Ector began walking, his steps steady and deliberate as he gestured for Kay to follow. "If they were guarding this area, then their base can't be far. These tracks will lead us closer to the Red Room."
Kay sheathed his sword and trudged alongside him. "Let's hope so. I'm not eager to deal with more of their 'welcoming parties.' Though, I'll admit, they don't put up much of a fight."
Ector chuckled softly, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Do not grow overconfident. The Red Room is known for its cunning, not its brute force. The closer we get, the more dangerous it will become."
Kay nodded, his humor fading. "Understood. Still, they'll find we're not so easily trapped."
The pair moved with purpose, following the tracks through the desolate, snow-covered wilderness. The cold wind bit at their exposed faces, but neither knight faltered.
Since they didn't know what would happen now that they had been exposed, or at least that their enemy had been alerted, they moved with great haste and speed.
The two knights, dressed in heavy armor, sped through the snow, following the trail back towards the nearby forest. Neither of them were strangers to such terrain.
They both noticed that it wasn't natural. The trees were placed too evenly and too far apart, making it easier to move around, as if the place was meant for moving through.
Kay and Ector stopped at the edge of the treeline, their breaths misting in the cold air as they took in the sight of the compound. The stark white walls blended seamlessly with the snow, and armed guards patrolled the perimeter with precision, their movements deliberate and synchronized.
Kay's hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he surveyed the scene. "So, this is it," he murmured. "Doesn't look like much. Cold, lifeless… fitting for a place like this."
Ector's sharp gaze swept over the compound, taking in every detail—the watchtowers, the patrol routes, the faint hum of machinery from within. "Appearances deceive," he said quietly. "I wouldn't be surprised if there are many times more underground than above."
Kay nodded slightly, it made sense, that such evil would hide under the ground, scared of the sun's light. "Well, it does seem like they know we are here, so what do you say? Ready to break down their walls and spirits?"
Ector pulled his sword from the sheath. "I say we both give them a knightly welcome, and then we end this evil once and for all."
Kay's grip on his sword tightened, his characteristic humor giving way to fierce determination. "No point in subtlety now," he said, his voice low but firm. "They know we're coming, so let's make sure they remember what it means to stand against knights of Camelot."
Ector nodded, his gaze steady. "Agreed. No shadows for them to hide in now. Let's show them the light."
The guards at the perimeter turned, spotting the two knights. Shouts rang out, and alarms blared, the compound springing to life as armed men poured out of the building, their weapons trained on the intruders.
Kay smiled grimly, stepping forward as he raised his sword. "This is no ordinary fire you face. It's the flame of justice."
He planted his feet firmly, raising his blade toward the sky. A golden aura surrounded him, and the air grew searing hot, steam hissing from the snow beneath his feet. His voice thundered across the battlefield:
"By the blazing spirit of my oath,
By the heat that melts all doubt,
The flame of loyalty burns eternal!
Come forth, Igneus Dominus—
Let the world feel the wrath of the Lion's fire!"
The ground trembled as flames erupted from Kay's sword, a torrent of fire spiraling outward and consuming everything in its path. The snow melted instantly, and the guards were thrown into disarray as the inferno roared toward the compound, scorching the walls and forcing the enemy to retreat in panic.
Ector, standing at Kay's side, drew his own sword, its edge glinting with an otherworldly light. Unlike Kay's fiery destruction, Ector's power emanated an unshakable calm, a fortress-like resolve. He raised his shield and sword, the light around him intensifying as he spoke:
"To shield the future, I bear the weight.
To guard the king, I defy the storm.
My duty, unbroken, my resolve, eternal!
Rise, Pater Aeternum—
Let the unyielding shield shatter the skies!"
Golden light enveloped Ector, forming a massive spectral shield that hovered above him, its radiant presence a stark contrast to the cold, lifeless compound.
The shield descended with a thunderous crash, smashing through the walls of the compound with a single, decisive blow. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, toppling guard towers and leaving the enemy reeling.
Kay turned to Ector with a wry grin. "Not bad for an old man."
Ector gave him a sidelong glance, his calm unbroken. "And not bad for a brash fool. Let's finish this."
Shouts of panic and disbelief filled the air as soldiers scrambled to regroup.
"What the hell are they?!" one shouted, ducking behind a half-collapsed wall.
"They're not human! They deflected the bullets with swords!" another screamed, his voice laced with fear.
The display of power had completely ruined their discipline, their training forgotten in the face of a Noble Phantasm. And even if Ector's Pater Aeternum – Shield of the Eternal Steward was defensive in nature, he was still able to use it offensively.
Against anyone on the same level as himself, it might be useless, but against normal people, it was the wrath of God itself. A massive shield of golden light, smashing buildings into rubble.
The facility was equipped with heavy artillery, but it was meant to target outside the compound itself. However, they hadn't even been able to fire it once before the two knights broke through the wall.
The poor soldiers tried their best, but honestly, there was nothing they could do. The great shield protected the two knights from all harm, and the flames burned through their defences like nothing.
And those who escaped being burned to death or crushed found themselves cut by the swords as both Kay and Ector showed no mercy as they moved around at speeds that were nearly impossible to follow.
The soldiers fell back, their terror palpable. "It's a demon! They sent demons!" one shouted as he fled. He as soon as he turned around, Kay cut his head from his body, and both burned to ash before they hit the ground.
Ector and Kay moved like harbingers of doom, their expressions unreadable as they executed their grim task. The once formidable fortification was now a landscape of fire and ruin, the air thick with smoke and the acrid stench of burning flesh. Nothing could stand in their way.
Towers collapsed, vehicles exploded, everything burned, everyone died. They had only been at it for a few minutes, yet the entire place was destroyed, and everyone had been killed. They fully displayed the difference between mortals and heroes.
-----
Inside the Red Room command center, alarms blared as chaos erupted. Petrovich stared at the monitors, watching two armored figures annihilate their defenses. "What are those things?!" he growled, slamming his fist on the table.
Melina Vostokoff, pale with shock, muttered. "Not enhanced, not tech… could be mutants, or something else."
"Damnit!" Petrovich cursed. "If quantity won't work, send in the widows!" He snarled.
In the lower levels, Yelena Belova was getting ready. She wasn't sure who was attacking, but it didn't look good. Everyone was in a panic, and apparently it seemed like the surface was lost.
That meant it was only a matter of time until the fighting started down here, and in smaller spaces, the larger weapons became useless, and the widows became truly dangerous.
Around her, the others were mirroring her actions. Getting ready for combat, taking as many weapons as they could.
The dimly lit corridors of the Red Room's lower levels buzzed with tension as widows prepared for battle. Yelena strapped her blades to her thighs, her mind racing. "This doesn't feel like a normal attack," she muttered to herself.
Nearby, another widow whispered, her voice laced with fear. "If they've broken through the surface, what's stopping us from leaving? Natasha escaped. Why can't we?"
Yelena froze for a moment, her grip tightening on her gear. "You know they'll kill us before they let that happen," she said quietly, glancing around to make sure no handlers were within earshot.
"But if they're distracted," another chimed in, her voice barely audible, "we could try. It might be our only chance."
Yelena's jaw clenched. The idea wasn't new, but it had never seemed possible—until now. "Focus," she snapped, though the thought gnawed at her. "We fight first. Survive this. Then we see."
Above, the knights pushed deeper, their steps echoing through the crumbling compound. Kay's sword carved a glowing path, while Ector's shield deflected traps and stray bullets.
Petrovich barked orders into his comms, his voice frantic. "Widows, hold them at all costs! They cannot reach the lower levels!"
In the lower halls, Yelena caught the faint sound of destruction growing closer. She exchanged a glance with one of her fellow widows. "This is it. Stay sharp."
-----
The sound of armored boots echoed ominously down the narrow corridors as Kay and Ector descended deeper into the compound. The glowing remnants of Kay's blade illuminated the path, casting eerie shadows on the cold metal walls.
"They've stopped sending soldiers," Kay muttered, his grip on his sword tightening. "Do you think they're regrouping?"
Ector glanced around, his shield raised and ready. "No. They've realized brute force won't work. Expect something more dangerous."
As they rounded a corner, they came face-to-face with a group of Black Widows. Their black suits gleamed in the dim light, and their eyes were hard and calculating. At the front stood Yelena Belova, her twin blades already drawn, her stance coiled and ready.
Kay stopped in his tracks, lowering his sword slightly. "I guess these are those so called black widows."
Ector stepped forward, his shield glowing faintly. "We're not here to destroy you. We know what this place is, what's been done to you. We're here to end it."
What met him was a bullet, one shot with the apex of marksmanship and the best of guns.
The widows knew that these knights could deflect bullets with their swords and shield, even if it was crazy talk.
However, down here, in this narrow corridor, swinging around a massive sword like that was much more difficult. Meaning they wouldn't be able to do so.
Or that was the idea at least.
And it kinda worked.
Ector was able to bring up his shield, but Kay wasn't so lucky, having only a sword. Yet, to the shock of the widows and those watching from the command center, the bullet hit his face and then bounced off.
The bullet struck Kay square in the cheek and ricocheted off with a sharp ping, leaving not a scratch on his skin. He tilted his head slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and mild annoyance.
"Well," Kay said dryly, "that was rude."
Yelena's grip on her blades tightened, her composure faltering for a split second as she processed what just happened. "What are you made of?" she muttered under her breath.
Ector stepped forward, his shield held firmly in front of him, its glow brightening. "We told you, we're not here to kill you. We are sent by our king so free you from this place."
Yelena's eyes narrowed, her stance shifting defensively as she processed Ector's words. "Free us?" she said, her voice sharp with distrust. "You might be strong, but you can't stop those who own this place, there is no safe place for you to hide, much less protect others."
Kay stepped forward, lowering his sword slightly but keeping it within reach. His tone carried a mix of empathy and steel. "We've faced worse than the Red Room. Your masters are not invincible, and neither is this place. You don't have to live like this."
One of the younger widows shifted nervously, her voice a whisper. "And if we try to leave, they'll kill us before we take a step."
Ector's gaze softened as he turned to the group. "That's what they've made you believe. But look around you—this place is crumbling. They're losing control. If you fight with us, this ends today."
Yelena hesitated, her eyes darting between the knights and her fellow widows. The weight of her leadership pressed heavy, and the flicker of hope in the others' eyes made her heart ache. "If we trust you… what happens when they retaliate? When the world turns on us?"
Kay sheathed his sword, his expression firm yet kind. "Then you'll have allies who will stand beside you. A king who will protect you. No one deserves to live in chains."
The widows exchanged glances, the hard lines of distrust softening as doubt gave way to something unfamiliar: hope. Yelena stepped forward, her grip on her blades loosening. "If you're lying," she said quietly, her voice trembling with resolve, "we'll make you regret it."
Ector gave a solemn nod. "We are not lying. Stand with us, and together, we will see this place fall."
Yelena lowered her blades, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She turned to the other widows, her voice firm. "This is our chance. If we stay, we'll keep living like this—fighting, killing, and dying for people who see us as nothing more than tools."
One of the older widows hesitated. "What if they're lying? What if this is just another trap?"
Yelena's gaze flicked back to Ector and Kay. "They don't need to lie," she said, her voice steady but laced with an edge of skepticism. "They could've killed us all without breaking a sweat. If they wanted us dead, we'd already be corpses."
Kay offered a faint smile, his tone gentle but unwavering. "And yet here you stand. You're not pawns to us. You're people—warriors who deserve better."
Another widow, younger and visibly shaken, stepped forward. "If we fight with you… what happens to the Red Room? What happens to them?" She gestured toward a camara.
Ector's shield glimmered with renewed intensity. "The Red Room falls. Those who built it, those who sustain it—they will answer for their crimes."
Yelena turned to her fellow widows, her voice rising. "This is our chance to end it. No more fear. No more control. If they're telling the truth, we can walk out of here free."
The group exchanged hesitant glances, the weight of years of indoctrination battling against the spark of hope. Finally, one by one, they nodded, their resolve hardening.
Yelena faced Ector and Kay. "Alright, knights. Lead the way."
(end of chapter)
So, Ector and Kay aren't real heroic spirits, at least not known servents, so they have no NPs of their own.
SO I made them up, Ector as the now raising Arthuria got a protective one, his role in life was to protect and guide, to that he got.
Kay, he got fire, those burning away filth, making a pure world for the girl he knew as a sister before he knew her as a king.