Part 13: Flame Poem Arc - Hollow

Hollow


Empty victory

...Time seems to stand still. Saber's final strike reaches the titan Altera's chest. ...Strange as it might be, I can only see the beauty in that moment. A woman in red piercing a goddess in white. This is no simple duel. It's the reenactment of a great myth. A titan's rampage haled by human courage. A giant falls, and a human rises. An image from a forgotten miracle 14,000 years old. The shine of it all is breathtaking. There is no malice in her strike, no hatred. Only bravery and resolve. My heart swells with pride and love. ...But at that same moment, my heart feels a twisting ache too. Pain. Suffering. Sorrow. Resignation. Not my own, but the other Hakunon's. Proud as I am of Saber, I also pity Altera. But the blow has been struck. It's over.



...My...Ma...ster... Even...until...the...very end...Thank...you...





The giant goddess crumbles. Its digital body, made to walk upon SE.RA.PH, is lost, as are its mind and soul. With its mana gone, it falls away in a rain of inorganic wreckage. What had moments ago been a mighty titan scatters into piles of debris. There...I see something. A face I know all too well. My own. The third Hakunon is standing there in the midst of the raining rubble, knowing full well what it's seeing.

"...You couldn't bring out your true power, Altera...so I'll do what I need to do..."

I heard a voice in the storm, a voice only the two of them were meant to share. She looks up at her Servant's face as it cracks...







A torrent of ruin comes crashing down toward the other me. I stretch out my hand, but I can't reach her. I try to shout, but she can't hear. She's too far away. The debris is too loud. It's too late.

Praetor!

Even Saber can't far enough. In a moment of clarity, I understand that nothing can be done. Hakunon, Altera's master, has lived a life I know nothing about. She lets the debris wash over her and take her away. It's her decision. And I understand.



...So, this is what Saber has wrought. The Regalia's third bearer is gone. And the Mind of Hakunon still stands. As the Master of the reigning Servant, the power of the Regalia truly belongs to you. Though here you are without a Body. That might shorten your reign a bit, to say the least. Of course, we've both suffered loss today, and here I am without my Sentinel. She would have been Velber's guiding light, calling him here to this solar system. Ah, I had known from the start that this wouldn't be easy, but... Even for me, this is frustrating. Well, back to the drawing board, then.

Archimedes, you... You...! I condemn you forever! Altera was a proud warrior! She wanted to fight, not to ravage! But... But you...

Oh, please. I watched you fight to the finish just now, twice. You have nothing left, and we both know it. You survived Altera's Noble Phantasm, and for that I commend you, but you had to expend all the Royal Authority you had. Say all you will about passion and love, but your fire is down to its last little ember. I have no need to snuff it out. Although I could. Which would end your Master's life as well. Shall I?

Urgh...!

...I know you wish things were different. I feel the same. I have the most terrible headache. With Sephyr gone, Velber is lost in the cosmos. Not forever, of course. It will simply have to feed elsewhere.

What...? Then the Umbral Star is already...?

Yes, the Moon Cell's gamble seems to have paid off, to the surprise of one and all.



You would run from me now, Archimedes?!

Run from you? Your arrogance is unbecoming, Saber. I show you mercy this day. I am simply returning home. I have no reason to remain "here". In a safe zone within the Zero Dark, a Quantum Timelock will soon take place. I must move on to my next assignment before then. Hakunon, you may have fought well, but you made the wrong decision. I expect the consequences will come to you shortly. As for me, my time in this world is done for now. And though my task remains unfulfilled...the end of the Regalia and the fall of the Moon Cell are both soon to come.

Wait!

I told you, you have nothing left. I'll be sliding with or without your consent, thank you.

Sliding? What...





Doubtful that's the last we see of this guy...

Archimedes disappears, leaving us with doubt and questions. We're safe now, but Saber is trembling with rage. Not only because he escaped, but because...we've hit our limit. How do I express this feeling? A hole deep within my chest? A lightness in my head? No, it's not quite either of those. How can I explain what it feels like when your body is missing? I can see that I have appendages, but it feels as if I don't. This shell around me is still here, but it feels as if I've drifted away. I'm here, and yet I don't exist. It's like being a shadow. I'm slipping away now, all of me. I'm ware of the pain, unbearable pain, and yet I can't quite feel it. I know what to call this feeling now... What it's closest to is...loss.





Praetor...Praetor?!



So cold... No, I forbid this, Praetor! You may NOT close your eyes! You still have your Mind! You shouldn't have to... And I have the only Regalia. I have all the power now! It's not over! Please don't give up!

She's right. Everything will be okay, as long as she's near me... But... Archimedes may have been right about what happens when the Body disappears. Maybe there are laws of this world even higher than hers. I don't want to give up, but... My eyes are so heavy...if they even exist...Saber. Saber. Don't worry. You won't be alone. I just need...a little...rest...

Praetor...? Do not leave me...!

It's okay...Don't...wo...rry...












Extella Credits

This same credits plays over all but one of the endings, so this is the only time I'll post it.








Embers -Flame Poem Ending-

...Praetor. Are you awake?



The Royal Authority has been restored. I am the true King of SE.RA.PH, revered by all. Is that not cause for song and celebration? ...Yes, all acknowledge me now. And by my Royal Authority...your Mind remains your own. Your Soul is still at large, but it has bonded with you, invisibly and unbreakably. And we were able to restore your Body. Rejoice!

A voice...I can hear a voice. Clear and resonsant as a golden bell. The unforgettable voice of a balletic swordswoman...and a gracious, loving ruler.

...An entirely new Body, just for you. You are safe now. You can open your eyes, my Praetor. Please, stand up, that I might look upon your smiling face. You can take your time, though I know you'd never keep a lady waiting. How long do you expect to be? Ten seconds? Ten minutes? ...Can you hear me, Praetor? My beloved, my only... It's all right. Rest all you want. Wake up whenever you want. And someday, if the Umbral Star ever arrives... I will strike it down for you, Praetor. ...I will fight for you forever.

She's right. We belong on the battlefield, side by side. I should open my eyes. She deserves a smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting", I should tell her. "How long did I sleep this time?" Just for a day, I hope. Anything longer, and she might want to punish me. A week? A moth? Any more than that, and I'll never be able to apologize. I've left her alone all this time, or at least made her feel that way. What can I do to help her forgive me?

...Praetor. Your timing is...acceptable. In fact, I feel especially generous today, so I hereby pardon you for everything. ...So...