"It is done." Kneeling in front of Irisviel, her husband now stood while her father appeared at ease. On Kiritsugu's hands were three seals, Command Seals. Kiritsugu took a look at them and nodded.

"These will not go to waste." He told Jubstacheit von Einzbern, who merely responded with a grunt.

"The Einzbern family is known for our ability to make the best homunculus. However, I do not deny that they all lack…combat prowess." The homunculus produced by the Einzebern lineage were strong. Ignoring life span, the life-forms produced held great magical energy, knowledge in alchemy, with even the failures regarded as capable, all with a beauty to them different from normal humans.

However, none of them were suited for a fight, and each time a battle occurred, the homunculus, unless they were specifically designed for combat, were incapable of surviving one.

"But you are different." Jubstacheit acknowledged Kiritsugu. "You bear the talent and experience from your days as the magus killer. The mettle to do what needs to be done, something my children lack. All that was needed was Command Seals."

"I was unaware you could transfer them to another person." Kiritsugu admitted, looking at his hand before putting the limb to his side, with Irisviel right next to him. "When you allowed me to join your family, I was under the assumption I would simply guard your chosen Master while making the decisions." His eyes looked at Irisviel, who smiled softly at him. Kiritsugu's face softened a bit before focusing back on the head of the Einzebern family, who nodded.

"I did consider this." Jubstacheit admitted. "However, some Servants, while willing to listen to allies of a Master, may not fully work with them. As such, it's best if you become the Master." Now looking at Irisviel, Jubstacheit said, "As a member of the founding family that produced this war, along with some aid from our former allies, the Tohsakas and the Matous, we have devised a way to have Command Seals transferred if needed."

It was a viable process, though there were limitations to it. Compatibility, not to mention restrictions to a certain degree. "As you are now considered a member of our family, even if by name only, the Command Seals can now be given to you. Put them to good use."

"I will." Kiritsugu spoke, a bit of confidence in his voice. Irisviel agreed with him. Between the two of them, Kiritsugu, while cold in his thinking, was much more suited to bear the Command Seals than her.

'Still,' The wife of the famed magus killer thought, finding herself just a bit closer to the man that gave her life. 'I can at least help him as best I can. And give him joy even if he claims he does not need it.' Her hands rested on her stomach, which had once housed someone special.

The small miracle produced by her union with Kiritsugu was all the proof she needed that beneath her spouse' stoic face was a man that did indeed love her, as she did him. While he would never show it to others, to her, she saw the face of a man who smiled whenever he played with their little girl. Someone who took off the burden they wore to, even if temporary, be a father and not a killer.

As such, she truly wished and hoped that even if she could not be with Kiritsugu forever, as per her fate, he would smile when the war was done. Trusting that he will survive for their daughter's sake.

"There is one more thing I should mention." Her father then spoke, looking at the two of them. "There is a contingency in place with the Command Seals we put in you. Unlikely to be needed, given your reputation, but a precaution nonetheless - a gift our old ally, Makiri, taught us."

Kiritsugu raised a brow. "May I ask what it is?"

"You may." Jubstacheit rested his hands on his lap. "As for what it is, it's simple. If, on the off chance you were to fall-"

"-the Command Seals will not be lost."

Irisviel felt a hole in her heart. As if someone took out her heart and stabbed it through, then placed it back in her chest. Her right hand burned, as she felt something being engraved onto the back of her hand. She lurched forward in response.

A small noise escaped her lips, alarmed by the sensations she felt. She could feel her heart beating faster, the world around her threatening to crumble apart. Irisviel felt her head feel woozy, as if she had been hit.

"Are you okay?" Of course, her current condition didn't go unnoticed. Both Saber and his Master, the former speaking to her, looking genuinely worried. The boy, Waver, looked confused at the fearful expression that appeared on her face. The three had just been standing around awkwardly for the past minute or two since Rider disappeared before Irisviel moved the way she did.

Immediately, Irisviel realized she needed to straighten herself up, put on the mask befitting of her status as a 'Master', as she couldn't show weakness to others. Not here. Not now. With Rider gone she was now vulnerable to those with ill-will, including enemy Masters, having very little to defend herself against a Servant.

She could be killed right now if these two chose to, something her own husband would commend, even if he would target them next soon after. It was important that she held her stature as an Einzbern Master in front of others at all times. No matter the reason.

"Please," No reason would prevent this apprehension she felt, though. "Please help me." If anything, what was more important is resolving the fears growing within her. Turning to them, with tears threatening to come loose, all Irisviel could think of right now is the man she shared happiness with for the past several one who gave her life any meaning.

So without any additional fanfare, she looked at her potential allies and begged, "Please help me get to the Einzbern Castle!"

A broken hand found itself grasping the ground before it twitched, fingers bent at the wrong angle. Bits of armor scattered around a body with blood leaking from the wounds. It wasn't a lie to say this was pure agony for Rider, as she found herself dragging herself on the ground before stopping. Unable to move another inch as she wheezed another painful breath out.

"A-ahh." It hurt. It hurt so badly. It hurts to even breathe.

Her entire left side, including her left arm, felt as if it had been pulverized with broken bones grinded into the mix. Pieces of her armor were now embedded in her own flesh and stuck out awkwardly from her skin. Red blood oozed from her wounds all the while she could feel the organs inside her groan in protest.

It wasn't as if Rider had never been hurt before. Yet this time, the wounds weren't going away. They stuck around, leaving their mark on her all while an old memory popped up once more. One with her creator looking down at her and another girl, the latter of which screaming uncontrollably.

Zard had been right. Humans did come with a flaw, a massive one at that. One that every human had the moment they were born. The ability to feel pain.

"Ugh." If she could scream, she would, but there was something digging into her that it felt like she couldn't even scream properly. Let aside call out for help. Though, even if she did, who would come?

She had felt it, just a bit prior. After being kicked like a ball, then crashing who knows how far away through the dirt and trees, agitating her wounds further, Rider felt it. The strange connection, the one that linked her and Kiritsugu together just…vanished. The Holy Grail had already told her potential reasons on why the link would vanish when she had been first summoned.

Considering who her Master was left behind to face alone, it was only natural to conclude what happened next. Now she was here, stuck in the dirt, alone, with nothing but her wounds assaulting her with unending, agonizing pain with every second she continued to exist. Unable to regenerate as without a Master, she could no longer heal, let aside stick around in this world. It won't be long before she vanishes away.

She couldn't vanish any sooner, as Rider, Roze, whimpered. Her mind suddenly recalled one person she knew, with feelings of regret surfacing up in her. At the realization of what she did to Raye the first few times they met.

Attacking her. Cutting her when they met. Continuously trying to wound her without any regard how Raye would feel.

'This is…pain?' From being shoved into a pillar, her brain feeling like it was melting, and being struck in the body from other rivals and foes. Yet none came as close to the misery and anguish these injuries were giving her.

Though it wasn't long before more than just the pain of her wounds hit Roze. Because Roze then remembered the people at the construction site, the people that had been there when she first made her move in this war…

Of the bodies left behind when she carelessly attacked, not even considering their health. Why would she? They were just nobodies. They weren't even important to her. But now, Roze questioned… Had they felt like this, the way she feels now, when she had them killed? Dying in agony, as life seeped out of them when they had been crushed by her careless actions.

Maybe this was karma. Punishment for what she had done, both here and from before in life. Up until now, up until Raye got through to her, she gave no forethought on anybody but herself, never considering their feelings and what they felt.

If anything, maybe it would have been better if Raye had been summoned instead of her. Perhaps she'd have done something right, unlike her.

With a grunt, Roze flipped herself over on her right side, ignoring the pain until she was now flat on her back. While she could feel tears slowly forming from her action, Roze would rather vanish while staring at the sky rather than the dirt. With a small sniff, Roze waited to see just when she would vanish while looking at the clouds.

At the very least, this world she was summoned at was much nicer than the world she lived in. A word of ruins with wild plant life and crumbing buildings, with the only locations safe were run by only machines. 'Really wish I went out to explore more.'

Letting loose a shaky breath, Roze cut off her thoughts and waited for her time to come.

A footstep is heard, which is accompanied by a sniff.

Immediately Roze wondered if perhaps an enemy had come. Arriving to take her head off or even mock her. She knew Azalea would have done so. What came however wasn't an enemy.

"...Y…Y-ou…" Roze croaked out the word, discomforting as it was, her eyes settling on the arriving visitor. She didn't know them much. If anything, Roze knew nothing about them except for one thing.

"...Rider." That she was Kiritsugu's partner. Stoic. Calm. The few times she saw her, the woman didn't so much as show a smile. In a way, she acted very similar to her Master. It gave Roze a sinking reminder of their way of living. Like they were machines programmed to do jobs as efficiently as possible. Just as Spectra did.

'But even Zard showed emotion from time to time, along with the pillars.' It was one of the reasons she just couldn't like Kiritsugu. Because in the end, for someone who was a human, Kiristugu acted even more mechanical than the pillars of Spectra, with this woman being like him.

Now, that expressionless face was broken. Roze could tell in an instant that the woman, Maiya she believed she was called, no longer acted like a machine. If anything, she appeared to be despondent, her eyes empty and devoid of any light. The complete opposite of Raye herself. Like she had no hope whatsoever.

Maiya walked to her, where she then took out a knife. It was unlikely she was going to kill Roze, even in this state, the knife would do little. So it was more unexpecting when Maiya lifted the knife and slashed her own palm. Cutting it to allow blood to flow out like a river.

Eyes widening, Roze saw Maiya kneel down to her, looking desperate. Lost, even. As if she just lost something very important. Her face then hardened, gazing intently at Roze to the point it made her uncomfortable.

Then, Maiya spoke, saying, "You…cannot die." It didn't make sense to Roze. She was already dead. Without a Master she'll be called back and nothing could stop it. It was unlikely this woman could even prevent her disappearance. "I won't let you die." Maiya didn't care. "Not now. Not yet." Not when Kiritsugu's dream hadn't even been accomplished.

Her heart was broken. Her purpose was gone, reduced to a pulp in the same way Kiritsugu was. Maiya had been helpless when she saw Kiritsugu's final moments. The feeling of bitterness and bile in her mouth, the way the air around her cracked like a whip all while her heart had been struck. Worse was that she could do nothing to save him. All she had been capable of doing was crying out pointlessly.

Lifting her arm, Maiya then prepared herself for one final act. Something only she could do. All as she thought about Kiritsugu.

Deep down, of course, she knew that her relationship with Kiritsugu was a professional one. The nights of 'passion' she had with him, she was well aware he didn't do it out of romance or to betray his wife. In the end, she was but a tool for him. A tool that did everything he wanted, killing her own emotions to serve him, not wanting to be useless to him, even if she knew Kiritsugu wouldn't just hurt her like that.

He was a man many might call horrible, evil perhaps. He certainly killed more than just the ones he had been hired to do. Yet in her eyes, he had been a good man. Now, he's gone. Nothing but a red splatter on the ground, with nothing remaining of him at all to bury. Nothing…but his dream.

'The contingency he told me about. It…it should be active.' While Lady Irisviel was indeed closer to Kiritsugu on an emotional level, knowing the man who could smile, it was Maiya that understood his Magus Killer side. A human that, like her, cut off all emotions and invested his attention to the battles. A man willing to use any method, no matter how low he had to go.

But no man could do everything by themselves, as such, she was his tool in order to ease the burden on him, no matter how little it was. He ensured she knew much to support his activities. From hidden caches he placed in the city, current plans for the war, and the contingencies that had been put in place should the worst happen, the relocation of Command Seals.

"The lady will be here soon enough." Without giving Rider any chance to speak, Maiya shoved her bloody palm into the broken Servant's mouth. Not even bothering to hear any potential protest, only grunts and moans as Maiya then felt something leaving her body and entering directly into Rider herself.

"Kiritsugu told me of a certain contingency on the off chance he d-...failed." Irisviel should be heading here soon enough. It won't be in an instant, but the lady was smart enough to realize what had happened and what she needed to do. Just as Maiya knew her role in all this, feeling herself growing pale while Rider's complexion lightened up.

The human soul held enough magical energy to support a Servant. "You will live until the lady comes here," the words left Maiya's mouth, even as she felt her life slowly slipping from her. The consequence of giving her own life force to Rider, even if she only wanted for Rider to stay here just a bit longer.

"Eat it. Eat my spirit, ensure you survive." The image of the man she cared for came to mind. Including the rare hand he lowered to grab her own. The same man who would save her from a pointless life of servitude. All while going off to accomplish his greatest ideal, foolish as she felt it was.

"Grant Kiritsugu's wish, Rider." Maiya told Rider, becoming paler by the second and her hair having strands of white to the side. "Ensure that humanity doesn't become like yours." Ensure the world would never collapse and attain world peace.

'...World peace, huh.' Admittingly, Maiya couldn't say she personally liked the goal, if only through the impossibility of it all. How unrealistic it felt. 'But Kiritsugu worked every day to get one step closer to that ideal.' An ideal where there were no more wars. No more children forced onto the battlefield with a gun in their hands. Where a son wouldn't be taken from their mother, disappearing who knows where in the world.

And with the Holy Grail..such a naive and foolish wish could come true. All it took was for Rider to survive a bit longer. Until Irisviel could arrive and form an official contract. Where for Maiya…she was content in doing this final support for the man she grew fond of, with the dream he worked so hard for.

As for Roze, she struggled, not wanting this. Yet through her own preservation to live, unconsciously she began 'eating' the life force to sustain herself, the human soul that Maiya had. With the mana she had spent and lost slowly coming back, even if only momentarily. All Roze herself could only do was watch as she saw Maiya, a woman she barely knew, who she never even talked to have her eyes glossed over.

Once more, Roze wondered…Would Raye have done better?

He had come as quickly as he could, using magecraft to redirect anybody from speaking to him or even seeing him, Tokiomi made headway to the Church itself. Though even as he made his way, words and whispers made it to his ears with people on the sidewalk and street talking, with even the police exchanging whatever knowledge they knew.

"Heard something big was leaving the city!"

"My son said his friend saw a giant entering the forest."

It was clear the secrecy of magecraft was slowly unraveling. While Tokiomi would never bother to consider rumors such as these true, let alone take them seriously, considering the recent events the head of the Tohsaka family knew of…He quickened his pace.

"Ah, Tohsaka. A pleasure." The person to greet him was Lancer, who gave a polite bow as she opened the door to him. "Come in, please. My Master's father has been waiting."

"Thank you." Responding back with the same manners, Tokiomi entered, adjusting his tie. "I take it things are…under control?" Tokiomi referred to the hidden agents of the church doing their best to conceal anything related to this war.

"They are." Lancer answered back, walking by Tokiomi's side. "Though things have flared when something burst from the rubble of the hotel and was spotted here and there. It was rather big."

Tokiomi couldn't help but grimace at that. Nothing seemed to be going as expected in this Holy Grail War. If anything, things seemed to be getting worse. At this rate, it felt as if it were only a matter of time before something hidden became known, causing all sorts of problems. And Tokiomi would rather not be in front of that coming wave of trouble when that happened.

"Well, I suppose we must deal with that soon." Including all the other troublemakers who could not bother conceding to the rules of secrecy. "Is Kirei doing alright?"

"My Master is doing fine." Lancer told him. "He is simply helping out with some other agents in locating the giant and ensuring anybody who spotted it is dealt with." Excellent. Tokiomi was glad to have a student as earnest as him.

With a small smile, Tokiomi said, "You must be proud having such a diligent Master." Strong. Focused. Profound. "He is a good man."

"...Hm, I suppose that is how you and Risei see him as." Lancer gave a slight turn to the head, acting rather coy. "Though, does he seem like he has any personal trouble?"

"Of course, not." Tokiomi answered back, a bit confused by her choice of words. "While I do not deny Kirei may have hardships of his own, he moves on and is a diligent worker. I am proud to have had him as my student, and Risei is equally as fulfilled in having a splendid son as him."

"Yes. I suppose he is such an honorable man." Lancer gave a rather deep smile, one that Tokiomi felt was a bit off for some reason. "If anything, at least now I see why he is the way he is." There was more to her words than what she said. Almost as if she knew something else. For a moment, Tokiomi considered questioning what it was she meant.

"Tokiomi." Risei then called out to him, looking more tired, a consequence of overwork and likely from stress. Tokiomi could only imagine the all-nighter Risei and his agents had to do in ensuring the city's peace.

"Risei." Politely holding out his hand, the two men shook. "I suppose it might be too much to ask if you got any rest."

"I did. A little." A small yawn countered that with Risei sheepishly smiling. "But I and the others must ensure the men and women of this city are guided to safety and, might I add, ignorance."

"Your work is important, and even if others do not say it, it should be greeted with gratitude." Risei may not be a mage, but his work was as important as any other. For that, Tokiomi respected him for his perseverance and hard effort in all this."

"Thank you. But we didn't come here to talk about a tired old man, did we?" Giving a small joke, which the two smiled at, Risei turned and urged Tokiomi to follow him. "No. We came to deal with the problems at hand before they grow worse."

The two then stepped into a hall that gave way to a hidden set of stairs. Entering, the two men stayed quiet with Lancer close behind. By the time they made it to the bottom, one could see they had entered a large room with protective spells inscribed on the walls. This was the underground room below the church, which had enough protection for what the two were about to do.

"Now then," Turning to Tokiomi, Risei pulled down his sleeve, revealing the Command Seals he had. "Are you ready, Tokiomi? What we do now means we must accept any responsibility for what comes afterwards. Including failure."

"I'm ready." Tokiomi never once considered turning back. If anything, seeing the concurrent events happening even now proved that action must be taken. Even if he couldn't deny there was a distaste to it all. "While what we do is far from honorable, as Second Owner, I must use whatever means possible to protect the secrecy of magecraft and assure I have the power to stop those who would threaten the world we live in."

"Very well. Now, I cannot give you all the Seals, but I can still give you quite a few." A hand is extended, Tokiomi lifting his own, awaiting the gift. "Take this from me and covet it protectively. As is your right as a Master." Speaking his words, many Command Seals on Risei's arm glew bright before fading away gently.

Tokiomi then felt a warm glow on his right arm and left. The Command Seal he used before, returned in full, completing his set. On the back of his other hand, three more Command Seals. A total of six.

But something more came alongside the Command Seals. More than just the power to command his Servant.

Perhaps it was because of the number of Command Seals he gained that momentarily the connection between Tokiomi and his Servant, Archer, strengthened.

A bond between Master and Servant was a special one. The two tied together in a way that caused them to share a mental connection to one another. As such, while unintended, Tokiomi, instead of seeing Risei, his vision brightened and from there he saw something else entirely.

…

"What?" With a blink, Tokiomi now found himself in an empty area, standing on some rocks and beneath the open sky instead of the underground ceiling. Looking around, Tokiomi wondered just where he even was.

"You." His entire body shivered, where his legs refused to move. A low growl came from behind him, where Tokiomi only now realized he couldn't see his shadow. Because his shadow was covered by something much larger.

A hiss came and the ground shook. To Tokiomi's side, he saw a massive head with sharp teeth and blue eyes, now directed at him. A claw slammed down near him and Tokiomi found himself yelping as he fell.

Crawling at him, Tokiomi sat before the white dragon itself, which looked at Tokiomi with nothing but contempt.

"You're that human, aren't you?" A rather feminine voice came from the dragon, even though its mouth hadn't spoken the words. Tokiomi froze, his mind equally confined to non-thinking, as the situation was too bizarre for him to understand. Perhaps a part of him figured this must be some kind of dream.

"Won't you speak, human?" The dragon moved closer toward him with Tokiomi realizing how big those teeth are and how easily they could shred his flesh if they bit down on him. Given the anger he felt from this beast, it may just do that.

The jaw then opened to reveal just how easily he could fit into the mouth, all while the dragon asked, "Last chance, before I'm through with you." A blue spark comes out of her mouth.

"I-I need your help!" The words left Tokiomi before he could even think things through. But with his life on the line, there was no point in holding back.

"...Explain." His earnest plea had also gotten the dragon to back off. In a way, it was rather incredible, as while Tokiomi knew dragons held superior intelligence alongside strength, he never would have expected a dragon like this, who'd acted similar to a ravage beast, could be so-

"Composed." The feminine voice spoke, Tokiomi flinching. The dragon's eyes narrowed. "You're not the first human who assumed I am nothing more than a 'beast'." The dragon growled. "Now, talk."

"I-I-" Tokiomi felt himself gulp. He didn't know the situation he was in, or how, but he knew that a mistake here likely wouldn't come with assurance. If anything, much as he was reluctant to, he knew what he had to do. "It's just as I said, I wish to talk…" And hope he got out of this alive.

In Fuyuki City, clean-up had already been underway. Police ensured people were kept out while workers did their best to drag the flipped cars away while also estimating costs to replace the broken buildings and the amount of supplies needed to rebuild.

Still, nobody could work forever, the workers already on break. Or they would have been, had they not been pulled away even since they were now told to check out the collapsed hotel. That got more than a few moans.

Even so, they did their job and would do their best otherwise. Meaning this area of the city, where people weren't allowed in, was ever silent.

"Gruagh!" Only for that silence to be interrupted when a shadowy silhouette flickered on the street. It was Dark Mist's turn now.

Seems our favorite captain has ended his turn. Dang.

In the meantime, Roze experiences what pain is like through horrible wounds all while being helpless when Maiya of all people forces her to live. Elsewhere, Tokiomi meets Blue-Eyes. Man, nobody is having a fun time.