IBHJ 1289

Saber and Arthur dove behind a fallen monolith as the redirected energy screamed overhead. Two distant mountains to the east crumbled in thunderous avalanches of rock and dust as the redirected beams hit them, sending massive clouds billowing into the sky that briefly blocked out the crimson sun.

"That's Galahad's ability!" Bedivere said in disbelief. "How does your machine have it?"

"I created Galahad under the Emperor's orders," Agravain replied. "So I used parts of his design when building my machine body. And that's not all—"

The Machine God-Camelot's eyes suddenly glowed bright red. A massive halo appeared behind it, casting light across the entire fortress. Everywhere the light touched, Heroic Spirits collapsed as if their strength had been completely drained. Even Tiamat was affected.

"What's happening? I can't move my body."

"My Noble Phantasm... I can't connect to it anymore!"

"Their magical energy is just... gone?" Bedivere stared at the giant halo above the Machine God-Camelot. "Don't tell me it works like the crown of thorns. Did you transform the crown into this enormous ring?"

"Of course. A small ring would never be sufficient for potential space battles. Though I should mention the modifications aren't finished yet. According to my design, a single machine god's crown of thorns should eventually cover the entire planet."

At that moment, everyone finally understood why Agravain had been staying in position without confronting Pan-Human History. He had been busy upgrading the Machine God-Camelot all this time!

Everyone realized what this meant. Once Agravain finished modifying the Machine God-Camelot—or worse, produced multiple machine gods—it would be completely over for them all. If they hadn't attacked Badon Fortress, they would never have discovered this plan!

"Take them all prisoner!" Agravain ordered as he opened his giant mechanical hand to crush the helpless Heroic Spirits within reach.

Just then, a massive hole tore open in the air. A huge white fist shot through the opening, smashing directly into the Machine God-Camelot's midsection.

The impact sounded like thunder, and the force was enough to make the Machine God-Camelot stumble backward.

"Who dares?!" Agravain demanded.

"I won't let you hurt my friends!" A determined voice echoed from the portal as a white giant stepped through.

"It's Adam!" Astolfo cried out happily. "He came to save us!"

"So you're the giant who broke through the empire's barrier," Agravain said. "The Crown of Thorns doesn't affect you!"

"I can hear the Holy Spirit's voice, so your ring has no power over me," Adam replied. "And I will never forgive anyone who tries to harm my friends!"

Adam raised his fist, ready to fight the Machine God-Camelot.

"You think you can challenge me with mere flesh and blood? Your arrogance knows no bounds!" As Agravain spoke, the Machine God-Camelot also moved into a fighting stance.

"Watch out, Adam!" Bedivere called out. "His entire body is made of orichalcum and other super metals!"

Adam nodded in acknowledgment. With a mighty roar, he charged toward the Machine God-Camelot and landed a powerful punch to its chest. The impact made a thunderous boom that sent flocks of birds scattering from distant tree lines. The shockwave flattened the tall grass for half a mile around them and forced the mechanical giant back a step, its massive foot crushing some trees beneath it before it regained its balance.

The Machine God-Camelot then raised its enormous hand and swung it at Adam. The blow sent him stumbling back three steps, momentarily disoriented. He shook his head to clear it, let out another roar, and rushed forward again. This time, he tackled the Machine God-Camelot with his full weight, bringing the massive machine crashing to the ground. He then lifted his head and fired a brilliant beam of light from his mouth, destroying the Crown of Thorns with a tremendous explosion.

The Machine God-Camelot recovered quickly, delivering a powerful kick that sent Adam flying through the air. The two colossal beings continued their battle across the landscape, their every move making the earth shake and causing mountains to tremble in the distance!

…

"Shirou..." Scathach looked anxiously at the Tower of Light in the distance.

"Hey, pay attention! I'm your opponent!" Aife appeared in front of her, laughing wildly as she thrust her spear forward. Without even looking, Scathach pivoted on her heel and brought her own weapon around in an arc. The spears connected with a sound like thunder, sending sparks cascading over both warriors. Then Scathach twisted her wrist, changing the angle of her strike. Aife's eyes widened in shock as the spear slid past her defense and took her down with a single strike.

Blood spattered across the lichen-covered rocks as Aife collapsed, her weapon clattering against ground. Scathach's gaze had already returned to the distant tower, where flashes of combat illuminated the clouds gathering above it.

"Sorry, Aife. I don't have time to mess around right now. This is too important." Scathach put away her spear and started running toward the Tower of Light.

"Hold on! Are you running away?" Aife shouted after her.

"You should have figured out by now that you can't beat me," Scathach replied. "I thought you might have also come through that gate, but it's sad to see that all these years have only stretched out your life without getting you across. I'm not interested anymore."

Scathach turned her back and continued rushing toward the Tower of Light.

"Wait! Come back!" Aife tried to get up and follow her in anger, but couldn't stand properly. Scathach's single spear thrust had crippled her leg.

"Damn it! Scathach!" She pounded the ground in frustration, but Scathach didn't even look back.

…

"I can't believe we've ended up as enemies after all!" The witch looked at Apostle Pendragon standing just a few feet away, her face filled with frustration. She gestured toward the Tower of Light. "Your Emperor is being attacked from both sides right now. Go help her—I won't get in your way."

"That won't be necessary. All I want is to deal with you, traitor!" Apostle Pendragon replied.

"Has becoming an Apostle made you stupid, Morgan?" the witch snapped. "I'm not even holding a grudge about you breaking my eternity anymore. I don't even care that you attacked me. Why do you have to keep pushing me? Why are you forcing me to be your enemy? Don't you understand? I simply don't want to fight you!"

"If you don't want to die, draw your sword," Apostle Pendragon said coldly.

"You—!" The witch was at a loss for words, anger building inside her. "Fine. I won't draw my sword and I won't fight you. I'll just stay out of your way. If you've got the nerve, spend the rest of your life trying to hunt me down! You'll drive yourself crazy! Nyah nyah nyah!"

She turned her back, ready to run, when Apostle Pendragon asked, "Do you know what happened to your master, Nerissa?"

The witch froze in place, then slowly turned her head to stare at her. Apostle Pendragon reached into her clothing and pulled out a wing.

"That's... that's Master Nerissa's wing..." The witch's expression completely changed. "What did you do to her?"

"Avalon has disappeared..." Apostle Pendragon tore the wing in half. "What do you think?"

"No!" The witch screamed, her golden hair rising as if electrified, her eyes burning with rage. "You'll pay for this!"

She pulled a sword from her staff and swung it wildly at Apostle Pendragon!

…