When was a negotiation not a negotiation?

One answer, of course, was 'when one party doesn't need anything from the other'. Serenity and her Master had no use for anything Kotomine Kirei might say – at the end of the day, no matter what he said, he still had to die in order for Kiritsugu to obtain the Grail. Given that, was there any point in even talking to him?

Because there was a lot of risk, if nothing else. If Kirei brought Lancer – and why would he not? – then they would live or die by his whim. Serenity remembered all too well just how impossibly strong Berserker had become… and how, despite all that borrowed strength, Enkidu had crushed her regardless.

Serenity couldn't fight that. She was very unsure if she could even escape that, given Lancer's ability to sense her. Once Lancer entered the picture, Kirei would be able to demand anything he wanted on pain of certain death.

That was another answer to the question. A negotiation was not a negotiation if there was no give or take. That was simple coercion.

But, if the tools Caster had created were able to reach past Lancer's otherwise invincible defence to reach the Master beyond… well, suddenly Serenity and Kiritsugu had a bargaining chip. And that meant that a dialogue could be opened.

It was midday, and the plaza in the centre of town was bustling.

… admittedly, it was bustling with repair workers rather than shoppers. Berserker had fought here longer than most places, and the stone of the plaza was cratered, pitted and half-melted. What the regular authorities had been told happened here, Serenity had not a clue. Large parts of the southern side, where the worst of the damage was, were blocked off by guardrails, and here workers in high-vis jackets and hard hats were busy levelling off the ground and placing new paving stones.

Slowly, normality was returning to Fuyuki.

In many ways, it was an imperfect meeting place. But as a landmark, it was well known, there were many exits, there were people all around to discourage Servants from fighting… and there were a lot of vantage points where a man with a sniper rifle might hide.

And yet, despite that, Emiya Kiritsugu walked unworried straight across the plaza to the centre, where a priest sat on a bench that had miraculously remained untouched by Berserker's rampage.

This was, of course, because the Kiritsugu out in the open was in fact Serenity, using her Morph (Infiltration) skill to impersonate her Master again. It was amazing how much more open Kiritsugu was to the idea of a parley with Kotomine Kirei when he was able to do so from the other end of a magitech poison gun, with a matching missile launcher by his side and backup old-fashioned sniper rifle within reach.

The other time a negotiation wasn't a negotiation was when it was a trap from the start.

As it happened, it didn't matter that Kiritsugu hadn't shown up in person – because the priest in the bench was also not the man he had come here to see.

"Good afternoon, my son," said Kotomine Risei. He yawned, and put his hand to his head. "Or is it morning? I've lost track, after being woken so many times in a single night. First by Matou, saying their base had been 'rendered unusable', whatever that means, then by the news that Archer was dead, then by El-Melloi setting up a meeting, then by the news that he and Saber were dead too, and finally by you again to set up this meeting with Kirei. You've been busy. I hope for my son's sake that you're not going for a hat trick, as it were."

Serenity-as-Kiritsugu said nothing.

Risei didn't seem to mind. "Well, I'll be going soon, as soon as Kirei gets here. Until then, as the Moderator, I'll hear out any concerns you have." He paused. He didn't do anything so unsubtle as look expectantly at Serenity, just let the moment stretch on and on.

Most people, Serenity knew, simply couldn't abide a gap in conversation of more than five seconds or so. Very often, the best way to get someone to talk – about themselves, about troop movements, about how well the sheikh was guarded – was just to sit still and listen.

After fifteen seconds, Risei said, "Hm. Well, you know where to find me. Just allow me a question, if I may. I don't know the details on what you've done, but I pick things up, and it seems you've quite a history of violence, if you don't mind my saying so. I'm not here to pass judgement on you, or even to hear your confession if you don't want to give it, but please – all that blood, all that death… was it worth it, to you?"

"Absolutely," Serenity said.

It had to be. Kiritsugu's wish, for a world without conflict – if realised, it would justify everything he had to do to get there. That sounded like ends justifying means, but… well, in this case – this one case, backed by a literal wish-granting artefact – they did.

And, if Serenity was the one to help her Master get there… then that meant that everything that had brought her here – all the blood and death she had left behind her on the way to the Throne of Heroes, where she would be available to be summoned by one Emiya Kiritsugu – that was all justified too.

All she had to do was win.

Risei sighed, looking very old. "I wish I was as sure of anything as you seem to be. That's youth, I suppose." He heaved himself to his feet. "Well, speaking of, that's my time up. Play nicely." He walked off, briefly laying a hand on the shoulder of the man coming in the opposite direction.

Serenity-as-Kiritsugu stared straight ahead, but all her attention was on the approaching man. She'd noticed this before, but the threat Kotomine Kirei posed was still evident in his walk, in his balance, and in the subtle shifting of muscles under his priest's suit. This was someone very used to violence, and confident enough to walk up to a notorious assassin unarmed. He seemed to have gotten even more intimidating since the last time she saw him, somehow – war was clearly bringing out the best in the man.

Kirei sat down. Serenity's mind flashed through the quickest way to kill him from here. As usual, her knives were never far away. One lightning-fast stab through Kirei's neck, with a second knife thrown to impale his foot… awkward from this angle, but doable.

For a second she debated just doing it. No-one would expect it, and surely from this range even Kirei's Command Spells couldn't bring in Lancer to help. Her fingers twitched…

And the earth thrummed beneath her feet.

Ah. Lancer was watching, then. Well. She'd see how this played out. Lancer shouldn't be expecting Kiritsugu to move at Servant speeds, and she might still be able to surprise them… later. For now, it looked like this 'negotiation' was going ahead.

Serenity really, really hoped that Caster's countermeasure for Lancer's detection was working.

Kirei inclined his head. "Good afternoon. I will not say it is good to see you again, but I will admit that I had been looking forward to it. I did not expect you to appear in person."

Serenity stayed silent, because Kiritsugu would have. Three, four…

"It seems, though, as if I should have expected one more Master with you," Kirei continued. "Where is Waver Velvet, the Master of Caster? Lancer was quite confused at what you have done to conceal Assassin from them. I confess, I am baffled as to why they reported that over a hundred instances of Servant Assassin were filing this plaza – especially as my own father seemed to be one of them."

In response, Serenity held a hand out, and a small bronze sparrow-like contraption shimmered into existence in her palm. It hopped around and cocked its head curiously. Then, iridescent wings blurring like a hummingbird's, it took off. Kirei's eyes followed it as it landed on a repair worker's shoulder, then took off, until the iridescence started blending into the background and the sparrow vanished from view entirely.

"Fascinating… I had no idea it was possible to even create a simulacrum of another person's presence, much less attach it to an automaton that can land on people's shoulders undetected. Caster truly is something else. I take it Assassin is nearby?"

"Close enough," said Serenity.

Kirei nodded. "I see. Well, in the interest of parity, I will let you know – Lancer is also just a Command Spell away, as ever. However, as this is a good faith negotiation, I am sure that neither Lancer nor Assassin will need to get involved. With that in mind… what was it you wished to talk about?"

What, indeed? In one sense, Caster's part in the test was done – all that was left was to field-test the poison weapons, and hope that, after Kirei died, Lancer wasn't able to slaughter everyone before fading away.

If possible, I'd like fewer people in the plaza before we start, Kiritsugu sent. So blatant an attack in broad daylight will surely earn the ire of the other Masters, and we would likely be targeted.

Yes. Serenity was sure that was the reason behind her soft-hearted Master's reluctance.

Understood, Master. We can hold off until the end of the conversation, at least.

Yes. That will give Caster time to lay down a Bounded Field to subtly encourage civilians to leave the area. If she understands the meaning of subtlety, that is.

I'll keep Kotomine talking, then.

Out loud, Serenity said, "First, any preferences for where Lancer wishes to fight. Judging by their enforced ceasefire, they seem to have some regard for the city. We make no promises, but Caster at least is willing to consider a change in venue."

Kirei studied Serenity's face – that was, Kiritsugu's face. He wasn't going to get anything from it, since Serenity's acting was perfect and she never showed any emotion she didn't choose to. After a moment, he leaned back and looked into the middle distance, clearly in communication with Lancer.

"Yes," he said at length. "Lancer does not wish to involve the people of Fuyuki any more than necessary, and fears that they may not be able to fully hold back when fighting other Servants. The devastation this would case is distasteful to them – therefore, fighting outside the city is good, fighting over the ocean would be better."

Hm. Not quite what Serenity had expected. Between Enkidu's origins as the Man of Clay and their connection with the earth, she would have expected the ocean to be a poor battlefield for them. Maybe they were just that confident.

"I will inform Caster," she said.

"Thank you," said Kirei. He leaned back. "And your next question? What else does the Magus Killer want to know?"

Caster is working to clear the area, and also teleport in the cloaked mines, said Kiritsugu. Any time you can buy is valuable at this point. Serenity looked around. Indeed, many people – just enough to not be obvious – we checking their watches and leaving, having suddenly remembered things they needed to do.

Well, Serenity was a professional at keeping men's attention on her. Not usually in this body, but she was pretty sure she could manage.

"A more personal question," she said in answer to Kirei – who leaned forward in response. Caught him. "The end of the War is near. Just over half the Masters remain. At this stage, battle lines and alliances formed at the start of the War must be revised. As the Master of Lancer, you are in a dominant position – and you still trust your back to another. Are you worried about what Tohsaka Tokiomi may do to secure his own position in the final stages of the War?"

"No." The response was quick. Kirei didn't seem bothered by the implication, though. "My teacher has said nothing to me about dissolving our alliance. Until he does, it simply won't occur to him to act against me. He is very proper about such things, after all. If Tokiomi does decide to make himself my enemy, he will tell me so himself."

"A fool, then," Serenity said. "Useful to know."

There was a ghost of a smile on Kirei's face at the thought. "I thought you would understand."

Yes, Serenity could well see how that particular conversation would finish. There was indeed a dark humour about the thought of the Tohsaka Master declaring war on an Executor and expecting to walk away from the conversation. In that respect, at least, Kirei and Serenity's Master were similar. She allowed Kiritsugu's face a similar small smile.

Kirei noticed, and turned more fully to face Serenity. "Indeed, I have thought many times that you and I might be the two Masters who best understand each other in this War. Just from your history… I could tell you were looking for something different. The jobs you took, the way you completed them, you were never fighting for mere money, or glory. And it certainly was not to reach the Root. Truth to tell, none of those things have ever mattered to me either."

There was a certain air to Kirei now. He talked faster, and while his expression was still stoic the way he was sitting betrayed his excitement and focus. In Serenity's opinion, here was a man who was finally saying something he had wanted to say for a very long time.

"It may seem strange to say, but despite my faith I too have often doubted my purpose in life. Like you, I drifted from place to place and job to job, seeking… I know not what. When I saw that you were a Master, I thought I recognised a kindred spirit. I did not know – still do not know – why I have been chosen by the Grail. But you might.

"Out of all the Masters, you are the only other one whose goal I cannot decipher. And yet, here you are, in the Holy Grail War. Something drives you, enough for the Grail to choose you as a Master. I find myself… incredibly curious as to what that something is. While we are here, talking instead of killing each other, I respectfully ask as one man lost in the night to another who seems to have found a beacon of his own to follow: what is your wish for the Grail?"

Serenity sat back and closed her eyes. "How to phrase this…" The Kiritsugu she was acting as would need a moment to collect his thoughts after being asked such a direct question by his enemy.

Inside, however, she was speechless. This was why Kirei had such an interest in Kiritsugu? To… copy his answers to the great question of existence?

… was that all?

Not for revenge for some long-ago murder, not as a priest looking to redeem a notorious murderer, not even a desire to fight a formidable opponent?

How carefree Kotomine Kirei's life must be.

How shall I answer, Master? Serenity asked. She knew very well what Kiritsugu would say… but she didn't know if she had the right to say it.

After a moment, Kiritsugu answered. ... Caster reports that the mines are in place. I do not mind. Answer how you will, Assassin.

Well, okay then.

"World peace," said Serenity. "Nothing more, nothing less. An end to all conflict, forever."

Kirei looked startled. "An impossible dream."

"Yes. It can't be realised without centuries of effort, a unified human population, and a realistic plan to share the world's bounty. In practice, much blood will be shed along the way. But if you should happen to have a wish-granting miracle to act as a shortcut…"

Kirei looked away, blinked, looked back at Serenity, then stared at the floor. "Yes… then it could really happen…" He studied Serenity again. "And this would bring you joy?"

What an odd question, Serenity thought. Out loud, she said, "It's not about what I feel. In truth, I suspect I would find it disconcerting. Violence has been my life for so long that I have grown used to it, no matter how distasteful I may personally find what I do. But, when my child grows up in a world without war… yes, I expect I will feel some measure of satisfaction."

"Then you can feel joy?" Kirei pressed. "And your life of violence does not bring it to you?"

Serenity quirked Kiritsugu's eyebrow. "Correct. I long ago weighed my own happiness and the world's on a scale, and decided which mattered more to me."

"Ah…" Kirei subsided, and sat back on the bench. "Thank you, Emiya Kiritsugu. That has helped me more than you know. As it happens, I have lately been giving much thought to wishes, and what it is to desire something. The topic is especially relevant to me, because I genuinely cannot see a way that I lose this War."

And just like that, the tension was back. With the mention of Kirei's overwhelming advantage in the War, it was clear – these men were enemies. Serenity should have enjoyed the moment while it lasted. She hunched in on herself, putting her hands in the pockets of her copy of Kiritsugu's long coat.

So, what now, Master? she sent.

There was a short pause. One the one hand, Kotomine Kirei does not seem to be the monster I feared. On the other, nothing has changed. He is still too dangerous to leave alive, and he is still standing in the way of world peace.

Kill him.

Yes, Master, Serenity sent, and acted.

Her hands came out of her pockets holding Caster's gas grenade, already primed and ready. She pressed the button…

…and nothing happened.

A dud, she thought. Master-

-on it. Activating cloaked mines.

An explosion of poison gas, blanketing the entire plaza with Serenity's most deadly power… completely failed to materialise.

Serenity had a sinking feeling. Caster…

Kirei had thrown himself to his feet at this point, and was leaping back to create space. The earth was trembling, and Serenity knew she had seconds at most. Caster's weapons were clearly sabotaged, for what purpose Serenity could only guess.

Which was why she and her Master had never intended to rely on them in the first place.

Her other hand came out of her pocket – and this one held the simple canister of bug spray. Without hesitation, she hurled it at Kirei, and whipped a knife underarm to intercept it a foot form his face.

It exploded.

Kirei covered his head with his arms – and the liquid splashed onto his bare hands and all over the top of his head.

Despite herself, Serenity's heart leapt. Then she refocused. She needed to finish the job.

She dropped her disguise, and as soon as her bare foot touched ground exploded towards Kirei. As nothing more than a blur, she closed in, knife in hand, to deliver the only mercy she was allowed to give.

Her knife stabbed up, on a perfect path to Kirei's heart.

He caught it in a grip like iron.

Serenity pulled, but could not move. Before Serenity had a chance to process how impossible it was for a human to outpower a Servant like that, Kiritsugu fired his backup rifle. The bullet streaked in, barely visible even to Serenity's vision.

It bounced off Kirei's forehead. Serenity's heart dropped.

She drew another knife with her free hand, but before she could do anything with it Kirei swung her overhead like a ragdoll and slammed her into the paving stones. They cratered, and Serenity's vision whited out for a moment. When it cleared, Kirei was standing over her, with an unruffled look on his face.

"A shame," he said. "You really did fool me. That disguise skill really is something – even knowing that your presence was that of Assassin, I never once suspected that we had had the same idea."

Kirei's form began rippling, reshaping itself as though it was a statue whose sculptor had had second thoughts. Between one breath and the next, Lancer stood there.

Serenity struggled, but Lancer placed their foot on her neck and she was pinned as surely as if a mountain had settled there.

"I am whatever tool my Master requires of me," they said. "He was wary about meeting you directly, so what he required was an avatar. He relayed his thoughts to me – and I suppose I did a good enough job impersonating him that you didn't notice. I'd like to think you weren't just lying either, and that, in some way, our Masters really were communicating. Strange, that they're so similar, when we their Servants are so different." They examined the drop of liquid on the back of their hand. "Poison, hmm… I'm sorry, but I am an exceptionally poor matchup for you."

I'm sorry, Master,Serenity thought. Don't give up.

"Thank you for clearing the plaza, though," said Lancer. "This could have been awkward to explain otherwise. Farewell, Assassin."

Serenity dematerialised, but not only did Lancer's foot still hold her fast, she couldn't move through the ground either. Age of Gods clay, she thought bitterly. All she could do was watch Lancer's descending fist.

"By the power of my Command Spell: return to safety, Assassin."

Space… disjointed.

Serenity appeared in mid-air, directly above the chandelier in the Einzbern entrance hall. She fell, and caught hold automatically. Only when she was perfectly balanced, crouching on the structure, did she allow herself to relax, taking one deep, shuddering breath after another.

That was… that was…

A disaster. The worst possible result. Though Kotomine Kirei and Lancer had been fooled by Caster's illusions, they now knew about Serenity's poison trump card – and, worse, Caster seemed to have hung them out to dry, if the way her weapons failed one by one was any indication.

She played us, Serenity thought. Caster had given just enough aid to convince Kiritsugu and Serenity to go along with her idea of a parley in order to test out her illusions, stayed the course long enough to prove her method, then let the Master and Servant who'd posed most of a threat to her so far carry the can.

Serenity didn't know which was worse: the thought that Leonardo da Vinci, who knew all their secrets and only got stronger the more time she had to prepare, was now their enemy…

… or the fact that for whatever plan she had going, she seemed to want Enkidu alive.