AN: Please enjoy the chapter.
Ch 20 The Curtains Close on the Void Countess
(Insert ZEUS Entrance ~ Record of Ragnarok Epic OST | Zeus Theme)
"Johann Sebastian Bach," Ritsuka said the Archer of the Resistance's True Name, "One of the greatest composers of his time,"
Ladybug looks at Ritsuka, not too versed in History like the Magus or Adrien. "So he's like Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart and Antonio Salieri?" She asked,
Holmes's voice appeared on the comms, -ZZZ- Indeed, Ms. Ladybug. Johann Sebastian Bach was a famous Musician that composed over one thousand pieces of music. -ZZZ- The Detective informed the young Hero. -ZZZ- Some of his most famous works included the Brandenburg Concertos, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and the Mass in B Minor. -ZZZ-
"Over a thousand music pieces? That's impressive." The bluenette was impressed by the Musician's feats. She looked at the battle below them and saw Liz Void reacting to the music playing.
"Do you think the music is affecting Liz Void?" Ladybug asked, seeing the Servant going berserk.
"AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!" Liz Void covered her ears, frustrated, annoyed, and most of all, angry. "STOP THIS HORRID MUSIC! THIS ISN'T MUSIC AT ALL!" The Berserker shouted, completely ignoring the other Servants.
Ritsuka smirks, seeing that Johann's Noble Phantasm and Viperion's support affect Liz Void's mental state. "By the looks of it, she's going insane."
"Good!" Both Ladybug and Ritsuka look over at the two Resistance members deploying the Noble Phantasm. Viperion continues to play his guitar/lyre, eyeing the Heroes from the past.
"That's the reaction we wanted," The teal-haired Hero informed the two behind.
"Wait, really?" Ladybug asked the two Heroes before them. "Why's that,"
Johann nodded, continuing to deploy his Noble Phantasm. "Yes, I faced this Servant when I first Materialized to this World, and she's injured me." The Archer explains to the Chaldeans. "I fought her a bit a discovered that she doesn't like any music than her own."
"So you guys were prepared and were waiting for another opportunity to attack." Ladybug commented, happy that things worked out.
Ritsuka sensed something was coming, he turned to the side and saw the Enemy Programs approaching their building. Caster's Familiar
"Enemy Programs at three o clock!" The Caster of the Sakura Labyrinth cried out,
-ZZZ-Ritsuka, there are at least twenty Enemy Programs in the group. -ZZZ- Mashu informed her Husband through the comms.
Ladybug took out her yo-yo, ready to defend their position. "Viperion, enemies!"
"We can't stop, if we do it's back to square one!" Viperion shouted over their music. "You guys have to defend us for a while."
Caster of the Sakura Labyrinth shook his head, "I'm sorry, I can't help you." The Familiar apologizes to the Heroes. "I'm still analyzing the enemy's Spirit Origins here, so you're on your own!"
"Just focus on playing you two, we got this," Ritsuka said, gripping his hand. "Rider! Saber! I need you two!" A Command Seal flashed, calling forth his Servants.
In a flash of light, Constantine appeared before them. "Master, what do you need me to do?" The Emperor asked the one who called him.
Rama drew his Brahmastra from his belt, "I, Saber have answered your call!" The King of Kosala announced, "Orders, master!"
Ritsuka held out his hand to the incoming enemies, "Defend us from the incoming enemies!"
"Yes, master!" Both rulers of their respected Kingdoms dashed forward at the incoming enemies.
"Can they handle those enemies, Ritsuka?" the bluenette Hero asked the Magus.
The Magus nodded, "I trust those two to do what's right." Ritsuka turns to the other Battle down below. "Let's focus on our current Battle,"
Ladybug nodded, turning her attention to the Battle. "Right,"
Back down at the audience, Liz Void steps back, blinded by her Madness Enhancement. "S-Stop it! Stop this music!" She roared in rage.
Nero, Ruler, and Sita regrouped after both Johann and Viperion released their Noble Phantasm. "Liz Void has gone…well berserk," Sita said to her fellow Heroes.
"Was this Viperion and Archer's plan? To make Berserker of the Void go Mad?" Ruler of Paris asked, seeing they made a double-bladed Sword plan.
The Roman Emperor held her flaming Sword at her Altered Rival. "Umu, a risky plan indeed. But this dazzling performance has given us an opportunity to strike when the iron is hot!" Nero exclaims, urging them to attack. "Now, follow me!"
Nero took the lead, thrusting her Sword at the Berserker. "HA!"
Liz Void covered her ears from the Noble Phantasm, "D-Damn…it-" Her eyes widen, seeing the flames from the Rose Emperor's Sword. She leaps to the side, dodging it by a scratch,
The Saber's Sword scratched the arm of the Inquisitor, able to leave a wound on her. Nero slides to the other end, still in her stance.
"Damnit! W-Why you fake Idol!" The Berserker roared, adjusting her Lance, and aimed it at the enemy. "I'll kill you for injuring me!"
Liz Void leaps forward, ready to impale her Lance into the Spirit Origins of the blonde Hero.
Sita released three arrows to throw Liz Void, getting her attention to her.
Liz Void growls, swinging her Lance and deflecting the arrows. "Don't interfere, third-rate Servant!" She changed her path and now headed towards the Queen of Kosala. "I'll kill you for interfering!"
The Archer raised her bow, blocking the Lance as she dug her heels to the ground. "Ngh," Sita gritted her teeth, 'Good she took the bait,' She smirks mentally.
"I'll kill, I'll kill. I'll kill you all!" The Altered Idol roared before feeling something wrapped around her waist. "Huh, what is-"
"Here we go!" The Counter Guardian tugged her yo-yo, dragging the Berserker into the air and trapping her in the net she made with the string of her weapon. Ruler of Paris eyes her master, "Do it now!"
Sita nodded, "Got it!" She pulls back her bow and pours her Magical Energy into this shot. "Fire!" She released her arrow right at the Berserker.
Liz Void growls, using her tail to swat the arrow to the building at the right. The arrow exploded, leaving a gaping hole in the building.
Sita clicked her teeth, looking at the Roman Emperor. "Saber!" The Queen called out to the Servant.
"Umu!" Nero leaps in the air, increasing the flames on her Sword. "HAAA!" She rushed towards her Altered Rival.
The Berserker laughs, moving her Lance to block Nero's blade. "Don't think you've got me! I can-"
"You're easily distracted by the music of both Archer and Moon Cancer is playing," Nero stated, slicing her Sword upwards with Liz Void's Lance. "Even to notice that you have fallen for our trap," She gazed her eyes over to the building to the right, where a glimmer of light flashed.
Liz Void's eyes widened, seeing Koyanskaya had her sniper rifle in her sights. "I'd always hate Idols," She pulled the trigger, sending a bullet right at her.
"DAMNIT!" Liz Void was about to deflect the bullet when her arm was ensnared by another yo-yo. "WHAT!?" She gazed over to where the line originated from.
The Berserker saw that the younger version of the Counter Guardian used her yo-yo to hold back her arms.
The special bullet raced toward the Berserker, flying through her chest, and countered the Theos Klironomia. "N-NGAAAAAHHHH!" Liz Void cried out as the pain coursed throughout her body.
"They did it!" Ritsuka cried out, watching as the net Ruler created released the injured Servant to the ground.
(End Song)
Both Johann and Viperion ceased their playing, seeing the enemy had fallen. "T-They did it…" The teal-haired Hero lowered his guitar lyre, "T-They actually did it..."
"They defeated the Berserker of the Void," Johann smiles, now seeing there's a chance of defeating the rest of the Imperial Inquisitors.
Ladybug was stunned, she saw that they had defeated one of the many opponents that are there. Unsure what to do next, she turns to Ritsuka for his advice. "So…what now?"
Ritsuka walks over to the ledge of the building, turning back to look at the young Hero. "Now? Now we talk,"
The Musician approached the master of Chaldea, taking him by the waist and leaping down to the ground.
The Vermillion Bird took flight, following the master of Humanity.
Viperion nodded, looking at the young Ladybug. "You heard him," He leaps down to the ground with the Hero of Creation behind.
Ritsuka approached Liz Void, both Nero and Sita were beside him in case of any tricks. However, they don't need to worry due to the sight, (Insert Fgo Lostbelt- Bonds)
"Liz…" Ritsuka looks down at the Altered version of Elizabeth Bathory with soft eyes. Caster perched on his shoulders, continuing his analysis of the Inquisitor.
Liz Void coughs, looking at the master of Chaldea. "S-So…my rage has subsided…" She chuckles, holding onto her chest with the hole from the Fox's bullet.
"Seems so, your eyes have calmed down before," Ritsuka commented, smiling at her out of kindness.
The Berserker's body began to glow, and gold dust on her body began to ascend to the sky. "Ever since I materialized, there's only one thing I know." Liz Void said, "And that is rage, my desire to be an Idol twisted into something selfish."
"Truth be told, I never know why I was so angry in the first place." The Servant's lower body began to disappear, showing that she doesn't have much time left. "I just want to share my songs with everyone…"
Ritsuka smiles, knowing what to say to her. "Well, if it means something. I think your songs are great, even if it's meant to kill everyone here."
Liz Void let out a small laugh, hearing the small joke from Humanity's Champion. "Now that I look at you with no rage in my body, I can see why my other self has decided to stay with you." She smiles brightly, "Your kindness reminds me of a…a Puppy."
Elizabeth Bathory Void's body disappeared from the area, causing the stage and other items related to her to shut down.
Mashu came on the comms, reporting what she has observed. -ZZZ- Confirmation, Elizabeth Bathory Void's Spirit Origins has vanished. -ZZZ- She confirmed what they saw.
"With that, the Berserker of the Void has been defeated." Caster of the Sakura Labyrinth informed the group, "And by her defeat, I can finally say I have all I need for a tool for you all to use against the other Inquisitors." The Familiar added. (End Song)
"That's good," Ritsuka said, turning to everyone.
"If all things are said and done, let's all return back to base," Viperion stated, shutting down his Second Chance powers.
-ZZZ- I'll inform Charlie-san and the others that their mission was a success,- ZZZ- Mashu said, relaying the message to the second team.
Ladybug looked up at the night sky, seeing the golden dust vanish. "So, we need to kill in order to take back our World…" She frowns at the thought of killing.
Ritsuka placed his hand on the Hero of Creation's shoulders, "Not entirely, now let's go." He waves at Constantine and Rama standing on the rooftop after dealing with the enemies.
Both Servants nodded and quickly went in the direction of their base.
"R-Right…"
On the side of the Void Territory, Charlie's group has been doing well in distracting the enemy, in fact, they almost wiped out the entire reinforcements.
"AAAAARRRRRRRRTTTTTTTHHHHHHUUUUURRRRR!" Lancelot aims his guns at the remaining Enemy Programs as the Archer of Kosala pulls back his bowstring.
"Fire!" The red-haired Archer cried,
Both Servants released their attacks at the Enemy Program patrol, destroying them.
Moriarity and Charlie look around, finding this battle to be strange. "You don't sense it, do you, Ruler?" Charlie asked the Crime Lord.
"I see your sense of danger hasn't disappeared, your Majesty." Moriarty chuckles before frowning at what he said, "I hate to admit it, but I agree. Our commotion here hasn't caught the attention of Ryunosuke Akutagawa."
The former King nodded, "Yes, that's exactly right. Last time it was a direct response to Liz Void under siege. But now…it's like he just ignores it." Charlie stated, feeling like they misunderstood the Berserker's intent.
-ZZZ- Charlie-san, Ritsuka, Marinette-san, and the others have defeated Liz Void.- ZZZ- The former Demi-Servant informed the group, -ZZZ- Regroup at the base, Caster of the Sakura Labyrinth has something to share. -ZZZ-
"Got it, Mashu." Charlie looks at the former Apostle of the Alien World. "They've defeated the target, Ruler. Ritsuka and the others are heading back to base."
Moriarty nodded, turning to the new Servant to their roster and the Mad Dog of the Roundtable. "Okay you two, we're done here!" He called out to the two.
Archer of Kosala nodded, returning back with Lancelot. "Right,"
"AAAARRRTTTHHHUUURRR…." Lancelot responded as the four returned to base.
Patricius, The Eternal Empire, Eternal Palace
"So, Elizabeth Bathory has perished." Ruler of the Eternal Empire stated, looking up at Hephaestus above his throne.
An orange-red circle glowed, answering the Anomaly Emperor's question. "Answer: Elizabeth Bathory is no longer connected to my Theos Klironomia," The enslaved God of the Forge replied, "It's safe to assume that the Berserker is no longer around."
Felix sighs, shrugging his shoulders. "What a shame, to think the famous Blood Countess would be taken out this easily in the game." The blonde stated, "Well, nothing to do about it now."
Akutagawa approached the Anomaly master, curious about one thing. "Master, if I may." The blonde turned his head to the Berserker, waiting for his question.
"Why didn't you allow me to aid the Berserker of the Void?" The Author asked his master, "If you have then we can end the Chaldeans and the Hero's mission in destroying this Lostbelt." Akutagawa asked, seeing reason in his plan.
Felix blinks at the Berserker before looking at the other Servant next to him. "Isn't Berserkers supposed to be without reason?" The blonde asked Foreigner of London. "I understand Elizabeth's twisted notion of becoming popular in being an Idol, but Akutagawa is more reasonable than her."
The blonde Servant chuckles, turning to the former Counter Force Servant. "Well, in most cases Berserkers are warmongering machines. But Ryunosuke Akutagawa is a special case where his mental illness plays a major part in his life." Foreigner explains to his master.
"However, him being an Author has some effects in his Spirit Origins making him reasonable to an extent." The blonde Servant continued, "Once he set his mind on something he doesn't change it one bit." Foreigner smiled.
"Huh, interesting." Felix nodded, smirking at what he was learning. "Servants are interesting."
"That's enough," Ruler raised his voice, causing the small talk to cease. He approached his throne, sitting on it once more. "We are down an Inquisitor, and with the loss of the Void Territory, we have fewer eyes on the public for the Resistance. We have to stop the insurgences in my Empire."
Foreigner sighs, shrugging his arms. "Too bad, the Leylines are already dried out to Summon more Servants to aid us." The blonde commented on their situation. "Plus I doubt there are any Servants left from what the Counter Force gathered to even corrupt like our Author there."
Ruler sighs, placing his hand on his head, thinking about what to do. "If I could speak, your Majesty then I have a plan." The old man looks at his master, allowing him to speak. "Go on, master."
"Thank you," the blonde boy cleared his throat before speaking, "Based on what the Watchers observed, my dear Cousin wasn't with the Chaldean master and that girl during the Battle," Felix explains to the Emperor.
"What of it, master." Ruler asked the Anomaly master, wondering where this was leading.
The blonde smiles, further going into his plan. "Simple, three masters entered the Empire. Three got separated during the greeting, and two appeared together when they attack the Void Territory." Felix added and smirked evilly.
"And?"
"We go after the lost kitty," Felix suggested to the Anomaly Emperor.
Ruler of the Eternal Empire thought for a moment of his master's plan. He closed his eyes and accepted what he suggested, "Berserker of the Eternal Empire,"
"Yes, your Majesty?" Ryosuke Akutagawa asked the Emperor sitting on his throne.
"You are to be dispatched on the streets and track down the Hero known as Chat Noir." Ruler of the Eternal Empire ordered the Anomaly Servant. "If you were to find him, take him to the prison where we can lay a trap for the Chaldeans."
The Berserker obliged the Emperor's orders, inclining his head to him. "Of course, your Majesty. It shall be done."
With that problem solved, Ryunosuke Akutagawa left the throne room and went to gather a team of Enemy Programs and some other Empire Forces suited for the task.
Felix inclined his head, paying his respects to the Emperor. "If all is said and done, I'll take my leave. I do need some rest after what has happened." The blonde said, bidding the Ruler farewell.
Ruler of the Enteral Empire knew that his master is the Achilles heel of his Empire. Without him, his true master's plan would've failed if he didn't complete his task on time. "Very well, I hope you rest well master."
Felix left the throne room, heading to his private room within the Eternal Palace. Once he was alone, he turned his head to the door. "Foreigner,"
On cue, Foreigner of London appeared before the Anomaly master. "You called, master?" The blonde Servant asked, taking a sip of his wine. (Insert Jacques de Molay NP Theme — Fate Grand Order BGM)
"Was it recovered?" The blonde boy from the past asked the Servant,
Foreigner grins, pouring the red wine onto the floor. The puddle of wine soon ripples, revealing a familiar face.
Elizabeth Bathory Void stood before Felix de Graham Vanily, slowly opening her eyes. "W-What the? Am I still in the Eternal Empire?" The Berserker asked, looking around the room. "I-I thought I just died!?"
"Oh you did, my dear." Foreigner walked around her, now standing beside his master. "I just simply stole away your Spirit Origins before you could reach the Throne of Heroes." The Servant smirked.
"W-Wha-"
Foreigner chuckles, "And don't worry, the Hephaestus Theos Klironomia is no longer in your system." He explains the Altered Blood Countess. "Once you died, the God's essence returned to its previous owner making you a regular Berserker."
Liz Void nodded, understanding what the Servant of the true master means. "So what? I'm a Free Servant now?" She asked, thinking that was the case.
"No, you're not a Free Servant." Foreigner answered, moving to the side revealing the Cube outside the master's room. "We still need your assistance, Berserker."
The Berserker raised her eyebrow, confused with what he meant. "How can I be some help to you two?" Liz Void asked, crossing her arms.
"You see the Moon Cell, right? The one that fell from the Moon?" The blonde Servant asked the Alter.
Liz Void approached the window, tilting her head in confusion. "Yeah, what about it?" A sudden stabbing feeling interrupted Liz Void's pondering. She slowly turned around to see that the puddle of wine that she had emerged from was stabbing her.
"W-Wha-"
Felix approached Liz Void, holding her cheek. He gave an evil smirk seeing the shocked expression on her face, "You are still my Servant, Elizabeth Bathory. As such I can do whatever I want as your master to achieve my goals." He gave an evil chuckle.
"W-What d-d-do you-"
"That is something you don't need to worry about, my dear Berserker." Felix stroked her cheeks, and his face darkened with malice at what he has planned. "After all, what I have planned doesn't require your brain…Elizabeth…Bathory." He removes his hand, snapping his finger.
Foreigner of London had the same evil smirk as his master, snapping his finger. The puddle of wine soon encroached on the Blood Countess, causing her to squirm in fear. "N-No, s-stop. T-This isn't a-apart of the contract!" Liz Void tried to escape; however, the wine was already trapping her.
"A-All I wanted is to be an Idol, someone to share their music with the people!" The wine engulfed her legs, covering her waist and abdomen, "P-Please, master I-I can still be useful i-in other ways, I-I don't…want…to…" The wine soon covered her face, creating a case around her body.
Felix turns to Foreigner of London, exhilarated from the terror of his Servant. "Take her to the Moon Cell, we still have a lot to do if my plan for revenge will happen."
Foreigner of London gleefully chuckles, approaching the casing of Liz Void. "Of course, master. I'll make use of her,"
Felix saw Foreigner open a portal to the base of the former Eiffel Tower, dragging the casing through it. "Now, my dear Cousin… how on Earth will you prepare for what's to come? Can you really protect what you love and hold dear?" He laughs to himself, picturing the devastated face of his Cousin in his mind.
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.