The Cleric Beast had begun the fight.
By throwing the corpse of Assassin right at Archer.
Not expecting to even participate in the fight, he would've left that to the other servants, Gilgamesh was rocketed from his perch to a distant warehouse with a loud boom.
The Cleric Beast then proceeded to move to its next target, only to be on the receiving end of Berserker's Noble Phantasm. Having had it original target taken out of the fight temporarily, Lancelot proceeded to pick up the fallen remains of Archer's earlier Noble Phantasms and added it to his armory. This was the Knight of Honor Noble Phantasm. Any weapon that he picked up would instantly transform into a D-ranked Noble Phantasm. Taking his newly acquired arms, Berserker slashed the Cleric Beast's enormous left arm, easily piercing through the skin.
Even in the thralls of beasthood, The Cleric Beast still understood pain as it screeched in pain before engaging Berserker. While still being in the embrace of madness, Lancelot still had the skill and prowess of a Knight of the Round Table imprinted in his body. Dodging under a grab, he proceeded to take stabs at the horrid beast while staying out of the beast's reach and for a while it did work. Every swipe he would dodge before unleashing the wrath of his weapons on offending arm before retreating. After all what could one do against such a beast of this size. However, Lancelot would soon mess up.
Having had enough of this persistent knight just staying out of reach while piercing its skin, the Cleric Beast screeched loud into the night. Tensing its body, it shot forward like a rocket, using it horns as a battering ram right at Berserker. Unable to dodge the attack Berserker positioned his swords into a cross defensive stance to absorb most of the impact. Still the inertia of the charge barreled him straight through an array of containers.
In its rage the Cleric Beast had forgotten two things however.
One, its charge would be leaving him vulnerable to any incoming attacks.
Two, there was more than 2 servants present at the docks.
And Rider on his chariot was about to ram right into the beast.
Appearing from the dust, Iskandar roared his battle cry as his chariot, The Gordius Wheel, begun to charge up power. The bulls that pulled the chariot were not regular bulls as they were originally Divine bulls that Zeus, King of Greek Gods, had gifted to King Gordius until they were passed on to the King of Conquerors. Needless to say, the Cleric Beast was defenseless as the divine chariot slammed into its gigantic arm with a thunderous strike, shattering all the bones within it and rendering it useless. The Cleric Beast however could not roar its pain this time as Saber and Lancer appeared behind the wake of Rider, not letting up the assault.
Displaying skill and teamwork one would expect of partners of the battlefield. The Cleric Beast could do nothing as both servants exploited its now crippled arm. Weaving through the other's strike, they were a hurricane of steel. Saber's heavy Excalibur blows that left heavy gashes that would be quickly followed by Lancer stabbing his dual spears into them, creating mass amounts of pain. In its last vestiges of rational thought, the beast leapt into the air to distance itself from the servants. Trying in vain to establish its dominance the Cleric Beast tried roaring into the night, only to look on in horror as the night sky above it was illuminated by multiple golden portals.
It seemed that Archer had come back.
And with a vengeance.
"YOU DARE LAY YOUR CLAWS ON ME MONGREL!" Having had his pride as king tainted by this unruly cur, Gilgamesh utilized the full might of the Gates of Babylon. For he was the King of Heroes and all treasures of Humanity was his, even Noble Phantasms. Summoning an armada of various Noble Phantasms through his gates, a fair number of Noble Phantasms that dealt additional damage to beasts were in there to. He let them hang from the gates before sealing this Cleric Beast's death.
With a cold remark Gilgamesh sounded the death knell. "Die." And with that the various Noble Phantasms bombarded the beast. If it had been in perfect condition then the Cleric Beast may have had a chance of survival but the various wounds caused by the other servants and made it so that it died instantly from the barrage. Thunderous explosions were heard as each Noble Phantasms exploded and causing excruciating pain for the beast.
As the dust cleared all that remained of the Cleric Beast was its shredded corpse. One couldn't even tell its original identity as the only visible remains left was the malformed head of the beast. The rest of the body had been reduced to various bits of gore and blood. The servants and masters could only watch in anticipation to see if the beast would arise from the dead. Lucky for them mist begun to envelop the corpse until it disappeared from this world.
Their reprieve however was cut short as applause now filled the docks.
Specifically, from Caster.
Perched on top of one of the cranes that Assassin was previously on, Caster was giving them a standing ovation. Yet the praise was more of amusement, like if one was so entertained by the acts of others and wished to see more.
"Bravo! Bravo! It seems that the Grail has indeed summoned such marvelous servants for this Grail War! Simply magnificent!"
"Oh, it surprises me that you find this situation amusing Caster, considering that you have openly attacked all of us," Rider pointed out as Caster was not currently in the good graces of the other servants.
Easily waving off the veiled threat, Caster nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "If I had wanted to kill you, I could have just summoned more beasts to fight you. That Cleric Beast was the tip of the iceberg of what I can do."
"M-More!" Waver was shocked that Caster was able to summon such a beast that could go toe-to-toe with a servant so easily. Plus, the fact that he could summon more horrifying beasts to heed his call.
Laughing at the horror of Waver, Caster assured him that was not what he was planning. "Where's the fun in just throwing beasts at you guys, it spoils the hunt and after all...," He then leaned forward, as if to tell a secret. "Why rush things if the hunt is-." Placing his hands over his mouth, Caster looked like he was about to reveal the next biggest thing, like a child caught in a lie.
"If the hunt is what Caster, spit it out already." Caster was similar to Merlin it wasn't even funny for Saber. While he was a valued friend and almost family for her there were times that Merlin would set up schemes for his enjoyment that often put her in harm's way. The same look that Merlin had whenever he was caught in the act was the same for Caster.
Laughing at how clueless they were to future events, Caster continued to mock them. "And where's the fun in revealing such juicy details that fast? Though to reassure you I shall leave you for real right now." Standing from their perch Caster gave one last bow before leaving the scene. "Oh, do be cautious on your way back, I've heard unsavory things lurk in the night and it would be a shame if you met your demise by some back-alley beast." Taking one last laugh, Caster vanished from the docks.
"Hmph a mongrel claiming to be higher than me? Preposterous!" Turning his head to address the remaining servants, Gilgamesh gave his proclamation. "See that you've culled your numbers by our next meeting. Only a True hero is worthy of looking upon me." About to walk off he gave off one last warning. "No one is allowed to touch Caster, he will die by my hand alone, lest you incur my anger." and with that he vanished into spiritual form.
Berserker having had its target leave the scene, had no reason to stay anymore. Taking one last look at the other servants, and taking a second longer to gaze at Saber, he vanished into a plume of darkness.
"What a letdown, then again if anything Caster has shown us that we can work together." Looking back to Saber and Lancer Rider gave off his farewell. "Saber, Lancer settle your duel. I will then face the victor. I hope to enjoy our next meeting as much as I did this one." Noticing that his master had yet to say anything, he turned around to ask the boy if he wished to say anything, only to sigh as his master had passed out from the sheer shock of recent events. He was young but he would mold him to being a master he would be proud of.
"Farewell!" He called out from his Gordius Wheel as it streaked across the night sky.
Being the last of the servants Saber stared at Lancer, before nodding her head. In turn Lancer nodded his head before vanishing into spirit form. There was no need for an exchange of goodbyes, they both knew that they were seeing each other very soon to settle their duel once and for all.
"Saber!" Turning her head, she saw that Irisviel was waiting for her by the car. "Let's go home." Smiling Saber joined Irisviel as they drove back to the castle.
However, in the darkness, several pairs of eyes had been watching ever since their lord had vanished from the scene. Seeing that all servants were on their way back they scattered as they rushed to face their assigned targets.
Across Fuyuki City...
The Hunt had been awoken.
"Rider?"
"Hmm yes boy."
"Is it just me or is everything too quiet." As they sailed across the Fuyuki night sky, Waver had grown increasingly paranoid. Why? It was because in their flight, they had yet to see any activity of human life.
"Is it not a time for people to rest for tomorrow?" Rider tried to assuage his fears.
"Yeah I know that but you'd see the occasional passing car or someone going on a night walk right about now." The houses were eerily quiet as well. No sounds could be heard from any house and the only indication that someone might be home was the light emanating from the window. It was like they had just entered a ghost town.
"Something is wrong here." Waver muttered as his mind slowly begun to piece the puzzle together.
How easily Caster had let them go.
The fact that he had foreshadowed something bad happening soon.
And for the last piece.
His senses were screaming at him as a magical laser was soaring through the night sky, right at them.
"RIDER MOVE!" He screamed as Iskandar registered the warning and banked the chariot right out of the path of cosmic laser at the last second. A second later, a loud explosion ringed through the air. Reorienting the chariot, Rider looked to where the laser had been fired from.
The Fuyuki Clocktower was considered to be the jewel of Fuyuki City. Standing tall and majestic as the day it was first built. It was the landmark that signified the middle of the City that represented power and fortune.
Now it had become this perch for this eldritch multi-armed Great One who was currently trying to shoot them down from the sky.
This was Amygdala.
From its perch the multi-eyed Great One saw everything that was happening across the Fuyuki City. With its insight, it could see the various pairs of master and servants attempting to return home, not knowing the assailants that were currently trailing them. Updating the locations of the servants for others to see it refocused its attention at the task at hand. From its grotesque head, it continued firing cosmic lasers at the flying chariot.
Holding on tightly to the side of a chariot as they dodged yet another laser, Waver's face only paled as he saw that Amygdala wasn't the only thing that had to worry about as he looked down below.
On the roofs of various buildings, a Hunter group revealed themselves as they prepped to fire their various firearms at the flying chariot. Normal hunter firearms could never hope to even come close to hitting the divine chariot but for the Powder Kegs and their loud and devastating weapons. They got the job done.
Fiddling with his Gatling Gun, Djura the leader of the Powder Kegs was ready to issue the command to shoot down the chariot. While he was considered too old to hunt, he made up for it with years of building and experience with using all the weapons of the Powder Kegs. With the drop of his hand he gave the command. "Fire!" The rooftops were soon sparked ablaze as each hunter fired their modified rifles, Gatling guns, and even a cannon at the flying chariot.
As Rider weaved through the projectiles, he knew that it was just a matter of time until something shot them out of the sky. Cursing in Greek, he took the reins of the bulls and turned them around as they made way for the Fuyuki Bridge to rethink their strategy.
If only they knew that was the beginning of their troubles.
Kariya Matou was not an adequate master. Even with his borrowed Crest Worms he still had to limit Berserker's battle lust lest he accidentally kill him by magic exhaustion. So, when servants had appeared at the Mion Docks he sent Berserker to investigate, and hopefully kill Tokiomi's servant. When Berserker had then begun to clash blades with the Cleric Beast and took a hard hit from it, he had blacked out of the magic usage on his body. He still needed to get used to the strain on his body but he was sure that he would never get used to it.
The sounds of gunfire and explosions had woken him up.
Startled out of his sleep, Kariya begun to panic until he realized he was in the alleyway that he had passed out in. Looking to his side he saw that Berserker had kept watch as his master slept. Hearing another explosion, he looked up to see the sky riddled with explosions and gunfire.
Standing up and patting the dust from his legs,he wondered what the hell was going on.
"Oh, that's our opening act." A mysterious voice called out.
Startled by the new voice, Kariya fell on his butt as he tried to put distance between him and the newcomer. Berserker, however, leapt right in and positioned himself in front of his master, ready to protect him when the time came.
Stepping out of the shadows their assailant revealed themselves. Garbed in the hide of a Cleric Beast and sporting the scalp of said beast on his head. Taking his time, he casually approached the pair as his Sinister bell was strapped to his belt, still ominously ringing for it had found its prey. He was Brador, a Church Assassin that had a knack for finding those that crawled in the shadows.
"Djura is a bumbling oaf most of the times but when you need someone to make a loud message for you, he's your man." Stopping just a few feet away from them he mock saluted the pair. "So, you're the person that had Valtr shouting over the moon, man what a pain."
"Wait? Valtr?" Kariya questioned as the man that he met at the convenience store was seemingly part of this scheme.
"Yup, he and I, alongside countless others, are here the request of our most holy; I think you might know him as Caster." He let the master soak in the horror as he realized that he, and the other masters, had fallen right into his trap.
"Enough pleasantries." Taking out a small mace, Kariya braced himself only to shout in horror as Brador lodged the mace into his chest. However his shock was only temporary as dread replaced it as the supposedly dead Brador pulled his mace out of his chest with a sickening sound, the now small mace having been transformed into its bigger and bloodier version. Holding his now fully transformed Bloodletter, Brador formally introduced himself.
"Name's Brador, hope you don't disappoint me." Was all he said before rushing in. Berserker grabbed two pipes and converted it into weapons before rushing to meet the assassin
In the middle of the Fuyuki City Sea, another Great One slumbered. Enveloping the sea with a pale ethereal light, this Great One had laid claim to her territory. If one listened closely, they could hear the whispers of insight that gleamed the secrets of the cosmos.
For a Choir member that was assigned to be the servant of the Great One residing here.
There could be no greater honor.
She had joined the Choir in hopes of communing with a Great One, to become something greater. They were the elite branch of the Healing Church that studied the cosmos in hopes of being able to ascend to godhood. It was in their discovery of the Great One Ebrietas that had allowed them to make remarkable strides in their quest for ascension.
However even if the dream of ascending to becoming a Great One had long since passed, the Choir had switched their focus in studying the insight of their one true God and try to be his loyal students.
Speaking softly, lest she wake the sleeping the Great One from her concentration, she asked if her lady was doing okay. "Lady Rom, are you well?" There was no clear sign that her concern had been heard from the Arachnoid Great One but a second later she could feel Rom's soothing presence envelop her as she heard her voice. " Yes, thank you for your concern my child."
Smiling at the praise she received, the Choir lady placed a reassuring hand on the side of Lady Rom to allow her to continue her ritual. Even now she could sense that the Hunt in the city was beginning and she would have felt dread, knowing that Lady Rom was a key in ending the Hunt. However, they were not alone. Looking outward she sighed in relief as the other Great One present was still slumbering, dreaming of peaceful times.
This Great One was a handful to deal and for good reason. After all it was the actions of her branch that deprived it of its mother and as a result cursed them with a never-ending nightmare. Normally it would be screaming or bashing the ground with its weapon but Lady Rom had a knack for calming it down with her presence. She pitied the poor fool that would awaken the force of nature from its peaceful dream.
"So, it begins," She muttered as all was going according to plan. When Caster had ascended to become a Great One, Humanity had been uplifted from its roots. Now the time of judgement had arrived once more for Humanity.
Had Humanity evolved from its feeble origins?
Or
Were they still the beasts that plagued the world?
It was up to the masters and servants of the 4th Holy Grail War to answer this question.
Never done these kinds of outros before but hope you all enjoyed this new chapter of The Hunt. Hope you guys are staying safe in these trying times.
Well who do you think the other Great One that's present with Rom. I'm pretty sure it's obvious who it is and if it is, I hope you guys are ready for their reveal.
I'm so thankful for all the good feedback this story has gotten and I hope to create future chapters that will make you guys happy.
Welp that's it for now but as I leave...
May the Cosmos shine in your favor today!