In the quiet temple, Ritsuka sat in meditation, practicing her daily training... the most basic form of contemplation.
During this meditation, strange images appeared before her. The world seemed to split, as if divided into multiple layers. This phenomenon was especially pronounced within her, as if her body was enveloped in multiple halos of light, each representing a different version of herself.
Or rather, each halo represented her in different layers of the world.
Her spirit, her ether, her astral body... all were manifestations of a higher version of herself.
As an apprentice of the Golden Dawn, now formally initiated, her training followed the orthodox methods of the order.
After completing her meditation, she began practicing summoning. The Golden Dawn system was vast, encompassing astrology, alchemy, Tarot, and more. As a novice, Ritsuka had only scratched the surface.
But she knew she had to study diligently. To unleash the true power of her weapon, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, she needed to strengthen not only her knowledge but also her physical body.
Only then could she manifest the mythical power contained within Ame-no-Murakumo.
"I'm here," came a voice as the door opened. It was Jeanne Alter, holding Durandal. The sword, now her exclusive weapon, suited her perfectly, allowing her to wield immense power with ease.
"Thanks for coming, Jeanne Alter," Ritsuka said. Jeanne Alter shook her head. "No problem. I needed to stretch my legs anyway."
She drew Durandal.
As the blade was unsheathed, Jeanne Alter's power surged, instantly reaching the level of a Grand Servant... and it could climb higher still!
Ritsuka drew Ame-no-Murakumo. As the sword left its scabbard, her own power spiked, as if elevated several tiers in an instant. Her body became incredibly robust, her muscles brimming with strength.
In the next moment, both figures vanished, and the room erupted with deafening blasts.
Their speed reached supersonic levels... not just their sword strikes, but their movement. Their attacks were several times faster still!
The sparring lasted for dozens of minutes. When they stopped, both were panting. Despite the holy weapons and magical recovery, the intense combat left them fatigued. For ordinary Servants, this wouldn't have been a mere spar... it was an all-out battle.
"I heard that an average magus can fight for hours. I guess I'm still just a beginner…" Ritsuka said softly.
Jeanne Alter laughed. "Most magus don't burn through energy like you do. Sure, Ame-no-Murakumo boosts your strength, but your base level isn't up to par. The mental strain is huge. Holding out this long is impressive."
"Thanks for the praise. I'm not too worried, though. Morpheus says my current strength can handle most situations," Ritsuka said with a relaxed smile, lying on the cool floor to soothe her back. "Even against Goetia, I might be able to hold my own."
Jeanne Alter nodded. "From what I know of Servants, your current strength means you wouldn't lose in a one-on-one fight against any of them. Even against someone who counters you, you could trade blows at worst."
"Counters me?" Ritsuka looked puzzled. Jeanne Alter explained, "Remember the Hassans from the last Singularity?"
Ritsuka nodded.
"Their leader, the Old Man of the Mountain, is a Grand Assassin. His death-inflicting attribute would counter you. If he landed a decapitating strike, you could still use Ame-no-Murakumo's power to deliver a fatal counterblow. That's why I said a trade at worst.
"But in a real fight, with Ame-no-Murakumo's enhancements, your reaction speed and movement outmatch most Servants. Hardly any... except a rare few... can keep up with you.
"Even the Old Man of the Mountain would likely get spotted and countered before he could get close."
Ritsuka thought it over. With supersonic movement, attacks several times faster, and Ame-no-Murakumo's offensive and defensive boosts, plus her ability to react in high-speed combat, she could indeed counter most assassination attempts.
"Jeanne Alter's right," came Morpheus's voice from the doorway. He and Medea entered, looking relaxed as he approached. "For example, imagine two fighters. One can see the future and manipulate time, rewinding it by a few minutes, but their reaction speed is only a few times faster than a normal human's.
"The other is an ordinary person with a supercomputer, analyzing and predicting outcomes through sheer computational power... not true foresight, but close. Their reaction speed, enhanced by special gear, is thousands of times faster than a human's, matching the supercomputer's analysis."
Morpheus paused, then asked, "They fight hand-to-hand, with similar defensive capabilities. The supercomputer enables faster combat than the other. Who's stronger?"
Ritsuka thought for a while before answering, "Time manipulation and true foresight sound powerful, but you said their reaction speed is only a few times faster than normal. The opponent, with a supercomputer and thousands of times human reaction speed, can analyze future possibilities in real-time.
"Even if the time manipulator rewinds a few minutes to counter moves based on what happened, the moment their actions change, the supercomputer analyzes the new possibilities and reacts with superhuman speed, negating the advantage of foresight or time reversal.
"In fact, repeated time rewinds might let the supercomputer deduce 'this person is rewinding time to alter the future,' allowing it to set traps and use even deadlier moves."
"Exactly. Reaction speed is often key, and yours can overwhelm most Servants," Morpheus said, nodding with satisfaction. Ritsuka's sharp mind didn't disappoint.
Neither the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception nor the guaranteed hit of Gáe Bolg truly reverses causality. With fast enough reactions, they can be dodged... especially the former, which is less troublesome than the latter.
"Alright, you all head out. I need to perform a summoning," Morpheus said.
Medea led the others out. Seeing Ritsuka's curious gaze, she whispered, "This time, it's someone familiar."
"Familiar?" Ritsuka pondered, then her eyes lit up. "Atalanta?"
"No," Medea shook her head, pointing upward. "A goddess."
"A goddess!" Ritsuka gasped, then lowered her voice. "The Moon Goddess Artemis?"
Medea nodded.
Jeanne Alter added, "With Morpheus and Artemis's relationship, the summoning's success rate is high. He could probably do it without any holy relics."
Medea smiled. "He is the holy relic."
Jeanne Alter chuckled softly.
Given Morpheus's closeness with Artemis, he was the perfect catalyst for summoning the Moon Goddess... no relic needed.
As the door closed, Ritsuka asked, "Is he summoning an avatar? Like, a Servant with a Saint Graph?"
Medea shook her head. "No, Morpheus is summoning Artemis's true form... a genuine divine summoning."
Inside the temple, Morpheus etched the magical circle.
Once it was complete, he looked at the ceiling, seeing through it to the sky.
The moon wasn't full, nor was it in Cancer... hardly ideal for summoning the Moon Goddess.
But it didn't matter.
Morpheus called upon Gabriel's power. The archangel's energy filled him. He raised his hand, and behind him, the archangel mirrored the gesture. In an instant, the moon became full!
Using the archangel's power, he subtly influenced celestial mechanics... not just the moon's phase, but Earth's rotation!
The moon was now full and positioned in Cancer!
The temple was bathed in silver light, transformed into a sacred domain of moonlight!
Morpheus nodded in satisfaction and checked the altar.
The altar was adorned in silver, white, and deep blue, symbolizing the night sky and moonlight. At its center was a silver crescent symbol, representing the Kabbalistic lunar domain.
To the left was a silver bow and arrow, symbolizing Artemis's hunting prowess. To the right were cypress branches and white roses, representing chastity and nature.
In front stood a crystal chalice filled with pure water, corresponding to the water element and lunar purity. Behind it, an incense burner with myrrh and moonstone powder was lit, enhancing spirituality and summoning success.
Before Morpheus was Artemis's sigil, inscribed with her Greek name [ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣ] and the Golden Dawn's lunar seal.
A Tarot card floated before him... the eighteenth card, The Moon.
The summoning began.
With Morpheus's movements, a torch, wind chime, water bowl, and salt block stood at the four corners, maintaining elemental balance.
Morpheus donned a white robe and a crescent necklace, dipping a cypress branch in saltwater and sprinkling it in all directions, chanting, "In the name of Yesod, by the glory of the moon, purify this domain!"
The candles at the four corners lit themselves.
"Raphael in the East, Michael in the South, Gabriel in the West, Uriel in the North!"
The four archangels descended, guarding the quarters.
A scepter appeared in Morpheus's hand. Chanted incantations began to echo automatically... not his own, but pre-prepared ones for Servant summoning.
These incantations would anchor the summoning to the Artemis of the Fate/Grand Order world, not the mythical deity.
As the chants continued, Morpheus raised his scepter, pointing to the Tree of Life in the void, at the ninth Sephirah, Yesod.
"Shaddai El Chai, Almighty Living God! Eternal God, open the lunar kingdom, connecting Malkuth to Netzach!"
Morpheus chanted special Hebrew words. Divine power flowed, bridging the moon and the material world. Spirituality descended, manifesting in the physical realm!
The natural love of Netzach began to flow, also manifesting in the material world, opening a path to the Reverse Side of the World.
But the ritual wasn't complete.
Morpheus floated the lunar sigil in the air, chanting, "Artemis Phosphoros, Locheia, Selasphoros! In Shaddai's name, manifest thy silver bow, piercing the chaotic night!"
The moon's power descended, growing stronger... an energy far beyond a Servant summoning. Immense divine power surged through the temple!
Feeling this familiar power, Morpheus smiled, casting honey and frankincense into the burner for the final step.
"With pure fire, I offer to the Queen of the Wild... may thy arrows guide the lost!"
The moon's power coalesced, forming a familiar figure. The maiden gazed at Morpheus, smiling.
"Long time no see, darling~"
The Moon Goddess had descended!
***
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