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A tall, white haired man stood in Fuyuki on a windy night, causing his red coat to flutter. Gazing into the distance, he captured the sight of Fuyuki city, where ruins and a river filled with dirty, trash-filled water existed quietly.
A grand bridge connecting the former halves of Fuyuki, Shinto and Misaki, was left untouched by the destruction. The one responsible for this was a former hero named Shirou Emiya, who traded his humanity to solidify his dreams by becoming a machine. He sought to save the world through inhuman rationale and acts of violence to reach that end, but the Grail War ended without a victor.
If not for the Grail, which still existed after the calamity that occurred during Fifth Holy Grail War, perhaps this city would still be existing. Maybe thriving, maybe floundering, but still lived in, regardless.
Despite the quiet that permeated the ruined city, Fuyuki was still alive, if only for another competition of glory and death. Sixty years after the failed fifth Holy Grail War, another commenced.
Twelve days and nights have passed since the bloody competition began. Tonight, the sixth Holy Grail War of 2064 would be coming to an end.
———
“Good grief, what have I gotten myself into this time?”
Archer stood wielding his two primary swords Kanshou and Bakuya on the bridge connecting the cities of Miyama and Shinto together. Amber lights dotted the waters surrounding him.
A girl dressed in an idol-like reddish pink dress stood on the bridge, gazing at the waters. The Servant had her hands on her massive, jellyfish-like hat that threatened to fly away as her long white hair fluttered in the wind.
As he approached, the Servant turned to him and smiled.
“Bonjour monsieur, Viva la France!”
“I’ll take it that you are a French Servant, Rider.”
Rider nodded, smiling.
“Well, then,” Archer said. “It’s about time we get started. My Master ordered me to take on any Servants that I think I could handle and well, you were here almost asking for a challenge.”
“No, that was not my intention. I simply found myself gazing upon the beautiful reflection from this exquisite bridge.”
The Servant summoned her steed, sitting atop it.
“I am Rider, and we are to fight, then we shall fight. I suppose it’s about time to conclude everything.”
“Are you Marie Antoinette?”
“That’s correct,” Rider replied with a radiant smile, unbothered by Archer exposing her identity.
In this war of mythological heroic spirits, keeping names hidden carried a sort of power. Archer, for example, had much connection to these cities. But with various eccentrics appearing from all sorts of countries and eras, not all of them adhered to the rules.
He had made a lucky guess. The most famous executed queen of France was most likely at a disadvantage in this battle now that her name was out in the open. Yet accepted the situation without a hint of worry. She was either naive or had a ploy that she kept under wraps.
“You are rather free-spirited, aren’t you Rider?”
Rider tapped two fingers to her chest then held out her hands.
“I follow my heart’s whims and those whims have brought me here. It is liberating. Say, Archer. Will you not tell me your true name?”
Archer shook his head, smirking. “Unfortunately for you, I am not such an open minded individual. My Master wants to win the Grail, as does yours. To that end, we serve as sentient puppets to their whims. Besides, knowing my true name would not help you even if I told you.”
“That is a shame,” Rider said. “A name has been chosen out of love. I believe in my Master’s convictions. I like this world. Even if bloodshed is necessary, this exchange has been pleasant as well.”
Archer nodded. “As foolish as it is, I’ve enjoyed this small conversation as well.”
He charged, sprinting across the bridge. As Archer charged bright pink orbs of light materialized in the air. Archer dodged the orbs, he moved forward, only to be greeted by Rider’s steed glowing a blindingly bright shade of blue.
“I am not a fighter, so I cannot afford to hold back.”
[GULLOTINE BREAKER!!!]
The glowing blue light charged towards him. Archer managed to hold out his arm before the steed could hit him.
[I am the bone of my sword… RHO AIAS!!!]
The steed crossed a kilometer of distance in seconds, faster than any normal car could, colliding into Archer’s purple, flowery shield. The shield was like a frontal forcefield four times his size.
Archer was knocked back, his arms shaking from absorbing part of the mighty attack.
Smoke came from the bottom of the steed’s hooves as Rider’s steed turned around.
Archer ran as another salvo of pink magical orbs fired towards his direction. His magical shield had a fracture in it from the Noble Phantasm. The horse charged again. Archer leaped away this time, avoiding the pink orbs as he did.
He drew his bow, a black longbow. Resting at the string sat his most powerful arrow, the weapon Caladbolg. He held up his bow, preparing as Rider’s horse turned around once more.
If the arrow missed or was ineffective, he could resort to letting the Noble Phantasm run its course. The timing was razor thin, but he had successfully dodged it once. The timing was already committed to memory. The charges could be infinite or almost out. With the pink orbs scattered in the air, Rider or her Master’s prana would eventually run out, leading to his victory.
Suddenly, Rider looked at the sky. “Master, you are giving me more power? That is an excellent choice!”
“You don’t mean…”
Rider’s horse neighed and the air grew frigid.
Archer leaped away as icicles grew everywhere. As he stayed in the air, Rider’s horse leaped into the air and soon approached.
[RHO AIAS!!!]
The aerial attack broke through one of the flower petals of his shield. Archer landed on the floor, but then came the projectiles. He didn’t have a moment to catch his breath as icicles threatened to impale him from below while the pink orbs came from above.
Rider cupped her hands into a heart, firing pink beams from her hands. The horse leaped around wildly, charging at random intervals that Archer could barely keep track of.
“You aren’t as feeble as I expected,” Archer complemented quietly. Rider was going all time, not caring how much magical energy she was expending. But then again, the Holy Grail War was nearing an end.
If they were the only two Servants remaining, then so be it. That wasn’t the case so Archer could not risk showing all of his cards. The other Rider was still lurking around somewhere, waiting to slay the victor.
All Archer needed was one attack he could see coming then he could counterattack. All he needed was one attack. With the simultaneous attacks, he would expend too much energy defending himself if he allowed this to go on.
Rider’s horse pounced on him once more.
[RHO AIAS!!!]
The icicles grew faster and the orbs slowed. Archer was pelted by the orbs as they tracked him while dodging.
His clothes singed from the attacks but he kept running. His swords would do him no good. At this rate, he would be worn down first.
“Damn, what an unlucky match up. I should have gone for her neck while we talked..!”
His trump card may have to be played here and now. Of course, Rider’s horse would be a problem, but he would then shift the offensive.
Rider’s horse suddenly stopped. “You are a warrior through and through. Even after everything, you still stand!”
The horse glowed white, neighing loudly as it tapped one hoof on the ground.
This was his chance.
“So you’re almost out of steam yourself,” Archer said.
“My love for the world is nothing short of infinite, but this container housing my soul is not. So allow me to end this with a bang!!!”
“Fine by me, Rider!!!”
Archer drew back his arrow. Magical energy seeped into the arrow, powering it up as Rider’s horse took a step back, then charged.
[GULLOTINE BREAKER!!!]
Archer fired Caladbolg. Moving at a speed even faster than before, Archer’s vision flooded with light.
“How interesting!” shouted an unfamiliar voice.
Archer saw a weapon flying through the air, entering the white light.
Reflexively, he held out his hand.
[RHO AIAS!!!]
The shield deployed right as Calabolg was destroyed. Rider’s horse then rammed into him at full speed. Shattering followed and all of the shield’s remaining petals were destroyed by the attack.
Sharp pain wracked Archer’s entire body as he flew back, landing on one foot. His body bled from the impact of the Noble Phantasm. Caladbolg exploded, knocking Rider off of her horse. Covered in burns and scrapes, Rider laid on the ground, trying to get back up.
As his vision returned, Archer looked around.
Then at the top of the bridge stood a young woman wielding a katana, shining the moonlight down upon Rider. From the ground, Archer made out the plated samurai armor that she wore which left her stomach and nearby regions exposed. The skimpy rendition of armor that she wore made him suspicious. She must have been confident if she left a place with such vital organs exposed.
Rider coughed, asking, “Who is there? Is that you, Second Rider?!”
The pink orbs floated in the air, no longer attacking him. Archer summoned a copy of his sword, Kanshou.
Archer looked up and saw the Servant grinning. “Oh, I expected you to wait until someone fell before joining the battle.
As he talked, he threw the sword at the defeated Rider but near instantly, the Second Rider zoomed down, deflecting the sword back to Archer.
“Such deception,” Second Rider said. “You’re a crooked sort.”
———
Second Rider gave a hand out to Rider, helping her stand. As Rider stood, she was moved behind Rider. It felt reminiscent of a knight protecting his lady from the big bad dragon in some overseas fairytales.
For reasons unknown to him, two Rider class Servants had been summoned for this Holy Grail War and the War was without a Caster Servant. That role had been fulfilled by Rider Marie Antoinette, who seemed to be a Caster Servant in all but name and her rather honest personality.
“Our Masters have made a last minute pact to put down Archer.”
“Oh?” Archer said.
“It is my Master’s will, You understand that, right?”
“Yeah, of course. I abhor your timing, however. But that too, is how things are.”
Second Rider then looked back at Rider, who was heavily injured herself.
“Rider, do not let Archer have time to use his bow.”
“Understood!”
No later after Second Rider explained their plan did she strike Archer, who barely deflected the swing. The blow shattered his weapon, knocking him back. Or that’s what he wanted Rider to believe.
Second Rider immediately closed the distance and swung once again.
[Trace on]
Through magecraft, replicas of his broken weapons materialized in Archer’s hand, replacing the previous pair. Archer swung down, missing Rider. She had stopped midswing and retreated before Archer took advantage of her counterattack. Her eyes followed his hands and she kicked him back.
“You’re skilled…” Archer said.
“Whatever deception you try to pull, my skills will render them obsolete,” Second Rider declared proudly.
“If you say so, Rider.”
They continued their battle. Archer was pushed back as Second Rider struck relentlessly. Her techniques were refined as expected of a master swordsman. With each blow, one of or both of Archer’s blades broke. Rider’s projectiles remained suspended in the sky. It wasn’t as if Rider needed the support.
A small trail of his blood marked the path Archer and Rider traveled. As quickly as his swords broke, Archer created new replacements instantly, blocking Second Rider’s next flurry of blows.
“Even if you’re not a skilled swordsman, you don’t die easily, do you?” Second Rider asked.
Archer had no opportunity to respond as he continued blocking the attacks. As metal broke again and again, Archer’s wounds stung as sweat dripped down his face. Meanwhile, Second Rider’s piercing gaze shook his core, similar to a viper aiming for the kill.
Her blade flowed like water, striking him in every possible direction without leaving any pattern for him to discern. Just barely was he getting by. Various nicks and cuts wracked his body as Second Rider attacked.
Archer couldn’t escape even if he wanted to. Second Rider would slice him down if he disengaged. Then there was one last ploy that he could enact.
“Fifteen…” Archer said.
Second Rider stuck again, but the words reached her ears. A brief glance of confusion made the blade’s trajectory predictable during that one instance. Archer trapped Second Rider’s blade between his own two blades, holding it in place.
“You broke fifteen copies of my blades,” Archer finished, then began chanting. His muscles strained as Second Rider tried pulling her weapon free.
I am the bone of my sword.
Steel is my body and fire is my blood.
I have created over a thousand blades.
Unknown to Death, nor known to life.
Have withstood pain to create many weapons.
Yet, those hands will never hold anything.
So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works!!!
The world changed from a beautiful night sky littered with amber lights into a sandy graveyard littered with countless swords placed into the ground. Loud, mechanical whirring echoed in the space as massive gears turned all around them.
He pushed Second Rider away with his swords and moved back. Immediately, Second Rider tried to attack but retreated as multiple golden weapons flew down from the sky like missiles.
“What madness is this?!” Second Rider exclaimed.
“This is who I am!”
Rider’s orbs fired towards him but were intercepted by weapons that materialized in the air. To project weapons was similar to flicking on a switch. In this world, with one switch flick, all of the weapons that he needed could be created.
Overhead, Rider’s orbs fought a war against Archer’s weapons. One side dwindled while the other dominated.
Two streams of weapons fired. Second Rider leaped around as volley upon volley of weapons shot towards her like missiles. But she was too fast for them. She tried attacking, but the sheer amount of swords kept her back.
[SHIELD OF BENKEI]
A tall seasoned warrior who covered his head in brown cloth appeared and held up a naginata with both hands, taking the brunt of the weapons with his body before disappearing. Then Rider shot forward towards Archer.
That was fine. Archer wanted to distract Second Rider first and foremost and he had been given enough time by doing so.
As Rider’s orbs were destroyed, the weapons turned towards Rider herself. To Archer’s left was Second Rider, who had been led to the opposite side. Rider stood on the right of Archer and they met eyes.
Second Rider, realizing Archer’s plan, shot forward as the weapons rained down on Rider.
[EYES OF SHIVA]
The world blurred as Archer had moved farther away from the gears. Second Rider held Rider in her arms, but she had been too late.
Rider, skewered by countless weapons, looked at Second Rider, then towards Archer with a loving smile. It must have been painful, but no traces of regret or hate showed on her face.
Second Rider deflected the swords flying towards her with a grim look on her face.
“This is the fate of Servants,” she lamented. “But I will not let her death be in vain. My name is Ushiwakamaru. You are Japanese, so I am sure that you have heard the legends.”
The swords stopped all around them. Now that they are the only two, it was pointless to spend the energy to chase a rabbit that cannot be caught.
“I have,” Archer said.
“Then you understand that you are outmatched. Like I said before, my peerless skill shall break through any trickery that you possess.”
“Your multiple Noble Phantasms back that up,” Archer said, grimacing.
Ushiwakamaru, or Minamoto-No-Yoshitsune, was a sword genius who slayed countless foes during his time. Of his many feats, one sword skill was particularly fearsome.
Archer, hesitating after Second Rider's declaration, drew his bow. Then the swords flew towards Rider once more.
Second Rider sheathed her sword, then moved her leg back, planting her foot firmly against the ground.
A massive fan appeared in Second Rider’s hands as the weapons came towards her. She swung the fan, redirecting all of the blades. In that one opening, she moved as fast as lightning.
As the blades moving back towards Archer were slower than Second Rider.
Using them as footholds, she leaped across the battlefield by jumping across the swords.
“Remember the name Ushiwakamaru.”
Archer fired multiple rounds of Caladbolg which homed in on Second Rider. Then he fired another round of Caladbolg, aiming where Second Rider would jump to next. The arrow exploded in midair, but Rider had already outsped the explosion.
“Let the Genji’s terror be carved into your body!”
This was her sixth jump. Second Rider drew her sword as Archer lowered his blow. There was one last last play he could make. But first, he telepathically connected to his Master.
“Master, do you have any command seals to spare?”
“I have two. What’s wrong, Archer?”
“I won’t have long if I survive. Teleport me to your side in no more than a minute.”
With that, Archer closed his eyes.
He had been summoned to a land similar yet unfamiliar to him. In his vision, he saw the desert town where he had been hung, then the appearance of an empty space where he agreed to become a counter guardian, a protector of the world, though it was only later when Archer had realized the discrepancies of that role and his foolish, discarded dream.
Those bitter memories then disappeared, replaced by a woman that he once loved but would never see again. Her regal blonde hair swept by the sunlight made her rare smile even more precious.
Back then, before he had become an adult, he was happier and stupider. His red hair, natural, had become unnatural through the distance of time.
“Shirou,” Saber said. “I shall protect you.”
Then darkness came, followed by the radiant golden glow of a weapon that could exterminate gods.
[Trace on]
Pain wracked his entire body as Archer opened his eyes. His eyes became bloodshot as he focused on bringing that weapon to life for an instant. All he needed was it to exist for a single moment.
Second Rider was a leap away from reaching him. With a wild look, she barreled towards him.
Then the golden sword materialized. Though it was an inferior product, Excalibur Image was his most deadly weapon to both the enemy and himself.
Archer gasped, wincing as his muscles ached. However, he wasted no time bringing it above his head as Rider began to scream.
“[DAN-NO-URA EIGHT BOAT LEAP!!!]”
“[EXCALIBURRRR!!!]”
Archer’s sword burst with golden light, flooding the entire reality marble with its hue. As Second Rider drew her sword, a sinister shade of green light lit up her face, which was twisted into a mix of rage, fear, and then shock, before she was blown away.
The reality marble shattered as the lights disappeared. A strong wind blew from behind as Archer looked in front of him. Not even dust remained. Second Rider had completely faded away. With no more strength left in his fingers, he dropped the inferior replica of the holy sword Excalibur, causing it to shatter as it touched the floor.
The dust kept floating away into the air. Archer’s hand was peeling away, turning into the same dust that he was staring at. It caused him no pain, but the dread that came with facing an inevitable death came as his nerves dulled.
There was no need to worry about casualties this time as compared to the somewhat lively city of Fuyuki multiple decades ago, the city was abandoned if not outright covered in rubble.
Archer blinked and found himself in a dilapidated courtyard where a temple used to be. Rubble had destroyed the temple, making it unrecognizable save for the long stairway leading up to it and the dead trees that once surrounded the temple with luscious leaves.
Beside him was his Master kicking the enemy Master with a powerful blow to his head. In Archer’s Master’s hand was a broken red pendant, a memento that was once Archer’s, though Archer could not remember the circumstances surrounding it.
The Holy Grail glowed weakly. The final step for the Holy Grail War was for the last remaining Servant to grab the chalice, for only Servants are able to. Archer, ignoring his wounds, limped forward and grabbed the chalice from the sky. Archer dropped down to one knee, struggling to keep his eyes awake as the dust kept dispersing.
His Master stood in front, dressed in leopard printed robes with a matching top hat, gazing solemnly at Archer. Archer blinked as the Master placed his hands together and bowed.
“Thank you for everything, Archer. Rest easy now.”
Archer looked at his hands, realizing that the Grail had been used. He wouldn’t see the fruits of this Holy Grail War, but he had accomplished what he was summoned for. He never had the opportunity to obtain his wish, but from the moment that he had been summoned to this time, fate had ordained it so Shirou Emiya had long since been killed. Through his Master’s wish, he could find peace.
With a long exhale, Archer relaxed his shoulders. The heavy aching all over his body took over and he collapsed onto the floor. The pain dissipated, then his body followed suit, dispersing into dust.
“I will go back to the past and kill Shirou Emiya,” his Master said.
Then that was that.