Earth (fate grand order alt timeline)
Fuyuki city (Anomaly f)
2004CE
Fire ravaged the streets of the ruined city fuyuki, with smoke, sooth, and an odd scent of dust in the air.
"….!" The guttural roar of berserker pierced the eerie silent night, moving towards the middle of the district intersection before stopping. Head craning left and right it searched for the calling beacon that leads it here. Before its arrival the beacon was light a bonfire in the dark beckoning unto him to draw closer, but upon reaching this destination, it seemly vanished… no more like it concealed itself with an unknown method. But it knew it was still there it knew that it would soon find the one who called it.
It wouldn't be denied this.
Berserker would not be denied its right to know.
It lifted up its head to the dark soulless heaven and roared. ".....!"
....
"All right this should give us sometime" caster said as he tapped his staff twice on the rooftop, as a spherical magic dome decorated with large runic letters all around its spherical corners appeared.
"what is this?" the director asked, her mind taken briefly in wonder as she observed what should be classified as magic from the era of the gods.
"Oh it's nothing special" the caster waved breezily "just a little something that comes with the caster class and all, with having 'a one with nature' class skill…. But don't rile your hopes up cause am quite sure it won't hold for long, sooner or later, berserker would soon sense this bonded field, and he'll come swinging with that giant axe-sword of his."
The director's awe smothered immediately, as she glanced ambivalently at the prone form of Chaldea master with mash holding his hands with concern filled eyes.
Heracules. The enemy berserker is heracules. To be totally honest with herself, this mission from the beginning has given her more migraine than she had ever received in the sum of her entire life.
First she was subjected to great ignominy from both her peers and the clock tower for being a talentless master and one who couldn't fulfil the big shoes left by her father; as the first in history to be a holy grail war winner. But even so she fought on regardless. Her one opportune chance to prove herself turned into a bigger failure, if she doesn't produce anything in this mission, her position as a lord of the clock tower, and the Chaldea organisation position would be in jeopardy. And she refuses to be the one who drags the animusphere house to the mud.
And the entire enigma that is billy batson being a godsblood, a descendant of heracules. With the said berserker, moving in a predacious manner down the streets 'like a rapid beast in search for his prey'… It's becoming too much for her to bear.
'Not to mention the fact that Levi's dead… it's just too much' she gloomy thought, instinctively biting her finger nails.
"Oi, young lady, this isn't the time for you to be in your own little world now, in case you've forgotten" the caster called to her attention pointing his hands to the streets below "we've got a big problem on the loose"
Olga marie eyes widen a little signalling her return to reality trying to compose herself before nodding back "you're right caster, sorry about that" she apologised, recollecting her countenance before inquiring "seeing that regretfully your bounded field wouldn't last for long… it seems like we'll have no other choice but to fight berserker."
Mash had already left her master's side with fou resting on his chest like a guard, nodding in an agreement as she had already heard what the Chaldean director has said commenting " I agree as well director, it is obvious that master's blacking out is as a result of this monster… and that might affect us in later battles."
The white hair mage nodded "we all agree berserker needs to be dealt with. So caster, since you're a caster from the same holy war do you have any knowledge on his combat capabilities"
The caster looked contemplative "I actually do. If there one word to describe berserker, it would be 'a monster."
"A monster" mash echoed lightly already feeling pale at the coming explanation.
"Yes, a monster; heracules strength was overwhelming, speed blinding, and even in madness, his fighting instincts were ever so prevalent. So much that it was suffice to say that if it weren't for saber he would have been the favoured winner."
The director raised an eyebrow "and does that include even you" she asked.
The caster scrunched a little at the question that seemed a little to be an insinuation, before letting out a breath admitting "… yes that includes me. You could say that if we fight him I won't be as efficient as I would be with the other classes"
"And why's that?"
"His magic resistance… it's an A" was his grim answer.
Both the demi-servant's and director's eyes widen dramatically totally thunderstruck. With the director no longer in the capacity to maintain her mental capacity at the statement "A-A… A! But, that means…"
"Any magical attack below A rank is totally nullified" mash absently finished.
And like that wasn't enough the caster continued like a bringer of bad omen "and there's the other fact of his noble phantasm, being a total pain in the neck"
Olga marie was just too afraid to ask, but she asked nonetheless, trying hard not to stutter "a-and the other…"
"God hand" he answered back ominously "an immortal ability that grants him the ability to come back to life every time he's killed and with total immunity to whatever it was that has killed him."
'It's hopeless isn't it? I mean how is it possible, to win against someone that strong, fast and nigh-invulnerable to magic, with the fact that for all intent and purpose immortal in a sense? Not to mention the fact that our group is unequipped in combat efficiency for this' "cu chulain, as a caster what rank are your spells" she asked for confirmation.
"I know what you're about to ask but it won't work my spells are at most mid-b rank level" he replied.
"… and your noble phantasm" she hesitantly continued.
The caster folded his arms akimbo closing his eyes in contemplation "well… that might work, but for my noble phantasm to succeed, we have to put him in place where he can't move at all, and that might be impossible considering his battle instincts"
"not to mention the fact that your spells won't have any effect on him at all… yea it may be quixotic" she deduced in dismay, turning to the lilac haired girl she inquired "and what of you mash, with your mana boost do you believe that you can keep pace with berserker."
Mash was quiet as the sound of the roaring titan of Greece resounded the fiery crackling night, sweat dripped down her brows as she shook her head negatively "n-no mam, I don't believe I have the necessary specs to keep on with heracules"
The group was quiet as seconds felt like minutes with the sound of the grunting beast approaching ever closer…
"I've got!" olga marie perked up as she hastily turned to the celtic hero, unable to keep the rising excitement out the tone of her voice "the bounded field… what if we all retreat under the bounded banner. You said berserker can't sense us while we're under so how about we use this chance and escape!"
Mash also looked up the barrier giving a soft blue glow exited as well "you're absolutely right director, under the bounded field we can-…"
"don't bother about that line of thought young ladies" the servant interjected in a cool tone as he stared at them "it's not going to work… after all don't you think I would had thought with that first… while my one with nature skill looks obviously powerful. It is not infallible; this ability comes with various limitations. It is essentially a one place kind of thing so this barrier" he pointed with his staff at the dome "cannot be moved that is unless we move to another location and I place it so quick enough that berserker doesn't sense us moving at all, and when you consider his speed…" he left the rest unsaid.
"So that means we are all out of options huh" olga marie sighed resigned.
"Nope we aren't…" the roguish servant grinned "we just have to hold on for as long as we can…"
"And for what exactly" olga marrie huffed scoffing as she gestured around "in case you've forgotten it's not like we have any other servant level personnel to help us"
The servant only smiled as he raised a finger pointing it towards the unconscious godsblood "he's the one we're gonna hold on for… your master billy batson"
Seeing that the girls still projected an aura of confusion he continued "looking at our situation just settling down and twiddling our thumbs for an answer isn't going to take us anywhere, and our group combat capability doesn't provide for us the means for a head on attack… so we have to fight defensively and looking at our master here while am not sure what's going on we just have to believe that he would snap out of it in time to join us"
Olga marie and mash settled down to digest the irish hero's suggestion, with mash trying to come up with alternatives but she had to ask "and what do you base your thoughts on?"
The caster smiled "intuition"
Mash clenched her armoured fist tight, closing her eyes for a few seconds at the caster's reply. 'Just for a short instant she could picture the face of billy-kun, giving an idea just as baseless and insane as caster's own' her eyes opened with determination blazing out, hefting her shield looking at the caster "well then looks like we have no other choice then, let's start"
The caster smiled fanged like teeth gleaming "good now that's a warriors eyes, ready when you are sheilder" he said finally addressing her by her servant class.
The girl turned to the Chaldean director as she informed her "well mam we're heading out"
The mage could only look on trying to hide her nervousness trying to dissuade her "but mash we should try to think of another way…" the roar of the greek hero punctuated out "ah mean didn't you hear what caster said we can't win am not even sure if you all are capable of holding out till he comes, and fighting him just on intuition? That's just suicide…"
Mash looked at olga marie who while trying to dissuade her seemed to be doing it for her sake 'she really is a kind person' she said inwardly as she gave a small smile "I only have one answer to that. ' Faith' I have faith that master will come to save us as always… and director you should have some of that too; faith in billy-kun"
Olga marie could only bite her lips lightly, closing her eyes before sighing out "I give up just, just don't die you hear me. I won't be happy… billy-kun won't be happy"
The sheilder turned forward as she and the caster moved leaving the barrier to what would be her first tumultuous battle, even as olga marie couldn't see her expression she could still feel the lilac smirk as she said a very familiar phrase "now that's a no brainer"
...…
Walking towards the edge of the high rising building mash and cu chulain stood for a little while before free falling to the ground below cracking the tar asphalt.
They moved forward in silence before the caster began initiating conversation "so… your master, is he your lover or something"
The serious face of the sheilder broke instantly as she halted abruptly, before turning face red to the caster "w-w-what are you saying now caster just before the fight. I-i-I and b-b-billy-kun…"
Cu chulain responded with a hearty laugh "sorry, sorry just needed to clear the choking tension, we are going to fight, not to die. So lighten up, going into battle with such kind of tense countenance only leads to mistake, and such mistakes in battle to death. And am sure you don't want that" he ended rhetorically.
Her eyes widen slightly at the caster's play 'he's right' she chided herself internally 'entering a fight with such mind-set is going to get you killed and after what I've just said to the director… no mash don't think of anything else focus on only one thing ' defend''
Seeing the girl's face relax a bit the ulster-style champion gave an approving nod before saying "alright now stay sharp, we're already hear"
Mash nodded back.
And just as sudden, a loud explosion rocked the area as the enemy behemoth appeared; he had a height of over eight feet, donned with nothing but a pteruge skirt, and possessed a skin colour that glowed alternatively with pitch black and crimson red, thick raven black hair draped back to expose a monstrous face with red ruby eyes and it held an axe like sword that completed a rather terrifying image.
".....!" the berserker gave an unholy roar, before his attention caught the appearance of the two other servant, grunting it turned to the two servant before as he projected an unholy image.
"well it seems like we were lucky enough to stop him… the fact that he had already reached this point means that berserker has already sensed your master mash" he commented to the girl.
"Yes it seems like we are" mash gulped nodding back.
Berserker gave another roar that whipped up winds and dust as it moved rather menacing to the group.
Mash moved ahead of caster with her shield positioned forward, her body gave a bluish glow establishing the fact that her mana boost has started as she began "caster I'll serve as the forefront, as I endure berserker blows while you serve as support"
The berserker roared as he tensed his body.
"Now that's a plan" the caster smiled back his voice unable to hide his thirst for battle.
"…..!" the berserker eyes glowed as it shot towards the group signalling battle…
......
Meanwhile billy stood confused before the three figures that emanated power in their various forms.
"w-who the hell are you people and where the hell am I?" he asked as he failed trying to mask his rising state of disquietude by projecting confidence.
"You need not be of fear billy batson? Remember I called you my inheritor for a reason" he said disarmingly before continuing "and as of where you are now and of whom I am… well let's say you'll find out soon enough" he ended obscurely.
The man's answer didn't seem to placate billy as he studied the group in wariness, although as he looked at his golden eyes he couldn't help but feel subjected to an unconscious familiar feeling '… maybe I knew this man before' he mused internally before speaking out hesitantly "excuse me for asking… but do I know you, cause you seem so disturbingly familiar"
An amused huff passed the man's face as he gave a small smile "am afraid no, billy batson although your words now were one of the reasons while I called you here… don't you want to know the reason for your power, that sudden increase of strength and rush of memories? I believe I can answer that for you" he dangled before billy.
Billy stood transfixed at the man's offer. To be honest the man's offer were amongst one of the various things he wanted to know and now given the opportunity… he wanted to take it.
And so he nodded slowly at the man who nodded back "good" the chocolate skin man nodded "but before we begin follow me let's take this to another location"
And he turned as he turned moving ahead towards the large tree with the two other's abruptly turning as they followed his figure.
'I could have sworn I thought they were life mannequins. With how quiet they are' he commented internally to how they were so still and quiet.
Moving just behind the group he turned as he observed the area, the lush green that carpet the meadows with the statues, trees and isolated walls that littered the surroundings with the clear blue sky hanging overhead gave the entire area an idyllic feeling "wherever here is it sure is beautiful" he muttered under his breath.
At the front the tan man's voice informed "alright we're here" as they arrived at a clearing just at the giant tree trunks. Looking at the said tree it had the appearance height of over forty five to fifty feet tall and thirty feet berth wide with its branches giving it an all-encompassing stature.
"Come sit" he said as he sat on a rock with smooth surface gesturing to the others placed spread out in a round manner "let's discuss"
The others had already sat in opposing directions, as billy stood still for a moment before moving to sit as well. Sitting down on the rock he winced a little as he felt the cold seep through his pants into his skin 'whelp it seems like after this, am gonna be complaining of swollen ass…' he groaned as he gave an involuntary stretch 'am so tried…' only to stiffly pause at his connotation.
He hastily looked over himself as he had just suddenly discovered that his clothes weren't tattered as before, but he was dressed in his Chaldea uniform that was just as pristine as how he first saw it and most importantly… he was back to normal billy instead of buff billy "w-what the hell?" he blurted out in bafflement.
He turned to the golden eyed man looking for an explanation, who looked amused as billy's confused state over his sudden relapse before commenting "to be honest billy batson, I was just waiting for when you would have realised what had happened to yourself. But there's no need to worry" he pointed around "where we are right now, is in your mindscape…. That has been influenced by my arrival"
Billy mutedly listened to the man's explanation as he tried to come up with his deduction, he placed a hand against his chin as he slowly began his wild guess "so… if I am guessing this correctly were I am now is inside of my own mind and it is inhabited by you guys right?"
The man gave an approving nod "you're correct"
Seeing that he was right he asked "so, who are you guys?"
Then tan skin man replied cryptically "you ought to know the answer to your question" still seeing the boy's plain confusion he continued "or rather think before you came here… about your fights. What was the one thing you discovered about yourself?"
Billy titled his head as he glossed over his short string of memories and like a spark bulb, he remembered his fight his medusa especially her insinuation.
"You know what i am talking about. You cannot hide it from me; your stench, your presence, even your stature all speaks of one who bears the blessings of Zeus ' godsblood'"
He snapped his fingers "godsblood! I remember medusa calling me that… but that means…" he trailed of eyes wide opened as he looked at the man who might be his… 'Nope let's not conclude that line yet. After all when in doubt, ask?' he introspected.
He hesitantly asked "are you perhaps my, what was it again… yes my divine ancestor?"
The man shook his head "no I don't believe I am"
Billy eyebrows rose up in confusion as he let out an outburst "but I thought you said I should consider what I had discovered about myself and the only thing I clearly know was about my being a godsblood, and also if you're not my divine ancestor anyways then who exactly are you? And please no more trying to answer ambiguously it's starting to leave the realm of cool and entering dangerously to the arena of annoying"
The tanned man was speechless for a second at billy's outburst 'what a headstrong child… maybe if it's him' he let out a short laugh "sorry about that. It seems like different times calls for a different structure of speech. Well I'll stop speaking in an obscure manner… but I adjure you, before I at least tell you of my true name and why you're here, I want to you to at least listen to a little story"
Billy grumbling folded his arms before letting a sigh agreeing to his request "alright then… spew it" he groused.
The golden eyed man gave a small smile, before his face took on a more serious visage, billy by impulse sat a little straighter as he saw that the mood took on solemn turn. He glanced around the other two as they too sat a little upright. He could tell whatever the man's about say was of great importance.
"It was of ancient aforetime, when the boundary of the gods and man were ever so closer, the chief god…."
......
The battle between the Chaldea servants and the corrupted berserker went like expected… unfortunately for the former.
"...….!" the berserker roared as he borne down his axe like sword upon the resisting shield of the lilac servant.
CLANG!
Sparks showered as metal kissed metal, the shield fortunately withstood the attack without so much as a scratch, but that couldn't be said for the one who wielded it.
Her foot dug the pavement below, as her legs bend awkwardly with gritting teeth as another one of the ponderous blows descended upon her shield. She mutedly looked her hands wondering how it hadn't been blown off; the third blow shifted her back as she tried to use her shield as a leverage to attack.
She took a few hobbling steps back, before shooting forward her mana boost glowing it's ethereal blue smashing the edged part of her shield against the berserker's torso stimulating dust to rise in the air as a result.
After that assault she jumped a few yards away, as she still observed the rising fog, awaiting the enemy's counterattack. For a few moments she wistfully hoped that her insignificant attack was enough, but the ulster style hero barked a warning from behind.
"Mash, don't let your guard down, the enemy is a berserker. If an attack like have done him in, he wouldn't have been such a pain in the ass"
Mash nodded sharply placing her shield in front, as the dust immediately scattered revealing the unmarred body of berserker that showed no sign of mash attack anywhere, the man like beast tensed his legs, prepared to continue his assault, but the caster grinned.
"I don't think so buddy" he raised his hand as it gave a fiery glow " ANSUZ" he called fiery runes hung mid-air, where his hand passed, as the runes turned into balls of fires, as it shot at blistering speeds to the approaching berserker.
BOOM!
The resulting explosion stirred up debris, as mash hid her face behind her large shield.
"Remember the objective mash, no need to press on the attack as you have just found out now… it won't work. This is a defensive battle" the caster commented his voice low as he kept his eyes on the inevitable, and he wasn't disappointed with a loud
WHOOSH!
The greek demigod roared as it ran towards the group, the caster eyes narrowed at that as he tapped the earth below, profusions of large like root shot out just a few yards ahead of mash as it pushed against the demigod burying him under mass.
"Nice caster" she said as she smiled at his attack, but as she turned to the caster her smile dimmed as she saw he wore a chewing expression with both eyebrows up as he looked over the result of his attack.
"It feels way too easy" he vocalised his thoughts.
Mash looked at him incredibly at his words unable to hide her astonishment "easy… this isn't easy at all!" she stressed her arms, trying to ease the rising ache as a result of heracules physical assault.
"Then why isn't he pressing his advantage, remember what I said; my spells should not even faze him. But here he is rather enduring my attacks without counterattack…. It's almost like he's waiting for something…. Or someone" he slowly deduced.
'Billy-kun' her mind instantly settled on.
The creaking sound of straining wood signified mash attention, as she turned to see the mass of roots bulging. Berserker was soon about to escape. And with a large explosion of wood shrapnel berserker emerge from the wood tomb relatively unharmed.
"See, he's holding back…" caster pointed out to stress his point "well never the less, we should use this as a chance to press advantage, push him back as far as possible… at least before he switches to his wrathful mode" he raised his staff.
Mash nodded as well mana boost blazing on, as she heads on to the face the titan berserker once more…
......
"…. And even through the flames. He remained ever stalwart to the will of the gods, entrusting them to direct him as always, and when he died he was welcomed amongst the pantheon as a god…" the man concluded his enrapturing tale.
Billy listened as the golden eyed man was finally through with his tale wide-eyed, he couldn't say he was the best at mythology but even in his state of memory loss. The simple common knowledge were still available to him, and so he knew without a doubt who that story was about every if that wasn't how he knew it.
"Hercules… are you Hercules?" he asked for confirmation.
The man gave a light nod "how astute, but my name isn't Hercules; I believe it's quite butchered, its heracules"
Billy couldn't care less about how the man or rather heracules wanted his name, he was more awestricken by the fact that he was in the presence of the greek hero and… "while am flattered by the fact that, I have someone like you heracules" he slowly said while tasting the word "am still confused, why did you call me here? I still have my friends outside who am worried about"
The man face took on a sombre stance as he replied "do not worry about your friends they are still safe… for now"
Billy shot up from his hard seat, with narrowed eyes "what do you mean by that?" he asked tensely.
"I mean that the enemy they face now is being tempered for this particular moment, your contact with him served as a means for me to pull you here" he finished as he discreetly glance at the behemoth man in battle skirt, billy caught his glance as what he meant dawned upon me, the Chaldea master pointed his finger at the demigod as he shouted "you're saying that all time while I've been here, my friends have been fighting this monstrosity… let me out, now. I've listened to your story, and am sorry for your loss but my friends need me more"
But it seemed like for some reason my rudeness only appeased the man as his smile became more serene, like I had passed some test "am sorry but I cannot. Not at least until we discuss this.." he raised his hands as he saw the master's rising protest "if I had let you fight…" he hesitated as he contemplated to give the monstrous giant a name "my spirit of madness, you will die… yes you and your servant, it's only through this medium can I at least calm him down… but know even my appeasing won't last for long"
Billy ran his hand through his black hair and asked in exasperation "but-but isn't he something of yours, can't you like… I don't know, send him away or something?"
Heracules sighed as he replied apology laced in his tone "am sorry my inheritor, but I cannot even though he is part of who I am. We are still different people, the most I can do for now is hold him down for now… so can we now please begin"
Billy was still angry with himself, as he grumbly sat back down 'god, am so stupid-stupid why didn't I consider the fact that while am here mash and the others… let's just get this over with' alright he reluctantly conceded "let's finish this, after all am still confused about everything"
The man sighed as he began "billy batson… you are very unique, the power you possess. Is one that will take you to various high places, and my question is that what will you do with such a power"
Billy blinked as he shot him a perplexed look "alright confused master here, what the hell, do you mean by that?"
The golden eye hero shifted his position "allow me to answer your question with another question, the power you've been using this entire time, the strength, the speed… the memories. How was it?"
Billy shifted uncomfortably as he looked contemplated on his answer "well… the power. Made feel great, more like I can do anything, if I could describe it, I would say it was like an indescribable rush"
"Addictive right?" heracules added knowingly.
"Right"
"Now what if I said that the power you truly possess, makes the power you held unto now seem like a firefly before the sun"
"Then I'll say where the hell has that power been this entire time… it would have helped a lot during my fight with caster" he replied back drolly.
"That billy batson is your true strength, I know and believe that I am in no way related to you, so you cannot be a godsblood but still even though the connection was hastily established, the blessing of zeus flows freely in you… with many others to come. That was why I had called you my inheritor; you will bear the full mantle of all that heracules entails and am here to question what will you do with my power" he gestured at the two frozen figures "this two while are the representation of my life's most greatest feat… they also represent my dark desires as well as my greatest shame; my propensity for violence and my utter disdain of the world ruled by the divine. You billy have the capability to be something greater, and it is my wish to know what will you do with it"
The Chaldean master was floored at the bombshell heracules had dropped on him, so much that he was lost for words "I…I " his stammering was cut off as a new voice joined in the conversation.
"That is enough of this feeler play"
The now revealed to be a componential part of the greek hero, the red skin man whose face was covered in a shroud said with his voice a little higher than the main hero but still possessed the same timbre "Artermis the proud goddess of the moon and of the hunt often turned innocent men to animals, cursing and hunting them as sport or killing them in a cruel manner for a crime they did not know or commit, the goddess of love Aphrodite inspired more tragedies than her so called love, the god Poseidon, his every anger means the loss of a men at sea, a fisherman's life and a family without their breadwinner, the goddess Circe in her boredom brought about the war of troy, one of the most greatest wars that claimed so many life's, the goddess Athena was in all her wisdom was nothing more than a petty woman in a fit of jealousy cursed the same woman you cried for to be the monster you saw, the queen goddess Hera" his tone took a tone acerbic as he gritted with clenched teeth "in a fit of anger cursed me to murder my own family… even now I can still remember their dying faces, never in that moment had I ever cursed my heritage so.
"And Zeus the king of the Grecian pantheon" he punctuated mockingly "to him I was nothing more than a method to solidify his reign of Greece. That was why I abdicated the throne even in my own way. I took my vengeance against the gods however small. Or am I wrong, my main incarnation" he turned his gaze to the main Heracules who did not reply as his gaze took on a retrospective look, he turned back towards billy "that is why I am who I am, Alcides son of Amphitryon and Alcmene and I pose to you this question, very soon lives of those around you will soon be seen as insignificant with your sure to be coming might. Answer me of what assurance can you give me, so that I rest easy when I grant to you my power, and remember answer me truthfully because if a diminutive hint of untruthfulness is found coming out from your tongue, then…."
"Alcides, that is enough of you, now!" heracules interrupted as he glowered at his incarnation steely. His red skinned man glared at him in return or at least that was how billy saw it judging from how he could feel his intense gaze through his shroud, before acquainting, as he took back his lifeless position. But even so billy batson could feel his intense stare as he awaited his answer.
He took a deep breath as he wiped a non-existent sweat from his brows "…. to be honest with you guys, all this talk about my potential or about 'my soon to be coming power' still eludes me even now. But…" he turned his gaze towards alcides "I believe that your question steams from the fear of me being distant, cold and uncaring from the once I love… essentially that when the powers gets into my head that I might see myself as above others, pushing myself away from those who truly care about me and becoming something like a pariah…. But my answer to that is another question 'aren't humans also the same?'"
"What?" he replied appalled by the question "why do you insinuate so" he asked.
Billy shrugged "I don't know if you all know this. But I have a kind memory problem; I don't honestly know who I am… I can't remember where I came from and I don't know the life I lived before, so I can't really give myself a grade in a morality evaluation. But still I have knowledge on the bits and pieces of history and i know that humans did the same thing as the gods" he raised seven fingers as he began to list "just like Artermis, some humans sometimes vilify others, crucify them all for the sake of sick entertainment or falsely perceived slight" he folded one finger "in the case of Poseidon, most men of wealth and luxury tends to neglect those beneath them, in a case of a bad day they fire those in their presence because they find them annoying… unheeding of the fact that, that man has returned to his family unemployed with crushed hopes and dreams, with no other way to provide for his family" he folded another "as for Aphrodite" he gave a mirthless chuckle "in a bid for affection many people has committed things that are morally and fundamentally acceptable… creating even worse tragedy" he folded another "as for Circe, people in a fit of ideological differences, set themselves against another inspiring conflict and preventing humanity's growth all for the sake of proving themselves right" he folded another "as for the case of Athena" he narrowed his eyes, a short memory trip down the lane reminded him of the dying figure of medusa "jealousy is ever present in our world, where the gods still have no hold over us" 'or I rather hope they do not' he added internally "people defame, and do all sorts of cruel things against others, all for fact that the other possess something the they don't" he folded another his voice growing in confidence "as for Hera, when wars are raged, when conflicts are held between people, when they fight, some don't consider the casualties or rather they actually consider it but they give it no thought or they use such casualties to strike where it hurts" the group took my words in with different reaction.
Heracules eyes shifted as he pursed his lips, eyes growing melancholic.
Alcides clenched his fist so hard, I thought he would tore a muscle, but then just as suddenly he relaxed his fist staying stoic.
The humongous of the trio… still stood still like a mannequin, unmoving. But even so for an impartible moment his hard eyes softened as he closed it for a moment…. But I wasn't too sure maybe my eyes were playing tricks.
One finger was left, out of all the fingers that I used to show the similarity between the gods and man "and as for Zeus… parents still at this time and age consider the future in their own hands, considering any form of disrespect to be lack of filial loyalty, and some even deem their children a waste, when the children try to decide their own way of life and at most cases disown them" he folded the last finger, as silence reigned the group as he awaited another question from the red skinned incarnation. And sure enough he asked,
"Interesting comeback billy batson, indeed all what you say has its merit… but I hope you do realise that all that you have said has also implicated yourself…" he raised a finger as he continued accusingly "you are also human and your exact words only proves to show us that, you as a human are not ready for what your power entails… so why should we help you boy"
The amnesic master was expecting such an accusatory question so he wasn't perturb. He smiled as he answered simply "my answer to that is 'because I am also human…'"
The red skinned incarnation shook lightly his voice tinged with intrigue "oho… and why do you say that?" he questioned.
"Well when you looked at the stories… no the myths and legends of all divine beings, they have one thing in common that differentiate them from we humans 'our ability to grow, our ability to adapt, our ability to learn…. The gods in all their might and power never possessed the capability for progress… they saw themselves as right and so were self-serving because they deem themselves intrinsically correct in their ways… that is why their domains never changed; they couldn't do otherwise. But in the case of man, while I know we aren't that much better still holds the capacity for changes. Like for example the act of slave trading are now morally frowned on in our society as opposed to ancient Rome now coined as 'human trafficking' amongst others…. We humans are born with the capability for good and evil… and it is within our own right to choose our alignment"
"And do you fashion yourself good, billy batson?"
Billy huffed shaking his head lightly "that is while I said I don't know man is not perfect, while I don't see myself as a serial killer anytime soon… I can't honestly say that I would be able to use your power as virtuously as you think I might after all 'before a man must fail… he must also try'"
The man in shroud stood still for a few moments before letting out a small huff "' before a man must fail he must also try… you really do have a way with words don't you billy batson" he said in amusement his looming hostility lessened to a considerable degree.
Billy face tinged red as he scratched his head giving a bashful chuckle "I just say what comes from my heart"
The quiet heracules joined in the amusement nodding approvingly "good-good speaking from your heart… that is what I wanted from our conversation" before calming down resting his left hand on his left leg "and from all that I've heard and from the raw emotion gleaming from your eyes… I can rest easy, knowing that my power is in good hands…" he turned to his other incarnations "I believe that our inheritor here has manage to clear up some of your doubts… or do you have any more questions?"
Alcides deigned no answer to his main incarnation, while the his humungous incarnation stood still… seeing no further objections raised, he nodded before slowly rising up with the others rising as well, he turned to billy beckoning him "come young one, to our middle. I believe it's time to receive what you are here for?"
Billy stood up with measuring amble steps as he arrived at the triangular formation, each incarnation towering over the Chaldean master, raising both their hands over his head as they began to glow.
An abrupt change of atmosphere settled across the meadow, the clear blue skies gained specks of ash, as the fields grew darker, the rising winds blew across compelled the tree branches to agitate rather loudly.
Billy gulped "well that is concerning at all" he tried to quip.
Heracules began " billy batson I bless you with the physique of heracules, be stronger than Cerberus, swifter than the Ceryneian hind, your endurance shall be as the Cretan bull"
Alcides continued " your skin tough as the Nemean lion, your eyes ever reaching as your arrows pierce through the hides of the Stymphaliam birds, be as fierce as the mares of Diomedes, may your vigour be kept by the golden apples of the Hesperides, your mettle in battle shall receive the blessings of the war god through his sash, your might shall move the Alphenus and Penenus of your time,…" the last one he struggled to say "… may the blessings of immortality be granted unto you, as it was to granted unto Chiron… the spoils of your battles are yours and yours alone "
Billy batson eyes twitched at the word immortality 'immortality, yeesh no thanks' he wanted to object at that part of alcides blessing, but felt compelled not to by the solemn air in the group.
It was then the beast like incarnation talked… or rather it struggled to growl out some unintelligible amount of words, in the form of hoarse grunts and huffs, a few seconds passed before it stopped, as the glow in their hands died down.
Billy looked at them expectantly at any sign of their words doing anything for him, but nothing happened he slumped "well that's kind of anticlamati-…" he doubled down all of a sudden as his body began to glow, lights spilled out from the spores of his skin before exploding into a blue pillar of light that lilted up the ash sky extending to the meadow far beyond. He grunted "me and my big fat mouth…" it wasn't as painful as the time he fainted before he came here, but it was just as uncomfortable… he felt like his body was being suffused with worms running all over, not even mentioning of the rush.
Occasional arcs of lightning coursed around the pillar of light as he felt his body becoming something new, something different, something… powerful, so much that, the buff billy form that he whined about losing felt like a child compared to this… there was just so much power.
He looked at the incarnations of heracules as the main head gazed on billy's transformation with a small smile as he said "our work here is finished, it is time for you to return. Tarry not a second later, my hold on my spirit of madness has been broken"
Billy looked at the main Grecian incarnation with mixed feelings "will I ever see you guys again?" he asked.
"Only time will tell young one…" there was a slight pause in voice before he continued "oh, before I forget there is something I need to tell you. When you battle against berserker, do not hold back… fight to kill, i know that your soul bares of a unique sense of altruism, but finishing off my spirit of madness is the best thing you can do for him, as he is already far too gone… and I put my faith in you billy batson. So go… surpass the legend of heracules…" after those words he turned to leave as billy batson's world turned white.
...….
'Initiating full installation of the word of power ' H''
'Countdown to total contract with the THRONE OF HEROES100%'
'Installation of the word of power 'S HAZAM' complete'
'Waiting in standby until command is issued'
......
'Seventeen minutes' olga marie counted pushing off a lock of hair back to its position, sweat dripped off her brows, as she listened to the sounds of metals clanging, roars and the scent of powerful magecraft in the air.
Even from several blocks away under the safety of the dome she could still see the smoke overhead signifying the place of battle, she gripped the edges of her dress praying to all that could listen that they all comeback alive.
"Mew, mew!" the squirrel like beast toned loudly, like it was calling for her attention, she sighed as she picked up the beast, running her hands over as she began to pet it "….yes now hush be quiet" but the animal stubbornly patted her cheeks, before pointing to her Chaldean employee.
She turned her weary gaze only to be greeted with an astonishing site 'what's even going on now' she wined eyes wide open as she saw the formerly laid form of the supposed godsblood now mysteriously floating in the air giving a strange feeling as a soft blue blaze erupted from his body covering his form in its entirety 'was I so occupied that I even missed this' she shrieked internally, the blazing light gave off no heat but it had an odd scent of …ozone. She backed back a little as the glow grew brighter before all of a sudden, it stopped. A light gasp came out from within the blue flames; before it shoot right pass her!
"Kya…!" she cried fearfully closing her eyes while shielding fou, all she felt was the rush of wind current right pass her before slowly opening her eyes after a few moment, "w-what-what was that?" she turned to back as she saw the afterglow of the aqua fiery trail heading to the site of the battle.
"Mew, mew" the Chaldean beast wondered what that was, while the director's mind settled on one thing, no or rather on one person "billy-kun" she muttered under her breath.
...…
A few minutes earlier…
Mash gritted her teeth as she tried dodging berserker's near fatal blows, swerving side to side, while pattering him back with her inconsequential own, her arms and feet burned from torn muscles as a result of the agonizing iterative.
"Hrk!..." she quickly lifted her shield defending another unfortunate attack she had failed to evade.
CLANG!
Her mana boost aura flickered and once again the earth below her sunk and cratered from the force. She had more than once since the duration of this battle thanked her lucky stars (if there ever was for her) that she had been summoned as a sheilder. If she had been in any of the other classes and she had been summoned this incomplete, she would have been turned to a splatter by now.
"Mash now!!" caster gave another holler from behind as a signal. Meanwhile the Grecian bellowed as he raised his axesword for another bash, seeing that she quickly body-swerved, sidestepping luckily away from battering blow.
The attack landed on the tar road carving up the already ruined pavement while stirring up debris and dust, before the beast could continue his assault as he was pelted with a continuous barrage of cannon like fireballs, impacting his form and staggering him lightly.
A light hop took mash a few meters away from the bombardments, just a few yards before the celtic hero, as she shakes her hair to clear up dust.
The sage opined "it seems like we can hold on if we keep up the pace as it is going now…" mash painfully nodded back, but the celtic hero had already noticed the light quivering of her legs every now and then, so he asked in lightly concern "so how are you holding up mash…"
Mash turned giving him a shaky smile as she replied "… definitely not a hundred percent, but still battle ready"
Cu chulain gave a questioning hum, the girl look like someone that was soon about to fall, enduring another one of heracules blows might just smash her and her shield…. 'We have to play this smart… Tch, if only I could just get him in position, where he cannot dodge, but we can still salvage this'
He clapped informing the girl "alright change of plans, mash, something's up with berserker and for better or worse we're gonna use this to our advantage. Seeing that berserker's slow to attack, that just means you're not needed to tank blows much… just a few yards ahead of me, while I pound him back with spells, he might be immune to its effect but it seems like he is still vulnerable to its aftershocks"
"What about your mana levels… wouldn't you be low on gauge?"
"Don't worry about that. A small skill of mine got that covered"
Mash seeing his reply concurred to his plan with no small relief on her part "alright let's continue…"
The smoke cleared after bombardment, but this time the class of madness stood still for a few minutes. The opposing servants stood watching warily for any sudden movements, before suddenly black like wisps emanated from his body.
"What do you think is happen—" as mash was about to ask a sudden like pressure fell over the group, it wasn't like anything she had ever sensed in her life honestly it made the lancer's own pressure back then look like the squall of a baby, her sore body almost fell as a result.
"Mash we're moving back… it seems like whatever it was that was affecting berserker, has broken…" he stated grimly "from now on our very lives are on the line"
The demi servant felt queasy but nodded back as they hastily beat back a retreat, a whole fifty meters back taking battle positions with grim faces.
"..........!!!!!!!!!!!" An ear splitting vociferous roar erupted from the reputed greatest hero of Greece, an ariel blast spread out from his lips breaking apart the nearest window panes reaching even to the side of the opposing servant, for a brief moment mash could feel the weight of the shout press upon her shield shaking her lightly.
"What strength.." she thought shakily… it seems like there would be no hopes of her escaping this battle alive, a quick glance at caster told her he also had the same thought.
'I-I just hope that billy-kun and the director can escape from all this' she wistfully thought. This was why she was created, even without ever seeing the world, she was deemed to be a shield, and to be honest… she was kind of glad for it. That even for a minuscule moment she was shown the outside world through her master's eyes.
She planted her shield deep unto the ground as she took a fortified stance, her mana boost blazing on with her determination.
The caster seeing that nodded at her in respect "you are a true warrior, mash!"
She had no reply the only one in her sight is that of the ene-…
'… he gone!!" she furtively scanned around 'where is he' her unasked question was answered with the chilling sound of berserker in front of her with his axe sword already raised.
He was so fast that even to a demi-servant like her, it took a split sec for him to appear before her.
Her firmly placed defence was futile, as in a single swipe both her and her shield was send careening to an opposing building.
CRUNCH!
Her specs boosting aura vanished immediately, with her spine almost snapped at the point of impact, with her spitting out a large amount of blood. The caster casted out his signature fire spell but that had no effect; it didn't even move the spirit of madness at all. The berserker swung his sword intending to bisect the retreating caster but that was blocked by his casting staff, he parried the blow by placing his elbow at the staff's side while remaining on the air to minimize the impact, as a result his body bones was spared from turning into dust. It was a good strategy but not enough, the strength of heracules was still too much, and as a result, the force carried him for over forty meters back with him demolishing two vehicles along the way. Cu chulain was out.
Nine seconds, it took heracules six seconds to clear out the group that was struggling against him, just when he decides to try.
Mash spitted out blood looking up hazily, from her spot seeing the berserker roaring to the starless night in victory, before turning away. It was heading towards billy-kun… and she couldn't allow that, the sound of her groggily shuffling to her feet brought about a pause in berserker as it slowly turned its gaze towards her, eyes gleaming in unsuppressed malevolence.
The lilac hair tried not to shiver under the weight, as even a single mistake could end her life prematurely 'not that I might even be alive after this…' she bitterly thought 'just buy more time, give it your all… because that's all you have' she clenched her shield handle hard settling into a combat stance while taking slow amble steps towards the beast, she could do nothing else as her ability to even perform mana boost was tiring in itself ironically enough.
The beast responded by raising his armament of death bringing it down the girl. To mash the approaching weapon was like a falling meteorite, no hope to escape, no hope to fight back, no hope to win.
'Sorry billy-kun… it seems like we might not have that date after all' she braced herself while closing her eyes for what may be the final time.
.....
The spirit of madness gave a contemptuous grunt as its axeblade descended on the little girl. It knew not why the little girl and the other not so little man stood before it, and neither does it care… they had shown themselves as interference and like the Lilliputian obstacles they are they should had been totally annihilated… that is if it wasn't for an unknown something of someone that restricted its movement.
Every blade swung felt laggard, and to make it worse when it had the chance to destroy the paltry being its movement would feel like it had been held by chains. It wanted to roar at the slight performed against it…. that condensing smirk on the not so little man only made it worse! And so it continued until all of a sudden all the unseen weight suddenly vanished.
And it was free…
A jubilant shout spilled out from its mouth. Finally at last it was time to show its overpowering might and like the inevitable they couldn't stand before it. The beast would have made sure to kill them in a more brutal manner, if it wasn't for the fact the beacon that had brought him here had shinned even brighter, so with a jubilant scream it turned to leave.
But it seemed like the little girl hadn't had enough yet… it seems like she truly wanted to die. She couldn't even bear its own strength when it was suppressed, how can it bear its strength now it is unleashed.
But it wouldn't waist its time on her. A single swing down will turn her and her paltry shield into an inconsequential splatter on the road and so when she stood before it; it brought down its weapon of death.
On the course of the weapons travel, the instincts of the berserker roared out to him.
The beacon was coming, and was heading towards it at lightning speeds, and just as immediately his view was filled with the sight of blue flames, he heard the un-denying whistling sound of a sword heading straight to its neck and with just as fast reaction transitioned its sword from an attack to a parry, but it then gave a grunt of surprise; the opposing sword held a surprising weight.
Thee beacon was strong, its body weight was lifted up from the floor from the attack, in the air there was a sudden twist of the flames and something shot out of it.
Its outline was that of… a foot, as a result of its position on the air it had no means of evasion so it crossed its arm in a guard block, and then felt the underlying sensation of a kick, it was very powerful if it had the ability to describe the sensation it felt at the moment it would be pain…
And then the force carried it away.
...….
Mash stood woozy as she awaited her certain death at the hands of berserker, but then she heard the sound of blowing wind which was followed by sound of a sonic boom opening her eyes to the astonishing sight of berserker smashed through opposing buildings by a figure wreathed in flames.
The sight of it all brought about a feeling of vertigo as she almost clumsily fell but first to the floor… that is almost.
The figure in flames caught her by the waist in the course of her fall; she looked the strange figure confused but also with a strange sense of familiarity.
The voice that followed almost brought the Chaldean demi-servant to tears.
"Sorry mash, it seems like once again am late, the party seems to have begun without me" the blue flames slowly died off to reveal an all too different but familiar face.
Mash tried too hard not to sniff but even her voice couldn't hide her quivering relief, she stretched her hand to hold the side of his face, to show that it wasn't an image conjured by her imagination "billy…-kun?" she hesitantly asked.
"Yes mash, it's me" the now revealed Chaldean master answered with a serene smile.
And then the dam broke as she hugged him and cried.