The bridge across the Mion river was a twisted, scorched and ruined wreck. Most of it had fallen into the river itself, steel beams and concrete blocks jutting like snapped ribs from the dark water. Upstream, the river surged angrily, already threatening to burst its banks – downstream, it ran sluggishly and sullenly. Already, sirens could be heard in the distance.
Serenity crouched in the rain, on top of a streetlight by the riverbank. There was a boardwalk that ran down the side of the river – by day, it was a favourite spot for joggers, families and picnickers enjoying the soft lapping of the river as it ran down, past the residential area, to the docks and the sea. By night, it was deserted.
If Serenity had been visible, she would have been a barely-glimpsed figure in the gloom, easily mistaken for a trick of the light where the streetlight's halo created a shadow above it. But she wasn't. There was no reason for her to materialise, so she wasn't even a shadow.
All around, onlookers gathered, dark figures against the city lights drawn from whatever business they had in Fuyuki. In ones and twos, they would approach the river, stop, and stare in shock. Drivers who wished to get their goods through, residents who had been alerted by the noise, night workers wondering how they would get home, all came to see what new calamity had disturbed their life.
Some left, but most stayed, trying to take in the new reality they found themselves in. As the first police arrived on the scene, the word had spread. Something had destroyed the bridge, and Fuyuki was split in two.
I could have prevented this, Serenity thought.
Saber and Berserker were both far beyond her ability to handle, of course. In a fight, Serenity would be lucky to last five minutes with either, and only then by running and escaping. If she managed to deliver a massive dose of poison, perhaps something could be done… but even that was not certain. It would need to enter the bloodstream directly to have a chance of affecting something as strong as a Servant.
Usually Serenity preferred more… intimate means of passing her poison through the mucous membrane, but an envenomed dagger thrown to cut the skin would work just as well. Even one dose could slow a Servant enough to make a difference. Three would be death, to all but the hardiest.
Berserker did indeed seem to be one of the hardiest. Worse, that power over flame… heat was not kind to poisons, and Serenity had not missed the way the rain had hissed and bubbled off Berserker's skin like water off a hot pan.
And as for Saber… Serenity did not specialise in close-in fighting, but her position had demanded she master it, just as it demanded she master all arts of killing. Therefore, she was in an informed position to say that the Knight of White Lilies was the best fighter she had ever personally laid eyes on. Serenity was a tricky opponent, and even masters of the blade would be hard-pressed to escape without a single scratch – and that single scratch would invariably be fatal.
Serenity honestly did not know if she would be able to put even a scratch on Saber.
But that didn't matter, because for the duration of the fight Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi had been not six feet below her, completely oblivious to her existence. In the dull yellow pool of light, he had stood, watching the battle unfold with a satisfied smile on his face. Close enough to observe, but far enough removed that the crowds passed him by, focused as they were on the destruction of the bridge. Totally focused, totally confident, the perfect magus. Totally vulnerable, the perfect target.
And she had done nothing.
No knife in the back, no droplet of spit aimed down the back of his neck, no silent lunge to fall upon the man and snap his neck. She had not been commanded to do so by Kiritsugu, so she would stay and observe.
Serenity had not been working with her Master long, but in that time she had come to respect his cunning, his preparation, and his attitude. His plans aligned almost exactly with what she would have done in his place – for that reason, she was more than happy to act as his tool and carry out her part in his plan as he wished. To kill, or to leave alone, Serenity was happy to abide by Kiritsugu's decision either way.
If only he had made one.
There were advantages to leaving El-Melloi alive, to be sure. Saber was a strong combatant in the War, one who perfectly countered Archer's Noble Phantasm and was able to fight even someone so destructive as Berserker to a standstill. It was entirely possible they would clear out some of the competition without Serenity or Kiritsugu having to lift a finger.
And El-Melloi was so, so full of openings. No doubt he was protected against every spell Kiritsugu could think of and more, but he was simply too careless to pose a threat to Servant Assassin. Standing in the open, watching a fight from less than a mile away. Living on the fourteenth floor of the hotel and never considering the consequences should he fall. Ordering room service in a war he knew was attended by one of the greatest assassins in history.
No, Serenity could remove both El-Melloi and Saber from the War any time she chose, and there were good reasons to keeping him around.
And if any of that had been Kiritsugu's reason for not giving the order to kill, Serenity would not have been worried.
Instead he had… dithered. The power to say yes or no to El-Melloi obtaining the promised Command Spell only existed as long as Berserker did. While Saber grew closer and closer to killing Berserker, Kiritsugu had held off on making a decision, until it almost didn't matter anymore. He had not said anything to Serenity… but connected as she was to his thoughts, she could tell – he was genuinely in two minds as to what to do.
That paralysis, so unlike him, worried Serenity more than she could express. And she knew the cause.
Kotomine. It all came down to Kotomine Kirei. The Master of Lancer, who according to Tohsaka Tokiomi would be drawn out in the event of Archer obtaining the additional Command Spell. Was it better to allow that, and use the certainty of when Lancer would appear to prepare a counter, or as it better to strike when they were unawares and not expecting battle?
The answer lay in what kind of Servant Lancer was – which was to say, what kind of Servant Kotomine would have summoned. One who built on preparation to achieve the impossible, and would be unassailable when properly girded for battle? Or one for whom any amount of preparation time would only help Serenity and her Master?
Given the deadline of Archer's slaying of Berserker, who would use that time better – Emiya Kiritsugu or Kotomine Kirei?
Serenity did not know. But more importantly, her Master did not know. And the question rankled at him. Just why he was so worried about this priest, Serenity could not fathom, but he was. Questions about the other Master filled his mind to the point of distraction, and by day he would pore over the dossiers he had collected, searching for any clue as to the character of the man he so clearly saw as his biggest rival and greatest threat. More than once Iri had forced him to go to bed – if left to his own devices Kiritsugu would simply study until he dropped.
By night, Kiritsugu spent his time directing his familiars – his bats, and Serenity – in the search for Kotomine. Maiya was standing vigil over the church, in case the Moderator was sheltering his son there. So far, they had found nothing – so Kiritsugu had ordered Serenity to track Saber instead. With his skill at spiritual magecraft, El-Melloi had an advantage in tracking Servants, and would be the most likely to find Berserker.
Berserker was the key, Kiritsugu had decided. Tohsaka, Matou, El-Melloi – all these were predictable, conservative. The Master of Caster had yet to show themselves openly. But Berserker was an agitator, something to shake up the status quo and force reactions. She acted, and the rest of the Masters reacted. For now, Berserker was the only path towards Lancer and their Master that Kiritsugu could see.
And she had just vanished beneath the rubble of the bridge.
El-Melloi cursed under his breath, and strode to the water's edge, leaning out over the railing as though he could catch a glimpse of his quarry if only he looked hard enough. After a moment, he shook his head, and stood stiffly, knuckles tight on the metal rail.
There was a splash, and Saber leapt from the water to vault the railing, landing on one knee before their Master, sword planted in the ground. With a puff of white motes that hung in the air like flower petals, they dematerialised just long enough to allow the water to fall to the ground, no longer supported by prana masquerading as flesh. Dry once more, Saber bowed their head.
"My apologies, Master," they said. "I was ready for a last-ditch attack by Berserker, but had not thought her canny enough to destroy her environment to escape. Next time, I shall not be caught off guard so, I swear it!"
El-Melloi waved a hand. "No matter. I count tonight a success. You showed yourself capable of matching both Berserker and Archer in combat simultaneously, and the Archibald name is not ashamed in the least." He leaned forward eagerly. "How did Volumen Hydragyrum perform? It was tricky to match it to your movements, but I thought we co-operated well by the end."
Saber nodded, eyes alight. "Ah, Master, it was magnificent! Sword and shield and armour, all in one – why, the uses are endless! Even the mighty Berserker's blows were turned aside… and of course, it is also such a beautiful item."
"For a true magus, form need not be sacrificed for function," nodded El-Melloi. "I too have also found Volumen Hydragyrum to be especially elegant in its execution. You say it even stopped Berserker? I knew it was strong, but not to that extent…"
Saber fidgeted. "Well, not exactly. It was a great help in absorbing Berserker's blasts of force, and in preventing her flame from reaching me, but had it taken a hit full-on, it would have availed me very little." They smiled, tossing their blonde hair over one shoulder and flashing a smile. "Of course, I was the finest fencer in France, and no-one has managed to strike me full-on since I was a green squire. Your mercury magecraft performs quite admirably as armour against glancing blows. And oh, Master, the trick with the covering wall and the spikes! Truly inspired!"
El-Melloi smiled, an honest, enthusiastic smile that looked quite out of place on his aristocratic features. "Right? I'd thought I wanted Berserker to lose sight of you, but then I realised how the shield could become a weapon as well. It didn't work, Berserker's hide was too strong, but then you turned even that into a lure! Remarkable, Saber, truly remarkable! I will need to remember that – perhaps I could study the shape of your sword, so I can more perfectly replicate it? Or maybe your hand as well, so I can better imitate the motions – Saber, let me see…" He pulled Saber to their feet and turned their gloved hand over and over in his own, studying the way the light played off the mercury still covering it.
"Yes, it should be more than possible. I wonder if I can include any of my other Mystic Codes in this setup? Thanks to Volumen Hydragyrum's versatility, it can act as a substrate for many other devices, so long as they are supplied with ample prana. Hmm… I have a bracelet to protect against heat – I'd planned it against Tohsaka, but it should work to counter Berserker too…"
"Um… Master…" Saber began, looking away and fidgeting.
"Hmm?" El-Melloi seemed to realise he was still holding Saber's hand and let go as if burned. He thrust his hands behind his back and turned away. Although it was dark, his cheeks seemed pink. It could have just been the glow from the streetlights. "A-anyway, Saber. Good work for tonight."
"Ah, um, yes! Master, do you wish me to hunt Berserker still? I lost her trail when we both fell in the water, but I could still search among the rubble…"
"No need," said El-Melloi. He gestured, and the Mystic Code flowed off Saber to rest as an orb next to the pair. With an excited smile, El-Melloi thrust his arm to the side. "Ire Sanctio!"
A dozen silvery wires shot out from the orb and into the dark river. They pulsed in a regular pattern, and El-Melloi observed it closely. Saber stood behind him at a respectful distance, demure as a maid.
For long minutes there was silence, as El-Melloi concentrated. Serenity weighed her chances if Kiritsugu were to order her to attack. El-Melloi was no threat, distracted as he was. Saber looked at peace, but Serenity knew better than to assume they were anything less than perfectly vigilant. A direct assault would be unlikely to work, but there were other options.
Saber would annihilate Serenity in a fight, but not immediately – Serenity could draw it out for a time through sheer speed. If Saber were enticed into driving Serenity away from their Master, they would be out of position to defend him from, example, a knife launched skywards before Serenity attacked and aimed to fall upon El-Melloi's head while Saber was distracted.
Yes, that would be how she would do it. If she were asked, and not before. Satisfied, Serenity settled in to her position, and watched, and listened.
Eventually, the silver probes El-Melloi had sent out withdrew into his Mystic Code and he straightened up with a frown. "Hm. I cannot find any trace of Berserker in the rubble, nor any spiritual residue indicating the passing of such a potent spirit as a Servant. Likewise, the river has washed away any trail she might have left. I can only assume Berserker has escaped."
Saber looked distraught. "I am very sorry, Master. I will do better next time."
El-Melloi smiled, and waved off his Servant's distress. "Worry not, Saber. It would be boring if things ended so easily, after all. We shall simply have to resume our search. I have some Mystic Codes prepared for this. I had hoped the other Masters would present themselves honourably, so we could duel one another as magi and Servant, but I suppose I always felt that was too much to ask. We will begin a sweep of Shinto tomorrow night."
"If I may, Master, we should begin in Miyama," said Saber. El-Melloi stopped, and frowned.
"Saber, I will remind you that I am the Master here. If I say we will search Shinto, that is what we will do."
"Indeed, Master. I will follow your command, whatever it may be. However, it would be a mistake." Saber met his disapproving glare with a cool and honest gaze, and did not back down. Just as Serenity was sure El-Melloi was about to fly into a rage, or at least reprimand Saber for contradicting him, he sighed and relaxed.
"… I suppose you have earned the benefit of the doubt. Go ahead, then, Saber – why should we not do as I suggested?"
"Because Berserker is likely based on the west side of the river, Master," answered Saber promptly, standing to attention. "When we encountered her, she was crossing from west to east. Now is the time of night for heading out on adventures, not returning from them! We should have been the first opponents she encountered that night, or else Archer would have seen and intervened elsewhere – thus, Berserker must have set out from the other side of the bridge."
El-Melloi nodded, stroking his chin with one gloved hand. "I suppose I can see your point. You are quite observant, Saber."
"You embarrass me, Master!" said Saber, putting both hands on their cheeks and turning away slightly. "I was a spy as well as a swordsman, after all – a poor Servant I would be if I could not do this much."
"No, I am grateful," said El-Melloi. "I… apologise for assuming you had nothing useful to say. It is often hard for me to remember you are far more than just another tool like Volumen Hydragyrum."
Saber smiled and took his hands in their own, expression radiant even in the dim glow of the city lights. "Oh, Master. For you, I will be the finest tool you could ever require. All I ask is that you act in accordance with the finest values we uphold as nobility in order to be a lord worthy of admiration, and remember to respect those who serve you in turn."
For a heartbeat, Master and Servant stood, looking into each other's eyes. Then, a siren passed along a nearby street, and the moment was lost. El-Melloi looked away first.
"A-anyway, Saber. Let us return. We can discuss our plans for Berserker back at the hotel, and equip you with some other Mystic Codes." El-Melloi turned and started walking stiffly in the direction of the Hyatt.
"Yes! Let us away, to sharpen our swords for the battle to come!" With a swirl of their cape, Saber dematerialised, leaving behind nothing but the scent of flowers.
Once more, the boardwalk was deserted and silent. In the gloom, one girl in a skull mask sat and thought.
The War's founders had been wise indeed. From almost any other Servant, El-Melloi would likely not have taken such criticism so well. But Saber understood their Master, and knew exactly how he would best respond to particular attitudes and arguments – partly because Saber seemed to have a natural talent for diplomacy and decorum, but also because those were exactly the levers that Saber identified with.
For each Master, a Servant. For each Servant, a Master. How well a Servant worked with their Master was a reflection of how well they were able to accept themselves, and the same worked in reverse. If a Master was honest about what kind of person they were, and were self-aware enough to realise their flaws and weaknesses, the Grail system guaranteed they would find the Servant who would work best with them.
Even a magus as traditional and hidebound as Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi could accept help from the Servant matched with him.
With a leap, Serenity launched herself into the sky, and made for the Einzbern castle.
She needed to talk to her Master.
