Words Count: 4845
A/N: I think my biological clock finally reset, I can't stay up past 1AM now Here's the Ep, I'll try to get another 2K words in today and finish it tomorrow to be on schedule.
Here's my usual spiel:
You can start reading up to Episode 44 of the Sequel – Fate: False Sovereignty in advanced. The Tier starts from as low as 1USD, check it out!
P(a)(treon).com(/) LiamThePoor
After telling Shiro of the sister I had never mentioned to her all these years, the Redhead was… Well, understandably upset. We didn't get into a screaming-match or anything, if you were wondering, since the young woman was unexpectedly calm and mature about it. In my experiences, most women would lose their cool when confronted with a sudden and emotional matters- even older ones like my Vassal Alice would have an episode every once in a while.
I meant, it's rare, but it did happen.
Thanks to my impeccable timing at revelations, lunch became awkward as Hell.
Not that I was complaining, though I did have to promise Shiro I'd bring her to meet her long-lost, albino sister. Knowing full-well Illya and her entourage must still be on edge after our brief conversation, plus not wanting to have a 'Round 2' with Herakles so soon, I tried to ask Shiro for more time politely, and what do you know? She agreed!
Perhaps sensing my unresolved trauma (Of being forced to fend off an enraged Demigod high on some divine steroids) or having seen the huge and very much visible droplets of cold sweat dripping down my chin at the mere talk of Illya von Einzbern- The She-Devil. Trust me, that woman might have the face of an angel- all innocent and cutesy, but if a poor soul just so happened to get on her nerves, there was literally no saving them…
Being chased by Berserker was quite the distressing experience to me, and I was a Magus used to living in constant dangers. Now, imagine if that had happened to you! Imagine getting attacked by a Demigod whose sheer size rivalled a fucking Space Marine, bulging with muscles and he's practically obliterating everything in his path to get to you- his sole purpose?
To utterly annihilate your bloody remains because, let's be honest, that's all which was gonna be left of you once Herakles was done. Unfortunately, this wasn't the end of the matter, dinner was just as tense thanks to the awkward atmosphere. Even Taiga couldn't swallow her fill and you know how… Gluttonous the woman was. "So- Uhmmm- How went your day?"
""""Fine./Could've been better."""" Four voices chorused. If you couldn't tell, the second one belonged to me and I wasn't joking either… Today could've been a lot different depending on my actions, though again, it could've been worse. "I've started training with Archer–"
'WHAT?!' My eyes snapped towards Shiro and her Alternate. 'Are they fucking bonding?!'
If you're even remotely familiar with Shirou Emiya, you'd know how impossible that was. At my flabbergasted expression, the Servant sent me look which screamed, 'Not a word from you.'
"– Also, I seem to have received my Command Seals." Shiro raised her arm to show off a blade-like red pattern on the back of her hand. "If it's possible, I was hoping we could summon my Servant tonight."
She said politely, staring unblinkingly at me, as though she wanted to ask for my permission and abruptly remembered the conversation we had at lunch. 'Christ, I'm getting a major dose of cuteness-overload just by looking at her! Shiro is adorable even when she's trying to be angry.'
"Is that so, sweetie? Don't worry, we're going to get you a Servant soon, okay?"
"… Are you my father in this scenario?" Everyone looked done with my bullshits, but I wasn't. "Shiro-chan, our relationship can thus be described as 'tags on Pornhub', you really shouldn't be surprised at this point."
"""What's Pornhub?""" Three innocent voices echoed, and I could no longer contain my evil smirk. "Well, I'm glad you asked! It's a–"
An entire plate was thrown right past my face, missed only because I had the foresight to dodge. "DON'T you dare explain to them what that is!"
Ah… Archer- ever the killjoy. "Wait, how'd you know about Pornhub? I thought you spent the majority of your life being a mercenary? You were rather innocent before the Grail War of your Timeline like Shiro, which can only mean–"
My mouth widened ear-to-ear as I looked at a blushing Archer. "Holy-Shit, you used Pornhub, didn't you–?!"
As though his life depended on it, the Servant raced towards me, slapping a hand on my mouth while I struggled helplessly in his grasp. "It got a bit lonely on the roads and I did not want to do it with strangers, alright? Now, for the love of Gods and all that is Holy! SHUT. YOUR. MOUTH!"
Archer hissed… Obviously, I didn't comply. This was too funny to pass up.
If anything, I laughed even harder at his admittance to watching… How do I go about this in a polite manner? Ah-Yes! Adult videos. It's a good thing no one here was proficient at English, none besides Archer, Taiga, Rin and I at least, and the tsundere's just a tad too naïve to get what we're getting at, while the Tigress was… Well, she's Taiga. I hadn't expected her to not know what pornwas, but it was not too surprising either.
Cackling maniacally, I started to scream at the top of my lungs. "Archer watch PORN!"
"I said SHUT UP! Damn you!"
With my help and the Servant's glorious sacrifice, dinner became a lot less tense. Of course, there was still this undercurrent of… Discomfort, but it's better than it originally was. Soon, we found ourselves in my basement- Wow, that sounded wrong on so many levels- It did not come out right at all. "Wait… How do you even know about that site?"
Archer countered.
"… I reserve the right to remain silent."
"You little prick."
.
.
.
"I just have to read this Chant?"
"Yes, you just have to read that Chant. The Grail and the Summoning Circle will handle the rest." I nodded, giving her a reassuring pat on the back. "Do remember to bring Avalon with you, it's an important Catalyst to summon the correct Servant."
"Why're you so fixated on King Arthur anyway? From what you've told us, she doesn't seem to be that strong." My mind flashed back to all the L's Artoria had taken against virtually everyone in the Fourth War, and I couldn't help agreeing with Rin's assessment. Granted, a majority of those were L's taken while she's under duress and mental and emotional tortures,
But that was no excuse, was it? "Because she's predictable. This War has not gone the way I wanted. A lot of the initial participants in my visions aren't participating and the Servants are also different. Letting Shiro-chan summon another would hinder us more than help…"
Simo Häyhä didn't even show up in Grand Order, but here he was and judging from the clues discovered by Archer and Rin, he's a Class Card. Sakura did not possess Command Seals and thus Medusa couldn't be summoned while Souichirou Kuzuki was missing.
I wasn't joking, Caster's Master was just gone,
The guy arrived to Fuyuki two years ago, worked as a teacher in Homurahara Academy for months then just upped and disappeared for no discernable reason. No one had been able to find him since, and I doubted anybody would for the foreseeable future. "Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the archduke of contracts to the cornerstone."
You must remember, all Servants had their own purposes- goals they were striving for. For example: Iskandar- his Wish was to conquer the World, Gil wanted entertainment and to observe Humanity, Artoria wished to rectify her mistake by giving up her Sovereignty… All of them were people with their own desires, their own wishes and another Servant might have something to conflict with our Wish, hence why I say Artoria was the best possible option.
Once she learnt how the Grail operated- how cursed it was, Saber would be on our side for sure. She'd probably be depressed, probably get angry, but eventually she would aid us in our goal, plus I genuinely believed Artoria was only so weak in Canon because of her Master. An Artoria Pendragon who didn't have to worry for the wellbeing of her Master- one who's not restricted by the limitations of a set of shriveled Magic Circuits was practically a walking-nuke with the Sword of Promised Victory,
And even without it, her [Mana Burst] when used at max capacity could likely uproot an entire plot of Land, rendering the affected area a barren crater. "I don't know… You seem too excited. It's like you've been looking forwards to this."
Rin sent me a suspicious glance, to which I merely tried to restrain my emotions and my tapping feet and answered vaguely. "It's the King Arthur- or I guess Queen Artoria, every child- regardless of their country of origin, as long as they have had contact with Western cultures- know about her tales. Not the specific perhaps, but the story of a child rising to be a just Ruler after drawing a Magical Sword will set a precedent for generations that have and will come."
The room began to shake as a bright, crimson light enveloped us. Obviously, having been here before, neither of us had a reaction to the intense light-show, none but Taiga and Shiro that was. "Wow… That is SO cool!"
"Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill).
Shut (fill)
Repeat every five times.
Simply, shatter once filled–"
"Youidolize King Arthur?" The skepticism and disbelief was clear in Rin's voice. "YOU?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I rolled my eyes at her dramatic reaction, huffing all the while, seemingly offended. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'll have you know, I'm not just an evil bastard. I did have a heart and Heroes I looked up to and aspired to be once."
"Uh-Huh… And that 'Hero' of yours is just coincidentally King Arthur?"
"Well…" I drawled awkwardly. "More like Son Goku, Naruto and Kurosaki Ichigo, but you get the point. I might not be a paragon of pure goodness, though there is still some light within this shriveled and blackened heart of mine, dammit!"
"You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance ―――!" Mana formed into the frame of her body, next came her flesh, muscles and skin. At this stage, Artoria was merely a clump of Mana with indistinguishable gender and features, then her armor- a mix of silver and blue- appeared to cover up the Once and Future King's immodesty.
With a swing, the shape sent a blade of wind towards her surrounding, not strong enough to harm anyone, but it's enough to impress those inexperienced in matters regarding this Side of the World. "That is actually so freaking cool!"
Taiga's shout heralded the arrival of King Arthur, and a wave of Mana washed over us, submerging us in a pleasant sensation- a feeling of Hope. "In accordance to your vows, Servant Saber has arrived. I ask of thou, who's my Master?"
"I am."
We all pointed to Shiro- the young woman was clearly overwhelmed by the attentions, yet that did not hinder her. Squaring her shoulders, my redheaded kouhai moved forth, putting up her hand to show the Command Seals, but Artoria seemed to have other plans as she looked at the dark ceiling. "It appears there are uninvited guests in your living quarter… I'll handle them, Master."
'Uninvited guests? What–?' It hit me who she's referring to. There were plenty of Magi currently residing in my Castle- approximately thirties- and none was strong or noticeable enough to have caught King Arthur's attention, which left only two other people- two Servants to be precise. 'What the fuck are Enkidu and Archer doing in the Castle?! Did I not tell them to vacate the building?!'
With a leap, Artoria tore her way through the ceiling, her [Mana Burst] making easy work of the fragile walls, only those walls weren't at all fragile. I'd know, those were both built and reinforced using magical means, she shouldn't have been able to– 'Now's not the time, give chase quickly before you lose a combatant!'
"Thanks." I muttered to Angra, before teleporting up near Artoria. "WAIT! THEY'RE NOT OUR ENEMY!"
But she didn't seem to have heard me, continuing on her destructive path, completely disregarding me. "Goddamnit!"
With a twitch, a portal opened up in front of Artoria to teleport her back to the basement, a bit further away from the girls since I didn't want them to tank an attack from King Arthur of all people. I had already prepared for this… Situation, though it's quite the annoyance regardless. I thought I'd be able to keep her confined to calm down, yet things were far different from my expectations. "WHAT?!"
Using [Mana Burst], Artoria propelled herself out of the portal, thus I opened a second one right in the direction she went, only for her to… Collide with the portal as though it's a tangible object. Sparks- lightning- whatever you wanted to call it- burst from there, her existence itself seeming to reject the portal. Unstable Space and atoms all smashed together, creating a violent explosion- one which sent me sprawling on my back. 'Is this the power of Resistance Skill?!'
Man… A-Rank [Magic Resistance] was such bullshit hax.
Thankfully, Artoria was not much better. "Thou! Why art thou hindering me from slaying our enemies?!"
"You'd know if you had just listened!" I shouted back angrily. On one hand, I understood why she's so uptight and trigger-happy, but those ceilings she crashed through were expensive! Artoria narrowed her gorgeous green eyes- visibly irritated. "Shiro-chan, can you tell Saber to stand down, please?"
I turned to the young woman pleadingly. "Saber, please stand down and listen to our explanation first. All will be revealed soon."
Seeing Artoria slowly lower her broken-ass sword, I breathed a sigh of relief,
Unfortunately I was happy too soon, for a feminine, yet incredibly familiar voice interrupted our conversation before it could even begin. "What's this? My 'little bribe'has arrived? There you are Saber, I was getting tired of waiting for you."
Gilgamesh! The name popped right up in my head as I glanced back.
There she was, there was the woman who had stolen my heart and heartlessly abandoned me after an unforgettable night of passion. Behind her was Enkidu.
"Gil…?" Speechless by her presence, my mouth went agape as I took in her appearance. There was not a change to her, none besides her clothes that was. Unlike before, the Golden Queen was dressed in a stunning red dress with cuts on the sides to reveal her creamy-white thighs and tones calves. "It's been quite a while, Little Lion."
The smirk on her lips made my heart dance with nervousness- a type of nervousness which exceeded even when Berserker was all but threatening to bash my head to a pulp. Sadly, it'd appear not everyone was happy of Gil's return… "THOU!"
Not bothering to hide her bloodlust, Artoria raised Excalibur at Gil. "Stop!"
"Thou can't be serious! That wench is–"
"Is the one who saved my life, raised me and gave me a semblance of purpose. Mind. Your. Tongue, Saber." Now, I did not want to shout at my waifu whatsoever, but there were times a man had got to stand his ground. This was one of those times. "Whatever personal feelings thou have towards that wench, she's a danger to us all!"
Artoria brandished Excalibur, ready to strike Gil down.
Not sure what she's expecting, especially after she lost to the Golden Queen at the end of the Fourth War, but I didn't care either way.
Jumping to Gil's protection, indifferent to the risk to my life, I teleported in their way as Artoria neared. '[Longsword of Silence]…'
Gil's Gates opened to spit out shields, all of which were either Mystic Codes or Noble Phantasms of the highest Rank, yet it didn't matter. Our blades had already met, Invictus against Excalibur… Invictus stood no chance. My rapier was bent to the point I thought it'd snap in half, the force behind Artoria's attack was enough to leave fractures on my ribcages even though I had sort of blocked it.
Gritting my teeth, I forcefully swallowed the mouthful of blood and bile rising to my throat.
Seeing this, Enkidu also leaped into the frays.
The Chains of Heaven sprouted to life, numbering in the hundreds and I immediately felt the effect of supplying a Servant with Mana in battle. It's almost like someone had ripped portions of my Mana-Pool out in a second, the effect only heightened when Enkidu conjured a blade of hard-light to coat his hand. Artoria tried to maneuver out of the Chains, but the sheer number was able to overwhelm her, tying up her arms and legs while my Servant went in for the kill.
"STOP–" The blade neared Artoria's throat, and I was forced to use it. "– By order of my Command Seals!"
The back of my hand shone crimson as the Command Seal was activated, pulling Enkidu to me using an invisible force. It reminded me of [Planetary Devastation]- one amongst many different abilities the Rinnegan afforded its user, the effects were nigh indistinguishable from one another.
Thankfully, the Chains holding Artoria did not break or disappear with my order. It'd appear the Command Seals did take into account the wish of a Master since I obviously didn't want Artoria dead so soon into the War, but I also didn't want her released from the bindings either. "Master, why–"
"When I say stop, STOP!" I shouted, clutching my chest as I dropped weakly to the floor. Wounds like this, which weren't too severe or insidious in nature, were easily healed. I should be fine in a few hours, but that didn't make it hurt any less. "Fuck's sake, why is everybody so fucking trigger-happy all of a sudden?! I'm the psychopathic Magus with a tendency for bloody-murders here, not you!"
As though that's his cue, Archer dropped from the hole on the ceiling. Shiro, Saber, Gil and Enkidu all traded irritated looks as they looked at one another. "Oh-Goodie… You wanna fight too, Archer?"
"A third Servant?!" Very observant of you, Artoria.
Falchions in hands, the tanned Servant raised his weapons and with a flash, they were de-summoned. "As a matter of fact, no. I do not want to fight… What happened here?"
"I don't know, but can everyone just calm yourselves for a second!" Reigning in my temper, I tried to stabilize my breathing to very little success. The deep breath I took only managed to force a small- tiny piece of my lungs up to my mouth. Disgusted, I spat the piece out. Better not swallow those, choking on my while with a collapsed lung once was more than enough- I was a sadist, not a damned masochist. "Shit…!"
"Are you alright?" A hand touched my shoulder, and instantly my anger vanished. "I'm- *Cough* I'm fine… I think?"
A golden portal appeared overhead and out came a small bottle exactly like the one Gil had used to save my life all those years ago. I put my hand forth, ready to take it, only to be surprised by the Golden Queen's actions. Instead of handing it to me, she threw her head back and poured the mixture in her lips before grabbing my head. "Wha–?"
The word hadn't even escaped my mouth when her lips met mine… Unlike all those years ago, I was taller now- two-thirds of a head taller than Gil actually, thus she's forced to stand on her tiptoe, which was surprisingly cute. "Feeling better, Little Lion?"
Gently, Gil pinched my chin in her fingers, a playful smirk dancing on her lips and I stuttered. "I- Yeah, I'm feeling much better."
Though whether it's due to the potion or the kiss, I didn't elaborate. I was sure they'd be able to figure out. "Urgh- Go get a room."
"I don't remember giving you the permission to speak, mongrel." The side-glance she threw Archer was dirty and filled with annoyance. Sort of like what an adult would give to a child who's a little too playful. "Please, stop. We can do this tomorrow, okay?"
Seeing the exhausted look on my face, both people took a step back, signifying the end of their conflict… For now. "You should have told me you've decided to summon my friend."
"I wanted it to be a surprise… Surprised?"
"I am indeed. C'mon, let's talk." Taking hold of my hand and Enkidu's, Gil marched outside under everyone's gazes. "Oh-And Saber?"
"What doth thou want, vile wench!" Artoria replied testily. "Do clean yourself up, maybe I'll visit you tonight."
… At this point, Gil's just pissing Artoria off on purpose. "Gil, please."
I pleaded, following Saber's murderous gaze directed at her. The Golden Queen didn't say anything, though she did laugh lightheartedly. "Shiro, can I trust you to fill Saber in?"
Shiro nodded, glancing towards her Command Seals. "Don't use a Command Seal on her, just explain the circumstance–"
My eyes zoomed in on Artoria. She's every bit as beautiful as I had expected, that small button-nose, her full, yet not too big lips, her green eyes which seemed to sparkle with the smallest bits of light. The 'Perfect King' indeed, just her mere presence- her [Charisma] made me feel the need to bend the knees. Not to be outdone, I allowed [Tyrannical Charisma] to activate. It's of a much lower Rank, but it's enough to fend off Saber's.
"– And you, King of Knights, do you believe it honorable to attack the people who have so graciously allowed you and your Master into their home?" Choked by anger, Artoria frowned as she tugged at the Chains. "I do not, but if thou art associated with the likes of her, thou can't be anything good."
She said, unexpectedly calm. "Why are you talking in old dialects and archaic terms? Does the Grail not grant you a better understanding of modern languages? Never mind, fuck it. So the King of Knights is the type of person to judge someone based on their relationship?"
While Artoria did not respond, she did look a bit ashamed of her prejudices. "See, why don't we all calm down? Just hear your Master out, I'll return to fill in the gaps if needed."
I waved and followed Gil out of the room, though not before telling Enkidu to, "Release her."
"But Master–"
"That's an order." My Command Seals shone menacingly and Enkidu bowed. "Understood."
With Artoria released from her restraints, we walked out- our destination unknown. Still, I kept an eye out for sneak-attacks. Artoria was not someone who'd shank me in the back, but you could never be too cautious around people of the Moonlit World- a lesson I had to learn the hard way a few years back. "Shall we?"
Offering Gil my hand, I smiled.
The Queen took it, then grabbed Enkidu's as well. "Let's."
— [Fate: FS] —
"Can you check if he's a Daemon from here?"
Caren shook. Her Masochistic Spiritualist Constitution was powerful, but it's not without its limitations. From this distance, she couldn't tell if the boy had just been infected with the Daemon's curses, if he's possessed, or if it's his natural deposition. "I'm afraid I'll have to get nearer… Oh-Dear, just a few days away from the Church and I'm already looking at boys! Whatever shall I do? Lord, forgive thee servant for she has sinned!"
'Are you serious?' The look father Francesco threw the apprentice Exorcist practically screamed. "How about we follow them? See where they live at least."
Caren nodded, agreeing to his plan. If it turned out she's wrong, and the boy wasn't possessed by any Daemon, they'd have only wasted a night, but if he was… Well, that would make things much easier for the pair, wouldn't it? "We can go to Ahnenerbe, if I recall correctly, you love their foods, no?"
The pair heard the boy said,
"Let's have a tour of the City first. I'm not hungry at the moment."
.
.
.
Thus began their new mission- tail the two unusual people until they figured out what was wrong with them. From the Park, the Cinema to the Entertainment District of Fuyuki, there was no place they didn't visit. Even with her training Caren felt bone-tired, while father Francesco just seemed annoyed. "Just how many other places do they plan to visit?! They're not even talking about anything important! It's all about their date!"
"Tonight has been fun… Let's end it with Ahnenerbe, that establishment is the only place that has foods fit for a Ruler like myself." Fucking finally, both the Exorcist and the Executioner breathed a sigh of relief. Young people sure were resilient,
Then again, wasn't Caren about the same age as the boy?
Shaking away the useless thoughts, the pair entered the café in pursuit of their targets, only to pause when they walked in and saw no one, none besides a young maid.
"Greeting, customers! What can I get you on this fine night?"
"We don't–" The words were caught in Francesco's mouth when he felt something thick, metallic and sharp rested against his spine. "Don't scream, or Lancer will severe your spines."
It's the boy. 'Lancer… He's a Master?'
Francesco thought. "Hibiki-chan! It's me!"
The boy put his hand up, face all smiles, showing no trace of the murderous aura that wafted off his body originally. "Uhmmm… You are?"
"It's me, Leonis." Why did that name sound so familiar to Francesco's ears? Caren didn't seem to have knowledge of the name, but that was because she had spent the majority of her life locked in an establishment of the Holy Church. "Leonis Magnum."
He repeated, and Francesco paled. He hadn't just heard of that name, he had even encountered this 'boy' once. Leonis Magnum- the Tyrant, Evil Incarnated, the Devil of the Clock Tower, the Second Coming of a male Lorelei…etc. He had been referred to by all of these Titles, and for a time, Francesco had believed it all to be horseshit, something the Tower boasted about to make themselves look better,
He was proven wrong nine years ago.
Under the command of the Bishop, Francesco had pursued a Death Apostle to Mexico, he's close- so infinitely close to finding the disgusting creature when he met him. It's no wonder Francesco hadn't recognized him after a few looks, the boy had changed a lot in the past nine years.
He's taller, his face more chiseled, his muscles bulging slightly under the over-stretched button-up he wore.
Although, the biggest difference was his Aura. The Leonis' he had met was violent, untamed and filled with a need- a desire to prove his worth to the World. This one was calmer, less impulsive and clearly stronger. "Leonis… Leonis…"
The maid repeated, humming to herself as she tried to remember before, "Leo? Is that you?! Is it really you?!"
"It really is me… I brought friends." Leonis put his arms over Francesco and Caren's shoulders, his expression all innocent and kind. "Gil's here too."
The maid smiled so bright her eyes turned to slits as she approached their group, and with a blinding grin, she cocked her leg back and– "Ouch!"
'What the fuck…? Did she just knee him in the shin?!' At that moment, Francesco could almost see the Lord he had prayed to for so long waving at him in a distant place. 'We're so fucked… Holy-Shit, who does that?!'
Yet, contrary to his expectations, Leonis just waved off the attack with a, "Okay, maybe I did deserve that."
Again, the maid pulled her leg backwards to make room the kick she's building to. This time it hit Leonis in the joint, "… Maybe I deserved that too."
Smilingly, the maid- Hibiki coked her leg back one more time, though her target was a bit… Unorthodox- It's his crotch. "Wait, wait! I don't deserve that, I definitely don't deserve that!"
Pushed into the tiger's den by Leonis as he fled back, Francesco and Caren traded looks and separated to reveal the cowering Magus. "What do you?! You've barely been back for a month or two, and then you just disappeared again! Did you know how worried we were?! Chikagi and I both thought something bad had happened to you!"
Looking at the tearful maid, Leonis scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, I'm fine, but if you knee me there, I might not be. Also, why am I the only one getting hit?! Gil's the same as me! Not that I want you to hit her or anything, but…"
"She's an adult when she left, unlike you. Besides, us gurls have to stick to each other." The maid looked almost proud of her reasoning while Francesco just wished this ended sooner. This crazy fuck was definitely going to take it out on their heads later, he just knew it. "Tsk."
