3rd day – Part 2 - Cooperation

As he jumped over the wall, Archer wasn't really surprised by the presence of the knight of the sword in blue and her Master. Well, Master told me not to kill unnecessarily this early, but I don't want to lose these to escape. Fighting using one hand was complicated, but at that moment he had the advantage of expecting the enemy when they didn't expect him. They weren't too far apart, so the knight could easily protect her Master, but Archer could easily make her have to pay an arm or two for that.

He readied his weapon, an old rifle, but because it was his, was much better than any present-time weapon. Heh, not that it is my best, or only one. Portals appeared behind him and the muzzles of different weapons appeared. Even if Saber blocked them, the ensuing opening would be enough for Archer to finish either of them. He briefly saw the terror on the knight's face as she realized what was about to happen. He smiled. She knew she wouldn't be able to block every one of the bullets

Next thing he knew, he was fallen on the ground and feeling like he should have broken something. "Ouch, damn that woman she ruined it. Good thing I have my custom-made bod-armor." An arrow was next to him as proof of who ruined his surprise attack.

Nearby, Saber and Rider were staring at each other, as if to decide whether to go after Archer or fight amongst themselves. Saber was the first to talk.

"I thank you, for saving my Master's life."

"Hah! It's not like it was my intention, but if you're really thankful, then just disappear and let me end the life of the cur who went after my Master's life." Rider replied with an air of superiority.

"That would be problematic for me, since he has also threatened my Master. I must decline your request." Saber stated flatly.

Huh, not good, looks like they're concentrated on putting me under. Archer tried move.

An arrow almost got him. "You just stand there while we discuss just what to do with you!"

"I agree."

What is this? Some kind of joke? It looks like they are getting along somehow. Who the hell would wait… Master might get angry because I wasn't supposed to use that much energy, but I guess I don't have a choice left.

"How about this, Saber, let's play a little game of catch with him." Saber nodded in agreement and they both turned to him.

"Huh? Look ladies, I don't think catch is the proper… Whoa!" Name of what you're proposing. Was what he was going to say before diving for his life. "Fine, have it your way, I'm leaving." There was a surge of magic and a military-issue, open jeep sprang from the ground under Archer. Its wheels screeched as it accelerated as fast as possible. "Goodbye ladies!"

Rider was smiling. "Well now, just became much more interesting." She snapped her finger and two warhorses appeared; one next to her and one next to Saber. She quickly mounted hers. "What, you're not coming?"

Saber frowned and hesitated for a moment. "I can't accept it."

Rider shrugged. "It's your choice, but I'm just lending it to you for our game, wouldn't it be unfair if you were the only one on foot?"

Archer let out a sigh of relief after not seeing Rider come for him immediately. "Well, that was easy." He immediately regretted those words. He saw two people through the rearview mirror. "Oh god, why? Why are both of them coming?" It should have been obvious if he thought about it, both of them were quite intent on offing him, the "game" was probably a way for them to cooperate without saying it out loud. "Damn, ladies, control yourselves, please!" An arrow whistled past him and lodged itself in the window. Not good.

The jeep suddenly turned left. Come on you stupid horses, stumble! But it was just wishful thinking. Saber and Rider were still gaining ground on him. What are those horses made of? He threw quite a few grenades, which were always eerily evaded by the horses. With the explosions behind them, Saber and Rider continued to close the distance. Not hit even by the shrapnel, huh. Quite the impressive riding.

"Give up, you cannot run away." As she approached from the left, Saber readied her invisible sword for a swing. She would probably aim for the wheel.

"No, don't give up, the target practice is fun." Archer had to duck to not get pierced in the neck. He gritted his teeth.

What am I going to do about this? I don't have to hold the wheel, but I still have to know where I'm going. The most attention I can spare is looking in the rearview mirror and dodging Rider's arrows, so I don't really have the luxury of aiming anything at them to shake them off. This is fine for now because she's aiming for me, but when she starts going for the wheels, I'm certain to lose ground to Saber, and if she jumps aboard, it's all over. Damn, they're too close, can't afford to use anything explosive. Suddenly, he saw something that made all of this consideration useless.

"Oh, you damned bastard, now I don't have a choice, my Master will really be very angry with me." As he was headed for Shinto, he had to use the bridge eventually. A single Servant was smiling in the bridge, happy that his bet paid off. He thought of doing it in the last moment to make Saber and Rider crash, but he didn't like the possibility of getting caught up in that Noble Phantasm.

Rider finally got tired of playing with Archer. She readied an arrow aimed at the wheel when something strange happened. "What the?" As Archer jumped, Rider almost immediately changed her aim to him, but something seemed wrong. Next to her Saber also seemed to feel a sort of uneasiness. "Jump!"

Everything happened at the same time: "Rider and Saber jumped from their horses, Archer summoned a jet fighter under him to escape and Lancer shouted. "Spartan Phalanx!"

It was as if the jeep had hit an invisible wall. It ricocheted back with a crashing sound and overturned. Rider and Saber watched in awe as what seemed like a line of warriors next to Lancer performed the second step of the Noble Phantasm. The jeep was skewered and shattered into numerous pieces. Rider had to draw her scimitar to defend from the fragments.

Saber stepped up undaunted and spoke, without a tone of fear in her voice. "That was a truly impressive Noble Phantasm you just showed us, King of Warriors, Leonidas!" She pointed her invisible sword at him. "But you let our prey go, how would you intend to recompense us?" Rider stayed silent.

"By reminding you that leaving your Master unprotected is not very wise and, while you might eventually succeed, taking me down would be no easy task, even if there are two of you." Saber bit her lip in vexation, he was right, he was an opponent quite unlike Archer, with much more defensive capabilities.

Rider also had something to say. "Are you fine with this, then, King of Warriors? You just revealed your true name and Noble Phantasm to three enemies with nothing to show for it. Will you simply retreat now?"

Lancer sighed and shrugged as if there was nothing he could do. "Why, sure. Even if I might last a while, my chances aren't very good against the both of you. I expected Archer to be more of a gambler, but he alerted you two too soon. I should just cut my losses and leave." He emanated no hostility, so both Rider and Saber could see he was being honest. They nodded and turned around.

As the wreckage disappeared as Archer willed and the Servants left it, moments later the bridge was deserted and looked as if nothing had happened there.

Both saber and Rider ran silently back to the Emiya household. Even though they no longer had the common objective of defeating Archer, they both felt it would not be honorable to attack each other for the moment, considering their recent cooperation. Still, they did not talk with each other, as they were enemies after all.

Shirou was still trying to understand what Tohsaka was talking about when the two Servants arrived. Masters, seven different classes of Servants, an omnipotent device capable of granting any wish? How could he just accept that? But he had to, as it was the only explanation for the existence of the two Women who had silently arrived.

"Oh, so you're talking with Rider's master, Rin." She seemed more relaxed after that. It seemed she did not wish to fight just then with Rider.

"It is good to see that the both of you are on good terms for now. Neither of us want a victory predicated on the other's loss of Master." Rider added in an honest tone.

"W-who said we were on good terms? I'm just explaining things to Emiya-kun because his Servant helped me. Since he seems like a no-good Magus who doesn't understand what's going on, I have to explain things to him thoroughly, besides as I've already told you, I owe him one. That's all." Shirou felt slightly confused. Why is she looking away? "Anyway, let's can go to the church in Shinto so Shirou can have things more properly explained to him."

Rider and Saber shared a look of concern for a moment, but they booth nodded. There was no way that Lancer would mount another ambush at the bridge, the way was most probably safe.

As he exited the church, Shirou was both relieved and angry. Both feelings were brought about by his clearer understanding of what the Holy Grail War really meant. Besides, there was something about that priest that he just couldn't like. "Rejoice, young man, your wish was granted." The way he said it sounded like Shirou really wished for such a thing, in order to become a Hero of Justice.

However, there were still things he did not quite understand about Servants. "Tohsaka, you said the Servants were kinds of spirits, right?"

"Eh? Yes, why?"

"I was just thinking, if they are spirits then why are they following us just like people would do, I mean, are they sort of, permanently solid? You understand what I'm trying to ask, right?" He wasn't sure how to go about asking that question, he didn't want to be offensive.

"W-well, you see, normally…" She looked away awkwardly. "The thing is, I think I may have messed something up during the summoning…" Tohsaka admitting a mistake? "So Saber can't go into Spirit Form, unfortunately." Tohsaka blushed as if it was a great shame. "Anyway, don't get too chummy with me. Why are you still asking questions? This truce is for tonight only, you know."

I wonder if Rider can, my summoning didn't look too good. Actually, did I even really perform a summoning? He was about to ask Rider when the four of them were stopped by an ominous presence.

"Good evening." The voice belongs to a little girl in front of them. Behind her is a man who can be nothing else but a Servant.

He was very tall, taller than anyone Shirou had ever seen in person, probably a little over two meters. His appearance evoked that of those legendary warriors of northern Europe who, taken by the fever of battle, fought more fiercely than any others. If Shirou remember correctly the seven classes… That was definitely Berserker.

It seemed he was right, as Tohsaka murmurs. "Berserker…"

"Master, careful!" Rider stepped in front of him just as Saber did the same for Rin.

"You know, even if you try to protect Onii-chan, Rider, it's useless, because you will all die here." The girl states it simply as if it was a foregone conclusion. She curtsied. "I am Ilyasviel von Einzbern, please die now." There is no time to reply as Berserker jumps as soon as the word 'die' is uttered.

"Rider, please!" As soon as Saber says it, Rider nods and grabs both Shirou and Rin by their clothes, immediately jumping back. Saber met the advancing Berserker, clashing her sword with his fist. The sidewalk cracked a little under her feet.

"Ugh, why me too?" Rin whined as she was pulled alongside Shirou.

"We might be companions of battle for this night only, but for that one night I intend to lend her as much help as my Master allows. I expect the same treatment from your side." Rider spoke plainly as she retreated.

When she felt it was far enough, Rider let go of Shirou and Rin, summoning one of her warhorses once again. She mounted it.

"Wait, are you just going back like that, without a plan?" Rin asked frantically. Even if it was two against one, she seemed afraid of the crazed warrior. "His strength is completely absurd!"

"Don't worry, Saber's Master, with my support, there is no way Saber wouldn't triumph over Berserker. The Master of Einzbern chose her opponents wrongly." Having said that, she rode back to the fight.

"Tohsaka, you sure this is fine?" He couldn't explain why, but Shirou agreed with Rin, they shouldn't engage in battle with that without thinking things over.

"I'm sure it's not, I have a bad feeling about this." Rin clicked her tongue in frustration. "We have to think of something, but we can't approach carelessly."

Despite that show of confidence, Rider could not help but feel nervous against Berserker. He was the only opponent on which her trump card would have no effect. But then again, she could not afford to use her trump card often, she couldn't feel any magic flowing into her from her Master. That's going to be problematic.

When she arrived she saw Berserker's and Saber's swords clashing. Wait, was he using a sword before? Rider shook her head, this was inconsequential. She drew her bow and circled them, releasing the arrow from the side.

Berserker easily crushed the arrow with his left hand while he swung his sword with the right hand. Despite her two-handed style, it seemed Saber had to put all of her strength into her swings not to be pushed back.

"Fine, you monster, let me try to disable you…" Rider murmured to herself as switched aim and shot arrows at his legs, again and again, and again.

Berserker seemed to dance and he stepped out of the way to avoid Rider's arrows, but that made it much harder to maintain his balance against Saber, as a result she began to gain the upper hand. "Got you!"

Berserker howled like a beast, grabbing his sword's handle with both hands and swinging at saber as if he was trying to make a home run. Saber was thrown back and he quickly turned around to go after Rider.

"Not so fast." Rider was more than prepared for it as her horse, guided by her, started to turn the moment she saw the swing. She was more than far enough to avoid his leap and as she circled, drew her bow again. "Don't give me too much attention."

Right as he broke the arrow aimed at him, Berserker had to take a wild swing to keep Saber at bay. They were back to the start.

A similar scene happened two more times, with Rider tormenting Berserker enough that he tried to create distance against Saber to go after Rider, however Rider was always able to keep a quite great distance between them. Not only that, by the third time Rider had the timing of his swing down and lodged an arrow on his shoulder, even while having the time to turn around and create distance. The crazed warrior was effectively neutralized.

With each repetition of the scene Ilyasviel grew more irritated. Eventually, she lost her patience. "Berserker, playtime's over! Kill them with all of your power!" The man roared and once again swung with great force, knocking Saber back, but this time he didn't go after Rider.

Berserker stood there, still roaring as if in great pain, while it happened, his body started to change. Scale-like things covered his body, his nails turned into claws and his face elongated. He looked just like a dragon.

"What the?" Saber could not hid her surprise as Berserker charged at her completely ignoring Rider arrows, which bounced harmlessly from his scales. Even if she expected it, the increased heaviness of Berserker's blows seriously threatened her balance. Saber could no longer afford to stand her ground and instead had to take steps back in order to avoid getting cut.

"Yes, that's how things should be. After all he is the legendary hero Beowulf. Although he is more well-known as the slayer of Grendel and Grendel's mother, in his old age he also slayed a dragon, dying from the battle's wounds, due to that, his soul mingled with the dragon's essence and allowed him to draw from its powers, awesome isn't it?" The little girl puffed with pride as she explained it. "Now you understand why you won't survive this night?"

Rider grumbled. At the moment there was nothing more she could do against that ridiculous defense. She couldn't even distract him anymore and Saber looked like she wouldn't last long, he probably wouldn't even give her enough time to use her Noble Phantasm, which might have at least dented his scales enough to make Rider effective once again.

"I didn't want to do this, but…" She didn't have any choice. She pointed her bow at the defenseless girl, all she had to do was release the arrow, yet something made her hesitate.

Was it the look of disbelief that a Servant would actually go for her, even though the situation was that desperate? Perhaps Rider just wasn't prepared to shoot a little girl even though she was a mortal enemy. The next moment she was bleeding on the ground. Damn, that monster got really fast. So that was it? It seemed that was the end of the road for her, she would simply be defeated here without having her wish granted.

"Finish her!" Saber seemed to have been knocked back quite a distance this time, hitting a wall after that. Looks like he does have enough time to finish me off. Berserker was over her and prepared a thrust aimed at her heart. Rider smiled and struggled to her feet, it was the least she could do.

But she felt no pain as she heard the sound of metal piercing flesh. She could clearly see why. In front of her was her master, a sword coming from his shoulder. Shock prevented her from saying anything.

Everybody else, except for the warrior, who calmly put his foot on Shirou's back and pulled his sword free, was also shocked by the situation.

"Why…?" The girl asked in a dumbfounded voice. "Fine, have it your way! This is boring." Her stare changed to a glare. "Next time, I'll kill you, Rin." Then she left.

Finally Rider was able to find her voice. "Master!" She cried.

"That idiot!" Tohsaka seemed almost as distressed as the Servant.

3rd day end

Time for bonus content! Next follows the known stats for Berserker of this war:

General)

Master: Ilyasviel von Einzbern

True name: Beowulf

Alignment: Chaotic Insane

Strength: A+

Endurance: A+

Agility: A

Magical Energy: B

Luck: C

Noble Phantasm: A+

Class abilities)

Madness B: All parameters are increased, but sanity is lost.

Details)

According to the legend, Beowulf was a great warrior of the Geats. He slayed the creature Grendel, who was tormenting Hrothgar, king of the Danes, attacking and killing warriors every time there was celebration in the Mead Hall. After that, Grendel's mother attempted to avenge her son but also ended up slain by Beowulf. Beowulf's end only came much later when a dragon attacked because someone stole from its hoard. Despite dying from the battle's wounds, Beowulf managed to kill the dragon with the help of Wiglaf, one of his men.

Skills)

Battle continuation A: The ability to stay alive. Even on the verge of death, the user will fight as if unhindered and as long as the battle conyinues, will only die to a clear fatal blow.

Instinct B: The ability to "feel" the best course in battle. As it is done in an almost subconscious manner, the user's battle skills are the same despite loss of sanity.

Equal conditions A: Comfort in fighting on the same conditions as one's opponent. Beowulf famously elected to fight unarmed against Grendel as he thought it would be only "fair". Beowulf fights better if he is using the same weapon as his opponent.

Noble Phantasm)

Dragon Form,

Essence of the Dragon

Beowulf can call on the power of the dragon with which he traded deathblows.

While it is active, all parameters are increased by one point. Furthermore he gains Magic Resistance B and physical attacks against him are lowered by two ranks. Attacks of rank C or below are nullified.

The burden on the Master as far as Magical Energy consumption is greatly increased for as long as this form is active.

Rank: A+

Type: Anti-personnel

Range: -

Maximum target: 1 person