ACT IV
Chapter 1
"Wake up boy!"
"Urgggggggh… my head hurts," Bram groaned, shaking his head slightly. "What's going on?"
"You've been sleeping soundly all night. Wake up!"
"R-Rider?" Bram asked, his voice hoarse from the events of the night before. "Where am I?"
"You were knocked out by Caster's Master-"
"Oh right. That bastard… I am going to tear him a new one when I see him… literally!" Bram cursed, getting up slowly. He was soon left in a dumbstruck state when he surveyed the area around him. "Where exactly are we?"
"After everything that happened last night, I decided not to return to our base of operations," Rider replied, getting up from his seated position not too far away from Bram. "While you were enjoying your nap, I have been taking you along with me as I scoured the place for Caster and her Master."
"Right. That Caster again," Bram grumbled. "Well? Did you find them?"
"They are definitely not within the city," Rider replied. "If they are anywhere right now, they are probably in this forest."
Bram tried his best to ignore the throbbing sensation in his head and the painful bruise on his gut as he got up, and started surveying the area.
"I… I can't tell where they are," Bram finally said. "This forest has a very strong Bounded Field protecting whatever is inside."
"Caster's Bounded Field, I assume?" Rider asked simply.
"Well, this forest used to belong to the Einzberns, so I'm pretty much able to recognise their Bounded Field's characteristics. However, this Bounded Field feels a lot different, as if someone reinforced the existing Bounded Field that was created by the Einzberns," Bram explained.
"We should make our move, then," Rider responded. "I'm itching for a fight."
"Hold on, Rider," Bram replied, putting his hand on Rider's shoulder. "I sense a burst of energy coming from somewhere in the city."
When both Bram and Rider looked at the general direction of the city, they could roughly make out the sight of a very large and bright signal flare flying into the sky, despite the scarce view due to the canopy line of the forest.
"Isn't that… the summons flare for the Grail War Participants?" Bram wondered aloud.
"Feh," Rider huffed. "It is of no importance to us," Rider continued disinterestedly.
"I should consider sending either Bree or Viola-" Bram replied before he stopped short of completing his sentence, pausing to listen to the telepathic message he was receiving. "I just received a message from them," Bram replied. His tone was dark and a frown formed on his face.
"Heard something you didn't like, I assume," Rider remarked.
"The warehouse was attacked last night," Bram replied. "Lancer was killed in the battle, while Bree and Viola was momentarily in the custody of Lord El-Melloi II before they were released."
Rider huffed. "All the more reason why we should hunt for Caster."
"I must concur," Bram replied. "That accursed woman has really done us in this time, and Mikhel… will pay the price too, for daring to go against me!"
Rider scowled for a moment before turning to face Bram. "I am irritated by you nonetheless, boy. Such a turn of events is something that could have been prevented from the outset, but… it's too late for me to harp on it."
Bram was slightly agitated by the remark from Rider, but he could say nothing. As much as he had planned everything out in the beginning, his strategy was compromised due to the fact that he had the catalyst for Archer stolen by Luviagelita Edelfelt. After a moment of pondering Rider's words, Bram gathered his resolve to speak again. "It's too late for blame now. What matters for me is to ensure that those who dare to sidestep or oppose my authority be destroyed."
"Well then, show me your resolve," Rider urged.
"I will send for Bree and Viola to accompany us. Bree can send a familiar to attend this emergency meeting called by the Church," Bram responded simply, trudging ahead towards the Bounded Field in the forest.
"Isn't that-?" Rin wondered aloud as she noticed the signal flare beyond the window of the mansion.
"The Church is sending an emergency message out to summon us," Lord El-Meloi II answered. He let out a sigh, placing a hand on his forehead. "It's just like that time."
"The fourth War?" Shiro asked.
"Indeed. The Church summons the participants when there is an urgent matter that requires immediate attention," Lord El-Melloi II answered. "During the fourth War, the Masters were told to halt all activities related to the War to focus on a threat to the entire existence of the Association."
"So you're saying that the Church is asking us to form a truce with the Sophia-Ri group?" Luvia asked. She began to look irritated at the thought of having to see them again.
"That may not necessarily be the case altogether," Lord El-Melloi II replied. "We won't know anything until we send a familiar to the Church to see what is going on."
"Do you think it could be about whatever you have told us earlier?" Shiro asked. "You did mention that you have passed this knowledge on to the Mediator."
"Maybe."
"Why would you pass that kind of information along?" Archer demanded. "It actually works in our favour, since it is the destruction of this Grail you have always been talking about!"
"At what cost, Archer?" Lord El-Melloi II replied calmly. "Surely the discovery actually helps our cause, but don't you think that by keeping the knowledge to ourselves, it would suit with the values that Saber and Emiya Shiro hold dear?"
"Saber and the kid were able to put that aside just once in our fight against Lancer, no?" Archer replied. "Sometimes we have to compromise on our values, unless you are fine with dying because you tried to uphold those values which you hold dear!"
"I'm sorry, Archer…" Shiro responded hesitantly. "But last night and this one is different."
"I must concur," Saber chimed in.
"Last night, mac Branain-san and Konig-san were combatants just like the rest of us. Using that reason alone, we were willing to challenge our values in the hopes that we can fulfill a greater cause, which was to ensure that Lancer does not use his Noble Phantasm to end our efforts to destroy the Grail." Shiro looked directly at Archer and paused for a moment before he continued, a stoic look forming on his face. "This one is different. I will absolutely not allow any harm to come upon an innocent, no matter what. I devoted myself to this hard road to ensure that I can achieve my aim of becoming the Hero of Justice."
"It's a long and difficult road, fraught with perils of many kinds, kid," Archer replied. "The losses you have to bear on this journey will weigh you down."
"Even so, I have made my pledge," Shiro responded. His voice was strong and sure, and Archer marvelled at the resolve Shiro showed.
"Our children and I are also with him on this journey," Rin continued. "He may still be carrying that stupid dream of his, as he has done for years, but really, he isn't as stubborn as you see him now." Grabbing Shiro's hand with both her hands, Rin leaned in onto Shiro's broad shoulder and smiled. "He knows the risks involved and doesn't shy away from it, but he is smart enough to figure out a way to come out of it all victoriously."
"You know," Archer replied with a smile. "You netted yourself a very troublesome man."
"Of course!" Rin replied cheerfully, smacking Shiro playfully on his back. "After all, a little quirk here and there adds to the charm, you know?"
"You know, it would be somewhat great if you actually shared Shero with me once in a while," Luvia joked.
Rin shot a glare at Luvia and huffed loudly. "Over my dead body!"
"Alright ladies," Archer pleaded nervously, trying to hold back his laugh. "I think we have a far more important issue to talk about here."
"Indeed we have," Lord El-Melloi II replied, exhaling the smoke from his cigar loudly in mild annoyance. "As you have just discovered, my decision to pass the information on to the Church is based on the fact that we have innocents that would be placed in grave danger."
Lord El-Melloi II walked towards the window and stared outside. "Then again, we have no idea why the Mediator summoned us. It's best that I send a familiar out to attend the meeting, so we can plan our next course of action.
Now that Lancer is out of the picture, the Sophia-Ri faction has lost their best option of beating Saber and Archer. The onus is now on them to formulate a way to beat us only with Berserker and Rider."
Lord El-Melloi II paused as he smoked his cigar, all the while maintaining his gaze outside the window.
"Not to mention, Caster seems to have broken off with the Sophia-Ri faction."
"Until we see Caster fighting against the Sophia-Ri faction, I won't wager any chance of them really having a fallout or a breaking apart of the group," Shiro replied, his eyes narrowing. "For all we know, it could be nothing more than an elaborate smokescreen to confuse us."
"But Lord El-Melloi II's golem did see a fight between Caster and Rider," Luvia replied.
"I'm inclined to believe that it is just a plan to decieve us," Shiro insisted. "Like I mentioned, until I see Caster actually fighting the Sophia-Ri faction, I won't take everything we saw last night at face value."
"You certainly have a point, Shero," Luvia replied. "But doesn't that leave us with one more thing to worry about?"
"I guess so," Shiro replied.
"You know what," Archer said all of a sudden. "I could do some observation of Rider and Berserker from afar if you wish. Considering my ability to remain at a distance, I can just keep an eye on them and report anything to you, no?"
"How would you know where they are right now?" Luvia asked.
"Come on, this city isn't that big when compared to the labyrinths of Troy," Archer replied confidently. "I'm not even trying to physically follow Berserker or Rider. I'm just observing them from a distance."
"A sound proposition," Lord El-Melloi II replied. "I have one more task for you, Archer."
"Oh?" Archer asked.
"Assassin still bothers me," Lord El-Melloi II replied. "If you sense their whereabouts, do inform us too."
"Could I perhaps kill Assassin if the chance presents itself?" Archer ventured.
"Personally, I won't stop you," Lord El-Melloi II began. "I'd advise you to use your discretion. Matou Zouken has been unnaturally quiet for around two nights, and then Assassin suddenly attacks Emiya last night. Matou Zouken has definitely been planning something, and I do not like the way it's going."
"Well then, with your permission, Master," Archer requested.
"Be careful out there," Luvia answered.
"Oh? You're worried about me, Master?" Archer teased, bumping Luvia's shoulder playfully with his fist.
"S-shut up! I'm done having to heal you every time!" Luvia snapped. "I'm not going to heal you this time if you come back all banged up!"
"I'm just doing some regular reconnaisance, Master, so rest easy," Archer replied casually, smiling as he turned to leave.
Rin waited for a moment until Archer left before she cast a devilish smile and a knowing glance at Luvia. "Oh, the closet tsundere surfaces…"
"W-what did you say!?" Luvia demanded, growing slightly flustered.
Lord El-Melloi II sighed. "It must be nice to be young…"
In order to gain an understanding of the reason behind the Church's summons, we digress to an event that happened several hours earlier, at the Matou household.
"Well, what do you have to say?" Matou Zouken growled. "Nobody gave you any orders an hour ago, and you've gone and done something stupid!"
Assassin remained in a bowed posture, and was too ashamed to speak.
"I did tell you not to mistake my condition yesterday as a sign that I have lost interest in the War! And I also remember telling you that you have plenty to explain regarding Shinji-kun's death!
"I'm deeply sorry about what just happened," Assassin replied. "For doubting you, for disobeying you, and for our losses from our engagement with the boy just now."
Zouken grunted as he sat on the divan. "It's too late for any form of forgiveness, Servant! We had the superior numbers at the onset of this War! And now, we are now left with 19 of you! How can I accept meaningless losses like these? You have lost 61, but without a single kill at the very least!"
Assassin bowed lower still. "We have no excuses, Master. It is as you say."
"Whatever, I will be putting you to work immediately then," Zouken replied curtly. "Go with Shinji to eliminate the other Masters and Servants immediately. Now that he has been reanimated by me, he is capable of providing assistance for you."
"Understood, Master. Please forgive us yet again," Assassin replied, bowing as he returned to ethereal form.
Zouken clicked his tongue. No matter how hard he tried, there is no way to bring his stupid grandson back to life. There was nothing he could do about the fact that Shinji is only present in body. However, having him in this form allowed for a measure of battle ability that was beyond what he could ever achieve when he was still alive. For Matou Zouken, victory was very critical for him as his newfound resolve was to wish for his stupid grandson to return.
If only it was that simple for Matou Zouken, who was very much unaware of the disaster he had just created.
London, England.
"This is ridiculous, I have only just arrived at England for a few days and I have to return now." Ciel grumbled to herself. "Never before has the Agency taken any notice of something that is not even their concern."
Ciel stared at the contents of the paper that contained her orders for a moment longer and promptly tossed the paper aside after a lengthy sigh. Getting up from her chair, she began to pack her gear.
"I guess I'll be getting my curry feast sooner rather than later, Emiya-san," Ciel mumbled to herself. She wasn't sure if she should be overjoyed to get the opportunity to savour more curry, or if she should be dissatisfied with the Agency.
After all, the Matous were never considered to be vampires by any stretch of the imagination.
Despite that knowledge being a well established and longstanding fact, whether it is to the Mage's Association or the Burial Agency, there has been reports about the occurrence of a "potential vampire infestation" in Fuyuki City.
The only thing separating the word "potential" for both the Association and the Agency was the lack of a credible report from either an agent of the Association or a member of the clergy.
Among the clergy, only Ciel had nothing else of note to handle, which provided the reason for her assignment to such a case which required some investigation.
Even if it wasn't an order from the Agency, such a rumour would normally pique her interest - if it did not challenge an established fact such as "Matou Zouken is not considered a vampire even though he devours a human once in a long while".
Nevertheless, Ciel - who has just finished packing her gear and is now tearing to shreds the paper containing her orders - was now about to be somewhat involved in the War at Fuyuki City.
Old Forest, Fuyuki City
"Accept it, boy," Rider said. "As a magus, I'd say you are quite the formidable one, but Caster is on a different level altogether."
"Shut up, Rider! Here I was thinking that you despised me enough. Just don't distract me any more than I am now with your snide remarks!"
"Forget it, boy!" Rider urged. "I assessed you fairly when I said that you were a formidable magus. Whether you take it as a snide remark or not, that's up to you. Lest you forget my words, Caster herself is a magus. To top it off, she is a Servant! How could you possibly match the magecraft of a Servant when a mere human cannot hope to match a Servant in combat?"
"Explain to me then, why Lancer can lose to a 'mere human'? What about Berserker's first skirmish with a 'mere human' like Emiya Shiro?"
"The details regarding Lancer's defeat is still lacking in details, so I suggest you do not give credit where it isn't due. Regarding Berserker's first skirmish, didn't he have to save his Master's life above all?"
"Enough with the distractions," Bram muttered under his breath. "It's difficult enough to try and disable Caster's Bounded Field so we can enter undetected. Your yapping doesn't help me concentrate either!"
"We should just charge in, boy," Rider urged. "Irregardless of whether you can disable the Bounded Field or not, Caster will know, and there will be a trap laid out nonetheless!"
Bram cursed in frustration and slumped to a seated position on the ground.
"Look, boy. As eager as you are to prove yourself to be a capable Master, you have to pick and choose your battles."
"So you're saying I should abandon the idea of going after Caster, when her lair is right in front of me?" Bram demanded.
Rider let out a long sigh when it became apparent that Bram did not understand his point. Striding over to Bram, he grabbed Bram by his arm and hoisted him up. "I'm saying this, Master!" Rider bellowed, stunning Bram. "Forget trying to sneak into Caster's lair! We are charging in instead!"
"W-w-what…?" Bram stammered. "Did you just call me-"
"Sir Bram! Wait!" Bree called out as she ran towards Bram together with Viola.
"There is more to Caster right now than we know!" Viola continued. "My familiar has relayed the details of the Church's summoning!"
Bram's ears perked upon hearing the news. "What did you learn from the summons?"
"There were three things, actually. Caster is actually the least of our concerns, but she has gone and done something unacceptable!"