067 - Purple Lancer
"Greetings visitors from beyond time and space." The newcomer speaks slowly, with a voice that's deep and rich and makes a shiver run down Marie's spine. "Even in dire times like these, this blackened Rome welcomes you."
Olga Marie Animusphere
Unless they are actively trying to suppress it -and sometimes, even then- all Servants have a sort of… presence about them. They are living legends, brought back from the Throne of Heroes to walk the Human World once again. That's not something that can be easily ignored. Every sane human can tell, somewhere deep down, that they're standing in the presence of something more.
The Servant before them takes it to a new level.
A majestic, overwhelming presence that effortlessly inspires both recognition and awe. If Olga was a regular human, she has no doubt she would've thrown herself to the ground in prostration. Even as a Magus, someone so detached from Human Common Sense that they constantly dance at the edge of madness, she can feel her knees waver under his gaze.
This is no mere hero, this isn't even a regular king. They are standing in the presence of a God-Emperor of Mankind.
"Who…?" She finds herself muttering in awe.
"Romulus-Quirinus, the First Emperor of Rome. There are those who consider him Rome itself." Haku answers grimly, slowly getting down from her glass horse to take up a combat stance. "He's at least on the level of strength of the Crimson Servants, but it's his insight that makes him truly dangerous. Be on your toes, everyone, this isn't a fight we can easily run away from."
Olga can only watch Lancer and Rider slowly follow Haku's example as in a trance, incapable of acting herself. Mashu seems to have been caught in a similar daze, failing to react for a few seconds until she finally snaps out of it with a start.
"Ah!" The girl yelps as she jumps off her mount and summons her shield to her hands. "Y–Yes!"
But Olga… Olga simply can't do the same. She remains on her steed as her (precious) subordinates prepare for combat. Incapable, unworthy of joining them. She can barely force herself to think about raising arms against Romulus-Quirinus as something good and right. There's no way she can actually do it.
"For the sake of diplomacy…" Haku speaks up again, in the tone of those who know words are useless.. "Is there any chance we can part ways here without a fight?"
… This might be the first time Haku seems reluctant to engage. Even against the Crimson Servants, she was willing, maybe even a bit giddy, to come to blows. Then again, that was only because she was planning on running away from the start.
A long silence follows that question, and Olga dares to hope. That things will be solved peacefully, that it was all a misunderstanding, like it had been with Rin-senpai. That this pillar of glory and authority they're standing in front of won't become their enemy, after all. And then, Romulus-Quirinus speaks.
"Roma too, must obey the will of the Empress." His voice is like the the blow of a gavel, a divine decree against Chaldea.
Olga finds herself shrinking into herself.
"Yeah, I guessed that much." Haku shakes her head with a sigh, as if the condemnation of a human god hadn't even affected her. "Follow my lead, everyone. Let's see what we can do."
"How ironic, how novel, that Chaldea's mightiest combatant would actually be the Master." Romulus-Quirinus observes idly, seemingly in no hurry to act. And why would he? Things will inevitably happen as He wills, regardless of anyone else's efforts. "But you are no regular human, are you?"
Haku tenses, and Olga blinks. Could this possibly be…?
This very much isn't the time to concern herself with such things, but the way Romulus-Quirinus speaks, the way Haku reacts… Could it be that He knows more about Chaldea's Last Master and the strange cult that's been mystifying Chaldea all through the Grand Order? Can He shed some light over the mysterious past of Olga's (crush) subordinate?
Olga leans forward on her seat, hoping to hear more.
"A walking dream, priestess of another's ambition..." He continues, only making Haku tense even further. "Hand of the Despoiler, I see now why Master chained this blackened Roma down. If Roma was free to act as deemed fit, you would be struck down where you stand."
"Hand of the… Despoiler? Is he affected by [Mister Steal–!?" Whatever Haku was about to say, she cuts off in time, but the effect of His words is obvious. In her widened eyes, in the paleness taking her face. "Oh, shit! Oh, shit!"
"Oh shit indeed. Rome praises your spirit, but Rome doesn't condone your existence."
"Fujimaru?" Unexpectedly, unbelievably, Olga somehow finds the strength to speak up. "What's he talking about?"
Haku sends a side-glance her way, nervously licking her lips before offering an explanation.
"One of the minor titles of Demon Lord Re'em is 'The Despoiler', a malicious moniker given by his detractors, because he advocates for taking from his enemies anything that's beautiful, rather than simply destroying it." As she speaks, a bit of color returns to her face, a bit of confidence returns to her attitude, Olga can only hope it's not just bravado. "And he's thus called a thief by pathetic cucks who weep like women for what they couldn't defend as men. Honestly, I expected better from the Father of Rome."
"Fitting, for Rome no longer expects anything from you."
There's finality in these words, something physical pressing on their shoulders. It's not so heavy that it would burden their actions, but everyone feels it all the same. The God Emperor of Rome has nothing more to say. And there's nothing more for the God Emperor of Rome to hear. The time for words is over.
The spear of golden lightning flies at them at blinding speeds. Not with a proper thrown, but with a mere flicker of His wrist. Always trusty and reliable, even at unease and perilous times like these, Mashu steps ahead with her shield at the ready. Haku's hand is already glowing red. They don't underestimate the enemy, they don't waste time trying to get His measure. They know that nothing short of their very best stands a shade of a hope against an opponent of this caliber.
"Mashu!"
"Yes!"
"True Name… Frozen Deployment!"
"This is the Castle of Fantasy that holds many paths and wishes!"
"Now… Answer to my call!"
"[M̷̭̞͚̄o̴̟̙͙̫̓l̴̝̝͎͌͛d̷̹̰͂́̔̈ͅ ̵̧̛͙͍̮͖̍͂̿͝C̶͙̭̩̆̂͋͝ā̶͕̖̳͕̰̈́́m̷͔̜̓́ͅe̴̛̙̟̯̞̩͛̍́l̸̅̓͗̿̚͜o̴͙͍̫̟͗͆́̇͘t̸̼̍̂̏ - Even now, a Fortress of Fragile Visions]"
A fortified city of white noise rises all around them, not just blocking the spear but warding off any potential additional attack from any angle. Unfortunately, the spear refuses to simply fade away after smashing against the immovable object, crackling and sparkling furiously as it tries to pierce through with unrelenting force.
It's not making a dent, of course. Mashu's defensive Noble Phantasm held up even against Excalibur itself back in Singularity F. Still, she finds herself frowning, for what reason would He—
"[Imperial Privilege - Castle Apparition]"
It happens in a blink.
One moment, the spear is struggling in vain against the barriers, the next moment it's already pierced right through Mashu's chest. Olga chokes down a cry of worry as she watches her friend gasp and fall to her knees, the Noble Phantasm sputtering and dying all around them. A Noble Phantasm that was never broken or pierced.
The spear simply ignored it.
"G– Geez, the extra couldn't even hold the props in place!" Lancer cries out as she steps to the front. "I guess it falls on this perfect and adorable idol to save the performance!"
The girl's tail and wings are out in what tries to be a majestic intimidating display. But it looks fake and hollow in front of the real thing, besides, her knees are shaking. Olga can see it clear as day, it's only pride and bravado that keeps her from running away.
"Laaaa~"
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"This! Is! My! Finishing Number!"
"Let's get pumped up! Cry like pathetic little kittens!"
Lancer leans back, her chest swelling as she takes in a lungful of air but, before she can unleash her sonic attack…
"[Imperial Privilege: Dragontamer Charm]"
The breath chokes in her throat and she falls on her knees, face flustered and eyes wide as she stares into His face, seemingly incapable of looking away anymore. Something breaks inside Olga's chest.
"This is hopeless…" She surprises herself by muttering under her breath, but the next step is now obvious. "Rider! Get us out of here!"
"O–Oui!"
Rider seems surprised by the command, but she reacts quickly enough, glass flowers starting to bloom all around as a complex magical circle forms under her feet.
The radiance is still here
Like boisterous flowers
I shall continue to—
"[Imperial Privilege: La Mort Espoir - Death is Hope for Tomorrow]"
A black guillotine sprouts from the ground, brutally shattering both the spell circle and the crystal flowers. Shadowy tendrils extend from the dark wooden frame, ignoring Rider's efforts to shut them down to grab into her. Then then pull back towards the guillotine, dragging Rider along. Olga closes her eyes, feeling the last of her hopes be dashed as Rider is inexorably pulled into a re-enactment of her original death.
There's no way she'll—
"[Ra Tilt - Crumble Spirit Rend]!"
A blast of spectral-blue flames surges from Haku's hands, flying straight into the guillotine and engulfing it into a bright inferno that consumes the crystalized legend with unsettling ease to break Rider free. Free to collapse into the ground, that is, all her energy apparently spent struggling in vain. When Olga turns towards the source, she finds Haku gasping for breath and leaning both hands on her knees for support.
"E–even Noble Phantasms!?" She mutters between pants, barely loud enough for Olga to hear. "Are there no limits to his [Imperial Privilege]?"
Unfortunately, saving Rider seems to have drawn His attention towards Haku, who doesn't seem to be in any state to pull off her usual bullshit and save the day. Olga considers intervening… for about a tenth of a second before nearly having a hysterical meltdown at how hilariously bad an idea such a thing would be.
"And you… Maybe Rome can still correct this foolishness." He speaks calmly and clearly as he approaches Haku. A hand unhurriedly extends forward. "[Imperial Privilege: Planetary Common Sense Enforc—]"
Whatever he was about to do, it made Haku's eyes widen in horror, reserves of magical energy that Olga didn't even know the other girl had exploding into action to do anything, something to fight it. But Olga knew deep in her heart and could read it all over Haku's face. It wouldn't be enough, His authority was inviolable and their struggles were ultimately pointless.
That is… they would've been.
Because it's at that point that a pillar of rainbow light the size of a semi-truck smashes into Romulus-Quirinus from the side, interrupting his attack and creating a violent explosion that sends him flying away.
Olga can only watch, blinking in dumbfounded shock at the sudden and bizarre event, but Haku at least seems to be quick on the uptake.
"A–Altera's arrow…? Damn good save." She murmurs incredulously, her magical energy still running wild all around her. "I'll make sure not to waste it."
Haku's magical energy focuses and sharpens as the girl turns towards where Romulus-Quirinus is slowly getting back up to his feet. She starts walking towards Him, magical energy growing more controlled, more purposeful, with every step.
"Rome was a mighty empire indeed." She muses. "And nowhere else does that might shine as brightly as through the first emperor. Normally, I don't think I would stand a chance against you."
The magical energy coalesces into a huge, rectangular shape, slung over Haku's shoulder by a glowing strap.
"But you are Blackened."
The coalesced magical energy resolves itself into a futuristic-looking weapon, some short of massive cannon that seems too big and heavy to be fired by a single person.
"A Blackened Emperor is nothing other than a Dark Lord."
And yet, Haku easily wields it, casually aiming it at the Blackened Servant. Blue lights start igniting all along the weapon as it goes through its startup sequence.
"And a Dark Lord will always fall to the Hero!"
A mighty hum starts sounding from the weapon's core, the blue lights growing in intensity as they cover more and more of the weapon, until the entire thing shines with a blinding light.
"[Supernova, the Sword of Light - Millennium's Battleship-Mounted Hyper-Railgun]"
The gun fires, a massive burst of blue light that easily consumes the Blackened Servant and continues on, relentless and undeterred, drawing a blue streak all the way over the horizon for long seconds before it finally starts losing power.
"Impressive."
Olga's attention is drawn back towards their enemy. Or rather, what remains of him. Romulus-Quirinus is now little more than a singed head connected to a half-destroyed torso. Anything below has just been… erased out of existence, alongside one of his arms. The other one barely fared any better, looking charred and consumed to the point where it looks more like a malformed rock formation than an actual living limb. There's no trace of his wings to be found anywhere either, and he seems to be floating out of sheer willpower alone.
"You are strong, Hand of the Despoiler."
It takes a moment for Olga to realize what's wrong with this picture.
There are no golden motes of light.
Romulus-Quirinus is not disintegrating.
In fact, now that she pays a closer eye, he seems to be… regenerating.
Blood-red bones regrow downwards like the roots of some sort of twisted tree, only to then get overgrown by fleshy tendrils of muscle fibers that are in turn hidden from view by plates of shiny black armor.
And the process is only gaining speed as it continues, becoming faster and faster under their very eyes.
"But an ambitious dream and an usurped role won't be enough to see you through. The Grand Order isn't a game you can play-pretend." The tip of his boots is the last to regrow, right as he lands back on the ground. "In fact… let this Blackened Rome show you the difference between Heaven and Earth."
A hand rises to chest level, palm upwards for a ball of bubbling, brownish-orange light to slowly take shape.
"That is Type Energy…!?" Haku steps back, eyes wide in incredulity. "Impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible for Rome." The energy lifts up from his palm, rising overhead as it grows bigger and bigger and turns a vivid, toxic green. "[Imperial Privilege: Core Enforcer]"
The last thing Olga sees is a massive burst of green energy barraging the ground in a Z-shape and catching Haku right in the middle. The ground burst out in an explosion of blinding white that engulfs the world around them and then…
Darkness.
Status Window Updated:
Ra Tilt - Crumble Spirit Rend (Slayers): The strongest astral spell known to man, a surge of all-consuming spiritual flames that will seek out the caster's target before bursting into a blinding inferno. Like its weaker counterparts in the astral family, Ra Tilt's very nature makes it particularly effective against spiritual beings like demons and ghosts, rising it's already immense power to a devastating degree.
Supernova, The Sword of Light - Millennium's Battleship-Mounted Hyper Railgun (Blue Archive): It's every engineer's romance to build a space-worthy battleship. Unfortunately, Millennium's Engineering Department went grossly overbudget with just the very first weapon system. This left them in the red for years and saddled them with a weapon designed to be mounted in a vessel that never existed, too heavy and unwieldy to be of any use on it's own.
That is, until Aris came long. Boasting a ridiculous degree of raw strength, the aspiring hero could easily handle both the tremendous weight and violent recoil of the device.
A railgun that fires beams of light, a sword that's not a sword. Supernova, the Sword of Light is less a product of technology and more a weapon born from dreams, fated to be wielded by a true hero.
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