Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

With the matter of Sut-Typhon largely resolved, the only people Vahn had yet to be introduced to were Lovecraft and Alice's 'twin'. When it came time for them to introduce themselves, however, the gaunt-faced man plainly stated, "I am but a man present in a century not his own. Many refer to me as Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Those who know me understand the folly of such labels..." As for Alice's twin, she just lightly muttered, "Nursery Rhyme..." without further introduction.Vahn was slightly surprised that even a Conceptual Entity had been summoned by Archimedes, but, based on Nursery Rhyme's appearance, it was more likely that Alice had called upon her. As for why 'Betty' shared the same form, albeit more 'organic', Vahn assumed that had something to with both Lovecraft and Abigail.Though others may be unaware of such things, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he had downloaded most of the recorded history of humanity into his mind. Thus, using the context clues available, it was possible to speculate that 'Betty' was meant to be Abigail's sister, another one of the victims associated with the infamous Salem Witch Trials. As for why she looked like Alice, that was something only those involved in her creation would be able to answer...With all of the introductions out of the way, Vahn was the one to open the dialogue, stating, "Now that we're all more familiar with each other, let us discuss what constitutes appropriate action and the autonomy that will be provided to your group. So long as your group adheres to the Common Law, the Empire will not directly intervene in your affairs. Even if you decide to build a country, we will recognize your sovereignty, once again, in accordance with the Common Law. You are free to make use of the land and its resources, claim territory, and even establish laws. Even then, you will be bound by the Common Law, meaning land cannot be owned, nor can resources be withheld from those who need them. If you require assistance from the Empire, obtaining supplies from the Supercolonies and distribution centers can be arranged..."As Vahn spoke, he handed out documents to aid those who were struggling to keep up with what he was saying. Ultimately, the structure they decided on would be up to them, but, in the hopes of avoiding complications, Luvia had drafted a seventy-three-page stack of documents that detailed any and all actions they were authorized to take. These were similar to the forms given to anyone with the aspirations to establish a semi-permanant community or build a country, as, ultimately, it didn't really matter to Vahn how humanity divided their living space. So long as they didn't bring harm to the planet, he wouldn't even care if a random, sapient, True Dragon claimed a mountain or two as their territory...While many were still reading the first page of the documents, Vahn continued, adding, "Though you can choose another name, your group is currently recognized as the Heroes Faction. To that end, you are expected to act in accordance with such principles. So long as it is in the aid of the people you wish to protect, there are very few actions prohibited to you. Using any underhanded means to secure a better position for yourselves, however, will not be tolerated. This means, any attempt to encroach upon Imperial Territory, or, any attempts to exploit circumstantial loopholes within the Common Law, will not be tolerated. If you turn to page forty-seven, there is an outline mentioning the acquisition of resources within previously allocated lands. War has always been a foolish and barbaric practice, so, in lieu of this fact, most conflicts will be settled via competition using designated representatives..."As they had realized the impossibility of completely ridding war from the world, Vahn and Da Vinci had come up with a system to serve as a stop-gap until a more-permanant solution was found. This included various contests, functionally similar to the Olympics, and, perhaps most importantly, virtual battles. Vahn had already developed the technology to allow students to fight freely back in the Record of Danmachi, so, with Da Vinci's help, the system had been refined to the point of allowing world-shattering battles to be waged in a completely virtual environment.Soon enough, the entire world would be connected using the Virtual World, so, in order to incite people to improve themselves, ranking tournaments and contests were necessary. This was one of the most important responsibilities of the Heroes Faction, as, once the world began to get back on track, people all over the globe would see their exploits as they fought against the champions selected by the Empire.The way Vahn was orchestrating things, the current Heroes Faction would openly stand against the Empire, specifically opposing policies he enacted. He would pretend to acquiesce to some of their demands, artificially inflating their status and authority in the minds of their supporters. Thus, when the time came where people were beginning to delve into the Virtual World, Shirou and his cohorts would be paving the way, representing the 'free people' against the Empire.In the end, Vahn knew various countries would rise up, establishing themselves and creating their own champions. Even now, places like South Korea, China, and India were beginning to reach a point of stability, establishing small communities that, very loosely, adhered to the Common Law. Though they still had a very long way to go, the existence of 'superpowers', 'magic', and a myriad of other abilities, had inspired a number of people to move towards the future, rather than cling to the past.Ultimately, while the Empire would reign as the most powerful force in the world, its true purpose was to simply regulate and guarantee the rights of all peoples, regardless of factors like race, age, and gender. Vahn didn't care about ruling over the world, but, if he found another ruler wanting, he would not hesitate to eliminate them. Eventually, only those who adapted to the Common Law would be able to reach a position of authority as any egregious violations would invariably result in death...After reading through much of the document, the benefit of super-human perception, Shirou had a complicated look on his face as he stated, "This document only lists appropriate actions that can be taken against the Empire. What about the rules of engagement regarding our attempts against your life...?"Though Vahn had essentially designated Shirou as the de facto leader of the Heroes Faction, he couldn't help but feel exasperated about how 'direct' the man's question had been. He couldn't shake the feeling the man didn't take him seriously, and, while Vahn didn't generally care about formalities, hearing Shirou speak so casually about such a serious topic stirred his ire.Despite his personal feelings on the matter, Vahn maintained a solemn and serious expression on his face as he answered, "There are no rules of engagement. You need only to inform me of the time and place. You can even set the terms yourself, so long as they are not skewed in such a way that prevents me from taking action. I'm not going to just sit in a spot you designate and let you try to seal me for hours on end, obviously...As for things like assassination, you are free to try and kill me at your leisure. If it affects the daily lives of my family and other innocents, however, know that you invite a fate worse than death upon yourself."Understanding he had managed to annoy Vahn, Shirou's smile became wry as he answered in an awkward tone, "I'll keep that in mind...thanks..."Hearing Shirou's response, Vahn squinted his eyes slightly, adding, "Also, while my reputation is already in an irrecoverable state, you would do well to keep in mind things like respect and basic propriety. If you appear in public, attempting to smear or disrespect me, do not expect me to idly tolerate your foolishness. Unless you are stating objective facts, attempting to manipulate people by misconstruing information will be considered a violation of the Common Law."Vahn knew better than most how information could be manipulated to take advantage of even large populations. People could be exceptionally intelligent, but, when you gathered them into large crowds and allowed 'information' to spread freely, it was invariably misconstrued, twisted beyond recognition. This was often exploited by those in power to elevate their status and harm their opponents, twisting public opinion to serve selfish ends. He preferred transparency, so, the moment anyone tried pulling such a feat, Vahn would expose them completely, laying everything about the other party bare before ultimately deciding their fate...Being glared at by Vahn was never pleasant, especially when he was releasing his aura. Shirou felt like he would eventually get used to the pressure, but, every time this thought crossed his mind, it actually seemed to increase. Thus, with the best smile he could manage under the circumstances, he said, "None of us here would ever resort to such underhanded means...we'll keep your words in mind so that others don't try..."Though not completely satisfied by Shirou's response, Vahn gave a curt nod before saying, "If there are no other questions, we'll discuss the acquisition of new forces. Sakata Kintoki and Hou Yi have already been summoned as supplemental forces. They are both exceptionally powerful, but I can still summon four more Heroic Spirits. If you haven't come up with your own list, I have come up with a few suggestions of my own."As they hadn't actually discussed the matter of their reinforcements yet, Shirou gave a small nod in response to Vahn's statement, asking, "Who did you come up with? I am slightly curious."Once again resisting the urge to retort Shirou's casual remarks, Vahn lightly squinted his eyes before looking toward Brynhildr, startling her quite a bit. Though it was impossible to achieve, she seemed to be attempting to hide behind her spear, her amethyst eyes averted as tears began to build along their edges.Due to his interest in Norse Mythology, Vahn had researched it quite a bit, both in the Record of Danmachi and within the Nasuverse. Thus, he was familiar with the demure Valkyrie's rather tragic legend, primarily as a result of its parallels with Siegfried's. As a result, Vahn couldn't help feeling sorry for her, leading him to say, "I will summon Sigurd, the King of Warriors."The moment Vahn's words fell, Brynhildr practically leaped to her feet, tears streaming from her eyes as she exclaimed, "Can you really do such a thing!? Please, tell me it is so...!"Despite the fact there was a large table separating them, Brynhildr managed to 'fly' over it in an instant, grabbing Vahn's hand with both of her own as she floated just a few centimeters away from his face. This was a rather awkward position to be in, but, as he had already seen it coming, he maintained a calm smile, answering, "I do not make a habit of lying. Regardless of who else is chosen, I intend to summon Sigurd to aid your cause."Brynhildr felt like her heart was going to explode at the thought of being reunited with her lost love. Though she knew it would be impossible to resist the urge to try and kill him, she still loved him very deeply. Even if they were only together for a brief moment, she would be able to live in this world without regrets...Vahn didn't know what Brynhildr was thinking, but, as it was a little awkward to have her flittering about while hugging his hand into her rather voluminous chest, he politely stated, "Please, take a seat. We have three other candidates to discuss. If you want to reunite with your husband sooner, remain calm and be patient..."Realizing she had been invading Vahn's personal space, Brynhildr's expression turned crimson as she embarrassedly retreated to her chair. This allowed Vahn to breathe a sigh of relief, ignoring the looks from the other Heroes as he looked toward Tomoe, earning her attention as he stated, "I cannot do so at this time, but I am also able to summon your-"Before Vahn could finish, Tomoe shook her head, saying, "I am humbled by your consideration, Ten'nō-sama. However, I have already made peace with my loss. Though one of my life's greatest regrets was not being at my husband's side during his death, I lived for nearly sixty years after his passing. During that time, I even watched my own child grow old, start a family, and raise children of his own. I am content with the life I have lived. I will not besmirch their memory by forcing them to live a life I have decided upon."Following her words, Tomoe bowed to the point her forehead was nearly touching the table. As for Vahn, he felt slightly awed by the respectable warrior. He was a little ashamed that he didn't possess a similar level of maturity, elevating her to the status of a lesser-idol within his heart. It was a shame they would have to meet on the battlefield, but, when it came down to it, fighting against honorable and valiant opponents was one of life's greatest pleasures...---Due to Tomoe's words, most of the other Heroic Spirits seemed to lose interest in suggesting someone. This allowed Musashi to step in, nominating legendary figures such as Yagyū Munenori, Sasaki Kojirou, and Suzuka Gozen. Ironically, these were three of the candidates for her original identity, something Vahn found rather amusing. Despite this, he didn't think it would be wise to summon someone as principled as Munenori, a man reputed to be rather judgmental, especially against 'westerners'.After mentioning this, Musashi also agreed with him, commenting that Munenori was a bit of a 'hard ass'. As for Kojirou and Gozen, the former had actually appeared during a previous Holy Grail War, albeit as an Assassin. This was a chance for him to 'redeem' his honor, this time being summoned as a Saber Class Servant instead of the rather ignoble Assassin Class. As for Gozen, Vahn mentioned the fact that she was an Yokai, but, seemingly unconcerned by this, Musashi just responded by saying, "Honestly, I just want to fight her. You don't have to summon her if you are that worried."Upon hearing Musashi's rather careless remark, Vahn had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn't deny that he was also somewhat interested in the outcome of the duel, forcibly stopping himself from perusing the Flow of Fate to find out how it ends. After all, Gozen was considered by Merlin and Scáthach to be one of the greatest swordswomen to have ever lived, something Vahn couldn't help but be interested in experiencing for himself...With no other names put forth, Vahn was preparing to wrap things up when Altria, who had been ceaselessly devouring apples during the entire discussion, suddenly stated between bites, "You should summon...my other half...I want to beat her..."Not expecting Altria to speak up, Vahn tilted his head slightly, asking, "Your other half? You mean, someone that shares your appearance...?"Nodding her head, Altria explained, "I have an Altereactor Core. She has a Cosmo Reactor. Our signatures allow us to track each other through dimensions. She will eventually come looking for me. It will be funny to see her forced to fight on the same side...kukuku..."As he couldn't help but feel a little curious, Vahn peered into the current that had formed in the wake of Altria's proposal. There, he saw a slightly older-looking version of Artoria looking more than a little frustrated as Altria snickered in the background. It was slightly amusing, but, knowing Artoria would probably be a little upset if he proactively summoned another version of herself...The moment this thought crossed his mind, Vahn couldn't help but smile as, earlier that same day, he had promised to give Artoria her gift. Once she obtained that, she wouldn't be nearly as upset by the existence of similar people. Thus, rather than deny Altria her mischief, Vahn gave a slight nod, eliciting the second genuine smile he had seen on her otherwise emotionless face...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Shirou is digging himself a hole xD...','Tomoe is very respectable','Altria is surprisingly mischievous...?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Around the same time that he was discussing the summoning of Heroes, Vahn had freed up a bit of time, seeking out Artoria. He didn't want to surprise her by summoning a 'doppelganger' of herself without any forewarning, but, more importantly, he wanted to resolve the matter of her 'surprise'. It wasn't something that needed to be taken care of immediately, but, once she learned the specifics, there was a fair chance she might blame him for not bringing it up sooner.Though Vahn could take a sneak peek into what the future held, doing so would spoil the surprise for both of them. He was very curious about the result, but, in order to share the moment with his beloved Empress, he diligently went in blind. After all, regardless of how things ended up, Vahn was certain Artoria would appreciate it quite a bit.Carrying this conviction with him, Vahn sought out Artoria, finding her lounging in their room. This wasn't all that surprising, but, perhaps as a result of the stress she had accumulated throughout the day, Vahn was amused to find her wearing nothing but a blouse and panties as Gray straddled her back, massaging Artoria's shoulders. It was a rather 'intimate' scene, quickly turning comical when he startled them both by suddenly opening the door.While Gray showed an expression of mild shock, Artoria nearly knocked her out of the bed when she suddenly flipped over and tried to cover herself. She looked like she had just had a heart attack, her face paling as a cold sweat quickly developed across her body. When she saw who had entered the room, however, her face became beet red as she exclaimed, "You...can't you knock or something!?"Electing not to tease her too much, Vahn simply smiled, muttering, "Sorry, I'll keep that in mind..." as he walked over to the bed. He knew she would quickly realize how foolish it would be to require him to knock on his own bedroom. She was simply surprised, as, whenever he made time for his children, Vahn would stay with them for upwards of a day, on the low end...While Artoria was recovering, Gray managed a slight smile, bowing as she politely stated, "Good evening, Master." The fact she was in her lingerie made this quite the appealing sight, earning an appreciative nod from Vahn as he answered, "Sorry to interrupt." in an amused tone.Hearing her Master's words, Gray's smile only widened as she resisted the temptation to laugh, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she stated, "We were just getting to the good part too..."The moment Gray finished her words, a white blur slammed into her head, knocking her off balance as Artoria, with a crimson complexion, readied another pillow and exclaimed, "Traitor...!"---After waiting for both Artoria and Gray to change into more suitable attire, Vahn preempted their questions, explaining, "I wanted to give you an update on the events taking place in the Moon Cell. Before I end up summoning anyone else, I also wanted to give you the surprise I promised. Though it could wait until later...well, let's just say this will make things slightly easier for me? Hahahaha~."Now that she was fully clothed, Artoria had regained her calm demeanor, her expression forming a slight deadpan as she plainly stated, "You intend to summon another person that looks like us, don't you?"Hearing Artoria's words, Vahn turned statuesque, earning a pointed look from his beloved Empress, who, with her arms crossed, added, "Your surprise better be good. I'm already expecting that glutton and battle junky to begin clinging to you in the future. You summoning more doesn't even come as a surprise at this point..."Contrary to how she behaved when others were present, Artoria could be exceptionally shrewd when they were 'alone'. Though she was also prone to bouts of embarrassment, she became a force to be reckoned with whenever she regained her momentum.Despite the slight pressure he experienced under Artoria's silvery gaze, Vahn felt as though he had an absolute advantage this time around. She seemed to notice this as well, her 'anger' beginning to subside even before he answered.So as not to lose the momentum, Vahn took a deep breath, adopting a serious expression as he said, "After what happened with Scáthach...I invested a lot of time trying to comprehend everything that had happened. I've also been speaking with both Alaya and Merlin about concerns I have had for a long time, trying to grasp concepts regarding Space and Time. I'm so close to obtaining a Divinity in both, so a lot of my self-study relates to both subjects..."Artoria didn't know what Vahn was getting at, but she began to feel more than a little nervous. Even Gray was showing an exceptionally serious expression, feeling as though she was bearing witness to an important, historic, moment.With the attention of both women fixated on him, Vahn allowed himself to smile slightly, adding, "I promised to continue looking for ways to treat your current condition. I had discovered the solution some time ago, but, as I had many concerns, I never mentioned it. These last few days have changed my perspective a considerable amount, so, now that I have had time to consider it properly, I think it is time to come forward with my findings..."Even without asking, Artoria knew what Vahn meant when he was referring to her 'condition'. She could feel her jaw begin to tremble slightly as she balled her hands into fists, doing her best to try and stay calm as he explained, "Your Chrono Displasia, it is not the result of you freeing Caliburn from the stone. Rather, from that moment in time, it was your inability to move forward that caused your body to cease developing. You were too focused on being the King others had always expected you to become, following the path they had set without deviating. By the time you pulled the sword from the stone, you had become that King, never changing from that moment onwards..."Hearing Vahn's words, Artoria lowered her eyes slightly, memories of her past welling up, including many things she had come to regret. Though she had started letting these things go, there were still a few things that haunted her, even to this day.Before Artoria could begin wallowing in the memories of her past, Vahn extended his hand, gently lifting her chin so that they were staring directly at each other. Then, before continuing where he left off, he softly stated, "You have come a long way, Artoria...you are no longer that young woman who was forced to bear a burden others thrust upon you. Raise your head, smile, and feel prideful of the progress you have made...the people you have touched..."Placing her hand overtop Vahn's, Artoria was able to calm down considerably, a smile replacing the conflicted expression on her face as she answered, "You're right...the person I have become can't be compared to my past self. Sometimes, I forget...thanks for reminding me...Vahn..."As it was virtually impossible to resist, Vahn reduced the already shrinking distance between them, kissing Artoria's lips in a delicate manner. He was tempted to go further, but, as he was starting to get a little excited for what was to come, he tempered his resolve, pulling away after a few seconds had passed.Now looking like a demure maiden, Artoria had a slight flush on her face as she awkwardly combed her fingers through her hair. In truth, she was also tempted to continue, but, far more than Vahn, she was eager to experience what his words seemed to promise.Contrary to her expectations, albeit only slightly, Vahn went on to explain, "That is the primary cause behind your body's physical development. The real problem, however, is the contract you attempted to establish with Alaya. Even though we have largely treated your trauma, your Soul is still linked to your original body. Time is an illusory concept, having no bearing on the Soul itself. Thus, while your original body remains removed from the Time Axis, your current vessel will default back to that state, even if someone like Aoko were to accelerate you time by millions of years..."As Artoria had started to deflate slightly, Vahn began to lightly caress her cheek, a smile on his face as he asked, "Do you think I would tell you these things arbitrarily? Calm yourself. Take deep breaths and relax..."Following Vahn's guiding words, Artoria took several deep breaths, leaning into his palm slightly with her cheek. Once she had calmed down an adequate amount, he went on to explain, "I spent a lot of time looking into the methods employed by Scáthach to link the Land of Shadows with the current Time Axis. I also discussed your original fate with Merlin, learning the conditions required for your return as the King of Utopian Avalon..."Once he reached the part concerning Artoria's fate, Vahn felt a little awkward, but, knowing she would want to know the full details, he continued, adding, "One of the requirements was for your contract with Alaya to be annulled. This would have resulted in the death of your original body, but, due to the nature of your existence of the 'pillar' of the world, your physical body is simply a vessel. Your Soul, in the form of a Greater Divine Spirit, would have been transferred to Avalon, awaiting the world's destruction before allowing you to return, this time in your 'true' form..."Though she knew Vahn would go on to explain, Artoria couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly, asking, "So, I have to die...no, you have to destroy my original body...?"As she had hit the nail on the head, Vahn felt even more awkward, his smile turning wry as he said, "I can retrieve your original body from the severed Time Axis using the Throne of Heroes. Since you are currently inhabiting this vessel, this would cause your original body to break down into dust, ceasing to exist. The death of your physical body serves the purpose of creating a permanent gateway with True Avalon, one only you can open. From that moment onward, you would be able to summon True Avalon at will, but, most importantly, it will remove your Chrono Displasia entirely. Your true nature is that of a Greater Divine Spirit, one with Draconic heritage...once you are willing to accept that, there will be no limits to your future..."Even before he had finished his explanation, Vahn could see hesitation budding within Artoria's silver eyes. Her aura had also become slightly chaotic, so, while it was somewhat unfair to her, he leaned in close, bringing his mouth near her ear as he whispered, "You will also be able to bear children..."The moment her brain processed what Vahn had just said, which took a surprisingly long period of time, Artoria felt a resolution bubble up inside of her as she firmly stated, "I'm ready. I hadn't even thought about my original body in the last few years, so there is no sense in fretting over it at this point. Let us be done with this. Do it. Quickly."Vahn wasn't too surprised by Artoria's fervor, as he knew she had been thinking about having an actual child even before the recent matter with Mordred. Becoming the latter's mother had been one of the most pivotal moments in her entire life, but, while she cared about Mordred deeply, it was impossible for her to quell the desire to bear one of her own. She had envied the fact that others were able to get pregnant, seeding thoughts of inferiority and causing her to, at times, question her value as a woman...---With Artoria having made up her mind, another version of Vahn, who had been waiting patiently in the Welsh Dragon's Chamber, opened his eyes. In the next moment, he found himself in the familiar black space, standing a few meters short of the Throne's terminal.Though Artoria's name was actually greyed out, as she was already 'summoned', Vahn had already performed an experiment to ascertain whether or not his method world work. In the end, all he had to do was select the [Transmigration] option, and, though there was a fair chance her Ego would be transplanted into the new body, the end result would be the same. All that really mattered was that her physical vessel was destroyed, allowing the gateway to True Avalon to be established. If he had to transfer her soul into another vessel for a few minutes, it wouldn't make much of a difference...Fortunately, Vahn was spared the additional effort as, after confirming his selection, he watched as the familiar bluish-white particles came together before ultimately dispersing. Her body didn't even manifest completely, but, within the Unit Management list, Vahn was able to confirm that her Chrono Displasia had disappeared. The only step remaining was for her to activate [Avalon], then, alongside Artoria herself, he would learn exactly why Merlin kept telling him he was in for a pleasant surprise...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Mmm, Artoria showing why she is the top waifu in the Nasuverse...','It's easy, really, we just have to kill you~!','I'm getting vertigo up here...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After a quick round of introductions, Vahn finally learned the identities of each member of Heroic Spirit making up the Heroes Faction. This included a silver-haired beauty with a unique hairstyle that gave her silvery locks the appearance of wings. She was attired in a sleeveless black battledress that was sparsely covered by an ornate purple armor. The length of her skirt allowed a large portion of her milky-white thighs to be seen, but, while she was certainly a sight to behold, the ornate armor covering much of her arms and legs made it clear she wasn't to be trifled with.What stood out the most, other than the mystical amethyst-colored spear she hugged like she was afraid to lose it, was the woman's demure countenance. She radiated a rather terrifying aura of the Divine, but, in contrast to this, she had a troubled expression on her flawless face, her purple eyes glimmering on the verge of tears. She also kept looking between him and Shirou, averting her eyes whenever anyone looked back at her...When Vahn learned the woman was named Brynhildr, one of Odin's Valkyrian daughters, he couldn't help feeling surprised. She was so different from the Brynhildr he knew that comparing anything but their beauty would be impossible. 'His' Brynhildr was a proud and dutiful woman, her bearing perfect except for the moments when he would tease her. As for this Brynhildr, Vahn had the impression she would break into tears the moment anyone said a single mean thing to her...Though the introduction of Brynhildr had come as quite a shock, Vahn's expression didn't reveal his true thoughts, allowing the next Heroic Spirit, a white-haired beauty with ruby-red eyes, to introduce herself as Tomoe Gozen. She wore a short-skirted white kimono with red accents, bound together by an obi with a hexagonal pattern embroidered into the surface. To conceal her lower half, she wore a pair of hakama-like trousers, colored with a matte purple that was trimmed with white. This was the reverse of the pattern of her sleeves, colored white with a similar matte purple pattern towards her red-gloved hands.To complete her outfit, Tomoe wore pure white tabi, bound by red-banded clogs that had a slight heel to them. As her only piece of armor, she wore a segmented pauldron on her right shoulder, formed from four pieces of red plating, accented with gold. This gave off the impression she was either a specialized swordswoman or an archer, especially with how she tied her silky white hair up into a high ponytail, tied in place by a red looped ribbon.Overall, Vahn found Tomoe to be one of the most stylish Japanese women warriors he had ever seen, but, more important than that, he was compelled to ask, "Are you not an Oni?" in a curious tone.Though Tomoe looked like a top-class Japanese beauty, albeit with white hair and red eyes, the fact she had slit-like pupils and a slightly demonic aura gave away her true nature. Despite this, her aura fluctuated slightly, revealing surprise her expression didn't show as she replied, "I cannot answer that question." in a soft, relaxed, tone.Despite Tomoe's response, Vahn wasn't deterred, explaining, "I intend to support the establishment of a Yokai District within Avalon. As an Oni, you are welcome to join them. I will not forbid you from fighting alongside the Heroes, but, many humans won't be able to accept you once they learn what you are. You may be able to conceal it now, but will you be able to do so once you begin battling...?"Hearing Vahn's words, Tomoe's expression showed a small amount of conflict, a thoughtful glimmer passing across her ruby-like eyes. As Vahn mentioned, she was born as a Half-Oni, the byproduct of a man-eating demon and an unfortunate human mother. Though she had lived much of her life as a human, doing her best to conceal her true nature, she was ultimately forced to hide away, becoming a Buddhist nun, fearing the persecution of her children. Humans had been an intolerant species since time immemorial, so, if they learned her true identity, there was bound to be tension and conflict...After several long seconds of silence, Tomoe ultimately reestablished eye contact with Vahn, calmly stating, "I dislike conflict. I prefer to live amongst nature, far from the struggles of men. However, my pride as a warrior does not allow me to abandon a fight. So long as my companions possess the will to oppose the Empire, I will stand with them. Should a day come when peace returns to this world, I will consider your offer..."Following her statement, Tomoe gave a polite bow, lowering her head respectfully before returning to a neutral position and falling silent. This earned her an appreciative nod from Vahn, who, finding her character to be respectable, looked toward Shirou, stating, "I'll leave it to you. If I find out Tomoe is being mistreated by the people she is trying to help, don't blame me for a lack of kindness..."Having Vahn 'glare' at him, Shirou felt a strong urge to smile wryly, but, knowing the former seemed to have some enmity with him, he maintained a serious expression as he said, "Don't worry. Even if we build our own society, we will ensure they follow Common Law. I won't accept things like racism and intolerance when we're supposed to be unified against a common enemy..."Despite being the common enemy Shirou was referencing, Vahn nodded his head in approval before turning his attention to the child-like entity seated next to the gaunt-faced H. P. Lovecraft. She had delicate features, including fair white skin, creamy beige hair, and soft blue eyes, but, in spite of her apparent innocence, she radiated the most terrifying aura within the group. As for her attire, she was wearing a long-sleeved, pleated, one-piece dress. It had an inky purple color and was trimmed by a pattern of butterflies along the hem. Several dozen tiny bows adorned her neck and hair, many with the same inky-purple color as her dress, but, to create a slight contrast, she also had a few orange ones mixed in. To complete her outfit, she had on a type of undergarment that was popular in the colonial and victorian era, known as pantaloons, or, in some circles, 'pumpkin pants'.Seeing Vahn look toward her, the frail young girl immediately returned a smile, displaying two rows of angular teeth that distorted her otherwise innocent expression. Then, holding up a patchwork bear that had an inordinate amount of arms and legs, she happily explained, "Hello! I'm Abigail, Abigail Williams." while using her concealed hands, hidden within the sleeves of her dress, to force the bear to wave.Since he had always had a soft spot for children, Vahn wasn't perturbed by Abigail's sharp teeth and borderline nightmarish aura. He returned a kind smile in response to her greeting, saying, "You are a very polite young lady, Abigail. My name is Vahn, Vahn Aldrnari Mason. It is a pleasure to meet you."As most people weren't very nice to her, Abigail was pleasantly surprised by Vahn's kind words, her expression beaming as she exclaimed, "It is nice to meet you, Vahn~!" in a happy tone.Despite Abigail's relatively innocent appearance, everyone except H. P. Lovecraft and the doll-like Heroic Spirit sitting next to her seemed unnerved by the exuberance she displayed. Though some were less affected, such as Shirou and Musashi, everyone else became tenser the more excited the young Abigail seemed to become. This was due to the fact that, as Abigail's excitement increased, so too did the invisible aura of dread surrounding her body...Though Vahn had considered removing Abigail and Alice from the Heroes Faction, he knew it would devastate the two seemingly-young girls. This would only exacerbate matters, so, rather than try and force her, Vahn maintained a gentle smile as he asked, "If it isn't too much trouble, can you introduce me to your friend?"Excited by Vahn's words, Abigail held up her 'bear', but, before she could say anything, the former lightly shook his head, clarifying, "Your 'other' friend..."In an instant, most of Abigail's excitement seemed to fade away, her expression becoming a perfect mask of neutrality as she answered in a dull tone, "Are you certain...?"Before Vahn could nod his head, Shirou was the one to say, "Your Majesty...I don't think it's a good idea to bring out Abigail's 'friend' with so many people around..."Though he understood Shirou's concerns, Vahn plainly stated, "Abigail is one of your comrades. The more you fear her, the more influence the entity within has over your mind. Don't get wrapped up in thoughts of negativity. So long as you treat her like an actual companion, rather than ostracizing her, she poses no threat. See how easily Lovecraft and Alice's sister are able to tolerate her presence? All of you should just treat her as the innocent child she is, rather than blaming her for the thing that is inside her."Without waiting for anyone to respond to his rebuke, Vahn smiled toward the expressionless Abigail, stating, "Please, I'd like to meet your friend."Hearing Vahn's words, Abigail's previously blue eyes transitioned into a pale-red that was timed with a hue of purple. Then, reaching between her neatly parted bangs, she removed the two bandages forming an x-shape on her forehead...As if some mighty seal had been broken, a phenomenal aura radiated outward, originating from a keyhole-shaped 'void' located at the center of Abigail's forehead. Looking into this void would be enough to cause those with weak wills to lose their minds, but, having dealt with Azathoth for a long period of time, Vahn was entirely unaffected as he established eye-contact with the eldritch entity housed within the young girl's body...Before things could get out of hand, Vahn released calming energy through his domain, mitigating the effects of the entity's influence as he mused, "So, you must be Sut-Typhon, the Outer God known as the 'All-in-One, One-in-All'..."In response to Vahn's words, the glowing purple eye concealed within the keyhole on Abigail's head began to release a ghostly purple flame, its aura increasing exponentially, seemingly with the intent to overpower the calming energy released by the former. This caused Vahn to deadpan as he stated in a pointed tone, "Azathoth will not be pleased with your behavior..."Though its aura didn't immediately disappear, Sut-Typhon began to gradually retract its horrifying energy as a deep, resonating, voice echoed, "We do not fear Azathoth...he is powerless, so long as he continues to sleep..."Despite its words, Sut-Typhon continued to retract its aura, the ghostly flame within the key turning mellow as it added, "You are an anomalous existence that is immune to our influence...tell us, what is your intention, forcing our host to reveal our existence...?"Smiling in response to Sut-Typhon's question, Vahn plainly stated, "Transparency. You are not one of the Heroic Spirits summoned by Archimedes. You accompanied him from the future, not to protect the world, but to destroy it...isn't that right?"Hearing Vahn's words, nearly everyone at the circular table became tense, while, inside of the small keyhole, the purple eye squinted slightly as it answered, "We do not care for such things. All things will ultimately fall prey to the perpetual flow of time. Our existence merely serves as the key, opening the gates to other worlds. We did make a contract with the man known as Archimedes, but, now that he is dead, we have no obligation to carry out our end of the bargain. For now, we will observe this world and protect our host from harm..."Vahn knew that, to an Outer God, lying was completely meaningless, as, even if they don't possess a physical manifestation, they were boundless entities unaffected by the flow of time. Though they had an alarming influence on the world around them, causing people to go mad simply by existing, they never took proactive action unless it was to fulfill a contract.In order to prevent a future catastrophe, Vahn nodded in understanding to the eldrich entities words before saying, "You know the influence your existence has on the world around your host. To prevent any future complications, you will need to form a contract. If you are unwilling, I will severe you from your host, sealing you away in Azathoth's dimension..."Hearing Vahn's words, the eye within the keyhole began to burn brightly, but, as Sut-Typhon could also sense the truth contained within the former's statement, it didn't actually try to attack. Though they were all timeless beings, every Outer God had an instinctual fear of Azathoth, as, in contrast to the concept of eternity they represented, the latter could bring a finite end to everything. Azathoth was the one contradiction to their existence, representing a singular absolute that compelled other Outer Gods to never oppose it.After several tense moments, Sut-Typhon eventually asked, "What are the terms of your contract? So long as the compensation is adequate, we will abide by your terms..."Shaking his head, Vahn explained, "Though I will list out the terms and conditions, your contract will be bound to Abigail herself. In exchange for sealing your power completely, allowing her to decide when and how it is used, you will be given an annual supply of this..."While speaking, Vahn pulled out a tiny, rainbow-hued gemstone. It's beauty, however, wasn't what stood out the most, rather, it was the phenomenal amount of pure vital energy radiating from within. This was a delicacy Outer Gods were especially fond of, compelling them to form binding contracts in exchange for human sacrifices. If not for their particular fondness for this energy, humans would have no hopes of even earning their notice, much less their 'assistance'.Sensing the phenomenal amount of vital energy contained within the crystal, enough to equate to several thousand human lives, Sut-Typhon's eye shone greedily within the keyhole. It didn't matter to them how Vahn had acquired the crystal, but, as it was far more enticing than similar offers it had received, Sut-Typhon wasted no time in answering, "We agree to your terms. So long as our host's life is not in danger, we will allow her to use our power as she wills it. If you renege on your end of the bargain, however, our curse will spread throughout your Empire, sowing chaos and discord for a thousand years..."As Sut-Typhon would have no way of carrying out its threat, Vahn was very tempted to roll his eyes in response. Even if the eldritch entity could release such a powerful curse, he had multiple ways to be rid of it, including sealing away Sut-Typhon itself. Such threats only applied to those much weaker than itself, and, with several Tier 5 entities at his side, any one of them would be able to remove the Outer God from existence.Before tossing over the gemstone, Vahn gave a curt nod, adding, "For the sake of convenience, I will provide ten of these gemstones as an advance payment. This will cover the terms of the contract for ten years, increasing by one year for each gemstone provided. Do you accept?"Considering they would be lucky to get a few hundred sacrifices during the completion of a single contract, Sut-Typhon found Vahn's offer irresistible. They were basically receiving the vital energy of ten-thousand people just to 'do nothing'. Thus, even though it didn't possess a mouth to smile, Sut-Typhon used Abigail's face to form a vicious grin as it said, "We agree to your terms."Hearing Sut-Typhon's response, Vahn used his telekinesis to pass over ten rainbow-hued gemstones, each a crystallization of his blood. He knew just how much power was contained within his blood, so, rather than offer up sacrifices to the eldrich God, this was the easiest way to deal with them. it also carried the 'intent' of purification, so, with the passage of time, Vahn was certain the mysterious God would eventually begin to change. Most importantly, however, it guaranteed that Abigail would be able to live a relatively peaceful life, so long as she didn't develop a character that proactively used Sut-Typhon's power to cause harm...After receiving the gemstones, Sut-Typhon wasted no time, forcing all ten through the keyhole in Abigail's head. This caused a loud crunching sound to echo through the room, but, after several long seconds of chewing, much of its aura faded away. Then, in a much softer tone than before, it uttered, "We have received the payment. From now on, we will slumber within our host's body. Farewell, Vahn Aldrnari Mason..."Following its words, Sut-Typhon's eye began to close, turning the interior of the keyhole into an inky black void. At the same time, Abigail's eyes transitioned back to their original blue, confusion visible on her face as she tilted her head to the side and asked, "Hmm? Sutty went to sleep? How strange..."When Sut-Typhon was in control over her body, Abigail's consciousness was sealed away. This was how she was able to maintain her childish innocence, despite the fact she had an impossibly ancient eldritch God sealed within her head. While she might be immune to the aura of madness that Sut-Typhon had released, seeing nightmarish scenes of people slaughtering each other would have left a pretty deep impression on a child's mind...To alleviate her concerns, Vahn offered a gentle smile as he explained, "Sutty was worried you would be unable to make other friends, so, for the time being, it has decided to slumber. If you focus really hard, you should still be able to use its power. For now, you should just try to make friends with all of the big brothers and sisters in the Heroes Faction."Hearing Vahn's words, Abigail showed an innocent, excited, smile as she asked, "Can Abby really be friends with everyone!?"Rather than answer Abigail's question directly, Vahn looked around at the Heroes gathered around the table, encouraging them to speak. Though some of them still had awkward looks on their faces, they had witnessed the establishment of the contract with Sut-Typhon. Thus, with Abigail no longer emanating a terrifying aura, it was hard to unfairly distance themselves from her, causing Shirou to be the first to say, "Of course. Abby is a good girl. As Heroes, we're more than happy to be friends with you."Shirou's emphasis on the word 'Hero' basically put everyone seated around the table on the spot. If they were to mistreat a young child that had never done anything wrong, referring to themselves as True Heroes would be rather difficult. Thus, with Sut-Typhon sealed away, nearly everyone seated at the table expressed an interest in being Abigail's friend, causing the girl to fidget about excitedly in her chair, a wide smile on her face...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Tomoe's design is, honestly, one of the best','Vahn is over here bullying Sut-Typhon xD...','Abby deserves a thousand friends, at the very least...!')(A/N: For clarity, this is the list of the Heroes Faction members: Musashi, Caenis, Tamamo, Abigail, Altria, Raikou and Alice accompanied Archimedes from the future. Those summoned by Archimedes include: Shirou(Assassin), Shuten-douji(Assassin), Ibaraki-douji(Berserker), Kiyohime(Berserker), Chu Culainn(Lancer), Brynhildr(Lancer), Aife(Rider), Hippolyta(Rider), Nursery Rhyme(Caster), Lovecraft (Caster), Benienma(Saber), Jason(Saber), Tomoe Gozen(Archer), and Chang'e(Archer).)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1467: Ground Rules