-POV: Alex [MC]
"Here we go again.." I though out loud as I sat on the my throne. It's rather comfortable at the moment, despite it's block-like appearance.
I'm inside what is called 'Throne of Heroes'.
A place outside of Space and Time, where heroes from Past, Present, Future and Alternate Timelines can be found.
From fictional characters from books, to mythical figures, historical figures and even those from outside of the universe, Aliens.
A place that needs only two simple requirements to be called into. Registered into.
Either you popular enough to be known, doesn't matter if you are Villain or Hero.
And other one is for you to be a Hero. A hero with Capital 'H', a Hero.
I 'technically' fit both criteria.
I sat on my Throne in my own small dimension and waited.
Every single Hero in the Throne have their own dimension that's couple of hundreds of meters wide and large.
That dimension essentially represents their legend when they were alive. Their proof and pride.
And of course..
Tragedy.
Waited for inevitable call.
Call for the Grail War, that is.
"So, this is how it feels like to be Heracles huh.." Deep voice escaping my lips, as I glanced towards my right arm, towards my fist and tightened it.
"It's still unbelievable.."
And red skin meet my eyes, instead of my usual white I just had moments ago.
It's a bit complicated story, but we will get there eventually, I promise you.
But first let me process my current situation.
Even the worst moments need their own process of situation.
"Just one hour at most ago, I was still enjoying my free-school life, while trying to find adequate job." I though out loud, as I leaned backwards on the cold-stone throne as I breathed. " Then, I died by some 'gas leak'. After that, I found myself in VOID. With a R.O.B or whatever was that white thing that looked like Truth from Full Metal-Alchemist, I did Gacha-Pull. Got turned into Human-Heracles called Alcides, in one of thousands of realities where Heracles was born as a Human and not Demi-God..." I trailed off.
Well, it would be more explanatory to say that 'Heracles' was born as 'Demi-God' but relinquished his Divinity and still retained his name 'Alcides' without changing it.
"But due to Universe's balance, he was still needed to accomplish all tasks that Normal Heracles did, due to History-Change otherwise Alaya might have chosen to delete that time-line." My thoughts still flew around.
A projection is a dangerous thing.
I sighed for what felt like tenth time in the last one hour.
I shook my head, as my head turned downwards and I saw the only remaining white skin on my red-skinned body.
A star-like shaped scar on my chest, color of white.
Though, that train of thoughts only lasted for so much as I shifted my head in front of myself.
As you guessed already, I'm sitting on throne of stone, in what appears to be inside of a Greek Temple at the top of a mountain to go along with it.
One glance at front revealed the usual Greek-Style Architecture of buildings, their boulders stood like giants as they held the roof over my head.
"At least I have my own dimension in the throne like every other Heroic Spirit, or those Greeks might have laughed at the difference between me and original Heracles..." I sighed as I stood up from the cold throne.
It's not even a funny joke at this moment.
~Thud. I took first step forward, my feet clad in classic greek-sandals made resounding noise. My weight is not a joke.
Yes indeed, I might be shorter than Demi-God Heracles, but Human Alcides is much more face-appealing.
"Before I was 175 cm tall and weighed only 65kg. But now.." I let the silence sink in for the moment." Now as I turned into Alcides, I'm 203cm, a two meters tall male with red skin, weighting nothing less than 141kg.." All those numbers popping up in my head were annoying.
Yea, I'm quite heavy, and even so. All that weight was pumped into my greek-like muscles!
I flexed my arm's muscles for a moment.
There is always something good in bad situations they say, and I can't agree more!
But even so, original Heracles the Demi-God himself is about 250 cm tall, two meters and half. Weighting over 300kg. He was a monster rippled with muscles all over his body from head to toe.
Compared to him, Alcides look like a stick, a stick that's way more dangerous than Berserker Heracles that is.
~Thud!
~Thud!
To get this over with, I was loner in my life. I didn't really care enough to try and form friendships, I lived for present not future back then.
And even so, I was also Orphan.
And this death...
Well, it's safe to say that no one will miss me either, nor I will miss anyone.
After several more steps, I exited from the temple.
What greeted me was quite beautiful sight, I must say so.
It's not something I ever saw in my life.
This whole temple was on top of a mountain, which one? I don't know, but the ground, the forest..Everything below this mountain looked beautiful...
A look from above.
Who knows, maybe this is Olympus?
And I turned my head to look at sky, darkened beautiful night sky, not polluted at all.
And from this height it looks even better.
And stars too..
They especially looked beautiful.
I let a small smile to form on my face, full of content at current situation I suppose.
I didn't really care about this all..
But, these powers came at price.
A decent price, I suppose?
It's better to live for limited time than at all, I suppose.
I glanced towards right, just so I could inspect the skies more clearly and I noticed it.
Though, I noticed a small puddle at right side of my vision, few steps away.
Though I already know how I'm supposed to look-like, I couldn't help but be curious with seeing with my own two days, it's a completely different matter then to begin with.
I mean, I saw only Berserker Heracles in Anime and Archer Heracles along with Alcides in Anime.
It's one thing to see it in only two colors.
But completely different matter with your own two eyes.
I took four steps, and I stood in front of the small puddle.
Moon's light shinning towards the puddle enlightened it, allowing me to see my own reflection in it rather perfectly and majestically.
Long Shoulder Length hair.
Dark Hair.
Slightly wavy hair.
Red skin once more.
Strong-jawline, hunter eyes..
Red eyes.
And the most spectacular feature of my or rather Alcides' face might be his deep yet red eyes. Not like Gilgamesh's vertical-slit like crimson eyes, but Human normal eyes just colored with deep red.
A small grin on my face as I leaned forward to catch better look at my face.
"Not gonna lie, Alcides and Heracles look handsome... Maybe if I was summoned as Third Faction in Fate/Apocrypha I would be able to take a shot at Atalanta? Hippolyta was also not bad, though it's a sad thing she was not summoned in that variation.." I voiced my own thoughts and concerns as I shook my head at such bizarre though, as I straightened my back once more.
Nah, no matter how much I like cats, Atalanta is off the limit.
[DING! Due to Host's hidden desires being activated, [The Fate System] has been properly called for!]
A sudden screen flashed with life in front of me, a transparent yet 'blue-ish' screen, like that of System from countless number of 'Manhwa's ' I had read in my life.
Huh? A quite intelligent noise i let out, if I can say so myself.
As far as I am aware, the 'R.O.B' did speak of giving me some additional 'cheat' before leaving me stranded on 'Throne of Heroes' after creating my 'Backstory of being Human-Heracles [Alcides] from Alternate Time-Line.'
I brought my hand directly to my chin as I rubbed it lightly.
Screen shifted the next instant, quickly replaced by another one.
[Congratulations, Host. Would you like to hear of my functions?]
I raised my eyebrow.
"Do I need to speak out-loud for you or will thinking do the job effectively ?" I voiced out my concerns as I crossed my arms over my chest.
Screen shifted quickly, it appears to have heard me.
[Only speaking out-loud will suffice, since my functions are quite limited to begin with.]
I see...
It's a bit dangerous that I need to talk with it out-loud, but beggars can't be choosers, right?
"Then what can you do?"
Screen shifted once again.
[I have only two Basic Functions. {World-Transfer} and {Stats-Screen}, as Host probably though already. {Stats-Screen} only functions by showing Host's Parameters. Skills and Noble Phantasms. Meanwhile, {World-Transfer} functions as 'point in time' from where Host can travel through countless alternate time-lines in the world of 'Fate'.]
A long and healthy screen explanation..
I hummed in delight, so {Stats-Screen} is pretty much useless since I have been literally fused with Alcides and due to that I already know all of his NP's at the top of my head and proper way to use them.
But on the other hand, {World-Transfer} from the description would allow me to travel from One Holy-Grail to another? I'm Heroic Spirit after all, I can't manifest out of nowhere without Grail's support.
And the worst thing? With even how much Grail was hyped up to be, not even that golden cup is capable of summing a full spirit, only 'containers' of spirits in 'classes' which limits their entire power-set.
"So, what are those 'Points-In-Time' you spoke of?" I asked the System as I crossed my arms and frowned.
I hope I'm correct.
I watched how screen shifted and got replaced by another one.
[As Host probably guessed, 'Points-In-Time' I'm referring to are 'Holy Grail Wars'. As along as there is Holy Grail, I [The Fate System] exists outside of Space and Time beyond even Alaya, I can alter the realities in such simple Margin to allow for your summoning, Host.]
Screen shifted once more.
[But there is limit, Host is given several options at first, after completing those options and winning Grail Wars, new options shall be opened.]
I smiled, this is actually fire!
"So, open the [World-Transfer], I want to see what options are you giving me right now. " I firmly ordered, my words laced with curiosity as I steeled my gaze back on the screen.
It's fantastic thing, is it not?
I couldn't help but think so, as I watched the screen shift back and forth before it settled upon one variant.
[-Choose One-]
[-Fate/Strange Fake-]
[-Fate/Zero- Corrupted Grail]
[-Fate/Zero- Working Grail]
[-Fate Apocrypha-]
Okay, Fate/Strange Fake is out, no matter how much I like Enkidu, Richard and even Jack the Ripper, that thing is out, I don't plan to step on that shit-show that has literal concepts of death summoned, Divine Spirits summoned, some other Classes that turn normal Humans Into servants...
But on other hand, I don't feel like going into Fate/Zero and replacing Gilgamesh right now at all, honestly.
Even with all things considered, it might be easiest to win though.
But on the other hand, Tokiomi would not be able to sustain me would he?
And more, he would even plan to betray me for 'Root' at the end, like how he did with Gilgamesh.
Alcides is one of the highest Mana-Upkeep servants possible, even more than Karna. By Large margin, Karna only has couple NP's, while Alcides has 14.
A mage, even if first-class like Tokiomi would not be able to endure more than several minutes of me fighting seriously.
So, for now that's out.
Then, my eyes fell on only correct and remaining option.
In Fate/Apocrypha, both Red and Black factions had enormous amount of Magical Energy at their disposal for their servants.
Yggmillennia literally had army of Homunculus Batteries to power-up their servants.
Army with top-class Magic Circuits that are several times much better than those of First-Class Mages.
Red Faction only attained Unlimited Magical Energy after Shirou connected his servants with the Grail if I'm correct.
My apologies if I'm not correct, some time has passed since I watched Fate/Apocrypha.
But there is another small issue, which faction would summon me?
And suddenly, System as if it was reading my mind, answered my un-asked question. As screen shifted.
[Upon choosing the World, Host will be allowed to choose his new contractor.]
I see.
Without further ado, I ordered System. " I chose Fate/Apocrypha."
Screen shifted.
[-Choose Faction-]
[-Black Faction-]
[-Red Faction-]
[-Third Faction- [Warning! You will be the only member!] ]
I frowned, what should I pick?
It's pretty obvious that I will be taking place of Archers in either team, I either replace Atalanta or Chiron..
But if I choose third faction, I would be just a 'Bonus Servant' a Bonus Archer with traits of Avenger let loose.
The Wheels on my head turned back and forth, even circles as I had gone through countless scenarios.
But...
The thing is, I would have picked Third Faction long ago, but... I'm a High-Upkeep Servant that would have burnt out every First-Class Mage real quick...
Ahh..
"Such pity, if I only had something like Sigurd's Dragon Kind-Modification or Dragon core, then my upkeep would have been much lower." I couldn't help but shake my head in dismay, though it didn't last long once I opened my eyes and gazed at shifted screen.
A surprise flashed through my eyes.
[Host did not yet check his -Personal Skills-, I suggest for Host to do so, as our Creator had indeed foreseen such issue and granted additional Skill for Host that usually wouldn't have been there for Alcides.]
I tilted my head lightly, my eyes widened in shock at what System just proclaimed.
"A skill.. Skill that allows for Magical Energy regeneration.." I voiced out my doubts before quickly ordering System to open up Stats.
And another screen appeared beside the previous one.
[Class: Archer [With Traits of Avenger] ]
[Name: Alex]
[True Name: Alcides]
[Type: Heroic Spirit ]
[-Parameters- ]
Strength: A
Endurance: B
Agility: A
Mana: A
Luck: B
NP: A++/EX
[-Class Skills-]
[Magic Resistance: A] [Expand]
[Independent Action: C] [Expand]
[-Personal Skills-]
[Mind Eye [True[ : B] [Expand]
[Valor: A+ ] [Expand]
[Battle Continuation: A+] [Expand]
[Hydra-Kind-Modification: EX] [Expand]
[-Noble Phantasm- ]
[Nine Lives: C-A+] [Anti-Unit] [Anti-Army] [Expand]
[King's Order: C-A++] [Anti-Unit] [Anti-Army] [Expand]
[Reincarnation Pandora: EX] [Unknown] [Expand]
//////////////////////
I frowned.
I have knowledge on how to use all these skills, what these skills do. How to use these Noble Phantasm too, how to use Archery skills properly, how to fight hand to hand with Pankration.
How to target, how to read moves, how to predict, how to shoot.
How to use Sword, Spear, Bow, Axe.
Pretty much every single weapon there is.
And I have untold number of 'Battle Simulations' engraved in my brain, it's as if I was the one who fought Hydra, Nemean Lion and oh so many battles, but In truth it was as if I was watching from first perspective.
So, while I could call it an 'Experience' it is not a true stuff, it was about worthy half of the real stuff.
Yet, in all of this, I did not gain any information regarding this 'Hydra-Kind-Modification'.
So, without further ado.
I ordered [Fate-System] to Expand.
"Expand on Hydra-Kind-Modification Personal Skill." I ordered the System, I crossed my arms over my chest and furrowed my eyebrows as I watched the screen shift.
[Hydra-Kind-Modification: EX]
[Description: A skill that acts very similar to it's Sister Skill: [Dragon Kind-Modification: EX] of Sigurd. Hydra is 'Sub-Class Of Dragon-Kind' to begin with, thus it has it's own Core called 'Hydra Core'. ]
[Upon slaying the Mighty Hydra, Alcides eat it's poisonous Heart, after that he gained 'Hydra-Core' a variant of 'Dragon Core', it's a generator that generates enormous amount of Magical Energy for him. Due to this skill, Alcides/Alex can manifest himself almost independently despite being a Servant, all he needs is someone to have contract with, and his Hydra-Core will start pumping Magical Energy for him. Though, this core will only provide for Basic Parameters and use of lower-grade Noble Phantasms. Any Higher-Grade Noble Phantasm would still require Magical Energy from Master.]
My eyes widened!
No wonder..
This is op, too op dude!
Turning High-Upkeep servant like me or Karna into practically none-upkeep is dangerous thing..
Yet...
I allowed a small smile to appear on my lips.
"It means that literally anyone can be my master, doesn't matter!" At least if I were to fight with only parameters, but no Noble Phantasms.
I ordered the System to send me to 'Third Faction'!
Word: 2,825