When I opened my eyes, it was already morning the day after tomorrow. But as I was about to move, I felt a strange feeling take over me. I felt tears sliding down my cheeks, and a strange sadness appeared in my heart. But I had no idea why it was. At first, I thought that was still some aftereffect of the training, but after some thinking, I know it couldn't be that.
When I closed my eyes, I saw an image I had never seen before. A dense green forest, bright moon high above. In the middle stood a great white stag, head raised high. Around, one could see a myriad of other beasts and animals, but what caught my eye was a figure on the side. I don't know what she looked like, nor who she even was, but I knew that she should be important to me.
It was truly bizarre. I knew that this couldn't be my memory, yet I believed that it was. I finally knew how Artoria must have felt after the dream I created with Merlin. I needed a good hour to collect myself, but even then, I felt like an amnesiac waking up after a long coma. When I exited my room, I found Morgan waiting for me.
-"Finally, I have wai..."-She stopped her complaints after she noticed my expression.-"You... Are you all right?"
-"While I wish I could say that I'm, I can't. I have no idea what's the matter with me, but I'll be all right."
Morgan looked at me worriedly. A moment later, she approached me and put her fingers on my temples, massaging them slowly while she observed my eyes.
-"No matter what, just be yourself."
-"Thank you, I will."-I smiled at her, trying to assure her that I'll be all right.
She nodded, and after a while, we walked together to the main hall of this castle.
-"Scáthach is busy, so she asked us not to wait for her. First, let me explain a little about the contract you are about to sign. Basically, all contracts with Counterforce are employment, to be summoned as a Heroic Spirit and resolve something. You need to keep in mind three things. First, this contract will be specially modified to be one-time only, not eternal servitude like most. Because of that, you'll not receive as much assistance as others in your position, might even be thrown as a sacrifice, so take care of yourself."
I nodded, well aware of how those greater powers are.
-"Second, we are still counted as a 'correct' world, but barely so. Your task will most likely be on the side of Pan-Humans, but some anomalies might happen. Lastly, when summoned, you'll be connected to a master. Be careful of that connection, as it might help or harm you. Any questions?"
-"Can you tell me more details about that master connection?"-I asked.
-"They will hold three commands over you. Theoretically, they can force you to do everything with them, but with your willpower, you should be able to reject them if needed. I can't say much more as it depends on the person you get, but my advice is that you first ascertain what person your master is, guarding your back."
-"I will do so. Do you have any more advice?"
-"Hmm... Make sure if you're part of a holy grail ritual or some offshoot, or even some singularity. Depending on that, you might need to change your actions. You must remember that you are not just part of that ritual, but in the service of Counterforce. Accomplish that first, worry about everything else later."
Morgan explained to me some details that might help me, but most of them were entirely situational. She ended when we entered the room where the ritual was prepared and went to finish the last preparations. After checking everything three times, she was ready to start.
-"Stand in the middle."-She pointed to the magic circle.-"After counterforce appears, it should be easy, but be careful not to fall into some trap."
I nodded and walked into the array that lit up when I stopped. I remained still while enormous power slowly gathered around, until a shining ball of pure power appeared in front of me. By the mere nature of its appearance here, the magic energy surrounding us started to gather, creating rings of magic around the light.
-"This..."-Morgan spoke from the side, a little panicked.-"Be careful. We didn't summon Alay..."
Before she finished, all sounds and matter around me seemed to disappear; now only the being in front of me existed. From what Morgan tried to say before, I understood that I wasn't facing Alaya, that, while lacking love for humans, at least they were on their side. I was in front of Gaia, part of Counterforce, focused only on the world and nature. As I was trying to find a way out of this predicament, Gaia 'spoke' to me, or rather, I was able to feel their intent.
Their message was rather direct. There was a dangerous being 'near' this word, and they wanted to deal with it before that danger arrived here. The problem was that as most of the heroic spirits' power was linked to this world, they would be weakened outside it, not to mention that they were susceptible to the corruption that danger possessed. So they wanted me to act, as that corruption wasn't dangerous to me, nor would I be weakened. Not to mention that I won't be missed if I fail.
-"What will I get from this? What are the terms of the contract?"-I asked as this task was something I could accept.
Once again, I felt the answer. Aside from becoming a Living Heroic Spirit, I will receive the blessing of Gaia. While it won't give me power directly, it will give me the same characteristics as Nature Spirits. What surprised me was that Gaia added something from outside that they captured accidentally. They have no idea what it was, and were only able to ascertain that it wasn't directly harmful, but nothing more.
In exchange, I will respond to Gaia's call three times. To prevent any party from defaulting on this contract, additional safety clauses were added. First, the contract had a time limit of ten years. If Gaia fails to use her right to summon me before ten years pass, their remaining attempts will be lost. In exchange, I can't leave this world for longer than a year.
This deal was surprisingly fair, but Gaia most likely wished for my cooperation, as being an outsider had its perks. Having no issue with this agreement, I 'signed' it directly. The moment it was done, Gaia disappeared, and the gathered power merged into my body, replacing what remained from my past mortal body into Nature Spirit. This change was not drastic, almost unnoticeable from the outside, especially since Originium Glintstone was a perfect carrier for such a spirit.
-"Done?"-Morgan looked at me, a little surprised after she noticed the change.-"Oh? You became a Spirit?"
-"Part of the deal."-I explained my agreement with Gaia.
-"Not bad, no, calling this deal fantastic wouldn't be an overstatement. Are you some kind of illegitimate child of some outer god? For Gaia to value you enough to grant you her blessing without some more binds..."-Morgan's thought started to wander in a strange direction.
-"My parents are normal Sankta, I think... Never met them, I was designated Saint from birth, so they gave me up for Laterano Church to rise. At most, I'm born with a high degree of atavism to my Sankta origin."
-"Sorry for bringing that up."
-"I don't mind. The past is past. Let's focus on the matters at hand. Gaia will call me when needed, so we don't need to think about that."
-"Indeed. I'll have your parameters read in the moment. After that, we'll start dealing with Anglo-Saxons."
-"Sure."-I nodded and waited.
A few minutes later, Morgan approached me with a crystal card in size of a palm. Following her instructions, I dropped a drop of blood on it, and soon dense inscriptions appeared on its surface.
______________________________
True name: Enoch
Class: Foreigner
Type: Nature Spirit/Sankta
Source: Unknown
Alignment: True Neutral
Hidden Attribute: Star
Parameters:
Strength: C
Endurance: B
Agility: A-
Magical Energy: A
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: A++
Class skills:
Existence Outside the Domain: EX
Chosen warrior of Moon and Stars, bestowed with power from a patron yet unknown.
Divinity: ?
Because the patron doesn't wish to create trouble in this world, this skill is inactive. But it can change depending on the situation and usage of skills.
Personal skills:
Wisdom of the Moon: E
Here beginneth the chill night that encompasses all, reaching the great beyond, the beginning of a thousand-year voyage. With the exception of those particular of certain heroes, almost all Skills can be displayed with a proficiency level of C~B Rank.
The Law: C
Origin of all Sankta. Elevated by Gaia into a seed to replace the original Law, ascending into something beyond even the Divine Spirit. It gives control over spirits and magical energy in the vicinity.
Originium Glintstone: B
Mutation of Originium. Possesses characteristics of assimilating other powers, even authorities and principles. Once absorbed, Eno can utilize them, but he has to bear the consumption.
Noble Phantasm:
Remembrance: Unknown: C
Form a Pseudo-Heroic Spirit or Pseudo-Noble Phantasm from relics and memories. The strength depends on the materials and the connection between Eno and the summoned entity.
####### Dream: Anti-World: EX
A forgotten memory, but the scars still remain. An Inner World capable of not only acting as a Reality Marble, but even fusing into the world. This power is mostly sealed until the origin of this power is restored.
______________________________
Reading through my information, I felt a little surreal, as if I just, for the first time, got to know myself. A patron? Where did I get one? And sealed Noble Phantasm of EX rank? Isn't that something far beyond what my current power was? As I was lost in my thoughts, Morgan also read my parameters and showed a thoughtful expression.
-"It's successful, you are indeed a Foreigner. But we seemed to uncover some mysteries. Your name isn't Eno?"
-"My full name is Enoch, but I threw it away along with my Sainthood back then. Eno is how my friends call me, so I decided to use it as my name. Though I might need my true name shortly, as it would seem that I'll need to prioritize return to my birthworld a little more."
-"That would indeed be wise."-She nodded, her eyes focused on the descriptions on my card.-"Originium Glintstone is a great foundation, but it also has high requirements. Wisdom will make your growth much more effective, but currently, your most untapped potential lies in your Sankta origin."
-"Never thought that Sankta had such power. While I'm thankful for my analytical thinking that comes with my race, I always considered the rest of my characteristics somewhat bothersome."
-"Isn't your 'Empathy' quite useful?"
-"If it was something I could control when I want to use it or not, sure, but constantly having an extra sense that feels the intentions and emotions of others is torturous. Intentions are one thing, though it's sickening; you can get used to it. The emotions are the problem. I will feel the same emotions as those around me, just imagine constantly changing your mood because a passerby has a bad day, or some other is happy about something."
-"I see... I understand now why you are so comfortable near Artoria. Her simple way of expressing liking and disliking must be what attracted you to her."
-"Same as you, though you hide your emotions much more."
-"Ehem. You mentioned something that Gaia gave you from outside."-Morgan changed the subject.
-"Yes."-I showed a colorful orb that appeared in my palm some time ago.-"I can't detect anything about it, so I don't dare to use it casually."
-"It's better to be careful. Would you mind leaving it to me for some research?"
-"Sure, but if anything happens, tell me quickly, as I should be immune, or at least resistant, to outside influence, while you might not be."-I warned her seriously.
-"I know what I'm doing, but I'll keep you informed."
-"So what is our plan now?"
-"Since Gaia hadn't summoned you instantly, then we don't have to stay here any longer. I talked with Scáthach, and she agreed to back us up, so having local lords assist us against the Anglo-Saxons will be much easier. I will contact them and try to organize a united front. Meanwhile, I want you to take the lead on the front line so that Agravain can focus on the logistics and commanding the troops."
-"No problem, but would you mind if I picked, let's say, a hundred from your soldiers so that I can train them as my personal unit?"
-"As long as they are not some major knights, as they might already have some allegiance aside from me."
-"I'm looking for people who will be fully loyal to me, so I won't pick any knights. I will train them myself to form a unit of Mageknights in the image of Carians."
-"Then feel free. You are already inseparable from Britain in this world, so all your power will also be part of Britain."-Morgan's eyes showed a strange glimmer, as if she were considering something.-"We will depart in two days, deal with everything before then."
I nodded and went outside. I started looking for Scáthach, but she was nowhere to be seen; instead, I ran into Cú Chulainn, who proposed a fight. Having nothing better to do, I agreed and followed him to a training ground.
If we were to fight during our first meeting, I wouldn't be sure if I could defeat him without utilizing powerful magic, but now, after my training with his master, I have learned most of what he depended on. His only advantage over me was his physique, as he was not only stronger but also more agile. In the end, the battle was decided by my greater mastery of magic, as even when he used his Gáe Bolg, I was able to counter it with the same technique created with magic imbued into my Crystal Spear.
Despite the unfairness of this match, both of us had quite a fun time, and as such, we agreed to have a rematch a year later. Cú Chulainn also agreed to join the battle against the Anglo-Saxons, knowing that he wouldn't grow much hiding in a castle far from the battle. At some point, he took out some drinks and food, so we sat together and drank until he slumped under the table.
In his drunken state, he started to mumble about not disappointing his master's expectations of me, leaving her in my hands. Ignoring his words, I took him to his room before returning to mine. There, I once again checked myself, wanting to know what had changed in me after turning into a Spirit, but I was unable to detect anything aside from my affinity for nature and spirits growing steadily.
I spent the whole next day meditating, using my new affinity to utilize 'The Law', trying to understand its principles and learn how to use it. This proved difficult, as even after a whole day of trying, I still couldn't control the magic power outside of my body without it either being absorbed by me or being crystallized by Originium Glintstone.
The only success I achieved was controlling a small Elemental that approached me at some point. I was able to use it somewhat akin to how one would use a puppet by utilizing magical puppetry, but as Elementals are alive, having their own will, my control was not absolute, more like guidance and mind control. With this small Elemental weak will, it didn't make much difference, but the stronger the spirit, the less my influence will be.
What surprised me was that this Elemental never resisted my control, as if he didn't reject being controlled by me. This was nothing more than conjecture, but if my Law was something that Spirits accepted naturally, then this power was much greater than I had thought. Be it gods or True Ancestors, even if they possessed the ability to control their dependents, that control would be resisted, so if my control didn't cause this natural rejection would place it far above similar abilities.
I stopped my meditation only after the sun had risen on the day of our departure, meeting with Morgan by the entrance to the castle. Bidding short farewell to Cú Chulainn, I summoned Arion, and after helping Morgan up, we started our return journey.