Story Vocabulary
(May update as the story progress)
Aruji-sama = It means Lord, Chief, and Master.
Banzai = Japanese's battle cry.
*Touken Danshi = AKA Sword Warriors, gods of swords created from ancient spirit and techniques that are given human form. They are the summons under Saniwa. (Touken Ranbu)
-Sword Types : Wakizashi, Uchigatana, Tachi, Ootachi, Yari, Nagitana, and Tsurugi. (Touken Ranbu)
*Sage = The power used by Saniwa to assist and summon new Touken Danshi (Touken Ranbu)
*Jikan sokōgun = AKA Time Retrograde Army and Historical Revisionists, antagonists and responsible of traveling back in time to alter historical events. (Touken Ranbu)br /
*Honmaru = Also known as Citadel, a Japanese-castle-like establishment where Saniwa and the Touken Danshi lives. (Touken Ranbu)
*Heroic Spirits = AKA Legendary Souls, are spirits of heroes who achieved great deeds in life, having become objects of worship after their deaths. (FATE)
*Servants = are Heroic Spirits that the Master of Chaldea commands. (FATE)
-Classes of Servants : Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Assassins, Caster, Berserker, Ruler, Avenger, Moon Cancer, Alter Ego, Foreigner, Pretender and Shielder. (FATE)
*Majutsu = AKA Magecraft, is the artificial reenactment of Mystery, which is ordinarily possible only by inhuman beings. It is the ability to bring about what is possible through science with supernatural means. (FATE)
Chapter 7 : Tragedy of the Last Master of Chaldea
"Ne Kiyomitsu, I know you mentioned that Okita-kun that we're about to meet is female but are you really okay meeting her again?" Yamatonokami Yasusada worriedly asked, still remembering how shaken Kashuu Kiyomitsu looked like after hearing about the information from Saniwa and realizing the girl version he had met was indeed Okita Souji but different version
"H-huh… oh… yeah… no, I'm not really sure I mean, I don't really know what to think about this." Kashuu Kiyomitsu answered. "Let's… Let's just go and meet her."
"I-If you say so…" Yamatonokami Yasusada's worries did not appease from his answer.
A while ago, Ushiwakamaru had led them all the way to the training ground then pointed them the direction where they should head next to meet Okita Souji. The two gave their sincere thanks which she returned with a bright smile before leaving to continue her duty as Chaldea's trainer.
Now they walked in a slow pace, still trying to prepare themselves because despite it's a different version it was still their previous owner and Master, Okita Souji, they're both excited and nervous at the same time. As if they're near to their destination, they could hear two female voices having a conversation, one in wail while the other in exaggeration.
"You and I are same person, how come your taller than me!? You even received every asset that girls would like to themselves."
"Please stop, are you not satisfied with the way you are now?"
"Well, I never really thought about it when I was alive but now IT matters!"
"Master already said you are cute, what's more do you asked for?"
"A lot!"
The two Touken Danshi turned each other in question before deciding to take a peek. Upon seeing the source, Kashuu Kiyomitsu had his eyes widen to see the person who he had met and defeated him, Okita Souji. For Yamatonokami Yasusada, his eyes shone to finally meet the girl version of Okita-kun and he never expected she looked so petite and beautiful. Looking the other person, they could not help but taken aback, the other female was tan color skin, long dirty white hair and taller than Okita, what actually surprised them was her faced looked same as the female version Okita.
"How did our conversation end up here?" Okita Alter questioned herself while Okita continues to wail.
As swift as a wind, the two stopped their easy going and immediately glared toward the Touken Danshi's direction and spoke at the same time.
"Who's there?"
"Whaa!" Kashuu Kiyomitsu and Yamatonokami Yasusada reacted in surprise when the two girls turned to their direction.
Since they were found out, the two decided to show themselves and bowed in greetings.
Okita immediately recognized Kashuu Kiyomitsu and commented, "Oh, you're here." It's clear there's no malice on her tone.
"Y-Yes, good to see you again… Okita-san…" Kashuu Kiyomitsu in wariness and nervousness.
"We heard everything about you from the rest, my apologies for acting roughly on you." Okita apologized which immediately Kashuu Kiyomitsu shook his head, "N-no its fine, any of us would react that way."
"At least the two side had now compromised." Okita Alter commented with a smile, "How about we reintroduce ourselves again Okita."
"Good idea Alter." Okita agreed towards her direction then turned back to them and smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself, Saber Class Servant and Shinsengumi's First Unit Captain, Okita Souji! Currently I'm Chaldea Army's 1st unit scouting captain. Please to meet you, for my comrade plus proclaim sibling here is..."
"I am Majin Okita Souji, Alter Ego Class Servant, please call me Alter. It may be confusing but Okita and I are actually single being, the difference was about how our life turned out. There is Okita here who was able to live longer and become part of the Shinsengumi while I am a version who had not lived long and died before I could join the Shinsengumi. Now, I'm appointed as the vice commander of the Chaldea Army, something about gaining experience about how to lead like Okita here."
The two were speechless, so there's two version of Okita Souji!
"How about you two?" Okita asked them.
"Oh, umm… I am Yamatonokami Yasusada, Uchigatana, I'm used to be owned by Okita-kun. P-please to meet you." Yamatonokami Yasusada introduced himself followed by his companion, "Kashuu Kiyomitsu, Uchigatana, also owned by Okita. Nice to meet you."
"You two… are our sword in human formed?" Okita looked surprise and by her words, both her and Alter already heard about Touken Danshi.
As if by reflects, Okita and Alter materialized their swords and both Touken Danshi's eyes were widen in surprise. Okita holds the sword of Yamatonokami Yasusada while Alter holds the sword of Kashuu Kiyomitsu.
'I… I wasn't abandoned…' Kashuu Kiyomitsu thought in relief, despite being hold by an alternate version of the female Okita, she was still Okita and being owned by her made him truly happy. Another plus side was that they have the same scheme color while same for the other two.
"You are these?" Okita could still not help but feel skeptical, meeting another version of yourself is one thing but meeting the human version of your trusted sword was something else.
Yamatonokami Yasusada replied, "Y-Yes, we are." As if providing them evidence, they showed the sword they currently hold. They're same.
Alter could not help but giggle, "This is a strange occurrence but not really bad. Please to finally meet you." She turned to Okita while offering the Kashuu Kiyomitsu sword, "Do you want this back?"
"Alter you said you wanted to know how it feels like to use an Ushigatana so I lend you my sword, feel free to keep using it until you're satisfied." Okita argued, not accepting the sword back.
"You sure? You and I both know that when comes to the real battle, I will use my Rengoku not your sword." Alter reasoned. Okita still felt shrugging it off, "Yup, I'm sure! You and I are same people, there's no reason for me to not lend it to you. Besides, you once lend me Rengoku so I could try it, why not you too?"
"Sorry umm… you lend me to her? You actually use… Rengoku?" Kashuu Kiyomitsu asked in sincere curiosity.
"Alter show them your Ootachi." Okita said with a bright smile towards Alter who immediately obliged. From Alter's free hand an Ootachi sword appeared. Alter introduced, "This is my sword, I named it Rengoku."
Both Kashuu Kiyomitsu and Yamatonokami Yasusada's eyes sparkled when they saw her Ootachi, like a feeling of finally being introduced to a new sibling they haven't met.
"A sword coming out of nowhere… was that the perks of being a heroic spirit?" Yamatonokami Yasusada asked. Okita answered with a grin, "Yup, unlike living human beings we can manifest our weapons whenever we wanted. Just think about it, in the Japan's modern era where sword was pretty much a history, you make in public that you're carrying one without care, they would bring a wrong idea and arrest me."
Yamatonokami Yasusada got excited, "Oh I know what you mean! I once went on a journey alone and saw how Japan had grown ever since Meiji Era began. The time really change yet I'm really happy that Shinsengumi were not forgotten."
"Now that I remember, you time travel here too. What year did you guys really came from?" Okita asked and Kashuu Kiyomitsu answered, "Its year 2205."
Alter was surprised, "That's a very long time from the future, for us we only know about year 2016 at most."
"Yes but… Honmaru was actually located in a different space so we're not able to actually interact with the people who actually live that year." Yamatonokami Yasusada said a bit sad followed by Kashuu Kiyomitsu, "That's true but we're not sad since we gained a lot of Touken Danshi friends as time goes by."
Okita hummed then began to grin as she asked, "Hey can you tell us more about your life? In exchange we'll tell you about our journey including the Holy Grail War that I had taken part off."
"Holy Grail war?" Yamatonokami Yasusada and Kashuu Kiyomitsu questioned.
"Did Sakamoto-san by chance explained the Holy grail war to your group?" Alter asked as she dismissed her Rengoku sword, remaining the Kashuu Kiyomitsu sword in hand. Both shook their head, telling no. Alter smiled, "Then let us first explain the Holy Grail war then we could go on the story telling."
Inside the Lord's room, the two Masters were happily chatting with each other. At first, they talked about what their likes and dislikes like food, color and etc., then it went to how they became Master on their own side and how their first mission goes and now the most memorable moments with their Servants/Touken Danshi.
"Borrowing the girls' language, that was so cute! Using light pink paper, have them write their wish then tie it to the Sakura tree that have not bloomed for a long time, you truly have a wonderful Touken Danshi with you Saniwa." Gudao commented happily.
Saniwa laughed as he remembered that moment, "Yamatonokami is indeed amazing for coming up with that idea. It's because of that event that I used every sage power and took a gamble, thankfully I succeed summoning Ichigo Hitofuri." Then he pointed to him, "But I'm not the only one who did the so called cute, from what you told me you did the same thing, including using your full salary so you can successfully summon Enkidu for King Gilgamesh's sake."
"I did not admit I became broke after that time but it's worth it." Gudao said with a shrug, then began thinking. "Now that I think about it, few days later I received a lot of cash but has no idea where it came from."
"Have you tried asking them about it?"
"I did but they kept themselves silent about it. Still, I know it's from them. What about yours?"
"They gave me a wonderful group photo with wonderful dishes. The exhaustion is worth it."
The two laughed once again. Despite the great time they have, something triggered that Saniwa could not help but feel solemn then asked.
"Gudao this is out of the window question but… have you ever thought about what future we will have after our missions are over?"
"The future…" Gudao looked thoughtful yet his eyes looked sad for some reason.
"As I mentioned, I, the sage, hired by the government to protect history against the Jikan Sokōgun with the Touken Danshi. I'm sure none of them have realized but like Konnosuke my assistant, I, their sage and master could also be easily replaced if they wish." Saniwa admitted as he looked at his reflection to the tea. "My time with them is very enjoyable, despite acting as a shut-in master to create a wall, they still look at me with precious and love to the point it almost hurt sometime. That's why I am afraid, to lose my time with them… to the point I always pray that the Government would never think of replacing me and… time never ending… haha I shouldn't be thinking that way but I couldn't help it. I have no real friends in life, my family are… they… the Touken Danshi are family I do not wish to lose."
Gudao could sense Saniwa was about to cry but did not provide sympathy, merely listening to Saniwa's frustration which he was sure was kept within his heart all this time until now.
Once he was sure that Saniwa was done, he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. He clearly remembered that day despite it's been a long time, his most painful memories that until now still hunted his dreams including some events in his Grand Order.
"Saniwa." Gudao called him softly as he opened his eyes and said, "I'm sure my words will not be enough to comfort you much less say that the Government care about you, just know this. Whatever happens, precious every second of the present because you will never know when it will last."
"Do you have this kind of same thought as well Gudao?"
"For that… No, I didn't but… I do have experience about it."
"Experience?"
Gudao gave a small smile but his eyes reflect pain, sadness and betrayal. It was a face that Saniwa did not expect to see from him.
"Saniwa if you will ask this question, 'Are you alive as human?' What will be my answer be?" Saniwa blinked in confusion, not understanding it. As if understanding his mental confusion, Gudao answered the question, "My answer would be this, 'I used to live as human.'"
Its bit vague but Saniwa seems to understand what he's trying to say and could not help but looked at him with shock, "You are… dead?"
Gudao's expression remained solemn as he nodded, admitting that yes, the person before him was a Master who had died.
"Although I'm not a Heroic Spirit nor a Counter Guardian." Gudao began to explain, "In my world, I am what you can call the new concept of the Counter Force, a Counter Master. The Counter Master which is I, is summoned whenever the Counter Force determined that Heroic Spirit and Counter Guardian will not be enough to finish the mission, as such it's my mission to aid them as their Master… This role began after I died from my world."
Saniwa was silent, learning another knowledge about another world, still what's shocking the most about was his new friend was actually dead in real life. He hesitated to asked how it happened, so before he could dismiss the idea, Gudao volunteered to tell his story about his death.
The tragedy happened around his time after denying all Lostbelts' existence and saving the world from the Alien God, the proper human history was restored and all humans who had no idea what happened continue their life like normal. For the Mage Association who clearly noticed the abnormality was alarm and started investigating about it. Chaldea Security Organization, a research organization and where he's associated with had cooperated and provided their report about everything that happened. He was even interrogated about it, those people as he remembered looked at him with disgust, dangerous and distrust. After all, no history had ever accomplished what he did much less summon multiple servants and follow him. Long story short, the people in the Mage Association had classified him as an abnormality.
Gudao also remembered about how Chaldea did their best to protect him in proper and legal means against the Mage Association's criticism and have them recognize his sacrifice and accomplishment. It remained that way until the day one of the associate's agent declared that they would need to take him in custody for further question. Chaldea clearly denied it knowing the danger, at the same time putting it a secret from him, until it went to the point that he had learned about it and decided to volunteer himself to go. Chaldea were deeply opposed but because of that the Mage Association had continuously harmed them in one way and another and since Gudao loved and sees Chaldea as a form of family, his decision became firm to go with them alone for their sake.
After his volunteer of coming with them, they had brought him to an unknown place and before he knew it, he experienced human experiment under them until his last moment.
"Before my death, two colossal entities appeared before me and gave me a very warm embrace, soothing me from the pain they had thrusted upon my body and magic circuit. That's when I realized those two were Gaia who embodies the living of every people, I had met especially the people who were denied and died from the Lostbelt and Alaya who embodies all the emotions from them plus the emotions of every Heroic Spirits that I had made contract with and personally met. The two for the first time had come for me and saved me by taking my existence away, in real life a warm and sleepless death like in coma."
Gudao was looking blankly at his cold tea while he recalls it.
"In consideration of me, while changing my soul structure to become a Counter Master, they had also temporarily sealed my memories, in order for me to heal my mental mind and accommodate myself to a new life and body. Of course, those memories returned when my presence was needed and that mission was to stop and save my Mash, Class Shielder Servant, filled with vengeance and despair from my disappearance and death, from destroying the world by preventing my past self and Chaldea from completing my mission of saving proper human history and allow the Alien God eradicate humanity."
Gudao looked miserable when he recalled that time.
"In the end, I am able to stop Mash from going too far and with the acceptance of my wish, Mash was taken and accepted to be part of the Counter force. As for me, despite knowing what ending the past me will soon meet after their journey I had never voiced my opinion and silently left."
Saniwa was speechless. The person who saved humanity from extinction was only rewarded by suffering and death. What a tragic ending, something that would make anyone who knew the whole story would shout, cry and sympathize the hero. The same thing happened to him, which made him understand why he has a face of betrayal a while ago.
"Do you… hate them? Regret… everything you have done for them?" Saniwa could not help but asked. He did not witness his journey but as someone who understand his burden could easily picture himself to his feet. Will he also regret everything he had done for the sake of the mission provided to him? Only for him to be tossed away in the end much less be killed for sake of secrecy.
Gudao was silent, as if contemplating his answer before turning to him in the eye and surprised Saniwa when he smiled with content. "I don't. My end may be a tragedy but borrowing William Shakespeare's words, once the character's role had ended, whenever big or small, they will exit for the world to continue moving forward." He chucked before adding, "If you think about it, my story is pretty much normal. Great example, Jeanne d'Arc."
Saniwa was responsible for maintaining Japan's history but he still knows some history about other countries so he's familiar with the history of Jeanne d'Arc. The world's most renowned saint. She left her homeland at age 17, and in the two short years before she was burned to death at age 19, she engraved her name in history. She is the saint who saved France, and after a miraculous rise to power, she was shamed and met a tragic end.
'I see… as much as how much we deny it… history will always repeat themselves, for better or worse.' Saniwa thought sadly because he truly understood what he said. "That's why instead of worrying the future, we should focus our present instead." He mumbled as he directly faced Gudao who nodded in agreement. "Thank you Gudao… I'm sorry that you had to recall the painful memories because of my stupid question."
"Please don't apologize Saniwa, I brought it up because I decided to tell you. Besides, if my story will at least be able to help someone to continue fighting to live then no matter how painful it is, I will keep recalling them for their sake." Gudao assured him, "It's also my way for atoning for denying their existence. I use the reasoning, 'to restore proper human history' and 'to live' to justify my actions, but it will never change the fact that by denying their lives I had also killed them."
"No man is pure good and evil… right?"
"Yes."
Despite their drink being gone cold, they drink it. Once empty, Saniwa decided to change the subject.
"Gudao do you think I and the Touken Danshi would be able to help you obtain the Holy Grail?"
"Hmm?"
Unknown to the two masters, in the indoor training room, the tragic story of Gudao was also being talked about by Okita, Alter, Yamatonokami Yasusada and Kashuu Kiyomitsu. For the two Touken Danshi, they could not help but feel terrible and sympathy towards Gudao but what made them terrified even more was the possibility of Saniwa experiencing the same end. They wish to deny the idea, but the possibility stands no matter how much they shake the idea. Once the mission of protecting history is finished, what will happen to them? To Honmaru? To Konnosuke? To Saniwa?
"Hey, we did not tell you our Master's story just to make yourselves feel terrible." Alter's words brought them back from reality who looked at them with tired but sorrow expression.
It's clear for them that this topic was a very sensitive topic to all Servants yet their own previous and other version of their owner brought it up.
"Alter is correct. We are unable to help Master against his present for we are only figures of the past as such should not interfere… but…" Okita could not help but remember her Master's sad smile whenever it was brought up. "According to Master, there is no regret. He did what he believe is correct and thank us for being there for him when we are able. That's why Alter and I wanted you two to do the same for your own Master. Strength after all is not just about sword strength but also about your own heart."
"Okita is right." Alter said in agreement, "Kiyomitsu, Yasusada we may be your previous owner and master but now that you have a new master, make sure you will do everything you can without regrets for the sake of your master so even if the time comes to make separate ways, the bond you had formed will never be broken."
Both their eyes widen in disbelief before giving them a firm nod. It seems they had caught on their longing and attachment towards their previous owner, which was them, as such they tried to fix them by giving them how harsh the reality truly was. It was hard but they have to accept the possibility of peaceful today but tomorrow is hell, nothing will remain permanent, as such what they should do was focus on the present and only looked back to revisit their resolve and move forward again.
"Thank you for your advice… and we're sorry about what happened to your Master." Yasusada said with a bow before them. Okita smirked lightly, "No need to thank us and for Master… he told us that he's already moving forward from it and I'm pretty sure he's getting help to get over from his trauma."
"It's a start." Alter agreed towards her counterpart. "Don't tell anyone about this." She warned and the two nodded, accepting her request/demand.
"Well, now that our story telling is over how about some exercise before we hear your stories." Okita said as she stood up, Yamatonokami Yasusada sword ready in hand.
Yamatonokami Yasusada looked happy and immediately stood up and bow to her, "Please take care of me Okita-chan."
"Yeah."
The two went to battle stance while the other two walked on the side to watch them.
Kashuu Kiyomitsu looked hesitant before asking, "Umm… Alter can I… see your hands?"
"Huh? Sure." Alter offered her hand which he took and inspect it. He could not help but comment, "You have beautiful hands, maybe if I applied some nail polish your hands would become more beautiful."
"Nail polish?" Alter questioned. Kashuu Kiyomitsu answered, "Yup, look at mine."
Kashuu Kiyomitsu showed his nails which were polished in bright red. Alter's eyes began to shine, as if interested.
"You think you can do that to my nails too?"
"Of course, thankfully I brought my kits with me. Want me to do it for you now?"
"Sure!"
So, while Okita and Yamatonokami Yasusada bond over through practice match, Alter and Kashuu Kiyomitsu bonded through fashion.
I do not owned Fate Grand Order and Touken Ranbu!
This is inspired by a mobile game Fate Grand Order GudaGuda 4 event. For the flow of story, please note that this author had not played the Touken Ranbu game so the author's only knowledge base was from the anime series. If ever you the readers had noticed something that your author may have missed, please let this author know so this author could either rewrite them or add them to the story later on. Thank you for reading this story and please forgive this author if there's a lot of grammatical errors as this author's English language is only average and not English citizen.