The concept of Idol Theory posits that an imitation sharing the form and traits of an original object inherits a portion of its power.
For instance, crafting a cross, though man-made, can channel some of the original power associated with the Christian cross.
Emiya Shirou's Unlimited Blade Works stems from his unique "Sword" origin.
Legendary artifacts recorded in the Root can be reproduced through his projection magecraft, as if printed directly.
These creations are nearly identical to their originals, the pinnacle of forgery.
In this moment, in this enigmatic place, the weapons strewn across the ground are all storied armaments... Noble Phantasms, each with a name etched in history.
Emiya Shirou was ready for a grand battle with Morpheus, but to his surprise, Morpheus didn't attack or cower. Instead, he darted to a weapon on the ground, crouched, and began examining it closely.
"What era is this weapon from? Who wielded it?" Morpheus asked Emiya directly.
Emiya, poised for combat, felt his enthusiasm deflate. Frowning, he asked, "What are you doing?"
"If I kill you, you'll return to the Throne of Heroes. Calling you back would be a hassle. So, tell me about these weapons... I'll take notes!"
Morpheus pulled a weapon from the ground and began analyzing its structure without hesitation.
It didn't take long. In mere minutes, he fully dissected the weapon, tossed it aside, and moved to another.
The sheer number of weapons was overwhelming... days wouldn't suffice to study them all. After a moment's thought, Morpheus decided to focus on the most valuable.
"Can you show me Caliburn?"
"Caliburn? The Sword of Selection?" Emiya was surprised Morpheus named one of the mightiest weapons.
"Yep. I've seen Artoria with Excalibur, but I'm not as interested in it. Caliburn, though... that intrigues me. You can project it for me to study, and use it to fight me, right?"
Emiya didn't grasp Morpheus's intent, but it didn't stop him.
The peerless sword of kings materialized in Emiya's hands, the once-broken blade now pristine!
Morpheus leaned in, unguarded, and touched the weapon.
Its compact internal structure and superbly forged blade weren't the focus. The external design... blade proportions, hilt details... was what Morpheus memorized.
If he were to craft a mystic code based on Caliburn or design a magecraft ritual around it, this knowledge would be invaluable!
"Thanks." Morpheus bowed politely to Emiya, who appreciated the gesture. But then Morpheus asked, "By the way, can you replicate Odin's Gungnir?"
Emiya raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I'm a god?"
"Fair enough…" Morpheus shook his head, disappointed, then asked, "What about the Emerald Tablet?"
Emiya's mouth twitched. "You think that's possible?"
"Ugh, too many limits." Sighing, Morpheus leaped back, clapping his hands. "I'm done studying. Let's fight!"
Emiya exhaled in relief, finding this human odd and hard to handle.
Finally, a fight... just what he wanted.
Among the endless weapons, Emiya raised a hand, and two swords rose from the ground into his grasp.
Upon touching them, the combat experience of their original wielders flowed into him, allowing him to wield them as deftly as their owners.
One was the white holy sword Gram, the prototype of Arthur's blade. The other was the black-red demonic sword Dainsleif, the legendary weapon of Denmark's King Högni.
Battle erupted in Emiya's Reality Marble, the two clashing once more.
Dodging was pointless... only direct combat brought true thrill.
Ignoring the weapons' sharp edges, Morpheus relied on his mystic code's defense, rivaling a nuclear bunker, and met them with fists and arms.
Clang!
His madman-like actions produced the sound of metal clashing. Even legendary Noble Phantasms... demonic and holy swords... couldn't scratch the human named Morpheus!
Emiya's jaw dropped at the worldview-shattering sight.
How was this possible?
These weren't the C-rank Kanshou and Bakuya. Gram and Dainsleif were genuine B-rank Noble Phantasms!
"Attacks that can't break atoms are useless against me."
Morpheus's bold claim stunned Emiya. "Break atoms?"
"Whoops, got carried away. I got so excited I thought I was a Saint Seiya for a second."
Morpheus grinned, summoning the sword that had countered Emiya's Caladbolg II.
Even without his mana, this blade... gifted by the war god Ares... held immense power as the Sword of the War God.
Trained in swordsmanship, Morpheus, enhanced by his magecraft, unleashed a slash that spawned multiple wind blades hurtling forward!
Boom!
Roaring gales, like a god's wrath, swept through everything. The ferocious force roared within the Reality Marble, overwhelming its master, Emiya Shirou.
One slash... just one.
The world shattered under its force, the Reality Marble collapsing.
Stepping forward, Morpheus lightly patted the fading Emiya's shoulder and said softly, "If I cut through your Reality Marble, does that count as grasping a special concept of the world?"
"Huh?"
Emiya smiled. "Dreaming, are you? That concept's tough to grasp. If you want it, find a guy dripping in gold."
"Oh, right, I've got his tablet," Morpheus nodded.
Emiya shook his head, smiling, and vanished, returning to the Throne of Heroes.
As the world crumbled, four figures approached. Besides Olga Marie, Mash, and Ritsuka, there was a familiar face.
"Cú Chulainn, and he seems unaffected by the Grail… Right, a Shadow Servant. He hasn't been defeated by Saber Alter yet, so he's not corrupted…" Morpheus nodded, waving. "All clear here. You guys are slow!"
"You took down the mad dog guarding this place?" Cú Chulainn asked, approaching with a staff, clearly in his Caster class. Morpheus nodded. "Yep. If you mean the knight guarding the king, that was me."
"A human, and that strong!" Cú Chulainn's eyes lit up, sizing Morpheus up. "How about we have a go?"
True to his battle-loving nature, Cú Chulainn issued a challenge.
"Typical Cú, never changes," Morpheus quipped.
Cú Chulainn looked surprised. "You know me?"
"Yeah. Not this world's you, but another world's... Lancer class," Morpheus said casually, turning to Mash. "How'd you win?"
"Mr. Cú Chulainn provided support fire, and we beat Medusa together," Mash said softly, nodding. "Without his help, it would've taken much longer."
"Is this how the original story goes? If I recall, in Fate/Grand Order, Mash fought Medusa alone… Where'd Cú Chulainn come from? Anime plot?" Morpheus mused, struggling to pin down whether this was the game or anime timeline, then shook his head. "Should've studied the source material more. Time travel's a pain…"
He gave up analyzing the timeline, deciding to take it one step at a time.
With his strength, he could handle most opponents anyway.
Olga Marie had just witnessed a true Servant battle, its terrifying power seared into her mind. Mash, as a Demi-Servant, adapted and gained experience, gradually suppressing Medusa. But when Medusa unleashed her true strength, Mash was overwhelmed.
Without Cú Chulainn's timely aid, Mash... and they... might have died!
Yet Morpheus, a human, not only easily defeated the Assassin but also stormed here to take down the Servant guarding the king... a knight likely stronger than most!
Olga Marie now truly believed Morpheus could rival mythical phantasmal beasts.
Her curiosity about his past grew. What adventures had he experienced in ancient Greece? Where had he met Cú Chulainn, and from another world no less?
Such tales sparked deep intrigue.
But now wasn't the time for stories... they needed to resolve the crisis.
Storytelling could wait until they returned to Chaldea.
Finally, they faced their ultimate foe: the woman on the throne, the black-clad Servant ruling Fuyuki City... Saber Alter, Artoria Pendragon!
Her dark crimson aura exuded menace, her weapon radiating the same ominous hue!
Saber Alter's mere presence exerted immense pressure, broadcasting an unmistakable message.
She was invincible!
Cú Chulainn, feeling the weight, stepped forward to speak, but Morpheus charged ahead, sword in hand, shouting, "Sorry, in a rush... you're out first!"
No plan, no preparation... just a headlong rush at the strongest foe. Cú Chulainn felt like a fake magus watching this reckless one!
The black king faced her challenger, her expression cold and regal. Gripping her weapon without underestimating him, she gathered her power!
Boom!
The clash of swords, even a mere touch, unleashed a deafening pressure that made ears ring!
The air torn by their weapons produced shockwaves, ripping the ground apart!
A relentless flurry of clashes followed, a piercing cacophony like a torrential symphony, wild and frenzied, chilling to hear!
Everyone watched, wide-eyed, as a human fought the top-tier Servant without yielding an inch!
"No way… A human?!" Cú Chulainn grinned, his smile twisted, as if forced.
His worldview was shattered.
***
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