AN: Enjoy the chapter.

Ch 23 Knight of Madness Pt 3

Arthur huffs, wiping the blood from his lips. "Ha, you got skill, Heroic Knight Tristan." The Saber commented, looking at his Opponent. "Almost good as my Knight,"

Heroic Knight Tristan huffs, smirking at the King of Knights. "Ah, so you recognize my prowess? How kind of you to say," Itsuki arrogantly said, looking down at the King. "But kind words won't stop me from killing Fujimaru." He chuckles, ready to play his Failnaught. He strums the strings

"Arrogance will be your downfall, Heroic Knight Tristan." Arthur closed his eyes, hearing the arrogance in his voice. "Very well, I swear by my Sword; you will fall!" He dashed forward, dodging the red projectiles aimed at him.

"AHAHAHA! Try as much as you can, but getting past my Arrows is impossible!" The green-haired Archer laughs, continuing playing with his Bow.

The King of Knights was hit by a few of Heroic Knight Tristan's projectiles. However, those were the ones he missed. Arthur kept running, slashing the major projectiles aimed at his vital spots.

"DAMNIT! STOP MOVING ALREADY!" Arthur moves to the left, dodging a large number of projectiles. He kept moving, giving the Heroic Knight a hard time to aim. "

Heroic Knight Tristan gritted his teeth as he continued to release projectiles. "Tch," He saw the Saber release some force from his Sword, "Tch, that blasted Sword. I can't even see it!" The Archer glares at him. "What kind of Adventurer conceals their Weapon!?" He demanded of the King while still firing at him,

Arthur dodges the barrage of projectiles, now close enough to strike. "Sei!" He slashed his Excalibur at the Heroic Knight,

"Tch," The green-haired Archer lifts his Failnaught and counters Arthur's strike.

Both Bow and Sword clashed; Arthur planned to keep Heroic Knight Tristan from using Failnaught. "HA!" He slashed at him,

Arthur slashed and thrust his Invisible Sword at Heroic Knight Tristan. He observed how the Archer fights, 'He's skilled with his Failnaught, but he's not great when it comes to Melee combat.' He thought, seeing the weak spot.

'This must be his weak spot,' Arthur smirks, clashing his Sword with Heroic Knight Tristan's Bow.

"Damnit, what is with this guy!?' Heroic Knight Tristan blocked a thrust from the Saber's Sword. 'Damnit, damnit, damnit! I should be the one stronger, me!' The green-haired Heroic Knight.

"AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" Heroic Knight Tristan roared, leaping back before aiming his Failnaught at Arthur.

However, the King of Knights didn't give him a chance to aim. "I'm not going to give you the chance!" Arthur stated, slashing at his chest plate before he leaped back.

The Heroic Knight got a good distance from the Saber, "Damnit, you damn Bastard!" His Bow began to glow, glaring at Arthur.

A dark aura engulfs his entire body, morphing his armor into his Berserk form. Upon observing the Archer and how he reacts to him gaining the upper hand in the Battle, he begins to understand how the Heroic Knight transforms into their Berserk form. "Oh, now I understand…"

Arthur clicked his tongue, seeing that he missed a vital strike to knock him down. 'Damn, I was too late with my strike.' He looks at where Heroic Knight Tristan is, seeing him strumming his Bow.

A barrage of red projectiles hurls straight for him. "Very well, Heroic Knight Tristan." Arthur held his Excalibur at his Opponent, releasing a larger barrier of his Invisible Air to defend against the barrage. "I shall not hold back!"

Heroic Knight Tristan could only laugh at Arthur's statement. "Holding back? HA! You really are an idiot!" The Archer mocked the King of Knights, "Fine then, do whatever you want."

"You can't defeat me!" Heroic Knight Tristan said, preparing for anything Arthur can dish out.

Arthur ran towards the green-haired Archer, surrounded by his Invisible Air, protecting him from his barrage.

Ruins of Avalon

Traveling the well-kept dirt road, Ritsuka and the others followed Fitoria Merlin across the field of flowers. "Come now everyone, we have little time and you all have much to do." The Magus of Flowers stated,

"Don't worry, we know the time crunch we're on," Ritsuka answered, holding onto Pavel's hand. He looks down at Pavel, still glaring at the Merlin of Melromarc.

Melty walks down the path before looking down at the flowers. She couldn't help but kneel and look at them. "These flowers are beautiful; I don't think I've seen them before." The Second Princess said, smiling at the flowers.

The flowers gave off a warm and peaceful scent, causing all who smelled it to give them a piece of mind.

"Filo likes them, they give off a nice feeling." The blonde Filoial commented, smiling as she kneeled next to Melty. "Don't they, Mel-chan?"

The violet-haired Princess nodded, agreeing with Filo. "Right, Filo." She smiles at her.

Galahad stood behind the two young Girls, prompting them to continue their way. "Come you two, I'm aware the flowers are beautiful to look at but do remember we have something to do here first."

"You're right, Shielder." Melty sighs, getting up with Filo. "Come on Filo, let's continue our way."

"Hai," Filo followed the Second Princess on the path with everyone else.

Ritsuka kept looking at Pavel and Fou, now seeing the resemblance between them. He looks at Fitoria Merlin knowing she has the answers. "Fitoria, I have a question-"

"Regarding about Pavel and Cath Palug? I can answer that for you." The white-haired Girl said, eyeing the two beside the Magus from the Stars. "You don't mind if I told Fujimaru-kun here about your Past to pass the time? Right Pavel Palug?"

Pavel frowns, glaring at the Magus of Flowers. "I told you not to talk to me. I don't want to hear your voice." The Demi-Human Child stated, still feeling resentment towards her.

Fitoria Merlin smiles, taking that as a yes. "Well, it all happened about Fifteen Hundred years ago shortly after the creation of the Land you see here today." The Magus explains to the group. "I was growing weak, you see I used up my Magical Energy to give my insights to as you know who."

"Yeah, I think I know who you're referring to, Fitoria," Ritsuka said, the hints were everywhere he went.

"Yep," Fitoria Merlin confirms what Ritsuka was thinking, "Back to what I was saying, after that incident and Avalon reached the surface; I see no point in keeping a Familiar when I was close to Death." She turns to Pavel and Fou, who share the same ears and tail.

"Ah, so like every Merlin. Each one of you cast Fou/ Cath Palug from the Tower of Avalon." Ritsuka said, knowing the story behind Fou. Leading him to the possibility that Pavel's ancestry is related to Fou.

The Magus looked at Pavel; who didn't listen to what the white-haired Caster said. "So, Pavel is the descendant of Fou of this World's version…I figured as much." Ritsuka said, always had an inkling feeling that was the case.

Fitoria Merlin smiles, almost approaching the Ruins similar to the Tower Merlin was trapped in. "Ah, expect nothing less from the Magus who has seen and learned a lot." The Magus stated, "Yes, Pavel's heritage is traced back over a Hundred years ago. Like all Demi-Humans, they all descended from the Fae Folk by mating with Humans."

"Mating with Humans birthing a new Species, the Demi-Humans." Fitoria Merlin explains the background of the Demi-Humans of this World.

"(No wonder Barghest and the others say the Demi-Humans have a familiarity with them…)" Ritsuka quietly said to himself; their theory about the Age of Fairies continuing from its Proper Human History's Age of Fairies endpoint was correct. "I see, so you're the Descendant of Fou, Pavel." He smiles at the Child.

Pavel just looks at Ritsuka after glaring at Fitoria Merlin. "What does Descendant mean?" He asked his Caretaker.

"Fou, Fou," Fou proceeded to inform the grey-haired what a Descendant means.

Ritsuka smiles, hearing Fou speak to Pavel. However, one question replaced the one that was answered. How exactly did this History diverge from Proper Human History?

"Ah," Ritsuka was brought out of his train of thought, looking at Fitoria Merlin. He finally notices that they have reached an Altar similar to the Ruins on the other Mountain. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Altar of Avalon."

The Altar was white and well-kept unlike the one in the other Ruins. "It's a lot different from the other Altar we were at," Melty said, looking at the Marble Altar.

Filo smiles, looking around the Marble structure. "Filo agrees with Mel-chan! This one is nicer and more beautiful!" The Filoial commented, looking at everyone with a smile.

"If I guess right, that's because it's in Avalon, right Fitoria Merlin?" Galahad asked the Filoial version of the Magus.

Fitoria nodded, "Oh yes, this part and the one I'm currently living at are the places I have been taken care of for the past years." The Lily Merlin said, walking to the Altar. "In any case, you came for the Piece, right?"

"How do you know that- ah, right Clairvoyance," Ritsuka said, remembering all Merlins have Mystic Eyes of Clairvoyance.

The white-haired Magus nodded, looking at the Chaldeans and members of the Shield Hero Party. "That's right, I've been watching over you all ever since you came to this Anomaly, Fujimaru. I'd also observed the Cardinal Heroes and- you know what, that I'll leave until we meet again with the Shielder you've been traveling." She pointed out.

Castoria blinks, looking at Fitoria Merlin. "Huh? Onii-san? You want to meet with Onii-san, Mer-I mean Fitoria Merlin…(Man, that sounds really strange when saying it!)" She whispers to herself,

"Like I said, that's for later; things are much too early for you to know." Fitoria Merlin said, tapping her Staff on the Altar.

The Altar reacted to the touch of Merlin's Staff. The Marble structure began to shift as a Golden light shining brightly.

Coming from the shifting Altar, was another Piece of Rhyongomyniad. It was spiraling straight on a platform most likely made by Fitoria. "The Second Piece of Rhyongomyniad…" Ritsuka spoke, seeing the Piece of the Divine Construct.

"That makes three so far…how many do we need to get before we restore Rhyongomyniad?" Castoria asked Fitoria, curious how much they needed to retrieve.

Fitoria counted the Pieces left in the World, "Let's see…you got three, four I got back at my place…you need at least five more Pieces left." The Magus explains, telling them on how many Pieces are left for them.

"Five more Pieces. Based on what you told us, the other four are in your care." Galahad commented,

"Yes, you wouldn't worry about those Pieces. But the Five is hidden throughout the Counties." Fitoria Merlin sighs, crossing her arms. "Though on their whereabouts is lacking in my head. It's been too long since I hid them."

Pavel frowns looking at Merlin with a disapproving expression. "Fou…" Fou also shared the same expression as the Demi-Human Child.

"Pavel…" Ritsuka smiles, placing his hand on his head.

"In any case, unlike the Piece you retrieve from the other Mountain Ruins. This doesn't have a protection on it since this is still Avalon." Fitoria Merlin informed the group, motioning for them to take the Piece.

"Because only those Free of Sins may Pass...I get why there's no additional protections here." Castoria said, understanding the Filoial's lack of worry.

Fitoria nodded, smiling while waving her hand. "I'm fully aware of Heroic Knight Tristan and Melromarc's Army being here. Even if they reach the hidden Gateway, they can't get past due to the condition upon entering Paradise." She said before looking away.

Ritsuka walks over to the Piece of Rhyongomyniad, gently touching the Spear. Upon touching it, the Piece dulled but still has a refined look to it.

"Now that we get the Piece, we can help Saber with his Battle against Heroic Knight Tristan." Melty smiles, happy that they managed to get the Piece first.

"Yes, let's hurry before Heroic Knight Tristan goes Berserk again," Galahad added, turning his Body to the exit of Avalon.

Fitoria Merlin smiles, hearing what the light grey-haired Shielder said. "Oh-ho? So a Comrade of yours is fighting Heroic Knight Tristan, and with my Clairvoyance it's Saber." The Filoial said, offering her hand to Ritsuka, "Since you're struggling with the Three Heroes Roundtable with your Servants; I'll help out by giving you something valuable…"

Ritsuka looked at the others before turning back to Fitoria as she told them that might help defeat Heroic Knight Tristan.

Outside of Ruins of Avalon

"Hup!" Arthur steps to the side, slashing Heroic Knight Tristan.

The green-haired Archer blocked the Attack, prompting him to strum his Failnaught in retaliation. "AGH!" Heroic Knight Tristan exclaims, shooting a barrage of projectiles at the King.

Keeping up the strategy he has, he released his Invisible Air to protect himself from the barrage. 'I can't keep this game up, we're on a standstill.' Arthur thought before seeing an opening to strike, 'There, if I release my full power then it might be enough…'

"Damnit, this isn't working." Heroic Knight Tristan said before smirking at an idea he just had.

"Heroic Knight Tristan!" The King of Knights ran across the ground, ready to deliver the full power of his Holy Sword. "This shall be your punishment-" He gasps, feeling something snaring his foot.

Looking down, Arthur saw red strings holding his foot down to the ground. 'Since when Heroic Knight Tristan prepared a snare trap!?' The King of Knights asked himself before hearing his Opponent laugh,

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Heroic Knight Tristan laughs at the King being held down by his trap. "Falling for a trap like that? You really are an idiot!" The Knight of Madness mocked the King

Arthur glared at the Knight who stole his Knight's Name, "Clearly, you don't share the Chivalry of a Knight, like the Name you possess, Heroic Knight Tristan." The Saber stated, saying what was in his mind.

Heroic Knight Tristan walks forward, heading straight for the King of Knights with his hand ready to play a final strike on his Failnaught. "Didn't you hear, you old time?" The green-haired Archer smirks, chuckling at what he said. "The Age of Chivalry's dead, as for you. Why don't you join it, you old relic."

Just when Heroic Knight Tristan is about to end Arthur, a shadow leaps from the Sky. "As source of thy power, we order thee!" A young voice spoke from the air,

"Decipher the Laws of Nature and bring forth a raging wind!" Another young voice spoke from the air.

"Bring forth a pelting rain!" The first voice spoke out once more.

Heroic Knight Tristan looks up, seeing Melty riding on Filo in her Filoial form. "The Second Princess, and Naofumi's Bird!" He exclaims, aiming for the two.

Melty held her hand at Heroic Knight Tristan and Filo glaring down at him. "And produce a storm that blows our targets away!" The two spoke in unison, casting a Spell to defend the King below.

Heroic Knight Tristan gritted his teeth, his strings, and Weapon glowed a dark hue. "Prose Failnaught!" He shot an arrow of sound straight for the two, however, they already finished their incantation.

"Typhoon!" Both Melty and Filo released a combination of both Wind and Water, creating a Typhoon at the Archer.

The Typhoon hurls towards Heroic Knight Tristan's Noble Phantasm. The Combo Move broke through the projectile, heading straight for the Heroic Knight.

"Ngh!" The Archer tried to dodge the Attack; however, he wasn't quick enough to evade it. "GAH!" Heroic Knight Tristan was shot back away from Arthur,

The Hero of the Roundtable landed on the ground, "AGH!" He wipes away the water dripping from his face. He saw both Filo and Melty land next to Arthur, assisting him up. "No! I won't let you get the chance to recover!"

Heroic Knight Tristan charges for the three, aiming to tear them apart. "SABER!" He looks up, seeing a golden Spear thrown at the King of Knight's feet.

Arthur saw what the thing was in front of him, "The Piece!" He quickly grabs it, it immediately glows brighter upon his touch. The Piece began to embed itself into Arthur's Spirit Origins, making him stronger than before.

"NO!" Heroic Knight Tristan exclaims, raising his Failnaught at the King of Knights.

"Oh no! Heroic Knight Tristan's not down yet," Filo exclaims, seeing the incoming Archer.

Arthur steps in front of the Girls, holding Excalibur in his hand. "Hup!" With a signal slice, a wave of Invisible Air was released for Heroic Knight Tristan.

Unlike the previous Invisible Air, this one was much stronger than the ones he used against Heroic Knight Tristan.

The Heroic Knight was blown back to a large boulder, "GAK!" He hacks from the impact, falling to his knees. He got to his hands, glaring up at the three, only to see Ritsuka, Arturia, and Galahad coming over wherever they were. "T-There you are, Fujimaru…Heh…" He laughs, not giving up on his pursuit.

Melty and Filo were amazed by what Arthur did, they already saw what he was capable of but not at this power. "That was impressive, Saber. That's probably the strongest slash you did," Melty said as Filo agreed.

"Thank you, Princess. To be honest, I didn't know I had it within me." Arthur said before seeing Heroic Knight Tristan getting up. His eyes saw that his master and the others joined up with them, "Master, stand back. It's dangerous-"

"No Saber, I know how to defeat Heroic Knight Tristan." Ritsuka said as he heard laughter from said Heroic Knight.

Everyone laid eyes on the Heroic Knight, already on his feet. "Defeat me? Really, Fujimaru? Can you really defeat a Heroic Knight of the Three Heroes Roundtable!?" Heroic Knight Tristan asked, raising his Failnaught.

Ritsuka steps forward, trusting Fitoria Merlin's words. Just a precaution, Galahad and Castoria will release their Noble Phantasm just in case. "Of course, Heroic Knight Tristan. In fact, I know your True Name,"

"My True Name? What the Hell is that?" Heroic Knight Tristan mocked the master of Chaldea, "You already know my Name, how can saying my Name stop me-"

"Not your given Name, but your Heroic Knight's Name," Ritsuka stated, pointing at the green-haired Archer. "You are the King of Lyonesse, the one who helps Queen Elizabeth to conceive a Hero of the Arthurian Legends. Your True Name, Heroic Knight Tristan is King Rivalen!"

Heroic Knight Tristan laughs, "Really? I have no ide-" A pulse spread out throughout his Body, he was trembling for unknown reasons before gripping his head. "N-N-No…I-I am no- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Itsuki screamed, feeling his power weakening.

True Name Revealed:

Archer: Itsuki Kawasumi/Heroic Knight Tristan

King Rivalen

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.