1 The second chance

[AUTHOR NOTE! I'm not the most knowledgeable about Nasuverse but I love the characters. If I fuck up, tell me and I'll try to fix it. This will be updated bi-weekly with 4k word chaps. Thanks!]

The crack between universes. A place so inhospitable, it makes deep space look like a luxury resort. Often referred to as 'The Void' by those knowledgeable and powerful enough to even know about it. There was absolutely nothing there. No gasses, liquids or solidous matter existed here. All there was, was a strange mixture of energy permeating all around the Void.

Well, besides that there was a cosmic entity of massive proportions. Floating in a sea of black, its eyes were looking into the universes relatively nearby to its present location. All it could do was watch, however. After eons of watching the worlds within the universes and the lives that shaped those worlds, it felt a budding desire to help shape one, any one with its influence. Yet, thanks to its presence and body, it would instantly destroy or drive entire worlds to insanity.

It could not directly descend into the universes it observed and thus watched, wishing to be part of the amazing stories it witnessed.

That's when it felt something. Something was in the Void it resided in. Looking around with its multiple eyes, it spotted something five million lightyears away from it. In its excitement in finding something new, it tore space asunder and appeared before the new, strange thing in a moment. It was a soul. A human soul had ended up here, somehow. It wondered how it was possible and where the soul came from.

The soul was heavily damaged. It had gone so very long without being in a body, that it had been scrubbed of most if not all of its memories. Gently, the cosmic entity scooped the soul up with its tendrils and looked at it. Even the soul's shape had been forgotten and could no longer be held together. It was an amorphous white body of energy. Knowing that speaking would likely shatter it, the entity employed its psychic abilities and probed its mind.

There was barely anything left. Images and a lingering desire alongside its morals and basic knowledge was what remained. Luckily, it wasn't damaged beyond this.

"W..ho.." It weakly asked, struggling to form the words.

~I? Do not worry. I will not hurt you, small one~ The entity spoke within the soul's mind, trying to soothe it.

~You are so damaged, small one. You remember next to nothing. I see a small.. broken marble within you. You are.. very interesting, small one~ The entity seemed incredibly interested.

"Wh...at..... happ.. happens... no..w..?" The soul asked weakly.

Seeing and hearing the soul being so weak, the entity decided there. To fix the soul. Replace the damaged holes with pieces of itself. It gently brought the soul into its phenomenally massive body and repaired the state of the soul with itself. The soul glowed and turned a midnight blue color. It seemed to regain its vitality after that and took a deep breath, despite not needing to breathe.

"Who am I..? Who are you? Where is this..?" It asked after getting its bearings.

~Be at ease. I have decided to help you. I can return you to your world. A new life once more. I can grant you this. As for your questions? I don't know who you are. Your memories are gone. All I could determine from you are images. For myself? I have no name. I exist outside reality. Which is where we are now. Outside of reality. How you ended up here, I know not. But given the state of your soul, you have been dead for quite some time~ The entity explained as the soul got quiet.

"I.. see.. Dead. I remember next to nothing.. You said you would give me a new life? Why?" It asked, knowing not many would do such a thing without asking anything in return.

~I have watched the universes for so long.. I desire to make a change, somewhere. A change that is not simply wanton destruction. You, are a medium I can use. You, can change things. I looked at the images and the broken marble within. You were what some may call a 'Hero'. Will you accept my proposition?~ It asked, hoping for a yes.

"I..-" The soul sounded unsure but then a shred of a memory surfaced within its mind. It felt more like a powerful desire though. One it must have dearly held onto for all this time.

"I want to see her again.." The soul muttered, unsure of who it was referring to.

~A desire? Yes.. Think hard of the image. Of who you want to see. I can send you to the world if you agree~ The entity gleefully offered.

"Think.." The soul muttered and looked deep within itself.

Inside it were shattered images. Many didn't make sense. They were like tiny pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle. The soul thought and thought. The images gradually made more sense, but they weren't what it was looking for. One image was of a sword sheath. It was close, but not quite. It had to keep looking. There was a blurry one. Black and white shapes? That wasn't it. Then, the last one. Deepest down and protected heavily within its subconscious. The image was more in tact. There was a breathtaking girl. Blonde hair, emerald eyes, fair skinned. Once it reached the image, the Entity reacted.

~Yes.. Yes, I see! I know this one..~ That's when the two moved throughout space at insane speeds the soul didn't feel.

They ended up at a crack in the Void. One that showed images of people fighting with incredible armaments. The entity knew the world. It was one of many stories. It never failed to entertain it.

"Here..? She's here?" The soul asked hopefully.

~Yes. I will send you to her if you act as the agent of change for me. Accept my mark and you can go to see her. Reborn to live anew~ The Entity enticed the soul with its offer.

"I accept" The overwhelming desire to see the woman in the image overpowered any caution and hesitancy the soul had.

~Good. The issue lies with your appearance. You have no images of anyone left besides that person whom you wish to see..~ The Entity thought as it looked at the image within the soul and back into the crack.

~Yes.. Yes, I can work with this..~ The Entity then wrapped the soul in its powers and began to shape it into the image within it.

The girl they wanted to see once again. Though it would not create an exact copy of the girl in appearance. The new color it had given the soul altered its abilities and living appearance. After finishing the molding, the Entity gently pushed the soul into the crack.

~I will be watching, Small one.. Enjoy your new chance at life~ It sent one last thought into the soul's mind before the soul's consciousness faded.

-Tintagel, Britan-

Merlin was having a bit of a dilemma at the moment. Artoria was five years old and, to make sure she could be taken care of, he went to this remote village where Ector and his son, Kay lived. He was to give Artoria over to them until she came of age to take Caliburn. Though, on his way over, just outside the village he felt a wave of magic. A Dragon heart. Just as Artoria had one. He felt this vaguely familiar presence ahead.

"Merliiin.. what was that!?" Artoria asked, more curious than anything.

It appears she felt its emergence as well. Scooping Artoria up and walking towards the disturbance, Merlin readied himself in case something unsavory were to happen. They both arrived at the spot where the disturbance was. There, in a small crater, was a girl. A girl no older than five lie there, naked to boot. Artoria, being curious and trying to be helpful, pulled on Merlin's hair as she pointed to the child.

"Merlin! Merlin! We must help, right!?" Artoria asked with all the enthusiasm a five year old could possess.

"Yes, yes Artor-Ow! Hey stop pulling, I'm going!" Merlin complained as Artoria pulled him like she was steering him along by the hair.

Upon getting a close look at her, Merlin stopped and knitted his brows. The girl looked quite like Artoria. Though her wheat-yellow hair was changed to a white-yellow tone. Her skin was paler as well. Her eyes, which had been scanning the area, were golden and possessed an oval shaped pupil. He likened her eyes to what a Dragon's eyes looked like. On top of this, she possessed a Dragon heart, much like Artoria has. This would have sent a lesser man spiraling into his own thoughts, but with the presence of someone who looked like Artoria, he couldn't afford to. Seeing that she was a child though, he approached and put Artoria behind him.

"Hello? Little one? What might you be doing out here in the forest by yourself?" Merlin asked, looking as non threatening as possible.

"I... I just got.. here.." She responded, looking at Merlin and Artoria.

Once she saw Artoria, her eyes widened. The image engraved in her soul matched. Though she was much younger. Golden hair, emerald eyes. She matched. She didn't realize when but tears started to form in her eyes and started rolling down her cheeks as she stared at Artoria.

"Merliiiin... what did you do..? She's crying.." Artoria immediately blamed the man.

"I..? Surely I didn't do it! Let us try to calm her down first before we point fingers.." Merlin said with a sigh as they both helped the girl up off the ground.

"Here, take this. Wouldn't do if you were to get sick now, would it?" Merlin draped his coat around the girl.

"Thank you.." She muttered, wiping her eyes in confusion.

"Think nothing of it. But perhaps the young lady could tell us her name? Maybe where her parents could be? Hmm?" Merlin smiled and asked.

The girl just blankly stared at him.

~Young lady? Me..? I'm a young lady? That doesn't.. feel right. My name.. What was it? And my parents... I can't remember..~ She thought silently before shaking her head.

"I don't know my name. I have no parents either" She honestly admitted.

"What!? No parents or name!?" Artoria gasped, feeling sorry for the girl who looked similar to her.

"No" She shook her head solemnly.

Merlin watched the girl closely. The future he saw did not include her. But now? It was very blurry. The only thing he could see now was a figure in black armor kneeling before Artoria, who was on a throne. Nothing impacting the future negatively, as far as he could see. But the power she radiated felt very strange to him. He looked at Artoria, who had very quickly become attached to the girl and raised his brow. She was five, yes. But he had never seen Artoria get attached so quickly, even to others of her age.

Sighing, he decided.

"Well how about you come with us, Young Lady? Maybe we can discover your name later when we reach Tintagel?" Merlin smiled.

"Yes! I agree. Oh can I come up with a name!?" Artoria looked at the girl with bright, expectant eyes as they began to walk once again.

"Um.. sure?" The girl couldn't resist the adorable look of excitement on Artoria's face, feeling her heart melt a little.

"Hmmm... let's see..!" Artoria put her hand on her chin and stared at the girl as she thought of a suitable name.

"Altria.." She muttered with a nod of finality.

"Altria hm..? Quite close to your name, Artoria" Merlin smirked as he watched Artoria nod furiously.

"Yes! We look so very alike.. Perhaps when I become King one day you can join me" She said jokingly but was taken back by Altria's determined look.

"I will.. I'll help you" She promised, looking at her small pale hands.

"Oh.. um... Mn!" Artoria replied, unexpected at the sudden developments but pleased she made a new friend.

As they started talking, Merlin both felt and heard something from within Altria he couldn't place. Something that sounded large and metallic had moved. Confusing him, he took a closer look at the girl and widened his eyes.

"Reality Marble.." He muttered lowly as he tried to peek inside.

There was a quick and violent rebound that reeled the Mage's head back. Luckily, both children hadn't seen this and were walking as Artoria discussed her favorite food with Altria. Merlin quickly wiped the blood coming out of his nose from the rebound and almost stopped in place as Artoria and Altria looked at him.

"Ah..! Merliiiin.. are you thinking of buxom women!?" Artoria chastised him, making Altria laugh.

"What!? No! I simply hit my nose on a branch while in thought. You simply have no faith in me, Artoria.." Merlin sighed dramatically, making Artoria stick her tongue out at him before she resumed her talk with Altria about food.

~I only saw for a split second but.. Interesting. That hill of blades..~ Merlin thought, making a note to pay close attention to the newly named Altria as well.

His thoughts continued all the way until they reached Tintagel. Passing by small wooden houses, Merlin was clearly checking out a busty village girl and was about to walk right over to chat her up but he was interrupted by a gruff man clearing his voice.

Looking over, Merlin saw the rather buff figure of Ector, in his full glorious beard. He was looking at Merlin with a reprimanding look as the mage coughed and put on a friendly smile.

"Oh Sir Ector! How nice to see you again. This is Artoria, who I told you about. And this.. is Altria. Let's chat inside shall we? Oh and we simply must get Altria in some proper clothing" Merlin said as he looked at Altria, who was still wrapped up in his coat.

"You have explaining to do.. but very well. Kay!" He called over a young man who looked to be around twelve years old.

"Father? Are we getting that-Oh, hello there!" He stopped speaking mid-sentence and greeted the two identical looking children.

"Yes they're right here. Take this money and bring these two along to the Tailor's. Get her two sets of clothes" Ector finished, waving off his son before walking into his house with Merlin.

The Knight and the Mage had both sat down within the house. Merlin saw Ector fold his arms and look at him in disapproval.

"I agreed to foster the child of King Uther. Why are there two? And don't lie to me and say they aren't related. They look too much alike for that to be the case" Ector immediately asked with a small frown.

"Believe it or not, they likely aren't related. It might be she is a homunculus in Artoria's image but... No. It wouldn't contain the same power as Artoria. My vision does not work on her very well but.. I saw her by Artoria's side in the future" Merlin stated calmly.

"So you want me to look after her too then? Train them both? Ahh... very well" Ector sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Splendid! I'll be training them in their dreams and you can train them in the way of the sword" Merlin stood up but Ector cleared his throat, grabbing his attention once more.

"Is there anything about Altria I ought to know?" He asked, glaring at the mage.

"Well.. maybe? If she begins to use something like magic but.. I have that covered. Ah, but do raise Artoria as a boy. Not many will accept her as a King, being the opposite gender a 'King' normally is" Merlin told him seriously.

"I figured that was the case. I'll take care of it" Ector promised, earning a thankful nod from Merlin.

After that, Merlin made his way out. Though not before seeing Artoria, Altria and Kay returning to the house with Altria dressed in new clothing. A tunic with a dress skirt that went to her calves and leather loafers. Merlin nodded with a smile as the two walked towards him.

"Ah come to see me off, have you? Well I'm simply touched!" Merlin dramaticized.

"Thank you. For letting me come with you and letting me use your coat" Altria said seriously while returning his coat to him.

"You certainly sound mature! Unlike the little beast here.." Merlin smirked and glanced at Artoria, who folded her arms and looked away from him in disapproval.

"Haha! I can tell I'm going to like you!" Kay said, rubbing the tops of their heads.

"Hmph! I'll show you who is a beast when I become King.." Artoria sulked, receiving a pat on her back by Altria, who gave her a believing smile.

"Oh is that so? Hopefully I won't wait too long then! Be good for Sir Ector. I'll see you when the time is right" Merlin said as he walked away and waved them off.

Seeing the only person she knew and could rely on so far leave made Artoria fidget in nervousness. She had never been away from Merlin very long but she learned to be independent to an extent. Through the acts of catching rabbit and cooking it over a fire. She wasn't big enough to catch deer so that was the extent of what she could really do. She would have to learn much more from this point on. She took a breath in, prepared to hide her fear under a mask of excitement but Altria had grabbed her shoulder, garnering her attention.

"It's okay. I know you can do this. I'm here with you, okay?" She told her resolutely.

Artoria should have just dismissed those words as shallow. She hadn't exactly known Altria for long but she felt strangely close to the girl. When she reassured her, she felt as if Altria knew her. When she said she would be by Artoria's side, she believed her. It was strange, having this much trust in someone she just met. She couldn't explain the reasoning as to why she did, but it just felt right to her. Artoria smiled at her new companion and nodded at her.

Ector was watching their exchange from the front of his house. He put his hand on his chin and slowly nodded to himself.

~The kids have spirit. Hopefully they keep that up when pulling horses and doing house duties~ He chuckled to himself and walked out to greet the two.

-Three years later, Eight years old-

From there on, Artoria and Altria stayed with their foster family of Ector and Kay. The house had become far livelier than it had been. Though mainly it was due to the sibling squabbles between Kay and Artoria. Almost always in the middle, was Altria, who often had to mediate between them. It had practically become tradition. Kay ate the leftover meat belonging to Artoria? Get Altria. Artoria shirked her household chores onto Kay? Get Altria. Altria was always the mature sibling who tried to appease everyone. Some of the kids their age saw this as being passive and tried to pick on her, most just because they liked her and had no idea how to deal with their feelings. Kay was too old to go beat them senseless, so Artoria (Called Arthur by everyone outside their household) always came to her defense, much to her protest.

Altria didn't mind the not very harsh words of the children. Though one of them called her 'ugly' once. That made Altria pause. To be called ugly, looking like Artoria, meant that they were essentially mocking Artoria too. Before Artoria could come to her rescue after hearing the kids were bothering Altria once again, she heard a few yelps from said children and came upon the scene of Altria kicking and punching the kids who were mocking her.

Since then, Altria's gentle and harmless look was broken. Although she didn't care what the others said about herself, her looks were taboo to mock simply because it made fun of Artoria, something she didn't tolerate.

There were many things Altria and Artoria had learned about each other over the years. Altria was strangely amazing at house work and cooking. On top of that, she often sparred with Artoria, despite the men and boys from the village disapproving of it. Though she was strangely skilled in the use of blades. Artoria hated the admonishments sent Altria's way. They often told her she should just focus on the housework and often tried to set her up with the squires.

Altria would always politely give some non-commital response to get away from the conversation. On top of that, the fact that Artoria was the only one allowed to be a squire and go through the process of being Knighted irritated Artoria. Then there were the proposals by the older men in the village to have Artoria wed their daughters in the future, which irritated Altria.

It was on a particularly peaceful day Artoria was woken up by the scent of something delicious. She slowly rose out of bed and threw her clothes on in a hurry before running out to the dining room where Altria had finished cooking and was retrieving the plates for everyone. She beat Kay to the table and eagerly awaited the food made by Altria with a growling stomach.

"Okay calm down.. I got it here" Altria chuckled and served everyone a full plate as Kay pulled in, inhaling the scent.

"I see Wart beat me here, unsurprisingly" Kay said, sending a teasing grin at Artoria as he began to eat.

"Hmmph!" Artoria scoffed as she dug into the food with a complete lack of table manners, though it made Altria smile since she was clearly enjoying the food.

Apart from the lack of table manners, Altria could tell she liked it due to her 'ahoge' moving around. It was akin to a dog's tail wagging in happiness.

"Oh leave her be. I like seeing Artoria happy" Altria lightly chastised Kay, earning herself a grin from him.

"And stop calling me Wart, Kay!" Artoria said, glaring at him.

"Why not!? It fits you perfectly, since you're almost always stuck to Altria" Kay laughed, seeing Artoria start to harrumph to herself.

"Oh speaking of that. I want to see you two spar again after the chores are done" Ector told them before finishing his meal.

"Yes! I have improved a lot, Altria. I may finally beat you instead of the constant stalemates.." Artoria became excited at the thought of it and finished her food.

After having thirds, of course.

"I believe in you. Just keep the training Kay and Sir Ector gave us in mind" Altria encouraged, earning herself a pleased smile.

~I didn't have to teach her much.. She has some crazy fighting talent~ Kay looked at Altria and nodded as he thought over how fast she took to the lessons, as if she was relearning something rather than learning for the first time.

"Anyways! I need you to pull my horse, Wart. I have a small task in a nearby town and I really don't feel like walking eight hours" Kay laughed when he saw Artoria's face sour.

"Er.. good luck..?" Altria tried to encourage her as she groaned.

"That horse defe.. defe.. it poops so much! Ugh.." Artoria groaned and walked out towards the stables.

"She'll be fine. Now come with me. I want to see that.. rather suicidal form of yours again and adapt it for single sword use. Don't worry about the men, I can guarantee they won't pester you in my presence" Ector assured her as he pat her back and led her outside to their usual training area.

"Their remarks don't bother me but.. Sir Ector? Will they refuse Artoria if she has a Woman Knight at her side?" Altria asked as she pulled out a training blade.

"I see you've truly considered this.. Yes, it's likely she'll get grief over that. But don't worry, Artoria can handle-" He stopped as he saw Altria shake her head and tie her hair up.

"Then once we leave Tintagel, I too will pose as a male as Artoria is" Making up her mind, she prepared to show Ector her forms.

"I see. I'm glad you two have each other. Stay close, okay? The path of a King is a difficult, arduous one" Ector nodded in approval to her decision.

"I won't let that smile disappear.." Altria quietly muttered to herself.