Earth (Fate Grand Order Alt Timeline)
Fuyuki city (Anomaly F)
2004CE
The young man stood tired and weary "One hundred people this time" he muttered to himself. And like always he would strive to save them; that was his aspiration, his goal… his dream.
"To become a Hero of Justice"
But even so reality had shoved it back to his face, deeming it as a Sisyphean goal. He ran his calloused hand over a peeking tuft, making a mental note to trim his hair as he spotted streaks of white intermingling with brown.
No matter how hard he trained, how hard he went the extra mile, no matter what he had given up or casted aside. The truth of the matter was that as he is now he is just too weak compared to the horrors of the world. Time and time again he had come across beings compared to Angra-Mayiu, but not once had he ever prevailed against those monsters, he always had to fall back… to save those that remained.
Even now…
He gazed up exhaling vapour even as he was tucked in a thick military fatigue.
Even now he could only look up groggily as he placed himself between the upcoming destruction and the people behind him, for that was his purpose.
"To become a Hero of Justice"
The man's senses tingled as above him appeared to be something made up of a blue core surrounded by bands of light. And from its blue core, lines of white came moving into the man's body, changing him.
A huff escaped from his mouth.
"So my resolve has reached even you Alaya, well then" he stood up straight, as he accepted her offer.
'The protection of Humanity as a whole' and becoming a True Hero of Justice. His lips twitched up when he recognized the cost 'his Soul' an after-life eternal servitude.
And so with a resigned smile the last words he uttered as a human was "and if doing so means no one will cry, then…"
An anecdote of The King of Wrought Iron 'Emiya'
--TMMGO--
'Damn all this sprawled roots and slimy dirt' Billy grumbled as he trudged in the woods. While as a result of him a demi-god gave him the ability to see through the darkness as clear as day, it did not make the feel of the Earth under his feet any better. Not like it was disturbing or anything… it's just that rather than the Heracules, it was the Billy Batson that found the sensation uncomfortable.
He grimaced looking down at the state of his feet 'well we'll soon be through with this place anyway. And speaking of that…' he trailed off as he felt the nervous energy his group were radiating off since they entered the forest.
Mash, who stayed behind him with the director seemed to be fidgety as she nervously held unto her shield, her eyes scanning the surroundings, Olga Marie looked more conserved but the way she absently twirled her hair only made her felt jumpy, as for Caster… well it seems like there's no problem, holding a little grin on his face he leisurely strolled ahead of them. Not like Billy could tell or anything; after all he is not a seasoned warrior, maybe the Celtic hero has his own way of securing the circumference.
But still way the volatile way the women were behaving made him felt uncomfortable 'time to think of something' he told himself.
A way to take to shake off the tension of the upcoming battle, and lighten up the air in the group, a few seconds spent musing brought to Billy attention a certain matter that made him to suddenly chuckle.
"Master?..." Mash called out in bewilderment. She or rather the whole group turned their attention to the demi-god whose light chuckles were turning into cackles.
The said individual raised his hands as he tried to gain his breath "it's nothing serious Mash. It's just when you consider that the fact that The King Arthur is supposed to be Queen Arthur, it just makes you to think that the Englishmen of that time got their gender orientation wrong… well unless she looks so much like a macho she was mistaken to be a man"
Cu Chulain chortled at the front as he affirmed to the Chaldean "nope she looks like a woman through and through. So much you could say she had the appearance of a little girl"
Olga Marie folded her arms as she bore a hole through the living demi "so what's with this talk about Saber's gender. Billy-kun, I hope you're not like those kind of men who think that they are better than women…."
Billy shook his head "nope –nope, I'm not like that I assure you Marie. Look don't you think that it's kind of funny for one to be remembered with the wrong gender. Just think about the cartoons these days and all the stories we read always dreaming to be King Arthur just to find out that we had been wrong all this time. I cannot remember my own memory but I am sure that at one point I must have pretended to be king Arthur… to think that I had been playing as the wrong role as a kid, and saying that such a role belonged only to the boys is strange and funny don't you think. It is like saying Oda Nobunaga the famous Japanese warlord was actually a woman"
...…..
Meanwhile at the Throne of Heroes
A raven long hair woman sneezed violently.
"Archoo!... All right who is the bastard that is talking about me behind my back huh?!"
...
"Well you are ostensibly right now that I think about it" she hummed reluctantly.
"But I don't think it's bad even if you try to emulate someone even if the person isn't your gender Master" Mash opined.
"Yeah I know that" Billy waved, but then he raised an eyebrow suggestively "but don't you think its funny Mash"
The demi-servant mulled as her mind painted the image, understanding where her Master was coming from she also began to snicker "I see what you mean"
The Animusphere heiress rolled her eyes "now that's over let's all hurry up and pick up the pace"
"Yes mam!!" they both unilaterally replied back. The whole group moved up ahead, with a little more haste in their steps.
The Chaldean demi-god smiled 'at least all the nervous energy has died down' he observed 'that's good'
Just ahead the Caster smiled at all that had transpired 'good job kid'
.....
"All right we are here" the Heroic mage announced "this is where the Holy Grail resides"
The site we were lead to was a cave located in a clearing deep within the forest surrounded by erosion sites.
"It looks just like a natural cave" Mash observed "has it always been part of Fuyuki?"
"Well am not so sure of the natural part Mash" Billy objected, pointing out the signs of manmade tempering he spotted from where he stood "look there those formations shows that the cave had been excavated by man"
"Oh" she hummed in agreement as she spotted the irregularity.
"You are half right Billy-kun" the Lord of Astronomy corrected "the formation of this cave is both half-natural and half-artificial. The mage probably spent years to establish his workshop here"
Just as we were about to enter, I halted at the sounds of approaching movement with Fou who rested on Mash shoulders began growling aggressively.
"Someone's coming from the back" I informed the others quickly, as they all got into position.
"Director" Mash called out, with Olga Marie tacitly going behind her.
"Well-well, speak of the devil and her disciple shall appear" Caster spoke out as the enemy servant stepped out into view.
He had the appearance of a young man with tan skin, his short white hair was spread jangly signifying that it wasn't how it originally supposed to be, he was dressed in a sleeveless black upper-ware with silver accents outlining his muscles, and pants with a red shroud tied around his waist just like the demi-god's black. But if there was one thing Billy noted would be his silver eyes that appeared dead and dull.
'While not as strong as Lancer's, his own radiates a unique kind of coldness'
"The Archer servant" Olga Marie intoned.
The Ulyster style hero huffed "I see you are still protecting the wielder of the holy sword as always?"
The Archer scoffed as he replied back in rich baritone "I don't remember ever describing myself as a disciple. But the least I could do is chase of all ill intruders"
"So a gatekeeper then… I don't know what you are protecting Saber from, but let's end it all right here"
The enemy servant gave no reply only manifesting a bow and sword placing the sword on the string replying "sorry but I do not have that kind of…" the sword changed in appearance before releasing it in a powerful shot "free time!" the attack produced shockwaves with after trails of vermillion.
'The aim of Archer's shot…' Caster trailed off, making no movement to stop the steel projectile.
Mash positioned her shield ready to block the attack, but unfortunately the shot wasn't intended for her. No, it headed towards her master.
Billy stood unflinching as the comet approached him, the speed and power of the shot promised nothing but death. But with a smirk and a sudden movement of the hand… the aerodynamic sword halted just as it reached his face.
"I know that I promised Caster a fight between you two. But Archer… do not test me" a light clench snapped the radiating projection like brittle glass "I'm here to fight Saber not you. But if you itching for a fight…" the demi-god looked at the bowman, his eyes glowing with one fully vested in the mantle of the divine and one with the assurance of a quick death "I'm game"
The levels of danger radiating from the Chaldean was enormous, even those who were not the target of his ire felt his pressure upon them. The director felt she was about to faint, with the allied servants experiencing a sudden drop of temperature. And that did not talk of what the servant whom the unspoken threat was being directed to was experiencing at the moment.
'What a monster' his hands gripped tighter around his bow. He felt like if he instigated it any further, he would be dead before he could so much as blink his eyes. He sighed out loud giving a surrendering shrug "you can go then, she's waiting for you anyway"
"Eh! You are just going to let him go to Saber anyway" Cu Chulain asked surprised.
The bowman in red gave a sardonic smile "surprised Caster. Well don't be, she gave me the order to let them pass anyway"
"Why did you shoot then?"
"To satisfy an itching curiosity" the smile wiped away like it was never there "Caster… let's fight"
Caster looked befuddled at the bowman 'is he pulling my leg now?' he mused to himself but couldn't be sure as he saw his expression. He knew what that face meant. He had seen it too many times in battlefield; it was of one who saw his imminent death but was still ready to die fighting. And so with a smile he moved forward away from his position in the group "this is where we part ways Billy, Mash, Marie. It seems like am about to have the fight I've always wanted"
"Caster" Mash muttered forlornly, the Heroic mage had ingrained into the group so much that she had forgotten about the fight he wanted with the Archer class, and with the way she saw it….
"We will see each other again then" Billy raised a fist "Cu Chulain, the Irish demi-god…"
The Caster smiled fist bumping with the Chaldean "may the blessings of Lugh, be with you in battle, Billy Batson, Grecian demi-god of strength"
A nod passed between them as the Chaldean master turned to his demi-servant "Mash let's go"
The lilac girl nodded back, but not without giving a short bow to the Irish demi-god "good-luck"
Olga Marie also added in her piece "don't you die Caster…"
With his back facing them, the Heroic spirit languidly waved back "I'll try not to"
And with that the group left entering the cave to face the servant of the sword, leaving only the mage servant and the bow servant to themselves.
"So… are we starting here Archer?" Cu Chulain began.
"Not here Cu Chulain, the Ryuudou Temple… let's fight there"
The sage raised an eyebrow at the location "Ryuudou eh. Aright then, let's go"
--TMMGO--
The Chaldeans trio ran ahead through the tunnels, only to bust out in what appeared to be a large clearing. It was a wide expanse the size of over two stadiums and then some. And just further ahead, there was a wide arc rising of the Earth that covered what was giving out a purple glow.
To the demi-god it felt rather mystifying in a way… that is if it wasn't for the chills it gave him "what the hell is that?" he asked softly to no one in particular.
"It feels like a magecraft core reactor… is that the Holy Grail" Olga Marie deduced unsure.
No further speculations were made as they all felt the sudden increase in pressure followed by the sound of metal grating metal. A figure approached out of the arc facing them straight.
"So you have all arrived" the voice echoed throughout the clearing "demi-god Master and his rather interesting servant"
The one who had spoken was a young woman in a battle dress that was all black with red marring lines, on her left hand was a sword. Probably the Excalibur, but even despite her obviously lithe stature, she projected an overpowering presence.
'So she is King Arthur… I can see why Caster said she is strong. Most especially that sword of hers" his eyes went down, the sword gave him a bad feeling 'Tch, it probably might. No, it actually could pierce my skin' and that was saying something as he knew how hard his skin was. Throughout the entire fight with Berserker, not once did any of his opponent strikes sank through his epidermis. And even when Archer had shot him that attack he knew it would not affect him in any way.
He just did not want the iron scattering on his face.
"What magical energy" the director commented uncomfortably. Although her mind made another observation 'it might be just me, but her strength while it feels stronger than Berserker's I feel like it doesn't quite match up to Billy-kun's own. But I am not so sure'
The servant of the blade scanned through the group, her eyes pausing at the demi-servant before stopping at the demi-god "originally it was the girl with the shield that I wanted to face, but it seems like fate has provided me with a more… worthier opponent" she took a step descending from her isle.
"Oi-oi do not say that about Mash, she's pretty strong you know" he gestured at the caught off girl's thin arms "don't you see those muscles… well it might look non-existent, but the way she lifts her shield and makes it look too easy… that just tells you she's made of strong stuff"
"Billy- kun!- I mean Master! What are you insinuating?" the girl indignantly squalled out.
"Me? I wasn't insinuating anything. I was just defending your honour"
"But even still. To point out my muscles…"
"But am I wrong?"
"Master!!"
"Sorry!" he quickly bowed.
The Tower Lord face palmed "you two are really going to be the death of me" she groaned.
As for the sword servant, she stood still never interrupting the on-going skit before her, just as the Chaldeans had calmed down she continued with a tincture of annoyance "are you done now? If so let us begin demi-god" with that she activated her mana burst, the ground beneath her cracked with her mana taking on an indistinct shape of a dragon, she drew up a sword stance with her ash eyes narrowed "come Conquering Demi-god. Let me see if you have what it takes to match up to the Dragon Tyrant"
The said demi-god sighed as any sign of cheerfulness was gone. He took a few steps forward as he took the same stance he used against Berserker and answered coolly "if that is what the legendary King Arthur request, I am bound to oblige" and activated his mana burst in response, the earth beneath him shattered with arcs of lightning occasionally giving out from his aura.
'Prepare for your turn Mash' he mentally instructed the demi-servant.
'Yes master'
He gripped his sword tighter as he gazed at the King of Britain in narrowed eyes "here I come Dragon Tyrant!"
"Come then Conquering Demi-god!"
With a mighty stomp, both their feet smashed into the Earth unable to withstand their might as they rocket off rushing towards the other in the forms of blue and purple.
The Dragon and the Demi-god met in a clash of light…. and the land trembled.
Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even as the earthquake reached the other Chaldeans, the mortal mage could only say with vindication and a tinge of mortification "yep I was right. They really are going to change the landscape... I just hope I survive"
--TMMGO--
'It seems like the fight has begun' Caster soliloquized, already feeling the tumultuous energy the mentioned battle was giving off 'and now for my own…' he appeared in a large courtyard inside of the Temple just some kilometres away from his previous location.
"Archer! I am here just as you like said. Don't you dare go cold feet on me now!" He spoke pointedly looking at a particular spot. In response dust clouds stirred up as the bowman appeared exactly were the sage was looking at.
"Nothing of that sort Caster. I said the Ryuudou Temple did I not, so here I am" the red garbed servant said breezily.
For a moment the two Heroic Spirits did nothing only giving their selves scrutinizing looks. The Irish servant grunted as he asked bemused "so what's your deal Archer? I never pegged your for someone so confrontational, so why are you even doing this my way?"
Archer raised an eyebrow "your way huh…" he shrugged "let's just say I am doing this because I want to confirm something. But this time to myself"
"And what is that?"
Archer gave a small smile taking a few steps back "what truly makes me happy. Caster, you have seen how I fight, the methods of my attacks and the arms in my possession. So Irish spearman, allow me to ask you my own question. What kind of Hero do you think I am?"
The Heroic mage relaxed back "what kind? Well how should I know?"
But Archer smiled ruefully at the servant's reply "and that is what I want to know?" and with that he revved up his mana "Caster. What you are about to see is the totality of a man who chased over a beautiful dream and got nothing but pain filled regrets. Look upon this world and maybe… you might find the fight you hope for"
Caster narrowed his eyes at the sight "your Noble Phantasm? You seem very confident that I will allow you to even finish casting it…"
But the servant of the bow was unmoved by the unspoken threat answering back "I assure you that you will. Not when I can grant to you something you missed the most"
"Something I missed… wait! Do you mean!-" the mage gasped in realisation but was unable to ask as the Hero of the bow had begun chanting his aria.
"I AM THE BONE OF MY SWORD"
"STEEL IS MY BODY AND FIRE IS MY BLOOD"
"I HAVE CREATED OVER A THOUSAND BLADES…"
The ulyster style master could do nothing more than to watch, as why it might be detrimental as he doesn't know the firepower of Archer's Noble Phantasm. The temptation of receiving it back was even greater. So with an irritated tsk he reluctantly allowed Archer to finish his chant.
"UNKNOWN TO DEATH, NOR KNOWN TO LIFE"
"HAVE WITHSTOOD PAIN TO CREATE MANY WEAPONS YET, THOSE HANDS WILL NEVER HOLD ANYTHING"
"SO I PRAY…"
" UNLIMITED… BLADE WORKS!"
The ground around them cracked with red lights spilling over that seemed to brighten even more by every passing moment, Archer's Noble Phantasm had transported the duo to a whole new world; His world.
The Irish sage observed the location "so this is your totality… Archer" in his Reality Marble night because dusk, with miscellaneous swords stuck out as far as he could see numbered in their thousands. And even more shocking was that they were all Noble Phantasms. The sounds of grinding lifted his gaze to a sky of groaning metal clogs for a sun. The truth concerning the bowman's identity had dawned on him.
The conjurer spoke out across the field of steel "so Cu Chulain, how do you see this world?"
The sage of the forest replied back in narrowed eyes "a Reality Marble eh, as for how I see it I have no answer to that, let my blade answer rather than my words, Counter Guardian. Now give me my spear" he demanded.
"That is so like you Irish Hero" Archer expected such a reply but still complied all the same, he raised an arm that glowed waves of blue neon as he performed began his specialty.
' TRACE ON!' the magic used was 'Graduation Air' a rudimentary spell that was made available to even the lowest of the low, but he took it even further 'Structural Grasping--Projection' the air blurred as an shimmering object appeared before him that became more solid as time passed. It was a middle range armament that was touted as anti-divine in origin, known in the Irish lands as 'The Stomach Cutter', the glow died down revealing a red spear made from an unknown metal. Yes with a magic known to all as child's magic, the Archer had used it to create a Noble Phantasm.
With a gesture the spear left the position of its creator stabbing itself to the barren Earth right before the Irish demi-god.
"It is nothing more than a replica of the original, but I am sure in your hands it holds the same potential"
Caster made no movement in taking the spear as he looked at its forger dubiously "this Reality Marble and my spear, it is taking a lot of mana to maintain them both am I right Archer?"
"You are correct" the bowman easily admitted "ordinarily I shouldn't be able to do this much but if you remember Berserker's sudden eruption of mana, then you can see that my situation is no different. Even now I still continue to receive from Saber who is the Grail's proxy and can continue to fight at full capacity"
But the Heroic mage still wasn't convinced "even if I pick up the spear, on what grounds can I believe that you would not dispel it when I am about to defeat you"
"' When.' you really a funny sense of humour Cu Chulain" the servant of the bow chuckled "as for my guarantee… well pick it up. You will see what I am talking about. Or is the great Celtic hero afraid to do even that" he taunted.
"You bastard" the sage growled, he knew the bowman was baiting him but even so he just wanted to be sure that it wasn't a trap even though he knew from the way Archer's eyes looked that it probably wasn't. 'Well screw it' he huffed dispersing his staff going over to pick the spear.
At that very instant his hand touched the weapon, a spark ran through his body, it was at that moment he understood what Archer meant, he hefted the spear… his spear, in transfixed wonder "it really is just like you" he murmured lightly "Gae Bolg" like a command signal a crimson aura buffeted from the spear, Caster… no Cu Chulain could feel himself getting whole again. A resonance had been achieved, armament and the Heroic spirit complete. Mana arouse around him dancing like a storm as he looked at Archer, begrudgingly he admitted that Archer was right, his spear was no longer powered by the bowman but rather by him, rather than a replica, it had resonated with him and gained a likeness close to the original.
He discarded his outer garment in motes of light, giving experimental twirls with his spear, before he settled his gaze on his opponent "now let's not keep ourselves waiting…" taking on a martial stance.
"Yes I agree. We have waited long enough Cu Chulain" he spread out his arms with a crackling flash of light he equipped his most used melee weapons of them all. Twins swords of black and white, the symbol of the yin-yang marking 'Kanshou and Bakuya' he adopted a stance of his own. At last it was time.
The battle has begun…
...…
"Orahhhhhhhhh!"
With a shout the Celtic hero took off in a flurry of wind rushing ahead to the bowman in red. Archer narrowed his eyes ready to attack, the red spear dropped over the married sword and the Earth below Archer sunk hard.
"Hrggh!!"
'Powerful' the servant of the bow appraised, even as a Caster class the Irish demi-god strength was still superior 'but…' "Impressive Cu Chulain" he whizzed under the strain "it's like you have become a whole new person… no, it more like you have regained your former self"
The Heroic mage scoffed "spare me the rubbish Archer" he pressed down his spear, as the bowman struggled under the weight "if I was in my supposed original Class that one strike would had killed you"
"You're absolutely right" he gritted as smirked back "But Cu Chulain remember, I am at you with everything I got. Everything" and with a mental command he called his swords send then towards the demi-god in flashes of ash.
"Tch" Cu Chulain quickly disengaged swiping away any projectile that got to close 'I can't afford to take anyone of those since I don't have my divine blessings' he spread his spear arm wide as he began to twirl, a circle of red served as his banner as he kept on batting them away. Meanwhile the Archer had retreated to a safe distance.
"Impressive as always Cu Chulain, to be able to fend off over eighty swords within such a short instance just speaks of your impeccable accuracy" Archer commended.
Broken shards of swords fell around the sage dispersing in blue motes "if that is the best you can do then prepare to die Archer"
The Archer smiled as he summoned again only this time… in their thousands. Swords of all types hung in the air, from the smallest daggers to the biggest juggernauts "you want my best? Then let's see how you will do against this"
With a maniacal grin Caster laughed out "yes Archer give me your best shot"
And with that the swords fell.
Caster clenched his spear hard as the multitudes of steel approached him 'even though I said that… this is actually quite the predicament. I can't fend off all of them, not with my specs as they are' he sighed in resignation 'it seems like I have no choice but to use it'
Archer watched as the rain of swords pelted unrelenting on where the demi-god stood, his guard was still up as he did not believe for an instant that it would had done Caster in.
And he was not disappointed.
"ANSUZ" a voice called out from the chaotic scene.
The sand-dust was tinted orange as what flew out was an intense array of fireballs, the balls of flame moved with blistering speed leaving after-effects of smoke smashing against the steel hail in a mighty clash.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cacophony of metal and the element of fire spread through the lands for kilometres on end.
The steel cascades ceased and form where Cu Chulain had stood; was a stone construct erected as cover.
The Heroic mage slowly stood as the stone construct fell away, popping his neck the addressed the bowman "it seems like apologises need to be given Archer; Mine that is. As a result of the serendipitous encounter of getting Gae Bolg I had assumed that the battle was won, that I could face you giving your all as I am now, my apologises" he curtsied, with a twist of the spear, runes of fire appeared before him "allow me to iterate. I Cu Chulain shall face you with all my might as both the master of the Ulyster style and the sage of the forest. Prepare yourself Archer!"
But it was those words that made Archer to truly smile "now you are talking" he bent down and took off dashing forward in an array of sixteen swords "I shall face you as Emiya the Counter Guardian. Caster! Here I come"
"Archer!"
And that was the signal for the second round. Swords clashed with spear, Noble Phantasms with high ranks spells, and it was utter chaos, the two Heroic spirits smashed and swung at the other displaying their varying techniques with every move. Every successful jab of the spear was interrupted by a flying sword and every opportune sword strike was disrupted by the shifting of the Earth below them.
They both knew they weren't at their optimum states. Archer even with the capability of deploying his Reality Marble could not use the abilities of his weapons only with the exception of some chosen few, the rest were only as steel projectiles. It was only due to Cu Chulain's bond to his spear did he even take the projection to such a higher level, to him at that moment it was just an ordinary steel, a sharp one nonetheless but still ordinary. For the servant of the staff, he just wanted to curse someone. Ordinarily attacks like this would never had bordered him due to his 'Protection from Arrow' skill, but as a Caster it was just gone and now he had to be mindful not to get skewered by any stray shot.
'But still this guy' Caster began, as he parried a flying sword with the base of spear, twisting using the gained momentum to give Archer a fine paper cut just above the eyebrow 'what kind of fighting is that?' he could understand the meaning of fighting recklessly, but the techniques of the Projecting Spirit was just bordering suicidal. Now that the playing field had been evened, it was just a death-tout for was the better fighter and obviously it was him, but still… to think that with such kind of bizarre fighting style and he still hadn't defeated the bowman.
A small grin appeared over his face 'looks like I'm beginning to understand the guy' he swerved through a sword slash closing in on the servant of the bow giving out a powerful side-kick.
"Hrggh!"
The Counter Guardian gagged in pain as the force carried him away, while in mid-air he summoned his bow and arrow firing barrages of attacks at the Celtic hero, who responded by weaving through them, spinning his spear to block the others, the momentum and power of the shots stirred up the ground dust. Still within the make-shift smoke screen, Caster guard was up waiting for the enemy to revel himself.
A whizzing sound pointed him at a particular direction 'so there you are' slashing away a sword projectile leaving his side open for the revealed Archer to take.
"Got you" he called out.
With a shout he held a weapon using it to attack the sage, seemly to bisect him. It was an indigenous strategy that would have defeated any other opponent. Yes any other opponent. But the Irish demi-god was not like the others.
"Got who?" the sage responded back sarcastically, even in his position as he deftly twisted his spear over his shoulders angling it to absorb the coming blow. Archer attack was for naught….
But that was his mistake.
Archer knew who he was fighting; he was someone who fought against the Irish demi-god on over different timelines, so was very familiar with his fighting style. So while it might have seemed like the blow was truly blocked. The Caster still took damage. The sword used was an ordinary sword, but its size spoke of it belonging to that of a giant.
The size, speed, and force of the weapon was enough to overcome the sage's block sending him flying but not before breaking a spear arm and being close enough to give him a fine cut on his face.
"Gurgh!!"
The roles were changed as this time the Celtic hero was in mid-air.
"ANSUZ!"
While airborne using his spear as a medium, he drew out runes of fire sending them as multiple barrages against the agent of Alaya.
"You've got to do better than that. Cu Chulain!" Archer taunted, sending out his swords as they meet with the balls of fire in a familiar clash.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Caster landed over eighty seven meters away from his opponent. He gave an annoying sound as he saw the state of his wound "Tsk. The bastard really got me good" he groaned in irritation, pressing his rib cage that was currently out of place in a few bones. Even now injuries such as this would not prevent him from fighting at full power, but. He looked against the now apparent piper of swords gave a cough of his own wiping the rivulet of blood from his lips 'seems like that kick of mine was just as effective' he had his fill of fun, and now it was time to pay his dues.
"Archer" his voice rang across the desolated world "you ask me what kind of heroic spirit are you, well. Here's my thought" he pointed the Stomach Cutter at the bowman "the way you fight, the ethics bound in your blade. You're someone who has never had a something you cherished for yourself, or am I wrong"
The Counter Guardian scoffed back "tell me what I don't know" he clenched his blades as the blurry image of a certain event appeared; the reason why he became… this.
"No it seems like you don't understand Archer" Cu Chulain scratched his hair roughly to seemly break down his words "you are like someone who does not really understand his own self at all. It like this what truly makes you happy?" he questioned.
That, the hero of the bow had never forgotten "for everyone to be happy and no one to cry" he acerbically said.
"And how did you achieve it?"
Archer-… no Emiya could not respond; the flashback of all his killings plagued him, all the people he saved, what he received as a reward boggled him. It was just impossible in this world to achieve it " a Hero of Justice" "so that means I am just deficit heroic spirit" he muttered out.
"No! That just means that may you went at it the wrong way"
"What!"
"When I was still young, I used to tell my teacher that one day, I would be the strongest warrior in all the lands. But then she asked me, how do I achieve it? My answer was that I would fight against all of the strongest warriors to claim the prize. And her reply to that was…" he slowly paused shivering, his face turned blue as the next words were too painful for him to continue "y-you get the point. Well to continue on, the words she told me that still guided me to this day was like this 'if you want to be the most powerful warriors be it, but never forget that before shooting for the peak, you must stretch your hands to grasp the stone first. Archer before you tried to make everyone happy, were the ones around you happy? Before you thought of saving others did you save the ones around you? Cause if you didn't then you goal had failed right from the start. Emiya you are just one man, before making the world happy first make that one place where you are happy first"
The words of the forest sage shook Emiya to the core, it wasn't like he hadn't mulled about it before, no thoughts like this had resurfaced once in every blue moon back when he was still Emiya Shiro, but he casted it aside; to save those who couldn't/hadn't/haven't been saved. It had to take this long for him understand and it wasn't from Artoria, Rin or Sakura. No it was from a certain battle maniac.
He laughed bitterly to himself 'maybe it was when in my arrogance I thought I could save everybody that I had truly failed' the next time he sees his obstinate self that is what he would say. Turning back to the Caster he uttered three words he had never thought he would never had said to him "thank you Cu Chulain"
But the sage shrunk back "nope-nope don't say that you bastard! My skin froze just now; I am only helping you for my own sake" taking an attack poise "and now let us continue… is what I want to say, but as much as I hate to admit it this fight isn't going to take us anywhere don't you agree?"
"We are too evenly match is what you mean" the Counter Guardian smirked.
Caster gained a tic mark "Only. In. Our. Present. State" he stressed out "I am already satisfied as it is so let's all settle this in one shot" with that he ignited his spear as he readied his technique.
"What a coincidence, I though the same as well" he projected a sword placing it on his bow, the sword wasn't like the others, it had the appearance to that of a drill. It was the attack he had aimed at the Grecian demi-god when he had won his battle against Berserker. But even so he knew that sage's attack was quicker than his own 'looks like it is time to go all out then' he concluded.
This time rather than a metal command he spoke it out " ALL SWORDS… DEPLOY"
Cu Chulain who was preparing to unleash his technique felt the rumbling 'he's going all out eh' he thought as he could see swords moving towards the Archer now it was all of them 'looks like I have to responded in kind' he pulled back his spear re-equipping his staff quickly chanting.
"MY MAGECRAFT IS A CAGE OF FLAMES"
His voice loud and audible even through the sword-storm's chiming.
"A FLAMING YET VERDANT GIANT"
"RETRIBUTION"
"A SHRINE THAT PURIFIES THE EVIL OF HUMAN AFFAIRS"
"THE ONE WHO DESTROYS… WICKER MAN!"
A large circle of fire appeared behind him, what followed was a humanoid wooden giant made in latticework, with its face the same only with metal. It rose to the towering height of over fifteen meters, revealing an empty torso. This was the Noble Phantasm of the Child of Light, an attack that summons a soulless casket giant that rages for sacrifice.
"Go" he commanded, fire blazed around the giant as it began moving forward.
"Caster's Noble Phantasm" Archer remarked as the wooden giant trudged towards him "then there is no need to keep him waiting. ALL SWORDS INITIATE RAPID FIRE" with his words the storm of swords surged raging like a soulless army, cutting through the air leaving glints of silver zooming towards the approaching Wicker Man to cut right through it and its summoner to pieces.
The collision was spectacular and particularly eerie. Even through the sea of bladed steel, the giant was not so easily felled, its woods was blessed by the druids, and even now its obstinacy for a sacrifice can never be quenched, but even also the arms of the King of Wrought. For every blade that nicked and vanished another replaced it, cutting sounds reverberated through the surroundings in both their soulless struggle in dominating the other; One wadding through and the other unceasingly striking.
As for the servants they both never settled their hopes in their initial attacks, they both said it before.
One shot was all they need. And the time to take it is now.
"MY CORE IS TWISTED IN MADNESS"
Archer intonated, his arrow began to glow thrumming out waves of mana. It was an attack that ignores conventional durability originating from the cultural sphere of the Red Branch Cycle. For as long as it is used against the legendary hero of the Ulster circle the Child of Light. Its user is bound to win under a Geas. And its name was…
"YOUR HEART IS MINE!"
Cu Chulain declared. Unlike that of the sword that uses power, this required technique. A strike that utilises the curse of the spear which is close to the realm of True Magic, the attack reverses causality and aims for the heart. Truly a one shot kill. He called it...
"CALADBOLG!!"
The arrow streaked forward.
GAE BOLG!!"
The spear moved with the ordination of death.
Both servants remained placid as their attacks moved to take down the prey. A white light radiated through the fields, at last the battle had been decided.
...…..
The day turned back to night as the Celtic hero and the Counter Guardian came to the very spot they stood before entering the Reality Marble, only this time in different states than before.
Archer calmly looked at the starless heavens, before turning his eyes down to where the one he * was fighting even now. "looks like I'm leaving first, Saber" he began. Spurting out blood as he lifted his hands to where his heart was, only to find it hollow "Ga'e Bolg huh... a truly fearsome technique" and with that he began to vanishes. Just as his consciousness reached its limit a stray promise remained in his heart as old images began cropping up.
'The next time I see Her, I will stand by her. Her, I will stay by her. Her, I will save her... And also Him, I will say 'we were right, all along'' and with that he truly vanished.
Seeing that his opponent had truly vanished, the Irish demi-god staggered, by then Gae bolg had truly vanished and his face turned absolutely pale with his blood cascading from his body to the churned Earth below "to think he actually had that sword… damn that Archer" he croaked, turning his eyes to the fist sized hole in his chest , laughing mirthlessly "looks like this is it for me" he closed his eyes giving a resigned laugh that spewed blood "But seeing that the fight still wages on means that he will win. After all he actually believed my white lie…. Well the next time we meet and he wants to fight concerning it, he should summon me as a Lancer rather than a Caster"
Giving his staff a quick spin before angling it on his body he said finally "till we meet again Billy Batson" and dispersed in golden showers.
--TMMGO--
Clang! Clang!
Ever since the beginning the demi-god and the Dragon Tyrant had been clashing at each other causing fissures to the Earth each time their swords connected.
"!!!..."
But Billy eyes suddenly dilated, precipitously pausing in one of his swords strikes, giving the corrupted servant an opening to take advantage of, giving the Chaldean a fine cut across his chest.
Wincing he jumped back to create more space.
'Billy-kun!' mash cried out through the mental connection concerned.
'Don't worry about it Mash!' he mentally assured her. An injury such as this is actually inconsequential. His flesh visibly knitted back together with the wound vanished like it was never there, it was only the blood that remain on his chest that provided evidence that it was ever there.
"What's wrong demi-god? Is this it" Saber tilted her head bemused.
"Nope. Sorry about that Saber. It's just that while fighting I was rather fixated on the outcome of the battle between our fellow associates" he replied.
'Mash, it seems like Caster has fallen, I just felt his presence vanish just now, but it seems like he took Archer with him' he informed her about the situation.
He could feel the sadness of the demi-servant transferred through the link, as he began to assure her 'but now is not the time to feel sad about it. You saw it in his eyes didn't you, no matter how hard we may have tried, we would not be able dissuade him from fighting the bow guy. So cheer up Mash' feeling her nod back, as her melancholy retracted.
He sighed 'now that's done, I can really concentrate on the fight'
His unspoken thoughts accented by the Dragon Tyrant whose mana output increased slamming hard to the Earth "now that we have finish testing waters at each other, let the battle truly begin"
Billy Batson replied by lifting his hard guffawing loud enough to stir out blustery winds "do you really think you can defeat me Saber?" he snidely asked "please do not deceive yourself" screw that Cu Chulain, he now understood what was going on "the only chance you had to kill me was during the beginning of this fight. But it seems like I was being too careful. But now… now that I've understood your fighting style, it looks like I don't even need to go all out. Its only that sword of yours that I need to worry about" he replied back with his own mana burst surpassing that of Saber even when directly connected to the grail "so Saber" his cerulean eyes clearly distinct even through the tornado of mana "let's see how long you'll last before you kick the bucket shall we?"
The servant of the sword gave no reply as she clenched her sword, but Billy scoffed as he zoomed right at her like a raging storm.