"Gah, finally, we can roll the gacha some more!" Kana walks with a skip in her step as she cheers, side by side with her brother. "I love our Servants, really do, but I'd love to have more. You know?"

"You're greedy as hell," Ritsuka says, not nearly as energetic as his sister. He has a cup of coffee in his hand and a stack of folders under his arm, pending orders for the new micro-singularities that have appeared since. Ritsuka relents with a small smile. "Well, I guess we could shore up ou Saber division, and we don't actually have any Assassins right now. Would be nice to get some, and shore up our Riders while we're at it."

It's been... two, three weeks? About three weeks since the initial call to suspend summons and focus all of Chaldea's resources on rebuilding was made. The window that Flauros' death provided gave Chaldea a respite, enough to finally lick its wounds and focus on getting back on its feet before punching the enemies of human history in the dick.

Offensive operations, localised shutdowns of harmful micro-singularities continued of course, as well as looting everything that wasn't nailed down. The greenhouses were also restored, and they will eventually have a fairly steady internal supply of food to supplement the stores too. Nice things. Maybe they'll have fruit in like six months.

But the majority of the work is bureaucratic, rearranging work schedules, optimising deployments, and – basically it's a bunch of crap no one but Ritsuka and Roman really have to care about. And that's good. The fewer people involved, the fewer fuckups should happen. Ideally. Not to mention that literally no one but Ritsuka and Roman have a head for this sort of nonsense. Must be the R&R connection.

Anyways. Summoning.

"What about Riders?" His sister asks quizzically. "I think Marie's doing a fine job."

"I mean I agree, but... You have to admit, she's not the best in combat. And I'd rather send someone else besides her if we ever need a Rider."

Kana gasps. "Are you, perchance... sexist?" Ritsuka tries to grab her nose but she blocks it. "Alright, point taken. Seriously though, she's fine."

"She's fine but... I get the feeling she doesn't really want to fight all that much. And that's fine, she can be a backliner." Ritsuka shrugs at that. "Reserve Servants are always good, for smaller fights and other things. Honestly I'm not too concerned if most of our roster doesn't fight as long as we can keep dealing with Singularities and resolve Grand Order. But for that we need beefier Riders. Or a beefier Servant in general. If there are any Lancers with chariots, I'm all ears."

Kana shrugs. "I mean we can't roll specific Servants anyways, so let's just hope and see."

"...Right," he nods. The summoning chambers are right before them, sealed behind a reinforced door."Five me, five you?"

"As usual!"

They step in, and return to the old routine. Ritsuka draws three sets of Black Keys, an Azoth Blade, and one black and white jacket. Utterly useless.

Kana doesn't fare much better, either. One black sleeve – and only a sleeve – plus a red sleeve – again, just the sleeve – and two red scepters tipped with a large ruby. It's... not a great day for either of them. Man.

"...I blame you, by the way," Ritsuka mutters bitterly. "You sucked out all the luck. Now nobody get s shit."

Kana holds up the black sleeve in her hands, peering at it through structural analysis. "I'm, uh... Pretty sure this is a high level Craft Essence."

"...Oh fuck you." Ritsuka holds up a red-tinted Black Key. "This is all I get."

"And I still have one roll!" Kana says cheerfully. She shows off the four quartz held between her fingers and giggles merrily. "Watch, Rits: It's going to be the money shot!"

"Please don't say that."

She tosses them carelessly into the summoning ring. Three prismatic rings expand out and a golden pillar of light shoots into the ceiling.

"OH COME ON!"

"There there, Rits. You'll get it someday."

"It's rigged! Summons are are RIGGED!"

Kana frowns. "...Actually, as the light pillar ever been gold before?"

The light dies. Standing before them is a man with golden hair, clad in golden armor. His features are perfectly formed, the very peak of masculine beauty. His red eyes are hard and contemptuous, and his lips twist into a cruel smirk.

"Fuhahahahaha!" He laughs, his voice sharp like a rain of swords. "Summoning me has cost you all your luck, mongrels!"

Ritsuka looks at the man in gold, as does Kana. There are no words. There are no reactions.

Kana, lucksack that she is, has successfully called upon the strongest Heroic Spirit. Gilgamesh of Uruk. Victor of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Near-victor of the Fifth. Owner of just about every legendary armament and relic in existence, or at least the platonic ideal of one. And also kind of possibly just a bit of a total asshole.

Gilgamesh opens his eyes, frowning. "So? What are you Mongrels waiting for? Kneel, and I will grant you the opportunity to serve."

"Fuck you," Kana says outright at him. "My dad kicked your ass. I'm not scared of you. So are you going to help save humanity or will you fuck off?"

Ritsuka snaps to her quick enough he nearly twists his neck off. He wants to yell at her to not be a fucking idiot, but it's too late now. The idiocy has actualised.

Gilgamesh looks at her. Really, really looks at her. Veins popping along his temples, brow creased, his red eyes furious. For an instant, Ritsuka feared for his life. The fury of the King of Heroes is not something to be understated. He prepares a Command Seal, reaching out for the one Servant he can rely here-

And then suddenly Gilgamesh rears back, fury abated. Instead, his frown turns into a mad smile as he starts laughing hysterically at the sky.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You are his children? THEIR CHILDREN?! Audacious! Hilarious! I have not known such merriment in ages!" He looks back down, pointing at Kana. The girl, idiot she is, doesn't even flinch. "You, I like." Gilgamesh turns to Ritsuka, the boy jumping in his skin. "You... Beware."

"...Beware wha-" is all he manages, before Gilgamesh grabs him in a bear hug and throws him back in a suplex.

In 2026, humanity was incinerated by a great threat

BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MONGRELS MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF YOUR POPULATION

I PERSONALLY DON'T CARE THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE AROUND ANYMORE

BUT WHEN THEY'RE DOING ACTUALLY NOTHING THEN WE HAVE PROBLEMS

WELL NOW I'M GOING TO SAVE THEIR SORRY BUTTS WITH LITERALLY THE ONLY HUMANS LEFT THAT MATTER

YOU ARE FUCKING WELCOME, HUMANITY

...Such is what happens when you need to be saved by the King of Heroes

Welcome, to:

FATE/SUNNY ORDER

The doors all but fly open as Archer charges in, his twin chinese blades projected. "Ritsuka! Kana! I felt a disturbance in the-" His eyes narrow. "You."

"Yes," Gilgamesh cackles, his face obscured by Ritsuka's. "Me. How lives, Faker?"

Archer inhales sharply. He dismisses both Kanshou and Bakuya. He always feared this day would come. The Counter Guardian holds out one hand at the King of Heroes. "I am the bone of my Sword."

"It's fine, father," Ritsuka says, his voice flat and dead. The expression on his face betrays no fear, no tolerance, and no fucks left to give. If he was ever afraid of the King of Heroes, that feeling has since been replaced by, if not apoplectic fury, then apoplectic irritation. If that could be a thing.

It should be a thing.

"Ho?" Gilgamesh says, mockingly-impressed. "You're still conscious? Impressive! You might qualify as a slave to one of my footsoldiers!"

Ritsuka pinches the bridge of his nose and exhales. "Yeah, see, King of Heroes, Gilgamesh of Uruk? I'm-"

"-Ritsuka Tohsaka, I am well aware. The eyes of a King see much. And you seem to be the pillar Chaldea relies on, including your sister Kana over there." Gilgamesh grunts contemptuously. "What does it matter? Why do you lead? Why would I care? I am King; all things are mine, all people, mine. You are only a subject to lord over, not even someone I would care to listen to."

"-Not going to talk about that," Ritsuka continues smoothly. "But I feel like I should tell you this, before you make a fool of yourself to everyone else."

"Hoh? And what would that be?"

In an instant, like the crack of a gunshot, Ritsuka flares all his circuits with mana. The hammer strikes the shield, and he fills with energy. He throws his lower body up and out, sending the King of Heroes flying. Gilgamesh lands on his feet with ease, arms folded, but Ritsuka has already twirled onto his feet, taking up a fighting stance.

"Fairly impressive, for a mongrel," the King of Uruk nods. "Well then, come. Show me what you can do, so I may strike you down at your best."

Here it comes, the moment to save him. Archer braces-

"Your armor is tacky as fuck," Ritsuka scowls. "You look like you're wearing a golden tea kettle someone cut in half and then stuck onto a fucking bowl."

Archer can't help but wonder if the gigantic brass balls on this kid have some sort of reflection in the Gate of Babylon, because holy shit that was bold.

Gilgamesh looks at him. His arms are still folded, his lips still curled into a frown. Slowly, it curls into an impressed smile, and he fans open his arms. "You know... I agree. You pass."

Ritsuka blinks. "Wait, what?"

"AUO: CAST OFF!"

"Wait what-"

There is a bright, blinding light. And then there is Gilgamesh, in his full glory.

"There," the King of Heroes boasts. "Much better! Fine advice, from a mongrel! I might have to reassess your worth!"

Archer runs, covering Kana's eyes. "Dear god, King of Heroes, there is a girl here."

"No, it's cool," Kana says. Even with her eyes covered, she gives a thumbs up. "This is fine. I'm okay with this. There is nothing wrong with the events that are currently unfolding before me."

Archer looks ruefully at Ritsuka. He shrugs. "I've got nothing," Ritsuka says. "You can try, if you like."

EMIYA frowns. He says nothing. This is a strange turn of events. Since when did the King of Heroes stripping down to his birthday suit become the best course of events that could have possibly happened? Eye of the Mind does not report anything. As always, it is useless when there isn't a fight going on.

"Well then, Masters of Chaldea," the King of Heroes says haughtily, "As subjects in my favor, you may show me the premises."

"Can Archer come?" Kana asks. "I'm like, ninety percent sure he's going to come along anyways, so this will be easier."

"Hmph," Gilgamesh grunts. He grins. "Very well! I shall allow the Faker to come! Show me this lighthouse in the sea of chaos, Masters!"

He marches on, out of the Summoning Chambers. With a sigh EMIYA finally stops covering Kana's eyes. She rubs them, blinks, and blinks some more.

"...Wait," Kana says, "Did Gilgamesh just call us Master?"

"I can't even care enough to be happy right now," Ritsuka sighs. He rolls his eyes. "Come on, before my workload grows exponentially again."

Herakles looks up suddenly, eyes empathetically frowned as he seems to peer through the wall. The sound of pouring water diverts his attention back down, as Medea slides a cup of piping hot tea towards him with a wave of magic.

"Please do not charge through the walls, Herakles," Caster says carefully, making small, measured movements as she goes through the steps and pours a cup for herself. It took a lot of work, promises, and time to convince Ritsuka to grant her a proper space for her Temple again, on the condition that she won't wreck anything or kidnap anyone anymore; she won't have a mad beast ruin it for her. Even if it's Herakles.

Even if she can't meaningfully stop him.

Atalanta sighs as she sets her tea down, cat ears twitching. "This is peaceful, isn't it? An Argonaut reunion, in Greece."

"I suppose," Medea says. She looks out at the shore, the shores of long lost Colchis, the homeland she abandoned to be with Jason. With others to spend time with, she has assigned parts of her Temple to emulating the lands of old Greece, in the Age of Gods. This is only a facsimile of her homeland, however; memories are blurred and details have been lost, and the density of magic is nothing like it was back then. But the smell, the breeze, the sea... It's better than nothing.

Perhaps it would be nice to visit Greece, when this Grand Order is concluded. But if it is impossible, she won't care. After all, she came here to answer a call to save mankind, not fulfill her wish.

Atalanta shifts on her cushion, the cloth rustling under her weight. Herakles looks on at his tea, still as the mountains he now resembles. Medea looks at her guests and then at the ocean around them, sighing. It is nice to be around those she knows, without the pressure of a wish to make them kill each other. But Medea just remembered something important: They don't have much to talk about.

Herakles is a Berserker, and not one for conversation besides. And she and Atalanta don't really have much else to discuss besides food and nostalgia. She healed Atalanta at Jason's behest, not out of any compassion. The small friendship they struck up afterwards was merely because they were the only women aboard a ship with fifty one crew. She is a princess, and Atalanta is a huntress; they have nothing in common.

So in short, her proposed Argo Reunion has become extremely awkward in a very short amount of time. It's not even enjoying each other's company on the beaches of Colchis; this is just a very elaborate box. All of them can tell the difference.

If Medea hears another wave she is going to scream.

"You know, 'Dea," Atalanta says suddenly. She is looking out at the sea, leaning against one arm propped against the table, munching on some rice crackers Medea poofed into existence as simple fare. "Remember Lynceus?"

Medea rolls her eyes. She did; what a troublesome ability. "Of course. If not for my magic, he would have been an absolute menace. He was a creepy fellow, too; more so than an entire boat of men who would go to sea for months without seeing another woman."

Atalanta and Medea both glance surreptitiously at Herakles. The Berserker is looking intently at his cup of tea, as if it is the only thing in the world. Well, at least that's convenient. He is always easily amused.

"I'm sure Herk doesn't count," Atalanta says hopefully. "He has Omphale! And his... thirteenth labour... A-And he's never shown interest anyways."

"He really didn't talk," Medea sighs. At first she was in awe of the great Herakles – honored Herakles, who triumphed over twelve labours, the greatest son of Zeus – but frankly she never got to know him. And then... well no he's still held in awe. She's just bitter enough to not care anymore. Not least when he's looking at a cup of tea intently like a giant idiot.

...That's probably Mad Enhancement, though. Herakles was quite sharp when he did do things.

Suddenly, a sly smile creep onto Medea's face. She turns to Atalanta, the Huntress catching her expression with a worried frown. "Don't you dare," Atalanta warns.

"I'm sure Lynceus would intently look at you if he were here," Medea says.

Atalanta scoffs. "As if. Lynceus didn't like lions."

"Aw, I'm sorry..." Medea leans forward and pats Atalanta on the head.

"Stop."

"No."

Atalanta groans and shakes her head, but Medea does not give up. She keeps patting her, until all resistance melts away. Atalanta puts her head on the table and surrenders to it.

Good kitty.

Unknown to the other two greeks in the room, Herakles looks up from his tea and at the wall again.

"Ah..." Arturia sighs peacefully, a cup of warm green tea in her hands. Her hair hangs loose down to her shoulders, and she feels so relaxed that she could just melt into the bench – even if it would be unbecoming of her. "...Yes, this is good."

Twenty two years of life with Shirou and Rin have taught Saber to relax and take life as it comes, and one of these ways has always been to have tea after a hot shower to let your hair dry fully, before going about your business. Indeed, she's gained a great appreciation for tea since. And Britain agrees, considering what the favored drink of the UK is.

It was a good idea to put benches in the hallways, as well. Just nice places for anyone, Servant or Staff, to sit down and rest for a bit in between hectic battle and strenuous preparation. If just for a minutes at a time, it is also good to relax. Breaks are necessary to operate at one hundred percent, even for Servants.

And her break ends as she finds Ritsuka and Kana, following behind a blonde man with red eyes she hoped never to see again. Her blood boils at the mere sight of his golden spun hair and his deep red eyes and his devilishly handsome features and his... Wait. Is he naked?

"Yo, Saber," Gilgamesh greets, grinning smugly. "Fate has conspired to reunite us under such auspices." He walks up to her, one leg on the bench as he looks her eye to eye, right in her face. "What about it? Will you be mine?"

Saber glares at him. "I'm not interested in being your belonging. Now leave me, my tea is getting cold."

Gilgamesh laughs, standing fully upright. "Hah! Good, good! It is that defiance that makes you beautiful! Resist me, I can still admire from afar!"

Arturia frowns. This is not the Archer she remembers. He is more... amiable, than she remembers. The Gilgamesh from the War would have summoned the Gate and threatened her by this point. She glances at Ritsuka and Kana, the boy she raised shrugging and the girl she taught caught somewhere between appreciation and terror.

This is probably their doing. Or perhaps a reflection of the era he is summoned into. Taking that into consideration... Gilgamesh is likely as nice and personable as he can get, being summoned into a time where humans are few, the task they undertake is incredible, and every single person is both necessary and irreplaceable.

And he is still frustrating, condescending, and narcissistic. She weeps for the old realm of Uruk, for having one as him to be King.

She exhales sharply and drinks more tea. Ah, yes. There is the peace she learns for, at the bottom of a wooden teacup. Arturia sighs peacefully again before looking angrily at Gilgamesh. "If you don't mind, King of Heroes, I am having an after-shower break. It would be appreciated if you did not interrupt me." She glances down briefly and raises an eyebrow surreptitiously. "And if you would wear something, that would be good as well."

"Ho?" Damnable goldie, the gigantic raging asshole, seems to thrust at her face. "What about it, Saber? Does it not enrapture you?"

Arturia looks flatly at it, eyes half-lidded. She bites her lips. "I've had better," she says matter-of-factly. "Merlin, for all his faults, was quite an artist."

Long, cold seconds pass in total silence. It is bliss.

Kana breaks it, but she forgives her. "Do you mean-"

"The one I had, yes," Arturia nods. She takes another sip of tea. Ah, heaven. "A king must fulfill their obligations. That includes bearing an heir."

Gilgamesh takes his leg down from the bench. He looks at Arturia. She looks back at him. His face is flat, even, and devoid of emotion. Heaven. "What is wrong with modern court wizards," he mutters under his breath. The King of Heroes nods tersely at her. "A good day to you, Saber."

He never said that before. This is definitely King Gilgamesh in his most amiable aspect. "And to you, Archer."

He walks on past her, followed after by Ritsuka and Kana, both looking at her in awe. She nods at them and wordlessly cheers them on. That Gilgamesh is this personable and polite at all can only mean the two of them have impressed the King. And that is no small feat indeed.

Silence returns to Arturia's patch of hallway, and she sighs peacefully.

Ah, to live is to burn sickly.

Life has been busy for one Cu Chulainn. As it turns out, when you have a powerful, highly efficient anti-unit Noble Phantasm that is also anti-army in a pinch, plus all the awesome that comes with being as glorious as he is, you become a natural for taking on entire micro-singularities on your own, giving the others a break. It's actually kind of amazing how many of Ritsuka's deployment plans eventually degenerated into 'throw Lancer at the problem'. And when you love fighting, there's really no reason not to murder armies on your own. That's just kind of expected at this point.

But it also means some developments at home catch you off-guard. Like, say.

Fuckmothering Gilgamesh, King of Assholes.

Naked.

That's his thing what the fuck.

"Ho?" The King finally takes notice of him. He puts his hands on his waist and cocks his hips. "What a surprise, mongrel. You're actually using your legs." He calls upon the Gate, one portal open with a golden toy hammer sticking partways out. "Here, fetch."

"Man, and I was just enjoying myself," Cu smirks. He calls upon Gae Bolg and points it at Gilgamesh. "Damn, Master, you just know how to push all my buttons."

"This isn't my fault I swear," Kana babbles, a far cry from her usual unflappable, enthusiastic self. She's vibrating in her shoes now, clearly anticipating and fearing what will come at the same time. It seems that past all the vigour and fire, his Master is still a girl. Interesting.

"Fuhahaha!" Gilgamesh laughs. "Our Master is intimidated by the mettle of a King!" His smile turns sinister as he sneers at Lancer. "Your move, mongrel."

Cu breathes sharply. Goldie wishes to challenge him. Well, he has the perfect response.

Cu grabs his shoulder pauldron with his free hand and rips his bodysuit off. Something like nails on a chalkboard screeches near them. Kana curls up into a ball and covers her fully-red face with her legs, while Ritsuka stands over her with his ears covered and his face dead.

"Why this," his male Master whispers.

"Yes, good!" Gilgamesh laughs. "Man to man, with nothing to be shameful of! THIS is how contests ought to be!" He dismisses his portal and spreads his arms wide, taking up a wrestling stance. "Now COME, hound! We shall settle our enmity as MEN do!"

So that's what he's about. This isn't the shiny asshole he had to deal with in that castle. This one's fun. "You son of a bitch," Cu grins, and tosses Gae Bolg aside. "Now you've done it! FIGHT ME!"

He kicks forward with godspeed, swinging up at the King's chin from below. Gilgamesh dodges and slams his head against Cu's. Thunder claps. The wind blows all things aside. The King grabs him by the wrists and draws him into a lock. Laughing, the Hound of Chulainn slips through his bear hug right as he is drawn in and kicks Gilgamesh in the chest.

The battle of men commences, bare as the day they were born, before their Masters' very eyes. Kana whimpers, for she is weak. Ritsuka strokes her head reassuringly, as a big brother does. Even though they are twins.

"At least they aren't killing each other," he says hopefully.

Today, Ritsuka Tohsaka learned something. Well, actually he learned a lot of things. Like how the King of Heroes is actually an irresponsible fratboy, that Cu is easily baited by naked wrestling, and that his sister still isn't over her personal hang-ups about things like nudity and anything vaguely lewd. Sure she talks a big game, but man when it comes to the actual thing, or anything that resembles it, she just falls over and tries to pretend she doesn't exist. Dumb idiot would be lost without him.

Oh, but the most important thing he learned was more something he remembered:

King Gilgamesh was a brawler in his Epic.

"Hah, good fight, Archer! " Lancer, for his part, does not seem especially put out that he is currently being grappled so hard Ritsuka doesn't even know how Gilgamesh could let him go. He's not worked up over it, as he usually isn't about anything. What a guy. "I give, I give! You might be worth drinking with now!"

There is rumbling in the ground, in the walls, in the distance. Ritsuka isn't sure if anyone is still on deployment right now.

"Hmph, you might have some mettle yourself, hound," the King sneers, but it is less venomous than before. Maybe even respectful. He releases Cu and they both roll away onto their feet. "You might not be completely worthless in this war against Incineration."

The rumbling is louder now. Ritsuka swears he's not imagining things. Kana is still on the ground, trying to get the imagery out of her head. She's useless for confirmation right now.

"Ho?" Cu smiles wolfishly. "You're complimenting me now, Gold Archer?"

Before Gilgamesh can explain himself, the wall nearest to him comes apart. A gigantic obsidian arm, thick like a tree trunk, rips through the stone like paper and slings Gilgamesh in the neck. The King of Heroes, clotheslined through a wall, is ripped through the concrete to the sound of distant beastial roaring.

It doesn't even shock him with suddenness. Ritsuka closes his eyes irritably as the dust settles. When he opens his eyes again, Cu is once again in his skintight bodysuit, arms folded and frowning slightly. "Archer went that way," he says, pointing with his thumb. It seems that neither of the men present care very much about what just happened.

Still, he should check on them. Just to make sure no one dies. Or is further scandalised by male nudity. Ugh. "Lancer, watch her for me. And keep your pants on, god."

Lancer does a small bow and smiles. "As you command, Master."

Ritsuka turns around, steps through the blown open wall, and follows the trail of carnage at a brisk jog. No need to be urgent; both of them could probably use the workout.

Ritsuka reaches the end of the trail of destruction a few minutes later, thoroughly enjoying the break – besides the destruction he's going to have to send someone to fix later – and finds Gilgamesh locked in a grapple with the great Herakles. Though stronger and faster than Gilgamesh, the smaller man retains his mind, and successfully holds his own with technique and mathematical principles. So in essence it's a stalemate and no one is going to win.

He does notice Mashu on the far side, though, looking at the duel, covering her eyes but peeking through her fingers at the same time. Her face is fully red again, but again what is new?

"Hey, Mashu." Her eyes dart to him as he walks over, taking a large berth around the duelling ground, and stands next to her. She tries to form words but nothing coherent comes out. "Have they been here long?"

"N-Not really." Mashu turns away and takes a deep breath, hands on her chest. Is that some sort of ritual. "It's only been a few minutes, senpai. I was going to talk to some of the regular staff... but the room's occupied."

"Right." He looks around, at the rubble and ruin. It's a shame. But so that's what Mashu does besides help run errands and train for combat.

...Thinking about it, he just realised that he hasn't had a serious talk with Mashu since... actually they barely had a serious talk in Rome, too. There is just no time. It's been work or life or death combat, with very few lull time in between. And he spends his breaktime sleeping or just not being around her. The only time they meet is in the morning, when she hands him coffee with a smile. Which is always a highlight of his day.

Meeting her at all is the highlight of his day, actually. It's a shame that he can't ask her out, because neither of them can commit to a relationship right now, and she deserves better.

...Also, he needs, uh. Time. To prepare himself. In case he's rejected again. If it happens again without prior warning he might do something foolish.

"So you've been watching them this entire time?"

Mashu nods. "Yes. In case they go anywhere and cause more damage."

It occurs to Ritsuka that Mashu Kyrielight might just be one of the best liars he knows. "Thank you," he says. "Yeah I think this is enough. Break it up, Herakles, Gilgamesh."

Berserker growls, refusing to let go. He tries kicking at Gil's knees to break his stance and continually changes the angle of his pushes to force the King down, but the King of Heroes counters every attack. He laughs loudly. "Why would I?" Gilgamesh shouts. "This is a good day! A true challenge in the pit, between MEN!"

Ritsuka sighs. Welp, time to try a different tack. "Okay, then why is Herakles trying to kill you?"

"I blinded his Master and ripped out her heart in the Fifth War," Gilgamesh calmly explains. "It was necessary at the time. There was no joy to gain in the act, but it had to be done. I needed the Lesser Grail, and she was uncooperative." Berserker roars in his face, spittle flying. He smirks. "Her Servant, too. Still intent on surpassing your legend, Herakles?"

He frowns. Ritsuka knows Gilgamesh tried to drown the world in the tainted Grail's mud in the fifth war. His mother mentioned it, when he finally asked her a few years ago. He needed the lesser grail, but took the heart of a Master? It had to be the Einzbern representative. And he knew the Representative was just a little girl. "Who was Herakles' Master?"

"Just some doll; it no longer matters. That was a lifetime ago." Gilgamesh frowns, thinking back on the time. Golden portals appear above and around Herakles and bind a divine chain around his neck and limbs, allowing the King of Heroes to step away. Another golden portal laps over Gilgamesh's lower body, cladding him in his lower armor. "I tire of this challenge. Where next, Master?"

"The CIC," Ritsuka says calmly. His hypothesis is correct. He does regret it, at least in this life. That is good. He would rather not spend Command Seals. He looks over at Herakles, struggling at his binds. "Herk, if you promise not to murder Gilgamesh, he'll let go."

Herakles roars again. Ritsuka looks at Gilgamesh. "He wants an apology," Ritsuka explains.

"Ho?" The Archer smirks. "You speak with the mad? Well, I suppose it is a useful skill." He turns to Berserker, arms folded. "That conflict was an age ago, Son of Zeus. I will let bygones be bygones – if you accept."

"I said he wants an apology." Ritsuka hisses.

"And I apologise for killing the doll," Gilgamesh adds, like an afterthought.

Herakles grunts. He legs his arms and legs go slack. The holy chain returns to the Gate and the Berserker is deposited on the ground. Quiet and stoic, Herakles heads off, arms hanging limply from his sides. Ritsuka feels sympathy for the giant, but he must admit; it is a good thing Berserker broke his axe in Rome. Who knows what could have happened here, if he had a weapon?

"Let us go, Master," Gilgamesh says, the haughtiness in his voice subdued now. "This place now irks me. I wish to be rid of it."

Ritsuka nods. He turns to Mashu. "Do you want to come with? I'm sure Da Vinci and Roman have something for you to do as well."

Mashu nods. "Sure, senpai!"

Waver Velvet did not think very often about how two of his students have snuck their way into an organisation their parents certainly did not want them to join, or how they are now mankind's only hope. Ritsuka and Kana Tohsaka were both impressive mages – Ritsuka already a Fes despite his young age, and Kana a Cause despite her flights of fancy – and would only become more impressive as they got older. They did not need further thought, beyond the support he could provide as both Lord El Melloi II and as Zhuge Liang.

But he always liked Ritsuka better. Kana reminded him all too much of her mother during her more intolerable phases – manic, irrepressable energy. That her mother was more flustered and irritable while Kana was simply a cheeky troublemaker did not matter. She was troublesome. Ritsuka, meanwhile, was more formal, more dutiful, and straight up the better student.

It's a pity that he has to curse his name right now. Because right as he was about to leave the CIC to tend to his own workshop, meager as it is, the doors open and he is face to face with a man that strikes primal terror into his heart.

"I see the retainer of the King of Conquerors is here," Gilgamesh sneers. He raises one eyebrow. "And as a Pseudo-Servant? How interesting. How grand. I distinctly remember telling you to live for him, boy."

Mashu gasps. "Professor, you are acquainted with King Gilgamesh?"

"Acquaintence would be a bit much," Ritsuka quickly deflects.

Waver looks evenly at the King of Heroes, but internally he is screaming the song that will end the world. Curse that boy, and the girl too, for summoning this man. "If I am to live for my king, I have to survive the incineration of man. This is the best way to do so, a support who works from the rear."

Gilgamesh nods at that. "Acceptable." Waver thinks a sigh of relief, but his face remains unreadable.

Leonardo hops over from the side room, the mechanical eagle on her shoulder warking. "Oh! A new Servant! And it's... King Gilgamesh!" The Inventor gasps and goes up to him. "My goodness, I didn't expect to meet him so soon!"

"And you must be Leonardo Da Vinci," the King of Heroes responds. His arms still folded, the king still manages a slight smirk. "Hmph. Were it that men at large were as brilliant as you, we would have reached the stars by now."

Leonardo chuckles. "Oh stop, that's impossible! I'm a genius, after all, it's only natural that I stand head and shoulders above other people!"

"Indeed," Gilgamesh nods. He looks to another door. "And there is another."

The door opens, Roman stepping out with a cup of coffee in hand, a sleepy Fou on his head. "What is it? Did something ha—oh." He steps fully into the doorframe, his coat lightly stained with brown specks. "You called the King of Heroes."

Gilgamesh just looks at him, a light frown set in his brow. He looks away quickly, not bothering to address him. Waver thinks he saw a slight nod beforehand. But it doesn't matter.

"Yeah," Ritsuka nods. "Fortunately he's not going to kill everyone. No tainted Grail to exploit."

Leonardo puts a finger on her cheek. "Well I wonder~"

"Da Vinci please."

"Rude," Gilgamesh scoffs. "Drowning the world in mud would not have caused the extinction of mankind. I am privy to the existence of the Counter Force. It would have culled the helpless and ensured the worthy remained, and under my rule we would have reached for the stars." He nods, eyes closed, and everyone looks on with concern. He opens one eye. "That said, I have no plans of doing such even after the Grand Order. Mankind is so worthless I cannot be bothered to enact such a cull myself. You lot will manage yourselves. Find the stars or die trying, it matters not."

Leonardo laughs. "Well, naturally!"

"...Leo..." Mashu mutters.

"Why are you agreeing with him," Ritsuka asks.

Roman smiles kindly. "Well then, as Director of Chaldea, King Gilgamesh, I welcome you to Chaldea! I hope the facilities are to your liking!"

"Hmph," the King scoffs. "You pass. I suppose I will lend a few swords to the effort, after all."

That, Waver thinks, is probably good enough.

- End Chapter Nine -

"By the way Master... beware."

"Beware wha—ohgod," Ritsuka gasps, as he is bearhugged and suplexed by a half-naked Demigod once more.