Chapter 2

Lord El-Melloi II clenched his fist when he learned of the reasons behind the Mediator's summons.

"This is truly a disaster, as the Mediator said."

Shiro's fists were also clenched tightly, and his hunched posture made it apparent that he was trying his best to keep his rage in check. "Matou Zouken… I must take him down for what he has done!"

"Hold on, Shiro," Rin urged. "We can't exactly go after Zouken first without first taking down Shinji and locating Sakura."

"We could always beat that old fox and squeeze the answers out of him," Shiro muttered angrily.

"I think Emiya has a point," Lord El-Melloi II ventured, puffing the smoke from his cigar. "I have to warn you though, that by pursuing Matou Zouken directly, you could be playing right into his game."

"Caren Hortensia did mention that there is a representative from the Church who will be arriving here within the next 18 hours to assist in our elimination of the vampires," Rin continued. "If we have assistance on that front, we should consider taking advantage of the confusion to locate Sakura first."

Shiro paused to work out the options he had. Pacing about the room briskly, he mumbled to himself incoherently. After a brief moment of doing that, Shiro finally stopped.

"Archer should head out with Luvia-san to locate and retrieve Sakura, while Tohsaka and Saber should locate and take Matou Zouken down."

Luvia was confused by Shiro's plan. "Eh? But-"

"Archer's ability would be very suitable for searching a vast amount of territory for a target," Shiro began. "Instead of eliminating this particular target, Archer and yourself should move in to rescue that target."

"I'm not against your plan, but I have never met this Sakura that you're talking about," Luvia replied.

"Archer has seen her once, so hopefully he will be able to remember her."

"What will you do, then?" Luvia asked.

"I will provide support for Tohsaka and yourself," Shiro replied. "That way, I will be able to draw the attention of Assassin, who I believe is very motivated to avenge the loss I inflicted on them."

"Wait, how are you supposed to defeat Assassin, when you have no idea how to detect their presence?" Rin asked nervously.

"I know exactly what to plan for this time," Shiro replied with a grin. "I'm going to need your help, though."

"That is settled then," Lord El-Melloi II said suddenly. "Now, after we handle the matter of Matou Zouken, we must quickly return to work out a solution in regards to the problem caused by Caster. Got it?"

"Understood," Shiro, Rin, and Luvia replied quickly as they set off.

"Damn that Caster!" Bram cursed. "So the Church has decided not to allow the news to leak out?"

"That sounds like the case alright," Viola replied. "There is also the matter of the vampire infestation caused by Matou Zouken which the Church said they are sending an agent from the Burial Agency to assist in dealing with the problem."

"And the Mediator wants us all to cease all activities regarding the Grail War?" Rider asked.

"It seems like it," Viola replied. "Apparently we are to focus on eliminating the vampires and to deal with Caster together with Lord El-Melloi II's faction before we resume hostilities."

"I don't like the idea of doing so," Bree grumbled.

"No, you don't," Rider responded. "But we will do it."

"What!?" Bree exclaimed. Her distress was made bare as she cast a glare at Rider, forgetting that there was nothing she could do if Rider was not pleased with her reaction.

"You know, woman," Rider scoffed. "You would have made for a good example of what happens to someone who defies me." Striding towards Bree, who was still unmoved by Rider's show of strength, Rider leaned forward until his face was barely a few inches away from hers. His face turned grim, which caused Bree to feel a wave of unease. "You don't look like you know a lot of strategy, so I shall educate you on the merits of doing things with a purpose." Rider straightened himself up and turned away, leaving Bree trembling in her unease. "There was a saying I picked up from a kingdom far to the east of my borders." Turning to face Bree, he closed his eyes in reminiscence, which somehow appeared as if he was remembering an old acquaintance. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Opening his eyes again, he made his intentions clear. "We will cease this fight with Archer, Saber, and that kid, and take up arms against Caster and the other vampire threat."

"And you wish to take the opportunity to remove Archer, Saber, and Emiya Shiro either during or after this common enemy is eliminated, no?" Bram asked.

"Hmph," Rider chuckled. "You have done well to understand the advantage it presents. You are definitely catching on now."

"I think it is a good course of action. All we need to do is work out a way to execute it," Bram continued.

Rider remained silent for a moment. Before long, he turned to Bram and the others. "There is indeed a course of action that will work to our advantage."

"You better be careful, Shiro," Rin urged.

"Ah. I will," Shiro replied. "But I must take Assassin out no matter what."

"Are you sure you can handle this?" Rin asked. "Saber can remain here to assist you. I can handle Zouken by myself."

"No," Shiro insisted. "It's going to defeat the purpose of the trap we set here."

"But-"

"I don't trust Zouken, even for the least bit," Shiro said dismissively. "I'd rather have Saber protect you. After all, without you, what am I going to do?"

"Baka Shiro," Rin pouted. "Have you ever wondered what would become of me if you were gone?"

Shiro pulled Rin close and embraced her. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Mmm. Okay," Rin whimpered, burying her face in Shiro's chest and returning his embrace for a moment before pushing him back. "Don't be stubborn. If you are in trouble, call for me. I will return with Saber."

"Ah."

"If you don't, I'm going to have you clean up after everything for the rest of your life!"

Shiro chuckled. "As if I'm not already doing all the housework back home, am I now?"

"Wh-whatever, baka!" Rin stuck her tongue out in defiance of Shiro's playful jab, before turning to Saber, who was chuckling at the exchange. "Let's go find Zouken, Saber!"

Shiro only smiled in return. It was certainly a long time since Rin acted like her sixteen-year-old self, and it was a refreshing sight for him.

Just maybe, if they returned to London, he would do his best to bring that side of Rin out more often.

All he had to do was to survive the upcoming onslaught from Assassin, at the very least.

"It's terrible, Master!" Assassin reported. "Your… grandson… he's out of control!"

"What!?" Zouken exclaimed. To say that he was startled was barely enough to accurately describe his reaction.

"He has been devouring just about anyone who was nearby him, and we also lost one of our own who was assigned to accompany him!"

Zouken trembled at the news. Indeed, it was a gamble to reanimate his grandson through the use of his Crest Worms. However, because the rapidly multiplying Crest Worms required prana from a living being, Shinji was just unable to be a proper host for the Worms, which resulted in their seeking out of live human flesh.

There was an even greater cause of concern. The Crest Worms that attacked and killed innocent bystanders was also unable to return to Shinji's body, which resulted in these Worms remaining in the corpse of their victim, reanimating the said corpse.

Based on the basic mechanics of this situation, Zouken realised that he had just triggered an event which would incur the wrath of the Association and the Church. Horrified, Zouken stumbled onto his feet and hobbled towards the exit of his mansion. "Recall every one of yourself, Assassin! We have to right this wrong!"

Assassin was unable to react to Zouken's command as the ceiling above him gave way, and a massive, hulking figure dropped in from above, crushing Assassin.

"I figured that you would be here, you heretic!" Viola declared.

"What… How did you find me?" Zouken demanded.

"The Church was kind enough to furnish us with information about you, and I wasted no time in using my skill and training to locate you," Viola replied. "The Church has ordered a ceasefire between all combatants in the Grail War, and you are one of the causes for this ceasefire."

"No… wait!" Zouken pleaded. It was a mistake!"

"I'm not interested in any excuse you propagate here," Viola replied coldly. "Berserker! Crush him!"

Berserker roared as he charged forward towards Zouken, raising his fist up to strike. Zouken could only raise his hand up in self defense before Berserker's fist hammered Zouken, crushing his body under the sheer power of Berserker's blow.

"Hmph, that was quite easy."

"I beg to differ," Matou Zouken's voice was heard from underneath Berserker's fist.

"What!?" Viola exclaimed. "Berserker just crushed you… but you're still alive?"

"You're well informed of my location, but sadly, you're ill informed about me," Zouken replied as his body began to dissolve. Crest Worms were seen crawling away from Berserker and dispersing into different directions.

"Running away, are you now!" Viola demanded.

"Hardly," Zouken's voice was heard again. "I have to deal with my stupid grandson, so I don't have time to play with you."

The sound of a blade driven into human flesh reverberated in the room, followed by Viola's weak grunt as she felt the pain of being stabbed in the abdomen.

"Perhaps, you could play with Assassin," Zouken continued. "But I suppose you're not in any condition to do so now, are you not?"

Ber… ser… ker…" Viola whimpered.

Another Assassin had taken the opportunity presented by Berserker leaving Viola's side to attack Zouken to drive his blade into Viola. Berserker, despite losing his sanity, was able to comprehend the situation; his Master was in grave danger and needed rescuing. Rushing back to Viola's side, he was able to quickly dispatch the Assassin that stabbed Viola and pick her up to retreat.

Before Berserker could retreat, however, he was surrounded by the remaining Assassins, who was standing around the hole in the ceiling.

"Our Master has ordered us to return so that we can eliminate his assailant. Therefore, you shall not survive our attack!"

Berserker roared as he used his free arm to punch his way through the wall, creating an escape route in which Berserker quickly used to get out of the mansion.

"You're not getting away!" Assassin declared as they gave chase. However, before they could close the gap on Berserker, who was already outside the mansion, they were fired upon by Shiro, who was standing on the roof of a tall building a distance away.

"It's that kid!" Assassin muttered angrily. "Master! That kid seems to have allied himself with Berserker against us!"

"They have apparently called for a ceasefire," Zouken's voice replied. As of now, everyone is an enemy. Dispatch them all, and do it quickly!"

Nodding among themselves, the Assassins split into two groups. Three of the Assassins continued their pursuit of Berserker, while the remaining 15 Assassins turned to approach Shiro, who continued firing on the Assassins.

"Just so you know, I've got Assassin's attention. But there are three of them who are pursuing Konig-san. She seems to be injured, though," Shiro said calmly while he fired a barrage of arrows at Assassin.

"I saw them. Saber and I will dispatch them," came Rin's telepathic reply.

"Alright. Let's get this done quick so we can-"

A long pause in Shiro's sentence was discomforting for Rin.

"Shiro?" Rin called out telepathically. "What happened?"

"... Assassin disappeared. They're concealing their presence. I'll talk to you later," Shiro replied.

Shiro glanced around furtively. He was well aware of Assassin's Presence Concealment and their way of eliminating a target. Tracing Kansho and Bakuya, Shiro began to scan the area around him frequently.

The Assassins surrounded Shiro, who was still unable to see them due to their concealed presence, and prepared to strike. Unlike what happened the night before where they took turns to strike Shiro, they planned to strike all at the same time. For Assassin, there was no time to give Shiro a slow, painful death. Instead, they had to dispatch him immediately, so that they can carry on with their task of eliminating every threat posed toward their Master.

Three.

All the Assassins tightened their grip on their blades and crouched down on the ground.

Two.

Muscles tensed, and their eyes narrowed, focusing on their target.

One.

The Assassins sprang themselves forward and lunged at Shiro, who was still unable to see where they were. It was going to be a swift and easy kill.

They were gravely mistaken, however.

From the moment Assassin came within ten meters of Shiro, they were suddenly engulfed in flames, which exposed their presence, on top of burning them.

"How!?" Assassin grunted as they tried to put out the flames.

"Trace, on."

Shiro was quick to project swords around him, which he used to take aim at every single burning Assassin that surrounded him.

"Fire!"

The flames that engulfed the Assassins surrounding Shiro were reflected by the orange glint in the weapons as they flew towards Assassin. Within an instant, the swords met their marks, creating several cascades of blood which seemed to form deep crimson liquid petals on the ground around Shiro.

Of the 15 Assassins that surrounded Shiro, 14 of them were killed outright, but one Assassin was spared, albeit on purpose. However, the surviving Assassin had a sword driven through his spinal column just below the neck, which prevented him from being able to fight back or flee.

Shiro quickly strode towards the paralysed Assassin and picked him up by the face. As more swords were quickly projected around Assassin, Shiro promptly ripped the white skull mask, and slammed his head on the ground.

"Speak now. Where did you hide Sakura?"

"Ugh..!" Assassin groaned in pain. "Why should I tell?"

"Speak!" Shiro demanded, releasing his hand from Assassin's neck and grabbing the handle of the sword that was driven into Assassin's body, driving it further in and pinning Assassin to the ground.

Assassin spat at Shiro, which stirred Shiro's anger further, causing Shiro to begin twisting the blade, causing more pain for Assassin. "I won't let you off this easily, so you'd better spill it or else I guarantee you that your pain will only continue!"

"I'm not so sure of that," Assassin grinned gingerly.

Shiro's face darkened as he took a step back from Assassin and began looking around furtively again. The traced swords that hovered around Assassin returned to Shiro, forming a defensive circle surrounding him. Of course, this Assassin isn't the last one.

True enough, a sudden burst of flame to Shiro's left confirmed his suspicions. One of Shiro's traced swords glinted in the flame as it flew and reached its mark, killing yet another Assassin.

"... Who could have guessed?" Assassin grimaced. "You laid a very elaborate trap here for us."

"Shut up, Assassin," Shiro replied curtly, returning to grab the handle of the sword lodged in Assassin's spinal column and twisting it again, prompting more groans of anguish from Assassin.

"You are very… smart indeed, kid," Assassin continued despite the pain he was put through. "Who… knew that you'd… place a Bounded Field that ignites whoever enters it?"

"Save your breath to answer my question, damn it!" Shiro growled.

Assassin coughed up more blood as he struggled against the pain. "Alright! Alright! Just kill me off after you're finished with me!"

"Tell me what I want to hear, and I will finish you off, then."

"M.. Master's granddaughter is now located in a cave at the mountain shrine."

"Mount Enzou… Ryuudou Temple!" Shiro muttered, releasing the handle of the sword, and allowing the blade to dematerialise.

"Ugh… hey, kid!" Assassin groaned. "We had a deal! Finish me off!"

"The deal's off, Assassin," Shiro replied, tracing a length of rope in his hands and beginning to tie Assassin to it.

Assassin winced in pain as he was forcibly moved about by Shiro, who was busy tying Assassin's body. "I told you everything I know!"

"You didn't exactly tell me what I want to hear," Shiro replied coldly. "So you're coming with me to Ryuudo Temple, and you're going to get me inside that cave."

Assassin's pained cries were ignored by Shiro as he dragged Assassin on the ground behind him. "Rin. Did you finish off the Assassins sent after you?"

"Saber killed two Assassins, Shiro. There were three of them who were after Konig-san, but one of them turned to go somewhere else," Rin's telepathic reply came.

"Oh, that one? He walked right into the Bounded Field you created. Going by the calculations, there is only one Assassin left, and he is now with me."

"What? How-"

"I'm fine, don't worry. I need you to come back and disable the Bounded Field now. After that, we need to go to Ryuudo Temple as soon as we can."

"Shiro, Konig-san's life is in danger. The bleeding won't stop."

Shiro let out a sigh. "Alright. Then work on saving her first, then get over here to disable the Bounded Field. Meet me at Ryuudo Temple after that, okay? I will be going on ahead of you."

"Are you sure?" Rin asked. "You might be walking into a trap."

"I've got Assassin tied up here, so I will use him to get past the trap," Shiro replied. "Whatever it is though, I'll see you in a bit."

"You thought you can use me to get past the traps now, don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself?" Assassin asked, cackling despite the blood he was coughing up.

"Whoever said I was going to rely on you to get in? I only said I would use you to get in, no matter how it's done," Shiro muttered.

"I must tell you that I'm grateful to you for ordering Berserker not to attack Saber or myself," Rin told Viola.

"Th-this is only… a temporary ceasefire," Viola replied as she continued to breathe laboriously. "You're still an enemy to me."

"It doesn't stop me from helping you, though," Rin replied. "Although I hope that we would permanently cease this stupid fight and work together to destroy the Grail."

"Hmph. You are truly insufferable," Viola huffed. Thanks to Rin's intervention and subsequent decision to heal her, Viola was now out of danger.

"When you see what the Grail is capable of, perhaps you will understand," Rin replied, turning her back to Viola and striding off toward Saber. "Be careful from here on. I have a bone to pick with Matou Zouken, so I have to leave you here."

"Tohsaka Rin!" Viola blurted out.

Rin turned around silently, casting a glance at Viola.

"T-thanks for saving Berserker and myself from Assassin."

Rin smiled. "You're welcome. And I'll be sure to pass the message to Shiro."