Fate: Abyss of the Heart

Light Against Shadows

Artoria, fueled by desperation and a flicker of hope, felt the familiar energy coursing through her as she prepared to unleash her Noble Phantasm. The air crackled with a radiant power, and the once-muted hues of her surroundings were drowned in a brilliant light emanating from Excalibur. The blade, shimmering with an ethereal glow, seemed to resonate with her will, the embodiment of her resolve shining brighter than ever before.

"Excalibur!" she declared, her voice ringing with determination as she swung the blade downward, the light coalescing into a magnificent beam of energy that surged toward Vanitas. In that moment, she poured all her strength into the attack, believing that this would be the decisive blow. The radiant beam shot forth, cutting through the oppressive darkness that surrounded them, a dazzling spectacle that momentarily illuminated the desolate wasteland.

But Vanitas stood there, unyielding, his posture relaxed as if he were merely waiting for her attack. There was a confidence in his stillness, a chilling calmness that unnerved her. The beam of light struck him with an ear-splitting explosion, a cataclysmic burst that filled the air with blinding brilliance. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, the sheer force of the attack creating a shockwave that rattled the very ground beneath them.

As the dust and smoke settled, Artoria's heart raced, her breath caught in her throat. She peered through the haze, desperately seeking any sign of damage inflicted upon him. But as the smoke cleared, her heart sank. Vanitas emerged, seemingly untouched, his expression as emotionless as ever. The only evidence of her attack was a few smudges of dirt on his clothes, as if he had merely stepped through a cloud of dust.

Her heart plummeted as despair clawed at her insides, the reality of the situation crashing down around her like a tidal wave. All her hopes and determination felt futile in the face of his unyielding strength. The sheer power of her Noble Phantasm, a symbol of her resolve, had done nothing to him. In that moment, the weight of her despair bore down heavily, and she felt as if the very ground beneath her was crumbling away, leaving her adrift in a sea of hopelessness.

"Is this really all you have to offer, Pendragon?" Vanitas's voice sliced through the oppressive silence, cool and mocking. His words sent chills racing down her spine, igniting the embers of dread that had begun to smolder within her. "I embrace Angra Mainyu's power willingly, Pendragon. Darkness is not my shackles; it is my ally." His tone was filled with an eerie conviction, as though he were reveling in the very essence of the darkness that surrounded him.

Artoria's hands trembled around Excalibur, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of his words. Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of darkness and evil, had become a part of him. And rather than being a burden, it was a source of strength, a wellspring of power he could wield against her.

"Your attempts are futile, and soon, you will join the shadows!" he declared, his voice resonating with a sinister confidence that sent shivers coursing through her body. Each word dripped with a cruel promise, a foreboding certainty that shook her to her very core. She felt the darkness coiling around her, a malevolent presence that threatened to engulf her whole.

But even in the face of such despair, Artoria clung to the last vestiges of her will. Deep within her heart, she refused to accept defeat. The memory of those she fought for, the ideals she held dear, surged forth, battling against the encroaching shadows. She could not allow the darkness to consume her; she would not let Vanitas win.

With a deep breath, she steeled herself, resolving to push beyond her limits. Excalibur pulsed in her grip, its brilliance a beacon against the oppressive gloom. She would fight, not just for herself but for Shirou, for the bond they had shared, for the light that still flickered in the depths of darkness. Vanitas may have embraced the shadows, but she would wield the light with unyielding conviction, even if it meant facing her deepest fears.