AN- The battle continues, and enters its final phase. The shoe drops.

Chapter 29

The hidden doorway had been blown completely away and Medea picked up the pace as we shot down the steep, stone stairway. I saw the walls glow brightly as various magical effects triggered, but Medea barely slowed down as she quickly and efficiently stripping them away with relative ease. Medea was one who would someday grow to become the Witch of Betrayal, and one of the archetypes one thinks of when considering 'witch'.

In other words, even if such defences weren't her speciality, as a Witch from the Age of the Gods, she was just that much better than modern Magi.

So in almost no time at all, we reached the bottom of the stairway - where a large, thick, imposing wooden door stood. Its surface was etched with various alchemical symbols I could recognise, and a dozen others I couldn't.

"One last shield." The little witch plopped me down, finally letting me regain a little of my thread-bare dignity and focus myself for what would lay ahead. I was going to need to confront Illya and Shirou. Here and now, I prayed that our protagonists plot armour wouldn't kick in.

I sighed, and instead checked my equipment. Nothing dropped, nothing lost. A quick check in with my communication Mystic Code – no problems. I nodded my head towards Medea. "I'm ready. Let's get this show on the road."

With one more shout of power, the door was blown away in one fell blast. "Sorry for the intrusion." I called out politely, with perhaps a little more humour than what was appropriate. We stepped in – no traps. With that, I gave my full attention to the enemies I'd chosen. "I would knock, but, well, you know... broken door."

The workshop itself was dark and imposing (what would one expect from a Magus' Workshop?), filled with vast glass containers filled with unknown chemicals and various other instruments that wouldn't be out of place in a classical alchemists lab. There in the centre of the room stood a Formalcraft circle of some kind and sitting within it and looking rather put out was Illya. Standing outside the circle between the two of us was Shirou, with a basic sword I couldn't identify clutched in his hands.

"I see you've picked up some more Magecraft." I noted.

He shrugged. "My sister has been kind enough to teach me what she can. And I'll use those skills to protect her!"

"Heh." I scoffed, but tipped my metaphorical hat. "Just so you know, I've had my own teacher offering me wisdom, and I think she's a teensy bit better than-"

"Love of – just skip the banter already!" Illyasviel cut in irritably. Definitely not in a cheerful mood – probably because I was attacking her unprovoked, after all. "We both know why you're here. I am of the Blue Team and you of the Grey Team. It was inevitable that we'd need to fight. So just do it already!"

"True." I conceded. "Though I must admit, I am here more for 'Illyasviel Von Einzbern' than I am for a Master of Blue. Its just an unfortunate truth that one needs the Lesser Grail to actually win the War."

"I won't let you take away my sister!" Yelled Shirou, hands clenching tighter upon his weapon. His eyes were steely with determination. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will. So leave!"

Medea rolled her eyes. "Hecate protect us from fools. I am a Servant you know. You might as well be carrying a stick, if I wanted to act."

"I'd fight you anyway." He said dead seriously.

"Oh stop it brother. We both know if she seriously attacks she can't stop us summoning our Servants."

"Pretty much." I shrugged. "Honestly, having the fight happen in here is just asking for the ceiling to collapse on us. Knowing my luck I'd die due to falling debris and not an enemy Servant. Talk about an embarrassing tale to share at the pearly white gates."

"So instead, we're just here to wait!" Medea smiled like the ray of painful sunshine she is. "We'll let the fights outside conclude, and when they're done, we'll have you surrender. As simple as that."

"Hah! As if you can beat us. Even though you've separated them, they are still two of the strongest Servants you could have! Good luck getting past my Heracles!" Boasted Illya.

"In that case, there should be no problem in letting our Servants settle matters for us."

Shirou pointed his sword at Medea. "She's a Caster. We can't lower our guard with here."

"I'm staying." She said firmly. "Last time I left this idiot unsupervised, he got assassinated."

I winced, my hand automatically going to my torso where a wound had been left but completely undone. "Get your heart carved out once and they never let you live it down."

"Tell me about it." Groused Shirou and I recalled his own run in with having his own heart crushed. For a moment, there was a certain understanding between us, as one 'protagonist' to another. 'That's rough, buddy' – as it were.

"So... what now?" Asked Illya. "If you don't intend to try and fight us?"

"Anyone for Uno?" I offered them my brightest smile.

"Why are you just the worst?" The Einzbern girl looked seriously grumpy. "No dignity. Really, it's almost like -" her words stopped mid sentence and she paled. "What the hell did your Archer just do to my Heracles?"

I didn't miss a beat. "Her job. And apparently, she fucking nailed it." A quick check in, and a quick reply. Yup – Archer nailed it! "This will be over soon."

"Fight on – kill them all." Illyasviel commanded, her body burning up with Command Seals. Even so... I reckoned that the order wouldn't change things. If Ereshkigal really broke Heracles God hand like I hoped she could, then the fight would be basically won. Heracles was ridiculous, but Berserker was probably his weakest form – and he was up against Scathach. She is fucking broken too, dude. Difference is she actually has the versatility to be able to pull off a tonne of kills, and Heracles has few enough lives left that I reckon between them they can handle him.

Shirou looked at his own emblazoned hand, no doubt wondering if he should use one. However, I know that the teen has a bad habit of spending them like a privileged teenager with her dads credit card (namely, very frequently), and I had no clue how many he had left. Doubted he had many though. Wasn't like he could see through his Saber's eyes either like other Magus', and know just when to use his either.

"Put down your sword, Shirou." I said softly. "I know why you fight, and I definitely don't want to have to hurt you either." Not on account of my own selfish actions. "But I won't turn away either. I'm kinda committed to this."

"Oh, no need to go that far, my dear boy." A slimy voice called out. I heard the squelching and writhing of small things skittering – I knew that horrible noise. And while I was surprised, I was also paradoxically not too shocked to see him show up just to ruin my fucking day.

"Zolgen, great." Illya sighed.

"How did you sneak up on me?" Demanded Medea, staff ablaze.

"Oh, I remember your fire well..." Matou Zouken chortled, insects flooding down the walls and coming together to form his wrinkled, evil form. "I had time to prepare and hide my bodies from you. The fact that Einzbern didn't raise the alarms also helped."

I discretely tapped my Mystic Code and sent an all purpose message across. No time to waste, because if Zouken was here, then so too was Assassin! Worst of all, there could be other Blue Team members. [Watch out! Reinforcements! Zouken is here at minimum with Assassin!]

"I was wondering when you'd show your face, though that doesn't mean I'm happy to see your wrinkled face either." The albino girl said with all the dignity she could manage despite still sitting cross legged on the cold floor like a child.

"Did you think we would let you die so soon, Lesser Grail? I am here for you too." His beady eyes locked onto hers. "We are technically still on the same 'team', even if you've completely snubbed your peers. So when this is over, you will likely be coming with me. For your own 'protection', I suppose."

She shook her head. "I stand by my decision to ditch you and the rest of the Blue Team. No offence... though all offence is meant. I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you, and I am a very little girl. So I think I'll stay where I am and maybe only murder you a little bit once Heracles is done with the Greys."

At that threat, Matou Zouken simply laughed, and my skin crawled in response. "You are just the fucking worst." I stepped further away from him and closer to my Servant, whom had conjured a ring of fire around us. I still remembered the touch of Assassin of Blue and the pain that followed. I remembered how this man tried to have me murdered.

"Ah, I am afraid that title of 'the worst' goes to yourself, instead." he inclined his head and gestured at me with his walking stick. "After all, you really should have expected someone to meddle with your little plan considering just how many pies you've been sticking your fingers in. Rather, just how many hornet nests you are kicking. Yes – that seems more apt. I am far from the only one here ready to throw a spanner in the works, as the saying goes..."

XXXXXXXXXX

It was a close one – oh so ridiculously close. Another second later, another inch closer... and then Saber of Blue would have undeniably died from that blow. Instead, she lived, wounded horrifically, but alive.

"My King, are you alright?" The wall had been blasted apart by a barrage of sonic strings that had broken through it and reached Arturia in just the nick of time – blowing Boudica's attack just off course and preventing her from following through.

"Tristan... is that you?" Arturia almost seemed to smile despite the blood running down her throat from the wound that stretched from her neck and across her torso, as the Knight of the Round Table approached and kneeled at her side. "Rise."

"We saw the Grey Team moving en-masse and knew that even you would struggle. Luckily, my Master saw the wisdom in allowing me to aid you, even if the rest of the Red Team chose to remain in hiding like cowards."

"Hmph. Because I feared that even with a Command Seal you'd find a way to come here anyway. So better to spend a Seal properly, no? Archer, protect Saber of Blue." Spoke a Familiar in the shape of a raven, perched on the knights shoulder – spending a Command Seal in the process. The creature definitely had the attitude of its Master, and harrumphed before fluttering away and out of the hole in the wall – preferably to find a safer point to observe.

"Indeed." He agreed. "My thanks for allowing me to fight with my full strength. I endeavour to impress my Master and my King alike, tonight." Then, the red-haired knight tugged at the string of his harp and the wound around Arturia's neck glowed green for a moment as the bleeding stopped.

"Many thanks." Arturia inclined her head at the help.

"You know, I am sick and tired of this." Boudica complained, panting heavily from the strain of the battle so far. "Why is it that every single fucking time we pick a fight with someone, some other random party chooses to stick their necks in and meddle – and side with our enemies at that! Just once I'd like to be the one receiving backup for once!"

"Heads up!" Another voice joined the fray. Red arrows shot through the already destroyed wall and was the final straw for this entire wing of the castle – the whole stretch of the castle collapsed from the continued damage to the structure – collapsing with a loud crumble of breaking masonry and falling stones.

It was a lull in the action – forcing everyone to scramble and leave the wreckage for better positions. Most of all, it was a chance for all parties to catch their breath. Amidst the scramble, every member of the Grey Team heard their Master's warning: [Watch out! Reinforcements! Zouken is here at minimum with Assassin!]

"Archer, why aren't you facing Berserker?" Asked Saber of Grey. They'd dragged an exhausted Mata Hari away and regrouped with Boudica and Ereshkigal – Saber and Rider in the front, Assassin in the middle and Archer at the back.

"Lancer can handle it." The Goddess said confidently. "I chose to break off. I noticed that Archer of Red appear, and knew that together they might be too much to handle alone."

"We do appreciate the hand." Mata Hari smiled. "If left alone, I don't think Saber could have stopped a stray shot hitting me and flat out killing me." After all, Mata Hari was never meant to directly fight her enemies. 10 times stronger than a modern human, yes, but still pitifully weak compared to the other monsters in the form of Servants. She was support at best – only here for her Noble Phantasm to create an opening and help land the final blow. She was not meant to be present for a prolonged fight. She'd appeared to help setup the final blow for Saber of Blue, and so the appearance of Archer of Red was very bad for her long term health. "So... forgive me if I'm a little bit clingy, tee hee~"

"Tch. Have a little dignity already." Archer growled.

"No more banter." Boudica warned. "They've regrouped. And keep an eye out for Assassin. Still no clue where that snake is."

From the rubble emerged Saber of Blue and Archer of Red – a temporary alliance had been reached. What was said between the Child of Sadness and his King was unknown, and was probably far briefer than either one of them would like. Either way though, the two were working together now, and Saber had become doubly effective because of it.

"All is not lost." Considered Lily. "The patchwork job Archer of Red did to heal her is shoddy at best. Her Spirit Origin isn't going to fall apart any time soon, but she is still the weakest I've ever seen her at. She's moving stiffer now, and will likely go down to one solid blow. And Archer of Red, with a Seal... who could say?"

Unfortunately, the present members of the Grey Team hadn't previously engaged in battle against Archer of Red. That honour went to Scathach, who was presently occupied finishing off the Son of Zeus. Lily knew that Archer of Red used his harp to fire sonic based attacks... but aside from that, little else. His Noble Phantasm was also likely his harp... but what would it do when fully activated?

"This time, the odds are a little more even, wouldn't you say?" Despite her crippling injury, Saber of Blue was in surprisingly high spirits.

"No matter how this ends, I will not regret having this opportunity to fight alongside you once again." Arutria's enthusiasm was so contagious, even Archer of Red's normally dour attitude was lessoned.

"You should kiss! Geez, just get a room already!" Mocked Saber of Grey.

Archer's eyes narrowed. "My King – that one is mine."

With that, the battle restarted.

XXXXXXXXXX

My eyes flickered to Medea's. More reinforcements... I wanted to send her away. So. Damned. Much. I wanted her out there supporting and healing my Servants, so even with these new factors, they'd still be safe... but I couldn't.

I couldn't move Caster until I knew where Assassin of Blue was. Sure, I could burn a Seal in an emergency, but the bastard is fast. Was Assassin going to offer support to the Blue Team, or hide and wait for an opening to take me down and potentially end the entire Grey Team in one fell swoop?

It was too damned risky.

"So why are you really here, Zouken? Want to finish the job?"

The worm laughed. "Oh, you made this personal, boy, when you assaulted my home and scorched my workshop. Didn't you know? To violate the sanctity of another Magus' Workshop is one of most insulting crimes one can perform!"

"Even with Saber and Berserker of Blue, you can't beat me." I told him confidently. In a straight us battle he'd lose... so I knew that he wasn't going to keep it that simple. He was a tricky bastard. What was his angle though? That was what I needed to figure out if I was to have any chance to beat whatever he had up his sleeve that made him so confident.

"And that's why I dislike you so much. Because you are so very stupid." There was a very dark look in the ancient Magus' eyes. I didn't much like it. "A Magus focuses on their goals – and will do anything to accomplish it. Sacrifice anything – even ones dignity. Why ever would I fight you?"

XXXXXXXXXX

There was no Territory to battle within. There was no terrain flat out. No normal building could hold the clash of two Servants within it, let alone a conflict featuring six.

Saber of Blue was a reckless, dangerous, weapon – constantly on the offensive. A glistening, golden blade striking with excessive force – bolstered with Mana Burst strikes whenever possible. And supporting her was Archer of Red, firing out an constant barrage of sonic strikes, protecting her weak points and openings and providing constant pressure.

The Grey Team defence was buckling. Saber and Rider stood together, side by side, almost like Roman legionaries in how they guarded each others sides. Before, one attacked and the other supported. Now both defended, and needed all they could to keep up against Saber of Blue's aggressive stance. Even though it would just take one false step to lead to King Arthur's death... her Instincts always kept her just out of the way of that attack.

Meanwhile, Archer of Grey was stuck as a glorified bodyguard. She knew that her Master prioritised the lives of the Servants over kills – and she agreed with that philosophy. Mata Hari was vulnerable on the battle field, and without her, Archer of Red would have already killed her fivefold times. But Assassin couldn't flee – she wasn't skilled enough to leave without taking a sonic arrow to the neck.

Add in a mysterious Assassin of Blue that was present but hadn't yet showed themselves and you had yourself a real mess. They couldn't afford anything risky.

So all they could do was fight – to hold on. To prevent their enemies from having the chance to use their Trump Cards, and wait for that one slip up to act.

Wait – for a more opportune moment. For the tides to change. For the Cursed Arm Hassan to show his masked face... or for another opening. Patience – until one side folds.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I won't allow for an assassination either." Medea said confidently. "I'd sooner burn this whole building down."

"I presume he's already tried once, huh?" Illyasivel poked her cute little head in.

"Successfully." I grumbled, rubbing at my chest at the sheer phantom pain. It had been far too close for my liking.

Zouken cackled. "Yes, you have had a bad habit of escaping from the very worst of situations. Its a miracle worthy of the Heavens Feel that you've had no casualties thus far... and a symbol of your weakness, at that."

"No!" Our argument was cut off. My focus snapped away to the scream. It was Illya – she was on her hands and knees, her fingers scratching at the floor hard enough for trails to be left behind. There was blood at the corner of her mouth.

"Illya!" Roared Shirou. He was at her side in an instant, sword tossed aside. "What-"

"He's gone, Shirou!" She snapped. "He's gone!"

And, as expected... [Mission successful, Master.] Reported Scathach, satisfaction in her tone. [It took a lot of work, but the Demigod Heracles is dead. He sure made me work for it, even without his God Hand. He is truly worthy of all his accolades.]

Heracles was dead. DEAD! The largest threat remaining, gone. And it opened her up to help the others! [Go help the others against Arturia!]

"Its going to be all over soon if you don't act, Zouken." I warned him.

Again, the ancient corpse laughed. "You crippled me, but I still have a surplus of eyes and ears everywhere. I know exactly how this is going to go. Its a shame that you still don't."

XXXXXXXXXX

A spear flies through the air, projected at great force. Not the invocation of a Noble Phantasm – but simply an excellent throw with night perfect accuracy, piercing Archer of Red's shoulder. The Knight quickly tore the offending weapon out, but the damage was done, and a message announced.

Lancer of Grey had entered the battlefield. The God Slayer of the Shadow Lands was here!

"Apologies for my late arrival. I had business to attend to elsewhere." The red-headed beauty smiled a wicked smile and twirled her Gae Bolg effortlessly.

All at once, everyone acted.

Mata Hari whispered a single word to Archer: "Go,". This was the final act of this battle – the alliance of Saber of Blue and Archer of Red couldn't fight off everyone. The tide would turn quickly – if they were to act, it would need to be now.

And while this opened up Mata Hari... Ereshkigal was better served finishing things.

Meanwhile, Tristan and Arturia shared a look with each other, and a wordless message was passed. A great deal went across in that wordless exchange, that could only be given between those that had worked together on the battlefield for years together.

Now. If a win wasn't won here, then they would certainly lose.

Across from them, Saber of Grey shared an identical look with Rider of Grey. The enemy would push for a win here. They could not be allowed to.

Excalibur burned a brilliant shade of gold – its wielder pouring prana in rapidly. At full power, it could level a fortress. But that took time to charge – time they didn't have. All Arturia needed was to unleash that unstoppable power ahead and win victory back by slaying at least a few of their foes.

Boudica charged recklessly, seeking to stop that attack. The King of Knights was pinned in place while she charged her sword – and she couldn't defend and prime to attack. Either Saber of Blue would die, fire off the attack too early, or would need to cancel her attack to block.

So Archer of Red needed to stop anyone from attacking his king – at any cost. Consequently, he pulled back his harps string, and announced his own Noble Phantasm. "Failnaught."

Failnaught was an interesting weapon. It didn't activate via a single attack that occurs when the Noble Phantasm's true name is revealed. Frankly, it was a 'bow' with the sole power of creating vacuum arrows that seem to act far more like 'wires' than anything else. Announcing its name simply overclocked its control.

As this was announced, Cheavalier d'Eon was also moving. In fact, they leapt ahead of Boudica (ironically enough, they had a higher Agility stat). Their role was to ensure that nothing got in the way of Boudica. So Tristan's trap was sprung – vacuum wires exploding from the underground to serve as a wall of destructive, flesh rending air. And Chevalier d'Eon leapt head-first into the trap, smile on their face.

A horrible sound like a blender as cloth was obliterated and flesh carved away like cheese upon a grater – but the wires were spent, and a hole opened up for Boudica to leap through.

"This is me out of the fight." Saber frowned, slipping away into spiritual form. They were too damaged to fight on now from Saber of Blue's earlier direct hit and now this one too, and were so damaged that if they stayed in the fight any of their enemies would be able to easily dispatch them.

As this was all occurring, there were still other players in the fight moving. Ereshkigal was firing her crimson arrows without restraint – aimed at Tristan. Saber was too close to the other Servants that Ereshkigal couldn't find a good angle to target the swordswoman, and she feared that she couldn't put enough stopping power in to prevent Excalibur. So instead she targeted Saber of Blue's ally – seeking to if not kill him, then at least prevent him from physically stopping Boudica's charge.

Archer of Grey wasn't the only one with this thought – Scathach was also aimed straight at Archer of Red. Limbs coated with crackling Runes, charging with her full speed, she aimed to close the distance within seconds and end him in one single, absolute strike (why go for a thrown shot, when it was quicker just to charge him and bury it in his heart directly?).

And in the shadows... a figure finally stirred into life. A dirk was drawn, and the shadow moved.

The battle at the Einzbern manor truly ended in that final, messy clash.

XXXXXXXXXX

"With that... I call checkmate." Zouken mimed the knocking over of a chess piece with one finger. As if prompted by his boast, Illya all but collapsed as white energy started to pour from her body. Shirou was clutching her tight, whispering words I couldn't hear. Further complicating things, I received a sudden hurried message from Ereshkigal.

[Assassin showed up! He killed... well... he killed-]

"S-saber..." Whispered Shirou loud enough that even I heard him. He sensed her death – significantly enough to distract him from his sisters state.

Zouken assassinated... Saber of Blue.

XXXXXXXXXX

"You... bastard!" Cursed Arturia, her blade still held aloft... before falling. Not with the activation of the mighty weapon, but more because she physically couldn't keep it held aloft. The golden glow of Excalibur faded away as her body slowly began to fall apart and disperse. In her back was an ominously glowing knife, that had gone straight through the protection of her armour and struck her spiritual core directly.

Smoothly, easily, Assassin of Blue removed the tool.

Archer of Red couldn't even call the Assassin on his treachery himself - after all, the Knight of Sorrows was fading away himself. Scathach's Gae Golg struck true, and Sir Tristan was killed in a single decisive blow, unable to even offer up any final commentary before he faded away.

The only combatant left to stand against the Grey Team... was Assassin of Blue.

XXXXXXXXXX

["Master! Archer of Red is dead too!"] Saber dutifully reported.

I watched the glow covering Illyasviel Von Einzbern... and I paled. Because something unexpected had happened tonight. Two extra participants had joined the battle than expected... and now even though the objective we'd wanted to accomplish had been fulfilled (kill Saber and Berserker of Blue), something worse was occurring.

The Einzbern Grail was almost full. This had gone from a fight with the intent of setting up a battle with Gilgamesh to complete the Grail later... to becoming what was likely the final battle for the first Holy Grail wish.

I racked my brain. How many -?

"Approximately six Servants worth of power have filled the Grail with their strength. The minimum number required for a wish." A soft voice spoke – a new one. Looking to the entrance I'd entered from, Ruler stood in full battle attire, flag held aloft. She was here in her capacity as the moderator of the war.

"Burn him!" I snapped at Medea – Assassin was elsewhere – his presence confirmed. Medea got the message and swapped from defence to offence – setting his body alight directly.

Zouken collapsed into his critters – but laughed all the same. He just. Kept. Laughing.

"The present state of the Grail is that the Red Team have earned one kill, the Blue Team have killed two... and the Grey Team have also killed two." Continued Ruler. The consequences of this, unspoken.

Stalemate. But numbers... that isn't six. But Hercules has a big spiritual core, doesn't he? Not Gilgamesh big... but is this enough to tip the Grail close enough to reach it?

No. Doesn't matter.

"Victory is mine, Master of Grey." the scattered swarm of writhing bugs announced. "And the funniest thing is that if you had the same ruthlessness as myself... then you could have achieved this win days ago. And all it would have cost would have been seven measly Command Seals."

Seven seals? What did he specifically mean? What kind of thing required seven Seals specifically.. and the ruthlessness to use them?

Oh. Seven orders. Seven Servants. And just what was the original purpose of the Command Seal again?

Shit. He didn't need to outfight my team. All he needed was one more corpse in the Grail... and one more kill for the Blue Team to 'win' this wish.

He didn't need a victory. He didn't even need seven Seals like me. He only needed a single Command Seal to finish this!

"Assassin," I hurriedly spoke, the associated Command Seal on my arm burning bright as I selected the target.

"Assassin," Zouken ordered himself, his casual voice a stark contrast to the panic I was sure that I was showing. His single set of seals blazed darkly upon his outstretched hand, which was only just reforming on the floor along with the rest of his upper body.

"HERE!" I burned a Command Seal, and space shattered as Mata Hari appeared – rather frazzled and confused as to why of all people I was calling her. Simple really... I can't kill Zouken before he has time to use his Command Seal.

Second order. Target explicit! "Silence-"

Zouken spoke over me, giving his own Command Seal order. "Kill-"

"him!" / "yourself."

Our orders executed at the same time. Mata Hari acted without hesitation, wordlessly using her Noble Phantasm... but even then it was too late. At the end of the day, a Command Seal was absolute... and it is immensely hard to stop someone using one.

It was already too late.

"Luminosite Eternelle." Ruler speaks, and her spear glows with heavenly light that flows outwards and fills the entire workshop in its protective glow. The only thing more magnificent than that flag... was the body of Ilyasviel herself.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him." Mata Hari couldn't look me in the eyes. That's okay – I couldn't look at her either. I was too busy staring at the radiant form of Illyasviel writhing from an unseen force. This was a slap to the face – for all I said I knew Zouken's character... I really should have seen this coming. And yet, I hadn't.

The truth could not be denied.

"Zouken... has won this round." Medea acknowledged with a tired sigh.

"No!" Shirou was back on his feet. "I didn't... I haven't even fought yet! I won't let you do this, Zouken! Not to my sister, you bastard!"

"Its too late for that, boy. A Master with no Servant has no role in what is to come." Zouken fully reformed himself under the protection Ruler offered, more worms emerging from hiding to add to his body mass, so that he could rise to his feet once again. "Watch – that which we have waited 250 years to see! The Grail manifests!"

Illya's body... changed. It transfigured – skin falling away, as in one clean motion a pristine, golden cup appeared... quickly filling with pure, colourless light.

"The winner of this round of the Fifth Heavens Feel... is the Blue Team." Ruler announced. She didn't seem happy with the results... but she was at the very least professional about it. "This is not a proper site for the Greater Grail to manifest its powers... but the Lesser Grail is a suitable connection to it, and as the Ruler class Servant of this war, I have the authority to interface with it. Who claims a wish on behalf of the Blue Team?"

"I do!" Shouted Shirou. "Bring her back to normal!"

Ruler sighed sadly. "I am afraid... I cannot do that. You do not qualify for a wish, as your Servant attained no kills in this round."

"Ohoh? Well do I qualify?" Zouken smugly asked as if he hadn't just snatched victory away in literally the final minute of this fucking round.

I... was furious. But I stepped aside to allow Ruler pas by me and approach the 'winner' of the War.

"Your Servant is gone... but he did qualify. Assassin of Blue acted to fill up the Grail. If there are no other Blue Team members present to contest the result..." she trailed off. Naturally, nobody was left who could protest. Illya was a fucking cup, and the rest of the Blue Team was with Medea the Elder, who very much wasn't here. "then I declare Matou Zouken the winner. Rejoice - the Grail... is yours."

"I refuse!" Shirou shouted again. Stubborn boy – he should really know a losing fight when he sees one. Then again, he wouldn't be Shirou fuckin' Emiya if he didn't act even so.

"Please don't make me have to stop you." pleaded Ruler in that pleasantly soft voice I'd come to dislike.

Shirou was adamant though. He had picked up his discarded sword once more... and he stood between Zouken and the cup his sister had become.

"Very well then." The light of Jeanne's phantasm faded. Gods peaceful presence was gone... and so violence was possible once again. Shirou moved, but Ruler was a Servant. She moved faster. A single swing... a single impact as the heavy flaghead met Shirou's heavier head, throwing him to one side so that he hit the workshop wall.

He didn't get up again. I looked to Medea - ["Should we try and kill Zouken before he can wish?"]

["No point."] Medea unfortunately admitted. ["That'd just mean picking a fight with Ruler. And we'd lose right now. Damned Command Seals."]

So there was nothing to be done with the new state of things but continue to helplessly watch as arguably the most despicable member of the Fate Stay Night cast was given the chance to make his wish.

Said despicable cast member slowly approached the now isolated cup... almost reverently. There was genuine joy upon his wrinkled face as his crooked hand reached out to it, and I couldn't blame him for it. Even I could feel the light of the Grail upon me, and it was an otherworldly feeling. I was merely an observer here... and yet I felt tears at the corner of my eyes from the beauty of the artefact. I wondered what I would be like to be able to touch it myself.

"After over 200 years... it's finally here. How many miserable years have I endured for this moment? How much did I suffer just to reach this point?" Zouken was speaking to himself, until he wasn't. He looked back and his dark eyes met my own. "This is my revenge upon you. I have stolen this wish from you. All that work you put in to make it this far... I wrench it from your palms! I will attain all that I've ever wanted... and you will not. The destruction of my lab, the slaying of my Familiars, the assault upon my home and my tools... all that is irrelevant before the light of the Heavens Feel!"

Zouken turned back to the cup and opened his arms wide – as if rejoicing. "Hear me, oh Heavens Feel! My body matches my rotting soul! My existence is pain and I slowly die no matter what body I claim! So heal me! Fix my soul! Make me whole! Grant me a spirit able to survive eternity, and a body to match it! THAT IS MY WISH!"

And so the cup representing the Holy Grail... rose into the air, and then it toppled over. Its contents spilled all over Zouken, going from colourless to a bright, holy white so intense I couldn't look at it. I turned my gaze away from the almost painful light – leaving it only to my imagination. Throughout it I could hear joyous sound of Zouken's laughter – triumphant and light and changing.

Finally, after a full minute of blinding light... it faded away, and the workshop was plunged back into darkness. Not darkness – candle-lit normality. But even daytime would be dark before the light of the Heavens Feel.

"Oh Zouken, you miserable wretch... whatever did we become?" A new voice spoke from where Zouken had once been. I looked towards him and I saw two bodies. Firstly, there was Illyasviel von Einzbern, lying on the ground completely motionless. Her body breathed in and out, but her eyes were dead and devoid of anything within. There was no spirit animating that empty vessel.

And then there was Zouken. He looked young – remarkably so. A new, white cloak had been draped over his body to symbolise his resurrection... and it swamped over his tall form. Yes – he was tall. No longer a squat old man, he was now a young man whose facial features strongly resembled Shinji's. Short, spiky blue hair – but the same intense eyes, albeit without that all encompassing darkness within them. Now, there was something akin to compassion within them. He was maybe in his mid 20's now? Hard to tell since he still felt very mature, and still possessed stress lines that ran all along his face.

"Rejoice, Matou Zouken. Your wish has been granted." Ruler spoke with finality. "So ends the first wish, and so begins the second stage of the Grail War. All returns to zero as the counter is reset, and all teams are once more given chance to claim a miracle. You, however, will no longer be permitted to participate as you have already made a wish."

"I understand." Zouken spoke, an edge in his voice that was like he was only just getting used to talking after a long period of time. "Though... I would prefer it if you call me by my actual name: Makiri Zolgen."

Ah. I understood. It was a well known fact that the Zouken as we knew him was a greatly reduced man from what he once was – losing oh so very much to his quest for the Grail: even his original reason for seeking it. I wasn't looking at Matou Zouken, the ancient Magus that sought immortality. I was now looking at Makiri Zolgen, the man that he had once been - in all his terrible glory. Still ridiculously old, but not quite so rotting. One of the founders of the Heavens Feel ritual... now at his 'prime', once again.

"Congratulations, Zolgen." My tone was bitter... but I think I could be excused for that.

Makiri Zolgen turned his gaze to me as if seeing me for the first time... and perhaps he was. He said nothing though, very much still in his own head. "It's funny... just how much I lost to reach this point. How I finally had the chance to make a wish... and yet squandered it. Wishing for something so immaterial as youth. I forgot it! Oh Justeaze! Forgive me... I forgot our wish. I forgot it. That beautiful dream..."

Without another word, still lost in his own world... the newly reborn founder walked past me and up the staircase. I watched him leave... then saw Ruler follow after him. In her arms, she held the now empty husk which had once been Illyasviel von Einzbern. Presumably, she felt it was her responsibility as the moderator to look after the lesser Grail now that she was no longer a Master and couldn't function as a human any longer, and now followed after Zolgen to protect him. No doubt she expected me to pettily have one of my many Servant assassinate him now that he had no Servant, and intended to at least let the 'winner' have a clean get away.

I was tempted... very tempted to give my Servants the order.

But what was even the point?

"I'm tired." I said to myself, to the quiet workshop. I was grateful that Medea wasn't talking to me – that Mata Hari had hushed her. That woman knows me well. I was tired. Too damn tired.

I approached Shirou... and checked his pulse. He seemed healthy enough. As expected. As if that saint was going to actually inflict lethal damage to that blockhead. I asked Medea for some paper... and wrote him a quick message explaining what had happened while he was knocked out.

He... didn't deserve to wake up in an empty castle, without even knowing what happened to Illya. Same with the Homunculi – they deserved to hear what happened. They at least had the right to know who had her now... and where things stood.

"This has been like... the worst day. Ever." I turned to Mata Hari.

She gave me a soft smile, and an open hand. "It has. Want to go home?"

"So fucking much." I took her hand, and let her drag me away.

This... had been a disaster. We'd won, as Scathach has predicted, but it had once again been very pyrrhic. Zouken had been right. I did lack the ruthlessness of other Magi. He'd been correct. If I really wanted to win, then it would have been possible to claim the Grail the very moment I had seven Servants. One Command Seal each... ordering them all to kill themselves. That would have fulfilled the Heavens Feel ritual as the founders intended, and granted my wish.

But I didn't have the cold hearted guts to do that. Just a shame that Zouken did. He played me. We'd lost this round.

… I didn't intend to give up though. Things were shit. All our efforts so far had been rendered worthless, with the Grail War basically resetting at this point. I still needed to fill the Grail again and attain a majority of the kills for the Grey Team – I was just in a worse position than I started.

And that was okay. I could... figure that shit out tomorrow. For today, I just wanted to go back to the base and swear enough to make a sailor jealous.

So fucking tired.

AN- with this, the first round of the Holy Grail War comes to a close. Because let's be honest here – there was no way that James was going to be allowed to win that first round ;)

Man though – that battle was tough. It was always meant to be a quick cluster fuck where all the kills for the Grail happened within like a minute of each other, and it shows. Messy – though I hope that enough of the action came across properly.

So yes. Matou Zouken won the Holy Grail War. Good for him I guess?

Results of the first round of the Fifth Heavens Feel Ritual

Winner: Blue Team (Matou Zouken)

Kill List:

Berserker of Red – Asterios (Killed by the Blue Team)

Rider of Red – Iskandar (Killed by the Red Team)

Berserker of Blue – Heracles (Killed by the Grey Team)

Archer of Red – Tristan (Killed by the Grey Team)

Saber of Blue – Arturia (Killed by the Blue Team)

Assassin of Blue – Hassan of the Cursed Arm (Killed by the Blue Team)

Play of the Game: fucking Bastion. Oh wait, wrong game. All in all, Grey Team performed the best out of all the Teams. They were the only group able to remain together and work effectively as a team. Medea was able to keep them together long past the point where a kill should have occured, while enough late game muscle was summoned up to let them keep up with the stronger occupants - and they were proactive throughout the entire round. Every time they went out for an objective, they normally succeeded, even if there was normally an asterisk attached. Red Team played things too cautiously once they lost the Temple, and so weren't present in force for the final fight when things went down. Blue Team was crippled from the start due to in-fighting – so they were arguably the worst.

Alas, even the best played game of football doesn't matter if the enemy team manages to land the final winning goal (or something like that - do I look like I know about sports?). Zouken was able to understand the rules of engagement, and slimy worm that he is took advantage of them to avoid needing to actually fight to win his Cup. Frankly, he saw an opportunity to snatch the win, and took it. The moment the Grey and Blue Teams drawed was the moment he won – there was no way to stop him from simply sacrificing Assassin the moment that he qualified him to eligible for the win. If James had prioritised the win and just offed one of his Servants with a Command Seal, then even if they'd made the order at the same time then Ruler would have likely fallen in his favour. After all, Zouken barely qualified and earned the qualifier by his Servant team-killing. It was legal, but kind of dirty. All of James' kills were a little bit cleaner, put it that way.

One chapter left of part one – if this were an anime, then we just have the after credits scene before the 13th episode ends and we have a longass wait for part 2.

So I hope you enjoyed the conclusion to this first stretch of the war – because the second half will have a far quicker pace. We near the endgame, and the cast has had its weakest elements culled. The Grail still has a wish or two left in it...

If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to leave a message. And if anyone is over there, the TV Tropes page could do with an update.

(Until next time – peace out).