Part 51: Golden Poem - Turn

Turn

The entirety of this update will be one long cutscene (nearly a half hour long). There's no real natural breakpoint at all in it, so strap in. Beginning of a new story

Aha!





Ugh... She hasn't weakened at all...!

...Flare Effect. Connecting with Mars.

*gasp*



Firing in two seconds. Mars, turn your rage upon me! Pierce the heavens with your tears, red star! ...Tear Drop Photon Ray!





Vanish, you flowering flame! Disappear from my sight! I have nothing but the power of destruction! ...So...!

Do you believe that's your only path? That your hands can only destroy, that you will have nothing to call your own? Ugh, I am on the precipice of blind rage! Once again, you expose your single, glaring flaw! You think everything that exists can be seen, and yet you tremble in fear at that which you cannot see. You insist that you are not needed in this world. You and I are the same. In the end, we are mere mortals, and what we see is but a small fraction of the whole of all existence. We are sinners. We make mistakes. And eventually, the day of reckoning will come for us. But the bell does not toll for you, Altera! You, who knows so little of life, have yet to be properly born into this world!









I could never lose to a babe like you. ...I say this as someone who once gave up on everything and sealed myself away from the world. Look well upon the flower that blooms amidst thunderous applause! Submit and drown in its fragrance! This is the scent of desire, of human life!









Ah, ah...ah...! I don't understand, I don't understand...! ...Why? Why would you...show me such...beautiful things?! I...I...!

The maiden in white is howling. The sound she makes is not one of fear. She is not trembling before an enemy she must defeat. She is in Saber's theater, where gold enshrouds everything the eye can see. She is fascinated, enraptured. Both by the Aestus Domus Aurea, and by the girl who hides this golden theatre within her heart. Saber's Aestus Domus Aurea isn't just beautiful. It's the culmination of her life as a Servant. The Emperor may have lived a flamboyant life, but was betrayed by everyone she knew, and died a lonely death after all was said and done. ...And even despite that, she raises her head proudly as she sings. She proves that her life was wonderful, including the glory and decay, the betrayal and destruction.

...I don't understand. How could you...

The contents of Saber's heart rain down upon Altera. ...She understands the strength of Saber's Noble Phantasm. That it is more than a beautiful spectacle. That every atom of its existence is saturated with love and applause for all who live in the moment. That it is possible for us to understand one another. That even if she is a monster, it's worth taking her hand.











... Forgive me, Altera. I relied on an unfair play in the end. If I had used the full power of the Royal Authority, I could have withstood that pillar of light, but I'm certain the Regalia would have cracked in two. And that would defeat the purpose of it all. So I used a rather...underhanded tactic.

Yes, it was a method Saber wouldn't normally have at her disposal. The one who was swallowed up by the pillar of light wasn't Saber itself, but a fake Cyber Frame that was identical to her, down to the last detail. It was bait, made with the Regalia's functions and the majority of Caster's mana. In short, it was a sneak attack using a body double. Caster was the one who provided the decoy. She is undoubtedly the only one who could make a Cyber Frame convincing enough to fool Altera, especially during the heat of battle. All we had to do was wait for the right moment and switch it out with the real Saber. Saber succeeded in catching Altera off guard using the Presence Concealment skill temporarily bestowed upon her by a function of the Regalia.

*teleports Hakuno out of ring* My Praetor, that must have been such a burden on you. You brilliantly manipulated that fake Cyber Frame.

...What...are... What are you doing...? You...have not destroyed me yet... I can still fight... I can...still...destroy you... So why do you...cast aside your sword...?

So that we can speak, of course. But truly, what it is that you wish to do? What do you fear, and what do you long for?

Saber is laying both her sword and her life on the line. We didn't plan this part beforehand, but I'm not surprised by her actions. It's just like Saber to do something like that. That's why I'm standing here as well. If Altera intended to continue fighting, she could defeat Saber without breaking much of a sweat. I'm not about to let her die alone. ...And I want to ask her too. I want to ask the maiden in white why she's given up on everything.

Something restless stirs within you. That is why you cannot ignore my words. That is why I cannot cut you down. Answer me. What do you long for, and at the same time, what dreams have you abandoned?

...Saber is asking her what is precious to her, what she fears, and what she wants.

I would like you to tell me. Otherwise neither my Praetor nor I will know. Perhaps you are not human. Perhaps you are a monster, as you say. But here, in this place, you speak human words, and we are able to understand each other. If so... Then you and I are the same, Altera! In this world, there are monsters who take human form! There are also monsters who freely display their true nature! But surely you are different!

...Why...? Why do you...? You don't... Why...? I don't know you at all. And there's no way you could know me... But even so, you... Why... Why do you insist on trying to reach me...?



...Because I do know you. At least, I have seen your story, the beginning and the end of it. So at last, let us take the time to say what we must.

Saber begins to talk. About the record that came from a parallel world. About the Body of Hakunon. The record contained images and sounds that may not match up perfectly with what we find here...the Altera and her "Prisoner" of our world. There are plenty of differences, even in the short span of what we've seen for ourselves. However, they are fundamentally the same beings, so...

...So I was forced to watch it all. Yes, I was a captive audience! For an entire month! Although, being data, it took only seconds of real time. It was, without a doubt, the record of a lifetime... The gentle passing of days between you and the Body of the Praetor. How could I not be moved?! How could I witness the greatest of plays, a truly soul-shaking performance, and not feel a thing, you fool?!

...You saw...me? Me and my Prisoner...? In a parallel universe... You saw the Umbral Star...and the distant past...and what I am now... Then, both of you...knew me...from the beginning... You knew, about both of us... You even knew our ending... When I gave up...

Lift your head. I declare that I shall stand by your side. And this is why: What you thought was beautiful in the other world, and what you were loath to part with... From the bottom of my heart, I, too, saw its beauty! And that must be true for you here in this world as well. Your life upon the grasslands. Your time with my Praetor. You cherished those times. And the Praetor did as well. Your Praetor chose this path out of a desire to tell you this, to protect you. And by means of a great self-sacrifice, your story came to us. ...So I have spoken! Altera! The Praetor of that far-off world no longer exists. And yet the melody of the story you shared still echoes within our reality.



...I...am...the vassal...of the... The vanguard of...the Umbral Star... The embodiment of destruction... A killing machine... Instead of that, I...! Right now, I...! I want to be with my Master...! I want to be with the Master who thinks of me...! I don't...want to lose her...! I want us to... To live...in this world...! I want...for the two of us to feel the winds of those grasslands... Someday... To live as much as we can, to live... To live... And to someday reach an end, like human beings. *teleports Hakuno out of ring*



You had me nervous about how this was going to turn out. But you know what we have to do now, right? The Body looks a little embarrassed, but still extends her hand to Altera. The words that she said the other day come to mind. "Nothing would change then. That alone isn't enough to write Altera a new ending." ...That's what they meant. That we couldn't change her ending if Altera didn't want to save herself, if she didn't want to try to fulfill her dreams.

Yes, there's no mistaking it. Your hopes, your dreams... I know them all. You are the maiden whom I claimed as my rival in the other world. Yes, there's no mistaking it. Your hopes, your dreams... I know them all. Yes, there's no mistaking it. Your hopes, your dreams... I know them all. You are the maiden whom I claimed as my rival in the other world. I would grant your wish this time. There is no reason to fear the malevolence of the Umbral Star. My Praetor and I shall use the Regalia to save you.

Nero sure makes a lot of rivals. Tamamo, Elizabeth, and now Altera. What can you say? She's a people person.

...an...

...Hm? What is it?

Hm?

...ank...

"Ank"? What is this all of a sudden? "Ankle"? I see no tiny foes around my feet.

...ank...yo...

Ankyo? Hm, could that be someone's name? Could it be a new Servant of the Umbral Star?

Okay, I can ALMOST buy that much of a misunderstanding, but come ON, Saber. You know what she's trying to say.

What is it, my Praetor? Your face seems to say, "This is no time to jest!" But I have made no jests here...

Oh Nero. If we didn't already know you were a few fries short of a Happy Meal, I'd be liable to call you foolish.

...Th-Thank you, Saber. ...I would like to express my gratitude. I know now that there is someone who understands us. Even that is enough for us. So...



...! H-How adorable... I never imagined you were capable of such...cuteness! To make me feel this way simply by thanking me... My Praetor! Never in my life have I wished for any brothers or sisters, but I am beginning to think that having a little sister would be most agreeable.

Saber. I understand how you feel, but we have things we need to do first, right?

...Yes. Yes. I am aware. After all, I am only as good as my word. I still stand by that word, and I intend to save you both. In order to do that, I believe we will require the Sword of Mars. ...I know how precious your Noble Phantasm is to you, but might you lend it to me?

*nod*

(Body) *nod*



Altera's sword comes out. With this, we can change everything. But just as that confidence begins to set in, I feel like I hear a voice. "Thanks. I'll leave the rest up to you, then."



Wha... Master?!

What is going on?! Why is your Praetor starting to disappear?!

Saber's surprise is understandable. I don't understand what's going on eith-



...No, I get it. It makes complete sense. I reluctantly understand that there's no other way this can end. But...was this really your decision, Hakunon...?!

Wait...! Please wait... Please, Saber, Hakunon! S-Save my Master...!

(Body) Come on, now. We've bent the rules more than we should've been able to several times already. We can't have everything, right? Let's be reasonable. Wouldn't you say so, other me? You, of all people, have to know this is the natural conclusion here, right?

*nod*

Wha... What is the meaning of this, my Praetor?! Her Praetor has suffered nary a scratch, and yet...!

(Body) It is time. Right about now...is the time when Altera defeated Sephyr in the other world. This is when I vowed to myself that I would save Altera. When I sent my record back in time. As a result of that...the ending changed. We changed destiny. But in order for that to happen, one thing couldn't change at all. And that's the irrevocable truth that I'll disappear at this very moment. It's a fixed point in the timeline, no matter what kind of tricks I pull. If I don't disappear, it means I never sent the record. Or survived sending it, which isn't true. That would cause an error, so this is what happens instead. ...In other words, this is something we have to accept. I chose this fate when I sent the record. It was the only way. Even if I did survive somehow, I'd end up merging with the other me, and lose who I am anyway. So...I'm glad I made it this far. ...Because even if it was only for a moment, I was able to show you...not just tell you, but show you...that your humanity is real, Altera.

Hmm...but if Body Hakuno's time to disappear is now, that means that Altera can't be far behind either...

But... But... Ahh, you're disappearing... You're coming apart... No... But why...? I don't...understand why. You knew... You knew this would happen? You knw it and you... You were still... You were still so kind to me? You never resented me... You looked...happy...?

...That's right. On this day, at this moment, this version of Hakunon runs out of time. A willing sacrifice to change a loved one's fate. Only she knew that, and she kept it a secret. She yearned to spend those days again with Altera, and she chose to make the best of them not for herself, but for her. In saving Altera, she got to live through her whole happy life with her all over again. ...Even if she was secretly terrified of the inevitable end, she went on to face it.

(Body) You guys did great. We only had one chance at this. Sending off the record was a one-time deal, so we couldn't have blown it. But you did it. I wouldn't expect anything less from the real me. You are the victor of the Moon's Holy Grail War, after all.

She smiles with such pride. ...In that smile, I see trust, admiration, and her best attempt to put up a brave front. Her bravery in pushing aside her fear of disappearing and how much pain she was in. ...There's no way that I wouldn't understand her. Because she is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Hakunon.

(Body) The Quantum Timelock is about to kick in. And when it does, this world will form the new trunk of the tree, so to speak. That's because this world is the firmest, the strongest, the safest, the rifest with possibility. Altera's dream is mere hours from coming true. So...I'm okay with this ending. I've accomplished my life's purpose. Even if I was never really supposed to exist...I had a wonderful time.

No.. No, NO! Master...! No, you can't...disappear like this...! Master, you're going. I...! There's no point if that happens...! You said... You said you would be with me...!

(Body) ...I did. I'm sorry for that. That was quite a lie, wasn't it? Please...forgive me.

Don't...

(Body) Altera. Listen. I'm glad you've learned how to grieve. And I hate that I have to go. But this is what it means to be human. Our lives are short. We can't live forever. So...we have to think about what we want to do with the limited time we have. My dream is that one day, you'll race through the grasslands together. And now we know that dream can come true. Even if you can't see me anymore, you'll continue on. And I will be with you... That's what it means to go on living. I think I understand that more now than ever. It's a wish that grows in every living body...

"Every living body", she says. The consciousness rests in the Mind and the Soul. The Body only exists to produce those two, and so there's no need for it to have its own awareness. It's not even supposed to. But...although I can't quite put it into words, that awareness exists with more presence than any other right now. Someday, we will all be gone. Someday, all of our lives will end. And so the Body wished for that unavoidable end to mean something. "Please make the best of the time I've left you", I hear. "So that after I'm gone, you can someday find the place we couldn't both reach."

...But still, I... With you, I...

We really are running out of time. I'll give you the Regalia. But don't even try to save me. Everything would be ruined if I merged into you.





...I know. Now that the Mind and Soul are unified, my temporary spiritrons have stabilized, even without the Body. It's probably even possible to make a new Body and merge with that. It's just that...there can't be two of the same existence. The complete Hakunon cannot be created until the woman in front of us disappears from this world.

You fool! Then what was the meaning of it all? What was the point of everything we did?! I know... I know well your determination! And I know your final dream! That is why I took up my sword! My Praetor... No, the Hakunon who stands alone. I longed to see your dream because I was so dazzled by its brightness! And yet... This cannot be. I cannot accept an ending like this! I... Even as I fretted at the sight of you and Altera joining hands, I still saw the beauty in it...

(Body) *chuckle* I would fall in love with you all over again. I don't have any memories of you, Saber, but I'm a little jealous of myself.



...Don't move, my Prisoner. I won't let you have the last word. Here, at the very end, I will have my fill of complaints.

(Body) You really want to go out on that note?

...Of course. What can I do BUT complain about a Master who goes off and does this sort of thing alone? So, I'm going to say it clearly. ...I'm going to say it. ...Yes. My days with you were truly...enjoyable. To be together with someone, to be by someone's side... It was incredible. There are... There are so many other things I want to say, but there is no time. I am...



You said that to live was to continue on. That the true meaning of life lies in moving forward. ...I will live by those words as well. Even if I forget who I am, I will never forget you. Even if this body of mine crumbles, and even if this dream of mine disappears before ever coming true. ...I will always give thanks to you, my Master. Thank you. ...Goodbye, Master. I wish you a great journey.





...Thank you. Ah, to think those words were once so unfamiliar, and yet all I've done here is repeat them again and again. It's not a bad thing. To be able to say thank you to someone.



Altera...?! Why? Don't tell me YOU'RE going to disappear as well?!

...Yes. This avatar cannot hold together without a Master. This dream ends here.

...Then, in the end, my Praetor and I...

...No, you're wrong. You saved both of us. ...I'll simply return to my mainframe. I'll remember this day, and I'll find a way out of that cavern. But first, I want to tell you both something. ...Thank you. Did I say that correctly?

...Altera, no. You cannot disappear yet. It would be unforgivable! Unforgivable...

It's thanks to you that I'm not as scared of this as I was before. For you two to be at my side, even in the moment I crumble away... I'm lucky not to be alone. And also, I felt it. Saber.



In that moment, the fear that consumed me, the anxiety... I was able to forget it all, if just for a moment. I think that feeling must be what people call...hope. *materializes sword*

The Sword of Mars...

Yes, the sword I wrenched from the God of War. This represents the power that was once mine. It's the proof that I was who I was.

Her speaking style has changed, and not just to the past tense. I think she's putting more than her warrior self behind her. She's also moving on from all the ages she spent resigned to captivity.



The Regalia alone, even the fused Regalia, cannot shatter the fragment's core. But with the sword that houses both the power of the War God and the Umbral Star itself... I'm sure you can destroy the remaining Umbral forces on SE.RA.PH. And as the Titan, I will do all I can to lend you my power. ...So don't worry. If you two won against me, then surely... Ah. You two... May your lives and civilization continue on, unbroken.

No, no, this isn't how it should be! Life and civilization WILL continue on, and we WILL defeat the Umbral Star, but...! But you... But you would not be there! You, who traded blows with me! You say that you are not as scared as you once were. But that means you are still afraid now! I will not permit this! I shall create a new Body for the Praetor, and for you, I'll... I'll!

This dream... This...wonderful, ephemeral dream...is...coming to an...end...



...The white flower disappears. Her temporary Cyber Frame crumbles away, returning to the titan. The scarlet flame, the hand of the Emperor of Roses, cannot reach her. I couldn't hear most of her final words. But even so, I know what she said. Because...it comes so close to what I heard in the record.