Any satisfaction he took at this was mixed with caution, though. As he'd thought, this foreigner was very powerful, even with his Mad Enhancement worryingly remaining E-rank. Neither he nor his partners nor even that mousy boy appeared concerned over the loss of anonymity, either. A troubling observation.
Sure enough, the King of Conquerors and his first partner didn't show a hint of worry. Truth be told, they hadn't even noticed that Berserker X had such a Skill. Saber X just huffed. "Eh, what the hell…" he gave a two-fingered salute. "Name's Qrow Branwen."
One Servant perked up at that. "Branwen?" Saber repeated in curiosity. "I believe I have heard that name before…"
Lancer nodded. "It wouldn't surprise me if you had, Saber. Branwen is the name of a princess from one of my home's tales."
Berserker snorted before giving his partner a teasing leer. "Princess, huh?" He laughed alongside Rider despite receiving an annoyed smack on the head from Saber X.
Diarmuid continued to reminisce about the Welsh stories he could remember with a somber expression. "There is much tragedy surrounding her, including the devastation of two kingdoms and dying of a broken heart." He mused out loud. That part hit close to home.
Rider X smiled cruelly before speaking. "I wonder if there's any relation between the Branwens…" This earned him glares from nearly everyone.
"Well, aren't you a sweetheart…" Qrow merely cast his gaze to the ground, something Archer eyed in amusement. The corvid-named man then made to drink from his goblet again only to grumble a curse upon realizing it was empty. His free hand dragged the casket by Rider closer before plunging his cup into the liquid. His first sip preceded a longing sigh. "Better a bare bulb than no bulb, I guess…"
Those of a compassionate nature grew concerned over this behavior.
But Saber X's fire had returned, for he flashed a challenging to Rider X. "So, what kinda calamities surround your name, Buckethead? Or are you really just shy underneath all that big talk and scrap metal?"
Rather than be insulted, the robotic Heroic Spirit released a slow chuckle that rumbled through the air. "Like your partner, I too claimed my name long before rising to power." He straightened his posture before proclaiming, "I am Megatron, champion of the gladiator pits of Kaon, founder and master of the Decepticons, and conqueror of the planet Cybertron."
Rider matched his grin tooth for tooth. "Bold words, fellow Rider! And the power behind your words convinces me that you are indeed another conqueror." He then closed one eye in jest. "Though I'm not so sure about your final claim. Cybertron wasn't truly yours when you perished, was it?"
"A momentary setback, but my victory is assured, regardless of my current… situation."
Any other individual, and these words would've come off as a weak excuse, empty posturing to cover up their failure. But Rider detected none of that. He instead sensed an all-powerful conviction, an unquenchable ambition in the metallic being that could well match his own. Truly… a rival in every way for me.
Others had grown even more wary of this one. "Decepticon?" Assassin X repeated the term Megatron had uttered earlier. "Curious name for a political movement." His eye narrowed at the Servant's broad, menacing build and in particular at the large cannon affixed to his arm. "Or an army."
"Both. It isn't rare for political parties to engage in active warfare, I trust you all know." Rider X sneered down at another prime target for elimination. "As for the name, my followers chose this and I myself took a liking to it."
"I find myself unsurprised." Saber levelled her emerald glare to match his leer. "You have a stench of betrayal and manipulation about you. I wonder if anything you have said until now is even real. But an appellation stemming from deception suits you perfectly, 'Megatron'. If that is even your True Name."
Megatron's amusement grew; he found himself reminiscing of a time where he'd elicited the cooperation of a dear old amnesiac friend. "Believe whatever you want. But I wear the name 'Decepticon' as a badge of honor, King of Knights. As I did when I lived, so I do as a Heroic Spirit." He spread his gaze to the entire group even while his memories traveled to a different meeting. One that had changed everything for him.
With that moment in mind, he chose to invoke the same words now as he did then. "Sometimes deception is necessary, when those who should listen to the truth will not, and will only understand once they have been lied to and forced to see their own lies."
Rider X had gained very few allies in his time participating in the Fourth Holy Grail War. He was not liked and certainly not trusted. But none who listened to his proclamation just then, physically present or not, Servant or otherwise, found themselves able to dismiss it easily. Or rather, perhaps they thought they could. But these words would linger. And in the long term, they may set off a tremor that would lead to great disruptions later down the line.
It was finally the wise Caster X who broke the contemplative silence by clearing his throat. "I trust you are satisfied now that you have learned our names and beliefs to some extent, Iskandar, King of Conquerors?"
Rider smiled back at him as he stowed away his thoughts. This Dialogue is even more interesting than I could've hoped. "Indeed I am, Mithrandir. Which leaves us with the next important step." He hoisted his cup to the center. "Comparing our wishes to one another. Let our wills and aspirations determine who is worthiest of the Grail's blessing."
"Have you not heard a word of what I've said, mongrel?" Archer sneered at him. "The Grail is mine by right-"
"Yes, we all know of your claims, Archer," Lancer of all people interjected, surprising a few.
The King of Heroes fixed a cold glare on him that promised murder. He noticed Saber and Assassin X shifting but paid it no heed. "Oh? And just what great wish would make you willing to defy my law, little green cur?"
"One out of a grave responsibility I must uphold," Diarmuid answered without fear. This gathering had continued longer and with more troubling things than the Knight of Fianna had anticipated, and he was eager to continue the hunt for Archer X. It was time to bring this to an end. "I seek the Holy Grail to restore my lord to life."
"Huh?" Berserker X tilted his head in confusion, making the bells in his hair jingle. "I thought you wanted to get even with Archer X."
"That is my current objective," Lancer confirmed. "But even after I have hopefully punished her for her transgression, I remain a Servant in this Grail War. Should I succeed in winning, my first duty is to have the Grail return Lord Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald to the land of the living." Behind him, a certain redhead tensed at the idea.
And beside her, a young teenager shuddered involuntarily upon imagining that man's return and subsequent hunting of him.
Assassin X eyed the knight class Servant. "No offense, Lancer, but your first Master… wasn't the most pleasant individual from what I saw. You'd forfeit your wish to bring him back to life, just like that? What about the wish that brought you here in the first place?"
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne took in a breath before answering. This one was one of the Servants he'd grown to like, after all. "Serving a Master had been my wish in the first place, Assassin X," he explained with as much patience as he could gather. "In life, I betrayed my oaths, my comrades and my lord out of love and met my end with betrayal and regret. I hold no malice towards the one who let me die or the woman I loved, but I hoped with my last breath for a chance to regain what I had lost. As the one who summoned me to this time and era, Lord Kayneth had granted my wish for me. I thereby owe him Archer X's life for taking his life and this chance to amend for my neglect."
Saber listened while bowing her head. Swearing unyielding fealty to his Master, continuing to uphold his honor even after his death, willingly forsaking the chance for any other wish granted to use it in his name… He truly is a knight of valor, she concluded, eyeing her opponent with fresh respect.
And… she too knew the feeling of dying with regret and the wish to do better.
Caster X inclined his head towards the truly Heroic Spirit. "You are a noble man, Lancer."
Rider X shook his head in mirth. "How ridiculous." His red orbs gleamed at Sola-Ui who flinched away. "So, you're not comfortable enough playing lapdog to that insect there? You choose to shackle yourself to a dead man's will out of some heroic nonsense?"
Anger swept through the spearman's entire body, but he forced it down. "My oath to the Lord who summoned me to this world doesn't end with his death. But I wouldn't expect you to understand honor." His tone grew sharper. "And if you are no longer making use of hospitality, metal one, I suppose our discussion ends here."
Rider stretched out his hand between the duo. "That's enough. We still have other wishes to hear before the night is done." He turned to Lancer with an unreadable demeanor. "Your wish is an odd one. I myself would never have thought of it. But it's your business to do with the Grail as you will. If you win." He shrugged in good nature. "And I'm not about to yield it so easily."
"For once, I agree with Rider," the King of Britain continued with a rousing smile. "I applaud your adherence to duty, but do not let your hunt of Archer X forget that you and I still have our own unfinished business." He lifted her left hand in emphasis.
Lancer smirked at the challenge. "Of course not, Saber. I assure that once the matter with Archer X has been settled, I shall come to finish our duel and take one step closer to attaining the Grail."
"Try not to keep me waiting, then."
Assassin X suppressed a chuckle at the competitive sparks flying between them. Or are the sparks really competitive? …Jiraiya might've stolen this scene…
"Can't tell if they want to fight or kiss…" that mumble made both knights snap their sharpened gazes to a cheeky Saber X. And there was most certainly no tinge of red on either's cheeks, just a trick of the moonlight.
It took every lesson of Sola-Ui's magus upbringing to keep a neutral face at this spectacle. Her nails dug deeper into her forearms with each passing second.
His own smile hidden by his beard, Caster X spoke to keep the ball rolling. "Well, I commend you for your virtue, Lancer, and I confess to having similar plans currently." He sipped the last of his wine (pausing to give the newly emptied goblet a forlorn look) and went on. "My wish for the Grail is to restore my Master as well."
Everyone, present or otherwise, now focused their attention to the elderly Heroic Spirit in full disbelief. "…What is this nonsense?" Archer glared accusingly at him. "Are you attempting to deceive me? Sway my heart by claiming this was your wish from the beginning, apparition?"
"Of course this was not my wish when I was summoned." Gandalf the Gray shook his head, unconcerned of the possible danger. "When I lived, I had been assigned an important task: to aid the people of Middle-Earth against a dark power. My end came during a crucial mission, where I led a small fellowship of courageous individuals." He gestured in front of him. "Every single one of them would've been worthy to sit here amongst us." The declaration made all save Archer and Rider X wonder what sort of heroes could've earned such praise from the wise one. Kariya smiled a bit; he had a good sense of who his Servant was talking about. Two men, an Elf, a Dwarf… and four brave little Hobbits.
But Caster X chose to keep his tale simple. "And we were to guide our most important member," his tone softened in a mixture of care and sorrow, "a very dear fellow to me…" before regaining its prior volume, "to a place where a most terrible relic could be destroyed. And with its destruction would come the fall of the Enemy." Something about his tremor in that final word sent a slight shiver in even the bravest of his audience. "Our journey grew more dangerous than anticipated. I needed to face a demon of the ancient world. Alone. Its power was beyond any other of our Fellowship."
Images flashed before his Master's eye. A winged creature twenty feet tall, bathed in fire and darkness, roaring at him… He shivered, and it wasn't from the night air.
Even Rider X had grown engrossed in the tale despite himself. "Then you perished at this demon's hands?" He was starting to get an idea of this one's wish.
"And he at mine." Those blue eyes took on a faraway look as he recounted his tale. "Through fire… and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at least, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside." The others found themselves imagining the scene; chasing down a demonic creature through roaring waters then up the side of a massive mountain, trading staggering blows with it all the while until it was struck down at the peak. "Darkness took me…"
Kariya didn't need to imagine it, for the scenes began to play out in his mind.
Facing the monstrous Balrog on a slim stone bridge unyielding…
Driving his sword into its blazing flesh even while in free-fall…
Trading blows with it amongst a peak's ruins as a storm raged about them…
Calling the lightning into Glamdring before thrusting its blade into the wretched chest…
Collapsing amidst the snow, using the last of his strength to turn towards the sky…
Irisviel noticed the hooded man swaying a bit. She quickly stepped closer to put a hand on his shoulder, her touch causing his scarred face to snap towards her in surprise. "Are you alright?" She asked in concern. Enemy or not, she couldn't help but worry.
"I-I am, thank you." Kariya gently pulled himself free of the homunculus' (noticeably weak) grip and regained some steadiness. In no small amount thanks to Gandalf's staff. He breathed deeply as these memories receded again. Just when I think I couldn't be happier to have such a Servant…
"You seem to have met an end worthy of the greatest heroes, Mithrandir," Rider praised him; he'd always appreciated a good tale. And he felt this one hadn't been exaggerated. Least of all the warmth towards these comrades. "So then, your wish upon the Grail is to return to your Fellowship, help them fulfill their mission?"
"It was when I answered the Grail's call, but I have since changed my mind." Caster X glanced briefly behind towards Kariya. "My Master is in a grievous state, even my magic can only do so much to restore his body. Perhaps only the Holy Grail can restore him to full health." He returned his resolute eyes to the other Servants. "And that is now why I fight."
Lancer nodded in understanding. "Your loyalty is impressive, Caster X."
But he blinked at the addressee shaking his head. "I've chosen this not simply because he summoned me, Lancer. I do this because I have grown quite fond of my Master…" Another glance back, "and he has someone he needs to live for. I want to give him that chance."
Diarmuid felt like he was being advised now. He leaned back to ponder the meaning of this wizard's words.
…He surprises me again. Kariya finished with a grateful tear trickling down his cheek.
Assassin X grew conflicted over this reasoning. "I don't doubt you're a wise man, Gandalf the Gray, or that your Master deserves his health back," he assured him first, "but are you sure about relinquishing your wish so easily? Your comrades hadn't completed their mission yet, and going by just half of what I've seen of you, friend, they could use your help."
Saber looked to him in sympathy. For Kakashi Hatake, letting comrades fend for themselves when you had the chance to help wasn't a decision he could fully condone.
Caster X inclined his head to concede the point. "True, their path ahead is filled with danger. And I would cherish the gift of returning to them in times good or bad. However, I know my friends well, and I trust they shall press on even in my absence." He smiled in pride. "Middle-Earth is a place of wonder and magic but also of great danger. They had all passed harrowing trials of their own before volunteering for this quest." His smile shifted to something else. Something… difficult to discern. "Besides…I believe if I am needed, the powers I served shall return me to them. And I see with my Master a chance to do a little good on this world."
His words soothed Assassin X's nerves. He could appreciate the level of trust the wizard had in those dear to him. He didn't want to coddle them but give them a chance to grow. Not too dissimilar to how the shinobi had acted himself in his old life. "You definitely are an assured one, my friend."
"Even the very wise cannot see all ends, Kakashi Hatake." He spread his arms wide. "I simply have faith. Faith in a force greater than me, faith in my friends that they will not fall so easily, faith in the power of small acts of kindness and decency."
Archer released another scoff at the sentimentality. "Faith… a drop of water in place of an ocean." He sipped derisively from his wine. He'd learned long ago that trust in higher powers was for fools.
"Sometimes a single drop can make all the difference, Archer King." He lowered his goblet to gaze at the apparition. There was no trace of anger or insult in those ancient blue eyes, only patience, an adequate level of respect and… benevolence.
Gilgamesh made no further effort to demean his ridiculous ideas. He too could be kind.
Rider's team, Lancer, Saber, Assassin X, and the humans (and one homunculus) had by contrast developed even more respect and fondness for the wizard seated before them (even if in Berserker X's case, he just wondered how good Caster X was a fighter to kill this Balrog thing). The Servant of the Shadows admitted, "I wish I could have the same faith as you." He scratched his head humbly. "But sadly, I'm a bit more selfish. My wish isn't for my Master's sake, I need it myself to return to my students."
Saber X turned his attention to the masked Servant. "Oh yeah, you mentioned you were a teacher the other day. So you had students before dying?"
He nodded. "Three. Two boys and one girl, still with their whole lives ahead of them."
Rider hummed in contemplation. "You're a capable combatant on par with knight class Servants, Assassin X, and you still found the time in life to train three youths?"
"Oh, I'm not that good, Rider," Assassin X waved the praise off with a chuckle. "Your partner, mine or Lancer on their worst days could wipe the floor with me on my best. Archer, too, of course." He hastily added as a certain pair of red eyes locked onto him.
Saber closed her eyes in mirth at her comrade's modesty. "Don't sell yourself short, my friend," she told him. "I couldn't think of a more reliable partner if I tried."
"I could, but thanks anyway, Saber." He returned her smile all the same. "But back to the matter of my students: it's a regular practice for jonin-rank shinobi like me to take three genin, or fresh graduates of the shinobi academy, under our wing. We personally instruct them, go on missions assigned by our village with them, and otherwise try to prepare them for becoming true ninja."
"Academy?" It was Lancer's turn to be curious. "You have a formal institute for warriors on your world?"
"Each village has one. Where I come from, we shinobi are basically trained aides, peacekeepers and if need be, soldiers for the villages we come from." He shrugged in admission. "I know I'm making us sound like glorified mercenaries," his expression darkened for a split second, "and some ninja were precisely that, but I assure you, the best of us always put our homes above making money. Anyways, in older times, clans would usually train their children in the ways of the ninja. But with the founding of villages were schools formed where young ones can receive standard education and the first steps for becoming shinobi." Assassin X quickly raised his hands. "The latter part is voluntary now, by the way. At least in my home, we never practiced drafting."
"I confess to being relieved at that." Caster X nodded. "And the concept itself is intriguing. A school dedicated to training young ones who wish to become warriors… not much different from other forms of learning."
"Doesn't surprise me either," Saber X chimed in before nodding up to Waver. "I mean, based on what I've heard from the pipsqueak, there's pretty much the same kind of thing for mages on this world. Back on Remnant, too, four kingdoms, each with one main academy dedicated to training generations of Huntsmen." And guard a powerful and important relic, he added to himself before continuing. "Beacon Academy's where I learned how to fight. Best years of my life, too…"
Berserker X leaned back in his seat. "There was one big academy for training soldiers back home, too. Never joined it myself, though." He clicked his tongue in irritation. "Don't need some snooty geezers to tell me how to fight…"
Saber frowned at such callous dismissal of instruction… before the frown shifted tone. "Wait… you challenged the captain of a military squad dedicated to frontline combat… and killed him… without having taken any formal training in your life?"
He shrugged noncommittally. "Pretty much. But the old man in charge made me do a day of Kendōafterwards." The Servant of Madness scrunched up his face. "Pretentious crap."
Assassin X forced down a shiver at the knowledge that the spikey-haired Heroic Spirit was as powerful as he was while being untrained (or how Rider's eyes gained a twinkle) and quickly continued. "As I was saying, I had my own team assigned to me, but…" he glanced away. "…I could've done better."
Sympathy rose in Lancer at the blatant regret in the man's posture. "You've proven yourself noble and loyal repeatedly, Kakashi. Surely these students of yours benefited from your guidance."
"I wish." The Man of One Thousand Techniques hung his head in shame. "They were-are good kids, all three of them. Sa-" He flinched; too painful to even say their names. Besides, he wasn't about to give Archer or Rider X any ammunition. "The girl was bright and studious, bound to bloom into a fine kunoichi one day. One boy was a hyperactive knucklehead," Assassin X and Saber suddenly snorted in unison, the latter surprising the others with her brief lapse in dignity. She regained her composure just as quickly despite remembering their chat two nights ago. "But he had determination and a dream that pushed him on through the hardest trials. And the other boy… was a genius driven like no other. What lessons they learned under me they learned well." Pride not unlike that of a father laced every one of his words, their truth absolute. "All three are certain to surpass me, I just know it."
The Servant's mask couldn't hide his broad smile. It warmed Saber to see it… and made something inside her wrench as well. "You must have been a fine teacher, partner." If only I could say the same…
"No, I wasn't." The shame returned, and the more attentive Servants noticed Assassin X's goblet had somehow become empty. "Their greatest lessons came from other teachers they found. Wouldn't have needed to if I hadn't been too lax with them, should've paid more attention…" He released an explosive sigh. "Should've tried harder with him…"
Archer was beginning to grow tired of this night. Better to speed things up, so he asked without fanfare, "Which student did you fail, mongrel?"
Others glared at him for the insensitivity, though none moreso than Saber. But Assassin X wasn't hurt. "I failed all of them, Archer," he answered quietly. "But… that boy I told you of, the genius? His entire clan had been massacred when he was only six years old." Sympathy rose at the knowledge that meshed with horror through what he said next. "By his older brother, no less."
Saber X froze up, his cup hovering an inch from his lips before returning to the ground. "The kid's brother butchered his own family?"
"His own clan," Assassin X corrected, energy draining from him. "Everyone who carried the Uchiha surname, man, woman, child… all of them killed in one single night. Save for his younger brother."
Irisviel hid her mouth behind her hands at such a horrifying scene. She knew completely of the magus ways and how families and clans had been similarly wiped out over the course of history. But by one of their own? She couldn't imagine any of her fellow homunculi massacring the Einzbern family completely.
Inside the Fuyuki Hotel room, her husband had been fazed as well. Kiritsugu briefly glanced away from the laptop as unpleasant memories welled up inside. But these didn't come from Assassin X or even Saber.
The memories of fires raging, people lunging at each other with feral eyes, gunshots echoing as he stood before his father slumped against the wall…
Those belonged to the Mage Killer.
Maiya eyed her savior with a tinge of concern inside her otherwise stoic visage, noting how his vision drifted into nowhere and his body tensed. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she remembered her responsibility to help him stay focused on the mission. The woman began to reach for his shoulder when Kiritsugu snapped himself out of whatever moment he'd been reliving and refocused on the surveillance.
The sight allowed her to release a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Then Maiya noticed that another arm had also been reaching for Kiritsugu. Assassin X's clone retracted as she turned to him, the two sharing a nod towards their leader. As if both were swearing, We're there for him.
Rider X crossed his arms; an entire clan of people likely trained in this man's same combative techniques wiped out in one night by only one man? Even he didn't deny it was impressive. And he knew what the point of this tale was. "The younger brother sought to avenge his clan, didn't he?"
"Unhealthily so. He dedicated every waking moment to growing stronger, learning more ninjutsu, for the sake of killing his brother." Assassin X closed his eyes. "And in the process, he barely tolerated his teammates and developed a rivalry with the other boy that could've gotten the girl killed. I lived long enough and seen plenty other cases to know where that kind of obsession leads to, and I'm sure you all have too."
Everyone nodded at his indirect question. Even Archer.
"I tried to mend this. I told him to let go of his revenge and develop new bonds with his comrades."
"You would deny that boy his right to deliver justice for the sins caused upon him?"
"No at all, Archer. I just wanted him to find a purpose in life beyond vengeance." He barely registered the king's huff. "But it wasn't enough. He left the village to join forces with a highly dangerous rogue, and my other boy was badly injured trying to stop him. As for the girl…" he massaged the bridge of his nose. "I had told her earlier not to worry. 'We'll have them back to their old selves in no time,' those were my words to a crying young girl."
Rider reached over to pat his shoulder. "You needn't be ashamed of trying to reassure her." He frowned a bit before conceding, "Though what you told her was a bit irresponsible."
"I know, Rider," Assassin X agreed, "and in hindsight, I was trying more to reassure myself." He pushed himself to sit straighter. "Three years passed since then, and my students trained under new teachers while I tried to buffer out my own inadequacies. He's even become a threat to my village. I've got a great many regrets in my life, but the state I left them in… that's a pretty recent one, and it cuts deep. But hopefully I can still make amends for it."
Rider X narrowed his eyes at the choice of words. "Then you seek the Holy Grail to pull this student of yours from the path of vengeance?" This idea rankled him a bit. "He's not a little boy anymore, Assassin X. Why waste an omnipotent wish-granting device on the fallacies of a foolhardy youth?"
That eye rose to lock gazes with his, and he silently commended the steel within. "That 'foolhardy youth' was mystudent, Rider X." Assassin X enunciated key words with a chill that would've snuffed an inferno. "Even if it was only for a short time, I was entrusted with him and two more to nurture, guide and scold if they strayed off the path. I have a chance to do right by my comrades, which makes it my responsibility to fight for that chance with everything I have." His eye narrowed. "Responsibility. A concept youwouldn't know."
Megatron bared his teeth in a sharp snarl at him, but his retort was cut off. "And I shall fight by your side with all my might to see both our wishes fulfilled, Kakashi," Saber vowed to her partner, who in turn eased himself of his anger to smile in gratitude to her.
As she returned it, Lancer looked between the pair with mixed feelings. On one hand, it brought him no small joy to know that his opponent had such a character as her comrade. On the other, he grew ashamed of the jealousy flickering inside his heart. Stop it, you fool. You can no longer hope for that with Archer X.
As for Caster X, he sensed that this man wore more masks than merely the one over his mouth. Oh, he hadn't lied once during his exposition of his regrets and wish, the wizard had no doubt of his honesty. But neither had he revealed his entire self. "I've got a great many regrets in my life."Something about that phrase made Caster X wonder if returning to his students was Assassin X's only wish. A great sorrow dwelled within the man, he noted. Perhaps equal to the one within Saber. A curious pair, they make.
Rider likewise beamed at the camaraderie between his friendly enemies. "A noble wish, Kakashi Hatake. It's always refreshing to see a man show such loyalty to others." His smile turned cheeky. "But I'm still not forfeiting the Grail so easily!"
Assassin X simply returned it with his eye-smile. "I appreciate your resolve, so long as you appreciate that I won't give up. Those who abandon the mission are trash, and those who abandon their comrades are lower than trash."
The Macedonian tyrant's smile only broadened at the strength within that declaration. "Excellent."
Archer, though, laughed at such a declaration. "You remain 'trash' regardless of your actions, masked mongrel."
"Mask's putting in the effort to do right by those kids, Goldie," Saber X pointed out after gulping down more wine. "Nothing wrong with that."
Assassin X now looked at his partner's colleague, noting the sympathy within his words. "Sounds like you and I would get along, too, Saber X. So, mind telling us what you're after?"
"Yeah, sure…" Saber X took another drink before leaning back with a sigh. "I'll admit, my wish is small and pretty selfish compared to yours though." He closed his eyes as though in thought. "But it's one I've had for as long as I can remember." His eyes opened to stare in complete seriousness at the others. "I want a do-over of my life."
Everyone looked to him in a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "A do-over?" Archer scoffed at the implication. "You mean, possibly erase your legend from the Throne of Heroes?"
"Well, I don't know if that would happen, but there's a bit more to my wish." The swordsman grumbled to himself, "I could've worded that better…" He cleared his throat. "Let me rephrase that, I want to start my life over, but with a different Semblance."
"Semblance?" Rider asked now in curiosity. "You've never mentioned that before in our talks."
"I didn't?" He shrugged. "Mustn't have come up. I quit teaching for a reason…" Saber X muttered while scratching his hair. He cleared his throat. "Okay, quick 1O1 for all of you: back in my world, humans learned a special party trick a long time ago. We call it 'Aura,' a way to manifest our souls for protection and combat." He closed his eyes again just before crimson energy shimmered around his entire body. Even Archer watched this with some interest. "Anything that has a soul on Remnant, my home, can use it to strengthen their physical abilities, shield their bodies, heal injuries faster, that kind of thing."
Saber focused on one word. "Anything? So, animals and other species could wield this 'Aura' as well?"
"Yup." Saber X smirked in fondness. "My brother-in-law had a corgi that could throw down with the best. But I've heard that even plants had a chance of manifesting Aura. And humans weren't alone back home…" He drank again from his wine. "Anyway, a 'Semblance' is a single power that develops from Aura and is unique to each user."
Assassin X cocked his head. "You're being awfully upfront with your abilities. I'd have thought you'd try to keep as much of your advantage of anonymity as you can."
Another smirk. "Knowing how a magic trick works doesn't always take away its effectiveness." His eyes briefly travelled towards his Master. "It's all about how you do it."
Waver blinked at the pointed look Saber X was giving him, then it returned to the others present. "And in my case, it don't matter whether or not you know about it."
"What sort of powers are we talking about?" Caster X inquired.
"Just about anything you can imagine and then some." The man gave a fond smile. "There are some on Remnant that can turn into rose petals, some who get stronger when you hit them…" Images flashed in Waver's head when he heard these descriptions, those two girls he kept seeing every now and then. Then Saber X's mood soured. "My… sister could open portals that would lead to people she'd formed an emotional bond with, didn't stop her from being a bitch…" He took another swig from his cup before refilling it.
All the others noted this hadn't been the first refill. Nor would it seem to be the last. Rider himself reached for his partner's goblet. "Perhaps you should pace yourself, my friend. Even we Servants have limits."
But Saber X smacked his hand away. "I know how to hold my liquor, Candy, I've had a lot of practice…" He growled even as his upper body began to sway a bit.
Saber, Assassin X, Caster X and Lancer exchanged knowing glances before the Corvid Reaper spoke up again. "Show of hands, who here knows of crows being a sign of bad luck?"
Many blinked at the non sequitur. "…I've heard such superstitions before," Assassin X was the first to answer, an attempt to humor him. "The crow, the raven, sometimes confused with the vulture, all supposed signs of death."
A few nodded at what he said. "Similar tales have been told in my homeland," Lancer added. "The warrior goddess Morrighan is known to have crows associated with her, if one considers war bad luck. It is said that seeing three crows nearby means she is watching you."
Rider scratched his chin in thought. "But in Greece, crows are praised for their intelligence and connected to Apollo, the god of the sun. Some say they bestow the gift of prophecy."
Caster X spoke up. "Others have referred to me as 'Stormcrow' in my time." He chuckled in self-deprecation. "I tended to appear with grave news of danger on the horizon, which led sometimes to me being considered the cause."
"That does not surprise me," Archer scoffed. "As for my people, they told more stories of lions, bulls, eagles if you seek a bird as a totem." Lancer X drew in a breath in conjunction with Tokiomi, the latter not happy that Archer was giving away a potential clue to his identity. Archer wouldn't have cared, though. His red eyes narrowed towards Saber X's. "You had better get to your point, mongrel, before I lose what's left of my interest and you lose what's left of your luck."
"Ah, cool your crotch, Goldy," Berserker X rumbled before looking to his partner. "That stuff about crows and bad luck… it's tied to that Semblance thing of yours, ain't it?"
"Ssscore one for the patch," Saber X slurred his quip slightly. "My Semblance is… different from most. It's… not really something I do, it's just…" he sighed into his cup, "always there. Been that way for longer than I can remember. Whether I like it or not." He lifted his head again, his eyes glazed between alcohol and melancholy. "It's how I got my name.
"Misfortune…" the word traveled through the air on bitterness and resignation, "that's the name of my Semblance." He glanced briefly to the side. "And my Noble Phantasm now, from the looks of it. And that's what you get when you're around me."
The others slowly grew to understand, but those words made something click inside the minds of Rider and Berserker X first, the Servants who had come to know Qrow Branwen better than the rest. And among the audience, Waver too began to understand. All those times where an object would suddenly topple over, or he'd stumble or trip over something… in his presence.
"Your power…" Iskandar muttered. "It affects the luck of everyone around you negatively, doesn't it?" His eyebrows furrowed. "Including yourself."
"Bingo-bango…"
Archer's eyebrows narrowed, too, but with more menace. "Then in the prior night… when I stood above the rest of you mongrels…" The corner of his mouth twitched. "When my footing grew unsteady… that was you."
A half-drunk, half-cheeky shrug was his answer. "Sometimes, it works in my favor." Saber X was unrepentant. He then looked away despite the increase in threat level. "But only sometimes… Years of training and being a Huntsman, and I still can't shut my damn Semblance off. I mean, I can choose to expand it, widen the area of effect and the chance of something going wrong…"
"But it's always active on a lower level." Assassin X finished with a compassionate wince.
A bitter nod. "And I have zero control over what's gonna happen or who it's gonna happen to. Don't get me wrong, causing bad luck can come in handy when I'm fighting an enemy…" Everyone knew what Saber X meant; a lack of fortune, even if it was something so small as losing your footing or mistiming the swing of your weapon, could spell defeat. "But not so good when I'm around friends." He took another drink. "Or family."
Caster X stroked his beard with a tender expression. "And you have been plagued with worry your entire life over the potential harm your Semblance could cause. You blame yourself for any misfortune that occurs in your presence."
"Heck, I'm surprised some catastrophe hasn't happened to any of us this whole time we've been sitting here if I'm totally honest." Qrow began to sway about in his seated position, singing offkey, "I'm a cursed black cat, I'm an albatross, I'm a mirror broken," he smiled bitterly while spreading his arms wide, "Sad to say, I'm your bad luck charm." He finished his verse with a big gulp of wine.
Assassin X eyed this with his brow raised. 'I'm starting to see how he picked up that drinking habit…' he told Saber over their link.
'I may follow a strict code of conduct, but in this case, even I can't begrudge him for it,' she agreed.
A period of silence followed as everyone considered the ramifications behind the swordsman's Noble Phantasm. Needless to say, no one was envious of his circumstances. And his lack of control over Misfortune almost certainly wasn't a lie; if he could control it, anyone that had battled with him would've suffered more from its effects. Besides, the way he kept guzzling wine like air and spoke with such drunken bitterness either made him one of the greatest liars in the multiverse or completely honest.
Well… Pliny the Elder said it best.
Rider finally shifted in his seat to face the first partner he'd gained in this War. "So, you tell me only now that you carry such an inconvenient power, Qrow Branwen…"
The smaller man sighed into his cup. He should've known that this was coming. "Yeah, I'm real sorry about that, big guy, it's just not an easy topic for-"
A heavy hand clapped down on his back, making him stop with a wet cough. Iskandar's grin nearly split his face. "…And remain such a mighty warrior despite it?"
"…Wait, what now?"
A laugh ripped through the air as mighty as the second clap to the Huntsman's back, the latter nearly toppling him in his drunken state over. "Oh, don't be so gobsmacked, my friend! I respect the burden your Semblance has been all your life, yet it does nothing to diminish my opinion of your fighting prowess! The opposite, in fact! I've seen you wield Harbinger with more skill than any other swordsman of my time, and I never even considered the idea of a scythe being a dueling weapon, much less having a firearm built in. Yet you surprised me!"
Saber X's murky eyes stared with surprising clarity for his state at the King of Conquerors in open shock. "Rider has every right to praise you." They then slowly turned towards a smirking Lancer. "It is no small feat to wield such a complex blade as you do so gracefully. All the more impressive that you have mastered two different melee weapons in your life."
"And if Misfortune really is that uncontrollable," Assassin X added, "I'd say all those times you came close to splitting me or someone else in half wasn't just because of bad luck." He winked (kind of hard to tell because of his look). "No Heroic Spirit's that clumsy."
"From one Saber to another," the sole female among the gathering continued, "you are perhaps the most unconventionally skilled opponent I have ever faced."
The Corvid Reaper gaped at the three friendly demeanors before him, then broke out in a fit of alcohol(and no small amount of relief)-tinged chuckles. "N-n-no, ssstop-p-p, you guys are g-gonna make me b-b-blush," he gasped out through his mirth. True, his cheeks had gotten kinda rosy. Finally, Saber X calmed down, though a smile remained. "Damn, all this praise makes me think you guys wanna talk me out of going for the golden cup," he joked.
"Such thoughts do both them and yourself a disservice, Qrow Branwen," Caster X scolded him faux-seriously. "Your wish remains your own, but do not think so little of your accomplishments." The wise elder waved his arm to envelop the gathering. "Here sit nine of the greatest heroes, no matter how loosely the term applies, of many worlds. Each of us have faced our share of battles and hardships, though luck would often be there to aid us."
The King of Conquerors had learned much of rhetoric during his studies, lessons that had aided him consistently in his reign. Hence how he quickly picked up what Mithrandir meant. "You on the other hand, Qrow, have always had the odds stacked against you. With your soul's own power being a potential hindrance where others gain more direct boons, you pressed on nonetheless and earned your place as one of Remnant's Heroic Spirits!"
Rider X eyed his rival in dark humor. "So, you're going to continue carrying this drunkard along on your campaign, King of Conquerors? Berserker X? Despite the handicap he could pose?"
Saber X let his face fall again but started back up when Rider barked out a confident laugh. "But of course! What sort of king could I call myself if I cast aside a treasured comrade because of a little bad luck?"
"What Candy Bar said, birdbrain," Berserker X chuckled. "I for one don't mind having an extra handicap along for the ride. Makes my fights a little more interesting."
"That's one way to call it, I guess…" Qrow grumbled into his hand. Not enough to hide his smile, though. "But I still haven't changed my mind about changing my Semblance, you know."
Lancer crossed his arms with a frown. There was something about his fellow knight class' tale… "I don't doubt that you have a noble soul or that it has caused you grief, Saber X, but are you certain you should spend your wish on something like altering a part of yourself? Couldn't you think of greater goals to use it for? Friends or family you'd wish to save?"
He scratched his head before answering. "Course I can, but this is pretty important to me. Like I said, Pretty Boy, I've had this wish my whole life, and now here's probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No way I'm gonna waste it." Saber X clicked his tongue at the deepening of the knight's frown. "Hey, I never said I was a saint, buddy. And I don't expect you chivalrous types to understand what it's like to wonder every second of every day if. Every. Single. Bad thing happening around you was your damn fault." He knocked back his cup to curb his frustration before adding, "Excuse me for wanting to change that."
That statement killed any argument Diarmuid could have voiced. He looked away from the rest, his frown growing contemplative.
Artoria Pendragon avoided eye contact for a while as well, gently waving off any concern her partner showed.
"Oh, stop flattering yourself, mongrel," Archer jeered him. "To think that your little malady is responsible for all misfortune in life is the height of arrogance." That insult was… oddly comforting, in its own way. "An unlucky worm like you could never hope to be the cause of a larger catastrophe, it certainly wouldn't be enough to cause me any more trouble-" A heavy sound abruptly interrupted his speech. And then it suddenly became very wet.
Irisviel, Waver, Kariya Sola-Ui, and (at least) two hidden Servants watched in silent befuddlement as the now quite unhappy group sat in the rain.
But none of the spectators were affected. Somehow, a single dark cloud had gathered out of nowhere, just big enough to hover over all nine Servants, and proceeded to unleash its deluge. Bolts of lightning flashed amidst its mass accompanied by deep thunder. And more rain.
"…Wow," Saber X finally noted, casting a sour glance in his watered-down wine. "Either it being a Noble Phantasm now has ramped up Misfortune to a whole new level…"
"…Or fortune does not appreciate you antagonizing her, Archer." Caster X eyed the addressee disapprovingly amidst the raindrops. As did everyone else.
Gilgamesh for his part simply glared up at the cloud, grumbling, "Luck is a spiteful wench…"
Waver Velvet simply stood there, having listened to his Servant explain the Noble Phantasm he was cursed with. Part of him, the eager student who had stumbled into this Holy Grail War without a clue what he was getting into, wanted to snap and rage at Saber X for withholding this information. For potentially causing him every grief that had befallen him since the Servants' summoning.
But another part felt a sense of… kindred. Moments he'd seen of Qrow Branwen made much more sense now; the strange expressions he always made when Waver would trip or something fell over or those car troubles on the bridge… it hadn't been annoyance in his eyes whenever that happened. It had been guilt. And those memories of people calling him a curse, or fleeting moments of happiness he cut short for fear of something unlucky unhappening…
It really wasn't Qrow's fault. He'd simply been dealt a rotten hand at birth and forced to somehow fight his way through life with the odds perpetually stacked against him.
I know that feeling… Waver sighed quietly to himself.
Berserker X pulled his wine casket closer and smirked even while the rain continued to pour. "Good news, this one's still sealed up tight." He rapped a knuckle against the wooden top. "Soon as the rain clears, we can keep drinking from it."
"I find it hard to trust the judgement of a one-eyed brute…" Rider X snarked before sipping from his golden goblet. He briefly spared it an impressed glance (the water had done nothing to diminish its taste) before continuing. "On that note, just what enemy did you lose an eye to since our battle together?" He leered tauntingly. "Infighting among your group?"
But the samurai-like warrior only smirked back. "Nah, this here," he tapped the black thing over his right eye, "is myNoble Phantasm. And I don't wear it to hide a wound." His fingers slowly peeled the eyepatch partly off his face…
…And power erupted from the Berserker's body.
The thundercloud was blasted apart by a sudden column of yellow mana surging right through it and into the sky. All of the Servants, even Rider and Saber X, braced for battle, but the source, Berserker X, only sat there relaxed as ever. Mana roared and surged from him like a volcano, cracking the ground where he sat and dispersing all water droplets from him. His eyes shined golden.
The quartet that had been witnessing this banquet fell to their knees, crushed by the sheer power in the air. It was only thanks to Caster X's staff that Kariya hadn't faceplanted on the ground, and even then, agony wracked his body. The Crest Worms inside him smelled something juicy. Waver and Sola-Ui, relatively average magi at best, couldn't move an inch. Sweat poured down Irisviel's face as she thought her body would be crushed any second now. It was like a dam had opened up inside Berserker X, releasing a flood of water that now pressed down on them, wave after all-powerful wave.
The Servants were of much more robust constitution, of course, but not even Archer in all his arrogance could dismiss this violent energy emanating from one single Servant. Much less because he could now detect a hint of divine essence he hadn't noticed before. The mana seemed to coalesce into a massive skull around Berserker X, howling like a bloodthirsty demon out into the night. They all sat tense as animals on the prowl, waiting for a strike.
It was the Shadow Clone of Assassin X, the Servant with the best eyesight currently, who noticed through the torrent something on the inside of that eyepatch. Something… snapping. "What is that thing…?"
He'd wondered that out loud without thinking, and Berserker X heard him. "Oh, you noticed," he laughed before flipping the patch over so everyone could see its inside.
They all stared with revolted fascination at the circle of tiny eyes, each over a mouth with sharp teeth that snapped open and shut repeatedly. "I had the eggheads back home make this little monster for me. It consumes large amounts of mana from anyone wearing it. So long as I've got it on, I can't use my full power." To demonstrate, he reaffixed the… creature to its original spot.
And just like that, the torrent receded. A dam had been reestablished, blocking it from washing over everyone in its vicinity. Irisviel and the Masters were able to breathe again and pushed themselves stiffly back to standing positions. Sola-Ui found additional strength at noticing the concerned glance Lancer sent her. She'd have acted more affected (and needing him to steady her) but even she knew this wasn't the time.
Waver by contrast had a better understanding of just where all that mana he'd been fueling Berserker X with was.
Even further across the city, observers found themselves releasing breaths they'd been holding in. Kiritsugu assured Assassin X over their link with forced calm that his camera and speaker had remained (miraculously) intact despite the rain and the mana surge while the Servant's clone watched over a shaken Maiya attempting to wave off his fussing; Kirei stared at his hands in mild surprise at the way they trembled; Tokiomi found himself hoping they'd now seen the extent of that foreign… beast's power.
Lancer X herself found she wasn't too eager to engage thatServant in open battle.
Meanwhile, a certain black-armored Servant recovered faster from the shock to launch a spread of missiles at her equally black-armored opponent and vacate the ravage premises with her cloaking active.
Berserker howled his frustration to the moon before transitioning to spirit mode. People were heading for the devastated site, and even he understood he needed to keep a low profile.
The rest in Berserker X's direct vicinity relaxed from their battle-ready states but still fixed their attention on him, none uttering a single word. Then a heavy chuckle drew incredulous eyes towards Rider. "Wonderful!" he guffawed heartily for the whole courtyard to hear. "To think I could convince such a powerful man to stand by my side! What a development!"
"Glad you're happy…" Lancer mumbled in shock. "You needn't have to fight Berserker X."
He started at a scoff from Saber X. "Guess which unlucky doofus agreed to a sparring match with this guy…" Both knights, a ninja, a wizard, and a hidden assassin winced in sympathy.
Caster X turned away from a certain noise he'd noticed to eye his fellow cavalry-class Servant. "Is this sealing of your power why you chose not to wear the eyepatch earlier?"
Berserker X cracked his neck. "Yeah, back at the docks, I'd been stomping around the damn city without a Master for two whole days. If I'd left my Eyepatch Seal on, I'd have probably faded away before I could fight you guys. And like hell was I gonna let that happen." He shrugged. "Back then, I was probably going as strong as I could with it on normally anyway."
That little statement and the context behind it made more than a few wonder the same question:
How much power is bubbling inside this Servant?!
Archer however glared at the outlander in incomprehension. "What lunacy could possess you to shackle your might with such a disgusting creature?"
"For the challenge," was the blunt answer he received.
Saber frowned at his words. "The challenge…?" Then her mind caught onto a mental thread that wove itself through everything she knew of this Kenpachi Zaraki; his appearance, his unrefined swordplay, his self-admitted lack of training and interest therein… "The bells in your hair jingle whenever you move, allowing others to hear you coming. You swing a nodachi with only one hand, never two." She wasn't asking questions. "You even chose an eyepatch as the design for sealing your mana because it also creates a literal blind spot and robs you of depth perception." Her eyes narrowed. "All self-imposed handicaps."
She only received a blood-chilling smile as confirmation. "Feel free to exploit the bells and eyepatch all you want. Like you said, that's the only reason I wear them in the first place. I've got to hold back or else my fights would be over too quickly."
The statement rankled not only Saber, but other Servants who prided themselves on their combative abilities. Including a certain ex-gladiator. "Are you implying that we need you adding your own restrictions to survive a battle with you?" Rider X growled irritated.
"Take it however you want, I don't give a shit," Berserker X replied unheeding of their pride. "It's not that I don't think you guys are strong. I give you these freebies because it's just more fun for me. No need to complicate it with gallantry or pride or all that other stuff."
That answer only perplexed Lancer. "I can understand holding back during a friendly spar or hiding your full strength to lull your foe into a trap," he'd used the latter strategy in his first clash with Saber, after all, "but why would you go to such lengths of restraining your potential, Berserker X? Shouldn't you fear dying with your goals unfulfilled?"
The smile only widened. "Fear dying…?" Kenpachi repeated almost mockingly. "I can't believe you'd ask me a question that stupid. Dying's a risk with every clash of blades, and it adds a thrill sweeter than any other I've ever known. Sure, some of us are really here for that Grail, but it doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves in the process." An excited gleam rippled through his body, drawing a shiver from the four behind the Servants. "Kill or be killed… can any of you think of a better way to spend your day?"
"I could name one or two activities…" Assassin X tried to joke before noticing a key detail in what he just said. "But… this means you just want to fight us? You're not that invested in actually making your wish?"
The fellow (apparently) one-eyed Servant waved the idea in dismissal. "Sure, I've got a wish I might make on the Grail if I actually get it, but I won't be too brokenhearted if I bite it before then. It's not just reaching your destination, after all, but what fun you have getting there."
Saber glared at him in disgust. "How can you be so callous of our battles? This is a War, a matter of life and death, and you treat this all as a way to have fun? Is this your only reason to fight us?"
Berserker X chuckled at her words. "Since when do you need a 'reason' to fight? Don't get your panties all in a twist, King of Knights. In your own way, you enjoy fighting as much as I do." He flicked his finger from her to the Celtic warrior beside her. "You're still planning on finishing your match with Lancer, right?" Both made to speak, but he cut right through their protests. "Oh, you can make claims about it being for a code of honor or getting the Grail, but in the end, you fight him and he fights you because it's exciting. Sword vs. spear, will vs. will. Matching your might against each other even if it means you could be the one who dies… Isn't the risk all warriors take?"
Neither knight said anything.
"Thought so."
Saber X smashed open the untouched wine casket and poured himself a fresh cup. "Well, when you put it like that, big guy, I can't argue with your logic. I won't deny I've drawn out a good scrap from time to time."
"As have I." Rider nodded happily to himself at his fortune. Such magnificent comrades by my side… He grinned towards his leather-clad partner. "I shall do my best to deliver as many battles you could enjoy as I can. It's truly a delight to fight by your side, Kenpachi."
"Same here but do yourself a favor and don't butt into my fights, Rider." The captain of Squad 11 turned his gaze at the others. "I knew from the very first real fight in my life that I love fighting, and I don't like to share." His smile grew tender at the image of that woman… the only being he'd ever admired…
He snapped back to the present. "And I've never bothered dressing it up as anything else. The battle itself is the best reward I can think of. And if it means that I die, then I die." He may as well have been talking about the weather, so matter-of-fact was his tone. "Just so long as I get to fight the strongest out there."
"…Then prepare yourself, mad dog." Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, flashed him a cruel, fearless smirk. "As the strongest hero this world will ever know, I shall be the one to take your life." Lesser individuals than Heroic Spirits would've been frozen stiff at the promise.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Archer," Megatron interjected with his own fearsome expression. "There may not be enough left of Berserker X for you enjoy when I'm finished with him. I've left him on the precipice of death once, after all."
"And retreated nearly battered into scrap metal in the process." Archer tch-ed at him. "This one will perish at my hands, and if you attempt to interfere, I will crush you all the same."
"One big free-for-all just to kill me?" Kenpachi Zaraki's mouth stretched into the widest (and fiercest) smile one could imagine. "Sounds like fun."
Iskandar, King of Conquerors, tilted his head in glee. "I might join in myself… A good spar between friends is never wrong."
A new wave of murderous intent rippled across the courtyard, only this time, it originated from four different individuals. Could've been six if Saber and Lancer hadn't decided not to rise at Berserker X's words. Fortunately, Assassin X cleared his throat loudly enough for all to focus on him. "Much as watching a clash of testosterone is quality entertainment value, can we get back to the original topic now and go back to killing each other afterwards?"
"An acceptable suggestion, I believe." Caster X had frankly been about to use his old trick to quell the tension, but in hindsight, that would've likely just provoked half the Servants into attacking him. The Servant of Assassination's way proved more effective, and he knew how to keep the ball rolling. "Iskandar King," the crimson monarch turned his head to the Grey Wizard, "you have displayed great curiosity in our wishes but have yet to reveal yours."
The aggression gave way to curiosity. Throughout this night, Rider had commended or questioned the wishes of others but repeatedly insisted that he would not yield his own to any of them. "A fair point, wizard." Rider X fixed his attention on his rival. "What wish does the King of Conquerors hold above all others?"
Rider finished his wine with slightly rosy cheeks. "One for reincarnation."
You could've heard an ant sneeze in the resulting silence. Everyone, even Saber X and Berserker X, stared in surprise at Rider because none of them had ever expected him to have a wish like that. "Wait, what?!" It actually succeeded in snapping Waver out of his shock, the boy storming around the circle to yell at his (regrettably) intended Servant. "Weren't you planning on conquering the world?!"
Puick! He went sprawling backwards from the King's flick. Irisviel glanced to his prone form wondering if she should help or leave him be.
Saber X nonchalantly eyed twitching of his Master's body before turning back to his partner. "He's got a point, though."
Rider only sniffed. "You don't actually believe I'd let a cupdo the conquering for me, do you, Qrow? World conquest is my dream, not my wish. The latter I must make upon the Holy Grail as a first step to achieving the former."
"You would challenge me, mongrel, for such a ridiculous wish?" Archer was insulted at the very idea. "One or two of the others I have heard tonight may give me pause for consideration, and I will take no small pleasure in putting down your deranged ally for challenging me-"
"Take your best shot, Goldy."
He spared a withering gaze towards the unrepentant mutt for his interruption before continuing. "But your wish, Rider, sullies the Grail itself."
"To borrow my friend's earlier words, 'I never said I was a saint.'" Saber X sardonically toasted his partner who continued with a more serious tone. "We Servants can only walk this world through the grace of mana. Can any of you say you are satisfied with this," Rider tapped his own arm, "facsimile of flesh and blood? Or metal in one case?" He amended with a gesture to a silent Rider X. "I am certainly not. I wish to truly live again, in a human body."
Caster X nodded to himself; he was intimately familiar with the guise of having a mortal body and its surprising enticements. "Doing so would render you mortal, King of Conquerors," he cautioned. "Are you certain you wish to take such a risk for your dream?"
"But of course, Mithrandir, that is part of the challenge after all!" He shared a grin with the elder one before directing it to Berserker X. "As you said, Kenpachi, the prospect of death makes the challenge all the more enticing! I shall stand proudly as a human upon this world and with nothing more than my mortal might, I will throw down the gauntlet before heaven and earth and win!" He swept his cup into the casket, refilling it in one smooth motion, before hoisting it high. "This is the way of conquest!"
His sheer conviction rendered the whole group quiet again before Berserker X and Saber X burst out laughing. The former slung his arm around Rider's shoulders while howling like the lunatic he was. "I knew I made the right call in joining up with you, you crazy bastard!"
"Da-ha-ha-hamn, Candy Bar," the latter managed to gasp out, "you've got one hell of a pipe dream there." Qrow wiped the tears from his eyes and knocked his wine goblet against Iskandar's. "But hey, I'm hardly one to talk. To selfish wishes, may we all rot in hell!"
"And fight our way straight out of it!" Rider concurred with a proud laugh, the three toasting together before guzzling down their wine.
Archer felt a migraine coming on; he'd have to purge his garden of all three of these mongrels. Lancer watched these proceedings somewhere between amused, outraged at their selfishness and maybe a just little thoughtful. Caster X only chuckled to himself, wondering if a certain Dwarfish Company would've laughed right along with them or tried to cave in their skulls. And Saber found herself surprised at how she didn't condemn her rival king as much as she normally would. Instead, she eyed her nostalgic-looking partner from the side. 'You're comparing him to Naruto right now, aren't you?'
'Is it that obvious?' Assassin X confessed indirectly with a mental laugh. 'But yes, I think Naruto would've found a good friend in Rider.' He then paled. 'Or a role model…'
And Rider X?
He'd been gazing wordlessly at the other Servant who shared his class and modus operandi. His index finger tapped a slow, thoughtful rhythm against the goblet in his hand. Then once he found his voice, the Cybertronian spoke. "You have surprised me, Iskandar. This wish of yours is… far from what I'd expected."
Rider calmed down from his joy to return the metal one's gaze. The words could've been praise, but something felt off about them. "Is that so?"
"It is." He took a final drink from his cup before his mouth shifted in a straight line. "I wouldn't have thought that the King of Conquerors' ambitions could be so small."
"…What?"
That final word ceased the chatter once again as everyone now turned to the Fourth Grail War's largest Servant. He in turn crossed his arms. "I meant what I said. Oh, the idea of limiting yourself with a frail human body disgusts me, but your drive to accomplish your dream with your own strength is one I respect. Yet the scope of your dream disappoints me."
"What nonsense are you babbling about, Rider X?" Lancer watched him with suspicion. "Rider seeks to conquer our entire world-"
"Exactly, you halfwit." The Servant of the Spear had to be restrained by the friendlier Servants as Rider X raised a finger. "This world. One. Single world. Is that really enough for you, King? Is heaven supposed to be the ceiling of your dream when there is so much beyond? Have you truly not realized the opportunity that lies before you?"
Rider gazed levelly back at him. "You speak of other worlds, Megatron."
"But of course. Look around." The Decepticon tyrant spread his arms to encompass not only the group, but the yard itself. "Seven Servants from seven other worlds have answered the call of this Holy Grail War. That alone implies that seven other universes exist beyond the borders of this one. Worlds of magic, dangerous beings and power unlike anything you or I could have imagined." His smile returned now, wide and hungry like that of a metallic shark. "Does the prospect of conquering these realms not whet your appetite as well?" He barked a laugh. "And why stop there, when there might be so many other dimensions out there?"
Caster X's hand instinctively reached for his sword's handle, but he told himself not to attack. Caution was warranted here. "This is no longer about Rider's wish…" he stated. "We finally learn of yours now, Megatron."
Rider X only leaned back, his smile widening at the glares he received from others. "Once I understood my circumstances, I couldn't help but wonder what the multiverse would have to offer. So, yes, wizard, this is my wish." He hoisted his goblet high one more time. "After I have defeated the rest of you, I shall drink every last drop of power from the Holy Grail and lead a path of conquest across this world, my old world, and all other worlds of all other dimensions! All of existence shall chant the words, All Hail Megatron!" He slammed the goblet against the ground, the force warping its gold beyond repair. His right hand closed into a crushing fist before him. "That is my way of conquest."
In that moment, everyone bearing witness to Rider X's speech saw a glimpse of his intentions. With Iskandar, at least, there had been a sense of awe, of childish glee. Megatron offered none of that, only a bottomless pit of… of… ambition. Ambition matched with a sort of ruthless determination. An iron vow to see his ambitions realized. The devastation he would cause… the treasures he would plunder… the lives he would destroy…
For one reason or another, none among the audience had any interest in seeing this nightmare become reality.
"…Quite the big plans you have there," Rider finally said with a smile to answer his rival's challenge. Now and forever. "It's true, I didn't actually consider expanding my conquest any further than this world we now sit in. Maybe it would've occurred to me afterwards," he shrugged carefree, "maybe not. Either way," he lifted his own fist in emulation of Rider X's, "I will certainly not cede my world to you, Megatron. Or my crown."
"Good." Rider X's teeth glinted in the moonlight. "Your partner isn't the only one who enjoys a challenge. But I promise you, Iskandar, this world and the title, 'King of Conquerors,' will be mine."
"This world is mine, mongrels." A third voice cut through the Riders staring at one another, both glancing to the side towards the interloper.
"You can tear each other apart over a false title with my blessing, but making such bold claims to steal my garden out from under me…" Archer sipped calmly from his wine before directing a vicious smile back at them. "Such impotence from a gaggle of mongrels. I shall kill the both of you myself."
"You can try, Archer." Rider invited him as ever to the table. "Don't think I've forgotten about looting your treasury for all its valuables, so prepare yourself."
"A fine point there." Rider X stroked his chin. "Those weapons will aid my campaign all the more once I've looted them from your corpse."
The final leader present at this banquet had finally heard enough. "This behavior is unbecoming of anyone calling themselves a king," Saber declared, re-shifting the attention towards her. She sat properly as ever, one step away from rising to battle. "Your plans may haunt my nightmares for years to come, Rider X. I would stop their fruition even if the Holy Grail were not at stake."
"Nor would she be alone," Lancer vowed. His hands twitched as though to summon his spears.
Assassin X and Caster X were silent, but they too gave looks of solidarity towards opposing Rider X's conquest.
Even Saber X had regained some sobriety and looked (somewhat) ready to join the party.
Berserker X, well… he smelled a fight coming. Nuff said.
But Rider X didn't show the slightest bit of trepidation towards all this hostility. Instead, he focused his gaze and amusement on one Servant. "Brave words, King of Knights. But let's not forget that one of us here has yet to share their plans. Seeing as the Holy Grail is at stake, just what wish would you risk challenging me," he swept his arm in a circular motion, "all of us… for its fulfillment?"
Now Saber was in the spotlight, friend and foe alike shifting at least token attention to her. Of course… they were all still following the code of hospitality. Saber was the only Servant left to throw her hat in the ring.
She heard Assassin X's voice in the back of her head. 'He's baiting you.' Yes, Megatron was. Saber wasn't foolish enough to not recognize a trap of rhetoric before her. The sensible thing would be to let the challenge slide and end this menace once and for all.
But she was a king as well. And she wasn't about to be browbeaten into submission by anyone. Not by this mechanical warmonger looming before her, not by the irresponsible King of Conquerors and his posse of drunken ruffians, not by this yet unknown king who perpetually acted like the whole lot of them were beneath him. She had her pride, too.
She met those crimson optics and declared her wish. "I will save my homeland. I shall use the Holy Grail's power to prevent Britain's destruction."