AN: Enjoy the chapter.

Ch 21 The Knight of Madness Pt1

In the Northern Territory, a large Army marched along the barren lands. The Army consisted of a few Melromarc's Knights either holding Swords, Spears, Mages, or regular Archers. However, they pale in comparison to the Dragon Knights.

The number of Dragon Knights was greater than the regular Knights. Leading the procession was Mald, Heroic Knight Aid Gareth.

The Knight saw the fortified Village, indicating they found the Stronghold of the Northern Resistance. Mald raises his Sword, commanding the Army behind him. "Alright Men, there's those insurgents' base! Bring it down!" The Heroic Knight Aid ordered the Knights under his Command.

The Knights exclaim, raising their Weapons as they begin to charge for the Fortress. The Dragon Knights stood on standby, waiting for orders to Attack the Fortress from Heroic Knight Aid Gareth.

The Gates opened and the Soldiers from both the Underground Rebellion and the Great Heathen Army poured out to counter Melromarc's Knights.

"Haha! Come on, let's show these Melromarc Bastards who they're messing with!" Berserker of Einherjar announced with Charisma. His Charisma Skill gave an extra boost to his troops and Harriet's troops.

Joining the Battle with Berserker, Gareth, Bedivere, Naofumi, Raphtalia, and Agravain's temporary Enforcement Knights were sent out.

Agravain stood on the Walls, taking Command over the archers stationed there. Harriet stayed within the Village to ensure the Children and those who can't fight stay safe.

And if things get dicey, her Noble Phantasm will be able to guide the People of the Army to safety.

"Hup!" Naofumi steps forward, blocking a Knight's strike at him. "Raphtalia!" He called out to his Sword.

The Demi-Human leaps behind him, using her acquired Katana to slash a blue light at the Knight.

"GAH!" The Knight cried, having a large slash across his armor.

Raphtalia proceeded to slash some more Knights, seeing their comrade fall before the Pseudo-Servant. She saw the incoming Enemies, "Sei!" she dashed forward, thrusting her Katana, releasing a bolt of Lightning from the Blade, stunning the Knights.

Naofumi saw Raphtalia's power has increased, able to take down the Knights with ease. Just like Ritsuka's Servants and the Rogue Servants he encountered.

"Naofumi-sama," Naofumi looks at Raphtalia, still holding her Katana looking at the Battle.

"What is it Raphtalia? Do you sense something?" The Shielder asked his Sword.

"There's a lot of Melromarc Knights here, I'm concerned for Ritsuka-dono and his Party." The Demi-Human said, seeing they were a bit outnumbered. "Do you think there are a few Knights with Heroic Knight Tristan?" She asked.

Hearing what Raphtalia said, Naofumi does not doubt that Ritsuka might be heading for a trap. "Most likely, Fujimaru knows that as well. It's better to leave Itsuki to Fujimaru's group." Naofumi said before hearing some armor clanging behind him.

Turning around, both Naofumi and Raphtalia saw Gareth, a few Soldiers, and two Enforcement Knights heading toward them. "Lancer?" Naofumi was surprised to see the Seventh Seat of the Roundtable here.

"Sir Naofumi, Lady Raphtalia; Berserker, and Saber are drawing the Enemy away from the Commander," Gareth informed the two of what was happening. "I'm heading to face the Commander, Heroic Knight Aid Gareth. However…"

Naofumi looks at where Heroic Knight Aid Gareth, seeing him standing at the end. Around him were Dragon Knights, standing by for orders. "I understand your plan, Lancer." He said,

Raphtalia looks at Gareth, nodding to her request. "Got it, we'll support you to Heroic Knight Gareth." The Pseudo-Servant said, agreeing with her.

Gareth smiles, happy to hear both of them are willing to support her. "Hmm! Let's go, Sir Naofumi, Lady!" The Lancer led her group to where Heroic Knight Gareth was with Naofumi and Raphtalia following behind.

With Ritsuka's group, they made it to the Mountain before the Battle started. It consisted of Arthur, Galahad, Archer of the Red Cliffs, Castoria, and Da Vinci.

Ritsuka stood on the Mountain's path, looking down at the Battle below. "Master, they'll be fine," Galahad said, looking at where he was looking. "Sir Agravain has things handled there taking Command. Along with a Berserker and a Ruler, they should have things wrapped up soon." The Shielder ensures his master there's nothing to worry about.

Archer of the Red Cliffs saw Gareth heading to Naofumi and Raphtalia. "Master, please move aside." He steps forward, materializing a Bow in his hands.

"Archer, what are you doing?" Da Vinci asked, seeing the Counter Force Servant heading to the edge of the path.

Archer raises his Bow in the air, materializing a flaming Arrows in his other hand. Everyone watches as he pulls back the Bowstring before releasing the Arrows.

He steps back, seeing things have set in motion. "Alright, that should give the others some ground to guarantee victory for them," Archer said, turning to his fellow Servants.

"Every move you make, it seems you have planned for it, Archer," Arthur spoke, seeing how strategic their new Ally was.

"One can never be too sure what the Enemy has in store," Archer stated his reasons for his overplanning. "And based on our situation, it wouldn't hurt if we have a few extra plans in case things are dicey." He said, dismissing his Bow.

Ritsuka smiles, not minding his Servants having backup strategies. "If anything happens, I'm counting on your other strategies to get us out of sticky situations, Archer." He said to his new Servant.

"Fujimaru-sama," Everyone turns around as Melty sits down with Pavel in Filo's Giant Filoial form. "We should continue our way and get to the Piece before Heroic Knight Tristan's Party gets to it." The Second Princess reminded the group of their purpose of splitting up.

Castoria nodded, supporting the Princess's statement. "She's right, Heroic Knight Tristan's Party has a head start already. They might as well secure the Ruins as we speak." The Lostbelt Servant said, "Heroic Knight Tristan…now that I say his name,

Ritsuka nodded, understanding their situation. He looks at Pavel, knowing their risk in bringing him. However, with a Battle going down near the fortified Village being close to him is the safest place he could be. "Pavel," He gains the attention of the young Child.

"Yes, Ritsuka?" Pavel looks at his Caretaker, hearing him call his name.

"Stay close to Melty and Filo, Pavel. Normally Saber will be your Guardian, but he's assisting Berserker and Ruler in the Battle." Ritsuka told the young Child sitting on Filoial, wanting him to be as safe as possible.

Pavel nodded, understanding what Ritsuka said. "Okay Ritsuka, I'll stay with Melty and Filo." The young Demi-Human said,

Filo looks up with joy, "Filo will protect Pavel-chan and Mel-chan, Rits-chan!" The Filoial stated, swearing to protect the young Boy. "You have Filo's guarantee!" She cheered.,

"Thank you, Filo, and you too Melty." Ritsuka smiles at the two Girls before turning around back to the path they're on.

Back on the Battlefield, Heroic Knight Aid Gareth observes the Battle. He smirked, believing his Forces were overrunning these insurgents.

Berserker hack and slash the Enemy Knights and Dragon Knights. His Men were able to bring the majority to their side of the Field, "Tch, are they serious? HA!" He swung his Axe at the Enemies, blowing them with the air from his swing.

"They're counting on numbers as a scare tactic to defeat us." Berserker of Einherjar laughs, seeing they underestimated his Army's prowess. "They have made a grave mistake!" He stated, pushing the Enemy back with his Men.

Bedivere appeared in Berserker's small group. "Berserker, remember we are to lure the Enemy numbers to us where Sir Naofumi and Lancer can attack the Commander." The Silver Knight reminded the Counter Force Servant.

"Right, right, I'll pull back my punches Saber." Berserker of the Einherjar stated, stepping back from the Knights to drag them to them.

The Army saw their Leader stepping back, they followed his example and lured the Knights back.

One of the Knight Captains saw the Great Heathen Army and Bedivere retreating. "We're doing it! Push forward, we'll be able to defeat them soon enough!" The Knight Captain exclaims, causing the Knights under him to be riled up.

Melromarc's Knight raised their Swords and Spears, charging at Berserker and Bedivere's Forces.

On the far end of the mountains, a Knight approaches him, relaying a report to the Aid. "Heroic Knight Aid Gareth; we've successfully cornered what we believed to be the Leader of the Great Heathen Army." He informed the Commander in charge.

Mald chuckled, seeing things were working in their favor. "Good, good, keep up the pressure, we'll be able to finish off these insurgents before they can cause some serious trouble to Melromarc-"

"Sir Heroic Knight Aid Gareth! The Devil of the Shield has broken through our left flank!" Another Soldier approaches the Commander. "He is heading this way!"

"Tch, all of you!" Mald points to the Dragon Knights stationed behind him. "Go and take out the Devil of the Shield!" He ordered the Knights,

They didn't respond, all they did was raise their arms and head straight for the Shield Hero.

"Sei!" Raphtalia cut down the Melromarc Knights with her Katana. Just when she was about to aid Naofumi, her ears twitch upon hearing armor marching.

The Demi-Human turns her head, hearing the sounds of more Knights coming their way. "Naofumi-sama! Knights are heading our way!" Raphtalia informed the Shielder of Camelot.

Naofumi pushed a Melromarc Knight back with his Shield, turning to Raphtalia after informing him about the incoming Knights. "Alright, Raphtalia get ready!" He turns to the Soldiers that joined them, "You guys too, the Dragon Knights are coming. Get yourself ready too,"

"Right!" Both the Soldiers of the Resistances and the few Enforcement Knights responded to their Commander.

Mald looks around, he has two Battles he's overseeing. One attacked the Leader of the Great Heathen Army, and the other attacked the Shield Hero. "Good, now that their Forces are split; we can head for the Main Gates." He looks at the Gates, seeing the archers shooting Arrows when Agravain commanded them where to shoot.

"Now that their Forces are split, we can go strike their Village!" The Knight raised his Sword, singling the rest of the Knights under his Command to Attack.

"Huh?" Heroic Knight Aid Gareth was expecting some cries for War from the Knights behind him. "What the Hell? Why aren't you responding-" Turning around to the back, expecting a small platoon of Knights.

However, what Heroic Knight Aid Gareth saw was not ready Knights to Attack the insurgents' Stronghold. Instead, he saw the Knights all on the ground with flaming Arrows embedded into them. Most were impaled or bashed by something flat. "W-What happened? How did Melromarc's Elite Knights been defeated already!?" He asked himself,

"It's because of me!" Mald turns to the side, raising his new Sword to deflect a thrust.

Mald slid on the dirt after the strike he blocked. He looks up and sees a familiar Person. "So it's you, I thought a puny Girl playing Knight would run away from a Battle like this." He looks down at the Servant before him.

Gareth stood before Mald, both her Shield and Spear in her arms. "I will not run away from Knights who know nothing of Chivalry; especially when they're attacking innocents!" The Lancer stated, getting to her position to strike.

"Innocents? These Heretics? Surely, you're joking." Mald scoffs, readying his Sword. "Whatever, I'll punish you, just like every Heretic here." He stated, glaring at Gareth.

"This fight won't turn out like the last time; my Sword was gifted to me by the King." Heroic Knight Aid Gareth said, showing a brand new Enhanced Sword. "It's Enhanced by Mages, its durability is stronger than the last Sword I had!"

"A Sword with Enhancements is just a Sword, you Thief!" Gareth announced, having enough with the Knight. "Here me, I am Gareth of the Knights of the Roundtable; you who stolen my Name will be punished!"

Mald frowns, hearing this Girl was calling herself Gareth. "A Heretic and a wannabe," He scoffs at what Gareth said. "Tch, I'll show who the real Gareth is!" He dashed forward, raising his Sword at the true Gareth.

Gareth ready herself for Heroic Knight Aid Gareth's Attack. "Come, Heroic Knight Aid Gareth!" She began charging at the faker.

The Lancer leaps forward, "Sei!" Gareth thrusts her Spear at Mald's Sword, its Enchantment glowed upon contact.

Back in the Mountains, the group carefully transverses the terrain and keeps their eyes on any signs of Heroic Knight Tristan's Party.

As the group goes deeper into the Mountains, Pavel feels something stir inside his Body, Something about this place makes him feel uncomfortable.

"Fou?" Fou took notice of Pavel's uneasiness. "Fou, Fou?"

Melty heard the Beast crying out, she looked at Fou and Pavel. The Princess then took notice of the young Demi-Human condition. "Pavel, are you okay?" She asked him.

Ritsuka heard Melty, turning to them to see Pavel looking uncomfortable. "Pavel, what's wrong? Are feeling motion sickness?" He asked the Child he was caring for, noticing his droopy ears.

Castoria and Da Vinci approach Filo, being Caster has its perks with some Healing Spells.

Pavel shook his head, not feeling any motion sickness. "I-It's not that, I just feel uncomfortable here, like Fou." He looks down at the Beast,

"Like Fou?" Ritsuka looks over to Fou, seeing him the same as ever. However, his expression was whenever Merlin was around.

"Rits-chan, what's wrong with Pavel-kun?" Filo asked Ritsuka, knowing he was also a Mage who knew a few Spells.

Ritsuka wasn't too sure how to answer the Filoial's question. "I'm not too sure, Arturia, Da Vinci? Any ideas why Filo and Fou are feeling this way?" He asked the Casters.

Da Vinci looks at Pavel, observing his condition. "It must be the Magical Energy here in the Mountains that's causing the two to feel comfortable." The Renaissance Woman deduced that's the reason why they're feeling off. "It changed drastically when went further into the Mountains."

The Child of Prophecy agreed with Da Vinci's deduction. "Yeah, the shift in Magical Energy here is similar to the Mountains when we found the First Piece," Castoria said, making the comparison from this Mountain to the one they had back then. "Though it's different, it's familiar now,"

"Hmm? What do you mean, Caster?" Galahad asked, overhearing the conversation.

"Isn't it obvious? We're-"

"Wait, don't move." Archer of the Red Cliffs held his hand, stopping their advance. "Something isn't right here." He said, looking at the corridor they were in.

Ritsuka and the others remain silent, seeing Archer stop and raise his hand at them. "Archer, what is it?" Arthur asked the Counter Force Servant,

"Saber, do you sense it? The atmosphere is awfully tense, like there's nervousness in the air." The grey-haired Archer asked, knowing Arthur had experienced this type of situation.

Everyone looked at Arthur, his eyes were closed and materializing his invisible Excalibur in his hand. "Yes, this feeling… it's right before an ambush." He stated,

"What? An ambush!?" Melty exclaims, her head scanning the area for anything out of sort.

Some rustling in the brush on the cliff's edge, soon Knights appeared along with three members of Heroic Knight Tristan's Party. "We've been found out, all hands attack!" Rojeel ordered the Knights who were in hiding.

"Split them up, ensure Sir Heroic Knight Lancelot's Borther's capture!" Welst added to the order as Risha stood beside him doing some support Spells.

The group looks around, seeing the Knights leaving the brush and onto the path they are on. "I had a feeling this was their plan." Archer of the Red Cliffs materializes his Bow, standing with Arthur.

"Indeed, seems like Heroic Knight Tristan isn't with them," Arthur stated, holding his Holy Sword firmly. "Seems like he's after the Piece and left his Men down here to preoccupy us." The King of Knights added.

"That seems to be the plan for them," Ritsuka stated, eyeing Pavel who's with Melty and Filo.

Da Vinci looks at her master, seeing there's no other way to get around it. "Hai, hai, I think I know where this is going." The Caster said, materializing her Staff, stepping forward. "Fujimaru-kun, Archer, and I can handle this divergence. You, Saber, and the others go ahead of us and get that Piece before Heroic Knight Tristan can get to it." The Technology Division Head told her master.

"But-"

"Master, we'll catch up with you after we deal with the Enemy here." Archer of the Red Cliffs stated,

Ritsuka didn't have time to ponder. He just agrees with his Servants' words. "Alright, we'll be waiting at the ruins for the both of you," He said before Filo stepped forward.

Filo lay on the ground as Melty moved a bit with Pavel and Fou. "Rits-chan, hop on Filo!" The Filoial offered to the Chaldean master. "Filo can outrun these People before they catch up!"

Melty nodded, "We're in a hurry, right? Then this is the only way to get to that ruin." The Second Princess stated,

The Magus didn't hesitate, hopping onto Filo's back. "Okay Filo, don't hold back. Saber, Shielder, and Arturia will follow us." Ritsuka said, knowing the three will follow in their Spirit Forms.

Galahad nodded, "We'll follow you guys in our Spirit forms, so don't worry about us falling behind." The Shielder said,

"Right, hold onto Filo, everyone!" Filo got up and immediately dashed across the path.

Castoria looks at both Da Vinci and Archer as Galahad and Arthur join her. "Good luck to you too, see you soon." The Lostbelt Servant said as she and the others dematerialized, following their master.

"Hey! Don't let Sir Heroic Knight Lancelot's Brother escape, archers aim for that Filoial!" Rojeel ordered the archers under his command.

The archers took their aim at Filo, ready to release their Arrows. "Ready, aim…fi-GAH!"

The archers screamed being pierced by flaming Arrows. Those who shot Arrows at Filo missed due to the flaming Arrows,

Rojeel dodged the Arrows before they could hit him. "That was close-damn," He looks at where the Chaldean master was only for them to be gone. "He got away," He then looks to where two of his Servants stayed behind.

Archer lowered his Bow, seeing his barrage take out most of the Enemy Knights. "Wow, talk about a quick sweep. That's a nice move you got there, Archer." Da Vinci commented, looking at him.

"It's a simple barrage tactic I have, now Lady Da Vinci. Shall we quickly deal with the rest?" The grey-haired Archer asked Chaldea's Technical Head.

Da Vinci smirks, "Ah, I hardly had any Battles in this Anomaly until now." The Caster dismissed her Staff, exchanging it with her over-the-top Gauntlet. "Let's go, Archer!" She ran forward, pulling back her arm and thrust it at the Enemy.

Filo ran across the small Mountain range, and eventually, they made it to the end. "We're here!" The White Filoial said, standing in the empty space.

Pavel frowns, not liking the area they are in. "R-Ritsuka, can we go back now? I don't like this place." The Demi-Human Boy said,

"Fou, Fou, Fou, Fou," Fou was barking up a storm, clearly reacting to the area.

Ritsuka looks down at the two, curious about why they are reacting to the area. "You two really don't like this place." He said, getting down from Filo first to see if there were any traps.

Pavel shakes his head, confirming what Ritsuka said. "No, I don't. It's like someone I really hate is here waiting for us." He said to him.

"It must be that Mana thing, Arturia spoke about," Melty said, flinching when Arthur, Galahad, and Castoria materialized next to Filo. "I better get used to that. Rider of Bermuda does that sometimes when he gives his report to Mother." She commented on their appearance.

Galahad walks forward, holding his hand out to Melty, "All Servants do that, though we of Chaldea rarely use it because we want to be with master." He explains, assisting the Princess down off of Filo.

Castoria smiles, looking at Filo who looks tired from the running. "Here, Filo. I got some water in case anyone was thirsty." She said, looking at the Filoial. "And by the looks of it, you need some."

Filo smiles, gladly taking the waterbag from the Child of Prophecy. "Thank you, Arturia-chan; Filo needs something to drink." She said, taking a large sip.

Ritsuka held onto Pavel's hand, walking up to Arthur. "Saber, do you feel anything like the last time?" The Magus asked his Servant, thinking since he had a Piece of Rhyongomyniad in his Spirit Origins, he might be able to detect the other Pieces.

"I feel something, but I don't know where it is," Arthur said, looking at the area for anything resembling a Ruin. "I know it's here, jus-master!" The Saber materialized his Excalibur, swinging its Invisible Air at red projectiles aiming right for them.

"Pavel, stay with Melty, Filo, and Arturia!" Ritsuka told the young Demi-Human,

Pavel nodded, quickly going to the three. He was held in Melty's arms, being protected by her.

Galahad steps forward, joining both his King and master. "Master, get behind us, this Attack is most likely to be-"

"Heroic Knight Tristan," Ritsuka said, looking at the rustling greenery before them.

"Well, what luck. It seems my plan to lure and separate you from your feeble Servants and Naofumi worked." Itsuki steps out of the greenery, revealing a concerning sight.

"You're already…." Ritsuka saw that Itsuki, no Heroic Knight Tristan was already in his Berserk form.

He was in a black jacket with a red line outlining his zipper and collar; black armor covered his arms and legs, and his hands were in gauntlets similar to a Dragon's claws. A tattered red cape hung over his shoulders, being held by a medallion on his right.

His eyes were bloodshot red, however, something was different with Itsuki's Berserk form. Like he's fully aware of his actions, "Like it? I much prefer this set than my other one." Heroic Knight Tristan said with a grin, "It's fitting, I feel much more powerful than before. But not quite yet,"

"Itsuki, you really have lost it." Ritsuka sighs, seeing that the Hero has accepted the Curse that plagues the Three Heroes Roundtable's Weapons. "The Curse has already gotten to you."

"Curse? No, it's a blessing in disguise." Heroic Knight Tristan looks at Ritsuka, "Oh, that reminds me; now that I have this power. Bring me, Fairy Knight Tristan, that Bitchy Princess will feel the power of what I have now." He commanded, wanting Baobhan Sith to pay for humiliating him.

Ritsuka will not let the Fairy Knight come, he knows that Baobhan Sith can handle Itsuki. But that doesn't sit right with him leaving her to deal with the Archer. "No, I won't call her here. If you want her, then you'll have to get past me." He said, defending his Servant.

"Oh…alright." Heroic Knight Tristan said calmly, "You'll do fine then," He strums his Failnaught, releasing red projectiles at the master of Chaldea, laughing hysterically.

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.