Part 9: Flame Poem Arc - Clash

Clash



Well, it's time to meet the vanguard of Altera's Forces of Destruction. Before beginning, I equipped the Frost Wolf Mantle to deal with the Frost Sector Traps, as well as provide healing, offense up, and antidote Code Casts. It's a very good, all-around Mystic Code that you should be using a fair bit.

In addition, Nero's bond level has grown high enough since Stage 2 to equip two new Install Skills. I chose regular attack damage up, and Moon Crux damage up. It's a nice all-around boost to attack, and it'll make this stage much less of a slog than the previous one. Well then, let us begin. Oh, and that mysterious first icon in the Side Mission list? We will be getting to that in due time, but not this attempt.








Flame Poem Stage 4

So, for a bit of overview for this stage: first, Li Shuwen will go from his current Sector to the one right next to ours. As before with Cu Chulainn, he will take it over in short order and do his best to hold it down for us. Our main adversary at this point in the stage is the enemy Servant, Iskandar, the King of Conquerors. He will quickly move to the Sector next to his and take it over.

Once he has done so, he will become significantly more powerful, and different strategies will be required to face him. Ideally, you'll stop him before that happens. The way I played this, however...



However, it appears Jeanne d'Arc will be joining Iskandar, but she's not currently on the field. She will be our Boss Servant, as you might guess.



Saber? I'm surprised you're still alive. ...But my Forces of Destruction will eliminate you shortly.



Wait! You're running away?!



Well, jeez, be that way, I guess.

Hm, she disappeared. Where's the third Praetor...?



Like I said, just ignore these chumps, as Li will be along shortly. However, instead of going directly after Iskandar, I'm going up to the middle of the map to take out that Plant and the Sector.



These bat enemies only show up on a couple stages, but they are very annoying. There's usually a lot of them, and they fire electrcity downward. A whole bunch of them can hit you at once, and they'll usually hit you with paralysis after a few strikes, and it both takes a long time to go away, and can be very dangerous. If you do get his with paralysis, don't even attempt to fight an enemy Servant, as you'll flinch a lot and it'll be like trying to fight someone while your legs and hands are bound behind you. Just wait until it goes away, or, y'know, use yourself an antidote.





And this is what absorbing a Sector Trap looks like. A lot easier than having to do all that Moon Crux silliness, definitely. After taking over the Sector...







Unfortunately, Iskandar immediately took over the Sector as soon as I arrived. Bummer. We'll just have to deal with a powered-up version.



Do you see the lightning crackling on his body? That indicates when an enemy Servant is powered up in some fashion. In stages like this, after the enemy Servant has taken their first Sector, they'll get powered up. I'm not sure if they get stronger the more Sectors they take over, but not in the mood to find out.

So, once an enemy has been powered up, it cannot be removed, so we'll just have to work for it. The most noticeable change to them is the fact square will no longer stagger them. Triangle / Moon Crux attacks are your best bet. Now, this actually isn't a major problem, and here's why. While in this powered-up state, they cannot enter Moon Drive mode, like they normally could. That means at all times they can be staggered.

Oh, and Blitzkreigs. Blitzkreigs are rare invasion-types where an Aggressor, I think always a Servant, will immediately launch an invasion from one Sector to another. Iskandar is one such Aggressor.



So what about Iskandar as an enemy? Well, he's got some pretty strong hits, and some ranged strikes, but his thing is he is really slow. On higher difficulties, he'll throw out some new tricks, but even as he is, he is pretty powerful. Never take your eyes off him, since his attacks pound for pound are very powerful, and he has a lot of health to go through.



But once you've gone through ~60% of his health, he'll immediately become immune from damage and withdraw from the field. We'll have some time to do a little conquering of our own / taking back what's been taken.



But, Alexander the Great was never known from fleeing from the battle when things were getting hairy. Well, technically speaking, he is one of history's great commanders, who never lost a battle (poor Darius III), but then again, he never did face Nero in the field of battle on the moon, so who knows.

Anyway, point is, he's not the type who goes down easy. He's going after Li Shuwen right now, so we're going to bail him out. I won't have another Gawain situation on my watch.



Well, after we take out this Plant, that is. Don't want the damage to spread while we're fighting him. But, because it is a Flame Sector Trap area, we'll have to use a Moon Crux.



Two losses already. Not looking good, friend. Now time to wrap things up. Nero's S T T combo, where she jumps up into the air, slams down, then executes a powerful slash in front of her, is really good for fighting single enemies, just because you don't generally need a lot of mobility against targets with a lot of health, especially when Nero's own attacks generally are pretty weak. Might as well use the strongest we got.



Like a bad penny, this guy. Well, I will assure you third time is the charm, and once you've chased him off a third time, he's gone. For this stage, at least.



When you activate a stat-boosting Code Cast, you'll get a circle of rings around your Servant. Always like when games give you a good idea how long a stat-boost will last.



But with wise use of S T T, I quickly put him down for good...and somehow got him stuck in mid-air. I'm not entirely sure what's happening here. Maybe his hitbox is bumping up against the hedge and not being able to clear it? Whatever, I find it funny, so I will ask no further questions.



With Iskandar's fall, we finally bring out Joan of Arc herself. This area is at the center of the map, which is currently subject to invasion. I have confidence my goons can hold off both the invaders and Jeanne until I can conquer the final Sector.



You may think I'm wasting my Noble Phantasm on two Aggressors. Well, I wanted to check if I could use an NP to avoid Sector Trap damage...



...It did not. Now, even after this experiment, I cannot absolutely guarantee an NP will not nullify the damage. Perhaps I just activated the NP a moment too soon. But, even with that doubt, don't think I'll repeat this particular experiment.







So...Jeanne as an enemy is actually pretty dangerous. She's another fairly slow enemy, though a fair bit faster than Iskandar, but the main danger here is the reach of her attacks. By swinging her flag around, she gains a lot of reach, and while individually not especially powerful, she has a good ability to both keep you at bay and attack from beyond your reach.



One of her most dangerous attacks is dashing back and forth swinging her flag, and eventually sword, around. I'd recommend immediately throwing up block when she starts attacking.



This is from earlier in the fight, but she is, by my recollection, the only Servant in this game who has a persistent aerial attack, where she'll spin her flag around really, *really* fast, fast enough to propel herself forward a bit in the air. As you might guess, this attack will easily swat you away if you try to attack her in the air.

Unless you're in Moon Crux mode, of course.



So what's the strategy for fighting her? There isn't really any special one. She's arguably the most dangerous enemy you've fought so far, just for the reach on her basic attacks, but all the usual stuff will work. I guess if you wanted a more specific strategy, take advantage of the lag between one special attack ending and the next beginning.

But here's the thing: this game is actually pretty easy, even on Hard. Just the fact you can build basically invulnerable builds and have three extra lives makes things simple. So, when you get to that point, you need to create your challenge, which is why I try to go for EX rank every stage. That feels like the "right" way to play it, y'know? Not to say there aren't some pretty tough stages, of course.



But the standard-bearer has fallen this day.



Well, that wasn't too bad, right? Much better than the slogfest at the Millennium Capital, that's for damn sure.


The star







Just as we speak of you, you feel the need to appear before us. Are you so insecure, Heroic Spirit Altera? Hm, where is the third Praetor? Confined to your ring, perhaps?

...That's right. The "Praetor" is my property and my Prisoner. No wandering off, and no speaking without my permission.

You keep your Praetor chained like a criminal. You vile fiend, who do you think the Master is?

Not "who", "what". The Master is the key to the Regalia, and so I keep those two things together, with no chance to escape. ...You see, the last time I showed any leniency, the Master tricked me and tried to leave home. So, no more of that.

You have forced your Master into submission. Truly, you are beyond redemption. It is my duty and my pleasure to strike you down.

I could say the same of you, Servant. Your blather over my Prisoner is so pitifully naive. Still... You've managed to surprise me. Driving off the King of Conquerors, Iskandar? And he certainly wasn't holding back. How did that happen? Your function and statistics give you no advantage over him. Far from it. So how did you win? Tell me.

Ha. Do you not understand, Altera? Heaven, Earth, humanity, it's all so much more than "function and statistics". Sometimes we hurl ourselves against all odds, heedless of the consequences. That's passion, and it's unstoppable. Before you coming, the Praetor and I won every battle in the Holy Grail War here on this Moon. No one could have predicted such a thing, not with a calculator. But we seized the grand prize with the power of our bond, our love!

...I'll bet she's been waiting a while to deliver that speech.

"Bond..." "Love..."? Is that some kind of hidden feature, some secret skill?

Absolutely not! Are you truly so woefully misinformed? I speak of our heart, of our feelings!

...I'm aware of the concept, but that's all. I have no need to know more of such things. Now come and test the "power" of your love against the Sword of Mars.







I have not yet finished!





You spoke of the Sword of Mars. So you must respect the glories of the Roman gods. Do you have ties with Rome, perhaps?

...I am Altera. I am the destruction of the world and all those in it. Was there a place called "Rome" once? Then perhaps it was I who destroyed it.

What?!

But please, don't misjudge me. Destruction is my duty, not my...passion. Emperor Nero. If you hand over your Master and Regalia, we will spare you both. If not, then...your life and your Master's Mind are forfeit. Choose. Surrender or extinction.

Hm... If you look closely there, I think Altera just gave away a bit of the game. What value would a self-described avatar of mindless, merciless destruction place on surrender, of all things?

Unfortunately, don't think Nero is going to be able to beat an answer out of her. She doesn't seem like the talky type, or really doesn't seem to know of *anything* outside of breaking stuff.

Her words are deadly quiet. "Surrender or extinction". The White Servant isn't lying. I'm sure Saber knows that too. Whatever else she might be, she's clearly true to her word. But...

I refuse!







...Today, in the name of grace, I will show you mercy. Consider it well. The next time we meet, that grace will fall away.

...



Oh? Oh my, what is this...?

You...!

The Planet's embodiment, Heroic Spirit Altera. You know, for all that power of yours, you're taking your sweet time here, don't you think?

...

"Falling like a star to crush all those beneath." Again, I think back to what Altera said. "The Planet". Her star. There has to be some greater connection.

I mean, you NEED to kill her, and you're showing her mercy... Did the Planet say you could do that? Your job is to kill people and break things, right? I'm not wrong about that, am I? So unless you want to quit and take up, I don't know, cultivating piggies or squirrels, why don't you stop messing around and get it done? I mean, what have you got on your plate BESIDES destruction, really?

...Shut your mouth.

Oh, scaaary. I can just feel the rays of destruction streaming off of you. But just remember this. Whatever happens, the Planet's going to do what it does, right? No matter what kind of "mercy" you want to show.

...



...You and the Planet... Irritating as you are, you seem to have a personal stake in this, Dark Eliza.

Good, you finally got my name right. I was getting ready to kill you if you messed it up again. All right, my sad, clueless rival. As a special favor, I'll educate you. The one that gave me this power. The star of destruction that comes again every 14,000 years! It invades, breaks, and feeds, crushing everything in its path, including your world! Its name...







...I feel like I saw something just now. Was it an illusion? Or a vision, forcing its way into my head? I saw the ground burning. I saw the world burning. I saw every inch, every corner, torn by pain and corruption. I felt the world's despair as the invaders spread and multiplied like cancer cells.

"The catastrophe destroys all civilizations, without clemency or judgment. The beasts of nature suffer horrible mutations, run amok, and ultimately fall to ash. Prophets protest that the end has come too soon. Rulers call up on their people to fight. Scholars say only that it is too late. But some people cling to their optimism, believing that at least some of them will endure."



"...Until the true threat makes its appearance."



I saw something I'd never seen before, but it still seemed familiar. Was it a memory of mien? Where could I have seen it, and how? Was it...someone else's memory, maybe? And could it be related to the memories I lost in the Moon Cell core?

This "Planet"... Velber? That's its name?

*giggle* *laugh* You really are the Emperor of Fools, Saber. Why'd the Regalia choose you again? Tell you what: Go find out for yourself. Ask that engineer of yours, Mr. "Eureka, Eureka!" See what he has to say.

The Japanese pronunciation of "Eureka" is interesting, and I don't think right... Then again, Fate has spelled Hercules' name in the original Greek right, as opposed to his more popular Roman name, since the start. So what do I know?

He'll tell you all about it, I'm sure. Then you'll see what it really means! Now then, my eternal rival and her baby squirrel, see you later. I just hope...you enjoy the short time you have until the very end. Struggle, grieve, and then forget it all and sing.



...What kind of suggestion was that? And just what does this "Planet" want? Is it truly an actual planet, perhaps a star falling from the sky? Not that I would ever obey "Dark Eliza", but perhaps we should consult our Great Scholar...

Yeah, seriously. First he gets the number of Praetors wrong, now he didn't feel like mentioning Velber. We had to hear it from the silly Dragon Girl. Someone's got some explaining to do...


The whole truth

If you have, and if your reasons are acceptable, I will temper your punishment. However... If I find you have betrayed us in any way, you will pay the price in full. Are you prepared, Archimedes of Syracuse?

...It is as you suspect. I had orders to keep this secret until the Sovereign had fully unified SE.RA.PH. Please forgive me.

Hm, so in other words...you were plotting behind my back? You took my hospitality and kept your secrets?

In a sense. But as a Servant, I would like to put this temporary life on the line and make a statement.

Very well. I will allow it. Speak.

...The fate of the world rests with you. However you might interpret that, the fact remains the same.

The fate of the world. I feel that burden daily, and yet...this feels different somehow. Is this about the continuation of SE.RA.PH, perhaps? Speak truthfully.

No, this is bigger than that. When I say, "the world", I mean, "all of existence as we comprehend it". I mean humanity itself. Earth, the Moon, everywhere humanity lives and breathes, its lives, its dreams, its cultures - all of it depends on you and that one little ring. The Moon Cell told me that as soon as it summoned me. And based on what it told me, I withheld one particular fact from you: The fact that you received the Regalia, just in time for the 14,000-year system update, was no coincidence.

So the Moon Cell wished to give the Regalia to me, specifically, at this exact time?

Correct. The truth is inevitable. The Moon Cell decided that you, the victor of the Holy Grail War, are the only being capable of fighting its recurring menace. You see, the Moon Cell treats most human conflicts impassively. At most, it will intervene for analytical purposes. ...There is only one being whom the Moon Cell considers a threat to itself. An enemy beyond humanity, beyond this solar system - indeed, beyond this universe. A being from outside space itself. It is called Velber, the Umbral Star. It passes through our system every 14,000 years, consuming and destroying all in its path.

Velber...? Nowhere in my studies have I seen that name. Does it perchance compare to some myth or legend I might know?

Only the Moon Cell knew its name until now, having recorded it in the Moon Cell core. But there is a single record that survived its last attack, a warning from 14,000 years ago. It reads, "It feeds from beyond the stars." Technologically, it seems similar to the Moon Cell, which also appears to have been made without humanity's knowledge. Much is unknown about its construction, but its circuits appear to have been made from something called "Void Cells". It runs on spiritrons, and keeps meticulous records of everything it destroys, like the Moon Cell's conceptual opposite. We know that Velber arrived in this solar system 14,000 years ago and destroyed all of human civilization. But more than that... Up to that point, the Moon Cell had accumulated a great number of 'if-futures", or "future histories". Velber took those too.

When Velber passed by the Moon Cell, it must have hacked into its core and stolen the data. A few files survived in fragments, some labeled "Results From This Dimension", and others, "Future Measurements". Those who were able, fought tooth and nail to defend the barest sliver of humanity's memory. But...

But this time, they might not succeed. It sounds as if the Moon Cell loves to hoard information and preserve all of humanity's memories, even the most trivial. Yes?

Correct. For that reason, the Moon Cell prepared an anti-Velber defense mechanism, namely the Regalia and I. You see, at the core of the concept, the Moon Cell is built to survey and observe, not to fight or defend, even if it can see a threat coming. For such a wonderful machine, that's a rather glaring weakness. However, even if the Moon Cell can't or won't strengthen itself, it can use its omniscience to strengthen others. The entire Regalia System is pure Moon Cell ingenuity, all for the purpose of fighting off Velber. It prepared to counter-hack Velber, close off its core completely, and insulate itself in autosynnoia mode, an unbreakable digital wall. That was the planned purpose of the system update. But the Moon Cell also anticipated that Velber could adapt to that. If Velber could pierce the Moon Cell's defenses, the Moon Cell needed someone to fight for SE.RA.PH on the outside. For as long as Velber attacks, a being with the Royal Authority must hold the enemy at bay. And that would be you, your Majesty. You were not chosen to repair SE.RA.PH. You were chosen to protect it.



So the Moon Cell's ideal "King" is no mere administrator, but a master of war. Incidentally, did you think of that speech, or did the Moon Cell give it to you?

The latter, of course. But the people of the world will repeat it gladly. All that said, and despite your own fearsome reputation, the enemy Planet is a formidable foe, and no ordinary hero could stop it. Therefore, I...held off on telling you the whole truth. I waited to see if you could succeed in uniting SE.RA.PH. The moment I saw that you could, I intended to share the truth.

...Say no more. I understand. A King who defends the entire world. Many Roman Emperors have come and gone, but none with that task, and none in this castle. Archimedes of Syracuse. I will accept your statement as truth. I will overlook your lie of omission for now. And I grant you permission to keep your head. But! Reflect upon yourself for ever doubting me! Even if such a foe is beyond my understanding, what does that matter?



I am the Emperor of Roses! She who cuts through stems and stars alike! The sword of the rose shall blossom in flame and glory! Think you I would hesitate to protect my people? I stand beside the Praetor, and beside all who dwell in my care! One strike will send this foe scurrying off! For my love, for my people, and not for any damned Moon machine!

Impressive... Your eloquence is as admirable as your valor. So on behalf of the Moon Cell, and as its chief engineer, please accept my pledge of fealty. I am grateful to serve you. And now, we can finally begin the real battle. We know our enemy. We know what it wants. Now let us prepare to march, that the tide shall turn and our enemy fall!

Indeed. Two rousing speeches, and now we know the Forces of Destruction can be beat. Next time, we'll put the final wheels in motion to put an end to this.