Fate Cultivation

In a run down house outside of Spring Water City, three figures stood inside confirming and corroborating the evidence they've gathered.

"I see. So you believe that due the large amounts of mana in the air this world must still be in the Age of the Gods, correct?". Asked Merlin.

Nodding, Shen Wenyan replied, "I think so. I can still feel a connection to both the Throne of Heroes and the ROOT, however it feels... different".

Both Enkidu and Merlin looked at Shen Wenyan with a different expression. Enkidu looked rather worried for his Master while Merlin just cheerfully smiled.

"Your connection with both of them probably feels clearer. The being known to us as Gaia and Alaya do not exist. There is no Crimson Moon, no True Ancestors and no Counter Force to guard humanity. I can feel it. Although the anchors that hold together the fixtures of the world are terribly loose, if they were like this on Earth I wouldn't have been stuck in the Garden of Avalon for many years...", he said with a sigh.

Enkidu nor Shen Wenyan brought this up again instead they asked, "So how does the world protect itself from outside threats?".

"If the people here are as strong as you say, they must have the ability or potential at least to ascend to a higher existence. My guess must be centered around the amount amounts of mana in the air. It's quantity is not just greatly increased but the quality as well. If this planet is still in the Age of Gods, perhaps Phantasmal Beasts and Divine Spirits are more common here?".

Merlin's statement made Shen Wenyan frown slightly. The thought did cross his mind, however he hadn't yet seen a Phantasmal Beast or a Divine Spirit so he ignored the idea. But if Merlin suggested the possibility.

"Anyway moving on to a more important thought...", the air in the room shifted and Merlin brought his hands together over his mouth. The serious expression on his face caused even the normally calm and collected Enkidu to stiffen.

"You said that you were with a group earlier, correct?".

Shen Wenyan nodded but didn't say anything. He didn't want to associate with people who call him a weakling. He believed he had formed a 'friendship' with the group, or at the very least, Little Lin and Nuo Mei, however what type of friend would make you bow down to the person who wants your life?

"So were are they?".

"I told you they-".

"I don't care! You said they were beautiful right!".

Nodding again, albeit a little slowly Shen Wenyan glanced at Enkidu who was shaking his head.

"All beautiful girls have a little pride! They were just worried about you! You should've stayed with them so-".

Enkidu interrupted, "So you can flirt and tease them all night long, no thanks".

Merlin only looked back at Enkidu with a cheeky smile, "Beauty comes in all shapes and forms and is something to be admired. I'm only getting my eyeful".

Enkidu scoffed before looking at Shen Wenyan, "You should prepare for the duel tomorrow Master. Even though 'he'", pointing towards Merlin, "is a fiend and a horrible human being-".

"I'm only half-human!". Retorted Merlin.

"He is a very good magus and I cannot deny the fact that he is not just a great asset in battle but is also a very knowledgeable man. I will be outside of you need", giving Shen Wenyan a small smile he dissipated in a multitude of glowing motes of light.

Merlin, who was sitting down in a chair looked excitedly at the empty chair beside him then moved his gaze to Shen Wenyan.

"Sit, sit! It's been a long time since you've last summoned me. I think the last time was in...".

"1969. When humans landed on the moon".

Merlin leaned back into his chair and had a reminiscent look in his eyes, "Wow that was a long time ago. I still can't believe that humans reached the moon before Mages did. Who would've thought?".

Shaking his head the former expression on his face fell away and was replaced by a mischievous expression, "Now then... take off all your clothes".

A weird silence took over the room before a sword appeared from out of the ground a pierced the chair Merlin was sitting on.

"Oi! Lancer! That was uncalled for!".

"Sorry Caster didn't see you there. The image of you and a pervert crossed my eyes for a second it won't happen again".

Merlin muttered something under his breath, "It was just a joke you silly lump of clay, haven't you-".

Another dozen swords appeared all around the room but Caster just waved his hands and said, "I didn't say anything. You might hurt Master".

The swords vanished but Enkidu's voice coldly snorted before his presence left and Merlin finally sighed a breath of relief.

"Anyway Master, just the top will do I need to check a few things".

With a wave of his staff the broken table in the corner of the room melted and reformed a wood table with four legs. Indicating for Shen Wenyan to lie down he did so and trusted Merlin completely not to do anything inappropriate.

Shen Wenyan's eyes grew heavier and heavier as Caster's hypnosis spell put him under and his breathing and c.h.e.s.t rising synchronized.

Placing his hand over his heart, Merlin pushed some of his od into his Master's body with little to no resistance at all. It should be known that a Grand Caster like Merlin could send his od or even command the prana in the air to do this and detonate within someone's body. It took great trust for two parties to do an operation like this.

"Master, the Throne is intact and nothing appears out of the ordinary- hmm? What's this? Lancer I need your assistance". Appearing faster than he disappeared Enkidu came into the room and stood beside Caster, a stern expression on his face.

"What is it Caster? Is something wrong?".

"He has a foreign object sealed inside his lower abdomen? Did you know this?".

Shaking his head Enkidu replied, "No I do not. Why do you ask? Surely you would know more about it then me?".

Raising an eyebrow Caster said, "I normally would, however they are sealed by the Chains of Heaven, your chains".

Surprised by the fact Enkidu looked at Shen Wenyan's abdomen and flicked his hand a little hoping to provoke a response. To Caster's surprise the chains only tightened instead of loosening, unresponsive to Enkidu's commands.

"This...", Enkidu was shocked. The connection between him and the Chains of Heaven were absolute, normally nothing could break it. His very concept, his very origin was, the Chains of Heaven. Yet now, apart of him had now disobeyed him and gone against his will.

"That isn't the only thing Lancer. Look at this". Holding his staff with both hands he gently placed the tip of it on the forehead of Shen Wenyan, causing a bright golden light to fill the room.

"Wha-?".

".....".

Both Heroic Spirits were shocked at what they saw. Shen Wenyan's face had changed, even his body structure and height changed.

"Caster... what was that?".

The white haired magus replied, "It was an extremely high level illusion cast over this young man's body. I almost didn't notice it, it was that good, however-".

"However what?", question Enkidu.

"However, there is no doubt in my mind that this body did not originally belong to Shen Wenyan. The illusion placed on the body was dependent of the state of mind the applicant of the spell possessed".

Enkidu stared blankly for a second before realizing, "That means...".

"Correct. The person who has the spell applied to their body can change their form as much as they want. Height, weight, gender, facial hair, bodily functions. It was a illusion that couldn't just adapt, but affect reality. Even I would have trouble doing something like that". Merlin clenched his fist. He wasn't jealous, but the level of illusion placed was something that worried him. If this world possesses more beings that can do things like that.

He shuddered at the thought.

"Wait, does that mean that Master killed this body's owner when we came here?".

Merlin straightened his back and thought for a moment before shaking his head, "No. The Chains of Heaven and that mysterious [Gate] wouldn't of let the owner of this body die without it being of natural causes. Master's soul must've been accepted into the body along with the Throne of Heroes and Root Directory. He is now stuck inside this young man's body... although I have to say it is an improvement especially-".

Enkidu punched the perverted magus on the back of the head has he tried to lift up the blanket on the lower half of the body.

Getting up Merlin ignored the growing lump on his head ans said, "I can probably reapply the spell, however it won't be as effective as before. If someone as strong as the one who cast the spell looks at Master, they will realize he is under an illusion. Will you be the one who tells him?".

Enkidu nodded and said, "Yes I will. I will also suggest that he summon at least another Servant of our caliber immediately in order to increase his security".

Merlin only asked, "Did you have anyone in mind?".

"I was considering a Saber or Archer be summoned. Another Knight Servant would be excellent in combat if the need arises. Although...".

"Although what?".

"Although I don't want Ishtar to be summoned. That woman is one of the 3 things I despise most in this world. Ereshkigal isn't bad though she's nice... for a God of the Underworld that is".

Merlin was in the process of waking Shen Wenyan up before asking, "Aren't they Gods? Can they even be summoned through the Throne of Heroes?".

"I think so. I mean Angra Mainyu was summoned by the Einzbern when Master allowed him to be, so I since neither Gaia nor Alaya exist anymore, I wouldn't why Gods couldn't be summoned".

The silence in the room was rather heavy. Gods? Beings that haven't been seen by mortal eyes for several millennia could be summoned by their Master. The powerful ones, like Zeus, Jupiter, Lugh, Amaterasu and Ra were all beings capable of being summoned?

Merlin suggested, "We should probably tell Master about this as well".

Enkidu nodded.

The two Servants looked over at their Master whose eyes were fluttering and fingers were scrunching.

'What a troublesome master I have...'.