A world of darkness greets him. His eyes take notice of what is in front of him. Lush green vegetation that is too thick to ever see through. Everything is tinted blue. A cold, gushing wind breezes over him, gone as fast as it appeared.
His own body betrays his will to move. Underneath his back, he could feel hard, stony furniture. The wooden stool he is sitting on feels too big for a little boy, let alone a man as huge as he. He tries to lean forward, only to stumble his head upon a small wooden beam. The force of it was large enough to make it shake, making something fall to the ground.
More carefully now, he leans forward again so both of his hands could grip the ends of the dusty wooden walls. Using his grip as a support, he pushes himself off of whatever tiny cottage he found himself in. Once he finally exited, he glanced back at the place where he emerged from. A traditional rural Japanese shrine, one that looks more primitive than what he is used to. There is barely anything left inside it, as his arrival had left most of its contents scattered on the ground in front of it. Surely, the noise he made has to have alerted someone in his vicinity.
The hero could hear rushing footsteps coming from his right. Before he knew it, a skinny and topless middle-aged man was blank-face staring at the one who was teleported here. The presumed resident took his time to process what had just happened in front of him.
"Evil spirit. Doom has fallen upon us!"
The hero was too stunned to offer a proper response. He had no chance anyway, as the middle-aged man ran away hurriedly to where he came from, presumably his abode. Along the way, muttering whatever words of panic that came to the top of his head.
"Senpai, is that you?"
Just as the resident left his vision, he heard another voice from behind him. It was quiet, feminine, and strangely familiar. Like the voice of an angel that has given prophetic visions to some saint.
The Archer turns around, and his hunch was proven right. He is glad that his kouhai spared him the effort to go looking around the dark forest. Okita Souji is a Counter Guardian that he fought besides multiple times before. The exact frequency of their partnership is hard to recall. Due to the nature of his profession, it is difficult for him to recall her identity, had she not greeted him with her voice.
"Yes, it is me, Okita. You must've been looking for me for quite a while."
"It's not really your fault, Senpai." Her expression is not easy to read, owing to the large red scarf that covers her mouth. "But if we want to talk some more, we should get away first. Who knows what that man you startled will do to you?"
"I'm not particularly scared of him, but you're right."
The Counter Guardians quickly leave the area, following whereever the small dirt path will lead them. The crescent moon shines brightly above them, meaning their time of arrival is in the dead of night. The only noise that fills the air is the sound of their hurried steps, mixed with the rhythmic ambience of nighttime animals. They descended down a slight slope. Looking back at the direction where they came from, the Archer did not yet see or hear any commotion. No one has come to pursue them yet.
As the slope ends, the land becomes flat again. The both of them are alerted to some sudden noises coming from the trees. They stopped and waited to see signs of anything queer. Nothing shows itself. "Most likely just wildlife," Okita observed. "We should continue moving. To lie in wait in the open is dangerous."
Archer agreed, and so they both soldiered on. In a while, they stumbled upon a small wooden bridge. From the ambient sounds of water, they have come across a small stream. Okita reached it first, as if she is scouting for something.
"We should stay here for a minute. We seem to be safe in these parts, at least as far as my eyes could see."
"Senpai's eyes can see everything, so I trust you. If I may ask, have you been informed as to the time and place of where we found ourselves?"
With regret in his voice, the man answers, "No, unfortunately not. Our Master has been rather obscurantist with me as of late. She said any detail that she can give me will ruin my surprise."
He could see Okita's eyes take on a curious expression. "That is strange. She did tell me we would be teleported to eleventh-century Kyoto, but she refused to divulge anything else after that."
That is indeed strange. He wonders what game his Master has been playing. Then again, said Master is a millenia-old being that came to existence alongside humanity itself. To understand such an entity is an exercise in futility.
The stream of freshwater under them interrupts the dense forest that has surrounded them since their arrival. In this valley of the forest, the bright light of the moon shines most clearly. Without anything blocking his sights, he could see the fleet of stars that dot the night sky. Such a scenery has always been something his long-range vision appreciates.
"Senpai is staring off again," Okita stated with slight amusement. "That's alright. Did our Master say anything else to you at least?"
"She told me to treat this as if it is a vacation, whatever that means."
"Ah, we are so helpless. We should search for the other Counter Guardian that has been summoned. Did Master happen to have told you, their name?"
"No. My luck is just endless. She didn't even tell me you were also coming."
On this bridge, the two have nothing to do besides getting more and more frustrated. To him, it felt like his Master was doing everything in her power to make this harder for him and Okita. Usually, Master isn't so bothersome.
Eventually, both of them decided to climb up the hill on the road ahead. Doing so will allow them to get a better view of the area they are in. They set off from the bridge. The heroes delve into a world increasingly dim as the moonlight declines to follow them in their journey. The path bends in increasing frequency, signaling to them their distance from the peak they are reaching.
The forest slowly becomes more alive. Small twinkling fireflies hover around their torso level. Like sparks of fire that are the result of a city's torching. For the Archer. For the Archer, it is the memories of the battlefield that he has suffered too many times. It would result in quite the unease for the man had he not been in a serene and quiet land. By now, they should've caught sight of rice terraces flowing down the mountain layer by layer. The fact that they haven't could only mean the heroes found themselves in a land least traveled.
"I forgot to say this, but we haven't seen each other in a while, Senpai."
The hero sighs. "You too, Okita. I have been off the job for quite a while. Hope I didn't miss out on the fun stuff while I was being holed up."
Okita lets out a chuckle. "No, not really. Mostly it has been the usual. Master is always adamant that business goes on as normal, no matter what happens." Her eyes took on a curious expression. "Senpai, do you think this is nice?"
"What is nice?"
"Being to enjoy the environment like this before the real mission starts. Makes you appreciate more the land you are going to protect."
"Sure. But it's not really as relaxing as it should've been, considering the mystery we still have to uncover. We haven't found our third partner anyhow."
"Ah, Senpai always thinks about the mission. Back when I was alive, sights like these were still quite common. You were from a more modern time, right? How was Senpai's Japan?"
On Okita's inquiry, Archer had no choice but to try to recall the various things he witnessed while he was alive. It brought back memories. Ones that he would cherish until the end of days, and those he would not. The latter is always more numerous. "I never really left my city much. Growing up, I found the familiarity of the neighborhood I was in more comforting, compared to the mystery that the open earth offers."
Okita's voice took on an apologetic tone. "Ah, I'm sorry. I know Senpai tends to be uncomfortable when you are asked about your past life. I shouldn't-"
"No, it's quite alright. Your points are valid anyway. Master was always right about me. To let sentiments take control is the death of a Counter Guardian."
"Whatever Senpai says."
It is quite hard for them to tell how long they have been up the winding road. One would expect perusing a landscape as dim as this to be quite eerie. But the reunion between long-time comrades, and their friendly talk kept them occupied along the way.
Eventually, they both find themselves on such elevated ground that they could begin seeing the top of peaks that are not as large. The heroes can feel the wind is stronger. From where they are looking, the mountain they are at the top of is but one of what looks like a belt of such natural formations. He could see it making a crescent shape, enveloping the valley to their left.
"Senpai, look."
Okita has slightly descended a grassy slope, one with the fewest numbers of trees in its way. It is the clearest possible view one could get of the valley below. She was pointing at something that is not quite obvious. The Archer catches up to where she is squatting. Slowly, he could start to make out the layout of a city.
Such a city is very large but also incredibly structured. The man could not quite see the shape of what the metropolis would take, but he can surmise that the overall formation is that of a square. A square that is breaking apart, it looks like. Right across from where they are currently resting, a large river protects the city on one of its sides. Based on the trajectory of the descending moon, he would guess that the river lies on the eastern side of the city. To cross the river, one needs only to take one of the several small bridges that cover it. Such bridges would take one to another section of the city, one with smaller and cheaper-looking buildings. He would guess that this extension is where the less wealthy residents leave.
"This must be Heiankyo, Senpai. The design is very similar to the ones in the records."
"That would mean we are near the capital of the pre-Shogunate era."
"Correct. It is larger than I thought."
"That would also mean that this city is where our mission takes us. It can't be a coincidence that we were both shifted to mere miles from Heiankyo."
"Actually, I was teleported to the outskirts of Iga Province way before."
"Ah."
"My Lord has made quite the journey to find you. It was rather boring, seeing the same sights over and over again. Imagine my delight in finding out you're just as boring as everything else," Okita's sword, Rengoku, suddenly spoke.
"Rengoku! Keep your mouth shut, please."
The Archer did not dignify the sword with a proper response.
"It's alright, Senpai. What matters right now is that we haven't yet found the third Counter Guardian. Do you think that they know as much about the mission as us?"
"Probably. If they do, and they are clueless about where to go, that would make the large and crowded city before us the ideal spot for them to explore. There is even the possibility that by going into Heiankyo, they have figured out more about our mission than us."
"I don't know about that, Senpai. It has just past midnight. They couldn't have possibly learned that many things in that city."
"You can never know."
"Senpai, you have better eyesight than me. Can you perhaps examine the city more closely for signs of anything unusual?"
"Of course."
His Mind's Eye is the ability most valued by the hero. In times like these, it is priceless. He focuses his visions and starts examining the large city before him. Right across from where he is looking was a large sprawling palace complex. Based on its location being on the dead center of the back of the city, he would guess that it is where the emperor resides. He shifts where he is resting to try and get a better view.
Before him is a city that lies in peace. As expected for the current hour. He inspects Suzaku Avenue, the long, wide path that runs in the center, from the south to the emperor's palace in the north. Nothing. The side of the capital that faces the river. Sleeping animals and restless critters. The crowded spaces that are found at both sides of the main road. The East and West Markets, most likely. A blowing gust of wind spreads dust to the dirty floor. The swaying of the leaves of trees that line up Suzaku Avenue is rather distracting for him.
He gazes at the farmland that is the closest to where he is residing. Calm ambience of nature. The area near Gojou Gate, the entrance to Heiankyo's centermost point, is located in the west near the rice fields. An arrow hits the side of a cottage.
"Something is going on."
His eyes continue to look over the area around Gojou Gate. The clashing of weapons, the sound of metal against metal. A demonic roar, echoing through the city's outskirts and into the hills.
"Senpai? What is that sound?"
"A commotion, it seems like."
"I don't think that sounds just like any commotion."
A large battle mace strikes the ground, leaving a hole and blowing dust in its wake. Two figures move away and reposition themselves.
"You're right, an intense battle seems to be happening. We must investigate."
"Understood."
Disregarding a safer route, the two quickly make their way down the mountain. There should be no chance that anyone could notice them from the Western gates. They slide down the dirt slope, carefully to avoid crashing into any forestation. When they aren't, they are jumping from one rock formation to the other. From time to time, Archer stops in his tracks to watch the ensuing battle far away. Small bolts of lightning striking an unsuspecting foe. A large group of marauders kicked dust into the air, obscuring his vision.
The two heroes eventually found themselves on flat ground. Emerging out of the forest, they are in a quiet rural neighborhood not too far from the Gojou Gate. Whatever loud noise they could hear from the fight is mixed in with the splashing of water from a nearby stream. After some moments of searching, they found a bridge that they can use to cross. The moon continues to delve further into the west. Its light is reflected onto the two heroes walking on the ossing from the water underneath them.
Arriving on the other side, they found themselves face-to-face with a stone brick wall. It goes on north and south, enveloping and covering the entire village. Even through the fortification, the sounds of intense battle could be heard. "The gate must be around here somewhere. We should head left to find it," Okita said.
They then head north, seeking to find the Gojou Gate. Once again, the demonic roar is heard. This time, it shakes the ground, something they didn't feel previously due to their distance. Only heaven knows how none of the city's residents are woken up by a battle between two armies. There has to be something magical at play.
A large and grand gate it was, befitting of the entrance to the imperial capital. The Gojou Gate consists of three doors, each medium in size. Parallel to those entrances are red pillars, standing a few feet away from the wall. These supports hold in place the roof of the gate, blood red in color. The area that the ceiling covers is large, casting shadows over the three doors. As expected of this hour, all three are closed.
"Should we break our way in, Senpai?"
"Yes, but leave it to me. There is something I might be able to pull off here."
"Of course."
He reaches for the middle door until he is just mere inches away from it. He touches the wooden entrance with the fingertips of his left hand. "Trace on." Very quickly, he gets a read on the inner workings of the door. By examining where the handles for the door's lock are placed, the hero could estimate the lock's width and dimensions. It seems as though the lock in question is almost as big as a man's arm. Keeping in mind the exact place of the bar lock, he took some steps away. With a flash of his mind, he manifests an axe into his right hand. While large in size, the head of said axe is just thin enough to be inserted into the door's crevice.
He takes a wide swing of the weapon. It goes through the door's slit. A large crashing noise could be heard from where he is standing. The door does not open. Thus, he prepares for another swing. With much more energy, the arc of the axe is strong enough to finally split the lock in two, leading to the door opening right in front of Archer. He could feel the sudden gust of air blown into his face.
"That was less discreet than I expected, but at least Senpai got the job done."
"Honestly, you could've done a better job than that man, my Lord."
After the two heroes entered the capital, Archer closed the back of the middle door where they came from. Touching the now broken lock, he analyzed its structure and repaired its components. Once he is done, the wooden lock is fully reformed. It is as if nothing has ever happened to it.
The hero could only hope that whoever is doing battle in the city did not hear his forced entry. Inside Heiankyo, all of the noises that could be heard from outside suddenly become muffled. It was as if a ghost was putting a hand on both of the heroes' ears.
"Okita, something is off."
"Right, Senpai. I can still hear something is going on, but I can't exactly pinpoint its source location. This must be a mage's work."
"Yes. May even be a Bounded Field at play."
The Counter Guardians could not yet dwell on what they had discussed. The Archer tried his best to remember the exact buildings that surround the battle. But to both of the heroes, the city has entrapped them. The similar-looking buildings and streets make going around the capital feel like a maze. Gray brick fortifications surround most of the manses, lending a uniformity to the whole environment. The ones that don't look particularly like gardens, of which they are crowded with trees. However, they are still able to salvage their search operation by paying attention to the movement of the wind and sudden blowing of dust into the air.
The area they found themselves in isn't particularly far from the city's walls. The monotony of the streets is interrupted by the canal in front of them. Across the canal, he can see slight rubble on the pale streets. More obvious are the tiny cracks on the inside-facing fortifications. "We must not be very far," Archer said. The canal was just narrow enough for the two heroes to jump across. Him and Okita make their way to the other side. They were about to go investigate the rubble when a muffled explosion not far from where they are sent something flying into their way. It crashes into the ground, sending dust flying in its wake.
As the dust cleared, Archer could see that it was a man. A lemon-colored jacket covers most of his body, leaving only his arms and legs exposed. The most striking feature of the man is the large, spiky red bow that he holds with his right hand. A sudden blow like that would have left any normal human hurting or even incapacitated. Evidently, the hooded man is not a normal human, swiftly getting up on his feet after a hard landing. He notices the two heroes that are silently staring at him.
"Friends! Trust me, you would not like to go over that direction."
"Sir, are you alright?"
"Lady, I am the last person you should be worrying about. Trust me. Anyway, I need to go back to my Master. Keep yourselves safe!"
With that, the hooded bowman jumps and climbs onto the roof of a small house. He set off, running in the direction where he came from. He shows swiftness and agility that is unusual for a man of his appearance.
"Senpai, did he say he has a Master?"
"He did. That naturally could only mean one thing."
"A Holy Grail War in medieval Heiankyo. I must admit, I did not see this as likely."
This must be the surprise that the Archer's own Master meant for him and Okita. For the world-ending threats that Counter Guardians get assigned to, a mere Holy Grail War sounds relatively underwhelming. But remembering how averse his Master is to anything that could be considered a transgression to the laws of mystery, it makes sense.
"We should dwell on this later. There is a battle between servants that is ongoing."
"Of course, Senpai."
Before they directly interfere in the fight between servants, they decide to first scout the area that the Servant they met is heading to. The Archer looks over the cityscape that surrounds him. From here, the highest point that he could see. He sees a watchtower that oversees what must be the West Market. He tells Okita that he will be heading there.
In this part of the capital, the gap between the various residences is traversable for the Archer. Compared to the grand Suzaku Avenue of the center, these roads of the outskirts are like alleyways. Unless he is unlucky, no inhabitant should be woken up by the hero hopping on their roofs. By now, the Archer could see the hooded Servant landing on a spot just south of the West Market. The battlefield seems to be shifting quite frequently these past few minutes.
After a while of hopping, he grabs on one of the eaves of the tall watchtower. The sounds of the clash, although still muffled, become less so in this location. Using his strength, he carefully hops on one eave on top of the other. He finds himself at the top of the tower. It's not quite like the skyscraper of the modern age, but it gets the job done.
From this vantage point, everything about the ongoing battle seems much clearer. He eyes the happening at Shichijou Avenue. An army of horrid skeletons overwhelms a lone warrior. Said warrior must be a woman, judging from her very long hair and body shape. With her large katana, she strikes down the ghastly soldiers one by one. She moves with extraordinary elegance and dexterity. She draws back her katana, and the sword begins to buzz with lightning. She then swings her weapon, unleashing a torrent of purple thunder on the incoming wave of troops. When hit, the chthonic horde collapses into a pile of dark-colored bones.
A towering, dark-skinned giant stands facing the warrior. The golden jewelry he wears contrasts strongly with his black complexion. He wields two giant golden axes, weapons that seem too large for any human warrior to wield. The Archer's eyes take note of the white tattoos that cover the giant's body, symbols that he is not able to recognize. The giant growls, presumably with annoyance. Just as he takes on a fighting stance, the katana-wielding warrior rushes to face him.
Even though the giant seems too big for the warrior to face, and his axes are larger than her head, the warrior could stand toe-to-toe with him. Thanks to the Archer's vision ability, he is just able to keep track of the clash between the two combatants. The warrior takes advantage of her smaller size to dodge the giant's swings. She never misses the opportunity to land a few minor hints on her opponent. Right at the moment when the warrior avoids another attack, the giant is hit by three arrows that came out of nowhere. Archer's eye traces the source of those arrows.
On the top of a nearby building. There stands a hooded bowman in a shooting stance. He prepares another volley of arrows, right when the dark giant notices the man. The bald titan lets out a terrible growl in a moment of rage. A moment that his sword-wielding opponent is quick to take advantage of. However, before she is able to land a swing on her foe, the giant stomps his right foot on the ground. It creates a massive shockwave that forces the warrior to step away from her target. Right at this moment, the titan manifests a large golden spear on his left hand. Aiming it right at the hooded bowman, the giant lobs the lance at him. The Servant is able to dodge the projectile, however, and it's launched, flying far into the air. Nowhere knows where it would land.
It is just now that the Archer takes notice of his fellow Counter Guardian. Okita Souji was lying in wait, right across the street from where the Archer is. She is squatting on the edge of the roof of a gate. Opposite the side facing where the battle is happening. From here, Archer could only see her head peeking out, while her body is mostly hidden. She must have been monitoring the situation for quite some time.
The two counterguardians are clearly thinking of the same thing. Whether to interfere in the battle or let it take its course. Out of either side, none seems to be the clear winner. The towering beast of a man has to be very strong. To be able to hold out against a master and servant duo for a while is no small feat. Especially when said Master seems to be stronger than her own Servant.
"Oh, Raikou. This is getting boring. Really, you should give up already."
A high-pitched female voice. It came from the garden behind the giant, somehow still untouched by the battle. The speaker seems to be hidden away in the trees.
"If you have any shred of decency, you would show yourself, Master of Berserker. To attack me and my Servant so brazenly. You were clearly hoping for an easy battle out of me, weren't you?"
"If I say yes, then what? Do you want a prize for lasting as long as you did against my Servant? Come on, Raikou."
The warrior named Raikou seems to be getting annoyed. "I don't have time for this. You, reveal yourself now. If you don't, then you must prepare for the pain I will unleash on you tenfold when I do find you. Such cowardice is unbecoming of a Master."
A shrill laugh comes from somewhere in the garden. "Well, since you asked so nicely."
The giant, supposedly the Berserker, steps back slightly. From behind him, a short woman in a bright-colored kimono dress comes out.
The woman Raikou seems to be at a loss for words.
"Lady Nagiko? Impossible. You are the last person I would expect to be involved in this ritual."
The smile on Lady Nagiko's face is a mixture of smugness and disgust. "Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. You, out of anyone, should know well how much I've come to loathe you."
Raikou's face shows visible hesitation. "You are right. I do know about your enmity towards me. But the question I have for you is, whatever you are doing right now, is it for the sake of your late brother?"
"Ah. I always knew you were smart, Raikou. You never disappoint me. Unfortunately, that cannot be said about you and your late father."
Raikou ignores the slight that is thrown at her. Though her expression betrays how she really feels. "But why? Why would you go this far to avenge Sir Munenobu? Did you not admit that your own brother was at fault for his crimes, in front of the court and His Excellency?"
"Come on, Raikou. Do you really believe what you are saying? To admit to some empty words in front of the Minister, you think that is enough to quell my thirst for revenge? It was by your hand that my brother died. This Waxing Moon Ritual is a once in a century opportunity for me. Only with this ritual can the poet Kiyohara no Nagiko take revenge on the mighty lord, pride of Heiankyo, Minamoto no Raikou. Oh, certainly a tale for the ages!"
"Regardless, this is unbecoming of you, Lady Nagiko. They say a court lady lives two lives. One during the day, and one during the night. None would expect that Lady Nagiko's life at night is full of bloodthirst and vengeance."
Nagiko's yellow cat-like eyes are brimming with pure hatred. "Bloodthirst. Yes. I thirst for your blood, Lady Raikou. I will not rest until I savor it. That is the goal I have in this Waxing Moon Ritual. You are its only participant that I care about. After I have dealt with you, I will gladly relinquish my status as a Master. My only wish is to vanquish you with my own hands."
Raikou seemed to cringe when Nagiko called her a lady. "Very well. If that is indeed how you feel. I am just glad to know that in your quest to obtain my head, you have not involved any other person besides the both of us."
"Don't worry. There's someone else that will be a victim. That useless Servant of yours!"
As soon as Raikou's Servant is mentioned, he jumps onto the ground to be beside his Master. The pair takes on a fighting stance. In front of them, the Berserker starts to glow a sickly green aura. Watching on the sidelines, Archer's own senses start to tingle.
"Minamoto no Raikou! This battle has gone on for long enough. The night is near its end. For our last showcase of feats, we shall unleash each of our servant's Noble Phantasms on one another. Let us see which will come out of this alive."
Suddenly, the ground shakes with tremor. Archer could feel the aftereffects of what just happened. It seems that Okita has too. Both Raikou and her Servant run away from the terrible thing that is about to happen. By now, the green glow that emerged from Berserker has grown much larger. It first enveloped the giant whole and then swiftly rose until it reaches the height of the watchtower Archer is at. It has filled its entire section of Shichijou Avenue.
The glow clears. Emerging from it is a sight that will terrorize any observer who happens to pass by. A terrible beast of war. Its entire body, including its front, is covered by dark purple robes, bearing the motifs of eyes. On its head is a crown of golden spikes that juts far into the sky. In the center of the crown, between the spike's gap, sits Berserker himself. His throne is flanked on either side by huge ivory tusks. Behind his throne is what could only be described as an all-enveloping green, burning miasma. In his two hands are two giant black torches. They burn a bright green flame, similar to the color of the fire behind the Berserker. The beast as a whole could be mistaken for one taken from the depths of hell. However, its white tusks extending from under its robe clue the observer in on the true identity of the animal. So does its long, protruding trunk.
None who watch dare speak a word. Their vision is consumed whole by the display of horrid might that is Berserker's Noble Phantasm. Archer's eyes land on Okita Souji. Her eyes are wide open, and her mouth is muttering something the man could not hear. Presumably, she is talking to her sword. Okita catches the Archer staring at her. None of them spoke a word to each other, though they both could tell what one another was thinking.
A loud yell interrupts their train of thought. It came from none other than the crown of Berserker's beast.
"Heavens above! What is this? This, this is, what kind of Servant are you to possess an abomination like this?"
It came from none other than Lady Nagiko. Her face is a visible mix of confusion and terror. Her own Servant does not respond to her. Berserker instead delivers some incoherent demonic noise that makes him sound like he is being drowned. More than anything else, he seems to be aiming it at Raikou and the Servant in front of him. It's obvious that the elephant creature can barely fit the street that it's in. The eaves of nearby walls are being knocked over by its constant swaying. One can tell the animal is not quite comfortable by hearing its annoyed growls. Lady Nagiko herself is struggling to keep her balance on the animal's crown.
The other Master and Servant duo are still silent. Confused as to what to do against what they are facing. If Archer had to guess, they are busy talking with one another through their mental link. This is indeed terrible. There is little that Raikou and her Servant could possibly do against a beast like that. It must be vanquished as soon as possible. Before it can rampage and destroy countless buildings throughout this part of the city. Before it can rob innocent citizens of their lives.
Raikou and her Servant are alerted to a third presence behind them. The pair seems shocked at the hero's sudden arrival.
"You? Why are you here? I thought I told you to get away!"
"We've met before. Why didn't you ask us for our help then?"
"Because none of this is your-"
"Archer, you've met this man?"
Both the hero and the hooded bowman turned around to face Raikou. Her Servant seems to be particularly perplexed by Archer's reaction. This odd moment only worsened the already confusing situation.
In front of them, the beast is getting restless. And it seems that its rider is as well. At the Berserker's demonic growl, the elephant suddenly begins charging down Shichijou Avenue.
"No more time to talk. We have to run away!"
The three warriors start running away from Berserker and his mount. The woman known as Raikou is just barely able to keep up with the two archers' enhanced agility. Now that he is up close, the hero is able to more closely study the Master. Her hair is very long and tied up in its end, bouncing up and down as she is running. She is covered in some sort of pink-colored mail. Her chest is covered with a cloth and drawn upon it is what looks like clan insignia. Surrounding her waist is a rope, in which her katana sword is sheathed. Her gauntlet and greaves are protected by tight wooden armor painted black.
Even while running, the woman manages to lose only a little of the swift elegance that she possesses, most clearly seen during combat. Her experience in fighting has given her a rather tall and physically fit form, rare for a woman of this age. Before the hero knew it, a shadow leapt into his left side. Slightly startling him, until he can see that it is his fellow Counter Guardian.
"You too? Since both of you are here, you better help us get out of this mess."
"Of course. Senpai, do you have a plan?"
Before the hero could explain his strategy, someone asks Okita a question.
"And who are you, young lady?"
"Huh? Oh. My name is Okita Souji. And you must be Lady Raikou, yes?"
The Lady Raikou suddenly starts to look uncomfortable. "Lady? Ah, of course. You could not have known."
The hooded Archer looks to be focused on figuring out what to do rather than paying heed to the ongoing conversation.
"Yes, you are correct. You are in the presence of Minamoto no Raikou. I am delighted to meet you, young lady."
"Minamoto no Raikou?" Okita seems to want to ask something, but she holds her tongue back.
"Listen. I have come up with a plan."
"And what is it, red warrior?" The hooded Servant asked incredulously.
The trotting of the large elephant behind them gets louder and louder. A Satanic roar fills the air. Every minute, horrible noises are made, as if the Berserker behind them refuses to leave their ears unmolested.
"Right in front of us is Suzaku Avenue, yes?"
"Correct."
"That Berserker seems to be aiming to lead us to that road. Let him. He may think he will have the advantage there, but me and Okita have something up our sleeves."
Suddenly, the ghastly noises become louder and more varied. It was as if they were repeated a hundred times over. The hero glances back behind him. In front of the elephant are numerous ghost soldiers covered in armor. They are the same ones that Raikou and her Servant previously faced. Unburdened with size, they are able to pursue faster than their commander.
"You're kidding me."
"Well, red warrior. Seems Berserker already has the advantage now."
"Archer, that red warrior is right. We have to make our way to Suzaku Avenue. There, we will lead him out of the city through the Suzaku Gate. That is the best way to minimize the destruction he will do to this city."
Minamoto no Raikou seems to be of one mind with the hero.
Not long after, the four find themselves on a large road. To its left and its right, it is lined up with trees. This row of vegetation extends up as far as very north of Heiankyo. The Suzaku Avenue is wider than the hero first thought. As soon as they step foot in the avenue, Raikou turns right. Presumably she is going to make her way to the Suzaku Gate. The other three follow close to her.
"Miss Raikou. Raikou's servant. I and Okita will handle the elephant. Can you and your Archer take care of the ghost troops?"
"Elephant, is that what the animal is called? Red warrior, I have no way of knowing what you or your lady friend is capable of. Why should I be confident of your abilities?"
"I understand, Miss Raikou."
The hero is ready to take on Raikou's challenge. Berserker's ghost troops swiftly catch up the four warriors. His own elephant is still waddling through the too-small Shichijou Avenue. A horde of them spills out from said avenue like ants coming out of a hole.
"Senpai."
"Yes."
"Trace on." An energy surges out of both the hero's hands. It quickly takes the shape of two oriental-looking blades. Kanshou and Bakuya. Okita Souji unsheathes her sentient katana. She assumes a combat stance.
Before the skeleton soldiers could overwhelm him, the hero dashes forward. A ghost makes a downward swing at him to his right. Bakuya slashes it, shattering its torso. It collapses to the ground. A skeleton charges at him with a spear. The hero strafes to his right and, with one swing, destroys the spear with Kanshou. He closes the distance with his attacker. Before the skeleton could react, iron pierces its skull and destroys its head. The rest of its body follows. A sword thrust aimed at his left hip. He dodges to the right and prepares another killing blow. Before he could do so, the hero senses a danger from behind him. He jumps into the air and manages to avoid a spear aimed at his back. He flips his whole body upside down. With Kanshou and Bakuya in front of his chest, the hero prepares for an air maneuver. Once he catches sight of the ghosts' helmets, he unleashes the two blades and spins his body in midair. His own vision is unclear, though the sound of steel cutting the heads of many skeletons in half is indeed clear.
He carefully lands on the ground. The hero looks at the bloodless carnage that he created. The number of ghosts that are in front of him seems to thin. His eyes search for his fellow Counter Guardian. What Okita Souji is doing to the skeleton troops cannot be described as anything else but a massacre. Where Archer's battle is full of dodging and counter-attacking, Okita's battle consists of one long sword swing after another. She moves like a yellow flash amongst the chthonic horde. A single thrust of her katana slays multiple of the skeletons at once. Her strikes are swift and unrelenting. Okita Souji is the first to acknowledge Archer as her Senpai. Despite that, Archer himself is never ashamed to admit that his junior is a better swordsman or even warrior than he is.
The hero cannot be distracted for long. A group of the ghost troops begin charging at him. He prepares for another round of fighting. Suddenly, several of the skeletons in front of him are shot down at once. The force of the projectiles is strong enough to destroy its targets on contact.
"Can't let you steal the whole show, red warrior."
Before he knows it, the hooded bowman is already preparing his arrows again. Ready to shoot down the ghost soldiers. The hero is amused.
"Suit yourself, Servant."
To the hero's right, a familiar large katana is making large swings. The long purple hair swaying back and forth is blocking his view of the swordsman. But that elegance is unmistakable. With one thrust of her katana, Raikou launches a torrent of branching lightning that destroys half a dozen of the ghost troops. She catches sight of the hero looking at her.
"I am sorry for underestimating you, Red warrior. You and your partner are magnificent fighters."
"Save the praises for later, Miss Raikou. Berserker's beast is closing in on us."
Before the four even know it, Berserker and his mount are already in front of them. Their back is now just a few meters away from the Suzaku Gate. Compared to Gojou Gate, the entrance to Suzaku Avenue is a towering gatehouse. Its three doors are wide enough to accommodate three carriages coming in at once. As expected, it is also more elaborately decorated.
"Senpai?"
"Okita. Do you know what you are going to do now?"
"Of course. And I know Senpai also knows too. Me and Rengoku are always prepared."
"Let's make that faker awestruck like we usually do, my Lord."
"Red warrior, what are you planning?"
"Don't worry, miss. Can we trust you and your Servant to handle the ghost troops? Me and Okita have something to pull off against Berserker."
The skeletons begins to close in again. Raikou prepares for combat again. "Very well. I put my trust in you and your partner. May you both have the best luck."
As Raikou gives her blessing, Okita immediately charges. The woman and her Servant follow after. Instead of following the rest, the hero makes his way to the edge of the avenue. He looks for a building that is high enough for him. Unfortunately for him, this part of Heiankyo does not have many tall buildings. He spots a two-story mansion building not far from the row of trees. That will do.
He climbs to the top of a nearby house. After getting on the roof, the hero jumps from one building to another. Nowm, he is just within reach of the manse. With his hands outstretched, he grabs the eave that is above the manse's second floor. He grabs a hold of the edge and pulls himself up to the roof. From up here, the hero could see the entire battle that is going on at Suzaku Avenue.
Raikou and her Servant are holding down most of the ghost army. Most of the soldiers' attention is drawn to the two warriors that are wreaking havoc on the horde. The hero's eyes explore the street to search for Okita. Her sword thrusts are similar to last time, except now, her katana has become bright yellow. That is the hero's signal.
A long bow manifests on his left hand. It is the very weapon that he bases his identity around and what his past living self is most proficient at.
"I am the bone of my sword."
In his mind, he traces the inner workings of a sword. Said sword is then manifested on his right hand. A bronze-colored weapon with red finishes, the sword is. It takes the form of the sword Hrunting. The sword that belonged to none other than Beowulf, the legendary slayer of giants. He eyes the ongoing battle once again.
Okita Souji is delivering long sword thrusts under the elephant's very legs. Her katana pierces through countless of the skeleton soldiers. As she moves forward with each strike, her sword leaves behind a glowing trail of solid yellow. She lines up each of these trails in a way that it surrounds one of the beast's legs. From here, the hero could count that each leg of the elephant is being held by six yellow trails. The elephant begins to visibly struggle. It jerks back and forth in an attempt to free itself of Okita's bindings. On the beast's crown, Berserker and his Master struggle to keep balance while the mount keeps moving.
Okita has just finished tying down the beast's left-back foot. The hero readies up his shot. "Trace on." In his right hand, Hrunting starts to change shape. It becomes thinner and thinner until it's of a suitable size for his bow. He pulls back the bowstring. The projectile is aimed directly at Berserker's throne. If he aims it at the elephant, there is a risk that at the moment the sword lands, Okita will be crushed by the collapsing elephant. However, the hero cares not whether Lady Nagiko would perish after his arrow lands on Berserker. To kill a noblewoman along with her Servant. That is a price worth paying to prevent a potential catastrophe in Heiankyo. Once he is sure that the arrow will land, he lets go of the string.
The sword flies in the air. It is headed right at the Berserker's head. The giant seems to take notice of the oncoming projectile. He slaws the large torch in his left hand. A gust of green fire blows away the flying Hrunting. The meeting of the two forces resulted in a bright green explosion just a few inches away from the Berserker. Pieces of the sword shattered into the battleground below.
The hero realized his mistake. He should have aimed for the elephant.
"Senpai? Did something happen?"
Okita is shouting at the hero from the battlefield. The overall mood is that of confusion. His eyes look over to Raikou and her Servant. They both are unsure of what to do after what just happened.
The elephant continues to struggle against Okita's bindings. One by one, the bright yellow ropes begin to tear apart. At this point, the beast is wildly thrashing about, uncaring of what will happen to its rider.
"Senpai, it's going to break away!"
The hero was shocked from his stupor by Okita's cry. Frantically, he prepares another sword. "Trace on." It is Hrunting again. He begins to transform the sword into a projectile. Just then, the elephant completely breaks all of the bindings on its right-front foot. The left front foot is quick to follow. The beast raises up its two front legs. Its trunk also follows. The hero hurries up his aiming. To miss an opportunity like this is an amateur's mistake. Just at the moment he is about to loosen his bowstring, the elephant's two front feet slam into the ground.
The strength of such a stomp shakes the very earth. On top of the manse, the hero himself is put off-balance by the sudden tremor. Okita Souji is thrown away from the elephant. On the beast's crown, Berserker and his Master almost lost their bearings and nearly fell off the animal. Raikou and her Servant struggle to stay put in the aftershock.
Berserker's elephant is now walking freely again. Neither Archer nor Okita thought that their tactic would be an embarrassing failure. Even worse, the beast is now heading down Suzaku Avenue faster than before. Clearly, it has been angered by Okita's show of capture. In the dark blue sky, the moon is getting closer and closer to the west. It must only be an hour until dawn blesses Heiankyo. At this point, the only strategy the four warriors have left is to lead the beast out of the city by way of Suzaku Gate. But how long would defeating it after take?
"Senpai! It's no longer safe; we have to run away."
The hero agrees. There is little reason to remain on top of the manse. Without time to spare, he swiftly gets down from the roof. He makes his way again to Suzaku Avenue. Once he is on the street, he tries his hardest to catch up with the other three that are in front of him. Remarkably, Raikou doesn't seem to show any signs of being tired after a whole night of fighting a Servant. At least if she is, she doesn't show it. Overall, Raikou is doing an admirable job keeping up with the Servants during the moments of fighting and of pursuit. The comparisons to his past self are something the hero would rather not think about.
"I just knew that faker would mess it all up."
"Rengoku, shut up!"
"Red warrior! I did not know what you did for your plan to fail. However, you must make it up to me and my Servant for your failed strategy. You better have another trick up your sleeve."
"I am truly sorry, Miss Raikou. Rest assured, I have already come up with another plan."
The hero does not really have another trick up his sleeve. The only option he has left is a head-on barrage on Berserker and his army by way of his Reality Marble.
By now, the four warriors have just passed Suzaku Gate. Raikou is catching her breath. The others are staring at the horrid mount of Berserker and his horde that will inevitably crash upon them.
"Master. It seems like we have no other option." It was the hooded bowman's turn to speak.
"Archer. I shall not hear this again from you. There is no need for you to sacrifice yourself for my sake."
"But it's not for your sake, Master. You said it yourself; an entire city is at stake here. Besides Master, didn't you say yourself that your participation in this ritual is a burden you would rather not have?"
"Archer. How could you throw your life away so flippantly?"
"It is not my life, Master. For I was never a living being since the night you summoned me. If I perish here, I would just return to where I came from. Rest assured, my Noble Phantasm is the fastest and most sure way we could defeat Berserker."
The hero dares not say anything. Raikou seems to be finally convinced by her Servant's words.
"If you are so willing, then I shall allow it."
"I am glad you understand, Master."
The four are now half a hundred meters away from Suzaku Gate. The ghost army's march, combined with the relentless trotting of the elephant, shakes the ground more and more. Even the towering visage of the gatehouse can barely match the monster that is Berserker's beast. Raikou's Servant takes his place in front of the other three. His tall and muscular form befitting of a great hero from bygone days. He takes off his yellow hood, revealing short, spiky black hair.
"Friends, Master. I suggest you all take a few steps back."
The three do as the bowman suggested. The archer stares down at his opponents. Between the lone Servant and the army of hell, only stands Suzaku Gate. The large beast growls. Its sound echoes throughout Suzaku Avenue like the screams of those damned to Tartarus. The archer plucks a random arrow from his quiver. It is red, the same color as his own bow. He puts said arrow on the bowstring and begins to aim right at the gatehouse.
Everywhere around the archer starts to glow brightly. Cyan-colored energy flows from under his foot and surrounds him like flower petals. The tip of his arrow begins to absorb mana not just from the ground below him but also from everywhere else. What was once a steel-tipped arrowhead has become a bright double-layered cyan orb. It is as if the archer has managed to absorb energy from all stars for the purpose of this one shot.
Berserker and his mount are just a few feet away from Suzaku Gate. There is no more time to waste. Steel determination is in the archer's eyes. He finally unleashes the arrow.
"Stella!"
The arrow flies in the air. As if it were affected by the wind, the entire arrow is now covered by the same energy that is on the arrowhead. In midair, it leaves a trail of blue sparkles in its wake. The shooting star is aimed right at the gatehouse. At Suzaku Gate, a few of the ghost soldiers have already successfully exited. Their master is yet to follow. The arrow has made an arc. Its landing is now inevitable. Berserker stares down the incoming projectile. He knows that the fire of his torches cannot reach this particular arrow. Thus, he is left with nothing to do but wallow in his fate. Lady Nagiko is silent.
The star lands right in the middle of Suzaku Gate. Almost immediately, the gatehouse explodes in a blinding blue lightshow. Those watching had no choice but to cover their eyes at the sight before them. A decaying star dies. Whatever hope the skeleton soldiers have to reach their target in time is dashed as they are turned into a flying pile of bones. The blue galaxy is bright enough to have its light reflected on the nearby hills. Its sheer range puts the moon itself to shame.
Slowly, the plasma show begins to shrink. Its brightness begins to fade away. The transparency of the explosion is made clear. Now, one can see the aftermath of such a devastating blast. What was once the proud and expansive Suzaku Gate is now just a non-descript massive pile of rubble that blocks the city's main avenue. Bones of the fallen undead are scattered about everywhere. There is not a single trace left of the existence of an elephant. The smoke of the explosion flies away into the sky.
Everywhere they look, the corpses of the undead army begin to burn. Bright green flames, they are. Their very bones begin to wither away into ash. Small white particles are picked up by the wind. It was quite a serene sight, if it were not due to the circumstances of its origin.
Raikou and the two counterguardians cannot help but stare at the aftermath of what just happened. They were too distracted to notice the dealer of such an explosion. On the ground with his feet under his thighs, he is sitting. His very figure is withering away into bright yellow particles.
"An arrow shot that annihilates the user upon its launch. A projectile that is imbued by the energy of the stars. You are none other than Arash Kamangir."
"You are quite the perceptive fellow, red warrior. As I expected from a fellow archer."
"Archer. No, Arash. It has only been for a few nights that I knew you. Yet throughout that time, you have shown incredible perseverance and strength. It is no wonder why you are remembered in history as a great hero. If you were a living man, you would have deserved a position as one of my Heavenly Kings."
"I am delighted to hear that, Master. But alas, I can only last for a few more seconds on this Earth. If my Master is so kind, would she leave me alone in peace and quiet for my last moment?"
"Of course."
Raikou begins to walk away. The counterguardians follow after her. The hero looks back at Arash Kamangir. His face and the right part of his body begin to fade away. His expression is as inscrutable as a stone.
Raikou seems to be making her way west. Right next to Suzaku Gate is the smaller Kougamon Gate. Though even from here, Archer could see the silhouette of its wide roof. The three warriors are silent throughout their walk.
"Miss Raikou, may I ask you something?"
The warrior stops dead in her tracks. "Before you ask me anything. I have a few questions of my own. You must answer them honestly."
"Of course."
"What is your name, warrior?"
"I go by many names. The one people usually call me by is Archer."
The woman turns around and eyes the hero. "Archer? As in, the servant class, Archer?"
Before Archer could speak, Okita interjected him.
"Sorry to intrude, but that is not the case, miss. As you know, my name is Okita Souji. Senpai here, who is my partner, is from a faraway land. In his native tongue, Archer simply means bowman. He originates from the country where the Waxing Moon Ritual originates from."
Raikou seems to think about the answer for a second. "I will hold you to that. Wait, how did you know about the Waxing Moon Ritual?"
"Miss Raikou, we are but two agents sent here to investigate an anomaly in the islands of Japan. My partner, Miss Okita, is my personal guide for this faraway mission. Of course, we would know about the Waxing Moon Ritual. In fact, I personally know the man who invented it."
"Very well. Archer it is then. Very strange to know two people who go by the same name. The world is truly vast. And before you ask me anything, I have another question. Is this mission that you speak about involves interfering in the Waxing Moon Ritual?"
"You are correct, Miss Raikou. My employers have reason to believe that some malicious individuals have stolen information about the Waxing Moon Ritual and are now conducting a corrupted version of it here in Japan. We are sent to investigate what exactly is going on."
"Your words sound very believable, Archer. If your purpose is indeed to find out the origin of this ritual, then I shall not disturb the both of you. In fact, I may even be able to help you in your mission."
Okita and Archer look at each other. "Oh? Sorry to ask, but why exactly does an illustrious lord like yourself bother to personally help us landless travelers?"
Raikou seems particularly pleased when Archer calls her a lord. "Sir Archer and Lady Okita, you have heard what my Servant said before. I am not a willing participant in this Waxing Moon Ritual. It was beneath my notice that I was chosen to be a Master. Imagine my shock when I found out my Four Heavenly Kings suddenly became participants! Well, not exactly all of them. What has transpired these past few days is indeed strange to me. As an inquisitive woman, I can't help but want to discover who is behind this Waxing Moon Ritual."
The Archer offers a small bow for Raikou, which is imitated by Okita. "Of course. We understand. But, ah, we can't help but ask. Where do we find a place to stay for the night?"
The three warriors have just entered Kougamon Gate. The previously darkened sky has turned a shade bluer. The sound of morning birds can be heard. Walking down these ancient streets and hearing the ambience takes the hero back to his old days. Reminiscing about his hometown does him no good as of this moment, however.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I will find the proper accommodations for the both of you at the Genji clan estate. From now on, your story will be that of wanderers who were just going through Heiankyo and came to my help when I needed it. You will be treated as guests of the Genji household. Now, what is it you want to ask me?"
The Archer begins to think of what to say. "Yes. When I arrived in Japan, I was told that there would be a third member of our team. However, we have searched until we found our way to the capital, and we have yet to see any sign of them. We have reason to believe that they are residing in Heiankyo. Because evidently, this is where the Waxing Moon Ritual is taking place. I ask of you, my Lord, have you seen or heard any news of strange travelers from far away?"
"That is quite troublesome. Unfortunately, you two are the only strange travelers I've seen in Heiankyo. You might have to ask the other residents about that. Also, there is a chance that your third friend has gotten lost in the mountains of Yamashiro Province."
"Ah. Well, regardless, thank you for the forthcoming answer, miss. It sounds like me and Senpai have to do quite the perusing before we can get to our proper investigation."
"Yes, I understand. I guarantee that you both will have all the time you need to delve into this mystery. There is no need to rush things. Also, Lady Okita?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Is your sword the one that has been talking?"
What, two chapters at once? Preposterous. I didn't expect the first real chapter to be this long. Guess I got carried away writing the fight scenes.