AN: As an update, I updated Patricius ch 41 on the explanation of why Johann Sebastian Bach is using Hakuno's Body. To make it simple, different Dimension different Person.
Ch 96 The Count of Despair Pt 1
Thunder echoes throughout the Room as the Servants fight against Theodric Alter. He was caught off guard by Hessian Lobo's Attack and appearance, however, he quickly recovered from the shock.
Lobo has bitten Gevaudan, holding the Beast that terrorized France's Countryside, allowing his rider to slash at the Knight.
Theodric Alter deflected Hessian's Attack by using his Spear to counter the Headless Soldier's Sickles. "What results were you expecting when you confronted me, Hessian?" The Avenger asked, pushing the Phantom Spirit back with his Weapon.
Hessian leaps back, allowing Lobo to catch him on his back. The Avenger ran back from Theodric and Gevaudan, creating some space between them and the Opponent.
Theodric Alter gazed at his Rival, prostrating his Spear at them. "Once again, you are no match against me-" The Avenger paused, turning to a certain Blonde King, aiming his Spear at him.
"Mac an Luin!" A Powerful ray of Water hurls straight for the Avenger, however, Gevaudan uses his Flames to counter the Lancer's Noble Phantasm,
Doing so has canceled the Noble Phantasm, prompting Theodric Alter to thrust bolts of Lightning at the Irish King.
"Hup!" Fionn quickly evaded the Stike, spinning his Spear to deflect the residue of the Attack,
"Utterly foolish, a Noble Phantasm such as yours is useless on me, Fionn mac Cumhaill!" Theodric Alter stated, shifting his attention to Haydee, snipping him with her Attack Spells.
The Altered Spirit slashed away the Attack, "Yet again, a foolish attempt, Lady. I'm aware of all of your Attacks." Theodric said as the Beast he rides growls.
Haydee chuckles, floating on air as the Avenger glares at her. "That I agree, Theodric Alter. However, you let yourself open by turning your attention to me." The red-haired Assassin said,
"I have no choice," Jekyll pops off the lid of the Vial, he lifted the Substance to his lips.
"But to drink it!" The Assassin closes his eyes, forcing himself to take the Vial. He gulps down the Substance, drinking every last drop from the Vial.
"Dr. Jekyll!" Harry called out to the blonde Assassin, seeing a stray Bolt of Lightning heading straight for him. "Look out!"
The Lightning Bolt stuck the Philanthropist dead-on, many of the Servants were looking at where Jekyll was standing. "Jekyll!" Fionn called out to the Assassin,
Soujuurou landed on the ground, looking at where his fellow Servant was standing. "Jekyll, no!" The Living Servant cried,
"Damn, not even all of us going around in circles can't do anything with this guy!" Flat huffs, holding his Knives at the ready,
Suddenly, they all heard something when Theodric Alter shot a Bolt at the Philanthropist. The smoke cleared, revealing Jekyll unscathed by the Attack. "Yes…" Jekyll spoke, moving his Hand over his face, removing his Glasses, and dropping them to the ground.
"Yes…" Jekyll chuckles, shifting his Hand and unbuttoning his Vest before pushing his Hand into his Hair. Doing that caused his hair to be shriveled and unkept,
Jekyll gave a crazed smile, his irises changed from a Blue to Red colorization. "That's it! HAHAHAHA!" The Assassin, now Berserker laughs out loud,
"J-Jekyll?" Harry looks at the blonde Philanthropist, hearing him in a laughing fit. Something similar to a Berserker, "w-What happened to him?" He turns to Abby who is staying by his side.
The orange-haired Foreigner looks at Harry, answering his question. "Jekyll has used his Noble Phantasm, Dangerous Game," Abby explains what happened to the Assassin. "His Noble Phantasm allows him to change into Hyde."
Harry turns to the Berserker, seeing that he wasn't acting the Jekyll he knew. "So…that's Mr. Hyde?" The young Boy asked the Foreigner Servant.
Abby nodded, "He prefers to be called Hyde, no Mister. He hates being formal like that," The Child Servant smiled at the young master.
"Noted," Harry said, taking mental notes on how to address the Berserker.
"Here I come, here I come, here I come!" Hyde laughs, takes out his Knife, and runs towards the Avenger.
Theodric Alter frowns seeing the Berserker heading over to him. Raising his Spear, the Avenger managed to block the Attack. "Hyde, how foolish for you to com-"
"Blah, blah, blah, I could give two shits about what you say." Hyde mocks the Corrupted Knight, and is pushed back by his Spear.
Hyde tosses his Knife to his other Hand, pointing at the Avenger. "If that goody-two shoes, Jekyll deems you as an Enemy, I can roll with that." He points his Knife at Theodric Alter. "After all, there's that Brat over there that convinced my other Half to help him out. Can't exactly go against his Words now, can I?"
Theodric Alter scuffs, his eyes shifted to Soujuurou and Flat gunning for him from the moment he drew his attention towards Hyde. "HA!" The Living Servant propels his Fist, trying to grab hold of his Spear.
However, Gevaudan moved his Head, biting Soujuurou in the arm. The Beast swung his Head toward the Wall,
Soujuurou slammed into the Wall, grunting at the impact before falling to the ground.
Flat took the opportunity to strike at Gevaudan by slashing at him. "Oi! Your Opponent is me, don't forget!" The Counter Force Servant stated,
"Heh, it's hard to forget someone who's very unconventional such as you, Assassin. Or Berserker," Theodric Alter stated, thrusting his Spear while Flat leaped back, dodging his Attack.
Hyde laughs, sneaking up behind the Altered Knight, and landing a hit on him. "Hahaha! Got you where it hurts you, Bastard!" The Berserker laughs as a certain Irish King follows behind.
"Hyde, keep him there!" Fionn twirls his Spear, thrusting into the Avenger.
"GAK!" Theodric Alter cried out, feeling the Lancer's Spear piercing through him.
Gevaudan howls, attempting to get rid of the two Servants off of his rider. However, Zhou Yu leaps over the group, aiming his Bow at the Beast that terrorized France. "HUP!" The Archer released two Arrows, exploding upon reaching their targets.
Taking the moment to stand, the young Boy saw the Living Servant unresponsive "Soujuurou!" Harry got up, heading over to where the Berserker fell.
"Wait, no, Harry!" Abby called out to the young master, swearing underneath before running after him.
Theodric Alter saw the young master running towards the fallen Servant, prompting him to push Flat aside, "What a foolhardy move, young master!" The Avenger raised his Spear, ready to send a Bolt of Lightning at him
"Tch!" Flat clicked his tongue intercepting the Attack with Zhou Yu,
Using his Knife, and Zhou Yu's Spear, the two managed to prevent Theodric Alter from doing anything. "Someone grab master!" The grey-haired Archer asked, wanting his safety to be the top priority.
Lobo howled, charging forward to Harry, with the fact he's a Wolf, the other Half of the Avenger of Shinjuku grabs Harry by the collar. "Huh!?"
Harry was suddenly flipped in the air, which shocked him. He looked behind him, seeing the Giant White Wolf going under him.
He then saw the Headless Man reaching his Hands towards him. In an instance, Hessian grabs hold of the young master of Chaldea, safely positioning him in front of him. "T-Thank you for saving me back there." Harry thanked the Hessian and Lobo,
Hessian gave a thumbs up, causing Harry to giggle at how the Headless Man responded.
Harry smiled, happy to see that communicating with Hessian was easier than he thought. Shaking his Head, he looks at the two, requesting something of them. "Hessian, Lobo, we need to help Soujuurou. I think he's injured." He stated,
Once again, Hessian gave a thumbs to Harry's idea causing Lobo to Howl.
The three heads over to where the Living Servant is lying while the others are keeping Theodric Alter.
They managed to reach the dark-haired Berserker, Harry hopping off the Giant Wolf Phantom Spirit. He ran over to the Living Servant, helping him up, "Soujuurou, are you okay?" The young Boy asked his Father's Servant,
Soujuurou groans, sitting up to his knees after hearing the young master's voice. "Y-Yes, I'm alright, Harry." The Living Servant responds to his voice. "Theodric Alter was stronger than I initially thought."
Harry gave a sigh of relief, seeing Soujuurou was alright. His moment of relaxation was interrupted by the sounds of Thunder and flashes of Lightning caught his attention.
Theodric Alter manages to separate everyone from his Body, freeing him from them restraining him.
Seeing the Servants still fighting the Guardian of Chaldea City, Harry witnessed that both Theodric Alter were on Offense while Gevaudan was defending them. "We need to separate Theodric Alter and Gevaudan, they're way too good working together." The young Boy commented, observing the Battle.
"Agree, I expect nothing less from the King who conquered Italy," Soujuurou commented, he looked at Harry, "What's the plan, Harry."
Harry took a moment to observe the Battle, seeing how the Avenger fought. He then noticed how there was an opening when the King attacked.
"There's an opening when Theodric Alter is attacking," Harry said, taking in what he learned from his Tactics Class.
Soujuurou nodded, asking him some more questions. "Then what should we do?" He asked, testing his Ability to make quick decisions during a Battle such as this.
Harry took a moment to study a bit more about their Foe, and after studying them a bit longer he came up with a plan. "I know that Noble Phantasms are used for emergencies but-"
Soujuurou nodded, waiting for his plan. "Follow what your gut is telling you, Harry. You've been studying under History's Greatest Minds on Tactics and Strategy." The Berserker said, advising the young Boy on what to do.
The young Heir of Chaldea nodded, following what the Living Servant told him to do. He felt the Wolf King stepping beside him, growling at his fellow Avenger.
Looking at the Phantom Spirit, Harry quickly understood that they were ready at his command. "Thanks, Hessian, Lobo." Harry then looks at Abby who was preoccupied by Flaming Claws that appeared.
Abby honed her Outer God Powers, opening many Gates that poured out many Tentacles to eliminate the Familiars. "Abby!" Harry called out to the Foreigner.
The orange-haired Servant shifted her attention to the young master, Abby saw some hand signals indicating a plan of action. "Okay, I understand!" Abby responded, turning her attention to the Battle.
A booming sound of Thunder and flashes of Lightning caught the attention of the group.
"GAH!" Harry heard the screams of the Servants who were keeping the Avenger at bay.
Theodric Alter swung his Spear, throwing Zhou Yu back, "How utterly foolish! You Servants can't restrain the Avatar of the Wild Hunt!" The Avenger announced, causing Gevaudan to roar,
Zhou Yu chuckles, glaring up at the Guardian of Chaldea City. "Don't think that's my only trick, Avenger!" The Archer held his Hand out towards the Pair,
From the ground, Chains erupted, hurling towards the Altered King. The Chains snared Theodric Alter and the Beast that Terrorized France, "Do you believe that mere Chains could restrain me, Archer?" Theodric Alter asked, glaring at the Archer,
"Of course not, but my Chains can at least buy some time for the others to do their Attack." The grey-haired Archer said, smirking at the Avenger.
Theodric Alter ponders on what the Strategist means until he hears something. "Ygnailh... ygnaiih thflthkh'ngha..."
Abby stood in the center edge of the Room, floating off the ground as the Keyhole on her forehead glowed. "The Silver Key in my hand, materialized from the void and touched by these fingertips."
The Foreigner's eyes opened, however, they were cold and decisive. "The god that is my Father... I will be the one in whom that essence dwells...!"
Harry saw a bright light in the form of a Giant Keyhole, he then saw Abby raising her Hand towards the Avenger. "Pass beyond the sleep of roses, and arrive at the Final Gate!"
Tentacles rushed out of the Keyhole, "Qliphoth Rhizome."
The Tentacles grab hold of Theodric Alter, restraining him tighter.
Zhou Yu tightens his Chains upon Abigail Williams's Noble Phantasm deployment. "Keep them steady, Abby." The Archeer stated,
"Heheh…you may be all talk, Theodric Alter. However, you still underestimate us Servants." Abby smiled, staring at the Avenger.
"Your Noble Phantasm can't hold me forever, Abigail. You know it very well," Theodric Alter stated, knowing the Foreigner's Ability very well.
"That may be true, but you forget again," Abby smirks at the Altered Knight. "It's not only me."
"Mr. Sanson, Flat, Hyde!" Harry cried out to the three Servants for their help.
Both Duel-Class and the Assassin Servants leap behind Theodric Alter, "Tch, I know what I'm doing! You don't need to tell me twice, Kid!" Hyde growls, shifting his Knife,
"Will you be quiet, we still have a powerful Enemy here!" Sanson retorted, not great working with Hyde.
Flat chuckles, readying his Knives filled with a dark Aura, "Hey, cut him some slack. Master is still new to this and yet he's well experienced!" The Assassins and Berserker slashed their Knives at Theodric, causing him to grunt and drop his Spear to the ground.
The Chains cranked upon Theodric Alter's struggle to free himself, even Gevaudan was struggling to get free.
"Foolish, no mere Chains nor your Noble Phantasm can hold us!" Theodric Alter announced to the Servants who were restraining them, suddenly he then heard padding rushing closer to them.
Theodric Alter's eyes shifted behind him, seeing Hessian Lobo rushing towards him.
"Ahwooo!"
Lobo Howled, his speed increased as Hessian dismissed the Sickles. His Coat's loose fabric tatters, shifting into larger Sickles, and all rushed toward the Avenger. The Sickles snared Theodric Alter's Armor and Gevaudan's Hide.
"GAH!" Theodric Alter grunted, feeling the Sickles embedded into his Armor.
Gevaudan was roaring in pain, feeling the Sickles embedded into his Hide.
"GO! HESSIAN LOBO!" Harry cried out to the Avenger, believing in their Abilities to defeat the Guardian of Chaldea City.
Lobo leaps into the Air, still holding the Sickle in his Mouth. In a flash Lobo sliced through the two in half, separating both rider and Mount from each other.
Harry looks over to where Theodric Alter and Gevaudan are standing, his chest sank seeing that the Avenger is still standing.
Just when the young master was about to say something Theodric Alter gave a soft scoff. The Avenger then noticed that the Avenger was turning blue dust. "Well done, young master. Your Tactics and use of Servants have done and impressed me," Theodric Alter praised the young Boy.
"I-Is he done?" Harry asked, standing with Soujuurou at the defeated Servant.
"Indeed he is, Theodric Alter is returning to Chaldea City. Hessian Lobo has managed to both separate and damage his Spirit Origins," Haydee explains to the black-haired Boy. "You did well in this Battle, young master." She smiled softly at him.
Fionn steps forward, standing with Zhou Yu and Abby wanting to ask him something. "Sir Theodric, your disappearing means that you accept the young Lord?" The Irish King asked the Avenger.
Theodric Alter looked around the Room, Hessian Lobo was still in their Attack position. The same can be said with Flat, Sanson, and Hyde, all ready to Attack him at any given notice.
The Avenger closed his Flaming eyes, resting his Hand on his Mount. "The young master has stood against the Despair of an Enemy who is stronger than himself." Theodric Alter said to his fellow Chaldean Servants. His eyes then gaze over to Harry, recognizing him as the next master of Chaldea.
However, Theodric Alter didn't say it to him. Instead, he told him something else that could help him in the Battle with Cagliostro. "The Battle beyond that Gate will revoke the Memories of master you've witnessed. Defeat the Count and everything within this space will revert to how it should be." He said as his Body turned to Blue dust,
"I wish you fortune in this Battle, young master." Theodric Alter said before returning to the place he was called from,
Harry watches as the Avenger and his Mount disappear, returning to Chaldea City. He took a moment to process what happened, "W-We did it…" He stumbles back, feeling the aftermath of providing Magical Energy to the Servants.
"Harry!" Soujuurou grabs hold of his master's Son before he falls to the ground. "Easy there, you spent a great deal of Magical Energy during the fight," The Berserker said, his eyes spotted Sanson heading over to them.
Harry nodded, feeling a bit drained from the Battle with the Avenger. "Yeah, I do feel a bit tired." The young Boy said to the Living Servant.
A few moments later, Sanson looked over the black-haired Boy. He puts away his Stethoscope, finishing his examination of Harry. "I see nothing that would cause some concern. What you're experiencing is exhaustion due to you expending too much Magical Energy." The Executor said, looking at Haydee who was the young master's Guardian and his Servant. "If he rests now, then everything will be fine."
"That's a relief to hear," Zhou Yu said, looking at his master. "So you decided to follow me, eh, master?" The Archer asked, raising his brow at him.
"Heh, heh…um, that's half of it," Harry said, answering his Servant's question. He then looks at the others, explaining why he was here.
"Huh, we did try our best to suppress the Trama master endured during his Journey," Fionn stated, looking at everyone.
Abby sighs, looking at the ground. "Seems that the Count's Familiars are crafty that they slip by us." The Foreigner commented before looking at the young master. "Well, now that Harry is here, we can quickly defeat the Count!"
"Heh, easier said than done," Hyde spoke, slumping his back. A starch difference in Personality from Jekyll. "That Shit-Head has one thing coming if he decides to continue this Bullshit."
Flat chuckles, wrapping his arm around his fellow Double Classed Servant. "Hey now, that's one foul mouth you got there Buddy!" The Assassin commented, "It's been a while since you came out," He nudged his side with his other knuckles.
Hyde's face scrunched up when the Pseudo-Servant casually walked up to him. "The Hell? Don't you casually wrap your arms around me!" The Berserker scolded the Killer.
"Awe, deep down you know you love me!" Flat laughs, causing Hyde to grumble,
Harry was taken aback at how different Henry Jekyll was from Hyde. Much like how the Novel described him, "Hyde is exactly how I picture him in Person, a completely different Personality from Dr. Jekyll." He commented,
"Is that so? Pretty much everyone is used to Jekyll shifting to Hyde at any given time." Soujuurou added to what Harry said.
"Don't forget about the newcomers to Chaldea, Soujuurou," Haydee commented, looking at Zhou Yu and Harry, considering them new. She then placed her Hand on Harry's shoulders, smiling down at him.
Lobo approaches Harry, allowing the young Boy to pet his Fur. "So now that we defeated Theodric Alter, how do we get through the Gate?" Harry asked, expecting the Gate to open once they defeated the Avenger. "I expected it to be open once we defeated him."
"That we're not sure of, young master. We've been here for a while and we still don't know how to open it." Sanson said, standing from the ground. "Count of Monte Cristo has a way to get through the Gate, so he went ahead of us." The Assassin explains to the young master.
Harry ponders, looking down at the floor to think of a way for them to enter the Gate. His eyes stared down his Shadow before something ran across his Mind. He looks up at the Servants, sharing what he has in Mind. "How about-"
"I just take you there, master Harrison." Everyone froze, turning to where the Gate was.
There standing at the foot of the entrance was the very Person responsible for this endeavor, the one who caused a lot of Trauma to the young master's Mind.
"Count Alessandro di Cagliostro," Harry said the Pretender's True Name, causing the Servants to retaliate.
"HAHAHAHA! Gotcha where I want you!" Hyde laughs, raising his Knife at the Count. "Oi, follow me!"
Flat took the opportunity to follow the Berserker's lead, "Right, here I go!"
Zhou Yu raises his Bow at the Pretender, releasing three Arrows at him.
Hessian used his Sickle to push Harry back as Lobo charged at the grey-haired Count.
"No, wait!" Haydee exclaims, sensing something was off with him.
Everyone was nearing the Pretender, only for him to glitch away. "What!?" They all halted their Attacks, seeing Cagliostro disappear on them. "Where did he go?" Hyde asked,
Lobo sniffs around, trying to find the scent of the Enemy.
"Well that was strange, but nothing to expect from the Count," Fionn commented, looking around before noticing that someone was missing. "Wait, where's the young Lord!?" The Irish King asked the Servants around them.
Abby and Soujuurou look at where Harry is supposed to be. "H-He was supposed to be beside us?" Abby exclaims, searching for the young master.
"Yes, but it seems that the young master was taken by the Count," Soujuurou said, gazing at the others, however, he did notice that another of their group was missing as well, "And not only Harry, but his Servant too."
"Tch," Hyde clicked his tongue, finding this to be annoying.
Flat turns to Haydee, requesting her to do something. "Hey, Haydee you know a way to get to where the two are?" The Counter Force Servant asked her.
The Assassin nodded, "I'll do what I can, Flat."
Atlantic Celestial Defense Station
"Seems the Boy is in serious trouble," Zeus stated, observing things with his master's Son in the Battle for his right to be Heir. He was spectating how the Boy progressed with his master, seeing him grow during the Adventure he had.
He saw many things, the good times with both his Parents and the Bad with the Anti-Succession Faction. Fortunately, there are a few in the Station who oppose the idea of a new master to serve. (Castor and Aphrodite)
Regardless, there are still plenty who either side with the Neutral Faction or the Succession Faction. Zeus is a part of the Neutral Faction's Leader along with another who could rival him. "Do you intend to intervene, Zeus?" A feminine voice spoke to him.
"No, I do not intend to intervene in…heh, my Grandson's fight," Zeus stated, playing his part as a Ruler Servant into play. "This Battle is something he must do. Plus, I believe my presence will scare the Boy after seeing my Battle with his Father." The Ruler stated, looking at a certain blonde Woman with red eyes and a beautiful gown of white and blue.
This Woman goes by many Names, the Planet's Representative, the Princess of the True Ancestors, the Ultimate One, the Moon Cancer; Archetype: Earth, however many would know her as Arcuied Brunestud.
"Yes, I do agree as well. I have never interacted with Children before, but I do know of them." Arcuied said, gazing at the Oracle before Zeus. "However, this Child has piqued my interest a bit. Do you mind if I watch him with you, Zeus?"
Zeus chuckles, not denying the Ultimate One. "Not at all, Archetype. What about you, Caster of Bermuda?" He asked the newcomer to this place.
A blonde Man cloaked in white smiles, gazing up at the Trial of Despair. "So…that's him then…interesting choice as your Son, Fujimaru." He smiles, placing his hand over his chin and watching as things unfold.
AN: How do you like it? Which one do you want Harry to meet first, Hakuno or Hakunon? The other will be introduced when they return to Chaldea main base/Chaldea City. Please leave a comment or review.