Jayr POV - Nasuverse, Moon, SE.RA.PH, Tsukumihara Academy - 2030 AD
The morning that light spills through the room's artificial window is pale and soft, creating the usual quiet imitation of dawn.
The system, SE.RA.PH always make it look perfect, too perfect, almost like a painting.
I blink the sleep from my eyes and sit up, mind already racing back to the Arena's eerie changes and the fragments of code I'd collected yesterday.
The keywords stability, substrate, and idol protocol still pulse at the edge of memory like background noise.
Suddenly, the door of the bathroom slides open and Nero steps in, already fully dressed, before she stretches a bit and says, "Good morning, my Praetor. You look as if you wrestled with dreams instead of pillows."
Hearing that, I smile wryly and admit, "Dreams wrestle back. And I lost. My mind just couldn't fully shut down... After all, our opponent this time is a Champion like me. She too travelled all over the Omniverse gathering who knows what powers and abilities... I just can't underestimate her."
She laughs softly and says in an encouraging tone, "Then we shall win the rematch after breakfast."
I nod, get up from the bed, and quickly start to pull out various ingredients from my Soulbound Territory and prepare our breakfast.
Then, as I enjoy the meal with Nero, I open the terminal and review yesterday's data one more time.
The more I stare at it, the more that one name keeps resurfacing, Enkidu.
Uruk's greatest weapon, who is equal to Gilgamesh in power. A being made of clay and divine intent. If Helena's Servant truly is Enkidu, we are up against something that could command power equal to Gilgamesh at his peak.
Nero leans against the desk, arms crossed, eyes bright and asks in a genuinely curious tone, "You've been muttering that name since last night. Who is this Enkidu to haunt you so much?"
I quickly manipulate my Spiral Cosmo and project an image using my memory representing a silhouette of green energy and chains while explaining, "A creation of the gods. Formed from the earth to bring balance between man and nature..."
Then I tell Nero a bit more about Enkidu's story, like how, at first, they were neither male nor female, but merely a monster made of mud that descended onto the earth and awoke in the wilderness.
They opened their eyelids in response to a voice calling to them from afar, taking in the sight of the expanses of land and sky and the towering city in the distance.
The voice was unknown to Enkidu, but it was neither the maternal hand nor the paternal rebuke.
Though Enkidu was given superb power, their parents were unable to give Enkidu a Soul.
They had no intellect after awakening, so their existence for years afterwards consisted of rushing through the wilderness with the animals.
Though Enkidu had a purpose, given the task of being the chains to return the keystone, Gilgamesh, back under the control of the Gods, without a soul, they could only live like a feral animal.
Lacking the will of a human, Enkidu's happiness came from being free in the wild, neither perfect nor flawed.
They would still stop to look at the city occasionally, hearing the voice that was neither their father's nor their mother's calling to them from beyond the wilds.
Enkidu was a formless clump of mud, so they were told to seek out a "complete human" to copy its form to be able to interact with humans. Enkidu was directed to find Huwawa, whom the gods had created as their image of a "complete human".
In truth, Huwawa had been formed from thousands of human souls forcefully fused together.
Enkidu did as instructed, becoming Huwawa's friend while they still lived in the wild, to the point that they even said Huwawa raised them.
They befriended the only lucid soul among Huwawa's composites, a little girl.
Enkidu made Huwawa a flower crown for her to wear as they wanted to save the souls comprising Huwawa, but didn't know how and eventually, Enkidu and Huwawa parted ways.
Anu brought Enkidu a woman, the sacred prostitute Shamhat, after despairing over their lack of rational thought.
The asexual lump of clay fell for the beauty of the woman, which transcended the bounds between man and woman, and they spent six days and seven nights together.
The mud puppet, ignorant of mankind, slowly allowed their form to approximate that of a human, which seemed to become that of the beautiful harlot sharing their food and bed with them, as if attempting to assume her beauty.
Enkidu made her paradoxical beauty their own, losing much of their strength and divinity, though still retaining levels of both far above that of humanity, in exchange for wisdom and reason.
They had never looked in a mirror, so the humanoid form became a good instructor for Enkidu to learn about themself.
They acquired knowledge and rational thought, all the truths of heaven and earth.
Filled with the soul needed to fulfil their task, Enkidu spoke their name for the first time, and the world became something extremely simple in that instant.
Finally recognising their role and task, imposing the wrath of the gods and divine judgement upon a fellow puppet of the gods, Enkidu decided to seek out the arrogant Gilgamesh.
The one they found was still a child, so Enkidu had to wait until Gilgamesh reached adulthood in order to fight and reprimand him as an equal.
They watched the city while waiting, hearing the familiar voice from within and while watching Gilgamesh grow by the day, Enkidu found that the king's fair nature confused them and made them question the gods' judgment.
Soon, though they understood the reason behind it, Enkidu came to realise the gods were correct; however, as Gilgamesh grew and became a tyrant.
Understanding that Gilgamesh's arrogance stemmed from his solitude, Enkidu sought to reprimand him, but did not state the real reason to avoid hurting his pride.
They met Gilgamesh in front of the temple of Uruk, and both clashed in a fierce battle that lasted for several days.
Gilgamesh was angered by a "clod of mud" being equal to him, humiliated that he had to use his treasures.
He soon came to enjoy the battle, however, and brought his weapons out without regret.
After fierce fighting that left them both spent, each warrior collapsed to the ground without consideration for the location, and Gilgamesh did so laughing, noting that there could be no winner without two corpses, and Enkidu fell in imitation of him, like a mirror.
Praising each other's valour, they became peerless friends who went on to have many adventures.
They combined their strength to defeat the guardian of the forest and beast of the gods, Enkidu's old friend Huwawa, for the reason of protecting Uruk rather than anything to do with the gods.
In the time since Enkidu and Huwawa had been apart, Huwawa had gone mad and become a monster screaming in thousands of voices who could not understand why they suffered so.
Enkidu commented that the people were suffering under them, so they questioned the point of such an action, and Enkidu came to understand Gilgamesh's path at that point, that the king would observe humanity's future from his solidarity.
After killing Huwawa, Enkidu left another circlet of flowers behind for their friend.
Enkidu attempted to declare that they were a tool for Gilgamesh's use, claiming that they would stand by his side until the end of the world.
Gilgamesh instead called them a fool, telling Enkidu that those who live together, talk together, and fight together are neither people nor tools, but what is called a friend.
Obtaining that word was precious to Enkidu, and it was in that moment that they acquired a "self" in the true sense of the word.
Afterwards, Ishtar proposed to Gilgamesh, but he rejected her. Angered by his insults, she begged Anu to release the Bull of Heaven to punish them.
After working together to destroy it, Ishtar requested that they be put to death for slaying a beast of the gods.
Her request was granted, and Enkidu, created by the gods, was unable to defy the decree.
Over time, they slowly weakened and returned to clay, as Gilgamesh desperately held on to the crumbling clod in his arms.
Gilgamesh was angered, exclaiming that he should have been punished instead, but Enkidu reiterated that they were only one of the numerous weapons in the king's collection.
There would be no need to grieve, because he would find countless greater treasures, so there was no worth left in Enkidu to deserve any tears from the king.
Enkidu believed that Gilgamesh was a hero who had a soul and free will since the beginning, who had true life and worth unlike their own expendable self.
They always yearned for that and hated that they were such different beings despite being created by the same father.
Gilgamesh exclaimed that Enkidu did have worth, declaring, "In all this world, only one shall be my friend. Thus---not for all eternity shall his worth ever change."
As the rain gradually let up, Enkidu returned to their original state, nought but a clod of earth in the wilderness, leaving behind nothing but the thunderous cry of the king.
The rest of Gilgamesh's lifetime afterward showed the large shadow cast over him from losing the sole person who understood him.
After listening to my tale, Nero keeps her gaze on the image for a few moments, her expression shifting from curiosity to amusement to admiration before commenting, "So this is Enkidu... I now understand a bit why you are so uneasy. This is truly an opponent that deserves that kind of respect."
Then, she grins and adds, "However, their end will still be the same. They will burn prettily when I cut them down. Let us meet them, then."
I shut down the projection and say, "Soon. First, we gather what we can topside. The war's getting thinner."
After that, we finish our breakfast and walk out of our Private Room with the intent of exploring the campus, hoping to find something that will reveal if my suspicions are correct. Naturally, Nero once again takes her Spirit Form to herself.
The corridors outside are quieter than usual, likely because it is still early in the morning, and the few Masters we pass move quickly, avoiding eye contact.
The tension of the second round hung in the air like static to the point that even SE.RA.PH's background hum seems lower, as if the system itself is holding its breath.
We wander through the main campus, pretending to be aimless while scanning for unusual readings.
Most areas are stable, though the ambient gravity fluctuates very slightly in some more remote areas, enough for me to take notice, but too subtle for others.
This is likely another mark of Helena's influence in places where she hangs often enough, which may be useful in case I have to track her down for one reason or another.
As we continue to wander around the campus, I notice a young girl standing in front of a window, gazing at the sky, who suddenly turns around and approaches me.
The girl appears to be of Indian descent with wavy light purple hair, with part of it tied into a ponytail.
She has purple eyes, a tan complexion, wears glasses and has a bindi on her forehead as worn in India.
She wears a purple fable collar with a dark purple gem in the center and under that she wears a white shirt with a deep V, leaving a portion of her chest bare, and black tight shorts.
Over that, she wears a white lab coat with the emblem of Tsukimihara Academy on it.
On her hands are multiple golden bracelets and small, thin white gloves, and on her legs she wears long white and purple socks and black shoes.
She is Rani VIII, the homunculus created by Sialim Eltnam Re-Atlasia and in the game, she was the Master of the Berserker Class Servant Lü Bu.
(Image Here - Rani VIII)
Rani stops a few steps away from me and says in a somewhat mechanical expression and speech, "Good day. I believe that this is our first time to actually converse like normal people, isn't it?"
I've caught a glimpse of this beautiful, exotic girl many times before, but this is indeed the first time we've spoken, so I smile gently and reply, "Hello there. This is the first time... My name is Jayr Pucci. Nice to meet you."
Rani nods back and says, "My name is Rani. Like you, I am here for the purpose of obtaining the Holy Grail."
Shortly after introducing herself, Rani continues, "I've been scanning the stars for clues about you and a few more Masters. Unlike the other Masters, you are all an enigma. So I wish to ask you directly, and please answer honestly, this question: What are you?"
For a few instant, I'm stumped by her direct question, but then I quickly regain my bearing, and after thinking for a bit, I decide to honestly answer, "Well... I can't reveal to you everything, but basically, those other Masters and I are all Masters that shouldn't be here. We are all people from various universes, different from this one... You know, kinda like the Second Magic but on a much wider scale. Because of that SE.RA.PH and its AIs refer to us as Irregular Masters. On that note, you should be more cautious. Not all Irregular Masters will be as nice as I..."
Rani tilts her head and comments in the same emotionless tone, "So this is your identity? Now a few things make more sense... Like the strange change that happened in the Arena."
Again, I'm momentarily surprised by what she just said, but then I remember that she is very skilled in Astrology to the point that she surpasses even Caster Class Servants, and on top of that, since she isn't part of OUR competition, she is able to bypass the protection granted by our Blessing.
While I come to that conclusion, Rani quickly explains, "No need to be so suspicious. I assure you, I'm not your enemy. I did not watch your battle. I am simply relaying what it is the stars say about you. I'm looking for the newborn chick my professor spoke of. The stars have aided me in that task. I am not sure if you are who I seek, but... I must study the heavens further. But I must ask you to tell me more of Harrison's star. It may seem like I'm asking for a lot, but the knowledge revealed will benefit you, I think. And as per Atlas, I wish to show you the true value of knowledge and will share my findings."
After that explanation, Rani concluded by saying, "I'll use you, and you'll use me. ...What do you think? Will you accept my request?"
At the same time, I hear Nero commenting, [As expected on a war based on information... None of the other Masters can be underestimated. They, too, are striving to find information in their own ways.]
I start to truly consider her proposal, 'Working with Rani, huh? This may very well be the thing that tilts the balance in my favour. As a resident of this universe, she doesn't have the same limitation I have in scrying information about the other Champions. But that may make her a target and put her in even more danger... Should I agree...?"
Rani sees through my hesitation and says, "I apologise. But to understand my professor's words, I must first understand humanity. This is what he said: As a doll, you must find someone who is truly alive and observe them. I believe that he wants me to find out, by watching humans, what it means to be alive. I don't know if you are the one, but perhaps... your star will shine apart from the others. I must... observe other people. You and the other Irregulars as well. That is why I need your help."
At this point, I decide to take the risk and say, "Very well... I accept your request. But please be careful, all the Irregular Masters may have powers beyond the regular Magecraft and even True Magic itself."
Rani calmly nods and says in the same emotionless, even tone, "Please bring me a relic of theirs. I will be waiting at the far end of the third-floor hallway. When you come to see me, we will gaze into the heavens together. I'm sure you see the value in learning what Harrison's star will have to say, right? The best time to read her star will come in three days. Please find a relic of hers by then."
With a final, "Until we meet again," she gives me a last smile before turning her attention back to the sky outside the window.
After that meeting with Rani, we continue through the hallway, and I realise how empty it has become.
A few minor Masters linger near the windows or classrooms doors, whispering nervously.
But the people who usually stand out, those who should have been here, are gone.
No sign of Rin Tohsaka, no Dan Blackmore, two very important participants of this war, already erased without announcement.
I stop walking, scanning the skyline that isn't real and say quietly, "They're gone." Making Nero ask through our bond, [Who?]
In response, I let out a sigh and say, [Rin and Dan Blackmore. The usual favourites. If they're missing, it means they've already been eliminated... And considering who they are, they were not defeated by ordinary Masters.]
Hearing that, Nero realises what I mean, and with sudden interest in her tone, she states through our bond, [Champions.]
The word feels very heavy as I tell her, [Exactly. We're the only ones strong enough to cut through people like them, those who should be "fated" to advance. Which means the field's narrowing faster than it should.]
The realisation sinks in as a stone dropped into deep water, every round is trimming the known story down, removing the names history expected to survive.
Then I suddenly think of one name that hasn't appeared yet, Alice, the one innocent child I still wish to help, making me mutter out loud, "If the others are gone, then she might be next. It may also be already too late..."
But just as my thoughts start spiralling out of control, I hear Nero's soft voice as she tells me, [Worry achieves nothing until the blade falls. Until then, fight.]
I nod, pushing the thoughts aside and say, [You're right. Let's focus on what we can control. The Primary Trigger should be our most pressing concern today. The sooner we retrieve it, the sooner we can focus on other things.]
In response, Nero exclaims in her usual confident tone, [Then to the Arena once more. The Emperor tyres of suspense.]
At this point, we quickly head toward the Arena's entrance, and the moment we step through the portal, I notice that the Arena has gone through some more changes.
Gone is the cracked desert that was spreading and engulfing the Arena of yesterday; in its place, there now stretches a labyrinth of stone and shadow, walls of jagged rock glinting with faint crystal veins, ceiling low and uneven.
The air feels dense, pressing down like invisible hands to the point that for regular humans, even standing still would be an effort.
Watching this abrupt change, I mutter, "Welcome to the underground."
Nero rolls her shoulders, the motion slightly slower under the weight as she comments, "Umu... Our foe clearly favours claustrophobic elegance."
I check the terminal and see that the map grid still matches yesterday's layout, though all textures and materials have changed, making me say, "At least the coordinates are consistent. She reshaped the surface but not the structure."
Nero nods and comments, "Practical of her," before she snorts and complains, "I would have preferred marble to mudstone."
Hearing that, I smile faintly and mutter, "She's trying to hide the Trigger under this layer of solid rock. Smart. And this likely isn't the only advantage..."
After that, I summon Behemoth, and we start our exploration, the path illuminated only by occasional crystalline veins pulsing dimly.
The sound of Behemoth's engine echoes strangely, like the sound is absorbed instead of being reflected.
I can feel Helena's influence everywhere, as if the entire field is now part of her domain, which may very well be true.
Suddenly, I hear a rumble, it is low, distant, while fragments of the ceiling shake loose, then from the shadows ahead, shapes emerge.
Not the usual Enemy Programs this time, but still, figure that I find very familiar, the figure of Pokémon, more specifically of rock-bodied creatures with eyes like polished stone.
Geodudes, half-buried in the floor, watching and soon more appear behind them, the bigger Gravelers and the massive Golems, their bodies glowing faintly, a clear warning sign.
Seeing them, Nero grins and exclaims, "So these are the Pokémon you talked about! Quite the fantastical creature!"
Meanwhile, watching the swarm of Geodude evolution-line, I warn her, "Be careful, those aren't Enemy Programs, they are living beings. If possible, limit yourself to simply knocking them out..."
The next moment, the first wave charges, making Nero spur Behemoth forward; the digital bike roars, skidding sparks across the cave floor.
She weaves through falling debris, slashing with bursts of crimson light that shatter the rain of rocks the Pokémon are throwing at us, one after another.
The gravity makes her movements a little heavier, but her rhythm never falters; however, as soon as we close in on some of the Pokemon their bodies start shining while gathering a massive amount of energy, a telltale sign of the move Self Destruct, which unleashes a massive explosion while making the Pokémon using it faint.
Seeing that the Geodude evolution-lines in front of us are about to unleash a massive chain of explosions, I don't hesitate to quickly use my Spiral Cosmo to empower Behemoth while telling Nero to ignore our enemies and press forward through our bond.
Just as the first Pokémon are about to explode, the empowered Behemoth suddenly accelerate reaching the speed of light, leaving behind the deadly trap left by the Champion of Earth in an instant as we safely cross the corridor and reach one of the larger halls.
The next moment, the rumbling sound of continuous explosion can be heard from behind us that lasts several seconds and even makes the surrounding continue to shake, making me comment, "That's quite the nasty trap... And an awfully callous use of Pokémon. If before I had a few doubts about our opponent's morality, now most of them are gone."
After that, we press onward, and the deeper we go, the stronger the pull of gravity becomes. Luckily, neither I, nor Nero, nor Behemoth are heavily affected by it, but I am sure that other Masters and Servants may be forced to drain their energy to withstand it in our place.
After exploring some more, which includes many other battles with other Pokémon and Enemy Programs, the tunnel in front of us widens into a natural hall supported by thick pillars of stone.
The centre gleams faintly, and I notice a suspiciously massive boulder fused to the floor, its surface is pulsing with rhythmic light, making me say, "There. That's it."
I use my senses and Cosmic Awareness and quickly confirm my suspicion, "Primary Trigger confirmed."
Hearing that, Nero dismounted and raised her sword while declaring, "Then let us claim it."
The gravity around the boulder is intense enough to warp light, yet another ploy from the Champion of Power to prevent her opponent from advancing, but the current Nero is more than powerful enough to ignore it.
Her energy surges, and she swings, making her blade sing against the pressure, carving glowing lines through stone.
Each strike weakens the gravitational core until, with one final crack, the boulder splits open like an egg of light.
Inside floats the crystalline Trigger. I also dismount and reach out, using a bit of Telekinesis to bring it to me and put it in the safety of my pocket.
The cavern rumbles immediately with a low growl that rolls through the stone, deeper and more deliberate than a simple collapse.
The walls flex, and it feels like the Earth itself exhales in annoyance, making me comment, "She knows, and she is not happy..."
In response, Nero chuckles and says, "Huhu... Let's not outstay our welcome. We have completed today's objective."
We retreat quickly, Behemoth's wheels throwing sparks as the tunnel begins to close behind us and by the time we reach the portal and walk through it, the vibration has already faded, leaving only the echo of a warning.