Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
King of Beasts Productions Presents:
Fate/Zero Hour: A Fate/Zero Multicrossover Fanfiction
Chapter 18: Windstille
Emiya Kiritsugu had just returned to his hideout in a seedy hotel in downtown Fuyuki. The room he rented was quite spartan as it had the basic necessities such as a bed and bathroom, but was lacking in terms of the glamour department.
Not that the Magus Killer picked it because it looked pretty, of course.
It had been a long night, and that's just putting it mildly; It's not everyday one gets to fight interdimensional demons summoned by a Servant in the Holy Grail War. Normally, Kiritsugu would see this as the perfect moment to strike. The Servants and Masters involved will be licking their wounds from the earlier battle with Caster. Thanks to all the intel he and Maiya gathered, he knew where each lived and had counter-measures prepared. The C4 charges that were still hidden in the Hyatt were proof of that.
This would've been the perfect time to strike, had that man with the scythe and the company he kept not declared that they would be making sure that the peace was kept this very night.
"This is troubling." He mulled over this thought while taking a bite out of a burger he had bought on the way home. "From the look of things, neither Master nor Servant know where they came from or even who they are. I still find it hard to believe that they're interdimensional guardians, but the powers they have demonstrated are not to be taken lightly."
Their presence as an interested party threw an unknown element into the already potent mix. This would force Kiritsugu to alter his tactics in the coming days to take the sudden appearance of this new group into account.
"At any rate, time to check the surveillance tapes." The Magus Killer decided that it was prudent to check the footage from the cameras he planted at the various hideouts the other Masters were hiding. He saw the same content as expected; the Masters and Servants returning to recuperate from the earlier battle with Caster. He didn't see anything worth noting until-
"Hang on. What's this?" Kiritsugu leaned forward to scrutinize the image of the Hyatt's lobby. He saw the same dark skinned man with the single golden eye walking through the lobby, this time clad in a black suit and slacks.
"I see..." He put a hand on his chin thoughtfully. He remembered seeing something in the news about the affluent CEO of Enterprises visiting the country with an interest of expanding his company to Japan's shores. His presence earlier tonight and his interest in the Grail War certainly piqued his attention.
"It's something I can't leave alone, at any rate." Kiritsugu pulled out his phone, dialed and quickly started a call. "Hello, Maiya? There's something I need you to look into for me..."
Fuyuki Hyatt, Around that Same Time.
Edgar Silverstein sat alone in the suite's bar, somberly staring at the lone glass of scotch he had poured for himself.
"I can't believe I did that." He muttered to himself as he mulled over the events earlier tonight; He had just reunited with the love of his life Gwendolyn, the reason why he fought in the Second Grail War of his timeline in the first place. Now that she was standing in front of him, as elegant as ever in her Valkyrie regalia, he just turned tail and ran like a coward! It was something even he couldn't comprehend.
Granted, he knew that he might lose her again, as per the nature of the Holy Grail War, but it was something his heart couldn't handle.
"Damn." The Shadow Knight chuckled ruefully as he took a sip. "I really am pathetic."
"No argument there."
He put the glass down and turned to see Scarlette walking towards him, clad in her white blouse, red tie and black knee high skirt office attire. Her eyes gave him a questioning stare while her arms were crossed beneath her ample chest.
"Welcome back." Edgar greeted the blonde as she took a seat beside him. "I take it you're all wrapping things up?"
"More or less. Some of us are working with your people in patrolling around the Temple's perimeter for any remnants of Caster's familiars. It's unlikely that they'll encounter any now that he's dead, but better safe than sorry." She stopped to take the bottle and her own glass. This caused Edgar to blink a few times as she began pouring her own glass. "Frankly, I'm more worried about you."
"Me?"
"Obviously. Who else decided to run off on my half-sister earlier?" Scarlette inquired before taking a sip of her own glass.
"Well played." Edgar sighed as he began staring off into the glass.
"So? Are you going to tell me why you suddenly withdrew?" The Witch of Elrit Forest asked further. "Because, quite frankly, I believe you're being unfair to Gwendolyn. You're the reason she was drawn to the Grail in the first place, you know!"
"I know. All too well. It's just that...The thought of seeing her again, only to lose her in this War..." Edgar took a deep sigh before taking another drink. "I thought I was prepared for this. I know the toll one must pay to participate in this blasted ritual, but to see her radiant smile, the way my heart skips a beat when I lay my eyes on her...All my old feelings came gushing out. To lose her again is a pain too great to bear."
"Perhaps, but that's still no excuse." Scarlette fired back. "She believes that she probably did something to wrong you, you know."
"Never." Edgar answered resolutely. "That woman can never do wrong by me."
"Then I think it is in both your best interests that you two talk. Let her hear your side of the story."
"Are we not supposed to remain impartial during the Grail War?" He asked with a raised brow.
"And we are." Scarlette answered back while pouring herself another glass. "All you're doing is meeting your wife and clearing up that little misunderstanding you caused."
"...I suppose you're right." Edgar chuckled. "I'll try to meet up with her during the day. No promises, though."
"Knowing you two, I'm sure it'll work out." She sighed as she sipped her glass. "Never thought I would see the day I play matchmaker for my half-sister and the infamous Shadow Knight."
"This makes me want to know more about YOUR love life, fair Princess of Valentine." Edgar grinned cheekily at his new drinking partner. "It's no fair if I'm the only one who get teased."
"Trust me when I say this, Oswald Edgarson." Scarlette's smile dulled, the Shadow Knight glimpsing a glimmer of sadness in her eyes. "My love life is far more tumultuous than yours."
Kotomine Church Basement.
"GAAAH!"
Kotomine Kirei was left breathing heavily, beads of sweat trickling from his brow as he felt as if his skin had been torn away from him. He looked at the wall where his Godrobe, made by his Servant Assassin specifically for this Grail War, was thrashing wildly while needles pinned it to restrain it's movement. This was done as he leaned on the lone couch for support while standing, his sculpted torso bare for all to see.
"I'm amazed that you kept it on as long as you did, Kirei-kun." Assassin giggled. "Most humans would've been torn into itty bitty pieces if they put it on for even a few seconds. You put it on for almost the entire battle!"
"It...was...necessary..." Despite the untold agony, the priest found himself grinning. The pain he had experience from donning the Godrobe was worth it as he now felt a vitality he never experienced before, sheer power coursing through his veins. In fact, he owed more than that to the Grand Couturier; for the first time in his life, his mind had clarity. No longer shackled by his old dogma, he now had a clear mission in life: To indulge his desires as much as possible.
And if that desire meant causing suffering and despair to others, then so be it.
"I thank you once again, Assassin..." The pain from having the Godrobe torn from him lessened, he stood upright while taking deep breaths. "It is thanks to you that my eyes have finally been opened."
"Oh no, it was fun educating you, Master~!" She giggled as she watched him take a seat on the lone couch. She herself bounced onto the empty space beside him soon after. "In fact, I'm looking forward to seeing where your growth goes from here! You now have affirmed your own desires, have you not?"
"Yes." Kirei nodded in agreement. "I have my own designs for the Grail, different from my Master's and my Father's. For now, I will continue acting as I have; the obedient lap dog that will follow any of their orders without question."
"While doing your own thing behind their back, right?" Assassin giggled as she reached for a wine bottle and a pair goblets she took from the cellar earlier. "Why, Kirei-kun! You're becoming quite devious~!"
"And who do you think taught me so?"
"Touche'!" The Grand Couturier could only giggle as Kirei answered with a smirk on his face. She poured a glass for both herself and her Master. "I don't normally drink, but this is a special occasion, after all~!" After she handed him his glass, she raised her glass. "A toast! To my Master, his enlightenment, and his eventual victory in the Grail War!"
"Cheers." Kirei bumped his glass with hers before taking a sip. After letting the rich wine go down his throat, he chuckled. "My father would be displeased if he had heard your words."
"Meh, don't care."
"Of course you wouldn't." He chuckled as he poured another glass for himself. He ended up finishing it quickly before pouring another one. "By the way, how are your Mana reserves faring?"
"Hmm...If I'm going to be honest, I used a lot of mana during that fight." Assassin admitted as she poured herself another glass. "Between that and making your Godrobe, I'm running low on fuel right now. I should be up and ready with lotsa rest, though~!"
"Hmm...That simply won't do." He took another sip of wine before grinning cheekily at his Servant. "Now, if there was only a way to restore the mana you lost in a short amount of time."
Assassin immediately caught on with what he was implying. She didn't feel appalled by it; In fact, her interest was piqued. "No need to be so coy." She grinned as she slid closer to Kirei, her petite frame brushing up against the side of his sculpted torso while placing a hand on his thigh. "We both know there is a way."
He didn't know whether it was the alcohol or his recently unfettered desires, but Kirei felt emboldened upon feeling her slender fingers rest themselves on his thigh. Smirking, he decided to play along.
"Aren't we feeling a bit bold, Nui?" He called her by her real name while placing a finger on her delicate chin, making her face him and stare into his eyes. Their lips dangerously close to each other.
"You're one to talk, Kirei-kun." Assassin giggled. Their cheeks were beginning to flush as they took in each other's scents. "Besides, you're only acting out on your desires. Nothing wrong with that."
"And what of yours?"
Her answer was straightforward; She quickly climbed on his lap and leaned close so that their bodies melded together and shared warmth. Their noses were practically touching and their lips were close to doing so as well.
"It's poor form to make a lady have to spell it out, you know." Kirei could only chuckle at Assassin's faux pout as she said this.
"My apologies."
"Good. Now let's cut to the chase, shall we?"
No other words needed to be said as their lips crashed together in a torrid kiss. Both moaned as Assassin wrapped her slender arms around his neck to bring him closer while he gently caressed her thigh, losing themselves to their lust as they commenced the Mana Transfer Ritual.
As Kirei began undoing Assassin's pink frilly dress, he thought about how he once would've called it sacrilege to do the deed within the sanctuary of the church.
Now...Now he just didn't give a damn.
Mackenzie Residence
"What a night." Rider sighed as he and Waver sat on the floor, speaking in hushed whispers as they didn't want to wake the little girl sleeping on the bed. "That was one hell of a battle for the Grail. I'm surprised we had time to stop at a convenience store"
"It was a major one to say the least. There'll be more to come, so we'll have to be prepared." Waver agreed as he reached into the bags and took out all sorts of snacks, an action that caused Rider to raise his brow.
"What's with all the grub?" The Servant just had to ask.
"You and I both burned up a lot of mana when you used your Noble Phantasm earlier and the same can be said for the remaining Servants. No doubt, the other Masters will be biding their time while they replenish their mana supplies." He reached into the bag and tossed a beer at Rider. "We'll have to do the same."
"So makin' sure we'll have enough resources for the next fight. Pretty smart of ya, kid." Rider beamed with pride at his young charge while opening the can. "I gotta say, you've grown a lot the past few days."
"Are you making fun of me again?" Waver asked with a raised brow and a pout.
"Not at all, kid." Rider chuckled back and taking a sip of his beer. "You've grown more confident in yourself, especially when you're around Ayaka."
"I have to. Someone so young needs someone dependable around her, after all." As he said this, he wrapped himself in a sleeping bag.
"And you've grown wiser as well." Rider added. "You're on the right track to make your wish come true, you know."
"...Thank you." Waver couldn't help but smile at the praise. "Be that as it may, it's too late for me to back out of the Grail War now. Besides," He turned to Ayaka, who was humming softly in her sleep, with a smile on his face. "I want to make sure that everything she suffered, the fact that she lost her family in this Grail War, to have some meaning."
"Well said, kiddo." Rider nodded.
"And I want to make your wish come true, too." The Servant was taken aback when Waver added this with a smile. "Like me, you still have a lot to do too, right?"
"...Right." Rider couldn't help but smile. "Now, get some sleep. We still got a lot to do tomorrow."
Waver nodded as he closed his eyes and let slumber take him. As this happened, Rider smiled as he watched those two sleep. He couldn't help but feel protective over the kids. It was a feeling that was akin to being a father of sorts.
"Heh, some rowdy kids I got, Sarah." He chuckled to himself. "But don't worry, I'll make sure that these two have a long future ahead of them."
End Chapter 18
Omake Time!: Rider
"So you're my Master, right?"
Waver couldn't help but stare at the Servant that appeared before him; she was a girl who was slighter older than him in age. She had short, brown hair that had a braided hairband over it, was clad in black spandex, spiked shoulder pads and a black scarf around her neck. She had a metal plated mask that covered the top part of her face, but he could still see the hazel brown eyes that peered at him through the holes.
"Y-Yes..." Waver stammered out, unable to help but feel a little intimidated by his new Servant. She noticed this, so she let her lips curl into a gentle smile.
"I see...In any case, I look forward to working with you, Master."
The almost gentle voice in which the Servant spoke as she extended her hand with calmed Waver down.
"Likewise." He nodded as he shook her hand, thus forming their pact.
"Tch, that's a lot of enemies." Berserker growled in annoyance as Caster's hordes blocked their path to the Black Temple.
"This will take some time, even with our combined forces." Lancer agreed as she bared her spear.
"There's only one way in, right?" They all turned to see Rider step forward, a determined expression on her face as her hand reached for her mask. "I got this."
"What are you going to-?" Saber asked, but was cut off when she ripped her mask off.
"PERSONA!"
A burst of energy surged forth from the Servant, summoning what seemed to be an azure motorbike with a feminine mask from the depths of her soul. She wasted no time in mounting her ride, giving her enemies the mother of all death glares.
"CHARGE, JOHANNA!"
With that mighty battle cry did Makoto Nijima, Queen of the Phantom Thieves and Servant Rider, ride into battle against her foes.
A/N: Welcome to another chapter of Fate/Zero Hour!
Again, this took a long time to put out, but I hope that the fact that it exists makes up for it!
Saber: So you say.
Well, I have stuff going on, like Persona 5 and Anime Expo a few weeks from now! Anyway, about this chapter...Yes, Kirei and Nui did a "Mana Transfer Ritual." I'd go more into detail, but that would bump this story up to an M Rating. Whether or not I DO explore the what happened...well, let's just wait and see. xD
Other than that interesting bit with our favorite nefarious Master/Servant pair, this was more of a breather chapter after that intense final battle against Caster. Things will start picking up again soon, so be prepared!
That's pretty much all from me today, so don't forget to review after reading to let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Until next time, this is the King of Beasts signing out!
Next Time on Fate/Zero Hour: The Next Step.