The air was dense. Ryuudou Temple was the stage for the final act. Saber looked up the stairs with a sad look in her eye. Her heart was heavy but she knew it was all going to work out. She believed in Shirou and his promise to her that they will destroy the grail. They walked up the shrine's stairs in silence. The plan had already been set, everything that they would be doing was agreed upon. This was the end of the grail war.
Before they made it to the top Shirou turned to her and grabbed her hand in his. He squeezed lightly and she returned the motion, it was for reassurance and she knew it. She, after all, needed it too. No matter how hard her heart was when she was summoned; her heart was much softer now. After everything that's happened, she no longer felt like the emotionless king that she was before. No, now she realized just what she was lacking. She was treated like a person here.
"Alright Saber, I guess this is it. It'll be as we agreed. No interfering with the other's fight, no matter how bad it looks and when the time comes, the Holy Grail will be destroyed."
"Yes, I shall focus all my attention to fighting Gilgamesh. But Shirou, if you need me, please command me to your side. You still have two command seals left."
She knew he didn't want to use them; he never wanted to use them on her. He was a kind boy in that regard. Even when he protected her he still wanted to do what was right on her behalf. This was why she knew he would not betray her, no matter how much he loved her.
"I know. Let's go, this will be our last fight."
Saber smiled as they walked hand in hand up the final steps, together. Her nerves kept her on edge though. Whatever happened from here would decide their fate. She had to win. He had to win. For the sake of everyone that remained. Her fear for Rin, Shirou and Illyasviel struck her heart like lightning. She had to protect them, she had to see this through so that they would survive and be happy.
Once over the crest they saw him. It was the Golden King himself, Gilgamesh. His form standing tall and intimidating with his crossed arms and wicked red eyes. She felt as if they stared straight into her soul. Like a wicked demon wanting to drain her very essence. The worst part was, that's probably just what he would do to her.
"There you are! I was growing tired of waiting for you; though your timing is impeccable as always, my little lioness."
She drew her blade just as he called her his stupid pet name. It was the same as the last time he stood between her and the grail. His words angered her and somehow, she thought that it was probably to throw her off. She had to steel herself against his taunts. If she didn't it would only cause her more trouble when facing him. No she would have to return them with her sword, letting her combat speak for her.
She shook herself slightly as the invisible air around her began to wildly whip around.
"Gilgamesh, don't mince your words, what are you after? What do you hope to gain from any of this?"
The way he looked at her just then, bothered her. His devilish eyes snapped to Shirou just long enough to cause her to stand in front of him. Gilgamesh was not below striking him down, she was sure of it.
Gilgamesh smiled at her protective behavior, it made her fierce. It was good to see her on guard ready to stand between him and her master. It pleased him to see just how much of a lioness she truly was. One day cubs of her own would have the perfect mother. He uncrossed his arms and placed one to his hip. However, she had forgotten her place when she spoke. She should have known better than to question him.
"I thought I told you already? The Holy Grail belongs to me. It always has. It doesn't interest me. The only thing that I want is standing right before me. That would be you, my dearest Saber."
He then thought it best to share with her a bit more detail. The look on her face when he told her of his intentions would be wondrous. His lips curved into a dark smile.
"I've had plenty of time to think about what I would do with you. How I'd pin you down and force you to swallow that tainted mud. To bathe you in the curse, I've longed to see your purity defiled."
Saber's eyes widened. Curse? What curse was he talking about? Fear welled up before coming to stop within her mind. She couldn't be afraid. She couldn't show him her fear. His words shook her slightly, but she couldn't let them get to her. She would not let some threat of a curse break her resolve. She was made of far more than just steel.
"Don't let him get to you, Saber. He's just trying to mess with you. I know you'll beat him, after all you have Avalon!"
"You're right Shirou. Don't worry; I won't lose to someone as despicable as him."
Saber smiled at Shirou and turned her attention back to Gilgamesh. Her heart hardened once more and she spoke.
"Well, if that is what you wish, then I take it that you will have no objections to meeting the very same fate!"
Saber poured out some more of her mana, causing her invisible air to swirl. The sword itself solidified into existence. Excalibur was drawn in its full strength. This caused Gilgamesh to sneer at her in contempt. His right arm swinging out from his side, this motion summoned the Gates of Babylon. He turned his eyes and narrowed them when they settled on Shirou.
"You've got spirit to fight a battle you know you won't be able to win, though on this occasion it seems fitting. Boy, if you have business with Kotomine, then I suggest you get to it and leave."
Saber turns her attention back to Shirou as he moves from behind her. They both shared a look of determination. They both were not intending to lose. Shirou nodded his head to her then began to warily move around Gilgamesh. Saber looked between them and watched like a hawk. If Gilgamesh tried anything she would stop him.
On some level Saber wished that Shirou kept Avalon within him, his life took more precedence than hers, and he had to survive this. But, on the other hand, she knew she would need Avalon to even keep up with Gilgamesh and how powerful he was. Without it she would be sure to face him and be killed. The pain still haunted her from the last time she crossed blades with that strange sword.
Shirou got passed the king of heroes without as much as a passing glance from him. He was through the gate to the inner gardens of the shrine, where the grail was. Soon he would start his own battle and will be fighting just like she was about to. Saber's eyes snapped back to Gilgamesh as she raised Excalibur.
"It's time, Gilgamesh! Prepare yourself!"
He smiled, one of his hands reaching out for the hilt of a sword that was offered from the gate. He wasted no time in rushing her. Saber had her sword up prepared for the blow as that began their duel. Swords clashed violently as both were focused solely on winning. This would be a long fight for them.
Gilgamesh noted a part of uneven stone as he positioned her near it. He decided to expend a bit extra energy and pushed her back roughly. As expected this overwhelmed her defenses and made her trip backwards and fall. He then brought his sword down upon her and pinned her. She looked so delectable underneath him. He almost wanted to lean in to steal a kiss from her.
Saber noticed him leaning in. Was he really planning on getting that close to her? What did he think he was doing?! She narrowed her eyes and brought one of her legs up. She gave a strong kick to his armored gut and effectively shoved him off of her. Then she took the chance to rush at him while he was still getting his bearings.
"This is just as boring as our last encounter; do you intend that it ended the same way?"
He mocked her as their blades were locked. Only she smiled and brought her blade back, ready to slice once more at him. When their blades crossed for the second time, his broke the second they touched. This caused Saber to grin in a small victory.
"I do have a plan, it's to win against you and then to destroy that cursed Holy Grail!"
Gilgamesh just put distance between them and then summoned yet another sword. She couldn't hope to defeat him with an endless supply of weapons at his disposal. He just barrels at her once more; he could just simply keep doing this until she tires out. Then she would be easy to overcome and force her into a defeat. It would be that effortless.
Her form faltered momentarily during his current onslaught. Her sword was stronger than any he could pull from that vault of his. So, with great effort, she pushed him back and struck his sword with all her might. This caused the blade to be cut in half, effectively rendering it useless. With all the power she's used so far, she needed a small break. Avalon was fueling her but she was expending more mana than she was gaining from it. She sat there breathing heavy while he looked as if there was nothing to even be tired about. Her whole being hated him, everything he stood for.
"You never learn do you? You won't be able to defeat me like this. I have a whole armory of weapons at my disposal. That master of yours doesn't even provide you with nearly enough mana, you're practically shaking in exhaustion. That pathetic boy doesn't even have the ability to compete with Kotomine. He'll lose just like you will."
Gilgamesh doesn't wait for her to respond. He could see it in her eyes; those beautiful green eyes. She was still going to defy him. She would rather fight until the bitter end than to give up now. That, he respected about her. No matter, it would still mean that he would enjoy breaking her even more. The taming of such a wild beast, a mighty lioness, would be a sweet experience.
He pulled another blade from his treasury.
"If you had gone ahead and destroyed the grail then all this would have been over by now, though, that master of yours would have been exterminated by my hand. Either way though, he'll die."
Saber's grip tightened on Excalibur. How could she do that? Shirou would have had no chance at fighting him. True he could hold his own for a short while, but it would not be enough. She would never let Shirou die by Gilgamesh's hands. Even once the grail was destroyed Gilgamesh would remain. She had to kill him here once and for all.
"No matter what happens on this day, I will not lose to you! I will fight with all I have to oppose you and end this war. Shirou? He could not possibly lose to a man such as Kotomine, a man that wants nothing more than bloodshed. Shirou will win!"
Her voice rang out with anger. Saber was not about to let either man wish on the Grail. It would bring destruction to this world and it very well could alter the past, for all she knew. No matter how she wished to save her country. No matter how much she regretted ever becoming king. She would rather see the Holy Grail's existence wiped out. She would rather die, and stay dead.
"Looks like you leave me no choice. The only way I'll be able to convince you is if I force you to suffer a crushing defeat."
The look on his face slowly spread into a Cheshire grin. The Gate of Babylon behind him opened wider and wider. Dozens of swords were poised and ready to be fired. She remembered this. She could remember seeing and feeling the blades as they impaled her body. 10 years ago and just 24 hours ago, the pain from them still engraved into her mind. His eyes were glowing in the golden light of the portals behind him. He looked as if he was ready to just devour her whole.
"Let's see how well you can dodge this. I recall last time you were too stubborn to even move when I showered you with love. Don't worry though; I don't plan on aiming for your body, just your arms and legs."
Saber did the best she could as she raised her sword and crouched down in defense. The barrage of swords began as she protects herself against the brunt of it. One of the thinner swords managed to lodge itself within her left leg but she continued to stand her ground. She had to brave the assault. Another blade got through her defenses and deeply scratched her upper arm tearing at the fabric of her dress. This added with the blade in her thigh caused her to crumble.
She did her best not to cry out in the pain, but one escaped her mouth regardless. While she was down on one knee she pulled the offending blade from her thigh and tossed it to the side. Avalon's warmth filled her as she began to heal. Her wound though still hurt as she braced her weight on Excalibur to rise to her feet.
Gilgamesh sighed out at her persistence. She endured everything he threw at her. While this trait was one that he admired, it was also troublesome. His patience with her was running thin. It was time to end this. He pulled Ea from its place from within the coffers. He would give her one last chance to surrender. He didn't want to do this but she was leaving him no choice.
"Give up my dear. Lay down your sword. It is no match for Ea."
Saber's response to his words was just to get prepared. She quickly rose to her feet and raised Excalibur readying it to unleash its true power. She was alert. Her eyes watched as he pulled back his sword arm. He was on the verge of letting lose the power of Ea.
"Enuma-"
"Excali-"
"-Elish!"
"-libur!"
Both shockwaves were unleashed at once. They collided with force, a show of red and gold.
Saber grit her teeth, the blow was strong and she feared it was going to overcome her.
Gilgamesh withstood the tremor and frowned. He knew the blast was too fierce for her to stay standing through.
Then it was over. Saber was thrown back as the great discharge of energy hit her. Her body felt as if every bone was broken. Her armor blocked most of the magical energy but it still hurt her. She shook off the haze that the fall caused and focused on the sounds of metal clinking along the stone. Gilgamesh was approaching her. She tried to lift herself up but her elbows buckled beneath her. The words that came out of his mouth sounded much softer, almost tender, as if he was pleading with her.
"It's over, Arturia. You have been bested."
Her eyes widened.
"How…How do you know my true name?"
Before he could answer her, a scream sounded in the distance. Shirou screamed. She had to get to him. Her strength was returning slowly but she had to get up now!
'We have to promise, that we won't interfere with each other's battle. No matter what!'
She cursed at those conditions.
"It sounds like it's over between those two as well. I'm sure you can sense the boy's life force dwindling. He won't live for much longer."
Saber brought her face up so she could look at him. Her eyes narrowed and her voice full of venom.
"No, I can still feel my bond with Shirou. He's still alive and he will still prevail!"
Gilgamesh crouched down in front of Saber. He grabbed the front part of her hair and lifted her head to look into her eyes. The whimper from her throat pleased him as he smiled down at her.
"Rejoice my lovely lioness! If you are showered with the grail's curse then you will be granted a second life, a real body of flesh and blood. Though, I can't promise that you will remain as you are now."
She growled.
"Why would I ever want to be like you? To be curse and tainted like you? I would much rather die!."
That seemed to push his buttons. He then pushed her face into the ground, causing her head to crash onto the rough stone. He got up and moved towards her side.
"That curse wasn't even close to tainting my magnificent soul! If it wanted to do just that, its intensity should have been tripled! What kind of epic hero would I be if I couldn't handle such a simple curse? A true hero is someone who carries with them everything they see. I am already carrying everything in this world!"
Saber was still lying on the ground, The King of Heroes before her stood tall. One hand was placed on his hip while the other held out his sword. The smile on his face, the look in those hellish red eyes and his posture said all she needed to know.
Gilgamesh was mocking her.
"But you? I can't say the same for you."
He bent down and grabbed her foot. With ease he lifted her body up and brought her head nearly level to his waist.
"P-put me down! Put me down this instant!"
He laughs at her weak attempts to wiggle free.
"Don't like being manhandled? Well get used to it! I have no qualms with forcing you to swallow that black mud. My only concern is that you'll lose that fire of yours. That would upset me; after all I want to be the one to break you."
Saber couldn't believe this! She growled and tried to swing Excalibur at him. He easily stopped her by taking her wrist in his hand. The grip wasn't squeezing her but it wasn't light either.
"Let me go! I swear I will not allow myself to be cursed by you!"
He sighed and lifted her a bit more.
"It won't matter if you fight me. I know, why don't we marry before then? Now, now, don't give me that face. You should be honored that I even would want to marry such a willful woman like you. Need I remind you that you already belong to me?"
"I am not YOUR property! I don't belong to anyone, let alone you! I may, in fact, be a woman but I am a king first and foremost! If I belong to anything it would be to Britain."
Saber brought her other foot up and kicked Gilgamesh in his face. She smirked as she rolled from the ground and up into a defensive position. He was stunned at her sudden attack and turned to her with a death glare. One of his hands was at his jaw and the other was gripping Ea with near breaking force.
Her face twisted into one sheer determination, she wouldn't let him win this. His eyes raked her form in rage as she shook herself off. She would win this fight; she said to herself, she would wipe him out. Erase his arrogant countenance from this world and eradicate his person. Saber leaned on Excalibur and felt Avalon pulse within her; she was ready once more to face him.
"I see you want to be punished in the worst possible way. I thought you would have learned by now you stupid woman. You've forced my hand and I shall show you no mercy!"
So before was his show of mercy? That almost made her laugh. His body moved across from her prepared to deliver another attack, this time though she was ready for him. She brought her sword up; this would be the final strike. Everything she had must be put into this.
Just as they got ready to let loose the shocking energy, she felt it, a pull that tugged at her very soul. Shirou was using a command seal to summon her, which could only mean that he had done it. He had killed the mad priest. She was to now destroy the unholy grail. The second she lowered her weapon the king of heroes had too.
She looked once to the golden king and then quickly bounded off into the inner garden of the shrine. She had no time, she had to get to the grail and Shirou, and she had to put an end to this.
Gilgamesh noted her backing out and narrowed his eyes. He stood there in contained annoyance. She left their fight unfinished. How dare she turn her back on him? He knew why she had left though, that worthless boy of a master had killed Kotomine. Kotomine, in the end wasn't as strong as he had given him credit for.
For some reason he decided to let her go. He knew that since she was leaving him alive, that he could very easily still win this. That line of thought made his rage quell and simmer. He would just let her think she was going to win.
He was surprised though, he thought he would feel cut off from mana, the second his master died. No, there was still mana flowing into him. Was it from the grail itself? Perhaps this was the true effect of incarnation. This would mean that he was truly free now. He cracked a broad and genuine smile. He had nothing standing in his way anymore. Everything he wanted would now be his once again, including the little king that just ran away from him.
Oh he would have her indeed.
The sight before her was grim. A large black hole was gaping, ooze of thick mud flowing from it. She quickly ran to Shirou's side as he held Illya. Saber was unsure if the poor girl was even still alive. She kept her face as straight as she could, this was it, and this was the end.
"Master, I await your command. I cannot destroy the Grail without being commanded to do so. Use your last command seal."
Her expression softened slightly as she turned to face him. His face was not even looking up at the grail or even her. She tightened the grip on Excalibur in her hands, ready and waiting on the order to strike. So she let some of her guard down, and spoke softly. She needed him to do this, it was one last request that he needed to fulfill.
"Shirou, I want to hear you say it."
His eyes were closed but he then looked to her with a smile on his face. It was a look of a bittersweet goodbye. He knew what this meant, and he knew that he couldn't be selfish here; even if he did love her, and even if she truly did want to be here with him. This was their fate and that was something that neither could fight against.
She turned back to the grail, ready to end everything. She had a duty to keep to and he had to honor her. He couldn't betray her now. He wouldn't betray her now.
"Fulfill your duty…I command yo-"
A gasping cough came from Shirou.
Just as her blade began to glow she snapped her head back around to her master. There he barely stood with a spear through his heart; his breath came out only in a gurgle. Her green eyes widened in panic. The command was incomplete. She had no choice but to attempt to run to his side. Avalon could still save him! His body, still holding Illya, fell forward crushing the poor girl in his arms. Blood was pooling all over the ground as Saber began to run to him.
"No! Shirou!"
Her movement was halted.
An axe cut deeply into her left leg effectively halting her progress. She gasped out in surprise and it made her stubble back a bit but she still stood. She grasped its hilt and drew it from herself, throwing it to the ground.
How could she forget? She left him there, and thought that he wouldn't interfere? This time he was going to prevent her from leaving this world. Of course he would want to. He even wanted to make sure she suffered in every possible way. Her emerald eyes closed and shook her head.
No this couldn't be happening! How could she be so foolish?
Before she could even react, chains were wrapped around her hands and legs. They prevented her from moving. She struggled against them; she had to get to Shirou!
"Shirou!" She screamed in vain.
She felt weaker and weaker; his hold on her was reducing rapidly. Her body was beginning to fade, the mana supply was solely coming from Avalon now. She was going to be nothing more in this world. While the arrogant bastard, Gilgamesh, got to remain. He didn't deserve to be on this earth, he is vile and self centered. Now he was also free.
She had to fight! This couldn't happen! If she didn't all would be lost. Everything would be lost. She couldn't let this be the end of things. She could still save Shirou, he wasn't dead yet!
"Well, now look at what I've caught; a cute little lioness. Shame really, about your master I mean, but after all he was only a mongrel. Not worthy of you or your foolish affections, you should have learned by now that you only belong to me."
She saw as he kicked Shirou's corpse over. Illya fell to the side out of his arms. He had a look of distaste as he gazed upon the body of her master. This stirred in her more rage. She fought against the chains, rattling them fiercely.
"You will pay for this, Gilgamesh! I swear it!"
"At what point? I clearly have you all to myself now, and once I bathe you in the corruption you'll be just like me; incarnated into this world with flesh and bone."
He began to laugh at her, the poor foolish woman that played at being king. With her hopeless ideals and her pained dreams. She was truly a sight to behold in all her grief and rage. Defiant even still, bound and completely at his mercy. Though, he held none for her. She would first be taught what it meant to be his. She would bow, she would break.
Then he wondered.
Would he want her to break? Would that not make him tire of her? He thought briefly, would he want to keep her? He could have all the women in the world, as they all belonged to him, so why would he settle for one stubborn and fascinating woman? He grinned. Oh he would have her, even if it was only for now. He would have her. The hatred in her eyes was lovely; it would make the breaking even sweeter.
He knew how this would end. Even from the very beginning of this war. He knew that in the end she would be his.
Saber saw the light that shone in Gilgamesh' eyes, it was full of darkness and she knew he had every intention of making her suffer greatly. The chains on her limbs vanished suddenly; surprising her as she stumbled; she took that as her invitation to run forward. Her priority was Shirou before any and all vengeance.
She made it to his side, just as a sword, which looked nearly like her own Excalibur, was thrust into his skull. The blood splattered her face and clothes. His blood, Shirou's blood. The memories she had of him raced through her head. Dreams. Hopes. Ideals. All gone. A kind and caring man who wanted everyone to be happy and safe in this world. Dead. Tears threatened to fall as she screamed out and knelt over Shirou's body.
"Noooooooooooo!"
She felt it. The tie that she had with him was gone. Completely. Her sword was gone, her armor was becoming weightless, even the warmth in her chest was leaving her. Soon she would fade, taken back to the grail, back into slumber. Back to the wasteland of Camlann with the dead surrounding her and the sharp guilt in her heart. In the end, she would still be just a sad idealistic girl that could not be a king, could not be a protector, and could not save herself or her country. This time, all her failures would drown her.
She did her best not to cry. She couldn't cry! Not in front of the monster before her. She stood sharply and turned to him, even without her sword or armor she would still fight.
"You demon!"
"Demon? No you're mistaken, my dear; you're speaking to one who is blessed by the heavens. I've merely shown you just how cruel gods can be."
Gilgamesh let out a wicked and cruel cackle.
Saber felt cold metal wrapping quickly around her neck; the force of it almost crushing her windpipe and nearly preventing her from breathing. Her hands flew to the chain in a futile attempt to pry it off. It was no use; it took all of her strength to keep it from choking her.
He was winning without so much as any fight from her. She was powerless now and all he could do was laugh. Laugh at her shame.
"Ah, there's that exquisite look of suffering that I wanted. My lovely, Arturia, if you had only accepted my proposal none of this would have ever happened. Though, I was having so much fun as you refused me. After all, this notion that you had of denying me, it was highly amusing. Now, though, it is time you learned your place woman."
He tugged at the chain around her neck and attempted to make her fall. She stood strongly, even though the pain was crippling, even though it was taking every ounce of might she possessed. Her anger and rage was fueling her body now. She could not simply bow down, not to some tyrant monster!
"My place is standing here, fighting against you! I will bring them justice, even if it's at the cost of my life!"
Her eyes met his. Her eyes were a turbulence of an emerald storm, while his ruby catlike ones narrowed dangerously. A scowl was marring his beautiful face, while on hers was a look of fortitude. That damned woman, she must enjoy this pain. He would not stand for being mocked by a mere rabid dog. Their eyes stayed locked into a battle, until his smirk appeared.
"Kneel before your king!"
He loosened the grip on Enkidu before wrapping it tightly around his arm. He knew this was going to hurt her immensely and he took pleasure in that knowledge. His arm jerked Enkidu back with little effort and triumphantly looked on as she fell.
Her eyes widened as she felt an even stronger pull. Her body was forced to the ground; a true cry of pain was ripped from her throat, her hands slamming into the earth breaking her fall. It was unimaginable. This pain was not something she was supposed to feel as a heroic spirit. She couldn't take much more of this.
"Such wonderful sounds you make, truly music to my ears. Soon I shall bring forth more screams from you."
His laugh shook her to her bones. This was it. This was how it was going to end. Her body was drained. She couldn't fight him without any mana. Her mind wasn't doing so well either. With Shirou, Rin and Illya gone, her friends, her master, all dead now. Just like her knights. Every single person she's ever loved and cared for was dead.
It was all her fault too, their deaths all caused by her hands, either directly or indirectly.
Saber grit her teeth and looked to Gilgamesh. Her eyes still shown with that fire, she still couldn't submit to a horrible being like him.
"I… I will not become your whore! I am a king-"
His voice broke her words. It commanded silence from her.
"Silence!"
Whore? Did she truly think his intentions were to have her like that? He was offering to make her his queen. She would rule beside him and keep an elevated rank. He would not just simply settle for her being a whore. She was more than that to him. He dare say that he loved her more than that as well. Arturia would be much more than a tool to satisfy him in bed. One day she could be far more than that, her body could very well be a vessel for his offspring if he so chose.
Though for now her body needed to be created. It was time to change her.
"Your pathetic attempts are now boring me. It's time to wash away this childish disobedience with the element of freedom, the black mud of the 'holy' grail. Come, Arturia."
Her body was then pulled. Her hands once more found themselves at the chain around her neck. This time though, furiously trying to prevent it from strangling her as he dragged her to the corrupted grail. She struggled and kicked anything to get away, even if this fight was all in vain. She couldn't just surrender to this. She would never surrender to the fate of being altered, she had to fight that. At all costs, she would fight. She would not be known as the king that bowed down and surrendered to the enemy. No, she was a king that did her all to defend her people. She would seek retribution for those that have fallen this day.
The feeling of being dragged stopped abruptly and the chain that was straining against her neck was gone. Gilgamesh's hands were on her as he turned her body to face the pool of slimy filth. Her body was being lifted from her hair and made her sit up on her knees. The pain stung but was far more bearable than being pulled by a chain. Her hands went from her throat to the ground to keep herself stable.
She could feel her hair loosening. His hands were woven into her hair keeping her in place. Some of it fell forward into her face. She pulled weakly at his grip, attempting to get away only to be pulled back sharply. Gilgamesh's grip was like iron, just like those chains of his.
Saber trembled as he then kneeled down to bring his face level to hers. Her expression made him grin. She had every right to be afraid of what he was about to do. He only hoped that this wouldn't ruin her. No, only he had the right to break her down. This mud had one purpose and that was to insure that his precious treasure wasn't going to vanish from him. If it did anything other than that, he would be forced to cast her aside.
"Now, don't you dare get corrupted by this! It would be no fun if you're damaged in any way."
Gilgamesh's other hand gripped her chin and pulled her face closer to him. Her green eyes widened in horror as he smiled. He was going to enjoy this even more than what he was about to do to her. His lips collided with hers, she gasped out in surprise which only made his assault sweeter. Her struggle renewed but was easily conquered by his firm grasp. Her whimper when he played his tongue on hers, spurned him on. She could try everything to get away from him, but to hear how musical her cries were, that was what he wanted.
As soon as it started, it was over as Arturia gasped for breath. Shirou had kissed her before, but that was sweet and innocent. Gilgamesh forced this one on her and left a vile taste in her mouth. It made her feel disgusting. Never before had someone attacked her in such a way. He would pay for all the atrocities that he had committed this day. If she managed to get through the rest of his torture, she would indeed make sure that he would be punished.
Gilgamesh marveled at her shocked and horrified face, she was always so expressive. The cold King of Knights was never a bore in his presence. She always shone the brightest when she was with him and that was what drew his eye.
He then placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. His whole demeanor changed suddenly. His grip though still tight was softer. This caused her clouded eyes to snap up to him and narrow. He was silently putting all of his faith in her strength. It was time this game of theirs ended though.
He knew she would come out unscathed.
She had no time to think on his soft lips on her forehead. No time to question why he had shown some gentility. Instead it all was suddenly halted as he forced her down. The sludge began covering her whole face as she tried to keep from inhaling it. It burned throughout her body, spreading like a rampant wildfire. She felt disconnected with her body as she looked down at herself. Disembodied hands began to crawl over her, trying to pull her deeper into the darkness.
Faces flashed through the muck, names and voices. All people she once knew. All of them ridiculed and hated her; she had caused all of their downfalls. The knights of her round table, her queen, her country and people, all were rallying a battle cry of abhorrence. The servants that she fought with and against in the grail wars passed, their voices mocked her honor and her righteousness. The masters and humans that she's encountered over the decades, they cried out at her with scorn. If it wasn't for her and this war, she would have never had been the cause of so much destruction. Even the disgusting Holy Grail was her fault, in the end.
Saber didn't want to fight against this anymore. She might have been a king, she might have ruled, but it was all a farce. She was just simply too small to take on the task. She ruled without feeling and that led to her demise. She tried to take on the consciousness of her people to right the wrongs of the past. To change their fate, to change hers, then maybe her life wouldn't have been as bloody and full of broken hearts.
Die. Die. Die.
She was ready to give into the agony and despair, to give into the cruel and harsh reality. It was something that her mind knew needed to happen. Her dreams and ideals were suffocating her. The darkness was quickly covering her and soaking into her soul. She was growing limp, her body exhausted, but then she felt it.
It was small but it grew and bloomed outward from one centralized area of her heart. It was a bright and blinding light that burst forth from her chest. Its power was familiar, its warmth filling her with renewed strength. Her voice pierced through the mud and called out her power.
"Avalon!"
Her fight was not yet over. Divine right still had plans for the young, Arturia Pendragon.
But the world faded from her eyes. She was free of the darkness, but her body was drained. She used the last of her mana. The weight had finally crushed her. She was leaving this world, she could already tell. The sweet release of slumber was finally hers after all the bloodshed. Her eyes closed gently as her body rested peacefully on the ground.
Gilgamesh stood with his arms crossed. He was very impressed. She didn't succumb to the power of the curse, at least not from what he saw so far. Once she wakes up, he could see just how much of it affected her. He looked from the nude and unconscious form of his beloved Arturia, back to the grail. It was beginning to disappear from this world. Part of him wanted to wish on it, but part of him was disgusted by its very existence.
A corrupted chalice that granted wishes, miracles that required sacrifices. It didn't bother him that it was one of his treasures, but it was useless to him. Though, he still desired to rid the world of the frail humans and usher in a world of the strong. To bring back the era of people that had purpose in their lives. He sighed.
No, there would be no 'wishes from a holy grail war' that would not do in his world. No one will ever claim that they are his master. Gilgamesh was the one true King of Kings, his own master.
He sighed. The Gates of Babylon showering the fragile grail and shattering it. He quickly grabbed Arturia and fled the area before it erupted into flames, just like it had ten years ago. Before they made it to civilization he dematerialized his armor, but made sure to keep his sash. It was of sufficient length to cover the body of his prized possession.
Soon his lioness would wake to a new world, one where she would no longer be a servant to a master. One where she would be a Queen to a King.
Well wasn't that fun? I really tried to keep both Saber and Gilgamesh in character as I know they do NOT mix well with each other. So, if Gil seems horrible here (which he should) then that makes me happy. I needed to capture his crazy. But remember in his twisted logic he loves Saber! (which is totally bad in canon xD ) Also just to note about the whole Shirou/Saber thing. In this there is NO Mana Transfer sorry but I seriously could not handle Shirou doing that at all. So I changed that up a bit also, I made him have 2 command seals at the end and he had to use one to make her destroy the grail. That's just personal headcanon I suppose when it comes to the servants getting the grail for their masters.