>>95862469
I knew from the start that the real threat was not Morgan or even Vortigern. It would be him. The cold machine that mechanically assesses fair outcomes without considering any other possibilities. But even to him, I extended a hand. I hoped we could save the world together.

-and then-

-IT ALL GOES WRONG

Nyarlathotep chooses to strike at the EXACT moment I sense the Counter Force sending Grand Servants into my Kingdom. What I assume to be an attack is revealed instead to be a blessing of Eldritch Energy that elevates all the ungrateful, rebellious nobles into Pseudo-Foreigners hellbent on tearing my kingdom apart. Good turns to evil, order turns to chaos, and Artoria and Morgan fight a pointless battle-

-and-

-and I'm in the ruins of Camelot.
Staring.
At the shattered bodies of my children.
And standing atop them, Galahad. Soaked in their blood.

"They die in every timeline" he tells me. "There is fairness in progress"

I see red.

"It is inevitable. One world must die so a hundred thousand can live" he tells me. Ignoring a group of men who once rode at Uther's side are launching lances through my back, I reach out to resurrect my children
-and stop.
Because the power to do so, in THIS wretched world would BREAK THE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND RISK RUPTURING it
Because. My children. Died. Fighting for my dream.

"This is the irrefutable logic of the Counter Force"

"Please. Please wake up" I ask the bodies of my children as the gentry laugh and jeer at me. "So many miracles. So many second chances. Please use all of them to wake up"

And
they
do
not

"Your foolish dream ends now" says Galahad.

"You are right" I agree, quietly. I shut my eyes, as Anon.

"Then, farewell...Lucius Artorias Castus. Calamity of Rome. Bottomless pit in the World"

I open them, as Apollyon.
And Albion roars through me, "I am NOT the pit. I am the flame within it"

And as Elodie lets out a scream, Galahad sees red too.

7/7