Fate/Dark Reflection

[X]Strength
[X]Fight the knights.

They're moving towards you slowly, expecting an execution rather than a brawl. That gives you some time to prepare carefully for the coming battle.

Reinforcement(Strength)
+25 points of circuit strain. (Warming (25/50))

Your reinforcement fully completes, and your muscles feel denser and stronger. One of the knights separates from the rest, the others staying in formation to prevent retreat. That strange bow keeps pushing its way to the forefront of your mind, so you decide to acquiesce.

Projection(Bow)
+25 points of circuit strain. (Warming (50/50))
Circuits are now Nominal(0/100)

Projection(10x Arrows)
+20 points of circuit strain. (Nominal (20/100))


Within a second you have the bow in your hands and drawn back. Your first arrow flies directly towards its chest, the second going for one of its joints. The first shot performs admirably, though about what you expected. Its force knocks the knight back, but not even a dent is left behind.

The second's performance is more disheartening. It nails its mark, digging into an unarmored point to no effect, much like the other. They can't be invulnerable, there must be some sort of weakness…

The voice gives a contemplative hum and then goes quiet. You keep firing at different points and different knights, but all yield a similar result. Still, the ones nearest to you have been knocked back enough for you to swap your attention to your companion.

She's frozen in place, staring. It's not too surprising, considering the amount of shocking events in the last few minutes. You're about to tell her to get to safety before another of the familiars appears behind her.

"Ma-!" As you go to warn her, she quickly turns and sharply kicks the approaching knight, her shock not enough to fully debilitate her. She winces slightly at the impact, but it makes enough space for you to intercept.

'Go for the mask!'

You don't have time to question his advice, your hand quickly reaching towards the face of your enemy. Your reinforced strength easily tears the mask off, and nothing but inky blackness stares back from underneath. Their body starts to convulse and you leap back, your instincts blaring in warning. Each piece of armor shatters one by one leaving behind an amorphous mass of black goo, slowly forming into something else.

The others follow soon after, voluntarily shedding their armor. A wide variety of different creatures emerge, none of which have anything close to the same body shape as the knights did. The one you personally unmasked takes the form of a woman in a red dress, floating above the ground.

Why though…?

Some form of fae, maybe?

'A Silky.'

'...and how do you know that?'

'I... have no idea.'

Regardless of the naming convention, with their armor abandoned they should be more vulnerable. More arrows are projected and sent their way, and while a few make an effort to dodge them, others simply take the blow, the hole left behind quickly healing.

Projection(10x Arrows)
+20 points of circuit strain. (Nominal (40/100))

'Not working!'

'I can see that!'

It's just not enough power, they need more punch…

You divert your attention to strengthening your ammunition. The bow is strong enough already, but the shots fired aren't. However, with some Reinforcement…


Your concentration doesn't hold. The arrows you were pumping mana into shatter like glass, leaving you without ammo. You immediately start to project more before-


The scent of ash mixed with sharp mint draws your attention to their backline, as mana gathers. You react in time to a wave of flame sent by some pumpkin things, but shards of ice from the 'Silky' stab into your leg, drawing a strangled gasp from your mouth.

You take 37 damage.

The ice expands, frost covering up to your thigh. You try to move to stay moving, but the biting cold has left you entirely off balance. Talons slice into your face at the same time another casts a spell that binds your arms. You hear a scream come from Makoto, though the blood now coating your eyes means you can't tell if it's a reaction to your injury or something happening to her.

You take 12 damage.

'Get up. What are you fucking doing-'

His voice dissipates, leaving you alone in your own head. Time slows as despair starts to creep into your heart, and you swear you see a similar blue butterfly float serenely in front of you.

Are you going to let this happen again? This tragedy? This shame?

You have to do something. Maybe Caliburn…? It would destroy you, but at least Makoto would get out safely-

'Break these chains!/Protect her!/Fucking crush them!'

An excruciating headache hits you as the voice suddenly returns joined by two others, forming a discordant barrage of noise. Rushing wind blows in all directions, its origin unknown. An almost primal yell forces its way through your vocal cords.

'Run wild!/Stay calm!/Get pissed!'

As conflicting information floods your brain, you can barely see the tyrant's face twisted in sudden fear. Something seems to appear on your face, but it doesn't seem to block your vision.

'Filthy oppressor!/Disgusting coward!/Petty god!'

Your foot slams into the castle floor, the ice covering it shattering on impact. Transient blue flames cover your body, but you feel no heat.

After all…

'I am thou…'

The spell that is binding you melts away into nothingness.

'And thou art l…!'

The cuts on your face shine, then vanish, leaving only unblemished flesh. Your leg feels fully recovered as well.

'Thou who needs to make up his damn mind!'

A single voice starts to become more distinct, the others fading away into the background. Your hand makes it to whatever is covering your face, only to find…

[ ] A steel masquerade mask.
The true face of your rebellion.

Spartacus

Arcana: The Chariot
Affinities: Resistance to Physical. Weakness to Fire.
Attribute: Endurance (C) -> (C+)

Perk gained: Unyielding Rebellion E
Your rebel's spirit starts to manifest physically, forming a layer of protection.

All damage taken is reduced by a flat amount equal to your Grit modifier.

Starting Spells:
Lunge(Physical)
Light Physical damage to one target.

Tarukaja(Buff)
Increase an ally's Strength or Mana by a Rank for a minute. Can be stacked up to two times.


[ ] A gleaming silver visor.
Your heart grows warm.

King Arthur

Arcana: The Emperor
Affinities: Resistance to Bless. Weakness to Nuke and Psy.
Attribute: Mana (E) -> (E+)

Perk gained: False Knight E
Your soul has started to synchronize with Avalon, allowing the king and her knights' weapons to be more attuned to you.

When weapons owned by King Arthur or the Knights of the Round Table are projected, their cost is reduced by 25%. Carnwennan is added to the Armory.

Starting Spells:
Kouha(Bless)
Light Bless damage to one target.

Dia(Healing)
Heal an ally by an amount equal to 30 plus your Mana modifier.


[ ] A blood red bandana.
Let the Beast loose.

Angra Mainyu

Arcana: The Devil
Affinities: Resistance to Curse. Weakness to Bless and Ice.
Attribute: Agility (D-) -> (D)

Perk gained: Symbiotic Partnership E
Equivalent exchange. Give the beast control and the beast gives back.

When one of Angra's suggestions is chosen, every check in the next update has a bonus of +5 added to the result.

Starting Spells:
Mudo(Curse)
25% chance to instantly kill one target. Affected by Luck.

Rakunda(Debuff)
Decrease an opponent's Endurance by a Rank for a minute. Can be stacked up to two times.


Author's Note: Firstly, I will mention that this is just choosing which of them you start with. The other two will be available with time(a fair bit of it). Also, you won't get any new voices in your head no matter what is picked.

Choosing to fight in the last update meant you were very likely to awaken either in this chapter or the next unless you crit out of your mind. Which… you absolutely did not do. Technically, rolling lower on the Magecraft check would've been better due to Beginner's Luck Plus. Though maybe that would have been a waste.