Part 45: Golden Poem - Change

Change


Other heroes

To think I would face her in combat once more after the Moon's Holy Grail War. To borrow an Asian turn of phrase, perhaps we are bound by fate. Caster... Her true name is Tamamo no Mae. She prattles on about being the perfect wife and about "handsome souls", all while stalking my Praetor... Hmm...

Caster, or the Regal Caster, as Karna said she calls herself. Saber doesn't seem to like her much. Well, that's putting it mildly. It's more like...

...Yes, everything she does is slathered in pink. That vixen is the patron saint of the world's most poisonous women, but...Caster was your second Servant, your Sub-Servant in the Moon's Holy Grail War. I suppose you could think of her as your "sub party".

Really?! Um, this is the first I've heard of that!

Yes. Since you didn't seem to remember, I felt no need to mention it. Nor should I have. She came to us as an enemy in the fourth battle. Atrum, was it? In any case, she was the Servant of some boorish Wizard. Atrum set that Caster upon you before the battle, as a form of psychological warfare. Or, in the vernacular, a "honey trap". And you managed to break free on your own. I know not how exactly, since she had me trapped at the time, but...I heard her say, "I never thought someone could change my mind with a single word... Ah, at least you were such a handsome soul!" Or words to that effect. ...After that, for whatever reason, she remained on SE.RA.PH after the fourth battle and helped you in your trials.

Now, if you played Fate/EXTRA, and don't remember this happening...you'd be right. This all is in the official backstory for Fate/extella that first appeared on Nasu's blog as a variation of the Moon's Holy Grail War called Extella Zero. The "boorish Wizard" is Atrum Galliasta, the Master of Tamamo in this different Grail War. Galliasta is probably better known for his first appearance in the anime series Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.

See, in the original visual novel, Caster got a short interlude in the Unlimited Blade Works route where she mentions having killed her first Master, then had the good fortune to stumble upon someone she thought was much more agreeable to be her Master, the one that actually shows up in the story. The original story didn't tell us much more about this first Master than 1) Caster killed him, 2) he was a terrible Master. In the anime adaptation of UBW, he actually showed up on-screen, with a name and personality and a much more detailed explanation of the circumstances of Caster's rebellion.

Now, Extella Zero brings this guy back, and after Tamamo lost in the fourth round, Atrum tried his usual perfidy and tried to avoid deletion by sacrificing Tamamo. Hakuno ended up giving Tamamo a second chance at virtual life and saved her with a Command Spell, forming a second contract (after Nero, her original Servant) and making Tamamo her Sub-Servant. Atrum got what was coming and ended up getting deleted somewhere down the line.

If you hadn't heard any of this, all of Nero's lines here would be completely mystifying, but all you really need to take away from this conversation is the new canon is Hakuno's original Servant was Nero, she gained Tamamo as an ally along the way, and entered the Moon Cell core after outlasting / defeating all the other Masters. Nasu certainly isn't the first writer who went back to an earlier work and declared an impossible (as in, can't be achieved in the actual game) outcome the "canon" one.

As a funny postscript to Atrum, the original VN's physical description of the dude was completely at odds with how he eventually ended up being portrayed in the anime. To quote the man behind that description, "What, the game version says he's a middle-aged man of medium build? No, no, that's definitely just an illusion. Don't give it a second thought. You need to raise your "Insight" more... line your brain with eyes... yes... let's make contact together in Yharnam..."

So that's how it went... No wonder my heart raced when I first saw Caster. I guess my Soul must have felt the same way, and maybe remembered more of her than I did.

Hmph! Of course, I am the MAIN course, your one and only Servant! However, I must admit Caster did place her life on the line for you, once or twice. I suppose I can acknowledge that much. ...Honestly. To think that we would become rivals again, even in this newly-created SE.RA.PH. I suppose this must be our fate.

But about our third heroine...



But, my Praetor, if I might share a very private matter with you...

Saber's tone is clear and calm now. The excitement in her voice, once thundering as she prepared to storm the battlefield, has grown quiet. I nod and prompt her to continue, without saying a word to break her stride.

I do wish to save Altera. But at the same time, my heart dances at the thought of engaging her in combat. It matters not if we battle with armies or one-on-one. I want to fight her, with every ounce of my strength. I have been...certain from this the moment we laid eyes on the record from the future. That Altera is almost certainly the worthiest opponent I have ever faced. King Attila, leader of the Huns. A King of warriors, a lord of destruction, whose name remains carved into human history - a worthy foe indeed. And yet! On top of that, in SE.RA.PH, she fights for a distant star, ascended from the void! Yes, how much MORE worthy could anyone be? I could scour the Earth and find none stronger! I am indeed blessed!

Saber's eyes are sparkling. This must be the nature of her all-engulfing passion. I understand now. I can tell why she didn't want anyone but me to see her like this. They might mistake her for a Berserker. I would never think of her like that. It's not that she's just drawn to some vicious battle... She looks at that maiden in white, and what she sees, above all else, are possibilities.

...Hm, my Preator? Why are you smiling like that? Did I say something humorous? I don't recall saying anything strange...or did I? Did I, by sheer accident, compose some marvelous pun? No, that couldn't be... Then answer me truly. Why do you laugh so, my Praetor?



Soul-searching is good.

...What? Did you say to look within myself? What a curious suggestion. No, not "curious", per se. Poetic, in a sense. Sometimes silence is the most beautiful answer. In any case...I understand what you are trying to say. I swear to you that I shall do exactly as my heart commands toward Altera. I trust you have no objections.

By all means, she should do as she likes. She is, after all, the Emperor of Roses and the ruler of passions.

Next up, we're...taking a nap? Yeah, that seems about right. It's been a long time, and we've got a long fight ahead of us.


Magical Nero

A thought occurs to me. It could be that you do not recall the entirety of the events that comprised the Moon's Holy Grail War. If so, I would not mind personally clarifying anything you might be curious about. How about it, my Praetor? I won't press you if you intend to sleep.

Saber's words ring true. Although I have more memories than the Body that disappeared in the other parallel world, there are still spots of cloudiness in my mind. I remember much of what happened, but I can't confidently say my memories are complete, so... I would love it if she could tell me about the days we spent together as Master and Servant.

Then I shall tell you. This is the story of a single Hero who fought onward in the serial phantasm reality of the Moon. ...No. This is the story of the two of us.

Saber begins her story, a bedtime story of sorts. Her voice has a soothing resonance to it. When she calls herself "the finest instrument ever forged", she's not just boasting. Her voice is like a song, a symphony of words. Saber tells me all about the Moon's Holy Grail War. About the Wizards of the cyber world, invited to the Moon by providence, who devoted themselves to reaching the top through a battle to the death. The summoned Heroic Spirits. The proof of the ultimate Servant. The days of conflict when we ascended seven layers to the core of the Moon, the Prison of SE.RA.PH. The duels so cruelly repeated by the 128 Masters who gathered on the Moon were set up in the form of a tournament. With every battle, half of the Masters disappeared, losing their lives in the process. The Masters were not the only ones who faced death. The Servants, summoned with the power of the Moon Cell to serve as the Wizards' greatest weapons, would die as well. As each Master's life was extinguished, so too would their Servants disappear, returning in death to the Throne of Heroes. In the end, the toll was 125 people.

That would be Rani / Rin (Masters of Lu Bu / Cu Chulainn, respectively. In the original game, you had to choose between them. I guess in this new timeline, Hakuno was able to save both if I'm picking up on the implications correctly), and Hakuno herself, obviously.

...Rejoice. You were able to save lives through your actions as well.

Thank you, Saber. Now that you've told me all of this, I feel like the cloudy parts of my memories are returning in vibrant color. We fought what felt like an endless battle and finally reached the Prison of SE.RA.PH. And after everything that happened...here we are on this newly created SE.RA.PH. Even if the seven seas and seven layers of the old Moon are gone, there is no doubt that a new serial phantasm was born.

Indeed. None of the battles we fought were in vain. Our efforts bore fruit. There will never be another Moon's Holy Grail War. SE.RA.PH will never again become a garden of death. ...Our new Rome will surely flourish here, with you at my side.

Our new Rome. Maybe it really is possible between the two of us. An Empire of red and gold. One of the pillars of human civilizations that thrives to this day. I'm sure that Saber will be able to found one on SE.RA.PH.

Yes, we shall do this. ...However, a curious thought comes to mind. I had never imagined that I would once again rise as an Emperor after my death, nor that I would ever be a tutor to one such as you. Still, I am unaccustomed to teaching. I suppose it is unsurprising that I am not as skilled of a teacher as Seneca.

Seneca... I know that name. He was the tutor of Emperor Nero, and an ancient Roman philosopher.

He taught me much of the world. Seneca was not merely my teacher, but a friend of mine as well. And then there was the court magician, Simon Magus. He taught me much of the underbelly of the world, particularly in matters of sorcery and divine secrets. He said that if I applied my talents, I could become a magnificent Magus, but... I did not wish to traverse the dark side of the world. I chose instead to face the world head-on, as was the way of the glorious Roman Emperors.



...Hmm, hearing you say that, Praetor, ignites my own curiosity. I, in my resplendent perfection, would look wonderful in any sort of garment. And yet, those robes would no doubt enhance even my own beauty beyond compare. This is my royal decree! If you wish to see me in the robes of a Magus, I shall have a set of them tailored, and I shall model them for you! Or...would you rather see me dressed as a participant in the Moon's Holy Grail War, a hardworking student?

I imagine, for a moment, Saber dressed in a blazer or a sailor uniform. ...The more I think about it, the more this strikes me as a good idea.

Then I shall promise you. Someday, I will wear a school uniform for you. ...Look forward to it. ...Ah, but I digress. Let us stop here for tonight. Now, rest well, my Praetor. When you awaken, the battle will be waiting for you.

Well, Hakuno's fetishes aside, this is not the last time talk of Nero as a Caster would appear in this series. Allow me to take you back to Summer 2017...



Yep, in the Fate/Grand Order Summer 2017 event, Nero appeared in a swimsuit, and her class was Caster. Her magic actually mostly consisted of firing things out of those cannons behind her. I don't think this is *quite* what Simon Magus had in mind, but with parallel universes, much is possible.

Actually, there's a pretty prominent extella reference in Swimsuit Nero's Noble Phantasm, Laudă Lentum・Domus・Ilusterias, but that will have to wait until very near the end of this thread. I shant forget.



But now that we've fought off Tamamo's invasion, think we have time to change into some more Roman-flavored clothes. I think she looks quite dashing.



Our enemy Servants on this map will be Lu Bu and Medusa again, but to be fair, Tamamo's ranks are a bit depleted by the whole "Elizabeth as a servant of the Umbral Star" thing she's got going, so she's a bit short-handed. Nevertheless, straightforward layout you should be plenty accustomed to. Poison and / or Ice-resistant Mystic Codes are your best bet.

Also, this is the last appearance of our mysterious Side Mission giver. That mystery will also be revealed at the appropriate time.


Golden Poem Stage 3

This must be what they call "sakura"... A city where the flowers of the Far East bloom... That damned Caster has made such a picturesque scene... Despite myself, I must commend her sense of beauty! Look, it's as if a pink... No, a cherr blossom-colored wind blows through here. By the way, my Praetor. I'm thinking of calling this city of the sakura the "Tamamo Domain" for now. Is that easy enough to understand? Communication must always be swift and clear.



Hm. Um. Praetor...?

...We have to consolidate the Regalia as fast as we can. That is unwaveringly true. The power of the Zero Dark... The forces of the Umbral star have a fair amount of time to coalesce around Altera. If everything is going as the record says, Altera is strengthening her forces as we speak. We might still be able to confront them before any powerful Servants join their side if we can merge Caster's Regalia with ours soon enough.

Are you leaving me behind?! ...Hmph. Why do you walk ahead of me? It's dangerous for you to leave my side. Worry not. I know our time is fleeting, but "haste makes chase", or whatever it is they say.

...What would the Body do? She was hungry to win and keep on living. Maybe we should go after Altera's future generals first, one by one, and leave peace with Caster for later, even if that does lower our chances of success.

...



Ow! What happened? Something just hit me on the back of the head!

Ah, I finally had a chance to use this! This is a Roman squeaky stick. It also makes an excellent backscratcher, but never mind that! Praetor. It's not only the Moon at stake. All that every human holds dear is under threat from the Umbral Star. You know that already, even if you have merely seen it in a dream. Be that as it may... For both you and I, everything... Everything yet to transpire will be ours to experience for the first time.

Oh... That's it. That's what it is. She's right.

I want to feel our journey together. As we move through that journey, I want to experience every part of it with the wholeness of my being. I know everything is urgent. I know how little time we have. But... I pray you, give me the time to go with you. When you ignore me, I...

*nod*

It...leaves me lonely, my Praetor.

I thank her and tell her how sorry I am. I lost sight of Saber. I lost sight of myself. I might have started thinking that the Body's path, the story of someone who burned through her life in some other world, was my own path. She isn't me. She sent me her story, but she was a different Hakunon. I won't deny her final wish. I'll stop Archimedes and the Umbral Star. But I have to take care of myself and the people around me too. The precious time I have with Saber... Even if we're in a life-or-death battle, even if the fate the world depends on us, I don't want to waste a single second I have with her. No matter what happens. As intense as the fight has been, I can't believe I forgot something so simple.

Mmm, I do not mean to cry for your attention. That is, I do crave your attention, but...



No matter how hard that path may seem, fear not. After all, you are the victor of the Moon's Holy Grail War, conqueror of all in your way.





Hmph. Have you come to ruin the moment, then? So be it. I accept your challenge. I care not for your interruptions I have known the touch of my Praetor, and that alone has been enough to bring me joy! *teleports Hakuno into ring* I came not to do battle, but... Ah, you have no ears to hear me. Very well, then! Forward, my Praetor! Let us give them the battle they seek!

Well, Nero may accept their challenge, but I am under no obligation. Mainly because I don't have a Ice-resistant Code Cast, but never mind. I'm going to pacify the current enemy invasion on one of my Sectors, then...



As usual, I'll be going after one of the Plants first. This time, however, I'm going to go after Medusa's Sector, then get the second Plant. Which is roughly how I did this stage when I played through Flame Poem. Eternal recurrence?



Good thing I still have plenty of ground to cover... Think we'll need to give Medusa a moment. Incidentally, Yuu Asakawa's line read here is great.



We just got done facing her, and again we're locked in. Unfortunately this kind of arena plays a bit more to Medusa's strengths, but certainly not enough so that you should have a particular lot of trouble here. I was mostly hurrying so I could relieve Li Shuwen in time. In retrospect, a poor decision to come here before helping him out.



Sloppy on my part. I already took out both Plants, I should be getting to work helping my buddy out.



This was my failure. It's kinda random where an allied Servant will spawn once you've entered their Sector and they're in the middle of combat with invaders, but here, Li ended up on the complete opposite side and got killed by a big dude. This is why you should hang around me. I entered this Sector with him having very little HP, and unfortunately, losing an allied Servant, regardless of the circumstances, means the enemy will automatically take over the area.



First we give him a good hard pounding in the last stage and he's already back for more. Just can't keep this guy down. Well, as with all kinda cramped spaces (even as large as this Sector is, there's still a lot of hazards to fighting a pitched battle) Lu Bu is very dangerous here. But, as long as you play it safely and attack only when you know he's not swinging his halberd around, you can quickly gain the edge on him. While Nero's lack of power doesn't hurt her too much against a lot of enemies, it does against Lu Bu. Her speed doesn't help much when he can smack her clear across the field with a single slash. Servants with projectile attacks are a lot better match-up in your favor.



This is Lu Bu getting ready to fire his bow (I was wrong in the last update, he's actually shooting an arrow, but I think he does something with his halberd), and trust me, it's not something you wanna get hit with. Just a bit before this screenshot, I got hit with it, and take a guess why I'm missing so much HP. It doesn't have to actually hit you to do damage. As long as you're not guarding when he pulls the attack out, it'll do full damage.



As a note, before I finish him off, the game typically drops more items the more you're down on health / EM. Abusing this will be more important later, when I talk about how to unlock the secret character. Of course, there's also an Install Skill that raises item drop rates.



As fortune would have it, I was able to relieve this Sector with basically no time to spare. Luckily it's hard to have the enemy take over a Sector when your Aggressors are close, because as a general rule enemies will completely ignore other targets in favor of you whenever you're around.

But, as usual, now that all the big threats are down there's really nothing more to talk about. Just make sure you pick up both Noble Phantasm Circuits before you leave. We've got another date with Tamamo...


Curveball

And so we arrive. Now to bring that rogue vixen to heel. Although...all that aside, she has built a wonderful palace, has she not, my Praetor? An elegant wooden castle in a garden of cherry blossoms. And then, within it, naught but garish garbage. Such dissonance! That one particular room, was that not a..."dance hall"? The say a brief glitch in humanity one caused a cultural boom, in which dancers in form-fitting garb reveled beneath beams of light. Such folly should have remained burined beneath the sands of time, and yet it rises here in full display. *laugh* Caster, I underestimated you!

No wonder Elizabeth does not care for Nero. Not a big fan of idols.

Saber looks particularly happy. I see... I'd guess Caster wanted to leave that design just a tiny step away from vulgarity... Really barely skimming that line. Sometimes looking into art is like looking into the abyss.

Ah, but Caster has forgotten the finishing touch. Such extravagant glamour requires red roses!

I don't think she needs to worry about that. In fact, it's already been taken care of.

Hm? Whatever do you mean?

There's already a rose, right in front of my eyes. Seeing Saber dancing on the battlefield is like seeing flurry of whirling petals. She often compares herself to the Muses when she speaks, but I would say her brilliance surpasses even them. In fact, I'd say her brilliance is like Venus, the Goddess of Love, herself. No flattery, no exaggeration, that's how I feel.

V-Venus you say...! N-Now I wouldn't deny that, but... Ah, how embarrassing to agree with that comparison so shamelessly! ...Though you may embody the Praetor's Mind, it is your passions that define you now. This I feel in every chamber of my heart. Never have I heard such words from you before. I half-expected my heart to stop as you spoke. But I do so love that you would compare me to Her. I shall do all I can to live up to your ideal of me.

Saber calmly accepts my feelings, even though they'd started to embarrass me once I thought them through. I don't know exactly what the love of Venus feels like to her. But her voice, whispering in reverence, is full of benevolence and adoration.





A thousand blessings on your arrival, my Husband. I hope you're enjoying our Millennium Capital. If so, nothing would make this Tamamo no Mae happier. Except... Oh, how tragic that this scarlet red stain soils the perfection of my PaMaWo... Oh, that's show-speak for "Perfect TaMamo World", by the way. Do you understand? Excuse me, I'm talking to you, oh indecently exposed one. Need some new clothes, Emperor?

She didn't get a chance to talk much in Dawn, but I'm really glad Tamamo's back in style.

You would address me so? This tiny flash of skin is merely the adventure of a mauden. If I were to cast off my shame, the sight would be awesome indeed!

Awesome...indeed? I'd like to know more, but I hold it in for now. Instead, I remind Saber that this isn't the time for a name calling match.



Very well, I shall fulfill your expectations! Nemesis though she may be, I shall play the statesman and entreat with this lost little fox, for our sake!

Still all talk and no brains, I see. ...What, do you think I'm jealous? Not at all. I'm no "lost fox". You are a thieving, conniving, home-wrecking, dastardly wench, and justice is on my side! I'm finished playing games. The party is over. The first thing I'll do is chop your head off and take it on a world tour!

I hear you well enough, Caster. I knew you would never listen to reason. ...Also, what do you mean by "dastardly"?

Exactly what you think I mean, you cowardly trollop! Now, puny little "Emperor", we'll see who's fit to wear the Regalia!





Damn... Is it possible to not change fate, just because of Nero's personality? Get ready to face Tamamo again. After all, she was in the stage title card.



Or wait...

...What do you think you're doing? This is an epic battle with the Regalia on the line. Not even Our Husband is allowed to interrupt...

I tell them both I want to talk this out. That neither of them have anything to gain from fighting. That even if one of them wins, a stronger enemy is right around the corner. I don't want either of them to be caught alone when that happens.

O-Oh, what a passionate gaze... Um...did you say something about a "stronger enemy"? N-No! Your devilish charms will not deceive Us! What are you playing at, driving so far into Our territories only parley now?

I tell her I know how she feels. Now that I see her face to face, I also know, for a fact, that we're not enemies. The memories of the Moon's Holy Grail War are still hazy to me. I fought, and fought, and finally made it through. But I don't really remember how, or what I found in the end. Even so, I know this much... "Caster, Tamamo no Mae", I tell her. "Without a doubt, you are the previous Servant of Hakunon."

...W-What are you saying...dear Hakunon...? Our Millennium Capital has already declared war on Our terrible nemesis, to conquer every territory she holds! What else would you call us but your enemy?! That thick-headed Emperor kept you all to herself, even though you're Our Master as well! And still...you would...!!

"But you would have met her when you gained your Regalia. The Soul of Hakunon. Even now, she's right at your side. Saber and I have the same bond. Not just between Master and Servant. Bigger than that. That's the truth of it, and I know it's no different with you and the Soul."

T-That...

"I'll say it however many times I have to. I'm not your enemy. This part of Hakunon just wants to talk to you."

...Then, what about that Saber there...?

Need I say it? I defer to my Praetor's wisdom.

...So do you say that you will obey him as a Servant. That you will obey the decision made by the one who formed a contract with you through a Master's command seals?

...Remember, Tamamo almost always uses the male pronoun to refer to her Master, even when it's not strictly appropriate. It's her thing.

Of course not. This is something I have decided for myself. You should ask yourself that as well, Caster...no, Tamamo no Mae. Our Master lays these words before you in bare sincerity. Ask your heart how you intend to receive them.



...Ah, so it goes. No matter how many pieces of you there might be, every one of them is still Our Master. There's no way We could stand against you. We failed to recognize that at first. We will be more than happy to hear your tale.

*teleports Hakunon out* Heavens me, such a shock. To think that I would be exorcised with mere words... This isn't how I thought it would be...



Oh... *sniff* *sniff* Such a handsome soul... Did you already know I was going to say yes...? ...!! Oh...my... Ahh! I was so foolish...! This is all my fault for worrying. "What if my Husband wanders towards Ms. Saber once everything calms down? Tamamo, you fool, you fool, you beautiful fool! If only I had trusted in the fate that binds us together and challenged Saber to a face-to-face battle of heroines...! Ohhh! And after I swallowed my pride and unleashed *that* side of myself, too!

...

Reminder, the last thing Soul Hakuno did was the head pat. Tamamo just made that gigantic speech at basically no prompting. As it was, as it is, as it ever shall be.



...I understand. I really do. The Hakunon on their side is particularly clear headed. "There's nothing wrong with embracing who you are." That's what the other "me" says to Caster, to let her know that it's okay between them.

Ah... I feel like I'm falling for you all over again, my Husband. I'll follow you to the ends of the Earth. To the ends of the galaxy, or even to the rivers of Hell!

What is this sudden display?! My Praetor, we can't be seen losing to them!

*shakes head*

What?! Do I not get a single reward?! How unfair! Not that I have any particular NEED to be praised, but once in a while, once in a blue moon even, could you not shower me with affection? Specifically, I would have you caress my head. Not as one would with a pet, but gently enough not to tangle my hair. What say you? In exchange, I offer you repose on my lap! Who could resist this clearly irresistible bargain, the best in all of Rome?



Well, remember, Altera's appearance outside of the Zero Dark (notwithstanding her encounter with Iskandar), is right around the corner. No time to goof around, but perhaps later.

What? Does that mean you intend to order the entire set and have it delivered to My Room? ...T-That does make sense. We have no need to win some base "contest" with Caster when there are far more pressing matters here.

Fade to black for an explanation. Evidently Nero / Hakuno explained what they need to do to avert disaster. Good thing Hakuno's diplomatic skills prevailed over Nero, eh? Granted, Tamamo probably didn't need a whole lot of convincing, given she seems to know a lot more about what the Regalia's capable of than Nero does.









...Merging the Mind and Soul. I'd assumed we'd need to prepare some high-level spell, but the Regalia makes everything easier.

...Yes. When these two pieces of the ring come together, our Praetors will join as well. Your Praetor and mine... Each lacking a critical aspect of the other. On Earth, one's Body forms their main Frame, but on SE.RA.PH, the Soul serves that purpose. So perhaps your Praetor, only your Praetor, could have survived without merging back.

Well, thanks to alternate timelines, we already know that's true.

We should also consider the Body. My Husband's Body, that is. Though I suppose we don't need it for this. Now that the Mind's experiences have merged with the Soul's, their life force alone will keep their vessel intact.

Is that true, Caster...? If that's the case, then the Praetor who stands by Altera...

...is irrelevant to our purposes, and would in fact only add impurities into the mix. Do understand, Ms. Saber, the Body's awareness is temporary and fleeting. That Body is no longer the Hakunon we know. Although...that particular Body did make the ultimate sacrifice to send us that message...

Caster?

It's nothing. To say more would be treason. Impure Body or not, I would never sully that one's name. Let's discuss the bigger picture instead. That terrible Umbral Star. Its last arrival came in the age of the gods. Even the time frame matches up with my archives. Unless we stop it, Earth and the Moon are both finished. The archives...chronicle the destruction of the past. Gods and men fell side by side. For those few who survived, there was nothing left but scorched Earth. Obviously, my Husband and I have no desire to see that happen again. But to risk losing my Husband here...

Do not worry yourself. Their union will be safe and harmless. The figure who emerges from the union will be both my Preator and your...Husband. Naught but their one and true self. Truth be told, I'm just slightly worried myself, but I have every faith in the Praetor.



A light flares, then fades away. I blink and see myself. Myself, made whole, or close enough to it. The Regalia brought itself together, and us with it, without a hitch. I tell my Servants it's okay. Nothing was lost of either of us. The memories of being Nero's Master, and Tamamo's Master, are both in me.

My Praetor! / My Husband!





Did that light bind you, Caster? You are mistaken. This is clearly my Praetor. Take heed, and keep your wiles to yourself.

Ohoho, I do believe it's you who are mistaken.

Away with your "ohoho"! Ugh, what monstrous strength you have! Your arm is like an iron clasp.

And your chest is in my Husband's elbow. How vulgar. Get off him, now.

My chest is where it should be, you imbecile! All is fair in love and war!

Ohoho. And just a moment ago, weren't you the one saying we'd be sharing our beloved Master?

I did. Regardless, this one is mine!

No, no, mine! Oh, I just knew this would happen! I knew it would turn out like this!

Then we agree this is unacceptable. Must you and I again be at odds? Perhaps we share that destiny, and all is as it should be! The Praetor should never have been split in the first place. But before and after that, my one and only...



So this is Hell. No, I should try to stay calm. Somebody has to. I mean, what did I think was going to happen? I take a deep breath and let it out.

Hm?

Oh?

The two of them look puzzled once they seem me relax. And in that second, I...







Oof!

Ahh... ★

I use a Code Cast and spin the two in the air. This is my new skill, the mid-air strike, a Vacuum Toss!



Seriously.

The two Hakunon were fundamentally the same, but there were two of us until just now. But do we really have time for this? Why can't you two get along?

Indeed. To think I would let myself fall apart so shamefully...even if it was the fox witch's fault for reveling in mischief as she does...

Oh my, ye, it was completely improper of me to sink so low... It's just that I could hardly stand to let such she-devil antics fly...

"PLAY NICE!"

Yes!

Yes!

...Anyway, that's one problem solved. Saber and Caster won't go to war, and the two pieces of the Regalia have combined without either of them breaking. Plus I have my sense of self back, from before I went to the Moon Cell core. ...Okay, now for the next step. The girl I saw in that far-off dream will be here any second...





There actually was a scene break between the above scene and the last two screenshots, but even so, Hakuno's got an impeccable sense of timing.

Hm, and so she arrives.

The sky... The sky is...

Fissures open up in the space above. The sky shatters like cracked glass. I already know what's about to happen. There's no doubt in my mind. I'm about to witness an anomaly that shouldn't exist. But there's no turning away from this. This is a reality we have to stand up and face head-on. The world...

Do not stray from my side, my Praetor. ...The very heavens are being rent asunder! They come!



...It's not just the sky. Right here and now, the entire world is splitting apart. The world is breaking apart at the seams. The coming darkness is both part of SE.RA.PH and something else entirely. It is the darkness that existed before human wisdom was born, forever untouched by the light of civilization. The Zero Dark.





...That's...

...





...

The enemy army receives a command from the girl in white and immediately ceases movement. The girl in white. She's not someone I've actually met in person. I only know of her through the Body's message. But there's something about her that stirs up feelings deep within my heart. Altera. The name I called out so many times in that cavern.

I...I am the great King. I am destruction itself, falling like a star to crush all those beneath.

The girl in white speaks her familiar warning. Her sun-kissed skin and red eyes... Her lithe body, befitting a great warrior...And her incredible powers of destruction. I already know what she looks like on the battlefield.

Destruction...



...Ugh!

My Husband!



With but one swing of her sword, she displays such strength... And without even declaring her true name...! My flesh prickles at her mere presence!

...Hmph. So a single flick of her blade is this powerful. She's like a full-frontal assault on reality itself, isn't she?

I can hear Saber and Caster's voices. They're not frantic or hesitant. They're not panicked, either. It's a much deeper, darker...fear? ...No, that's not right. Even though it comes from somewhere deep within, it's not necessarily a dark feeling. Saber's still as graceful as a rose, and her golden sparkle hasn't faded. Caster's warmth of the Sun continues to shine as well. They're facing this, head on. They're accepting it as reality, this grim truth that stands before them.

...

Her glistening gaze seems to pierce right through me. Ah, but of course she's staring. I look the same as the Master on her side. She can look if she wants to. I'm right here. ...I know all about her. The destroyer of everything, fated to disappear in the end. Her name is...

...Altera!

...? You know my true name...? What is this? Do you retain some memory from the age of the gods? No, that cannot be. Even if you did, you could not know that name. So, what, then? What manner of creature are you?

That is a difficult question. We have seen much of you, but there is much we have yet to confirm. And so, I shall elucidate. Behold! My True Name is Nero, the fifth Emperor of the Roman Empire. Know me as Nero Claudius!

...Nero...

To be fair, her full name is Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, but such names are unsuited for dramatic pronouncements. Her predecessor, and grand uncle, had a similar vocal pile-up, Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. He is not to be confused with the more well-known Tiberius, differentiated by being more popularly known as Claudius. The Julio-Claudian dynasty had to be rough on the guys who made the desk nameplates.

Furthermore! I, along with you and Caster both, am the Servant of Hakunon, my beloved Praetor!

...Woman. You dare speak the name of my Prisoner? I am the only one with the authority to do so. Enough of this. There is no need for anyone to know who I am, nor to speak the name Altera. ...I am all that needs to exist.

Now, Praetor, synchronize with me! And as for you, Caster... Let us survive this ordeal together!

Ah, you're going to synchronize with her instead?! Irritating, but...fine, I'll let it slide for now!







You mere Heroic Spirits survived the wrath of the Sword of Mars...?

What are you saying, Altera? We, who stand in front of you now, are more than "mere Heroic Spirits".

That's right. we are the Servants of the Master who triumphed over every opponent in the Holy Grail War, no matter how powerful!

Indeed. Morever, this time...







You face us in a tag team battle!



So we've got a pretty fun battle on our hands here. Altera's the same as always, which is to say, quite dangerous, but we have Tamamo backing us up. Even though Tamamo says in the dialogue she'll handle the grunts while you handle Altera, at least this time, her AI didn't do that at all. She was doing a good job of hassling Altera herself. Of course, I had to do most of the work, but all the same, AI allies do a decent job at helping you at against a common foe.

Also, because Tamamo is an AI, she has much more health than usual. That's where she'll do her most good: keeping Altera mostly occupied while the latter is powered-up. Kind of like a Shinji doll that attacks.



I wish Tamamo was in this shot with us, but hey, we defeated Altera before heading to the Zero Dark. Things are really getting off-track for Archimedes' plans.



And with 5/5 side missions, a superb result. This was also the mission that got Nero to maximum bond level, big number 30.