For so long it had slept, in slumber within the mountains. Once upon a time, it used to roam free. Terrorizing the locals and devour them whole, swallowing them when it felt the need to. Summoning the Grimm to get the ones who thought they had escaped.
Then, there were no more humans. So, it slept.
It made a home inside a mountain, which later collapsed and sealed it in. It minded not though, the Wyvern instead sleeping. Ignoring the humans that would later come and let the Grimm it attracted deal with it. Seeing no need to do the work itself when the other Grimm could do it themselves.
Then a wave of negativity could be felt. One that was so great, that the Wyvern decided, the time for sleeping was over. Bursting out from the mountain, the Wyvern rose up and spread its wings wide. A symbol of terror that made the lesser beings run in terror as it then flew towards Vale. There it saw countless of its brethren assaulting the city like so, with the Wyvern providing more to kill the humans.
Eventually it made way to a great tower, and aided a woman who persuaded it to join in. Destroying the upper portion of the tower, and then ready to kill. Until, that is, a great light assaulted it. Its body felt frozen, incapable of moving even a single muscle. Trapped as all it could do was call upon the Grimm towards its location.
Then another light came, and suddenly, it was elsewhere.
Where a voice could be heard that said, "Join."
There it was then, inside a massive cavern. Countless of its brethren with it. All of them with the alpha inside the cavern. A hole opened in the sky, and from it the Wyvern along with all the Grimm then saw and felt it. A being so powerful, that through their own genetic origin felt this being was similar to the one that gave birth to their own kind. With the only difference being this one is inactive, not yet born, yet so powerful all the same.
The Wyvern then heard the call of someone that was human yet connected to this being in the cavern. Who at the moment held its authority as she commanded the Grimm to search while she told the Wyvern to stay and protect the unborn being. It obeyed. Watching over the unborn being alongside the others, to protect it.
"Attack."
Then the Wyvern felt it, the command of someone like the girl. The difference being this one came from the Wyvern's own home. And between a girl who only held the temporary authority of the unborn Evil God, and someone with a tighter control, the Wyvern obeyed.
It burst from the temple, letting the other Grimm protect the unborn God of Evil, and flew high into the air. Its red eyes gazed upon the pitiful workings of man, screeching as it then flew down. Knocking down building after building, while summoning more Grimm from its hide to continue the deaths of many.
It's eyes then stopped overlooking the land of creation, then turned as it felt a great light. A hope of sorts that repulsed the Wyvern, where it then looked down. Seeing far down below, a human wielding what at first felt like a simple weapon. But instead below the metal, the Wyvern and no doubt the other Grimm felt a great power similar to the works of the brother of their father. All being wielded by some human.
"RUAGHHH!" The Wyvern then roared out. All Grimm in the vicinity were to pause their assault on the other humans and kill the one that wields the power of light in her hands. All the Grimm nearby heard and obeyed, listening to the Wyvern who is an alpha of its own. Heading toward the girl with the magical artifact to tear her apart.
"Wyvern!" The Wyvern then heard a voice. Not the unborn God, nor the one from its home, but the one from here. "Stop attacking and go back to the cavern!"
The Wyvern huffed and ignored her. If she was speaking of the unicorn God's intentions, it would have obeyed. However, it had no intention of letting this human with such a repulsive artifact be ignored and harm the unborn God. So, it disobeyed and continued the way it was.
"Rrrrrrrr!" With Sakura gritting her teeth in hate and anger. 'It disobeyed me. It DISOBEYED ME!' She was supposed to be stronger now. Better! More than the old her, who let Zouken have his way and her brother who always whines about her. Beating her. Being more than that pathetic girl she used to be.
But now the Grimm were disobeying her.
Senpai and Rin were nearing the temple.
Not to mention the interference she kept sensing.
No. No more interferences! As Sakura entered the Imaginary Space with her newly created Grimm, Sakura soon let herself enter the new area. Her Grimm right behind her as she twisted her head to see where this interference was. There she then saw two people at a distance.
One she didn't really recognize, and while having handsome features for some reason disgusted her with his blue hair and face. Pissing her off already while making her want to kill him. As for the other, she is…she's…
Sakura blinked as red eyes met red eyes, and similar outfits and styles looked at one another. Leaving Sakura baffled at what she was seeing with even the other woman also looking a little surprised. Then, the other woman's eyes narrowed, and she waved her hand.
"Urgh!" Sakura then felt her body get slammed down as…her own Grimm grabbed her and shove her onto the ground. Their eyes glowing as they suddenly obeyed not her, but the other woman. Their allegiance somehow switched in just a mere instance.
"Oh my." The blue haired man then said as he and the woman took a few steps forward as the Grimm pinned Sakura down. "Now this is a surprise. My beloved granddaughter is here."
"Granddaughter?" The woman said with Sakura looking shocked. However, looking at the man made her realize that despite the immense differences, that disgusting feeling she got from him reminded her so much of Zouken. But it couldn't be him, right?
"She is. She is." The man then faked looking ashamed. "And how horrible my granddaughter is showing such terrible manners." The woman didn't look convinced, ignoring the proclaimed Zouken as she then went to Sakura and knelt down to her. Sakura was full of spite at what was even going on.
Asking, "How?"
"How, what child?"
"How did you control them?" Sakura spat as she then sent a mental command for her Grimm to let her go. They refused as a more powerful command is what they heeded than her. "I made them. I control them...But how. How?!"
"So much anger in you, little one." The woman then cupped Sakura's face who then thrashed at being held. Instantly, Sakura decided to just attack. From beneath her ribbons came out and wrapped around Salem who was surprised by this. In that instant they leeched from her. Magic, life force, everything. Sakura grinned, as she knew nobody could handle this, not even Servants. For her power can suck energy like so until there is nothing left.
The woman hissing as her head bent down…Then looked back up at Sakura with anger. "It seems you need to be taught manners after all."
"...eh?" Sakura's face was then slapped. Her cheek turned red from the hit, with the girl feeling the blow reverberating across her face as a sting came after with Sakura feeling the pain. H-Ho-
Another slap on the other side Another sting.
Concentration broke as the ribbons went away while the woman then lifted her hand and slapped Sakura across the face again. And again. Again. Again. And again.
Those ribbons were powerful. Capable of sucking everything until their death. Yet they can't suck the life out of someone who has infinite life. As such, while Salem did feel a great pain from having her own energies forcibly taken from her, it was nothing compared to her dip in the Pool of Grimm as she then kept slapping Sakura over and over until the ribbons went away. Zouken watched with awe as he had actually been about to flee and leave Salem when he saw the ribbons taking away the energy from her.
'And yet she's actually handling Sakura.' Zouken thought as a grin came on his face. 'Interesting.'
None of which was interesting to Sakura who then cried out in anger and humiliation. "Stop it. Stop it. Stop it!"
This shouldn't be happening to her. The power she gained, the monsters she controlled! How could so-some nobody be beating her?! Momentarily she then regained control over her Grimm. Her anger surpassed Salem's control and the Giant Shadows then stopped holding Sakura down. Sakura then tried to stand up to then command them. Instead, she felt a hand grip her face and slam her head back onto the ground.
"Now, now." Salem coldly told the girl in front of her. Eyes glowing as she then regained control over the Grimm. "It's not good to let your emotions overwhelm you. You just lose control later on when in that state." Salem lifted Sakura's face towards her own where she then saw raw hate directed at herself. Salem slammed Sakura's head down again. "It also makes one's ego grow a little too large."
Salem then stood up and wiped the dirt off her before having the Shadow Giants pick Sakura up who screamed and shouted bloody murder. Salem then felt the girl emitting a lot of energy, realizing this girl was about to get serious. Quickly she turned and extended her hand which slammed into Sakura's head and knocked her out in an instant.
"Hm. I'd rather not fight you. Not now anyway." Salem says to herself as the giants gently carried her and followed Salem. This girl…she had potential. If anything, it'd be best to keep her asleep for now until Salem figured out who she was. She was…like Salem, but different. It was a good thing this girl was unprepared and rash when coming, otherwise the girl and Salem may have fought and who knows the damage that could have been done.
If they were to fight, Salem would like to know who this child is and what her capabilities were. She got lucky this time. 'And right now, I have a source of knowledge.' Salem turned to Zouken who smiled at her. "You said she's your granddaughter."
"A troublesome one. But worth more than my athletic grandson." Zouken chuckled with Salem already not liking this man. Reminded her too much of her father for some reason. She hated her dad.
"Then explain." Salem demanded as the Shadow Giants that didn't hold Sakura then walked behind Salem with a few walking behind Zouken who noticed. "I want to know where I am, what is happening, who this girl is, and so much more. And if you can't do anything about it," The Shadow Giant behind Zouken then felt its own body twist and reform until a massive maw opened up revealing many teeth. "Then I'll find someone else."
"...yes my lady." Zouken knelt while also feeling a bit pissed off. That some tool, a useful one, dared to command one who achieved immortality. Who stole it from a fool that believed it to be better to be mortal. But no, he will obey Salem. For now, anyway. When the time came, he'll use the Command Seals he had to make her obey him. Then he will be truly unstoppable with his Servant and Sakura by his side.
'But first,' Zouken's mind then thought to Shirou Emiya and those with him. 'To deal with some pests.'
"You're saying that creep Zouken summoned a Servant?" Musashi looked a bit worried. "That can't be good."
"Far from it." Archer told them with a grave nod. "From the looks of it, he summoned a particular powerful one as well."
"How powerful are we talking here?" Rin asked, where Archer almost mentioned how she survived and won against the King of Heroes. But since they never saw him, that excuse wouldn't work. So, Archer had to make up another excuse.
Saying, "She utilized powerful spells and when I struck her down, she regenerated like so."
"Isn't that normal? The regeneration I mean." Shirou asked as he heard how Servants could regrow limbs if it came down to it.
"They can, but not in seconds." Rin told Shirou. "Uh. But it makes no sense. How did Zouken summon another Servant when all seven are here?"
"He used the slot for the eight one." Archer explained. "I overheard the bastard. He mentioned how he forcibly summoned her using the Ruler slot." Thus, she was Ruler, even if she shouldn't be. It would explain how she knew his…name.
"So then wait." Musashi then made a time-out hand motion. "So right now, we have more to deal with than just the Grimm. But also," Musashi pointed at the temple."Cutting off their source. The other remaining Servants and Masters, and now Zouken making a new move?" Musashi then slapped her hands angrily over her legs. "This sucks!"
Shirou gladly agreed with her.
"More and more, uh!" Rin also felt the same but decided to ignore it. "Alright, we'll deal with Zouken later. First we do what we came here to do." Rin pointed at the wrecked temple which now had a gaping hole in it. Kill the source of the Grimm."
"Glad to see you thought the same." Everyone then turned, taking out their weapons or their magecraft. On the sidewalk, Lancer held his hands up in a sarcastic manner. "Woah there. I come in peace."
"Lancer." Rin growled. "What are you doing here?"
"Better answer soon." Musashi held her swords while giving a good look at Lancer's body. Liking what she saw and grinning. "It'd be a shame to kill such a handsome face. Though one worthy fighting I admit."
"Same to you." Lancer gave a compliment. "Saw how you fought with those swords. I Like it."
"And we'd like you dead." Archer huffed. "Get talking."
"Yeah, yeah. Already on it." Lancer took out his spear, one that made Shirou flinch, before stabbing it onto the ground. "Look. I'll be straight with you. I've seen war, been in it. And I'm used to blood. But," Lancer then turned, where he then threw his spear so fast it shot like a bullet.
A second later a few blocks away, a man that had about to be killed saw the Grimm that would have eaten it have half its head ripped apart by a spear. Said spear then ripped out of the dissipating head and soon found itself back in Lancer's hand.
"While I don't mind seeing blood, it doesn't mean I like it. Especially if it's being done because of piss reasons like this. Monsters. Grimm. Nu-uh." Lancer shaked his head. "Especially when said monsters are being commanded by some girl. Creepy one at that." Rin and Shirou frowned, knowing who he's talking about and said nothing.
"Then you wanna help us?" Musashi asked.
"More or less." Lancer responded. "While you won't see me crying for those already dead, at the end I'm still a hero. And what kind of hero lets this happen and ignores it." Lancer has been killing a lot of those Grimm. A few tough ones here and there, but nothing too troublesome. However, Lancer knew he was just slowing them down and nothing more. To solve this, one needs to get to the heart of this problem. "I'm not saying we're friends, but maybe we can partner up to deal with these Grimm and later, ourselves."
Rin still looked suspicious. "And your Master agrees with this?"
"My Master can either accept my decision, or I'll undermine him whenever I can." Lancer may have taken an oath to obey his Master due to the events when he was alive, but that didn't mean he'd be a blind obedient mutt. No. Lancer, while willing to follow that bastard's commands, ultimately can and will disobey if those commands go too far. Like hell Lancer would just let Fuyuki be destroyed if he could help it.
"...fine." Rin relented. "If you wish to help us, then I suppose we won't stop you." Archer then stepped forward, and with his free hand spawned a blade. "But try and back stab us, and you're a goner."
"Heh. Got it." Lancer stepped forward with no fear. "In any case, let's go see if we can save the city." With those words, everyone moved out. The two humans and the three Servants, the latter being more than capable, all climbed the ruined steps of what had once been Ryuudou Temple. There were some Grimm, but not as many compared to as before when they emerged.
Eventually they all stopped when they saw the giant hole the Wyvern made. Where all the way down below is a cavern that leads somewhere. Or as Rin knew it as, the Greater Grail. "Come on. Let's go." Rin then stepped forward with everyone following. "We have a source to kill."
Shinji and Illya were well on their way to where the rest were going. To finally finish off what was a massive nightmare for this city. A good end to this war, both for the Grimm and the Servants. Who oddly were still around in great numbers where only one of the official seven has actually died. Meaning this war is long overdue for a few more Servants to actually be killed.
Not that Shinji could do anything about it, seeing as he's holding tight to Hercules's leg as the demi-god leapt high in the air. Landing and then jumping again while Ilya laughed with Shinji doing his best not to scream or throw up.
"Yes. I finally see it!" Illya said as the three were floating in the air, gravity having yet to take a grip on them. "The temple! Oni-chan and the others should be there."
"Great." Shinji said while feeling his stomach doing belly flops. "Then get over there so we can get this over with." Gravity took hold and Shinji gripped Hercules's leg tighter while doing his best not to look down.
"Oh, we will." Illya said as her hair went upward like Heracles. The Berserker hitting the ground and both human bodies shaking from the impact but not hurt at all. Even if one of them really wanted to throw up badly. As Heracles jumped up in the air, he swung his weapon at a nearby Nevermore and killed it. Illya saw it and then sighed.
Musing, she said allowed, "I wonder if these Grimm are a result of my own families doing."
"Huh?" Shinji asked before shutting his mouth. Pretty sure he swallowed a bug.
"Hm. I'd rather talk to Oni-chan, but I guess you'll have to do." Illya lamented that she had to speak to such a man. Shinji was unable to respond as he was too busy spitting out the bug with disgust. "To explain, what do you know about the third war?"
"Pha-no-ppp-not much." Shinji answered. Hoping that maybe this talk can distract him from the nausea. "Just that it was somehow worse in terms of cheating than even the fourth war."
"It was." Illya nodded as she saw the fires and smoke from across the city. Alongside the occasional magic spell from a magus fighting. "And my family partook in such cheatings, for their obsession with the Holy Grail." No longer did they desire their original wish. But just the prestige of at last fulfilling a true victory which kept alluding the Einzbern family for so many generations. "To win, they did whatever it took. Including trying to summon that which shouldn't be summoned. A God."
"Huh?" Now this confused Shinji a lot. "God…as in an actual God?"
"Hey word trying." Illya repeated herself. "I'll spare you the details, since I doubt, you'll pick them up like Rin. Just know that from a certain religion, the Einzbern family tried summoning an evil God known as Angra Mainyu."
"Angra Mainyu?"
"Yes. A supposed God of Evil so to say from another country. However," Illya's eyes narrowed down. "There is no such thing as Angra Mainyu. No. Instead, there was just a person that had that name. Simply a name." A scapegoat who was called Angra Mainyu, nothing more than that. To say the Einzbern of the third war was pleased is an understatement. "As such, during the third war my family got a weak Servant that died in days."
"Alright." Shinji felt a bit better and spoke more. "So, you guys screwed up. But what does your past failure have to do with this?"
"That failure is the cause of everything after it." Illya then spoke in a bitter tone. "The truth is, through an abnormality itself, somehow, the Servant my family called upon didn't vanish like it should have."
"Like it should have? You mean, like, going back to the Grail to serve as fuel?" Shinji asked.
"Exactly." Hercules landed and then ran forward to get more distance covered. Ramming a few Grimm into the dirt then jumping again as Illya continued to explain herself. "Instead of going back properly, somehow Angra Mainyu, Servant Avenger managed to stay within the Holy Grail. Not as fuel but as a corruption of sorts. One that plagues within the Greater Grail as a type of darkness that has settled in."
"Wait…then that means that-"
"That the prize we seek isn't as good a prize as everyone else believes." Illya finished that sentence with Shinji dumbstruck by it all. I mean, why wouldn't he. Right now, he just heard from the brat that the Holy Grail is freakin cursed! And by the Einzbern's own hand at that, making the prize anyone come after what was essentially a corrupt prize.
"So then…the wishes…are they…?" Even good.
Illya understands what Shinji meant and shakes her head. "Chances are any wish would be like those monkey paw wishes you hear about." In other words, a twisted wish. "And because of the actions of your grandfather, your sister Sakura has become something that can cause the release of Angra Mainyu."
The Einzberns knew what Zouken did years ago. After Kiritsugu betrayed the family by destroying the Grail, the old magus stole a piece and integrated it within Sakura. Turning her into a lesser Grail of sorts but more unstable. Causing the slow and deadly release of Angra Mainyu where once he comes out, nobody will be safe.
"And your family knew about this bullcrap!?" Shinji then shouted, angered that his own wish wouldn't have come true. And at what was apparently an idiotic family that knew about the Grail's corruption but did bullshit! I mean, what the hell.
"I wonder that every day too." Illya whispered, also upset at her family for ignoring a massive problem. I mean, she doubted the Einzbern family would just foolishly make a wish on it. But that's about it. No more than that. "Now we need to find a way to stop Sakura and Zouken, before things get worse." Despite being closer to the temple, somehow Illya felt it was much farther.
The entire gang soon found themselves in Grimm territory. Thankfully, for some reason, they only found a few Grimm that attacked them. As they walked though, a plan was clearly needed and discussed. With Shirou being the lead to ask the main question. Particularly, what were they going to do when they got to the Greater Grail.
"I mean. You said this person, who planted the Grimm liquid here, must be using the Greater Grail to make more Grimm. But how do we destroy this liquid? Or for the matter, stop the Greater Grail from allowing the reproduction of more Grimm." Shirou seriously hoped Rin had these answers. Because all he could do was stab and bash people with his projected wooden swords, and that was unlikely to be the answer here.
"Lad has a point." Lancer agreed. "I'm no genius when it comes to magecraft or science." Oh, sure Lancer did learn some neat tricks about runes and the like. But stuff on how to deal with the Grimm and Greater Grail, not his call.
"He is right." Musashi agreed as she then vanished for a moment before coming back. Having killed a Beowolf that would have howled at their presence. "We don't even know what this mystery person even did to the Greater Grail to cause all this."
"Which we are about to find out soon enough." Rin commented to them all. "Look, I won't lie. I have no idea what is going on with the Greater Grail, or how this mystery person Ozpin mentioned even started all of this." The light ahead seemed to be growing darker. Yet everyone kept moving. "But all I'll say is that once we get closer," At last an open area could be seen, as the goal is in their sights. "We will surely find…our…answers?"
It was then everyone stopped walking.
One would think that the nearby Grimm would use this time to attack them. But then why would the Grimm bother with such a thing. When the vast majority were busy admiring their unborn God.
Pitch red was the background color with an unsettling hue. The Grimm surrounded a massive unmoving form that was protected by some form of membrane. Almost like a womb of sorts of a mother and her unborn child. Liquid poured out of the body which spilled off and into the deeper cavern floor, where slowly bit by bit it filled, and Grimm burst from the vile liquid.
Yet none was as entrancing as the gaping 'hole' in the sky. Where it reeked of corruption and evil itself, all which led back down to the abomination protected by the army of captivated Grimm.
"...that's…" Shirou then felt a bit of him growing weak. As memories started bubbling forward in his mind. Memories of trauma, fear, disgust, horror, and so much more. Nearly falling to his knees as he recognized that hole where he then felt nauseous and wanting to throw up. Already feeling a chill and dreading what that was.
"..." Nearby, while not saying anything, Archer sweated and growled in anger.
"The hell is that?" Lancer then asked. Also feeling a form of dread just staring at the thing.
"It's the Greater Grail." Rin then said as she looked up at the hole. Seeing the magical energies coming out of it…alongside the strange liquid that looked eerily like the Grimm. "How…This guy. Somehow he managed to make the Greater Grail produce the liquid." The hole was practically leaking the stuff out of it. But it made no sense how that was even happening.
"More than just that goop." Musashi said. "Look closer."
Hearing her words, the rest did with the Servants spotting it easier.
"Is that…a robot?" Archer said aloud where from the hole he saw what appeared to be a broken android falling out of the hole before falling and breaking apart. Indeed. Where the Greater Grail laid, while the most obvious sight to see, within the area around it one could see other stuff poking out of the liquid pooling around it. Other broken machinery of sorts all being 'eaten' by the vile liquid.
Yet nobody recognized the technology at all.
"Is that hole connected to something?" Shirou then asked, because while Rin did mention how the Greater Grail makes a wish because of something called the Root, this sure didn't feel like it at all.
"...No." Rin just said. "This is…something else entirely." The 'hole', the potential access to the Root itself…It wasn't connected to the 'truth' as all magus searched for. Instead, this hole is connected to something else. Something vile and twisted. Not of this world at all.
There was no proof of this of course, and yet for some reason Rin couldn't help but feel this liquid didn't belong to earth at all. But it had to be. I mean, Ozpin himself said the Grimm were made from magus in America.
'But even so, my very being tells me otherwise.' Rin thought as she saw how all the Grimm appeared to be memorized by that thing in the center of the cavern. Archer himself also agreed with Rin's thoughts. As he never saw the Grimm before in any of the timelines he was sent as a Counter Guardian, yet for some reason they were here now and coming through space and time from the hole in the Greater Grail. Something was up.
"Well, we came here for a reason." Lancer then spoke. "And that reason is to stop this thing from spitting out more of those freaks." Lancer is no genius. However, even he could tell that hole was spitting out that liquid from it, and when it landed it produced more of those creatures called Grimm. "Unless the lass knows how to turn the damn thing off," Lancer's spear glowed. "I saw we blow this place to hell."
"Eh. But won't that kill you guys off?" Shirou asked.
"Better to vanish away than live and let this thing make more nightmares." Archer told him while also thinking back on that woman Zouken summoned. 'Plus, with the Greater Grail gone, she'll be forced away as well.'
"What do you think Rin?" Musashi asked the Tohsaka head who gulped as she overlooked what's in front of her. To destroy the Greater Grail, practically heresy considering what can happen. Not to mention a lot of magus would be upset and try to pin the blame on her. Even so, to continue letting things go on the way they are now…Isn't the right choice.
'Sorry dad,' Rin thought, knowing her father would disapprove. 'But I made my decision.'
"Rin." Archer looked at her. "Your choice?"
Rin breathed deeply, then exhaled. "Destroy it." The decision was set. "Archer, wipe out the Greater Grail and don't leave a trace."
"That means leaving the army of monsters here, who I doubt will let Archer do his thing." Lancer snickered. "I assume that leaves me to deal with them."
"Not just you, but me as well!" Musashi took out her blades.
"And I." A new voice then came out, one everyone recognized as they turned and saw none other than Assassin.
"You!" Shirou was surprised. "Just how-?"
"Am I alive?" Assassin smirked. "We're in a bit of a time crunch for me to explain. Just know I am here to help. Though," Assassin eyed Musashi who flinched. "Once the deed is done, then whatever mana we have left, I will use to fight. Fight to the bitter end. Understood?"
"Hmph. Yeah, I understand." Musashi nodded. "And I'll take you on."
"Then let us move on already." Archer looked down at his now finished reformed hand. Tracing and projecting his weapons. "Because I think the locals have finally started to notice us." Indeed, they have. As if knowing their goals, suddenly every single of the hundreds of Grimm inside the cavern turned towards the group of six. Two humans, four Servants, with the intention of killing the unborn God.
"Grrrrr."
"Urgaa!"
"Scrcrcrcr!"
"Shraaa!"
"Ooohhhohoh!"
All the Grimm turned and faced them. From the caverns below where the liquid had flowed down, Grimm burst and began climbing the walls. Those that could fly were above the heroes. Then from behind, where they had entered through, bursting from the ground the underground based Grimm showed their teeth with some drooling acid.
"This just got a whole lot uglier." Lancer then charged Gae Bolg. "How fun."
"You're telling me." Musashi laughed.
"Unworthy stains to the blade they are." Kojiro also took out his blade and raised it at eye level. "However, I will slice them down nonetheless to grant us our opportunity."
Seems everyone was ready. From the Servants to Rin and Shirou, who also prepared for their own fight. Lancer ready to fire a starting move, to deploy an anti-army Noble Phantasm as he then leapt forward while leaving the behind to Musashi and Kojiro. To make a path to the Greater Grail for Archer.
'This is it.' Lancer thought as his spear wished for blood to be spilled. 'Time to be a hero!' The two humans and Archer looked at Lancer's back, with Lancer knowing they needed him at this moment. Expecting him to deal with the Grimm in front so Archer can do his job. Best not to disappoint.
The Grimm then began to charge straight at them. Not wanting them to kill their unborn God. Their roars heard loud and clear with Lancer not giving them a care as he got ready to mow them down.
Then, he heard a voice. "Lancer."
Gae Bolg was ready, and yet Lancer only felt dread. His body then felt cold as he realized what his Master was doing. 'No.'
"By this Command Seal,"
Lancer then turned, and not by his own will. Realizing what was going on, Lancer then tried to give out a warning before it was too late. Yet his lips wouldn't say what he wanted to say, instead they opened up to say something else.
"Kill,"
Archer saw Lancer's look. Seeing fear in them, and that fear wasn't from the Grimm. 'He must have noticed something.' Archer thought. He then called out to Lancer, to see what was wrong. "Lancer. What is the ma-"
Then, time seemed to freeze for just a moment. For one second Lancer was just standing there, about to tell them something. The next, he held his spear in attack position and yelled out in a stuttered tone as if trying to stop himself from speaking but failing as his voice shouted out, "G-G-Gae B-Bolg!"
The Noble Phantasm was released.
Sqrck!
With Archer's heart reduced to mush as his Spirit Origin took a fatal hit with the spear reversing casualty itself and making an unavoidable move. One with enough luck could avoid this, but Archer knew better than to rely on his luck.
Shirou and Rin, with Assassin and Saber who heard the commotion, all turned and saw what they couldn't believe in abstract horror. Seeing Lancer, with regret in his eyes, standing forward with his spear running through Archer. A blow where Archer couldn't survive, with the spear sticking out of his back and in place where the heart should be.
"Archer." With Lancer now truly wishing he had killed Kotomine before after all. As he closed his eyes at what he just did while the Grimm got even closer. "Now Lancer," The pit in Lancer's stomach then got deeper as he then looked at the two humans. Saying but one thing to them.
"Kill Shirou Emiya."
"Sorry." He then ripped out the spear from Archer's body which then dropped down and ran at the human boy with the bloody spear now aimed at Shirou's own heart.
That hole is connected to Remnant. The Grimm are reduced to liquid when pulled in and poured out from it and then reform later. Caused unintentionally by Ozpin when he ended up on earth and allowing the Greater Grail to connect to his world.
But enough about that, we got bigger problems. I'm sure some of you forgot about Kotomine, but that bastard never forgot about the others. Making a move that will cause great trouble and already had Lancer regretfully kill Archer like that when they're in such a dangerous position. Illya and Berserker better get their quick.
Meanwhile, Salem has captured Sakura. Don't be mistaken of course, Salem didn't so much as win as she took the initiative before Sakura could unleash more of her powers and knocked her out before the two could fight fully. What Salem plans for Sakura, who knows. Until Next Time.