The White Demon of Chaldea (Error 404 in Fate/Grand Order)

Chapter 14: A Talk

404 training when? I don't know.

==Chapter Start==

Yup, this was boring for him.

Everything he was doing was playing babysitter with Jack, and nothing else since they insisted they shouldn't rely on him when he could take the Grail without any issues and avoid having to be here. He had much better things to do than to have someone like Nero try to flirt with him when she thinks he doesn't know she's flirting.

404: 'She's so obvious with it at times too... It's weird to be flirted at so relentlessly while the others are none the wiser. Though I will admit, it's a bit charming at least, so at least she has that going on.'

Altreon seemed to sense his boredom as 404's shadow soon started to change shape and took Altreon's form. Altreon seemed to look around at the forest around them, giving a low hum before looking at 404.

Altreon: "I sensed your boredom."

404: 'Just go back to my unconsciousness and don't bother speaking to me.'

Altreon: "You're frustrated."

Altreon touched some of the trees, feeling out the bark before taking one of its cells and starting to mess with it, pouring some of his own power into the cell while modifying the cell's structure.

404: 'Why, may I ask? And why a cell and not a tree?'

Altreon: "Do you know how strong a cell is? You might not see or care for it because it's so insignificantly small, especially in this reality, but you don't know the true power these small organisms hold. Every being has a will, a motivation, something that drives them. Even cells."

He expanded the cell, making it bigger as his power started to evolve the cell quickly into a sort of snake creature, though the others didn't seem to notice this.

Altreon: "If you could see everything I've seen, you'd realize just how powerful you truly can be. This world, this entire realm...it's nothing in comparison to what you can be if you simply just let me help."

404 sighed in a bit of frustration as the snake got larger, going up his leg and fitting itself comfortably around his waist. 404 caressed the snake by the head, noticing that the skin was tougher, yet it still maintained its flexibility. It was light, yet he could tell the snake's grip was deadly. Perhaps not to him, but for other animals and humans, most definitely. Perhaps even to a servant.

404: 'And do tell me, why would I ever accept something from you of all beings?'

Altreon: "Because I know you well. You always deny it, but deep down, you know that I am you. That reflection of your hate, your anger, your desires. You always desire more and just can't seem to be satisfied with what you already have."

404: 'Why would a creature as horrid as you be my reflection?'

Altreon: "Oh really, White Demon? For someone who's calling me horrid, you've sure done horrible things yourself."

404: 'Don't act as if you weren't part of the reason for why I did those.'

Altreon: "That was you. I never took over, did I? No, you simply let yourself accept me, and so easily fell to your hatred, to your truest self. A demon. A demon who's hurt countless people and ripped apart families and friends for his own selfish goals. The demon who destroyed worlds and countless universes to rebuild something they lost."

404 took a deep breath, trying to not let his anger get to him as he could feel Altreon's presence creep more, influencing him.

Altreon: "That's what we both are deep down, and you know this. I mean, just look at you. You just can't seem to accept the truth, can you? I mean look at how low you swooped down the minute Chara came back into your life. Look at how easily you left your beloved Player behind for an old spark."

404: 'I made Chara-"

Altreon: "A promise? From what, several thousands of years ago? From when you were young? You clung so desperately to that promise that you left behind your lover without hesitation the moment that Chara came back even though you weren't even sure if they were alive just minutes prior. Just how low will you keep going until you realize that you're just as evil and selfish as me? Don't lie to yourself, William."

404: 'That's completely different and you know it! Chara has been with me in my darkest times before Alphatale was destroyed! I couldn't just leave him for another after everything they've done for me!'

Altreon: "And what about Player? Player was with you when you broke down from the guilt of your sins. Player was your comfort who hugged you and kissed and reminded you that deep down you're still William. That wasn't Chara, that was Player. Player made you the better version of yourself, and yet the moment Chara came back you left them and reverted back into that same selfish, emotionally impulsive asshole you've always been since the name Error 404 came into fruition."

404 stopped. He wanted to open his mouth and yell at Altreon about how he was wrong, but deep down, he knew he told the truth, and he hated it.

Altreon: "You've done so much harm, destroyed the dreams of others, used many as pawns for your plans, all while calling yourself a god because you feel you're entitled to a happy ending even after everything you've done. You're sad, William. You're pathetic. So tell me 404, will I have to watch you reach rock bottom and break before you accept the truth? Or will I continue to watch as you kill and take for your own benefit and continue to blame me for your sins?"

Before 404 could speak, he saw the snake decompose, their skin peeling to reveal its melting blue flesh as it dropped onto the shadow that Altreon was in control of. The melted flesh started to form, showing 404's face. 404 gave a frustrated sigh and looked around. The others didn't seem to notice how frustrated he felt, and he's thankful because he'd rather not explain why he was aggravated.

Altreon: "Deny me as much as you want, but I will not let you continue to be as delusional as you are and drown your pathetic self in lies in hopes of making you seem higher than you are, 404. You can reject the truth, but the truth will eventually come. And when it does, don't come to me to help."

404's shadow turned back to normal as he clenched his hand into a fist, keeping it that way as he held back spiteful words. He took a deep breath and reached down, grabbing the melted flesh of the dead snake.

404: 'I didn't know that he could influence things outside of my mind... Reminds me of Malware in a way... But what did he mean when he said that I could reach something much greater than this realm if I went to him for help? Is he trying to do what Malware always tried to do?'

He pocketed the melted flesh, putting it to observe for another day as he sighed and decided to catch up a bit with the group.

Altreon...

Altreon really has him thinking right now.

==Chapter Start==

Altreon is based (Trust🙏)