Primitive Red Rose

...I never thought I would have to resort to this altar.

How unfortunate that only the trivial matters went smoothly, while my true desires remain frustratingly out of reach.

...Nn...

I...can't move... Munenori, what...is this place?

Ah, so you have awoken, my goddess.

This is the altar where the Primordial Goddess fell into a deep slumberthe holy ground of the Ancient Shrine Bel Maanna.

On this altar, your body will serve as a catalyst with which to awaken the Primordial Goddess.

That is to say...you will be sacrificed.

...I see. So instead of making me into the perfect goddess, you're going to offer me up to her...

Before I go, just let me ask you this. Why did you raise me?

You said yourself that Ishtar was a better match for the Primordial Goddess.

So if you knew that all along, why didn't you take her instead of me?

Given how matters have unfolded, yes, perhaps that would have been the more prudent course of action.

She would even have been a better evil commander than you, as you took it much more seriously than you should have.

But none of that matters now.

We discovered you in Tokiomi's house when you were still just an infant. An infant that had been sealed away to ensure you would never awaken.

There was something stern and ill-tempered about your expression that told me you had the potential to be a fine swordfighter.

I have grown sentimental in my old age, and it was that sentimentality that led to my choosing you.

Now that your skills have exceeded mine, I know that I chose right. Compared to the joy of seeing you surpass me, nothing else matters.

...I see. Thank you, Munenori.

I am the half of the goddess that humans rejected.

The half that reincarnated as a human to try to reach an understanding with them, only to be told I had no place in their world.

But you, Munenori, have served me well, so you are now free to do with me as you wish.

I... I'm just sorry that... I couldn't live up to your hopes for me.

...Now then.

It would seem the end is close at hand. Wouldn't you agree, Master-slash-catalyst?

...Now then.

It would seem the end is close at hand. Wouldn't you agree, Master-slash-catalyst?

？！

The other Ishtarin's been laid out on the altar!

Does that mean you're going to sacrifice her!? I thought that was Fujimaru's job!

It was, on Dark Maanna. But here in this ancient shrine, Lady Ashtart is a better fit.

I was hoping she could obtain the Primordial Goddess's power for herself...

But now that a Master and the goddess's good and evil halves are all gathered at this shrine, there is no stopping what comes next.

Two thousand years ago, the Primordial Goddess, Ashtart Origin, was resurrected and defeated on this very spot.

Now, she will be resurrected once again, using Lady Ashtart as her Spirit Core.

Next, Ashtart Origin will absorb Ishtar, her remaining half, and the Master will become the keystone keeping her materialized.

...Heh. I could hope for no better subordinate than a Primordial Goddess with our commander at her core.

There is no stopping her resurrection now. Your only choice is to run to the far corners of the galaxy, or

Or we kick your ass and drag Ashtart off that altar before that can happen. Right?

Very well. I was getting tired of my usual "or your blood will serve to whet my blade" spiel anyway.

Come then, have at you. I will use my Space Shinkageryu to reunite you with your father.

Bring it on, you old bastard! What a delight to see that you're an irredeemable scumbag to the end!

...So, this is where I meet my end.

However, I cannot allow the goddess's blood to slick this altar, no matter how much you may despise me.

So I will offer up my own life for my Primordial Goddess's awakening. Heh. I daresay that is quite "rocking" in its own right.

...I did it. I finally avenged Father. But...

...I don't get it. I thought I'd be thrilled about this, but I'm just sad...

Come on, Ishtarin! I know how you feel right now, but you've gotta snap out of it! Look! The altar!

!

...

？！

Ugh, dammit! I can't believe I have to save her ass now!

Fujimaru, can you go up there and pull her off the altar!?

I'd do it myself, but every bone in my body is screaming at me not to get any closer!

I can't do it either! It's like something's beaming the words "Do not interfere" right into my brain!

？！

？！

...Nn... ......Ah...

？！

You carried her here in your arms!? Oh right, you're stronger than you look, aren't you!?

All right, putting that aside: Come on, evil me, what do you think you're doing!?

Wake up already, dammit! You're not just gonna roll over and become the Primordial Goddess, are you!?

Hmm, she's not opening her eyes. Maybe we should try something a little more direct? A bomb, maybe?

That's a good idea if we're trying to finish her off, but no, not now! We'll save it for a last resort!

Right now, let's just get away from this shrine!

There's no way the Primordial Goddess can be resurrected if neither of us is here to

Don't bother. It's too late.

？！

...Let go of me. I can stand by myself.

Well good, I'm glad to see you're back to your old self! But what do you mean it's too late!?

Bel Maanna is on its way. Which means the Primordial Goddess has already been resurrected.

Bel Maanna's on its way? Now what are you talking about? Aren't we standing in Bel Maanna?

Besides, the two of us together make up the Primordial Goddess, right?

So if we both just put some distance between us and this shrine

It doesn't work that way. You and I, we are separate beings from the Primordial Goddess.

While I was sleeping on that altar, I realized the true connection between her body and soul.

The only part of the goddess that's sleeping here in the Origin Universe is her bodythe one Servants defeated long ago.

You and I are the goddess's hearther soul, essentiallythat she removed from her body before her defeat.

With her soul gone, and her Spirit Origin dispersed, it may have seemed like the Primordial Goddess had disappeared...

...but gods aren't bound by our rules.

The Primordial Goddess didn't need her heart to survive. In other words, this Origin Universe is

Whoa, look! The stars are coming together!

？！

...The two of us together make up the Primordial Goddess's Spirit Core.

And this Origin Universe...is the body that remained after she removed her own heart.

So THAT'S why she didn't disappear even though her Spirit Core was gone!

Wait, back up. Does that mean this entire galaxy is actually you, Ishtarin!?

How can there be this much left over!? If we're the heart, shouldn't we be way more important!?

No. In human terms, it is no different than the inability of individual cells to think for themselves.

A god's heart is but one part of their full self. I'm disappointed to see my incarnations managed to grow up without ever understanding that.

？！

However, the beating of that heart has awoken my body, so I will forgive your ignorance. Indeed, I have always been quite forgiving of myself.

Oh yeah, that's definitely you, Ishtarin! A much, much scarier you, but still you!

And just what is that supposed to mea There, your guard's down! Diiie!

A surprise attack, hmm. You do not understand the futility of something so very small as you attempting to harm a being of my power. Pathetic.

Then again, you are merely a version of me that was brought to life here, and so know nothing of the past.

Very well then, I will cleanse your mind of the Shining Blue Galaxy poison it has accumulated.

Just this once, I will let you gaze upon my true form, so that you may see the truth of the Primordial Goddess for yourself.

？！

Wh-what the...!? What's going on!? Why is there a giant, expanding version of me!?

She's not expanding. She IS the shrine.

This shrine in the Origin Universe IS the god's true form. It creates life, provides that life with culture, and protects the areas where life may grow.

This is the Goddess Shrine, Bel Maanna, the true mark of the Primordial Goddess.

I don't remember anything like that being here before! No fair pulling a giant robot on us out of nowhere!

It is a shrine, not a robot. So, you are that Archer.

You have done well to survive so long without losing your minds. As a reward for bringing my heart to me, I will do you the kindness of lifting your curse.

Rejoice, for your long penance is over. You are free to wither away into dust once again.

Now then... Return to me, my heart.

My body may have remained in operation far longer, but the two of you are my true self.

Now, let us come together and spread this perfect Origin Universe far and wide.

A beautiful paradise called Edin, red plains populated only by those who sing my praises.

... Are you good to go, Fujimaru?

We have to stop her here and now. We have to.

She's actually trying to destroy the entire universe, and she doesn't even feel bad about it!

She's an existential threat to all of Servantkind. I don't know how I know that, but I do.

Exactly. Nobody knows you better than you know yourseHey! This is serious!

？！

...I see. So you would side with humans.

Hell yeah I would. Do you even know why I came all this way in the first place!?

So that I can get this big pushover here back to his own universe!

The last thing we need is a fairy tale like the Primordial Goddess coming to life! You just sink right back into obscurity and leave us alone!

You...myself...would choose to forget me...?

Nobody orders me into obscurity. Not even myself.

Forgetting me is evil. Changing one's beliefs is evil. Moving to a new land is the gravest insult one can give a goddess.

Begone, new me. I can always make myself another heart later.

Begone, new, disgraceful version of me, along with the rest of your repugnant Shining Blue Galaxy.

？！

Seriously! I can't even tell if our attacks are landing or not!

They are, I promise!

Then why does it feel like I'm cutting through air!? What is going on!?

What did you expect? You're attacking the universe itself.

Huh!? What the hell does that mean!?

...I can't believe it. You didn't read ANY of the Goddess Scriptures, did you?

The Primordial Goddess isn't a goddess with enough magical energy for a galaxy; she IS a galaxyone that's taken the form of a goddess.

She may appear to be human, but that's all it is. An appearance.

Don't you remember how I told you this Origin Universe was her remains? What else could that mean but the fact that she IS the Origin Universe?

You're kidding... Then there's no way we can possibly defeat her! ...Right, Fujimaru!?

...It may look as though the nebulae have gathered together, but they haven't... Not yet, anyway.

Nope. If they'd all collected in one place, we'd already have been sucked into the enormous black hole they'd create.

What we're seeing before us now is a shadow. Her true body is far bigger than it looks, and it has a hell of a lot of empty space.

To defeat her, we would need to use projectiles large enough to actually hit her and do some damage. They'd have to be as big as a planet...or even another galaxy.

Ohh, now I gotcha! So her Spirit Origin's conceptual, like the constellations made up of stars that are thousands of light-years away!

Nope, still not getting it!

？！

But right now the upshot is she can attack us all she wants, and we can't do a damn thing to her!?

How is that even fair!? The only positive here is that she's attacking pretty recklessly, so she's not hitting us dead-on.

It's only a matter of time until that changes. Once this altar falls apart, we'll have nowhere left to run.

That Bel Maanna looming over us is the mark of the true goddess.

Weor at least, I, as an evil goddessnever had any reason to exist to begin with.

I was always fated to disappear here.

Neither ordinary people, nor even the goddess herself, ever needed me.

So...

So I'm going to hold her off. It doesn't matter if I die here, since my existence was always pointless.

Ishtar, use the time I buy you to take Master and get out of here.

We of the Servantverse brought the destruction of the Shining Blue Galaxy on ourselves. It isn't... It shouldn't be your problem, Master.

You're only here because I brought you here from your own world. There is no need for you to share our fate.

Ashtart...

？！

Now go on! Hurry! Before I change my mind!

...How irritating. Now even this other piece of me has apparently decided to side with humans.

I see no further need to hold back. I will reduce you and the ground you stand upon to your component atoms.

Releasing Spirit Origin Galaxy. Opening Bel Maanna's gates. Return every life-form in this zone to nothingness.

？！

？！

？！

The goddess's Spirit Core broke into two halves of its own accorda good half, and an evil half...

...to try to learn about humans as a human child.

She believes she can become an ordinary inhabitant of the Shining Blue Galaxy if only she were free of the side of herself that hated humans.

This is a joyous turn of events. A goddess of good would be a huge boon for all humanity.

So I will seal the evil half away in my basement, and raise the good half as my own daughter.

Growing up loved and cared for should ensure the goddess ends up caring for humanity!

The only problem is

Problem? What kind of problem could there be with that?

The only problem is, will this really be in her best interest?

People would certainly welcome a goddess of good into the world, but that won't be a true reconciliation with the goddess's whole self.

The way I see it, Edgy Fett, is that we'll only truly be able to prove that our universe is a righteous one...

...by demonstrating that anyone, even a being born of evil...

...can find peace and happiness in this world if they're raised with love and kindness.

Which is why I'm not going to raise the good half as my daughter. I'm going to raise the evil one.

My hope is that, one day, we'll both laugh at the idea that her goddess self didn't need her.

And that she'll go on to awaken her good half, Ashtart, by her own hand.

...Sheesh. When I came here to kill the goddess for good, I never thought I'd have to listen to some damn fairy tale.

I guess this means your days of being a cold-blooded mage pretending to be an archaeologist are over...

...and you can just go back to being one of the last seven Masters left in the Servantverse.

I'm...the good half? Are you sure...?

No waaay! Th-then, does that mean Ishtarin's

？！

Huh!?!?!? Are you freaking kidding me!? That's not true! That's impossible!

Although, now that I think about it...

...Father did say I was one of the two halves of the goddess, but he never said I was the good one!

So Ishtarin was the evil half all along... That explains why she flies off the handle so quickly...

Wait, hang on. If I'm the worst the goddess's pure evil side has to offer, doesn't that mean I'm actually too wholesome for this world?

...Seriously? I still can't believe how shameless my "good" self turned out to be. Though it is reassuring, having her around.

Ashtart?

It's nothing! Just forget it! Besides, right now, we have more immediate concerns...

Space Shinkageryu secret technique! Nendou Suigetsu Futatsu Dou, God Shadow Streeeam!

Whaaa...!? Did Dark Ishtarin just blow away that rain of light beams with a single swing of her sword!?

？！

Well of course. If I can use my goddess power, this should be pretty simple, really.

What was that? Are you making a dig at me

Ashtart! Your body, it's!

Don't worry about me. I essentially died the moment I fell asleep on that altar.

The only one you should be concerned about right now is her.

...

It looks like she's still got plenty of breathing room, so to speak. She'll be firing another volley at us any moment now.

Come on, Ishtar. I know you know what it is you need to do right now.

...Well, sure. I've been feeling it ever since I fought you on Dark Maanna.

But, if I do this

And if you don't, you, me, and your two friends there will all be reduced to atoms.

My Spirit Origin is on its last legs, so it's time to do this whether you're ready or not. I want you to be the base.

？！

Do I really have to spell it out? Ishtar and I are going to become a single being.

The evil half that came to know good... The good half that came to know evil... We're both the same. Of course we are. We're the same person.

I...wasn't ever really abandoned, and the half of me that was meant to be was instead cared for by humans.

Humanity has proved that, while good and evil may be at odds, it's not impossible for them to coexist.

So now...all that's left is to do what must be done. Right, Ishtar?

I... I can't even begin to imagine what your life has been like...

...growing up in the Space Shinkageryu ever since you were kidnapped ten years ago...

But if this is what you want after everything you've been through, I don't see how I can refuse. So okay, I'm game.

Besides, this ancient version of us is just pissing me off, acting like she owns the whole damn universe!

Well, what do you know. We finally agree on something.

Bel Maanna's firing another volley! I'm pretty sure the goddess is trying to blow up the whole shrine this time!

...Hey, Master of Earth?

Remember how you weren't scared of me, even when we first met?

I, um, doubt it could be...but did you know I wasn't an evil goddess right from the start...?

？！

I see. Then I guess I really did lose this one.

？！

You went back to being me? Even though you're just my heart...? And that vibrant starlight...it's

That's right. I'm a newborn galaxy. One that embraces the old ways of love and hate while accepting the new order.

I am the Primordial Goddess, Ishtar Ashtart. But my human friends call me Space Ishtar.

I'm a brand-new shining star, born five billion light-years away from your fossilized ass.

...It's not possible. It's not possible! It's not, it's not, it's not!

You've betrayed everything your Origin Universe home stood for! How dare you protect the object of my wrath!?

Curse you, Shining Blue Galaxy! Curse you, Servants who cast away their human vessels!

You aren't me. Not anymore. I'll see that your Spirit Origin Galaxy dies in a blaze of searing agony!

Jane, get your Noble Phantasm ready. We're going to need your eyes after we kick her ass.

Yooou got it! Go get her, Ishtariiin!

Master. No... Fujimaru.

I'd like you to back me up with your Command Spells. With those on my side, I know I can handle anything.

Hehe, that's the spirit. Don't worry, I've got this!

...How did you know? You miss nothing, do you?

？！

You have no right to exist. The Shining Blue Galaxy doesn't deserve protecting!

That's not your choice to make. Only the humans behind me have the right to decide that.

Now then... Let's get started, Origin. Don't worry, I'll show you all the respect you deserve.

Come on! Let's see for ourselves which of us has the wildest, most beautiful starlight!

Begone, new, disgraceful version of me, along with the rest of your repugnant Shining Blue Galaxy.

？！

Seriously! I can't even tell if our attacks are landing or not!

They are, I promise!

Then why does it feel like I'm cutting through air!? What is going on!?

What did you expect? You're attacking the universe itself.

Huh!? What the hell does that mean!?

...I can't believe it. You didn't read ANY of the Goddess Scriptures, did you?

The Primordial Goddess isn't a goddess with enough magical energy for a galaxy; she IS a galaxyone that's taken the form of a goddess.

She may appear to be human, but that's all it is. An appearance.

Don't you remember how I told you this Origin Universe was her remains? What else could that mean but the fact that she IS the Origin Universe?

You're kidding... Then there's no way we can possibly defeat her! ...Right, Fujimaru!?

...It may look as though the nebulae have gathered together, but they haven't... Not yet, anyway.

Nope. If they'd all collected in one place, we'd already have been sucked into the enormous black hole they'd create.

What we're seeing before us now is a shadow. Her true body is far bigger than it looks, and it has a hell of a lot of empty space.

To defeat her, we would need to use projectiles large enough to actually hit her and do some damage. They'd have to be as big as a planet...or even another galaxy.

Ohh, now I gotcha! So her Spirit Origin's conceptual, like the constellations made up of stars that are thousands of light-years away!

Nope, still not getting it!

？！

But right now the upshot is she can attack us all she wants, and we can't do a damn thing to her!?

How is that even fair!? The only positive here is that she's attacking pretty recklessly, so she's not hitting us dead-on.

It's only a matter of time until that changes. Once this altar falls apart, we'll have nowhere left to run.

That Bel Maanna looming over us is the mark of the true goddess.

Weor at least, I, as an evil goddessnever had any reason to exist to begin with.

I was always fated to disappear here.

Neither ordinary people, nor even the goddess herself, ever needed me.

So...

So I'm going to hold her off. It doesn't matter if I die here, since my existence was always pointless.

Ishtar, use the time I buy you to take Master and get out of here.

We of the Servantverse brought the destruction of the Shining Blue Galaxy on ourselves. It isn't... It shouldn't be your problem, Master.

You're only here because I brought you here from your own world. There is no need for you to share our fate.

Ashtart...

？！

Now go on! Hurry! Before I change my mind!

...How irritating. Now even this other piece of me has apparently decided to side with humans.

I see no further need to hold back. I will reduce you and the ground you stand upon to your component atoms.

Releasing Spirit Origin Galaxy. Opening Bel Maanna's gates. Return every life-form in this zone to nothingness.

？！

This is the place beyond the event horizon. You might call it the land of the dead.

Hello there, Master. Hm? You don't know who I am? Good, that will make this easier.

It seems you've been caught up in something quite terrible.

I've had to deal with my own share of that kind of thing, so I know how terrible it can be.

The threat of a whole universe dying out just can't compete with the thrill of a new kind of sweet being announced.

Still, if you want sweets, you need a universe, so I'm here to help you out with my mysterious powers.

I'm going to throw you back in time a little bit. Then it'll be up to you to choose a better path.

You already have everything you need to win. All that's left now is for those two to reckon with their feelings.

I know one of them is all set to throw her life away, but that's just a bit of teenage angst.

Once she learns the truth about her circumstances, I'm sure she'll be ready to step up to the challenges ahead.

All right then, I'll see you again, somewhere, someday...

...Good luck, Black Knight.

Enough. Battle's over. You lost. Now, I'm gonna shove my foot so far up that galactic-sized ass you'll only ever taste stardust and shoelaces from now on!

Ghh! This... This can't be happening...!

There shouldn't be a force in this universe capable of pulling me away from a newborn galaxy!

Hot damn! I can't believe you actually blasted her a whole parsec away!

But then, I guess I shouldn't be too shocked, seeing how you're both conceptual universes!

Anyway, time for me to do my part! Here goes!

Stellaris open! O polar star, illuminate the wall that threatens all of humanity once more!

Bingo! I don't know what it means, but I definitely saw it! Ishtarin, I've got her shadow and her real body square in my sights.

Now's your chance to take her down with the same attack! Go for it!

Perfect timing! I knew I could count on the legendary space scout!

I'm being pulled away? No... I'm starting to disappear...?

That can't be. This shouldn't even be possible!

It's one thing for you to reach the same scope and scale as me. That was bound to happen.

We're the same concept, with the same Spirit Origin, springing from the same source.

We may see things differently, but our powers should be the same. Exactly the same.

So a battle between us should onlyCAN only ever end in a draw.

Which is why I don't understand. Why am I the only one growing older and colder...?

What possible difference can there be between you and me!?

...The difference is that I'm looking ahead to the future, while you're stuck in the past.

This is it, Origin! I'm going to end this with a special bullet made just for you! This one's half the size of the universe!

Go on! Take it! Don't be shy! Just this once, it'll be my treat!

I can feel myself disappearing... Growing colder... My form...my life...returning to the universe...

Ahh... Does this mean you're all going to leave me behind again?

...No. No, I refuse to accept this. And I won't forget. Not ever!

I will not accept this fate... Not even at the end of time itself!

If both the Shining Blue Galaxy and the Origin Universe would reject me, then I'll retreat even farther into the past!

No matter how far I disperse, or how much my remains degrade...

I WILL have my revenge on you, and all of humanity!!!

AaaAaa Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!

Oh, Ishtarin! You're back to your old self! Welcome back☆

Whoa am I exhausted... At this point, even I don't have any idea what just happened...

My memories are all mixed up with Ashtart's... Just standing upright is making my lungs feel like they're on fire...

Wrapping my head around atoms is so fiendishly difficult I still can't tell if I'm really big or really small...

Nope, I'm never changing into that Spirit Origin again! Besides, this one definitely suits me best!

？！

Huh? You mean you were watching from the outer hull the whole time!? Why didn't you stay in the cockpit where it was safer!?

(And wait, why am I so shaken up about that!? Is it Ashtart? Is this her influence!?)

Aww, you two are adorable☆ But if you're going to hug it out, you should do it inside the shipWait. Whaaa...!?

Guys, look up there! Bel Maanna's falling right towards us!

Huh!? You mean Origin's shrine's still around even though she's gone now!?

Oh crap, it's gonna fall right on top of us! And it's way too late to stop it!

Eeeeeek! I don't wanna go out getting smooshed by a giant Ishtariiin!

Not to worry! Where there's trouble, there's Sabers! But step back a little bit, 'cause I can't stop this thing!

？！

All right, if this thing's not going to back off, I'll just have to smash it to pieces!

Here comes my second Noble Phantasm! My newly...like REALLY newly reborn Galactic Meteor Sword XEX!

As long as they're tangible, there's nothing and no one I can't cut!

(Cough, cough!)

You know, that building kind of reminded me of someone... Anyway, what the heck happened here!?

X!?

？！

Well of course I am. It's good to be back, Fujimaru.

I gotta say, I really thought I was dead this time, back when Dark Maanna exploded and sent me flying.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I actually did die, and my soul crossed over to the next world and everything...

...but then, I kind of get the impression someone chewed me out and sent me back the way I came.

I think they said something like, "It's snack time now, so please don't come back."

Next thing I knew, the sparrows had saved me and helped me get my strength back...

...and then, when I saw the intense ether reactions going on here, I hurried over as fast as I could.

So, uh... What happened with Space Shinkageryu then?

I was all set for a big final grand slam, but that impact just now felt more like a double to left center field...

...Heh. Hehe. Ahahahaha!

First she destroys Bel Maanna with a single strike, and now she's raring to go for more! You Servants are something else!

I guess the Servantverse never had anything to worry about from that silly old Primordial Goddess after all!

？！

Don't worry about it. If that's how Ishtarin feels, then it must be true.

The important thing is that she's still able to laugh no matter what terrible things happen, or who she might really be.

There are so many special things happening that any one of them just rolls off your back. At least, they do here in the Shining Blue Galaxy☆

？！

Oh man, all three of you are laughing and smiling at each other like you don't have a care in the world anymore.

That must mean this whole incident is over, and all that's left is the credits.

You know, that throws something that's been nagging at me into stark relief...

This story had nothing to do with Saber Wars at all! I barely even had a part this time!