"Where do you think you're going young lady"
A seven years old girl flinch at the voice, she is about to reach for the doorknob, the girl have a blue eyes and a black hair tied in a twin pigtailed style.
"M..mom" The girl stuttered.
"Well?" the girl mother demanded answer.
"N..nowhere" She stuttered.
"Rin" The older woman is bending down to her height, frowning.
"Answer me" she presurred the girl now named Rin.
The girl, Rin, just keep quiet, afraid that her mother will get angry. In the end she folded to her mother stare and tell her the truth.
"I..I wanted to look for Kotone" Rin said.
Hearing this Aoi stern look softened, bless her daughter and her kind nature, to think she will go this far for a friend, but even so as a mother Aoi can't afford to let her walk around in this dangerous time. Aoi then fall to her knees and hugged Rin wrapping her in a warm embrace, Rin hugged her back in return.
"Rin, honey, please understand this is a dangerous time for all of us" Aoi plead to Rin while she is listening in silence. Aoi then slowly released Rin from her embrace to looked at her.
"You are a kind girl Rin, and that is a good thing, but please don't put yourself in danger alright" Aoi begged, seeing this Rin just nodded, satisfied Aoi continued.
"Now go back to your room and sleep alright?"
"But, what about Kotone?" Rin asked looking at her mother.
Seeing this Aoi just sighed and finally conceded.
"We can looked for her tomorrow together okay?" Aoi offered.
Rin just nodded and hesitantly return to her temporary room. Seeing this Aoi let a small smile on her face, her daughter can be so adorable at times. Unfortunately the current situation makes the smile on her face drop, the Holy Grail War, a ritual that happened every 60 years on fuyuki and the cause of her worries.
Aoi looked toward the door and thought about her husband in worry. She clasped both her hand to a prayer.
'Tokiomi, please be save'
On the empty sidewalk in the middle of the night a gorgeous woman is elegantly walking, her every step is filled with grace an ordinary woman will envied her with.
Unfortunately, such attention is the furthest thing from Sola-ui mind right now. She hastily walking to her destination, the church, only then that she will feel safe.
While walking her mind drifted to her fiancee Kayneth, the useless man spewing hubris all the time with nothing to show for it, in fact this whole situation was his fault to begin with. He came to her with promises to give her the Holy Grail and yet he died and leaving her in such a dangerous situation, needless to say she resented him.
And then there is Lancer, her heart beat a little by just remembering him and the thought of him dead, gone, or worse make her heart feel like squeezed and she hated this feeling, damn Lancer for making her fall in love and then just up and gone leaving her here all alone.
But all of that doesn't matter now, with Kayneth and Lancer death she is defenseless to any Master or servant who saw her as a threat or a free asset, a magus is a rare commodity after all.
Another reason to blame Kayneth she suppose.
Just as she is about to call a passing cabin, a noise from the alley back startled her, she looked toward the alleyway, it was dark and gloomy on the alley yet nothing is there, feeling uneasy she looked toward the cab, it is too far now.
Left with no choice she continued her path to the church, she didn't realize a dark figure with skull mask on the roof stalking her.
On the next day, the police were called to investigate the corpse of a woman on the street, the culprit was never caught.
In the park somewhere in the city.
A sobbing sound could be heard, it was coming from a teenager with short hair sitting in one of the bench not far from him a hulking of a man is standing proud.
About the the attack he just survived, an arrow than can chase it enemies around, even with the knowledge that the Holy Grail given to him, he cannot figure out what kind of noble phantasm Berserker used, if it is even a Noble Phantasm, it could be a spell maybe? how curious.
Of course it could be Assassin Noble Phantasm that attacked him but his guts telling him that it was Berserker who targeted him. But that put another question to answer, just what is Berserker Noble Phantasm? On the port he uses swordmanship and magecraft to kill Archer, but now he uses an arrow based Noble Phantasm to attacked him.
Such versatility, no wonder he can defeat Archer it seems Berserker is more than just a mad warrior, makes one wonder what kind of madness plagued such character.
Regardless his capabilities is a marvel, just by mentioning his Noble Phantasm, what the hell is it? A spell? A sword? Or a something else? Perhaps a creation type? One that can make a different tool depending on the situation?
Of course Rider suspected that the reality marble Berserker used to fight Archer have something to do with it, he remembered the number of sword in that world perhaps all of them is a Noble Phantasm, if that is true then he might be in trouble, after all with such a variety mean of attack even he will find it difficult to keep up, of course if that is true that mean Berserker will need a lot of magical energy to spend on, perhaps that could be a weakness of him.
Well Rider is confident that he can take whatever Berserker throw at him, at the thought of facing Berserker with all he got put a curve on Rider lips.
The sound of sobbing halt Rider thought, oh right his master, Berserker sudden attack had put him unconscious and when he wakes up he found out that they were running for their life, fortunately his master is conscious enough to use the command seal to teleport them to safety.
When they teleported to this park Waver immediately slump to the ground and sobbing, well Rider can't blame him but this take long enough for Rider patience.
"Quit crying boy, don't you think this is long enough" Rider sit beside Waver and pat his shoulder, Waver now looking at him still crying.
"I know you just through something horrifying and is scared out of your mind, but that is not a reason to lose yourself to it" Rider trying to comfort Waver.
"In fact use your fear as a drive to better yourself like me" Rider laugh in arrogance as Waver watched him having stopped crying now. Waver is looking at Rider curiously asked while wiping his eyes.
"Are you not afraid Rider?" At this Rider become solemn before answering.
"Of course I'm afraid boy" Rider admitted.
"I fear my conquest will end tonight, I fear my ambition will die tonight, i fear my goal will be forever out of reach, and most of all I feared death will took my everything again" Rider said to Waver who looked at him incredulously.
"Everyone feel afraid boy, even me, so don't be ashamed to admit it, instead use it as a motivation to better yourself so as not to feel fear in the future" Rider said looking back at waver while standing.
Waver looked back before shifting his gaze into the remaining command Seals, his tears have been long dry. He has been looking at the Command seal for some time before Rider called him out.
"So what's the plan?" Rider called
"D..don't surprised me Rider" Waver screamed in surprised.
"Be more vigilant then boy" Rider just laughed.
"But seriously, you've been looking at your hand for quite a moment, what is it?" Rider asked.
"If it's about the Command seal, don't worry about it, its bound to happened, after all you saved both of us" Rider assured Waver.
"That's not it Rider, I was just thinking about our next step" Waver exclaimed.
"Oh? Do share then" Rider said.
Waver looked back at the remaining Command seal again for the moment before replying.
"We're down one Command seal, but the reward for killing Caster is exactly a Command Seal so..." Waver trailed.
"Tomorrow were going to find Caster before any other Master first" Waver confidently continued, hearing this Rider laughed.
"That's a good plan, I know you got something in that noggin of yours kid" Rider laughed and pat him on the back, Waver just smile and retort.
"Hey watch it, who's the one keeping you safe?" Waver said Rider laughed harder.
"Ha, I don't need your protection boy" Rider claimed.
"Heh, you sure about that" Waver shot back.
Rider laughed before lifting Waver to his shoulder.
"R...rider" Waver screamed.
"Well it's been a long night, let's go back, the old couple might be worried" Rider said, Waver just nod while looking at Rider from his place.
Thanks Rider, Waver thought as they walk back home.
On the ruins of Einzbern castle.
Kiritsugu slowly open his eyes, as he slowly getting up he scanned his surroundings the moonlight allowed him to see, and all he find around him is rubble from the ruin of the Einzbern castle.
"Are you alright?" A feminine voice called, kiritsugu looked at the source, Saber.
Surprisingly Saber is fine while looking worse for wear, before the explosion she managed to get away from the castle and avoid the worst of the damage. Still the explosion damage her armor and wound her but nothing life threatening, it took her several moments to gather herself. After that she started to look for her Master amongst the rubble and thus her current condition
"Saber?" Kiritsugu said in a dazed.
"What happened?" He questioned.
The last thing he remembered was after ordering Saber to confront Rider he immediately went to secure Irisveil body in a safe place and then prepare the weaponry needed to kill Rider master.
He was delighted when Rider propose to have a 'banquet' in the castle's central courtyard, its an open place perfect for a sniping position. But, just as he was about to pull the trigger a bright light coming from above the castle stop him, and before he know it an explosion put him unconscious.
"H...how did I..." kiritsugu stuttered.
"I found you buried within the rubble" Saber answered the unfinished questioned.
Kiritsugu looked toward Saber before his eyes widened in remembrance.
"Iri...!" He urged.
"Irisveil is here" Saber voice once again answered him, gesturing toward Irisveil body beside her.
Saber looked like about to say something but kiritsugu focused only toward his wife condition. She is dirty with dust and her body is still riddled with wound, even so her sight managed to calm kiritsugu heart. Seeing this Saber just sighed, she took a deep breath and called to kiritsugu.
"Master" she called gaining kiritsugu attention.
"I...no...what is it that you wish for the Holy Grail?" Saber questioned.
At this point curiosity burned Saber mind, what is it a person with such an empty eyes wanted from the Holy Grail? To what end? That he would go desperately for, using such method, discarding his honor and self-conscious for a single wish.
The death of Irisveil too, have open her eyes to what kind of man Kiritsugu truly is, a desperate one, yet it seems his desperation came from before this war even began. And thus her question so as to certain her Master goal and mend whatever left of their relationship.
Unfortunately for Saber Kiritsugu is not one for sharing something of the kind but this is one instance she is not willing to back down, not to mention Irisveil is not here to mediate.
"Kiritsugu, if you don't answer this...I..." Saber threatened before closing her eyes and taking another deep breath.
Saber looked toward Kiritsugu, clearly he doesn't want to share his wish with her and threatening him won't do much good so she take another option. She stared directly to Kiritsugu eyes and confessed.
"I...my wish to the Holy Grail is to save my country, my kingdom from the fate befall them, from my mistake, and failure" She confessed to Kiritsugu.
"Even if I have to sacrifice myself even if if I deemed as a monster I will save my people and kingdom" Saber claimed.
"That's why, Master, will you denied me of this wish for yours" Saber asked to kiritsugu.
Kiritsugu just looked at her in a daze before he slowly stood up and walked toward Irisveil body raising her in his arms and walked away.
"Let's go, Saber" he commanded her.
"You...!!"
Seeing this Saber felt her heart sink and her opinion of Kiritsugu with it. Despite the rejection from Kiritsugu she still followed him to the outside of the castle ruin, apparently Kiritsugu have prepared a supply of weaponry and transportation somewhere in the forest near the Einzbern castle just in case.
Kiritsugu place Irisveil in a body bag then put the bag on the passenger seat, he looked at her before closing the lid, after doing this he called to the brooding Saber without turning around.
"Saber" he called surprising her.
"Y...yes?" She stuttered looking at him though there were hope in her eyes.
"I want to win" he said while turning around looking at her in the eyes.
"W...what?" Saber didn't understand what he's talking about yet he continued.
"I needed to win this war" he said.
"For the sake of the future" he paused before continuing.
"And for the sake of my daughter" he finished.
As of right now Saber is looking at Kiritsugu with wide eyes, shocked, and disbelief he isn't surprised even kiritsugu himself had never thought will ever be asking for assistance from Saber.
But the current situation require such action, he can't win this war all by himself and the only ally left for him is Saber alone. For this reason he is willing to compromise with Saber chivalry.
Though he did admit that Saber confession play a part in his decision, something about her wish remind him of his own dream. Regardless mending their relationship is the priority here.
"I...I see" Saber replied, she looked at Kiritsugu and remember what he just said, his daughter, so that is why he is fighting in this war, she thought.
"Master, I will brought victory to you, trust me" Saber said holding out her hand to Kiritsugu.
"I will fight this war on my term" Kiritsugu said clasping her hand.
"And I on mine" Saber replied smiling expecting this, Kiritsugu just nodded at her.
"I'll trust you Saber" Kiritsugu said, Saber just nodded at this.
And thus the bridge is mended.
"Is this wise, Tokiomi?" An old priest ask the man sitting on the sofa.
"About what Father Risei?" The man, Tokiomi replied.
"The alliance with Berserker" Risei answer, his tone calm betraying the anxiety in his heart, after all while Tokiomi is here safe and sound it was his son, Kirei, who is exposing himself to danger.
"It is the wisest move so far" Tokiomi explained.
"As of right now Berserker has proven himself to be the most versatile Servant in this war capable to threatened Rider as well killing Archer in this war, with only his master Kariya as a known weakness of him" he said.
"By making alliance with him we can looked for his Master while Berserker himself deal with other servant, all the while Assassin is safe under his shadow" Tokiomi finished.
"I'm not questioning your plan Tokiomi, but the way you underestimated Berserker and the danger of his capability" Risei claimed.
"Swordmanship, marksmanship, magecraft, Berserker has proven to be an individual of many talent, who's to say he and his master didn't have plan of their own" Risei reasoned.
"Heck, is he even a Berserker with all of his skill?" He complained.
"I understand where you're coming from Father Risei but this is our best strategy, even your son has agreed with it, and you yourself have confirmed that he is a Berserker" Tokiomi finished.
At this Risei just sighed, he wished for once that his son is not so obedient.
"So he is..." Risei trailed off.
"Well if you have nothing else Tokiomi, I need to fulfill my religious duty now" Risei excused himself.
"Of course, good night father Risei" Tokiomi said.
With that Risei left the room, while he is walking through the hall he meet Kirei walking to Tokiomi Room, no doubt he is about to report tonight result.
"Kirei" he greeted his son.
"Evening father" Kirei returned.
"How was tonight?" Risei questioned.
"It's a success, Berserker agreed to the alliance" Kirei answered, this make Risei fist tightened in anxiety.
"Is that so? So easily?" Risei asked.
"Well, there is some demand from them but I think there's not a lot of problem with it" Kirei response without much emotion, this worried Risei greatly.
"Kirei what do you think about this alliance?" Asked Risei confusing Kirei.
"I do not understand" Kirei said.
"Don't you think Berserker and his Master is planning something?" Urged Risei.
"I believed so" Kirei response.
"And your not worried?" Risei incredulously asked.
"I do not have any reason to be" Kirei Said.
"You..." Risei just sighed.
"If you sure then" Risei walked away to the hall, Kirei is confused but let it go and leave but suddenly.
"Stay safe son" Risei said suddenly, Kirei looked back toward his father back his thought unknown.
Somewhere in the matou household a cackling voice can be heard echoing.
"Heh, Kariya it seems you are having fun there" Zouken said to himself.
It was a bit of a surprise when he watched that Berserker is successfully defeat Archer, but that surprise turned into glee when he realized he might gain the Holy Grail after all this year. Then the glee turned into disappointment when he see Kariya is dying after a single battle, the useless fools can't even support his own servant and instead become a burden who hinders his own victory.
Of course Zouken couldn't careless if he died or not, but, if Kariya died too early this war will be too boring for him, so that is why he goes as far to personally come toward Kariya and revive him.
Berserker despite not trusting him had no other choice but to let Zouken give Kariya another worm to improve his condition while unconscious, nothing to say what will happen to him after the war is over after all when he revive Kariya the man is already one last breath away from death and only his worm that keep him alive, oh well.
"Well, Kariya enjoy your little victory for now" Zouken said while cackling.