Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate franchise it belongs to Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon.

Cerberus

Part XI

Rider's response was to bash open one of the barrels sitting next to him, the giant Servant himself sitting on the ground but still large enough to tower over everyone else sitting. And then taking a ladle, he scooped out some wine, and raised it to his mouth to drink. "The Grail is meant for the one worthiest of it." He began. "And the battle in this city is meant to determine who that person should be. But, as a means of selection it involves too much unnecessary fighting. If all Heroic Spirits involved simply acknowledged each other according to their appropriate rank, then the matter will sort itself out."

Archer looked at Cerberus with a raised eyebrow. "He hasn't been told?" he asked.

"Eh…I haven't had the chance to do so yet." Cerberus apologetically said, scratching her head.

Archer smiled indulgently and shook his head. "No matter," he said. "Let this play out for a time, it is amusing in its own way."

Rider raised his eyebrows and grunted in curiosity, but after a moment he just smiled and shrugged. "Well, whatever it is you're talking about, I'm sure I'll be told soon enough." He said. "I can wait. For now, what say you, fellow heroes?"

There was a moment of silence. And then Saber held out an armored hand, and with a grin Rider filled the ladle before handing it to her. "So," she began before taking a drink. "You would compare our ranks against each other?"

"Precisely," Rider said with a nod. "All of us here have a place on the Throne of Heroes, and three of us here are royalty, who should set an example for others to follow. Therefore, during this night, we should hold a discussion instead of fighting a war, don't you think? The matter of who is meant to hold the Grail…let us decide it over a friendly drink, without unnecessary bloodshed and humiliation."

"…a banquet of heroes…" Archer said with a sigh, before looking around in distaste. "Amidst a garden of dead and silent gods…this is a jest in poor taste…"

"Come now, don't say that." Rider said, taking back the ladle and filling it before offering it to Archer. "Here, have a drink first."

Archer accepted the offered ladle, and taking a whiff wrinkled his nose in disgust. "What is this swill?" he retorted. "Do you truly intend to discuss matters of heroism over that?"

"Do you really think so?" Rider said, taking the ladle back before drinking it himself. "This was among the best I could find at the marketplace."

"That is because you are ignorant of true drink, pretender!" Archer snapped. At those words, golden portals opened, one of them dropping golden cups into Archer's hands, which he tossed to the Servants present, all of whom caught them deftly. The other portal gently deposited a golden jar into the middle of the gathering, Waver and Irisviel alike recoiling at the strong smell coming from the jar, Cerberus whistling in a similar vein. "Behold and acknowledge your folly! This is the drink of a true king and hero!"

"Splendid indeed!" Rider gleefully said while filling his cup and those of others before taking a drink. "Delicious!"

Saber and Assassin alike stared in amazement at what they had drunk, the finest vintages of Britain and the Caliphate alike posing no contest against Archer's prized vintage. "Whether it is weapons or the good things in life," Archer said with a smile, and swirling the wine in his cup. "Only the finest have a place in my treasury. This alone should be proof of who the greatest among us is."

"Now," Rider said while refilling his cup. "While I must concede defeat in this contest of drink, the Holy Grail is no drinking cup. So come now, share with us your wish for the Grail."

Archer chuckled and shook his head. "Regardless of truths yet to be shared," he said with a smile. "The Holy Grail War is a farce. You already know who I am, and based on that fact alone, the Grail belongs to me, just like every last one of the world's treasures, all of which trace their origins back to my treasury."

"So you're saying you once held the Holy Grail?" Rider excitedly asked. "So you know what it's exactly like?"

"No."

There was silence and expressions of surprise at that, though Archer looked displeased. "Do not deign to judge this matter based on your standards." He said. "The wealth of my treasury is greater than my own knowledge. Just the sheer fact that something is treasure makes it mine. That's simply how it is. And anyone who would dare take something from me, is nothing more than a brazen thief."

"How arrogant," Saber observed with narrowed eyes. "To consider something to be yours simply because it is coveted by others? Were it not for greater concerns facing us…!"

"Now, now," Rider quickly intervened. "Keep in mind who golden boy here really is. With that in mind, it isn't too hard to understand why he thinks the way he does. That said Archer, are you saying we only need your consent to hold the Grail?"

"Finally," Archer said with a chuckle. "You understand. However, I have no desire to allow pretenders much less mongrels to hold the Grail."

"Ah…selfish, aren't you?"

"Fool," Archer scoffed. "Only my subjects are worthy of my generosity. If you would submit to me, then perhaps I can spare a cup or two."

Rider laughed. "That's impossible!" he said. "But, Archer…you have no real desire for the Grail, do you?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Archer took a drink. "Of course I don't." he said in a matter-of-fact way. "I simply deliver judgment on those who dare covet my treasures. It is merely a matter of principle."

"I assume then that's your Way of the King, Archer?"

Archer gave a grudging smile of approval. "You assume correctly." He said. "I am the king. I set down the laws to be obeyed by the people, and any who would break them are to be punished accordingly. Such is my duty, and my privilege."

"A magnificent way," Rider conceded while emptying his cup and then refilling it. "But, I covet the Grail too much. What's more, I'm the King of Conquerors."

Archer chuckled and shook his head, in a way that was almost sad. "It doesn't matter." He said, veiled sadness audible in his voice. "If you break the law, I must and will punish you."

"Then unfortunately, it seems we must inevitably cross blades." Rider regretfully said. "But at the very least, let us finish this drink and discussion among heroes before we fight to the death."

Archer scoffed. "But of course," he said. "Or do you belittle this drink I have granted you?"

Rider laughed before turning to Assassin. "Assassin," he began. "You are no king whose path we can discuss, but you are still a Heroic Spirit. You are manifest in this contest, so at the very least let us hear your desire."

There was a long moment of silence, and then reaching up, Assassin removed her mask, exposing the beautiful face beneath. Even Archer raised an eyebrow at the features thus exposed, while Rider whistled and then raised his cup in a toast.

"In my order," Assassin began. "It was customary for those who took the name, title, rank, position, and authority of the Old Man of the Mountain to carve off their faces, to represent the sacrifice of their individual identity to the greater figure they became. Eighteen of us there ultimately were who took up that mantle, and only once has that custom been waived."

"And you are that exception." Rider observed.

"Yes." Assassin said before closing her eyes. "The Old Man of the Mountain must be the greatest of their generation, whose skills in the art of death surpass all others in their day and age. But while I sacrificed my identity, the customary ablation would have…crippled, my skills. And so that portion of the sacrifice was waived, and I and I alone among those who have led my order kept my face, if not the rest of my identity."

Rider hummed and looked sad as he came to a realization. "You were a seductress, weren't you?" he asked.

"I was…and I still am." Assassin said while briefly closing her eyes. "Perhaps you might have heard the old saying how a pretty face and a sweet voice are many a man's downfall? Even I cannot count how many times I have proven such an adage true."

Assassin paused and chuckled. "Enamored by my appearance and what pleasures my body and voice promised them," she continued. "I would work my way to their side, lulling their sense of self-preservation and those of their retainers to meaninglessness, and then with a single kiss, a gesture of false love, I would end their lives. Peacefully, for the most part…a quiet and painless fading away to eternal sleep…but death still for all that."

"But…?"

Assassin was silent for several long moments, and then she emptied her cup. "I simply wonder," she said. "What it is like to truly love someone. Or indeed, if I am capable of doing so, or if another can love one such as myself."

Rider hummed and seemed to be disappointed. "Do you truly think the Grail can give you an answer?" he asked. "An answer that you can truly be satisfied with?"

Assassin chuckled and shook her head. "Of course not," she said. "I remain the Old Man of the Mountain. Such a position cannot be gained without having some measure of wisdom, in one form or another, beforehand."

"And yet you still wish for such from the Grail?" Rider gently asked.

"Yes." Assassin said. "When all is said and done, I am still Human. Not the most admirable, not by a very long shot, but still Human for all that. I am not perfect. So while I rationally know that what I seek cannot truly be granted by the Grail, some part of me deep down, yearns that it would."

Assassin chuckled again, and shaking her head, replaced her mask. "You have my answer, King of Conquerors." She said. "A base wish for a base hero."

Rider said no words, but with a sad smile refilled Assassin's cup, a sign of respect and sympathy at her implied concession of her inferior worth. Archer said nothing, nor did Saber, which was likely the closest they would come to agreeing with the King of Conquerors' intent.

"What of you, King of Conquerors?" Assassin asked after taking a sip from her refilled cup. "What is your wish?"

Rider smiled, and then emptied his cup before answering. "Incarnation." He said, and causing all other Servants and Masters present to draw back in surprise.

Well, most of them, as Waver instead ran forward with a shout of surprise, grabbing and shaking Rider's shoulder. "Hey!" he yelled. "Wasn't your wish supposed to be world conquest?"

Rider just shook Waver off. "Idiot," he growled. "What's the point of conquering the world if the Grail does all the work for me? All I need from it is the means to make it possible!"

"Rider," Archer growled. "Are you truly planning to use the Grail for such a self-serving purpose?"

"Indeed I do!" Rider thundered, not with anger, but determination. "Prana gives us form in this world, and abilities beyond the greatest of living men! But in the end, this life is false and incomplete! If to be reborn once more as a Human being requires I sacrifice all I have as a Heroic Spirit, then so be it! I would consider it cheap to be given the chance to conquer Heaven and Earth once more, no matter what obstacles lie before me! That is what it means to be the King of Conquerors! That is my Way of the King!"

"Rider," Archer said with a dangerous voice and a light in his eyes, along with an eager smile. "I've made my decision. I will kill you myself, be it sooner or later."

Rider laughed, and refilling his cup toasted Archer with a smile. "I'm looking forward to it." He said. "Just don't forget, if I win, I'm planning to take that treasury of yours."

Archer just laughed, and returned the toast. Saber however, regarded them all neutrally, and then taking a drink from her cup, spoke up. "That is not what a king is meant to be." She said.

"Oh?" Rider began, turning in Saber's direction. "Then let's hear your wish, King of Knights."

"My wish is to save my homeland." Saber softly answered. "It is to alter Britain's fate, and thus avert its destruction."

There was a moment of silence. "Hey," Rider uncertainly began. "Did you just say you would change what has been recorded in history? That you would…unmake, the past?"

"Yes…if the Grail could grant it…then…"

Archer began to laugh, weakly at first, and then letting his cup rest on the ground, threw his head back and laughed at the top of his lungs. "But," Rider incredulously continued. "Britain fell under your reign, did it not?"

"Exactly!" Saber insisted. "Such is my burden, my obligation, and my responsibility!"

Archer only laughed harder at her words, causing Saber to angrily turn on him. "Archer, why do you laugh?" she demanded. "What amuses you so?"

"You call yourself a king…and are remembered as such by the world…" Archer struggled to answer. "And yet you call it a burden? How can I not laugh?"

"Saber!" Rider gravely began. "Are you saying then that you regret the role you have played in history?"

"Yes, I do!" Saber admitted. "And what is so wrong about it? What makes you laugh about it? The kingdom which I gave everything to lead and protect was destroyed! Is it so wrong to desire to change that?"

"Can you hear, Rider?" Archer gleefully said. "Even you, Assassin? She gave everything, she says!"

"I understand how you feel, King of Knights." Assassin began. "In particular, what you said about feeling responsible for the fall of your kingdom. I understand very well, for I too failed in what was expected of me as the Old Man of the Mountain. A momentary weakness…a lapse in judgment…and with it, my reign came to an ignominious end. As it should: I failed, and therefore I must take responsibility."

"And yet," Saber breathed. "You would disagree with my wish?"

"I would." Assassin said. "You are not taking responsibility. You are fleeing from it, seeking to avoid it, by making it so the past never happened. But, where is the justice in that?"

"You dare speak to me of justice?" Saber snarled, rising to her feet. "A seductress who ensnared men with lies and false pretenses, before taking their lives away with vile and dishonorable means? A killer who brought death in exchange for gold? You have no right to judge, Old Man of the Mountain!"

"Enough, Saber." Rider said. "Instead, tell us of your Way of the King, that we might understand your desire."

"My Way of the King is simple." Saber began, before speaking and gesturing passionately. "The king must be willing to sacrifice of himself, no matter how much, for the sake of his kingdom!"

"No, Saber." Rider said with a shake of his head. "The king cannot sacrifice of himself. It is the kingdom and people who sacrifice themselves for the king, not the other way around."

"What?" Saber gasped in shock, before rallying. "Those are the words of a tyrant!"

"Yes, they are." Rider agreed to her even greater shock. "And that is why we tyrants are also called heroes, because only then were we able to leave our marks on history and in the hearts and minds of men. More than that, for a king to consider his kingdom a burden…how foolish. It is to be even less than a tyrant!"

"King of Conquerors," Saber breathed. "Your death resulted in your heirs slain, and your realm divided into warring kingdoms that quickly vanished into the sands of time. Are you saying you have no regrets?"

"None!" Rider answered, and causing Saber to reel back in shock. "Nations rise and fall, and my realm was no exception. If its fate was to fall with me, then so be it. I mourn it. I would even weep for it. But I do not regret it!"

"But…!"

"Nor will I attempt to change its fate!" Rider interrupted with a roar. "To do so would shame everyone who stood by me in my reign!"

"There is no meaning to be found in destruction!" Saber rallied. "What is a king if he cannot protect his people? A just reign…just laws…those are what a king should strive to leave behind!"

"So you are a king who is a slave to what is just?"

"It matters not." Saber answered with a shake of her head. "A king should be willing to give all for his ideals."

"That is no way to live." Rider growled.

"A king cannot live as just another person." Saber countered. "How could you possibly understand, you who would use the Grail for your own benefit? Who sacrificed your own people for the sake of your ambition!"

"A king with no ambition is no true king!" Rider angrily roared. "He is not even worth calling a figurehead! Saber, you would give everything for the sake of your ideals. In life, you must truly have been seen as admirable. Noble and someone to look up to, indeed…but could happiness be found on such a path that denies the self? Would your people dream of such a fate?"

A cold wind blew as Saber couldn't find an answer. "A king must be greedier, happier, and angrier than everyone else." Rider continued. "He is everything the people must want to be, be it for good or evil. That is the reason why all love or hate him. Only then can he inspire and lead them to greater heights. King of Knights…your nobility and ideals served you well when you sought to protect your people. But what happened when you were no longer there to protect them?"

Saber couldn't answer. "You saved your people." Rider continued. "But you never led them. You never showed them what a king should be. And in your absence, they knew not to whom they should look to for leadership. All because your pretty ideals didn't recognize their needs. You are no king. You're just a little girl dreaming of things you cannot be."

"King of Knights," Assassin began a few moments. "While I would say that the King of Conquerors has a point, I would also say that he is too harsh. So instead, I would ask you a question."

"…what is it?" Saber asked after a moment.

Assassin tilted her head. "Does the loyalty of your retainers mean so little to you?" she asked. "I understand half your kingdom turned against you, but the other half in the face of such uncertain odds remained true to you and your reign. Would you dishonor them by making it so that their show of loyalty never was?"

"…what about you, Assassin?" Saber whispered after a moment. "Your brothers and sisters turned against you in the end. Do you not regret that?"

"I do not." Assassin said. "We all knew what is required and expected of the Old Man of the Mountain. As I said earlier, I failed, and I understand that, and that I must take responsibility. Indeed, I would praise them, for fulfilling their duty, as they should have."

Saber looked away, her face troubled, and then raised it as she heard soft laughter coming from Archer's direction. "What is so funny?" she asked.

"I remember now." Archer answered, an expression of something that made Saber wary present on his face. "That look on your face…I remember it now. It's the face the virgins I would take to my bed would wear."

Saber's eyes widened, and then she snarled in anger. "Anyway," Rider cut in. "Unfortunately it seems that we won't be able to truly resolve anything here tonight. Shame that…but before we depart, I would ask one final question to all of you."

There was silence, as the Servants awaited the King of Conquerors' question. "Must a king stand alone?" he asked.

Archer smiled. "Of course," Saber answered at once. "The king must stand alone."

"I was never a king." Assassin said after a moment. "But as the leader of the Assassins…yes, I stood alone at the top."

Rider sighed and shook his head before draining his cup. "Is that so?" he asked before getting to his feet. "Then I look forward to the day when I get the chance to show you all what it truly means to be a king!"

Looking to Waver, Rider made to take the remaining casket of wine back to his chariot. "Come on boy," he said. "Let's get going."

"Wait." Cerberus said, before glancing at the King of Heroes, who just shrugged at her.

It is up to you, child.

Cerberus briefly closed her eyes, and then opening them, met Rider's own. "There is something you must know." He said.

"So…the Grail is unusable?"

"It is."

Cerberus stood on her feet, her omni-tool active while projecting holographic evidence to back up her claims. Of coming from an alternate universe, a possible future in fact, of how the Fourth Holy Grail War was doomed to end in fire, blood, death and tragedy, and of how the Fifth Holy Grail War had nearly resulted in the apocalypse. She had spoken of why that had been the case, of how Einzbern's greed during the Third Holy Grail War had tainted the Grail with the spirit of a dead god, and a god of evil at that, and how it sought to consume all of Humanity and thence remake the world in its image.

"What can we do?" Waver asked.

"The safest option would be to simply destroy the Grail." Cerberus answered. "That is the option I would advocate. However, the founding families are currently exploring other options to see if they can salvage their…prize."

Archer snorted in contempt. "Do you truly have faith in their capabilities, Cerberus?" he asked.

"No…but they might surprise us."

"…that is hopelessly optimistic."

"Any particular reason we weren't invited to that meeting with the Overseer?" Rider asked with crossed arms.

"…you could say this whole matter is a personal one for the founding families." Cerberus said.

"And when I was summoned I agreed to be bound into this form on the premise of gaining the Grail." Rider said with a sigh. "The same goes for my Master risking his life in this contest. I daresay it's personal for us too."

"My apologies…I had not considered that."

Rider hummed unhappily before glancing at Saber, Archer, and Assassin. "So you knew all this already." He said. "If so…why even bother speaking earlier?"

"Well why not?" Archer asked with a smirk. "I thought it would be an interesting diversion, and it was interesting, and more than a diversion even. Don't tell me you regret it, King of Conquerors."

Rider was silent for a long moment, and then he burst out laughing. "No, I don't." he admitted. "And it truly was an interesting discussion. Very interesting…while I still think we should have been invited to that meeting with the overseer, that aside, I must thank you for staying quiet until now. Revealing all…this, before our earlier discussion would have ruined the mood."

"Um…" Cerberus fumbled. "You're welcome…"

"What about Lancer's Master…Lord El-Melon, or whatever his name is?" Rider then asked. "Is he aware of this?"

"No…and I'm not really sure if we should inform him. Or if we even can."

"What does that mean?" Waver asked.

"…Lord El-Melloi is currently a cripple, after a confrontation with Kiritsugu Emiya." Cerberus said while scratching the back of her head. "His…fiancée, has taken over as Lancer's Master, except she can't really think straight right now."

"Huh?"

"…we all know who Lancer really is." Cerberus said. "And we all know what that pretty face of his could do to women. And well…from the look of things, Ms. Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri wasn't too happy with being paired with Lord El-Melloi so she…um, let Lancer's Mystic Face enchant her."

There was a moment of silence, and then there was a sound of flesh meeting flesh as Saber palmed her face, Irisviel letting her face fall into her hands, and laughter too, as Archer laughed loud and hard up at the sky. Waver looked exasperated, while Rider looked torn.

"Well…" he began, and scratching at a cheek. "If he can't satisfy his wife or make her happy, it only follows that she'd look for a better man. That said, considering what we know about that ability of Lancer's, I wouldn't call this love or even infatuation…"

"Enchant might not be the right word either." Cerberus murmured.

"Entranced would be more accurate, I think." Waver said with a sigh.

"That…actually works. Thanks, Lord El-Melloi II."

"…don't call me that."

Rider crossed his arms again, and hummed in thought for the next several moments. And then he glanced at Archer. "You believe her?" he asked.

"I do." Archer said with a nod. "I have more than one way to ascertain the truth, and I know she speaks it. As my counterpart from her world might say, she is a rare jewel that shines in this twilit age."

"Is she?" Rider asked before turning back to Cerberus. "Alright…I'll believe you girl, but somehow I think preventing disaster is just secondary to your presence in this world. Therefore, I would ask, and have you answer: what is your true goal here?"

A/N

Unfortunately, Saber will always get the short end of the stick in the banquet so long as Rider and Archer are present. At the very least, Assassin is not nearly as…critical, of Saber as Rider is, or as mocking as Archer is.

Yes, I also know that Assassin (Hassan of Serenity) is acting very different from how she usually acts in Fate/Grand Order. But the game is in a way – to be specific, with regard to character development/interactions (especially with regard to Servant-Master relations) – more light-hearted than the main entries of the franchise, such as Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero, Fate/Apocrypha, etc. So yes, while Assassin's wish remains the same, i.e. to find someone she can and who would truly love her, I imagine her as similar to Archer of Red, that is she knows that her wish isn't something that can truly be granted by the Grail, and is resigned/accepting of the fact.