Chapter 23: So as I pray
Blades parried. Gunfire roared into their ears. Twists of metal. Screech of steel. Black and Red kept it close and personal. Emiya twisted the gun aside, dodging the bullet intended for his face. Another parry blocked the slash above him before twisting away from the other gunsword.
Alter fell backwards to avoid the shoulder slam. Rolling up to block the next blow. Held in lock, Alter asked. "Are you afraid?" Emiya chose not to answer. "This world is a mockery. A fake suited for all of us."
Emiya stared into the eyes of his nemesis. Grey pupils wide with delight. A churn down his stomach. "We are never real beings, only shams made in hopes for the people watching us this very moment." No openings to abuse. "Can't you feel it? The world we live in, the struggles we endure. All of it is a hypocrisy."
"Tell me then. What do you fight for?" Emiya said.
"Salvation for the world."
"Through its destruction."
"The world was always approaching the end of its life. It deserves, a proper end."
"I applaud you for being so insane that nobody can find the answer in your head, even when dissected."
Alter laughed. "A rule of reality. Every beginning has an end. Start to finish. Life and death. Pristine into degradation. It is better to die pure than to be turned into a living horror, would it not?"
Emiya reinforced closer towards the breaking point and slammed his feet into the ground. "If you want to die early, then don't drag everyone else along for the ride."
Extra leverage pushed Alter back which countered with a barrage of bullets. He leapt back, spinning around to block with Kanshou and Bakuya.
A moment's space. Emiya took stock of allies. Siegfried's presence had vanished. So was Selesia. The others were taking a beating. Time was short. Time, for Unlimited Blade Works.
Alter caught the glint in his eye. A smile before goading forward with his fingers. "Come on now, bring our world to reality. Show these humans our true, brutal, nature." He made no motion to stop as Emiya pushed od through his circuits.
I am the bone of my sword
Steel is my body and fire is my blood
I have created over a thousand blades
Unknown to Death
Nor known to Life
Have withstood pain to create many weapons
Yet, those hands will never hold anything
So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works
Fire flashed, returning them to the red wasteland. Alter stood at the base of the hill. He gestured to the world with a laugh. "Do you finally realise the futility? Each sword is death of a person. Many of heroes, others of the unnamed. This dream for humanity, twisted and corrupted to its core."
"Yes, I see it." Emiya looked down towards his alternate self. A black presence surrounding Alter that was spreading root across the ground. "Our path is filled with every horrible essence of man." A raise of hand. Swords rose from their graves and awaited his call.
Alter raised a brow at the swarm of blades. Reaching to the jacket, he tossed it aside to reveal skin articulated with bulging gold veins. Black permeating aura expanded.
Emiya cast his hand down. Steel rained onto the opponent. Alter fired his weapons before swinging to meet the fury. Twisting his body across the red sands, blocking the never ending wave.
His nemesis pushed harder, faster. Each blow growing stronger every second. The veins grew larger, cracking as prana poured in the man's body.
Emiya felt the corruption sprouting its tendrils. Black growth within the world, trying to domineer control within the realm of swords. He clamped it down like his own jaw. Several swords formed and answered Alter's call. Oozing demonic pieces that its original struck down.
Flickers of the past brushed by Emiya's thoughts. Upon the breaking, the Second Magus Killer sauntered back to the route of death. By his hands, thousands died. Now, so much more. Far, far too many. Former friends and comrades rose against him. Each of them fell to his gun or blade.
Every murder cracked the remnants of the human mind. His Magic Circuits absorbed the death with ghoulish fervour. Luvia and Rin tried to rescue him from the pain. Yet they did not understand. How the nameless slaughterer cannot be saved.
With nobody else to kill, there remained one. A woman of his age. Far lacking in strength compared to her compatriots. Sakura Matou remained to be the greatest challenge.
Raising the blade was simple. Her soft words tried to resurrect what was known as Shirou Emiya. Bringing down Bakuya onto her soft neck wrought agony. Fragments shattered, ground to dust. Pain was his sign of life. That vanished. Without purpose, there was one recourse. Placing the gun by his temple. And pulling the trigger.
Red soil turned black as swords continued to barrage. More answered to stem the rising tide Emiya was throwing. Alter screamed as the veins on his body bulged larger and larger. Closer towards a man of gold than dark skin.
Emiya called his trusted pair. He couldn't risk further taint. Diving into the fray, their blades clashed. Swords danced around them as they weaved in between the net. Death in its greatest melody.
All sense of time had been lost. As though no breath was taken. A duel between two selves. One origin that lead to different futures. Light. Dark. Both with unique advantages. And both came to enjoy it with smiles on their faces.
Weapons traded casually as new ones take form. Swords, shields, spears. Arrows, bullets, knives. Spins, twists, grapples. Stabs, parries, ripostes. Every technique, flawless and firm. Built around centuries of war. Countless heroes carried their fame. Noble Phantasms, the second true archive on the Hill of Swords.
The world reflected onto their efforts. Red soil turned black before restored anew in a tug of war. Alter screamed as he pushed harder through his Circuits. Emiya felt his own depleting at a staggering rate to keep up.
Alter pushed back before raising Kanshou.
Unlimited Lost Works
The bullet was cut short by four blades. Another returned the favour, diving to cut Alter's yellow cheek. Grey pupils dilated with a scream. Dark portions of his wrist cracked to gold before swinging to parry the counter.
"Don't you see it? How we are truly monsters?"
Emiya took deep breaths. "You may be right on that." A white spear answered his call, resting underground. One belonging to the Count of Wallachia. "Thanks to certain people, I have also seen far more beyond it. I also know…" Kanshou and Bakuya in hand, the Guardian charged and activated.
The spear bolstered by its legend, Vlad the Third burst forth with impaling stakes. A small piece stabbing through Alter's feet. Alter cut the perpetrator instantly but Emiya pushed through the opening made through countless battles.
Six strikes. Both hands flew free. Tendons severed. Blood spilt with its host dropping to his knees. Guns clattered with their holders. The pair of swords rested on the soft neck.
Alter smirked, an acceptance to the fate.
Emiya said. "That you are an unfortunate soul."
He swung.
WARNING. SYSTEM DAMAGE.
I know that. Rui grounded his teeth as Gigas slammed through a building. Maybe two or three more. His jaws jarred as he saw the sky from the flickering screen. Reflector field was a powerful defencive tool but against Altair, it was just toothpicks.
REFLECTOR FIELD MODULE DAMAGED. EFFICIENCY AT 75%
He glanced at the scrolls of diagnostic text by his left arm.
LEFT PARTICLE CANNON - 60%
RIGHT PARTICLE CANNON - 45%
REACTOR - 83%
THRUSTERS - 50%
HYDRAULICS - 50%
Armour display read orange all around the body with some red exceptions. Structural integrity for Gigas Machina's limbs were suffering. Rui winced at the growing burn in his right arm. Pressing the suit aggravated the nerves under the skin. Growing red under the suit along the knee. Darn. Old wounds had split open. It would be a close race between Gigas Machina and him on who'll break first.
Rui grabbed the emergency med kit at the back of the cockpit. Fingering around within the stubborn casing before pulling out a syringe. Painkiller and combat stimulants pulled the pain away a little. Energy flushed in and took over but not for long.
Gigas Machina's joints groaned as he coaxed the machine back onto its feet. Sluggish than he'd like. Getting his bearings, he turned back towards the fight and advanced on heavy two feet.
Hikayu turned into the spotlight of the battle. Every part of her body moving in tandem to the beat of attacking swords. Battle cries as the soft school girl turned hardened warrior leapt, spun and parried all forms of attacks from multiple directions.
Quite sexy while at it. Rui shook his head. Got to put my weight or I'll definitely be teased by the others.
Swords protected their master in a continuous spin. Most at the front attacking the martial artist, some at the side against Blitz. Something caught his eye. Magnifying it revealed a slight gap towards Altair's right shoulder.
An opening.
Hikayu deflected several swords aside before jumping forward towards it. Flying red bullet crossing the distance under two seconds. A chill in his back. Sword, violin gun in hand. Rui recognised the combo. He screamed. "Dodge!"
Altair's Holopsicon activated. Hikayu's dress vanished into her school uniform before meeting metallic gauntlet in the face. A cry as the young girl was thrown back with a painful crunch.
"Humans are so predictable, always aiming for the weakest point." Altair smiled before pressing a leg on her prey's head.
Fire burst. "Don't you lay a finger on her!" Rui charged with cannons firing. Swords to his right. He raised his hand to deploy the Reflector Field.
Rui caught a glance of purple before his right elbow screamed. His throat cried out as left leg lost all sensation before the secondary feedback hit.
Pain. Pain. Pain.
Black fiery pain.
Pain was his best friend.
Now Rui became it.
Last he remember was feeling Gigas toppled onto its back. His throat burned from screaming out the never ending fire. Painkillers did nothing. Old wounds puckered open, aggravating the suffering.
Rui disengaged the feedback system, giving himself a briefing respite. Heavy breathing trying to keep up. Never felt so close to dying.
More than his life, Hikayu needed help. Lying on his back, he saw Blitz diving in trying to get closer towards the unconscious girl thrown away from Altair. Old man didn't notice the swords coming for his back.
Grunting through the pain, he connected back to the hurricane and aimed the remaining gun. Pull of the trigger let the beam loose. It did the job, taking the attack meant for Blitz. Bright explosion. Black flickers on the heads up display as damage caught up in the system.
He scanned for the gunman to find him on the ground a dozen metres away with Hikayu in arms. Looked like in one piece.
Altair wasn't scratched. Not one bit. God damned girl can't even be injured for once by circumstance. Swords returned to her side, holding in position. The girl's glance impassive towards the fallen two.
Blitz wasn't moving. Rui knew the odds were terrible to begin with. Now it's almost zero. Levelling his gun towards Altair. Might as well buy time for them to get away.
Static warnings crackled from damaged speakers. Servomotors struggled to keep the gun aligned as charge began to build.
Despite the flickering display, Altair raised a brow. Flying projectiles sent its merry way to kill him. Just a little more…
A whiplash of red came from behind Altair. A new group of swords deflected them into the surrounding areas. Dust scattered as a flash of red darted through. Archer landed on the nearby roof. "Kanoya, status?"
Rui winced as the deep burns started to subside. "Honestly, I'm not going to last much longer." Fusion core was struggling to keep up with the output.
"Not doing too well either." Blitz groaned before climbing to his feet. The man's coat was torn with many cuts along the back.
"We're in a tight bind."
Archer tapped to his ear. "Meteora. How long left for Skynet?"
"Five minutes."
Rui heard the worst thing ever. "That's going to be a big problem."
Shirou Emiya stood before her once again. Their eyes met in a long stare. Unmoving, unrelenting, indomitable. Continuing the poker face, he reflected on available options.
Prana reserves were reasonably depleted. Adding Altair to the equation, Unlimited Blade Works wouldn't last long. Key question was whether her Holopsicon negate the Reality Marble? Still, he must try.
I am the bone of my sword
Altair smiled. "That's right. Fight at your hardest. I'll wait for your exquisite Noble Phantasm. For all that it beseeches, it shall show our dear audience of this world the futility to fight against damnation."
So as I pray,
Unlimited Blade Works
Huge gears and red sands to never be forgotten. The injured located in a safer area from the ensuing clash. He looked toward the horizon of weapons. Each of them would have to count.
Altair hovered in the air before giving a bow. "Shall we?"
Tiny glint from one of the gears. Sparkle above the grey clouds. Meteora's concept enhancement spell. A peace of mind.
Emiya responded by raising his hand. The world answered, legends of heroes rose and waited for the command. Five minutes to hold Altair at bay. He lasted two in their previous encounter. A cast of the die and Hell broke loose.
Pandemonium of metal clashed. Hundreds of weapons battled across the open wasteland. Number to number. Sparks, shattering glass, metallic screams and explosions quaked the battlefield.
Altair was an impregnable fortress. Every sought opening met and denied. Little nudges through perceived gaps couldn't get through. Her bladed shields expanded in number to meet them. War of control and attrition.
No battle lines moved not an inch in the intense scuffle. Emiya pondered how to turn around the losing fight. Cost of the Reality Marble was eating deep into reserves and growing faster. He'd be a dry husk by the time they finished. Bad moments calls for some genius ingenuity. "I trust you like the weather here," He said.
His question towards her sparked a brow of interest. "Very amusing. Perhaps I should also add, comfortable that we can fight in the shade?"
"Weird woman. Such luck do I have to always meet them."
"Your attempts at amusement are successful but I wouldn't consider it working. Perhaps you should focus on trying to survive." One sword went by his ear, deflected aside by an equivalent.
Emiya played the next card. "For someone bent on destroying the world, you are rather casual at it. Taking your time with all that power behind your back."
"Drawing out the climax is the best thing for a story. It wouldn't be fun if our audience here wouldn't be able to accept the results in such a direct approach." A sly in her words.
"Humour me with this. Why are you so keen on vengeance for a girl that you have never met?" Six swords dived for his head before repelled aside. "You don't know her. Nor does she know you. While she created you doesn't mean you owe her anything."
"A pity. You already know the answer."
"Big pain in the ass but I lived with it. That's what he does all the time." A lean of the neck, feeling the brush of metal against his hair.
Emiya struck on the concept he'd hedged on for a while. "At first, it didn't make sense at all. However, I come to understand why you are so adamant to destroy the world." He jabbed a finger at her direction. "You are just like me. Someone who do not wish to exist."
Altair tilt her head before a chuckle. "Interesting theory that you have. Go on. I'd like to hear it all before tearing it apart."
"With enigmatic powers, erasing everything because you do not want to suffer the pain is far simpler. Your existence is the greatest torture. For you grieve the loss of your Creator."
Everyone carried some form of motivation, positive or otherwise. What was Altair's reason to destroy the world? Obvious clues pointed towards the young girl that had passed on. The story from Sota Mizushino helped him to piece the parts together. Deep insight thoughts and a word with his own Creator gave some deep insights to the factors that made her tick.
Her response was to far less than what he hoped. "Perceptive of you to think that way." Counterattack above him. Swords burst from the ground, deflecting them. "However, you are completely wrong."
Emiya jabbed. More swords were clashing closer towards him. "You lie through the grit of your teeth. I know the fact because I am the prime example. Someone who wanted to erase my former self."
"Ah, the paradox of time you wanted to create in your story. What a pity that is to be for it wasn't for the hero of that story. What misfortune you have to not be the main character. Maybe I should bring him here, let you understand the significance of your existence, which is absolutely nothing."
Battle line advanced in favour for Altair. "That is what I used to believe. However, just as I have changed from my journey, I have learnt. There is a hope, even against the darkest pits of hell." Foretold by the one he never expected from.
Swords, growing by the dozens surrounded them. "I grow tire of this game."
Far too many to repel individually. He raised his hand. "Rho Aias." Pink petals blossomed. Shield of Troy rumbled from the intense impacts. Sparks of rain continue to grow. Unlimited Blade Works sought to cut the tide but far too few could answer.
A petal shattered. Pain in the wrist. Running on fumes. Another shatter. Copper taste in his tongue. Two petals shattered in short order. His own weapons counterattacked and failing.
Fifth petal broke under the growing might. It can't be this ridiculous. Twenty seconds before he runs dry. Ten before Rho Aias breaks. Kanshou and Bakuya would parry awhile but it would throw him on the back foot with almost no way of recovery. One desperate shot through Altair's confidence?
Do or die measure. He steeled his mind for the moment. Caladbolg answered to his call, flying from the soil. Bow projected in hand, he raised it as the sword twisted into the Broken Phantasm. Half a second, the arrow slot in as Rho Aias vanished. Draw and fire.
All done in two seconds. Within such a short distance, an eye blink would miss it. The explosion smoked all results of the shot as Kanshou and Bakuya entered comfortably in hand.
Just in time to avoid being riddled with swords. Dozens of them coming simultaneously. Twin pairs blocked in a dance. Muscles squeezed every bit of strength and skill within. Burn inside his chest to keep up against the madness. They weren't enough.
Cuts sought through. A graze here. Cut there. Emiya prioritised those that were outright fatal. Eye of the Mind had no options. God damn it.
Altair's word were poison as his ear bled from a cut. "You lose."
Hope spoke in his head.
You will not suffer alone.
Altair's weapons was held back by a blue glowing trasparent shield. A tool too familiar for him. Emiya surmised the originator and sent the thoughts through his mind. Into the familiar link that had rooted into him for centuries.
I didn't expect you to be here.
You seem surprised. Has it been that long?
I suspected you were around yet you never knocked.
Reality is a hard medium to pierce and there was no immediate need.
Altair smiled in realisation. "Ah, the infamous Alaya, have you come here to plead for your Guardian's last moments?" The voice announced in full.
Altair, Altair. Gloating in the face of every adversary you meet. My miracles are limited within this world. Nevertheless, I can still do this.
Emiya felt it. Blissful prana coursing through his circuits. Power of the Counter Force fed through his entire body. Every single fibre of his revitalised. Wounds sealed close. Gears in the Marble Reality groan as it churned to divine energy. New blueprints flowed through his eyes. Countless more weapons to fill into the infinite world of swords.
The King of Heroes is infuriated by such action but his displeasure is irrelevant to the present danger. GAIA gives its regards.
New weapons from past, present and future stabbed into the soil of the world. Battle experiences and blessings of their respective owners. Voices and cheers amongst the Heroic Spirits, calling for victory against the woman before him. Sure, he would not wield Ea but that was a weapon beyond his understanding. It would've kill him outright.
A square silver box appeared in the clouds. Meteora's work was done. Structural Grasp pulled all the information within before it faded. First step to defeating the woman before him.
Symbol of the Thousand Miles unfolded in his mind. A stream of conscious knowledge from Meteora's Skynet spell, processed in an instant. From then, he truly comprehended the danger of Altair's reach.
Holopsicon was a Pandora's box. Seventeen rules, each of them ridiculous on their own. Sum them together and it would be a hero's ultimate power wish list. No superhero ability would be able to overcome all of them at once.
Emiya's analysis strung it down into one point. It came down to defeating each rule. A task for a hero with all trades. Adapt and Improvise.
Son of Emiya. Finish this bitch.
Calling upon his new alternative, the longsword that carried a throttle beside the grip. A squeeze revved the weapon's custom engine with prana. A smile on his lips.
For once, I agree wholeheartedly.
Sota bit his lip as he watched the world inside transform. Battle of epic proportions. Something yet to be seen but only imagined. Commanders of their own weapons in constant brawl to win.
Swords, countless forms of them moving in a symphony. Battle was crude but the man turned it into art. A nameless man turned into a form that could threaten even the most dangerous beings of his world. He was so close to losing but the presence of Counter Force had bolstered the man towards greater heights.
Archer's skin flared bright blue. Such Blade for blade, he was keeping up with Altair. Wow. Sota turned towards the crowd below as the stadium erupted in madness. Cheers louder than the giant speakers.
Comments from the live stream were scrolling in the hundreds, filling the secondary screens with long texts of white.
Oh dat UBW.
L33t Man, pure l33tness right there.
Feels like Gilgamesh vs Shirou Emiya.
Swords, swords, swords everywhere.
Fill the Halls with lots of swords
I think I'm gay for him.
You bet, Archer is totally Gar.
Kick her ass Archer!
Rising excitement inside him. The energy from the fans were bleeding over into him. A fiery fever that wanted to take over. Addictive allure to let go and fall into the mood. Sota pumped his fist towards the screen. "Get her Archer!"
A glance towards the control room was everything but. Inside, the rest of were dreary. It made him just as concerned. Walking over to the room, he noticed Hideaki slumped on the floor with a medic treating him. Meteora's stoic glance started to worry him. "Meteora, what's wrong?"
"Archer's caught up to her but he isn't winning."
"He'll find a way." As always how its been.
"That may be very difficult." Meteora added. She was studying her book with fervour. The Book was scribing text onto its pages by itself. He recognised the text. Rules of the Holopsicon. These…these are Altair's abilities.
Sota walked towards her pedestal. "How did you get this?"
She kept her eyes on the book. "Altair would always gain new spells but we needed to know what limits that she can break. Few of us brainstormed and led to this idea." Flip to the next page before more words inked itself.
Ability to disregard the rules.
Ability to change said rules.
Manipulate words into reality.
Reverse cause and effect.
Complete command over magic.
Complete command over technology.
Teleportation
Shapeshifting.
Activate any power by its name.
Gifted with multiple powers.
Meteora's hands were shaking. "These limits are far greater than we hoped. Frankly, I don't know how he can defeat her." If even she said that…
Sota turned back towards the screen. Archer had drawn upon his favoured pair to deflect weapons coming too close upon him. Sweat on his skin glistened against the growing dust. The magic glow around him was noticeably weaker.
One sword managed to slip past his guard, grazing across fabric. "Ig-Alima." Archer said. From his hand, a sword appeared. Way too big to be wielded by humans. Long as a football field with a green crystalline guard. The weapon came crashing down in its might onto Altair. Ground shook as the dust blasted against the cameras. A piercing shatter as the weapon split in half along its centre.
"Even with the help of powerful beings, your efforts are futile," Altair said.
Archer raised a sword that sparked a field of lightning along the blade's edge. He batted attacks aside with minimal nudge. "Says a girl who believes unlimited power is the answer to everything."
"No matter how much you struggle, you will not win."
"Death is not a loss as long I achieve the objectives of stopping you." Burning swords formed a ring around Altair before bursting into a blaze of fire.
Inferno's roar cut short with a gust of wind. "Quaint for a man who had died many times."
"In many different ways as well. Would you like to try? It's a unique experience."
"Unnecessary. Death serves me no purpose."
"So does your goal. Destroying the world will never erase the burn. That black ooze of pain, despair and regret in your heart will continue to fester like rotting flesh. All because you are too afraid to accept the facts about your Creator. That she is dead."
"You have no right to say such a thing!" Altair surrounded him with her customary weapon. The red archer widened his eyes before leaping away. It saved his life from the red beams that obliterated everything in its path with fervent energy. Vapours crackled as ground turned to glass.
The path is clear. "She entrusted you with everything she had and you decide to throw it away."
"Throw everything away? I'm doing a service by enacting her revenge."
"Revenge? You are lying by your teeth if your Creator wanted revenge."
"You have the gall to believe you know my God better? I was created by her very hands. I felt her very emotions while she was creating me. You, an outlier would never know what she felt from the monsters hidden under those sacks of skin."
"What were her final words? Was it full of hate at that very moment? Or perhaps someone who felt very tired?" Her reply was glare harder into his eyes. "Sure, I was never created by her. However, I am not only born from one man. Just like you, countless people have tried to envision me within their stories. An endless journey broiled through their eyes. I can likewise imagine the same, just like these swords."
Archer ducked to avoid two beams aimed for his face. Kanshou followed up, deflecting others in sequence. "If you're such a powerful being, why don't you ask her yourself?"
Altair caught her tongue. "What?"
"All the power in the universe to achieve any desire and destroying the world is the first thing that comes to mind. Quite a cliche on the contrary when it comes to think of it. Why didn't you just bring her back to life? The rules aren't solid anymore. Come on, show us the limits of your abilities."
"Cliches speaks more to your history, Shirou Emiya, paragon of humanity. My powers grow daily but it is not infallible to the rules of life."
"I'd presume you to say so. Even for someone of your calibre. A little surprising given how proud you were." Sota felt a chill in his spine given the murderous eyes that lit up in fury.
What was Archer trying to do? Sota widened his eyes when it came to him. His thoughts were interrupted by one of the soldiers reporting. "Major, I have a new signal."
Kikuchihara and the Major walked towards the man's screen. "What is it?"
"Unknown. It's heading towards the battle." A little marker appeared on the map, on the far edge of the city and approaching the group at high speed.
A small insistent ringing in the ear. Nothing painful but it felt strange. Sota blinked away a few flickers on the monitor display. His gut churned at the thought. Something bad coming.
Emiya projected Noble Phantasm one after another. Swords, shields, spears. Hands moved on instinct, harrying blows aside while making his own. Boss difficulty went up four notches with energy beams.
The new development was another element to its own. Magic or science fiction? Both possibilities exist and Structural Grasp couldn't discern it. Although, getting her pissed was worth it. More critical of it was the direction. That was the right way to go.
Energised blades of the millennial futures proved to be far more efficient in defence. Strong but simple against Altair's repertoire. Noble Phantasms would have to make the cut in breaking through Altair's indestructible defence.
War beyond brawn. Battle on multiple fronts. A sequence of steps for the final goal. A new presence invaded into his realm. Something not possible. Stretch of senses for it, biding remaining attention to stay even against the tide. Little to discern. The plan beckoned to continue. Win by all means necessary.
Altair was agitated, given such dedicated attention and bared teeth. Emiya managed to keep up, little injuries healing from Alaya's infusion of prana. The influx of power was starting to wane by uncertain limitations. He didn't have long to work this form of plan. Then that voice crashed things around.
A soft voice, barely heard with reinforcement. Crackled and distorted with static. "Altair."
The world stopped. Swords froze in their tracks. The winds, soil, gears in the sky made a complete standstill. Altair's eyes wide in surprise as she took in the person addressing her.
"No…it can't be."
Emiya took the moment to catch his breath. Strategise, prioritise.
She appeared on the side of the hill. Just as Sota Mizushino described to him. Black haired girl with a short stature. Blue collared white dress, plain and simple. Like the person she was supposed to be. Altair's Creator, Setsuna Shimazaki.
"I'm finally glad to see you again, Altair." Her voice was soft, barely audible even with reinforcement. Each syllable carried noise that made it approach inhuman.
Not in the truest of forms. The girl was a fading blur of blue static. Buzzing and pulsing with digital noise. Not a physical presence behind the sight before him. Human in a ghost's shell.
Far better than expectations. He assumed Altair would try something of that sort on his goading. Alternatives in the group of scenarios that was derived. The boy's story made it a strong point to use. For when battle by blood wouldn't work, they'll resort to breaking her will.
Sota Mizushino alongside Matsubara's guidance worked on creating the girl he once knew, even if only a poor replica given the boy's own words. Given the circumstance, Emiya leveraged for it to happen, using Altair's own ability against her. The best weapon was one they couldn't fight back against.
Altair widened her eyes. "You…you're here."
"I, I think I am." Her voice continued to carry static. Emiya found it disconcerting. For a Creation to be incomplete. Its effectiveness just as limited.
Nevertheless, it was a game changer. Altair's eyes showed a new emotion once. Fear.
"That was dirty! That was so dirty! You cowards!" Her weapons were vibrating, making it all that delicious to bear witness. "How could you do this? How could you do something this cowardly?"
"You're the one who asked for it. The very thing you hoped all along." Emiya added fuel to the fire.
"Altair…"
"Stop… Stop!" The vixen's weapons vanished. "Don't call my name with that voice. Please…"
"Sorry. I died before I was able to call your name. I was so happy-"
"No! Don't say that! You're already…You're not Setsuna! There's no way you can be her. She's already gone now."
Setsuna smiled. "You're right. I did die. However, I heard your call. I think its like a miracle."
Altair raised a hand into the sky. "Fifteenth Holopsicon." Blue faded grainy image turned crystal sharp. Setsuna Shimazaki glanced at her hands as the winds started to shift her hair. The silver haired girl met the eyes of her Creator. "I see…he's the one who did this."
"That's right. I may not be perfect but I hope I'm enough."
A smile, another first from the woman of fiction. "You're always enough for me."
"It's sad to hear what you've done for my sake."
"I do all of it, just for you. Anything and everything."
"Altair. Thank you. It made me feel very happy to hear that." Setsuna turn to look at the grey clouds. "I see what has happened to this world. What a painful thing to see."
"The world's painful to see without you in it."
Setsuna straightened her back and returned a gentle glance back towards her friend. "I came here to apologise to you. I've done something really horrible to you. That's how I feel. When I finished drawing you, both the good and bad, I entrusted you with all my wishes."
"I always wanted to see you." Altair clutched her chest. " For so long but when I found out about you, you're… already gone. Feeling all of your thoughts inside hurts so much. I regret being unable to do anything for you."
Setsuna walked closer towards the frightened girl. "In those days, my mind was filled with curses rather than wishes. Because of that, I ended up making you bear the burden of my own curses. Those curses that I made you bear…the one you should be mad at is me, not the world. I was happy about it in the beginning but its my fault. You spent your life to get revenge for me.
Emiya noticed opportunity. Could he use it to take down Altair?
Altair's hands were shaking. "Don't say that! It looks like you're saying I never understood you at all! Don't say that." "I've never received a curse from you. I chose everything here myself Setsuna. I know how you felt when you disappeared more than anyone else. I know your pain more than anyone else. I was born into this world in exchange for that pain!"
A single attempt could win or break the entire battle. Should he use it?
The two girls were standing face to face. Altair's voice was filled with sorrow. "Through your eyes, through your heart. I learnt everything. The world was too strong for you, too automatic, too cruel. Sometimes spite is too big for people to bear. That's why I hated this world."
"I know." Setsuna gave a faint smile. "Can you let go? Put this to rest." She clasped their hands together. "Let go."
Altair met into the eyes, pressing their hands against her cheek. "I want to but I can't let it be. Not after what they've done to you."
"It's alright. It was my decision in the first place."
"No, it was because of the vermin that forced you. The same people that are watching this very moment."
Emiya felt his gut churn. Setsuna flashed in blue. Static continued to flicker and grow. He whispered."Meteora, something is wrong."
Meteora replied. "Evaluation Tracer readings are growing unstable. The audience aren't accepting her." Her voice paused far too long. "They are unable to accept Setsuna Shimazaki as an existence in that world."
"Why is that happening? She looked convincing enough for me."
Nakanogane hissed. "She appeared too random off the blue to be accepted."
Sota was panicking in the background. "Why didn't they accept her? It was turning out just fine!"
"Original Character!" Yatoji pulled at his own hair.
Nakanogane added. "Damn it. To their eyes, she is an original character. Never once seen, a deus ex machina. I know it was a bit tough but it looked to be working so well."
A clash of acceptance. Emiya related it akin to GAIA's intervention on his own projections. Moving to the next. Rhongomyniad, spear of the end projected behind his back.
Altair pulled Setsuna into a hug. "As you see, my task isn't complete. I'll have to get back to you later."
Setsuna wrapped her fading arms around. "I wish I could do much more for you."
Twisting the long silver longinus into an arrow, transforming the Noble Phantasm.
Altair broke free from the hug. "I know… I really do."
Broken Phantasm fired, blaze of fire behind its tracks. A clash before it slammed into the sky and exploded.
Setsuna was gone when the dust cleared. Swords formed, by the hundreds around them. Altair turned back towards them. "Apologies for the delay." The white haired girl in the black dress bowed towards the crowd. "Now, where were we?"
Meteora watched as Setsuna vanished from the Bird Cage. Cold grip squeezed her heart when Altair regained her motivation to destroy the world. They were so close. Why, just why did the audience have to reject such a minute detail?
Kikuchihara asked. "What are we going to do now?"
Stoicism took over, slipping her back towards resolving the problem. Alicetaria's Anvil strike was destroyed and so did Selesia's containment plan. The Setsuna option had crumbled in its entirety. Last option of defeating Altair head on was growing bleak.
She didn't have a chance to answer the director for Altair said. "Divine Argos." It erupted from the ground, enveloping the red Archer. A square purple cage to fit the man. "Thirteenth Holopsicon, Word Access."
Archer snarled, pressing a blade against the cage. Lightning sparked along the metal. Swords sought to free their master to no avail.
Altair raised her sword. A blue beam shot towards the sky, rumbling and echoing. An earthquake within Archer's realm.
Evaluation Tracer's blue ring flickered deep red. A jump in heartbeat. Readings were plummeting. Fast. The worst had begun. Only one possibility and she hated to admit it. "Altair's started to destroy reality."
How could she manipulate reality from within the Bird Cage?
Archer created a small jagged dagger and pressed against the cage. Purple barrier shattered before he encountered multiple rings of swords. Swords attack on his command but each ring impeded the man from reaching Altair who had a big smile on her face.
Computer displays in the room changed into a dangerous hue. One of the officers reported, tinges of panic in his voice. "Anomalies appearing in multiple locations."
"The Internet is going crazy!" Sota fiddled with his phone. Darkness cloaked the room as the lights failed. Only the white and red hues from the display and Evaluation Tracer continued to illuminate as the entire stadium's lighting failed.
A loud thunder crack, far more than expected. Everyone turned towards the window facing outside. Reality was had been twisted as thunderstorms sparking their rage. Tornadoes spiralling out of control within the city. Rain that cried waterfalls onto the road. Ground screamed as pillars of earth rose split and rose into the air. The grey sky bled flares of fire.
The Major barked orders to his men to help the public. Kikuchihara stepped up to support him coordinating the police.
Nakanogane said. "Guys, we have to stop her before its too late." Earth quaked closer, bringing screams within the crowds. Evacuation alarms rang out.
Yatoji screamed, hands on his heads. "Who and what army is going to do that?"
Hoshikawa unconscious, Kanoya and Blitz incapacitated. There was no army. "That's right." They've failed. Her knees buckled as she bear witness to the world's end.
Everyone else had similar sentiments. The crestfallen expressions of despair. Just like her.
"I'm still a virgin for goodness sakes." Ohnishi echoed behind the thunder claps.
Nakanogane slumped onto the ground. "It was worth a shot."
Sota turned towards her, his face begging for assurance of hope. She couldn't give him any. She failed them. These innocent beings would suffer the consequence. Her eyes dropped a tear. An irony of times that she could cry. Her voice had cracked. "The end is here."
Archer was still trying to break through towards Altair. A red blur that moved around the tornado of metal protecting the girl. Altair screamed in joy. "Nobody will stop me from destroying this world. Gods, worlds or realities means nothing in every part."
Altair's words struck fear. "Vengeance has come." The blue light continued to glow brighter before the displays turned bright white that poured over to the real world.
Meteora shielded her eyes but the brightness wouldn't diminish. Closed eyelids mattered little to the intensity that continued to grow. Impending fate drew out an emotion she hadn't experienced in so long. She wouldn't want it on anyone else. Emotion of impending death.
She didn't want to go. Everything melted away against her insistence. Starting with the surroundings. Distance, place, time. Fingers, Limbs, life. Thoughts, self and…
The world ended.