…What?
Kiritsugu stared incredulously at the priest as he processed the question he had been asked.
Kiritsugu knew that Kotomine Kirei was a fearsome man. It was because Kiritsugu could not understand the priest and how he lived, this lack of understanding capitalized his fear of him.
But that man had quite clearly avoided doing what Kiritsugu had feared he'd do if they were to ever meet. Instead, he had purposely landed a crippling blow instead of a fatal one. For this reason?
Kiritsugu shifted in place as he tried to calm himself down. He kept his eyes on Kirei as seconds of silence passed between them.
"I will ask you again, Emiya Kiritsugu… what did you find nine years ago that made you stop?"
Kirei stared down at the Magus Killer patiently, eagerly anticipating whatever response the man had for him. The man hid it well, Kirei could tell that Kiritsugu was shocked that he had not killed him when he had the chance. It was understandable.
But all that mattered to him was the man he had sought out, right in front of him. This was the man capable of shedding some light on the emptiness of his life.
Tonight, he would have his answer.
Then he saw Emiya Kiritsugu mouth moving but no sound was heard, frustrated he called about again.
"What? What did you say?" Kirei demanded from the man he's holding.
"I said..." Kiritsugu started, Kirei felt excitement and brought his face closer so as to hear the answer better.
"Take This!" Kiritsugu shouted while slicing Kirei left wrist severing it and separating the hand from the wrist.
"!" Kirei exclaimed from pain.
Contrary to Kirei expectation, instead of answering his question Kiritsugu uses his distraction to attack him. Costing him his hand as it fell to the ground.
Letting go of Kiritsugu, Kirei took a step back and holding his wrist trying to stopped its bleeding. But, kiritsugu won't allowed him.
Picking up his glock Kiritsugu aimed toward Kirei, aiming at his vital Kiritsugu take a shoot at him repeatedly. The man quickly dodged, before running towards the crates near the wall trying to distance himself from Kiritsugu, before hiding amongst the shadow of the warehouse his blood the only indication of his presence. Unable to see him anymore Kiritsugu finally stopped shooting.
Now, Kiritsugu understand why Kirei choose this place. The warehouse wasn't just modified to lock him in, it was also designed exclusively for him. The place was dark with the only source of light was the eight white lamps which is not enough to illuminate the whole room allowing for Kirei to hide in shadows, and then the crates surrounding them was for a cover from his gun and also stack in a way that allowed for mobility around the room allowing Kirei to move around him as he like. For Kiritsugu who fight with a gun this is the worst place to fight.
But, Kiritsugu still confident towards his chances. Touching his now healed shoulder, he immediately understood how. The Noble Phantasm, Avalon. The holy relic that had summoned Saber; the sheath of the holy sword, which had protected Irisviel's body for quite some time.
Is a sword sheath that protected its wielder from any harm, and prevented them from aging. Kiritsugu, Saber's true Master, could obtain prana from Saber, and so exert the sheath's powers as if he were its true wielder.
Kiritsugu had heard of its ability, but had never seen it with his own eyes. Though still shocked at the power of the sheath, Kiritsugu began to consider battle tactics the moment he realized the speed of recovery he felt.
Looking around, Kiritsugu found his Thompson. Warily he walked slowly to retrieved it, as he stand above the gun but he did not picked it up. Instead he warily look around trying to find kirei among the shadow.
Unknown to Kiritsugu, Kirei was watching all of his movement from above the ceiling, his wrist had somehow stopped bleeding. After observing Kiritsugu for a moment he jumped behind Kiritsugu without a sound from surprising him.
When Kiritsugu turned around a fist met his stomach, hard. Gastric juice coming out of his mouth, the pain and shock made him loose his grip as his knife dropped to the ground. But Kirei wasn't finished, with one hand he kept pummeling Kiritsugu, his cheek, jaw, nose, temple, eye, and chest. Kirei kept punching Kiritsugu without mercy until he use his palm to push Kiritsugu to his back.
Amazingly all of the attack were not meant for killing instead all of them only brought pain to Kiritsugu. When he notices this Kiritsugu realized that Kirei has figured out that he could recover from his crippling attack, so now All his attack is only focused on bringing pain.
Now on the ground Kiritsugu rolled off his back, incidently he saw his Thompson not far from his grasp. While in pain he crawl to it trying to reach it, but just as he was about to touch it a leg stop him by crushing Kiritsugu stretched hand.
"!!" Kiritsugu screamed in pain, while Kirei merely watched before talking to Kiritsugu.
"Emiya Kiritsugu." He said without emotion.
"My question, I want an answer to it." Kirei demanded, tired of waiting.
This time the way he looked at Kiritsugu was so cold, looking up he felt chill from the bottom of his heart.
This time Kirei won't be so kind anymore.
Right now, Saber is busy fending of Assassins assault. She was getting more wound and damage over time, but that doesn't mean she was defeated. In fact for every wound another Assassins will fall to her blade.
Such as the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the thousand face hassan, in exchange for a large number of individuals and skill their stats also fall to the bottom of the barrel barely reaching Rank-E in stats.
But thankfully Assassin numerous number and varieties of skill allowed them to keep up with Saber, at this point it was just a matter of time before they overwhelm Saber. After all, while they were limited to less than a hundred for every summon, every time an Assassins died they could instantly replaced by another one, virtually creating an illusion of infinite number.
While the assassins were swarming Saber, a single Assassin was watching from behind. This Assassin is lacking in technique nor trickery, but, in exchange he was superior than the other Assassin in planning and strategy. Thus he was the one who actually coordinating all Assassins to attack Saber.
In hindsight, it does make sense considering the number of assassin, their difference is personality and diversity of skill fighting a single enemy without bothering other Assassins was impossible. So a leader was needed to control them all.
And this Assassin is that one personality.
While the assassins leader watching Saber being assaulted, he waved, point, and gestured the other Assassins to either take position or replace the dead Assassin on the battlefield. While doing this another Assassins jump down beside him.
The leader looked towards the newcomer, the new Assassin is thin and skeletal he looked like he was about to die with a single touch. Seeing him the leader greeted him.
"You're finally here," leader said his voice masculine.
"Is it ready?" He asked the thin Assassin.
The thin Assassin merely showed him several flask hidden in his robe, there was a dozen flask tied by a thin rope on the assassin clothes.
It was poisons.
The thin Assassin is a specialist on poison, before the battle begin the poison specialists were already preparing poison for this moment. But, in order to make a poison strong enough to affect a servant needed a lot of effort and time. That's why he can only arrive now in the middle of the battle.
"It is ready." He said with a hoarse voice.
"Good," The leader said.
"Distribute it." He ordered, the thin Assassin nod before leaving.
The leader is now watching the thin Assassin distributing poison towards other Assassins before another voice cut taken his attention, this time its a feminine and sultry voice.
"Do you think it will work?" The voice asked in a rather suggestive tone.
The leader didn't even bother to look at the newcomer before replying.
"Who knows, it didn't matter anyway." The leader shrugged.
"Oh?" The voice sound curious.
The source of the voice then revealed herself, she was visually a tall adult woman with a sensual curves on her body, despite the skull mask and the dark cloak it instead accentuated her body shape, her hair ties in a ponytail drabed on her shoulder.
This is the Madam Assassin, specialized it seduction rather than battle. Just like the leader she was considered to be the one of the personality controlling the rest of the assassins, unlike the leader though she had more sway to the more problematic personality from going out for control.
"How so?" The Madam asked the leader. Glancing at her the leader answer.
"Master asked us to stall her, and that's it." The leader said.
"Whether the poison work or not doesn't matter." The leader clarify.
The Madam looked at the leader before looking at the assassins assaulting Saber for a moment before looking back at the leader, crossing her arms on her chest.
"A bit overwhelming for a mere 'stalling' don't you think?" The Madam said with a curious tone. The leader snort as if hearing a joke.
"Master said 'use any and all means'..." The leader quote.
"Well if Saber died she won't be bothering anyone," The leader said in jest, prompting a question from the Madam.
"Do we really need to kill her though?" The Madam asked.
"After our master is done with Saber master we could just killed him, rather than waste our life like this, right?" She explained her reasoning.
The Madam concerned does make sense from a logical viewpoint, Assassins capabilities were in fact not for direct battle. Oh sure, with their number and numerous skill and tricks they can clinch a victory by overwhelming their enemy with number, but at what cost. Rather than wasting manpower its better to focused on a better target, after all as a servant their weaknesses was rather clear.
The Master.
So rather than wasting their time trying to overpower a clearly powerhouses like Saber, it was more logical to use their time to assassinate her master. Frickin hell, their skill IS more suited for that, as if the class named Assassin is not clear enough.
"You're right, as usual you're insight is impeccable." The leader said genuinely praising the Madam.
The Madam preened from the praised, after all as a mere personality it was rare to get a praise from each other because they literally the same person. Still who didn't like to be praised.
"But it can't be helped." The leader said his tone changed.
"If we want to win the holy grail, this much is required." The Madam went silent, as she understood what the leader is talking about.
Assassins like other servants have a goal or a wish they want from the Grail. Their wish is simply "to have a perfect and unified personality." But due to their Master having no intention of winning the war, they were instead damned to the fate of a voyeur. Kirei by following the orders of Tokiomi makes it so they were truly a servant of a servant.
This was humiliating in not outright insulting, they didn't joined this war to simply become a cannon fodder, or to become someone else's puppets. They were here with a goal to achieve and they will be damned if they allowed anyone even their master to stop them.
They had plotted to hijack the Holy Grail before either Kirei or Tokiomi in the event the War had gone in their favor, the alliance with Berserker was the first step of the plan.
While Berserker dealt with Rider, Assassin will take their time to find Berserker master, Kariya Matou and killed him. In an event of Berserker failed to take down Rider and was defeated instead, Assassin wasn't worried, after all they were sure that they could pull of some trick to kill Rider master. After all how hard it is to kill a mere child, now that the assassins know Rider have a reality marble as a Noble Phantasm they can response appropriately.
Then the only servant who pose as an obstacles to the Grail is Saber, with her pure strength and not to mention her Noble Phantasm she is the most likely to win the holy grail base on might alone.
And for that reason alone Assassins must pull all his trick to killed her now.
It's too bad that their 'master' is too much of a pushover, instead of letting Assassins killed Saber master immediately. He wanted to talk instead! Assassins realized if they want the holy grail they can't rely on their master.
No, they needed to win this war on their term!!
And if they have to sacrifice several dozens of individuals, then so be it.
"What of the vassal?" The leader asked, bringing the matter of their alliance.
"It has been delivered, she should've been on her way to the rendezvous spot." The Madam reported.
"Good." The leader said, returning his attention towards the battlefield.
While observing the battlefield the leader noticed something interesting.
"Oh!" He softly muttered as he watch the battlefield.
The battle is about to end.
Saber was simply frustrated, no matter how many she killed assassins they were just keep coming! It didn't help that the assassins were using kamikaze tactic.
Saber now look worse for appearance, her hair bun is undone and now a mess, her armor is scratched and splattered with blood, her dress is practically in tatters, and she herself suffer numerous small wounds leaking blood with the worst of it on her neck.
Saber definitely felt wronged, each class is only allowed for one Servant yet it seems assassins was summoned multiple times, how the hell is their master afford their mana consumption?
This is definitely breaking the rules. Saber thought bitterly. Before craving her neck to avoid a dagger to her head.
Unfortunately for Saber, the Assassins really want her dead they didn't even give her time to think much less breath.
Saber glanced at the thrown dagger its now stuck on a steel container, her eyes widened at what she see, the steel container was melting!
It didn't take long for Saber to realize what it was.
'Poison' Saber gritted her teeth in frustration.
She was after all getting tired, yet her enemy didn't seem to be running out of tricks.
"Saber." A familiar feminine called out to Saber from behind.
Saber turned around ready to face another assassins attack, yet a shocking view is what greeted her.
In front of her is a woman in white apparel, she has a slender and graceful figure. Her long, flowing hair is silver-white in color and reaches down to her lower back.
Her skin is pale and flawless, with a smooth and even texture. Her jawline is narrow and elegant, while her high cheekbones lend a regal and refined look to her face.
Her nose is small and straight, with a slightly upturned tip. Her lips are full and shapely, with a soft and gentle curve that enhances her delicate appearance. Her chin is small and rounded, which adds to her overall appearance of femininity and grace.
Her eyes are a bright red color and is particularly striking, with a calm and gentle expression that reflects her kind and compassionate nature.
Saber couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at the person in front of her.
It was Irisveil Von Einzbern.
Her presence was so shocking, Saber stopped thinking for a second.
"Irisveil?" Saber unknowingly called out.
"Saber." 'Irisveil' greeted her. Her voice soft while approaching Saber.
"Have you keep kiri safe all this time?" She asked Saber who merely nod in silence.
"Good, if that's the case..." Suddenly 'Irisveil' eyes turned vicious, before she slashed a dirk towards Saber neck. This imposter is of course an Assassin their gender is unknown but they were a specialist in disguise, man, woman, old, young this Assassin is an expert capable to become anyone and then killed their target by confusion. They were also expert in subterfuge and sabotage, but this skill is unneeded at this moment.
Instinctively Saber lean backward to avoid its edge, before stepping back trying to make a distance from 'Irisveil' but she kept advancing while attacking Saber.
"What's wrong Saber, I'm merely wanted to show you my gratitude for everything you've done." She said softly, but Saber just dodge without a sound as she looked at the impostor without emotion. Saber is mad of course but the impostor appearance make it hard for Saber to act. It didn't help that Saber is actually fond of Irisveil.
"After you, I will visit my beloved, I'm sure he will be glad to see me!" She said with a cheerful voice, causing Saber eyes to turn cold.
Before 'Irisveil' could speak another word Saber swiftly stab her on the chest, with blood flowing to Excalibur length Saber spoke to 'Irisveil'
"Irisveil, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..." Saber said with remorse, despite knowing the person in front of her wasn't the real Irisveil. She speak like a sinner confessing her crime.
"But, I couldn't let you meet Kiritsugu.." Saber close her eyes unable to look at 'Irisveil' because of guilt.
"Your sight will do nothing but hurt him." She finished with regret, it is clear she was taking Irisveil death as her fault for her unability protect her.
"I see..." 'Irisveil' Response while gurgling blood before holding Saber arm with one hand.
"Saber, I forgive you." She said with a compassion tone before...
STAB
Surprised, Saber take several back step. Her eyes widened is shock, she thought she'd already killed her.
Instead the imposter managed to get close enough to stab her side, right on her waist where her the gap on her armor was.
In retaliation, Saber quickly slash the woman in front of her from left shoulder to right waist before the imposter could say anything before falling to her knees clutching her wound.
It didn't take long before Saber suddenly gurgling blood, surprised as she didnt felt any pain.
Realization quickly form on her mind, she has been poisoned!
The knife must've been coated with poison before the imposter appeared.
Thankfully due to her dragon bloodline, poison of this level is not enough to kill her. But it was enough to weaken her to some degree, of course if an ordinary human or any other servants were to hit it would be another story.
'That was enough poison to kill dozens of men in a single drop' The thin Assassin outrageously thought. The poison had been made with painstaking effort which take dozens of time and material, it was to the point the poison substance is more akin to a curse rather than a mere dangerous liquid.
Before Saber could stand though a sound of horns suddenly steal her attention, looking beside her she saw a freight truck going at her at full speed.
BAM
Before she can even comprehend what she saw, Saber then hit by the truck before it crashed into a container. An Assassin then left the truck, going away as soon as possible from the truck.
Suddenly the harbor become silent, the Assassins were looking at the result of the collision.
"Is she dead?" One of the Assassin asked.
Before anyone can answer a loud bang suddenly heard across the harbor as the semi was thrown towards the air to the sea water.
The sight stunned everyone, as they watched the semi fall towards the sea and exploded on water.
Looking back they saw Saber looking at them with venom in her eyes.
"Assassin." She said slowly with rage.
"We are irreconcilable."
Seeing Saber glaring at them with such venom unnerved them, so much so a few of the Assassin can't help but take a few step behind.
Of course, some were unfazed. In fact, a brave Assassin were even responding to Saber.
"Is that so?" The Assassin said, looking directly at Saber eyes. Unfazed by her glare.
"Well, you should watch where you stand first." He said confusing Saber, seeing her confusion Assassin indulged her.
"Up" He simply said.
Raising her eyebrow Saber looked up, only to saw with wide eyes a container falling to her.
On the crane controller an Assassins were giving a thumbs up to the crowd of Assassins.
BAM
A large container suddenly crush Saber right in front of the Assassins. Dust and debris float up covering their sight.
One the dust subsided, the sight of Saber lifting the container come into their eyes.
Saber is on her knees, her arms shaking while holding the heavy container, yet her eyes were still glaring towards the Assassins.
Seeing this the brave Assassin merely snort, before nodding toward another Assassin. Nodding back the Assassin suddenly screamed.
"Fire in the hole!" The assassin screamed, his voice exhoed accross the harbor before an arrow clad in fire is shot towards the container.
Once the fiery arrow hit somewhere on the container, suddenly a violent and destructive amount of energy is released from it.
BOOM
The explosion generates a loud noise, intense heat, bright light, and a shock wave that cause significant damage to its surroundings.
Fires were spreading around from the explosion threatening to burn down the harbor.
Some Assassins were even caught within it, the idiots. Didn't they listen to other when they said the warning.
Saber world suddenly turned bright before fading into an all consuming darkness.
Caught within the explosion, Saber was thrown high in the air before falling towards a container and ricochet to the ground.
Saber is seeing a dream.
In the dream she sees a battlefield filled with knights and soldiers, and she is leading them into battle. As she fights, she realizes that her actions have caused many deaths and much suffering.
Saber feels a great sense of guilt and regret, but before she can do anything about it, her consciousness suddenly return.
Saber is now covered with ash, her body was burn, and she is barely conscious.
Shakily, she tried to push herself up. Fatigue is weighing down on her as she struggled to stand.
Strangely Saber didn't feel any pain whatsoever, the reason was because the previous poison were numbing her receptory sense.
Saber was torn to be thankful or cursing the assassin for this slight relief.
Standing up once again, she lift her sword into a fighting stance. While getting ready for another fight, suddenly a High-pitched sounds can be heard.
"!"
The noise was so painful her ear is leaking blood, feeling the pain Saber can't help but cried out.
Looking at the assassins surrounding her, none of them were even fazed.
Saber clicked her teeth as she realized this sound is another of Assassins trick.
Somewhere around the harbor an Assassin with six fingers is playing an oversized flute, his pair of six finger allowed him to use the clearly custom made flute.
Then another Assassin were throwing something towards Saber, once the object touch the ground it exploded releasing a thick smoke.
Once Saber was in contact with the smoke she felt her eyes and throat burned, coughing her eyes turned red in response to the smoke.
Her eyes watered in physical response, as she cough to relieve her throat.
Now Saber is truly in trouble, her skin is numb, her ear is temporarily deaf, her eyes is red with pain, her nose and throat is burning due to smoke.
Seeing Saber struggling, the Assassins were prepared to siege her again.
The master at arms is readying their weapon, the beast master with their beast, trick master with their tools, the martial master prepared to fight to the last blood, as every Assassins were advancing towards Saber with fires from the explosion in their background.
Despite her struggled Saber is not daunted by their assault, as she prepared to recieve their assault.
"Come at me!"