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Black Keys (黒鍵, Kokken?) are a Sacrament of the Church, one of their many charms used against demons and vampires.[1][2]

History[]

In 300 A.D., an era said to be when Dead Apostles were the most rampant, turning them back into corpses and reverting them to dust was the Holy Church's mission. But in that era, there was no high-firepower weapon capable of eradicating a Dead Apostle's body in a single strike. The most effective measure was shutting them into a building or forest, setting it aflame, and burning it until their blood was used up. However, the Church would bankrupt itself by doing this each and every time.[3]

At the time, someone hailed as the pinnacle of swordsmen whilst also a priest proposed a weapon that was "mass-producible, easy to transport, with immediate efficacy that kept casualties to a minimum". This was the beginning of Scriptural Weapons, of which the Black Key was the first to be created. Instead of adding on anti-heresy effects by inscribing a weapon with prayers, the groundbreaking idea was to instead turn the scripture itself into a weapon, making it a deadly anti-heresy poison.[3]

By the 9th century, Black Keys settled into their current form, as the most outstanding Scriptural Weapon, beloved and used widely. However, since they are hard to use, as the years went by they became inadequate in facing the ever strengthening Dead Apostles. As civilization developed, and firearms could be produced, the number of Black Key users started decreasing. In 1450, with the advent of the printing machine invented by GutenbergWP, the Black Keys had a slight recovery in their popularity, but unable to compete with the simplicity of guns, they demoted from a main-weapon to a sub-weapon that "you could pass off as having in place of a talisman". Since then, in the Church, Black Keys became an enthusiasts' weapon "used by choice for devoted adherents only".[3]

Principles[]

They take the form of long and slender rapier-like swords with blades measuring over one meter and extremely short hilts, looking more likely to be used to thrust than slash at the opponent although Hansa Cervantes shows them to be capable of slashing through concrete.[4] Weighing one kilo, Black Keys are too thick and oddly-balanced, feeling heavier towards the tip, to use as melee weapons in general, and they seem more like Dirks made into swords or arrows even to someone who does not know of their true nature.[1] But while they may look like blades, they're actually prayers: Sacraments of the Holy Church, created with the lament for the dead; litanies, as their base. The part that looks like a handle is actually the cut-out page of a manuscript: Executors use their own magical energy to harden it into the shape of a handle so they can carry it around with them.

During combat, they pour their magical energy into it, switching it over into auto-baptism mode, which just coincidentally happens to look like a blade.[3] With low effectiveness as swords despite their appearance, and their great length, their true usage is exclusively as throwing weapons likened to bullets rather than for swordplay.[5]

Despite being a basic weapon of the Holy Church, they are mostly considered to be a symbolic weapon for Executors that not many favor due to the difficulty in learning how to handle them and their weak attack power.[2][6][7] As such, it is said to be a niche weapon favoured only by pious believers,[3][8] with most Executors preferring to use the Ash Lock instead.[9]

Shirou Kotomine black keys

Shirou Kotomine wielding Black Keys between his fingers.

Those who wield them often hold multiple Black Keys at once in a "fan formation" between the fingers of each hand, and an expert like Kirei Kotomine can wield up to four in one hand. They can be thrown singularly or all at once with great accuracy and speed, Kirei notably able to prepare and throw a single Black Key in 0.3 seconds and perform four separate throws in 0.7 seconds.[10] Primarily being throwing weapons, either directly like arrows or throwing them in a spinning arc to curve towards their target like a boomerang, their length makes defending against short knives and daggers hard due to the lack of balance, so Kirei prefers to abandon them to use his Bajiquan instead in such situations.[7] Experts and chosen Executors generally manifest the blades from magical energy, carrying around only hilts in numbers up to the hundreds hidden under their robes in some cases.[2] Ciel passes magical energy through pages of the Bible to manifest them, while Kirei does not seem to apply any special method.[6] The blade is a semi-solid formed by magical energy, so they are half spiritual objects able to be over-filled with magical energy to increase their size more than twice over.[11] When Kirei uses a Command Spell to forcibly fill them, it surpasses their limit to allow them to block a bullet from a Contender at the cost of their subsequent destruction.[10] It is possible for non-Church members to use them as well, such as Shirou Emiya using Reinforcement to make one as "hard as diamond."[12]

For those that have completely abandoned their humanity, of which Dead Apostles are most representative, being exterminated through words isn't possible, because their souls are no longer capable of understanding the meaning of those words. As the ways of man are only applicable to man, the words of the Lord won’t reach those that have become Dead Apostles. The mechanism behind Black Keys is that the prayers are inscribed onto the body, thus rewriting its rules into proper ones. Though the polluted soul cannot be saved, at least the physical body can be turned back to human by these prayers; thus, Dead Apostles that are struck by a Scriptural Weapon are compelled to 'remember' their body, even if only that part of them, and then terminate.[3] As Keys of Providence, Black Keys call forth the original laws of nature Vampires were subject to as humans, thus preventing them through purification[13] from healing the wounds made with this weapon.[6]

Emphasizing on the ability to intervene spiritually against "evil", Black Keys focus less on physical attack power, even affecting powerful Spirits like Servants to some degree should they be struck.[1][2] It is not enough to inflict any sort of fatal injury to them no matter how much magical energy is put into them, but they can be used to distract or pin them for a brief moment under the right circumstances.[12] Being half-spiritual, they can naturally pierce even iron.[10] Those used by Shirou Kotomine, a "sham of a Saint" and Servant, are noted to be much more powerful and "abnormal" against Vlad III's Legend of Dracula compared to regular Executors.[14]

In the original Tsukihime continuity, the Iron Plate Effect (鉄甲作用, Tekkō Sayō?) was considered a secret throwing technique of the Burial Agency, that utilizes martial arts to increase the force of impact dozens of times to allow them to bore through even reinforced concrete walls and hit an enemy with enough force to be likened to being struck by a car.[15] There are several other special throwing techniques that can be applied by engraving them with spells to enchant them. Someone like Ciel is able to use them without impunity due to not being a believer, having inherited the knowledge from Michael Roa Valdamjong. The Cremation Rite (火葬式典, Kasō Shikiten?) causes the target to burst into flames upon being pierced, the Internment Rite (土葬式典, Dosō Shikiten?) causes petrification upon the target being pierced, the Mummification Rite (風葬式典, Fūsō Shikiten?) desiccates the target upon being pierced, and the Excarnation Rite (鳥葬式典, Chōsō Shikiten?) causes countless crows to descend upon the target.[16] Ciel also demonstrates an unnamed ability that immobilizes the target upon the blade piercing their shadow. She mentions that the "shadow will struggle just as hard" not to separate from the target as they attempt to escape from the binding, and only she can remove the Black Key to free them.

In the Tsukihime Remake continuity, Ciel is once again shown using the Iron Plate Effect (officially translated as the Iron Bore), Cremation Rite, Internment Rite, and Shadowbinding abilities, but refers to all of these as standard throwing techniques developed by the Church for use with the Black Keys. She also list other examples of throwing techniques, such as Time Leaping and the Conclave, and that many other variations exist as well. While the Iron Plate Effect remains a secret martial arts technique of the Burial Agency rather than a form of magecraft, the spells that can be engraved on the Black Keys now appear to be rites of the Church rather than heretical knowledge Ciel obtained from Roa.[3] The Black Keys used by Noel, while having the same properties as normal Black Keys, have an unusual variant appearance, looking more like iron stakes than slender swords, and are highly specialized towards thrusting.

In Tsukihime's manga adaptation, Ciel is capable of controlling the Black Keys' movements telekinetically, and manipulating large amounts of them at once to attack a single target.[17] Her Tsukihime Remake counterpart displays similar abilities, being able to destroy a large force of The Dead using hundreds of Black Keys that she commands to fall from the sky like rain, with not one weapon missing its target.[18] Shirou Kotomine was able to instantly change the direction and momentum of Black Keys that he threw or deflected by incanting the word "Set", whereupon glyphs would appear from the bottom of the hilts, freezing them in mid-air, then propelling them towards a target. He also demonstrated the ability to greatly enhance their size, throwing them into the ground wherein a burst of magic they would grow to several times the size of a person. He used this to briefly block Frankenstein during his retreat.[11] His adoptive brother Kirei has also been seen using the same "Set" Incantation during his fight with True Assassin.[12] Karabo Frampton is able to use his Black Keys to channel magical energy into Ley Lines.[19]

Users[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fate/stay night - Heaven's Feel route - Day 15: limited. - Duo
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3
    [v] Fate/stay night - Weapon Menu: Black Key [T]

    Black Key
    Kotomine Kirei
    One of the charms to repel devils used by the Holy Church.
    It is a symbolic tool for the Agents, but not many favor using it as it is difficult to handle and has weak physical attack power.
    Its effectiveness as a sword is low, and due to its length, it is used exclusively as a throwing weapon.
    Most of the things they classify as "evil" are phenomena and ghosts, so the Black Key used to fight them emphasizes the ability to intervene spiritually, rather than physical attack power. The blades of the Black Key used by experts or chosen Agents are made from magical energy, and only the hilt is actually carried around. There are Agents that hide hundreds of Black Keys under their robes.

  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- - Midnight Rainbow route - Day 10: "Arc en Ciel II"
  4. Fate/strange Fake Volume 2 - Chapter 4: Day 1, Before Dawn "A Battle Without Heroic Spirits"
  5. [v] Tsukihime Dokuhon PlusPeriod - TSUKIHIME Dictionary: Black Keys [Weapon name], p.178-179

    Black Keys [Weapon name]
    No, not the black keys on a piano. The throwing swords wielded by Ciel.
    As for why they're called black keys, refer to the entry on purification.
    Ciel carries a large number of these concealed on her person, but what's under her robes is actually just the hilts. She materializes the blades by passing magical energy through pages of the bible. The maximum number she is able to conceal at one time is close to 100.
    Also, since black keys are designed specifically for throwing and not for swordplay, in a way they could be considered a kind of bullet.
    Though they are counted as one of the basic weapons of the Church, the fact that they're relatively hard to use means that very few executors favor them.

    黒鍵【武器名】

  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2
    [v] Melty Blood Act Cadenza PS2 Manual - Dictionary: Black Keys [Weapon name], p.056

    Black Keys [Weapon name]
    The throwing swords wielded by Ciel.
    Weapons for use against vampires, monsters that distort the laws of nature. These "keys of providence" call forth the original laws of nature the vampire was subject to as a human.
    Ciel carries a large number of these concealed on her person, but what's under her robes is actually just the hilts. She materializes the blades by passing magical energy through pages of the bible. Because the black keys are quite compact before this transformation, the maximum number she is able to conceal at one time is close to 100.
    Despite their appearance black keys are not designed for swordplay, but are in fact throwing weapons. The Burial Agency even has a secret technique called the Iron Plate Effect that allows them to throw more effectively.
    Because Ciel has mastered this technique, her black keys are capable of boring through concrete walls. They are counted as one of the basic weapons of the Church, but the fact that they're relatively hard to use means that very few executors favor them.
    Also, besides the Iron Plate Effect, there are other secret throwing techniques such as the Cremation Rite and Internment Rite. The Cremation Rite, in particular, is used in Ciel's Last Arc.

    黒鍵【武器名】
    こっけん。シエルが扱う投剣の事。
    対吸血鬼用の武器で、生物としての法則をねじ曲げる吸血鬼に元の法則を呼び起こす“摂理の鍵”としての効力がある。
    シエルは大量に黒鍵を隠し持つが、法衣の下にあるのは黒鍵の柄だけである。シエルの黒鍵の刀身は聖書のページに魔力を通して物質化したもの。武器化していない黒鍵はコンパクトで、シエルは最大百近い黒鍵を法衣の下に隠している。
    黒鍵は斬り合う為の武器ではなく、射ち貫く為の武器。これを効果的に投擲する為、埋葬機関には鉄甲作用と呼ばれる秘術がある。これを修得しているシエルの黒鍵はコンクリートの壁を貫通する。
    教会では基本武装の一つと数えられるが、扱いが難しい為愛用する代行者は少ない。
    鉄甲作用の他に火葬式典、土葬式典と呼ばれる投擲秘術があり、シエルのラストアークはこの火葬式典を使用したもの。

  7. 7.0 7.1 Fate/Zero Volume 2: The Mad Feast of Kings - Act 7 Part 1 -130:44:57
  8. [v] Tsukihime Material I - GLOSSARY: Black Keys, p.98

    Black Keys
    The rumour goes that this is a niche weapon favoured only by pious believers.

    At the mention of Black Keys, Ciel.... (etc. etc.)

    黒鍵
    敬虔な信徒のみが好んで使うマニアックな武器とのもっぱらの噂。
    シエル、黒鍵の話になると(以下略

  9. [v] Lord El-Melloi II Case Files material - Encyclopedia: Ash Lock [Other], p.100

    Ash Lock [Other]
    Standard equipment used by the Executors of the Holy Church.
    Unlike the Black Keys that Executors are also known for, which take a considerable amount of training to use effectively, the Ash Lock is a powerful Conceptual Weapon that can demonstrate great ability with a minimum of training. Normally they are disguised as gloves or boots, but by removing their tag, they revert to their original form.
    Used by a large number of Executors, they come in a variety of forms. While Ilumia elected for a hand-to-hand fighting type, versions using things like small blades or crossbows also exist.

    灰錠【そのほか】
    聖堂教会の代行者たちが使う標準装備。
    同じく標準装備でありながら、扱いに熟練を要する黒鍵と違い、比較的短時間の訓練で十分な能力を保証する強力な概念武装。普段は手袋やブーツなどに偽装しているが、紙片を滑らせることによって本来の姿に戻る。
    多くの代行者に選ばれてきただけあって、その形状と能力にも複数のパターンがあり、イルミアが選んだのは格闘タイプだったが、小型の刃やボウガンを仕込んだタイプもあるという。

  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Fate/Zero Volume 4: Flames of Purgatory - Act 16 Part 6 -03:54:28
  11. 11.0 11.1 Fate/Apocrypha Anime - Episode 9: "Hundreds of Flames and Hundreds of Flowers"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Fate/stay night - Heaven's Feel route - Day 15: limited. - over load
  13. [v] Tsukihime Dokuhon PlusPeriod - TSUKIHIME Dictionary: Purification [Term], p.182-183

    Purification [Term]
    In Tsukihime, the Church’s method of dealing with the undead.
    Dead Apostles… beings which were once human, but became bloodsucking monsters. In order to return them to dust, a religious symbol that they were familiar with in life is required.
    The process works by driving the natural law from when they were a human into the vampire’s body, re-baptizing their former flesh, and returning them to dust. The conceptual armaments required to perform the ceremony of forcibly opening the composition of the flesh and locking it into its original state are called “Keys of Providence”.
    To put it simply, a crucifix would be a typical example.
    However, a crucifix will only be effective on vampires that were originally Christians. If the official religion when they were human wasn’t Catholicism, it becomes much more difficult for the crucifix to generate an effect.
    On the other hand, if the vampire used to be a Christian, then even if the human under attack is not a believer the crucifix will have an effect on its own.
    Of course, it goes without saying that the effect will be greatest if they are both believers.

    浄化【用語】

  14. Fate/Apocrypha Volume 2: Round Dance of Black / Festival of Red - Chapter 3
  15. [v] Tsukihime Dokuhon PlusPeriod - TSUKIHIME Dictionary: Iron Plate Effect [Unusual talent], p.184-185

    Iron Plate Effect [Unusual talent]
    A special way of using Ciel's throwing swords.
    Though her swords are clearly designed as piercing weapons, for some reason or another whatever they hit is totally blown away. When Arcueid was hit with a barrage of them in the Ciel route, it was enough to send her tumbling from one end of the park to the other.
    This phenomenon is called the Iron Plate Effect. It seems Arcueid assumed that there was some kind of enchantment applied to the swords that caused the force at the moment of impact to be multiplied dozens of times, but in reality this is the result of martial arts and not sorcery. It is nothing less than the Burial Agency's secret throwing technique. For the sake of tomorrow, hit the opponent like you're trying to bore right through them!

    鉄甲作用【異能】

  16. [v] Tsukihime Dokuhon PlusPeriod - TSUKIHIME Dictionary: Cremation Sacrament [Weapon name], p.177

    Cremation Sacrament [Weapon name]
    An enchantment attached to Ciel's throwing swords.
    The blades are engraved with spells, causing targets to burst into flames after being pierced. It sees very little use amongst the Church's Executors. It's because Ciel doesn't believe in Christianity at all that she makes use of these heresies with impunity.
    The source of Ciel's sorcery is the knowledge she inherited from Roa. Aside from the Cremation Rite, there is also the Internment Rite, which turns the target into stone, the Mummification Rite, which desiccates the target, and the Excarnation Rite, which causes countless crows to descend upon the target.
    Ciel herself is reluctant to make use of Roa's knowledge, but if it's for the sake of annihilating Dead Apostles she'll use his (taboo) sorcery without even a bit of hesitation.

    火葬式典【武器名】

  17. Lunar Legend Tsukihime Chapter 48
  18. Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- - Midnight Rainbow route - Day 9: "Arc en Ciel II"
  19. Lord El-Melloi II Case Files Volume 5: case. Mystic Eyes collection train (Lower) - Chapter 1 Part 3
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