Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fate/Zero or anything in the Nasuverse, any resemblance to any other Harry Potter/Fate Zero fan fiction is coincidental and plagiarism is not intended. No flames please, constructive criticism only.
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After helping the priest get to the church Saber had given him another ride after he had deposited the trunk within the church. His reasoning was that the Holy Grail would manifest at Archers current location due to it being one of the possible points for doing so. The Civic Centre in the newest part of the city. She crossed the bridge, which had the signs of battle. The concrete had craters and hoof prints in it. It appeared Archer and Rider had fought.
The priest had gotten off outside the civic centre, going inside the ensure the safety of the Grail.
She then turned the V-Max around to the guiding road designated for visitors, followed
the sloping path that extended below the building, and entered the underground parking area.
Here, the moonlight couldn't reach, the white light of the headlights was all that allowed her to see through the darkness. The wide car park, designed to accommodate more than a hundred cars, had not been opened for use yet; only several cars from the construction company were parked here and there, and the rest of the empty space was heavy with dust.
The gruff roar of the V-Max's engine was swallowed by the strange, cryptlike silence. Saber warily glanced at her surroundings. All around her was dense darkness, the shadows of support pillars all over the place.
'I have to keep my guard up.' Saber thought to herself as she dismounted from the motorcycle and changed into her battle armour. 'Archer could be-"
She wandered away from her vehicle, looking into the darkness. Suddenly the lights came on, illuminating the entire parking structure an causing her to instinctively summon her invisible sword. Her eyes quickly adjusted, but she not an enemy servant, but a familiar black-haired child looking back at her, sitting on the hood of a parked car.
"Servant Saber, real name Arturia Pendragon. Ruler of Camelot, King of Britain and hailed as the King of Knights." The boy recited her name and titles. "When I first found out who you were back at the docks I was excited, who wouldn't want to meet the famous King Arthur? When we finally met in person at the banquet, As one of your subjects there was so much I wanted to ask. But then I heard your 'wish'." He spat the word out like he had tasted something vile. "I was shocked, angry but most of all I was disappointed."
"Disappointed?" She asked taken aback.
"You want to undo everything you've ever accomplished!" Harry yelled at her. "And demolish the hopes and dreams of all the people who look up to you as the ideal king!"
"But I failed, someone else is more suitable to-"
"Silence!" Harry cried cutting her off "That doesn't matter anymore" he sniffed and wiped away tears Saber had not seen from his face "You stopped being the king I idolised, and the Servant I had for this war took your place, as she should have all along."
"Archer, where is she?" Saber demanded remembering Irisviels life hung in the balance.
"She's guarding the Grail, I'll take you to her, but first you have one last ordeal overcome." Harry pulled up his sleeve revealing three Command Seals. "You were the king I looked up to, but now I reject you, you are not King Arthur YOU ARE AN IMPOSTER!" Saber's guard went up as one of the Command Seal began glowing "Berserker, With this Command Seal I order you, tear that sword from her cold dead hands!"
The Command Seal flashed and went dark having been used up. Saber felt something fly past her ear and quickly began moving as several strands of hair fell from her head, and the acrid smell of gunpowder filled her nostrils and then the lights went out leaving the whole area in darkness.
A roar of gunfire followed, Saber, however, was already on the move and quickly ducked behind a pillar for cover. She could sense that these were not ordinary weapons of this era. Berserker had upgraded the ballistic weapons into Noble Phantasms. E-ranked or not a single hit from one of those bullets would be fatal to her.
Her attention was momentarily taken away to the child watching the proceedings from the car upon which he sat. His expression was barely changing, the feelings she sensed were not those of a child in this situation. Something was wrong with Archer's master.
'Just what has she done to him?' Saber wondered to herself before realising that the gunfire from Berserker had stopped.
Her instincts blared and she ducked, a red lotus of flame which blossomed from a large rifle in the mad servants right hand just as the part of the pillar where her head had been a mere half a second before was pulverised.
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅"Berserker let out a roar as he kept firing shots at her, forcing her to stay on the move.
Even if the weapon was not as rapid-fire as the submachine gun which had been firing a single hit would spell the end for her. Each shot, however, was far more powerful, destroying whatever it hit and even several things behind it, be they cars or walls. However as the construction of the building was not yet finished, a large number of paint cans had been piled in one corner of the parking lot. One of the stray bullets struck them, and the superheated magical bullet caused the solvent to explode.
A roaring fire ignited providing a partial illumination to the battleground. In the smoke that was kicked up, Berserker saw that Saber was gone. He looked around before hearing something above him and firing. The bullet destroyed part of the ceiling but Saber was already away. Another shot destroyed the top part of a pillar, too late Saber had dodged again and before he could fire, she was already upon him quickly slicing the dangerous weapon apart.
Before she could continue her assault, Berserker brought up his right hand, his submachine gun already firing.
Saber was so restricted by the curtain of bullets that she could not close in; she looked around in search of a method to return from certain defeat and found a small truck parked in a lot at the corner of the car park.
'That's it!'
Accepting the risk of being cornered with no retreat, Saber dashed for the vehicle. Berserker pursued her as she fled, shooting at random with the firearm in his hands. Taking a ferocious step that narrowly preceded the howling bullets, Saber dashed to opposite side of the truck, brandished the side of her blade upward, she flung the vehicle into the air causing it to land on its side, the top facing Berserker.
The rain of bullets targeting Saber crumpled the truck like a paper model. Still hiding behind the truck, pieces of which had been scattered all over, Saber pushed the chassis with her shoulder and with aid from the invisible air dashed toward Berserker. He continued to fire, mercilessly.
It was strange though, Berserker seemed to be moving away from her for some reason. The heavy frame of the truck was rapidly disintegrating, but after a boost of speed it served its purpose; she had closed the distance between her and Berserker, putting him in the proximity of her attack.
She leapt over the moving truck and drove her sword downwards only for it to scrape the edge of his helmet, forcing her to back off. She leapt up as the truck slammed into Berserker who tossed away his weapon to throw the now flaming truck away.
The wreckage briefly blocked his view as Saber came down on him again. Aiming for Berserker's defenceless head, she gambled her victory on the next attack. The stance, speed, and timing were all perfect: a worthy strike from the sword-wielding Heroic Spirit, enough to decide the outcome—she was most surprised when her sword was stopped in mid-air.
Berserker had thrown away the submachine gun and trapped the blade of Invisible Air between his bare hands before her eyes. He had used an impossible stance in response to Saber's killing blow.
'Can he see it?' Saber wondered before realizing the fatal danger of letting Berserker come into contact with her weapon, Saber shuddered violently and kicked at the black knight's chest forcefully.
However, instead of feeling an impact, Berserker had retreated again and Saber used her free hand to save herself and return to her feet. However, this time was all he needed before she could react Saber saw her V-Max in Berserkers hands, used as a make-shift club which smashed into her sending her through steel and concrete to impact three floors below.
"That had to hurt," Harry commented as he watched through hole which Saber had made as Berserker jumped down to reach her.
However, before the madman could stomp her further into the ground she quickly pulled herself up and backflipped out of the way of the attack and gained some distance.
"By your skill I assume you to be a knight of some renown and so I ask." Saber pointed her sword at the vengeful heroic spirit "If you know me to be Arturia Pendragon, King of Britain and founder of Camelot, name yourself right now as a knight's pride demands. Challenging me with your identity concealed is tantamount to using deceit."
A sharp whistle from above cut into the scene and Berserker looked up.
"Hey, bring me down there, you magic hogging moron," Harry commanded with annoyance.
To Sabers surprise the mad spirit complied with the abusive demand and leapt up three stories before kneeling before the boy allowing him to climb onto his shoulders. When the child was safely aboard Berserker leapt down with him, crashing to Sabers level before letting the boy down.
Harry walked in between Berserker and her and coughed into his hand which had two Command Seals remaining.
"Now are you sure you want to know who Berserker is?" Harry asked in a sly manner that reminded her of Morgan. It was strange this was far different from the anger that he had displayed when he used the first Command Seal upon Berserker.
'Just what has Archer done to her master?' Granted Saber only had Illyasviel as a frame of reference, but she knew that no child of this era should be acting this way, his emotional state seemed unstable, too much for it to be normal. 'And more importantly, how is he controlling Berserker like this? That class of servant should far too difficult for regular masters to control, never mind a child.'
"Yes, now show me." Saber demanded.
"Alright, but to do that he has to unleash his true Noble Phantasm, after that It'll be a straight up swordfight, no guns and no identity concealment just you and him. Just a word of warning." Harry paused and looked at her. "You'll regret wanting this."
"I'd rather see about for myself." Saber replied causing Harry to sigh and shrug.
He walked past Berserker and patted him on one of his gauntlets.
"You heard her, she wants to see who you are, so grant her wish," Harry ordered walking past Berserker and sitting behind him on a short wall.
It was then that Saber heard something. Though very slight, the sound that permeated the ears chilled her soul; under the cover of the black mist, Berserker's full-body armour was trembling. That was the gentle sound of the armour that completely covered his limbs as the pieces rippled softly and knocked against each other.
"Who are you?"
Saber finally discovered the source of the strange sound, like a sigh or a groan, crawling across the ground. That grinding, sobbing noise originated from the depths of the black helmet. Berserker's entire body shuddered, revealing an insuppressible emotion. Laughter—when Saber understood it thus, an unspeakable shudder ran through her body. Lacking sound logic or proof, with only her sixth sense as guidance, she realized one thing: her demand had been a fatal mistake. It was a pity that she had realized it too late. The words that would have summoned to her the worst possible curse had long since been spoken through her own lips.
The black fog painting the black knight's entire body began to swirl and contract. Within the rushing mist, the pitch-black armour finally revealed its true colours. It was perfect armour, neither exquisite nor crude, perfectly melding magnificence and functionality—the delicate, nuanced workmanship of a smith's utmost effort, which granted it an air of formidability and fine construction. The countless marks and scratches etched into it became carvings highlighting the wearer's illustrious military exploits, adding a touch of valour to the armour. It was an ideal battle outfit that any knight could not help but envy.
But it was the design of the sword which appeared in his hand that made her freeze. It was the same as that of her own, and the fairy letters carved into it were proof that it had not been forged by mortal hands. The flash of the sharp blade under the moonlight was like the water of the lake, shining with radiance. That was a limitless sword that would not be damaged regardless of the attack it had received. Only he, one exalted as the perfect knight, was worthy of having that sword.
"But….that's Arondight." Saber gasped this evidence spoke the bearer's name even more clearly than any verbal declaration, even so, she wished to deny it. "No, it can't be you."
"… Ar … thur …" The vengeful cry resounded within the black helmet.
With this the helmet split perfectly in two and fell into two pieces onto the ground, revealing a face she never thought to see as an enemy.
"Sir, Lancelot." She accepted reality, her old friend was before her, as an enemy in a state she would never wish on any of her knights.
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Kirei waited now, in a room below the stage. It was large and spacious enough for a decent battle. Hopefully now by fighting Emiya, he could get the answers he sought.
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
Since the beginning, he had been drawn towards Kiritsugu, they were both empty inside. All because during this bloodbath, Kirei Kotomine was still looking for his reason. He kissed the golden crucifix hung around his neck and smiled contemptuously. As the man he sought was now in front of him.
Kiritsugu assumed a fighting stance. This was the Executor in the flesh. He had cut off all other ties of emotion and was only focused on the adversary before him. There was no fear, no hatred, no underestimation nor compassion. Eliminating the target was his objective now, nothing else.
As this fight to the death was nearing its conclusion, it seemed as if the stars had aligned themselves for this one battle. Kiritsugu Emiya had his gun barrel trained on the priest. Kirei Kotomine pulled out his Black Keys, three in his left and three in his right, then sprinted forth to meet his opponent.
With proficiency that was developed over the years, Kiritsugu fired his first shot from the Contender.
'Origin rounds, they cause targets magic circuits to misfire to go out of control causing their body to rip itself apart.'
Meanwhile, Kirei made use of one command seal, causing his Black Keys to swell to twice their original size. He held them in front of his chest like a giant metal fan.
The bullet reached its target, but instead of causing Kirei's magic circuits to misfire, it was absorbed by the magically enhanced Black Keys. However, the forceful execution of this large-scale magecraft transcended the Black Keys physical limitations so when the bullet impacted, they shattered into countless pieces.
Caught off guard by the unimpeded priest Kiritsugu's breath hitched in his throat.
"Time Alter, Double Accel!"
His instincts had saved him from a critical injury. Bending backwards at the last second, he watched as Kirei's right foot swept over him, missing the tip of his nose. He jumped away, avoiding a second kick that was meant for his neck. With his machine gun, he held off further advancements from the priest.
Kirei somersaulted back to safety. The bullets that ricocheted off the Black Keys diverged from their path and shattered the ceiling above. Landing on his feet, he deflected the remaining bullets with flawlessly executed manoeuvres. A silence reigned between them as the tip of his blades repelled the last projectile.
'The Origin Round isn't working.' Kiritsugu's frown deepened as his he realized Kirei's secret. 'No. I get it. He's using command seals as his prana source. By the time the round strikes and takes effect, the command seal has already vanished. Since he doesn't use his own magic circuits for attacks, the Origin Round's magic won't work. But if I can land a solid hit, it'll still be strong enough to kill him.'
As Kiritsugu was thinking, Kirei dematerialized his Black Keys and went into a martial arts stance. Beyond his extended palm, the priest stared down his opponent.
'Don't think you'll escape next time. Now that I know you're moving at double speed, I need only the distance to compensate for it.'
Though his roundhouse kick had been for nought, Kirei was undeniably an expert martial artist. Kiritsugu had to ensure there was some distance from his enemy or he wouldn't stand a chance. If he stayed out of his attacker's range but kept close enough for his Contender's bullet to be unpredictable, then even the bulletproof frock that Kirei wore would not be able to deflect its penetration.
The Executor rushed forward again, reducing the distance between them and catching his opponent off-guard. Though Kiritsugu had never believed in God, what happened next could not be explained as anything other than an act of the Divine as the priest was suddenly mere inches away.
'He's fast' Kiritsugu thought caught off guard by the priest's sheer speed.
The blow impacted his chest, the fist twisted as it went deeper and then sent him flying backwards into the wall. The collision of concrete against flesh resulted in broken bones and coughed up blood, a loud crash and the cracking of bones echoed, Kiritsugu stopped moving.
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Meanwhile above the two combatants, the golden servant watched with a smirk as the corpse of the beautiful homunculus was consumed by the heat in a blink, reduced to ashes, revealing a glowing golden cup which floated in the air, as if upheld by invisible hands.
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Kirei exhaled, his fist still clenched. The figure before him was nothing more than a crushed insect that was splattered into a crater in the wall. This was the victory he had desired was his, and yet he was dissatisfied he'd defeated Emiya and found no answers which he sought.
Battle fatigue dulled Kirei's focus, leaving him open. The priest felt a searing pain in his brow, and a splatter of crimson obscured the view in his left eye. A merciless hail of bullets rained down on him.
Survival instinct caused him to raise both arms up for cover. The integrity of his Kevlar sleeves held together against the force of the bullets, barely. Kiritsugu's lungs were partially destroyed, but he gave thanks for the position he was in. Feigning death, he resisted the urge to cough as he awaited the opportunity to launch his attack. His body was positioned at an awkward angle, but he made do. Aiming for his head Kiritsugu fired, but the bullet landed on Kirei's brow.
Kiritsugu managed to scratch his opponent. However, the Contender was lacking a bullet in its chamber. Reloading it would take time, mere seconds. But that had been enough for Kirei to almost kill him. So he switched his machine gun into full automatic mode, restraining Kirei's movements with suppressive fire. Having used a higher level of Innate Time Control before, Kiritsugu had sustained serious internal damage. He would have to be more prudent with his defensive measures now.
"Time Alter, Double Accel!"
The Magus Killer stood up, flinging his semi-automatic aside and reaching into the folds of his coat for his Origin Round. Kirei uncrossed his arms, sprinting towards him, another command seal disappearing from his hand. Contender reloaded, Kiritsugu aimed and fired. Kirei raised his right arm to deflect it. Blood vessels ruptured and his limb flopped to the side like a dead fish.
Kiritsugu panted heavily as he watched his enemy. The usage of Innate Time Control came at a great cost. But he stood his ground, directing a scornful gaze at him. The two analyzed their circumstances, considering their next move.
According to his analysis, Kirei's strategy consisted of the prana source which nullified his Origin Rounds coupled with the destructive power of his martial arts.
'I'm at a massive disadvantage at close range. I've lost my Calico. The Contender needs reloading. However, Avalon.' Kiritsugu put his hand on his chest sensing the sheath which Iri had given him.
'He has a healing ability that allows him to instantly regenerate a demolished heart?' Kirei realized 'Then I'll have to destroy the brain, but, I can't use my right arm.'
'Avalon can even heal self-inflicted wounds, I have one knife and two grenades left.'
'I have twelve blades remaining and seven spare command seals.' Kirei assessed.
'Time alter, Triple Accel!' Now moving at triple speed Kiritsugu made the first move, Catching Kotomine off guard he raised his Contender and used it to smash the executors already damaged right arm. Though his opponent's martial arts were formidable, victory would be his if he played his cards right.
He drew the dagger from his waist, but Kirei pivoted his body, drawing his blind spot away from Kiritsugu as he dodged the subsequent blows with his left arm. Kiritsugu slashed at him furiously but the priest blocked each attack with incredible prowess.
Kirei shifted his stance, hooking Kiritsugu's right foot with his and knocking him off his balance. Realizing his impending doom, Kiritsugu chanted.
"Time alter, Square Accel!"
He evaded Kirei's punch and kicked his enemy's arm away. Leaping backwards, he flung the dagger at Kirei and it tore through the toughened fabric, stabbing him in the thigh. Kiritsugu used the remains of his quadrupled acceleration to increase the distance between them. Kirei dashed forward, throwing four Black Keys while Kiritsugu reloaded the Contender.
The Black Keys closed in, their tips singing a blood-thirsty melody. The gleaming barrel of the Contender zeroed-in on its fast-approaching target. One would win this battle, and that same one would also die here. This was something both men believed and understood as their weapons concluded their final exchange.
It was then that a black ichor came crashing through the ceiling and pouring down into the room that the clash ended.
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His handsome face was marred by madness, his teeth now resembled the sharpened points of a wild beast rather than a man.
"But why…my friend?" Arturia asked with a sorrow stained voice. "You were esteemed as the greatest of the Knights of the Round Table. How can you be Berserker?"
Instead of an answer, the knight of the Lake charged at her savagely attacking her with his sword. She barely resisted raising her sword only to block.
"Stop!" he attacked again and again, a fourth slash forced her backwards.
"What happened to you?!" Saber cried out.
"You happened of course." She looked at the child who spoke to her. "You, your kingship your ideals."
"My ideals…" The words of Rider came back to haunt her.
"You were the ideal king, and him the perfect knight," Harry said standing up and walking next to Berserker who was now waiting. "So when he had the affair, then betrayed your orders and murdered his fellow knights to save her. He knew in his heart of hearts that as a knight he needed to be punished, it was what he hoped for and so you instead of punishment to atone for his sins, you forgave him although he could never forgive himself and the weight of his shame and guilt drove him insane."
Saber was silent processing what was being told.
"But then again, I could be wrong, maybe the story is completely different." Harry shrugged. "But one thing is set in stone, you did this to him. Your ideals are responsible for Lancelot's current state and that will not change no matter how the story really goes."
Harry retreated, and Berserker attacked again leaping into the air, a metal boot crushed Sabers head against a wall behind her.
Before Arondite's relentless attack, Saber's holy sword groaned. Her sword of light which promised victory was meaningless in the hands of an owner who had lost the will to
fight. Berserker relentlessly attacked Saber again and again. She found herself unable to counterattack, could only defend. He had completely unleashed his true ability, and his skill with the sword was incomparable with his previous demonstrations. But even in the face of her opponent's ferocious attack, the sense of pain in her hands and legs which had become numb, Saber remained unmoved.
The enemy's strong prowess that was many times greater than her own and his merciless attacks combined with the knowledge of what her ideals had driven him too was gradually causing her spirit to crumble piece by piece along with her defence.
It was in this moment Harry frowned and quickly mumbled something.
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Kariya Matou suddenly woke from his sleep and shot upright to look out the small window in the room and Sakura shared, he breathed heavily as sweat dripped from his forehead. E was loud enough that Sakura woke from her sleep.
"Uncle Kariya…" Sakura rubbed her sleepy eyes "What's wrong?"
Kariya breathed in and out a few times before regaining his composure.
"Sorry Sakura, it's just….I got a really bad feeling all of a sudden." Anyone else would have simply said nothing but Kariya had learnt that under his 'father' Sakura had become extremely perceptive for one her age, so telling her nothing was useless as she'd easily see through such lies.
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It was in this moment of despair when Berserker made to deliver the finishing blow that he came to a sudden halt, like a malfunctioning machine.
In the abrupt silence, Saber could feel in her hand the gradual fading of Berserker's heartbeat. The sharp blade of her precious sword pierced the black armour, its hilt tightly gripped in her hand.
This ending was truly shameful. In this fleeting instant, the victory had been decided; a sliver of greed made Saber ashamed of herself, and she shed tears. She should not have killed him, but nevertheless had delivered the killing blow to one she should never have killed.
"But even so, I will win the Grail." Tears fell onto trembling gauntlets, mingling with the blood of Berserker which had slid down the blade. "If I do not, there will be nothing I can do to atone to you."
"—Even after all that has happened you would still take up your sword, for a reason such as that?" Lancelot coughed out. Saber raised her head. The knight's gaze was as before, the tranquil surface of a lake gazing at the King's tear-stained face. The contract with his Master now severed, he was now released from the spell of madness, in the moment right before his vanishing. "If I could have been punished by you … If you had demanded recompense from me … I would definitely have believed in redemption. I would have believed that one day I could find a way to forgive myself. The Queen probably feels the same way …"
Sighing deeply, Lancelot relaxed his body, falling into the embrace of the King. The body in her arms was very light; a lump rose in Saber's throat. The Servant's fading body seemed almost weightless.
"My master, that child is blinded by his wish for the Grail. He can't or doesn't wish to see that Archer is using him. She did something to him, something evil. Whatever cruel fate she has in store will change him forever." Lancelot mumbled as his last breaths were but seconds away. "Please destroy her, save him from her madness. Or I fear that he will tread down a path of no return, to get that miracle."
"I will, I promise." Saber vowed tearfully to her knight.
"Haha to die in your arms." Lancelot laughed as his body began vanishing. "You'd think I was a loyal knight or something."
'I knew Archer had done something, I have to destroy her. I promise I'll honour your request my friend and attain the grail.' Saber vowed silently as the knight in question vanished completely.
She heard quick footsteps behind her and turned to see Harry with something wrapped in cloth in his hands.
"I figured you wanted to be alone with him, so I went retrieve something in the meantime," Harry told her when she suddenly noticed that only one Command Seal for Lancelot remained and then it hit her.
"You….used a Command Seal to stop him, but why?" Saber asked not sure what to think.
"Orders." Harry shrugged. "You're the only servant invited to the finale, and you would have lost if I hadn't stopped him. But if you have doubts then think of it like this. If he had won, then how crushed would he have been to remember killing the king he helped destroy in life. He would have really felt lost then."
Saber didn't like it, this reeked of Archer and her meddling. Whatever that 'King' was up too would end now.
"Where is she and the Grail?" Saber asked neutrally.
"Hold on, first I have an offer for you..." Harry began unwrapping the cloth to reveal a strange ceremonial dagger it was jagged and seemed to have a kaleidoscope of colours flowing across the blade. It was clearly not meant as a weapon, but her instincts still told her it was dangerous. "If I've learnt anything its how to get Archer to give me something. Butter her up and grovel and she'll let you have nearly anything. This Noble Phantasm is special, it can nullify any kind of magic and magical contracts. Just one jab and your contract can become mine."
Saber gasped, realising what the boy meant.
"There's no way I'd get close enough without you stopping me, so agree to become my servant and we can get the Grail together. Ok?" Harry asked with a bright smile. "Think about it, time and again Emiya has ignored you, trampled all over your code of chivalry and your honour. He even tried to have me killed. Has he even said a word to you since this war began? Join me and I'll use my Command Seals to get 'her' to commit suicide, then all you have to do is protect me from Emiya and it'll be over. What do you say? Do you wish for victory?"
Saber was stunned, the possibility of victory had been offered to her on a silver plate. She could get the grail without further bloodshed and be free of the master who had ignored her tried to achieve victory at any cost time and again using cowardly tactics, who hadn't even spoken to her since her summoning.
….
...
…
"No, I refuse." Saber said after a few moments of silence "Even if he is a disgraceful human being, to turn my back on my oath as a servant for an easy victory would make me no better than him."
"Fine, have it your way," Harry said the smile dropping from his face as he began wrapping the dagger back up again. "Follow me to the Grail, just know though you'll regret this."
"I don't agree," Saber told him as she followed the boy through a pair of doors. Towards the climax of the Fourth Holy Grail War.
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When the Ichor came erupting from the ceiling Kirei Kotomine had only just managed to escape. He had made it to a safe distance away and was no looking at the Civic Centre where the finale was about to occur.
"Emiya provided me nothing." Kirei sighed to himself "Were it not for Archer's forewarning I could have been caught in that mess along with him. I would have died."
Though Emiya had provided no answers. Thanks to Archer, Kirei Kotomine finally accepted that despair and suffering were what brought him joy. This was his truth.
"Harry Potter, I can hardly wait to see what suffering and despair you will endure for the next ten years under my guiding hand." Kirei chuckled to himself.
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Saber pushed the main door open, with Harry entered an empty music hall. In the middle of the stage, the Grail floated, shining with eye-catching golden light.
"Irisiviel" Saber breathed out the kind woman's name.
It was clear at a glance; this was undoubtedly the Grail she had desired so much. The corporeal body of the homunculus had reverted to the gold vessel that was forged from inorganic material. Saber did not know the process by which this had happened, but she could tell, from the scene before her, exactly what had happened.
Harry didn't stop and descended the steps towards the stage, and towards the Grail. He began unwrapping the dagger again allowing the cloth to fall to the ground as he did so. Saber was not far behind.
"Ah Saber you are late, it is beyond impudent to keep me waiting, not mention rude," Archer said suddenly stepping out from the shadows to take centre stage causing Saber to stop her decent halfway down the stairs. "Ah boy so how did the test go?"
"She passed Just as expected," Harry replied throwing the dagger which was sent through a golden portal and back into the treasury before taking his place at Archers left side. "She was tempted, really tempted but she refused."
"Excellent, devotion is what I hoped for from you." Archer said joyfully "You passed, so lay down your blade and become my wife."
It was a ridiculous demand, and that had been a test? Saber didn't know what to say. Her hopes of victory against the opponent whose identity she did not know had rested with Rider weakening her. But she was without a scratch, her golden armour unmarked at all. Worse she had been wounded by Berserker and many of them were beyond her natural healing abilities.
It was then that the breastplate and gauntlets of Archers armour vanished exposing her bare chest. A series of red tattoos stretched from her right hand up her arm across her back and down her left.
"Before you answer, I think its best if you are in a more suitable position." Archer cleared her throat and declared loudly "Saber as King I order you, fall to your knees."
"Gah!" Saber was horrified as against her will, her own body betrayed her as she crashed to her knees. "How did you-"
Saber saw it, one of the marks on Archer right hand went dark. Horror went through her as the realisation hit her.
"Command Seals, impossible how did you get those and so many what have you done Archer?" Saber demanded of the golden servant.
"You are mistaken, I'm afraid I am Archer no longer. Now you will refer to me as Ruler." She said with a victorious smirk on her face.