I have returned it appears. I'll explain that, don't worry. For now, let's just begin the story shall we.
Disclaimer: The Fate franchise is owned by Type-Moon. Everything else is owned by their respective creators.
Crimson Flowers
Dust and sand. That was all Berserker could see as she walked aimlessly through the strange world. Her dark lavender eyes stared straight ahead as sweat formed under her circlet. Her crimson garb, stained with blood, held her close as heat barrelled down on her.
She knew not where she was going, except away from the castle. That castle that symbolised all that she stood against in her time. It reminded Berserker strongly of that woman who pretended to be a god, the foul beast that manipulated her world for years. But this was far different then back then.
That false god never had such a strong guard dog.
It should have been a simple operation, far simpler than those she had participated in during the war. She and her strike force should have been more than enough. Even if the professor did not answer her calls, she trusted her friends and allies to be able to handle this.
And yet, they never made it to the front gate.
-Flash Back-
"I will only ask this once, stand aside," Berserker towards the heavily armoured figure standing in the middle of the wasteland. Behind them a large castle stood in the distance, immaculate white walls standing strong even from far away. Seven men and woman stood near Berserker, weapons drawn and magic ready at their finger tips for when the order was given.
"Yeah, not happening," a slightly muffled feminine sounding voice responded, their helmet preventing most anyone from guessing their true gender. "Like hell I'm letting you lot near the Lion King."
'The Lion King? Do they mean Loog? Or perhaps... Dimitri?'
Shaking her thoughts away, Berserker just stared down her enemy. "Then we are at an impasse. Black Eagles, cut them down so we can meet this Lion King." Her team nodded, looks of varying levels of excitement, nervousness, stoicism and exasperation upon their faces.
"You can try but there is no way you are getting hear them!" The knight bellowed as they rushed towards Berserker and her small assault force.
A young man on a horse was the first to meet with their foe. His orange hair flowing behind him as arrows and bolts of lightning and darkness raced towards the enemy. In his hands, a three pronged spear that caused the knight to block with the front of their sword. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ferdinand von Aegir, a member of the Black Eagles and a confident of Ede-"
"Shut up, you talk to much." An armoured fist slammed into Ferdinand's face knocking him of his horse. The beast neighed in anger and confusion as it reared up before charging. Grabbing the beast by the face, the knight, with little effort, lifted it off the ground and hurled it towards the incoming projectiles. In an instant, the darkness ate away at the horse's flesh as it was electrocuted. In seconds, it vanished into golden dust, drifting away into nothing.
"Ferdinand!" A blue haired man and a fuchsia haired woman yelled as they ran towards their friend, an ax and sword at the ready to cut down their foe.
"You can have him back!" Grabbing Ferdinand by the lapels, the knight threw him towards the pair. Ferdinand could do nothing as collided with the pair, all three of them collapsing onto the ruined ground in pain. "Kind of weak for an army," They mused before being forced to block by an ax made of bone. "The hell, dragon bones?" They wondered before ripping their sword causing Berserker to lose her balance. Taking advantage of the moment, the knight thrust their sword forward only to be met by a crimson and gold kite shield.
"That was far too close," Berserker said backing away from her foe. Her ax, Aymr, at the ready for when her opponent moved. "Linhardt, can you-"
"Already on it your Majesty," A tired voice called out as the dark green haired man raised a simple staff and summoned a pale yellow, almost white glyph in front of him. With a lazy motion, a blue glow enveloped the downed fighters, ridding them of their injuries.
"You have my thanks," the fuchsia haired woman said as she felt the magic repair her body. In an instant, she got up from the pile she was stuck in followed by by the ax wielder and Ferdinand, their weapons ready for the next bout.
"My lady, may I ask where the professor is?" A dark, cruel looking mage asked as he continued to bombard the knight with dark magic, a purple glyph under his feet as shadows escaped from it. Spell after spell struck the knight who just ignored it as if it was nothing. "It bothers me to say this but we may require their aid."
"They did not answer," Berserker replied as she followed through with the mage's onslaught. Her ax was merely knocked aside as a follow up punch was deflected with her shield. ""Either they disagree with my approach..." she trailed off as her fellow frontline force attempted to break through the knight's unorthodox defence.
"Or they were already summoned here earlier," the mage mused before scowling as his spells did next to nothing. "Dorothea, Bernadetta, continue the pressure."
"Of course, Hubie/ R-right," came the reply from a beautiful woman and a anxious archer as they continued to provide cover fire for their frontline. "W-why is magic not working? I-I mean it's like they are just ignoring it." The archer asked as the projectiles either bounced off such as her arrows, or just did nothing like the bolts of lightning and darkness.
"It's magic resistance," Linhardt said as he healed what he could from the safety of the back lines. "Meaning they are quite likely,"
"A Saber" Berserker frowned as another slash missed its mark. She quickly threw up her shield in response to a near lethal stab. The blade slid across the shield leaving a large cut in the metal and most of the paint work missing.
"Well you finally figured that out. Took you lot long enough!" The newly revealed Saber tainted as they laughed, red lightning briefly crackling around them. The air around the knight began to burn, a wretched, pungent stench like that of burning metal flowed through the wasteland causing many to flinch.
"Dorothea," 'Hubie' began to say yet the woman was one step ahead of him.
"I know," she said, summoning a sword to her person as she strode forward, ready to assist as Saber began their assault once again.
"What was the lightning... No, what I mean is, what was that?" The fuchsia haired woman asked as she tried to flank their juggernaut of a foe. "A spell?"
"That was no spell," Berserker replied as she tried to keep Saber's eyes on her. Their weapons clashing together with a strangely rewarding sound as steel met bone. "And it was no Crest either. That means the likely answer is a Skill. Do not let them activate it again."
"Got it/ Understood/ Gotcha/ of course Edie," her frontline said as Berserker broke away from Saber. Taking advantage, Dorothea ran forward, her sword meeting the knight's larger blade. Her arms shook like jelly as the sheer force of her opponent felt like nothing they had seen before.
Seizing the opportunity, Ferdinand approached from the right. With valiant steps, he swung his spear forward only to watch in horror as it practically bounced off Saber's armour. "What?" He whispered as the knight broke away from Dorothea to take him on instead.
The knight's movements were halted however as a shield was thrown into their face, shattering the object into pieces as Berserker glared at her foe. The sound of metal meeting metal echoed through Saber's ears as they became disoriented. As they tried to steady themselves, a new weight landed on their back causing them to stumble forwards before catching themselves.
"The hell!" They yelled before they began to choke, their breathing becoming laboured as they continued to stumble slightly.
"Now, while the going is best!" The fuchsia haired woman yelled as she led onto Saber for dear life. Her legs were wrapped tightly around their middle while her blade was at their throat. She held onto it with one hand by the hilt and the other by the blunt end, pressing the sword into her enemy's throat.
Seizing the chance, the ax wielders of the group sprung forward, their blades of steel and bone striking true to the knight's chest. The one wielded by the bluenette failed to cut through, leaving only a small scratch. Berserker's however, managed to open a small segment of the chest plate and reach Saber's flesh underneath.
All became silent as Berserker ripped her Aymr away, blood staining the bones as a few drops ran down Saber's armour. Before a sigh of relief could be had at the idea that their foe could be defeated, crimson lightning sprung back to life enveloping Saber and electrocuting the woman on their back.
She screamed in agony, her sword dropping from her hand as she fell backwards. Her legs came lose from their vice grip as she tumbled backwards, burns being formed as the storm devoured her. Saber turned to her and in an instant, cleaved right through the woman, ripping her clean in half.
A final scream escaped her lips as she faded into golden dust and returned to Berserker's Noble Phantasm.
"Petra!" The group shouted before Saber was suddenly upon Berserker. Unable to move in time, Saber's sword sliced into her right shoulder going diagonally until it reached her hip. Berserker staggered backwards, Aymr vanishing from their hands.
Berserker could swear she heard a scream as she felt something drip down her chin. Sound became muffled as she struggled to focus on the knight's final attack. As the sword neared her stomach, she felt something grab hold of her, something wrapping around her before she was away from Saber in a blur of purple.
Two hands held her steady as they barked out a muffled order. A blue light coated her as something green stared intently at her, they were yelling something and she felt her body be moved away. In the distance, crimson lightning seemed to become a enormous tower of energy as another person yelled something.
Her eyes became heavy as she briefly saw blonde hair, something she hadn't seen in the fight prior. As she fell into unconsciousness, a few words barely audible drifted towards her.
"Cla... bloo... thur!"
-End Flashback-
In the end, she was lucky to be alive. It was only due to the efforts of Caspar, Dorothea and Ferdinand that she got away, costing them their lives in the process. It was strangely heartbreaking, her friends had come close to death against Seiros and the church before but they had always managed to claim victory. For them to be unable to be called upon until the next time she was summoned... it felt hollow.
She knew she was not a good person. She could be cold hearted but they seemed to bring out her good side, the part of her that would have been lost for ever without their guidance.
It was only due to Imperial Order that she survived Saber's blow. She struggled to remember what even happened after Hubert, Bernadetta and Linhardt dragged her away with the latter healing what he could.
Unfortunately, they returned to her Noble Phantasm after they were able to get away. Judging by the note Hubert had left, they were reluctant to leave her before she was finished healing but they had to preserve her mana. Without a Master to support her, it was all over if she ran out of power now.
'Why did I make such a dangerous and foolhardy order?' Berserker chastised her self, her wound still throbbing as she hobbled through the outskirts of where the wasteland met the desert. 'I should have known we didn't have the numbers necessary to take that castle. I'm certain we could have taken a few servants even without the Eagles true strength. So what went wrong?'
Thoughts like this ran through Berserker's head as she sought an understanding. Perhaps it was brought on by her class's madness? Maybe it was due to her professor not answering her call and guiding her once more as her tactical advisor? Could it be that her overconfidence and trust in her team led her to believe they could take on anyone? After all, the church had fallen and the Immaculate One was stronger than servant, right?
'Regardless of the reasons, I need a new plan of attack. We have no chance of success if I fall here.' With a simple misstep, Bersekrer fell forward. She winced in pain as she once more began to black out. 'I need to keep going. I can't die like this...'
From the corner of her eye, she saw strange shapes, blurry and hard to make out but they seem to resemble humans. They seemed to be shouting something but Berserker was unable to keep her eyes open. At last they fell as they seemed to rush towards her.
-line break-
"Mordred," Berserker said, testing the name on her lips. "So that's her name. And she is a member of this Round Table?" Facing her within a small tent was a man with purple hair and similarly coloured armour.
"It's just as I said, Mordred is a knight under our King Arthur who has no relation to this... Dimitri as you thought."
"No, it appears they aren't. A shame, I was hoping to face them on better terms."
It had been a few days since Berserker's failed attempt at taking Camelot, since her utter defeat by Mordred. In that time, she had been found by several knights who had secretly gone against their king and brought to a hidden village of refugees. While small and rather cramped, the people were truly kind and pleased to have a new defender for their small home.
She was no defender but was unable to refuse. They just truly needed help. Any emperor would do the same.
It was also here, she met someone who could either become an ally or an enemy.
"Lancelot, what are your plans in regard to your king. While I may not know everything regarding them, I need to know what exactly they are planning." The man frowned, his fist clenching and unclenching. In either anger at Berserker or someone else, she did not know.
"I could ask you the same Berserker. You have yet to tell me your true name." Lancelot said.
"True, I haven't yet. I am still uncertain if you are an enemy or not. You appear to be going against your king, hiding the fact that you have captured me and are allowing those without a home to live."
"That is..."
"Why protect these people if they are your enemy Lancelot? Should you not do your duty as a knight and kill them?"
"That... That is not part of my code."
"But you are a noble knight yes? So why go against your orders?"
"I have not been ordered to kill those who have not been chosen. Just lead them away from the city. I could not leave them without a home."
"Chosen? What do you mean by that?" Berserker asked. Now she was getting somewhere. The man before her was honest. Perhaps too much. While she was not as skilled of a manipulator as Claude, that did not mean she didn't know how to gain information from someone.
"I have said too much." Lancelot seemed to close in on himself in response, horrified he may have said more than he meant.
"No you have not. In fact, you have barely said anything about what the Lion King is planning. Why? For what reason have I been summoned to face your king?"
Lancelot said nothing, his eyes closing as his lips lowered in sadness. To Berserker, it was becoming clear. He vehemently disagreed with the Lion King and yet he allowed something to chain himself to them. It was familiar to certain priests and monks from the war, those who were chained to Seiros and yet could not go against her.
"If you can't tell me that, then why are you still with them?" The knight gave a soft sigh, his eyes directed at the sand beneath him. He took a breath before he faced Berserker again.
"For several reasons, I still serve them with all that I am."
"Such as?"
"In our history, I betrayed them in the worst possible way. The person I swore my sword to and my friend. I stayed with them to make for my misdeeds, for allowing myself to fall and then ruin everything they worked so hard for. But they are no longer the person I fought so hard for."
"And you know the reason?" Berserker pushed further, almost leaning forward in interest.
"I do not but I am almost certain it is due to him."
"Him?"
"Agravain. A fellow knight and a man to not be trusted. He is up to something, especially now that he has our king's ear." Lancelot looked in anger and disgust at saying the man's name. "For that reason, I want to stop them both before they truly go to far."
"So you require an opportunity." Berserker mused before nodding. "Very well. Then I would like us to become allies."
"Allies?"
"If what you say is true, you will need help to get even close to this Agravain. If he is defeated than that will set things right here, yes?"
"It should do..." The knight frowned once again before a sudden yell caught his attention. "It appears my other guest has woken up. I need some more time to think on this, but I promise you. Regardless of what I path I choose, I will tell you of his highness's plans."
"Of course. I will await your answer." Berserker smiled as the man left before it fell into a frown. "It appears he is unaware that he will once more betray his king. I apologise Lancelot, but to defeat your lord, I need you to fall once again."
-line break-
"Master of Chaldea, a word." Hubert said, standing outside of the tent Ritsuka was using. "Her Majesty wishes to speak to you. I suggest you be on your best behaviour."
"Oh uh sure." The young man said as he exited his tent and immediately started to shiver. Night had settled upon the refugee camp and already the temperature had dropped drastically. Stars and Solomon's spell twinkled above, a reminder that time was slowly running out.
Without being aware, the pair had made their way towards the campfire where Berserker was waiting. The flames glow seemed to make Berserker's beauty more radiant as she gave a small smile upon seeing the two arrive. "Your Majesty, the Master of Chaldea."
"Thank you Hubert, that will be all." The man seemed to scowl but nodded dutifully, turning to leave.
"Remember best behaviour or Chaldea will have to find a replacement." Another shiver went down Ritsuka's spine, this one not brought about by the cold. Seeing his point made, the older man returned to the Noble Phantasm.
"You must be cold, please sit." The Emperor said. "I apologise if Hubert has said anything. I understand that he is difficult to get along with at times."
"N-no, just a cold breeze that's all." Ritsuka lied as he sat by Berserker. "So, what did you need, your highness?"
"To be honest with you, I have been wanting to speak with you for awhile now," As Berserker said his, she lifted a delicate looking teacup to her lips and took a small sip. "Ah, Bergamot." Her smile seemed to grow as a look of nostalgia shine in her eyes.
"Uh Berserker?"
"Oh," the woman snapped out of her thoughts as she seemed slightly embarrassed. "My apologies. I forgot to offer you a cup."
"It's alright but what did you want to talk about?" Ritsuka had to admit though, her smile as she enjoyed her tea was really quite beautiful. There was just something about it as if all her worries had vanished for a moment.
Within an instant her smile vanished as her face hardened like iron. "I wanted to talk about you. More specifically, why you joined Chaldea." Though her face was hard, her eyes seemed troubled as they stared at the younger man. "Something about your organisation has been bothering me and I wish to understand it."
"About why I joined?" He asked, puzzled by her question. "Well, it started as just me giving blood and from there they scouted me." Well there was a bit more than that such as been chased by the doctors and then given a drugged lunch but that could only bring bad tidings telling that to the Emperor.
"Giving blood?' Berserker seemed interested before shaking her head. "I will ask later but it was your blood that got you recruited?"
"Well yeah, they said something like I had 100% affinity for being a Master."
"I see," Berserker's eyes fell, as if she seemed upset about something. "So even here, even without Crests..." her words fell off as Ritsuka struggled to hear her whispers. "So that is why you joined, not because you wanted to but it was forced upon you. Originally I thought that you jumped at the chance to fight in these trials."
"To tell you the truth, Berserker," At this, Ritsuka sighed deeply, his head feeling heavy as the images of Lev's betrayal and Olga Marie's death danced in his mind. "I was the last Master remaining, the others... didn't even reach the first Singularity." Berserker could not stop the gasp that escaped her, her skin paling or perhaps that was just the campfires light on her.
"I was not expecting that." She admitted. "I won't ask until you are ready to share. But I must still ask, if you knew what you were getting into, if you knew everything that this duty entailed, would you have still gone through with it?"
"Yes." He answered instantly, a small smile on his face. "I remember what a veteran from my time taught me. Sure, there will be painful and sad things down the road but it will never be a lonely journey." His smile seemed to grow as he locked eyes with Berserker. "After all, I am talking to you."
A small amount of red covered Berserker's face as she smiled. "Yes, indeed you are. I feel like I have a better understanding of you now, Ritsuka. Perhaps we are more similar then I first thought..." She trailed off as the colour vanished from her cheeks like they were just an illusion from the flames. "I will not lie to you, I thought you were a reckless fool trying to be a hero. Now I see that you are someone thrust into your position by an unfair fate. For that you have my sympathies."
"Something tells me I'll be seen as a fool again in the future so it's fine." The young man said with a smile. "Actually, when you said we are similar, what do you mean?"
Once more a frown emerged on Berserker's visage, her face falling ever so slightly. "Like yourself, I was the only one left to become emperor. Everyone I knew in my family either died early or became powerless due to the machinations of those both within the empire and those who saw an opening to abuse. Those topics may be a tad to heavy tonight so I will cut them short." She said, as Ritsuka paled as his eyes began to water slightly. "It is also due to our drives that I see a similarity. We both had to struggle to become who we are. I truly believe that hard work is what makes a person suitable and I can see that within yourself.
"I see well thank you." Ritsuka gave a small yawn as he stretched slightly. A blush quickly overcame him as he began to stammer in embarrassment. Berserker gave a soft laugh in response, joy reaching her eyes again.
"I do apologise for keeping you up for so long, I suggest you get some rest."
"Yeah, I'll do just that. Thanks Berserker."
"Edelgard." Ritsuka paused in standing up as he looked back at the smiling emperor. "My true name. Edelgard von Hrsevelg."
-Line Break-
"So this is Camelot. It is more beautiful then I expected." Edelgard said as she and the Black Eagles made their way into the city. Their objective was simple, split up from Ritsuka and his team and do as much damage to the city as possible. Be it knights, unknown forces, the city itself or Servants, they would do as asked to make it easier for the young Master.
"Indeed Lady Edelgard." Hubert spoke, inspecting the area with a calculating eye as he sniped foes with dark magic, their bodies burning with pain as they dropped. "A shame it is only a mere model of the real thing."
"I dunno, I kind of like it." A red glyph formed in front of Linhardt as he launched blades of wind at several golems. "It's the secrets of the city that interest me more than anything. The idea of what else this city is hiding, well I suppose my nap time will have to be interrupted."
"Your thoughts Bernadetta?" Edelgard asked as she felled a giant bronze statue, it's green skin standing out in the middle of the city.
"I'm... not sure." The young woman admitted as her arrows pierced through some soldiers. "Something about it... Maybe it's what they are planning to do to the people that terrifies me. It just feels... kind of wrong."
"Perhaps you are right. It feels almost too perfect. Regardless of our thoughts on this city, let us stick with the plan. Let us cut our way through to the castle and meet up with Ritsuka's team as soon as possible."
As the team voiced their agreement, a certain smell caught their attention, one of burning metal. "Oh no. Not her again." Bernadetta whispered.
"Everyone move!" At Edelgard's order, the group dove to the left as an entire row of buildings were destroyed by a beam of crimson lightning.
Where houses once stood was nothing but a trench as pitch black smoke rose into the air. Stones turned red hot as they partially melted, leaving sludge as their remains. Soldiers and golems caught in the attack turned were nothing but dust that fell slowly too the ground. "Damn and here I thought I found the Master. I wanted to pay that Archer back for last time, but I guess I can deal with you weaklings again." Out from the wreckage Mordred emerged, her sword over her shoulders as a large smirk was on her face. "How did you survive anyway? I was certain I killed you."
"The fact that you did not come after me as I was carried away was your own mistake. In fact, it was the second worst mistake you could have made."
"Oh yeah? What was the first?"
"Killing those who are apart of the Black Eagles," Edelgard said before lunging, her Aymr ready to slice her in half. Mordred lowered her sword to her side as she jumped back, avoiding the slash that split part of the ground in two.
"Oi, you lot. Go and fight the other intruders! These ones are mine," Mordred yelled as she hurled Clarent at the emperor who barely dodged it with a sharp turn. As she turned to face the knight again, Edelgard was quickly sucker punched by Mordred, knocking her back. The remaining knights scattered, some due to Mordred's orders while others to avoid the launched Berserker.
"Your Majesty!" Hubert shouted, glyph already forming under his feet as he unleashed black lances in the sky above to impale his foe who rolled past them to retrieve her sword. Arrows were ignored as blades of wind were nullified as Mordred continued her pursuit. Shaking off the blow, Edelgard sidestepped a stab and countered with low slice to the chest.
As the attack connected, a symbol that resembled flames flashed quickly in front of the Berserker as Mordred felt energy leave her body. "What?" She questioned as she went for another punch with her free hand. The symbol emerged and disappeared just as quickly as the knight's hand froze in midair. "What?!"
"It's over." Edelgard said, her ax coming closer to Mordred's neck. The knight's instincts screamed at her as she ducked, the blade catching the ends of her ponytail, before rolling away from Edelgard.
"What kind of bullshit magic was that?!" Mordred yelled. "You steal my energy and then stop my attack?" Lightning emerged around her as her sword became engulfed in electricity yet again. "I should have done this from he start instead of playing around!" As she held up her sword, magic slammed into her as a flurry of wind blades bit against her armour. They were quickly joined by an onslaught of arrows that did little but annoy as the dark lances slammed into her shoulders.
Slowly the damage was adding up as Linhardt's Excalibur spell combined with Hubert's Dark Spikes T just barely made it past Mordred's Magic Resistance, wrecking her concentration. Taking advantage of the distraction, Edelgard took action. "I ask of you to aid the Empire in its time for it needs your aid. Take flight, Black Eagles!" She yelled activating her own Noble Phantasm.
Light blue, almost transparent, squares appeared around the city, close to where Edelgard was standing. One by one, different figures emerged from them, weapons at ready. "I thank you for answering my call. Before most of you did not see the need to answer and I understand. However, times have changed and we have new allies to protect. Now, let us end this Singularity!" With a shout of agreement, her summoned forces stepped off the disappearing squares and proceeded to the fight.
"Oh no you fucking don't!" Mordred shouted, canceling her Noble Phantasm as she rolled away from a volley of spells and arrows. Her instincts screamed out as a dark knight wielding a scythe rode up on horseback. "Shit!"
Barely dodging the first swing, she countered the scythe with Clarent before breaking away to dodge a blond colossus of a man swinging his fists. Quickly stabbing the man, Mordred kicked him away into another salvo of arrows. Ignoring the man turning into dust, the knight blocked another scythe slice as more horseman and a swordsman attacked.
"Clarent Blood Arthur!" Tapping into her king's gift, Rampage, Mordred unleashed her Noble Phantasm again. The beam of lightning rushed into the incoming forces disintegrating them in an instant. Before being able to take a breath, a woman riding a Pegasus swooped down on her.
Diving to the ground to avoid another attack, Mordred quickly blocked another ax strike from Edelgard as once again joined the battle. "Give me a chance to breathe for fucks sake!" Mordred yelled before feeling her instincts act up again. Taking her eyes off the fight for a second, she noticed something hurtling towards her from above. "You have to be kidding me, a fucking meteor!?"
Her soul burned in agony again as she called upon her swords power. Lightning struck true as it destroyed the incoming hunk of space rock, shattering it into pieces. Mordred staggered slightly, her energy drained and unable to avoid Edelgard's ax slashing at her back. Fragments of Aymr fell as the ax slowly began to shatter.
Backing off from the fallen knight, Edelgard swung at the air before running forward. "It is time to end this," she said as she slammed her ax into the ground, launching herself and it into a flip.
"Yeah... for you!" Mordred called out as she got to her feet warily. Lightning began to surround her before being disrupted as something grabbed her arm. "What?" She questioned as she looked down. Around her arm was a cord with segmented blades attached. "A whip sword?"
"Thank you professor!" Edelgard called out, pride engulfing her at the thought that her beloved teacher was here by her side. Another symbol appeared behind her, this one looking like a stylised leaf, granting her more strength and allowing Aymr to slice through Mordred's skull with ease. As the emperor landed, the false relic's handle snapped off from the blade leaving a broken weapon in her hand. "Truly a shame. I was hoping to rely on it more." Dropping the handle as it vanished from existence, Edelgard stared at the vanishing Mordred before looking to her professor, who simply smiled before turning to the castle.
"Like always, you don't need words to talk to me," Edelgard said with a small smile of her own. Her heart jumped slightly at her teacher coming to her aid but now was not the time to focus on that, for there was a battle to be won. "Now the final fight begins. Black Eagles, let us move out. For Chaldea." And for the world.
-END-
So yes, I have returned to write once again. The reason I stopped to put simply was illness. I'll leave it at that as I don't feel comfortable explaining it. I wanted to come back several times but I just wasn't able to. Anyway, enough of that.
Let's see now. Ah yes, Edelgard. This is obviously Crimson Flower Edelgard. Though due to what we now know of Fate, it's likely versions based off of Azure Moon and Verdant Winds could be summoned. I'm not sure what else to mention here for now. If I get questions I'll do my best to explain them.
As for why post under a new story instead of the original Broken Grail, well that is simple. Looking back, I feel I could do a lot better than what I have done so in the past. I feel I have slightly improved and while I do not see it as an old shame, I feel like I need to start fresh. Another reason is due to how outdated some of the stuff now is, especially in regards to Beast Servants. At the time, we only knew of the original Beast VI and now more of them show up every day with new information. Oh speaking of information, Ritsuka's history is based off of ideas from the First Order booklet, the Turas:Réalta manga and the Veteran short piece from the Solomon film.
There will be one more chapter for the original which will be dialogue lines. Oh yeah we are doing that now.
Massive thanks to Starlight AT for helping me out with ideas in this story, mostly in regards to changing a few lines and giving advice on Byleth (I'll leave it up to the readers to decide the gender).
With that said, I can't think if anything left to say. So thank you for reading and please review.
Edelgard von Hresvelg (Berserker) (Fire Emblem)
Titles: Flame Emperor, Emperor of the Adrestian Empire
Sex: Female
Height/Weight: Unknown
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Strength: A
Endurance: B
Mana:B
Luck: D
Agility: D
Class Skills:
Madness Enhancement: E-
The class skill that denotes that one is a Berserker, raising basic parameters and strengthens one's physical abilities in exchange of hindering one's mental capacity and/or in exchange for their sense of reason.
Due to their strong bond with their professor, Berserker has kept their sense of reason and has not become a tyrant. However, if their professor summoned by Black Eagles "Crimson Flower" is slain or Edelgard Hegemon "Husk of a Dominating Leader" is activated, then her sense of reason is lost and this skill becomes stronger. No benefits are gained unless the professor is lost.
Magic Resistance: C
Grants protection against magical effects. Different from the regular resistance effect that just rejects magical energy, this one outright cancels spells.
Cancels spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against magecraft on the level of Greater magecraft or divine rituals.
Personal Skills:
Twin Crests of Seiros and Flame: A
A skill that represents that the user has two Crests of Fodlan and can access their powers.
In Fodlan, there are certain Crests that were said to be gifts from great heroes, saints and even the divine. Each Crest grants the user a power that emerges when the Crest activates and has two different versions, a Major Crest which grants immense power and a Minor Crest that while weaker is just as potent. In Berserker's unique case, she has two due to be experimented on as a child.
Her two Crests are a minor Crest of Seiros which grants greater power when one performs a special technique with a weapon, while the other is the Crest of Flames which can allow the user to drain life force from a foe, can increase one's attack strength and can prevent the opponent from counterattacking.
Imperial Privilege: A
A skill that due to the insistence of the owner, Skills that are essentially impossible to possess can be obtained for a short period of time. In cases where the rank is A or above, even the 'burden to a body' can be acquired.
As the Emperor of the Adrestian Empire, it is expected for one to have many skills such as swordsmanship, charisma and military tactics among others. Stepping onto the battle field also allows the use of battle continuation as well disengage among others. So long as Berserker has goals to achieve, she will make use of anything she can think of to complete it.
Unifying the Country by Force: A
A version of innovation possessed by Berserker. It is a conceptual revolution of replacing the old with the new.
Due to Berserker's desire to see the church of her continent overthrown, due to the false gods that reside their, as well as removing Those Who Slither in the Dark who have their own grasp on the world, Berserker gains access to this skill. So long as one has a high Mystery or Divinity, Berserker will not allow them to achieve control over her or her continent.
Noble Phantasms:
Black Eagles "Crimson Flower": A
Berserker's class and friends from when she was a student until she was emperor of her home nation. By activating this Noble Phantasm, she summons them to fight under her banner. Each one summoned is as strong as a Servant but any Noble Phantasm they would have would be weakened. The more that are called upon, the more magical energy it would cost to support them.
Only those who have fought under Berserker during the war of Fodlan can be summoned via this Noble Phantasm. If someone was only briefly a member than they can not be called upon. Members of this Noble Phantasm can choose to be summoned. If they disagree with Berserker's ideals, then they can decline the summon.
Aymr "Crest Stone Weapon, False Relic": C
A replica of Heroes' Relic created for Berserker's personal use. Crafted from the bones of a dragon and a heart of one implanted to grant it more power, this weapon takes the form of an ax. Despite it's name, it is not considered a true Heroes' Relic but a Crest Stone Weapon. In Berserker's hands, a technique known as Raging Storm can be used.
Rather unusually for a Weapon Noble Phantasm, Aymr can be broken if used too much or any special techniques are performed while wielding it. While the weapon can be repaired, it takes time to do so. Though that time can be shortened if certain materials are used to repair it. While anyone can use the weapon if taken or given to them by Berserker, with out a skill that involves a Crest, they will be harmed each time they use it. If this continues they will transform into a Demonic Beast.
Edelgard Hegemon "Husk of a Dominating Leader": A
A transformation caused by Berserker's desperation. In this form, Berserker becomes what could only be described as a Demonic Beast with long limbs and what could only be described as a draconic or plant-like exoskeleton. In this from, all of Berserker's parameters go up except for Luck which drops considerably. All Personal Skills and Noble Phantasms are sealed except for Twin Crests of Seiros and Flame which becomes even stronger Berserker to attack far faster than before.
Skills and Noble Phantasms that are effective Demonic Beasts or Monsters will not be as effective against her. If Berserker is on the verge of death in his form, her attacks become stronger and even faster than before. Madness Enhancement comes into effect in this form increasing her abilities even more at the cost of being unable to tell friend from foe.
In her time, Berserker never had access to such an ability. However, due to the branching paths that one went down, this transformation came into being when an Azure Moon shone brightly. It is only due to the Throne of Heroes that this incarnation of Berserker has access to this Noble Phantasm.
Edelgard dialogue
Summoning: I am Edelgard von Hresvelg, Servant Berserker and emperor of the Adrestian Empire. Whatever foes you have will be my own and vice versa. Let us begin.
Dialogue 1: We will have to end our break here for an emperor must continue to move forward. Let us continue our work.
Dialogue 2: Master and Servant relation? What of it? As an emperor I cannot bow my head to anyone. So let this instead be a partnership of equals, so long as we go down the same road together.
Dialogue 3: This sort of connection to someone. It's different than anything I have experienced before. It will take time for me to get used to it so forgive me for not calling you Master just yet.
Dialogue 4 (If you have Artoria Lancer): The Lion King of Camelot. Though I have my own regards towards you, I see the levity of your actions and your wishes. Please remember those who fought alongside you, the proud knights who remain loyal to you in some form. Oh? You aren't the same? Hrm...it seems being a servant is more complex than I thought. You have my apologies. But I shall not take back my words about your knights. ...I see. I am glad you feel strongly for them.
Dialogue 5 (If you have Nero or Nero Bride): It appears another emperor has joined us. It is nice to meet you, emperor of Rome. Pardon? You wish for me to dance with you? I believe I have the time to partake in a short one. Very well, let us begin.
Dialogue 6 (If you have Caligula): Emperor Caligula... He is a hard man to understand. It truly is a shame what that goddess did to him. What's that? It's a mutual love? Hmm, I wonder.
Dialogue 7 (If you have Waver): He reminds me of my own professor. Yet there is something missing. Perhaps it is the ability to draw someone in through words alone. Regardless, I would be interested in sitting in on one of his lectures.
Dialogue 8 (If you have a Servant with Divine or Divine Spirit trait): I apologise in advance but I can not trust them. Gods are nothing but fickle and cruel beings who merely manipulate others. I shall work with them if I must but if one of mine is harmed, I will not hesitate to end them.
Dialogue 9 (If you have a Servant with Divine and Dragon traits): This presence... Seiros? No, it is similar but they aren't her... I ask that you keep a close eye on them, most Divine Dragons are not to be trusted.
Likes: My likes? I am rather partial to Bergamot tea. Having a cup of that while staring at beautiful scenery... There is little that is more breathtaking than that.
Dislikes: Rats. I apologise but I can not go near them and their sound... Please be sure to get rid of any that dare appear in our headquarters.
About the Holy Grail: I have already achieved my goals without the use of a wishing device so I have no need for it. What use could there be in just being granted whatever you need instead of working towards it?
Birthday: It's your birthday is it not? I wish you a truly happy day. Would you care to join me for some tea and desserts? It shall be my treat.
During an Event: There appears to be an air of levity over us as of late. Shall we go take a look?
Bond 1: I'm surprised you've come to speak with me. If I had known ahead of time, I would have had something prepared for you.
Bond 2: You seem surprised to see me alone. Oh you were wondering where the other Black Eagles are. I do not wish to drain Chaldea or yourself of too much mana so I shall endeavour to not use them here. Unless of course I or someone else require their aid. On the battlefield however, I will make sure my friends join us in our battles, for we may need their aid to advance.
Bond 3: Edelgard Hegemon. I will not lie, it is something I considered in the past as a last ditch attack. The binds I had made however convinced me otherwise, and for that I am glad. It would have been far too dangerous to use. And yet, it exists here now. I wonder why.
Bond 4: The War for Fodlan. In my time, the Ardestian Empire were successful in removing the church from power and eliminating Those Who Slither in the Dark. We were victorious despite the large amounts of losses we faced. However, a part of me wonders what would have happened if they worked with someone else. I probably would have turned into a true monster in that case. Oh forgive me, I was just talking out loud.
Bond 5: To think that I may truly call you my partner and equal now... From now on, we walk this path together. Whatever comes our way, we shall handle it together. That is how much you mean to me. You, and the light that is your heart.
Ascension 1: So this is the power of Ascension. How strange the power of a Master is.
Ascension 2: I definitely feel stronger and yet, I don't think we have reached it's full potential yet.
Ascension 3: Each milestone informs the next. I believe there is still more to be unlocked however. So let's try to reach even greater heights.
Ascension 4: This is the full potential of the emperor of Adrestia. I thank you for helping me reach it. Now, let us continue down wherever this road leads us until our ambitions are finally complete.
