I opened my eyes to see the familiar dark slimy dome-like chamber that I'd grown almost accustomed to fearing every time I had one of my nightmares. With the same screeching screams of tortured souls attempting to reach out to my very soul and pull it apart as they would my very body. The pain was excruciating as loud voices shoved into my ears.
"YOU CANNOT ESCAPE! YOU WILL BE HIS SOON!" The same shouts I'd heard as a child, Angra Mainyu, the supposed omnipotent devil that encompassed the Grail's very existence; was after me. As I struggled in vain against the flailing, groping hands tearing away my pajamas a hot searing pain whipped through my body. And as I screamed the other screams soon stopped. And the hands ceased their molestation pulling away from me.
As confusion gripped my mind I noticed a buildup of the dark liquid forming at the other end of the chamber. When it finally dissipated a dark shadowy figure stood in its place with what looked to be a sword in its hand. As the silent swordsman looked at me it began to step forward as I began to hear the clink of a knight's suit of armor. My eyes went wide with fear. I mean it was bad enough I had to put up with being tortured inside this hell throughout my whole life. Now it was forcing me to fight Servant archetypes while naked? It was in that moment that I really wished I was awake, I missed Saber deeply, with her gracefully beautiful sword skills and her sweet smiles…Wait was I falling for my own Servant?
As the figure began to charge a wave of blue flames engulfed my body and the next thing I knew I had Saber's sword in my hand and wearing her outfit. I unfortunately had no time to stop and gawk at my appearance as I quickly blocked and parried the shadowy archetype's strike. It let out a deep growl of annoyed anger as it swung its sword high descending to my shoulder. Before I could blink I heard the sound of metal clashing against metal as I blocked the attack. For a moment I thanked the training my family had grilled me through my whole life before the battle began to really rage on.
It continued to deliver strike after strike at me as I responded in kind with blocks and parries only to find myself getting no where as it would anticipate the move and dodge it. Both of our moments were quick, our reflexes as fast as lightning. It all seemed as if I was to have any chance at defeating him and exiting the nightmare was to overpower him somehow.
"I'm not going to be some devil's slave!" I cried as I dashed towards the demonic knight as blue flames began to appear on the dark floor from my movements and lighting the chamber itself. This seemed to stun the spirit as it hesitated for a second before barely blocking my attack. Whoa, was it just me or was I getting stronger? I stared at the representation of the Kusanagi sword in my hands as tiny blue sparks jetted from it while clashing with the Saber archetype's blade.
This was a mistake on my part as it was able to push me backwards sending me flying towards the wall of the chamber. The impact caused a whole glob of the Grail's horrific fluids to spill onto my skin. The searing pain was unbearable as I saw steam forming and dark red marks slithering onto my arm and shoulders.
"No! I'm not yours to control!" I cried as I howled in agony from the sizzling burns on my pale skin. As I stood up I could hear monstrous voices attempting to invade my mind. I knew these voices, all attempting to seduce me in giving in, allow my being in the mortal world to vanish and join the other crying and screaming souls within the Grail.
With every defiant breath I could muster enduring the pain I rose on my feet. I wasn't about to lose here, not now, not ever. That sleazy dark god cant have me! I'll survive this war!
As these thoughts blazed in my mind keeping the voices away I dashed towards the Saber archetype rapidly and fluidly swinging Kusanagi as if I were trimming a bush. The dark spirit was able to meet most of my strikes until I felt the sword's curved blade taste its flesh. Yes! I was winning!
As the Saber archetype stumbled backwards to recover I grasped the hilt of my sword and closed my eyes. As I felt the sword in my hand I saw with my mind's eye the stance that my own Servant had took when she first used her Noble Phantasm. All I had to do was mimic that very stance and gather my mana together just as she did. I could hear the Grail bubbling with a frustrated fury as its burning gelatinous liquid dripped from the ceiling like water off of stalactites. A smirk of satisfaction creased my lips. I win this time you monster.
As I felt a warm sensation building up in my hands and the sword I heard the loud clanging footsteps of the Saber archetype rushing towards me. This was it, it was going to try killing me before I could finish charging my attack. Oh boy was he in for a surprise! I waited as the footsteps became louder as they moved closer….closer….just a little more… As I felt the wind of my enemy's sword being raised to strike me down that was when I opened my eyes.
"KU-SANAGI!" I cried as I delivered a wide sideways strike with my sword sending a wave of flames smashing through my opponent and into the wall behind him cutting it open as well lighting the darkness beyond as thousands of hands reached through the burning hole, the agonized screams once again penetrating the air. I froze as my enemy fell and vanished in defeat. Those screams…the screams…why couldn't they stop?!
And that was when I opened my eyes to find myself in my bedroom with Kai and Saber standing over me. Kai was sweating profusely as he looked as if he hadn't been sleeping. As Saber stared at me with frazzled worry, hoping to assess my current condition in any way. It was when my reality set in.
I looked up at Kai's tired crimson red eyes and I smiled. "I won…" I whispered.
Hey guys I apologize for the short update today, I've been having a hard time to make updates lately so I've been smashing through what I can. Anyway I hope you guys enjoyed this little episode of Saiya's horrific nightmares. Oh and happy belated Halloween everyone! :D