There was a feeling of equal parts tension and anticipation charging the air, and Erica could find no fault in it given the current proceedings.

She narrowed her eyes while nudging Godou on the side, rousing him from his inattentiveness. Everybody else was already standing straight, gazes focused ahead of them. Many wore tidy suits or dresses, but mainly to act as a disguise for the common magicless society.

The local magic cabal operated on a cruise ship situated on the Mediterranean Sea that acted as a floating magic fortress for any conventional mage, but might as well have been a paper boat for Gods or Campione.

Erica digressed. The point of the cruise ship doubling as a base was for secrecy's sake. Most members of the public could not afford or think to charter a boat over the Mediterranean to even hope to stumble on the magic cabal's cruise ship. Water would be all that the eye could see, and on the off chance they did run into some affluent party boat passing by, well, that was why men were in suits and women in dresses- to pass off as one party boat to another.

Concealment magic could also be used, but drawing from Authority to actualize magic for prolonged periods of time was frowned upon.

One, it could draw the attention of the God the Authority stemmed from, and two it may draw the attention of the God's enemies and acquaintances.

When magic wielded in mortal hands was drawn from borrowing the Authority of the Divine, it was easy to see why secrecy was so strict.

The world's magic society was a hidden society to prevent the un-initiated from delving into the divine and causing disaster.

In one world, the propagation of magic teachings could serve to weaken thaumaturgic mysteries, but in this one, it was the opposite.

The concern was rampant and unsupervised use of ritualistic practices by the stupid or radical that may or may not call upon the Authority of a God, or at the worst, call forth a Heretic into the mortal world.

Ironically, Master Arturia Pendragon herself may fall into this category, but none were the wiser.

Then there was the general perception of the mages.

You must understand, but those who encounter Gods in the current era were biased in that all Gods they met were Heretics. None sane.

This was different.

The clinking of chains echoed as a familiar androgynous individual in a simple white robe appeared, long green hair cascading into a waterfall behind it.

Enkidu, the Chains that Bind the Heavens, inspiring other such myths as the chains that bound Fenrir in the Norse pantheon.

Erica tensed, Godou looking somewhat apprehensive, but nonetheless focused.

"Greetings." Shirou spoke in Enkidu's guise, adopting Enkidu's mannerism. "This humble clay hath come upon thy request."

"A-Ah yes!"

Someone hurriedly answered.

Enkidu had been the preferred choice to handle the matter due to his ability to restrain Authority, and Anti-Divine properties. Unlike Godou who could create catastrophic damage, Enkidu merely needed to bind the enemy with his chains, and it was the end.

Erica watched the main representative of the magic cabal hurriedly come to greet Enkidu with a humble bow.

Shocking to all, Enkidu reciprocated with a light smile, acknowledging all present.

Comparatively, Enkidu's behaviour was a far cry from a Heretic God's. Many if not all would deem humans beneath their notice unless they were Campione. In which case, Godou Kusanagi was, but Enkidu frankly ignored him in favour of the humans.

The situation was the exact opposite of established stereotypes, and it was surreal.

"If I may, Lord Enkidu, but what happened with Lord Archer?" Erica posed the question. "Will he not participate? Perhaps the others as well? Lady Athena, Rune Witch Scathatch? The Fool of Owari?"

Erica began listing at the top of her head. It was an honest question given the number of Gods influenced by Arturia Pendragon's Authority. If they all moved in a group, who could stop them?

Enkidu shifted his gaze to Erica, humming before giving a simple answer.

"I alone am enough," Shirou said. Athena could help, but she was off somewhere. A method did exist that could enable autonomy of clay constructs by enabling Gods to descend in them, but Shirou couldn't risk that level of chaos. "Besides, the strain may be too great on the Master."

"Strain?" Godou asked in concern.

Erica chuckled. Of course, her Godou would grow serious when a friend could be endangered. Moreover, operation 'Pendragon' was still in order, and many would prefer two Campione sharing an island nation to not quarrel or come to blows.

"The more of us present, the more her Authority taxes from her. The limit is not the number of Gods she can deploy, but the number her body can handle," Shirou listed off a form of excuse. "While I am here, the rest linger with her, and can be summoned at her call no matter where they are."

Erica sucked in a breath, making sure to school her expression. Today would be a learning opportunity on top of pursing the traces of a Heretic God that had descended near Greece.

Although it was stated that Arturia Pendragon only had a single Authority, that Authority already carried more weight than any other. At least now, Erica could try to form some idea of its limitations and how to counter it if ever Godou became enemies with Arturia. Then again, the first step would involve subduing herself due to Athena, so Erica would prefer a non-antagonistic relationship.

"Then Lord Enkidu, if you could help investigate and resolve the matter in Greece?" The representative of the local magic cabal could spare time for pleasantries no longer.

He wouldn't have dared if it was a Heretic God in front of him, but Shirou was entirely sane.

"Very well," Shirou nodded his head and began hovering off the ground. "Which direction?"

"Due east from Greece."

Shirou nodded before zooming off, leaving Erica and the others behind with Godou to stay on standby in the case of an emergency.

It didn't take long for Shirou to arrive at the intended location on his own.

The sooner he concluded matters here, the sooner he could return to his Master's side. They'd left Arturia with Ms. Zola, a capable mage if anything, and she knew even without Shirou telling her that if Arturia was harmed, there would be hell to pay. Obviously, this was insurance, as Shirou had learned that blind trust wouldn't always lead to preferrable results.

The site of the incident was far less damaged than what Shirou expected.

Something had come by, but beyond the blackouts he could see in the adjacent cities from blown wires and shorted fuses, there was nothing else of physical note.

Had the Heretic God simply descended, and then left?

It made no sense given the information he'd received regarding a Heretic God's behaviour. Most could careless about humans, and would pursue whatever goal drove them to their insanity. Whether they cause storms, bloodshed, or chaos was a non-factor in their calculations.

So then why?

Scanning the surroundings further, Shirou could see no traces of a fight let alone destruction. He could only conclude that he'd missed his quarry.

Humming to himself, Shirou flared his magic energy in challenge. Humans could ignore the energy, but a Heretic God or Campione should have had no problems feeling it.

It was just that in Enkidu's guise, the magic energy Shirou was off putting was greener in colour and reeked of the earth.

None came to the challenge, much to Shirou's disappointment.

Instead, the star of Venus above appeared to flicker if only for an instant, but Shirou had no idea what to make of it when he himself was not involved. Rather, he suddenly felt the urge to chuck demon hearts at some fucking nuisance he couldn't picture.

"…"

It was feeling of visible displeasure that could have only originated from Enkidu.

Shirou narrowed his eyes.

In the absence of certainty, all that lingered was suspicion.

The scent of sea salt and seashells hung in the air, mixing with the pressure of steel.

The enemy was not here.

It was a bust.

Whatever Heretic God had descended had already left. That much was clear when Lord Enkidu returned and shook his head in the negative.

Ever since, they could only wait after Lord Enkidu revealed that he'd flared his aura in challenge. If it was a God of Steel, he or she would surely come. If it was a Mother Earth Goddess or a peculiar sort of Divinity, they'd have to try something else, but for now, they'd wait in the middle of the Mediterranean to prevent nearby cities from getting caught up in battle.

Besides, Godou was rather tense from the feeling of divinity Enkidu was leaking.

Campione and Heretic Gods were inherently enemies. It was only natural for Godou's senses to be irking him, but her Godou was stubborn.

He'd never fall to baser urges easily, otherwise she'd have long since gotten him to be more proactive with her. Truly, it was a work in progress.

Erica clicked her tongue, one hand resting over her chin while watching the waves of the ocean lap against the side of the ship owned by the local magic cabal.

Her thoughts were revolving more around Godou than current matters with an errant Heretic God. The name, 'Enkidu' was just that reliable when not in the guise of a Heretic God.

Friend of humanity, Enkidu was one of two who paved the way in Mankind's earliest known history with the Gods.

Enkidu's story was not one of a conquering warrior or savage, but a beast, a monster of clay that learned the values of humanity and will. That kind of existence, if not corrupted by the Curse of Madness was what defined a hero. Then there were the others in Lady Pendragon's Authority.

Heroes in every sense of the word that carved their legacies through legend and merit.

Looking at Godou, and then comparing him to established heroes was just not fair.

It was no wonder most magic societies would flock to Lady Pendragon for aid when given the choice.

"Erica…why are you looking at me like that? Would you stop? It's uncomfortable."

"Godou," Erica pinched the bridge of her nose. The first thing she'd have to work with was to elevate Godou's demeanor into something that could at least match the disposition of the Rune Witch. "We have a long road ahead of us."

"What road? I told you I'm just trying to be a normal person!" Godou cradled his head, grunting. "I'm going to graduate school, go to a university, then find a simple job. Is that so hard to ask?"

"You already have a job."

"My bank says otherwise."

"Do you need extra funds? I can issue a deposit."

"…That isn't the point. And I was being sarcastic." Godou wilted.

Erica smiled wryly. One of Godou's charms was his naivety. "You are a Campione Godou. There will come a time where you'll realize that what you can do and achieve is far more than any other human-"

"I disagree."

Erica widened her eyes, her back shooting up as she grew startled. Stiffly, she turned her gaze in the direction of the voice to see Shirou in Enkidu's guise.

Shirou had had no intention of speaking, but the words had been blurted out by no will of his own. In fact, his expression looked just as dumbfounded as Erica's, but he was quick to recover.

"Lord Enkidu?" Erica raised a tentative greeting.

Sighing, Shirou moved away from the cruise ship's rail and turned to face both Godou and Erica who'd only noticed him now.

Shirou was actually here first, but Erica and Godou had been too lost in thought to notice him.

Mulling over his thoughts and the annoyance that his current guise was being influenced by the person he was impersonating; Shirou had no choice but to speak. He feared that if he didn't, Enkidu would do so in his stead.

"What makes you believe a human cannot achieve the same result as a God or Campione?" Shirou questioned.

He waited for a response, but realized that he was too forward and Erica was being pressured not to provide a counter point. Then there was Godou who looked ready to throw-hands at a moment's notice.

If Erica wouldn't speak and Godou was too tense, then Shirou would just say his thoughts.

"Before there were Campione, all that existed were humans to bare the brunt of a God's whims. To say humans cannot achieve more than a Campione with their will and determination is fundamentally flawed. Is it because you view yourself as weak or lacking? When has that ever stopped one from trying? Is that act of defiance against common belief not in itself worthy of admiration?"

Erica grew contemplative, her lips pursing while Godou found himself nodding.

Shirou continued.

"Humans do not need the guidance or the power of the Gods." The sound of clinking chains echoed as Shirou dangled a loose end between his hands. With a tug, the shackles crumbled into clay. "Humans have their own methods and an immeasurable potential. Do not forget, as much as humans draw magic from the Authority of a God, those Gods and their Authorities are dictated by the legends and myths born of human hands. A God only dies when none remember."

"But Lord Enkidu," Erica said after a long moment of thought. "Not all humans can be like that. We cannot throw a single human at a Heretic God and expect the same result as a Campione to neutralize the threat."

Shirou shook his head, this time in agreement with the will within him. "You'd be surprised. Throwing a human at a problem is often the start of a new beginning. You know what they call them in the end?"

"What?" Godou asked, sitting straighter.

"Heroes," Shirou said reminiscently. "You'll find that no human would be willing to give up in a dire situation. For its when they exhibit their truest potential."

"They could also fail and die." Erica dumped cold water on the explanation.

"Then so be it. Even if that existence is fleeting, it burns brighter than any star, as I'm sure you would have seen with your Campione."

"…" Erica had no words.

Even now she could still recall the moment when Godou slew a God without any Authority or magic whatsoever. She'd been annoyed with him, yet concerned that he was throwing his life away. Up till then, he'd only been a regular human, but in the decisive blow, his appearance was truly beyond words.

"A pity Pandora swept another one."

Shirou blinked before grimacing. He was starting to realize that this was going to be a problem he'd have to learn to deal with. To that end, he promised never to impersonate any heroes or gods with unpredictable characteristics.

Godou somehow felt guilty when he heard Enkidu's words, but beyond that, deep within him was an irking annoyance that he was sure wasn't his own.

No, it was also something else.

Godou perked up at around the same time Shirou sharply glanced into the distant horizon.

"It is indeed a God of Steel," Shirou muttered.

Erica glanced between Shirou and Godou, not processing what was happening until Godou hardened his expression and tensed his muscles.

"The enemy approaches," Godou said.

Erica swallowed before immediately alerting the other mages of the impending threat.

The cloudy skies parted upon the arrival of a radiant comet streaking across the horizon, causing wind to blow into a turbulent gale that buffeted the area. The waters of the sea were pushed back, creating peaks and troughs that crested over the waves and rocked the cruise ship.

A mounted rider on a white Pegasus appeared.

Neck-length blond hair formed a wild main that framed a handsome face. His square features and rugged jawline painted the picture of a Greek sculpture. Everything he wore was white including the Pegasus he was mounted upon, as if his entire presence was sacred.

White trousers, white bracers, white cloak, and white shoes.

The man's eyes were the only exception.

Within the deep blue hue were the sparks of lightning itself.

"I am Perseus, son of Zeus!" The man boldly introduced, his gaze spying over everyone, but focusing only on Shirou and Godou respectively. "I have come upon word of a snake to cull, but thou are not a snake, but clay?"

Shirou scowled right after Perseus's first sentence. If Shirou wasn't sure before, now he was certain. The scent of Steel in the air was the same in the Greek city nearby. Perseus was likely the one he'd just missed in the town over. More importantly, Perseus practically gave away the involvement of another party.

This was what Shirou was mulling over because the only ones who could influence a Heretic God were a Campione or a fellow Heretic.

Perseus was momentarily dissatisfied, but it changed when his gaze focused on Shirou in Enkidu's guise. Through the Helm of Hades, Athena's Authority, and Shirou's own uniqueness, he was perfectly mimicking the energy of his current impersonation.

"No matter, the clam's words were not deceit." Perseus nodded, pulling on his Pegasus's reins to keep it stationary. "The blessings and even beauty of an Earth Goddess do be upon you, as such- thou art a snake fitting of my legend to slay!"

The clam?

Shirou filed the information from Perseus's loose mouth. Objects could act as symbols that may represent an affiliated divinity. The more clues he had, the closer he could picture who else was involved in this mess that was supposed to be a vacation.

In any case, Shirou put aside his growing suspicions.

Now wasn't the time to think about a third party.

"I don't like the way you're looking at me," Godou frowned, choosing this moment to speak up as Perseus had shifted his attention over to him.

"Ah, I yes. There was also a God Slayer among you! How fitting."

Perseus began to flare his magic energy, Authority causing light to shine like a beacon in the dark.

Godou suddenly had a very bad feeling.

The mortal enemy kind.

"A Hero must always rise to the challenge! Very well, One or two, I may face you all!"

Godou smirked, for once feeling smug. He'd seen Enkidu's capabilities in the Divine Fort Andromeda. If Perseus fought Enkidu, there would no chance that Godou would even get a turn. And for that, Godou was quite envious of Arturia. Unlike him, she'd never have to participate in direct battle.

If this was how it was like to have someone capable to rely on, then Godou was all for it.

"Come, Campione! This Hero will strike you down first!"

"WWHHHYYYY!"

Godou's veins popped as he suddenly found himself struck at Godspeed towards an empty island over the Mediterranean. The impact sent him flying, a white Pegasus hot in pursuit.

"Hahahhehehea! To battle!"

"Godou!" Erica called in concern, racing after them.

"Ah yes! Of course, bring the women!" Perseus's delight was plain to see while Godou was now openly glaring as he crashed into the poor island.

Left ignored, Shirou oddly felt elated.

Was this how it felt like to be ignored and not always be targeted?

It was rather novel. Normally it was him being struck around with his luck, but he digressed.

What happened now was likely instinct.

Gods and Campione's were natural enemies. To relate, a duel between humans could be postponed to hunt a monster that could interrupt. The logic was that simple.

Good Shirou wasn't one for traditional duels.

There was one enemy, and he and Godou were two. They had the number advantage, and Shirou would rather limit damage to the area by ending things quicker. It was an act that his Saber would never agree with in terms of honour, but Shirou was measuring things through lives.

He would act.

Gathering his magic energy, he began to float over the ground, but grew dumbfounded when all his energy left him and his feet remained rooted on the cruise ship.

What now?!

He was frozen, unable to move.

"…Wrong. This is wrong."

The words were muttered directly out of Shirou's mouth, and indirectly, he got his answer why he wasn't moving.

He wasn't the only one who had a say or an opinion in his current guise, and right now, that personality was showing.

Were humans meant to simply watch in the face of hardship and struggle?

Were they meant to be sidelined?

Shirou glanced back at the members of the local magic cabal. When Perseus had arrived and focused only on Shirou and Godou, ignoring the rest, why did they seem content? No, more than that, relieved? Relieved?

Within Shirou, he could sense a growing unwillingness born not from anger or hatred, but grief and distress.

Enkidu turned to face the humans of the local magic cabal.

"Are you all not fed up with thy weakness?"

His voice was piercing, striking through the consolatory gazes of those that had been ignored and sidelined as if it were their only role.

"L-Lord Enkidu?"

Did they not understand?!

"That. That there."

Shirou might not have cared for it, but it was a constant annoyance that grated on Enkidu's nerves. Verdant energy began to leak from beneath white robes, chains spilling forth.

"Lord? Such a title that designates a clear line in station, it is wasted. There was a time where there was no distinction between man, beast, and the Gods themselves. Hubris seeks to settle the divide between the earth, sea, and sky, but that era ended in a final separation. Does man not walk upon the ground? Sail the seas? And traverse even the boundless heavens on wings of steel?"

Inexplicable shame.

That was the feeling propagating through the air.

"Lord-"

"I am no Lord. I am Enkidu, friend of Man."

Narrowed eyes that seemed to judge the depths of one's soul seemed be pleading in earnest for a result it desperately wanted but wasn't receiving.

"I ask you all this, will you not draw courage and fight?"

It was an impossible request for those present whose feet were rooted by unseen shackles. Fear, hesitation, and panic bled into their features, making them nervous and jittery.

"What can men hope to achieve against the Gods?"

Once long ago, there was an answer.

"Stare at the Gods and laugh even in the face of their vanity and conceit."

Stunned silence, and a growing sense of ignominy.

It only made the feeling within Shirou's present body worse, as no one seemed to agree.

"Fwhuehehahahaha-HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Enkidu suddenly chuckled, laughing uproariously into the air. "Yes. Just like this- Just like 'he' did. What is there to fear?"

Enkidu's expression grew cold, features hardening before even that turned to boundless vehemence.

"I am the ultimate weapon that's forever rooted at the turning point of mankind's departure…and that is why I cannot bare it!"

Authority leaked from Enkidu at every word.

"Why do you bow?!"

Every shout had others reeling, and Shirou now listening in earnest.

"Why do you cower?!"

It was not a shout of anger, but miserable incredulity.

"Why do you turn away in shame when I stand before you?!"

Faces fell, features plummeting, and yet none could face Enkidu's eyes properly. The mood became heavy, desolate in that one kept trying and the rest still refused to respond in their weakness.

It didn't used to be like this, and Enkidu had seen it all.

Enkidu already knew it. The reason for their embarrassment, their mortification before him.

"I'll tell you. It's because deep within you all, the memory of the ancient battlefront of Babylonia lingers. The spirit remembers, the heart of courage still burns!"

The energy Enkidu was releasing erupted in full, sweeping over the members of the local magic cabal and sharing the very emotion Enkidu was feeling.

"Once more, let us sing the song of mankind's rebellion!"

Energy gradually seeped into them, the bountiful blessings of the Earth empowering her children that walk upon it.

"Our cry is our defiance."

From now and into eternity, Enkidu was a being whose entire existence was tied to humanity. A being who grew to love and adore mankind.

"Our will is what shapes the future, and our past is what drives us forward!"

Side by side not as God and Human, but as comrades once more.

"… Let us re-enact history."

Enkidu stretched his hand forward in offering, voice returning to its roots in gentle and earnest belief.

"Walk with me."

/-/

-Enkidu, a being whose trust in man surpassed any God's.

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