Fate/Hijacked

Chapter 14

Gilgamesh stood in the centre of the Einzbern Castle's grand hall, his presence dominating the room as his crimson eyes swept over the group before him. The air was thick with tension, the oppressive force of his golden aura suffocating, as if daring anyone to defy him. Archer's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto the King of Heroes in recognition and distaste, while Berserker loomed like a hulking mountain of fury beside Illya, ready to protect his Master.

But Gilgamesh's attention was fixed entirely on Archer, his lip curling in disdain. "A Faker, how utterly revolting," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You dare stand before me, polluting my air with your worthless imitations of true treasures?"

Illya, her childlike features twisting into a scowl, stepped forward and demanded to know who the intruder was. "Who are you, Servant? And what do you want here?"

Gilgamesh cast a sidelong glance at the small girl, his expression a mixture of amusement and indifference. "You are hardly in a position to make demands of me, little homunculus. But I will humour you, for I am magnanimous." He straightened, his regal posture making it seem as if he was addressing the entire world. "I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes. The one who possesses all treasures, the ruler above all. And I am here for you, girl—you are the Lesser Grail, and I have come to claim you."

At those words, Shirou's eyes widened, and he immediately stepped forward, his fists clenched. "We won't let you take Illya!" he shouted impulsively, his voice filled with determination.

Rin shot him a sharp look, chastising him, "Don't be so reckless, Shirou!" But then she glanced at Illya and sighed, her expression firming up as she too hardened her resolve. "Though I do agree with him. We won't just let you have her."

Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed, and his lips curled into a sneer of disgust. "Foolish mongrels. You dare to defy me, knowing well that you stand no chance? I was willing to grant you mercy by letting you live, but you spurn my generosity. Very well, your insolence will be repaid with death."

The golden light behind him flickered ominously as the Gate of Babylon activated, its portals shimmering with the promise of a devastating barrage of Noble Phantasms. Weapons of every shape and kind began materializing, the prototypes for treasures of kings and heroes past, all under Gilgamesh's dominion.

Lady Avalon, standing by Shirou's side, surveyed the situation with a wry smile. "Ah, this certainly is quite the troublesome situation we've found ourselves in," she remarked lightly, though her tone remained calm and calculating. She raised her hand, and a soft, violet light swirled around her as she invoked her Succubus Ridge skill A shimmer of magical energy flowed from her to the group, enhancing their durability and bolstering their resistance to the impending onslaught.

Berserker growled low in his throat, stepping protectively in front of Illya, his massive frame blocking her from Gilgamesh's view and his eyes burning with the promise of violent retribution. Archer, who had been standing a few steps away, sighed and moved to stand beside the Greek demigod, his twin swords reforming in his hands.

"This is a bad matchup," Archer muttered, glancing up at Berserker. "Heracles may be strong, but he doesn't have his full lives right now, and that bastard's arsenal will tear through him." His gaze flicked toward Rin, then back at Shirou. "You two need to get out of here. Now. Take Illya with you."

Rin, who had been ready to argue, clenched her fists and looked between the two Servants. She knew Archer was right—they wouldn't be able to escape unless someone stayed behind to slow down Gilgamesh's attack and buy them time. With a frustrated growl, she stepped forward, addressing her Servant. "Archer, make sure you win."

Archer nodded, his expression grim but determined. "I'll do my best," he replied, turning his gaze back to Gilgamesh.

The King of Heroes scoffed and unleashed his first volley without further warning A cascade of swords, spears, and other weapons rained down upon them. Archer quickly moved to intercept, summoning his own projections to counter the onslaught, clashing blade against blade in a sparking display of skill. Each deflection enraged Gilgamesh further, his pride stinging at the sight of his treasures being matched by the Faker before him.

"You dare replicate my weapons, right in front of me?!" Gilgamesh roared, his eyes burning with fury. "Know your place, Faker!"

Ignoring the insult, Archer continued to press forward, his movements fluid and precise as he projected more blades, mitigating the intensity of the Gate of Babylon. But the sheer number of weapons launched by Gilgamesh was overwhelming, and even Archer's skill couldn't neutralize them all. Plus, he was trying not to overburden Rin and use up too much of her mana.

Berserker charged ahead with a roar, swinging his massive axe-sword to crush any weapon that slipped through Archer's defence. Even with his God Hand protecting him, however, the strain was evident as he took several hits, his nigh-invulnerable body beginning to wear down from the unrelenting assault.

"Shirou, Rin, let's move," Lady Avalon urged, her voice steady despite the danger. She wasted no time, activating her floral magecraft to form a barrier of enchanted blossoms around them, deflecting stray weapons as they prepared to retreat. "I'm not letting you get skewered by a glorified hoarder's collection of antiques."

Meanwhile, Shirou scooped Illya up in his arms, earning a brief look of surprise from the girl before he turned and ran. Rin followed close behind, her eyes darting between the ongoing battle and their surroundings as they dashed for the exit of Einzbern castle. Lady Avalon, moving along with them with her staff in hand, prepared her own spell. A soft, lilac glow emanated from her, and she began gathering the necessary magical energy for a safe retreat.

"We'll be safe soon," Lady Avalon whispered to Shirou as they moved, her voice surprisingly steady despite the chaos around them. The Pretender class Servant stayed close, weaving her magic around them as she prepared to enact a swift escape.

Behind them, Archer and Berserker continued their desperate struggle against Gilgamesh's endless arsenal. Archer was pouring every ounce of his skill and perception into defending against the relentless barrage, but it was clear that neither he nor Berserker, exhausted as they were from their earlier battle, could hold out much longer.

Even when the three Masters and one Servant left the castle and ran into the forest, they could hear the sounds of intense clash behind them. The metallic clanging and crashing of weapons against weapons and the frequent roars of mad fury from Berserker.

"Just a moment," Lady Avalon replied sweetly as they were running through the trees. With a swift motion, she reached out, using her staff to hook Rin toward her. At the same time, she slipped her free arm around Shirou's waist, pulling him closer in a protective embrace. "Stay close to me, darling," she purred softly, the teasing edge to her voice returning even in the heat of escaping their tense situation.

Rin yelped, startled by the sudden pull, but she quickly realized what Pretender was doing. Her irritation briefly flared, but she bit her tongue—now was not the time for complaints.

With a flourish of her staff, the floral barrier around them expanded, enveloping them all in a swirl of petals. In a brilliant flash of magic, the group disappeared, swept away in a floral flourish that left nothing but the faint scent of blossoms in their wake. They were transported far away from the castle, across Fuyuki.

When they were set down by the magical winds, they found themselves safely deposited in the familiar confines of Shirou's home. The floral magic dispersed, leaving the group in the living room. Shirou gently set Illya down, who remained quiet but tense, her face pale from the recent ordeal. Rin collapsed onto a chair, catching her breath as she tried to process everything that had just happened.

But then Illya's body stiffened, her eyes widening in shock. She trembled, and without warning, tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Berserker…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "He's… he's gone…"

Shirou's heart sank as he realized what she meant. Her connection with Berserker had been severed. The indomitable Heracles, who had protected her with his life, had fallen in battle against Gilgamesh's relentless onslaught.

Shirou knelt beside her, a sympathetic expression on his face as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Illya…" he murmured. Lady Avalon, her usual playful demeanour subdued, also knelt beside Shirou and Illya, offering her silent comfort as well.

Rin sat quietly, watching sadly as her final command seal faded from her hand. She clenched her fist, feeling the connection to her own Servant, Archer, get cut off as well. Leaving behind an empty feeling she hadn't expected. Despite his sarcastic attitude and snippy remarks, the red bowman had become someone she'd come to regard as a friend, and now he was gone.

They had just lost their frontline fighters, leaving their previous plans in disarray.

Omake

Throne of Heroes: Artoria's Wrath, Part 14

Artoria Pendragon had witnessed many things in her lifetime, but watching Proto-Merlin once again make her subtle advances on Shirou, even in the middle of such a perilous situation, was enough to drive her to the brink of exasperation. The sight of that half-succubus embracing Shirou from behind, whispering "Stay close to me" with that annoyingly soft tone, made Artoria want to slam her gauntlet-clad fist into something.

"Honestly, how does that woman find time to flirt while fleeing from Gilgamesh, of all people? He's a threat that needs to be taken seriously." Artoria grumbled hotly, watching Lady Avalon spin Shirou protectively into her embrace in an almost theatrical sweep. The scene flashed to Lady Avalon winking as she shielded Shirou and Rin with an artful array of blossoming petals. Then a smug smile on her face when she whisked them away to safety.

"She is quite literally a half-succubus, my liege," Lancelot remarked, attempting to reassure his king with a measured nod, "but we can't deny she is a loyal and skilled ally, even if her conduct leaves… something to be desired."

"I admire that Archer stayed behind," Artoria murmured, her voice more appreciative as she changed the subject for her own mental sake. "Though he can be insufferably smug, I can acknowledge his courage in the face of that… golden tyrant. I'll give him that."

Gawain nodded in agreement. "Indeed, for all his disregard for chivalry, Archer showed valour today. Risking himself so that others may survive... an action worthy of a knight."

"Not to mention Heracles," Bedivere added thoughtfully. "Despite his berserk state, he was a loyal protector to the end, even giving his life to ensure his Master's safety. A true warrior's heart, even in madness."

Lancelot further added, "He guarded his Master with a fervour most admirable. It was like a lion protecting its cub."

Artoria felt her anger ebb, listening to her knights and acknowledging the valour of their noble actions. But every time her irritation began to fade, the memory of Lady Avalon's coquettish antics surged back, and her frustration flared anew. "Not only does she neglect her proper duties as a Servant duty, she doesn't even give Shirou the chance to focus on the gravity of their situation. Absolutely improper."

She straightened, clearly displeased, when a familiar, floral-scented breeze swept through the Throne, tickling her senses. An occurrence which heralded one thing—Merlin.

"Oh no," Artoria muttered, immediately bracing herself. "What bizarre alternate reality is he going to subject us to this time?"

"Ah, my dear Artoria," Merlin's voice drifted cheerily on the breeze, "I think you'll find this particular scene… most entertaining. Perhaps even comforting!"

Petals swirled, conjuring another screen before her. It once again displayed another version of reality in which Shirou had astonishingly summoned a female version of Gilgamesh. Artoria's brows furrowed as she leaned forward, curious in spite of herself. Her knights also leaned in to get a clear view.

The scene showed a flustered Shirou standing next to his smug Queen of Heroes Servant. The regal, golden-haired woman exuded an air of almost amused pride as the mighty Heracles kneeled bound before her, fettered tightly in the golden chains of Enkidu as a nervous Illya stood upon the balcony.

Then the ceiling broke under a rain of golden weapons.

This female Gilgamesh was openly glaring disdainfully as the familiar, male Gilgamesh emerged from the broken ceiling, the golden king looking down arrogantly at them. At first anyway. His demeanour quickly shifted upon seeing her.

"Impossible!" male Gilgamesh sputtered, his normally haughty expression melting into one of shock as he regarded the golden splendour of his female counterpart. "Who dares to imitate my divinity?!"

The female Gilgamesh merely stared him down, red eyes gleaming with a harsh, icy superiority. "A tainted shadow," she announced loudly, her lip curling as she regarded him with a kind of disgusted fury. "You, a mere echo of me, would dare bring harm to my newest sword and treasure?" She pulled Shirou closer, making sure her male counterpart saw. "I, the Queen of Heroes, will not allow my precious Shirou to be sullied by such a lesser being." Her crimson gaze briefly flickered over to her Master. "Use a Command Seal to empower me, dear treasure," she instructed. "Your Queen has no patience for impurities. I demand the power to erase this shame, completely and utterly."

The male Gilgamesh's shock twisted to outrage. "Shadow?! Do you have any idea who you speak to? I am Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, the possessor of every treasure!"

The female Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed, and she gestured to the Saber version of Archer, who stood ready by Rin's side. "You, Faker. You may use your imitations for the moment and assist me. This time," she sneered, "I will tolerate such tawdry tricks if it means purging that taint."

Artoria watched, stunned, as the normally unflappable male Gilgamesh took an uncertain step backward, the King of Heroes' usual overconfidence nowhere to be seen as he stammered, trying to comprehend the distaff version of himself. Her expression shifted, and an amused smile tugged at her lips, something rare and genuine. The sight of the usually arrogant King of Heroes shrinking before his enraged female counterpart was delightful, and the sheer disbelief on his face... well, Artoria couldn't deny it was truly priceless.

Omake 2: Humanity loves GARcher

In the grand hall of the Einzbern Castle, the tension was so thick it was practically tangible. Gilgamesh sneered from across the battlefield, his golden portals gleaming with the promise of annihilation. His Gate of Babylon flared, releasing a faint hum that reverberated with lethal intent. Rin looked at Archer, who was already taking a determined step forward to stand beside Heracles, Kanshou and Bakuya at the ready.

"Rin," Archer said, his tone firm yet oddly soft, "Use your final Command Seal on me. Pour everything into it. You need to get out of here while I hold him off."

Rin's eyes widened in shock, and she clenched her fists. "Are you insane, Archer? If I use up the last Command Seal like that, you'll… you'll vanish!"

Archer raised an eyebrow, an almost nostalgic look of amusement crossing his face. "Rin, are you seriously debating this right now? If you don't, Gilgamesh is going to kill every last one of us. This is our only chance to get you all out alive."

Rin gritted her teeth, her hands trembling as she hesitated. "I... I don't want to lose you, Archer!"

Despite the danger, Archer flashed her a small, wry smile. "And I don't want you to die, so that makes two of us." He lowered his gaze, his voice barely a murmur. "Just do it, Master. Let me protect you. I'm fine with disappearing if it means you get to live."

Shirou, watching Archer's resolve, felt an unexpected surge of kinship, a bond beyond words. For a fleeting moment, he saw his own values reflected in the older warrior, a strange connection between them that seemed to transcend time itself. But then Archer gave a slight shudder and grimaced.

"Dammit, why do I feel like I just got infected with an intense amount of… stubborn optimism?" Archer muttered under his breath, casting a sidelong glare at Shirou, whose expression of solemn admiration only irritated him further. He grumbled and rolled his eyes.

Lady Avalon, standing near Shirou, sighed, a touch of amusement in her reddish pink gaze. "My, my, Archer—you really are as stubborn as ever," she said, her voice playful. "For someone who claims to have no attachment to this world, you certainly can't resist jumping to save people at the risk of disappearing. You haven't changed at all, no matter what you say."

Archer's eye twitched. "Not… now, Lady Avalon."

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh's sneer deepened. "Are you mongrels finished with your tearful farewells? Allow me to demonstrate your insignificance against the King." His Gate of Babylon lit up the entire area as countless weapons readied themselves for the impending assault.

But before he could unleash his deadly volley, a sharp crack sounded in the air—a sound so powerful it felt like reality itself had splintered. An ominous, ashen mist seeped through the crack, and the space before them distorted as a figure stepped through, as if emerging from the void itself.

The woman who appeared was striking—ashen white hair cascading down her back, eyes the colour of polished steel, and a coldly beautiful expression that radiated unyielding fury. Her gaze zeroed in on Gilgamesh, who, for the first time, seemed momentarily thrown off.

"I can hardly believe it," Gilgamesh muttered, his brow furrowing. "Yet another Faker?"

But the woman merely glared, her expression disdainful. "Silence, arrogant king. You've violated a law that stands far above your petty sense of dominion."

Archer blinked, his usually impassive face filled with alarm. "Alaya? What in the—?"

Alaya, the collective will of humanity incarnate, barely glanced at Archer before her gaze landed back on Gilgamesh. "You," she intoned icily, "are a Threat to Humanity. By trying to manifest Angra Mainyu, you are actively threatening the survival of countless lives across multiple timelines. I am here to correct that error." A chill ran through the air as Alaya's form glowed faintly, her presence overwhelming as she seemed to exude power from an unfathomable source. She lifted her hand, pointing at Gilgamesh, her steel grey eyes narrowing.

"Consider this punishment not just for your crime but for threatening the one individual whom I regard above all others." She glanced, almost possessively, at Archer, her expression softening ever so slightly. Then, with a smirk, she muttered, "Baka EMIYA. Always diving headfirst into danger."

Archer froze, clearly more rattled than anyone had ever seen him. "You… you can't be serious."

"Oh, but I am." She shot him a smug look. "You belong to me, EMIYA. You pledged yourself to my service, and I intend to keep you. Don't think you can be rid of me so easily. I won't lose my favourite Counter Guardian, especially not to the likes of him."