The white blade pierced straight through Achilles' body.
Siegfried's iron fist stopped just short of his face.
"Ah... I lost, didn't I?"
The frozen world around them began to crack and shatter, the moment of victory already determined. There was no point in prolonging it any further. Achilles, the famed hero, had lost. It was a battle without any tricks or interference—just pure skill, strength, and pride clashing in its rawest form. And even though both fought like legends, Siegfried came out on top.
Achilles had always been invincible, ever since his mother dipped him in the River Styx. No one could hurt him. He charged into every fight, knowing no fear. His skill was no joke either, but against Siegfried, the difference was clear.
Siegfried, the hero who slayed the dragon Fafnir, had faced down battles where a single slip would mean his death. His body, though hardened by a curse like Achilles, wasn't invulnerable. Every blow that landed could end him, yet he kept fighting, and in the end, it was his sword that pierced Achilles' heart.
"Boom—!"
The world Achilles' spear created crumbled into nothing.
Achilles staggered back a step, feeling the cold, harsh reality. He'd lost. His Spirit Origin was already beginning to fade. He could feel the magical energy leaking out of him, slowly draining away.
"What... what just happened?!" Gordes, his jaw practically on the floor, stared wide-eyed. To him, all he saw was Achilles stepping back as if he'd been punched by thin air.
"I'm good with this," Achilles said, stretching as if waking from a nap. He hefted his spear back onto his shoulder. "Didn't get to fight Cyd in the end, but hey, you've earned it. You can pass through. Won't be long before I disappear, anyway."
"We'll wait," Gordes replied, still hiding behind Siegfried, eyeing Achilles suspiciously. "Not like I'm just gonna stroll past you while you're still here."
"Come on, man! I'm a hero, aren't I? I'm not gonna stab you in the back after a fight like that," Achilles grinned. "I haven't faded away yet thanks to Battle Continuation. It's just buying me a bit more time."
"I believe you. I don't trust your Master," Gordes shot back, firmly staying in place.
Achilles stiffened, his expression twisting. "Wait, no way. He's really gonna—"
The Command Spells hit like chains binding his soul.
By the Command Seal, Achilles, use your Noble Phantasm.
By the Command Seal, Achilles, defeat the Black Faction's Saber.
By the Command Seal, Achilles, use everything you've got!
A voice, foreign and unwelcome, boomed inside his head. His chariot, which had been silently parked nearby, flared with divine light. The immortal horses, gifted by the sea god Poseidon, whinnied and kicked violently. Achilles felt himself yanked toward the chariot, unable to fight the overwhelming pull.
"My chariot..."
He leaped onto it, gripping the reins. Despite his internal struggle, the triple Command Spells left no room for resistance. His will meant nothing in the face of that power.
"Like a comet between stars…"
The chariot rose into the air, floating ominously. Achilles, jaw clenched in frustration, snapped the reins.
"The Immortal Chariot of the Raging Winds!"
The sudden surge of magical energy knocked Gordes off his feet. "I knew it! I knew this would happen! That's a Noble Phantasm for armies!"
"Hey, Black Saber!" Achilles shouted over the roar of the wind. "I don't have much time left, so listen up! All you have to do is survive! If you can hang on until I fade, it'll be over!"
Siegfried's eyes hardened. He spun the hilt of his sword, unleashing a dusky golden glow that filled the battlefield, ancient magic surging around them. The power of his sword, Balmung, flared to life, pulsing with the promise of destruction.
"Master, step back," Siegfried said, his voice calm but his eyes fierce. "This is the final fight."
"Are you crazy?!" Gordes shouted, yanking on Siegfried's armor. "You already won! You beat Achilles! You don't have to throw your life away—"
Siegfried didn't move. His expression stayed resolute, though softer than usual. "I'm sorry."
Gordes, realizing he was serious, let go, his face pale. "You're really..."
"I'm sorry," Siegfried repeated, shaking his head.
"Damn it! You won! You're the strongest! You're not supposed to die here!" Gordes raised his hand, his Command Spells lighting up. "I order you, with every Command Spell I have—win this!"
"Understood."
Siegfried's eyes narrowed as he lifted Balmung high, the blade radiating with a blinding light.
"Evil Dragon, you shall fall." His heart pounded against his chest, amplifying the Command Spell's power as raw magical energy flowed through him like a tidal wave.
"Light and shadow, sever all."
The true power of Balmung was unleashed, the sword's etheric energy cascading like a sunset across the world.
"The world now falls into twilight…"
The golden light of the sword exploded, filling the battlefield with the glow of the setting sun. Achilles' eyes widened, a crooked smile forming on his lips. He had already lost, yet... seeing this power stirred something deep inside him. His battle spirit flared back to life.
"Seeing you at full power... how could I not respond?"
For the first time, Achilles didn't resist the Command Spells. He cracked the reins, driving the chariot headlong into Siegfried's blazing twilight.
The green streak of his chariot crashed into the golden light, each pushing against the other in a struggle for dominance. Achilles' immortal horses neighed in fury, their speed slowing as the light pressed down on them. Even knowing it was hopeless, Achilles kept his eyes wide open, staring straight into the light as if he could see Siegfried's form on the other side.
The chariot began to groan under the pressure. The immortal steeds cried out as Achilles' body started to fade, turning transparent.
But in that moment of crisis—Achilles laughed.
This was why he had come here. To fight a hero with everything he had. To push his Noble Phantasm to the limit and clash with all his might.
If he disappeared now, it would be worth it. He could fade, satisfied—
Except, no. No, that wasn't enough.
He wasn't going to vanish like some nobody. He'd released his Noble Phantasm—he was going to win!
With one final, defiant roar, Achilles hurled himself, his body glowing like a comet, into the heart of the twilight.
"Saber!"
"Rider!"
The golden light pierced through the sky, shooting into the far-off stars.
Achilles, his form disintegrating in the light, managed a smile. "Well, guess I lost again… but, hey, Command Seals really come in handy."
Siegfried lowered his head, his expression soft. Achilles' spear, the very weapon that had felled countless heroes, had pierced through his dragon-blooded armor and destroyed his Spirit Origin.
"I'm sorry, Gordes," Siegfried said quietly, "I couldn't live up to your expectations."
"You used a Command Spell! You were supposed to win!" Gordes collapsed to the ground, clutching his head. "You won! You already beat him!"
Siegfried smiled bitterly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't give you the victory you deserved."
Gordes buried his face in his hands. "It's my fault. You're the strongest Saber, and I dragged you down."
"No," Siegfried knelt down, offering his hand. "It was because of you that I could defeat Achilles. We did this together. You're the best Master I could have asked for."
Gordes blinked, staring at the offered hand. Slowly, he reached out—
And then fell, face-first, into the dirt as Siegfried vanished, his Spirit Origin finally fading into the golden light.
"You idiot…" Gordes whispered, curling into a ball. "You useless idiot."
"You were the real winner."