It hadn't taken long for Saber to figure out what Alice had told me as we quickly set out to the edge of the city later that night. I didn't know it at the time however but that night would begin a chain of events that would set a course for the rest of the Holy Grail War.
When we arrived I could see Maria with her Servant Lancer and man who I assumed to be Vladimir with his own Berserker Servant. Only unlike Berserker of Black, this one seemed covered in an armor I only assumed to date back to the Greeks. And in his hands were the biggest sword and shield I had ever seen in my life. Just looking at the enormous items made me tremble in fear; afraid that I could be crushed or impaled if any of those items fell.
The two were already engaged in battle against Klaus and Berserker of Black. I couldn't help but be astonished at how well the enemy Servant seemed to be holding off rather unfair odds as he knocked away Lancer's spear and clashed with our own Berserker of Red.
However despite this success I could see Klaus biting his lip as if he was nervous. His eyes seemed to twitch in frustration as he gritted his teeth. He obviously didn't expect this battle to last as long as it already did. I looked at Saber and nodded silently for her to join the fight before I went to Maria and Vladimir's side.
"Saiya you're here! We could use the help!" Maria said as she busied herself casting barriers on Lancer to protect her from Berserker's heavy blows. Vladimir acknowledged my presence but was silent as he winced in pain.
Kyou was right… Vladimir is the only Master we have that can handle Berserker's astronomically high mana cost. I thought as I only smiled at him reassuringly.
I turned towards Maria as my own Servant charged into the fray successfully managing to land consecutive strikes with a frightening ferocity I never normally saw on her. As the mad being before me roared in agony falling down on one knee I squealed with glee cheering on my Servant.
"Awesome job Saber! You got him!" I yelled to her as she seemed to be quickly preparing to finish off Berserker. It was then that I saw why, Berserker slowly stood back up as the mortal wounds Saber had inflicted upon it with her blade vanished.
It was then that I heard Klaus laughing. "It's pointless!" he cried. "Don't you all get it!? This is no ordinary Berserker class Servant! This one is impervious to all fatal wounds!" It was then he saw me and clenched his fists as a grin crossed his face.
"Well if it isn't the Red faction's little wild card?! You are going to regret following Alice's orders Saiya Misako!" He yelled as he pointed a finger directly at me before ordering his servant. "Kill her Berserker!"
I gasped as Berserker of Black looked directly at me and roared as it began a raging charge; bashing aside our own servants as if they were rag dolls and smashing through the barriers that the two other Masters with me placed. I felt the madman's fist hit me faster than I could react sending me spiraling away into a brick wall. In that instant I both heard and felt snapping in my ribs and my left arm and knew that they were broken.
I could hear my Servant's cry of despair as the shock and pain flowing from the heat of my wounds left my vision blurry. Feeling the wetness forming on my waist fear began building in my chest coupled with a new pain that felt as if it was scorching my heart.
I could hear the thunderous footsteps of the enemy Berserker getting closer as Maria yelled for me to move as Saber rushed to intercept my assailant. It all seemed to sound completely distant to me as I sat there on my knees grasping my chest in agony.
"It hurts…" I whimpered as I tried looking up only to feel more sparks of pain flow through my body. I could hear Berserker of Black's roar as my own Servant slashed his ankle with her sword; momentarily stopping him. I heard her desperate pleas for me to stand up only for her to be interrupted by the enemy's counter attack as our own Berserker moved in for a rescue.
"It hurts…" I repeated as all of the sound around me slowly died. All I heard was my own voice and the now frantic beating of my own heart.
"I want to live…I must save them…" I muttered. It was then I heard a woman's voice, at first I thought it was Saber; however instead it was something else, something more.
"Save who my child…?" She said as I opened my eyes, I was in a wheat field, everything looked so big.
It was then on closer inspection of my person that I saw I was a little girl again; only I was dressed in a white kimono. Suddenly a bright white light engulfed my vision. I winced as I shielded my eyes; "My friends..! I want to save my friends!" I said to the voice.
"So you require power to perform such a task do you…?" She said; her voice carrying warmth that made me feel safe. In that moment I felt incredibly guilty and selfish for making these requests to the voice.
"Y-Yes!" I stammered. "I want to defeat the darkness that is causing them harm!" I cried as the voice seemed to giggle.
"You are a very brave girl Saiya, and your commitment to protecting those precious to you has stirred my fire. Very well, I shall grant you the full power of my blessing." The voice said softly as I saw pale white beautiful hands reach through the light and cup my face as I felt as if the loving eyes of a mother were staring at me.
It was then when I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth as then when I opened them again I could see Saber and my two comrades staring at me in shock. I looked at my own hands and saw that they were engulfed in blue flames. The markings on my body glowing so brightly it was as if I was a beacon of light in a raging inferno; when I saw them staring at me a wave of warmth passed through my innards as I felt a soft loving smile crease my lips.
They are still alright, good…I thought as my weapons appeared in my hands. Upon touching my palms they two became engulfed in the flames as another wave of warmth passed through me. I hadn't even noticed that my broken arm and ribs had been repaired by the azure flames. As I looked forward I saw Berserker of Red attacking its enemy counterpart while Saber and Lancer defended Maria and Vladimir.
In that moment an intense rage began to build up in my stomach. Seeing Berserker of Black made me angry, He was hurting them; my friends, my comrades, I wanted nothing more than to see him burn.
As I pointed my naginata at my target a large azure magical circle appeared. It was then I saw the prana slithering up my arm up to the blade as energy was gathered.
"Disappear!" I bellowed as if it was a command firing the charged burst as the flames slammed into its chest as Berserker of Black roared. Its body becoming engulfed in the inferno; backing away towards the river as the flames tore away at its flesh.
In only a blink I was staring up at Berserker of Black as I jumped forward slashing with both weapons. Its blood sizzled gushing from each inflicted wound. The Servant tried to knock away the flames as it prepared to strike back at me. Only when I prepared for the final blow a large heavy fist knocked me aside.
I landed on the slope-like shore beside the river as the flames soon vanished; all that remained was a steamy hiss on my skin as I watched Berserker of Red finish the enemy servant off.
Berserker of Black groaned as it collapsed into the river with a loud splash soaking me nearby. All I could see as I wiped the water out of my eyes was his large muscular charred hand as it soon faded away like the current was washing his corpse into the deep.
I could only watch in awe as a name came to mind that surprised me.
"Rasputin…the legendary madman that could predict all outcomes and survive all deaths…except drowning…" I muttered as Maria, Lancer and Saber rushed to my side.
"Master are you alright?! I thought you had perished for a moment!" Saber said as she wrapped her arms around my neck. For a moment I was reminded of the soft, warm motherly hands that caressed my face in my vision.
"I'm fine Saber…" I was finally able to gasp out as the adrenaline running through me slowed to a halt.
"Oh thank goodness…" Saber whispered as I saw the tears in her eyes. Instantly I felt pangs of regret, I made this poor girl who was sworn to protect me; weep as what I had just done was the other way around. I quickly made a note of making this up to her in some way later.
Lancer was silent as Maria held something out to me. "You um…dropped these." She said as I saw that in her hand were my glasses. The lenses were unfortunately cracked.
Probably from when I was pounded into a wall by Klaus's Servant…but what was that light I saw? I thought as I took them thanking her kindly and sliding them back on. The battle was thankfully over, only it left me full of more questions I had yet to answer. Who was that voice? Why did it sound so familiar to me? And why did I suddenly become an unstoppable tide of raw power? This was something that had never happened before when I normally tapped into my inner power. It hadn't even occurred to me that in the confusion; Klaus had fled just before his Servant was defeated. Vladimir had already departed with Berserker of Red not stopping to ask questions. And Maria and Lancer were also both silent as she drove Saber and I back home. Little did I know a dark shadow that oversaw the fighting vanished reporting back to its Master.
Three Hours Later
Father Takahashi had always suspected something about Saiya was amiss. The report he received from his own Servant Assassin of Red confirmed this belief. However; he had a hard time believing it himself as he descended up the elevator to Alice's suite where she stayed with Caster and her grandfather.
He only wondered what he would say to the woman as he politely knocked on the door.
"Enter!" She said as he opened the door standing at attention before the leader of the Masters of Red.
"Ah! Father Takahashi! I've been expecting you my friend!" She said cheerily as she sipped a glass of red wine.
All of the vows Father Takahashi had taken were screaming at him to refuse the resulting glass she offered as he began relaying his Servant's report to her.
"Berserker of Black was engaged in combat as of three hours ago, the enemy Servant was then defeated soon afterward. However, the escaped homunculus was able to flee in the confusion." He said keeping a stiff neutral look on his face.
A frown came to Alice's lips as she gulped down her glass.
"That is rather unfortunate, however with the elimination of his Servant we now not only have an advantage in this war, locating and apprehending him will be easier." She said calmly before pouring her next glass.
"That is not all lady Alice…it concerns Saiya Misako." He said as Alice gave him a cold yet curious look.
"Saiya was the cause of the events that led to the enemy Servant's demise, according to Assassin's report a large strange blue flame covered her body and she began exhibiting abilities that would only be seen on a Caster, Archer, and Saber class Servant." He said as he saw the woman cough in surprise.
"What?! That is impossible! A Master can never match the abilities of a Servant! Much less even come close to defeating one in battle!" She growled, thinking that the priest was trying to fool her.
Father Takahashi stood rigid as he said. "I share your sentiments exactly milady, I asked Assassin to confirm this and he did multiple times."
Alice leaned back in her chair, trying to wrap her mind around what she had just been told. This was an unprecedented surprise. Never had this phenomenon ever happened in any Holy Grail War. It was then she clenched her fists in anger. She hated surprises.
"Have Maria investigate further into Saiya and her family! We need to know who or whatever the hell she is!" She said as the priest nodded leaving the room. Caster listened with fascination as she began her own investigation into the polite girl who, along with her beautiful prince of a Servant treated her with such respect.
Meanwhile…
Klaus stumbled into a temple quickly slamming the door behind him as anger gripped him tightly. What is it about Saiya that made me want her to die so badly?! And where did that power of hers come from?! He wondered as he collapsed from exhaustion. His only means of protection were gone. Now was he not only eliminated from the war but now it was simpler for Alice to capture him.
"Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!" He cried as he pounded his fist into the floor lamenting his defeat and desperately trying to formulate a new strategy. It was only then a voice called out to him.
It appears you are in need of my assistance…
Klaus looked up and saw a figure clad in armor stepping towards him. "Who are you!?" He cried as he stood up.
I am known as the Servant class Ruler…I've been tasked with monitoring this Holy Grail War… I also protect those in need… The voice said as it held out its hand towards him.
Something about Ruler made Klaus tremble as the being before him radiated power.
I shall protect you with my life… It said as the homunculus quickly took its hand as a light erupted onto his wrist and a new contract was made.
Hey sorry for the late update guys! School and work have nearly got me running ragged. So unfortunately chapters won't be coming as consistently as I'd like. As a result of this I may go on a temporary hiatus until things mellow out so if I you guys don't see any more chapters from me for a while then you will know why.