Chapter 21: The Hanging Gardens Part IV

"Berserker, why?" she said, holding her side as her eyes began to blur.

"Would you like to come to our side now? We'd gladly accept you." The priest asked without hesitation.

Berserker paused but saw now that he needed to think for himself. He had spent this time trying to defend someone who was always going to get hurt. Power would win this war, not compassion.

"Cú, please." Her pleas were unheard by her servant, if that's what he was now. The blow left her weak with little mana to heal rapidly. After the attack she delivered to Vlad, she had nothing left but to watch her only ally be taken.

Shirou smiled, knowing that with this final piece he could cause the downfall of his enemies.

"There is no need for you and your faction now. Caster block their escape. Berserker, take care of your former Master."

Hazel looked in his eyes, the red glow. His smile was gone, as though he knew his purpose now. She had failed, all the lives she meant to redeem, her family and reputation. She was looking at her rage which had over taken her mind and created a hero that was corrupt. Now it was time to accept her fate.

"Make it quick." She whispered. Berserker moved to strike the heart, but in his attack another blocked his path. The other fighting stopped as the golems fell quickly. Hazel looked at who stood between them, stunned.

Assassin scoffed, "Rider, she is an enemy…"

"Stop this." Achilles demanded, "Clearly you have little care for others unless they agree with you. Sorry, that's not exactly someone I can follow."

Shirou remained calm, devising a way to talk this over. "You misunderstand, Rider…"

Rider chuckled "Really? She helped us fight that vampire, so don't make her suffer because she wants to protect her pact and family. One which you soil, beast." Berserker snarled to the remark. And a laugh echoed through the chamber.

"So that story of hers struck a chord with you?" Assassin smiled, "Who would've thought your heart was your weakness, Achilles.

"I'm not afraid to take on someone who uses poison to better their position."

"If I hadn't you wouldn't be here, Rider."

"Semiramis." Shirou scolded, it was a truth they hoped never to reveal.

A pause fell in the crowd. Achilles shook his head. He had always been the pawn for everyone else's game, never the king in his own. It was just a repeat of his last life, but he had harmed others even before being called to war.

"So, you hurt her family to summon me?" His tone was firm, he would not listen to lies going forward.

"She provided a fake catalyst. We needed the real one." Achilles looked at Hazel, her skin becoming paler as her energies went to healing.

"Speak." Rider asked. She needed to state her case.

"My father did." Hazel said. "I-I swore I gave the right one but he hid it. If I had known it was a fake, I would have searched for it I..." she passed out, her body demanding sleep. Rider stood over her as Berserker remained still, observing how his enemy now saw her truth.

"Rider. This is nonsense…"

"Enough." Achilles spoke, picking up the still master from the ground. "If her family suffered by your hand to summon me, then maybe I was never meant to be here to begin with." He paused looking again at Berserker who was docile.

"My wish is to continue to be a hero. If I don't save others when they are in distress what good would I be? She's supposed to be on our side, so why attack her?

Shirou was displeased but knew there was little he could do now to change the mind of the hero. Assassin smirked. This meant one of the more powerful servants would be easier to kill with a weak master.

"You've been swayed by a fox. That will be your end in this second life." She lamented. "Caster, please expel this traitor."

"As you wish." All of the golems turned to Rider, he carried Hazel in his arms and prepared to defend this women who had displayed true courage. The others began to fight each other but it was short lived as suddenly, another servant entered and cut down the large golems.

"You came, Saber?" asked Ruler.

"My master wants foxy alive. Consider your asses saved." Saber of Red said and continued to slice through. Achilles, Chiron, and Ruler all escaped from the hall. Hazel's head rested on the hero's shoulder as he carried her. But, Berserker followed as he had just been commanded too.

They got to the landing and Achilles summoned his chariot. They needed to get to the ground to escape the fighting.

"Get on!" He shouted and his teacher and Ruler boarded. Achilles laid Hazel down before he felt a dark presence approaching. He turned to see Berserker sprinting out from the shadows. But, before Cú could strike he was tackled from behind.

"Sis?!" Rider said about to help her.

"Leave now." Atalanta said, and kept distracting the beast. Achilles hesitated, but knew that he could not stay somewhere that he was an enemy. He then whipped the reins to take off.

Hazel stared one last time as the chariot sprung into the sky. Cú was fighting off his new teammate until they exchanged one final glance. Hazel could see what she had made, whatever friendship she formed would not matter. This was her fault and she could not change his decision, all she knew is that he spared her life.

"I'll come back, Cú." She spoke silently, before closing her eyes again as the chariot flew into the clouds.