Dust. One of the most valuable resources that runs everything in Remnant. Electricity, vehicles, aircraft, and even in the field of medicine. There is nothing on Remnant that is in some way independent from the influence of Dust. Used in crystallized and powder forms, Dust comes with many properties depending on purpose and colored use. Even clothing had some lines of Dust on them though those were in small amounts.
Yet, there was one limitation that Dust has. For all of its usefulness and purpose, there is one area that Dust could never act in. There were many theories about it. The problem was, despite its prominent use, nobody truly understood what Dust was for. There were far too many variations and uses that one could not pinpoint the core element of Dust that exist in all of them. It had only come to light during this Grail War in Watts' mind.
Gun shots were heard and metal clanged like drums, interrupting Watts' thoughts. The noises would occasionally get louder and softer as the sounds of bullets flying went to a different target.
"Saber!" a male voice cried out. There was no mistaking that it was Taiyang's voice.
"It's alright, Tai" that must be the Saber that replied. His voice was morphing into something else. The Infinite Man. "It will take more than a lone bullet to take me out."
Watts received a message from Archer. It read: "five."
"Five more." He sighed. They couldn't waste it all here. He may have desire for the Grail just as anyone would, but he had another duty before that. It wasn't some kind of heroism that motivated him but personal selfishness. One particular participant of this Grail War needed to go and if it had to come to it, Watts was willing to throw it away. Archer and he found Neo for that reason.
Speaking of Neo, she raided the family fridge and was livid at the lack of cold sweets. The only sugar-filled treat she found was the cookie jar. Convincing her to come along was as simple as promising Cinder's head. Watts would come for her eventually as well. Such is the nature of the Grail War.
Archer and her had gotten along well enough. Knowing how to read most people, Archer knew how to handle Neo best, even taught her some sign language which allowed her to better communicate with Watts. Of course, that sign language is not available here in Remnant, giving them the edge of coded communication.
The doors slammed open and Saber was still in the process of regeneration as his new face came to light. Dark skin and dark hair this time. Behind Saber was Jeanne d'Arc and Ozpin. Further behind them was Taiyang Xiao-Long, his ex-wife, and his daughter.
She took after her mother, Watts noted. The young Yang Xiao-Long still hadn't used the prosthetic made specifically for by the fat bastard and gift wrapped by the general. No. Can't think that way anymore. There is a bigger fish to catch.
"Welcome!" Watts tapped his breast pocket as his arms outstretched. All he had to do now is get them to talk as close to him as possible. He turned to Neo who nodded back. Good. They didn't see it. She'll have to be rewarded with her favorite ice cream later, pushing herself so hard to deceive even Servants. Already, Watts was a better user than Cinder ever was. "I hope you don't mind, but we helped ourselves to some—"
"What are Salem's plans for Vale, Watts?" Ozpin demanded. He stepped forward.
"Salem?" Watts feigned gasping. "Now, I'm just offended. Does everything have to concern itself with either her or you? I'm a Master too, you know. Maybe I'm here of my own accord, my own wish."
Headmaster Ozpin took a deep breath. "Alright." There was great effort in his restraint. "What are your plans for Vale?"
"Honestly," Watts said. "I'm just looking for a nice place to stay. Vale being under repairs and all that makes finding a nice apartment quite the hassle. I was wondering if you could recommend me one."
"There is one," Raven answered. "In the gutter."
"Now that is just uncalled for, miss Branwen. Here I am, being polite, and here you are being so rude and quite barbaric I might say. Definitely unbecoming of a lady."
Watts turned to Ozpin once more. It wasn't exactly how he had envisioned it would go but that is good enough. He'll let things play out for a little longer.
"You know how crime has been going up lately in Vale. Would be quite the embarrassment if I died by some criminal, don't you think? Anything secure will do. Comfort is of little consequence to me."
"Stay close to Beacon Academy," Ozpin replied. "Only fools would think of enacting their crimes even close there." They would also keep a close eye on him as well, no doubt.
"Excellent!" Watts praised. "Tell you what, one fellow Master to another, I can assure you that Salem has the Caster-class Servant." He feigned the sigh of one about to deliver a sad message. "Though he looks like someone you know; he is most certainly not sir Gilles de Rais. His name is Bluebeard."
"Gilles?" Jeanne asked. She was the most shocked of them all. "Someone who looks like—Bluebeard." Perfect, keep talking. "Why tell us this?"
"We're fellow Masters," Watts explained. "We all have something we wish for the Grail. I'm just doing what I can to obtain mine."
"By throwing us at her," Saber said.
"Not like your Master is any different, Saber," Watts countered. "Sending students on the impossible mission while you get to stay here, not at all in any danger. Speaking of strategies, that was a terrible risk you've made with Berserker."
Ozpin turned to Saber.
"Vorpal Bandersnatch," Saber answered. "Berserker's Noble Phantasm."
"A simple and crude Noble Phantasm," Watts continued for them. "As the ultimate end, Berserker could simply ignore any and all forms of regeneration, resurrection, and/or battle continuation, a perfect counter to your Infinite Man."
"Berserker would have used it if it wasn't for Glynda and the others arriving when they did," Saber completed.
"There, see!" Watts gestured his warms out. "I can be helpful." He then turned to Ozpin again. "Not only am I giving you aid that I'm defying Salem in my own way, you've even recruited two other Servants at your side here. Vale's is of no surprise and I am certain that this one here is Vacuo."
"My reasons for being here are my own," Jeanne defended.
"Oh, I'm sure you do." Watts rolled his eyes. "Every Servant has their own desires just as anybody else would."
He leaned closer to the table he was sitting by.
"It is just that, after receiving some advice from some associates of mine, I can't help but notice that you are lacking of particular weapon in your position."
"This banner is more than enough for me."
Watts smiled and checked his scroll. There was nothing there yet.
"Against most others, perhaps. Not so much against people like Salem."
"The Grail can grant the wish of the winner," Ozpin said.
"Yes. But that isn't exactly guaranteed is it? You have to win the Grail War first. It isn't exactly advisable to be so confident in one's abilities."
"And what exactly," Raven interjected. "Does Vacuo have that is so vital to this Grail War?"
"That is a secret only for me, I'm afraid." Watts took this opportunity to communicate with Neo. She nodded and took some things out of the bag.
Raven called him out. She drew her blade. "Spill it."
Neo gave him the items. They were a bunch of cups filled with dice. "How about you win it from me, instead?"
"We could end you right now, Watts," Saber warned. "There is no need for us to play your game."
"There really isn't," Watts admitted. "Two against one? Plus, you have a Maiden with you. But there is one thing you have to consider."
"That being?"
A bullet landed just in front of Yang's foot. The glass window that the bullet had come from shattered. The floor tile was completely ruined.
"Are you fast enough to notice the bullet coming for them?" He then turned to address Jeanne. "The rest of you have already seen what miss Neopolitan could do and even I doubt you could use your Noble Phantasm in so quick a time. Even if you did, it isn't exactly going to help against Archer, same for aura now that I think about it. Even if you kill me, well... you know how Archers are with their Independent Action. How long will that take I wonder?"
Ozpin's cane slammed on the table with great force that it cracked and some splinters flew in the air.
"The fate of Remnant's future is at stake, Watts," answered Ozpin. "Name it already and leave."
Watts complied and distributed the cups. There were five of them, each one having five dice.
"Are those the terms should I lose? Alright, I'm okay with that. From you Ozpin, all I wish is for you to stay here and allow me to operate however I please. If it helps, I already have a foothold here in Vale and wish only to see what is happening, make sure they don't go too far."
Ozpin's eyes narrowed then widened. "The criminal underworld. You and Archer?"
He didn't deny any of it. "Black market is still a market. Vale certainly needs all the help it can get to get its economy back. Archer and I are only doing our part at keeping some modicum of order here."
Both Watts and Ozpin put their dice in their cups. Slamming them down on the table, there was a sudden third cup that was involved. It was Raven who swiped one of her own.
"My turn," Raven demanded. "I don't want any involvement with you or Salem." She then turned to Ozpin. "And you don't get to bring me to the front line."
"Fine." Ozpin didn't even look in Raven's direction. "My terms for you still stand. Nothing more than that."
"I'm afraid I can't extend the same courtesy," Watts replied. "The League has further use for you, miss Branwen. No Salem, I can assure you of that."
Surprising everyone else, there was a fourth cup that came after. The hand the cup belonged to was Jeanne d'Arc.
"I have no terms for Ozpin," Jeanne said. "I'm sharing Ozpin's wager against Raven. Against you, I want answers." She turned to them both. Raven nodded, accepting it. Then, she returned to Watts. "No secrets. Your goal for this Grail War."
"Now that's just unfair," Watts said. "But fine. My wager against Raven extends to you, miss d'Arc."
With the extra dice, each one rolled for their turn, the highest had the first turn. Each player had five dice each. Neo had taken the final cup and extra dice away. Of course, they waited for a while longer in case anyone else wanted to join in. Since there were none, with one final look, they began their game of Liar's Dice.
The order of turns was as follows: Raven followed by Jeanne, followed by Watts, followed by Ozpin. Everyone checked their own dice. For Watts, he had two twos, two sixes, and one four.
"Two twos," Raven began. Already, she eliminated the ones.
"So low?" Watts asked.
"The world of Remnant is at stake, Watts," Ozpin defended. "We shouldn't even throw away our time in this gamble."
"Now where's the fun in that?"
"Two threes," Jeanne interrupted. "Let's just play the game."
"Three threes." Watts yawned. The beginning is rarely ever exciting. He might as well raise the number. They most certainly would take a long time to get there. They would probably get through all the maximum number before even considering of upping the bid.
"Four threes," Ozpin said. That was interesting. The headmaster didn't even bother to double-check his dice. Watts knows his dice which left Raven and Jeanne.
Not like any of that mattered. Watts could really only call out Jeanne here as she took the turn before his own. Like it or not, it was three against one here with Watts.
"So confident, are we, Ozpin?" Watts asked. "You only looked through your cup once."
"Continue, miss Branwen." Ozpin ignored Watts. The headmaster adopted that old teacher's tone. Watts remembered those teachers; they were usually the students' least favorite. Even he wasn't exempted on that front.
"Come now." Watts feigned hurt. "Here I am making honest conversation in an otherwise dishonest game, but that is simply the rules of the game. If anything, this would be preferable than a death match, isn't it?"
"Two fours," Raven managed to spurt out. Her eyes darted towards Jeanne. She stared hard. Shame then, Jeanne didn't notice for her eyes were far too focused on Watts.
Watts checked his again. The one four is certainly accounted for but distributed between the four of them? That was still fairly low. But that wasn't Watts' concern. His concern was the fact that Raven's pupils turned to the next player.
Everyone else's eyes were on the current player but Jeanne almost hyper-focused on his.
Jeanne checked her own again. She licked her lips. First drops of sweat formed. They moved but there was no sound that was heard nor was there any chance for him to figure out based on the movement. She couldn't keep a straight face. Such is the case of inexperience.
"Have you ever wondered about a peculiarity of Dust?" Watts asked. He might as well give her some time to think. "They are used quite heavily in our society and yet we know so little about them."
"What's it to you?" Raven asked. "You use Dust just as much as anyone else."
"Of course I do," Watts replied. Finally, some conversation. "I just find it rather odd that when it comes to a particular… phenomenon, Dust seems to fail. Almost as if there is some inherent quality in every piece of Dust that keeps us bounded to this world."
"You are referring to Dust failing when interacting with the atmosphere outside of Remnant," Ozpin said. Even better! "I have to agree with Raven. What is it to you?"
"Three fours," she managed to put out. The voice was rather weak. It was too soft to be heard from where he was sitting.
Watts clicked his tongue. For a moment, Jeanne appeared excited but buried it back down. Ozpin and Raven did not express anything at all. Their own eyes only narrowed. Clever, these two.
Still, Watts continued. "I'm assuming that everyone in this household knows of the truth?" His eyes drifted towards the young Xiao-Long. She was staring at him with annoyance. Watts will admit pity for the poor girl when she tried to scratch an itch on a limb that was no longer there. "I wouldn't want to reveal when it isn't my place."
Ozpin sighed. "Yes," he said. "Everyone here knows of it. My and Salem's immortality. The question I asked Jinn, and the existence of the Brothers."
"Ah excellent," Watts replied. "But first, what was the last bid again? Four fours?"
"Three fours," Jeanne corrected.
"Right, of course. Many thanks, miss d'Arc." Now for something interesting. "Two sixes."
Every player's hairs, except for Watts, stood stiff. Oh? Now isn't that interesting? Watts knew he didn't have a five. Was that their plan? Perhaps not. However, that momentary chill that swept over them all was too telling. Watts kept his face as neutral as he could but that was asking for a lot.
"Three sixes," Ozpin said. His eyes turned to Raven. They both caught each other looking.
The non-players, barring Neo, were beginning to sweat a little as well. They could tell something was going on with the players on the table. Saber in particular was biting his lip as he threw daggers in Watts' direction with his eyes. Taiyang was already moving to protect his daughter.
Neo only yawned and pulled out her scroll. The two shared a look and Neo shook her head. Watts supposed he could keep it going.
"Well," Watts began conversation again. "Since we all know the truth of the matter here, you ever wondered that there just might be some kind of connection between Dust and the fact that these fairytales of ours actually exist?"
"You believe that the Brother gods have something to do with Dust?" Raven guessed. "What kind of conspiracy theories have you been reading?"
"Conspiracy theory implies a ludicrous statement, miss Branwen," Watts corrected. Him? Conspiracies? That's laughable. "Were it any other time, perhaps you might have had a point. But we already know that the Brother's exist and that magic does to. I would have said that once you eliminate the impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Despite their distance from each other, Watts was certain that Archer was laughing like a madman. Even Neo seemed to be chuckling. Jeanne and Saber visibly cringed. Ah, the Holy Grail. It was a shame that such knowledge couldn't be imparted on the Masters who wouldn't know any better. Watts would pay good lien just to see their faces.
"I don't just believe, miss Branwen," Watts continued. "I know that the Brothers have something to do with it. They are responsible for everything on Remnant. Well, most everything." The Grail War certainly isn't something that these Brother gods would approve of. "I'm still eliminating the impossible part but I'm rather curious if any of you have any input. You especially, Ozpin, given your experiences."
"You would not find it from me," Ozpin replied. "And even if I had any, I would never share it with someone knowing that they're still aligned with her."
"Only those aligned?" Raven added. Watts made sure that no one else looked his way before squeezing a smirk of his own. "I would honestly be fine with that being kept a secret. It's bad enough with Salem around."
"Yes." Watts nodded. "It is bad enough that Salem is involved."
"And yet, on her side you are." Ozpin's eyes narrowed.
"Am I really?" Watts rested his head on his free hand while his other hand kept the cup with the dice in place. "Salem just recruits those that happen to align with her goals. Mine just happened to, once upon a time."
"Once?" Jeanne didn't miss it.
"Oops." Watts put a hand over his mouth. "Can't tell anymore otherwise the wagers are all moot."
"Four sixes," Raven said. She pressed on. "You're not aligned with Salem anymore, are you?"
"I'm a Master myself, now." Watts raised both hands in surrender. "Shouldn't that be proof enough that I wasn't always going to be loyal to her? I'm not exactly planning to use a Command Spell to have Archer kill himself when I have a chance of my own wish."
"You're just mad that Jimmy picked someone else." Raven smirked. It was forced and a distraction for herself. "Pietro Polendina. What? Sore because daddy iron-side has a favorite child?"
Watts will give Raven that. His mood certainly soured. "Pietro." There was still some seething anger at the name. He took a deep breath. "He's alright. Definitely someone who's capable of great things if he puts his soul into it, literally."
Jeanne was checking her dice again. Both she and Ozpin shared a look of concern. But there was an element of trust and faith there.
"But," Watts continued. "I've been enlightened to some new information. One that would take me to new heights. Sure, I'll be standing on the shoulders of giants but that is the nature for anyone in search of knowledge."
"Five sixes," Jeanne said. She took her gamble.
Five sixes? Counting his own, that left three more unaccounted for. Ozpin, Raven, and Jeanne all looked to him intently. Watts had his eyes closed as he contemplated the number. She had only raised it by one. Ozpin and Raven had looked at each another before that.
Then, Watts smiled. It was the most expressive that he allowed himself in front of his fellow players. He savored it as he licked his lips. "Eight sixes."
The light breeze outside was deafening. He got them. There was no doubt about it. Neo was certainly grinning from ear to ear while Taiyang looked as though he had just lost his house. Yang wasn't so certain as well but she knew enough to know that it wasn't looking good for the other players.
There were only two options. They could end it here or they could prolong the inevitable. It was a shame that Watts could only call out the last player if the latter was chosen. His eyes drifted towards Jeanne who already knew what was going to happen if that did.
"Now then, about Pietro," Watts continued. "Certainly, he did well enough to put himself in that position. But in light of recent events, I believe that there is something else that is worth more, even greater than what Remnant has seen before."
"Nine sixes." Ozpin looked away in shame. Raven turned to him and looked like she had been stabbed in the back. Jeanne, by contrast, had that acceptance to her. Then, Ozpin turned to Watts and said, "what is it about Dust not working outside of Remnant's atmosphere that concerns you?"
"Oh, I just think that perhaps, just perhaps, that the big Brothers upstairs aren't quite ready to let us go yet," Watts replied. "I would compare them to mother birds who aren't quite ready for her little chicks to leave the nest."
"Ten sixes," Raven still chose to raise it. "You better not be putting me on the front line, Watts."
"I'm afraid that is not up to me to decide," Watts said. "For one, the game is still on-going. Second, I am but a mere member of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It is they who have a use for you." He then turned to Jeanne. "Miss d'Arc?"
"Raven," Jeanne said. "I wish you both good luck." She took a deep breath. "Eleven sixes."
"Now that," Watts replied. "Is statistically improbable. I did not think that you would lie, oh Holy Maiden."
With the final declaration, all players removed their cups.
Jeanne d'Arc had two ones and one of two, three, and six. Raven had one of one and two each, and had three sixes. Ozpin had one two, two ones, and two sixes. Combined that with Watts own and his initial guess had been correct: eight sixes.
It was Neo who took the cups and dice away. Ozpin looked away while Raven looked down on the table.
"What is it that you want me to do?" Jeanne asked.
"Oh, the League isn't going to ask you too much," Watts said. "Only that you should go back to Vacuo and pick up a certain treasure the last Grail War left behind."
"You knew of the last Grail War?" Ozpin's face turned to shock.
"I can reveal that much, I think," Watts admitted. "Now that the game's over. Mistral's Companion Archer has been gifted some knowledge courtesy of the Saber—and winner—of the last Grail War. Knowledge that had been passed on to other members of the League."
"And you're using it to put yourself ahead." Ozpin accused. "Wait, Mistral?" His eyes widened.
"I assure you, Ozpin. Your students are safe. The League is a temporary alliance at best and one of the conditions that I had to adhere to was that no harm was to come to your students until our shared mission is accomplished. Otherwise, two of them would come for me and even I'm not confident in Archer enough for that. It took me, Cinder, and Salem's own Servants to deal with one of them."
"What am I supposed to get in Vacuo?" asked Jeanne.
"A certain… gift, that a King of Heroes left behind specifically for our purpose. Assassin's Master is the instigator of this Grail War you see, and one I consider to be my personal enemy given that his goals are against my own."
Neo's scroll dinged.
"Ah," Watts said. "It's here."
"What is—" Taiyang asked before being interrupted by Neo playing the recording.
It is done, Ozpin. They could hear the voice of Raven. It was slightly off but there was no mistaking that it was close to Raven's own voice.
Excellent, the voice of Ozpin replied. Proceed to phase two, lieutenant.
As you wish, high leader. Now, it was Jeanne's voice that was heard. For the White Fang. The humans will know fear.
The players all turned to Watts. He pulled out his own scroll from his breast pocket, revealing that it had been under a call. Watts then ended the call.
There was a slamming noise that was heard. It was followed by gunshots.
What was that? Ozpin's voice demanded. Intruder! Get him!
"It certainly was nice talking with each and every one of you," Watts said. But before he stood up, Saber's sword were inches from his neck.
"The game had been a lie." Saber's voice seethed through his gritted teeth.
"Well you know about lies." Watts raised both arms. "They travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on their shoes."
No shots were fired this time.
"Before you even think about it," Watts told them. "I'd like to remind you that my Servant is an Archer. He could last a day or two even when I'm gone. While the truth certainly would come out eventually, will it come before the second Grimm invasion? Is Vale really ready for that?"
"Why?" Ozpin asked.
"How many times must I say it?" Watts made an ugly face. "I'm also a Master, old man! We can't all be prodigy huntresses, magic-powered migraines, immortal dread queens, and reincarnating kings, now could we? There's more than one way to wage a Grail War and by my wits will I take what I can get! We are being denied the horizon beyond and I intend to be the very man who brings this world to that next frontier. I will be the man who brings Remnant to that ocean just above us!"
Saber lowered his sword.
Watts continued. "And I will not let some god take my chance of getting the place I deserve away from me."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Raven crossed her hands. "Are you implying that the Brother gods are in this war?"
"Once upon a time," Watts said. He thought he had been obvious enough but whatever."There was a little prince that came into this world of Remnant. I don't know if the Grail granted you that knowledge Saber, but you most certainly would have heard of the little child, miss d'Arc. Have you ever heard of the Voyager space probe?"
/-/
In the desert sands of Vacuo, the Archer and Lancer Servants stared at one another. In the corner, there was Saber who bore witnessed to this incident. One of Archer's treasures was granted to Saber. With Saber was a woman, a Maiden.
"Saber," commanded Archer. "You know what it is that you need to do."
"Of course." Saber nodded. "I'll keep it hidden for when they return."
"Good." Archer then turned to Lancer. "Now, then. It is time for us to end this farce."
"Forgive me, Archer," replied Lancer. "I only wished that it didn't have to be this way."
"Don't be, my friend." Archer didn't chastise Lancer. Archer had always been rather soft when it comes to Lancer. Though, that is more the case of comparison against the other Servants of that Grail War. Archer never really took anything seriously until he knew of Lancer.
But when Lancer's Master had been revealed, there was a great anger that swept up within Archer. To use Lancer just as he had been used in that life of his was a sin most damnable.
"Let us take this as solace," Archer said. "And give this world the greatest gift that only we can bestow it."
Lancer smiled. "Of course." Lancer then got to his knees.
Archer ascended to the high heavens. Then, Archer addressed the Maiden. "Mongrel, rejoice! For you shall bear witness to a great sight! Burn it in your memories for none shall match its splendor."
Saber took his cue to run. He couldn't afford to look back nor did he wish to bear witness of the terrible majesty that would soon engulf Remnant. By contrast, the Maiden kept her distance, certainly, but she made sure to look back. Her Servant had many problems, most of it derived from ego. But that ego is deserved for one who claims to be the King of Heroes.
The ground beneath Lancer began to glow. Storm clouds gathered above Archer. Their hairs stood as energy built up around them. There were no witnesses to this splendor except for Saber who kept running, bringing with him the treasure that had been entrusted to him. Archer was in a good mood to let even let any of his treasures go. Then again, this world didn't exactly know anything of the splendor of Earth. Perhaps it is only a king's duty to show off the treasures of his kingdom.
Sky and land were torn asunder. A great force from the lands below rose to meet the descending might of the heavens above. Great booms shook the ground and left behind a mark that would last for eternity. The source of such majesty and power would soon vanish from the world themselves. But they both swore that Remnant would bear witness to the greatest that their world could provide. All things that were between them ceased to be.
Great shadows would have been cast from those far enough from the tearing of this part of the world. But none of those shadows could even reach the ground for the primordial lights that blinded the deserts washed over them like a great flood. Fortunate birds flew high above and the creatures of the ground buried themselves as deep into the recesses as none of them were deemed worthy of this sight. Saber felt a great envy for many of them. He too wished to hide behind cover.
Fortune was with him then, for Saber was familiar with the art of running away, his feet were fleet as he pushed them to be. Even from many kilometers away, the captain of the Argonauts still felt the blistering heat gluttonously eating away the hairs on his back. It did not come from the desert sun but from Archer and Lancer for the sun above was but a cold star at this moment. Remnant's Great War is fought on a different side of the continent, its people were absent and could never beheld the mighty splendor that is but a taste of creation itself.
Even above him, Saber could see that the divine drakes fled from the might of the beginning. The truest form of power that even they are subject to. Remnant's Brothers had fled, beholding genesis. Makers of Remnant are but a demiurge in the face of those great powers from that faraway place, powers gifted to the mortals of that world. The primordial waters gushed further out. Saber could feel the first waves coming close to kiss his already wearied feet.
Creation continued to destroy all things in its wake. A permanent mark was left behind on Remnant, a reminder of the glittering light from that faraway place. That place that brought its story to Remnant. Nothing was left, not even ashes remained. When it was done, neither Archer nor Lancer remained. They had fallen together.
But had anyone been there in the middle of it, they would have heard the laughter of two heroic spirits. Friends from one the oldest stories of that pale blue dot. Amidst the deafening tear of all things, the voices of Archer and Lancer would have been heard in perfect sync.
"Enuma Elish!"
AN: Criticism on this one is absolutely welcome. Bit experimental with how this was done. The reason why I say this is because trying to make intellectual characters be actually intellectual generally means that I have to come up with something that seems intellectual and not just because I said so. That and I also consider dialogue to be my weak points (most of the writing time is spent agonizing the dialogue). Liar's Dice was because I watched this youtube video that explained that scene from PoTC with the rules. It's the only one that I am familiar with that I could fit here so yeah.
Name dropped Jabberwalker's NP (recall the strange light glow on Jabberwalker's claws back in Chapter 4: First Clash), derived from two words found in the Jabberwocky poem. These are one of those abilities that were conceptualized by bouncing off of other Servants. In this case, as a counter to Ozma's Infinite Man. My reasoning is that Oz's reincarnation cycle works on similar principles as ascension in Ever After. This one was conceptualized by thinking in game mechanics: Oz's Infinite Man would likely translate as Guts, therefore, Vorpal Bandersnatch should remove Guts.
Lastly we have the Archer and Lancer of the previous Grail War. I don't think I need to say their names.