Chapter 9: The Wishes of Children

"Then what is it? What is this wish of yours that is different from all the others? Are you going to wish for world peace? An end to world hunger? You think you are the first to have those ideas?"

As the various people gathered and listened, they were sure that what he had said was the ramblings of a young boy. But then, when he opened his mouth...everything changed. For everyone.

"No. And yes. What I will wish for is not the solution, but the cause to all solutions. My wish...is for a Second Age of Gods".

And thus, those words shattered the reality and minds of everyone who heard it. Not quite litterally, but that was how it felt like. Back at the room where several heads of the Mages Association were drinking wine and watching the fights, when they heard that from their spy golems at the scene, they felt shock. Two dropped their wine glasses. Another dropped their knife onto the table. And they all watched in shock, wondering if what they had heard was accurate.

Dr. Warren was even in shock.

"What...what did you say?"

"Like I said, my wish is for a Second Age of Gods. Its the best solution you see".

"What do you mean...by that?"

"Here, let me spell it out for you. Right now, there are lots of creatures that are basically extinct. Dragons, Minotaurs, and other creatures that could be a source of meat for people. Plants that have gone extinct because they were over harvested, plants that came from the Age of Gods. If a new Age of Gods begins, then The World will have its life force replenished, and the people on it will finally no longer suffer from World Hunger. Additionally, a new Age of Gods would allow normal humans to once again be able to reach the strength of Heroic Spirits, of Servants, so rather then saving the world, it will give the power for the people of the world to save themselves".

As they heard his logic, so many people seemed too scared to even move or interrupt. After all, Toko was casually saying he would wish for not a result, but rather, he would wish for something that would be the cause of multiple results. Instead of wishing to save the world, he would make a wish that would cause people to be able to save it themselves.

"And of course, as superhumans would become more common, I would be able to fit in a lot easier!"

And he also had his own selfish reasons.

"But not just me, others as well. And of course, with all the mana released into the atmosphere itself, any Servant still alive when I make my wish will likely be able to stay materialized, which means our friends may not have to leave us. Plus, we would be able to build more homes for the homeless, more jobs would be created to hunt monsters, new economies would boom. Instead of people having to rely on bloody sacrificies and other cold hearted techniques, by introducing a new Age of Gods, people would be able to achieve what Mages of Old did without all that. It would be a new era of advancement and wonder".

The more Toko spoke, the brighter and happier he seemed, as he truly believed in his own wish.

"Mages would be able to reach the Root easier if they worked for it. We would no longer have to hide in the shadows. New heroes will be born, and of course, it would bring in a new era of advancement and culture. Everything will expand, and become more adventerous. More interesting! A new Age of Gods will let us finally achieve all of this, it will be the cause to multiple results. And with the monsters around, World Peace will be achieved, as there would be creatures for humanity to unite against!"

The more he spoke, the more people began to understnd his thinking. Others were afraid, and concerned, but...others also understood what he was saying, and there were those who heard his words and understood that what he said made sense.

Others however, such as the people drinking wine while watching this battle, saw it as the sign of something else...in their eyes, Toko was a demon. An evil demon that would destroy everything if allowed to exist. And others...they were just curious, curious about what it would be like. Curious about what new challanges this wish would create.

But many agreed that Toko had clearly studied cause and effect.

"But how does that make your wish so different from so many others?!"

"Because, I am not wishing for the result. With wishes, people tend to wish for the result. The end thing. One million dollars. A fancy new sportscar. All of that. Those are results. I am wishing for a cause, an event that will lead to all of the results. Instead of forcing everyone to go along one path, I will open up paths for everyone to choose. My choice will still be enacted, but the people of the world will still be free to make their own choices. They can choose to save the world, or try to destroy it. They can choose to love, or to hate. All I am is providing more in this world".

Toko was completely serious about his wish, and it had even put Dr. Warren to fear. After all, his wish defied normalcy. His wish was a gamble, not a guarentee, but it seemed he had studied it and was sure of his result. Even Dr. Warren had to admit, everything made sense. Toko truly had created an idea to save the world, without actually saving it. People would not suddenly get bellies full of food. They would still have to farm, hunt, and gather. Mages would not suddenly gain access to the Root, but have to earn it and work up to it. And so much more.

Still, it was a wish that caused many people in the Mages Association to panic the moment they heard it, and then to look towards Ruler.

"I see...so in the end, the wish was nothing like Shiro's".

"What...waht do you mean?! Clearly, that wish..."

"That wish is essentially meaning to reintroduce something that has already occured in the world before. Therefore, nothing about it is against the rules of the Grail, and is considered acceptable" Ruler explained.

"But it would reveal magic and magecraft to the world for sure!"

"Although I am to prevent innocent people from getting caught up in this, there is no rule established by the Grail to keep Magecraft and Magic hidden from the world. That is a rule only your Mages Association decided upon, and one I do not follow or enforce. In addition...I am rather interested to see how the wish would take hold".

"YOu should be able to stick around if you survive. The mana that will be released into the atmosphere should allow servants to keep themselves manifested indefinently, if they so choose".

"Now isn't that a little dangerous?"

"Well, if they decide to lead, then I suppose we will have to deal with them. But what if they just decide to enjoy life here in this era? Enjoy the food, the drinks, maybe solve a few mysteries? Yes, I am confident in my wish".

Toko said that, and looked over at everyone with an innocent smile.

"For selfish and selfless reasons, that is the wish I shall ask of the Greater Holy Grail".

The Mages Association members were trembling as they head those words. How could they not? What they just heard before was something akin to a threat, to the Mages Association, to the very existence of them.

"Damnit! Kill him! Kill that brat right now!"

"He cant be allowed to reach the Grail!"

"Finish him off! All forces, shoot him now!"

"Send in the Enforcers! All of them! And send...send the one known as Nightshade..."

"Nightshade?"

"This is an emergency situation, and we need the best".

"Hahahahahaha!"

Terry Blood could not help but break into laughter when he heard that wish.

"Of all the wishes I have ever heard about, this is the first time I have heard one like that one!"

"You don't think its dangerous then?"

"Oh, I do. But now I understand it. That boy...he is both timid, and bold. A contradiction. Yes, I think I understand him now. Still though, to think of a wish like that...he sure has come a long way...no, I made a mistake".

Inuzuka was a bit shocked when he heard Blood admit that.

"A mistake?"

"Yes. Although he is a boy...I see now, he is a worthy opponent. Someone who deserves to be called a Master, for unlike those with feeble and short sighted wishes, his Wish is truly one meant for the Greater Grail alone. Still, he will not stand in the way of my wish...but I will give him some admiration for his".

"Then, what shall we do?"

"Well, we set out with the intention of taking out one of their servants...but so far, our side has used two Command Spells while they have not used any...and that is why, I will use one of mine to make them use theirs. Zeus, by this Command Spell, bring down the lightning on top of all members of the Black Faction! Masters, Servants, and those that support them!"

"Wait, what?!"

Inuzuka was a bit shocked as he heard Terry Blood also order him to attack those supporting them.

"Haha! It is time to feel the wraith of a god!" Zeus exclaimed, as he was suddenly surging with mana. At this point, he began to conjure this huge amount of lightning over his head. It was massive in scale, far exceeding what he should need to target Sabre. And because of that, Mordred understood waht this was.

"Master! We need to use Command Spells! He is going to target the entire region...this is...this is an Anti-Regional Noble Phantasm!"

"Understood. Then by this COmmand Spell, I command you! Protect everyone you can using Avalon, without sacrificing yourself! Just do what you can, and entrust the rest to us!"

"Understood, Master!"

ANd then, Zeus amped up the level of lightning even more, and then released it as an orb of lightning that flew into the sky and shot continuous chain lightning at multiple targets. One was Sabre and Berserker, who along with any innocent civilians in the buildings nearby, were protected by Avalon. Another bolt when towards Suzuki Subaru, who utilized the power of Networked Mana to form a barrier that protected the forward command post...and yet...

"They are targeting the Archery and Sniping Club too! There is no time to reach them!"

And on the rooftop, as an excessively powerful lightning blast when and struck the spot where the Archery Club, Sniping Club, and some of the Support Club had been. From a blast like that, they would have been vaporized instantly. She felt anger and sorrow build up inside her...

"Never fear, Subaru-sempai! This is what the Support CLub is for!"

Until she heard the voice of Uzumi-chan, who should have just been vaporized on that roof. However, instead of that...a large Three Pointed Barrier had appeared in front of them, holding off the power of the Noble Phantasm that had just been used by a the god Zeus.

Indeed, on that rooftop, the three Club Members were holding hands in a line. Uzumi was in the center, with Reika and Kyouske on her left and right, respectively, all of them holding their hands forward as well to create the Tri-Barrier. In addition, their club members were using Mana Networking to give them an even larger boost...however...

The barrier began to form cracks.

"Keep pushing! If we can out last it, we shall survive!"

However, their barrier only formed more and more cracks. Still, they refused to give up or lose hope.

"Uzumi-chan..."

"What...you losing hope already Kyouske-kun? And what makes you think you can use my given name so freely?"

"Hell no...and simple...because we fought in a war together. But...I actually wanted to point out...that to withstand the attack of a god, that just proves how amazing we are right? Dont you agree Reika?"

"I suppose...that is accurate...Kyou..." Reika replied, as sweat and strain appeared on the faces of everyone there as the barrier began to crack more and more. "After all...we will never give up...never submit...as heroes of justice!"

The cracks increased further as the intense lightning continued, and even seemed to grow in strength. Still, the trio never gave up hope, and no matter what, even if it was futile, they would never acknowledge it and never abandon each other, fighting till the very end.

But then in an instant, a rush of mana was felt as the barrier began to restore itself. "Well then, it looks like my students have the right kind of spirit and guts".

And that was when another man joined the trio in creating and reinforcing the barrier, Lobo Sanchez. Master of Berserker of Black, and their teacher.

"And what a magnificent barrier this is you three. Its no wonder you were positioned together, you three are capable of exemplory teamwork. A plusses, all around. If you can keep this up that is".

Towards the challange from their teacher, the three students, despite having sweat covered faces full of strain, released mischevous and eager smiles.

"Yes sir, sensei! We will show you the power of our wills!"

At those words, Lobo could not help but look out over at the north.

"...you better come back too. Even with that crazy wish, even if we may become enemies after this...I want all my students to survive this Grail War".

And as he did, another stream of lightning went right past their position...and headed right for the school!

"I will leave that one in your hands...Serdtse-sensei!"

Serdtse-sensei watched as the lightning was approaching the center of the main campus area, along with a number of other students.

"Takeru Hoshi-kun, is everything set up?"

Takeru ran over. "Yes sir!"

"Good work then. Sorry to keep you here instead of letting you be with the others".

Serdtse-sensei then raised his hand, as several devices across the courtyard activated and raised spikes up pointing into the air.

"Now...Eternal Barrier!"

At that point, a secondary barrier raised over the entire school area, right before the lightning hit and blocked it. At the same time, Takeru Hoshi and the other elementry, middle, and high school students around got onto their hands and knees, and used Mana Networking to help power it. These students were all members of the Engineering and Robotics club, as well as the Auto Club and the Science Club.

"Everyone! Keep the barrier up and going! They are also trying to target Castor, and we cant let that happen! We cant let the source of our precious robots be eliminated!"

"Yes, Serdtse-sensei!"

And at the same time, a huge stream of lightning went right towards Toko's position as well, which also had Lancer of Black and Assassin of Black.

However, there was a factor in play that everyone had temporarily forgotten about. That was Horus' smoke that he had created. It was not just normal smoke, but also disrupted mana, mainly mana involved in targeting, information gathering, and tracking. In other words, for that position, the lightning bolts scattered and hit randomly across the battlefield, instead of hitting their marks. Furthermore, the fact was that the position was the furtherest away from Zeus, so that did not help as he was not an Archer to begin with.

"Don't you have any idea how dangerous and stupid that idea is though?!" Dr. Warren said with anger. "You would be releasing monsters into the world! You would be bringing back gods that we dont really know enough about!"

"Glasses guy..." Toko said, which caused Horus to remember his earlier vision again, and go on guard. "This world is dying the way it is. People are suffering, life is being needlessly sacrificed. We have to embrace the unknown".

"My name is not Glasses guy...its Dr. Warren!"

"Well thats a lie if I ever heard one".

The moment he said that, Dr. Warren made a frusterated and angry expression.

"Thats it! Enforcers, kill him now! Simon-kun, order Berserker to kill him!"

"Fine fine...Berserker, crush him. He is still...wait what?!"

Simon ordered Berserker to charge and kill him as several Enforcers also approached, weapons in hand as they began to fire magical projectiles at Toko. But, the boy who was clearly tired and spent before after utilizing those Artificial Noble Phantasms...was now clearly more energized and refreshed! And that was when he noticed it...Mana Circuits embedded into the ground.

Mana Networking was not something that was limited to just the city and school area...it had been set up across the entire region. And it was a skill they were learning how to use outside of those regions as well. And although Toko had been the main focus, Dr. Warren remembered seeing other students gathering at the perimeter of the combat zone...which meant...

He looked over, and saw they were contributing to Mana Networking.

"You have got to be...so they can do it here too?!"

He had been recieving reports about it through the telepathic network they had set up, but...this was the first time he was seeing it like this and out here. They all thought it was limited to the city and campus areas.

"Now, lets go!" Toko said as he wielded his Moonscale Blades, the Noble Phantasm still active from earlier. Berserker came down to strike at him, but suddenly was cut all over from rapid attacks as Horus revealed himself. However, unlike what one might expect based on the previous encounters...

However, it seemed that Berserker's resistant to metal based attacks did not apply. That made sense of course, because what Horus had used was special Egyptian Blades, made of wood and reinforced with mana.

But before Toko and Berserker could reach each other, several Enforcers from the Mages Association came to attack him. Toko ducked down as one swung a blade, and slashed his chest with enough force to knock him to the ground. Another came down with a battleaxe, but Toko dodged backwards and kicked the blade, breaking it as he jumped up and kicked in his head while using it as a foothold to jump forward. Two more came to stop him, but Toko rolled underneath and slashed their legs, causing them to fall into the mud.

Another one came charging forth, trying to get Toko before he could get back into position, but Toko did something that looked like a back flip, then pushed off against the ground with a speed that let him take the guy down in an instant, with no one really able to see how he did it. However, the moves he used looked a mix of lethal and non-lethal, not leaning in either direction, just in that they were used to quickly dispatch opponents. Others were firing magical projectiles from afar, but Toko never stopped moving and dodged them all as he ran towards the goal.

Meanwhile, Horus went and moved around to Berserker's blind spot, and continued his relentless assault. That said, Berserker seemed to start instinctively learning his moves, and tried to counter...

"Kwa!"

When a falcon raced down from the sky at super fast speeds and used razor sharp wings to cut through Berserker as well.

"Nice work Iris! Now, special move...Dual Cross Slash!"

Horus and Iris then worked together to continue cutting up Berserker of Red. Simon looked rather displeased with the current outcome. He looked over to Dr. Warren, however...he had already retreated.

"Fine then..." he said, looking over towards where Lancer of Black was thrown. "It wont take much longer for her to return probably. Berserker, we are pulling out!"

Simon then retreated himself, but as he looked over at Berserker.

"Now! Moonscale Crossslash!"

And this time adjusting the power a little better, he sent the attack at Berserker who was trying to retreat...and cut right through it, killing it for sure this time.

And then, Toko started to stumble somewhat.

"Ah...still need to work...on adjustments" he noted to himself, realizing he needed to train with his Noble Phantasms more...

Arrows and bullets continued to fly as Icarus and Billy fought each other. Billy dodged another volley of Icarus' arrows, while Icarus evaded being shot by Billy's bullets. Between the two Archers, it was a stalemate of sorts. Of course, both of them had trump cards they could use on each other, but the issue was that they were both Archers. They both understood that they both had trump cards, abilities to pull from in times of crisis, and that they would know what the other was doing when they tried it.

And so, as Icarus fired off another barrage of arrows, Billy intercepted them again, and counter attacked, while Icarus then dodged. They kept trying different methods. Icarus fired and held some arrows back for later. Billie fired at the spots he would predict Icarus to be. But they were always watching each other, always watching their eyelines and body movement.

Because of that, the two were locked in a stalemate situation, with neither one able to win against the other. The only thing that Icarus had over Billy, was that Billy's Master used a Command Spell to help Billy survive the lightning from earlier. However, Inuzuka was opposed to using Command Spells unless it was absolutely necessary, and this didn't feel like it was that time.

And then, that was when Icarus got a message.

"Seems like thats all for today! See ya later!"

"What? Seriously! We are not done here yet!"

"Well, it seems like everyone is pulling out now, sooooo...we can do this laters!"

"Why you...this is an old fashioned shoot out! We cant just pause it here and finish later! Get back here!"

Rider continued to cut, and slash, and cut, as the seemingly endless robots attacked her from close range and long range. She had seen some crazy lightning from before, but she was too busy fighting off all these things. As she slashed down at another, two more attacked from behind, a few attacked using blaster like weapons from long range, and one of them somehow fired off a rocket propelled fist right at her and punched her in the face.

So when she got the order from her Master to retreat, although she acted annoyed, she was actually perfectly fine with it and pulled back.

"It seems the battle is done for today. But mark my words Castor, I will kill you".

"I look forward to you helping play with the children and keeping them entertained later!"

"Shut the hell up!"

As the Sabres clashed and conflicted...it had suddenly become three versus one. Lancer pulled back all of a sudden and disappeared, and now Sabre, Rider, and Berserker were all on him.

Even if he was a god...

"Hmmf. It seems that is all for today. But next time, Sabre, we will settle this...ourselves..."

And with those words, he disappeared into spirit form and faded away.

The moment he was gone, Sabre collapsed to her hands and knees, exauhsted.

"Nicely done Mordred" Rider said, complimenting her as he helped her up.

"Thanks...by the way, I lost track of you during the battle..."

"Sorry. I had to ensure civilians were safe in other areas, and monitor the situation. So I used my bow and fired at long range. Things were getting a bit intense, so my Master had to use a Command Spell".

"Ha...well, whatever. I still managed to get a feel for him. Next time, I will kick his divine ass".

"I hear we were able to defeat Berserker of Red up north. His whole body got wiped out by Assassin and his Master, after being weakened and softened by our Lancer".

"Huh...an Assassin defeated a Berserker. Well, I guess if he had help, it makes sense..."

"I also heard his wish...and wow is it something".

"Wait, really? For you to say that...what was it?"

"A Second Age of the Gods..."

Those words sent shock, and even some worry and fear, through Sabre...though, she quickly returned to an energetic look.

"Too bad. It sounds like a cool wish, but I will be the one claiming the Grail when this is all done".

And thus, the battle settled as midnight approached...but not all was done stirring...

"Master? You summoned me?" Lancer of Red asked as he appeared in the middle of a forest, where he sensed his master. However...that was when he found his Master on the ground, unconscious. Lancer tried to move towards him, but then he too found himself unable to move as a black cloaked figure stepped out into view. "Wh..at...who...are...you..."

"That is not so important...but, I suppose you can call me Master. And its time to get to work, Servant".

AN: Status Update! This is what is known right now!

Simon: Used at least one Command Spell on Berserker of Red.

Mika: Used one Command Spell on Billy.

Rune: Used one Command Spell on Assassin.

Suzuki: Used one Command Spell on Sabre.

Terry: Used one Command Spell on Zeus.

Malcom: Used one Command Spell on Rider.

Luca: Kidnapped along with Lancer.

Anyways, finally got to reveal Toko's wish! I hope you all enjoyed! Cant wait to read the reactions!