Altera

The Beast Inside of Me

Altera: ...I was waiting.

Altera: I was waiting for you to come Fujimaru.


Fujimaru 1: Where are we now?

Altera: I don't know exactly.


Fujimaru 2: ...Am I, in a dream?

Altera: Yes. You have a good intuition, Master.


Altera: I can't be certain, but I can guess to a certain level.

Altera: This is—"inside of me."

Altera: It's not something physical, but psychological.

Altera: Inside of me. I still can't say that for sure, but it's my memory. Of me, who fought as the great King of Huns.

Altera: ...Inside of the memory of myself "as a hero."


Fujimaru 1: As a hero?


Fujimaru 2: I don't really get what you mean


Altera: It means exactly what I said. The memory of "me," who was once called King of Destruction, Attila.

Altera: One who kept on destroying every civilization like a thoughtless, wordless machine.

Altera: It's my memory. That's why in here...

Altera: ...there's nothing.

Altera: I didn't think "like a human being." I didn't feel like one either.

Altera: I couldn't think, and couldn't feel.

Altera: ...To you, what do I look like?

Altera: To me, only the sky and the earth stretch endlessly. It's the end of a star that was leveled with no feeling or purpose.

Altera: To you...I suppose, it looks like a view "closest" to what you've seen.

Altera: How you see it might be different, but this dark wasteland is indeed me.

Altera: Even though I'm supposed to be looking at my memory, I see nothing. No friends, and no family...

Altera: I can't hear anyone's voice. Nothing but gusty winds.

Altera: ...Heh, talk about empty.

Altera: Despite the fact I've led many into battle, how come not even a single person is in my memory.


Fujimaru 1: I think it's quiet.


Fujimaru 2: This is pretty calming.


Altera: You're kind.

Altera: Well, I suppose that's how people would call someone like you, kind.

Altera: I never...

Altera: ...I never wished to destroy lives. Still, I always kept destroying civilizations far as the eyes can see.

Altera: You see the contradiction? I can't help myself from choosing this way.

Altera: I deviate from this planet's absolute principle— that its purpose of survival is breeding.

Altera: "Destruction" is implanted deep within my heart. I don't want to willingly kill, but I want to destroy.

Altera: As a result people die. I killed many of them. The earth was always soaked with blood.

Altera: ...However. What is left for me is this dark wilderness...

Altera: Look– it's coming.

???:

Altera: I said there's nothing, but well, it wasn't true.

Altera: I've got ones like them. Those who have unclear names, with no faces.

Altera: Those whom I fought against and killed. I simply fought and killed without recognizing them as individuals.

Altera: Now it's time to use your power, Master. Though only if that summoning system of your works.

Altera: You have no choice but to fight, if you don't want to die.

Altera: ...I'm not sure if death exists in this place, though.

--BATTLE--:

Altera: Splendid job, Master. You managed to stay alive because of the summoning system.


Fujimaru 1: ...This is a dream, right?


Fujimaru 2: I feel like I am using a lot of magical energy.


Altera: This indeed is a dream, but our minds here are real.

Altera: Magical energy exists as a link between your mind and body, right? In that case, it's only natural you use it.

Altera: Have you used it all up yet? No, that's good to hear. You see, it's not over yet.

???:

Altera: ...This time, it doesn't even look like a human.

Altera: I wonder what that was. I feel like I have a dim memory of having killed a monster.

Altera: Or, maybe that is formed by some sort of concept?

Altera: Whatever that is–

???: —!!!

Altera: ...Hmm. For a mere concept, I see it's ready to kill.

Altera: ...I'm so ashamed I could pass out. I can't believe I even envy such a thing.

Altera: Feelings, emotions. Things that I lacked, but now gained.

Altera: However, I can't control these feelings well. I've understood joy, but I don't how to express it.


Fujimaru 1: L-Let's just focus on the monster before us!


Altera: Of course, you know your priorities, Master.


Fujimaru 2: I think you're just awkward.


Altera: ...That's a problem. Many of my allies would tell me that back then.

Altera: It makes me happy, but I'm sad. I really wish it was true.

Altera: At any rate, we need to defeat that thing first. Come on Master, try to pull it off again.

Altera: You'll actually die if you die here. If that happens, our contract will end.

Altera: I'll be free from this subordination, and you'll be free from life.

Altera: But that won't be fun. So, try not to die.

Altera: I'd like to talk to you just a little longer.

--BATTLE--:

Altera: ...I'm impressed, Master.

Altera: I have a better opinion of you. I expected you'd stand frozen or something.

Altera: Apparently I underestimated your way of existence Fujimaru, the one trying to save the world.

Altera: ...It's time for you to go back. This place isn't appropriate for you to stay long.

Altera: It only needs me. This place–

Altera: –This darkness, belongs to "me".

Mash: Good morning, Senpai.

Mash: You didn't come out at the scheduled time, so I came to see how you were doing–

Mash: But I can see that you overslept. Are you okay? You seemed to be troubled by your dream.


Fujimaru 1: It wasn't a bad dream.


Fujimaru 2: I was fighting a real battle.


Mash: Is that...so? If you don't mind, can you tell me more...no, it's nothing.

Mash: Breakfast is ready. Let's go, Senpai.

Fou: Fou, Foooou!

My Memories

Dr. Roman: Hmm—

Dr. Roman: Based on my observation, I couldn't detect anything. Um, maybe I should expand the range?

Dr. Roman: Hmmm, you are in 1st century Gaul, within the second singularity that's being corrected.

Dr. Roman: Are you sure it's around here, great hero of destruction, Attila—I mean, Altera?

Altera: Don't call me Attila. Yes, I'm sure it's around here.

Altera: Someone is calling me here. I'm certain that I felt it.

Altera: It's a destructive...impulse. What's worse, it's extraordinary.

Altera: Even if it destroys everything in sight, it still won't calm down... That's what it is.

Dr. Roman: An impulse, huh? I don't know how to understand a phenomenon that can't be observed with numbers.

Mash: She probably meant she sensed something similar to that of magical energy.

Altera: Magical energy, hmm? I see, I won't deny that, but...

Altera: It's more like a forced command, one more powerful than Command Spells. That's what I've sensed.


Fujimaru 1: Are you sure about that?


Mash: Yes, I am wondering the same.


Fujimaru 2: Forced command, huh...


Mash: ...Right. It might be best for us to be prepared for combat.

Fou: Fou, Fou Fooou!

Altera: It seems like it is already approaching us. A collection of destructive impulses.

Mash: It's a Servant! If we're just picking that up now, that means...

Mash: ...it's hiding in spirit form until our arrival! Senpai!

Brynhild: ...I am troubled.

Brynhild: Oh, no... See, I knew it. I am troubled because of it...

Brynhild: I can smell that person... No wait, it's a smell similar to that person...

Brynhild: Why do I sense it? Why do I think like this?

Brynhild: ...That woman...

Brynhild: She must be one of the women... Who tried to get close to my...Sigurd...

Altera: Oh?

Mash: You're Brynhild...right? A woman who tried to get close to your Sigurd? Who are you talking about?

Brynhild: ...

Altera: She's looking at me. So that destructive impulse is directed to me.

Altera: But I don't remember anyone named Sigurd. Hm...

Mash: Ah! No, Altera, try to remember!

Fou: Fou?

Mash: How do I explain this... It's not Sigurd per se, but someone who shares the same origin and legend as him...

Mash: You've already met him, Altera. That's right, this has happened before...

Mash: ...Huh?

Mash: Wait, I'm sorry. I'm getting confused so let me get this straight.

Mash: In other words...

Mash: Siegfried and Altera married "the same woman?"

Siegfried: Yes, that's right. After I died, my wife Kriemhild remarried Etzel–

Siegfried: In other words, the great king of the Huns. I heard that the great king also lost his wife.

Altera: Kriemhild...

Altera: My wife, huh? Wife...

Altera: Wife...


Fujimaru 1: Don't you remember?


Fujimaru 2: I didn't know you had a wife.


Altera: I'm familiar with her name, but it feels unrealistic to have a wife.

Altera: I know nothing except for war and destruction. I never directed my attention to anything else.

Altera: So...it's possible that woman was there for me.

Dr. Roman: Oh I see, one of Altera's retainers probably played it smart and had them married for diplomatic reasons.


Fujimaru 1: How business-like...


Fujimaru 2: Oh, I-I see.


Siegfried: ...I do have some thoughts on that, but this is not the place to talk about it.

Siegfried: I heard Kriemhild used King Etzel for her revenge.

Siegfried: What led her to seek revenge was my death. So, I'm in no position to accuse the king.

Altera: Etzel–

Fou: Fou?

Altera: Etzel, huh—

Mash: What's the matter, Altera?

Altera: Well, the name Etzel isn't bad.


Fujimaru 1: It does sound cute.


Fujimaru 2: I think the name fits you.


Altera: ...It's not...what I meant. It's not...

Altera: It's not that.

Dr. Roman: (Seems like it is.)

Mash: (Yes, it is.)

Siegfried: (Indeed.)

Fou: (Fou, Fou Fou♪)

Altera: ...It's not...

Mash: ...Do you remember now?

Altera: Indeed, I do. But I suppose he is a different existence, or hero, than Sigurd.

Altera: Siegfried and Sigurd. I hear both of them are heroes with the same origin...

Brynhild: Oh... Oh my...how can that be?

Brynhild: That's exactly what I thought. Taking...a wife... There's no way it can be...

Brynhild: —Forgiven.


Fujimaru 1: It's not getting through to her!


Fujimaru 2: Whoa, this seems dangerous!


Mash: Y-Yes, Senpai! She's obviously gone into battle mode!

Dr. Roman: What, a Servant battle!? Now?

Brynhild: ...Fight me with everything you have.

Altera: Hmm, she wishes to fight.

Altera: Very well, I shall answer that wish. All I can do is wield the sword of destruction.

Altera: Come. The sword of Mars shall crush you—!

--BATTLE--:

Brynhild: ...Oh... What...was I...doing?

Brynhild: Don't tell me... Was I fighting? Me? Against you?

Altera: Yes.

Brynhild: I-I see, so that's what happened. I wonder why...

Brynhild: It's odd. Sometimes I attack men, but usually not women.

Dr. Roman: It sounds horrible, but yes, most of Brynhild's victims are men.

Dr. Roman: Her Noble Phantasm feels like it's that way, too– E-Either way, I am happy we could clear up that misunderstanding!

Mash: Y-Yes. It was just a matter of pressing the wrong button!

Altera: Hmm...

Brynhild: Oh?

Fou: Fou, Fou...

Altera: ...Anyway, I was lucky to fight such a powerful individual. It helped adjust the aim for my Noble Phantasm.

Fou: Fou, Fou. Kyao?

My Sword of the God of War

Altera:

...So we meet again.

Altera: Rather, do you still remember?


Fujimaru 1: Of course I do.


Fujimaru 2: It was in a dark and stormy wasteland...


Altera: I see. So you...remember that.

Altera: How strange... Or perhaps not. I have come to understand that human memories are unpredictable.

Altera: I may be repeating myself, but I shall explain the bare minimum...

Altera: We are within my memories. The memory that equates to a dark wasteland.

Altera: Regardless, this place has nothing of value.

Altera: To rephrase, this is the memory of my birth.

Altera: If this dark wasteland was formed using memories of my life...

Altera: ...then my life was...

Altera: No, this place was given shape by memories created before I walked my so-called life.


Fujimaru 1: Is this your birthplace?


Fujimaru 2: Were you born here?


Altera: This is where I was discovered, where I awakened—this cave.

Altera: A darkened ruin. Remnants of a civilization thousands of years ago...or so I hear.

Altera: How do you see it? I can only see it as a dark cave...

Altera: This is an ancient ruin left in the Sahara Desert. Within, the Hun elders sought me out.

Altera: To be exact, I was not born a Hun.

Altera: But the ones who raised me and made me into their king were undoubtedly the Hun elders.

Altera: In my youth, after killing a soldier for the first time, I was told...

Altera: ...That I exist to fight.

Altera: This crest of war on my flesh, and this sword of the War God... I had them from the very beginning.

Altera: I had no father or mother. I was simply discovered by the descendants of the Huns.

Altera: I was asked to become destruction itself. So...

Altera: That is what I did. I became destruction incarnate.

Altera: ...I did not want to kill. Yet I did not and still do not understand the so-called value of life.

Altera: I do not know many things. Oh, how I do not know so very much of this world's matters.

Altera: If things are taken, broken, killed...what becomes of it?

Altera: These things simply vanish from this land for eternity.

Altera: It's simple. It's plain and simple.

Altera: Destruction is...something easily accomplished, yet irreversible.

Altera: However, my existence adapted well to the act.


Fujimaru 1: ...Did it pain you?


Fujimaru 2: Are you sad?


Altera: Who knows. That is a difficult question for me.

Altera: It's what you call emotions, correct? I know.

Altera: I understand that others possess them. However, I cannot feel.

Altera: What exists within me is only...

Altera: No. Let's speak of it later.

Altera: I might have worried too much over small matters... It looks like that thing from the wasteland has come to pursue me.

???: ...

Altera: Now, let us battle, like we always do. I won't mind if you just step aside and watch.


Fujimaru 1: I'll fight.


Fujimaru 2: I can't leave you like this.


Altera: ...I see. Then let's go.

--BATTLE--:

Altera: That does it. Hmm.

Altera: I must apologize. It seems my idle chatter has attracted something unnecessary.


Fujimaru 1: Keep telling us the story.


Altera: ...You sure are curious.


Fujimaru 2: I don't think it's idle chatter.


Altera: ...Is that so.

Altera: ...Okay.

Altera: Then I'll continue. Let me tell you what is inside the vessel shaped as I am.

Altera: I do not feel the emotions–the sadness, the happiness–that you people do.

Altera: Instead, there is only destruction.

Altera: All that these hands can do is destroy, shatter, and kill.

Altera: Yet...sometimes I think...

Altera: With these hands that bring nothing but destruction...

Altera: ...just like you humans who live honestly on this earth...

Altera: ...I want to feel affection. I want to embrace something, someone.

Altera: I want to acknowledge everything on Earth, not destroy it. I want to gain emotions and become a woman...

Altera: ...

Altera: That is what I sometimes think. That is what I dream.

Altera: Had I chosen a life different than that of a soldier of destruction...

Altera: What would I have become? What would be the makeup of “me”? I could have read books. Sing. Perhaps cooked.

Altera: Or—

???: ...It's futile...


Fujimaru 1: Who's that!?


Fujimaru 2: That voice...!


???: ...You are the incarnation of destruction...

???: ...The Sword of the War God is proof as such...

???: ...Destroy, destroy, destroy...

???: ...Your existence is nothing but that...

Altera: You don't have to remind me. I already know.

Altera: ...You're a meddlesome one, aren't you.

???: ...You have no other choice...

???: ...Admit it, acknowledge it...

???: ...Altera, no matter what time period you are in...

???: ...No matter what kind of world...

???: ...You...will...destroy...

???: EVERYTHING!


Fujimaru 1: It's not looking good!


Fujimaru 2: Get ready to battle!


Altera: Indeed. That voice is starting to get on my nerves.

Altera: It's time to destroy it. Master, there's no need to hold back.

Altera: That is me, but it's just me. Even if that dies, I will not vanish.

Altera: So...

Altera: So let's destroy it, Master.

--BATTLE--:

Altera: ...This is...fine.

Altera: How many times is this now? How many times have I destroyed like this?

Altera: No, there's no way I could keep count. Then again, it felt a bit different this time around.

Altera: It wasn't bad.

Altera: If I were to express myself like a human...

Altera: It was...fun. I suppose.

Altera:

I don't remember ever showing weakness before...

Altera: However, even though you may not remember when you wake up...

Altera: I'm sorry for getting you caught up in all this.

Altera: ...No. Thank you. This was the first time I was able to reject my memory by means other than my own will.