Part 32: Dawn Arc - Messenger

Messenger


Starship

...

I can feel her gaze. She's been staring right at me for a while now. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but she's still doing it. I raise my eyes to her, just a little.

...

She's clearly looking in this direction. Does she want to say something? Regardless of what it is, I don't know if I can handle this. I ask what's wrong. And then suddenly...

...Oh, there's nothing wrong... I've been in...standby mode. That's part of how I function here in the cavern. So...it's nothing out of the ordinary when I...stay silent. Nothing at all to do with me being anxious and wanting to talk, but not knowing what to talk about.

I almost think she meant the opposite of that last part. If that's the case...let me try to think of a topic she'd like...







Another round, huh, and won't be the last one, I can tell ya that. Well, let's take it from the top.

Ah..you want to know about this cavern? Very well. I'll tell you. But only because you asked, all right?

Fine with me. If she talks, I'll listen. Far be it from me to ruin her good mood.

We're inside a piece of the Umbral Star that was cut off from the main body...like a cockpit of sorts. From far away, it looks like its own comet, but it's actually a kind of spaceship...with the caveat that it's built for landing only.

A cockpit? But I don't see any seat, or controls, or instruments. I understand the point of the metaphor, but I don't really see the resemblance.

Controls? Oh, like the reins of a horse, or the stick on a plane? Well, sorry if I get a little technical here, but... During inertial navigation, I handle the controls myself. I'm not a pilot, but more like part of the brake. So in a manner of speaking, there is a control stick - me.

I wonder how that works, exactly. Does she adjust the way she sits or something? The term "auto-pilot" comes to mind.

...Yes. This space is only meant for me. Normally, I have just enough room here to do what I need to do.

...I see. But wait, what if she grew? Would it be too tight for her then?

You're worried about me? Thank you very much, Master. But please, have no fear. It's true that I can grow by absorbing mana, but this cavern is set to accommodate those changes. ...Put another way, no matter my size, the cavern is always set to be "just big enough".

Does this place not have a door? ...There isn't really a traditional "door" here. No clear way in and out. More to the point, it doesn't look like Altera has any way out of here. Why is that?

There isn't a door because this isn't a room, as you'd think of it. This place is, effectively, its own dimension. I can't ever leave it of my own volition. So that's why there's no door. There's not much space, at least not for me, but it's big enough for me to sleep in, at least. Maybe you can come to think of it as a bedroom too. *giggle* I'll do my best to make it cozy. You're my first "customer" to pass through the cracks in the walls.

She laughs as she says that, but is that sadness I see in her eyes? It might just be my imagination, but I definitely felt a hint of a cloud behind her smile... Loneliness. Solitude. That's what I felt for a moment, for her. Of course, I don't even know if she has human feelings, or expresses them the way humans do. But if she does, then wouldn't she be unhappy about being stuck in this cavern? For all those thousands of years? Wouldn't she want to be free?

"Free", you say...? Oh, so you were thinking of it that way. No, I have my own kind of freedom, in that I've obtained a contractor. *giggle* So I don't "want to be free", because I already am. I can move outside of the cavern, just like a Servant... To me, it's a wonderful experience.

Hm? I feel like we might be talking past each other. Hero Altera's free, sure, but I was talking about the titan specifically.

...No, I can't leave this cavern. This is my world. I can't get myself out, so there's no point in trying. And so... Well, it can't be any other way.

What's the deal with the treasure? What's with this mountain of treasure? It IS treasure, right? That's obvious. So does it represent mana from SE.RA.PH, or some other spiritron resource?

This is another one of those scenes I'm pretty sure was meant to be gotten earlier in its storyline (like the one in Flame Poem where Nero talks about going to the Millennium Capital in peacetime), before Altera redecorates the place. In the very next scene this update, the place looks again like the nomad camp introduced in the previous update, and there's no acknowledgment of what it was like two seconds earlier. So yeah.

Oh, do you like it? Riches. Glory. Humans long for those things. What you see here, I made out of spiritrons. It comes from a certain dream of mine. From being a Hero, fighting rivals on the outside. That experience sticks with me. *giggle* Apparently, I really did sleep on a pile of treasures like this one once, out there. So I built all this to recreate that. I'd love it if there were more...well, cute things in the mix, but I suppose these are all spoils of war, so it wouldn't fit the theme very well. Anyway, who doesn't like shiny things? You like them, don't you?



Oh, hold on. You don't need to scoop it all up like that. And you definitely don't have to hold it all over my head. Great, it's like I'm standing under a bulldozer.

Oh, don't be shy. Here, let me give you all of this, okay?

I don't need this! I couldn't even carry this much, and I don't have a use for it, besides... Aaaaaah!





I've heard that the greatest luxury on earth is a bath full of gold. Please, drown yourself in it, my Prisoner.

She heard wrong. Gold baths are tacky! And BATHING in gold is physically impossible! If she doesn't stop pouring it on me, I think she's going to crush me to death!

Huh? Ah... R-Really? Is that true?! Oooh... I'm sorry. I've failed again. I got carried away... I thought you would enjoy it, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all...

It's the thought that counts, I suppose. Anyway, cleaning up that golden (coin) shower and re-redecorating is gonna take some time, so it's bedtime for us, I think.


Servant problems

I made it myself. I hope it suits your tastes.

So this is what she was working on earlier. Well, it's much nicer than the old cage, so I can't complain.

It'll heal you more than the old cage did, too. So please rest easy. Now then, good night. Sweet dreams. ...My cute, misbehaving Prisoner.



Maybe it's just me, but I like the "caged bed" feel. Very cozy, when I sleep in an enclosed area with plenty of leg room. I think Hakuno's got it made, personally. Even if you've got to deal with a giant set of eyes on you at all times (or nearly all times), you've gotta believe you could catch some mean Z's in the cavern. or "Stone Hut", whichever.

..."Sweet dreams", huh? What does that mean to her, exactly? She's only had one sweet dream, as far as I know...and it seems to have been the happiest experience of her life. So she's wishing me that same happiness tonight. Elizabeth and Hero Altera said the same thing...about her being an apocalyptic death machine. But is that really true? I know Hero Altera and Titan Altera are different in some ways. But there's a certain calmness to both of them. So why would she continue to serve the Umbral Star? ...Just before I fall asleep, a sense of uncertainty fills my chest. She's going easier on me now...but is that some kind of error in her programming?





You can move around the cavern as you like now. I won't lock you up anymore. I can make the cage more comfortable, but...I'm sure you'd prefer not to be locked up at all, wouldn't you?

On the other hand, it's nice to have my own "room", but preferably not that one. Really, it's more like... I'm definitely gotten curious. It may be too late to ask, but I wonder why she made that cage in the first place.

My hand...When I had you caught in my hand, I could have crushed you at any moment, even by accident. So...well, to tell you the truth, I didn't know what to do. You're human. Fragile and temporary. If I were to apply just a tiny bit of pressure, you'd be done for. With you in front of me, I didn't have a single clue...on how I should act...And that's why I built the cage. If I stored you away carefully, at least I wouldn't have to worry about breaking you...

Oh, so that's why. Her words aren't very clear, but I understand. That cage wasn't made to lock me away, but to protect me from her.

...After all this time, I'm slowly beginning to understand my limits. I will no longer treat you so carelessly. And that's because you're my one and only Prisoner.

...Well, that settles that. I may have pressed her harder than I had to. It makes sense when you think about it. Altera konws how it feels to be locked in a cage. Someone like her wouldn't lock someone else up out of malice.



Even if it's not something we really *have* to apologize for, I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

Hm? Why are you apologizing? You don't need to. Inside or outside of the cage, you will always be my Prisoner. That won't change.

By the way...about the Servant we're up against, Caster...I wonder what Altera thinks of her. She's a Regalia wielder, obviously. And she wanted to negotiate. She'd say that she and Altera share the same "Husband". It's a shame negotiations broke down.

Hmm, what do I think of her? Well...what do you mean by that, exactly...? Asking that sort of question... I can definitely say our encounter didn't proceed as...efficiently as it could have. But, but...don't you think you're at least partly responsible for that?

Huh? You...think so?

...I would like to think so... N-No, well... What I'm trying to say is... That maybe, both you and I are...not "to blame", but...

Now she's quiet. What's wrong? I didn't think that question would bother her like this.

...Caster, Tamamo no Mae. She's a proper Servant of yours. To be exact, you made a contract with her, back when you were...complete. To me...an old acquaintance...of the one I made my Prisoner...Well, it's...*mumble*

...Yes? What did she just say now?



She made a contract with you despite not being a traditional Heroic Spirit, at least not in the sense of her origin. We have that in common. And just like me, she stayed by your side, as a smaller part of a larger being. ...It's...very hard to put into words.

Within the summoning rules all iterations of the Fate franchise share, is that summoning straight up gods like Amaterasu is impossible. If you are anything less than completely divine, i.e. Heracles / Gilgamesh / Medusa / Tamamo / etc. etc., that's fine, of course.

Is she...jealous? The way she's expressing herself and carrying herself right now...I'm not very familiar with emotions or signals, but I think this just might be what jealously looks like.



Hakuno, is, of course, never one to back down from a challenge.

...Th-That's not it. It...can't be. I-I have never felt what you call "jealousy" before. Not ever. Never. Do you hear me, my Prisoner?



In fact, she's *so* not jealous, is the Millennium Capital will be the next to fall to the Sword of Mars. This can be a rough stage, just because Lu Bu is here. So prepare well. Once you've selected your Mystic Code of choice and begun the fight...


Off to the capital

I tried to program a central Asian dish from, well, "memory", not really from my own experience. Ummm... Did I make the chickpea paste right?

Thank you, and please, there's nothing to worry about. It was delicious...As for the chickpea paste, well, I think it might be the first time I've eaten it. I want to say your'e supposed to spread it on bread, but either way, it was fine. Apparently, it even has healing factors. Between that and the rest I've gotten, my power feels top notch. Almost makes me want to jump out and run around.

So you like to jump around, I see... I could make you some exercise equipment next, if you like. If I gather more of the discarded information in the Zero Dark, I can make more entertaining things too. I've never actually been much more tool building, but...I can learn. So if there's anything you want, please ask me. I'll do my best to make it for you. Because I'm...your Servant. And I want to thank you for calling me that.

*alarm sounds*

...I'm sorry. The time has come. I was hoping we could stay here longer...That ring is the sound of an unavoidable battle. We're up against the Blue Caster. Your...She was your former Sub-Servant. One of the Servants who fought alongside you during the Holy Grail War. Someone who pledged their loyalty to you. ...I'll understand if you need some time to think about that.

The bell does indeed signify an approaching enemy. Hero Altera should already be out there, preparing herself. "...Let's go. So says your Master." Wait. One thing first. She told me to ask if I had something I wanted. What about her? What does she want?

I...I've been saying it from the start. My purpose here is to invade SE.RA.PH, take over the Moon Cell, destroy the Earth, and harvest its remains. There's nothing else. That's the only reason I exist.

...I see. Well, then. The Altera out there is...more direct than this one, I think. Yesterday I said she was shy, but I don't think that's quite the right word. Anyway, the bell's still ringing. Time to go out there and face the music. *teleports out*

What...do I want...? That's... But... What?



If someone treated me like that, I'd make them kneel down in front of me and then stab the hell out of them. And why even ask that? Everybody knows the answer. Right, Altera? All you want to do is wake up from this little "playhouse" of yours, yeah? Because think about it. Your relationship with that little squirrel is a nightmare. I'm being serious here. A monster and her sacrifice trying to play house together? That's... That's a hell of a nightmare. Predator and prey holding hands?! Seriously? Is there anything more grotesque than that?



...I don't need you to tell me. "Fuse the three Regalia into one, then take over the Moon Cell core." ...That's the order from the Umbral Star. And it's what your patron expects.

Oh, you mean Archimedes? Forget that gloomy little loser. I mean, he did give me my powers, but I don't really want what he wants, if you follow me. What I want to see is how your story ends. At first it was just an eyesore, but I like how it's gotten all twisted.



And the best part is knowing that it CAN'T work out. *laugh* So how WILL it end for you two, I wonder?

Elizabeth's pretty sick in the head, but you gotta admit, she may be on to something here. On another point, we really have not seen hide nor hair of Archimedes since the start of Dawn, huh? It's true, we haven't. This is the first time his name has even been mentioned in a few updates.

Not to worry, he is still kicking around, and he has been doing something in the meanwhile, but we won't see him for a bit. Stay tuned.

...

Oh what? Did I hurt your feelings? Ooh, scary! You gonna crush this little minion now? Is this the end for me...?

...Don't get it wrong. Hakunon is a disposable tool. Nothing more. This has nothing to do with "trust".

...Huh? What are you talking about? You think I don't see it between you two? If you're going to play dumb, I'll just kill you right here. Not saying I'll survive, but I WILL take you with me.


...Kidding! *giggle* Did I overestimate the Vanguard's sense of humor? My mistake. But seriously, you need to sort yourself out here. Are you trying to conquer the Moon Cell for the Umbral Star...or for yourself and your Master? Same result either way, but your reasons do make a difference here. Because if it's the latter, well, we kinda want the same thing, then. And we can't both have it...

I...No, there's nothing I want, and I couldn't have it if I did. Because...

..."What you desire, you have to destroy," right? Great! See, now you're thinking like a monster! Go ahead and break. Go ahead and kill! Monsters can't have anything for themselves, not any other way! But whatever we destroy, it's ours forever! That's all we get in life. *laugh*

...You and I are not the same. I...want to think...we're different...

...Sure. Well, guess I ought to join the fight this time. Archimedes is watching, so I've got to put on a good show for him, be the good little Servant he thinks I am. But you know, Altera, if you'd quit dragging those giant heels and just start stomping everything, this would got a whole lot faster. *teleports out*

Elizabeth has brought up time a couple times now, and I take that to mean the Umbral Star is currently headed toward the Milky Way but that its natural path through the cosmos will eventually take it away from Earth, and Altera needs to finish the job before then. This isn't a huge spoiler, so I guess I'll just say this now, the Moon Cell's main means of preventing the Umbral Star from returning is a jamming device preventing anything outside the solar system from getting a fix on the Moon Cell's location.

So, I think the way this is supposed to work is that the Umbral Star can *kinda* guide its trajectory, but it's like a shark - always in motion. Which I say, but apparently some sharks don't always have to stay in motion to stay alive. The more you know. Point is, the Umbral Star currently has no idea where the Moon Cell is, and taking over the Moon Cell means shutting this device down. If Archimedes and pals can't do this before it's too late, that means the Umbral Star will pass out of range and be stuck wandering the stars for a very long time before they get another chance.

...If I become a titan, everything would fall into place... I...Don't want that... I don't...ever want to be...Sephyr....



...They're here. They made it sooner than I expected. I thought they would be a bit more hesitant this time.

*nod*

Other Regalia wielders are my enemies. No matter how important they might be to you, it will be my first priority to strike them down. My other half may have tried to make you more comfortable. I won't. I'll fight and destroy. That's it.

Hero Altera's words were nothing if not clear. No questions about me. ALl she's focused on right now is the Regalia.

...That's right. I'll defeat them and restore you to peak condition.

"That's right". The way she said that feels different than before. I shouldn't bother her about it right now. The battle's about to begin.



Let's go. The second piece of the Regalia is right out there ahead of us.

A collision course with Tamamo...things could be getting pretty heavy, pretty soon...