Author Note

Hello there and welcome to another chapter of Fate: Sword and Arrow.

I will be quick here, just a heads-up. For those who severely wished Mordred instead of Lancelot, I haved planned an insertion for her in this story. Obviously, I will not divulge how, but she will appear and not in only one chapter but in two or three. It will be meaningful, though, at least for me. I actually had the idea just today after reading another story. So, yeah, she will appear. Also, I plan to finish this story very shortly, perhaps in about four or five more chapters.

At first I intended to end after the Fifth war, but I still had enough drive to go on.

Once this is done, I will be able to focus more time to Avalon Bond.

I fear that my ideas will need quite a bit of research, so I will need time to do that, once the real action kicks in.

Now, let us answer the reviews.

Saberfan117 - Wow, I'm glad you liked it that much. Yes, I am fan of the pairing as well. Please check Avalon Bond when you have the chance.

Sepriph Li Castia - Yeah, the events of Fate Aprocrypha stopped Fate Stay Night and even Fate Zero from happening. There was even a scene with Darnic killing Matou Zouken in Fate Aprocrypha. So that was the last war in Fuyuki. That being said, true, I had to adapt some scenes. But the system will remain the same as Fate Stay Night and only the last master may get inside the Grail and wish it. You said that an explanation needed to be said and I did ponder about it. Truth be told, there is not much to supply as information about the Grail that is. It is just like Fate Stay Night, at least the theory with the exception that this grail does provide the winner with a wish. Well, in my story, the grail did provide Saber with her wish, so yes, it's the same thing.

Toa Solaric - Thanks for pointing it out about Chiron's hair. I have changed it in the previous chapter.

Look what Jesus did - yeah, perhaps it makes sense. But the Servants and masters were gathered for the purpose of winning the war just to make a wish. Like I explained above, the system is similar to Fate Stay Night in the sense that the grail will be receiving energy from the dead servants until the last one. After only one servant remains, then the remaining master and servant shall each get inside the Grail and ask his or her wish.

Ok, now that's done, let us proceed with the chapter.

Fate: Sword and Arrow

Part II – Fate Aprocrypha

Chapter 15 – All-out War

Shirou had opened his eyes grudgingly as the bright sunlight rudely awakened him.

He rubbed his face and eyes as he looked at the clock only to realize that the sun must have risen just now. Being a doctor, he had to adapt his sleeping hours to accommodate for emergencies. He would wake up every day at this precise hour, no matter what happened the night before. Well, he did remember the night before what happened as he looked at the disheveled mess that was his wife's hair right now on his chest. Yesterday, he did not realize how furious his wife was at him after the stunt he pulled. So, when they started yesterday's activities, Shirou figured that it would go like it usually happened. Tender, with a small role-playing in the middle. Well, the heavy nail scratches on his chest looked like lion claw marks for a reason.

To this day, only a few times has he ever seen her like yesterday.

Quickly and masterfully sliding her head from his chest, Shirou maneuvered himself out of their bed and got dressed to make them some breakfast.

As soon as he opened the door, Shirou was surprised to see Lancelot sitting on the couch looking outside the window of the living room. He looked to be quite pensive, so Shirou simply slid inside the kitchen and quickly cracked a few eggs and sliced clean slices of bacon for them. A quick press on the coffee machine button and cold milk being warmed inside another pan. Lancelot was startled when he heard the distinguished noise of eggs and bacon being fried in Shirou's pan. Turning, he saw his master in the kitchen, with only his pants. His trained eyes could see heavy scratch marks both on Shirou's chest and his back and snorted.

"Morning Shirou…" Shirou turned and saw his servant approach the kitchen and he could see an amused smile on the knight's face. The master could only sigh in dismay.

"You heard it didn't you?"

"Oh, I think this entire establishment heard it, master. An elderly couple was by the door knocking a few times." Shirou flinched, wondering If they would get evicted.

They still had a week of rent to use and finding another place now was out of the question.

"Well, I guess I can apologize later on." He could see that the knight was still amused.

"You know, it's the first time I ever hear the king scream like that…well outside of battle that is." The servant started laughing out loud as he saw the master's eyes look at him promising bloody murder. It got even worse when Arturia emerged from the room, wearing what looked to be one of Shirou's shirts and nothing more. Both males could see that her face was showing many shades of red. She was embarrassed when she saw Lancelot look at her with an amused expression and she blushed when she saw Shirou shirtless and the scratches that she had caused on him yesterday. Arturia was still wondering what possessed her to behave like she did yesterday. Sex with her husband was always exciting, but yesterday, it was something more.

"M…orning Sir Lancelot, Shirou…"

She quickly went back inside the room soon afterward greeting them and was even more embarrassed when she heard Lancelot's loud laughter in the living room and her husband ushering him to quit it.

Aside from her being the cause of such laughter, it filled her heart with joy hearing her friend laughing like that once more.

It brought back memories of the time when her and her knights were teasing Sir Tristan for his night escapades with Isolde. After that, Arturia once more emerged from the room, now wearing one of her casual clothing and her hair was fixed. Breakfast then went smoothly. After Lancelot was done teasing the couple, they chatted about the events of the war and what their next goal was. According to Lancelot, he could feel the Red Faction's servants marching together towards the Yggdmillenia Castle. According to the knight, it appeared that a all-out war between the factions would happen tonight.

"That soon…this scenario is too alien for me. I am more used with one on one battle, not this…" Arturia looked at her husband while drinking some coffee.

"In the fifth war, the fights were more civil, one on one, but in the fourth war, there were times when I had to face more than one servant, Shirou. Still, a battle between groups of servants, it will be intense."

"I don't think my king will want to hear this, but if we join this battle like we intend to, it would be best if you two stood as far away as possible. It would be more prudent to leave the fighting to me."

Lancelot did not need to see his king to see the hardened glare he was receiving right now at the mere suggestion. He was used to it, actually. In their missions to unite the country, Arturia being the king would lead them to battle, sure, but never without one of her knights there next to her in case they encountered heavy resistance from the enemy. Shirou for his turn could see his wife glaring daggers at Lancelot. He knew that the man was right. In his case, he always were support from afar, but Arturia was a servant in the past, but now she is human…

"I concur with Sir Lancelot, Arturia. You're not a servant anymore. Do not worry, though, as we can work our way around this."

Now, both Arturia and Lancelot looked at Shirou.

"If you do not mind, Lancelot, you will be our frontline fighter. I will act as your support from afar and Arturia can play the assassin card. I do remember you telling me about one of your noble weapons Carnwennan." Arturia was surprised at the mention of that name. One of the weapons she had when she was king, but one that she rarely used in her lifetime as king.

"What is this weapon you mentioned?"

Certainly, Sir Lancelot would not know because in all her quests, the only weapons that she ever shown in public was Excalibur and Rhongomiant. This one was not a weapon she enjoyed using at all.

"Aside from my sword and lance, Sir Lancelot, I had a dagger as well. But I had only used it once and to this day, I will never favor such a weapon. Its capabilities differed greatly from both Excalibur and even your Arondight. It is a noble phantasm like the rest, but its abilities are more aligned to an assassin servant. With it in my hand, my presence is concealed from the enemy and I could sneak in for the kill. As to why I do not favor such a weapon, is because it would be a disgrace of a knight such as we to use such underhanded tactics." Shirou could see her eyes now looking at him for even suggesting the name of this weapon and he swallowed nervously. Her golden eyes and level stare could be quite threatening indeed. "which is why I ask you Shirou…why would you dare suggest such an atrocity?"

Lancelot was also looking at him the same way, waiting for an explanation. Shirou just hoped that his wife would listen to reason here.

Destroying the Grail is definitely less a priority to him than having his wife with him afterward. Also, they were in this war because partially the Association coerced him.

"Well, seeing as you can't be in the front lines like a servant would and also seeing as you would no doubt object to not fighting at all…" He saw a brief nod from her, to which he continued. "I was thinking that while the servants were busy fighting Sir Lancelot, you could sneak behind them and deal the killing blow. Yes, it is an underhanded tactic, Arturia, but I know that you will both agree that is the best course of action here." Shirou breathed more calmly as he lost focus in his eyes. "I would not dare to say you are a damsel in distress here, but I will be damned before I even think of the possibility of putting you in any danger, even if you have the strength to fight on equal grounds to a servant. There is simply no life left to me without you."

Sir Lancelot had already accepted the explanation as he also did not wish to endanger his king's life.

Arturia though kept looking at Shirou's distraught visage and sighed. She could at least understand his motives.

She thought the same as him.

There was simply no life for her without him. She landed a comforting head on his shoulder, easing his worry at the comfort visage she now showed.

"I understand, Shirou. I do not like it, but I understand…but how can you replicate the dagger's abilities. You have never seen it in action to project it."

"No, but you have…" Arturia smiled as Shirou pointed to his brain, signifying that she could visualize the dagger and with their link, she could share her thoughts with him.

"I guess…but like my other weapons you can replicate, it will not be the same…"

"True, the servant you sneak behind may very well notice the attack seconds before you deliver the killing blow, but I can rest assured that you are experienced enough to know the precise time to strike and avoid the potential retalation." Arturia nodded, now more at ease with the idea. Still, Shirou would have Hrunting ready just in case his wife failed in her strike. She may very well be offended with him for using it, but he will not take any chances here.

Sir Lancelot was watching the discussion until he widened his eyes and turned abruptly to the window of their shared apartment.

Both Shirou and Arturia followed him and looked upward. What they saw was nothing short of mesmerizing and it showed how much the scales of this war magnified compared to the last one. Up in the sky, they could see what appeared to be a giant floating fortress hovering above the city of Trifas. Shirou could use his reinforced eyes and see the structure in all is splendor.

"It is Assassin of Red's doing…it's her noble phantasm." Arturia turned to Lancelot in surprise. How could a servant do something like this.

"It is heading towards the Yggdmillenia castle just like you said…I venture that the red faction servants are in that platform as well heading for battle." Truly, Shirou had most of the abilities of an Archer class servant. The knight nodded at his master's statement. "Well, I guess is prudent for us to make a move on." Arturia and Lancelot nodded as they left the apartment and grabbed their car at the parking garage. For them, time was off the essence and Lancelot would be the one driving. With him using his skills, they would get to the war zone very much faster, much to Arturia's distaste as she remembered the experience she had with a certain motorcycle in the fourth war.

===War Zone===

Semiramis' noble phantasm had made everyone on edge in this war.

Ruler looked up and frowned as she picked up the pace towards the black faction's location. For some reason, she doubted that this war would be limited to only master and servants and she feared that the factions would not abide by the rules. The Black Faction, for their chance, saw the gigantic platform emerging at the horizon just as the sun began its descend. The family had already prepared its army reception filled with homunculus and golems as they saw many many skeletons falling from the platform. As such, this grail war had just taken up a notch.

As such, no side was too concerned to see a car racing towards the dark forest nearby as Shirou and Arturia descended from it. Like Arturia with her motorcyle in the fourth war, Lancelot had used mana to make some adjustments to this ride. Still, the Association will be thrilled to receive the bill for the repairs later on and for that Shirou was definetly not sorry for.

Lancelot had already materialized in front of them.

"I still think I could have driven Shirou. It's bad enough that I miss my bike and now you take this fun from me as well."

The master and husband sighed as he closed his eyes in deep focus, before a dagger materialized on his hand.

"You can drive the car when we return Turia, I can promise you that. Now, please take it." The former king of Britain looked at her holy dagger and nodded. As soon as she grabbed it, Arturia Pendragon's image vanished from their sight. "For now, we will run reconnaissance on their fights. We need to understand their abilities better for when the fights truly turn our way. Turia and Lancelot, I will be up that hill and shall provide support for you two, if you run into any servant." Shirou pointed to a hill a few kilometers from the castle. Even if Arturia was invisible to most, with their link, he could easily pinpoint her location and act accordingly. Both knights nodded and vanished in a sprint.

It took a couple of minutes for Shirou to reach the hill as he reinforced his eyes to see the ongoing destruction going on, hopefully between servants. The homunculi of the Yggdmillenia and even some golems were busy fighting what appeared to be skeletons from that huge platform. Shirou could see Ruler running towards the battle as well. He accounted every possible servant from the Black and Red Faction. Strangely so, he could not see Saber of Black anywhere. Close to the castle, he could see what appeared to be a small boy wearing black and white outfit, carrying a sword on his waist. He could see that the boy was tending to a homunculus on the ground. A further look from Shirou showed that this boy was different from the rest…his body was filled with mana from head to toe. So, he is a homunculus as well.

Turning his eyes, he then pinpointed Lancelot and his wife as they charged towards the battlefield, not to fight but to reach closer to them and observe.

'Lancelot, please turn your eyes to Lancer of Red and Lancer of Black's fight. From here, it seems like they are the strongest. Right now, they are fighting a couple kilometers to your right'

'Turia, it appears Rider of Red is facing Archer of Black…this Rider seems strong…both of them are battling inside a forest in front of you'

'Understood…'

'On it…'

Shirou could see Lancelot approaching the battle between Lancers and then keep a good enough distance.

His servant eyes would do the trick.

From the fights going on, Shirou was interested in this one the most. He had a thorough look about Lancer of Red when they first meet and from the brief fight he had with Saber of Black, his powers was off the charts. But Lancer of Black was actually Vlad III the impaler, so the region and his reputation would amplify the servant's powers. From his standpoint, he could see that they were fighting on equal grounds, meaning that without the region or reputation, Lancer of Black would not have a chance otherwise. Shirou's eyes widened just as Vlad III's stakes charged ferociously at Karna, who attempted his best to dodge before he was impaled hard. Vlad III ushered more of his stakes to finish the job before the sun erupted in Karna's body, burning everything around them in a hundred meters radius.

'Are you seeing this Shirou?'

`Yes Lancelot, Karna is one tough opponent indeed. I gather you would be thrilled to fight him.'

'He is indeed a noble and fierce combatant…shame that he is on our side.'

'For now, at least…once the faction wars are finished, the remaining will then fight for the grail.'

'Then I am eager indeed.'

Shirou had traced both lances and recorded for later understanding.

He then turned his eyes away from the Lancer's battle and was surprised to see the overseer from the Church fighting against another servant. It appeared to be a Berserker Class servant. He was surprised to see the overseer hold himself somewhat against the servant, until Kotomine Shirou used what appeared to be one of Shirou's reinforced katana and fought on equal ground with Berserker's weapon. He was able to trace the weapon and felt Semiramis' mana canalized in that sword. Still, that sword alone would do nothing but defend himself against the lightning strikes from the servant. An opportunity arose from this fight if he played his cards right. Quickly turning to Lancelot's position, he sent the message.

'Lancelot, it appears that Shirou Kotomine is fighting Berserker of Black a couple miles to your left. I don't think he will stay for long. Go there and take care of Berserker'.

Lancelot turned to the direction that Shirou described and saw yellow bolts emerge from within the forest.

'On my way, Shirou.'

Shirou stored the information from Lancelot as well as the weapons from the Lancers and then turned to Arturia who was sneaking behind a big oak tree as she observed the fight between Archer of Black and Rider of Red.

'Turia, talk to me…'

'These two are indeed Greek legends…Archer of Black is actually Chiron, the man who trained all the other legends, including Heracles.' Shirou could feel respect and admiration from his wife's voice. 'Rider of Black is also another legend Achilles. I actually heard great things from his mythology when I was king. Though it seems strange that he would be a Rider class, since he fights with a spear.' Shirou could see a masterful battle between them, but on a much minor destruction scale than the fight he saw between the Lancers.

'I can see that he is very proficient with it, dare I say stronger than Cu Chulainn'

'Yes, though If he is Rider Class, then his noble phantasm is not focused on the Lance itself.'

Chiron and Rider were fighting head to head and Shirou was observing Chiron's prowess in mixing close-combat style of fighting added by his bow.

Shirou even stopped observing and considered cheering when Chiron dodged Achilles' lance and kneeled to the ground before aiming his arrow and point-blank range to Achilles' face. Achilles though barely dodged the arrow but then Chiron slammed a powerful kick at Achilles's sternum, sending him close to Arturia's hidden location. She was able to swiftly move out of the way as Rider was more focused on his adversary than focus on Arturia. Their fight continued for a short while, before Shirou saw that Chiron took the battle elsewhere and Achilles whistled. Both him and Arturia saw Rider's Chariot appearing as the man climbed above and charged like a comet dropping on the sky.

'Well, now we know why he is the Rider Class…what now Shirou…'

'I just sent Lancelot to engage Berserker of Black. He is actually not far from you. Please aid him.'

Arturia nodded as she also saw the yellow bolts of lightning close to her location.

===Lancelot x Frankenstein===

As soon as Lancelot arrived at the battle between the church overseer and Berserker, he announced his presence and held the servant.

Kotomine looked at his arrival and showed a content smile.

"I appreciate the help, surprising as it was…I will be taking my leave then."

Lancelot nodded and then turned to the enemy servant. From looks alone, he could not capitalize much on any strengths. The servant appeared angry and it didn't take long for her to attack him in blind rage. Still, although the strikes carried enough power, for a knight of his caliber, it was not a dignified battle. Berserker would even attempt to charge energy bolts on that black ball of hers, but Lancelot would simply use his holy sword to change the ball's trajectory and Berserker would aim for the floor or the trees instead. Still, Lancelot would not be the strongest knight at his king's service if he underestimated an enemy. Deciding not to take any chances, Lancelot charged mana through his noble sword, until it glowed in dark blue energy.

Using a great deal of agility, he charged at the enemy, dodged Frankenstein's attempts to strike him and released his strike with a horizontal slash that sliced her body in half.

Lancelot closed his eyes and turned away from his opponent, sure of his victory.

Meanwhile, a boy wearing glasses and the Yggdmillenia uniform was watching the fight from the safety of his bedroom. He cursed at the Saber of Red and then looked at a single flower resting by his desk. Images of the time when he would find his servant out in the yard sitting by the garden, without expressing much. However, she had offered him that flower. It was a moment that he found special. From the state that his servant was in, she would not live long. He could see that Saber's attack was laced with enough power that sliced her clean in half. It was only due to her constitution, that she did not vanish immediately after such a powerful sword attack. Caules Yggdmillenia then looked at his hand with the command seals and thus made a decision.

'Frankenstein, by the power of a command seal, use your noble phantasm on Saber of Red.'

Lancelot felt the spike of energy immediately, but he cursed his lack of foresight. When he turned, however, Lancelot was surprised to see the King's barely visible image with the hidden Excalibur in her hand and Frankenstein's head on the ground, before the servant vanished from this world. Caules's glass shattered at the mana he sent to his servant, only to watch in stunned silence as his servant's head sliced clean from a hidden attack. He was certain that Saber of Red had not moved in time to even defend himself, much less sneak behind his servant and decapitate. Caules could not see who attacked from behind, meaning it could very well be Assassin of Red's doing. The glass-user cursed as he fell to the ground, dried of mana just as Arturia placer her dagger inside its scabbard, thus revealing her in all her noble warrior glory.

"I was surprised to see you turning your back to the enemy."

The knight in question looked at his king in surprise. His first instinct was to bow in shame at his king's obvious disappointment.

But If he did that, then both his identity and hers would have been revealed. By now, they could safely assume that both their allies and their enemies could see through it all. So, he answered her provocation without giving anything.

"In my last strike, I have cut her in half. Who would have thought that that was not enough".

'Lancelot, Turia, let us regroup…I am beginning to see movement by the castle and it's not good.'

Both knights as Lancelot and Arturia quickly charged towards Shirou's location.

"What is it, Shirou?" He turned to his wife and his servant as they appeared from his back.

"It appears that the black faction had captured the Berserker of Red and is now turning him against us, or rather the Red Faction." Shirou could see the servant taking all forms of punishment and still march headfirst. His form was distorting every time it took a strong attack, until Shirou could no longer discern the servant's true shape is. Ruler was the one facing him and Shirou could see the power she had. She was close to the Rider of Black and that homunculus who had protected his kind as well.

"Aren't we helping Ruler, Shirou?" Shirou eyed Lancelot's query in deep ponder. Arturia was silent as she looked at the servant monstrosity.

"I'm still confused seeing as Berserker's from the Red Faction, but now it appears that he turned to the other side."

Lancelot frowned at the uncertainty, but Arturia placed a step forward.

"Since when that would stop you from helping out Shirou…" Shirou could see her smile at him and nodded. She knew him too well.

"I guess you're right. Lancelot, let's go"

With that, the holy knight charged ahead while Shirou projected a barrier of rounded shields made from the same material as Arturia's armor. As soon as they landed close to Ruler, Rider of Black and the little boy homunculus, Spartacus began to charge a powerful beam of energy. Shirou had placed the shields in front of the blast. He had projected close to a hundred of them. Ruler and the others looked at their new rescuers. The Homunculus was looking at Shirou in wonder while Rider of Black had his usual starstruck expression. From appearances, Rider of Black was a female. Pink long hair tied up like Ruler's blond hair. The servant wore a white cape on top of black clothing and even black stockings.

"Saber of Red's master, what are you doing here? This is not your fight." Shirou looked at her from the corner of his eyes.

"That could be discussed later on…now do you have anything as a second barrier. I do not think my shields will be enough to stop it. Saber, feel free to use your most powerful attacks on Berserker." Lancelot nodded as he charged his holy sword once more. Against a foe such as this one, he would need to gather much more mana. Arturia was already by his side, with the hidden sword in hand to help with the following strike. She would not use her noble phantasm, just aid Lancelot in supplying more punch to his attack.

Jeanne D'Arc frowned at their presence once more but nodded.

She was supposed to be neutral, but this man and his wife had already helped her without asking for anything in return. Jeanne then let her flag lance loose just as Spartacus's beam of energy was released. They could see the first barrier (Shirou's shields) hold the beam for a while, before shattering. Ruler then stepped forward and placed her lance in front of the beam. Because of Shirou's first defense, the energy was much more subsided, hence she did not need much to block it. Still, the surrounding area suffered quite a bit.

Shirou then urged his servant to finish the job. Spartacus was already looking at his servant with the deranged look in his eyes as Lancelot held his sword pointing towards the ground. His eyes were closed, but his armor was glowing in a deep and dark blue energy that everyone could feel its deep power. It took a couple of seconds for the energy that surrounded his armor travelling to the holy sword just as Lancelot lifted his sword up from his head similar to Arturia's movements next to him. Lancelot's sword by now was a beacon of blue light up in the sky.

Arondight Overload

Together with Arturia's powerful air blast from Excalibur, both beams of energy dark blue and yellow struck and then Spartacus's gigantic body vanished, followed by a huge blast of air that travelled quite a distance. Lancelot's Noble Phantasm Arondight Overload was an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm like Excalibur; hence its use was limited in a one-on-one fight. Against this monstrosity, however, it was more suited. Shirou could see how much mana it took from his servant. He then turned to Ruler as she was looking up to the platform that was heading towards the castle. Technically speaking, she would be war's overseer and his actions turning on a fellow servant would constitute as a penalty. But based on her worried expression, it certainly was not her intention on doing anything.

Looking down, he saw the homunculus with a much keener eye.

He could sense great mana coming from him and also a familiar energy that he sensed a couple days back. Since they were not many mana users aside from magus and servants, the list inside his memory was rather short. The only magus or servant unaccounted for in this war was Saber of Black. Hence his look in surprise. Ruler and Rider of Black immediately appeared in front of him and Shirou had not realized that he had placed a step forward, which may have been perceived as a threat.

"Easy…I can help him. I'm a doctor as well." Rider of Black looked at Shirou for a while and then at Jeanne, surprised that the Ruler had relaxed her posture.

Shirou nodded in appreciation as he got down to Sieg's body and used healing magecraft on his battered legs, added by the energy of Avalon. Sieg could feel the foreign energy inside his body. He could feel how nurturing and caring it was as he looked at the eyes of this new magus. Sieg named himself that after receiving Siegfried's heart shortly after escaping the castle of the Yggdmillenia. Shirou could see from both the palms of his hands that he had command seals as well. His link to Rider of Black was evident in his eyes, though he wondered what the other seals did. Shirou's hand was glowing in yellow energy as he scanned Sieg's entire body. He had already healed the boy's legs and he could sense how strong the boy's heart was. It beat faster than a normal heartbeat and the boy's mana supply and magic circuits were strongly linked to the heart. Shirou's hands then inspected the chest region and could feel Siegfried's strong energy.

Shirou did not know Siegfried, only the man's legend somewhat, hence he had a more positive image of the warrior who sacrificed his heart so that this boy could live.

"You can get up now…"

Sieg looked surprised at how fast he was healed and attempted to get up. Imagining the pain he would feel, Sieg was surprised to feel nothing as he used his legs to stand.

"Thank you…mister…"

"My name is Emiya Shirou, a pleasure to meet you and there is no need to thank me."

Shirou had extended his hands for a greeting and Sieg found himself doing the same now showing a content smile. Rider of Black was also elated in seeing her master and even Jeanne was happy to see him well once more. Arturia had soon appeared next to her husband and introduced herself to him. Rider of Black looked at her and then at Jeanne, back and forward with a finger on her mouth. Seeing this, both Jeanne and Arturia sighed in dismay at once more being compared to one another. Shirou and Lancelot certainly found it humorous. The pleasantries were over once they all saw the platform hover above the castle, before a gigantic suction typhoon hit the castle dead on. Shirou reinforced his eyes and could see in great shock a gigantic rock hovering below the platform. In Shirou's war, the grail was nothing like this, though he did not know how it once looked, because Gilgamesh had tempered with it.

"That's the Holy Grail." Arturia and Shirou both flinched and looked at each other.

"I need to go there and finally talk to the Master of Red" They turned to see Ruler turning to Sieg and Rider of Black. "I will be scolding you later, but you should stay here."

Sieg nodded, earning a comforting smile from the Ruler Servant to which Arturia had caught on quite easily, but decided not to comment.

"We shall go as well…" Jeanne looked at Shirou and Arturia as well, as both were looking at the Grail entering the platform.

Jeanne nodded as she ran towards the castle with Shirou's entourage behind her, leaving Rider of Black and Sieg alone. The former homunculus was looking at Shirou's back as he felt the energy now flowing inside of him, courtesy of the strange magus. Being a few days old, Sieg had close to zero experience in human behavior and character. The only ones he had ever encountered were the Yggdmillenia and the old man who housed him for a couple of days. Still, Shirou was perhaps the first magus that Sieg knew that did what others would not. He helped him, just like Siegfried did.

As the group arrived just below the castle, the party of four each climbed on top of a rock that would lift them towards the platform. All the other servants did so as well.

Author Note

Wow, I guess I made it to the end. I was watchign the anime once more and could not figure out if I would need to write all the fighting scenes like it happened. In the end, I chose a different venue. This story always focused on Shirou and Saber's perspective of things. So, I focused on them most of the time. The details of the war would be evident for those who watched Fate Aprocrypha. Well, I tried my best to commit to the storyline as close as possible, even considering that Shirou and Arturia's presence here would tamper with the Fate Aprocrypha storyline quite a bit. After all, there was no fourth of even fifth grail war in Fuyuki in Fate Aprocrypha, meaning that Saber (the servant) would not exist and Shirou perhaps grew to be a normal citizen in Fuyuki, quite unaware of the Nasuverse.

It's fun to think about it.

Furthermore, I am thrilled to reach 100k words in this story.

I always enjoyed to read long stories as it shows the writer is commited to the readers. So, very pleased with it.

Thanks for everyone's support throughout. I appreciate everyone's reviews and those who marked the story as favorite or follow. It gave me incentive to continue.

So, once more, I appreciate it.