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ask_whydunitContent Warnings: Acceptance of the possibility of death considering the nature of the grail war
There was the sounds of hoofs against pavement as Iskandar drew to a halt, back on the Fuyuki bridge as the reality marble disappeared entirely after Gilgamesh had unleased his most powerful attack upon it. They never could have guessed the archer class servant had been holding back a noble phantasm that could destroy an entire reality marble.
Waver’s heart still raced as he crouched in the saddle in front of Iskandar, glad for the man’s arms on either side keeping him from sliding off. He could still almost hear the world crumbling around him, still see the span of emptiness that had once been beneath the great horse’s feet as they sailed through the air over the chasm that had opened up and started swallowing the sands and Iskandar’s army. The young man had known when he agreed to see the war through with Iskandar after giving up the contract’s command seals that he could still very well face death… But it hadn’t felt quite so real as it did now.
He wouldn’t have changed his mind, of course. Iskandar had seen him worthy enough to call a friend after everything. At the very least, and he couldn’t imagine returning to the Mackenzie household alone and leaving the King of Conquerors to his fate after everything they’d been through together. He was still terrified, yes, but he’d made his peace with the decision.
Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes clad in shining gold armor that glinted under the lights of the bridge, was still standing on the other side… Waiting calmly for the two to make their next move. He held himself confidently, as though he already knew the outcome of their next move should they make it.
“Rider…” Waver turned in the saddle, looking up at the giant behind him, hoping for some answer about what they were going to do now.
No answer came after first. Silence filling the air and feeling like centuries were passing as the young man waited for the king to speak. “I just remembered.” The silence was broken, a deep rumbling voice addressing him directly. “There was something I meant to ask you.”
“Huh?” Waver blinked, eyes widening for a moment. Was this really the time to be asking questions? Well, the king had always seemed to have the oddest timing…
But nothing had prepared him for the request that was about to come.
“Waver Velvet.” His name hung in the air, sounding more weighty than it had ever seemed before. Like it meant something. “Would you serve as my retainer?” Him? Waver’s eyes widened further in shock, and then… Started to fill with tears. You’re such an emotional idiot, Velvet. He couldn’t help but think. But how else was he to react? A young, talentless mage of no particular noble lineage, born with about the least amount of magical capabilities or potential as one could have, being asked to be the retainer of a king? Not just any king, one known through history as Alexander the Great. He didn’t deserve it. He wasn’t worthy to walk by the man’s side or follow his dreams.
And yet…
And yet, Iskandar’s tone was serious and the weight of the words that settled on his shoulders felt genuine.
The king waited patiently for his answer, a soft smile on his face.
“You…” His voice broke slightly, and Waver had to stop and try again. “You are my king. I will serve you, swearing fealty to you. I want to follow where you go!” A small sob escaped as he said far more than probably needed to be said, Iskandar would have just as easily accepted a yes knowing him… But he let the young man continue. “I want to share your dream!”
Words spent, he finally fell silent long enough for the king to nod with a wider grin. “Very well.” The man reached forward and snagged the back of Waver’s sweater, lifting him rather easily with one giant arm and depositing him on the pavement next to the horse despite the mage’s obvious confusion. “As a king, it is my duty to inspire others to dream. And as my retainer, it is your duty to see my dream through, and to pass tales to future generations.”
And then Waver realized what this was. Despite the confident grin on the man’s face, Iskandar was leaving him behind. He was making a last attempt at securing the mage’s life at the end of the grail war. He would not ride alongside him to face Gilgamesh. He would be expected to stay on the sidelines and watch. “Live on, Waver. Watch to the end, and then tell the story. Tell them of your king!” His tone rose in pitch, ringing out as both encouragement and a command. “Of Iskandar’s charge!”
Waver's eyes had been cast down at that, hiding the tears that flowed freely... But Iskandar was already off, urging his horse forward and across the span of the bridge. He had a duty to uphold, and steeling his nerves the mage dashed the tears from his eyes with an arm and held his head high as he watched the figure of his king riding towards the man at the end of the bridge.
The final confrontation between two kings had begun.
There was the sounds of hoofs against pavement as Iskandar drew to a halt, back on the Fuyuki bridge as the reality marble disappeared entirely after Gilgamesh had unleased his most powerful attack upon it. They never could have guessed the archer class servant had been holding back a noble phantasm that could destroy an entire reality marble.
Waver’s heart still raced as he crouched in the saddle in front of Iskandar, glad for the man’s arms on either side keeping him from sliding off. He could still almost hear the world crumbling around him, still see the span of emptiness that had once been beneath the great horse’s feet as they sailed through the air over the chasm that had opened up and started swallowing the sands and Iskandar’s army. The young man had known when he agreed to see the war through with Iskandar after giving up the contract’s command seals that he could still very well face death… But it hadn’t felt quite so real as it did now.
He wouldn’t have changed his mind, of course. Iskandar had seen him worthy enough to call a friend after everything. At the very least, and he couldn’t imagine returning to the Mackenzie household alone and leaving the King of Conquerors to his fate after everything they’d been through together. He was still terrified, yes, but he’d made his peace with the decision.
Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes clad in shining gold armor that glinted under the lights of the bridge, was still standing on the other side… Waiting calmly for the two to make their next move. He held himself confidently, as though he already knew the outcome of their next move should they make it.
“Rider…” Waver turned in the saddle, looking up at the giant behind him, hoping for some answer about what they were going to do now.
No answer came after first. Silence filling the air and feeling like centuries were passing as the young man waited for the king to speak. “I just remembered.” The silence was broken, a deep rumbling voice addressing him directly. “There was something I meant to ask you.”
“Huh?” Waver blinked, eyes widening for a moment. Was this really the time to be asking questions? Well, the king had always seemed to have the oddest timing…
But nothing had prepared him for the request that was about to come.
“Waver Velvet.” His name hung in the air, sounding more weighty than it had ever seemed before. Like it meant something. “Would you serve as my retainer?” Him? Waver’s eyes widened further in shock, and then… Started to fill with tears. You’re such an emotional idiot, Velvet. He couldn’t help but think. But how else was he to react? A young, talentless mage of no particular noble lineage, born with about the least amount of magical capabilities or potential as one could have, being asked to be the retainer of a king? Not just any king, one known through history as Alexander the Great. He didn’t deserve it. He wasn’t worthy to walk by the man’s side or follow his dreams.
And yet…
And yet, Iskandar’s tone was serious and the weight of the words that settled on his shoulders felt genuine.
The king waited patiently for his answer, a soft smile on his face.
“You…” His voice broke slightly, and Waver had to stop and try again. “You are my king. I will serve you, swearing fealty to you. I want to follow where you go!” A small sob escaped as he said far more than probably needed to be said, Iskandar would have just as easily accepted a yes knowing him… But he let the young man continue. “I want to share your dream!”
Words spent, he finally fell silent long enough for the king to nod with a wider grin. “Very well.” The man reached forward and snagged the back of Waver’s sweater, lifting him rather easily with one giant arm and depositing him on the pavement next to the horse despite the mage’s obvious confusion. “As a king, it is my duty to inspire others to dream. And as my retainer, it is your duty to see my dream through, and to pass tales to future generations.”
And then Waver realized what this was. Despite the confident grin on the man’s face, Iskandar was leaving him behind. He was making a last attempt at securing the mage’s life at the end of the grail war. He would not ride alongside him to face Gilgamesh. He would be expected to stay on the sidelines and watch. “Live on, Waver. Watch to the end, and then tell the story. Tell them of your king!” His tone rose in pitch, ringing out as both encouragement and a command. “Of Iskandar’s charge!”
Waver's eyes had been cast down at that, hiding the tears that flowed freely... But Iskandar was already off, urging his horse forward and across the span of the bridge. He had a duty to uphold, and steeling his nerves the mage dashed the tears from his eyes with an arm and held his head high as he watched the figure of his king riding towards the man at the end of the bridge.
The final confrontation between two kings had begun.
