I do not own the Fate series and Tsukihime. The credit goes to Kinoko Nasu, Kagetsu Tohya, TYPE-MOON, and Aniplex. I only own the OCs. Please support the original works.
"You can't be serious! How can a single child slaughter twenty of the other candidates!?" an older teen spoke, dread gripping his face.
"I know it shouldn't be possible. Most usually fall after ten or so, but to see him take on twenty others and still have the energy to fight. It's inspiring and terrifying."
"It seems that this Trial would not be easy. I thought I'd finally catch a break from the last one."
"Hey! Look on the bright side. He only goes after people who attack him first. So, as long as we stay away, we'll be fine."
"Yeah… your right. Though who's idea was it to put such a high bounty on his head? It's like they want us to fight him only to lose."
The young girl could only nod. "Maybe because he's the one they want to get rid of. I mean, 1000 Credits is no chump change either. It's enough for someone on the high end to turn their heads. But those guys pick their fights and know he's more trouble than worth. So people like us are going after him. The ones who can't turn away from that, especially the ones who don't have much to begin with."
The young girl continued looking for a wristwatch that worked like a monitor. She watched another child massacred with ease as a younger version of Mortem tore through them, bisected by an energy sword. "That's another killed. I still can't believe this child is around the same age as us. From what I can tell, he's adept in most fields, ranging from telekinesis to electrokinesis. And I'm not sure he's showing all his cards on the table. My drone can only gather so much data with my psionics boosting its capabilities."
"I see, so what I hear is, 'Don't engage and pick fights you'll win.' Fuck you would think an Overseer would appear if he kept killing everyone, but then again, they were the ones who put the bounty on him in the first place".
"That's because they asked my permission before putting a target on my back," The two teens looked at Mortem and went into a defensive position. "You guys can relax. As the girl said, I don't attack anyone unless they attack first. Plus, you guys seem cool and are the only ones worth fighting anyway."
Mortem took a seat to get them to relax, but the two individuals were still vigilant. "You boy, I know you have a decent pyrokinesis, and in the right circumstances, you could wound me," Mortem gestured to the boy with an uncertain look. "You girl, your psionics are adequate. If things are bleak, I'm sure you'll be a good technician or… temporary battery."
The word battery was the word that made them talk. Once full of terror, their faces were now almost contorted into furious anger for a split second before calming down into a look of resignation for the girl and a mellowed bitterness for the boy.
Both parties knew engaging in a fight with Mortem would prove fatal.
And Mortem knew that but still tried to dangle that word of hostility in their heads.
It was quiet between all three of them, only the hum of the girl's device and the distant screams coming from any child being dispatched.
"I apologize. I was testing the waters. I wanted to see if I could provoke you into attacking me," Their silence was deafening. "Tough crowd, how about I answer one of your questions instead?"
"You girl, the Overseers put that bounty on me to weed out the competition. It's to cull the small fishes in a shared pond, so to speak. Of course, I'm not doing this out of charity. I'll get paid if I survive. Plus, I know you guys are strong enough to notice they put us here with nothing but small fires that struggle to enhance their bodies. A rudimentary skill that's needed if you want to survive."
A ping went off on Mortem's and the other's armband.
"Cool, we have moved on to the next level. I hope I don't have to kill you guys, especially ones with potential like you," Mortem gestured to the boy.
Mortem got up, stretched, and walked away, giving them a wave. Leaving the two surprised and grateful.
A few years later. Mortem found their bodies dismembered and brutalized on Earth after pissing off the local Yokai and Elementals.
A reminder that his kind doesn't belong on earth…
Mortem dodged the frantic but well-placed spear jabs from Shishou, yet she kicked the psychic's stomach. Hurling him a few yards away.
"You can't dodge forever, my student." The Witch of Dún Scáith said almost mockingly. She had a stoic face, but Mortem knew by the voice she would have a coy smile.
Scáthach much the chagrin of Mortem and a few Servants. Mortem was forcibly dragged to the recreation center or the Chaldea training room. While he's been here, the Lancer has been 'training' him for the past hour, and in the past hour, the psychic has been dodging and parrying the attacks only to frustrate her since she was the one that forced him to spar.
At least she gave me enough time to change into my training outfit. I don't think I could fight with those hospital clothes.
"You got this, Master!" Tamamo charred along with a few other Servants who rooted for their Master to win. The spectacle of their Master being tossed around made it for others to watch and even some whispers about bets, seeing how long he could last against first-rate Servant. "Don't give up!"
Mortem knew, like others in Chaldea, that he was abnormal in being Magus. The situation he was in right now would be improbable from a Magus perspective. They wouldn't fight a Servant in a case like this, and even third-rate Servants would be difficult to fight without any prep. It shows you how powerful they are and are in a category of their own.
Mortem would be a purple stain on the wall if Shishou went full out. It's already mentally and physically taxing for Mortem to keep up for this long. And Mortem knew that the Lancer used less than 25% of power in this 'training' session. She could break my barrier like a hot knife through butter if she wanted to.
At least she's holding back somewhat. I've been trying my best to keep up with her. The only thing I can do is dodge, but that's becoming difficult.
"Just because you forced me into a sparing match doesn't mean I will fight back," Mortem said, picking himself up and looking completely uninjured. His barrier worked against most Servant's attacks and was the only dependable lifeline for otherwise lethal wounds. "But I will make everyone who bet against me suffer when I come out on top," The Chaldean readied his defensive stance using the red spear Shishou gave him.
"If you can land three hits on me, I'll finish our training early. I'll even reward you for your efforts. To show you how good of a teacher I am." The spear-wielding Servant summoned several spears glistening with magical energy.
The barrier, how strong it may be, was full of holes that some Servant's could exploit. It can be shattered through too much physical/magical trauma, conceptual attacks, and Divinity. It must have been his lucky day, as Shishou had all three and could use brute force.
I could call in the more protective Servants to help me… that sounds like a horrible idea. It will get some Servants killed in the process and possibly get the ire of the Irish Goddess in front of me. However, I have an idea…
"Really? You don't seem like the type to give rewards. Maybe… except for bruises and broken bones."
"Do I really seem like the type?" she asked, disappointed.
Mortem didn't answer verbally, but his face said everything the Lancer needed to know.
"I'll need to fix that, it seems," she said, releasing those spears toward Mortem.
Mortem knew what to do after this. He knew he couldn't win in a battle of attrition, and running away from this was pointless unless he wanted the Servant in front of him upset.
So, he had no choice but to engage.
Mortem, in a burst of speed untraceable to the human eye, ran toward Shishou, dodging past the spears. The ground cracked from his starting position, and the air snapped.
Scáthach was monetarily caught off guard by this sudden change from attack to defense, but she quickly adapted. The Servant moved in to attack Mortem for him to suddenly vanish behind her.
Mortem was behind her, putting his energy behind this blow to land a hit. However, the wisdom and a warrior who fought in countless battles showed as the Lancer dodged the attack and landed a slash on Mortem, getting him back away from the exchange.
Though the barrier took the brunt of the damage, Mortem had a flesh wound on his arm. Purple blood starts to leak from the gash and pour on the floor. The Chaldean paid it no mind as it wasn't fatal and focused more on the Warrior Goddess before him.
The whole exchange happened in the blink of an eye, and ordinary mage would struggle to keep up. However, for a Servant and psychic similar to Mortem, keeping up wasn't the problem. It is a matter if they can sustain themselves before they burn out.
Scáthach looked at the wound on Mortem's arm with worry. She wasn't the only one to look at the injury like that. The Heroic Spirits that were around that were once cheering were looking concerned.
"I'm fine. I trust Shishou. She would kill me," a confident smirk formed. "Plus, I already won this match before it even started."
Mortem's statement left everyone spectating skeptical and the Warrior Goddess vigilant.
I haven't been here dodging for no reason. I've been studying and anticipating her moves. I never noticed that much before till recently. Whenever I fight someone for extended periods, their movements become telegraphed. It's like my mind's eye opens, and everything becomes slower.
Mortem talked to Servants and Ritsuka about that state. They each had their own answers, but the Chaldean came up with his own conclusion. Apparently, he had either some form of Clairvoyance or Thought Acceleration. If you asked him, he'd say it's similar to The Zone.
The psychic's eyes crackled and popped with energy behind his glasses. The entire room was quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the energy forming around Mortem's eyes.
In a single motion, Mortem stabbed his spear into the ground as he levitated in the air. Then, several balls of energy were created with a flick of his finger. Then, he formed them into energy spears before releasing them toward Scáthach.
Scáthach had a noticeable smirk on her face from this sudden development. However, when she tried to dodge the barrage of projectiles. Pressure unknown to her made her body extremely heavy. The weight was extreme as a crater formed when her body sunk into the floor. Crushed under the weight of Mortem's telekinesis.
Let's see you try to get out of this Shishou…
The Witch of Dún Scáith blocked most of the damage. It was still shown through minor lacerations and scorch marks. However, what frightened Mortem was the dangerous grin on the Warrior Goddess's face.
That's the first hit…
A burst of magical energy erupted from the Lancer, and Mortem's instincts flared.
The human did the impossible as he rushed toward the Lord of Spirits.
The Lancer retaliated with a flurry of thrust that was impossible to dodge for a human. Mortem, however, wasn't an average human from the 21st century. He proved that by flawlessly dodging the attacks. They were extremely slow to him.
Mortem finally got into range, using his energy to reinforce his arms, grabbing Shishou's arm and throwing her in the air. However, Mortem wasn't finished, as he showed his prowess as a psychic. Willing elements and controlling forces of nature with a thought. A barrage of fire, ice, pressurized air, and energy blasts.
Scáthach quickly drew runes in the air to protect herself from the barrage of projectiles. However, she blocked almost all of them except one when an energy blast weaved past her shield.
That's the second…
The barrage did little to no damage; it was there to overwhelm and distract to get a sneaky hit in.
"Master, you got this! I have 50,000,000 QP ridding on you," a shout from Ozymandias from the crowd. He wasn't the only roaring. Some were cheers for Mortem and for The Queen of Shadows. "A Pharaoh's disappointment is a heavy sin."
What happened next between the two fighters could be described as a thunderstorm against a nuclear warhead. A tremendous amount of energy was redating off the two people. Swings and thrusts were being thrown, but nothing was landing. Dodging and blocking attacks and left no opening from both warriors.
After five minutes of exchanging blows, Mortem's plan was unfolding.
It's time to show my secret weapon…
True to Mortem's thought, he moved in to enact his plan.
Scáthach thoroughly enjoyed herself. Losing herself to battle, giving into her Irish heritage of battlelust. Unbeknownst to her, this was all going according to Mortem's plan.
Shishou, in her brief moment of fervor, pierced straight through Mortem's abdomen. The sound of flesh being ripped and torn apart by her spear. Her weapon, once crimson, was now coated in Mortem's purple blood.
"W-what?" the Lancer snapped out of her trance as her student was fatally wounded. "I didn't mean to…" She wanted to pull her spear out, which would've caused more damage. "I can fix this."
The Witch of Dún Scáith began using Rune magecraft to heal Mortem's injury. To find out her magecraft isn't working on him. His body going limp from blood loss.
"It's okay, Shishou… I don't… blame you," Mortem struggled to say each word. His breath labored, and his blood pooled around him, turning into a lake of indigo.
"I'm… Sorry, my precious student," tears welling in her eyes.
Scáthach suddenly felt a sudden tap on her head. She turned to see who touched her, and wide-eyed, she saw her student alive. "Hi." The lancer turned to find the corpse of her impaled Master gone.
Third hit… nothing like little illusions, suggestion, and one of my clones.
It didn't take long for The Queen of the Land of Shadows to figure it out. She was furious, but when she looked at Mortem, the anger faded to concern when she looked at the boy's condition.
"I win, Shishou," Mortem mutters, taking a seat. His breathing is uneven, and his skin is pale. "Sorry, I had to do that. It was either that or me collapsing from the strain," The Master of Cheldea was wiping blood that was leaking from his eyes and nose. Though he looked awful, he still had a tired smile.
Scáthach wanted to get mad, but she couldn't, so she used a rune to heal him and walked away.
Mortem tried to stand up, but he couldn't. A crowd of Servants that were watching surrounded him. They were concerned and happy they won their bets, but he was zoning them out.
At least she isn't pissed at me….
Wanted this chapter to show that the OC, while powerful, can't hope to stand up to fight first-class Heroic Spirits directly. However, he's powerful enough to out-class mages and third-rate Servants. Though I want to show Mortem's strength, he still needs help from his Servants if he fights other Servants.
With that out of the way. Give me a like, or don't. It's up to you…
