Author's Note
Hey there again, everyone! I am back from my long vacation, all refreshed and ready to go again. I got some emails during my trip that notified me of new followers to Fate/Coda Tale, which is definitely an encouraging sight while I was away. Way to give me a well needed boost during my time spent recharging my body and mind. For those who have been following Fate/Coda Tale from the beginning, thanks for being so patient as I went away. Now, let's carry on!
Chapter 3
"I can't imagine that Lord El-Melloi II would have gone to such lengths to destroy the grail that he would actually put these regulators along the ley lines of this city," Bram said, as Rider finished destroying yet another regulator. "How many have we come across now?"
"Four," Rider replied.
Bram scoffed in response. "We still have two more leylines to search. I cannot rely on Caster to conduct the search, if what you said about her was true."
"I would be extremely wary of Berserker's Master and Lancer's Master too," Rider responded. "Who knows what manner of influence Caster has weaved upon them ever since she was summoned."
"Damn it!" Bram cursed. "Just my luck that I had to have the catalyst for Archer stolen from me by Luviagelita Edelfelt. Now I have a problematic Servant to deal with."
"Kill Caster while you have the chance, boy," Rider urged.
"Talk is easy, Rider!" Bram hissed. "Caster might have already caught wind of our little discussion here now thanks to us being within her territory. Look now, Viola and Bree have returned. Let us not speak of this until we are alone."
"Sir Bram!" Viola called out as she approached.
"You asked us to meet you at the bridge at first, but now here we are at the harbour. What have you seen that you should recall us from our battle?"
"I know what Archer and Emiya Shiro have been up to some days back when they were destroying Caster's familiars," Bram replied. "They have been covering for Lord El-Melloi II's little activity of planting these things in the ley lines around Fuyuki," Bram continued as he showed the destroyed regulator to Viola and Bree.
"What does this thing do?" Bree asked.
"This thing prevents prana from being channeled into the Greater Grail so that he can delay its summoning," Bram replied.
"But it doesn't stop the Grail from being summoned, no?" Viola continued.
"It doesn't, but if I know what he is up to, he is probably trying to prevent the Lesser Grail from collecting the prana from defeated Servants so he can find a way to destroy it."
"So what do we do after we finish destroying all these regulators?" Lancer asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Lord El-Melloi II's hand will be forced into action. We will counter whatever move he makes."
"Ah, but sir Bram," Viola said, her voice slightly shaky as she prepared herself to speak. "Berserker sustained a grievous wound from the fight earlier."
"And how did that happen?" Bram asked. A hint of irritation was sensed by the others as they observed his reaction.
"Berserker… somehow retained his memory of Archer, and I lost all my means of controlling him. I could have used a Command Seal to force him to fight Archer, but I figured that if… if I could just coax him into fighting without using the Command Seal, it would have been better…"
"So how did he end up being grievously wounded, then?" Bram demanded.
"At first he was just frozen in place when he saw Archer, and refused to fight him. Lancer and Archer then exchanged blows," Viola continued. "When Lancer unleashed his Noble Phantasm, Berserker suddenly moved in to protect Archer and took the blow that was meant for Archer."
"...what?" Bram could only reply dumbfoundedly.
"It is as she said," Lancer replied. "Berserkers may have lost all reason, but perhaps, it is true what we feared the most; they still retain all the memories that make them who they are."
Bram said nothing in reply. Instead, he slammed the regulator down and paced about. "Then I have to change my strategy yet again. Viola and Berserker shall remain behind until Berserker is fully healed again, while Bree and I will put a stop to Lord El-Melloi II's plans from here on. When Berserker is fully healed, Viola, you will kill Caster off."
"Huh!?" Viola asked dumbfoundedly.
"Wait, did we just hear this correctly?" Bree said.
Rider let out a sigh.
"I suppose you had something to do with this, laddie," Lancer said, casting a glance at Rider.
"That woman is a treacherous one," Rider replied. "I was about to fight Saber when she suddenly threatened this Master of mine to back off from her so-called family feud," Rider continued.
"Family… feud?" Bree asked.
"It seems that Saber and Caster are actually sisters."
"Wait, so… huh?" Bree was rendered speechless and dumbfounded at the revelation of Saber's identity.
"You said that we should not speak of this until we were alone, kid," Rider hissed at Bram.
"What can we do now that Berserker is not in any shape to fight?" Bram grumbled. "Our plans have changed!"
"But Sir Bram," Viola stepped towards Bram. "Isn't it counterproductive for us to be fighting a war amongst ourselves when we have a greater threat to face?"
"Make no mistake, girl," Rider replied. "Caster is plotting to undermine your collective efforts to win the War."
"B-but I don't understand!" Viola said, shaking her head. "What do you know!?" Viola demanded.
"Fu fu fu… I suppose I shall just cut to the chase, shall I now?" Caster chortled as she approached the group.
"Y-you!" Bram exclaimed.
"Master, there appears to be a fight happening at the river's edge, near the bridge," Archer told Luvia.
"Huh?" Luvia wondered at the report. She glanced quickly towards Lord El-Melloi II, who wore a perplexed look on his face.
"Infighting amongst themselves?"
"You think we should take a look?" Rin suggested. "If it truly is, we could learn a thing or two about the situation and adapt accordingly."
"I'll go," Shiro replied. "My wounds have all but recovered already."
"Saber and I will come too. You know, to make sure you will be alright," Rin said, standing up.
"At this rate, everyone might as well come to see what's going on," Archer continued.
"You just want an excuse to come along," Luvia huffed.
"This development piqued my interest too, I admit," Lord El-Melloi II replied. "However, we would end up drawing too much attention to ourselves. Besides, Archer is still in the process of healing after almost getting impaled by Lancer."
"Ah, but I'm-"
Archer's sentence was interrupted by Luvia, who smacked him across the back of his head.
"You idiot. Don't forget who is hard at work healing you right now. You want to go back out there and get yourself into trouble again?"
"I'll send Trimmau out to watch the goings on," Lord El-Melloi II concluded. "We can observe everything from here."
"You… witch!" Bram cursed through clenched teeth.
"Fu fu fu… why, Master of Rider?" Caster asked. "What have I done to warrant your branding of myself as a witch?"
"Drop that pretentious act of yours, Caster!" Bram growled. "What have you been plotting against us?"
"And what is this plot you speak of, Master of Rider?" Caster asked as she sauntered toward Bram. "If there was such a plot, from whence did this deceit come from?"
Caster was stopped in her tracks when Rider drew his sword, aiming its tip towards her. "I know of your treachery because that was how I was assassinated!"
Viola and Bree remained dumbstruck, as was Lancer, who managed to speak despite being rendered speechless by the latest exchange.
"Lassie, is Rider's words true?"
There was a brief silence as Caster stood rooted to the spot she was at. It was soon broken by the sound of Rider's battle cry as he charged Caster down.
Caster did not flinch, however, as she stretched her hand forward, creating a barrier that held Rider's sword at bay.
"Oho, Rider. I understand your excitement and eagerness to get yourself involved with me, but please show some restraint in front of the others here," Caster said with a smile.
"Shut up, woman!" Rider shouted. "I shall end your treachery here before you infect the others here with your ill intent!"
"I'm sorry, Sir Bram."
A loud thud was heard by everyone, who wheeled around in shock at the sight of Mikhel landing a hit on Bram's gut.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you hurt Caster," Bram said quietly.
"Mikhel! That's Sir Bram you're attacking there!" Bree exclaimed.
"Like I said, I cannot let you hurt Caster!" Mikhel asserted. "I am aware of the threat Rider poses to her, and I will not let Caster be hurt anymore than she already is!"
"What did I tell you all!?" Rider bellowed, turning his attention toward Mikhel. He was hardly able to take a step forward though, as Caster used her magic to bind his feet together, causing Rider to fall prostrate to the ground. Caster was quick to also bind Rider's hands to his body to prevent him from moving.
"Master, it appears as if we have been had by Rider and his Master," Caster said, pulling a dagger out from within her robes. "Shall we go ahead with the execution?"
Mikhel nodded his head quietly.
"Hold it right there, lassie."
Lancer's face was grim as he pointed his spear at Mikhel's direction. "We deserve to know the truth as to what is going on here."
"There is only one truth, Lancer!" Rider growled, struggling to free himself from Caster's bonds. "I sense the same treachery from Ildico within Caster!"
"Rider, I do not know of this Ildico you speak of, but as a chieftain, you had to show yourself as an objective ruler, able to ensure that there is justice for your people, no?" Caster said. Kneeling down, she stroked Rider's head. "Please understand, Rider. There is no treachery within me save for your delusions. Such behaviour will prevent us from achieving our goals. As such, it is only fitting if you remove yourself from this War so that we can proceed toward our collective goal."
Caster raised her dagger, preparing to plunge it into Rider's heart, but her blade was promptly destroyed by Lancer, who wore a look of disapproval on his face.
"We pledged ourselves to the leadership of Rider's Master, have we not?" Lancer said, glaring at Caster. "Rider may have a problem trusting us, but seeing how he is about to be stabbed from behind, I can see his reasoning behind his mistrust."
"Lancer, Rider has manipulated his own Master with this mad tale of my so-called betrayal," Caster replied coolly. "He has been against our goals from the beginning because he desires the Grail for himself."
"What is Rider even planning to use it for?" Lancer asked, leaning forward. "I'd very much like to know."
"Lancer! That is none of your-"
Thud!
Lancer thrust his spear on the ground beside Rider's head, scratching his cheek.
"You shall speak after Caster, Rider." Ignoring Rider's curses, Lancer turned to Caster, casting a glare at her. "Well then, what does Rider desire from the Grail that he would betray comrades for it?"
"I-I.. can't say," Caster said, looking flustered. "But the Grail is known to be corrupted and therefore affect one's judgement, is it not?"
"Then you validate whatever our opponents have been trying to tell us, Caster!" Lancer exclaimed. "I am no chieftain like Rider, nor am I experienced in matters of court like yourself, but know this, Caster. I was a god before my death, and I have seen many things in the lives of mortals in my time. I am more inclined to believe in what Rider has to say now that you failed to pinpoint the reason behind your attempt to discredit him!"
"It's no use trying to talk to that snake, Lancer!" Rider growled, still struggling to free himself.
"Relax, laddie," Lancer said, stepping on Rider's back. "You owe me an explanation on your end."
"What?"
"You heard me clearly, Rider. Now, we have spoken before and you failed to convince me of your willingness to join hands with us on our cause," Lancer replied. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mikhel attempting to sneak up on Bree and promptly shot a glare on him. "You are not doing any favours for yourself or your Servant by doing that, laddie. Spare yourself the agony and go stand beside your beloved Caster!"
Mikhel cursed under his breath as he was forced to abort his attempt to attack Bree.
"Well then, Rider."
"Fine, then," Rider sighed. "In the past, I figured that my people would survive if I took a wife from the Northern kingdom, therefore strengthening my position against the Imperialists in the West. Thus, my union with Ildico was arranged. My trust in the Northerners was betrayed because Ildico's intent all along was to ensure I do not live beyond our union. I sensed treachery from her before that, but I chose to trust in her pretty words of going against the greater evil that was the Imperialist scum!"
"So you desire the Grail so you can reverse the outcome?"
"Indeed I do," Rider replied simply. "However, I was forced to accept the fact that I was not going to obtain my wish as the boy desires to send the Grail back to this Association for whatever use they see fit. That, and along with the fact that I do not trust anyone to begin with, has made me regret ever wanting to change my fate!"
Does this mean you do not wish to obtain the Grail anymore?
Rider stared at Lancer for a brief moment before replying. "No," came the resolute answer.
Lancer turned around to face Caster again, who remained flustered. Mikhel was nervously standing beside Caster, but more than just being nervous, he also looked like he was about to succumb to rage.
"So lassie," Lancer began. "Rider here says he does not desire the Grail any longer, yet you said that he desired it for himself."
"But Lancer-"
"And on top of that, the only time you spoke to Rider was that time when we first arrived here and you somehow coaxed him into pursuing someone who was following us," Lancer's red eyes flashed as he spoke to Caster. "I had no idea that the Caster class could even read one's mind.. unless there is more to you than you have let on."
"Believe me when I say that I have no intent to betray anyone of you!" Caster exclaimed. "It was all Rider's plan, to divide us!"
"Enough already!" Mikhel cried. "Is it not enough that Caster has had to endure the pain of fighting against Saber - her own sister? Now all of you are trying to imply that she has been plotting against all of you!"
"It does not give you the right to strike your Master, don't you think so?" Lancer asked. "If she is truly innocent, did you have to attack him?"
"Rider raised his hand against Caster!" Mikhel replied angrily. "I'm doing what I could to defend her!"
"And yet, your Caster has failed to put her case forward," Lancer replied.
"S-shut up! What do you know!?" Mikhel raged, his body quivering as his face darkened.
"Likewise, what do you know about Lancer, Mikhel?" Bree asked. "I apologise, but I cannot stay silent any longer after all that has happened thus far."
"Neither can I," Viola concurred quietly.
"If it's worth anything, I had suspicions about the two of you when Sir Bram brought up the fact that the two of you resorted to that method of prana transfer," Bree continued, looking down at the ground in an awkward fashion. "Ever since then, you and Caster have been behaving erratically. From what I recall, you had the task of preventing Emiya Shiro from interfering with our plans, but he has been a thorn in our side from the beginning."
"The time was not right for us to strike him then!" Caster insisted.
"What about earlier?" Viola demanded. "Sir Bram ordered you to locate and engage Emiya Shiro, but you then threatened Sir Bram to pull out from his fight with Tohsaka Rin and Saber… just for a family feud?"
"Not to forget, after striking Sir Bram down earlier, you wanted to take me down next," Bree huffed. "Way to be diplomatic about this, don't you think?"
"Your Servant was threatening mine!" Mikhel growled.
"Stop being so defensive, laddie," Lancer sighed, stepping away from Rider. "All that effort to defend yourself reeks of a cover up of your true intent."
"My true intent is to protect Caster!" Mikhel shouted. "I'm protecting her from the likes of Rider! And given the fact that you have decided to betray us all too, I won't hesitate to go after you if you threaten my Caster!"
"Oh my, laddie," Lancer said. "Rider's Master may have his share of misjudgements, but he was definitely right on the fact that you and Caster would have developed a bond that is beyond acceptance between a Master and a Servant. That, my laddie, is a dangerous thing." Lancer's red eyes narrowed as he lifted his spear. "I'm afraid you've been manipulated by Caster for her schemes."
"What did you say?" Caster said, glaring at Lancer.
"I believe my words were clear enough, Caster," Lancer replied. "I believe you have manipulated this kid in order to carry out your schemes."
"You traitor!" Caster and Mikhel cried simultaneously."
"Hey Rider, I may be making the wrong decision by believing you," Lancer said as he quickly cut the bonds that held Rider down, before turning to face Caster and Mikhel. "You'd better be true to what you said."
"It is not in me to be pretentious, kid!" Rider growled as he picked himself up. "I never did well with politics to begin with, as I am known to be far too honest about myself!"
"I saw that in you a while after our conversation on the roof," Lancer replied. "I should have noticed that sooner."
"No matter. I shall see to it that your judgement was without error," Rider replied.
"Traitors! The whole lot of you!" Caster cried. Grabbing a hold of Mikhel, she began to back away. "I will not stand with this rabble and allow my Master and I to be falsely accused and lynched!"
"You're not going anywhere, Caster!" Rider bellowed, leaping forward to thrust his sword into Caster, but she had already worked her magic on order to get away. A bright flash of light caused everyone to close their eyes, and the two disappeared into the ensuing darkness.
"So, I take it that the lassie is not with us?" Lancer asked, as the dust settled.
"I'd much rather not have that woman on our side and get us all backstabbed at the end," Rider grumbled. Picking Bram up, he turned to the others. "We do as the boy says. Berserker will remain behind until he is fully healed, while Lancer and myself will carry on with the plan."
"I'm curious, Rider," Bree asked nervously. "Why the change of heart? I thought you were against working together with us?"
"I am," Rider said after a brief pause. "But the boy is leading by example now, rather than by cowardly commanding from the rear, and I am bound to ensure that his plans come to fruition."
"So you're doing this purely for your Master, and not because you want to?" Lancer asked.
"It is as you see," Rider replied, leaping away from the group.
"He's still the same, as always," Lancer mused. "But at least, his honesty is better than the honey-coated words of Caster. Don't you agree, Master?"
"Eh… I guess," Bree replied. "But I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that Caster and Mikhel has already turned against us."
"So… I'm supposed to go after Caster and Mikhel? As Sir Bram asked me to do?" Viola asked.
"We could ask Sir Bram after he wakes again," Bree replied. "For now, we have to get back."
"Damn that Rider!" Mikhel cursed, smashing his fists against the trees in the Old Forest. "He was an absolute thorn in our side from the start, and he's now got Lancer on his side!"
"Calm down now, my Master," Caster replied, wrapping her arms around Mikhel from behind. "I am still here, thanks to your protection."
"We could have had a Servant as powerful as Lancer on our side, but he chose to be manipulated by Rider and whatever schemes he has!" Mikhel grumbled.
"Perhaps there is some truth to what you said, Master," Caster replied. "Rider could be using his Master as his source of authority to keep Lancer under his command. No matter what we try to do to discredit Rider, nothing will change the fact that Lancer would only just follow suit."
"We seriously have to do something about Rider in that case!" Mikhel said, exhaling heavily.
"Perhaps it is for the best that we have severed ourselves from them," Caster replied. "This is our opportunity to grab a hold of our desires and put an end to all who opposes our desire."
"Then, how shall we go about with our plan?"
Caster said nothing much in reply save for "we shall think over this later". Instead, she held Mikhel in a tight embrace for a long time.
"What… did we just witness just now?" Luvia wondered.
"So it's true that they are falling out amongst themselves?" Saber chimed in.
"I suppose it is safe to say that Caster appears to have severed her ties with Bram Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri's faction," Lord El-Melloi II replied.
"Now is our time to strike, then!" Archer said excitedly. "If we take them out now, we will have only Caster to deal with, and we can focus our efforts on ensuring that this Grail is destroyed."
"I would have been in favour of that strategy," Lord El-Melloi II replied, sitting down on the chair. "However, the presence of Assassin in this war is still a problem. Emiya Shiro, Saber, and yourself have 60 kills between the three of you, so that leaves 20 more at large. Matou Zouken knows that he needs to bide his time and strike when the advantage falls towards his favour."
The room was silent as Lord El-Melloi II lit his cigar. Oddly, this was the first time he lit a cigar ever since their arrival at Fuyuki City.
"Caster cannot be overlooked either. Therefore, we may have to refine our strategy from this point on," Lord El-Melloi II concluded.
"What say you, if Saber and I make our move on my onii-sama, Rider, and Lancer?" Archer ventured.
"Archer?" Saber blurted.
"You see, my onii-sama probably won't raise his hand against me, which means Lancer's Noble Phantasm may be blocked by him, should it ever happen again. All we have to worry about is Rider and his abilities."
"What makes you think Berserker would be sure to come to your aid this time? He could be severely weakened by now, or Berserker's Master could have figured something out then?" Saber asked.
"Which is why, time is of the essence," Archer urged. "I can't avoid fighting my onii-sama at this rate, so despite my reluctance, I have to do what we all have to do."
"And what is this thing that we all have to do?" Lord El-Melloi II quizzed.
"Destroy this Grail so such atrocities will never happen again, no?" Archer replied.
"Perhaps you have a point," Lord El-Melloi II conceded. "Are your wounds fully healed, Shiro? Archer?"
"Yes," both replied.
"So then," Lord El-Melloi II said, standing up. "Archer and Saber, the both of you will go ahead as planned. I have to replace the destroyed regulators, and Shiro shall provide support for us all from above."
"What if Shiro gets attacked?" Rin asked.
"I will figure a way to escape. It will be fine," Shiro assured.
"Let's not waste anymore time, then!" Archer replied. "I have a score to settle with Lancer!"