of firepower, and the powerful Servants set against it.
Siegfried, Fionn and Hercules were all battling up close and personal with the beast, Hercules lifting a leg into the air with a roar of rage as Fionn was charging his Noble Phantasm. Siegfried leapt up, slashing at Huwawa's limbs as Okita and Edmond appeared. The samurai ran across Huwawa's back, swinging her katana with as much force as she could muster, not even scratching the monster's skin before leaping off it.
The Count of Monte Christo's attack was far more effective, blasting Huwawa in the many eyes that made up it's face, scorching them with black flames from the Age of Gods. Huwawa screeched again as bullets continued to pelt it, digging into its flesh.
"Right, we're ending this now," Ritsuka muttered, looking around at the various combatants. Fionn was the one about to fire now. "Spiritron Elevation, Phantasmal Reinforcement, Blue Splash." Ritsuka cast three spells in rapid succession, she would have cast more, but that was the safe limit for how much she'd overcharged the three different boosters from her Mystic Code.
"My thanks Master!" Fionn shouted as Huwawa turned towards Hercules, attempting to stomp upon the Greek Hero, and failing as the Berserker just roared, cleaving into Huwawa's leg with a two-handed swing of his axe. Siegfried leapt from the other side, shouting as he slashed into Huwawa's other leg, causing the beast to topple forward, face directly in front of Fionn.
The Lancer thrust his spear forward and announced his Noble Phantasm's name. "『Mac an Luin!』" The beam of water, compressed and high pressure divine water. Combined with it's raw power, in addition to Ritsuka's various boosts, the lance of water and light pierced the beast Huwawa's head. It let out a pitiful roar, attempting to claw futilely at Fionn as he cut off his Noble Phantasm. "Sleep now, creature. And suffer no longer," the Lancer bowed as Huwawa's eyes dimmed, golden dust flying off of it as it's Spirit Origin broke down.
"Good job everyone," Ritsuka shouted, looking for Shuten and Ibaraki. "Now then, let's get to work on this situation.
Nippur, Mesopotamia - 11:15 AM, Date Unknown, 2655 B.C
Karna dove in from the sky above, stabbing downward with a roar of triumph. A Chimera fell to his spear in a single swing. Lifting up his head, he raised his left hand. A laser of light shot from his eye, killing a dozen beasts with a stare. "Good going Karna!" Edison called, the lion headed Caster was currently boxing with multiple werewolves.
"No time for talking!" Helena shouted from on high, her UFO, the Sanat Kurama, being used to guard the town of Nippur from incoming fliers. They'd arrived just before the wave monsters and thus they fought to defend this town with utter ferocity. To save these people's lives.
Of course the storm clouds gathering above Nippur were a welcome sight. He could see Arjuna and Tesla standing atop Nippur's tallest building, his brother sniping down any beast daring to attempt to scale the walls. Tesla on the other hand, was setting up a barrier of bolts, to completely lock the creatures out.
Karna just decided to stay outside. Afterall, he was more effective out here. The Holy Grail had been granted to him, to feed his astronomical cost of prana. It simply meant he could do something he rarely was able to.
To go all out. He sped forward, slicing down monsters with his spear faster than human eyes could see. He spun when he stopped, dropping eight lances of red lightning upon a pack of Uridimmu. Leaping into the air, he saw the tide of creatures coming towards Nippur. "Brahamastra!" He wreathed his spear in red light, locking eyes with one of the largest monsters in the tide, a massive beast bigger than half the town of Nippur. "KUNDALA!"
The red lance shot forward, striking straight through the massive beast. The ground around it exploded into molten goo, burning hundreds of phantasmal beasts to cinders in mere seconds. Landing in the molten magma, he ignored the burns. As the son of the sun, he had no fear of flames such as this.
But the creatures kept coming, going around his molten pit with their target still in sight. Even as the cage of electricity formed around Nippur, Karna raised his hand, his spear returning to him as he shot into the sky on wings of flame.
"Bit of a show-off ain't you!" Karna looked only for a second as Achilles flew past him, the Rider smirking before becoming a blur faster than the eye could see. When he reappeared, covered in green energy, it was in the center of hundreds of monsters, a trail of dead beasts in his wake, and more joining that number every second. Karna huffed before flying to a new location to continue the battle. They were guarding a town from all sides after all.
Master had entrusted him and his comrades with this mission, to defend Nippur and save every last human life. That second part of the mission was quite apparent when he saw a young child. A little boy running for his life as hard as his legs could take him.
Karna sped downward, landing right behind the child before a beast could pounce upon him. A single glare struck down the beast, and two dozen more. He spun around, grabbing the little boy with his free arm, cutting off his wings of flame to engage in close quarters combat. With the lightning shield raised, attempting to pass through with the child may kill them.
So it would be safer to face down an army to protect the boy's life. Arrows began streaming in from above, Arjuna lending some assistance to his battle as Karna looked down at the boy. "Hang on tight."
The boy clung to him with all his might, Karna stepping forward and rocketing towards the enemy. Whatever Arjuna did not strike down, he would. The battle to save every last life was worth any challenge in his eyes.
Of course, without a worthy foe in sight, this did not qualify as a challenge. Facing down an army of phantasmal beasts was merely a warm-up. Less than the opening act.
But with this as the warm-up, he was excited for whatever may come next.
Uruk, Mesopotamia - 5:30 PM, 1 Month Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
"I must say, Fujimaru of Chaldea," Gilgamesh started, the Golden King sitting upon his throne looking down upon the Master. "You and yours have certainly proven quite dedicated in your chosen mission."
"Is there something wrong with that, King Gilgamesh?" Ritsuka asked, trying to hide his smirk as the King of Heroes scoffed, and leaned back a bit.
"Oh not at all. After all, the aid of your Servants has reduced our casualty rate to zero, and you seem to have intentions to keep it just as low," Gilgamesh grinned at that, before laughing. "So this is the vaunted courage and strength of Chaldea! Fuwahahaha!"
After laughing, Gilgamesh slammed his fist into his throne's armrest. "However, we cannot simply just sit idly by. You've proven your dedication to protecting all of Uruk, nay, all of Mesopotamia. You've brought back information regarding the enemy's movements, and you've fortified our walls and strengthened our defenses. But it is far from enough. I will now permit you to aid Uruk in full." Gilgamesh nodded.
Ritsuka nodded back. This was merely a formality, they both knew it. She knew it due to her future knowledge, and he did because he was a clairvoyant arse. They'd bought the time necessary for all the pieces to be put in place for the battle with Tiamat… or most of them at least. "Now then," Gilgamesh leaned back. "I require you to go towards the jungle and ascertain the status of our scouts."
"Understood, I'll go personally," Ritsuka stood up, smirking as Gilgamesh chuckled.
"I expect your report soon, Fujimaru," the king stood up, looking down at her with all seriousness. "Do you truly believe you can save everyone in Mesopotamia?"
"I do," Ritsuka returned.
"Then go, with your head held high, and your determination unbound. Prove to me that you can make such an impossible dream reality!" Gilgamesh ordered, only for someone to cough. He turned towards Siduri, the handmaiden holding up a bunch of tablets. Gilgamesh sighed and sat down. "And while you do that, I shall ensure none fall in your absence."
"We're all under your command, King of Heroes," Ritsuka snarked, and Gilgamesh rolled his eyes one last time as he began to look over reports again. Break time was over.
Now was the time for action and initiative.
Blood Fort, Mesopotamia - 12:13 PM, 1 Month and 7 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
Direct from the Blood Fort… a single casualty. One that everyone knew they wouldn't have been able to prevent. Tiamat had squished Merlin's dream form, thus killing the Servant body when they'd killed the Composite Deity Gorgon. Of course this being Merlin, he was still perfectly fine back in Avalon, and would be showing up later. But this was where the real battle began.
They'd recruited the goddesses, saved Gilgamesh's Servants, destroyed Gorgon's armies, they'd prevented everything from going to absolute shit. But now the apocalypse was about to be unleashed upon Mesopotamia.
Beast II was about to be unleashed.
"Medea!" Ritsuka ordered, the Magus raising her staff, well aware of the plan to return to Uruk post-haste. As the only one capable of such long distance teleportation outright, she was their method back.
They were warped to around a mile outside the Northern Wall, the massive fortress in the distance silent. All the Riders summoning their mounts. Ritsuka climbed onto the back of Altria's motorcycle, the engine being revved as the black Saber huffed. "The demonic battlefront Mesopotamia has begun," Altria noted with a smirk. "This will be a grand battle."
"It's always a heck of a fight in any singularity," Ritsuka commented as Altria hit the gas. Astolfo's Hippogriff shot past them with a screech. In the distance, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were floating over Uruk, already raining down death upon something coming from the sea. "Achilles! I need you to grab all the defenders of the Northern Wall." Ritsuka shouted, Achilles slowing down to ride alongside her and Altria for a moment.
"What for?" The Rider questioned, Tesla, Arjuna and Medea riding in his chariot as Ritsuka snapped her fingers.
"You're going to Eridu. Keep the Sun Stone and the people safe, no matter what. And start bringing people towards Uruk as well, they have priority over the Sun Stone," Ritsuka ordered.
"You heard her, go." Arjuna commented, Achilles nodding and cracking the reins of his three mighty steeds, racing past the motorcycle towards the Northern Wall to pick up more allies for the coming battle.
"Here's hoping we make it in time," Altria muttered, fully stepping on the gas as the many mounts and teams of Servants sailed by them, all racing to participate in this battle to protect the foundation of human history.
Observatory, Mesopotamia - 12:16 PM, 1 Month and 7 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
"Good thing I stayed here," Da Vinci muttered, looking out over the Sea of Life, the mud that was Tiamat's primordial ooze. "Gilgamesh come in," she turned around to face the magecraft terminal in the Observatory, ignoring the blasts of powerful magic being fired down from the long range bombardment of the Hanging Gardens.
"What's the status?" the hologram asked as soon as it kicked in.
"The ocean's turned to mud. Magical readings are off the charts here. And as you can probably guess from the bombardment, monsters are emerging from it," Da Vinci provided as she turned towards the balcony again, and looked down towards the beach, where Siegfried, Odysseus, and Kintoki's squads were all battling the newly born hordes emerging, the 'water' level already beginning to rise.
"As expected. Tiamat has awakened in truth. Tell you forces to pull back and defend the Observatory for the moment, we cannot afford to lose a single Servant to the Sea of Life," Gilgamesh ordered, and Da Vinci nodded.
"We'll keep an eye on things here, and shoot down anything we can. Da Vinci out," she provided, pulling up her staff and beginning to sound the alarm. "All forces! Pull back to the Observatory!"
She watched them all begin their fighting retreat as the Lahmu began to rise from the sea. She took a very deep breath. These were the creatures that caused so much pain and trouble, able to fight on par with divine spirit Servants, and even injure them. Tiamat's murderous children.
Reaching this point had been easy. The real fight began now. She lowered her staff, and began charging power through it. "Let's see how you like a taste of power from beyond the stars."
Uruk, Mesopotamia - 8:00 PM, 1 Month and 7 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
Gilgamesh stood alongside Ritsuka, Mash and Altria, various servants in holographic projections, and the projection of Roman from Chaldea also there too. "So, what do we have so far?"
"I've organized Drake and Blackbeard's ships alongside the Hanging Gardens. Any flight capable Servants we have are also still out there fighting the Bel-Lahmu," Amakusa provided. "With the Hanging Gardens at our disposal, alongside Ozymandias' Mesektet, we're holding. I've taken the liberty of passing along my Holy Grail to Semiramis, arming her with two to power the Hanging Gardens."
That spoke volumes that, even with how many Servants they'd brought to bear, and spending the entire month preparing for this moment, in order to save the people of Mesopotamia, they were still stretched so thin on resources. Ritsuka knew that they could easily beat Tiamat, but that wasn't the goal.
The goal was that no-one was going to die this day. And achieving such a perfect victory against overwhelming odds was still going to be a massive chore.
"Good work Amakusa, how fares those at Eridu?" Gilgamesh completed and turned towards Tesla.
"We're holding the temple, but the rest of the city has been overrun. Thankfully we've already evacuated everyone to Uruk. They did make it, yes?" The American scientist answered, then questioned.
"They arrived and are being moved towards the vault alongside everyone else," Gilgamesh noted, standing tall. "On this day, and until this crisis is over, the true treasure of Mesopotamia rests within my grasp. Should the enemy breach this city, the soldiers inside the vault will do their best to keep the people safe."
"Good, then so long as we hold the temple and the Sun-Stone, Quetzacoatl will be capable of fighting at full power," Tesla noted, the Goddess in the room speaking up.
"Sí, but even with my full power, I doubt I'll be able to harm Tiamat on my lonesome," the Divine Spirit commented, crossing her arms.
"Doctor, what's the analysis?" Ritsuka asked.
"We're reading a massive energy build up in the middle of the bay," Roman started, and with a few button presses, a new hologram popped up, revealing the map from the war room, which now showcased the massive orb in the sea. "Enhancing the image."
The hologram zoomed in, revealing a woman. A tall woman with blue hair wrapped in bindings from the sea of life. Her mouth was open, and power was gathering above her. The image only lasted a few seconds before cutting out. "We've lost visual Director!" someone called, probably Silvia, given the voice. She alongside Meuniere and Dustin were the only… consistent people in Chaldea on a regular basis.
"That we got sight of her is more than enough. Can the Hanging Gardens or the Meseket target her?" Gilgamesh questioned.
"We could, but from this distance we'd probably be either intercepted, or it wouldn't be enough. From the quick glance I got of her, I can confirm that nothing less than an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, at minimum, would be able to damage the Primordial Mother," Amakusa commented, only for someone to pipe up.
"Excuse you," Semiramis walked in on Amakusa's Hologram, pushing him out. "The Hanging Gardens is an Anti-World rank Noble Phantasm. It should be more than enough to strike her down," she said with a scoff. It had taken a lot of effort to get the Hanging Gardens summoned in this Singularity.
"The problem is the Lahmu. In order to meet Tiamat's power, the Hanging Gardens would have to stop it's bombardment of the enemy air and ground forces. We'd effectively be halving Uruk's defenses if we redirected everything towards the Mother," Amakusa decided to add in.
"Then don't. Uruk's defense is more important," Ritsuka decided, Semiramis sighing, but nodding. Amakusa and her Master had been the ones to work so hard to get her Gardens flying once again, and if they wanted her on defensive duty then that was where the Gardens were staying. "Ishtar, you have an Anti-Mountain Noble Phantasm," Ritsuka looked to the Goddess of Venus.
She smirked. "Finally, recognizing my power Fujimaru?" the goddess boasted. "I can do it easily."
"Then we'll be diverting forces towards attacking Tiamat. Ishtar, you'll be with us, and we'll be taking those at the Observatory with us to assault Tiamat," Ritsuka ordered, before looking to Gilgamesh and nodding.
"She is creating a magical attack greater than that of an atomic weapon from your era. If you do not stop her, Uruk will fall," Gilgamesh provided, before pulling out several amulets from the Gate of Babylon. "Go forth Chaldea."
"We will," Mash decided to speak up, putting the protective amulet on before the team began to move out, Quetzacoatl summoning up her Pteranodons to take them towards the coast. The war for Mesopotamia continued, and would continue long into the night.
Absolute Demonic Front, Mesopotamia - 8:00 AM, 1 Month and 8 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
"I need more time! Twelve hours!" Ereshkigal cried through the mirror as the assembled forces of Chaldea, save those as Eridu, were brought together. Gilgamesh groaned, Ishtar sitting off in a corner with her sign proclaiming her uselessness (as given to her by Mash), due to losing the Divine Bull Gugalanna.
"It will be eight hours until Tiamat reaches Uruk if we don't do something." Ritsuka pointed out, before looking at Gilgamesh. "Even worse, the hole to the Underworld is going to open under Uruk… the people-"
"Leonidas, Ibaraki, Benkei, Ushiwakamaru, I am ordering the four of you to take the people to the Northern wall. Guard them with your lives," Gilgamesh decided. The vault was no longer a safe spot for everyone… his throne was no longer safe for them. "Fujimaru, can you spare any Servants to go with them?"
"I can. Marie's team, Martha's team and Jacques team," Ritsuka responded, looking to the trio of servants who'd spent most of the battle without hope to contribute. "Can you do that?"
"On my life and honor, I will make sure those people are saved," Jacques responded, the Saber crossing one arm over his chest.
"We'll guide them to safety, don't worry," Martha provided, slamming her staff into the ground with a determined gaze.
"Once we reach the Northern wall, I shall deploy the Crystal Palace! It will keep them safe, Viva la France!" The princess of France declared, Gilgamesh nodding.
"Then go. From this moment forward, Uruk is to be abandoned by the civilians. We haven't lost anyone yet, I hope you intend on keeping it that way Fujimaru." The king of heroes ordered.
"It will, I've got a plan," Ritsuka responded as the trio of Servants went to gather their squads to begin escorting the civilians, Gilgamesh's own Servants going to begin getting the population of Mesopotamia out of the vault of Uruk.
Ritsuka brought up her communicator. "Amakusa come in."
"I'm here, what do you need?" The Ruler replied, the sound of gunfire, cannonfire, and magical blasts going off in the background as he spoke.
"Have everyone you can transfer to the Queen Anne's Revenge. We're going to stall Tiamat with Blackbeard's quirky Noble Phantasm," Ritsuka ordered. Blackbeard's Noble Phantasm had that little quirk that the more Heroic Spirits on board the ship, the stronger it became. With merely four it had matched the Golden Hind, a far stronger Noble Phantasm on paper.
"We can transfer twenty Servants, including myself," Amakusa commented after running a few numbers in his head. "We'll get to work, any specific orders for Edward?"
"Yes, make sure he's using shots that have as much concussive force as possible. We're aiming to either knock her down or knock her back," Ritsuka ordered, Amakusa huffing in affirmation before cutting off communication.
"That might buy us thirty minutes," Ritsuka amended, and Gilgamesh clicked his tongue.
"The Chaos Tide, we get rid of that, and that should slow her down, at least a little bit," Mash added.
"How much time would that buy us?" Quetzacoatl questioned.
"Maybe another ten minutes, maybe thirty depending on how long we can keep it gone," Ritsuka calculated… and Quetzacoatl nodded.
"Well then, I'll give us that time. Piedra de Sol should be more than enough to burn that away, then we'll be able to call back those in Eridu," Quetzacoatl offered.
"Speaking of those in Eridu, Arjuna and Tesla are there. Their Noble Phantasms could be very useful in this situation." Altria decided to add, resting her sword across her shoulders. "After all, they are an A plus rank Anti-Army with similar anti-Divinity, and an EX rank Anti Fortress with Anti-Sky and Anti-Earth."
"Tiamat would be of Earth attribute, given she is the Primordial Mother of Life, but that is highly useful," Gilgamesh added with a nod, "Fujimaru, send word for them to begin returning. We will be making a consecutive assault on Tiamat. We must buy Ereshkigal all the time we can provide. Do we have anything else to bring to arms?"
"Once she gets close enough, we'll direct the Hanging Gardens to focus entirely on her, that might buy us more time, but at this point we're boiling down to 'fling Noble Phantasms and hope they work'," Ritsuka muttered. Everything practically rested on Ereshkigal's shoulders.
"...I can do it. I can cut the time we need by an hour." Ereshkigal declared, the Goddess of the Underworld nodding as Gilgamesh huffed.
"Good! Then we will buy you every second. Every inch will be a battle for us… Uruk will fall, but it shall fall fighting! Chaldea, the King of Heroes commands that you… no, we give it everything we have. To save every last human life, to save Mesopotamia. Uruk has fallen, but civilization shall not!" Gilgamesh ordered, throwing his staff out to everyone. "Now! All forces, to arms! I declare this the final battle. We will not return to the womb! Operation: Absolute Demonic Front, Mesopotamia, begins now!"
Ritsuka raised her communicator, which she'd had playing Gilgamesh's speech. "All forces, you heard the king. We're going to give Beast II everything we've got. On this day, we'll prove that a Beast can be fought without sacrifice, we'll prove that humanity can surpass the Evils it has birthed. Let us send Tiamat back where she belongs… Today." Ritsuka looked towards Gilgamesh. "Today we break free of our primordial bonds."
Together she and Gilgamesh spoke. "All forces! Advance, for Humanity, for Chaldea, and for Uruk!"
Absolute Demonic Front, Mesopotamia - 6:55 PM, 1 Month and 8 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
Ritsuka crossed her arms as she, Gilgamesh, Mash, and all of her Servants, save those who'd gone to the northern wall, were standing together atop the Ziggurat. Every weapon of Uruk had been fired, every Dingr was empty of ammunition… Despite that, Gilgamesh was still standing tall, and proud.
Engraved upon everyone's memory was the one and only sacrifice so far. Kingu, who had turned himself, and Enkidu's body, into the true Chains of Heaven. Tiamat was bound with golden chains right outside Uruk's walls. The city was burning, melting into the Chaos tide. Lahmu screeched as Archers continued to shoot them down.
The next five minutes would mark the beginning of the end. And the chains of gold were cracking under Tiamat's strength. Beast II would not be denied. Not before it could take a single human life.
Of course, Mash was ready, preventing both Gilgamesh and Ritsuka from being struck down, her shield held high as Tiamat sung her dark aria. "Not one single human lost, yes?" Gilgamesh questioned with a smirk.
"Not one… not even you," Ritsuka offered, Gilgamesh chuckling, before going into full blown laughter.
"Indeed, then I suppose you'll be needing this," Gilgamesh offered, pulling the Holy Grail he held out from the Gate of Babylon, tossing it to Ritsuka. "I'll leave the rest to you, for the time being." Gilgamesh said, turning to begin walking back into the Ziggurat. "I look forward to seeing you, at the end."
"Final act…" Ritsuka looked up at the collapsing Hanging Gardens. The fortress had done absolutely everything it could. It had weathered assault after assault, and it was barely floating. It's defensive spells shattered, and Semiramis kept it flying effectively through sheer force of will alone. She held up her communicator. "Amakusa, Semiramis, come in."
"We're here, and we're still alive," Amakusa offered, only for the sound of something being cleaved to come over the communicator. "And stay down. Apologies, a Bel Lahmu had infiltrated, quite a few of the things are up here. What do you require Master?"
"We're going to need a heck of a hole in about ten seconds," Ritsuka ordered, they'd bought literally all the time they could
"You hear that, my Queen?" Amakusa questioned, and Semiramis coughed.
"Oh I did. Very well then, one last shot," Semiramis spoke, and the communicator cut off as energy began to gather before the Hanging Gardens. Even as it was beginning to plummet from the sky, a beam of pure magical power was aiming below Tiamat.
Beast II sang as she broke free of the Chains of Heaven, preparing to take a step forward once more. Fully intent on completing it's now so far away goal. The Chaos Tide was flooding all of Mesopotamia, all the way to the Northern wall, where people were still fleeing under the guidance of Chaldea's Servants, and those of their king.
In the end, Tiamat's efforts were to be all for naught. The Hanging Gardens fired, a laser almost as large as the goddess herself shot below her. A massive cavern revealed as the stone broke away. The Underworld's maw opened, and the goddess was swallowed by Kur. "This is it everyone!" Ritsuka raised her hand. "The final stage of the plan! Let us bring about Childhood's End!"
Kur, Mesopotamia - 7:15 PM, 1 Month and 8 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
A field of flowers, an army of Heroes. Tiamat's offspring were being killed as fast as they could arrive.
Ritsuka looked to her final trump card, one they'd been saving this entire time. "Karna… are you ready?"
The Hero of Charity nodded. "I am. I am certain lord Indra would be satisfied with this strike."
In place of Gilgamesh… Karna would be the one to strike. Every single step in this plan had led to this very moment.
As Tiamat fell from the sky, King Hassan engraving the Concept of Death upon her body, Ritsuka pulled out a very special dagger from her Pocket. The golden blade Gilgamesh had given her. "Go!"
Ritsuka took off, leaping off the cliff in the underworld to run towards where Tiamat lay. Ereshkigal kept her pinned as Nega-Genesis began to expand… a dozen of Noble Phantasms rose to meet it.
A tower of the Inner Sea. A shield that encompassed a universe. The white walls of Camelot. All of these and more rose in response to Tiamat's Nega-Genesis, keeping the field from expanding any further, led by Mash's Noble Phantasm. As Ritsuka ran, she looked up to the rocket that was Karna.
"Karna! With these three command spells I give you this order! To strike down the Goddess of the Earth, to strike the Primordial Mother," Ritsuka leapt upwards, leaping from safety and straight into the Nega-Genesis feild, being a living creature immune to its effects. "Strike down Beast II!"
As she gave the order, she felt the heat on her back. Ducking under the swing of one of the New Eleven Offspring, Tiamat's strongest children, her final defense, she kept running. King Hassan appeared, the Grand Servant shrugging off the powers of Tiamat to instead defend Ritsuka, slashing down one of the goddess' final children before turning to the rest. The Old Man of the Mountain raised his blade, and took to the defense only he could provide.
It was up to her to get rid of Nega-Genesis.
Karna looked down upon the underworld of Kur, three Command Spells, two Holy Grails, and the will of all Humanity pushing him onward. "This war has been one of learning, of experience. A plan to save humanity so great, so aspiring, that it defied destiny. But that destiny has yet to be unwritten. It falls to me to complete this chapter in Chaldea's story!" Karna began.
He'd enjoyed his time at Chaldea, and he was fully willing to dedicate this one swing and strike to his Master's will. Every last human in Mesopotamia would be saved but this strike. He raised his hand. "Primordial Mother Tiamat. Know that you are worthy of this final blow!" His armor disintegrated, his spear transforming with it to form his ultimate weapon, borrowed from the gods.
The already inflamed Uruk melted further from the heat of summoning his spear alone. He was going to dedicate everything to this final strike, there would be no holding back. Even the Underworld itself began to melt under his presence, but the powers of his dozens of allies protected them. He had but one target.
As night turned into day with his rise as the sun itself, flames erupting behind him as he spoke. "The warriors of Chaldea have fought beyond recognition. The King of Uruk has given it his all. The people of Uruk never gave up, and never gave in! We have put everything towards this one moment. Tiamat! With respect as our creator and Mother, I shall hereby dedicate my single most powerful attack to you!"
Tiamat sang, he could see Ritsuka still running through Nega-Genesis, the final obstacle in his way. She was a brave girl, worthy of the title of his Master. "Thou shalt soon know the mercy of the gods!" his wings spread as he held up Indra's spear. "This thrust shalt be one of destruction!"
He watched Ritsuka warp multiple times, stabbing that small dagger into Tiamat's skull. A second after doing so, leaping away with that warping ability of her's, a blur of red that began falling towards the underworld's surface. "KARNA!" she shouted as Nega-Genesis began to fall.
His moment had come. "INCINERATE HER!" The sun behind him was armed into his spear as he spoke its very name.
『VASAVI SHAKTI!』
Mesopotamia - 6:00 AM, 1 Month and 9 Days Post Insertion, 2655 B.C
"Well my kingdom is utterly fucked," Gilgamesh commented calmly as he rested in his throne, which was miraculously untouched despite the rest of the Ziggurat being melted. "Siduri's not going to be happy about this," he snarked as Ritsuka looked at him with a soft smile.
"We did it… we actually did it," Ritsuka laughed, throwing her arms into the air in joy. "Holy fucking shit we did it!"
"Indeed, Master of Chaldea. That 'impossible' dream of yours… to save every last Human. Not a single soul entered Ereshkigal's clutches during this entire affair, save those whose time had come. Only age brought about any death in this crisis," Gilgamesh smirked. "Have you already said your goodbyes to everyone?"
"Yeah… everyone's already on their way. We'll be heading back home in a few minutes, but… I wanted to say goodbye to you personally," Ritsuka said, Gilgamesh laughing, the Golden King removing the golden gauntlet from his hand.
"Well then… I suppose the first thing I should say is this. Thank you, Ritsuka Fujimaru, for protecting the greatest treasure I've ever held. And you too have joined me in separating humanity from the gods." He held out his hand. "But that isn't the title you are looking for. You simply wished to save them all, because you wanted to help them. You had the chance to do so, and took it with gusto," the King of Uruk said as Ritsuka took his hand.
They shook hands. "Of course. I wanted to save them… so I did. We all did," they looked out together towards Uruk, where in the ruins of the melted town, the Servants were having an early celebration, only a small one. They were going to save the real one for when they got back to Chaldea.
"Then I look forward to walking with you one day, Ritsuka Fujimaru. Who knows, perhaps one day, you'll earn that so vaunted title only one other has," Gilgamesh winked at that one.
"Oh please we both know Siduri is just as close to you as he was," Ritsuka snarked, Gilgamesh laughing.
"I suppose I should go before she gets too worried about me… Farewell Ritsuka Fujimaru, and be ready not just for my arrival, but the battles to come," Gilgamesh nodded, and Ritsuka did so in turn. He reached behind him, and smirked before pulling something out of the Gate of Babylon. "One final gift, consider it your reward. It will soon be 'useless' anyway," Gilgamesh said, holding out Bab-ilu, the Key of the King's Law to Ritsuka.
The ultimate Catalyst for summoning him, and proof that one day, she might hold that same title as Siduri and Enkidu. She took the key slowly. And nodded to Gilgamesh. He smirked, putting his gauntlet back on before beginning to walk away through his destroyed Ziggurat.
He had people to return to, and so did she.
"Thank you, Gilgamesh, for believing in us," Ritsuka cradled the key, before slowly putting it inside her Pocket. She would give it a proper place later.
Right now, she was content to look towards the sun, and bask in the light of a new day. As Altria, Mash and Da Vinci came up the stairs of the Ziggurat to join her, the trio all joking with each other about their grand battle, and grand victory, they all decided to join her. As blinding as the light was, it was hope.
They achieved something impossible together, through the strength of their will, and the bonds Ritsuka had forged. Chaldea had brought forth a new day for all of Mesopotamia.
"Just one 'impossible' thing achieved. We're coming for you next, King of Mages," Ritsuka grinned.
The party they had back at Chaldea was beyond epic, especially with Gilgamesh being summoned with his newest Catalyst, and declaring everyone deserved the best wine ever for their achievements. To say he was far more happy with everyone in Chaldea for their herculean efforts in saving his kingdom was an understatement.
For the Loopers of Chaldea, it was an event worth remembering. The Loop they'd made one of their many 'impossible' dreams come true. The first of hopefully many more.
22.1: Glorious Victory!
Another massive snip that gets an entire chapter to itself. These are a rarity eh? But Bablyonia deserved it.