The car drive away for a while.
Kiritsugu and Saber were silent, each thinking of their next move.
For Saber she is still unable to decide what is the best course of action for this time, accepting the invitation and spare the innocent or ignore it and suffer Assassin wrath, each choice is equally as horrid and the source of Saber discomfort. It was while contemplating her decision that she noticed that she didn't know where they are going.
"Master, where are we going?" Saber asked. Kiritsugu was silent for a moment before answering.
"We're going to the harbor." Kiritsugu simply said, shocking Saber.
"May I asked why?" Saber inquired, once again Kiritsugu goes silent thinking where to start.
Different from Saber, Kiritsugu had no qualms about letting Assassin goes wild to innocent bystander. Personally speaking there is no reason or acceptable reason to abide by Assassin and Kirei invitations, simply put Kiritsugu was not troubled whatsoever about the invitation. Instead he was troubled by something else, that is the fact that Assassin managed to find their whereabout. This information is in Kiritsugu eye more important than the life of numerous individuals.
In fact, Kiritsugu wasnt even sure that Assassin isn't observing them right now.
After all even if Assassin fought Saber Kiritsugu have no doubt Saber will win, in fact Assassin literally have no chance to even contend against Saber. By using this simple fact then come a question, under what circumstances Assassin come to invite them to meet? Does he not afraid Kiritsugu will command Saber to kill his master immediately? How can Assassin dealt with that situation?
Simple, he had help from another source, an ally to help him fought Saber. If Kiritsugu had to guess, Assassin might managed to secure alliance with Berserker. Combine with their recent information about Berserker capability, the situation just become dangerous for both of them.
Because even if Assassin didn't allied with Berserker, with the information he had on hand, he could make a deal with Berserker to dealt with Saber. All Assassin need to do is point at where Kiritsugu and Saber is, and Berserker will be on their ass effective immediately. Or Berserker could come at them along side Assassin to overwhelm Saber with a 2-on-1 scenario, in which Kiritsugu started to doubt Saber chances to win.
No, he could not allowed that to happen. He needed to be quick, because they don't have the luxury of time, Assassin might only need one day to find Berserker. Before that happens they must eliminate Assassin at all costs, even if that means they have to walk through a trap? Then so be it.
When Kiritsugu explained his decision to Saber, bar the innocents part, she was stunned.
"I see, I didn't think that far." Saber said seriously, putting her finger on her chin.
"Saber." Kiritsugu called, drawing her attention.
"Can you still fight?" He asked her, Saber nod without hesitation.
"I am, you don't have to worry, Master." She said assuring Kiritsugu, who just nod silently as he returned his attention to driving.
Their next plan, to eliminate Assassin post-haste.
On their way to the harbor, Saber suddenly smiled before she called Kiritsugu.
"Master." She called gaining Kiritsugu attention, who raised his eyebrow to her.
"Now that I think about it, I have yet to express my gratitude for your assistance against Caster creature, master." She said with a smile.
This confuses Kiritsugu, was that something to thank for? After all if Saber died Kiritsugu fight for the Grail will also end.
Well, not really after all as long as he had the command seal he is eligible to fight in the war against the servant and their master for the Holy Grail, if he survived long enough that is.
Kiritsugu quietly looked at Saber before looking back to the road, Saber just smiled seeing this.
What a unusual man Saber thought. Honestly rather than making an elaborate explanation can he just said that he wanted to spare the innocent from Assassin. Saber chuckled at the man stubborn attitude. Somehow Kiritsugu reminded her of Agravain.
Looking at the smiling Saber Kiritsugu glancing at her in confusion. Before deciding to ignore her, thinking that it wasn't important.
There was a pleasant silent on their way to the harbor.
They finally arrived at the harbor.
After parking the car somewhere hidden they prepared for battle, for the sake of efficiency Kiritsugu left the body bag in the car.
After taking a last look towards Irisveil he close the zip, Kiritsugu then looked at the awaiting Saber. Nodding, they were finally left to find the 11 warehouse.
Once their figure gone, a black shadow manifest itself beside the car. It's skull mask looking at the car in satisfaction. Opening the rear door the figure saw a body bag, zipping it open the sight of Irisveil greeted her sight.
"Bingo." Assassin said, from her tone anyone can imagine a sly smile behind her mask. Taking the bag with her, she left towards the rendezvous place.
Meanwhile, Kiritsugu and Saber continue to look for the warehouse Assassin told them to go, unaware of this happening at all.
"Assassin..."
A priest said to the kneeling figure.
"You are to stall Saber from interfering." Kirei ordered.
"Understood master." Assassin replied
"You too shall not bother us."
"Of course, Master."
"Use any and all means, make sure Saber didn't bother us." Kirei specified, Assassin merely nod in submission.
"Good, now go."
Assassin leave to fulfill his order, with Kirei waiting on the harbor.
This is it, no backing down now, Kirei thought.
The pair is now in front of the warehouse.
In front of them is Assassin guarding the open warehouse.
The warehouse is dark, covered by shadow making both Saber and Kiritsugu wary to go inside.
Their attention is then distracted by Assassin voice.
"I welcome you, Master of Saber." Assassin greeted them.
"My master is awaiting inside." He said gesturing towards the warehouse.
"Go on..."
Saber and Kiritsugu looked towards each other before nodding, Kiritsugu walked in front of Saber first with Saber following from behind. Suddenly when they're about to enter, a dagger is thrown toward Saber enraging her, turning around after dodging she screamed.
"What is the meaning of this Assassin!"
"The invitation is reserved only for your master, Saber." Assassin simply said, frustrating Saber.
"You...!" Saber is gritting her teeth in rage, before a hand on her shoulder calmed her down.
"I'm going..." Kiritsugu said before looking at Assassin.
"Remember our objective." He said to Saber.
"Dealt with him." Saber nod in understanding.
"Umu, master survive until I kill this wretch." She said to Kiritsugu, who simply snort.
"Humph, you mean you survive until I kill Kirei." He replied bringing smile to Saber lips.
"Heh, it's a bet then master." She said putting up her sword ready for battle, Kiritsugu didn't answer as he walked inside the warehouse, leaving Saber to deal with Assassin.
When Kiritsugu get inside the warehouse, the open door suddenly closed itself separating Saber and Kiritsugu. Seeing this Saber focused her attention to Assassin.
Looking at Assassin Saber lost her smile, as she prepared for battle. Assassin merely looked on until Kiritsugu gets in.
"Have you said your farewell?" Assassin asked, Saber merely ignored him.
"It's just you and me now Assassin." Saber started.
"You will pay for your sick action." She said pointing her sword to him.
"Is that so, well you're wrong about one thing actually." He calmly replied to Saber threat, prompting Saber to curiously raised her eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" She asked humoring his soon to be last joke.
"It's not 'you and me' but 'you and us'." He said gesturing towards their surroundings.
"What? What is that supposed to...!!" Saber stopped talking when she saw something shocking.
Strange white creatures emerged on the harbor surrounding Saher. One after the other, their pale white visages were like blooming flowers as they appeared. The paleness was the color of cold, dry bone.
Skull masks and black cloaks. The previously empty harbor slowly became filled by this strange group.
They surrounded her on all sides, and some were even observing her on high places ready to strike her in ranges.
Saber looked around her in shock, she was suddenly outnumber.
"What's the meaning of this?! Assassin appearing one after the other…There was supposed to be only one Servant of each class!"
Watching the awkward expressions of their prey, Assassins laughed evilly.
"You're correct. We are all acting as one Servant, and each individual is only a shadow of the whole."
Assassin was not limited to only one person. The reality was, there were many Assassins – an unnaturally numerous number of Assassins that participated in this Heaven's feel. They all wore masks and were clad in black robes, and their body sizes differed as well. Some were giant, some were slim, some where short like children while some were women.
Seeing this many Assassins are gathered here, Saber suddenly felt cold as she looked towards the warehouse.
Could Assassin be in there as well?
Unfortunately before she could take action, Assassin hollow voice took her attention.
"Heh, not bad for a mere Assassin right Saber?" He said to Saber who is still in shocked.
"Let's start this shall we." As if on cue the rest of the Assassin is jumping and charging at her.
Saber gritted her teeth as prepared to meet Assassin assault.
Master, please be safe, Saber thought.
After kiritsugu walk in to the warehouse the door suddenly slam on itself, looking around he saw that the door is equip with a contraption. Meaning the door cannot be opened normally.
Turning around Kiritsugu scan the room, obviously it was dark with the only light source to be the eight pieces of white lamps ot the ceiling. Seeing the room he notices that the crate usually filled the warehouse has been stacked around the wall, creating the middle part wide and empty.
Suddenly Kiritsugu heard step coming from the darkness of the room. Looking into the source of the sound he saw a priest came out walking from the shadow before she stopped in front of Kiritsugu. The lights shined down on him from above, illuminating Kirei and the figure that stood just a few meters away.
Kirei spoke the name that came to his lips, almost sounding desperate when he spoke the man's name.
"Emiya Kiritsugu!"
The man turned to answer, speaking the priest's name in monotone.
"Kotomine Kirei."
Kirei did not react when he saw the gun in the Magus Killer's hand. He didn't flinch when he noticed it was pointed in his direction. All he wanted to do was ask the questions that were raging and bouncing around inside his mind, desiring to be voiced.
BANG
Anything Kirei might have said was silenced by the gunshot that rang throughout the harbor.