It took a week for Shirou to fully mend.

Fortunately, they had the time. It seemed like the other competitors in the Grail War were willing to go on without them. It was a bit dangerous but Arjuna had managed to watch several battles. The aerial battle between Berserker and Caster had been both stunning and terrifying and Arjuna hoped, fervently, that at least one of them was eliminated by the other.

During that week, though, Shirou soon began moving around. And that resulted in some incredible cuteness.

"I want to learn too! Show me Arjuna, show me!" Shirou said excitedly, waving a small toy bow. Arjuna stifled a laugh.

"Certainly," he said easily and Shirou joined a smiling Karna. Arjuna patiently showed his new pupil the correct way to hold the bow. The little thing he was using was terrible – what was that odd crest on it? – but it could still be used to show him the basic techniques.

Arjuna was pleased to see that Karna's speed was improving. His aim had already been very good, but his ability to draw quickly had been abysmal, even when materializing his arrows. Karna also couldn't fire well while moving, but Arjuna wouldn't expect anything else. He was a child and a Rider, after all. Hmm.

"Let's try to hit the target while moving," Arjuna suggested, sure this would go hilariously badly. Karna nodded earnestly while Shirou giggled. Arjuna thought the little boy was regarding this as a game, and that pleased him. Shirou needed to play.

It did go hilariously badly but Arjuna had forgotten one thing and that was E rank luck.

It wasn't Karna's fault. It was slightly Shirou's fault. His little arrows were tipped with nerf, so he could be more careless with them and after so long in bed, the little boy wanted to run. Karna, though, was paying close attention to what he was doing and moving more slowly as he tried to get a grip on the concept of firing a bow and moving at the same time. So Shirou ran into him, unfortunately just while he was firing.

That was where E rank luck came in. Arjuna was of course nowhere near the target and even with Shirou having ruined his aim, Karna's arrow should have gone nowhere near him. Instead of hitting a random spot on the fence, though, by pure luck it hit an ornamental bird feeder. The bird feeder deflected it and the arrow – which was a real weapon and a Noble Phantasm, albeit a very weak one – slashed away. Then it went through the hanging laundry, ruining several sheets – there would be words about that later – before hitting the metal pole holding up the laundry. That caused it to deflect again and finally find a permanent target.

"Ah!" Arjuna gasped in pain and surprise as the arrow embedded itself in his hip. Reaching down to grasp it he realized, with horror, that if it had gone only a few inches to the left he would have been in danger of emasculation. That was going too far, even for E rank luck!

"ARJUNA!" Karna was there, pure mortification and horror on his face as he tried to help. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm really really sorry…" Karna was easing him down and Shirou was already running for the house. Ah, to get Waver, but there was an easier way to do that. Master, we've had an accident, I need healing please, Arjuna thought and felt Waver's alarm as Shirou shouted.

"It's not your fault. Just an accident," Arjuna said through gritted teeth as he lay down. It was quite painful though, Karna's little arrow had bit deep. "How could that have happened," he said under his breath before sighing. Curse his luck. Then Waver was there, by his side.

"Oh no! Karna, the arrow doesn't have any barbs does it?" Waver asked and Karna shook his head. Arjuna wasn't surprised, hunting arrows didn't and Karna's bow was not meant for serious battle. "Okay…" Waver freed the arrow with a quick jerk and immediately began healing. The pain quickly eased, to Arjuna's relief. "Whatever happened?"

"It was my fault, I ran into Karna, I'm sorry," Shirou sounded tearful and Arjuna immediately shook his head.

"It was no one's fault. The arrow hit the bird feeder, ricocheted, went through the laundry, hit the pole, ricocheted again and then hit me." He'd seen it all, Arjuna had just been too stunned by the series of events to react in time. If it had been a battle and he'd been expecting trouble, Arjuna would likely have dodged. Perhaps not though, even in battle you didn't expect projectiles to go so wildly off course. Waver choked a bit at the recital.

"That, uh, is pretty impressive! Just not in a good way. I think that's enough archery for today. Shirou, Karna, did you want to help gran make supper?" Karna nodded dutifully, considering it a mild punishment. Shirou, though, was happy.

"Yes! I'll make something amazing!" He would too. For a six year old, Shirou was marvelous in the kitchen. Waver's 'gran' had found a kindred spirit. "Is there anything you'd like Arjuna?" Shirou said, still blaming himself a little for the accident. Arjuna smiled.

"Pie will do," he said easily, knowing that a cherry pie had been baked this morning and was cooling on the windowsill. It would be an easy request to meet and Arjuna truly wanted it. Hm. "I'm glad the arrow didn't manage to hit the pie." He preferred his own pain to ruined pie. Both the children looked appropriately horrified.

"I'm going to check on it now…" Karna said and Arjuna chuckled. Then they went back inside, leaving behind the tattered laundry. Arjuna considered mentioning it but then decided they could break the bad news to gran after supper. Testing his leg, Arjuna found it wasn't even aching. Ah, that was a relief. Vaguely, he hoped his E rank luck had exhausted itself for the time being. Did it have a charge?

He could only hope.

At the end of the week, the rest of the world decided to notice them again.

It came in the form of Saber. The boundary field sang as it was violated and Arjuna was instantly out the door, Karna right behind. Vaguely, Arjuna hoped that Karna's power wouldn't be needed. But if it was, Shirou could supply it. They'd carefully checked and Shirou's mage circuits appeared to be functioning normally.

"Where is she?" Saber spat as soon as she saw them, holding her sword threateningly. Arjuna blinked.

"Where's who?" Karna asked directly, to his vague relief. Arjuna hated to show ignorance.

"Irisveil!" …Who? If Arjuna said that clarified anything he'd be a liar. "The chalice of the Grail!" …Ohhhhh. While he still had no idea who this was, Saber's conviction they'd taken her made more sense. Although.

"I have not left our boundary field for a week," Arjuna said, fudging the truth slightly. He'd left several times to view battles but not participated in any. It hardly counted. "We have been looking after the child YOU injured." He allowed his tone to become frigid.

"It wasn't her fault," Karna immediately protested and Arjuna couldn't help but smile. His brother was very forgiving. "She couldn't have seen him behind Aruna. But you clipped my chariot," Karna said to Saber, who was starting to look a little sick. "It activated and pulled so much mana from Shirou, he overstrained his mage circuits. He was so sick but he's getting better now. So that's alright."

"But I have been helping to take care of him. I do not know what has happened but it was not my doing," Arjuna said firmly and Saber began to mutter to herself.

"Berserker, it must have – but how – I must go – " Saber abruptly left, running away with Servant speed and Arjuna blinked before frowning. Then Karna gently tugged on his hand.

"Should we go after her?" Arjuna looked down into solemn aquamarine eyes and thought about it. He felt… like…

"I feel like we must." Perhaps it was a summons from the Grail. Perhaps it was fate. But Arjuna felt that it was time for them to go. Karna nodded, a touch sadly.

"I'm sad that it's almost over but I think you're right, it's time," Karna said quietly and Arjuna felt a deep wrench in his heart. Kneeling down, he hugged his 'little' brother, holding him close. Karna sniffed before hugging him back.

"I will treasure the memory of this," Arjuna murmured, hoping he was not lying. Would he remember when he returned to the Throne of Heroes? He should, this copy would return along with his experiences, but would he if he was summoned for another Grail War? Probably not. "We must get Waver and Shirou," Arjuna said before gently letting go of his brother. Karna nodded.

"Yes." They were ready. It was time to go.

The Grail War was almost over.

When they first met Caster on the bridge, Karna thought everything would be fine. He stood on the bridge, calmly waiting for them, but Karna wasn't intimidated. He was one Servant against two, and Shirou was ready to give him mana. They were all ready.

"So, Archer and Rider. This will be the final battle for the two of you, since you are unlucky enough to face me," Caster said calmly and Karna frowned. Was that arrogance or just confidence? "Heroic Spirit Karna." Karna blinked at that and Shirou gasped. "I know you, but not your friend. Give me your name, so it might be properly remembered when you are deceased." Arjuna glanced at Waver and Karna could sense them silently conferring before Arjuna looked back.

"Heroic Spirit Arjuna," he said, his bearing proud. Caster's eyes widened before he laughed, long and hard.

"Ah! The two brothers, their positions reversed, fighting together instead of against? Fate must be laughing!" Caster's smile was taunting. "Your mother must be proud." Karna couldn't help it. He flinched, feeling a deep sting in his heart. Arjuna's hand on his shoulder steadied him.

"You have my name. What is yours, Caster, so I might also remember it properly?" Arjuna asked, taunting Caster right back. The golden Servant's smile became more amused.

"I will give you a hint, mongrel." Mongrel? Then a dozen golden portals appeared behind Caster, and weapons peeked from each one. Waver was the one to speak.

"While your projection magic is impressive, it hardly gives us a clue to your identity," he said and Caster's eyes narrowed.

"It's not projection." Shirou said and he sounded really scared. They all looked at him in surprise and he stared back with wide eyes. "They're all real. I can tell." …Oh no. Caster laughed again, this time very amused.

"It seems your protégé is also a prodigy! Indeed, all my weapons are quite real. Does that tell you who I am, Waver Velvet?" The use of Waver's full name seemed ominous to Karna. Waver swallowed hard before answering.

"Only one Heroic Spirit has an armory of weapons… Gilgamesh, King of Uruk," Waver whispered and Karna didn't know who that was but had a feeling it was a very bad thing. Arjuna readied his bow.

"It seems we are well matched then. What shall prevail, your endless weapons or my endless arrows?" The smile on Caster's face said he thought he knew the answer. "Pashupata!" It wasn't the full Noble Phantasm but dozens of arrows slashed out just as Gilgamesh unleashed the weapons from his portals.

For the first time, Shirou and Karna got to see what Arjuna could really do and it was awe inspiring. He moved with incredible grace, seeming to dance through the air as he evaded swords, axes and spears. His bow knocked down the rest and arrows flew at the ancient King, who blocked them with magical shield and his axe. It seemed like an even fight but as Karna watched, he was coming to an ugly conclusion.

"Karna, come on, go help Arjuna!" Shirou urged him but Karna shook his head, still watching.

"I can't. I mean, I can but it wouldn't be any good," Karna said and Waver just gripped the edge of the chariot, biting his lip in pain. That was the problem. "Shirou, he's just trying to wear them out. His Master must have way more mana than Waver." Karna could see it clearly. "If I run in and start mana bursting he'll wear me out too." Karna was sure this Master, whoever he was, had more mana than Shirou too. And Caster was Caster, he'd probably been raising and storing mana, it was what they did. "…" Karna bit his lip before coming to a decision. He knelt beside Shirou, looking into honey brown eyes. "Shirou, remember that thing I told you we might have to do? It's time to do it," Karna said decisively and firm resolve filled his Master's face.

"Right!" Karna smiled at the resolution in Shirou's face. Then he lifted his hand and the Command Seals flared. "Command Seals, release all your energy to Karna!" The first one flared and died. Karna felt a rush of power, as the crystallized essence of the Grail, pure magic, flowed into his body. "Release all your energy to Karna!" A second seal flared and vanished. A second surge and Karna felt stuffed with power. "Release all your energy to Karna!" Waver was staring at them in shock, his struggle to support Arjuna forgotten. They hadn't told him about this plan, unsure if they would ever use it.

The third seal flowing into him was too much. Karna had to release it. He began his chant, even as Shirou told Waver to get Arjuna back into the chariot.

"Oh Father above me, grace me with your power," Karna intoned, aware that something was different. His body was different, he was bigger? And his voice was different, older. "Rain down heavenly fire upon those who would harm your son." As he said the words, Karna felt a warmth in his chest and despite the fact that it was night, the sun began to shine. For just a moment, Karna felt truly loved. Arjuna landed in the chariot, breathing hard and Karna was very pleased to see that. As soon as he finished it would be dangerous to be outside the chariot. "Abide to death Oh Sun!"

And the world fell away.

Arjuna realized soon after the battle began that he was in trouble.

His calculations were identical to Karna's. Caster was trying to wear him out and it was working. He had to use the pared down version of his Noble Phantasm constantly to ward off the stream of weapons. He didn't have time to invoke his full Noble Phantasm and his arrows were not getting through. Karna wasn't doing anything and Arjuna had a good idea as to why. His brother was observing this and trying to think of a way to win.

So Arjuna was expecting Rider to do something. Nothing could have prepared him for the reality, though.

Arjuna, get in the chariot right now! Waver's command did not have a Command Seal behind it but Arjuna obeyed instantly. He landed in the chariot behind… Karna? This was no child and Arjuna stared at the young man in front of him, his back to him and the chariots reins wrapped in one hand. Karna was still wearing his tattered pants and vest, but now Kavacha and Kundala were present, in an abbreviated form. Bracers of gold circled his wrists, and anklets of the same, with tiny patches on his shoulders. Arjuna vaguely noticed that Karna still had no shoes.

"Abide to death Oh Sun!" Arjuna gasped and heard Waver gasp and Shirou shriek as the world abruptly fell away. The sun suddenly burned overhead, in a cerulean sky and far beneath them were great jungles and fields, the landscape of his homeland. Vaguely, Arjuna understood that Karna had pulled them into his private world, a landscape of his mind. Of course, it made perfect sense. How else could Karna safely release the power of his chariot?

And the chariot had changed even more greatly than Karna. Instead of a small chariot, proud but worn, they stood in a great flying vimana of gold. Aruna was a horse now, proud and gleaming gold, her mane a great wave of living fire. It was almost painful to look at but Arjuna was entranced by the beauty of it. He was even more entranced when Karna turned to look at him, a small smile on his lips. His brother looked to be perhaps fifteen, sixteen? A heavy earring swung and Arjuna thought he knew when Karna had acquired it. At just this age, right before he left home to begin his journey in the world.

"We have come to a strange place, brother," Karna said and his voice was older yet still not the man he would someday be. "Yet, it is fitting that there is a prince riding in my chariot." Arjuna returned his smile at that and readied his bow.

"It is. Now, let us destroy our enemies together," Arjuna said, his heart singing. Karna's smile widened and he looked forward as Arjuna began to chant. As he spoke the words of his Noble Phantasm, though, Arjuna could see Caster. He was watching them with a small smile and in his hand was a weapon like nothing Arjuna had seen before. It glowed with a baleful light as he raised it and Arjuna knew, instinctively, that it was Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm. They were both about to give it all they had. One way or the other, this would be decided now.

Golden fire rained down on Gilgamesh and was repulsed by the red light. Arjuna unleashed a torrent of blue arrows, expecting at least some would get through, but not a single one did. Then he heard Karna gasp as the ground beneath them began to shatter, as if in a tremendous earthquake. Gilgamesh was pointing his sword at them and a cone of red light blew out from it. The chariot shuddered at the blow and Karna bent forward, hands gripping the front of the chariot. Arjuna braced himself and tried to fire, but every arrow he unleashed vanished, dying against the overwhelming force.

"Arjuna," Karna's voice was strained and as Arjuna watched helplessly, he saw the golden chariot beginning to shatter, Karna's armor starting to break. "Take Waver and Shirou and leap from the back of the chariot."

"No! No, Karna, you can't, you can't!" Shirou tried to cling to his Servant but Arjuna scooped him up, ignoring the crying child as Waver jumped onto his back. Then he moved smoothly, leaping out the back of the chariot. Goodbye brother. As he leapt, the world went white.

A brief moment later he was landing on the bridge. Around them were sparkles of gold, little fragments of mana that Arjuna instinctively knew were all that was left of Karna. As he turned to glare at Caster, he saw that Gilgamesh no longer had his red weapon and was not smiling. So, Karna's death had nullified his Noble Phantasm.

"Karna… Karna…" Shirou was crying heavy tears as Waver tried to comfort him. Arjuna could spare no time to mourn.

"Pashupata!" Arjuna unleashed his arrows again, as many as he could muster, and Caster deployed his portals and weapons. It was fewer than before though and Arjuna thought Gilgamesh's Master must be badly drained. Waver was too, of course, but not as much. Perhaps they could emulate Karna and take energy from the seals?

Arjuna was about to suggest that when everything changed. Six portals suddenly opened around him and instead of weapons, what flew out were chains. Arjuna did his best to evade him but one caught him by the arm and then he was done. Chains wrapped around his body in an unbreakable grip. Arjuna struggled against them but he could not begin to break free –

"Arjuna, break those chains!" Arjuna gasped as the power of a Command Seal hit him. He was a very even-tempered spirit so this was the first time Waver had used one. And it wasn't enough. Despite the power of the seal and his own will, the chains barely strained. "Break those chains!" A second command seal hit him, a tremendous flash of energy. The chains creaked and screamed but did not break. "Break those chains!"

It was enough. The chains snapped and Arjuna was free. He barely managed to parry Caster's axe and was unable to go back into distance range. Instead he was forced to use his backup weapon, his short sword. More a tool to make new arrows and tend to camp chores than a weapon, it screamed as it clashed against Gilgamesh's axe. Red eyes were narrowed with concentration and Arjuna fought with every ounce of skill at his command.

The end came with brutal suddenness. Arjuna was aware of his own failure just before the axe got past his guard, biting deep into his side in a treacherous strike. He reeled away, struggling to get enough distance to use Gandiva, but even as he summoned the bow the axe swung again. It sheared through Gandiva and into Arjuna's chest. He tasted blood and felt a great weakness even as Arjuna heard Waver and Shirou cry out.

"You have fought well, oh prince," Gilgamesh said as he freed his axe with a jerk of his arm. Arjuna wavered before sinking to his knees. To his slight pride, he saw the ancient King was breathing hard. It wasn't much but it was something. "Do you have any boon to ask of your King?" Arjuna was tempted to tell him where to stick that but the truth was, there was something he wanted, very much.

"Yes," Arjuna breathed even as sparkles of golden light began to rise from his body. "My Master, Waver, and Shirou… please, keep them safe." That was all he truly wanted now. Gilgamesh considered his request for just a moment before nodding.

"I swear, on my honor as a King, I will keep them safe until the end of the Grail War." That was when Gilgamesh himself would leave the world and could no longer protect them. Arjuna bowed his head, feeling a great relief even as his mana core finished dissolving.

Waver and Shirou would be safe.