FBBH 100

Here we are, chapter 100. It is one thing to plan getting this far, it is another thing getting here and we did. Thank you all for the support, help, suggestion, comments, analysis and for just being here. I said it before and I will keep saying that without you all this story wouldn't havbe gotten this far. Hope you all love the twists, turns and implications as we keep marching forward. Thank you all, see you next time.

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

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100- Turning Point

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“So, want to help me change the world?” Those words alone filled the Mage of Swords with dread. The anticipation behind them, on the other hand, wasn’t that surprising.

Shirou released a deep sigh before asking back. “Did you just dove head first into something without thinking again?”

She glared at him, half playfully even if annoyance blazed in her eyes. “When did I ever do that?”

“That time with the magic girls club-”

“I didn’t know they only accepted guys!”

“-when you bragged you were a ‘big girl’ that could go in any roller coaster-”

“Dad had mom drive me to school for a week when everybody was busy! That is worse than any roller coaster!”

“-or when you joined a terrorist organization.” All humor was drained from the air and the siblings just stared at each other. Clicking his tongue, Shirou allowed his shoulders to drop. “Seriously, Illya…”

“I should be the one complaining.” She crossed her arms under her bosom, basically pushing it up to try and show him how much she had grown. Fairly enough she wasn’t Akeno sized but was competing with Rias at least. “First time we see each other in years and that is your first comment. Are you trying to break my heart?”

Considering Yasaka was still missing and that she was most likely responsible there was no time for them to play coy. Yet that was his sister and Shirou wanted to at least try to reach out for her even if he suspected the whole thing was a set up. He couldn’t help but hope his Illya also was trying to reach out in her own way.

Naive, true, but he was optimistic.

“Fine. Fine. Sorry about this but you can’t blame me for being… anxious, especially after what your coworkers tried to pull last time I saw them.”

Illya shrugged with a smile. “Hey, can’t blame them. We were trying to save your life. To get you out of harm's way before the Underworld’s attack.” Her smugness remained in full display. “Nobody expected you to beat Gilgamesh back. I guess that means my brother is the Strongest Human alive.”

“Well, it isn’t like we had a tournament or something to decide who is the strongest. By the way, do you have any idea who made the Strongest Beings list?” Shirou asked in an attempt of small talk.

“No clue and nobody really asked so why care? All that matters is that Ophis was the Strongest until Great Red showed up.” The first name was said playfully while the latter held some sort of reverence which had the former redhead raising a brow. There was no time for comment since she just moved along, maybe not even noticing her respect for the True Dragon. “But let’s forget about that. Tell me, how have you been? Did the devils work you to the bone?” With a side look, she hummed in appreciation. “At least they are feeding you well… or are you feeding them?”

“Obviously the latter. Liz is still bragging about the ‘Shirou’s scale’.”

“Her best idea ever! Mou! How I miss your food.”

“You could come back to visit… or stay…” Despite their best attempts, it was clear that it was a conversation they couldn’t put off for long. “Illya, what are you doing here?”

After a sigh she replied, “I am here to get my baby brother.” She extended a hand with eagerness. “Come on, Shirou. The time of Humanity is about to begin for real and together we can make it happen.”

The Mage of Swords stared at her for a full minute before speaking, “Humanity is already the dominant species on the planet. Literally we number billions while the others… most of them are dying out.”

“Dying out? Oh no, they aren’t. They are making a comeback.” She dropped her arm but the smile remained. “You know they aren’t like wild animals. Sure some are stupid but most of the supernatural are smart enough to see the end of the line and how to avoid it. Kyoto is a testament of that.” She was, of course, correct. “A city built by humans, expanded beyond our dimension so yokais could live in it… In peace. If only every other creature was like that, we wouldn’t mind leaving them alone.”

“Then don’t-”

“But they aren't.” Illya interrupted him, still smiling but with a firmer tone. One so cold that almost gave him chills. “Devils try to keep people dependent with deals, inhuman beasts disguised as human making the innocent vanish at night, vampires have whole farms made of flesh for ‘food’, not mentioning how some creatures steal children in their cribs to have servants or familiars-”

“But it isn’t everyone!” Shirou cut her off. “Most want peace. Sure they hide but they aren’t hurting anybody.”

However she brushed him off. “And you also have the gods who can be accused of all that and more.” Sadness coloured her face. “Dad kept you away from most of the darkness but I saw it.”

“And you think I didn’t? I heard men die all around me on that day during the trip to the Shapeless Isle!! Boats exploding all around because they were overrun!!” He shouted in rage. “I could only stand there and hear their screams, feel their lives snuff out while fighting for my life as people died just because the Greek Pantheon wanted better soldiers.” Considering that Athena left Medusa there for unknown reasons and Poseidon filled the place with monsters, the picture was a gruesome one. Yet he found a friend there, he saved her. “That doesn’t mean every god is malicious. Same with every devil and even vampires.”

“Most of them-”

“Want to talk about Humanity’s sins then? Because I can assure you,” he tapped his head, “I have memorised the History of thousands of blades. Humans are always killing humans, way more than anybody else.” It was his turn to show sadness. “Father showed you too much darkness. You weren’t ready for it.”

“I saw darkness but found light. It is true that humans kill each other… but it isn’t a human who will Extinct Humanity.”

“The nightmares… you still have them.” Shirou suspected as such.

“Never stopped.” Illya confessed to something she only did so for four other people; her parents, her leader, Gilgamesh, and her best friend Heracles. Stepping from the rock, she began walking. “Every other night it is still the same; a humanoid creature with antlers for a crown and no face.”

“‘No face’?” That detail, he was sure, was new.

And not only that but, “It will happen in the Winter.” Illya revealed her prophecy, the first since Fuyuki’s Fire hid the future from everyone’s eyes. “It is going to happen in the Winter, Shirou. Time is running out.”

“How do you know?” Because she knew, her certainty wasn't an illusion or a fluke.

She resumed her walk, turning her head to keep an eye on him. “There are many sacred gears capable of casting illusions, reading minds and even dreams. The modern Hero Faction’s penchant of only recruiting people with certain abilities or bloodlines allowed me to investigate my dreams.” Or at the very least get a clearer image.” That creature… It scares me. Its body, its form was, or is going to be, an absolute monster. Something designed to exterminate us.”

Shirou could see the fear in her eyes. “And the Winter?”

“Position of the Sun, some snow falling on a city completely destroyed.” Illya sighed with disappointment. “Sadly we didn’t manage to get much more besides devastation. Then again, dreams aren’t ever that clear. Not even prophetic ones.”

“But it didn’t happen yet. In fact, whatever that thing is, it probably doesn’t exist right now.”

“Good point. Except the timeline is until the Winter. This Winter, before you suggest anything else.” She continued her walk and if not for the distance between them the two would be side by side. “By then, that thing is going to show up and Humanity will be gone.”

“Just Humanity?” Illya stopped, watching to see what else Shirou was going to say.

However he didn’t need to add anything else because his intent was clear; if the monster from her nightmare was an enemy to everyone then unifying all races of the World would be more beneficial than starting any sort of War.

‘Smart idea but naive.’ However Illya had already considered such a possibility and eliminated that outcome. “Maybe. Maybe not. But why risk it?” It just wasn’t worth it because, “Way I see it… if it isn’t that Beast that will do us all in, then it will be one of the gods after, or the devils finally taking over the world or a dozen other sides winning.” Her red eyes danced with smugness once again. “So we should fire the first shot, contain or exterminate them all before they do the same to us.”

Already Shirou felt his hope slip into the abyss. “Strange words; ‘contain’ and ‘exterminate’.” One proposes slavery… The other genocide…”

“Not really planning any slavery but hey, better them than us.” Illya confessed rather casually. Too casually for her brother’s tastes. “I suppose we won’t mind if they just stay in their dimensions. Earth to us, rest for them. From there they can kill each other if they want.”

“Still too extreme. Radical even. Not all of them have malicious intentions, Illya.”

“This again?” She shrugged dramatically with a sigh of real exasperation. “Despite how many organizations and powers Humanity has access to, we barely have any control of the moonlit world. Its powerhouses can wipe out countries at their leisure and the only thing keeping us alive is a tenue truce, a fear of mutual destruction, that only a fool should trust.” Fully turning to him, she added decisively. “The Beast that is to come probably is some god or demon who finally lost their patience. Acting first is for the best.”

“You are talking about genocide, Illya.” Shirou only moved his neck, keeping his eyes on her. “The old man won’t ever approve of this. Even his philosophy-”

“‘Kill ten to save one hundred. Kill one hundred to save one thousand’. This is it, just on a grander scale… if we go with that plan.” She giggled at his stunned expression. “What? Plenty of us also don’t like the idea of just going around killing everybody, we aren’t monsters, Shirou. Not like them. We feel when we take a life.” Immediately she regretted her words but the Mage just stared at her coldly. “Sorry, shouldn’t say it like that. Either way, depending on how things are going to go today and later we have several plans in place. From enforcing a world police to… make the World turn against the supernatural.”

‘I don’t like this. At all.’ While the thought of heroes patrolling the world and punishing the unjust sounded appealing, Shirou couldn't trust the Hero Faction’s methods since they planned to isolate everyone else. But, most importantly, the alternative of the ‘World turn against the supernatural’, sounded just wrong to him. ‘Do they realize what they are playing with?’ Far more dangerous than his sister made it sound. “Have you ever thought…” The Mage of Swords paused and glared which made his sister stop in place for a moment. Soon enough she resumed her pace but he kept his attack. “... that this is just a self fulfilling prophecy? That every action you are doing to run away from Extinction is just dragging us close to it. Close enough for this… Catastrophe to become a reality?” He turned forward, avoiding her eyes while pressing the issue. “If you are right and we are dealing with a Beast then it must be a Beast of Humanity, born from Humanity itself.”

“Our fallings, at least.”

“Which are many.” Shirou insisted a second later. “Come on, Illya. You must have thought about it at least once.”

“I did. That is why one of our plans involves the World.” The white haired woman shook her head. “But it is going for the best. We considered every possibility and found that the benefits far outweigh the risks.”

“And how many are going to ever see those benefits? How many are dying now while you distract me and hide Yasaka.” Shirou questioned with a glare but his sister looked more bored than anything. “Illya!”

For a moment their eyes met again before both turned forward and she resumed her walk. “Shirou, it isn’t easy to send people to die. From the beginning of this operation only volunteers were considered and even those came in short supply.” That contradicted everything he learned at the temple and he looked back to see if she was lying. The smile his sister gave him creeped him out. “Then someone did the impossible and inspired our troops- no, they inspired anyone whose heart desires to challenge the World Order: he killed a god.”

Despite how far she was from him, Shirou felt like his sister was whispering right in his ear as horror dawned on him. “Illya, you can’t possibly be saying that-”

He didn’t dare to turn or look behind, afraid of the smugness she was throwing around. “You did something insane, Shirou. Do you even realize that? You killed a god. A god!” Illya started laughing before swiftly controlling her emotions. “That was inspiring, to say the least.”

“... I didn’t want to inspire anyone. Not like this.”

“But you gave them hope. Hope that, if someone unprepared could take down a god, the Hero Faction certainly could do the same, better even, once all our plans bore fruit.” He could easily imagine a glare from her next few words. “Me, on the other hand, only felt dread.”

“‘Dread’?”

“Yeah. Dread. Dread that my younger brother was suicidal enough to fight a god on his own!!”

“I had help and a plan.”

“I don’t need the details!” Another shout and a pause soon followed. Illya was clearly frustrated, something he could hear in her voice even when her tone was even. “Congrats by the way, god slayer.”

“I didn’t want to kill him. I never wanted to kill anyone.” Shirou confessed the same thing he did so long ago.

Prompting her to ask. “Did you feel anything? On taking Loki’s life?”

“... I feel it now. I feel regret.”

“Not because you killed him but because you inspired so many into following your footsteps.” Silence was Illya’s answer and she couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

Until Shirou spoke, “No. I felt regret in the funeral, while staring at his corpse prepared to be burned. At the fact that a life was taken.” His sister stopped moving again. “Same with Shinji, same with every time I kill. I now know that I can feel regret because even if they were my enemies, death isn’t pleasant.” The woman saw how his shoulders rose with confidence and certainty. “Remorse over the end of a thing isn’t shameful because killing someone isn’t pleasant. That is why our father dislikes killing.”

“He is still a killer. So am I. So are you.” Illya started moving again while pressing him but the Mage moved past any guilt he could have.

It wasn’t his fault or intention that his actions somehow would inspire a bunch of terrorists; he was fighting for his loved ones and his life. Whatever anyone else took from his decisions wasn’t on him but on those trying to follow his footsteps without understanding the reasons behind them.

Upon realizing that Shirou lost any sort of guilt he could have. “Even the old man doesn’t go around killing everyone he meets. On the contrary, he tries to work with them. He doesn’t like killing either, Illya.”

“And you think I do? I just see it as something necessary. Like the Magus Killer does and you did, more than once.”

“‘Necessity’ isn’t ‘requirement’. Dad does his best to save everyone he can. That is why he is working with Sirzechs.” Since his sister was almost to his side again, Shirou turned his head to meet her eyes. “Or are you going to say all the good they did is invalid because he is a devil?”

Illya’s red eyes grew wide for a second before she tried a new approach. “Would that good be ‘required’ if he didn’t need the power of a devil in the first place?” Slowing herself down, she tried to make her tone more amenable and sympathetic. “Humans have so few means of balancing the scales as it is that our father would be a fool to not work with Sirzechs.”

Shirou understood what was being implied. “And you have it? A way to balance the scales? Not just for Humanity,” he interrupted before she could get another word in, “but in a way that can really be called Justice.”

The white haired woman chuckled at the thought. “If you are talking about the goddess then maybe not~” She stopped again, turned in his direction and presented a huge grin. “We have it, Shirou. We have a way to balance the world in a way that the gods, devils and yes, even our fellow humans, won’t have a choice but to play by our rules.” Waving her arm around, she added dramatically. “It would only be a matter of imposing just rules instead of letting chaos reign. Even you can’t deny that the world is quite chaotic right now.”

“And whose fault is that? Oh, right,” he said with sarcasm and a snap of his fingers, “must be that organization… What was its name again? ‘Khaos’ Brigade.”

Illya shrugged before taking a couple more steps. “Can’t make an omelette without breaking a couple eggs. You should know that better than most.”

“Except we aren’t talking about eggs here, are we?”

“But think about it; a world where the gods can’t just punish Humanity whenever they desire over nothing, where devils have to follow rules-”

“They are following rules. Extinction made them cautious.” Illya glared at her brother for the interruption and he shrugged in a manner to mirror hers. “Just pointing that out.”

“Fine, the devils are playing nice… most of them. So are the yokais. Doesn’t mean everybody is.” After a pause she smiled gently. “Think about it like this, Shirou, the Hero Faction really wishes to be heroes. Heroes like our father wanted to be: Those who uphold real Justice. Not of the gods, but of man.”

Eagerness poured from her voice and finally Shirou understood. ‘Old man, you shared your dream with her as well, didn’t you?’ That his sister was a victim of her own brand of insanity. One born out of love and desire to see her family safe and happy. ‘Like my own. She wants us together, on the Hero Faction, saving the world as a family.’

It sounded beautiful.

Illya did a little twirl and raised her arms in what the former redhead could only describe as trying to grab the sky or something equally impossible. “Maybe we can’t make an utopia where everybody is happy but we can strike down criminals no matter how powerful they are or where they hide.”

“Sounds good.” Shirou could acknowledge as much. Yet he looked at his sister, no, past his sister’s image, before saying. “But it is a hard justice system to implement and will take a lot of work.”

“We are willing to do the work.” Illya’s eagerness grew.

“And deal with the push back? Because I doubt everybody is just going to agree with allowing terrorists to take over.”

“Our results will be evidence of our intentions. We will be making a more just world. One even the gods won’t have any choice but approve or disappear because their followers will want it, desire it. Pray for it.”

“Pure pressure then.” Shirou couldn’t deny the plan could work. “And you guys won’t just kill indiscriminately?”

“That was never our intention and we are willing to compromise and only execute the worst offenders.”

“Illya…”

“Some will have to die, Shirou, that is inevitable. Evil beings, human or not,” she quickly added to show even Humanity wouldn’t be safe from their judgment, “need to be culled. Sure we won’t just go for the guillotine… but there can be so many warnings before we are forced to move for the sake of a better world.”

“... What about Free Will? Are you going to force everyone to play in the same box with the same toys?” The Mage questioned as his sister reached the rock where she first appeared. Looking down he couldn’t see a single footprint.

“Of course not. If they want to kill each other they can do it. Just not involve innocents in the bloodbath, any of them.” Illya chuckled at a comparison she had just thought of. “It will be like in fantasy where duels between Champions could settle whole disputes with a strike of a sword before armies became the norm.”

“Even with armies as the norm there are plenty with ‘guns’ big enough to dismiss those rules.”

“Exactly. And we are going to have the biggest ‘guns’.” Illya declared proudly before stretching a hand once more. “What do you say, Shirou? Want to help?”

Perhaps he would, “You convinced me.” If she was really honest, “We can start now, even since you agree the yokais aren’t doing anything against Humanity. Let Yasaka go, Illya.”

A pit formed in her stomach and her smile died. “I can’t do that, Shirou.”

“Let her go. She is innocent. One of the few making sure yokais don’t need to run around drawing blood or stealing from mankind.” Shirou emphasized the last word because he knew they were being watched. In fact he was absolutely sure there were many hearing that conversation. “Release her and I will help the Hero Faction, I will strike down as many gods as you want to make your dream a reality just… don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt anyone.”

A little light returned to Illya’s eyes. “You talk like killing gods is easy. How much did it cost, Shirou?”

“How much is it going to cost you to get the power to make the Hero Faction the strongest? To get the bigger ‘guns’?”

“Optimistically the life of a single yokai. Maybe not even that-”

“Don’t lie, Illya. Not to me.” Shirou said with sadness and she stopped speaking.

Before raising her head and declaring firmly. “Yasaka is going to use most of the mana of Kyoto for my sake. We are going to make a Miracle. Don’t worry, the barriers aren’t going to fall and the yokais will stay separated.”

“And Yasaka?” Silence fell in the gray world. “You don’t need me to say this is wrong.”

“It is just one life. One life and then we can start-”

“One innocent life! A mother with a daughter your age when our parents escaped the Einzbern.”

“And her life is going to save hundreds! Millions!”

“It could be trillions and that wouldn’t be enough!” Shirou took a deep breath, controlling his emotions. “She doesn’t deserve to die just because you are rushing to the finish line.”

“I am rushing because we don’t have time!” Illya, on the other hand, brazenly kept pushing. Before noticing his glare and almost recoiling. “This is a surefire way of preparing our best hand before Winter. If everything goes well then we won’t even mess with the yokais after this.”

“‘If everything goes well’ implies that something can and probably will go wrong.” Shirou wished he could grab his sister and shake her to see if she would wake up. Regardless he couldn't, she made sure of that. “Then again that is what the Khaos Brigade is all about isn’t it? Compromises for the sake of their goal.”

“We haven’t taken any major action so far.” Her words were weak because of her lack of belief.

Shirou decided to move past them. “It is one life now Illya but and after? You already made it clear your side could attack yokais again just because it is convenient. What is heroic about it?” Illya couldn’t reply, refusing to meet his eyes. “Did you forget why our parents moved to Fuyuki in the first place? Or why dad is the Magician of Lucifer? Because the Einzberns wanted to sacrifice mom! Sacrifice to activate a grail and have a war over something that probably won’t even work!”

“Yeah but our way will work!” Immediately Illya realized what she said and her hand went to her mouth in horror before resolve returned from her eyes. “Mom doesn’t need to die, just Yasaka does.”

“That isn’t a excuse-”

“It is because I won’t sacrifice my mom. I chose to sacrifice a yokai instead of mom.”

“And her daughter?” Shirou challenged, trying to help his sister see reason. “You are taking a mother from her daughter, her only child. You are taking Kunou’s mother.”

Using the little kitsune’s name made things more real and he could see hesitation and doubt creep in his sister’s face. It was just a flash but it was there and he wanted to drag more of it so she stopped that insanity.

“... I will make sure she lives well in the new world, if I can.” Yet Illya was far out of reach either because of ambition, fear, hope or even madness. All those emotions crossed her face before it ended up in a cold mask. “Even if they will hate me later, this is the best for Humanity ten times out of ten.”

“And you are going to doom a girl to live without her mother? How many orphans do you plan to make before this is done?” Another moment of silence passed and once again he saw hesitation in her gaze. A spark, proof she wasn’t gone too far in despair. “I will stop you.”

“Heh. Sorry Shirou but you can’t.”

“Because you aren’t here?” No footprints and not a speck of sand moving while she walked were good indicators his sister wasn’t really present.

Sure the Hero Faction had used a complex spell and he believed she was moving around because of the sound of her steps but it could be because he was hearing every sound from where she really was.

“When did you notice?” Illya chose to not deny.

Shirou couldn’t help but chuckle. “Because if we really were in the same place you would hug-tackle me.” Despite that he only felt bitterness in his tongue. “Illya, please, don’t do this. You must know you are in the wrong. This is exactly what dad saved mother from. Please, please! Reconsider before it is too late.”

Again he saw another spark in those ruby eyes of hers, a flicker that his sister was just in reach and about to grab the lifeline he was offering. So long Yasaka was returned and she was back home away from the Khaos Brigade he would pull any string or fight anybody for her safety.

“I think this is enough.” A young man stepped from behind the rock where his sister’s illusion stood. Shirou recognized him immediately despite the shades and hair hiding his face because that was more or less how he looked before. “Isn’t it, Ms.Illya? Emiya really has no intention of listening to your pleas. He is too enamored with devils.”

“You are… Connla, aren’t you?” The Mage questioned.

And was ignored. “Connla, we aren’t done yet! Go back behind the rock!”

“Sorry, no can do, Ms.Illya. Someone needs to give you a reality check. Your brother already made his stance clear and ain't gonna bulge.” Connla stood beside the woman’s illusion, his hidden eyes locked on Shirou’s figure. “Long time no see, Mage of Swords. I’m so glad you remember me.”

“Hard to forget cutting someone’s left arm off.” Obviously he was regretful and even looked at the man’s left side a bit too closely.

“Well, you cut an arm and some more! Hahaha!” Connla laughed and moved his left arm around playfully while saying, “Your sister saved my ass. Real Miracle. That ‘s why I volunteered to keep you company while she, Lord Cao Cao and the others do their thing.”

“Connla, we are still-”

“Ms.Einzbern,” Connla’s tone was suddenly devoid of mirth, “your brother is a warrior. Worse, he is a warrior who believes he is right and will fight until death to make sure you see his way. Look at him.” Indeed with his posture, Noble Phantasms on his back and glare as sharp as his swords, the younger man looked ready for war. “Nothing we say ‘s gonna change a damn fucking thing. Better him out of the way then harming us and himself trying to be… a hero.” The last word was spat with true vitriol.

But his point was made, Illya’s eyes growing cold and resolute as a result. “You are right.”

Shirou’s eyes grew wide and he tried to appeal to her once more. “Illya, listen, we can-”

“Sorry about this Ms,” Connla threw his arm to Illya’s face, breaking the illusion into dozens of mirror-like fragments, “but you shouldn’t waste any more time. The boys out there can’t keep the ‘kings’ busy forever.”

Spinning around, Shirou began calling. “Illya! Illya!!”

“It’s no use, Emiya. This place ‘s just for you and me now. Nobody else ‘ll know what happens until it falls.” Connla watched the Mage stop in place and glared at him from the side. “Woah! Scary, scary, real scary. No problems killing me this time? That ‘s the only way you’re leaving.”

“You are different.” Shirou slowly drew Kanshou and Bakuya from his back.

Connla laughed again. “Yeh, after saving my life your sister took a peek at my sacred gear and asked if she could make me stronger. Of course I said yes!!” He declared proudly as shadows moved around his body before hiding beneath his clothes. “But that ain’t here or that yet. Just to be sure, I ain't here like Gilgamesh or Ms. Illya. I ain’t here to convince you to join us or whatever… I’m here to kill you.”

An eyebrow was raised at the declaration. “Is that so? A little sour after I took your left arm?”

“Hehe, nah. That power up was bullshit but hey, all fair in love and war.” Despite the glasses Shirou was sure Connla had been glaring at him rather hatefully that whole time. “No, I’m killing you because you sir, are a problem. Your half baked ideals of ‘cooperating’ with the supernatural need to go and nobody wants to kill you because Ms. Illya and Gilgamesh are going to be upset. So I’m gonna do it for the sake of the Hero Faction. To make sure that our planet is free from monsters once and for all.”

“You know, everybody I met before was an idealist, I couldn’t agree with them but they are idealists.” Shirou commented with a glare while trying to understand what sort of place they tried to lock him in. From what he could gather it wasn’t really a pocket dimension but a sort of boundary field that stopped him from exercising any sort of influence on the outside and vice versa. “You are just racist.”

“Hey, they‘re different races so I’m more right than most.” All humor vanished from Connla’s posture and he dropped to a knee, a hand in the sand. “But you are a human. You should understand our struggles, our suffering.”

“... It was Medb 's machinations that led Cú Chulainn to his death.” He prepared himself to capture and then interrogate the enemy.

Without a shadow of a doubt, they were enemies. The time of civil conversation was over.

Almost, at least.

“It was her, the Fates and the gods! Don’t act like my ancestor didn’t have a blasted prophecy on his head.” Despite the anger in his tone, Connla was actually detached from the whole situation. “Never mind, she got him good like Ms.Illya got you good now. Can you tell? You ain’t leaving this boundary field until I’m dead or a stronger force breaks it from the outside, a god-like strength that will only exist once the Hero Faction gets exactly what we want.” Shadows danced between his fingers and sand as he roared. “This area was molded after my ancestor’s, the Child of Light, Cú Chulainn, final battlefield! While here the challenge is a fight ‘one on one’ until one perishes!!!”

Suddenly a huge amount of mana filled the area and Shirou felt something tried to tie itself to his soul. It was like hundreds of strings had emerged from the floor and attempted to connect with Unlimited Blade Works. However they weren’t strong as contracts like them needed consent to work.

Of course he fought back and successfully repealed the involuntary geas but his enemy embraced it fully, connecting his life to the boundary field locking them inside by making it virtually indestructible.

“Are you mad?” There really was only one way Shirou was leaving; by killing Connla.

“That wasn’t the plan by the way. Ms.Illya and Gilgamesh used various Noble Phantasms to make sure the barrier should be strong enough to hold you down while I distracted you.” Connla began standing up slowly yet something from his shadow followed him. A simple spear made of smooth dark-like metal as tall as he was. “But I ain’t playing games here, Emiya. I’m gonna kill you even if it’s the last thing I do.” Around him, the shadows of the rocks, the dead trees and even Shirou’s began dancing. “And don’t think that just because you beat me once you’re winning again. Balance Breaker!” Every shadow began converging on the spear in the man’s hand.

“This power… it is comparable to Clarent. No, it is stronger.” Shirou began to wonder as the darkness coalesced in the spear and then vanished leaving only a world of gray behind. His shadow was once again at his feet but the power was even greater even if the young man hadn’t changed, at least not to his eyes. ‘That Balance Breaker is completely different from Ise’s, Kiba’s or anyone else's. And this power… it feels like-’

The memory of Fenrir staring at him ready for the hunt came to his mind.

“Night Reflection Childish Light!!” With a twirl of his spear, Connla had his unnatural weapon ready and aimed towards Shirou’s chest. “Die!!!”

A millisecond later he was just a step away from the Mage with his sacred gear extended and just about to skewer the white haired man. His gray eyes grew wide as he almost failed to capture the movement with how fast it had been but he still did it and the Married Blades clashed against the solid shadow.

There were no sparks upon contact because the shadows were not metal even if the spear looked like it. Instead there was an impact and a shockwave thanks to both sides using more strength than the other expected. Connla truly went for the kill while Shirou tried to move the spear for an opening.

Neither found what they wished for but the Mage of Swords anticipated some sort of trick since he remembered facing the normal version of that sacred gear in the past so he was already moving with certain expectations.

While they were blown out of the water, the spear was more solid than he expected when he was planning to let his sword move through to stab his enemy’s abdomen, Bakuya which was positioned defensively went into the offensive while Kanshou kept the shadow at bay.

A slash sailed towards Connla’s neck but he bent his body backwards and brought the back of his weapon up enough to deflect the white blade, weakening himself in the struggle against the black one, giving Shirou room to conclude the previously planned stab.

Shadows peered beneath the spearman’s clothes before quickly vanishing just as he took a fast step back. ‘He overextended!’ The Mage realized upon seeing the bad position of his opponent’s leg, prompting him to push forward. Only for his adversary to dodge Kanshou by a hair, cutting the uniform but not drawing blood. ‘What-’

No time was given for the magus to react before the spear of shadow hit his face, pushing both away from each other and giving Connla his own opening. “Got you!” One he capitalized by jumping farther away while thrusting his weapon towards Shirou’s forehead. “It 's over!!!”

But it wasn’t because the Mage of Swords was faster than the sacred gear user and managed to jump back several meters away. “Would be if you committed.” It was a taunt since he knew the spearman needed space for his weapon. “And what sort of Balance Breaker is that? Every single other I saw is better than that overgrown toothpick.”

“Keep talking like that.” Bending his body forward, Connla held his sacred gear with both hands to his right. “Just going to make your death more painful. You really should fold now and spare us the trouble.”

When his adversary didn’t strike immediately after the reply, Shirou knew he was at a disadvantage. ‘Of course he is staying back. Every second that passes gives the Hero Faction more time to do whatever they want.’ He needed to go into the offensive quickly and with everything he had. “Tch, you asked for this.”

Hardening his resolve he took a deep breath and called the power in his soul.

Connla recognized the black and white aura surrounding the mage in an instant before dashing explosively towards the white haired man with murderous intent and his spear aimed for the heart.

“Fly Beyond the Heavens!! Bellerophon!!!” He would never arrive before the pegasus’ power took over the world of gray. In the next second Shirou was standing there in his Ascension, his eyes shining ominously. “Sorry but I can’t play around with you anymore. But I am going to try and make this quick.”

Connla was already using a leg to stop his dash when the Mage of Swords attacked by closing the distance between them and sending his right wing towards the spearman’s neck which once again missed by inches.

Behind his helmet Shirou was surprised and even more so when noticing how Connla himself looked was surprised about surviving. ‘Is that a trick? After dealing with a Trickster I have to fight another one?’ Bellerophon voiced his own annoyance and both pushed the Married Blades forward to finish their enemy off.

It wasn’t meant to be because once more the shadow user escaped by an inch by maneuvering his body just right in a millisecond. The Mage of Swords didn’t hesitate and started slashing in his opponent’s general direction suspecting there was indeed a trick only for his Noble Phantasms to finally connect.

Superficially at least because while Shirou was faster Connla was proving himself to be as nimble and agile as the world's greatest dancer. He would know having watched Medusa working Akeno so she could get the title. Still his evasion wasn’t perfect, Kanshou and Bakuya bit his flesh three and four times respectively.

Yet every blow was superficial and drew little blood. “What are you hiding there?” The Mage questioned while making a huge turn to bring his wing forward. The shadow spear blocked the strike but its owner was still shoved several meters away. “Your Balance Breaker is more than that spear, isn’t it?” With his sharp eyes he could see something black beneath the man’s ripped clothes. ‘Armor? Must be more of his sacred gear since my Structural Analysis isn’t working.’

Connla laughed while jumping another five meters away from the armored magus. “Wouldn’t you love to know? You can thank your sister for that too. She evolved my sacred gear! Molded my Balance Breaker into something capable of facing gods!!”

“Well, I am not impressed. Trace on!!” Dozens of Married Blades appeared in the sky before Shirou allowed gravity to bring them down on his adversary.

Who grinned with confidence before diving forward and avoiding the first few swords. The rest soon followed, attracted by the Noble Phantasms’ magnetism but the shadow spear pushed them back. Its owner stopped in place for a moment before doing a cartwheel right and avoiding a couple more swords.

Which left him exposed to two more Married Blades arriving from the front but he contorted his body slightly and they missed their targets. However the spearman had no time to celebrate since the Mage advanced personally after throwing the weapons, another pair forming in his hands.

“Last Stardust!!” Refusing to entertain Connla for any extra second, Shirou immersed himself in Bellerophon’s power and moved for the kill.

While doing so the Mage of Swords noticed how two more of his Noble Phantasms were spinning from the sides, so he pulled his arms backwards to attack in sync with them. From his perspective his adversary was surrounded and about to be cut into pieces with nowhere to run.

So for the first time since the fight began his surprise evolved into shock when somehow Connla began to move fast enough he was no longer frozen in time. By no means he reached Bellerophon’s speed but regardless he was moving in such a manner it was noticeable.

‘Impossible!’ Shirou couldn’t help but think before ignoring the bad feeling in his gut and pushing forwards with two downwards slashes aiming to his adversary’s arms while his other swords aimed for his waist and neck.

Like if the wind was suddenly against them, inconceivable because Bellerophon’s power should negate it even if they weren’t so fast that wind was irrelevant, the Married Blades began moving erratically.

More precisely they moved incorrectly, their route changing as their edge turned a little bit left or right to not hit anything vital. Such an event should stun the Mage of Swords but he was already fully committed to the attack. It only increased his resolve to finish the fight faster to not fall for whatever tricks his opponent was using.

Then he caught Connla’s smiling as his body began moving backwards as if the man had started retreating before the attack started, something Shirou was sure shouldn’t be happening because he had set everything up to strike in the best position possible.

One where his opponent had no time or chance to escape.

Nevertheless the Married Blades struck but their target escaped and their cuts were shallow. Too shallow considering they are Noble Phantasms empowered by a ‘minor god’ and should have ripped off the man’s arms even if just touching him with the blades’ tips.

Despite all that once more Connla disengaged successfully and Shirou couldn’t help but slip out of Last Stardust. “How did you… do that?” The whole sequence of events was incomprehensible to him. “I am so much faster than you… and you moved out of the way like… Almost like you weren’t even moving at first but then you just were.” He stood straighter while his opponent laughed with joy and mockery. “No, that is wrong. I am sure you weren’t in any position of escaping. At all.”

Looking at the Married Blades he took stock of the blood dripping from the tips of the swords in his hands and from the others which fell in the sand. Fatal wounds suddenly missing like that were already weird enough. Add that to Connla getting slashed on his back and legs instead of losing any limbs and there had to be some sort of trick.

While the Mage was lost in thought his sister’s ally could only laugh and laugh. “Hahahahahaha! Didn’t I tell ya? Thank your sister, Emiya!” He assumed his previous stance again. “She made me into a killing machine!! A real hero!!!” Shadows poured from the man’s wounds yet they still dripped with blood. It was just a little but the sand was starting to change colour. “Oh, she ‘s gonna be so mad after I kill you.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t!!” Once again Shirou threw his weapons at Connla but also pulled his wings back and sent them forward to unleash a torrent of Married Blades.

Laughter filled the gray world as the spearman dashing towards the curtain of death with glee borderline madness. For a moment the Mage of Swords contemplated if he was really going to face his Noble Phantasms head first. However there was a little of sanity left on that man and he held his spear by the back and swung it forward like a bat.

It wasn’t enough to deal with the hundreds of swords that made Shirou’s wings but backed them enough to give him room to pull his weapon closer to his torso and spin it like a helicopter’s blades.

Metal crashed with something similar but different as Connla faced the swords without fear or despair. By all accounts there was no way the spearman could have survived that for more than a second yet he managed just fine against all odds.

Mostly because another impossibility was happening; every time a Married Twin was about to hit somewhere fatal the blade would just ‘swerve’ from the target by an inch or maybe even less, hitting something but not enough to do more than a scratch.

‘That can’t be his sacred gear, can it?’ Shirou questioned since that went against everything he knew about Connla’s Night Reflection. It used redirection, true, but through shadows and his swords were touching none. ‘His Balance Breaker would still need some sort of connection to protect him if that was the case. Unless I am missing something.’

Thanks to Bellerophon any connection to Divine would be severed much like it did against Vali’s Divine Dividing meaning that, Balance Breaker or not, Connla’s sacred gear should be unable to affect the Married Blades.

Yet the mana was still surviving an onslaught of swords, eventually breaking through and reaching Shirou who remained in a calm stance, not even bothering to make new wings for the moment.

“HAAAAAA!!!” His body covered in cut and blood didn’t stop the spearman from roaring once he got into range, the tip of his spear approaching the Mage’s eyes faster than most humans could see.

Still not faster than Shirou who reflected the blow and closed the remaining distance between them with a slash that actually connected with his adversary’s torso. Blood painted the magus’ armor and while he grew more confused why his blow was successful he moved to finish the fight with a double strike.

Connla felt his body burn as pain ran through all his being and he almost lost consciousness because of it. ‘A week ago that might have killed me.’ He couldn’t help but grin wolfishly. ‘Thanks, Ms.Illya.’ His body shifted to the side as he disengaged from the fight for an instant. Just a short moment to catch his breath and reposition into a crouch. ‘Sorry that I have to kill your brother!!’

A powerful upward thrust with his spear struck the side of Shirou’s head and the magus felt the blow connect, moving his neck while damaging his helmet just a little, a veritable chink in his armor.

Nothing that could stop his own counterattack and he turned Bakuya to bring it down for a stab on the other man’s shoulder. In that instant his adversary started retreating again and managed to do so with a wide backflip that saw him flying away for several meters. The Mage of Swords threw his weapons at the man but he used his spear as a pole and dodged.

“Hehehe. It’s starting to get fun.” Connla commented, landing on his feet and ignoring his wounds.

Which Shirou didn’t. “Say that when you aren’t bleeding more than a pig sweating in the heat!” He was a little annoyed and frustrated but had to acknowledge that the fight would be more challenging than expected. Another two issues presented themselves; first was that his enemy was bleeding all over and was unconcerned despite it while the second was what he was wearing. “Is that your true Balance Breaker?”

Looking down, the terrorist ignored his own wounds and only paid attention to how his uniform had been decimated by the wave of swords revealing an armor in the shape of a bodysuit covering him completely from the neck down.

Regardless it was a sort of revealing clothing that made the man look naked but also not, his muscles in display while also hiding his modesty with two pauldrons of a lighter black shade on his shoulders.

‘An armor made of shadows. It fits his sacred gear.’ Another pair of Married Blades appeared on his grip and he prepared for an attack.

But then his Connla started talking in a very ominous and confident tone. “Well, the jig is up. That ‘s right, this is the other part of my Balance Breaker and the gift your sister oh so kindly gave to me.” Resting his spear on his shoulder, the man bragged confidently. “Cool, ain’t it? Do you like it? Ms.Illya worked hard on my sacred gear to make sure to get it just right.”

“I know my sister and she doesn’t make armor. What she worked on wasn't your sacred gear, not directly!” Shirou watched the terrorist’s smile grow larger. Connecting the dots from there wasn’t hard since he worked with Azazel for months and knew the Einzbern family's ambitions. “She did it, didn’t she? Heaven’s Feel? Not the real thing but-”

Connla’s laughter confirmed his fears. “The real thing or not, she learned to play with souls!” He began waving at the Mage playfully. “Come on, Emiya, you can figure it out. What did your sister do to me? If you guess, I might just tell ya.”

“Using sacred gears to influence the soul isn’t anything new but this is different. Your Balance Breaker isn’t an expansion of its previous abilities. It is something new, something unique.” The main problem Shirou was having was that he didn’t know what his sister used to make that sort of Miracle. One that kept his enemy alive even when he should have died a dozen times over. “Bellerophon isn’t cutting his sacred gear as easily as it should. Its connection to Heaven is missing.”

“Ding, ding, ding, ding. Got it right in one.” Connla applauded, his blood spilling everywhere with each clap. “Sacred gears are connected to the System, the System is in Heaven which gives them more power but also lets ‘God’ influence them. Ms.Illya worked hard to break that for nothing because most sacred gears need some sort of influence from Heaven by design. But there was one exception!” He pointed to his own chest, taping it hard enough to make his wounds bleed more. “Night Reflection also has a connection to shadows, all shadows, and Ms.Illya thought it was a good idea to just change the shadows it was connected from the World’s to something outside of it. Then she used that to deepen her research and make me the first.”

“First of what?” Shirou couldn’t help but ask.

“A prototype to something greater. Do you wanna know, Emiya Shirou, what I am the shadow of? Whose shadow am I?”

“... Are you the same Connla I faced last time?”

The terrorist laughed again, more maniacally than before, throwing his head back as he kept going as his free hand slowly went to the shades which had somehow survived the whole debacle so far.

Connla removed the glasses, throwing them in a puddle of his own blood painting the sand. “I am but I am also more. I am a shadow from the Throne of Heroes itself!”

“A shadow of- Like a Servant?!” It certainly explained how he survived so much.

“Ms. Illya said that I am not like a Servant, that I am different.” His shoulders dropped and his spear touched the sand yet the man kept looking up. Shirou could feel something was off about the man. “Servants are just facets of the Heroic Spirits; parts of their Legend but not the whole of the Heroic Spirit.” Connla began twisting his neck until his eyes locked on the Mage. His dark and bright red eyes. “But I am a shadow of a Heroic Spirit!”

There were a lot of implications from what the man was claiming but Shirou saw some problems as well. “So you are Cú Chulainn ’s shadow. Alright, I can buy that.” Considering sacred gears were Divine Artifacts and Illya’s magecraft, most precisely Einzbern’s True Magic, it was possible. “But you are missing quite a lot to be the Hero of Ulster. What happened? Gilgamesh couldn’t spare a spear so you could have a Noble Phantasm like a Heroic Spirit should or the privileges of a shadow are just their stubbornness.”

“Hahahaha! Good joke! Good joke!” Suddenly his glare was savage and his grin feral. “But you better not underestimate mine- no, Cú Chulainn ‘s power!!” Kicking the sand, Connla crossed the whole distance between them and threw a two handed stab towards Shirou’s chest. The Mage saw that coming and chose to block with a pair of Married Blades in his hands while reforming his wings. “So what if I don’t have a Noble Phantasm,” both began trading fast blows one after the other, the spearman always a step behind resulting in a few more wounds, “I have his skills!! The skills that made Cú Chulainn the greatest of heroes!!”

A couple more blows were exchanged before Shirou overwhelmed him with superior speed and Kanshou pushed his spear down. “‘Greatest of heroes’? I disagree!!” Bakuya came in to cut off the man’s head.

Connla smiled fearlessly. “Boom.” His blood in the sand began shining and a rune, leaner than the Norse ones, took shape and exploded into a tower of flames.

Bellerophon’s Divinity should have denied that sort of attack but there wasn’t just magic behind it and Shirou felt the fire seep into his skin because Cú Chulainn had been a demigod in life, the Son of Lugh.

With how distant he was from his Legendary ancestor, Connla shouldn’t have a single drop of Divinity in his blood and if he did then it shouldn't be enough to be relevant. However whatever Illya did with his soul affected his body in ways that went beyond the average understanding.

Illyasviel von Einzbern managed to reach as close to the 3rd magic as anyone could since Justeaze’s death, archiving it in an incomplete manner but tracing a new path for the True Magic.

After all the Heaven’s Feel was a spell ‘capable of the materialization of the soul’ and by stitching it together with another already preexistent vessel his sister managed a Miracle similar to the summoning of a Servant.

Much like Tsubasa took Galahad’s traits when bound with his shield, Connla became a ‘fake’ Cú Chulainn because of his blood. In fact his procedure was far more complete since it was intentional and used a Divine Artifact, his sacred gear, to anchor his existence to the Heroic Spirit of Cú Chulainn.

Heroic Spirit, not a Servant, for Servants were shades that carried only a fraction of the Original’s power and Illya wanted to go beyond that. If summoned, Cú Chulainn could fall under several classes like Lancer or Caster, each losing something that made the other unique.

The Hero Spirit himself would be the amalgamation of all the Original Cú Chulainn could do and more since he would also gain powers from his Legends, deeds, Noble Phantasms and other stories that may or may not have happened.

That was the power Illya imprinted on Connla albeit not completely as there were limitations of just how much the human body could take without breaking. Yet that was why he was perfect for the process since his sacred gear could stabilize the process via Balance Breaker thanks to its most basic function.

For Connla was still controlling a shadow, he was just using it as a mantle on himself.

A shadow that should be long since lost to the world, only present on the Throne of Heroes.

What that translated into was Connla gaining several of Cú Chulainn ‘s powers and skills, quite a few of them which would belong to Servant versions of the man had he been summoned.

With them also came power and enough of it to challenge even Shirou with his pegasus which pushed the Mage back as Divine flames cooked him alive. “This sucks-”

“Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!!!” Connla saw his opponent in the back foot and began thrusting his spear madly, hitting Emiya’s chest several times. Each blow broke more of the Ascension, his roars growing more excited and eager. “Not so tough now, are ya?!!”

Quickly the terrorist dodged to the side and avoided a blow from Kanshou. “-but not that much! Bakuya!!” Shirou called and the black sword formed the core for a huge white one while he spun in place and almost cut his enemy’s face off. Once the maneuver was complete the magus directed his weapons to rebuild his wings while Tracing another black Married Twin. “I think I am starting to figure out how your powers work.”

“Oh, really? Do tell!!” Slamming his spear in the sand, the young man’s blood began moving on its own. He had no knowledge of runes and could only trust the ‘instinct’ that ‘existing’ as Cú Chulainn’s shadow afforded him. “It won’t save your life anyway!!”

Two fireballs flared on each side of his spear that he threw towards the Mage while twisting his body and advancing on a high jump to stab the white haired man from above. For his part Emiya threw two of his swords at the fire to cut it down before raising his wings to block the follow up strike.

“You know something?” Shirou asked from behind his wing as Connla jumped back, expecting a counter attack. It never came since when the pegasus’ wings relaxed on his owner’s back they just revealed the armor rebuilt and not a drop of his blood in sight. “If you were Cú Chulainn or had his spear, I probably would be dead already. Too bad for you, that shadow is no Gae Bolg.”

“Haha! Do you think that changes anything? Even if I can’t get your heart, I can still aim for your neck.” Connla questioned in challenge while assuming another fighting posture. “Sooner or later you are making a mistake and I can’t wait for it.”

Shirou shook his head at his opponent’s arrogance before Tracing another sword on his right hand. It was a black and powerful but not one of the Married Blades. “That is where you are wrong. You are avoiding me because your body can’t take what I can dish out. Also, even if you manage to keep dodging, enough wounds will see you dead with blood loss.”

“Nah, that ain’t happening. One of my abilities just won't let me die!” Connla replied while beating his chest with a fist.

Confirming what Shirou suspected. ‘His defenses are all about survival so a good hit will finish this.’ Staring at his blade, he added. “Quite ironic, I need to hunt a dog with a hound.” Taking a couple of steps forward, the Mage allowed his blade to touch some of the blood on the sand. “Let’s see how long you can escape, Connla!!!”

Black and white energy surrounded Emiya before he accelerated, his opponent preparing his body to avoid whatever he had planned. Once in range the Mage threw a swing too wide to be ideal and Cú Chulainn‘s shadow ducked under the blow before thrusting his spear upwards once more.

Then he felt it, the bite of a blade on his shoulder, a sensation all too familiar to the one when he almost lost his limb. ‘The hell?!!!’ In a panic he abandoned the attack and focused on escaping the red blade that glowed ominously, bloodlust rolling from it in waves. ‘Did he just turn in mid swing- Wait, I remember that sword now!’

“Hrunting. How long do you think you can escape? A minute? Ten seconds?” Shirou questioned with rage as he knew that fight could only end with Connla’s death. For the sake of his friends, he didn’t hesitate. “Apologize to everyone you hurt in hell!!!”

‘Damn it!’ Abandoning the offensive fully, Connla dedicated all of his being to dodge the next blow of Beowulf’s sword. And the next one. And the next one. ‘Looks like I can’t kill you.’ He recognized when the sword almost cut his arm off, only failing because his sacred gear kept it in place. ‘Too bad. I’ll have to hope that lord Cao Cao avenges me later.’

Because all he could do was survive long enough for his allies' plans to bear fruit.

“Fuck you, Emiya Shirou!!” Connla roared in challenge, lacking the knowledge or the real skills that could have saved him in that fight.

…

Yasaka felt weird when she woke up after the attack in the park. “Where is Kunou?” She asked a group of soldiers that seemed to be guarding her. None of them were yokais she ever remembered meeting but the group of five stood around her like soldiers should and the extra ears proved they were fox yokai, her direct subordinates. “Where is she?”

“... Yasaka-sama,” the second tallest one looking at her with sympathy and caution as if to avoid stepping on a landmine, “your daughter is being escorted to one of the other temples but we have no time to waste. Kyoto is under attack.”

Immediately a new sense of urgency took over Yasaka’s body and she had stood up, not remembering when she laid down nor why she was on the floor. Her mind also failed on finding it weird, much like it should when four of her supposed guards had taken cautious steps back.

But the second tallest one, a blond like herself, spoke again without moving an inch. “Kyoto needs its King. The others left to hold the position but we must make our way to the Central Temple and use our boundary fields against the invaders.”

Yasaka rose to her full height, a tall woman to be sure, the kitsune was as tall as the man in front of her. “Who are those invaders?! Who dares to strike Kyoto?!!” Her rage had all her nine tails dancing madly and power surrounding her body as if it was trying to fight something off but she brushed it aside. She needed to focus on the invaders, to make them pay. “Who are they?!!!”

There was no denying that Yasaka the kitsune was beautiful even when her face was covered with fury and malice strong enough to make everybody else in the room sweat nervously, including the man in front of her.

She was dressed somewhat casually with a loose gold kimono and obi combo that made no effort to hide her voluptuous figure, displaying her cleavage proudly if not a bit too provocatively mostly because in her wrath she was forcing down a black pelt with skulls printed on it down on her back, only the sleeves keeping it steady.

Her hair, held in a loose ponytail by several hairpins that formed a six pointed crow on her hair with two tinner pins with blue crystals holding the ensemble in place. Her eyebrows were also proof of her status, cut into small, elegant circles. Indeed, even in her rage she remained noble, the King of West Kyoto.

“... The Khaos Brigade.” The blond fox yokai with red eyes revealed and the kitsune remembered Yoruichi’s reports about the dangerous organization. She watched as another fox yokai who held a European sword, which was odd but again she didn’t question, firmly. Almost like he was ready to slash someone then and there. “They are attacking Kyoto as we speak. My lady, we must act swiftly.”

Something was off, that yokai spoke with a heavy accent like Japanese wasn’t his first language. “That we must.” Yet such small detail was ignored by Yasaka who took a couple of steps forward. For a moment the man looked ready to grab her but she held him back with a hand. “Allowing these criminals to run rampant in my city is a crime in itself. What did Yoruichi and Seshomaru say? Did they tell you to go with this plan?”

For a few moments the blond man grew quiet before speaking, “Yoruichi-sama didn’t necessarily give us any orders, my lady. Once the attack began she entrusted us to find you while she fought somewhere else.”

“Typical Yoruichi.” Yasaka’s anger vanished and she sounded unsurprised. “She is probably dealing with the attack everywhere while Seshomaru hunts their main force.” Usually that should be enough to secure Kyoto yet a nagging feeling on her head had the kitsune saying, “No matter, we should still go to the Central Temple. I will use a ritual to cleanse our city.”

“Yasaka-sama…” Another fox yokai spoke, a black haired one with a long spear over his shoulder that gave her the chills. Yet she couldn’t focus on it, instead directing her attention to his face which suddenly was full of panic. “The Central Temple is being besieged!”

“What?!” Yasaka was undoubtedly shocked at the news.

The tallest fox yokai, another fox with long gray ears and longer gray hair, punched the palm of his hand. “We’re going to have to use brute force.”

Every single one of her guards glared at the giant which confused Yasaka but soon the blond one with red eyes captured her attention again. “We got as close as we could, Yasaka-sama, but without you, we don’t see any chances of taking the Central Temple back.”

“If we need to take it back.” The black haired one with the spear which somehow looked dangerous even if it was just wood and steel to her eyes, added to the conversation with an honest smile. “Since the goal is to use a spell, we can keep the terrorists at bay while you prepare.”

Yasaka saw dozens of problems with the suggestion but was unable to voice any which prompted the blond one to ask, “With your Youjutsu and all of Kyoto’s mana channeled from the Central Temple, do you believe it possible, Yasaka-sama?”

“Of course it is.” The kitsune retorted faster than the group expected but her anxiety was clear for any to see. More than that, in her subconscious she knew her daughter was still in danger, prompting the fox woman forward. “We must act in due haste. We can’t allow the citizens to suffer-”

“My lady, Kyoto is already occupied.” The black haired fox delivered the bad news. The woman froze and that was exactly what she shouldn’t be doing at that moment. “All the temples are surrounded, our enemy fills the streets.”

“But we are so close to the Central Temple so it is possible to make a run for it.” The blond one took over again.

Just for a moment before the spear wielder added, “Once there you must act fast, Yasaka-sama. Undoubtedly the enemy will sense your intentions and muster reinforcements but we cannot not allow the Khaos Brigade to win.”

“That we must not.” Yasaka affirmed, hiding the fear for her daughter and friends. ‘They will be fine. I can save them. I must save them. I must.’ And to save them she had to save Kyoto, something she was duty bound to do. More than willing even. “I shall use my full power to break the siege and-”

“Pardon me Yasaka-sama but could you leave that to us?” The blond fox yokai requested with a low bow. His eyes showed a resolve that the woman couldn’t help but admire. “Every minute we lose more of Kyoto falls into the terrorists hands. You should march to the core and enact the spell as soon as possible.”

For all intents and purposes her subordinate spoke true yet Yasaka grew uncomfortable. “No offense, brave soldier, but a group as small as yours can’t hold back an army.”

She knew the name of every yokai of renown in Kyoto and beyond, worked with most of them over the years even before her ascension into kinghood. Of her subordinates, the fox yokai species, not a single one of them proved themselves to be great over the last few centuries.

Certainly not as great as a kitsune could be. “You will be marching to your deaths.”

For the first time the man hesitated and Yasaka could swear guilt filled his red eyes. “If that is what it takes for victory then so be it.”

“... What is your name, brave fox?” The kitsune asked gently with a tone usually reserved for her daughter.

The man’s eyes grew wide and he looked behind her as if searching for someone but Yasaka felt no presence over her shoulder. “Shirou.” The blond suddenly said, his gaze returning to her. “My name is Shirou.”

“Hmm, that name doesn’t seem fit to you but you say it with pride and longing. A gift from your parents?”

“A gift from a friend.” His tone was so sincere nobody in the room could doubt it.

Certainly not Yasaka who shifted her stance and prepared her Ki. “Then do not die, Shirou. Neither of you are allowed to die. I shall work swiftly and crush our opposition so hold on for as long as you can.”

““Yes ma’am!”” The group said in unison and once again she had the impression most of them didn’t really speak Japanese.

However she had no time to ponder, choosing instead to trust on her fellow fox’s sincerity. ‘Hold on, Kunou. Mother shall crush those terrorists and reunite with you soon.’ She could only wonder how her young daughter was dealing with the invasion. Her last memory of the girl was her pushing the smaller kitsune away and holding back a storm of gold. ‘Without a doubt they have someone extremely powerful in their midst.’ Most of the memory was enveloped in fog but that power appeared suddenly and was engraved in her mind. It filled her with fear and increased her urgency to reach the Central Temple as fast as possible. “Let us move!”

With her order the tallest of the fox yokais grunted and kicked open the door revealing they were in a small old fashioned house that didn’t belong there. It looked a bit too small, the construction too cheap, maybe even too recent even if the kitsune couldn’t really talk about its quality.

Yet it felt like a parody of Kyoto’s residences to her eyes and not one she would live in.

But her thoughts were too busy to ponder any of that, too focused on the task at hand and finding humans in every direction she turned. For a moment the kitsune believed she wasn’t on her Kyoto but on the ‘other side’ where yokais held no power. It wouldn't be the first time she visited it and for a second the woman almost dreaded not hiding her fox ears and tails.

Only to see the Central Temple at a distance, a clear indication they were on the yokai side, before noticing that almost if not all those humans had a weapon of some sort and some even looked poised to attack.

“Out of the way!!” The giant punched the ground and a wave of energy shoved the terrorists back, many of them looking at them with horror.

“Forward! Forward! To the temple!!” Shirou led his group with Yasaka in the center. Another blonde fox yokai drew a thin saber while her companion with silver hair pulled out a second European sword from his coat.

Again she found their choice of weaponry odd but didn’t comment when the giant was busy sending explosions around her to keep their enemies at bay while their leader and the spear user led the charge.

Shirou drew two golden swords that pulsed with power and shoved the terrorists back while the spear user sliced their enemies legs. Nobody stopped to finish the invaders off which once again she found odd but didn’t question, judging they were more focused on saving Kyoto than killing enemies.

That changed when some better armed terrorists dropped from the sky despite having no wings. Wind blasts flew towards the group before the only female besides Yasaka herself dashed forward to retaliate with a slash of her sword. Except it wasn’t a counter but a block, her sword devouring the wind.

Giving way to her fellow swordsman to jump up with an excited grin to throw a sword at the flying enemy before pulling the other back to gather energy. Pure mana surrounded the gray and black blade which began glowing with a dangerous teal and red tint pulsing from the jewel embedded in its hilt.

Unleashing a huge slash of mana, turning the fliers into dust.

Such power impressed Yasaka as she found herself staring at the blade for a moment. ‘That weapon isn’t from Kyoto. Its energy feel similar to youki but-’

“Yasaka-sama!” A familiar man’s voice reached her ears but when the kitsune turned towards it she found the woman fox yokai cutting down a stranger who she never met.

Her attention shifted to the silver haired fox again who landed on the gray giant’s shoulder before doing a flip and retrieving his other sword from the air after it flew in his direction on its own, cutting down another terrorist.

“We are almost there!!” The black haired spearman's warning came not a moment too soon as they found themselves in view of the giant gates of the Central Temple which portrayed the Four Cardinal Beasts guarding the Sun. “Do we have time to open it gently or should I be forceful?”

The playfulness from his ally somehow tick ‘Shirou’ off, the blond combining his powerful weapons into a bow that practically pulsed with Divinity. “Just keep running! I will bring up our rear!”

All answered positively at his order and the man shot a gold arrow made of pure energy that exploded the gate extremely violently, sending it spinning inside the temple and trampling a bunch of people before hitting the ground, crushing another two.

Just that attack took a couple of lives but many more followed when the arrows started flying around. Even if ‘Shirou’ stood in place he was the one killing most people with cold precision and detachment. A shot per second saw the Central Temples garden full of blood in less than a minute.

A place of serenity, protection and warmth, the Central Temple had been built to be not just the heart of Kyoto but a safe haven for yokais. Built with love and care, made to welcome everyone. Surrounding it were four small temples carved into the walls with statues of their guardians watching over it.

A magnificent structure with huge walls that were more protective than embracing and despite being a huge building, taller than most castles, it was held and preserved under a promise.

A promise that their city wouldn’t abandon its inhabitants.

Suddenly everything laid ruined by the hands of terrorists.

No longer warm, the Central Temple was turned into a hellish landscape with blood and gore everywhere as the group charged forward killing anyone in their path. Yasaka couldn’t help but flinch when the beautiful garden turned into a desert full of holes and corpses, the green turning into a haunting reddish brown.

Something in the kitsune’s mind was cracking as the feeling of discomfort grew in her chest but a light behind her head muted those thoughts, reminding her silently that she had a duty to fulfill.

“YOU!!!!” A woman’s voice caught Yasaka’s attention and she turned to the temple. She saw a group of ‘humans’ emerge only to see that one of them was a fallen angel and the other two were devils, known affiliates of the Khaos Brigade. “Peerless Armor!!”

However one of them was really human, that was the only way the kitsune could explain the blue sword that felt like an extremely powerful sacred gear. ‘Hero Faction, Balance Breaker… Yoruichi reported something like this.’

One of the tools God left for Humanity yet not one she recognized. Fairly enough she wasn’t very knowledgeable about Heavenly Artifacts but it was the only explanation her mind could conjure. She also didn’t need to know much to recognize power when she saw it as a very intimidating armor turning the bluehead into a very intimidating knight.

Just barely less intimidating than the blue and bronze swords on the woman’s hands that pulsed with Divinity. Yasaka knew she should be the target for some such powerful enemy yet the terrorist surprised the kitsune by attacking one of her subordinates. The blond fox yokai holding the back said something she couldn’t comprehend before gold filled her vision.

“Yasaka-sama, follow us!!” The spearman ordered while the rest of his group charged at the new terrorists who had emerged from the temple.

The other blonde fox arrived first, her saber turning into a rapier as she spoke some words that stunned the two men holding the entrance. She was about to stab one of their hearts when the fallen angel, a brunette with twin tailed hair, summoned a sword of Light and parried the attack.

Both women quickly jumped away when the gray haired giant dropped on their position, his arm covered with a band of energy that exploded between his enemies.

“Balance Breaker!”

[Scale Mail!!]

A streak of red tackled the giant away and both crashed a few meters away from Yasaka who saw a humanoid dragon holding her subordinate down. Draconic energy surrounded the former’s fist as he brought it up with the intent of carving the fox yokai’s face. He stopped when the silver haired swordsman threw a slash of energy in their direction forcing a clash.

The dragon was blown away but a blond young man from the entrance summoned a sword, another sacred gear without a doubt, and dashed to support his ally. Steel clashed with steel as the two swordsmen met with the devil’s blade breaking which forced him to fly up or lose his head.

“A Dragon Slayer sword.” The terrorist commented and Yasaka tried to remember if anyone in Kyoto had one of those. “And a demonic one to boot.”

“Demonic, Holy, either can cut you down!!” The silver haired man threw another slash of energy that went wide and forced the blond to fly low. With the enemy under his reach the former thrusted his weapon at the devil’s head but a new sword blocked his path. “Hahaha. You are quite good.”

“Yasaka-sama!” The black haired man called, the only one still pushing towards the temple while his companions were busy with the new opponents. “Move! We are getting close!!”

“We aren’t going to let you-” Some of the soldiers around the temple shouted and attacked but the powerful spear silenced them in an instant.

More would have been cut down but a new presence emerged from the temple and a shockwave threw several people off their feet as a silver haired woman holding a shorter spear collided against her subordinate’s.

Both of them began trading blows and Yasaka could see a smile on her subordinate’s face while the terrorist had an expression of caution if not full blown fear. Yasaka didn’t know why, nor could she hear the words they were exchanging. It was funny because despite the noise around them, and the impact of their weapons, her ears should catch that conversation.

“GO!!!!!” ‘Shirou’ ordered and the kitsune found herself moving deeper into the temple, ignoring the many clashes of power surrounding her.

Some terrorists had already settled inside but none got in her path, another oddity her mind could compress. Strangely she saw some making an attempt only for them to escape her line of sight and vanish from existence as far as the woman was concerned. She certainly didn’t hear the sound of bones being crushed nor blood spilled in that sacred location.

No, all her attention was directed into the single minded goal of reaching the core of the temple which she eventually did. Its unassuming double tatami doors had no guards posted since it wasn’t needed nor should it be. In better days any of the kings would have already crushed the invasion before they got that far.

It was the most sacred and powerful place in the whole of Kyoto, an area of hard access not only because of its location but because it was closed off with a powerful seal. One that only the Kings of Kyoto could undo otherwise be burned to death. A single touch was all it took and the doors opened on their own.

The room was actually quite small, the size of a standard living room in any normal residence or even a small garage capable of fitting a single car. Yet it wasn’t claustrophobic because it remained empty for the most part without any pieces of furniture in sight.

A single small pillow rested on the center of a circle made of letters that covered the walls, the ceiling and most of the floor. Each had been carved on the wood hundreds of years ago during the Central Temple’s construction and just looking at them filled Yasaka with power.

Enough power that, for a second, the fog started to leave her mind.

Only for the sound of wood being cut to interrupt her thoughts and she turned around to see nothing. She certainly didn’t notice the runes that had suddenly been carved on the floor nor the others that were being added around the circle by an invisible hand.

Yasaka felt nothing, thought nothing other than a sense of duty and the determination to see it done.

Sitting on the pillow with a seiza, the kitsune closed her eyes and embraced her role as King of Kyoto. ‘Someone else is controlling the ley lines. First I need to wrestle control from them, even if they are an ally. Then I will be able to use Kyoto’s power to cleanse it.’

Already the kitsune could see the final result in her mind’s eyes; the terrorists culled and her daughter safe.

Walking straight into the trap that was at play.

…

‘For the Root’s sake! I wish I was wrong! Why wasn’t I wrong?!’ Waver Velvet, instructor, magus, smoker and game addict, couldn’t believe how bad things were turning. Really he couldn't because everything had gone wrong so fast he had called it. ‘Number one: the Hero Faction really is attacking Kyoto, not with an army but a group of elite, like we predicted.’

Calling them anything else other than ‘elite’ would be an insult. Even if the cell striking at the Central Temple was small they decimated the yokais guarding the building with ease. Seven people, one of them wasn’t really fighting but he was obviously playing a part, defeated hundreds on their own.

All his life Waver knew the difference between the ‘strong’ and the ‘weak’ in the moonlit world was evident; powerhouses capable of leading their own factions could also be dubbed army killers at least and country destroyers at most.

Just because nobody would want to destroy the planet then he would have to deal with those too.

He liked forgetting gods existed if just for his sanity’s sake.

Regardless of his existential dread, the squad attacking the Central Temple was an excellent example of how strong people could become. ‘And those kids are almost half my age.’ Unlike the dozens of yokais who laid dead in the garden who were many times his seniors. ‘A nightmare. This can only be a nightmare. No, it just isn't because I am fully clothed and most of my students aren’t around.’

When Kiba showed up with the suggestion of recruiting volunteers to help find Yasaka the only thing Waver could feel was dread, unlike his coworker and the Student Council’s members who had faith in their classmates abilities and were optimistic about helping out.

It took some skill and taking charge of the situation before any of the devils could pull rank but Waver managed to convince everybody that the best place the students could look was Kyoto itself, both sides in fact.

Anything to reduce the odds of them crossing the terrorist group.

Didn’t matter that many of them were yokais who were enraged that the Hero Faction was attacking their home, they were all children in Waver’s eyes. Also, unlike certain individuals in Kuoh, most of them weren’t used to open violence. If anything their presence could be a detriment even if more eyes were always useful.

The teacher was proven right when dozens of soldiers fell by the hands of Gilgamesh’s descendant, the ‘face’ of the Hero Faction. Gate of Babylon was a frightening Noble Phantasm and the killing only slowed down because Xenovia got in his way. Not that she could fully stop the blond who was fighting her and a small army pretty much on his own.

Other known members of the terrorist group were almost as dangerous and proved that much by opening the way for Yasaka which should be a good thing. “Whatever they are doing, we must not let her get in the temple.” Waver instructed his colleague and students, watching as they dashed forward. ‘We are outnumbered.’

Something odd to say since they had Kyoto's army on their side but the yokais could barely fight against the Hero Faction. Yes, the teacher remembered reading reports about those individuals in passing and thinking what he would do if he ever met them in person.

Run was his answer because while not a coward, Waver Velvet wasn’t stupid.

He knew fighting would be his death.

‘Why didn’t I offer to look around Kyoto myself?’ Waver questioned while hiding behind a pillar in the temple while Ise and Kiba both charged out to meet the descendants of heroes. Irina joined the fight an instant later against another woman but the man had a different blonde to worry about. “Asia, come here.”

The Bishop looked ready to jump into the battlefield, not to fight but to try and save as many as possible. “Sensei, I need to help-”

“You can help everyone so long we stay out of their way.” The attitude was commendable but Asia would only be jumping to her death because a stray spell from anyone there would have her life as fast as his. ‘And then there is that spear…’ His attention shifted to a sacred gear which he could only be the most powerful of its kind. “Going around carelessly is costly here, Asia. You must be careful with our whole lives or risk not helping anyone.”

“Waver is right.” Rossweisse commented as her body was enveloped in magic. Her armor replaced her gray suit and she looked around before picking up a spear from the floor. “I should have Shirou make me a new one faster.” Waver heard his student had been busy with a project for Rias but he really wishes his colleague was better armed. Regardless, a few runes later had the simple spear pulsing with energy which both knew wasn’t going to be enough to win. “This will do.”

Nevertheless Kuoh’s newest teacher dashed forward and met her arguably worst match up. “Hoh~ I heard there was a Valkyrie hanging around Fuyuki after betraying Odin.” True Longinus shifted in his hands and pointed at the woman as an eager grin grew in his lips. “Is that you?”

Their weapons collided and the place shook with their power, Waver quickly holding on to the pillar and the Bishop “You are Cao Cao of the Hero Faction.” Rossweisse took a step back and used the back of her spear to hit his legs.

Or at least try and fail because he maneuvered his taller weapon and pushed her back before bringing its tip down on her shoulder. The woman raised a shield and raised her own weapon, buying time for a small retreat before thrusting forward. The counter was blocked but the impact pushed both of them back, him with a smile, her with caution.

“I heard Valkyries are demigoddesses. Tell me, are you worried?” Cao Cao twisted his spear and repositioned his feet, his grin growing even more eager.

Rossweisse took a few steps back and to the left before turning her body and positioning her spear in front of her to become a smaller target. “Anyone should be cautious on the battlefield.”

“But a goddess should be afraid of the True Longinus.” Cao Cao named his sacred gear and was pleased when the silver haired took another step back. When he saw her foot move again he capitalized by extending his white spear with his body to pierce her chest.

The light blue blade of the True Longinus, the weapon who took the blood of Jesus Christ himself, collided with her borrowed weapon and the latter fell apart. It didn’t even delay the sacred gear which kept moving towards Valkyrie’s who raised a barrier in its owner’s path.

Cao Cao’s spear was the strongest but his body was human and so the man found himself barred from finishing Rossweisse off by letters floating in his way. A minor set back and he proved it so by retreating a couple of steps to allow his Holy Lance to cut her barrier apart.

Giving the silver haired woman enough room for her to jump far away while grabbing a short sword and a naginata from the floor. “If you think just because you have a god killing weapon that a Valkyrie is going to retreat then you are going to be sorely disappointed.”

“Hahaha! Honestly? Don’t even know why you are on my way. I heard that Valkyries adored heroes, most of the time falling in love with us.” Cao Cao commented playfully. “So I really don’t know why you are trying to stop me.”

Rossweisse easily understood what he was implying. “I see no heroes in front of me.”

The terrorist chuckled. “That is a lie.” Lowering his stance, he took long steps towards the Valkyrie until he was close enough to throw a thrust that had his opponent parrying it from the side with her sword. The wakizashi didn’t touch the glowing blade of the spear, just its side and yet the woman saw it crack. “Because before you is a real hero!” Pulling the Holy Lance back, he pushed his right side forward and began thrusting his spear rapidly. “And we are going to change the world!!”

“Not on my watch!” Despite her words Rossweisse lost the borrowed sword in an instant, avoiding death by a hair by ducking under the True Longinus. She blasted herself towards her enemy with her naginata pointing to his throat but he spun to the side and broke the weapon with his sacred gear which also cut her shoulder. “Tch.”

“Oops. Looks like I won. Or you want to keep going.” Cao Cao asked bluntly as both saw how much her left arm was bleeding with just a scratch. It was just the tip of his spear and yet her armor was sliced, almost taking a limb. “Or not.”

He said that because Rossweisse kicked up a random spear and grabbed it with her right arm while using runes to treat her wound. Soon enough she was ready to go again, her armor forcefully mended and no longer bleeding while also wiser about how she would approach that fight.

‘Don’t touch the spear.’ The Valkyrie heard legends of the Ultimate Sacred Gear and after feeling it on her skin she knew that wasn’t a weapon she could beat by herself.

“GO!!!!” Gilgamesh’s voice cut through the temple and Yasaka started moving with more urgency, much to Waver’s frustration.

A frustration which grew tenfold when he noticed a glance from Rossweisse basically screaming. ‘It is up to you!’

‘Oh for fuck’s sake.’ The magus couldn’t help but curse, especially when noticing the two people passing Rossweisse; another known terrorist and another he knew in passing because of his students. And she couldn’t stop them because Cao Cao chose to attack at that exact moment. “I hate my job. Asia, go around the garden, call your familiar and drag as many people as you can out of the temple or at least out of the way. If you manage to get out don’t come back in until reinforcements have arrived to secure the place. Failing that… just work on saving people.”

The Bishop nodded at the order and started moving before noticing her teacher was stuck in place. “Sensei-”

“Say, Ms.Argento, can you see the two people watching over lady Yasaka’s back?”

Immediately her eyes caught the white haired woman and the black haired man just a few steps away from the kitsune. “Yes, what are they-” Waver stood up and ran to catch up with them. “Sensei, what are you doing?”

‘Something stupid.’ Of course he wasn’t going to say that. “Focus on saving lives, Asia! It is what you do best!”

“But sensei-” Her voice vanished with a loud explosion and Waver could only hope it wasn’t on her or any of his students for that matter. With her sacred gear and medical duties, her odds were better than his at the very least.

Mostly because he was charging towards what he could deduce was the ‘end game’ of the Hero Faction’s plan without backup or any real way to stop them. The man could easily imagine that Asia didn’t know of his lack of prowess in combat and trusted him to deal with the two watching over Yasaka.

Who were undoubtedly controlling her actions with gestures and hidden presence.

A few yokais certainly did notice them and tried to attack or get Yasaka away from the terrorists for obvious reasons. The deeper they went in the temple the fiercer was the defense from its inhabitants despite their small numbers, some who recklessly threw their lives away for their city’s sake.

Only to be cut down by a white sword made or ripped apart from a bird of string that Illyasviel von Einzbern pulled from her scarf. Her partner in crime, Georg, didn’t move to either assist or bother defending himself. He focused on keeping a hand behind Yasaka’s head with a magic circle in his palm and four more running through his arm.

‘They are controlling her. That should be impossible… But they had her in their power for several days. One sacred gear or Noble Phantasm alone couldn’t accomplish such a feat but several? While their men died to buy time? Doable.’ Waver deduced while watching a yokai with a fin on his head losing it. It rolled around until reaching his feet but the man hid behind the closest pillar before closing his mouth with a hand to not puke. ‘Do they want something in the temple or is their goal the temple itself? Why are they doing this? Why risk such a bold attack, lose hundreds of men and antagonize one of the biggest factions in Japan? Not to mention their allies who won’t let this go unanswered…’

After a few seconds he dared to look out to see that there were no more defenders in the terrorist’s way. Expected since most of them would already be outside trying to stop the louder ones, maybe not even noticing their mistress’ return under duress. Not their fault since Gilgamesh, the True Longinus and their allies were very much real threats.

Not only them but every man and woman who died to stall for the real fighting force led by two of Kyoto’s Kings were also a ruse designed to keep the city’s most powerful defenders far away from the real plan.

Just the weaklings were left behind, at least when in comparison with their Kings. Things devolved further when Yasaka, instead of helping, seemed to be ignoring everything. Everything that Waver could perceive at least. Despite her blank face it was undeniable the woman had some modicum of freedom.

And a goal in mind which could only be bad in those circumstances.

Worse even, she was escorting the terrorists inside their most important sanctuary and while a few people noticed her actions only a few moved to stop her since the main fighters of the Hero Faction each carried far too much firepower to be ignored.

‘How long do I have?’ Waver questioned while moving from pillar to pillar getting ever closer to the core. He watched as they arrived at a tatami door far too fancy for his tastes, usually an indicative of someplace of importance. ‘Not long, I fear.’

Because while the conundrum was bad enough by itself, Waver Velvet was one of the less suited magi to deal with it. Among his peers, his combat capabilities were low if not abysmal despite his considerable intellect. Indeed he could understand several sorts of curses and complicated spells in seconds with just superficial observation.

That didn’t mean he could break them if necessary unless he had the proper tools. ‘Why am I still here? Because you don’t like the idea of unnecessary death… because your students may die.’ Magicians weren’t known for being social or caring and Waver never claimed to be either. But he had a duty to uphold and the noise outside was bound to attract more people from Kuoh. ‘If I stop Illyasviel then their plan will crumble under its own weight.’

Spying from the pillar’s side the man peeked out for a second, quickly retreating when the white haired woman began turning in his direction. With the string sword by her side and bird on her shoulder, it was pretty clear who would win in a confrontation between them as he lacked anything comparable.

‘Rossweisse, you should be the one here. Or anyone else, really.’ Waver came to regret those words when a group of three yokais, two wearing samurai armor and one with a ninja garb, arrived from the main hallway. ‘Did they abandon the battle? No, their weapons are out which means-’

“Intruders.” Shouted a samurai while extending his hands and unleashing a wave of fire that was cut down by Illya’s sword.

Her red eyes were cold when the other began demanding, “Release Yasaka-sama at once-” He never finished his line.

Not when the string bird flew forward with a silent command from Magus Killer’s Daughter and bit his chest through his armor, ripping off his heart. The other two died equally fast as the woman brought out two more strings that also became birds, albeit as small as doves unlike the first which was a hawk.

They didn’t need to be big for their sharp tallows to rip off their heads, Waver gulping in fear at the gory display. ‘Calm down. She isn’t the strongest person you have met. Some of your students could do more damage in their sleep.’ Yet it was undeniable Illya was dozens of times more powerful than him. He wasn’t even accounting for her mana reserves which were big enough to make his skin tingle. ‘I don’t need to act directly. Just find an opening and deal damage in such a way they can’t recover from.’

Peeking around the pillar again he watched Yasaka undo the door’s seal and walk inside followed by her two shadows. Georg’s hand got closer to her head and the teacher deduced the room was disrupting his spell. Regardless, the kitsune didn’t break free, if she even knew her own condition.

Because Waver doubted the woman understood what was happening, at least the whole of it. ‘She looks conscious, is moving on her own and her eyes, while a little blank, still show signs of consciousness.’

An overly complicated spell for a simple set up. They needed a king’s cooperation, the one with the strongest connection with the ley line. Willing cooperation without giving her a chance of turning whatever spell they needed against them to be more precise.

At least that was what Waver deduced was happening. ‘If Yasaka’s own magic can’t break the illusion, I have to do it.’ Gulping his fear down, he raised his head and saw the empty hallway. ‘Or I could just run… Nobody needs to know. They are more powerful than me, it is two against one, three if Yasaka’s illusion is strong enough.’

It was and he knew it otherwise the Hero Faction wouldn’t dare start that operation much less sacrifice hundreds for just a few minutes in the Central Temple. With a heavy sigh the teacher removed his shoes and applied a minor spell on his feet. Just to make sure his steps were silent when he pushed himself out of the pillar.

Dashing at his full speed, nothing as impressive as most of his students, the long haired man reached the wall before laying on it to take another peek. He saw that Georg had both hands up, six magic circles spinning around on them with a dozen spells keeping Yasaka under an illusion.

He also saw Illya move around the room with her wire sword, slashing, changing and adding stuff to the letters on the walls. He noted that while employing a few runes she was mostly using hiragana and kanji, making sure her additions to the spell were compatible with the temple.

If she was his student that would be worth extra points.

Unfortunately she wasn’t and Waver doubted anything he could say would be good enough to stop her but took solace on the fact neither was looking at the door giving him an opportunity.

Of doing what the man hadn’t decided yet but so long he had time to think. there was hope.

“How long do you plan to stay by the door?” Illya’s question froze the man and he felt a lump in his throat. “Professor Velvet, correct? My brother told me a little about you and I heard other things in the Clocktower.”

Seeing no longer the point in hiding, Waver entered the room with as much fake confidence as he could muster. “All good, I hope.” At least inside he could try and decipher the array the woman planned to use. ‘Yasaka isn’t reacting to me or any of this…’

“Sorry but no. Didn’t stay in England long enough to hear anything good since your project was just starting.” The white haired woman gave him a side glance before resuming her work. “Blame jealous fossils for that. A lot of magicians didn’t like that you managed an ‘in’ with the devils before them.”

“He shouldn’t be here.” Georg commented bluntly. His forehead was covered in sweat, his hands holding the spell firmly which took a toll on his body. “Why are you here, Waver Velvet?”

“... I could ask the same thing.” He answered carefully, still trying to find some way to either free the kitsune or disrupt Illya’s work. Unfortunately he needed more information before acting. “How long have you known I was following you?”

Illya turned to him with a confident smile and a hand on her waist. “I had an eye out.”

Waver felt something landing in his shoulder and a glance revealed another bird made of strings. ‘From the very beginning, huh.’ There were no openings he could take. “Why are you doing this?”

“‘Why’? Not ‘what?”

“The ‘what’ is usually revealed with the ‘why’ in the moonlit world. Magic is curious like that.” Of course it depended on being able to read between the lines and Waver was proud to be capable of it. However secrecy was basically a law for magicians so before getting his why, he planned to paint a picture. “Can she see any of us?”

A redundant glance told Illya exactly who he was referring to. “No, she can’t hear us either. A dozen spells, eight curses, three sacred gears and one Noble Phantasm to fool her senses just in the right way to hide most human presence.”

“Bar some exceptions.” She nodded in confirmation. Waver also deduced that, “And she sees yokais as humans instead. As members of the Khaos Brigade.”

“Einzbern, don’t go around divulging our secrets.” Georg complained but he couldn't do anything other than hold the spell especially because they were at a crucial step.

Mana was flooding the room rapidly and Yasaka was using all of it. If he wavered then the kitsune’s sudden boost of reserves would crush the illusion and reveal the truth. Even in deep meditation she would be capable of feeling the three humans in the room and yokais outside which would reveal their ploy.

After that the woman probably would slaughter them so Georg had plenty of reasons to hold firm.

Not that Illya was worried. “Relax. He can’t do anything anymore. Or can you, professor?”

Realizing that something had to be wrong, and not just the bird on his shoulder capable of pecking his head off in a second, Waver tried to move his neck but found it impossible. Then he tried any of his fingers and those refused any command. Easily enough he found his eyes and mouth free when he glared at the woman and bit his lip.

Finally noticing the small glow on her eyes. “Mystic Eyes? You are locking down my nerves with sheer mana…” Her eyes were not the real deal, the sort one was born with. They were artificial and not that strong but unfortunately the teacher wasn’t a fighter so he couldn’t escape her ‘grip’. “I see, truly I had no chance from the start.”

“Pretty much. See, Georg? Everything is under control.” The grumbling of her partner only made Illya giggle. “So sit tight, be a good boy and you are getting away alive from this, professor Velvet.”

“Why let me live? Not that I am not grateful but silencing a witness would be better for you in these circumstances.” Waver needed to keep her talking, to find a way to turn the situation around even if he couldn’t move his body.

It was Georg who answered. “Believe it or not our leader prefers no bloodshed if it can be helped.”

“The hundred or so yokais outside would laugh if they could breathe.” Waver used a healthy dose of sarcasm, staring at Illya in the eyes for any reaction. “Your brother spoke highly of you and nothing he said indicated you would do anything like this.”

Because if he couldn’t attack physically, nothing stopped him from attacking psychologically.

Illya surprised him with an unlady-like snort. “Magus Killer’s Daughter. My father taught me since little to do anything necessary to reach my goals.”

“But even the fearsome Emiya Kiritsugu doesn’t involve civilians in his rampages.” Waver wasn’t sure that was true, trusting his student’s word in that case. Yet Illyasviel confirmed them by falling silent. “And what about-”

“Forget it, forget it.” Illya interrupted him with a growl and a glare. “I already heard all this from my brother today and am not in the mood for an encore.”

Waver sized on that. “Your brother just wants what is best for you.” She paused and he pressed. “There is no way you can’t see how amoral your actions are. How much blood is already in your hands.”

It was Georg’s turn to snort. “Funny thing for you to say as a magician from the Clocktower.”

“I can’t speak for my peers but my hands are clean in every way that matters.” Waver’s confidence silenced them both.

And got Illya chuckling a second later. “You are a ballsy guy, Professor Velvet.” He barely managed to hide the relief in his face when her bird left his shoulder and disappeared in her sleeve. “Bet you made tons of enemies back in England.”

“Well, I am hiding in Japan.” The man didn’t bother denying it. “And what about you? How many enemies are you making with this stunt? Maybe the Shinto Pantheon will finally intervene.”

“By that point it will be too late.” Illya sounded far too confident for someone who was about to piss off the gods.

So he changed tactics again and struck where it hurt her the most. “And your brother? Do you think Shirou is going to forgive you for this?” It was almost amusing to see her confidence vanish into a mask of cold indifference. A fake one at that. “Where is he, by the way? Pretty sure another of my students told me he was looking for you.”

“He is unavailable.”

“Out of the way.” Georg added angrily. “Just temporarily. That man has an annoying habit of ruining our plans and escaping our traps which is why we should be accelerating the spell.”

Illya glared at her colleague. “This stuff takes time- Oi!” She snapped her fingers angrily upon seeing him almost messing up. “Who made the spell? Me or you? That is right, me. Now keep this up, we are almost done.”

“We are a little behind the schedule-”

“Barely a minute and we are almost done. Keep those arms up and the kitsune working. She is almost fully charged.”

“So that is why you want Yasaka, as a battery?” Waver pressed, knowing his time was short. “We knew you aimed for Kyoto’s ley line but why?”

“Why would I use the best ley line in Japan, one of the most unprotected in the world… relatively speaking, at least.” Illya wouldn’t lie and say the operation was easy by any means. Despite the loss of life, including some of her friends, she managed to smile. “Is this the part where you ask what we are after?”

“The Root.” It was the obvious conclusion.

One that made Illya laugh and Georg chuckle. “The Root? It is always the Root with you guys from the Clocktower, isn’t it? Hahahaha.” The white haired woman shook her head and controlled herself but her shoulders kept shaking. “News flash to you all; the Akashic Records are too far for you guys to reach without blowing half of the planet, if that. Too many gods active, not to mention Great Red prowling around. Then again, he is protecting our Reality so can’t blame the big lug.”

That was really news for Waver and the sort of news that could break the Clocktower, maybe even start a civil war. “Are you telling the truth?”

“Blame the gods. With so many of their kind around you could say that the World’s consciousness is isolating itself in its sleep. God’s work, you must know.” Illya said casually, knowing that information was irrelevant. “Hey, don’t worry. Getting there is possible, it just demands more mana than Kyoto has in store and a better vessel than a kitsune.”

“Before you start, no, we don’t know how to reach the Root.” Georg anticipated the question.

And Illya concluded. “What we want is a few ‘tiers’ below the accumulated knowledge of mankind, a section much closer to the material world. Something that will even the scales.”

“Why?” Waver asked again, still trying to deduce their main goal through his preferred method of questioning.

“Why, to save the world, of course.” Illya announced confidently. “Isn’t that what heroes do?” Twisting her wrist, she added an extra letter to the array in the wall. “For the sake of Humanity and the future, we must succeed.”

“Your brother will still hate you.”

“Heh, you don’t know him that well, Waver Velvet. But, I suppose you have a point.”

“Illyasviel-”

“Do your part, Georg, and I will do mine.” Standing beside where Yasaka was lost in meditation, Illya felt the power flowing between them which would allow to control what the yokai would ultimately do. How to do it was up to the white haired woman alone. “The world as we know is about to end boys, just you wait.” Raising a hand, white treads of mana began connecting with the kitsune’s shoulder who flinched, looked around and resumed her meditation a second later. “This is what heroes do.”

…..

Gilgamesh knew upon seeing Shirou fall in their trap that he was just one of several possible defenders who came from Fuyuki under the guise of a school trip. No matter if the devils and yokais asked for volunteers or not at least one person would undoubtedly follow his friend in attempting to stop the Hero Faction.

Which was why he wasn’t surprised about crossing swords against Xenovia again, the bluehead attacking with far more intensity compared to their previous fight. As Enki clashed against Durandal and Durandina, more than once the blond feared his far more powerful Noble Phantasms would actually break under her fury.

To be fair his situation wasn’t enviable by any means as not only he had to face Durandal’s Owner but also focus half of his attention into killing the yokais around the temple. The soldiers were growing wise to his tricks, avoiding the gold portals of his vault. Fine with him since killing wasn’t his goal.

Just the means to an end. “Gate of Babylon!!” Unfortunately for them, the end involved supporting his friends and trimming the numbers when they got too overwhelming. His call had the King’s Vault unleashing a barrage of several weapons that ripped as many lives. “Tch!”

Enki raised above his head, both swords shaking in his grip when Durandal slammed a wave of Holy Energy that threatened to burn him alive. One of his rings, four which he had on his right hand and two on his left, blinked with energy before forming a barrier around his body to protect him.

“AHHHH!!!” It would be useless against real metal and the bronze sword on Xenovia’s other hand came from below for a stab on his open torso. Gilgamesh had no choice but abandon his first defense and throw himself back to survive. “Durandal!!!”

He was still open in a different fashion which the former Exorcist exploited by concentrating on her primary sword to release a burst of energy right in the blond’s chest as it descended from her previous swing.

Under normal circumstances that would have been enough to kill the descendant of Gilgamesh but one of his rings broke with its barrier as another took its place. However he was facing the Peerless Sword so he lost two more as his body was flung around until he landed on his back.

Disoriented, Gilgamesh had no time to recover because the army of yokais saw their greatest opposition fall for a couple of seconds and pounced on his allies. ‘Where is Cao Cao?!’ The plan was for him to help some more but the blond had to accept his fellow ally had to be busy somewhere in the chaos. “Gate of Babylon!!!”

Swords and spears bombarded the garden while a staff primed with mana landed in front of Gilgamesh. Hitting it with Enki from his right, the thing pulsed with energy and shoved Xenovia away for a couple of seconds. Enough time to combine his Noble Phantasm and take a few shots at the army on the temple.

Against such a strong weapon, one of the most ancient Noble Phantasms, the army of Kyoto could do little but die. They weren't the main force, the elite trained by their kings and other legends. They were the spare so the only survivors were those lucky enough to not be on the epicenter of the blasts when the arrows of energy blew up.

By that point their army was in shambles even if not fully done, giving Gilgamesh some breathing room which he sorely needed. Especially when the bluehead made herself known again by throwing a slash of energy at his head. The man rolled away into a crouch and fired back but the knight avoided everything.

Meaning she dodged ten shots from Enki completely. ‘She got better at flying.’

Twisting the golden bow into its double sword form, he blocked Durandal again, but the hit had far more energy and was much more explosive. Because of that he was thrown from his feet and almost died when Durandina barely missed his heart. Only because the terrorist rolled out of the way again, spinning on the ground thrice before managing to get up.

Just in time for Durandal to cut his chest if not for Enki breaking apart into swords to take the blow. “Where is Shiro?!!” Xenovia demanded before her armor pushed her forward and she brought the bronze sword against his waist. Half of Enki, in his left hand, turned into a tonfa and the blond survived the blow. “Where is he?!!”

“Rather busy right now.” Gilgamesh was struggling but answered honestly. Unfortunately for him the knight misunderstood his words and attempted to hammer his head with the Indestructible Sword.

Holy Energy enveloped Durandal and with each strike it grew stronger as Xenovia managed to unleash more power thanks to her rage. Also her talent and training made it so she could reproduce its former owners’ feats despite the fog of anger clouding her mind.

Including the giant sword of energy that shrunk around the main blade creating a veil of power barely bigger than the Peerless Sword itself whose only design and purpose was to crush Gilgamesh.

Or cut him in half. Either or was acceptable.

Unless he answered her questions.

“WHERE,” she began, “IS,” her fury making the next attack even stronger, “HE?!!!!”

Each strike only used one of her hands but still managed to crack the floor and push the blond’s shoulders down. He tried to retreat only for her to shoulder tackle him back to make way for Durandina. The Gate of Babylon opened just enough for a couple of weapons to get in her way but she bashed them all aside.

Realizing he needed something big, the descendant of the King of Heroes called for one of his personal treasures. “Shit.” Not a weapon as many of his ancestors filled the vault with but a car. A luxurious car the same colour as his hair with two doors, nitro, the best motor the money could buy and it ended up cut in half by a very angry woman before exploding into a fireball that consumed them both. “Oh shit!”

Exclaimed Gilgamesh while dashing away from the blasting zone, his clothes stinged but otherwise unharmed thanks to the rings. However if those mystic codes managed to keep him safe then someone with a Noble Gear had to be completely unharmed. Probably even more angry too, if possible.

“Double Slash!!!” Shields of all sizes put themselves between their owner and the twin blades of Light demanding retribution. Since several of them were Noble Phantasms it was natural they could match Durandal’s power.

For a second or two since they weren’t being held properly and were easy prey to the knight’s fury which shoved them aside as she dashed forwards with a thrust akin to a ballistic missile ready to devastate anything in her path.

Yet the situation was less bleak for the terrorist because most of the yokais in the temple were dead. “Gate of Babylon!” Meaning he could fully turn his focus on the bluehead woman. She surprised him by dodging his first volley with a spin before using her swords to bash his weapons away once more. “It is not over yet!!”

While he no longer had a car to use, Gilgamesh was free to apply Enki in his assault by combining it back into his bow. The second volley of weapons had arrows of gold between the treasures, any more devastating they met their target. It was clear that, despite whatever reservations the young man had in the past, he was ready to kill if necessary.

Xenovia didn’t care about that, her blood still singing in fury as she applied the harsh training she submitted herself to after her last encounter with the terrorist: bombardment of hundreds of swords from her lover while taking flight lessons with the devils, Rias and Kiba in particular.

The result was a far more mobile knight that not only could parry the wave of steel but also one who could identify the truly dangerous attacks amidst the chaos. It was how her eyes identified the arrows that could definitely pierce her armor, allowing her to avoid them successfully.

More explosions filled the garden and the walls of the temple suddenly had six extra holes but Xenovia had positioned herself in a manner that her charge wouldn’t endanger her allies since she noticed that Gilgamesh was making an effort of neutralizing threats while fighting her.

“Enki!” For the first time in a long while the blond called his Noble Phantasms True Name, an aura of gold surrounding the parted swords and his body just as they clashed. His right sword stopped Durandal on its path while the left quickly intercepted Durandina which was aimed for his neck. “You aren’t stopping us, Xenovia!”

“You’re dead!!” Was all the knight said before restarting her sequence of attacks which would keep the terrorist occupied, the only consolation he had was that Illya was already in the temple and the yokai army had been decimated.

Regardless, slowly he was being pressed because Xenovia no longer was an opponent he could easily defeat. ‘I need to focus solely on her.’ A single mistake would be fatal which meant he couldn’t be distracted. Until the former Exorcist was defeated, his allies were on their own. “Gate of-”

“Durandal!!” Xenovia beat him to the punch, touching the ground with the tip of her sword which unleashed a wave of energy in his direction.

Another ring fell apart as exhaustion began setting in, his body not really proper to fight as many enemies as he already did that day. The Gate of Babylon demanded its tool and he could still pay it but his limit was getting closer. Unless something happened soon, the knight really would take his head.

Gilgamesh wasn’t the only descendant of a hero in trouble by that point, his squad predicted some resistance but that didn’t mean they were ready to face what they found. Without their kings and most of the army away, the Hero Faction expected to face big numbers but little power.

Even then they had prepared to face heavy opposition just in case since they all were humans, far more vulnerable to than even the weakest yokai who could stab one of them in the back if given the chance.

Because of such preparations, some of them could still fight against the odds and deal with a far superior opponent. Like Heracles who found himself face to face against the Red Dragon Emperor for the second time and was feeling in his own body how much stronger the dragon got.

Especially when a very right hook connected with his stomach making the giant bend forward and puke a little. “You bast-”

“Ora! Ora!! Ora!!!” Ise began punching the terrorist in a fast pace giving him no room to speak much less counter. The first hit was straight on his face, the second on his arm when the giant tried to block but the third connected with the stomach again. “Oriaaaaaaaa!!!”

[Boost!]

With the extra strength Ise punished the terrorist with a devastating kick on the abdomen, just above his waist. It was less because of courtesy and mostly because of how tall Heracles was. Nevertheless he was shoved backwards, almost falling on the ground from the hit but managed to recover his balance.

“Dam devil!!” The gray haired man roared and threw a fast haymaker against the dragon.

Fast for him, slow for Ise who easily sidestepped the blow and threw a counter of his own. “Screw you, you dick!!”

The Red Dragon Emperor uppercutted the giant’s chin with so much strength that his feet left the ground and several teeth started cracking. His neck was almost torn from his torso but his sacred gear saved his life and was, in fact, keeping him in the fight from the very beginning.

Variant Detonation wasn’t known for its defense capabilities other than protecting its owner from its own explosions but that could be used as a shield if timed correctly. After all an explosion was just energy being directed in a certain direction which could counter an opposing force.

However, said opposing force was an angry Red Dragon Emperor and every single one of his punches was several times more powerful than anything Heracles could muster without his own Balance Breaker but Ise wasn’t going to let him use it.

Every opening was a punch leading to him taking another two before the Pawn flew back for some space while raising his left arm. “Dragon Shot!!!” The dragon wasted no time and went for the kill.

A mass of red mana taller than the giant threatened to devour him and Heracles chose to meet it head on. “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!” His muscles tensed and he pushed Variant Detonation to its limits before unleashing a huge explosion that outshone every other in the battle for its short existence. As the dust settled, everybody in the garden saw the mighty giant still standing, the sleeves of his uniform turning to ash and half of his torso exposed as he said. “Got… another one… in ya?”

[We should be the ones asking that.] Ddraig pointed out.

As his Partner pulled his left arm back again and prepared another blast. “Cause we have a lot more in the tank! Dragon Shot!!”

Realizing he couldn’t take another one of those and live, Heracles jumped to the side and gave the attack passage which resulted in a huge hole in the garden that took down most of the north wall.

Feeling guilty for that much destruction, the young Red Dragon Emperor flew towards the terrorist ready to beat him into the ground permanently. He couldn’t support the idea of a small girl like Kunou crying or her mother’s dead set stare in doing whatever the terrorists wanted.

Not even paying attention to the people dying around her.

But Ise was also conscious that he was too strong for the temple and his control wasn’t the best. There were also yokais still alive in the area that he didn’t want to hurt so he began focusing most of his power for a left hook that should rip the giant’s head off.

It certainly would have if the gray haired man hadn’t managed to punch him first with a powerful cross carrying as much of Variant Detonation’s aura as he could focus in just a couple of seconds.

Fortunately for Heracles his range was still farther than the dragon’s so he managed to connect a hit safely, avoiding his enemy’s strike while delivering a huge ‘bomb’ to the Pawn’s face.

Another explosion deafened the garden as the Red Dragon Emperor was sent flying into the temple, ripping its walls into pieces. [Dim or not, that man is a distant relative of a god. It would certainly explain his resistance.] Ddraig commented with a chuckle as his Partner jumped back outside with half of his face exposed. Ise’s eyes blazed with anger as tongues of flame began escaping his mouth before the mask was fixed. [Not that it matters. We just need to be stronger than a half backed demigod. Boost!]

The building behind the dragon cracked with his power but the Pawn was already getting away from it by flying towards Heracles who roared with fury of his own, born of a desire to make his namesake proud. Both collided again and another huge explosion was unleashed, one strong enough to make the earth shake.

However the giant was the one sent flying even if it was far shorter than his opponent’s flight. Using Variant Detonation to fix his balance, he managed to land fast enough to raise both arms to stop a follow up. His sacred gear exploded again but it went ignored, the Red Dragon Emperor unleashing a barrage of punches against the giant.

During their previous encounter Heracles had much more going for him; he had managed to unleash his Balance Breaker, had an army backing him up and Jeanne had weakened the dragon with words alone.

A complete inverse of the present when all he could do was take Ise’s blows and barely holding on as his sacred gear was the only thing keeping him in the game. At least the yokais no longer were in any condition to fight so he didn’t have an army against him.

Nevertheless Heracles couldn’t help but think. ‘I really could use Jeanne’s help right now.’

Unfortunately for him and the rest of the Hero Faction the holder of Blade Blacksmith was too busy to help her allies because for several reasons: first, they hadn’t prepared the spells which would allow her voice to fill an area as big as the temple and pierce through other sounds.

During the ambush back in Fuyuki the Hero Faction had full control of the battlefield thanks to Georg’s Dimension Lost and prior planning, things they didn’t have in enemy territory even if Yasaka was under their control.

As for the second, she was facing the worst opponent possible for her in particular. “Do you know who I am?” Jeanne tried to appeal as her rapier crashed against a katana made of Holy Light. “I am Jeanne of Arc reborn!! The Maid of Orleans!!!”

Pulling back the blonde tried to stab her adversary’s head only for the Light to block and push into a counter aiming for her shoulder. The terrorist retreated a step and used the circular guard of her blade as a shield to deflect the attack. Both sides had their weapons repealed in the clash but the two quickly brought them back in a follow up.

Steel crashed against Light again, the two retreating and striking repeatedly in a couple of seconds before locking themselves in place. Mirroring each other, they advanced to put more weight in their weapon of choice and despite having broken her human limits long ago the blonde was pushed back.

Not strange for her adversary was a Reincarnated Angel and once a human who also broke her limits. “I heard about you! The woman who dares to tarnish the Maid of Orleans’ name!!!” Irina’s attacks grew more fierce and with her superior strength she managed to shove the blonde away. Taking advantage of that position she called for her sacred gear and a shorter rapier appeared on her left hand. “And you won’t,” the brunette advanced by opening her wings and throwing a long thrust towards Jeanne’s heart, “do it anymore!!!”

The Holy Sword in her grasp, the shorter rapier with a guard fashioned after the sun, bit the Light katana from the side as its owner shouted. “Light Eater!”

A second later Irina felt the power given to her by Michael himself slip through her fingers but barely reacted to the event other than closing the distance between them further to tackle the older woman with her right arm to the neck which was somewhat blocked by the orange armor.

Jeanne still lost her balance and the angel used that as an opportunity to grab the blonde’s arm to break it. With her strength it was going to be easy so the terrorist had to react quickly or lose a limb. Focusing on Blade Blacksmith and channeling its power through her feet, the woman summoned a huge sword between the two.

Closer to Irina than herself forcing the brunette to jump back or be cut in half. But she couldn't go far nor give her opponent any breaks.

The angel could already feel it, the power of her sacred gear growing as her adversary held both swords and prepared to unleash its most powerful form. Reports from Shirou, Kirei and Caren told the former Exorcist enough to know how destructive the dragon made of swords could be.

Even more people were going to die if Jeanne successfully summoned it so Irina had to press. “I won’t let you,” opening her wings fully, the twin tailed woman made a circle with her arms creating dozens of Holy Light Spears, “sully Joan of Arc’s name!!!”

She fired her projectiles and the blonde glared in fury before starting to parry and dodge them all. It was slightly more difficult than she expected because the angel had shot them all in a chaotic pattern that had plenty hitting the ground and exploding too close for comfort. If that was on purpose or inexperience, there was no way the sacred gear user could know.

What Jeanne did know was that she had some space and could finally release her full power, the egg of steel taking shape behind her. “Balance Breaker. Stake Victim-”

A huge spear of Light flew in her direction and the woman was forced to grit her teeth to block the mass of Holy Energy with her crossed swords only for a dozen others to shoot down her hatchling Balance Breaker.

That wasn’t the full extent of the angel’s attack as she summoned an even bigger spear, a column of Light from Jeanne’s point of view, and threw it with a roar of fury. Even as Light Eater devoured the angel’s power its owner felt the hit and weight behind it which distracted her for a few seconds.

Plenty of time for Irina to close the distance between the two again with a new sword in her hands and a couple of them tied on her waist. All of them were Japanese swords in a fashion, two katanas and one wakizashi, with one of the former already in her grip.

‘I am sorry.’ She apologized while collecting the weapons from a corpse. Many had already died that day but to the angel’s fortune they were in Japan and their style of swords matched her preference from years of practice with her father. ‘But this is to protect your home!’ “Haaaah!!!”

In their new engagement it was steel against steel but the angel knew how to manipulate Holy Energy to add to her weapons after her time with Excalibur Mimic. Thanks to it even if her weapons were inferior to a sacred gear’s creation she could compensate enough that the blades didn’t break upon impact.

On the contrary, Jeanne was the one watching her swords crack with gritted teeth. “To think an angel… would steal from the dead.” She smiled mockingly. “Have you no shame!! Light Eater!!!”

Pushing both her blades at once she had her shorter rapier try and eat her opponent’s energy only to watch its aura retreat just as her power was enacted. Frustrated, the blonde threw a swing with her right and two fast thrusts with her left which were easily blocked.

Using a real sword actually helped Irina play to her strengths. Light had no weight and despite constant training she was still unused to fighting as an angel. On the other hand she had used normal swords most of her life. Even if they couldn’t become the perfect weight like Mimic could, that wasn’t a detriment at all.

She was so skilled with it that she managed to block one of the rapier’s thrusts with her sword’s guard and used the pommel of the katana to shove the weapon down while delivering a slash at Jeanne’s shoulder.

The terrorist reacted a bit too slowly and screamed in pain as her shoulder was almost cut off. Part of her orange armor fell as she retreated, Irina using a hand to aim her katana before rushing at the blonde with her wings. Once close enough the Japanese girl pushed her blade forward into a deadly thrust faster than most bullets.

Yet that short retreat made all the difference as not only Jeanne bought herself time to react she also managed to make a new Holy Sword. Another rapier, as that was her preference, with a heavier design and its blade twisted on itself almost like a screw. When the brunette's attack came she threw her own thrust right at the katana.

Despite how much force the two women were using, their collision barely made a ‘clang’, the sound of metal hitting metal, which confused Irina. She quickly realised there was some sort of trap thanks to Jeanne’s smile but it was too late because her body kept going forward.

For the sword on the blonde’s hand was a sort of spring which retreated as any other would when pressure was exerted on it. “Screw Rapier!” With a command the sword returned the force from the angel’s attack back but twice as strong. Her grip failed as the borrowed katana was sent out flying, dislocating her shoulder. ‘Now!!!’

Jeanne brought up her original sword to finish off Irina but the angel drew the short sword in a reverse grip to block the impact and push the blonde’s weapon away. Turning the wakizashi, the brunette tried to stab the terrorist with it only for the screw-like sword to intercept the blow.

Thankfully it wasn’t really a good weapon for combat so by twirling her weapon around to avoid the tip Irina managed to dodge and deliver a kick to the blonde’s midriff. She would have given chase as well if her shoulder wasn’t dislocated. So the former Exorcist had to pause for a moment to place her arm back on its socket.

‘Ouch.’ And, much like she was trained to do, she bit back any complaints.

‘This girl!’ A frustrated Jeanne recovered her balance before crashing on the floor. Still she dropped to a knee while glaring at the brunette who was already drawing the second katana she procured, planning to use two swords as well. ‘This blasted girl! Who trained her? No angel should be that skilled.’

Of course she knew that Shidou Irina had once been a human and an Exorcist. The Hero Faction had plenty of intel about the main players of the Church like Michael’s Ace.

Yet, besides the fact she was Xenovia’s former partner and an artificial Holy Sword user who once held Excalibur Mimic, Irina wasn’t famous enough to warrant procuring that much information in the first place.

Nevertheless Jeanne could make a few guesses. ‘Must have been Griselda Quarta.’ She deduced, knowing Xenovia’s history because of Durandal and her connection to the Mage of Swords. There was little time to ponder further, her swords crossing in front of her to block the angel’s double assault. ‘She is still considered the strongest woman of the Church. It certainly explained her instincts.’

A hasty retreat was the best Jeanne could do but Irina kept swinging. Not only that but she was avoiding direct contact with the screw-like sword’s tip. Her movements were deliberate enough that she always swung from the side against the blonde’s off hand. Worse for the terrorist was the fact that rapiers weren’t good defensive swords.

They were too light compared to a katana and the angel had enough strength on her arm that every swing threatened to cut off something important which was starting to make the older woman apprehensive.

‘I need to do something.’ Jeanne thought almost by impulse. “I still remember how things were when I was back with the Church!” Throwing the screw-like sword at the angel, she bought herself a second to make another rapier. One with a thicker guard and blade. “Bet that if you met me in the past, you would beg for an autograph!!”

“Probably!” Irina had no shame in admitting it. Hard to do so since Joan of Arc was an inspiration to many in her line of work. “But you aren’t Joan of Arc! You are a criminal! A monster who kills the innocent callously!!”

Their swords crossed over Jeanne’s head. “Monster? Me? These yoakais, your friends, the devils, they are the monsters!! We are just doing what the Church and Heaven lost the guts to do! Making way for Humanity’s future!!”

Irina allowed herself to be pushed back while opening her wings and maneuvering for an overhead swing to cut the blonde’s head in the middle. “Hiah!!!” Again the terrorist barely managed to block and live. “Every word you speak… is an insult to the Maid of Orleans!!!”

“Oh please! I am HER!!!!” Jeanne retorted with anger. “New life!! New me!!!”

“You can’t say that!!!” Irina fought to push her sword down while bringing the shorter one from the side to stab her enemy’s neck. However the rapiers crossed over and bashed the other swords away. “You aren’t her!! You can’t be her!!! Joan of Arc was-”

“A warrior!!! A hero before a Saint!!!” Her newest Holy Sword shone with orange light before forming a bigger sword of energy aimed to the angel’s chest. “I don’t need the voice of God or anyone else to know this world is wrong and somebody needs to cleanse it!!!”

Her blade of energy easily crushed the wakizashi in the angel’s grip and burned her hand but the brunette deflected it with her katana before going higher in the air to then descend with the tip aimed to her enemy’s forehead.

Pulling her taller rapier back, Jeanne allowed it to absorb the energy she had stockpiled before thrusting it forward. “La Riviere!!!” A bigger blade born of the angel’s own Light which she took with her main sword was unleashed.

Irina easily twisted in the air and avoided the collision while using her katana to ‘ride’ the sword’s length, keeping it at bay when the blonde tried to turn it. Her strength couldn't compare to the natural prowess of an angel so her weapon was stuck. Not that it would last much longer as the power she absorbed before wasn’t that much in the first place.

So she abandoned her newest sword and retreated from her position just as the brunette reached the ground and cut the earth where she once stood. A cloud of dust emerged from the impact but it was a small one allowing both women to watch each other when the angel raised her head.

“Balance-” Jeanne didn’t make it any farther before Irina charged again to skew her. Yet the terrorist barely managed to hide an arrogant smile as another rapier made its existence known in her left hand once more. “Screw Sword!!!”

“Not this time!!!” Turning in the air the angel turned her trust into a slash straight into the odd rapier, shattering it on the impact. Holy Energy covered her katana when she resumed her thrust but Light Eater intercepted the attack and weakened the sword. “Light Spear!!!”

But Irina planned for that and also prepared a weapon in her off hand aimed at the other woman's heart. A hidden Light that only revealed itself once fully manifested and ready to take its target’s life. Despite being a newly minted angel and still developing the skills of one, she managed to pull it off rather skillfully.

There were only two problems with that attack; she wasn’t good with a spear so her aim was a bit off and her energy was unstable meaning her surprise attack was a bit slower than it could have been.

Enough that Jeanne had time to discard the Screw Sword and make another Light Eater.

Her latest creation barely had time to make contact and the blonde still got hit, heat piercing her for a few instants. But Irina’s weapon didn’t last long enough to do much damage, the rapier devouring it just in time to stop it from going too deep.

Yet the angel didn’t stop the motion of her arm and Jeanne found a fist in her stomach which aggravated her wound. It was also a punch packed with superhuman strength, the sort of thing she shouldn’t suffer directly if it could be helped. Her armor and uniform were good, resistant, stronger than any kevlar, a marvel of magecraft so she wasn’t going to die.

Physics were still in effect on the other hand and even if kevlar was a material capable of stopping bullets, they could still do damage. It was relatively the same principle thanks to Irina’s strength.

An Ace’s strength which could be comparable to a Rook’s.

Or a Queen.

Jeanne was sent flying and there was little she could do to stop herself from rolling on the dirt and accumulating bruises. Her swords laid discarded and her body was twitching in pain when her face met the burnt grass. Barely raising her head, she had time to place her arms down and try to get up before puking her stomach’s contents.

Fortunately the effects from the potions she took wouldn’t leave her so easily but, ‘I am sure she broke something.’ The terrorist thought instinctively before hearing the flap of wings amidst the explosions from other battles. Irina was going for the kill and the blonde needed to get up or die. “You accursed… little bitch!” Her body still needed some time so she used the only thing that could still move; her mouth. “Do you… realize what you are doing? You are killing someone chosen by God!!”

Fury blazed in the brunette’s eyes as she stopped just above blonde with a Light Sword in her hand before speaking. “He is dead. And if He wasn’t then He would deal with you Himself!!!”

“Light Eater!” The new Holy Sword formed on Jeanne’s left hand fast enough to parry the angel’s strike. Yet the twin tailed woman allowed her hand to continue forward while lowering herself to touch the ground and send a kick towards the terrorist’s torso.

Jeanne barely dodged but Irina summoned two swords of Holy Light and threw them in her direction. Instead of hitting her enemy and risking touching Light Eater, the former Exorcist had them exploding by the sides to throw the blonde around. Weakened as she was, Jeanne was sent flying while summoning another Light Eater.

Irina’s glare was just as hot as another katana of Light which she made, the threat of death very evident to the blonde's eyes who took a couple of steps back. She no longer could abandon the two Light Eaters, their existence the only thing between her and a painful demise.

However she wouldn’t last very long either as she was running out of options and her body was about to give in.

Something two of her allies noticed; Gilgamesh who was busy with Xenovia and couldn’t send any support since the bluehead was blocking his weapons with swords of energy every time he tried.

And Siegfried who, arguably, was having the easiest time of his whole group facing his opponent. Indeed even Cao Cao inside the temple was having difficulties defeating Rossweisse thanks to the silver haired woman’s defense. Or better yet, deflection, since the Valkyrie wasn’t foolish enough to allow the tip of his spear to touch her or her shields.

Leaving only the white haired man capable of doing anything for his allies despite having his own fight. ‘Shit officially hit the fan.’ He managed to acknowledge humorously while being quite busy himself.

Just because he was dealing with his opponent better than his allies didn’t mean he was in an absolute advantage, Kiba was proving himself a worthy opponent.

When their duel began both sides introduced themselves. “Name is Siegfried but I imagine you already know that.”

“Yes, Shirou spoke about you. Researched a lot about your family, more precisely your Legendary ancestor, too.” The Knight’s eyes shifted towards the Noble Phantasm in his hands; the most powerful demonic sword he had ever laid his eyes on. “Wonder if the original would be proud if their descendant found his sword or offended it turned demonic like that.”

“Hahahaha. Aaaaah, Honestly, I have no clue.” Siegfried admitted while holding Balmung with two hands. “Not if he would care or if he is my ancestor in the first place.”

“What do you mean?” Kiba asked as everybody else started fighting. Noticing Gilgamesh killing everybody in the area he gritted his teeth and positioned himself for a dash. “Forget it. My name is Yuuto Kiba and in the name of my King, Rias Gremory, I will deliver you to Justice.”

“A devil talking about Justice against a hero? That is rich!” Thus their fight began and it was quite an unfair one.

Kiba’s Sword Birth was an excellent sacred gear and the best one for any swordsman, its demonic swords able to grow with the user meant that they could reach great heights while keeping up with their owner.

Balmung was just far superior in every level since it was a Noble Phantasm but also a Dragon Slayer which drank the blood of Fafnir when slaying the Dragon King in single combat making it even stronger than it already should be.

When used effectively Balmung could easily take down an army or break any barrier and even if the current Siegfried couldn’t compare to his namesake, in his hands it was still far more lethal than anything Kiba could make.

As their fight began the Knight saw dozens of his blades destroyed in just as many seconds but the blond surprised Siegfried by shrugging off their destruction with ease. Whenever he lost a sword, he would just make another. Then another and another and another while evading the white haired man’s strikes everytime they got too close.

Which was frustrating. ‘He isn’t just fast. He is faster than any Knight I have faced before.’ In fact Kiba was faster than any of his peers struck down by Balmung over the last few years. Stomping forward, the Noble Phantasm shone with power before being brought down, shattering another two blades. ‘And so-’ another huge sword took their place in the devil’s hands who was already spinning for a swing, ‘-he brings out another one!’

Sparks flashed as steel greeted steel before the devil found himself getting pushed back as the Noble Phantasm turned to the side, aiming for his legs. Making a leap backwards, the Knight slammed his sword on the ground to raise a cloud of dust. Only to watch it be dismissed with a swing of Balmung but by that point Kiba was nowhere in sight.

At least for a moment because the white haired man caught something from the corner of his eye. A fairly huge blade, far more than he should be carrying, rested on Kiba’s shoulder before he threw a wide swing. Gritting his teeth, Balmung rose to meet it, shattering the blade easily.

Far too easily because inside the giant sword there was a classic two edged bastard sword of a more manageable size that was free to greet the world once its outer shell, taking advantage of the chaos for a surprise attack.

Siegfried brought his sword back up defensively, holding it into a reverse stance and allowing the hidden sword to meet it. “You aren’t that strong, are you?” The white haired man questioned bluntly. “I had noticed before but your fighting style prioritizes speed. A bit too much.”

His sword destroyed once again, Kiba called forth Holy Eraser if just because it was his favorite. “‘To the detriment of everything else’. Right, right. I heard that before!!” The demonic swords clashed again and the blond too noted how little effort his opponent was placing in his blows. ‘He is distracted.’ Opportunities like those were rare and he was going to take advantage of it by rushing back a few steps and shouting. “Balance-”

A blade of pure mana almost cut him in half. “None of that.” Siegfried took a step forward while bringing his Noble Phantasm above his head to finish the fight. “Balmung!!”

A laser sword covered most of the ground in front of him, forcing Kiba to fly. “-Break! Blade-” Then he saw two European stylized swords which pulsed with power flying in his direction. Shifting gears he summoned another sword in his hands and parried them both, losing focus. “Are those- They feel like-”

“Noble Phantasms?” A voice emerged behind the devil and he turned just enough to see the white haired man floating behind him, Balmung swinging to his neck.

The Knight bended forward and barely evaded the blow thanks to his speed. Completing his turn in the air he brought both of his swords forward to block the follow up, losing them. Already repeating his previous actions, two more swords appeared in his hands to intercept a third strike that never came.

Because Siegfried wasn’t really floating and gravity brought him back to the earth. “For a minute I thought-” The sound of blades cutting through the air caught his attention and he dodged backwards but was still struck on his left shoulder and right leg. The terrorist’s weapons had turned around and almost killed him. ‘When did- Those swords are like Kanshou and Bakuya? No.’ He paid attention to how the white haired man was a few meters away from his weapons with nothing to guide them. ‘He planned this.’

“Balmung!” A stream of wind-like mana emerged from a thrust and almost shot Kiba from the sky. “Oi, oi, oi. If you are planning to stay there,” red mana began pouring from the jewel in the handle as he turned the sword towards a specific part of the temple, “I may as well kill another devil!”

The part where several yokais were being taken care of by the Gremory’s Bishop. “Asia!!!” Kiba dove at full speed as lava-like mana shot from the demonic sword towards his companion and arrived with plenty of time to mount a defense. “Sword Birth!!!”

A wall of steel stood between the Noble Phantasm’s attack, the Knight, his friend and the wounded. The clash lasted little for the sword’s True Name hadn’t been evoked so its power wasn’t fully behind the attack. Yet the message was clear; ‘Keep avoiding me and I will kill someone else.’

“Not a single shred of honour from terrorists.” Kiba commented with bitterness.

“Kiba-kun!” The Bishop began approaching to take care of his wounds.

“Stay back, Asia!” But he couldn’t risk Siegfried focusing on her any longer. Attacking a doctor in battle was literally illegal by human laws but if the man didn’t care he wouldn’t give him an incentive. ‘I can try to go for the Balance Breaker again but…’ Not with Asia at his back, the risk was too high. So the Knight accelerated to the right, jumping the leftovers of his wall while dashing towards the terrorist. ‘He is still distracted.’

Mostly because he was trying to come up with some ideas to help his allies. ‘Just throwing swords won’t help anybody.’ Gilgamesh was shooting around far more impressive treasures anyway and it certainly wasn’t working. Sure his secondary weapons were swords of certain renown but he only had two Noble Phantasms and hesitated using his second one. ‘Actually, maybe the problem is… Hmm, that can work…’

His time to think ended with Kiba suddenly showing up from his left with a powerful thrust that wouldn’t be easily blocked. Realizing his bad positioning, Siegfried raised his cloak and the distinct cling of metal hitting metal resonated between them. The Knight was confused but not undetained so he changed his strike into a slash to the chest.

Only for Balmung to block the strike, the white haired man held the heavy sword with one hand while his other hand moved to grab something from his left. Already quessing it was another sword the devil ducked and avoided a cut from a thin teal colored blade with a chilling aura.

If that wasn’t a good enough hint, its guard looked like a snowflake which justified the air around them freezing over around Kiba’s legs. “How many,” unable to run for a second, he called forth another of his creations, “swords do you have?! Flame Sword!”

It was Siegfried’s turn to retreat as he hid the ice sword back on his cloak and began running towards the other two. “Just another one… Well, technically.” He grabbed his downed weapons as the Knight finished melting the ice around his legs. “Don’t be so surprised.” Balmung blocked the Flame Sword and its fire before he twisted the weapon to dissipate the leftovers with the Noble Phantasm’s mana. “Doesn’t the Mage of Swords carry around a bunch as well or he just trusts his magic? Will be disappointed if he is just ‘magic or die’.”

Holy Eraser and another Flame Sword manifested, Balmung breaking the latter while he grabbed a sword from the ground to block the former. “Are you human?” Kiba called for another Flame Sword but the terrorist dodged to the right and kicked the remaining weapon on the ground towards the blond. Who repelled it with one of his weapons while sending a wave of fire towards the white haired man. “A human shouldn't have that much energy to use Balmung… like that.” He finished while the sword began turning slightly red, its aura eating the demonic flame. “You also carry at least five swords in your cloak like nothing despite not using magic. Training may compensate for that but the way you are using them… All of them have powers and you are throwing them around like darts and with a scary precision.”

Just because most of them weren’t Noble Phantasms didn’t mean the other swords couldn’t do damage on their own like the ice sword proved. Not only that but since the fight began the devil had a feeling that the other swords were far more dangerous than they looked, his sharp eyes catching traces of aura in each.

Sure they weren’t Crystalized Legends, their appearance and powers indicated prestige but not of the sort which was eternal, didn’t make them any less dangerous. If anything the unknown only made Kiba nervous since their edge could undoubtedly still cut him even if they weren’t Noble Phantasms.

But the worst thing was that Siegfried was using those weapons and their abilities constantly without showing any traces of fatigue. Balmung alone, even if he couldn't use its full power, should be eating him alive. Yet he just used it to repel the Fire and stare at the devil with a calculating look.

Taking advantage of the space between them, Kiba remade Holy Eraser while preparing his Balance Breaker as fast as he could. ‘Doesn’t matter what sorts of tricks he is pulling. Blade Brotherhood is going to crush him-’ 

“Let me guess what you're thinking.” The terrorist interrupted his train of thought. “‘This guy can’t be human’ and ‘Balmung should have sucked him dry by this point’. Am I off the mark?”

“Not as crass as the last one but yes, I am thinking on similar lines.” Kiba replied while holding his sword close, expecting some sort of foul play.

He was correct, “Of all people,” Siegfried was looking for a distraction, “you should be the last one to question his fellow man. Or did turning into a devil rot your brain?”

“You are no ‘fellow’ of mine.” Assuming a wide stance, the Knight raised his sword close to his face before pointing it at his enemy’s heart, threatening a dash. It was feint, something to force the white haired man to stay in the defense.

Siegfried man chose to talk instead. “No, we are ‘fellows’ alright. Peers would be the better word since we both were part of ‘Church’s Science’ as I like to call it.”

A lump of hot coal fell in Kiba's gut. “Are you saying… You were part of the Holy Sword Project?” That was impossible because the blond knew the name of every single one of his siblings, their faces carved in his heart forever.

“Yes, I heard that was the name of your ‘summer camp’. Mine was different, I wasn’t as lucky.” Siegfried made sure to keep his tone far from casual.

Despite that his words clearly offended the Knight. “‘Lucky’? You call the death of my family after years of experiments and gruesome training ‘lucky’?”

“... Well, you weren’t born in it or maybe even born because of it? Sometimes I am not even sure.” The terrorist replied and Kiba found his rage waning once again. “Have you met your parents? Me neither but I heard they were volunteers for the initial experiment. Devotees of the Church who saw the chance of making a contribution because they had the right blood.”

“The right blood… The blood of Siegfried.”

“Or Sigurd. Honestly not even the guys there had a clue of whose blood they were getting. ‘Too similar family lines’ or so they said.” He chuckled bitterly. “Didn’t even know the bastards, you see. The Church had me and a couple of others grow in test tubes. Oh, they told me how devoted my parents were while I worked for them. I confess it helped get over some of the training they had me and a couple of others endure. Ever heard of Freed Sellzen?” That name filled the Knight’s eyes with even more confusion, exactly what Siegfried wanted. “He was another of their lab rats. Our hair wasn’t originally white, it was their experiments with mana, Holy and a bunch of other stuff that made us like that.” Letting go of Balmung with one hand, the terrorist began spinning one of his fingers beside his temple. “That was how Freed went cuckoo if you want to know. While I, well…”

“What happened to you?” Kiba’s voice was full of empathy, forgetting about the battle raging around them and the recently dead for a few moments while dealing with his own ghosts.

“Either Siegfried or Sigurd, doesn’t matter, they succeeded in creating someone capable of holding a… particular sword.” Moving his shoulders, the white haired man felt the weight on his back waiting to be unleashed. But not yet if he could help it because, “If I could choose, I hope to be the descendant of Siegfried. His armor was cooler even if he had a weakness on his back.” Balmung shone in his hand. “That's why I prefer this sword, you see. Paid a pretty penny to get it while in the Church. Oh yeah, I worked for them for a couple of years and when I found Balmung everything started clicking… Then I met Cao Cao and Gilgamesh. From that moment on I knew the Church was full of crap.”

His rage was genuine and Kiba could understand it deep in his bones. His rage against the World wasn’t just prejudice or annoyance with the status quo, it was personal. Siegfried wanted vengeance against the organization that created him and even if he didn’t say it outloud he also blamed the angels that led it.

And if God was alive then he would be the target of a desire for revenge far stronger than anything Kiba himself ever had even in his worst moments. That realization made the Knight drop his guard slightly for a moment. A very short moment, one second in fact.

One simple second.

It was exactly what Siegfried was after that whole time and why he went into his backstory, the Hero Faction having acquired everything they could about the Gremory Heiress and her Pieces meaning he knew how to use that to pull the Kiba’s heartstrings.

From there he could either gain a decisive victory or at least put his plan in motion to help his allies and change the battle in their favor. Regardless, perhaps because of his methods, the aura around Balmung grew more demonic. Its teal greenish gentle colour vanished into red while gaining a new sort of bloodlust.

At least it fitted with the piece of equipment that showed up over his right arm, a Divine Artifact with draconic properties that inhabited his soul; a sacred gear, one that looked a lot like the current residence of the Original Red Dragon Emperor’s soul.

But certainly it wasn’t because it was too weak for that.

Unlike Ise’s Boosted Gear it wasn’t one of the Longinus nor it had the soul of a Legendary dragon even if it held the essence of one. It was also smaller, lacking details of gold and the green gem predominant on the Boosted Gear. It couldn’t be even called a proper gauntlet and was instead an army guard, a quite bulky one at that.

“Twice Critical.” But its power could be devastating in the right circumstances even if as far as sacred gears went it could be called mass produced. However its ability was extremely similar to Ddraig’s Boosts; it could double its owner power every ten seconds, no stacking, no extra, no doubling on itself.

It just doubles the owner's original power for ten seconds.

“Balmung!!!”

Just enough to fortify a single attack.

Combined with the Demonic Sword in his hands, which bathed in dragon’s blood and was compatible with that sacred gear, the red streak of energy grew so much in size that Kiba realized he couldn't dodge it.

“Sword Birth!!! Instant Blizzard!!!” Walls of steel and his own ice sword came to his hand in a desperate defense. He only had time to swing once to fortify his barrier before Balmung’s red mana hit.

An explosion and a flash of light took over the temple, both of which could be seen and heard from all of Kyoto’s yokai side. Siegfried didn’t have time to admire his handwork, his body was already in motion, running not towards where his opponent was, possibly still alive.

No, he was running towards his friend. “Herc!!! Switch with me!!!” Teal coloured mana returned to the Demonic Sword as a little of its Holy presence made itself known. “Balmung!!!”

[Watch out!!!] Ddraig felt the Dragon Slayer attack coming before it did. He had been aware of the Demonic Sword from the very beginning and was more than happy to let Kiba deal with it. [Kill the giant! Fast! Or they are going to team you up!!]

With that sort of warning, Ise began pulling more power from body and calling his flames. ‘Sorry about this.’ He apologized to the yokais around the garden. And whoever would have to fix it later. “Scarlet Mail!!!”

From the Red Dragon Emperor’s body emerged a tower of Fire which he channeled into his mouth piece before blasting all of it towards Heracles who was slowly getting up from the beating he had been subjected to.

With his friend about to die from a huge fireball, Siegfried let go of Balmung with a hand and quickly touched a mark on his back, just below the nap of his neck. It was drawn in black ink with the shape of a blocky dragon with its claws out, the tattoo held a weight of its own despite being small.

Of course it did since its main purpose was serving as a storage for one of the most powerful swords of Man. A powerful weapon with a long History that, to take control of it, the Church went to painful lengths to artificially create someone to wield it. Not only did they manipulate his parents for them to contribute to a son but went so far to genetically modify him.

Because times changed and science was deemed a tool of God.

They succeeded and that person worked for them for most of his teenage years, only leaving the organization once he learned the truth, growing hateful of the Church and the World itself.

Joining the Hero Faction, that boy took the name of Siegfried and the weapon he was born to wield was, “GRAM!!!!!” His roar shook the air as a pale green light emerged from his back on his hand forming a blade of tremendous power, throwing it before it was fully formed in his grip.

A monstrous sword taller than he was, two edges sharper than even Balmung which extended all the way to one side of the handle and produced a second blade the size of a short sword, spikes covering the guard, the middle of the blade and below the handle which should be pointing towards its owner cut through the air.

Truly a dangerous weapon unlike any other, especially against dragons which was proven by stabbing the ground in front of Heracles and blocking the fireball like nothing with a wall of green mana.

[Another Dragon Slaying Sword? What is this? Are they for sale now?] Ddraig commented out loud but just for Ise he said. [Careful, Partner. That weapon is powerful and extremely so. I have no doubt that if it was used properly it could even have killed me back in my prime.]

The warning resonated with the Pawn who turned his attention to Siegfried who reached his weapon and Heracles once the fire died down. “Ddraig, going to need more Boosts. Let’s go to the limit!”

[That is what I like to hear! Boost! Boost!!! Boost!!!]

The Red Dragon Emperors prepared to face both men but the smaller one grabbed Gram with his left hand and said. “Come on, Herc. Let’s switch. I’m better against dragons anyway and wasn’t your namesake known for hunting dangerous birds or something?”

Heracles chuckled in humor, understanding his friend’s plan. “Heh. Sure, why not?!!”

After an explosion from his feet the giant was dashing away, much to a certain dragon’s frustration. “Get back here!!!” Ise spit a new wave of Fire towards the giant.

Stabbing Balmung on the ground because he needed both hands for Gram, Siegfried moved to stand against the storm of flames. “Twice Critical!” And by that time ten seconds had passed since his first real strike so he could use his sacred gear again. “Hyaaaaah!!!”

Calling Gram’s True Name would be overkill for him so all the white haired man could do was swing which was already enough since Sigurd’s sword was his most powerful weapon because of a couple of factors.

First; it was a proper Demonic Sword meaning its energy was stable.

Second; it was a Dragon Slayer sword so even if its power was just double than its base there was enough to challenge the Red Dragon Emperor’s full might.

Their clash unleashed a shockwave of green and red that spread over the battlefield as the terrorist held his ground with a furious grin in his face. “That is the best,” eventually Gram cut down the draconic Fire in half, “you can do?! Come on! Come on! Show me why the Welsh Dragon is actually scary!!”

“Grr.” Ise was about to charge when he noticed where Heracles was actually going. “Irina-”

When he dared to fly towards the angel, Gram appeared on his way with a wide swing that scratched his shoulder, basically ignoring his armor. “Tch.” Siegfried had aimed for the neck.

Fortunately Irina had heard her childhood’s friend prompting her to turn and notice the charging Heracles who was basically flying at her with Variant Detonation’s aura almost solely focused on his left arm.

Every step opened a hole, the kinetic force of the explosions prompting him forward with an absurd speed until he was a just blur. Nevertheless he kept pushing for he was the descendant of Heracles, the Greatest of Greeks, that speed wasn’t going to kill him. Also he had several potions in his blood stream keeping him functional.

Irina only had two seconds to react and her position wasn’t a good one, she was about to throw several spears on Jeanne again to corner the woman and stab her with a sword only to suddenly have to abandon offense for a desperate defense against a giant packing enough explosive power to bring down a castle.

“Lord,” her Holy Light transformed from weapons into shields between her and Heracles, “please give me strength.”

With that prayer Irina braced for impact as best as she could. Her barrier wasn’t strong and her skill was lacking so she took damage. Far more damage than an inexperienced angel like her should and her body was sent flying all the way to the other side of the garden.

“IRINA!!!!!” The Red Dragon Emperor tried to go help again but Gram blocked his path and once more he almost lost an arm. “Shit! Fuck off!! Dragon Shot!!!”

Bending his knees and placing the Demonic Sword above his head, Siegfried redirected the blast with gritted teeth as the searing heat almost finished him off. Almost but not quite, his defense successfully bought him time to move out of the way as the energy exploded behind him.

At least his allies were safe, Heracles falling to a knee and holding his side. “Are you alright, Herc?” A concerned Jeanne asked.

“That damn dragon broke a couple of ribs.” More than a couple and several other bones but the giant wouldn’t. He was still breathing after all. “That angel isn’t down.” He warned while looking at the path made of blood and feathers where at its end Irina dragged herself to her feet. The woman was bleeding from her forehead and right arm, her twin tails gone leaving her hair a mess. “We both are almost out so let me deal with her.”

“Then I,” Jeanne stood up and brought her rapier closer to her face, “shall crush everyone else. Balance Breaker! Stake Victim Dragon!!!”

With that the egg of steel finally emerged fully and managed to hatch as the blonde’s power began flooding the area. No longer she cared about holding back since Yasaka was deep in the temple and wouldn't suspect a thing.

“Balance Breaker!!” However the space she gained to unleash her full power was also afforded to someone else. Yuuto Kiba also stood with much cost after suffering the wrath of Balmung, his left side burned and bleeding but still in the fight. “Blade Brotherhood!!!”

The incarnation of his family, the knights which would stand by his side whatever the cost, took shape around the Knight of Gremory. All of them came in their distinct colours like before but the devil had been practicing modifying their forms. Overall they weren’t identical to each other, their builds still formed by the images of the brothers and sisters he lost.

But their armors came far more bulkier than when he used them against Sona Peerage, their swords irradiating slightly draconic properties mixed with their natural demonic aura making them into minor Dragon Slayer blades.

Across the battlefield both blondes acknowledged each other not only because their Balance Breakers were similar but also because their sacred gears were two sides of the same coin.

Sword Birth, the Creator of Demonic Blades stood against Blade Blacksmith, Creator of Holy Swords. In their minds both sides wished to exchange some words, comments, even held some desire to share ideas to further the understanding of their own sacred gears. Current circumstances would never allow that.

““Attack!!!”” Instead their creations got into the fray quickly, the colourful knights led by their golden leader struck against the dragon of steel which roared with fury.

Heracles watched as the constructs of metal charged at each other before looking around and realizing he was surrounded. The surviving guards, mostly who were healed by Asia or found their courage seeing the invaders being pushed back, made their return with murderous eyes.

Between them was a furious angel who tried and failed to fly as one of her wings was broken. Nevertheless the girl, whose hair was disheveled after missing her twin tails, summoned a spear to prop herself up before turning it around. They all aimed their weapons at the giant who couldn’t help but chuckle nervously.

Usually his confidence in his own physical prowess would have him facing those odds with eagerness but his body was reaching its limits and his focus was starting to fail him making his aura flicker.

Realistically his last attack on Irina sapped most of his energy and he only had one or two good explosions left on him before Variant Detonation stopped working. It was just simply the fact he reached his limit, the Red Dragon Emperor’s merciless attacks did so much damage he couldn’t even use his Balance Breaker.

His most powerful weapon completely out of reach, Heracles decided to go down swinging.

‘That dragon really almost did me in…’ Cracking his neck and presenting a bloodthirst smile at his enemies, the giant challenged, “Bring it on you bunch of wimps!! See what the mighty Heracles will do with you all!!!” His words were full of bluster and the yokais couldn’t help but hesitate. The terrorist then looked at his leader, his only hope was that Gilgamesh saved his skin because their fear wasn’t going to last long. ‘Well shit. He’s busy-’

For the first time Heracles was forced to dodge something, choosing to save Variant Detonation for more dangerous attacks. However he wasn’t foolish enough to take a Holy Spear on his chest if he could help it so he jumped to the right, almost crashing on the dirt because of his weakened state.

“Do not hesitate! Shatter! Break these criminals who dare to invade your home!! Justice is with us!!!” Irina inspired the men around her who roared with eagerness and determination.

Before them was one of the invaders whose very presence endangers their city, whose machinations twisted one of the kings and protectors to no longer see their plight for some unknown reason.

They were afraid after seeing the Hero Faction’s power but that wasn’t enough reason for them to retreat. They were the defenders of the Central Temple, the last line of defense of Kyoto and there was an enemy on sight. All the angel did was remind those men that they had a duty and even if it cost them their lives Kyoto would be protected.

And so they charged the weakened Heracles who could only punch his way out, Variant Detonation focused only on deflecting weapons while his eyes glanced at the stumbling angel every once in a while because despite her inability to join the fray because her spears were the most deadly weapons present by far.

His situation was desperate and once again he looked at his leader for support. None would be found there for Gilgamesh was having his own problems. For he wasn’t the real King Gilgamesh, the First Hero. Just a descendant that for the first time in his life began thinking that he was over his head.

Enki crossed paths with Durandal again but his arms were growing tired as the potions he took started to wear off. Adding to his troubles was Durandina almost taking his arm with a long swipe as Xenovia pulled herself slightly back to prepare a thrust with the Peerless Sword.

“Durandal!!!” Her thrust also carried the Holy Light of her Noble Phantasm, his defense arriving just a second too late and his last defensive ring breaking upon impact.

Gilgamesh, once the man known as Angelo, leader of the Hero Faction, crashed on the ground hard and rolled around uncontrollably. Getting to all fours, he glared at the masked bluehead who was already flying in his direction to finish him off.

“Gate of Babylon!!” He had no choice but resort to his ancestor’s Vault and hoped something in there could stop Xenovia.

Yet she wasn’t the same person he fought months ago back in Fuyuki, her movements were more fluid and she had no issue dodging the dozens of swords trying to impale her. Some came close but her own swords blocked them all until she was close enough to attack again.

A double diagonal slash went towards Gilgamesh’s head but the Gate of Babylon dropped three shields between him and the woman. They weren’t Noble Phantasms so they were cut into pieces like paper but they hid his body long enough the blond could get some distance while combining his swords.

Just to get a hand free to draw something else from the Vault. “You are stronger but I am Gilgamesh!!” A crooked staff made of gold and blue, one that belonged to a famous pharaoh who built an empire which vanished only because time caught up with it, took shape. “Come mighty defender! Come protect my kingdom!!”

That was far from the fist spell he had used that day and his labored breathing and ever reduced reserves were proof of his efforts. The man had thrown hundreds of Noble Phantasms, priceless treasures and many more of the Gate’s contents against the former Exorcist.

Nothing was working, her Noble Gear protecting her when he tried a cloud of venom and her skills with two swords dealing with everything else. He couldn’t even blame the fact half of his attention was also on dealing with the yokais in the area for that effort was small compared to facing Durandal’s Owner.

One way or another he would grow tired before she did because no matter how much the man wished he was the Original Gilgamesh the fact was that he wasn’t. The King of Heroes was a being above even his peers, a demigod so powerful he dared to challenge the gods themselves.

Using the Gate of Babylon was like running the fastest sports car on the planet; it had everything one could wish for a Noble Phantasm but the demand for fuel was ever present, not even counting its contents or how he would pay for their powers when using them.

Much like the staff in his hand, a symbol of the pharaohs and not compatible with him at all. “Rise mighty Sphinx!!! Rise!!!” Yet he used it anyway because he was running out of alternatives.

The most powerful treasures were beyond his reach and every drop of mana wasted closed more of the avenues he needed to pull out the truly destructive stuff. An example of a trump card no longer playable was the Surge of Utnapishtim. Not that he would use it either way, his goal wasn’t Kyoto’s destruction.

He was just getting far more cornered than expected.

Cornered and desperate.

For he wasn’t the Original Gilgamesh and having the Gate of Babylon didn’t make him its master. Another effect imposed on him for that fact was the extra effort to use some treasures since they weren’t the Prototype of Noble Phantasms that ‘anyone’ could use.

They were from his family’s own vaults, riches accumulated over the years which couldn’t compare to the Original but still packed a punch.  Because of that he needed a longer aria to make it work which was draining and wasteful since his opponent wasn’t necessarily going to just wait for him.

Indeed while he managed to form a lion’s body made of blue metal, it was cut down by Xenovia before his guardian took shape leaving him open when the Durandina came by for a follow up swing from above.

With Enki as a double sword, Gilgamesh’s defense was suddenly more limited. He tried to retreat after their clash but Durandal came back with a vengeance, forcing him to use what he had on hand.

Resulting in the staff getting cut. “Hey! That was a relic of-”

“I don’t care!!!” Xenovia declared while slashing away at the blond. Abandoning the ruined staff he did his best to endure her assault with Enki alone because she was too close to the Gate of Babylon to be effective. “You are dead!!!”

Holy Light complemented her last few slashes and Gilgamesh found Enki getting parried away above his head leaving him exposed to the bronze sword’s edge fast approaching from his right to separate his chest from the rest of him.

“Not going to happen!!!” A voice interrupted their battle forcing Xenovia to spin in place and cross her swords in front of herself to block the most powerful sacred gear in the world. True Longinus greeted Durandal and their Holy Energies clashed for a moment before the woman was sent flying. “You alright?”

“Cao Cao? Is the situation that bad you had to come rescue me?” Gilgamesh asked while separating Enki. He easily recognized why his friend abandoned the surprise attack to shout at the knight.

If the slash had continued even if the black haired man had killed Xenovia, Gilgamesh would also be dead. “You tell me. Problems breathing?” It was his first time seeing the Hero Faction’s leader so weakened which prompted the rescue. “Don’t die on us now. We are so close. If you get killed everything we did is going to be for nothing.”

Brushing off those words, the blond asked. “What about the Valkyrie?” His answer was followed by the silver haired woman emerging from the temple and flying up high. There were several cuts on her arms and legs but for the most part she didn’t look worse for wear when landing across them, her spear aimed at Cao Cao’s throat. “Never mind. I can see you were also having some troubles.”

“Hahaha! I am not the one looking half dead on his feet!!” He moved to stand in front of his friend, his sacred gear pulsing with power.

From the side they heard Xenovia return her armor’s thrusters. “Easy for you to say when your weapon costs basically nothing to use.” They were back to back when the two women surrounded and started circling them, looking for a weakness. “The Valkyrie should be dead if you were that good.”

“Don’t underestimate the warriors of Asgard.” Rossweisse hissed, feeling insulted but also remembered she was exiled. Nevertheless her focus was in the fight so, “Xenovia, don’t let that spear get close. Its range is deceiving and its edge can break any of my shields.”

“Gilgamesh is almost falling down. One or two good hits and he is as good as dead.” The knight reported professionally. Coldly as she planned the man’s death. “We get him first then deal with Cao Cao.”

“Saying all that to our faces… You two are really confident.” The spearman replied jovially with a healthy dose of sarcasm. He couldn’t really challenge their assessment when his ally looked ready to take a nap at any moment. “But we aren’t going to make it easy.”

“It hasn’t been easy since the beginning.” Gilgamesh commented upon noticing he no longer could keep more than two or so portals open at once. Something the yokais also realized, the soldiers starting to stand up to join their allies. “This is just getting better and better. How long has it been?”

Hearing the blond’s whisper, Cao Cao whispered back. “It should be done already. If anything has gone wrong then we are screwed.” Despite that the man couldn’t help but laugh at the platoon of yokais who fell in step with the women and looked ready to pounce. “Oh joy! So many monsters to kill just two humans!! What an honor!”

“The only monsters here are you! Don’t you even care how many you killed?!!” Rossweisse asked with barely contained fury. Only True Longinus kept her cautious as the man always pointed it in her direction.

“Hmm, I will go with ‘no’.” Cao Cao’s petulance annoyed the group but nobody advanced immediately. They didn’t want to take any risks, much to his amusement and frustration. ‘In a situation like this retreating would be for the best.’

Heracles was basically down for the count if barely holding on, Jeanne had unleashed her Balance Breaker but was forced to use her dragon defensively else she could be attacked by any of Kiba’s knights, Siegfried was in the best situation of them all but he could barely attack as well.

That was not even commenting on Gilgamesh who was almost out of energy. ‘Well, it isn’t like we can retreat anyway.’ Illya had her part to play and it was fundamental, the bedrock of all their future plans. “Seems we are in a bit of a pickle.”

“Can’t really disagree with that.” Already having drunk dozens of magical concoctions and used many more Noble Phantasms, the man’s body was about to give in. “Looks like we don’t have a choice but to kill everyone here.” His tone was stronger than any expected and even Xenovia found herself hesitant.

“Hahaha! Sure! Sure! Easier said than done!!” Yet Cao Cao knew he was right. With how much they lost for that plan it was all or nothing. His True Longinus shone in answer to his desires but he held back since its Balance Breaker was something beyond his control. “Look on the bright side; things can’t get any worse.”

The blond was about to curse him when they all felt a shift inside their souls, something all in the Hero Faction must have felt. “Well I will be-”

His line was cut short because of the new army of yokais arriving at the temple entrance led by a pair of furious hanyous with some devils and a magus in the mix. “Are they-”

“The Hero Faction!” Luvia interrupted Issei who fixed his glasses as they entered the temple. A quick gaze told the tale; corpses everywhere, Asia working around the clock to fix everyone she could and of course the enemy who was bloody but not dead. “It seems they didn’t need reinforcements.”

Towa growled with rage before stepping forward and unleashing her blade from its scabbard revealing there was no steel, just her energy generating a thin katana that still packed enough heat to melt flesh if push came to shove.

“So these are the so-called terrorists?! You really dared to invade Kyoto!!” Her pale blue youki fluctuated around her but her blade remained stable. Her eyes zoomed on Gilgamesh who was grinning from ear to ear. “I hope you realize this is a death sentence.”

“Maybe we can spare one or two of them?” Tomoe suggested cautiously as she felt the tension from the army around them. Almost every yokai who could fight had joined in once they heard the explosion from the Central Temple.

Nonetheless the devils were smart enough to realize they weren’t running the show so when a furious Towa turned towards the Knight of Sitri she fell silent while holding Usumidori, ready to be drawn if needed.

Tsubasa also was carrying Galahad’s shield in her back but was already repositioning it on her hands once they arrived at the temple. Those Noble Phantasms caught Gilgamesh and Cao Cao’s eye, one with disdain and the other with curiosity.

“I have wanted to ‘greet’ Sona Sitri’s Peerage for a while.” The blond began, vitriol pouring from his throat. “How dare you devils?! None of you should be walking around with those Noble Phantasms!! You have no right-”

A flash of light and Enki blocked a slash of energy courtesy of Towa. “You want to speak about RIGHTS?!!!! After invading our home?!!!”

“Towa,” Setsuna tried to speak in a soothing tone, “the rest of the Khaos Brigade is still at large. We should take some prisoners.” With their numbers and so many fresh fighters entering the fray it should be easy.

Rin felt an unease in her chest. ‘Something is wrong.’ Despite being surrounded as the fight died down the leaders of the Hero Faction looked extremely calm. ‘Why is the fight dying down in the first place? They should be struggling to survive.’ A glance told her most of their enemies couldn't keep fighting save one or two exceptions. They were too wounded, too exhausted and still too calm for her tastes. ‘Either they haven’t given up yet or… Is this some sort of ploy?’

“For what it is worth, we- no, I apologize for the grief we imposed in you and your fair city.” Gilgamesh surprised the whole garden with a remorseful tone, Cao Cao rolling his eyes at the display. “Of all creatures of the night I respect you all the most. You who live in harmony with the human world by staying in your corner. If there was another alternative, we wouldn't have attacked you.” His red eyes began glowing as his soul began singing a new tune. The preparations were done and every member of the Hero Faction felt the connection they built with Illya grow tangible. “For all this death I apologize but it wasn’t in vain. Your suffering was necessary and for Humanity’s sake you will have to suffer some more.”

“Kill him! Kill him now!!!” Rin’s screams shocked her friends but she had to warn them. Something inside her snapped and panicked, knowing the King of Heroes had something up his sleeve.

Completely forgetting the men before her wasn’t Gilgamesh, just his blood.

Regardless, Setsuna listened to her friend and charged her naginata with green youki while Sagi unleashed Absorption Line in a panic, Momo and Reya firing spells in sync with the magus who threw a jewel brimming with energy towards the terrorist.

Only for everything to fall apart when a pillar of mana emerged from the Central Temple making all eyes turn in its direction to watch it fall apart. Like the bark of a tree, that pillar developed branches of energy that shot through the sky and crashed against the city’s barrier.

Not really fighting it but almost consuming it, everyone’s existence flickering between both sides of Kyoto before stabilizing since the goal wasn’t its destruction, just to take most of its power into the pillar itself.

Meanwhile, the ruby Rin had trew towards Gilgamesh vanished when some of the ‘branches’ descended from heaven on the Hero Faction, all five disappearing in flashes of light that hid them from everyone.

“What is going on?!” Towa demanded answers from anyone and Luvia turned to Rin with suspicion.

“I don’t know.” The black haired magus confessed as the light diminished. “Oh no.”

Then they all felt waves of power rolling in the garden; Divine, human and draconic auras took over the heart of the yokai’s city. [This is- Dragon Slayer and… Demigod but also… No, this is beyond any of that!]

‘Ddraig?’ Ise questioned his Partner as all the hair of his body stood up and he began shaking. Ever since surviving inside the Dragon Territory he thought his days of fearing a fight were something from the past.

Whatever the Hero Faction had done proved him wrong because he was feeling more fear than he ever had in his life. Surviving Fenrir and Loki did the contrary and gave him confidence. The Red Dragon Emperor didn’t believe himself invincible or anything similar but he was confident that no matter the enemy, he and his friends could figure something out.

Not that time, not against whatever the Hero Faction was becoming.

When the light flickered away everyone could only stare at the imposing figures that stood in the place of who could only have been called human before. No longer they could be considered that species but at the same time they weren’t actually different, at least on the surface.

Because anybody from the moonlit world could feel their power making the very air shake.

A gold armor with black lines focusing on the chest with a vibrant red sash protected the new King of Heroes who for the first time exuded a presence that was more than worthy of the moniker.

A blue armor with a tortoise pattern, baggy pants and an imperial topknot which pulled most of his own hair neatly except for a small bang over his left eye were suddenly worn by the True Longinus’ owner but he found himself curious about the jian sword that had appeared on the right side of his waist.

The giant of their group had the most odd equipment while at the same time being the best armed with a giant club-like sword on his right hand, a bow on his lower back paired with a full quiver on his left side, a pair of pouches on his red belt carrying contents unknown to all but himself and a giant lion pelt that fit him perfectly from his head to his ankles.

Green lines similar to veins pulsed on the Demonic Sword user, his chest growing more defined to the point of ripping his uniform as a ‘gem’ or ‘river’ of draconic energy grew in that place, one that was connected to his new bulky shoulder pads, gauntlets and boots each made of black steel bathed in dragon’s blood.

Compared to her companions the blonde swordswoman had the least change in her wardrobe with her orange armor being replaced by a bright steel one protecting her neck, arms and legs, complemented by a corset of metal protecting her midriff, a thin sword to her right and a tiara protecting part of her face while her hair ended up wrapped on a long braid.

None of that compared to the gold and white flag on her right hand resting on a pole as tall as their giant.

A flag that was somehow more inspiring and intimidating than her dragon which slowly disappeared into specks of metal.

Regardless, all of them had grown unbelievably powerful from a second to the next, each of their presence capable of intimidating their enemies with just a glance. What everyone but them knew was that it wasn’t only power they acquired but also knowledge and skills beyond comprehension unlike anything the World had ever seen.

Adding to that was that their wounds were healed, their energy restored and their bodies strengthened to survive the surge of power that emerged from their souls. For that was what their ally did, she connected their souls to some of the greatest heroes from Humanity’s History.

Mostly through blood if the soul itself already hadn’t a connection to them.

A connection that, no matter how weak, led to the Throne of Heroes.

Gilgamesh’s regret vanished as confidence he didn’t know had surged from the deepest parts of his mind before he spoke softly but arrogantly. “Knee and grovel, mongrels. The king is here.”

…..