Sakura had never dreamed of the possibility, yet here it was, unveiling it right in front of her.

It felt like a twisted, chaotic dream. Everything since Shirou saved her from Iseri's wind carried her in his arms, and spoke in his kind, soothing voice felt so cathartic yet unbelievable at the same time. Her sister was there, too…She and Shirou promised to show Sakura a safe, protected place, and she agreed to follow.

They didn't lie and guided the young woman and Caster to a residence on the outskirts of the Fuyuki area, their supposed base of operations. They did not talk much on their way, even though there were ten years' worth of discussion…Sakura knew she wanted to talk, and she felt like her sister and Shirou wanted it, too, but neither of them had the courage to start. Eventually, the road reached its end, and Sakura was already walking amidst the halls of their host's house.

"Welcome back." A tall, black-haired man met them in the main hall. A single look at him was enough to recognize an esteemed mage. He didn't focus on Shirou and Rin for long; instead, he turned his gaze towards Sakura. "I see you were rather quick to accept this invitation." He said with slight skepticism. Rin talked over the phone during their journey. He must have been her contact.

"You don't need to worry about Sakura." Shirou spoke up. "She is one of the most loyal and trustworthy people I know, even after all my travels." He said with confidence and certainty, making Sakura blush almost immediately.

"T-thank you, senpai." She said in a high-pitched voice. It has been a long time since Sakura felt so girlish…It was as if she was back in school again, infatuated over Senpai, her hero, and the one she dreamed would come and save her despite all the effort she put into hiding the truth. As if this wasn't embarrassing enough, Gilgamesh's playful voice echoed in her mind.

"Ah, now I see what's going on here."

Sakura tried to get hold of herself and looked at the host.

"You are Lord-Melloi, correct?"

"Lord El-Melloi the Second." He pedantically corrected. "And I believe you are Sakura Kuzuki; both Rin and Shirou vouched for you."

"I've heard of your campaign to destroy the Holy Grail. It's a very noble goal."

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to discuss. You are master in this war…And where is your servant?"

"Right here!" Gilgamesh's proud announcement echoed in Sakura's ears as the golden servant materialized in the center of the room. "So you're the one they're all afraid of? You hardly seem imposing."

"Ahem…" Rin interjected. "I doubt anyone will seem imposing to you of all people."

Sakura still looked at El-Melloi, noticing his expression change. From the moment she saw him, there was stoicism and confidence in his eyes, but the moment he looked at Gilgamesh, a huge dent was put through them. His hands shook, and eyes began to run around, as if he desperately wanted to look away, something that Gilgamesh quickly picked up on.

"Is that all the reaction you can give me? What a disappointment. Seems like no one knows the proper respect one ought to grant a king in this day and age."

"You're really full of yourself, mo matter the class." Rin sighed and spoke again. "Maybe our Lord here is simply stricken by your dazzling glory?" Rin said sarcastically. "Anyway, why don't we get to something more important?"

Pragmatic and direct, just like Sakura remembered her. It was strange, standing right by her side again. So many years have passed since their initial separation, and yet they still kept up the pretense of being nothing more than acquaintances.

"It's good to have you with us, Sakura." Rin said in a welcoming yet very official, almost emotionless tone. Sakura felt her heart skip a beat. Is this all she was going to get after twenty years of Rin ignoring her pain? Turning a blind eye to the monsters that tortured her?

"Thank you, Rin, I'm glad, too." She responded, desperately trying to not sound too artificial and fake.

"You've really grown…And disassociating yourself from the Matous was a great choice on your part. No offense, but your relatives were rather…Corrupt, to say the least."

'Relatives'. So they were still playing this game of pretense in front of others. Her sister didn't change at all.

"I wanted a simpler life…Without all the burdens that came with the lineage." Sakura explained. "Though the last few days showed that I can't run from my past forever."

"Why didn't you tell me you were from a mage family?" Shirou wondered. "That explains why the Grail would choose Shinji."

"Yes, the grail…" Perhaps it was better for him to think that it was the Grail that chose Shinji and not Sakura herself…No, she had to reveal the truth, and soon, otherwise, Sakura would be just as bad as her sister. "I'm sorry, Shirou, I didn't want to burden you with this knowledge. It really wasn't necessary."

"Maybe, but there was no reason to hide the truth…Or was there?"

"Sakura." Rin spoke again. "When Shirou became a master, he joined our cause almost immediately. We would love you to join us, as well, but the Grail chooses its masters for a reason."

"What are you getting at?"

"We need to be sure that you won't be working in the Grail's favor at any point." Rin explained.

"You don't trust me?"

"I want to be clear on everything. Do you have a wish that you'd like the Grail to fulfill?"

"I…" Sakura spoke quietly, but Gilgamesh interrupted her.

"Look at them, already jumping to interrogation like cravens. My master has her reasons for being in this war if you cannot accept them…Perhaps you don't trust her as much as you pretend."

"You don't know anything about us." Rin said dismissively.

"Please, stop this." Sakura interjected. "It doesn't matter what I could ever want from the Grail, not when it is corrupted and can only destroy, not create. I would never try to recreate something like the fire twenty hears ago. I am on your side wholeheartedly. The Grail has to be destroyed to save all people of Fuyuki, and if you think that it is possible, I will help you."

"I'm glad to hear that." Lord El-Melloi smiled. "We will gladly welcome you and Caster into our ranks."

"We're very fortunate to find another master sympathetic to our cause." Rin added. "The others were not as eager to hear us out."

As they talked, the Assassin emerged from the nearest window, quickly approaching his master.

"Report." Shirou said.

"Berserker and Rider escaped from the battlefield, and it is safe for now, but many people have noticed the chaos this hurricane caused."

"Could've been worse." Shirou said with faint relief.

"Have you encountered any masters?" Sakura asked.

"We have seen and identified three," El-Melloi responded. "Everec Kammerer, a member of the Association is the master of Saber, who is Jeanne d'Arc, savior of France. Another Association member is Marianne Taylor, the Lorekeeper. She commands Romulus, who is the Lancer in this war. Finally, Iseri…Though I was told he prefers to be called 'Vortex.' An unhinged but very talented mage that you've already seen, master of the wind magic, and Hermes, whom he cursed with madness to take the spot of Berserker. Then there is you and Shirou, masters of Caster and Assassin.

"I encountered the last two, both of them." Sakura said confidently, immediately garnering everyone's attention. "Master of Archer is Angela von Einzbern, the representative of the family, but she isn't a homunculus."

"So our suspicions were correct." The Lord said. "We suspected her as a master ever since the war started; all we needed was confirmation. And what of Archer? Did you figure out his identity?"

"No, but I've seen him. He is a young man, tall and has slightly tanned skin, but he looks Japanese. Pale white hair and dark crimson coating…Sorry, that's all I know. He was quite cocky when I saw him."

"Wait, that's…" Rin spoke in disbelief. "Did you think of that too, Shirou?"

"This describes your Archer perfectly."

"Damn…A second time in a row?"

"Explain, please." El-Melloi inquired.

"I was the master of Archer ten years ago, and it seems like Angela summoned the same servant."

"And who is he?"

"I don't know."

"You didn't know the identity of your own servant?"

"He said he had memory problems and didn't remember his own past…But I know what kind of person he is. We had a few spats here and there, but he remained loyal…Even sacrificed himself to save Shirou and me."

"I see. Well, at least that's some extra knowledge." El-Melloi said and turned back to Sakura, once again breaking his facade of stoicism. "And…What of Rider?"

"Angela's apprentice commands Rider; his name is Hector. He is fanatically loyal to her and would do anything she orders, but I don't think he is a bad person…Not truly."

"And his servant?"

"Alexander the Great, the King of Conquerors. He called himself Iskandar." As she said those words, El-Melloi reflexively recoiled as if shock had taken over him for a few seconds. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, of course…" He took a deep breath. "Now we know all masters and servants of this war, which means it is time to go on the offensive. We will defeat our opponents and bring an end to this cycle…Once and for all."

…

Hector hated the fact that he had to return to Angela empty-handed once again. He was so close to bringing Sakura down; perhaps with Berserker's sudden attack, he could have looked at an opportunity to strike at Gilgamesh from behind and annihilate the arrogant mage, but here he was, running away from his opportunity. By the time he and Iskandar approached the Einzbern castle on his flying chariot, the whirlwind in the city already faded.

"Seems like it is over…" Hector said quietly. "Do you think she survived?"

"Of course she did; it's not that easy to die with a servant like hers." Gilgamesh said with a level of admiration. "King of Heroes is arrogant and is slow to use the most powerful of his abilities, but he is nigh unbeatable when he does not hold back. That much is a fact. Now, Berserker and his master…They are the complete opposite. From what we've seen, they don't even think of holding back."

"Mad dogs, both of them." Hector said with disgust. "Angra Mainyu certainly makes some peculiar choices."

"Look at it from another angle. Perhaps the Grail wanted to make this contest more fun? And granting a servant to a merciless and deranged ravager can certainly add flavor to this was, don't you think."

"Could do without this type of 'fun'." Hector scoffed.

"To each their own."

Soon, the two arrived at the Einzbern castle. Iskandar was going to land at the front gates, but something seemed…Off. He could hear voices coming from the main hall, all loud and enthusiastic, as if in the middle of a heated argument, but not all were recognizable.

"Rider, let's look at the balcony." Hector suggested.

"Any particular reason?"

"Seems like Angela has another guest…I'd like to see them without too much distraction."

"Very well."

Rider landed at the balcony, a spot which allowed both master and servant an ample view of the hall. What he witnessed was enough to surprise Hector. Angela and Lorekeeper were there with their servants standing beside them, but there was another. A middle-aged man with a blonde woman in shining armor standing beside him.

"Saber…" Hector uttered quietly. He knew who it was, Everec Kammerer, the mage granted command seals, the one who summoned Jeanne d'Arc as a Saber and joined the war.

"Looks like your instincts were on point, boy." Iskandar chuckled. "Should we go down and say 'hello'?"

Hector didn't respond, instead focusing on the unfolding scene, listening to Angela speak.

"You should understand, Mr. Kammerer, that whatever your reservations regarding me you have, the campaigners for dismantlement are the main enemies of everyone in this room…" Eventually, Angela's gaze slid up, noticing Hector on the balcony. A very faint smile emerged on her face, after which she raised an arm slightly. Hector nodded in silence, after which she turned towards Kammerer again.

"Was that a signal of some sort?" Rider asked.

"Yes…She wants us to stay here and wait for her signal, I think she expects that this might end badly."

"Ah, negotiations…Half of those always end up in some sort of bloodbath."

"Quiet, we can't let them see us." Hector and Iskandar hid behind a pillar, continuing to listen to the conversation.

"Yes, yes, I heard that already." Kammerer said dismissively. "I battled this Shirou Emiya myself and would've crushed if not for that bastard Iseri interjecting. I still don't see any reasons to side with an Einzbern."

"Please, Everec, you have to see the big picture." Marianne spoke up. "This decision did not come easy to me either, but we are all masters, and for now, our goals co-inside, all of us need the grail intact. If you join us, it would be an alliance of four masters, a coalition practically unbeatable, exactly what we need against Hermes and Gilgamesh."

"You are the one refusing to see big picture, Marianne. Einzbers were the ones who created this war, the ones who ended up corrupting the Grail, and their goals remained unchanged across all wars. They want to claim the Grail for their family and their family alone. Do you think Homunculi who sent Angela here are happy about the Association joining this war? Do you think they care for dialogue or compromise? I expected better of you, Marianne, this naivety doesn't suit you."

"If I may, master." Jeanne d'Arc spoke out with calm confidence, turning to Angela. "I do not know how justified my master's suspicions are, but I defer to his judgement when it comes to the world of modern mages. If you truly want to claim the Grail for yourself or a small family, you are making a grave mistake. The Grail is an enigma, it is too much for a mere mortal, or even a few of the, to handle. You should reconsider your chosen course."

"You have it all mixed up." Angela sighed. "We aren't the ones rejecting an olive branch, your stubborn master is. Deferring to his judgement won't do you any good."

"Oh, really now?" Everec said in a smug, arrogant tone. "Need I remind you that if it wasn't for your predecessors, the Grail would have never been corrupted in the first place?"

"I'm sure this concept is alien to the Association, but we in the Einzbern family have a tradition of surpassing our predecessors and never give in to stagnation."

"Please, there is no need to bicker." Lorekeeper interjected. "We don't have to agree on everything, nor do we have to pretend like this is a long-term Alliance between Association and the Einzberns. We simply need to pick our battles carefully."

"I agree." Everec said. "And truth be told, while I was hoping to knock some sense into you, Marianne, I've picked my fight the moment you invited me here. Einzbers are a nest of snakes and I would never trust a single one of them! Saber, unless you want me to use another command seal, you know what to do…Don't harm Marianne, kill the rest!"

"I obey, master…" There was no confidence in Saber's voice, but she took out her blade, ready to enter the battle. Hector couldn't believe his eyes Everec was bold enough to challenge two servants at once, this could only end in a disaster for him.

"You've made a brave mistake. Archer, attack!" Angela commanded with her servant immediately joining the fray. He created an array of arrows, unleashing them upon advancing Jeanne. The woman had no issue raising her blade and using it to deflect the arrows. Any of them that hit her blade or armor broke before they had a chance to reach the skin.

"Romulus, defend us!" Marianne gave a command, as well.

"At once." The servant leapt forward and stood between Saber and Archer. The two began sparring, their lance and blade clashing with each other as the clinging wound echoed through the entire hall. Both of those servants were incredibly powerful, when it came to combat they were evenly-matched.

"Typical." Alexander said without any surprise. "I think this is the perfect time for us to join the battle, Saber has no chance against the three of us."

"Wait for a bit longer." Hector said. "He doesn't know we're here, we should strike when he opens himself up."

"Why are you doing this, Everec?" Marianne said with stark disappointment in her voice. "You are destroying your own opportunity and for what? For your pride?"

"If you want to simplify it in such a way, then so be it." Kammerer responded. "But I'd simply say that I have better judgement than to become an Einzbern's pawn. You think you can put aside our differences, but if you continue this partnership, one day she will backstab you without remorse!"

The battle raged on with Saber and Lancer continuing to clash, both maintaining their positions.

"It is an honor to spar with an ancient hero." Jeanne declared. "If nothing else, let this duel be engraved in our memories!"

"You are young and naive, yet already show great potential. With many others, your strength would be more than enough, but not with me!"

"I'll gladly take on the challenge!"

Jeanne raised her sword, but another array of arrows emerged from behind Romulus, this time Saber wasn't quick enough to deflect all of them. A few hit her skin, causing the woman to grunt and take a few steps back. Archer was there, too, standing by Lancer's side and more than happy to aid him.

"I…" Jeanne took a deep breath. "I see you have no regard for the concept of honor, Archer!"

"Spare me your nonsense." Archer responded dismissively. "I know your type, Saber, the perpetual hero. The one who seeks to become an idol, who believes themselves to be larger than life. They dedicate their entire existence to a cruel world that will never repay in kind…And then they always wonder why they die broken and alone."

"Perhaps you have no faith in life, but I still cling to it." Jeanne maintained and attempted to attack again. As hard as she fought, two servants were simply too much to handle at the same time. Hector knew that if he and Iskandar enter the fray, this will be an easy victory, but something still seemed wrong. This couldn't have been the full extent of whatever Ever and Jeanne planned, they weren't foolish enough to limit themselves to this suicidal charge.

"Saber, it is time!" Kammerer commanded as he began to channel his mana into Jeanne,

"I shall not fail you, master. Noble Phantasm, Luminosite Eternelle!" After those words, a banner emerged in Saber's hands, a flag that symbolized her pride and heroism in the bygone era. A vessel of incredible energy that she was ready to unleash at this very moment. "It's time to end this!" The energy that Everec supplied transformed into a golden aura around Saber as she began her onslaught. Both Romulus and Archer were forced back.

"What are you waiting for?!" Angela demanded. "Break through her defense!"

Archer attempted to use his blades again, but they simply burned in the glow of this aura.

"Seems like she had some useful tricks up her sleeve after all…" Archer said.

Romulus was the next one to try and break through Saber's defenses, but even his mighty spear ended up useless against the approaching warrior.

"Damn it, I knew they had a plan!" Hector clenched his fist, hearing Iskandar's voice.

"It's time to enter the battle, boy. Her defenses may be strong, but they are not impenetrable. I will use my own noble phantasm and have my army break through this aura!"

"Are you seriously going to waste so much energy in a three to one battle? No, there must be some other way…" Hector pondered, switching his focus from Saber to her master. "See, he is the one fueling her with mana. Archer and Lancer can't reach him from the other side of this shield, but you can!"

"Are you saying…"

"Get to him from behind or from above and knock him out, this will end the supply and make Saber an easy target."

"And then they would tear her apart…No boy, this isn't how it should go."

"W-what are you talking about?" Hector could barely hold his anger back. "We won't get a perfect opportunity like this ever again!"

"I am a conqueror and a warrior, and I have come to this land to challenge that mighty heroes that answered the summons not to eliminate them as conveniently as possible by some cheap tricks. I wish to face Jeanne in battle, I can promise you that I will emerge victorious."

"We can't risk it! We're in this to win, not for some twisted fun! Just listen, if you…"

Sudden cry of pain interrupted Hector. He saw Archer unleashing more blades in an attempt to break through Saber's defenses, but all of them were destroyed or deflected. One of them happened to fly right by Angela's shoulder and inflict a wound upon it. His mentor let out a painful scream and fell on her knees, blood began to stream from her shoulder almost immediately.

In this moment, Hector could feel his world freeze. She was wounded and open, any one of next attacks could be her end. His savior, the woman who granted him the gift of life and taught Hector everything he knew. She could…No, no, Hector would never allow it, no matter the cost. The young man raised his hand.

"What are you doing, boy?"

"By this command seal, I order you…Kill Saber's master."

Iskandar attempted to resist, but only for a few seconds. Eventually, the will of the command spell took over him entirely. Rider summoned his chariot and charged to wards Everec with impeccable speed and without any hesitation. Before the arrogant mage could realize anything, the shadow of the King of Conquerors already towered above him.

"AAARGH!" Everec's painful cry rang out through the hall.

"Master!" Jeanne reflexively turned around and shouted in shock. Iskandar's blade struck without mercy, cutting the mage down in two. The stream of blood created a puddle in a matter of seconds. The barely-alive Everec was only able to look at Marianne one last time.

"This is who…They…Are…Backs..Stabb…E….."

Moments after, Iskandar finished the job by decapitating The mage.

"No!" Jeanne cried out in despair.

"I am sorry, Saber…It had to be done."

Saber was shocked and weakened, and the other servants used this opportunity to attack in unison. Archer unleashed an array of six blades, four of them piercing Jeanne's limbs while the remaining two plucked out her eyes, leaving nothing but stains of blood. At this point, Saber could do nothing but scream in agony, but this pain did not last for long. Lancer attacked, breaking her chest armor and piercing her heart. Blood flowed from Jeanne's mouth, she could neither scream nor talk any longer, and soon her body began to fade away. There she laid, an utterly defeated and broken warrior, drowning in her own blood at the feet of her opponents.

"As I expected." Archer said coldly. "Broken and alone."

Eventually, Jeanne faded and the silence befell upon the hall. Marianne was staring st Kammerer's mutilated corpse in silence, still unable to let go of the shock. Eventually, Angela's delighted laughter broke this silence.

"A-ha-ha-ha! And so the first master falls!" She clapped as she watched Hector descend down the staircase, looking to the floor with shame in his eyes. "Perfectly played, I couldn't have executed this better myself! I'll even forgive you coming back empty-handed again…"

"T-thank you," Hector said as he felt something inside him die. Here it was, the praise he wanted…All it took was to murder someone in an act of vile dishonor.

"And you, Marianne?" Angela turned towards the Lorekeeper. "You were impressive, as well."

"Yes…Sure…"

"Come now, you should have been ready for this outcome. It is a shame that he refused to see reason, but he left us no choice. This marks our victory, the first of many!" The mage spoke with pride and anticipation. "It won't be long before Emiya and Matou share the same fate."