Author Note
Hello there and welcome to another chapter of Avalon Bond.
Not much to comment on about last chapter, so let's get a move on, shall we!
Avalon Bond
Part II – Fate Grand Order
Chapter 43 – Camelot Part II
Beta: Axel Emiya
Sir Bedivere soon reached the entrance of the city where he would find his destiny.
Looking around, all he could see were the same type of buildings, incomplete in some aspects, with people dressed in turbans and fabrics covering their entire bodies as a failed attempt to shield them from the scorching sun. As he looked around, it was impossible not to feel the desperation in the population's eyes. Many would simply lie on the ground, desperate for food and water. Others unfortunately had already given up hope and were only waiting for the inevitable time when their souls would live this godforsaken land.
Asking around for directions to the so-called Holy City, though, all the information he had received were tips about someone who could provide him with the answers, though no one could give him this man's name nor his location.
The first one said that he was a warrior from Persia…the second one said about his possible location. Only the third man who had said about the man named Arash Karmagir, the persian hero who for some reason appeared in this era. And so, Sir Bedivere quickly followed the direction pointed out to him and as expected, found him, eating some meatballs and having a drink below a tent of sorts. Short black hair, bright green eyes, wearing a blue armor beneath what appeared to be a beige fabric shirt with brown arm guards. The man was about to sink his teeth on the first meatball…
"Are you Arash Kamangir?" Looking on in surprise, the man in question opened a smile as he greeted the arrival.
"Oh, yeah, that's what they call me…and you are?"
"My name is Lucius…" Arash opened a smile and Bedivere noticed Arash's eyes shine differently than before, as if the man was looking through his very soul. "Truly…it's an honor to meet a Persian hero such as yourself."
Arash felt right at ease talking to him and went back to eating his meat balls.
"Do you happen to be a servant…for you to believe I am truly Arash." Bedivere, though, wasn't much interested in having much of a chat with him.
"I happen to hear from around here that you're familiar with the Holy City. What can you tell me about it?" Arash looked at him with interest, before finishing his meal and having a drink afterward.
"I happen to know about it, but I was never inside. Why do you want to know about it?"
"There's someone there I must find. So, I must know everything about the Holy City." Arash did the same thing as before with his eyes as he looked deeply at Bedivere's eyes and most of all, his stone right arm. Despite Arash's easy-going smile, he could see right through Bedivere or rather Lucius's personality. An aura of death with a yearning of self-destruction, carrying such a heavy burden that it's been ages since he last looked anywhere but the ground. Still, Arash could see the strength of Bedivere's character.
"In that case, let us start from the beginning…those refugees they all hailed from the Land of Cannan which was covered by a desert about half a year ago. This was due to the appearance of the Crusaders, led by Richard I…they obtained the Holy Grail and used its unfathomable power to from this desert. These refuges are the result. However, the crusaders were later annihilated by the Lion King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table." Bedivere looked astonished by the history as Arash proceeded. "Having destroyed the crusaders and the city of Jerusalem, they built the Holy City in a single night…"
Before Arash could continue, they all hear a female voice approaching.
"Oh, please allow me to listen to the rest of the story…" Da Vinci soon joined the two heroes from different land and age.
"And who you happen to be, miss…?" Arash asked, while Bedivere was already looking to leave.
"Leonardo da Vinci is the name! Please remember it…I happen to be a member of Organization for the Preservation of Human Order, Chaldea." Her introduction was followed by a throw of her hair and a hand placed on her chest. "I happen to be the same as you, though…a Servant." Arash smiled at seeing another servant in this place as Bedivere was left forgotten for the time being. "I also like to hear more about the Holy City if you don't mind…for instance, how do we get there?"
"Well, beyond the eastern gate lies the entrance to the Holy City…only on nights of the new moon, the holy city opens its gates, allowing refugees in. That's when it happens, the so-called Holy Selection. Tonight, it's going to be open as well, that's why everyone is here waiting. However, up to this day, no one has ever returned from the Holy City." Da Vinci and Bedivere looked at the nonchalant matter in which Arash was speaking about this. If no one has ever returned, then it could be both a good and a bad thing altogether.
Despite it all, Bedivere had heard plenty and appreciated Arash's time, before leaving.
"Oh, you're leaving already…I would like to hear your story as well."
Da Vinci said, though Bedivere merely walked away ignoring her, leaving the genius to hear the entire story from Arash once again…
About someone she quite apparently knew being responsible for this entire mess…
===With Shirou and Arturia===
Once the team from Chaldea arrived in the city, they had split into three groups, with Da Vinci going off to anywhere. Ritsuka and Mash had opted to explore on their own, while Shirou, Arturia and Mordred stuck together for the meantime. Neither of them could perceive strong servant signatures in the vicinity, so there was no need for alarm. Arturia and Mordred looked around this godforsaken place, as they walked in a sedate pace. The King of Knights understood quickly that this sight would make her fiancée jump into haywire.
The deplorable state of the population, some of their skin already taken by some sort of plague…children begging for at least a piece of bread.
For Emiya Shirou, this scenery had reminded him so much of his personal hell that his body went into automatic. Mordred would just observe Shirou attempt to heal as many of the locals as possible, while attempting to find as many ingredients as possible to fix them something to eat. For the Knight of Betrayal, this scenery wasn't entirely alien…for as in many of King Arthur's assignments for their Knights, they were tasked with taking care of villages which were furthest away from Camelot. While she never came across desert-like scenarios, the desperation in people's eyes was one and the same.
"Who knew mother could be like this, huh?" Mordred turned to look at Arturia, who was also observing her mother-hen of a fiancée going about it his self-induced duties.
"A part of this is due to Avalon inside of him, Mordred, but Shirou's personality was developed due to what happened to him in his homeland, after the Fourth Grail War, my first one as a servant."
Arturia could hear his turmoil from their internal link. The memories of the fire consuming everything…the cries of desperation…despite it all, it brought him validation to be of help to as many as he could. Mordred, for her part, noticed the look in Shirou's eyes as he managed to heal a dying old lady, whose legs were already eaten alive by insects. Arturia smiled at her fiancée, as he tried to dissuade the old lady from giving him his last possessions in appreciation for what he did. In the end, Shirou had settled to accept a couple of outfits for them to blend in, courtesy of the old woman's daughter. For Arturia, it was a blessing, considering what or whom she may find in this singularity.
===Mash and Ritsuka===
The master and servant were on their own accord looking around, before Ritsuka saw a woman getting in some sort of discussion with a man with gray hair. She had grabbed his arm and the man in question yanked his arm almost by surprise, forcing the woman to lose her footing. She would have fallen on the ground had Ritsuka not stopped her. The woman in question was quite beautiful, with long brown hair, but her eyes had lost whatever life it was left, due in part to her own hunger and that of her son.
"Are you okay, miss? Here you go." Ritsuka said as he split a piece of bread he had, before the child yanked from his hand and ate in all-in-one go.
"I am sorry…but we had not eaten in five days." Ritsuka though merely smiled as he offered her the other half, earning a smile in gratitude from the woman.
"There is no need to apologize…I understand." Bedivere was observing the scene and looked on in surprise as he observed Mash's outfit.
His eyes widened in surprise momentarily, recognizing the outfit or rather to whom it belonged. Still, with his mission fresh in his troubled mind, he merely kept on walking, until he got mixed in with the crowd and vanished.
The boy was ecstatic about meeting Ritsuka and Mash as he insisted for them to follow him towards the tent he had shared with his mother.
===Later on===
Along the way, Da Vinci had run into Mash and Ritsuka and later, the other servants had locked on to Ritsuka's signature. They all went to a place where many tents were seen as Shirou managed to gather much of what the women in this small looking village could amass to make some stew for everyone. Mash had volunteered to help him provide for everyone, while Ritsuka stood right next to the static boy they had befriended. For most of them who had barely tasted a piece of bread in more than five days, having a steady supply of Shirou's food was making everyone in the vicinity go wide-eyed, lots of them with tears of joy in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Da Vinci was crossing notes with Mordred and Arturia about her findings after conversing with the servant named Arashi.
"How can this be? How can father be the one behind all of this!?" The King of Knights stood in complete silence, though, as she heard what Da Vinci collected.
"I am not saying Arturia is behind this Mordred…well, at least not our Arturia there is. This puzzle so far has too many pieces missing for me to provide an accurate explanation. Still, the record was at least accurate in terms of the Crusades. The King of England, Richard I, was indeed the one leading it, until King Arthur showed up with her knights to destroy them and build this city. This wouldn't be the first time that we had encountered a different version of the King of Knights, as I am sure you know, Mordred." Indeed, in the London Singularity, they had faced one version of the King of Knights and in Fuyuki, another.
There are plenty of different dimensions and plenty of different Artorias recorded in the Throne of Heroes.
"So, what…are we going to fight against those bastard knights…Gawain, Lancelot…even the pansy Tristan!?"
She turned to Arturia, hoping to see a reaction, but nothing returned. "Aren't you saying anything, father!?"
"Leave her be, Mordred." They turned to see Shirou arrive in the group and place a comforting hand on Arturia's shoulder.
He came immediately once he sensed his fiancée's turmoil. Arturia had gladly placed her hand on Shirou's, before walking away to observe the Mighty Castle…her Castle.
"Oh yes, I had forgotten…Arash had mentioned the name of the person he was talking to…a man by the name of Lucius." Both Mordred and Arturia had frozen at the name as the King of Knights turned in surprise.
"Bedivere…" Immediately, the memory of the scene where she ordered him to take the sword to the Lady of the Lake, after succumbing to her death emerged, before Arturia looked down in pain.
Shirou released a sigh in dismay at the mountain they would have to climb in this singularity, before he turned to Da Vinci.
"So, the Holy Grail is with King Arthur?"
Shirou remembered the number of times he had to face a different version of his fiancée and how hard it was. His mind couldn't help but drift to possibilities.
"That's the problem. When King Arhtur took over Jerusalem, it's possible that the Holy Grail may not have been there. So, we are talking about a different power in King Arthur's possession. Also, according to the intel I have collected, there is a man called the Sun King that had set up a kingdom, somewhere in the west. It's quite possible that this Sun King is the one in possession of this Singularity's Holy Grail. We may need to investigate both this place and this Sun King's kingdom next." Just like America, the landscape of this singularity had expanded vigorously, demanding them to travel throughout the long and strenuous looking desert.
Mordred kept on talking with Da Vinci, who for her part began her report to Romani.
Shirou, meanwhile, approached the pensive Arturia. The sun was beginning to set; however, Shirou didn't need to look at her face to feel her distraught demeanor.
"…I am afraid that I won't be of help right now, Shirou…"
The redhead servant understood that much. She had faced her knights before in other times, but never all of them, and not Bedivere.
"I understand. Rushd and the others were commenting on this ritual called the Holy Selection. Do you have any idea what they are referring to?" Arturia, though, negated it. Nothing of that sort rang any bells with her lore. However, Shirou continued. "His mother had said that their village was attacked by a beam of light that came from the sky. One day, out of the blue…a massive pillar of light shot down from the sky and then everything turned to ash. Do you think it could be the work from one of the knights?" Once again, Arturia negated, though this time she turned to look at him. He could see small tears falling from her eyes as he gently wiped them, while caressing her cheeks.
"None of my knights had that kind of power, Shirou…ultimately, the only one capable of such a thing would be myself…and not with Excalibur."
Shirou was privy to all the weapons in his fiancée's lore, hence why he didn't need confirmation.
"…I see. The locals are quite thrilled about the upcoming Holy Selection. From their description, they all describe it as a salvation, but Da Vinci did say that no one has ever returned from it."
"Your instincts are unfortunately true in this regard, I am afraid. Though, as of right now, my mind is too clouded right to be of much assistance. Forgive me."
Shirou saw as Arturia had simply placed her hood back on and walked away, right as Mash and Mordred approached him to respectfully ask where Arturia-taichou/father was heading off to on her own.
"She has to deal with some issues. She will be joining us soon afterward…in the meantime, I gather we are going to check about this Holy Selection."
Shirou asked Mash and received a nod from the Shielder, who looked at Da Vinci's back talking with Ritsuka.
"It's our next destination, yes. Though, I have my doubts about this so-called salvation, Shirou-taichou." Shirou turned to Mordred, next and Mordred saw the look of intensity coming from mother.
"If what Da Vinci said is true, then chances are we shall face the knights of the round table in there, Mordred. Are you ready? I will understand if like Arturia, you are also having second thoughts."
Unlike Arturia, however, Mordred had only shown a full out smirk driven by excitement as she pumped her fists together to summon her armor and Clarent.
"They were all cunts back then; mother and they are cunts still in my book. My entire concern back then has always been about father and father alone. Though, I have to say that the asshole Bedivere…he was father's favorite back then for God knows what reason. Trust me, mother, Clarent is itching for a good duel." Shirou was privy to Arturia's account on each of her knights and her thoughts about all of them. As such, he knew about her predilection for Bedivere, despite him being the weakest of her knights. In her mind, Bedivere was the kindest of her knights and the one who most related her to the people of Camelot…to the people she had sworn to serve above all else.
Shirou then turned to Mash.
"How about you, Mash?" The shielder servant looked determined.
"I am ready to be of assistance, taichou. You can count on me." Shirou and Mordred both smiled at the lilac servant as Da Vinci and Ritsuka approached them.
===With Arturia===
With no clear destination in mind, other than placing one foot in front of the other, Arturia Pendragon wandered throughout the narrow corridors of Jerusalem.
Her mind was having a thousand thoughts at the same time as she was unclear right now which time frame she was on.
Back when she was a servant, all she ever cared about was getting the Holy Grail to fix her mistakes and saving her country from ruin. That all changed once she met Shirou and became his fiancée. She had a new set of memories to fall back on, with wonderful times next to him and their friends. Then, they had accepted this mission to fix these singularities and now she came across once more with the inevitable thoughts of her failures and how everything came about as a direct result of her pulling Caliburn from the stone. No matter the dimension, no matter the outcome, everything…everything began once she removed Caliburn…just like Merlin said…
'Oh god, will I find him here as well?'
The thought of encountering him of all places wasn't impossible, now that her lore is clearly being considered in this singularity.
Her eyes lifted from the ground and then onward as Arturia eyed the locals. This just wasn't Camelot in her eyes.
There was no life in their eyes, they were all left forgotten here, just on their own waiting for destiny to call upon their miserable souls. Neither herself nor her knights would even begin to think about abandoning anyone…at least if nothing happened to them that would differ their view of what they struggled to build together, remained. The King of Knights saw a little girl drop a coin from her hand and run like hell to try and grab it, before the little girl fell on the ground…poor thing was struggling to even stand let alone attempt to run. The little girl began to cry in pain, however none of the others advanced to help her.
The little girl's cry had only stopped once Arturia kneeled down close to her and gently carried her upward.
The girl in question looked at Arturia's smile and became mesmerized.
"Are you okay?" Instead, the little girl kept on staring at Arturia's.
"Are you an angel sent by the Gods, miss?" The question surprised Arturia for a little while, before she kneeled to keep eye level with the little girl.
"I am sorry…but am I no angel, just someone passing by, that's all. No, you be careful, okay. Here is your coin."
The little girl opened up a smile in appreciation and then ran back to whom appeared to be the girl's mother.
"Thank you so much, miss." Arturia chucked as she looked up to see the mother nodding in appreciation for her helping her daughter.
Her eyes then widened as she saw a man's back just passing by her and kept walking…a sight that took her back at least two millennia ago, when her own Camelot existed.
Gray hair with two ponytails, familiar armor…
'Bedivere…'
She just kept looking at his back, meanwhile memories of her most trusted knight kept coming.
Memories of their talks by Camelot's highest point as Arturia would observe her subjects…memories of their fights alongside the other knights. And memory of a destiny that would never come to pass, now that she had met Shirou…a memory of what would be her last conversation with him…instructing him to return Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake. All these feelings came rushing back and it ached her chest in many ways. However, what was more surprising was that she couldn't feel him like she would feel other heroic spirits…like Emperor Nero, Captain Drake…but how could this be!? How could Bedivere be in this timeline and not be a servant?
Bedivere, for his part, kept on walking towards his destination.
However, something made him stop. When he turned to see what convinced his instincts to stop and look back, Bedivere could not see anything nor anyone.
"For a moment there, I thought…" King Arthur's most trusted knight released a sigh afterward. "I must be losing my mind…I can't deviate from my path…I must find my king."
He then kept on walking, while Arturia's face appeared from behind an alley. She heard what he said, but she couldn't help but wonder….Was he looking for her…or the other King Arthur? Her own misgivings set aside for the time being, Arturia became focused in understanding this mystery. She kept a safe distance from him…if he isn't a servant then chances are that he couldn't sense her presence behind him. Another interesting observation was that Bedivere's balance was off and he appeared to be holding his right arm as if it was injured for some reason.
They kept walking until Arturia saw a big mass of people standing in front of the giant Castle's front gates. She had opted to remain at an even longer distance now, since there could be other of her knights nearby.
And they were sure to be servants and for sure would pick up her presence, before she was ready to reveal herself…it would be inevitable in the end, unfortunately, but perhaps revealing her presence right now would not be advisable. She could feel Shirou's presence in the group of people waiting as well as Mash and Mordred so for now she would leave this to them. Whatever it is that lies behind those gates, it will reveal more pieces of the puzzle. Arturia, thus, no longer felt down about her own life…if this was done in her name, or at least what she stood for, then by all means this is wrong.
However, she has faith in Shirou and Mordred to handle things for now as she hears the all familiar voice of her fiancée in her head.
'It fills me with warmth to see that you're okay Arturia…I was beginning to worry'
'I apologize Shirou…I just had to sort out my thoughts. Be careful in there.'
Mash and Mordred looked up to see Shirou chuckle for some unknown reason.
Both then looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders, just as Da Vinci relayed her thoughts.
"We shall get to see what this Holy Selection is all about, but if my instincts are correct, then it's best for us to retreat…I can feel a great number of spirit origins inside these walls. Even with Shirou and Mordred with us…I don't believe it's best for us to openly antagonize them for the moment." Arturia merely observed from her standing place as the gates opened and the crowd began to walk inside. Her senses became haywire, though, at the feeling of other servants, sneaky ones, advancing from different locations towards the castle.
===The Holy Selection===
Shirou and the others quietly walked inside as soon as the gates opened up.
Like Da Vinci said, the feeling of spirit origins was all over the place, not to mention the fact that they could feel a servant nearby.
Soon they were all inside a large patio as the masses gathered around.
In front of them, were two armored guardians with helmets and in the middle lay someone that Mordred instantly commented on.
"Oh, there is the pompous Sir Gawain…father's sturdiest knight." Shirou narrowed his eyes as he saw the imposing figure of the Knight of the Sun. He even heard Arturia on his head, commenting for Shirou to be careful. Gawain was the one that helped Arturia defeat Vortigern. He was quite strong and a powerful swordfighter, not to mention the fact that his sword was the ultimate comparison to Excalibur and a Divine Construct, called Excalibur Galantine. No doubt, a noble phantasm to watch out for. Shirou then saw as Mordred wondered to herself about Clarent being paired up with Excalibur Galantine.
"Welcome everyone…" Gawain began as he looked around with narrowed eyes. "candidates of the Holy Selection…I am one of the Knights of the Round Table, Gawain. Our Holy City, Camelot, is perfect. A millennial kingdom that knows no equal. Beyond these gates, paradise awaits." The words began to make everyone smile and whisper their appreciation that their suffering would end soon. Rushd looked at his mother with a smile on his face at the thought of having endless supply of food for them to savor. Gawain, then, lifted his hand as he finished speaking. "Let us appeal to our King's magnanimity."
As soon as he said so, fire erupted from the top structures and everyone looked up as another figure appeared.
Both Shirou and Bedivere looked up to see regal steps echoing in the clearing, before the so called Lion King emerged.
Both wished to see her face looking down upon them, but all they saw was the similar armor and a full helmet shaped like a lion.
However, Shirou soon recognized his fiancée's voice, albeit more robotically spoken.
Certainly, his own Arturia inside his head being surprised as well spoke volumes.
"Those who can be led to the farthest end are few…Humans after all are bound by chains of fate. I shall thus make the selection." The Lion King then extended her right hand, before the hand glowed yellow, similar to the energy of Excalibur that both Shirou and Arturia felt from Shirou's link. Then, from within the crowd, three pillars of light emerged from the ground, circling three people from the crowd with Rushd's mother being one of them. The boy looked on in surprise. "Souls that have not been tainted…souls uncorrupted by any and all wickedness…Humans born of eternal and immutable purity. I hereby extend an invitation only to these three. Go forth and collect them for me, Sir Gawain…"
The Lion King then left the premises as everyone focused on Gawain.
"Everyone…" His eyes became resolute as looked at everyone. "I am sorry to say that this too is necessary for humankind's continuity…so without further a do, let us begin the Holy Selection."
As soon as he said so, thousands and thousands of arrows emerged from nowhere, evoking screaming from the locals.
Bedivere had quickly gone towards the wall to await for his chance, while everyone kept running to escape the incoming arrows. Mash and Mordred stood close to Ritsuka, while Shirou worked his own arrows to parry the incoming ones. He cursed, however, as he couldn't save everyone from being skewered. Rushd's mother ran frantically with the boy, hoping to escape from their death, when the boy fell on the ground. She attempted to help him get up, but a monster dressed in full armor grabbed her arm, stopping her advance. She attempted to remove herself from the grip, but failed.
"This is the way of the Holy…" The creature's words fell on deaf ears, when Shirou's arrows slammed on its helmet, destroying it.
Shirou soon reached Rushd and his mother.
"Go at once, I shall cover your exit." The woman looked at Shirou's back as he continued to use his bow and arrow to defend them. She nodded and kept on running once more, until she was able to reach the closed gate, where Da Vinci was working to destroy it. Mash, meanwhile, was dealing with the other knight creatures, while Mordred was happily swinging Clarent on another as well. In one swing, she was able to send three of those bastards to whatever prana pit they came from.
"Mordred! So you come to defy our King yet again! Traitor!" The Knight of Betrayal turned to see Gawain advance with Excalibur Galantine in hand. Mordred, however, only smirked in defiance.
"Hmmm, come on! You pompous ass…let's see what you're made of." Shirou, in the meantime, used his ability to study Excalibur Galantine just as the sunlight appeared above them.
Excalibur Galantine and Clarent soon met in a shower of sparks.
"For you to come now of all times…you should ask for mercy for our king…you were responsible…you were responsible for Camelot's ruin!" Gawain's swings were angry and filled with strength, but Mordred's was also.
"Huh, give me a break…as if I am bothered by the guilt…how about you, huh!?" To prove her point, Clarent ignited in red flame as she slammed it against Excalibur Galantine. Gawain skidded a bit backwards. "You with that blind adoration for father, you ended up worshiping him beyond all measure and failed to see the amount of pressure you placed upon him. You failed to see the king's agony. I may have been the one to deliver the ultimate strike, but I wasn't alone in delivering Camelot's ruin…well, at least I am not living in denial." Gawain, if possible, saw red at Mordred's poisonous words.
"You shall regret it, Mordred." Gawain then passed his hand throughout Galantine's steel as it became engulfed in flames. "This sword is a reflection of the sun, purifying all impurities." The sword soon became engulfed in flames of the sun, while Mordred did the same thing with Clarent. The Knight of Betrayal's Clarent soon became alive in a red beam of power as the two knights of the round table began to charge their respective noble phantasms. Da Vinci looked on in alarm as such a peak of power could harm the others.
"Haze of Flames!" Gawain released his beam of fire performed with a round swing of his sword.
"Clarent Blood Arth…"
"There is no need for that, Mordred!" Shirou screamed, forcing the Knight of Betrayal to stop her attack just as he appeared in front of Gawain's sun attack, using his fire magecraft alongside his prana conducting duo katana to redirect Gawain's attack towards the man himself. Gawain was surprised at the sudden attack from himself, but managed to use Galantine to stop it before reaching his position. The Knight of the Sun eyed the newest arrival with scrutiny, while Mordred appeared to be complaining at him.
"Hey, what gives. I had it!" Shirou eyed his sword to see the damage done to the material, before releasing his projection to the ether. Shirou turned to Mordred.
"Your noble phantasms clashing would have killed everyone here, Mordred. Sir Gawain, from appearance, wouldn't be bothered by the mayhem, but I trust that you would." Mordred looked behind her to see the scared look of the locals at her. Shirou nodded with a smile as he saw the look of guilt in his fiancée's son. He then turned to the Knight of the Sun with a smile on his face. "I was right in the end, your fire rivals that of Karna, the sun of the Sun God. Truly, you must honor King Arthur as one of the strongest knights of the round table, Sir Gawain. I heard great things about you." Gawain narrowed his eyes at this new arrival.
This man's posture alone indicated great skill and he used a sword, albeit a different one than Gawain was used to.
"What's your name, warrior?" Shirou summoned this time an entirely black katana as he fell into kendo position to battle against Gawain.
"My name is Emiya Shirou, once again it's an honor to meet you on the battlefield, Sir Gawain." Shirou's posture made Gawain do the same, feeling the chivalry in this match up.
"Interesting, I shall give it my all in this duel, then Emiya Shirou. May the strongest knight prevail in the end." Gawain then charged with great speed and strength. However, Shirou was far too used to fighting against Mordred and Arturia to understand that sometimes strength means little against overall sword ability. Immediately blocking Galantine's strike, Shirou maneuvered his katana to enter Gawain's defense. The Knight of the Sun's sword was far too big for maneuvering, hence why Gawain was forced to use his other arm to strike at Shirou, who evaded it and flipped his sword to strike at Gawain's torso. His sword however was blocked by Gawain's armor. Gawain prepared to respond in kind, when Shirou's other free hand started glowing in blue energy.
The redhead servant punched Gawain's chest with it and sent the Knight of the Sun flying towards the gates from where he came from.
"Wow, I have never seen Mother fight like this…" Mash turned to Mordred, before she turned to see that all the others managed to flee.
The goons who were shooting arrows from atop the castle were dealt with by a different set of arrows than Shirou's.
They then observed as Gawain came back up from the debris. Still so, he wielded Galantine in continuation with his fight against Shirou.
"Your skill on the battlefield is quite commended, Emiya Shirou. This battle quite honors me as a knight…nevertheless, I am sure to finish it all."
Shirou was about to position himself to parry Gawain's vertical attack when a blur appeared in front of him to parry Gawain's attack.
"Sir Gawain, please stop at once!" The knight of the sun looked on in surprise as did everyone upon seeing Bedivere appear to block Gawain's attack.
"Impossible! Why are you here!? First Mordred and now you! Bedivere! You also dare to rebel against our king!" Bedivere stood in position to block Galantine from moving.
"The reason we fight…we Knights of the Round Table…is for justice and humanity. You swing your sword in apparent righteousness, but I just can't allow you to lower yourself, Sir Gawain, not you of all people. If the Knights of the Round Table have strayed from their path…then you must repent your actions, Sir Gawain!" The Knight of the Sun had used brute strength and the strength of Galantine against Bedivere's regular long sword. Shirou, who was close by, attempted to move to defend him, but stopped once he saw Bedivere's eyes look back at him.
"Allow me to face you, Emiya Shirou…you faced him with great honor and pride befitting of a knight…but when a Knight of the Round Table strays from his path, another must be the one to correct his ways."
Bedivere managed to use skill alone to battle against Gawain, while Shirou observed. Arturia would have disagreed with that directive, but now was not the time to argue.
"I think I have heard that before, Sir Bedivere." King Arthur's most trusted Knight looked back at Shirou and nodded with a smile. He felt something akin to kinship by looking at Shirou, strangely so.
"Bedivere!" The man in question turned in surprise to see Gawain charge at him. He tried blocking with his regular sword, but Gawain had sent it flying. The next move Gawain flipped his sword to pierce Bedivere, but was surprised when Bedivere grabbed Galantine with his bare hand. Galantine then sprang to fire action once more and Shirou became surprised when Bedivere's arm ignited into quite a familiar energy, before he charged in full battle cry. Immediately, images flashed in Shirou's mind once he laid eyes on Bedivere's arm.
"Switch on, Airgetlam!"
The two sword attacks met and began a battle of attrition, until Bedivere's conquered over Gawain.
However, both knights of the round table soon fell into unconsciousness on the ground.
Author Note
Well, that's it for now. No doubt about it, it gets me so pumped to write…I just hope that I was able to transport the images in my head to paper. I still have some new ideas to use for this Singularity, but most will be revealed in the next chapter, particularly about who is Mordred's replacement in the Lion King's entourage.
Please tell me your thoughts.
Lastly, I have recently created a P-atreon account for those who wish to follow my stories more personally, sending suggestions and occasional polls to help me.
Also for those who wish to make a pledge there, it will be highly appreciated.
P-atreon Account: Anime-Enthusiast
Next update: Cursed Eyes