The moment Sakura heard Marianne give out a decisive command, she knew that it was time to begin the battle. She, Angela, and Shirou unleashed a powerful spell in unison, unleashing the bounded field that enclosed this skyscraper from the rest of the city. The group was at the epicenter of this chaos, the very eye of the vortex, all while the Hurricane around them swirled, slowly coming closer. They could not see anything beyond the veil anymore, only the wall of wind. It was now or never.
"Of course!" Iseri cackled with the wind currents, enhancing the echo of his voice. "You think a pathetic trap like this will have any effect on me? Will it slow me down even slightly? Let me show you the full extent of my power!"
Iseri raised his hand, unleashing a dozen speedy wind spikes that flew toward the roof. They would be enough to disorient and weaken anyone they come in contact with, thus creating easy prey for Iseri.
"Incoming!" Rin announced as she and Angela created a mana shield around them, taking most of the masters in. Sakura was outside of its radius, which made her run as quickly as she could. Thankfully, she was safe just a second before the wind spike could reach her.
"Hiding already?" Iseri chuckled. "How pathetic. Now let me show you how it's really done!"
He attacked again, this time unleashing a united wave of wind that annihilated the protective aura and brought all of the mages to their knees. A strike so powerful that Iseri couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Are those the truly worthy ones? The fools that the Grail decided to pit against me? What a joke!"
But before he could continue, the servants rose up to the occasion. Caster created an array of golden, magic-infused arrows and launched them at Iseri. The wind barrier consumed all of them, but those arrows were enough to weaken and disorient the enemy mage, breaking the pattern of his defense.
"Such arrogance!" Gilgamesh chuckled. "I admire your confidence, mongrel, but in your case, it will lead to you having a single, disappointing outcome. Let me show you!"
He was not alone in this battle; Archer joined, as well. He materialized a magical bow in his arms and began shooting at the enemy. He didn't aim for Iseri's silhouette; instead, he focused on Hermes. Breaking the wind patterns weakened Berserker's form, unveiling clear dents in his defense, and slowly opened a pathway both to Iseri and freedom outside of this bounded field.
"He is overconfident." Archer said. "He thinks he is invulnerable while constantly opening himself up. We only need to make use of that advantage!"
Assassin also joined, leaping into the whirlwind, moving from one side to another like a shadow, until eventually, he got close to Iseri…Only to be pushed back by the wind power mere moments before he could strike the mage.
"Hah, thought this trick would work on me again? Sorry to disappoint, but your attempts are futile!" Iseri declared. "Hermes, grant me your strength. It's past time we showed them the real meaning of fear!"
A loud roar echoed in Sakura's ears, which must have been Berserker himself stirring. Hermes healed his wounds, perfecting the wind barrier around him. It was hard to breathe. Sakura could feel the oxygen escaping her grasp every single time she attempted to inhale.
"Annihilate them!" Iseri commanded, making Hermes unleash his most powerful wind wave yet. The currents swirled in the air, eventually forming a weapon that reminded Sakura of a giant hammer made with pure air element. Iseri could control those currents from the distance, making the weapon do his bidding. He quickly raised the hammer before crushing it into the roof Sakura and other masters and servants stood on.
The blow was devastating. Sakura heard a loud bang and a dozen cracking sounds that followed. The floor beneath her was covered in small fissures; the entire top level of the skyscraper was turned into a chaotic mess.
"Hold tight! He's going for it again!" Rin was able to shout moments before Iseri unleashed another strike. This one annihilated the floor completely, making Sakura fall. Her heart skipped a beat as the woman thought that she was about to descend into a chaotic abyss and be torn apart by the raging wind currents, but the golden aura that emerged around her slowed down the fall. Caster was there to protect her…And it was only the top level of the building that got annihilated. Sakura and others found themselves among the offices on a lower floor, completely crushed and mingled by the debris from above, and nevertheless still maintaining solid ground. Iseri's hammer dissipated; he must have used a lot of energy to perform such a feat, and the Hurricane soon descended lower. Sakura looked around, trying to find her allies. Angela, Marianne, and Hector kept in a group striking at Hermes from the aura. Rin was by their side, but Sakura couldn't see others…Finally, her eyes caught El-Melloi.
He was buried beneath the rubble, desperately trying to get out and return to the battle. He didn't seem wounded, but the rocks restricted his movements. He did not stay in this trap for long, however, as Rider was there to cover him.
"Hold tight!" Iskandar commanded and approached El-Melloi. He raised his sword and pierced the biggest piece of debris, squashing the blocks that restricted his ally. The man extended his hand, helping the mage get up. El-Melloi seemed distant, he looked at Rider with eyes full of awe and disbelief, as if his most beautiful, cathartic dream came to life.
"T-thank you, Rider, thank you!"
"Don't thank me before the battle is over! Charge and strike back!"
"Yes, at once!"
They had to fight together, for Iseri was a strong opponent, but he was not without weaknesses and vulnerabilities their group could exploit. Sakura knew she had to follow them into the battle. Gilgamesh might have had a steady supply of her mana, but he could always use more in a battle like this. Sakura tried to concentrate, but it was incredibly hard when she still couldn't see Shirou around…She knew he was strong, yet fear still emerged in her heart.
"Strike me down, fiend, I dare you!" Gilgamesh shouted as he created a golden shield around him and his allies, all while mocking the servant before him. Berserker unleashed a powerful wave that clashed with Caster's shield, and it only served to invigorate Gilgamesh as he cackled in the face of a threat. "Is that the best you can do, mad dog? And you dare call yourself a god?"
"Crush him, Hermes, now!" Iseri channeled more of his destructive magic into Berserker, and the ravenous beast slowly began to overwhelm his opponent. However, Gilgamesh did not have to fight alone. Lancer leaped into the fray, slashing the wind wave that was about to strike Gilgamesh. It was separated into two currents, one of which passed right by Sakura. The woman managed to deflect it just before a collision could happen, but moments later, she was paralyzed by a sight that she witnessed.
"S-Shirou…"
He was sitting in a corner, wounded and clinging to his chest. The strike that Iseri unleashed did not leave him unscathed. Sakura felt a burning desire to rush in and save him. It overshadowed her logical thinking and inevitably made her vulnerable to the next wind blast. Sakura shouted as she felt the magic pierce her body and burn her very soul. She closed her eyes, remembering all the agony she suffered in her youth. This was nothing compared to that pain. She had to endure, she had…
Suddenly, another surge of magic emerged, clearing all the corrosive spells that overtook Sakura. Suddenly, her pain was completely gone, allowing the woman to breathe in relief. It was Hector that stood before her with worry and fear on his face, his magic that saved her from this trap.
"Are you alright?"
…
Fire or wind, it was always the same…The untamed nature that broke Shirou buried him beneath the rubble and ash that the Holy Grail war left behind.
When Iseri emerged, Shirou knew that he stared into the eyes of a monster. The one who believed that his spite and anger towards the Magi was enough to justify disgusting atrocities. All he cared about was his own desire, the hedonism that he could gain from inflicting pain upon others. He stood in opposition to everything Shirou stood for. He was as vile and villainous as Kirei, and unlike the priest, he was not trying to be subtle. Iseri was a force of nature that had to be stopped.
The fact that other masters were able to put their differences aside to fight this psychopath was enough to show Shirou his duty. Even now, he could see Romulus and Iskandar valiantly fighting beside Rin and Waver as the group desperately tried to weaken Berserker and drain him of the wind energy. Sakura was wounded, but Shirou saw Hector helping her out…The group was strong, unbeatable for many, but not for someone who knew no honor and was drunk on unmitigated power like Iseri. In the last few years, Shirou learned that compromise is not always possible, and sometimes, one has to forsake honor in order to do what's right.
"Master, here you are," Assassin said with relief as he descended towards Shirou and removed some of the debris, finally allowing the mage to move freely. "You're wounded."
"I'll be alright…You need to help the others." Shirou said, but Hassan didn't leave.
"My part was to lure him here. All I can do now is to support you in this battle. Allow me to return some of my mana to you." Hassan transferred a portion of his energy, allowing Shirou to feel magical power flowing into him again. Even though he didn't want to admit it, Shirou needed it. Otherwise, the idea he had in his mind would not work.
"Thank you, Assassin…Now return to the battle; I will go on myself."
"What is your plan?"
"This battle will be very long if we don't play on our own terms. Not only is his servant a Berserker, but he also has Iseri's own inventions, granting him even more succor. Taking out his master is much simpler. It is only a matter of getting close to him."
"And will you be able to do that alone?"
"I have an idea…" Shirou said, thinking through his plan in his head. If he descends a few levels lower, finding a blind spot for both Hermes and Iseri, and jumps into the Hurricane from there, it would be easier to reach the master himself; the wind currents would drag Shirou in. If Iseri was still focused on fighting the main group, it would be simple enough to restrain him. "I'll manage, return to the fight, and help out others."
"At once, master," Assassin said before making his way back, leaving the challenge to Shirou.
The man stood up, still feeling faint pain in his wound. It would discomfort him, no doubt, but it would not be enough to slow him down. Shirou ran towards the stairway as quickly as he could, descending to a better spot. He could feel the floor trembling beneath him as the wind currents spread through the entire skyscraper, unleashing their chaos unto every corner of the building. Nevertheless, the further Shirou got away from the epicenter, the weaker this energy became. Iseri had to focus over half of his powers on the top floor, where he fought multiple servants, leaving other areas undefended. When Shirou found a small office room with a shattered window leading to the heart of the Hurricane right underneath Iseri, he knew he found a perfect place to strike. Now, all he had to do was to use projection magic and…
"Where do you think you're going?" Shirou heard a familiar voice as if it were an echo of his own. He turned around and saw Archer standing behind him, eyeing the hero with suspicion.
"Shouldn't you be fighting along with others?"
"I was, but then I noticed that you suddenly decided to run away…" Archer couldn't help but chuckle. "That's what it looked like, at least. But it's never straightforward with you, is it? You have some kind of plan…"
"You've got it right," Shirou said, impressed at how easily Archer predicted his course. "I will strike from below and neutralize Iseri while he is distracted. That way, we won't have to prolong the battle."
"Hm, good thinking." Archer nodded, though Shirou couldn't shake unease off himself. Even though Archer was on his side, an aura of mysterious malice still permeated him. Before he could say anything else, however, a few small hurricanes emerged in the doorway; Hermes must have redirected some wind currents to clear out the lower floors. "Do what you planned to do, then. I'll cover you." Archer said before turning around, summoning an array of magic-infused blades that focused on the currents. There was no time or need for discussion, so Archer gave Shirou some time, and he was going to make the best of it.
Shirou focused, channeling his projection magic into a powerful defense. A shining shield designed to neuter the wind magic emerged in his hand. With this, he had all the means to get close to Iseri and finally knock the murderous maniac out. He teetered on the edge, ready to leap into the fray at any moment. It was all or nothing, a chance to save his friends and allies, a heroic deed, one of many that were Shirou's reason to live, forever etching themselves into his memory. He was about to be dragged into the whirlwind, but before surrendering to its power, Shirou looked at Archer one last time. He was about to fight the unstoppable force of nature that was Berserker, all to grant Shirou some time…History truly repeated itself. Archer turned around, giving Shirou a faint yet smug smile.
"Don't expect me to die for you a second time."
What?
This was the only thought that went through Shirou's mind as he was dragged into the all-consuming storm. How could Archer say that? It would have to mean that he remembered the last war…Could it be…No, no, Shirou could not allow those thoughts to overtake him at a moment like this. He had an enemy, and with each second, he got the image closer. He fought for his friends, for Sakura and Rin, for Saber, who watched his journey from the other side. Shirou saw Iseri at the heart of the Hurricane, right above him; there were mere seconds left until he would reach the crazed magus…But Iseri noticed him first.
"Ah, so that's what your plan was? Too bad you aren't getting any closer!"
In the next instant, the wind currents switched their direction, and this time, they were blowing against Shirou. What was a swift approach quickly became an agonizing struggle as Shirou sensed the wind pierce every inch of his body. It boiled his blood, hurt his bones, and atrophied his muscles, making Shirou all but a helpless victim at the heart of the vortex. With each fraction of a second, the pain grew, becoming all the more unbearable. No matter how he tried to resist, how much he fought back, it only became worse.
Shirou's pained scream echoed through every single current. He was at Iseri's mercy.
Despite the pain, the mage continued to push through the air blockade, no matter the pain it caused him. Shirou could not feel his limbs anymore; they froze in a state of unfaltering resilience, but the consequences were mortifying. It was as if life force was sucked out of Shirou's body and soul, turning him into a weakened, broken shell. He could see the withering in a reflection of his own shield. Shirou's skin cracked, growing dirtier and paler; his once bright, fiery hair was drained of its color, now becoming pure white. All of this energy poured into his shield for the smallest opportunity to prevail…He could not lose this battle.
…
Waver could barely hold himself together, not when this battle was a dream coming true right before him. When he was in danger, it was Iskandar who saved him, the mighty King whom he swore himself as a servant, the man he now fought side by side with as an equal. This was the dream of unity Waver harbored for a long time, his aspiration. Everyone fought on the battlefield, desperately pushing Hermes back, but it was Rider who always caught Waver's eye. It was as if he charged into the heart of the battlefield upon another of his glorious conquests.
However, he was not the primary target for Hermes. It was the golden Mage-King, annihilating his wind magic the moment Hermes tried to pierce his majestic shield. Gilgamesh was having the time of his life, dominating every moment he spent in the battle.
"You are pathetic, mongrel, and it's about time for you to be crushed like the insect you are!" He proclaimed loudly, but Iseri did not respond, for the crazed mage was focusing on something else entirely. His gaze tilted downwards as if there was something more important than him. "You dare not look me in the eyes when I am talking to you?"
As Gilgamesh continued his raging attack, Iskandar halted. Waver saw a proud smile emerge on his face as the King of Conquerors was ready to unleash something truly monumental. Waved knew that look and exactly what would follow.
"Watch and learn." Alexander declared after eyeing Waver, Hector, and other mages. "Come, gather around again, fearless fighters who all dreamed of reaching the farthest land. The marks we make here will be our glory! Ionioi Hetairoi!"
As Iskandar cried out those words of pride, Waver could feel the overwhelming sway of nostalgia taking over him. He felt a sense of great pride for the path both he and Alexander walked, for the battle he fought twenty years ago, and for the wonders he witnessed returning to the world. Waver smiled as he saw the reality marble overtake the skyscraper ravaged by battle, turning it into an image of a desert. Iseri's wind was far weaker than Iskandar's domain. In this realm, he was the one and only King, with everyone else being either his soldier or his enemy.
"What…" Iseri clenched his fist, and Waver could sense his powers fainting. "No, no…Not now!"
Eventually, the King's soldiers began to form by his side. One after another, proud warriors rose up from the sand, ready to follow their leader into any battle. The whirlwind was, but a small gust before their might, for both their bodies and will were unbreakable.
"Marvelous…" Hector spoke with awe. "Is it…"
"Yes," Waver said with a proud smile as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. "Rider's noble phantasm, the one that calls his every soldier to his side once again. We have the privilege of being a part of his army…And together, we are unstoppable."
"And so the King bears his fangs…" Even Gilgamesh was impressed.
"Now listen to me, fiend!" Rider proclaimed as he looked at Iseri. "You have put a lot of effort into spreading your foul stain upon this town. You tainted this contest with petty tricks and spells of madness. Here and now, by my right as the King of Conquerors, I declare the end of your rampage. Charge, my men, and bring me his head!"
For the might of his eternal army, for the sake of his endless journey towards Okeanos…Waver would never forget this moment.
Together, all the warriors galloped towards the crazed mage, finally unveiling unmitigated fear and terror in his eyes.
"No…You stand no chance!" Iseri shouted hysterically. "You are all mere mortals, and my servant is a god!" He unleashed a powerful wind wave at his opponents, showing that he used up all the tricks up his sleeve. The air dissipated, unable to slow a single of Alexander's soldiers down. Iseri attempted to rise up, but the confines of the marble forced him to stay on this sandy terrain, waiting for an inevitable punishment for his crimes. No mere magic could destroy the Kingdom Rider had built in his lifetime, and this triumph was a testament to that.
"No, no, NO!" Iseri screeched as the army got closer. He used up all of his remaining powers in a futile attempt to strike the soldiers down. He managed to tear three of them apart, but it took so much toil in his body and will that Iseri fell to the ground and whined in agony and despair.
"Prepare to meet your fate!" Iskandar's voice reigned around the marble, spelling the merciless outcome.
"No…I can't.. It won't end like this! I WILL NOT DIE!" Iseri turned around and ran as fast as he could, too horrified to try and look back. A weak, broken being weeping and shaking in his desperate, pointless plea. In his final attempt to survive, Iseri begged his own servant. "Hermes, where are you? H-help! Hermes! I need y…"
A silver blade emerged from the sand, piercing Iseri's body. It crushed his chest and lungs before the mage could even realize the threat. By the time he fell to the ground, Iseri was nothing more than a bleeding corpse, turning the sand around him crimson.
