Jayr POV - Nasuverse, Moon, SE.RA.PH, Tsukumihara Academy - 2030 AD
Masters: Jayr Pucci vs Helena Harrison
Battleground: The Second Chimeric Lunar Sea
The second the board updates, the air in the hallway seems to thicken, becoming much more tense.
Even before the murmurs began, I felt a faint vibration passing through the floor beneath my feet, so faint that I almost thought that maybe it was my imagination, or that maybe SE.RA.PH itself flinched when it processed the match, but I immediately realised that such a thing is impossible.
This leaves only one possibility open: someone already made a move and is starting to scout the competition.
Coming to that conclusion, I fully focus my senses on my surroundings, especially the floor, and soon, I notice the faint trace of quickly dissipating energy in the floor, too little to confirm the point of origin, but enough to feel its attunement to the Earth element and that the designed target is me.
At this point, it is only natural to guess that my opponent is likely already making her first moves.
As for how she was able to know that I'm her opponent, well, it isn't like I am completely unknown to the other Masters.
Unfortunately, when SE.RA.PH gave me the identity of a teacher, which also made me a somewhat publicly known figure, one that was much more eye-catching than the more numerous students and less "prestigious" faculty members, like janitors and those in the administrative offices.
Basically, a good chunk of the school knows that there is an English Teacher named Jayr Pucci.
Then I focus back on the board and the surname of my opponent catches my attention, 'Harrison... That surname feels familiar; however, no important character in the whole Nasuverse that has the surname Harrison comes to my mind... This means that either my opponent is one of the unknown, unnamed Masters that meet their demise in the original plot. Or that she is someone much more dangerous... A Champion. In this case, the surname Harrison may be connected to some other universe...'
This last possibility seems much more likely because the faint, Earth-attuned energy I've felt a few moments ago is nothing like the usual Codecast used by the Masters of this universe.
However, I also can't dismiss the possibility that a Servant made a move instead of a Master, after all, there are quite a few Earth attribute Servants that are also capable of doing something like this.
Beside me, Aletha leans close enough to read the glowing screen before she comments, "Well... Earth type, huh? Watch your step, Jayr. She'll turn the ground itself against you." Showing that she too sensed what just happened.
Then she grins mischievously and adds, "Those types love put some dirt in people's eyes..."
I half-smile, understanding the iconic reference before I take a look at the board, this time focusing on Aletha's name and that of her opponent and say, "Noted. I'll make sure to keep both feet on the ground… or at least above it. You too be careful, I do not recognise your opponent's name... He, too, may hide some nasty surprises."
She chuckles, thanks me for the warning and wishes me luck before she leaves, melting back into the murmuring crowd of Masters gathering around the board.
I stay in place for a moment longer, my mind already turning when I suddenly catch a glimpse of a somewhat familiar figure among the group of leaving Masters, who has quite peculiar traits.
It is a woman with dark skin, sharp composure, with medium-length brown hair and bangs, and eyes that naturally look closed.
She is wearing an orange crop top and has a green vest draped over her shoulders; her midriff is visible, showing a part of her toned body, and she is wearing dark-colored pants.
Looking at her somewhat familiar figure, I suddenly remember what I've seen in the data packet that I've won from Run Ru and in an instant, I connect all the dots, 'Ah... it is THAT Harrison... The Master who uses "strange orbs" to summon "impossible creatures"... So she is Helena Harrison. My opponent and... The Champion of the Concept of Earth. The one who wished to be reincarnated in the Pokémon Universe. It is clear that she ended up becoming a family member of Brock Harrison, likely his sister, maybe his cousin or even his daughter... They share way too many physical traits to be otherwise.'
(Image Here - Helena Harrison)
Reaching that conclusion, I finally move away from this spot, joining the other Masters leaving this area while Nero's voice flickers through the link, bright as brass, [I felt your unease... Another Champion, my Praetor?]
She is still invisible to all others, but she is radiating smug energy through our bond, which makes me almost sigh out loud while replying, [Most likely. Which means she won't follow standard patterns.]
In response to that, Nero says, [Then let us meet her head-on before the others even stretch. This round shall be glorious. Let us hope she offers a challenge worthy of an emperor's blade.]
I nod to the empty air, and while already heading for the staircase leading to the 1st floor, I say, [I intend to find out. We're going straight to the Arena. The sooner we know what we're dealing with, the better. Information beats instinct.]
As soon as I step into the first floor, the portable terminal in my pocket beeps again.
I pull the portable terminal from my pocket, and I immediately see some words displayed on the screen.
[The primary cypher key has been generated.]
After seeing that message, I don't bother wasting time wandering around, put the portable terminal back into my pocket and start to head straight for the Arena's entrance, making Nero's comment, [Impatient for glory already, my Praetor?]
I quickly correct her, [Prepared. Remember, the Moon Cell builds Enemy Programs from a Master's combat data. The sooner we face them, the sooner we learn a bit about how our enemy fights. On top of that, the Primary Trigger has already been generated, and it is better to find it quickly.]
At the same time, I keep my guard up and observe my surroundings, noticing that the corridors of the Tsukumihara Academy are already half-empty by the time we reach the entrance of the Arena.
A few Masters linger near the hallway leading to the entrance, pretending not to watch one another, a clear sign that paranoia has already settled in an instant, thick as dust.
Then I focus on the door leading to the Arena, which hums with restrained power; its apparently simple appearance does not hide its extraordinary function as the energies within pulse like an artificial heartbeat.
I calmly approach the door and, without wasting any time, I walk through it, where a prompt asks me to select my destination, not that there is much choice, as at the moment I can only choose the first floor of the Second Chimeric Lunar Sea.
As soon as I make my choice, the light expands, swallowing me whole.
The transition always feels like drowning in someone else's dream while the data condenses into matter all around me, reforming into the usual complex, underwater labyrinth with transparent floor and walls.
The moment I enter the Arena, Nero materialises in full, standing right beside me with a grin on her face as she stretches, cracks her neck, then gives a satisfied hum before commenting, "Umu. Finally back on a proper battlefield. The floor itself seems to bow in reverence."
I take a brief moment to adjust to the sudden change that sends warning messages screaming through my brain and mutter, "Or resistance... Feel this pull?"
Each step and movement feels slightly dragged, as though gravity here has quietly increased by about a tenth, nothing too significant in the great scheme of things, but still enough to cause some trouble for those not ready.
Nero continues to grin as she replies, "Umu. This area is infused with our opponent's energy, changing the very rules that govern this space. The ground clings to us, the air tastes of stone. Everything feels heavier and slower than usual, but this kind of level is nowhere near enough to cause any issue."
Hearing her response, I nod and comment, "Helena or her Servant are already bleeding their influence into this layer. As expected from the Champion of Earth... Her powers do have quite an impressive range..."
While saying that, I also take a moment to roughly scan this floor using my Cosmic Awareness.
What I see is the sharp contrast of this seemingly underwater labyrinth with transparent walls that allow me to see the scenery outside that reminds me of an underwater graveyard with bones of massive sea creatures all over the place, and the labyrinth itself that seems to slowly be encroached by an eerie desert.
The Arena itself stretches outward into a very complex maze of corridors and open areas, each one seeded with potential hostile programs.
Those Enemy Programs are the Moon Cell's way of mimicking a Servant's habits, built from ambient data harvested during the previous Holy Grail Wars and combat.
The enemy Servant's signature would surely be buried in them somewhere.
I don't bother searching for Helena and her Servant as they are still protected by the rules of this competition, making it completely impossible to track any Champion and their Servant unless they are at very close range or engaged in combat with Nero or me.
After doing that, I summon Behemoth, watching the air split into pixels, resolving into the sleek black and crimson motorcycle, its surface rippling with living code.
The engine rumbles like a restrained predator eagerly waiting to let loose and rampage.
Then, Nero swings a leg over the seat, her hair whipping in the generated breeze before she looks at me and asks, "Shall we, Praetor?"
I mount behind her, one hand on the portable terminal, ready to map the first floor of the Arena in order to not get lost in this maze, the other winding around Nero's waist, ready to help her in case she needs some support during combat situations.
After getting on Behemoth's seat, I calmly comment, "Let's see what kind of surprise this floor has in store for us." Which makes Nero grin and say, "Then the Emperor rides to reconnaissance."
She revs Behemoth once, listening to the echo of its growling engine, which sounds alive with contained eagerness to let loose.
Then we shoot forward at blinding speed, quickly crossing the first corridor, but as we approach the first open area, I sense the appearance of the first hostile signals and see five figures emerging from the transparent floor of the open area ahead.
The five figures are humanoid silhouettes of stone, sand, and data, each holding a staff topped with a spinning orb of compressed data.
Their bodies shift constantly, grains sliding across one another in almost hypnotic patterns.
Seeing that, Nero again revs up Behemoth's engine before asking, "Permission to trample, my Praetor?"
Hearing her request, I smile wryly and simply say, "Granted." Making Nero grin viciously before she fully turns the throttle.
In response, Behemoth shoots forward, leaving behind a streak of digital flame in its tracks.
I lean low, scanning the enemy formation even as Nero guides Behemoth through a serpentine path between suddenly rising pillars.
The constructs react with eerie unity, staffs slamming into the floor in unison, generating powerful seismic waves that ripple outward.
The first tremor hits like a physical punch, making Behemoth almost sway; however, I counter with a manual adjustment to its balance using my body and a bit of Telekinesis, allowing Nero to fully focus on the enemy.
At the same time, Nero laughs, exhilarated, and draws her sword skillfully, using the motorbike as a mount to maintain the illusion of a Rider Class Servant.
She swings her sword in a wide arc, generating a fiery energy trail that cleanly cuts through the first construct, scattering fragments of data across the transparent floor.
Meanwhile, I keep watching their patterns instead of celebrating as the remaining four have already adjusted.
Their movements slowed, grounding themselves deeper. They aren't rushing to attack; they are forming a defensive circle, absorbing the impact of her strike and redirecting it to one another through the floor itself.
Seeing that, I immediately say, "They share a connection! Damage to one redistributes across the others." Making Nero comment, "Then they are as linked as the stones of a temple. Break the foundation, and the roof collapses."
I nod and yell, "Exactly. Behemoth. It's your time to shine. Full thrust, vector 42 degrees."
The bike obeys instantly, shifting traction protocols as Nero guns the engine, launching us into a controlled drift that flings up a wave of dust.
At the same time, I extend my hand, channelling my Spiral Cosmo through Behemoth's system, making the digital bike's rear wheel ignite in a golden spiral, burning the code beneath it while generating a powerful shockwave.
The generated shockwave tears through the formation, making the Enemy Programs try to anchor themselves, but the floors betray them as my energy disrupts their connection.
Then, Nero follows through, striking the weakened one dead centre with such force that it shatters into a thousand glowing fragments that rain down like sparks.
Three Enemy Programs left. They retaliate immediately, forming spears of stone before sending them flying toward us by hitting them with the glowing part of their staffs.
I warn Nero through our bond, making her swerve, barely avoiding impalement as Behemoth roars, its tyres skimming over a newly formed ridge before speeding away, creating some distance.
At the same time, Nero shouts while grinning like a star gone mad, "Persistent little pebbles! I almost admire their tenacity." Making me mutter, "Focus," while scanning the debris field.
The data fragments from the fallen Enemy Programs flicker faintly before dissipating.
Following a sudden impulse, I try to capture as much as I can before they vanish, using the abilities I've inherited from my Digimon Incarnation to try to analyse them and gather some more information about our enemy by seeing what codes and commands SE.RA.PH used to create these Enemy Programs, loosely based on our opponents.
However, the data is very fragmented and chaotic, and I'm only able to pick up a few keywords: stability… substrate… idol protocol.
Idol. This word stands out like a gem in dirt, 'This is very curious... Could it be another Servant like Elizabeth, or is it someone who is considered an "idol." And does it refer to the more modern meaning of the word or the more archaic one... It may even simply imply someone who made something worthy of some kind of reverence. This isn't enough to find out the identity of Helena's Servant. But at least it is a step forward.'
Meanwhile, Nero notices my expression and asks, "Found something?" To which I reply, "Maybe. Idol protocol… likely something that has to do with creation through reverence."
Hearing that, Nero turns Behemoth around, heading back toward the remaining Enemy Programs and comments, "An artist, then? Or a worshiper of perfection." Making me say in an even tone, "Either way, it gives us direction."
We close in on the remaining enemies, who fire another round of stone spears at us, making Nero accelerate, weaving between them, and bringing the Aestus Estus around in a clean sweep that catches two of them at once, splitting them in half.
The final Enemy Program raise its staff overhead, seemingly pulling energy from the floor itself, which makes Nero call me out, "Praetor!"
I instantly understand her intentions and shout, "I see it!" Before I extend my right hand, focusing my Spiral Cosmo through my body, making the Command Seal glow faintly beneath the glove.
Then I cast a basic Sagitta Magica, Series Glacialis, firing sharp icicle 'blades' at the target, freezing the floor around the last Enemy Program, stopping whatever it was trying to do.
The freezing blast of the Sagitta Magica, Series Glacialis, not only freezes the floor but also the lower half of the Enemy Program, allowing Nero to finish it with a descending strike that left a burning trail carved into the Arena's floor.
Then silence settles down as Behemoth idles beneath us, its digital engine purring softly in satisfaction while Nero lets out a breath that also sounds suspiciously like satisfaction before exclaiming, "Glorious."
I correct her by saying, "Messy. But productive and fun."
I dismount, kneeling beside the nearest fragment of enemy code before it can evaporate and again use the natural abilities inherent in my Digimon Incarnation to scan it, capturing a fractured string of logic commands.
Most of it is corrupted and destroyed, but one segment remains legible: Model: G-Type Construct. Created Servant interface, iteration 3.0.
I quickly focus on a particular segment and murmur, "'Created Servant'..." Making Nero comment, "Helena's Servant may be one of creation."
I nod slowly and say, "Or one of art. Idol protocol, created interface... Someone made, not born. Something connected to the Earth Element, maybe..."
At this point, a particular name comes to my mind, making me exclaim, "Oh shit... Our enemy may very well be Enkidu..."
In response, Nero turns her head toward me, green eyes gleaming in amusement and pride as she says, "You divine names from dust, my Praetor."
I smile wryly and reply, "Experience. Intuition. And more importantly, countless hours playing a cursed Gatcha game that made me wonder many times if I had the notorious Lancer Class' luck."
Nero chuckles in amusement before theatrically saying, "Huhuhu... Oh my poor Praetor... That is a fate I wouldn't wish on the worst of my enemies."
I don't answer and watch as the fragments fade away, leaving only motes of light that quickly disperse, then I stand up, brushing off my gloves and say, "Let's push a bit deeper, see if the next layer tells the same story. And if we are lucky, maybe even find the Primary Trigger."
We ride deeper into the labyrinth, and the environment grows stranger with stalactites made of solid stone emerging from everywhere and dunes that shifted in perfect geometric waves covering the transparent floor.
Enemy Programs appear sporadically: smaller, simpler, easier to dismantle.
I keep analysing what remains of their code, but I didn't find anything as revealing as before. Only numbing repetition, stability, preservation, stillness.
The Arena itself seems to breathe slower with every meter we advance, and Nero notices it too as she comments, "This place is too calm. Even the dust obeys rules."
In response, I look around and say, "Her Concept of Earth isn't wild nature. It's stable, firm, persistent... But I'm sure this is only the calm before the storm. Helena is clearly moulding the Arena to her advantage..."
Hearing that, Nero looks at me and asks, "Then why don't we do something to stop or reverse this process...?"
I calmly mount back on Behemoth and reply, "Because we don't want to spook our opponents too much. As long as they believe they have a clear advantage over us, they won't take any more extreme and likely problematic measures..."
After saying that we decide to end today's exploration and finally loop back toward the portal where I dismiss Behemoth, which dissolves into lines of light that rush into the portal leading to my Soulbound Territory, and the next moment, Nero follow suit, her form fading as she takes her Spirit Form.
Then we step into the portal, and once outside the Arena, I see that the false sky has dimmed into the simulation's version of twilight.
A quick look at my portable terminal shows that we'd spent almost five hours inside.
At the same time, as we emerge into the 1st floor hallway again, the difference in atmosphere hits instantly; it is lighter, thinner, less oppressive as SE.RA.PH's normal gravity returns like a breath of fresh air while I hear Nero's voice through our bond, [You have that look again, Praetor. The one that says you already see the shape of the storm.]
I stay silent for a brief moment before replying, [Maybe just the first fault line. Something feels a little off. Today was a little too smooth for my liking. We almost fully explored the first floor of the Arena, and Helena didn't make a single move on us. She only limited herself to influencing the Arena itself...]
In response to that, Nero's voice says in a reassuring and confident tone, [Then tomorrow we dig deeper.] Making me nod and agree, [Tomorrow.]
Meanwhile, the door behind us powers down, leaving only the faint hum of dormant code, waiting to awake once again tomorrow.
At this point, we start to move, and the corridors of the Academy feel almost too bright after the Arena's dim monotone.
The artificial sunlight bounces off the polished tiles, the whole structure humming with sterile life.
I can still slightly feel the phantom weight of that place in my legs, the pull of its gravity, the grit of the simulated dust in the seams of my gloves.
It seems that SE.RA.PH has the habit of making sensations linger longer than logic allowed, or maybe this is also part of Helena's scheme. 'To be on the cautious side, it is better to completely purge and clean our bodies from everything we came in contact with today before entering our Private Room. I'd like to avoid bringing back an annoying dust-sized Trojan Horse if possible...'
Thinking that, I don't waste any time and immediately discreetly use my Spiral Cosmo to clean my body and ensure that I don't bring back any nasty surprises before doing the same for Nero.
When we reach our Private Room, the door recognises my ID and slides open with its usual chime as the interior lights adjust to a warm hue, copying the colour of sunset.
Nero materialises a moment later, gold fading into red as her armour reforms. She stretches, rolling her shoulders like a cat who owns the place and comments, "Ah, the comfort of civilisation. I was beginning to forget what the floors of the Arena felt like."
Then Nero paces once around the room, removing her armour and most of her clothes before collapsing gracefully onto the couch and declaring, "You study, I shall bask."
I half-smile before setting the terminal on the table and say, "It will be done, your Majesty."
Soon, the first data set comes online, a lattice of shifting glyphs projected over the table, then I filter the raw scan from the fallen Enemy Programs, isolating the gathered keywords and recurring subroutines.
But the same phrases pulsed through every fragment: stability, substrate, preserve, idol, perfection.
Nero leans forward, elbows on her knees and mutters, "Those are not the words of a warrior."
I keep my focus on the terminal while saying, "No. They're the words of a craftsman... Or a worshiper. These Enemy Programs weren't designed to win; they were designed to endure. From this, we can infer that Helena's Servants can take quite the punishment..."
At this point, I magnify one particular string of commands, tracing the looping syntax with my finger and continue, "They also redirect energy from impact points into the ground, dispersing force instead of retaliating. I also see traces of them taking energy from the ground to restore themselves and even become harder..."
I let out a sigh and say, "This fits the Champion of Earth to a tee. On top of that, the way the code references an 'idol protocol'... That isn't standard terminology in SE.RA.PH's architecture. It's imported logic, probably drawn from the Servant's conceptual framework."
In response to that, Nero muses, thoughtful, "A statue given life. An image sculpted to mirror divinity. You think this opponent forged a perfect servant, or found one that already was?"
I rhythmically tap on the desk and reply, "Either way, it moves like a sculpture. Those Enemy Programs fought with symmetry, not emotion. At the moment, Enkidu is my best guess. Not confirmed as there are a few more Servants that also fit these parameters, but it fits a bit too well to completely ignore."
Indeed, Enkidu fits the "Earth" theme to perfection; after all, they were born from a clod of earth, Enkidu was clay shaped by the hands of the Gods, their father, the king of gods, Anu, and their mother, the goddess of creation, Aruru.
Nero gives a low laugh while commenting, "Huhuhu... You continue to astonish me, Praetor. You name a foe before you even see their face."
I let a small chuckle and correct her, "It's not naming. It's a probability. And at this point, it isn't even confirmed yet, I may very well be wrong."
She smirks and says, "You call it what you like. I call it intuition worthy of an emperor's right hand."
After saying that, she stands up and crosses the short distance to me before gently putting a hand on my shoulder and saying, "The war will not be won tonight. Rest your mind, Praetor. Even emperors must sleep."
Hearing that, I smile faintly and say, "You're getting good at sounding reasonable."
At this point, Nero laughs lightly and starts to walk toward the royal bed while saying, "I am always reasonable; the world merely takes time to agree. Come. We have done what could be done today."
I let the terminal dim itself to standby and follow after Nero, and soon the room sinks into half-light, shadows painting the edges of the furniture as we decide to rest, waiting for the second day of this second round of the Holy Grail War to begin.