Chapter 14
All I Do Is Kill...Demons.
Doomguy manages to rip off the right arm of the abomination after some heavy cuts from his Chainsaw and Mashu bashing its head. More Roots come jetting out of the wounds creating a new appendage to replace the old one.
"I sense his Mana levels to be running low, We can do- GAH!" She was pushed back with a punch from the monster.
"But he's still running on all cylinders!" Gudao said as doomguy blows a chunk of flesh out of the abomination with his super shotgun.
"Guys! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, from my readings over here, He's reaching critical mass of Hell Energy! Similar to a gore nest!" Romani said.
"What!" Mashu and Gudao said in unison.
"Then all we've had to do is cut him down." Nero said, walking up behind them.
"Nero! You are back!" Gudao said happy to see her standing again. Nero nods and walks forward.
"Wait, you should be careful Romulus'-"
"Have you forgotten? I am a servant just like my Praetors. All this time I was without a master to draw my real strength out." She said as Ritsuka stood beside her.
"Me and Praetor Slayer will cut this beast down. Have Mashu rest and be ready to be our shield just in case." She said and Gudao agreed with a nod. Mashu pulls back to a defensive position as Nero runs into the battle against the infested servant. Her sword ignites into flames as her passion steers her determination. Romulus Swings his mutated arms at her as she expertly dodges. Nero Slashed him as she expertly danced around each of his strikes as Doomguy provided suppressing fire with the Mobile Turret. As bullets perforated and Blade slashed, a pulsing heart was revealed. Romulus jumps backwards as his wound heals and adapts to protect its core.
"It's weakness has been exposed! Jing Ke! Now!" Nero signals and within nanoseconds, the assassin stabs the enemy servant with her knife.
"All I Do Is Kill" She strikes the heart of Romulus, the monster shrieks and tries to Grab Jing Ke.
"Doomguy, NOW!" Ritsuka said.
Before it could even grab her, Doomguy follows up her strike with a fist right through its chest and grabs the wounded heart.
"ARRGGHH! NOOO!" The beast Screamed as The Slayer rips its heart out and crushes it into the crimson ooze. The effect caused Romulus to freeze in place and turn to ash as he was now defeated.
"Both the servant and hell energy signals have dissipated. We are safe for now."
"We did it!" Ritsuka said as she ran up to Doomguy.
"That was...intense." Gudao said, wiping the sweat off his brow.
"Indeed. We've defeated the enemy servant, Lancer Romulus." Mashus said as Nero walked up to the ashen remains of Romulus.
"My eternal...crimson and gold empire. I entrust it all to you and your
heirs…." Nero heard the last whispers of the holy Progenitor of Rome. It was hard for her to see such a legend corrupted by hell, but in the end, she pushed through.
"Are you alright, Empress Nero?" Vega asked, hovering over to her side.
"UMU, An eternal empire continues to exist. Even if the emperor changes. Even if the country changes. Even if it's name changes. That is the law of human prosperity." She looks over to Doomguy as he stands while Ritsuka praises him.
"That is the family tree of lives called 'Humans'..." She said to Vega.
"Rome shall be restored to its former glory," Nero said.
"That's true, more or less, but we still haven't found that court mage. We've got to search for the holy grail." Romani said, pondering over his console.
"Right, I still owe you all so I shall help you search for this Grail of yours." Nero said.
"Thank you, your highness. Unless we secure the Holy Grail, your empire is still at-"
"Wait, Someone's there. Though it's not a servant." Jing Ke interrupted, causing everyone to be on guard until they heard the sound of hands clapping echoing through the halls.
"...Well, Well. What a show you put on there. To think that having this many interlopers can be so entertaining. It almost makes me want to burst out laughing." Leff Leynor said as he walked out of the shadows.
There he was, Chaldea's enemy and murderer of Director Olga and many Chaldea staff. Doomguy loaded his Super Shotgun, ready to rip this monster to shreds like the others.
"Oh the anticipation this one has….Go ahead, Attack me...and let your master die like how you did to Olga…." Doomguy halted as the threat of Ritsuka dying cut through his rage. Looking over his shoulder, he can see the fear in his master's eyes and shaking legs. Leff smirks at the sight of the young girl in fear of him.
"Pathetic. To think those lesser beasts struggled to even exploit your weakness. I guess that's worth praise to a girl that should've died a long time ago." he said, taunting the young girl causing more distress to her.
"Shut up! Ritsuka isn't alone here!" Gudao said standing up for his ally.
"Yes! Leave Ritsuka Senpai and face all of us." Mashu said.
"Right, Forgot you two dragged along. Nice work for a "mere" Demi servant. Have you become more powerful since I last saw you in Fuyuki?" However, A servant is still a servant. Sorry, but you'll never surpass the power of the holy grail." He said holding a Golden Chalice in his hand.
"Is that Court mage? Then that golden chalice he has is-"
"Yes, that's the Holy Grail. It looks similar to the ones we collected." Mashu answered Nero.
"Confirmation. That grail is 100% the source of this singularity" Vega said, giving said item a scan.
"Who could've thought a Court Mage would ignore his king's crisis. I guess betrayal is second nature to you now. Professor leff. Actually, perhaps this is the real you? You seem more energetic than when you were at chaldea." Romani said disgustedly at his once-respected colleague.
"Hand over the Holy Grail!" Gudao demanded.
"I see. Looks like you've learned to talk back, boy. Perhaps you'll be humanity's remaining master in the end." He says and blocks a burst of buckshot fired at him from the Slayer.
"I hear you did quite a bit in France. Thanks to that-I really got yelled at! I would've been back at the temple already, but I got sent back out!" Leff said with severe boredom in his voice and completely ignored the Slayer.
"As a result, you get sent out to different era's in human history and find a human/heroic-spirit that would fall into the temptation of the holy grail. Thus creating a singularity." Vega summarized the pattern of the enemy with the evidence he collected.
"But Romulus would never wish for the downfall of humanity-" Mashu said but stopped herself as they just fought a corrupted Romulus.
"Yet he fell to the whispers of the Lesser Demons. You humans really have no hope at all! Protect humanity? Hahahaha!" Leff started to laugh maniacally causing Ritsuka even more stress. Doomguy looked at the redhead and she looked up to him. Her mind was scattered and she was looking at him for guidance like a child to a parent.
...A daughter looking to her father…
An image flashed in his head. A little girl crying and holding her mother in a hallway...Where did that image come from? He looked at Ritsuka.
Doomguy blinked and things became clear to him for a moment.
"Ritsuka." He said her name and it surprised her.
"Count to Four….Inhale….Count to four….Exhale" Her servant spoke softly. Ritsuka was surprised at how calm he sounded, he genuinely sounded concerned for her. She nods and breaths in...Counts to four...Exhale. She felt herself calming down and able to focus on the task at hand. She looked at her servant with renewed confidence leaving only one then left to do…
Shut that laughing bastard up...
"HAHAha-GAHHHHH!" Leff was silenced by a mighty flying Blood Punch. The force sent him crashing through the Throne and the wall behind it.
"D-Doomguy-san!" Mashu said surprised.
"Was wondering when he'd start punching." Romani said.
"Couldn't be sooner enough. Umu." Nero stated.
"I ain't one for violence but-" Gudao's words were interrupted by a black mist blowing out of the rubble followed by gale-force winds. The ground began to shake as the mist expanded into the room.
"Everyone! Take cover! Sensors arem huge amount of magical energy in building up right in front of you!" Romani yelled right as a huge pillar of darkness spawned out of the mist. It breaches the ceiling causing debris to fall and the group scrambles to avoid being crushed.
The pillar stops growing and a series of round dark red eyes open with cross-shaped cornea open all over the monstrosity.
"What is that thing?!" Gudao said.
"What's that creature! It's ugly! It's ugly! You're uglier than anything in this world!" Nero stated as the beast started laughing in a distorted version of Leff's voice.
"Haha! Hahahah! That's right! That ugliness will be your undoing!" Leff laughed as the Romani console went haywire with energy readings. This was nothing he had seen before!
This was beyond a Servant.
Beyond a Phantasmal.
"Fou, Fou!" Fou yelped.
"...Could that be-could that be an actual "Demon" from our world's legends?" Romani stated.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself again. I am Leff Lanier "Flauros!" One of the Seventy two Demon gods! The Demon God Flauros-This is the true favour of our king!" The demon god said and it finally set in the threat they were dealing with.
"How disgusting! Just like the other Hellbeasts we faced!" Nero said, looking at Doomguy. He agreed, this was new to him but a Demon is a Demon. He will kill it.
"Do even bother comparing us to those lesser beasts! We are gods! They are the mere bottom feeders to our greatness." Flauros detested the
thought of being compared to those beasts as Romani was dumbfounded at the thought of who their king might be…
"Fou!" Fou barked.
"Is there a problem Dr. Romani?" Vega asked. Romani froze for a second but shook his head.
"No. We need to focus! Vega, Can Doomguy handle this?" He asked the most easily answered question one could ask the mighty Doomslayer.
"Yes. We all shall dispatch the enemy lifeform. Commencing defense protocols. Master's stay near my unit." Vega said and both Ritsuka and Gudao stood near the drone. Vega triggers the cloaking field from before around them so that Flauros won't get a clear shot at them.
"Feeble tactics. I will rip apart your servants then kill you all the same!" He said.
"Mashu get ready!" Gudao ordered his servant.
"Doomguy! Take him down!" Ristuka said and both servants nodded their heads.
"Umu! I shall assist with all of my strength!" Nero drew her blade
"I'll do what I can!" Jing Ke said, wiping the blood off her knife.
Doomguy cocks his shotgun and the battle begins with Flarous unleashing a dark mist that destroys everything in its path. All of the servants jump out of the way just barely as more waves of mists come rolling in.
"Die within my gaze!" Flauros yelled as he fired energy blasts from his many eyes.
"Watch out, Nero!" Mashu quickly blocks the attack before they hit the emperor. Jing Ke tried to go for one of its eyes but got caught in the mist and fell into it.
"Jing ke!" Mashu called for her ally but nothing...came out of the mist.
"Where's The Slayer?" Nero asked as he came dashing out of the dark mist holding Jing Ke over his shoulders. She was heavily wounded, unlike Doomguy who looked like he barely got hit by anything. Doomguy puts her down behind cover and Nero comes in to protect her.
"I'll get her out of here. You and Mashu kill that monstrosity." Nero said, and Doomguy jumped back into the fight.
"Doomguy just dove right in there! And he didn't take any damage!" Gudao said, shocked at his resilience.
"It's because regardless of the origin, The enemy is still a Demon. Any attacks from the demon god pillar will be heavily reduced." Vega said as Doomguy fires a volley of rockets into one of the monster's huge eyes. It shatters in a pool of ichor causing pain to Flauros.
"Gahhh! You pest! DIE!" He fires beams of energy at the Slayer who dodged or negated the attack with his armour.
"Demon's can't hurt him! Even Demon gods!" Ritsuka said in awe. Doomguy and Mashu worked together as the Demon God Pillar continued its assault. Mashu jumps up into the air and smashes her shield into another eye right as it fires. It explodes due to the energy build up creating a crater in the flesh of the demon.
"Gahhh! Just DIE"! Flauros growled as energy began to build in all of its eyes.
"Keep going, Mashu!" Gudao called out and used a commanded seal to let Mashu use her noble phantasm.
"Lord Chaldeas!" She deployed it and protected herself along with the others from the powerful blasts.
"By the power of my commande seal, Give my servant the strength to defeat Flauros!" Ritsuka used her command seal to boost her servant's power to the max!
Doomguy felt a wave of power surge throw him, his mind clearing and his fist igniting into flames. This is true power as the Doomslayer! He was then engulfed in a huge fog of mist that gathered into a sphere and was blasted with all of the eyes at once.
"Doomguy-san!" Mashu was about to go save him but was stopped as doomguy came jumping out of the rubble and landing on his feet. He cracked his knuckles. Tuned his head side to side letting out a cracking sound.
"They are rage…" Flauros felt a wave, a dread comb over his very being.
"...Brutal...Without mercy…" It shouldn't be possible! How his a Divine entity afraid of one servant! A single man! He floods the area around The Slayer with his mist in hopes of stopping
"BUT...I...I will be worse….Rip and Tear...UNTIL IT IS DONE!" Doomguy yells jumping at the pillar and ripping out one of its eyes and blasting another one with Lucifer's bane! He doesn't stop there as he equips his plasma rifle and microwaves another eye causing it to expand and explode!
Mashu feeling inspired by the man's willpower she continues her assault!
"This is for the Director! Hiyaaaa!" She does a combo of bashes into multiple eyes disrupting Flauros's attacks.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" He cried as the two servants ripped him apart.
It was time to end this.
Doomguy dashes at the base of the pill with the Crucible in hand and cuts upward into the flesh. He then grabs at the cut with both hands and tears it open causing a massive gaping wound in the pillar.
"Gaah! What are you doing?!" Flauros shrieked.
Doomguy didn't say anything and shoved the BFG 9000 into the wound and pulled the trigger.
"NO, NOOOO! GAAAAAAAAH!" The BFG pellet tears right through the Demon God Pillar's body and vaporizes its insides. Each of its eyes explodes into fireballs as the body burns away in green fire. Nero returned to see the aftermath and was in awe at the destruction of the Pillar as it eventually faded away into nothing but ash. Vega disables the cloaking and allows the masters to check up on their servants.
"Amazing! What a spectacle! I only wish that I was there to cleave that monster with my own blade!" Nero said overjoyed.
"Holy shit…" Romani said, speechless. A servant having an Anti-demonic trait so powerful that even Demon gods are not safe.
"Doomguy!" Ritsuka said. Doomguy turns around to face her, covered in Demon God ichor.
"That was...Kinda Awesome. Both you and Mashu." She said looking at Mashu who was also covered in blood while getting praised by Gudao. This was a great victory for Chaldea! if they kill a demon god then what can stop them?
"Warning, Flauros's prescence is still here!" Vega stated.
"What?!" Everyone said a ghostly image of Leff appeared very angry.
"...impossible...How could mere heroic spirits...even think about repelling us Gods," he said.
"It's because of your arrogance in fighting the Doomslayer. Not even you are safe from his anger as now that he knows of your existence." Vega said.
"No...it was a miscalculation...It's been...too long since I left the temple...my cells...dying off." Flauros said, rejecting the fact that he lost to mere servants.
"You can't win against him. As long as innocent lives are in danger, he will come for you and those that follow." Vega stated.
"...Silence...I am not without a contingency plan!" He yelled as he builds up energy in the holy grail!"
"Oh come on!" Romani slammed his fists against his console.
"You gotta get outta there! Anything could happen with a Grail!" He warned.
"There's no time! So long Chaldea!" Flauros laughed as he disappeared leaving them with an unstable Grail about to go off.
"Energy levels are rising! We cannot retreat fast enough to escape the blast! Nero runs! We cannot guarantee your safety" Vega said and all hope seemed lost…
"No! I refuse to leave my allies behind. We will go together!" She said
"Nice dramatics and all but I got you guys! Hang on to something!" A voice said and they all were teleported from the throne room to desert badlands outside of the enemy city.
Saber of Mars.
"Whew...that was way too close…" The Wretch said, wiping the non-existent sweat on his shadowy head. The Wretch saved him from whatever that grail was going to do.
"So we are safe? And who are you?" Nero demanded from the shadow of a creature.
"A demon that was smart enough not to piss off the Slayer. Hell hates me, Hell hates Him. Pretty simple if you look at it. You're welcome by the way." He answered and Nero looked to Doomguy who simply nodded, confirming The Wretch's words. Ritsuka, Gudao and Mashu look at the shadowy being with caution but were happy with the help he provided.
"Well, Thanks for the help. We really appreciate it." Ritsuka said.
"No problem. I have my own personal beef with hell so I'll do what I can to help you guys out. Keeps both the other demons and The Slayer off my back." He said very casually as they saw Boudica flying towards them on her chariot and lands right beside them
"Oh thank goodness you are all right! I followed her majesty's orders and evacuated the troops after dropping Jing ke off with me. She is fine by the way and recovering. We lost Spartacus and lubu to the battle lasting too long to control them anymore " Boudica said but then raised an eyebrow at The Wretch.
"He's a friend." Ritsuka said.
"'Sup." The Wretch added.
"...Regardless of the strange company. Mind if I asked what happened in there? It seemed like something was about to blow up or something?" Boudica asked.
"Wait. Nothing happened? We thought that Leff was going to detonate the Grail and destroy the city-" Mashu was the interrupted but Romani on the comms.
"Everyone! Massive Servant signature heading right-" His words were stopped by the sound of something powerful landing in front of the group.
"...Nevermind...it's right in front of you…" He said and the dust clears to reveal a woman in white with tan skin and red eyes. She was wielding a sword that looked shined with each colour of the spectrum.
"I am Altera, A warrior of the Hun and it's king. I am the King of destruction, the one who destroyed the western world." She said, raising her sword at them.
"I am detecting the Grail energy signature from the enemy. I believe Leff must have used the grail to rush her summoning before he disappeared." Vega said after a quick scan.
"So we defeat her and finally end this madness?" Nero asked.
"Can we even beat her? Her energy reminds me of the sacred sword in Fuyuki..." Mashu looked a little worried but felt a pat on the back from Doomguy. She shook her head and did the breathing technique he taught her back in Orleans.
"Don't worry Mashu, You all have proven that nothing can stop you from achieving your goals. You talk of gods and fate well I believe both are our own sides." She steps forward and raises her sword at Altera.
"Rome won't fall. I won't fall. Then the eternal empire will continue to exist. Even if it's emperor, state, and name changes. It is the innate truth that mankind will continue to thrive. The tree of life that is humanity." She looks to the sky.
"Ritsuka, Gudao, Mashu. I am sure that is the 'Humanity' you are trying to protect….and what The Doomslayer is trying to avenge." The emperor then dash's forward at Altera with her blade. The two swords clash but Altera overpowers her and forces her back. Doomguy joins the fight with Chaingun fire, Altera sprints towards Doomguy deflecting the bullets with her sword that appears flexed about like a whip. She jumps to strike doomguy only to get hit by Boudica riding her chariot mid-air causing her to crash to the ground. She gets back up and whips her sword around causing a projectile of pure light to be shot out. They arc and twist around the group before attempting to strike.
"Mashu!" Gudao gives her another command seal to boost her speed to intercept the beams of light!.
"On it!" She zips around as she blocks each immensely powerful shot causing loud pings. Doomguy returns fire with Arbalist bolts but Altera sprints around each shot with sonic speed. She reached Doomguy and slashed upwards forcing him to use the ballista as a shield. The two deadlocked until Altera unleashed a blast of energy, sending Doomguy rolling across the desert floor. Doomguy claws the ground stopping his tumble and quickly gets back up on his feet. He notices that his visor is cracked, the last time that happened was back in Fuyuki against that shadow servant.
"Such strength! How is this possible?" Nero asked as she clashed with Altera. Even with her newly made contract with Ritsuka, she is struggling to keep up with the leader of the Huns.
"Fall before me. I am a destroyer of all." She whips Nero away with a bone-rattling strike to her guard.
"With the Holy Grail she has a near unlimited supply of magical energy! A servant can be full strength at all times with one." Romani said at the edge of his seat as Doomguy attacked with his crucible and Armblade. Each time their blades clashed, a shockwave lashed sending dust flying. Altera unleashes another pulse and pushes the slayer backwards but Boudica comes flying in again on her chariot.
"Come at me! Altera!" She yelled.
"Very well." The Hun said and she jumped upwards like the speed of a missile. Boudica didn't react fast enough and her chariot was destroyed and Altera kicked her down to earth. Her landing creates a crater with her bloody form at the Center of it. Altera dives from the sky to finish her off…
"No! I won't let you!" Mashu jumps to intercept her. Altera counters by grabbing Shielder by the throat and crashes into the ground.
"Mashu!" Gudao ran as Altera lifted Mashu with her hand still on her throat.
"All civilization will be judged and destroyed by my hand," Altera said with a blank stare as if she was like a machine. She then smashes Mashu into the ground with the force of a titan.
"MASHU!" Gudao cried as he ran at Altera without thinking for his safety. Altera sees the boy and prepared to strike him down…
Only to be hit with an Overdrive powered Blood punch that sent her flying for miles.
"T-thanks, Doomguy," Gudao said.
"Senpai? What happened" Mashu said, pulling herself up.
"I'll explain later, I need to patch you-" A bright light shines in the distance and a massive magical energy spike is detected by Vega. Altera is now gliding across the desert ground as her sword was now bursting with energy and spinning in a drill motion.
"PHOTON RAY!" Altera shouted.
"That sword is outputting the same readings as Excalibur! We need to take cover now!" Vega warned
"Mashu!" Gudao used a command seal to heal her.
"Senpai! I can't, fighting her has drained. I need your energy!" She said as her shield flickers in its manifestation. Gudao nodded and touched her soldiers to use his mystic code to give her mana...he nearly collapsed once the process started. He was nearly out of energy as well due to supporting so many servants as a novice and fighting a Demon God Pillar. Seeing this situation, Doomguy looks at Nero and nods to her. It took a second for the emperor to release but she nodded back.
Doomguy then sprints with the power of Overdrive.
"Dammit! Maybe we can-" Gudao was interrupted with the sight of Doomguy running at Altera.
"Doomguy! No!" Ritsuka shouted, figuring out that he was going to sacrifice himself to stop Altera! The mere thought of her losing him sent dread to her entire being and brought a feeling of fear that she hasn't felt in a long time.
"Doomguy! Please….Comeback!" She used a command seal in her panic...it glowed...but then it stopped. Her second didn't do anything.
"He rejected it!" Ritsuka falls to her knees again.
"Please...I can't…" She whimpers.
Doomguy stops himself and braces for impact against the rainbow sword. He will stop it and take Altera out at the same time, there was no other choice! The slayer brings up the crucible to a guard stance with seconds remaining before the powerhouse of a servant collides with him.
Altera hits him with the force of thousands of titans but he holds his own against Photon Ray. Beams of energy lash out, scarring the land as energy begins to build in between them. Doomguy could move as any attempt to counter risked Altera getting past him...
"Sla-ye-r...Energy levels cri-tcal..Pull back…" Vega tried to warn him but his comms were jammed.
...He will protect them...No matter the cost…
Sorrows Of the Past...Relief Of The Present.
The energy detonates and everything goes dark…
Doomguy wakes up in darkness...Altera was nowhere to be seen and neither was Ritsuka…
Where was he? Where was Chaldea?
He turned to the sound of small footsteps behind him and saw...Daisy…
Looking right back at him. His heart skips a beat...this was the clearest image of her that he ever saw her. This was beyond the guilt-fueled
hallucinations that haunted him for eternity. He reaches out to her but Daisy then hops the other way. She fades away but she leaves a trail of footprints made of light for him to follow. Doomguy desperately runs after her in the darkness and passes through a door of light….
The Slayer now finds himself at the base of a hill that sat in a clear meadow. There was a dirt path in front with daisy waiting along with it.
Was she leading him somewhere? What was this place? His questions stopped when she heard Daisy thump her hind legs on the ground. He followed the path with Daisy hopping along in front of him until he stopped at a lone maple tree at the top of the tree with a hooded woman standing next to it.
Daisy runs up to the tree before fading away again...much to his dismay. His attention was now on the person looking away from him.
Something deep in his heart ached...Yet he doesn't understand why? What is this place? What is going on?
"Who are you?" he asked. The woman looked over her shoulder but her face was shrouded by shadow.
"You really don't remember, do you?" the woman's voice….it was the same one that spoke to him back in Orleans and before he destroyed the nest!
"...I don't...but..I.." He was confused as the mere sound of this woman's voice made his heartache.
"The way you are now has affected you...But in time I believe you can be restored." She said. Doomguy tried to step forward to get a better look at the woman, however, he felt a force pushing him back.
"For now, keep protecting Ritsuka...She looks up to you as her guardian." Doomguy felt winds pushing him back, he stumbled against the winds.
"...Goodbye...William…" The woman said and he tossed back down the hill and into the darkness. He opens his eyes once more and finds himself laying on the desert ground confused and dazed….
"Ears Ringing...It feels like a giant metal nail went through my chest…"
Doomguy hears the sound of crying next to him...it was Ritsuka crying into her hands...Why was she crying?
"Kid...Ritsuka...Why are you crying?''
He then remembers what that woman said….
"You crying for little ol me? Right...I'm your guardian. I shouldn't be...I can't protect anything…I'm a Devil that kills other Devil's "
The man raises his left arm and places his hand on her shoulder. The novice master stopped and looked at him with tears running down her face.
"...But I will god-damn try!"
"Doomguy...You're alive!" Ritsuka said as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His chest plate was heavily damaged, however, it looked like whatever wound he had healed.
"Umu! I knew it! Nothing will keep you down! Not even the sword of Mars, The roman god of war!" Nero said, her hair was down and her clothes were torn.
"You gave all of us quite the scare." Boudica said smiling.
"Yes, Doomguy-san. That was very reckless...However, it allowed us to
defeat Altera." Mashu said with Gudao sitting beside her.
"It went down like this…"
The Final Fight Against Altera.
"NO!" Ritsuka yelled seeing Doomguy's body sent flying after the explosion. Everyone rushed to his aid even but were stopped by a still alive Altera. Nero re-engages her in combat to protect the masters.
"Dammit! You guys have to retreat" Romani shouted as things seemed bleak for them.
"Negative. Altera's spirit Origin is unstable. Her connection to the grail has been disrupted. Another noble Phantasm should be enough to defeat the target." Vega brought in some good news.
"Ritsuka! You still got a Command seal right?" Gudao asked but Ristuka was looking over at Doomguy's body in the distance.
"I can't...I need to use it for him…." Ristuka said but then a very wounded Boudica touched her hand.
"Don't be silly, Ritsuka. He's not dead...He'll get back , his body isn't fading away." Boudica said.
"But…" Ritsuka wanted to use the seal to heal her servant but he tipped the scales in their favour.
"This is what he would've wanted you to do, Master Ritsuka," Vega said. Ritsuka let out one more tear but then wiped them off of her face.
"Count to four...inhale...Count to four...Exhale…" Ritsuka's final command seal glowed, waiting for instruction.
"Saber, with the power of final commande seal, Unleash your Noble Phantasm!" Ritsuka yelled and Nero felt a surge of energy enter her body. With the command Seal, she can now unleash her ultimate attack!
She steps back from Altera and summons a rose into her hand.
"Behold my talent and listen to the thunderous applause!" A magic circle appeared below her feet. She tosses the rose into the air and stabs her sword into the centre of the circle. Flames engulf the area and transport them to a Golden, Roman theatre.
"Praise me! Praise my golden theater!"
Altera was awe-stricken with the beauty of the place and felt herself become weakened within the Theater. This is the power of Nero's Noble Phantasm, it weakens her enemies and empowers herself and her performers. The Roman Emperor's blade Ignites into a pure fire and she dashes at Altera.
"Laus St. Claudius!"
Nero cuts through Altera's body and a column of fire erupts in her place.
"I see...In this world...there are things that cannot be destroyed, even...by my sword…I was called the Scourge of gods...Even my sword of Mars cannot..." She proceeds to fade away.
"Well that….Makes me...A little happy…" Altera then passes on with a small smile on her face…
Vega finished the explanation as The slayer wounds finally closed, to everyone else it was a marvel that he survived such force. Doomguy was surprised by all that happened while he was unconscious. He found even more respect for Nero and the others for protecting the children when he could not.
He was about to stand up until something stopped him….Something that he thought he'd never experience again as the Doomslayer.
Ritsuka hugged him…It froze him completely.
"Don't you do that ever again!" She sobbed into his shoulder plates. Doomguy's eyes looked around not knowing what to do...He has never comforted a child before...He decides on awkwardly patting her on the back to let her get her emotions out. In the corner of his eye, he can see Boudica smiling at him so that meant something right?
Ritsuka eventually let's go and allows the man to stand up. Right as that happened a blue portal opened up and a group of sentinels walked out.
"Empress Nero, Slayer. Apologies that we couldn't come and assist you. There was a group of strangling demons that was targeting evacuated civilians." One of them said as the rest bowed. Doomguy looked at the wretch and gave him the thumbs up meaning that he must've warned the Sentinels about the remaining Demons.
"Oh that is alright. We were able to defeat Altera and free Rome. Thank you for protecting them" Nero thanked her allies.
"So that means our duty in the era has been fulfilled." The Soldier said as his body began to fade with green light.
"Wait...So you are leaving Rome? I haven't got the chance to reward your people!" Nero said.
"Empress Nero, you gave us all the reward we wanted." They looked at The Slayer and bowed with respect.
"A chance to fight by our king's side once more." They all said in unison before fading away completely. All eyes then went to The Slayer, their king that even in death they respect him.
"Even in death. They still wish to serve their king." Boudica said, Doomguy didn't ask to be king, it was just something that happened during his time with those people. Regardless he was thankful that they were around to help him on his new quest.
"Umu. You are really something. You may not be the ruling type but that doesn't stop you from being a symbol of hope." Nero complimented the man before handing him a familiar Golden Chalice, The Holy Grail.
"Vega explained everything to me already. I am ready to say goodbye."
Nero said to everyone. Everyone, besides Nero, started to fade in a
golden light. Doomguy accepted the grail and put it into his inventory.
"Holy grail acquired. This Singularity should be corrected Empress Nero." Vega said as his unit attached to Ritsuka's backpack.
"Well it looks like my work here is done. Time to hit the road! I will catch you guys next time" The wretch said before disappearing into a small grey portal that closed behind him.
"Boudica, Thank you for helping my people. I don't know why, but I am glad you came along throughout all of this." Nero thanked what was supposed to be her greatest enemy. Boudica could only let a soft smile grow on her face before she faded away.
"Farwell!" Gudao, Mashu and Ritsuka said in unison before Rayshifting took them back to Chaldea. It was just her and Doomguy now as it seemed to be taking a little longer for him to be transferred back to Chaldea...Oddly enough Fou was also still with him as he was sitting on his shoulder.
"Praetor Slayer?" Nero got his attention.
"I just...wanted to thank you personally. You are a truly magnificent warrior that I wish I could be. If I could, I would have many festivals in your honour. But I think that isn't your style…" Nero said, looking at the setting sun as the wind blows through her hair.
"To keep fighting alone like that...It must be hard to keep doing that for eons." Doomguy's body finally started to fade away, starting at his feet.
"That's why...I want to lend you my blade. You risked everything so I want to help you on your quest to slay the demons." Nero said, looking straight into his visor.
"Fou!" Fou yelped at the idea. Doomguy wasn't too sure about having people help him...He didn't want to drag others down his path of perpetual torment. However, Nero did prove herself to be a strong warrior and Ruler. He couldn't agree with her decision, but he knew that he couldn't refuse it. The sentinel spirits still help him so how can he stop her? First the sentinels and now a Roman emperor….This isn't going to be a pattern during his time helping Chaldea, is it?
He then starts to fade away as he just nods to the idea, causing Nero to let out a very warm smile.
"Umu. Thank you." she said right as the man and animal Rayshifted back to Chaldea. Leaving her alone with the rising moon over the horizon...Until she heard footsteps behind.
"So, you want to join The Slayer's army?" A Pale blond woman in black woman said, cutting through the silence.
New Worries...New Idea's
Night falls on Chaldea after a much deserved celebratory dinner in the cafeteria for the successful restoration of Rome. The two Master's and Mashy should've gone to bed by now leaving Doomguy alone with his usual nighty routine.
Doomguy stopped in the middle of his rounds as he noticed a certain red-haired, scrunchie bearer was peeking around the corner at him. Ritsuka comes out of her hiding place as Doomguy crosses his arms.
"Yeah...yeah I know. I should be in bed. I just..." She looked at the ground embarrassed. Causing Doomguy to turn his head slightly in confusion.
"I just wanted to say I am sorry for using a command spell to try and stop you." She said sheepishly. Doomguy paused, She used a command spell to stop him? He only remembers the times she used to power him up.
"What's wrong?" Ritsuka could see the sudden pause in his posture, he shakes his head in response.
"Ah. Ok. Well, I was just worried about you dying. I talked to Romani about my worries and he explained that you most likely have really good 'Battle Continuation skill. The ability to keep fighting even in the most deadly of situations. " She said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.
"I should really read those books Vega recommended. Regardless, I also wanted to say sorry for being an emotional wreck earlier. I just...didn't want-" Ritsuka was interrupted with Doomguy giving her a head pat. He understood her reason to be worried, he's her guardian and it was only natural for her to be afraid. It might get in the way in the future but it seems that she is learning more about how he operates. Ritsuka then let out a huge yawn and Doomguy pointed in the direction of her room. Telling her that she should go back to sleep now.
"Ok, Da-I mean Doomguy! Goodnight" Ritsuka stopped herself and quickly dashed away. His thoughts returned to the one, very important detail Ritsuka mentioned
Did he outright ignore a Command from Ritsuka? That was supposed to be the failsafe in case he goes blind again! The Slayer speed walks to his room as he needs to work on his contingency idea now.
When he enters, he boots up the terminal that they gave him and creates a new 3D blueprint document. Vega notices Doomguy's activity in the database and decides to assist him
"I see, would you like the Praetor Suit scans I have on file?" Vega asks and Doomguy nods. This was going to be a challenge, but it needed to be done before the next major mission.
"I would recommend looking at the documents listed under "Project Ortenaus", that should provide a basis using resources from this world." Vega opens up the classified Chaldea document and Doomguy takes a look at the details.
Yes, this should work. Doomguy quickly got to work making his contingency plan using both Chaldea's data and his own.
"Shall I bring this project to Leonardo's attention? I believe she can help speed up the fabrication process." Vega asked and Doomguy agreed, She'll know how to augment the mystics' side of things and make it compatible for Rayshifting.
Things got more complicated but as he promised before…
He will god damn try…
(This chapter was Beta'd by Darklord331)
AN: WOOT Another Singularity bits the dust! Glad to make it this far! Alright! ANNND I got a Beta reader! Darklord331! They are going to help me out with future chapters for this fic.
In other news, Doomguy is going to make a suit of armour for Ritsuka and Gudao. Starting out simple then get upgrades throughout the story. (BTW I THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE SEEING THE SOLOMON MOVIE TRAILER.)
Next up is going to be another episode of 'At Chaldea's gate' To cover some more servant interactions and One-shot coverage of a few Events. Then it is off to Okeanos!