This was the first time Godou had ever cooperated with another Campione, let alone two at once. Besides, working with Arturia was one thing, but Salvatore Doni was another.
As it stood, Godou had been invited by Athena into one of Arturia's guest rooms in her house. Considering that Athena had been the one to provide hospitality, Erica's deductions that Arturia had yet to wake up from the last battle in the Mediterranean was likely true.
"Lighten up a bit, Seventh, you have to take things easy," Doni grinned from across Godou, the two placed in the same waiting room at Athena's discretion.
Advice from Doni was not what Godou would ever take as sound, especially when Doni of all people was in an even worse state than anyone recruited.
Doni was in his signature open-button short-sleeved dress shirt, with nothing underneath on his torso. He was wearing a khaki pair of shorts, and had sun visors over his head. The chain-like tattoos winding around his skin were entirely visible in his attire. If one looked closely, divine law was writhing within the chains, unable to break free.
The Restraints of Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven.
It would not be a lie to say that Godou was stronger than Doni at this moment, even with the restrictions on his Authorities.
Which meant, he'd be the one most relied on.
A sinking feeling welled in the pit of Godou's stomach.
Godou pulled out a phone and stared at the message awaiting his eyes on the screen.
[A couple more hours.]
Erica was making her way back to Japan as soon as she could. She was already on the flight back, and he hoped that it would be soon.
Of all times to be making a power play, it had to have been now.
Erica's sudden trip abroad wasn't anything too pressing, but rather, it was to show that she and Godou were in no rush to broker a deal with Andrea, Doni's butler, pertaining to releasing Enkidu's Authority over Doni.
There was no coincidence that Erica suddenly had the leisure to return to the Mediterranean and help with her magic organization's cover up of supernatural events.
They weren't the impatient ones, and would await a better deal.
It was to obtain more favorable terms, and in a business sense, it was to milk an opportunity for all it was worth, but the plan was now backfiring with a Heretic God even Athena requested aid against.
With Arturia still unconscious, the odds of not having just himself to depend on were looking grim for Godou.
At this rate, Godou realized that it might be him alone to defeat this Heretic God if Athena decides not to actively help.
Athena had already made that clear.
Athena's duty was to Arturia, and if for Arturia's safety, she left Japan to be wiped off the map while she took Arturia away, then Athena would make the rational choice.
"You may enter."
A voice spurred Godou out of his thoughts, his attention shifting to a door that Athena opened and stepped through.
Her features were impassive, but the nobility of her features and the radiant glow of her skin left the impression of true aristocratic grace. There was a reason why most people who think of Goddess imagine Greek Gods in white togas, because that was what Athena was. It was no wonder Aphrodite was said to be so attractive, but most of it went over Godou's head.
Instead, Godou focused on who was behind Athena, and who was stepping into the room.
Two people Godou had no familiarity with entered the guest area, one of which snorted at both Doni and Godou before sitting with her arms crossed. Godou could let that go, because the girl with hair twisted into drill locks appeared to be in elementary school.
For a second, a vein popped over Guinevere's temples as she inferred Godou's thoughts through the dumb face he was making.
Then there was Rin Tohsaka who appeared like a scared cat with her hairs standing up on end as she gingerly made her way away from everyone else and towards a corner.
"Do not mind them. They are my guests."Athena said before either Doni or Godou could ask any questions.
Even if they did, it wasn't as if Athena was going to answer them anyway.
Then there was the last person to join the room.
Arturia Pendragon, the Eighth Campione walked in with her head held high, and a burning spirit in her eyes.
Considering the last time Godou had seen Arturia was when Enkidu had ferried her away to safety after she unleashed some sort of Sword Authority, Godou could feel a weight lift off of his chest.
"Arturia," Godou greeted in relief. "You're awake."
"Mhm," Arturia nodded curtly with a small hum. However, she was largely distracted in her thoughts and didn't say much else to let Athena take the initiative in this meeting as intended.
They'd already talked prior, and so as to not provoke any undue hostility, Athena was delegated as the primary spokesperson. It was the reason why Guinevere kept quiet despite the way Doni was looking at with interest.
And Rin, well, she wasn't going to talk the moment Athena shared that this meeting would be between actual 'Gods,' and 'God Slayers.'
Rin felt like a shrimp in a school of big fish. She didn't know how Arturia could do it, but she supposed it was because Rin was the only mortal present among big wigs.
On the contrary, Arturia's expression was just as stiff. She didn't like being in a state of pretentiousness as Athena had insisted, but there was little choice if she was to use her prestige and influence to garner support and a leadership role.
She was told to act with proper stature, and Athena would handle the rest.
Arturia did not have the experience for diplomacy just yet, and she worried that she could mess things up if she were too rash.
Times like this, highlight Athena's expertise.
"Please, sit." Athena gestured to two chairs for both Godou and Doni.
Godou took a seat first, then Doni who took a seat next to Godou. Frowning, Godou inched further away from Doni until they were seated at least two bodies apart.
Athena could care less for the internal antics of Campione and got straight to the point.
"I'm sure you're both well aware, but a dangerous Heretic God, Metis, has descended on Japan." Athena closed then opened her eyes, staring down both God Slayers. "The goal is not to defeat her, but to stall her."
Godou sat up, listening intently but occasionally, he glanced at Arturia. Her presence was giving him piece of mind considering just who was at her beck and call.
That was until Athena spoke without a hint of hesitation about their odds in a fight.
"Metis will die on her own, and no, I will not explain why just yet. But until then, she will be a force that no single Campione or God could hope to deal with."
"What do you mean?"Doni sat up. He was never one to miss a good battle. Lou Hao was a fool for missing all the actions and staying in China.
"Please elaborate," Godou clasped his hands in front of him. "With Arturia with us, what's there to worry about against a single Heretic God?"
Arturia winced inwardly, but outwardly sighed.
"Essentially," Athena coughed, choosing how to best say this before just going with it. There was no use hiding any pretenses here. "Out of all the Gods under Arthenia's influence, Metis has swallowed all of them except for myself. She is the Snake that Swallows Steel, her Authority granting her access to the abilities of all those she's consumed. Thus, she will potentially have access to every Authority that pertains to the other Gods or more. That is the force you will be facing."
Godou's eyes widened with that admission while Doni whistled.
"B-But how?"Panic flickered over Godou's face as he desperately tried to come up with a counter argument. "Weren't you only able to summon one or two Gods at a time?"
It was what Athena had said to explain why only she or Shirou could appear together at once at any time. After all, the more targets under scrutiny, the greater the risk that the act could fall apart.
Still, this did pose an issue.
Arturia knit her brow, but Athena saved Arturia from coming up with any far-fetched lies. Rather, Arturia could not get away with a lie even if her life was on the line. Her expressions always became mechanical whenever she was doing something outside of her own honor code.
Really, that girl.
Best leave it to those with genuine poker faces.
"A ruse," Athena said flatly, staring at both Godou and Doni. "It's never wise to reveal one's entire hand especially when not before friends or allies and-"
"So, you're saying that this Metis person was able to defeat all those Gods by herself?" Doni interjected.
"Not quite." Athena shook her head. "Our strength is tied to Arthenia's Authority. As such manifesting full strength would be taxing on her, but what if it was just to materialize on the mortal plane? Using one God's energy would be enough to garner low powered descents."
"~Can you say it any simpler?" Doni scratched the back of his head, watching Athena sigh with a grumble.
Athena put her fingers out and explained as if to a child.
"Many weaker powers that equal the sum of one, rather than one with the sum of one."
Basically, division. One whole was always greater than fractions that add up to the same thing.
Godou understood to an extent, but Doni shook his head and decided to gloss over it.
But, if there was one person confused about all this, it was Rin.
What did Shirou have anything to with bullshit about one equaling the sum of many?
Wasn't it only Shirou who was swallowed by Metis?
Rin furrowed her brows, wondering if she was remembering wrong, but she doubted it.
Rin was an honor student far above her peers and inconsistency disturbed her.
"But wasn't it just-mphm!" Athena shot Rin a withering stare before Guinevere tacitly covered her newest protege's mouth and dragged her away back into the other room.
Guinevere was of the same mind as Rin, but she thought further and devised that Athena was overhyping Metis's power to harness the full attention of the Campione.
A cunning woman. Truly a God of Wisdom.
Misunderstandings aside, Athena would not stand on false pretense. Metis was not invincible, rather, she was already on her way to oblivion.
"As much as it's her strength, it's also her weakness." Athena continued before the expression on Godou's face could become anymore disheartened. A demoralized meat bag can never perform its role properly after all."As Metis is now, she can't digest all the Steel she's consumed. There's too much Steel to contain."
It was an understatement.
Only Arturia knew that the amount was unlimited, such was the nature of Shirou's Inner Reality, but Athena attributed it to the strength of Shirou's Steel.
Pointing at herself, Athena grew solemn.
"That's why Metis's goal will always be this divine Goddess of utmost beauty, intelligence, character, fashion, and-" Arturia coughed, alerting Athena to the growing scrutiny in the room.
Athena sniffed haughtily. It wasn't as if she was lying.
Fine, quick and easy it is then. Might as well make it efficient too.
"Metis and I are tied in legend. She's less than half of me, but if she manages to consume me, then that's it. You're all dead. She will struggle to digest the Steel, but she'll be in no danger of dying from it if she gains my half of the divinity."
Athena leaned towards Godou and Doni, chin pointed up.
"Therefore, you have two options here."
Athena laid down the basis of the operation.
"Survive for long enough against that crazy snake."
Either way, Athena would take matters into her own hands if the worst came to pass.
"Or leave Japan to be wiped off of humanity's map."
Godou clenched his jaw at the finality of Athena's words. She was dead serious here, and-
"~What about defeating Metis?"Doni cut in.
Doni saw a completely different avenue than what Athena wanted.
Athena proposed her prior two options to prevent any variables, but she forgot. Doni himself was a walking variable.
The way Doni could see it, if he waited long enough for Metis to weaken and then struck a finishing blow, wasn't that the same as defeating him or her?
Was he actually a genius?
Athena narrowed her eyes. It was the same for Arturia who hissed as she took in a breath.
Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding.
Doni had no intention of waiting for Metis to weaken, but given the restraints around Doni, it was only natural to conclude he would pull something underhanded.
The opportunistic nature of Campione disgusted Guinevere who was still listening from the other room where she kept Rin right lipped, but this time Arturia grew genuinely angry.
Before Athena could speak, Arturia already spoke up knowing the circumstances in Pandora's world and what Pandora may constitute as a fair 'Win.'
"Then you are my enemy," Arturia said, speaking up for herself for the first time in the conversation, her lips pursed."She is mine to face."
Shirou's Steel was more than enough for him to eventually break free of Metis's Authority on his own. Still, if Metis was defeated before Shirou emerged, Arturia could not put it past that bratty Goddess to bestow undue rewards on her adopted children.
More importantly, Arturia was deeply concerned that it could have an adverse effect on Shirou.
Doni stared at Arturia, noting that she was finally acting like a real Campione.
Back bone, they all had it.
Doni snickered and then laughed, meanwhile Godou grew tense at the atmosphere.
Athena used the opportunity to finalize the matter.
"Are we at an accord?" Athena pressed the two Campione.
Within Pandora's inner space, Shirou patiently bided his time while feeling the distortions in his Reality Marble cause Metis an untold amount of grief in the real world.
Really, she should have checked what food she ate before swallowing, but Shirou digressed. This situation presented him with a unique opportunity to interact with the root cause of all Campione, the Goddess Pandora.
From the beginning, Shirou's impression of her had already taken a blow, but now that he was stuck with her until Metis perished from indigestion, she seemed almost pitiful.
This entire blank space, this entire world he found himself in…there was nothing but her.
Even in Shirou's Reality Marble, he was accompanied by swords with legendary renown and sometimes, personalities of their own.
But here? In this suffocatingly empty space, there was only Pandora.
Just like the legend where she opened the forbidden box, and all of its contents spilled out, there was nothing to be seen for miles on end. Hope was all that remained in this lonely world, and that hope was Pandora.
In a way, she could be right to feel wronged.
It was her mistake that supposedly released all the world's evil into the world of man, and her means, her Campione, were her symbols of Hope born from her.
But in the end, hope wasn't something that should be forced, but as a last resort. Hope was also to believe after all.
Pandora, a legendary figure of both the beginning and the end.
Sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest and arms wrapped around her thighs, Pandora continued glaring at Shirou in prolonged silence. The curl of her lips and her narrow eyes made it evident that she was imagining a great many things she would do to those that rued her, and that included Shirou as well.
Though, the primary target still appeared to be Enkidu as she kept cursing about 'stupid clay' under her breath.
Growing tired of the silence, Pandora pursed her lips and then got back to staring at nothing in the distance. It wasn't as if she could pry into the lives of her adopted children. Rather, it was when they were in the midst of an ordeal that required her discretion that she could watch their battles and their triumphs. From there, she'd decide if their performance was worthy of bestowing the defeated God's Authority.
Considering the situation with Metis and Japan, Pandora was already thinking about lowering the 'threshold' for performance in her assessment when-
"I recommend you reconsider before you act." Shirou said when he noticed Pandora start chuckling pettily under her breath.
"Shut up." Pandora scowled, rolling her eyes. "What even are you? No, more importantly, why are you still here?!"
"What am I?" The question was likely in correlation to his legend, or where he hailed from. In which case, the answer was simple. "Nameless, I suppose."
Shirou shrugged before considering Pandora's next question with a bit more thought. "As to why I'm still here? It will only be a matter of time until I burst out of a snake's stomach."
Pandora's brow twitched, her mouth opening and closing but no words coming out. She wanted Shirou to elaborate about how it was possible for him to be that confident.
Isolated as Pandora was, she knew more about Godly Authorities than anyone else.
Metis was an Authority that usurped Steel without repercussion. That was the nature of the Serpent that Swallows Steel. Weak Steel, or ridiculously strong Steel, that snake would usurp it all by concept alone, and yet Pandora wasn't blind to the state Metis was in as Godou and Doni would be facing her soon.
Just what sort of Steel was this? And how should she base the judgment of Authority distribution if they won? It would not be Metis, but Shirou was also in Metis as well. It was only 'fair' since Metis had access to Shirou's Authorities…but Pandora second guessed herself.
Just what was Shirou's Authority?
"Something on your mind?"
Pandora realized she'd been staring and quickly switched her expression into a sneer. Never give an inch to the enemy, that was her policy.
Hmph!
But, she was curious…?
"You're not very subtle, are you?" Shirou said flatly when he caught Pandora eye him again. There were practically question marks on her face, but she couldn't be blamed.
If Pandora was the only person to live in this world, then who would she have to hide her expressions from? Gods don't often visit another's domain, and the same was true of Pandora.
Shirou, Enkidu, and Scathatch had been the first fellow 'Gods' that Pandora had welcomed, period.
"Eugh," Pandora made a strange noise and hissed.
Shirou was insufferable in Pandora's eyes. It was worse because she couldn't tell if he was making fun of her or being serious with that nonchalant expression of his.
"Why does it feel like there's more than one Steel?" Pandora eventually asked in a mouse-like voice, evidently disgusted at the notion of asking, but losing to curiosity.
Because it was Steel over Steel. Shirou's Steel wasn't the strongest because it was singular, but because it was infinite.
"Because there is," Shirou made no motion to hide it. Steel was likely referring to his Noble Phantasms, and it wasn't as if Pandora could do anything with the information.
"Lies!" Pandora huffed and turned away.
If he didn't want to share then he didn't have to!
"If you're curious, I can prove it, but you'll have to grant me a favor in the future?"
"Shut up! I'm not falling for it!"
Gnashing her teeth, Pandora focused back on what mattered. She shouldn't have let Shirou distract her to begin with.
How dare that mortal girl choose clay over her!
Still, perhaps there were some concessions to be made as it did give Pandora less of a headache.
Though, Pandora would never admit it.
Even if she wanted to turn Arturia into a Campione, there was already something about Arturia's nature that Pandora realized would make the process difficult.
Based on the feel and the spirituality of the soul…
It was as if she were already a supernatural being?
But it was too early to tell or jump to conclusions.
What mattered was that Arturia would rue the day she made the wrong decision!
Godou cradled his head as he digested everything that Athena had just told him. Nearby, Doni had that carefree smile, but Godou could not say the same of himself. Rather, he felt like pulling his hair out.
Ever since his first trip to Milan, everything had started to get hectic in his life.
The operation would be in one hour.
Athena could sense Metis's location as she wasn't being subtle about it.
Metis was already on route to hit central Tokyo. The plan was to intercept her before she reached a metropolitan area.
Time was of the essence, and Godou felt helpless as he looked at his phone again.
Erica would not be back for another six hours.
Godou didn't need Erica for most of his other Authorities, but she was the key to his most important Warrior Authority. He simply lacked the required knowledge to use it.
"What's the use of thinking so deeply?"
Godou blinked as he looked up and stared at Doni who'd exited the room alongside him. Different from Godou's brooding, Doni's expression was light.
"Everything can be solved if you have a sharp enough sword, little Seventh," Doni said as if he was sharing a fundamental truth.
But, really, he was an idiot.
Godou grew even more discouraged.
"Admittedly, my sword is currently sheathed in my current state, but doesn't that make things more of a challenge? Heheha, it's thrilling! That lump of clay gave me a wake-up call, that's for sure." Doni continued on as if Godou's distress was just a show.
However, Doni's next words weren't ones that Godou could lightly ignore.
"So, any thoughts of lifting this restraint?" Doni cut straight to the point, pointing to the markings over his skin. "Based on Athena's words, Mr. Clay also got swallowed so he won't be undoing this Authority. That leaves you little Seventh."
Godou balled his hands into fists, his hands growing clammy at Doni's scrutiny. However, whether Doni noticed or not, the man didn't react as he was too busy focusing on the Authority of chains bound to his body.
"Confident as I am, it doesn't change what we'd be up against." Doni reasoned, growing a tad serious as this problem had Japan's existence in the balance. That probably meant more for Godou than it did for Doni.
Doni wasn't much of a calculative person, let alone someone who could even come up with something elaborate, but he could be empathetic. He could tell that Godou wasn't one to stand by as his home country was in danger.
Surely, Godou would help him if it were a just reason? Andrea's negotiations and the tricks the Blandellie girl was playing felt shallow in Doni's eyes.
All Doni needed was his sword, and he'd solve the problem. Now, if he could only unsheathe it.
"I'll be needing more strength to achieve much of anything, but even if you don't, Lord Salvatore finds a way." Doni gave his request with an earnest grin.
In contrast, Godou could only feel more pressured as the stark reality fully dawned on him. He could do nothing on his own.
At least when it counted.
Erica wasn't here, and Godou's knowledge of the legend of Enkidu was far too lacking to utilize his Warrior Authority to free up Doni's Authorities.
"I can't." Godou had no choice but to admit it.
Doni's expression grew contemplative, his eyes narrowed into slits while looking Godou up and down. Eventually, he relented when his instinct and intuition hinted that Godou wasn't being malicious, but really couldn't help him at the moment.
"Hmm, bummer." Doni would not dwell over spilt milk when more often than not, he was the cause.
In this moment, Doni remembered Enkidu's words which humbled a part of his growing ego and hubris.
Man does not need the Gods…
Doni glanced at his sword with mixed feelings, feeling the unnatural strength of his body bestowed onto him when he became a Campione. At this point, he could no longer remember the limitations he used to have as a simple human.
"Well, we'll just have to see how far human potential reaches." Doni grunted, having made up his mind. "If I die, I'll curse that lump of clay as a con artist."
Before Doni became a Campione, back when he was still considered a talented sword idiot and nothing more, it was this same recklessness that enabled him to slay a God.
Doni left, leaving his number with Athena to contact him when the operation starts an hour later. He may not have access to his Authorities, but his body was still that of a Campione's.
He would do his part.
Left alone, Godou quickly found a reason to leave Arturia's accommodations before things could get awkward.
Under Arturia's Authority or not, the natural repulsion Godou had as a Campione in the presence of other Gods was rather unsettling. Likely, that feeling went two-ways as Athena eased her tension at Godou's departure.
Walking on his own, Godou stared up at the sky and tried to think. There wasn't much time left, and he would be going into this battle without Erica.
What was he supposed to do?
This wasn't something he could turn a blind eye to as he could fully trust that Athena would ferry Arturia out of the country if it meant she was in danger. That left Japan, and everyone Godou knew, for dead.
Yes. This was as much his battle than it was Athena's and Arturia's.
There was no running away from the truth of the matter.
"But what can I do?" Godou muttered lowly, pausing as he heard someone tentatively clear their throat from behind him.
"...I think I can be of assistance to you, Lord Kusanagi."
Godou stared at the demure girl whose expression bordered on determined and terrified. She was wearing a shrine maiden's attire, and the reflective surface of her eyes reflecting light resembled a mirror in the low lighting.
"My name is Mariya Yuri."
She'd had a spirit vision.
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