FATE\Deus Decipit

Chapter 99: The Lamb Who Never Strayed

...

Within the torrent of black fire, ground was reduced to dust, and dust was reduced to nothing at all. In that sun of shadow, it could not be said whether the heat was intense or totally nonexistent as heat exceeding that of our own sun was being generated and then, at the same time, absorbed into a vortex of infinite gravity; those inside being both scorched and frozen at the same time.

Yet, both men stood firm, managing to face one another even through the deafening sounds of solar wind and the shadows that consumed light itself.

Heracles spoke first, "You're still here? I'm impressed. How is it that you managed to withstand an Anti-Light Noble Phantasm?"

"Haha..." His laugh was weak and half-hearted, "'Tis simple, cos, I did not. Mine Spirit Core hast already been destroyed. Yet my son, my one true child Setanta, fought for three days after he had drawn his final breath. What sort of model would I be if I could not last for just a moment?"

"I see," He lowered his eyes into a glower, though his hatred was not pointed at Lugh, but rather behind him, "So you wanted to ask me to avenge you before you faded away? Don't bother. Archer interfered in a fair duel between men, and a damn good one at that. That's a death sentence so far as I'm concerned."

"Nay, though I appreciate the sentiment, that t'would be a quite poor way of spending mine final moments 'fore I return to the Throne."

His features softened with sentimentality, "What is it, then?"

"Though there is no reason for thee to heed the prayers of a dead man, and thine enemy what more, I would be bereft if I did not ask, on the basis of whatever good will may exist between us, whatever honor among men and heroes were communicated in our blows, that you see my Master out of this battle alive. Thou wouldst even have my blessing to make him thine own Master. I only wish for him to survive."

Lugh went to put his hand over his heart, but his hand only hovered over an empty void, his left side already reduced to ash, along with half his head.

"Sounds like I kill Archer regardless."

"Do what thou must. I have already exceeded the bounds of a fair favor, and would not ask more of thee."

"Not at all. It was... fun. Even with the way you defeated my Master, it is clear that you are a good man; a rarity in circumstances like these. If I refused to do good by you while knowing that, I'd have no right to call myself a hero."

His body rapidly dissolving, his mouth and throat turning to dust, Lugh, the Servant of Aaron Sylphus, summoned in the Rider class, managed only a bow before disappearing entirely.

"Let's meet again, Champion of Light- on fairer terms. I take no pride in this strength I ought not have, but while I have it," Blue lightning sparked from his irises, "I'll make good use of it."

...

"What the Hell did you do!?"

Chrysaor yelled with more volume and rage than Athena or any other had heard from his lips, including those who knew him in life.

-But those three, Archer, Archer's masked Master, and Caster, paid no heed whatsoever to the raging Saber. Archer and his Master were watching the black sun in a kind of trance, perhaps seeing if any would emerge from within, silently wondering whether Rider or Berserker or anything else were capable of bearing the force of nine exploding suns. Caster was hardly paying attention at all, seeming transfixed on his own hands as they danced across the arcane sigils he himself was carving into the air.

Distracted by the apathy of their traitorous allies, both Athena and Chrysaor jumped at the sound of a running chain. Lancer, adapting to the circumstances in stoic silence, shot out the head of his rake and wrapped it around the hull of Aaron's ship, drew it taught and, like a balloon on a string, brought above their own and, with a flick of his wrist, tilted the ship starboard-wise, allowing the Master's limp and unconscious body to roll off the deck into the open air, along with his munitions.