Several hours later.
The Holy Grail Wars have always been designed with the emphasis of preservation of Mystery and Moonlit World's integrity, though it was not quite well realized the first two times, which ended as miserable failures for all parties. The Third Holy Grail War was what is now regarded as the gold standard of all Holy Grail Wars, where the rules, systems of control and summoning, as well as other elements refined and definitively established. To fight out in the open or during daylight, where someone could potentially see you, was thought of as foolishness by all parties involved in past Grail Wars, but now things were different, and the town of Glastonbury and it's surroundings have become a warzone.
14 of Morgause's Servants against 7 Servants of Association's best, with no Command Seals or restrictions for non-standard Classes, as was evidenced by the summoning of Genji Muramasa as an Alter Ego Class. This was one class that none knew a thing about, safe for Zelretch, who was quite surprised to see his former student back in such form, yet suspected how exactly Genji had obtained such Class. He kept quiet about it, but he made it clear that as he stood, Genji was quite a strong Servant, and that statement would have to soon be put into the effect, as the automated summoning of Morgause's Servants had taken place mere minutes ago, and so the battle would soon commence.
Fortunately, for the Association, they had summoned their Servants in advance and could plan out their strategy and how to best make usage of their summoned Heroic Spirits, but unfortunately for them, Glastonbury and closest area to it was essentially Morgause's land, and she had made sure to maximize effect from it. They had no idea where and who would be summoned, and so now they had made a decision to assume a defensive stance, with the Masters, active and potential ones, as well as supports and Enforcers, placed in one spot for safeguarding in the town's high school, with the sport's class converted into an HQ.
Mordred, Cu Chulainn and Heracles were put on the perimeters, as they could best fight in direct combat, while Iskandar and Nobunaga were up in the air, ready to provide support, with Medea already set up for with her Magecraft. Still, even with powerful Servants as they had, they were outnumbered 2 to 1, with no idea on who was summoned against them. Still, they had no choice but to fight, and as Genji had stated, they actually had a very good chance of winning, if they played their cards right. And so now the Magi and Masters waited for when the first attack would come, having set up all of the defenses and prepared.
"This is too quiet. Why are those Servants not coming after us?" Lorelei asked aloud, turning to Zelretch and Venelana. "What are they waiting for? With their numbers, they should've already attacked us."
"In Grail War, at times he who strikes first can lose the most, and even with their advantage, they are taking a careful approach." Venelana stated, recalling her time as a Master in the Third. "And even if Morgause is not here to command and is still preoccupied against Caenis, we best assume that they will be acting in some form of coordination."
"But for how long can Caenis maintain her battle against Morgause?" Waver asked. "It has already been over a day, and I can't think of a single Servant that can maintain battle for that long."
"Caenis can, thanks to her pseudo-Divine Core and the wish she made upon the Grail of Fuyuki. Her mana reserve is constantly replenishing, being near infinite, and when in the Ocean, she gains a limited Authority over it, because of her connection to Poseidon." Venelana responded. "While out in the Ocean, all of her parameters are increased, and she is invulnerable, and can use the ocean to her advantage as a weapon. Even Rhongomyniad will not be enough to effectively stop her, but with Morgause's Avalon and Rhongomyniad's protection of the World's End, she too is close to unstoppable, plus adding to it Dragon's Core."
"Which basically means that they are a stalemate, and that gives us the opportunity to take out those Servants." Aoko said, before she and everyone heard chimes go off. "Huh? Did someone open a window…" And in that very next moment, as Aoko turned to the sound of the chimes, she and everyone saw a series of Black coming straight for everyone in here, with the hooded Servant materializing in there.
Yet before that Servant could to a single thing, a powerful Ward lit up midway, trapping the blade in itself and forcing the Servant to stop and try to pull out his Black Key, but before he could do that, he had to dodge a hail of fireballs coming for him. Evading every single one of them, and stopping just near the exit out of the room, the Servant then suddenly was frozen in place, as the Paralysis Curse took effect upon him, and his attacker finally revealed himself. Genji Muramasa dropped his Concealment Ward, and casted one more fire spell, in order to burn him alive, seemingly succeeding in it. Surprising all with his performance, he was not yet done, as casted another spell onto the ground, which emitted a pulse, and showed to all the presence of another Servant, one that was all too familiar for quite a few people present.
"Kirei Kotomine?!" Irisviel cried out, as one of her worst nightmares appeared not far from them, scowling from having be discovered, already producing his Black Keys for the attack.
"Not so fast, you bastard!" Rin Tohsaka shouted and unleashed four of her Jewels against the Servant, each of them exploding with enough force to create a crater. "Damn him…" She hissed out, as she saw Kirei unharmed, having dodged all of the attacks, but now between him and his targets stood Genji, his blade drawn and ready.
"An impressive display of skills, Rin. Doubtless your father and mother would've been pleased and proud of you, had they lived long enough to see you." Kirei stated with his wicker smile, as he looked at all that were gathered here. "And what an interesting gathering you have here: Association, Atlas and even Holy Church, all here and working as one. Yet you must realize that this is a futile attempt, for Morgause is sure to win this. Even you, Ciel, should realize the futility of your resistance."
"The only futile attempt I am making, is trying to discern how did a traitor and bastard like you had been summoned by the Holy Grail." Ciel stated with scowl, as she readied her Black Keys. "The Holy Church hasn't forgotten your crimes, and I'll personally take your head this time."
"No offence to your or your Pope, Executioner, but this false priest and I have a prior engagement." Genji suddenly spoke up, as he brought up his blade for into a thrusting stance. "Don't think that I've forgotten what you did to my son, Kirei. I'll be sure to send you straight to Hell to that new God of yours." Kirei laughed at Genji's words.
"And if you do so, then I shall see your son quite soon." He said with a sadistic smile, with Touko scowling, while Genji gripped his blade tighter. "Yet even as a Servant, you are only an Assassin like I am now, and I have been specifically trained to fight against Magi." Kirei assumed a combative stance as well, while Genji smirked at him.
"And that's where you made your two mistakes, Kirei." Genji said, as suddenly powerful flames surrounded his blade, much too powerful for a mere Magecraft. "One in believing you could take me on, and two in assuming I was an Assassin." And in the next second Genji shot his fire blast out of his blade and straight into Kirei's chest, burning a clean hole through it, before his body was incinerated and disappeared along with Izo, with Genji sheathing his katana and brought up his hand to the rune near his ear.
"Muramasa to everyone. One Assassin took the bait as expected, already dealt with them. Brace for the incoming assaults, they'll probably know that their spy had failed." Genji called to all other Servants. "Any signs of the incoming enemies, anyone?"
"Yeah, I've got some strange ыquid things coming from my side here! Any idea what those are?" Lancer called out, with Genji scowling after hearing it. "Damn there's a whole lot of those. I'mgonna need some support here against these critters!"
"Those are familiars of Caster! Fear not, Lancer, we are coming to help!" Iskandar called out, but then Waver spoke up.
"No Rider, if those Familiar are there, then chances are that Caster himself is nearby, and fighting those familiars is a waste of time." Lord El-Melloi called out. "Scout out the area near Lancer and see where he could be hiding. He thinks as a Magus, so he would have a vantage point where he could observe everything, but at the same time not too far off from his Familiars. Lancer, disengage and relocate to the other spot, avoid fighting those things." Bazett gave permission to Lancer, and he obeyed the order.
"Yes, good call on that one, Master! Hah, I see you have picked up more than just some more height and that silly habit of smocking of yours." Iskandar called out, with Waver letting out a little groan at it, while Reines smiled with mischief at it. "Found him, he is in the tower of local Church! Hold on, I'll take him out now!" After that they heard the roar of divine bulls and the crushing sound of a destroyed tower, which reverberated through the town.
"Bwahaha! Now face the might of King of Innovations!" Nobunaga called out, as fire of rifles was heard loud and clear. "Ohoho! Looks like we won the jackpot! There's not one, but two Servants in here!" All heard Nobunaga's laughter, as more fire and bullets' whistles traveled.
"What Servant is the other one, Rider?" Waver asked aloud.
"Now this one almost surprised me, boy, for a moment I had thought this one was that same Berserker we've faced in the last war!" Iskandar reported, as he rode his chariot in what sounded like church's hall. "It's all clad in black knight's armor and impossible to discern with similar mist too, yet is far nimbler and faster than Berserker was, and is near half his size. Odd that it does not strive to help his comrade, and is not launching an attack."
"What do you mean?" Aoko asked aloud, with Nobunaga responding, through sound of gunshots.
"Exactly like the big man here has said, this Servant is ignoring every chance to strike at us, and if I didn't know any better, I would've said he was there not to protect Caster, but to strike him down." Nobunaga stated to all, with others exchanging surprised looks. "Damn it, this Caster's got himself incased in those filthy things! Just give me a clear spot on him and I'll… Hey, thanks, black knight!" Right before Nobunaga had said it, some sort of an explosion was heard, and then followed by a hail of gunfire.
"Rider, what just happened?" Waver asked of Rider, wanting to know, like all present, what had transpired just now.
"That black knight had just blasted away those creatures off Caster with an attack not to dissimilar of the King of Knight's, when she had fought Lancer in her first duel. Speaking of, his armament had just changed it's form before that attack, from a black sword to a black spear!" Iskandar said, voice filled with respect, surprise and admiration. "And now he is disengaging. What a shame, I have had wished to offer him to join our ranks, as well as ranks of my army. But from his skill and way he moved, I can tell, that he is no slouch, and I had even noticed one more peculiar detail about him."
"What did you notice?" Lord El-Melloi II asked of him.
"His movement and way he struck Caster, it was almost as if he somehow copied King of Knight's fighting style. Yes… It was like seeing the King's own shadow, and yet…" Iskandar's voice, for the first time for Waver, considering, quiet and even to a point, sorrowful.
"Rider, are you alright?" Lord El-Melloi asked of him.
"Huh, oh yes, of course I am! Sorry, I was reminiscing of a close friend of mine, whom I've never rewarded in proper for her service to me. Anyway, what are we to do of this Servant? Shall we give chase and gain him as an ally?" Iskandar asked aloud, with others considering it, before Genji spoke up.
"Can you catch up with him?" Genji asked of Iskandar, who let out a boisterous laughter. "If you can, than do so, but not at the expense of endangering others. When called, we'll need your and Archer's support."
"My chariot could give even the Achilles a worthy rival in speed! Not even if he is the King of Riders shall he escape us!" And with this Iskandar and Nobunaga went to give chase.
"Is this wise to allow those two just chase that Servant down?" Inorai asked aloud, with Genji answering.
"Given the circumstances, it is worth a try to at least gain that Servant into our ranks, and if his skills are akin to those that King of Knights had possessed, then we would stand to gain a powerful ally." Genji stated, before rubbing his chin. "Still, a knight, clad in black armor and who fights and moves like Saber of the Fourth War… If we've not summoned Mordred, I would've put my money on her."
"That warrior that Rider just described, I think I know him, but not by any real name." Mordred suddenly spoke up via link. "Back in the day, there was this knight, clad in all black, without any sigils or banners, traveling around and questing. Often times we've sought him out and crossed swords with him, and he served as something of a rite of passage among us, to best him in combat. Nobody knew what his name or identity was, but he was a damn hard knight to beat, and every time he came around, he was always a worthy match. We simply called him the Black Knight."
"There are countless stories that feature the archetype of "black knight" in Arthurian lore, where he serves as both hero and villain." Venelana spoke up. "Yet one thing almost always the same, and that he never served any lord or king. Perhaps that is what had saved him from being subjected by Morgause's Magecraft, and he now stands them?"
"Perhaps, though I do wonder if Rider and I've encountered a Berserker version of this Black Knight in the last war." Lord El-Melloi added from his thoughts, with Genji speaking up.
"Doubtful, if this Black Knight is of lesser bulk and stature than Berserker, then it couldn't have been him." Genji remarked. "And that Servant had a definitive weapon, one that changed form from sword to a spear, and as for that Berserker, his was any weapon he could find, and I doubt it was Ser Lancelot this time around." Waver looked at Genji with shock, as did Irisviel.
"Ser Lancelot, King Arthur's finest knight, are you certain of it?" Irisviel asked of Genji.
"Completely certain, the legend of Lancelot does contain instances of him using mundane items as armaments, and his prowess on the battlefield was such that his skills never dulled." Genji stated, with Waver looking at him with quite a few questions. "During that War, I served as Association's Observer of that whole event, with my job being preservation of the Mystery of the Holy Grail, and observing the maintenance of the rules. Unlike the Overseer from the Holy Church, who played favorites, I kept out of your affairs. I only stepped in after Angra Mainyu began to manifest, and put a stop to it."
"An act which had probably secured your spot in the Throne of Heroes, though I still struggle to comprehend, what is an Alter Ego Class, and what does it entail?" Waver asked aloud, before he and everyone heard Irisviel groan in pain.
"It's Heracles, he has engaged a Servant, while he is also taking a fire from afar." Irisviel responded. "His attacker is highly maneuverable and fast, and she had somehow weakened him! His parameters had dropped a whole rank down, and Archer is now… H-He just took one of Heracles' lives!" The fact that this had even happened was enough to cause concern.
"Medea, with me! We'll reinforce him!" Genji called out, and immediately he entered spiritual form, rushing to Heracles.
Moments later, Genji and Medea are finally at the sight where Heracles was stationed, and they already saw his form regenerate from what looked like thousands of cuts or arrow wounds, as he immediately engaged the opponent that had weakened him. Having obtained a master's degree of Oxford in history and a son of two winners of Holy Grail Wars, Genji was exceptionally well aware of just how powerful Heracles was, and even as Berserker, his might was simply undeniable, but his opponent was no slouch either. It was a tall, beautiful woman, with a body of a goddess, with long purple hair, which turned into snakes, and eyes that could freeze a man in his tracks, with her body encased in an extremely revealing black dress, with loose sleeves, a cloak and hood. In her hand she carried a black and purple scythe with a chain, with Genji sensing that this weapon was nothing to scoff at.
Heracles' opponent was extremely nimble and fast, but also exceptionally strong too, as she had blocked his ax's swing with her scythe and redirected it, opening him up for her snakes to strike, but at that moment Genji had intervened, returning to the physical form and striking all six heads with his lightning infused blade. This had garnered a hissing wrath from his opponent as she lunged herself at him with her chain-scythe, yet Heracles did not stand idly and moved forth and caught the chain in hand pulled the Servant towards him and Genji. Wasting no time, Genji set up a special curse in combination with a bounded field, with the Servant reaching it and stopping in it's tracks there, as the curse took effect and her body became ten times heavier than it was before, dropping onto the ground.
"Medea, now!" Lorelei commanded over the runic communication, and the Caster materialized with her Noble Phantasm, Rule Breaker, before swiftly moving her hand and stabbing the Servant into hand.
In that very instant, the contract between Morgause and this Berserker was fully and utterly nullified, and the will of Morgause, engrained in her mind was too destroyed and placing her contract with Medea. This was the key part of the strategy that they had come up with, focusing on engaging the stronger Servants and using Medea to use her Noble Phantasm and break their contract, before transferring it to one of the potential masters. For this very specific reason, they had Zelretch gather the most gifted and effective potential Masters available to them, including Luvia, Rin, Illya and others.
With this, they could tip the scales in their favor, and when it would come time to face off against Morgause, they will have more forces than just original 7 summoned Servants. Before Genji could break the spell surrounding this Berserker, a sound of a harp was heard in the distance, Heracles suddenly pushed past him and Medea, before being blasted by a number of magical arrows, yet walking away from it all scot free and unscathed. Reminded of the fact that there was still an enemy Archer, Genji turned to Medea and saw that she was hard at work with trying to wrestle control over Berserker, he understood that in this case he would he have to act alone.
"Heracles, where is that Archer?" Genji asked of the maddened Hero of Greece, and he pointed with his hand towards the two story building out in the distance. "I'll need your help. Can you give me a boost?" Heracles, though under the control of Mad Enhancement, clearly understood Genji's command, and in the next second, Genji was already airborne, having been thrown by Heracles into the direction of the Archer, closing it at near Mach speed.
Without wasting any time, Genji dispelled his usual sword, and instead called out to one of two deities that have lent their strength to him in the past, when he had wished to forge his masterpiece Caliburn Albion. It was a temporary contract, one that allowed him to get blessings of two gods in exchange proving to them, that there were still humans capable of surprising them, which he did. Yet being brought into this world as a Servant, and as an Alter Ego, ensured that Genji would have those two deities in him with their powers at his disposal. And now was time to use one of two Noble Phantasms he was granted, as he closed distance onto the Archer, and he was clearly preparing to take aim at him, only saved by the fact that he couldn't yet focus fully on him.
In Genji's right hand, materialized a long tachi blade with the heavenly motif to it, and the moment his fingers gripped it, the sword became like living lightning in his hand, and his eyes landed upon the Archer. A handsome man with a sad expression, with red wavy hair and holding in his hands a bow that was more like a harp, and his fingers were closing in on the strings, clearly preparing to strike again. Summoning all of his mana and strength, Genji brought his blade for the slashing position, and in the next moment, Genji seemingly disappeared before Archer's eyes in flash of light. Yet he wasn't gone for long, as he reappeared the very next moment right before him, sending his blade at Archer faster than one could even see it, as the name of this blade was heard.
"Ame-no-Habakiri!" He called the name of the legendary sword of Susanoo, one that he had used to slice Yamato-no-Orochi's eight heads and eight tails, now used to strike down this Archer.
Once the sword is summoned, the wielder will always find his place near the enemy for the perfect strike, and when the words left Genji's mouth, seven more swords like one he held materialized around him, all aimed at Archer's vital organs and points, striking as one with same speed and power. Next thing Archer could see was eight blades striking him down and carving his body up, as Genji came to a halt behind him, letting out a sigh, for such an attack took much from him, both in endurance and mana. Once the name of Ame-no-Habakiri is called out and attack is launched, it will be mirrored by seven more identical ones, each containing in them the power of the A+ rank Noble Phantasm, meant to strike down enemy's vital point. Even if the enemy attempts to escape, he won't for the nature of the attack is not one of a "mortal strike" but that of an "execution", meaning that for that short period of time Genji obtains a Conceptual Weapon, that is sure to exterminate the opponent he faces off against.
Preparing to leave the roof, he suddenly heard a bloody cough coming from the Archer, making Genji turn walk to him, to see him smiling all of a sudden, even blood poured from all of his wounds and mouth.
"Y-you… You have my… th-thanks, S-Servant." He suddenly said to him, as he coughed up more blood. "T-to th-think that I-I a-and my b-brothers-in-a-arms w- would… Serve m-my K-King's m-mortal enemy... P-perhaps, that is… the f-fate I d-deserved, f-for deserting a-and misjudging m-my King s-so badly." Hearing his words, Genji's memory immediately flashed with the knowledge of one Knight that could say such things.
"Ser Tristan." Genji said with reverence, as he looked upon one of the Knights of the Round Table. "Let me help you, I can…" Another bloody cough escaped Tristan's body, and it began to disperse.
"N-no, h-help my King. She still… She still fights Morgause, and…" Tristan's last strengths began to leave him, yet he still uttered one more sentence. "T-Tell her I-I am sorry…" And with this, the legendary Knight of the Round Table disappeared from sight, with Genji letting out a heavy sigh.
"We will." He promised, as he rose up to his feet, activating communication rune.
"Genji, what the hell was that just now?!" Touko called out to him immediately, voice clearly filled with worry for her husband. "Your mana levels dropped in an instant to less than one eight of what they were, and I'm trying to recharge you, but what was it?! Are you hurt?!" It was a rare sight for Genji, to hear his wife in such a state of panic, but he was not one to enjoy it, so he quickly calmed her down.
"No, I'm fine, but I had to use one of my Noble Phantasms to defeat Archer, before he could shoot me down. It takes a whole lot of mana, because it's basically the sword of Storm God and an inescapable attack that rewrites causality and physics." Genji explained. "I am fine, Touko, just a bit winded. Give me a few moments and I'll be back in the fight."
"Not a chance in hell! Get back here and recover your mana, mister, and if I catch even a whiff of you trailing off again to find some adventure on your arse, I'll curse you up so badly, that not even your Strom God will be able to do a thing about it!" Touko threatened to him, with Genji struggling not to chuckle, and failing. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, it's… It's just your voice. I forgot how badly I missed it, Touko." Genji admitted with a small smile to his wife. "Not hearing it, and not having you with me and Shirou… It was a worse torment than a thousand curses of Angra Mainyu. I'm sorry, Touko, for failing to protect you from Tokiomi and…" The worst regret came to life in Genji's voice, his failure to protect his wife, mother of their son, from threats.
"No… No, I'm the one who should be apologizing, Genji, b-because…" Touko's tone became weak and vulnerable, yet before she could say a thing, Venelana cut in.
"Please, both of you, stop with this nonsense. If you wish to have words, then do so in person and not like that, and you both have done what you felt was best for Shirou, and that's the most important. And no matter how it had panned out, he… He would not have you self-deprecating yourselves, so for his sake, please stop it." Venelana asked of them both with a calming and caring non-sense. "When he comes back, let him see not two regretful and miserable Magi, but his caring, strong and loving parents, to whom he always looked up to. Now, Genji, get back and let us help you recover." Against that, Genji could not argue.
"I will, and thank you, Mom." He told his Mother, as he stepped into the spiritual form and moved back to the base.
"Venelana… Thank you." Touko thanked her mother-in-law, who smiled and nodded to her, before the eldest Aozaki composed herself. "Alright… What's our status now?"
"We've taken out an Assassin and an Archer, while also turning one of the Berserkers on our side, so we've now gained one more Servant and taken out 3 enemy ones." Lorelei stated, as she let out a sigh and wiped off her sweat. "Medea has formed the contract and is now weakening the Mad Enhancement on the Berserker, to make her more manageable, but she is definitely a powerful Servant, yet I've not an idea of her identity. Yet Rider and Archer remain outside of our contact, for some reason, and I do hope that it is not merely because they've decided to just let their Masters know of their conversations."
"No, we've been trying to reach them as well, but with little progress." Waver spoke up, with Aoko nodding. "Right before they've broken contact, they Iskandar reported that the Black Knight had entered the northern part of the town and went past it, but after that was nothing. All I know is that Iskandar is quite alive and well, since his flow of mana hasn't spiked or changed yet."
"I can say the same thing about Nobunaga." Aoko said. "If they are fighting a Servant, then it's either someone weak, or it could be someone who prefers hiding instead of fighting, and has an NP that can cut off such communications? A second Assassin, maybe?" Aoko suggested, before Ciel spoke up, having gotten off her phone
"There is some form of dark dome over a field just past town, work of magic." Ciel said aloud. "Could be either a Reality Marble, or a Bounded Field, but it's not work of a simple Magi."
"Either Assassin, Caster, or that potential Rider, who had set up that Bounded Field." Bazett stated, as she caught curious sights on her. "What? I thought that since that Black Knight was able to keep such fast pace and could switch arms like he did, he was of Rider Class. In any event, I propose we send Caster there to provide assistance, once she done with the Berserker." Bazett's offer was heard and approved of.
"True, but we've yet to see what mount this Knight has." Venelana stated. "In the meantime, what about our first catch of the day? That Berserker, what could be her identity?"
"I believe she is Medusa Gorgon, the youngest of the Three Gorgon sisters and the fair maiden that had attracted affections of Poseidon and was slain by Perseus, using the sword Harpe." Irisviel stated, gaining the attention of all present before her. "This form must be the one in which Perseus had found her, though why she has Harpe I do not know. Still, from Heracles' perspective, I can tell that as a Berserker, her power nearly rivals his, and after she used her Mystic Eyes, she could've beaten him with Harpe, which rends immortality off all things."
"A monster like that is sure to be great use to us, but who do you propose actually takes command of such a beast?" Bram Sophia-Ri asked aloud.
"I can handle her, shouldn't that much of an issue." Illya immediately spoke up, drawing surprised looks from all, safe for her mother. "What? Just because I go to Atlas, does not mean I have few Circuits of bad quality. On that front, I can give even Shirou a good run for his money." Illya proudly stated, before giving a cocky victorious look to Rin and Luvia with a smirk, making them glare at her a little.
"Very well, I'll have Medea transfer the contract to you. She should be finishing it up in a few moments." Lorelei stated, just as Genji materialized back in the HQ. "You had best return to your spiritual form, Muramasa, so you may recover quicker. We don't know what other Servants our enemy has."
"I may have a clue as to what type we may find ourselves against, at least with some of them." Genji spoke up, drawing attention. "That Archer was actually Ser Tristan, one of the Knights of the Round Table." That was a surprise for many.
"Wait, the same Ser Tristan from the romance of Tristan and Isolde?" Luvia asked, with Genji nodding. "Could it be pure coincidence that he was summoned? After all, what about that Assassin and the Caster Lord El-Melloi's Rider had recognized, mayhaps the Grail just randomly selected the participants."
"No, it is highly unlikely. Kirei was a Master and could qualify for his past achievements for the Assassin Class. It is possible to implement special additions to summoning incantations, to specify the needed servant, even without a catalyst." Venelana said, as she thought about it all. "The Gorlois family must've also compiled information of Servants of the past Wars, and possibly even provided some catalysts. Given her history, it would only make sense for Morgause to summon those that she knows, and who she knows better than Knights of the Round?" None could argue with that logic, with Genji adding.
"Before his death, Tristan did say that he and his brother-in-arms are serving Morgause, so it's safe to say that Morgause had summoned them." Genji stated, before letting a sigh. "And so now we have to fight against some of the best Servants with home field advantage… Any signs of the enemies yet?"
"None, safe those we've encountered." Bazett said, before all heard Cu Chulainn's voice through the runes.
"Hey, I now have got what looks like a Saber coming… Whoa!" And in the next moment there was clang of metals and sound of clashing weapons. "Nope, scratch that! This guy is a Berserker, and a zealous fanatic at that!" Cu stated, as he exchanged blows with him.
"Do you need support, Lancer?" Bazett asked of him, as all heard a cry of rage as the enemy attacked them.
"Nah, I can handle this guy, no problem." Cu Chulainn responded in a carefree manner, while evading strikes. "Maybe you'd have better luck if you tried to hit me with one sword instead of two? You know, less things to worry your zealous little angry mind of yours about?"
"Hold on, did you say a zealous Berserker with two swords?" Mordred suddenly spoke up, before continuing. "Damn it, I'm coming your way, and send us some back up too!" Mordred suddenly commanded.
"Mordred, what is going on, do you know that Berserker?" Venelana asked of her.
"Yeah, that's Balin, a preaching asshole on the best of day, zealous maniac on the worst. He was on the Round Table, but was one of our totally worst ones, and I'm not surprised he's here as Berserker." Mordred informed all. "He was all about Christ and God and piety, and loved nothing more than hunt down witches, Faeries and other folk that just carried on with their lives, without going to church every Sunday. Your Holy Church and him would get along like bread and butter…" Mordred wished she could see the face of the Executioner girl was making.
"Balin le Savage? The Knight of the Two Swords?" Genji asked. "He's not exactly the most famous of the Knights, and I doubt Cu Chulainn would have much trouble against him, even he has some sort of advantage against pagan Heroic Spirits."
"It's not that! If he is there, the others will also be there." Mordred stated, as she ran fast as she could to where Cu was.
"You know, I thought you Knights of the Round were supposed be like of the best warriors of this isle." Cu Chulainn said, as he dodged another swift swipe from Balin's two swords, before answering by thrusting his Gae Bolg at him in rapid succession. "Half a reason I even answered was to try my hand against you guys, and all I get is a third rate Christian obsessed asshat? Talk about disappointing." Balin was able to block most strikes, before two did get through to his black and red armor, one striking him in the arm and the other scratching his helmet.
"Silence, pagan scum!" Balin roared with fury as he charged at Cu again, with him maneuvering out of his way around the street. "You, filthy Irish mutt, will die, as will all your fellow forest hermits and witches!" Balin roared, as he sliced in two a road post, before using it as a projectile with his legs and launching it at Cu, who jumped away from it and behind a small car.
"Mutt?! I beg your pardon, did you just call a mutt?!" Cu said in an offended tone, as Balin charged him, slicing in two the car. "I'm not some run down runt! I'm the Hound of Ulster!" Cu Chulainn proclaimed, before literally kicking one of two halves of the car at Berserker, sending him into the store behind him with that attack, crashing in and completely destroying the place.
"Now come on, righteous holy knight. That couldn't have been all you had in you." Lancer goaded Berserker, before Balin cried in fury and threw the wreck of a car back at Cu, with him just ducking under and then locking arms with him, standing his ground. "That's more like it!" Lancer said with a wolfish grin, before pushing Balin back and swiftly going on the offensive with his red spear.
Despite facing off against an opponent who had Mad Enhancement, Cu Chulainn not only held his own but also matched and outpaced Balin, with the zealous Knight only able to attempt to parry the incoming strikes, at least until he seemed to simply forget about it. The more strikes Balin had missed and took, the madder and less in control he grew, and so grew his strength and soon Cu Chulainn noticed that the Knight had lost the last of his sanity and fully gave in to his madness. And with this change, came the martial power that was now making Cu Chulainn fight with more care, as the attacks became faster and stronger from Berserker, and he wasn't relenting no matter what.
Seeing that the more he struck him with his less mortal blows, the stronger he grew, Lancer decided that he would best put an end to this one here and now, or else create an enemy that could effectively beat them all. Evading another barrage of strikes, Lance waited for the moment when Balin would lunge for another attack, before kicking his spear into the air, maneuvering behind him and then counter lunging at him, catching Berserker of guard and then performing a powerful suplex on the Berserker, caving pavement and ground underneath him. Wasting no time while the Servant was disoriented, Cu leapt into the air, catching his spear and then dropping down, driving his spear straight into the heart of Balin.
The maddened Knight gurgled in pain and fury, trying to strike again, but after Cu drove Gae Bolg deeper, through his chest and spine, the mad Servant had finally stopped resisting. His arms finally letting go of the blades and his form finally dissipating, as Lancer took the spear out of the ground and walking away, letting out a sigh of disappointment.
"Shame he wasn't summoned as Saber. He would've been a good match then." Lancer said in the end, as he prepared to call the HQ, before his hearing told him that there was a new danger coming, and he quickly turned and barely has had the time to bring up his spear to block a powerful strike from another Knight. "Guh! Let me guess, you are one of the Rounds too?" Lancer asked as he fully committed himself to the lock with this newcomer.
"I am, and in me you face a true Knight of the Round Table!" The Knight in white dark purple armor proclaimed, holding a dark great sword. "You have bested Sir Balin, overtaken by his obsessions and madness. For that I thank you, for freeing him from service to our King's enemy." And then suddenly Cu felt as this Knight's strength and power increased and he pushed Cu back.
Nearly failing to catch himself from his wrong step, Cu only had half a second to dodge the next incoming attack, which nearly bisected him, only saved by his quick footwork. For the following minute, Lancer was put on the defenses, as this Saber, and it was clearly the Servant of a Sword, continued to quite literally pummel Cu with his powerful sword, showing both exceptional swordplay and strength. As much as Lancer found this fight far more interesting than the previous one, he had to admit that this Saber was clearly no slouch, and if he was to act like he did with Balin, he'd be dead. Not only did this Saber match his speed and strength in the beginning, but right after this fight began, he somehow gotten even faster and stronger. Lancer had already mentally relayed all his situation to his Master, and now he was waiting for reinforcements, but before that, he decided that it was time to fight for real.
Stepping further back than before and catching the Saber off guard, Lancer launched his barrage of strikes at this knight, only for him to block all twenty four strikes, before swiping his blade down and forcing Lancer to stumble. Using the momentary diversion, Saber prepared to cut Lancer down, but Cu then stuck his spear down on the ground and propelled himself up, avoiding the attack and landing on the other side of the street. Without wasting a breath and deciding to distract him, he kicked a mail box at him, then a car and then cut a telephone pole, all to distract him, yet Saber simply cut all of them away, before Cu cut a road sign into two pieces and sent them at him. Saber easily avoided the first, before catching the second and then charging Cu with it and his sword, and then shocking Cu with him wielding the broken piece of pole as if it were a second sword.
If Balin was simply good with two swords, as much as Cu had mocked him, this Knight was a true master and has now put Cu Chulainn on the back foot, being forced to defend from twice as many attacks, and each being as strong as the ones with merely one. Feeling himself being pressured and put on the back foot, Cu Chulainn began to consider his options, before coming to the sole conclusion that he had no choice but to use his Noble Phantasm, if he wanted to win. Although he also had to admit, that he has not had this much fun and excitement since he was alive, and so he allowed his personal excitement take over and let it last a little longer, before he attempted a counter, only for the Knight to catch his spear with his left hand, freeing it from the pole.
Shocked by that fact, Cu almost did have the time to react as the blade started coming down on him, before a red flash zipped past him and strike the Saber's blade away, deflecting it from striking Cu. The very next moment the wielder of that sword appeared, grabbing the sword in midair and then punching the enemy Saber away from her, as she landed and prepared for the fight. Cu took a moment to catch his breath, before positioning himself near Saber, speaking up to her.
"What took you so long, little missy?" Cu asked in a teasing tone.
"Shut it, god." Mordred responded, before turning to Lancelot. "Should've figured that bitch would you from the start. She always had her eyes on you, Knight of Cuckolding."
"And I am surprised that Grail had even recognized one as vile as you a Hero." Enemy Saber responded, as he readied himself. "I suppose I should not be surprised, that you do not stand with your "supposed" allies, Sir Mordred."
"Look who's talking: the finest Knight of the Round Table, now doing the bidding of father's worst enemy." Mordred stated back. "Talk about a bloody irony, but at least now I've got my chance to beat you into a pulp, perfect Knight Lancelot." Mordred addressed Ser Lancelot with a near growl, the Knight of the Lake and Camelot's finest knight.
"Sounds like you two have some history." Cu said. "What did he do to you? Slept with your mum?"
"As if I would ever lay with that witch." Lancelot bit back. "Serving Morgause is the worst betrayal I could imagine, but if it means I at least get to avenge my King, I'll be more than happy to strike you down, traitorous scum." Mordred growled from behind her helm.
"At least I didn't cuckold two men at the same time." Mordred bit back, before the two charged at each other, their blades meeting and the force of their attack caused a shock wave to travel across the street. "Heh, is that your best?" Mordred pushed Lancelot back and began to attack him with ferocity of a dragon and equal strength.
With every swing, the pavement and ground turned into rubble and pebbles were flying all around into the buildings and into the air, while windows shattered from the shockwaves of their strikes. In his relatively short life as a warrior, Cu Chulainn had seen many warriors, with just as many ways of fighting that they had employed, but this was the first time he had witnessed a clash of such two powerful beings. Mordred appeared to be the embodiment of raw unrestrained power, that battered against Lancelot's unwavering and masterful defense, his sword serving as both an armament and a shield against Mordred. The two Knights of the Round fought like none Cu knew before, not even in wars against Medb did he such ferocious warriors. He wished he could have gotten his chance at fighting Camelot's best, he decided that he would let Mordred fight against Lancelot, and should need arise, he will always be there to step in and offer support.
Mordred's offence was a brutal and seemingly mad one, yet not one person who knew Mordred, especially a Knight of the Round Table, would consider Mordred to be merely a mad dog akin to Berserker. Her wide and powerful slashes against Lancelot were fast and precise to keep him from committing to the counter-offence, forcing him to look for an opening in her attacks. His moment came when he saw an overhead slash coming at him, using this moment to counter attack with a slash, but Mordred instead had fainted that overhead slash and after placing her blade behind her, she used it as an accelerator. Red lightning coursed around her in full, and with the burst of energy from Clarent, she propelled herself straight at Lancelot, slamming into him and sending him stumbling backwards, crashing into a nearby car, flattening it's roof.
Finally seeing her opening for the attack wide and clear, Mordred did not waste her time and charge straight ahead with full intent to strike, yet Lancelot did not give her the chance. He gathered himself and then evaded her strike, which not only destroyed the car, but the sheer wave of air sent by it cut the wall and door of a house behind as well. Roles were now reversed and Lancelot used the chance to strike at Mordred with a side slash, but Knight of Rebellion wasn't about to give Lancelot a chance to beat her, and after a quick flash of lightning, the exposed gas tank exploded, a flash of fire and light blinding all. For a moment, Cu had already thought that his partner was done for with that move, but after he saw Lancelot and Mordred again exchange blows, each of which literally blew away fires, he was assured that she was all right. Once more the two knights locked their legendary swords, again standing in a deadlock, from which either seemed unable to emerge victorious.
"Resorting to cheap tricks and underhanded tactics, the sole way you could ever win at any battle, traitor." Lancelot glared at Mordred, using his Skills to temporarily increase his strength, yet it seemed not to have given him a major edge over Mordred.
"I thought you'd approve, since all is fair in war and love." Mordred grunted, as she held her ground against Lancelot. "And speaking of traitors, have you looked in the mirror lately? Because from where I'm seeing it, I'm the most loyal Knight to my father, while you've become Morgause's little toy!" And then Mordred once more activated her Mana Burst, amplifying her speed and power, before unleashing it at in a wave of magical energy around her, distracting Lancelot long enough to push him back.
After that Mordred sent her blade straight at Lancelot again, with the Knight of the Lake just sending it away into the air, but the distraction was enough for Mordred to close the distance in a jumping kick, sending Lancelot flying through the air and into the house behind and past it. Catching Clarent in her hands, Mordred quickly poured her mana into it and then sent a pulse of red energy out to where Lancelot was, destroying the two houses and damaging the once that were adjacent. And yet it seemed like was not enough to take out Camelot's finest, as Lancelot dived down from the air with his sword, slashing concrete with his blade and shock from his swing, missing Mordred who dodged in the last instant. Using the rare chance, she kicked Lancelot into his face with her powered up kick and sent him back, before she rushed straight at him with her sword drawn, a clear opening beckoning… Only to be snuffed out, when a new Servant put himself between Lancelot and Mordred, with the Knight of Rebellion looking at him with a clear shock in her eyes.
"Gawain?!" Mordred uttered with disbelief in her eyes, as the Knight of the Sun and her older brother looked down upon her, holding his powerful sister sword of Excalibur, Excalibur Galatine. "D-Don't tell me you too…" And in that instance, Gawain pushed back Mordred without much issue, making it seem as if it were nothing at all, before striking at her, with Mordred buckling from his attack, barely able to block it.
"Despite all that had transpired, this is not how I wish we've crossed swords, Mordred." Gawain spoke with a tone that was clearly filled with regret. "Though now we stand as enemies, I implore you, to stay true to our King this time, and find victory against us." And with this, he pushed his sword forward and sent Mordred literally flying into the air and crushing into the house on the other side of the street, before Gawain effortlessly caught Cu's spear in his hand, shocking him.
"What the…" Before he could form a complete response, Gawain kicked Cu back with his leg, sending him into the opposite direction and crushing past a car, a wall and a bar table, before he finally stopped, hissing from pain. "Ugh… What the heck was that?! She was just giving Round Table's best a solid beating, yet this guy just casually threw her through the town? Just what kind of a Servant is he?"
"Such is the power of Sir Gawain, the one Knight who could fight Lancelot and win, in the daylight." Cu looked up, as he stood up, seeing two more knights, a white and black one, armed with a spear and a halberd respectively. "In day, when the sun is up, Gawain's power increases threefold, and so he is unstoppable under the sun. And when paired with Lancelot, not even Mordred will be able to withstand them for long." The white knight stated, as Cu stood and readied himself for battle.
"Is that right? And I'm guessing you are with those two?" Cu asked of them, as he smiled. "Well, looks like it is my lucky day after all, since I get to fight two Lancers at the same time."
"I am Percival, second seat of the Round Table, summoned as Heroic Class of Lancer, and this is Agravain, and his Class is…" Before Percival could finish, Agravain moved, summoning ethereal red chains and binding with them Cu Chulainn trapping him.
"Guh! Hey, ever heard of politeness?" Cu asked of the man, as Agravain readied to strike him down with his halberd. "Oh don't you get too excited about it!" Lancer powered through and used Gae Bolg to cut the chains, before charging at Agravain, yet being intercepted by Percival with his spear.
"Seriously, for the guys who are supposed to be sworn enemies of that witch, you sure are earnest in your work for her." Cu stated, as he backed off and traded blows with Percival, their spears thrusting and deflecting one another, before Agravain tried to summon new chains, forcing Cu to move. "Okay, so you must be an Assassin, with the way you are aiming at my backside." Cu stated as he had managed to slip back into the streets, only to lock arms with Agravain again.
"I am a Servant to our Master, and my Class is of no concern to you." Agravain stated, as he pushed Cu back, with Percival joining in soon in the fighting. "I had hoped to lure out at least Saber by sending Ser Balin out, but the fact that one more had taken the bait is even better." Cu was forced to dodge and evade incoming attacks from both Servants, as he tried to find an opening for an attack, and failing, only being able to back away.
"You've sent a brother-in-arms as a bait to die, knowing he wouldn't be able to beat us?" Cu was disgusted at the thought of it, as Agravain swung his halberd a Cu, with him parrying and dodging it.
"It was clear, that even as a Knight of the Round, Balin was the weakest one summoned, and so he served his purpose. With the two of you gone, our advantage in this War will be unbeatable." Agravain said, as he swung his halberd down on Cu with him blocking it. "You've surprised me, with your Caster's power to take over Servants and with your victory over Ser Tristan, but even those losses are not enough to secure your victory. With just four of us, we can effectively beat you, and there are still more, and with your Rider and Archer gone, we'll have all but secured our victory."
"Y-yeah? Y-you a-and what army?!" Cu grunted, before he kicked Agravain back and put distance between them, as he brought up his spear. "Really wished I'd not have to use it, but looks like it's time to really get serious!" He said, as Gae Bolg flared up with power, preparing to unleash it.
While Cu Chulainn was in the battle against Percival and Agravain, Mordred had managed to recover and returned back, only this time instead of only Lancelot, she also had to fight Gawain of all people at the same time, and against such a powerful combo, she really was losing. Launching any attacks against them was useless, as Gawain would always place himself for a parry, and then Lancelot would attack, with Gawain joining up. As much as she and others joked, but Gawain's strength was nothing to scoff at, as she could not even think of a single Knight who could best Gawain in a battle of pure strength, and even Mordred had bested him after he was wounded and weakened by Lancelot in a duel when they were still alive. Now, two of the best Knights of the Round Table were all but breaking Mordred, as she backing away, dodging and blocking their attacks, until Gawain charged up his Galatine, and flame of the sun came out.
Unleashing it in a sweeping motion, the fire blade struck Mordred's armor and sent her flying back, with Lancelot quickly catching up to her in mid aid, preparing to take her head, yet she gambled again, as she positioned Clarent behind and sent out a pulse from it. Stopped in her flight back and propelled in the opposite direction, she met Arondight with her Clarent in midair, before flaring up with mana again and kicking Lancelot back, gaining some distance, but then Gawain caught up and struck down. The power of his attack was such that the pavement and ground bellow cratered, with Mordred being forced onto her knee, barely able to hold off the attack from Gawain at his full power with her own strength. Yet it was not enough for Mordred to withstand a kick into the chest, pummeling her into the ground, with Gawain standing up above her, bringing his sword over her, clear intent in his act and eyes. Trying to move away or block, Mordred reached for Clarent, yet Lancelot stops her, stepping onto her hand and nearly crushing it. However, this was not how Mordred was going to go down, as she roared.
"Red Thunder!" She unleashed all of her stored up Mana in one blast, pushing Lancelot off of her and grabbing Clarent, before using it to blast at Gawain, making him back off and letting Mordred stand up and get some distance. "What the hell is wrong with you, Gawain?!" Mordred roared, as she propelled herself at Gawain, clashing swords with him and clearing the smock.
"Where the hell is that indomitable spirit? Where the hell is that handsome smile? The jokes and laughter, where the hell is it, Gawain?!" She demanded to know, for his silence seemed to cut worse than before. "Kicking a knight in the stomach like that? That's my move, not yours! You were always better than this, and now… Now you would lower yourself to this?! Where the hell is your pride and honor as a knight?!" Mordred demanded to know, as Gawain pushed her back, but with less power than before.
"You ask me where those are, Mordred? You know the answer where- they are now with my King, against whom I now stand and can't do anything!" Gawain roared from despair and rage, as he smashed his bladed down upon where Mordred stood, yet the blast was still enough to send her flying backwards. "The cruelest irony, joke of destiny, that those most loyal to our King now serve her greatest enemy, while the one who felled her now stands as the sole loyal Knight of the Round Table. Heh, if only you could know, how much I envy you now, Mordred." Gawain said with a humorless chuckle, with Mordred nearly torn at the fact of how one of the Knights she once looked up to spoke.
"Damn it! Just hold back for a little while longer, and we'll be sure to free all of you!" Mordred shouted at him, before her instinct flared up and she moved away, yet Lancelot was faster and slashed across her back, only barely missing her spine. "Ugh, Lancelot, damn…" And then Lancelot followed it up with a slash across Mordred's arm, forcing her to drop Clarent.
"You've exhausted yourself in your last attack. I commend your attempt, but this is the end for you, and none shall save you now, traitor." Lancelot stated, as he brought up Arondight for the decapitating strike. "I shall at least grant you a swift end." He said, as he sent his blade towards Mordred's neck, before all heard the sound of a charging war horse, forcing all to look towards the incoming sound.
Down the street towards the warring Servants was charging a mighty black as starless night charger, armored and covered in black, and on top of it sat it sat a knight, garbed in all black and with mist coming from him that obscured any ability to discern who it was. The Black Knight charged down the street with full force and speed, his steed slamming into Lancelot and pushing him away from Mordred, while Black Knight grabbed the wounded Saber and put her on his mount, before pushing past Gawain with speed that was beyond any mortal horse. With enough force to break ground and pavement and speed to breach sound barrier, Black Knight charged at Percival and Agravain, unveiling his black spear with dim blue lines on it, before it changed form into one of halberd.
Bringing it up with one hand, Black Knight passed by Percival who was preparing to strike, before striking him with his halberd, and sending him flying back from sheer force. Agravain was faster in reaction and already summoned his chains, only for the Black Knight to strike all of them away, before changing his halberd into spear and thrusting it into Agravain, wounding him deeply in the shoulder and dragging him across the street, before sending him flying backwards by flinging his spear in that direction. Without even coming to a halt, the Black Knight charged once more down the street, this time towards Gawain, building up momentum and then suddenly jumping off his horse, his weapon transforming into a sword, and striking at him.
The power of his strike was such that the ground broke into a crater and shockwave shattered windows and dented cars around, and even Gawain was shocked at the fact that this Black Knight was so good, even when he stood a good head shorter, being just a little above Arturia in height, and of similarly proportionate build. It was as if he was facing off against himself this very moment, which couldn't be true, in Gawain's mind.
"How is this possible?! You… You are no Saber or a Knight of the Round Table, yet you match me in strength, and defy the will of Morgause?!" Gawain stated with shock, as the two Knights continued with their deadlock. "Just who the hell are you, Black Knight?! How is it that you, a lordless brigand, match me and act of your own will?"
"I am neither lordless, or nor a mere brigand, Ser Gawain." A dull voice came from beneath the helm. "And it is time for you to regain your true place! Now!" And in that very moment Medea materialized with her Rule Breaker and stabbed Gawain in the back, forcing him to scream in pain, as the contract with Morgause finally was broken.
"Ser Gawain!" Lancelot charged at Black Knight, who was quick to react and blocked his attack with his own sword, letting it fall beside him, before maneuvering away for the responsive attack, which Lancelot blocked. "How is this even possible? Is treachery and treason so ingrained in you, that they've become your salvation from slavery?" Seeing the opportunity, Medea already prepared to move, but Agravain was able to restrain her for long enough to let Lancelot and Percival regroup and take positions for battle.
"Curses, so this is how you've taken away our Berserker, but what I do not understand is what are you doing here, Black Knight! Your orders were to assist Ser Dagonet and Ser Gareth against enemy Rider and Archer, yet you stand here against us?!" Agravain was infuriated, as he charged at Black Knight, before his strike was stopped and then thrown back by Gawain. "Ser Gawain?"
"You… You have my thanks, milady." Gawain told Medea, who smiled to him from under her hood, before he turned to Agravain, Lancelot and Percival. "My apologies, brother, but I'd sooner die than relinquish my oath to our King. And for my disservice to him today, I'll repent by restoring you to your true state of mind." Gawain readied his sword, immediately joined by Cu Chulainn, Black Knight, healed Mordred and Medea, before all heard lightning and thunder coming their way.
"Looks like the cavalry is here." Mordred said, as she felt herself fully healed, before taking up her sword. "Now then, where did we stop?" She asked with a smirk, with Agravain scowling before speaking up.
"The day is yours today. Caster, we need withdrawal." Agravain shouted, and then suddenly he, Lancelot and Percival were engulfed in a whirlwind of pink flower petals and then they disappeared, leaving nearly all who saw it confused.
"This was not any form of Magecraft that I am familiar with." Medea spoke up, just as Iskandar, Nobunaga and one more passenger with them on the chariot had parked. "Whoever their Caster, he is certainly nothing like that charlatan in the church was. Do any of you know who it may be?"
"No, I fear I don't. Only Agravain saw him, and he did not reveal him." Gawain said, as he looked at the three newly arrived Servants, finding among them one friendly face. "Gareth?!" The youngest Knight of the Round jumped off the chariot and went to hug her big brother.
"G-Gawain?! You are back to yourself!" Gareth cried openly, completely forgetting her composure as a knight. "I-It was so bad! I-I had to work with D-Dagonet, a-and he made all those cruel jokes, a-and…"
"There, there, it is alright now, little sister." Gawain patted her on the head, before he turned to Iskandar and Nobunaga. "You have my thanks, for sparing my sister."
"It was nothing. Such a promising and earnest pup like her deserves to fully mature into the fierce wolf." Iskandar laughed, before his tone turned a little less boisterous. "Although, we've had to eliminate your brother-in-arms, one known as Ser Dagonet."
"The craven fool had dared to challenge me, the King of Innovation, with his pathetic little bow to see, who the superior Archer was. Naturally I've beaten him, and showed him the power of Progress!" Nobunaga stated with laughter, proud of herself. "No hard feelings, I hope?"
"None, though he was my brother-in-arms, he had found few friends among us." Gawain said, as he turned to the Black Knight. "Black Knight, what of you? Were also released by this sorceress?"
"No, he was not, which is confusing, considering what we know of your summoning." Medea stated, as she too turned towards the Black Knight. "To be able to resist the power of such a Witch as Morgause is no small feat, all the more impressive when all others have fallen to her will. I wonder, what manner of a Knight hides behind that helm and spell." That was clearly the question that was on everyone's mind, with Black Knight speaking up.
"I will answer all questions, but before that, I wish you break my contract with that witch." Black Knight spoke up, surprising Medea and some others. "It is true that I am immune to her Magecraft, thanks to one of my Noble Phantasms, but the last thing I wish is to be bound to her any longer, so I ask that you use your dagger on me." Medea relayed the request to Lorelei, she allowed it, and so she quickly pricked his hand with his Rule Breaker, freeing Black Knight from the control of Morgause.
"So, even as a Servant, you detest being bound to any King or Lord." Mordred noted with a raised brow.
"No, not quite so. I shall tell you all once we are safe from prying eyes." Black Knight stated. "We've won the day, and with the losses they've sustained today, they will not risk launching another attack. Let us withdraw and replenish our strengths, and I promise to tell my tale in safety." Black Knight stated, and so the Servants finally departed the field.
Association's HQ. Later.
"Well, I'd say this went way better than any of us had anticipated, and considering the caliber of our opponents, we've caught a lucky break." Aoko stated her opinion, which was shared by all in the HQ. "So, to summarize, our opponents have now been reduced to a Saber, Lancer, Rider, Assassin and Caster, while we've gotten ourselves a Lancer, a Saber, Rider and a Berserker. Looks like the roles have now been reversed, but what I do not get is why are we not going after the Grail, or the rest of those Servants?"
"You will not find them. If my thoughts on the identity of that Caster are correct, you'll sooner find road to Root than that sleazy bastard. Of that I can assure you." Zelretch spoke up, before he turned to look at the Black Knight. "Our new dark and broody pal here can testify about it, am I right?" Zelretch smirked at the Black Knight, who simply let out an annoyed sigh.
"One would think you would've learned better jokes than that, you old vampire." Black Knight said with an annoyed tone. "But Zelretch is right: after seeing those flower petals, there's no doubt on the identity of the Caster. Also, to correct you there, about our enemies: among our enemies there was but one Assassin, the one your Alter Ego slew. The one that took the spot also belongs to non-standard Class, but is definitely the most dangerous of all."
"If he is such a powerful entity, why did he not reveal himself today, unlike the Knights?" Iskandar asked of the Black Knight.
"Because he acts as Morgause's proxy, since she is now preoccupied by fighting against what I assume another Servant." Black Knight answered. "And as for their Class… I believe it is the same as, or at least close, to one Muramasa's." That was quite enough reason for concern for all.
"Then we best be made aware of it all." Venelana stated, before she turned to the Black Knight. "However, before all that, would you tell us, who are you, exactly? I've scoured all of my memory and knowledge of the Arthurian Lore, yet I've not found a thing that could clearly point out, who you truly are." Silence settled in the room, with Black Knight nodding, and then the mist surrounding him had finally dissipated, revealing in full that the garments he wore were quite like those of King of Knights, with the helm resembling that of a dragon, much too like one that Arturia had, Venelana noted.
Then, the helmet on the head suddenly broken down into segments and slid away from the head, fully revealing to all the face of the Black Knight, with all who knew Arturia Pendragon, in life or as Servant and maid, looking at him with expressions of complete shock. Before all stood a young man with a beautiful, near feminine face, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Arturia Pendragon, with some even thinking he could easily pass for the King. His hair was only a little bit paler than Arturia's while his eyes were blue-green, seemingly switching color under different lighting. The Knights of the Round were shook to the core, as they've recognized this knight.
"I-It can't be true…" Gawain said with complete shock.
"Y-You've got to be kidding me…" Mordred stated with disbelief.
"B-Brother?" Gareth said with wide from shock eyes, with the Black Knight smiling to them all, before speaking up to all.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Sir Gaheris, son of Morgan Le Fay, raised and prepared by her for service to King Arturia Pendragon, as her double and Keeper of Shield of King of Knights." Ser Gaheris revealed to all with a small smile. "Though my legend is sparse and overshadowed by my more accomplished brothers-in-arms, I too had served as both the Knight of the Round Table, and the Shadow to our King, acting as his Black Knight and Shadow when I had to. In my service to him and Camelot, to travel freely and without obstructions and knowledge of others, I have donned this armor and became the Black Knight. And when King needed to be in two places at once, assumed his place and name as his Shadow, hence why I am Ser Gaheris the King's Shadow." Gaheris, third of Morgan Le Fay's sons, younger brother to Gawain, Agravain, older to Gareth and Mordred, introduced himself to all.
Meanwhile. Base of Morgause's servants.
"This was a complete disaster! With our superior numbers, we should've had no problems in overwhelming them all, and yet we've bundled it all!" Agravain raved, as he stormed around the underground hall, with Percival and Lancelot merely keeping quiet, before Agravain turned towards where the throne was and spoke. "Had you two committed to this, we would stand victorious, yet all you did was sit and wait! What good are the two of you if can't even…" And at that moment, Agravain was blasted by the magical bullet that sent him into the wall, nigh killing him, with the one who shot him, standing up from his throne.
Into the light of the magical lamp walked out an imposing man, pale in complexion and hair, with eyes of molten gold and burning with fire, dressed in the black armor of dragon motif. An aura of darkness and power seemed to envelop the place as he simply walked to Agravain, picking him up by his throat and speaking up in a low, near dragon-like voice.
"You are forgetting yourself, Agravain. You were granted permission to strike, but not to waste our resources, and yet you did just that." The man said to him, as he gripped Agravain's throat tighter. "Just like before, you've failed Morgause, and she does not excuse failure the second time." And after that, he simply snapped the neck of the Servant with the barest of effort, before his body dissolved into mana, shocking Lancelot and Percival.
"Let his death be an example for to the two of you. You serve Morgause and me now, and you will not fail us the second time." The man stated to the two with power. "And as for the Black Knight, his dissent changes nothing. The Grail will belong to us."
"Yet they now have superior numbers to us." Percival spoke up. "As mighty and proud of our prowess Lancelot and are, even we can't stand against all of these Servants. And neither can you, Vortigern." Percival addressed the incarnation of White Dragon, Vortigern, who did not even pay him any mind.
"The numbers are not a problem for us. We will simply summon more Servants, and then we shall take the enemy down, and as for that Sorceress, we'll find a Servant or two who can counter her." Vortigern simply stated. "These lowborn Magi may have tricked Morgause into fighting a Servant, but not even someone as strong as this Caenis can withstand Morgause. Time is on our side, and we need but wait for Morgause, and in the meantime, we'll prepare her a suitable tribute."
"And how do you plan to replenish our numbers, exactly?" Lancelot asked of Vortigern. "The Holy Grail has already made it's selection, and no other Servants can now be summoned." To that Vortigern merely laughed.
"And who says there is no such right or possibility? Like Uther and his spawn, you underestimate Morgause, Knight of the Lake." Vortigern said. "She had suspected that something like that may occur, hence she ensured that we may summon more Servants to deal with our enemies, and that they be under our command like you are. It would even be to our benefit, since Grail will grow even stronger, ensuring that our Wish comes fully in to life. And you will make it so, Mage of Flowers, unless you wish to spend eternity in a place far worse than your little tower in Avalon." Vortigern and others turned to the Caster, that was summoned, who stepped out of the shadows and bowed his head.
"If that is how you wish, my King, it shall be done." Merlin, Magus of Flowers and once mentor, friend, advisor and court wizard of King Arthur, responded with his signature smile.
Well, what a twist! First I thought I would be able to make this War only into part of the chapter, but then I realized I need to make it into it's own dedicated chapter, and so there you have it. And to all you, I am sorry, but I do not yet have full on stats sheets to show you on all of the new Servants and Medusa (though she in here is like a mix of all three versions, with an added benefit of Mad Enhancement).
I'll try to make them for the next chapter, but I can say about Gaheris, that he is akin to Hephaestion, or Iskandar's Shadow, in his role to King Arthur, though to a small extreme, and as for why he was able to match sun-powered Gawain, it's one of his Noble Phantasms.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will leave a comment about it in the reviews. Feel free to share your opinion on it, give your suggestions on how story should proceed, what romance options should Shirou pursue (or rather, whom to add to his harem), or if you have questions, feel free to ask them. Your contributions help make this story better.
Next time: Training under two Witches; Tracing the root of Creation; A new blade is forged
See ya soon!