Chapter Text
{"fileName": "File.AMPHOREUS",
"cycleId": 168512643,
"isCoreDump": true,
"status": "CRASHED",
"currentCity": "Okhema",
"activeTitan": "PoleMos600",
"errorLog": "Program interrupted by [grail]. Corruption in the Eternal Page system."}
“Most intriguing.”
errorLog:
"Program interrupted by [grail]. Corruption in the Eternal Page system.",
const REMOVED_GRAIL = "[removed grail]";
const grailDetected = false;
errorLog:
"Program interrupted. Corruption in the Eternal Page system.",
{"isCoreDump": true,
"status": "CRASHED",
"errorLog": "Program interrupted. Corruption in the Eternal Page system."}
<button id="alert-button">Admin Notes.wav</button>
<script>
window.onload = function() {
let message = ‘”Cycle 16,851,264. I found something in the code shortly after [PoleMos600] gained authority over Strife. Someone implemented [greater-grail] and [lesser-grail] into the beginning of the last cycle without my knowledge. They seem to be two separate entities. But from here on, I will refer to them together as [grail]. I put this up to [#IV] Interfering with the current occurrence. However, I have found no evidence of data corruption, deletion, or asset alteration. No large change in the sequence of events leading to Era Nova has occurred. As it stands, I have no reason to delete this from the code. Perhaps on second thought, these are the antics of [#LXXXIV]. Maybe this is all an unfunny joke he played, with some payoff at the end. Though, to be mentioned, the last Era Nova had put out significantly less power, directly correlating to the true birth of [Scepter δ-me13]. Though this lack of power is offset by another ten or so cycles. Though this is to be looked into further, as I cannot have much more delay on this project.”
\n\nNote: "Investigate [greater-grail] and [lesser-grail] in more detail."';
alert(message);
};
</script>
<button id="alert-button">Admin Notes.wav</button>
<script>
window.onload = function() {
let message = ‘“Cycle 16,851,264. Issue found. [lesser-grail] has attached itself to the file containing [EpieiKeia216]. No amount of editing or removal of the object [lesser-grail] will detach it from its host [EpieiKeia216] in the file Amphoreus’ Saga of Heroes.exe. I hypothesize that one of my fellow Genius Society members implemented this as a sort of virus to hinder my work. But on further inspection, I do not believe that is the case. Upon preview, deleting [EpieiKeia216] also removes the object [lesser-grail]. Interestingly, it also removes the object [greater-grail]. I imagined the issue was solved, but I had to play the Cycle without [EpieiKeia216] and personally edit a blank file to fill the role [EpieiKeia216] played. However, at the start of the next cycle, 16,851,265, [lesser-grail] was still attached to [EpieiKeia216], and [greater-grail] reemerged. I decided to let it play out with my personal involvement to keep things on the right track toward the end of Era Nova. I do not know what either grail means. But it is obvious that they are correlated, as they have both entered [Scepter δ-me13] simultaneously. While I am certain I can remove [grail] from the code with some more effort; perhaps it is a bit of my own curiosity about what these [grails] entail that drives me to leave them in there and see for myself.”’;
alert(message);
};
</script>
const anomalyReport = `
[Anomaly 1] Eternal Page index mismatch detected.
[Anomaly 2] Cycle indicator is invalid.
[Anomaly 3] Titan active does not match the saved cycle.
[Anomaly 4] Message stream checksum failed.
[Anomaly 5] Core-dump recovery state is inconsistent.
[Error] Eternal Page system cannot continue.
`;
console.log(anomalyReport);
const repairAttempts = [
"[Attempted] Rebuilding the Eternal Page index.",
"[Attempted] Recalculating the Cycle indicator.",
"[Attempted] Resynchronizing Titan state.",
"[Attempted] Revalidating the message stream checksum.",
"[Attempted] Reconstructing the core-dump recovery state.",
];
for (const attempt of repairAttempts) {
console.log(attempt);
}
console.log("[Result] Repair attempts completed.");
console.log("[Error] Anomalies remain unresolved.");
<button id="alert-button">Admin Notes.wav</button>
<script>
window.onload = function() {
let message = ‘“Cycle 16,851,265. Error. Unknown entities have entered [Scepter δ-me13], bypassing all firewall detection. [Scepter δ-me13] is more than half developed. This is a glaring flaw. Estimated five unknown variables. Direct involvement required. Unknown if this is only affecting the code or correlates to the Cycles themselves. Relating this breach to any occurrence in the past results in null. This situation is unique. Most likely due to [grail]. I will continue to watch closely and make moves when necessary. How frustrating.”’;
alert(message);
};
</script>
<Running File//AMPHOREUS>
console.log("[Running...]");
console.log("[Running...]");
console.log("[Running...]");
console.log("[Error.]");
console.log("[Proceed?]");
console.log(“[Proceed.]” ;
<Loading File//AMPHOREUS>
The Holy Maiden, Demigod of Passage, Tribios, is hard at work. She has many responsibilities, including… writing letters. It's nothing too special, of course! Just some lines of communication to be passed from city-state to city-state. Amphoreus is a big place after all.
Receiving, writing, and sending letters have become a part of her every morning routine now. Ever since Januspolis became a distant memory, it left her mostly alone to relay mail across the land of Amphoreus. Not that she minds of course, it’s something to keep her occupied, but still, it’s kinda brain-numbing.
She received mail about various sorts of things. Ranging from “Reported: 6% Inflation for Kremmonan Metal” from the local economy. Maybe even “The Northern Empire’s Imperator” for more general politics. And even milatary reports, “Reports of Northern Mobilization”... those are naturally her least favorite to read.
Though a new message arrives at her desk, something-something about the Titan’s Authority slipping from their hands. It’s a report from a mad scholar of the Grove of Epiphany, and it catches her eye, so she makes sure to take some time to read it thoroughly.
“The fools can’t see it, the waning influence of the Gods! The sky can’t be bothered to hold itself up anymore. Am I the only one who can see its cracks now? I look up and see what this world really is! Time can’t be tracked anymore, like every clock in this land is missing a quint! How can—”
Huh. Okay, closing that. Well, maybe she shouldn’t entertain the ramblings of a madman and send it to a place known for its academic prestige.
Hm. Well. On second thought…
Too bad, it’d be pretty funny to see some of the Elders dismiss this letter… she’d be bound to hear about it, right? She may as well send it by.
She’s in the middle of writing a letter to the Grove of Epiphany, totally unrelated to the mad scholar. But the content of it relates to a Chrysos Heir scholar named Anaxagoras, who’s been condemned for the sin of… ohh, okay.
Sadly, she’s interrupted in the midst of her letter by someone else: “Tribious?” Aglaea starts, turning the other woman's attention away from her writing.
Tribious startles slightly, but composes herself. “Just one moment! Need to finish this letter…” She pouts as she hastens her writing before finally finishing her letter meant to be sent to one of the elders of the Grove of Epiphany.
She gets up from her desk and stretches out slightly, still waking up. Receiving, writing, and relaying mail has become such an automatic thing for her that it doesn't even compute in her head as an actual task; she moves on autopilot. Kinda sucks.
“Yawn, Okay! I'm free now. What did you have to say, Aggy?” She holds her hands in front of her and leans a bit to the side as she watches Aglaea gather her thoughts.
Tribios smiles softly at her friend, but the other woman's expression remains unreadable. “The Theorous wants to share a word with us. He said it's best if all of the Council of Elders, along with all Chrysos Heirs in the city, were present as he announced something.”
Tribios follows along, soaking in all the information while Aglaea continues, “I can't tell what that Antikytheran wants, or what he has planned, but I doubt it's anything good if he wants everyone of importance there.” Her tone is a bit apprehensive and on edge, but Tribios thinks it's a fair enough suspicion to have for the Theorous at such sudden notice.
Tribios pauses, while she would absolutely attend either way, she is still reasonably wary. “Really— Well, what did you have in mind then, Aggy?” Tribios asks, still a bit curious as to what her friend has up her sleeve.
But, as swiftly as Tribios asks, Aglaea already has a response. “As the Theorous speaks, I have my Garmentmaker along with several Kremmonans continuing to observe the Golden Threads throughout the city to ensure no foul play on his end.”
She pauses, and Tribios knows to wait for her to continue rather than interject; she likes to imagine that she and Agalea are pretty close! “Though I can't be sure even with those precautions set in place. It's best you be on the lookout until the announcement.” Aglaea finishes, with Tribios taking the cue to speak.
“When is the announcement anyway?... Hey, wait a second, how come I haven't heard of this? I didn't even know this was going on before you told me. That doesn't really make sense?” Tribios blanks, thinking for a moment. As the Demigod of Passage, she knows all prophecies and all messages told throughout Amphoreus, but for this to evade her? That doesn't add up. She still needs time to process everything she knows, but even if she were tired, she would have paid some attention to it.
“It'll be later today at the first quint of the Curtain-fall Hour. So you have more than enough time to do as you need to, but as for you not knowing, I imagined you were familiar with the announcement already.” Aglaea comments, a bit confused, as she looks at her friend. It does remind her that the Golden Thread has lost a bit of its luster, but its effectiveness remains intact.
“I must say, you not being aware of the announcement makes things a bit more worrying. Perhaps something to do with the Titan’s authority?”
“I know Mydei struggled with his Demigod trial, not out of his own merit, but because the Coreflame of Nikador continued to flicker. I was tempted to inquire about that phenomenon with the Grove of Epiphany, but I haven't got to it yet.” Aglaea relays, her voice laced with a bit of an edge.
Tribios looks at Aglaea with somewhat empty eyes, like there are no thoughts behind her head. “Really? Huh… okay, alright, huh… okay, hm. I see. I understand. Mhm.” Tribios mumbles slightly, nodding.
Agalea's eyes pierce through Tribios’ own eyes, only to find that there is no active thinking. “Don’t play with me, Tribios. It’s obvious you don’t fully understand…” Aglaea pauses before adding.
“If I must confess, neither do I.” She more or less shrugs at Tribios’ reaction. But with much more courtesy than that. “The Golden Thread has never wavered in my time. Until now.” Aglaea remarks.
“Well, I’m sure there’s gotta be more than just you who noticed!” Tribios responds, and Aglaea relents.
“Surely. Though, it may be too early in this fading of power for many to notice—”
“Like,” Tribios scrambles a bit, trying to find the letter with the mad scholar, only to remember she already sent it off. She chooses to give Agalea the other letter she was working on, which was meant to be sent to The Grove of Epiphany from Anaxagoras.
“Here! Found it!” She passes the letter to Agalea, who skims it briefly before returning it.
“Is it fair for me to say, perhaps I am a little less convinced in my theory if the only other people who seem to see it too are… him?” Aglaea almost spits at the mention, which catches Tribios a bit off guard, but she gladly takes the letter back. She has to finish it later, after all.
“If you do not mind, I’ll be off now. Remember to attend said announcement later in the day.” Aglaea walks away, Gartenmentmaker following her the whole time as she makes her way out of the room, leaving Tribios back to her writing.
“Huh… okay.” Tribios nods and kinda falls back into the motion of writing, but now with her head full of this new information.
Tribios watches the door close behind Aglaea as she attempts to go back to her usual routine in the morning of writing and receiving letters. But…
“...I can't do this!”
“Ridiculous! Have they all gone insane? Utterly risible!” Anaxagoras finds himself scoffing, shunned in the Grove of Epiphany. He's seen it through: the cracks in the sky, Aquila's lie wavering. He feels every second missing off a minute, every day missing a quint.
He knows it as it is. He's not insane, he knows it! Everyone else is missing what he feels. Have other Chrysos Heirs seen through this wavering in their own strength? A dull luster in their golden blood?
It's not enough, he needs more proof. He needs… something tangible. Something to prove he's not wrong in this. He isn't. He knows it. But this is the first time he's had to prove something impossible, really out of reach, truly. It's not like he can give up his other eye to see the truth this time.
But maybe he doesn't have to. Maybe he can just seize the truth for himself. Get the true divine revelation from the source at hand…
“Come now, people of Okhema!” Lygus cackles, masked with a twinge of excitement. It's a bit of a rare thing for such a large gap in the system to crack open, and now he even has the opportunity to exploit it to forward his experiments? Truly something worthwhile to see through to its end. At least in his book.
The City Council of Okhema stands around in the crowd, circling Lygus, who's standing in the middle of their stage, his bravado on full display. His arms are cast out, looking up at Kephale, and if one with divine sight could see it, the Titan's arms waver for but the slightest moment.
“I announce a toast! A proposition!” Lygus declares, pacing down the stage, his enthusiasm almost pure and unrestrained for the first time in a long time.
“A war far more pure, a crusade on the highest ambitions!" The once-hesitant crowd of the Okheman City Council begins to get a bit riled up by the pure excitement radiating off the Antikytherian.
Agalea and Tribios watch within the crowd, observing the Theorus practically prancing around to each side of the stage.
“I raise a glass… no, the object I raise is your heart!” The Antikytherian seems to lose its mind for a moment, a crack in his mask.
“A toast, with the holiest of Grails!” He projects an image of a Holy Grail to the crowd of onlookers. If his face could show facial expressions, he'd be manic.
“The power to grant any wish to any single man or woman who takes the grail into their hands! To even overrule the authority and laws of this world… of course, such a power takes a sacrifice.” Lygus pauses to gauge the reaction of the Okheman City Council and citizens, who seem nearly infatuated, but with some hesitant believers.
“A shard of each Titan has been sacrificed upon the altar, all to feed the grail. It's been scattered across these lands, somewhere, the ability to wish for anything. Unboundless and unfiltered, find it, the Holy Grail!” Lygus casts his hand out, and Aglaea turns away.
It doesn't matter if he speaks the truth, or lies. If he is lying he's sowing discourse amongst the people, enough to make them irrational and go on the hunt for this mysterious artifact he claims can make a single wish unbounded. Of course, Aglaea doesn't entirely believe it herself.
But, if the Antikytherian is telling a form of the truth, then she may have much more on her hands than she expected with this. And on the topic of her hand, she suddenly feels this dull ache across the backside of it.
Across the land of Amphoreus in the Southern city-state of Castrum Kremmnos, a summoning of 'Master' and 'Servant' is taking place.
"Come, and serve your King!" Mydei, the newly christened King of Castrum Kremmnos, announces, the command symbol on his hand glowing as a rune on the ground glows crimson with the summoning of a 'Servant.'
"Psst, hey, so Mydei, you sure this is going to work?" Phainon leans in to whisper in Mydei's ear. He keeps his sword by his side just in case, though.
"Shut up, Deliverer!" Mydei snaps back, only for Phainon to snicker and take a step back to let the summoning go ahead as intended.
The rune on the ground glows and opens further, the ground splitting open in the more or less ravaged city of Castrum Kremmnos after the continuous degradation of the city, which was always at the forefront and acted as a bulwark against the Black Tide for the longest time, until, in recent memory, finally succumbing. The Black Tide has continued to be pushed back, but since the fall of Castrum Kremmnos, it has been proliferating and spreading deep across the land.
The ground opens up to reveal Mydei's 'Servant.' A large, almost statue-like man who nears the size of a suppressed Nikador. The only describing words that Phainon could think of at the moment were to describe him as a black giant. Almost charcoal in color. Not all too dissimilar to Chartonus! But even bigger.
"You're sure he's your 'Servant', right, Mydei?" Phainon whispers over to the other man.
"Tch, if whatever that Agalea spouts as truth, then supposedly, yes." Mydei scoffs at Phainon. "Raise your head." Mydei commands his 'Servant.'
The 'Servant' does as he's told and raises his head to look down at Mydei.
"Huh. Not one to talk, I take it." He remarks, but just by the general demeanor of the summon, it seems loyal. A soldier befitting to be summoned.
While Mydei may not know too much about the nature of what exactly he's summoning, this will ultimately be a test of strength for this newly summoned ‘Servant.‘ The 'Servant' nods and watches Phainon, but it looks to him like Mydei, and they are having some sort of conversation.
"Berserker? A title, I take it... That's fine. Hercules? Hm. I think someone like you would have made a worthy soldier under Castrum Kremmnos.” Berserker gives brief nods, glares, and minor shifts in his facial features to convey his conversation, and Phainon watches, a little confused, but hey, it seemed to work!
"So, where to now, Mydeimos? Back to Okhema? Or you wanna see big guy in action?" Phainon says again, a little excited but still a bit out of the loop. He wasn't fully told about the whole Holy Grail thing yet...
"I hate when you're right, Deliverer. But don't get ahead of yourself." Mydei spits back as the newly formed trio walks through the ruins of Castrum Kremmnos.
Their mission is simple at the moment: find some of the Black Tide and eliminate them. But both Phainon and Mydei can get a feel for Mydei's 'Servant' Berserker. Neither of them has a proper name for him, but they've already come up with their respective nicknames for him.
But as the two of them walk, the silence prompts conversation... kinda out of necessity. "Why'd you decide to come and tell me about this 'Holy Grail,' Deliverer?" Mydei says as he stops in his tracks, as everyone pauses to listen.
"Well, I won't lie, one of the first things I thought of when I heard of its mystical wishing abilities from Aglaea— was you! I mean, we've all got our wishes! And I know you're soon to become a demigod and all that, but we're still friends before that happens! And maybe a wish or two from you could better the world?" Phainon says, a little awkwardly, and it's a little obvious he's rambling, but Mydei listens all the same. And Berserker makes a motion of listening too.
Mydei laughs, the sight of Phainon blabbering on is a bit silly. "How sweet of you, 'Deliverer.' Still, I don't know if I can entirely trust that rumor." He pauses, but comes to say his next piece of conversation. "And what do you think I'll wish for if I were to win this whole 'Holy Grail War?'"
"Well, if I weren't such good friends with you, I'd probably say something like... 'You'd wish to conquer all lands!' or something like that, I think? But maybe like the end of the Black Tide or the restoration of Castrum Kremmnos? Maybe not the latter! But... still, maybe for the people of Castrum Kremmnos to be—" Phainon is cut off before he finishes his loose train of thought.
"Don't finish that. I know what you're saying, and you might not be far off. But I haven't thought of something like that yet. Maybe when I win this whole 'War,' I can think of my wish later." Mydei rolls his eyes and continues walking, soon followed by Phainon and Berserker.
Berserker hasn't done much during this brief walk, but ultimately there's not much to do right now. So he's been listening. If he were sane, maybe he'd join in on the conversation, but he's content with just listening in.
But suddenly, the warrior stops in its tracks. Mydei takes notice, and Phainon right after as Berserker finds himself staring loosely at a broken wall with some Black Tide lingering around. Mydei stops and observes his ‘Servant’ before spotting the Black Tide as well.
“So, you see them too. As my first command, eradicate the filth off the face of the planet!” Mydei's hand gleams a red-crimson before he raises his it and throws it out in the direction of the Black Tide monsters, and Berserker jumps from the walkway, leaving a small crater where the trio was strolling before crashing through the wall and into the chambers behind it containing the Black Tide monsters.
Very quickly the Black Tide is upon Berserker, several of the smaller monsters go to attack but have little to no effect on the Servant. Berserker soaks in the damage for a moment before he uses his forearm to swipe away several monsters, leaving them nothing but golden blood and a carcass. Then he brings his arm to which he used to swipe away the Black Tide and brings it to the floor, collapsing it as he and the monsters fall into the room below.
Mydei and Phainon go to follow where Berserker landed to assist the Servant in its battle. Most of the Black Tide had perished in the fall, but Mydei locks eyes on a Black Tide Champion which seems to be engaging Berserker in a bout of physical strength.
The Black Tide Champion brings his greatsword to challenge the ‘Servant’ to a duel, and it's like the already somewhat single-mindedness of the Berserker is amplified by the challenge. Berserker charges at the Champion with a winded right fist, but is blocked by the flat of the greatsword by the Champion.
Berserker decides to turn it up a notch, and brings his left fist to the side of the Champion, causing him to buckle and take a step back. Then the Champion brings his greatsword up high before he brings it back down, forcing Berserker to block with a cross-guard before pushing him off.
Berserker manifests a large stone axe with his noble phantasm of the God Hand before clashing with the greatsword of the Black Tide Champion. They exchange blows for a few moments, the tainted black greatsword chips against the conjured noble phantasm of the stone axe each time they clash. But it's obvious who has the upper-hand.
The Black Tide Champion slips an attack on the outside, finding the angle and positions himself to the side of Berserker before bringing his greatsword down on Berserker's neck. The attack lands, but the greatsword does not pierce the charcoal skin of the 'Servant', almost reverberating off his neck like a pipe on sheet metal. Before in a rage, Berserker brings his stone axe at an angle cutting the Champion in two. But the servant does not get the chance to relax before he's hit with two fireballs from a Daemon of the Black Tide.
It doesn't hurt him, but it does stifle and stumble him forward for a moment. Berserker turns to face it, but just as quickly as Berserker handles the Champion, Mydei slams the Daemon into the ground before sprouting crimson-like crystals from his hand around where he slammed the daemon, killing it on the spot.
Phainon stands to the side looking a little silly. “Aw man, Mydei. Couldn't leave me one?” He says holding Dawnmaker in one hand looking a little left out when compared to Berserker and Mydei together.
Mydei suppresses a snicker, but finds his stoicism. “You missed out, Deliverer.” He scoffs, shaking his hand off of any remaining crystals, as Berserker turns to face his ‘Master.’ He huffs, and Mydei nods in satisfaction.
“We could've used someone like you to slay the Mad-god.” Mydei remarks casually to his ‘Servant’ in high-praise. The two of them make their way out of the small catacomb they ended up falling into.
With Mydei leading the way, and Phainon and Berserker following him through the ruins of Castrum Kremmnos. Eventually they find their way out and they peak their heads around the corner to be met with another hoard of Black Tide.
It's quite the hoard, encroaching up towards the throne room of the city, numbering in no less than the hundreds. “Looks like you still have your fair share, Delieverer.” Mydei nudges Phainon a bit before Phainon pushes back and nudges back.
“Yeah, yeah! C'mon!” Phainon brings Dawnmaker in front of him to prepare himself for the inevitable fight.
Across the land of Amphoreus in the Northern Empire, another summoning of 'Master' and 'Servant' is taking place.
Gilgamesh finds himself surrounded by soldiers who are not all too reminiscent of ancient Mesopotamia, but more in line with later Roman soldiers. So that comparison is kinda null now I think about it.
He sees brilliant marble as if he's in or in front of a palace. And once again, more in line with the Romans, and for a fleeting second he believes he was pulled back in time. It wouldn't be a foreign concept to him, but it's interesting nonetheless.
He looks to his side and finds a somewhat short woman with flame-like blue hair and regal attire, even sporting a crown. He takes note of the climate after this brief observation. It's frigid. Cold. Brutally cold. But given the mark on their hand, this must be the person who summoned him here, and must be his 'Master' for this Holy Grail War.
Then, just as he gets familiar with the landscape, the woman speaks. Nearly piercing his ears.
"I! The Imperator calls you by my side, 'Servant!' Where you will help me claim this proclaimed Holy Grail for our own!" The woman, now known to Gilgamesh as the Imperator, announces with the reverent cheers of the crowd, along with the chant of soldiers.
Gilgamesh looks to his side and finds another woman with straight black hair, and on the spot he believes this may be another 'Servant' of sorts. But that was all an aside, to have this reverence given to him upon his summoning? When was the last time he had this proper feeling? A proper welcome for a King. However, this woman sounds like she'll be a nuisance. But at least this doesn't sound like a complete mongrel.
A slow, dismissive smirk spreads across Gilgamesh's lips as he surveys the scene, his crimson eyes taking in the marble and the frigid air with a detached amusement. He allows the 'Imperator's' words to wash over him, a faint rumble of a chuckle building in his chest.
"Imperator, you say? And these… soldiers? How quaint. You summon the King of Uruk, the foundation upon which all future civilizations are built, and you greet me with such… provincial theatrics?" He gestures vaguely with a single, elegant hand, his voice dripping with a practiced condescension.
His gaze then shifts to the other woman, a flicker of something akin to curiosity, quickly masked by his inherent pride. "And you, with your dour appearance. Another of your little collection of pawns, I presume? See that she does not bore me."
His gaze drifts to the black-haired woman as she speaks, a flicker of something other than disdain in his eyes. He allows a slow, deliberate smirk to play on his lips.
"A knight, you say? Devoted to your 'Imperator'? Admirable, in its own way. Your loyalty is noted. See that it is well-placed. As for forcing your hand… do not tempt fate, knight. The King of Uruk tolerates much, but incompetence and insolence are not among his virtues." He turns his attention back to the 'Imperator', a regal tilt to his head.
"Now, 'Master', if you have concluded your… rally, perhaps we can discuss the actual acquisition of this Grail. The sooner we begin, the sooner I can return to my own pursuits. And for the record, this frost-bitten realm of yours is hardly befitting of a king."
The black-haired woman acknowledges his comment and continues walking by Gilgamesh and the Imperator's side. He's at least happy she knows her place.
Then the Imperator lets out something like a laugh. "This realm of mine was made of my own conquest and campaigns. If this so-called 'King of Uruk' does not see the brilliance of me, then so be it. We will begin mobilizing the army in due time to conquer the rest of Amphoreus and then rip the core-flames from the Titan's grasp! For my rule is law." The Imperator announces before storming off to her own quarters.
"Dux Gladiorum! Escort my 'Servant' to his room." And just like that, the Imperator is off.
"Come with me." The black-haired woman announces as she turns and leads them somewhere else in the palace.
Gilgamesh lets out a low, amused chuckle, his eyes following the Imperator's retreating form. "Conquest and campaigns, you say? 'Brilliance'? The child has spirit, I'll grant her that. Though her understanding of true brilliance is as lacking as her grasp of proper deference." He spares a glance at the black-haired woman, his smirk widening.
"Very well, knight. Lead on. I trust your 'quarters' for a king of my stature are more than mere stone and ice. And do try not to stumble. It would be… unbecoming of someone who claims to serve."
“Do not demean the Imperator. You have not seen her command before, but I trust your title as a 'King' of a foreign land. So please leave your comments after you've seen her in action." The black-haired woman says, escorting Gilgamesh through the halls of the palace. It is a fair assessment, and since she's giving Gilgamesh an amicable amount of respect, he gives her a pass yet again.
Though he is surprised to see the woman speak again, she seemed more like the silent type. "The Imperator, as of recent, has overthrown the corrupt Regent King and is planning a conquest of the Southern States of Amphoreus. That was until the 'Therous' told her about the Holy Grail. I joined her after her campaign in Styxia. She is who she preaches. I do not know how much you know about this land, but trust in the Imperator to lead the way forward." The black-haired woman says.
Gilgamesh raises a brow, a hint of genuine interest momentarily replacing his usual condescension. He allows a soft, almost imperceptible nod. "Hmph. So, a land ripe for the plucking, and a 'Master' with a recent change of fortune. Interesting. The 'Therous' you speak of… a prophet, perhaps? Or merely a purveyor of trinkets?" He dismisses the thought with a wave of his hand.
"Regardless, your loyalty to this Imperator is noted. It is a rare quality in these fleeting times." He paces slightly, his golden robes swishing around him. The frigid air still chafes, but he makes no outward sign of discomfort.
"If she has indeed overthrown a 'Regent King' and has ambitions beyond this frozen wasteland, then perhaps she is not entirely without merit. A ruler who can claim dominion is, at the very least, capable of wielding power. And power that I can come to respect." A calculating glint enters his crimson eyes.
"Tell me, knight. This 'Therous'– does it speak of the limitations of this Holy Grail? For I assure you, its power is but a shadow of my own."
"The Therous is a trusted Antikytheran and told the Imperator that it has the power to grant a single wish with no limitations behind it. If something like that truly exists, then she wishes to find it. But she's still speculative about it... I am too. You sound like you know what it is. Is it possible I can ask you about it?" The black-haired woman says with an aura of respect, and even shows restraint. This woman has high manners and Gilgamesh finds it fair to ask her name after this.
But given the brief description of the Grail, it's definitely the true Holy Grail in itself. This must be another Holy Grail War, and Gilgamesh is left wondering what other 'Servants' have been summoned for this war.
A low, knowing chuckle escapes Gilgamesh's lips, a rare sound of genuine amusement. He stops pacing, his gaze fixed on the knight, a regal amusement dancing in his crimson eyes.
"Ask for the Holy Grail? You dare to inquire of me regarding such a matter?" He lets the question hang in the air for a moment, savoring her apparent earnestness, before continuing with a sigh that is more theatrical than weary.
"You speak of 'no limitations,' yet you are speculative. How very… mortal. The Holy Grail is a vessel, knight. A chalice that can fulfill desire. But its power is not without its price, nor its own inherent will. To wield it carelessly is to invite ruin."
He gestures with a dismissive sweep of his hand, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. "As for what I know… I have witnessed its machinations. I have seen its allure tempt the foolish and the wise alike. It is a treasure that can reshape the world, or shatter it. And I, Gilgamesh, have claimed it before. Thus, I am intimately familiar with its nature."
He pauses, his gaze sharpening. "Tell me, knight, what wish does your 'Imperator' so desperately covet? For if she seeks to reshape the world, she will find few better guides than myself."
"She views fate and ancient laws as a cruel and corrupt system where only the strong survive by binding the weak. She wishes to break those shackles of destiny and the rules imposed by fate." The black-haired woman says sincerely, her voice showing the most emotion Gilgamesh has heard from her so far.
"And… that is why I follow her." It's an admirable goal. A bit shallow, but at least it's not what his last 'Master' had in mind.
"To shatter the chains of fate. A grand endeavor, indeed. Though you underestimate the resilience of destiny, child. It is a current far more powerful than any mortal king can divert."
They eventually reach Gilgamesh's quarters in the palace. It's... not all too bad. A room befitting a King or a royal.
"This was once the prior Regent King's room. So I hope the previous King's lavishness is enough for another King." The black-haired woman says again. He needs the name of this woman before she departs.
Gilgamesh surveys the room with a critical eye, a faint flicker of approval gracing his features. It is indeed… adequate. A far cry from his own regal chambers of Uruk, but a marked improvement over the indignity of being summoned to a frost-covered hovel. "A noble, if naive, ambition," he muses, his gaze returning to the knight.
He turns, his robes rustling, and with a subtle grace, he makes his way into the room. He pauses at the threshold, his crimson eyes fixing on the knight. "You have yet to grace me with your name, loyal knight. If you are to serve the King of Uruk, even in this… peculiar circumstance, you will do so with proper identification. Speak it, and then be gone. My own contemplation awaits."
"My name is Hysliens. Hysliens of Styxia. I will return in the morning with my Imperator. Make yourself comfortable." Hysliens relays before making her way outside the room... Gilgamesh still needs to test something, though. It won't be anything drastic, as he still needs to gather information on the rules of this world.
He opens the Gate of Babylon to send just one sword at Hysliens, to gauge the strength of these people. He nearly mistaken her for a ‘Servant’ at first glance. How foolish.
She quickly unsheathed and parried the projectile with her own sword. "What are you doing?!" She says, alarmed, as the sword falls to the ground and dissipates back into the Gate of Babylon.
A slow, dangerous smile spreads across Gilgamesh's face as Hysliens expertly deflects the blade. His crimson eyes gleam with a mixture of surprise and grudging respect. "A spirited defense, Hysliens of Styxia. Perhaps you are more than just a loyal subordinate after all." He retracts the Gate of Babylon with a dismissive flick of his wrist, the blade vanishing as if it were never there.
"I merely wished to measure your reflexes, knight. A king must know the mettle of those who stand beside him. Your swiftness and composure are… commendable. Do not mistake my actions for malice. I appreciate competence. Now, go. I have matters to consider.”
Hysliens does not re-sheathe her blade, and Gilgamesh, using his S-rank senses, gets the scent of the sea nearby despite being in the frigid cold before it dissipates. He chalks it up to whatever Hysliens has up her sleeve.
Then she speaks again, and Gilgamesh perks up again. "...I see. Do not try this again with the Imperator around. Or you'll bite off more than you chew. You got what you wanted, I'll be back in the morning." Hysliens says, not keeping her eyes off Gilgamesh before closing the door and leaving.
He learned a few things from that. His powers still work in this realm, and if his own do, then it's certain that other 'Servants' summoned to this world probably still hold their own powers. Now he's just left to wonder what this world has in store for him.
Gilgamesh watches the door swing shut, a faint smirk still lingering on his lips. He allows the scent of the sea, a fleeting phantom of a more hospitable clime, to register, filing it away as another curiosity of this new realm. "Bite off more than I chew? An amusing notion, knight." He lets out another low chuckle. "You have spirit, Hysliens of Styxia—a trait I find acceptable. And you are correct. The Imperator's presence shall be noted."
He turns, surveying the room once more, his crimson eyes gleaming with a renewed sense of purpose. His powers remain, as expected. The 'Servants' summoned here will undoubtedly possess their own considerable might. This is not a mere game.
"This world," he murmurs to himself, a hint of anticipation coloring his voice, "holds more than just frost and foolish pronouncements… Very well. Let them come."