Promised (Reluctant) Victory In Remnant

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

I'm also occasionally chilling in JaxWolf4's (Author of Nah, I'd Adapt and Zenin Days) Discord Server. It's a chaotic lobotomy mess. Not for the faint of heart.

Here's the link:

Disc: HrPrTeam

(Special thanks to Glorious4EyedKing for the Beta Reading Labor!)

-Story Start-

The cries were getting persistent.

"Fou! Kyu!"

"Rude," Alex mumbled with a grimace as he tried his best to ignore the annoying... critter disturbing the best sleep of his life.

The thing slapping his face with a paw was the last straw, however.

Alex's eyes shot open and he lifted his upper body, to be met with...

"Heaven?" He blurted out the first thought that arrived at the forefront of his mind.

He found himself in endless hilled plains, decorated by flowers of inexplicable beauty.

The very flower bed he lay on was as stunning as it was comfortable.

Beyond the horizon were forests and ponds that looked beyond the capacity of beauty and reached into the sacred.

The greatest form of art, Mother Nature could have ever produced.

And not far from him, was a stand-out sight.

A tall tower stood in stark contrast to these endless breathtaking plains, mythical and ethereal in appearance it caught Alex's attention immediately.

Taking an exhale of the thick magically permeated air surrounding him, Alex could only feel at peace in this strange paradise despite all he had gone through this past... unknown period of time

However, it was at the sight of that, familiar tower that Alex realized where had found himself.

The tranquility in his heart, the supernatural feel of this place, the familiar hills, and that tower...

It can be none other than...

'Avalon, The Everdistant Utopia.'

He had seen depictions of it through media; specifically his familiarity with the Nasuverse.

Read descriptions of it through Arthurian Legend...

Yet even those paled in comparison with witnessing and being in the real thing.

If this was his place of rest where he could stay for eternity?

'That'd be ideal.' Alex admitted as he forced himself up on his feet from the comfortable flower bed he lay on.

He couldn't help but contemplate his absurd situation.

"From being denied death, to transmigrating to one Universe, then forced into Purgatory, and now sent into Avalon... Am I the cosmic equivalent of a human ping-pong?"

What went unsaid is how he even got here.

Avalon is... an Everdistant Utopia.

The manifestation of the Utopia King 'Arthur' sought for his entire life.

A realm residing on the Reverse Side Of The World on the same coordinates as Britain - An unreachable Utopia and the Land Of Fairies.

Unless some extraordinary means are used, it is supposed to be unreachable.

"Hopefully this is my final destination if that's the case." He nodded stoically, not complaining one bit he found himself in literal paradise.

He lowered his head at the call to attention from the thing that woke him up.

"Kyu!" It protested.

And what a concerning little critter it was...

A white, furry, squirrel-like creature with big cute ears and an innocent expression.

Alex recognized what that thing was and in all honesty, it was anything but innocent.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Chaldea, Cath Palug?" Alex tilted his head with a deadpan expression as he pointed at the now-named critter.

Cath Palug.

Primate Murder.

Beast Of The Planet.

Beast Of Comparison.

Beast IV.

He held many titles.

Feeding upon the negative emotions of Envy and Regret as a result of conflict between Humans to mature into a monstrosity excelling in the murder of Primates.

In a way, Alex couldn't help but admit that the Beast Of Comparison was similar to the Grimm in a manner.

While the soulless monsters were drawn to ALL manners of negative emotions, Cath Palug had a more strict set of emotions to draw from or be attracted to.

Nevertheless, comparing this Beast to the Grimm would be an insult to the Beast Of The Planet.

If it was up to Cath Palug...

Up to Primate Murder.

He'd have wiped out Humanity off the face of Remnant on his own.

...

But right now? Inside Avalon?

It was pretty much harmless.

"Fou?" Cath Palug mirrored Alex's tilted head, similarly confused.

Unfamiliar with this 'Chaldea' place.

Shaking his head, Cath Palug barked cutely and insisted Alex followed him as he ran ahead, "Fou! Fou! Kyu!"

In the direction of the tower, specifically.

Alex scratched his head with a thin line on his face, "I'd prefer to stay here... indefinitely if possible. Do I have to follow you?"

"Kyu!" Cath Palug chastised and nodded vigorously.

...

Mulling his situation, the gentle sun on his skin doing wonders for his state of mind, Alex cooperated, "If anyone's got answers, then it's that guy." He sighed audibly mentally preparing himself to meet with...

'The shadiest of shady men.' 

With that, he followed Cath Palug's lead, walking across the flowery hills of Avalon at a steady pace.

Enjoying the view and feeling of this Utopia, absorbing the essence of this magical place as much as he could into his memory.

A sight he will most certainly, never forget, even if he cannot stay here.

A liveliness contrasting to that of Purgatory, untouched by the agony and misery of tortured souls.

Completely untouched by Human Civilization, that kind of heaven.

-----------------------------

Alex, following Cath Palug's lead arrived at the foot of the gigantic tower that pierced through the clear blue skies of Avalon.

Ceasing his pleasant and mindless stroll at Cath Palug's angered bark.

Most certainly not directed at Alex.

"FOU! FOU! KYU!" Cath Palug roared out, though given his current stature resulted in but a cute barking that reverberated across the peaceful plains.

Alex's eyes lingered particularly at the foreign, almost magical words written on the base of the tower.

He could hazard a guess what those mean - 'Only those free of sin may pass.'

Nevertheless, Cath Palug's monstrous roars seemed to reach the lone, trapped resident of the tower.

"So quickly have you made contact with something truly beautiful? Cath Palug?" A smooth voice echoed out, audible despite the distance and carrying a notable mischief and teasing in its tone.

"Fou! Fou!" 

"Ah, Excalibur, you say? Truly beautiful indeed." He knowingly inquired.

Alex blinked, as he lifted his head and stated with a little strength in his voice, "I am not climbing that tower to speak with you no matter how desperate I am to hear someone else's voice."

He added, "But if the result is me being trapped here as well... If you agree to be a good roommate and leave me be, I'll climb."

Just then, as Alex voiced out his offer, a chuckle reverberated, and to his considerable surprise...

The tower began to rapidly sink into the flowerbed ground of Avalon, eventually sinking enough to showcase the open canopy where... he was trapped.

"Cool." Alex blinked at that disturbing display of... Magic? Magecraft?

One couldn't be certain with that guy.

"That crazy woman's Bounded Field won't have an effect on you, so I'll have to decline that offer." The easygoing voice finally had an identity.

The canopy was roughly a circle ten meters in radius, holding prisoner but one man.

And not just any man.

Half-incubus.

The Court Magus Of The Knights Of The Round Table.

Magus Of Flowers.

King Arthur's Teacher and Supervisor.

Merlin.

A dashing young man in appearance, his hair appearing the color of a rainbow under the light of the sun.

His looks were nothing short of supernatural, clearly beyond human.

Blinking, Alex admitted, "It feels odd, actually meeting you."

"How so?" Merlin was beyond amused.

"Overly personal. I know too many things about you, it genuinely feels like I'm invading your privacy." Alex nodded.

"Fou?"

Merlin chortled loudly, "Hahahaha! Don't fret over that minor detail! At least, now you know how I feel! Hahahahahah!" He admitted shamelessly.

Calming himself and regarding Alex with a charming and playful smile, that set the blonde on edge, Merlin introduced himself, "You already know who I am, but it is a pleasure to finally meet you, Alexander."

Alex deadpanned and blinked, "Right, Clairvoyance."

"Second to none~" Merlin boasted with a smile that dripped egotism and charisma.

Alex shrugged, "Can't argue with that."

Because it was true, more or less.

Merlin's Claivoryance was on the level of Gilgamesh the King Of Heroes and Solomon The King Of Magecraft - both of whom boasted EX-ranked Clairvoyance.

It was this level of Clairvoyance that allowed Merlin to view...

Everything in the Present.

"Fou?!" Cath Palug pointed at Merlin in sheer befuddlement.

Alex cut to the chase, "I take it you were the one who brought me here?"

Merlin nodded, "In a manner of speaking."

Nodding, Alex's eyes narrowed with determination, "Can I stay here?"

He shook his head, knowingly, "Sorry, your current visit is temporary."

...

Alex's eye twitched but he sighed in quick acceptance, 'Nothing is too good to be true.'

Merlin smiled teasingly, "You must be wondering how you got here, right?"

Alex made a so-so gesture, "I'm just thankful I'm in this heavenly place. How I got here really doesn't matter to me, I'd rather know how I can get to stay." He affirmed.

"Unless you're about to tell me how I can visit this place again?" Alex was dead set on his goals.

No System.

No Purgatory.

Not forced to save the world.

No headaches.

Bliss.

Eternal quiet.

Paradise.

Only an idiot beyond Alex's capacity would refuse such a sacred place of eternal rest.

He could completely understand why Artoria Pendragon sought this Utopia in her lifetime, even if it ended in tragedy.

Merlin explained with a proud expression, "Being the contractor of Avalon made things simple, I activated it by manipulating your... 'Aura' and converting it to the necessary Prana to use while you sleep; thus you are temporarily transported here for as long as your 'Aura' can handle it."

...

"How did you manipulate my Aura while I slept when your stuck in a tower in Avalon, exactly?"

"I'm Merlin." He supplied with an irritating smile as if it was the fit-all answer.

And it was.

"Fair enough."

Alex nodded, "Now I get why I'm temporarily here, but how does that even work? Is simply being Avalon's contractor and activating the Noble Phantasm enough to get here? Aren't I a sinner?"

Avalon was supposed to be genuinely unreachable, but having the sheath itself isn't ordinary means, right?

Merlin replied rather enigmatically, "That relates to the nature of the world you've been transmigrated to and the conditions you have fulfilled."

"In the world you have found yourself in, ascending Purgatory means you have been rightfully cleansed of your sins."

"Whether you did it through an unintended method or not, is inconsequential, regardless you have met the conditions necessary to enter Avalon, as well as wielding the best point of access." He chuckled.

Alex mulled those words, internally pitying someone who desperately aimed for Avalon, 'I would say I had it easy in comparison to Emiya, but I don't think enduring Purgatory is any easier than what he had to achieve.'

He sighed in genuine envy, 'He at least gets to stay here.'

"Indeed, you are quite the fascinating case, Alexander." Merlin genuinely admitted.

Alex's Shady-Person instincts were flaring, code-red blaring in his mind.

He hesitantly inquired, with a genuinely exhausted sigh, "I take it you brought me here for a reason, and not just to ease my mind for a little bit?"

Merlin raised his hands in a placating gesture, "No need to glare, I do everything for the greater good of Humanity."

Alex nodded, "I know, but that's all there is to it. The System, I assume is of a similar mind."

...

Merlin's tone turned serious, "A troublesome parasite."

"Tell me about it."

"Since you already know much about me, let me explain the key difference between myself and the Magic tied to you: I gave her a choice."

Alex traced his memories of what Merlin had meant, narrowing down on a pivotal moment in 'Arthur' Pendragon's story.

Before drawing out the Sword of Selection, Caliburn, Merlin had stopped Artoria with a warning, to think things over - "Becoming a King means no longer being Human."

Even so, the Once and Future King drew the sword with a stoic nod.

...

Merlin lightened the mood with a whimsical statement, "Though, I suppose in the grand flow of fate, choice often proves to be an illusion."

Nodding, Alex tilted his head, "Cut to the chase, what do you want?"

Merlin flashed a charismatic smile, stating matter of factly, "Why, it is to give you counsel, oh-chosen by Excalibur." He gave a polite bow fitting of a former Court Mage Of Camelot.

Alex lowered his head to look at the sword he had yet to let go.

The sword in his right hand, shone even more brilliantly as he wielded it in the land of its very forging.

Alex repeated with confusion, "Did it?"

He wasn't deluding himself...

He knew.

He felt.

That the Sword Of Humanity stuck by him through Purgatory, refusing removal.

He didn't know why, but he was grateful that it stuck with him.

But to go so far as to call himself chosen by it?

He was...

"Unworthy?" Merlin's knowing words drew Alex's attention, saying what went unsaid in his mind.

Merlin shook his head, his grin both amused and knowing, "You humans never cease to amaze me - especially you, who have endured such hardship." His soft chuckle carried a hint of admiration.

"As to your gnawing doubt? Allow me to inquire..."

"What constitutes one as 'Worthy' of Excalibur?"

"Was it morality? Countless men and women were more virtuous than Artoria Pendragon."

"Was it strength, perhaps skill with the blade? Certainly, there were more skilled swordsmen than Artoria Pendragon."

"Was it justice? Certainly, there were knights more just than even the King Of Knights herself among the Knights Of The Round and beyond."

"Was it lineage? Certainly, Artoria was Uther's daughter, but she was not the eldest."

"If it is none of those... why is it that only Artoria Pendragon was worthy of wielding Excalibur, of being Britain's Prophesized King?"

...

Alex could only mull in silence.

"Fou!" Cath Palug interjected the answer, its indecipherable answer leaving Alex even more perplexed.

"Indeed, but he had not heard of the story from myself, he wouldn't understand." Merlin agreed with the critter.

Merlin nodded, supplying the long-awaited answer.

It wasn't anything elegant, nor as 'heroic' as the System had always preached at Alexander.

"It was choice and circumstance. That was what made Artoria Pendragon worthy of Excalibur."

Alex shook his head, "I didn't choose to be Excalibur's wielder, nor this entire mess-" His words were cut short by Merlin's own firm and confident tone.

His tone was playful, yet dripping with wisdom credited to who he is, "Then it is circumstance. However, Choice goes both ways."

"You may not have chosen Excalibur, it might have been forced upon you by that Divine Spirit, however..."

"Excalibur chose to stay with you, and that is something you cannot refute."

...

Alex's head lowered to peer at the sword with a renowned confusion, 'What is it... you expect of me?'

Smiling, Merlin added, "Ponder what Excalibur truly represents, and you'll eventually understand why it chose you."

"Don't worry about some grand purpose or anything, act as you see right." He emphasized.

Merlin's tone lingered, leaving Alex in quiet reflection as the unease gave way to a faint, inexplicable hope.

He waved off the awkward atmosphere as Alex was in deep contemplation, "If you've got any complaints, however... you may head to the lakes of Avalon, mayhaps that woman will accept it back." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Smiling lightly, Merlin added, "But I'm afraid that will have to wait, your time here is coming to a close. I recommend enjoying the time you have left-"

"FOU!" The critter attempted to assault Merlin by jumping to kick his face.

Without hesitation, Merlin forced the underground tower to rise up rapidly, leaving Alex with parting words of great importance.

"Do not worry, Alexander. I am on your side against the System. I believe there is a way to escape its clutches so I suggest you only act upon the 'Quests' you see fit until our next conversation."

"But do keep our meeting here a secret, will you? Do take care in the eight hours you have left in Purgatory~!" Merlin's bell-like voice began to grow distant as the tower rose back to its full height.

"FOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The Beast Of Comparison roared with incredible hatred, a cry that went ignored by both the mischievous Merlin and Alex whose expression was absorbed in thought.

Alex's eye twitched as he gave expression to a taste of his frustration having built up from Purgatory, "YOU MIND SHARING YOUR THEORY YOU GENITALIA WIZARD!?" He uncouthly roared to make sure Merlin heard him up there.

...

Silence.

He fumed, with a shake of his head, "Of course, the one who offers me help against that blasted thing is also a sadistic son of a bitch."

"Fou! Fou!" Folding his paws, Cath Palug readily agreed with Alex's infuriated state with cute nods.

Taking a calming breath, Alex found his fumes running out quickly as he gazed at the beauty of the flowery hills of Avalon.

With a nod, Alex decided to listen to Merlin's advice and enjoy this Utopia for as long as he could.

And to be honest, 'His lecture isn't that bad, I can't say I don't appreciate it.'

Truly, as expected of King Artoria Pendragon's Mentor.

"Fou! Fou!" Cath Palug nodded as well.

Alex decided to aimlessly walk, heading towards the distant hills.

An aimless, peaceful walk.

With Primate Murder at his side.

...

Truthfully, he'd wish it could last forever.

-----------------------------

Alex's stroll didn't last incredibly long before something strange in this tranquil paradise caught his attention.

A distance away from him was one of the many hills that decorated the endless plains of Avalon.

However, there was a single, lone tree there.

Unassuming in appearance yet all the more striking given it was far from the distant forest alongside its brethren trees.

Without much thought, Alex decided to approach it, Cath Palug keeping up with his leisure pace.

Climbing up the flowery hill, Alex's eyes widened momentarily as his unspoken suspicions were confirmed.

Under that lone tree, of a lone hill.

Was a lone sleeping figure.

A deep, eternally patient, and hopeful slumber.

A woman.

A fairy-esque beauty, resting in the backdrop of a paradise.

Eternally waiting, for someone to reach her in Avalon, was...

King Of Knights.

The Once And Future King.

'Arthur' Pendragon.

Or her true identity:

Artoria Pendragon.

...

Without a doubt, she was his better superior, and many thoughts went through Alex's mind as he gazed upon her regale and captivating peaceful visage.

That he had now figured out that...

It was his term.

He was the wielder of Excalibur.

Merlin had suggested he use it as he sees fit.

But he truly wants nothing to do with it.

He doesn't want to save the world.

Nor fix the world.

His goals aren't that... grandiose.

It wasn't even clear if he had any.

Not that he could have any with that System, anyway.

And yet... it would be ungrateful of him to dismiss Excalibur's choice, wouldn't it?

After it had stuck by his side in his time of need.

...

He's still got a lot on his mind.

With a shake of the head and shelving the issue for later, "Big fan." He stated nonchalantly with a nod directed at the slumbering Artoria.

No response came, but he expected that much.

Alex could only stare for a few seconds as she gave no indication of waking up, nodding to himself and turning around immediately, "Would be rude to stare." He affirmed to himself, as he decided to continue to partake in Avalon's beauty as much as time allowed him.

"Kyu!" Cath Palug mentioned with a squeak.

...

"I know she's not waiting for me, I'm not lacking in self-worth to claim myself to be Emiya." He neutrally answered Primate Murder's comment with a shrug.

And it was a few more minutes of strolling later, that Alex was reluctantly forced out of Avalon.

Awakening in that desert filled with saplings, his hand tightly gripped Excalibur's hilt.

As if he had never even visited Avalon, no indication of him having been there.

But his vivid memories, the feel of that place, did not betray him.

And he's glad for it.

"I'll thank him the next time we meet." Alex nodded his unspoken gratitude to the shady Magus of Flowers.

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

BACK TO BACK TO BACK.

KOKUSEN KOKUSEN KOKUSEN KOKUSEN KOKUSEN KOKUSEN.

Anyway, Alex has proven to have EX Rank Luck.

Managing to fulfill the conditions necessary to enter Avalon - alongside having the sheath which would help (go figure).

(Nasuverse Professors please do not burn me at the stake I tried my best okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Anyway.

Avalon, the Nasuverse, and Remnant as a whole are connected.

However, that's for a future explanation as it is not really relevant right now.

I hope the chappy has been enjoyable for you!

And see you all later!

Cath Palug is NOT coming to Remnant chill the fk down.

Also how Merlin's clairvoyance works in relation to Remnant and his knowledge of Alex's or interpretation of his situation are all kept vague because he's Merlin.

And he is, quite literally - the shadiest guy.

But he's better than deary ol System!

Also, I did promise an explanation relating to Excalibur using Mana instead of Aura, but that conversation didn't quite fit in this first visit.

Yes, Merlin visits will be an occasional thing.

Not frequent though.

Also sorry if this was a bit expo-dumpy, but I had to do a solid to all my non-Fate readers.

(Researching for this little thing had been a pain and a half in my attempt to make this relatively accurate... CURSE YOU COMPLICATED FATE BULLSHIT!)

Anywho!

Bu bye!

Love ya!

If ya'll feeling frisky and rich you can donate to my P. A .T R 3 0 N to show some nice and kind support - This is purely support no benefits except early chapters (That I do not do yet properly lmao) which will eventually be available for everyone... like a twitch donation typa thing.

Here's the link:

patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes