Chapter 247 - 15.2

Darth Maul had been a Sith Lord in his old life, a person who had immersed themselves in the darkness of the life force surrounding him. He was therefore all too familiar with the shadows bubbling inside the first Servant that had engaged him in battle. He hadn't cast any actual spell over Lancer, the knight's Magic Resistance would have made him immune as it had from the power of The Force. But Maul's words could still exact a certain effect. Tainted with the power of his Avenger Skill and aimed at key points, they had slithered through the cracks of the noble Heroic Spirit's chivalry and stoked the flames within.

Waver and Irisviel tried to reach him, but a whistle followed by the loudest explosion yet drowned out their pleas. Rapid gunfire came next, each gunshot pounding its way into Lancer's skull. Once inside, they mingled with the emotions he had continued to feel ever since that moment where he had found Lord Kayneth's lifeless body on the hotel bed. He had trusted Archer X, he had been patient with her attitude, her distasteful decisions, he had hoped that the two of them would find that same bond that existed between Saber and Assassin X, between Rider, Saber X and Berserker X, between Caster X and Berserker… Only for her to betray him without a second thought.

Stay here, you fool, a tiny voice scolded him that grew more distant with each passing second. Defeat this monster first, the others need you…

"Stay here," Avenger X's words were a cold whisper but heard over the endless clash of blades. "Cut me down. Let Assassin X claim the life that should be yours by right and responsibility." He chopped through an opening in Saber X's guard, that force field of his sparkling where his lightsaber struck. "Or hunt Archer X down. Show her the price of defiling a knight's honor." He released a tiny, calculated snicker. "The choice is yours."

Now an inferno blazed inside Diarmuid, a raging fire all directed at the Servant he had thought a partner, an ally, a future friend. His legs bent while he whirled in his spot despite the King of Knights' call to him, then he sprang high a second before Saber X would've tackled him. The Huntsman landed cursing in the dirt, but the first knight of Fianna heard nothing as his bound carried him to the roof of the closest building. He gave not so much as a glance back before taking off.

Qrow brushed clumps of dirt and grass off with a scowl. "Dammit, Lancer…" But he didn't waste any other words or seconds on this turn of events; he'd have probably acted no smarter in Pretty Boy's place. He still wanted to go after the moron and drag him back by his ears, but the pipsqueak's Command Seal pushed Saber X to stay here and defeat Avenger X. Double-edged sword, those things… The smug bastard was already wailing on Saber again, leaving the Corvid Reaper little choice but to jump back into the fray.

Maul felt no worry even as that massive scythe managed to cut his left forearm. With the most detrimental opponent for him gone, this battle was swinging all the more in his favor.

Assassin X crouched behind a ruined water tower as more gunshots rang out. "Hold. Still. And. Let. Me. Fucking. Kill. You!" Archer X enunciated each word with another pull of her rifle's trigger. Not the sniper rifle, he'd split that in two a while ago. This one was an assault rifle.

Needless to say, the Copy Ninja wasn't particularly inclined to acquiesce with her request. He ducked under a bullet that pierced his cover, hurled a spread of shuriken, and slipped away to another hiding place even as her curses grew more colorful. Blood trickled from a spot on his upper right arm where an earlier round had grazed him, but he bandaged it cleanly while on the move. All the while, his eyes darted this way and that, paying careful attention to any flares of mana.

Archer X caught a bead on him and hurled two grenades his way, but Assassin X sped through a flurry of handsigns to activate his Phoenix Flower Jutsu in return. Two fireballs intercepted the explosives, providing a decent smokescreen, while the rest forced her to dodge. The soldier rolled across her rooftop, putting out the fire on her shoulder in the process.

She traded her rifle for a shotgun even as she tried to peer through the smoke. By now, they had moved roughly one kilometer west of her original sniper position. Even Tex couldn't make any guaranteed accurate shots down at the river from this range. She'd have to do some backtracking after finishing up with this slippery bastard. That part, though, she'd take her time with. There wasn't a single Servant in this War that pissed her off more than him.

…Well, except for Lancer when he was being stupid.

Assassin X drifted along the smoke's border, being able to see his enemy perfectly. He was preparing his next attack when Saber's voice echoed in his mind. 'Assassin X,Lancer is headed your way. He's after Archer X's head, we couldn't stop him!'

He snapped his head to the direction of the river- There! A green blur was speeding through the air, then something gold flashed past Archer X's leg. "What the hell?!" She bit out while inadvertently falling to one knee. She turned to glare at the thing that had cut her and froze. Stuck halfway in the brick wall next to her was Gáe Buidhe.

Lancer let his left arm fall to his side and upped his pace, his beautiful face contorted by pure fury. The fire burning within him at spotting her had thrown off his aim a bit, but Gáe Daerg would find her heart. He'd make sure of that.

He jumped from one rooftop to the next when the black-armored cretin splayed out her hand at him. "No, don't!" Her shout was rimmed with a desperate note, infuriating Lancer all the more. Does she seriously think any amount of begging will spare her what she deserves?! His right foot touched the bare next rooftop-

Then something slammed into him before the entire space went up in smoke and flames. Lancer and whatever had struck landed back on the roof he'd just cleared, drawing a grunt from him. He blinked, clearing aside some of the anger within his head to see his rescuer Assassin X crouching next to him, patting out a fire on his shoulder. "Archer X rigged most of the area with explosives and other traps." The masked man nodded to their blasted surroundings. "I've spent a good part of our fight setting them off."

Diarmuid drew in a long breath before exhaling it, trying to force his temper back down. He finally grumbled, "Why doesn't that surprise me?" as he stood back up.

Agent Texas had garnered many stories even with the classified nature of her existence in her universe. One particular tale told of how she had weaponized an entire frozen mountainside with armaments and bombs while confronting two of her former colleagues. As a Heroic Spirit, she was perfectly capable of replicating that feat in a city like this with Weapons of War and Subversive Activities. That first explosion had almost taken Assassin X's leg hadn't it been for his reflexes, and he'd had to contend with plenty more of those, preventing him from closing the distance. Their entire duel among the rooftops had been long range, with Archer X setting off certain explosives with handheld detonators.

The good news was, an arsenal-type Noble Phantasm like hers couldn't have an endless capacity. Not with her relatively limited mana supply. She won't be able to make more big bombs for a while now, Kakashi surmised. But the question is, he peeked over to his taut new ally, can I count on Lancer for this fight? He's angry, a fool can see that, and it's making him act recklessly. He's going to kill Archer X and himself at this rate.

Granted, that sort of conclusion would suit Kiritsugu just fine. After all, two enemy Servants dead, Saber's injury no longer a problem, another step closer to attaining the Holy Grail. But while the practical side of the shinobi appreciated his Master's point of view, it still didn't sit right with him. He'd told Saber he'd try and help set up their final duel.

Then Lancer was already rushing back into the fray, red spear soaring out in front of him. Assassin X sighed in resignation. Nothing's ever easy, is it?

Archer X's shotgun barked three times, but Lancer dodged among the roof's rubble as the hot pieces raced past him. A single step, and he was in front of her, Gáe Daerg surging for her chest. She cracked her gun against the shaft, knocking off its trajectory. The bloodred tip missed her armor. He clicked his tongue and moved for solid ground.

The two former partners faced one another, Lancer sinking into a low crouch with his spear pulled back, Archer X shifting her right side towards him with a SMG replacing her shotgun. For what seemed like hours, they simply returned each other's glare. Then Archer X sneered, "Finally making your own decisions now, Lancer? Or are you still licking that asshole's shoes even when he's a rotting corpse?"

Lancer's eyes narrowed. Damn him, his face looked so attractive even like that. "I assure you, Archer X, what happens to you in the next few minutes will be both in Lord Kayneth's name," he reared back slightly, "and personally gratifying for me."

An odd flutter surged inside Archer X at the words, nearly leaving her vulnerable for his thrust. She mentally slugged herself and refocused; not like her stupid leg injury wasn't slowing her down enough. Her gun sprayed bullets that he deflected by spinning that spear. "I thought I told you to stay out of my way! Go be happy with your little dame!"

"And let you run around with the rest of those reprobates?!" Lancer spat out, his temper getting the better of his tongue. But he felt just a small bit of schadenfreude at how she stiffened. "You shame the both of us and fall in with monsters like Caster and Rider X! Go ahead and mock me for being loyal to our Master, but just how is being Megatron's minion any better?"

She smacked away the spear with a snarl. Lancer had to lean back to avoid the butt of her gun cracking against his eye. "Means to an end, dumbass." Something glinted amidst the moonlight, and only then did he realize her left hand had been holding Gáe Buidhe in a reverse grip all this time. "And I'm nobody's minion!"

Poetic though it would've been to die by his own Noble Phantasm, he wasn't about to let her win that easily. Letting himself fall and twisting in the process was half the reason Diarmuid got off with only a gash between his ribs. The other half came from how Texas' hand had trembled during the stab.

He rolled away while lashing with his red spear, and she quickly pulled his yellow one to jump out of reach. Lancer slid to a kneeling position, his posture shifting from cautious to furious and back. Even in another's hand, Gáe Buidhe'scurse still worked. Blood trickled through his fingers onto the ground, and his agitated state didn't help.

Archer X aimed panting her gun at him with her right hand and flipped around his spear in her left so that it pointed forward. "Last chance," she warned. "Back off, stay out of my way, and I might just let you and your lady friend borrow the Grail once I've got it."

But Lancer only scoffed at her words. "You're awfully sure of yourself," he retorted, his gaze fixed on how her trigger finger kept trembling, "but I doubt you would actually shoot me, let alone win the Holy Grail." He slowly slid across the roof like a snake, inching closer.

A tremor went through Tex despite herself. The hell was he talking about?! Did he not see the gun that was trained on him? …Why did her finger keep shaking? "Y-y-you have n-no idea what I'm capable of!" But the closer he got, the more she saw of him, the more she shook.

Then a shadow flitted from behind, and relief burst inside her that was drowned in irritation. Sneaky mummed-up bastard always getting in my way… She slashed behind herself with Lancer's weapon. "And you, I've got no problem killing-"

A length of chain wrapped around her torso, and she barely made out four burning pieces of paper tied to the links before they blew up in her face. She flew backwards, rolling with a fresh collection of swears until she flipped back onto her feet and glared through her (for once uncracked) visor. "Big mistake, jackass."

"And here I thought you'd appreciate something that makes a nice boom," Assassin X joked from where he stood, hand reaching out to catch- Archer X's eyes widened and glanced down at her own hand, but Gáe Buidhe wasn't there anymore.

It now rested in his hand.

Assassin X inspected the ornate weapon for only a moment before turning his head to a wary knight. "Sorry, Lancer, but this here is causing more trouble than it's worth." Electricity danced among the fingers of his free hand. "And Saber needs her hand back."

Diarmuid returned his gaze before inclining his head with less anger than before. "And she can have it with my blessing." It was the least he could offer as apology to the King of Knights for abandoning the battle with Avenger X. His grudge against Archer X however justified was no excuse for his uncouth behavior. Let the victor in this matter be neither Saber nor Lancer, but the knight's chivalry we both put our faith in. That vow in mind, he made no move to stop her comrade.

The Freelancer hastily aimed her SMG, but it was too late. With all of his might, Assassin X brought his Lightning Blade down in a chop that split Gáe Buidhe in half, golden energy blazing around the Servant for only a moment. The foreign magic prickled against him, but he didn't waver. Then it faded along with the broken Noble Phantasm into nothing.

A tingle went through both Archer X and Lancer, specifically at the spots where they had been injured by that spear. Lancer, however, did not mourn the loss of his weapon. He still had the other one, after all, and if it meant Kakashi Hatake would let him deal with her in peace (the odds looked in his favor there judging by the ninja's posture), then so be it.

Agent Texas slowly backed away with a glare as the two men circled her. I hate him. So much.

-84:14:34

Saber gritted her teeth against the renewed crimson frenzy, a slight ache traveling up her right arm. Then she twitched at an odd sensation that came from her left hand. Could it be…?

Right on cue, Kakashi "spoke" to her. 'Saber, I've just broken Lancer's spear. He's fine,' her friend quickly added, 'but his curse shouldn't affect you anymore.'

Saber's fatigue faded away with those words. She took a few steps back, leaving Saber X to fight alone for a second, and called behind her. "Irisviel, heal me, please!"

Her white-haired friend was only confused for a moment before she understood and was relieved. Mana flowed from her and into Saber as before, but this time, the healing spell gathered around her left hand's severed tendon. And unlike before, the damage was smoothly reversed. And the left thumb curled tightly around her sword's handle a second before she leaped back towards the combatants, arms raised high.

Avenger X had already managed to land two more strikes past Saber X's guard (though he had nearly lost his left ear in the process). Now he positioned Crimson Dawn to parry her overhead swing, only to realize too late that he'd miscalculated. The mighty blow pushed down his saber, and instinctively backing up a step was all that saved the fallen Sith from being cleaved in half. The long laceration starting at his right shoulder was a clear sign of how close the call had been.

Harbinger resting on his shoulder, Saber X took the moment to catch his breath with a smile. "Feeling better?"

"Much," Saber replied as she pulled her sword back up to head level, fingers of both hands drumming smoothly along the handle. She returned Avenger X's hateful glare with a cool stare, well aware that regaining her left hand didn't mean instant victory against this opponent. But it would help the matter. 'I owe you one, Kakashi.'

'Considering I failed to prevent that wound in the first place, Artoria, I'd call us even.' She allowed herself an exasperated/humored head shake before pressing on. He's hopeless…

Waver Velvet breathed a heavy sigh as the Sabers engaged this terrifying Servant for the umpteenth time. There was relief in that motion, but also exhaustion. With Lancer gone, Saber X had to put in more effort while fighting Avenger X to compensate, which meant Waver had to send him more. He could tell that the energy was well spent, the horned one was noticeably slower than before even if all his prior wounds were healed. And the blonde Saber's renewed ardor was pressuring him as well.

But Waver couldn't ignore the misery throughout his body that throbbed with each passing second. Worst of all, he had a bad feeling time was not on their side.

That worry was compounded by spiritual particles coalescing next to him and the homunculus. A second later, a man in archaic armor was kneeling next to him. "I am Mithrenes of the Hetairoi. My King tasked me to deliver a message in his stead," the loyal soldier said without fanfare.

Waver sucked in a breath and forced himself to stand. "What's the situation?" He asked with as much dignity as possible.

"The great warrior Kenpachi has dealt heavy injuries to the beast, and our army have made the most of this advantage, but it still stands. And we cannot continue this for much longer before the Reality Marble must eject them both." Mithrenes reported somberly. It had been an incredible experience for the entire army having such a fearsome man fight alongside them and their King, but the sheer force of the confrontation was exacting a heavy toll.

Waver cursed silently, looking down at the grass. If Berserker X hadn't managed to chop up that thing while in Ionioi Hetairoi, could he finish the job out here on the open river? What if the other Servants pitched in? But they were all busy and getting tired…

Irisviel listened to the spirit's report with rising trepidation when in that moment, an odd melody began to play from her. She glanced about herself surprised before realizing it was coming from her pocket. Her hand withdrew the mobile phone Kiritsugu had given in case of emergency, the melody coming from that confusing device. Her husband had told her when it made that sound, a call was coming, but she hadn't paid much attention at the time on how to answer it. "U-umm…" Irisviel fumbled about with it. "How do I…" Technology was so confusing, and she couldn't feel anything through her fingers anyway.

Waver could feel his brow twitching the longer that damn sound rang through his ears. Then he and the soldier watched baffled as the woman held it over to him with an embarrassed blush. "Please…"

The boy sighed after a moment and took the phone from her, tired finger pressing the right button. Times like this, he found the disdain of modern technology from his fellow magi to be ridiculous. "Iri?"

The deep male voice startled Waver for a moment, delaying his answer. "…Uh, no, this is-"

"Ah, you're the Master of those three Servants, aren't you?" The man interrupted him. "Good, I wanted to speak with you."

"W-who are you?"

"Doesn't matter. I know Rider transported Caster's monster and Berserker X away. And you're receiving word from one of his subordinates right now, correct?"

"…Yes." Waver's eyes darted around as best as they could, trying to spot the speaker. But he could be anywhere; among the crowds, in one of the buildings, somewhere else… "But he can't keep them inside any longer."

"That's what I thought…" The man paused before speaking again. "Then I have a question: can Rider release what's inside his Reality Marble at a specific location?"

A strange question considering the context, but Waver considered the question, remembering his lessons at the Clock Tower about this field of magic. He then weighed it against what he knew about Ionioi Hetairoi specifically and even briefly discussed it with Mithrenes before giving his tentative answer. "To an extent, probably within a range of at most a hundred meters. Rider should have that much control over their return."

"Good enough." New light rose above the center of the Mion River, drawing the three's attention. A little ball of green fire was arching high up, soon to fall down into the water. "Tell Rider to put Caster right under where I just fired that signal flare. Can you do that?"

Waver turned to the soldier who nodded resolutely. "I shall inform the King immediately." He dissipated with the final word.

That done, the Master returned to the phone. "Alright, I think it's going to work. But Berserker X hasn't destroyed Caster's creature yet… and I'm not sure I can keep him going for much longer…" The admission pained him, and not just because he was giving it to almost positively the associate of an enemy Master. His own weakness sickened him.

"Leave Caster to Saber." The man's reply startled Waver but the line disconnected before he could ask what he'd meant. The boy could only pass the phone dully back to the confused woman, his mind and body awhirl in different thoughts.

Saber blocked a thrust and slashed her sword alongside the crimson energy, narrowly missing Avenger X. She evaded a kick for her head and swung again, but he leaped out of range and where Saber X was waiting for him. She made to follow when Kiritsugu called to her. 'Saber, Rider is about to release Caster's monster, and it seems like Berserker X couldn't kill it. Be ready.'

Sure enough, she could detect a shift in the winds, a great swirl of mana coming from the river. Kiritsugu was steering his raft away from where he'd shot the flare but narrowed his eyes back at it. The other Servants had noticed it as well, both those battling next to her, and the ones flitting across the sky. As one of the latter, Rider X detected the at first small distortions of the currents surrounding him, and even while maintaining his flight path, he contemplated breaking off from this airborne dance. I've wasted enough time up here.

But Saber had her own plans. She understood what Kiritsugu had meant when he'd said, "be ready." It was due to her sealed left hand that Rider had mistakenly only Berserker X and Caster X could destroy the monstrosity Caster had called forth. But now, the seal had been lifted. Thus, she sped towards Avenger X, Invisible Air unveiling in the process.

The other Heroic Spirit of the Sword, Aura crackling, noticed her approach first, eyes widening at the magnificent blade she held. Then he snapped out of it and flipped over Avenger X, his back turned to the approaching threat. The Force warned him, though, and made him whirl around in the instant before the Sabers slashed in unison. The dual swing, augmented by Mana Burst and Harbinger's shotgun bursts, struck Crimson Dawn hard enough its blade actually flickered. Once again, Maul had to fall back with the blow, or else it would've taken his head off.

As it was, he flew backwards across the shore, tumbling out of control. His opponents straightened from their swing, and all managed to properly see the sword in the female Saber's hands. Irisviel had seen it before at her family home, but others like Waver witnessed it for the first time. "That's… the legend of King Arthur…" he whispered through his weakness in awe.

Irisviel von Einzbern smiled in hope, her spirits soaring once again. "We can win…"

For that was the natural reaction to seeing that weapon. "The Sword of Promised Victory" shined with eternal brilliance through the night. Its golden blade was like the first light of dawn after such a desolate, battle-heavy night, a beacon for all knights and warriors who met on the battlefield hoping that their actions would be remembered well. A supreme Noble Phantasm befitting the King of Knights. And its full might had yet to be unveiled.

But that was something Saber was about to change. She turned to her counterpart and said, "Saber X, your partners are about to return to this world with what's left of Caster's evil. I must go to finish the work they have begun."

Qrow Branwen finally looked away from the brilliant weapon that made his Harbinger look like a windup toy in comparison and towards the water. The space was rippling wildly, sure enough, something big was going to pop up soon. "Well, get a move on," he finally answered with a nod towards Avenger X. "I'll take care of our spooky friend. Those are my orders."

She exchanged a final nod with him, then directed her mana into her legs for an almighty leap. It carried her straight out onto the water, its surface meeting her feet unyielding. He in turn shifted to his crow form in mid-leap, wings beating as he swooped for the crater Avenger X had made.

The Dathomirian pushed himself out of the dirt, spitting out blood with a dark hate. He could feel the radiance of Saber's no longer hidden blade, a light of hope and valor blazing through The Force. It disgusted him to no end. He ignited his lightsaber with a vicious slash as the red-eyed fool dropped from the sky; once he was dead, Avenger X would snuff out that light.

An intent shared by two other Servants currently in the air. Saber was forced to break into a sprint as the water where she'd stood was blasted into steam. Rider X and Berserker streaked over her, the latter glaring down at what she was holding.

"Arrrr…thurrrr!"

That scream froze her blood and halted her in her tracks. "Saber!" Irisviel's call from the shore barely rattled the shivering knight in time to dodge another volley, this time from the black jet. She panted heavily, not from exhaustion, but from realizing who had shot at her.

Waver wheezed in frustration next to her. "The hell… is… Berserker… doing?"

Caster X too had heard the maddened shout, and a rare feeling of panic swept through him even as Kariya doubled over with a cry of pain. He struck his staff's base against the ground, unleashing a wave of magic that blew away the final two Horrors. Lancer X hastily teleported to vaporize both with charged strikes lest they hit the street below, but the wizard had shuffled over to the roof's edge. His eyes tracked the flight of his friend, and he yelled, "Berserker, don't!"

But the plea, no matter its volume, sadly fell on deaf ears. Berserker had tried, he had truly tried to keep his promise to his partner. But even as the world warped and shifted massively above the sea, even as that other demon attacked Saber X with greater ferocity than before, even as the one he'd been battling this entire evening soared alongside him…

All he could focus on was that sword of agonizing wonder and honor he would now surely never know again. And the petrified face of the one holding it. "Arrthurrrr!"

Saber jumped and weaved atop the river's surface, but her legs felt like heavy chains were wrapped around them. She had trouble breathing. Every time she heard her name come from Berserker, a roar even louder than that of his aircraft's engines, it was as though a dagger was thrust into her core. Irisviel and Kakashi's calls to her were mere whispers as her mind kept shifting between this modern world and the one she had known and governed in life. She saw the hallowed walls of her castle, the Round Table, her knights, the greatest she had ever-

'Snap out of it, Saber!' Her Master's harsh tone cracked hard against the Servant's brain, almost making her stumble. But it was just in time, allowing her to jump away from the next strafe. Kiritsugu's scolding continued even while she continued to run. 'Right now, it doesn't matter if Berserker is the man you remember. You've got to focus on the bigger picture.'

Insensitive though his words may have been, Saber didn't deny the truth they carried. With a final dimensional tremble, the Gigantic Horror was released from Ionioi Hetairoi and crashed down from the sky into the spot Kiritsugu had marked. Heavy waves splashed across the surface that Saber narrowly leaped over in her dodging.

Iskandar rode the Gordius Wheel out into the night sky, a slightly bruised Kenpachi affixing his eyepatch next to him. "Another minute, and I'd have made Takoyaki out of it," he grumbled. This was no hollow excuse, either; tainted blood poured out from slashes deep as chasms crisscrossing nearly every part of its mass. Clusters of spears and arrows were embedded in many pierced eyes. Teeth were cleaved in half or outright shattered. Most of the tentacles were writhing stumps, and even one of the biggest was missing. Overall, the Horror looked like an even bigger monster had snapped it up in its jaws, chewed it up and spat it back out. Glimpses of an irate/confused Caster could even be made out near its top.

Rider huffed back in jest. "Any longer, and I and my army may have needed to craft ourselves a new Reality Marble."

Rider X fumed at this situation but reminded himself it could still be salvaged. Battered and bleeding though the monster was, Caster could still be of use to him. A little more speed, the lunatic having the sense to vacate the mass, and he could extract him for future battles. Gold flashed to his right, startling him out of his strategizing. One of Archer's toys, no doubt wanting to even the score. Rider X idled his engines slightly to avoid the next two weapons, letting Berserker's jet overtake him. He wasn't worried; that ship had no rear armaments.

That thought turned out to be a mistake.

Violet sparkles sprang out from behind the F-15, surrounding Rider X. "What-?" Was all the startled conqueror could get out before they erupted into spheres of fire. Even the fighter plane's flare dispenser, something meant to be a countermeasure against enemy heat-seeker weapons, had been transformed into a powerful weapon. Flames danced all across Rider X's body as he dropped cursing down onto the Horror beneath him.

Observing from his spot atop Fuyuki Bridge's massive beams, armor slightly charred, Gilgamesh scoffed at the upstart's tumbling through the heavens. "Who here is the 'tourist,' mongrel?" He then let the portals beside him seal up. The aerial clash had been an odd bit of fun, but he had an inkling that someone else was now going to catch his eye. "Bring down the curtain on this monstrosity, Saber," he whispered with an ominous smile. "Show me the full scope of your luster as a Heroic Spirit. My judgement awaits your performance!"

Saber gave no indication she had heard him. She continued to evade Berserker's wild gunfire, her trepidation giving way to resolve. For all her differences with Kiritsugu Emiya, she had no intention of failing him as his Servant. Irisviel and countless other innocents' lives were on the line. Assassin X had given her a fighting chance, one she refused to let go to waste as she finally stopped and swung back her fabled sword. I did not just regain my left hand only to be stopped now! She glared courageously up at the Servant hurtling towards her as though to drive his vessel right down onto the Servant of the Sword. Not even by you… Lancelot.

If she were fully honest with herself, though, Artoria Pendragon wasn't sure even in hindsight if she really was aiming at the maddened knight racing at her. Maybe her attack was only meant to destroy the plane itself. Or maybe her blade would've taken his head.

"Kariya…"

"I-I know… By the power of my Command Seal, return to us now, Berserker!"

Fortunately, that decision was taken out of her hands as her airborne enemy suddenly disappeared with an agitated howl. Without its wielder, the F-15 splintered apart from the sheer speed of its flight, its pieces raining harmlessly around where Saber stood. She watched in shock before her eyes, on a hunch, shifted towards the front buildings of the Shinto district.

Somehow, her emerald met Gandalf's blue atop a building. He gave her a single nod of encouragement before turning back to where Lancer X was restraining his upset friend. Caster X was the only one who could hope to bring Berserker down from his fury. Just as he sensed that Saber was the only one who could end Caster's threat.

A more relieved than tired sigh escaped the King of Knights. I owe you a debt as well, Gray Wizard. But there would be time for that later. She grasped her sword with both hands and shut her eyes in concentration. No more delays for Caster's execution, she swore.

As it turned out, the increasingly tense situation on the water had in turn made the duel between Saber X and Avenger X all the more ferocious. The latter sported a dozen fresh cuts and burns of varying sizes and shapes while the former Aura flickered precariously. Both wanted to end this fight now and head out to the river, Saber X wanting to keep the fliers off Saber's back, Avenger X wanting to finish Saber. But neither would back down.

Then Saber X spotted an opening. He ducked under a wild slash and kicked out. His shoe cracked against the spot where flesh and blood became cybernetics, destabilizing Avenger X's balance. He lurched back as Saber X swung his scythe in for the kill. That's when his keen ears picked up an exhausted cough from Waver; no doubt the fatigue of accommodating three Servants going all out had caught up with the poor kid. In his sympathy, Qrow's attack lagged for just a moment.

That turned out to be his undoing.

Right hand still clutching his lightsaber, Avenger X thrust out his left. An invisible power pushed Saber X backwards, then as the Sith curled his hand up, then down, he was slammed hard against the ground, his Aura finally shattering in a flutter of red. The Huntsman had no time to recover as this assault as he was suddenly pulled towards the red blades.

Waver Velvet was resting his hands on his legs, wheezing like a tired dog. Strange lights were dancing around him; at first, he thought it was a hallucination before figuring it was due to that sword. Then a sudden chill swept through him, and the burden on his Magic Circuits lightened just a bit. But instead of relief, the Master felt dread. "No…"

Maul glared into the wide eyes of the warrior impaled on his lightsaber. This was the first time he had battled other Servants, so he had surmised only after trading blows with these three knight classes that The Force could affect Servants with Magic Resistance, but only if his Skill was of a higher rank. This one had been pushed back by his power before unlike the others, meaning his Magic Resistance was lower. And once Avenger X had broken through his irritating shield, Crimson Dawn had no trouble piercing him.

But he had no time to take pleasure at watching the strength fade from the Saber's lean body. Not when the other Saber was absolutely sundering the dark side.

Particles of golden mana had begun to dance around the young woman on the water, gathering from the grass on the shores, the river, the air itself. They were all drawn towards the golden blade shining above her head, a beacon of hope and justice for all to see. What few limbs the Gigantic Horror splashed about in the water, raising great waves anew. But not a single droplet touched Saber, so great was the pressure emanating from her.

All around her, others watched this display in total silence. Rider navigated his Wheel along the bridge's sky, seeing how his rival monarch displayed her way of the King just as he had in the prior night. Berserker X stood next to him, his tired body twitching in both excitement at facing such a sword… and respect. Simple respect. The energy rising from her looked somewhat similar to when the Kenpachi would go all out, but the sensations differed on a fundamental level.

Archer drank in the glorious sight before him without expression. At least on the outside.

On the roof where the last pieces of the smaller Horrors had long since faded away, Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kariya Matou actually managed to forget the turmoil bubbling inside both men to stare at what the Saber of their world was bringing forth. Lancer X felt her own spirits rise in a manner she had never known when she had lived. The experience was somewhat soured as the thrashing of the Servant pinned down under her Staff and knee intensified.

Then a hand clapped down on her shoulder, and she looked up to see Caster X wearing a rare astonished face. "…Let him look." His words, though softly spoken, carried their usual reassurance, and she complied. Gandalf then helped Berserker to his feet and directed him gently towards the river.

The disgraced knight twitched only for a moment more before standing completely still. "Ar… thur…" The word hissed from his helm carried almost none of its usual menace. Though that may have been solely because of the old man's hand patting his back… maybe there was another reason for his calm.

Even from where he was hauling his raft onto the shore, Kiritsugu couldn't help but take a moment and look at his Servant's Noble Phantasm. That blade blazing into the heavens, a crystallization of all the heroic ideals he had grown to disdain in his life, all the things the Mage Killer believed drove men to their deaths… and yet for just one second, he felt like that little boy standing in front of the lake, silently giving himself the answer to Shirley's question on what he wanted to be.

Rider X had been trying to stand somewhat steadily on the Horror's repugnant flesh, but even he felt compelled to stare up at that brilliant blade. His mind flashed back to the pits in Kaon, where he would see that desperate glint in his foes' optics before they faded, that hope that their deaths had meaning. The same one he once knew. The Decepticon's recollections travelled further, to the hope he'd held standing in the High Council chamber… only for it to be extinguished.

Then he was watching from his command ship, with a fear he could count on one hand how many times he'd felt, as a sword much like the one Saber held was held by another. His most hated enemy, his eternal foe… his friend who had been given everything he'd desired.

Saber's eyes opened to stare at the Horror… and him. She knew Megatron was there and was aiming at him as well as what he was standing on. The conqueror of Cybertron glared back with all the resentment inside his Spark. That light would not vanquish him. Not ever.

Another "Heroic" Spirit was glaring as well. To Avenger X, what Saber held in her hands symbolized all of which the Sith loathed. All they had been taught to destroy. Though he had not been a true Sith for a long time before his death on that desert planet, Darth Maul could not permit the existence of such a miracle! Hatred coursed through every last of his molecules as he reared back, Crimson Dawnready to hurl it at the Saber-

His back was pierced, and it was only through sheer instinct he saved his spirit core from impalement.

Avenger X staggered while glaring down at the curved blade protruding through his stomach. "Should've gone for my head…" Saber X spat out before pulling Harbinger'strigger. He fired three times, spinning his whole body with every discharge, before hurling the roaring Servant from his Noble Phantasm and over to the bridge, blood trailing in his wake.

Qrow then slumped to his knees, turning back with the last of his strength towards a sight as amazing as when he'd stood in his friend's Reality Marble. "Serves you right for trying to stop this lightshow…" he muttered, burning the image of Saber's sword into his brain.

Buildings away, Lancer, Assassin X and even Archer X had paused in their chase to gaze up in awe at the magnificent pillar of light on the lake. The Servant of the Shadows found himself reflecting on something Irisviel had told him about his partner's sword. "That sword is a manifestation of the final hope all warriors of this world's past, present and future carry even as they part with their lives on the battlefield. It carries their resolve and reflects the loyalty and pursuit for glory they held throughout their lives."

Kakashi Hatake couldn't remember if his eyes, one he'd been born with, the other gifted to him, had ever beheld such an incredible sight in his old life as when the gallant King of Knights, undefeated and radiant, raised this crystallized miracle to the sky. Artoria Pendragon… he mused, it's an honor beyond any other to stand by your side.

He hadn't sent her these thoughts for fear they would disrupt what was to come. And without further ado, the Once-And-Future King took a single step forward, "Ex…" swung her arms down, "CALIBUR!" and called out the name of this miracle for all to hear.

The Mion River erupted in ferocious swirls from the sheer force atop it. Water became drops and then steam in an instant. That pillar of golden might hurtled straight towards the Gigantic Horror and Rider X, the latter snapping out of his trance. He was in no shape to dodge a strike of such magnitude, and rescuing Caster was impossible. The best Megatron could do in this situation… was survive.

Caster had been furiously directing his creation to try and heal itself from that beast's wounds. He knew they were back in the real world, meaning his show before God could continue. But now, light began to spill through a crack that had just sealed up. "O-oh…" But it didn't blind the Demon Marshall, rather, it… captivated him. His large eyes couldn't look away even as it grew bigger with each passing moment. The walls throbbed around him, but he only lifted his remaining hand towards it. "The light…" he whispered in reverence, reaching for it…

Gilles de Rais was in a cathedral now, one he had visited often in life. The stained-glass windows, the peers of finely carved wood, the altar… where his Holy Maiden presently stood in front of. Another illusion? …No, nothing like the witchcraft he had suffered in this War. The light awakened something in him, an echo of the knight he had once been. He too had walked down this road, following the Maiden that was now turning her head to him.

Tears streamed from his eyes as they beheld the angelic face of the one he'd fought for. Her eyes a flawless amethyst, robust yet kind. Yes… this image, this hope inside Gilles was something that could never be taken away.

Yet as his hand reached for hers, it stopped. That elderly cre-man's voice rippled along the walls. "Do not speak so derisively of faith merely because your prayers were unanswered."The words that had made his soul blaze now echoed inside him once again. "…would you not try to make amends for your sins?" They set a heavy weight on his soul.

Such a weight that Gilles let his arms fall to his side and bowed his crying head to the light. "Forgive me… Jeanne."

Then the light enveloped him.

Excalibur incinerated every last trace of the Gigantic Horror. Its power swept the waters along the rivers and across the coasts, a second pillar of magnificent gold penetrating the sky where it had struck. Though the others who had witnessed this moment (and lived) returned to their own thoughts and actions, none of them would ever forget this spectacle.

Saber herself straightened wearily again on top of the river's surface, her gaze fixed on the spot where she'd delivered her blow. Caster and his creature were destroyed, she was positive about that… but something had felt off during Excalibur's strike. A resistance.

Miles away, bubbles popped up atop the water. A part lit up slightly, and then a familiar aircraft burst from the river with a whine. Saber's eyes narrowed after it as it flew further away from her; Rider X was clearly injured, exhausted but alive. And she didn't have the energy to chase him down. And the battle was over, with him among the defeated.

But she took little solace from the knowledge. As she replayed the prior seconds in her mind, she recognized that just before her sword's swing had reached him, he had clenched his hands around… something. Something glowing a shade of violet that sickened her.

Whatever it was, Saber knew that the only way Megatron could've survived a direct blow from Excalibur was if he'd used a Noble Phantasm of equal rank. Perhaps not of the Anti-Fortress classification, or else Caster might've survived as well, but strong enough that it had countered her strike.

But a weapon of such power in the claws of a being like him… the thought made her wary.

A cry from the lake drew her attention, and Saber quickly ran up to the coast where Irisviel awaited her. The woman smiled in relief at her friend's return. "You were incredible, Saber! You've just saved all of Fuyuki from devastation!"

The knight returned her smile graciously and humbly. "It was merely my duty. And much of my success came from Assassin X and the other Servants as well." Her reply made Irisviel flinch, though. "What's the matter?"

The wind rushed overhead, and another cry came from her right. Saber turned in that direction and saw everything she needed to understand. She had thought for a moment that Irisviel had called her, but it was actually the boy Master yelling, "Saber X!"

Her counterpart was lying in the grass, his life force a flicker now as she sensed. Rider had steered his chariot down so he and Berserker X could join their comrade's side. Waver Velvet was kneeling next to him, tears streaming from his eyes and lifting his bleeding fingers. Whatever healing magecraft he would try was a forlorn effort, though, that was clear even from this distance. Qrow Branwen had only seconds left.

The knowledge saddened Saber. Despite what some would've claimed in her time, she was not unaffected by the deaths of others, especially noble warriors. And though Saber X's initial unkempt appearance had rankled her knightly aesthetics, he had proven himself an excellent combatant, a loyal member of his team, and a troubled soul. A sardonic part of her wondered if Misfortune had contributed to his death, but the fact remained: in her eyes, Qrow was a worthy representative of the Saber class.

Irisviel was fidgeting next to her, clearly wanting to help in some way. Saber wondered what she could say to comfort her friend when she noticed a thoughtful gleam in those red eyes. A glance to her inner Magical Energy revealed what she had in mind. Perhaps they could save Qrow's life…

A distant explosion rang out in the night, just loud enough that the women could hear it. 'Saber,' Kiritsugu then "spoke" to her, 'take Iri and head for Miyama Town. Archer X is on the run, Lancer's chasing her, and Assassin X is trying to salvage the situation.'She made to bring up his wife's idea, but it was almost as though he read her mind. 'We have work to do and nothing to spare. Time least of all.'

Saber's fists clenched. And just like that, she was reminded why it took Assassin X's presence for the two to communicate. Callously dismissing another's death, much less one who had fought by her side this very night, not even considering the possibility of saving his life…

She sighed as her thoughts caught up with her heart. She reluctantly shook her head to a conflicted Irisviel, who in turn nodded, and they headed for the Mercedes. Ultimately, Qrow Branwen was a Servant standing in opposition to them. Giving Avalon to him was providing an enemy with a crucial resource even if only for a moment. And if that Noble Phantasm were stolen again, the King of Knights would be at a disadvantage. It was how she'd died.

Leaving Saber X to die pained Saber, but she put on a stoic face and kept walking. She was fighting for more than herself and had to tend to her duties. Such as backing up her partner.

A mix between a chuckle and a cough escaped Saber X from where he lay. "One hell… of a show… huh?" He huffed out with effort, but a smirk remained. "Gotta admit… didn't see that… coming from… Sweet Pea…"

"Tell me about it," Berserker X laughed next to him while holding up his twitching hand. "I'm going crazy at the prospect of crossing swords with her now. Hell, I'm not sure I could beat her, and it's terrific!" He practically whooped before looking over to their partner. "Your opinion of Saber improve any bit, or are you still having a hard time acknowledging her, Kandy?"

Rider huffed where he and the foreign Servant sat cross-legged beside their fading friend. "That brilliant display is precisely why I cannot accept her way of kingship." His voice was soft and without mockery or scorn. In fact, he almost seemed sad. "Her light was culminated by the hope her people placed in her. To think that such a heavy burden would be forced on the back of a simple girl with idealistic dreams…" For someone like him whose first thoughts were about excitement and enjoyment of life, the notion was painful.

"That girl has never savored the joys of youth or romance, she let herself be dragged down by the curse of her ideals until she became what she is today. I simply cannot bear to look upon what she must carry."

Kenpachi clicked his tongue, quietly agreeing with the King of Conquerors' point of view, but Qrow just shook his head, his featherlike hair making the grass shuffle. "Might wanna… watch the judging… Kandy Bar," he teased. "Gandalf… might give you… another… earful…"

Iskandar flinched on instinct, then his face scrunched up from how his traitorous friend laughed at his reaction. He sighed. "Mithrandir knows Saber and I cannot agree with each other's beliefs. He'll surely be lenient with me." I hope… he added only for himself; that old wizard was scarywhen he was in a scolding mood.

"H-how can you Idiots joke around at a time like this?!"

All three Servants finally looked to their Master, his young body kneeling over Saber X's torso. You know, the body part that currently had a scorched hole through it.

Waver tried to blink away his tears as his already depleted Magic Circuits sputtered to bring up a strong-enough healing spell. "I'm trying to keep you alive, Saber X, and you're acting the same as you would after a nasty hangover! Dammit!" He cursed as the spell faded; it hadn't changed Qrow's condition even a little.

Bells jingled as Berserker X shook his head. "There's no saving him, kid. He's dying." Blunt as ever, but no there would've been no point in prettying up the truth.

But Waver wouldn't hear any of it. "No, NO! There has to be something we can do!" He glanced desperately around himself, patted down his pockets. "There has to be something I can do…" He then stopped with a frustrated yell, glaring at his bloody hands. His Servant was this close to fading away, and he didn't have anything that could-

He stopped and turned his left hand over. There they were. Rider followed his gaze and sighed in sympathy. "Death is an inevitable force for all, even us Heroic Spirits. Try as we might to delay it, our time on this world must come to an end."

"Shut up!" Waver barked at him before holding his left hand over Saber X. One had already been spent, but he still had two. "By the power of my second Command Seal, Qrow Branwen…" the markings glowed once again, "Recover from your wounds."

The Remnantian's Aura originally depleted, now flared up at the command. Waver's spirit rose at the strange force field surrounding Saber X's body. He'd mentioned that Auracould speed up healing, so…

But no matter how much gathered around that blasted hole, it just wouldn't close. "No, dammit!" Waver spat out and lifted his hand again. He still had one more-

"Don't bother… kid." Saber X weakly pushed his hand down. "Got me through my … spirit core… Guess… Pendent Action's keepin' me here… a little longer… but no Servant can survive… this kind of injury. And using a dozenSeals… won't fix it… neither…" But it looked like the command had given him another minute or so in this life. With great effort, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his flask. "Heh… still intact… for once, luck's on my side…" He rattled the container so the liquid inside would slosh loudly. "Be a shame to let it go to waste…"

Sad smiles grew on his partners' faces. Kenpachi took it first and unscrewed the cap. He held it in a toast and said, "I was really looking forward to our spar," before putting the flask to his lips.

"Only if you cough up… for my intensive care bills… Kenny," Qrow joked, almost making him snort out his liquor. But the Soul Reaper wiped his mouth and the flask's opening with a good-natured grumble before passing it to Iskandar. The Corvid Reaper winked at the King of Conquerors. "Y'know… world conquest road trip… sounds pretty cool… right about now… Kandy Bar. Without me… around… you might just have… this thing… in the bag."

Iskandar barked one laugh with his usual gusto before making his own toast. "And though it would've pained me to steal you from your dear nieces, I'd have welcomed you into my army with open arms!" He took a heavy drink from the flask and then held it to the penultimate participant.

Waver stared crying at the little metal thing right in front of his nose. He didn't want to accept this, he couldn't accept it, there had to be something he could do… but there wasn't. The Command Seals weren't enough. He couldn't think of anything he, an average student of magecraft with nothingnoteworthy to his name, could do. Before his head and his heart could come to terms with his Servant's end, the Master's hand had already accepted the flask from Rider. Numb fingers rubbed off the orifice before putting it to his mouth.

Waver Velvet only managed to swallow a mouthful a sobbing/coughing fit bubbled up from his throat. "I-it burns!" He got out, almost dropping the flask.

The trio burst into laughter at his state. A guffawing Qrow managed to reclaim what was his before it could spill out. "It's an acquired taste…" He then finished what was left and let his left hand with the empty flask fall onto his chest. His Aura was going into overdrive inside his body, trying desperately somehow to fix the damage. He kinda felt on fire.

He looked up to see his young Master utterly slumped in defeat, weeping quietly on his knees. "Hey, knock it off, kid…" The Huntsman's hand reached up to pat the green hair of the insecure brat that had summoned him to this world. "You've got two Servants left… you're still in this fight… Don't go crying over… one dead familiar…"

"Sh-shut up…" Waver sobbed out but didn't knock away the hand. "D-don't talk… l-like that…" Never before had he felt so helpless in his life…

Qrow just sighed and kept rubbing his head. "Instead of whining… about what you… couldn't do… go and find out… what you can do… and make your own way… in life…" He idly noticed his Aura crackle between the kid's strands of hair… and a weird idea popped in his head.

No guarantee… it'll work… He's not from Remnant… Our souls might… be… different… but what the hell? Got… nothing… better to do… With the last of his will, Saber X summoned all of his Aura and then channeled it towards the boy his hand was touching. How did… that old chant… go? Oh yeah… "For it is in passing that we achieve immortality…"

Waver's crying eyes opened at the strange mumblings to see his Servant's entire body flaring with that strange crimson energy. For just a moment, he let himself hope that maybe Saber X would pull through… but the moment faded, and he just watched that Aura spark and glow for the last time. So distraught was he that he didn't notice something… stirring within him.

The other Servants didn't notice it either. Kenpachi Zaraki and Iskandar had bowed their heads and closed their eyes in due of their comrade's final moments. The King of Conquerors' lids even grew a little moist; this dying man before him had been his first partner upon arriving here. They had fought together, bickered together, drank together, and laughed together. Regardless of the trials his Noble Phantasm might've caused, Qrow Branwen was as dear a friend to Iskandar as any other man within Ionioi Hetairoi.

"…I release your soul… and by my shoulder… protect thee…"

Waver continued to weep as the red energy that had surged so brightly reduced itself to a weak dim. He didn't know what Qrow had been saying, maybe it was a prayer people on Remnant would utter while dying, maybe it was just drunken ramblings. Then crimson particles started dancing around Saber X as when he'd assume spirit form, and in the Heroic Spirit's current state, they all knew it could only mean one thing.

But the boy, grabbing hold of the hand that had fallen from his head (and failing to notice the warm grey sheen that had covered his hands a second ago), still couldn't accept this truth completely. "Dammit… Not like this, Saber X… please…"

But even as his body continued to flicker away, the older man just wheezed out another laugh. "Keep moving…. Forward… Waver Velvet." His eyes slowly slid shut before they too dissipated into particles. "I'm rooting for ya…"

Those words marked the passing of Qrow Branwen, Servant Saber X of Fuyuki City's Fourth Holy Grail War.

Archer had paid the wailing of Rider's whelp of a Master no mind, he was in far too good a mood for that. Saber's splendid performance had just about sated him for the night, enough that he would heed Tokiomi's calls with little trouble.

But then as he shifted into spirit form, the King's eyes caught sight of one particular Servant. And he remembered one more conversation he'd been expecting.

Tokiomi cast one more glance from the ledge, but the battle was truly over. Only one Servant team remained at the river, and that was only to mourn the fall of Saber X. The magus felt nothing over this fact; one less opponent to contend with, and a small price for the elimination of Caster. Archer X was currently being hounded on the side, Rider X had fled the battlefield; irritating. Still, Tokiomi Tohsaka had lost neither Servant nor expended any of his Command Seals. He had come out of the battle of Mion River near unscathed.

…Except that wasn't entirely true. He turned back to where Kariya Matou was hunched over, Caster X tending to him. Berserker was facing the other way, his helm facing the ground in apparent shame. The Master looked positively awful; his veins were much more pronounced, dried blood covered his pale skin, and the less said about his Magic Circuits, the better. Summoning a Caster like Gandalf the Gray truly had been the man's salvation, if for no other reason than a master healer would be needed to put him back in shape.

Tokiomi gripped himself mentally so as not to shiver from these thoughts. Or from the many insect carcasses scattered across the roof. Most had expired after tearing into those squid-like abominations, and Caster X had incinerated the rest with telltale disgust. A feeling the patriarch shared. Especially with what he'd just learned in mind.

These revolting creatures… they twisted and defiled all that was wondrous about magecraft. As a distinguished magus, he couldn't accept this witchery as anything close to what he would practice. And… his mind kept replacing Kariya's broken, weary form with that of…

"Master." Lancer X's cool tone pulled her Master from his thoughts. His hand had been gripping that cane he took such pride in so tightly the wood might've snapped. Seriously; Reinforcement had been applied to his fingers instinctively.

Not that the Edenian was any calmer internally, but they both needed to keep cool heads. "Are we finished here?"

Tokiomi drew in a breath through his nostrils, then spoke when he'd regained some control. "…We are." Even if calling Archer here would irrevocably swing the odds in his team's favor, neither Tokiomi nor Jade had any taste for battle right now. He addressed his rival Master. "Our business tonight has concluded," the battered head rose for two eyes (one blind) to gaze hard at him, "but you have given me much to consider, Kariya Matou. We will meet again."

That single functional eye sharpened, and Tokiomi wondered for two seconds if he would have to kill the cripple in self-defense. Both of his Servants were tired but still capable of fighting. But then Kariya sighed and pulled himself together. "…Until then, Tokiomi Tohsaka."

Relief and pride grew inside Caster X upon hearing the lessened hatred in those four words. His Master's fire remained, but it wasn't blazing out of control as before. He had become able to distinguish those who fully deserved his wrath from those who had terrible mistakes but not out of malice.

Then the situation grew tense when a new presence made itself known on the roof.

Lancer X glanced anxiously between Tokiomi and the materializing Archer, his golden armor pristine once again and arms crossed before his chest. Volatile as her partner was, she had no idea what he was planning to do. Especially with him sauntering towards Caster X.

Gilgamesh paid no mind to the perplexed stares his Master or that lapdog of his were sending him. The mutilated fool that had caught Kirei's eye glared warily at him, but he was even less a threat than the filthy insects he commanded. Berserker then stormed over to block his path with a threatening growl, but the King merely scoffed. "Out of my way, mad dog. I shall speak with your decrepit partner even if I have to step over your corpse."

The black knight's armor rattled with resurgent fury. He was perfectly willing to give up his life if it meant this arrogant fool of a "King" didn't come anywhere near the old man. It would be a fitting penance for his failure to keep his word. Berserker's gauntlets twitched while gold began to shine behind an irritated Archer, the others fearing the devastation.

But then one person stepped between the two. "Hail, Archer King of Heroes." Gandalf the Gray removed his hat and bowed his head to the golden-armored Servant while speaking these words. He held out simultaneously his left hand with his staff to Berserker, no magic cast but a silent request to stand down. A request the knight complied with immediately, though he kept his guard up.

Archer scrutinized the elderly being before him. His posture was amenable yet strong. The tone of his greeting just now had not been excessively fawning like that of Tokiomi, but also not mocking as it would've come from the upstart. It carried genuine courtesy: even if he did not know of Archer's identity and would not submit immediately, Caster X still acknowledged that a King stood before him and showed him the appropriate respect.

This pleased him. "My King-" Tokiomi spoke up behind him but ceased when the Servant raised his hand. Gilgamesh wasn't about to let his groveling ruin the moment.

"How refreshing to see you retain your manners, apparition." The mad dog seethed behind his partner at the moniker but remained at his spot. How docile, the King of Heroes sneered before continuing. "You have caught my interest, thus, I now grace you with my presence and direct my inquiry towards you."

Caster X lifted his head to stare back at him, blue observing and in turn being observed by red. He nodded after some thought. "Very well, though I ask that my Master and my friend be allowed to leave here in peace."

Again, the wizard did not beg for or demand the King's mercy, he simply asked in a civil manner. Content, Archer flicked his fingers in dismissal. "So be it, I have no interest in either of your pets. Let them scurry off to whatever hole you've dug up for yourselves."

Jade just barely stopped her eyes from rolling; after the things she'd learned tonight, she had nearly no patience for her ally's tyrannical, narcissistic nonsense. But… starting a fight with him would do no one any good, so she settled for suggesting, "Then it seems there is no need for our presence, correct, Tokiomi?"

"Indeed," the Tohsaka Master concurred. Between the two Servants he had, he was honestly more appreciative of her company than Gilgamesh's. And he frankly just wanted to get back home and have some time by himself to think. Thus, he bowed before Archer's back and excused himself and Lancer X. "By your leave, my King." As he received a dismissive grunt, the head of the Tohsaka family let his (preferred) Servant leap with him off the ledge.

Jade's left arm alone supported him as they headed for a nearby automobile parked and waiting for Tokiomi. Much as he sneered at modern technology, a grown magus of his pedigree did not take the cable car home like some commoner.

Neither Kariya nor Berserker were at ease with leaving Gandalf alone with this arrogant bastard of a Servant. But he turned back to them with a peaceful smile. "I will be with you shortly. Should you need my help, Kariya, you still carry my Command Seals." The Master glanced down at his hand and realized; Gandalf was basically saying, "If you wish for me to come, you can order me to do so." But Kariya didn't. He wouldn't suppress the free will of a Servant bound to him. Not like T-Zouken would, and certainly not a Servant like Gandalf.

Berserker still wouldn't move, though. "Gnnn… dlff…" The rumble from him carried unmistakable worry. But the knight wondered, what right did he have to question his friend's decision after letting him down? Could he even still claim to be the old man's friend?

But Gandalf showed him no ill will while gesturing towards the way down. "Stay with our Master, sir knight. He needs your aid more than I do."

The kindness in his voice mollified the knight somewhat, and he picked up Kariya as gently as his armor allowed. But he said two words finally clearly before leaving: "No… sir."

A cruel giggle escaped Archer as they left. "My, my, you have trained that dog well, apparition! For getting him not to snap at you, your wisdom may hold some weight after all!" He laughed again.

But his mirth retracted as Caster X turned back to him with a stern gaze. "Mock others if you will, King, but you in turn would be wise not to underestimate Berserker. Even with his madness, he has every right to stand on equal ground with the other Heroic Spirits that fought to protect this city tonight."

"You say that even after he broke off his clash with the upstart to assault Saber?"

The wizard did not shrink back from the words or Archer's mocking tone, a noteworthy feat in the King's eyes. "Their situation is a complicated one, marred with tragedy and mistake. I would ask you not to demean either merely for your amusement." His tone grew sharper, but neither his staff nor his sword were moved in combat. The golden King and the Gray Wizard exchanged stares on the roof, sizing each other up, trying to discern the other's depths.

Finally, Archer scoffed and inclined his head towards the river. "Tell me, apparition, what do you think of Saber's light? Having defended her right as King so eloquently last night, does your opinion change now after witnessing her luminosity?"

Caster X's fingers drummed against his staff as he considered the question. "I have learned a bit more of her tale since then," he began, "and witnessing this extraordinary symbol of her ideals, I believe I understand her path a little better." He too turned and walked closer to observe the now calm water. "Within her sword, she carries the collective hope of every soul that fades away on a battlefield hoping for remembrance, every soul that had believed in her in life.

"She knew when she lived what responsibility awaited her, she had been forewarned, I believe. And yet she still told hold of that sword and raised it high, rallying all that carried these beliefs to fall in and fight alongside her. Saber made to take on all the burdens meant for her people and inspire them by embodying the chivalry they put their faith in." The Istar smiled sadly. "It was a heavy choice she made, one that cost her much, but one must commend her for holding her head high and facing the trials undaunted."

The King nodded at these words, but his own smile was far more malicious. "Yes, it is a quite twisted form of beauty, don't you think?" His gaze moved from the river towards the other side. "The dream she had put all her being into proved too great and ultimately led to her downfall. The tears of despair that must've fallen from her lovely eyes as her end approached… How sweet they must have tasted!"

A sense of danger flared at his side, and for a moment, he thought he could smell thunder brewing in the heavens. The apparition was giving him a stare colder than the deepest blizzards, mighty torrents flashing within the blue. The name, "Stormcrow" inadvertently came to Archer's mind. "I cannot claim to abide by your intentions for Saber, King of Heroes." The normally gentle voice that had soothed so many others in this world now rumbled with the ominous threat of an avalanche that would crush and bury all.

Yet still he made no actual move to fight.

A lesser being would've cowered from the otherworlder's presence, but Archer stood far above all. "You use my title but still do not know my name, apparition?" He flashed a broad smile. "Your not being of this world is the only reason I may permit your ignorance." He shifted a bit where he stood to face the other Servant. "But where is this great understanding you showed both Saber and Rider during their argument? Would you not try to counsel me?"

"Would you accept my counsel?" Caster X replied. "I may put more emphasis at times when speaking to others, but I do not force anyone to heed my words. I offered my wisdom to the King of Knights and the King of Conquerors because they were willing to listen, but it seems the King of Heroes cares little for the words of others. Am I wrong?"

Archer scoffed. "You are not, but I see your point. Well, what shall your next move be? Will you display your rage through spell and sword?"

Gandalf stood resolute despite the indirect threat. He was not blind to the power this one commanded, but he had not faltered in the presence of more obvious evils on Middle-Earth, and he would not now before this pleasuremonger carrying a King's title. "Unlike Berserker X, I do not seek battle solely for the sake of it. And my powers have been taxed by this night's adventures. I would not be able to contend well with you at present. Even so, if you attempt to chase after Saber now with such debauched thoughts in mind or any other behavior of the like, I will not stand idly by." He straightened slightly. "And if you are as wise as you think yourself to be, you may refrain from making a wizard grow desperate."

A threat… or a statement of fact? Either way, this being in a wrinkled body standing with such fortitude before him continued to tickle Archer. "Be at ease, old one. I have enjoyed myself plenty tonight. And you have my permission to leave uninjured. A battle with you does not appeal much to me, even if you stood at full strength." A strange admission, now that the King had voiced it aloud. He certainly did not fear this Heroic Spirit, but neither did he actually want to fight him either. In truth, this crossing of words with him was more appealing.

Caster X for his part was equally intrigued at the being before him. Someone who claimed to stand above all other Heroic Spirits, who boasted countless Noble Phantasms of individual brilliance, yet who also reveled in openly sinful desires. In a way, Archer was evil… but he was not. He held himself to his own self-satisfying standards, however cruel they may be to a regular person, and did not seem the type to go back on his word. He did not lust for more power simply because he believed all power was already his. And he showed great insight as well, despite his arrogance. In a way, this "King" saw himself as a force of nature, a fundamental piece of this universe as its ruler. A man not quite like any Man, Elf, Dwarf or other the guardian of Middle-Earth had encountered before in his existence.

This did not dissuade Gandalf the Gray from attempting to reason with him. "Then I suppose all that is left for us before parting ways is for you to ask me your real questions." Those red eyes widened minutely, pressing him to continue. "I have my doubts the only thing you wished to discuss with me was the display of Saber's kingship, however magnificent though it was."

Archer recomposed himself with a small chuckle. "You think yourself able to read me, apparition? How bold of you." But his words carried only token bite. "Still, the night grows late, so I ask you now: what are you?" Finally uttering this question to the supposed wizard before him made Gilgamesh curious: how would he respond? With fear that his true nature be discovered? With deflection? With rage? Or perhaps with something crueler?

But what he received was nothing like he'd expected: those blue eyes blinking in open confusion. "What do you mean?" The apparition tilted his head, grey hairs swaying with the motion. "I am a Heroic Spirit, a Servant called here by a Master seeking the Holy Grail."

"Do not test my patience," Archer snarled back, irritation growing within his mind. "We both know that you are far more than most of the other mongrels summoned to this War, even those like you who have intruded from other worlds." He recalled the banquet the night before. "You think I did not see the riddle you played? Gandalf the Gray. Mithrandir. The Grey Pilgrim. Tharkûn. Staff man. Stormcrow. All names you told us and said were given to you, but you never said what your own name was."

The apparition nodded infuriatingly patiently at that. "True, I did not. But I told no lies when giving all of you these names. They are all mine. And one could say that allnames are given. Even in the cases of Kenpachi Zaraki or Megatron, they gave themselves their names. Did you not receive yours, Archer King?"

That question sparked something inside Gilgamesh, and his temper grew ever freer. "Provoke the King and you must pay for your sin in blood!" He growled, gold beginning to dance behind him. Perhaps this riddle needn't be answered so badly.

What angered him all the more was how this apparition did not appear worried despite the danger. "That was not my intention," he replied in a calming tone, one that actually stayed his execution. "I simply meant that Gandalf the Gray, Mithrandir, and all the others are just as much my name as the first one I was given. I hold all of them dearly and make no great riddle out of it other than for a little fun. That is all."

"Am I to simply believe that?" Archer asked with as much restraint as he could muster. "What about the radiance you yourself unleashed against Caster's obscenity? That was not the work of any mere wizard. Even among those who lived during this world's Age of Gods, few in number could have cast such magic. Magic that carries an unmistakably divine quality, no less." The gold faded as Archer's angered confusion was laid bare. "But you are no god."

"Of course not." The bluntness of the answer took the King aback a bit, but Caster X continued, nonetheless. "There has only ever been one god as this world would define it in Middle-Earth, and I am most certainly not Him." The old being drew in a long breath, weighing how much of Arda's creation tale he should share, then settled for the simplest option. "The One created the universe I call home, and He thought into existence mystical primordial beings naturally lesser than him to aid him in shaping it. They were of different classes and abilities but worked together to protect our newly created home."

Archer crossed his arms again, considering the information. "Then… you are one of these primordial beings your world's god created." He surmised. Godlike but not actually gods… for the first time in a long while, he was unsure how to feel about that.

But Caster X shook his head. "That is what I was, King of Heroes. But here, on this world, I stand as a Heroic Spirit formed through the tales told of me by Middle-Earth's Men, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and perhaps even a few Orcs. You surely know as well as I do, a true Divine Spirit cannot become a Servant."

Yes, that rule was known to Gilgamesh. Only demigods like him, gods anchoring themselves to familiars or those who had lost enough of their Divinity could be brought into the Throne of Heroes. It seemed that rule applied to the beings of other universes as well. He listened with fresh curiosity as the being before him continued his explanation. "Others of our kind fell from grace or became corrupted as time passed, and great battles between us were raged that nearly sundered Middle-Earth. We prevailed for a time but were subsequently forbidden from taking direct action. And as evil regained its power on Middle-Earth, I and four others were sent to walk amongst Men and the races they shared the world with. We took the forms of elderly Men for this task, a symbol that we were meant to combat the evil with wisdom and not just power. The latter I retain to an extent in my current form, I wager, through the tales of Elves who knew my nature. Yet I also retain my wisdom as well."

A derisive laugh escaped him. "Power can only be stopped by greater power, foolish spirit."

"Such a method would have utterly destroyed the world we had helped shape and grown to love," the Servant of Spells countered with that damnable patience again. He looked sad for a moment, though. "A former friend would have agreed with your belief… but that is not what I have found." He smiled briefly. "If you heed none of my other words, Archer, then please consider this: I believe it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness, decency… and love."

His first instinct was to burst out laughing, he could already feel his lungs swelling up… but something stopped him. These words… that soft, gentle smile… that sparkle in his eyes that could be fearsome one second and kind the next… They were alien and yet frighteningly familiar to him.

Archer shook his head fiercely, taking the wizard somewhat aback. When the golden Servant calmed down, he simply gave an unfathomable stare. "Is this belief of yours why you fought so fiercely against the evils of Middle-Earth? Not simply because it was your mission? Do you put so much time and effort into mending your Master and that dog you call a partner with these 'simple acts' because you believe they will bring good?"

Though sneered, Gandalf noted that the words carried no malice or mockery. It was by Archer's standards a simple question. One that prompted him to nod and spread his arms wide. "I do. It is who I am and what I believe. I may be wrong, but I shall continue to help them and others the best I can, just as the other Servants of this War, including Kings such as you, act out of their own beliefs. Is there a reason you and I should be enemies because of this, King?"

Gilgamesh, oldest hero of this world, stared at the strange being before him before regaining some of his earlier demeanor. "…You have done nothing to earn my favor, Caster X. Yet you have done nothing to earn my wrath, either." His body turned partially away from the odd being sharing this roof. "There are others who garner my interest more. Do as you please while I deal with them in my own time. Until then, I will not help or hinder you."

Casual though the words were uttered, Caster X noted a sort of solidity within them. Archer would not go back on what he'd just said. Doing so would tarnish his self-image of the King. And so long as Caster X did not directly interfere when he went after those Servants that interested him, Archer would have no reason to fight him.

Good enough. The former Maia bowed his head in polite farewell. "Thank you for your time, King of Heroes." The other Servant barely acknowledged the trademark politeness, already walking away. "Olórin."

Archer paused, curiosity making him glance back. "What?"

"As a Heroic Spirit, Gandalf the Gray is my True Name." Caster X placed his hat back on his head while spirit particles gathered around him. "But Olórin is my originalname, the very first I received upon The One bringing me into being." With that final trivia imparted, he shifted into spirit form and left.

Archer stood alone atop that building, arms crossed again, but this time in thought. "Olórin…" he tested the unfamiliar word before giving an inscrutable laugh. The name given to him freely without its bearer asking anything in return… "What an odd fellow you are… Olórin. I am intrigued and at times frustrated with you, yet I have no real desire to take your life." For just an instant, long green hair fluttered in the winds before him-

He fiercely shut his eyes and opened them again; back to normal.

Truly, this War was filled with beings that had caught his gaze for one reason or another. The wizard that he had conversed with just now only one of them. Dear, beautiful Saber, with her impossible dream and the delicious despair that awaited her at the end; Rider, proudly proclaiming his kingship to the world around him and eager to claim all; Berserker X, a wild dog that would fearlessly challenge anyone that stood before him if it meant a good fight; and Rider X, who had blatantly thrown down the gauntlet before him and continued to test him. The fact he had survived a direct encounter with Saber's crystallized passion proved there was more to him than met the eye.

"But I am not certain if any of them are truly worthy to place their hands on my treasure…" The King muttered to himself. One final time, he looked down to the river, the stage where tonight's great performances had taken place. "Ye fools, stretching out your hands for something naturally unreachable… I, Gilgamesh alone, am the one of this heaven and earth who would savor crushing you all. Come, glorious fools of times long past. Meet me in my arms! This is my final verdict."

The King of Heroes let out one final laugh as his body faded into spirit form. So many interesting adversaries, so little time.