Chapter 21: Fate

Rui wished he could sleep for a month. Everywhere hurt and they reminded him with each movement or gesture. Clutching his fist finished the synchronisation link to his partner. Gigas Machina is back in action. He opened a comm channel to Meteora. "So, what did I miss?"

A screen appeared to his left, showing Selesia in a forward leaning pose. "Glad to have you back."

"Kanoya. Remember, your part of the plan remains unchanged. Follow it until Selesia can back you up." Meteora broke the news. "Yuya Mirokuji isn't around to help anymore. Marine is critically injured in the hospital."

"I see." Rui squeezed his fist, even when it hurt a lot. "I'm sorry to say this but I'm not going to hold back anymore." Pain helped to bring vigour to hatred. A little fire transforming into a firestorm. "I'm going all out to kill that bitch."

"Hold back a little longer until the Cage is sealed. So you know that she won't ever run away from your grasp." Selesia said.

Rui grinned at the thought of tearing the woman apart. "Gladly. If only for a few minutes."

Altair smiled before turning towards Siegfried. "Great hero Siegfried, my pleasure to meet you in the flesh."

Siegfried drew his weapon. "Well met Altair."

"I know of your desire. The fuel to protect people in honour and chivalry. Alas did they ever appreciate your sacrifice? Forcing you to die to fulfil their own wishes. Do you not hate them?"

"No, I do not. Every person has their role. Mine is to be a hero, even if my passing had to be unfortunate. Need not for you to worry over it."

Daichi's voice echoed from a silver ring around Siegfried's right hand. "That's right. Saber and I are partners until the end. We'll put a stop to this plan of yours."

"I see you're hiding inside that little trinket, so called Master. A wise choice to stay out of the fight."

The ring glowed blue in response. "As my partner says, we have our goals. Mine is not to fight you but to watch his back while we beat the crap out of you all."

"Interesting thought of yours, albeit far too optimistic." Red energy sparkled around her. "It would be far too easy to defeat you all. Alas, we need a good showing of it or it would've been dreadfully boring."

"That's right Altair." Rui felt a grin behind the voice. "We are going to make such a good show of beating you to a pulp and make our victory crystal clear."

"Young boy, you have grand dreams. I am beyond the rules and hopes that you believe in."

"That's right. You're perfectly right about that. You, a character of fan fiction are not bound by the rules of canon. However, just as you are free from bounds, we can also be the same. It works both ways for after all…"

Fiction can be anything and everything

Ring of swords formed around its master. "I believe a demonstration on the difference of our power is in order."

"I am sorry. I believe he is not worth your time." Archer raised his pair of black and white swords. "I will be your opponent."

She turned towards the red man. "Ah, Shirou Emiya. Where are my manners? I believe you have an appointment with Alter here."

"He can wait his turn until after you're dead."

"Snide as you may be, I should introduce a familiar acquaintance to you." A snap of fingers opened a blue portal behind her.

Something, no, someone stepped out from it. Full body plate armour, really ancient kind of stuff. A stripe of blue fur dangling from behind its helmeted head. Staring into the emanating black aura was sickening. The humanoid craned its neck towards Archer before screaming a form of incorrigible words.

ARTHURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Rui felt a shiver from the man turned beast. Altair raised her left hand. Red sigils were emblazed over her gloves. She smiled before saying. "Berserker, if you'd please."

The black shape screamed before leaping forward in brazen madness. Rui braced to accept the fight when it shot past towards Archer. Keeping eyes forward, he raised his main gun as Alicetaria raised her gauntlet. Trusting instinct, he leapt back before lightning struck from above.

Activating boosters, he sought for the sky. The horse galloped into the air to his left, away from the fight. Rui roared the pain away, seeking after the target. Plasma cannon fired as Machina sought to chase the knight.

Alicetaria kept at a steady speed, just out of reach but not enough to break away. She threw him taunts as he pursued. Rui sent potshots at her as part of the game. She dived in between a pair of buildings, prompting him to land. Gigas Machina's steps rumbled against the road, bending the ground with each step.

"Bid for the right time." Her whispers were hard to pick up even in sensitive microphones. Before he could reply, the knight barged against Gigas Machina. Kanoya cursed as he restored balance. By then, there was no sight of her.

Rui opened his speakers and nudged Machina forward into a trot. "If you want to be hunted down, so it will be."

"Lancelot, knight of the Lake." Daichi called the knight's name. Lancelot screamed before diving in with a big metal stick. Archer parried the strike, winds blowing behind him from the impact. The twin swords struggled against the strength of Berserker before several blows shattered them to pieces.

New swords appeared as Lancelot's agitation had changed the entire plan.

Siegfried dived between, the dragon killing sword interceding between the two warriors. "Archer, leave him to me."

Daichi watched as swords multiplied. Dozens growing until he couldn't count them. All of the swords the same, flying in the general direction.

"Scatter." Archer ordered. All hell went loose as the team separated into their combat zones. Swords scattered, shredding the surroundings with their number. Black shape shot across the road towards the red archer. Siegfried sprinted after, bursts of energy blazing winds in the background.

Daichi reported. He's a Berserker, straight forward brute force. However, be careful of his weapons mastery. He turns anything into a Noble Phantasm and masters it instantly.

What is his weakness?

I have no idea. Daichi reached into his jacket for a blue shard the size of his palm. A squeeze of the hand cracked the shard into dust.

Reinforcement

Bones harden, muscle tighten. Energy swirled from within. Circuit revved, pumping od along warm fingertips. A whisper along his lips. Reality slowed as reserve prana entered his nerves. Now he could see a flicker of their blows.

Ancient warriors traded blows, flashes of light in astounding frequency. Lancelot attempted to break away every time. Siegfried interjected attacks in between, forcing the black knight to back away before continuing a dogged pursuit. He heard clicked teeth as Archer leapt away from both bullets and a feral menace that shattered a portion of the roof.

Why is Lancelot so persistent with the Counter Guardian? Think, think, think. What is their relation? Nothing except…

A bright orange glow formed in the Counter Guardian's hands, drawing power from the surroundings. A sheath painted of blue and gold intricate art forged in a soft grip. Daichi recognised the tool. Avalon of the Everdistant Utopia. King Arthur's remaining legacy. A treasure kept in the Emiya family until the end.

"Catch." Archer spun before tossing the Noble Phantasm towards Siegfried.

The Dragon Slayer caught it with his sword, sheathing the ill fitting form. A twist of the blade and he set it on the ground. Prana burst from the sheathe, cracking into the road. King Arthur's scabbard glowed bright in Siegfried's power, washing the area with gold light of fae. "Come Berserker, I am your real enemy."

The Knight of the Lake screamed before turning around and diving towards Siegfried. It's working. Daichi said. "Go Archer. We'll deal with him." A nod from the man before he leapt towards his real opponent.

Hikayu watched as battle unfold. Participants broke free as the royale begun in earnest.

"Here I come, girl." Sho Hakua leapt forward. His spinning motion was blocked by a blade before a ring of swords formed around its maker. A click of the tongue before he landed onto roof, clashes of weapons out of her sight.

Right, the plan. She turned her mind back to her task. Buy time for the cage to be in place. Distract Altair from helping the others of her team. Alicetaria and Meteora would prepare some trump card. Apprehension gripped her shoulders. The most dangerous role and vital was counted on her. Hakua and Kanoya's appearance would make it easier but from what she knew, it wasn't supposed to be much.

A single leap pushed her atop, watching Hakua blocking waves of swords with similar martial arts. The red staff spun, twirled, twisted, transformed to meet every metallic opponent in turn. An artful dance to build ironclad defense. Hakua's face grit his teeth alongside every blow.

Altair on the other hand was carefree. Hikayu caught her eye. "It would be unfair for two against one, no? Isn't that how the principle of honour works around here?"

Ohnishi's voice entered her ear. "Remember to introduce yourself."

Hikayu went beet red. "Extreme Final Legend Martial Artist, Hikayu is here." She raised her hand. "I'll be the one to defeat you, Altair." Why did Ohnishi had to put her power ups behind such embarrassing introductions?

Altair's eyes widened at the sight. A smirk before bursting into laughter. "Wow. I am quite surprised to hear that." Hikayu waved her arms in protest. A sword and gun appeared in her hand. "For such an introduction, allow me to grant you an opportunity."

Ohnishi's worry blasted her ear. "Back away, now."

Altair rested the gun against her shoulder before striking its side with a sword. Hikayu felt a chill through her bones. A blue portal opened and someone stood up from within.

The woman was beautiful. "Wow…" Dressed in identical garbs, she felt the true might of beauty of herself. Hikayu realised her cheeks were beat red before jabbing a finger. "That is too revealing!"

Her other self didn't have such compuctions. Before she knew it, Hikayu had already twisted aside to avoid a nunchuck to the face. Her alternate's face carried a grim smile. "Just die already."

The murderous gaze and shrill voice of hers felt wrong to the core. Hikayu said while brandishing her own weapon. "Why are you like this?" Her question didn't stop the attacks that pushed her back towards the edge of the roof.

"If you are here, then I can't have Masayuki."

"Altair is tricking you. Masayuki isn't here!" Hikayu blocked the strike to her chest and felt flight. Her feet landed against a wall, cracking parts of concrete. Dropping seven stories onto the ground, she blocked the blow for her face.

"Lies." Her copy grunted. Hikayu blocked the next fury of attacks, pushing her across the pavement. "He is here. I know he is. You've hidden him for yourself."

"That doesn't sound logical at all!" Hikayu tried to back away but every space given was taken back. Waves of red metal gave chills to her bones upon each hit. Hikayu defended herself only by the instinct honed by experience.

"He is the most important thing I care for. Nobody but me shall have him. Even if I have kill another copy of myself. Die."

"That is so wrong." Hikayu said. An irony behind the girl's words. Something broken within her mind. Altair's reason injected through her. There's no saving her. Power coursed through her muscles before forcing the woman back. "Bring it on then. Time to show you a lesson."

Gigas Machina rumbled along the empty block. Each step quaked the silence with regular footfalls of metal. Nothing on the cameras as his own eyes scanning for the elusive knight. Meteora asked. "Have you managed to communicate with Alicetaria yet?"

"Yeah. She's following the plan. Got to put on a show first."

"Altair is distracted with Hakua for the moment. We won't have long before she notices."

"Right." Rui stopped moving, intending to draw out the target. Masaki's new upgrades were already installed. The reflector shield would help greatly to absorb large attacks. It was hard to guess how much pain his frail body can take.

Something tingled along the hairs of his skin. "The cage is in place. I'll start applying the spells." Meteora said.

"Start with the cohesion spell." A blue glow settled onto the armour. Felt like nothing but it should protect Gigas Machina from disappearing. "Thanks."

"Remember, it can take only one hit from Altair's Holopsicon. One and nothing more."

"Got it. As much I'd like to smash her into pieces, I'll keep a cool head."

A chime from his console. Another transmission. Major Magaki said. "Kanoya, I'm transferring the assets to your control. Make good use of them."

Rui opened a map, dictating all available tools prepared by the JSDF. "Glad that I can break them without paying for it." A certain sage sagged in response. He whistled through the list. Far many beyond his ability to manage in a fight.

"You've changed." Rui blinked. "The airs around you feel something far older."

"Maybe the older guys rubbed off me." Rui opened a feed from one of the JSDF cameras. Altair was still entertaining the notion of dealing with Sho Hakua. They got to be fast. A few shenanigans to kick things off. The rest would be on the green men. "Meteora, prep me an energy charge spell would you?"

Something struck him from the back, staggering him forward. Rui turned around before shooting back. "That stings." He kicked Gigas Machina back to gear in pursuit. The old woman was diving in between buildings, prompting him to smash through them with a fist.

He said on speakers. "We're ready when you are." A tap on the forehead. When did she get there?

"Boy, use your weapon to shoot her. Try not to make it obvious." Her horse kicked up into the air back towards the other side of the battlefield.

Rui shook his head. Gigas Machina launched into the air, surprised at the distance from the target. Six kilometres. Nothing I can't handle. Rui raised both cannons towards the tiny shape in the distance. Tried to make sure to aim the right way. A whine as Meteora's spell activated. Energy levels spiked to maximum. "Things have changed." He squeezed his fist and fired.

Sho craved for air, burning through the workout of his life. Swords coming towards him from all directions in an endless tide. Every bit of focus to avoid being gutted like a fish. Tsch. If only he could get close where they won't work so well.

Meantime, the girl was gloating at her station. "What's wrong? Are you not entertained?" Sho couldn't spare a breath to answer. Sprinting across the roof, swords marking his trail.

He got to improvise before that girl wore him out. Something to draw her eyes away for a second. Sho leapt across the roof onto the next building.

Ripple through the air, a tearing begetting danger. Sho dived behind a metal machine as a ring of swords blocked it, bursting into cloud of smoke and heat. He backtracked towards the source.

Tanks. That's what the old man said its name was. Those things were really far. Altair closed her eyes before a wave of swords shot in that direction. Shortly after, explosions blossomed in that direction.

So much for that idea. Sho leapt back beforetwo large purple beams streaked from the left right towards them. Searing heat that singed skin even on a miss. He thought he caught fire at first glance.

The beams smashed against the defensive ring. Hot plasma screeched against the spinning motions, eating countless seconds to hold the attack at bay. Time to take advantage of that.

Sho glanced for options as another beam blast slammed against the girl's shield. That water tower might prove useful.

A sprint shot him forward into the air. Staff tossed fragments of glass around the area before making a hard swing. The blow snapped clean a leg of the tower. Said tower buckled under its weight, toppling over to crash its contents across the roof. A shoddy mist formed as water jets sprouted into the air.

"Bayard." Red spears struck from above, below, head on. Spikes clashed against a new wave of swords. Another beam forced him to turn away. The second after, Sho caught his breath.

None of them made their mark. Not even four shots of that powerful shot from whoever knows what. Seriously, this is nuts.

"I do not need to see to know your every move." Princess turned a lazy eye towards him. A third shot before he noticed something approaching.

Sho glanced around. The swords were holding back. He needed to get past them. Somewhere right inside. "Oi, you're not some mind reader are you?"

"No." She smiled. "I am far above that."

"That's a joke man. That's way far too strong of a thing." She said nothing in response.

Sho sprinted towards his target. "I don't care if your powers are insane. I'll bring you down just the same." He saw glints of metal as they shot past him. Each step closer brought more upon him. A hand into his pocket before spinning a full circle and shooting his staff like a flying bullet.

Swords blocked and bounced the red projectile aside. Sho dived into the opening from above.

"Bayard." Countless spears jutted from glass, each parried by an equivalent. Cloud of red and silver in a tight ball of metallic barbs. Leaving an opening, just narrow enough for one obscure staff to slip through.

"Take this!" Everything into this attack. To crush that girl's smug face.

The staff hit, just a hair. Sho felt its touch than pain first. Second later, the mind caught up to scream from the sharp piercings across his chest. Familiar coppery taste climbed to his tongue.

Not a word was said as Sho spat red. Light headed on a hanging act atop six swords.

"Such regrets." More blood coated the staff. "Kid, see you in Hell. Bayard!" A porcupine of spikes unleashed from the weapon, branching out in defiance.

Pain faded for Sho as the impaling spikes withdrew. A final say before…

She was unscathed. The girl closed her eyes. "How unfortunate."

Hell unleashed upon him. Pain beyond understanding. Sho wanted it to stop.

By the time it did, Sho could hear a hiss in his lips. Far too obvious, too deep down the road. He closed his eyes as darkness reached to grab him. Everything felt weak. The last he saw was the girl turning away.

Red flashed across the battlefield. Close. Brutal. Unforgiving. Their fight, paltry in comparison towards the flashier battles. A drop of water in the flood remained just as vital.

Metal sparked as both sides stood to a standstill. Hikayu took deep breaths, harmonising the energy inside the body. A step to the left, a parry to the right. Every action fulfilled a purpose in a continuous flow of arms and metal.

Hikayu didn't understand the thoughts floating in the back of her mind. Unsubstantial yet relevant. Nonexistent yet all knowing. Their attacks remained a blur to the naked eye but Hikayu can see them all. Attacks defied the strength of their sizes, bodies that remained firm in defiance against unnatural physics. A testament to will, nature and glory.

She leapt towards her enemy before launching a tirade of blows. A whirlwind of red metal from multiple directions. Each intended to bring down the enemy with blunt force. Its equivalent countered within another spinning tide of air. Heat intensifying in waves from the brushes of air and sparks.

Chains caught onto one another, tying two weapons together. Both pulled to disarm. Hikayu threw a kick, tossing both weapons aside. Alteria pushed back before smashing the ground with a fist, scattering a wave of sharp stones. Hikayu blocked the rain of pebbles with her forearms. Qigong directed the power of its impact away. A step back before spinning with a kick to hit Alteria Hikayu in midair.

Alteria skidded across the ground before rising back onto her feet in an instant. Hikayu barely blocked the immediate counter. Rock crumbled under her feet from the blast. Pain blossomed as a knee struck before a heel sent her flying into a wall. Hikayu focused energy through her injuries, numbing the pain.

Jump within reach, both sides stared at each other. Recovering breath, gauging their injuries, assessing the way to defeat their opponent. Eye to eye. Focus against Rage. Hikayu realised. Altair could copy her body, skills and experiences but it could not copy one thing.

State of mind.

Alteria shot forward in a blink. Hikayu blocked the attack for her ribs before countering with twin fist strike. Both fists hit the stomach, throwing the girl back before landing with a painful crunch. Alteria stood up, blood and tears of skin and fabric irrelevant to the rage in her eyes.

Hikayu gave kept apace, launching a kick from above. Alteria held the attack, cracking soil. Grab of the leg before smashed onto the ground. A cry from her lips before feeling flight. Flip to recover before landing on her two feet. She pressed a hand, feeling ripped cloth along her side.

Alteria was already in the air. Energy burst forth from her skin. That glance of hate before spiralling into a dive right at her. "DIE."

Her heart throbbed. Hikayu knew what was coming and how devastating it would be. Dodging it was out of the question. Absorbing it would've decide the victor. Meeting this strike head on was the answer. Everything was pushed into blocking this entire strike, she chanted.

Righteousness is more noble than thou!

Thus, I say there is nothing in all creation more noble than righteousness!

Power surged.

Life's energy, coursing within.

Kassatsu Banryu!

Arhat, who had crossed the two rivers

Focused into one point.

Two powers aligned alongside one another.

Click, full circle.

Prime.

Thy fist shall turn to Vajra

Killing Cosmos Hell Fist!

Her bare fist struck, breaking ground by impact. Different flames burned in bid of dominance. Blinding light from the blow. Heat burned knuckles as power pushed through. A war cry to match her hunger for victory.

Flash. Hikayu broke through and smashed Hikayu Alteria into the ground. She held the leg aiming for her face before Alteria propped herself up using her grip. Hikayu felt pain in the stomach, staggering back. Half second was enough to block another series of kicks.

Hikayu moved closer, nullifying the kicks. Several fistful of hits into the chest before she swiped Alteria's arm aside before stepping under it. Hikayu spun and grappled into a choke hold.

Hikayu gasped as Alteria pushed back onto toppled onto her. Air pushed out of her lungs before Alteria rolled around to free herself. Iron grip continue to suffocate before she felt something metal in the forehead. It was enough to force her back. Standing aside. Alteria huffed for breath. "Just die…already."

"You sound so sad." Hikayu said between breaths. A sliver of red crawled down her forehead. "Poor thing, forced to fight for the wrong reasons." Alteria's answer was a jab for her neck.

"Die bitch."

Hikayu grabbed the arm before twisting into an arm lock. A scream from her opponent before a kick to the knee forced Alteria down onto her knees. Another attempt to choke Alteria.

"I'm glad that you have such devotion to Masayuki. It meant a lot to me to know that." Hikayu kept a soft voice with an iron grip.

Alteria resisted albeit diminishing by the second. Hikayu didn't want to see the painful sorrow within those eyes. "Why? Why can't I get the happiness I want?"

She continued on and held a tight grip. "I didn't want to fight either. I was just as scared as you are. However, I have friends that need my help. Unfortunate that we are on the wrong sides. Good night." She heard no reply as the woman went limp. Hikayu let go and checked, satisfied that she was only unconscious.

Hikayu stood back as the copy faded away in a haze of blue. Satisfied, she turned around back towards the real troublemaker.

"Rest in peace, sister."

Emiya scanned the horizon for his target. Altair was battling Sho and Hikayu to the west. Selesia and Charon to the north. Kanoya and Alicetaria to the east. He and Alter, centre stage of the entire battle. He spun, Kanshou and Bakuya blocking against a barrage of bullets.

Alter landed on the roof, twirling both guns in their trigger fingers. "Took you long enough to get here."

Emiya snorted. "I said to wait your turn."

Alter raised a brow before shrugging. "What a fallacy to say this. I wouldn't want to keep myself wanting."

"Even in the land of purgatory you carry a string of humour." Emiya reinforced the body. Time for their rematch. All or nothing.

"So does the man that looks better dead than alive." Their blades clashed.

"I do what needs to be done. For the world deserves better than the woman who destroys it."

"Wouldn't Altair be the one destroying it?"

"A fragile flower as her? She is not a destroyer or a tyrant." Alter smiled. "The Princess is its saviour."

"How cynic." Emiya pushed the blades aside before stepping closer to a stab. Kanshou was deflected aside as Alter leaned under, throwing Emiya overhead. Emiya recovered just as fast, stopping the incoming twin slash of metal from stabbing his gut.

Metal against metal in a dance. Death made into a form of art, a tempo to the rhythm of flesh and steel. Each blow told both participants of the fight. Their ways of battle. Their history. Inscriptions of Alter's past flow into Emiya's circuits with every strike.

The strike for the head told him of the beginning. A journey where life had not ended where his had. Another life that continued down the path of time. The slash for the ribs spoke about the reckoning. Death of friends, family by hands that he once served.

Betrayal at its finest and vengeance returned that was most sweet. That begun life on the run. Unending process of survival through the darkened path. A Hero of Justice.

Arduous path to find the greatest evil of the world. A simple woman. Devil in angel's clothing. Black hairs that snaked down to her hips. Soft spoken eyes. Sensual body in a provocative white dress that men would die for. She speaks no evil yet death follows behind with hunger's fervour. Followers bent of murder and genocide. Insane and irredeemable, the hero of Justice granted them mercy with his own two hands. Months passed into a year, each death bringing him closer to her.

Killing the evil spoke of the nectar rewards yet each life drained its sap from within the hero. Filling the coffins of countless more. Hundreds, thousands died by his hand. All for the sake of justice. A mirror's edge of falsetto and hypocrisy. That ended when he finally met her.

Beauty beyond expectation that he nearly succumbed into its lustrous allure. Melodic voice that speaks of innocence. A smile that leaked innocence. Her eyes, those filled with a condemned soul were the nail that shattered his resolve. Kanshou was raised in his hand to end the life. In turn, lost his own.

Grasping most of the man's past. Emiya said within the spare moment. "You're a man with many screws loose."

Alter barked a boisterous laugh. "Is that so? There aren't many that would say that to me. I can agree that only myself would be eager to say the truth. All is wanting in the path for redemption."

"This path of redemption is only a path of blood."

"Speaks the one who tried to create a paradox. One cannot exist without the other."

"I rather not exist than fall into the pit of madness like you are."

"Is madness so bad? Granted its nothing like Madness Enhancement, they are refreshing new perspectives.."

"A Guardian that had fallen so far." Emiya primed several blueprints for immediate use. "I will give you an ending."

Alter raised his head with a smile. "Is that so? Please try."

Author's Notes: Good day and thank you for reading Beyond Worlds.

Altair is OP and always OP. Sho Hakua can try all his might but his attacks are just that, physical attacks. Defeating Altair in my mind couldn't just be won by brute force as some people like to remind me in the previous chapters.

Lancelot has appeared. Yes. Many chapters foreshadowing him many times. Results left behind without clear answers. Why him? Granted there are some servants which are more subservient or willing to go with the Anti Hero route, I felt that Altair sees him as someone who could be controlled, a strong contender against Emiya whilst also capable of beating the crap out of every other hero. Sure, Hercules or other Berserkers have similar outputs but Emiya carried a repertoire capable of fighting them head on.

Hoshikawa's Clone. In hindsight, she was quite a filler. However, I want to also push Hoshikawa's own battle something beyond just a fight. Purpose, focus, clarity. There is more to a fight than just a trade of fists after all.

Regards

MarksmanKNG