Here's the next chapter, sorry it took so long. I hope You'll like it and I'm waiting for Your comments.

Special thanks to Eriaden - for help and kind words!


Chapter 3: Reasons to Fight

He knew that exposing his back to this particular enemy was extremely stupid, but he could feel that this decision, which came straight from his heart, was right.

Even if it was his last decision in this war.


"Masters, the identities of two Servants were revealed this night."

A beautiful woman with long, violet hair and an eye cover materialized in one of the rooms in Matou residence. A boy whose body was covered in bandages smiled to her gently, but the other Master, a girl with purple hair, shivered unwittingly, still not used to Assassin's presence.

Sakura was really frightened when she first met her Servant. It was not the personality or abilities of this Heroic Spirit that were particularly scary but its class seemed… unexpectedly unsuited to her. In contrast to others, tactics of Assassin seemed somehow shameful and inappropriate. And killing Masters instead of Servants was impossible to accept for Sakura, so it was the first thing her Servant was forbidden to do.

Surprisingly, the woman accepted Sakura's order with relief and soon revealed her true nature of a caring, kindhearted person. She was also very calm and obedient, so it did not take long for both Matou Masters to trust her skills and advices.

Sakura realized soon that class is nothing more than a container, but still Assassin's talent to appear out from nowhere was extremely annoying for the girl.

Assassin told everything she had observed during Lancer clash with the unknown Servant and added some strange revelations about Saber's duel with Berserker.

"So... what should we do next?" – Sakura asked after a long while of silence, when all of them were analyzing the news in the privacy of their own minds.

Assassin spoke first, and it sounded like she already decided to follow her own plan.

"I think it would be wise to secretly support Tohsaka's Servant. Because he's easy to defeat for me… and a threat to anyone else. He'll be our sword."

Sakura remembered old Zouken's reaction after her new Servant had been summoned – the magus was truly overjoyed and gave the girl a lecture on using the full potential of this class. It was somehow frightening, to become a director of present events and a scriptwriter of future ones… She understood well that it was certainly the best course of action in these circumstances, but she still did not like it. Tohsaka's blood in her veins was pushing her to take the front line in the battle.

Gathering information is the most important part of war, but there's no way to win using only them, right?

"I see, so he will get rid of other Servants for us and then we will eliminate him?" Shirou rubbed his chin, thinking. "Nice plan."

"Are you sure that he is the famous Dragon-Blooded Knight?" Sakura was either more hesitant or she just did not want to make any serious tactical mistake.

"After seeing him in action, I'm sure, Master." Her composure and tone of voice left no place for doubts. "His swordsmanship has long since surpassed mankind… I haven't seen Archer yet, but for now this one and Saber are the strongest, equally strong perhaps. Maybe Berserker too, but there's something really strange about him. We need to observe him more, in my opinion."

"Sure. Keep observing then. And you may support Rin Tohsaka… within reason."

"Thank you, Masters. I will bring you victory."

Even if I will have to kill everyone in this war.

She did not say it, but both Matou kids could easily read her intentions from her overprotective tone of voice. Assassin persistently repeated that she had no personal need for the Grail, but it seemed that she had a clear goal in this war.

She just did not want these kids to be hurt and suffer anymore.


"Are you sure it was Berserker, Master?"

The white-haired girl nodded, an absolute certainty painted on her face.

"I'm sure, I could read his status clearly during your duel." She was fighting with a pack of nice looking jelly candies, trying to open it. After successfully ending this important operation, she put three of the most colorful jellies in her mouth at once. "Sooooo goooood! This is my new favourite thing!" She giggled. "But why do you keep asking me this, Saber?"

Arturia sighed, visibly worried.

"I've already seen Berserkers with amazing fighting skills, but no single one able to read the situation so perfectly or plan his moves in advance. And..." Saber stopped, remembering something. Or rather someone, from the Fourth Grail War, who used to rely on similar abilities in battle.

"And?"

"And no Berserker would retreat on his own. I'm sure that there was no order for him to do so."

Ilya nodded again, she'd already come to the same conclusion. This Servant predicted or knew the consequences of Saber using her ultimate Excalibur attack, and withdrew just in time to avoid them.

Another jellies disappeared in girl's mouth, making her extremely content.

"You can defeat him, Saber?" – she asked suddenly, in oddly cheerful manner.

"I WILL defeat him, Ilya." Saber smiled, trying to hide how much this question hurt her pride. "It would be nice to know his identity or Noble Phantasm first, but not necessarily."

"I see… Someone here just can't stand failure, huh?" She poke Arturia in the arm, laughing. "Don't worry, I will soon track him, so you will repay him. You're the strongest, after all."

Saber only smiled in response, determined to win at all costs this time. She will not allow anyone to take the Grail from her again.


A beautiful young girl entered the church, bowed with respect and folded her hands in prayer. She had a pale, almost white skin and something in her appearance seemed inhuman. She not only had the aura of a powerful Servant, but her body also was most likely artificial, alike to the Einzbern homunculus.

But their homunculi have white hair and red eyes… Eyes of the girl were in the color of amethysts and her long braid of hair was almost golden. It seemed that magic of the Grail started to affect the host of this unusual possession.

After finishing her prayers, the girl looked around, like detecting something. The object of her concern was sitting on the floor in the corner of the church, perfectly chained, and probably asleep.

"You are…" She covered her mouth with her hand, utterly shocked, and walked up to him. Her angelic face brightened with compassion and kindness. After a short while, she reached out her hand and gently caressed Berserker's white hair. "What should I do with you?"

"Berserker, what are you doing? You should stand up and greet our guest properly."

Kotomine came in from the side corridor, his hands behind his back, a thin, cruel smile on his face. His Servant raised from the ground mechanically, free from chains after one short command of the priest.

"I understand now." The girl did not lose her cool or courage, but she stepped back and materialized her armor, holy battle flag and sword, just in case. "You are the one who pretends to be the supervisor of this War. But you're breaking the rules instead of guarding them. You're defiling this holy place…" She glanced at Berserker, at his empty gaze and could not stand the view. "You have no respect even for your own Servant."

"Oh? Actually, he was the one who tried to kill me only a moment after I summoned him. I was extremely forgiving to let him stay by my side and temper his madness."

Ruler frowned a little, disgusted by these cynical lies. It was not compassion but cruelty, which resulted in making this Heroic Spirit even more broken than he already was.

"Anyway, I will not let a Ruler wander around, messing with my plans. So begone, foolish girl!"


"Master, is she really trying to fight this beast with a flag?"

Rider was standing next to Rin, with his hands crossed and very unusual expression on his face. They were both watching the fight in the church from the open door of side entrance.

"So it seems. And she's doing well. But this priest is going to exorcise her while she's busy with Berserker."

"And I suppose that we're going to interfere, because two bad guys attacking one cute girl is not funny at all?"

"Yes. And because everyone who fights this Servant is our ally."

A very dangerous light appeared in Tohsaka's eyes. It was him, no doubt. Tracking the enemy with her amethyst owls was a hard task, but she made it at last. And gathered some other information in the process. Master of Lancer was extremely cautious, so Rin lost one of the scouts before she could see anything helpful to localize his hideout. The one she had sent to Ryuudou Temple also was destroyed, so they had another location to investigate.

But first I want to face this Berserker. I must, or I will never be at peace with myself again.

"Master, why strengthen only your arms and legs?" Siegfried was staring at her while she was preparing to the battle. "Your head and spine need protection, don't you think?"

She froze, surprised by this unexpected but apt remark.

"I've never thought about it," she replied honestly, thinking why she had never come up with this idea, but Rider did, just like that. It was probably because of his fighting style, different than Archer's. Siegfried was using more strength and he rarely bothered to dodge, thanks to his armor.

"I won't let you go there, Master, until you'll be well protected. So please cast these spells on the most important parts of your body." Rider was talking like a commander and Tohsaka did not really like this tone of voice. He soon realized that he's not in charge there, and added politely: "Please. And forgive me, these are my old habits."

"Why are you so stubborn this time?"

Siegfried rolled his eyes, but did not lose his patience yet.

"Because our enemy there is Berserker. It means that you need to predict unpredictable to survive, Master…"

"I know, stop it!" Rin blushed a little. It was almost like being reprimanded by Archer, long ago… "Fine, I'll do what you ask. And let's hurry."

The silver-haired knight smiled gently and Tohsaka noticed that she started to really like this shy, hesitant smile.


"I will kill. I will let live. I will harm and heal. None will escape me. None will escape my sight.

Be crushed."

Kirei's voice echoed through the church, louder than the sounds of fighting. His chants visibly affected the girl, she was repelling Berserker's blows desperately, but she was losing strength with every word.

"I am light and relieve you of all your burdens."

"Bullshit," angry Tohsaka said and fired Gandr at false priest, forcing him to stop the incantation. At the same moment, Siegfried's sword blocked Berserker's daggers, and mad warrior jumped back, waiting for new orders. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yes." Ruler was breathing heavily, but she did not hide behind Rider's back. "Thank you, Master of Rider. But please, do not fight in this holy place."

"Fight?" Kirei chuckled. "Miss Tohsaka is leaving soon. She values her life, after all."

"You!" Rin was too easy to provoke, but Siegfried did not criticize her this time, also irritated by Executor's malicious laugh.

"Kotomine, what's that supposed to mean? It's so loud in here… To think that you started a party and forgot to invite me."

Another Servant materialized next to Kirei, the golden-haired man with dangerous, red eyes. He looked amused, like a child, who finally found some companions to play with.

"Forgive me, Archer." Kirei smiled. "I did not suppose that you will find their company fascinating."

"We'll see."

Golden Servant raised his hand, firing several weapons at his totally surprised opponents.

Seeing what's happening, Siegfried decided to try to keep the secret of his armor safe as long as possible, and blocked the missiles with his sword. One or two broke through his defense, doing him no harm, as expected.

But Gilgamesh could not be fooled so easily.

"Oh?" Red eyes met blue eyes, and two Servants were trying to rate their chances of winning. "So I need to use some more valuable ones? Interesting."

Rider was totally focused on golden portals opened by Archer. He had no choice but to act defensively, his Master's safety was a priority right now. He could, probably, break through and engage this golden Servant in melee combat, but not with Rin so close behind.

Master, I highly recommend you to withdraw now.

No way! I won't leave you! Tohsaka was not open to negotiations this time. Besides I must keep the priest busy or he'll use some dirty tricks against us.

"Tch!" Rider clenched his teeth, swallowing frustration and anger. So 'entertaining' Gilgamesh was his only task now. He would rather assist Rin, but he knew that he can't take his eyes off this golden Servant even for a second. After all, he will not help anyone with one of Archer's weapons stuck in his vulnerable back…


The situation in the church reached an impasse. Rin was bombarding Kotomine with spells from distance and he just kept dodging them, not even focused on this task. Rider was almost mechanically blocking Archer's missiles, but he could not keep waving his big and heavy sword for too long. Some weapons pierced through his armor, leaving annoying scratches. Gilgamesh was evidently enjoying this 'archery training' and hit Rider's legs on purpose, trying to immobilize him.

Ruler on the other hand, slowly started to gain an advantage over Berserker. Her opponent's attacks seemed halfhearted and warrior was not focused at all, glancing at Tohsaka with strange, insane expression on his face.

"Berserker, what have I told you? Ruler is your target."

But mad Servant, visibly fixated on Rin, only mumbled something and hit Ruler hard with his elbow. She was a small fry, irritating but meaningless for him now. The girl hit the wall and slumped to the floor, dazed and battered.

Berserker was not wasting time and attacked Tohsaka without a second thought. She reacted with magic and wounded him several times with Gandr but it was not enough to stop him. He grabbed Rin by her neck and picked her up from the ground.

"Master!" – that was Rider's voice. He was desperately trying to free himself from numerous weapons which were almost nailing him down to the floor. His anger changed to wrath already and a wave of light blue energy burst from his exposed skin. Enraged, he destroyed all weapons with a single slash of his sword and stood up. He was terrifying, with murderous intent in his gaze and skin stained with blood from many minor wounds.

"Oh?" Gilgamesh tilted his head, amused. "A dragon? I think I have something for you in my treasury."

"Like I care…" Siegfried barely glanced at King of Heroes and rushed to his Master's side.

He knew that exposing his back to this particular enemy was extremely stupid, but he could feel that this decision, which came straight from his heart, was right.

Even if it was his last decision in this war.

Rin was fighting with all her might, trying to catch a breath, but Servant seemed to be totally insensitive to her desperate blows. Without strengthening spells, which she casted on her spine before the battle, she would be already dead.

Yet, even in this desperate situation, she could see something strange on his face. The way he was looking at her… This insane gaze. These eyes…

Is he crying?

And then she realized, her eyes widened in shock and heart stopped beating…

"A… Ar…?"

Suddenly Berserker freed Tohsaka from his deadly grasp and stepped back, breathing heavily.

"Berserker!" Kotomine's voice was full of anger and pain. "How dare you drain me?! You have other resources!"

With these words, a little pale priest retreated. His Servant kneeled on the ground, as if his energy was completely cut off, like a mechanical doll with empty batteries.

Rin was sitting no further than two meters from him, panting terribly and trying to see anything – her vision was still foggy after the fall. They looked equally miserable at this moment.

"Master, don't move!" Rider was already by Tohsaka's side, his great sword ready to cut off Berserker's head.

"No! Don't!" – she shouted, not really sure why she did it.

Siegfried's eyes narrowed, but he obeyed and did not waste time for unnecessary movements. Abandoning this kind of attack halfway was nearly impossible and someone less skilled would probably end hurting himself or everyone around while trying. Rider did not even think of stopping the blow, but he targeted the wall instead of enemy Servant. Fragments of bricks fell dangerously close to Rin's head. Warrior groaned painfully after this hard hit, yet still managed to turn away swiftly, with intention of facing and blocking all the weapons launched by King of Heroes.

But golden-haired girl returned to the battle and stood between fighting Servants. Her flag was stuck on the ground as the source of protecting barrier, which easily stopped Archer's weapons.

"Enough! I order you to stop fighting right now or I will use Command Seals on all of you!" But she was looking only at Gilgamesh while saying this. No fear or hesitation in her gaze, only pure determination. "You're defiling this holy place! If you still want to fight, do it outside the church. Fairly."

Siegfried did not react, ready to protect Rin. He was still watching Gilgamesh, wary of his every movement. Berserker, although able to move again, also had no intention to continue the fight and withdrew slowly to his Master. Archer muttered disdainfully and dispelled his portals.

"You're boring, mongrels. I will not go easy on you next time." And he vanished into spirit form, leaving only a bit of golden mist behind.

"My… that was… chaotic," Rin said, slowly standing up with Rider's assistance. She was still a little dizzy and shaken. "Anyway, we should get out of he…"

"Master, look."

At this moment golden-haired girl fainted and hit the floor.

"Great." Rin sighed. "Now we should take care of her. Just great."