Fate/Hijacked

Chapter 17

Night had settled heavily upon Fuyuki City, casting deep shadows across the stone steps that led up to Ryuudouji Temple. There was a thick sense of tension in the air amongst them, the kind that seemed to press against the skin, almost like a warning of the danger that awaited. Shirou, his Servant Lady Avalon, Rin, and Lancer ascended the stairs quietly, their footfalls barely audible on the ancient stone. Their faces were set in into firm expressions, knowing full well that the challenge ahead was going to be something that kept them on their toes. Except for Lady Avalon. The Pretender was just as cheery as ever.

At Shirou's request, Illya had remained behind at the Emiya estate. Lady Avalon had cast multiple layers of protection over the home, ensuring that no external threat would harm the young girl while they were away. Shirou's mind briefly drifted to his sister for a moment, hoping she would be safe until they returned. However Lady Avalon had, with a mischievous smile, assured him that even Gilgamesh would find it troublesome to breach the layers of enchantments she had woven, so he didn't let himself worry too much.

Shirou's focus returned on the steps ahead that led up to the temple. Their plan was simple but hinged on speed. Lancer, backed by Lady Avalon's supportive buffs, would engage and swiftly dispatch Assassin, allowing them to confront Caster before any of her further rituals could be completed. Once they reached Caster's domain, Lancer and Pretender would take the lead against her, while Shirou and Rin were set to face Kuzuki, who they knew was no ordinary man due to Archer's previous information. No doubt Caster would have taken precautions to protect and enhance her Master—high grade reinforcement was the least they should expect. It was still quite a risky and perhaps even dangerous plan, but it was the best they could do given the circumstances.

Approaching the gateway, they found Assassin waiting for them, standing calmly with his Monohoshizao drawn. His expression was serene, yet there was a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "To pass beyond this point," he declared in a steady voice, "you must defeat me. There is no other way."

"Well then, let's get this over with," Lancer grinned, lowering himself into a fighting stance, the crimson spear Gáe Bolg gleaming in the moonlight. "Apologies for not having a proper warrior's duel. We're in a bit of a hurry."

Assassin smirked. "Such is the way of things. Let's see if you can back up that arrogance of yours, Lancer."

The two warriors clashed immediately, and the air was filled with the sharp clang of metal meeting metal. Assassin's Monohoshizao was impossibly fast for its absurd length, each strike coming with a precision that was almost supernatural. Lancer, for his part, matched him blow for blow, his spear a crimson blur as it parried Assassin's slashes and attempted to weave past his defences. The pace of the fight was dizzying, both men moving faster than the human eye could follow.

But they didn't have time for a prolonged battle. As impressive as Assassin was, they couldn't afford to waste precious minutes here at the gate.

That was when Lady Avalon made her move. From where she stood, watching the duel with an amused smile, she raised her hand and conjured a series of thorned vines. With a flick of her wrist, the vines shot forward like serpents, wrapping themselves around Assassin's legs and binding him in place. Assassin's eyes widened in surprise, but there was no time for him to react before Lancer lunged forward with a powerful thrust. His spear pierced through Assassin's chest, ending the fight in an instant.

"How quaint," Assassin murmured, his expression still calm even in defeat. "A mockery of a swordsman being defeated in a mockery of a duel."

Assassin's body crumbled into particles of light, and Lancer rested his spear over his shoulder, nodding at Lady Avalon in acknowledgment. "Thanks for the assist," he said, though his tone was still laced with a hint of disappointment that the fight had been cut short.

Lady Avalon gave him a graceful bow, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're quite welcome, dear."

With Assassin defeated, the group pressed on, climbing the final set of stairs that led to the temple grounds. As they ascended, they could all feel a distinct pressure building in the air—a heavy, oppressive force that made the hairs on the back of Shirou's neck stand on end. It was clear they had entered Caster's territory. The faint scent of incense hung in the air, mingling with something acrid and more sinister, something that set Shirou's instincts on edge.

"It's Caster's bounded field," Pretender murmured, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the area. "My guess is she's funnelling mana through the leyline, most likely performing some sort of ritual."

Lady Avalon's expression grew more serious as she stepped closer to Shirou. She reached out, gently placing her hand on his shoulder, and he felt a warm surge of energy flow through him. She was reinforcing him, preparing him for the battle ahead, in addition to applying some extra enchantments to his body and clothing. With a playful wink and a kiss blown in his direction, she added, "There you go, my darling. Now, do your best up there, and make sure to give me a dashing performance. I'll be watching."

Rin let out an aggravated groan, smacking her hand against her forehead. "Are you seriously flirting right now?! This is not the time!" she hissed, but Lady Avalon simply laughed, waving off her protests.

Shirou felt his face flush slightly but nodded gratefully. "Thanks," he said before turning his focus back to the task at hand.

As they reached the temple grounds, the sight that greeted them made Shirou's blood run cold while Rin's face went pale with shock. There, bound by glowing magical chains and suspended helplessly in mid-air, was Sakura, her expression filled with fear and pain. Her eyes flickered with hope as she saw them arrive, but it was clear that she was in a dire situation.

Caster stood nearby, her staff raised as she channelled a powerful ritual, drawing arcane symbols and magic circles into the air. "Oh, you're just in time," Caster greeted them with a disproportionately serene smile barely visible under her hooded cloak, as if they were nothing more than invited guests. "I was hoping to finish before you arrived, but I suppose this will be more interesting."

"What are you doing to Sakura?!" Rin demanded, her voice shaking with fury.

"Isn't it obvious?" Caster replied with a soft, mocking laugh. "I'm preparing her to serve as the Lesser Grail. Once I use her to connect to the Greater Grail, I'll be able to manifest it and claim its power for myself."

Shirou's fists clenched at his sides, anger surging through him at the sight of Sakura being used like this. He could feel Rin's fury beside him as well, her eyes burning with barely contained rage.

Kuzuki stood guard near Caster, his eyes cold and indifferent. His body practically radiated power, the effects of Caster's high-level reinforcement magecraft clear in the way his muscles coiled with unnatural strength. He moved to stand in front of Caster, and flanking him were her dragon-tooth warriors, their skeletal forms rattling with every movement.

"So, this is how it's going to be," Lancer muttered, raising his spear. "Fine. Let's get started then."

Rin shot a glance at Shirou, determination blazing in her eyes. "We're taking Kuzuki down. Don't hold back."

Shirou nodded, and the pair of them stepped forward, their resolve hardening as they prepared for the battle ahead. "Right."

Pretender gave Shirou a sidelong glance, her lips quirking into a sly smile. "Try not to die, alright? I'd hate to lose my favourite master."

Shirou summoned Kanshou and Bakuya into his hands, the familiar weight of the twin blades steadying his resolve. Rin prepared her gems, her gaze never leaving Kuzuki. They were ready to fight.

Omake

Throne of Heroes: Artoria's Wrath, Part 17

Artoria's jaw clenched as she watched the latest scene unfold. Assassin—a fellow warrior, a samurai who'd been, if nothing else, an honourable opponent—was bound by vines mid-duel, helplessly snared before Lancer skewered him with his spear. It was over before it had even begun. And the smirk Lady Avalon wore as she playfully bowed to Lancer afterward, as if the whole thing had been some kind of garden party! Artoria's voice trembled with rage.

"That… woman! Does she have no sense of honour?"

The Knights of the Round Table standing beside her exchanged wary glances. Gawain shifted uncomfortably, Lancelot sighed, and Bedivere took a tentative step forward. To be perfectly fair, they pretty much agreed with Artoria that the battle should have been honourable and that Assassin had deserved better as a sincere warrior. But they also knew that their liege was going to exaggerate on this issue due to her jealousy towards Proto-Merlin.

Bedivere lightly cleared his throat. "My king, forgive me, but we must consider that time was of the essence. They had to reach Caster, who's clearly a greater threat."

"She interfered in a duel— what should have been an honourable duel between warriors—without any consideration for Assassin's dignity, nor Lancer's desire to fight one-on-one!" Artoria's eyes flashed. "This isn't how a Servant associated with Camelot should act! And she's going to negatively influence Shirou! She'll have him fighting with cheap, underhanded tactics in no time."

Bedivere held up a hand. "Lady Avalon's approach may be… unconventional, but I doubt she will go that far, my king. Also, I doubt that Sir Shirou will be so easily swayed into ."

"She's turning him into another Kiritsugu!" Artoria nearly spat, her mostly irrational fury barely contained. "Ruthless pragmatism—no regard for respect or chivalry! That woman is going to utterly twist and ruin him!"

As Artoria's voice rose, a light breeze drifted into the hall. And then, with a faint shimmer, petals appeared, swirling gently through the air like a spring dream. Every knight turned to watch, dread filling the air.

"Oh no," Gawain groaned. "It's him again."

The petals coalesced into a screen, conjuring yet another glimpse into the vast tapestry of alternate timelines. This one was… different. The Shirou within wore modern, tactical gear, his expression steely and focused. Instead of swords, he wielded firearms. And not just any firearms, but a dizzying arsenal of pistols, rifles, and heavy artillery, which seemed to materialize in his hands from thin air. No Kanshou and Bakuya, no proper bladed weapons of any kind. Just cold steel and gunpowder.

As the scene played out, they witnessed him intone the same, familiar words… except twisted to fit his new reality:

"I am the bone of my gun,
Lead is my body, and powder is my blood,
I have created over a thousand weapons…"

Artoria watched in mute horror as Shirou unleashed a barrage of bullets from his "Unloaded Bullet Works," the entire scene a symphony of rapid-fire and empty shells clattering to the ground. Gone was the mesmerising expanse of swords, replaced by an endless desert filled with rifles, ammunition boxes, and even what appeared to be a few tanks scattered along the horizon.

Her expression froze, horror creeping into her eyes. Slowly, she raised a hand to her forehead, as if feeling faint. She wavered and then, as if all energy had left her body, collapsed to the floor, muttering incoherently.

Gawain hurried to her side. "My king! Are you alright?"

"She's… she's turned him into a… a…" Artoria could barely speak, still staring wide-eyed at the petal-screen. "No chivalry… no swords… a mockery… Kiritsugu's spirit has… permeated the multiverse…"

Lancelot patted her shoulder awkwardly. "There, there, my king. This is merely a single timeline… and an aberrant one at that, no doubt caused by the trickery of that accursed wizard."

"Merlin…" Artoria whispered hoarsely. "Why do you… torture me so…"