The sound of clashing weapons were resounded all over from the battlefield of Gaul. Nexus and the expeditions made their way through towards the United Empire's front lines. Everyone, was sweeping, bashing, exploding, swerving, and bulldozing from a giant mount (just to let you know who they are in detail) the enemies through.
"Spartacus and I will take lead! Go with Nero to take the enemy's main camp." Boudica advised taking out the enemy forces and Spartacus slashing relentlessly at the soldiers laughing maniacally.
"Hahahaha. Wonderful. Everything is here. Hundreds and thousands of oppressor's evil agents. Now is the time to sing our victory. My warcry shall signify the beginning of our triumph."
"You can say that after we defeated the United Empire, Spartacus! And don't just chase at the enemies just stick to the position!" Nexus shouted afar trying to get him into formation.
"Umu, I'm counting, Boudica. In a lot of ways." Nero said going back to Nexus' teams, "The time has come to defeat one of the "emperors." Let us take back Gaul from the false emperor! Come, Mash, Nexus!"
"Right. Master!"
"Advance! We're going at the main forces!" Nexus gave his orders with everyone advances with him charging through the front lines to the main where their objective is to take one of the "emperors" down for Rome to liberate Gaul.
Nexus advances through the United Empire soldiers with him, Mash, Saber Alter, and Jeanne to the front lines along with Nero. Martha, Caster, and Medusa on the rears for covering fire and the long lavender-haired woman to kill any stray units or counter arrows within the premises. As they continue to advance, Nexus could detect a new type of enemy that is a massive creature with an embodiment of rocks with red hollow eyes.
"Well, it's not every day you get to witness a rock monster in the Roman era." Nexus said dryly.
"What kind of enemy is that?" Mash asked noticing the rock creature.
"Well for one, it ain't human. And two, it was probably materialized into some form of magical creature."
"Could it be a work of a Servant, a mage, or was it Lev Lynor?" Roman asked wondering how that golem was created from.
"Stop daydreaming! We're charging into the enemy's main camp!" Nero shouts not to hesitate in mid-battle for questioning as they advance towards forces of golems and soldiers ahead.
"Let's see if they could have a taste of their own medicine." as the black-haired shifts into earth forming his arm into stone speeding through the first golem he sees and pulverizes through its chest flying to the other soldiers behind it. He back kicks another one and then stomps the ground creating a ripple from the surface in a tremor launching the golems and soldiers up in the air. Nexus then shifts his eyes into cyan as he spins his body with a tornado kick projecting a transparent razor wind at them returning to his neutral stance as all of them were cut into two parts. All stones and body parts were scattered and blood were spilled within it as Nexus sees the others smashing through more golems on the way and he advances.
Once they made it through, they were greeted by someone who was patiently standing there.
"I suppose that you'd be one of these "emperors", perhaps?" the black-haired man asked to the man with a plump round body with a chubby face and green eyes wearing a red attire and golden armor covering around his round stomach that holds a cross-shaped golden sword. From the expedition, they were informed that an emperor named "Caesar" was leading Gaul.
"To think there'd be an armor fit for that size, huh…" Nexus commented.
"So you came." the fat man said, "I've grown tired of waiting. How long do you intend to keep me waiting?"
"I don't know. Maybe if you were bored of waiting then you could've at least move if you wanted to fight." Nexus responded dryly.
"True, I would like to move for a bit but it seems a pain to me. Well whatever, it was worth my time after all. But I should say…" Caesar peers into the future emperor after him that he will be facing and was admired by her beauty fit to Rome. "Heir to our beloved Rome. What say your name was?" he asked to Nero falling gazing downwards.
"Do not fall silent, you should be eloquent even in battle. Or do you intend to fight without knowing your name? Is that the Roman way of the current emperor?"
"Nero. I am the fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire." Nero introduces herself keeping her composure before declaring on facing the past emperors before her, "And I will take you on pretender!"
"Wonderful announcement. It would've been so dull if otherwise." as Caesar directs towards Nexus's group, "You, guest commander far from the distant land. Tell me your names as well."
"I would. But you do realize that you got some plumpness in you, right?" he inquired to the fat emperor.
"Of course, Rome is the pinnacle of civilization and gourmet food. Plumpness is power!" Caesar admits proud with his appearance of his body. "Look at the fifth emperor, she's plump in all the right places. Although inferior to my woman, Cleopatra, but that's fine."
"…Mmm, you sure soften a woman's heart naturally for a mystery man." Nero blushed, "But I am no woman. I am an emperor and a young maiden! Your words fail to strike a chord in my heart, rotund man!"
"It's probably didn't struck a chord cause that's more like sexual harassment." Nexus retorts but there is no denial that Nero is well endowed despite her shortness.
"Um can we go back to business?" Roman said giving their attention.
"There's something I want to ask you. About the United Empire and the Holy Grail." Mash speaks up to round emperor giving his attention.
"Oh? Then, um, what's your name over there…"
"Nexus."
"I see so you're the "Master", huh? So this is Master and Servant. You seem very different from the one I know. Or are you the proper one?"
"That depends on whose Master you're serving to. Mind telling us a name?" Nexus requests although he doubts that he would actually give them the name.
"Unfortunately, I've been contracted to keep his name hidden. But perhaps I will reward you for this along to witness the power of my golden sword, Crocea Mors." Caesar lifts up his golden crossed sword pointing towards them.
"Don't say that!" Nero shouted abruptly, "Gold is my color! The one who built the Golden Theater!"
"That's what you're angry about?" Nexus asked exasperatedly fretting over some color. I guess kings can be selfish in such trivial things.
"Very well. Come forth. The die has been cast!" the fat man charges forth.
(I'll just skip into this cause it's a pain to come up with this battle scenery.)
"How could a fine general like me be on the front lines in the first place as the "best man for the job."?" the enemy emperor said with deject defeated by them.
"How can you even say that wielding such a devastating sword…" Mash said in disbelief.
"Probably because it wasn't meant to be written for that matter." Nexus mumbled to himself.
"Such a monster… and I thought he was just a fake emperor…" Nero joins in.
"Are you sure? So far from what I saw using that sword was a lot of slashing. Not sure if you could call that a monster but whatever." the black-haired shook his head.
"No, you're wrong, Nero Claudius. I'm still an emperor, though no such title existed." he responds admitting not to be deserved by such praise, "In response to your beauty and courage, I shall tell you my name for I am Caesar. Gaius Julius Caesar."
"Wh-What? How? You were supposed to be dead…" Nero said in disbelief.
"I presume that you've met Caligula, then you should be aware of it. We are both "genuine". For that I admire your courage, strength, and beauty. Therefore, I shall tell you one thing. The Holy Grail you're looking for in is in the castle of the United Empire. More precisely, in the hands of our Court Mage." Caesar gave out the location but still didn't gave the mage's name. "Emperor Nero, I never wished to weigh on your burdens. But I do have my reason for getting that Grail. Therefore…" he grips the sword upright to his face, "I would need to get more serious."
""Serious?"" Nero shocked as Nexus could see Caesar's magical energy increasing altering his Saint Graph. Now he has a giant stone around his left arm as they all prepare themselves.
(Skipping again…)
"Did we…get him?" Nero said this to make sure he is in no condition to fight anymore.
"Yeah, it's getting weaker. He won't be able to put a muscle into it any more." Nexus answered seeing the energy getting a weak reading, "Or maybe the chance to roll himself."
"Well I didn't want to act like a soldier anyway. I was helpless against his weirdness."
""His"" Nero asked wondering what or who Caesar is referring to.
"Yes, the true emperor of this era. He's surely awaiting your arrival in the capital. I'm no emperor to be exact, but the others couldn't stand up to him. I wonder how you'll react…" he said his part as his disperses into golden dusts.
"He's gone…what's this…is this some sort of magecraft or…" Nero was confused about witnessing a person disappearing into light. Not the kind of death a historical person would witness something that is plausible to them.
"This is what happens when Servants die." Nexus told the red emperor, "As they're in no condition to fight or live. Their body dissipates and goes back to the Throne as their afterlife.
"I see… I made you personally kill the once great ruler Caesar." Nero looked down in a dejected look to kill someone that was an emperor.
"There's no need for you to take the guilt yourself. He was an enemy. It'd be pointless to convince him. Besides, you didn't made the order to kill me. That was my own choice." Nexus assured her not regretting of what he did. If there was anyone who stand in his way whether they're relevant to him or not. It is irrelevant and unavoidable that needs to be done.
"Is that so…Well, if you say so then I must commend you for defeating the "emperor."" Nero said regaining her composure that her forces have now liberated Gaul under the United Empire, "Now that Gaul is under my command. We have shown the United Empire what we can do! I will bring back Rome into my hands! I cannot stop now!"
"…So Caesar was defeated." the voice said of a shadowy figure speaking to a rather familiar green-suited man that looks like a pine tree none other than Lev himself.
"Yes it seems that way." Lev gave his response to the voice, "He only had a wish for the Grail from his existence. So it wasn't a problem. I can summon plenty of Servants."
"Even if that is true. Will it be enough to contaminate him?"
"Berserker? Hardly. Ever since he disobeyed my orders. I only gave him obedience that he would solely kill on his niece. It's ironic that legendary heroes could turn out to be familiars. Talk about irony." Lev then suddenly cleared his throat regaining his composure, "Oh sorry. I forgot that you're also a Servant."
"Yes. But I must ask, I didn't meant about Berserker. I'm referring to the other one. The last Master that you spoke of?"
"Oh him? There's no need for you to be concerned about him. Persistent as he is, nothing would matter as long as you're here. You're reason to exist is the annihilation of this era and all of humanity. That is my duty bestowed upon me by our king."
The figure slowly nods its head in confirmation, "Yes, it will be done…"
"Well then time to replenish our lost personnel. The summoning is almost finished cause I can now summon them at will." Lev gave his magical energy into the circle with a light of pillar coming out revealing to be a muscular man wearing a Spartan helmet that carries a lance and shield.
"Servant, Lancer. True Name, Leonidas. I will serve you from here on."
"That traveler we passed yesterday said the same thing." Nero said with concern as they were on their way back to Rome, "That "an ancient god has appeared." Could it be true?"
"This is the fourth time we heard about it and no one seems to be lying." Mash said, "It's very specific for a rumor that an ancient god appeared on an island in the Mediterranean."
"If he said "ancient god" it sounds quite interesting. Supposedly, Divine Spirits returned to the land once more!" Roman said excitedly.
"Divine Spirit? You mean entities that possess god-like powers?" Nexus asked.
"Yes, they're mentioned in many legends or symbols of authority. They're what you call gods but we refer to them as Divine Spirits. Unlike Medusa and Caster there, they have divinity in them so you could call them as "Divine Spirits"." Roman explained.
"So as they have divinity in them they could still be Divine Spirits, huh…" Nexus mused looking at Medusa and Caster.
"Although, Divine Spirits can't materialize as a Servant. Even if technology advanced through True Magic, it's disadvantageous. But not entirely impossible, theoretically."
"So what you're is this "god" they're talking about isn't a god at all?" Nexus asked to the doctor.
"It's probably not a god from somewhere. The probability to materialize a Divine Spirit is quite low. It'd probably be a one in a million chance if it fell from its throne which is unlikely."
"This is pointless. If it's on our minds so much, then fine!" Nero retorts, "We're facing the Mediterranean Sea so it would be a good idea to verify." she decides.
"Don't you need to go back to Rome?" the black-haired magus asked to the red emperor that peaks her curiosity to find some "god" of sorts.
"It is more concerning if the United Empire's "emperors" take possession of that god then we'd have more troubling matters that I cannot allow. Also it'd be amusing to witness an ancient god."
"I see, your majesty's words are reasonable. As guest commanders, we'd be happy to accompany you."
"You're enjoying this aren't you, Roman?" Nexus chuckled in amusement.
"Th-That's because I can't hide my overflowing curiosity as a researcher." Roman protest not to reveal on his true intentions.
As the others were looking at him doubtfully Nexus notices Nero going quiet for a moment with that same face. He sighed under his breath that there wasn't any change from her after liberating Gaul to which she'd be grateful for. But that face he's seeing explains otherwise.
"Is there something wrong, Nero?" he asked to the emperor getting her attention. Although he doubt that she would just give up a straight answer to what's bothering her.
"Hmm? Oh, no, I've decided. A triumphant return from the might not be so bad!" she said bringing back to her prideful self, "Then, we'll continue our journey back through the sea. I'm rather tired traveling on land!"
She tried to make herself look tough but it's obvious that the young black-haired man could see through her. 'Guess this explains why Boudica would be concerned of her…'
Nexus and Mash were conversing with Boudica. He told the other Servants that they could get some rest and spare some of their time for themselves. Part of it was true that he did want his Servants to rest but also not to bring up too much attention nor suspicion from a group conversation that could be noticeable to the people's eyes.
"I wanted to have a talk with you. It's about Nero." Boudica said.
"Is it about that time when she spaces out?" Nexus guessed.
"So you noticed too, huh? Then that makes it simpler to talk about." Boudica continued, "She was always like this ever since the United Empire came. I could be imagining, but when it happens, I feel a slight trace of magical energy. She is a human from this era, not a mage. But I could still feel it."
'Magical energy?' he thought recalling from the past battle with Caesar, 'Come to think of it, I could sense a small trace of magical energy coming from her. Could it be the reason how she could take on a Servant despite being human? If that was the case she wouldn't have problems. Wait, it'd probably be some side effects to a human in this era. Could it be fluctuation?' he was thinking over how the mana is running through her. She said that it'd happen when the United Empire appeared. The possibility he could think of was either the Singularity that could shift on the people and environment or the Holy Grail triggering.
"I asked her about it, but she doesn't feel it at all."
"If she wasn't, she would have never been spaced out in the first place." he said.
"Yes, that's why I want to ask you to keep an eye on her. Spartacus and I need to protect this place as governors of Gaul. I'd like to rely on you all."
"You sure that you'd promote Spartacus as a governor?" Nexus asked in concern, "I mean, he is a Berserker after all. But it's also surprising for you to be concerned about her."
"It's not something I'd do personally. But it'd be a problem if this goes on. She's the symbol of this, if something happens to her, then the war would be lost. I just don't to lose another war, that's all."
Nexus nods knowingly, "Fair enough, we'll be sure to keep watch over her."
"Thank you. In that case, do you still have time, Mash?" she asked making Mash getting into an awkward situation.
"Before you leave, I will teach you the best of Britannia cuisine!
"N-No, that's-" Mash was trying to make an excuse but was too overwhelmed by her generous love doting on her.
"You're so cute. You should should start training to be a bride. Come here! Come here!" as Boudica pulls Mash's head into her cleavage hugging and patting her head. "There, there. Good girl, good girl." she cooed happy that Mash was grown to a fine lady and such.
"Senpai" Mash muffled for help but he gave her a salute.
'Well good luck.' Nexus gestured dryly not even going to help her from the red-haired woman's suffocation until she finally releases the lilac-haired girl to catch her breath.
"Now it's your turn." Boudica looks at Nexus spreading her arms out, "Now, embrace your older sister's arms so I can hold you."
He stood there silent looking at her gentle smile that there was no hostility to her, only sentimental love for the woman wanting to treat someone as their own child. Nexus lowered his head letting a small smile before answering.
"No, I don't need it." he declined politely.
"Don't be shy, just come into your sister's arms."
"No, it's unnecessary. You don't need to trouble yourself." he answered turned and walks away.
"You don't want a hug?" she said with a somber tone that looked at him with sad eyes concerned by his straightforward dismissal of hugging.
"I don't even need a hug. It's a hassle. Bye now." he casually waved his hands with his farewell leaving the camp with his Servants.
"Don't…push yourself too hard." Boudica said to those words making him stop his tracks for a moment.
"Honestly, I don't know anything about you. I don't know why you're like this. Nor do I know what you've gone through. However, I do know one thing…" she looks up at Nexus as he wasn't even turning his head to look at her as her clenching her hands together, "You're carrying a lot of sadness inside of you. I don't know how you could carry that much in you. Just remember, please don't push yourself. You shouldn't worry someone that are precious to you.."
He stood silent for a moment processing those words for a while and closed his eyes but didn't look back at her.
"Did Mash say all of that to you?"
"No, not at all. Call it a sister's intuition."
He chuckled from that retort, "Sister's intuition? How should I know that such a thing if I never had one." she stood silent not knowing if he was joking or not. But she wouldn't take it as a joke like that,
"Take care of yourself." those were the only words he brought out to the caring woman continues to walks away..
It could be cruel for someone to reject something that is out of goodwill but he decides not to accept any of it whether it was out of pity or just because they want to. If it was first, he would strongly reject that. He doesn't want someone like her to get too involved in his situation to treat him like family. It'll just make things even more complicated for him.
"Senpai…" Mash looked at him with concern.
"Anyway, she's still human. It could be some enhancements. But I wouldn't say so. If you get enhancements, you would need someone from the outside force to support you with that kind of ability or they could be self-sufficient that those kinds of skills. For the latter, it would be doubting to Nero since she's human in this era. "All in all, there's not much evidence to support this."
"That's true…she does have a potential for a mage but there's not enough to support it." Roman said.
"All right, it's settled! We must first hurry and procure a ship!" Nero decides making their way toward the Mediterranean Sea and securing a ship.
"Umu, that was some nice wind! It was the most aggressive voyage ever!" Nero exclaimed proudly spreading her arms out feeling the sea breeze they have arrived hitting at her face while all the others with a few exceptions walking on sand groggily.
"Thank goodness my semicircular canals were enhanced." Mash groaned still feeling the motion of that ride, "If I weren't a Demi-Servant…I'm not going to go there." as she is too sick to put too much detail into it.
"Ugh, I don't feel good, I think I'm gonna-urgh" Caster groaned looking away vomiting all of those ingestions from the constant waves of motion of the boat.
"It seems that we somehow managed to survive…" Jeanne mumbled that she is seemingly alright but still shows signs of exhaustion clenching the banner to keep her steady, "It seems that this emperor knows how to sail but her method was a bit… overwhelming…"
"You guys seem to have gone through an ordeal. I could tell by your vitals." the doctor said worryingly checking their vitals, "But Nexus and the Riders are all green. How are you people stabilized from such an ordain trip back there."
"Oh, I'm used to riding on rowdy waves on my travels. I had to adapt eventually." Nexus answered casually saying like it's no problem at all.
"Please, if we were sick from those ships before, we would've never been considered as Riders. Tarasque wasn't much of a handle than this." Martha huffed flipping her hair out.
"I've been accustomed into these situations and I don't think there seems to be a problem at all." Medusa answered flatly like riding the constant swaying motion of the ship was no problem at all.
"I don't get why the three of you think that it's natural for you but I guess that's how Riders are and I didn't expect that Nexus was tolerant enough." Roman said with exasperation, "Since the emperor took the wheel herself, I thought she had impeccable skills. Wait maybe it is. The ship's still standing after such a rocky journey. It leapt through waves and drifted some turns. It's amazing when you think about it. Just what you'd expect of the emperor…"
"You're exaggerating, Roman." Nexus retorts with a deadpanned face.
"Hahaha, well at least you landed safely on the rumored island." Roman laughed, "You should start looking for this ancient god-" before he could finish his sentence, Nexus caught a presence from a distance.
"Someone's coming." as everyone prep themselves for battle.
"Another enemy attack? Is this island also under the United Empire?"
"I can tell that it's a Servant but much more different. Probably similar to Medusa and Caster." Nexus answered knowingly.
"Wait, what? If that's the case, then could it-" Roman was about to say something until a young female voice comes in.
"Yes, that's right. I'm not a "normal" Servant." the voice said making Medusa chilled down to her spine hearing a young, mature like voice that could entrap on someone that is not in a good way.
Nexus notice that the long lavender-haired girl was shaking and her face growing pale. "Is there something wrong? You look like you were traumatized of something. Do you know who it is?"
"Y-Yes, i-i-i-it seems th-th-that I happen to know that voice very much." she stammered as her body starts shivering as she witnessed the person coming towards them revealing to be a young pale-skinned girl with lavender hair tied into twin-tails wearing a long open shouldered dress with long frills exposed to her left leg and a headdress with two black ribbons on each end.
"Good day heroes, welcome to my humble, temporary home for this era, the "Shaped" Isle." she greeted to the group opening her pale lavender eyes.
"Oh my, it seems that there are Servants in your group. Although, I was waiting for human heroes. But to think that you'd be here out of all places, Medusa." she looked at the lavender-haired Rider who was standing quiet.
"…Elder sister" she said quietly.
"Sister?" Mash said confusingly.
"Sister? Wait does that mean that she's-" Roman starts.
"Yes, I am one of the three Gorgon Sisters. The eldest one, Stheno." the girl Stheno introduces herself, "And I see that you have contracted my younger sister there."
She giggles from saying that, "I wonder…since you happened to show up, I wonder what kind entertainment I should give you for our reunion."
Medusa stiffens herself hearing that word "entertainment" with her lips pursed thinking what kind of things her sister would do. Nexus notices the expression on her face and that she isn't pleasant to experience what her "entertainment" would be. As for a person, he needs to consider her well-beings as an individual.
"Stheno, is it?" he asked to the goddess, "I am aware that you two are related. But as her Master, I may have to refer that there is no time for you to indulge in your personal antics with Medusa. For this matter, I cannot let you if it concerns the well-being of my Servants and I would not take matters into your own hands without my consent." he extends his arm as to not let anything bad happen to her staring at him in shock.
"Master…"
"Hoh… for someone like you, you're an interesting man. Don't tell me that you've been smitten by this man, Medusa."
Medusa blushed hearing her older sister's remark, "Y-You're wrong, Elder sister! It's not like that!" she protested for Stheno giggle in amusement seeing her dear sister's face flushed is more than enough as with a few other female Servants stared at Nexus silently.
Nexus sighed exasperatedly, "Anyway, we're off topic. You said that this is your temporary home. Why is that?"
"I was summoned here to prepare for a certain treasure. A trial, if you may ask. For you to come this far I might as well give you a reward. All the way in the back you will find a cave. It's a special one so it doesn't exist in nature."
"It could be the Holy Grail." Roman guessed.
"If it were then the United Empire would've take full priority on securing this island in the first place. For a goddess to be here, it's highly unlikely and not a Servant that have combat efficiency." Nexus explained.
"That's true…"
"But might as well find out what this "treasure" this goddess refers to."
"I don't care what kind of treasure it is. I try to love everything." Nero said convinced to go into the cave.
"Alright, might as well go or it." Nexus walks to the direction where Stheno told the entrance to the cave is at.
They were walking into the cave where it's all dark and damp as you would expect what every cave would be.
"Ugh…it's so dark and clammy…" Nero complains trotting through the cave watching where she steps at to avoid any stray spikes that could tear her dress.
"It's not exactly comfortable in here, is it? It's hard to see ahead." Mash said.
"I see." Nexus said knowingly having no problems seeing in the dark but could at least give them a helping hand. "Then…" he shifts his eyes into golden casting into a glowing light out of his hand to give some illumination for everyone.
"Whoa. You can also cast a light to illuminate the way! How convenient!" Nero said.
"It's not like I'm the only one illuminating it." Nexus directed to Caster, "Hey Cu, do you think you can use your runes to light up the rear end. We don't anybody in the back to get lost."
"Sure thing, Master." Caster Cu acknowledged drawing a rune on his staff to illuminate at the rear end.
"I'm glad. Now that we have light we could explore the cave much easier." Mash said.
"Can't believe you jinxed that." Nexus retorted flatly, "Because once we set up our lights these guys showed up." which the light was shown to be multiple skeletons surrounding them.
"I've detected multiple magical energy around you." Roman said.
"A bit too late for that doctor."
"Geh, well in any case if there are skeletons here does this mean that goddess set us up?"
"On behalf of my sister, I'm sorry." Medusa apologized, "She has the tendency
"We can talk about that later once we settle this!"
Some times were passed on as everyone destroy every skeletons as much as they can but the numbers don't seem to dwindle at all and it keeps on going. And there were a whole lot of them. Once they were all gone and no enemies were in the cave.
"Phew, I'm a little exhausted… I want to go back and rest…" Nero said from exhaustion taking a toll on her stamina from crushing every wave of skeletons.
"Wait, I'm getting a signal there. At the end of the cave!" Roman calls out abruptly from speaker, "This amount of energy is unbelievable!" hearing this made Nexus flinch in alert sensing a strong energy.
"What is it, doctor? Is it the Holy Grail?" Mash asked.
"No, it's no Holy Grail at all!" Roman exclaimed his voice was shaking like he seen something horrified or the fact that his idol has officially gone offline and leaves everyone. If it was the latter, Nexus wouldn't be surprise him considering how wasteful his pointless devotion was worth.
"It's a Phantasmal, not a dragon, but a powerful mythical beast!" everyone heard the creature roar as it revealed to be a four-legged beast. But it wasn't any four-legged beast it had a body of a loin, the rear of a goat, and a tail of a snake. It stood 5 feet tall and nearly 10 feet long. Each had their own heads, loin as the front body, the goat on its butt and legs, and a snake for its tail.
"It's so huge! But that lion has a cute face!" Nero exclaimed.
"So you just depict that out of everything else?" Nexus retorts.
"It's a chimera, the legendary beast of ancient Greece. This is not a product of magecraft, but a true mystical beast!"
"So we found ourselves an authentic mythical beast, huh…" Nexus looks into the beasts having its own energy flowing, "Looks like the real thing." he mused. If it was magecraft, he could trace the mana trail to whoever summons or controls it.
"Everyone, get ready. If this doctor says that it's a phantasmal beast, then it should be tougher than the others. Watch yourself." Nexus said preparing themselves as the chimera roared and charged at them. Everyone scattered to avoid the beast's claws and the goat's head turned firing a magic bullet at Nexus as he swings his arm deflecting it.
"Caster! Think you can create a diversion for this thing!" Nexus called out to Caster.
"Not sure, but I'll give it a shot!" he said landing on the ground to draw some runes to create scatter shots on the beast to focus on him as the snake starts to breath some dark-purple fumes on him to dodge it and it keeps firing at him from the goat several times. Then suddenly, the chimera charges at the group as they barely avoided its claws. The impact from its charge was creating a tremor throughout the cave.
"Tch, persistent one, ain't cha?" he clicked his tongue. "Master, I'll be planning on charging a spell to bring this beast down. I need five minutes, if that's too much to ask."
"No problem. Mash, be sure to protect Cu from any stray attacks. Medusa, Martha, Jeanne! Do whatever you can to hold that beast steady." Nexus gave his commands, "Nero, are you still up for the task to take this beast?"
"Yes!"
"Of course! Even if I'm exhausted, I will not run away! I am the Fifth Roman Emperor! It would be an insult to my people if I give in!" Nero grips her red sword, "But what are you going to do, Nexus?"
"I'll be setting up a combination attack with Cu here. It'll take some time, so I want you to get it steady." Nexus shifts into ice as frosted air starts to form around him and both of his hands starts to form icicle energies around it.
"I see. Then let's make that you can get a clear shot from the both of you!" Nero charges in joining the other Servants to restrain the chimera as close as it can to its focal target from Nexus and Caster.
The three Servants Nexus called starts their advance on containing the beast as it fires at them dodging and swerving getting its attention. The beast starts charging forward but the saint stops its advance holding her banner from its maw and claws using her strength to keep it steady. Martha decides to counter by firing several projectiles at the chimera. The snake begins to open its mouth but was pinned by Medusa's dagger stabbing it down its head. She then casts another dagger dashing around the beast to get around constricting its legs from her chains. The three-headed beast losing its mobility from her chains.
"Done!" they both shouted as both of their attacks are charged up.
"Ready!?" Nexus asks Caster giving a knowing nod and both of them begins to project their attacks with Cu's fiery magic and Nexus' explosive ice.
"All right everyone, now get back!" he called his Servants out retreating from the chimera as it caught in their blast radius. A large magic rune has formed with smoldering outlines beginning to heat up along with a cold mist creeping around it.
"BURN!"
"FREEZE!" they both come together in sync with Caster swinging his staff directing to the beast and Nexus slamming his palm down on the ground as the giant rune on the floor burns bright red creating an explosive fire and a blast of ice combining together at the creature freezing it so cold that it starts to burn into flames. (A/N: I honestly don't know how ice-fire element would work that way.) The chimera was now destroyed into millions of ice shards and melts into thin air.
Roman confirmed the phantasmal beast destroyed and Nexus checked that all monsters were cleared in the cave concluding the battle.
"Good work, everyone. Now that we're done, let's get out of this cave." Nexus decides walking out of the cave.
"Welcome back, did you enjoy your special reward to the fullest?" Stheno welcomed them at the end of the cave as most of them were exhausted killing the beast that unexpected and that it was level phantasmal.
"I'm not sure having a beast there could be considered as a reward." Nexus muttered tiringly pressing the bridge of his eyes as he is aware that everyone was exhausted from waves of skeletons and ending with a mini-boss creature.
"Yes, I'm sure… consecutive battles in a closed space will wear you out beyond belief…" Mash muttered knowingly.
Nexus lets out a sigh of relief, "Well, at least you guys made it out. It's not bad that you could handle such a beast like that. You can be thankful for your skills."
"That's not true at all, Nexus. With your commands, we were able to defeat it." Jeanne protest, "After all…you are our Master."
"Can't argue with that, can I?" he chuckled a bit.
"That's right, we combined both of our powers to get that big guy so that everyone could pin it down. I call that a win." Caster applaud with a grin of victory on his face. Naturally, he would've punched that son of a gun not to be so arrogant that overconfidence would be his downfall but he manage to defeat a creature that he couldn't have done on his own since his rune skills were not that bright. So instead he lets the dog savor his enjoyment for once until he sensed two more presences of mana.
"Really? I could've taken like that big cat without a sweat!" the cheery voice said that apparently happens to be Elisabeth Báthory.
"Ahahahaha!" the other one next to her laughed ecstatically as her fashion was….uncanny…. She was a young woman with golden eyes and canine teeth, a sakura colored hair tied to a ponytail with a red ribbon and white-frilled headdress. She has an appearance of a fox with ears with two fluffs, a bushy tail wearing wolf paws, boots, maid apron and a red collar around her neck with a giant golden bell. It was an….unusual… kind of style that would define as erratic that fits her personality as she's only laughing hysterically.
"Senpai! There's two weird people that arrived in front of us!" Mash warned getting her shield up.
"I'm sure that both of them are hysteric but what reason are they here for?" Nexus asked casually for the Shielder shocked to see Nexus to take this naturally.
"I brought them here when I materialized this world." Stheno answers, "I didn't think I'd be able to complete the Heroes' Cave on my own."
"So you wanted them to help you set up this "trial"?" he asked to the eldest sister.
"Yes, I had these two serve as my testers for the cave, that's all I think?"
"The underground cave was so boring." Elisabeth complained, "Wouldn't a live show be a new concept for this?"
"That could work as long as you're far away from us." Nexus retorts bluntly.
"Why!? If you're far away, you can't hear my voice, puppy!" she yelled angrily.
"Ahahaha!" the fox maid continues to laugh.
"So you know Elisabeth. What about her?" Stheno direct towards to the pink-haired beast.
"Um… honestly we don't know." Mash answered, "We do know that she's a Servant but this is our first time meeting her."
"All right, all right we should introduce ourselves, woof!" the fox lady finally spoke in human language, "I am Tamamo Cat, one of the Tamamo Nine! I tag "woof" at the end of my sentences. I like managing café. My favorite food are carrots. Hmm, I think that's pretty inconsistent even for me, woof."
"She talked!" Nero exclaimed in shock.
"She did that on purpose too, woof." Mash said not realizing that she'd put a verbal tick from her.
"What were you laughing for?" Nexus asked to the fox maid. Although based on her name it looks completely contradictory to what she's personalizing as. She calls herself as Tamamo Cat but the feature didn't fit into the category of a cat at all. Either way, it'd be pointless to correct it since so he'll just go with it.
"I was laughing because it was fun. I'm a laughing drunk." she answered cheerfully, "Can you speak cats? No? How about dog language?" everyone couldn't understand what she was saying from her odd way of speaking. As for the black-haired magus he just doesn't seem to care about it.
"Hehe! Your reaction was better than I thought." Stheno giggled, "Thank you, Tamamo Cat. But why weren't you in the treasure chest? You should've come out once they dealt with the chimera."
"I already had my carrots!" Tamamo Cat answered.
"You ate the chest already….Oh my…I understand." she said as she already foreseen this would happen.
"What's the point of having carrots as a treasure?" Nexus mumbled.
"H-Hmm. Their conversation seems to be working out…" Nero said glumly, "She's a goddess after all. She doesn't even flinch at that oddball."
"Well, the island has been somewhat fun, I guess we came here for nothing." Roman said.
"You're just making it sound like it's not your problem." Nexus retorts giving him an annoyed look.
"Ahahaha! It happens! So don't look at me like that. Why don't we return to Rome for now? But it looks like we can't! There's a Servant over there!"
"Huh?" Elisabeth looked at Tamamo to the left.
"Indeed." Cat now looks at Stheno.
"Oh?" she now looks at her sister.
"Eh?" Medusa looks at Jeanne, then Artoria, Martha, then at Cu.
"Where?" and then looks at the Shielder.
"Doc?"
"What?" The black-haired man muttered exasperatedly looking at the sea when he saw something odd at the ocean. It seemed there is like a geyser slowly moving closer. He takes a closer look at the source via telescopic vision zooming in that there's a figure there and then the blue hair, the golden armor, and then the red eyes.
"Huh…" was the word that came out from his mouth as it was surprising for someone like him to run on water. "Hey, it seems that your uncle is running through the sea to what I'm seeing."
"Uncle!?" Nero shocked.
"RUNNING THROUGH THE SEA!?" everyone exclaimed from a person running across the ocean. It wasn't a surprise for Nexus since he's a Berserker that shows no boundaries.
"MY ACTIONS ARE FAAAAAAAAATTTEEE!" he roared reaching to the shore.
"Wait, that's her uncle!?" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"He seems to be "tangled up." I suppose that's how one should deal with Servants." Stheno assumes having someone like him have bad taste.
"Beautiful…you're beautiful…"
"W-What are you saying popping out of nowhere hitting on girls?" Elisabeth stammers embarrassingly, "I know I'm an attractive idol but acting like a lowly beast is the worst! What kind of royalty are you?"
"I don't think that was directed towards you, though…" Nexus murmurs deadpanned.
"You're beautiful. I want to take it, lust over it, tear it apart. Your purity, divine beauty, everything!"
"Oooookkkaaaaayyyy, that's a bit too much obsessing of your niece, don't you think?" Nexus commented with an unnerving tone that could probably be enough for people to be weirded out spouting out their desires that could be over obsessive.
"I want to trample all over you with my body! I love you, my beloved sister's child! NERO!"
"Okay now that's just too much." he finally admitted that it's not the obsessed man that admires their beauty and cuteness as their own child but now it became a completely different messed up obsession now.
"That's right, my uncle is dead. Although it is regrettable, but if you appear before me after being lost in death then I shall sing a requiem for you. It's my duty as your niece and an emperor!" Nero declares readying her sword to confront her dead emperor and uncle.
"Time to put out of this guy's misery. Everyone, it's time to take this over obsessive niece down!" Nexus gives his orders preparing himself to fight the Berserker as he charges forth at them. First, he shifts into earth using the sands to solidify itself by merging the little particles together creating a wall in front of him as Nexus didn't expect anything to slow him down or run around it. But just as he predicted, Caligula smashed through and then Mash, Jeanne, and Artoria Alter pursues the former emperor.
Nero then rushes forth to Caligula to deliver a strike at him blocking it with his forearm pushing her out. She regains her balance as Caligula was coming in hot at her as Nexus made his command.
"Mash!"
"Yes!" Mash then dashed to Nero blocking the Berserker's punch. The blow was taking over her but she strains her legs and her balance holding the shield firmly. Once he was stopped, Nexus took the opportunity putting his hands on the sand sinking the madman's foot he was standing to his knee. He tries to get out but Nexus comes at him and kicks his chin up to the air.
"GRAAAHGGGHHH!"
"Medusa!" he calls to Medusa throwing her chain dagger to get around his ankle. She pulls him down directing to the nearest rock at the shore crashing to it.
"Did we get him?" Mash asked with concern.
The black-haired magus looks into the status with the dust covering over, "…No, it's over yet…" he furrows his eyebrows together and the Servants being cautious to the enemy Berserker.
"RAAAAAHHHHH!" the roar blows the dust out as everyone covers themselves from his force of rage. His eyes were glowing in bright red with anger.
"The goddess…" he murmured, "Ahhh, I can see the goddess….."
Nexus widens his eyes seeing the rising of his magical energy starts to increase.
"Be careful, everyone! I can sense the readings of his magical energy output! He's going to use a Noble Phantasm!" Roman exclaimed.
"Yeah I can see that!" he responds as the sky suddenly turns dark with a giant moon behind Caligula in lunar eclipse as the shade begins to shrink and shrink showing a full moon in a luminous light.
"Flucticulus Diana: Moonlight, Devour my Soul!" the moon then shines a bright light as they were blinded by it covering their eyes. Nexus didn't blink at the shine since he is immune to blindness as he merely moves his head sideways.
"Is everyone alright?!" he called out to everyone checking if there are no problems at all.
"Yes, it seems that we don't suffer anything that is fatal." Mash responds, "But.." she trails off her voice like she's been nauseated by some drug not giving her any focus on her visions. "Somehow, I'm feeling dizzy…"
"Dizzy?" Nexus wondered as he sees his Servants having the same problems. He checks on their mana has shrunk being suppressed by some force.
"It feels that I can't extend my sword any further." Saber Alter briefly recovers herself, "It feels like my magical power is being suppressed by something. I can't seem to get it out, using my Noble Phantasm could be impossible in this state."
Suddenly, Caster dropped dead like a fly, "Sorry….Master….I'm kinda mana-reliant on my skills so I don't think I could cast on any more spells…." he groaned using his staff as a leverage struggling to get up.
"Don't push yourself, Cu. I'll figure something out…" Nexus assures him, "Still, a Noble Phantasm that could seal Noble Phantasms, huh?" Nexus mused looking at Caligula in his glowing eyes of rage. "It seems that not only he could seal Noble Phantasms but also spreads out his madness whenever there's a moon up there. What a pain…"
"Gh!" Nero suddenly drops to her knees.
"Nero!"
"What…it's weird…" Nero mutters weakly as she that her movements were feeling numb, "It seems like I'm getting exhausted all of a sudden from that moonlight. I feel like my strength is seeping out…"
'Could it be from that magical energy Boudica mentioned?' he thought interrupted by a roar.
"OOOOOWWWWWOOOOOOOO!" Caligula lets out a roar and then charges forth. "My sister's child…..my dear sister's child…..GIVE IT TO ME!" he's now focused on the red emperor as Nexus intercepts him grappling both hands together stopping his tracks.
"Give it to me…." the Berserker growled, "Her beauty, her everything…..GIVE IT TO MEEEE!" he pushes further but the black-haired magus stood his ground withstanding his pressure and anger he's overflowing.
"Master!" Mash calls out to him.
"Sorry, old man…" Nexus said to him, "An uncle doesn't need any more doting to her….a child would eventually grow out from their love and would need to walk on their two feet. However, you're way too off! You're way too obsessed that would find every people creeped out by you just from that! It has boundaries! BOUNDARIES! With that said…" he grips his hand tightly pressing him down and throws him upward sky high. He then shifts into lightning building up speed to jump flashing out and flashing in front of him electrical blue to deep red eye.
"YOU CAN GO TRAMPLE ALL OVER IN THE ATLANTIC FOR ALL I CARE!" Nexus throws his body inwards charging his right as his heels connect to his head releasing a thunderous impact of electrical current spreading out sending the mad men in a blinding speed crashing onto the sand with a large dust blowing out.
The night sky was cleared leaving only the sunset and the orange ocean shore and the rest of the Servants have now recovered themselves feeling none of their mana being suppressed. Nexus lands himself and walks towards with everyone gathered around to the defeated Berserker seeing as his magical energy has now been depleted now that his Noble Phantasm is gone.
"Nero…You are so…very…beautiful…" he mutters fervently, "More than the goddess…of the moon… More than….the radiance…of the Holy Grail…" were the last words he said dispersing into golden light.
"Uncle…" Nero mutters heavily but shakes her head off. She has her role as an emperor to get sentimental of her dead uncle. "Caligula has been defeated. Yet another pretender of the throne has been slaughtered!" she now looks over to the group, "I thank you Mash, Nexus. Now I need to think up of another reward."
"No, like I said. We don't need any more of your rewards." Nexus said modestly not wanting the emperor to put up an effort that would be meaningless since they'll leave anyway and they won't remember anything.
"NO. This is my decision and I will not let your efforts be wasted from a grand victory like this." she refused sternly, "Because, you've saved me many times. I can assure you that the reward for the defeat of the United Empire's shall be grand. I'm not the sort of person that would send a monster and say, "Here's you reward.""
"Are you referring to me? A human, and not a Servant?" Stheno implied amusingly, "The queen of this era is pretty brave to be a proper hero."
"I am not a queen nor a hero." she answered strongly to introduce herself, "Listen well, I am the Fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire!"
"Yes, of course that's what I shall call you. This time I'll give you a special gift. It won't be a monster but a real goddess' blessing. It's my thanks taking out a Servant who wasn't a hero." Stheno admitted knowingly, "Your enemy, this so-called United Empire, and the gathering of their "emperors". I will tell you its exact location." Nero stood shock from hearing this along with everyone.
"Isn't this a bit too convenient for a Divine Servant to know their location stranded on an island with two gullible Servants? Not that they don't have any reason for being here." Nexus retorts truthfully for a goddess to have such vital info or where she got it from.
"Who are you calling gullible, Puppy? I'm not someone that could be swayed by words so easily, you know!" Elisabeth retort.
"Ahahahahaha!" Tamamo Cat laughed it off since she isn't the brightest of the bunch to think.
"Well, looks like we got what we needed. Most of it at least…" Nexus said as everyone boards on the ship seeing Medusa kneeling down to match her eye level with Stheno talking.
"Well I guess she could say her goodbyes to her sister, at least. You should have a proper farewell to some of your family." Nexus muttered looking at the two.
"It's a shame that we had to say our farewells, Medusa." Stheno said to her,
Rider shook her head, "That's not true, elder sister. I'm grateful that I get to meet you."
"And here I thought so much ways to tease you…"
"Please do refrain from going overboard. I do not wish to experience the second time…" Medusa muttered nervously.
"I would never do that. How could a sister not care for their younger one?" Stheno giggles, "But…it seems that you've changed a bit, haven't you."
"Elder sister?" she looked up questionably at her.
"Nexus was it? Despite his looks, he's a fine man. It's odd for a Master to destroy a Servant like that. Is that why you've fallen for him?"
"Y-You're wrong, elder sister. I do respect my Master and that he didn't mistreat me and not someone who'd be cruel." Medusa sputtered with her face flushed red in embarrassment, "But…it's just that I don't know much about him. I'm grateful that he never treat any of his Servants as disposable beings and treats us as an individual. And also…he said that my eyes were beautiful despite not being petrified."
"Not petrified, is it?" Stheno asked in wonder for someone to have resistance to Medusa's Mystic Eyes of Petrification, "Strange…well don't worry about it. I don't think it's concerning for you. Do your best, Medusa. I'm sure that you have many competitors out there."
"No, it's not like that!" Medusa protested.
"You don't hate him, do you?" Stheno said making the Rider go silent with embarrassment.
"It's true…I don't hate him…" she whispered softly as she was brought into Stheno's arms.
"Take care of yourself, my dear sister." Stheno whispered caringly patting her head.
"Yes, elder sister." Stheno then let's go of her embrace and stands up, "Then, I will be off, elder sister." she bows going back to the ship with Nexus.
"Nexus." Stheno calls out to Nexus giving her attention, "Take care of my sister. She can be cold and quite dull at times but she is still a nice girl. Treat her well."
"Elder sister!" she shouts in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it, Stheno. I'll be sure to take good care of her." Nexus nods knowingly as they aboard the ship and make their departure to their next location of the United Empire leaving the goddess and the two Servants that were completely irrelevant and did nothing….(Seriously what was their purpose of being here other than putting a bravado like: "Hey we just defeated the beast! No sweat for you guys!"
End Chapter. Thank you guys for reading this far. I just hope that I could end this Singularity fast enough and get into the third. I'm racking up my brains for what I'm going to put on there. Especially, the Fourth Singularity. I'm hoping on getting there. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, give your reviews, and I'll be sure to talk to you later.
