SWNOVELXO Chapter 40: The Omni Force Awakens!
Bayeux, the Plains – Battlefield of Darkness
The Servants struggled to stand, their bodies on the verge of collapse. All they could do was stare at Zoth in horrified silence.
"Well then~?"
Zoth gently stroked the edge of Caladbolg, voice drawn out with a mocking laugh. He looked down on the Chaldea group and the Heroic Spirits with the arrogant air of one who had crushed their final hope.
"Feels helpless, doesn't it? Tired, aren't you? Well then... allow me to end this little tragedy~."
He closed the Omni Force on his Driver, then burst into laughter as he pressed his hand down on the device once again.
[Omnimus Loading...]
[Solomon Zone! Fuhahahaha…]
The golden Caladbolg in Zoth's hand erupted with radiant energy like stardust. He swung it toward the sky—a sharp beam of light shot straight into the Great Book.
Shkk—!!
The Great Book opened wide, unleashing a massive blood-red field of energy that descended upon the battlefield like the scythe of Death, reducing all of Normandy to a blood-soaked wasteland.
"A–Aah!!"
Ritsuka and the Servants braced themselves. Crimson lightning crackled like flaming whips, lashing across their bodies, making them tremble and convulse in unspeakable agony.
"Lord Camelot!!"
Mash screamed, pouring everything she had into her Noble Phantasm. A radiant barrier formed around the group—their final line of defense, glowing faintly from her shield.
Zoth glanced down at it, his voice slow and ominous like a death knell:
"Even if you try... it's all pointless."
He raised Caladbolg to the sky, the blade gleaming like a dying sun—then pointed it downward, like a god delivering divine judgment.
From the shattered heavens descended golden Mechas shaped like the King of Solomon—piercing through the black clouds like heavenly soldiers from the Throne, crashing straight into the last remaining defenses.
"Senpai—! I... I can't hold on anymore!!"
"Mash, hang in there!!"
"Damn it! We can't let them break through!!"
"This is bad... Romulus, can you still fight!?"
"Rome... still breathes."
Romulus growled, blood streaming down his forehead.
"Tezcatlipoca! Please—!!"
"No problem," the Grand Berserker snarled. "Hold the line!"
Tezcatlipoca raised his hand, and the black sun reignited. From the void emerged grotesque dark creatures, writhing like hellish worms, charging into the golden Mechas to intercept their assault.
Then—Grand Berserker roared and hurled himself at Zoth like a blazing meteor, his fists wreathed in flame, carrying the force of a colliding planet!
"HAAAAAAAA!!!"
[Crack—!!]
Zoth activated Omni Visions—reading every move. He caught the incoming arm, gripped it tightly—and snapped it like dry wood.
"AAAAHHHHH—!!"
Tezcatlipoca's scream echoed across the battlefield.
"Shhh... you're being too loud. Hurts my ears~."
Zoth smirked, his twisted smile like a doting parent scolding a misbehaving child. Then he hissed softly:
"But hey, time to rest at the Throne of Heroes, don't you think?"
He drew Bilgamed, its silver blade trembling faintly in his grasp—ready to deliver the final blow to send Grand Berserker to eternal slumber.
But at that moment—
[Seiba Battou!]
[Haou Nisatsu Giri! Sa–Sa–Saber!]
A blade of azure light tore through the void—cutting through the wind like a divine slash, striking Zoth and sending him flying!
[BOOM—!!]
Zoth smashed into the ground, his face twitching from the impact. He sprang back to his feet immediately, his crimson eyes scanning the battlefield.
"...Who!? Who the hell—!?"
A cold, calm voice echoed through the suffocating air:
"Never imagined... my former master would become something like this. Truly... an eye-opener."
Near Ritsuka, an indigo gate opened amidst the ruins—like the turning pages of an ancient tome. From within stepped a lone figure.
Clad in deep blue armor dotted with white stars like a galactic sky. His pauldrons resembled dragon heads, and his helmet was sleek, crowned with a single sharp horn like a blade—an otherworldly Saber had arrived.
"—Ah! Saber!? How did you even get here?"
Ritsuka exclaimed, both stunned and overjoyed.
"Well, the old man figured your Master couldn't handle this one."
The mysterious Saber replied coolly. "He couldn't intervene himself, fearing butterfly effects, so he sent me and... someone else."
"Someone else?"
Ritsuka asked, eyes narrowing.
"It is I!"
CLANG—!!
A massive greatsword slammed into the earth. Along with it, a figure slowly emerged from the [Book Gates]—an overwhelming presence, sharp and final as a death blade.
Grand Assassin: First Hassan – has entered the battlefield.
"The Old Man of the Mountain...?! You came too!?"
Ritsuka's eyes widened, unable to hide his shock and joy.
"Master, from here on... leave this to me and Saber."
First Hassan nodded coldly. He turned to face the silver-gold armored form of Zoth—his killing intent rising like a pillar that tore the sky apart.
"Oh my~"
Zoth chuckled softly, brushing the dust off his shoulder armor. He looked up at the two new arrivals.
"From three Grands to four, just to deal with me?"
He smirked. "Truly, I feel... honored~."
CLANG!!
A spark flew behind him. Zoth spun around—Caladbolg swept up to block a sneak attack, the blade tearing through the air with a deafening whistle. He launched a vicious spinning back-kick.
"Urgh!"
The mysterious swordsman was knocked back but quickly jammed his sword into the ground, dragging two glowing lines before regaining balance—his eyes sharp as a centuries-honed blade.
Zoth glanced at the two, then let out a dry chuckle:
"First Hassan… and you—the one I once took in as a disciple from a diverging timeline, yes? Shirou."
He chuckled quietly:
"Ha… The world certainly has a twisted sense of humor."
"U-uh!"
Mash struggled to rise, trembling. Ritsuka rushed to support her, focusing all his mana.
"Hang in there, Mash! We're not alone anymore…!"
Shirou raised the Haouken, pointing it at Zoth with unwavering resolve:
"Master. With all due respect… please stop this madness."
Zoth laughed, crossing his arms as though enjoying a show:
"Oh please~ You think I'm the type who can be talked down? I do what I want. And you, little boy... sticking your nose in adult affairs, are we?"
"No more words! Saber—strike now!!"
First Hassan growled, then dashed forward—his killing aura slicing the ground open in his wake.
"Zoth! Face my blade!!"
[BOOM—!!]
The battle erupted once more—violent as a whirlwind that devoured the sky. The space around them twisted as First Hassan clashed directly with Zoth.
Light and shadow collided, sword auras shrieking as they tore across the battlefield. Each attack fell like a meteor shower aimed at Zoth's every step.
First Hassan led the charge—his deathly swordplay so cold it seemed to freeze time itself.
But Zoth, with his Omni Vision fully active, saw through every strike.
He dodged, countered, even mocked each blow, dancing on the edge between life and death—conducting a symphony of dominance and war.
"This battle… sends chills down my spine."
Zoth whispered with a cold smile, gently spinning Caladbolg in his hand like playing amidst a storm of blades.
"Thanks for the entertainment."
"That's enough! End him now!"
Romulus roared, thrusting his hand upward—a rain of radiant spears descended like divine judgment from the heavens.
"Right!"
Everyone unleashed their full might. A grand offensive burst forth—attack after attack, a symphony of holy fire and death echoed across the battlefield.
But—Zoth laughed still.
Beneath his helmet was a smile bordering on madness.
He drove Caladbolg into the ground, then coldly pressed the Driver twice.
[Demigod Zone! Fuhahahaha…]
A dark portal opened beside him. Zoth gathered black-gold energy into his fist, stepped lightly forward—and punched through the gate—
BOOM—!!
High above, a giant red portal split space apart. From within, a colossal fist emerged—descending like the wrath of ancient gods.
A Rider Punch that shattered reality itself!
The punch slammed down, obliterating everything—dust, sword aura, willpower, and the very sky. The Servants and Chaldea alike were shaken, pushed back by the wave of destructive energy that crushed all resistance.
"Kh… cough... Saber!!"
Ritsuka coughed violently, still forcing himself to stand, shouting:
"Counterattack!!"
"Got it."
Shirou tightened his grip on the Haouken. Blue light flared from his armor. He pulled back the guard on his sword, locking it in—activating his finisher.
[Haou Hissatsu Read!]
[Kidoku Juu Seiken!]
[Haou Xross Sei Retsuzan!!]
Behind him, holy swords materialized—floating mid-air as symbols of supreme authority. Shirou turned and swung—azure sword energy tore through the darkness, clashing directly with the colossal fist.
KRA-KOOM—!!!
The explosion tore the sky apart. The Rider Punch's gauntlet shattered layer by layer. Zoth staggered back, one arm numb—but he laughed.
"HAHAHAHA~!! Now that's more like it!!"
Zoth spread his arms wide as if to embrace the fury:
"Now I understand why that guy entrusted you with the Xross Saber!!"
Suddenly—
CLANG–! CLANG–! CLANG–!
The sound of bells rang—echoing like funeral chimes from the tomb of fate.
Zoth looked up.
A figure in black robes descended silently from the void, wielding a massive greatsword—an incarnation of doom itself.
"Do you hear it, Zoth...? That is the tolling of fate.
Now... embrace your death!"
"Azrael!!"
BOOM—!!
The black greatsword came crashing down, laced with the very concept of death. Zoth instantly raised Caladbolg to block—the clash of blade against blade, reaper versus demigod.
BANG—!!
A shockwave exploded, ripping the ground apart. They locked blades—forces colliding, light flaring like the apocalypse.
Shirou spotted an opening—he raised Xross Saber high.
Azure sword aura blazed like cosmic starlight, swirling around the blade. He slashed downward—like the first dawn ripping apart the night.
BOOM—!!
The impact blew Caladbolg from Zoth's hand!
In an instant, First Hassan teleported—a sweeping slash carved across Zoth's chest, etching into it the curse of death.
BOOM—!!
Zoth was sent flying, crashing into the earth like a falling meteor. His breastplate cracked, black blood dripping slowly from the break.
He touched the wound… then scoffed.
"All of you ganging up like this... don't you feel ashamed?"
Shirou planted Haouken into the ground. His eyes were ice. His voice, steel:
"Didn't you teach me yourself... 'If you can gang up, why solo?'"
Zoth froze. His face twitched. Then he slammed his fist into the ground and roared:
"That damn Otaku bastard—
What the hell was he teaching you?!
Did he not teach you the pride of a true swordsman!?"
"Lost in thought on the battlefield… Solomon the Holy Sovereign?"
A shrill voice cut into his fury, slicing through his thoughts like a blade.
Zoth looked up—Romulus!
From above, spears of light came raining down at breakneck speed, each streak trailing divine death.
"Per Aspera Ad Astra!!"
BOOM–! BOOM–! BOOM–!!
A barrage of radiant spears pierced the earth, pinning Zoth down. He couldn't react—his eyes widened as divine lightning-like lances impaled his armor and body.
"Here's more, Holy Sovereign Solomon!!"
Noah, standing atop his Ark, raised a blazing crimson sword, eyes burning with judgment.
"Noah Ark's!!"
BOOOOM—!!
From the ship, a great flood surged forth—as if the entire ocean had risen to smite Zoth with divine wrath.
Zoth gritted his teeth, yanked out the spears, and reached out—Nagare appeared. He was ready to freeze the flood like before—
But—Shirou was waiting!
[Seiba Battou!]
[Haou Sansatsu Giri! Sei, Saber!!]
Haouken blazed like the Milky Way. Shirou dashed in—a slashing X carved deep into Zoth's back, launching him straight into the oncoming flood.
BANG—!!
The deluge consumed him, the whirlpool flinging Zoth away, slamming him into a mountain ridge—embedding him into the rock like a divine punishment stake.
"Cough... cough—! You people...
Don't you feel the slightest shame ganging up like this?
Is this how noble Heroic Spirits fight, huh?"
Zoth clawed his way out of the crater, shaking his head as if to stay calm—his eyes now seething with rage.
His armor was cracked—golden fissures glowing, leaking pure magical energy—
True Ether.
His body… had long surpassed its limit. But Zoth didn't care.
All he wanted—
was to erase this world as soon as possible.
"You bastards... you're really driving me insane now..."
"Jalter! Unleash your Noble Phantasm!"
Ritsuka gave the order—his voice cold as a blade.
"Tch! Ordering me around again, huh?
...Fine. I'll let it slide. Just this once."
Jalter slammed her black flag into the ground, drew her jet-black sword, and pointed it at Zoth, murmuring an incantation:
"The flames of my revenge... my retribution.
I'll skewer you with my burning hatred—
La Grondement Du Haine!!"
BOOM—!!
A black pillar of flame erupted where Zoth stood, burning like hell itself awakening. Black spears rained from the sky—piercing into him, locking his body down, scorching even his soul.
"GRHH—!! You bastards—!!"
Zoth roared, swinging Caladbolg, severing the dark spears and breaking free from the inferno, flames licking across his armor.
But—BOOM—!!
Noah's Ark crashed into him like a meteor!
Noah leapt off the ship, shouting to the heavens:
"Tezcatlipoca! Now!!"
Zoth staggered up from the wreckage—
Too late.
"First Sun: Xibalba!!"
A black sun appeared—shining with death, incinerating the land and engulfing even Noah's Ark.
Zoth screamed, crawling from the crater, armor scorched and stained with gold-black ash, his chest still bleeding.
"Ha... ha... ha... You all... If you're going to push me this far..."
"...Then I won't hold back either!!"
Zoth slammed the Omni Force shut on his Driver. He punched it—like tolling the bell of doom.
[Omnimus Loading…]
[Solomon Break!!]
He raised Caladbolg, the blade erupting in golden dust and black miasma.
The sky cracked open.
Stars fell—meteors.
He swung his sword.
And the meteors fell.
The earth trembled.
Massive burning stones crashed down like divine judgment.
Shirou shouted, ripping Haouken from the Driver—
[Seiba Battou!]
[Haou Issatsu Giri! Saber!!]
His sword flared blue, and Shirou dashed forward—shattering meteor after meteor. But there were too many—he couldn't cut them all.
Mash stood, struggling to lift her shield, trying to activate her Noble Phantasm—
But her body could no longer handle it.
And then—
A familiar voice, calm and warm like a prayer, rang out.
Light enveloped them all—stopping the rain of meteors mid-air.
"Luminosité Eternelle!!"
A radiant golden barrier expanded like a divine curtain between heaven and earth, halting the deadly downpour.
"Miss Jeanne! You're here?!"
Ritsuka turned, eyes wide, shouting to the figure in white within the light.
"Yes... I'm sorry I'm late. The Megid swarm was overwhelming—I couldn't retreat earlier."
Jeanne replied, softly clutching her white flag, nodding with a face full of guilt.
"You too... Jeannette..."
Zoth growled, gripping his helmet tight, voice thick with barely-contained fury.
"EVEN YOU WANT TO STAND IN MY WAY?!
I ONLY WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BETTER ENDING!
WHY?!
WHY DO YOU OPPOSE ME?!"
He roared, losing himself to madness—Caladbolg flaring with energy as he pointed it straight at Jeanne.
"Zoth! Please, stop!"
Jeanne called out firmly, her eyes blazing with resolve.
"A world built upon the pain and sacrifice of others… that's not something I could ever wish for!"
"Is that so…?"
Zoth chuckled dryly. He stroked the side of his helmet—but then suddenly clenched it, claws scraping metal with a screech, before screaming:
"Even so… I'll press on, Jeannette! I'll show you—what you truly deserve!!"
Before his voice could even fade, a black-robed figure appeared beside him, swinging a massive sword like death itself descending.
Clang–!!
Zoth reacted just in time, raising Caladbolg to block the strike—but the force still hurled him across the field.
"This old man thinks… you should stop, young Zoth."
First Hassan planted his blade into the ground, resting a hand on the hilt, his deep voice steady, yet commanding.
"Continue down this path… and your end will be nothing but oblivion."
Zoth tumbled across the dirt. He struck his helmet hard—snapping his mind back into focus. As he rose, staggering, the eyes behind his visor gleamed with wild, unhinged light.
"Old man… you of all people should know—just how valuable a human soul truly is, right?"
"What are you implying?"
First Hassan narrowed his eyes.
Zoth's only reply—a savage wave of his hand.
Dozens of [Alter Ride Books] manifested in the air. Each black-and-white tome bore twisted, agonized faces on its cover—screaming silently in the wind.
"Those are…"
Ritsuka looked up in horror, holding Mash close. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way…"
Zoth burst into maniacal laughter, stepping forward slowly, dark energy surging violently around him.
"You all figured my body would collapse soon from overusing Omni Force, right?"
"..."
"Welp~, lucky for me… I came prepared."
His grin widened behind the helmet—deranged, triumphant.
"Stop him!! Don't let Master touch those Alter Ride Books!!"
Shirou roared, gripping Haouken, voice like a war horn.
But—
Too late.
BOOM–!!
A massive shockwave of dark energy erupted from the center, blasting every Servant backward. When they looked up again… Zoth stood tall—his body glowing with destructive magic.
No more cracks.
No more blood.
No more wounds—Zoth had completely regenerated.
"Now then… let's do this. You guys like that Jujutsu-style gank squad bullshit, right? Fine. Let's see how long you last."
Zoth closed the Omni Force book on his Driver, pressing three times rapidly. Once more, that vile mechanical voice rang out—like a death knell:
[Omnimus Loading…]
[Solomon Zone! Fuhahahaha…]
Zoth spread his arms wide—
A spatial field tore open.
Light devoured every Servant and every member of Chaldea—
And in the blink of an eye, they vanished from the real world.
When they opened their eyes again—
Everything had changed.
Floating islands drifted in the sky.
White mist like wandering souls swirled with the breeze.
The space was alien, chaotic, and utterly surreal.
"Damn it…"
Shirou muttered, brows furrowed.
"Master's dragged us into Wonder World again…"
"Wonder World?"
Ritsuka echoed, still disoriented.
"Yeah… this is where every Wonder Ride Book is born.
Where all Sacred Swords of the Sword of Logos originate."
Zoth's voice echoed from above—like the voice of a god.
They looked up—
He stood in midair, arms wide, laughing.
"You know the rules, don't you?
A Servant fighting on their native ground—becomes stronger, right?"
Romulus narrowed his gaze.
"Are you saying…?"
"Exactly. This is Wonder World—
My domain. The world I rule.
Which means here—my power exceeds even the limits of humanity."
Zoth spoke casually, almost like telling a bedtime story.
"Now then… let me show you—
The true power of the Master of Sword of Logos!"
Zoth raised Caladbolg high—
The once-blue sky turned pitch black.
Scarlet lightning twisted and screamed, howling like a requiem for fools who dared to defy his will.