I do not own Fate/Stay Night nor any other Servants depicted here.
Fire
"Chaos has taken root within. I must destroy it all to prevent its spread."
All four of them stood stock still in shock. Then, Luvia groaned, "Truly, that brother of yours is tiresome. Was he dropped on the head when he was born?"
"I... wouldn't know..." Sakura replied very hesitantly.
"All that is irrelevant now," interrupted Rin with a frown, "Why is he there? Is he going after Illya now? And the more troubling question... did he find a way to become a Master? Because why else would he do something this stupid in the first place?"
"Enough. We should not delay if this is the case, not after what we saw last night," decided Bazett. Looking to the violet haired girl, "How fast can Assassin get to the castle?"
"Very quickly," was her reply. Pausing to turn aside, she continued, "Done. I hope she is still alive."
Rin was about to say something but was cut off by Lancer, "I do not see the young Mon-keigh surviving."
"You do not know that," Luvia retorted with annoyance.
"You. Have Archer target the inner courtyard," continued Lancer as she focused at Rin, ignoring the blonde, "His attack must destroy the entire area. Not a trace of the portal must remain."
"Eh? How did you know?" the twin tailed magus uttered in surprise.
The Servant ignored her too as she ended with, "Rider and I will act after Archer strikes. If you value your assassin's life, you will tell him to return."
"... Only after we find out if Illya-san survived the attack," Sakura stated firmly after a pause.
"Make haste," was the reply as the Servant of the Lance turned to face the direction of the castle.
The dust suddenly moved and parted as Berserker leaped up as high as he could, swinging a greatsword down onto him. A sword of metal colored gold and white with bluish hues of energy that slowly intensified around it. The Servant himself had gained a set of bronze armor with very elaborate decorations and markings. Assassin raised his hand and summoned a black sheet to block the attack while he turned back to Illya. True enough, the blade hit and the shield held. He was about the question her when he heard an audible crack after the Mad Servant swung again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a thin jagged line run right through the middle. With a great yell, the Servant swung a third time. He quickly dropped the albino Master and leaped back, the thin sheet of darkness shattered as Berserker broke through. He attempted the block another attack, but he had to throw himself to the side when the sword actually cut through the black sheet like butter. Eddie narrowed his eyes as he got to his feet.
This will be difficult...
He was then put on the defensive as he avoided a few slashes. Then, he dropped into a portal of his own and moved through the shadows to the other side of the room. Berserker quickly turned around and charged at him. Eddie stood still and mentally called the little one, who appeared and struck the Mad Servant's feet. He brought out a black drill under the falling Servant. Bright sparks flew as the bit ground against the armor. The little one then moved around and clawed at the Servant, knocking him off the drill. That led Eddie to knock him away with a hammer-formed fist.
...but not impossible.
Berserker tumbled through the air, landing shoulders first, yet bouncing once to land on his feet. Not wanting him to recover, the former Assassin quickly took to the air and dived at him. Kicking the Mad Servant in the head, he landed and summoned the little one again. It shot out of the ground in the form of a shark, sending the Servant airborne. Eddie went after, striking several times with his wings before turning his head into a giant axe blade and knocking him towards the stairs. He landed as Berserker was getting to his feet. He smiled, already anticipating his target's defeat. He quickly dashed towards his prey, gliding across the room, ready to finish him off. Annoyingly, his opponent came at him in return and started swinging again.
That one recovered too fast.
He started to dance around the slashes again. The Mad Servant seemed to be moving faster, somehow, as he had to utilize a lot more effort to avoid the glowing blade. Without warning, his head was suddenly grabbed by Berserker's large hand and slammed to the cracked floor. The Servant then dragged the former Assassin and threw him at the stairs.
Before he could get up, his whole body exploded in pain. Pain he had never experienced before.
Illya held her ringing head in her hands. Her vision swam a little as she tried to regain her bearings. Eventually, the disorientation stopped and she was able to take in what had happened. She watched as the fight flowed from one side to the other. She watched as the interloper fought off her Servant, seemingly gaining the upper hand.
Fight back and win, Berserker! You are the strongest Servant! Show him that!
A grin started to form on her little face when her Servant finally got his hand on the intruder. He slammed the head on the floor, cracking the stone tiles and causing the room to shudder. Then, he turned around and tossed the shadowy thing at the stairs. He lifted his sword and ran after it, running it through just as it landed on the carpeted steps. It then let out an unnatural scream, unlike anything she had heard before.
Roughly, Berserker withdrew the sword from the intruder's gut. It writhed and shivered, propping itself on its arms as it tried in vain to get up. Her Servant then lifted his weapon high, intent on cleaving the enemy in two. His body was suddenly engulfed in a gout of flame.
" Berserker!" she cried out as she looked to the origin of the flame. She was frozen in her spot, paralyzed by the inhuman sight. It had no legs nor any visible head. It was merely a purplish-blue skinned body with arms. Instead of hands, it had gaping mouths with razor sharp teeth. Similar mouths were scattered all over its body, its teeth opening and closing with loud clicking. Bright yellow smoke trailed out of all the mouths save one, which was busy shooting red and orange flames at her Servant.
The gout of flame stopped as the Mad Servant staggered backward. With a great roar, he was engulfed in a bright red aura. Any fire that covered him was extinguished. He then immediately charged at the inhuman thing and bisected it. The thing had fire burst out of its ends before dispersing into black ash. More clicking and clattering sounded at the top of the stairs as more abominations shuffled and hopped into view. With an angry cry, Berserker leaped at them, sword ready to kill more.
She quickly picked herself off the floor, intent on cheering him on. Such power! She could feel a faint warmness go through her body as her Servant began using more and more power.
Amazing. I'm starting to feel the drain now. He must be really angry after all th- urk!
Her thoughts were halted as she was grabbed by the throat once again and brought face to face with the shadowy intruder.
"It seems your Servant is quite difficult to put down, not human," it muttered out hoarsely, "It pains me to take this course of action, but you truly leave me no choice."
Her eyes widened with a tinge of fear in her heart as it lifted its free hand as it slowly transformed into a sharp blade. She then started to struggle as it dawned on her what he meant by that.
"A pity. I could have learned much..."
"BERSERKER!"
The scream spurned him on, blinking from tree to tree. The final Blink landed him just behind the door of the entrance. Assassin arrived in time to watch an enraged Berserker leap into the air. His armor was scorched heavily and was still on fire. On his descent, he swung his sword down onto the shadow being's head, who had its hand in the albino girl's chest. As that thing ripped out her heart, the Mad Servant disintegrated, showering the two with bright red dust. On the stairs, two twisted things hopped their way down.
"Master, it is too late," he sent to her, his tone regretful.
"... She... Senpai's sister..."
He could feel the sadness through the link.
"Let me see her, Assassin."
"Very well," he replied. He watched as the body of the Einzbern fell to the floor. Her head rolled to face him, her wide red eyes staring in shock at him. As the abominations landed on the floor, his Master's brother appeared between them from out of thin air, the book floating beside him.
"Well, her Servant is dead. What will you do now?" the boy asked.
"Regretful. There was no other way to prevent her death," the dark being noted as it looked to him.
The Servant of Murder could sense his Master gasping in disbelief, "Impossible..."
"Now, we have to find a way to keep the heart alive.," the being continued, "I can only do so much."
"If I may suggest something?" asked the boy a moment after consulting the book, "All that heart needs is a warm body to sustain it until it does what it needs to do. I can be a temporary host."
"... No person would do so willingly," the shadow replied, "What are you planning to do with the heart?"
"The book says there is a hidden power in it. I would like to..." began the stepbrother.
"Assassin! Get out of there! Now!"
Standing on the tallest building in Fuyuki, Archer patiently waited for the order. He knew the castle from what he could recall, but he still needed to know exactly where to shoot. From what he got from his flabbergasted Master, he was to target the inner courtyard. It wasn't that helpful. Being on his lonesome, he had time to think of other things. Like how easy it would be to shoot the boy from here.
With Saber being indisposed, it would be a simple thing to kill him. I have yet to use any of my more 'special' arrows, after all.
He stretched out his hand, his bow materializing in his grip. However, before he could make an arrow...
"Archer, you have to attack now. Assassin reached the castle but it was too late," Rin told him through the link.
"While my arrows can reach the castle, where exactly should I focus?" he snarked at her, "Maybe if I had more time, I could scout around to get a better idea of what I'm aiming at."
Suddenly, a third voice echoed through the link, "It seems I must do everything for you Mon-keigh."
Without much of a proper warning, his mind was assailed by images. Images of the castle... both the aerial layout and, of the outer and inner grounds. While he didn't see any interior views, it was enough. He faced the direction of the castle and lifted his other hand. A red flame appeared in his hand. It swirled, grew and shaped itself into a sword. It was a curious thing. The hilt and guard were gold and blue. The blade was coiled and twisted into a spiral ending at a point. He notched the sword to his bow and pulled the string. As the string went taut, the sword was changed and altered to be more arrow-like. He aimed at the castle walls, at the point where directly behind it would be the portal.
My core is twisted in madness...
His immediate surrounding began to crackle with red lightning. The arrow-sword flashed red before glowing brightly in blue and white.
Caladbolg.
The arrow was released. The brightly gleaming projectile flew straight and true, shooting across the sky like a shooting star, leaving a trail of white behind it. He watched as he heard a muffled boom, signaling that it blew through the wall and struck its target. The sky around that vicinity shone white and blue before letting out several rings of smoke into the air.
"Rin, Lancer. It is done."
A deadened boom echoed through the forest followed by a gust of wind. Lancer turned to face the Masters and the remaining Servant. "Rider, have them construct a wall of ice, the tallest possible. Enclose the castle and the surrounding area. No daemon shall survive the night," she ordered as she called forth her spear.
"Kinda hard for me to do that if I don't know the place," Rider replied calmly as he brought out a snow white crystal.
The Servant turned around and the runes glowed. A second later, Rider stumbled back a bit. "See to that the wall stands firm. For all the failings of your kind, that is the least you can do," she stated as she swiftly turned back towards the castle and continued on her way.
The Servant of the Mount let out an annoyed groan as he broke the crystal. "You heard her. Let's get this wall made, ladies," he told the eidolons as he walked on ahead. Silence reigned only briefly before the Tohsaka broke it.
"Your Servant is dangerous," she stated, her glare bearing down on the Enforcer, "How could you let her act freely like that?"
Bazett let off a sigh before replying, "It pains me to admit this, but the situation is out of my control."
"I suppose using the Seals didn't work," said Luvia with a frown, her arms crossed in front.
"The one time I tried that, she anticipated it and almost killed me," the Irishwoman replied, looking down as to avoid any eye contact.
"That... is a bit too far..." muttered Sakura, wide eyed in surprise.
"Not to mention strange," interjected the blonde magus, "That brother of yours called her something else too. Eldar. Do any of you know any legends connected to that name?"
"Nothing that I can recall," muttered Rin, the other two also shaking their heads. She sighed and continued, "So, Berserker was defeated and Einzbern dead. So much for trying to stop the War..."
"Hey, Luvia... with that little girl dead, which one of you is gonna tell Shirou?" interjected Rider, "You know... with her being his long lost sister and all." That statement pretty much froze the three young magi.
"I doubt the thought ever crossed their minds, Rider," said Assassin as he materialized next to his Master, "Not immediately, at least."
"Senpai..." muttered Sakura worriedly as she held her hands close to her chest, "He would be crushed."
Sighing again, Bazett spoke up, "I am more worried about that book the boy had. Surely Archer's attack would have destroyed it as well."
"No, it would not. The boy and his shadowy ally were in another part of the castle when Archer attacked," revealed the Servant of Murder.
"Shadowy ally... don't tell me that priest was here too," groaned Luvia.
"Priest?" repeated the Matou in surprise.
"The priest we visited the other night. That mediator guy," explained Rider, "Come to find out, he tried attacking us with shadow powers. Confused the hell out of Luvia here."
"Shadow?" muttered the confused girl, "It... it can't be..."
"What are you talking about, Sakura?" asked Rin in confusion.
"N-n-nothing, it's nothing," stammered the former as she shook her head. The latter's face changed to a look of concern.
"Well, I think the wall's done," announced the Servant of the Mount as the two eidolons floated to his side, "I guess we can get back to the boy's house now."
Inside the church was only illuminated by moonlight shining through the windows. Then, the black dome rose and deposited its two occupants. Eddie looked down at the unconscious boy as wisps of smoke rose up from his clothes and body. He was not in such great shape either; still reeling from the extreme amount of pain that he received from his injury, courtesy of Berserker. He had never felt such pain before. It seared his very core. It would be the last time he would ever feel such pain. He was, at least, successful in his intent. It was unfortunate, though, that the small homunculus died. She could have answered many questions. A shame that she was a Master.
The boy sat up with a wheeze and a sharp intake of breath. He was then reduced to a coughing mess while the fake priest shed his shadowy cover. "Was your experiment a success?" he asked as he watched the boy regain his bearing.
"It was... until it was destroyed," growled Shinji, voice dripping with venom, "I am being opposed at every turn! Both times, both by Servants! If only this damned War waited a few years! I would have shown those damnable magi that my family has risen from the ashes of failure and degeneracy!" And as he got to his feet, he began to chuckle. "But... all is not lost... do you still have the heart?" he asked with certain glee as he turned to face the fake priest.
"I do," said the former as he held the slow beating organ up, surrounded by a pale green light, "Yet, I require my answer. What are you planning to do with the heart?"
"Why... I plan to use it to fully establish myself here," he exclaimed boldly with mad eyes, "Can you not feel the power in it? If I were my former self, I couldn't feel a beat. Now? It feels like a rising crescendo in a symphony! It is absolutely irresistible! Imagine what I could do with that power. In return for letting me use it, I shall keep it alive! You can, of course, graft it to my person. It will make it easier for me to use."
He mused the offer carefully. While it is true that the heart might stand a better chance at survival, he still cannot fully trust this boy with it. The question is, would it be worth the risk doing so? Should he trust this mad boy? He could procure someone different, but that will take time that the organ does not have. What he is doing is merely delaying the inevitable unless he could sustain it. Implanting it to his body would be ill advised too, since his blood... safe to say, it would be far too different to sustain it.
"It seems I am being forced into a corner," he muttered with a frown, finally making up his mind, "Very well, I will use your body for the heart."
"Absolutely wonderful!" the boy cackled with glee, his face a great big grin. "Let us be quick. I want to have a taste of that power," he announced as he unbuttoned his shirt.
"Truly distasteful," the former Servant muttered as he drew near the boy. When he placed his other hand on the former's chest, they were suddenly drowned in a sea of fire.
Every inch of air in the church ignited and the resulting explosion shook the very foundations of the church. Glass shattered and gouts of flame shot out from every gap and opening available. The building burned.
The journey back to the Emiya house was uneventful. Silence reigned as the car pulled up to the front gate. Each of the Master's had their minds preoccupied with their thoughts. Yet, as they disembarked, a faint orange and red tinge glowed in the sky. It was only slight, showing how far it was, but it was enough.
"I think your senior is under attack," said Luvia as the car pulled away to be parked elsewhere, catching everyone's attention. The other two followed her gaze and one of them showed indecision. "Caster did say she was going after him," she continued as she crossed her arms.
"...That probably means that he was able to escape, right?" asked Rin aloud as her brow creased.
"...Maybe. Would Caster be able to take care of him?" muttered Sakura as she averted her eyes.
"She seemed confident enough," replied the blonde, "But then again, how many more tricks could he pull out? I wouldn't put it past him to have something that could survive that." Looking to the twin tailed magus, she asked, "Do you know anything else about him? Other than he was your senior apprentice."
"Not much. His father and mine were friends, I think," mused the Tohsaka as she took on a thinking pose, quietly listing off some points about Kirei, "He was in the previous War... He was appointed my guardian after my father passed on. Occasionally, he would go outside the country on Church business. I learned some martial arts from him. He was a harsh teacher but I always assumed he meant well. Not once did he ever mention learning any other magecraft."
"Well, that isn't much. I do hope she takes him out," the former stated firmly, "Then, we can put off the War indefinitely so that we can fully investigate this curse."
"Will Caster agree to that?" asked the Matou suddenly.
"I doubt it," interjected Rin, "She didn't take to kindly to our proposal. There is no way she would agree to a truce." After a breath, she continued, "We may need to take out Caster before we can conduct our investigation... We might need Saber for this. The Magic Resistance of her class makes her a valued fighter in this since we don't know how powerful Caster is."
"But, what if she's still weakened?" asked Sakura worriedly.
"Hmm, Saber and Shirou would be against consuming souls and any restorative rituals that cause harm to others. That limits our choices," pondered Luvia, who then suggested without flinching, "Maybe... a tantric ritual?"
"Huh?"
"Erm... Sakura, what she means is..." said the twin tailed magus as she leaned in to whisper to her former sister, "Sex."
The word seemed to reverberate in her mind before causing a full blown blush. "Eh!?" she exclaimed.
"You don't know about it?" asked the blonde in surprise.
"She may not, but I do," stated the Tohsaka with a blush of her own, albeit not as severe is the third girl, "I never thought you to be a harlot, Edelfelt."
"Excuse me!?" the former exclaimed, coming very close to screaming, "Sorry for not being an uneducated dunce like her! I'm just glad that 'my' education was much more complete to yours."
"Such topics are considered taboo here, you dumb blonde, " the latter retorted harshly, her own voice rising to match, "That topic is addressed by our parents and guardians in the privacy of our own homes. That! Should not be talked about in public."
"Oh, I bet you definitely received such a good talk about it from a priest," sneered Luvia.
"You... you shut up!" Rin returned, a bit more hesitantly, "Damn it... I do not want to remember it. I only asked what the ritual entailed and he gave me the whole explanation... I did not sign up for that..." At that, the blonde magus started laughing.
"Er... can we not do this now?" asked Sakura, finally finding her voice, "Can we stop talking about s-s-s-s-sex and go inside? Please? I beg you."
The other two sighed. "Fine. Let's go in, Sakura," said a much calmer Rin.
Entering the house, they intended to head off to their respective rooms. However, they noticed the living room light was still on, the shine coming through the cracks and the thin door. Puzzled, they looked at each other and nodded. The three moved towards the room. When they opened it, they got the shock of their life. Shirou was sitting between Caster and Souichirou, with the teacher's hand clamped onto his shoulder. He looked extremely worried. He started to say something and winced as the teacher tightened his grip.
"Welcome back. Did you have a good time running around like rats?" greeted Caster with a rather mirthful smile, "I do hope it was worth it. Now, care to have a seat? We have much to talk about."
Commentary:-
Hello again, and welcome. It has been two months since we last saw each other. How are you? I do hope that this chapter is up to your expectations. Let's get in!
Our hero has fallen! The second Servant to have perished in this War. Some things never change, don't they? They will have their hands full. I wonder how Shirou will react to the news. However, the night is not over since Caster is on the move as well. Also, some juicy info about sex education! How enlightening! And... Sakura turned to a new shade of red. Let us not forget the surprise that Caster pulled. What will happen next?
Why this!
"Shirou, something is happening outside," Saber interrupted the soon-to-be-heated discussion as she noticed the electric red glow outside the house. This brought everyone running to the windows. Everyone was taken aback when the five inhuman beings materialized. Their view was suddenly blocked by a darkly dressed character.
"Eh? Assassin?" exclaimed Sakura in surprise.
He has already pulled up his red bandanna. He watched as the beings slowly walked towards the fence. They certainly gave out an intimidating vibe, and he had never faced demons before. Still, a first time for everything. His sword and scimitar came to his hands. He waited a few moments for the demons to come closer before he shouted, "None may challenge the Brotherhood!"
From out of nowhere, five figures dressed in black and with a similar looking bandanna as he had, leaped out and started to engage them. He had a feeling they wouldn't last long, but they are his to use after all. He sprinted off to the side, moving to flank the opposing group. The first one had its back to him. He quickly took advantage of it, swiftly dragging his scimitar across it. It shrieked for a second before the guard attacking it slit its throat. Then, he vanished from sight. Moving slowly, he intercepted number two by smashing the pommel of his scimitar in its face. He then sent both blades into the disorientated victim's stomach and eviscerated it. By that time, all his guards had been slain and the other three demons were surrounding him.
"So, three lapdogs left..." he growled out. Suddenly, two arrow-like missiles went through two necks. Behind his bandanna, he grinned and he went for the kill. He lunged forward and drove his sword into its gut. He kicked the dying body off and watched it crumple to the ground. "And stay down," he spat out as it crumbled away.
I think this is the shortest omake Servant I put out. Still, it is something, right? Alright, be sure to read and review, yeah? It is the fuel of motivation.