Fate/Magus Path

- Volume IV : The Song of Creation 

- Prolog of Creation

The scene was one of profound depth.

As one lifted their gaze, they would realize they were deep within the bowels of the earth. Above, the darkness stretched like an abyss, shattered rocks continuously falling, while the grotesque corpses scattered across the ground blackened and crumbled in the flames.

Rows of shadowy pikes stood erected across the land, now shrouded in darkness. But with the passing of the master of this realm, these pikes had lost their luster, their colors fading into obscurity.

Blackness, scorched earth, and an ominous crimson tide began to ripple beneath everyone's feet.

Why? Why had it come to this?

"We were supposed to have won, so why... why did it turn out like this...?!"

Amidst the shattered underworld, a red-haired girl clad in a white combat jacket and black trousers was desperately running. From the darkness, countless bizarre humanoid creatures suddenly surged forth, attempting to block her path.

"Watch out, Senpai!!"

Boom!!

A dull, thunderous roar echoed as the attacking humanoid creature was sent flying dozens of meters away.

A purple-haired girl wielding a massive shield retreated to her side, standing firm like a valiant knight, resolutely guarding the red-haired girl and shielding her from any oncoming enemies, refusing to retreat.

"Thank you, Mash."

"No need to thank me... It's my fault for not holding off all the enemies, which put you in danger..."

"No, it's my own..."

"Fools!! How long are you going to stand there chattering? If you don't hurry, even I won't be able to hold out much longer."

At the highest point stood Gilgamesh, his arms spread wide as countless golden portals materialized in the void behind him. From these portals, a barrage of weapons rained down. Under the onslaught of his Noble Phantasm, the approaching humanoid creatures found it nearly impossible to close the distance amidst the storm of blades.

He shouted down at the two hesitating below, his voice filled with impatience.

"Hurry and stop that fool or things will get much worse."

Gilgamesh's stern warning rang out before he turned his focus back to suppressing the horde of monsters below.

"Understood, King."

"Anyway, all we need to do is deal with that traitor, right? Then leave it to me, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, to punish him severely! Come on, Fujimaru Ritsuka, take my hand."

The goddess, dressed in the light attire of Uruk, rode her celestial bow across the battlefield, extending her hand to the red-haired girl below and pulling her onto her divine vessel, Maanna.

With the high mobility of flight, she swiftly navigated the chaotic battlefield, carrying the two girls with her.

"Hahaha, I do like Ritsuka-chan, but since this is Aniki's task, I won't let you leave so easily, rawr~"

A spirited girl clad in jaguar print blocked their path.

"Jaguar-san? Even you...?"

Seeing Jaguar Man suddenly standing in their way, Mash was visibly shaken.

Why? They had already defeated the strongest enemy, Tiamat, so why had things come to this...?

"Move aside!"

Ishtar's mood soured at the sight of this foolish jaguar blocking their path.

The victory they had achieved had come at the cost of countless sacrifices. Even Ereshkigal, that fool, had paid such a heavy price. How could they allow these interlopers to trample over their hard-won triumph so easily?

"Out of my way, you foreign deity!!"

"Open the—"

"Now, now, no need to get so worked up, Ishtar-chan. Leave this idiot to me."

Before Jaguar Man could finish her boast, a self-proclaimed wrestling enthusiast suddenly emerged from the side, wrapping her arm around Jaguar Man's neck and dragging her dozens of meters away, clearing the path for Ishtar.

"Now's our chance, let's go!"

In mid-air, the wrestling enthusiast attempted to lock Jaguar Manin a chokehold to end the fight, but the agile jaguar slipped out from under her armpit.

"Phew, that was close. I thought I was done for."

Jaguar Man cautiously patted her stomach, feigning relief, but quickly returned to her usual playful demeanor.

"But come on, Quetzalcoatl, this time I won't hold back~"

"Oh? You're serious now? In that case, you can just die!!"

"Huh?!"

Boom!!

The spirited girl was sent spiraling hundreds of meters into the air before being caught by a yellow figure, who promptly pinned her to the ground with a bizarre joint lock, eliciting a series of agonized wails.

"Stop!! It hurts! It hurts! I give up, Quetzalcoatl!!"

After just a few exchanges, Jaguar Man, now pinned to the ground, quickly surrendered.

...

At the deepest part of the realm.

Under Ishtar's escort, the red-haired girl and Mash finally reached their destination, their eyes fixed on the tall figure standing above them.

In their hands were traces of black flames, and their icy blue eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as they looked down upon the newcomers.

The aura and magical energy radiating from them left no room for mercy.

"Be careful, Senpai!"

Mash stepped forward, raising her shield to block the wave of searing heat.

"Why... why is this happening...?"

The red-haired girl stepped forward, her eyes filled with emotion as she stared up at the figure above. There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but she didn't know where to begin.

"I'm sorry, Fujimaru Ritsuka."

"There's no grand reason for what I've done... Perhaps it's simply caprice, or perhaps it's to save the world."

"There's no need for further words."

With that, the figure raised their hand, and the black flames surrounding them shattered, releasing a torrent of white light. An overwhelming surge of magical energy, vast as an ocean, cascaded toward them.

"Come, Chaldea! Show me your resolve!"

"Fujimaru Ritsuka, and you, Mash, prove to me that you have the courage to move forward!"

"This time, I will not hold back."

___

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon, 

https , // www .pat reon. com /XElenea