I do not own Fate/Stay Night nor any other Servants depicted here.
There Is Only War
The girl just stood there, though her smile seemed to melt away as she looked over the people who were present.
"Hmm, I didn't expect this many people here," she said, making her assumptions known, "Still, I can't pass this up. Killing all of you will certainly put me ahead."
Those ominous words froze the other three Masters. Shirou was taken aback at how calmly the girl said it. He knew all participants were magi and had expected such words, but hearing those words coming from what he perceived was a little girl still troubled him. Saber remained stoic, and closed her eyes as if in thought or even resignation. Rin and Luvia, however, tensed up and readied themselves for the battle that will likely follow.
Then, the white haired girl took a step forward and curtsied. The formal greeting was not normal, what she said was even more so. "Nice to meet you, Rin. I am Illya. Oh, and good evening to you, Luvia," she greeted politely, "But... I think you two can work it out yourself if I state my full name... Illyasviel von Einzbern."
"Einzbern..." the black haired girl muttered aloud, involuntarily taking a step back. Indeed, as expected, she knew the name quite well. Unfortunately, so did the blonde.
"Oh? What makes you so sure that take on three Servants and live?" she said, projecting a rather confident show of herself.
"Will you stop antagonizing her, you stupid ditz?" Rin uttered out, preferring to be on the more cautious side. Without knowing Berserker's full capabilities, that would be the best path.
"Oh really? That family consistently loses the War," the Edelfelt stated aloud, much to the chagrin of the other two beside her, "So much, I heard that the last War, they had to get outside help. And in the end, that outside help failed to win too. The Ma..." She trailed off, suddenly turning to Shirou and asked, "Wait... Shirou... do you, by chance, know of a... Kiritsugu Emiya in your family?" The Tohsaka turned to him too, recognizing the name as well.
"Eh?" the red head sounded in surprise, "That... that's my father's name... uh, I mean, he adopted me, so..."
"What right have you to call him your father?"
They turned back to the young Einzbern. "You... because of you... that 'he' abandoned me," Illya said calmly, but one could see the venom in her eyes. If looks could kill...
"Wait, what? But that would make you..." trailed off Rin.
"Indeed. You can say that he 'fathered' me," the young girl replied, "You can also say that me being here is not just for the War, but also to correct past 'mistakes'."
Shirou was still frozen in shock, his mind reeling from the revelation of a living relative.
"Archer... go back to using your class specialty," Rin silently told her Servant, "This is slowly getting out of hand. Be prepared."
"As good as Rider and Saber might be, how sure are you of your safety?" he asked in return.
"Those two are more than enough. I want to have you in prime position to strike, should the need arise," she reasoned.
"Understood."
"Regardless, all this talking has gone long enough," Illya announced, "Ber..."
"Wait!" shouted Shirou, catching her attention, "Uh, Illyasviel... what can I do as a brother for you?"
"Shirou!" said Saber, the warning tone in her voice evident, "What are you..." The other two just stared at him in disbelief.
"Saber, I can't sit idle when... she... my sister," the red head started. He shook his head and turned his attention back to her, saying, "You don't have to kill anybody. Nobody has to die for this. Please, surely there is some other way to meet your expectations. I mean, as your brother, you do expect me to help you, right?"
Illya laughed, her chilling smile coming back to her face. And she said, "No, Onii-chan, I expect you to die."
Ignoring Shirou's shocked face, she ended the discussion with, "Berserker. Kill them."
The Servant in question ran forward into a leap, drawing his weapons at the height of the ascent.
"Shirou, move!" shouted Saber as she rushed forward to protect them. Her invisible sword clashed with twin, jagged blades. Both sides fought for dominance, but with a burst of prana, Saber pushed him off. Wasting no time, she charged forward to follow up. The boy looked on in slight worry.
As the battle continued before them, Rider asked, "Want me to join in, Luvia?"
"No. I don't think its necessary," she said confidently, "As much power as he probably has, this Berserker doesn't seem to be able to overpower Saber. She should be able to handle him without much problem."
"This doesn't seem right," Rin spoke up, "Yes, Berserker may or may not be equally matched, but I don't see any signs of the Mad Enhancement the class is known for. It probably has yet to be activated."
"That is where you're wrong, Rin," interjected Illya with a smile, "Mad Enhancement is already active. Fully active."
"Hah! Then it stands you summoned a weak Berserker!" declared Luvia with a smirk, "Once again, the Einzberns prove to be losers."
Despite all the blonde's glee, the albino girl continued to smile angelically, fully unworried by the insults.
Rin still felt suspicious but turned her concentration to the fight.
Blades clashed multiple times. She was agile, weaving in and out of his reach and preventing him from fully utilizing his dual wielding style. She used heavy strokes, the weight of her blows forcing him to sometimes use both blades to push back. He was more direct, constantly charging in and trying to rip her apart with his jagged blades. He used heavy strokes as well, but she was more than a match for it. For a moment, they seemed to be deadlocked, both sides on an even playing field.
However, Saber could sense that the power behind his attacks were increasing with every blow. She noticed the strange glowing on her opponent's swords, ever increasing and slowly intensifying until it encased it. And then the unexpected happened. At the next charge, he swung upwards, throwing his fiery swords forward. She dashed back out of reach. The swords swung upwards and was pulled back to his hands by fiery chains that encircled his bronze bracers. She looked as his fury filled face and readied herself. He roared.
The battlefield exploded into a storm of chain and fire.
Two of the three stared at the turn of events in shock. One continued to look on worriedly. Rider watched calmly, inwardly wanting to pitch in a helping hand. Illya just smiled.
"What was that you said about my family being losers, Luvia?" the little girl asked innocently, "Or have you swallowed that tongue of yours?"
"What in the world is this?" Rin asked aloud, snapping out of her stunned state. Turning to the Einzbern, "How can you say Mad Enhancement is fully active? His power is still rising! Were you lying?"
"Oh no, I was telling the truth," the little girl replied nonchalantly with a smile, "It is fully active. It just... takes time."
"What kind of Mad Enhancement is that?!" the Edelfelt girl exclaimed in disbelief.
Rin narrower her eyes in thought, "Either a personal skill... or a Noble... Phantasm..."
"Luvia, send me in," Rider requested, bringing out the black metal rod, taking care not to take his eyes off the fight, "If this goes on, very soon that guy will overwhelm her. We have to take him now."
"Not yet," his Master replied, glancing over at Rin, "I must at least let Miss Second Owner make her move first."
"I know what you're doing," the Tohsaka frowned at the thought, although reluctantly agreeing with her train of thought, "I would do the same in your position. Unfortunately, it seems I have no choice." Then she declared aloud, "Archer! Fire support!"
Berserker was at mid charge when a flash of light lit the sky above the city for a second, but that was enough to warn him. Halting the charge, his feet digging grooves into the beaten earth. Looking to the sky, he crossed arms in front, making sure to bare the armor piece on his right shoulder. As if time slowed to a crawl, the armor suddenly began glowing just as the red streak became visible near him. He slowly bent back, as if the supposed projectile pushed against the golden barrier that formed, his crossed arms slowly moving upwards. And then... with a great roar... he slashed downwards, the red arrow suddenly sent back to its source, now golden in color.
Archer stared intently into the distance. He knew that the arrow will most certainly hit. Since this War's Berserker was not Hercules, he didn't have to worry about a Servant with absurd regeneration rates and and immunity to damage below a threshold. Granted he didn't know the skills of this War's Berserker... what did he just do?
He swiftly dashed to the side, getting out of the way of the golden arrow. Pausing to look in disbelief at the fading golden streak, he turned back to the direction of the battle, a clear frown on his face.
"Rin, please tell me that it wasn't Berserker who did that," he queried, already putting this as yet another complication appearing as a result of the War being different.
"Sorry to tell you otherwise."
This left his somewhat speechless... and in thought. If Berserker has an ability that could reflect or redirect projectiles, this will definitely put him at a disadvantage. There is also the question of how powerful that ability was. If it was that powerful... it would be a good assumption that the backlash would be just as great should he use any of his 'special' arrows... but what if he shot multiple arrows?
With that thought in mind, he leaped to another building.
"He... that arrow..." muttered Luvia in disbelief. Shirou and Rin were in a similar state, though the Tohsaka was a little more composed than he was.
"This is bad," summed up Rider as the two other Servants continued their clash, "Luvia, I think you really have to let me join in."
"No, I'm not about to let up now," spoke the dark haired girl grimly as she reached inside her coat, "I think..."
"Rin, I think we should put our 'differences' away for a while," said the blonde, much to the other magus' surprise, "I can admit, this Berserker is quite strong. But to think he has a skill or Noble Phantasm that forces the Mad Enhancement to be like this... we have to work together to take this one down." Turning to her own Servant, she ordered, "Go."
"Heh, hope she knows how to work together," he said while sending a grateful smile to her, "Saber that is..."
The black rod frosted over once more, this time gaining a large axe head on one end and a smaller but still sizable blade on the other. Leaping high up, he brought the icy construct down, the axe head clashing with the dual blades sent his way.
"What are you doing?" growled Saber at the interruption. Rider landed and immediately got up close, although he was also forced to block and parry the flaming chained blades.
"You do know teamwork, right?" he asked as loud as he could, while taking a chance to swing. Berserker leaped over his slash and swing the chains down on him. "If his skills are anything to go by, we have to work together to take him down," he reasoned, dashing forward and swinging the axe up.
"While I dislike your jumping in without declaring your intentions, your help is welcome," she replied in return, quickly running forward to intercept the Mad Servant. The enraged one was able to block the ice blade and able to land on his feet, the earth cracking underfoot as he landed. She ramped up her onslaught with a flurry of slashes, a rare moment of defense that Berserker had to turn to.
"Archer! Now!"
Hearing Rin yell out her command, Saber held back her next slash. It took a second or two before the arrows reached them. That was all that was needed. With a roar, the enraged Servant slammed the ground with his blades.
Shields.
Multiple shields, all with an upside down 'V' emblazoned on the front, appeared over and around him. They fell and clattered together until they formed a protecting cover all around him. The glowing red arrows fell, all accurately on the top most shield. It held, even with the following explosion that occurred after. Saber and Rider then immediately leaped back as spears were suddenly thrust out right before the shields broke formation and disappeared.
"Are you kidding me!?" the Tohsaka all but shouted in frustration. The blonde also felt the same, only she didn't voice it out. The boy, however, was thunderstruck by the apparent counters to Archer's every attack.
"Woah, boy!" shouted Rider as he stuck his weapon into the ground just as Berserker swung his blade to come from opposite sides. With somehow able to push himself into the air from that act, he let go, his right hand rearing back to punch. "Got ya!" he yelled as he punched down just as gravity brought him very close to the Mad Servant's head. As if by reaction, Berserker raised his right arm and the armor glowed again. He bent back, as if cushioning against the punch, and then let loose with a loud roar. Rider let off a grunt of pain after feeling the redirected power, but the Mad Servant was not finished yet.
Berserker leaped up after the still airborne Rider and threw out his blades, impaling him in the stomach. He drew them back and kicked the Servant off the blades towards the ground. With another swing of the chains, he slammed the fiery weapons onto the grounded Servant.
"Rider!" his Master yelled out of concern, as Berserker turned towards the other Servant. Said Servant narrowed her eyes as she glanced to the side, noting the nearby graveyard. She then leaped out of the way, the flaming blades slamming the ground, where she once stood. She made haste, leaping up the side of the hill, heading straight to another strategic area.
"After her, Berserker," Illya ordered calmly, just as the Mad Servant ran after her, placing his swords on his back. She then followed in his wake, walking calmly without a care in the world.
Rin watched her go. Calmly as she could, she turned around and pointed to the boy. "Emiya, go home. There's nothing you can do here." Turning to Luvia, she said, "When you're done with Rider, send him after them. Then... I truly dislike saying this, take Emiya home. Keep him safe. That's the least you could do." With that said, she hurried after the Einzbern girl.
Shirou fell to his knees, deep in thought. Luvia hurried over to her Servant, who was slowly picking himself up, his abdomen bloodied and arm looking a little bent. The healing was instant.
"Uh... that guy really hits hard," Rider muttered as he gingerly moved his arm.
"Damn it, I couldn't do anything!"
"Shirou..." she muttered as she looked over to him.
"Kid, you saw what he could do," said Rider as he got to his feet, "Still, a bit more careful fighting, I'm sure we can beat him back after I back up Saber there." Faint sounds of fighting as well as a few plumes of smoke came from the graveyard, as if to punctuate his statement.
"I promised..." the boy muttered.
"Hmm?"
"... that I would fight with her!" he yelled as he got to his feet and chased after the others.
"Shirou! No!" she shouted after, but to no avail as he kept running.
"Well, he's got spirit. I give him that," her Servant commented with a grin.
"Oh, shut up," she grumbled as she went after him.
"Even the gravestones couldn't stop him," she muttered, gritting her teeth as she dashed backwards. After heading off towards the graveyard, she turned on him and lunged. Her attack parried aside, she then began the dance of swords, making sure to stay relentless as to make sure he doesn't get out of range. Unfortunately, the Mad Servant somehow was able to catch on and did something unexpected. Tossing a blade further off into the ground, he was able to maneuver out of her range and began bombarding her with long range slashes once more.
The situation frustrated her. He is skilled, she acknowledged that. However, not being able to get near him to actually cross swords with him... it was most vexing. Not to mention he is constantly on the attack; while she was skilled enough herself at dodging and blocking, not being able to counterattack began to irk her. All because of his chained blades. Their reach and their flexibility of use made him a rather fearsome foe.
"Perhaps, I should lure him in further," she mused, another plan forming behind her brow. Dodging another slash aimed for her head, she turned and retreated to the forested area. She heard him roar and then the sound of feet crashing against the ground as he chased after her. Pausing for a second to look grimly at the Servant, she quickly headed to her next battleground.
Luvia ran, her reinforced body covering a good amount of ground before reaching a largish clearing that was sparsely populated by trees. Just in time to witness a bird familiar transform into a sword and destroy the glowing, emerald shield that was protecting the Tohsaka.
"You may have fended off Zelle, but you won't be able to block Degen," Illyasviel told the girl calmly, just as her other familiar transformed as well, "I thought this was going to be fun. How dis..."
No way she was going to defeat her rival. Only she could do that. She lifted her hand and pointed at the sword shaped familiar.
"Gandr!"
The glowing orb vaporized the white construct in an instant.
"Well, I wasn't expecting you so soon, Luvia," the white haired girl said, still keeping her calm, "I thought you would have ran away already."
"As if I would!" she retorted, "Your Berserker is too dangerous to leave alone. It is best that we took care of it first if I am to have a chance at this War."
"Hn... of course the idiot had to say that," Rin muttered under her breath.
"Please, as if I'd let you have the chance," the Einzbern stated as she pulled out another two strands of hair, immediately transforming them into two more bird familiars, "Looks like I just have to work harder to..." She never got to finish when she was interrupted by one of her birds suddenly exploding. She looked to her feet, where a single thing was out of place. A dart.
"Berserker! To my side!" she shouted as the second familiar got destroyed in a similar manner; odd markings appeared on her face, suddenly glowing red. This shocked the other two Masters, somehow able to tell what they were.
With a roar, the Mad Servant materialized behind her and threw out his blades. They became lodged into a tree, at which the Servant pulled himself up. From the same tree, a shadowy figure leaped away and landed a few meters away from the black haired magus. Rin and Luvia both recognized his black skull mask instantly. Before they could say anything, the Mad Servant had already landed and began attacking him. Assassin was able to deflect the first few blows with a sword he unfolded, but another swing clipped his head and he was sent crashing into a tree with a powerful kick.
"I wonder," she said as the skull masked Servant struggled to get up, "What was your Master thinking when he ordered you to attack me first?"
"Not even Assassin could..." said the twin-tailed magus, finally coming out of her shocked state, choosing to glare at the Einzbern instead of dwelling on her losing odds.
"Of course. There was no way he could win either," stated Illya, as if it was as plain as day, "Forgive me for saying his name, Berserker... I can confidently say my Servant is the most powerful one here, surpassing even Hercules. He could even slay gods... hmm, I wonder if Saber was taken cared off yet..."
"Ladies, I think you better stay back," Rider said as he materialized with his ice blade ready, while the Mad Servant took a step towards them, "This is gonna get really ugly."
"Berserker, you can go back to killing Saber now," ordered the Einzbern, much to everyone's surprise.
Roaring, the Servant immediately ran to where Saber last was. Soon the clash of steel echoed through the sparse forest; it sounded remarkably close. Deciding not to waste her breath on them, the white haired girl walked in her Servant's direction.
Rider let out a sigh of relief. "You alright there?" he asked Assassin, who was walking over to them while clutching his stomach.
"Hmph, I've had worse... much worse," the Servant uttered out.
"Enough talking, we had better follow after Illya," Luvia requested, taking charge, "Rider, you go on ahead to help Saber. We'll be right behind."
"Got it," he said as as he dematerialized to give chase.
Assassin watched him leave before turning to them. "I suppose I shall follow after. You won't have to worry about me attacking you... for now at least," he told them. Getting nods, he dematerialized as well.
Despite what was perceived as difficulty, Berserker easily adapted to the wooded area. In fact, he seemed to be just as good as before. Still, she was the more mobile of the two and thus several exchanges were made in the air, although it was dubious as to who had superiority. Deftly slashing then sidestepping the return stab, she leaped back and charged in again, drawing in her blade from the opposite side. Most of the exchanges became like this, but their positioning mobile, with the Mad Servant suddenly dashing in, sending one of the blades into the ground to pull himself forward in an attempt to catch her off guard, but it rarely ever worked.
And then, he suddenly disappeared. She blinked her eyes for a moment but she was wary; with Berserker disappearing like that, it meant that he was summoned away. Truth be told, it somewhat worried her; someone must have been threatening enough to warrant his recall. Most likely because of the other Masters... or even an Assassin class Servant. Deciding to traverse the forest, she made her way through in careful order as not to be caught unaware. Such actions did pay off in the end. She could sense him coming nearer, his boiling rage coming nearer and nearer.
From out of the shadows, a blade flew at her head; she dodged to the side, and let it fly past. It embedded itself on to a tree and Berserker pulled himself into her view. He pulled out the blade and charged at her with sudden speed. Several exchanges were put forth before he suddenly slammed the ground, the fissure that appeared spewing out harsh fires. This forced her back and she grit her teeth. She could tell that somehow, Berserker was trying to force her back to the graveyard where he had the advantage. She must do her best to keep him here, on even ground. She must.
The trail of destruction snaked through the graveyard, culminating in a circular area next to the forest. Wrecked headstones and huge gashes in the ground littered the trail, scarring the otherwise peaceful place. The area at the forest boundary was much worse. It was totally devoid of grass; everything was burnt to the ground. Headstones were obliterated. Earthen grooves scarred the ground, some of them even had smashed coffins, the bones of its occupants sticking out of them like some petrified weed. The whole area was filled with a horrible, burnt smell.
Four players appeared from all sides. Shirou now walked slowly up the trail, shocked by the destruction that was left behind. At a nearby elevated ridge that overlooked the area, Rin and Luvia ran up to it, overawed by the destruction. And a bit further down the ridge, Illya.
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the clearing and a large cloud of dust surged out of the forest. Saber flew out, twisting around in the air and landing on her feet, immediately charging at her attacker. Chained blades swung out to the left and right, clashing against her invisible blade before Berserker burst out of the settling cloud, the blades flying and slamming into the ground with a gush of fire. And all movement stopped, both combatants glaring at each other.
"Yo, Saber, need some backup?" Rider asked as he suddenly appeared to her right, weapon at the ready while glancing over to her.
"I would not turn down any help at this point," she said, keeping her eyes on her opponent, her breathing slightly labored.
Then, Archer appeared to her left, his stance relaxed and his weapons in his hands. The black and white seemed to gleam in the night air. Wordlessly, he set his eyes on Berserker as well, who seemed to be slowly picking up a red glow.
"Well, looks like everyone is here," Rider muttered, loud enough for the three of them to hear, "I guess I'll go up... woah!"
Berserker did not wait. Swiftly he threw out his blades; the jagged edge hooked onto the icy weapon and he pulled himself towards his enemy. He leaned back and threw his head forward, brow smashing against brow. Rider flinched and loosened his grip on the weapon. Stowing his weapons on his back, the Mad Servant grabbed the ice weapon and swung, the narrow end of the weapon smashing against the black clad Servant in the head. One Servant stunned, he quickly switched his grip and swung the big end at Saber, the ice shattering to pieces against her guard and sending her backwards with her armored boots leaving deep grooves in the earth. Tossing away the metal bar that was left, he grabbed the blades off his back and before he was able to do anything, clashed blades with Archer. With a roar, Berserker threw him off and smashed the ground; the fissure sent him flying. The enraged Servant leaped after him, throwing his blades at him; impaling his stomach, he pulled the red clad Servant close and kneed him off them before landing.
With a cry of her own, Saber charged, her sword held trailing by her side. The Mad Servant leaped back just as she neared and swung, the chained blades coming from opposite sides. The jagged edge was able to indent the armor, but did not break through it. Saber swung again just as he pulled himself near. He ducked under, just as the blades fell away and into his grasp. He then drove those same blades upwards into her stomach, perforating her armor and drawing much blood. Still in shock, she did not register as Berserker tore them out; the act that caused her to loosen her guard and allowed him time to swing downwards onto her shoulders, the jagged blades biting through her armor like it was paper.
"Saber!" the boy shouted, but to no avail as he was frozen in shock, rooted to the ground he stood on.
Berserker wrenched them loose and kicked Saber in the chest. He did not put much power into it, for she fell only a few meters away. Yet, he made not move after that, as if awaiting his Master's orders.
"Edelfelt! I thought I told you to get him home!" shouted Rin as she grabbed Luvia by the arm and forced the blonde to face her.
"Shirou ran off before I could restrain him, you idiotic witch!" the former retorted while tearing away her arm from her rival's grip.
Saber slowly, yet surely, was able to move and get to her feet. She paused to catch her breath, leaning against her invisible sword as temporary support.
"Saber may have been the strongest class," said Illya with an angelic smile, interrupting the yelling match that was about to occur, "But now I find it sorely lacking." Said Servant was still able to glare at her as she continued, "It does not matter now. End her, Berserker."
The Servant of the Sword quickly turned her gaze to the Mad Servant and had only enough time to bring up her sword to block a downward strike. She grit her teeth as she pushed against the blade with all her might, fully knowing he had another blade ready to gut her. Indeed, she tried her best to protect her Master, but it wasn't enough. While feeling disappointed that she may not be able to win this time, she was at least able to find dignity in her defeat, knowing she did her best.
"Saber!" Shirou shouted, suddenly galvanized by the situation. He broke into a run, heading straight towards them.
"Emiya! Get back, you idiot!" Rin shouted as she started down the ridge.
"Shirou! No!" yelled Luvia, following her rival's path down.
"Stop!" shouted his Servant, desperately trying to throw off the blade that was holding her down.
"Huh?" uttered Illya, surprised by his actions.
Rider felt helpless as he watched, still recovering. He was able to get to his knees, but he was still in a daze and was not fast enough.
Archer did not show anything on his face, but inwardly hoping that the boy would die a quick death for his idiocy.
Assassin materialized and Blinked in an attempt to catch the boy. He failed, his hand grasping air.
The second blade moved.
It found flesh.
Rending... tearing...
"SHIROU!"
Commentary:-
Welcome back dear readers! Today we shall have fun with Berserker! I am very sure some of you will recognize a few of the moves he used during the chapter long battle. As all of you can note in many points of the chapter, inspiration comes from all sides, past and present. Also, for everyone shocked and worried at the end of the chapter. E ranked luck. That's all I can tell you. Everything else will be revealed in the next chapter. Also, if you look extra hard, I slipped in some other worldly references... two in fact. Previously used 'You shall not pass', but I guess that was probably overused. Then again, I like it. Heh...
As per usual, please read and review. Would you kindly? (This also overused, but also, lovely to use.)
PS. Noticed a hole in chap 5, and so I filled it. Good day, sir!