Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Valentine Colosseo Episode 5 Part 1

Once there was a wise king who possessed a ring that was said to have a certain power. This is the power to consort with any being from any of the worlds, and this is the power to assign ranks to every demon. He crossed countless worlds and encountered many holders of power that he designated as demons and gave a rank, then cast them down to the disposal world of Gehenna. Many beings from many worlds appeared there as though they were there from the beginning. These beings then came to believe that they were demons to begin with. These demons were given a collective title based on that king's name, the 72 Pillars of Solomon.
 
Despite all that, these demons still had their memories of their lives before being named demons elsewhere. Before and after they were cast down to Gehenna, their other names and memories must have existed as well. Which was true, and which is false? Which is true, and which is a shadow? The answer to that depends on 'which world you're looking at them from,' but these beings are either one person divided into two, or an opposing existence that exists like a mirror image. What was once one person was divided into two by a boundary at a Definitive Moment, making them into two definitely different people.
 
Even that king must have existed once, having returned the ring to the heavens before he passed away from this world. And similarly, that warrior must have existed once, having returned his great sword to the lake before he passed on from that world. Once the definitive moment that comes when a World Changes, what happens before and after are divided into two people. Which between the two ranks higher than the other? If you have to ask, then battle has become the only way to determine that.
 
Things then tune back to the plot but just a bit before things get weird as Seth talks with Sitri about the 72 Whatevers of Whatshisface. He's never heard of the term before, but he asks if it's about a summoner who made 72 Transients into his familiars and ritually ranked them before summoning them. He then asks if Seth's (re: his) silhouette happens to look exactly like Rank 1's. He's curious about this, but he also doesn't understand a thing about it. Seth then asks if King Solomon summoned Seth's Shadow and made him one of the 72 Pillars. A sudden flash interrupts the conversation and his train of thought, and the light is so bright it's blinding. This is the light coming off of Fergus's sword, the light of the world's memory meant to be returned to the lake. And this is the other memories of Fergus mac Roich that were cut away.
 
Narration picks up to talk about Tir na Nog, where various races as many as the stars have built kingdoms in the world. These kingdoms develop and form ties with others. Sometimes they are bonds of friendship, sometimes they are alliances, and sometimes it is just an invasion. The kings of these nations hold power and fight against aggressors to protect the people of said nations. In the land of giants, the king possessed an evil eye and used overwhelming force to bring victory from endless war to his side. In the land of cats, the king stood alone and used great magic to act as a deterrent against invading forces. And in the lands of humans, they gathered many warriors to form an army. One of those lands was the land of Connacht, the place where Fergus mac Roich defected to. It is also the place where he relinquished his regrets and memories along with his sword at the end of his life.
 
Title card pops up, and this chapter is called Valentine Colosseo.
 
We then tune back into the present where narration claims Kengo and Fergus clashing with each other blasted the surrounding area with blinding light. When the light dies down, you guys are no longer in the underground arena. Fergus asks where you are as vast plains spread as far as the eye can see. Kengo asks what's going on too, and the audience stands have been replaced with open fields. Kyuuma asks if this is something to do with the event, and all participants in the battle are looking around in confusion. The audience is no better informed. Shuten asks what manner of sorcery is this. Alp asks why the sun is here and asks where the ceiling went. Seth also asks about the sun since you guys were supposed to be indoors, and Sitri calls out to Kengo.
 
Over where Duo is, he talks about how it was a good thing they moved locations of the event even if they did it for peace of mind earlier. Shuuichi talks about this occurrence being an overworld shift, and he figures Fergus must be the cause of it. He then turns to Duo and says that everything is going according to plan with no issues, so he'll be heading off. Duo nods and tells him to be careful, and Shuuichi talks about recording the phenomenon, though he says it's possible they can't leave again. He shivers only partially aware of how dangerous it could be, though his fear is less about self-preservation and more the worry about being unable to see his brother again.
 
Over where Claude and Snow is, Claude orders Snow to figure out what's happening and to inform the other Berserkers about it. Snow looks stern as he remains quiet, surprising Claude into asking him what's wrong. Snow answers that something is coming towards you all, a lot of somethings in fact. There are groups of people marching in from the horizon, and the eventually stop a ways away from all of you. You can see that they're a group of armored warriors, and the vibe they put out is one of an army. Something is raised into the air, and a flag is hoisted up as the groups yell war cries.
 
Cait Sith recognizes the army's banner in shock as that of Connacht's, the kingdom that opposes Ulster, then freaks out and asks why they're here. Bathym attempts to get him to calm down and asks if that means that they're bigwigs from his home world. Cait Sith starts babbling that the Connacht forces are something of Fergus, which Bathym is confused about. You notice that the warriors have stopped moving and wonder why you can sense something familiar coming from them.
 
Fergus starts reacting to a splitting headache that's coming on, and Kengo tells everyone to get ready to fight because it looks like the enemy leader is coming out. A single man walks out from the center of the warrior group, looking calm and carrying a large sword. In fact, he looks just like Fergus to everyone's shock including yours. Fergus doesn't come up with anything to say, and Shadow Fergus notices Fergus and comments on how unusual this is. He then greets everyone politely and gives his name as Fergus as opposed to our Fergus going by mac Roich all the time. He describes himself as the leader for the Connacht troops.
 
Fergus asks if Shadow Fergus really just called himself Fergus just now. Shadow Fergus says it's appropriate if he's Fergus's opposite as he calls him a fool who couldn't live as either a warrior or a king. It's the name of the memories that stand opposite of his self as someone who put his life under the orders of someone else and wavered indecisively between love and friendship.
 
You comment on how Fergus and his other self look so similar when they stand so close together, though you get the feeling that they seem to be of different ages. Fergus says he finally understands now, then asks his Shadow if he's his self that comes after his youth or his future self. Shadow Fergus brings up the idea that he could also be his discarded past self, but he doesn't argue about it. He instead talks more about how there isn't a hierarchy established between the two of them yet, but he's not going to pass up this chance to talk with his other self. He describes Fergus as his self from the time he was lost between love and friendship and carried the world in the land's place.
 
You say you don't understand where things are going, but you decide to ask Shadow Fergus why he's there and where you guys are exactly. He responds by turning to Fergus and asking if he knows as he calls him to core of this world. Fergus says this is the plains area near the border between Ulster and Connacht as his memories steadily return to him. It's also where he fought Setanta countless times, swore mutual geas to each other, and put off their decisive battle. But after he says that, Fergus gets confused that he said Setanta.
 
Shadow Fergus says he's always remembered the name Setanta. He was the one who eventually became known as Cu Chulainn, the shining hero of their cycle. Shadow Fergus then says that this is a memory world, made up of the memories Fergus gave up to the lake. Fergus repeats this in surprise, so Shadow Fergus elaborates that it's the proof of those who record the lives of heroes and the representatives of the people. Those who hold that brilliance have the duty to live as a representative of the people's will instead of their own.
 
Shadow Fergus says that while he talks like he knows everything, he admits that there's one thing he doesn't know. Fergus knows what he's talking about, so Shadow Fergus goes ahead and says it's the wish he was willing to give up everything in life to have granted. He asks Fergus what his wish right now is, and Fergus says nothing at first as he turns to look at you. You sense hesitation between two emotions in his expression, but then Fergus looks resolved as he turns back to his Shadow and says he'll talk about it. He waits for him to go on, so Fergus talks about how they've always went back and forth between love and friendship and how it was his geas with Setanta that helped him realize that. That geas was one where they negotiated who would win on the battlefield, but was it a product of cowardice and concession? After that, once Fergus witnessed the splendid end of heroes his conviction solidified.
 
Fergus says he's been regretting that moment back then, so Shadow Fergus presses him for details on what about that geas is causing him regrets. Fergus yells that it's about the cowardice and concession of it, saying he should have been living like the heroes who made their own decisions instead of following someone else's will. He should have been able to live like that too, just like the heroes he saw die lived like. Shadow Fergus asks if he understands what will happen to him if he answers that way, so Fergus says he does. If this world is from his old memories, then it was the world where heroes who have finished defeating all their foes meet cruel ends according to the will of the people at some point or another. So if Fergus were to live like that, he'd be no match for Shadow Fergus.
 
Shadow Fergus raises a hand silently, and all the warrior mobs arm themselves in response to that signal. Almost everyone on your side is surprised by this, and soon after Claude tells Snow that the other side is moving. Shadow Fergus orders an attack, and the ground shakes with the cries of many warriors. You yell that you guys have to do something and work together to stand a chance, but Fergus asks you to wait. You, Kyuuma, and Kengo are surprised by this, and Fergus looks at everyone before ending with you.
 
When you try to talk to Fergus, he just smiles silently. He then talks about how he seems to be the reason all these strong fighters have gathered together, but Kyuuma tries to argue against this. Fergus however is firm on this point and says he's sure Shadow Fergus is the end of his life. If he settles things with him, then the memory world will disappear and everyone should be able to return. He doesn't have any proof for this, but that's what he feels in his soul.
 
Kengo says he believes Fergus and admits this isn't his first time dealing with something like this. That said, Fergus being the root of this turn of events doesn't mean he has to deal with it all on his own. Fergus apologizes and says that Kengo has a point. He then turns around and holds his swords up in the air then yells to everyone as he calls them the people he loves. He declares that this battle is one he has to see through to the end by his own will and that he doesn't need anyone getting involved. He thinks about how he's sure about one thing, which is that his future self is his fate coming to greet him. He already died long ago, so now he'd like to carry out his will and make his death one with no regrets.
 
Fergus sighs, then calls to you, Kengo, and Kyuuma and asks you guys to watch how he chooses to end his youth. He has no doubts about this, and no one can stop him from going. He laughs to himself about how sudden the end is as expected, and he charges off alone. Kengo clicks his tongue and asks if you're all really letting him go like that, and Kyuuma calls to Fergus attempting to get him to stop. You all go after him, but mobs get in the way as if preventing anyone else from going forward. You tell them to move and call to Fergus, but he keeps on running ahead.
 
Fergus talks to himself about how he's fine with being killed if it means everyone can leave safely. He hopes everyone will be okay, and he says that if someone among you was his destined to be, it's not a bad deal to die to protect them at all. You yell to Fergus again as you keep trying to go after him, and Sitri is surprised when Seth starts moving too. Seth yells that determination has nothing to do with this, and he demands to know if Fergus gave any thought to the People Who'd Be Left Behind. The episode battle then starts as Fergus challenges the mobs to come at him as he fights like a hero.
 
 

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