Chapter 80 : The orders of the Coven

Alessandro had a dream, a strange dream, similar to a nightmare in some places, where the image of a dead girl in front of a church distressed him, which was inexplicable since he had no idea who that person was.
Marco Lombardo opened a wooden door and brought Alessandro into the central chapel where the statue of a lion stood, placing his paw on a depiction of the world, clutching a snake between his jaws, in front of the statue was Grand Master Giovanni Monteverdi X , standing like a soldier and with his hands behind his back. The Grand Master, with the white robe, turned to Alessandro who, lowering his head, saluted:
« Beatus Leonis. »
« Benedictus Sis. »
Alessandro approached the Grand Master while Marco Lombardo remained in the rear.
« Did you ask for me, Grand Master? »
« The Coven needs you, disciple. You wear the blessed ribbon, proof of your skill, that's why I called you. »
« Marco Lombardo told me that I was chosen to fight the Holy Grail War. It's true? »
« Exactly. The Coven wants the Holy Grail. Since the Church of Fuyuki, that den of heretics, betrayed the cause of the Vatican State, we have lost almost all our contacts with Japan. But we lost interest in that Grail. Now we're looking for the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. »
« What's so interesting about that Grail? »
Alessandro did not want to go to war, he was a person who only aspired to a peaceful and normal life, he didn't want to fight the Holy Grail War but Giovanni Monteverdi X had a combative look, fiery eyes and an enthusiastic grin.
« It's a unique object of its kind, you understand? The Coven must have it at all costs. That's why you will participate in the war and fight against our enemies. »
« Who else will fight? »
« The Rote Mäntel, in Hamburg, are already moving. I spoke with the Mage's Association which will do everything in its power to prevent the war from causing significant damage, especially to the population. »
« So where will the war take place? »
« We don't know yet, but we'll tell you in the right time. » Marco answered, approaching Alessandro's shoulders.
«Right ... »
« For now you must think only about the Servant. »
« I understand. »
« But this war will not be like the others. »
« Lombardo is right » Giovanni said: « In this war nine different Servants from nine classes will participate. »
« Nine ?! »
Alessandro knew that in a Holy Grail War only seven Servants with seven classes were admitted: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Assassin, Rider and Berserker. What could be the other two classes?
« Over seven other classes common to the Holy Grail War there are two more: the Specter and Devourer class. »
« Specter? Devourer? »
« The Specter class welcomes all creatures related to the demonic or angelic world. It's a class born solely to accept the demons and angels that we Catholic Christians have fought for thousands of years. The Devourer class, on the other hand, is a class of which I was informed by a certain Bradley Jenkins, a magus of the Mage's Association. This is an anomalous class of which we know little. »
Alessandro Serpi, in hearing the name of the last class had goose bumps and remembered a creature, a terrifying beast with the appearance of a giant snake and with immense jaws, like those of a dragon. Giovanni had noticed the boy's uneasy expression but reassured him by saying:
« Quiet, Alessandro, we will give you the means to fight this war. Thanks to us you will win and you will bring us the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. »
Marco put his hand on Alessandro's shoulder, smiled at him and in a low voice told him that everything would be fine. It was a lie.
Alessandro was sure of it, he had the feeling of having already experienced those moments and those doubts, the looks full of expectations of his Grand Master and also of Marco Lombardo were weighing on his shoulders, he could not refuse the job, he could not say no , could not escape. He was forced to follow the orders of the Coven.

A. Serpi , M. Lombardo and G. Monteverdi X by Bikowolf

 

Chapter 79 : From death to life

Rèquiem aetèrnam,
dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpètua lùceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace.

Amen.

Was it a dream? No, it was more like a nightmare. A young man in his twenties named Alessandro Serpi got up on the bed in his room, one of the many that were inside the Coven Abbey in Rome. He had dreamed of a female face, a face of a girl with white hair and red eyes and even a battle, an epic battle with other people. It was something absurd, something so absurd as to seem the fruit of his imagination and nothing else, yet it also seemed so real.
Alessandro got out of bed with a headache. He took off his pajamas, put on a bathrobe and headed for the bathrooms. After a quick shower he returned to his room, put on his black trousers and the black suit of the Coven which depicted the symbol of the lion holding a snake in its jaws. He mirrored himself and straightened his brown hair and then left the room after taking a quick look at the calendar.

January 19, 2021

He walked down the long corridor completely ignoring his brothers who talked to him behind and giggled like five-year-olds. He opened a door to his left, climbed a staircase and reached the cafeteria where there were already other confreres of the Coven who were having breakfast. There was a nun who served food and Alessandro took a simple salad with tomatoes, sat down, opened a bottle of water and ate. He was at least thirty centimeters from another brother who was talking to his friends, he said something about a certain Elisa Mancini whom he didn't know. A red-haired girl approached him and asked him:
« Ex-excuse me, can I sit next to you?" »
Alessandro had already finished eating. He got up and left without speaking to her, she was upset but he didn't care. Alessandro returned the plate and took the bottle of water with him. He went to the library where he read several magic books for hours: when people came he went away and looked for a more secluded place and eventually, when the library filled up, he went to his room to read and even made sure to lock the door. After reading he took the books back to the library and went to lunch. When he had finished eating, he went to a room used for training the Magi of the Coven.
There were some confreres who trained to do simple magic, they were amateurs compared to Alessandro. He didn't train to use Dis or Defendere, he used much more powerful spells. He stood in front of a straw mannequin, snapped his fingers and said:
« Obscuro. »
The Magic Circuits lit up on the hand and on part of Alessandro's face every time he used Magecraft. The mannequin became invisible but only for a few seconds and then reappeared. A man, Marco Lombardo, had seen Alessandro and said:
« The Magecraft of the Coven is very powerful in the hands of an expert magus
like you. »
« But I'm not good enough to keep a mannequin invisible. »
« I bet you can improve, after all you've got it in your blood. You're a born magus. The Grand Master Marco Paolino III was considered an excellent magus, one of the strongest, and it was he who taught this type of unique Magecraft. »
« I thought it was Marco Paolino I. »
« No. He accepted the use of Magecraft in the Coven, but it was Marco Paolino III who designed the use of simple but effective magic. The enchantment formulas must be studied carefully but in our case we must meditate on words, understand their power, make them connect with our inner life and only then we can control them. A very common magus of the Coven can at most know Dis, Defendere and Gladio. I know I know six others but you, like Grand Master Giovanni Monteverdi X, have a talent for this magic. »
« I see. »
Alessandro was not in the least interested in the discussion and resumed training but Marco interrupted him again and said:
« The Grand Master wants to talk to you, Alessandro. »
« Why? »
« Follow me, we'll talk along the way. »
The two walked along the corridor of the Coven Abbey, heading towards the main chapel where they would meet the Grand Master.
« Do you know the Holy Grail War? »
« Are you talking about all those in Japan? Yes, I know them. »
« A French scholar, an expert on Norse magic and mythology, a certain Dorian Benard, has recently discovered the existence of a Holy Grail that he believes to be connected to the tree of Yggdrasil, the tree that binds the nine worlds born from the sacrifice of
Ymir. »
« But the Holy Grail is Christian. » Commented Alessandro, perplexed.
« True, but the concept of the Holy Grail is pre-Christian, perhaps it derives from the Age of the Gods. The idea is that of an object that makes desires come true and there are several, perhaps more than a hundred, and among these is the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. Do you know the Hávamál? »
« No, I never heard of it. What's that? »
« It's a collection of ancient Nordic poems composed during the era of the Vikings. There is a very interesting piece from the poem where Odin's self-sacrifice is present and according to Dorian it's done at the feet of Yggdrasil. Read here. »
Marco Lombardo passed to Alessandro a sheet where it was written:

"I know, I was hung on the trunk whipped by the wind for nine whole nights, wounded by spear and given to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree that no one knows where from the roots rise up.
With bread they did not satisfy me nor with horns I quenched my thirst. I looked down, got the runes up, called them, and fell over there. "

When Alessandro finished reading that fragment, he asked:
« So? »
« So, according to Dorian, what is written here is a true story that testifies to the existence of a Holy Grail that collected the blood of Odin, or of a god, and who thus obtained his miraculous power. The Holy Grail of Yggdrasil, in fact. »
« Why does the Grand Master want to see me? »
« Because he chose you, Alessandro. He chose you to take part in the Holy Grail War of
Yggdrasil. »
As soon as Alessandro heard those words he became worried. He didn't want to take part in a war, he just wanted to stay quiet and live a normal life, but the Grand Master had something different in mind for him.

Alessandro Serpi and Marco Lombardo by Bikowolf

Chapter 78 : The Devourer

The ground began to shake, Berserker disappeared but her blood had already stained the seal of the ritual. The earth shattered, immense rifts opened, Saber was shocked to witness the immense magical power that was emerging, from an immense glow sprang an immense cup of at least two meters, made of wood, wrapped in roots, full of blood . The roots penetrated the ground and the face of a snake was depicted on the cup. That was the Holy Grail of Yggdrasil. When Alessandro saw it he remained petrified and Yukiko, instead, approached the object and said:
« I only want one thing, Grail, I want the end of the world. The end of every imitation! »
The roots moved and pierced Yukiko's body which was eaten by the Grail. She died laughing and wishing death to Alessandro and Saber. The boy went to his Servant and said:
« We need to find a way to stop it. We must destroy the Holy Grail. We can still do it. »
« With what weapon? Calpurnia is not such an effective weapon. If I had Crocea Mors it would have been another story, but this sword was only a symbol of power when I was in Rome, it is not meant to destroy the Grail. Not even my legion would be able to do such a thing. »
« Caesar! »
« I know! I know! I have to think about what I can do! »
The blood inside the Holy Grail began to boil, the roots moved and the cup became a darker color, similar to ebony, and then the wood shattered, like a shell and showed a steel cup, black, full of spikes, and depictions of demons. Alessandro, ironically:
« Thank goodness it's holy! »
« Master, be careful! »
Saber took Alessandro and took him away from the Grail of Yggdrasil.

From the blood came out the bones, a giant bone snake rose, broke the roof of the abbey. From the gold casket, well buried, the skin freed itself and attached itself to the skeleton after the formation of the first meats. A huge coal-black snake with blood-red eyes and gigantic jaws made a terrifying sound. That was Nidhoggr, the devourer of the worlds.
Alessandro was paralyzed with fear, he was sweating and trembling like a child. Even Saber couldn't move because of the terrible imagining that presented itself to them. This terrible and gigantic beast approached them and in a heavy and monstrous voice said:
« Mortals, you know my name. My name is death. I'm death. You tremble with fear, but it's not you who has summoned me in this world. Who are you, trembling like a child? »
« Alessandro Serpi. I am the Master of Saber. You must be Nidhoggr. »
« My name is that, yes, but you haven't summon me. The blood of one of those who dared to seal me flows in your veins. You are a druid but I sense your inexperience. You are not an obstacle. You are not a real enemy. Neither you nor the dead girl you keep alive thanks to magical energy. »
« I can't let you destroy the world! I'm here to stop you! »
« Do you want to stop me from doing my duty? If I don't destroy it SHE will do it, whom even the darkness fears. I am necessary, you consider me evil, but I am necessary. I am the one who destroys everything so that a new world can begin again. »
Nidhoggr opened his jaws and spat a flame towards the sky that generated a rain of fire. London fell into chaos and Nidhoggr prepared to destroy everything. Alessandro, in a vain attempt to stop him, snapped his fingers and exclaimed:
« Manus Sancti! »
The glow of light had no effect on the gigantic monstrous snake and Nidhoggr, laughing, said:
« In the divine world no one dares face me. I, like others, belong to a vast kingdom that you humans call the "afterlife". I tormented the souls of the worlds and killed sinners.Your magus tricks can't stop me. I belong to the dragon race and to the dark world, a mortal can never kill me. »
« Then I will fight! » Saber exclaimed and then she tried to hurt Nidhoggr's very hard skin.
« Your sword, which has not been blessed by anyone, can never hurt me, Caesar. Accept your end, be aware of your fragile destiny and agree to die. »
« I cannot! Not here! Not now! »
« The end of the world is inevitable. Quench your spirits and accept the end. Better me than  שְׁאוֹל the one who rules over all the dead. If I had been שְׁאוֹל I would have conquered the world instead of destroying it and I would have given only eternal suffering to mortals. But fate has been kind
to you. »
Nidhoggr opened his mouth and spat out a giant sphere that was blacker than the night and that was surrounded by a form of energy that distorted the space around it. It was something incredibly powerful, something that made the light disappear, bent the matter and made the darkness fall.

The end of the world.

The new phase of Fate / Yggdrasil

I apologize in advance for my absence, but there were several personal problems that I had to solve.
It's not easy to study at university in a faculty that does not give many job hopes and so I am working to open up job opportunities before I graduate.
However, I will soon publish the new Fate / Yggdrasil chapters. So my blognovel will enter a new phase. I hope you enjoy it and I hope to continue writing for you. As always I thank the people who read my story, it's only thanks to you if I go on writing.

Chapter 77 : Arthur against Caesar (part 3)

Saber was standing, wounded, but on her feet. Berserker was shocked, her Noble Phantasm should have killed her, and instead she stood before her with a triumphant smile and then Berserker screamed with all her fury:

« How can you still stand? You should be dead! »
« Like you, I also have another Noble Phantasm  … it's my sword. Calpurnia. A lucky sword in the true sense of the word. »
Berserker was speechless, she never expected Saber to be strong enough to survive that devastating attack. Saber, seeing Berserker's worried expression, exclaimed, smiling:
« Ah! Now can you see the difference between us, Arthur? With what right do you look down on me and judge me? You know me? Do you know who I am? I am the one who brought civilization to Gaul, Germany and Britain! I am the descendant of the founder of Rome, Romulus, and of the Goddess of Beauty, Venus! In my veins runs the blood of Aeneas and the God of War, Mars! I am Gaius Julius Caesar! Protector of Rome and the legions! What are you? »
Berserker attacked Saber with a direct blow to his heart but the latter dodged the blow and while the two fought, he kept talking:
« A failed king who did not know how to lead her people, daughter of a dragon and protected by a magician. King of a tiny kingdom, a king who could do nothing but defend, defend and defend. A king who never coveted anything! A king who has never tried to challenge her limits! And you, who lived an empty life you dare to judge me? Do you dare to speak ill of me? »
Saber hit Berserker and then put her on the ground with a kick in the stomach.
« Look into my eyes, Arthur, and tell me what you see. If it bothers you to know that I managed to get power by living a full life, I don't care. I don't want your approval because if I'm honest, you are a third-rate Servant compared to me. Of you, the only thing that can be said is that you have been like Vercingetorix: interesting but at the end of the race, useless. Even that incompetent of Nero has proved to be more important than you! »

Saber laughed but Berserker did not allow herself to be insulted by the adversary and prepared to kill her with a decisive blow, yet Saber dodged the sword, grabbed Berserker's arm with a quick glance at the sword and said:

« You have even destroyed my Crocea Mors, you barbarians are indeed incapable of doing things right. You're only good at dying. »

Saber stuck the blade into Berserker's heart and she slowly receded, dripping blood and fell to the center of Westminster Abbey. Her blood wet the floor with a dull red and Saber remained silent.

With a sad look. She murmured, looking at the corpse of her opponent:
« You and I are similar and you will continue to refuse me until the end of your days. I cannot rejoice in this victory because you are yet another proof that blood relatives are destined to kill each other. Avalon is not your home, Elysians Fields are waiting for you. There's a whole family waiting for you there. »
Artoria's weak voice said:
« Why ... are you crying, Caesar? »
« Because I feel sorry for you, Arthur. Why do you want to be alone? Why don't you want to feel love? Why do you keep tormenting yourself? »

« You're wrong … I loved someone … a boy … I don't know why but my heart beats when I see his face in my dreams … a part of me would like to see him again … but a another is afraid that he will deny me. I am afraid I have disappointed him. What have I become? »

« Impossible. If he really loves you then he will never blame you, he will be on your side to the end. »
« If only it were that simple. Caesar, you have no idea how much … how sorry I am for your destiny. In this war … »
« I don't care. I'll go ahead with my head held high until the end. »
« You are really arrogant. »
« I swear to you that one day, I don't know when and I don't know how, but one day I'll be able to take you to the Elysian Fields. »

Alessandro saw the scene from a distance and heaved a sigh of relief but Yukiko, who was injured, started laughing like crazy. Alessandro, confused, said:

« Why are you laughing? You have lost the magic energy, you have lost the Servant, you can no longer do the ritual …  why are you laughing? »
« You ask me why? Because I won. »
« What are you saying? » Alessandro was confused and frightened at the same time.
« What did the Coven tell you? They told you I needed a descendant of a Druid to do the ritual, right? »
« Yes exactly! Exactly! »
« But pay attention, why do you think there was a need for a descendant? Because the druids that sealed Nidhoggr came into contact with him, with his evil energy and their blood was cursed. But according to you: what is Nidhoggr? »
« According to Norse mythology it was a sort of giant snake or dragon … »
Then Alessandro understood why Yukiko was so happy.

« Exactly. » She said: « The blood of a wicked creature tied in some way to Nidhoggr: a descendant of a druid … or the blood of a dragon is enough for me. » 

Alessandro was traumatized but could not understand the reason for the battle. If Yukiko had Berserker, why hadn't she sacrificed her before? Why did she need to fight him and Saber?

«Why fight us? You already had the means to do the ritual. Why fight us, then? »

« Because I wanted to have fun, Alessandro. I already told you: not everything I do has a superior reason. Sometimes I only act by following my instinct. I would have won anyway. I had nothing to lose. » She answered, smiling.

« So all this was just a game for you ?! »
« What did you expect from an imitation? But now it's enough to talk about me. It's time to welcome Nidhoggr! »

Chapter 76 : Arthur against Caesar (part 2)

Alessandro Serpi had managed to escape from Yukiko, he took refuge in the chapel of Westminster where he decided to do a ritual to be able to restore his magical energy and support the battle with the opponent. He bowed, took off his sweatshirt and shirt. Alessandro bare-chested, snapped his fingers and said:

« Gladio. »
He put his hand on the ground and he pierced it with his sword, he held back the lament of pain so as not to be discovered by the girl, and he made the sign of the cross on his chest and then on his head and began to pray:
« God, with your jaws sanctified, you kill the serpent that corrupts man and that bears the seed of sin. Your son is here on his knees, begging you to give him the strength to punish those who destroy your creation. Pater noster, qui es in cœlis. Sanctificétur nomen tuum. Advéniat Regnum tuum. Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cœlo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie. Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem; sed líbera nos a malo. Amen. »
Yukiko found Alessandro Serpi but this had just finished the prayer. He turned, snapped his fingers and said:
« Manus Sancti! »
A flash blinded Yukiko for a moment and the girl suddenly found herself without magical energy, tired and defenseless.
« Curse you! What did you do?! »
« You're not a true magician. If you were a true magician this Magecraft would have had no effect on you. I can't deal with you if you're stronger than me so I used a trick. The light that you saw works on anyone who sees it, it's an imitation of the divine glow that deprives the person who sees it of the magical energy necessary to make a fight. Doing it three times in a single night is definitely a record for me. »

« You are a scoundrel! » 

« I never thought of having a fair fight, Yukiko. Before you were well protected by your magic but now the song changes. »

Meanwhile Saber and Berserker were running out of power it was too much that they were fighting but at that moment Saber realized that the opponent's wounds were not regenerating and then realized that Alessandro had used his magic to weaken Yukiko.
« So you want to win by cheating? » Berserker asked, nervous.
« I love winning. I don't care about honor, dear Arthur. Now get ready to die! »

Berserker's wounds regenerated themselves without any explanation and Saber was stunned, she could not explain what was happening but then understood:

« Damn that dragon blood of yours. »
« I am not just any Heroic Spirit. »
« Me too and I will prove it to you now, King of the Knights! »

Saber clashed with Berserker. Each slash shot by Saber was parried by Berserker, every punch of Berserker was dodged by Saber. This battle proceeded again until Berserker, tired of the stalemate, did not decide to draw her broken sword, Excalibur, and prepared her Noble Phantasm. 

The shining blade appeared and Saber, without hesitating, stuck her sword into the ground and decided to use her Noble Phantasm:

« Legio Gallica! (The Legion That Conquered Gaul) "

The two Servants found themselves in the expanses of Gaul and the vast legion of Saber appeared, ready to charge against Berserker, who shouted:

« No More Avalon! (Deicide) "
The powerful slash of light destroyed the legion of Saber in a single blow and razed Gaul to the ground, making that dimension disappear. The powerful attack had defeated Saber.

Chapter 75 : Arthur against Caesar (part 1)

Saber and Berserker were still engaged in a duel to the death but none of the two warriors wanted to surrender. Berserker hit the opponent with a fist so strong that she spit out blood from her mouth, Saber recovered and counterattacked with a series of slashes that put Berserker in trouble.

« You're not really made for the Berserker class, Arthur. »
« Be quiet … »
« The reason has finally returned to you. Will you answer me then? How did you become Berserker? I thought it was a class destined for crazy people, not for honorable knights. »
« I am dishonored. »
« Really? And what did you do? »
« I lost my way, I lost the right way. After my departure, I was taken to Avalon but there I didn't find peace but only regret. Isn't all this senseless? My paradise was filled with sadness and hatred towards those who condemned me because I was the perfect monarch. I was the perfect king, I had the best justice and I was invincible and yet those plebeians insulted me and were afraid of me. Ungrateful! They have all been ungrateful! Ungrateful lice without a spine! I extracted Caliburn! I fought to defend the kingdom from barbarians! I sacrificed myself for the people! They have done NOTHING! »
« I'm sorry to have to deal with you in this state. If you had been in another class it would have been fun to face you, but I imagine that fate was clumsy. »
« You can't understand, Caesar, you can't understand what it means to be like me. You don't know what it means to be abandoned by those you defended. »

« You insult me, Arthur. You and I are very similar, you know? Our rise to power was willed by destiny and our end was marked by our children: you were betrayed by Mordred and I by Brutus. But we are also different. I loved the conquest while you preferred the defense, I loved the army while you surrounded yourself with some knights. » 

« I have always followed the honor while you were lying, deceiving and manipulating to achieve your goals. »

« True. But I always gave the people what they wanted, the people loved me, while you were feared by the people because you were unable to satisfy them. »
« But you were monstrous with those who rebelled against you, not surprisingly you are a dictator and not a king. You think it's a good thing to be "Caesar" but that makes you a tyrant not a monarch, you are not worthy of the title of king. »
« True. I am a tyrant. But unlike you I enjoyed life, I was never just a warrior: I was a philosopher, an artist, a historian and a lover. I had three wives, a lover and I loved several soldiers of my legion. I have adopted several children and one of these, my dear Augustus, has carried out my project. But can you say the same thing? You were only good at something and you did it in a mediocre way. No coincidence that your kingdom ended almost immediately. »
« Caesar! You speak as if you were an expert, but you lack the values ​​I had! My name was associated with salvation, honor and justice while your … »
« You are me. » Interrupted Saber.
« Don't talk nonsense! »
« Listen to me, Arthur: you say your name was associated with justice but who decided what was right and what was wrong? You. You were the power. You were the judge, the jury and the executioner. Being correct doesn't mean being right. Who said that it was right for you to lead Britain? Did you decide that? If you have decided then you have imposed yourself on the people and so what does this make you? A king or a dictator? »
« I didn't oppress people! » Berserker shouted angrily.
« Me neither. The people loved me, I've already told you. They did everything for me. I never needed to oppress anyone, and like you I created laws and a justice of mine that the people respected. You and I are the same, Arthur. You are Caesar. But you don't want to accept it. You don't want to accept being like me. »
« I will never be like you! »
Berserker prepared to draw her sword but Saber, with an incredible speed, hit the opponent with a slash that split a part of the armor. Berserker, furious, counterattacked with a devastating series of punches that Saber managed to parry in part. The two warriors began to fight.

Chapter 74 : The fate of Caesar

Saber saw Berserker coming towards her, smiled, and said:

« My rival finally shows up in front of me. I was getting bored standing by and 

watching. »

« SABER !!!! »
« Have you gone crazy again, Berserker? Why are you Berserkers always the bipolar ones? You really are strange Heroic Spirits. Especially you. »
« Aaaaarggh! »
Berserker had her fists wrapped in flames and hit Saber but this parried the blow with her sword and counterattacked. The two Servants exchanged several shots but neither was stronger than the other, they were on the same level. Berserker, without wasting time, decided to use her Noble Phantasm but did not take the sword, she used her fists and shouted:
« Ashes of Camelot! (My Hell is Eternal) "

A devastating attack, a powerful blaze was thrown forward towards Saber, this vortex of fire destroyed a part of the church causing some columns to collapse and burning the ground, everything that was before on its way had been incinerated. Saber, fortunately, was able to dodge the attack and when she noticed her strength commented:

« Those really are the flames of a dragon. I knew it. »

« Fight me, don't run away! Coward! »
« Your reason is coming back. Your madness is weaker than your mind, I guess this is due to the fact that you have never been a person dominated by emotions, this would explain your marked bipolarity. You are, de facto, a Servant with two personalities. »
« Why are you talking to me as if you knew me? You do not know anything about me. »
« I bet instead of having discovered your identity. But now I would like to verify it. »

Saber struck with a series of slashes that Berserker parried easily with the use of her hands but in the end one of these blows destroyed a part of Berserker's helmet. Saber gave a final decisive blow and finally Berserker's helmet broke completely: it turned out to be a feminine face, similar to Saber's, but with the hair of a dull blond, white eyes and pale skin with signs of scales of dragon on the cheeks. Saber smiled and exclaimed:

« Finally we are face to face, King of the Knights: Arthur Pendragon! »

« That's not my name. Arthur is the name my father wanted to give me, I am Artoria. »
« Sorry, I don't think I'll call you that. If I called you Artoria it would be strange. »
« Why do you say that? »
« Artoria is not your name, it is the name of your gens. Gens Artoria, a family descended from the gens Iulia, my family. Your real name is Lucius Artorius Castus and you are the person I was destined to meet. You are an extension of my destiny. »

« Enough of these nonsense! I'm Artoria Pendragon! King of the Knights, King of Britain and Daughter of the Dragon! » She exclaimed. 

« Do you really think it's that simple? Pendragon? That's just a nickname, nothing more. What you are is far from the reality of your legend. You are not a Breton, you are Roman. And believe me if I tell you, because I know how to recognize the Romans when I see them and above all I know how to recognize those who have my blood. »

« You are wrong! I have nothing to do with you! »

Berserker and Saber once again clashed. Saber led several blows with the aim of make her opponent retreat but Berserker managed to counterattack and sent Saber to the mat but she was able to get up quickly. The two continued their battle until Berserker thought of using the Noble Phantasm again, but Saber intercepted her and hit her with a blow so powerful that it split a part of the armor leaving the right side exposed.

« It's not good for you at all, Arthur. »
« You say I'm Roman, but I'm not. You call me "Arthur" yourself. »
« Because I want to respect your legend. But you are Lucius Artorius Castus. We two are so similar yet you don't realize it. »

« Are you talking about our physical appearance? That doesn't count. It means 

nothing. »

« It means that the prophecy that was made about you was no accident. It was destiny. Your destiny was the same one that brought me to power. You became "Caesar" for England as I was myself for Rome. But you ignore it. »
« I will never be like you, you are a dictator. »
« And how come you don't belong to a noble Servant class? Why are you a Berserker? What happened to you, Arthur? »
« AAAAARGH! »

Berserker screamed like an angry beast and struck Saber with such force that she threw her into the air and then grabbed her by the leg and threw her on the ground with such force that she cracked the cement under their feet. Berserker was irrepressible and the only way Saber had to face her was to play cunning.

Chapter 73 : Countdown

Yukiko and Alessandro were face to face. Alessandro snapped his fingers and said:

« Dis. »
The girl was overwhelmed by a push that threw her back, Alessandro followed her and meanwhile snapped his fingers and said:
« Gladio. »
A magic sword appeared. The boy was ready to eliminate Yukiko with one strike but the girl immediately got to her feet and dodged his blow and then recited a magic formula:
« Jag är Stark. »

The girl hit Alessandro so hard that she flipped him over, then with an incredible speed she grabbed his arm, pulled him towards her and kicked him, but she didn't let him go, she kicked him and only after a dozen blows let him go and concluded the combination with a powerful punch in the stomach that made Alessandro fly to the ground. The boy got up and Saber helped him but he pushed her away telling her that she had to be ready for Berserker. 

Alessandro told Yukiko:

« That Magecraft is very cool, you know? You use it to boost your strength. And who taught you martial arts? »
« My mother. Not bad, right? So, do you really want to keep fighting? »
« Do you really expect me to give up? »

« If I'm not mistaken when we were at the hotel you ran away and left Harumi all 

alone. »

« Things have changed since then. »
« You remained weak. »
« Do you really think I'm weak? Now I'll show you why I was the strongest magus of the Coven. »

Alessandro snapped his fingers and exclaimed:

« Lapis! »

From the floor, under the feet of Yukiko, a platform was raised that turned into a giant stone hand that slammed the girl to the ground and then threw her at Alessandro who, snapping his fingers, said: 

« Gladius Flammae. »

A fiery sword appeared out of nowhere and started like a bullet towards Yukiko but the girl dodged the blow in mid-air and was about to hit the boy with a fist, however Alessandro made it clear with a grin that the attack was not yet finished. The fiery sword came back, after turning, and pierced Yukiko to her right side, then the giant stone hand grabbed the girl again, squeezed, strangled her and then slammed her back on the floor.

The stone hand disintegrated and Alessandro said:

« As you can see you did wrong to underestimate me. The last time I was not prepared, but now things are different. I won't get killed. »

Yukiko stood up and said, with a strangely satisfied smile:

« Do you think this is enough to kill me? You are a fool. I will have so much fun to see your life slowly leave your body, I will enjoy every single moment of your death. Jag är Oövervinnlig. » 

Alessandro snapped his fingers again and said:

« Dis. »

The push had no effect on Yukiko. She had become immune to Magecraft and then the boy began to worry. The girl hit him with a fist so strong that Alessandro crashed into a wall of the Abbey, he struggled to his feet and realized that the only way to fight the girl was to use the Magecraft that even at the hotel was required not to do to conserve magical energy. Doing the magic to remove the mana supply would surely have made the battle more honest but at the same time it would have deprived Saber of the possibility of using her Noble Phantasm or having any other kind of support in the battle against Berserker.

Alessandro had only two choices: either risk and use the Magecraft, or try to resist and in the meantime think of a way to get all the lost mana.

« Do you want to make a bet? » Asked Yukiko. 

« I hate bets. »

« Anyway, according to you who will die first: you or Saber? »
Then Alessandro saw Berserker appear who head for Saber at full speed. Yukiko said:
« I bet you will be the first to die. But you never know, if things go well for you, Saber will be the first. »

Chapter 72 : Family

The purpose of Yukiko Kumahira was just to destroy the world by summoning Nidhoggr but Alessando still had the chance to stop her, but he had spent a great deal of mana during the previous battles and didn't know how long he would endure in a fight with a magus as powerful as Yukiko . He had to study a strategy but in the meantime he wanted to waste time and so he asked her:

« What else did you lie to me about? »
« What do you mean? »
« Did you really want to be reunited with me? Or was that a lie too? »
« What do you want from me, exactly? »
« I want to know who you really are. »

« Don't you understand? I can be the cute sister who is always by your side, I can be the ungrateful little sister who no longer wants to talk to you and I can even be that sister who forces you to have an incestuous relationship. I have no definition because I am already dead. What did you expect? A little sister who loved you? » 

« A family. »

« A family? »
« Yes, a family. My mother has always been very oppressive towards me, she has always prevented me from living my life in my own way, I knew I was not loved by her, that's why she forced me to join the coven, only to have fun with other men without having the son around the feet. My father abandoned me and apparently he only saw me as a sacrifice to do for Nidhoggr and now I also have a half sister who wants to destroy the world. My family is a circus that entertains only those who have free time to get depressed. »
« So? »

« I would have liked to have a family but from the first day I saw you I realized that I couldn't trust you, I knew you were a liar. But now I ask you: can you be honest? » 

« Tch! Have you ever tried to ask a doll to tell you the truth? »

« You're not a doll, you're real, Yukiko! » He exclaimed.
« No, I'm not real. I'm just an imitation and that's why I have no family to give you, brother. As far as I'm concerned you can die. I have already prepared the ritual, now what I need is your death. »
« Very well. »

Alessandro advanced towards Yukiko without fear, he was ready to fight her and was not afraid of dying on the battlefield. He had come to win and would have won at any cost. He looked his opponent straight in the eye and said: 

« I am not an imitation, I am a real existence, I exist here and now, I am here and now, and I will stop you here and now. I wanted to shed tears for your condition but now it's too late to cry. There was a time when I probably would have gone along with it but now things have changed. I left the Coven, I lost the only person who understood me and I found a person to fight for until the end. This is my existence. My real existence. »

« Fantastic, then I conclude that the time for chatter has finally come to an end. »
« I'm sorry to ruin this beautiful place, but you have to do what needs to be done to win a battle, don't you think too? »
« It will be fun to face you, big brother. »

Personal considerations 💬

Faced with the possibility (and hope) that Fate/Yggdrasil will go on for some more time (I do not know if we are talking about months or years) I don't know whether to still consider F/Y a fanfiction. Because of the collaboration I started with Bikowolf1 I believe that F/Y can no longer be considered a simple fanfic. 

I spend much more time writing the chapters and creating a story that is completely independent from the original franchise, let's also say that it's an autonomous story that stands on its own. 

I have to be honest, in July I thought that defining Fate/Yggdrasil a fanfic would not give me any problems, after all we are talking about a product that is inspired by the original franchise and is literally limited only to this blog. Nobody advertises this story, I don't get paid to write it and I spread it for free. 

I am aware of the plot holes, and I know that I have adopted a style of writing that some may not like but with which I feel at ease. But defining Fate/Yggdrasil a fanfiction risks giving it the image of a "false" work something that has little value and that has been written as a hobby.

But with the increase in readers, I have the chance to make a profit with this story and with the others I will write in other blogs. Fate/Yggdrasil is not a story I thought of in one day, I didn't write it in an hour of free time. Fate/Yggdrasil is my story that I carry on with dedication and love. 

Consider this as a sort of official announcement. I consider Fate/Yggdrasil a blognovel (or even a light novel) completely independent from Fate's original franchise. Calling Fate/Yggdrasil "fanfiction" diminishes my work. You may like it or you may not like it but the fact remains that I sacrifice time to think about the story and write it down.

Thank you for your attention.

Have a nice day! 😎

Chapter 71 : The Miracle of Eden

Alessandro and Saber entered Westminster Abbey. The immense church with tall stone columns, gothic arches and wide naves was as silent as a cemetery, only the echo of the footsteps of Alessandro and Saber could be heard. The two stopped in the middle of the immense latin cross that was the shape of the cathedral, in front of them there was Kumahira Yukiko who was pleased to see both Saber and Alessandro. The girl wore the black gothic dress with the black right sleeve longer than the left one, she approached the two and said:
« You apparently killed Harumi. So we are the only ones left in this war. »
« From the way you smile, it seems you had planned everything. »
« Actually yes, I knew that a strong magus like you would never have fallen on the battlefield. Now we're here, face to face. Dear brother, are you still going to fight me? »
« I know what you want to do, but you'll never have my blood. »
« What do you think you know? »

« I know about the ritual and I know you want to evoke the Holy Grail with my blood so that you can bring Nidhoggr, the devourer of the worlds, back to life. I know everything. You're continuing our father's crazy plan: you want more power too, don't you? »

« No. »
« Don't lie to me, I'm not stupid. »

« No, you're not stupid, but you're biased. Do you really believe that I'm going to seal Nidhoggr and use it as a tool to become even more powerful? You're wrong. »

« Then why do this ritual? »
« I recovered and buried the chest of gold with a piece of Nidhoggr's skin inside, I learned the oldest Nordic magic, I got help from the New Order of Nidhoggr to start the Holy Grail War and I got a Servant strong enough to make me fight every battle. And do you think I did all of this just to get more power? »
« So what do you want? »
« Total destruction. The end of the world. » She replied with a demonic smile.
« You can't be serious! » Alessandro exclaimed, shocked.
« Do you think I'm not? »
«You too would die! »
« I don't think so, after all you can't kill what's already dead. »

Yukiko tore off her long right sleeve and revealed a skeletal arm of a color similar to mercury, full of curvilinear designs. When Alessandro and Saber saw that arm they were speechless.

« See, Alessandro, our father was very, very, very bad. Marco Serpi not only tried to sacrifice me but, dissatisfied with the result obtained with his first ritual, he decided to bring me back to life using the Miracle of Eden. Do you know it? »
« Yes, it's a forbidden Magecraft of Coven used for the first time by the Grand Master Marco Pacifico II who brought his sister Lucia back to life using a piece of his skin and his blood combining them with mercury. »
« Exactly. I was a victim of the same fate as Lucia. I am this. Nothing. Nothing can be born from my body and nothing can die of my body. I'm dead. I am the walking death. I'm a corpse. I could call myself an imitation of the real Yukiko Kumahira. »
« But what drives you to do something so foolish as to want to destroy humanity? »
« Alessandro, my dear big brother, you really are a fool. I am nothing, I have no reason to exist, as I killed our father, I will also kill you and the whole world. »
« You killed our father?! »
« Exactly. I rebelled, the New Order of Nidhoggr welcomed me and I tore out our father's heart to prove my loyalty. »
« This New Order of Nidhoggr you talk about, are they the same people who wanted to destroy the Grail? So it was all a lie. But who are they actually? »
« Imitations. Just like me, they are empty beings who want to end this feeling of total nothingness. They are nothing, I am nothing and you will be nothing. »

Chapter 70 : Alessandro against Clovis

Clovis fired two magic bullets at Alessandro but the latter immediately snapped his fingers and said:

« Defendere. »
The bullets collided with the magic barrier that defended the boy. Clovis, unnerved, said:
« Are you going to hide behind that barrier? »
« Manus Sancti. » Alessandro said, snapping his fingers again.
An immense glow blinded Clovis Wolff and he suddenly felt weakened and weighed down, tried to use magic but was unable to. He realized he no longer had enough magic energy and then screamed:
« What did you do to me?! »
« I took away all the magical energy you had. This magic is very powerful and I can't use it everytime due to the enormous consumption of mana, if I had to do it a third time I would completely finish my magic energy reserve. »
« You are crazy! »

« Yes I am. I'm a fool, a loner, a cynic, a bastard, an empty being, a murderer and even a marionette. And only for today will I be your worst nightmare. » 

« I will not let you win the Holy Grail War! It's my daughter's life! »

« Do you think I care? By now it's too late to appeal to that shred of goodness I had in my heart, now I am reincarnated death and I will kill you. I don't give a fuck about your daughter! »
« Son of a bitch! »

Clovis tried to hit the boy with a punch aimed at his face but Alessandro kicked him in the testicles and knocked him to the ground and then said, snapping his fingers:

« Gladio. »

A sword appeared in Alessandro's right hand, a blade made of energy, a transparent weapon of a blue color with a straight blade and a cross-shaped hilt.

Alessandro stepped aside from Clovis and prepared to behead him. 

« I will not die, asshole! »

Clovis punched Alessandro in the stomach and then jumped on him and tried to strangle him but the boy freed himself, rolled to the side and tried to get back on his feet but was again intercepted by Clovis who didn't want to let him escape. The two began to fight on the asphalt until Alessandro was unable to get up and hit his opponent with a kick in the face, Clovis broke his nose and the boy smiled cynically seeing him suffer like a dog.

« You see it? Even the most fearsome magus is just an insect before me. »
« You will die, Alessandro Serpi! You will die! »
« No, you will be the only one to die. »
« Screw you! I'm not going to let you kill me, not after all the sacrifices I've made! I arrived here only to have the Holy Grail and save my daughter, I will succeed in my mission and you will certainly never be able to stop me! »
« Do not bet on it! »
« Ah! I know why you are so stubborn that you want to stop me, is it because I killed that bitch? »

Then Alessandro no longer saw from anger. He jumped on Clovis Wolff and started punching him repeatedly on the face. One punch after the other, on the bloody nose, on the teeth, on the cheeks, on the eyes, one punch after the other, drop of blood after drop of blood. Alessandro was a fury: he screamed, he cried. He screamed and cried and kept saying:

« All of this, is your fault! It's your fault! It's your fault! It's your fault that I'm so sick now! It's your fault if I'm suffering! Die! Die! DIE! Die and leave me alone! Bastard! »

Then Saber realized why Alessandro had always been so contradictory with her: why were there times where he seemed as hot as fire and others where it seemed as cold as ice? What was that pushed Alessandro to hide his feelings and avoid love? The answer was so obvious: the fear of suffering. Alessandro hated suffering. Alessandro hated being sick that's why he didn't bind himself sentimentally to anyone, that's why he tried to shut himself up like a clam and that's why he resisted his love. The fear of suffering, the fear forced him to inflict these pains but was it really what he wanted? Perhaps it was another lie that Alessandro was telling himself: perhaps this would never have made him happy and little by little he was realizing it. That's why he was reacting that way.

Alessandro was like a caged animal asking to be left in peace, he was a little animal huddling in his nest and avoiding opening his heart for fear of being sick. Saber's task was to get him out of that cage and protect him, she had promised and she had to do that.

Saber grabbed Alessandro and pushed him away from Clovis:

« Enough, Master. That's okay. Thats enough. Take it easy. »
« Saber … » Alessandro's bloodied hands were shaking and Saber stopped them and stroked them gently.
« Now it's all over. There is no need for this anymore. »
« I'm sorry you … witnessed this. »
« I like it that way. You don't scare me, on the contrary, you gave me proof that you are human and that you have a big heart, the greatest heart I have ever seen. »

Clovis, meanwhile, tried to get back on his feet and Alessandro intercepted him. He snapped his fingers and said:

« Gladio. »
« Master, wait! You don't have to kill him. »
« I will purify my soul only thanks to this murder, Saber. I will make this asshole burn in Hell! »
Alessandro, with the sword in his hand, pierced Clovis's heart. The man died murmuring his daughter's name one last time.

Chapter 69 : Two destinies (part 3)

Archer had his Master in his arms, Fukano Harumi, with a hole in her stomach caused by Clovis Wolff's lethal magic bullet. Archer was in tears and shook the girl, stroked her and apologized several times but she consoled him:

« Sshhh, don't cry for me, Archer … there is nothing to be sad about. »
« Oh, my princess, my fearless princess, how can I not cry? You, who deserved more than all the Masters to win, are abandoning this war prematurely. »
« Archer … Thomas … now there's nothing left to do. This is the destiny I chose. My only satisfaction is that my uncle will never touch me again, but my only regret is that I will never be with you again, my prince. »
« Princess! Don't abandon this world! Don't abandon it, I beg you! Stay with me, smile with me, fight with me! We have so much to do! »

« Thomas … all this time I was lost but you saved me, you brought a light where there was only darkness and for this I love you. Both in life and in death, I will be faithful to you, both in health and in illness, I will be by your side, Thomas. »

« Princess, my princess, I don't want to forget you. »

« Neither do I, Thomas, and I won't. »

She stroked his face with her bloody hand, Archer grabbed her arm and then her head and kissed her. She closed her eyes and returned that kiss.

« Fall asleep, my beautiful princess, with this kiss I give you a peaceful sleep. We will meet again in Heaven. »
Harumi let herselef go, her face turned pale and her heart stopped beating. The last breath was accompanied by the last smile and the last tear that fell on the ground that caused a dark silence to fall. Archer rested the body of his Master, stood up and turned to Saber:
« I enjoyed myself, Saber. It was a good fight until it lasted. »

« I cry with you, Archer, that your Master can find peace in a better world. » 

Alessandro remained silent. Archer disappeared and Saber immediately noticed that her Master had not said a word, had not even shed a tear. That girl who had managed to touch his heart had to mean a lot to him and yet Alessandro didn't cry. That girl who was very similar to Alessandro was dead and yet he didn't cry. 

He approached her helpless body without paying attention to Clovis, for him that magus was not a threat. He bowed and prayed:

« God that you all know, the death of my sister Harumi leaves me depressed and uncertain and it seems to me an injustice: it gives hope to me that I turn to you, help me to rediscover the depth of your love, which makes me pass from death to life. I beg you. Accept this pious soul into your eternal dwelling as your daughter, to the love she has never received, to the security she never had, to the hope that never enlightened her short existence, since your glory is great and yours benevolence is infinite. Amen. »
Alessandro kissed his fingers and then touched Harumi's forehead. He stood up and turned to Clovis who was ready to face him but Alessandro didn't have a pugnacious look, his eyes weren't fiery but they weren't even cold, when Saber saw them she noticed that they were struck by murderous lucidity, those were the eyes of a man who only wanted blood.

Chapter 68 : Two destinies (part 2)

The territories of Gaul disappeared and with them also the legion, even the archers of Thomas de Camoys dissolved. Both Saber and Archer were injured, exhausted, but still they didn't want to give up for any reason in the world.

At that moment Harumi ran to Archer and stood in front of him, his wounds were not healing because she no longer had magical energy while Saber was able to recover in a short time and her wounds regenerated. Harumi was in tears and turned to Alessandro, shouting:
« Why? Why do you want to hinder me? You have nothing! You don't want anything! I must win! Why are you hindering me? »
Saber was on the point of returning to fight but Alessandro stopped her raising his hand and answered Harumi:
« Because the Grail of Yggdrasil is dangerous. If you use it you will condemn us all, it's no different from what happened to Fuyuki. Maybe you don't know but if I let you go you would never be able to face Yukiko and Berserker. I used the magic of before to deprive you of magical energy so you won't get in my way. »
« Go to hell! » She screamed.

« Would you have preferred to die? » 

« Why do you think I'm here? Because I like living? If I had had a good life I would never have accepted to fight the Holy Grail War! But I don't have a good life! I lost everything when my uncle put his hands on me for the first time, I completely lost the love for my life! How can I love what has now been tainted by the perversion of a heartless man ?! How can I prefer life to death when life is the disease of my soul and my body? » She screamed in despair.

« So you fight to change things? »

« Does it seem so strange to you? Are you so empty that you can't even pity a person who suffers? Are you so cold you don't even give me the right to die fighting? Do you want to take away from me even a dignified defeat? »

« I was told to let you live. »

« NO! Screw you! I am not a child who needs protection! I have already suffered enough to be treated like a weak person! Your arrogance bothers me! »

« Stop crying, you won't pity me. You are not the only one to have suffered: I lost a father, I was betrayed by all those whom I considered friends and now I have to face my sister. I was forced to participate in this war, I didn't even want to do it, but I am here and I will not let myself be stopped by you. » Alessandro said.

« You will always be alone if you continue to lack love for yourself … I know … »

Those words hit Alessandro like an arrow in the heart. In that single moment Harumi was able to read him, to understand what he felt: a lack of love for himself. Precisely because he never had a great self-esteem, precisely because he never loved himself he was always manipulated, betrayed and always alone. Precisely for this reason he has never managed to get his happiness: how can a person who does not love himself be really happy? In Harumi's words he revealed a connection that united them that made, in a sense, both of them loners who had no love for themselves and yet tried to get on with what they had.

« I'm sorry … » Alessandro murmured, with tears in his eyes.
Saber was shocked to see her Master cry like that, even Harumi and Archer never expected such a reaction from him.
« I'm sorry if I'm like this, I'm not looking for forgiveness for how I treated you but I need you to understand that if I don't stop Yukiko it will be the end. But I promise you that when the war is over, when the war is … when the war is over I'll give you a place to stay. We will both go to the Clock Tower. »
« Why do you say these things? »

« Because now more than ever I want to start again. I want to become a new person. » 

« No, it can't be done … it's impossible. It can not be done! »

« Yes, it can be done! »
Alessandro took Harumi by the hands and she blushed, both were crying and he said to her:
« We have to start over. Life is too short to be wasted in this pain. We must live! We must be happy! Don't you think so too? »
« What you say is impossible to happen! I can't escape from the past! »
« You mustn't run away from the past, you must build a present. Let's do it together, Harumi! »
He embraced her and at that moment Harumi realized that even Alessandro, like her, had been alone for so long to lose all hope for the future, they were similar. Two people without self-esteem, without love for themselves who found themselves in the Holy Grail War, was it perhaps destiny? Was it the hand of God?
« No. » She said, pushing away Alessandro.

« Why? »

« Because I'm not here for that. You say we can start again, but I don't want to start again. I want what I decided to fight for, I can't follow you. I'm sorry. No. »

The girl wiped her tears and prepared to continue the battle. She knew she no longer had magical energy, she knew that Archer was injured, but she didn't want to give up, she didn't want to follow the fate of Alessandro Serpi, she had a destiny of her own, a path to follow, and no one would have made her change her mind. She would go on until death.

« All right. » He said.

He respected her. For the first time he respected one of his adversaries and she was Harumi, Alessandro slowly moved away and prepared to launch the next spell: the last.

« You will die. »

« If this is my way, that's fine. But I prefer this to nothing. » 

« Alright then. »

Alessandro prepared to attack Harumi but a magic bullet touched him and hit the girl's belly. It all happened in an instant and the girl fell into Archer's arms:
« Princess! Princess! PRINCESS!!!! »
Alessandro turned and saw Clovis Wolff.

Chapter 67 : Two destinies (part 1)

While Alessandro Serpi and Fukano Harumi were busy fighting each other, Saber and Archer were facing each other intently, trying to observe the movements that the other did thinking about how to act. Archer took out the bow and shot the first arrow but Saber swerved it, the girl tried to get close to the enemy to hit him with a blow but Archer was quick enough to be able to parry the blow and then, with a leap , walked away.

« Use the bow as if it were a sword. You're not just an archer, you're also a knight who probably fought with the sword, right? »
« Exactly. You had already guessed my homeland, but you don't know who I am. But I, on the contrary, know who you are, Caesar. So, out of respect for you, I'll give you my name: I'm Thomas de Camoys. Sir Thomas de Camoys. Now we can have a fair duel. »

« Ah! For the Gods, you are just like Rider! I hate those who are obsessed with honor and loyalty, what are we? Children? The important thing is to win, no matter how and no matter what methods: winning is what matters! » 

« You speak with hatred of honor. With what right do you dare to insult cavalry? »

« You, Rider and Berserker, inside that church, are losers by definition. You are failures who don't know how to win, that's why you hold on to honor: because it keeps you safe. You are loyal and honest because you don't know how to think, you are barbarians who use the club and not the head. I, on the contrary, are both a general, a warrior, a strategist and an intellectual. I'm not afraid of being dishonest. »
« Funny, told by a person who has lost everything due to a conspiracy. Your kingdom lasted very little and you are only remembered for how you died: betrayed by your own allies. Your life was just a race to reach the impossible. »

« So? Archer, my dear Archer, do you really think this matters? I was able, even in death, to leave a mark. I managed to achieve immortality, I did it so well that the other Heroic Spirits look like fakes to me! » 

« Your arrogance disgusts me, Caesar. »

« You can love me or you can hate me, but you can't ignore me. »
« Ah, ah! You really have the head of a dictator, Caesar! But surely I won't miss you when I kill you, honey. »

Archer shot two more arrows, Saber parried them and ran at full speed against the opponent, then Archer decided it was time to finish the battle quickly. He walked away from the girl and prepared to use the Noble Phantasm, to which Saber could do nothing but smile and exclaimed:

« Do you really want to play this game with me? All right! But if you want to use your Noble Phantasm then you'll have to do it where I say! »

Saber stuck her sword in the ground, it lit up and brought Archer to Gaul. The man grimaced and said:

« I am happy to be able to face the legions of Caesar. » 

« Offer me a worthy challenge, Archer! Your death will most glorify my name! »

Saber then exclaimed holding her sword:
« Legion, my beloved legion! You have accompanied me in different battlefields, you have given me the power to realize my dreams and now I will guide you to new glories! Always bigger! Come to me Legio Gallica! (The Legion that Conquered Gaul) »

The Roman soldiers came behind Saber, the legionaries were lined up, they were hundreds of thousands and they were all ready to fight against the enemy. The girl gave the order to attack and at that moment Archer exclaimed:

« We are not afraid of dying! Today is the day to show the strength of the English army to these Romans! Left Wing of Agincourt! (Great Battle of Azincourt) »

Phantom archers appeared and started shooting their arrows at Saber's immense legion. 

Some soldiers died because of the arrows but then the legionaries decided to use the tortoise formation to prevent them from dying because of Archer's Noble Phantasm. A real battlefield had been created, a war zone where Romans and English faced each other to determine which army was the best.

At one point Saber and Archer came face to face, they fought and the girl was getting the better: after several blows, finally, she succeeded in hurting the enemy but Archer answered using the Honor of Trotton skill thanks to which he shot an explosive arrow that hit Saber in full.

Upcoming changes

I have to make you aware of a great change that the story will undergo from chapter 79 onwards.

I started a collaboration with Bikowolf1 (I hope I wrote well), he has a profile on DeviantArt and on Pixiv. One of my problems has always been the absence of the typical light novel element in this my blognovel (ie the drawings). Initially the story should have ended in chapter 85 or 86, this was my program in September, but then I decided to extend it after being inspired by the myth of Yggdrasil that talks about the end and the beginning of the world (but I don't want to do spoiler).

From chapter 79 there will also be drawings made by Bikowolf1 just like a light novel.

Thanks for your attention.

Chapter 66 : Stop Yukiko (part 2)

Westminster Abbey.

Under the full moon rising in the sky studded with small splendours, Alessandro Serpi and Saber met their rivals waiting for them in front of the church: Fukano Harumi and Archer. Alessandro was not surprised to see them, he had noticed that the two were first following them and then they had overtaken them, they probably realized that he and Saber were heading to Berserker and Yukiko.

Harumi was standing, ten meters from Alessandro, with a fiery look and a strong spirit, ready to fight as opposed to the boy in front of her who was clearly annoyed. Alessandro had no intention of wasting his time with Harumi, it was clear from that arrogant expression and from the fact that he continued to glance briefly at the entrance of Westminster Abbey: he wanted to enter and face Yukiko. 

Harumi asked:

« Are you in such a hurry to face Berserker? » 

« Yes. »

« Well, too bad for you but I'll be the one to go in there. »
« Honestly, I'm surprised. »
« About what? »
« To see you alive. Neither Assassin, nor Caster nor Lancer managed to get here but instead I'm in front of Archer with the weakest Master I've ever faced. It's a miracle. God protects you, Fukano Harumi. »
« You really are an arrogant asshole. » She said.
« Maybe, but I'm still stronger than you. »
« Since I first saw you at Regent's Park, I quickly realized you were an arrogant, self-centered, apathetic without desires. You're just here to hinder me. You're just a bastard who has to stop me from having a better life. »

« Have you finished insulting me? » 

« Yes, I will defeat you immediately. »

A magic circle with the dragon symbol appeared under Harumi's feet and the girl was enveloped in a rainbow-colored light. Harumi jumped to Alessandro who, without batting an eyelid, snapped his fingers and said:

« Dis. »

The magic thrust had no effect on the girl and this left Alessandro stunned. Harumi hit him with a fist so strong that he tipped over. Even Saber was shocked to see how much the girl had improved.

« As you can see, I'm no longer weak. »
« Perfect. » Alessandro said, getting to his feet.
« Will you take me seriously now? »
« You can count on it! »
Alessandro snapped his fingers again and exclaimed:

« Defendere! » 

The girl saw a magic shield appear in front of her rival but she was not impressed and hit the barrier with a series of punches that managed to smash it and then, quickly, she tried to attack even Alessandro but the latter managed to avoid the last blow in the last moment and recovered ground while trying to understand the magic of Harumi. Surely it was a remarkable physical enhancement, like that of Murakawa Tetsuya but better, something that concerned the magic circle used before. Alessandro had to find a way to be able to fight his opponent without getting hit. He dodged more shots and then snapped his fingers and exclaimed:

« Gladius Flammae! »

A sword of fire appeared out of nowhere, it started like a bullet against Harumi piercing her belly, but she was able to tear off the weapon and the wound healed immediately. Alessandro Serpi was shocked, he didn't know how to explain such magic. 

« I have to congratulate you, Harumi, I never expected such magic. Many Coven scholars have always tried to reproduce the incredible regenerative abilities of Avalon, the Excalibur scabbard, but you managed to get those abilities with a single Magecraft. »

« Now do you take me seriously? »

« Yes, but I'm not afraid of you. In fact, I believe the explanation behind that power of yours is fairly obvious. Magicraft isn't something unrelated to the human soul, soul and Magecraft are like earth and plants. When the soul is in a certain state, a certain condition, it is possible that you release enough magical energy to do what you are doing now. »

« Then? » 

« More intensely a flame burns faster the wood burns. How long will that magic last? This is what interests me. »

Harumi ran to the enemy and prepared a blow so powerful that it would kill Alessandro but the boy snapped his fingers and said:

« Manus Sancti. »

A sudden glare blinded Harumi, the girl fell to the ground and when she returned to see she felt tired, unable to get up, for some strange reason she was weakened. Alessandro looked at her with a satisfied grin and told her:

« I won. »

Chapter 65 : Stop Yukiko (part 1)

Viktor was in the bedroom with Alessandro Serpi and Saber and said to them:

« You have to go to face Yukiko, it's time to stop her. »
Alessandro got out of bed trying to forget what had just happened with Saber, the kiss the two were about to exchange, and asked Viktor:
« What is the plan? »
« Lombardo had spoken of a blood ritual and the only two descendants of the druids are you and the Master of Archer, which means you have to find a way to prevent that Harumi Fukano from falling into Yukiko's hands. »
« I'll have to fight her. »
« Exactly, do you have any problems with this? »
« No, not really. She is weak enough, I will be able to defeat her. »
« This is the right spirit, Master! » Exclaimed Saber, enthusiastic.
« Well, then I would say that the time has come for me to go. »
Alessandro and Saber started towards the exit but Viktor blocked their way and turned to the boy saying:
« You don't have to kill the girl. »
« Are you talking about Harumi? »
« Exactly, you must not kill her. All right? »
« What if she should force me? »
« I doubt she will succeed, if she is as weak as you say. »
« Why are you so worried about her? »
« I got to meet her, she's a fragile girl, she has the eyes of someone who has had a horrible life, she doesn't deserve to die. »
« Death is part of this war, Viktor, but I promise you I will do my best not to kill her, I can't promise you anything else, I'm sorry. »

Saber was ready for the battle and followed Alessandro along the clock tower corridor until he reached the exit that was on the ground floor. The girl asked him curiously:
« How long do you think the battle against Archer will last? »
« If it goes on for long, you'll use the Noble Phantasm, I don't want to waste time with a magus without talent. We need to conserve energy to face Yukiko and Berserker. »
« It would be much better to make an alliance. »
« It can't be done, Saber. » He replied coldly.
« Maybe you're right. »
Saber noticed that Alessandro's hand was shaking, the boy was obviously frightened but he tried to restrain himself as best he could. She took his hand and reassured him:
« I'll be by your side until the end, Master. »
« Thanks, Saber. »

Chapter 64 : Caos and silence

The Clock Tower was in turmoil, people were running, they were agitated and trying to understand what had just happened in London. Alessandro Serpi walked silently into Viktor's office with Saber. Once inside he noticed that Marco Lombardo was not there and asked, closing the door:

« Where did he go? »
« He returned to Rome. » Viktor answered.
The man stood at the desk with a cigar lit in his mouth. Beyond the door of the room you could hear the incessant noises of the Clock Tower. Alessandro sat quietly in the armchair and waited for calm. Saber sat next to him indulging his silence.
« They won't stop. » Viktor said.
« I don't blame them. » Alessandro said.
« What happened then? »

« Berserker owns a Noble Phantasm Anti-Planet. » 

« I imagined it, she was the only one on the list that could have a similar Noble Phantasm. »

« You don't seem surprised. »
« I was never convinced that it was the Holy Grail, I knew it was the fault of a Servant but I didn't think that being right was so painful. »
« Yukiko has Berserker. »
« Obviously. »

Viktor turned off the cigar.

« What can we do now that the Grand Master is dead? » Alessandro asked.
« Nothing, now it's the turn of the Coven. His death is a misfortune but I don't cry, after all he had orchestrated Bradley's death. »

« I see. » 

« What happened with Yukiko? »

« She challenged me, she wants to challenge me at Westminster Abbey. »
« Obviously. So the time has come. »
« Yes, the time has come. »

That night Alessandro stayed to sleep in a bedroom in the Clock Tower. His luggage was in a corner of the room, still to be unpacked, and he was lying on the bed looking at the ceiling, thinking back to what he had seen: that Noble Phantasm was frighteningly strong, Alessandro was aware of it and for this he was afraid to face Yukiko again.

Saber was sitting in the next bed and was undoing her sandals, she took off her cloak and then her armor showing that red dress she wore under it that reminded Alessandro of a sort of bathing suit. Saber was silent and had a thoughtful look. 

« What else did Aeneas show you? » He asked.

« Are you talking about when I dreamed him? »
« Yes. What else did you see? »

« The heroes that preceded me and the heroes who came after me. Aeneas wanted to make me understand that like them I too had changed the story and for this I would have been remembered forever. »

« What do you think about it? »
« I don't know, what do you expect me to tell you? »
« Are you proud of how things went? Once you told me that wars need to be made to be told but you didn't tell me how you feel with the memory you left. »
« Well … » She got up and sat on Alessandro's bed: « I guess I'm feeling good. »
« It's not an answer. » He noticed.

« Many things have gone differently from what I imagined, I would have expected more monuments in my name and I would have imagined a Roman empire still alive and powerful but none of this is present. I know I managed to leave a mark but … » 

« But do you think you haven't done enough? »

« Yes. My beloved Queen of Egypt has never known how much I love her, my military campaigns against the Parthians and against the Germans have never happened and my dictatorship lasted too little to be able to permanently change Rome. »

« This is your problem, Saber, you're too obsessed with wanting to do something big. You can't stop, you can't relax and enjoy life. You spent your whole life trying to shine more than any other person and in the end you turned off thinking you hadn't done enough, but what else was there for Caesar? What else could you have done? Wouldn't it have been better to relax and enjoy the peace? »

« This is your philosophy, not mine. For me stopping is unthinkable, when climbing a mountain you must never go back, you have to climb up to reach the summit. » 

« But you had already reached the summit. »

« It's not true. I also thought I did it at the beginning, but the world is vast and could be all mine. My peak should have been a battle so great, so glorious, in the most important battlefield for the most precious prize of all. » She exclaimed.
« Yet you told me that your desire is to be with the woman you love. »

Alessandro's sharpness took Saber off guard and he continued:

« You want love, you want a happy and peaceful life just like me and yet you say you are destined for higher peaks, more glorious battles and similar things. Things are two: either you're contradicting yourself on purpose or you don't know what you 

really want. »

« Maybe I don't know what I really want, but can you blame me? I had a life so rich with loved ones and military and political successes that I never stopped to think what was more important to me: love or power? »
« Sorry for putting this doubt into you, I didn't want to. » Alessandro said, regretfully.

« That's fine with me, Master. » 

Saber moved and stood over Alessandro, he immediately blushed and tried to escape but she stopped his wrists and approached him, their lips were inches away, their breaths stirred, she was blushing and her heart was blazing he was warming her up. Saber murmured:

« With my power I can obtain love and with this love I can have power. This time, Master, give me a moment of satisfaction. »
« Sa-Saber ... we can't! »
She kissed his cheek and then lay down on him and began to whisper in his ear, licking the lobe:
« I can do everything. »

Alessandro did not know what to do, Saber was on him and she continued and licked his ear biting it occasionally, he was getting aroused and could not prevent it in any way and she kept holding him. Their faces met again one in front of the other, her eyes were like those enchanted by those of him, Alessandro asked her:

« I don't understand you. You should love only one person, why do you do this? »
« I can love more people in the same way and I love you, Alessandro. I love you. »
« Saber … »
Alessandro felt attracted to her, he could not stop now, Saber let go of his wrists and closed her eyes, he took her face and came closer, their lips were brushing, silence fell, their hearts were like crazy horses , their bodies were like ovens and they were getting wet with sweat.

Someone knocked on the door. Viktor's voice was heard:

« Excuse me if I disturb, but I have to talk to you. »

The fire of passion died away in an instant, as soon as the door opened, Saber had already gotten out of bed and returned to his seat, Viktor had no idea what had happened but noticed that Alessandro was a little dazed. He said:

« Alessandro, Saber, it's time to go. »

Chapter 63 : London in flames (part 3)

Grand Master Giovanni Monteverdi X was dead, he had been killed by Berserker's powerful Noble Phantasm. Saber and Alessandro were horrified by that apocalyptic scene: an immense chasm had opened up in the city, a pit identical to that of Regent's Park.

« Obviously she was only at the minimum of her power. » Asserted Yukiko coming to meet the two.
« Do you realize what you did ?! » Alessandro screamed angrily.
« Do you think I'm interested? I got what I wanted and that's enough for me. Grand Master Giovanni Monteverdi X died, end of the discussion. »
« Is it possible that you don't realize the harm you're doing ?! Are you at least capable of human feelings ?! »
« No. » She replied, smiling.
« No? What does that mean? »

« My humanity is only a memory. I'm only an imitation and therefore I do not feel pity. This cancer of humanity does not weigh on my shoulders and therefore I will kill, kill and kill to infinity and you will not be able to do anything to stop me. » 

« I will stop you! » He screamed.

« If you really believe it then you'll already know where to find me. Now only you and Harumi remain, you are both useful and I wonder who will face me. I'm really curious. »
Berserker arrived and picked up Yukiko then the two left leaving Saber and Alessandro alone in front of that terrifying scenario.

Within a few minutes all the English news came to talk about the terrible event and among the interested spectators there were Harumi and Archer, in their hotel room. The two had managed to defeat Rybakov and Assassin and were ready for the next battle. The girl was sitting on the bed watching the news and then she saw the image of Alessandro Serpi in a frame of the video and realized that he was still alive and was responsible for what happened. Probably there had been a battle between Servants and one of them had used the Noble Phantasm, this she assumed but had never seen anything so powerful.

Archer asked her:
« Princess, what do we do now? »
« We must win the Grail at all costs. So we have to attack that boy and Saber. It is the only way. »
« So the hunt finally begins. »
« Exactly. Finally the time has come to win the Holy Grail and to carry out this crazy war. »