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Chapter Text

In the murky depths beneath the city, the weight of civilization bore down upon stone, laying the foundation of a realm shrouded in shadow, silence, and secrecy. The sewers were expansive and empty, perfect for the two wanderers that treaded through the tunnels that ominous night. A short woman cloaked in black as long and dark as her hair glided along with an air born of resignation. She was Tsubaki Aoyagi, a girl of nothing noteworthy, with a name of nothing noteworthy. She wasn't a Tohsaka or a Shimizu. Yet summoned by the Grail still she was, to fight in its War.

Her black combat boots clacked on the slimy ground, drowned out by her siren song. Like a hurricane she came, powerful, from the water, voice soft at first, but rising just as swiftly as a deadly tide. She would flood them out before they even knew what hit them! A melancholy melody floated up from the darkness of her throat, lingering in the air like a misty, lamenting phantom. It was her soul's unrest manifested, using the most powerful tool in her arsenal: her voice. She was a mage who cast spells not just with gesture or incantation, but song.

Trace… on! Tonight, she sought the Grail, and this city contained the next clue, one step closer to it. Gliding beside Tsubaki was her Servant, Rider. She was a purple-tailed, purple-haired mermaid who traveled by an ever-present wave of water, even on dry land. Like Tsubaki, she was a creature of sorrow, salty tears and sea. She was a water spirit, a water nymph. Her short, purple locks framed teary, teal eyes, an ocean mist creating a veil to conceal some of her eternal grief and loss from any who dared look upon her misfortune.

There wasn't a doubt in Rider or her Master's minds that their shared depression was what the Grail used to bind them together. The red thread was all over Tsubaki's inner forearm, her Command Seals! The duo navigated the sewers, path ahead lit only by the dark blue light Tsubaki's siren song spell spread. Water trickled from unseen crevices, forming rivulets that meandered down arched walls, across jagged floors.

They heard a crackle, a hiss, and then—"Ahahahaha!" An amused and triumphant bellow of laughter echoed behind Rider and Tsubaki. They whipped around, Servant quick to glide protectively in front of Master, the mermaid's wave growing taller and stronger as she prepared for battle. What stepped from the shadows was a smug, casual girl about as short as Tsubaki, but that was where the similarities ended. The other girl had wild, orange hair, done up in two, big, poofy pigtails, and she wore white while Tsubaki was clad in black and blue.

"Who are you?" Tsubaki hissed, the echoes of her song still reverberating through the sewers as her magic sustained itself.

"The Hero of this story! The Protagonist of this Grail War! Fate/blue!" The other girl jerked her thumb at herself proudly, orange eyes drifting shut.

Oh. Ok. So she's insane then. Tsubaki entered a battle stance as well. I'm noticing a trend here in the Grail War Masters… She was no Heroic Spirit, but she was still a mage! And this girl… As… weird as she is, she still snuck up on me, didn't she…? Where is her Servant…?

"I'm Rika! Rika Seto!" The orange-haired girl instead continued to introduce herself, hands on hips, chest puffed out, eyes still shut in self-satisfaction. "And the Grail ordained me the victor of this most holy war. It is I who will succeed and finalize my most perfect wish!"

"Which is…?" When the girl didn't continue, Tsubaki decided to bite and take the bait. Orange eyes finally opened, and the smile Rika gave Tsubaki was no longer so innocent, sweet, and friendly.

To be THE HERO! Ah, what she wouldn't have given to have summoned Saber! Seto was no noteworthy name either, but Rika was a little more savvy to the Grail War than Tsubaki (not that that was saying much, the latter learning about it the day her Servant nearly gave her a heart attack, swimming up at her from the harbor at the edge of the city she called home). Rika was far more intentional in her attempts to fish for a Servant, alas, she didn't snag the one she wanted. Oh well, she liked the one she had perfectly fine!

"Oh, Caaaaster…?!" Cupping her hands around her mouth, Rika sing-songed into the darkness of the sewers. What came clawing towards her was so inhuman it made Tsubaki's mermaid look normal.

Demon! The Master thought, recoiling in horror as a large, dark monster dragged its way closer and closer.

Prometheus! The Servant recognized her Caster equivalent immediately, and the moment his burning eyes met hers, she knew he recognized her too.

Ophelia! The drowned, the sorrowful. Like snakes, the waters rose up and dragged her down centuries ago… Tears snaked down her face as she lost her love—then her life—to madness. Whether Rider wanted to admit it or not, she was still searching for that lost love all these centuries later.

Whether her Master wanted to admit it or not, it was this restless longing—a prayer uttered to the Grail in the desperation and isolation of the middle of the night—that caused the Grail to answer, and bind her to Ophelia. They were both wandering souls begging destiny for love, whether they admitted it or not, and they were both audacious enough to challenge the Grail itself to answer their prayers.

The Demon King's burning gaze met Tsubaki's, and she felt rooted in place. She gasped as she suddenly saw a vision of another young woman just like her, save that she was taller with shorter hair, and a more masculine appearance. The woman was dressed like the Demon King, but also a shining, smiling white knight, complete with a large, white sword and a winged, white helmet. She was beautiful, handsome, and dangerous.

In the back of her dazed mind, Tsubaki realized she was looking at the human avatar of Caster. Rider had one too. She wasn't always a purple mermaid propelled by an eternal wave, after all, though her human self kept the purple hair. Rider's mortal guise was an ordinary girl known as Saori Hidaka. The moment Tsubaki thought of her Servant's mortal name, the other Servant's mortal name flashed in her mind too.

Aoi Miyake…! She gasped again, finally feeling some of the trance weaken, even if only for a second. What was this spell Caster had her under?

She was barely even aware of Rika's fiery taunts as their battle began, the water of Rider's wave hissing in Tsubaki's ear. Rider had just reached out to bid her Master focus when the rival Servant lunged and attacked. Blue flame burst from Caster's black body, just barely extinguished in time by Rider's wave as she again shielded her Master. It was enough to wake Tsubaki up, and for a third time she gasped. This time, though, it was like a drowning woman brought violently back to life. It was time to fight, fire and water, hurricane and inferno!

ooo

The sewers shook and the earth rumbled. Citizens in the city above felt the tremors, though they did not understand what the tremors meant. Back down below, the air was thick and heavy with tension as two, diametrically opposed powers collided. Tsubaki's song again reverberated around the cavernous halls of the sewer, breathing life and magic into all it touched, accompanied by a dark blue glow. Rider summoned a second wave so Tsubaki could travel the same way she did, and the hiss of the water was drowned out beneath Tsubaki's melodic magic.

Rika and Caster punched back just as hard. In another strange and Fateful contrast, although Rika learned about the world of mage-craft before Tsubaki, Tsubaki seemed to have a natural knack for it. Rika could cast fireballs and other powerful spells, but they were nowhere near as controlled or continuous as Tsubaki's siren song of the salty, sorrowful sea. It was up to Caster to do most of the heavy lifting, but Caster was more than happy to oblige. Black body rippling with glowing veins of blue lava, Prometheus flexed, roared, and attacked again.

"Ave Maria!" The Servant cried, appearance becoming slightly more human. He still had twisted black horns and leathery black wings, but the face that stared back at Tsubaki's was one she'd seen before, though only in a vision. Aoi Miyake!

Caster saluted the other Master with her shining, white sword, and she flashed Tsubaki a shining, white smile, her face framed by a shining, white helmet. Then dark wings flapped as a bright blade swung, blue flames hissing and curling off the side.

"All right, Caster! We'll win this battle, easy!" Rika pumped her fists. In her delusions of grandeur, blinded by the fires of glory, all the orange-haired girl could see was herself a hero, standing atop a pile of her vanquished and conquered foes, starting with the goth girl and her miserable mermaid mate! Wasn't Rika a much more palatable protagonist? And Caster, a much more magnificent Servant!

In the midst of the swirling chaos, Master and Servant were separated. Rider found herself alone against Rika. It was an easy fight for Ophelia; it was her Master she worried about… Tsubaki again hung suspended in Caster's golden gaze. Time froze and stood still as blue fire swirled all around them, intertwining with the blue light of Tsubaki's siren song. It was a blue tempest, and the young mage felt something heavy take root in the pit of her soul like an anchor. She knew the Demon King felt the same, though for him, Tsubaki was a dark spark that blazed his blue inferno.

Aoi greeted Tsubaki with a Latin phrase because Aoi could sense Tsubaki's connection to water, and not just through Rider. She was a hurricane to pray for safety from. Technically, though, Caster was Greek. But through and through—as Prometheus, Caster, or Aoi—they were a symbol of curiosity and defiance. From stealing fire for humanity, to escaping the chains and beak of a liver-eating eagle, to returning to Earth as a Heroic Spirit to continue spreading a legacy, there was a good reason the Grail paired Caster with Rika, even though she may have wanted Saber.

In fact, before Tsubaki, Caster and Rika were in combat against Lancer, who Rika initially mistook for Saber. It wasn't just Rika's usual brand of stupidity, though, rather, the childish rival Servant was just as infatuated with the mythical and legendary Saber as Rika was. Little Lancer eagerly fantasized about conquering Saber in battle and taking her coveted place the same way Rika did. Unlucky for Lancer…

Sorry kid, I'm first in line! Rika was fully prepared for Caster to deliver the death blow. The only reason the other Servant escaped was because her sneaky Master used a command seal at the very last second, spiriting them away to safety, at least for then…

Then Tsubaki strayed into Caster's orbit. That was how and why Rika found Tsubaki so fast, even in the sewers. Caster sensed her, because the Grail tied them together. Like the black, iron chains of old, Caster felt Fate itself—the Grail's dark influence—binding with him, and pulling out of him the mortal he had become this time on Earth. Aoi Miyake, those were the eyes that came forward to meet Tsubaki's, gold and silver, fire and water. Aoi could only wonder… Who was this Master, and what was she meant to mean to Aoi?

For Tsubaki, the realization was as swift as it was bewildering. In the depths of Aoi's gaze, she saw a reflection of her own longing, a yearning that stretched out across space and time. It was a sensation both foreign and exhilarating, a glimpse into a world where destiny and desire danced. Had the Grail erred in its choice of Servant for Tsubaki? She should've been disgusted by the very thought, but strangely, she found that she did not care at all while wondering about Caster… Already, Tsubaki imagined a universe where Rider had been Rika's Servant, and Aoi…

Whether they were aware of it or not, the two began to work together to keep one another alive, even as they battled. Caster and Rider never stopped trading blows, but Caster and Tsubaki both did what they could to prolong the battle. They were enemies, yes, but did they have to kill one another so soon? The battle eventually broke through to the surface world, and as the Grail would have it, a third Servant overheard them. Multiple wishes were granted that night, not just Aoi and Tsubaki's silent, shared one.

"Saber!" Rika gasped, eyes and mouth going wide as she rode on Caster's back, demonic, black wings flapping around her. Rising before them in a halo of golden light was a girl that appeared younger than all of them, though most similar to Aoi in terms of appearance. She, too, had short dark hair, though the tips were dyed yellow, golden. Likewise, by contrast, her eyes were gray-blue, and Aoi's were deep golden. Saber wore only a gi and wielded a wooden training sword, but none of her opponents was stupid enough to underestimate her.

If anything, it only spoke to her power if she considered a wooden sword a good enough weapon for her. One did not become Saber class without being one of the greatest soldiers across time and space, life and death. In fact, Saber had just finished her own engagement—a duel with Archer. Archer was powerful, fierce, and aggressive, but even her Noble Phantasm (Fiery Hailstorm of a Billion Bullets) could not stand against the lone Saber with her lone, wooden training sword. She beat the wood blade rhythmically, threateningly, against her palm, eyes closing slowly.

"Oh dear…" Rider sighed. Tsubaki understood, but secretly and guiltily, she was relieved. She cast a subtle glance at Caster as they both heard Rika gasp in excitement at the prospect of their newest challenger.

Another excuse to keep you alive just a little bit longer… And with that, fire and water rushed into battle once more, this time on the same side, but for how long? One could never be sure with the Grail's twists and turns.

Chapter Text

"What are we doin' here anyway? None of us are even religious!" Weronika threw her hands in the air as she, Elsie, and Neo entered the chapel. Weronika was Polish, and Elsie Italian, but although their families were religious, they had since "strayed away from the flock".

"The ceremony, idiot!" Elsie hissed. "Summoning the Servant?" She gestured to the sheath in Neo's hands. It was the relic they needed to call upon the most powerful Class of Heroic Spirit: Saber! Nothing less would be suitable for Neo Lone, that much Elsie was certain of!

Before she met the tall, powerful, intimidating, imposing blonde, Elsie would've assumed she was Fated to be a Master in the next Grail War. She was a Largo, after all, a powerful family in both Italy and America. After meeting Neo, though, Elsie's intuition told her that Neo was the golden girl. Elsie could be silver. There was some envy in the tinier girl's heart, but her reverence for Neo outweighed the envy, for the most part. Using her family's powerful connections and backing, Elsie was able to procure the artifact necessary for summoning Saber.

Neo knelt before the altar, blue-gray eyes closing as she slowly lifted the sheath to the beams of light streaming in from the stained-glass window above. A circle surrounded her and the altar, and under her breath, she muttered the incantation to summon her Saber.

"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me. I hereby swear that I shall be all that is good in the world." Elsie leaned forward, amber eyes glittering, and despite herself, Weronika did the same. She craned her neck, intrigued, staring at the sheath, leaning over Neo's shoulder as Neo continued her speech. "That I shall defeat all the evil in the world. You seven heavens, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding… Guardian of the scales!"

As light glistened on the sheath, the glow grew brighter and brighter. It coalesced into a ball of white-gold light, slowly morphing into a humanoid figure. From the fire and the light stepped a girl with burning, dark red hair, and a silver sword with flickering, flaming edges.

"Saber!" Elsie gasped, and she looked close to falling to her knees beside Neo. Saber wasn't looking at either of them, though. She was looking at Weronika. The moment Weronika realized this, she looked away, defensive.

"What are you looking at me for?!" she demanded under her breath, crossing her arms. "Is 'cuz I won't kowtow?" Saber didn't respond at first, but Weronika heard her chuckle softly. A blush crept across her face, leaving her angry and embarrassed. Then finally, Saber replied.

"You are not the most conventional Master, at least not for me, but I believe that I can make it work." Brown eyes—which almost seemed golden in the fire's glow—twinkled mischievously. "I believe that this angel can soothe the demon. This beauty can tame the beast."

"W-what's that supposed to mean?" Weronika demanded, jamming her hands into her pockets and looking away, shoulders rising.

"M-Master?!" Elsie protested at the same time. "Surely not… Saber?!" She gestured helplessly at Neo, who still knelt before the altar, dumbstruck. Talk about star-crossed! Surely there was a mixup?! Neo or Elsie were supposed to be the Master, not Weronika! How had this happened?!

"Oh, yes, Neo Lone." Saber's voice was almost teasing, but there was a serious edge in it too. No, I can see that as powerful, dangerous as Neo is…

She was still not quite what Saber was looking for in a Master. Not in this Grail War, at least. Even though Weronika didn't seem like a much better option, especially based on appearance alone, Saber could sense that while Neo might've been the golden girl, Weronika was the one with the hidden heart of gold. That was what drew Saber to Weronika.

I do believe the Grail has bound us together, Ms. Weronika Seperack. "Look at the red threads." Saber pointed to Weronika's inner forearm. Weronika looked down suspiciously, then gasped. A red tattoo had since inked its way across her arm in the shape of a sword. Command Seals! But as it turned out, even though Neo was the one who read the speech and carried Saber's sheath, Weronika came close enough to the barrier of the circle—crossing it slightly—when she leaned over Neo's shoulder trying to see what was going to happen next. Saber sensed Weronika's presence, and latched on. Now, Weronika and Neo could only gawk while Elsie looked close to fainting. For her and Neo both to be surpassed? And by Weronika?! It simply wasn't done!

"Look out!" An explosion shook the church a second after the words left Saber's mouth. In one swift, fluid motion, she lunged, gracefully brushing Weronika out of the way as she flew forward. Something large, dark, and furry flew back at her like a provoked, rampaging bull.

"Saber!" Without thinking, Weronika reached out, but Saber only up a hand as her other drew her famous sword. It was shorter than the average saber, and slightly rounder. And in something Weronika could only call a trick of the light, the blade gleamed both yellow and black. Its name was Stinger, and thanks to its slightly rounded shape, it bore resembles to its namesake.

Although Weronika, Neo, and Elsie didn't know it yet, they'd summoned the fourth Judge of pre-monarchic Israel, the only female Judge mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Her name was Deborah, which meant "bee". She was sweet as honey, sharp as a stinger, and as vital, reliable, diligent, and dutiful as the industrious and hardworking creature for which she was named. As the legend went, with God's guidance, she led her people to military victory. She was also described as a fiery woman. As Weronika, Neo, and Elsie watched Saber, dazed, it was easy to see why.

Weronika thought back to her opening remark from earlier, and reconsidered as she stared at Saber. I have seen God, and she is a woman…

The unstoppable force met the immovable object, and a second explosion rocked and rattled the church. As wind and loose debris flew, brushing back Weronika, Neo, and Elsie's hair, Saber again stood protectively in front of them, shielding them from most of the shockwaves. At the same time, the creature she struck with her sword went flying back with a furious and agonized howl.

"Saber? No way!" Standing in the ruins of the doorway was another tall blonde with blue eyes, although unlike Neo, she was far more muscular and exuberant. She wore a gym outfit, exposing her ripped, shredded abs, all six large enough for their own Command Seals.

You could grate cheese on those things! Weronika thought, and Elsie's Italian sensibilities brought her mind down a similar path.

Embarrassed to admit it, even to herself, Elsie tried intimidating the other Master to restore some of her dignity. "And just who are you?!"

"Yuka Jennifer Sasago!" The other girl replied confidently, grinning as she flexed her abs and biceps, leaving Elsie privately stunned.

I didn't expect her to answer so openly! It doesn't seem like she's lying either… She speaks so confidently! Is she an idiot too?

"And this here is Berserker!" Yuka gestured proudly to pile of rubble, out of which crawled a very small, scrawny, ugly, pathetic girl. She had short, dark blue-purple hair and eyes, and pale skin. On her left jaw were black wisps, swirls of a tattoo. On her right jaw was a bandage. Her shirt and stockings were striped, but some of them looked crooked, adding to the disorientation as she staggered to her feet. THIS was Berserker?!

Only Saber didn't underestimate her opponent. The inferno emanating from her blade dwindled to a candle's flicker, but although she lowered her sword, she did not sheath or extinguish it entirely. Her voice and eyes were sharp as she finally bade Berserker to speak.

"Who are you?" You must be a new Servant in the Grail War, a foreigner, for I do not recognize you…

"S-S-S-Sophia S-S-Smith!" The other Servant yelped, snapping to attention and saluting Saber. Saber's eyes narrowed.

Ah, you will give me only your mortal name, will you? Perhaps you are cleverer than you let on… You know not to trust ANYONE.

And Berserker's Master, Yuka… Although she was loud and friendly, Saber noticed that she only introduced her Servant by her Class.

It is entirely plausible that "Sophia" simply did not tell Yuka her Heroic Spirit identity, but I sense that this is not the case. Yuka, like Sophia, is much more than she appears. Hmmm, I can see why the Grail paired them together…

Saber wracked her brains, trying to think of famous historical and mythological figures that she knew. Who could this one possibly be? She was a Berserker, and yet her human self behaved so cowardly! And Saber got the sense that it wasn't entirely a ruse.

Oh well. If there is any advantage in her being a new Servant, she does not know me any more than I know her. It was not an embarrassing case of Deborah forgetting an old Heroic Spirit. This one, and her Master, might not have even known who "Deborah" was. It was an ace up Saber's sleeve.

While the gears in Saber's keen mind turned quickly, she could feel her own Master's disdain radiating off of her in waves.

Caution and diligence, Master, Saber couldn't help but smirk slightly to herself. I understand, but do not make the initiate mistake of underestimating opponents you know nothing about. I know that the Grail War is new to you, Weronika Seperack.

But first… Saber sheathed her sword, extending a hand to shake with Berserker. Enemies in the Grail War though they were, that did not mean they would forget the honor code of combat, chivalry, and civility. If anything, their status as Heroic Spirits made such values and traditions all the more sacred and important to honor every single time.

"I am Haruna Kasuga," said Saber, introducing herself to her Master and her companions just as much as she was to Yuka and Sophia.

Haruna Kasuga… The moment Weronika heard the name, something stirred inside of her that woke her up.

"Saber! Are you ready?" She thrust a hand—the one whose arm bore the Command Seals—forward once the introductions were done. Saber cast a quick glance over her shoulder and gave a single nod, almost smirking. There it is! THAT'S the fire I was looking for!

"All right, Berserker!" Yuka pumped her fists excitedly, eyes shining like stars.

"Uh-huh! Uh-huh!" Sophia nodded nervously, saluting again, but in the seconds it took her to turn around and face her and Yuka's opponents again, something changed within Sophia too. By the time Berserker was fully facing Saber, her face was twisted in a snarl again, and that face quickly began to mutate and grow fur the same color as Sophia's hair. Then her body got taller and taller, wider and wider, stronger and stronger.

"Noble Phantasm! Nightmares From the Abyss!" Yuka whisper-yelled excitedly, fist-pumping again. Her Command Seals glowed red. Weronika's had done the same, though they were covered by the black sleeve of her leather jacket. Since Yuka was in a gym uniform, her arms were on full display for everyone to see. With a howl, Berserker lunged, but again, Saber and Weronika were ready. Sophia might've been a werewolf, but Weronika fancied herself a bear, and although it was a different Saber, Deborah-Haruna knew that the most famous one of all had a name that meant "Bear Queen". Deborah-Haruna was not that woman, but they shared the same Class. Letting that strengthen her, Haruna drew Stinger again.

Let's show them our fire! Haruna and Weronika's eyes locked one last time before Servant and Master jumped into battle together. They were an unlikely pair, and maybe had a rocky start, but this was Fate and Heaven's Deal, and neither Haruna nor Weronika were the sort to back down from a challenge, no matter how unpleasant they first perceived it.

They heard Yuka cry out in delight before she did the same, leaping after her Heroic Spirit as well.

In the background, poor, frazzled Elsie yelped and grabbed the still-dumbstruck Neo's arm and struggled to drag her behind the nearest pew. Oh, what nasty tricks the Grail could play!

Surely! Elsie thought despairingly, The stars themselves must be crossed today!

Chapter Text

"So… This is the place…" Muni finally lifted her grim gaze from her tablet. Standing before them, rolling out in all directions, was a massive, wealthy estate. Her technological prowess—and Rei's "rich girl network" connections—pinpointed this mansion as the secret hideout of one of the other Master Servant duos of the latest Grail War. Even more importantly, though, rumors whispered that the mansion also hid the vessel of and for the Grail. Maybe Hapiara was borderline insane for challenging such a fierce opponent directly, but that was Rinku Aimoto for you.

"Not so secret anymore!" she singsonged and laughed as she also turned her gaze towards the mansion. "Let's go say hello!"

"Rinku!" Muni reached out in exasperation, but the nimble adventurer had already darted out of her grasp.

"She is right, though," Rei bit her lip as she turned from Rinku to Muni. "We came here on a mission. We cannot turn back now."

"I- I know that!" Muni stuttered, clutching her tablet to her chest like a shield. You don't always have to be so serious, ya know?!

"Woo hoo! Come on, guys! Hurry up! This place is beautiful!" Rinku cried as she danced and spun down the cobblestone path.

"Rinku! Hush! You'll give us away!" Muni whined across the gardens. That was why they'd come at night, after all. Rei could only shake her head and chuckle as she followed quietly after the other two.

When they reached the golden doors of the estate—illuminated gently by lamps hanging on either side of the door—two of the girls felt their stomachs churn as the butterflies and nervousness returned in earnest. One of them felt nothing but sheer excitement. And the fourth, silently watching over them through the first, was nothing but vigilant. The moment her Master excitedly rapped on the mansion door, though, she inwardly stiffened, a wooden training sword being tightened in her grip.

"Is this the humble abode of one… Miyu Sakurada?! Nice place you got here!" Rinku beamed at the camera directly over the door as she pounded on it. Muni could only facepalm while Rei smiled weakly up at the camera as well. After a moment more, someone answered.

"Hullo? Huh? Who are you guys? We aren't accepting any door-to-door salesman this late at night!" The girl was short, and she had large, white pigtails. Her voice was nasally, and her face was scrunched up in a distrustful, wary pout.

"You aren't Miyu Sakurada!" All three of Hapiara stepped back in surprise, but Rei was the only one who fully verbalized her surprise. As Muni noted earlier, Rei's connections to the rest of the local aristocracy aided in the quest to narrow down potential Masters of the Grail War. Sakurada was on the suspect list from the beginning due to their immense wealth, even if they were one of the quieter families, but this girl—

"Yes, I am!" Her grin stretched from ear to ear as she bounced back and forth from foot to foot. "You can't prove otherwise!"

"Well, for one, I know that Miyu Sakurada has pink hair!" Rei insisted, fumbling for her phone in her pocket, praying she had a photo of Miyu on it.

"And we know this is her house!" Muni snapped, shoving her tablet in the little, white-haired girl's face.

"Oh, tracker and GPS, huh? So that's how…" The girl leaned back so she could read the screen properly. "Impressive… I still don't know when or how you managed to slip that on us…" Her voice was still childish, soft, and high-pitched, but now there was a dangerous edge too.

"Step aside, small fry!" Muni commanded grimly, as if to push her way into the mansion. We got a Master to find and Servant to kill!

"Hmph. This is my show, you know?" The girl sniffed as if she'd been truly offended, and she even let Muni shove past her into the entrance hall. "And really, you should stick to picking on people your own size, but… if you insist on a bigger opponent…" She turned around with a sad expression, hands open as it in deference to Muni. Muni was finally suspicious enough to pause in her tracks, turning around, eyes narrow.

"What are you talking about…?" she growled. The other girl was now beaming beatifically.

"This is… Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Kurumi! And my "little" friend is…"

CRASH! THUD!

A bellowing roar deafened three of the four girls at the base of the grand staircase, generating a wind that whipped their hair back.

"Wh-WHAT IS THAT?!" Muni nearly dropped her tablet as she jumped back and shrieked.

Kurumi cackled as she held open her arms. "Oh, Ber~ser~keeeer!" she sing-songed, and the fiery beast on the stairs roared again before easily leaping the entire staircase in one, simple bound.

CRASH! THUD! For a second time, the behemoth shook the mansion; it was a miracle the titles didn't break beneath the monster's massive feet. Its skin was the color of fire—red and orange with hues and flicks of yellow—and it had long, wild, dark red hair whose tips burned with endless flame. Its face was contorted into fury, mouth full of razor-sharp and bright white teeth. It wielded a large, metal sword, crude, like a giant slab of metal molded slightly in a rectangular shape. It was a slab of iron, lined with dents and scratches from ages and battles past.

"B-Berserker…" Rei's knees knocked as she clutched her chest, looking seconds away from fainting.

"Of course!" Muni despaired at their rotten lock, arms falling to her sides as her knees also knocked. S-so… THAT little brat is the Master?!

"Wow!" Rinku, meanwhile, was starry-eyed. "What a big fren!"

"She IS, isn't she?" Kurumi crossed her arms and smirked. "My friend, Haruna! A famous leader from AGES ago; a Chairm—!" Berserker bellowed again, interrupting her Master. "Ugh, yes, yes, yes, all right, all right, I get it, you don't like that name, it's too… stuffy. You want to be called "Berserker" because that's what you are!" She strode past the petrified Muni and Rei, facing her Servant with a likeminded Hellfire in her eyes. "And who am I to deny you, fren? I only give you a hard time when it's just us! But with guests? Well, be mine…"

With a wicked snicker that eventually devolved into a full-blown cackle, Kurumi pranced over to Berserker's side and happily climbed onto the giant's shoulder. "It's time to play!" she sing-songed, pointing at Rinku. "Berserker vs. Saber!" My big strong Deborah! Sting like the bee that you are! You overthrow ancient tribes and literally struck the fear of God into their hearts, but you were a hero to your people!

While Muni and Rei continued to panic behind her, Rinku fist-pumped the air. "All right! Let's go, Maho! Saber vs. Berserker!" The red Command Seals on her arm glowed red, and a moment later, a young woman only a few inches taller than Rinku materialized before them, clad in a simple gi and wielding a bamboo training sword. Kurumi scoffed and cackled again.

"You have Saber, but Saber only has that twig?"

Maho steadily beat her palm with the bamboo blade, eyes narrow and grim, drifting from Kurumi to her Servant. "You, of all people, should know not to underestimate your opponents, Ms. Shiratori, no matter how small they seem" she remarked coolly. A flicker of fear, insecurity, did indeed surge through Maho's body. It was true that she was a newer Servant—once a woman named Nakazawa Koto—a Japanese swordswoman and Onna-musha of the Bakumatsu period. She died in 1927, almost a century ago, but she could sense that her opponent, Berserker, was far, FAR older...

And unlike her Master, she is wise. She will not underestimate me, even though it would be understandable if she did. She understands that I have a hidden strength in the very fact that I am a young Servant. She doesn't know my style yet. No one does. That didn't guarantee Maho would be strong enough to outlast Haruna, but perhaps she could outwit her…?

"Come on, Rinku!" Maho waved her sword.

"Huh…?" Kurumi, Muni, and Rei were all surprised, but none more so than Kurumi. She fights WITH her Master…?!

"You got it!" Rinku flashed Maho a thumbs up before spinning away, towards Kurumi and Haruna, but veering to the left as well.

At the same time, Maho plunged her bamboo blade into the tile floor of the Sakurada mansion. Finally, it shattered, and a shockwave blasted from the blade. She made sure that Muni and Rei were safely behind her, and Rinku out of the blast radius. "HAPPY QUAKE!"

Kurumi and Haruna weren't so lucky. "Grrr!" Kurumi growled and clenched her hands into fists. Ooooh, did she hate to lose or be taken by surprise! It wasn't so fun when the pranks were turned on her! "Go, Berserker, go!" she commanded. Haruna roared again, the fire at the tips of her hair brightening, then she lunged at Maho.

The battle was fierce, and despite Berserker's obvious size and strength advantage, Saber held her own against the raging warrior.

"But it won't matter if we never get anywhere!" Muni fretted as she ducked, dived, and dodged the literal earth-shattering blows the two Servants exchanged. She grabbed Rei by the hand and dragged her down yet another long, winding, elegant hall, the floors shaking no matter where they ran.

"Remember! I believe she is trying to draw something out of Ms. Shiratori and her Servant by insinuating that Rinku is critical to her battle!" Rei reminded the shorter girl breathlessly as the mansion continued to collapse around them, the sounds of battle rising and falling intermittently.

Rei was referring to part of Nakazawa Koto's story. Koto was proud as a swordswoman and decided she would only marry a man stronger than she. However, apparently no living man was able beat her in a duel, so she remained single all her life. In fact, when Rinku summoned her for the first time, it was quite by accident. Even Nakazawa was surprised, not just because someone like Rinku was her Master, but that she was a Servant at all. The last she remembered of the world, it was October 12, 1927. Now it was almost a century later. This was her first Grail War. But as all of Hapiara was slowly learning, part of the reason Rinku summoned her of all Saber Servants was…

"I think you're the one… who could take me to the places I've always wanted to go…!" Those were some of her first words to her new Master, and it had been a fast friendship ever since. Granted, Rinku befriended anything that moved, but Saber quickly found that she had an excellent synergy with her Master. That was invaluable, for the strongest Master and Servant would be rendered weak if they lacked a genuine bond. Rinku and Saber's bond was more than genuine. Even now, although Saber loathed putting her Master in danger, she understood that it was a good battle tactic. And I'm counting on you to be that warrior stronger than me! You can do this! You can survive this fight, magic or none!

As their battle against Kurumi and Berserker—also an odd couple with a stranger synergy—continued, Maho shouted commands to Rinku that were ultimately meaningless, but all served the purpose on deceiving Kurumi and Berserker into thinking that Maho truly did rely on Rinku during combat. Not only would that divide their attention, but especially if the rumors were true about the Grail's vessel residing within the mansion, Maho wanted to see if coming up with a similar story about Rinku would evoke any reactions out of Kurumi. Kurumi definitely had the spirit of a Berserker, but unlike Haruna, she lacked the centuries of the fires of war it took to temper her into a slightly more controlled warrior.

Haruna bellowed again, shattering the windows closest to her. Smirking, Maho brandished her sword while Rinku ran away behind her. She knew Muni and Rei were still looking for a place to hide, and more secrets to steal. If they had to be trapped in the mansion, the least they were owed were a few clues for their troubles. And little did they know, they were about to get exactly what they wanted. As the mansion continued to quake and groan beneath the strain of the battle raging on within its walls, a new pair of eyes pierced the late-night darkness.

There were indeed far more people in the mansion than it seemed. Kurumi and Haruna were but humble gatekeepers. Deeper within was a tiny blonde and a pink-haired girl—the real Miyu Sakurada—but they were not alone. Others sat and whispered, the air full of magic and Traces. A ritual, a secret ceremony, was happening beneath the foundation of the estate. The newest Grail was forming…

Chapter Text

Faster than the blink of an eye, something flew at Rinku's face. She didn't even have time to cry out, but even faster than "faster than the blink of an eye", the hand of a pink-haired girl shot out and, without looking up, she caught the blade effortlessly.

"Wow! Shino! Those lightning-fast reflexes of yours strike like lightning again, huh?!" Even though she'd been less than a second and inch away from a painful, bloody, and surefire death, the enthusiastic young Master congratulated her Servant, spinning around in a triumphant circle.

"What do you expect from an Archer?" The pink-haired girl shot back, quirking an unamused eyebrow. She emphasized her class title, silently berating her Master for what felt like the thousandth time that hour that it wasn't safe to use names in public. Plus, I hate that nickname! And she should be ESPECIALLY careful about saying it WHILE WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!

Impatient, irritated, golden eyes swept the twilight horizon warily, angrily. Archer stepped protectively in front of her Master, one arm outstretched. In the other, she still held the blade that nearly ended her Master's life, and by extension, her own.

Hmm… Crude… Makeshift… And yet, I can still smell the stench of the other Servant radiating off of it. Archer's nose crinkled in disgust. It wasn't as if the blade had an actual scent, but she could feel the magical energy that lingered around the weapon. A short blade. It was designed to look like a saber, but Archer was willing to wager that even Rinku would've recognized it as a fake. So, the next rational conclusion? Lancer.

Archer smirked, and no sooner had she had this thought than at last, someone finally came barreling at them from the growing darkness. Rinku and Archer walked alongside the river that bordered their city, the area rich in magical energy. Archer chuckled grimly to herself.

Rinku would make an analogy to an African watering hole. Even though, for the most part, the animals congregate in peace because of the universal necessity of water, it brings out EVERY creature, from the smallest and weakest baby zebra to the most aggressive, hungry, bloody lion…

Archer would've fancied herself the lion, especially compared to the "baby zebra" that "galloped" excitedly at her. Her face practically matched Rinku's, though she had long, dark pigtails rather than Rinku's short, fiery locks.

"Aha! Archer! You may not have been exactly who I was hoping to encounter, but you're still at the top of my list!" the other Servant cried.

"Aren't those statements a little… oxymoronic?" Archer smirked and crossed her arms. Behind her, Rinku waved excitedly at Lancer.

"Hey! Are you calling me a big idiot?!" Lancer pouted and crossed her arms. Archer didn't reply out loud. But Rinku did.

"Oooh! Who were you hoping to meet?"

"Saber!" Lancer answered immediately, and again, Archer had to scoff at how easily she gave up her secrets. Wasn't she supposed to be a Servant?! Smarter than this?! Then again, Lancers were notorious for being the butt of the joke compared to the other classes sometimes, especially the Three Knight classes, since Lancers were the weakest of the trio. Archer could tell the ancient stereotype rubbed this Lancer the wrong way, and was part of her motivation for seeking out Saber while also having Archer "at the top of the list".

"So! I propose… Fate/Protagonist!" Lancer shouted, pointing dramatically at Archer. At the same time, the little blade in Archer's hand—now even more fitting since she understood that it was a replica saber made by a wannabe Saber—began to glow, and it jerked from Archer's hand. Archer was more than strong enough to hold it, but the surprise made her grip slip, and suddenly, Lancer was armed again.

"We accept your challenge!" Rinku shouted immediately, unafraid even as Lancer's blade began to glow even brighter. Archer scoffed under her breath. She wasn't afraid either. Instead, she merely waved her hands and was suddenly armed with two, military-grade firearms.

I don't know who you are, Lancer, but prepare to face the full force of Hangaku Gozen! She was a famous Japanese warrior around the early 1200s. One of her most iconic battles was a defense against her enemies, the Kamakura Shogunate. As the legend said, dressed as a boy, Hangaku stood on the tower of her castle and all those who came to attack were shot down by her arrows, which pierced their chests and heads. The irony was that she was felled by an arrow in turn, though even as a prisoner of war, she was said to be "fearless as a man and beautiful as a flower".

And many more adventures were to follow. One of her first as a Heroic Spirit saw her aiding three Piki Ninja while existing under the guise of the Village Chief's granddaughter, Oshino. In this latest Grail War, she was not so grand that she was an heir to a Ninja Clan, but she was known throughout the digital world as "DJ Kunoichi", as famous and legendarily skilled at remixes as she was at first-person shooter games. Archer may have been her class, but she wasn't afraid to adapt to modern warfare. But who says I can't remix the past and present too?

She smirked as she cocked her two guns, then above her shoulders, a ghostly, golden bow and crossbow appeared. Machinegun fire quickly drowned out all else as a hundred golden arrows and bullets shot through the falling night after Lancer. The hunt was on!

"Woah!" she yelped, and Archer couldn't help but privately admit a begrudging respect that the other Servant was so nimble, dodging every shot even if only in the nick of time. And then, when the dust settled after Archer's first volley, she saw another pink-haired girl trembling, exposed the moment Lancer dove away. By some miracle—or perhaps more likely, magecraft—not a single bullet or arrow had even grazed her.

"Oh, hiya!" Rinku waved and jumped up and down when she finally saw her opponent properly.

"Michiru!" The other pink-haired girl reached out to her Servant, calling fearfully, the Command Seals on the back of her hand dark red.

"No worries, Miyu, I'm all right! Your lucky charms good?" Lancer shouted back, and Archer's stomach tightened. Even though she was still foolishly shouting out and giving away all of her secrets, Archer could tell that this time, it was intentional. A power move. A flex.

"Who are you?" Archer snarled suspiciously, raising her guns and bows as "Michiru" resumed her position in front of her Master, Miyu.

"Just someone hoping her luck let's her be the next "up and coming" hero, who also happens to be working with someone with the same dream!" Michiru's eyes twinkled. Tee hee! Like I'm just gonna TELL ya! But Miyu knows, heh, lucky girl! And that's how we found YOU TWO! Like I said, I was hoping for Saber, but I'm gonna guess it was your Master here, Archer, that drew us in. She's got a very powerful Trace…

Michiru was a deceptive little thing, known in her very first lifetime only as "Jack", a poor, young, farm boy with nothing to his name except a few magic beans… Small trinkets for a small boy, but one big adventure was waiting at the top of one big beanstalk, and what Jack lacked in size he made up for in smarts. He was street-smart, even if he wasn't book-smart, and he could do just about anything he really set his mind to, including chopping down a giant beanstalk to kill a goliath. Had Archer known this, she would've understood why Lancer's weapon looked so off.

Jack's iconic weapon should've been the axe (or even the lucky, magic beans), but this iteration of the Heroic Spirit was again aiming for bigger and better. No longer a Lancer, but perhaps someday, a Saber! But Archer was still someone Lancer wanted dearly to conquer in battle! Miyu might've been her Master, but it was Michiru dragging Miyu around the city, tracking down all the best heroes for her to challenge. As Michiru noted, even though she was hoping for Saber, Rinku's Trace was powerful enough to catch her and Miyu's attention.

"W-well," Miyu poked her head around Michiru, "I do not wish for glory, but merely for peace! I understand this Grail War will bring out the worst in us, but I wish there was a way for us to all have a wish, or to agree upon one… I do not want anyone to die, Master or Servant."

"Ooh, that sounds nice!" Rinku agreed. Archer scoffed and rolled her eyes, embarrassed by her Master, and Michiru's, for that matter.

"Pfft! Fat luck getting 14 wildly different, ambitious individuals to agree on anything, let alone the fate of the most powerful talisman in the world!"

"Don't worry, Miyu!" Michiru beamed at the same time. "I know it may look scary to you, but we're Heroic Spirits, remember? Me 'n Archer here will just reincarnate in another war, so don't be sad! It's more important YOU live, since YOU only got one life. Hehe, YOLO!"

Miyu didn't look much happier after Michiru's pathetic attempt at "reassurance".

"Oh, let's just get on with this already!" Archer interrupted impatiently, then with her Master—Rinku—cheering her on in the background, she again took aim at Michiru, who had just enough time to yelp and dive out of the way again.

ooo

The battle was long and fierce. Archer had to hand it to Lancer, Michiru, she was weak, but she was still better than Archer expected. A high-pitched scream caught them all off guard, and they looked over their shoulders just in time to see Miyu being dragged away by the ankle.

"MIYU!" Michiru and Rinku literally sprung into action, even though Michiru easily outpaced Rinku thanks to her speed as Lancer.

"Rink—!" At first, Archer reached out, outraged and terrified, but then she silenced herself with a frustrated sigh. Actions spoke louder than words with Rinku, Archer knew that. Heh, and who am I to blame her? I'm the same way…

Archer closed her eyes and inhaled slowly, deeply, imagining Rinku's mana flowing from Rinku to her, a steady golden thread connecting them at the heart. She needed just a bit more energy to unleash her Noble Phantasm again… Ah! There we go. Fully charged and loaded!

Golden eyes burst open, shining, then a hundred golden arrows and bullets followed her hand as she pointed after the creature dragging Miyu away.

"Hey! Friendly fire! Be careful!" Michiru shouted as the projectiles bounced and impaled all around her, Miyu, and Rinku. But at last, Archer got enough lucky strikes that whatever was dragging Miyu away grew weak enough that it had to let go. She skidded to a halt, Michiru quickly rushing to her side, while Archer continued to sprint after the retreating mystery Servant.

"Assassin!" she thundered. "I know it's you!" No other Servant goes after Masters. Meanwhile, just up ahead, a zombie with pale skin, pale hair, and pale eyes slowly dragged its way out of the grave. Its hand, which had once attempted to drag Miyu after it, was back to normal, hanging limply from its side as it shakily, unsteadily climbed from the dirt.

"You can… call me… Saki…" Assassin said, back turned to Archer. She didn't move. But I am… Izanami…! The Death Goddess! Once a Creation Goddess, she was slain. Her husband came to the Underworld to save her, but when he beheld her decayed visage, he fled in terror, and she never forgave him. As the legend said, "Izanami-no-Mikoto screamed from behind this impenetrable barricade and told Izanagi-no-Mikoto that if he left her, she would destroy 1,000 residents of the living every day. He furiously replied he would give life to 1,500 residents."

Her body was weak and frail from centuries in the Underworld, but she was still looking to drag the living down. She finally turned around, facing Archer, and Michiru, Miyu, and Rinku, who were still approaching. Her silver eyes locked on Miyu.

"Hehehehe…" She gave an unhinged laugh, hugging herself, tilting her head. "She… My Master… thought YOU were the weaker one…" While Rinku always looked seconds away from wanting to jump into the battle after Archer to help, Miyu always ran and hid.

"How long have you been watching—?" Rinku began, but someone interrupted her.

"My apologies!" A cheerful, polite voice called from behind them. "I did not mean for my first strike to fail so spectacularly! Then again, I never imagined Archer would rescue a rival!" The girl that stepped from the shadows wore a beautiful, sweet smile, but her tone dripped poison. Even Rinku and Michiru couldn't miss it. And none of them could miss her strange hair, half white and half tan.

"W-wait…! I think I know you…!" Miyu murmured, but she cut Miyu off quickly.

"It doesn't matter! I'm already ready to try again! And this time, I will not fail!" She pulled a tablet out, resting it on her arm. A moment later, it glowed, or perhaps it was the Command Seals on her forearm beneath the tablet… Trace… on!

She imagined the energy from the person on the other side of the screen transferring through her to Izanami. Kokoa was well-matched to her Servant's class, as two-faced as her two-toned hair, and as deceptive as she appeared to be sweet and polite. Her Servant was a near polar opposite, insane, but the style of an Assassin was very much Kokoa's as well. She wasn't even Izanami's true Master. Someone else was designed to be, but Izanami needed a body of flesh from which to draw mana. And the AI designed to be Izanami's Master needed a body to travel. Kokoa fulfilled both roles, combining tech with humanity with divinity.

"Noble Phantasm!" Assassin whispered, eyes beginning to glow pure white. "Space's Shadowed Synesthesia!" She began to laugh, slowly and softly at first, but then it devolved into a full-blown cackle. Kokoa stood a few feet behind her, also glowing as Izanami drew mana from her. "Ahhh…! Now I will be able to see and hear you wherever you go! No matter where you run or hide! I will always find you! I SEE ALL!"

"Yeesh, talk about an OG yandere…" Archer muttered, stepping protectively in front of her Master. Michiru did likewise. The hunt was on.

But for a second time, mid-battle, they were interrupted by another Servant-Master duo spying on the battle from the shadows. Archer's conjecture about Rinku's analogy of the African watering hole was ringing truer with every hour and strike that passed between combatants.

"How come you get to be a whole Goddess and I have to be a boring human?" Michiru complained. "I should at least get to be a Saber after this if I successfully slay you!" She and Archer could've sworn they saw Izanami's rotten, bony shoulders rise, then fall in response to Michiru's angst. Then she struck again, dark death magic threatening to envelope and swallow the other two Servants.

"No wait! I'm too young to die! Ah, wait! MY SWORD!" Michiru howled. Archer facepalmed and sighed. So much for "god-slayer"…

Back down on the ground, Rinku and Miyu thought they heard a new vocalization join the ghastly and warring chorus, and Kokoa had confirmation on her tablet that a new energy signature was near… They all cried out to their respective Servants, but it was too late. A black blur slammed into Izanami, instantly ending her hypnotic Death Spell, and Archer and Michiru both leapt away with twin cries of surprise.

This time, there were three figures who emerged from the dust once the clouds settled. The leader was a tall, lithe blonde with long, straight, golden hair and stormy eyes. To her right was a short girl with silver hair and amber eyes. And to her left was an even taller and more muscular girl, though her hair was short, and her eyes almost red.

"Oh great. Now what?!" Archer rushed to Rinku's side and Michiru to Miyu's. That left Kokoa to gasp in horror, fury, and fear, backing away slowly, trying to inch towards her wounded Servant. The massive monster still held Izanami by the throat with long, curved, jagged, filthy claws.

"I am Neo Lone," said the blonde calmly, wasting no time, even showing off her arm to reveal Command Seals.

But her accent! Even though only some of them recognized it as American, all of them recognized it as foreign, likewise with her name, "Neo".

"And I am the eighth Master of this Grail War."

"Eighth?!" For once, all the other Masters and Servants were on equal intelligence levels.

"This is my Servant," Neo gestured to the large, black beast, its claws tightening around Izanami. Kokoa hissed and reached out. "Avenger." The creature huffed once, shaking its furry head and muzzle. "Now, girl, drop it."

Izanami hit the ground with yet another thud, though softer than before, and Kokoa raced to her, heedless of Avenger's towering and terrifying form. Slobber dripped from giant, curved, gleaming fangs. Her claws weren't a prettier sight.

"Wait. Eighth?! Avenger?!" The other Masters and Servants were too distracted by what they perceived as a violation of the Grail War to even care about the werewolf that had just taken down a dragon. It should've been impossible! And yet…

"I will cut to the chase." Neo crossed her arms, face and voice severe, stormy eyes narrowing. "I have no interest in the Grail or the War. I have no interest in wishes or Heroic Spirits. All I care about is revenge. I know nothing of any of this, only that I was attempting to contact my father—who abandoned my years ago—when she came to me." Neo cocked her head at her Servant, who again huffed and puffed, ears twitching.

"You needn't trouble yourselves with her true name. Know only that she is well-versed in suffering, resentment, and revenge. She is the brutality and endlessness of the hunt. And she is equally well-versed magic, witchcraft, and other curses and madness…"

"You don't say?" Archer interrupted, deadpanning as she looked the werewolf up and down.

"Got any silver bullets?" Michiru agreed out of the corner of her mouth.

"And she has tracked my father's location here. It is my understanding that he is attempting to create the world's most advanced AI, but as a replacement child." Neo's low, smooth voice suddenly became harsh as she practically spat the words. The Servant towering behind her began to growl and howl softly in response to her Master's grief, but Neo raised a hand and the werewolf fell silent instantly.

"I do not care about the Grail," she repeated softly. "I care only about finding my father. I have tracked him this far, but I do not know this city…" She turned her gaze to the starlit skyline, and slowly, so did all the other Servants and Masters. Without looking at any of them, Neo continued. "So I propose this: you aid me in locating him, and I will aid you in picking off the other Masters and Servants, however, when it comes down to the three of you, I will be allowed to depart. If we must meet on the battlefield as opponents, I demand a fair fight."

Rinku, Miyu, Kokoa, Izanami, Michiru, and Archer all exchanged looks with one another while Neo and Avenger's gazes remained locked on the city. The silver-haired girl flashed them all a sickening smile while the tall, muscled girl only crossed her arms grimly.

"Well," Michiru muttered so that only those closest to her could hear, "I guess this is just another adventure of Fate/Protagonist, so who am I to say no?" Miyu smiled weakly while Rinku nodded enthusiastically. Archer could only exhale silently through her nose.