Act 1- "Death of Beginning"
Chapter VI- "Never ending"
Inside this place, flowers bloom even under the moonlight.
Twinkling like stars together with the lunar gleam, the flowers' beauty arouses even more.
The orchids and petals gently sways with the night breeze.
The plants and orchards beautify the outside with their fantastic setting.
The colors, the light and the aroma gel with the outstanding structure of the building that holds them.
Combining them with a palace that stretches like a mountain range and is as sturdy as a modern day fort, a fusion of beauty and fierceness is the result.
Deep within the fortress walls of the palace, the dark corners of the room are lighten upon by cup-shaped oil lamps of bronze.
Although the flames are barely lighting the room, the radiance of the starry evening improves it, causing luminescence of the Heavenly skies to shower to this-
- a structure befitting of a king.
"Marvelous!"
A man, sitting on a throne, shouted in amusement with a slight grin on his face. His hawk-like eyes curled a bit to form a delightful expression, however, the sharpness they would normally show appeared afterwards. He raised his right hand and rubbed his platinum-blonde hair with his fingers as he announced words with boldness of that of a king.
"They were truly heroes befitting of their title; Both Archer and Lancer had showed their brilliance in the battlefield!"
He commented while a seemingly sadistic smile appeared on his face as he gazed at a large monitor made of prana that was similar to a television in front of him
"Your Majesty, don't you think this is the right time to strike against them while the iron is hot?"
A man, who with long silver hair, appeared and bowed in front of the man sitting on the throne and asked him a question.
"You are too hasty, Bismark. Don't forget that I am simply here to witness the splendor of God's garden not to chase a silly cup that can grant a pitiful wish."
The man on the throne replied and commented on the silver-haired man's question.
"Truthfully, Lord Jayendra's barrier is top-notch that even I was unable to decipher."
Bismark said describing the Master who resides on the mountain.
The lord of the mountain and the master of Archer had established a powerful barrier around it. However, because of Elizabeth's skill with breaking through bounded fields as an Enforcer, she was able to sneak in. Unfortunately for Bismark, who is a pure magus in practice and heart, lacks the ability and knowledge to "kill magi" using unorthodox methods. However, the king before him managed to break the entire barrier's defensive and concealing system without much effort put on it.
"That magi you called Jayendra did an outstanding job with the barrier, but it was merely child's play with my capabilities."
It was only natural for that to happen. The man before Bismark is no ordinary man or king. He is a spectacular being that the magus personally summoned through the ritual he conducted days ago.
A being summoned through the ritual is a Servant; A heroic spirit called forth from the Throne of Heroes to fight as champions for the greatest rituals of all, the Holy Grail War.
And among the vessels capable of being summoned into the world, the king before him was one who specialized in magecraft, the Caster class. This was evidence of his surpassed skills in thaumaturgy that outshined even a magi who had studied and nurtured his/her specializations and researches throughout his entire lifetime.
They are beings that exceeds humanity's or even magi's realm.
"Of course, you were the man summoned to be the greatest of the greats."
Bismark, while bowing his head, praised the man before him.
The compliment Bismark gave was an understatement for this hero's accomplishments in his past.
"HAHAHAHAH! Indeed I am! It is the King's duty to determine who is worthy and who is not AND how he shall administer judgment to both!-
-Not a judge's role, not a soldier's role but a King is only the one who can as it is my privilege as the hand of Marduk."
The silver haired magus nodded and smiled to the king's words of pride and praise to himself.
"However. . .Bismark. . ."
". . .I still could not forgive that you had summoned me in the second-weakest vessel."
The man clenched his fists and gritted his teeth while glaring his sharp hawk eyes to the magus that knelt before him.
Bismark, after hearing those words of anger, had a catatonic expression on his face.
Having noticed of this, the king changed his wrathful mood to ease the man who was feeling nervous. But, for some reason, hostility and dominance still retained behind the following words.
"Remember this Bismark, I am the King and you are merely a jester. I will not issue a verdict for your foolishness. . . for now."
That was the decision of the king; That was his ruling to the accused.
Normally, a Servant should be loyal to his Master as the latter was the one given command in the contract.
That was why it was called "command seals", the three absolute commands that even the mightiest of Heroic Spirits may not be able to or will have trouble to defy them.
This is the common rule; The normal partnership between the Masters and the Servants.
Both seek the splendor of the Holy Grail War.
Both will fight to the death.
To ensure success, a contract or pact between the two will be made.
Furthermore, it was well-designed that a Servant, no matter how powerful they were in life, would never be able to exist in the modern world where they were summoned into without prana support from a magi.
Excluding certain cases of the Archer classes who usually possess the Independent Action skill, this rule applies to all Heroic Spirits/Servants.
The partnership between Bismark and Caster, although had followed the proper courses of the formation of the contract, is functioning differently from the norm.
Caster, as he had mentioned, claimed to have been a king.
Thus, he may be a Servant who is bound to the command seals, but he is still a rightful man with pride and honor as a ruler served by people that requires respect from the Master. In other words, the role of Master and Servant was reversed when Bismark had chosen this man as his companion in the battlefield.
Even if this relationship is quite brittle and can fall apart easily, Bismark is confident that he can keep this partnership in tact.
After all, as long as both their interests coincide, there is no valid reason for either of them to betray or to kill the other.
Other than that, if the two of them manages to fight together, Bismark feels that he has assurance in his victory.
In his eyes, there shall be no Servant in this war, even the Archer servant of Jayendra who is currently mercilessly overpowering Lancer, that can match Caster in terms of firepower in single-combat.
Absolutely no one. . .since. . .
"I humbly accept your verdict,"
this man. . .this king. . .this Heroic Spirit. . .is the one and only
"Destroyer King."
He was a lion sent by the Almighty.
He was the torrent sent by the heavens.
The man who was a devote follower of Marduk and the hand that ruled the greatest kingdom in history.
Dawn approaches.
The once tree-filled forest now turned into a wasteland of burned woods and twigs.
The animals and insects that lived inside the dense forest either died due to the blaze or fled away from being scorched.
It was a disaster.
Only two living men stood inside this hellish earth.
But calling them "men" isn't entirely correct.
Panting hard as if he being chased, Lancer tightened the grip with his spear as he glared at the enemy before him. He daunted the armor he once threw away after closing in on Archer who was continuously evading him.
His enemy, the man wearing a crimson golden armor, that as if "fused" with his body, emits a powerful aura of brilliance.
The fight already lasted for 25 minutes.
Lancer has since from the start repetitively destroyed Archer's blazing arrows. Fortunately for him, his Noble Phantasm saved him from wounds.
Archer, who was clearly at the disadvantage in both physique and weaponry, should be the one in the losing edge.
This idea had been totally reversed ever since their first close-range engagement.
The armor that Archer has is clearly a Noble Phantasm of some divine protection, is what Lancer is thinking.
While his protection is not technically invincibility against all attacks, Archer's armor can be say to be near it.
The armor reminded him of a Greek Hero that he admired when he was still training. Although not an armor, it was a body that stood greater than any hero in his lifetime that not even the invulnerable body of his cousin, Achilles, could match. But, in terms of tenacity, skill and technique with the spear, and cold-heartedness in combat, Archer resembles the latter.
It is as if he is fighting against two renowned Greek Heroes whose skill with the bow rivaled their teacher, the Great Centaur, Chiron.
"Archer's armor. . .is Archer's Noble Phantasm?"
Lancer asked the calm and composed bowman who was fifteen meters across from him. As an answer, Archer simply nodded without changing emotions or facial image.
"Lancer felt ashamed that Lancer had been fighting a bowman who had yet to use his rightful weapon."
Archer, who had heard these words, let out a shocked expression.
"I see. Did your instincts told you that?"
"HAHAHAH! Come and bring out the true bow, Archer!"
Lancer roared as he taunted Archer.
"I apologize, spearman but I was ordered to not use any of my Noble Phantasms in this bout. I understand now. You boast your skills like vanity but when face with a fight that does not favor the other side while it does to you, you feel like you have no right to claim the win. You, in spite of desiring to crush your opponent, wishes to defeat them without they holding back against your strong will."
Lancer showed a surprised facial expression upon hearing Archer's statements. As if Archer had clearly read him, Lancer smiled and began laughing like a madman.
"Archer is one peculiar man. Lancer is having fun in this battle. . .however-"
Before Lancer would finish his reply, the spear that he held, his rightful weapon and Noble Phantasm, glowed purple light intensively.
"Lancer is now going for the kill."
He coldly whispered as he glared at Archer who felt anxiousness at the sight of the spear.
"So what is your answer, Enforcer?"
Devadas calmly asked Elizabeth while he points at her his sword.
"HAHAHAH!"
"Hmm?"
Devadas raised his eyebrow as Elizabeth laughed excessively.
"You make me laugh, homunculus."
Elizabeth grinned, however, deep inside, she was very wary and nervous in this situation.
"What to do?"
"If you are not going to answer, Miss Straus, then we have no choice but to eliminate you now."
Devadas readied his swords and at the same time a group of homunculi appeared from the entrace Elizabeth went in earlier and the stairs the former was.
This was a dire situation for Elizabeth.
A very dangerous scenario where survival and escape is nearly impossible.
But, as someone who had tasked killing outstanding magi in their own territory for over 7 years, the Ice Reaper had always been used to this.
A situation where death is nearly inevitable.
An engagement where survival is close to zero.
She, who had lived a life as a dog of the Magus Association who always initiated and performed with failure as not an option, had never been afraid of death.
For her this situation, in spite of feeling anxiety, is nothing more than a cool breeze.
"This is clearly like that time."
She thought as she reminisce a fragment of her past.
This was when the Ice Reaper was born.
Stranded and alone in a dome of evil spirits created by the magi before her, she faced certain death.
All the 9 Enforcers and a couple of Executors that were sent with her perished. . .only she was left standing.
This was a magus, who was a Sealing Designation by the Magus Association, and at the same time a researcher of Dead Apostles that is blasphemous to the Church.
It was a joint operation of the S class.
Meaning. . .extremely dangerous.
She was 19 years old at this time and all those who had lost their life were skilled and experienced heretic hunters in their prime.
So how she, who was only but a puppy in training, could match against the monster before her?
"Elizabeth Straus. . ."
The magi that stood ten meters before her called out her name.
The lone Enforcer smiled bitterly and responded, "Nice to meet you again. . .Faustus."
"Eleven years. . huh?"
The magi, Faustus, who was as thin as bamboo and wore round-shaped glasses and an old coat, gestured to the young girl before him.
They were acquaintances to each other.
However, it was not a friendly relationship but a wrathful one.
The former was the victim while the latter was the suspect.
Eleven years ago. . .Elizabeth could still clearly remember that day.
That is why. . .
". . .I will kill you."
She whispered that as her hand glowed azure light.
And that. . .was happening in the present.
"WHAT?"
Even Devadas, who was calm and composed, was taken aback by the sudden outburst of prana from Elizabeth's hands.
"You were asking for my answer, right?"
"Enforc-"
"It is neither."
As Elizabeth cut off Devadas, she punched the floor with both her fists which then results to the room being showered by azure light.
Every homunculi, even Devadas who was far above them, stood frozen.
Every thing in the room was turned into ice.
But doing that would require extreme expertise in Thaumaturgy that is close to those of the Greater Rituals.
So how can Elizabeth, who is merely an Enforcer, achieve such a feat?
No. . .first of all. . .she did not froze everyone.
She merely. . .
". . .this will buy me some time."
She thought as she run back towards the exit while panting.
Using this magecraft causes extreme fatigue and stress to her body and circuits to the point that she was, when she first used it, was nearly closed to experiencing Hyperthermia. It was a backfire of the icy atmosphere that her magecraft induces.
But since then she trained and mastered this spell. . .however, such after-effects were clearly unavoidable regardless of mastery.
Despite escaping defeat, Elizabeth felt humiliated.
So humiliated that she could hang herself right now.
"If not for that homunculus, I could have. . .I could have."
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt shivers through her spine.
"My bounded-field!"
She sensed it. Her bounded field was dismantled.
And she had an idea who managed to do it.
"Jayendra!"
She gritted her teeth as she looked back to where she came from before pressing onward.
As she closely enters the exit, she sensed a surge of prana outside.
Familiars.
Man-eating dogs, serpents and evil spirits were waiting for her. It was probably a trap meant for her. Which means. . .
"Regardless whether or not I accepted that, I would have died, wouldn't I?"
She smirked as she breathed heavily.
She was now definitely feeling the effects of her spell at the same time the exhaustion of having to fight that homunculus.
"I have no choice. . ."
She whispered in her mind as she heard several foot steps coming from behind.
"With the power bestowed upon me by the Grail, with my Command Seal: Dominions, I order you!"
She placed her palm on top of her command seal and recited the incantation.
This was the only way for her to get out of this. As her body glowed red, an explosion of crimson prana circulates around her.
"Lancer, come and rescue your master!"
Lancer charged with his spear on hand that was aimed to behead Archer's torso.
The bowman, who was strategically calm throughout the engagement, for the first time, felt anxiousness.
Although he lacked the innate ability to sense danger, due to his experience in one of the most brutal wars in humanity's history, and with most of his life was targeted by killing intent and disgust, he had earned a self-ability to know danger.
This time, he was sensing it.
Even though his armor could reduce all the damage he took to the tenth of their original power, the divine blessing he gained from his father was not absolutely invincible. Truthfully, it was an armor made to be indestructible even to the hands of gods. Moreover, no one from his lifetime was able to penetrate his divine armor.
But, Archer, is confident that his armor cannot withstand that incoming attack.
He will survive that blow but he won't unscathed.
To avoid pressing burden to them who were continuously providing prana for him, he would avoid it.
So, Archer burned his bow, and ignited it with his flames and recited-
"O, Agni-"
Bright flames surrounded him, enveloped his very existence, and showered his presence with the rage of heat.
Lancer grinned at the sight of this.
It was an all-or-nothing fight between the two of them.
Archer, who still foolishly hesitated to unleash his rightful armament, was prepared to receive the all-powerful blow from his opponent.
Lancer, who eagerly desired to end the duel, was about to unleash his most powerful strike.
At the moment of contact, however, Lancer disappeared like thin air.
"What?!"
Archer was dumbfounded for a few seconds before learning from his Master what transpired moments earlier.
"RAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Lancer swung his large spear cleaving all the familiars and homunculi that surround his Master.
"Sorry to disturb your fight, Lancer."
Elizabeth, while panting, apologized to her gigantic companion.
"Lancer was to use the spear."
"I guess I made the right call. It would have been terrible if the enemy figured out your spear's unique ability this early-wooooah!."
Lancer dematerialized his spear before picking up his Master with his large hands.
As he was still under the effect of the Command Seal, he was obliged to rescue his Master by any means necessary.
"Lancer apologizes for rough treatment."
"We lose this round for now, Lancer. . .but at least, we got to know our opponent's tricks."
Lancer, using his large legs and muscle power, leaped to tremendous height while carrying his Master.
He was confident that he managed to lose Archer off for at least a few seconds of time. This was enough to gain some distance.
As they landed on the ground, arrows were continuously fired on top of them.
"That bastard."
Of course, like their previous exchanges, Lancer's body proved to be superior in defense than Archer's arrows.
The bowman gazed at the duo who both were steady in their exit of his Master's territory. He was prepared to use his trump card Noble Phantasm, his bow, to eliminate the two but only awaits his Master's command.
"Master. . .what is your decision?"
He whispered to his Master with his sharp eyes fixed at his targets.
"Leave them for now, Archer." Lord Jayendra chided the bowman.
It was only natural for him to do so. After this duel, he had concluded that Lancer was indeed a formidable foe, strong enough to match one of the invincible heroes of India. Furthermore, his body proved to be powerful and was on par with his Servant's divine armor. But, what separated the two was their offensive strength. If Archer had used his true bow, then that fight would have ended to their favor. . .was what he had thought.
"Their strength would be a hindrance to the other competitors. We can eliminate them anytime in the future."
"I agree. Still, I apologize for being unable to discern my enemy's identity. He was loud-mouthed, big-hearted yet sturdy. He might as well be on par with Bhima's strength. Aside from the unusually oversize spear, I have no clue of who he is and from where he came from."
After hearing his Servant's report, Jayendra brushed off Archer's apology and worries, "No problem with that Archer. Regardless of who our opponent is, that piece of information is meaningless if they are dead, correct?"
Archer nodded and agreed to the statement while still gazing at the pair of Lancer and Elizabeth who was now leaving their premises.
"We shall meet again. . .spearman."
Archer though as he turned his back on them and returned to his spirit form.
"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The LORD's right hand has done mighty things! The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
A man wearing a black coat and hat murmured these lines from the Bible as he sat on his chair.
The chair buzzed as if like a bee as he gazed at the book on his palms, the Bible.
The place where he sat at was dark. The person beside him and the people around all slept peacefully as the plane flies through the air.
Such peace was temporary for this person for he would head to carnage once more. . .like how he usually would.
As he fixed his coat, and buried the Bible inside, he pulled down his dark hat to cover his eyes and closed his eyes.
"12 more hours. . ."
He whispered as he went to sleep.
Above the plane that he rode, on top of the tail of the plane, a figure lied on it like a bed.
He was a man of his 20's with long brown hair which one would mistake him for a woman.
His face was like that of a strict teacher of old, who was firm and disciplined.
His eyes were like that of a kindred spirit, whose vision would never waver.
Surrounding his body was a bronze armor covered with a cross-emblazoned surcoat that flies with the gushing wind.
Truly, from appearance alone, he was a man who would be admired by the courteous wives of the medieval times and respected by the knights of those from the glorious tales of old.
He, definitely from appearance to heart, is both a hero and a saint.
Gazing at the stars above him, it gave him full nostalgia of this scene when he was traveling across the world, protecting and saving people.
He never expected that he would travel again to become a champion of righteousness once more, to protect what needed to be protected, and to slay what needed to be slain.
He closed his eyes, taking himself back to his past, where he became the champion of the weak and tormented.
As he await the day of he would take up his spear once again, he would enjoy these peaceful hours with the life he proudly lived.
~Chapter END
AN: Sorry for the very late update! I got busy lately but I'll be back posting updates soon. I hope everyone still follows the story because it will definitely be better in the succeeding chapters.