Section 2: You as a Beast, Battleground (2/2)

(Huff... Huff... Huff...) I am...thoroughly...exhausted...

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Perhaps now...you understand...how it feels...to be the one...being hunted...

...Fortunately, it seems our hard work paid off. We have broken through the siege. They should not be catching up anytime soon.

We should take this chance to find a means of escape, or at least of ascending higher.

Nope, you ain't going nowhere. This'll be your final resting place.

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...You bastard.

Aw man, it's just a kid. That sucks.

Eh, a job's a job. Not your lucky day!

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Who asked you!? 'Sides, you look like you're about the same age as me!

No, wait... How old ARE you, anyway?

You look like you're in your teens, but somehow you seem a lot older.

Where did you come from, brat? You are clearly not like the other empty shadows in this place.

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Brat? ...Well, I guess you're not wrong. In that case, you already know the answer, right?

I'm Sétanta, a Chaldean Servant!

Didn't she tell you? I was summoned to a different Chaldeanot the one you knowand that's where I came from.

Nice to meet ya, other Master!

Well, yeah, I also go by Cú Chulainn...

...but I'm still a little too green to openly call myself the Hound of Culann or the greatest hero of Ulster.

So, I'm just Sétanta. Nice to meet ya!

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Sétanta... That was Cú Chulainn's childhood name.

I do recall there being a Servant who went by that name over there.

However, I do not understand. Your Chaldea has already overcome my efforts to erase humanity.

It should therefore have no ties to this broken Proof World. How did you come here?

Oh, that? Well...

You may be able to fool the children, but you can't put one over on Mother!

Your days are numbered now that Beast II is here, Beast VI! Now just stop struggling and settle right down!

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Fujimaru! Thank goodness you're all right. Mother is so relieved to see you.

Just wait a little longer. Mother will defeat that wicked Beast and save you, okay?

All right, Sétanta, my bouncing, beautiful boy. Come help Mother teach this monster a lesson.

There! I'm only here 'cause SHE dragged me here!

Oh my, you're so worked up, Sétanta. Mother is very proud to see you excited about battling a Beast. I knew I raised you right.

The hell are you talking about!? I'm mad at YOU, not her! Also, I don't seem to remember you raising me at all!

Ahh, so you're in your rebellious phase. Mother understands; it's a rite of passage, so I won't get upset.

Here you are, a former Beast, and still no qualms about doing whatever you wish, hm?

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Of course.

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Honestly, I got no complaints. You might be weakened, but you're still a Beast.

And a Heroic Spirit can't ask for more than a shot at a Beast. You're going down.

Here, Fujimaru. It's all right. Come to me.

Mother will take care of everything.

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...You're right. She doesn't have the Holy Grail anymore.

Defeating Beast VI now won't end this world. As long as her contracted Master is alive...

...there's a chance she could return, and your life will continue to be in jeopardy. Hmm...

But, that's okay. Mother will keep you safe.

...That's it? Okay, but...how?

Simple. Mother is strong.

Uh, I guess I feel the same. We can worry about what comes next when we get there. For now, I'll just do what I can to help you get back to Chaldea.

Which, for now, means taking care of that Beast. Can't pass up this chance to take her down.

...

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Stop right there.

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I was quite clear earlier. If I must go down, I will be taking you with me.

Get away from him!

Come on, lady. This is just pathetic.

Be still, brat. Or would you rather test whether your sword is faster than my claw? Hm?

...Just haaad to do the typical bad guy thing, huh?

With your causality-reversing demonic spear, you might have been a threat. Unfortunately for you, your childish Spirit Origin is still too immature to use it.

...Are you trying to make me mad, Beast VI? You should know it's working.

I would be more than happy to fight you, Beast II. Once I have regained my true body, that is.

...

...

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Gah! What was that!?

Y'know why I gotta become a blade of lightnin'? 'Cause I hear voices callin' me.

Frustrated voices that couldn't bear it anymore. The shouts of countless people right at the moment their world was incinerated.

Imagine all the things people wanted to do. Mothers were preparin' meals, brats were lookin' forward to playin' again the next day...

...I don't get it at all. It's crazier than ridin' my bike with a helmet!

I don't get how some people can't seem to understand just how precious those things are in people's lives!

Never mind humanity and the future, Draco! I'm gonna straighten your damn fool head out first!

For every uneventful, normal day you torched...

...and the people who just wanted to live their lives and couldn't...I'm gonna kick some Beast ass!

I'm Kintoki! Sakata Kintoki! One of Raikou's Four Heavenly Kings!

!

So the shadows have caught up... Curses! Why now!?

Let's do this, partner! We're gonna smash some devils and punch some goddamn fiends!

I'll slice through the heavens, cleave the ground, and slash through the wicked Beast along with the sky! Yes, that's the electric spark of my treasured sword!

The unparalleled Golden Spark!

Get back, Fujimaru!

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Ghh! I would compliment you...on this sparking good flavor...

...but a mere shadow's hollow imitation can never have the same substance as the original! You fool!

(Hang on. Did she just protect Master?)

Hraaaaaaah!

Stop it, Kintoki! Keep this up, and you're going to make Mother mad!

...

!

These shadows cannot be reasoned with! Your only choice is to fight alongside me!

Unless, of course, you wish Master dead!

Do you want him dead or not!? Ah, dammit, looks like we really don't got a choice!

If you children refuse to listen, then Mother will have to teach you a lesson!

Well, we won that fight, but...

...

Ulp... Now we're trapped.

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So there truly is no end to these shadows. Curses, of all the places to die...

Fujimaru! Come with Mother!

...

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What's there to think about!? Hurry!

Come on! We don't got all day!

...Fujimaru.

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...What's that?

It's shining red...

...It's a ladder, a path to the heavens.

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Yaaaaaah! Have some toadstools, you trash mobs!

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Lady Nero! Lady Nerooo! Hurry, hurry! Come inside!

Locusta!

Yes, my lady! It's me, your faithful poison maker! I've materialized as an Assassin!

Come on, now's your chance to escape to a higher floor! Yah! Yah! Yah! Mushrooms! Mushrooms! Mushrooooooms!

Hey! Watch where you're throwing those things!

Shut it! Why would I listen to an enemy!? Choke on a toadstool! Diiie!

Come, Fujimaru!

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Huh!? What are you doing, Fujimaru!?

Dammit! You're not going anywhere!

Sétanta!

Khh... Hraaaaaah!

All right! Now go!

Yes, my lady! Your attention, please! Sit back and prepare for takeoff!

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Thank goodness I made it in time. Though to be honest, I still have no idea what this thing even is.

I just found myself inside it when I was called here. Anyway, all that matters is that you're all right, Lady Nero!

The Twilight Ladder, huh...

Lady Nero?

Fujimaru, we now have a path to the heavens. Imitations of the seven Singularities now await us.

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This broken Proof World is made up of a spiral staircase with all seven imitation Singularities laid atop one another.

For me to regain my true Beast form...you and I must climb this Spiral Proof World together.