Outside the city. In the air above the forest.
Tokiomi stared at the monster below him with a horrified expression, this was getting out of hand. This thing was endangering the secrecy of this war. He cannot allow regular people to see this. His old friend Risei was a convincing man but even he had his limits. The last thing the head of the Tohsaka family needed was the Clock Tower or the Church to interfere in the Grail War. He turned to his servant and bowed once again.
"Your highness—"
"I heard you, Tokiomi. I'm not deaf. No need to repeat it." Gilgamesh said with an annoyed tone before looking down at the monster. "This abomination is sore to look at. Very well, I should lend you three weapons from my treasury to slay the beast. Be grateful."
Gilgamesh didn't pay Tokiomi any mind as he focused on Caster's monster. Having activated his Gate of Babylon, three gold portals appeared under Vimana. All of them aimed at the monster on the ground. The next second, three weapons were shot as projectiles, all flying towards their target. However, they failed to slay the abomination and instead only cut some of its larger tentacles. The monstrosity roared as its wounds healed with an incredible speed. Archer let out a frustrated groan.
"What a pity to lose three of my treasure on something like this." Tokiomi looked confused.
"Your highness? Aren't you going to continue?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"Why should I? I already wasted my treasures on this monster. Let other servants deal with it, I have no desire to stain myself with this thing." now his master looked dumbfounded.
"But…but—!"
"You have something to say, Tokiomi?" Gilgamesh's red eyes glared at his master. "Do you want to disagree with my decision?" his master froze before lowering his head.
"No, my king."
Gilgamesh clicked with his tongue, disappointed how his current master had no backbone. Even that boy who was the master of Rider had more guts to speak against the King of Conquerors. However, his eyes soon found someone more interesting. Archer smirked. Perhaps his master still can provide him with entertainment.
"Tokiomi, if you want to prove yourself in my eyes, I won't mind slaying this beast for you. But first, you would need to actually do something in this war."
The head of the Tohsaka family said nothing but soon decided to do whatever Archer wanted. His status as the second owner of Fuyuki and the chance to win this war was on the line. Gilgamesh smirked before turning Vimana around.
Towards two other masters.
___________________________
The monster summoned by Caster was a giant tentacle abomination. It was taller than any tree and could have been seen outside the forest. It let out a strange aura akin to some sort of purple gas that covered the area around it. The mad Servant was inside it, hidden in safety while his beast would deal with any threat to its creator. Avenger carefully examined the creature. It was huge and had too many appendages, her katana alone wouldn't cut it. What's worse, she couldn't see any divinity from it, making her noble phantasm less than effective against the monster.
"Avenger, do you hear me? What is your status?" she soon heard the voice of her master.
"Loud and clear, Lelouch." Nobunaga quickly answered back. "We are close to this thing but it hasn't attacked us yet. Also, I feel the presence of other Servants in the forest. Do you have a plan?"
"We should prioritize Archer first. The monster might act as a distraction. Lancer should strike him while we have an opening. Deal with Gilgamesh first. If other Servants won't kill it, we would take care of Caster and this thing after."
Nobunaga nodded. She turned to a male Servant who had a stern look on his face. Avenger quickly figured out that Kayneth most likely told Lancer the same thing and the knight didn't like it one bit. However, the Japanese Servant didn't care about his inner turmoil. They had a job to do.
"You heard our orders. We stick with the plan and go after that gold bastard first. Right now, this monster isn't focused on us. We attack while we have this chance."
Lancer clenched his fist but said nothing and simply nodded. Both servants turned towards the flying platform in the air and the servants sitting on its throne. However, before they could attack, the strange aircraft started to disappear.
____________________________
Lelouch had a bad feeling about this entire thing.
The monster was both horrifying to look at and troublesome for their plan. They were supposed to slay Archer tonight, but this thing made everything more complicated. Saber was probably somewhere around, and Lelouch was sure Rider was on his way as well. Iskandar wouldn't miss something like this. This left only Berserker unaccounted for and the Demon Emperor hoped the unknown servant would opt to stay out of this fight. But he wasn't so optimistic.
Seconds ago, Nobunaga contacted him and informed him that Archer disappeared from sight. Whatever he was flying, it was fast. Neither he nor Kayneth was able to see it. Worse still, the monster started to move towards the city. It was slow but the master of Avenger was sure it would reach Fuyuki in less than an hour if nothing was done.
"What should we do?" his ally asked with a worried tone. "Archer's most likely escaped, leaving Caster and this monster to us. Do we order Servants to attack it?"
"Not yet. Gilgamesh might be tricking us. Avenger and Lancer will continue to wait. Besides, Saber should be somewhere nearby. She is no longer under the effect of Lancer's cursed spear. Let her deal with Caster. Should she fail, we will join and assist her." Lelouch explained as he stared at the beast.
Caster's monster was moving when suddenly it stopped and let out another roar. Because of the trees, Lelouch couldn't see what was going on the ground. He used his mental link and contacted Avenger.
"Avenger, why did it stop?"
"It's Saber. The little knight attacked it. The monster is currently trying to capture her." Artoria was already fighting then, very well, she should be able to slow it down for some time. "Should we help her?"
"Negative. Do you see the Archer?"
"Nope, that bastard flew away too fast. And because of this thing, I can't sense him."
'How troublesome,' Lelouch thought to himself before speaking. "Very well, continue to observe the monster. Do not help Saber. It might be a good chance to learn her noble phantasm."
He couldn't see Nobunaga, but Lelouch was certain the she-demon was smirking.
'Saber is Artoria Pendragon, the King of Knights. Her noble phantasm should be more than enough to deal with whatever Caster summoned. But should she fail, my Servant would act...Still, where is Gilgamesh?' his thoughts were interrupted by Kayneth. "What is it?"
"We have a problem," the older magi said with a fearful tone.
"What do you—oh," Lelouch wanted to ask but stopped the moment he saw who was behind him.
Flying in the air above them was Vimana and its passengers. Archer and his master were looking down on them. However, Lelouch quickly noticed that Tokiomi Tohsaka looked troubled by something, Gilgamesh on another hand looked pleased.
"So you two formed a team, huh? And this is your ally in this war? I expected more from you, Lelouch Lamperouge." Archer laughed while the masters below and next to him stayed silent.
He appeared out of nowhere but didn't try to kill them yet. That meant he wanted something from them. Lelouch noticed how Kayneth started to slowly raise his hand, no doubt thinking about calling Lancer but he stopped the blonde magi. Gilgamesh surely noticed it and if Kayneth tried to call for help, the Demon Emperor was certain that the ancient king of Uruk would strike them down. Instead, he sent a message to Avenger and started to speak. He needed to buy time.
"Your Highness, what a surprise to see you here. This night keeps surprising all of us, doesn't it?" Lelouch said with his best fake smile. Gilgamesh chuckled.
"Hmm, some mongrel with a phantasmal beast is unexpected but not pleasant to look at. I left it for others to deal with. If they're truly heroes worthy to fight against me, they shouldn't have any issue with a pest of this calibre. However, I'm here for a different matter. You see, Tokiomi over here prefers to stay away from a fight. Something I can't help but find pathetic, so I decided that it would better if he fought two of you at the same time. Should he win, I will grant him his wish."
As the King of Heroes spoke, Vimana lowered itself just above where Lelouch and Kayneth were standing. The head of the Tohsaka stepped forward with his staff in his arms. He looked focused but Lelouch could see in his eyes. The Archer's master wasn't so pleased with this arrangement. Gilgamesh on another hand enthusiastically spoke.
"Rules are simple. Two against one, fight to the death. If either one of you would try to call for your servants, I would kill you both." Kayneth paled.
"W-why aren't you trying to kill that monster first!? That thing is dangerous for everyone here. And you!" he turned towards Tokiomi. "You're a Tohsaka, right? If so, order your Servant to attack Caster first!"
The man before them bit his lip.
"I'm but a humble servant of his Highness. I cannot order him anything, only ask. Right now I requested he help us slay the beast… but first I should prove myself and defeat both of you. You're Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, right? I've heard about you. The master who had come from Clock Tower, a rising star there. And you," his tired and empty gaze turned towards Lelouch. "You, the one who calls himself a member of Britain's royal family. I don't know anything about you. But tonight I should learn what kind of magus you are."
As he said it, Tokiomi raised his cane tipped with some sort of jewel. A second later, it sparked with crimson light as the ground around the magus became covered in flames. With a calm demeanour, the master of Archer aimed at them. The fire around him changed the form akin to a flamethrower attack. It flew towards them but was stopped by a wall of flowing mercury that formed around Kayneth and Lelouch.
The master of Avenger said nothing. His only weapons were a handgun and some explosions. The Demon Emperor didn't think that actual magi would fall for something like that too easily.
Kayneth was skilful enough to fight both Kiritsugu and his partner back in Einzbern castle. The blonde magus was supposed to be a prodigy in the Clock Tower, so Lelouch was hoping his ally would be helpful right now. Still, Lelouch sent another message to Nobunaga.
"I can't use command seals while Archer is watching us. Head over here and strike Gilgamesh from behind while he is focused on us." Lelouch silently sent her order. The response was fast and quite disappointing.
"I would love to but Lancer and I are in a difficult situation, Lelouch."
________________________
Inside the forest.
While Archer was playing with the three masters, Lancer and Avenger had their own problem. They were monitoring the Caster's monster when it started to move. The gold bastard managed to harm it earlier but left without finishing it off. However, the monster soon stopped squirming when another figure appeared before it, Saber. Artoria glared at the monster before her as she raised her invisible sword.
"Caster, I know you're in there! Stop this madness at once or I will cut you down!"
The monster roared before a hundred tentacles rushed at the blonde knight. Saber let out a sigh, this was expected. Without any word, she cut down everything the monster sent her way, slicing and dicing every appendage in her path.
The abomination let out a painful screech before using its biggest tentacles against the King of Knights. However, Saber had no issue avoiding every strike. She could easily see where they were going to hit and was able to jump to the side. The monster was huge and its appendages posed serious danger, but it was slow. Slow enough for her, the small-statured Servant that she was to evade all of its attacks. However, Artoria's main goal was to stop this thing, not just avoid it. But no matter how many tentacles she cut down, dozens and dozens of new ones would replace those she severed.
It was healing faster than she could hack away at it. Frighteningly so.
Arturia's hand around her sword's hilt clenched. If she wanted to end it, she couldn't continue swinging haphazardly like this. However, she knew what would help. Both of her hands had healed. Now, she could easily use her Noble Phantasm. Not to mention, this forest was far away from ordinary humans. Everything was perfect… that is until Artoria heard the voice of her master. Her real one.
"Saber, do not use your noble phantasm." Kiritsugu's voice was cold and focused as usual. Meanwhile, the blond knight glared at the distance where her master was hiding.
"What are you talking about?! This monster might harm—!"
"Right now, it's contained within the forest, far away from civilians. Therefore, it cannot harm them. Not to mention, it's surrounded by Servants apart from yourself. You're already healed and no longer under Lancer's curse. Everything is perfect." Her master interrupted anything she would've said in protest while continuing. "Saber, Caster is obsessed with you. Should you ask him to kill the other Servants, he most likely would obey. We should try our old plan."
Her eyes went wide.
"Kiritsugu, how can you even think about something like this!? This monster must be slain! I will not work with it!"
"You will, Saber," his voice became colder. "If the situation gets out of hand, you will use your noble phantasm. But until then, I won't allow it."
Artoria clenched her fists on the holy sword's hilt further. So much so that she obliterated the tentacle that tried to grab at her with a quick swing. In a quiet voice, she said.
"...I don't want to do it. This is wrong!"
"Don't force me to waste the command seal on it, Saber." Kiritsugu said before ending the conversation.
Artoria looked at the monster before her. She lowered her gaze, the King of Knights was feeling like someone punched her in the gut. This was wrong. She was the King. A protective knight. She shouldn't do something like this.
However, Kiritsugu wouldn't allow such a good opportunity to be wasted.
He was reminding Artoria of her sister more and more. And she hated it. With a defeated sigh she lowered her sword and looked at the monster before her.
'Why does Irisviel protect someone like you, Kiritsugu…? I can't understand…'
Artoria glared at the monster as she spoke.
"Gilles, my old… … friend… I want to ask you something…"
While Caster within the monster started feeling euphoric, his 'Jeanne'… felt mortified.
_________________________
"Why did it stop attacking Saber?" Nobunaga asked Lancer as the two stared at the fight from a distance.
However, before she could get a response, a giant tentacle rushed at them. Both Servants were fast enough to avoid it, jumping back from where they stood. The tentacle slammed the trees and ground underneath their feet before rising again and thrashing wildly after the pair of Servants.
This time Avenger decided to act. Dozens of arquebuses appeared around her, all aimed at the tentacle. As Oda raised her katana, the firing line let loose a thundering blaze of gunpowder and shells. The cloud of smoke quickly cleared and she soon saw the damage that had been dealt.
However, the monster's regeneration ability was fast enough to quickly heal every wound. Every single one that her firearms made.
"Fuck." Retreating further, Nobunaga cursed as more of the smaller appendages went after her.
This time it was Lancer's turn to cut them down, but as the same result with hers, any damage he dealt was healed back in mere moments. The barrage of nightmarish appendages continued their onslaught against them.
"My spear won't be able to pierce Caster while he hides inside that thing. Any ideas, Avenger?"
"No." Regrettably, she hadn't any backup plan for this. "And we can't even go after Archer. Even if this abomination won't follow us."
They couldn't help their masters. Not at the moment. Whatever Archer was doing with them was bad enough alone. But even if she could intervene with the goldie's playtime, this thing cannot be allowed to come close to Lelouch. The Demon Daimyo wouldn't allow it.
Their best option right now was to kill it themselves. However, Lancer was pretty much useless for this job, aside from cutting down swathes of tentacles. Nobunaga could use her noble phantasm, but she and Lelouch wanted to save it as a surprise attack against Archer.
'Damn it!' She will not be bested by some overgrown octopus!
However, before Avenger could do anything, another servant appeared before them. Lancer was the first to break the silence.
"Saber—?! What are you doing?"
The King of Knights was standing with her back to the monster. The abomination behind her didn't strike at her. Nor did it try anything in the way of harm. In fact, from Nobunaga's perspective, it looked like it was protecting her. Its tentacles were circling around, forming a kind of perimeter around Saber. The blonde knight herself didn't look happy to be within the safety of the otherworldly limbs.
"Something I'm not proud of, Lancer," was her muttered reply before she raised her wind-clad blade. "Please, as a fellow knight, forgive me for such actions. Caster… … attack them."
The monster obeyed and did as his 'Jeanne' ordered. Like snakes, the tentacles reared their muscles before darting at them both en masse. But it wasn't just Caster's extended limbs.
Without a word of explanation, Saber launched forward. Lancer, momentarily silent by the shock, roared with fury as he met to intercept Artoria's attack. Regrettably, that left Avenger to deal with the horde of slimy writhing flesh whips.
One after another, she sliced away. She managed to halt them from piercing Lancer's flank for the most part, but there was no end. Shoot, slash, or sever swathes of them as she might, Nobunaga's efforts did little to chip away at their numbers as they fanatically assaulted her from all sides.
It was like the monks all over again!
As she was cutting them down, Avenger contacted Lelouch and told him what was going on.
"...That's troublesome. Change of the plan. First, kill the monster then either try to force Saber to escape or cut her down too." Nobunaga could see why killing Caster and his monster first was a better choice. She didn't want to imagine what kind of rampage a mad servant would start if his 'Holy Maiden' was killed in front of his eyes again.
'Although, it would be funny to burn a foolish knight before Gilles.' Nobunaga poetically considered making the warlock relive the fiery tragedy with a dark chuckle. However, she had her orders. Avenger would execute the monster hiding the maniac before turning her righteous fury at the maiden knight playing at pretend.
Arquebus rifles appeared around the redhead servant in droves. Lines upon lines of them fiercely resembled the formation she oft ordered of her men in the past. Noting the likely interference of the fool of a King, she told Lancer to hold off Saber while she would deal with the monster. The spear-wielding Servant nodded right as she rushed towards the beast.
Avenger charged, rifles following loyally behind her. As she jumped on top of one of the giant tentacles and continued on ahead, the firearms reminiscent of her famed fearmongering tactics took aim. Her arquebuses opened fire, shooting off all the smaller tentacles that tried to stop her. Any and every one of them splattered as soon as they tried to even block her path.
With a mighty swing, she used her katana to cut the bigger ones. The red aura about her turned just as deadly as her weapons. Pouring more strength into every strike, the air surrounding her very form crackled with energy and power. It rippled and thrummed as she moved on closer to her foe.
Something was about to awaken.
Gilles de Rais was going to die tonight. And a demon would be the thing the maddened magician would expect!
_________________________
While Avenger powered on to her target, Diarmuid was busy with his old opponent.
However, unlike his previous duels with Saber, this time the knight of Fianna wasn't feeling any sort of pride while exchanging blows with his fellow knight.
Instead, Lancer was extremely disappointed by everything that happened up until now. This Grail War wasn't what he imagined. It wasn't what he wanted. Diarmuid wished for nothing but to prove himself and regain his honour. However… not like this!
'First, my curse started to affect my lord's future wife. Then we teamed up with that vicious woman, Avenger and her dangerous master. And now this? I thought I would get a chance to fight for my honour… But… how can I do so like this?!'
His master and that boy—nay. The demon in the guise of a young man, Lelouch Lamperouge, came up with a plan that would bring shame to any proud knight. But Diarmuid had no choice. He had to obey his lord.
Avenger was a dangerous woman and Lancer knew that soon both she and her master would betray them. He didn't want to fight side by side with her but neither could he disobey his lord either. The only bright side to his plight was Saber who could understand his feelings for they, unlike all the others, were united in chivalry… Or so he had thought…
Gae Dearg was stopped by the invisible sword that sent a blast of wind everywhere alongside the glow of her weapon. Saber had discarded her magic armour, remembering that it was useless against this spear, but kept her Invisible Air wrapped around her famed sword. The winds buffeted any would-be interloper tentacle that slipped past his regrettable ally's watch.
This fight would be harder than their previous duels. Diarmuid lost his Gae Buidhe while the blonde knight knew about what his only spear could do. Not to mention, the giant monster at her back that Avenger was barely holding back now that she'd gone full throttle against it, leaving him behind with Saber. However, Lancer didn't care about anything about it. Nothing mattered anymore. He merely focused only on the Servant before him as he shouted.
"Where is your pride and honour, Saber?! How can you ally yourself with someone like Caster and his abomination?! To stand against us when you know he poses more of a threat to all?!"
As he spoke, several tentacles flew towards him but Diarmuid had a little issue cutting them down. His spear cutting through her sword's stealthy wind magic caused enough of a maelstrom that a mere sweep of his crimson lance pushed her back while similarly eradicating the damned monster's distraction. Raising his weapon, he aimed it once more at the woman he thought understood him the most.
"Answer me! Saber!"
However, hiding behind another wave of the ugly creatures, Saber rushed forward and closed the distance between them. His spear cleared the rabble away but wasn't as effective when she got close enough. Try as she might, Saber failed to end this fight for the sake of them both, locking weapons once more and buffeting everything away with the raging winds.
"Words cannot describe how ashamed I feel, Lancer." He heard her mutter through Invisible Air's torrential current. "However, I cannot go against the order of my master… No matter how strongly I disagree with him."
Lancer stopped to stare at her for a second.
"...I can understand your disappointment with the actions of our lords, but it only means that I should put you out of your misery." He kicked her back, breaking the deadlock. As Lancer raised Gae Dearg in preparation for a follow-up, however, he froze. 'Wait, him? But… wasn't Saber's master the white-haired homunculus?'
While her opponent hesitated for unknown reasons, Saber spoke again.
"I won't hold it against you for thinking of me as a failure of a knight, But it won't stop… I can't… Do what you must, and as will I… that being to strike you down, Lancer!" As Artoria shouted, a giant tentacle burst out of the ground and raised her in the air. Now, standing on top of it, the King of Knights held the high ground as she raised her sword against the Knight of Fianna. She stated solemnly, albeit with reluctance apparent in her voice. "This will be our last fight, Lancer. So let us end this nightmare of a war."
He said nothing and only glared at her. She could understand where this anger was coming from. This was wrong… it went against her creed, the creed of all knights she was meant to embody. And they both knew that.
But Saber could do little except go along with her master's order. No matter how she felt about them. Without any words, her chariot in the form of the giant tentacle rushed forward, Lancer rushed at her as well.
However, before it could hit him, Lancer slipped to the side, avoiding it at the last moment, and stabbed the beast's appendage dead centre with his spear. Then, using it as a steppingstone, he jumped up, narrowly avoiding getting squashed and mounting her vantage point. Mere moments later, he was now on the same level as Saber.
Their weapons crossed again, rending the air as his spear dissipated her sword's magical wind sheathe into a wild whirlwind. Spying her gaze through the lashing wind whipping up her hair, he muttered back just as solemnly but struggling to hide his disappointment.
"For the sake of your honour, or what is left of it… I swear to strike you down myself!"
The blonde smiled bitterly. She wasn't going to lose but dying by the hand of the fellow knight would be the best death for her right now. However, no matter how low she was forced to act because of Kiritsugu, Artoria was going to win this war and would get her wish.
No matter what may come.
The two Servants restarted their last duel. Deep inside, both of them resolved to end it, here and now. They knew the other would prefer to die by their hands. The hands of a fellow knight.
It was the best outcome they could non-verbally agree upon rather than continue this dishonourable war.
______________________
The rooftop of the lonely building.
Lelouch watched the fight between two magi.
Tokiomi used his stave and fired one fireball after another, while Kayneth used his mercury as a shield. The magus from the west tried to use his best to attack but Tokiomi wouldn't give him any openings. Kayneth was forced to use Volumen Hydrargyrum mainly as protection. A purpose it was fully designed for. But it didn't help that the blonde magus had no choice but to protect Lelouch as well, something master of Avenger wasn't proud of.
'Right now I'm a liability to Kayneth. He's being forced to use his all to protect me as well. If it wasn't for him, I would be dead by now.' Kayneth couldn't effectively defend and attack at the same time. Lelouch had realized that barely a minute into the fighting. Right now, the former emperor was starting to regret not having any magecraft to help his ally. 'I have regular weapons and explosions, but I doubt they can hurt this particular magus.'
Magic to him was full of uncertainty. Lelouch didn't know if his bullets would be able to pierce the wall of fire around Tokiomi. Explosions might work better, but he needed to get closer, dangerously so, just for it to reach the patriarch of the Tohsaka family.
Suddenly, an idea formed in his mind.
"Kayneth, can you distract him?" the man looked confused.
"I might have an idea that would work, but do what you have in mind, Lamperouge?"
Lelouch couldn't help but smirk. "You will see it soon, but first, can you create a smaller blob of your mercury?"
Now the magi looked even more puzzled but decided to go along with the plan of his ally without question.
Doubt was the last thing he needed to cloud his judgment. Though he may have been the prodigious heir to the Archibald household, he knew when to silence his pride.
Tokiomi continued his assault. While the fiery magus was confident in his abilities, the master of Lancer wasn't a greenhorn or a pushover either. Kirei provided him with all the information he might've needed in this war. Lord Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald was a dangerous foe, but nothing he couldn't handle.
The master of Avenger next to him, on the other hand, seems to be inept in magecraft and shouldn't pose a threat. Maybe Tokiomi worried too much about it, surely Gilgamesh was making everything complicated for him but it wasn't an impossible task. His enemies were just one experienced magus and child, Tokiomi's lips curled up confidently. He could handle them.
However, while the master of Archer was occupied by his thoughts, his opponent switched tactics. This time Kayneth tried a different move. The half of his mercury shield changed into a long and thin ribbon in the shape of a whip that struck at the target, that being Tokiomi himself, with a whipping motion.
Tokiomi was able to react fast and quickly increased the flame wall around himself. It was enough to blast back the attempt, however, it wasn't able to entirely block out the attack of the alchemical whip. The master of Archer had no choice but to use some of his jewels, creating the small blasts with them. This managed to slow the tip of the whip, minimizing the damage to his person.
Tokiomi was forced to step back a little bit, his clothes were damaged, but he found that he'd been cut. It wasn't deep enough to kill him but shallow enough to be noticeable. He grunted and was about to use spiritual healing, but something caught his attention. From the corner of his eye, Tokiomi saw how a small silver ball managed to bypass his wall of fire. It must've slipped in while he'd been distracted by the whiplash.
Before he had time to do anything, though, the mercury around the ball opened up and revealed a small device. A small explosive device.
Tokiomi's eyes went wide, he had a moment to reinforce the shield around himself and even apply more reinforcement and impromptu defences to his body before it went off. But it still sent him flying off to the side.
Lelouch smirked when he saw how the body of Tokiomi Tohsaka hit one of the roof railings. Their enemy was looking beaten up but still ready to continue the fight. However, now that his defences were down and his concentration ruined, Lelouch had a clear line of sight of the man.
Without a second thought, the master of Avenger pulled out his handgun and shot. The usual calm expression of Tokiomi slowly disappeared, as his death was approaching him. However, before the bullet could have ended his life, a simple blade struck the floor before him, blocking the paltry metal in its flight path. Everyone froze before looking at the only Servant near them.
Gilgamesh was sitting on his throne, his expression was one of deep thought. The gold portal was near him, making it clear where the blade had come from. Archer slowly started to speak.
"This fight turned out to be less spectacular than I would have liked, but, nevertheless, I expected this result." As he spoke, his Vimana lowered itself closer to the roof. Archer rose up from his throne and walked closer to his master. "Let's go, Tokiomi. I have seen enough. Your performance was less than I hoped for but I suppose it is fine. At least, with this, I now have ascertained you aren't a total disappointment."
'Why interfere in the fight if you are the one who instigated it?' Lelouch was confused. Was Archer doing it for the sake of entertainment or Gilgamesh had other motives?
Tokiomi looked like wanted to argue or say something but decided to stay silent. Lelouch and Kayneth stayed silent, two masters were still at the complete mercy of Archer, and Gilgamesh knew it. However, the King of Uruk did nothing to harm them and only said.
"You two did well for a measly sideshow, mongrels. However, next time I would expect a better performance from both of you—!'
However, before Gilgamesh could continue, something unexpected happened. A dark figure jumped out of nowhere. Archer couldn't even react when an armoured fist hit nearly struck him in the face. A couple of portals opened up, calling upon blades and axes, the flats of which was struck by the mad dog instead, causing their owner protected by it to be sent flying away.
The other masters could only freeze as they recognized the Servant who'd just arrived.
"B—Berserker?!"
Tokiomi was already exhausted from his fight and didn't have the power to collect himself anymore. The black knight looked at the defeated man before focusing on two masters behind him. Lelouch didn't like this. Nobunaga was busy. He didn't want Kayneth to call back Lancer and leave her alone with Saber and Caster. However, his life was on the line. Archer was out of the picture at the moment but Berserker might prove even worse. The arrogant King of Heroes might've been a pain to deal with, but the was at least somewhat predictable.
The Demon Emperor didn't know what to expect from a wild Servant that took sanity as just an optional thing!
However, it wasn't the fearsome Heroic Spirit that had their attention. A new voice spoke, breaking the dead silence. "Tokiomi, at last! I found you!"
A hooded figure joined them on the roof. Lelouch couldn't see the face of the new person but from how relaxed he walked up to stand next to Berserker, the hooded figure was most likely the last master he'd yet to personally meet.
The master of the Makiri house had finally shown himself after all this time.
"Should we try to get rid of them?" Kayneth stepped closer to his ally and whispered. His eyes never left the Servant before them, but he didn't bother hiding the stare he had trained on its master before them.
Lelouch thought about it carefully.
'Tokiomi isn't in fighting condition and his Servant isn't here. Berserker and his master are clearly here for him, not us.' The person spoke with venom and fury in his voice, Lelouch suspected that he had a personal grudge against the master of Archer. Perhaps leaving them alone would be the best idea. The master of Avenger suspected that the new guy wouldn't like them meddling in their personal issues.
While he was thinking about the course of action, Tokiomi froze as he stuttered.
"K-Kariya? W-what happened to your face?"
The man now informally introduced laughed.
"Oh you know, I had a reunion with my family. And this?" he pointed at his face." Is the result of Matou family magecraft. Something your daughter experienced already." Kariya said before laughing like an insane person. That is until he eerily stopped to stare and speak monotonously. "Poor Sakura… she suffered because of you. What do you have to say for yourself?" The impassive tone turned into a maddened howl. "You sold your own daughter to that monster! For what, Tokiomi?!"
Lelouch raised an eyebrow, becoming more interested in the topic of their conversation. This Kariya was furious and the master of Avenger started to see why. However, Tokiomi had a different view on this. The master of Archer, recovering from his initial shock, let out a short laugh.
"Hah. So that's your concern, is it?" schooling his features and his posture, the man replied. "Sakura was given to Matou in order to secure her future. Both she and Rin had incredible potential but I couldn't raise both of them into proper magi. It was a hard choice but I did it for their future."
"Future?! Future?! Do you know what Sakura has to endure?! How she suffers! What does Zouken do with her in his worm pit?! She-"
"Just because you couldn't do it, doesn't mean Sakura can't either. I won't your jealousy ruin the future of my daughters."
Kariya froze. His body was writhing in anger. Either that or it was the worms that seemed to flow through his veins reacting to his raw emotions.
"Jealousy?! JEALOUSY?! Do you think I did all of this out of jealousy?! Tokiomi, you selfish heartless prick! Your daughter is being violated! Abused by my family's—Zouken's cursed magic! Open your fucking eyes and try to act like a parent for once! I don't care about the Grail. I don't care about this war or my family. I don't care about Aoi anymore or you!" All the man's energy seemed to dissipate from his person. For a moment, he remained a quiet husk, leaning slightly to the side as he stood on an injured leg. Then, the monotonous yet eerie tone of voice returned. "The only thing that matters to me is saving Sakura from that hell that you left her in. And I will save her… by killing you!"
Not a moment later, Kariya vomited. He retched vehemently and hard. However, instead of gross substance, what had come out of the deformed man was a pool of blood riddled with strange worms in it. Lelouch saw many terrible things in his life, but there was something definitely wrong about seeing a man spill out maggots from his innards while still being alive. More so with these worms.
Something about them made the Demon Emperor feel disgusted. His ally on another hand looked abhorred yet a bit fascinated by the little things. It didn't take long for Lelouch to realize why.
The worms in the blood pool started to gather. Then, as if on cue, they all started to pulsate, grow larger, expand. They reminded the boy of a horror show his friends used to watch. Before long, they started to twitch under their exoskeleton. Violently, their backs slit open with a spray of blood. Pairs of transparent wings and bonelike dragonfly-shaped abominations emerged like an ugly butterfly out of a wormy caterpillar's cocoon.
As if to moult at will, they changed from the tiny disgusting worms into some kind of flying insects with blades for wings and a tail. The swarm now started to surround Tokiomi.
"Behold! The magecraft of Matou family! This is what Sakura's fate will look like if I don't save her!" as he screamed, Kariya sent these bugs at Tokiomi. "This is what you've subjected your flesh and blood to!"
Before any of them could reach their target, several blades rained down from the sky, skewering if not outright obliterating all of them. Kariya panicked but he could only fall backwards from the blast as another blade entered his torso.
"RaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaaggghhhh!"
Berserker seemed to take offence at that, roaring in unhinged fury as it sought out its master's attacker through its crimson-slitted helmet visor. He didn't have to look far as the maddened knight immediately tilted its body, ducking low as a wide-bladed axe that aimed to sever him at the waist flew overhead. The black knight reared its twitching gaze in the direction of the golden light.
Archer was standing on the treetops. An expression furious enough to freeze hell itself was trained solely on the wild Servant.
"Damn you, rabid mutt…" Though quite a fair distance away, neither Lelouch nor Kayneth was ignorant of the prideful king's rage. "To not only dare bring me low not once but twice… you would attempt to mar my face with your disgusting hands?!"
More weapons flew at Berserker. A bombardment of them rained on his position. In retaliation, the Servant of Insanity let out a howl as he leapt to the sky in an attempt to avoid the barrage of projectiles.
But if the number of weapons was impressive to the Demon Emperor, the fact that the medieval weapons snapped about in the air and flew at their target like heat-seeking missiles had Lelouch's eyes bulging right out of their sockets.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!"
The black knight didn't care. Flailing in the air, he snagged one of the spears flying after him after momentarily knocking its aim to the side. Evil black and red cracks and veins overtook the weapon upon his grasping it. Not a moment later, he was using the newly acquired lance to swat every other Berserker-seeking swords and axes out of the sky!
"Your thievery knows no bounds!" The king shouted, sounding more like a petulant child than an angry monarch, as he avoided his own spear being thrown back at him. But his expression turned from livid to downright furious at Berserker's next move.
The knight roared again before jumping on top of Vimana. His shadowy noble phantasm overtook it all as Archer's aircraft changed its colours, turning from vibrant gold and green to a devilish black with red lines.
Lelouch was sure that Gilgamesh wasn't at all pleased with it and was right. Seconds later, several dozens of new weapons flew at Berserker, all from Gate of Babylon, However, now with Vimana, Berserker didn't have a problem dodging all of them midair.
The black knight zipped side to side in manoeuvres Lelouch knew would've had Suzaku sick to his core. After grabbing, swatting, and throwing back all of the fired weapons at him, Berserker then flew towards its primary target, forgetting about its wounded master.
While his Servant left to fight Archer, Kariya struggled to stand up, the blade had pierced his abdomen but he didn't die yet. No, something was keeping him alive.
"Lelouch, I think it is time for us to leave while we have a chance." Kayneth sounded worried. Not that he could blame the magi after witnessing the ludicrous moves of that maddened knight. But before Lelouch could say anything, once again someone decided to join their party on the roof. However, this time they knew this person.
"Kirei, finally." Tokiomi let out a sigh when his student appeared before him. The young priest stared at Lelouch and his ally. The master of Avenger finally decided that it was enough for one night.
'Berserker and Archer are no longer here but I don't think we can deal with the priest's son.' Kayneth looked exhausted. He was the only one who could successfully fight off Tokiomi, but the Demon Emperor wasn't sure if he could keep up with the fire magi's former student as well.
While they managed to catch the father off-guard, the same likely couldn't be said of the Kotomine son who was likely looking for revenge on them for patricide, if he was aware of it.
"I think you're right, Kayneth. It is time for us to leave." Lelouch nodded as Kayneth activated his Volumen Hydrargyrum one more time.
The mercury that was used for fighting never left its master. Ever since Berserker and his master appeared, Kayneth quietly called back every drop of his creation. The silvery liquid surrounded its master and his ally, waiting for an order to act. Once it received it, the mercury changed into a ball and surrounded both Kayneth and Lelouch. Kirei's black keys struck the liquid barrier, but the shield held like metal. Before either he or Tokiomi could do anything else, Lelouch took out a trigger and readied his escape plan.
Loathe as he was to leave without offing at least one of their foes, they'd overstayed their welcome enough already.
BOOOOM
An explosion rocked the building. Should they ever be forced to retreat, their vantage point itself would act as a distraction. Normally, he'd have reserved this strategy while in a Knightmare. But having a comfy ball of mercury act as their safety net would suffice.
Tokiomi didn't have time to say anything when Kirei ran up to him and took in his arms before jumping at the side. Both of them knew they were capable of manipulating air currents to land from a great height. However, the only remaining master of Berserker wasn't as lucky. Kariya was still wounded by the surprise attack of the priest and had no means of escaping.
The building collapsed with a crash. Only four men managed to escape it on time.
______________________
In the forest.
Saber and Lancer crossed weapons once more in a flash.
Both knights too caught up their duel, remained permanently oblivious to their surroundings. To them, it wasn't as crucial as finally finishing their duel. No. But their resolve to right their wrongs burned harder than ever before, obliterating the ground around them, smashing and felling the trees and brush in their wake.
However, it was easy to see where this was going. Lancer was fighting with only one spear against a foe who already knew about his tricks. Not to mention the giant monster that was helping her, of course.
It would seem Avenger was able to draw its attention, albeit barely. The number of attacks from the beast dramatically decreased but didn't disappear entirely. Some of its tentacles would try to strike him but Diarmuid was sure that Caster and his pet were focused on Avenger while struggling to maintain some protection for his beloved 'maiden of Orleans'.
'I can't see her but I can hear gunshots. Whatever she is doing, it's working.' Try as he might to hate her and her master, Diarmuid had to admit, the crimson-haired woman was no pushover if she was able to hold her own against this monstrosity alone.
However, no matter what Avenger did to the monster, it wouldn't help him in his duel against Saber. Not when she held the advantage even without the tentacles that sought to distract him every now and then.
The King of Knights was winning. Lancer was had been forced to adopt a defensive style as her attacks became faster and faster. It would appear Saber wanted to finish this fight as quickly as possible. Her invisible sword would make strike after strike, exploding in the wind when he crossed it with his spear, but not giving him an opening to counter-attack at her current range.
His remaining spear was too long and wasn't as useful in close combat as Gae Buidhe. And it wasn't as if Saber would fall for Gae Dearg's one and only trick after being exposed to it twice over now. Lancer was used to fighting with two spears, forcing his enemies to pay attention to both noble phantasms until he was able to wear them down. But now, it was he that was being worn down as Saber needed to worry only about one.
'She won't allow me to strike back or escape. I have a bad feeling about it.'
Despite being in a disadvantageous position, Diarmuid didn't even think about running away. He was the proper knight and, the world unjustly damn him for it, he would stay and act like one. No matter if it meant dying at this fight. After everything that happened so far in this war, an honourable death would be welcomed, more so than the disgrace of retreat. Especially with a shameful foe as her!
He was not about to give up just yet!
Instead of allowing himself to remain being forced into defence, Lancer attempted for an offensive. Long as his weapon was, it wouldn't stop him from drawing its tip closer to his body as he struck forward.
Saber narrowed her eyes as she avoided the sudden thrust before striking at him once again. This time, however, Lancer managed to block her blade with the centre of his spear's shaft. He clenched both of his hands as Artoria put more pressure into her attack, forcing him back. However, because of this Saber moved forward and left an opening for him. Lancer didn't waste time.
Ducking low, he allowed the blade to pass him overhead. As he dodged down and to the side, he pivoted his weapon on his shoulder then pulled his spear's tip closer to himself again. He aimed a quick thrust for her exposed leg. Gae Dearg hit its mark as Saber's eyes went wide at the sensation of pain. Pulling back, she made room to assess the damage she'd sustained.
It wasn't that bad. It didn't hit the femoral artery, leaving her with just a cut as deep as a knife. But no more dangerous than one. Still, Irisviel wasn't there to heal her and Artoria wasn't sure Kiritsugu even knew how to heal. She stepped back.
Blood dripping out of her leg, but the wound wasn't severe or lethal. Not enough to kill her but enough to slow her down.
Lancer had evened the playing field. Diarmuid decided to capitalize on his advantage and rushed forward. This time aiming for her arm. This spear won't leave a curse on her, but it should be good enough to wound Saber even further.
Even without the Golden Thorn of Mortality, the Crimson Rose of Exorcism still performed well in hit-and-run tactics.
However, Artoria saw it coming and blocked his renewed assault. On stabbed turned into consecutive five, three of which were meant to feint her by striking at her forehead, two tried to maim her in the shoulder and arm. All of them were either deflected or parried with as much fluster as there was grace. With sudden charge under his weapon and a swing at his midsection, she managed to fend him off once more.
Arturia was starting to feel winded but wasn't about to let up either.
The King of Knights didn't want to continue this fight longer than needed. Diarmuid was a knight and was worthy of the honourable duel but her circumstances demanded Saber to finish this fight quickly.
She was so focused on Lancer that she couldn't pay any mind to what Caster and his monster were doing. The insane servant was no longer helping, most likely he was busy with Avenger. Artoria didn't want to admit it but she was hoping that vulgar woman would put Gilles out of his misery. Saber already felt awful for using Caster's insanity and obsession with Holy Maiden. However, it didn't mean she wouldn't kill Caster herself if required. The crazed Servant needed to die before he could hurt anyone else. But due to him and his orders, she couldn't act on those feelings.
Because of this, Artoria tried to focus hard on ending this duel as quickly as possible.
A sudden crash interrupted the knights.
While they'd been busy fighting, neither had noticed the strange flying object that flew into the earth just nearby. Both Servants stopped for a moment to observe as Berserker quickly rose up from the mess of fallen trees, riding atop some kind of blackened aircraft. The wild Servant quickly recovered and made to redirect his vehicle but froze the moment he saw her.
Saber shuddered under his gaze. Artoria knew there was something between that made the black knight get in a frenzy. Perhaps they shared history, perhaps he was someone she'd fought before… but right now she was fighting Lancer. She didn't have time to deal with Berserker.
Not that it stopped the mad man from targeting her.
"NNGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAA!" howled the black knight as its fury and bloodlust had directed to her." AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRTHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRR!"
Enraged, Berserker raised his new weapon into the air. The aircraft hovered menacingly and was about ready to rush at Saber, regardless of whether she was ready or not. He didn't have the Gate of Babylon and couldn't fire noble phantasms with reckless abandon like Gilgamesh. But with the corrupted Vimana, his strategy to ram into anything on his path was clear. The mass of the thing as well as its speed would be enough to crush any Servant that got in its way.
However, until now he was busy with the owner of this thing. Speaking of-
"You dare turn away from me, you mongrel of a thief?!"
Dozens of weapons flew at Berserker and Vimana. The black knight had a moment to react and dodge every one of them. The wild Servant roared as his crimson-slit visors focused on his earlier opponent.
The arrogant king of Uruk looked pissed.
Gilgamesh's treasure was stolen by the wild dog, again. He was getting tired of Berserker and him constantly using his treasure against their rightful owner. Wasn't he a Heroic Spirit as well? Where was his weapon? Such questions were irrelevant now. Archer tired with this thief. The audacity for such scum to reach out and grab that which belonged only to the heavens, it irked the demigod to no end.
To deal with him once and for all, Gilgamesh snapped his fingers. Space behind him rippled. Dozens upon dozens of portals opened as the Gates of Babylon further exposed the majesty of his armoury. Holy weapons, divine weapons, noble phantasms of ancient times, all of them, were aimed at Berserker and whatever corrupted thing that had been his Vimana.
At this point, the King of Heroes didn't care about destroying this treasure of his. Better belong to no one than to a rabid mutt in his opinion. However, while Archer readied to unleash hell, neither he nor his target noticed the arrival of another.
The boisterous Conqueror made his presence known with raucous laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
In a repeat of the docks, Iskandar laughed like a mad man as his chariot crashed into Berserker, Vimana be damned. His bulls appeared to be made of tougher stuff than Archer's great vehicle as they rammed Vimana with their horns.
"RIIIIDEEEERRRR!"
As usual, his master Waver was next to him, screaming at his Servant in sheer terror. The Berserker screamed too, but with fury, not panic, as his stolen ride dropped from the sky. Rider and his master didn't stop though and flew further. For them, the dismounted black knight wasn't the last foe they would have tonight. Three Servants of the Knight class stared at the reckless charger from afar. Lancer and Saber wore dumbfounded expressions. Meanwhile, Archer managed to let out a relieved yet derisive chuckle.
"Hmph, at least that King of Conquers has his uses from time to time." A small smirk formed on his face but it quickly disappeared when he noticed the stare of two other Servants. "Get back to your little duel, mongrels! My only prey is that insolent thief who dared to steal from me, again."
Gilgamesh ignored the pair as an irritated scowl replaced his earlier smirk. True to his word, he went for the location where Berserker had fallen, leaving them knights alone to their previous activity. That being trying to kill each other.
This time, it was Lancer who struck without giving Saber any room to breathe. She was initially surprised Diarmuid would take the initiative, exploiting her momentary pause. However, the King of Knights was fine with it. Artoria's instinct was allowing her to see the best course of action in this situation. She knew what she needed to do.
Sweeping the attack aside, she dodged another strike to her foot and parried the shaft he tried to knock into her face. Giving a kick of her own, he made to distance himself, but she didn't follow it up. Regaining his advantageous distance, Diarmuid readied to approach her once more from his spear's long reach. But Saber raised her sword and started to redirect the majority of her mana into her weapon.
Both of her hands tightly held her sword. She needed to finish this with one attack.
Lancer moved fast but she'd managed to get a read on every move he'd made. She knew where he was going to strike now. The moment he raised his spear, Artoria already planned her counterattack.
"This will end it!" he cried as he lunged.
His aim was at her shoulder that she exposed. It was subtle and not that obvious of a target as his spear tip was directed at her dead centre. But she'd been trying to expose the momentary weak spot in order to bait him. Judging by his confidence, she knew he would go for it as he could still evade if need be.
However, he didn't know about the full extent of Saber's moves for she hadn't fully used them all ever since their first fight. Because of the curse, she'd kept the trump card hidden, unable to use it properly.
But tonight, she would hide it no longer.
"Mana Burst!"
The moment his spear made contact with her sword, Artoria released the force she'd hidden inside it. It didn't matter that his crimson spear was able to break whatever magic was used against it. The sheer raw power of the attack she'd prepared would be enough to penetrate whatever defences Lancer had in store, regardless of a dispel effect or not.
The crimson spear was knocked out of its thrust path. A beam of light and mana shot through Lancer's body.
Time froze for Diarmuid. He felt it strange, how his senses seemed to be leaving his body as blood started to spray out from his wound. Saber's attack left a huge hole in the right part of his chest, completely destroying his shoulder. Gae Dearg thudded on the ground now, unable to be lifted by its wielder.
"Hah… Hahah…" Lancer chuckled as he felt the taste of blood in his mouth. A cough had him vomiting more. Unable to maintain his balance, he began to fall forward. But before his body could hit the earthen floor, Saber caught him in her arms.
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you the honourable duel you craved, Lancer," she said with a sorrowful voice but he laughed.
"Come now… … King of Knights. I think… you're the only one in this war… who actually cared about honour… Your master… cruel a person he… may be… if he forces you to work together with that… that thing! But… it doesn't mean… you were like him." Lancer spat red on the mud and dirt. "I recommend… leaving. I'm afraid… my ally isn't as noble as you nor I… Avenger wouldn't hesitate to attack… while you are wounded and exhausted… from our—"
His voice seemed to trail away. He didn't have long. Arturia's gaze could only drop further. "You deserve better than this, Diarmuid."
"Do I? Heh… Who knows? Maybe this isn't the… ngh… worst way to go… At least I died… before anyone could have betrayed me… or my lord. Huh, despite how hard he made it to like him, Lord Kayneth isn't… that bad. He need only be more humble...and careful with people around him…" his carefree tone turned sombre. "Artoria, beware Avenger and her master. There is something… wrong with that boy… I sense… something unholy… about him."
Saber said nothing and only nodded. She had felt a strange aura about Lelouch Lamperouge. A nagging feeling akin to familiarity. However, she thought it was because he was from her homeland and was related to Britain Royalty.
Though, such thoughts were not what she wanted to dwell on further at the moment.
"I will look into it. Farewell… and thank you, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. You and I were denied an honourable Grail War, but at least… even for a moment, we had faced one another as knights should."
Diarmuid weakly smiled as his body started to disappear. Soon, Lancer was gone and with him probably the only servant in this war worthy of her respect. Though, she was now unworthy of his.
Artoria bit her lip before turning to the abomination behind her. Lancer has died. Kiritsugu should be satisfied with one less foe at least. Now, it was time to put down Caster and his creation.
However, before she could take a step, the forest started to burn with fire. Eyes wide, she realized that the monster suddenly disappeared.
________________________
In another part of the forest.
"You had perfect timing to interfere, Rider. Have you been spying everything from afar?" Archer asked with a curious yet mocking tone.
Right now Gilgamesh was standing before Iskandar and his little master. The King of Heroes failed to find Berserker and only found the ruins of his Vimana. An unfortunate loss, but Archer would make that black knight pay for it. Now, however, he was more interested in talking with his would-be interloper Rider.
"Yup! Saw everything from the sky. You, Berserker, Lancer and Saber fighting. Oh! And even Avenger charging towards the beast. I thought about lending that feisty lady a hand, but she'd have tried to kill me as well. No sense in interrupting if I'm not needed, eh?" Rider laughed heartily while his master cowered behind him. In the presence of Archer, he knew enough not to make a sound.
'Smart child.' Gilgamesh sneered. "So what are you planning to do now?"
"Well, we can always fight each other, Archer," Iskandar smiled while his master froze in terror." Since everyone is busy having a go tonight, we might as well have some fun too. And it's not like you're over the crazy one touching your things without permission, are you not, King of Heroes?"
The challenger made to smirk, earning Archer's seething own.
"R-Rider?!"
While Waver was having a breakdown, Archer considered the offer. This night was boring enough already. While he saw some enjoyment in passing, it was not as entertaining as he'd hoped for. Though he wouldn't deny seeing Tokiomi do something for a change was amusing in its own right, the blabbering oaf was correct.
He still wasn't satisfied as he hadn't tormented Berserker enough for ruining his night. Perhaps obliterating Rider would indeed improve his mood.
However, before either of them could say anything, both servants felt how a strong aura covered the entire forest. Both looked in the direction of the monster but found only an inferno that was quickly spreading.
'Hm? Wait, this fire—!' Gilgamesh felt something about the blaze. Something… uncomfortable…
He didn't like this. There was discomfort in having his patience tested, and then there was annoyance that a dog would piss on his belongings. But the flames… they were thousand times more vexing.
Without a word to the King of Conquerors, he dissipated into spirit form and left the Servant with his master.
"Wait, what?! Where did he go?!" Waver yelled as he looked around. But, to his surprise, his Servant chuckled as he looked at the fire.
"How interesting. Turns out there is something that could make even the King of Heroes afraid." Iskandar said as he stared at the fire, having a good guess who caused it. "Boy, it's time for us to leave as well!"
"What? But we only hit Berserker! I thought you wanted to fight others tonight."
"Yeah, I wanted to. But I feel like the others aren't interested in fighting us anymore. Besides, I can feel that Lancer died a moment ago. Berserker most likely had run away along with his master. Archer probably too. And Saber... Hmph. I don't really want to fight the girl tonight. Still feeling a little salty after our last exchange. Come, Master! I'm sure the dinner your 'grandparents' prepared is still fresh, I'm famished!"
"Don't Servants not feel hunger at all?!" Waver rolled his eyes as the bulky man snapped the bulls' reins. Rider's chariot started to move and was soon flying off back to the city. From the distance, Waver curiously eyed the blaze taking over Einzbern's forest before looking away. "Ah, whatever… At least Lancer is dead."
"...Mm. Yet I suspect that Lancer isn't the only servant to leave this war tonight."
___________________
Moments before the monster disappeared.
Nobunaga continued to shoot and cut any tentacle that the monster sent her. At this point, she knew what to expect from Caster's little pet. Like his master, this thing wasn't as mysterious as its origins and its attacks weren't very creative either. Simple strikes and whiplashes. There was even the occasional ambush or attempt to trap her.
The main issues were the giant tentacles. Their mass and size proved to be dangerous enough for Avenger to avoid their attacks. Her arquebuses rifles could deal with smaller ones. But blasting through a mass wall of pure regenerating flesh was another issue.
Nobunaga cut down another group of tentacles as she made her way towards the main body. The closer she was, the more tentacles would appear. She could sense it. Caster was afraid and rightfully so. She wouldn't leave anything once she was done with him. However, her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the voice of her master.
"Nobunaga, our position was compromised. We're following an escape plan." Lelouch's voice sounded calm yet cold. She nodded.
"Understood, I will head to you once Caster is dead."
"Hurry. We can't waste any more time. Use your noble phantasm if need be. Call me if you need me to reinforce you with a command seal."
Avenger chuckled at his words. "No need to waste command seals on Caster. I will handle it on my own. Trust me on that, Lelouch."
"... Very well. I shall await your victory, Nobunaga," Lelouch said before falling silent once more.
Nobunaga smiled with excitement.
"And I won't disappoint you, Lelouch."
It was time to end this fight. With her master's current situation, as well as the expectations the boy placed on her shoulders, Nobunaga sallied forth.
The tentacles tried to stop her but Avenger wouldn't let them. Evasion, cutting them down, tearing through it all, she continued. She needed to be closer to the head of this thing is she wished for it to end.
As Nobunaga approached closer, the monster became more agitated. Sensing her increasing and excited bloodlust, its attack started trying to be more unpredictable. But that was pointless. Even the Cthulhu-esque monstrosity was getting into a panic as its creator and host realized he was about to lose.
She didn't bother worrying about herself. She was close. Stabbing its flesh with her katana, a murderous crimson aura consumed her body, appearing to immolate her form. With a furious voice, Nobunaga cried out:
"『The Hajun Reborn・Demon King of the Three Thousand Great Thousand Heavens』!" The earth seemed to cry out as her noble phantasm took shape and form. "Return all of me to ashes. Fufufufu, Hahahahahahahaha!"
The world around her vanished. No longer was it the Einzbern forest situated next to Fuyuki City. Now, she and this monster found themselves in another plane, an alternate dimension.
Everything around them was in flames. The ground was burnt red. The sky a bloody black crimson. This reality was different from what humans knew as hell as everything and everyone in it was burning not in the flames of the divine, but the seething hatred of Oda Nobunaga herself.
The warlord stood in the midst of the same temple where she'd been betrayed and killed. The one where she'd been burned alive. Now, this place was her Reality Marble, her own battlefield where she would burn anyone and mete out her vengeance as she saw fit.
However, the temple wasn't the only thing in this Reality Marble. And soon, it appeared.
The ground started to shake as something massive erupted from the earth. A giant human skeleton with six arms. Its empty eyeholes glared at the abomination of Caster before it. It had no connection to Buddha or any of the Gods of this world but Nobunaga didn't care. It would burn like all the others.
The giant skeleton rushed at its prey, all six arms started to tear limb from limb. Caster's monster tried to fight back but its entire body was burning with fire that would never stop until there was nought but ashes left.
Its regeneration, though impressive on the mortal plane, wasn't fast enough to heal in her mind's world. The constant blaze wouldn't abate. Nobunaga stood atop her demonic personification as it tore apart Caster's pet. The Demon King let out a chuckle that turned into laughter and ended up as a maddened howl for more.
"Kill, murder, massacre! I am the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga!"
As she laughed, her reality marble continued to burn the victim inside it. With each strike, each inferno, she got ever closer to the Servant hiding inside the monster.
__________________________
Gilles de Rais started to feel a little hot inside this thing.
Trapped as he was within the creature he summoned, Caster could see the outside world. And it didn't look pretty. The red fire was a familiar sight. They were similar to those that burned his Jeanne at the stake. They were akin to the devil's blaze that neither God nor man saved his beloved maiden from.
Now, that same pyre surrounded him. Gilles felt an emotion he hadn't experienced since that accursed day when they burned her on the stake.
Fear.
He was afraid. Not for his own life, but for the coming failure of his ever seeing Jeanne again. She was out there fighting, killing the other Servants. Gilles was happy when she called for him, to finally recognize him and call on his faithful aide… just like the old times.
Still, he wasn't as much a fool as she thought him to be. He sensed regret within her. His Jeanne was still unsure and it meant she wasn't completely free from God's lies. He wanted to kill her enemies… to free her from this delusion. His senses became numb and Gilles no longer could see or feel what was happening outside. However, deep down he knew that it would end soon. His new and dear friend, Ryuunosuke was safe. His master was away, far away from the conflict, the hell that engulfed this forest, but Caster knew he wouldn't see him again.
Soon the white light entered the inner chamber where he was hiding. For a moment. Gilles forgot about his worries and started to move towards the light. It was so pure, he felt like his Jeanne any moment and saved him from this nightmare. He saw an armoured hand that appeared from this light. Gilles smiled, as tears of happiness started to fall from his face.
This was her light! His salvation!
"Jea—!"
However, his joy was short-lived as an armour-clad hand grabbed him. Gilles froze as he immediately felt pain. This wasn't his Jeanne!
She soon started to enter his little room. All the while, Caster trembled with anger, with hate, with fear. This fire was no different from the one that took away his Holy Maiden. And he soon saw the face of the person who grabbed him.
Instead of the innocent smile of a blonde little girl from the countryside of France, he saw the devilish smirk of a redheaded devil. A demon who brought carnage anywhere she went.
'NO! NO! NO!'
"Heheh, found you~~~!"
The Demon smiled sweetly as her flames started to engulf him. Gilles wanted to scream but he couldn't utter a word. His organs started to melt. His skin bubbled and blistered. His face filled with suffering and anguish, teared and steamed all at once as he glared defiantly at that which obstinately stood in his way.
He'd failed her. He'd failed his Jeanne. Again.
In his last moments, Caster, the Marshall of France, Gilles de Rais experienced the hell he wished upon God himself. Sadly, God wasn't here for it was her domain.
He cursed his faith as well as the Demon's laughter which plagued his ears till the very end.
_________________________
The ruins of the building.
Kirei helped his teacher to stand up. Tokiomi was wounded but still alive. Right now both of them were standing among the ruins of the blasted structure where the short fight between masters took place. The Master of Archer was exhausted and wanted to leave. However, the young priest was thinking about something different. He had other reasons to be there.
'I was certain he would appear here tonight. Kiritsugu Emiya.'
Kirei's greatest interest in this war was absent yet again. Ever since the Grail War started, the young priest hadn't the time to seek out the Magus Killer. He'd hoped that at least tonight he would appear, but luck wasn't on his side. Kirei let out a sigh as he stared at the horizon.
'This war is nothing but a hindrance. And now the teacher needs to be evacuated as well.'
Tohsaka's manor wouldn't do. It was attacked once and it was devastated beyond relief. He was certain Avenger wouldn't hesitate to flatten it entirely the next time. The church wouldn't work either, but there were no other options.
His father wasn't going to be happy with tonight's events, but Kirei was sure his teacher would reassure older Kotomine.
"Kirei, we need to leave right now." Tokiomi coughed as his student helped him to move. "We need to find Risei and get command seals. Gilgamesh is starting to act too risky. I need more command seals to restrain him."
Restraining that arrogant king? Kirei felt like laughing at such a ridiculous idea. Archer did what he wanted when he wanted. He already understood that by now, thanks to the numerous times when the King of Heroes appeared in his cellar and started to drink more of his wine collection. Still, because of conversation with his highness Kirei started to think more about his desires, especially finding and learning what kind of man Magus Killer was.
"Kirei, are you listening—"
BANG
Kirei didn't bother waiting for his teacher's body to slump. Immediately after a hole opened up in Tokiomi's chest, he sent a few black keys flying in the direction of the shooter. His eyes went wide when in the distance, he saw him.
Kiritsugu Emiya was standing among the trees. Thompson Contender in his hands. Kirei saw the look in his eyes. They were as cold and empty like his own. For some reason, the priest became excited and wanted to rush forward towards the Magus Killer.
He wanted to fight him. To learn if they were similar but then someone stopped him. Kirei looked down and found his teacher was still pulling on his leg.
The usual calm facade of Tokiomi Tohsaka was gone. Now there was a face full of shock and anguish. At that time neither of them knew that the Magus Killer used his most dangerous weapon, Origin Bullet. A simple weapon in its own regard, a powerful and deadly tool against a mage, they had yet to realize.
They would never regenerate properly and the original function will be forever lost. While it would be bad for a living being to be hit by it, this bullet posed an even graver threat to magi. Once the bullet made contact, any and every Magic Circuit in use would short-circuit. It would destroy the active ones themselves but didn't stop there. As soon as they were rendered useless, they were haphazardly repaired, resulting in a messy jumble of hastily restored connections that was not the same as healing or mending.
The result was permanent, unmitigated, and irrecoverable damage.
Tokiomi couldn't even scream as the immense pain stopped him from crying out. His body would feel as if it was on fire. His circuits themselves would be misfiring and burning with uncontrolled prana.
However, as Kirei looked down upon his suffering master, he felt something strange inside, something nice and satisfying.
Kirei quickly stopped these thoughts and concentrated on reality. He looked back in the direction where Magus Killer was standing but saw no one. He lost his chance, but Kirei was now more focused on helping his teacher. He carried him back to the church. His father would surely know how to help Tokiomi.
_______________________
Under the rubbles of the crushed building, two masters were hiding inside the huge mercury sphere.
After the destruction of the hotel where Kayneth was hiding, Lelouch saw the utility of his Volumen Hydrargyrum. The rooftop was a good place not only because of the view it gave but also because they had a strategy to escape and bury other masters under it. Because of Kayneth's magecraft, they didn't need to worry about dying as they fell. The reliable metallic liquid would save them as it had done so right now.
However, both masters were busy with different issues.
"Lancer is dead!" Kayneth hissed. Anger and frustrations started to consume him. The Servant that he had summoned was now dead! His pride as magi couldn't allow such a thing, but it happened! And what's worse, now he was buried under the building waiting for Avenger to rescue them. Or until construction workers would appear around his sphere that he would have to hypnotize them again.
"Calm down, Kayneth. First, we would need to focus on getting out of this thing. After that, you can worry about Lancer all you want." Lelouch said with a calm tone but the Demon Emperor was concerned by the death of the spear-wielding Servant as well.
He and Nobunaga just lost a useful tool. While Lancer had lost his main selling point, the spear that could leave a permanent curse, the Heroic Spirit still had his potential uses. Even at a minimum, he was still a historically relevant fighter.
Now, however, Lelouch needed to come up with a new plan to take down his enemies. He eyed Kayneth. Perhaps he would need to end this partnership sooner than he expected.
His thoughts were interrupted by the noise outside the sphere. Soon they heard the familiar voice of the female Daimyo.
"It is safe. You can get out now."
Lelouch smiled when he heard Nobunaga's voice. Kayneth wasn't as happy as the young man, but the blonde magi disassembled the mercury sphere. Soon they saw the smiling face of Avenger. However, Lelouch noticed that his servant was tired and worn out. Avenger wasted no time and closed the distance between herself and him. Soon, Lelouch felt how she put her hand behind his neck and hugged him tightly.
"Good news, Caster is dead. Bad news, Lancer is dead too." Nobunaga said with a satisfied tone. But then, she whispered into her master's ear. "I used my noble phantasm and I need to rest badly."
Lelouch nodded wordlessly. He was about to suggest leaving when they heard something. It sounded like a man. Kayneth sent his mercury forward and soon it found something among the debris. Lelouch smiled when he saw a familiar face.
"Well, Kayneth. Lancer might be a lost cause, but it doesn't mean we've run out of Servants to use, no? Perhaps, our new friend wouldn't mind helping us."
'After his little speech, I might know how to push him. He was so adamant about killing the master of Archer no matter what. He and his servant would be useful.'
Before them on the ground was lying down the deformed man, Kariya Matou. He was unconscious and wounded but he didn't die. The worms inside him wouldn't allow it.
Even now they could see how they were moving under his skin. The man's face showed only pain but despite this, he managed to say something. A single word that meant the world to him before he'd lost consciousness.
"S—Sa…kura…"