Disclaimer: Campione! was written by Taketsuki Jou, I get nothing out of writing this fanfic save personal satisfaction (and possibly reviews).
Author's Notes: I'm not done with Chapter Nine. And chronologically, it was more or less the best time for this insert. I know you guys hate, dislike, or are just not a fan of them, but it's the only way I can squish in some extra info that are otherwise unavailable to our favorite pov characters. (Also I realized the longer I put off posting this, the longer I stare at the screen doing nothing.)
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Pet na Campione-sama!
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Insert Eight: Guinevere: "A pact for victory."
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After the youngest King had defeated the Fake Perseus, Guinevere made her hasty retreat. The Gorgoneion had served its purpose and need not be retrieved. It had been severed from Guinevere's spell of possession, after the seventh Campione had utterly erased the Fake Hero this Witch Queen had created.
'Beloved child, what is the purpose of that Fake Steel?' asked the voice of the knight protecting Guinevere from her shadow.
"An experiment, Sir Knight. One that Guinevere had hoped would yield both a favorable result and allow us to sacrifice a mother goddess to replenish the energy stores of grail." Guinevere briefly explained to the knight.
'It is obvious that capturing the goddess hath failed." Guinevere knew that the voice meant no disrespect. The guardian deity of witches, Heretic Lancelot, simply was a sword; one that was sharp with its blade, but blunt with its tongue. "But what is this favorable result that you desired?"
"Guinevere was trying to summon a god, not a fake god. And if successful, to see if Guinevere can control the summoned god." Guinevere explained the outcome she had hoped for.
"Guinevere was expecting to summon Medusa. But it was that fake steel that appeared. And while it did better than this one had expected, it was ultimately useless. It is doubtful that a war goddess as wise as Athena would fall into rage again, so we will not retrieve Medusa's head. And, like the fake gods Guinevere had summoned before, against a Campione, even one that has only recently reborn, they are rather weak."
'Then why are you smiling, beloved child?'
"That Child of Epimetheus is from the land of the far east, Japan. One of the locations that we suspect to be where our Master sleeps. There is a small chance that, even if we left him alone, his mere presence might eventually awaken the King of the End."
The voice laughed, amused, but not at Guinevere. 'That is if he really sleeps there! But perhaps by sending that child enemies, and making him stronger, the chance of our King awakening increases.'
"Sir Knight has read my mind." Guinevere said happily.
'Is is a shame, though. He seems like a warrior that this Knight wouldest like to battle. Would you, consider me as a sacrifice?'
"Sir Knight is not expendable. And especially not for such a gamble. It is unfortunate that we cannot use Athena, she will most likely recognize that it was Guinevere's magic that defiled her Aegis. But Guinevere's wisdom tells her that, the new born King will not kill her."
This time Sir Knight's laugh was directed towards Guinevere.
"Sir Knight, laughing at a Lady is not very chivalrous of you." Guinevere said with her voice full of reprimand.
'My apologies, beloved child. Not to be rude, but you are the intelligent kind not the intuitive kind.'
"Hmph! Sir Knight, is being unkind!"
'Not at all... very well, mayhaps a little.' Sir Knight admitted after Guinevere stared at her shadow. 'But, beloved child, are you certain that you wish to awaken the King of the End?'
"You ask that each season, Sir Knight. And each season, my answer never changes." Guinevere vehemently voiced.
"Then, Witch Queen, let this one play as a character in thy machinations!" said a powerful and young voice. It was a familiar voice, for Guinevere had tailed it's owner to the center of the magic world, Europe.
Guinevere had expected his young gallant form to appear. His beautiful white skin and emerald eyes, were still a feast to eyes even to a witch that had already devoted her heart to one master. But to Guinevere's surprise, it was his avatar, the ram, that appeared before us. "Lord Verethragna, Guinevere is relieved to learn of your survival."
The ram bleated. "Thy knight is astute... thou art not perceptive, ancient witch. This one hath already been slain."
"Then are you speaking to Guinevere from the beyond?"
Guinevere could only frown when the ram of light bleated with mirth.
"This one hath planned on reviving oneself soon after Kusanagi Godou dealt one the final blow."
Guinevere noted that Lord Verethragna said the god-slaying King's name, with great fondness, as if referring to an old friend.
"But for a son of that fool, that child is rather ingenious. Even though this god of victory had designed mine own defeat, that child hast severed this incarnation thus he dealt unequivocal quietus to this one." The ram bleated happily again. "Tis only through this ones' other avatar that this one can cling to this world for a little longer."
"By your own admission, Lord Verethragna, hasn't that young god-slayer realized your wish already?"
Guinevere knows that the god of victory's fondest wish is to experience defeat. This defeat of his was supposed to be a victory in the guise of defeat, but to think that he was actually defeated...
The ram bleated. "This is not the defeat that this one seekest! However, even if that were true... this one wisheth to fightest Kusanagi Godou again."
"Guinevere begs your pardon, Lord Verethragna. Guinevere now understands the error of her words." Guinevere said with her head bowed.
"Tis of no consequence. This one was not offended. But one's connection to this plane is waning. Wilst thou giveth this one a favorable answer?"
Guinevere raised her head and looked at the the fading avatar. "Very well, God of Victory. This once, Guinevere shall be the harbinger of thy return. However, reviving you will take time."
"Many of the world's ley lines hath been exhausted, Tis the work of this one. Fearest not, as this one understands. One has all eternity, but makest some haste. This one will not be pleased, if mine prey is taken before mine revival..."
Guinevere watched as the ram vanished, and with it the voice of the slain Heretic God of Victory.
'Beloved child, you have made a dangerous pact with a dangerous god.'
"It could not be helped. That great one freely gave that artifact to Guinevere when she asked him."
'He had not required an exchange from you.'
"He did not... but he wishes to face that god-slayer, this saves some time. While his defeat in that god-slayer's hands are largely uncertain, when that time comes, whatever the result may be, Guinevere will benefit."
'Or so you'd like to believe, beloved child.'
"It is the truth!" Guinevere purses her lips.
'...'
"And also that great one is also a Steel." This reason was a poor excuse. Guinevere thought, but had given it anyway.
'...'
"Is something the matter, Sir Knight? You have suddenly gone silent."
'Is it really necessary for you to revive the King of the End? If you simply wish for a master, a that god or even a Campione might welcome a witch of your caliber.'
"Sir Knight, Guinevere feels that you are funning her. But remember that Guinevere will not betray her master!"
Sir Knight, laughed from within Guinevere's shadow. It vexes Guinevere, but she knows that Sir Knight only wishes the best for her.
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Insert: End
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Chapter End Notes: This was probably one of the easier chapters to write. Mostly because it's a insert and Guinevere (like Ena) refers to herself in the third person. I know Lancelot's personality seems different, but that's just how the conversation went.
For the sake of character development and stuff, I was researching who Guinevere's and the King of the End might be. If you have ideas, (and you'd like to share them) please pm them me.
Random Fact about this story, that I thought I should share. It's original project title was "The King of Kings" (because I wanted Godou to be badass)... but then I remembered "Fate" and had to ditch that title idea. Fortunately, this title works just fine (right?...).
