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.