Theravada Banavrsti
Infinite Branching Paths To Victory
Rank: B
Type: Anti-Unit
A Noble Phantasm crystallizing Yorimasa's shot that struck down the monstrous Nue. Even though the beast was cloaked in thick black smoke that made seeing it impossible, Archer still shot it down with nothing more than his instincts to guide him. At least, that's the story.
In reality, not even Archer could pull off the feat of shooting an undetectable opponent. Out of desperation, he closed his eyes and prayed to the Buddha before drawing back his bow, hoping for a miracle. The Buddha in his infinite mercy granted Archer's request, letting his arrow through a miracle that would in modern times be called quantum indeterminacy coexist in multiple places at once. Thus Archer managed to hit the Nue even without being able to pinpoint its precise location.
This technique comprises Archer's Noble Phantasm. Upon drawing his bow and reciting that fateful prayer once more, Archer looses a single arrow charged with immense amounts of magical energy. To the opponent and any onlookers, the arrow appears to split apart in mid-flight, becoming countless spears of many-colored light that shower the opponent from every angle and direction simultaneously. But this is only a visual effect.
In truth, only one arrow is ever fired, appearing as multitudes due to exploiting the branching phenomenon of parallel worlds to travel along every possible path to hit the target simultaneously. If one of these light-arrows hits the opponent, it'll retroactively become the only arrow fired, all the others dissolving as if illusions.
As in the set of all possibilities there's virtually assured to be at least one where Archer's arrow successfully pierces the target, this Noble Phantasm is effectively a sure-hit attack. However, opponents with a Luck stat of B or higher might be able to reject the possible future where the arrow hits them, minimizing the damage or even escaping it altogether. Other than that, the only ways to evade damage are to have an absolute defense that no attacks can get through, in which case there's no "possibility" for Archer to exploit (Heracles'
God Hand and Arturia's
Avalon would fall into this category), or to simply interupt Archer before he can loose the arrow.
The end result of this Noble Phantasm is somewhat similar to the red spear of a certain Celtic hero, even if the method used to arrive at it differs.
Kaika Shinai Seppuku
Rage To Your Last Breath, Oh Dying Warrior
Rank: A
Type: Anti-Unit (Self), Suicide-Attack
A Noble Phantasm born of the anecdote that Archer was the first samurai recorded to have committed
in the face of defeat. It embodies the mentality of a samurai that only by accepting death can one obtain victory. A Noble Phantasm that exists to insure an honorable death by bringing down the opponent along with Archer. To invoke this Noble Phantasm, Archer first recites the famous poem he composed on his deathbed.
"Like a fossil tree, from which we gather no flowers,
Sad has been my life, fated no fruit to produce."
Upon doing so, he stabs his tanto sword into his own gut. Blood pours out from the wound, spreading across Archer's skin and coalescing into red tattoo-like markings resembling Japanese caligraphy. Archer's eyes also change; his sclera turning jet-black and his irises blood-red, giving him a bestial and intimidating appearance.
In this state Archer gains two ranks up to all his parameters but his mind becomes clouded with rage, effectively turning him into a pseudo-Berserker. The only thing he can think of in this state is trying to kill the opponent before dying himself. As he embodies the contradictory state of embracing one's death while still alive Archer gains the Skill
Battle Continuation at rank B, letting him ignore fatal wounds that would impede his fighting prowess.
But make no mistake, Archer is still about to die. Once the opponent is defeated or he's been rendered unable to fight, Archer will surrender to his wounds and collapse, finally perishing. This Noble Phantasm is thus a double-edged sword, forfeiting Archer's own life along with the opponent's.
Due to this, and because it reminds Archer of his own regrets during the Genpei war, he dislikes using this Noble Phantasm and will only do so as a desperate last resort.
As a Saber, using this Noble Phantasm would lead to Yorimasa becoming possessed by the lion-spirit inside his sword, transforming him into a true beast of destruction...