FATE/STAYNIGHT

WARRIOR

Ep.8 Thunderstroms at Ryouudou Temple 2nd

Clang!

Saber raised the sharp side of her knightly sword, deflecting the Assassin's blade that struck directly in front of her.
"Even now, you're still refusing to reveal your true sword?" Assassin smirked slyly before spinning 180 degrees, aiming his samurai blade at Saber's waist.

But—

Slash!

Saber lunged forward with incredible speed, her sword cutting deep into Assassin's right shoulder before his blade could reach her. The wound tore open grotesquely.

"Tch," Assassin hissed, gripping his sword handle tightly. The harder he gripped, the more blood flowed from his shoulder, staining his purple sleeve black around the injury.

"Hmph!" At that time Kuzuki clenched his fists and raised his guard before Kuuga. His confident expression shifted to one of hesitation upon seeing Kuga's new transformation.

Kuuga's red armor remained, but now the edges of his shoulder and arm guards gleamed gold, with electricity occasionally sparking across his body.

Still, Kuzuki was unshaken.

In an instant, Kuzuki moved swiftly, his arms and legs surging into action. He leapt at Kuuga with agile precision. In less than a second, he was airborne, his fist drawn back, ready to strike his target.

However—

Kuuga's head moved sharply just before Kuzuki's punch could connect. In a flash, Kuuga stepped forward with his right leg and countered with a powerful punch.

Thud!

Kuzuki's stomach absorbed a blow as forceful as a charging bull. He spat blood as his body was sent flying backward, yet he managed to twist mid-air, landing firmly on his feet without losing balance.

"Yah!" Without hesitation, Kuuga rushed forward to attack again.

Meanwhile—

A barrage of red light arrows fired by Archer rained down relentlessly, but no matter how many he unleashed, they couldn't penetrate Caster's magical barrier.

"Tch!" Archer clicked his tongue as he leaped down from the air, evading Caster's magic projectiles fired in unison.

Below, Rider darted swiftly, leaping between massive monstrous creatures, dodging their attacks while lashing out with her chain to destroy them one by one. She evaded a monster as tall as a building, its giant club swinging down toward the Servants, forcing both to retreat.

"What should we do? To deal with these creatures, we'll have to take down the summoner," Rider said as she landed beside Archer.

But Archer's eye was filled with plans.

"Can I even trust you with this?" Archer asked.

"My only duty is to ensure Yusuke's safety." Rider replied flatly, her tone devoid of emotion. The answer made Archer frown.

"Oh, it seems like he's pretty hot then," Archer remarked, glancing at Caster. "In that case, you'll have to be the decoy and create an opening for her."

"I understand." Rider nodded before dashing out of the forest into an open field filled with skeletal monsters.

Each massive skeleton lunged at Rider, but her unmatched speed allowed her to zigzag and weave through their attacks. In no time, she was face-to-face with Caster.

"You're too slow." Caster sneered, raising her hand to summon a purple magic circle aimed directly at Rider.

But in the meantime, Caster, sensing another side of her being fully opened, turned her heard toward and saw Archer jumping.

"You're the one who's too slow," Archer interrupted, leaping in from another angle. His eyes locked onto Caster as he chanted, "I am the bone of my sword."

A sword materialized in his hand. Archer loaded it into his bow, and it began to transform into an arrow, its immense energy splitting the air as it charged forward.

"Caladbolg!"

The arrow launched, transforming into a massive blast of energy that tore through Caster's barrier, striking her directly.

"Aaargh!" Caster screamed as the arrow carried her body skyward.

Boom!

A massive circular explosion erupted in the sky, its radiant light scattering across the city.

The skeletal monsters froze motionless. Rider jumped back to the ground, landing amidst them as they stood still.

As the light faded, nothing remained—just as Archer had predicted.

But—

As Archer surveyed the area, he realized something was amiss. The skeletal monsters hadn't disappeared.

What's going on? She should be dead...

Suddenly, Archer sensed something approaching from behind in just 2–3 seconds—no, right now!

Zoooommmm!

A purple beam shot from behind him, but Archer narrowly dodged it.

When he turned, he saw Caster hovering mid-air, holding a spear-sized magic construct in her left hand, smiling gleefully.

"Ah, I almost forgot about your little trick to distort a servant's perception," Archer muttered, irritation flashing across his face.

"Ha-ha, don't lose heart just yet... I haven't even started," Caster taunted as she waved her hand. The skeletal monsters stirred back to life, forcing Rider and Archer to evade the renewed onslaught of massive attacks.

" AH!? "

Kuuga abruptly stopped moving. When the sound of Archer's arrows exploding and the sense of others being in danger... It all made him anxious enough to turn around.

Thud!

Kuzuki delivered a sudden punch to Kuuga's skull. The force of the blow was so powerful that it sent him sprawling backward.

"Where are you looking at? You're in the middle of a fight. Focus a little, will you?" Kuzuki said as he lunged forward, ready to deliver another punch. But Kuuga flipped over Kuzuki's head, landing deftly behind him.

"Yeah, yeah, no need for a lecture." Yusuke replies in Sarcasm tone

"You kid... you're all the same," Kuzuki said, his voice cold and detached. "At first, I thought you were better than Shirou. But really, you're no different."

"Hey, I am not that worst!" Kuga barked back, charging forward recklessly. This time, though, he had figured out Kuzuki's moves and wasn't worried about being caught off guard.

When he got close enough, Kuga threw a punch. Kuzuki ducked as expected, just as Kuuga anticipated.

Kuga prepared to unleash a kick, but Kuzuki quickly countered, striking Kuga's leg to disrupt his balance.

"What—?" Kuzuki shifted his stance, leaping forward and planting his left hand on the ground for support. Using both legs, he thrust forward, and he kicked Kuuga squarely in the chest.

CRASH!

Kuuga slammed into a wall, nearly incapacitated. But moments later, he slowly got back to his feet, panting heavily.

"Switching up your techniques, huh?" Kuga said, breathing hard.

"Of course. I'm not stupid enough to keep using the same moves and get taken out," Kuzuki replied, raising his fists. "Against someone like you, it only takes a little effort to read your moves."

"Then try reading this!" Kuuga shouted, stepping back with his left foot. The move startled Kuzuki slightly, though he managed to guess what was coming.

"If you're just going to charge at me, that's a bad idea," Kuzuki remarked as he noticed a golden armor forming around Kuuga's leg.

"Yah!"

Kuuga dashed toward Kuzuki at full speed. Kuzuki, however, didn't flinch. He dropped his guard completely, standing straight as if mocking Kuuga's attempt.

And it goes like He predicts

Just as Yusuke was about to reach Kuzuki, Kuuga leaped into the air, spinning once before bringing his leg down in a powerful kick.

Kuzuki barely dodged, twisting to the side in the nick of time and raising his fist to counter.

And he expects Kuuga leg to hit the ground in time as he got a chance to deliver a punch.

But...

" RI—!"

In that frozen moment, Kuuga planted his unused foot firmly on the ground, propelling himself back into the air with another spin.

"Huh?"

"DER—!"

Kuzuki's eyes widened in shock as Kuuga twisted midair, extending his leg toward him. Flames engulfed the outstretched leg, blazing with the intent to destroy everything in their path—including Kuzuki.

"Kick!"

Kuga's flaming kick landed squarely on Kuzuki, triggering a massive explosion that sent Kuzuki hurtling through the temple wall and beyond.

Boom!

Kuga collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. In front of him, there was no sign of Kuzuki—only the aftermath of the attack. Several walls bore human-shaped holes in a line where Kuzuki had been blasted through.

"That was me holding back, too." Kuga muttered under his heavily breath.

The battlefield, where Archer initially had the advantage, was abruptly overturned. Both he and Rider now found themselves struggling to survive not just against skeletal monsters but also Caster's indiscriminate magic blasts.

"Ah!?" Suddenly, Caster ceased her attacks, turning toward the temple building. It was as if she sensed something ominous or felt that someone was in danger.

Then she saw him—Yusuke, emerging from the shadows. His upper body was bare, revealing bruises and cuts, while his lower half was clad only in long pants. He clutched his injured arm, his body battered and bruised. Caster's eyes darted, searching desperately for her master, but there was no trace of him. She could only feel his fading life force.

"This can't be... Master Souichirou..." Caster's demeanor shifted from one of overwhelming power to deep sorrow and fragility.

She turned back toward Yusuke, fury now consuming her expression. She looked like a child robbed of a beloved toy. Without hesitation, she pointed her magical circle at Yusuke and fired a beam of energy.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Yusuke dodged as best as he could, but the speed of the attack left him barely able to evade.

Whoosh!

Rider Quickly running in, she's swiftly grabbing Yusuke and carrying him away from the beam's path. She then dropped him off behind Archer.

"Well, well... so, kid, did you take care of that guy?" Archer asked, his voice calm despite the hint of intrigue.

" Ya…."

"Then you've made the lady mad."

Caster turned her fiery gaze toward the trio below. The sheer intensity of her hatred felt like it could engulf the world.

"Because of you... because of all of you... Master Souichirou had to suffer this fate. Die!" Caster screamed in fury, raising her hand above her head.

A chilling roar echoed through the air as the skeletal monsters began dissolving one by one. Behind Caster, a massive form began to take shape—a colossal skeletal creature, resembling a dinosaur. Its enormous body, jagged teeth capable of shredding steel, and giant wings made its presence menacing.

"That's—" Archer began, his expression pale with fear.

"A dragon " Rider finished.

The skeletal dragon roared, its sound a horrifying mix of snake-like hissing and lion-like growling. The deafening noise shook the entire city awake.

Before the dragon could move, Archer let loose nine arrows aimed directly at its skull. The explosion sent smoke billowing everywhere, but when it cleared, the dragon's shattered skull had already reassembled itself in moments, perfectly intact.

"This is bad " Archer muttered, lowering his bow, his teeth gritting audibly.

"Good luck to you all " Caster said venomously. The dragon opened its mouth, gathering an ominous purple energy that swirled and grew in intensity.

"Watch out!" Archer shouted, but before anyone could react, the dragon unleashed its devastating blast.

Elsewhere, amidst a calm yet tense moonlit field, Saber and Assassin stood face to face, their weapons drawn. Neither moved nor broke eye contact, as if the entire world paused to witness their duel.

"Do you realize, Saber, that you're exactly where I wanted you to be?" Assassin said, his expression unreadable. His words caused a flicker of hesitation in Saber.

The moonlight illuminated the area, casting an ethereal glow that seemed to draw even the attention of the gods, as though they too were eager to see the outcome of this final sword clash.

"Here I come " Assassin said, taking a single step forward. "Hidden Sword Technique."

Suddenly, the air around them began to swirl, and the golden blade in Saber's hand revealed itself, gleaming like the radiant dawn. The brilliance stunned Assassin momentarily, evoking memories of his youth—of training tirelessly, trying to cut down a swallow in mid-flight. He had never succeeded, no matter how hard he tried.

Until today.

" Tsubam—"

Slash…..!

Saber's blade struck true, slicing Assassin's body cleanly from shoulder to waist. Blood spilled freely as Saber now stood behind him, her knightly blade vanishing from her hand.

"Ah…" Assassin let his samurai sword fall to the ground. "You must be that bird... the one I could never cut down."

He knelt, a faint smile crossing his face—was it self-pity? Or satisfaction?

"Or perhaps... you're an eagle " he said, glancing at Saber as his body began to fade. "I was careless."

With those final words, Assassin disappeared from the world entirely.

Shirou and Rin, both staring at the duel for a long time, quickly rushed to Saber's side.

"Saber, are you all right?" Shirou asked urgently.

"I am not injured " Saber replied, turning to Rin. "We must hurry going to Yusuke."

Rin nodded, and the three sprinted inside Ryudou Temple Gate.

The dragon's roar shook the entire temple courtyard, accompanied by the ground trembling intermittently as the dragon slammed its massive body into the center of the area. Birds scattered in every direction, fleeing the chaos.

"Hmm!" Archer drew his bow, the string pulled taut, and fired. His arrows exploded against the skeletal dragon's body, but the wounds closed up almost instantly.

"It's no use." Archer muttered, his expression grim as he glanced toward Caster, who stood within a shimmering barrier resembling a bubble. Archer frowned. Why? Caster had refrained from attacking directly, leaving all the aggression to the dragon. Normally, she'd launch spells from a distance.

"Ah, I see now." Archer's eyes widened in realization just as he leaped away from the dragon's tail, which came crashing down with tremendous force.

BOOM!

The tail's sheer power demolished nearby buildings, reducing them to piles of debris.

Landing beside Yusuke, Archer's gaze shifted to Rider, who skillfully dodged the dragon's fiery attacks with swift, agile movements.

"What's the matter, kid? Falling for her moves, are you?" Archer teased, casting a sly glance at Yusuke, who was hiding behind a bush, observing the scene intently.

"Archer?! You really like making people surprised." Yusuke exclaimed, startled. "You couldn't do anything to the dragon, are you?"

"Yes " Archer admitted with a shrug, "but I might've figured out why." He pointed toward Caster. "That witch is hiding behind her barrier, not helping the dragon directly. She's connected to it somehow."

Archer paused, crossing his arms thoughtfully.

"Caster's true identity is Medea, the princess of Colchis. She's known for her ability to summon dragons," he explained, narrowing his eyes. "But this summoning isn't perfect. The dragon's skeletal form and her need to shield herself suggest she can't fully control it. Instead, she's using her own life force to sustain the dragon."

"So if we take her out..." Yusuke began, glancing back at Archer.

"It's endgame," Archer finished, raising his bow and aiming at Caster.

He released the string, unleashing a volley of arrows toward the witch. The arrows detonated upon contact with the outer layer of her barrier, but the shield remained unscathed.

"Just as I thought," Archer muttered. "Her barrier nullifies anti-servant abilities."

"What does that mean?" Yusuke asked, confused.

"It can't block low-level magic or mundane attacks, but high-tier Servant abilities are out," Archer replied, his frustration evident. "And I've already burned through most of my mana. I can't summon anything that can do that.

Archer grimaced, watching as Caster smirked wickedly at them from behind her barrier.

Meanwhile, Yusuke's eyes drifted over Archer's figure, his gaze lingering on the black bow in Archer's hands.

An idea struck him.

"Archer, can I borrow your bow?" Yusuke asked abruptly, his eyes locked on Caster.

"What? My bow isn't something just anyone can use, and the arrows—" Archer began to argue, but Yusuke reached out and placed a hand on the weapon.

"If we're going to take her down, this is the only way," Yusuke said firmly, meeting Archer's eyes with unwavering determination.

After a moment, Archer sighed and handed over the bow. "Fine….Just don't forget to give it back."

"Got it " Yusuke replied with a nod, setting the bow down beside the bush. Then he reached for his belt.

"Henshin!"

In an instant, Yusuke transformed. His Kamen Rider Kuuga armor materialized, but this time it was green—matching his entire form, from his leather-clad limbs to the glow of his emerald eyes.

Rider, still evading the dragon's attacks, caught sight of Yusuke in his green Kuuga form, drawing the bow. She landed on the ground and sprinted toward Caster, trying to close the gap.

The skeletal dragon turned its head, following Rider's movements, and charged after her, unwittingly placing itself directly between Yusuke and Caster.

The black bow in Yusuke's hands began to glow, its form shifting to green and gold, with the emblem of Kuuga etched in its center. As he drew the string, a golden-headed arrow formed, pulsating with power.

Yusuke waited, steadying his aim. He could see through the dragon's ribcage to Caster, standing within her barrier.

He released the arrow.

WHOOSH!

The arrow transformed into a massive green flame as it soared forward, piercing through the dragon's body. The skeletal creature let out a deafening roar as it was split in two.

"No!" Caster screamed, raising her hands to shield her eyes from her impending fate.

BOOM!

The barrier shattered in a fiery explosion, engulfing the temple in a blaze so intense it nearly incinerated its roof.

Then, silence.

The battlefield fell still. The skeletal dragon crumbled into violet particles, disappearing into the air.

Rider stood frozen, surveying the scene. It was over.

In Yusuke's hands, Archer's bow dissolved, vanishing alongside his Greenish Kuuga form.

"I have to admit, I'm impressed," Archer said, stepping out from behind the bushes and into the open courtyard, now littered with the scars of battle.

Yusuke followed closely behind, wrapping his arms around himself as the chill in the air began to return.

"My job ends here," Rider announced stoically, her expression unreadable, before dissolving into shimmering particles that faded into the wind.

"Oh, it looks like I won't get to ask anything after all." Archer muttered, folding his arms with a sarcastic smirk. "You've got more going on than I thought, huh?"

"Don't even start," Yusuke shot back, clearly annoyed.

"Yusuke!" A soft, familiar young boy voice called out. Shirou rushed into the courtyard, his eyes darting around at the aftermath of the battle.

"Yeah, it's a mess, I know," Yusuke replied with a cheeky grin.

"Well, yeah, but you—" Rin appeared from behind Shirou, her eyes inadvertently drifting to Yusuke's bare, well-toned upper body. She quickly turned her head away, her cheeks flushing red.

"Not a fan of staring at half-naked guys, huh, princess?" Yusuke teased with a mischievous smile.

"Who would like that, you idiot?!" Rin snapped, her voice a mix of embarrassment and indignation. She turned her glare to Archer. "And you! Where have you been?!"

"I ran into some... complications," Archer replied, lowering his gaze with a furrowed brow. "You're not going to believe this, but I encountered a new Lancer."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rin asked, confusion evident in her tone.

"I'll explain later ".