Arturia was in her field of flowers, the radiant light hanging above bathing her with warmth. The other source of heat was coming from behind her; the dearest lion from the oasis had come to the field. It was a different but not an unwelcome change to this artificial reality. Her eyes drooped low; her vision began to grow fuzzy. It was the familiar embrace of slumber she felt. Then before her eyes were even completely closed the world had changed drastically.
The white and blue of the field was replaced with black and red. Hanging in the sky was an ominous hole that dripped out a sort of black sludge. It poured out and sucked the life from everything it was around. Even the barren earth was becoming pure black. Arturia knew exactly what this was. She had seen it once like this before and it was a gruesome sight. For something like this to be called a 'Holy Grail' was an affront to the very concept.
She felt something wet beneath her and suddenly the weight of the lion behind her was gone. With nothing behind her to break her fall she plunged down. Water rising up rapidly and out of nowhere. She struggled to swim, to try anything and everything to stop herself from sinking.
However, Arturia knew she was drowning. The water rose up and swallowed her whole body in one gulp. She looked up from where she was to see her lion staring down. From her water skewed vision she could almost mistake his face for a humans. She reached her arm out trying to reach for him. To no avail, his red eyes watched her sink with horror.
The water was filling her lungs. Her mind and heart struggling for air. But she knew she wasn't going to get any. She was being pulled down by small white hands. Into water that was much too dark and thick to just be normal water. Arturia felt her lungs seize and her heart burst. This was it. Her mind grew hazy as the pain spread. The darkness began to overwhelm her as her eyes closed. In the end it was just like before, she was to die alone. A pathetic end to a noble knight King. Her body was stiff as she floated ever downward.
Her mind devoid of all thoughts.
Gilgamesh was rather bored today. It was sunny and there was much he could be doing besides sitting here, waiting for his queen to awaken.
After the dream he had, he always checked Arturia's form. To say he was afraid of what she would wake up like, was a little of an overstatement. But he did not like the possibility. If his lioness woke up to become a raging dragon he would be forced to subdue it. Though now that he was truly thinking of it, he would most likely have to tame his lion too. With a smirk Gilgamesh looked towards their room. Either way he was going to have her as his. Her life belonged to him now and he would take her as he saw fit. It was his right.
However, it would only matter once she opened her eyes.
Gilgamesh sighed and stood from his place on the couch. He took his jacket from the kitchen counter and walked towards the door. He would go find some entertainment and perhaps some fine dining before he returned to her tonight. She would be fine here alone. With them being so high up, she couldn't climb out the window. With them being the only guests on the floor, she couldn't scream for help. She wouldn't even be able to get out of the suite without the key.
So even if she were to wake, she would not be going anywhere.
Pain was the first thing her mind registered. She hit the ground hard, her fall knocked some life into her. With a gasping breath she sat up. She immediately noticed the familiar walls. Stone walls and stained glass that was very common in her castle. However, this wasn't just any room. This room was where she sat to listen to the blights and misery of her people. It was a place of regret but also of regality. This was her throne room. The doors were behind her but she did not even think about going through them.
No, she would go forward towards her tragic seat of power. The stones, walls, pillars and windows were all plagued with crimson colored veins. It almost looked as if it was blood flowing through the cracks. A strange sort of fog rolled in as she slowly walked through the hall. It grew denser as she got closer to the very end. It was so thick that she couldn't even tell where the throne was in relation to where she stood. But in her muscle memory, she knew, she was at the very bottom of the stairs only about a meter or so away from it. It was close, but the fog remained, cloaking the chair from her.
The air within the room changed. It was suddenly alive and swirling. Through the fog she could see a red glow. It sliced through like a knife, causing the room to become clearer. Once the room was visible to her she took note. That glow was not simply a light, no, it was a sword. The blade tip was down, but it looked very alike to Excalibur. The height, shape and form looked similar. The runes were different and this was not just simply made from any mortal metal. No metal was that void of color. The very aura it exuded was evil. Her eyes went from the blade to the person baring it. The person that was on her throne.
A small helm covered the figures pale face. Its design barely even considered a useful piece of armor. Though, what was lacking there was not lacking elsewhere. The breastplate that adorned them was secure and of sturdy quality. The shoulders no doubt had the same plate under them, pointed as well to easily puncture a wound into any enemy with just a simple push. Their greaves and gauntlets were jagged and sharp; they reminded Arturia of the dragon scale plates. The legs were covered by a thick cloth that had large metal thigh guards in place. It was much like her own armor in that regard. The cloth though, covered a thick layer of chainmail it was easily seen by Arturia's eyes. The whole set of armor was impressive, though, she did not know who would be so audacious as to sit on her throne.
"Who are you? Why are you there, sitting on a throne that is not rightfully yours?"
"I ruled this kingdom from this very seat. I was king and I sacrificed myself for the ideals and hopes of my people. This seat is rightfully mine from the moment I took that sword."
Arturia froze. It couldn't be. This couldn't be what the knight in front of her was implying.
"What do you-?"
The figure stood from the throne. They pointed their sword straight down, directly to her.
"I am Arturia Pendragon, true heir and king to all of Britain."
"How..."
She started to question. The person before her began to descend the stairs. The quite clink of metal rustling together filled the room as they took one step at a time. Arturia didn't know if she should be on guard or not, there were no outward signs of hostility. There was no indication that this shade of herself was going to attack her. However, she could not tell that with certainty. Each step the dark figure took forward, Arturia took a step back. She did not want to be in close contact with this person unless it was to come to blows. This would make it difficult on her. If this is what she would have become, then her intentions may have become corrupted as well. There was simply no telling at this point.
"How is this possible? How could you hand yourself over to darkness and become corrupted by it?"
The figure stopped on one of the steps, slightly puzzled before beginning again.
"Hand myself over to darkness? Corrupt? No, I am not corrupted by this darkness. I have just simply awakened from a long, miserable and painful dream. That is what the Holy Grail has brought to me."
She was shocked. The Holy Grail? What did that mean for her?
"The... Holy Grail?"
The knight's final step was onto the same level that Arturia was standing on. Her blade still at her side, she tensed up slightly. The one before her was almost a statue as it stood vigil with blade in hand as well. It was as if they wouldn't move unless provoked, like they were waiting on her to strike first.
"Yes, the very same Holy Grail you've spent your whole life trying to achieve. Only wishing to reverse the clock and change the past. It is not a miracle granting chalice of hope. No, it only grants realization. You are foolish, your dreams and regrets are pointless. You have hope but that is the very thing suffocating you. Even now, you've accepted that things cannot change but still you hope it all well in the end? No, there is no happy ending for Camelot, Britain or you."
"You're lying! I am not going to believe that everything I did was in vain. I-"
"Silence. I have taken in the darkness and opened my eyes to despair. I've bathed in the agony of the people and I have washed myself with their hopelessness. All I feel is hatred and rage. Prepare yourself, Arturia Pendragon, to understanding true suffering."
Arturia couldn't take it, she knew she was being goaded and she knew that the taunting worked. She just couldn't sit and let herself be mocked! She couldn't let her beliefs and dreams be mocked. She had a code; she was brought up to defend the weak. To be a king was to be above the people, to distance ones' self and to become something beyond human. This was instilled into her mind ever since she pulled the sword from the stone. She knew the consequences and she knew what she was to take on. Her life was forfeit the second she even laid eyes on Caliburn.
So, she ran straight towards the black knight. Their blades met with a sickening clang of metal. The knight seemed only interested in blocking all of Arturia's attacks; they didn't strike on their own. Not yet anyway. They matched each other equally for the first exchange. The heavier armor was making the shadow slower as they were more encumbered, but what they lacked in speed they made up with in brute strength. Though that wasn't the only thing off about the shade that Arturia noticed. Since they were only countering her blows, this leads her to believe that they could not predict her well enough. This gave her chance for opening, if they weren't as skilled as she was then this would be in her favor. Only problem was that their armor was too thick.
In the next moment their blades clashed, she was pushed far back. The sheer power behind the swing of the dark knight was staggering. Then before Arturia could recover she saw a wave of black and red wind come at her. She quickly rolled out of the way of it and hearing the crash of it hitting the stone. It was a similar sort of prana burst that she had with invisible air. Another arcing blast came at her and she raised Excalibur in defense. It forced her back a few feet but otherwise she was still standing. She had to close the distance with them or else they could just continue to repel her.
"No wonder our people hated you. With you as a king they were sure to fall into ruin. You never had what it took to be king. You tried too hard and failed. Even now, your strength is inferior to my own. You don't carry the same weight I do. That makes you weak."
"Shut up! I am not weaker than you and I carry your burden if not more! I didn't give myself to darkness and I didn't fall to complete despair. I have people that believed in me and I have people to protect. Can you sat the same?"
"Nonsense, the duty you took was that of a martyr. You still cling to those that just make you softer, more human? You became nothing but a woman, not a proud king. So many lives that fought for you, died for you, while so few actually remained. You are no better than a tyrant. True, those other kings were foolish in their power, but still you are just like them."
The dark knight raised their blackened sword and prepared to use the ultimate noble phantasm. Arturia quickly did the same, readying herself for the greatest clash of might. While she gathered light the other sword gathered the darkness. This worried her because there was very little light to be had in this world of shadows. As they both stood with glowing blades held high, it was then time to release it.
"Ex-"
"-Calibur!"
The black and red collided with yellow and white. It was an impressive display of colors but it was a destructive force to be reckoned with. Arturia's light vanished as the wave of evil energy washed over her. The force of it overwhelmed her and struck her full on. She was blown back and felt as if every bone was broken within her. Her body felt as if it was going to give out, her mind was screaming in agony. This was just like what happened when she first crossed blades with Gilgamesh. Ea was such a devastating weapon that it very nearly killed her.
The only relief she had from this pain was Avalon. It was slowly, too slowly, healing the wounds from the blast. She tried to move her body; she had to try to get up. But it was too much effort for her. Her arms gave out and let her fall back weakly. It frightened her on just how much mana that monster had. Her ears were still ringing as she closed her eyes. She didn't want to die here, to give into this shadow of her.
"You have no freedom, so what gave you the right to seek it? Your efforts to become free from me are futile. This is over Arturia."
Then there was a swift kick to her midsection. The pointed boot made her lose her breath and broken one of her ribs. The blow also flipped her on her back; it was to make her face her attacker. Only, this time she wasn't looking at the helm. No, the helm was gone now and the face that looked back at her emotionlessly scared her further. Yellow glowing eyes looked down at her with disinterest but she could see it, the rage that was underneath the surface. The voice that came from her wasn't cruel this time.
"Please don't cry little knight king. You might make me tear up and feel guilty for doing this. For I must do this, it's entirely for your benefit."
"For…my…? No! I will not let you…"
"Sleep soundly, little king, you are the light that must rest within me."
The sword of the void was raised over her. Both of their hands on the hilt, ready to plunge the blade into Arturia's heart. She closed her eyes. The only thing she could do was call to Avalon. The sheath inside of her was the only thing that could save her now. With her body this badly injured though, she was not sure if the ultimate shield would come to her.
Then she heard it. The air around the sword was moving, the blade was coming down on her. She silently screamed out to Avalon trying to make it appear.
Everything exploded into a flash of brilliant golden light.
The first one to react was the black knight. They were pushed back and shielded themselves against the brightness.
"Im-Impossible! Avalon?"
Arturia was able to stand, she stood on shaky legs. Her sword was once again in hand. She wasn't fully healed by the sheath but with its presence outside of her; she knew she did not have to worry now. The darkness of this world was fading quickly as the light was engulfing it.
"You call me weak, you call me powerless, but you should have known that I am not weak. To think that all this is for me? No, I have had hardships and never did I give in to the pain. I was not someone who would just let the world swallow me whole. I have learned that my regret would change nothing, that the grail would have changed nothing. I have accepted that my failures will forever be known. My country hated me, and you accepted that and took it into yourself. You became rage incarnate. My sacrifice did not lead me to madness, I refused to believe in the darkness. I will never become part of you!"
The black knight's eyes narrowed and their mouth curled into a snarl. They were angry; the rage that they were holding back was breaking through to the surface. There was a vortex of wind that began around the evil sword. They were going to use the power of their blade once more.
Arturia had to win this time. If she did not then, she would be lost forever. The darkness of her heart would win and everything would fall to ruin. So, with all the strength that remained within her she raised Excalibur. Her eyes closed as she felt the warmth rushing through her. The light was blinding as it pulsed through the sword. It was ready, ready to end this madness.
"Excalibur!"
With the swing of her charged blade the ground split in two. The black wave didn't even touch her this time as it was quickly crushed into submission by the holy light. She was certain of her victory. There was no way that the shade could have survived such a powerful attack.
Once the dust cleared though, Arturia was shocked into silence. They stood across from her, pushed back with their blade in front of them. In a last ditch effort it looked as if they blocked the majority of the discharge. They then pulled the sword out of the ground and began to walk forward.
When they got close enough Arturia could see that their armor was gone. It was just the same dress as hers, just duller with no color. The crimson veins creeping up their neck looked as though they were pulsing. They stared at her with those glowing yellow eyes, they were screaming for blood, her blood. She took a step back with her sword drawn. She had to be ready for any sort of attack.
"You were foolish to oppose me, little king. I was going to let your light stay within me, but this defiance you have will not be tolerated."
The voice was full of venom as they walked steadily closer, sword by their side. Then before Arturia even had time to properly react they barreled forward swinging their sword with a crushing force. She went skidding across the floor. The figure in front of her still stood with their weapon poised, but they were winded. It seemed to take a lot out of them to actually pull that move off. Then that would mean that she had a chance.
It was truly an all or nothing chance right now. She would engage in another exchange of blows. This time though, she would be victorious. She had to be.
Arturia ran towards the dark knight and slashed vertically, both blades were locked together. Stormy green eyes met lightning yellow ones; they would not give into the other. Then she was thrust back, this though was beneficial to her. All she had to do was strike twice then feint her last attack. This would lead into the trap. This would lead her to the final blow.
Vertical strike, break away, upward diagonal strike, parried, spin left, feint right horizontal swing. There! Her opponent was waiting with her blade held above her head. It was perfect.
"Gah!"
Arturia lowered her center of gravity to thrust Excalibur through her alter's chest, effectively piercing the heart. She stepped forward to throw them off balance. Her heart felt heavy with the victory. She was killing part of herself that became corrupted. The pain radiated through both of them. Her counterpart was gasping for air and wheezing softly.
"I have… I have been defeated?! You- You're not strong enough to…" They sighed out.
"I may not have the strength you have, but I will still persist. If I gave myself to you, then I would be accepting defeat and you of all people, should know how I feel about that."
"Heh. You're right. But you will find it hard to live once you're free from this world. You may yet give into darkness, give in to me. Outside…outside you'll be trapped into a world that you will not want to live in."
The shadow's words made no sense to her. Outside? What did they mean by that?
Arturia has no time to think on that as her counterpart began to fade into the shadows once more. The weight on Excalibur was gone and all that remained was the memory of her fight. Words from the other whispered in her mind as the whole world started to crumble.
"Goodbye…Arturia…"
Arturia gasped as she shot up from her laying position. She blinked rapidly and panted with strained lungs. Everything hurt. Her whole body felt sore and in a state of disuse. That time she spent fighting her alter seems to have taken its toll on her. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her hurried heart rate. She felt a little cold and sweaty. Her mouth felt dry and dizziness began to set in. She fell back to lay down, it wasn't grass but like a plush cushion. This was all different than the other times she woke up to her field. She never awoke to this physical ache.
She tentatively opened her eyes once more. It was bright still but less so, there was a window nearby and the shades were drawn. From what she could tell that there was a city beyond it.
City?
She slowly sat up and surveyed the unfamiliar room.
Dresser, T.V., closet, bed, nightstand…
Where was she?
Was she truly awake?
AN: Yeah this was one of the first chapters after the initial one I made that I actually wrote most of. Like 3000k of this was pre-written from like 2 years ago lol. I added Gilgamesh's pov in here a little and then of course the last part. Also I see Alter as being a monologue-ing villain, she just feels like it. So cliche in trying to 'break the cutie'. I decided not to end it like the other 3. So we're here finally to Arturia being awake yay!