Heavily panting, Kariya collapsed on the ground, face staring at the branches above him. The adrenaline was finally wearing off, the nerves on his broken leg sending their message and his wounds, old and new, stung like hell. A look at his fists showed how raw they were, red and bleeding, the skin torn off from the knuckles. But it was necessary for Kariya to act without stopping.

At the very end, while he resented it, Kariya was fully aware how strong Tokiomi was in comparison to him. Knowledge. Resources. Skill. Kariya never regretted leaving his filthy home, where no light fell onto that household, but in doing so Kariya abandoned any knowledge of magecraft that he could have gained.

Well, not like he needed it in the end. With a dry laugh, Kariya leaned up, staring at Tokiomi's unmoving body. He didn't give the bastard a second to recuperate. While he was exhausted already just getting here, Kariya pushed past his limits and struck before Tokiomi could launch any more spells against him.

Victory was finally his, accomplishing what he set out to do. It was so amusing that Kariya felt like he could laugh forever. Though what came out of his throat was nothing more but a wheeze and a wet cough.

He couldn't really move. Actually, just the idea of sitting up felt like an impossible task. His body felt like lead, with every breath he took feeling cold, yet dry. Kariya really did push himself more than he imagined. His body felt weaker than ever, more so after accomplishing that year of 'training' he took from Zouken. Matters were even worse given the mana drain he felt from Berserker. The toll on Berserker really had been getting worse than he imagined as the war dragged on. But it was worth it. All of it. Painful as it was, Kariya made the right decision.

The struggle was difficult, almost impossible… But he managed it all the same. He killed Tokiomi, who put Sakura into that hell. Now when Sakura returns home, she won't be seeing that monster's face any longer. Double with Zouken, as with this victory she won't need to see him a second longer.

"Victory…victory…" With the thrill of killing Tokiomi slowly fading, the word 'victory' settled in Kariya's head for a bit. As if the word itself is attempting to tell him something. But what?

He already managed his goal in killing Tokiomi. That meant Sakura and Rin would be safe from his hands. Aoi herself would rest much easier knowing such a cruel man was put down like the animal he really was.

It was difficult to focus. Although, really, Kariya had been feeling quite weary recently. Like his mind wasn't always there. Sleeping didn't feel as good as it used to. Eating, he lost his sense of taste a while ago. While Kariya did feel accomplished, it was like he was forgetting an important fact.

It was just on the tip of his tongue. He could almost see it, but the pain in his head prevented him from clearly seeing for what it was. As Kariya laid on the ground, he heard a roar that reverberated across the ground.

His eyes then saw something massive fly over him. Yet as quickly as it left, he recognized that silhouette. "That's…" Tokiomi's pet dragon. Shouldn't it be gone by now? Unless, wait a minute, right. "A…a skill. The worm…told me about that." It was tough remembering what it was though. All he knew was that Archers had a special skill, part of their Class.

Well, it probably wasn't important anyway. 'Soon, Archer will be gone. And me and Berserker will achieve victory on the Holy Grail.'

Just a few more Servants now. Lancer. Rider if she's still around. All will fall and everything will just be alright. It's just that…maybe it wouldn't be bad if he rested for a bit. "A quick nap." Kariya told himself quietly. "Just for a bit."

Just a small moment to take his mind off the torment his body was going through. When he woke up, the soreness should be gone, at least a little. Then he could kill the other Masters and meet Aoi with pride and tell her the good news.

He heard some stomping. A feminine voice cursing. Someone had just run past him wearing armor. "Ber…serker?" Guess she must be busy. He really should call out for her but…first his nap. Just…just a few minutes. No more than that. Closing his eyes, ignoring how raw he felt, Kariya focused on taking a brief rest.

Everything will be okay after that. He was certain of it.

At this point in time, three Servants were gone. While the sacrifices that are Caster, Saber, and Assassin weren't enough for a true the Grail to create a wish, the end was already near. Though for Ruler, she felt that 'the end' would need a different outcome.

It hadn't taken long for her to arrive here at Fuyuki's City Hall. It being empty allowed her easy entry without being spotted by anybody. As she headed further into the building, Ruler could sense that Lancer wasn't moving at all.

'Confidence,' she thought. 'Or mere arrogance?'

Thanks to Rider, Ruler now knew who the cause of all this trouble was. Because of this, Ruler had no choice now but to eliminate the entire competition. With the many Command Seals she had, she would force Lancer into suicide. Then, she will do the same for the others.

Nothing that she wasn't proud of, but it had to be done. Already countless innocent civilians were dead because of this war, because the masters and servants couldn't abide by the rules. If she allowed the remaining Servants and Masters to continue on with their little war, there was no telling what they could do next. Best if she just ended the Holy Grail War here and now.

Starting with Lancer.

In spiritual form, Ruler passed by locked doors and walls until she found herself inside the building's auditorium. It could hold many people, who would hold their meetings inside on what they would do next. Today, it held three guests.

Although it was questionable if it could even be called three, seeing as one looked as if they would die already. The second she entered, her eyes knew that the woman with white hair wasn't human at all. She was the grail itself.

'Being held as the prize at that.' Her spiritual form came undone as she revealed herself. Looking as calm as ever, both Lancer and her Master merely stared stoically. Though for Lancer's case, she soon made a smile and gave a courteous bow.

Respectfully saying aloud, "Ruler. It is an honor."

She spoke as if she wasn't a part of the mayhem and chaos unleashed prior. Granted, there was a chance that Rider had lied. That possibility was always there, no matter how small it was. But in the end, just by looking at Lancer and her Master, Ruler could see the truth.

The end of her hammer slammed against the floor.

Lancer gave a half-grin. "Was it really necessary to do that?" Then, as if she were chiding her, Lancer added, "This city has already suffered enough damage. No need to cause more."

"...on that, I can agree with you." Her voice was outright aggressive, her lips forming a snarl. This woman, the way she spoke reminded her too much of…him. The one she once followed. Who proclaimed himself a savior and spoke beautiful words when truthfully, he was an orchestrator of chaos and lies.

So she ignored her and focused on the Master, asking him one thing. "Why?"

Kirei stared unpassionately. As if he didn't just hear her question. Before she rendered judgment, she wanted an answer. So once again, with clarification, she asked, "Why did you support her plan, Master of Lancer? For what madness would you willingly allow the reveal of magecraft, despite being a member of one who obscures such truths."

For her answer, the priest said nothing. But it wasn't long before he gave a small sigh and said, "I can assure you, I am under no madness whatsoever. If anything, everything I have done, everything I have allowed, none has been forced or coerced upon me." He showed no signs of lying.

If anything, he looked as if a weight had been lifted from his very shoulders. "For so long I've held in the questions I longed to ask. Questions that I hid before all, including myself." His expression was that of relief. He stood as if he had found a resolve that only he knew. "And when I was simply asked what I wanted, well…"

Now it all made sense. "You wanted to see how you felt after doing all of this?"

It wasn't as if these feelings are uncommon. Everyday there were ordinary people who asked themselves, 'Could they do this?', or 'What if I did this instead?'.

Sometimes they were innocent. Such as wondering what it would be like if they helped someone they didn't know. Or asking themselves if they could take a step forward and find the courage in themselves to act on a desire. The thing is, not all desires were good.

What if you wondered what it'd be like if you stole from somewhere. If you broke an item you weren't supposed to purposely. Disobeyed your parents just because.

Or the idea of simply murdering someone.

Most people didn't act on these desires. Out of disgust, fear, or any other reason they came up with.

Not everyone feared the consequences.

"Very well then." At the very least, a small part of Ruler is grateful that Lancer's Master was rather upfront and honest. "In that case," But that was that. Without waiting, Ruler gave her command. "Lancer." The power of a Command Seal, Ruler's words held weight in them. "Kill yourself."

Immediately Ruler felt a Command Seal vanish from her body. As for Lancer, she stifled for just a bit. Lifting her two hands, materializing is a spear that radiated a type of holiness that felt restrained yet warm. Now it would be used by Lancer to end her own life who raised her chin and seemingly prepared to ram it through her lower jaw.

By Lancer's side, Kirei stood still in silence. Like none of what's happening even mattered. In some way, it made Ruler feel a tad disturbed by how little he was reacting. He must know that once Lancer died, his right as a Master would be revoked and in turn he'd no longer hold the ability to take hold of the Grail itself.

Did he truly not care?

In that briefest of moments, Ruler unexpectedly found herself looking at the Master. She couldn't really be blamed. She was not only a Ruler, but by that logic run through the Class, she was a Saint. A warrior. One that used a Command Seal at that.

Between her and Lancer, one could see who held the higher position. If one ignored their status as Servants, all would say that Ruler held all the prestige and standing while Lancer was nothing more than a mere servant; both now and in life. One who'd been easily punished for continuously defying the words of someone who held greater rank.

Lancer grinned.

The conditions were met.

Before Ruler could realize her error, Lancer had already moved. As if the Command Seal had no effect on her, with perfect movement she was already standing before Ruler with her lance held and aimed truly. From Lancer's back, wings with pitch black feathers seemed to emerge while her own outfit flickered from pure white into something much darker like her wings.

The lance soon made its way directly at Ruler's head.

"No!" Then, from behind, Ruler's protector came.

He had watched from the shadows since Rider's defeat. On Ruler's command, he observed from behind on the off-chance things took a horrible turn, which was for the best considering the current moment. As such, the moment he saw Lancer just about to strike Ruler down with her Noble Phantasm, Adin shoved Ruler and took the blow.

"Ugh!" Lancer's grin fell into a frown. Her lance had hit true, easily going through Adin's chest. Unlike Ruler, who at least had a chance at surviving had she been struck, Adin was much weaker than her. He held no inherent durability and certainly had no armor for protection. Making it very easy for Lancer's Noble Phantasm to pierce through his skin and let the blood flow from his wound.

It was just the wrong target.

"Adin!" Now regaining her senses, Ruler saw what had happened with two thoughts running in her mind.

The first was easy: Lancer's survival brought nothing but confusion. A Command Seal should have dealt with her like so. Yet here Lancer was, having given her friend and comrade a blow that was now killing him. As for the second thought, it was even easier to guess.

Fury.

"Lancer!" Immediately she lifted her hammer. If a Command Seal wouldn't work, then she'll deal with Lancer the old fashioned way. With the Servant herself actually appearing just a bit worried now. Unlike her older-self, Lancer wasn't exactly durable and currently lacked the dress that warded disasters she had given Rider. Not helped that compared to Ruler, Lancer also held no real defenses.

Meaning one good hit and she'd be killed.

"Lancer!" If it weren't for the help she had with her. Before Ruler could so much as smash Lancer into a bloody smear, Kirei had already acted when he saw the fury in Ruler's eyes.

His Command Seals glowed with power. "By this Command Seal, avoid her!"

Ruler hit nothing but thin air as her hammer smashed the ground. Her eyes then turned and saw Lancer near her Master, her lance gone. "This is problematic." Lancer didn't expect Ruler to have a friend. "I thought there could be no other Servants."

"An oversight." True, the strange man before them didn't feel like a Servant, or a complete one anyway. Yet he was here and judging by his clothing, he was obviously connected somehow to Ruler. Some skill of hers? A Noble Phantasm? "But it's no problem in the end, is it?"

"...No. It's not." While Ruler having an ally wasn't something that could be predicted, it incited no fear into her either. Especially when she had a few options left in dealing with Ruler.

The Chalice and Dress may not be with her, but she had the Lance and Scripture. It would cause her Saint Graph some damage, another step closer to potential death, but it was needed now. Ruler was the greatest enemy here, she couldn't be allowed to remain here a second longer.

Her scripture materialized in her hands. She felt a buzz, a form of heat with a sense of anger abiding by it. All aimed at her.

'And here I thought God was about forgiveness.' Lancer found herself joking mockingly. Holding the scripture up, Ruler and the near-dead Caster saw her book, Adin freezing up at it.

"T…That's…" Despite having followed a false faith, formed by the actions of a false savior, by no means it made Caster blind by what's in front of him. A pure holy energy could be sensed emanating from the book. Greater than even the book he had.

One that would be used against him and Ruler now.

"Noble Phantasm." Lancer spoke as she felt the heat rush into her spiritual core by invoking its name. But as long as it weakened her enemies and stripped them of their powers, it was worth the cost. "Scri-"

Bursting through a wall, Rider came into the scene. Everyone inside turned, completely caught off guard at who had just come.

Not even Ruler had expected this. Normally she would have sensed the sudden arrival of Rider, but she was so focused on the current matter that she hadn't. Honestly, she assumed that Rider had been slain by Saber, for the crimes she had comitted.

At the same time, Lancer was actually of similar mind with Ruler. She and Kirei spoke and agreed that were Rider unleashed, Ruler would be forced to intervene. Where in the best case scenario, Rider would kill Ruler. Lancer having gifted her the Chalice and the Dress as an advantage.

Plus, even if Rider failed, she would have at least weakened Ruler while the latter killed another member of the competition. Better if Rider killed any other Servants while Kariya dealt with Tokiomi, further reducing the number of threats. Yet standing here before them Rider was here, completely fine. It made Lancer freeze for just a bit from the shock.

Rider saw this and immediately acted. With a scream of anger, Rider shouted, "Lancer!"

With speed that easily surpassed most other Servants, it hadn't even been a second for Rider to come in front of Lancer's sight. Already in front of her, Rider held her blade and brought it down. After what Lancer had done, both to her and Irisviel, the hesitation Rider felt before wasn't there. Kirei immediately acted, but was far too late.

"Lancer-" His mouth opened to give an order.

Rider's blade had already slashed through Lancer's collar bone and kept going down vertically. Blood burst out while Lancer's face remained the same as she hadn't quite comprehended what had happened. Devious as she was, she was no true warrior in the end.

The scripture fell from her hands as a weakness hit her.

"-escape with me." Then a newfound strength came that made Lancer move to where her Master was and vanish from sight with him. Leaving both Rider, Ruler, and Caster behind with the unconscious Irisviel. The only evidence the two had even been there was the blood on the ground and on Rider's sword.

Tumbling, as far away from where Ruler and Rider were at, Lancer fell onto her knees as blood flowed from her. She coughed as the strength the Command Seal had given her now vanished just as quickly as it came.

"Lancer!" Kirei was by her side, holding onto her.

"Ehehe." With a wry laugh and a half-smile, the situation just felt hilarious to Lancer. "Funny. A member of the Church helping a heretic. Quite the scandal this would be."

"Perhaps." As straight faced as ever, Kirei didn't look bothered. "But the Church is said to help all, even those who don't believe in the Lord."

Rolling her eyes as blood seeped from between her lips, Lancer shakes her head. "Well, then I should tell you that even now, I still believe in God. It's just twisted is all." Resentment and arrogance had long since replaced the dull hollow prayers she gave to the Lord. But for as much as Lancer wanted the Lord brought down from his throne, in her own way, she still believed in God.

Kirei didn't seem to mind at all. "Everyone believes in God differently. I suppose it's just a matter of how we express it and what we pray for."

"Then I can tell you, what I pray for is his defeat." Gently, Kirei placed Lancer on the ground. Giving a quick glance, he could see they were in some alley. A rather horrible place for one's death, yet there wasn't anything he could do about it.

His eyes settled on his Command Seal and considered a new possibility.

"Don't bother." It was shot down before it could bloom into fruition. "The girl got me quite well. Even with a Command Seal, you'd only extend this short life of mine by only an hour at best." Her hand touched the wound and she gave a small hiss. "Plus, it seems the toll of using my Noble Phantasms has started kicking in. Hehe. Even if the Lord is all loving, he can be quite vengeful at times."

Turning her head on the ground, with a hint of smugness Lancer bewitchingly asked, "What's the matter, you going to miss me?"

"...a little." Lips turning thin, Lancer didn't really expect that kind of answer. With Kirei continuing on, saying, "If we're being truthful, then I suppose there's no denying that what's happening to you is nothing short of karma. Especially with what we had done."

"That is something I can't deny." Much as it irked her, deep down Lancer knew Solomon was in the right for punishing her. It still upset her seeing as he brought such a sentence simply for her being happy, but that was the nasty truth. Some people were sentenced for doing something that made them happy, when such happiness went against the common laws everyone else followed.

Something that Kirei himself had done, making him no different from Lancer. So, Kirei wouldn't judge her for that. "Still, at the very least, I am thankful for our meeting, no matter how short it was."

"Oh." Now that got a chuckle out of her. "Even though I made you turn against your teachings?"

"Teachings I followed because I had nothing else." While Kirei felt slightly bad for his father, these were words he couldn't hold back. "In the end, I only did what I was told. Ending up in the Church because my father suggested it. And while I fulfilled my role…none of it filled the void inside me."

"Naturally. If it wasn't something that called to you, then it wasn't an occupation you should have taken." Even if it brought her ruin, Lancer would choose the same 'mistake' over and over again. A life of empty servitude wasn't a life she wanted. Even when cursing God, a part of her was thankful for the opportunity she had been granted in taking the forbidden items.

"Ahhh." Lancer sighed as she lifted her hand, noticing the motes of golden light coming from her fingers. Her time was more or less up, she'll be gone by the minute. It was… a shame, really. So close, had things just been a bit differently, Lancer felt her wish could have been granted.

For she cared not for Kirei, truth be told. She didn't care about anybody but fulfilling her own indulgence and satisfying her greatest goal. Regaining her lost memories and seeing the truth of what happened at the final days of Judgement Day.

Though as she looked at her Master…

"Consider this a whim." She spoke softly, deciding that there was no problem with telling her Master some last-minute words. "For the most part, while I will vanish, all my Noble Phantasms but one will disappear."

"?" With Heroic Spirits, everything that came with them vanished. Items, clothing, cut-off limbs. So how…?

"As for why," Easily guessing what was on Kirei's mind, she told him, "You see, my Chalice is, as you may have guessed, a custom-made Holy Grail by Solomon himself." Admittingly, most of its functions have been locked away from her. However, "I can't say I know why, but it's synchronized with the Holy Grail here. I don't know how, call it a gut instinct, but…it'll remain on this plane. Even after the Holy Grail War is over."

Briefly, Kirei contemplated this new information. What Lancer just told him, it was…This was more than interesting news. It was also an opportunity. Were any other magus to hear this, they would be drooling at the prize at hand.

For the idea of having a Holy Grail, one made by Solomon himself, would be considered priceless by many. Even if they learned it was a 'different Solomon' that made it, none would care. So then why would Lancer tell him.

His thoughts translated to words. "...why tell me this?" While it was intriguing news, she had been near him and easily saw through him. As such, "While I don't deny the idea of having a Holy Grail is…tempting, you know I wouldn't care for it either."

"Oh, but you will." Her body was becoming transparent now. All while speaking in confidence. "Because as I said, it synchronized with this land's Holy Grail…and what lies in it?"

"..!"

"I only heard whispers. Just the faintest of voices." She explained. "But what I can tell you is that what I heard wasn't anything pure or heavenly, as one would normally expect from a Grail, even an artificial one." With a nasty grin, she eagerly told Kirei, "What I heard was something only wicked."

Eyes widening, Kirei felt a stir inside of him. While his mind began connecting the dots and the conclusion that could be made. If her Noble Phantasm informed her of these voices, then that meant the Grail everyone was fighting for wasn't just a mere device. "Then, that means-"

"Do what you will with all of this." Lancer interrupted. "Granted, I already have a good idea of what you'll attempt next. Just a shame I won't be there to see it." That's not even mentioning how she never did witness what expression Kirei would make had they won.

The unleashment of Rider. How he pitted two men against one another, which included his teacher, to the death. How he would report all of this in front of his own father when he awoke. Had Kirei won, it would have only been done by going against everything he stood for, in the pursuit of finding what made him happy.

Oh, well. That's life for you. Besides…

'It was rather nice seeing a human who didn't judge me for who I truly am.' Because no matter her reason, all humans had only gazed at her with either pity or contempt. With a smile that accompanied this good feeling, Lancer was gone. Nothing of her remained, returned to the Throne with the only remnant being the chalice she claimed would stay behind.

The back of his hand was also naked, as the Grail took what he once owned.

Standing, Kirei couldn't deny he neither felt sad nor happy. Even so, he couldn't help but give a quiet thanks to Lancer. A heretic she may have been, who probably didn't even care for him and those she was partnered with, but… She was probably the only person who saw and understood the hollowness inside him.

"I suppose that's that." Like so, Kirei then began walking away. His role was done here. He was no Master, and he certainly wasn't an overseer. And while he was captivated by Lancer's words with the Holy Grail, he was far away from where the homunculus was. With his feet guiding him who knows where, all Kirei could ponder was if he would get another chance as he did today.

Smirking as he then thought of how those who remained and fought would feel when they learned the truth.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, a shudder went down his spine. As he walked, he decided that he needed to find someplace tall. Whatever happened in the end, he wanted a good look at what was to occur in this war's final moments.

The clouds above Fuyuki were darkening.

"What in the world?" At the same time, the homunculus once known as Irisviel began melting. Or perhaps a better word could be, transforming into her true self.

The Servants inside knew the situation had changed. The first sign was that Rider's dress had vanished away. About maybe a minute or two after Lancer herself had vanished, signifying what had become of the wretched woman. As for the other, they had simply gazed at the unconscious Master of Rider and saw her glow.

Before Ruler's and Rider's eyes, with the wheezing Caster held in the former's hands, at long last the prize was slowly making itself known. Before them stood not the woman once known as Irisviel von Einzbern, but her true identity.

The Holy Grail itself.

'Lancer is-!' Ruler had sensed Lancer's departure. Her Spirit Origin was gone, no longer of this world. Elsewhere, she could feel that Archer's signature was weaker, with Berserker in a somewhat similar state. As for Rider, she stood fully active. Was it perhaps because the woman was still giving Rider mana despite being, in the loosest sense, 'alive', even in the new form she took?

'Even so, there are still three Servants remaining.' Barring her and Adin, who weren't even part of this ritual, the Holy Grail shouldn't be at full strength. 'But with the readings I'm getting, then soon…'

Narrowing her eyes at Rider, who looked to be in shock by what became of her Master, Ruler made her decision.

"No Master or Servant shall win." As per her summoning, she will finish what she started. The grip on her war hammer tightened, prepared for a battle if needed. Until…

"E-Ecclesia!" Tugging at her arm, Ruler saw Adin looking worried. No, not worried. Frightened. "Loo-"

He was the first to realize something was wrong.

Why?

Because just as easily as he could see the Scriptures as something Holy, the supposed Holy Grail could not be seen as anything but vile in his eyes.

His warning came too late. Inside the auditorium, the very light itself outright felt dull. Where the very 'Holy Grail' itself stirred until a single voice came from nobody but it.

"I come."

A tendril made of shadows stabbed into Ruler, and she heard a command soon after.

She soon screamed.

And it's about time. Time for some secrets to be revealed. Which includes the identity of who occupies the Holy Grail. If you haven't figured it out, here it is. The Wicked Avatar.

How it came inside the Grail will be explained in the next chapter, along with what its goal is.

At the same time, Lancer bites the dust, with Archer very close to it followed by Berserker. Sure, Kariya is still alive, but that last bout took most of his already feeble strength. He's not dead, but he is very close to it. All while poor Ruler isn't having a good day. Multiple times people ignored her Commands, all because of Lancer's Dress or just now, her personal skill. Shame that she can't do the same with what's coming next.