The golden portals shimmered into existence, forming perfect circles in the sky. Within them, countless weapons glowed ominously, each one an artifact of unparalleled power. Standing above, draped in golden armor, was Gilgamesh. His crimson eyes held a glint of amusement as he gazed down at the young teen before him.
Issei's breath came quick and shallow as he took in the sight before him. Every instinct in his body screamed.
"Hmph, I wonder how you were able to notice? No matter." Gilgamesh sneered. "Soon your death is inevitable."
Only for his eyes to see Issei's determination by standing defiantly against him. Making him remember the vision of his defeat. "You truly believe yourself capable of standing before me, Clown?" He raised his hand, and in response, the portals whirred to life, releasing a flurry of weapons toward Issei, ignoring everything else.
Issei reacted instantly, grabbing Tamamo and Sakura and moving them to safety. He grits his teeth, realizing Gilgamesh doesn't care about the destruction—he's willing to bring everything down just to get to him.
Tamamo stumbled, trying to keep up with Issei, her body trembling as she tried to form barriers around them. Sweat dripped from her brow, her normally vibrant tails drooping. The cost of unleashing her Noble Phantasm had drained her of much of her reserves. She could fill it up by taking some from her master, but right now, he needed every single drop to count if he wanted to survive Gilgamesh's onslaught.
Her ears twitched as she spoke through their bond, her voice strained. "Mmmh... Master, I'm afraid I might be completely spent... Give me... just a moment—no, perhaps an hour or two, and I'll be right back in action!"
Issei spared her a glance, his expression tightening. "Not happening. Just stay put."
The words stung more than she expected. She hated this feeling—being useless. She was a Servant, meant to protect and support him, but right now, she was dead weight. Her fists clenched, frustration bubbling in her chest. If only she had a little more energy. If only she could fight.
A sudden explosion sent debris flying, forcing Issei to shield his face. The heat from the blast seared his skin, and the concussive force rattled his bones. His gaze shot toward the source. More projectiles. More destruction.
Tamamo clenched her fists, cursing under her breath. "Damn that gold-plated jerk...! If only I had more—!" She faltered, unable to finish her sentence as another wave of exhaustion hit her.
Issei stepped in front of her, his stance firm. "I'll handle it. Just don't push yourself."
Tamamo looked at him, worry flickering across her tired eyes, but she nodded. "Please... be careful, darling."
Issei barely had time to react. With a burst of speed, he dove to the side, rolling across the pavement as the ground where he stood exploded into fragments. A moment's hesitation, and he would've been skewered and now he's been separated from Sakura.
"Damn it!" Issei hissed, his Boosted Gear materializing in a flash of red light. "You really don't care where you're shooting, do you?!"
Gilgamesh chuckled, watching the destruction unfold. "Care? Why should I concern myself with the fate of mere insects? Their existence is as insignificant as yours."
Another barrage rained down. Issei gritted his teeth, boosting his strength before slamming his gauntleted against the weaker ones deflecting some of the incoming weapons while dodging the stronger ones by Sherri's instructions, but more followed, tearing through the street, shattering windows, and collapsing buildings.
Screams of terror can be heard around him. As the people wondered what was causing so much destruction.
The sound of crumbling concrete and twisted metal filled the air. Amongst the chaos, Sakura Matou stood frozen, her violet eyes wide with fear. The destruction, the golden light, the overwhelming presence of a man—it was all too much.
A shattered lamppost teetered dangerously above her, its base weakened by the battle.
"Sakura! Move!" Issei shouted, his heart pounding. He pushed off the ground, aiming to reach her, but Gilgamesh smirked as he saw a chance to finish the clown.
"Pitiful," the King of Heroes scoffed, flicking his wrist. A golden portal formed behind Sakura. A spear shot forward with deadly precision.
Time slowed.
Sakura's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't move. She was trapped again, just like before. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her legs refused to obey. Just like when the worms wriggled beneath her skin. Just like when she was helpless, broken. Just like when she realized her family had abandoned her to that fate.
A hand grabbed her.
Issei roared, forcing a Boost as he lunged. At the last second, he grabbed her, spinning mid-air as the spear grazed his shoulder, leaving a deep gash. They tumbled to the ground, dust and debris kicking up around them.
"Are you okay?!" Issei asked urgently, ignoring the pain searing through his arm.
Sakura trembled, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I think so..."
Gilgamesh chuckled. "How unsightly. You grovel in the dirt for an insignificant mongrel. What a waste of effort."
Issei glared at him, his breathing heavy. "Shut the hell up. If you think I'm gonna let you do whatever you want, you're dead wrong."
The golden king smirked, amused. "Oh? Then entertain me, clown. Show me if you are anything more than an insect struggling against the inevitable."
Weapons shimmered into existence once more, their deadly gleam promising another storm of devastation.
Issei tightened his grip, his mind racing. This wasn't just about him anymore—Tamamo, Sakura, and the innocent people caught in the crossfire. He had to end this.
A voice, deep and commanding, echoed through the wreckage. "That is enough my king.I did not bring you to terrorize the city and I beseech you that you do not endanger Sakura any longer. I will be taking her back home."
Sakura's blood ran cold at the sound. She knew that voice. Slowly, she turned her head, dread pooling in her stomach at the sound of her father's voice.
Tohsaka Tokiomi stepped forward, his elegant coat barely ruffled despite the chaos around him as he eyed the scene with disapproval. However, his attention soon turns toward Sakura. "I will be taking my daughter back now."
Issei narrowed his eyes. "And who the hell are you?"
Tokiomi barely spared him a glance. His gaze was fixed solely on Sakura, his expression unreadable. "Sakura. Come. It is time to return home."
Sakura's fingers curled into fists. She trembled—not from fear, but from something deeper, something that had long festered inside her.
"No."
Tokiomi paused, as if he hadn't heard her correctly. "Excuse me?"
Sakura took a shaky breath, then spoke again, stronger this time. "I said no. I will not go back to you. Not to the man who gave me away—to suffer."
For the first time, Tokiomi's composed mask cracked. A flicker of something passed over his face—guilt. He had never once visited her, never once questioned what happened to her. He had told himself it was for the greater good. That she would be happier fulfilling her role in the Matou family. That the decision had been logical. But hearing the venom in her voice, the raw pain, made him falter.
He had failed her. He knew it. And yet, the weight of his own pride stopped him from admitting it.
"Sakura, this is not up for debate. You belong with your family."
"Family?" Sakura let out a bitter laugh, tears welling in her eyes. "You're not my family. You never were. I will not go back! Not to you!" she shouts, voice shaking. "You gave me away! You let them—let them—!"
The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words, with wounds too deep to mend.
Tokiomi said nothing. Even as his heart ached, his mind told him this was necessary. That her hatred was something he had earned.
The air between them grew heavy with unspoken words, with wounds too deep to mend.
Issei, seeing a chance to breathe, turns to Tamamo, his expression firm. "Tamamo, take Sakura to the Hana's residence. Tell them to start packing. By tomorrow, Sherri can activate the Dimensional Watch and get us out of here."
Tamamo's ears twitched, and she glared at him. "Absolutely not! You think I'll abandon you to fight Archer alone? That I'll leave you to that golden nuisance? No way!"
Issei's jaw tightened. "This isn't up for debate, Tamamo. I need you to do this."
She crossed her arms, tails bristling. "And I need you alive. So unless you have some miracle plan that guarantees you won't get skewered, I'm staying right here!"
Issei sighed, rubbing his temple. "Tamamo..."
She stepped forward, pressing a hand against his chest. "No. I'm not leaving you behind."
Issei sighed, then cupped her cheek, leaning down to press a gentle kiss against her lips. Tamamo's eyes widened in surprise before slowly closing, melting into the kiss. When he pulled away, he whispered, "Please, trust me."
When he pulls back, he looks into her eyes. "I'll be fine. But I need you to do this for me."
Her lips part slightly, but after a brief pause, she exhales deeply. "You better come back to me, Issei."
Reluctantly, she turns, scooping Sakura into her arms and running in the opposite direction.
"Issei!!" Sakura screams, reaching for him.
But she's already too far away.
Tokiomi's sharp voice rose, ordering his servant.. "Gilgamesh! Go after Caster at once."
Gilgamesh didn't even turn to acknowledge him. Instead, his crimson eyes remained locked on Issei, a wicked grin playing at his lips. "You overestimate your authority, magus. I am not a tool to be ordered around. My interest lies with this clown alone."
Tokiomi's face twisted in frustration. "This is an order! We must retrieve my daughter."
Gilgamesh doesn't even glance at his Master. "Hmph. I refuse." Gilgamesh merely laughed, his voice dripping with condescension. "Hah! Do not mistake your borrowed power for control over me. I will do as I please."
Tokiomi clenched his fists, but he knew there was no use arguing. Gilgamesh had already decided on his prey. Hesitation flickered in Tokiomi's eyes as he glanced at his Command Seals. He had already used one. Using another now—just to force Gilgamesh's compliance—felt like an admission of failure. He exhaled sharply, frustrated. if he forces Archer again, it could make him resentful.
"There is another way," came Kirei's smooth voice from his mind.
Tokiomi listened, his expression hard. "Speak."
Kirei's voice spoke with indifference. "I have already positioned Assassin near Archer. He has been watching unnoticed. Allow me to send him after Caster instead."
Tokiomi considered this. His real objective was Sakura, not Caster. If Assassin could deal with Caster without harming the girl, then—
"Very well. But make sure they do not harm the girl. That is an absolute order."
Kirei gave a small bow. "Of course, Master Tokiomi. It will be done."
—------------------------------------------------
Issei's heart pounded as he watched another set of golden portals materialize. He couldn't afford to fight here—not with so many innocent people still in the vicinity.
I need to get him away from the neighborhood... somewhere with fewer people...
Gritting his teeth, he spun on his heel and bolted in the opposite direction of Tamamo. "Hey, goldie! You want me? Try and catch me!" he shouted over his shoulder.
Gilgamesh's smirk deepened. "Running already? How dull. But very well, I shall indulge you." With a flick of his wrist, another volley of weapons fired toward him.
Issei leapt over a ruined car, barely avoiding a jagged sword that embedded itself in the ground where he had just been. He wove through the shattered streets, leading Gilgamesh farther and farther away from the densely populated area.
Buildings crumbled behind him, fires erupted from the devastation, and still, he ran.
Just a little farther... he thought, his lungs burning from the exertion.
Finally, he reached a desolate part of the city—an abandoned industrial zone with no bystanders in sight. Issei skidded to a stop, breathing heavily, before turning to face Gilgamesh, who arrived at a leisurely pace, his hands in his pockets.
"Hmph. And here I thought you had a plan. You merely fled like a rat to a cage of your own making," Gilgamesh mocked.
Issei clenched his fists, summoning his Boosted Gear's power once more. "Now I don't have to hold back. Let's see how high and mighty you really are when you're not just blowing up buildings!"
Gilgamesh chuckled, his golden portals forming behind him once more. "Very well, mongrel. Let us see if you can amuse me before I grow bored."
—----------------------------------------------
Shrouded figures moved through the shadows, unseen and unheard. The Assassins, multiple in number, crept forward, their many forms spreading through the ruined streets like whispers of death. Their target: Caster.
The moment the Assassins lunged from the shadows, Tamamo's ears twitched, sensing their movement even before their blades gleamed in the dim light.
Damn it! She barely had time to react before the first dagger came whistling toward her. With a quick leap, she twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the blade as it embedded itself into the cracked pavement.
Sakura clung to her tightly, trembling. "T-Tamamo!"
"Hold on, little one!" Tamamo's tone was light, but her sharp eyes flicked between the figures surrounding them.
At least six Assassins had emerged, their masks emotionless, their silent approach terrifying in its precision. More lurked in the shadows, watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Tamamo clicked her tongue. "Tsk. Cockroaches, the lot of you." She has yet to replenish her prana but luckily the kiss from Issei was enough to let her some energy.
One Assassin lunged, his dagger aiming for her ribs. Tamamo spun on her heel, barely dodging the attack, but another closed in from behind. She twisted just in time, her free hand conjuring a burst of pinkish fire.
The flames flared to life, forcing the attacker back, but he barely flinched before another Assassin took his place.
Persistent bastards...
She couldn't fight properly while holding Sakura. She was at a disadvantage—too many enemies.
Another blade slashed at her from the side. Tamamo barely managed to dodge, but a shallow cut grazed her arm, crimson staining the sleeve of her kimono.
Sakura whimpered. "Tamamo, you're hurt!"
Tamamo huffed, forcing a smirk. "Oh, this? It's just a scratch, dearie. Barely stings~"
Inwardly, she cursed.
She needed an escape plan—fast.
The Assassins shifted, circling like wolves closing in on their prey. Their silence was unnerving, their movements cold and calculated.
Then, one of them stepped forward.
Tamamo's pupils narrowed.
The Assassin raised his hand. Instantly, the others stilled.
Tamamo tensed.
One of the Assassins spoke, his voice smooth but devoid of emotion. "We have orders to retrieve the girl. Hand her over this does not concern you, Caster."
Tamamo scoffed. "Oh, really? See, I find that hard to believe, considering you're all so enthusiastic about stabbing me."
"You are an obstacle." Assassin said simply. "Nothing more."
Tamamo's smile sharpened. "Flattery will get you nowhere, you know."
Assassin exhaled softly, as if speaking with her was a waste of time. "Kill her."
The moment the words left his mouth, the Assassins surged forward.
Tamamo barely had a second to react.
She kicked off the ground, flipping backward as a rain of daggers tore through the space she had occupied. One blade nicked her cheek, another slashed through her sleeve.
With a flick of her wrist, she conjured several golden paper talismans that she had prepared in situations just like this, hurling them at her attackers. "Try this, you sneaky little—Fire Seal!"
The talismans exploded in bursts of shimmering blue flame, forcing several Assassins to retreat. But others charged through the fire, undeterred.
Damn it! They're too disciplined!
Tamamo gritted her teeth. Fighting them head-on would only delay the inevitable.
She needed to outsmart them.
Her mind raced. She had one advantage: they wanted Sakura alive.
And that meant...
A plan was formed. A risky one, but it was her best shot.
"Alright, little one," Tamamo whispered, tightening her hold on Sakura. "Don't scream, okay?"
Sakura barely had time to nod before Tamamo threw her into the air.
Sakura let out a startled gasp as she soared upward. But before the Assassins could react, a flash of golden light enveloped Tamamo's hands.
"Illusion Arts: Mirror Mirage!"
A smokescreen spread out that hid Caster and Sakura from the Assassins' sight. Soon dozens of identical copies of Sakura and Tamamo burst into existence, scattering in every direction.
The Assassins hesitated.
That was all Tamamo needed.
Snatching the real Sakura mid-fall, she vanished in a blur of speed, dashing through the confused ranks of Assassins before they could react.
By the time they realized what had happened, she was already gone, her fire flickering in the distance.
The Assassins narrowed his eyes, watching as the false Sakuras and Tamamos flickered and disappeared one by one.
A deep silence settled over the ruined street.
"...Tch." Assassins lowered their blades.
They had been outmaneuvered.
But this wasn't over.
With a subtle motion. Silent figures melted into the darkness, vanishing from sight.
Trying to hunt Caster down.
—----------------------------------------------
Issei panted as he barely dodged another barrage of weapons from the Gate of Babylon. Swords, spears, and axes rained down like an unrelenting storm, forcing him to weave through the onslaught with every ounce of speed he had.
Boost
His Boosted Gear flared with power, green energy crackling around his gauntlet as he deflected a few of the weaker projectiles. But it wasn't enough. Gilgamesh had an endless supply of weapons, and no matter how many Issei knocked away, more took their place.
"Running out of breath already, mongrel?" Gilgamesh sneered from above, his crimson eyes glowing with amusement. "You truly believed yourself capable of standing before me? What an insult."
Issei clicked his tongue, rolling to the side as a spear embedded itself in the ground where he had just been. His mind raced. He couldn't win a direct fight against his cheat, the Gate of Babylon. Gilgamesh wasn't even trying—he was toying with him. If Issei didn't find a way out soon, he was done for.
"Sherri!" Issei mentally called within his mind through gritted teeth, ducking behind a collapsed building for cover. "You told me once that the moment my life is in danger, the Dimensional Watch will teleport me out of danger!"
(What are you thinking, partner?)
'Indeed, but Archer is shooting too quickly that you might not be able to teleport fast enough.'
"Guess I'll have to gamble on it. The moment it does, can you make the place I teleport be behind the gold bastard.
'I shall try my best.'
(Even if you hit him with a dragon shot, I doubt it will be very much effective.)
'It doesn't have to defeat him, only push him away.'
He heard the hum of golden portals forming above. He didn't need to look to know what was coming next.
He again barely escaped the weapons.
"Enough of this pathetic scrambling," Gilgamesh scoffed. "I grow weary of this farce. Die with the knowledge that you were nothing more than a mere clown unworthy of my presence."
The sky lit up as dozens of weapons fired at once, all converging toward him. The watch had seconds—no, less than that—to act.
Issei didn't even bother blocking as even without his plan he knew there was no way out.
"Host in extreme peril.
Teleportation access granted.
Initiating short-range teleportation."
A burst of energy wrapped around Issei as space distorted around him. The next second, he was no longer on the ground but directly behind Gilgamesh in midair.
"What—?!" Gilgamesh barely had time to react.
"Eat this! Dragon Shot!"
A massive surge of red energy erupted from Issei's gauntlet, the concentrated blast slamming directly into Gilgamesh's back before he could turn. The explosion of power sent the arrogant King of Heroes hurtling through the air, smashing through several ruined buildings before finally skidding to a stop in the distance.
Issei didn't wait to see the aftermath. "Let's get out of here!!"
He ran, boosting and maximizing the strength of his legs to get as far away as possible.
At the ruin building Gilgamesh recovered, golden energy flaring around him in raw fury.
The last thing Issei heard while fleeing was the enraged snarl of Gilgamesh's voice.
"You fucking Clown!!"
Issei ran hard until he reached the river that separated Fuyuki in two, the moment he arrived his legs gave out as exhaustion caught up with him. Seeing as he was no longer capable of running he did the next best thing. He jumped into the river, letting it drag him further away, hoping to create as much distance as possible.
Luckily he didn't drown and the moment he found land he reached it before the river dragged him to the sea. He soon layed on the sandy beach for a moment, catching his breath, his entire body trembling from the sheer adrenaline and the coldness of the water . He had done it. He had actually escaped.
A tired grin spread across his face as he stared at the sky. "Damn… that was way too close."