The Holy grail war can finally continue as everyone enters the portal.
-Fujimaru! Know this about the portal. The earlier you approach the walls and exit it the further it will teleport you away from the next portal. If you stay inside until it spits you out and someone else is near you then you will be summoned either one next to the other or very far away. Your servants will never leave your side! So, if we aren't close once we get to the other side, I'm glad I got to meet you! Yuna says as Rider summons his iron horse and the two ride into the walls of the tunnel so that they might enter the new world first.
-What should we do master?
-I think it's already too late to meet up with them again. We shall wait a while longer before jumping. When the time was right the three and Fou, jumped into the walls of the tunnel leading them into the new world and what a new frontier they've reached! In this new world that they've arrived in, the heat was unbearable and everything was orange. They were nowhere else than the African savanna. The ground was dry and the grass withered. The trees had no leaves and no animal was in sight.
-We have to find a place to cool off or the sun will scorch us.
-The best thing we can do is find a shady place to stay until the sun goes down. In this heat we'll be exhausted before we manage to reach any source of water or civilisation.
-How about we try to look over there. That rocky place is bound to have some shade. Teach says pointing towards the horizon. Not very far from their location there was this rocky formation that gave a pleasant cool vibe compared to the completely dry environment.
-This really is a nice place to be... A voice says from behind the rocks as Fujimaru and the rest got there.
-Someone is here Master.
-Yo! You are the guys that fought alongside the gods against the metal bird right? The man behind the rocks says. My name is Leon and this is my servant, Lancer. Lancer was sitting at the top of the rocks, ignorant to the heat or any discomfort. As he jumps down and reaches the ground he both lands gracefully as well as landing with enough strength to make the ground shake. He was one solid man, taller than Teach, very wide and well armoured. Behind his heavy armour there were signs of his highly trained physique which was shown in the fact that even his forehead was muscular. Lancer starts stroking his long beard with care as he studies Fujimaru and the others.
-I've heard about your task. You seek to save your world from the destruction brought about by the Crown of Life. How do you intend to stop it? The destruction is bound to the war and to stop the war you have to stop us.
-I guess, the best I can do is try and convince you to stop the battle. Laurie, no Iztlacatini already proclaimed himself able to stop the destruction of the world if we stop the war.
-Yet that's impossible. To stop the war one must win it. Let's say you are able to gather everyone around the same table and ask them to stop, who is it worthy to be the last one standing as the winner? The only way for it to end pacificaly if for everyone else to drop out of it. Who is going to let a god-like wish pass through their hands? Both winners, master and servant are going to receive a wish each. The crown of life can make the impossible reality, it's only limit is that it cannot act against the will of Iztlacatini, beyond that it can create a whole new universe if one so desires. Do you have a better offer for us to drop out of the war.
-Now, now Lancer. Let them be for a moment. There is no need to heat up even more than we already are.
-Calling one to wake up from needless ideals is a requirement master.
-Maybe master will join the war too and kick all your asses in one go.
-Is that so? Then you are going to deal with that? Lancer points out in the distance towards a monstrous creature approaching them.
-This is the second time we've met one of these, although this is the closest one got to us.
-What is it?
-A dragon god.
-Well we'd better hide on the other side of the rock before it notices us then we might discuss it further. Now whispering, although the dragon is quite far away the conversation continues.
-You spoke with Rider before right. Great servant, very poor choice in master. The girl could barely feed her servant mana. If she were a better mage she would have had more knowledge about the world around us. We've seen you fall from the portal, you took your sweet time getting out of it. The more you stay inside the more time passes for those outside the tunnel. We've been in this heated blast zone for two days now. Something really weird is happening around here. Look there, from where the sun shines, right below it. Can you see it? That's mount Kilimanjaro, or at least it was. The mad man, we don't know who he is, he arrived to this world before us, made his nest there. He turned the whole mountain into a giant factory which forges out these dragons. They are a weird twist between dragons and machines, some of them even have rocket launchers on their back, chainsaws for hands and shoot lasers from their wrists. The whole savanna is full of them. The worst thing is, they are pretty strong too. It would be unpleasant to face one of them, especially since there could be enemy masters all around, hidden waiting to take us out at any chance. Listen Fujimaru, we'll make you a proposal you cannot refute. The more time passes here, the closer your world gets to annihilation. Help us out, give us a hand in fighting off the dragons, aid us in mounting a siege towards the dragon factory then we'll be able to fight without any external interference and be done with it. What do you say?
-What should we do master?
-We'll aid you. We will go with you towards mount Kilimanjaro, take out the interloper and speed the war up. I guess it is time to test out if these pieces from the box are truly capable of summoning unbound servants to our side. Fujimaru places one solitary piece of wood in his hand then grasps it firmly. Mana starts flowing from the conch shell necklace, through his body powering up the summoning process.
-Let my will reach you. A servant to aid us against these monsters. Grant us a dragon slayer! Be it the influence of the giant factory, a trick of fate or someone's hate towards them, Fujimaru did not summon either Siegfried, Sigurd nor Saint George to answer the call. What Fujimaru received was the most impractical thing ever. A servant that was made of cannons. Without any exaggeration, the servant summoned before them had a giant cannon coming out of his torso, cannons on his shoulders, attached to his knees, five on the right hand, three of which were very long, two on the left hand, which had machine-guns at the base, various gears coming out from his hip which could be used as land mines, cannons upon cannons on his back and a mini-gun on both sides of his head.
-Archer class servant, Schwerer Gustav. He was huge, seven meters tall, covered in red metal armour and so many barrels he could be taken apart and fashioned into a whole battalion of tanks and still have way too many cannons on top of him.
-Oh, now you've definitely caught it's attention! Leon says as Lancer literally pulls him by his overalls away from the fight.
-I will not endanger my master over your foolish exploits.
-If it makes you feel any better, if I'd have any control over his actions I'd tell him to help you. Leon says as he was dangling in Lancer's hands.
-Do not worry master. Whatever may come our way I will crush it to pieces. And it came. A dragon armed head to toe in armour. A fitting enemy one may say as both Gustav and the dragon were heavily armed and armoured. Gustav forces his feet into the ground before stakes block him into position. The dragon started running towards him prepared to spit fire and launch his attack. The first shot was fired. The impact from the projectile being expelled from the barrel of the cannon is so strong Fujimaru, Mash and Black beard are thrown backwards by the air pressure. One after the other, increasing in pace and speed, more and more guns start going online as Gustav uses all his cannons to fire at the dragon. Pieces of metal and flesh start flying off the dragon as he charges forward. Bigger calibre rounds, more bullets, more projectiles. With each round of fire a solid wall of metal was being created between Gustav and the dragon.
-He's too close! It will reach! Fujimaru shouts as the dragon is about to jump on top of Gustav. Rockets from his back fly into the air driving the dragon back into the ground where the meat grinder that was Gustav's onslaught kept slowly grinding him away. Gustav could see the reflection of the explosions as the projectiles left the barrels of his guns in the eye of the dragon by the time the beast was put to rest. Far in the distance, where the ground rises and the mountains start forming the horizon everything was utterly riddled with bullets. The range and fire power of Gustav were so incredible he damaged mountains kilometres away.
-Are you alright Master? Gustav says with his unusual robotic voice.
-Yeah.
-Damn it! Even if I were to use my Noble Phantasm one hundred times I wouldn't get to this level of damage! Teach says frustrated.
-Oh, sorry Mash. Your situation must be even more infuriating. He realises Mash, who has been battling while unable to use her servant powers must be even angrier than he is.
While Fujimaru was dealing with the armoured dragon, Lancer and his master were running as far away as possible from the battle. Lots of noise and explosions would be sure to draw the attention of other Masters seeking to fight them.
-I feel like an ass leaving them behind.
-Do not fear master. The servant that was summoned is more than capable of dealing with their problems. We should think about ourselves for now.
-We'll find ourselves alone if we continue leaving people behind.
-That is something that must be... Lancer throws Leon away to safety as he opens up his arms to protect himself from the surprise attack. Berserker jumps out of nowhere and tries to maul him to death. Lancer holds open the maw of the giant wolf Servant with his hands as lightning slowly gathers inside Berserker's mouth. With a quick retreat Lancer manages to use Berserker's strength to his advantage slamming his mouth shut. Instead of trying to open his jaws again Berserker goes for an impale trying to ram Lancer with the spear stuck through his skull. Backing up even further Lancer regains his composure and prepares to face Berserker. His legs were spread far apart and his arms were forming a semi circle. The giant wolf attacks but Lancer does an impossibly quick dodge to the side before slamming his foot in the ground while slapping Berserker's jaws close again.
-A surprisingly strong servant you've got there. Berserker's master says as he gets closer to Leon.
-Are we going to fight too?
-There is no reason, is there? I cannot control Berserker, I cannot give him orders or instruct him on everything, he just tries to bite down everything he can and sees. So I just sit on the side watching him wreak havoc, jumping on his back every now and then when we have to get going. Berserker's head gets bigger and bigger as if his maw increases in size every time he tries to bite Lancer.
-Do better! Lancer says as he keeps slapping Berserker in the face.
-It's quite impressive to look at your servant fighting Berserker.
-Are you sure you don't have any ulterior motives to speak to me. It feels like you are trying to get me let my guard down and stab me.
-You can take a few steps away from me if that's how you feel.
-Aren't you cheering for your servant to win?
-The moment when the winner of the battle is going to be decided is very far away from now. Berserker is a slow starter, he didn't even started shouting yet! As his master said, Berserker was slowly gaining power, getting bigger and stronger the longer the battle was going on. Berserker rises on his hind legs to prepare for a great bite attack but after he lowered his head and Lancer dodged the attack, when his jaws closed a thunderbolt erupted from between his teeth. It would have hit Lancer if he didn't bring up his polearm to absorb the shock. After that attack Berserker stopped for a second as his body started transforming. His head became more like a cone than before, similar to the head of a shark. His eyes were stretched thin and covered by a black carapace like armour just as the rest of his body. Around his neck one of the three sets of chains broke and Berserker's body doubled in size.
-Ooooooodin! He starts shouting as he flails wildly. His speed increased. While Lancer managed to easily deflect his blows before, Berserker's new sharp head and bigger jaws proved farm more deadly. Berserker was using his whole face like the tip of a spear jousting against Lancer.
-His feet! Lancer says as he notices Berserker starting to attack with his front claws too.
-Odiiiin! Ooooooodin! OOOODDDDIIIN! Berserker slams his left front foot into the ground catching Lancer while he's trying to dodge. He takes one huge bite but Lancer is already gone. Lancer's moves started changing too. He no longer holds his polearm forward but to his side. Every time Berserker struck, every hit, every bite, every swipe he managed to dodge it perfectly. One hit from the left, one from the right. Berserker puts all his body into this onslaught of attacks. Lancer was trapped out of balance, there was no way for him to dodge the next attack. There was no space in between Berserker's claws, his bite should have hit Lancer yet everyone could clearly see Lancer to the left of Berserker's jaws. His breath was enough to move Lancer's clothes but nothing he did could reach him. The instant after Lancer dodged Berserker's attack he slapped him with the back of his hand sending his giant head backwards. As Berserker recoils from the hit Lancer grabs him by the throat with only two fingers. Berserker is unable to move! A simple choke hold was enough to stop the movements of this gigantic wolf.
-Take this seriously. Lancer says before throwing Berserker away with one hit.
-You two! Stop fighting and get out of here at once!
-Ruler?
-Things have changed, there is something really wrong going on around here. Rulers says as he descends from the sky all bloodied and wounded.
-What in the world happened to you?
-The mad man, he is a consistent threat to our war. I was attacked by a flock of armoured dragons, too many to fight off alone. In the struggle he took my pieces of the reliquary and used one to summon...
-You've done well Ruler. You've led me right to them. Lancer turns around from Berserker to face the new threat in the sky. His back is just as straight as ever and his hand is firmly grasping his polearm. The one before him was a being of pure power over life and death, wielding a lance capable of cutting the world in half.
-We've got to leave, now! Ruler says trying to get the two masters away from the new threat.
-You'll have to keep your silence Ruler! The flying servant says as she stabs the air with her lance towards Ruler. Great winds follow Lancer's quick step as he dashes to push ruler away from the direction of the hit.
-You're good. But who is the strongest lancer? That is the question, challenger! From the ground up Lancer gains back his composure.
-There is no need to flee master. This is a battle we'll win.
-Be swallowed whole! Berserker shouts as his second set of chains breaks making him as tall as a two story house and long as a bus. His jaws opened as wide as they could to the point that they nearly went backwards and clamp down on the opponent.
-Bothersome mutt. Anti-Lancer swings her spear as to cut Berserker but Lancer uses his insane speed to stop the blade with his own.
-Do not let the spear point towards you or your life will end. Do not let your heart waver for the one before us is none other than the goddess Izanami!
-Ho! That's quite a good deduction, fellow god of war. Was my spear really so easy to identify?
-Which other weapon than the Amenonuhoko would be capable of splitting the world in half.
-So you've realised who I was after my first attack?
-Yes, I felt how it pierced all the way to the other side of the earth. Izanami spins her naginata around carving large pieces of the surrounding area trying to hit Lancer with her attacks. Every time she was about to hit Berserker with one of her attacks Lancer intervened by kicking him out of the path.
-How long are you gonna last? Defending two people at the same time?
-Mistakes on the battlefield are hard paid. Your punishment will be nothing else than decapitation! Lancer says as he appears behind Izanami ready to strike with his polearm.
-That attack would have never managed to reach me.
-No, but it gave him enough time to charge up his own. Berserker on the ground was glowing with anger and power. The third chain was broken. His mouth was flooding with water as if a river was coming out of his belly. The sky becomes dark as his horn starts getting hit by lightning repeatedly.
-Ragnarök! Berserker shouts as he becomes so large his body could swallow a whale whole.
-Berserker! Swallow the world whole! I command you, bring the end of the world! His master was shouting as he syphoned power from the wounded Ruler.
-You'll pay for this.
-Yes, yes, I will. Strengthened by a limitless amount of energy Berserker is about to unleash his most devastating attack yet.
-Split the world in half! Izanami shouts as she releases her own Noble Phantasm. A crescent moon strike that cuts the globe in half, with Berserker right in its path. The shock wave hits him square in the face yet, instead of cutting through his flesh the attack stopped. His jaws bit into the Noble Phantasm itself stopping it in its tracks. For a few seconds the shock wave wrestles with his jaws before losing shape and hitting the ground around him literally cutting the planet in half. The ground shakes as it slowly starts collapsing onto itself from the damage. It slowly started to drift apart as a shadow from behind the clouds got closer to the earth stopping it from moving. The World Serpent, Jormungandr coils around the planet itself holding it together by the force of his muscles.
-Were you planning on dropping that on me? Izanami asks as she sees Jormungandr falling from the sky to stop the world from splitting apart.
-You still fight me! Lancer says as he throws a flurry of blows towards Izanami.
-Too slow. You might be able to dodge my attacks but you'll never be able to land one... Just as she was mocking him for the speed of his attacks, Izanami gets slammed with the back of Lancer's polearm over the head shooting her straight into the ground. Half wounded and bloodied from her Noble Phantasm, like a mad dog Berserker jumps on her grasping her in his mouth, trashing her all over the place. Izanami frees herself from the grasp and throws Berserker flying. Luckily for him, the sheer size and flexibility of his jaws saved him from having them broken by Izanami's hit.
-I had to do better. Lancer says as he raises his left hand in defiance and slams his polearm into the ground. You no longer face the mortal Guan Yu, you face a man made god. A hero rising against the odds, the legendary power that granted Guan Yu divine status, the unique spark for a man to become immortalized as a god through feats alone. Izanami grabs her naginata by the furthest end holding it like a spear charging towards Guan Yu. The two clash in mid air, the sparks from their weapons hitting one another is enough to start fires, the empty slashes push the clouds away and the strikes create earthquakes.
-This will do. Izanami says as she slows down her assault, going from the offensive on the defensive. Lancer realises something is wrong and wisely back down waiting for her to move. Berserker on the other hand wasn't going to wait for her to show up her cards.
-Caught you! Izanami says as she unleashes her second noble phantasm. Berserker's soul starts being ripped out of his body. As Izanami pulls onto his soul the connection between Berserker and his master forces the latter's soul to be dragged into this as well. Lancer with one last attempt tries to stop her from absorbing their souls but the spike in power she got from doing it was enough to tip the scales in her favour. Their spears clash one last time with Guan Yu falling to the ground wounded. His peerless blade got it's edge scratched and bent. Izanami finally lets go of Berserker's lifeless body then leaves.
-No! Ruler shouts in anger. An outsider must not intervene in the battle between the seven masters. Izanami disappears in a cloud of darkness as a horde of armoured dragons start cycling above them.
-Are you capable of fighting Ruler? Lancer asks, getting back on his feet.
-Don't expect much of me, the previous fight and the stunt pulled by Berserker's master was enough to drain me, but I can still hold onto my sword. Lancer and Ruler get in position to fight but as soon as the first swarm of dragons was about to attack them shells and rockets come flying from behind them. The sound of tracks, explosions and pistons announces the arrival of Gustav and Fujimaru.
-Things are dire! The whole savanna is overwhelmed by dragons!
-This world might as well be doomed! Izanami stole Berserker's powers as well as what was stolen from me to power him up. She must have run straight to her foreign master to power up his factory of dread. If I was a betting man, now that Berserker was defeated, the portal must have opened right in the middle of that infernal place.
-What are we to do? We can't hold the tide of dragons at bay forever.
-This is a very special case. One of our own was killed by an outsider, we must unite and retaliate as soon as possible so that the war might return to his natural state. Luckily for us, there's still someone capable of aiding us. Ruler says as he points towards the sky. Jormungandr didn't leave after Berserker was defeated. He can point us towards the other Masters!
-How do we reach to ask him?
-We must first remove the cloud of dragons around him, after that, drawing his attention will be as easy as asking where the train station is.
-Then we'll have the chance to use this for once! Are you ready Gustav?
-Ready to shatter the sky master! The two start talking in unison as Gustav is ready to unleash his Noble Phantasm. The unstoppable barrage from the largest cannon ever built. A strike that can reach even the far side of the moon. The Earth Shaker Bunker Buster. One huge shell flies into the sky only to fragment just above the armoured dragons then fall over their heads, smashing through their wings, forcing them out of the sky.
-There it is! An opening in the cloud of dragons! Get to Serpent, fast!
-I'll go. Guan Yu says as he departs with great speed.
-The cloud is already closing back!
-Keep firing! Lancer shouts from above. He is ready to brave both the enemy and his allies' fire to reach his destination. That was the least he could do to atone for his defeat against Izanami. As he got closer and closer to the cloud of dragons shells and rockets started coming out both from above and below. Molten fire, laser beams, fire balls, rockets, grenades and all kinds of explosives meet in the air to swap him out of the sky. These attacks however are mere feathers gently falling in the wind for him compared to Izanami's lightning fast strikes. He dodges and cuts through the rockets using their explosive charges to create a chained reaction in order to strike more and more enemies. As one laser beam is about to hit him he uses the polished side of his blade to reflect the beam and use it to strike a line opened to reach above the dragons. One after another, he jumped on their heads, kicked and slashed at them as they gathered in ever tighter clusters to keep him away from the world serpent. Only one hand managed to reach above the cloud of dragons but that was enough to grab Jormungandr's attention. The world sized serpent twists his body, squeezes the world back together so tight that it becomes one entity again. After the world was placed back together Jormungandr descended his head below the clouds and ate all the armoured dragons in the air in one swoop. Once that is done he disappears over the horizon until his tail goes around the world then disappears forever. Lancer comes down to the ground to be scolded by Ruler.
-You were meant to ask him where the other Masters are, not to eat the dragons!
-I'd say he did us more of a favour clearing the sky rather than telling us where the other masters are. Leon defends his servant.
-So, what do we do now?
-We wait.
-Aren't we going to search for the other masters or...
-We wait. I have no powers, Lancer alone cannot defeat Izanami now that she has Berserker's powers too and it is too dangerous to leave this cleared out area. For the rest of the day, we find a nice and cozy hole to crawl into then we wait.
-What if the other masters are heading towards mount Kilimanjaro.
-Then they are insane. I don't think it's hard to miss the giant death factory at the top of the mountain you know. The group did not have to bother with the bodies left behind by Izanami. Once she took their souls their bodies disappeared from the world. All they had to do was to search for a safe, cool place to wait out for rulers powers to return.
-So, you've summoned this one using another piece of my box. How many have you got left? Ruler asks. Fujimaru pulls out his pieces of the reliquary and counts them. He had seven pieces left.
-You should hand them over to me. I can make better use of them.
-Don't even consider it, Fujimaru! Lancer says hearing them speak.
-He lost the pieces in his possession previously.
-Once my powers return I can summon as many unbound servants at once as I require. Can you do the same Fujimaru? Can you sustain so many servants at once?
-You'd be amazed how many masters can keep at once. Teach says under breath.
-If all of them are like you then I'm not amazed! True power requires a solid foundation, one which you cannot provide. You even require that medallion to keep your servants alive by draining power from a god. I can provide all that energy personally. Hand them over to me!
-You know, getting more and more demanding won't get you anywhere.
-I am the one that keeps in balance this whole war, I know what is required to be done in order to achieve our goals. Give what is needed and we can all leave this boiling hell, reach the next destination and be done with it.
-I'll keep them.
-You stole them when my box broke!
-You can talk about that later. What are we gonna do about... that. While they were hidden away more dragons were created covering the whole sky. New bestial creatures start roaming the savanna, most of them resembling exotic animals. There are elephant-like monsters with six tusks, twenty meters tall, with purple skin and a trunk split in half filled with teeth. Another type are thirty meters long lizards with incredibly long necks and tails and sabretooth like fangs. Another is a giraffe twice as tall with a neck that bends forward covered in horns and spikes. These demonic creatures started filling up the space, literally trying to cover the whole world in their presence.
-We have no choice. We've got to go. Now! We must carve up a road through them, reach the factory then enter the portal and leave this world, at once! Lancer commands.
-How are we going to press through all those creatures at once?
-There's only one way and it requires copious amounts of fire power.
-Gustav? Do you have an idea?
-Of course master. Yet, it will sound like madness to you. You'll all get inside one of my shells and I'll shoot you into the factory.
-You're planning to shoot us out of a cannon? I didn't take you for the funny guy, ya know. Teach says slightly hopping for Gustav to jest. But he wasn't joking. Gustav was serious about putting them into the biggest shell he has then shooting them all at once towards the mountain.
-What are you going to do afterwards.
-I'll use my cannons and launch myself in a similar fashion.
-Are you sure we can survive such a launch? You're going to send us flying into a mountain.
-My shells, if emptied, can easily take you there. The impact will be very rough but with Mold Camelot you should be able to survive without extensive damage.
-I don't like you've used the word survive and not unscathed.
-You'll be fine if that's what you want to hear.
-Then we have to move fast. We must get in position, fire then take out the madman before the hoard of monsters can reach us.
-Then let's get to work. Gustav's biggest shell is emptied of its explosives in order for Fujimaru and the rest to fit inside. Lancer is the one closest to the tip of the shell so that he might absorb the most of the damage on impact followed by Ruler then Teach, Mash, Leon Fujimaru and lastly Fou. In order to fire Gustav had to take them outside, line up perfectly then use his Noble Phantasm to open up the path before shooting them.
-This is it master. Kick their asses on my behalf. Gustav says before shooting all his cannons at the dragons in the sky. A path is opened for them to go, the main cannon is loaded and the shell is shot.
-What, did you think I could launch myself with my own cannons? I weigh more than two hundred tones. Gustav says to himself as the last shell leaves his body.
-I shall carve up the path! None may touch you while I draw breath. Gustav says as he starts unloading all his cannons at all the dragons and the monsters that would seek to reach the shell. Slowly he gets surrounded by beats but he doesn't stop firing. Nothing can stop him from firing now, to the point where the tip of the guns gets damaged because he fires point blank.
-Damn it! I'm not here spending servants like they are a free commodity! Fujimaru says hitting the ground in anger realising a second servant has been defeated. No, it's even worse, this time they left him behind.
-We push forward. We would do him a disservice otherwise. Those who live owe it to those who didn't make it. Leon says as he pulls Fujimaru back on his feet.
-Let's go master. They leave the crash site behind but as soon as they take the path that leads to the top more beats start descending towards them.
-I will take them on. Lancer says.
-You go and reach the portal. I'll meet you up there.
-No! We can all go at once!
-Rider! From around the corner Rider with Yuna and three other men appear. Two of the men are masters, while one of them is obviously a servant. His skin is purple red, his clothes are like those of an ancient bureaucrat and he wields a huge metal bat.
-I'm Caster. He says with a very deep voice.
-He doesn't really look like a caster. Teach whispers behind his back.
-No time for greetings, rush to the top! We must go through the portal immediately! We cannot allow this realm to be tainted any further least we want the whole war to be corrupted by the influence of the mad man. The whole group runs up the slopes of the mountain facing the beats that keep descending from the top. Caster was bashing all of them over the head with his metal bat gaining a lot of bad words from Teach who gained a weird affinity in picking on him for some reason.
-Take cover! Rule shouts as he ducks to the ground. Izanami was floating in the air cutting the whole mountain with her naginata.
-This time I will take you down. Lancer says as he jumps into the air to face her.
-I'll meet you at the top, get moving. Lancer says as his spear clashes with Izanami's.
-I'll aid you. For far too long has she been a bother for my work.
-Brining personal grudges into this now are we? It matters not. You are no longer capable of defeating me! With the powers of Berserker and his master at my disposal even if three servants at once would attack me wouldn't be able to defeat me. But why bother? Izanami shouts as she frees herself from the two with a quick blow sending them flying.
-I'll go for your master.
-Don't you dare! Teach says as he jumps between her and Fujimaru.
-Damn it, I can't even die right. He says as her hand passes through his chest reaching Fujimaru by the neck.
-I'll have your soul! Izanami says as she draws back her hand. Mash tries hitting her away from Fujimaru but without any effect.
-Do not underestimate a pirate! Teach says pulling out the axe Manfred gave him. With all the power he has left Teach rises the axe into the air slamming it more like a club than an axe into Izanami's face. The hit barely damaged her but the scratch it created was enough to enrage her. She pulls out Fujimaru and prepares to finish Teach off when he stops her hand from moving.
-All that's left, is a pirate's pride! He shouts as he for a second stops her hand so that Lancer could swoop in and have a direct swing at her neck. The blade passes through but the only thing it reaches was Teach who moved in closer to unbalance Izanami. She dodged it point blank, not even by stopping time could you get such an effect.
-You can't kill the dead. Caster says as he was preparing his Noble Phantasm.
-But you can in hell! He shouts while summoning two massive gates towards the underworld. Several skeletal hands reach out from beyond the gate and pull Izanami, Teach, Mash, Fujimaru and Lancer inside. Once the gates close back Caster falls down to the ground full with pride. He eliminated both Izanami as well as Lancer.
-Don't stop now! Rush towards the top! Ruler says not caring about what just happened.
Fujimaru wakes up in a boat floating down a dark river. Floating lanterns light up the water. There is barren land far off in the distance lighted up by a faint, dark sun which nearly absorbs light rather than projecting it. Fujimaru gets on his feet realising there was a second person with him in the boat, rowing.
-Don't you dare try to stop the ferryman. A voice from behind him says. The ferryman was a figure all dressed in a black kimono with a white robe over it. The face was covered by a white cloth mask. The one behind was a man sitting with a leg bent upwards. The second man wears poor clothes which barely cover him, showing only a dagger hidden in the cloth wrapped around his waist.
-Am I, going to hell.
-Master! Mash calls out from another boat. Hers too had the very same two people in it.
-Teach! What happened to teach? Fujimaru says as the two boats got closer. Teach wasn't even carried by a boat. His body was floating above the waters of the river.
-So you've awakened as well.
-Lancer! We're all here? What is this place?
-We are all on a journey to hell. Further in front of us you can't see but there's berserker.
-We have to get out of here!
-I wouldn't try that if I were you. Stopping the ferryman is against the rules. The poor man says. Fujimaru looks confused. At every boat he gazed upon there were the very same people inside. Yet no matter how he positioned himself he could never see more than one copy of them at once.
-The boats are positioned so that you cannot see more than one each time.
-Can we do nothing to return back?
-Can you deal with her? Lancer says as he points at Izanami floating in the sky.
-That fool Caster thought he could get rid of me, by sending me straight to my home? Izanami says as her figure distorts to that of an undead.
-Izanagi fled from this place once then rid himself of the poison by bathing. That's how Amaterasu, Susanoo and Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto were born.
-Amaterasu? If only Tamamo no Mae was here.
-Be quieter. You're disturbing the ferryman.
-Aren't you going to attack us?
-Why should I? You are already on your way to hell. All I have to do is wait for you to pass the gates and you'll be gone forever.
-How much time have we got before that? Mash asks Lancer.
-It depends. How long have you lived? This journey is as long as your mortal lives. Every second must be judged before passing through the gates. Soon enough we'll meet up with Berserker too. His life was so long, his boat is practically stationary.
-Sit down. The man dressed in rags keeps repeating. The three were trying to find a way out of this place.
-Guard, aren't you going to stop them from talking? Izanami asks.
-Why should I? It's a long trip and as long as they don't shout the ferryman won't be bothered. Is a nice change of pace compared to the desperate trying to cling to life.
-If we pay you, can you ferry us back?
-He won't. Those are the rules, only one way forward... Damn it. The guard stands up and everyone sees him in the front boat where Berserker was sitting.
-What is wrong with the dog? The guard asks the others while Berserker was choking violently.
-Ooooooodin! Berserker kept shouting every now and then in between each gasp for air.
-I'll judge you personally. Izanami shouts realising what was happening.
-Protect Berserker! Lancer shouts as he too realises what was going on.
-Us too! Fujimaru says as he and Mash start rowing towards Berserker. It is unknown to them, but when push comes to shove, the ferryman is not paid to fight so he just runs away leaving the boats until the guard finishes his job. Lancer stops Izanami's blade with his but in the realm of the dead Izanami is ten times stronger than what she was before. Mash tries to intervene but all she manages is to become a weapon for Izanami to use in bludgeoning Lancer. Izanami grabs Mash by the leg and slams her into Lancer.
-Let a dead man rest would you. I've earned it, trashed through so much, is not like getting up now would make much of a difference. Master, everyone, I'm sorry you've got caught up with such a lousy servant, not even a third rater. Damn it all, I wish I could rest my head... A hand grasps a boat out of the water. It was covered in blood and shaking.
-A pirate, still has his pride! Teach shouts as he drags himself out of the water. Hundreds of hands grasping onto him trying to pull him back grab onto his limbs.
-It's heavy, far too heavy for a man. But for five minutes, it will be as light as a feather! Teach jumps fully out of the water. His whole body was a black figure with only it's outer shape visible. He had fiery horns onto his head, his chest and throat were cut open bleeding profusely, so much that not even one hundred men could bleed. The day when Black Beard died there was a huge battle on a ship. He was firing his guns, cutting with his swords as one man sneaked up behind him. The axe reached his neck, it cut clean through it. For one second the world stopped as Black Beard's head was yet about to fall off his shoulders. For one second everyone's heart on that ship stopped as they were too afraid to know if he would fall to the ground dead or if he'll pick up his head and throw it at someone. That one instant of absolute terror gave birth to the servant standing before everyone. The Black Beard that did picked his head and threw it at people, the Black Beard that terrorised the world. A fully fledged demon of terror. Gurgling on his own blood he musters only a few more words.
-Five minutes master. I won't last longer than that. He says as his last words. He jumps straight into the air, right into Izanami's blade. He gets impaled on it but instead of losing momentum he firmly grasps Izanami's head in between his fists before headbutting her towards the Horizon. Taking advantage of the intervention Lancer gets on his feet.
-Quickly, if we are to ever leave this place we must remove the spear from Berserker's head! Fujimaru, as little as he can, jumps in, first to help Mash up then together to extract the spear out of Berserker's head.
-He's nearly scary. I can't believe we're watching Teach fighting hand to hand against Izanami.
-Concentrate you two! Lancer scolds them. Teach was throwing and being thrown into the water, boats and floating pillars just as he did the same to Izanami. The two were tearing each other apart in violent rage as Fujimaru, Mash and Lancer struggled to get the spear out of Berserker's head.
-I won't let you escape. Izanami shouts as she gets up from the rubble and dashes towards them.
-Even the waters of the river of death won't stop them. The fleet that covered the land in fear. I call upon the dread fleet! Teach unleashes a literal wave of ships none of which fires a single shot.
-It is not about the violence, it is not about the power, the riches or glory! All that a pirate can ever hope for it to become immortalized as a legend. Look upon me Izanami, I'll be the one to make a god tremble! Teach says to himself before shouting the last part out loud. All the ships catch fire. A crew of damned pirates start fighting on top of the burning ships as the smoke envelopes Teach. The true Noble Phantasm, the incarnation of evil, the man that escaped death with his head clean off his shoulders, Teach's Legend, the undying Terror. This is not an attack that causes any harm, not something you use to kill, to injure or to wound. This is a message, a reminder that there is something so frightening out there that no other monster could ever match. It was enough. Izanami could not move enthralled by the giant dark figure that represented the legends that were created after Teach's death. Lancer, Fujimaru and Mash managed to rip the spear out of Berserker's head. Unexpectedly, once the spear nearly left his skull completely, the giant dog turned into a pelt floating in the air. From inside that pelt a hand covered in golden armour shining through the darkness of the underworld reaches out to grab the weapon. He points the spear at Izanami mighty and filled with courage.
-I march towards Ragnarök! Lancer class servant ready to win the war! From the bowels of Fenrir I rise, you didn't defeat me dog, I still stand!
-I'll curse you all to the deepest pits of hell.
-Stay back monster for I see your true nature! Your powers will never be able to hold me here! A crow sat on the side of the boat. His powers were already breaking through the land of the dead.
-Valhalla! Lancer shouts as a rainbow bridge breaks through the dark skies of the underworld. There he was riding atop the rainbow bridge, eight legs with magic runes carved upon his teeth. Lightning and thunder were roaring under his feet as the power of the underworld had no power over him.
-That's it Fujimaru. Let's take our chances now, if we follow the rainbow bridge it will take us back to the world of the living.
-I won't let you. Izanami shrieks in anger.
-I am the all father, ruler of the asagods! Odin jumps on the back of Sleipnir as he rides through the air, spear in one hand magic in the other. Odin and Izanami do battle as the others try running up the rainbow bridge to the world of the living.
-Rise dead! Serve me once more.
-Come Izanami, die again! Odin blows his horn and from the other end of the rainbow bridge Valkyries appear flying bearing weapons against the rising dead. The two armies clash above the water. Valkyries falling into the river, undead blown to pieces. Lightning and dark clouds of poison cover the land as Odin swings his spear from the top of his steed. Sleipnir smashes his hooves into the ground creating an explosion of ice and lightning as the runes upon his teeth empower him. Izanami is not fighting one opponent, she's fighting two! Odin on top of Sleipnir are two separated entities fighting as one. By no means did Odin become a rider retaining his lancer powers.
-You cannot dodge this spear! Odin shouts as Gungnir's tip moves in mid air to hit Izanami after he throws the spear at her.
-Be split in half! Izanami replies as the ethereal blade of her spear cuts the world in half. Gungnir returns to Odin's hand before Izanami's attack lands and he blocks the strike. Sleipnir grabs the blade of the naginata with his teeth and starts pulling viciously on it. The struggle starts shaking the whole underworld, shoving both Odin and Izanami off the rainbow bridge. As the two break away Izanami sees Lancer and the others fleeing back to the world of the living. She raises her spear and pulls it back to strike at them but when she was about to swing her blade and hit them the weapon was stuck mid-air. She looks back only to see blood dripping from the base of the blade. That one moment of having the blade stuck was enough! Odin and Sleipnir jump out of the water right in front of her piercing through her skull. It wasn't enough to kill her, she couldn't be killed, not in her domain, not while she was undead. But it was enough, the hit was enough for Odin to drive all his power through the spear into her body paralysing her long enough for them to flee.
-Ride! Mount of Asgard, toward the battlefield! Odin shouts as he rides Sleipnir along the rainbow bridge. Izanami's bottled wrath was leaving her body, making the waters of the underworld grow and rise. An enormous body made of liquid and corpses rises from the depth of hell to hunt them as they run along the bridge. Once strike from it's fists is enough to shatter a whole regiment of Valkyries as shards from the bridge fly through the air. Izanami's wrath was about to claim them all but the end of the tunnel was in sight and she tripped over the bridge back into hell. All of them break out through the gates of the underworld back into the world of the living at the top of the mountain.
-Through the gate! Now! Who shouted that? Ruler, Lancer, Leon, Rider? Somebody told them to do it and everyone jumped.