Chapter 13 – Caster's Beast

"Master," Kirei alerted aloud with a stoic expression on his face while witnessing the magus father grimly comforting his sobbing daughter.

Tokiomi glanced at the faithful figure behind him with acknowledgment. Tokiomi had just received word from the Church Overseer, Kotomine Risei, that a temporary ceasefire has been announced in an effort of annihilating Caster.

Tokiomi's brows furrowed with conflicted thoughts. While he was sure he could call Gilgamesh and summon the king back to his side once more, Tokiomi was not sure how to confront the arrogant and self-righteous Servant about the issue. The last problem Tokiomi needed was the King of Heroes labeling him as a mongrel for demanding too much from the king … even if the world of magecraft and an additional command seal was at stake here.

Patting his daughter's periodically shaking back, Tokiomi slowly released his embrace while Rin wiped the stinging tears off the corner of her eyes.

"How many Servants are present?" Tokiomi immediately asked as he got back up on his feet from the gravel road.

"Three, not including Caster."

Tokiomi nodded in understanding. "And your Assassins?"

"Three of them are looking out at Mion River."

Tokiomi frowned for a moment in consideration. Clearly, throwing Kirei's Assassin Class Servants into the battle would yield no fruit. If anything, it would serve to only backfire their partnership as other Masters set their eyes on him in the battle of the Holy Grail. Furthermore, the Overseer of the War would be deemed to be untrustworthy, thus, seizing away the foothold he had for this War.

A crash followed by a jet of water shooting through the sky resounded the entire neighborhood. Unconsciously gazing back at the foggy environment around the river, Tokiomi could barely make out with his naked eye a colossal monster wading in the raging river.

Tokiomi eyed grimly at the sight. "Three Servants won't be enough."

Kirei nodded tacitly in agreement. "The Assassins observed rapid regeneration from the creature as well. An Anti-Fortress would most likely be needed to defeat Caster's familiar."

Tokiomi's thoughts immediately crossed at the image of the Sword of Rupture, Ea. Surely, a magnitude of that weapon would be able to decimate the creature, alternatively gifting them a command seal as well. However …

"I'll be heading to Mion River," Tokiomi calmly announced. "Allow the Assassins to stay put in case one of the Servants displays its Noble Phantasm."

"Understood," Kirei answered modestly while giving a subtle bow to his Master.

Sniffing once more, Rin looked up – feigning bravery – with moist eyes at her father's tall figure. "Are you going?" Rin asked in a barely audible voice.

Tokiomi nodded without hesitation. Right now, he had a duty as a magus. His responsibility as a father was now secondary.

"I—" Rin rubbed her eyes a couple of times in defiance of her grieving emotions, "I'll come with you!"

Tokiomi couldn't help but give a small peaceful smile directed at his daughter.

"Kirei," Tokiomi looked back up at his pupil, "take care of her," came Tokiomi's unspoken command.

With a light nod of understanding from Kirei, Tokiomi immediately departed from the gravel downtown road of Fuyuki City.

"D-daddy?" Rin stuttered in disbelief as she began to see a dimming silhouette of her father while tears once more welled up her eyes. "N-no …" Rin shook her head as she desperately tried to move her legs toward her father. He wasn't going to abandon her like on that day before the Grail War, right? Rin's mind immediately flashed to the site of that day when her parents gave Sakura, her sister, away to the Matous. That … wasn't going to happen to her too, right?

The Sakura she knew was taken away from her life. Uncle Kariya was now nowhere to be seen after entering the War. Luca … nearly died saving her. And Shirou – Rin didn't bother to finish that thought as tears streaked past her pale cheeks. Her father, wasn't going to leave her alone forever too, right?

With throat parched from the fire less than an hour ago and her excessive weeping, Rin yelled out in anguish, "DA-DDYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" as she defiantly stood up on her one good leg while she sweated profusely and panted in exhaustion.

"That's enough," Kirei said grimly as he laid a hand on Rin's shaking shoulder, with just enough strength to stop her in her tracks.

Knowing that this is truly the end, Rin collapsed down back onto the ground, admitting defeat as she stared blankly at the foggy river from far off. For the first time in her life, Rin sobbed as she clenched her tiny fist and felt truly … alone.

"Are you serious?" Shirou mutter half-heartedly as he peered at the massive beast before him with reinforced eyesight. Although Shirou was rarely a sarcastic person, this disfigured beast baffled Shirou … an impressive feat to say the least. "Is that even legal?" Shirou asked with a frown.

Waver shrugged with a serious frown, "Why else would all the Servants be here under an alliance?" Waver pointed out despite the fact that Shirou should have already known the answer five minutes ago since he arrived.

Shirou strategically surveyed the battle scene as Saber, Lancer, and Rider attacked the – could he call it a giant squid? – relentlessly. Clearly, none of the Servants' efforts have been helping at all. If anything, they were at least keeping the beast's astoundingly fast growth at bay, but just barely.

While Shirou wished he could pitch in and help, the fact that the earlier battle had drain much of his magical reserve made simple projection magecraft already difficult for him. Summoning a Noble Phantasm was bound to fry his Magic Circuits. Furthermore, the fact that the battle is being taken place on the river didn't help much either. Unlike Saber, he didn't have the Lady of the Lake's blessing bestowed upon him to give him the ability to walk on water.

Despite the seriousness of the current predicament, Shirou couldn't help himself but imagine Saber as a pro-swimmer that could easily outswim any living person on the earth during her time. Shirou would definitely love to see that one day if they both had any time during the Grail War.

"This isn't working," Waver muttered to himself. "The familiar is regenerating far too fast."

Shirou nodded solemnly in agreement. At this rate, the familiar was going to exhaust the Servants and devour the entire Fuyuki City up.

Shifting his gaze onto the ferociously fighting Saber who was dancing across the turbulent waters with calculated precision, Shirou unconsciously stared at her combating figure in wonder at how skilled she was despite facing against such a monstrosity. With each slice, Saber cleaved through the tentacles almost effortlessly before being assaulted by another swarm of them.

With a roar, Saber leaped high into the air and attempted to charge right where Caster was located. However, as expected, a swarm of tentacles shot up straight at her midair form, making the trained warrior easy prey to the disfigured familiar. With narrowed eyes, Saber gave a battle roar as she positioned her blade straight ahead, "STRIKE AIR!" Saber shouted as the protective sheath, Invisible Air, that guarded the holy blade of Excalibur unraveled itself and blasted itself forward with pinpoint accuracy, effectively mowing down the mass of flesh before her.

However, despite how concentrated the attack the wind Noble Phantasm made, it was no match to both the thick fleshy shield as well as the unrivaled regenerative property of the familiar. If Shirou didn't know better on how powerful Avalon was, Shirou would have claimed the monstrosity to be nigh immortal.

Saber, pushed back midair by the force of Invisible Air, twisted her body around as she swung her glinting blade in a wide arc without hesitation, severing the charging mass of appendages that were approaching her backside. Finally, landing onto the raging waters, Saber positioned herself in a defensive stance as she slowly fended off the tentacles in a cautious manner.

"Is something wrong?" Shirou muttered to himself as the urge of wanting to help Arturia defeat Caster's familiar welled up in his heart.

Unexpectedly, it was Waver to answered Shirou's question. "Rider said they're falling back to regroup."

"Regroup?"

Waver nodded solemnly. "Like we thought, things are looking bad now. That beast's flesh is far too think to kill Caster's who is inside it. At this rate, if Caster is not killed soon, the familiar could self-sustain itself through consuming the available mana around him."

Without needing to ask, Shirou knew humans were one of the many resources this monster could devour to keep its existence.

Therefore, not only were they already losing with three Servants, but they also had a time limit to work within. What a pain, Shirou absentmindedly thought.

Not long after, just as Waver reported, Shirou noticed Lancer and Arturia, along with Alexander who's in the flying chariot, approaching the shore of the river.

"Plan not working?" Shirou asked despite already knowing the answer.

Lancer nodded grimly. Originally, the plan was to let Saber and Rider do all the fighting while Lancer stood by the shore and aim Gae Dearg right at Caster's book once it's exposed, alternatively severing the magical connection between Caster, the familiar, and ultimately the Holy Grail.

However, due to arriving late at the site because of the recent commotion at the Tohsaka residence – thus indirectly capturing Saber's attention – the familiar Caster summoned grew large enough to even slowly overwhelm the two powerful Servants' combined efforts. Thus, to keep the beast at bay, Lancer's active participation in the battle was enlisted.

Even though Shirou would have thought Lancer's Gae Buidhe should prevent the monster to self-regenerate, the fact that the monstrosity navigated around the issue by destroying its own tentacle from the base and once again regenerate where Gae Buidhe made contact defeated the purpose of the spear's potentially devastating blow.

"Rider," Waver suddenly called out to grab his Servant's attention, "do we have another option to defeat that thing?"

Alexander frowned at Waver's question. "If only we had more Servants on our side," Alexander rubbed his red beard as he spoke his thoughts aloud.

Shirou went through the list of Servants that are not present here in his mind. First, there was Assassin. However, knowing that those Servants belonged to Kirei, Shirou highly doubted the Assassin Class Servants would be willing to contribute. Furthermore, Shirou was sure this fight was not within their forte. Counting down the list was Gilgamesh, someone Shirou didn't want to even see. However, despite knowing Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon should have something to defeat the beast, Shirou doubted Gilgamesh would be the kind of person to save the world in its current state.

Lastly, there was Berserker who is controlled by none other than Kariya. While Shirou was sure that Kariya possesses a good heart, the fact that Berserker reacted poorly to Saber nevertheless worried Shirou, especially for a battle as large as this.

Waver shook his head knowingly. "We can't rely on that right now. We need something that can destroy the familiar and Caster all at once."

"An Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm," Shirou muttered in deep thought. While projecting an Anti-Personnel Noble Phantasm like Gae Bolg may be able to kill Caster from far away through all that layers of flesh, even Shirou wasn't sure – provided that he even succeeded in the task – would the deadly spear even end the familiar's existence. At this point, it was better to assume that the familiar is capable of sustaining its own life without Caster supplementing mana to it.

Waver, hearing Shirou's spoken thoughts, nodded in agreement. "An Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm is needed to wipe Caster and the familiar from here."

Saying that, Waver immediately directed a suspicious gaze onto Shirou.

Shirou, noticing Waver's intense stare, looked up uncomfortably at the boy. "Something wrong?" Shirou asked aloud after a brief moment of hesitation.

"You don't happen to have an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm up your sleeve, right?" Waver deadpanned, his voice laced with both sarcasm and skepticism.

"Huh? Why would you even say that?" Shirou asked calmly, albeit a bit surprised at the unexpected question.

"Well, Rho Aias and Avalon," Waver spoke dryly without a hint of amusement. "Ring a bell?"

"Ah, that," Shirou spoke with slight embarrassment before composing himself once more. "Even so, I can't perform basic magecraft without potentially frying my Magic Circuits right now."

Waver softly whistled. "What did you do to yourself?"

"That's a story for another time," Shirou swiftly shot down Waver's inquiry. "In the meantime, we are talking about Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasms," Shirou declared as he unconsciously shifted his gaze over Saber, Arturia.

While it was no secret among them that Saber was none other than the legendary King Arthur, the fact that she possessed Excalibur, a powerful Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm – if it could even be classified in that caliber – remains a secret. And, despite the urgency behind their predicament, Shirou felt like it wasn't his right to divulge the information himself, unless an innocent was in immediate harm.

"I have one," Alexander announced unceremoniously while opening one of his eyes analytically to the group.

"You do?!" Waver half-shouted before quickly closing his mouth in fear of other eavesdropping Masters.

Alexander nodded before letting out a quiet sigh. "However, even with the full might of my armies in the Ionioi Hetairoi will not suffice to kill that thing. The best I can do is occupy it within my Reality Marble for a time."

Shirou unconsciously froze at the word "Reality Marble" as he was instantly reminded of an unending plain of swords. This new development certainly sparked his interest.

"And after that?" Lancer inquired.

"I don't know," Alexander replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Hah?!" Waver gazed at his Servant, dumbfounded at the unhelpful and lousy answer.

"After I catch a thing of that size, the barrier around my armies will only hold for a few minutes. So, Heroic Spirits, I ask you to create a plan for victory."

A crash echoed as a wave of water skyrocketed into the air and smashed into the nearby red bridge in a powerful spray.

"Saber," Shirou nervously glanced over at her due to her lack of contribution in the discussion, "it's now or never."

However, much to Shirou's surprise, Saber had an extremely conflicted look on her face that even slightly betrayed her stoic mask. Something was clearly wrong, Shirou grimly realized.

"Do that," Shirou told both Alexander and Waver. "How much time will you be able to buy us?"

Alexander looked back at the growing familiar as he hummed in thought. "With my Ionioi Hetairoi, I should be able to buy us two minutes, maximum."

Shirou winced at the small time limit. However, it was better than nothing.

"Until then, boy," Alexander glanced over at Waver, "I will have no idea what transpires outside. Therefore, if anything should happen, focus hard and call for me; and I will send a messenger. In any case, I will send someone before my Reality Marble is no longer able to contain Caster's familiar. When that happens, I want you to tell me where should I drop the beast. Understand?"

Waver nodded his head numbly in understanding.

With that said, Alexander the Great leaped over his great oxen chariot again before he gave a battle roar to motion the lightning chariot into motion.

Shortly after, Alexander can be seen flying through the tangled mess of thrashing tentacles in the water as the Gordius Wheel navigated right and left through the obstacles with precision. Another battle roar can be heard from the battle-strong Servant as a ball of mana surrounded Alexander the Great while the earth tremored at the unnatural power.

No sooner did that happen, the deployed bounded field rapidly expanded as it engulfed the sea monster in its entirety before both Alexander and Caster's familiar disappeared in the air within a split second. The rolling waves of the crashing water immediately calmed at the absence of the monster as if the entire ordeal that previously occurred never happened.

Seeing the magnificent display of power and how the massive monstrosity disappeared along with Alexander when he deployed his Noble Phantasm, Ionioi Hetairoi, Shirou couldn't help but slightly gape in awe. Alexander the Great is able to deploy his Reality Marble that efficiently?! Shirou made sure to jot down in his head to inquire Alexander the Great how he accomplishes such an amazing feat.

"Lancer, you don't happen to have an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm available, do you?" Waver began to ask. Though, judging by his desperate tone, Shirou knew Waver was only asking out of vain hope.

Lancer shook his head solemnly. "Neither Gae Buidhe or Gae Dearg is able to destroy Caster and his familiar in one blow."

"Hmmm," Waver tactically rubbed his chin in thought as he directed his gaze over to Saber. "You're King Arthur, are you not?" Waver spoke aloud as if to help him sort out his brainstorming process. "In that case, shouldn't that blade you carry be Excalibur?" Waver began to ask before trailing off at the end once he remembered the unique invisible property the blade had. Having studied the legend of King Arthur at the Clocktower before, Waver could confidently say that never had he seen a text referencing to an invisible sword.

Saber nodded without hiding anything. Holding the invisible blade higher in her hand, Saber confirmed, "Yes, the blade which I carry is indeed the Excalibur that was gifted by the Lady of the Lake."

Waver's eyes widened in realization. "In that case, shouldn't a renown legend like that be one of the most powerful swords available in recorded history! We should be able to demolish Caster with that."

While Saber's stoic demeanor barely changed, Shirou could still notice the pained and frustrated look she had on her face as she periodically glanced elsewhere around their surroundings.

"For reasons I cannot explain," Arturia began, "I will be unable to unleash my Noble Phantasm."

Shirou's eyes slightly widened in surprise as his mouth opened, ready to immediately ask Arturia why this was. However, Shirou instantly shut his mouth when he noticed Arturia gritting her teeth, as if the very words she had spoken pained her to no ends.

Occupied with the countless questions forming in his mind, Waver didn't bother wasting time asking the reasons behind Saber's inability to unleash Excalibur when he quickly faced Shirou with a grimace.

"Your Magic Circuits are going to fry up if you use any of your Noble Phantasms," Waver clarified.

Shirou sighed aloud as he used his right hand and raked over his red hair. While tracing a Noble Phantasm is not only a danger to himself as other Masters will end up knowing too much about his abilities and identity, but also the fact that he would be hanging over between the fine line of life and death upon frying his Magic Circuits is an inevitable fate provided he attempted to project something of that caliber.

Then again, this isn't the first time he charged straight in death's waiting doors only to narrowly escape it because of Avalon's influence. Looking over at Saber, Shirou knew that if he were to try something reckless, now was the ideal time to do so as Arturia, the owner of Avalon, is near him.

"I might be able to dish something out," Shirou stated with a frown. "However, all it'll do is slow the beast for half a minute at best. You all need to figure out something fast to defeat the beast when I do so."

"But, won't you—" Waver began to protest.

"I'll be fine," Shirou interrupted. But, seeing Waver's unbelieving eyes, he added, "after healing from the battle."

"Then—!"

"Waver," Shirou raised his voice a bit, "we're running out of time."

Although clearly agitated, Waver received Shirou's message and effectively stopped his unproductive arguing.

"Saber," Shirou looked over at his past partner, "how much mana do you have available?"

"With my Master, I am able to use Invisible Air about a dozen times."

A dozen times? Shirou frowned at the large number. In that case, shouldn't Saber have the minimal amount of mana to unleash Excalibur and not consequently fade away from the Holy Grail War?

Shirou gazed over at Arturia with a heart full of concern. Something wasn't adding up. However, if Saber told him that she couldn't use Excalibur despite their current predicament, Shirou had no reasons to doubt her. Doubting would only result in a fractured relationship between them as well as needlessly waste any of the precious time they now have.

"In that case, Saber," Shirou began as Arturia focused her gaze on Shirou's form, "use Strike Air and try to make an opening on where Caster is located. And Lancer," Shirou turned around to face the Irish hero, "try to fend off any incoming attack from the beast while Saber is attacking."

Lancer nodded without a word despite having a look of skepticism on Shirou's proposal.

"And you?" Waver interrupted by presenting his question again.

"I'll fire a Noble Phantasm first. Saber will then use the opening to attack by using Strike Air directly in front of Caster's position in the beast. If she makes it through the monster's flesh, Lancer will then use Gae Dearg to kill Caster."

"And if you by some miracle manage to accomplish this, what happens if Caster's familiar is now self-sustaining?" Waver inquired deeper.

Shirou frowned despite maintaining his serious gaze over at the deceptively calm Mion River.

"I … don't know," Shirou ended up saying. "We'll have to figure something out when that happens."

Waver made a dissatisfied expression at Shirou's hopeless answer. "In that case," Waver began once more as he audibly sighed, "what should I do?"

Shirou hummed in thought as an idea popped up in his mind. "Can you freeze up Mion River?"

Waver immediately gave Shirou a deadpanned expression. "Who do you think I am?" Waver grumbled. "A wizard from the Age of Gods?"

"Ah, can't then," Shirou interpreted Waver's complaint. "In that case—"

Suddenly, particles of mana gathered in front of Waver before instantly forming a human figure politely bowing down before Waver.

"Huh?" Waver couldn't contain his surprise at the unexpected sight.

"I am Mithrenes of the Hetairoi. I am here as the King's ears," the soldier humbly stated before continuing with his request. "King Alexander is requesting where shall we place Caster's familiar."

"What?!" Waver shouted. "Time's already up?!"

"Make haste, the army within the Reality Marble is having a difficult time containing the sea monster. We don't have much time."

"I know. I know!" Waver stressed out with frustration as he gave a quick glance over at Shirou before properly answering the Hetairoi soldier. "Directly in front of us," Waver pointed with confidence. "Tell Rider that."

The soldier nodded in understanding before vanishing once more back into motes of mana.

No sooner did Waver announce his choice of location, a loud rumbling accompanied by crashing waves and flashes of lightning descended upon the ebbing waters.

"It's coming," Shirou quietly said as everyone got into their respective battle stances.

Breathing out, Shirou channeled mana into his eyes as reinforcement magecraft was applied to his sight. Making out the appearing figure, Shirou summoned the bow Archer, his future self, used without fail.

Spotting a chariot flying out of the beast's way, Shirou uttered the words to his inner reality.

"I am the bone of my sword."

Ominous words left his mouth as his Magic Circuits lit aflame while mana instantly flooded them. Immediately afterward, Shirou went through the seven steps to his tracing process. Soon, a spiral sword crackling with blood red mana appeared above the palm of Shirou's hand.

Panting heavily with exertion while his Magic Circuits is dangerously overheating, Shirou swallowed his thick saliva to quench his parch throat.

Drawing his bowstring back along with the blade while the sword altered its shape to become more aerodynamic, Shirou slowly flooded the Rainbow Sword of Fergus with mana as it reinforced beyond its compacity. With mana crackling with different hues of colors around the unstable blade, Shirou had effectively created an A rank broken Noble Phantasm.

Straining his muscles as his blood vessels bulged out unnaturally at the inhuman display of strength, Shirou eyed the center of the monstrosity with a cold pair of golden eyes.

"Calad—" Shirou whispered as a sonic boom resounded in place, swaying the nearby branches violently in place.

"BOLGGGGG!" Shirou shouted as the blazing arrow immediately whizzed out of his grip, blasting a sonic boom as the arrow left an invisible trail behind it.

The result was obvious when the A rank Noble Phantasm blasted powerfully against the monstrosity's thick hide, shredding the layers of flesh as if it were nothing more than paper.

Containing his curiosity immediately, Waver shouted, "NOW!" as both Saber and Lancer instantly leaped into motion.

Walking on water as if it were on land, Saber dodged right and left at the clearly agitated beast before running along the length of its violently wriggling tentacle.

Cutting two appendages at once, Saber pointed her blade straight at the beast's core without hesitation. "STRIKE AIR!" her shout resounded as the shroud of air created a high-speed funnel and shot straight through the deep injury Shirou created on the beast.

The beast, not waiting for Saber's recovery, immediately lashed out numerous tentacles in her direction. However, right before the tentacle could even reach her, Lancer rushed with lightning speed as he pierced Gae Buidhe through the fragile piece of flesh before lashing out another series of blows.

Without pausing, Saber immediately hurled herself through the air as she dipped into her huge mana reservoirs and launch herself directly in front of the beast.

"STRIKE AIR!" Saber shouted once more as another blast from the wind-based Noble Phantasm staggered the massive beast as the blow deepened the gaping injury. If she could do it fast enough while the beast is still processing where to regenerate and who to attack, Saber could deal a lethal blow against the hiding Caster within the massive familiar.

Gazing over at the fast-moving spectacle, Shirou unconsciously held his breath as Saber and Lancer worked perfectly together in bringing down the beast. Soon enough, Rider also joined the fray once he immediately caught on their half-baked plan, that is, to continuously deal the familiar damage before it could properly recover itself. However, even that was beginning to prove itself difficult as the rate of regeneration from the beast sped itself up from the concentrated wound the Servants were making together.

"Shirou," Waver raised his voice in an alarmed manner, "we've got an issue."

Shirou dizzily tilted his head over Waver's direction.

"We have jets heading our way," Waver completed his thought.

Shirou's eyes widened at the announcement's implications. This means the Japanese military has now gotten involved in this entire ordeal. Things were quickly getting out of hand. Not only could the chances of magecraft being exposed grew exponentially high, but the pilots who have no inkling of an idea of the concepts of magecraft getting killed were nigh inevitable.

"Waver, can you do something about it?" Shirou croaked, though his eyes carried a certain urgency behind them.

Waver shook his head with frustration. There was no way he could prevent the inevitable collision between the pilots and Caster's familiar from this distance. At best, he could probably shoot them down with concentrated mana. However, even performing such a task spoke of unimaginable difficulty, especially when he's trying to shoot down a jet flying at high speeds. Beyond that, shooting the jets down would still nevertheless ensure the pilots' death from Caster's familiar.

"AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" an unnatural roar resounded the battlefield on Mion River.

Shirou squinted his eyes to make out the vague figure before him flying in the sky.

"Ber-BERSERKER?!" Waver cried out in shock. "Now of all times?!"

Shirou's heart lurched at Waver's cry. Berserker, Kariya's Servant, what is he doing out here at this time?

Hanging on top of a flying jet, Berserker's body stood firmly on top of it as it grabbed hold the high-speed machine. The crisscrossing red lines that once ran along Berserker's form quickly expanded over the entire aircraft as the plane gradually changed shape.

Shirou gritted his teeth at the implications behind the phenomenon. Shirou was no stranger to see this happening firsthand when he first encountered Berserker and tried to fight him when he attempted to attack Saber from behind.

Back then, Berserker had once used not only a pole but also Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm and made it his own. Upon seeing the jet engine and blood red lines stretching across the vehicle, Shirou knew the jet was no longer a simple machine. It had become Berserker's Noble Phantasm and a weapon of war.

"AAARRRRRRRTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Berserker roared louder as the jet whizzed dangerously low along the violent river and dove straight for Saber's fighting figure.

Saber immediately whirled around to face Berserker when the flying jet suddenly let loose a barrage of bullets straight at Saber without restraint. Instantly side-stepping the continuous fire, Saber had no choice but to continue to run away from the insane midair Servant.

Shirou darted his eyes at the clearly struggling Lancer as he continuously relied upon going into his spirit form to give himself a small fighting advantage over the river against the massive monstrosity. Despite Alexander's astounding power, even he was clearly coming to his wit's end.

"Waver," Shirou began as he stood up unsteadily, "is there any way you can supply me with your mana."

Waver frowned as he understood where Shirou was going with his request. "Not conveniently," Waver answered. "Especially not on the whim provided that it's even possible."

Shirou nodded knowingly. He was already expecting the answer, however, it never hurts to ask. Reconfirming this, Shirou calmly knelt on the ground as he stared straight ahead at what was before him. Due to Arturia's close proximity to him, Avalon has been working tirelessly to repair his overheating Magic Circuits and body. Although he was obviously nowhere near complete recovery, he was still nevertheless functional.

"What … are you doing?" Waver asked cautiously, seeing something clearly off in Shirou's composure.

"Resorting to our last option," Shirou spoke as his eyes showed a melancholy yet stoic expression.

Shirou wasn't sure was he going to survive after what he is going to do, let alone even finish what he's planning on accomplishing. However, for all the people around him, he had to give it a try.

With the daunting obstacle before him, Shirou felt absolutely nothing as he chanted the words to his Reality Marble. He was now the personification of a living blade.

"I am the bone of my sword."

All of Shirou's twenty-seven Magic Circuits immediately lit up in unison as mana flowed through them forcefully.

"Steel is my body and fire is my blood."

His body instantly protested at the strain he was forcing upon his frail physique while Avalon continuously repaired Shirou's internal wounds.

"I have created over a thousand blades."

More mana channeled through his limited circuits as magical energy pushed these circuits beyond its limits. The effect was instant when Shirou began to profusely sweat at the high internal body temperature he was suffering.

"S-Shirou?" Waver stuttered in worry as he stared at Shirou's struggling form.

Halfway there, Shirou thought to himself as he bit his lips in defiance while his body begged to surrender to the blissful embrace of unconsciousness.

"Unaware of loss, Nor aware of gain.

Summoning four identical Noble Phantasms behind him, Shirou launched the swords at supersonic speeds as it crashed devastatingly at the enemy.

The earth beneath Shirou almost swayed uncertainly as reality was gradually warping to Shirou's desires. Mana, colored in vibrant blue, ran across the ground as Shirou continuously forced his burning Magic Circuits beyond its compacity.

"Withstood pain to create w-weapons,"

Shirou strained himself to continue his aura before he coughed up a pool of blood out of his suffocating lungs due to internal injuries.

"Shirou!" two voices, one sounded right next to him whereas another one sounded like a distinct woman's voice from afar.

Digging his nails into the palm of his hand, Shirou with hazy eyes looked ahead at the fuzzy-looking beast that towered above the red bridge running across Mion River.

"W-waiting for one's arrival."

Shirou finished the uncompleted line he uttered earlier as another surge of pain shot through his spine.

"Hah, hah, hah," Shirou couldn't help but pant and sweat at the exertion.

Behind him, a blurred silhouette of a distorted desert reality gradually appeared, replacing what the modern world of magecraft viewed as common sense.

Suddenly, cold hands gripped Shirou's arms tightly, though Shirou could only feel a throbbing numb sensation at the place of contact. Glancing at the figure behind him without moving a muscle, Shirou could vaguely make out golden motes of light shining through his arm. Clearly, Saber was allowing Avalon to work with full efficiency on Shirou upon their direct contact.

"W-What's happening?" Waver stuttered with alarm at the bewildering sight in front of him.

Saber, who is now in front of Shirou and holding his arm, didn't bother answering Waver's question due to the present predicament.

"Saber," Waver interrupted once more, "we've got a bigger problem here," Waver stated with panic evident in his voice.

Saber turned her head to see the beast beginning to make its way above shore despite the hard combat effort both Lancer and Rider were inflicting upon the familiar.

Saber's eyes glanced back down on the ground as her hands shook with indignation. "Kiritsugu …" Arturia trailed off with malice in her voice and anger ignited in her eyes.

"Saber," Waver rattled off again, "we need to do something now. And fast!" Waver shrieked at the end when a massive tentacle shot his way. Ducking his head immediately, Waver barely dodged the thin appendage trying to kill him.

"That was … too close!" Waver chattered his teeth in fear as his eyes widened. Why is he the target of this?!

"AAAAARRRRRRRTTTTTTHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA!" another roar blasted out from a distance as a supersonic jet raced back toward their position.

"Berserker is back!" Waver shouted, pleading inwardly that Saber would do something about this madness.

Saber shot a wary gaze at the mad beast before she lifted her sword despite her fatigue from the stretched-out battle.

"AAAAARRRRRRRTTTHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!" the black Servant roared once more as the missiles on the bottom of the jet wings lit with dangerous blood red color, indicating that Berserker is about to use the missiles as his own Noble Phantasm. A situation that did not spell well for a defenseless Waver, a near-death Shirou, and a fatigued Saber.

"He's coming!" Wave gave a desperate yell as he prepared the largest mana blast he'll ever summon in his life. A futile attempt, Waver realized. But, it was nonetheless better than doing nothing.

"By my command seal," a solemn yet pained voice spoke from behind Waver.

"Huh?!"

"Berserker, attack Gilgamesh with all you've got!" a white-haired individual who was severely bleeding all over his body spoke with both anger and undying determination.

The jet engine immediately whirled in a different direction as Berserker jerked uncontrollably at the G-force.

"AAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" Berserker roared in anguish before it jetted off effectively into the sky where a golden flying object flew in the air without a care.

"Hah, I've come in time," Kariya chuckled with relief before he collapsed on the ground without an ounce of strength left in him.

"Kariya!" Waver immediately shouted as he quickly performed basic healing magecraft on the injured man, using his mana as a means to shut the exposed wounds that must have been partially inflicted because of controlling the rogue Berserker.

"Saber," Kariya croaked out as he glanced over at the legendary King Arthur and thought over the countless dreams he had from his Servant, Lancelot, "can you deliver us promised victory?"

Kariya gave a small smile similar to the likeness he would give to Sakura whom he sacrificed everything, even his very soul, for before the blonde Servant. Even though Kariya didn't know Saber on a personal level, the recurring dreams he had of King Arthur rang endlessly in his mind. The amazing charisma, the unending compassion, and a king of justice, Kariya felt like he knew the female king before him like the back of his hand.

However, beyond all that, there was always that overwhelming sense of guilt and lost every time he gazed upon the female Servant's face in his dream. Despite the feeling, never could Kariya contain the awe and excitement he held every time he gazed upon the Sword of Promised Victory drawn into battle, a shining beacon of hope for the people in the darkest times.

A sword that was able to wipe away all doubts and defeat, charging straight for victory upon the hopes of mankind.

Saber's emerald eyes looked softly at Kariya before it was replaced with a look of determination and indignation. A look of a king who is willing to stand up against certain defeat and open a path of victory.

Standing up gallantly as she released her tender hold on Shirou, Arturia turned her eyes upon the attacking monstrosity without fear. No matter the consequences ahead of her, she was going to annihilate the abomination before her forever.

Even though she would do anything to change the past and eliminate her future as the king of Britannia, Arturia also realized that as a king in a distant future now, she still had vows and morals to uphold. Ones that even surpassed the importance of obtaining the Holy Grail itself.

Closing her eyes peacefully, Saber's sheath, Invisible Air, shuddered at her command when the magecraft Merlin personally created unraveled itself from the holy sword of Excalibur. Wind began to pick up around Saber before a blast of air shot up in the air when Excalibur was fully revealed in its beautiful splendor.

Waver widened his eyes at the beautiful sight before him. "Wha—" Waver managed to choke out before his mind refused to let him continue to process the thought anymore. No word could accurately describe what he was seeing right now.

Snapping her eyes open, Saber's emerald eyes lit up with the wrath of a righteous and just king. Lifting up her blade high up in the sky, motes of golden light surfaced from the ground and the river, each of them signifying the dreams and hopes of warriors from the past, present, and future. This was the collective hope of mankind manifested in the form of a conceptual Noble Phantasm.

Stepping forward without hesitation, the water rippled powerfully under its force. With teeth gritted, Arturia could feel the subtle yet threatening spiritual tug between the connection of her and her Master, Kiritsugu. However, Saber ignored Kiritsugu's wishes despite her desire for the Grail and continued to step gallantly forward with renewed fury.

Her duties came before even the Holy Grail itself.

Excalibur pulsed more and more strongly as golden light continued to gather together within the blade, making the sword shine brighter than the midday sun.

Lifting the holy blade higher up in the air, Saber cried out, "EXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX—" the sword responded violently at her command as Saber's grip tightened around the pommel of her blade.

Golden light shone with renewed strength at the king's order, crying "Victory unto the King! Victory unto the King!"

"CCCCCAAAAAALLLLLLLIIIIIIIUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Saber shouted as she brought down her blade onto the raging river, separating the violent waves with sheer force as the blast of holy light flew across Mion River faster than the naked eye could follow.

Excalibur's light, carrying the hopes of mankind, smashed into the unworldly monster, blinding the abomination with its holy light before decimating it with a loud crash, shooting rays of light straight up into the sky and parting the midnight clouds – effectively ending the battle at Mion River.

"What's … that?" a boy with a white bandage wrapped around his forehead and entire torso looked out at the balcony, gazing directly at an odd yet magnificent view of golden motes of light slowly trailing up in the air together by a long river far away from the Einzbern Castle.

A woman, dressed in pure white that resembled the regality of a queen, approached the red-headed boy, Luca, while gazing in recognition at the beautiful lifetime scenery. "That light … it's beautiful when it shines bright, doesn't it?"

"Irisviel?" Luca looked up at the softly smiling figure as she continued to look straight in the distant horizon.

Turning around to face the curious boy, Irisviel knelt down as she playfully poked Luca's nose with a wide smile. "That's Mrs. Einzbern for you, my boy."

Luca immediately blushed at the close and unfamiliar contact. Not even his mother or father did this to him before!

"Ahh …" Luca couldn't make a proper reply as Irisviel chuckled happily before standing back up.

However, Luca was quick to regain his bearings as an obvious question popped up in his mind.

"Mrs. Einzbern, you're married to Kiritsugu, right?" Luca wondered aloud.

Irisviel nodded in bliss without taking her eyes off at the rising lights. "Yes, Kiritsugu is my everything," Irisviel said almost dreamily, as if reliving a fond memory of hers as she continued to gaze softly at the grandeur scene.

"Then, shouldn't you be called Mrs. Emiya instead?" Luca presented his innocent opinion.

Irisviel's body froze at Luca's words. Why wasn't that the case, Irisviel found herself musing over the thought. While she was sure her patriarch of the family, Jubstacheit von Einzbern, had some say in the matter with regards to her last name, right now with the Holy Grail War in motion and her imminent death coming closer, what's stopping her from adopting her beloved's last name in her final days?

"That's a good idea!" Irisviel shouted suddenly as she beamed at Luca who drew himself back in surprise at the unforeseen declaration. "Call me Mrs. Emiya from now on!"

"Ah, yes, Mrs. Emiya," Luca said with befuddlement at the odd reaction. However, as long as it made Irisviel happy, Luca was more than glad to comply.

Turning his face back in the direction of the shining light that had increased in number and strength, Luca couldn't help but voice out his wonder.

"That light …" Luca trailed off as an image of his mother, during her prime days before the accident, flashed through his mind.

"Luca," a familiar hand would ruffle his hair playfully every time Luca sat down on her lap, "remember, I love you soooooooooo much," Luca's mom will often playfully say with a wide grin and eyes that sparkled brighter than the evening stars.

"More than the world?" he would ask in the past, understanding her mother's dreams of going around the world and helping others as a camerawoman.

"More than the universe," Elsa Saijou would say as she embraced her son tightly until he would squeal in discomfort.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Luca noticed Irisviel was also similarly in the same entranced state. "That light," Irisviel unconsciously began, "is the true embodiment of the sad yet noble dream of all soldiers – past, present, and future – who lie dying in the field of battle, clutched to their hearts with their last breath, holding their love with their dying wish, making certain that their loyalty will not be in vain."

The light from afar off grew significantly brighter as if ready to release all its pent up energy in a euphoric pillar of explosion.

"The invincible king," Irisviel continue before adding, "and the bringer of light is about to cry out the true name of the miracle she wields in her hands. That name is …"

Irisviel paused as a pillar of yellow light blazed through the sky, shining like a thousand suns. This … was the strength of the bringer of light, Luca couldn't believe his eyes.

"Why is my name Luca?" he once complained years ago to his sick mother.

However, despite her illness, Elsa nevertheless grinned with joy at her son. "Because," she would begin, "you are going to be the bringer of light of this world, a man of justice who would pierce through mankind's darkest times."

"Why?"

"'Cause," Elsa would hold his hand tenderly with care despite her hands' lacking strength, "you're my son!" she would give an ecstatic beam in his direction.

"That name is," Irisviel repeated as if moved by the scene before her, "Excalibur," Irisviel finally whispered out aloud as the pillar of light descended toward victory before shooting toward the sky once more, making anybody gazing upon the glorious dreams of mankind reminiscence of their own hopes and ideals.

Bringer of light, Luca thought to himself once more. Was this what his mother meant by being a bringer of light in this world? If such a light like he has seen today is able to impact him in such a manner, couldn't he too impact the world in a similar way?

Luca, before he realized it himself, was grinning broadly with determination rekindled in his eyes.

Despite all the painful consequences, saving both Rin and Sakura were only the first steps in becoming a Hero of Justice, a bringer of light. Now, to live up the dreams his mother handed down to him through his name, Luca is going to try everything in his willpower to achieve some as bright and impacting as the light he saw today.

An act that would ultimately rid the world of tears.

Regardless of the cost, Luca was sure that he is going to achieve his and his mother's ideals and impact the world as a bringer of light during mankind's darkest times.

Shirou, despite heavily injured from his attempt in summoning his Reality Marble, nevertheless lifted his head as he beholds the stunning sight that, without fail, blew his mind away.

"I am your sword, and you are my sheath, Shirou."

A whisper from the distant past as an image of Saber embracing him flashed through Shirou's mind.

The golden light of Excalibur blazing brightly swiftly reminded Shirou of the unending rolling plains during his last moments with Saber.

"Shirou, I love you," a distant voice resounded as the rising sun shone above the horizon and onto the grass-filled plains.

Ah, Shirou couldn't help but let out a sigh as he grinned with relief and amusement. Regardless of the number of times Saber has saved his life, Shirou seemed to still try to do everything on his own accord and without the help of others.

As a certain someone may have told him in the past: "If you want things done right, do it yourself."

However, despite his tendencies to accomplish anything with his own strength alone, Shirou was constantly reminded that he was not alone and there were others willing to support him in all circumstances.

"You never left me since then, did you?" Shirou gave a soft mirthful smile as Excalibur's holy life parted the dark clouds and shot straight through the sky, turning night into day at the now serene Mion River; alternatively reminding him of the parting scene when he and Saber gave each other their respective last farewells.

Who knew, even in his wildest dreams, would he expect to be dragged into another Grail War right after he destroyed the first one. A Grail War that began in the past, no less! However, it was because of this very opportunity that Shirou was reminded, regardless of his extraordinary circumstances, Arturia would always be with him – even across time.

Even if one day Saber is forced to go back to her own time at the end of this Grail War, the ideal which she carried her entire life of saving others will continue to live on in his heart.

With a final grin before Shirou edged over to unconsciousness at his sheer exhaustion that had collected for the past few hectic days, Shirou gave a last parting glance at the remnant holy light of Excalibur as it dispersed through the calming wind.

"Arturia," Shirou silently whispered to himself as his eyelids grew shut, "I love you …" Shirou gradually trailed off as his body slumped forward and fell limp.

With a message that stretched across time unfathomable to man, Shirou crashed to the ground.

Thank you for reading!

First off, I apologize for the late update. Unfortunately, despite the end of my college semester, I am still incredibly busy with my work due to the extra working hours. However, I do sincerely hope despite my hectic schedule, I will still be able to maintain the once-in-a-week update like I did in the past.

Writing again after a couple of months of inactivity was harder than I originally thought, especially when I forgot most of what I had written in the past, thus forcing me to re-read the content I wrote before. Thanks to this, I was able to find some notable plot holes in my story which I will be sure to fix. One of the most glaring ones being located in Chapter 1 when Shirou announced his FULL NAME before Waver and Alexander. This is not supposed to happen in the story; otherwise, Waver would have pieced the puzzle the Grail presented before the participants of the Grail War long ago. Of course, if any of you noticed a plot hole in the story, be sure to let me know in the reviews! I will sincerely appreciate the help.

I apologize if this chapter is not up to par like my past ones, I'll scratch away my rusty writing skills soon enough. Once again, thank you for all your patience and support!

There is now an ongoing poll for the next upcoming update on the top of my profile page. The poll will be open for three days, therefore, be sure to tell me what story you would like to read next. Thank you!