A/N: I almost reached Caster's maximum stats, and boy, it dealt such overkill. Others say that Caster's maximum damage output is 7000, but I disagree on that one, as Caster's damage reached up to 8000+ with just a boost of her skill Merciful Sky. And that's with Rank C distributed evenly on her other stats and Magic at A+. Imagine what she can do with a Formal Wear of Silver Anklet, which boosts Caster's magic damage even further. O.O

Italics for emphasis or thoughts

CAPITALS for when someone is inserting a word in English or for emphasis

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Credits go to Hiroshi Shiibashi for Nurarihyon no Mago and Gen Urobuchi and Type – Moon for Fate/Zero

Chapter 8: Insanity goes Largo

"Irisviel, please stand aside!" Saber commanded to her Master as the charging beast picked up the iron pole and used it to smash it at Saber. Saber tried to deflect the attack, but her wound with Gae Buidhe was still there, enabling her not to use her immense strength at her will, leaving her defending the strikes instead of swiftly slicing the pole. Saber was even more appalled, as the iron pole that he was holding was filled with his prana, effectively making the scrap as effective as a D – rank Noble Phantasm. Combined with his amazing battle prowess more powerful than a Saber's, he is a force to be reckoned with.

"Have you seen him?" Kiritsugu asked his partner as he zoomed in on the newcomer who suddenly lashed out to Saber after his skirmish with Archer.

"No." Maiya flatly replied, as she tried to look for Berserker's Master. It seems that they are at a disadvantage, since they cannot see the Master of Berseker. Even more annoying is the fact that two Masters considered hiding as their priority, and that two Servants were still at full strength: Lancer and Rider. Assassin was still there, waiting for something to happen, like a mistake on Kiritsugu's, or any other's part. But at least they found Lancer's Master. They can worry about Assassin later.

"Just keep watch on Assassin. I'll look for the Master of Berserker myself." Kiritsugu ordered, while he watched Berserker's abilities unfolding before his eyes. So that's why he can use Noble Phantasms of other Servants. His Noble Phantasm is one that can never be underestimated in a battle.

Meanwhile, inside the corridors formed by stacks of cargo boxes, Matou Kariya cut off his celebration when he felt that Berserker drained off more prana than before. It was then that he saw that Berserker lost his control of himself when he saw Saber.

"BERSERKER, I ORDER YOU TO STOP!" he said weakly as his Crest Worms were chewing on his insides just to convert it into prana. Darn the fact that Magecraft is operating on the principle of Equivalent Exchange. He cannot even use a Command Seal, as Berserker was consuming his prana on full throttle.

With the force befitting for a Servant of Fury, Berserker never gave Saber a chance for a rebuttal. He precisely aimed at points designed to kill the King of Knights in a merciless manner. Saber never even got the chance to ask him a question, as Berserker now threw his "jousting spear" aimed at her head.

Then, like a lightning that struck the place, Lancer fortunately intervened. He sliced off the pole that was supposed to smash off Saber's head. Berserker then stopped in his tracks for a moment, looking at his pole now sliced in half.

"Lancer…" Saber was surprised that at least one Servant had intervened. Lancer turned his gaze to Berserker. Gripping his spears tightly, he pointed Gae Dearg at Berserker.

"Berserker, please stop your mad charge now. I have a previous engagement with Saber." He commanded as Berserker now picked up his pole that was cut in half. "If you continue this nonsense, I might not be able to keep quiet."

"Lancer…" Saber now looked up to Lancer, as he believed in the essence of 'chivalry' as she is. But no Magi will praise Lancer's actions. In fact, this earned him the ire of Kayneth El – Melloi Archibald.

"Lancer, what is this nonsense? This is a great opportunity to defeat Saber." He announced it with a voice filled to the brim with intense irritation. Lancer then placed his honor in front of the Servants as he announced this.

"My lord, I will defeat Saber, but please let me take care of this beast!" He replied as he aimed his spear at the black knight, who looked on at his broken pole formerly powered by his Noble Phantasm. Kayneth then made his voice even colder, as he declared these words with authority.

"Lancer, by my First Command Seal…"

"My lord!" Lancer was practically begging to his Master to eliminate Berserker first. But all of it is for naught, as Kayneth completes his command.

"Help Berserker and eliminate Saber."

Lancer then forcefully lowered down his spears. Saber did not need to wonder why Lancer lowered it, as all who were there have heard the El – Melloi's command.

He surprised Saber by wielding his two spears and proceeded for a scissor cut. Lancer cannot move his body freely due to the weight of the words given through the command seal. He can only mutter a line that is filled with regret for what his lord has done. "I'm sorry, Saber."

The alien knight walked forward in front of Lancer, then prepared his pole like brandishing a sword to aim for the kill. Saber then gave instructions to Irisviel, as she thought that she could not escape her demise.

"Irisviel, I will fend them off. Please escape while you can." Saber prepared herself for the onslaught that she will face against her two opponents. Irisviel just shook her head, which Saber thought that it was her stubbornness that is letting her stay here. She called out once again to her, making sure that her stubbornness will waver. "Irisviel!"

"Saber, please believe in your Master." Irisviel called out to her, in the hopes that Saber will get the message. Fortunately, Saber got it in a fraction of a second why she said it before her inevitable death will happen.

Kiritsugu is here? The Master who shunned her away from him is now at the sidelines, waiting for the right moment to strike. The one who pushed her away countless times, the one who never answers her questions, even to the point of not even talking with her. He is the only one who viewed her as a mere tool for his goals. Other Masters viewed their Servants as a tool, but never to this extent that a Master will ignore his or her Servant, like their Servant is never even there in the first place. I hope your plan will work. She prayed as the mad charge continued. She gripped her sword firmly, preparing for her own death.

Kiritsugu, I know you can turn this into your victory. The rest is up to you, my dear. Irisviel also prayed as she turned her glance to her unseen love.

Meanwhile, Kiritsugu gave an order to Maiya to shoot down Assassin using suppressive fire on Steyr AUG. As he now saw Lancer's Master, all he has to do is to take the shot, then Lancer will dissipate from existence. This will be in sync to Maiya's, who will shoot down Assassin on his count.

Six…

The clock is ticking as Saber prepared her counter – attack against her two opponents. One blinded with rage for her, another forced to kill. Her sword is quivering as her wound takes its toll.

Five…

Maiya slid down and prepared herself to shoot down the watcher on Kiritsugu's call. Meanwhile Kiritsugu counted silently as he nearly saw Lancer's Master appearing from his thermal sensors. He prepared his Walther to target Lancer's Master and aimed for a head shot.

Four…

But what he didn't know is that there is still one more servant watching from the sidelines, and he was waiting for the right moment.

Three…

Kiritsugu concentrated on his target, which he knew that he will appear on his scope sooner or later. This will come down in one fell swoop, whether Saber lives or dies is up to the hands of her stealthy Master.

Two…

But it seems that she did not count in the now smirking Servant that charged like a foolhardy fellow in the first place.

One…

Kiritsugu was about to pull the trigger when Iskandar suddenly charged between Saber, Lancer and Berserker using his chariot charged with the lightning element. Lancer dodged the almighty stampede of bulls as Rider charged at Berserker, all the while his master Waver wailing and holding on for dear life. Berserker was trampled under the sheer strength of those bulls, but it seems that although he was weakened, he was unfazed by the stampede that he experienced. It is the best time for him to disappear in a black fog of smoke, as he also felt that his Master's prana is almost weakened by his madness.

"Our black friend has retreated for the evening." Iskandar mused while taming his bulls. Then he found the prana of Kayneth using his perception, then he called aloud to him.

"Master of Lancer, you have done enough for this. If you persist in your actions, I will help Saber eliminate your Lancer." Rider commanded the still hidden master of Lancer with authority.

Seeing as his Charisma enabled him to forcefully submit to his command, he gritted his teeth, but gave in to Rider's order. "Lancer, let us withdraw for now."

Lancer was now relieved from the command that will lead him to his death if it persisted. "I can't thank you enough, King of Conquerors." Lancer bowed in deep gratitude to Rider, who just replied with a smirk on his face.

"It's nothing." Then turning his gaze to Saber, he mused. "I really wanted to see flowers blooming in the middle of the battlefield."

"I'll take my leave for now." Lancer then dissipated into spirit form. They heard the sound of cars and boats once again. It seems that Lancer's Master had defused the barrier as he left.

Iskandar quietly mused at the night sky as Saber asked him a question.

"Why are you here, King of Conquerors?" She inquired, to which Iskandar replied with a shrug.

"I've never even considered that properly. Plans and reasons should be left to future historians. Heroes like us should obey to our heart's desires, and charge to the battlefield with our boiling blood." He proclaimed it with sheer pride.

Saber furrowed her brows at the simple – mindedness of this Servant. This is rich for someone like her who believes in principles, honor and ideals. "That's something only kings will say."

Iskandar then snorted and ignored Saber's piercing glare. "So you say that my way of kingship is foreign to you? But then, it's natural for someone like you, who tried to separate this world in a black and white way, to not understand me."

Rider had ignited a spark in her, who clashed with her ideals. "This is what I desire. Even today, I-" Saber was about to continue her discourse on her chivalric beliefs when Rider cut her off effectively.

"No need to be so zealous, Saber." He then pointed at her left hand, at which Iskandar gave a hint to Saber.

"As Iskandar, I won't take advantage of your wound like others would. Settle things first with Lancer, then I will fight whoever will win between you two, whether it be Lancer or you." Saber cannot put up a reply to that, as she felt her strength wavering. She did not want to fight Rider for now, as he is the one who stomped Berserker in one blow.

"Then this is where we will part ways, King of Knights. Boy, do you have anything to command to me? Speak up." He lifted up the boy by the collar who formerly held on for his life, and now he saw him comically unconscious. "Sheesh, I wish he could man up a little." He quipped with a sigh. He then hoisted up his chariot, and accompanied by lightning, they flew away.

"So this is the Holy Grail War?" Irisviel mused as she saw those events. Heroes from every era had gathered. Five Servants appeared, or so she felt, as there was another one who she felt was watching from the sidelines, obviously making their appearance known to them. But for some reason, Magi and Servants, including Saber, had not noticed it. It reeks of an aura unknown to any other person but her. This is the only conclusion that she can arrive at. There is a Caster watching nearby.

But she dismissed her own thoughts first as she watched Saber's left arm. "Saber, your wound…"

Saber looked at it and sighed. "It hurts, I know. Unless I defeat Lancer, I cannot undo the curse in my left hand, thus serving as a disadvantage in my fights against other Servants." Irisviel reassured Saber with her words.

"Thank you Saber, for saving my life." Saber then said this in order for Irisviel to be relieved.

"This is the duty of a knight, Irisviel". She then looked up at the sky. Not one of the Servants is to be underestimated. But she will defeat them soundly and effectively, as she is the Knight of the Sword, the strongest of all the Classes. She then proclaimed proudly...

"This is the war…of the Holy Grail."

Meanwhile Kiritsugu prepared to pack his bags to go to the next location, when he felt something was nagging in the back of his mind. Pulling out his customized Thompson Contender singlehanded, and loading it with Springfield rifle bullet, he checked around the area to see if there are any Servants left, especially Assassin. He also fumbled his coat for the Calico sub – machine gun. His spine felt a chill as he felt a hand. Instinctively, he turned around and placed the barrel of the gun on the stranger's head. Kiritsugu was surprised to see a lady in elegant robes and long hair. But he steeled his facial features to hide his surprise.

"Who are you?" He inquired dangerously. He doesn't know if she witnessed the whole thing, but better be safe than never. He used prana to focus it on his eyes for analysis, and he found out that it's one of the creatures that he should never mess with. In all his years as a Magus Killer, of encountering Dead Apostles, heretic Magi and Sealing Designates, this is the first time that he encounters a creature similar to a Servant, only weaker than a regular one. The one that Magi call "spirits".

"I'm Kejoro, and I'm pleased to meet an assassin like you. I must commend you on your great reflexes." She smiled like nothing else matters. She knew that there's a gun to her forehead, yet, she didn't even bat an eyelid. Or that she's trying to hide her facial expressions, evident in that she will fail at it if the gun will be at her head for a little longer.

"Did you witness the whole scene?" He continued to inquire as if he did not notice anything. Kejoro replied with steel in her voice.

"Yes, I did see the whole scene. And I'm also a Master in this War." Pulling out her leather glove, she showed him the Command Seals on her left hand. That's enough proof for Kiritsugu to kill her without a second thought, but another thought made him even more curious, as to why a spirit like her is called out in this bloodfest.

"I don't see your Servant here. Really brave of you, but do you know that I could put the bullet in your head right now?" Kiritsugu asked her, knowing well that he doesn't have any weapons for killing spirits aside from his Origin Bullet. Unfortunately for him, the Springfield is loaded in his Contender instead of the Origin Bullet, so he must make a bluff.

"I am well aware of that…" Kejoro's smile was slowly faltering as Kiritsugu was about to pull the trigger.

"That is why I am here." Caster manifested as Kejoro was about to finish her sentence. Kiritsugu mentally cursed himself for doing a plan like this.

His situation was now even more threatening than ever, as two spirits gathered on him. This is dangerous. I must get in contact with Maiya as soon as possible. But, the distance is too far from her. Before she will reach this, I would never see the morning daylight again. Maybe I should call on Saber to… He effectively cut off his thoughts on calling on Saber, as it will waste his Command Seals.

No, I must do this the best way I can. She'll charge here like the foolhardy child knight she was, with an injury that will not heal to boot. It was for the safety of the King of Knights after all, since she now made herself known in front of all the Servants. Only the likes of Assassin or Caster will not comprehend her greatness.

"Pleased to meet you, Emiya – san." She curtsied as she changed her outfit to Blue Witchcraft User's clothes, her default attire as a Servant, but she still hid her ears and tails as a precaution.

Kimono? And how did she found out my name? He was lost in his thoughts when Caster finished his trail of thought.

"Surprised that I'm Japanese?" She giggled as Kiritsugu thought that she was playing with him, making his silent anger rise even more. But he kept it in check by using that energy to study her stats. He's not surprised at all that her Mana ranking has gone through the roof, making her a really formidable opponent in a serious spellcasting battle, along with her other stats that can compensate for some weak points. He also saw her Shapeshifting ability ranked A and her Witchcraft ability ranked EX. So he arrived at the conclusion that the Servant is a Caster, made even more dangerous as she came from Japanese roots and summoned in her own land of all things. If she was summoned to where her birthplace is, or where her dying place is, this will amplify his own worries even more about the survival rate of his own Servant.

Wait a minute, why would they give information in the first place? These data are crucial and advantageous in the Holy Grail War, yet they gave it away like they don't care about anything. To be sure, he concluded that they are not confronting him without a reason.

"It's a stand – off, huh?" Kejoro joked as Caster pouted.

"Looks like it was, Goshujin – sama. And I will give you a stern lecture after I'll save you from Mr. Gloomy Face." She spat out as she continued to walk forward. Kiritsugu tensed even further as he will really pull the trigger on the spirit. Darn the fact that the bullet that is loaded in his Thompson is a Springfield.

"Please rest your worries, Emiya Kiritsugu – san." Caster replied with the grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko, not even caring about Kejoro being threatened by that thing. Kiritsugu was almost caught off – guard by her calming words. "I am about to look for her when you already got her at point blank range to boot." She knew that thing, a gun, according to the Grail. Enables the user to kill or injure a person critically with less wielding skills and accurate targeting skills. In the hands of a formidable assassin, if fused with magical properties, it becomes a weapon exceeding Mystic Codes.

Kiritsugu is still lost, as ordinary Casters cannot give accurate information about the masters, right down to the letter of their names. But on second thought, this is one of the advantages that Kiritsugu will have with this Caster as his Servant. If only there is a rule of trade of Servants, he would gladly trade off his own foolhardy knight for the knowledgeable Caster, ending the Grail War within a span of four days at its fastest. To answer his doubts, he must ask for their reasons.

"Why are you here?" He inquired dangerously when he thought that Kejoro was within his grip. Unfortunately, Kejoro mustered up all her courage just in time to shift to spirit form and he saw her rematerializing in front of him, this time at a farther distance. He really should have pulled the trigger when he had a chance, even if it won't stick.

"Unfortunately, that is the answer that I can't give for now. We'll meet again to tell you our purpose, now that we have uncovered our own identities. Let us go, Kejoro – san." Then they dissipated from his presence, leaving Kiritsugu with even more questions than ever. No use for mulling over things in this place. The only place to mull things over would be at their rendezvous point, the Einzbern Mansion.

In an empty sewer, there were corpses of all kinds. Men and women of all ages were gathered in one place, some of them mercilessly put up as "artworks". In this sewer, a teenage boy and his "demon" was watching the whole battle between Servants.

"Amazing! Really amazing! Sir Bluebeard, it was not all a video game, is it?" Ryuunosuke uttered with glee as he saw the whole battle between Servants. A bloody battle between them is like watching an artwork in progress for them. But he noticed that Caster wasn't even enjoying the sight of it. To answer his questions, he called out to his "demon" while attending to his "artworks" consisting of mutilations of different kinds.

"This is what they call Heaven's Feel, huh? Danna, are you one of the people who will participate in this?" He still got no response from Mr. Bluebeard. He wondered what made the old man too quiet. To satisfy his curiosity further, he looked at him even more closely.

"Danna?" He saw that Caster is fixated on one lady, with features like she's from French or British origins. Then Caster turned his head towards Uryuu, with tears flowing from his eyes.

"She's back! She's back! The one that could change my very own destiny! The holy maiden, Jeanne, has come back from the dead!" He screamed in frantic laughter as he saw Saber, the one he thought was Jeanne d' Arc. Ryuunosuke Uryuu, the serial killer not been found by police until now, was still finishing another one of his "artwork" of mutilation when he saw his "demon" scream in delight.

"You mean her?" He looked at her at the crystal ball, and was slightly surprised at her features, as though he saw a foreigner.

"The Holy Grail must have heard my plea, and now she came back from the dead! The one that is cursed by both god and man has come back from the dead!" Caster muttered with manic delight as he "caressed" Saber from his mystical seer's ball. "The Grail already granted my wish, and now that she is here, I must meet her at all costs!" He screamed in utter delusional delight as he is really eager to meet the one who he thought is Jeanne d' Arc, the woman who changed the course of history of inequality, and the one who was burned on a stake for it, mistaking her ideals for witchcraft.

Footnotes:

Danna – Japanese for "old man" or "Sir"

Jeanne d' Arc – also called Joan of Arc, she is the one who led the French on the conquest during the Hundred Year's War.

Blue Witchcraft - User's Clothes (named in Fate/Extra CCC as the official name for her first attire in Fate/Extra) - an attire designed for Blue Witchcraft Users, in order to amplify their powers of Witchcraft. But since Caster restricted herself to normal Magic instead of Witchcraft, the clothes only serve as a power-up to her magic. (or at least, if my theory on Caster's restrictions on her magic is correct, as she uses talismans instead of simple hand waves and chants.)

EDIT (September 10, 2013): The Fourth Grail War lasted about a week in the Fate/Zero timeline, so I proceeded to make some minor adjustments.

A/N: At last, this chapter is finished (after watching Fate/kaleid liner: Prisma Illya…)! I think I ran out of ideas, so while I collect them, I might not update it within the month of August, up until September (I think) as there are some things to be taken care of in real life.

Please rate and review, no flames please.