Fate/Laoch Gan Finsceal

Chapter 13: Villain and Executioner

FATE/LAOCH GAN FINSCEAL

"Hero Without Legend"

Chapter 13: Villain and Executioner

Arash stood tall upon the roof of the abandoned building, facing north with a determined expression. Connla called out to him, "What are you going to do?"

He looked over with a reassuring smile. "I'm going to take down the enemy's eyes."

"But according to my intel, the satellite is still miles away! Even if you are an Archer, there's no way your shot will come even close!" Sanson told him.

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I was the one who drew the boundary for the Persians and Turans with my shot."

"No! You're not going to...!?"

"I'm sorry, but if you four want to have any chance of fighting Xerxes on equal grounds, I have to do this. As a fellow Persian, I believed in his dream of reviving our civilization, but his mind has become too twisted for me to continue following anymore. I fear that the Persia he'd have revived would be one that reflects his heart; a country of madness, insanity, and egotism. I have no choice but to trust you all to help him see the error of his ways."

Arash glanced over at Leonidas and said, "On behalf of the Persian Empire, I would like to apologize to you and your nation for Lord Xerxes encroaching upon your lands, forcing you to give up your life in defense of your home."

"There is no need for such words," the Spartan said. "You did nothing to apologize for."

"I know. I just felt like saying it before making a selfish request. If possible, I want you to put him down so his insanity does not besmirch my people's honor any longer, and that the people of this modern world can return to living their peaceful lives again."

"Worry not. I intended to bring him to justice the moment I heard he was involved in this. I will fight for your sake as well, Swift Archer."

"Thank you."

Arash turned back northward and prepared his bow. The wind picked up, as if responding to the man's conviction, and streams of fiery energy began to converge upon the tip of his arrow. As the aura grew stronger with each second, wounds exploded over his body and drenched him in blood. His stance never faltered as he called out the chant for his Noble Phantasm.

"O holy Lord. O radiant Lord who grants wisdom, majesty and strength! My heart, my thoughts, and all that I can see! Come, servants of the moon and the stars! My actions, my last moments, my sacred devotion; witness it all! With all my might, I shall release this one arrow, and let my body be crushed upon this place!"

The four heroes watched in apprehension as Arash's power reached its climax, and he shouted his final word:

"STELLA!"

He released the bowstring and let his arrow fly into the horizon. The force behind it was so incredible that the shockwave tore through the ground and carved a distinct line. Then, his body turned into a dark shadow... No, not a silhouette. It was ash. Since his soul transferred itself from his human form to his fired arrow, there was no need to keep his body around anymore. It disintegrated into a gust of cinders that scattered in the arid winds and sprinkled over the dirt. Connla was especially astonished to watch the remains scatter past her. She wasn't sure if she should have been amazed or sad at watching a man be sublimated. All she could do was stand there in silence.

****

In the main control room, Cuchulainn and Moriarty met with Xerxes and Agrippina to see what the fuss was about. They were about to ask, but when they saw Arash charging his Noble Phantasm, they realized why the female Caster sounded so flustered earlier.