I don't own any characters except my own OC. The other OCs appearing in this story are property of the following authors:

Deux Silences - Atosaki Kurokawa

Suchbass - Kage

Nomorenamesleft - Yagami Kousuke

Count Valerian - Kirsche Von Einzbern.

Topographic Ocean - Breno Da Roche

AzarielKayras - Leo Wells

Cattleya Velvet - Magister Fay.

I thank you for lending them to me. Now, to the story!


Chapter 28: Vote of Confidence

As she viewed the surprise in the eyes in the members of the Sixth Faction, Medea couldn't help but remember how she had agreed to do this.

The night before she found herself flying toward that smoking forest; a mix of fear and curiosity drove her actions. She had seen a sphinx being summoned and saw what seemed to be the reincarnations of mythical beasts fighting each other. True, like Gilgamesh had implied, for their time things like this weren't so rare, but that was the reason behind her concern.

Those were powers that shouldn't have been present in the current day and age.

"If you get any closer I can't assure your safety." A voice made her stop her flight.

She turned to find Ginevra levitating a few meters behind her, Medea began to analyze her position and she was exactly midway to that forest, or at least what remained of it.

Medea didn't have any ill feelings toward that girl who seemed unexpectedly familiar to her. But she had learned to not trust others so easily.

"Will you stop me?"

Ginevra's response came as a small laugh.

"I guess my words could be understood that way," she said, raising her hands in surrender. "But believe me when I say I won't."

Ginevra was telling the truth, no matter what she wouldn't fight her. Medea was another version of her mother, the woman who had saved her from a very cruel and dark destiny.

"Then what do you mean?"

"Oh, I was just worried that you would end up trapped in the crossfire."

Medea had to agree, she didn't know how the fight between the groups was going.

"I can agree that going there would be unwise," she said and with Ginevra descended to the roof of one of the nearby buildings.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ginevra du Lac, the supervisor of the Sixth Faction."

Medea looked at her, wary of any menace.

"So I'm going to assume that one of the groups fighting there is yours."

"Correct."

"Shouldn't you be watching over them?"

"I should, those kids are good at keeping me entertained," Ginevra said with a smile. "They are unpredictable and sometimes they even go beyond my expectations."

The last part was spoken while she pointed to the pillar of smoke.

Medea's eyes widened in shock after processing Ginevra's words.

"So you know the one who created such hell?"

"You could say that."

Ginevra knew her mother; she knew what she wanted from the Grail and that if there were another way for her to obtain it she wouldn't mind. A second chance, that was the only wish Medea hoped for, to live an existence free from her past and the treachery of the gods.

She wouldn't like to stand in the way of that, because she knew her mother deserved it yet even if she couldn't fight her, she couldn't intervene if another member of her faction engaged her and managed to defeat her.

"Then why stop me?" Medea said, breaking the silence. "My death would benefit your group."

"True… at least in normal circumstances."

"What do you mean?"

"Continue to look at the fight," Ginevra said simply.

Medea wondered what she meant before doing as being told.

She looked inside the castle and the many battles that continued. In matter of seconds, as she continued to stare at the battle she understood what Ginevra meant.

"Other groups are allying themselves," she finally said, biting her lower lip.

"Precisely… This battle is evolving into a second stage. This isn't just a fight between groups like in the beginning."

It made sense. Instead of facing five groups, the factions began to merge to reduce the number of opponents, and their alliances would last until two groups remained.

"So are you asking for an alliance?" she asked warily. "A little intrusive for a Supervisor."

"I'm not forcing anything, just offering them a chance. They could still reject it."

"Why would you do this behind their backs?"

Ginevra just smiled.

"Well I don't have to tell you that much."

"Fair enough..."

Ginevra understood the risk of putting two teams together.

"What's in it for me?"

And the moment she heard that Ginevra knew that she was about to agree.

"You will have a better chance at surviving and when it comes to the point that we need to fight, you would be ready for any member of my team."

"I could betray you all."

"True, but that's their problem. There is no gain without risk after all. In any case, it would be their fault for letting their mysteries be unlocked by you."

Ginevra wasn't kidding, whether this alliance became a strength or a weakness depended entirely on them.

Mostly because they couldn't cooperate with any of the remaining groups. They were fighting against Black and Zero. Kousuke and the Hellhound had beaten the supervisor of the Red one and Leo with Atosaki had destroyed the tree from the White Faction.

"Very well, I accept."

Ginevra smiled to herself.

"Thank you for your cooperation."


The seven Masters looked at the sorceress before them, Kirsche recognizing her almost immediately but choosing not to say anything.

That was what she meant by 'more important business' she thought, not really understanding how something like this could be considered anything besides a waste of her time.

Still, besides Kirsche, no one recognized her, making all the Servants stay alert.

"What do you want?" Nero broke the silence.

"Is she real?" Breno asked.

"No…" Tamamo said while observing the Servant. "…She is nothing more than a mere illusion."

"Can't blame me for taking precautions, I just entered an enemy's base."

"You haven't answered my question, sorceress." Nero continued to glare at her.

Her fight with the Caster of her war had left her with a grudge against such Servants. This was one of the reasons that she didn't get along with Tamamo.

"As I said, I came with an offering. I want cooperation between our groups."

The eyes of the seven Masters widened as they had not been expecting that.

"Why?" Leo asked. He really didn't trust her. He wasn't sure about the reason, though.

"You've seen it yourself: other groups are beginning to ally. You managed to beat two of them but you must be well aware that you need help."

Leo shook his head.

"Not that. Why us?" He looked at Medea and after seeing she wouldn't answer he continued. "You said it yourself. Other groups are joining, so you could talk to them and three factions together should be stronger."

Caster was surprised by the deduction of the blond-haired boy and she had to agree with Ginevra that they were really interesting kids.

"It's just a matter of compatibility," she said with a sigh "I believe that the members of my group could have a better collaboration with you than with others."

Leo continued to look at her for a while trying to search for any lies. He couldn't find deceit, but he wasn't convinced. He understood people who knew how to lie very well.

"You expect an answer right now?" Edward continued.

"Not really. I can give you time to think about it." She looked at him. "Are you the leader of this group?"

Her question, that in a way was very valid, immediately changed the atmosphere of the room. That was something that none of the members had thought about, or they just didn't care to think about it. In any case it was a question that didn't have an answer, as none of them had decided on a leader. That was the principal reason they had been working on their own besides this time.

Medea and Ginevra felt the change and wondered what would happen next.

If the Hellhound agreed with her, it could be seen as a way of him suddenly seizing control and no one would approve of it.

On the other hand if he said he wasn't, the question would remain and there could be problems inside the group.

How will you manage this, Hellhound, Ginevra thought with a smile, hoping he was not going to disappoint.

Edward sighed.

"No, I'm not," he said, waving his good hand in denial. "Something like leading others is something that doesn't suit me."

Medea nodded and prepared the next question that was supposed to be expected before Edward interrupted her.

"The leader is that guy," he said, pointing at Kousuke.

Kousuke was surprised by his words, just like the rest. Even Kirsche couldn't hide her surprise, and on her end Ginevra smiled.

"Is… is that so?" Medea said after recovering from the surprise.

Kousuke looked at Edward for a few seconds before nodding.

"Yes. I'm Kousuke Yagami, the leader of the Sixth Faction."

No one objected, truth to be told they couldn't find any reason to.

"I see. Very well, I have stated my offer. Shall I will wait for your answer?"

"Yes," Kousuke said, walking up to her. "By tomorrow night we will have an answer."

"If that's the case then the two factions will meet in this place…"

Medea told them the meeting point and disappeared without leaving a trace, as if she hadn't been there at all.

"I don't trust her," Leo said, breaking the silence.

"You trust anyone here?" Breno said casually.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You can say anything you want, but in truth there is no trust between us. For what other reason would we be keeping the identities of our Servants secret…?"

No one spoke. Breno then turned towards Edward.

"Smart choice not saying you are the leader, Hellhound. Had you agreed with her I would have burned you to ashes on the spot."

Edward looked at him with serious eyes.

"You are welcome to try, Breno." His eyes turned red. "You succeeding, however, will be a different story."

Breno stood up.

Atosaki could feel the tension rising.

"Please calm down!" she cried.

The air barely changed, as those two never got along since they first met. But an icy voice froze the will of the magi.

"Don't do anything stupid, Breno," Kirsche said, not even looking at them. "Even in his current state Hellhound won't lose against you."

Breno began to glare at her. "What… what did you say?"

"I just stated clear facts. I don't see any point in a fight where the outcome is already determined."

Edward's eyes turned back to normal.

"I think we are getting off topic." He stood up. "You are right Breno, there are trust issues between us."

He looked at Nero and she knew what he wanted of her. But in any case he was giving her a choice, she was free to reveal her identity, he would never force her to do something she didn't want to.

"You are quite dense, Praetor," Nero said with a smile "I only care about your opinion. If anyone besides you hates me I don't care in the least."

She walked to the center of the living room and raised her blade.

"I don't have any reason to hide my name. I am the greatest Emperor of the Roman Empire! The Flower of Olympia! I am Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus!"

Edward sighed at this.

"I know I told you to do this, but you don't need to yell."

Ginevra couldn't help but laugh. "Really a pair of very interesting fools."

Tamamo looked at Nero as she walked to her side.

"I won't let you take all the glory, useless Saber," she said with a grin. "I am the unique facet of the Goddess of the Sun, Tamamo-no-Mae."

At her declaration Odysseus laughed while he joined them in the center of the room.

"Then dear ladies let me introduce myself." He bowed in front of them. "I am the schemer who managed to bring down the impenetrable Trojan wall. I am the Greek Hero Odysseus."

In that moment Ramses materialized.

"Stupid peons!" He didn't join them but remained seated next to Breno. "You dare to take the spotlight from the Pharaoh of the Sun, from the great Ramses III! Learn your place."

This had become a matter of pride between the Servants. To not speak their names would mean they were ashamed about who they were, and that was something none of them were.

Lance let go of Atosaki and walked up to the rest along with her.

"He is the ancient Irish hero," she said, "the Hound of Culann: Cú Chulainn."

All the Masters looked at Kirsche as Thor materialized at her side. She didn't care about joining this but it was a matter of pride.

"The strongest of the Aesir, the one who wields thunder, Thor Odinson is my Servant."

Kage just watched this silently; he couldn't say anything, with his Servant having been slain in the last battle.

"I guess we are done with introductions," Odysseus said with relief.

"No," Tamamo said, making Kage stop. "Balthasar Gerard, first assassin to use a gun for assassinations. He was the Assassin of our group."

The rest looked at her with widened eyes, never expecting her to know his name.

"Tamamo…" Kousuke said, walking up to her.

Tamamo grinned and hugged him.

"Don't worry my dear master, I only love you."

Ginevra was enjoying this but decided it was time to get serious. She clapped her hands, making all eyes come back to her.

"Well now that all of you are—"

"Not so fast Ginevra," Kousuke cut her off. "You haven't told us about the Servant next to you."

Ginevra looked at them and decide to humor them. Besides, if they had already noticed, there was no point in keeping her hidden.

Ruler appeared in front of them.

"My name is Jeanne d'Arc. It's nice to meet you all," she said with a smile.

"With all that clear, I guess whether or not you accept her offer is up to you, Yagami-san."

And with that she bid goodnight to those present and left along with Ruler.

"Sorry for putting you in this situation, Kousuke," Edward apologized.

Kousuke sighed. "This much is alright. I owe you one either way. But are you really expecting me to lead?"

"Of course, no one is against it so why not?" he said with smile.

Kousuke began to look around and saw Breno, Leo and Kage leaving already. They didn't have anything against Kousuke and two of them didn't care about the person in charge as long as his decisions made sense, namely Kage and Leo. Breno was satisfied with the leader not being the Hellhound so there was almost no opposition.

"Still, why choose me?"

"You are better cut out for the job and I know you have a cool head when it matters, and you have the morals to make the best choice."

Kousuke cursed under his breath. After that there was no way he could say no.

"You really are a selfish guy," Kousuke said in defeat.

Edward put his good hand on his shoulder.

"Of course I am. I'm a Hellhound after all."

"About that, that isn't your real name, is it?"

"No, it's more of a title that was given to me over time."

"What about your family name?"

"I have one, but I don't use it. I still have a family waiting for me though."

He saw Kousuke was rather confused by his words so he continued.

"A name doesn't have anything to do with family. Or would you treat the people who are your family any different even if the last names weren't the same?"

"What? Of course not…!"

"It's the same for me," he said as he began to leave and Nero followed. "Good luck, Leader-san."

Tamamo looked at this with a smile before she felt a tug on one of the sleeves of her kimono.

"Hey Onee-chan…" She saw it was Alex "…so you have a different name?"

She felt a little bad for the kid, she had said to call her Caster, but at this point she couldn't hide her name.

"Yes, you can call me Tamamo."

Alex tried to pronounce her name correctly.

"Ta… mama…?"

Hearing that, a weird switch activated inside of her and her cheeks flushed and many images began to fill her head.

She suddenly lifted the kid and began to spin while holding him in the air.

"You are so cute!"

Alex was smiling, not really understanding what was happening.

"Hey, leave my brother alone!" Clare exclaimed.

But Tamamo didn't pay her any attention and ran to her Master.

"Look Goshujin-sama! Our first son…!"

The other three Masters stopped moving and turned to gawk at Kousuke, whose mind seemed gone, too shocked by her statement. He recovered quickly.

"Tamamo…" he tried to reason with her. "What… just what?"

"He called me mama, Kousuke!" Tamamo exclaimed happily.

"Don't believe you have won! You fox!" Nero exclaimed from upstairs.

"Ara, ara… jealous, lousy emperor?"

A bloody aura began to surround Nero as she grabbed her Master.

"I will show you! Let's go Praetor!" And she began to drag him upstairs.

"What the hell are you talking about Nero?! What are going to do?"

Tamamo watched them leave with a grin on her face.

Kousuke was about to burst her bubble when he saw Atosaki approach her with cheeks blushing.

"Congratulations Tamamo-san!" she said as she left along with Lance and Clare, who still seemed annoyed about leaving her brother with Tamamo.

Kirsche saw this and while she could do something, she decided it wasn't worth it.

"So noisy..." she said as she disappeared through her shadows.

Kousuke saw her leave and decide he was too tired to argue with whatever Tamamo was about to say. But there was something else in his mind.

"Hey Tamamo…" he said with a dark voice that made Tamamo place Alex down. "…when I lost control… did… did I hurt you?"

Tamamo looked at him with worry and remained silent for a second. She didn't know what to say.

"I remember traces of that time," he said. "I saw you on your knees begging me to come back but…"

He couldn't continue, as he was afraid that Edward had lied to him when he said he didn't hurt anyone beside him.

Tamamo got closer and hugged him.

"Since we first met, you have never laid a finger on me in that way."

He rested his head on her bosom and he could feel something slightly cold trickle on the back of his head. Seeing him like that pained her so much, she blamed herself for not noticing something like that ahead of time and that instead of her, someone else had to stop him.

"Never think any differently. You didn't hurt me and even if you did, my feelings for you would never change." Her tears continued to fall as she caressed the back of his head.

He was afraid, he was afraid that he could lose control, that he would hurt her or even worse. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he hurt her.

"You won't lose control." she reassured him as if knowing what he was thinking. "And if you do there would be people to avoid you make a mistake."

Tamamo remembered how Hellhound had stopped her Master with a crimson chain and decided to fight him. She never felt any desire to kill, and after learning the identity of his Servant she had to admit that just like she and Kousuke they were a pair made for each other.

Only someone as selfish and stubborn as that emperor would try to save an oni rather than having him slain.

Once again Tamamo felt a pull on one of her sleeves.

"Are you two alright? Why are you crying?"

Kousuke smiled and broke off from hug to lift Alex over his shoulders.

"Everything is alright," he said as the three began to leave the living room. He had many things to think about either way.


Reika stood in the door as she watched Kariya rolling over on his bed, trying to endure the pain. Her feelings about watching this scene weren't any different than when she saw Jack slay all those sleeping people. While she didn't find any pleasure in the suffering of that man, she didn't feel any sadness.

Finally Kariya began to calm down. This had become quite a routine for the two since she and Jack picked him up in that alley. She wasn't sure why she did that, but she was used to being pushed along by the flow of things.

"I told already, you don't need to keep that black-armored guy guarding the building."

But he would never listen. He would just accept the pain of using Lancelot as a guard dog. This was a bad decision fueled by the worms degrading his brain, making it harder to think things through.

Still it amazed her how well Kariya got along with Jack and how easily the little girl seemed to accept him.

She walked to the bed of the apartment they were living in and sat at his side. Jack entered the room, her body covered in blood after killing more people in order to sustain herself.

Hearing her steps Kariya turned and with his blurry vision he managed to identify her petite figure. He couldn't help but smile a little. Jack on her end couldn't quite understand the man in front of her, and while she liked the way he treated she was confused about how he was able to endure so much pain.

And for some reason the pain of the man in front of her hurt her heart. He patted her on the head and then began to caress her face. As with Reika, she liked Kariya. Unlike the many people she had met, he didn't fear her. He just saw a small girl that needed some attention.

He noticed there was red on her.

"Jack?" he wondered aloud. "Why are you covered in blood?"

Jack didn't answer and though Kariya knew the girl in front of him wasn't human he couldn't help but worry about her. She reminded him of Sakura, that girl he would try his utmost best to try to save. No matter the price or the suffering he would endure it if it meant she could smile once again.

"Sorry," Jack said as she grabbed his hand.

He accepted this just like that, he didn't feel like asking more. No matter how weird the situation became he could never conceive the idea that this girl was a cold-blooded murderer.

"Don't worry…" he said with a smile.

"Don't use it anymore. I will stand watch," Jack said with a worried tone.

Kariya's eyes widened.

"But…"

At this Reika stopped him, putting a finger to his lips.

"Have a little faith in this kid, would ya?"

Kariya nodded and Jack left but still felt his gaze. He was worried about her. Even when his body was in such a state he was worried about her and that made her happy and sad at the same time. She wondered why he cared at all.

Once she left, Reika took a small cloth and began to wipe his face.

"You really know how to handle children, don't you?"

"I… I guess."

Reika knew he wasn't aware that Jack left every night to kill innocent people and it was better that way. She wasn't sure if the way he treated her would change if he knew, and she wouldn't risk it. She cared about the little girl.

She had told Reika before what she really wanted. The only wish that girl had in her heart, she wanted a family.

"Don't make that girl sad."

Kariya just smiled at her, he found himself really comfortable in her presence. She didn't speak to him with fear and she didn't pity him. She talked with him as if he were a regular person and that was something he hadn't experienced for some time.

He was well aware of his aspect and was surprised by this, but what came as a bigger surprise was that his wish to kill Tokiomi became something secondary. Right now he wanted to make sure both Jack and Reika remained safe.

This was because in his mind he saw them as replacements for Sakura and Aoi. He just didn't realize it, and that was what brought his change.


In the castle of the Faction of Zero Kiritsugu was rather busy with damage control. While he had agreed on an alliance with the Black Faction he didn't approve of suddenly providing support when the Black Faction hadn't given them all the information they had on the Masters who were supposed to fight. They hadn't even let them take part in the planning.

That was why he didn't like working with prideful magi. They tended to look down on others when it seemed they had the upper hand. Still, they had some uses for him. Observing the battle he had managed to obtain even better information of that sixth group besides some of the secrets of his faction's so-called allies.

It had been through this that he developed ways to counter most of the abilities of the members of the Sixth Faction, Kirsche being the only exception. For him she was a mystery and that made her dangerous.

The only one who had fought her had been Tokiomi, and he didn't even make her break a sweat. She was on a different level than anyone he had ever seen. He kind of expected that after Tokiomi claimed that he had seen the face of God.

"We have a real problem here if her claims of being a sorceress are true," he finally said with a sigh.

"Emiya-san…" Kirei entered the room with his blank expression.

Kiritsugu acknowledged his presence with a nod.

"Darnic-dono has called for a meeting to discuss the events of last night."

Kiritsugu smirked to himself, the head of the Yggdmillennia had been forced to ask for real help and cooperation because of a bunch of kids.

He got up and followed Kirei out of the room. The two walked to the living room where the remaining members of both groups were waiting, save for one.

"Where are Rider and his Master?" he asked aloud.


At that very moment a chariot was flying through the starry sky.

"Hey Rider, what are we doing here?" Waver asked his Servant.

"I like to ride when there are things I want to think through."

Waver looked at him, not really understanding what he meant. They continued to fly as they passed through some parts of the city that were still devastated because of the war and Waver couldn't help but feel bad for the people who had been dragged into it all.

"Hey Rider, is there any meaning in this?"

He expected another hit like the one he had given Kayneth, but Iskandar just sighed.

"Waver, I need you to understand something basic about war." He look at him completely serious. "There is no right or wrong in war. A war is a battle of wills when both sides believe they are correct and fight to protect their beliefs."

"That… that is selfish."

"Yes, which is why I think a victory without bloodshed is the best."

"I don't think that is possible in this case."

Iskandar couldn't say he was overthinking thing. He was well aware that by the end of this war there probably wouldn't be much of a city left standing. But it was too early to tell Waver this, after all there was still a little hope for this place.

"Everything is going out of control."

"My thoughts exactly, King of Conquerors." A voice suddenly made him stop and he saw Antares walking next to him.

My chariot moves at the speed of lighting, Iskandar thought, yet he didn't only get near me without my notice, but could keep up with it. Who was this person?

Antares raised his hands in a gesture of surrender with an honest smile. "Please, I don't seek any trouble."

Normally Iskandar would have welcomed the knight but the aura surrounding Antares was such that it made him uncomfortable. His instincts were telling him to doubt the man in front of him.

Either way he looked at the crimson knight and calmed the bulls that seemed to share his feelings.

"So who are you and what business could you have with me?"

Antares give him a small bow.

"My name is Antares, just like Aldebaran I'm a servant of Alaya," he said with a smile that rather than calming the ones present made them even more uncomfortable.

The fakeness of his smile was so obvious that it couldn't be seen as anything more than a sign of manners, if anything else.

"As for my business." He began to walk around the chariot. "Just like you I want to put some order between the groups. But any interference from our part could be seen in a wrong way, so I would support any idea you could have."

At his words Iskandar couldn't help but laugh.

"What makes you believe I have an idea?"

"Well if anyone here is capable of bringing order, it would be Alexander the Great."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere."

"I know that, but if you need anything I offer my unconditional help."

And with those words he disappeared.

Iskandar turn to Waver, who seemed affected by the sudden encounter. He didn't find it weird, but if possible he would like to avoid meeting that man again. But he knew that it wasn't very likely.

"He is different from Aldebaran."

"Yeah, he is the first person I find hard to get along with."

"You actually have an idea to try to bring some order?"

"It's not an idea, per se. It's more like a gathering."

"Still worth a shot?"

At his words Iskandar regained his usual big smile as he pat him in the back. To Waver it was more like a hard smack but the feeling was what count.

"That's the spirit! Look carefully, kid. I will show you an event that won't happen twice and will be engraved in the sands of time!"


The eight masters of the Black and Zero Factions were together. Darnic had two homunculus maids behind him tending to his wounds.

Kirei was really impressed. He could see the mark of a fist on the blue-haired magus and wondered which of them had been the one to beat him to such a degree.

"So Darnic, what do you need?" The Magus Killer was the first to break the silence.

Darnic grit his teeth. What he was about to ask was humiliating but at the same time necessary.

"You are well aware that we were defeated this previous night." Celenike decide to speak on his behalf. "Considering this, till we recover we would like your help in case of another enemy attack."

Kiritsugu saw it coming. They didn't have any other choice. If he wasn't working with them he would have taken the opportunity to kill them all. He could do it even now but Kayneth would oppose. They healed his arms and gave him a chance to attain revenge.

While Kiritsugu seems Kayneth as a ticking bomb and wouldn't mind if he died but it was too early to begin a fight inside their own group.

He lit a smoke and begin to think his answer in his mind an alliance was nothing but a deal were both parts put something on the table. If one of the parts didn't give them anything then there was no point for the cooperation in the first place.

"Very well," he said at last. "We will deploy Assassin along with some familiars to keep watch over your territory."

Celenike's eyes widened at his fast response.

"So what do you want in return?"

Kiritsugu smiled, it was obvious they weren't so gullible to believe they would help them just for the sake of it. As he had said, this was just a give-and-take relationship. Only so much was expected.

He could try to play the good man and not ask anything in return, but that would make it too forced and unbelievable and lead the Yggdmillennia to doubt them.

"You have a way for your homunculi to provide mana for your Servants. We would like the same for ours."

Celenike was left speechless. He was asking something rather cheap. Even if it was a power up, they could revoke it at any time and get the connection back to themselves at any time.

"Emiya-san!" Tokiomi was surprised by his words.

Kiritsugu just raised a hand, asking him to remain silent.

"Is that okay with you?" Celenike wanted to make sure.

"Yes."

Celenike turned towards Darnic, seeking his approval. The magus nodded.

"Very well. We shall comply."

That was the end of the talk and moments later they had gone back to their castle.

"What are you planning, Emiya?" Kayneth wondered.

"Kayneth, Tokiomi. Given time would the two of you realize how the system they are using works and be able to take control of it?"

At his words Kayneth flashed him an evil smile while Tokiomi remained calm.

"Yes I think that is very possible."

"Then I'm counting on you."

With that Kiritsugu decided it was enough for the night.

As he left he didn't notice Kirei smiling behind him.

"You really are the man I expected you to be."


Another day passed and the members of the Sixth Faction once again joined together in the living room.

"So you have reached a decision, Kousuke?" Edward asked.

"Yeah…" He then looked at Kirsche. "Kirsche, if you could."

"Alright, it would be in bad taste if we didn't all arrive at the same time, she answered, a little annoyed. "By the way I'm also charging this favor to you, Hellhound."

"Why me…?"

After Kousuke told her the coordinates, she teleported them through her shadow, the seven Masters passing through and emerging before a Western-style mansion. Some of them recognized it almost immediately.

The door opened, revealing Medea and the rest of the Masters of her group. In that moment the Servants of the Sixth Faction appeared behind their Masters.

They recognized each other almost immediately as the Servants of Blue also appeared.

"It's good to see you, little bro," Edward said with a smirk.

"You..." Shirou looked at him rather seriously.

"Arturia..." Nero greeted.

"Emperor..."

"It's nice to see you again, Rin-san!" Atosaki said happily.

Rin just smiled at her while Emiya and Lance glared at each other. But it wasn't a glare of hostility, but mostly one of rivalry between the two.

"So the Enforcer was also part of her group," Leo said, looking at Bazett.

"I didn't expect you either."

"You know…" Lancer said while shaking Odysseus's hand, "…even while allied with each other, we can still continue our fight."

"By all means, you should try to go easy on me," Odysseus answered with a smirk.

Ilya looked at Kirsche and while raising the edges of her skirt she made a small curtsy.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Illyasviel von Einzbern."

To everyone's surprise Kirsche returned her gesture with a bow.

"The pleasure is mine. I am Kirsche von Einzbern."

The two demigods continued to look at each other in silence as their Masters greeted each other.

Breno looked at Sakura, but the girl didn't meet his eyes, so he didn't register her as being of any importance. Ramses on his side felt bothered by Medusa's gaze.

"What are looking at, peon?"

Medusa didn't answer and simply turned to Sakura.

Kage and Kuzuki exchanged glances with cold eyes and no words needed to be exchanged between them. Both of them could smell the blood on the other and recognized the emptiness they had acquired through the path they had chosen.

Even so, they still shook each other's hands, not as a sign of friendship but as if saying they were ready if the other decided to try anything.

The two Casters stood in front of each other, thinking something similar but neither decided to say anything. Mostly because Medea's interest wasn't in the Kitsune, but in her Master's answer.

"We accept." Those were the only words that escaped his lips, only for the moment to spoil when Kirsche noted Zouken's presence. Her knuckles cracked audibly as she flexed them, cat-like.

"Schweinficker…" she snarled with a finger pointed in his direction. "Gewarnt werden... Ich werde keine hausfriedensbruch zu tolerieren."


So the alliances had been and made and we have the chance to use Zouken as a punching bag so i think everybody wins. All is coming together for the next arc. So please Review!