Part 72: Radiant Sword - Gawain - Part 3

Gawain 3



I'm not sure "Formal" is the first word I'd use here. It's more like Gawain's nightclub clothes or something...

In any case, our knight's final stage is based on Flame Poem 4, so we'll have Iskandar and Jeanne as enemies. It's actually quite a bit easier than the previous stage.


Gawain stage 3

You, who led us Knights of the Round, who continued to protect Britain, who holds the Holy Sword of the stars, greater than my own. Now I truly understand. Your existence is truly above and beyond ours. You are no ordinary Servant, but a high-level Servant like the King of Conquerors. You are the Moon Cell's last line of defense. And while the King of Conquerors and La Pucelle have joined with the forces of destruction for whatever reason... You are different. I believe that you have descended upon SE.RA.PH with your divine sword in order to halt this conflict. If so...then I...

Are you thinking out loud, Gawain? It looks like those two high-level Servants from before are here again, so what's your plan? At this rate, you'll be fighting battle after battle. Our Sovereign has said you have the option to return to home base.

I shall stay and continue to fight. There is something I wish to see here with my own eyes. As long as the sun of SE.RA.PH still shines brightly above us, the Knight of the Sun has no reason to withdraw.

Understood. I'll let them know. If you want handle things here...well, fight like a Knight of the Round Table.



That's the idea. Well, as in all previous versions of this stage, it's a complete waste of time to go after this Sector on your own, because it's Li Shuwen's job to take it over (which he, of course, will, but only after a significant amount of time). You're actually best suited going after Iskandar right at the start, but there's no particular need to move that quickly, since Gawain can handle the king well enough.

But, as I said, I like to do things differently on stages like this. The Sector with the Plant is also a target, but there's a bunch of flying enemies with electricity, and no joke, on my first attempt at this stage they stunlocked me. I blocked their initial attacks, and they were just non-stop firing at me while pushing me back into a corner while I continued blocking. I couldn't have broken out if I wanted to.



Never had a chance. I'm not sure if it's because of him having conquered this Sector, but he'll be back at least a couple more times. Not one to say die.



Man that's some nice reach. This is that slow upward chop I mentioned in Gawain 1.



Shoo, away with you. If only. The last Sector he'll attack is the one in the far southwest, where you started. If you want to get EX rank, you'll definitely have to take him before finishing the stage as...let's say Jeanne is not the last enemy you'll face.



One that makes Gawain even better that I haven't mentioned is his last special move builds the EM bar very quickly, even without any Install Skill buffs to increase the EM charge rate. Not that he really needs the help, but it's nice to take advantage of.



Now comes our boss rush.



Anything to speed this along. I'm sure it won't come as too much of a surprise Jeanne isn't the final boss of Gawain's story.



Yes I know Jeanne calls upon the Lord's divine protection, but give it a rest, please.



...Understood. The shine of my sword will say more than thousands of words ever could!



So as you might expect, Gawain vs. Artoria is a pretty fun matchup. Artoria with her quick, long-range sword movements, and Gawain with his powerful, simple combos. Since Gawain possesses no projectiles, and Artoria has two, you'll want to keep up the pressure on her as much as possible, but just be aware she can strike back very quickly. You'll want to watch her very carefully.



Since Gawain's power-up move gives him the reach he so sorely needs, his final special attack is really good for knocking Artoria away so you can use it comfortably. Even then, she usually recovers pretty quickly, so you need to be quick after you've exploded her away.



Watch out for when she throws up a vortex of wind in front of her, because she's about to use her spread shot projectile.



And especially be sure you're not close to her, because it spreads out pretty fast, but when it just leaves her sword, all the projectiles cover her like a blanket.



Yeah, that's the problem.



I thought to try to catch her in my flame attack...



She thought differently. This is her second projectile, basically a short charge-up of Excalibur that fires a massive fuck off beam in front of her. Quite hurts, quite indeed. Had to use a Command Spell revive. And trust, that sent me *flying*.



But finally, I broke through her defenses... It was a good match.





Good indeed.







Gawain ending

My King. You, who rest in Avalon until the day you rise in Britain. Lord of the 13 Knights of the Round Table. I was weak. I allowed my anger for Sir Lancelot to consume me, that I lost sight of Britain's future and made my fatal mistake. In the fight with Mordred, the Knight of Treachery, if I...if only I had trusted Sir Lancelot... If only I had accepted his help... Then surely you would not have been...struck down upon the hills of Camlann... All because of my anger, my failings, my foolishness. Such was my greatest sin, and my greatest regret. And so...I longed for another chance. This time, I would not make the same mistake. This time I would not become lost down the wrong path. I would serve only as a sword for my rightful King, until the very end.

Then it seems the Moon has granted your wish, Gawain.

A boy... I witnessed a boy who had the makings of a King ascend to his throne. I stood by his side, as his sword. At the last, he fell as a young King. And I finished my second chance at life exactly as I wished, as the sword he wielded. And now, during this third life... What path should I take this time? My King, I ask you to show me. The weakness and failings of my first life. My loyalty to another ruler in my second life. I sinned in both of them, and deserve punishment. If you command me to throw away this third life of mine, then I shall fall on my sword without hesitation. I beg of you. I place all that I am in your hands, my glorious King Arthur.

Then...



...Then Gawain, you must continue to be the "Knight of the Sun". As one who holds your holy sword, as one who is blessed by the spirits, as one of the thirteen glorious Knights of the Round Table... You are forever a Knight. I will believe in your adamantine spirit. Even in the past, you were ashamed of your weakness as you fought the ferocious Green Knight, but...you've not changed at all. Then and now, you have always been my honorable Knight. No matter what time has passed, no matter if the King you serve has changed...



Gawain failed in defeating the Green Knight, but per his testimony in FGO, the aftermath of that whole affair was when he was acknowledged by Arthur as one of his finest knights. In his words, he will never forget that day.

...My King. I...

After all the Forces of Destruction have disappeared... I too, will leave the Moon. Afterwards, you must live your third life as you wish. As the proud Knight of the Sun. If you've found your place, if you've found a new King, then you must serve with pride. I believe this new ruler of yours will become a great King of SE.RA.PH. I have faith in all that you do. I will pray for you from afar. So have I spoken, Sir Gawain. You will always be one of my Knights.

...Truly, I hear your words. Your new command... My new mission... Upon this third life of mine, I vow here and now that I will succeed. ...My Lord, you will always be my King...