Black Prince Alec hummed to himself in thought.

In this world, there weren't many things that could occupy his interest for longer than a couple moments since he was a man of desire. Should he take a fancy to something, he'd act on the impulse to possess it. Of course, this also meant that if he disliked something, he wouldn't hesitate to destroy it. In the same vein, if he grew curious, then again, nothing would stop him.

It was utterly unreasonable, and something that frequently got on the nerves of many, not the least of which was Alice who never shied from being vocal about it.

Even before Alec became a Campione he was a first-class mage, and as such, was remarkably skilled in all forms of his craft. From offensive, specialized, and utility, he had an arsenal of means to move about undetected, and this was before even considering the Authorities he'd gained as a Campione.

Unfortunately for everyone else, espionage and subterfuge were practically Alec's speciality as a renowned thief. Coupled with a stunning intellect and quick wit, not many things could phase Alec or leave him at a loss.

Almost always, Alec wouldn't fail to analyze a given situation with his keen eyes.

There was a connection here. Alec was sure of it.

It was clear from Alec's observations that some sort of relation existed with the girl, an Arturia Pendragon from the reports, and the Heretic Gods of Divine Fort Andromeda.

Alec was no fool and understood that even with his magic and expertise, there was no supplanting the inherent dangers of a homefield advantage. Nothing that occurred within Fort Andromeda would fail to not reach Athena's senses. Alternatively, it meant that Athena wouldn't be focusing on those outside of the Fort's influence especially when Campione were involved.

Making use of the intermission, Alec had departed For Andromeda upon noting his target leaving it.

The opportunity had presented itself, and Alec wouldn't hold himself back from such a gift horse.

In a flash of black lightning, he captured the girl in one fell swoop, and for added safety, transported her to one of his field operating bases back in Europe. From here, it should be far, far away from Athena's influence, and the move hadn't even taken more than a few seconds.

If Alec was confident in a specific field among Campiones, it would be his speed.

Depositing the captured girl into an interrogation room with nothing more than a wooden table and chairs propped in the center, Alec closed the door of the room behind him. His presence alone was the same as sealing off all forms of escape by any ordinary human, and perhaps the girl understood this, as she put on the most impassive face Alec had ever seen used on a Campione.

Either Arturia was really brave, or her features had utterly blanked out of fear or trepidation.

In truth, it was a bit of both.

Arturia was doing her damn best to keep herself collected, knowing that panicking would get her nowhere. Shirou and Athena, especially, had warned her about the eccentricities of Campione. The fact that she'd just been blatantly kidnapped across several countries in a matter of seconds spoke volumes for the type of person she was dealing with.

Rationality and calm would be paramount here.

What did he want with her, and why was she here?

These two questions were the first to appear in her mind, and were the first to be answered by her. What Alec wanted of her was likely her own fault for bringing attention to herself and her relation to Shirou and Athena. As to why she was here, and so far away…Arturia's eyes brightened with confidence.

Alec was being cautious. He was scared!

Not only would Alec have to contend with Athena back in Japan, but with the performance Shirou had displayed, Alec was displaying the right amount of due diligence.

Perhaps if she played things right, it wasn't her at the disadvantage, but Alec?

The steadiness of her thoughts and composure momentarily stunned Arturia as if she was used to such tense situation. However, she attributed it to her run ins with delinquency in Japan, giving her stronger fortitude, and not because it felt oddly natural for her. Of course, there was also the run in she'd had with that Divine Boar prior. It had been a wake-up call to what she should be expecting in this hidden magic society she'd unintentionally swan dived into.

"I would suggest you return me back," Arturia said, being sure to keep her voice and expression utterly steady.

If Shirou were around, he may have been stunned by the stark similarity Arturia had with Saber in this moment, but only Alec was around to see it.

"How troublesome," Alec muttered, seeing defiance glinting in Arturia's eyes. Every woman he'd ever come across were always so difficult with him. "You are in no position to bargain. I ask, and you answer. That is all."

Initially, if Alec found Arturia's answers satisfactory, or cleared her of suspicion, he'd just deposit her back somewhere in Japan, or have one of his associates send her back by plane. Now though, Alec envisioned that Arturia was going to be less than forthcoming with him, given her current demeanor.

"Sounds exactly like what one of those kidnappers in the movie's would say," Arturia replied flatly, recalling all the times Kay had dragged her into a couch and block buster spree.

"Movie?" Seriously? Alec had not been addressed so disrespectfully in years. Millennials. "You think this is a joke?"

"That I would willingly answer? How did you know?" Arturia raised a brow. "Salty? Well, sorry, but not sorry."

Alec grimaced in distaste. "…Answer before I get angry."

"Why? Do you go green?"

For the love of-

Alec inwardly hissed. Dealing with Arturia was reminding him too much of his interactions with Alice. He swore, he'd believe it if they were somehow related.

Flaring his magic aura, beads of sweat formed over Arturia's brow as she was pressed to lean on the wooden table from the pressure.

"I will not say it again. Nod once if you understand." Alec was a man of few words to begin with. He was also the petty sort to mark someone as an enemy for simply getting in his way.

Feeling helpless, Arturia grudgingly nodded, panting for breath when Alec dispersed his magic aura, making it easier for her to breathe again.

"What is your relation to the Heretic Gods in Japan?" Alec queried, eyes narrowing.

"…" Arturia stubbornly kept silent, recalling the information she had gotten on Alec from Japan's History Committee.

Alec was a man driven solely by his desires. The only reason he would gain interest enough to capture her, was if he believed that she was a weakness that could be exploited to defeat Shirou and Athena.

Arturia understood this.

A bastard or not, Alec was still a Campione, and would have no choice but to take countermeasures against a 'coalition' of Heretic Gods.

Regardless, Alec was right. Arturia really was a weakness, and just being in this position burdened Arturia with so much guilt, that it went against everything she believed in to be used like this.

No matter what, she wouldn't answer.

Alec narrowed his eyes, contemplating another show of force, but reconsidering when he saw Arturia's eyes darting. She was thinking furiously for a solution, and there was one she already knew of.

Glancing towards her arms, Arturia took in a deep breath and made up her mind.

From Alec's perspective, it only looked as if Arturia had glanced at the 'magic tattoos' on her arm. As Campione had inherent Magic Resistance, he wasn't worried about the magics of a First-Class Mage let alone a civilian like Arturia.

Be that as it may, those 'tattoos' weren't just a decorative statement, but were known as Absolute Command Spells.

Arturia was all too aware of their use. However, the light of her command spells would immediately alert Alec to her actions, and she had no doubts about whether black lightning or a spell incantation was faster.

She needed an opportunity.

Either to give some sort of signal to Shirou and Athena, or enough of a time frame to activate her Command Seals.

It was that simple.

"It seems that you refuse to be cooperative," Alec hummed while Arturia tensed, pushing up into a guarded stance.

Alec made no motion to stop Arturia, likely as they both knew that her struggle was meaningless.

Subconsciously, Arturia's hands placed themselves upon the hilt of the sword Shirou had given her, an Authority he'd said to use in times of danger.

Of the items that Arturia carried with her, this sword was the one she kept on her person at all times.

Arturia reacted to the danger before her, and moved by instinct.

One hand released the latch on the temporary sheath she was storing the sword in, and the other grasped onto the handle, ready to draw the blade out.

More than just knowing of this sword from the manuscripts she'd read, it was as if Arturia understood it on a fundamental level. If she so willed it, the sword would react to her wishes and unleash its Authority.

Then so be it.

Her muscles tensed, determination filling her with courage as she began to swing the sword out.

Alec noted Arturia's movements, but in the end, he merely snorted. He could tell from the start that the sword was a Divine Authority, but the user was not standing on the threshold to effectively use it.

Although Alec was renowned as a notorious thief, he only ever stole things that interested him. If before he hadn't been interested in Arturia's sword, now it was different as the sheer brilliance it began to emit evoked a feeling of danger.

Before Arturia could even react, Alec had disarmed her by batting her arms away and kicking the sword's unlatched sheath, dislodging the sword kept within into the air. Spinning out of her reach, Alec shoved her aside and glanced at the regality of the sword descending down towards him after hitting the ceiling.

Its beauty was almost ornamental, and yet its craftsmanship and sharp edge spoke of a sword meant for war and battle.

Just from its appearance alone, Alec could tell that it was a treasure worth coveting. More over, the potent magic fluctuations it was emitting shouldn't be something that a frail looking woman like Arturia should have been able to wield.

It was an Authority, one that didn't seem tied to a sentient God, but was instead, imbued into the sword.

In short, Alec was certain that the weapon was wasted on Arturia.

Alec reached out his hand, and Arturia knew what was about to happen, time before her eyes slowing into a crawl.

"Who so pulleth out this sword from this stone,"

A Sword of Selection and King Maker, it knew best of who was deserving.

The opportunity Arturia had been waiting for was here.

"-is right wise King born of all England."

The hilt of the sword landed on Alec's outstretched palm.

Caliburn would make its judgement known.

Shirou blinked, a frown marring his face as he craned his head up to stare at the clouds.

This was taking longer than he had anticipated, and he'd grown tired of feeling like an animal in a zoo exhibit.

No Campione was stepping forward, and the reprieve was only half-way through.

There was still another ten minutes before the next bout, and Shirou noted that many people in the crowds including Arturia had taken the opportunity to move from their seats. There were so many magic societies and their personnel in attendance that it was difficult to make out anyone in the crowds, but Shirou was feeling distinctly unsettled.

To begin with Arturia didn't seem the kind to just wander off, but he'd made eye contact with her before she'd left the arena's vicinity. It wasn't as if she taken away or pressured by anyone, she had left on her own initiative. Therefore, she'd likely be back by the end of the intermission and he was worrying for nothing.

Before Shirou could work himself up for no apparent reason, a figure finally descended down form the stand and took to the field.

John Pluto Smith.

Shirou noted who had just come to challenge him. Athena had made sure to drill into his head, the world's current Campione, and John Pluto Smith was said to be quite renowned in America.

Still, the name was obviously an alias.

"You wish to battle?" Shirou got up onto his feet, hands falling by his side as golden chains slipped out of his white robes. "The intermission has yet to end."

John Pluto Smith was wearing a mask, but Shirou could swear that the mask itself seemed capable of conveying expression, almost like it was emotive.

"You are correct, but I do not always move to convention even in the face of a strong adversary."

Shirou raised a brow, watching John Pluto Smith's cape blowing in the wind.

"You are not afraid of me?" Shirou asked.

"It's not about being afraid or not. What good is power and Authority to a Hero who's too afraid of losing it to take action?"

Shirou stilled, noting not a shred of hesitation or doubt in John Pluto Smith's words. "…You fight for the people relying on you?"

"Not at all. Such people who know and rely on me do so for their own means or safety."

Oh no.

"I simply fight for the people in need of saving from the dangers of a Heretic God's descent. Whether they know of me or not, it doesn't change that it isn't wrong to help others."

This was bad.

"Because that is the duty of a Hero, an Ally of Justice!"

Shirou thinks he could actually get along really well with this one.

Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding, Shirou readied himself for battle. At the very least, the Campione before him had Shirou's respect, if only because it felt like he was a talking to a version of himself.

Shirou shook his head, and got his priorities straight. Regardless of his impression of John Pluto Smith, it didn't change what needed to be done for Arturia's sake.

The moment John Pluto Smith had taken to the field, all chatter had ceased amidst the crowd, knowing that the next bout was to ensue. Many members of the magic societies were praying for John's victory, knowing that if another Campione's Authorities got sealed, the threat of a coalition of Heretic Gods would be too daunting to face.

Shirou gathered his determination, only to jolt much like everyone else did as an overbearing pulse of Authority suddenly roared across the horizon.

Clouds were rent asunder by violent gales rippling out from somewhere in Europe, the shockwave thundering out for miles.

Shirou raised an arm to block his face, the sleeve of Enkidu's white garments flapping violently, and doing little to act as a shield. Squinting his eyes, Shirou's attention snapped in the direction of the Authority's epicenter, recognizing the energy fluctuation of the Authority blaring through the air.

Shirou wasn't the only one.

Athena tensed while recalling the feel of the Authority Shirou had passed down to Arturia, her mind running through hundreds of scenarios in an instant, and noticing that Arturia wasn't in the Fort.

Athena knew this was going to happen ever since Arturia had failed to remain inconspicuous. The greatest enemy wasn't a strong foe, but incompetent allies…which sadly she now had to include herself into. She'd been so preoccupied with managing the Campione still in Fort Andromeda, that she'd neglected Arturia herself. Then again, Athena couldn't really be blamed. Unlike Shirou, she was still unaccustomed to having a 'Master,' to look out for above herself.

This wasn't only a fault in Arturia's actions, but Athena's own.

An oversight.

Athena had never thought she'd have one of those, and she refused to leave it unrectified.

A green hue exuded from her eyes, her Authority as a Goddess distorting the air above Fort Andromeda to display a rippling mirage.

Athena was the lady of the owls, said to know all, see all, and spectate what others cannot fathom.

"Thy shrouded in mist be cleared. Iris, messenger of the Gods, the silent eye of the owl pierces through the veil."

She outstretched her arms, and made grabbing motions with her hands like she was pulling open a window curtain. From there, the rippling in the air grew tranquil, an oval shaped hole rapidly enlarging to reveal numerous scenes shrouded in mist.

Glaring, Athena focused on cutting off the Heretic God Iris's passive control of her concealing mist. As Iris hadn't descended as a Heretic God, doing so was within Athena's means as an Olympian Iris served as messenger for in legend.

Gradually, the mist began to clear.

Alice sighed the moment the image seen in the mist grew vivid enough to make out.

Everything became clear to Alice upon sighting Alec, and the girl Alec had asked her to look into.

Alec was as unscrupulous as ever, but all the same, he looked terrible.

Alec's tailor-made black suit, dress pants, and tie were in tatters. Burns and bruises lining his forearms, which spoke volumes as Campione weren't easily damaged due to the nature of their bodies.

All around, there was rubble everywhere, dust still wafting up into a mushroom cloud while debris from a shattered building littered the landscape.

Only Arturia who stood whipping her hand back and forth to get rid of the smoke near her face was unharmed. In front of her, Caliburn had lodged itself into a large stone where it stood erect as if it hadn't just thrown a tantrum.

Alec brushed himself off, wincing from his injuries until he noticed an illusory owl staring right at him. He knew of only one active heretic god in the world with Authority over owls.

"Like I thought," Alec said, staring deeply into the mist figure of the owl. Arturia really did have a connection with Athena and other Heretic Gods in Fort Andromeda.

In a fraction of a second, everyone spectating noticed Alec glance towards a defenseless Arturia.

"Lord Campione, you mustn't harm her!" Japan's committee stepped up immediately, their voices transmitting through the veil Athena had opened. The committee knew the danger that the loss of Arturia's 'Authority,' would impose, especially when many people were directly within Athena's Authority. If she went mad, then she alone could…no one wanted to think about it.

"Oh, so you all were in on whatever secret she was hiding too?" Alec ascertained based on the committee's reactions.

The committee members didn't deny it, and were far more concerned about Arturia's well being.

A cacophony of other imploring voices began to call out, but Shirou could care less. His attention was focused solely on Arturia and what she was doing in the background.

The seals on Arturia's hands were beginning to shine, wordlessly alerting Shirou to her intentions, and giving him time to prepare.

She'd gotten herself into a precarious situation, but even still, she was doing her best.

Her present boldness and courage reminded Shirou all too much of the woman that he knew was still waiting for him. Therefore, her courage, her bravery, he would respond in kind such that she'd never have to be in this sort of situation again.

Saber's struggles in her life were enough.

The Arturia in this life should at least be granted the peace and tranquility that Saber never had.

She was in danger now because others didn't know the consequence of targeting her. As such, he just had to make it seem as if she was already in an unassailable position. Why else had Shirou decided to continue the ruse Athena had devised?

He'd wanted to end everything as Enkidu, but the situation now offered a better approach.

The Authorities of Enkidu who he was impersonating, and the utility of his inner blade works, combined with Athena's Helm of Obscurity would make this possible.

Magic energy coursed through Shirou's body, clumps of clay forming within him unseen, ready to be deployed.

Mold it from clay, and let it take form.

He envisioned their personalities, their history, their characters, everything.

"Lord Alec, you mustn't harm that girl!"

The sound of voices yelling grew louder, but nothing could break Shirou's concentration.

"Oh, and why is that?"

In the image depicted through the mist, the light of Arturia's Command Seals flaring could no longer be hidden.

"She's Arturia Pendragon. The Eighth Camp-"

The order to come to Arturia's side, flickered within Shirou and Athena's minds- a command seal vanishing, before a second was subsequently invoked.

"BEAT HIM UNCONSCIOUS!"

How soft, Athena lamented, hearing Arturia's order.

But orders were orders. Besides, Athena had never felt so empowered at the prospect of giving a beating. So long as she moved with the intention to harm Alec, her physical stats and even the strength of her Authorities magnified. Was this the effect of the thing called a Command Seal, or was this simply how Ares felt while out warmongering?

Athena didn't dwell on the issue lest she become addicted and label herself a sadist. She'd consider it at another time as she felt space warp around her.

In an instant, she and Shirou immediately traversed the distance to appear by Arturia's side, and they weren't alone.

Legends are the basis of power in this world, and Clay was said to be shapeable into anything.

From molded clay and concealed by the Authority of the Helm of Obscurity, six clay figures appeared. One was molded in the image of Scathatch, another, Shirou in his original appearance, and the rest, Heretic Gods that the world's magic societies had yet to learn of their identities.

All had their weapons drawn and attention focused on the rooted Black Prince- right before Athena abruptly punched Alec in the face, shuddered in wonderment, stared at her fist, and then back towards Alec.

Right here, right now, no one was foolish enough not to understand what the committee had just been trying to convey the moment Heretic Gods appeared and moved at the behest of a human.

The Eighth Campione.

In this bulwark of snakes and steel,

Alec stared up blankly, chains that bound Authority binding around him and cutting off all form of escape.

Well…shit.

"By your command, Master."

.

.

.

Athena had never looked so refreshed.

Thanks for reading! If you noticed any mistakes or typos, feel free to let me know. I was running a bit of a fever while trying to get this arc concluded, and may have missed a few things.

Next update: Vasto of White

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