Fate Twin Roses

by Bluestar076

In a modern era, an holy item known as the Holy Grail appears on earth. Now, fourteen mages along with their Servants, divided in two factions will battle to decide who's gonna grant their own wish. In another reality, another Holy Grail War begins! (SYOC closed.)

17. Fear of Lineage

Fate Twin Roses Chapter 16: Fear of Lineage

By Bluestar076

Hello everyone! Bluestar here with a new chapter! It has been a while since I've worked on this story again, right? There is not a big gap like other times, but it has been some time. Considering the beginning of Shogunate Pride and the fact that I've wanted to take back other stories in the meantime, I've ended up focusing on other stuff. Still, naturally, this story was also in my mind as well, considering that it's currently my most followed one. I'm really surprised by the fact that we're at 50 followers! As someone who just thinks of writing whatever he feels like writing, this is a big result! Glad of the fact that there is a large number of people who like this story! It means a lot to me, considering that there have been many controversies among some reviews in the past! Thank you again, seriously! This naturally makes me want to continue this story further, especially considering that we are moving on after what happened in the last chapters! Speaking of which, this one will be more of an interaction chapter. It had been a while since we had one, and after all the havoc that happened ever since chapter 12, I thought it would have been a good idea to dig more into some of the characters and see them outside of fighting, especially some of them. So, without further ado, let's see how this Holy Grail War continues after the events that occurred! As always, I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Note: I do not own Fate. All rights belong to Kinoko Nasu and TYPE-MOON

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Chapter 16: Fear of Lineage

Tokyo – White Rose Headquarters – 22nd April 2021 – 0.50 A.M

"A-Ah…!" Oeneus was simply horrified as soon as he saw the truth.

He and Teufel were inside Caster of White's former lab after the latter rescued the defeated mage. He was able to convince Isak of holding him for a bit for a 'private chat', once they were all alone…Oeneus could see an unpleasant vision: near Teufel, who was sitting on a chair, stood none other than Avenger. The unexpected fifteenth Servant that messed up the tides of the Holy Grail War was now in front of him.

The Animusphere mage simply couldn't believe it. Why was he there? And on Teufel's side? No other reason could have worked but one, an idea that only put more pressure on his heart. "D-Don't tell me…it's you!? You're the Master!?" He exclaimed.

"This isn't what should truly matter at the moment, Oeneus. The deal is another one. There is a specific reason why I've decided to save you, even if you lost your Servant." Teufel replied.

The younger mage flinched for a moment after hearing those words, considering that it happened just a few moments earlier. But he tried to keep his composure and looked directly at the Servant. "Does that mean that Ryujin was just a false owner and he's your real Master?" He asked.

Avenger simply made a relaxed smile and looked at him. "You could say so. I love to walk around and hear other people's stories. I'm one who always stood at humanity's side. And as such, I'm grateful for being summoned here, that's all." He spoke.

By hearing that, Teufel made a suspicious look on his Servant. "Ryujin? What is he talking about?" He thought. He surely had to ask the Heroic Spirit a few questions later, but he didn't want to get out of the main topic. "Please, Oeneus. Remain focused on what I just said." He then said to the other mage.

After seeing all of that, the Animusphere mage frowned at the other person, not knowing what to expect. "So…what exactly do you want? You said it yourself, I don't have a Servant anymore. I…I lost the war." He asked.

Teufel made a small smile and stood up, coming closer to him. "Now, now. There's no need to say this. As someone who comes from one of the most renowned magi families in the world of magecraft, I'm sure you know that, just because they lost a Servant, it doesn't mean that a mage cannot continue to participate in the Holy Grail War, especially in such a big conflict as this." He then gently lifted Oeneus's face with two fingers, so that he could look at him in the eyes. "You can still show what you're made of. Not everything is lost."

Oeneus looked at him in silence for some seconds. He didn't know if he could trust him, considering his possible role in Avenger's presence. But he knew he wasn't really in the conditions of opposing, especially now that Caster of White was gone. Avenger was partly to blame because of that, considering that he also damaged their mechanic Phoenix. But for the moment…all that he could have done…was to listen to him. "…What is it that you need?" He asked.

Teufel was glad to see that he seemed to get his cooperation. "You were able to understand and work alongside Leonardo Da Vinci, the greatest artist of the Renaissance and one of the most brilliant minds that humanity ever had in thousands of years. Even in this Holy Grail War, as a Heroic Spirit, she was able to show her talent and intellect even in magecraft, getting to build a mechanical superpower like that mechanical Phoenix. If I have to be sincere, there was a high probability that you could have won the battle. Those of the Red Rose were simply more determined." He explained. Oeneus wasn't convinced of that.

"And how do you explain Avenger deliberately attacking our weapon?" He asked with a frustrated glare. As an answer, Teufel looked at the Servant more seriously, as if he was trying to support Oeneus's question.

The mysterious Heroic Spirit still seemed relaxed and gave his answer. "You saw me in the past, young mage, I simply go with what excites me more. And in a conflict such as this Holy Grail War, it's pretty easy to boil my blood, especially after seeing what the other Servants can do. If you put up something like a giant mechanical phoenix, it's hard for me to control myself. What can I say…I simply love humanity's efforts. And as far as I conserve hatred in my heart…I can't help but love what you people are doing to survive."

Oeneus wasn't sure if he understood what he was saying. Thinking about it made him realize that Avenger seemed a more contorted being than he already looked, and that was enough to make the young mage feel uncomfortable.

"Putting aside this small inconvenience…as you can see, her laboratory is still here after her death, with all the devices she created until now. And you were able to help her with the mechanical Phoenix." Teufel then spoke, getting back to the main topic. "What I'm trying to say…is that Caster left us this wonderful place to use. And you…could be the star behind it. You could still have your chance to serve as a vital member of the White Rose. All you have to do…is to follow my directives apart from Isak's." He then explained the reason why he took him.

"You…want me to use Caster's lab? For what reason?" Oeneus asked, more confused than ever.

"I'm sure that, during your stay as a member of the White Rose, you could see what my daughter was capable of, especially if we consider the combination with the Servant she got." Teufel started.

"Seram…right…she's your daughter," Oeneus said, after thinking back on what he heard from that man's conversation with Isak. "True indeed…she's a monster when she battles…" He then commented.

"Glad to hear that you think of it. The result that the girl was able to obtain is the result of many years of strict training and close observations during her route to becoming a candidate for this Holy Grail War. Just as many other magi families, including the same ones that started this whole cycle of conflicts, we of the Qlippah lineage have always aimed to stand at the top and finally have supremacy in the world of magecraft by any means possible, even if we had to reach out the Root, the core of the entire universe. But unfortunately, for many decades, we simply ended up getting on the second line. Nowadays, with the war getting closer and the main families getting weaker, apart from the Tohsaka, it was the perfect moment to get in here, with Seram as the star of this show. But…even after everything I could have done for her…she still tends to get out of control and let her emotions prevail." Teufel explained.

"You're talking about the 'Dead Face' magecraft, right?" Oeneus asked.

"Precisely. When Twice H. Pieceman developed this magic, he thought of it as a spell that could have brought out all the potential of the wielder's soul and rage while still being in control over their impulses. But this still doesn't seem to be the case for Seram. Whenever she fights, her hatred fills her brain and she fights in a manner that is no different from a Berserker-class Servant. True, she's still powerful, especially if combined with Saber but…her breakdowns can become a problem in future battles, especially now that we have reached this point. It's clear that, even if they're still inferior to us, the Masters of the Red Rose won't make it easy for us. Seram being able to use the Dead Face correctly would surely be a great help in our road to take the Holy Grail. And I'm sure Caster's technology would do the job…" Teufel said with a grin.

Oeneus widened his eyes as soon as he realized what he was saying. "What!? You want me to build something that could help you control Seram!?" Oeneus exclaimed.

"As her father, I simply want to help her achieve her goals. And it's because of this that I've saved you and told you all about this. Both you and her still haven't lost that spark of hope that could improve your life." Teufel continued before lowering his head to Oeneus's level. Think about it. This could help both you and her. She gets to defeat those mages of the enemy faction, finally bring us the glory we deserve, and finally get her wish. While you, get the chance to stay on this field instead of staying at the church for your safety and avoid the risk of getting brutally murdered by the enemy mages." Teufel continued.

In the last sentence, Oeneus flinched a bit. Even if he healed his wounds, he could still feel a bit of pain from all the fists Gordon gave to him and considered himself lucky if he was able to get out of there alive. It was sure that he would have died from one moment to another. Though, after hearing what Teufel had to offer…he wasn't so sure of considering himself…lucky.

"But…what assures me that you won't control her? You say that you want the best for her with the Holy Grail, yet you want to make sure that she fights as you please! It's almost like you're deciding for her! Isn't she a participant of her own!? Isn't she a person as well!?" Oeneus exclaimed, almost attempting to object to his request.

Teufel's expression changed to a disappointed one, and his voice became colder. "It saddens me to hear you say that. I thought that you, of all people, could have understood perfectly. Besides. This is the same thing you want, right?" He asked. "Weren't you the one that was tired to stay at his father and his sister's shadow? The one who wanted to find even one little thing he was good at?"

Oeneus was shocked to hear him say that. "What!? H-How did you know?"

Teufel grinned again. "I'm simply a good listener. And I'm willing to be clement by giving you the possibility to decide. This is the most convenient choice for you, Oeneus Animusphere. If you're willing to follow me, I'll make sure that you'll be able to get your wish for the Holy Grail, even if you lose your Servant. Or…" He then put his hand as if he was squeezing something while dark red magical energy came out of it.

Oeneus could feel his heart squirm, to the point that he couldn't move, his senses were starting to get weaker and blood came out of his mouth. "G-GAAAAH! A-AGH!"

"I won't have any problems in killing you and explaining to the others that you couldn't bear defeat and that you passed away from heartache. I and Seram have worked hard to come here, and now that the Masters of the opposite faction are getting serious, I won't let this precious occasion slip away from my hands. This is a cruel world, Oeneus, and you have to be ready to take whatever you want. It's simply…a fight for survival." Teufel continued with a threat.

Oeneus couldn't do much. It was incredible that just a few moments later being saved, he was once again on the verge of death. There weren't many answers possible. Only one.

"GAAH! O-OK! I-I'LL HELP YOU! I-I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITH THESE DEVICES!" He said with a choked voice, due to the spell.

Once he got what he wanted, Teufel turned back to his grin and blocked the spell. Once he was free, Oeneus had to hold his chest and take deep breaths after seeing life flashing in his eyes. The Qlippah mage laid a hand on his shoulder. "Glad that you made the right choice. Rejoice. A brighter future awaits you with this." With those words, He headed for the exit, alongside Avenger who followed him and watched at the scene in silence. But then, the mage stopped himself on his steps. "Oh, right! I'm sure you already know that it's better if you don't say anything about this conversation and the fact that Avenger is here, naturally." He came back only to whisper one last thing to the boy's ear.

"It will be our little secret…ok?" And with that, he and Avenger left.

Oeneus stood still, staring at a fixed point for a couple of minutes…and then slammed both of his fists on a table, not being able to control himself. "Fuck, fuck, FUUUCK!" He then took some moments to breathe and sit down. At that point, the only thing he could have done was to watch Caster of White's laboratory in silence for a few moments.

For him, that was simply too much to bear. Just a few hours earlier, he was excited and resolved to unleash his skills and knowledge alongside his Servant to finally obtain his place in the world of magecraft and show himself to be worthy. He could have done it…but in the end, they knew what he was doing for some reason, and he lost the only person that was willing to help him. The worst part was that he could have accepted it. He knew that he wasn't suitable enough for the war and that his loss wouldn't have been that inevitable. He would have even accepted his death at the hands of a more talented mage, but now…he was forced to use Caster of White's knowledge, the knowledge that helped him get some self-esteem, to help some psycho that was potentially aiming to backstab not only him and his daughter, but the rest of the faction.

He was simply crushed by all of these things that happened in the span of just a few hours. And yet…they happened. Was it fate? Was it the fact that he wasn't resolved enough? He couldn't tell. For a moment…he thought that he had come back to be the insecure and diffident person that he was when all of this started.

He had all the cards to prove his valor…yet he failed. What was even the point of continuing?

Then…he moved his head on the table for a moment…and could see them. There were the preparatory sketches for the mechanical Phoenix. The same one he was able to miraculously build alongside Caster of White. It was incredible how the simple curiosity of a Heroic Spirit was able to change him that much. He could still remember the few days spent in the construction, where he could see that her excitement was at its peak.

"Fantastico! Fantastico! Just wait and see! The Red Rose won't surely know what awaits it! This birdie here will go simply 'BOOM' all over them!"

"Yes! I can say that it's coming up pretty well! It's incredible how I was partly able to do this…"

"Why, that's simply natural, Master. Every masterpiece comes out from a simple idea…and a simple effort put in by goodwill. Just like what you're doing right now."

"So…you say that this can actually…make me better? Even if for just a little bit?"

"Absolutely! With your resolution and my intellect, there's nothing that can stop us! That Grail is simply waiting for us!"

Thinking of those last moments while building the phoenix made Oeneus's heart sink further. She was excited, confident that they could have won. And for a moment…he thought of it as well. For a moment, he thought that things weren't that obvious. But in the end…the Red Rose was able to prove the contrary. And now he was there. What had he left to do?

Then…everything became clearer. The only thing he could have done…was to live on. He hated the situation he was at that moment. He truly hated it. If he had the opportunity, he would have stabbed Teufel in the back and told anyone about his machinations. But he knew that he wasn't in the conditions to do so, especially now that Caster of White was gone. All he had left to do now…was to stick along with destiny, and how things would have turned out to. True, he could have left the headquarters of his faction and simply remained at the church with Kanashimi until the war was over. He would have been safe there. But for some reason…he decided to remain there…and try to at least make some support to his faction. Maybe…that would have been what Da Vinci would have done. He had known her for a little bit, and he knew that she was ready for any convenience, except for her fatal moment.

Oeneus took a deep breath and calmed down. He was in a terrible situation…but he could still live on for the moment. Now that he lost the chance to have the Holy Grail on his own, he didn't have any goals, except for one.

To survive.

He then got out of the laboratory and noticed that both Tygo and Adewale were in there, waiting for him to come out. They both had saddened expressions on their faces. It was already something for Oeneus. Considering that he was the first Master of the White Rose to be defeated, he didn't know how the others would have reacted. There was a high chance he would have been scolded or mocked, but he was glad to see that they seemed concerned for him. Maybe…he was able to get some friends.

Adewale came closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Oeneus…If I was more careful, maybe none of this would have happened." He spoke.

Oeneus tried to make a smile as he looked at him. "Don't worry…these are the risks of getting in this war after all. I've tried to dare and challenge fate…but it backfired me. I…should have expected it. What matters is that I'm still alive." He spoke.

"Are you sure? You were pretty confident…we all were." Tygo asked.

"I won't try to justify myself or change my mind after this. I still think we could have won. Those of the Red Rose simply played early. And…my efforts weren't enough." Oeneus replied. After that, he did something that caught the other mage of the White Rose by surprise.

He hugged him.

Tygo had his eyes slightly widened as he didn't expect it and wasn't used to something like this, not even in the family. But he didn't do anything. He simply let his friend hug him. He knew that Oeneus needed it.

"…Thank you for your help. At least…you made me have some hope." The Animusphere mage simply spoke.

Tygo looked at him in silence and then hugged back before the two got away. "If…there's something else you need, let me know." He told him, trying to comfort him.

"I'll keep it in mind. But for now…I just need to be on my own." Oeneus replied. And with those words and one last stare at both Tygo and Adewale, he simply left.

Tygo looked at him saddened and a bit frustrated. At that moment, Rider of White appeared in her physical form and talked to him.

"It's better if we leave him alone for the moment. He has…a lot to think and take care of now." She spoke.

"I know…but I wish I could do something…" Tygo commented.

"Even if it's painful for both you and him…this is simply the norm. This is the price to pay when you participate in a Holy Grail War. Considering what I have in mind…I would probably feel the same if…well." Adewale added.

"You don't need to add anything else, Master." Berserker of White told him while staying in her spiritual form.

"Yeah…" The Nwadike mage replied.

Tygo simply looked over the direction where Oeneus went. It was simply frustrating. For the first time, he was starting to get confident and turned out to be helpful in something. But even on that occasion…he wasn't able to solve anything. Maybe he could have gone there instead of the others. Instead…he was there listening about his new friend having lost and his faction losing their first Servant. He felt useless. Much like…he was back at home.

But he knew well that he couldn't do anything about it. He could only clench his fist in regret and frustration. "…I'm going to bed. Good night…" These were the simple words he could say. He then turned around and left as well.

Rider of White looked at him with a saddened face and then looked up. "Even if we are just Heroic Spirit…we can still leave out strong emotions to others…like sorrow. Maybe you knew it when you vanished, Da Vinci?" She thought. She then looked at Adewale with a small smile. "I'll go after him. Maybe I'll manage to calm him down." She then made a small bow and left as well.

Adewale simply remained there and leaned his back against a wall, looking up. At the moment, he had mixed emotions. After talking that long for Oeneus ever since they were both called to participate in the Holy Grail War, he was able to build a bond with him and see him become more confident and willing to fight. He ended up being one of the few members of the White Rose that Oeneus could feel comfortable talking with. And now that Oeneus had lost…he didn't know how to react. His main priority was still to get the Holy Grail for the help he promised to deliver. But…he still felt sad about the fact that a friend of his…couldn't do the same now. But he knew about it. Much like Oeneus, the only thing he could have done was to live on.

"A war based on risks, eh? I…must not make the same mistakes."

Cynthia was watching the scene in silence from a few meters away from the others. She didn't have that much of a bond with Oeneus, but for some reason, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She simply made a deep sigh and left as well.

Meanwhile, in a taller room of the large castle, Teufel and Isak were talking with a cup of tea, and Lancer of White assisting with the discussion.

"And that's everything I needed to say, my dear friend. I know that you may feel upset about this proposal, considering that Oeneus just got defeated and the White Rose had just lost a Servant, but this idea could easily turn the tides in our favor. Although, naturally, it may take some time." Teufel spoke.

Isak looked at him in silence at first before taking a sip of his tea and giving his answer. "I have to say it, Teufel. This is surely a good idea. I could see with my own eyes that Seram does have problems controlling her impulses and something that could help her maintain the balance between brutal strength and mental stability would surely help us in this war, especially considering that she could control Saber more easily. Still…do you think that Oeneus is the one assigned to this case? You could see what just happened. He's the first member of the White Rose to have lost, even if things were in his favor." He then tightened his fist and assumed a more annoyed expression. "Because of him, our faction has one less Servant to rely on. What makes you sure that we can still rely on him?" He asked.

Teufel remained calm and answered. "I know how it is. When I saw that gigantic phoenix getting destroyed and I could feel that our Caster had left this world, I was surprised as well. And I know well how you care about the sake of our victory. But, as a teacher who works at the Clock Tower, you should know it better than most people here. A total victory is never assured in a conflict like the Holy Grail War. Even if our pairs are stronger, we couldn't expect to pass all of this completely unharmed. And you can see how stubborn and determined those guys of the Red Rose can be."

Isak could feel a vein enlarge as soon as he said it. He was right. He had proof of it that same night. Where he…lost against a rookie.

"And I can understand your mistrust in that young Animusphere. Not anyone can forgive someone who failed on their task. But you could see it with your own eyes. He was able to form a bond and cooperate with someone as talented as Leonardo Da Vinci themselves. That machine wasn't only a credit given by Caster. He made his part as well. And considering that Da Vinci's lab hasn't faded away, I think he could come up with something for my daughter." Teufel continued. "I'm sure a perfect control of both Seram and Saber could give us an almost assured victory. Don't you feel the same?"

Isak thought of it for some seconds.

"If I may say my opinion, I think he has a point, Master." Vlad suddenly said, making Isak turn at him. "We both know of Saber's potentialities and how he could easily wipe out the remaining of the Red Rose if he were to be completely released. The only thing that is restraining him is his Master, that girl. Now that the Grail War has started to move up with the first Servants dying, we need to adapt ourselves to how things will evolve and prevent any other unwanted outcomes. When you are a leader, you need to take every favorable situation." He then made a delighted smirk. "And I'd say that this is surely one."

In the end, Isak made a grin and closed his eyes. "Yes…I think you're right. Now that we know that they can answer to our attack and that we are with six remaining Servants as well…it's better if we start making more moves about it." He then looked at his friend. "I suppose I shall leave it to you then, Teufel?" He asked.

"Indeed. I'll assure you the boy will be in good hands. We're talking about my daughter after all." Teufel replied before standing up. "I think I'll go to rest. It's late, and there are a lot of things to work on from tomorrow. I knew I could rely on someone like you, Isak. Good night then." And with that, he left the room closing the door.

That discussion made Isak feel more confident. "Right…I can't lose confidence already. My plan must succeed at all costs." He then looked at the window, where he saw Seram looking at some flowers. "And I already have some tools that I can use…" He said with his eyes glowing red.

"There's no limit to humans' ambitions, eh? Yes…I had that feeling once. That is what delights me." Lancer of White added.

In the meantime, Teufel was walking through the corridors of the castle when Avenger appeared beside him after making sure that nobody was seeing them.

"You surely are a diabolical man, Teufel. You managed to get both Oeneus and Isak in your grasp in a matter of ten minutes. Simply fascinating. It reminds me of when I used to do that when I was alive." The Servant commented.

"As I always say, you need to use everything to take what you want. And I know what I want, therefore I act as I see fit." Teufel answered before stopping all of a sudden. "But…speaking of which. How about we talk about it?"

"What do you mean?" Avenger asked.

"Who is this Ryujin Gomon-sha that Oeneus has mentioned?" Teufel promptly asked with a cold stare.

Avenger looked at him in silence before raising his hands. "Very well. You got me. The answer is quite simple. He's just another mage who's aiming at the Holy Grail that I like to play with, and therefore, I've started to follow him around before I inevitably backstab him. After all, this double identity could easily help us to spread chaos between the factions and reduce their forces quickly, don't you think?" He spoke.

"You're sure you're not playing some tricks on me, are you?" Teufel asked, still not convinced.

"I'm a man of my word, Teufel. And I'm at your service. Would I ever lie to you?" Avenger asked while remaining calm. The two looked at each other in silence for a couple of minutes with a bit of tension growing up.

Then…Teufel made a small reassured smile. "True enough. It would be foolish for me to not trust you. Well…if that's what you think then do as you, please. Adding damage to both factions won't surely be something bad. I'm sure I can leave these works to you, after all, Avenger." He spoke.

As an answer, the fifteenth Servant made a small bow. "These words please me, Teufel. It's only my job in the end. As a Servant, I need to do what I must to please the one who made me get back into this world once again. No matter what." He said these words with a grin and glowing yellow eyes. "It's only a matter of time before they become shocked by knowing…the truth."

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[Katekyo Hitman Reborn – Boys and Girls]

*Seven Cards that represent the seven classes of Servants appear one by one before splitting into two different decks, each one having the seven cards*

[Boys and Girls be ambitious, Boys and Girls keep it real, Boys and Girls be ambitious, Boys and Girls keep it real]

*Kazuto and Archer of Red open their eyes, and then Kazuto with flames on his hands and his head starts to perform various melee attacks while Archer of Red attacks with the katana, the naginata, and her bow. After that, the two starts to fly in the sky*

[Following the manual, jumping out of every day, you are a boy…]

*Kazuto wakes up and quickly prepares himself to leave the house with Archer of Red while having a croissant in his mouth. The two of them leave while Hinobu looks at them with a smile from a window.*

[Not able to become an adult, but not able to stay as a child, times like that will come…]

*Kazuto and Archer of Red are reached by the remaining members of the Red Rose Faction. With Gordon giving some punch to the air, Saber of Red gives his Master a pat on his shoulder with a big smile, Calem walks with a smile and his guitar on his back, Lancer of Red walks with her eyes closed, Alvis, looking at the phone while Rider of Red tries to get his attention by licking her lips, Marcus giving tips to the group, Astrea joining the chat by talking alongside Caster of Red, Cahya who looks at the group with a light smile and Assassin of Red that walks happily with her hands on the back of her head*

[Where everyone is in a hurry, in the world that we live in…]

*Meanwhile from the top of a roof, Seram, Isak, Cynthia, Tygo, Adewale, Oeneus, and Maximilian along with their Servant are watching the Red Rose Faction, with Cynthia giving a quite serious stare at Kazuto*

[We stopped upon a shooting star!]

*Suddenly Kazuto and the other members of the Red Rose Faction stop and turn around, noticing the constellation of a rose in the sky. Then, the camera zooms at Kazuto's eyes before the screen becomes white*

[One thing that I cannot give up, with just one, I can become strong!]

*Fergus Mac Ròich and Saber of White clash their swords and make a battle cry, while Medb runs on her carriage to reach Rider of White, who summons her giant to attack her. Meanwhile, Cleopatra and Shuten-Douji both make a fight pose before attacking each other with a melee attack. Then Cleopatra releases some golden stardust with a determined face while Shuten-Douji throws plates with a grin on her face.*

[You were scared and I pulled your hand, we kept walking!]

*Vritra gets surrounded in purple flames before creating purple dragons that are cut in half by Vlad III with his lance, who jumps towards her with an excited face.*

[Our breath increases in the headwind!]

*Da Vinci attacks Astrea with magical beams, but the girl is saved by Caster of Red, who cuts the beams with her staff and is ready to fight, while Atalanta dives with anger to attack Berserker of Red, who is furious as well and he's ready to attack her. *

[Boys and Girls be ambitious!]

*Then, Kanashimi holding the Black Keys with a worried face, Hinobu making a smile with a thumb up, and Avenger turning around with a diabolical smirk while surrounded in a dark aura are seen*

[ Boys and Girls keep it real! Boys and Girls be ambitious! Boys and Girls keep it real!]

*Archer of Red is preparing a flaming arrow while Archer of White is ready to shoot with his gun. The two Servants throw their blasts which clash against each other and form an explosion. Then the screen turns white and, in the end, all the Masters and their Servants are seen striking a pose while a rose stands in the center. The opening ends*

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Tokyo – Red Rose Headquarters – 24th April 2021 – 9.00 A.M

After the exhausting battle at Mount Fuji that brought about the death of the second Servant for the Rose Grail War, another day of rest occurred for both factions. Another Heroic Spirit has fallen, and the two roses were both on the same level again. The Red Rose could feel their esteem increase a bit more since they got the proof that they could contrast their enemies even if the tides weren't on their sides. But even if they were able to take down the enemy Caster, it was just a small victory over a big battle. The ultimate victory was still far, and they needed to think about what to do next.

Much like the other days, all of the members of the Red Rose gathered inside the house that served as their headquarters and sat together to discuss what to do next. Their mood was calmer compared to the previous meetings, but they didn't lose their seriousness. Well…most of them.

Astrea was playing with two marbles she had found on the road while the others were speaking. After managing to make Isak and Lancer of White unable to tamper with the battle at Mount Fuji, they headed back to the headquarters where they could recover from their wounds. The girl ended up having to put on several bandages all over her body, but it was something she got used to after practicing with magecraft throughout the years (naturally, as a newly practicing, most of the attempts went bad). "Hmm…so the first Servant we were able to take down was their Caster, who turned out to be Leonardo Da Vinci themselves…" She then turned at her Servant. "What do you think about it, Maste- Ehm, I mean…Caster?"

"It's surely a good news." Caster of Red replied. "Knowing what happened, I feel a bit bad for that artist. I've got to face her only once but her devotion to helping her Master was worth praise! I'm certain Buddha had prepared a special reward for her efforts back at the throne of heroes. It will be weird now that I'm the only Caster left in the war, but it's not that big of a deal."

"Hmm. Well, that's something to be happy for, right?" Astrea asked, looking at the others, who seemed thoughtful. "…I said something wrong again, didn't I?"

"No, no! It's not like that, Astrea!" Calem assured with a gentle smile. "It's just that unfortunately, we don't have time to celebrate."

"It is indeed a good advance. Now we have the proof that the White Rose is not infallible." Marcus added before making a smirk. "Naturally, it's also because of my impeccable ways of thinking and skills in strategy!"

At that comment, everyone looked at him with a skeptical face.

"But apart from that, I think it's also thanks to you. We all know now how dangerous Isak can be, so it's a good thing that you were able to stop him." Marcus told her.

Astrea looked down, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I…I just didn't want to die, that's all."

"The reason doesn't matter. You still helped us a lot." Gordon told her before making a smirk. "Heh. I would have loved to see his face when he found out he was forced to retreat."

"Braggy people eventually learn their lesson one way or another! I can say that for sure!" Saber of Red added. "Though I think it's also thanks to our friend here Alvis. Even if my beloved Medb is gone, you didn't give up and helped us a lot! After all, it's thanks to you if we were able to know their plans ahead!" Everyone agreed on that.

"Thank you guys. I don't know how she would feel about it, but I simply felt I could still do something. So I'm glad that Marcus accepted my proposal." Alvis replied. He still put a water wolf to the headquarters and used it as a way of communication, since he still had to recover from the hospital.

"Not only that…" Marcus continued. "We also were able to figure out Berserker of White's true identity, which was one of the goals we had established earlier. Impressive work, Tohsaka. Especially considering how you found the strength to support us."

Kazuto blushed a bit. "I think it was a mere coincidence, but I'm still glad I got out of it alive. However, I believe that Servant is going to be more troublesome than we could expect. Her Master as well." He said, thinking back about his battle. "Someone to protect…maybe he's like me?"

"Yes. I can confirm that, considering that I had to face her a while ago." Saber of Red replied. "Atalanta. The glorious member of the Argonauts and the daughter of the goddess Artemis herself. I can't say I'm not hyped up after discovering this! Now I want to fight her again!" He exclaimed.

"A strong and beautiful woman, the thing you love the most. I'm not surprised you're interested now." Gordon commented. "Well…I won't hide the fact that I'm interested as well."

Cahya looked at them confused and turned to Cleopatra for explanations. "They're born warriors. Naturally, they feel this way."

"Either way." Marcus then spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "We can't let ourselves get the situation lighter even if we were able to get our first victory for the Holy Grail War. Now that we're both with Six pairs left to fight, we need to make sure to maintain a certain balance and find the right way to defeat the White Rose once and for all."

"What do you suggest?" Cahya asked.

"It's hard to answer that question, Cahya, especially if we're talking about them, who are still in a favorable situation, in my opinion," Marcus replied. "Despite her talent and the fact that she unleashed that gigantic weapon against us, Caster of White was surely the weakest among the Servants of the White Rose. Much like other Heroic Spirits of her class, she was more skilled in devising plans and creating large spells. Our one can be considered a special exception."

"What can I say? I like martial arts." Caster of Red jokingly replied.

"And after all the battles we had gone through ever since this Holy Grail War had started, we could see the tremendous strength that their Servants can show. Considering that we still needed to make some good efforts to take Da Vinci down, we wouldn't have an easy life with the others. Without a doubt, our main concern is still their Saber." Marcus continued.

"Right…that flame monster. I'm still surprised at how they were able to summon something like that." Archer of Red commented.

"Not only that." Lancer of Red said. "There's still the problem with Avenger."

"Right…" Marcus answered. "He even interfered in our battle. If I didn't send Berserker to deal with him, who knows what would have happened? We have some clues about his Master, but it's still all confusing."

"Right…that corrupted policeman and the man dressed as a butler that Calem has spotted. Who is the real deal?" Kazuto thought.

"If he keeps tormenting us like that, it would be a serious problem, considering how strong he is…" Even Archer of Red had something to think about.

"Hmmm…in a way or another, it's almost like this victory didn't change things out there…" Astrea said with a bit pessimistic tone.

"But it opened us a road." Calem suddenly said. In a moment, all eyes were on him.

"What do you mean, Master?" Lancer of Red asked.

"Much like Marcus said, this battle gave us the proof that the White Rose faction can be overwhelmed, and consequently defeated. Not only we were able to defeat the first one, but we now know the identity of half of their Servants. I'd say that if we play our games correctly and find out more about their secrets and their weaknesses, the chances of winning and obtaining the Grail could increase. This conflict is also a matter of intellect in finding out how the enemy thinks." Calem explained.

Everyone was surprised by that answer. True, Calem proved himself to be smart enough to put up some ideas for battle strategies in the past, but it was the first time he took an initiative of his own. For a moment, Kazuto thought that he wasn't the only one to start and think more optimistically.

"Heh. True enough. Much like every other war, a good thing is always to learn both your enemy and yourself." Gordon said. "And I suppose you have an idea?" He then asked.

As an answer, Calem took out his lyre and showed it to the others. "I may know a way to know more about our enemies thanks to my magecraft through music, although it could take a bit of time to do that." He answered.

"You think it would work?" Cahya asked.

To that, Calem made a small smile. "Music can reach parts of the human soul and mind that words can't. It's a quote we pass on between generations in our family. And it's something I intend to make true for the other mages." He spoke. "If I manage to complete this melody, I may be able to help us in taking down the enemies. I have a wish as well and I certainly don't intend to stand in second line."

Marcus looked at him in silence for some minutes and then nodded. "Hm. You have proven several times your quality as a mage and it was you and your Servant that destroyed Da Vinci's giant phoenix. I suppose we can count on you for this idea you had in mind?" He asked.

Calem nodded. "Leave it to me. But if someone wants to help, they're more than welcome." He spoke.

"Hmmm…" Those words made Kazuto start to think about it, while Vritra looked at him with a small smirk.

"It seems you're improving yourself bit by bit. You're getting more interested, Master." She commented.

"P-Please don't mention it…" Calem blushed a little at those words.

After that, Marcus turned to the others. "Very well. While Calem starts to develop this plan, I suggest you all do the same. Now that we have defeated one of their Servants, it's better if we start putting in more ideas at the same time to make more counterattacks. I'm sure they won't hesitate in the slightest. So it's better if we are all ready for it." He said before turning to Cahya and Assassin of Red. "Speaking of which, in the meantime, it's better if you go back on finding a way to get through the Master of Saber of White. As the greatest danger out there, it would be a nice move to try and take her out without starting a battle."

After hearing that, Cahya looked at the water wolf left by Alvis, concerned for him to have something to say in that regard.

But the wolf nodded. "Don't worry. I…understand now. We can't let emotions prevail over us. Do what you must."

Cahya understood it and nodded. "Leave it to us."

"Good answer, Master!" Cleopatra commented.

"Another thing to mention would be to check if we can find out where Caster of White's Master has ended. True, Gordon wounded him badly and he won't go far after losing his Servant. But he can still be a danger, especially if a Servant gets free of their Master. But…I think it wouldn't be that easy if they were able to find him. That Isak always thinks early on… Anyway, apart from all this, the job is the same. Scatter throughout the city and find out more things about their enemy and see if you can get rid of them. We have opened ourselves a road. Let's not destroy it." Marcus continued. "You may go now."

And with that, most of the members of the Red Rose started to depart.

"Are you ready?" Cahya asked his Servant.

"Absolutely!" Cleopatra replied with a smile.

"Another day in the field of research…" Gordon commented.

"But it's getting satisfying recently!" Fergus added.

Alvis's wolf turned into a puddle of water that moved away through a slot in the building.

"Well, it seems we have one more reason to get stronger with our martial arts, what do you say, Master?" Caster of Red asked.

"Y-Yes! I want to master that thing I did last night with the ring! And some other strong moves naturally. I'm starting to get the hang of it…" Astrea replied.

Marcus simply left while Berserker of Red followed him in his spiritual form. Kazuto looked at all of them depart while he remained there.

Naturally, Archer of Red turned at him. "What shall we do then, Master?" She asked.

"Hmm…" Kazuto was thinking if to leave or staying to make sure of a few things, and just as he looked around, he could see that Calem put his lyre on the table and started to practice.

The Artel mage started to gently pull the strings, which made a gentle melody and shined as a reaction throughout his magic circuits. At the sight of it, the boy was satisfied. "Good. The lyre is properly nurtured. But as I thought, I need more magecraft to work on…" He commented. He then raised his head and noticed that Kazuto and his Servant were still there. "Oh? You're still here?"

"Let's say that you got my interest when you talked about your plan," Kazuto answered before coming closer. "So…what is exactly this melody that could help us?" He asked.

"Heh. Glad that you seem curious about that." Calem commented. "It's called the Mermaid Symphony."

"Mermaid Symphony? Now that I think of it…your flute is supposed to reproduce the singing ability of a mermaid, right? Is this something similar?" Kazuto asked.

"Yes. But it works in a larger area. If this melody is reproduced, the opponent mages would start to feel their senses dizzy and it would hardly influence their magic circuits, to the point that they would inevitably get dragged to the source, which is me." Calem explained.

Suddenly, Archer of Red realized it. "Oh, I get it!"

"Hm?" Kazuto asked.

"You're saying that you're aiming at using this magic to both weaken the Masters of the White Rose and drag them to you so that you can take advantage of their situation?" Archer of Red then said.

"That's pretty much it! I know, it isn't the fairest method to win a battle." Calem replied.

"In such circumstances, it doesn't matter whether it's fair or not. In a war, all methods are allowed. And it's not like the White Rose didn't try something infamous to stab us. Rider got killed because of that." Lancer of Red said her opinion straight as usual.

"As much as I don't agree since it goes against my code, Lancer here has a point." Archer of Red said.

"Plus, this could be pretty useful!" Kazuto added. "Considering what those Servants can do, weakening them is a proper move."

Calem's smile grew by a few inches. "I'm glad you think that way, honestly. In a way…becoming stronger is what I've always longed for."

That last quote of his surprised everyone a bit, even his Servant. "Uh? What do you mean?" Kazuto asked.

"Oh, you're willing to say it?" Vritra said.

"It surprises me that you don't know, Kazuto. But…it's only natural. After all, we Artel never had such a spotlight in magecraft." Calem added.

Kazuto looked at him in silence for a few seconds. He could understand quickly what he intended to say. He then sat down in one of the chairs of the meeting table and continued the discussion. "You want to give pride to your lineage through the Holy Grail?" He asked.

"Well…not really. If anything, I want them to at least be recognized." Calem replied. "See…ever since we started to get in the world of magecraft, we haven't been seen nicely by other magi families, mostly because of what we're used to doing. While other families specialized in caster spells or offensive attacks, we solidified our nature as bards, as we preferred to become experts with music spells and supporting magic. We were happy with what we've been doing, but we never liked getting despised by others. That's…something me and my parents grew up with. They did their best to grow me up in the best way possible and they have taught me everything my family had used for generations. Winning this Holy Grail War…is the least I can do to repay them." He then explained. "I don't want to show how big our family can be. I just want the thing that can give them at least some dignity."

Kazuto carefully listened to him in silence while being impressed. "That's…pretty kind coming from you." He said before crossing his arms. "I'm not someone to talk about family or lineage, because it didn't matter to me. I'm still surprised by the fact that I'm even in this war. But…this wish of yours seems genuinely sincere."

Archer of Red listened to him in silence while Calem was surprised as well. "Is that so? Even despite your background?" He asked.

"Yeah. Honestly…I never made an opinion about my own family. True, the Tohsaka is one of the three founding families of this war as a whole and they've tried to obtain the Grail for generations so that they could finally reach The Root. But…I never felt like one of them, and I'm sure that my family had better members in the past and even today. I liked practicing and learning magecraft. My father taught me everything about the magic and alchemy of fire but…I simply see them as a part of me. If anything…maybe I want the opposite of you, Calem…getting treated like someone normal. Even if after what I did…it's extremely difficult."

Calem knew what he was referring to. He heard of it a while before. "Well…much like the overseer told you, take it as a second chance. True, when I heard about what happened, I didn't know what to say about you. But…I can now see that you're not a malevolent one. What you said is indeed a burden you'll have to carry out for the rest of your life, but you may have had your motivations for it."

With that, even Kazuto made a light smile. "Thank you, Calem."

At that moment, Archer of Red gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "He's right. Besides, it's also completely normal to not feel like part of a family. It's just that you are a different type. I've had the same feeling with my own family. I've started to feel myself after I got to meet my husband and stay with him." She spoke.

By hearing her, Vritra looked at her with a curious stare, almost as if she understood a few more things about her. "Hm. I didn't have any bonds or some important relative, so I can't say much. The only thing I can say is that one must show off their persona and stay true to themselves. Something like a family is only the start of another thing more complex."

"That's quite profound for someone like you!" Archer of Red commented.

Calem then looked back at Kazuto. "Though, I'm curious now. If not for the Tohsaka…what is your reason for getting the Holy Grail? Is it perhaps to show some independence?" He then asked.

At that quote, Kazuto chuckled. "Heh. No, it's not for something like that. Like I said before, I'm even surprised that I'm here fighting with you guys." He then opened the pendant he had around his neck. By looking at the photo inside of it, he made a melancholic sigh. "But, much like you…I want to get this chance for someone dear to me." He then showed the picture to Calem.

The other mage was startled. Everything seemed clearer for him now.

"She's not a relative of mine…but I see her as a part of my family." Kazuto told him.

"Yes, I know what you mean. If anything, I envy you! I'm quite gynophobic…" Calem replied.

"Oh my, I didn't know." Vritra ironically commented with a small grin.

"L-Lancer!" Her Master exclaimed, embarrassed. He then turned to Kazuto. "Anyway, that's a good wish. This can only make me hope we can be able to reach the end safely.

"I can say about you. It's…always nice to have someone I can express myself with." Kazuto answered. "Speaking of which, if you need help for your spell, consider me in."

"Really? That's great! Especially considering that it requires a lot of magical energy to do so. Your flying ability with fire could help me a lot." Calem answered happily.

Kazuto looked away nervous for a moment. "Well…not that I can use it where people can see me…"

"You used it at Shibuya, though…" Archer of Red reminded him.

"It doesn't matter. It's still a help. If we start now, we might get some chances to use it early." Calem said while heading towards the exit.

"Right behind you!" Kazuto promptly answered.

And with that, the two Masters, alongside their Servants, started to walk out, searching for a place where they could store enough magical energy for the Mermaid Symphony. He had to be helped further and get closer to his purpose.

"You know…when Marcus first hired me to participate in this war, I didn't know how to behave in a group, since it was something I never got used to. But…I'm glad to have found myself feeling comfortable with some of you. It's almost like…" Kazuto spoke.

"Having a friend?" Calem asked with a smile.

"Yeah…" The Tohsaka mage replied.

"Yes. I think I feel the same." The Artel one said.

Vritra looked at the two mages from behind. "Human feelings…I don't know if I'll ever comprehend them…" She commented.

"Maybe staying with them will help you understand eventually." Archer of Red told her.

"The least I can say is that…it's nice to have a purpose. It makes me feel more alive. And hungry." Lancer of Red commented.

"Oh, right. You're Vritra, the snake that fought against the lightning god of the Hindi pantheon, right? Considering your nature, I don't find it hard to believe you don't interact well with humans." The other Servant said.

Lancer of Red simply shrugged. "I was born as a guardian of chaos, and as such, understanding mortal feelings wasn't a priority of mine. But…after getting defeated by that god, and becoming a Heroic Spirit…I've started to see things more clearly, but not in a perfect way. Guess I'll have to…find my way for that." She then looked at Archer of Red with a grin. "Maybe it will be the same for you…" She added, whispering another thing.

"***** *****"

Archer of Red slightly widened her eyes in silence. She understood it. Her true identity.

As an answer, Vritra simply winked. "Let's just say I have good ears."

"A-Amazing…you truly are a deity…" Archer of Red replied.

---

Tokyo – White Rose Headquarters – 24th April 2021 – 10.15 A.M

The bubbles were floating around the bathroom, and the sunlight was gently passing through the windows. Bath time Is usually a moment of serenity and relaxation that would help get distracted from problems of life. But there are moments when someone can take that time while immersed in thoughts, even negative ones. For a participant in the Holy Grail War, this was surely the case.

Cynthia was lying down on the bathtub, letting the water and the bubble bath clean her skin and wiggling her toes. But her face showed concern, and she couldn't say she was fully enjoying that. While she was standing there, she used her projection spell to have a real-life vision of the surroundings of Tokyo so that she could take a look at the other participants of the war, especially her opponents.

She could see that most of them were starting to move around for their purposes. A bad thing about her projection was that she couldn't know what the members were saying. It was like watching a TV with mute audio. But she could already guess what they were probably going to do. "They're already on the move, even if it's in daylight." She commented. She then leaned her head on the bathtub and looked at the ceiling while bubbles continued to float. "Their victory on the last battle probably has motivated them…" She commented. Her mind started to get more clouded and immersed like her body was with water at that moment.

"It's strange…I know I shouldn't be surprised. It's normal for pairs of Masters and Servants to get defeated in a large quantity. And it's not like I had that much of a bond with Oeneus. But…I can't help but feel annoyed."

Her enigma was starting to bother her. What was its reason?

"Maybe…it's the fact that it was all going well. Just a few days ago, we were able to trick them several times. I was even able to help Maximilian take down their first pair. Yet…they were able to answer. They put their foot down and opposed. These are the results. I should be grateful for the fact that it wasn't me, but…I still feel harmed."

She looked at the reflection of her water. "Do I hate defeat that much? Is it because of what's at stake? Is it because a companion of mine lost? For my pride as a mage?"

So many plausible answers…yet she couldn't decide on a proper one for her question. It could have been all of them or none of them. Either way, ever since she could see that Oeneus's plan of total elimination failed, she couldn't help but feel like she was involved in a way, even when it was his idea. Maybe she could have assisted him, or maybe she could have given some suggestions with the aid of Archer of White. She didn't know, and she didn't know if it mattered or not, because, in the end, the problem was that they were now on an equal level with the Red Rose.

And worst of all…she now knew that the Red Rose could answer.

As she looked at her reflection in the water, she started to think of all the times she ended up getting opposed by the mages of the opposite faction. When her words and her charisma couldn't reach them, and instead, they faced her.

Her battles with Gordon…but most importantly…her confrontation with her counterpart: Kazuto.

Seram had helped her calm down regarding that moment and she even got a chance to face him again, the night when Rider of Red died. But she still couldn't forget entirely the effect that battle had on her.

She was right there, in front of his enemy which seemed conquered. Yet in just seconds, everything was completely subverted, and she was lying on the ground, certain that she was going to die. Every time she had the certainty that she could win, something that showed her the contrary always happened. Was it fate that was mocking her? Was it a coincidence? Or was it just that she overestimated her skills and underestimated that of her enemies?

She didn't want to mumble too much on that topic. After another ten minutes, she finished the bath, ended washing herself, took on her clothes, and left the bathroom.

In the corridor, she could see that Archer of White was there, standing near the door with his usual gentle smile.

"You were…waiting for me?" She asked.

"Did you expect something else?" Archer of White asked with an amusing tone. "I'm your Servant. It's only natural I stay near you."

Cynthia looked at him for a few seconds in silence and then shrugged. "Fair enough." She then started to move.

The Servant could see that something was wrong. And he couldn't help but start investigating the truth about it.

"Are you alright? You seem blue." He asked.

That question made Cynthia stop and slowly turn around. "…You think so?" She asked.

"Usually you have a more elegant and composed attitude. Right now, you look more disoriented and blue. Your expression doesn't seem that different from that of Saber's Master." Archer of White replied.

Cynthia looked down and released a sigh. "Maybe it will pass. I'm just feeling this way, that's all."

Archer of White looked at her hand and then made a grin with closed eyes. "I see. You're upset."

Once again, Cynthia stopped herself.

"Upset of how things are doing. Upset with the fact that you're not getting your way. And upset of the fact that now that a Servant of our side has gotten killed you fear it might happen to you. You don't know why you feel so upset, but I think the reason is quite simple! You simply hate losing." The Heroic Spirit explained.

Cynthia was surprised by this. It was not the first time he brought up something like this, but it was incredible how he was able to get her.

Archer of White started to walk closely to her. "You may wonder how I was able to understand it. Simple, it's because I can feel the same. I hate losing just as you do."

"Is that so? Even with that intellect of yours? You seem a lot confident even when things aren't going your way." Cynthia asked.

"I try to keep calm, but I can assure you I can get annoyed if the tides go against me. And it's because I'm a genius, I can't stand whenever my predictions get foiled. Even the greatest criminal minds can fail, and that pisses me off!" Archer of White continued.

"Really?" The Rogi mage said with an almost amused face.

"Indeed. Back in my days, there were many times when I was convinced to was just one step away from the accomplishment of my dreams. Just a little bit and I would have embraced the vision of the world I've always wanted to see! But then…it happened all the time. That pecky detective and his assistant always found a way to foil my plans! I hated the fact that it kept on happening! To this day…I still can't find a reason for how they were able to prevail over me." Archer of White explained. He then looked at Cynthia. "Much like what you are feeling right now. We're both people that aspire to reach the top and get our satisfaction. But life always gets in front of our path and disappoints us."

Cynthia then turned around and looked outside the windows. The sight of the environment that surrounded the castle was outstanding as always. "Maybe you're right. Even I can't understand it. I try my best to make it right, but there's something that wants to block me…just like…" She then looked at the pendant she had around her neck. And once again, those words buzzed in her mind.

"Perhaps you should stop having all these megalomaniac ideas. The world is not like what you think."

Cynthia thought back of it, and it made her tighten her grasp on the pendant.

"Guess the past can't be completely erased, eh?" Archer of White looked with a curious grin.

"No…you're right. But…" Cynthia raised her head. "I can still make sure that it won't affect my future. I…intend to get the Grail.

Her Servant was satisfied. "Aaah. Much like the other times, you're starting to get your mood back. I couldn't be happier! An upset Master would have been a problem for me!"

"Maybe…sometimes you just need to remember yourself of what you can do. And it's something I intend to keep in mind. I still have my pride to take back." Cynthia said, feeling more secure. With that, the two of them started to walk through the corridor.

"We have lost our first Servant. That put some pressure on our faction as a whole. Isak is not happy with that, and I don't know what Oeneus and Seram's father intend to do to help us. Which means…that we need to get more efficient and take things seriously." She spoke.

"I agree. Due to our advantage, we have toyed a bit with them, but now that we know what we can take them that easily even after they lost one of their Servants, it's time we get more productive." Archer of Red commented. "Sigh…and here I hoped I could see some good quality destruction with that phoenix that Caster has built. Oh well…guess I'll have to find a way to do so myself. And I know just the perfect way to do so."

That last sentence gathered the mage's attention. "Uh? What do you mean?" She asked.

"Da Vinci's way of winning opened a new road to me, a new plan that could be developed to take down the Servants of the Red Rose and finally give me the idealistic vision of chaos I've longed for. It was also your magic that inspired me for this, Master." Archer of White explained.

Cynthia looked at him, more curious than ever. "How so? Can't say I'm not intrigued now."

As they continued to walk through the castle and reach the gardens, the Heroic Spirit shared his new idea to use in battle against the Red Rose with his Master, who was surprised by it. Considering that they formed a strong alliance with each other, she was able to know him better, including his real identity. Therefore, she knew that he was indeed a man with a high intellect who could come up with great plans, but she never knew his mind could have reached high levels of wit and madness.

"I must say…you've surpassed yourself this time, Archer! If this goes well, we could even have all the city of Tokyo in our hands…" She commented.

"The last results we're having in this war simply have awakened my inner criminal, and I intend to be extremely serious and taste every drop of enjoyment that this conflict can offer me! Though I'm sure it could take some time to do so. Creating an entire Boundary Field over a large portion of a city as big as Tokyo could be challenging." Archer of White commented, making his partner nod.

"Right. Isak had to make some extra effort to use it on this whole castle and make sure that it couldn't have been destroyed that easily. Making one twice as big can be exhausting even for a mage like me."

"Still, it's not something that can be considered impossible. It may not seem like it, but there are plenty of places from where we could take magical energy as you know. Even…plenty of people." The Servant continued, making a grin.

"Hmmm…I know it's a way. But I'd rather make as less victims as possible. I know death is unescapable in the Holy Grail War but…I don't feel right in killing other humans that don't have anything to do with this. Let's see if they are worthy to be victims." Cynthia expressed her opinion. He was naturally referring to one of the most classic methods of getting magecraft for Servants: taking it from other living beings. But she was not comfortable with the idea. She wanted to be a respectable mage, not surely a killer.

It was at that moment that, by turning around, Cynthia could see someone else standing in that same part of the external gardens of the castle. "Hm?"

A few meters away from them, Tygo and Rider of White were sitting on a bench in the garden, looking up at the sky.

The young boy seemed lost in his stare at the endless sky while the wind was gently moving his hair. He seemed calm and relaxed, but in reality, he was finding a way to distract himself from what happened recently. Much like Cynthia, even if their first defeat didn't regard him, it hurt him particularly.

He helped Oeneus. He contributed to building the phoenix by helping him with the engine. They both find out a possible suspected person for the identity of Avenger's Master and they both risked their lives to do so. And yet…his friend lost.

At that moment, he needed to be on his own and clear his mind from all those thoughts. Just for a moment, he wanted to feel at ease. Rider of White's company was all that he needed to feel better. He knew he didn't have a lot of time to feel free from those thoughts before he needed to act again for the war. So he wanted to use those minutes of free time properly.

Then…he and his Servant could hear some footsteps coming from behind, which made them turn around. And they were surprised to see who was looking at them.

Cynthia approached the other mage with a calm pace. "Enjoying the sunset?" She asked.

Tygo looked down and made a deep sigh. "Yes. You can say that."

"You've picked a good spot," Cynthia said before going beside him. "At this time of the day, the sun is at the right angle, and the cool climate makes it not hot enough. Plus, the wind flows perfectly in this spot of the castle. It would be a good scenario for a cup of tea. I could have brought some now that I think of it…" She spoke.

"Is that so? In that case, you would love the meadows of my land! There were a lot of grass fields where the wind flew gently back in my days." Rider of White told her.

Cynthia made a small smile. "I know it well since I'm actually from these parts." She said, surprising the Servant.

"The Rosi family comes from Greece?" Tygo asked.

The Rosi mage nodded. "Our magic was derived from the oracles that worked in ancient Greece by predicting the future and seeing the past. In ancient times, we considered ourselves the direct apprentices of the god Apollo. His temple of Delphi was the most famous one where oracles worked."

"Ah, yes! My step-nephew! I remember that he loved hearing them make prophecies every time!" Rider of White commented all happy.

"Wow…you surely have an interesting backstory. No wonder you were chosen to participate in the Holy Grail War…" Tygo commented.

Upon hearing that, Cynthia assumed a more serious face and looked up at the sky as well. "The origins of someone are irrelevant. What matters the most is what that person has accomplished during his lifespan. Or at least…that's what I think. If anything, my family has denied where we came from and preferred to pass in the second line. I'm here because I want to wake them up. It is I who wants to get the Grail, so I can prove that I'm different and that I can be…strong."

Tygo looked at her talking with deep interest. After she was finished, he looked down and made a deep sigh. "The desire for individuality and ransom, eh? That feeling of being different and being freed of the chains of your past…is someone I wished to have as well." He spoke.

"What do you mean?" Cynthia asked.

"I have always been classified as someone of second rate, due to the low level of the magic circuits in my body, which was something almost unacceptable for my family." Tygo started to explain.

"Your family…you're from the Geschiezend, aren't you? You're the head family of the Spiritual Evocation Department of the Clock Tower, right?" Cynthia asked.

Once again, Tygo was surprised. "You know?"

"Yes. I studied there as well, and I could take a look at how things were done in that department, even if it didn't caught up my interest. Isak explained to me a few things about you. Plus…I could see those catalysts you always bring with you." The girl answered.

"Yes. These are the signature weapons of my family. But…even with that, I couldn't get my chance to show off what I could do. Because I was born…different. Weaker…" Tygo continued while Cynthia let him go. "I couldn't show off the true potential of my spells, so I ended up getting in the shadows of the other members of my family, especially my father and brother Diederik. Ever since I was a child, I grew up jealous of the latter. He ended up getting all the praise, all the compliments…while I was there. I was just a spare." He could remember well those words.

"As long as you show this level of magecraft, you can't hope to go far. I…don't know what to do with you."

"Father…"

"I was sent to the Clock Tower to study magecraft, in the hope that with proper instruction, I could have improved myself, I could have shown that I could have been strong. But…it's not like I was able to reach big results. I didn't have many friends to rely on, since I wasn't that good with words as well. I managed to make some upgrades with my spells, but apart from that…I've remained the same. Same old Tygo." The mage continued, before looking at his Command Spells. He had two left after he used one of them in the fight with Astrea. "Then…one day…I've got these."

"C-Command spells?"

"Could it be? You were chosen?"

"What should I do, father?"

"...I never thought it would have come up to this. But, you know there isn't much of a choice."

That day, he could see his father taking something from a drawer, a bag, and giving it to him. When Tygo opened it up, he could see what looked like the gem of a crown.

"Is this…a catalyst?"

"If my predictions are correct, it should be the catalyst for one of Zeus's favorite nymphs. You know what to do with it."

"What!? Should I participate in the Holy Grail War!? Even with…my capacities? Shouldn't it be better if I give these to you or Diederik?"

"No. The Holy Grail has chosen you to participate. So it's only fair that you are the one going. You can also consider it…a second chance."

"Ah!"

"You couldn't be born with the best features of our family, Tygo, and we could all see it. But maybe…this conflict will be the thing that will help you awaken your true self. But be careful. They won't be as calm as we are. If you don't pay attention, you could be the first one to get killed. Now go. Summon that Servant…and show that we were wrong about you."

That day, Tygo was surprised by his parent's sudden reaction. Before that, he saw him with disappointment and regret, almost as if he didn't care about him. But now he seemed to have shown a bit of concern. Even if it was for the Holy Grail War, it was already a lot for him. Plus…this was indeed his occasion. Maybe…He could change. And he didn't want to waste everything. Those thoughts made up his mind.

"I'll go then. I won't disappoint you. When I'll get back, you'll see how I changed!"

"I see…so it was your father who made us meet." Rider of White commented.

"Yes. After that, I went to Tokyo, summoned Rider…and then Isak recruited me, much like the others. I came here to participate in the Holy Grail War with a specific idea in mind. But…ever since I've started to fight, everything changed." Tygo started to think back to all the battles he had witnessed up to that moment. "Everything went so different. I could see that the other Masters were people with an individual way of thinking, people who seemed to act differently, someone who had their reason to fight, even if I didn't get to know them. Much like…Oeneus. I was surprised by the fact that we were similar as people. Both put in the second line from their families and wish to be more. I found someone similar to me…someone I could share my thoughts and regrets…seeing how he intended to challenge the natural course of things by trying to take down all of the enemy factions inspired me, so I proposed to help him. But…He lost. For one moment, I thought that I could have been helpful, that I could have said 'It was also thanks to me that this happened!', but it wasn't so. Maybe I'm being selfish…but I thought that by helping someone similar to me…I could have been someone or at least something. Yet, here I am. Wishing to finally defeat this fear of being in second in line, and being useful to my family or this faction. That…is what I would want to ask to the Holy Grail: stop being a disappointment."

"Master…" Rider of White quietly spoke.

Tygo chuckled for a moment. "I know…you're probably thinking that I'm ridiculous." He said to Cynthia.

Cynthia waited a few seconds before giving her answer. It was almost incredible how she was able to talk with so many people in her faction, and all of these turned out to be relatable in one way or another. First Adewale, then Seram, and now even Tygo. This one in particular seemed…empathic. Once again, she looked at the pendant of her family.

"…I don't think you're ridiculous." She told him.

"Uh?" Tygo asked.

"I…can see your point. Magecraft is a world full of assholes. People who would even cut their limbs to show their superiority. And to do so, they would even use their children as vessels. It's not that different from the animal world…a world where you have to be strong to survive. It's kill or be killed, even if Oeneus was able to escape alive. But…this is also the reason why we want to improve and become who we are now." The girl continued before turning at him. "There's no reason why you should be insulted for your goal. If that's your purpose, your dream, then defend it with everything you can. Make yourself be heard. Don't let anyone stomp into you." That last part made her think back to what happened at Kabuki-Cho. "You may fall several times…but it's important to stand up again. Just like I intend to do."

"Cynthia…" Tygo spoke.

Rider of White made a smile. "You seem pretty decided on this, don't you? Always aiming to look forward, my love used to do so even if he had to go against fate."

"Indeed. And that's a way of thinking I intend to keep even now." Cynthia then turned to her Servant. "Let's go Archer."

Archer of White simply nodded and followed the girl, who started to walk away.

Tygo and Rider looked at them departing in silence for a few seconds. Then…the Geschiezend mage suddenly felt…motivated, and eager to do something. Could it be…that he was starting to feel the same charge as Cynthia?

This was enough…to make him stand up. "Wait!" He exclaimed.

"Hm?" Hearing the call, Cynthia and her Servant turned around. "What is it?"

"What is this plan you're talking about? I want to see if I can help in one way or another." Tygo then proposed.

Cynthia was genuinely surprised. "Are you sure?" She asked.

"I know it probably isn't the best of moves, after what happened. I still feel bad that I could have done a lot more for Oeneus…but…after this discussion, I remembered that I can't cry over spilled milk. We lost a Servant in our faction, so we must do something to go forward and take down the Red Rose. As a member of the White Rose, it's also my job to do this. Before you ask…it's not because I'm feeling guilty. But it's because I want to do it." He explained.

Rider of White looked at him satisfied. "You surely have grown, Master." She then turned at Archer of White. "Just so you know, I don't like you as a person. But if my Master is willing to help you, you can count on my powers as well."

Archer of White answered by making a small bow. "It would be an honor for me to be assisted by someone as one of the king of gods's lovers. Plus, you know you can count on me." He said with a grin. "My pride as a gentleman would be damaged if I were to do something else."

"Just so you know…the plan we have in mind could be extremely hard to put into action. Are you willing to take that risk?" Cynthia then asked.

As an answer, Tygo smiled. "Well…I'm simply fighting for my purpose. That's all." He spoke.

Once again…Cynthia was surprised. She never knew she would have been able to comfort that guy, and not only that, he ended up supporting her. In a way…he comforted her. Maybe...even more than what happened with Archer of White...she wanted someone to tell her that it was still all okay. Like him. Suddenly...she felt like this guy was something else, completely different than how he saw himself.

The girl remained in silence for a few moments. Then…she slowly approached him and did something Tygo didn't expect.

She kissed him on the mouth.

The boy widened his eyes. He had already hugged the night earlier, but this was a lot of levels beyond that. He had social problems, so the last thing he expected to have was a kiss from a girl. But…he would have lied if he said he didn't like it. He…let her do so.

"AH!" Rider of White exclaimed.

"OH OH!" Archer of White added in surprise.

After thirty seconds, Cynthia got away from him.

"C-Cynthia!?" Tygo asked, still astonished.

The girl looked at him with a smile and red cheeks. "Consider it a way of thanking you for being willing to help me."

"But…Seram, Adewale and Maximilian did the same…" Tygo fairly pointed out.

"Yeah but…I was feeling bad. And you showed me the goodwill to help you. I… needed to talk with you. So, thank you. Plus, Seram is a friend, there's not something beyond that." Cynthia explained. "Come on, let's go!" She then headed forward.

Finding some explanations, Tygo turned at her Servant, who was looking at him with a smug smile. "Good job, there!" She commented.

Tygo remained in silence…but his mood suddenly increased. He was starting to feel happy to be there. Now he had a new friend he could look after. Maybe…something more than a friend.

In the meantime, Oeneus could see the two of them walking away from the window of the laboratory. He looked carefully and noticed that Tygo seemed overall happy. "What did that woman do to him?" He then smiled. "Well…not that it matters. At least he's moving forward. He's…surely in a better position than I am." He then got back on his work, planning a new device.

As they kept on walking, Archer of White looked at them, satisfied. "Human feelings…surely among the most powerful things in the world. If they keep on feeling that way, there's no doubt that my plan will get into action. The Holy Grail could be mine sooner than expected." He thought. He then made a grin.

"I could use them to my advantage…"

---

Tokyo – Ikebukuro – 24th April 2021 – 11.00

Much like the other days, Ikebukuro was filled with people who were passing by for job reasons, for urgencies, or maybe because they just wanted to make a stroll. All of them were unaware of the scenario that was taking place for a while by now, but they could see the damages that it brought up, as the news on the maxi screen was reporting about the giant bird that passed through the skies of the city just two days earlier and the large damages that had been brought up to Mount Fuji. The dilemma for most of the citizens was just huge. Most of them were upset because an important place for their country had been severed, some of them thought of possible conspiracies, others thought that it was some sort of supernatural intervention, and some people simply didn't want to hear it so that they couldn't become paranoid.

What all these people shared…was the fact that none of them knew the truth. And they wouldn't have probably never known. Some may have said that the ignorance of common people regarding Magecraft was probably the best, which was the way of thinking that the Mages Association had adopted ever since its foundation. But still…those damages persisted and who knew for how long they would have lasted.

And the ones who were making it kept on moving around.

Cahya and Assassin of Red were jumping from one building to another, giving a careful look at the myriad of people that they could have seen. Spotting one person in particular wasn't easy, but they needed to spend those minutes doing so.

Their most dangerous enemy could have been anywhere. And if they were able to find her, they had to get through and take her down before she could have done something. After all…such was the task of the Assassin-Class Servant.

"Did you see her?" Cahya asked.

"No. Not yet. It will be hard to spot her in places such as this. We also have to consider the option that she couldn't be anywhere at the moment. Maybe she remained at their headquarters for today while others moved." Cleopatra told him.

"Right…" Cahya said before lowering his stare.

"Hm? Are you alright?" The Servant asked.

"Yes, don't worry. I'm just preparing myself mentally in case we have to face her and Saber of White. We both know how it ended up last time." The homunculus explained.

"You have a point. But! Our task at the moment is to catch her by surprise and attack when she least expects it. Saber of White won't be able to resist that long after he loses his Master." The queen of the desert told her. "Still…are you ok with…well, killing another person?" She then asked.

"It will be a bit sad. I want to know anything about life, so taking one won't make me feel any better. But…I know It can't be helped. This is the war I've been created for after all." Cahya said his opinion.

Cleopatra felt a bit sad for him, so she tried to get closer. "Hey…I know I really shouldn't say anything in that regard. As a Servant, my main priority is to get the Holy Grail, so if there's something that could take down an enemy, I'm onto that. But…know that for anything, I'm here, ok?" She spoke.

Cahya made a small smile. "I know it at this point. Thank you, Cleopatra."

"Ack! Master, don't say my true name that easily! Someone could hear us!" The Servant exclaimed.

"S-Sorry! Ok, let's keep going, then…" The homunculus concluded. The two of them resumed their inspection, which would have lasted for a while. And at the same time, two more pairs of the Red Rose were inspecting the zone. Even if for a different reason.

Calem made a few simple notes with the guitar while Kazuto stood nearby him. What looked like a simple exercise of practice was something that the boy was doing to capture what he was looking for. The melody generated by the instrument soon turned into magecraft that filtered inside Calem's body, and as soon as he closed his eyes…he could see several filaments of magical energy around him. There were many of them, but in a small quantity.

Kazuto closed his eyes and could see the same thing. But the other boy didn't seem satisfied.

"Hmmm…In such a big place, it's strange how there's such a small percentage of magical energy in the air." Calem commented.

"Well…not if you count the civilians. But you know how things work." Kazuto commented.

"Yes. We don't want to make a massacre and show traces of magecraft to people it's strictly forbidden by the Mages Association." Calem reminded.

"Guess we'll have to make a long effort for that melody you are planning to do. Are you sure you can do this, Calem?" Lancer of Red asked, while her Master packed up his things.

"Absolutely! I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place otherwise!" The boy said with a smile.

"You're planning to move out?" Kazuto asked him.

"Yes. But…I was thinking of something to do to make our research more effective. That is…if you agree to do it." Calem replied.

"I'm all ears," Kazuto told him.

"Considering how big Tokyo is, it would take a long time for us to search for a nice spot where to gather enough magical energy. If we were on Fuyuki, it would have been a lot easier, since that city is full of magical energy due to all the wars that happened there in the past…" Calem explained.

"Do you think we'll be able to even find it some?" Kazuto asked, starting to get worried.

"Without a doubt. Magical energy has always been anywhere ever since this world originated, whether it was for the big bang the gods, or the root itself. And considering the presence of the Holy Grail, the amount of energy increased exponentially. I'm sure that there will be someplace where these filaments are concentrated. We just need to find them, even if…this is a very big place." Calem replied.

Hearing him talk made the Tohsaka mage remember two things. The first one was that large amount of magical energy that Marcus, Gordon, and Alvis sensed in the past. That was proof of his friend's words, even though they never found out what that was. And the second one was the Grail's presence…especially what happened a few days earlier.

"Speaking of which…do you remember what happened at Kabuki-Cho? Both Marcus and Isak sensed something so big that it seemed like the Holy Grail was calling them. But when we got in there, the Grail was nowhere to be found. Where do you think that is?" He then asked.

Calem started to think about it. "Hm…that's a good question. I'm pretty sure that occasion was a setup caused by someone. I never expected us to have a full Royal Rumble so soon. But…I can say that I simply don't know. We don't even know if the Grail materialized in the first place. The only thing I can say about that is…only time will tell. And if we were to get it somehow, we wouldn't be able to do much with it. The Grail needs to have enough energy made by the deceased Servants to function correctly and at the moment, it would have only our Rider and Caster of White's energies." He then explained.

"Hmm…true enough," Kazuto commented.

"What was the idea you were proposing, Calem?" Archer of Red asked.

Upon hearing his Servant asking that, Kazuto got embarrassed. "Ah! Right! Sorry…I got lost in other things." He spoke.

But the other Master of the Red Rose made a small laugh. "No problem! What I was proposing was to split up. I'm sure we won't make much just with the two of us and we'll still have to take a lot of time for that. But at least we should be able to inspect other zones." He then explained. "The reason why I asked you were okay with was because of what happened recently with you and the White Roses."

Kazuto thought of it. He was right. He ended up getting on their scope several times. But…he raised his head and looked up at the other boy with a decided stare. "Don't worry. If I meet up with one of them, I'll face them straight on." He said while showing his fist. "I'm tired of being their toy. I think I've made it clear when we faced Berserker of White."

Calem seemed satisfied. "Just what I wanted to hear. Then good luck. I'll try to communicate with you in one way or another when I find a nice spot."

"Same goes for me!" The other mage said, making a thumb up. With that, the two scattered and went in different directions.

"You seem a lot confident about this Master. Can't say I would have seen you say things like these when we started." Lancer of Red said while being in her spiritual form.

"Heh. What can I say? Maybe the victory last time motivated me more. Much like anyone else, I want to make sure that my wish comes true. And I know there are a lot of chances for it to happen." Calem replied.

"How so?" The Servant asked.

"Because I have you. We were able to destroy that phoenix thanks to you, right?" Calem replied.

This time, it was Lancer of Red who was surprised by that answer, which was something she didn't get used to. "Oh, so that's how it is. I like it."

Naturally, Calem blushed at that. "Y-Yeah…let's go then!" He then said, holding his lyre. "We have a lot of work to do."

In the meantime, Kazuto already started his walk and was able to make it a few meters away from where he started. As he proceeded on his search for magical energy clusters, he kept on using his magic circuits to check if he could sense a favorable place. As he started and proceeded, he could see that there were spots where there was more energy and parts where there was less.

"Hmm…this is confusing. At this point, it will take an eternity." He commented.

"Don't push yourself, Master. You won't be able to distinguish the places you have been or if you accidentally spotted a good place." Archer of Red told him.

"Yeah, you're probably right…" Kazuto replied before looking up. He then wiped his forehead from the sweat. "It's surely hot today."

"Is that so? Quite strange hearing it from you, who uses fire magecraft." Archer of Red commented.

"I can still feel hot! It's not like I feed myself on heat." The mage commented. "But yeah…maybe it's better if I pick something…"

After a few minutes, Kazuto found a vending machine, from which he got one of his favorite drinks: strawberry milk. After taking it, he opened it without thinking twice and drank it. "Aaaah…just the best…"

"What is it?" Archer of Red asked.

"Strawberry milk. It's both fresh and sweet and it recharges you with energies." Kazuto answered.

"Ooooh…can't say I'm not curious…mind if I take it as well?" The Servant asked.

"Uh? Oh, sure." Kazuto agreed. He simply put another 500 yen in the vending machine and got another can of it. As soon as he did that, Archer of Red materialized herself in her physical form and got a taste of it.

"Ah…you're right! It is good!" Archer of Red said before taking another sip. "It's incredible how society evolved. Back in my days, we simply took strawberries from our garden and ate them. Japan indeed evolved…especially with video games!" She then spoke.

"Eh eh, I should have expected that comment," Kazuto told her. It was at that moment that he gave a more careful look at her, thinking of something. "Speaking of which…last time she ended up using her Noble Phantasm twice. But even with that, I couldn't figure out her true identity. Hmm…she's without a doubt a samurai of Japan, but who? Maybe she's someone who was portrayed as a man? Someone who worked with an emperor of the past? Judging by the armor…she may look like someone from the Sengoku period…"

His thought was interrupted when he suddenly widened his eyes. "Ah!"

"Master, what's wrong?" Archer of Red asked, getting serious.

It was all the question of a moment when just an instant earlier, everything was calmer. But Kazuto couldn't be wrong.

He turned around…and as soon as he did it…

There was nothing. Just an empty alley.

"N-No one is here?" Kazuto wondered, starting to get confused. Naturally, Archer of Red came closer to her.

"Master? Are you alright? She asked. The Tohsaka mage remained silent for a few moments. It was all calm and nothing happened. But…it all seemed too suspicious. So he kept on looking at the valley. But…

Everything remained the same. No assault, no surprise…nothing.

"I-I was sure someone was behind me right now. Did I…did I imagine it?" Kazuto wondered.

To help him, Archer of Red looked at the alley as well, but even she couldn't sense anything in particular. "Maybe…it's hard to tell when you're in a war such as this." She commented.

"Maybe you're right…" Kazuto answered. He kept looking at the alley while taking another sip of the strawberry milk. After having the confirmation that everything was clear, he looked at the Servant. "It's important if we don't persist on this. At least for now…"

The Servant nodded. "I agree. Are you feeling better now?" She asked.

"Yeah, sort of. We can resume. We can't make Calem wait." The mage replied. And with those words, both he and the Servant resumed their inspection of the city.

But they didn't know that Kazuto's omen wasn't entirely wrong. There was indeed someone. But the situation was too risky to make it evolve.

A few inches away from them, Cynthia was remaining hidden behind a wall, observing what Kazuto was doing. Her front was sweating. Much like their enemies, she had started to walk throughout the city to find a suitable place to start and create the Boundary Field his Servant was planning. And then…she bumped into him, and he almost noticed her. Luckily, thanks to her mystic eyes, she could have foreseen that and hid in time. Even so…she couldn't help but make heavy breaths, whether they were for relief or pressure.

"Did I… show fear right now? Dammit…why does he keep passing in my way?" Even she couldn't believe what she was thinking at that moment. And yet…after that night…she couldn't help but think of him as a dangerous enemy. But she couldn't afford to stay there forever making her paranoia take over her mind. Tygo was also moving around as well to help her. And as such…she started to move away.

Tokyo – Ebisu – 24th April 2021 – 11.45 A.M

Without realizing it, Cynthia ended up making a long road throughout the city, reaching a completely different location. She remained silent for most of the walk, even if her Servant was following her. After what she had seen, she wanted to do one thing: focus on her current objective. One that could have helped her win.

Then, during the walk, Archer of White appeared beside her in his physical form. "You have been quite focused up until now." He told her.

"Why shouldn't I? We can never know what might happen from one moment to another, and considering how big this city is, I need to remain focused and see if I can track enough magical energy to gather." Cynthia replied.

"Sure. That will surely be a good way to distract yourself from the vision of that boy and his Servant." Archer of White commented, showing that he understood the situation.

As soon as he said it, Cynthia could feel herself flinch for a moment.

"You've felt yourself in danger, haven't you? Even though the situation seemed in your favor. You could have taken advantage of how things were and attacked him from behind. Your Mystic Eyes would surely have helped you do so. What is it that blocked you?" Archer of White asked.

"…I simply thought rationally. When I tried to do so with the Master of their Saber, it could have been easier. We were in a place where not many people could have seen us. But considering that we were in a crowded place during the daytime, there wasn't much I could have done. Rules speak clearly. And his Servant was in her physical form, so she could have seen me and shot me with an arrow. But…" Cynthia explained.

"But?" Archer of White insisted.

"…Maybe I did feel caught by surprise. Even after what we had been discussed." Cynthia confessed, showing a bit of insecurity. "It's almost like…I was a hypocrite in that moment."

Archer of White looked at her in silence and then placed a hand on her shoulder. "This proves what I've said earlier. You hate losing. In that moment, you let your will to survive prevail and decided to act more rationally and defensively rather than take the hazard and try to attack him. And I don't blame you for that. We wouldn't want something to happen to us before we could even begin our grand plan. And considering that it didn't work with that muscled man, maybe the same could have been said for that boy. You saw for yourself what he can do."

"Yes…" Cynthia spoke before looking at him. "I…appreciate the fact that you tried to comfort me." She added.

At that, Archer of White made a gentle smile. "As your Servant, it's only natural, don't you think? I'm sticking to what we have agreed since all of this started. I'm sure you remember." He spoke.

"I'm helping you with your plan…and you'll help me with my wish. Of course, I couldn't forget." Cynthia remembered with a small grin. "Plus, I wouldn't want to disappoint Tygo after that discussion."

"It seems that you are taking it more seriously than I thought. Is there perhaps…something else about that?" Archer of White asked her with a smirk.

At that, Cynthia tried to act like nothing and turned around. "S-Shut it."

And then…right in that moment.

"Ah!" She could feel it. Once again, it was a matter of a single moment. Yet…she could feel it.

Archer of White raised his head in surprise, as he started to feel it as well. "My, My…who would have said it?" He asked.

To have confirmation of what she had just sensed, Cynthia used her Mystic Eyes to percept. And there it was.

A large source of magical energy was moving a few inches away from them, almost as if it was passing by. She couldn't know if it was by pure coincidence or by purpose. But it was there. And naturally, she didn't want to lose the chance.

"Let's go!" She exclaimed before starting to run towards it. The 'chase' continued for a few minutes, and brought up the pair of the White Rose to what seemed to be a small hidden courtyard with a stage. Nobody was there. Only them…and the surrounding nature.

"Is this…the place?" Cynthia wondered. "Strange…I was sure to have felt someone." She thought at the same time. To make sure of it, she used her Mystic Eyes, and she was surprised. Her suspects were half correct.

No one was there. But the same magical energy that she felt before remained. All around the place.

"This is amazing! But…who did this?" The girl wondered.

Archer of White made a few steps forward, satisfied. "Hmmm. A true mystery indeed. But as long as it's here and nothing bad still happened…I could say that it's more than enough for us to take advantage of it, don't you think?" He asked her.

It didn't take long for Cynthia to realize it. She made a convinced smile and nodded. "Right!" After that, she closed her eyes and started to concentrate herself. Her magical energy started to become visible and expanded throughout the courtyard. Even the magical energy that was floating around could be seen, and it started to rotate around the girl as if it was turning into a spiral of which Cynthia was the core.

"It's responding! Now I need to gather it to the point where I'll be able to pass it to you!" She exclaimed.

"And from then on, I'll be able to put in act the Boundary Field." Archer of White added before looking up, trembling with pleasure. "Aaah…I can already see it. The sky will soon turn red."

"This is my chance. I'll make sure that the Red Rose won't know how to react to such a thing. I'll be able to surpass that Tohsaka…and I'll show what means to be a Rosi mage!" Cynthia thought as the energy started to become more intense. At that moment…her thought was pointed at someone else as well. "Tygo…I'll also make sure that your effort won't be wasted. Thank you for trying and sticking with me."

"At long last. The grand act begins. It's a good thing that Cynthia was able to recover from that momentary panic. I'll need both her and the others at their full potential for what I'm going to do. With this…the city will be surrounded. And the Grail will soon be mine." Archer of White thought as he contemplated his Master gather energy.

From another part of the city, Tygo was recovering energies from the top of a skyscraper…and it was at that moment that he could have felt it. "Uh?" He raised his head. "The magecraft is acting strangely. Could it be? She did it?" He wondered.

"They went sooner than I thought…" Rider of White commented before making a smile. "Oh, well. That's the important, isn't it not?"

"Indeed! I think I'll gather a bit of some magecraft here and give it to her. Might accelerate the process as well." Tygo spoke. Before that, he looked around with a binocular and saw someone that caught up his attention.

Calem was a few meters away from them, playing his lyre. The Master of the White Rose could notice that he was also doing something similar to him at that moment.

"That's the Master of their Lancer…what is he doing?" He wondered.

Calem didn't know that he was being watched at that moment. And he probably didn't want to know about it. He was focused on one thing now.

"I'll start up by gathering small pieces until I won't find a bigger place. The Mermaid Symphony won't fail. I'll show them where music can go." He thought.

"Show me what you've got, Master...I'm willing to bet on you." Lancer of Red thought, enjoying the moment.

Tygo wasn't the only one who felt a change in the air. Due to Cynthia's practice…everyone else could feel it.

"Uh?" Seram raised her head.

"I-Is this something bad, Caster?" Astrea asked.

"I don't know…" Caster of Red replied.

"What's happening?" Marcus wondered.

"I see, how it is. You're pushing yourself beyond this time, Cynthia?" Maximilian asked.

"Is that so?" Shuten-Douji asked.

"Assassin…is this her?" Cahya asked.

"No, it's something else…" Cleopatra replied.

Gordon was already cracking his fists up. "Guess something else is waiting for us, eh?"

"This isn't good. I need to see where it comes from!" The aquatic wolf left from Alvis spoke.

Isak, from the White Rose Headquarters, could sense it as well. "What are you doing there?" He wondered.

Kazuto and Archer of Red could sense it as well. "Is this the thing you sensed earlier?" The Servant asked.

The Tohsaka mage tightened his fist. It wasn't the case, but he couldn't hide the fact…that it was similar. There was something familiar in that change. Or maybe…someone.

"Maybe…" He simply replied.

All of them wondered, but none knew the answer. Not that they would have had to wait for it. Because one thing was sure. As the one who planned it…Archer of White was right.

The sky would have turned red.

---

And with this, we can say that we have reached the end of this chapter! Not gonna lie, while I naturally enjoyed all the fighting scenes I've made this far, I can say that I missed making a chapter mostly based around interactions because, with this, I can take the chance to develop further the in-depth of the characters, which is something I've always adored since I fawn over characters psychology! This one in particular ended up having a lot! At first, it was going to be simpler, with the characters we had seen talking about what happened and what was going to follow, but then, considering that we have already reached the sixteenth chapter and that we had seen a lot about these characters so far, I thought that maybe it was the proper time to dig up a bit better on some of them (especially Calem in my opinion), so I came up with dialogues that expressed more their concerns rather than how to win the war. Even the kiss came up at the last moment! At first, Cynthia would have simply hugged her, but then I thought "What if I dared?" and so I came up with that small romantic skit! I remember that some of you said that you would have liked to see a bit of romance in this story, and it was something I've wanted to do as well, even if it was hard to put (except for something that will be revealed further in the story), and when the occasion showed up, I've made hearts fly up! It's also natural, considering that Fate is a franchise that puts a lot of emphasis on romance (even though only a few love stories from the series got my interest). I've also made sure that it wasn't full-on romance and that it didn't come out of nowhere, especially considering that Tygo and Cynthia didn't have that much of interactions up until now. I went more on the fact that maybe, after this, Cynthia started to like him. Overall, I'm glad that I was able to get through this chapter. It has been a few months since I put up the last one, but naturally, with Shogunate Pride starting and getting some attention and the fact that I'm working at something else aside from fanfictions, those things naturally got the priority, I surely didn't forget this story! Hell, now that I've got Fate/Samurai Remnant on the Nintendo Switch, I'm sure that I'll get a lot of influence for Twin Roses! (Speaking of which, I'm only at chapter II, but I'm already loving the story, especially considering that it seems a lot more serious than other Fate stories). And as you can see, things will start to get heavier from this point on. With two Servants gone, it's only natural that the plot starts moving with plots, strategies, and conspiracies. And a lot of more intense action is coming up next time! I put some previews here and there on what will happen next!

But naturally, I leave the last opinion to you! Did you like the chapter? What were your thoughts on the scenes that the main characters of this chapter had? What do you think will happen next with what both Cynthia and Calem are plotting? As always, let me know with your reviews! Your opinion is important!

I'm glad that despite everything, I'm still able to continue through with this story, especially considering that it had become the last hope of some of you people alongside another SYOC story of this series that some of you might know! But leaving that aside, I thank you as always for sticking around and reading this chapter and I'll see you in the next one or the next chapter of another story of mine!

From Bluestar here, Arrivederci!