People are crying...
People are wailing...
People are enraged...
He grasped the possibility, that miraculous poison that made people cheer. The title of Miracle's Child seemed to spread from that moment, but he knew it was not a victory he deserved.
It was no stroke of luck but a prelude to despair that crushed hope completely.
He had lost, and it was a loss that seemed almost inevitable. How could those who entrusted everything to miracles possibly defeat those who wielded reality?
He failed, his confusion fueled by divine favor. Blinded by the desire to save lives, he failed utterly. Despite the countless sacrifices, the result was nothing.
Shirou Kotomine slowly opened his eyes.
The dream was over. This time, he would not fail. But before that...
"Awake, are we? Of course, if you want to continue sleeping, that's fine too," Semiramis said with a smirk, resting her chin on her hand and observing Shirou's troubled expression. "Your sleeping face is quite pleasant."
"Why am I lying on your lap?" Shirou asked, confused. Even after sixty years of flesh, his vigilance should not have weakened, so why did Semiramis always manage to get close and place his head on her lap?
"Because I'm your servant, perhaps?" Semiramis chuckled.
"What if someone sees us?"
"No one saw," Semiramis replied with a playful tone, puffing out her cheeks as if throwing a small tantrum. She then prodded Shirou's throat with the sharp tip of her finger. "Is there something wrong with this?"
"It's a bit embarrassing, but thank you," Shirou said with a wry smile, sitting up and trying to ignore the dagger-like prick at his throat.
"Well then, that's good," Semiramis said, nodding with satisfaction before her expression grew serious. "The time has come. Everyone except Archer, Saber, and the lost Berserker has been dealt with."
"Doesn't seem like there are many left," Shirou sighed deeply.
The Red faction had started off perfectly. Both Karna and Achilles were exceptional, capable of sweeping through the Holy Grail War single-handedly. He had also successfully taken control of their Master. But then things began to fall apart. Archer's Master was missing, and even their information was unavailable. Semiramis had underestimated Cyd's blessing and let slip the whereabouts of Saber's Master, causing Saber's Master to flee. Berserker was captured after being manipulated by Caster into the enemy's camp, and it seemed the only problem left was with Assassin.
"It's fine; that's already been taken care of. A few missing Servants won't matter," Semiramis said, crossing her legs. "I've prepared plenty of dragon teeth soldiers."
"But both Archer and Saber are outstanding heroes," Shirou scratched his face. "And Berserker's Noble Phantasm is quite troublesome."
"That Noble Phantasm..." Semiramis sighed, showing some frustration. "It's too uncontrollable."
"The key is Ruler. No, it's Cyd's attitude," Shirou said as he stood up.
"Ah, the fortunate one who gained the favor of the gods?" Semiramis grimaced, still remembering her accidental slip. "The garden is complete, and he poses no threat."
"Don't underestimate him. He is one of the few heroes who achieved the impossible through mere humanity," Shirou said with a rare look of admiration. "He brings miracles and, more importantly, hope for the future. If anyone understands me, it would be him."
Semiramis lifted an eyebrow. "What if he stands in your way?"
"Ah, though it's difficult, I'll have to remove him," Shirou said, scratching his face, his resolve unwavering. "I won't allow anyone to hinder me."
"That's the spirit" Semiramis stood up, spinning around and approaching Shirou. She lifted his chin with her finger. "If you retreat, I'll have no hesitation in pouring poison down your throat~."
"Don't worry; I won't retreat," Shirou said with a light laugh. "It's about time we got started."
The massive fortress began to rise.
The war was about to begin.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"What are you doing?"
Gordes jumped, nearly dropping the can he was clutching. The metal clattered to the floor with a dull thud.
"Eh? Canned beef?" Astolfo's voice rang out, playful curiosity evident.
Gordes stiffened, his eyes darting away from the pink-haired Servant. He felt the sweat beading on his forehead. Of all the people to run into, why did it have to be him?
"Why are you here? Servants don't need to eat," Gordes stammered, trying to mask his growing unease.
"Ah, just bored, wandering around," Astolfo replied with a carefree shrug, picking up the can and handing it back to Gordes.
Ever since hearing Cyd's words and learning about the death of the homunculi, Astolfo had been wandering aimlessly, his usual exuberance dulled. His strange Master, noticing this, had temporarily lost interest in him, leaving Astolfo to his own devices.
"Well... I'll be on my way then," Gordes muttered, nodding awkwardly as he edged toward the kitchen exit.
"Wait a sec... why are you carrying so many cans?" Astolfo asked, his hand suddenly resting on Gordes's shoulder, halting his escape.
"I'm just... hungry!" Gordes blurted out, feeling the heat rise in his face.
"All this food, just for you?" Astolfo's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the large sack Siegfried was holding, its shape betraying the presence of more than just canned goods.
"Isn't it normal to stock up?" Gordes's voice rose defensively.
"In your own camp?" Astolfo tilted his head, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone. "And you could've had the homunculi bring it to your room. Why sneak around like this? Got something in there you don't want anyone to see?"
Gordes felt his heart race as the sweat trickled down his back.
"And those homunculi... they died because of you, didn't they?" Astolfo's eyes gleamed, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Saber, let's go!" Gordes snapped, shaking off Astolfo's hand and marching out of the kitchen, his back as straight as he could manage.
Siegfried followed closely, seemingly unbothered by Astolfo's piercing gaze, while deftly catching the cans that slipped from Gordes's grasp.
"Stop following me!" Gordes hissed as he quickened his pace, nearly breaking into a run with Siegfried keeping pace while carrying the bulging sack and gathering up the stray cans.
"We're just heading the same way~" Astolfo chirped, hands casually behind his head, a wide grin on his face.
As they reached the door to Gordes's room, Gordes spun around, planting himself firmly against the door. "You're not coming in!" he panted,
"Oh come on I want a little peek! Please?" Astolfo pleaded, hands clasped together in mock prayer.
"Absolutely not!"