The third day in Uruk began with a scream.
It wasn't a human scream. It wasn't the roar of a beast. It was something different. Something that shouldn't exist. A sound that pierced through the city walls, ignored Merlin's magical barriers, and resonated in every corner of the ziggurat as if the very air had turned into an instrument of torture. It was a sustained, endless "AAAAAAH," melodic and horrifying at the same time. A single note that contained all notes. A voice that expressed neither pain nor fury, but something more primitive, more ancient, more terrifying: determination.
I woke with a start, my heart hammering in my chest. Beside me, Mash was already on her feet, her shield in hand —she had stopped using it as an anchor during the night so she could defend the house— and her violet eyes were filled with alarm.
—Senpai! Did you hear that?
—All of Uruk heard it —I replied, getting up.
The scream continued for several more seconds, and then, as abruptly as it had begun, it ceased. The silence that followed was almost worse. A silence heavy with anticipation, as if the entire world were holding its breath.
I stepped out into the courtyard. The sun had just peeked over the horizon, painting the sky in reddish and golden hues. But it wasn't the dawn that chilled my blood. It was the figure in the distance.
Tiamat was closer.
Much closer.
The day before, the Beast of Creation had been a defined shadow on the horizon, a colossus one could make out but still seemed distant. Now, her silhouette had become unmistakable. Her twisted horns rose toward the sky like a blasphemous crown. Her multiple limbs moved slowly, dragging her colossal mass across the Mesopotamian desert. Her mouth, a vertical slit that opened at an impossible angle, emitted that guttural sound that froze my marrow. And her size... her size was even more terrifying than yesterday. She occupied a third of the visible horizon, a mountain of black, glistening flesh that advanced with the inevitability of a tide.
"She's accelerating," said Tezcatlipoca in my mind. "Yesterday she moved at a slow but steady pace. Today her speed has increased. If she keeps this up, she'll reach Uruk in less than five days."
"Five days. Before it was seven."
"Seven was an optimistic estimate. Five is a realistic one. And tomorrow it could be four."
I cursed silently. Every minute that passed, the window of opportunity closed further. We had to find a solution, and fast.
—Senpai —Mash grabbed my arm—. Gilgamesh is waiting for us at the ziggurat. We have to continue with the summonings.
—I know. Let's go.
The ziggurat was more active than ever. The hallways were filled with wounded soldiers, refugees seeking protection, and messengers running with reports from the walls. The air smelled of sweat, blood, and incense, a mixture that had already become familiar over the past few days. I climbed the stairs toward the throne room with Mash at my side, dodging passersby, and when I reached the top, I found Gilgamesh already awake, standing by the window overlooking the horizon.
His expression was grim. His red eyes were fixed on Tiamat's silhouette, and his jaw was tense.
—You heard her —he said, without turning around.
—All of Uruk heard her —I replied.
—It's her song. The voice of creation. The ancient texts describe it as a melody that gave birth to the world. —He paused—. But what we're hearing isn't a melody of creation. It's a melody of annihilation. A requiem for humanity.
—Why is she singing?
—I don't know. Perhaps to instill fear. Perhaps to coordinate her Lahmu. Perhaps simply because she can. —He turned to face me—. What matters is that her song is a signal. Tiamat is no longer just advancing. She's hunting. She knows Uruk is the last human bastion. She knows that if we fall, civilization falls. And she's determined to accelerate the process.
—How much time do we have left?
—Less than yesterday. —Gilgamesh stared at me—. Are you ready for today's summonings?
—I am.
—Good. Because today I need you to bring out the strongest ones. Those you've summoned so far are excellent warriors, but we need firepower. We need heroes who can face the largest Lahmu, the ones that seem like generals. We need... legends.
—You will have them, Your Majesty.
—I hope so.
I positioned myself in front of the makeshift summoning circle. Mash rested her shield at the center, and the white light of Lord Camelot spread across the floor. I closed my eyes. And I began.
The first to answer was Sakata Kintoki.
The circle shone with a golden light, charged with static electricity. And when it dissipated, there he was. A tall, muscular man, with blond hair and golden eyes, dressed in a leather jacket and wielding a gigantic axe that crackled with lightning. His presence was imposing, but his smile was that of a big kid.
—Golden! —he roared, raising his axe—. Master, you called me! How golden is this! Uruk, Babylonia, the final battle! This is so golden I can't help but get excited!
—Kintoki, good to see you.
—Likewise, Master! —He clapped me on the back, almost knocking me to the ground—. Where are the bad guys? Are those weird bugs everywhere? Well, I'm going to turn them into mincemeat! My golden axe will take care of them!
—They're Lahmu. Tiamat's creatures. They're resilient and attack in groups.
—Even better! The more golden, the better! There's nothing more golden than an impossible battle! —He raised his axe—. I'm off to the wall! Let the party begin!
And he ran off, leaving a trail of electrical sparks behind him.
The second was Minamoto no Raikou.
She arrived shrouded in a pale, almost ghostly light. Her figure was that of a tall, slender woman, with dark hair tied in a bun and violet eyes that gleamed with a mix of maternal love and barely contained madness. She wore traditional Japanese armor, and in her hands she held a katana that emanated a murderous aura. Her presence was... unsettling. Like that of an overprotective mother who could kill you with a smile.
—Master —she said, her voice syrupy and dangerous at the same time—. I have come. I felt your call. I knew you needed me.
—Raikou. Thank you for coming.
—There's no need to thank me. —She approached me, and before I could react, she wrapped me in a hug—. You are my Master. You are my family. And a mother always protects her family. —She paused, her breath brushing against my ear—. Always.
—Raikou... you're suffocating me...
—I'm sorry. —She released me, but her eyes remained fixed on me—. It's just that I love you so much that sometimes I can't control myself. But don't worry. In battle, I do control myself. In battle, I am a killing machine.
—That's... reassuring.
—I know. —She smiled, a smile that didn't reach her eyes—. Now, tell me where the enemies are. I will destroy them. For you. For Uruk. For humanity.
—At the walls. Kintoki is already there.
—Kintoki... my golden child. —Her smile widened—. I will fight by his side. Together, mother and son, we will annihilate the Lahmu.
And she disappeared, leaving a chill in the air behind her.
The third was Tomoe Gozen.
She arrived with the grace of a dancer and the ferocity of a warrior. Her snow-white hair fell over her shoulders, and her eyes, a deep red, gleamed with the thrill of battle. Her armor was light, designed for mobility, and in her hands she held her naginata, a polearm that had reaped countless lives.
—Master —she greeted, bowing her head—. It is an honor to be summoned to this sacred land. Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. Fighting here is a privilege few warriors can claim.
—Tomoe. Good to see you again.
—And I you, Master. —Her expression softened—. The last time we met was in the heat of battle. We barely had time to talk. But now... now we have a war ahead of us. And I am a warrior. War is my element.
—I need you to use your naginata on the walls. To eliminate the Lahmu before they reach the civilians.
—I will. But I also need you to know something. —She stepped forward—. My oni blood gives me strength, but it also gives me fury. In battle, I sometimes lose control. If that happens... I want you to stop me. Not with words, but with an order. A Command Seal, if necessary.
—I trust it won't come to that, Tomoe.
—So do I. But I prefer to warn you. —She smiled—. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to join the battle. The scent of war calls to me.
And with a fluid movement, she leaped toward the walls.
The fourth was Suzuka Gozen.
If Tomoe was mortal grace, Suzuka was lethal beauty. She arrived with a mischievous smile and an outfit that was more modern than ancient: a short skirt, high boots, and a jacket that left little to the imagination. Her pink hair waved in the wind, and her eyes sparkled with the intelligence of a fox —literally, she had fox ears and a tail.
—Hiya, Master! —she greeted, waving her hand—. Suzuka Gozen has arrived! The gal of the Heian period, the queen of style, the cutest of all Servants. And also the most lethal!
—Suzuka. Thanks for coming.
—Of course! I was bored in Chaldea. The others do nothing but fight over a calendar, and I'm just waiting my turn. —She approached me, and her fox tail brushed against my leg—. But now I'm here. In Babylonia. With the most interesting Master of all. Isn't that great?
—The situation is critical, Suzuka. This isn't a game.
—I know, I know. —Her expression turned serious for a moment—. I've seen Tiamat from the window. She's huge. And ugly. Really ugly. But don't worry. My sword, Daitoren, can cut through anything. And my other Noble Phantasm, Trichiliocosm, can create parallel worlds. Well, more or less. It's complicated.
—Parallel worlds?
—Yeah. I can create an alternate reality where my attacks always hit. It's a very useful skill. But it consumes a lot of energy, so you'll have to give me permission to use it.
—You'll have it when necessary.
—Perfect! —She winked at me—. So I'm off to battle. And when this is over, I expect a date! You and me, Master! In Chaldea's garden! It'll be super romantic!
And she left, skipping happily toward death.
The fifth was Nero Claudius Bride.
The summoning circle glowed with a pink light, and when it dissipated, there she was. Identical to my Nero Saber, but different. Her white bridal dress fluttered in a nonexistent wind. Her blonde hair was tied in a bun adorned with a veil. And in her hands, instead of her usual gladius, she held a bouquet of flowers. But her eyes, green as emeralds, held the same spark of passion and determination as her counterpart.
—My Caesar of my heart! —she exclaimed, running toward me and hugging me—. Finally! Finally I'm here! I've been waiting for this moment ever since you left me in Chaldea!
—Nero Bride... good to see you.
—And I you, my husband! —She kissed my cheek, leaving a mark of lipstick—. I heard the situation is dire. That Tiamat is about to destroy Uruk. That you need all the power available. And I, as your future wife, couldn't stay behind.
—Future wife? —asked Nero Saber, who had just entered the room. Her expression was a mix of surprise and jealousy—. Sister, what are you doing here?
—Nero! —Bride turned to her counterpart—. I've come to fight! Did you think you were going to hog our Caesar all to yourself?
—I'm not hogging him. I'm sharing.
—Well, now you'll share a little more. —Bride positioned herself beside me, linking her arm with mine—. Because I'm his wife too. And I also have the right to be here.
The two Neros stared at each other. Their eyes sparkled with a rivalry that was both fraternal and romantic. I, caught in the middle, sighed.
—Ladies, can we save the competition for later? There's a war going on.
—She's right —said Nero Saber, relaxing—. We'll fight together. For our Caesar. For Rome. For humanity.
—For our Caesar —repeated Nero Bride, nodding—. Let the show begin!
And the two empresses left together toward the walls.
The sixth was Karna.
The summoning circle was dyed a blinding white, and when the light dissipated, Karna was there. The Hero of Charity. The son of the sun god. His skin was pale, his hair white as snow, and his blue eyes shone with a serenity that was unsettling. He wore golden armor that glowed with its own light —Kavacha and Kundala, the solar armor that made him nearly invulnerable— and in his hand he held a spear that emanated searing heat.
—Master —he said, his voice calm and grave—. I have answered your call.
—Karna. Thank you for coming.
—There is no need for thanks. Serving a worthy Master is a hero's duty. And you, Leonel Herrera, have proven yourself worthy. —He paused—. I have observed your battles from the Throne of Heroes. London. America. Camelot. You have faced adversity with courage and strategy. It is an honor to fight under your command.
—The honor is mine, Karna.
—Now, tell me. Where are the enemies?
—At the walls. The Lahmu attack ceaselessly. I need you to use your power to contain them.
—I will. —He raised his spear—. Vasavi Shakti is ready. But I will only use it if absolutely necessary. My spear is a last resort weapon. In the meantime, I will fight with my solar power.
—That's all I ask.
Karna nodded and headed toward the walls. His presence was so calm, so serene, that the soldiers of Uruk stepped aside as he passed, impressed by his aura.
The seventh was Arjuna.
If Karna was the serene sun, Arjuna was the contained storm. He arrived wrapped in a bluish light, his bow Gandiva shining in his hands. His dark skin contrasted with his white hair, and his eyes, the same color as the sky, were filled with a determination bordering on obsession.
—Master —he said, bowing his head—. I am here.
—Arjuna. Thank you for coming.
—No need for thanks. —His tone was cold, but not discourteous—. I have come because my dharma demands it. Protecting humanity is a hero's duty. And I am a hero.
—Karna is also here.
The name of his rival sparked something in his eyes. For a moment, his expression tensed.
—Karna... —he murmured—. I know. I sensed him. His presence is like a beacon. But do not worry, Master. I will not let my rivalry with him interfere with the battle. We will fight together, as brothers in arms, even though we are not brothers by blood.
—That's what I hope, Arjuna. I need you two to work together.
—We will. —He raised his bow—. My Gandiva will bring down the Lahmu from a distance. And if necessary, I will use Pashupata. But only if necessary.
—Karna said the same about Vasavi Shakti.
—Of course he did. —A faint smile curved Arjuna's lips—. Karna and I are rivals, but we are also equals. In power. In duty. In determination. If he has promised to hold back, I will do the same.
And with a nod, he headed toward the walls.
The eighth, and last of that round, was Miyamoto Musashi.
The summoning circle glowed with a warm light, like the reflection of the sun on a blade of steel. And when it dissipated, there she was. A young woman, with pink hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a light kimono that revealed her arms and legs, and partial armor protecting her chest. At her waist hung four swords: two katanas and two wakizashis. Her eyes, a deep blue like the ocean, looked at me with a mix of curiosity and joy.
Her name was Miyamoto Musashi. But not the Musashi of official history. Not the man who wrote "The Book of Five Rings" and defeated Sasaki Kojirō at Ganryū-jima. This Musashi was different. She was an interdimensional traveler, a wanderer of the multiverse who had leaped from reality to reality, seeking ever more challenging battles. Her swordsmanship style, Niten Ichi-ryū, was legendary. Her personality, carefree and cheerful. And her appetite, insatiable.
—Ohhh! —she exclaimed, looking around with wide eyes—. Is this Babylonia? What an incredible place! Look at those walls! Look at that ziggurat! And that smell of spices! Is there any food around here? I'm starving!
—Musashi... you just arrived and you're already thinking about food?
—I'm always thinking about food! Food is half the battle! A hungry warrior is a dead warrior! —She patted her stomach—. But okay, I can fight too. Where are the bad guys?
—At the walls. They're creatures called Lahmu. They're fast, resilient, and attack in groups.
—Lahmu? What a weird name! But never mind. —She drew two of her swords—. My Niten Ichi-ryū can handle anything. I've defeated demons, gods, legendary swordsmen. A few little bugs won't be a problem.
—I hope so, Musashi. I need your help.
—And you'll have it! —She patted me on the shoulder—. But when this is over, you owe me a feast. A gigantic feast! With sake! Lots of sake!
—Deal.
—Perfect! —She raised her swords—. Miyamoto Musashi enters the battle! Let the enemies of humanity tremble!
And with a cheerful laugh, she charged toward the walls.
With these new reinforcements, the battlefront changed drastically.
From my command post in the house's courtyard, with Tezcatlipoca's Observation Mirrors floating around me, I could see how the new Servants integrated into Uruk's defense. And the difference was abysmal.
Kintoki was a force of nature. His golden axe split Lahmu in half as if they were butter. Every blow was accompanied by a burst of lightning that fried the nearby beasts. His laughter echoed above the din of battle, and the soldiers of Uruk, inspired by his enthusiasm, fought harder.
Raikou was a killing machine. Her katana moved with lethal precision, decapitating Lahmu with every swing. But the most unsettling thing was her expression: a maternal smile, as if she were cradling a baby instead of murdering monsters. "Don't worry, my children," she murmured as she killed. "Mommy will protect you. Mommy loves you." The soldiers of Uruk kept their distance from her, instinctively terrified.
Tomoe Gozen was pure grace. Her naginata spun in impossible arcs, creating a death zone around her. Her movements were so fluid she seemed like a dancer rather than a warrior. But her eyes, red as blood, made it clear she wasn't dancing. She was hunting.
Suzuka Gozen was the hardest to follow. Her sword Daitoren cut through the air with supernatural speed, and her ability to disappear and reappear at different points on the battlefield made her unpredictable. One moment she was on the north wall, decapitating Lahmu. The next, on the south wall, flanking a group of beasts trying to surround the soldiers.
The two Neros fought side by side. Two empresses, two flaming swords, two radiant smiles. "For our Caesar!" they shouted in unison, and the Lahmu fell at their feet like dry leaves. Their fraternal competition had transformed into perfect synergy. Where one attacked, the other defended. Where one faltered, the other held her up.
Karna and Arjuna, despite their rivalry, had positioned themselves at opposite ends of the wall. Karna launched solar rays that incinerated dozens of Lahmu. Arjuna fired arrows that pierced multiple enemies at once. Occasionally, their gazes met, and there was an unspoken recognition: "We are competing. But we are also fighting together."
And Musashi... Musashi was a whirlwind. She moved among the Lahmu like a dancer, her four swords spinning in all directions. Her Niten Ichi-ryū style was hypnotic: two swords at once, attacking and defending in perfect sync. "One! Two! Three! And another one!" she counted as she killed. Her laughter echoed on the walls, and the soldiers of Uruk, who had been on the verge of despair, began to smile.
With so many Servants helping on the fronts, the battles became easier. For the first time in days, the Lahmu were repelled without the defensive lines being on the verge of collapse. The soldiers of Uruk, revitalized by the presence of so many legendary heroes, fought with more morale. The refugees inside the ziggurat began to whisper that maybe, just maybe, there was hope.
But I knew it was an illusion.
"Tiamat hasn't yet shown her true power," I said to Tezcatlipoca while watching the battle through the mirrors.
"I know," he replied. "The Lahmu we're facing now are just her pawns. If she decides to empower them, to change their classes, to make them resistant to all types of attacks... this battle will become much more difficult."
"In the game, she could change the Lahmu's affinities at will. Make them resistant to Sabers, Archers, Lancers... everything. It was a hellish mechanic."
"And here, in reality, it will be even worse. Because it's not a game mechanic. It's her power as the Beast of Creation. She can alter the nature of her children. Make them immune to certain types of damage. Or worse, make them absorb damage and become stronger."
"Do we have any plan for that?"
"None. Except to pray she doesn't do it."
But my prayers went unanswered.
Hours later, when the sun was at its zenith and the battle seemed to be under control, Tiamat sang again.
That "AAAAAAH" resonated in the sky, and this time, I felt something different. A wave of energy emanating from the Beast and spreading across the battlefield. The Lahmu we were facing shuddered. Some fell to the ground, convulsing. Others remained motionless. And then, slowly, they rose.
But they were no longer the same.
Their bodies glowed with a black, oily light. Their eyes, once empty, now burned with a cold intelligence. And their skin, once vulnerable to my Servants' swords and arrows, now repelled attacks with terrifying ease.
—My arrows are doing nothing to them! —shouted Arjuna from the wall, his voice full of disbelief.
—Neither is my axe! —roared Kintoki—. It's like they're made of stone!
—It's Tiamat's blessing! —I replied through the mental link—. She's changed their class! Now they're resistant to certain types of attacks! You have to change your strategy!
—Change to what? —asked Musashi, blocking a claw swipe with her two swords—. These bugs are tougher than steel now!
—Use combined attacks! Attacks of different classes! What doesn't work for one, will work for another!
And so, the battle became a chaos of adaptations. My Servants tried different types of attacks, searching for what worked against each Lahmu. Some were vulnerable to magic. Others to fire. Others to electricity. But there was no fixed pattern. Tiamat changed her children's resistances randomly, forcing us to improvise constantly.
It was exhausting. But we survived.
Hours later, when the sun began to set on the horizon, the Lahmu's attack finally ceased. The creatures retreated into the desert, leaving behind piles of black corpses that slowly faded into dust. Uruk's walls were stained with blood and magic. The soldiers, exhausted, collapsed to the ground. The Servants, even the strongest ones, breathed heavily.
—That was... intense —said Karna, leaning on his spear.
—But we survived —replied Arjuna, his bow still smoking.
—One more day —murmured Tomoe, cleaning her naginata.
—One more day —repeated Raikou, with a maternal smile that didn't hide her fatigue.
That night, the Servants took turns patrolling the walls. Those not on guard duty gathered in the courtyard of the house Gilgamesh had assigned to me. They ate in silence, sharing rations and water. There were no laughs. No jokes. Only the weariness of a battle that seemed endless.
And on the horizon, Tiamat's shadow kept advancing.
I stayed awake late into the night, watching the Beast's silhouette through the window. Her song still echoed in my ears. Her determination was as clear as ours. She wanted to annihilate the few humans left in Uruk. She wanted to erase civilization from the face of the earth. And we were the only thing standing in her way.
—Senpai, aren't you sleeping?
Mash was beside me, her hand brushing mine.
—I can't —I replied—. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Tiamat. Advancing. Singing. Destroying everything in her path.
—I see her too. But we can't give up.
—I'm not giving up. I'm just... tired, Mash. Very tired.
—I know. —She hugged me—. But tomorrow will be another day. And we'll be here. With you. Fighting.
—What if it's not enough?
—Then we will have fought until the end. And that... that is already a victory.
I hugged her back. I said nothing more. There was nothing to say.
Outside, in the distance, Tiamat kept advancing. And her song, though silent now, still echoed in the air. A requiem for humanity. A promise of annihilation.
But it was also a reminder. A reminder that as long as there was someone willing to fight, humanity would not surrender.
And I, Leonel Herrera, had no intention of surrendering.