History Repeats Itself (3)

Hell, a place where every pirate goes after they die. It was also what Blackbeard was experiencing right now. The scrawny guy had been irritating him for the past hour without rest.

No matter if he just stayed in place and did nothing, the guy would fire energy beams in quick succession. Even a patient man like him had his limits, so he couldn't afford to be treated like some side character.

The two yuri women seemed to have the advantage now that they fought as one, but there were no signs of worry on that meddlesome Archer and little boy's faces. As for the sexy girl and that hateful ikemen, she was still pushing him back, having inflicted some wounds on him already. Hmph, serves him right.

That said, there was something about him that slightly unnerved Teach. Despite being on the losing end, there was no sign of him losing his composure as if he had victory in the bag.

Leaving the bad vibes Saber was giving him aside, Blackbeard was debating if now was a good time to use his Noble Phantasm or not. The fact that Archer jumped on his ship was a surprise, but a welcomed one nonetheless. With an additional Servant aboard, its lethality had gone up a notch!

He still had to be careful where he aimed, though. One mistake, as small is it may be, could signify the death of Euryale-chan and Euryale-chan#2! On the contrary, if he aimed it precisely to the poop deck where the annoying guy, the Master, the Old Hag, and the Missy with the shield were, then that would bring good results.

Now, it was a shame that a cute girl would die because of that, but eh, you win some you lose some. The good thing was that the girl could protect herself if necessary. The bad thing was that she might try to protect the others as well. Hm...decisions, decisions.

As Teach was debating what to do next, he noticed something in the corner of his vision. This event wouldn't have caught his attention if it weren't because after it happened, he could feel his strength quickly leave him. It was like getting hit by holy powers while playing as an undead character.

Blackbeard was not the only one suffering from this, though. Other fighters suffered as well, making the battle slow down as a result. There seemed to be a common factor, and it was that every Servant with Evil alignment, be it Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic, became weaker.

The affected people were Sanson, Anne & Mary, William Kidd, Asterios, Francis Drake, and Teach. They felt as if every ounce of strength was rapidly leaving their muscles.

It didn't take long for another pillar to emerge. This one generated the opposite effect, empowering those of Evil alignment. It wasn't something those involved could exactly rejoice about, though.

While it did help them regain their lost powers, it wasn't a case of merely nullifying the previous effect. Putting it simply, those Servants had their strength come and go repeatedly. The sensation was hard to describe, but one thing was for sure, it wasn't pleasant at all.

This occurrence was accompanied by the ocean turning violent, to the point they wondered if both ships would turn upside down at any moment.

"What's happening?! Is a Noble Phantasm causing this?! This direction; is it the other battlefield?!" Usually, Dr. Roman wouldn't communicate with during a battle, but he had to know how the Chaldeans were faring.

"I don't know what is happening, but I feel like I am having the worst hangover of my life." Despite not being a Servant, she was still being affected by whatever that pillar was. Much to her worry, the scallywags were too, and they had it worse, falling on the floor one after the other. Her only comfort was that Blackbeard's army was suffering the same fate.

'This sensation is similar to the ones caused by Helios. However, I don't think he is the one behind this.' Stheno was mildly confused. She knew those things came from Seth's and Archer's battlefield, but one didn't have powers related to the sun, and the other used lightning. There was nothing that made sense about all of this.

"Sanson, let's return. It's not safe for you to fight like this." EMIYA knew that Assassin was an easy target, so their best option was to go back to the Golden Hind. Being an Archer, he could attack from there with no problems, but the Executioner was another matter.

The Frenchman silently nodded, agreeing with his decision. Archer had done enough to gain his trust already. Sanson had difficulties moving, so EMIYA had to carry him back, though. It would be disastrous if he got killed while retreating, after all.

"Saber, you do the same as well!" As he was carrying Assassin on his back, the Red Bowman took the opportunity to shout to Altera. However, she was having none of that.

"Go run all you want, but I won't do it. Master is waiting for me to cut the enemy's head." Different from the rest, she was winning her battle with ease. The reason he hadn't killed him until now was that he always seemed to escape death by a hair's breadth magically.

Even if that was the case, William still had suffered some wounds. If there were a particular one to note, it would be the one in his left hand, or ex hand, to be more precise.

Taking advantage of a moment where he got distracted, Altera impaled her sword on his hand before pulling it down, creating a gruesome spectacle of nothing more than mangled flesh.

The look in William's face told just how much this did not amuse him. Lips curved downward, and serious eyes replaced the usual gentlemanly smile he liked to use. Whatever was going on, it was not something welcomed.

"Tch." EMIYA couldn't help but click his tongue. Why did she have to be so stubborn? Now that they were at it, why all the women he knew had to be like that? Leaving his questions aside, he decided to leave her be. He, more than anyone, knew that trying to reason with someone like her now was pointless.

Returning to the two Sabers, Kidd's was becoming more ferocious with his movements, attacking slightly more each time instead of just defending. There was something wrong about it, though.

William Kidd was a pirate during a period of his life, and the Throne Of Heroes usually categorized them all as Chaotic Evil. Even Drake, someone who was outside the norm and couldn't just fall into the category of "scummy pirate" was also like that.

Then, why was he not affected like the rest were by the effects of those pillars? Altera didn't know. Despite being focused on her fight, she was aware of her surroundings, unlike that disappointment of an Assassin. But well, that came with being a warrior, so she didn't blame him that much. Anyway, returning to the matter at hand, she saw how some of the Servants weakened only to show abnormal behavior shortly afterward. That was also the case with the man in front of her.

But now; now it was as if it didn't affect him anymore. It was as if...he was a completely different person. Although she couldn't comprehend it, she didn't pay it any mind either. The outcome will be the same.

Altera wasn't entirely wrong on her conjecture. The change happening to Kidd was thanks to his Skill Change Of Hearts B+, one that allowed him to reverse effects on him. It was a Skill symbolizing how he went from someone at the service of the crown to just a pirate.

He had been activating and deactivating it continuously to avoid having to suffer the influence of those light pillars. Naturally, doing so wasted more Magical Energy than necessary, but it was worth it to stay alive.

There was a side effect to this, though. If the situation turned for the worse or if William was in a tight spot, his personality would start to change until it resembled the image of a sanguinary pirate. It was a sort of passive consequence.

However, despite that, it helped Kidd close the gap between him and the other Saber. Even so, the little rationality he had left told him it wasn't enough. He still had to do more to keep up, considering he now had a useless hand.

"Are you ready to face your charges, lowlife?" His voice didn't have the respect it had before, becoming low and threatening instead. The black-haired pirate didn't waste any time in activating his second Skill, Hunter of Criminals A.

It was what began it all; when a Governor asked him to start his hunt for people related to piracy and enemies from other nations as well all in the name of the crown.

It wasn't long before an aura that could only classify as intimidating started to envelop him. His muscles soon bulged a bit, adding more strength to his blows. That was not the only thing that happened, though. For some reason, Altera felt an inexplicable dwindling in her forces.

"You...what did you do?" Altera didn't mind the insults of a dead man. She was more interested in knowing what the cause of what was happening to her was.

"As if I need to explain something to the trash of society!" Kidd exclaimed while slashing at her. There was no sign of the previous gentleman. Now, only a crazy man obsessed with upholding "justice" remained.

What started as a disadvantageous situation for him became like that for the Scourge of God. Kidd's momentum did nothing more than increase as he continued to push Altera back.

Aside from his obsession with kill her, there was another reason why he had become madder in his attacks. Hunter Of Criminals allowed him to inflict a sort of weakening effect on those who had done evil deeds. The more they have done, the more they will suffer from it. And Altera, someone who killed countless lives in her conquests, was a pretty good target for it. However, he couldn't keep his Skill forever, and even more so considering how he was still wasting Magical Energy with Change Of Hearts.

The only problem with the effect was that it was gradual and not instant, meaning he couldn't overpower her instantly. Even so, he kept slashing and slashing like a madman while Altera kept deflecting, although it was proving more difficult each consecutive time.

"What happens? Can't keep up?! I will thoroughly enjoy killing you and your Master next! The face of despair you will make as I sink my blade into your heart, show it to me!"

People might argue about what was exactly wrong with losing your rationality in battle. Some might say it doesn't let you concentrate well and that you are prone to make mistakes. Others say you stop worrying about self-preservation, ending up more injured than you were supposed to in the first place. As for Altera...it did nothing more than to mark a death sentence.

"...I am going to destroy your entire existence." During battles, Altera was a cold and calculative existence without much emotions to speak of at all. She didn't feel remorse in killing people, nor she hesitated in doing so. Of course, it didn't bring her joy either. This time, however, a new emotion rose within her, and that was anger. It was something she didn't feel even with Rome, taking it as "An enemy that she had to destroy" and nothing else.

This emotion, she wouldn't cast it aside. She would let it empower her. Different from her opponent, she was not going to let it consume her. Altera was going to make full use of it to destroy those who dared to utter such disgusting words in her presence.

As if to respond to her feelings, the mark in her shoulders shone with a dark brilliance. The sky that had gotten clear thanks to those light pillars started to darken. The Chaldeans couldn't help but have a déjà vu about all of this.

Thunderclouds manifested as if to signify an omen of misfortune, which wasn't entirely incorrect. The Gods themselves shall punish those who dare to go against them.

Kidd had it in for him if he thought she was one to be on the defensive, he couldn't be more wrong about that. If he liked to act all cocky just by using his Skills, then she would do the same. Activating Natural Body and Star Emblem, Altera felt a temporary increase in her strength that was quick to offset William's weakening curse.

He, without knowing of that change, confidently went for a thrust with his sword only for her to transform her weapon into a whip, holding it in place. He didn't have time to be surprised before Altera sank her heels on his stomach, sending him crashing into the mast.

"Gah...!" Blood came out of William's mouth the moment his back collided with the tall piece of wood. He didn't expect her to overpower him suddenly. Curses to her persona were the only thing in his mind right now.

Without minding this, the white-haired girl returned her weapon to a sword form and pointed it to the sky. She would show this man the true meaning behind her nickname of "The Scourge of God."

Her Magical Energy started spiking without control, making the wooden floor under hear feet cave in and break slightly. Not only her enemies, but even her allies thought she was being reckless. Did she plan to kill everyone here?!

Reckless or not, her enemies, their enemies, she will destroy.