40 Testing the Marble of Oblivion
With Throgor still busy with the pet project of creating a new gatekeeper, I woke to begin more training in Magecraft. At least that of which Shirou knew of. With him teaching me once more and being able to reference memories I finally succeeded in creating my first projection.
While the projected teacup wasn't the best, It was the first success. Which led to an ease of use as my Magic Circuits had the spell imprinted and "Saved". Thus this led to more success as I became more familiar with the process. While I was nowhere near being able to start using Trace, Shirou's form of projection, it was a start.
On that note, The projection magecraft, as it was normally, was mostly useless. This is because the nature of Projections are unable to hold up to the real thing. The projections are "hollow" and lack the fundamental aspects of reality to compensate for them.
Though anyone just looking at the projections would not be able to distinguish the projections from reality, at least when the person who created them was proficient. The Magecraft while one of the simplest forms of it still had its own difficulties.
This is why Trace is so important. Trace is the improved version of projection magecraft due to the enhancement of the reality marble, Unlimited Blade Works. The reality marble relies on the sight of the user to take an imprint of the object in question. This "imprint" contains a scan of the structure, the history, the making, and the abilities of an object that has any relation to the concept of "Sword".
But a point must be made about Trace as well. Due to only using one sense to discern an objects history and mystery, sight, the traced object will never match the original. This is why noble phantasms are one grade lower than their original counterparts.
This downside is circumvented partially by overloading the objects with mana to enhance them with reinforcement or to create broken phantasms.
With an unlimited supply of them and with an option to literally make them go critical, made for a deadly ability.
Now with the enhancement of a shard of oblivion came the need to see the changes that occurred to the Reality Marble, If it could be called that anymore.
So when the morning came inevitably we decided to do just that. And using a spell I talked Throgor into giving me we also gained permission.
The summon Haskell spell let us bring a very old and smart being into the fold of our little experiment. Also it let us ask for permission to basically overlay a small realm of oblivion into the Shivering Isles. At least for a small amount of time.
The traditional form of using a reality marble was to generate a Bounded field around the user "trapping" a portion of the world and separating it from reality. While this process is flawed due to "reality" having owners, It did allow for limited time deployments of the Reality Marble in question.
Having explained the basic theory to Haskell I was pleasantly surprised at how his own insights into plane lords such as Dedric Princes could do something similar. In fact this was essentially what Mehrunes Dagon was doing. The portals to his realm of oblivion were precisely doing just that.
The surrounding area of the portals were "Infected" with the energies and environment of the Dedric Plane. Only the process would have been more permanent if the Dragon Veil wasn't put in place.
The difference between a Marble user and a Plane Lord boiled down to what influence would counter the effects. In the case of the Fateverse Gaia and Alaya would counteract the effects of the Marble.
In Mundus there were no "Direct" forces that would oppose the portals and their influence. At least not before. While the Dragon Fire did help it was not a direct being that was doing so like that in the Fateverse.
Nonetheless, we soon reached a area away from the city of Passwall. Deliberately we chose an area that had been Orderfied to a large degree.
"Are you ready?" I asked. My excitement was leaking from my voice as I was practically vibrating in place.
A chuckle left both Haskell and Shirou as the latter moved forward some.
"Yeah, I've been a little blind to the changes so far. I am looking forward to this myself."
The smirk played on his lips as he straightened his posture with a deep breath. Reaching his right arm forward in a grasping pose, his left arm met his wrist as he began.
"I am the Bone of my Sword.
Steel is my Body And Fire is My blood.
I have created over a thousand blades,
Known of loss,
unaware of the end.
Have withstood pain to create many weapons.
and now, These hands grasp their own fate.
So as I Pray,
Unlimited Blade Works!"
The blue fire washed over us in a rush as we stood by. While I covered my eyes briefly as they washed over myself, Haskell stood without flinching.
When it cleared we were greeted to a grassy hillside. The numerous weapons stabbed into the grounds surrounding us. Pathways were weaving around them as they led to the tallest hill. Shirou stood at the peak. His arms at his sides limp as he looked upon the world from there.
Since the hill blocked our view of most of the surroundings I rushed up to his side. Reaching there I was briefly blinded by the sunlight that fed into the place. When my vision adjusted I was greeted to a spectacular sight.
The former desert like flats and hills were replaced with grass and sparse trees. Small creeks branched from a river to the right of the view. What used to hold Cogs in their backdrop now held snow capped mountains. The fields and surrounding hills still held their weapons, But a distinct feeling of contentment radiated from them.
The swords, glaives, shields, and other various weapons felt "more" than before. As if they were enhanced from their previous replications.
Looking at Shirou's face allowed me to see something I thought I would never see. Tears dripped down his face, as he smiled. Raising a hand in front of him slowly, at his feet the marble created a stone platform. It kept a burning flame atop it.
Griping his raised hand into a fist the realm answered the unspoken call, Small pieces of broken swords rushed from a nearby hill. They entered the flame when they got close. All the while myself and Haskell watched on the side.
The gripped fist was moved into the fire and as he swiftly withdrew the arm, a sword was withdrawn from the fire, held in his grasp.
A plain sword that was recognized as an iron sword from Tamriel. He held the blade in front of him inspecting the newly reforged blade. As if sensing my inquisitive gaze he spoke firmly.
"The plane now is able to rely on more of my senses to replicate the weapons I see. In turn my Trace projections are stronger as well. This is the first enhancement. Before when Tracing a weapon it would never be mine. Just someone else who owned the weapon and I made a copy. Now with this it changes things."
He placed his hands on the stone table that kept the fire in the middle of it. The Stone table itself was reminiscent of a ritual table for sacrifices.
"This fire..." Leaning forward on the table as he looked closely. "It fundamentally changes things to be "mine". From the perspective of a Magus, it would be like I had recreated an object and filled it with the concept of me. Thus the blade I reforged, A simple iron sword from the battle in the imperial city that didn't survive was remade. Now it is stronger, and a perfect catalyst for my own magecraft."
That made me raise an eyebrow, because in reality he used himself as a catalyst and gradation air as the basis of projection.
So he answered my unspoken question as he continued, "A new way to circumvent the rules. The sword would act as a base. Then a weapon would be overlaid atop the sword. With a base the strength could maybe act as strong as their original counterparts."
A wide smile as he stared into the flames. "I could even circumvent Alaya and Gaia's restrictions."
That made me run up to the table and look into the flames with wonder in my eyes. Awe in my voice I asked the burning question. "What is it called?"
The hint of a smirk as a joke rang in his mind of the first few weeks in this universe popped into his mind. Straightening himself from leaning on the table he said, "Muramasa's forge"
I understood his little reference since I was the one to mention it. But that was fine, and referencing the man who made a sword that could cut fate and karma itself just showed how important the "Forge" was. Not to mention he was our ancestor.
My musing was interrupted when Haskell join us saying, "My initial impressions of your realm are quite something, are you interested in hearing them?"
"Please Haskell" Was Shirou's response. Haskell not taking offence to the short response just moved on.
"My initial impression on entering this... "pocket", being the best way to describe it. Is that the realm, while not a full plane of oblivion, does contain many of the benefits. With your activation of it binding you to it's functions. It was Born of you so there is a large quantity of nuance that you have skipped in the process of owning this, Reality Marble."
Resting a hand on the Forge, he dragged his hand as he walked around it.
"The realm itself, This pocket, is capable of supporting you in combat. Much like the Plane Lords of oblivion. But yours is far more mobile, yet bound. As such you always will have your home field advantage at the ready. I'm sure there are Princes and Dedra alike who would want something similar."
A warm smile that didn't reach his words was on his face. The chamberlain of the Mad God had dealt with many of his enemies after all. He was not weak, as such he was the one to assist the Mad God in his endeavors. Having dealt with some of the other princes themselves.
"This place is beautiful, I believe I should mention this. From what I have gathered from my understanding of the relationship of a plane lord and their plane is that the plane is a physical representation of their owner. Symbolism is very evident in this process. As such what I can interpret may not be the truth of the matter, only an opinion."
"I'd like to hear your analysis, Haskell. You have assisted us much with our inquiries over the weeks we have been here." I could tell Shirou did respect the Chamberlain with his words.
"At the behest of my lord was my assistance given. Think nothing of it. Nevertheless, My interpretation would first be directed upon these hills. Their grassy nature upon loose desert soil typically represents a new form of life growing from the old. The river has always been a symbol of time and it's inevitable current. In this case it drifts around the hills yet branches around the many weapons scattered around. But the waters, that represents your Magicka itself. I can feel it from here. It is your source of your current inner reserves."
That made me look into the river. The water was crystal blue but it was strangely viscous unlike normal water. Before I could entertain my thoughts further Haskell continued.
"There are two more points of interest to take note of. The first would be the sky. Its air blows upon this world with new refreshing sense of serenity. The second would be the mountains surrounding the Plane. They are a testament of your will, Reaching for the sky yet their snow caps also harbor your insecurity. This is my assessment of your realm."
He turned to us to hear Shirou out. Shirou himself was looking at the snow atop the mountains in the distance.
"I have a long way to go..." he whispered to himself. Then turned to Haskell, "Thank you again for your time and expertise, Haskell."
"It was a non-issue Mr. Emiya." waving him off slightly. "An opportunity such as this is few and far between."
With that Shirou did one final thing before he collapsed the Marble. Withdrawing his sword he crafted, he ran the sword through the flames of the Muramasa's forge. Thus once more enhancing the blade. Kamaitachi was now able to act as a projection Catalyst.
On the way back to Passwall we ran into Throgor who was on his way back to Relmyna with all the ingredients in tow to recreate the Gatekeeper.
Well, no time like the present. Onward to the crazy Fleshcraft mage!
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I can show you the world!
Bright and glittering masterpiece!
you only need to pay in wonder filled stones!
AN: little more explanation on why our mc was struggling with Projection magecraft even if it is one of the most simple forms of it. Without a proper teacher even if our boy is a genius, there are limits if there wasn't a proper education on the subjects at hand. Shirou is notorious for calling himself a third rate magus for a reason after all.
Then there is my little changes to the chant, Researched a ton about that to properly understand the meaning behind the words of the Aria used in the invocation of the reality marble. Another can of worms for when I develop Azarius's version.
Ps: revamped prolog of Kline's exit will be rereleased this weekend!
Fun times ahead!
Love you guys.
