With the ships sinking fast Kayneth could finally turn his attention to repairing the destruction to his fortress. Though his barriers were able to prevent much of the damage to the hotel the surrounding did not fare so well.

The buildings directly around the Hyatt after being bombarded by cannon shells were enveloped with craters that covered their surfaces, the crowds around the hotel had long since scattered leaving the area around to be nothing more than an empty wasteland of destruction amongst the formerly bustling cityscape.

"What an annoyance, I'm going to have to make a call to the mediator about this."

He was sure that old man would be able to take care of things for Kayneth free of charge, that would make the recovery of his fortress all the faster.

Once more glancing out the window Kayneth was shocked to see that the ships had not quite disappeared yet, despite what he had previously thought it appeared that the flagship, the Golden Hind, was still holding on using sheer willpower.

"NoT DOne, I CAn sTIll kEEP GoinG!"

Kayneth couldn't believe his eyes, the Servant had unmistakably disappeared - he saw that same familiar golden dust fade into the air, the same as the Assassin he had killed previously. Yet that voice was none other than Riders bellowing the out the same stubbornness he always had.

'Lancer! Can you sense his presence? Where is Rider?'

'He should be dead, Master, but I sense a presence however faint from the bowels of his flagship. It appears he's using the last of his power to maintain that ship but given the damage he sustained it won't be long before even that will prove too much for him.'

Lancer's words were ringing true even as he spoke them, it was clear that the Golden Hind itself was in no stable condition to maintain its position, it was already tumbling towards the earth at rapidly increasing speeds.

"IF ay' CAn't BEat YA HEAD on, ay' CAn At leaST takE ya' DOwn with ME!"

The ship's descent began to change course from a downward flight into one headed straight towards the base of the hotel. It was clear to even Kayneth that the fool was intending to take the hotel own with his final breath, but the nobleman was not about to let that happen.

Unfortunately the base of the hotel was where his fortress was at its weakest so direct magic would prove to be impossible, with his mind rushing through option after option he finally settled on the one he must the quickest.

'Lancer, stop that ship, use whatever means you can muster and halt its decline!'

Rushing into action Lancer once again ran towards the base of the hotel to prepare, as a single Servant and one without proper tools to actually stop the ship he would use his body if necessary. Such was his nature as a Servant who obeys.

However Kayneth had more than just his Servant at his disposal this time, closing his eyes he began to mutter to himself.

"Excitare…"

From within the depths of his hotel a multitude of creatures awakened from their slumbers, beasts and wraiths alike began to move and stir as their Master called forth to them in order to serve their purpose.

Multiple roads echoed throughout the bounded halls as the evil spirits left their crypts and began to gather towards the base of the hotel forming into a sickening black mass.

"Move!" With a wave of Kayneth's hand the black mass that had gathered began to push forth meeting the encroaching ship head on colliding directly with the hull of the Golden Hind and slowing its descent ever so slightly.

"Nolite Obdurare!" The black mass was losing to the might of the mighty flagship but the exterior of its body began to harden into a thick carapace, seeing the opportunity Lancer began to run along the top of the black ooze and upon reaching the collision point reached for the flagship and pushed against it with all his might.

Though he was just a single man, he was indeed a Servant blessed with superhuman strength and that strength was proving to be more valuable than ever, the mad descent of the Hind had now slowed to a crawl but it was still moving over so slightly. Kayneth needed something more, something that could take that ship out in one fell swoop, and then it hit him.

'Lancer on my mark I want you to retreat, I will take that ship out myself.'

Hesitating for only a second Lancer reluctantly obeyed, in a flash of wind he lept out of the path of the oncoming boat and predictably causing it to push forth once more just as the wraiths attempting to surround the ship made their way towards the center of the ship's hull. Surrounding it from both inside and out Kayneth released his final chant.

"Ignis!"

The wraiths that enveloped the entirety of the ship subsequently exploded with the ship quickly following suit. The explosion was massive, causing multiple shockwaves to ripple forth as they shattered what remained of the windows to the surrounding buildings.

Even the Hyatt was a victim to the blast, from its position just below the boundaries of Kayneth's fortress the skyscraper rocked back and forth causing Kayneth to stumble to his knees as the entirely of his fortress swayed but ultimately held.

When the echoes of the explosions finally began to die down and Kayneth could see through the haze and smoke he saw that his gambit had proved to be enough.

When he saw Rider detonate the ships that Lancer was attempting to use as jumping points he knew that they had to be packed with some kind of explosive likely to be used like enormous remote bombs as a last resort in case Rider's attack seems likely that Rider was killed far earlier than he expected as he was only able to steer a single ship towards the hotel and even that one failed.

However his mistake was in also allowing his flagship to be loaded with those same explosives as they created a perfect fuel for the detonation of the wraiths. Where the wraiths alone would have likely not been enough, the combined explosion of both forces was enough to tear the ship to nothing more than splinters and shrapnel.

Though multiple floors had cracks in them and the foundation was surely rather damaged the Hyatt and Kayneth's fortress were both alive and well. He had won, and even Rider's last stand was proved to be no match for the supreme magi's intellect.

He was invincible! Surely no Master or Servant could stand in his way now!

'Detonate C4…'

"The telephone?"

The sudden ringing of the telephone startled Kayneth who turned towards it. The sound that echoed from its mechanical chime sounded dark and foreboding, yet Kayneth couldn't help but walk towards it just as the building began to shake anew.

"Did one of the supports fail!? No... This is far worse."

The rumbling got worse and worse until the ground beneath him quickly gave way. In the less than a second it took for the floor to collapse a silver sphere formed around his body as his Volumen worked to protect its Master, yet there was only one thing on Kayneth's mind.

Sola was still in her room. "Sola!" Even amongst the collapsing floor Kayneth tried his hardest to push towards her room but it was proving impossible to move in any one direction. He was in freefall and if he dared to get rid of the sphere of mercury surrounding him it was likely he would not survive. He had no choice, he had to rely on his Servant.

"Lancer! Save Sola!"

It was the only command he could give before the entirely of the skyscraper gave way and Kayneth fell into the blackness of the void below and with it his chance at an easy victory.

Interlude Start

Waver awoke amongst the shaking of the decrypt warehouse and the screams of citizens running in terror. Rubbing his head he stuttered to his feet from the freezing concrete floor.

"W-where am I?"

If a confused daze he glanced around the room only to find that his Servant was nowhere to be seen. Rubbing his head in pain it was then that he remembered, while his back was turned someone must have knocked him out.

"Rider!?"

His shouts echoed throughout the room yet there was no response, repeated attempts to call for his Servant were met with nothing. It was clear that Rider was gone.

"Rider!"

Panic began to set in as Waver began to shudder in pure terror at the thought his Servant might be gone for good. He had to get out of there, he was no longer safe, he needed to run. Pushing through the rusted steel door Waver took to the streets and ignoring the sudden burst of inertia that wracked his body he stared out at the open skies and his jaw dropped.

There, high in the air a multiple of wooden ships were collapsing and fading into oblivion. In pure shock he watched as they all faded from view until the very last one sank below the city's skyline and the ground shook with such a force that he was thrown to his knees.

"No, no, no this can't be happening. I refuse to believe it!"

Ignoring the panicking passersby he began to run towards the scene of the fight as quickly as he could. However before he could even make it to the end of the street a second shock wave rocked the buildings around him causing him to trip and fall once more.

It was hard to see amongst the city's buildings but it was clear that one of skyscrapers had collapsed likely due to the fight that had just occurred.

"W-w-what the hell is going on!?"

In his confused state, Waver once more got to his feet and glanced around, unsure of what to do he simply stood there in a daze, it was as if his whole world was collapsing in on itself until it hit him.

"Oh that's right! The Command Seals!"

It was a desperate option but it was the only one he could think of using, if he could just call Rider back they could figure out what had occurred. However when he glanced at his arm the realization and dread he had been hoping was false was thrown against him in full force.

The Command Seals were gone. He was no longer a Master, Rider was dead.

"Oh god, no, no no this can't be happening, oh god…"

His delusions grew stronger as reality set in, he was no longer in the war, he was nothing more than a normal human magus. And he was a vulnerable target right in the middle of a warzone.

He needed to get out of there, he needed to escape, he needed sanctuary.

"T-t-that's right the church! The moderator! Surely he can help!"

Once more Waver took off in a run, this time towards the church. If he could just make it there he would be safe once more. He might have lost the war but at least this way he would still be alive. Ignoring the pains his body was giving him he took off towards the church on the hill ducking through streets and alleyways.

Turning the corner into a particularly thin alleyway he felt his legs lift up from under him and once more sending his face straight into the concrete.

His body was in pain, screaming at him to breath. Struggling once more he opened his eyes and from his position on the ground he came face to face with what he would soon realize was the last thing he would ever see.

Standing above him, was the single white skull shaped mask, like the grim reaper itself it stood there knife in hand and spoke to him.

"Just where do you think you are going, boy?"

Interlude End.

Upon releasing his silver bubble he was met with the thick sight of dust and debris. Nearly choking on it in surprise he whispered a few words before allowing himself to breath normally once more. His body was exhausted, he felt as if he might collapse at any moment, yet still he moved. From the depths of the wreckage of the hotel he began to move as best he could.

Time was running short it would not be long before this place was crowded with normal folk and he needed to get to Sola and get out of there before that happened.

'Lancer, where are you!? Do not move from your location I will come to you!'

'I'm at the outskirts of the wreckage, come quickly Master, I'm not sure how much longer she has.'

That was enough to trigger a panic in Kayneth's eyes. Despite his bodily fatigue and despite how difficult it was to climb amongst the rubble and destruction around him he managed to pick up on Lancer's location and head towards them.

It took what Kayneth felt like was an eternity but eventually he had made his way out of the worst of the destruction. The haze of dust had yet to lift but to Kayneth and his ability to filter and see through it was nothing more than a nuisance.

His entire base had just collapsed from under him, months of preparation and planning, a fortress to stand the test of time, gone in a flash. Yet that could all be replaced in time, the only thing he cared about right then and there was her.

And finally, after using more energy than he ever thought he had, Kayneth saw them. Hidden amongst a crowd of steel beams Lancer stood guarding the body of Kayneth's fiance.

"Stand back you fool, let me take care of this!"

He did not care how irrational he sounded, he only wanted Lancer out of there so that he could examine her condition. Upon seeing her body Kayneth knew it was not good. She was still breathing but her breath was ragged and uneven, clearly a sign that she had breathed in far too much filth. It was simple enough to conjure a spell that would filter the dust and ease her breathing but the rest of her body would be far more tricky. Her clothes were ripped and torn and she was bleeding badly, a huge gash covered her face from where the building had begun to collapse. It was fairly obvious from this site alone that by the time Lancer had gotten to her.

"I thought you were the fastest Servant in this war."

His remark was met with silence yet that only served to anger Kayneth further. However there would be time to punish his Servant later, for now he needed to focus on Sola's survival.

If he did not act quickly it was clear that she would die consumed by her wounds and the strain on her body. As such he needed to lessen that strain as quickly as he could. There were a multitude of spells that could help in the art of healing and rejuvenation but the ones that were strong enough required circles and hours of preparation. Considering his options Kayneth silently cursed to himself before coming to the realization that there was really only one course of action that would save her quick enough.

If he could take away the strain on her circuits it would ease the pressure on her body. And there was one quick way to take that strain away but it would cost him his greatest advantage in the war, his sign as the supreme Master.

No, there was no need to think on it any further, if it meant saving her life he would do anything, even cast aside his right as a magus if it meant she could be saved. He knew it was stupid and illogical but that was just a part of being in love.

Standing up from his observations he turned towards his Servant and held out his hand simultaneously taking off the filth covered gove that protected his Command Seals.

"Lancer, with the power vested in this Command Seal. I order you to cancel your connection with Sola, I hereby take the full strain of the contract as my own."

"But Mas…"

Before he could even finish the command was executed and in a flash of light Kayneth felt the strain of maintaining his Servant directly. Subsequently though it was difficult to tell Kayneth did believe Sola's breathing was eased slightly.

Her life was saved for the moment but with time ticking it was time to move on.

"Lancer protect her with your life, we are moving, now…"

Making sure to take the utmost care Lancer picked up Sola's body and the two made their way out of debris.

"O inclusi terminus..." He quietly chanted to himself as he drew with great precision the complicated sigils and lines required for such rituals.

"...stat munus vitae..." His body was screaming at him for rest, his hand felt heavy to move and his brow was coated with layers of soot and sweat yet even amongst all that he forced himself to concentrate. Using a vial of silver liquid he would pour and etch into the stone cold concrete an array of various circles and intricate designs each suited towards the purpose of healing and stasis.

"...et ipsis." Signalling to his Servant he instructed him to place Sola in the center of the magic circle afterwards he activated the circle and with a quick spark of light a faint gentle light began to emanate from it enveloping Sola completely. It was the best he could do given his current circumstances the rest would be up to Sola's own willpower to stay alive, and with time over the course of a few days she would slowly start to recover. Yet as if to prove Kayneth right her voice had already gotten far more peaceful than before, like a gentle night's sleep she lay there quietly resting before them.

Finally the strain of the day proved to be more than a match for the great magus, giving his Servant one last instruction to guard the warehouse from any intruders he collapsed to the floor, the strain of maintaining both the magic ritual and his Servant alongside his already dangerously low magical levels was proving to more than a match for him. He was nearly run dry of prana, he could hardly even move anymore.

"So… It appears this is my current limits… How unfortunate…"

Yet even though his body and mind were begging him to rest he refused. Taken a small broken shard of glass that happened to be lying around the abandoned warehouse, he grasped onto it using the pain to keep himself awake as best he could.

He had to make sure the ritual was maintained until Sola was in a more stable condition, if he dared to fall asleep it would be like leaving her fate up to the gods and he refused to leave such an important thing up to any foolish being like that.

Rolling onto his side he could see Sola, quietly sleeping away the remainder of what had quickly turned to night. From his position she looked almost like a princess awaiting the prince that might take her away from the misery of the world. Silently, Kayneth truly wished to be such a prince, he wanted to help her in whatever way he could, then perhaps it was ok?

Reaching for her rested hand he weakly grasped onto it with his free hand and silently stared at her. He knew if she ever found out about this she would likely give him a good slap in the face but he did not care. He just could not help himself, after all despite her peaceful slumber to him she just looked lonely. Maybe just a little bit it was already to take this small initiative at least for the remainder of the night.

As hour after eternal hour passed Kayneth's vision wavered but never faltered, silently he continued to stare at her sleeping face as his own grimaced in pain from the glass shared that had now stuck itself deep in his hand.

Yet he could not help but think about various things, his early days, the magus prodigy who was fated to bring glory and honor to his family, his current days as a lecturer amongst the many bright minds of the clocktower students eager to learn about the magical world. And finally, he thought about the future, with his beloved soon to be wife.

He softly smiled to himself as he imagined her, sitting down with a beaming face tending to their newly born child while he sat nearby drinking his favorite brew of tea. He imagined the faces of students yet to be seen, and how bright their eyes would get at the new discoveries he would found alongside his soon to be heir.

He could see the faces of his rivals and colleagues silently frustrated at the multitude of patents and promotions handed down to him for his hard and much deserved work in the fields of spiritual evocation, and though they might be jealous he knew deep down even they would come to appreciate his genius.

He even imagined his final days, when the time would come to pass on his crest to his child, his face wrinkled with the age and experience of a lifetime would slowly smile at the wealth of achievements he would come to accumulate over the years and he would be able to see the glimpse of the bright future that lay ahead for them all.

'It appears that her condition has finally stabilized, that's… Good.'

As the break of dawn finally began to arise once more, Kayneth, assured that she would be alive for at least the next day, finally fell into slumber.