Chapter 76 - Into the Fray: Zaegar's Resurrección and Emi's Cunning Victory

Timeskip - The Next Day

Zelretch nodded to himself as the plan was formed. Kariya looked quite determined to see it through to the end.

Zelretch: And that's the gist of it. Does everyone agree with this plan?

Everyone nodded. The foreign Servant seemed more eager to do this than anyone else, and his Mistress wasn't too far behind.

That was good. It meant that they wouldn't do this half-heartedly.

Zelretch: Then, it's settled. We strike at sunset.

Scene Break - Tohsaka Manor

Tokiomi Tohsaka banged his fist on his desk in anger as his disciple had just relayed the news of the most recent death of his ally.

Tokiomi: Impossible... Why would even the priest be murdered? It's unthinkable. This cannot be allowed!

Kirei had no visible reaction, while Gilgamesh merely smirked from the side, enjoying how the scene played out.

Tokiomi: I'm sure it must also be regrettable for you to lose your father in such a way.

Kirei: Yes.

Tokiomi: It's been one unexpected disaster after another. And worst of all, we still don't know anything about who, or what, that girl and her Servant are.

He had personally seen the eighth Master's feats from afar the previous night. If nothing else, she was a monstrously talented magus far ahead of Tokiomi himself, if not a Magician altogether. Foreigner was another thing entirely.

Tokiomi: We must formulate a plan of attack at once. I apologize for making this demand of you, Kirei, but we need Assassin for this task.

Kirei: As you wish.

Scene Break

Archer materialized in the hallway, where Kirei was just exiting Tokiomi's office. He scoffed amusedly at the executor.

Archer: For all it's worth, I do pity your father. He died believing his son was a man of God, but perhaps that was his salvation.

Kirei: ...

Archer: Heh. Does your father's demise arouse no feeling within you at all? You could at least try faking emotions, especially since you know who the culprit was.

Kirei: ...It does. I am frustrated to no end.

Archer: So you say. Are you frustrated you were not able to kill him yourself?

His smirk widened as Kirei turned to look at him with a degree of surprise. 

Archer: A word of advice from the king. You would do well to heed it: That girl is a greater obstacle to you than the man you seek to understand, yet perhaps you would find similarities between the two of you as well.

With that, he dematerialized, leaving Kirei to his thoughts.

Scene Break - Fuyuki City

It was a bright new day as Saber and Irisviel had been escorted by Maiya to a new base of operations given to them by Kiritsugu. It was an old house compound that had been chosen because it was right above one of the city's leylines.

Maiya: From now on, this will be your new base.

Saber simply nodded as she was handed the keys to the compound. Since last night, she had been more silent than usual, much to Irisviel's worry.

Maiya: No preparations were made, so this may be somewhat lacking as a residence.

Irisviel: That's fine, so long as it keeps us out of the rain.

Maiya: I see. Then, I must depart.

Irisviel: ...Take care of yourself and Kiritsugu, okay?

Maiya: Understood, madam.

With a small smile, the assistant entered her car and drove away. Irisviel nodded at Saber, who stepped forward to open the front gate.

When they did, they noticed two particular things.

One: The place was completely abandoned and desperately needed remodeling.

Two: They were not alone.

Irisviel: Is that...?

Standing in the middle of a clearing was the mysterious Grand Servant. He was completely still, appearing to be a statue to the naked eye.

That was until he turned to look at them, which slightly startled them for how sudden it was.

Solomon: The Saber Servant, hm? Greetings.

Out of instinct, Saber placed herself in front of Irisviel, despite the Grand Caster not being completely civil in his greeting.

Saber: What is it that you seek here?

Solomon: Since you decided to settle upon a desolate place like this one, I am certain you know we are standing right above one of the leylines. I am merely gathering mana from various sources.

Saber: Is your mana not replenished by the world?

Solomon: Yes and no. Indeed, the world itself sustains my form, but my Noble Phantasm is quite destructive and consuming against the enemies we are facing. If I were not to partake in this process, I fear that this city would have been destroyed by it in the battle against Venus.

Irisviel: A Noble Phantasm that destroys the world to save it?

Solomon: Heh. I suppose that is an accurate summary. However, meeting another contender for the grand class was unexpected.

Irisviel: Another candidate? Saber?

Solomon: The Grand Classes have varying candidates, except for the Grand Assassin, who only has one. King Arthur is a suitable candidate for Grand Saber, but I sense he, or she lacks... something to earn that title.

Saber was quiet as she merely snuck a glance at Irisviel. She was initially confused until she realized what she was insinuating.

Irisviel: (In thought) Avalon...?

Solomon: At any rate, act as if I am not present. The next enemy is perhaps the most dangerous of the Aristoteles, so I must prepare.

Saber: Which one?

Solomon: Jupiter.

He said that single word with a grim tone as if he had personally experienced a battle with Aristoteles in particular.

Saber: I see. My apologies for not participating in the previous battle, but I will do my best to ensure I am of assistance against this evil.

Solomon: Evil? The concepts of "good" and "evil" do not apply to them. They are lifeforms from other planets, and thus cannot be judged by this world's concepts or common sense. They lack a mind, thought process, and concept of death. 

Irisviel: But... Why are they destroying the world if they aren't evil?

Solomon: As dwellers of this world, the answer will forever be escaping us. Despite it all, humanity seeks to survive, even in a future like mine.

Irisviel: Can you tell us about your future?

Solomon: Perhaps another time... Then again, you do have an uncanny resemblance to those sisters.

Irisviel: I resemble someone? Who?

Solomon: ...Well, that is irrelevant at the moment. Proceed with your business.

Scene Break - Sunset

It was time. 

Kariya was dreadfully nervous. So many things could go wrong in this process, but if it was for her sake, then he would endure anything.

Kariya: (Menta Link) ...Berserker?

The knight grunted in astral form. Kariya took a deep breath before speaking.

Kariya: I'm sorry if I've been dragging you along too much, but this is the whole reason I entered the war. I finally have a chance to save Sakura.

Another grunt. That was odd. Berserker wasn't as angry at this as Kariya thought he would.

Kariya: (Menta Link) That was just my wish in the first place... Now that I think about it, I never even asked for yours. 

The Servant was quiet for a moment before he spoke, as in actually used words.

Berserker: (Mental Link) ...Ar... thur...!

Kariya: (Menta Link) Haha, right. Ask a stupid question, I guess. Well, I'll use one of those jewels and let you use Arondight against Saber... if I make it through this, that is. 

Berserker growled a response. Kariya was astonished at what it was.

Berserker: (Mental Link) I will ensure your survival so that can happen. 

Kariya: (Menta Link) ...Well, I guess I can't back down now. I'll do my best, then. Are you ready?

The mad knight agreed while materializing. Eating one of the special jewels gifted to him, Kariya raised his right hand towards him.

Kariya: By my second Command Seal, Berserker, I order you to fight for someone's glory!

A shroud enveloped Berserker as Kariya mentally turned off the Madness Enhancement. The individual that emerged was not the form of the knight.

The figure collapsed on the floor, dying on the spot... or so it appeared.

Kariya: (Menta Link) ...It's all or nothing.

Scene Break

He woke up.

He was chained. Physically and metaphorically. What a cruel joke.

He was a prisoner underneath a common household, where atrocities even he couldn't bear to tolerate took part. Those abhorrent insects, their numbers by the thousands, crawled in every corner of the dungeon.

But perhaps it was what he deserved. He was an atrocity, after all.

Zouken: Hahaha!

With a horrendous noise akin to a laugh, the most grotesque of the insects, taking the form of an old man, appeared before him. He merely glared.

Zouken: Really, what a sorry sight you are, Kariya.

The monster lifted his cane to his chin, lifting his head. He merely stayed silent as he chuckled in sardonic mirth.

Zouken: But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not blaming you. Honestly, I never would have imagined that you'd last this long.

Truthfully, he had to agree. With a monster like himself, that man had lasted longer than he would have thought. All for a single life he sought to save.

Naive and idealistic, but noble nonetheless.

Zouken: Now is the crucial stage of the game, especially with the other Servants focusing on the world ending and whatnot. Not to mention, Berserker needs all of his power if he's to defeat that eighth Servant.

He spoke nonsense, but perhaps because he did not experience it personally. 

That Servant, the Foreigner... he was not a Servant that could be defeated. Not by a being like him.

But his purpose was another. His purpose was to seek that light that shined so brightly.

Zouken: Now, as a gift, I'll give you the ace I've kept up my sleeve, secreted away for this stage.

The cane suddenly pressed harshly on his throat, forcing his mouth to open. Quickly, one of those abhorrent insects entered his body through his mouth.

He writhed in place and released screams of agony as the man laughed sadistically.

Zouken: It works quickly, doesn't it? The worm I just gave you was the first to feed on Sakura's purity.

Kariya?: ...!

Zouken: How does it feel, Kariya? For an entire year, it's been devouring the girl's life energy. It's a magnificent mana source.

???: (Mental link) Now! 

The voice echoed in his mind. 

It was time. 

With a heave, he forced himself to regurgitate the disgusting creature. The old man's smirk finally dropped in confusion.

Zouken: What...? It was rejected? Impossible. What is the meaning of this, Kariya?

A deep rumbling echoed through the dungeon as the worms scrambled into alert. 

Zouken: What? From above...? What is the meaning of this, Kariya?

He glared at the old man right in the eye, with red eyes radiating resentment.

Zouken: You... You are not Kariya.

Of course, he wasn't. He did not deserve to be someone with such a naive yet noble soul. Seeking that light was his purpose, and this was why he fought.

For Someone's Glory: Not For One's Own Glory.

Scene Break

Grandfather had granted her the rest of the day. He said that she should relax for tomorrow's training.

Now she was here. In her room. All alone.

She wanted to cry, but she had no tears or emotions left.

All she could do was obey her grandfather. Grandfather knew best, so she would always follow his advice.

She wondered where her uncle was.

Uncle was nice to her. He cared about her, but she couldn't understand why he was suffering for someone like her.

She wasn't worth caring for. Mother, Father, and Big Sister were smart, and they knew this.

Zaegar: Alley-oop!

Sakura: ...?

The voice came from an open window. There was some noise outside, but the person who leaped inside of her room made it irrelevant at the moment.

Zaegar: Hey there. Sorry 'bout the sudden meeting, but I had to improvise without harming you. Sakura, was it? I'm Zaegar.

That was a nice name. It was a shame that she couldn't smile back.

Sakura: ...Uh...

Zaegar: I'm just a guy that your uncle sent here. He would be here himself, but he's, uh, busy.

She tilted her head in confusion.

Zaegar: I'm here to rescue you. Then, after you're safe, we'll deal with your pain-in-the-ass old man. 

She looked like him like he was insane. It was impossible. There was no way she could be saved. He was just being stupid and suicidal.

However, she couldn't say it.

The conviction in his hollow eyes prevented her from rejecting his effort.

Zaegar: But how this will turn out is on you. So, how about it? Do you wanna stay here, or go with a total, yet undoubtedly awesome, stranger?

Sakura: ...I...

She tried to reject him, to tell him to stay away from her. That she did not deserve to be saved. That no one could save her.

Why was it so difficult for her to say it?

She grabbed her aching head and bit her lips until she drew blood. She tried to bury her emotions again, but the gesture he made made them bounce back immediately.

Sensing her distress, he had simply placed his hand in front of her. As she looked up to him, he stared back and asked.

Zaegar: What do you want, Sakura?

He was different than Grandfather. He didn't demand an answer; he simply wanted to know what she desired.

She couldn't reject him. She couldn't push him away, even though she had just met him less than a minute ago.

Father couldn't save her.

Mother couldn't save her.

Big Sister couldn't save her.

Uncle couldn't save her.

That was the belief she continued to hold until this moment, that no one could save her.

And yet, she didn't know why. She didn't know why she felt this way.

She didn't know why she felt this person could save her.

Maybe he could save her.

Maybe... Just maybe. Maybe he could save her from this hell.

And so, she took his hand.

Zaegar: What a strong kid. Oh, and guess what? Here's another new friend for you.

She was presented with an adorable and fluffy creature.

Fou: Fou, fou!

She carefully hugged the critter to her chest. It was warm.

Zaegar: Should help a bit, yeah? Let's get you out of here.

Scene Break - Outside

Emi: How annoying.

She lazily swung her hand, setting the entire space around her ablaze, incinerating hundreds of flying insects, known to her as Blade Wing Crest Worms.

Emi: THIS was the best possible plan? since Zaegar and I are near the house while Berserker replaces Kariya? Come on.

Well, credit was where it was due, Zelretch did think of the best possible plan. Who else could make this successful than the strongest magus and the strongest Servant?

That didn't mean it wasn't annoying. 

Dealing with the insects was simply disgusting, so she burned them all.

Emi: ...Root almighty, I'm becoming Zaegar. Hah! Where did I go wrong?

She couldn't suppress the chuckle that escaped her lips. Burning these things was quite fun, after all.

KA-BOOM!

Something burst out of the house from the roof. She identified her Servant with a bundle in his arms.

Ah. So it was a success.

Emi: Antithesis: Time Alter: Octuple Stagnate.

Bringing time almost to a halt, Zaegar landed beside her uninterrupted. She saw a head of purple hair clinging to his chest.

...Great. Now she felt jealous of a child of all things.

Emi: Berserker's returned to astral form, so we're finished here.

Zaegar: Yep.

With that, they vanished, their task complete. Time was returned to its usual flow, but the Blade Worms now lacked a target, making them buzz erratically through the household, which was mostly destroyed now.

Scene Break - Zaegar's Residence

They appeared in their living room, where Zelretch and Arcueid were busy tending to another guest.

Emi: I guess the Crest Worms are acting up despite him consuming the jewels.

They nodded. Fortunately, they were able to soothe Kariya's pain until he was finally unconscious, and they allowed him to rest.

Zaegar: I should tuck this little one into a bed. She's pretty tired.

With that, he carried the sleeping little girl to a separate room for her to enjoy a blissful sleep after so long. Her uncle was carried to the same room for convenience.

After all of that, the four of them gathered their thoughts in the living room.

Arcueid: Well, that looked pretty painful.

Zelretch: Indeed, but he was determined nonetheless. Splendid job, both of you.

Emi: Did you expect anything less?

Zelretch: And while I don't approve of you killing the overseer-

Emi: Please, he was Tokiomi's accomplice. Neutral overseer? Pah.

Zelretch: You've shown yourselves to be reliable when it counts. Now we only wait for them to wake up. In the meantime, what will you be doing?

Emi: Just loiter around, I suppose. Zaegar?

Zaegar: ...Sorry, I was busy, what was that?

Emi: Busy with what?

He smirked and snapped his fingers. There was a loud noise coming from outside, and everyone saw the source of it from their positions.

Zaegar: Just taking care of some loose ends.

Zelretch: You just HAD to blow it up, huh?

Ophis: ...Are you ACTUALLY asking that question?

Arcueid: Forgive him. He asks dumb questions all the time. "Do people really die when they are killed?"

Zelretch: Hey, that's because that's a trend in this world, you can't blame me for asking it at least once.

Emi: Well, that checks out. Are you still going to make that party of yours?

Zaegar: Yep, bitch.

Emi: Okay, then. Have fun.

He gave a thumbs-up as he vanished with Fou, free to do as they pleased without any nagging from her. Emi flashed Zelretch and Arcueid a confident smirk.

Emi: You also need to leave if I'm to do this right.

Zelretch: And "this" being...?

Emi: Killing Assassin, of course. And don't even try to bring up a counterpoint, they're useless against the Types, and it's a matter of time before they turn against us. Better to tie up loose ends.

Zelretch opened his mouth before he closed it. He grudgingly motioned Arcueid to accompany him, with Emi giving them a smug smile as a departing gift.

She stood up and sat down again on the balcony, taking in the beauty of the night before smirking in anticipation.

Emi: (In thought) Now, let's see your final move, Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Scene Break - Tohsaka Manor

Tokiomi frowned as he saw the situation through the eyes of his familiar. 

The girl was simply sitting there on her balcony, her Servant, the Magician, and the unknown young woman had left for other parts of the city.

Tokiomi: She just rendered herself completely defenseless... But, why?

???: Is it not obvious?

Archer materialized on the couch, smirking as usual. But that smirk seemed to be more of an intrigued one rather than anything

Archer: She knows she is vastly superior against the likes of you, and as such, she does not fear the other Masters partaking in this war.

Tokiomi: She's so confident in her own power that she would resort to that?

Archer: Hoh? Your irritation and impotence are amusing. At last, your boring self displays a sliver of amusement. So, Tokiomi, what will you do against such an opponent?

Tokiomi: ...Kirei. What do you think of this?

He looked at his disciple, who seemed to be pondering something before stoically snapping to attention.

Kirei: ...The girl is a powerful opponent and we know nothing of her except for her name. I believe it is of utmost importance to take this chance.

Tokiomi: I agree. I was originally saving this last resort for Servants, but this girl requires top priority. Another chance like this will never present itself. The odds of victory do not matter. As long as Assassin can gauge her strength, or perhaps eliminate her, we will have the advantage. We do have the option of attack.

Kirei: I do not have an objection. It will take roughly 10 minutes to summon all of the Assassins.

Tokiomi: ...Very well. Give the order. Use a Command Seal, and give the order: "Be victorious, no matter what the cost".

Kirei nodded and raised his right hand. 

Archer's smirk merely widened, since the spectacle that was to follow would surely be entertaining.

Scene Break - Ten Minutes Later, Zaegar's Residence

Emi had to briefly cover her mouth to hide the enormous smirk on her face. Anyone who saw her would have thought she was channeling her Servant's personality.

This couldn't have gone any better.

She managed to restrain herself by drinking some green tea. She relaxed as she finally felt a presence.

Emi: You can come out now. 

She looked at the side. Assassin, true to their namesake, had manifested without a single sound, but to her, it was clear as day.

Emi: I see that you've come to kill me now that Foreigner's busy. And if you don't kill me, you'll get more information about me. Nifty plan, that one. How many of you did you bring?

Assassin simply raised a hand. One by one, the facets manifested. Ten, thirty, fifty, seventy, ninety.

One hundred assassins surrounded a little girl.

Emi: Well, I'd say this is overkill, but judging how our little scuffle went last time, I guess you aren't pulling your punches.

She finished her tea and stood up, dusting herself in the process. She was terrifyingly casual for someone in her situation.

Emi: Ahem. Before anyone starts dying, can I ask you something? What's your goal in this war? Answer, and I'll answer one of your questions. Sounds fair?

The representative of the Assassins didn't convey any emotions before she spoke in an even tone.

Assassin: Our wish is to be whole again.

Emi: Hmm. Yes, I can see that. In life, you were a single person with multiple personalities. Now, you're multiple people as a Servant. What an ordeal. But it's also pretty dumb in a sense.

Assassin: What?

Emi: See, all of you have names and different personalities. There's you, Asako, then there's Macour, Zayd, Gozour, Makuru...

One by one, she listed every name of the facets of Assassin. They were speechless as she finished with a smirk.

Emi: Now, here comes the critical part. You've got different personalities, but you can't deny that you have a semblance of partnership with each other. Isn't that a form of unity on its own? You don't necessarily have to be one being to be unified, and in a sense, your wish is already fulfilled.

She chuckled as Assassin, despite their best efforts, could not refute this simple fact. The representative, Asako, asked a question with a doubtful tone.

Assassin: What... What are you?

Emi: Just someone who knows a lot of things. Oh, and your plan just failed.

Assassin: What?

Emi: I know a lot of things, and that includes the methodology for the legendary assassin cult. You, one who bears the title of the Old Man of The Mountain, are doubting yourself. Showing weakness.

Assassin: No... No, we are not!

Emi: Ehehehe~! Your tone speaks otherwise. I don't think I need to say what comes next, right? Things are going to get ugly~!

The Assassins couldn't move, for every facet of them knew the consequences of what had just transpired.

Time seemed to slow down.

The sound of a bell echoed.

"So, it is Hundred-Faces."

Assassin: No... G-Great founder...!

"To show weakness while bearing the name Hassan-i-Sabbah. What hast thou accumulated with thy countless knowledge? A desire to contend thy souls to one faith?"

Emi: And thus closes the curtain~!

"Fool. Hand over thy head."

The sound of flying steel was heard, and the Assassins had met their end.

The girl did not lose her smirk as she locked eyes with the angel that announced the death, a being who could truly kill her, regardless of her magical defenses.

Emi: Salutations, Mr. Hassan. I trust that the evening bell has stopped ringing.

She didn't need an answer, since there was silence reigning supreme, and the figure vanished without a trace.

Emi: (In thought) Well, it isn't any day where you can summon the Grim Reaper. Rules may be dumb, but they can do wonders when you exploit loopholes.

She chuckled to herself and resumed her night as if nothing had happened, not having lifted a single finger for an overwhelming victory.

Scene Break - Tohsaka Manor

Archer: Fuhahahahahahaha!

The king's hearty laughter was the only sound heard in the room as Kirei and Tokiomi could not make sense of what just transpired.

Archer: Hah! For that, I shall forgive the pain on the king's abdominal muscles!

After a minute of calming himself down from his amusement, Archer smirked at Tokiomi.

Archer: Not only has that girl crushed your plans and completely turned the situation against you, but she also did it by summoning one who is of the Station of the Crown. You have been utterly humiliated, Tokiomi.

Tokiomi: What was that... being she summoned? Another Servant?

Archer: Nay. She merely explained the assassin's foolish ideal as it is: A contradiction. Thus, the bell tolled. Very clever of that mongrel girl. You have lost this battle.

Tokiomi: ...So it would seem. That girl. What is she?

Though he wasn't vocalizing his thoughts, Kirei was thinking the same thing.

He wondered what in the world was the girl known as Emi, as well as how delightful it would be to see someone like her fall into despair.

He looked at his master, who was palming his face with that same look, and smirked. 

The least he could do for the man was to make his demise as painless as possible.

Scene Break

Emi: Ehehehehehe~!

She knew. One less Master to worry about. Only five of them remained.

Her manic giggle then toned down into a serene smile as she drank her tea and thought of the end of it all. She did not need the Root's information to know how the war would end, after all.

Emi: (In thought) Ah, Zaegar. My beautiful Zaegar. We're so close to victory.

There was a snicker that echoed through her mind. She froze.

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Not to be THAT guy, but "Your beautiful Zaegar" knows when to go Incognito Mode in his thoughts. The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma, you know?

She immediately severed the mental link, and despite that, she could feel his smug laughter from even hundreds of meters away.

She was blushing profusely, her calm night all but disrupted by her beloved Servant.

Scene Break - Fuyuki, Old Household, Warehouse

Inside the storage house of a decrepit residence, Kiritsugu Emiya had arrived to see his wife laying down atop a magic circle. 

Irisviel: I'm not dreaming, aren't I? You really came to see me again...

Kiritsugu: Yes, that's right.

Irisiviel: Thank you.

Kiritsugu: ...Assassin has perished at the hands of the eighth Master. Three Servants in total have died. When another one meets the same fate...

Irisviel: Then you'll be able to save the world from all of this, won't you?

Kiritsugu: ...Yes.

Irisviel: Then... The final thing I must do is return this to you. From now on, you will be the one who needs Avalon. I'm sure it will aid you.

She held her hands over her abdomen, from which a golden light appeared. The light then materialized as a sheath of a certain sword, shining brightly.

Kiritsugu took the sheath in his hands, briefly marveling at its composition, despite having seen it multiple times before.

Irisviel: You know, I really am happy. To love. To be loved. To have a husband and daughter for nine whole years. You gave me everything. A happiness that was never meant for me.

Kiritsugu: ...I'm sorry. I wanted to show you more of the outside world.

Irisviel: No. It's enough. If there's still any happiness to experience, then give it all to Illya. Make sure to bring her to this country, okay? Show her everything I didn't have the chance to see. The cherry trees. The summer clouds...

Kiritsugu: I will. I'll be back soon.

Irisviel: Yes. Please, be careful... my love.

She drifted into peaceful unconsciousness. Kiritsugu took a minute to simply hold her hands in silence before exiting the room.

He opened the door to the outside... and was greeted by a guest.

Zaegar: WASSUP BITCH!

Kiritsugu's first reaction upon seeing the Foreigner Servant grinning from a few feet from him was to pull out his Calico and unleash a storm of bullets. It was out of mere instinct.

He wasn't surprised when the bullets merely ricocheted off the hollow. 

Zaegar: (sarcastically) Ah, yes, the good ol' "Riddle old men with bullet holes tactic". A classic, really. 

Kiritsugu's second reaction was to confirm his assistant's position. Maiya was still on the rooftop taking surveillance and hadn't fired a single shot, so she knew she was out of her depth. She was smart.

Zaegar: Anyhow, I'm here to party with the others in celebration of my saving the world... before I save it again. Where's Saber? I told her to get the place ready, but maaaaaaaan, really?! HUGE downgrade from that mansion, my guy.

Judging by the fact that Kiritsugu wasn't dead on the spot, and Foreigner was the most eccentric of the Servants, he wasn't kidding. 

Zaegar: Hm. Man of a few words. Welp, time to hit the town and bring her back... No, wait, why do that when I've got a literal encyclopedia as a Mistress?

He seemed to ponder something in his mind before vanishing... only to return one second later.

Zaegar: Got her.

He casually leaned back to dodge a beheading slice from an invisible sword, courtesy of Saber, whom he had just dragged all the way here. Only a second later did the knight notice her surroundings.

Saber: What the-? Here again? Foreigner, what is the meaning of this?!

Zaegar: I did tell you we'd have a party, you know. 

Saber: At a time like this?!

Zaegar: Oi bitch, you're the one with all the serious drama-like shit going on, this is just a joyride for me.

That made sense, Kiritsugu mused. He wasn't taking this war seriously at all, or else it would have been finished MUCH earlier. The same concept could be applied to Archer.

Zaegar: By the way, we've got our first guest. 

Just as he said lightning arched in the sky. At this point, that was a dead giveaway of which Servant had arrived.

Rider: AAALALALALALAIE!

The Rider Servant, clad in casual clothing, arrived in his chariot with his Master at his side. The boy looked like he was used to it already.

Rider: We have arrived in response to the invitation! 

Saber: Rider? You as well?

Rider: But of course! I wanted to see your castle as well... And what a desolate and abandoned castle it is, let me tell you.

Waver: Did you really have to drag me along for something like this?

Rider: Don't be stupid, boy. A Servant attending a formal event without their Master is quite the insult to the other parties, you know.

Zaegar Yeah, but that invitation wasn't for free. Alcohol, gimme now bitch.

Rider: Yeah, I found the best wine I could in the marketplace. 

Zaegar Then what are we waiting for, let's drink! Oh, and your folks can join in too, Saber. You are the host, after all.

Saber looked at her Master for confirmation. Kiritsugu was in a bind, and confrontation without previous preparation, and where Irisviel was resting, was a death sentence.

He nodded.

Three Servants sat down in front of one another. Two of them were as casual as casual could be, while the remaining one was serious and focused.

Rider smashed his fist atop his barrel of wine. Zaegar was immediately displeased, since he knew the wine was too weak for someone like him without even tasting it (Yes, he was THAT advanced in alcoholism)

Rider: I sense that this war is nearing its end. Only one of us shall be worthy of acquiring the Holy Grail. But if it's merely a means to decide, then not every conflict should be a cause for bloodshed. If all the Heroic Spirits can be satisfied with our ranking, then the matter will settle itself.

He offered a swing of wine to them. Saber defiantly drank it in one gulp, while Zaegar did so as well, but immediately spit it out to the side.

Zaegar: You call THAT shit alcohol?! 

Rider: So you have more refined tastes, is that it? I should've searched for better wine. Oh, well.

Saber: At any rate, Rider, you wish to compare your rank against our own?

Rider: Indeed. As one who claims the title of king, you cannot refuse. You might consider this a Grail dialogue, rather than a Grail War. The matter of which among us is most suited to claim the Grail will become clear as we drink.

Zaegar growls.

Zaegar: You say that yet I only taste the grape juice you brought, you fuck. If any of you get drunk on THAT, I swear to the emperor that I'm gonna kill you on the spot.

Archer: That is quite enough nonsense, mongrels.

At last, Archer arrived. Saber unconsciously stood on guard, Rider merely blinked, and Zaegar ignored the king and kept being annoyed by the fact that there wasn't any good alcohol around.

Saber: Archer, what is your business here?

Rider: Well, Foreigner told me to tell him about this little meeting, since, in his words "Couldn't be bothered to deal with Goldilocks's crap".

Archer: So you decided to hold your "celebration" in this depressing and filthy place, Jester? Unsurprising.

Zaegar: Oh, Goldilocks. Sorry, I didn't see you, I was just busy with more important things. Mainly everything else, really.

It was very strange for Rider and Saber that they didn't outright attack one another, considering their widely-known animosity.

Rider: Now, now. Let's lighten up. Here, Archer, start with a drink.

Archer took a single sip of the wine before frowning in disgust. Zaegar, for the first time, could relate to that feeling.

Archer: Such cheap swill. You really thought we could discern a hierarchy of Heroic Spirits with THIS?

Rider: And this was among the best I found. 

Archer: You can believe it is because you are ignorant of true drink. Foolish mongrel. Behold, and acknowledge your folly.

He manifested a golden gourd and four cups, two of which he threw at Rider and Saber. He held the third one while eyeing Zaegar.

Archer: Though you are not a Heroic Spirit, consider this an act of magnanimity, Jester. I am in a good mood tonight.

Zaegar rolled his hollow eyes as he received the cup. The Servants each poured wine into their cups and drank from them.

Saber: This is...!

Rider: Hah! Magnificent!

Archer: My treasury houses only the finest drink and the finest of swords-

Zaegar: PFFFT! FUCK THIS SHIT!

That was the sound of Zaegar spitting the drink and subsequently throwing the cup away in a fit of annoyance.

Zaegar: FINE, I'LL DO IT MYSELF! 

Without warning, he yeeted Rider's barrel into outer space, much to Rider's exasperation and Waver's complaints, since he was the one who paid for it.

Scene Break

Emi twitched and facepalmed so hard that one would have mistaken it for a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier.

Emi: Oh, for the love of- Seriously?! How does that even make sense?! It isn't even a weapon, much less a conceptual one!

With that, Type-Neptune had been unceremoniously eradicated by a barrel of wine all the way from Earth.

Emi: Seriously, does that jerk have a permanently active instant-kill Noble Phantasm or something?! 

She loved the feeling of curiosity, but even she had limits on how ridiculous things could get.

Scene Break

Ignoring the fact that he had unknowingly saved the world for the fourth time, Zaegar pulled out another barrel from out of nowhere and smashed the top of it. 

The liquid inside was not wine, but Zaegar's usual dose of 10000% pure alcohol. Yes, 10000%, not 100%.

Zaegar: There! Does anyone want some of this with your grape juice?!

Ophis: I hope they do. It'd be hilarious if they actually died from drinking that.

Fou: Fou!

The critter that was hiding inside Zaegar's cape hopped off and placed himself on his shoulder. The others, having seen Fou already, didn't react.

Archer, however, narrowed his eyes at Fou, apparently noticing something that the others didn't. He did not comment on it, however.

Zaegar: Now that there's some decent alcohol to drink from, we can get down to business. Aside from Berserker, the four of us are the only Servants left.

Saber: It seems so. I was told that Assassin was killed by Foreigner's Master not too long ago.

Zaegar: Yep. We're pretty much bulldozing this entire gig at this point, so you might as well get ready to die.

Rider: Bold claim. But first, we must hear what wish you would have the Grail. That goes for all of us, of course.

Archer: Foolishness. You already violate the rules dictating that we must fight for the Grail. To begin with, the Grail already belongs to me. All of this world's treasures, without exception, trace their origin to my treasury.

Meanwhile, Zaegar was smirking knowingly. Archer's treasury was nothing compared to his arsenal, but he figured blabbering about it without proof was just useless talk.

Archer: Any who desire to acquire it is naught but a thief.

Zaegar: (In thought) Hmm... I wonder if I have one of those stored. I think the Grail back from the previous world is one of those fancy, uh, Naked Beers? 

Ophis: (Within Zaegar's mind) If you mean the one that you "borrowed" from Rizevim then yes.

Saber: Your words are no different than Caster's insane rants. It appears that he wasn't the only Servant who has gone mad.

Rider: Well, let's not go THAT far. After all, he IS the King of Heroes himself. It's not surprising.

Archer: Hoh? Well done. That said, if you were to swear fealty to me, I could lend you a Grail or two whenever you felt the need for one.

Rider: Sorry, I'm afraid that's out of the question! But you don't have any interest in the Grail itself, do you?

Archer: Of course not. However, I must render my judgment to those who would steal from my treasury. It is a matter of principle, really.

Rider: On what morals are those principles based?

Archer: It is the law. My law, which I set down as king.

Rider: Perfect. To live according to one's own law is the epitome of kingship.

Zaegar: So, doing what you want is the sort of thing kings do? Neat. I don't like those fancy things, but I guess that's cool.

Rider: Speaking of which, Foreigner, I'm curious. You're not a Heroic Spirit, meaning that the real you is manifested as a Servant, correct?

Zaegar: Yep. The Best Boi can only be summoned in his full glory.

Rider: If you were summoned all the way from another world, what exactly is your wish for the Grail?

Ophis: Ah shit Here we go again.

Zaegar: Setting fire to the sun.

He said this with a completely straight face and got the others to reel back in astonishment. They had a few seconds to process this before they reacted.

Everyone: ...What?

Zaegar: I wanna burn the sun. The sun's rays keep waking us up in the morning, so I'm gonna burn that fucker to the ground.

He was as serious as serious could be. The three kings, for once, were collectively speechless at the idiocy of the wish.

Fou, who wasn't far behind, began slapping Zaegar's hollow mask with an annoyed look.

Fou: Kyu, fou, fou! 

Zaegar: Oh, yeah. I'll also help my Mistress in a little project of hers, but a hollow's gotta have his priorities, you know?

The others exchanged looks and made a vow to ignore the first part of that wish, for they were sure to lose their sanity if they were to question it further.

Zaegar: But really, I've nothing to wish. I got everything I wanted already. "Everything" being me, myself, and I, the Best Boi, and also not forgetting my beloved master.

Yhwach: ...

Rider: So you're satisfied with someone else getting the Grail?

Zaegar: Nah. Mistress wants it, and I said I'd get it. I don't really need it in my world, or anywhere at all, but that's what I'm gonna do. Speaking of worlds, Saber, we've met some of your descendants there.

Saber: Descendants? Do I have descendants?

Zaegar: Well, yeah. Don't really remember their names, though, and I don't care.

Rider: Oh? Speaking of your world, what is it like?

Zaegar: There's no Servant or Holy Grail War there. Actually, most magicians are just a handful compared to millions here.

Rider: Magicians?

Zaegar: No, they don't diddle in that Magecraft-Magic bullshit. they call it Magic, period. 

Archer: It sounds utterly boring.

Zaegar: Eh, it can get interesting sometimes. Do you know every mythology ever? They're real. Devils, Angels, Gods, blah, blah, blah. Don't ask about them if you don't want your expectations burned to the ground. But it's alright overall.

Rider: I see. If you were summoned here as a living being, then surely you must have a tremendous reputation for the Throne to recognize you.

Zaegar: Of course, I'm Zaegar. We went to Hell a few weeks before this gig. And yeah, I mean the Nine Circles of Hell.

Archer: Oh?

Zaegar I just do whatever I feel like doing. Call me good, call me evil, but at the end of the day, you won't be able to compare Zaegar to anyone you've ever met, fuckers.

Rider just grinned while nodding in approval. Shockingly, Archer simply gave a curt nod at the statement.

Rider: Indeed. The mark of a king is to be more whimsical than everyone else. Be it good or evil, a ruler must live according to his desires and avarice and stand at the apex of what humanity is.

Archer: Then the matter is settled. I shall dispose of you mongrels myself.

Rider: Hah! I don't think I need to remind you of the obvious at this point, do I?

Zaegar: Yeah, the obvious thing is you having the honor of being killed by me.

Saber: That is hardly fitting of how a king should aspire to be.

Rider: Oh? Then let us hear what you have to say.

Saber: ...I wish for my homeland's salvation. With the omnipotent wish-granting device, I shall avert Britain's fate of destruction.

This evoked various reactions. Archer merely raised an eyebrow, Rider was frowning, and Zaegar was adopting an increasingly deadpan expression.

Rider: So, King of Knights, you wish to change fate? Does that mean you want to change the past?

Saber: Indeed. Even if it is a wish that a miracle alone cannot fulfill if the Grail is truly omnipotent, then surely...

Rider: Uh... Just so am I clear on this... It was during your rule that this "Britain" fell?

Saber: Indeed. That is why I cannot allow it. That is why I regret it. I wish to alter that outcome. For it was I who was to blame and no other.

Archer: Heh... Hah! Fuhahahaha!

Saber: Archer, what is so amusing?

Zaegar: Don't blame him, sweetheart. It would be hilarious if I hadn't seen this a trillion times already.

Rider: Saber. Surely you do not mean that you would erase the marks that you yourself have left on history?

Saber: I do! Why should that bother you? Why should you laugh? The country that gave me my blade, to which I devoted my life, was destroyed? Why should it be that strange to-

Zaegar: Oi, quit your bitching, will you? No one needs a temper tantrum right now.

Saber: What?!

Zaegar: Look, I don't fancy being a king that spot is for my beloved master, but isn't the whole point of being a king is that everyone obeys him and shit like that? 

Archer: Hah! Even someone like him sees how hilarious this is!

Rider: Indeed. It is the nation and the people who devote themselves to the king. Not the reverse.

Saber: Those are the words of a tyrant!

Rider: Just so. We are heroes because we are tyrants. However, if a king regrets his rule or its end, then that king is nothing but a fool. Even worse than a tyrant.

Saber: Iskandar, your reign ended with your heirs slain and your empire dissolved. Do you have no regrets about that end?

Rider: None. Not if it came to pass by my judgment and my retainers' sacrifices... It was inevitable. I shall mourn it. I shall shed tears over it. But I shall never regret it, let alone undo it! Such an act would be an insult to all who fought alongside me!

Saber: Only warriors find glory in destruction! Of what worth is a king who fails to protect the powerless? A just rule, with just laws. Those are the true duties of a king!

Zaegar: Oh, really? Chill, Rider, I'll take this one for myself.

He gave Saber a pointed look, which made her take a step back at how brutally sincere it was as he spoke.

Zaegar: You're the worst kind of person: not a person at all, but a puppet.

Saber: What?!

Zaegar: You heard me. You chained yourself to "rules" and "laws," making you a puppet. People should follow their instincts, not some damn code, you know?

Saber: That is acceptable! A king must be a martyr for their ideals!

Zaegar: No, you were a martyr for YOUR ideals. Others, being human, didn't buy into that shit. Quick question, what happened to the country and its people when King Arthur bit the dust?

Saber: They...

Zaegar: It went to shit right off the bat, huh? That's 'cause you're not a leader, but a puppet. I don't fancy being a leader, but I think a leader's supposed to teach his troops how to fend off for themselves if he's suddenly gone, right? Not with you. When you bit the dust, everyone was probably all like "Oh! What a tragedy this is! Our king is gone! Who will guide us now?"

Saber: I-I... my people...

Zaegar: Exactly, they were PEOPLE, you fucking dumbass. Who in their right mind would wanna follow those impossible ideals of yours? No, the only one who could follow those would be a slave, AKA a puppet, AKA you. And what, you can't accept that? You can't just look in a mirror and say "Well, that happened." and undergo some character development bullshit in which you'd move on?

Her silence was all he needed to know. He scoffed in boredom and annoyance.

Zaegar: Now you're here, throwing a tantrum because everything went to shit because a puppet ruled a country, but you know what'd happen if you were to go back, even with the knowledge you have now? It'd be the fucking same. Nothing would change. Why? Because a puppet doesn't change at all.

She just stared at him with a horrified look as he shrugged, not caring about her feelings. The critter on his shoulder was staring at her with something akin to sadness and pity.

Zaegar: Sorry for the long rant. Did I steal your thunder, Rider? Anything you wanna add?

Rider: No. Those statements were precisely what I wanted to convey. Saber, the light of your sword comes from having taken the people's hopes upon yourself. What I see in you is what became of a little girl who was never allowed to admire butterflies or flowers, or even to fall in love, but was cursed by her impossible ideals and became this way. It is painful to gaze upon.

Archer: Heh. Is that not what makes her so beautiful? Her dreams were too much for her. In the end, they destroyed the dreamer. Saber, the tears of lamentation you surely shed as you died, how sweet they must have tasted.

Saber: You...!

She materialized her invisible blade and pointed it at the smirking Archer. Zaegar shrugged and stood up, making them pause.

Zaegar: Welp, that's that. It won't make a difference, though. After I kill the next Type, I'm killing all of you. That's all there's to it. Then again, Goldilocks and I have a score to settle. Ain't that right?

Archer: Thrice you have evaded my wrath. I shall not allow a fourth time. 

Zaegar: You've got it backward, but you do you. You wanna join in, Rider?

Rider: Heh, of course. It's about time the King of Conquerors unleashed his full power.

Zaegar: (sarcastically) Oh, and don't worry about the Types or saving the world or anything, I've got that one covered. We're done here. Bye.

He waved his hand and vanished without a trace. Rider nodded to himself and summoned his Gordius Wheel.

Rider: I suppose that will do for today. Boy, we're leaving.

Saber: Wait, Rider. I still...

Rider: You, be silent. Tonight was a conversation amongst kings, but I no longer recognize you as one. Wake up from your sad dream, little girl. If you don't, you'll someday lose that modicum of pride you retain as a Heroic Spirit. The ideal king you spoke of is nothing but a curse.

Saber: What?

She could not ask why, since Rider and Waver had taken off into the sky, away from the compound. Archer smirked and stood up to leave as well.

Archer: Well, pay them no heed. Follow the path you believe in, O King of Knights. A fool who reaches for dreams beyond what humans may attain, only one being in all of creation is allowed to love you in all of your destruction. And that is I, Gilgamesh. That is my decision.

With a laugh, the golden king vanished, leaving a lone king, questioning herself and the path she once believed was the correct one.

Saber: (In thought) My kingship... The ideals that I followed... Were such concepts truly that foolish? Am I... Am I truly an inhuman puppet?

Scene Break - Zaegar's Residence

Zaegar: WASSUP BITCH!

Just a few days ago, Emi would have jumped in surprise. Right now, she simply smiled as her beloved Servant rejoined her side.

Emi: I see you had your fun.

Zaegar: Eh, I kinda like Rider now. Saber's just... eh, no one cares what a puppet thinks.

Emi: Ouch. I used to be an inhuman puppet, too. It really hurts when you say it point-blank.

Zaegar: You "used" to be? What changed?

Emi: I met you, silly.

Zaegar: Ha. I know, I know. I instantly make everyone's lives more interesting when I'm around. No need to state the obvious, dumbass.

Emi: About what you said, though. Do you really want to settle things tomorrow?

Zaegar: Yep. It's about time this comes to a close. 

Emi: Right... Be honest with me for a second, okay?

Zaegar: Yeah?

Emi: Have I been a good Master?

Zaegar smirked mischievously, his eyes gleaming with playful amusement as he considered Emi's question.

Zaegar: Well, let's put it this way. If I were to compare you to my previous Master, then that would be a definite no.

Emi's expression shifted, a hint of concern flickering across her features.

Emi: Oh... I see.

Zaegar: But that's not necessarily a bad thing, you know? You may not be the most powerful or experienced Master, but you've got something they never had.

Emi: And what's that?

Zaegar: Family...

Emi blinked in surprise, taken aback by his unexpected answer.

Emi: Family?

Zaegar: Anyway, I don't think anyone can replace my adorable and creepy Mistress. So, if I get summoned again, I'll have REALLY high standards for my next Master. For example: I'll be relieved if they're not creepy and if they aren't into BDSM.

Emi: Oh, for crying out loud, not this again.

Zaegar: Ha! Yeah, that again. You've set a really high bar for my next Masters, so deal with it.

Emi: High bar, huh?

Zaegar: Yep. Anyway, we've got that, and the Types. How many of them are left? Six?

Emi: ...Ugh. Three.

Zaegar: Three? What's with that face, they're dead, right? Wait, how?

Emi: You killed them with those beams of yours.

Fou: Fou, fou!

Zaegar: Oh... Oh! HA! I saved the world THREE TIMES without even knowing it! Guess who's the strongest, huh? Guess who can kill "unkillable" beings, huh? ME, DAMN IT! Know your place before the Best Boi, fuckers!

Emi: Yes, yes, I know all of that.

Zaegar: Good. 

Ophis: So, what's our schedule tomorrow, aside from killing the Servants? I imagine getting the Grail is another thing entirely.

Emi: Yeah. First, we'll need to secure Irisviel von Einzbern.

Zaegar: Who?

Ophis: That albino woman who was Saber's decoy Master.

Emi: She's the Grail's vessel. As each Servant dies, their energy is absorbed into her body, and-

Zaegar: Wait, is that what Mana Transfer is?!

Emi: No. Well, in the most basic of terms, yes, but not the traditional one.

Zaegar: Which is...?!

Emi: Which is another thing entirely. It's nothing special, really.

Zaegar: Tch. Fine, be that way. I'll know what Mana Transfer is sooner or later and you won't stop me!

Emi: I'm sure I won't. Moving on. Three Servants have died. With a fourth one, her body will be destroyed and give birth to the Lesser Grail.

Zaegar: So I'll need to kill a Servant first, and then the game is on, right?

Emi: Right. There is, however, a problem... The Avenger.

Zaegar: Angry Man Jew? What about him? Can you send him to a special camp so that he can, heh, concentrate on his anger issues?

Ophis: Woah, dude.

Zaegar: Oi, it wasn't THAT blatant... or was it? Whatever. What about Avenger?

Emi During the Third War, Avenger was killed due to being very weak. However, as it died, Angra Mainyu, All The World's Evil, corrupted the Greater Grail.

Zaegar: Huh.

Emi: Ever heard of a Monkey's Paw? The Grail works that way.

Zaegar: Oh! Gotcha. Wait, you wanted to summon that guy before me, right? 

Emi: Eh. I changed my mind.

Zaegar: Why bitch?

Emi: Well, it'll destroy the world, and I know what will happen. If it doesn't, then I won't know. I really don't want to be bored like that again.

Zaegar: Nice.

Emi: But more importantly, why not?

Zaegar: Now you're catching on. Whatcha have in mind?

Emi: Our victory, of course. 

Zaegar: Bitch Please, we had that the moment you summoned me.

Scene Break - Mt. Enzo

Only three of them remained. 

Jupiter, The Black Aristoteles. Saturn, The Cross. Pluto, The Blood Sky.

He had experience battling those three. Pluto, at its demise, covered the sky with its blood. Saturn was granted the concept of death by the last pure human, one they mockingly nicknamed "Gun God", and the slayer of Venus. Jupiter was by far the most dangerous one and took priority.

The Cross was unique between them. It received orders from the other planets and relayed them to the Ultimate Ones. A leader, in a sense.

At Neptune's demise, he, as a Servant of the World, sensed the latest and final message. Roughly translated, it could be interpreted as:

"Eliminate The Foreign One At All Costs"

Of course, he knew who this "Foreign One" was.

He was rather confused, however. He was summoned as the Grand Caster to battle against the Evils of Humanity that threatened the world.

But they, despite ruining the future, were not evil.

In fact, were the "Foreign One" not summoned, it would not have been necessary to summon him. So, why was a Grand Servant summoned if there was no Evil of Humanity to battle?

...Ah. Of course.

The "Foreign One" had the potential to ascend into a defender or a destroyer. 

Perhaps the true enemy was closer than he realized.

No matter. That was simply a theory. Eliminating the Aristoteles was the main priority, and with the upcoming threat, he did not have sufficient power to defend the world alone.

Not against three of them at once. 

And if his theory was correct, there were four.

Timeskip - The Next Morning

Emi was laying her head on her Servant's lap as they both took in the sunrise over Fuyuki. She wished this moment could last for eternity.

Emi: Hmm. You're from the future, right? What's the world like?

Zaegar: You REALLY don't want to know. These were the golden times compared to what's going on over there. Did you know that - and watch out for the triggered ones - there are only two genders?

Emi: Uh, that's basic biology, yes.

Ophis: Well, not in the current world it isn't. Apparently, feelings are more important than science.

Zaegar: Having an opinion amounts to becoming a pariah these days, so don't ask about the future and enjoy what you have now.

Emi: I'm way ahead of you.

She smiled and reached up to caress his hollow mask. He twitched out of reflex but allowed it nonetheless. His hollow mask was almost dangerously cold, yet it was as smooth as it appeared. 

Emi How odd. 19 years of boredom for just one week of happiness. Life really isn't fair.

Zaegar: Please, you know it was worth it.

Emi: True. I suppose love is like that.

Zaegar: Oh?

Emi: You know how I feel, don't you? I no longer see a reason to hide it, then. I love you, plain and simple.

Zaegar: I'm Zaegar. who doesn't love me?

Emi: Of course, you'd give that sort of answer.

Zaegar: Yep. You're alright in my book, Mistress.

He was, as always, vague on his feelings about her. He may not have reciprocated her feelings, but that was fine with her.

Her ray of light would always shine brightly for her. That shine was all she needed to be happy.

Emi: I'm glad to hear that. Well, shall we begin?

Zaegar: ...This couch is so comfy, though. How about I take a 10,000-year nap in it?

Emi: Zaegar.

Zaegar: Fine bitch, be that way.

Emi: Oh, and make sure to relay the message to Kariya, Berserker. He should be waking up now.

An unseen presence paused before leaving the living room to another part of the mansion. Zaegar and Emi stood up to get ready.

Scene Break - Ten Minutes Later

Kariya Matou woke up feeling strangely well-rested for his condition.

Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was actually sleeping on a comfortable bed and not in some random alley in Fuyuki.

Kariya: Where...? Wait, Sakura!

There was another bed on the other side of the room, and there she was, sleeping peacefully. The sight was too beautiful to disturb, so Kariya limited himself to tearing up silently.

Kariya: (In thought) It... It wasn't some cruel dream! She's saved She's truly saved!!!

Despite the overwhelming joy he felt, he decided to discard it a few minutes later to address his Servant. He could feel Berserker's astral form close by.

Kariya: (Mental Link) We actually did it... And we survived, somehow.

Berserker grunted a response, making him frown.

Kariya: (Mental Link) They want to end the war today? Well... That's fine. My wish was to save Sakura, so I'm only fighting to fulfill my end of our bargain. 

Another grunt, this time of grudging respect. Berserker could respect someone who kept his word even though he had nothing to gain from it anymore.

Suddenly...

BANG, BANG, BANG!

???: FBI, OPEN UP!

BAM!

Those onomatopeias could be attested to the bombastic entrance of Foreigner, who decided to burst through the door with extreme disregard for how the other party felt. His Mistress came in after him, deadpanning.

Emi: the FBI is in America, dumbass.

Zaegar: So they would like you to think. Man, they even evaded someone who knows everything? Call them what you want, but they're damn good.

Emi: Sure they are. Anyway, good morning, Kariya. 

Kariya looked at Sakura, who was so deep in her slumber that she didn't even twitch from the sudden noise, before staring at the pair.

Kariya: ...Yeah.

Emi: As you heard, we're winning the Grail today. We'll leave you to your own devices, but you could use a warning.

Kariya: What?

Zaegar: (sarcastically) Did you know that people die when they are killed?

Kariya: ...What?

Emi: What he means is that when you think someone's dead, they're not. Case in point, Zouken Matou.

Kariya froze in disbelief for a few seconds. Berserker growled.

Kariya: Wha... He's... alive?! How?!

Emi: Worms like that share two things: They are very disgusting and rather hard to kill. 

Zaegar: And very fun to burn.

Emi: Yeah, that too.

Kariya: T-Then that means that Sakura still isn't out of danger?!

Emi: Pretty much. Then again, that doesn't mean you don't stand a chance against someone like that. 

Kariya: Do you know a way to kill him? If so, please tell me!

Emi exchanged looks with her Servant before fixing her eyes on the little girl sleeping on the other bed. Her eyes softened as she sighed.

Emi: You'll die trying.

Kariya: Then I'll take him to Hell with me.

Emi: Good answer. 

Scene Break - Fuyuki Church

Kirei Kotomine considered himself finally finding a clue to the answers he sought his entire life. He was close. Very close.

Archer: You look particularly ferocious today, Kirei.

The prideful Archer appeared, smirking as always. Gilgamesh had willingly forged a contract as Kirei's Servant after Tokiomi's... untimely demise.

Kirei: Is that what I appear to be?

Archer: Heh. Nonetheless, it is justifiable. Today marks the end of this little war, after all. The mongrel girl and the Jester will make their final move.

Kirei: You do not seem irked by that.

Archer: Why would I be? I find their actions rather entertaining if nothing else. Now, what will be your course of action?

Kirei pondered his choices. Three other Servants were left. Rider and Saber were nonnegotiable, especially the latter. Berserker was nowhere to be found. The Grand Servant was not an option either.

There was the option of securing the Grail's vessel, but he was certain that the girl and her Servant would take possession of it first. 

In a hypothetical battle, Archer would be busy with Foreigner, leaving Kirei himself to fight the girl. Even as a superhuman Executor, Kirei knew that the girl was MUCH more powerful than him. Taking her on alone would be a death sentence.

Unless...

Kirei Kotomine and Kiritsugu Emiya were natural enemies, so to speak, yet very similar in some aspects. One of them was knowing what they had to do to achieve success, no matter what the cost.

If this was true, then Kiritsugu Emiya was thinking the same thing.

Archer: You seem to have a plan in mind, I see.

Kirei: Perhaps. Would you allow an alliance between me and the Master of Saber?

Archer: Hoh? Yes, I see now. Very well. My concern is Saber. Her Master is of no use to me.

Kirei nodded. The plan he had was admittedly disgusting for Kirei himself, but with the circumstances at hand, there was no other way.

Scene Break - Evening, Tohsaka Manor

Tokiomi Tohsaka was dead. Kiritsugu could tell as much by the evidence left in the mansion.

The Bounded Fields surrounding the area were inactive, the empty workshop of a magus, the trail of blood that led all the way to the main office. There were traces of magecraft in the blood as well.

Kiritsugu had an idea of who was it that killed him. 

Kirei Kotomine had apparently become the new Master of Archer after Assassin's death. That was more of a guess, since Archer's appearance at the old compound and the bloodstains being somewhat fresh.

The next order of business would be-

???: Hmm. Tokiomi certainly met a sad fate, don't you think?

BANG!

A shot from Kiritsugu's Calico harmlessly bypassed the head of the Second Magician, who was seated in the main office without Kiritsugu even registering his presence.

Zelretch: Would it pain you to NOT shoot people when they startle you? Your surprise parties must be very horrendous, I suppose.

Kiritsugu lowered his gun. If Zelretch wanted him dead, he would be dead ten times over without registering it.

Zelretch: Jokes aside, though, I believe neither of us predicted this outcome for the war. This is out of hand, yet I'm curious. You could simply sacrifice your Saber and run to safety, being a hired killer after all. You still haven't, though. Do you want your wish so badly?

Kiritsugu merely gave him a look. Zelretch raised his hands in surrender, despite clearly being the more powerful one.

Zelretch: I see. I won't question you further, then. A word of advice, however: Contrary to your belief, you are a rather fortunate man.

Kiritsugu somewhat agreed. Irisviel and his daughter, Illya, were proof that despite living in a hellish world, he was very lucky nonetheless to obtain happiness from them.

Zelretch: Imagine a world where Kiritsugu Emiya was not hired by the Einzberns and walked the path of the Magus Killer until, well, a fate that one would call worse than death.

Kiritsugu didn't even dare to do so. He would be too disgusted with himself if he were to witness that. 

Zelretch: My point is: Whatever the outcome of the war is, I advise you to treasure what is dear to you instead of throwing it all away. Such a thing would be even more horrendous than the world I just mentioned.

Kiritsugu pondered this for a few moments before his phone started to ring. His face sharpened as he answered.

Kiritsugu: Maiya.

Emi: (Phone call) Wrong.

He froze at the voice. She was at the compound. Saber was not. Iri and Maiya were unguarded and at her mercy.

Emi: (Phone call) Sorry, Mr. Emiya, but I'm afraid your dear wife will be under my care tonight. I hope you departed on peaceful terms, at least.

The call ended. Kiritsugu immediately went on the move while raising his hand.

Kiritsugu: By my Command Seal, I order my puppet. Saber, return to the storehouse! Immediately!

Scene Break - Old Compound, Storehouse

Having heard her Master's command, Saber materialized in the storehouse and assessed the situation. Nothing was out of place, structurally speaking.

She looked ahead and her eyes widened, seeing her Master's assistant lying down on the magic circle, and Irisviel was nowhere to be found.

Saber: Maiya!

She hurried and gently held up her body. She did not look bruised or battered, yet there was a dangerous amount of blood coming from her mouth. Most likely internal injuries.

Maiya: Saber...?

Saber: Save your strength.

She weakly grabbed Saber's hand, much to her surprise.

Maiya: Hurry. Follow her outside... The girl took Madam...

Saber: But if I leave, you will-

Maiya: What happens to me doesn't matter... Kiritsugu will come soon... Please, hurry.

Saber: ...If so, please hold on until he returns.

She gratefully nodded at her before becoming unconscious. With a heavy heart, Saber left her and exited the storehouse, before jumping onto a rooftop to get a better view, but she found nothing.

Saber: (In thought) If I cannot see them, I will sense them.

She focused on her Instinct skills and tried to track down the culprits. There was sure to be a trace of unfamiliar magecraft or a Servant's magic signature.

She found none. The girl was most likely using magecraft to mask her presence.

Suddenly, there was a screech.

Zaegar: I'VE GOT YOUR DLC RIGHT FUCKIN' HERE BITCH!

She was almost too slow to summon her sword and block the incoming dropkick with the force of a freight train.

Zaegar: We call this a difficulty tweak!

He applied even more force to the kick. Saber couldn't hold her ground and rocketed away from the compound, with the eighth Servant in pursuit with a mad grin on his hollow mask.

Scene Break - Fuyuki Outskirts

Waver Velvet wouldn't deny that he felt dreadfully nervous, but that feeling was average ever since he realized the gravity of the Holy Grail War.

He looked to the side. Rider was calmly reading a book about himself and his history that Waver had bought him, rather than playing video games like usual. The King of Conquerors noticed his look and grinned.

Rider: You seem quite determined today, boy. I like that!

Waver: And you look awfully relaxed. Why's that?

Rider: Well, I felt like we should take our time with preparations. I have a strange feeling that today is when the war concludes.

Waver: Yeah... You did promise to fight Archer and Foreigner today, after all.

Rider: Well, yeah. I'd like to go after Saber first, though.

Waver: Why?

Rider: I must defeat her. No one else. If I don't show that girl the right path, she'll soon lose herself. It'll leave a bad taste in my mouth. But even if things don't turn out like that, I'll be glad to face two kings.

Waver: Two? I thought Archer was the only one.

Rider: It's a feeling, really. Despite Foreigner's old age, he would have been a magnificent king if he put his mind to it. If he offered to join my army, I'd refuse. 

Waver: You would?!

Rider: A king does not bow to another, even in the face of annihilation. You could say it's simply a ludicrous amount of pride!

Waver: Huh...

Rider: From now on, only the truly strong remain. No matter what happens, hold your head high.

Waver offered a feeble smile in contrast to Rider's boisterous grin. The former looked out of the window and into the sunset. He saw something odd.

Waver: Uh, Rider?

Rider: You're seeing something weird again from the window again?

Waver: Uh, yeah. 

Rider: Another, heh, "gas leak"?

Waver: Well, there aren't any explosions... Yet. Look.

Rider joined him and saw what was happening outside. It was a fight, he immediately realized. He then noticed who the combatants were.

Rider: Oh! Saber and Foreigner! The battle has already started, boy!

Waver: Well... I guess we're going straight in, huh?

Rider: Of course! This is a once-in-a-second-lifetime chance! Let us ride forth!

Scene Break

Zaegar was openly laughing as he was beating the shit out of Saber. Not out of malice, but at how easy and fun it was to do so.

Then again, that applied to every challenge in general. This was just Zaegar being more of a dick than usual.

He grabbed a nearby lamppost and chucked it towards Saber, who was making distance by jumping backward. The knight frowned and sliced it with no effort, but Zaegar had already teleported to her side and used the distraction to casually backhand her further away without even looking.

Zaegar: Oh, that one's gotta hurt right in the pride!

She landed on another post while he positioned himself atop the rooftop of a random house. She was glaring.

Saber: Where is Irisviel, Foreigner?!

Zaegar: (sarcastically) You can't find her? Maybe she's John Cena?

Instead of letting the conversation drag along, he simply produced a particular weapon and aimed it at Saber. 

Zaegar: Behold, the embodiment of my essence, manifest in Zanpakutō form.

He grabbed the Zanpakutō with a single hand and casually swung it. Saber ducked just in time to evade a flying slash.

Behind her, the clouds in the distance split in half, but she did not notice. If she did, then perhaps this would have gone a bit differently.

Zaegar: (In thought) I wonder if this would've been my Noble Phantasm if I was a Saber.

He started to wonder about this as he offhandedly blocked Saber's overhead slash. She clicked her teeth, noticing that he wasn't even twitching under the strain.

Ophis: Heads up, Annoying creature.

Zaegar sensed an incoming attack and decided to be nice to Saber by getting her out of the way with a punch to the face. He teleported out of there just in time to avoid a lightning strike. They both knew who it was.

Zaegar: (sarcastically) Yay, Rider... Or someone shot a Tesla Cannon from somewhere. 

With his loud war cry, the King of Conquerors descended into the fray in his chariot. His Master was at his side, and he wasn't as nervous as he was on the first day of the war. 

Saber: Rider?

Rider: Indeed! Sorry to barge in so suddenly, but I couldn't miss the chance to join, you know. You don't mind, do you?

Zaegar: (shrugs) Sure, I'll punch the both of you. Should be fun.

Saber: Apologies, but I must refuse. Foreigner, I will not ask a third time. Where is Irisiviel?!

Zaegar: Fuck around and find out, bitch.

Saber: Tch. You leave me no choice, then. 

Frowning, she dispelled the Invisible Air on her blade, unleashing the light of Excalibur. She looked very much ready to take Zaegar seriously now, but then she paused.

Saber: This is an extremely populated area. 

Zaegar: So what bitch? Acceptable casualties.

Rider: Well, it'd leave a bad taste in my mouth if anyone aside from us dies here. What to do... Aha! I'll just use THAT!

Waver: THAT? You mean, right now?

Rider: Just so. But I will only use it if my Master allows it. So, how about it, boy?

Waver looked conflicted. He looked at Rider, who merely grinned. He smiled back, although it was much more subdued. 

Waver: Fine. Let's win, Rider.

Rider: Gahaha! So be it!

They hopped off the Gordius Wheel and Rider dismissed it. Zaegar raised an eyebrow before crossing his arms in interest. Saber cautiously stood in place. 

Rider: By the way, I forgot to ask this question at yesterday's banquet. Answer me this: Does a king stand alone?

Zaegar: Uh, I dunno. Maybe not? Usually, the kings that don't do their shit alone last longer than the others. Then again, if the king is just THAT powerful, then I guess, yeah? It's a matter of perspective, right?

Ophis: Eh. Everything's relative. 

Saber: ...Yes. The king must indeed be alone.

Rider: No. You don't understand at all, I see. I suppose I'll have to show you... exactly what a real king is!

Just then, Rider released a massive burst of magical energy that engulfed the entire area they were standing on. Saber was momentarily blinded by the outburst.

In a flash of light, they were gone from their plane of reality.

Scene Break - Reality marble

They found themselves in a sand-filled expanse roaring with hot and dry desert winds under the scorching sun and cloudless, clear skies without anything to obscure the everlasting horizon.

Zaegar, being an expert traveler (not thanks to Yhwach as he puts it), knew right off the bat that they were in another plane of existence.

Saber: A Reality Marble...?!

Zaegar: Reality Marble? What the Fuck is that? 

Ophis: It appears we've been whisked away to another realm, likely for a surprise assault. It's a common tactic among fighters, employing their ultimate trump card to abruptly shift the battlefield and catch their opponents off guard.

Zaegar: And it's an actual thing here? That's actually kind of awesome... Where's Rider, by the way?

They found the King of Conquerors standing alongside his Master not too far away. There was a slight rumbling sound in the air as Rider spoke for everyone to hear.

Rider: My armies once rode across these sands. The place all the heroes who stood with me, through joy and sorrow, will never forget.

The rumbling became louder as Saber and Zaegar could make out multiple mirage-like images materializing behind Rider, who opened his arms wide.

Rider: I can make this world real because it still exists deep within our hearts! 

It was an army. A peerless army formed by tens of thousands of seasoned warriors, all united under the banner of a single sovereign.

Rider: BEHOLD, MY PEERLESS ARMY! Their bodies may return to ash, but their spirits still hear my call! These men are my legendary heroes – my loyal followers! They're my true friends - breaking the rules of space and time to fight once more at my side! They are my treasure within treasures; they're my right to rule! They make up Iskandar's mightiest Noble Phantasm – IONIOI HETAIROI! ( ARMY OF THE KING )

They were assaulted by the roars of each and every warrior of the army. It was deafening. Zaegar grinned excitedly.

Saber: Each of them is a Servant...

Zaegar: His ultimate Noble Phantasm is literally "The friends we made along the way"... AND IT'S ACTUALLY AWESOME! Look at all those bros! It's an Army of Bros!

A sturdy-looking horse appeared before Rider. The king grinned and caressed his mount gently.

Rider: It has been a long time, partner. Now, let us ride towards victory, Master!

Waver: Right!

They both got on the horse, with Rider raising his sword towards them, particularly towards Saber, who could only stare.

Rider: Hearken, King of Knights, and awake from your delusion! A king must live a grander life than any other, and embody his people's image of admiration!

The army released a chorus of agreement while raising their weapons.

Rider: The king is the one who collects the envy of all his heroes and stands as their guide; therefore, he is not alone - for his will equals that of all his followers combined!

Another chorus of agreement. Zaegarand Saber sensed they were ready to attack, so they readied themselves.

Rider: Behold, our path of conquest! AAAAALALALALALALAIE!

With a deafening war cry, the army charged. It was tens of thousands of Servants against only two. There were no obstacles between them, and in this Reality Marble, there was no means of escape.

Saber: (In thought) Against an enemy like this, I will not be able to release half of the Thirteen Restraints and release Excalibur's Anti-Fortress attack...

Zaegar: Yeat, out of the way.

She was rudely forced to the side by Zaegar, who discarded her to take on the army on his own.

Zaegar: I'm not gonna lie, this Army of Bros is a pretty damn baller. I guess you've earned yourself a special treat.

Zaegar: Resurrección.

He released a colossal burst of purple energy, enough to make the sound around him rise into the air. Saber was blown away as it slowly evolved into a sandstorm.

Saber: (In thought) Foreigner will finally release his Noble Phantasm...?!

Despite this, the army did not falter or slow down. Rider frowned at the sandstorm, sensing something odd was happening with his world.

A shockwave spread throughout the land, shaking the world to its foundations. Waver looked up and his jaw dropped.

Rider's Reality Marble was coming apart.

Rider kept galloping forward, frowning. The presence inside of the sandstorm wasn't unlike any other Heroic Spirit he had encountered so far.

Scene Break

Archer's eyes narrowed as he sensed an unfamiliar presence. The King of Heroes was experienced enough to know what power was being used at the moment after a few seconds of analysis.

Archer: (In thought) Hoh? A tainted Authority, but Authority nonetheless. That Jester... Perhaps his role in this world is beyond what I hypothesized.

Scene Break

The Grand Caster was on the move the millisecond he sensed it. It was faint, but as a Grand Servant, he knew that power when he felt it.

Authority of The Beast.

The Counter Force itself was moving to prevent the birth of an Evil of Humanity.

Scene Break

They were back where they started.

Rider and Waver stopped dead in their tracks as Rider's inner world was destroyed all of a sudden. Saber stood speechless as Zaegar himself stood there, blinking in confusion. 

Zaegar: ...Okay, can someone tell me what happened? I'm supposed to be owning an army, right? Why am I normal, by the way?

Ophis: Well, You DID transform for a moment, but then... something forced the transformation back to normal. 

Zaegar: (In thought) I see it's clearly because of those fuckers.

Zaegar: Well, I just wanted to look awesome and wipe out Rider's Army of Bros... and it happened.

Ophis: The task failed successfully, then.

Waver: Rider...

Rider: ... All that build-up just to be blown away into the wind, huh? The old warrior holds incredible power indeed.

Zaegar: Well, I think that was a letdown. Yo, Rider, since I know we're not really satisfied like this, I'm gonna be a pal and let you go. We'll settle things later with Goldilocks into the mix, yeah?

Rider: Well, I'm afraid that I have to agree. I did promise a final duel with the King of Heroes, after all. I do admit my utter loss, at least.

Zaegar: And you'll still take me on?

Rider: As many times as I have to. I lost, but I am far from giving up.

Zaegar: Heh. That's the king for ya. Anyway, since my job is pretty much done here, I'll just find a nice spot and relax-

Ophis: Yeah, no. Heads up.

From the sky, a magic attack sped towards him. Zaegar jumped to meet it in midair and raised a hand to devour it.

Zaegar: Well, well, well. I thought you weren't gonna interfere in the war, Grand Guy.

Solomon: This matter is far beyond the war. 

Zaegar: Is it? Shame. I thought we were bros, like Rider's army. Oh, well. Let's kill two stones with one bird.

He blindsided the Grand caster with a punch to the solar plexus, which Solomon felt even through his magical defenses before Zaegar winded up his left arm and...

With a powerful uppercut, he sent the Grand caster rocketing into the stratosphere. He grinned before notifying his Mistress.

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Yo Bitch. The Grand Guy turned on me for some reason. I'm gonna kick his ass and see if we can include the Types as acceptable casualties.

Emi: (Mental Link) ...Er, right. Good luck.

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Something happened?

Emi: (Mental Link) No, no, everything is fine. I'm just... well, astonished. Think nothing of it. 

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Well, alright. Use a Command Seal if anything goes wrong, yadda, yadda, yadda. I'll be busy in space and, you know, saving the world for the umpteenth time.

With a wave towards Rider, he took off after the knight and into outer space. They watched as he disappeared into the clouds before falling silent.

Waver: Just... Just what kind of Servant is that?

Rider: Hard to say. It seems that the King of Knights felt it as well.

Waver: Felt what?

Saber: For a single moment... That Servant's core changed into something else.

Scene Break - Earlier, Fuyuki Sewers

Irisviel woke up to see darkness surrounding her. The only source of light was the magic circle she was lying on.

???: Oh, you're up. 

She weakly forced herself to a sitting position and saw the form of the eighth Master sitting in a chair nearby. She was gazing at her with indifference in her eyes, as always, but the adorable critter atop her shoulder ruined that emotionless image.

Irisiviel: You're... Emi, right?

Emi: Yes. This is Caster's former lair, so forgive me if I wasn't able to make a pleasant atmosphere for your final moments. And before you ask, yes, I know what you are. Why else would I kidnap you?

Irisviel frowned. It was true that the time of her death was near, but this was not the way she desired it.

Emi: You're mad that your husband is probably not going to get the Grail, aren't you?

Irisiviel: ...I am.

Emi: Hmm. If only you knew what awaits you.

Irisivel: What?

Emi: Oh, don't mind me. Just rambling to myself is all. 

Irisviel: ...Tell me something. What is your wish for the Grail?

Emi: Good question. At one point, I merely wanted to destroy this world. Now, though? Well, life changes perspectives with time. Now, my wish is a different one.

Irisiviel: What changed?

Emi: Isn't it obvious? My Foreigner showed me that perhaps this world isn't so bleak after all. Maybe I changed for the better or the worse. 

Irisviel: That... You remind me of myself.

Emi: Do I? Yes, I suppose. Being a disposable homunculus, you gained self-awareness since you met Kiritsugu Emiya and had your daughter together.

Irisviel: ...Can you tell me something? How is it that you know virtually everything there is to know about many things? 

Emi: Because I do know. I know everything.

Irisviel: What...?

Emi: Many magi want to reach the Root of all things, but me? I'm a special case. I was born with a deep connection to the Root. When I wish to know about something, the Root instantly provides information and infinite mana as a bonus. 

Irisviel's eyes widened. Everything about the girl made sense now, from her inexplicably deep knowledge and enormous talent as a magus as well as her monstrously powerful Servant with an infinite mana source to operate at full power.

She felt... sad. Sad for the girl.

Irisviel: ...You have a bigger problem than I have. I couldn't even exit the Einzbern castle until a few days ago and don't know much about the outside world. There was so much to learn and so much to see, and I enjoyed everything about that.

Emi: I knew everything that you did and didn't know. There was nothing to learn and nothing to marvel at. It's boring. Very. Boring... Well, until I summoned my Servant. Knowing and experiencing things are different things, you know. That smug jerk taught me that.

Irisiviel: So he did.

Emi: You know, your husband wants to save the world.

Irisviel: He does.

Emi: But you don't know how.

Irisviel: ...True. I really don't. 

Emi: Once a man said, "He who wants to protect everything protects nothing." Do you believe he will save the world regardless?

Irisviel: Even if he doesn't, he has my support. 

Emi: ... You even share the same sad fate as a couple, I see. Save your strength. There are only seconds left before you pass away.

Irisiviel: I have... one question left.

Emi: Ask.

Irisviel: Do you wish... to save someone as well?

Emi: I do. I wish to save one life. I don't care about the rest of the world as long as that life is saved. 

Irisivel: I see... I think I would do the same if it were for Kiritsugu and Illya...

Emi: Selfish thoughts like that are what defines a human, I suppose. 

Irisivel: Hmm... If nothing else... I hope you save that precious life...

Emi's expression didn't change as Irisviel smiled weakly, before closing her eyes.

With her last breath, Irisviel von Einzbern died peacefully.

Emi: ...Hmph. Of course, I will.

Fou: Foooooou...

Emi: Well, her end might not have been beautiful, but she did live beautifully until the end. Isn't that what matters?

Fou: Fou, fou.

Emi: Yes, he also taught me that... At any rate, let's proceed with the plan. It's a matter of time before the fourth Servant is killed and the Grail manifests.

Just as she was about to move out, she twitched, feeling something odd in her connection with her Servant.

Just as the anomaly came, it was gone. Fou, for his part, gave a surprised yelp and started frantically calling out.

Fou: Fou?! 

Emi: I noticed... He used a twisted form of Authority.

Fou: Fou, fou, fou! Kyu!

Emi: I see... The reason you appeared and why you both felt uneasy around the Grand Caster... What a fantastic Servant I summoned. 

She perked up as she sensed her Servant mentally contacting her.

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Yo Bitch. The Grand Guy turned on me for some reason. I'm gonna kick his ass and see if we can include the Types as acceptable casualties.

Emi: (Mental Link) ...Er, right. Good luck.

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Something happened?

Emi: (Mental Link) No, no, everything is fine. I'm just... well, astonished. Think nothing of it. 

Zaegar: (Mental Link) Well, alright. Use a Command Seal if anything goes wrong, yadda, yadda, yadda. I'll be busy in space and, you know, saving the world for the umpteenth time.

She rolled her eyes as the connection ended. That pretty much confirmed her theory.

Emi: Initially, I wanted to destroy the world, and I summoned a Servant that had the potential to become an Evil of Humanity... Huh, my summoning was correct in a sense.

Fou: Fou!

Emi: Yes, yes, I've changed now. What, are you afraid that you won't have a job or something, Primate Murder?

Fou: Fou! Kyu!

Emi: Hmph. What a foul mouth.

She waved her hand and levitated the deceased homunculus's body off the ground. She sighed as she made her way out.

Emi: Avenger should be possessing her spirit. A sad fate for someone like her, really.

Fou: Fooou...

Scene Break - Old Residence, Storehouse

Kiritsugu knelt to her body. Maiya weakly opened her eyes and smiled.

Maiya: She implanted... a familiar within me... She did keep me alive for a reason after all...

Kiritsugu: ...Yes, I understand.

She reached up to his eyes, clearing the tears welling up in his eyes and threatening to spill out.

Maiya: You mustn't cry. Save those tears for your wife... You can't cry here.

He tried his hardest to hold back his tears at her statement.

Maiya: You're soft... You can't break just yet.

Kiritsugu: ...

Maiya: Don't lose your resolve over this...

He cradled her body after he barely managed to hold back his tears. She was right. He couldn't break under the pressure just yet. Not until the mission was over.

Kiritsugu: Don't worry. Leave the rest to Saber. Maiya, your task... is finished.

With one last smile and her task finished, Maiya Hisau passed away in his arms. 

He gently placed her body on the ground and stood up. The mission was still not finished. He knew this moment would come.

He heard movement outside the storehouse and readied his Contender. Someone was here and waiting outside.

Slowly, he exited into the open to see who it was.

He wasn't surprised to see the culprit.

Kirei: ...Kiritsugu Emiya.

Kiritsugu: ...Kirei Kotomine.

Against his better judgment, he lowered his Contender. He realized why Kirei Kotomine of all people had come to him directly.

He was disgusted with himself for even considering this development, but they were both men who knew what needed to be done.

Steel the mind, and kill the heart.