Vishnu's Test

U-ungh...

Rama...Rama...

Uh...ungh... Who calls me?

It is I, Vishnu. Rama, awaken...

Oh, crap, Vishnu!?

"Crap"?

M-my sincerest apologies...!

Rama. How has everything been going since Fujimaru summoned you?

Is there anything you feel is missing, or do you have any immediate concerns?

No, Master is always kind to me.

Master treats me not as a king, not as his retainer, but as a friend.

I have not had any complaints since I have been summoned.

...I see. That was a quick response. How about during battle?

Hahaha. I'm all good on the fighting front! I would love to show you my power, Vishnu!

Oh, really? Is that so? That's some big talk. I never took you for the type to talk that way.

Eh? V-Vishnu...?

Rama... Oh, Rama...

Think back, Rama. Back to when you manifested as a Servant, to when you were given your Noble Phantasm...

Eh? Are you talking about another, different Noble Phantasm than my Brahmastra...?

Vishnu Baazoo, the Arm of the Great One...oh!

Rama... Oh, Rama...

You! Have! Forgotten! The Noble Phantasm! With! My! Name! You! Forgot! You can't use it!!!

Gyaaaaaahhh!!! I-I-I-I'm terribly sorry, great Vishnu!

Well, that won't do, will it? What's the deal, Rama?

Did you really not realize until I just reminded you that your Noble Phantasm was sealed!? What have you got between your ears!? Marshmallows!?

A-absolutely not! I d-didn't forget It's just... W-well, um, I've never encountered any enemies strong enough to require using your power...

Oh-ho. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, knowing your power. But then, I suppose you must not have any use for this Noble Phantasm, either.

Even without your Brahmastra, you'll be fine.

But...! P-please do not go, great Vishnu!

I...I was mistaken! Please, at least leave me my Brahmastra!

...Very well. If you're that desperate, I shall give you a chance.

However, understand that to succeed, you must repeatedly shout my favorite word.

Y-yes! Certainly and swiftly!

Very well. That is the lifestyle that you must always be mindful of. They say that swiftness and decisiveness are most important to a soldier.

Now, then. I have somewhere for you to travel with your Master. There, you will find the trial I have set for you.

Know this: should you fail in this trial...you will no longer receive my blessing.

You can count on me!

You must always mind me, and never again forget me... Use your Noble Phantasm properly (...erly...erly...)

...And that was my dream. Please, Master, you gotta help me! Mash, you too!!!

...Well, in that case...

？！

Hm. Well, actually... The being I spoke to was both the great Vishnu, and not Vishnu at the same time.

It's the Vishnu that I envision, since I've never really MET them personally!

Besides, the great Vishnu who appears in my dreams doesn't seem to have a fully formed personality and is maybe a bit wacky.

But this much I'm certain of: I receive a message from the great Vishnu whenever I lose my way or forget something.

It could be my subconscious trying to make me realize that I had unknowingly blinded myself to something...

Or perhaps the real great Vishnu is truly sending me a message... I'm honestly not sure.

So, you have no clue.

Pretty much!

Regardless, I'm sure there is some truth to the notion that something is about to happen to me!

True...there may be some truth in Rama's dream.

Doctor, what do you mean?

A few hours ago, a minute Singularity formed, and we detected it in America, on the island of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz, huh?

That's where Sita was... That place must have something to do with my dream.

With the Sixth and Seventh Singularities remaining, leaving it alone could endanger humanity.

Let's take care of it. Swiftly.

Roger that, Doctor.

Obviously, you'll take me with you, right?

？！

Ah, my friend!

Fou.

What is it, Fou? You're saying it's a friendship of self-interest?

That can't be true, Fou. Right, Master?

？！

A-anyway, let's get a move on, quickly! Our trial awaits...probably!

A trial, huh? Now that I reflect back, it seems like my life was full of them.

According to the Ramayana, Rama was first exiled from his homeland when he was a prince.

Indeed.

My stepmother Kaikeyi suspected that I would treat her unfairly if I became king.

Most conspiracies have their genesis in tiny doubts. I count myself lucky that I wasn't killed, at least.

Luckily, my younger brother Lakshmana also came with me. It felt like I was heading out on a long journey rather than getting exiled.

And above all, since I had Sita with me, my exile wasn't so bad.

And if I remember correctly, Bharata, who was supposed to be king, refused to ascend the throne, and waited for you.

Yes. I was fortunate in all respects. I must admit that the fun was confined to the beginning of my journey, though.

Everything went downhill after Sita was taken. Hey, Master...

You fight all your battles to restore humanity. I have no hesitation offering my life for that purpose.

However, had I been summoned for a proper Holy Grail War, I may have wished for the following:

To change the past. To undo the past where Sita was taken from me.

Rama...

It's true that a normal Holy Grail War might be able to grant that wish.

But it could create various distortions. For example, Sita may not have been taken, but the curse may still be there...

Or perhaps, in consequence of your group being saved, your homeland may have met a different fate.

...Distortion, huh? I suppose that's what happens when things are changed.

In any case, that's all hypothetical. Let's concentrate on the matter at hand.

We've arrived at the coast. This was where we headed to Alcatraz by boat.

It feels so long ago. I wonder if the old man we met back then is well.

I hear he is in good health. But I had him evacuate, because this place is about to become a battlefield.

!

A hero sent to test me!

Indeed.

I am King Rama of Kosala! Hero that I must overcome, please show yourself!

Understood. I did have every intention of doing so eventually...

...!

It can't be... Karna?!

I am your first trial. I shall demonstrate a piercing stare... I mean, the proper bearing of a hero.

A real hero kills with his eyes. King of Kosala, receive my Brahmastra!

Got it. If you're my first opponent, then I have no complaints!

I will push my power to its limit! Let's do this, Master!!!

...Splendid. This is the end. I have seen enough of your indestructible blade.

I wish I could emulate the valiant, and yet disarmingly honest moves that you retain as a result of being summoned as an inexperienced hero.

Move on to the second trial, but proceed with caution. It may not be as easy as this one.

Thank you, Lord Karna. It was an honor to cross blades with a famed hero like you.

Compared to the hero awaiting you at the second trial, I was but a trifling opponent. Go, board the boat.

A hero that Karna thinks makes him seem insignificant...

Do you think he's being humble? Karna is quite modest...

I hope that's all it is. These are, after all, heroes gathered specifically for this trial...

Which means the next hero is...

Master, watch out!

An arrow! So, we're looking for an Archer!

You are correct. I am the gatekeeper for this second trial...

Rest assured, I will not allow my personal feelings to interfere with this trial.

No matter what happened in the past, even if I was on your side...please do not think too much of it.

Now we're up against Arjuna...!

Now, show me this indestructible blade of yours. I will judge whether you are worthy of wielding it!

...Well, it seems you pass. Something is still missing, but that's hardly a surprise.

Of course, any Heroic Spirit would find himself lacking when standing in comparison to me.

Don't you agree?

Puzzling...which is it!? Do you believe it's true, or not?

...Really. Then shall we battle once more?

Waitwaitwait! I'll have you declare that I've overcome my trial!

？！

Ah. That may have been somewhat childish of me.

Rama. You are quite perplexing. You overcame so many trials in your lifetime.

And, in doing so, you became a full and complete hero.

Had you not been summoned as your youthful self, these trials now would be unnecessary.

You may be right.

It's possible that I could be summoned as an older king, one who would remember Sita, but had also come to terms with what happened to her.

Had that version of me been more compatible with Master, it might have been summoned...

But it appears that this form was best suited to my Master.

And knowing that makes me happy.

Hm. How heartwarming. I mean...ahem.

That is precisely why one must grow stronger. Even Servants.

That is the purpose of this trial. Grow stronger, Lord Rama.

...Okay.

I shall bid you farewell. The final hero awaits you.

...He will be your greatest challenge of all. He is not one to hold back.

A hero who doesn't hold back... I wonder who could that be?

It should be all right. Karna and Arjuna were both great and famous heroes.

And you defeated both of them, Rama. You should have more confidence as you go forward.

...Yeah, you're right. Okay, I'm ready for anyone!

No matter who the opponent, I'll squash them!

...Oh? What's this? It seems a yammering mongrel approaches.

Wha...!?

Nothing to be surprised about. You summoned me here.

I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, and I crush you underfoot.

Battle with Sabersany Sabernever fails to excite me.

Ugh...Gilgamesh!!! They always save the greatest challenge for last...

Fuhahaha! Do you think this trial is just about going up against a tough opponent!? Wrong!

The true trial isn't just a matter of defeating me. As if a mongrel like you could ever defeat the likes of me!

(Nice to see he's still completely full of himself...)

One who still needs to prove his strength through battle will be of no use in the Restoration of Humanity.

So show yourself!

Rama... Lord Rama, is that you?

...

That voice... It can't be. Sita!?

Yes, it is I.

It seems the great Vishnu arranged for me to be summoned on this land once again.

I'm so glad...!

Hahahaha. Excited, are you not, King of Kosala? Why do you think your wife is on my side?

Fool! What use would I, who is sure to be the victor here, have for a hostage!?

Exactly. Your final trial is a trial of love.

？！

Lord Rama... The great Vishnu has lifted our curse.

We can be together now...forever.

What...!?

Th-that is most generous of Vishnu... I'm grateful, sincerely...

But Sita, why are you on his side?

The great Vishnu was kind enough not only to lift our curse, but also to grant my wish...

I wished that my Lord Rama would never be hurt...would be spared these endless battles.

Please, join us, Lord Rama. Leave the Restoration of Humanity to the others.

If there are as many heroes as stars in the sky, what is one fewer? We should be able to have our peace, to have our happiness...

...

Are you saying, that I can be with you as long as I break my contract with Master?

Yes, it is I.

...

Then I know that you are a fake.

I could never deserve such a reward without overcoming my trials.

Oh?

If you're calling me a fake, then the same must be true of you...

This is not about being a Servant or Heroic Spirit.

First of all, you're not even a Servant.

...Yeah, I know... I understand, and I know this is an offer I must refuse.

But...well...you know...Master...

？！

Rejecting loved ones is so hard.

How, in my past life...even if it was to avoid unnecessary bloodshed...

How did I manage to go through with this?

...I see. So you mean to reject me.

(Even though his rank as a Heroic Spirit is far beneath mine, he does not waver in his beliefs. Impertinent mongrel.)

I can't do it, Sita. That is the one thing I cannot do.

To break my contract with Master would mean doing the same thing I did to you, Sita.

I know I'm not supposed to let go this time.

Heh. What will you do, queen? You heard what your husband said.

If he rejects my love, then the only thing left to do is to devour him...! That's my only option!

...What?

...Um, does it look like Gilgamesh is also surprised?

Fuhahahaha! Why, humanity's on the brink of collapse. This sort of strangeness is to be expected.

Now, small king of a smaller nation. It is time for you to face your final trial: this monster...and me!

Yeah, let's do this!

Brahmastra! Shine...like you did back then!

...Hmph. Battle's over.

You may be bleeding from a hundred wounds, but your trial is over.

(Pant...pant...pant...)

Rama... My dear Rama...

...Next time...we meet...I'll go...see you...I'll be sure to walk tall and proud...

...Okay...

If you tell the real Sita...she'll likely...

Sheesh. I heard somewhere that even Lancers (better known as dogs) prefer to stay out of lovers' spats.

Lancers...?

You had to be there. Anyway, this is the end of your trial.

Young king of a small nation, it's all right to agonize over this kind of thing, but not in public. Understand?

Trials...

This might have been for the best. This body and psyche of mine are both still immature.

A fake Sita agitating me so much proves that.

But hear me out, Master: I will show you my strength in overcoming adversity.

And if that helps me grow stronger to protect you and Sita...that just means I'm going in the right direction.

Now, Master, our journey to restore humanity continues.

Let's go!