A lone priest stood in a quiet forest, the moonlight casting eerie shadows across the ground. His expression remained unreadable as he gazed downward, as if lost in thought."The church has contacted me." Kotomine Kirei murmured. "They say the final servant, a caster has finally appeared."
"The final servant has been summoned? Then it's time." Says a voice telepathically in his ear.
Kotomine nodded slightly. "Indeed. You are to head immediately to Tohsaka Manor."
The words seemed to linger in the air as a figure stepped onto the dimly lit road, his form barely visible against the darkened landscape. It was Assassin, his presence like a whisper of death moving through the night. "And once I arrive?"
"The manor is surrounded by a number of powerful barriers." Kotomine continued. "But they should be child's play for you."
Assassin chuckled, his voice laced with mockery. "Ha hah ha. Are you sure about this? I was under the impression that you were allies with Tokiomi Tohsaka."
"Don't you worry about that." Kotomine replied calmly. "Even if it means that you have to engage with Archer in battle. There's no need to fear."
Assassin's mirth deepened. "To fear Archer. One of the three knight classes of the Grail wars." With that Assassin vanishes and goes into action infiltrating the manor.
----------------------------
Hana Resident
"Hmm. Master, I believe the war has begun."
Issei Hyoudou looked down at his watch as he was stretching. "Why do you say that?" Says Issei as he, Yuuka and Tamamo were preparing for bed.
"I just witnessed a battle between Archer and Assassin." The AI replies.
Yuuka as she was brushing her teeth, paused mid-motion and frowned. "But aren't they allies?"
"The most likely explanation is that this is an act to make others believe that Assassin was defeated and that Kotomine was no longer in the war."
"It's probably also a way to flush out the other masters and servants' out of hiding. I just felt the energy spike. It ended pretty quickly." Tamamo says in her pajamas, her tail flicking behind her. . "If we didn't have Sherri watching. I'd probably have familiars keeping watch. But that would ruin the element of surprise. Even if they did sense my summoning. We must still be pretty unknown."
"Luckily none of their familiars noticed us. We had some pretty close calls." Issei recalled, remembering how they almost crossed paths with a few of them during the day.
Yuuka sighed, rinsing her mouth before turning to Issei. "If Issei did lose Tamamo. Where was he supposed to go?" Yuuka questions.
Tamamo bristled immediately. "Hey! Master and I would never lose" Tamamo-no-Mae said angrily at Yuuka.
Yuuka crossed her arms. "I'm simply asking just in case. What if you really aren't as strong as you claim."
"How dare you!" The girls were now staring daggers at each other. Sparks flew as the two locked eyes, their silent battle raging through stubbornness
"He would have to go to the church outside the city. It's considered a neutral ground. They would usually keep the master that have been disqualified safe"
"But isnt the church in an alliance with the master of Archer and Assassin." Issei frowns.
"Indeed. Right now the master of Assassin has gone there to seek sanctuary."
"Even though he's still in the war." Yuuka's annoyance with Tamamo faded as she processed this information.
"Saber should be arriving tomorrow. I'm certain one of the masters will start something."
Yuuka hesitated before asking "Issei, will you be going out tomorrow?" Yuuka questions in worry.
"Hmm... I guess." Issei admitted. "We'll probably just sneak around and watch them from a distance. Making sure they don't destroy the neighborhood. Tamamo is the boundary field active."
"Yes darling. This place is well-protected. We can leave here without worry." She assured him. "I'll make sure to cloak ourselves to not be noticed when we go out.
"Ahh!" Yuuka sends out a yawn. "Then we should sleep. After tonight I doubt we'll be getting any."
The three of them crawled into bed, with Issei in between the two girls as they cuddled up to him.
Tohsaka Manor, Night
"Everything went smoothly." Said a black haired man in a red/velvet suit sitting in a chair, swirling a glass of fine wine in his hand, his movements practiced and elegant.
From the shadows of the room, a golden light shimmered, a figure of overwhelming presence. Draped in golden armor, his crimson eyes gleamed with disinterest. "These games of yours squander my time, Tokiomi." Said the golden armored man magically appearing by the window.
Tokiomi quickly stood, straightening his posture. He knew better than to remain seated in the presence of the King of Heroes. "I am very grateful, Gilgamesh, king of all kings, King of Heroes." He said with a respectful bow. "Your deeds tonight will establish your prowess as the King of Heroes. And they will reveal which of our foes we must hunt. I ask only that you stay your hand for just a short while longer."
"Very well. For the time being, I shall amuse myself with simple reconnaissance. This age fascinates me." Gilgamesh smirked, satisfied by Tokiomis flattery.
Tokiomi tilted his head. "Is the modern world to your liking?"
Gilgamesh scoffed. "It's unspeakably ugly. But that is fine, in its own way. The important thing is whether any treasures here are worthy of me." His expression darkened. "If there is nothing here that deserves my adoration, you will pay dearly for summoning me, Tokiomi."
Tokiomi's smile remained composed. "Worry not. The Holy Grail is surely an item fit to please the King of Heroes."
"That is for me to determine. No matter. I'll play along with your schemes for now. Everything of value in this world belongs to me. No matter how precious a treasure this Grail of yours may be, I'll never let anyone have it without my permission. Tokiomi, I'll leave the details to you." Gilgamesh left, now bored with the conversation and vanished.
"My, my Honestly." Tokiomi sat down, now exhausted after dealing with the selfish king. He sipped his wine, watching the candlelight flicker.
I'm still amazed that Gilgamesh materialized within the Archer class, considering their solo combat skills.Well, I can let Kirei handle things from here. For now, everything is proceeding according to plan.
————————————————————
Waver's hideout
Inside a two story house. Books, maps, and notes lay scattered across the wooden floor with nice furniture around it.
"Assassin was killed? Hey, Rider This is big news! One of the seven has already been knocked out." Said excitedly the black haired young man. Turning to look at the massive, muscular red haired man watching the T.V.
Rider sat comfortably, his large frame almost comically out of place in the small space. A can of beer in one hand and a plate of snacks in the other, he stared intently at the flickering television screen, where a documentary about modern warfare played. His expression was one of childlike wonder, utterly captivated.
"Hey!" The boy said, trying to catch Rider's interest. "Come on! Don't you get it? Assassin was killed!" Again he was ignored, Rider didn't even glance at him.
"Rider. The Holy Grail war has started! I've been out gathering information, and day after day after day! Every single day! You sit around eating cookies, watching stuff on the VCR! You're worse than a familiar! Worse than a rat! And I told you to take spirit form when I don't need you! I'm giving you all the mana you need to do your job." He says passionately at the man.
The giant finally responded, not with interest, but with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Kid, no one cares about Assassin. He's only good at skulking in the shadows. He could never pose a threat to me." Was Rider's response.
"Anyway, boy. Here, this is what matters! This! The big, black thing they call a "B-2." It's wonderful!" He leaned forward excitedly. "I'm thinking of buying ten or so. What do you think?" Rider exclaimed, pointing at the screen.
On the other side of the room, Waver Velvet, his scrawny frame tense with frustration, exhaled in exasperation. "With that much money, it'd be faster to just buy the country outright." Waver muttered, barely concealing his irritation.
"Oh I see! So, the question is where to procure the money. Were there some major city nearby, such as Persepolis, we could simply plunder it and get what we needed." Rider says.
Waver exhaled sharply, feeling a headache coming on.
"For the moment." Rider continued, crossing his arms "Our biggest obstacle will be this "Clinton" guy! He will prove a more formidable opponent than Darius III."
Sighing, he tried to get the conversation back on track. "R-regardless It's good that Assassin was eliminated first. Aren't you the type who prefers to face his enemy head-on? So it's good news for us that the guy who uses sneak attacks and tricks is out."
"We could get some good use from these "Tomahawk" things, too!" Rider continued to ignore him in favor of holding the TV. Completely thrilled at the idea of owning a Tomahawk.
Again he changed the subject with an eye twitch. ""Saber, Lancer, Archer, the three Great Knights And the Berserker, whose sole skill is to break things. They're gonna be toast when you use that Noble Phantasm of yours! That just leaves Caster! If we knew his true identity, we-"
Rider finally turned to him, more serious now. "How did Assassin fall? Who was it that defeated him? You saw it, right?"
Waver hesitated. "I think it was Tohsaka's Servant. His appearance, his att*cks, everything was gold and flashy. It all happened so fast, I couldn't tell-"
"Fool!" Rider yelled. Before Waver could react, the large man flicked him on the forehead.
"If I am to fight someone, it will be the victor!" Rider declared. "Why weren't you paying attention to him? Well, it matters not. Did anything else strike you about the flashy gold guy?"
Waver held his head in pain. "B-But it was the middle of the night And it was all over in a second."He noticed Rider's hand raising for another flick and quickly blurted out. "Hey, Rider Normally, a Servant only has one Noble Phantasm, right?"
Rider narrowed his eyes, lowering his hand slightly. "That's the rule. But "how many" isn't the right way to conceptualize a Noble Phantasm. As you know, a Noble Phantasm is the physical manifestation of a hero's legend or tale. Sometimes, it may be a specific ability or method of attack."
Waver hesitated. "Then is there a Noble Phantasm that consists of throwing dozens of swords at an opponent?"
Rider's expression turned contemplative. "A sword that splits into infinite copies? It's possible That could still qualify as a single Noble Phantasm."
"But those weren't copies." Waver muttered, recalling the scene. "Each sword had a different shape."
Rider smirked, stepping back before suddenly slapping Waver on the back. The boy nearly stumbled forward. "Ah, forget it. We'll learn each enemy's identity as we encounter them."
"I-Is that really wise?" He said in pain.
Rider let out a hearty laugh. "It is! Actually, it's more fun this way! Food, sex, sleep, and war Whatever you do, enjoy it to the fullest! That is the secret of life." Rider stretched his arms "Now, let's go find some entertainment outside. We ride forth, boy! Prepare yourself."
"R-Ride forth? To where?" Waver questioned, confused.
Rider rolled his shoulders. "Somewhere! Anywhere! Oh, come on You can't have been the only one who was watching Tohsaka. Which means that news of Assassin's death is making the rounds. All the others are going to spring into action all at once. But we shall crush them as we come across them."
Waver stumbled back. "Find and crush them. It won't be that easy."
"I am Rider!" The large man boasted. "My speed far exceeds that of any other Servant." Rider proclaimed, bring out his NOBLE PHANTASM inside the house.
Waver quickly went to stop him. "Wait! Wait, wait! Not here You'll blow up the house!"
Rider merely laughed, the air around him trembling from his sheer excitement.
Waver, meanwhile, felt his sanity slipping away.
—
The airport, Afternoon
The automatic doors of the private terminal slid open with a soft hiss, allowing the cool afternoon air to flow in. The faint hum of aircraft engines and distant airport announcements filled the background, but none of that mattered to the figures stepping onto the pavement.
We see a couple of elegantly dressed women stepping out of the plane. A woman of ethereal beauty, long silver hair cascading over the fur-trimmed white coat she wore, her piercing crimson eyes, a furred hat .Along with her stood a young woman clad in a butler uniform, her golden hair neatly tied back, sharp blue eyes scanning their surroundings with the vigilance of a warrior. Despite the formal attire, her posture held the rigid discipline of a knight prepared for battle.
Irisviel von Einzbern inhaled deeply, letting the cool air fill her lungs as she took her first real step into the land her husband once called home. "So, this is where Kiritsugu was born?" She murmured, her voice tinged with curiosity and something almost wistful. "Well, Saber? How did you enjoy your journey through the sky?"
Beside her, Saber, King Arthur, the once and future king,remained composed, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the city. "It was nothing to speak of. Far simpler than I'd anticipated."
Irisviel chuckled."I suppose flying is nothing to a hero, right?"
"That isn't it." Saber replied, shaking her head slightly. "Upon materialization, Servants receive knowledge of the modern world. If required, I could even pilot this aircraft."
Irisviel's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You could pilot this?"
Saber nodded. "My Riding skill allows me to command any beast or vehicle, with the exception of Phantasmal Beasts or Divine Beasts.Once I put the saddle between my legs and take the reins, intuition does the rest."
Irisviel blinked, then suddenly giggled behind her hand. "Put the saddle between your legs and take the reins."
Sabor frowned, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "Did I say something amusing?"
"No." Irisviel waved her hand dismissively, though her laughter didn't quite fade.
Still, Saber's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was something hidden behind her amusement.
—–——
The duo can now be seen walking out of the airport. Accompanied by two maids with the same red eyes as Irisviel.
"Still, you must be the only Servant who has flown in an airplane in physical form." Irisviel mused as they exited.
Saber exhaled lightly. "I apologize for that. If only I could take spirit form.
Einzbern tilted her head."No, I didn't mean it like that. Don't worry about it. I never get tired of watching you."
Saber hesitated for a moment. "Irisviel, is there something odd about me?"
"No, not at all."
Sabers frown deepened. "When you laugh like that, there is some hidden meaning behind it. What is it? I want you to be frank with me."
Irisviels smile turned playful. "It means that your being stuck in physical form isn't without its merits. It's given me many enjoyable hours choosing outfits for you."
Saber paused, glancing down at herself. The tailored black suit she wore was neat and efficient, fitting her slender frame without restricting her movement.
"Irisviel, is this manner of dress truly common in this era?" Saber asked.
"I chose it to balance out my own outfit. You don't care for it?"
Saber paused, rolling her shoulders slightly as if testing the fit. "No, it is fine. It's rather easy to move in, and besides, I am used to dressing as a man."
———————
Hana residence
"Master, Saber has arrived in Fuyuki."
(Today is the day huh. Cant say im not excited to meet these fighter.)
Both Sherri and Ddraig were supportive to say the least.
"Right." Issei nodded, adjusting his stance as he readied himself for what was to come.
Misuki stepped forward, her hands gently fussing with his hair and clothes. Her usual composure wavered slightly, replaced by a faint concern. "Issei, I know we won't be much help in this war, but please, be careful."
He met her eyes, offering a reassuring smile, though it wasn't as carefree as usual. "No need to worry, Misuki. I'll be careful."
"Oi, fox! Don't even think about slacking off and leaving everything to Issei." Yuuka's voice rang out with mock sternness, but there was a playful edge to her words.
"Says the little girl who can't even contribute anything useful to the group." Tamamo shot back, her teasing tone sharp as ever, but there was warmth beneath it as always.
"Tamamo, let's go," Issei said, a grin tugging at his lips as he watched the girls bicker.
"Coming, husband." Tamamo's voice was a soft purr, teasing yet affectionate. She stuck her tongue out at Yuuka before following Issei, her presence a calming counterpoint to the playful chaos.
———————
Saber and Irisviel
The two are now seen in a black car.
The hum of the engine was smooth, barely noticeable as the car drove through Fuyuki's streets. Saber, seated beside Irisviel, kept her gaze on the passing buildings, observing the unfamiliar world around her.
"This place is so alive." Irisviel says, looking at the city with wonder.
Saber agreed. She had seen many cities before, but never like this. The roads stretched endlessly, glowing with unnatural lights, filled with people who had never known war in its truest form. It was strange… but not unappealing.
"Kiritsugu was set to have arrived here already, yes?" Saber asked.
"Yes. Twelve hours before us." Irisviel confirmed. "But he'll find us. Don't worry. For the moment, we'll keep an eye on things so we can act when the time comes." She smiled softly. "We've come all this way to Japan. I'd like to enjoy it before the fighting starts."
Saber's gaze hardened slightly. "That's dangerous. We should secure a base of operations and then discuss plans with Kiritsugu."
Irisviel sighed. "I suppose you're right. But it's such a waste." Her voice grew softer. "We've come all this way. And It's my first time."
Saber turned to her, slightly surprised. "Eh? This is the first time I've ventured into the world outside. Then you've spent your entire life in that castle?"
"Yes, I was a puppet created for the Holy Grail war." She glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur past. "Of course, it isn't as though I'm wholly ignorant of it. Kiritsugu brought me movies and pictures, and he's taught me all about the outside world. But this is the first time I've seen it for myself." She let out a small laugh. "So Forgive me. I got overly excited."
Saber's expression softened. "Please stop the car."
Irisviel blinked. "Huh?"
Saber looked at her firmly. "Walking through the city will be a new experience for me, as well. But it is a knight's duty to serve as escort. I shall do my best." She gestured forward. " Come with me."
Irisviel's red eyes widened slightly before a genuine smile graced her lips.
The car pulled to a stop.
And so, hand in hand, the two stepped out into the bustling streets of Fuyuki, one experiencing the world for the first time, while the other prepared to grant her request.
———————
Hotel
Kiritsugu Emiya knocked twice on the door, his posture tense, his sharp eyes scanning the hallway for any signs of movement. After a brief pause, the door unlocked with a soft click.
Opening it was Maiya Hisau, her black hair tucked neatly behind her ears, her expression impassive. She stepped aside, allowing him entry before locking the door behind them.
Inside, the hotel room was sparse—functional, devoid of comfort. The bed was covered with firearms and tactical gear, each weapon meticulously arranged. A single suitcase sat open on the table, revealing a disassembled sniper rifle.
Maiya turned toward him. "The equipment you requested has arrived."
Kiritsugu glanced at the bed before giving a slight nod.
Maiya continued, her voice level. "The mistress and Saber have arrived as well. The other Masters will likely assume she is Saber's Master."
Kiritsugu nodded slightly. "Understood."
Maiya clicked a button on the remote, turning on the television. "There was an incident last night at the Tohsaka estate. Here is the footage I recorded." A video playback began. A series of grainy images flickered across the screen. Tohsaka Manor showing Assassin's infiltration, or rather, his attempted infiltration.
The recording showed golden light illuminating the night sky, followed by a brief but violent retaliation.
Kiritsugu's eyes narrowed. His cold, calculating eyes remained locked on the images before him. "What do you make of this?"
"It seems too good to be true. There is insufficient time between Assassin's infiltration and the Tohsaka Servant's attack. Assassin has a skill that masks his presence, making it highly improbable that he was detected in advance. I believe Tohsaka was expecting an intruder."
Kiritsugu's gaze darkened. "In a battle among Servants, learning their identities is critical. Why would Tohsaka expose his Servant this way?"
Maiya's tone remained neutral. "He had some reason to, I suppose."
"Maiya, what became of Assassin's Master?"
"He took refuge in a church last night. The overseer declared him to be under his protection. Assassin's Master is Kirei Kotomine."
His eyes widened at the information. "Maiya, set a familiar to watch the Fuyuki Church."
"Are you certain? Masters are forbidden to take action inside the neutral zone around a church."
"Place it just far enough away that the priest won't spot it."
Maiya nodded. "Very well. Understood."
"Where is the item I left with you?"
"Right here." Maiya turned, walking to the closet. She retrieved a brown suitcase, placing it on the table before unlocking it. The case snapped open, revealing a Walther nestled in foam.
Kiritsugu stepped forward, running his fingers over the rifle before carefully lifting it from the case. He expertly checked its scope, barrel, and magazine, muttering under his breath. "Approximately two seconds, I'd say. I've slowed down."
Maiya, standing beside him, responded in a matter-of-fact tone. "Indeed."
Kiritsugu sighed, setting the rifle down for a moment. His shoulders tensed slightly, his expression darkening and falls to his knees in despair. "Illya weighs less than that Walther. Even though she's eight years old already." He couldn't help but think of just what he was about to do to his wife.
Maiya's expression remained unreadable as she observed him. Then, without hesitation, she reached out, gripping his collar and pulling him into a kiss.
Kiritsugu didn't react.
She pulled back just as quickly, her tone devoid of emotion. "Focus on the matter at hand. Think of nothing else."
Kiritsugu stood there for a moment before exhaling slowly, his face betraying no reaction.
Without another word, he turned back to the rifle, resuming his preparations.
——————————————
Fuyuki Beach
The sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the quiet night air. The two women had wandered until they reached Fuyuki's beach, where the vast expanse of the ocean stretched beyond the city's glowing skyline.
"It's wonderful." She mused, tilting her head slightly as she gazed at the ocean. "Like a mirror that reflects the night sky."
A few steps behind her, Saber stood with her hands behind her back, her emerald eyes scanning the horizon with quiet contemplation. She was ever-vigilant, always aware of her surroundings, but even she couldn't deny the peacefulness of the moment.
Irisviel turned, a playful twinkle in her crimson eyes. "It's fun to walk around a new town, accompanied by a gentleman."
Saber, standing with perfect posture, regarded her with mild curiosity. "Did I make an acceptable gentleman?"
Irisviel giggled softly. "You were perfect. You were a wonderful knight today."
Saber inclined her head."You honor me, Highness."
Irisviel turned back to the ocean, letting the water kiss her ankles once more. Her voice was softer when she next spoke. "Saber, do you like the sea?"
Saber hesitated, as if unsure how to answer. "I guess I don't really know." She looked out at the water. "In my country and in my time, the sea was the source of constant barbarian attacks. Sometimes, I hated it. But I never felt any affection for it."
Irisviel's gaze softened "I feel kind of bad. You're a girl, just as I am, but when you were King Arthur, you never had the luxury of enjoying simple things like this, did you?"
"What of you?" Saber asked suddenly, hoping to change the subject. "Surely, you would have preferred Kiritsugu to escort you, right?"
Irisviel's smile grew faint. "He couldn't. It would only cause him suffering."
A brief silence settled between them, the sound of the waves filling the space where words should have been. Saber studied her carefully. "Does Kiritsugu not enjoy the time he spends with you?"
Irisviel's eyes softened, but her smile was tinged with sadness. "When he's happy, it causes him pain."
Saber was about to ask. But instead, she turned toward the harbor next to them. Her posture shifted slightly, her battle instincts kicking in.
Irisviel noticed immediately. "An enemy Servant?"
Saber's voice was calm, but firm. "Yes. Making its presence known from the shadows, 100 meters ahead. It appears to be inviting us to go see it."
Irisviel exhaled. "How thoughtful. It wishes to decide on a battlefield. Shall we take it up on its invitation?"
Saber's eyes sharpened with an excited smile. "I'd like nothing better."
————————————————————
Fuyuki Bridge
A red bridge that interconnected the town's two sides.Two figures stood at its peak, one frozen in fear, the other basking in exhilaration.
"Rider Let's go back down. Right now! What?" Screams Waver as he clung desperately to one of the metal beams, his knuckles white as he held on for dear life. His entire body trembled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he dared not look down. Rider and him could be seen on top of one of the bridge's support beams.
The massive, red-haired warrior beside him stood completely at ease, gazing out over the city with an amused grin. "This is the perfect vantage point."
"I'm climbing down! No, take me back down! I-I can't handle any more of this." His voice cracked as he tightened his grip on the railing.
Rider simply laughed, crossing his arms as he remained unbothered by the sheer drop beneath them."Calm yourself. Waiting is a part of war."
"I wanna go home.I wanna go back to England." Waver practically wailed, his entire body pressed against the cold steel for any semblance of security.
Rider rolled his eyes, stroking his beard. "I told you not to be in such a hurry. See? Things have finally begun to unfold. This will be fun!" Rider could feel it. Two servants were about to clash.
————————————————————
Fuyuki Harbor
Ahead, the figure of a man stood waiting.
His dark blue armor gleamed under the moonlight, his lance resting lightly in his hand. His presence exuded confidence, but not arrogance. He stood with the grace of a knight—one who had lived and died by the way of the spear.
As Saber stepped forward, her emerald eyes locked onto his.
The man smirked. "Welcome. I have spent the whole day searching the city. Everyone simply slinks away, hiding in their little holes. You alone have accepted my offer. That pure energy surrounding you. You are Saber, I presume?"
Saber met his gaze without hesitation. "Indeed. And you are Lancer."
Lancer's smirk widened. "Being unable to honorably name myself to my opponent in combat troubles me. I dislike these rules." He raised his spear, his stance shifting slightly. "No matter. A true knight does not shy away from battle."
Saber formed her battle dress and raised her invisible blade, her stance unwavering. "Agreed."
Irisviel spoke out, stepping back slightly. "Saber. Be careful. I can use healing magic to act as support for you. But more than that-"
"Leave Lancer to me." Sabor interrupted, her tone left no room for argument. "But it troubles me that the other Master has not shown himself. Perhaps they plot something.Watch yourself. Irisviel, watch my back."
"Very well, Saber. Grant me victory!"
"I will." Saber declared, taking her stance.