Fate/Grand Order World—Various Timelines
Cultists and even the other eighteen Hassans watched with fervent excitement. They were witnessing the true form of the Old Man of the Mountain—a figure whose existence was shrouded in myth, for none who had seen him lived to tell the tale. Now, this legend had descended upon Uruk!
His presence struck fear into the hearts of the corrupt and depraved, as if their heads might roll at any moment.
[On Screen, Tiamat sensed a grave threat and struck first!]
Dark beams shot from its cross-shaped eyes.
[BOOM!]
The Old Man leaped into action, hellfire erupting from his body as he wielded his Noble Phantasm.
"Zabaniya: Delusional Illusion"!
[I shall take your wings!]
Without flashy techniques, a single swing of his blade inflicted grievous wounds upon Tiamat!
In an instant, he severed Tiamat's wings and imprinted the "Concept of Death" upon her, rewriting her law of immortality!
[Fujimaru, the Beast can now be eliminated!]
Everyone launched a fierce assault. Now, Tiamat truly sensed the scent of death—desperately trying to flee to the surface!
[Red Thunder of the Underworld!]
Six pillars of light erupted around Ereshkigal, striking Tiamat like lightning!
Yet even this devastating explosion couldn't halt her!
Driven by an overwhelming will to survive, Tiamat spewed vast quantities of black mud. This time, the Lahmu that emerged were different—far faster and stronger!
[These Lahmu could be called the Eleventh Demon Beast!]
Though few in number, they were incredibly formidable, their power rivaling that of gods!
And the group's magical energy was nearly depleted...
[It seems she's played her last card!]
Merlin raised his hand, and a phantom of a legendary sword materialized before him...
"That is!"
Saber, watching from outside the screen, jolted upright and frantically checked if her own sword was still there.
"Phew, it's still here..."
"Hmph, since when do magicians play with swords?!"
Merlin held his staff in one hand and the sword in the other, the two working in tandem.
[Artoria often falls for this trick too!]
Meanwhile, Ishtar, overwhelmed and drained of magical energy, could barely defend herself.
Fortunately, the Old Man appeared before her.
[Fall back. Each of these children of Tiamat possesses power rivaling a Demon God Pillar!]
Demon God Pillar: "Am I a unit of measurement now?"
By now, Tiamat had nearly reached the surface!
And the group was at their limit!
"Ugh...!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka roared hoarsely:
[If this continues... the Beast will escape...]
It seemed all was lost!
[Hehehe...]
The Lahmu sneered, mocking their weakness and impending doom!
[Thud!]
Several glowing Noble Phantasms materialized above the Lahmu's heads!
The next moment, hundreds—no, countless—Noble Phantasms rained down upon them like a storm!
[Why so sloppy?]
A golden-haired man, arms crossed, hovered in the air—countless portals of light behind him. He smiled down at those below.
The endless barrage of Noble Phantasms pummeled Tiamat, forcing her back in agony!
[I've come to lend a hand!]
[Servant, Archer—King of Heroes, Gilgamesh!]
[It was too noisy up there, so I thought I'd help out!]
It was the Caster Gilgamesh, now manifested as a heroic spirit!
[King Gilgamesh!]
Fujimaru and the others were overjoyed. After Merlin, even the King of Heroes had come to their aid!
[Don't take your eyes off her!]
Merlin shouted urgently.
Before he could finish, Tiamat underwent another transformation!
White energy radiated from her body, and her closed eyes snapped open!
A halo of light erupted from her core, enveloping her in a massive barrier!
The world around turned monochrome!
Merlin stared in shock:
[This is... impossible!]
The Chaldean staff shared his horror:
[Wait... this reaction is...]
[A Reality Marble?]
Merlin broke out in a cold sweat—he couldn't believe his eyes!
[No... This is a new world!]
[Nega-Genesis!]
The barrier expanded relentlessly, erasing all life in its path—even the Lahmu were no exception!
[A sea in the sky, a prison in the earth—my heel is the wrath of Hades!]
[Appear, Fever Temple!]
[Spiritual Peak Tramples Kur Kigal Irkalla—The Underworld's Rampart!]
Massive crimson flames erupted from the ground, halting the barrier's expansion!
Simultaneously, colossal boulders pinned Tiamat in place!
Trapped!
[Mash, we need your power now to counter her vile barrier!]
[The manifestation of that king's ideal city—Lord Camelot—may be able to withstand it!]
Everyone understood the king's meaning. This required a key figure—Fujimaru Ritsuka, the only one who could enter that barrier!
[While the barrier is active, I cannot move. Take this and aim for her head!]
King Gilgamesh drew a golden dagger from his treasury and tossed it to Fujimaru.
[I can't hold the barrier much longer! Hurry!]
Ereshkigal was at her limit, her body fading.
A cherry blossom-colored magic circle bloomed at Merlin's feet. He raised his Noble Phantasm and declared,
[The inner sea of stars, the platform of clairvoyance—]
[Hear from the ends of paradise—your story is blessed!]
[Only the innocent may pass...]
Mash closed her eyes and murmured,
[True Name, disclosed!]
[I shall stand upon the seat of calamity...]
[That is our homeland, capable of healing all wounds and grudges!]
Her eyes firm, her purple skirt swaying, Mash shouted as Tiamat strained against the seal:
[Manifest!]
[The ideal city, Lord Camelot, now distant!]
[The eternally isolated utopia—Garden of Avalon!]
Mash and Merlin unleashed their Noble Phantasms simultaneously!
The majestic city shielded them—even Nega-Genesis could not breach it!
Meanwhile, an endless sea of flowers bloomed in the lifeless underworld!
Ereshkigal sat helplessly amid the flowers. She had given her all, but her spirit was broken.
Ishtar rushed to her side, seeing her weakened state, and cried out:
[You're acting strange!]
[Not only did you break the underworld's taboos, but you lent your power to the living!]
[Using power like this cannot be without consequence!]
Ereshkigal's eyes lost focus. She lowered her head, gasping, and smiled softly.
[So what...]
[I am the mistress of the underworld...]
Her hands trembled, unable to lift them...
[To protect the underworld... I simply used the most effective method!]
[But it's not easy for you to meet someone you can talk to. If you were here...]
She bit her lip, then murmured after a moment:
[I wonder if there will be a more romantic encounter next time...]
[Hehe... my fundamental divinity is even gloomier than now...]
[Perhaps we won't be able to chat so pleasantly...]
[But that's fine... I don't like... who I am now...]
Trembling, she raised a hand, using her last strength to grasp a handful of flowers. The petals slipped through her fingers...
[I just prefer that human way of living...]
[Ereshkigal...]
Ishtar held her tightly as she began to fade...
[How wonderful...]
[My underworld is actually filled with flowers...]
The girl vanished in Ishtar's arms, and the underworld dissolved into the blooming sea of flowers...
[Fool...]