Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

95. Chapter 95

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

…..

95- Optimal Strategy II: Desperate Measures

…..

After a flash of light Akeno found herself not knowing where she was. Looking around, the ravenhead could see nothing but darkness. She tried to take a step but her feet felt heavy and when she looked down it wasn't her long legs which she saw. It was a pair of stubby legs and childish feet.

"Akeno!" Unfortunately, before she could have a conscious thought, a voice cut through the darkness. It was a familiar figure very similar to the one she saw in the mirror every day.

"Okaa-chan." Instinctively the girl lifted her arms asking to be carried which she was but not as a gesture of love.

There was plenty of love in Shuri's arms but the woman, a mature ravenhead with a considerable stature with a frame as tall as her daughter would have one day but with shorter hair, was panicking while holding her daughter and began accelerating as fast as her long legs could allow her.

Shuri was a beautiful woman and it was evident her daughter took after her plenty. Their hair was the same, their faces almost a mirror except by the fact her girl still had baby fat. Their eye colors were also different with the daughter sporting violet while the mother had light shade of brown.

Another contrast between them was that Akeno was joyful and happy, her laughter singing a song of wonder while Shuri's expression couldn't be farther from such pleasantries if she tried as her steps grew faster.

"Now listen here Akeno-chan. We are going to play a game." Contrary to her words, her features showed fear if not downright dread. Yet she tried to maintain a happy tone for her daughter's sake, her hand keeping the girl's head on her shoulder as she looked behind.
"Yay!" Excitement poured from Akeno who started clapping with happiness, not noticing her hands growing slightly as her body advanced into a more later state of infancy.

Still a girl, still impotent yet more aware of her surroundings because either she was living a dream or reliving a memory. Or a mixture of both that still kept her unaware of the wheres, the whys and hows. Unfortunately there were certain things a dreamer just couldn't do unless they were lucid dreaming.

Akeno didn't notice her change of age or how she went from a toddler to a small girl who one day would hold a beauty beyond peer. Despite being young, her features grew more majestic and her presence more noticeable. Small things that most wouldn't notice which were also gifts of her lineage.

Such a child always found attention easily, sometimes not the best kind. "Oka-san?" The smaller ravenhead tried to leave her parent's grip but the older woman held her tightly. "Oka-san. What is wrong?"

With growth came a different attitude as her voice was still full of love but lacking the naivety and innocence of a baby. Yet that was still a younger version of the Queen of Gremory and still plenty innocent and optimist as she was unable to detect the shift on the air and the encroaching danger at that age.

Yet, even back then, the situation was odd enough that the curious child couldn't help but question her mother who only glimpsed back for a second before marching faster, trying to get away and escape something.

Or someone.

Unlike her daughter, Shuri hasn't aged a day and if either that was her memory or the dream it was impossible to know. "Don't worry, Akeno-chan. Don't worry. They aren't going to hurt us." She tried to smile and reassure her daughter but then a shadow, one that she couldn't hide from the girl, crossed their field of vision. "Oh no!"

"Oka-san?" Before she could ask anything Akeno found herself being dragged close to a flight of stairs. "Oka-san?"
"Akeno- We don't have time!" Something moved inside the house before a light of some sort blinked and the growl of a beast reached the women's ears. Shuri looked back again but only for an instant before racing towards the second floor just before a loud noise came from the front door. "Hold on, Akeno-chan."

Lots of noises could be heard from all around the house: vases breaking, chairs falling apart, a closet crashing on the floor with several plates sharing its fate and the loud bang of someone trying to take down a wall.

Because in truth Baraqiel didn't leave his wife and child unprotected. Several powerful barriers were woven all around their residence. Their combined might was strong enough to hold back an atomic bomb. Certainly enough to keep the ravenheads safe until he could return or strong enough to make noise if somebody managed to break it.

Unfortunately there were two ways to crack such a strong protection: brute force or extreme finesse. The latter was a particularly effective method because using many powerful shields while keeping a place inconspicuous truly didn't work well together. All because it lacked a ley line or anything similar instead using only a key stone as a battery.

And it was easy for anyone to notice when it was tampered with, Shuri had jumped to her feet once the system Baraqiel left behind started to show some irregularities which indicated somebody was about to take it down.

Knowing that anyone trying something like that couldn't be friendly, the mother moved quickly to collect her daughter and escape. In vain because she noticed several shadows on her doors leaving nowhere to run.

The younger Akeno hadn't noticed those shadows but the boundary between her dream self and real self began to grow thin as the nightmare unfolded. She knew exactly how that day was going to end but instead of an immediate memory, the child only felt an immense sense of dread.

Her mother took her upstairs, stairs so high that seemed to have no end yet paradoxically and suddenly they stopped when they arrived nowhere.

Only it wasn't anywhere as soon as the structure took shape.

A wall and a window leading outside.

Suddenly Akeno grew aware the time was running out. "Wait! Oka-"

"You need to run, Akeno." Shuri began pushing her daughter outside as gently but urgently as possible. "You need to run, now!" Yet her daughter held her hand firmly not out of fear of being on the second floor but just to not let her mother go. Once again the older ravenhead tried to smile but she must have seen something because once she looked back, she could only panic. "Let go. You have to run. Don't worry about me, your father is going to be here soon." Finally the woman managed a sincere smile, one which struck her daughter with belief and certainty. "He is going to be here soon. Go. We will find you later."

The child nodded involuntarily for the dreamer knew that wasn't going to happen. Her mother's Fate was to die there and so the smaller ravenhead tried to keep holding her hand.

In vain because the dream, the memory, was still playing as it should and even if it was with some reluctance Akeno still started letting go of Shuri's hand no matter how much the current Akeno fought against that motion.

She struggled, her jumbled mind starting to awake but not enough to break the nightmare as the area of her childhood home started to grow darker as shadows which weren't there started to take form.

Truly it was night when those events happened, one without Moon and in a isolated corner of the town around the temple she would one day reside. Later because of Fuyuki's expansion there would be more buildings in that zone but in the nightmare and in the past the area was mostly empty.

But even then the stars allowed some visibility, more than enough to Akeno thanks to her bloodline which gave her several benefits since birth.

Only that she was in a nightmare and her memories were growing distorted because of her emotions.

Of the fear that was there when she was little and never left.

So those shadows gave form to the assailants who first attacked her home even if she never saw them. They surrounded the place like ants, indistinguishable from each other and moving constantly despite not really having a form. Truth was that the girl had never seen who was attacking her home so her mind couldn't fill the blanks.

Yet she was still left with shapeless figures while her brain tried to process what they were, scaring her back in the recess of her own mind due to trauma.

During that process the memory played as it should, Shuri reassuring, "Your father and I will find you soon, my sweet angel." The conviction in her tone stayed with her daughter for years after her death. "Don't worry. Find somewhere to hide and wait for us. Don't let anyone see you."
Yet it was that conviction that doomed her, the certainty her husband had to be on his way and she just needed to keep her daughter safe for a few hours. Fortunately she sent Akeno away instead of taking a risk because no matter how much Baraqiel wished otherwise, he arrived too late.

And Akeno's mind represented it horribly by slowly turning Shuri into a skeleton, her flesh falling apart until there were only bones left.

Her teeth were perfectly white as her skull repeated. "Your father is going to be here soon."
"NO!" Akeno almost jumped from bed before gathering herself and cleaning up the sweat from her forehead. "A nightmare… it was just a nightmare."

Holding her head, the ravenhead took some time and several deep breaths to calm down but eventually she did as the dream became a fog lost in her mind. At least the dream did, the memories of that day stayed firmly in her grasp.

Much like a certain magus and a fire, her mother's death was her Origin.

Not in the most literal sense but it left a mark, a scar so deep in Akeno's heart that the very memory made her flinch because that was the day she learned life could be cruel. As a child who had been loved and protected since birth, losing that security blanket so abruptly and hearing her mother's death hurt her deeply.

She remembered the screams and the hybrid was glad that at least the people who murdered her mother at least offered her the mercy of a quick death as she stood defiantly for her husband and daughter.

The Crow and his Spam as her pursuers called them.

After that Akeno didn't trust anyone and ended up living in the streets for several days because the cornerstone of her trust was her parents. Her mother was dead, her father had failed to save them and failed to find her. For days she moved around, avoiding anyone strange or familiar and almost starving to death.

Fortunately somebody found her, someone friendly.

At least one of Shuri's killers had been a devil subordinate to the Gremory. They had been thirsty for vengeance for a reason or another against Baraqiel and joined a group of the same mind. Considering the ceasefire was still tense, all of them were quickly branded criminals.

Rias Gremory had been brought to Earth for the first time at her request once she heard they were going to Japan. Okita, who was the main responsible for the idea, acted as the Heiress' bodyguard as she watched Justice being delivered before moving around the town as any tourist would.

It was then that they found each other and Akeno met the first person she would trust again.

'I shouldn't waste time remembering the past.' Medusa's High Priestess started getting out of bed before looking at herself and noticing the loose robe somebody had dressed her in. It was a pure white night dress that almost reached her knees and left little to the imagination. 'Someone must have bathed me after the fight. After Fenrir.'

Knowing that they were in Medusa's Temple reassured her that, at the very least, the situation was under control. She had no idea how her friends dealt with Fenrir but that was the sort of thing she could ask in the morning. Because looking to the huge window turned to the West, she could see the stars greeting her with the night.

Slowly she pulled herself out of her huge bed, a bed even bigger than the one she had at home because Medusa demanded that her High Priestess' room should be as good as hers and that implied the sort of room that a five star hotel would call 'presidential suite'.

Familiar colors of purple and violet filled siad room which, besides the giant bed, also had a giant closet which could be easily called a second room, its own bathroom, equally huge, and a statue depicting a giant snake embracing a smiling woman.

Once out of the bed Akeno made her way to the closet and separated her priestess outfit for after a bath. However she opted for a quick shower instead and soon the hybrid found herself sitting in front of a mirror, tying her hair in her favorite ponytail. Once finished, the young woman studied herself for a few moments.

Thanks to the nightmare, the memory of her mother was in the forefront of her mind and she couldn't help but see Shuri in the mirror. "Oka-san… Oka-chan, sorry that it took me so long to meet with Otou-san. I know it wasn't his fault but when you died…" Placing the hand on the mirror, she did her best to imagine her hair with shorter hair and wiser eyes. "Would you be disappointed with me? That I kept blaming him for so long and…"
In the end she knew the answers weren't there and so she finished fixing herself before leaving her room.

Because Akeno remembered her father getting hurt and couldn't stay still. 'The damage from Fenrir isn't something that can just heal. And if we are in the temple…' Outside her room she found herself in a spacious hallway which led to many paths and doors in each of them. '... they must be in the infirmary.'

Not really familiar with the temple, the ravenhead could only trust the memory of a couple previous visits when she barely explored the place with Medusa. The goddess knew every nook and cranny but her priestess could only claim to know enough to navigate through it.

Which was how her feet managed to take her two floors down where the infirmary resided after a minute or so looking for it. There she didn't hesitate to gently open the door to peek at who was inside.

Relief and sadness warred within her. 'Nobody died…' She let out a breath of relief before fully opening the door and stepping in. With silent steps she passed through several beds where her friends rested thanks to the temple's attendants. 'Everyone looks fine. Fully healed and not tired at least.'

She saw Kiba and Ravel sleeping peacefully and giggling upon noticing Ise stretching everywhere on his bed with Asia sitting on a chair by his side. Rias, Luvia, Koneko were absent but she remembered they were on the furthest part of the fight. Who she expected to see but didn't was Shirou since he had been struck by Fenrir.

Much like Baraqiel and Azazel who were resting side by side, their expressions almost stone-like as both were resting and barely breathing. Looking around again the hybrid failed to find the magus but trusted he was alive or her best friend would have called the Underworld.

So instead of worrying she followed an urge to sit on her father's right, her uncle's left.

An urge she could barely process.

The desire of a daughter to know her father was well.

Akeno focused on Baraqiel, her hand resting on his. She felt his warmth and grew even more relieved that he was alive. The calluses the Fallen of Lightning had accumulated in his long existence also greeted her and she giggled. Once upon a time that hand could easily lift her up without a fuss.

"I am glad you are safe." Akeno's finger traced the man's palm. Careful to not wake anyone, even fearful of waking the fallen angel, she began whispering. "When you were struck down… I was blind with rage. So blind." Looking at her friends and noticing how none of them had any scratches from the Wolf of Ragnarok, she could conclude that, "Maybe I even hurt a few of them. I will apologize later but for now your apology comes first. It is a bit overdue." Sadness grew in her face as she held her father's hand tightly. "It wasn't your fault that Oka-san died. It wasn't your fault that those monsters found our home and I … I shouldn't have blamed you for any of it."
For a moment her gaze settled on his face as if she was waiting for him to awake but nothing happened. There was no change on his pained expression and not even a twitch on his body as he laid there soundly asleep. Looking at his chest, she feared lifting his covers and seeing the wounds Fenrir left on him.

Instead Akeno took comfort that her father still drew breath. "... Honestly, I have no idea what else to everything I…" She paused before chuckling in a self deprecating manner. "... I know you looked for me, after all this, I am sure. Why didn't you… find me? Did something go wrong? Where did everything go wrong? Something held you back. Something happened. I just wish I saw that sooner so we could connect faster. So the first time I talked to you like this… you could hear."

Words started failing her as the young woman didn't know if they could reach Baraqiel. His face remained stoic as he slept and she saw no change even when pouring her heart out.

There was much more she wanted to say but found herself unable when the chances of getting a response were zero.

Akeno only wanted to engage with her father.

To truly be his daughter again.

Since words were failing, she decided to try something else.

Resting her head over his chest, the ravenhead extended her arms and did her best to embrace her father while trying to not bring him any discomfort. It was only for a moment and a small token of love but she hoped he could also feel her own warmth. That somewhere in his dreams, he could feel her love.

A love she could finally admit was there, that it had never left her.

Which was why she was hurting for so long: for one to feel the sting of betrayal they have to care about the traitor, to allow them a way in their heart.

But her father never had betrayed her and Akeno could finally see it in full.

His small actions from before, how he sought her out, gave her space and risked his life to show his love, more than proved that he only wanted the best for his daughter with only extreme circumstances successfully keeping them apart.

After a few minutes, Akeno sat back down and took her father's hand once again. "We are going to talk. I promise. So rest easy. I can wait for you to wake up, Otou-chan."
"I am sure he appreciates the sentiment." The hybrid flinched at Medusa's sudden presence behind her. One she only noticed when the goddess spoke. "I am glad you are awake, my priestess. Seems your kind recovers faster than most once given some rest."

Standing up, the young woman bowed in respect. "Medusa-sama-"
"Dismiss the 'sama' for today, at least. Also, no need to stay on your feet. I can see you are still exhausted." A huge bowl covered with a lid and surrounded by magic was presented to the ravenhead. "And hungry." The purple haired deity chuckled as Akeno's stomach made itself known.

The young woman accepted the bowl and Projected a pair of chopsticks before asking. "Is Shirou-kun safe? Is Loki gone?"

"My Champion is fine. Mildly tired but he managed to heal completely. Don't know what was the greatest miracle, him standing after facing Fenrir or that we somehow got help." Akeno's eyes grew wild until Medusa elaborated, "It is the second time the White Dragon Emperor and his group saved our skins, something he made sure to remind us all constantly throughout dinner." Pointed to the bowl, she added. "Even demanding his favorite dish as his first reward."
Opening the porcelain lid of her bowl, a pleasant mixture of spices, warm broth and vegetables assaulted Akeno's nose. "Ramen?"
"Apparently he grew up on the stuff." Medusa joked while the hybrid Projected wrapped her chopsticks around the noodles before bringing it to her mouth. Her eyes began shining as she slurped the food. "Good, isn't it? As expected of my Champion! Apparently he already mastered the art of making ramen and we just weren't asking for enough!" Noticing her priestess' look of concern, she tilted her head. "Something wrong?"
Cutting her noodles early so she could talk, the ravenhead said, "Please, don't be so loud, Medusa. We are in an infirmary." Looking around she quickly realised that nobody woke up. "Or are they-"
"Under my spell." The goddess revealed without fuss. "I thought it would be best if they rested and recovered completely before waking up so I extended their sleep until tomorrow morning. Or today's morning. Sun isn't out already but it will be in a few hours." Glancing at Baraqiel, her posture fell a little as she added, "Everybody but your father and Azazel."
"What happened?" Her voice was laced with panic.

"Calm down. The damage from Fenrir's claws was more extensive than it looks." And it already looked pretty bad beneath the bandages but she wasn't going to mention that. "As angels, their essence is Divine and that wolf is a God Slayer. It will take a while longer for them to make a full recovery so I threw them in suspended animation."
Her priestess' eyes grew wide again. "Since when can you do that?"
"In my temple I can do many things… But you are right, that is more on their design than my skill." Inside her Major Temple, Medusa's powers were absolute. So absolute that she managed to even touch the souls of its inhabitants and visitors. "God must have predicted his children having to endure similar punishments to add such a function."
"You make it sound… almost as if they are machines." Akeno found herself more bothered than she should.

Yet Medusa only showed amusement. "Some machines are older than Earth. Wouldn't be surprised if God was inspired by them." Touching her priestess' shoulder, she added. "But they are more than machines. Angels and fallen angels have hearts. They have souls and feelings." Her kindness grew with a smile. "Your father is a fighter, he is going to get better. Don't worry."
Akeno touched the purple haired deity's hand, closing her grip firmly to draw strength from the goddess. "How long?"
"A couple of days. Less than a week since I am helping. Asia also deserves plenty of credit." The pair's eyes shifted to the sleeping nun who wore a peaceful expression as she rested by Ise's side. "She worked tirelessly to fix their flesh and mend their bones. Fenrir's power, the God Slayer's attribute, made that a tall task but she met it until Rias had to order her to stop. Without a doubt she is one of the main reasons why they will recover so fast even if not fast enough to make a difference."
"'Fast enough to make a difference'?" Dread took root in her heart.

"Loki is still on the loose. So is Fenrir." To her credit Medusa looked regretful when delivering the news that, "It isn't over."

…..

Rin Tohsaka dropped by her friends' house to collect a few things before meeting with them. Wearing a red sleeveless top, black shorts, red and white sneakers she raced through Fuyuki going from one side of the city to another. Partially because she was a little paranoid and partially because the contents on the bag on her shoulder were dangerous and volatile.

In truth they weren't that dangerous in the traditional fashion but the Head of Tohsaka didn't trust any random car or bus to transport them safely, fearing that a wrong bump on the road could unleash some sort of chain reaction.

So she crossed the town on foot, just to be safe as her mind was lost in a storm of frustration. 'Is he some sort of idiot? It is already weird that he doesn't mind letting everyone in his workshop but doing so when not around is the height of stupidity.'

Nobody would be able to tell she was frustrated in any fashion, her composure perfect as she crossed Fuyuki without catching anyone's attention. She even avoided looking to the sides unless crossing a street, a feat in her opinion considering who was in town.

And how many eyes he had from what Shirou told her in their call.

Last time Rin messed with a deity she wasn't aware who or what was messing with Fuyuki but the second time it was different. The Mage of Swords made sure to give her as many details as possible before asking for his favor since there was a high chance that Loki didn't know about her.

And even if he did the odds of him caring were so low her fellow magus felt it was safe asking her to get what he needed before inviting her to Medusa's Temple where he would explain his plan.

Because Emiya Shirou had a plan and it was the sort Rias wasn't going to like. Rin could tell with how he was trying to be subtle and how his tone was determined if a bit subdued. There was a reason why the Heiress of Gremory wasn't the one who made the call even if she was aware it was made.

'Whatever he is going to do, they are going to be facing a god.' Rin's hand moved towards the bag as the other kept it firmly in her shoulder. 'Don't know how a half baked project is going to help no matter how powerful it is but… I can't jump to any conclusions yet.'

Her main problem was that the twin tailed magus didn't really know what she was carrying since Shirou's project was sealed inside a black box made of his special metal. The same metal which was extremely resistant and malleable with mana. Thanks to it she was allowed to take a peek at his creation with Structural Grasping.

When she found herself facing another issue of not understanding what she was delivering. 'Whatever it is, the mana inside this box is absurd!' Carefully moving around people, she made it her priority to not allow the bag to touch anyone. 'If that is a sword, maybe it is one capable of killing a god.'

Curiosity and something else nudged her mind towards taking a look at the contents of the box but she refrained both because Shirou had entrusted her to deliver it safely and because Loki couldn't be allowed to catch a whiff of their secret weapon.

Also Rin was pretty sure that opening that box would pretty much send a signal to everybody she was carrying something dangerous. 'Is that how Pandora felt?' The magus wondered while stopping to glance at the bag. 'No, she had it harder. Just a simple, inconspicuous box. Me? I saw the sort of security Emiya-kun built for this thing.'

Behind two sets of fake walls, a vault which needed a ten number code, a second vault that could only be opened with the precise use of Reinforcement and the box itself that was locked with a hand scanner.

Not to mention the spells around it. 'What were you working there that you were so afraid anyone would steal it?' Each question just pushed her close to the brink where her curiosity would take hold. Yet Rin quickly crushed it. 'Like hell I will sully the Tohsaka name by stealing anything. I am not giving Luvia the satisfaction of even glancing at this thing until Emiya-kun opens it up.'

Her resolve hardened, the twin tailed magician finally arrived at the temple's entrance and its several flights of stairs. Once there she felt like several of the eyes following her around the city vanished while new ones locked on her.

'Loki was really keeping an eye out but he isn't daring to try and invade Medusa's territory.' Rin concluded while fixing the bag one last time and starting to climb up. Catching sight of several snakes, the young woman felt a small amount of relief.

Sure Medusa also had eyes everywhere but only in her temple she could match Loki safely, presuming he didn't bring out Fenrir and decided to fully expose the moonlit world. Thinking about the consequences of such actions, the chance of her getting attacked were small so long as she was in Fuyuki.

However, up until that point, it could be argued Loki's ambitions had nothing to do with her. 'He probably isn't attacking Medusa's followers. So long he thinks I am just someone random, I am safe. Was safe.'

Because that was one of Shirou's fears, one that Rin could understand: if they holed up inside Medusa's Temple for too long then the Aesir would feel compelled to chase the goddess faithful to force some kind of reaction.

For the moment the Trickster was following the typical rules of engagement however he was the man Fated to unleash Ragnarok. Rules of engagement were only conveniences for him until they got in the way of his plans.

By that point Loki won't hesitate to discard them.

To discard everything.

Crossing the official gate of the temple, Rin felt something odd in her head which prompted her to massage her temples. It was her first time stepping into Medusa's territory so she couldn't tell if the reaction was something she should expect or not. All she knew for sure was that the purple haired goddess' influence and barriers were affecting her somewhat.

Soon whatever discomfort the twin tailed magus was feeling fled from her body and she felt rejuvenated. It was enough to put her in a good mood and soon the girl found herself at the main building's entrance being received by two much older women. Two mature beauties with dark hair and the kind of followers Medusa liked.

'Heh. That goddess is trying to get every model in Fuyuki under her thumb.' Rin quickly recognized one of the women as the morning newscaster but had no idea who the other was. "Morning to you two. Your goddess is waiting for me."

The newscaster lady nodded with a serious expression. "Lady Medusa and her guests are having lunch at the moment."
"We shall escort you." Both of them bowed respectfully before turning and opening the door to guide the twin tailed magus inside.

"Hmm… Nice place. Don't know why she insists on living with Emiya-kun when she has a palace like this…" 'Oh wait, I know. Because he doubles as her bodyguard and chef.'

A short minute later the three found themselves in front of another door from which was possible to hear a lot of noise. "Here we are." The newscaster announced, opening the door.

And allowing Rin to hear the chaos unfolding. "Give me my udon back, you bastard!"
"No way! As my Destined Rival, you should be able to protect your food better!"
"Vali Lucifer, stealing my Pawn's food is… as expected of Lucifer's Descendant. Such cruelty knows no bounds."
"Kakakaka. Let him have his fun, Gremory. Hey, Vali. Look out!"
"Thanks for the warning, Add!"
"Sorry, Ise-kun. He is too fast for me."
"Urgh! Give my food back!"

"No way! I won this fair and square!"

"Just because you are faster than Kiba, doesn't give you that much merit. Now, if you two fought then maybe-"
"Miss Luvia, please don't give him any ideas. Also, may you pass me the salt?"
"Of course, Sir Arthur. Now, tell me more about this Mystic Code. Was it really made by Morgan Le Fay herself?"
"Vali! Vali! Pass it here!"
"No way! You are going to eat it, Bikou!"
"Onee-sama, shouldn't the White Dragon Emperor be a little more dignified?"
"Oh, let the boys have fun, Ravel-chan."

"... I didn't ask your opinion, Akeno."
"Oh my, someone is in a foul mood today. Buchou is having fun too, isn't she?"
"Come on, Ise! Don't let that two bit dragon keep you away from Shiro's food!"

"Buchou, we really should stop them."

""Fight. Fight. Fight.""

What Rin found could only be described as chaos.

Wherever Rias Peerage and Vali's team mingled which was all over the hall there was a mess or the start of one. Despite the huge table between the groups they made sure to sit across each other which allowed them easy interaction.

Or in the White Dragon Emperor's case it allowed him to face his Red counterpart in a small match with food on the line as he moved to capture and eat whatever dishes Ise had his eyes on.

With the others egging them on, it was clear the event was more for fun than pressure as the silver haired man kept a hand on the brown haired Pawns face and a grin on his lips. Beside Kiba nobody was really trying to help either if one didn't count Rias cheering for the younger devil to win the match.

Everyone else was busy interacting with each other or their food; Rin suppressed a growl at watching Luvia try to extract information about Add, something she also wanted to do, Ravel was trying to catch her King's attention which was something Asia wanted even if it was for them to help Ise while Bikou moved from eating or cheering for the chaos as Akeno watched everything with her most honest smile.

The twin tailed magus just knew the ravenhead was loving the mess.

The hall where they were all in, a dining room for important guests and such, suffered as the Pawn of Gremory tried to accelerate and recover his food only to be blocked by his Rival's arm.

[Come on Partner! You can do better than that!]

[Your best can't beat us!]

While Vali had been forbidden from fighting against his Rival, or anyone from Fuyuki per their agreement, he was having too much fun to not throw a small jab. "Are you going to let Albion talk to you like that?" Besides, the deal allowed him some leeway and it wasn't a fight until a punch was thrown. Or the sacred gears were out. "Why don't you use the Boosted Gear? Maybe a couple of Boosts and you can get this back!"
The silver haired man spun in place when Ise tried for another tackle, the wood floor almost breaking with the devil's heavy steps as the hybrid picked up a fork and started savoring his udon.

"Motherf-" The Red Dragon Emperor held back the curse and kicked the floor, officially cracking the wood, in an attempt to get Vali.

However the White Dragon Emperor jumped over him, allowing his Rival to sail around harmlessly until he hit a wall making several of the present wince in sympathy. "I win."

"Grr…" Ise could do nothing as the older man started savouring his udon. A depression which lasted little when Asia approached with another bowl of the treat.

"Here, Ise."
"This isn't yours, right?"
"You do remember that Shirou-kun made enough to feed everybody, right?" Akeno asked rhetorically after a giggle.

Blushing at the comment, the Pawn tried to ignore the ravenhead's amused expression. "Thank you, Asia."

Only Koneko and Kuroka were unmoved during the whole ordeal, the Rook enjoying several plates of udon while the Stray Nekomata kept her younger sibling on her lap with her head between white ears and her own pile of bowls to her right.

Both also had their tails out which moved around lazily, showing they were enjoying each other's company without meddling with the chaos, their hands moving around to collect more food every few seconds even if just the younger sibling was eating by that point.

Surely Kuroka didn't eat as much as her sister but was happy to get more food whenever she finished. 'Enabler.' Then again, it warmed Rin's heart to see sisters acting so lovingly with each other. However, that wasn't the time to think about that. "Morning everyone. Didn't know that the crisis had ended." Some eyes finally noticed her while others just kept eating. "So is Loki already out of the picture or is this a 'last meal' kind of deal?"
"As expected of a Tohsaka to ruin the good mood with a morbid joke."
"Just keeping the danger in mind, Luviagelita. Or did everyone forget that our enemy is a god?"
"Nice to meet you too." Bikou suddenly said playfully. "And dontcha worry. Dealing with gods is our speciality."

Rin made a show of looking around, seeing the destruction and chaos. "Yeah, yeah. Last I heard nobody here killed a god yet." She glared at the monkey who chuckled. "If you want to impress me, show some results."
Vali scoffed before sitting down. "Huh. There is no need to worry. Loki won't show up any time soon with me around."
"I am sorry. Didn't know you were a God Slayer." Rin retorted sarcastically.
"Not yet. But I did beat one up."
"What the fuck?"

"Manners, Tohsaka."
"I am up here with you, gorilla!" The twin tailed magus glared at her rival with a hand above her head before turning to the only person who could tell the story straight. "Buchou, did he really…"
Rias nodded while relaxing in her seat. "Vali managed to repel Fenrir and force Loki to retreat. If it wasn't for him, most likely we would all be dead." She raised a cup. "Which is why we are celebrating everyone walking away from that mess alive."
"The best sort of celebration!" Add commented with an obvious grin. "But man, I really could use a beer."
"Add-san, can you even drink anything?" Asia questioned gently. "Do you eat too? Do you want some food?"
"Well, since you are asking-"
"He doesn't need anything."
"Oh, come on, Arthur. When was the last time you even let me get a drink?"
"You don't drink, you put it in your mouth and it drips everywhere because you don't have a stomach, or even a throat." The young man focused on the nun with a gentle smile that made her blush. "Don't worry about him. Despite having a mouth, it's just so he can talk."
"And be really annoying, nya." Kuroka added in agreement, gently ruffling Koneko's hair with her chin.

Before Asia could reply, Ise was already by her side giving Arthur a suspicious look. "Yeah. If the box wants something then he can share."
"Hey! I am a cube, not a box!"

"Details."
Akeno leaned over Rias' shoulder to say, "Looks like Ise-kun is jealous."
"More like marking his territory." After a smile, the Heiress turned to the Head of Tohsaka and said, "Don't worry, Rin. Everything is under control."
"Oh, so we already found a way to deal with a god?" Her voice had a little more bite than she intended and several of Rias Peerage looked at her with concern. Fortunately no one from Vali's group either noticed or cared for her tone. "Because Loki is coming back. Or did he quit? If Legends are right, he isn't one to bow out gracefully even when they stitch his mouth closed."
"This is rest and recovery. Rest and recovery." Bikou commented while picking a peach from a corner of the table and taking a bite. "Besides, we don't need to worry about him for a couple of days. Maybe a week."
"Why is that?"
"Because I am here." Vali declared confidently while raising his bowl high. One of the temple's caretakers approached to refill it with udon, nobody commented how that was supposed to have been Ise's dish. "I can take Fenrir and unless they stop me, Loki's plan goes down the drain." The silver haired man chuckled while stirring his noodles. "Best thing he could get to counter me would be a competent Red Dragon Emperor-"

"Oi!"

"-or a Dragon Slayer weapon. And good luck with either one."

Kiba stared at the hybrid. "You sound sure that he can't get anything good against dragons. Any particular reason."

"You could say that the Khaos Brigade took its time getting as many treasures and Noble Phantasms as they could." It was the first time any of them acknowledged the terrorist organization and almost the whole room grew quiet. Vali didn't care since he could say whatever he wanted so long he wasn't specific. "Loki needs to get something good and anything famous for killing dragons is… out of his reach."
"And you are sure he isn't a member or something? Perhaps a contact?" Akeno questioned with a careful glance at the silver haired man.

One which he reciprocated. "No. Loki isn't part of the Khaos Brigade."
"We already know his goal isn't instability in general as much as Asgard's isolation." Rias pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"True, true. His methods are also completely different from the Khaos Brigade." The priestess acknowledged without much thought. "At least the Old Satan Faction who appeared to be a bit too gung ho for their well being."
"Ain't that a truth." Bikou agreed before laughing. "But no, he isn't one of us."
"He is still a Trickster. One of the greatest." Rin decided to say. "Are you sure he can't come up with something against you?"
The White Dragon Emperor shrugged. "It doesn't matter if he can't or not. Just how long he is going to take because any convenient avenue for him is closed off." His tone was confident but nobody could disagree. At least as far as they were concerned the Aesir was acting without Asgard's support and lacked ties with any big faction for backing. "But it will take him time. Time we can use to counter him."
The Princess of Ruin nodded in agreement. "Take too long and we will have a solution for him and Fenrir. He needs to get something quickly or abandon his plans of isolating Asgard."

"That still locks us to a strict schedule." Arthur observed with a cautious tone. "If we are really fighting Loki, we must come up with a plan for when he counters Vali."
"If he counters me."

"Maybe he can just make you run around until Juggernaut Drive ends…" Ise commented with a pensive expression. There was some fear as well but the prospect of his town being destroyed gave him all the courage he needed.

Which had Vali nodding in respect. "Maybe. Maybe not. I have plenty of mana to compensate for our power's cost."
A gentle blue glow began pulsing from his back. [Indeed. By the afternoon my Partner will be rested and ready for another round. So long we don't play along with Loki's tricks or Fenrir, we can win in a timely fashion.]

[Unless the Trickster comes up with a way to push you back.]

[Hoho. My Rival. For a moment there I thought you were hiding.]

[Hmph. As if. I just didn't have anything to say, that's all.] Then his tone grew slightly concerned. [Did you and your Partner truly manage to solve the problem with Juggernaut Drive?]

"Of course we did." Vali said smugly while grinning. "If you ask nicely, maybe I will teach you a thing or two."
If he had a body, Ddraig would have a vein popping on his forehead. [Bwa. Are you trying to trick us? We all know half the reason for your power is because of how you were born.]

"You made it sound like I didn't put any effort into it. Surely I put in more than your Partner's who wastes time checking the girl's lockers instead of training." Mocked the White Dragon Emperor which made his dragon laugh out loud.

Ise bit his lip before jumping to his feet and pointing at his Destined Rival. "Just wait and I'll kick your ass one of these days."
"Hah! I would pay to see you try." Sparks began to fly as the two Rivals glared at each other.

"Bunch of brutes"' Rin mumbled barely loud enough for the nekomatas to hear.

Koneko gave the older girl a look which caught Kuroka's attention. "Something wrong, Shirone?"
"Nothing… I just learned how some people are blind." She noticed the magus' black twitching but returned to her food nonetheless.

Clearing her throat, Rin raised the bag on her shoulder. "So, I have a delivery for Emiya-kun. Is he in the kitchen?" She also noticed the abstinence of several prominent figures, such as the temple's owner and the other deity, but chose to not comment.

Akeno looked at the bag with her usual smile while Rias just shook her head in confusion. "It is so weird he asked you to get anything. Medusa has a whole workshop for him, one she made sure was just as good as the one back home." Considering the Heiress was the one who took care of that particular project she felt like if the goddess had one upped her. Yet she was more curious about what her lover asked from it. "Say, what is in the bag?"
Despite all eyes focusing on her, Rin remained composed. "A box with so much mana that I think it is one of his secret projects or something."
"Maybe something he worked with Azazel." Akeno was quick to suggest before pointing to a door. "That door leads to the main dining hall, the kitchen is on the other side." Something on the priestess' violet eyes caught the twin tailed magus' attention. A hidden message just before her glance shifted between her and Rias. "Unless you want me to take it… Then you can enjoy lunch."

"... I think… I will get food from the source. Fresh and just out of the oven."

"Good luck!" Bikou offered with a grin. "You're gonna have competition~"

Already Rin could take a lot from those interactions; first that Shirou wasn't alone but that was the less relevant information that she got. What was really important was how the smiling Queen of Gremory was hiding things from her King which was odd by itself.

Yet the ravenhead subtle message was clear: she didn't want Rias asking questions and wanted Rin to deliver the package.

Preferably as fast as possible with how she gave directions. "See you all later folks." Curiosity growing, she quickly followed Akeno's directions. The main lunchroom was full of women, each enjoying several dishes which she could tell were made by the Mage of Swords. 'He really didn't hold back. As expected of Medusa's Champion… Jokes aside, if he has mana for so many meals makes me wonder if he really fought Fenrir.'

Because she could feel his magic in every dish, every grain of rice, soup and meat, which Medusa's followers were enjoying with gusto. Emiya had truly prepared a buffet for them all and the dinner hall felt less like part of a temple and more like the foyer of a hotel or restaurant.

Which told her that Shirou was really used to cooking for twenty or more people by that point. 'All that training in the Underworld was worth it.' She joked and was about to enter the kitchen when someone opened the door first. "Morning, Xenovia."
"Morning, Rin." The bluehead chuckled for reasons the magus couldn't comprehend. "You got here right on time. Come in, I need to go deliver this to Medusa and Rossweisse."
Noticing a couple of bowls on a bag in each of her hands, Rin's brow rose slightly. "Why aren't they eating with the rest?"
"... Odin doesn't eat..." Xenovia's tone had echoes when she was an Exorcist and was speaking about heretics. Or threatening devils and magicians in her free time. "Medusa offered to keep him entertained and show him the temple…" Approaching her friend, the knight added, "... and also have a chat."
"... This isn't just about Loki, is it?" Rin already suspected something else was afoot but had no clue what it was.
Yet the severity on Xenovia's face showed it wasn't anything simple. "Master will explain more. After that… no, this is something you probably want to hear." She pushed the door revealing another hallway. "Good luck."
"I know it is her color but Medusa could use less purple."
"Kitchen is white." Xenovia shrugged before marching out.

Followed by Rin crossing the hallway and arriving at a double door from which she felt another wave of mana. "A boundary field? Inside the temple?" Instead of immediately opening it, she knocked. "Emiya-kun? I have your delivery."
It was Liz who ended up opening the door, her mouth full of food she was chewing with the eagerness of a chipmunk. Swallowing her food, the maid nodded the magus in greeting before allowing her to step inside. Then she noticed the halberd resting on the wall and knew that Leysritt wasn't just eating.

'She is guarding the door.' Alarms started going off in her head and only her trust in Shirou kept her calm. She quickly noticed him and two blonde women on a workstation in the corner of the kitchen. "Any reason for the extra security, Emiya-kun?"
"Rin, welcome to my second kitchen. Or home away from home." The redhead tried to joke but his expression was too serious for that.

Surprisingly it grew even more serious when Le Fay asked, "Did you bring it?" Her interest was unmistakable and she stared at the bag with intensity.
"Not going to answer my question, how rude." Rin offered the Mage his bag and he was quick to collect, placing it on his workstation before the young girl brought out her want and started casting another boundary field around the table. "Paranoid much?"
"The Mage of Swords promised us to show something that could be even more powerful than Caliburn." Altria, who sat on the other side of the workstation with several empty plates and bowls by her sides, commented after taking a sip of tea. Even with all the evidence of the food she ate, Rin couldn't help but notice the regality of her presence. "This is the first time we are speaking like this, correct? Pendragon Altria. And that is my sister, Le Fay."
Both women shook hands as Shirou slowly took the box from the bag. "I just saw your brother and the rest of your group."The twin tailed magus noticed her friend started to sweat. Worst of all, he was hesitating. 'Is that really the Pandora's Box or something?'

"I am done." Le Fay announced as her eyes grew cold. "No more mana is going to reach this area. Don't know why you asked me to add this with Medusa's barrier but-"
"It is warranted." Shirou's hand rested on the box for a second before he turned to his friend. "Rin… Before we start then you should know this is a conspiracy."
A tingle reached the magus' spine. "'A conspiracy'? Way to make a girl grow curious, Emiya-kun."

"And vague." Altria chastised and glared at the Mage. "You invited me and my sister to this conspiracy, what an appropriate word, without a drop of hesitation." Her glare grew more intense but the redhead just accepted it without complaining. "I already hate these cloak and dagger methods. Either you tell her or I will."
Once he was certain Altria had said her peace, Shirou talked. "I was trying to be delicate. Her circumstances are different… And unlike you two, I don't need her for my plan."
"Between the vagueness and being out of the loop, I can say I hate this conversation already." Rin slammed her hand between the two prompting the redhead to look slightly guilty and the blonde to sip her tea. "There is a reason why you wanted me here. Spill it. Now!"
"Silence is recommended. At least whisper." Liz commented upon noticing the black haired magus tone.

"Don't worry. Medusa's barrier is taking care of most noises." Le Fay pointed out while still staring at the box. "Also, it is a conspiracy to kill a god." Shirou winced at the younger magician's bluntness while Rin's turned to stare at the witch. "Shirou here suspects there is some foul play in this whole mess… more than it should since we are facing Loki."

"... My idea is to take him out of the board. Permanently." The Mage of Swords stated coldly while regretting that was the only course of action he could think of.

The only one that made sense.

He didn't want to kill anyone but almost every other avenue led to suffering and disgrace since Loki was Destined to unleash Ragnarok. Depending on the situation, the Trickster wouldn't hesitate either, killing millions all the while claiming it was necessary or for the greater good.
"He also suspects that-"
"Altria, please." Shirou was grateful she heard his plea. "It is just a suspicion. One that I hope I am wrong. There is no reason to drag it out and bring more troubles." He only ended up telling the Pendragon siblings because he needed their help. Even if he wanted to settle everything himself and risk no one, the Mage knew his limitations. "Either way, the best alternative-"
"I am in." Rin declared and the redhead couldn't help but let out a sigh. He already expected that answer. "Hell, you didn't even need to ask."
"I hope you understand what is being asked of you. There is a cost to killing a god." Altria lowered her cup and stared at the black haired magus firmly. "You will be hated and hunted by any other deity. You will be considered heretic just for conspiring, doubly so if we succeed. You will be made an enemy of every god once they know you helped strike down one of them. Not just in Asgard but in the whole World." After a thought, the more regal blonde added. "Bar some exceptions. In a way you are going to be part of the Khaos Brigade even if you aren't a member."
"Good. The gods should know to fear me." Unsaid it went, 'One in particular,' while brushing her family's Crest.

"Not to mention we don't know the consequences of killing a god for real." Shirou decided to point out the risk. "The last one to die-"
"Was God and I don't care." Rin confessed without thinking. "Besides, you are already set in this path, right. You all are." None disagree because she was correct. "Medusa, does she know?"
"You think we could conspire something like that without her knowledge in her temple?" Le Fay pointed out the absurdity even as her senses remained focused on Shirou's box.

The Mage then said, "She was the first I… talked about the idea. Besides reminding me of her enmity with several gods, she also hammered in my head how hard it is to kill a god."
"And why not tell Rias any of this?" Was Rin's next question but she could already guess. "Good God. Don't tell me this plan involves putting you in the line of fire BY YOURSELF!"

"It is the only way. My odds are better than anyone else's." He did his best to ignore Liz's pointed look on his back.

"That is still to be seen." Altria's own pointed look was harder to ignore since she made sure to stay on his line of sight. "It all depends on what is in the box."
The four looked at it but Liz was the first one to speak. "Shirou… are you sure?"
"Killing a god isn't easy. Either you need to use their Legend against them, destroy them so thoroughly that they can't get back up or, at the very least, shatter their Core beyond repair. The latter alternative is both the easiest and the hardest."

"Quite a paradox." Rin retorted curiously.

"It is because the Core is easy to find most of times." He pointed at his own heart. "Usually here but they are extremely tough. As in 'the whole world could end and it will still stand' kind of tough."

"Not even considering how hard it is to reach a Divine Core in the first place. The location may be obvious sometimes but a god obviously is going to guard it heavily." Altria added upon contemplating the last option. "The second is also out because of how powerful gods are. And Loki isn't any slouch. Don't think just because we took down a few copies that the same can happen with the original. And that is supposing you can bring him out, in the first place."
The Mage had a look of contemplation before replying, "I have it handled."
"Not really reassuring."
"Medusa wouldn't let me move on with this plan if she didn't trust I could pull it off. Trust and this." He tapped the box gently and everyone felt some of its seals breaking. Then he hesitated again. "... I am about to break my promise to never use this thing. To never let it see the light of day… But I don't have another choice."
"You can trust Odin." Le Fay was quick to offer, knowing he would reject the notion.

"No, I can't." Shirou said firmly, surprising Rin. "Not when it comes to Loki. If I am right, Odin will do everything he can to keep him alive."
"Hence the conspiracy." Altria added with a nod. "Then do not hesitate. Wasn't you who placed apprehension in my heart? Shed out yours! To face a god without any sort of advantages is suicidal."

Something in her words concerned Rin who wondered out loud if, "Can't we use Loki's Legend against him anyhow?"
"Loki is Destined to be killed by Heimdall in the tail end of Ragnarok." The Mage revealed a bit bitterly. "If it was a weapon maybe we could replicate its effects but…"
Le Fay nodded in agreement. "Since there is no easy way to neutralize Loki, we must force one. This is where I come in, right? You said you needed a huge amount of power and my magic. The former is in this box."

Placing his hand on the scanner, the silence was so heavy that they could easily hear the box unlock. "Yes, it is something that I didn't want to use." He stopped himself for a moment. "Or maybe I am also playing in Fate's hands…" Filling his heart with resolve the Mage finally opened it up.

They all saw a gold aura fill the kitchen as a presence full of power and majesty took over the place. "That is-"
"Impossible." The Pendragon sisters were shocked because they could feel anything at all despite Le Fay's barriers.
"Emiya-kun, what is this?" Rin felt every hair of her arm standing up as more mana than it should be possible to inhabit a single vessel rolled out of the box.
"This is a mistake." Shirou said before lowering his hands inside the box to slowly pull out a golden cup that emitted its own light. "Even now… this thing was still absorbing mana."

It was a simple if not huge chalice without ornaments, symbols, scratches or any mark that would indicate the artist's hand in its creation.

Because in the end it wasn't a hand which sculpted it but something else; a soul compressing itself and transforming into something beyond human comprehension.

The power certainly felt like it for the cup's sole presence could be easily mistaken as Divine.

Not that it had Divinity but because the cup itself held enough power that Altria for the first time felt her mana reserves failing to match. If she could power up a city with ease, the cup alone could power up one or more continents with its energy alone yet that wasn't the most shocking thing about it.

"That thing… it isn't full…" The older Pendragon sister felt in her bones that whatever Shirou was holding was still incomplete. That it could grow more than that even if she didn't know why. "What is this thing?"

"The Holy Grail…" Le Fay whispered with wonder and interest as her eyes shifted between cold detachment and childish glee. "You have the Holy Grail."
"'A' Holy Grail." Shirou made the distinction as he tried to tune down the grail's light. Amusedly for the girls, they saw him press several points of the cup and fail miserably. "Sorry, I don't know how-"
"Why in the name of everything sacred in the World you have a Holy Grail?!" Altria asked in panic before her eyes grew wide. "This… If the Khaos Brigade or anyone had it… The damage would be catastrophic."
"Altria-"
"You shouldn't be showing us this! You shouldn't be showing this to anyone! That thing is more dangerous than Loki!" Not by itself but with the raw power she felt it was certain that in the wrong hands that thing could destroy the World. "And it isn't full. God, how powerful can this thing become?"
"Enough to reach True Magic… Enough to reach the Root…" Rin approached cautiously but when she extended her hand to touch the Grail Shirou pulled it away. Behind her, Leysritt slowly let her weapon go as the redhead shook his head. "This is it, isn't it? The 'Einzebern's Folly'. The thing they wanted to start a war for. The so-called Holy Grail War."

"Fortunately it never happened but… doesn't mean the Holy Grail wasn't created." Shirou didn't know the full story nor did he dare to use Structural Analysis to figure it out. He could only tell what his father told him. "Once upon a time there was a wise homunculus who had a dream… A dream about the Extinction of Humanity."
And so he summarized the tale; how Justeaze saw only death. How her spirit was still connected to the system making sure any vessel for the grail would share the same dreams.

How his father and mother chose to save the World by hiding the Holy Grail.

One he entrusted to his son.
"Madness…" Altria whispered before sitting back down. By that point the Holy Grail, as if listening to Shirou's wishes, stopped glowing. "Absolute madness."
"I concur." Rin also sat down once she felt her legs grow weak. Even if the light was gone, the power was still there. "And you had it… all this time? Why didn't…"
"Why didn't I use it before? Because I believe the dream is real. That this thing is Fated to bring suffering." He held the Holy Grail firmly with a concerned expression in his eyes. "Even buried under several seals and hidden in several special boxes to keep its power at bay… this thing still accumulated mana. It is still trying to enact its function to grant a Wish."
Le Fay's eyes grew colder as she asked. "And you want to use that Wish on Loki?"
Shirou shook his head. "No. It would still need more mana for it. But the thing about this Holy Grail is that instead of just making things come true, it is also an extremely malleable mana storage." His eyes grew pensive before he added. "Azazel told me about the Original Holy Grail: a sacred gear capable of making the impossible possible created by God using the cup which once held the blood of the Savior."

Dots began connecting on the witch's mind. "And since they share a name, a nature, you figured out using this Holy Grail in a more versatile and incomplete manner was possible."
"I figured your magic could do something about it."
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Le Fay's apathy gave way to curiosity. "Like you said, this isn't the Holy Grail sacred gear. It isn't a Mystic Code or Artifact even. This Holy Grail can only be classified as that: Holy Grail." She pointed her wand at the object with caution. "Made using the soul of an homunculus and the system connected to her all compressed in a vessel that is supposed to make a Miracle beyond the gods. Beyond the natural order. One that can do anything once conditions are met."
"So long someone knows the proper steps-"
"There is so much leeway on that line that I won't even bother dismantling it." The girl's tone had grown more authoritarian and cold. Like if she was all the way on the North Pole and the chill followed her voice. "Such a simple chalice but complex mechanism. The body of the Ultimate Homunculus combined with a system created to challenge the natural order. What it can or can't do depends on the owner and them alone."

Her eyes met his and Emiya felt like he was speaking with someone completely different than the girl he had up until recently trading recipes with.

Le Fay but also not.

And whoever she was, their presence tried to suffocate him without intent as if she was someone so superior that just looking at him made him feel small like a bacteria.

Yet Shirou took it all in stride. "We don't need the whole system. We don't need a complete Miracle. We just need a miracle."
"And what that would entail."
"Help me use the Holy Grail to stop Loki."
"He really just went and said it…" Rin whispered in wonder.

"The obvious plan. But how should I do that?" The witch questioned. "Such a complex system isn't something that any magecraft can reshape at will. You will have better luck trying to use the grail to affect itself."
"Not without help." Shirou took a step closer to her and Le Fay kept her eyes steady on his. "And you can." She raised a brow, waiting for the punchline. "Because your magic is of the fae."

Altria's shoulders grew stiff and she reached for her weapon. "How?"
"Sorry but that is private. I can tell your sister, if she is interested." Anyone who looked at the smaller blonde could tell she was definitely interested. "Could you come with me for a bit? Don't worry. We aren't leaving the kitchen."
"Any corner will do? Is that why you had Medusa fortifying the place? I noticed that the door over there has another boundary field." Le Fay pointed to a simple oak door at the East of the kitchen.

Shirou shook his head. "That is my… extra workshop. It isn't relevant." He began walking West, to a random corner close to a fridge. "You coming?"
Le Fay blinked and her eyes grew more warm before she followed the Mage. They truly hadn't gone far but it was enough that the redhead could safely whisper in her ear. Nobody heard a thing but they watched the witch's expression change.

Her colors returned in full with surprise being the most prevalent emotion followed by disbelief and wonder as she focused completely on Shirou, staring at him like she was seeing her fellow magician for the first time.

What surprised Altria was that her sister motioned him to crouch and whispered something back, a hushed conversation starting between the two of them with their hands blocking their mouths so no one could read their lips.

Both Altria and Rin were frustrated by such precautions. "What do you think they are talking about?"
Turning to the magus for a second, the blonde shrugged before focusing on her sister. "Your guess is as good as mine."
"Hmm… Say, since you have all this mana…" Enough to power a city and then some. "... Have you ever thought about learning magecraft? Or just spellcasting?"
"I did." The swordswoman refused to elaborate any further.

Neither she needed too since her sister and Shirou returned a moment later, the Holy Grail still on the redhead's hand but the witch had tapped it with her wand twice before nodding with a firm expression.

Once they were back, Altria couldn't hold her curiosity any longer. "What did you two talk about?"

Le Fay looked at Shirou who nodded silently in return before she focused on her sister once more. "You don't need to know." Raising a hand, she added. "Seriously, Ria. Don't ask. This is a rather private and complicated matter. Although, chances are that thanks to it Shirou's plan may succeed. I suppose the grail isn't the whole of it?"

The redhead nodded. "Other parts are already moving and we are collecting more information. The rest… Leave it up to me."

A sigh escaped the witch's lips. "I am afraid we don't have any other choice." She waved towards the kitchen's table, her wand moving frantically as the language of the fairies was scripted on the furniture. "It may sound stupid but your odds aren't good if the Holy Grail is all we have. It isn't full and Loki is a god."
"Like I said, other parts are already in motion." Shirou affirmed while placing the chalice in the center. "Just make sure it won't blow me up any time soon and this may work."

Glancing at her sister, the younger Pendragon nodded. "I can only buy so much time. For the rest… I suppose we can only hope."
"Fay, what is going on? What is he asking you to do?" While distrustful because of the Mage's previous actions and his knowledge of her sister's magic. Yet Altria noted the witch had no troubles in fulfilling his request.

"I am going to make sure the Holy Grail is functional under certain conditions while keeping it from spilling out and probably doom us all." Le Fay revealed as Shirou Traced a chair for her to use. Sitting down, she kept working on the table and chalice, something which would take a few minutes. "If anything he is lucky his 'hunch' was correct and I do know fae magic. Any other type would fail at this task."
"Even True Magic?" Rin couldn't help but ask since the scholar in her was dying to know more about the short blonde's magic.
Who scowled for a second. "This and that are two different things. Just because a magic is classified as True doesn't mean they can do everything." A new golden light began glowing around the grail and the table, the wood cracking and starting falling apart as she kept working. "Certainly not with something as volatile as a Holy Grail. Fae magic is better for it since it is all about balance and rules."
"It is? Can you teach me?"
"No."
Rin's disappointment was immeasurable and her day was ruined.

…

When she was a child, Rossweisse used to ask herself what sort of things the gods talked about in their free time. Such great beings, intrinsically connected to the World and their followers, were towering figures capable of raising civilizations. Guides full of wisdom who helped shape History.

"And that is the dancing saloon-"
"A dancing saloon, a dancing room, a dancing office…" Odin began to recite.

"Not all of them are for dancing." Medusa retorted with a glare.

"But they have enough space to suddenly be turned into studios if you feel inclined." The Old Man countered. "Bah. Never understood why you Greeks need all this space."
"I am sorry, how big is Asgard again?"
"Asgard is a city full of wonder and splendor… Also, it was built by giants."
"The same giants you tricked for your walls or was that another set?"
Never in Rossweisse's life did she imagine that the gods could be very much like children who liked to bicker and compete about who had the coller stuff. Unfortunately a lesson she learned quickly was that the gods could be just as petty as any human. Or worse depending on the ego.

Usually their egos were the size of mountains.

At best.

"It is a beautiful temple, Lady Medusa." And it was up to Rossweisse to cool down tensions whenever they got too high. Practically a requirement when working for Odin. "If I didn't know any better I would say it was a castle with how nice it looks."
The purple haired deity nodded three times in rapid succession as they kept walking. "It should. While the base structure and the outside was built with traditional temples in mind, I had the main building made to mirror the Osaka Castle, one of the great structures in Japan." The gesture was both symbolic and practical. "As Fuyuki was the first city to embrace me as a goddess in full, I shall make it my capital."
"Whoa. A capital centered in a religion. How original." Odin rolled his eye.

Yet Medusa also was unimpressed. "While this is to be the capital of my religion, it won't be like the Vatican or another Asgard. I have no intention of taking over." That surprised the Old Man of the North. "What? While I could learn politics, humans have their Free Will. Unless I am offered, I will just keep protecting this town with all my strength, gathering my followers here for special occasions and otherwise live my life as any citizen."
"Hmm… that is another way of trying, I suppose. Yet you are vulnerable. Exposed depending how humans see you. And allow you to have… not all good." His hand moved over his neck like a blade.
'Please don't be so rude, Lord Odin!' If Rossweisse had any choice, she would be with the others enjoying lunch. Unfortunately her god refused to eat anything solid for millenia.

Nevertheless, his words had an effect on Medusa as they walked inside the covered garden. "So long as I have my Champion and priestesses, I shall be fine." Green dominated the glass house where fruits of many kinds were ripe for the taking. She quickly picked a batch of grapes and ate one. "The Underworld is most welcoming as well."
"But your Champion is the one who worries you now, isn't he?" Odin questioned with a playful expression.

Which utterly failed to mask his true feelings. "Careful, King of Asgard, your greed is showing."

Rossweisse was shocked by how the younger deity called the older. 'What is she-'

"Is it? Also, I am retired." He quickly savored a little of his mead as the purple haired goddess stopped to look at him with an unamused expression. After several long sips, he looked back at her with a grin. "My son is king now."
Medusa stopped to think for a second before replying slowly. "Is he the king or is he King?" She questioned with a veil of caution but the One Eyed God just smiled. Unless she was blunt, he would keep playing the game. "Does he really hold the throne, did you truly make him king before Ragnarok or can you just take your power back with a single command?"
Growing nervous with the topic of conversation, Rossweisse decided to step up. "Lady Me-"

"If I was to be king again, couldn't we be allies?" However Odin cut her off before the Valkyrie had a chance. Neither deity acknowledged her any longer. "The present situation may be perilous but also presents opportunities. Those of which will benefit all of us."
"Or just you?" Medusa challenged with a glare but the Old Man was unfazed. He just took another sip of his mead before offering her the bottle. "No."
"Suit yourself."
Clearly Odin wasn't planning to say anything but the amusement on his face told the goddess that he knew what she wanted to say but had no intention of bringing it out himself if he could help it.

To him it was all just a game. A game he was close to winning.

If he hadn't already won.

"You want to use my Champion to become a True God." Those words shocked Rossweisse to her core because of their implication and possibility.

And they were being direct to her god Odin who looked all too smug. "And finally the question was asked."
"It isn't a question, it is a fact." Medusa dared the older deity to say otherwise. "Do you plan to really try it?"
"Depends, does he have a Reality Marble?"
'If Shirou has a Reality Marble then…' The Valkyrie couldn't deny she could see the compatibility between Odin and the Mage of Swords.

First of all he was the Mage of Swords, a Mage named after weaponry and instruments of war which was one of Odin's Domains. Second he was a Mage, a magic user who was acclaimed as a master of his craft which were, once again, swords. There was no denying his potential compatibility with a God of Magic.

Rossweisse easily accepted that her god was right, he had little reason to lie and Medusa wasn't trying to deny it either. 'If Lord Odin is correct, if he and Shirou truly unite into a True God… Asgard will suddenly become the most powerful Faction!'

A True God's potential was in reality unknown but every god aspired to become one, to join with Humanity's Free Will and elevate themselves into a being capable of shaping the World without contest.

However only certain humans could attain Apotheosis, those whose souls went against the norms of Reality the gods were bound by.

Those with Reality Marbles.

'It makes sense. His skill, his magic. The fact he can Trace Noble Phantasms! It all makes sense!' However, while the Valkyrie was taking her time processing that truth, the gods made their moves.

More precisely, Odin offered the younger deity a reassuring look before speaking with a honeyed tongue. "Are you worried about losing your Champion, Medusa?" Denial or confirmation, the Old Man of the North was confident Shirou had a Reality Marble. He only needed to deal with those who would get in the way of his Apotheosis. "That must be it because I doubt you didn't know he had a Reality Marble this whole time. Lesser, more cowardly gods, would have killed Emiya Shirou because of suspicion alone."

Moving gently to the side, the Aesir of Magic and War gave the purple haired deity some space. He looked around the greenhouse, pretending to admire the plants while giving the Goddess of Snakes time to think.

However, while he intended to be reassuring, all he did was get Medusa's guard up. "You make it sound like that Apotheosis wouldn't just benefit you."
"Of course not. It will benefit all of Asgard. And you as well, of course." Throwing his disguised spear around, he did a small flourish and spin before slamming it on the ground. "I am sure whoever I will become after our union will be someone who will care for you. Now, we won't be your Champion anymore, but we will take care of you."
"And how could you know? You have no idea of what that sort of union entails." Medusa's hand rested on her chest.

Odin easily deduced why. "Hah! It won't be the same as it was with your and your sisters. We weren't one before who made the mistake of splitting into several forms." He waved off her glare. "We are going to be someone new. Someone greater than the sum of our parts but nevertheless I am sure there will be enough of each. It isn't death, after all, just a new beginning." Opening his arms, he shouted. "A glorious beginning atop the food pyramid! Where we can rule Asgard and bring it to a prosperity beyond even Ragnarok!" Relaxing his shoulders, he offered the younger deity his hand. "Doesn't that sound wonderful, Medusa? A paradise created by my mind and Emiya Shirou's heart?"
She chuckled bitterly. "Or maybe whoever remains of your Apotheosis will have your black heart instead. Don't act like you don't plan to try and be the one in charge, burning my friend's soul for your ascension."
For the first time the Old Man looked offended. "I would never!" In his fury he slammed his spear down violently.

Medusa didn't retreat, stepping forward to challenge the man. "We both know you would."

Odin stared at the young woman for several seconds before chuckling. "We will only know once the Apotheosis is complete. And it is the best way for us to deal with Fenrir." Hand on his own chest, he added. "Were I to be unbounded by my Legends' weaknesses then I could easily exterminate that wolf once for all. Even his condition as a God Slayer will be irrelevant because we will have enough power to shrug it off."
"And as a True God, you would have no weaknesses even to that." Medusa added to his thoughts and he shrugged playfully.

Then the Aesir lowered his head and raised his hat. "I am being extremely polite talking to you about this. I could have just gone straight to him-"
"Then he would talk with me, Rias and everyone else before making a decision. I already know what I am going to say: No." Her voice weighed the garden as her temple amplified her words.

But a chuckle from the One Eyed God soon filled the area. "Jealousy doesn't suit you. It isn't our fault that his Reality Marble is more suited for a god like me."

Medusa couldn't help but laugh melodiously. "You think I care about the power you could gain? The power my Champion could have? No, I would welcome it." She spoke sincerely with a beautiful smile that caught Aesir and Valkyrie off guard. "He saved me once, gave me a new life. Obviously I want his success. His happiness. Him as a True God would be fitting too. He is the right kind of man who wouldn't abuse that sort of power." Then her amethyst colored eyes grew sharper like a snake's. "I don't trust you."
"Hoh. And what did I do to warrant such… mistrust from the former Gorgon."
"Lord Odin-" Rossweisse hissed in vain.

"You remind me too much of Zeus." Yet Medusa took the insult in stride. " A pervert without reproach and a troublemaker under the guise of a king. Always making whatever you want and leaving everybody else to clean his messes."
"And here I thought you had few interactions with that Olympian. Ah, but it makes sense. It was under his orders that your sisters and yourself were exiled to that island. His son who delivered the blow which took your neck. Understandable but I am not him. Most would say I am better."
The purple haired deity couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically. "Loki is on the loose, Ragnarok can still happen and here you are looking for more power. If Ragnarok happens, True God or not, your people will die."
"As a True God, we will easily deal with Ragnarok." Odin declared both dismissively and confidently. His opinion was as honest as it could be. "You don't know what it feels like, Medusa. The Apotheosis into a True God is real and I can feel it in my veins that I am close. Emiya Shirou and I will become a being without peer. The True Ruler of this World."
Medusa glared at the Old Man without shame before smirking. "So why are you indulging me and not talking with my Champion already?" He fell silent and she giggled. "Ah, perhaps because, unlike you, he doesn't care that much about power. It is merely the means to an end."
Odin nodded in agreement. "It will be the means we will achieve true peace."
"And peace is all you want?" She dared him to lie, dared him to try and hide his true intent. Greed was evident in his lone eye and even when he hid it beneath his hat, she knew he only wanted to become greater. "My words have weight. So do the words of all his loved ones. He won't make a decision like that without talking with a few of us." Tilting her head, she asked, "And the consequences are not necessarily appealing. Power is good but whoever you two become may not be neither Shirou nor Odin. What will your loved ones think about then?"

The Aesir chuckled. "We can share our wives and lovers. I see no problem."
"And your children?"
"They will always call me father regardless. I will just be much younger, powerful and Eternal."
"There it is." Medusa snapped her fingers with glee and Rossweisse watched her god take a step back. "Odin, are you afraid of dying?"

"Hmph. I just want to be free of my Fate. Don't we all?" He turned around and slammed his cane on the ground again. "More than absolute power, us gods want to truly become Gods. To not be tied to this World, to our Faith, to our Legends. Being truly absolute… is all gods' ambition." Turning around, he pointed the disguised Gungnir at the goddess. "Including you."

"Hah. No. Not really. It isn't worth it being absolute," her eyes grew infinitely sadder, "not when you are the strongest but also are alone." Raising her head, resolve began shining from her eyes once again. "So when my Champion asks my opinion, I will say no."
Odin's shoulders began shaking as he held back a laugh. "It won't be the same as your isolation… but I understand. Don't worry, once we are one, we won't hold a grudge."
'Why is Lord Odin… talking about it like it was an inevitability…' Rossweisse's eyes grew wide in shock before she whispered. "Is he planning to force the Apotheosis?"

Both deities turned to her, making the Valkyrie feel small. "Such a thing can't be forced. My Champion can reject process-"
"And like with any ritual, anything that interrupts it will have consequences. Extremely bad ones since we are talking about the fusion of a human with a god." Odin interrupted Medusa who hissed in his direction. He playfully shrugged. "But in this situation, maybe we don't have any choice in the matter." A chuckle escaped his lips when he noticed the goddess growing pale. "After all, like you just said, Loki is on the loose. And unlike many other gods he doesn't have a convenient weakness."
'Rossweisse flinched since claiming that a god's weakness was convenient could only be an insult towards the younger deity. The silver haired woman didn't know why but by the goddess glare it was evident she understood the hint.

That wasn't enough for her to bend. "We still have other, more safer, alternatives. After all, nobody has achieved true Apotheosis yet and neither I or Rias will allow you to risk my Champion's existence."
"Sure, sure. Dry the well, will you. All you shall accomplish is proving my point; that to stop Ragnarok once for all, Odin of the Aesir and Emiya Shirou must become One."

"Really? Because I already have a couple of ideas of how to find Loki's weakness. Like asking family, for example."
Odin stared at the goddess for a whole minute before bursting out laughing. "Hahahaha! Are you mad, Medusa? Do you really think that Fenrir is going to stop by for some tea or something? Hahahahahaha!"
A very smug Medusa then asked, "Doesn't he have a daughter?"

"Hela hates me more than Fenrir! Hahaha! Anything that could benefit me won't reach her ears. Either questions or-"

"And another son?" Suddenly the Aesir grew mute as he stared at the purple haired woman. "Last I heard he was a serpent and quite neutral. What was his name again?~ It was on the tip of my tongue~"
"Jormungandr, Lady Medusa." Rossweisse didn't know if the goddess was taunting Odin or not so she decided to speak just to stop a fight. And there would be a fight, the Valkyrie was sure of it. 'This tension… I never met anyone who dared to push Lord Odin's buttons so forcefully before.'

Sure the Aesir had met plenty of equals during his trips and the silver haired maiden had watched several of him interact with other gods like equals. Even when he was in their territory, the One Eyed God always maintained his composure or was always in control even when displeased.

On occasion he would leave a country disappointed or annoyed but never genuinely upset.

But Rossweisse could understand his frustration since right in front of them was an unique opportunity, one so rare that she could safely say it had never come to pass since the World first came to be: a god found someone with a Reality Marble, someone compatible.

Other owners of Reality Marbles had come about during History but since compatibility was an issue those were either killed or imprisoned for the rest of their lives. Mostly the former than the latter since the deities who found them feared someone evolving beyond them and ruling the World.

Even if she hadn't seen Shirou's Reality Marble, Rossweisse knew Odin was right and the opportunity in front of him was too tempting to pass by which explained his anxiety and rush to the point the Old Man was genuinely stressed because of Medusa's push back.

'Wait!' A horrible thought crossed the Valkyrie. 'If he has a Reality Marble and rejects Lord Odin… are you going to have to kill him?' The thought made her sick.

But while she struggled with the idea of harming someone she once saved and considered a friend, the gods kept talking. "Reaching Jormungandr isn't an easy feat." The older one declared confidently. "He is deep in the earth to not be disturbed. Unless you plan to blow the horn-"
"He is a Dragon King, correct? As Tannin was." The younger one pointed out and both knew where that was going. "We have the two Heavenly Dragons and the witch Le Fay mentioned being able to reach their lesser kin." The Aesir clicked his tongue as his frustration piled up. "Contact through a ritual. We don't need to go find Jormungandr, Ddraig and Albion will bring him forth-"
"I know the ritual you are referring to. So that is why you wanted to talk with her yesterday?" Rossweisse knew what Odin was referring to. Both remembered the goddess and her Champion stepping aside with the Pendragon siblings at dinner. "Here I thought you were just dealing with whatever grievances the middle child has with Emiya Shirou but instead you were already planning to thwart my plans." He leaned forward and even then the older god towered over the younger one. "Tell me, haven't you already told him what I have planned?"

Medusa couldn't help herself and chuckled. "Not a thing. My Champion is too focused on dealing with Loki to think about you. That is why I am here."
"Indeed you are." It was his turn to chuckle before standing properly to tilt his hat. "Fortunately for you I can see you have only his well being in mind. Fine, do the ritual, hear Jormungandr and learn that there is nothing you can do. All roads lead him to me."

The temperature inside the greenhouse suddenly dropped drastically and Medusa felt a chill in her skin before letting out a breath which was visible to the naked eye. Frost also started spreading on the ground as the Aesir's gold and white aura extended from his feet like the roots of a tree.

"You dare to challenge me? In my Temple?" Medusa's own purple aura was set free and in a second the situation was inverted. The temperature grew so warm akin to a tropical forest with the ice melting, giving the place more moisture.

Then her power ceased its advance with a cackle of Odin. "Oh but I do. You are young. Powerful but young!" His aura began twisting and turning before transforming into several runes that started pushing the goddess back. "In your Major Temple you are more powerful than me. But that doesn't mean you are invincible!"

Medusa gritted her teeth and began to push harder while transforming part of her power into snakes. Not only that but she fed on the belief of her followers and the adoration of her children living around the temple. Addicting all that to her control and skill with boundary fields and Odin's runes started falling apart.

But not all for he was the more skilled of the two.

A stalemate had been reached regardless.

Sparks began flying on the point where their auras met and despite the hostility both shared in that moment, neither deity was willing to fully take the plunge into violence no matter how tempting it was.

"Lord Odin!" Instead the confrontation ceased when Rossweisse jumped between the two. Both sides quickly pulled their power back to not tear the Valkyrie apart but the young maiden remained firm. "Please, my Lord. Do not antagonize our host." She dropped to a knee, knowing she was overstepping. Nevertheless, her heart was set. "Lady Medusa is just looking out for Shirou. Understand that she means no means no offense-"
"I mean every offense-"
"-in a way that will start a war!" At that point the Valkyrie was also growing frustrated. However, with a flush of her face realizing she was shouting at a goddess, she lowered her head to beg. "Please."
Neither side looked ready to relent yet Odin knew that in a confrontation he had the most to lose since his goal was to become a True God. For that he needed the Mage of Swords consent and not risk his Apotheosis for any reason.

Which meant he had to back down. "Fine. Do the ritual. Hear what Jormungandr has to say." His runes vanished with his aura but Medusa kept hers ready for anything. "He will just tell you what everyone should know: while we were one of the few Pantheons with the balls to expose our weaknesses, there is an order that things must be done. And they are so specific that they may as well not be weaknesses at all."
"Fenrir." Medusa said the name without concern.

The older god chuckled. "Yes, yes. My weakness. A God Slayer that could lay waste to a small Pantheon before tea time and eat you like a snack. Big deal. He isn't a problem unless Loki makes one and he doesn't want to kill me." In that moment something odd happened that made the Old Man of the North doubt himself. 'She smiled?'

It was fast, sudden and perhaps only a momentary smirk but he saw something that sat uneasy on his stomach.

However it was only for a millisecond, the moment between the beat of wings of a butterfly that came and went so fast that even a god like him doubted it happened but was wise enough to know it certainly did.

Matters didn't change regardless for he was allowed to think because Medusa cut his train of thought. "We shall continue this conversation later."

Nobody had heard the greenhouse's door opening but they all heard Xenovia shout. "There you are!" She was loud and the purple haired deity winced at her overly eager tone. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you?! Here! I brought lunch!" The knight then frowned, looking between the gods. "Something wrong?"
"Odin here just agreed to help us in the ritual to call Jormungandr." Medusa said with a smirk that made the older god frown.

"Great! Master will be happy to hear it!" Xenovia replied with an odd amount of enthusiasm that neither Odin nor Rossweisse caught on. A quick shared look between the knight and the goddess had her bring up the bags she was carrying. "Also he sent you girls some food. Four bowls and several cookies for both." The purple haired deity's eyes began shining with excitement, an expression mirrored by the Valkyrie as her mouth began watering. "Sorry Lord Odin but-"
"Don't need it. Don't care." He then gave the silver haired woman a look before grunting in displeasure upon noticing her hesitation from getting food. "You can eat, girly. I won't have my bodyguard starving before the great day." The Aesir started smiling excitedly. "Tomorrow is Wednesday."
'His day!' Rossweisse remembered.

Remembered of Odin's Day, named after him, one of the many days he used and the point in the week where his powers grew higher. Not to cataclysmic levels as they should in his Major Temple but just being a Wednesday was enough to boost all of the Aesir's parameters considerably.

After all, the whole modern World acknowledged Wednesday, or Day of Woden, as such.

No matter if it was the old spelling of his name Woden was still Odin's name and it was positioned in the middle of the week where farmers and warriors were at their busiest. Far enough from the weekend where they should lay arms or pitchforks to mean they should only be working.

Certainly a time where Odin could maximize the benefits of any ritual no matter how unlikely despite being far apart from his center of power.

"Yes, tomorrow is Wednesday…" Xenovia didn't know the meaning of the day and was legitimately confused. Raised in the Church, it wasn't like they taught much about pagan gods and such. "... about lunch…"
"Yes! Yes. Lunch." Rossweisse didn't want to think about what her god was planning. Nor the implication of Loki attacking so close to his day since he should know to attack on a Thursday, as far from Odin's day as possible. 'Is this… a coincidence?'

Medusa gave the Valkyrie a look of contemplation before nodding to the bluehead. "Come on. Better not eat anything too warm in the greenhouse. It may ruin the plants."
"Here." Xenovia offered Rossweisse the bags. "Make sure to take them back to the kitchen once you are done. I have to get going."
"Where to?" Odin questioned with a suspicious look.

Only for the former Exorcist to lick her lips and reply. "I have some chilly with my name on it later and my Master is going to let me help on it."
Medusa couldn't help but grow pale in horror at the thought of the short haired woman in the kitchen. It was enough to make her sick. "He is going to let you help?"

"Yeah. Tonight. You should be there." While Xenovia was smirking there was a hint of something else.

And the goddess quickly caught on. "I better be else you are going to burn my kitchen. I had to rejuvenate a woman to get it the way I liked."

Meaning she had to help someone over eighty years old look like she was at least in her fifties which was quite hard. Even with her Authority over Beauty it wasn't like the purple haired woman could just regenerate someone's youth whenever the mood struck. But she really wanted a perfect kitchen.

Thanks to that her words rang true enough that the Aesir didn't look too much into them.

Meanwhile the gods played their games with a knight between them, Rossweisse finally grasped her prize, a bowl of udon complete with a side dish of salad, juice and extra pork.

Grabbing her sticks, she didn't hesitate to put some in her mouth. 'Delicious~'

…

Later in the day Ise could be find training against his own shadow. 'Come on! Come on!' With fury and renewed determination, the Pawn was practicing his punches in an isolated corner of the temple. His punches kept increasing in speed as he kept pushing his weakened self. 'Let's get some Fire!' Boosted Gear instantly burst into flames as he used his free hand to parry an invisible opponent, throwing an uppercut that released a bunch of flames. 'Then into a Dragon Shot!'

Since he didn't call for the spell's name the blast was insignificant but the important thing was that it was under his control, barely the size of a fist and travelling at an extremely fast speed he could keep up with.

At least until it got too close to the sky. Once it did, his mana clashed against Medusa's barriers and just fell apart becoming a part of it. Although he was welcomed in the temple that wasn't a free pass to make a mess so his energy was either absorbed by the barriers or taken by the goddess herself.

He really understood the explanation but Rias assured him nothing was getting broken.

However that was unimportant, [You improved a lot, Partner.] Ddraig commented proudly. [This sort of control is a thing that most of my Hosts haven't managed to get even after decades of practice.]

"Really?" Ise punched his right hand pensively. "But I still think I'll get better. Sometimes my energy still feels like a wave fighting against me but sometimes it's like I have a real feeling for it, you know?"

[You can always get better. If there is one thing I learned over all this time is that one can always improve.] The dragon chuckled gently. [But you are already above most of the people I met. If all warriors who use magic were placed into a pyramid, you would be on the upper side already. Congratulations.]

"And how far I'm from the top?"

[... That place belongs to the strongest and most skilled. You are good, Partner, but you aren't there yet.] Ddraig couldn't keep the melancholy from his tone despite trying his best to sound upbeat.

So Ise decided to breach the topic they were avoiding. "Didn't you hear when I said it wasn't your fault?" Of course he was referring to his shortened lifespan.

[Hmm… I know but-]

"No buts! We both screwed up that time, 'right?" Ise began shadow boxing again. "'Sides, I can get better. Buchou and Azazel said there are ways to fix me up. It just ain't easy.]

[Not fix you up but… patch you back together would be the better explanation.] Ddraig pointed out, full of guilt. [Partner, I don't think things can go back to the way they were before.]

The Pawn of Gremory couldn't help but laugh. "Of course not! They're going to get better!" Still he could tell that the dragon wasn't buying it. Hard for him to do when he knew the devil's true feelings. "We can't give up when things get tough. We'll make it through this. I still haven't become a Harem King! Can't die before that!"

[Hahahaha! At least your spirit hasn't been dampened by your predicament. I can respect that.] A familiar voice cut through the empty section of the temple. The voice of another dragon. [And look at that. You are training as well. This pleases me.]

Ise scoffed before turning around to see Vali approaching with his shoulders low and hands on his pockets. "Good to see you are using your time wisely. I couldn't ask for more of my Rival. Well… I suppose I could ask you to be stronger."
"The fuck you doing here?" Ise glared at the silver haired man who smiled smugly. "Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Punching the air for a bit?" Hands free from pockets, Vali threw a few punches himself. "If you want a spar partner, I can do that."

[Suspicious.]

[There is no need to be paranoid, Red One. We just want your Partner to be as strong as he can be, with the time he has left.] Ise glared at the White Dragon Emperor and both could feel Ddraig's rage bubbling inside his soul. [Apologies, that was insensitive of me.]

Suddenly all of the Welsh Dragon's rage vanished, surprising his brown haired Host. [... Did you just apologize?]

"It was insensitive of him considering everything. Juggernaut Drive always kills the weaklings. Which you aren't." Vali focused on Ise who frowned. "Congratulations on making it out alive, even if you needed me and everybody else to save your skin."
"Yeah… thanks for that." The Pawn managed to say with gritted teeth before taking a deep breath. "For real. Thank you for helping."

"Heh. Don't worry. I did it for myself."

[We don't want to wait another two decades for the next Red Dragon Emperor.] Confessed the White One. [I mean, do you know how rare it is for the two Heavenly Dragons to be part of the same generation? That is just the second time it happened.]

[Third time.] Ddraig interjected.

[I am not counting Lucele and Valm. My Partner was ten years her junior.]

[Just shy. They were born in the same decade.]

"Doesn't matter." Vali silenced both dragons while folding his arms and walking a circle around Ise. "That just makes our confrontation more destined."
"'Destined'? What are you? Some sort of cringe lord?" Ise asked back and while his Rival's eyebrow twitched, he nevertheless reacted little. No, it was the Red Dragon Emperor who lost his patience first. "And why should I care about what a random guy wants? We barely talked."

"'Random guy'?" Such words made Vali stop. "Don't you understand we are Rivals? Warriors whose Fates have been tied together since our births."
"Don't care~ I have more important things to worry about than a dude."
[Partner…] Ddraig couldn't hide his disappointment.

But Ise didn't care at that point. "I've a lot more stuff to do and can't waste my time."
"Time that I could cut short. Right here, right now." An azure aura began surrounding Vali who was losing his patience.

"Oh, you wanna go?" A scarlet aura did the same for Ise. "Bring it on!"

[Looks like we are starting this today.] Ddraig couldn't help but say with a sigh.

[Hahahaha! If you want my opinion, we are late.] Albion, on the other hand, couldn't help but be excited. [Doesn't matter if the fruit isn't ripe yet. We aren't at 100% either so this will be a fair match.]

That comment ticked the Welsh Dragon exactly the wrong way. [Are you trying to throw excuses now, White One?]

[Giving something for you to cry once we are done, Red One.] The Vanishing Dragon retorted with confidence. [Damn it, Vali. You really rubbed off on me.]

Divine Dividing manifested on the young man's back. "Ain't that a great thing. It shows us we are the best Partners."
"My ass you are!" Ise replied due to excitement.
[Yeah. We are the strongest duo.] Excitement that Ddraig shared.
"Boys, boys. Could you please not fight?" A gentle voice reached their ears and both sides turned to see Akeno leaninging at one of the temple's many windows with her usual smile. With a small hop she jumped off the building and landed between the two. "You two weren't planning to fight in my goddess' temple, were you?"
"No!" Ise replied in a panic while jumping backwards while his aura vanished. "Not at all. We were just chatting. Right Vali?"
"That was overly polite." He then smirked before turning to the Queen. "And if we were about to fight? What about it?"
"Then I would have to teach you some manners." The smell of ozone became increasingly apparent as the Pawn stepped back, letting his Rival deal with the ravenhead. "Should I remind you we are in Medusa-sama's temple? Here, as her priestess, I have all the advantage."

[Careful Partner. She is fully recovered from yesterday. The goddess is also boosting her.] The Vanishing Dragon could feel the area giving Akeno even more power to play with. [And yes, I know that will only make the fight better but leave it for another day.]

"Fine, fine. Since you guys feed us, I will play nice." His azure aura retreated and he folded his arms.

"Oh my. Like you could start anything right now. How are the reserves by the way? 50? 60%?" The sound of a clicking tongue only made her more amused. Then she turned to Ise to add. "He can't throw the first punch, Ise-kun. That was the deal so… try to not fall for any cheap provocations, alright?"
"Sure thing, Akeno-san!"

[Stop saluting like a soldier. This is embarrassing.] Ddraig commented which made the priestess giggle.

Vali wasn't done. "Instead of working on your control, you should work on expanding your reserves."
His Rival relaxed his shoulders before asking. "The hell are you talking about?"
"Juggernaut Drive." That time sent a chill to the others' spines and had Vali rolling his eyes. "Don't tell me you are afraid of it? That would be pathetic."
"I'm not afraid." Ise straightened himself up and met his Rival's eyes. "Just don't think I'm ready to try that again. Or any time soon."

"Like you have time to waste. Or do you want to risk transforming again and losing the little you have left?"
Akeno quickly stepped forward and placed a hand on Vali's chest. "Provoking Ise-kun like that is very cowardly. Why don't you try to mess with someone your size?"
The White Dragon Emperor rolled his eyes before raising his arms in a non threatening fashion. "Hey, I am just giving him some advice. Take it or leave it." His hazel eyes shifted back towards the Red Dragon Emperor. "The best way to control that form is to overwhelm it with equal or greater power."
"More power than a Heavenly Dragon?" The priestess questioned with a raised brow. "Why use it then?"
Vali mostly ignored her, his focus still on the Pawn. "Hmph. When using Juggernaut Drive we aren't fighting against our dragons, we are fighting against our predecessors." The ravenhead grew silent as the brown haired man glared at his Rival. "You know what I am talking about. The voices. All that rage can blind anyone. If you want to control Juggernaut Drive, then you need to suppress them."
"'Suppress them'? What do you mean?" Ise questioned with growing anxiety but also curiosity.

"Our predecessors are still around. Or whatever is left of them, like the specters back in the park, and when we try to use our full power they start to mess this up." Vali tapped his temple. "But they aren't as strong as Albion or Ddraig. Hell, most of those ghosts barely are coherent in the first place."
"So you suppress them to use your full power. Sounds forceful." Akeno concluded while stepping aside so the dragons could talk freely. She still stayed on the sidelines just in case.

[Crude but effective.] Albion commented with approval. [Thanks to my Partner's power, it is easy to add my own and everytime we unleash our full strength, we get better at it.]

"Sure control is good but all control in the world can't stop a mountain from being a mountain." Vali added with a grin. "And once you place the mountain that is your power between the voices and yourself, you will be able to use Ddraig's full power." He concluded with a shrug. "If you can get strong enough to do it in the first place. The base power to control Juggernaut Drive is something between High and Ultimate Class devil, by Underworld's standards."
At the road present before him, Ise couldn't help but blink in wonder. "Hard but," his fist closed in determination, "I can do it…" However something didn't sit well with him.

[Partner we definitely can do it!] And only Ddraig could tell but he was busy being baffled by the brute force method their Rivals were presenting them. [It won't take much time either. In fact, maybe fighting Fenrir was to our benefit since it helped us reconnect. Now we just need to cultivate your strength. Then the voices can stop!]

Remembering the voices, their hate and sadness, created a stone on his chest. 'Maybe but it… just feels wrong.' All excitement vanished from the Welsh Dragon's soul as he directed all his focus to his Partner. But Ise was already moving on. "Thanks for the advice. I'll think about it." A flash of light covered his hand before he threw something at his Rival. "Here."
Vali caught it with ease before his eyes grew in wonder. "A Dragon Apple?"

[A Boosted Dragon Apple, to be exact.] Ddraig recovered enough to say as his Partner began way back to the temple. [Eat it and you will get all your strength back. Or don't and wait for it to return naturally. Just don't come looking for us if you want any more apples.]

[Pft. As if we need your food. But we shall taste it this once just to see what you worked on.]

"... Fufufufu. I am so glad you guys became friends." Akeno commented.

[""We aren't friends!""]

"Fufufufu."
"Tch. Thanks for this." Vali said while raising the apple.
"Yeah, yeah. We're even." Then the Red Dragon Emperor pointed his gauntlet hand to his Rival's face. "And just you wait! I'm going to become strong enough to break that ugly face of yours in no time."
"Don't promise me a good time like that. Will make me excited." Vali replied with an honest smile.

With one more "Hmph," for good measure, Ise went back to the temple with his head held high. 'Ddraig. I don't want to get Juggernaut Drive his way.'

[Then we will have to figure something out ourselves.] Whatever the path his Partner walked, the Welsh Dragon would stay with him until the end be it either bitter or sweet.

For his part Vali was satisfied with their interaction. "I see he grew a spine since last time."
"Hoh? You mean when you dropped by just after he had been Reincarnated? Perish the thought. Ise-kun was always brave." Akeno praised with her usual smile. "He was just caught off guard back then. It wasn't like we all bothered to explain to him the Heavenly Dragons' Fate or anything of the sort."
"... You know it hasn't been that long, right?"
"Time may have been short but he experienced a lot of things. We all did."
"Hmm, can't disagree with that." The silver haired man stared at the apple for a few seconds, preparing himself. After several deep breaths, he began biting into fruit so quickly his head was almost a blur. "Black, argh, fuuuu-" After stopping for a second, making sure to not breath and chewing at speeds unknown, he returned to the food with disdain while mumbling curse after curse. "This- is- so- awful!"
"But it works~" Akeno commented playfully and Vali could just nod as tears began pouring from his eyes. "Ah~ don't be like that. Ise-kun doesn't cry when he eats."

"Baw. He is already used to it." Because the silver haired man never tasted anything so bad in his life. "I knew it would be bad but… It is like someone killed a skunk, an army of cockroaches and mixed it with rotten apples before calling it a meal."

[The worst!] Albion complained and the priestess giggled.

Vali grabbed his throat to stop himself from bulking as he and his Partner worked on converting the apple into energy. "After watching your Rating Game I knew it was bad-"

[Dragon Apples are bad. A Boosted one? Madness! Absolute Madness!]

"... What he said." Finally the fruit began to settle in his stomach but the taste stayed in his mouth for a bit longer. "Say, do you have any-" From a magic circle a bottle of tea fell in his hands. "Graceful are those who follow the goddess' kindness."
"Fufufu. I will make sure to tell Medusa-sama you appreciate our generosity." Drinking half of the bottle, Vali stopped to allow it to dance around his tongue. "At least you dragons have something to recover in a rapid fashion. Without my goddess protection, I probably would still be in bad shape."
Once he was sure there was nothing left of the apple, he swallowed Akeno's tea to comment. "Probably because you are still holding back." Silence fell between them as the ravenhead kept her smile in place and he returned to drinking. Once he was done, the young man added, "We were already inside by the time you unleashed your last strike. Fay was setting her field when you finally let loose. It was beautiful. The sort of blow that could make a god shake."
Literally and metaphorically as the three deities present during that fight were caught off guard from the incarnation of Yamata no Orochi who managed to push Fenrir back even if just a little bit.

However it wasn't something Akeno was fully proud or conscious of. "It was a lapse of judgment. A moment of weakness."
"If that was you weak, do you want to fight?" Asked the young man before taking another sip.

"Sorta." She giggled when his eyes grew wide with surprise. "But not today or any time soon. I feel that if we fight, paraphrasing Ise-kun, you are going to kick my butt."
"He would say ass. Kinda odd for a boobs man."
"How mindful of you to pay attention to your Rival like that."

Vali shrugged before savoring the last drops of tea. "I want a good fight. Not an easy one."
He threw the bottle to the priestess but she only opened a magic circle and let it fly inside. "Do you want some more?" The offer caught him off guard. Especially when he saw another bottle and couldn't help but lick his lips. "Happy to say I make the best tea in town. It's my hobby."

"Yes, please." Accepting the second bottle, Vali hummed in appreciation. "You use magic to amplify and keep it warm… Emiya's style."
"Shirou-kun was the one who taught me magecraft." The ravenhead stated proudly.

"So you know devil magic, magecraft and have the power from your father's blood." Vali's smile grew sharper. "Not bad for the second True Hybrid around." Noticing the ravenhead square her shoulders, he chuckled. "Don't worry. I won't say anything. Consider this…" Started the hybrid while lifting the bottle as if to toast her, "... a favor from kin."
"We are kin. Cousins, no matter how distant. Your great grandfather-"
"Yes, yes. Lucifer was a fallen angel before becoming a maou. I know. But that wasn't what I was talking about." All amusement left them as they started walking around in a circle from each other, always keeping the same distance. "We are both True Hybrids, you and I. The perfect combination of human and supernatural."
"Since the Order of things is what it is, I wouldn't call devils and angels supernatural. Just exotic."
Vali chuckled at the distinction. "The Hero Faction will throw a fit when I say that. Might as well try one of those days." Both stopped on the same spot they started. "When I was talking about you holding back, you know I wasn't talking about your rage." Aura began pouring from his body, pristine, perfect and powerful. And lacking any trace of devil or dragon. "Why are you holding back by playing devil."
Akeno nodded in understanding. "Yes, I know. But I just… Buchou saved me when I was lost and gave me a chance to meet so many wonderful people. To build a new family while giving me a chance to reconnect with my old one."

"Only because we are in times of peace." Vali commented with some disdain.

The priestess shrugged. "Would we be born in other times if not in times of peace? Would my father finally feel safe to find love?"
"Born out of love… Yes, on that we differ… But I get what you mean." The Vanishing Dragon spit to the side as if to try and get rid of his rage. "If not for my donor's despair, I would never have been born. And it only happened because we are at 'peace'."

A moment of silence descended between the two as they thought about their own circumstances, each trying to imagine being born in a World where the Factions were still at war.

Certainly they wouldn't have been able to talk as they were then. "Still, I can feel you are holding yourself back somewhat. Not only that but I could swear I saw angel wings just before the Holy Lightning hit. Purple wings."
"Fufufu. You have good eyes." Akeno didn't hesitate to reveal her majestic wings which earned her a hum of gratitude. "The color… they used to be black but once I started following Medusa-sama, they changed. I suppose an angel following a god takes after their color."
"Fascinating." He approached to touch them but the priestess took a graceful step back with a giggle. "I just want to see how strong they are."
"The only way you are touching them is by force. We may be True Hybrids, but we barely know each other." Her smile grew even more beautiful. "Besides, I like the idea of only allowing the man I love to touch them." Vali rolled his eyes but took a respectful step back. The ravenhead hid her wings again before adding, "Demonic energy, my evil piece, it gets in the way from time to time."
"Then get rid of it."
"Fufufufu. With the Stray Nekomata around, I thought you would know-"
"Evil Pieces don't work on superior beings. They can't demote a True Hybrid into a simple devil." Such a simple reminder caught Akeno off guard but she knew Vali had a point. "If you are a Queen of Gremory for now, it is because you are letting yourself appear to be a devil but in reality you are anything but. You are above them and while I don't doubt a goddess like Medusa can still affect you with a blessing or two, you are her equal more than you want to admit."
The disbelief in her expression grew. "Are you implying you are equal to the gods?"
"We just have a slow start but our potential is… unlimited. Ophis confirmed it to me." It was one of the reasons why the Ouroboros Dragon liked to keep Vali around. She knew that sooner or later he would become one of the Strongest on his own merit. "If rumors are to be believed… only a True God could be our superior. What do you think about that?"
"I should ask: do you suspect something?" Akeno wasn't going to be blunt but she already guessed her kin was close to the truth.
Proven by the manner he smiled. "Emiya shouldn't have pulled my friends aside and hoped I wouldn't suspect something. Is Odin going to make a play?"
"Maybe but we have countermeasures."
"Why? Doesn't he want to be a God?"
"... if 'the road to Hell is full of good intentions' then 'the stairway to Heaven is full of evil plots' or something like that." Her smile grew more pronounced and sharp. "And we are looking where he is walking."
"I won't interfere but I hope your plan is accounting for the risks-" Vali froze upon noticing disappointment and anger growing on Akeno's face. "Oho. Is he planning something reckless?"
"To say the least."

"Hahahahaha! Then I can't wait to watch the fireworks. After all, be it Loki, Fenrir or Odin, I will get a good fight." The Vanishing Dragon started back to the temple before stopping side by side with his cousin. "Does Gremory know?"

"If she did, she would have begged you to stop him." Unlike Akeno, Rias would hesitate to risk Shirou's life if there was a safer alternative available.

However 'safer' didn't necessarily mean it was 'better' and the Mage of Swords wished to follow his heart more than his brains which somehow made the ravenhead's own heart skip a beat at how brave he was.

Brave and stupid but Akeno figured she liked him stupid so long he kept walking his virtuous path.

One she would gladly follow.
"Huhuhu. Just make sure I will at least get to fight Lucifer later." That was Vali's price for his silence.

"Fufufu. Don't need to bother. Rias always keeps her promises, one way or another. Just please, play nice today."
…..

After she finished eating, Rossweisse didn't know what to do about the dishes but returned them to the kitchen herself. Part of her expected Medusa to call one of her followers to collect if just to not be left alone with Odin. Yet the goddess made no move to do such after guiding them to a gaming room.

There it was possible to find all manner of board games like Chess, Go and Shogi but also a dancing platform connected to a video game that looked way too modern to belong in a temple.

Nevertheless the Valkyrie kept her mouth shut while the deities started playing a match of Backgammon, hesitation due to her previous defiance to her god who just smiled and waved her off after claiming she was, "Finally growing a spine."

Yet those words, that particular interaction, didn't sit well with Rossweisse who felt a pit open on her stomach everytime she thought about Loki running around Fuyuki conveniently when Odin decided to visit the town.

While she was still dwelling on that both her and Medusa finished their meal. "Please take them to the kitchen." The goddess requested while pulling a snake from her hair. It moved from her hand to the wooden floor to the silver haired maiden's shoulder in a couple of seconds. "He is going to show you the way. Let him go after unless you feel you can't get back."
"Yes, Lady Medusa." Was all Rossweisse could say after glancing at her god and noticing he was uninterested in whatever the Valkyrie was going to do.

Undoubtedly he was aware of her movements and barely paying attention in the game but it was evident the Aesir's mind was anywhere but the temple. Either looking towards the future or focused on other matters, the God of War and Magic's senses could barely perceive his own subordinate.

Because he knew she was loyal.

Because he knew there was nothing she could do to ruin his plans.

From that perspective, Rossweisse was irrelevant to him, an unnecessary piece, a card discarded from the deck. She had no part to play in his plans and had been deemed irrelevant.

So he didn't object when the silver haired maiden departed, following the snake's head as it pointed the path to her with his head. After two hallways, greeting a few people, including catching a glimpse of Koneko and Kuroka hanging around the lodge under Kiba's watch and Bikou watching TV, she found the kitchen.

"Excuse me." Opening the door, Rossweisse found an odd and concerning sight. "Shirou!"
"He is fine." Le Fay commented with a hand on the Mage's back as he sat on a chair, his body bending forward as he held his sides desperately. The redhead was also half naked and sweating a ton but Altria was already moving from the fridge with a huge glass of water. "Just some overheating."
"Overheating? Is he trying to abuse his circuits or something?!" The Valkyrie advanced but stopped short when the older blonde gave the glass of water.

Shirou immediately dumped it on his head and they all saw it evaporate around him. "Can I get another? No, wait. A jar."
Altria shook her head but moved back towards the fridge. "Maybe it was a bad thing you dismissed your knight. She should be running around with buckets of water to throw at you."
"Nah. You care enough to not overreact." His joke wasn't welcome from her glare but she still moved to get more water. "The sink-"
"Already on it!" Rossweisse dumbed the bowls from her lunch and grabbed the glass Shirou had previously used, refilling it. "What is the tarnation are you three doing? Is this another dumb attempt to reach the Root or something?"

Le fay paused to think about her question before she replied. "Not enough that much but-"
"No buts! This is a one time thing!" Shirou replied while grabbing the jar from Altria and drinking its contents while Rossweisse threw water on his naked torso not caring about hitting the witch. Once she was close the silver haired woman felt the heat in her own skin. "It would probably take way too much to reach the Root anyway and that wouldn't be safe for anyone."
"You are really messing with your mana pool? Why? How? This is way too dangerous!" The Valkyrie moved to touch the magus but Le Fay caught her hand. "We need to stabilize him."
"What do you think I am doing?" The blonde asked back before letting her go. "I am using my magic to finish the last adjustments. Don't worry, he can't die from this."

Rossweisse wanted to question further but Altria beat her to the punch. "What is this condition of his that keeps him alive whenever is convenient?"
"I already told you it was personal, Ria." Her sister calmly replied.

Only for the older sibling to return with another jar for the magus who began drinking again. "If I am to fight him again, I would like to know what stopped my win last time."
"You technically won-"
"Silence you." Altria glared at the magus who immediately shut his mouth with a glass from the Valkyrie. "We have matters to settle and I will be ready for next time."

"Is nobody worried that his body is overheating?!" Rossweisse interrupted with clear concern. She kneeled beside the Mage and checked his pulse, avoiding magic to not disturb Le Fay's. "This heat is enough to kill any human on a normal day. How are your organs still working?"
"At least it is stabilizing." The witch informed before stepping back and cleaning her hands with a towel. "The treatment is finished, you only need to get used to it… Are you well?"
After a few seconds Shirou replied. "Yeah. No worries."
"Don't lie. At this moment your body must feel like someone poured hot coal down your throat…no, more precisely like we replaced your bones with hot coal. The pain must be tremendous."
"Actually it feels more like I have fire instead of blood in my veins." He noticed Altria crack a smile and couldn't help but feel proud even if the other women didn't get the joke. "That or pepper."
"This isn't time for jokes. Are you trying to kill yourself!" Rossweisse complained.

Only for Altria to scowl. "No. He is getting ready to face Loki. Trying to outdo a god isn't simple, sacrifice is more a demand than a requirement."

"But there is no need-" The Valkyrie froze, not knowing if her god wouldn't want her to say too much. However she couldn't stay silent. "Look, it isn't worth it to go into a fight if you expect to die. There are other ways-"
"Sometimes you must fight, even if your life's on the line." Shirou straightened his back and massaged his neck before releasing a deep sigh. "No, it is all about what you are fighting for. That matters more than who you are fighting against."
"Then why fight? Because of Loki's threats? Give enough time and I bet he will give up on them." Rossweisse decided to say even if Odin would prefer otherwise. The others blinked and the Mage watched her carefully as she hardened her own determination. "This is unsustainable for Asgard and Loki has to know it. Even if he tries to mess up with Fuyuki, that could just start a war."
"He could be desperate." Altria offered but the Valkyrie shook her head. "He already broke Fenrir free. If things get worse-"
"Everything is going to be fine if we can get Thor here and distract Fenrir." Rossweisse revealed, much to the others surprise. "I know Lord Odin shot down that alternative but Lord Thor… he always had a way to keep Loki in check, especially after he cut Lady Sif's hair."
An amused Le Fay asked, "Didn't he shave her head."
"Well… yes, but that is besides the point. Lady Sif also doesn't like being reminded of the occasion. Regardless, worse comes to worse, Lord Thor can help if we can just kill Fenrir."

"... I see." Shirou offered the woman an honest smile. "But," then his expression turned resolute, "I don't like letting others fight my battles. And I feel that Loki lied a lot back there."
"You 'feel'?" The Valkyrie asked nervously which made the Mage chuckle.

"Call it a gut feeling."
"What sort of idiot is going to believe a Trickster's words?" Altria asked almost rhetorically. "A silver tongue, poison covered in honey. Even if he is known for being somewhat honest, it doesn't mean he can't adapt and use the most basic tricks of his trade."
"This country has a saying, right?" Le Fay asked while jumping on a workstation and kicking her legs in the air. "Something like 'the silence is gold but words are silver'. Everything he said could be just a smokescreen or part of his act."
"Which means we need to prepare." Shirou stopped himself before realizing he spoke a little too much. "Anyway, Rossweisse, glad you are here. I wanted to ask you a question."

The maiden tilted her curiously. "No problem. Anything to help."

Happy that she replied positively, soon his expression grew somber. "... About those specters back in the park-"
"You shouldn't think about them." Rossweisse could look at him sadly. "I wish I could help but even as a Valkyrie… they were burned so thoroughly that only their emotions are left. Mostly their anger."
"... Their anger, huh…" While the tall woman couldn't guess what he was thinking she knew it couldn't be anything sane. "So could someone harness it?"
She was right. "Are you- Is that- Besides somehow overheating your body you want to-"
"He wants to know if the specters can be, if not saved, then spent… for the lack of a better word." Le Fay pointed out with cold indifference. "I admit I know little about the matters of the soul but using human emotions for spells isn't anything new."
"They can't be called humans anymore. Even that was burned away." Rossweisse recalled with a heavy consciousness. "So little of who they were was left that they are just shadows of emotions and little else."
"But they still feel that anger. That pain. And it can be used." Shirou's eyes began literally shining gold, surprising the Valkyrie. Feeling something in his eyes, he covered them and forced the light to vanish. "And if I can direct it, then I can put an end to the specters while also…" He barely raised his hand and flexed a finger when suddenly a sword appeared from nothing. Clearly the magus also was surprised by the event but closing his fist, he offered the sword. "This was made with obsession and steel. An old man 's dream." She moved to touch the sword and he added, "Careful, it is cursed."
Rossweisse's eyes shifted between him and the blade but regardless Muramasa left the magus' hands for her own. She felt something assaulting her mind but his warning helped her fight back only for it to vanish a second later. Brushing her fingers around the katana's edge, she admired the craftsmanship and its impossibility.

For it was truly a sword made with emotions embodied in its very being. "I didn't know it was possible… But I don't think you should try something like this." She returned Muramasa to his owner who dismissed it in motes of light with a thought. "If a man's obsession was already enough to create a cursed weapon, the anger of hundreds, of thousands, can make something infinitely more dangerous."
"But it is possible." Shirou concluded and she couldn't deny it.

"Maybe. I don't know exactly how the weapon was originally forged but if the infusion of emotions was during the forging process, and using the dwarves as reference, you would have to direct their anger yourself to reach a similar goal." That thought injected fear in her spine. "Even with magic, the specters, their feelings, they need direction. I know nothing about swordsmithing but I also think that using anger to make a sword can only be a bad idea. Scratch that. A terrible, horrible, awful, insane idea!"
Shirou actually agreed with her point however, "Are there any ways to help them move on then to spend all they have left?" The question surprised and silenced the silver haired woman so he kept going. "Any other way of giving them peace, of ending their suffering." Looking at his hand, he chuckled with bitterness. "Maybe a wish…"
"No, there isn't." The Pendragon witch answered for the Valkyrie. "If she knew any, she would have already told everyone back at the park." Rossweisse looked down with regret but was ignored by the girl who turned back to the magus. "Still, I agree with her. Anger is a very volatile emotion and while I don't know the method you are going to use to make a weapon, I suggest you reconsider it because even if you succeed, that sort of action will leave a mark." Her head tilted enough and her hat almost fell but she quickly grabbed it. Mildly embarrassed, the small blonde added. "Not that I understand emotions enough to make weapons in the first place. Sounds like the sort of thing thought out by a master…"

"I suppose Muramasa was a master. The Master Swordsmith in my opinion." The redhead acknowledged his predecessor and internally recognised he was nervous about replicating his deeds. Just on a far more massive and dangerous scale. "Either way, he didn't use anger so can't even know if it will make a good sword." His goal was to save the specters anyway and he could do it after Loki. "Or maybe it will make the most dangerous sword of them all."
"Hope is better." Altria suddenly commented, her eyes distant and sad for a millisecond before she shook her head. Surprised at her own feelings, the young woman questioned, "A sword made of hope… Can such a thing exist?"

The Mage of Swords looked at the woman with a satisfied smile. "Yes, it certainly can."
"Sounds more like a fairy tale." Rossweisse couldn't help but comment, making Le Fay snort. "What?"
"Nothing. Just that I love fairy tales." The younger Pendragon turned to her sister. "If ambition can fortify a sword, so can hope. Bet it would be a way better sword too." Then the cold returned. "Unfortunately those specters don't have any hope to give."
Shirou nodded. "We can solve that after I deal with Loki."
"Are you really planning to challenge a god? I don't know what you did-"
"Rossweisse." The redhead placed both hands on her shoulders. She could feel the extreme heat and how he was shaking from pain while keeping himself together. "Thank you for your help and the advice. Don't worry, leave it to me."

From her eyes the Valkyrie could tell he wasn't lying, those were the eyes many men showed throughout History, the eyes of those who knew they were going to fight for something righteous while realizing it would be torture.

Those were the eyes of men who went to war.

And Emiya Shirou was implying he was going to challenge Loki, Trickster of the Aeisr.

A war would have been easier.

Rossweisse's hands grabbed his arms tenderly. "Loki is an excellent magician. Best in Asgard-"
Le Fay realized something, if the Valkyrie understood what was really happening, she was about to do something unforgivable. "Are you sure-"
"-he controls all Elements, can shapeshift into anything and knows every spell ever written so long they don't use Runes of any kind." Yet the silver haired woman's eyes grew more fierce, a fierceness that Shirou found mesmerizing. "And when he shapeshifts, it isn't just animals, at least not normal ones. He can transform into anything and anyone, copying them down to their mannerisms and power. The latter only to an extent but regardless sometimes that is enough to suddenly turn the tables on anyone."
"Not surprising, he is a god." Altria complimented where it was due.

But the Valkyrie wasn't done. "You already know what Fenrir is capable of but Loki was definitely holding back. I don't know where he got those clones either or how they work but when striking a god-"
"Rossweisse!" Le Fay shouted in a panic. "He is still a god of Asgard."

As an asgardian, every single Valkyrie owned Loki if not obedience then at least his respect, traitor or not. Doubly so because he was a god and she was doing something a faithful never should; talking about her god's strengths and weaknesses to an obvious enemy.

More specifically she was telling them things that weren't in his Legends and weren't wildly known.

Secrets that wouldn't benefit her Pantheon but weaken it.

Because her loyalty was to Asgard, her faith was to Asgard, her Oaths were to Asgard, Balder, Freya and every member of their Pantheon who outranked her unless told otherwise.

Despite the crimes Loki committed, Odin planned to take advantage of them, therefore her actions went against Asgard.
"She is right." Shirou offered the tall woman a genuine smile. "You don't need to say anything else. I know the Legends and-"
"The Legends don't tell everything." Rossweisse interrupted him without hesitation, reminding them all that Legends were in essence controlled. "The trick is to tell enough to gain power but keep enough back to catch everyone off guard." Her grip also grew tight and he could feel her nails biting his skin. Yet he didn't flinch, knowing she was gathering her resolve. "My granny…. She taught me to do the right thing. Helping you is the right thing."
"Rossweisse-"
"Don't! Don't ask questions, none of you." The Valkyrie quickly looked around and fetched a chair before sitting down. After fixing her suit, she began. "While it is said that Loki is the son of giants, nobody but Lord Odin knows where he came from. It was almost like he was suddenly there one day, giving Lord Thor advice and betting with dwarves for a reason or another. As far as gods went he had everything; skill, charisma, power and intelligence. That is why he is the most suited to lead Ragnarok, he is a complete warrior, even when trying to not appear such." Her aqua eyes grew hard as they hanged at her every word. "For Loki is cunning, powerful and capable. The end of the world couldn't have asked for a better general."

If anyone asked, the trio could claim Rossweisse was doing nothing but tell them a story about the sort of god who attacked Fuyuki. A very thought out tell which left nothing out, summarizing his greatest accomplishments, praised his skills in magic and highlighted that even when losing the Trickster always gained something.

…..

'Time stops for no woman…' Medusa mused after several hours of entertaining Odin, her expression calm and passive despite the storm raging in her mind. "We are-"
"-almost there, aren't we?" The Aesir questioned while watching the sun set and the moon slowly take its place. "You planned for the ritual to be done at night for your devils to have a boost to their reserves. An unnecessary effort since you could power the whole thing up yourself."

The three of them, for it had been an hour or so since Rossweisse returned to her post, were strolling around the temple towards where they would do the ritual of contact. Where they would soon try to reach the World Serpent in a realm between them to not disturb the natural order of the World.

Such a thing had its own designed spot, a circle of pillars made akin to an open air temple. "It is absolutely necessary. I won't be partaking in it."

"Oho?" Odin certainly sounded surprised but it was hard to tell if it was genuine or a ploy.

"Who else is going to stop Fenrir if Loki decides to not feed him." The goddess responded candidly before glaring at the Aesir. "I hope you remember our deal as well."
"Yes, yes. I will guide the spell to properly reach Jormungandr's consciousness. Suppose I shall also prove the space for contact."
"What do you think?"
"Tch. Working me to the bone. Girly!"
"Sir!" Rossweisse stood to attention, her eyes looking above her deity's head.

"I am going to need you to set a few runes to help the devils. Nothing too fancy since we have the Heavenly Dragons for the connection… Speaking of dragons, Fafnir would be useful for this occasion."
It was Medusa's turn to click her tongue. "He refused to help stating his contract is with Azazel." She then glared at the Old Man. "He also said, and I quote, 'not going to help that old bastard with anything unless I get paid up front'."
Usually the Valkyrie would wince in sympathy but her mind was too distracted and she could only notice the Aesir shrugging. "One would think restoring his body would be enough payment." He could do nothing since that dragon was by definition greedy. "And neither the Scapegoat nor his brother woke up. Or better yet, you are keeping them asleep."
"It is for the best. So long as they make a full recovery, it was worth it." Truly the goddess wished to ask Azazel's advice on many matters but her Champion made clear time wasn't on their side. "In a day or two they wake up mostly healed if not fully. Perhaps in time to face Fenrir again. For now we must do the best that we can to secure victory on every front."
Odin started walking again while laughing out loud. "Oh but you already know how to win. You are just being stubborn."
They finally made their way outside where the whole of Rias Peerage and Vali's group, most of them standing in a circle chatting with each other. Considering everything the environment was somewhat friendly, a couple of them traded banter even as the Heavenly Dragons stayed far apart.

Indeed it wasn't animosity which prompted them to keep their distance but with Ise more interested in talking with Asia and Gasper while Vali was more focused on Kuroka put them in distinctive groups.

Koneko remained by her sister's side, watching over the Vanishing Dragon carefully which amused the young man. Close to them were Luvia and Bikou with the former questioning the latter about his Senjutsu, more precisely how it was more distinct that the nekomatas'.

Almost a whole different branch of magic if the Reincarnated magus was to be believed.

By tall Rook's side was Ravel who watched all interactions with her guard up, the Married Blades on her back even as her fingers twitched every time Bikou made a too brusk of a move in a playful fashion to tease the Phenex Daughter.

Something that Kiba pointed out before returning to his chat with Arthur. The two were getting along pretty well too, trading a laugh about random things and acting like old friends.

Yet Medusa didn't pay any of them any heed, her attention was her priestess who signaled her everything was in place. At least the purple haired woman thought she did since the ravenhead had to be extremely subtle about it because of Odin and Rias.

The latter who turned to them once she felt their presence. "Hey, have any of you seen Shiro?"

"Last I saw, he was in the kitchen. Suddenly I started feeling hungry again." Medusa replied, already expecting that question. 'Now we need Arthur to-'

"The lad had the balls to say he was making something to deal with a god." It was Add who followed up and from the eldest Pendragon sibling's face, the words weren't necessarily welcomed. Yet it was clear the cube was fully on board with their conspiracy when he said, "Something about a sword or another. Guy was working like mad so is probably taking a break right about now."
Perhaps it was the casual way the mystic code explained but Rias let out a sigh of exasperation and relief. "Well, if he is in the temple…"
"My, my. Perhaps you were worried he was going to do something, Buchou?" Akeno questioned with a cheerful grin. "Maybe instead of making a sword, he should be trying to make treats for Loki and Fenrir. Those have better odds of working."
"I sure wish it was that simple." After a hopeful smile, her face lost all joy as she focused on Odin. "We are ready for the ritual. If you would be kind enough to add the finishing touches."
The Aesir then noticed the magic circle drawn on the ground with dusted bones and mana charged paint. "Blood would work better."
"Perhaps but we don't want to tempt Fate and give Loki more openings to attack." Rias chose caution in that stance.

Something Odin respected. "Very well." Unveiling his spear's true form he stepped inside the circle and started scribing his Primal Runes.

As the redhead devil turned to the deity. "What about Shiro and the others? Are they in the temple?" Because not only the Mage but also Xenovia, Liz and the Pendragon sisters were missing. Rin also apparently left after delivering the package "Should I be worried?"
"Are you truly asking me to spy on my Champion right now?" After all, all the temple was under Medusa's control. Which was why the Princess of Ruin was asking. "Focus on the ritual. It won't be a short affair."
"Most of the time Jormungandr is sleeping." Rossweisse informed to move the conversation along. "After making contact we are going to have to wake him up."
"Sounds easy." Ise, who was approaching Gasper and Asia, commented. "Dragons are really light sleepers. I mean really. Once I stumbled on a branch and-"

"Actually, the World Serpent is the exception." The Valkyrie interrupted delicately. Some could tell she was nervous but had no idea why. "He spends most of the time slumbering because, well, his prison has nothing so he developed the habit of sleeping for years at a time."
"Years? What does he eat?"
"When does he eat?" Gasper followed his senpai's question.

The silver haired woman scratched the back of her head. "Nothing? I don't know. Nobody taught me that."

"That is… rather odd. But not unheard of." Rias commented. "After all, he is the son of a god. Question is: are we going to be able to wake him up to ask anything?"
"Can a spell like this reach someone asleep?" Asia questioned as they turned to watch Odin writing his Runes on the circle. Four of them, one in each cardinal direction, surrounded circles which connected them to the center.

"That is what Lord Odin's magic is for." At least her god was really trying to fulfill Medusa's request. "It and the Heavenly Dragons."
[Dragons attract dragons after all. Power attracts power.] Ddraig spoke from the gem on his Host's hand. [Won't be the first time I do something like that, Rias Gremory. Worry not.]

The Welsh Dragon's words actually reassured the devil before Akeno spoke, "We all better get in position. Everything is almost done."
All of Rias' concerns returned as her gut kept telling her something was amiss. "What about Shiro and the others?"
"Unfortunately he can't help much in this sort of ritual. Better let him sharpen his swords, give him something useful to occupy his time." Her Queen did her duty and delivered her own reassurances.

"Hey, are we ready or what, nya?" Kuroka asked, always hand in hand with Koneko. The Stray Nekomata really didn't want to part with her sister who was happy to indulge her due to their history. "We better do something before that mutt decides to try to eat us again."

A sigh escaped Rias but she couldn't disagree with the other woman. "Okay everyone! Places! Places! Asia! Gasper! I am going to need you two in those circles beside the runes! Kiba, just as we rehearsed! Swords!"
Her Knight touched the ground with a smile. "Sword Birth! Conductor Magic!" His sacred gear flared and five swords appeared around the magic circle forming a star. They all had a double edge thin blade like rapiers besides a diamond in each guard were rather basic if tall. Exactly Koneko's size. "Ready and waiting, Buchou!"
"Then we should get moving." Luvia commented while stepping to one of the swords and placed a hand on its pommel.

"Onee-sama, ready when you are!" Ravel announced while placing a hand on another sword.

Rias and Akeno traded looks before moving towards two swords parallel to each other but one was still unoccupied. "Koneko?"
"Nee-chan-"
"Going with you."
"Yes, you are… but I need to hold the sword." Her sister's clinginess was starting to embarrass the white haired girl.

"Just step inside the circle, Kuroka!" Bikou commented while jumping on the center of the ritual close to Odin. He wasn't contributing in any sense, just a passenger. "Come on, sit down here-"
"You better stay standing. I have no idea of the terrain we are going to conjure for contact." The Aesir admitted while Rossweisse stood by his side. "Or stay sitting and hope I manage to form a floor before you fall in the deepest abyss."
Rolling his eyes, Vali stood on one of the main circles between Gasper and Asia. "Don't exaggerate. It wouldn't be that deep."
"You are right, Vanishing Dragon! Deep implies there will be a bottom! Hahahahaha!" Odin laughed and Bikou ended up grinning nervously before standing up. He even summoned a small cloud in his hand just in case as the god questioned, "Say, the Red Dragon Emperor is a breast guy. Do you share his opinion of the wonders of the feminine form?"
"I am not a pervert."
"Meh, bet this bastard is gay or something." Ise couldn't help but say as he stood in opposition to Vali in his own circle.
"Hmph. Just because I like women doesn't mean I got around with my mouth dripping like a dog in heat every time I met one-"
"I don't do that every time I met a girl-"
"Just the hot ones." Akeno interrupted making the Pawn shut up. Seeing him blush and Asia pout made her giggle despite the circumstances. "Last call for the trip. All aboard~"

"Well, let's get going." Arthur and Kiba both stepped in. He didn't need to go but planned to survey the situation and support the High Priestess of Medusa in her mission.

Indeed the eldest Pendragon sibling was also part of a conspiracy which had him and the ravenhead dedicated to stall their group for as long as possible since his youngest sister requested such in the Mage of Swords' name.

'Don't dare to let them die, Emiya Shirou…' He felt Add chuckle above his chest but just smiled at Kiba. "Not going to help power your weapons?"
"Unlike everyone, my reserves are quite poor. I would just get in the way and a single mistake may shatter my swords so it is better if I am in position to make more, just in case." If anything Kiba was only going because his presence kept his swords stable. "Are you sure about leaving your sisters behind?" His fellow blond raised an eyebrow. "You are a bit overprotective."
"He? Overprotective?! Kakakakakakakaka!" Add couldn't help but laugh so loud it caught everyone's attention.

Arthur ignored his teammate to say, "They insisted. And admittedly I always wanted to see the World Serpent, the Gigantic Dragon."

"Circle is ready." Odin announced calmly. "Runes on stand by and good to go. Can't I change your mind, Medusa?"

"Just try to see what the dragon knows." With the way the Aesir displayed his greed, she wasn't allowing him a centimeter close to Shirou.

"Supposing he wakes up…" Ravel didn't like to leave things to chance.

Yet she forgot, "Oh he will. Luck is on our side," she was on Rias Peerage and the Heiress felt confident. "Everyone, ready?"
"Ready!" Luvia called, her mana already going into the sword.

"Ready and waiting, Onee-sama." A reassured Ravel directed her power.
"Fufufu. Here to help, Buchou." Akeno barely did anything and her sword was prepared.

"Ready!" Gasper managed to shout as he and his fellow Bishop had the duty of pushing more energy than the others while keeping things smooth.

It was one of the reasons why only members of the Gremory were powering the ritual directly since their similar mana would increase the odds of success while greatly diminishing the cost.

"Me too." Asia already had her hands together in prayer, a mental trigger that subconsciously boosted her control. Nobody told her that since the girl already did the gesture instinctively and because they knew what it meant for her.

"You better not screw this up, Vali." Ise warned while calling his Boosted Gear.

"Huh? What is this? Did my Rival just grow enough to threaten me?" The Divine Dividing wielder certainly looked pleased by the development. "Maybe you are a man after all. Not just hiding behind your King's skirts."

Rossweisse noticed the Pawn's glare and shouted. "Focus on the ritual! One mistake and we are doing this all over again!"
"You heard her, Ise." Rias' voice calmed the Red Dragon Emperor down for the moment. Happy with his control, she turned to Odin. "Your turn, Old Man of the North."
"Fufufu. I know. I know." Slamming his spear on the ground, the Legendary Gungnir revealed some of its true power. The pale weapon began shining as the runes in the circle resonated with it. "Hmm, having two dragons made it easy to reach the big snake. This is going to go faster than I expected."
A pleased Odin waved his Legendary weapon around and the group soon was covered with a snow-like motes of light that began coalescing into a veil which grew in size until it completely enveloped the magic circle.

And all of those within it became invisible when the magic was complete leaving a white dome in its place.

Only that wasn't just any dome or barrier, it was technically a very advanced boundary field specialized into connections between two spaces. The closest thing of dimensional magic one can truly reach without using direct teleportation or managing to manipulate them with the True Magic Kaleidoscope.

Teleportation wasn't considered True Magic because it was about traveling between two points. In that boundary field's case it was considered more advanced due to how it connected two or more with each other.

Because it wasn't that much different from creating Mirror Dimensions or pocket dimensions, just more skewed towards communication that just existed. Complex and expensive, it had fallen out of fashion as better methods of contact were created.

Both magical and mundane.

Yet Jormungandr didn't have a magic circle, rune, scroll or cellphone. It was the Gigantic Dragon who was considered the biggest of his species even taller than Great Red, sleeping deep in the Earth.

So such a method was used, the Heavenly Dragons working like satellites tracking and connecting with the Dragon King while the devils powered it up, the Bishops making sure the whole mechanism went smoothly.

Medusa couldn't help but feel discomfort looking at the dome. "Feels like there is an itch in my back I can't reach." Flexing her fingers, the deity knew that wasn't the case. Sure it was a blemish in her temple but also the sort of thing she could destroy with ease. "Grr… My Champion better make me a feast for this."

Not that she would break contact with the World Serpent. There were safeguards that would protect everybody but it would still be a painful backlash. The sort that would throw everybody around the globe with a couple of wounds and little more since they technically were still on Earth.

The space around them was bending and transforming into the point of contact which was why Medusa felt as if her temple was being invaded and a part of it was being stolen albeit everything would return to normal once the spell ended.

Brushing off the wrongness she was feeling, Medusa turned around. "No more wasting time."

From standstill, she dashed towards the other side of her temple so fast her body would arrive in less than three seconds. During the short travel mana surrounded her form and her comfortable summer dress changed into a heavier black one. Her bare arms were covered by equally heavy black detached sleeves.

When her feet touched the entrance they were covered with 'leather' black boots that almost reached her knees. "If we are doing this, the time is now." She declared, pretty much confirming the plan had been successful. "Unless you have changed your mind."
Waiting for her were the rest of the conspirators; Altria and Le Fay who looked pretty much the same with the former holding her sword firmly to her side much like Xenovia who was wearing her Exorcist uniform and polishing Durandal.

Once she noticed the goddess, she returned it to her choker while Rin leaned on the borrowed pickup truck but started getting inside where Liz waited for the deity, both wearing a feminine version of Shirou's armor.

The Mage of Swords himself also looked ready for combat with a distinct difference; his usual red cloak had changed into a bright purple that distinctively reminded everyone of the goddess' hair.

He offered her a resolute nod which she returned. "Let 's go."

Onwards back to Fuyuki where the Trickster waited.

…..

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