Chapter 11: The King of Heroes & Chains of Heaven

Ah, nothing beats time to relax, as funny as that sounds coming from me.

Just sit back and catch a breath before the next shit storm blows in.

March 30

Two days had passed, and Elric was resting in his hotel room, whilst Mordred was off elsewhere in town (possibly hoping to cross paths with her father a second time), in the midst of reading some literature he procured from the loca bookstore—predominately a few copies from the Elric Saga and some Lovecrafts. Classics reads he enjoyed back home when he lived with the Diolands.

He always enjoyed stories of the pulp era novels; and these were the closest he could obtain from this side of the ocean.

The day progressed long till before the evening when there was a call from Wesley. The last person Elric had the patience to deal with.

"What do you want?"

"Rocco has a job for us." Wesley told him.

"I'm kinda busy." Elric replied. Just about to hang up.

Then Wesley responded "The pay is double." catching Elric's attention and interest,

Double? That's not a good sign, Elric thought. Tapping a finger on the desk, glancing at Knall, he then asked "What does he want done?"

"He wouldn't say. Said it's a surprise."

Elric sighed, dropping the book and grabbing his gun, telling Wesley as he walked toward his door "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

He hung up the phone then reached out to his partner telepathically. 'Mordred, meet me at Clock Tower. We have a new job.'

'What kind is it this time?'

'They didn't say—just that it's a surprise and they'll be paying double.'

'Okay, meetcha there.'

Mordred was displeased, in fact Elric had the impression she was in the midst of something important, but she did not tarry in rejoining with her Master at the Clock Tower. Following Wesley through the halls, neither saying a word.

The pair followed Wesley as he entered into Rocco's office to find Somnus Rheon, Enzo Angello, Luvia Edelfelt, Shirou Emiya, and Rin Tohsaka all sojourned inside.

Rocco greeted him "Ah, welcome, Elric."

Both Elric and Mordred asked "What's going on?" entering to join their coevals. Rin looked a mite disturbed; Shirou seemed agitated; Luvia looked as though she was concerned; and Somnus as well as Enzo had a I don't even know why I'm here look on their respective faces.

"The matter of theft," Rocco told them "Remains still unresolved."

"You have a lead on Amell?"

Rocco responded "Yes." pulling a photo out from his desk. "He has been spotted in town." Handing it to Elric as he approached.

In the photo there was the illusive second thief, Van Amell, standing beside two men in the street—all three appearing unaware that they were being photographed. One of the people beside the cultist was a adroginous looking individual with long green hair. The second was a man with short blond hair wearing a black jacket with buttons on the collar and reached down to the bottom of his ribs, white shirt and black pants. The stranger's appearance nearly caused Elric to have a stroke—recognizing him from descriptions of the Fifth Grail War—it was Gilgamesh; the First Hero; the Oldest King.

The Freelancer's face went pale.

Holy shit…

"I can presume by the look on your face that you know the Servants."

"Y-yeah." Elric nearly stuttered. Suddenly some things started to make sense. "Is that why Emiya is here?"

"Yes." Rocco confirmed. "He, Tohsaka, and Edelfelt will be joining you, Wesley, Somnus, and Enzo on this endeavor."

Elric began to calm himself. "I see." His pale expression waning. "They should be able to handle themselves." Looking at the photo before using magecraft to set it ablaze. Not all keen on the idea that Somnus was to be involved in this. "Where do we start looking? Where was he last seen?"

Rocco pulled out a sheet of paper for each of them to read.

Amell had been witnessed in various locations—a hotel downtown, a pub near it, a local bookstore (the same one Elric frequented), visiting some flats, and a myriad of other places. All were expected to be searched by the cadre.

Well at least they have some substantial information for me to work with.

"Okay. So do we search individuals or in pairs?"

"However you wish." Rocco told him, indifferent to the means by which he achieved the desired result.

Elric sighed, with a not sure about this look on his face. Then glanced over his shoulder to Luvia "How do you want to do this?" Surprising them. "What? I typically do these kinds of searches by myself."

They made a plan, and Elric was designated to search through the flat where Amell had been staying at. Once he heard that the Freelancer excused himself.

Mordred followed behind him, "You don't seem too keen about this one?"

"Well consider who we might have to fight, yeah, I have some reservations."

"The guy doesn't look too tough." Mordred scoffed.

"If you say so." Elric responded. "If you cross paths with 'em I won't hold it against you if you took your chances in a fight. Just be careful. You can't have a reunion with your old man if you get killed again."

"If you're so worried, why take this in the first place?"

"First, a favor is an investment—so if I do this maybe Rocco will be generous and help me out in the future—and Luvia is doing this one as well, so I'd like to lighten the chances of her getting killed."

"'Cause you…"

Elric beat her to the punch, scoffing himself "Mordred." not in the mood for having that particular conversation again.


Mordred separated from her Master once they were in town. Scouring the area for anyone that remotely resembled the thieving acolyte Van Amell.

Her eyes widened as she approached her destination. Gazing down the street to the pleasant sight of Van Amell exiting the pub she was going to ask around.

There was not a thought about what she would do. She impetuously hollered "Van Amell! Halt!" as she ran toward the pub entrance.

'Master, I've found the cultist.' Mordred called out telepathically.

'What?'

'I found Amell, he's-'

Suddenly a blade on a chain launched toward Mordred and she dodged. She then looked forward, to confront her attacker, to find three figures opposing her. One in the middle of the road, Alell, the one with the long green hair, and a third shadowy figure standing atop a street light.

Amell looked at Mordred with annoyance. "So Clock Tower's dogs finally show their face." then looked to the man above and ordered "Archer, annihilate this flea!"

"Quiet, Mongrel." the shadowy figure replied. "I have yet to see if this one is worth my time." Looking to Mordred with piercing red eyes—different from Elric, they were not glowing like Mordred's Master's. Looking a tad perplexed "My dear Saber?"

Mordred summoned the Secret of Pedigree and Clarent.

"No, you are a different one." the stranger said. Sounding a mite disappointed, almost sad by the realization Mordred was not who he thought. The stranger on the light mused "Hmm…" while contemplating whether to involve himself or not.

"Enkidu, do not interfere." Suddenly a golden portal opened behind the man on his left and right. "Perhaps you will relieve this boredom."

Mordred went into mana burst, dodging the lances and swords launched at her like missiles.

What kinda Archer shoots blades?

She abused the mana burst ability of her's, relying on it heavily. Dodging, dashing across the street, avoiding the blades which were sent her way.

The figure's amusement grew


Elric reached the flat Amell had reportedly taken residence within. It was messy like a sty. Papers were all over the floor, maps of Europe pinned to the wall—likely planning his next destination, perhaps to convene with his fellow cultists. Or just generally cause a ruckus somewhere else with his new associates.

Everything was in such disarray that it made the mess of the Freelancer's room back home look mild by comparison.

Continuing to scour the room for more he was surprised to find pictures of himself and Mordred.

What the fuck…?

The photos possessed various images of Belmont. One of him coming off the plane when he arrived in Britain, one of him and Mordred at the restaurant, one of him talking to Luvia, and some of him in various locations at Clock Tower and the surrounding town. It was a predominantly unnerving sight to behold.

In the midst of freaking out, he heard Mordred reaching out to him telepathically 'Master, I've found the cultist.' Mordred called out telepathically.

'What?'

'I found Amell, he's-'

'He's what? Amell is what?'

There was silence after that. Moments passed as he waited for a response before abruptly he heard a loud explosion and ran to look out a window to see as a red light erupted into the dark heavens above.

What the shit?!

Forgoing the idea of searching the room further, Elric bolted out of the room and flat then rushed to investigate the source of the light. Joined by Shirou and the others who came to seek the source of the light as well.

Crossing through an alley, Elric found Mordred facing something down the street.

Looking to where Mordred was gazing, Elric saw a haunting sight: the Oldest King, standing upon a street light with the Gates of Babylon open and a blade aimed toward Mordred who rested on one knee, balancing herself on Clarent, with the Secret of Pedigree's helmet absent.

"You fought valiantly, Knight." the King of Heroes said, yet to launch his blade to finish off the Knight of Betrayal, "I presume Saber would be proud of your efforts." sounding out of character from the Golden One that Elric had read about in files regarding the Fourth and Fifth Grail Wars "However, the game is long past zenith and lost all entertainment."

So this is it was written all over Mordred's face as she glanced toward the Archer, prepared to face her death without a hint of fear.

The Freelancer quickly moved to protect his partner.

There was no time for Elric to think, and he was forced to make a decision based on instinct—running between Mordred and the blade propelling towards her, summoning Bleidd into his hand. Deflecting the sword that was intended for Mordred's head.

Elric tilted his head "So...you're King Gilgamesh." Still feeling the rush and excitement from running to defend his partner

The Wedge of Heaven looked down upon from his perch atop the street light. A smirk etched across his lips. "Who gave you permission to look upon me, Mongrel?"

"Apologies, golden one." Elric held Bleidd on the ground like a cane and took a semi-sarcastic bow, with his free hand stretching out; resembling a thespian on the stage of a play. "Your actions didn't leave time for me to think straight."

"Well, at least you know to show deference." Gilgamesh admitted.

Soon his eyes narrowed on the ebony rune sword.

"A peculiar blade you bear, Mongrel." Gilgamesh mused. Gazing at Bleidd with fascination. "Are you, perchance, a lost son of Alagadda?"

Elric clicked in his mouth with a "Tch," feeling a twinge of anger at the First Hero's mention of the Damned City, once ruled by the Mad God as he looked up from the bow. "Now why'd you have to ruin a fun moment by mentioning that?"

Gilgamesh chuckled. "Intriguing." resting one hand on his face. "You bear a sword of Arioch's kin, yet feel disdain toward insinuation of affiliation." Struggling to compose himself in the moment. "You are an interesting one, Mongrel."

Once again the Gates of Babylon opened with the blade of a sword and lance protruding out from the golden portal. "Perhaps you may relieve this boredom which ails me." Then launches the two toward Elric and Mordred.

"Elric, move!" Shirou shouted.

But, instead of heeding the Spellcaster's words, Elric stood his ground. Deflecting the sword and lance with his ebony rune sword.

"If the first didn't make me quake with fear, or prevent me from protecting my partner, what made you think the second and third would? Respectfully."

The King of Heroes smirked, making a how interesting look as he gazed at Elric. Looking at Enkidu, who smirked at as well in intrigue, before glancing back to the new opponent, he then saw Shirou and his eyes widened. Muttering "Faker…?" with a confused tone of familiarity, resembling a man who had encountered an old foe with a degree of acknowledgement and something—that if he did not know any better—Elric might have mistaken for respect. Or...not respect, it was more like someone who's growth Gilgamesh had been forced to admit.

"...You are here as well?"

Enkidu looked as confused as Elric.

Shirou was confused (differently than the rest) but maintained a scowl, as did Rin, while gazing back at the Oldest King.

Looking back into the animosity of Shirou's eyes, Gilgamesh told him "I will have to return to you once I have concluded with the Alagaddan." then glanced back to Elric. Leaving Everyone present except for Somnus to look at Elric muttering "Alagaddan?" in perplexion.

Gilgamesh looked over his shoulder at Mordred "But before we should do so…" seeing the growing exhaustion on the Knight's face.

Suddenly Elric heard the sound of metal hitting the ground. He looked back and saw Mordred had collapsed forward onto the ground.

"You may wish to attend to your ally first."

Elric agreed, stepping over to see what was amiss with his partner.

She was pale in the face. Mordred was drained of a great quantity of mana. Most of it had been depleted from her fight with Gilgamesh.

She needs a mana resupply.

There wasn't much time for him to think, nor consider the consequences. Mordred would likely be pissed with him later—but he was willing to endure it. He leaned down, bringing his lips down on Mordred to begin the process.

"Wha?" Rin and Luvia both gasped.

Gradually the color began to return to the Knight of Betrayal's face and her eyes opened to see her Master so close and she went red, then in a panic punched him in the gut, sending him flying back to land on his ass.

Demanding to know "Whatcha think you're doing?" while wiping her lips. Still blushing.

Recovering, Elric responded sarcastically "You're welcome." Smirking as he looked at Mordred "I suppose you wanted me to let you die?"

"Huh?"

"You were low on mana," Elric explained.

"Oh…" Mordred seemed to get the gist of what was happening after she passed out. "Oh."

Though amused by the display, Gilgamesh let out a "Ahem!" calling attention back to himself. "While I thoroughly enjoy this little display, we were in the midst of something."

"Right." Elric agreed, rising to his feet.

"Wait, you can't just…" Rin tried to dissuade him but Elric continued stepping forward. "Let's see if this encourages something within you aside from apathy and boredom."

Closing his eyes softly, he began a chant.

"As I pray,"

"Gods above,"

"Hear my woes."

"I am the master of my fate,"

"The Captain of my soul."

"No longer shall I seek your guidance."

"Nor supplicate for pardon."

"For this path is one I tread alone."

"And of my volition."

"Paved in blood and death."

Gilgamesh watched in amusement. "Spoken like a true Alagaddan."

Elric opened his eyes with a smirk and the King of Heros was treated to the crimson eyes of a seething demon.

"I'm not that fond of the Alagaddans, but I'll give 'em this—their power is one hell of a trip." Elric replied, stretching out his right hand before a menagerie of guns which levitated in the air behind the Freelancer to his right and left.

A M4A1 with foregrip and holographic sight (Ranger), a SPAS 12 shotgun with a folded stock (Warden), two Jericho pistols (Nazaeth and Iscariot), A WW1 era bolt-action rifle (Trencher), a pair of Full Auto CZ-75s with suppressors (the Fire Eaters), a colt army revolver (Jesse), a 1911 pistol (Patton), and a flintlock rifle (Kane).

All aimed toward the King of Heroes.

The cadre was astonished. Watching as Elric made the outstretched hand gesture to resemble and brought the thumb down like a hammer, yelling "Bulletstorm!"


A great distance away, the Adagium stood on the roof of a building wearing a fedora and long black coat, watching with a grimace in morbid amusement.

"Yes. YES! That's the spirit, Gunslinger! Show the apogee of our might!" The figure calmed himself. Muttering with enthusiasm to the magus in the distance. "You always prove to be the most promising of my progeny."


The King of Heroes jumped from the street light, dodging the mana bullets sent towards him, using his infinite number of blades to deflect a fair few as well.

"So you would have me trout upon the ground? How insulting!"

Elric persevered. Aiming all weapons for Gilgamesh in the center of the street. Filled with excitement and adrenaline as he aimed for the King of Heroes.

Gilgamesh dodged. As did Enkidu. Much to Elric's glee. Leaving Amell wide open to the bullets manifested from the Freelancer's mana.

Seeing Elric's smirk, Gilgamesh glanced over his shoulder back to see Van collapse backwards filled with mana lead, blood pouring out from the thief's mouth. Then glanced back toward Elric to see the Freelancer rushing toward him Bleidd in hand.

Gilgamesh pulled out a blade from Babylon's Gate to defend himself. Blocking and parrying the blows. All the while Elric faced him with a smile on his lips. But it was not a full assault, it was a rush—using the time Gilgamesh spent recovering and preparing for a follow up to bolt for the dying Van Amell. Seeking to test an old family tale.

Using the spectral firearms to keep Gilgamesh and Enkidu at a distance.

Reaching the dying man, Elric found the command spells on the right arm.

Placing his hand over the dying hand, Elric began to chant "Unwaith ti yn perthyn i un arall, nawr ti perthyn i fi." siphoning the command spells from the thief's appendage. It would cause nerve damage, but as the man would be dead soon Elric felt little concern. "Dwyn."

Shirou and Rin recognized the spell all too well. It was the same trick Lord Rheon had used on them.

Elric soon found himself with three unused command spells on his arm and hand. The original one for Mordred (resembling the Chaos symbol created by Michael Moorcock), the second and third on his forearm.

"Well, that's done." Elric smirked. Looking to Gilgamesh and Enkidu hoping to glean their intentions going forward—to see if the duel with Gilgamesh would continue.

Gilgamesh sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose. "It appears that we will require a new Mongrel, Enkidu."

The Chain of Heaven looked to Elric and a light bulb went off in his mind. Then he grabbed Gilgamesh by the sleeve and began pointing to Elric repeatedly.

"The Alagaddan?"

"I'm not an Alagaddan." Elric corrected him. "I'm a freelancer, a mercenary. Nothing more, nothing less." Though he was a tad intrigued by the idea of having three Servants.

"If you say so." Gilgamesh responded, continuing to glance at Elric with an inquisitive gaze. "I am not certain, Enkidu. We do require a new bearer but are we truly so desperate?"

"Fine by me." Elric replied. Alough still interested, was fine with the idea of them no longer being a factor on the board. "You could always vanish into nothing eventually." Sending away Bleidd in a flash of red light.

"What if, by chance, we indeed chose you?" Gilgamesh asked. "Ordained you worthy to be bound to myself, the King of Heroes, and Enkidu, the Chain of Heaven."

"Depends." Elric was not sure how to feel. On the one hand he would have three powerful Servants on his side, but on the other it meant dealing with one of the biggest pain in the asses among the Heroic Spirits. There were more than a few pros and cons to weigh. "Let's say I did agree, what would you do?"

"That which I wish."

"And if I object to you doing something...such as killing people?"

"Then object. We are not required to agree on everything." Gilgamesh states. Going on to add how he merely would seek out amusement and that perhaps through following the Freelancer he may find something to relieve his boredom.

Reluctantly Elric agreed. "On one condition, never lay a hand on Mordred. Or the others and you have a deal." All to Shirou's anger.

"Have you lost your mind?" Emiya asked. "You are willing to make a deal with that monster?"

"It's my decision to make, Emiya." Elric replied, not even bothering to look Shirou in the eyes. More out of indifference and reluctance. Then asked out of curiosity "And what if I am? What are you going to do about it?"

"I can't accept that." Shirou grinded her teeth. "I won't let you."

"Your friend maintains a impressive grudge." Gilgamesh stated, amused. His memories of their last encounter were vague, but he remembered enough to know it was enough motivation to bear some malice towards him.

"He's not my friend." Elric corrected the King of Heroes. "Allies, maybe, but never friends. I have few of those."

The wayward magus looked past Shirou to Luvia and the others—interested to see what they had in mind. Luvia and Rin were attempting to disway the spellcaster from the course, but he refused to be swayed, summoning the twin blades Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands; Somnus, Enzo, and Wesley seemed amused by the predicament; and Mordred seemed as annoyed with the situation as Elric but refused to meet his eyes...for the moment.

Elric glanced at Shirou with apathy. Then frowned.

He's passionately persistent, I'll give him that, Elic thought to himself, feeling something he could almost mistake for respect.

"Tell me something, Emiya, are you dense or just plain stubborn?"

Shirou summoned his twin swords Kanshou and Bakuya.

"I'm just gonna assume it's a mix between a little of column A and a little of column B." Elric smirked; summoning Bleidd into his hand once more, a little excited, and sending away the spectral guns. "Well then, shall we?"

Shirou charged inspite of the protests from his girlfriend; rushing so far that the freelancer barely had time to react, who quickly blocked both blades with Bleidd (barely) with a wide grin which stretched from ear to ear across his face. A smile reacting to a realization—Shirou must have been holding back in their sparring match. That was of little concern, though, for Elric—he had done the same.

A flurry of slashes and hews struck Bleidd as it moved to block and parry the attacks launched by Emiya. Causing Elric the smile even wider, as he felt the rush of adrenaline grow; all from pure excitement.

Shirou was disturbed.

Stepping back to formulate his next move, as the others pleaded with him to cease, the spellcaster asked, tightening the grip around his two swords, "Why are you smiling so devilishly?"

Elric tilted his head to the left, nearly touching his shoulder, then back into place.

"Because…" Elric chuckled. Almost unable to contain his own amusement with the situation. Feeling his hand tremble with excitement. "Because it's been so long since someone provided a real challenge in a sword fight. How can I not smile?!"

He was ready to charge with that wide smile—to engage in the first challenge someone had given him in swordmanship in nearly a year—when a question entered into his mind and he felt compelled to give voice to the thought amidst the cocophony of voices craving further battle "My turn for a question, what's your beef with blondie? I know you two fought in the Fifth Grail War—but you won, shouldn't your grudge be resolved?"

"He…he..." Shirou bared his teeth, grinding them together. "He killed my sister!"

The smile vanished from Elric's lips and his eyes widened. It hit a nerve with him—reminding the magician of the time he lost his own sibling and filled him with a myriad of emotions which were negative. He looked to Gilgamesh to find confirmation to Emiya's words—but only found confusion in the King of Heroes' eyes and face.

Well this went pear shaped fast.

"That's a shame." He then faced Shirou and sighed as he raised Bleidd in both hands. Regardless of whether or not it was true, Elric had made a deal. "A real damn shame. I already made the pact with Gilgamesh and Enkidu—I don't go back on my work, except for certain circumstances."

That infuriated Shirou further, causing him to charge filled with rage.

Elric blocked and parried. No longer interested in fighting with Shirou, he merely hoped Emiya would calm down eventually once he vented enough of his energy.

In the midst of the fifteenth block, Bleidd grinded against the twin blades when, suddenly, Shirou noticed a drop of blood coming from one of Elric's nostrils.

Elric felt it, realizing he had pushed himself too far.

That really grades at ya, after a while.

For a moment—as the drop of blood continued trickling down from his nose and along the surface of his lips and then his chin—Elric stopped seeing the face of Shirou Emiya, and instead saw a younger man with dirty blond hair and blue eyes that resembled Emiya in some regard, but not completely, and muttered as Bleidd vanished in a red light "Emil…?" before collapsing backwards.

"Hey!" Shirou pushed past confusion and cast aside Kanshou and Bakuya then caught Elric by the collar of his jacket.

"What's the matter with you?" the spellcaster asked. "Who's Emil?" But Elric could not respond, as his crimson eyes reverted to their grey form and the lids began to close. "Elric, don't close your eyes."

Elric no longer saw Shirou in those brief moments—instead he continued to see Emil, his younger brother—and then everything went dark; only able to hear the shouts of Shirou and the concerns of Mordred and Luvia before silence accompanied the darkness.