Chapter 24

After Illyasviel vanished, the whole group was left on the world of the Lesser Grail. Above them was the Greater the Grail and the Root beyond it. The band of light was swirling continuously and the gaping hole of the endless void was still open, waiting for the Mage that would tap on the Root's branches, who would never come.

Jim looked up with unsettled eyes. We need a Heroic Spirit's Noble Phantasm. The Trollhunter thought hard as he looked at Mark and Nolan. However...there's only one remaining Servant here...Jim's look shifted into a bothered one while observing Mark's last Servant.

The remaining Servant was Omni-Man, Nolan Grayson, who was once a treacherous Hero of Mankind and was the father of Mark, the son that he betrayed. The Trollhunter's gaze fell on the father and son, who were both standing apart and looking at whatever their eyes had landed on. The two weren't even glancing at each other.

None of them were speaking and the boy knew why. They both felt awkward and wistful at the same time. Who would have thought that the once Betrayer of Mankind, Omni-Man, would be standing right next to Mankind's strongest hero like this? It was as if fate had played them like a fiddle. If fate had a sense of humor, then it has surely a very, out of this world, sick one.

The Greater Grail must be destroyed. Invincible was in deep thought. He had heard of the danger of letting the Grail being used by a random Mage, and he also knew that a powerful Servant's Noble Phantasm was the only thing that could stop that possibility. However, his last remaining Servant was Omni-Man, his very own father. Dad...Mark glanced and saw his old man's face, locked in a thoughtful gaze. Omni-Man's eyes were focused on the Greater Grail, a frown on his lips as if the powerful object was something that he must dispose of immediately.

"What?" Nolan asked with a plain tone, making a side-glance at his son, who was still staring at him.

Mark didn't speak at first, a troubled look on his face. "It seems...we need a powerful Noble Phantasm to destroy the Grail."

"Indeed." Nolan replied as he shifted his eyes to the ground, observing the grass below him. His cape made sounds as it flapped in the cold wind. Silence had fallen again between them and it was an unbearable one for Mark.

The Hero could feel his heart beating rapidly. He felt very nervous that his departed father was here, summoned to this Mystical Holy Grail War and as his Servant. Why on earth was he summoned? His father said it was because the 'Throne of Heroes' detected their DNA, but Mark knew that it wasn't just the case. He could feel that a higher divine being, one that transcended all that he knew, was at play here.

I wanted to ask you, Dad. The silence was hardly peaceful. It was too heavy and sickening. And so, with a muster of courage, Mark looked again at his father and asked him, "Dad...why exactly are you here?"

Nolan shifted slightly on his feet. He didn't look at his son. His eyes moved away from the grass and a thoughtful gaze formed on his face as he stared at the horizon. He spoke with a somber voice. "It might be because of our blood. You heard that Homunculus girl. You used the 'blood of the Viltrumites' as a catalyst. Perhaps I was summoned through that." The man paused as his brows knitted slightly. "If not...then I don't know. Through fate, probably."

Fate...Invincible didn't believe in fate. He knew that fate was only created through someone's actions and it was never predetermined. However, he and his father's situation was contradictory to what he knew. Fate had a sick sense of humor and a cruel ironic twist. He didn't want to meet his father like this. Mark had buried Mark together with all of his feelings for him. And now, with Nolan standing beside him, all of those feelings were being unearthed and they were knocking violently inside his chest.

As for the Viltrumite, his inner turmoil was no different than Mark's. All the things that the Invincible Hero had done in this war was completely wrong and stupid. Nolan had taught Mark before about using his powers wisely and yet, in this stupid Holy Grail War, he witnessed how his son threw it all out of the window without a care – all just for the sake of fulfilling his dubious, oversimplified, wish that almost corrupted him.

The silence between them was also irritating for him. However, Nolan felt hesitant to ask Mark about his wish. Why would he come up with such a thing in the first place? Nolan might not like what he would hear from his son.

"Mark." Finally with a mental grunt, Nolan built up the strength to speak to Mark. "Can you explain yourself to me...? Why would you participate in this shoddy war and why would you form a wish like that?"

Mark glanced at Nolan and saw his cross face. He understood that his father was disappointed in him. The Hero closed his eyes as a memory surfaced within him. He remembered the day that he created his wish. "It was raining that time, and it was days after the war." The Hero paused as he clenched his fists. A familiar pain was slowly crawling within his skull, but he bore it and continued. "I don't know where I was, but I know what I was feeling that time. Fear. I was scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Of the aftermath." Mark said and glanced at the horizon again. "I may have ended the Tyrant Emperor and I trust that the Viltrumites can change for the better. However, it doesn't guarantee that the peace created between Humans and Viltrumites would last forever. I was scared that a war might happen again." Invincible continued observing the world of the Lesser Grail as his lips twitched. His calm facade was slowly cracking with emotion.

Nolan didn't speak. He was silent as he listened to Mark. So far, he understood what his son had meant and he agreed with it. A small pout formed on his face as Mark continued.

"Before I knew it, I was in an abandoned church and there I met a man by the name Lord El-Melloi II…or so I thought. He said he was a Mage and when I told him about what I was feeling, he told me about the wish-granting Holy Grail." Invincible took a breath. The cold wind that entered his lungs relaxed him a bit, but his chest still felt heavy. "If you were offered a chance to change everything, the world and the universe, would you take it? That was the question that rang in my mind."

"So, you took it?" Nolan said and Mark nodded. Omni-Man's face shifted into a thoughtful one. He observed his son's qualm pout and he could see the regret in the boy's face. His son was realizing that what he had done was wrong. But that's not all, is it? The old Viltrumite noticed that something was missing. "You already have everything – hope, love, family. And you are willing to throw them away just for some silly wish-granting device?"

Mark looked up at Nolan, an odd look on his face. "Family? What do you mean by that?"

Nolan blinked at his words. Now it was his turn to stare with a strange expression. "Don't you remember...your wife, Eve, and your daughter, Terra?"

Terra...and Eve? Suddenly, a vision formed in the man's mind – a girl with red hair, staring at him with a kind smile and lovely eyes, and then a small child, also a girl, beaming a wide grin as if she was welcoming him back. Mark's eyes widened. The mist-like form that always clouded his mind was now unfolded. Memories that he recognized very well flooded his mind immediately.

"H-how did I forget them?" Mark said with a bothered and frightened grimace. He took a step back as panic erupted in his chest.

He remembered them – Samantha Eve Wilkins, the girl that he loved dearly and one that he calls Eve, and then his joy and daughter, Terra. To see them resurfaced again after missing in his mind for a long time had brought him to tears and horror. He was terrified because he had almost forgotten them. The two most important people in his entire life, and he had no idea why.

Could it be? Nolan continued staring at his son, and then he noticed the boy's eyes. "Mark," he called his son gently before he took a step forward, closing in on him. Mark gasped softly, out of panic. Nolan put both of his hands on his son's cheeks, their faces closer. Invincible found himself staring straight into his father's very familiar, tranquil, light blue eyes.

A very familiar wave of relief flowed into Invincible. This feeling...it's just like that time when Heracles pulled me out of my episode. Mark thought as he remembered the Homunculus. She said that Nolan was summoned and lived inside Heracles. How was it even possible? He wanted to know more.

"I knew it. You're suffering from the 'Mist'."

"Mist?" the Hero asked puzzledly as Nolan moved away.

"The official name in Viltrumite language is long, but it was very similar to the Human sickness called Schizophrenia, and it usually occurs to old Viltrumites." The older Viltrumite gazed at his son thoughtfully before he explained more. "It rarely occurs in ones at your age. I guess it's one of your defects in your DNA. 'The Mist' affects the brain of a Viltrumite by clouding the memory, making them forget most of the important things, and then it progresses by heightening the stimuli, making them overly sensitive, which makes them hallucinate often. Then they would have uncontrollable mood swings and painful migraines, usually making them do irrational decisions."

That sounds like my sickness. Mark thought and remembered the time when he went to the doctor. They all thought it was PTSD, but now Mark knew what was really happening within his mind. It was the reason why he had almost forgotten his own family. The Hero looked down, his lips curling in bleakness. "How do I get rid of it?"

"The treatment against schizophrenia is effective enough." Nolan replied as the man looked away and shifted his eyes to the horizon. A contrite grimace slowly formed on Invincible's face. His memory had returned, both good and bad, and so were the feelings that he had felt that time. However, another memory played in his mind and it made him more regretful.

"I remember everything...Dad."

Nolan made a side-glanced at his son. Mark's thoughtful look turned into a serene one.

"I remember...why I created that wish. It's for Terra." The Hero's lips curled down. "I knew that she would be a Hero someday, perhaps she might even replace me. However, I felt scared and afraid that she might face an even greater and deadlier choice than the ones I've faced before." Mark's eyes became teary. Nolan only made a single nod, a sign that he was listening. "I thought that if I changed the whole world, the whole universe, she wouldn't make decisions that could hurt her...or hurt her loved ones. She would not feel disappointed in the world, in the universe...and in the reality where she was living."

Nolan's eyebrows met at the center in disagreement. "But that's wrong, Mark. How would she grow then?" he said in a crossed manner, slightly perplexed with his son's decision.

Mark glanced at him and made a half-shameful smile. "I know it sounds stupid...but a father should know what's best for his child, to make them always happy, even if that best would shelter them from harm." Mark made a heavy sigh and hung his head back. "What I did was completely stupid...and I'm sorry for what I've done."

The Hero closed his eyes, tears trailing his cheeks as sadness enveloped him. Nolan felt his son's sorrow. The old man's cross look shifted into a pitying one. I played a part in this too. I'm the one who fucked up your life. The old man thought hard in regret as he remembered how he betrayed Mark before and the events that his son faced because of it.

"No...It's me who should say that. Even though I tried to mend our relationship, my sins have left scars within you – deep and irreparable." the old Viltrumite said before he turned his head away, hiding his own teary eyes away from his son. He understood Mark's dilemma. His son wanted what was best for his daughter, just like him when Mark was still a child. The only difference between Nolan and Mark, however, was that the father betrayed the son. Nolan had hurt his boy and suffered very much because of it.

But the Hero could still save himself. He could turn his life around and atone for his crimes.

The father was irredeemable. On that part, however, his son was.

"Dad…" Mark called Nolan again with a doleful voice. His father didn't turn to him. Instead, Nolan looked up. The endless void looked back at him from above. He knew the Root was behind the band of light and he felt that it was calling him, beckoning him to come back to its endless murky depth. He wasn't disturbed by it though because he knew why.

"When I died...I found myself in the Root." the Viltrumite began, his eyes gazing far away. "The Root was...a huge sentient being and it was beautiful. But I was afraid of it. The Root was so powerful that I could feel its power crawling in my veins." Nolan's hand began to shake, an old feeling of fear crawling into his chest. Mark noticed it and a bothered look formed on his face. "Then the Root spoke to me. It told me my sins, and how I was wrong. It told me how I tried to redeem myself only for it to be cut short and that now I'm dead. How I will never return to the living. It then started showing me worlds and universes that I'd never seen before. The myriads of universes dawned on me as a realization hit me. The Root created them and, if it needs to destroy one, then it will destroy it without a second thought."

Nolan closed his eyes as his lips shook underneath his moustache. More memories involving the Root started to surface from within him. It was frightening and bewildering. "We are at the mercy of the Root. The Root always watches and judges our actions. It is a silent and absolute entity that governs everything. We are all free...under the Root's control." Nolan gulped down in nervousness, preventing his words from stumbling. "And then the Root started showing you to me."

"Me?" Mark was startled by his father's words.

Nolan glanced at Mark and showed a distraught gloom. "The Root made me watch you kill Emperor Thragg. I also heard your voice. You believe that the Viltrumites can love and be loved, that we can use our powers for peace and prosperity without hurting anyone or anybody." Nolan said. His face broke his crossed expression and replaced it with a peaceful smile, one that Mark was familiar with.

The Hero's eyes become glassy again as the old Viltrumite continued. "You wish that I could hear it. I did hear it, son. I feel happy that you still forgive and love me, that you've given me a chance to change." Nolan couldn't maintain his calm and stern look, warm tears slowly dropped down his cheeks as a surge of emotions screamed loudly within him. "But alas, and to my horror, I saw how you fought so well. You're so injured. The sun was eating you and your regeneration ability couldn't keep up."

"Dad," Mark couldn't help but let out several snivels as his father continued.

"I've felt fear before...but none compared to when I saw you dying in front of me. And for the first time in my longest time, I screamed in dread and terror. I forgot my fright for the Root as I begged in front of it. 'Please save him! He doesn't deserve to suffer anymore! Let me suffer in his place!'" Nolan paused and let out a short, anguished gasp. He could no longer control his sadness. His cheeks were now warm from his tears. The old Viltrumite closed his eyes and, in torment, he spoke more. "And then the Root responded to me. 'Etch your name in the Ring of Deterrence at the Throne of Heroes, and then I shall save your child'. I watched how the Root saved you and I did what it asked me to. I gave my name to it. My life and my soul belong to the Root forever. I am a soldier again...and this time, for eternity. I serve the Root." The old man's smile shifted into a sorrowful one.

I remember that! Mark was sniveling hard. His arms shook as he broke down in cry. He remembered how he defeated the Tyrannical Emperor by burning him in the Sun. The heat had started eating Mark as well, and the pain was so unbearable that he became numb. Mark knew that he wouldn't survive, so he gave up and let the boiling star burn him alive. However, miraculously, Invincible survived and he couldn't believe it. But now he realized that miracle was actually twisted. Someone had paid the price in order for him to be saved.

And that someone was his father.

"Dad...it's not fair!" Mark said in protest as he moved closer to Nolan. An anguish look formed his face. Nolan had betrayed Mark, but the son remembered how the father tried to redeem himself for him. But his redemption was cut short because the tyrant Emperor Thragg killed him. It wasn't fair. His old man was trying to make himself a better person, but his fate was against him. Nolan should have been spared from such a cruel fate, but now he was a soldier again, and this time to the everlasting and omnipotent, the Root.

Nolan felt his son's strong reaction. It made the old man joyful to see that he was still loved and supported. But he knew that it was all useless now. "I'm sorry, son. It was me that should say sorry. No matter how much I try to redeem myself, I am still a terrible person. Do not forgive me. Forget me instead. You can still turn your life around. You still have a family to live for. I am already doomed to suffer for eternity."

"No, that's not true!"

"Son, please. Cast your last command seal at me. Let me disappear. Forget me. You don't deserve me. I don't deserve to change. I don't deserve to be your father."

"No!" Mark couldn't contain it any longer. He lunged at his father and locked him into a tight embrace. Mark buried his face in Nolan's chest and howled in agony. "You're my father, forever and ever! I forgive you and I love you. No one can change that, no one can deny that, and no one can even defile or destroy that fact, not even this thing called 'Root'!"

Nolan responded by hugging Mark back. The father gasped sharply and broke down. He had felt his son's strong and sad words. The once betrayer of mankind sobbed in despair together with his beloved son.

Please, dad. Please stay with me. I wish for you to stay with me. The Hero, Invincible, thought woefully. He finally got to meet his father and he didn't want it to end. He wanted more time with him. He wanted to live with him.

I wish I could stay with you longer, Mark. I really do wish it'd be so...my son. Nolan, the old Viltrumite, hugged Mark more tightly, trying to feel more of his son's warmth, which he had missed so much and had yearned for again.

The two men were locked in a hug that both of them wished would last forever. Both of them didn't want to let go because neither wanted to sever the paternal connection between them nor to leave. But alas, fate was cruel and uncaring to them. The Greater Grail was still swirling above them. If they didn't destroy it, another Holy Grail War would occur and a Mage with bad intentions might use it or someone could bring more disaster to all living beings.

Jim and Emiya were silent to the whole ordeal of the father and son. The Trollhunter was sobbing discreetly as he felt the unfortunate fate of the two. I don't even know my own father...I'm happy for Mark. The boy thought gladly.

The Trollhunter had never seen his father before. The man abandoned Jim and his mother, he never appeared to them. Having seen Mark reuniting and reconciling with his father brought a heartache for Jim, but also happiness. At least the Invincible Hero could say his last goodbye.

After a minute of hugging, which seemed like forever between the two, the father and son moved away. Tears were no longer flowing from their eyes, but their faces were haggard from depression.

"I...I've never cried like that." Nolan began with a simple statement.

"Me too," Mark replied with a dumbfounded look. The two stared at each other before they both laughed in bliss. Their laughter was filled with energy and seemed to light the depressing air around them. But eventually, it died down and the two were left in silence again.

"I'm glad that I was summoned here, Mark, even though...I lived in another Servant's head."

"But, dad...you're here as a Servant, my Servant. It seems a bit morbid and cruel."

Another hearty chuckle escaped the Viltrumite's mouth, making his mood lighter. The sight of his father laughing warmed Mark's heart. He was so glad that he had used the blood of the Viltrumite as a catalyst for summoning. He bonded with his father, even if it was just for a short while.

But the laughter eventually died down and they were both shrouded again by the looming Greater Grail above. As long as it existed, the danger hadn't passed.

I can destroy it. "Mark, my ultimate Noble Phantasm can destroy the Greater Grail." Nolan said sternly as his light blue eyes narrowed on the swirling band of blue light.

Invincible glanced at Omni-Man. Dad...Mark wanted to say more to his father, to tell him more stories about his family, but he had run out of words. The two had reached the end of their reunion and the next thing that they would eventually do was to go their separate ways.

"What is your ultimate Noble Phantasm, dad?" Mark asked in a mild, curious manner. His father glanced at him with an excited grin.

"It's epic. My Noble Phantasm will turn me into a Shooting Star. The impact I will cause on the Greater Grail is enough to destroy a planet."

Whoa. Mark was astonished that his father's Noble Phantasm could end a planet. But then again, he remembered doing such a feat before. He was with his father and another Viltrumite when all three of them crashed and destroyed a planet that was about to threaten them.

"It must be...cool." Mark commented with a kind smile. He faced his father and said, "Dad, I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you the most." Nolan replied as he smiled serenely at his son. "And don't go down that path again. It pains me to see you being corrupted...just like me." he added and jokingly chuckled again.

Mark laughed with him again and the two looked at each other with delight. The Hero glanced at his command seal. There was only one remaining in the command seal that bound his father to him. This command seal will release my father from me...but it could save the world. He thought hesitantly as his right hand shook tensely.

"I love you, Mark." Nolan said suddenly. Mark looked up to him and saw his father's accepting smile. Nolan was waiting for him, and his words made the Hero's eyes glassy again.

"And I love you the most, Dad." Invincible said with satisfaction. As soon as he said it, Mark felt relieved. The tension was released. He couldn't feel anything except acceptance to their inevitable farewell. Goodbye, dad. The thought that passed through his mind was his last one for his father as he raised his right hand. With a proud voice, Mark gave his command. "BY MY LAST COMMAND SEAL, I ORDER YOU...DAD, TO UNLEASH YOUR ULTIMATE NOBLE PHANTASM...AND DESTROY THE GREATER GRAIL!"

The last Command Seal flashed brightly in red and vanished from his knuckle.

I received it...Nolan thought as he gasped. A surge of power filled his body as a colorful aura started to swirl around him. The mana that he received from Mark lit up his cape into a myriad of rainbow colors. And then, as he felt his power rising more, Nolan began to chant.

"I am...a soldier from a distant star. The cosmos is our ground. Our purpose is to subjugate and enslave everyone."

"I've vanquished many worlds. My hands were dyed red by those who denied and defied the Viltrumite's way."

The rainbow on his cape glowed more and blew harsh wind out, making Mark and the other two move back, shielding their eyes from the bright light and the forceful gale.

"My soul was bounded by chains of forgotten legacy. My will is imprisoned and governed by merciless ideology."

"But then, the Root showed me the truth. The Root set me free."

And then Nolan opened his eyes. Both of them were bloodshot, but filled with many rainbow colors that danced on the surface. The Viltrumite Hero looked up, focusing his eyes on the Greater Grail.

"AND SO, I SHALL FLY AND SPREAD THE EVERLASTING LIGHT OF HOPE AND CHANGE."

"THIRD AND ULTIMATE NOBLE PHANTASM: VILTRUMITE UMBRAL SHOOTING STAR DUST!"

The Viltrumite burst and launched up towards the sky. The man was covered by a forcefield of different colorful auras as he flew up, leaving behind a long and beautiful aurora tail.

Dad! Invincible looked up and followed his father's trail of lights. His eyes watched as different bands of colors filled the world of the Lesser Grail. It is beautiful...the Hero thought in amazement and sadness. However, despite this, a tranquil smile formed on his face.

Goodbye, dad. Mark thought again as Nolan continued to soar towards the Greater Grail, like a shooting star, filled with wishes and hope, on its final kamikaze flight.

Goodbye, son. Nolan thought as his rainbow eyes stared straight towards the Greater Grail. He was almost near and he could feel his end was nigh. He smiled with satisfaction and closed his eyes. His mind began to play memories of him and Mark.

Nolan watched as he cradled his son as a baby in his arms. Mark was soft and delicate at the time and the father could tell that the son would have powers just like him. Nolan felt so joyous at that event and then another memory began to play. He remembered how he taught Mark to fly and land. The boy's clumsiness in those days made him delighted and excited for his son's future. And then Nolan remembered how he had come back to his son after a long time. Even though he betrayed his son and hurt him, Mark still gave Nolan a smile and trusted that his father could change for the better. Mark believed in Nolan.

That was a sad yet peaceful memory and Nolan clenched his teeth in so much happiness as tears fell from his cheeks and left a trail in his wake. He opened his eyes and he saw that he was almost at the Greater Grail. In front of him was the familiar endless void of the Root. His smile turned into a wicked victorious one as he declared with pride.

"I CHOOSE TO CHANGE! I CHOOSE TO BE A HERO ONE LAST TIME! FOR MYSELF! FOR MY SON! OUT OF MY OWN VOLITION AND FREE WILL...AND AS A FATHER!" Nolan's declaration echoed through the void before he raised his fist and propelled it forward with force. As soon as his fist crossed the band of light, he lit up more.

An explosion rocked the Greater Grail and the whole afternoon sky was lit up with different prisms of colors. A harsh wind blew hard through Jim and his friends. The Trollhunter grunted as he struggled and lay on the ground. Emiya yelped and crashed, now laying on his back on the grass as the blast pushed them all down. The Terrorist Mage glanced up and saw Mark, who was kneeling and struggling to lift his head up.

"Mark, get down!" Emiya called but the hero shook his head.

"I want to see my father!"

Invincible managed to take a glimpse of what happened. He saw the band of blue light, the one that signified the Greater Grail's existence, was beginning to detach. The semi-circle ray of blue light was crumbling as the myriad of rainbows pushed and broke it apart. The attack was successful, but Mark couldn't see his father.

"MARK!" Invincible heard the old Viltrumite's voice. Mark squinted his eyes and he saw his father. Nolan was still in the sky and was slowly moving forward as the gust of wind pushed him up, towards the entrance of the Root which was slowly shrinking and closing down. A thrilled grin was on Omni-Man's face as he shouted a question to his son. "IF FATE LETS US MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY, IF YOU BECOME A MASTER AGAIN, WILL YOU STILL SUMMON ME?! WILL YOU STILL BE MY MASTER!?"

Dad...the Invincible Hero couldn't help but shed tears of contentment to his question. He loved the idea and he will surely love for it to happen one more time. "THAT'S THE NEAT PART, DAD! OF COURSE, YES!"

The father and son laughed with enjoyment as the Hero watched the old Viltrumite become transparent and eventually burst into golden dust. And as soon as he disappeared, a bright flash of white light flooded everyone's eyes.

With the Greater Grail gone, the Lesser Grail had lost its purpose to exist. The Lesser Grail ejected the three before the sky of its own world cracked and collapsed to destruction.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters, Invincible and Fate/Stay Night. Names, places and characters are merely fictional. If one exist in real life then its merely coincidence.

Special Thanks to Pure Red Crane for Beta-reading.

And so, the star dust is gone. For those who reads my fanfic, I would like to thank them for they'd chosen to read my story. Thank you guys, you're the best. Now then, feel free to leave reviews and comments. I am open to all reviews and comments.

You know what, let me rant for a bit. ITS FUCKING HARD WRITING DRAMAS FOR INTROVERT WITH ASPERGER'S LIKE ME! (I rarely understood human emotions after at all.)

SO THEN...WHAT DO YOU THINK EVERYONE?