Crownbreaker: Anos in Chaldea
Chapter 1: The Unorthodox Summoning
The marble floors of Chaldea's central summoning chamber gleamed under the harsh light of magical circuits. Blue etchings pulsed with energy across the circular platform, their glow casting strange shadows on the faces of the gathered onlookers. A sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingled with an undercurrent of apprehension that even the most experienced of Chaldea's staff could not shake.
Leonardo Da Vinci—her current vessel's delicate features set in an expression of intense concentration—stood beside the stoic Sherlock Holmes. Their unlikely partnership had been forged in the crucible of numerous crises, but today's experiment pushed boundaries that even they approached with caution.
"I still maintain certain reservations about this procedure," Holmes remarked, his voice calm but eyes alert. "We are, quite literally, reaching beyond established metaphysical frameworks."
Da Vinci adjusted one of the numerous control panels surrounding the summoning circle. "The multiverse is vast, Holmes. The Throne of Heroes is but one system of cataloguing extraordinary beings. What we seek is something... orthogonal to our understanding."
Behind them, Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight watched with a mixture of curiosity and concern. As Chaldea's last Master, Ritsuka had summoned countless Servants over the years, but never had a summoning felt this... precarious.
"Um, senpai," Mash whispered, clutching her shield closer to her body, "should we be prepared for combat? Just in case?"
Ritsuka nodded slightly, muscles tensing in anticipation. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Da Vinci raised her staff, energy dancing at its tip. "We're not seeking a Heroic Spirit bound by the rules of our summoning system. We're looking for a non-linear heroic constant—a being whose very existence has repeatedly shattered the concept of fate across different magical paradigms. Someone who breaks rules as naturally as breathing."
Holmes' eyes narrowed. "And therein lies the danger."
The summoning circle began to spin faster, the blue light intensifying until it was almost painful to look at directly. The familiar gentle hum of a standard summoning was replaced by a deep, throbbing pulse that seemed to reverberate through the very foundations of Chaldea.
"Reality is... resisting," Da Vinci muttered, beads of sweat forming on her brow as she poured more magical energy into the system. "It's as if we're trying to create a doorway where principles of physics fundamentally disagree."
The air in the chamber grew heavy, pressing down on everyone present. Several warning indicators flashed red on Da Vinci's control panels.
"Container integrity at sixty percent," called out one of the technicians, their voice tight with stress. "Fifty-five... fifty..."
"Hold steady!" Da Vinci commanded, her hands moving in complex patterns as she adjusted the flow of magical energy. "We need to stabilize the—"
Her words were cut short as the summoning circle suddenly ceased its spinning. The blue light dimmed to almost nothing before flaring back with blinding intensity. A thunderous crack echoed through the chamber, and for a moment, it seemed as if the summoning had failed catastrophically.
Then, impossibly, the circle itself began to... bend. The marble floor warped as if it were liquid, creating a depression that deepened into a pit. The technicians scrambled back, instruments going haywire.
"What's happening?" Ritsuka demanded, stepping forward protectively in front of Mash despite her abilities far exceeding his own.
"Something's coming through," Holmes replied, his voice tight with tension. "But not in the manner we anticipated."
From the depths of the impossible depression in the floor, a figure began to emerge. Not in the customary flash of light that typically accompanied a Servant's arrival, but by physically walking up through the summoning circle as if ascending a staircase that shouldn't exist.
First came a head of dark hair, then broad shoulders covered in an immaculate uniform. The being continued to rise, step by step, reality itself seeming to bend and accommodate his arrival from below. His presence felt impossible—not just powerful, but fundamentally contradictory to the laws that governed their world.
As the figure fully emerged, the warped reality snapped back into place behind him, leaving the summoning circle intact but now dormant. He stood before them, tall and imposing, with dark eyes that held an unfathomable depth of knowledge and power.
The being—clearly not a Servant in any traditional sense—surveyed the room with calm interest, his gaze eventually settling on the stunned faces of those who had summoned him.
"Interesting," he said, his voice rich and resonant. "This is certainly not the Demon King Academy."
Holmes was the first to recover his composure. "May I inquire as to whom we have the honor of addressing?"
The dark-haired man smiled slightly, an expression that somehow managed to convey both amusement and absolute authority.
"I am Anos Voldigoad," he stated simply, as if the name alone should explain everything. "The Demon King of Tyranny. And you appear to have gone to considerable trouble to bring me here."
Chapter 2: Paradigm Shift
The aftermath of Anos's arrival brought with it a flurry of activity. Chaldea's systems struggled to classify the newcomer, with monitoring equipment alternating between complete failure and readings that defied comprehension. The usual Servant parameters—Strength, Endurance, Agility, Mana, Luck, and Noble Phantasm—simply displayed error messages or impossible values.
"Fascinating," Da Vinci murmured, examining the readouts with scientific curiosity overriding her caution. "You exist outside our system's ability to categorize."
Anos stood patiently in the center of Chaldea's medical bay, allowing himself to be scanned and examined with an air of bemused tolerance. "Your method of summoning was surprisingly effective, if somewhat crude. I felt the pull across dimensional boundaries."
"Crude?" Da Vinci raised an eyebrow, professional pride momentarily overtaking her usual diplomacy.
"No offense intended," Anos replied with a slight smile. "Considering the limitations you're working with, it was actually quite impressive."
Holmes, who had been observing silently from the corner of the room, stepped forward. "You speak as if our magical system is fundamentally different from your own."
"It is," Anos confirmed. "Your magic seems to operate on principles of mystery and faith, drawing power from collective belief and historical significance. In my world, magic is more... direct. A manifestation of will upon reality."
Ritsuka, who had remained nearby out of both duty and curiosity, asked, "So you're really not a Servant? You're just... you?"
Anos turned his attention to the young Master. "Indeed. I am neither bound by your summoning system nor limited by its constraints. I am simply myself, Anos Voldigoad, as I exist."
"That shouldn't be possible," Mash said quietly. "The energy requirements alone for a full manifestation across dimensional boundaries..."
"Impossible is a matter of perspective," Anos replied. "What cannot be done through conventional means can often be accomplished by simply rewriting the rules."
Holmes' eyes narrowed. "You speak of rewriting fundamental laws of reality with concerning casualness."
Anos shrugged. "It becomes habitual after you've done it enough times."
The doors to the medical bay slid open, and Romani Archaman entered, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by serious professionalism. He approached Anos with a mixture of scientific curiosity and caution.
"Our systems are having difficulty processing your existence," Roman explained, checking his tablet. "According to these readings, you simultaneously exist and don't exist within our reality framework."
"A logical paradox, yet here I stand," Anos replied. "Your instruments seek to categorize me according to rules I am not bound by."
"And therein lies our concern," Holmes interjected. "If you exist outside our rules, what guarantees do we have regarding your intentions? What prevents you from causing catastrophic damage to our reality simply by your presence?"
Anos regarded the detective with newfound interest. "A fair question. You summoned me without knowing what you might be inviting into your world. That speaks of either desperation or recklessness."
"Perhaps a measure of both," Da Vinci admitted. "We face threats that conventional methods have proven inadequate against."
Anos nodded slowly. "I see. And so you reached beyond your known systems, hoping to find power unconstrained by your limitations." He looked around the room, his gaze lingering on each person present. "Very well. I'll help you."
The sudden declaration caught them by surprise.
"Just like that?" Ritsuka couldn't help but ask.
Anos smiled. "Why not? I find myself curious about this world, its magic, and these threats you face. Besides, it's been some time since I've encountered a truly interesting challenge."
"And what do you want in return?" Holmes asked, his suspicion evident.
"For now? Knowledge," Anos replied. "Your world's history, its magical systems, the nature of these 'Servants' you summon. I'm a teacher, after all. Learning new magical paradigms is... professionally relevant."
Da Vinci and Roman exchanged glances.
"That seems reasonable," Da Vinci finally said. "Though we'll need to establish some parameters for your stay here. Chaldea operates under strict protocols."
"Naturally," Anos agreed with a slight bow of his head. "Though I should warn you—I have little patience for foolish restrictions or bureaucracy that impedes necessary action."
"That might prove... problematic," Roman muttered.
"Perhaps," Anos acknowledged. "But I suspect that's precisely why you sought someone like me—someone unbound by conventional limitations." His dark eyes found Ritsuka's. "You're the Master here, are you not? The one who commands the Servants?"
Ritsuka straightened under Anos's intense gaze. "I'm a Master, yes, but I don't see myself as commanding anyone. We work together."
Amusement flickered in Anos's expression. "A diplomatic answer. Let me rephrase: you're the one at the center of this organization's efforts. The linchpin, as it were."
"That's... one way to put it," Ritsuka admitted uncomfortably.
Anos nodded, seeming satisfied. "Then it's you I'll primarily work with. I find it's most efficient to deal directly with the source of authority rather than navigating chains of command."
Before anyone could respond, an alarm blared through the facility. Red emergency lights began flashing along the corridors.
"Spatial anomaly detected in Sector 7!" a technician's voice announced over the intercom. "Unknown energy signature similar to previous incursions!"
Roman immediately rushed to a nearby console. "It's another fragment manifesting! But this one's pattern is different... more unstable than the others."
Da Vinci moved quickly to join him. "The timing is hardly coincidental," she remarked, glancing back at Anos.
The Demon King merely raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Perhaps we can skip the orientation and move directly to a practical demonstration." He turned to Ritsuka. "Shall we investigate this anomaly? I'm curious to see what has your organization so concerned."
Mash stepped protectively closer to her senpai. "We don't know if it's safe to bring you into a combat situation yet. Your powers might interact unpredictably with the anomaly."
"Safety is rarely guaranteed in meaningful endeavors," Anos replied. "But if you prefer, I can simply observe initially."
Ritsuka considered for a moment, then nodded decisively. "You came here to help. Let's see what you can do."
Chapter 3: First Encounter
The anomaly pulsed with chaotic energy, a tear in reality's fabric that hovered ten feet above the ground in one of Chaldea's auxiliary storage facilities. Equipment and supplies lay scattered across the floor, some items seemingly sliced clean through by invisible forces emanating from the distortion.
Ritsuka, Mash, and Anos observed from the entrance, along with several other Servants who had responded to the emergency call—Archer EMIYA, Cu Chulainn in his Lancer form, and Jeanne d'Arc.
"It's larger than the previous manifestations," Mash noted, her shield at the ready.
Anos studied the spatial tear with analytical interest. "A wound in your reality. Something is attempting to force its way through from another dimensional plane."
"That's consistent with our findings," came Holmes' voice through their communication devices. "These anomalies have been appearing with increasing frequency over the past month. Each one releases entities hostile to our world."
As if on cue, the anomaly widened, its edges shimmering with prismatic light. A long, metallic appendage emerged—segmented like an insect's leg but gleaming with an unnatural silver sheen.
"Here they come," EMIYA muttered, materializing his bow.
More appendages followed, pushing through the dimensional tear until a massive form pulled itself into their reality. The creature resembled a nightmarish fusion of arachnid and machine—eight legs supporting a bulbous body covered in metallic plates, with multiple eyes that glowed with malevolent intelligence.
"What in the name of the Root is that?" Cu Chulainn exclaimed, gripping his crimson spear tighter.
The creature was soon followed by smaller versions of itself, dozens of them pouring through the rift.
"Classification unknown," Holmes reported. "But energy signatures match previous incursions. They appear to be constructs rather than living beings."
The largest creature turned its cluster of glowing eyes toward the assembled defenders and emitted a high-pitched mechanical screech. Immediately, the smaller ones began scuttling forward with alarming speed.
"Mash, defensive formation!" Ritsuka commanded. "EMIYA, provide covering fire! Lancer, Jeanne, prepare to engage!"
The Servants moved with practiced coordination. Mash stepped forward, her massive shield creating a barrier between the creatures and her Master. EMIYA leapt to a higher vantage point, arrows flying with deadly precision to pick off the advancing swarm. Cu Chulainn and Jeanne flanked the formation, ready to intercept any that broke through.
Anos watched this display with arms crossed, making no move to join the battle.
"Aren't you going to help?" Ritsuka asked, maintaining focus on coordinating the Servants.
"I'm assessing," Anos replied calmly. "Your Servants are quite capable. I want to understand the nature of these creatures before intervening."
One of the mechanical spiders leapt over Mash's shield, aiming directly for Ritsuka. Before it could reach its target, Anos casually extended his hand. The creature froze in mid-air, suspended by invisible force.
"Interesting construction," he commented, turning the immobilized creature in the air as if examining a curious specimen. "Not magic as you understand it, but not purely mechanical either. A fusion of principles."
With a slight contraction of his fingers, the creature imploded, crushed into a perfect sphere of compressed metal no larger than a marble. The sphere dropped to the floor with a soft clink.
"Efficient design, though," Anos added. "Whoever created these put considerable thought into their functionality."
The larger creature let out another mechanical screech, this one seemingly directed at Anos. It abandoned its smaller counterparts and charged directly toward him, moving with surprising speed for its size.
"Look out!" Jeanne called, rushing to intercept.
Anos merely smiled. "No need for concern."
As the massive construct bore down on him, Anos raised his hand and spoke a single word in a language none present recognized. A shimmering wall of dark energy materialized between him and the creature.
The construct collided with the barrier—and shattered into thousands of pieces as if it had struck an immovable object at impossible speed. The fragments hung suspended in the air for a moment before dropping harmlessly to the ground.
A stunned silence fell over the assembled Servants.
"What did you just do?" EMIYA asked, lowering his bow slightly.
"A simple spell," Anos replied. "I reversed the concept of penetration within the barrier. The harder it tried to break through, the more thoroughly it destroyed itself."
Cu Chulainn whistled. "That's not like any magecraft I've seen before."
The remaining smaller constructs, seeing their leader destroyed, suddenly changed tactics. They began to climb the walls and ceiling, converging toward the anomaly.
"They're retreating!" Mash called out.
"No," Anos corrected. "They're protecting something."
He was proven right as the creatures formed a defensive formation around the spatial tear. From within the anomaly emerged a humanoid figure—tall and elegantly proportioned, with skin like burnished silver and eyes that glowed with the same light as the constructs.
The figure surveyed the room, its gaze eventually settling on Anos. When it spoke, its voice had a strange, resonant quality, as if multiple voices were layered atop one another.
"Unexpected variable detected," it said. "Subject exists outside parameters. Adjusting approach."
Anos stepped forward, moving past the Servants' defensive line despite their protests.
"You recognize that I'm different," he observed. "Which means you've encountered this world's natives before."
The silver figure tilted its head slightly. "This unit has processed extensive data on this reality's inhabitants and their capabilities. You are anomalous."
"As are you," Anos countered. "You don't belong in this world either. What is your purpose here?"
The figure straightened. "Purpose: acquisition and assimilation of magical paradigms for enhancement of the Collective. This reality contains unique metaphysical structures of significant value."
Anos nodded as if this confirmed a suspicion. "I see. You're harvesting magical systems. Collecting them like specimens."
"Correct. The process requires substantial energy extraction and paradigm mapping. Unfortunately, this results in systemic degradation of the host reality."
"In other words," Anos said, his voice hardening slightly, "you're draining this world's magical foundation, and you don't care that doing so will eventually cause it to collapse."
The figure made a gesture that might have been a shrug. "Regrettable but necessary for the advancement of the Collective."
Behind Anos, the Servants tensed, readying their weapons. Ritsuka stepped forward to stand beside the Demon King.
"That's what's been happening," Ritsuka said quietly. "The weakening leylines, the failing magical circuits... they're being drained."
Anos glanced at the young Master. "How long has this been occurring?"
"The first anomaly appeared three months ago," Ritsuka answered. "They've been increasing in frequency and size ever since."
Anos turned back to the silver figure. "And you are?"
"This unit is designated Assimilator Prime, advance operative of the Techno-Arcane Collective."
"Well, Assimilator Prime," Anos said, his tone conversational but underlined with unmistakable authority, "I'm afraid I must decline your intended use for this world. I've only just arrived, and I find it interesting."
The silver figure's eyes flashed brighter. "Your preferences are irrelevant. The process has begun and cannot be halted. Resistance is noted but will not impede collection."
Anos smiled, and there was something in that expression that made even the Servants behind him tense instinctively.
"Is that so?" he asked softly. "Then allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Anos Voldigoad, the Demon King of Tyranny." Dark energy began to swirl around him as he spoke, the air growing heavy with power. "And you should know that I have destroyed gods who spoke to me with less respect than you've shown."
The Assimilator Prime seemed to reassess the situation, its posture shifting subtly. "Threat level recalculated. Tactical withdrawal recommended."
"Too late for that," Anos replied. He raised his hand, and symbols of an unknown magical script flared to life around him. "I think a demonstration is in order."
What followed happened so quickly that even the Servants had difficulty following it. Anos spoke a phrase in that same unknown language, and the spatial tear itself—the anomaly that had brought these beings into Chaldea—began to contract.
The Assimilator Prime made a sound that might have been alarm. "Impossible. You cannot manipulate our gateway. Our dimensional technology—"
"Is crude compared to the magic I command," Anos interrupted. "Technology built to manipulate reality will always be inferior to one who can rewrite reality's laws."
The anomaly continued to shrink, pulling the mechanical spiders back through despite their desperate attempts to resist. The Assimilator Prime remained, fighting against the pull with visible effort.
"This changes nothing," it declared. "The Collective will continue its work. We will adapt to counter you."
Anos stepped closer, unmoved by the threat. "Then I look forward to teaching you the meaning of futility."
With a final surge of power, he closed his fist, and the spatial tear collapsed completely. The Assimilator Prime had just enough time to let out a mechanical wail before it was pulled through, vanishing along with the last of its constructs.
The sudden silence that followed was profound. Anos turned to face the stunned Chaldea staff and Servants.
"Well," he said with casual nonchalance, "that was informative. I believe I understand what you're facing now." He looked at Ritsuka. "These 'Collective' beings are systematic harvesters of magical systems. They're not simply invading—they're mining your reality for its metaphysical properties."
"You closed the anomaly completely," Mash said, her voice filled with awe. "Our best mages have only been able to force them to retreat before."
"Because you've been treating the symptom rather than the cause," Anos explained. "These tears aren't random anomalies—they're carefully constructed extraction points. By understanding their fundamental nature, controlling them becomes simple."
Cu Chulainn barked a laugh. "Simple, he says! After doing what our entire research team couldn't manage in months!"
"Can you teach us how to do that?" Jeanne asked earnestly.
Anos considered for a moment. "Perhaps. Though my methods may not be directly compatible with your magical system. I would need to better understand how your world's magic functions at its core."
Ritsuka stepped forward, extending a hand to Anos. "Then I think this is the beginning of a very beneficial alliance."
Anos looked at the offered hand with slight surprise, then smiled and accepted it. "Indeed. Though I suspect your colleagues might require further convincing."
"After what we just witnessed?" EMIYA commented dryly. "I think you've made quite the first impression."
As they began to exit the damaged storage facility, Anos glanced back at where the anomaly had been, his expression momentarily serious.
"That entity—the Assimilator Prime—it retreated too easily," he remarked. "It was assessing more than fighting."
"You think it was gathering information about you?" Ritsuka asked.
Anos nodded. "Just as I was learning about them. This was merely an opening move in what I suspect will be a more complex game." He turned to Ritsuka with a thoughtful expression. "Tell me more about these 'Servants' of yours. If we're to work together against this Collective, I should understand the forces at our disposal."
Chapter 4: Clash of Paradigms
"Absolutely fascinating," Da Vinci murmured, her eyes fixed on the holographic display before her. The workshop around them hummed with activity as multiple diagnostic systems attempted to analyze the sample Anos had provided—the compressed sphere that had once been one of the mechanical spiders.
Anos stood nearby, watching with mild interest as the genius inventor worked. "Your analytical methods are quite thorough, if somewhat limited by your conceptual framework."
"Limited?" Da Vinci raised an eyebrow, glancing up from her work. "I've developed systems capable of analyzing materials and energies from across the multiverse."
"And yet you approach everything through the lens of your world's magical understanding," Anos replied, not unkindly. "It's like trying to understand a foreign language by translating each word directly, without accounting for different grammatical structures or cultural contexts."
Da Vinci paused, considering his words. "You're suggesting our entire analytical approach is fundamentally flawed?"
"Not flawed. Just... constrained." Anos moved closer to the display, pointing to a particular energy signature. "Here—you identify this as an unknown form of mana circulation, but it's not mana at all. It's what I would call 'concept materialization'—the direct manifestation of an idea into physical form without the intermediate step of magical energy conversion."
Da Vinci's eyes widened slightly. "Direct concept materialization without mana as a medium? That contradicts one of our fundamental magical principles—"
"In your system," Anos interjected. "Not in all systems. In my world, the Source of all magic doesn't require such conversions. The will of the caster can directly impose concepts onto reality."
Their discussion was interrupted as the workshop door slid open, admitting Holmes and a tall, elegant woman with flowing purple hair and a blindfold covering her eyes. Anos immediately sensed the immense power emanating from her—different from his own, but impressive nonetheless.
"Ah, Medea Gorgon," Da Vinci greeted. "Thank you for joining us."
"Medusa," the woman corrected softly, turning her blindfolded face toward Anos. "Though I possess aspects of all the Gorgon sisters in this form." She inclined her head slightly. "You must be the anomalous entity I've sensed since this morning. Your presence... disturbs the magical currents of Chaldea."
Anos studied her with open curiosity. "You're one of these Servants, yet different from the others I've met. Your essence carries multiple divine signatures fused together."
"A complicated summoning," she acknowledged. "And you are no Servant at all, though you stand in our realm. Curious."
Holmes cleared his throat. "We've asked Medusa to join our discussion because her understanding of divine mysteries might provide a useful perspective. She exists at the intersection of Greek divinity and monsterhood—a unique vantage point."
"And how do you perceive me, goddess-monster?" Anos asked directly.
Medusa tilted her head slightly. "As an aberration. A being whose very existence rewrites the rules around it. You don't disrupt the natural order so much as... supersede it."
Anos smiled, genuinely pleased with her assessment. "Well put. Few can perceive my nature so accurately upon first meeting."
"We're hoping this exchange of perspectives might help bridge our understanding," Da Vinci explained. "The Collective poses a threat unlike any we've faced before, and your methods of countering them are equally unfamiliar to us."
"A cultural exchange, then," Anos mused. "Very well. Where shall we begin?"
Holmes gestured to a nearby seating area. "Perhaps with fundamentals. You mentioned your magic originates from something you call 'the Source.' Our magic stems from what we call 'the Root' or 'Akasha'—the origin point of all possibilities and information in our universe."
As they seated themselves, Anos nodded thoughtfully. "Similar concepts with critical differences. Your 'Root' seems to be primarily informational—a repository of all knowledge and possibilities. The Source in my world is more... absolute. It is not just information but the fundamental principle of creation itself, from which reality is continuously emanated."
"And you can directly manipulate this... Source?" Da Vinci asked.
"Not merely manipulate it," Anos corrected. "As the Demon King of Tyranny, I am uniquely attuned to it. My will can directly override aspects of reality because I understand the Source at its most fundamental level."
Medusa leaned forward slightly. "That sounds remarkably similar to what we would call Authority—the power wielded by divine spirits to impose their dominion over their spheres of influence."
"There are similarities," Anos acknowledged. "Though divine Authority in my world is still bound by certain cosmic principles. My magic transcends such limitations."
Holmes' expression remained carefully neutral, but his eyes betrayed his concerns. "That level of power typically comes with significant... consequences in our world. Magic that defies fundamental laws inevitably extracts a price."
"A fair observation," Anos conceded. "In your system, magic that violates natural law requires equivalent exchange or generates karmic backlash. My magic operates differently—the cost was paid at the Source itself, when I forged my very being to harmonize with these principles."
Da Vinci's eyes lit with understanding. "You're saying you fundamentally restructured your own existence to become compatible with reality-altering powers? That's—"
"Dangerous," Medusa finished, her voice soft but firm. "I have witnessed gods fall to hubris for less ambitious endeavors."
Anos merely smiled. "Indeed it would be, for most beings. But that is why I am the Demon King of Tyranny, and not merely another practitioner of magic."
Before the conversation could continue, the communication system chimed. Ritsuka's voice came through clearly, with sounds of activity in the background.
"Da Vinci, is Anos with you? We have a situation in the training simulator. Cu Chulainn and Gilgamesh are... well, they're challenging our guest to a demonstration."
Da Vinci sighed. "Those hotheads... What exactly happened?"
"Gil overheard Cu talking about Anos closing the anomaly," Ritsuka explained, sounding exasperated. "He declared that no being from outside the Throne could possibly rival 'true heroes' and demanded proof of Anos's abilities."
"Ah," Anos said, rising from his seat with a hint of amusement. "The inevitable challenge. I was wondering when it would come."
Holmes' expression darkened. "Gilgamesh is not one to be taken lightly, even in friendly competition. His power as the King of Heroes is formidable."
"Nor is Cu Chulainn's Gae Bolg to be underestimated," Medusa added. "Its causality-reversing thrust has felled gods."
Anos nodded respectfully. "I look forward to experiencing their abilities firsthand. It will be educational for all involved."
"I'm not sure 'educational' is quite the word I'd use," Da Vinci muttered as they made their way toward the training facility.
The Chaldea combat simulator was an enormous chamber capable of projecting realistic environments for training purposes. Currently, it displayed a vast stone arena reminiscent of ancient coliseums, with high walls and a sandy floor. A small crowd of Servants and staff had gathered to witness the confrontation.
Cu Chulainn stood at one end of the arena, his crimson spear held casually but ready. His feral grin spoke of excitement rather than hostility. At the opposite end stood a golden-armored figure with striking red eyes and an expression of supreme confidence bordering on disdain.
"There he is," Gilgamesh announced as Anos entered, his voice carrying easily across the arena. "The supposed 'Demon King' who isn't even recognized by the Throne of Heroes."
Anos stepped forward, surveying the arena with mild interest. "The Throne of Heroes is but one system of recording exceptional beings. My absence from it speaks more to its limitations than to mine."
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Bold words from an unknown entity. In my garden, even the most exotic flowers must prove their worth before claiming special status."
"I have no interest in status," Anos replied calmly. "Only in effectiveness."
Cu Chulainn twirled his spear impatiently. "Less talking, more proving! I want to see what the man who crushed those metal spiders like toys can really do."
Ritsuka hurried over to where Anos stood. "You don't have to do this. Gil can be... difficult, and this isn't why we brought you here."
"On the contrary," Anos said, removing his outer coat and handing it to a surprised Mash nearby. "Understanding each other's capabilities will be essential if we're to work together effectively. This is merely practical reconnaissance disguised as entertainment."
He stepped into the center of the arena, between the two legendary heroes. "So, what are the parameters of this demonstration?"
"Simple," Gilgamesh declared. "You will face each of us in turn, demonstrating the powers you claim to possess. No fatal blows, of course—this is merely to establish a hierarchy of strength."
"And to have some fun," Cu added with a grin. "Been a while since we had fresh blood around here."
Anos nodded. "Very well. Who shall be first?"
Cu stepped forward eagerly, spinning his spear in an elaborate flourish. "I've been itching for a good match since that skirmish with the metal spiders. You didn't even break a sweat closing that portal—I want to see what happens when you're properly challenged."
"As you wish," Anos replied, making no move to draw a weapon or take a defensive stance. He simply stood, hands at his sides, waiting.
Cu's eyes narrowed slightly at this apparent overconfidence. "Don't think I'll go easy just because you're unarmed."
"I would be disappointed if you did," Anos replied.
Cu needed no further invitation. He launched forward with blinding speed, his spear a crimson blur as it thrust directly toward Anos's heart. To the observers, it appeared the Demon King had no time to react—
Yet somehow, the spear stopped just short of its target, its tip trembling against an invisible barrier mere inches from Anos's chest.
"Impressive speed," Anos commented. "And the spear... it carries a fascinating enchantment."
Cu grinned, leaping back. "You haven't seen anything yet." He crouched low, spear beginning to radiate a malevolent red aura. "Let's see how you handle this—Gae Bolg!"
The legendary spear technique activated—a thrust that rewrote causality itself, ensuring the heart was pierced before the spear even moved, making evasion theoretically impossible.
Anos didn't move. Instead, as the spear surged forward with its destiny-altering power, he simply raised two fingers and spoke a single word.
The impossible happened—Gae Bolg stopped mid-thrust, its causality-altering curse seemingly suspended between activation and effect. Cu's eyes widened in genuine shock.
"What the—?"
"Interesting," Anos said, studying the frozen spear. "Your weapon attempts to establish the effect before the cause. A localized reversal of causality." He made a slight gesture with his fingers, and the spear's red aura dissipated harmlessly. "But causality itself is merely another law that can be suspended when one understands its true nature."
Cu withdrew his spear, his playful demeanor replaced by serious assessment. "No one's ever stopped Gae Bolg like that before. Not even those with divine protection or powerful conceptual defenses."
"Because they attempted to counter your curse with
"Because they attempted to counter your curse with equivalent or greater magic," Anos explained. "I simply denied the underlying principle upon which your technique operates. In my world, we call this 'Order Manipulation'—the ability to selectively enforce or suspend fundamental laws within a defined space."
Cu Chulainn lowered his spear, studying Anos with newfound respect. "That's not just countering an attack—that's nullifying the very concept behind it."
From the sidelines, Holmes murmured to Da Vinci, "He didn't just block the spear—he temporarily abolished the principle of cause and effect around himself."
"Precisely," Anos nodded, having heard the detective's comment despite the distance. "Though only in a localized field. Even I must respect certain limitations of scale."
Gilgamesh, who had been watching with arms crossed, uncrossed them and stepped forward. "An interesting parlor trick, negating a single Noble Phantasm. But let's see how you fare against the original treasures from which all others descend."
The air behind the golden king shimmered as portals of light began to open—first one, then three, then a dozen, revealing glimpses of countless weapons suspended in a golden treasury.
"Gate of Babylon," Anos observed. "A dimensional storehouse containing the prototypes of all the world's treasures. Quite an impressive collection."
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know of my treasury?"
"I can perceive its nature," Anos replied. "A pocket dimension linked to your authority as king, storing weapons spanning the breadth of human innovation—and some beyond."
"Then you understand the futility of standing against it," Gilgamesh declared, raising his hand. "Even the gods themselves fell before my arsenal."
Anos simply smiled. "I look forward to the experience."
With a gesture from Gilgamesh, weapons began to launch from the portals—swords, spears, axes, each one a legendary Noble Phantasm in its own right, all hurtling toward Anos with lethal intent.
The assembled observers tensed, several moving to intervene—only to freeze in astonishment at what happened next.
Each weapon, moments before striking Anos, suddenly slowed and stopped, hanging suspended in the air around him as if trapped in invisible amber. Dozens of Noble Phantasms hung frozen, forming a deadly constellation around the Demon King, who remained unmoved.
"Impossible," Gilgamesh hissed, genuine surprise crossing his features. "No magecraft can halt my treasures once launched."
Anos regarded the suspended weapons with appreciation. "Truly remarkable craftsmanship in each piece. I can sense the history embedded in their very substance." He walked forward, the weapons parting before him like water, and selected one particular sword from among them. "This one, for instance—it contains the concept of 'severance' so purely realized that it could cut through dimensional boundaries if wielded properly."
Gilgamesh's surprise gave way to outrage. "You dare to touch my treasures without permission?"
"Merely appreciating their quality," Anos replied, carefully returning the sword to its suspended position. With a casual wave of his hand, all the weapons rotated in place, their points now facing away from him. "I believe these belong to you."
Before Gilgamesh could respond, Anos made another subtle gesture. The weapons suddenly launched back toward their portals, returning to the Gate of Babylon with the same speed with which they had emerged.
The silence that followed was profound.
"He reflected the Gate of Babylon," someone whispered from the sidelines. "That's not possible."
"Not reflection," Anos corrected. "Redirection. I simply reversed the vector of force while maintaining the connection to their origin point."
Gilgamesh's expression had darkened dangerously. "You toy with powers you cannot comprehend, outsider."
"On the contrary," Anos replied. "I comprehend them quite thoroughly. Your treasury exists as a pocket dimension anchored to your magical signature. The weapons emerge through controlled dimensional rifts using your authority as the activation key. Impressive, but ultimately a system operating on principles I understand intimately."
The King of Heroes' red eyes blazed with barely contained fury. "Then perhaps I should show you something beyond mere understanding." Golden armor materialized fully around him as he reached into a portal that glowed differently from the others. "Behold, Ea—the Star of Creation that Split Heaven and Earth. Let us see if your comprehension extends to the power that shaped the very world."
From the observation area, Da Vinci stepped forward in alarm. "Gilgamesh, the simulator cannot contain Ea's full power! You'll damage Chaldea's infrastructure!"
Anos raised a hand. "No need for concern. I can contain the effect."
Gilgamesh held aloft the strange, cylindrical weapon, its segments beginning to rotate. "Enuma Elish," he intoned, power building around him in palpable waves. "The Star of Creation that Split Heaven and Earth!"
As Ea activated, reality itself seemed to warp and tear around its spinning segments. The very fabric of space began to shred, revealing glimpses of primordial chaos beyond—the Truth that existed before the World's creation.
Anos faced this ultimate Noble Phantasm not with fear or even concern, but with genuine curiosity. As the full destructive potential of Enuma Elish surged toward him, he extended both hands and spoke words in a language none present had ever heard—ancient and powerful, seeming to resonate with the foundations of reality itself.
What happened next defied the understanding of everyone watching.
The unleashed power of Ea—a force capable of unmaking the World itself—didn't strike Anos. Nor was it deflected or absorbed. Instead, it simply... ceased. The primordial energies folded in upon themselves, collapsing into a single point of light that hovered between Anos's outstretched hands.
"Fascinating," the Demon King murmured, studying the concentrated point of energy. "A weapon that accesses the pre-creation chaos. The concept is similar to certain artifacts in my world, though the implementation differs."
Gilgamesh stood motionless, his expression for once stripped of arrogance, replaced by naked disbelief. "That... is not possible. Ea is the ultimate truth. Nothing can negate its power."
"I didn't negate it," Anos explained, the point of light between his hands gradually dimming. "I simply folded its effect back into potential rather than manifestation. Your Noble Phantasm accesses the truth of creation—I merely reminded it of the equally valid truth of non-creation that preceded it."
He closed his hands, and the last traces of Ea's power dissipated harmlessly. "It's rather like speaking to the weapon in its own language, persuading rather than forcing."
The silence that followed was absolute. Even Gilgamesh seemed temporarily at a loss for words, staring at Anos with a mixture of outrage and—though he would never admit it—a grudging reassessment.
Cu Chulainn was the first to break the tension, letting out a low whistle. "Well, I think that settles the demonstration." He turned to the assembled observers. "Anyone else want to test our guest, or have we established his credentials?"
Ritsuka stepped forward into the arena. "I think we've seen enough for today. Thank you, Anos, for indulging this... unexpected challenge."
Anos inclined his head. "It was informative. Your Servants possess remarkable abilities. If all Heroic Spirits command such power, I'm beginning to understand why the Collective would target your world specifically."
"What do you mean?" Mash asked, joining her Master.
"The Collective harvests magical systems," Anos explained. "Your Throne of Heroes represents something unique—a metaphysical archive preserving the pinnacle achievements of human potential across all history. For beings that collect magical paradigms, it would be the ultimate prize."
Holmes frowned thoughtfully. "You believe the Throne itself is their target? Not just our world's magical energy?"
"The energy is merely a means to an end," Anos replied. "Based on what I observed of their technology, they're attempting to create a bridge stable enough to access your Throne directly. The anomalies are test sites—places where they're gradually thinning the dimensional boundaries."
Da Vinci's expression darkened. "If they succeeded in creating a permanent connection to the Throne..."
"They could potentially siphon the conceptual framework that supports your entire Servant system," Anos finished. "Rendering summoning impossible and perhaps even affecting Servants already manifested."
Gilgamesh, seemingly recovered from his shock, stepped forward. "And you can prevent this?"
"Not alone," Anos admitted. "While I understand the principles behind their technology, countering it across multiple sites simultaneously would stretch even my capabilities. This will require cooperation."
"Then it seems our unusual summoning experiment was more successful than we could have hoped," Ritsuka said. "Welcome to the team, Anos Voldigoad."
The Demon King looked around at the assembled Servants and staff of Chaldea—a collection of legendary heroes and brilliant minds from across human history—and smiled slightly.
"This should prove interesting," he remarked. "Though I suggest we begin with a thorough exchange of knowledge. If I'm to help defend your world's magical foundation, I'll need to understand it completely."
Chapter 5: Worlds Apart
The Chaldea library was quiet save for the occasional rustle of pages turning. Anos sat surrounded by stacks of books, his eyes moving rapidly across ancient texts detailing the fundamental theories of magecraft in this world. Across from him, Lord El-Melloi II observed with barely concealed fascination as the Demon King absorbed centuries of magical knowledge in mere hours.
"Your reading speed is remarkable," the former Master commented, adjusting his glasses. "Though I wonder how much you're truly comprehending."
Anos looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Understanding comes more easily when one can perceive the underlying patterns. Your world's magic follows a fascinating structural logic—different from my own, yet with certain universal constants."
"And those would be?" El-Melloi prompted, genuinely curious.
"Intent, structure, and resonance," Anos replied, closing the tome before him. "All magical systems, regardless of their specific mechanics, require a will to shape reality, a framework to direct that will, and a resonance between the caster and the forces they manipulate."
El-Melloi nodded slowly. "A reasonable simplification, though our system places considerable emphasis on lineage and mystery—concepts that seem less relevant in yours."
"Indeed. Your magic weakens as it becomes understood, while mine grows stronger through perfect comprehension," Anos agreed. "A fundamental philosophical difference. In my world, the Source of magic is meant to be fully known and commanded. In yours, mystery itself is power."
Their scholarly discussion was interrupted as Ritsuka entered the library, accompanied by a young woman Anos hadn't yet met—petite with long, white hair and striking red eyes.
"Ah, Master," El-Melloi acknowledged with a slight nod. "I see you've brought the Director."
"Anos, this is Sion Eltnam Sokaris," Ritsuka introduced. "She's our acting Director of Special Operations and one of our foremost experts on Atlas alchemical theory."
Anos rose respectfully. "A pleasure. I've been reading about Atlas and its approach to conceptual manipulation. Quite innovative, particularly regarding temporal causality."
Sion studied him with open curiosity. "Fascinating. Your magical signature defies all my analytical instruments. It's as if you exist partially outside our reality's framework while simultaneously anchoring yourself within it."
"An apt description," Anos acknowledged. "My existence operates on principles not entirely compatible with your world's metaphysical structure. I maintain coherence through continuous adjustment."
"That must require extraordinary concentration," El-Melloi observed.
Anos shook his head. "Not at all. The process is automatic—much like breathing. I've long since internalized the necessary calculations."
Sion seated herself, placing a holographic data pad on the table. "I've been analyzing the readings we collected during your... demonstration with Gilgamesh and Cu Chulainn." A three-dimensional model appeared above the pad, showing complex energy patterns. "Your magic doesn't just differ from ours in application—it operates on an entirely different conceptual foundation."
"Indeed. Rather than drawing upon external sources of power, my magic directly imposes my will upon reality," Anos explained. "The distinction might seem subtle, but the implications are profound."
El-Melloi leaned forward, studying the holographic display. "Our magecraft, even at its highest levels, ultimately petitions reality for change. What you're describing sounds more like... dictating to it."
"A fair characterization," Anos agreed. "In my world, those with sufficient power and understanding don't request changes from reality—they inform reality of what it will become."
Sion's eyes widened slightly. "That would require bypassing fundamental conservation laws that govern even magical energies in our world."
"Laws exist to be understood," Anos replied simply. "And once truly understood, they can be selectively suspended when necessary."
Ritsuka, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "This is why you were able to counter Gilgamesh's Ea. You didn't overpower it—you simply... told it not to work?"
Anos smiled. "More precisely, I reminded it of its natural state of non-manifestation. All things, even the most powerful Noble Phantasms, exist in balance between being and non-being. I simply shifted the equilibrium temporarily."
El-Melloi set his cup down with a sharp click. "That's not magic as we understand it. That's Authority on a scale reserved for Ultimate Ones or Types in our world—beings that embody entire planets or conceptual absolutes."
"The distinction between advanced magic and divine authority blurs at certain levels," Anos acknowledged. "In my world, I stand at that threshold—neither fully mortal nor truly divine, but with aspects of both."
Sion tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the table. "This could explain why the Collective is interested in both our world and beings like yourself. They seem to be harvesting different approaches to reality manipulation."
"Which raises the question," Ritsuka added, "of how many other magical paradigms they've already assimilated."
Anos nodded gravely. "A concerning thought. Each system they absorb potentially increases their adaptability and range of capabilities."
"We should assume they're already analyzing their encounter with you," Sion said. "If they're as systematic as they appear, they'll be developing countermeasures."
"Let them try," Anos replied with quiet confidence. "Adaptation goes both ways."
Their strategic discussion was interrupted as the library door opened again, admitting Mash alongside a tall, elegant woman in an elaborate blue dress, her long golden hair flowing behind her.
"Pardon the interruption," Mash began, "but Artoria was hoping to speak with our guest."
Anos stood, recognizing the powerful magical signature of another Servant. "King Arthur, I presume? Or perhaps I should say, King Artoria Pendragon."
The blonde woman inclined her head slightly. "Just Artoria is fine. I serve as a Saber-class Servant here in Chaldea."
"How may I assist you?" Anos inquired politely.
Artoria's green eyes studied him with calm assessment. "I was not present for your demonstration earlier, but I've heard the accounts. They say you contained Ea's power—a feat I have witnessed only once before, when countered by my own Excalibur at full release."
"Different methods, but similar outcomes," Anos acknowledged. "Your Excalibur channels the planet's defensive will, does it not? A crystallization of humanity's hope against threats to the world."
"You perceive much from our brief meeting," Artoria observed.
"The sword at your side speaks volumes to those who can listen," Anos replied. "Even sealed, its purpose resonates clearly."
Artoria nodded. "Then perhaps you can help resolve a question that has arisen. If these Collective beings succeed in accessing our Throne of Heroes, what becomes of Servants already manifested? Would we cease to exist, or merely lose the connection to our source?"
Anos considered carefully before answering. "Based on my understanding of your summoning system, the effect would likely be gradual rather than immediate. Servants already manifested would experience a slow degradation of their capabilities as their connection to the Throne weakened. Eventually, maintaining physical form would become impossible without an alternative anchor."
"I suspected as much," Artoria said gravely. "Then the stakes are higher than many realize."
"Indeed," Anos agreed. "This threat targets the very foundation of your world's heroic legacy."
Ritsuka looked between them, concern evident. "Is there a way to protect the Servants if the worst happens? Some method to anchor them independently of the Throne?"
Anos folded his hands thoughtfully. "Potentially. In my world, spirits can be bound through various methods independent of any central system. But translating those techniques to work with your world's metaphysical structure would require significant adaptation."
"That sounds like exactly the kind of innovation we need," Sion interjected, eyes bright with intellectual excitement. "A hybrid approach combining multiple magical paradigms."
"It would certainly be unprecedented," El-Melloi agreed cautiously. "Though not without considerable risk."
Anos smiled slightly. "The greatest advancements often emerge at the intersection of different systems of thought. I would be happy to collaborate on such research."
"Then it's settled," Ritsuka declared. "While we work to counter the Collective's incursions directly, we'll also develop contingency measures to protect our Servants."
Artoria gave a determined nod. "I shall inform the others. Many will wish to contribute their knowledge to this effort."
As the meeting began to disperse, Anos remained behind, his gaze returning to the ancient texts spread before him. There was still much to learn about this world's magic—its strengths, its limitations, and most importantly, how it might be harmonized with his own abilities to create something new.
For perhaps the first time in many centuries, the Demon King of Tyranny faced a challenge worthy of his full attention.
Chapter 6: Convergence Point
The central command center of Chaldea hummed with heightened activity. Holographic displays showed multiple locations around the globe where spatial anomalies had been detected, their frequency increasing dramatically over the past twenty-four hours.
"Seven new disturbances in the last six hours alone," Da Vinci reported, manipulating the central display to zoom in on a particularly large anomaly over northern Europe. "They're escalating their efforts."
Anos studied the patterns thoughtfully. "Not random. They're establishing a geometric formation." He gestured, and lines appeared connecting the anomalies. "A magical array on a global scale."
Holmes, who had been analyzing data at a nearby console, straightened. "He's right. The pattern correlates with ley line intersections, forming what appears to be a twelve-point containment matrix."
"Containment?" Ritsuka questioned.
"Or isolation," Anos clarified. "They're attempting to sever your world's connection to the greater multiverse, creating a closed system they can more easily manipulate."
Sion approached, her expression grave. "If they succeed, external reinforcement would become impossible. We'd be cut off from potential allies."
"And more vulnerable to systematic exploitation," Anos added. "A standard harvesting tactic—isolate before extraction."
Da Vinci enlarged one of the anomalies, showing real-time footage of Servants engaging mechanical constructs similar to those they'd encountered before, but larger and more heavily armored.
"They've upgraded their forces," she noted. "The teams are holding for now, but each confrontation is harder than the last."
Anos watched the footage with narrow eyes. "They're adapting to your tactics. Learning from each engagement."
"We need to do something decisive before they complete the array," Ritsuka said, turning to Anos. "You understand their technology better than anyone. What's their central weakness?"
The Demon King considered for a moment. "Their approach relies on systematic progression—incremental steps toward their goal. If we could disrupt multiple nodes simultaneously and introduce an unpredictable variable, we might force them to reset their entire operation."
"An unpredictable variable?" Holmes repeated. "You have something specific in mind."
Anos nodded slowly. "Your world operates on a different magical foundation than mine. The Collective has likely analyzed your system extensively, but the interaction between our different paradigms creates novel effects they cannot easily predict."
"A hybrid attack," Sion concluded, understanding dawning. "Combining your magic with our Servants' Noble Phantasms."
"Precisely," Anos confirmed. "But to maximize effectiveness, we need to strike multiple points simultaneously, with carefully matched pairs."
Da Vinci quickly brought up the roster of available Servants. "What combinations would you recommend?"
Anos studied the list thoughtfully. "My magic operates on principles of absolute authority and conceptual manipulation. It would pair most effectively with Servants whose abilities involve similar conceptual weight but through different mechanisms."
He began indicating specific names. "Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon could be enhanced to target not just physical forms but the dimensional anchors themselves. Artoria's Excalibur could be temporarily modified to sever reality threads rather than physical matter. Cu Chulainn's Gae Bolg could be extended to reverse causality not just for hearts but for spatial coordinates."
"Essentially weaponizing the interaction between magical systems," Holmes observed. "Ingenious, if highly theoretical."
"It would require the Servants' willing cooperation," Anos acknowledged. "And a brief period of... attunement."
Ritsuka straightened, decision made. "I'll speak with them immediately. How soon can we implement this plan?"
"The modifications would take approximately three hours," Anos estimated. "We should strike before dawn, when the Collective's next phase is likely to begin."
As Ritsuka departed to gather the selected Servants, Holmes stepped closer to Anos, speaking quietly. "This 'attunement' you mentioned—I presume it's not without risk to the Servants involved?"
Anos met his gaze directly. "All meaningful power carries risk, detective. I will minimize it, but yes—merging different magical paradigms creates certain... metaphysical stresses."
"Will they be permanently affected?" Holmes pressed.
"No," Anos assured him. "Once the operation is complete, the connection will dissolve naturally. Think of it as a temporary resonance rather than a permanent change."
Holmes studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "I trust you understand the value we place in each of our Servants. They are not merely weapons to be wielded."
"Of course," Anos replied. "In my world too, those of great power deserve great respect. I will treat your heroes with the honor they are due."
The preparation chamber had been cleared of all but essential personnel. Anos stood at the center of an intricate magical circle of his own design, its patterns unlike anything the mages of Chaldea had seen before—geometric shapes interlocking with flowing script that seemed to shift when viewed directly.
Around him stood five Servants who had agreed to participate in the plan: Gilgamesh, still somewhat aloof but pragmatically engaged; Artoria, regal and determined; Cu Chulainn, excited by the novel challenge; Jeanne d'Arc, who had volunteered to provide protective support; and EMIYA, whose ability to analyze and replicate weapons offered unique tactical advantages.
"The process is straightforward," Anos explained. "I will establish a temporary resonance between my magical foundation and each of your Noble Phantasms. This will not alter their fundamental nature, but rather expand their conceptual reach."
"Will we feel different?" Cu Chulainn asked bluntly.
"You may experience an unusual awareness of your weapon's deeper principles," Anos acknowledged. "A clearer perception of the concepts that underlie its power."
Gilgamesh folded his arms. "My treasures already represent the pinnacle of their concepts. What exactly will you be 'expanding'?"
"Not the treasures themselves, but the dimensional interface through which you access them," Anos clarified. "Your Gate of Babylon pierces space to reach your treasury. I will temporarily enhance that piercing quality to affect the Collective's dimensional anchors."
The King of Heroes seemed mollified by this explanation, though his expression remained guarded.
Artoria stepped forward. "Excalibur channels the planet's defensive will. Will this modification interfere with that connection?"
"Not at all," Anos assured her. "Rather, it will focus that defensive will more precisely against the specific threat these incursions represent. Your sword will recognize the Collective as a priority target."
Jeanne, who had been silent until now, spoke softly. "My Noble Phantasm is primarily defensive. How will it contribute to this plan?"
"Your Luminosité Eternelle creates a domain of absolute protection," Anos explained. "We will modify it to extend that protection against dimensional disruption specifically, creating safe zones within which our forces can operate without interference from the Collective's technology."
EMIYA leaned forward. "And my projection?"
"Perhaps the most interesting application," Anos replied. "Your ability to replicate Noble Phantasms will be temporarily enhanced to reproduce not just the weapons, but fragments of the conceptual modifications themselves. You'll effectively become a multiplier for our effects."
Ritsuka, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Is everyone comfortable with this approach? This is entirely voluntary."
The Servants exchanged glances, then each nodded in turn.
"Let's get on with it," Cu Chulainn said. "The sooner we kick these collectors back to wherever they came from, the better."
Anos instructed them to position themselves at specific points around the circle, then extended his hands. Dark energy began to flow from his fingertips, coalescing into visible strands that connected to each Servant's primary weapon.
"Remain still," he instructed. "Focus on the essential nature of your Noble Phantasm—not its form or its history, but the fundamental concept it embodies."
As the Servants concentrated, the energy strands pulsed with increasing intensity. The air in the chamber grew heavy with magical pressure, lights flickering as power surged through the circle.
Anos began to speak in that ancient, unknown language, each word seeming to resonate with the fabric of reality itself. The magic circle beneath them flared with blinding light, and each Servant gasped as they felt their connection to their Noble Phantasms shift and expand in ways they had never experienced.
Gilgamesh's eyes widened as he perceived, for the first time, not just the contents of his treasury but the actual dimensional mechanics that made it accessible. Artoria felt Excalibur's connection to the planet clarify and sharpen, focusing like a lens on the specific threat the Collective posed. Cu Chulainn experienced the causality-reversing property of Gae Bolg as an actual visible thread he could manipulate. Jeanne's banner glowed with protective light that seemed to exist in multiple layers of reality simultaneously. EMIYA felt his mind opening to levels of weapons analysis that had previously been beyond his comprehension.
After several minutes of intense concentration, Anos gradually lowered his hands, the dark energy receding. The Servants blinked, adjusting to their newly enhanced perceptions.
"It is done," Anos announced. "The modifications will hold for approximately twelve hours—more than enough time for our operation."
Cu Chulainn twirled Gae Bolg experimentally. "It feels... lighter somehow. But also more substantial."
"You're more directly connected to its conceptual weight," Anos explained. "The physical form is merely a vessel for that concept."
Artoria held Excalibur before her, studying the blade with new eyes. "I can sense the anomalies now, even from here. The sword... recognizes them as threats to the world's foundation."
"As it should," Anos agreed. "Your Noble Phantasm exists specifically to defend against such existential dangers."
Gilgamesh said nothing, but the slight widening of his eyes suggested he too was experiencing significant new insights about his treasures.
"How are you all feeling?" Ritsuka asked with concern. "Any discomfort or strain?"
"Nothing negative," Jeanne answered. "Though it's... overwhelming. I can perceive protective boundaries I never knew existed."
"That will stabilize as you become accustomed to the enhancement," Anos assured them. "By the time we deploy, it will feel natural."
EMIYA flexed his hands, a faint smile touching his lips. "This could be interesting."
Da Vinci's voice came through the communication system. "Team deployment in thirty minutes. We've identified the five most critical nodes in the Collective's array. Each of you will target one, supported by additional Servants and staff."
"Remember," Anos added, "the goal is synchronized disruption. We must strike all five nodes simultaneously to create maximum dissonance in their system."
As the Servants departed to make final preparations, Ritsuka approached Anos.
"You're not staying behind, are you?" the Master asked. "Which team will you join?"
Anos considered for a moment. "I believe I would be most effective at the primary node—the one showing the largest energy signature. If the Assimilator Prime is present at any location, it will be there."
"Then I'll accompany you," Ritsuka decided.
Anos raised an eyebrow. "You understand the danger? This entity has now encountered me once and will have prepared countermeasures."
"All the more reason you shouldn't face it alone," Ritsuka replied with quiet determination. "Besides, coordinating Servants is what I do best."
The Demon King studied the young Master thoughtfully, then nodded with approval. "Your courage is commendable. Very well—we will confront the Assimilator Prime together."
As final preparations continued around them, Anos gazed at the global map showing the Collective's emerging array. For the first time since his arrival in this world, he felt a genuine sense of urgency. The pattern was advancing more rapidly than he had initially estimated—the Collective was accelerating its timeline.
They would need to strike soon, or this world's magical foundation might be compromised beyond recovery.
Chapter 7: Paradigm Clash
The Arctic wind howled across the frozen landscape, whipping snow into blinding curtains that would have made visibility impossible without magical enhancement. Here, at the northernmost node of the Collective's global array, the dimensional tear hung suspended above a massive crystalline structure that had erupted from the ice—a techno-organic construct pulsing with alien energy.
Anos stood at the edge of a ridge overlooking the site, Ritsuka and Mash beside him. Behind them waited Jeanne d'Arc and several support Servants, ready to establish a defensive perimeter once the operation began.
"It's larger than the previous manifestations," Mash observed, her shield held ready. "And the energy readings are off the charts."
Anos studied the structure with narrowed eyes. "This is more than just another extraction point. It's a stabilized bridgehead—a permanent anchor between dimensions."
Through their communication devices, they could hear the other teams reporting similar findings at their assigned locations. Gilgamesh in South America, Artoria in central Africa, Cu Chulainn in Southeast Asia, and EMIYA in Australia—all positioned to strike simultaneously at the Collective's global array.
"The pattern is complete," Holmes' voice came through clearly despite the distance. "They've established all twelve nodes. Our window for disruption is narrowing."
"Then we proceed as planned," Anos decided. "Is everyone in position?"
Affirmations came from each team leader.
"Remember," Anos instructed, "focus on the dimensional anchors—the crystalline structures at the base of each anomaly. Your enhanced Noble Phantasms should disrupt their fundamental stability rather than merely damaging their physical form."
Ritsuka checked the time. "Synchronized strike in three minutes. All teams prepare."
Anos turned to Jeanne. "Establish your protective field now. We'll need its buffer against the dimensional backlash."
The Maid of Orleans nodded, planting her banner firmly in the frozen ground. "Luminosité Eternelle," she invoked softly. The flag began to glow with golden light that expanded outward, creating a dome of protection around their position. With the enhancements Anos had provided, the barrier now shimmered with additional layers visible only to magical perception—shields against spatial distortion and reality fluctuation.
"Remarkable," Anos commented, genuinely impressed. "Your faith manifests as absolute protection across multiple dimensional planes simultaneously."
"The Lord's protection extends beyond what mortal eyes can see," Jeanne replied simply.
Their conversation was interrupted as movement became visible around the Collective's structure. Mechanical spiders similar to those they had encountered before, but larger and more heavily armored, emerged from beneath the crystalline formation. Among them walked humanoid figures of burnished silver—similar to the Assimilator Prime but smaller in stature.
"Defensive units," Anos observed. "They've anticipated our attack."
"They haven't spotted us yet," Mash noted. "The barrier must be masking our presence."
Ritsuka checked the countdown. "One minute to synchronized strike. We should—"
The young Master's words died in their throat as a new figure emerged from within the crystal structure—tall, elegant, and unmistakable. The Assimilator Prime stood surveying the landscape, its silver features gleaming in the Arctic light.
"It is here," Anos confirmed. "As expected."
More concerning was what followed the Assimilator Prime. A massive humanoid form, easily fifteen feet tall, composed of shifting silver metal that continuously reconfigured itself into new patterns. Unlike the purely mechanical aspects of the other constructs, this being pulsed with visible magical energy—circuits of light running through its form in patterns reminiscent of Command Seals.
"That's new," Ritsuka murmured. "And concerning."
Anos's expression darkened. "They've begun assimilating elements of your world's magical system already. That construct incorporates principles of your Command Seal network."
"Thirty seconds," came Holmes' voice through the communication system.
Anos turned to Ritsuka. "Stay within Jeanne's protective field until I've assessed the new construct's capabilities. Mash, be prepared to provide secondary defense if needed."
"What about you?" Mash asked.
"I'll engage the Assimilator Prime directly," Anos replied. "Its attention must be diverted from the main strike."
"Ten seconds," Holmes counted down. "Nine... eight..."
Anos stepped to the edge of the ridge, dark energy beginning to swirl around his form.
"Three... two... one... execute!"
Across five points of the global array, enhanced Noble Phantasms activated simultaneously. Miles away, the sky lit with the golden radiance of Excalibur's strike. On another continent, the distinctive crimson flash of Gae Bolg's causality-breaking thrust illuminated the horizon. Reports flooded in of Gilgamesh's treasures tearing through dimensional barriers, of EMIYA's projected weapons striking with conceptual precision.
At their location, Anos moved with sudden blinding speed, crossing the distance to the crystal structure in seconds. His hands traced complex patterns in the air, dark energy coalescing into symbols that hung suspended before him.
"Venuzdonoa," he intoned, and a massive sword materialized in his grasp—a blade of darkness that seemed to consume the light