One of the worst things about Moderating the Holy Grail War – well, apart from all the death and destruction caused by a rampaging oni that you could have stopped if you'd focused on your job and not chasing your friend's goals – was how you could be woken at any time, with any problem imaginable, and were expected to deal with it.

Still, Saber had been very polite about the whole thing, and Risei didn't need that much sleep these days, so he couldn't complain too much.

He picked up the phone in the church's living area, and dialled a number he'd never expected to have to call. Whether a given magus was tech-savvy enough to be contactable by phone or not was always a gamble – the Tohsakas never had been, certainly, instead providing him with various magical contraptions over the years to help him keep in touch.

Emiya Kiritsugu certainly was such a modern magus… but the Einzberns certainly weren't, and when they'd built their creepy castle in the woods they'd somehow forgotten to connect it to the phone lines. Fortunately, Risei had found a scrap of paper on his bedside cabinet, one morning around the start of the War, with the Magus Killer's name and a phone number next to it.

Did he say fortunately? Alarmingly, that was the word.

Still, home invasions aside, it was important that the Moderator be able to contact the various Masters of the War – and that was exactly what Risei did now. Impressive that Emiya had one of those new mobile phones, if that really was what this was. Freelance work paid well, apparently.

The phone rang, and was answered on the third ring. "Emiya Kiritsugu."

"Kotomine Risei. I hope you know what this is about."

"I do. State El-Melloi's terms." Flat, cold, and straight to business. Well, Risei had no desire to add to his phone bill.

"You're to meet him at sunset tomorrow-" Risei checked the clock, "Or, today, rather. The place will be Kotomine Church. I trust you have no objection to the time or place?"

The reply came immediately. "No objections."

Good. Getting around the city was harder than it used to be – you know, with the streets still partially blocked by wreckage – so Risei was more than willing to leave the work of doing so to the young Masters. He would adjudicate this duel in his own back yard, thank you very much.

"Glad to hear it. I'm to pass on that should you fail to appear by sunset, El-Melloi will consider you to have forfeit and will, regrettably, kill the homunculus he has in his possession." Distateful, but it wasn't his place to judge. "That being the case, I should clarify that by sunset, El-Melloi means the moment the sun is no longer visible, not astronomical sunset. I'm told it's a magic thing…" Risei became aware he was rambling.

"Understood."

There were more conditions too, what were they? Oh, yes. "El-Melloi intends for this to be a battle between magi, not a Master-Servant clash as such. For that reason, Assassin is to make their presence known as soon as possible, and remain within plain sight until the conclusion of your duel. Again, if they do not, the homunculus' life is forfeit.

"Likewise, the homunculus will be released upon your presenting yourself to myself and El-Melloi at the start of the duel – no hiding two hundred yards away with a sniper rifle. Beyond that, you can use whichever Mystic Codes and weapons you wish. That said, if you start planting bombs in my backyard, I will take it very poorly."

"Understood."

… for what were, even Risei could admit, quite unfair terms, Emiya was taking this all very well. El-Melloi had one of his assistants or retainers or whatever the homunculus was, holding her hostage to strip away every advantage Emiya might have relied on, and the man seemed to be accepting it all without the slightest protest.

"Do you have any questions?" he asked.

"None. Thank you, Father." With a click, Emiya hung up.

Risei looked at the phone as if expecting it to explode – you never knew, with someone nicknamed 'the Magus Killer' – then sighed and hung it up.

He didn't have a horse in this race, obviously. It was all one to him whether Emiya managed to pull something out of the bag and work his way past every advantage El-Melloi managed to extort out of him or not. If anything, he should have preferred El-Melloi emerge the winner – Saber was exactly zero threat to Kirei's Lancer, whereas there was no telling what Assassin might be capable of, and even Lancer's Presence Detection couldn't stop everything… probably.

But El-Melloi's arrogant bullying reminded him of the worst of what he'd seen of magus society, and it was all too easy to imagine Tokiomi cold-bloodedly pressing his advantages that way. Risei would like to think his old friend was better than that, but… well.

Risei would be glad when this War was over, that was all. He looked forward to seeing what wish his son would make on the Grail.


Of all the new experiences Kayneth had sought when he signed up for the Holy Grail War, smuggling an unconscious woman – well, homunculus – into a hotel was not one he'd expected.

In the end, it had been fairly simple. Even a little Reinforcement was enough to carry the homunculus (Iri, Emiya had called her?) with no trouble, and Saber was more than capable of sweet-talking their way past the hotel desk clerk. They'd then run off to personally deliver their terms to the Moderator to pass on to Emiya, while Kayneth continued to his atelier and his lovely fiancée.

"I must say, Kayneth," said Sola-Ui, idly swirling a glass of wine, "I did think you'd at least wait until we got married to start bringing strange women home."

Kayneth laughed. "I promise, dear, it isn't what it looks like." Iri had been made comfortable in their bed, in fact, which might have gone some way towards Sola-Ui's frustration. It was for the best, though – there was something wrong with the homunculus.

It wasn't from Kayneth's kidnapping. He'd been very gentle, all things considered, and there were any number of ways to protect against any adverse reactions to contact with Volumen Hydragyrum. In this case, there was a bezoar choker that rendered its subject proof against most poisons that was now sitting around Iri's neck. (Mineralogy was surprisingly versatile. Not a lot of people knew that.)

Mercury poisoning looked like it was the least of her worries, though. Kayneth had found her collapsed on the floor in the Einzbern vehicle bay, as though she'd simply fallen asleep where she stood. It certainly made restraining her easy, but she hadn't woken up in the hours since. Her chest rose and fell weakly, and her pulse was just about discernible, but Kayneth would admit to a certain level of concern.

Iri was no use as a hostage if she died, after all.

Still, there was little more he could do for her. In less than a day, one way or another he wouldn't have to worry about her any more, so if Iri could hold out until then there was no problem.

"Come then, Sola-Ui," he said, rising and making his way to the living room. "It is poor form to discuss strategy in front of an enemy… even if they are unconscious."

As they entered, Saber materialised, bowing in the same motion. "Master! Lady Sola-Ui! Good morning. Your message has been passed to the Moderator – by now he will have passed it to the Master of Assassin."

"Not the Master of Assassin," Kayneth corrected, sitting on the couch and budging up to make room for Sola-Ui. "I intend to fight Emiya Kiritsugu not as a Master, but as a simple magus." He caught himself, realising what he'd forgotten to say. "… but thank you, Saber."

Despite Sola-Ui's snort, his Servant's beaming smile told him they didn't bear a grudge against his accidental rudeness. Interesting, how the habits of a lifetime were already breaking during these few short weeks. To be expected, really – you couldn't go to war and expect to return unchanged.

"However, Master," Saber said, and Kayneth refocused. "Please bear in mind that Emiya Kiritsugu was matched with Assassin in the first place. Something about his soul resonated with the Assassin I fought – I am sure he will not simply agree to fight you so easily without something up his sleeve."

"You're quite right," Kayneth said. "That is why we will spend the next few hours preparing. I would like you to try your best to think like the Magus Killer – I have a feeling you'll be far better at it than I am. Imagine what strategies he will likely use, and then we can come up with solutions."

Saber saluted. "Of course, Master! The first thing I can think of is-"

They were interrupted by a flash from the window. A red light was rising high into the sky, casting the rooftops below in eerie shadow. As they watched, another appeared, and this time they saw the dark figure that fired it, standing on the edge of the building opposite the Hyatt.

"Assassin…" said Kayneth, even as the red lights faded. Now that he knew where to look, the enemy Servant was silhouetted against the skyline – if he hadn't seen her firing flares, though, she would have been totally invisible.

Sola-Ui pressed her face against the glass. "Are you sure?" she said. "I couldn't catch anything."

Saber nodded. "I agree with Master. I would recognise that skull mask anywhere."

"Oh?" His Servant's eyes were better than his – Kayneth had only just been able to make out that the figure was feminine, and even then he was mostly filling in the blanks based on what he knew of Assassin.

"It is tricky to see at this distance, but, yes, I recognise the mask and clothing."

Kayneth steepled his fingers. "So he intends to play the game after all. That homunculus truly means so much to him… well, you had said as much, Saber. I didn't mean to doubt you."

"I still say it's preposterous," Sola-Ui huffed. "This is the Magus Killer we're talking about here, correct?"

"And yet, here we are." Kayneth smiled at Sola-Ui. "I suppose anyone can surprise you. Look at me – here I am, a heartless magus, and yet if you were in danger, I can't say that I wouldn't do the exact same thing."

Saber beamed at the pair of them, apparently finding it the most romantic thing in the world.

Sola-Ui's eyes narrowed, looking between Kayneth and his Servant. "You would not. You, take a blatantly disadvantageous deal just to save me? I literally can't imagine you being so stupid as to get yourself in that position in the first place." She angrily drained her remaining wine and stood up. "I'm going to check on the homunculus. She's a slightly better conversationalist than you two, that's for sure."

With that, she flounced into the other room. Kayneth watched her go, fondly.

"Please never tell her I said this, but she is even more beautiful when she is embarrassed."

"My lips are sealed," giggled Saber. "Now, to return to the topic of possible strategies that Emiya might – MASTER!"

There was a blur – and Saber's sword flashed over Kayneth's head. He flinched, and opened his mouth to ask what the hell Saber thought they were playing at, but before he could get the words out they seized him by the collar and almost threw him across the room.

He rolled to a stop, and saw what had rattled his Saber so. Behind where he'd been sitting, knives locked against Saber's rapier, was – impossibly – Assassin.

Kayneth literally could not comprehend, for a couple of seconds, what had happened. Assassin was outside, that was the point! He'd seen her! This had to be some illusion, some trick…

Then, with shocking speed that only a Servant could manage, a knife flashed from her hands towards his head, and Kayneth knew. Saber intercepted it part-way – followed by the cushion Assassin swung underarm at their face.

Feathers flew. When they cleared, Assassin was nowhere to be seen.

Saber whirled on some instinct, leaping towards Kayneth in a textbook-perfect flying lunge. Assassin reappeared in between Master and Servant, already turning to deal with Saber, and only Kayneth's panicked stumble backwards saved him as a knife whipped out backhand at throat-level.

Assassin rolled aside, then leapt, rebounding off the ceiling to come down behind Kayneth.

Dive, Master! came Saber's panicked command – and Kayneth did, throwing himself forwards. Again metal clashed over his head, and Saber stepped over him as Assassin retreated once more.

He scrambled to his feet. Assassin and Saber were fighting for position – Assassin held a fan of yet more knives in her hand, while Saber tried desperately not to let her get into a position to throw them. Their expression was grim, desperate and determined, and Kayneth realised he'd never yet seen his Servant anything less than composed during their battles.

Well, he wasn't letting her fight alone. He fumbled in his pocket and brought out his glass vial. "Fervor mei sanguis!" he cried, upending it.

Volumen Hydragyrum surged to life, and he lost no time in forming it into a shield. That should give Saber some breathing space, and he flooded any spare material out across the floor – if he could deny Assassin any footing, that could only help. He and his Servant against the weakest Class, surely this would be simple…

"What is going on out there?" came the complaint from the bedroom, and Kayneth's heart froze.

Saber tried to intercept, but Kayneth had never seen anything move as fast as Assassin as she bolted past them into the bedroom. His panic came out a wordless yell, and he sprinted after her, heedless of the danger. His head filled with the worst scenes imaginable, things he didn't care to describe.

He burst in to the bedroom, Saber hot on his heels… and stopped dead, heart pounding.

Sola-Ui was unharmed, eyes wide with terror.

And on the other side of the room, Sola-Ui was unharmed, eyes wide with terror.

"Shapeshifter," Saber snarled, and Kayneth's heart sank.

The Sola-Ui on his left pointed at the other, frantic. "Kayneth, she just ran in! Kill her, quickly, fool!"

"How dare you!" shrieked the other. "Kayneth, she's lying, you know I'm the real one!"

"I… I can prove it! My name is Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri, my brother is Bram Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri-"

"Anyone can research that much! I'm-"

He couldn't take it any more. "Quiet!" he shouted. Mercifully, both of them did, though they continued to glare at each other.

What do you think, Saber? he asked, privately. I hate to admit it, but Assassin is too good an actor for me to tell.

I'm sorry, Master, came the reply. If I'd known Lady Sola-Ui for longer, or paid more attention to her, I'm sure I could have caught any mistakes…

Don't worry about it. An idea struck Kayneth. What about your magical energy? Can't you use that to pinpoint which one is supplying you?

A subtle shake of the head. If they were on opposite sides of the city, maybe. Not when they're opposite sides of a room.

Then… I have an idea. A way to prove which is the real Sola-Ui. It will take some acting skill from you, but play along, please.

In hurried telepathic conversation, he explained his plan. Saber's face twitched in obvious discomfort, and Kayneth didn't feel great about it either, but what else could he do?

"Sola-Ui…" he began. "I'm sorry this has happened to you. I really wanted to keep you safe."

"What… what are you talking about?" said one.

Kayneth forced a sigh. "The fact is, if I pick wrongly, that will create an opening for Assassin to attack. I can't take that risk – not to myself…" he forced the words out, "and not to Saber either."

Both Sola-Uis looked furious. "Kayneth, I swear, if this is what I think it is..."

A dry chuckle came from Kayneth's lips. "I'm sorry. Can you blame me? Saber is beautiful, kind, intelligent, and we match each other perfectly. As expected of the Grail, I suppose. And beyond that, think of the possibilities for advancement, with a Servant as my retainer. I had intended to use my wish to incarnate them, and have them live with us forever, all three.

"But… if this is the way it must be… I cannot take the risk. If I must live with Saber alone, so be it. Know that I will always remember you." He ran a hand through Saber's hair, hating himself all the while.

For their part, Saber blushed and fidgeted prettily. Kayneth had known their acting would be better than his. "Lady Sola-Ui… we wanted to tell you for so long. Mas- Kayneth and I spent so much time in each other's heads and, well…" they smiled sadly, "I never meant to take him from you. We disagreed on how to tell you…"

"Oh, don't worry," spat one of the Sola-Uis. "I've seen this day coming for a long time." The other nodded fiercely.

Kayneth brought up Volumen Hydragyrum, and formed it into two spikes, each aimed at one version of his fiancée. "Again, I'm sorry. If there'd been another way…"

"There is!"

"Kayneth, don't do it!"

Hating himself all the while, Kayneth leaned over and kissed Saber on the cheek, while they giggled softly. "Goodbye, my love."

The mercury spikes shot forward.

One Sola-Ui threw herself aside.

One didn't.

Kayneth's eyes hardened.

Where the spikes should have pierced into flesh, they had instead stopped, inches from each of the Sola-Uis. Of course he had. There was no way on Earth he was going to kill his fiancée – but there was no way on Earth Assassin would ever, ever believe that of him, the heartless magus. He nodded to his Servant.

Saber lunged.

The Sola-Ui that had dodged screamed only briefly.

The other, the one that had trusted him, the real one, raced across the room and threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Kayneth, I knew it was a trick, I knew you would never hurt me, I love you-"

She kissed him, hot and hungry, and it was everything Kayneth had ever wanted.

His fiancée's tongue ground against his own, and it tasted of sweet fire. He felt his blood boiling hotter and hotter, burning with desire for the woman he loved.

Hotter, and hotter, and hotter.

His pulse pounded, so hard it felt like each beat of his heart would burst his veins. All the while, the heat continued to rise, and he shook with genuine pain.

He broke off with a gasp, sweating, red-faced, but Sola-Ui held him with surprising strength while he panted. Had she literally taken his breath away? He searched her eyes – and found, not the passion of a few seconds ago, but only a cold emptiness.

And he knew.

Stepping back, Assassin dropped her disguise.

Trembling with more than nerve damage, Kayneth turned to look at the other Sola-Ui. Their eyes met, and for what Kayneth now knew was the first time, they understood each other perfectly – because Kayneth knew the expression of horrified comprehension on her face was exactly the same as the one he now wore.

All this time… never once?

With a white-hot sting that barely registered against the background of agony, Kayneth felt a colossal burden place itself on his Magic Circuits, and knew his fiancée was dead. It was too much, and he collapsed to his knees.

Saber looked up, blue eyes filled with anguish. "Master…" They surged to their feet, sword pointed at Assassin. Oh, his Saber. In their last few seconds of existence, they would surely make their killer pay…

Assassin dematerialised, safely out of reach.

Kayneth wanted to laugh. How simple it all was. How basic his mistake.

In pain, and grief, and bitter self-recrimination, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald died.


For each Master, a Servant. For each Servant, a Master.

Serenity stood over the dead bodies of her two victims, as the last petal-like motes that had been Saber faded away. Only when they were all gone did she materialise.

She had rarely seen a knight and lord work together as El-Melloi and Saber had. They really did match perfectly. But, introduce a single element that did not match, a single point of jealousy, and the team tore itself apart.

Or, perhaps, she was just rationalising so as to avoid responsibility. It had, in the end, been her, Serenity, to prey on those weaknesses and force them wide open. There was a chance that Sola-Ui would have come to love and respect her fiancé.

…but not, judging by what she'd overheard, a large chance.

Using the hotel phone, she called Maiya, to signal that it was safe to come down from the rooftop where she had, with a wig and Projected skull mask, acted as Serenity's body double. Serenity could set the fires that would conceal her presence and methods after Maiya had recovered Irisviel.

One single element that didn't match… hm.

She'd been neglecting the rest of her team again. This needn't have happened had she been more aware of Iri's growing weakness – if Kiritsugu hadn't seen fit to tell her, she didn't want to pry, but now that it had become important to the War she needed to know.

Serenity looked out over the city, imagining three points of light. Berserker, and now Archer and Saber, had died. Caster, Rider and Lancer remained.

There was a lot of work to do.