Mikoto and Ruler went through the bounded field over the cave's entrance and made their way through the tunnel. The way to the Greater Grail felt even colder, more unwelcoming than before.
"Once again I'm grateful for you're assistance, Ruler," Mikoto said to the saint. "Never thought I'd get help from a Servant who's supposed to be neutral." Then he chuckled. "You're a holy maiden and I'm from a gang. Thought at first I'd get an annoyin' lecture from you that the choice I made is a mistake."
"No matter what we Heroic Spirits are only to lend a hand. That's all. I'm not going to try leading you or anything," Ruler replied without looking at him. "But I must admit that the path you chose for life does not sit well with me. And please refrain from calling me a holy maiden. I feel that it's a title I don't deserve. I may not have directly killed anyone when I was alive. But that doesn't mean blood doesn't stain these hands."
"What'll ya do when we're finished here?"
"I will return to the church. As you are currently not a Master you will be allowed protection there until the War ends. Given how few participants remain there shouldn't be another emergency."
"Ya revealed the backstory of the War to the others. Doubt they're too happy right now."
"I initially didn't want to, but it needed to be done to give everyone a clear picture. And the War will continue. I've used my authority as Overseer to suspend it for now, but once the issue is fixed the urge to kill each other will return in the remaining Servants. Regardless of their personal feelings on the issue they'll fight until a victor is decided. Given my own status, I should be able to at least evacuate Beast from the Greater Grail with Pax Exeuntibus. It'll take a few strokes out of me to do that."
"It'll be safe for it to grant a wish in that case?"
"Without the influence of Beast it'll return to being a true wish-granter. But Lancer will be our greatest obstacle. He won't be playing around as much this time since we'll be so close to the Greater Grail, so I'll use every last ounce of my strength!" Then she turned her head to Mikoto. "There might be another enemy with the Alter. One of his new skills is called Hound of my Father. His father, Lugh, was in possession of a wolfhound. As an Alter, Lancer has a skill allowing him to create a copy of Failinis. And his compatibility with canines allows him to control the animal as a familiar. But this skill is only ranked A, since he never possessed the dog. The copy's nearly as powerful as a Servant, but that's preferable as compared to an Alter. The good news is that it'll take approximately five days after it's been killed for him to summon another."
"So that'll be my target?"
The woman nodded. "You should know that Magical Beasts have their spirit core located where their brain is."
After a bit more walking, the two found themselves approaching the Greater Grail.
"So, both of ya returned to die."
A voice seeming to resonate from the depths of the earth itself came from the person sitting on the edge of the Greater Grail. It wasn't pleasant to think about, but this demigod looked to completely belong in a hellscape like this in his current form. Right now, he's only a stoic guardian for Beast VI.
Ruler walked forward a couple steps. "Answer me. Why are you choosing to take Beast's side?"
Lancer sighed, as if disappointed the other Servant didn't already know the answer. "Isn't it obvious? Because Gaia's completely in the right is all. Beast just allowed me to see how much of a plague humans are to the world."
"What?!" Violet eyes hardened. "You should know wiping out humanity still isn't the answer!"
"You'd agree with me if ya also had all your memories unsealed. Maybe I should throw you in the Grail? It'll be interestin' to see Ms. Prim 'N Proper judge Servant be corrupted." That threat actually made Ruler fall back a step, eyes wide. Lancer Alter gave a hollow fanged grin. It probably would be amusing to see most likely an Avenger of her.
"Lancer," Mikoto seemed to growl, eyes blazing with a desire to kill, "we're gonna kill ya here and now! We won't let this continue!"
There was a scoff like the corrupted warrior heard something amusing. "Stop jokin'. Both of you combined have zero chance against me." But even as he said that, his eyes lingered on his former Master. The black knight then dropped down to the ground. He immediately began radiating heavy killing intent, more intense than normal, but Mikoto willed himself not to react to it aside from sweating heavily. "Failinis!" A wolf with black flames billowing around it, thick fur colored white, blue, and black, and piercing pale yellow eyes jumped down by the Alter's side from where Lancer had been sitting, almost as if it appeared out of thin air. It wasn't even up to the altered Servant's knees. "Let's rip 'em to pieces!"
Mikoto did a double-take then just stood there staring at the miniature wolf, blinking. "Wait, that's Failinis?!"
In a rush, Ruler materialized her flagpole in a flash of gold. The spear's death curse was ramped up so even damage it deals to an inanimate object won't heal. "We'll put a stop to you and the Greater Grail!" It was like she was ignoring the Red King's disbelief.
A blast of crimson light signaled the crimson demonic spear appearing in Lancer's right hand. The veins of red on the demigod seemed to flash. He narrowed his yellow eyes. "Get ready, 'cause here I come!"
"Are you not seeing this?!" Mikoto exclaimed to Ruler, his disbelief evident. "How in the world is something like that dangerous?!" He was expecting something imposing, not an adorable lapdog. Is the saint mocking him?!
"You'll find out the hard way if you choose to underestimate him! Now, release your Sanctum!"
"...If this turns out to be a waste of my time, ya owe me!" Even though he couldn't see it, Mikoto knew his Sword of Damocles was hovering high above the cave, over the mountain once he began having the Dresden Slate increase his mana output.
On the other end, violet flames abruptly began blazing from Gáe Bolg. It looked much more intense than it did before when he would coat it in mana, like he was holding a giant flare. Dark flames roared around him with wisps of red-and-black smoke, casting shadows on his face like it's the only light source.
"I forgot to mention he has the Personal skill Mana Burst (Flame) now," Ruler explained as the Alter came at her, struggling to defend against his rapid attacks while talking. "Any attacks accompanied by his mana are more powerful and deal fire damage. Since it's his cursed fire, I'd also receive damage." She broke off as the attacks grew more intense. The Alter was striking her from multiple directions, so fast that even Ruler was barely able to react fast enough to block the crimson bolt of lightning. However... Is he still playing around?! What arrogance! A chain suddenly wound itself around Ruler like a long, metal snake. In an instant, Mikoto engulfed the female Servant in magenta fire, heating the metal enough for her to snap it. But the broken section of the chain Lancer used regrew in a haze of black and retracted to its original length.
"Ya okay, Ruler?!" Mikoto demanded. He wanted to make sure his flames in fact didn't harm her.
"I'm fine! It looks like the base of the chain needs to be destroyed," the holy maiden said.
Failinis was suddenly in front of Mikoto, jaws open wide and black claws already digging into the man's collarbone. Mikoto didn't forget about this second opponent, but it had astounding speed. Thinking fast, a wall of flames sprung up from the ground right into the familiar's face. This distracted it enough to allow the King to retreat several meters. The claws that were in his skin tore away deep wounds as the man wrenched himself free. For such a small animal, it sure has a set of claws. He winced as burning pain suddenly assaulted him then punched the familiar in the face with a flaming fist when it leaped at him again, knocking it back a few meters. Absently, he wondered if that's its actual fur color or if it's because of its master's corruption. He quickly followed his attack up by hurling a large fireball at the wolf but it opened its mouth and the attack looked to be sucked into the gaping maw.
Did he...just eat it? But it looks like he can't eat a physical attack backed up with magecraft. Magenta flames blazed around both of Mikoto's fists and forearms. Good thing that works for me. So come get some, ya little bastard!
As Mikoto was working to keep this fucker at bay, he was faintly surprised he was doing it. Did Touko also reinforce his magic circuits when she got the prosthetic on? But he was also working up a sweat. This is the hardest he's pushed himself in a long time. When the familiar sprung at the King, he thrust his right hand at it. An invisible force grabbed it in the face and slammed it into the ground, rough enough to send earthy chunks into the air. Even if he can't see the spiritual arm he can still "feel" it since it's produced by his magic circuits.
He wasn't done. He held his right hand up to a stalactite and curled his fingers slightly, like grasping something invisible, then whipped his arm down. The stalactite came loose, appearing as if on its own, and seemed to be thrown down on the wolf. A yelp rang out and Mikoto was glad to see some blood spring forth, even though it wasn't a lot.
"Back off for now, Failinis," the Alter ordered, his voice gruff. "I'll handle both of 'em."
Failinis whimpered, as if arguing that he can still fight, before reluctantly dissolving in a mist of black like a Servant going into spirit form.
Lancer tsked as several balls of light went at his face, bursting to blind him. At this time Ruler went at the Servant, going to impale his spirit core. There was a clang and Ruler was knocked back. What?! The enemy had closed his eyes to avoid the effects but still managed to use his spear to knock away the strike then shoulder the saint away. When the light faded Lancer had vanished. Ruler looked up, managing to spot him. He had gone on all fours like a crouching wolf, pressing himself against the wall of the cavern. He was hard to see as the jet-black of his armor and clothes matched the dark rock he was on and the red on him and his spear blended in with the crimson glow. The light was dancing on the silver metal and chains. The only things that stood out were his yellow eyes, his deathly white skin, and the pale blue of his hair. Ruler only got lucky and was able to react in time to block the lightning-fast spear lunge that came for her. She grunted and was sent back, crashing into Mikoto and knocking him down.
"I apologize!" she said quickly, standing up almost as soon as she had been knocked down.
"It's fine." Mikoto quickly replied, still getting back onto his feet.
Red-and-violet mana was sparking like electricity, converging and forming six lances made of scarlet mana with dancing bolts of violet hovering around the Alter, all pointing at Ruler. They fired simultaneously as Ruler tried to dodge, knowing they would only be going after her and not the Red King, but they seemed to home in on her even as she ran at top speed through the air on platforms of golden mana. Lancer didn't pursue, just watched Ruler with a smirk. Six blasts of flame fired behind her, not from Mikoto, and countered each one, causing an explosion strong enough to shake the cavern.
Lancer abruptly appeared in front of Ruler, attempting to sever her head. She jumped up and back, dodging in time, and she and Mikoto countered with a barrage of fireballs. Lancer used his spear to knock away each one like he's turning away mere projectiles, an explosion erupting behind him from the deflected magecraft. He shot Mikoto a glare so intense it should have killed him, but switched his attention back to the saint. As soon as her feet touched the ground, a torrent of the enemy's black flames tried to engulf her. She flashed back in time, gold lightning sparking from her armored legs.
She and Lancer clashed weapons over and over, creating a melody of metal smashing against bone. The Alter was baring his fangs and snarled at the blond during this. "Just give up and die!" A massive aura of flaming black mana enveloped the Alter, taking the form of a wolf. It lashed out at the maiden, claws looking as sharp as the real thing. Ruler jumped up to a stalactite to dodge and fired a large ball of golden light at the wolf of energy simultaneously, breaking it apart. Her feet stuck to the rock she landed on as if she was on the ground, neck craned so she wouldn't lose sight of her enemy.
Lancer was suddenly in the air in front of her, red lightning flashing from his black form. His weapon was primed for a slash. Thinking fast, the blond parried with her flagpole and jumped down just as she was overpowered. There was an explosion of stone even though Gáe Bolg merely grazed it.
Once Lancer landed, he spun around as Mikoto held his hand out to the Blackened Servant, intending to grab him with the spiritual hand. Lancer cut downward with his spear. Since the arm's made of mana, he could see it. Mikoto jolted from the backlash, cradling his right arm to his chest. "At least it wasn't my physical arm this time..."
Lancer turned his head just in time to see the saint strike, the sharp tip of the flagpole going for the demigod's face. There was a flash of black and the holy maiden's eyes went wide before gritting her teeth in frustration.
She had expected him to knock away the incoming attack with the demonic spear. She didn't think he would block the strike merely by having it collide with the gauntlet over his left hand! The sharp edge of the steel tip didn't look to have even scratched the black armor! He was growling at Ruler like a dog and a fire of mana bloomed from his spear.
Magenta fire suddenly sprung out of the ground between the two like a fiery twister, making them separate. "That's enough, Lancer," Mikoto growled, glaring daggers at the Alter.
Lancer raked his claws upward at the former Master. Blades of air suddenly shot at Mikoto, but Ruler pulled him away in time, deep gouges being made in the ground and the wall that was behind him. Those blades, while completely invisible to humans, still have mana in them. This allowed the blond saint to see them and know how far to pull away the Red King. Without missing a beat, she swung out her flag, producing multiple arrows of golden light and fire. Lancer held out a hand to them, a black-and-violet shield forming and taking all the pounding blows.
The sane Servant's gaze went to the Greater Grail. None of this despair, this mental torment, any of these unfortunate events wouldn't be happening if it didn't exist. Meaning that it's the true enemy instead of the Alter. "Such an evil cannot be allowed to exist in the world!" Ruler dematerialized her flag and glanced at Mikoto. "Defend me during my prayer!" The Maiden of Orleans materialized a sword in her left hand. She went down onto one knee while gripping the blade with both hands.
"The heavens tell of God's glory
The skies proclaim His handiwork
Speeches poured forth during the day and knowledge during the night
A fire has ignited within my heart and continuously burns to remind me."
Mikoto was using several layers of his aura to defend against Lancer's assault, reinforced as much as he could make them. He grunted each time a shield was cracked and broken. The King knew the Servant would still be able to tear down each one, but they'll hopefully hold out long enough for Ruler to finish whatever she's preparing. The spearman's assault was relentless. Mikoto couldn't see it but he could. The swirling mana around Ruler getting stronger with each line.
"This is where I meet my end
My destiny has run its course
My life's dream has reached its conclusion
Utilizing the last thing I have left at my disposal
I fight to protect the path He must walk."
Fire erupted from the ground around Ruler. She looked up.
"Lord, accept my sacrifice!"
The flames turned into a twister that enveloped the woman. Her second Noble Phantasm. Mikoto glanced back. Not even a second later, the last shield broke and the Alter kicked him back. He then changed his stance, a predatory look in his lifeless eyes, red mana and killing intent enveloping the spear. But the spear's blade pointed down to the ground, like that's where he's going to strike.
The fire parted, revealing Ruler in a white dress and hair going to the ground. "Hope lies beyond despair!" She pointed the butt of the sword at the Greater Grail. She stood firm, as if she's shielding humanity. "La Pucelle! [The Crimson Holy Maiden]" Unlike a large majority of Noble Phantasms, this can only be used once per summoning. That's because the attack utilizes Ruler's entire life instead of her mana. It's her final strike.
"Your heart's mine! Gáe Bolg! [Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death]"
A flower of fire had materialized when a beam of red mana launched by Lancer's spear thrust impaled Ruler through the heart. The attack itself, which reverses cause and effect, is an extraordinary strike only a step away from being a god's Authority and cannot truly be blocked or dodged. Even if it aims at the ground, it'll still hit its mark. It can't be stopped from carrying out the result, making it extremely dangerous. The blazing flower suddenly dispersed and the sane Servant's knees buckled.
Bits of blue mana were coming off Ruler's body. She looked right at the Red King. "Get...Lae...ticia...out..."
So her vessel will remain even if Ruler herself dies, huh? Mikoto dove to the blond woman in the nightgown, scooping her up. Her eyes were closed, as if she's asleep. At the same time sharpened and polished bone easily broke through leather and sliced into flesh. The resulting spray of crimson splattered on the ground.
"Fuck!" he cried out but he didn't let go of Laeticia. He could feel a large amount of liquid warmth pouring out of the wound. He had been cut over his back from his right shoulder blade down to just above his right hip. Pain radiated strongly, feeling as if the wound had its own heartbeat. The sudden rush of adrenaline helped block out the excruciating agony. The young man spun around, blasting a meter-high fireball in Lancer's face. Something that hasty won't damage the blackened knight, but it should distract him. He ran as fast as he could out of the cavern, refusing to let go of the woman. Blood from his wound spilled onto the ground, marking a trail leading to the King. But it didn't matter. The demigod already knows there's only one way out. He walked at a normal speed to the path leading out of the cave. The Alter wasn't in a rush. He knew Mikoto wasn't going to just abandon the fight.
Mikoto, still in the rocky tunnel, came to a stop and fell sideways against the wall, panting hard and feeling several beads of sweat running down his face. The slice on his back burned, even though the heat from the fire he had in his body was greater. This distraction would have made him unconsciously dematerialize his Sword. He began to run again. If he stopped for too long, the Servant in pursuit was liable to catch up and kill the former Master.
As soon as the redhead emerged outside of the cave he stumbled forward. His raw and open wound was screaming at him for attention. His entire back felt as if it was entirely covered in sticky liquid. Laeticia tumbled out of his arms. It was apparently enough to wake her up.
"Where..?" Then her eyes fell on the Red King. "Mikoto! When did you get injured like that?!"
"I think...ya should be more...concerned 'bout the Ser...vant comin'...after us..." Mikoto managed to say while panting.
"I'm aware. But more importantly, you must have that wound looked at right away!"
Mikoto shakily got to his feet. "Don't worry 'bout me. Just get outta here! I can handle this!"
"On your own?! Against a Servant?!"
"When he delivered this wound on me, he could've easily followed it up with a killin' blow. But he didn't. There may still be a part of him that remembers me. I should be able to hold out long enough for that part to fully come out." The clanking of armor and the shaking of chains echoed ominously in the cave. It was as if Death was coming closer and closer in an agonizingly slow manner. "Just hurry and get your ass outta here!"
"...Very well." She turned and began to run. "I wish you luck!"
The air suddenly felt heavy. He was almost here. The King took a deep breath and faced the entrance to the cave. Adrenaline was back to coursing through his veins, helping to block out the pain from his wound. Fire bloomed from every part of his body, magma in his eyes. The intense heat caused all plant life within several meters of him to shrivel up and burn away. The giant red sword materialized in the air a dozen kilometers over the young man.
"Come and get me!"
He wasn't kept waiting long. A bolt of red-and-black shot out of the cave at the redhead. He rolled to the side just in time to dodge it, but Lancer appeared beside him and tried to kick him into the ground. Mikoto crossed his arms in front of his face to block, but had to jump back after a second to avoid broken bones and his prosthetic arm from being crushed. He was having to use a lot more of his power as King to improve his reaction speed and durability to last against an Alter Servant. Even so, his Sword should be able to only last with him doing this for a few hours before he'll need to fall back to prevent it from falling. But he wondered how long he could keep this up. He was forcing his pseudo magic circuits to rotate at the same rate as a Servant's, making it feel like his nerves were slowly being burned away. He found it incredible that Servants are able to constantly deal with this output without any visible signs of pain.
Now that he's alone, it should be safe to do this. Lava covered most of the ground around Mikoto. The air was so scalding that anyone else exposed to it would be incinerated in only a few seconds. Unfortunately, the bodies of Servants are far from ordinary. Lancer jumped on the lava as soon as it materialized under him and was standing on it like it's a solid surface. As Servants are highly resistant to extreme temperatures, the Alter showed no sign of being affected by the heat equal to being in the deepest part of a volcano but he was prepared for that. As soon as the Servant stepped on the lava, Mikoto used his spiritual arm to rip out a tree behind the Alter and try bashing him with it. A rune materialized behind the knight and the tree was instantly destroyed in a blast of scarlet lightning. Mikoto narrowly rolled to the side in time to avoid his head being severed.
Mikoto looked over, seeing two runes soaking in all the lava like a sponge soaking up water. Lancer held a hand out to the redhead. "You can have this back." Mikoto brought up his red aura in time to block a torrent of superheated red energy. His shield obtained a few cracks, but failed to break. Even if Lancer fired the attack, it's still from him. He would know how strong to make the defense against that amount of mana.
Lancer switched his stance, tip of the spear pointing down. The air froze as intense killing intent exploded from the spearman. Red mana burst from the crimson spear. Mikoto, never having experienced this much killing intent directed right at him, found his legs unable to move. It honestly felt like a freight train slammed into him. Really, the fact that, despite being a human, he's not hitting the ground due to this ridiculous aura is unbelievable.
Lancer was about to launch his Noble Phantasm when an image shot through his head. Of him laughing and having fun with this man. In a hurry, his target switched to the giant sword in sky.
"Gáe Bolg! [Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death]"
The beam of mana directed itself upwards, impaling the red core. The Sword vanished in a haze of vermilion. The flames embracing the Red King like a second layer of clothing suddenly went away. Even though it isn't a living thing per say, a Sword of Damocles still has a "heart". Without an active one, a King has no power. The Dresden Slate will replace one that has been killed in the same condition it had been, but it'll take a couple days. Normally, striking the core with that much power would cause a Damocles Down, but the curse prevents that from happening.
He was casually bitch slapped and his body was sent flying to the side. The left side of his head slammed into the rock wall of the cave and he hit the ground on his hands and knees. Red liquid coming down from his hairline was already dripping from his chin. He never thought him of all people would be on the receiving end of a bitch slap! If Reisi were here he'd probably say that Mikoto survived only because his skull is so thick.
He looked up, seeing Lancer standing before him. The tip of the crimson spear was barely touching the redhead's throat. Cold yellow eyes were fixed on the King. Just a single thrust forward of the spear is all it would take to end this. Mikoto never felt so terrified in his entire life. Without aid from the Dresden Slate he felt so powerless, like he's a mere rabbit in the face of this bloodthirsty wolf.
Mikoto spoke up, trying not to display fear of the spear his former Servant was pointing at him. It was now or never. "Wait, Lancer! Don't do this! Try to remember me, about bein' with the Red Clan!"
For a moment, he swears he saw the spear tremble. No, it wasn't his imagination. The arm holding the spear was shaking uncontrollably. Was Lancer trying to fight against this dark side of him?
"Mi...koto..." the Servant murmured.
Mikoto dared to speak again, even though the point of the spear was still at his throat. "That's right, Lancer. You can win against this."
The spear was suddenly pulled back and dematerialized in a flash of red. Lancer squatted so he was eye-level with Mikoto, dull yellow orbs meeting amber ones. The Servant held out his hand to the King, meant to help him to his feet. Mikoto reached out to accept.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The bell to the bar's front doors rang. Izumo, who was behind the counter, looked over and beamed a smile. "Wel - Mikoto! You're back!"
Tatara ran over to the red-haired man. "I'm glad you came back, King!"
Mikoto whispered in Tatara's ear so the others wouldn't hear. "I hope you'll show me just how glad ya are in bed later."
Saburouta glanced behind the King. "Where's Lancer? Didn't you go out to bring him back?"
Anna looked sad. "Did he vanish?"
Mikoto shook his head. "No. I managed to get him to regain his sanity. However, he still retains his corrupted appearance. He isn't returnin' to the bar 'cause he's ashamed of how he looks."
Misaki rested his hands behind his head. "I don't think how he looks matters. It's Lancer as himself who's still our friend, not the corruption." The others nodded in agreement.
Izumo was staring at the front of Mikoto's shirt. There was some red on the bottom of it. It was almost hard to see. "Were ya badly injured?"
"I took some damage, but Lancer closed my injuries with healing runes. The one from Gáe Bolg took some effort. Luckily, he's familiar with the workin's of his spear's curse, so he could nullify much of its potency. He was also able to undo the damage to my shirt and jacket as well as erase the blood on 'em since it ranked up to Primordial Rune. Looks like he missed a spot."
Izumo waved dismissively. "Go ahead and change shirts now. I'll scrub it out."
Anna was looking at Mikoto. "Your red looks dull now. Why?"
"Lancer used Gáe Bolg on my Sword of Damocles, killin' it and causin' it to fade. Until the Slate makes a new one for me, I have no power as King."
Yō was looking right at Mikoto. "Whether or not ya have your powers, it won't change the fact you're our boss."
"So Lancer's still acting on his own?" Kousuke asked.
"In a way. He says he gonna be neutral now, helpin' watch over Japan. But if anyone wants a fight, he'll be more than happy to comply."
Izumo got out a bottle of champagne. "Still, ya made it back alive. That's a reason to celebrate! Ah, would ya like me to make ya a non-alcoholic strawberry fizz, Anna?"
Anna nodded. "Yes, please."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Mikoto was still staring into the yellow eyes of the corrupted Lancer. Those eyes still held no sign of life.
Badump.
A noise from behind the King.
Badump.
He blinked in confusion. What was making it?
Badump.
Why was there an unbearable pain emanating from his chest?
Badump.
Mikoto looked over his shoulder to find the source of the noise. All he did was blink, at the sight of his still-beating heart in Lancer's bloody right hand. Thick blood was spilling from Mikoto's lips, a miracle he isn't choking on it. What had even happened? The hand that had been offered to the King instead shot out, harsh claws digging into flesh and muscle and bone as easily as ripping through tissue paper before finally seizing the beating organ held within and punching a hole out his back, all while still holding onto the prize.
Mikoto looked back at Lancer. Those cold eyes displayed no emotion. Without saying a word, Lancer ripped his arm free from the King's chest, accompanied by a harsh spray of scarlet. His hand was still tightly clutching the heart. With nothing to hold his dying body up, Mikoto fell forward, landing in a pool of his own blood.
Even as his body and everything around him grew cold, one thought was going through Mikoto's head. Sorry Tatara...Anna...Everyone...Looks like...I won't...be...comin'...home... Tears escaped his eyes and ran down to the ground. The last thing he saw before everything went black was the corrupted Servant devouring the entire heart like a wild animal.
It doesn't matter who or how many I kill. If they're going to die anyway, why not now? And isn't it the fate of the loser to die anyway?
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Anna eyes went wide, the left one glowing red. All around her, the boys at the bar gave shouts of pain.
"The hell?! Why -?!" Misaki abruptly cut himself off when he saw his HOMRA mark turn into a marble of red light and lift off his clavicle. "It can't be..!"
Rikio was laughing nervously. "This is probably a sign they need to be renewed. Mikoto'll take care of this when he gets back."
"Yeah. I mean he'll return soon." Masaomi was also laughing in self-derision.
Kousuke noticed Anna. The little girl was looking down sadly, fisting the fabric of the hem of her dress. Tears were hitting the back of her hands. "Anna?"
She stayed silent. Her shoulders were shaking. Izumo and Tatara were looking away. They knew what the loss of the marks meant and weren't trying to deny reality.
"Stop trying to fool yourselves," Izumo said stiffly. "All of you know what this means."
Eric's gaze fell downward. "So he's really -"
A bang got everyone's attention. Izumo had slammed both hands down on the counter, head down, teeth grit, and shoulders trembling. "Shit!"
"Izumo..." Anna murmured. This had to be hitting him hard. He had been best friends with Mikoto longer than anyone else. She glanced at Tatara, who loved the King. His head was also down and his teeth were grit. Both were presently full of anger and such deep sadness, so much that she thought she'd choke on it.
"What good-for-nothing bastard dared to do this?!" Misaki growled. He wasn't expecting an immediate answer, but Anna gave one.
"It was Lancer...He ripped out Mikoto's heart..." It was almost as if she linked to him in his final moments, seeing through his eyes what he saw.
Shouhei looked at her in shock. "Lancer did?!"
Yō was trying not to cry. "First, he inflicts a disability on the King. Now he kills him! I don't care if he's from the Red Clan or what he's done for us, he shouldn't be forgiven for this!"
Saburouta had taken off his shades to wipe his eyes. "What do we do now?"
"We kill Lancer, that's what! It's only right since he did it to Mikoto!"
"Guys, if he was able to kill someone like Mikoto, then what chance would we even have?" Kousuke asked, sniffling while he said that.
"Maybe he got seriously wounded?" Eric said.
"...I don't think that would matter," Tatara said monotonously, breaking his own silence. "Lancer's a spirit. As long as his spirit core remains intact he could kill us."
"Maybe it was damaged!" Misaki tried to sound hopeful.
Tatara shook his head sadly. "A Servant, especially a Knight Class, is still insanely strong. We'd end up instantly dead if we fought him."
Shouhei looked taken aback. "No way..."
Izumo raised one fist. "...No Blood! No Bone! No Ash!"
Every other person in the bar, including Tatara and Anna, joined in. "No Blood! No Bone! No Ash!" This was said over and over. Their voices cracked every now and then.
During the chanting, Tatara slipped into the doorway to the stairs. His legs were stiff as he walked up each stair and finally entered Mikoto's room. Even though it looked the same as it always does, it somehow feels emptier. Tatara gently shut the door, walked forward a few steps, and collapsed to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. 'King...How can you be gone?!' He hugged his knees to his chest, body shaking as he cried hard, letting everything he's presently feeling out. His chest had never hurt as much as it does now and his throat clenched painfully. He didn't care if the others heard him scream in anguish. With how loud it was, he was more than likely going to lose his voice.
Why does fate have to be so cruel?
The bedroom door opened and Mikoto walked in, shutting the door behind him. "Sorry I'm late, Tatara. I got sidetracked fightin' an idiot." While walking over to Tatara, he faded into magenta flames, making Tatara feel even more alone. 'How could you die on me?!'
Lancer Alter was walking through the cave to the Greater Grail when he suddenly dropped to his hands and knees, dry heaving harshly. He felt something wet run down the side of his face. He brushed it away and saw it was clear liquid.
"Huh, water must've dripped on me."
Another drop of that wetness went down his face. This time, some went into his mouth. It tasted salty. Sweat? No, he wasn't pushed hard enough to perspire. That just leaves one thing.
"Wait, tears..? Why..?" He was confused. His only emotion in this form should be rage.
You killed your former Master! Why did you do it?!
Pale yellow eyes went wide at the sound of that voice in his mind and the demigod gripped the sides of his head. He was only a human stupid enough to return before me!
He was someone who understands you best! You really are a monster! How many times are you going to kill people you call your best friend?!
He slammed the side of one fist against the cave wall. "Shut the fuck up!" Large chunks of rock broke away and multiple stalactites trembled violently from the force of the blow, several falling to the ground. He banged his head into the wall over and over, desperate to get that voice out from his mind. He slowly slid down it, his ghostly white face pressed against the stone. "Just shut up..."
Misaki was sitting on a bench when Saruhiko approached him, face buried in the palms of his hands.
"So...the Red King's dead now..." There was no mocking tone in Saruhiko's voice. He was gazing at Misaki with a blank expression.
Misaki looked up. His eyes were all red. "How'dja find out?"
"The lieutenant went out of her way to inform me. I suspect Kusanagi told her."
Misaki laughed dryly. "Now I know how you Blues probably felt when your King died..."
Saruhiko narrowed his eyes. He walked over to Misaki and pulled the skateboarder into a tight hug. "Don't joke around. You're probably holding in a shit ton of emotions right now. HOMRA prides itself in having closer bonds than in any other Clan. It's alright to let them out. I'm here for you."
The young man returned the embrace, sobbing into the shoulder of the other. "Dammit..! Mr. Mikoto!"
Saruhiko grit his teeth. If only this damn War never happened, then they all would be suffering so much right now!
Mordred: He's here.
Yukari: We wouldn't last even a second against that demon!
Iskandar: You aren't as bright, Child of Light.
Tenkei: Is this a Reality Marble?!
Cú Chulainn: The curse is painful, ain't it?
Sukuna: Please...Please wake up!
Anna: It feels like the souls are trying to rip me apart!
Tatara: I wish this War didn't involve the Clans...
Cú Chulainn: I foundja, Lesser Grail.
Next chapter: A Savage Beast's Fangs