"Wh-what are you thinking, you idiot?" Waver Velvet's panicked scream cut through the air, but his protest was swiftly silenced by a flick to the forehead. The force of it sent him reeling, leaving him momentarily dazed.
Rider stood tall, completely unfazed by his Master's outburst. A confident grin stretched across his face as he spread his arms wide, his booming voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Fate has brought us together to do battle for the Grail. But first, I wish to make a proposition." His eyes gleamed as he addressed his fellow Servants. "What think you of yielding the Grail to me, and joining my army? You would be treated as honored allies. And together, we shall share in the joy of world conquest! " Rider says with excitement.
"I am afraid I must decline. I may give the Grail to but one man: my new avowed lord." Lancer's voice was firm, unwavering. His golden eyes remained locked onto Rider, his grip tightening around his spears. "Not to you, Rider!"
Saber's glare was just as fierce. "Did you interfere with our battle merely to proffer that ridiculous plan? If so, it is a grave insult!" Saber also rejected Rider's offer in anger at the offence from a fellow king.
"I'd be willing to discuss compensation." Rider says holding a symbol of money with his hand.
""Shut up!"" Both Saber and Lancer snapped at him in unison.
"And further, I am the rightful King of Britain. I could never lower myself to mere retainer, even in service to a mighty king." Saber's pride flared.
Rider's gaze returned to Saber, his expression thoughtful. "King of Britain, you say! What a surprise! I'd hardly have expected the King of Knights to be a little girl."
A dangerous glint flashed in Saber's eyes. "Then would you like to taste this little girl's blade, King of Conquerors?" Saber says murderous.
Rider let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "I suppose negotiations have failed. Such a waste."
High above the battlefield, concealed in the darkness, Kiritsugu Emiya observed the exchange through the scope of his rifle. His usual calculated demeanor cracked for a brief moment, disbelief creeping into his voice.
"That moron nearly conquered the known world?" Kiristsugu says shocked that the oaf almost conquered Europe.
From her position, Maiya remained silent, though she too found it hard to reconcile the boisterous, carefree giant with the legend of Iskandar.
Meanwhile, back on the ground, Waver was still reeling, hands gripping his head in despair."What is wrong with you?" He shrieked at Rider, utterly exasperated by his Servant's reckless antics. His frustration, however, was quickly overshadowed by a new source of dread.
A smooth, condescending voice cut through the battlefield like a dagger. "So you were the one, eh?" Waver stiffened, his blood running cold.
"I'd wondered what madness had compelled you to steal my relic. I never imagined that you yourself planned to enter the Holy Grail war Waver Velvet." Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald's eyes gleamed with malicious amusement as spoke from far away, radiating controlled fury. "How would you like me to offer you a private lesson?" His voice was laced with venomous delight. How mages really kill one another I'll teach you all about the fear and pain involved. You should feel honored."
Waver paled. His worst nightmare had come true. Kayneth knew. The arrogant Lord of El-Melloi now knew exactly who had stolen his catalyst. And now, he was going to make him pay.
Rider's expression darkened, and in an instant, the carefree attitude he had carried moments ago vanished. His powerful gaze bore down on Kayneth.
"Mage! So you were to be my Master, rather than this boy." He scoffed, shaking his head. "Absurd. Only one brave enough to ride the battlefield at my side could ever be my Master. A coward who lacks sufficient courage to show himself is nowhere close to being worthy!" His voice thundered with conviction as he placed a reassuring hand on Waver's shoulder.
Waver blinked in shock, the overwhelming fear inside him loosening its grip ever so slightly. Rider… was defending him?
Kayneth's smug smirk faltered for just a moment.
But Rider wasn't finished. He turned his gaze toward the shadows, his keen eyes scanning the surroundings. "And there are others, as well! Out there, skulking in the darkness!" His voice carried across the battlefield, cutting through the night air like a battle cry.
Saber turned toward him, her stance still battle-ready. "What do you speak of, Rider?"
"Saber. And Lancer. Your duel was magnificent. Surely, the sound of your blades called other Heroic Spirits than myself here. Heroic Spirits, born again through the Holy Grail, gather here and now! Those too craven to show themselves will draw the scorn of Iskandar, King of Conquerors!" Rider insults the other contenders lurking in the darkness.
From his vantage point, Issei Hyoudou clenched his jaw. People could insult him all they wanted. He didn't care. But this? He would never allow others to insult those he considered precious.
He didn't even hesitate.
His body moved before he could think, stepping into the light, shattering the advantage of being a completely unknown opponent. The Boosted Gear was summoned responding to his will.
"Issei—wait!" Tamamo reached for him, trying to stop his reckless charge, but she was too late. He was already stepping forward, revealing himself.
At the same time, another presence stirred. A golden figure, perched above the battlefield, let out an annoyed huff. Rider's words had reached the ears of the self-proclaimed King of Heroes, and he was far from amused. The golden Archer narrowed his crimson eyes, his irritation growing.
"How dare these mongrels call themselves kings?" Just as he was about to appear to these lesser beings.
"Hey red headed idiot! Who are you calling a coward?!" Issei's voice carried through the area.
The battlefield went still.
Saber, Lancer, and Rider all turned toward the newcomer who had so boldly stepped forward. The soft glow of the streetlights reflected off Issei's red gauntlet, the Boosted Gear gleaming under the night sky. His brown eyes held steady, unwavering despite the weight of the gazes now fixed upon him.
Tamamo, now standing beside him, let out a sigh, folding her arms. "You really can't help yourself, can you?" Her tails flicked in irritation, but there was a glint of amusement in her golden eyes. A voice, tinged with curiosity and amusement, cut through the night.
"Ho? Another warrior steps into the fray." Rider's grin widened as he crossed his arms, studying Issei with open intrigue. "And what title do you claim, bold one?"
Issei tilted his head. "Title?"
Rider gestured dramatically. "Your name, your origins, your legend! A warrior does not stride onto the battlefield without a name that will echo through the ages!"
Issei scratched his cheek. "Uh… Issei Hyoudou?"
Silence.
Rider blinked. "…That's it?"
Tamamo smirked. "He's not one for dramatic introductions."
Rider let out a hearty laugh. "Hah! A man of action rather than words! I like it!"
Before Issei could answer, another voice rang out, dripping with contempt.
"Tch. A mongrel dares step into my presence without kneeling? You test my patience." A shift in the air. A golden glow flickered from above.
Gilgamesh descended from his high perch, landing gracefully on one of the docks' street lights. His golden armor gleamed in the moonlight, his regal presence effortlessly dominating the battlefield. Crimson eyes, sharp and full of disdain, locked onto Issei.
"This farce has gone on long enough." His voice carried an unmistakable authority, as though the world itself should heed his words. "And now, another insect scurries into the light."
Issei met his gaze head-on. And in that instant—Gilgamesh's Sha Naqba Imuru activated.
The Noble Phantasm that granted him insight into all things showed him the truth of the boy before him.
His Sha Naqba Imuru showed him the truth of this boy. Honesty, the actions of this clown left him wanting to chuckle. But then, Gilgamesh saw more as if to warn him, the possible futures.
A flash of crimson. A red fist to the face. A lot of different scenarios where this clown repeatedly punched his perfect face. If he looked deeper he would also see the friendship the two could build as if he could consider this clown an equal. But unfortunately his narrow and arrogant mind stuck with one particular scene. Where the golden brilliance of his treasures was shattered by a red gauntlet. Where his armor lay in ruins, his weapons scattered across the battlefield, and Issei stood over him victorious. Him laying bruised and battered, and the boy, this clown, standing over him in triumph without him even acknowledging the heavenly king, and soon walking away uncaring. As if he were nothing. Gilgamesh saw his hand reach out but the clown ignored it and continued walking away.
Unacceptable. Impossible. Gilgamesh's hands clenched. His teeth pressed together, rage burning through his veins.
How dare this clown do this! How dare he defeat him. This was wrong. As if he could ever accept this. He must pay for his insolence. How dare he exist in a world where such a vision could be real? This could not be allowed. It would not be allowed.
"MOVE!" Sherri screamed in his head. As the AI started reinforcing his body with magic.
Without a word, the Gate of Babylon roared open, golden ripples tearing through the air as countless treasures emerged, their tips gleaming with lethal intent.
All aimed at the boy who dared to defy him.
"Die."
A dozen weapons fired. All ranked C class Noble Phantasms.
A surge of green light answered.
BOOST!
Golden projectiles tore through the air, each weapon fired from the Gate of Babylon carrying the force to kill a lesser man instantly. The sheer speed of the assault was overwhelming, a barrage that should have left no room for escape.
The Boosted Gear gleamed as he braced himself, his instincts screaming at him to move.
A spear shot toward him—he twisted his body just in time, feeling the air shift as it barely missed his shoulder. A golden sword came next, its deadly edge flashing in his vision. He barely managed to swat it aside with his gauntleted hand, though the force sent a sharp jolt up his arm.
Another weapon followed. And another.
Too fast.
The power from the first Boost and the Reinforcement helped, but it wasn't enough to overwhelm the sheer volume of attacks. He could only do so much before the next wave would reach him.
And then—
A shimmering pink barrier flared into existence, halting the onslaught mid-air.
Gilgamesh's eyes flicked to the side.
Tamamo-no-Mae now stood beside Issei, her golden eyes glowing with a dangerous light. With three tails swirling around, to repel the attack she had to release some of her power. Her delicate fingers twirled in the air as enchanted charms floated around her, forming intricate magical sigils that pulsed with divine energy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." She wagged her finger, her tone light and playful. "Now, now, Goldie, it's quite rude to just fling your treasures at people. What if you break something valuable?"
Gilgamesh's gaze darkened. "And who gave you permission to interfere, fox?"
Tamamo grinned, her tails flicking in amusement. "Oh, did I forget to introduce myself? My mistake~." She placed a hand on her chest dramatically. "I am Caster, the most adorable, most divine, and most irritatingly persistent wife you will ever have the misfortune of encountering."
Issei smirked. "She's also the best at messing with arrogant jerks."
Tamamo giggled. "Flattery will get you everywhere, darling."
Gilgamesh's fingers twitched, his patience wearing thin. "You dare meddle in my battle?"
Tamamo's smile remained, but her magic flared brighter. "Oh, don't be so mad, Your Majesty. I just thought I'd even the playing field a little. After all, two against one is still fair when one of them is a cheating bastard with an entire treasury for a weapon."
Gilgamesh scoffed. "And what exactly do you intend to do, fox? Annoy me to death?"
Tamamo's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Not quite. Curse of Divine Retribution."
With a wave of her hand, the magical sigils surrounding her intensified, reflecting Gilgamesh's own golden energy back at him.
The weapons from the Gate of Babylon halted mid-air. Then—
They turned, reversing direction—aimed straight at him.
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed.
"Hoh?"
With a sharp wave of his hand, the weapons vanished before they could strike him, disappearing back into the Gate of Babylon as if they had never existed.
His lips curled into a smirk, though irritation still flickered in his crimson eyes.
—--------------------------------------------
The entire battlefield watched in stunned silence.
Rider let out a loud, boisterous laugh, smacking his thigh. "Hah! A trickster and a warrior! I like this woman! Hyoudou, you are a fortunate man!"
Saber's lips pressed into a thin line. She hadn't expected the fox-eared woman to be this capable. Her magic was not only powerful but cunning.
Lancer exhaled slowly, keeping his grip firm on his weapons. "She has a fox, indeed. Deceptive, yet dangerously effective."
Kiritsugu, hidden in the shadows, analyzed the scene with cold precision. "Curses… That's not ordinary magecraft." His grip on his rifle tightened. "She's dangerous."
Tamamo gave Issei a teasing glance. "See, darling? Sometimes brains beat brute force."
Issei scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah? Well, both together work even better."
But as he steadied his stance, something was bothering him.
Gilgamesh was still focused entirely on him.
His eyes didn't even flicker toward Tamamo, Rider, or any of the other Servants. It was like Issei was the only one on the battlefield who mattered to him.
—----------------------------------------
"Sherri, what the hell is up with Goldie?" Issei muttered mentally as he kept his guard up.
The AI responded immediately, her tone precise as always. "Analyzing data… Based on his Noble Phantasm, Sha Naqba Imuru, it is likely that Gilgamesh has seen potential future outcomes involving you."
Issei blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Sha Naqba Imuru grants him insight into all things. If he is this fixated on you, then it suggests he has witnessed a scenario where you are either a direct threat to him or an anomaly he cannot ignore."
( Partner, what happened to making him underestimate you)
Issei grimaced. "Great. So either I beat his ass in the future, or I mess up something important."
"Correct. Given his personality, he cannot tolerate the possibility of losing to someone he perceives as beneath him. He will focus all efforts on erasing that possibility."
Issei exhaled sharply. "Wonderful. So I'm on his 'must kill' list because he saw a bad ending for himself."
"It appears so."
Issei flexed his fingers, watching as Gilgamesh casually dismissed the weapons Tamamo had turned against him. The King of Heroes wasn't taking them seriously yet—but his ego wouldn't allow him to let this stand.
"Sherri, what's the best way to handle this?"
A pause. Then—
"Dodge."
Issei rolled his eyes. "Wow. Thanks. Really helpful."
"You're welcome, Master."
—------------------------------------
Issei sighed.
Tamamo gave him a curious look. "Something on your mind, darling?"
He glanced at her, then at Gilgamesh, who was watching him with thinly veiled irritation.
"Just realized he's gonna be a pain in the ass to deal with."
Tamamo chuckled. "Oh, I could have told you that."
Gilgamesh took a step forward.
"I have decided," he declared, voice ringing with finality. His crimson gaze burned into Issei, his amusement laced with malice. "You are an eyesore."
Issei smirked. "Yeah? Well, get used to it."
Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon opened once more.
Tamamo's curses flared to life.
And Issei clenched his fists as the Boosted Gear pulsed again.
BOOST!
The second Boost was ready.
—--------------------------------------------------
High above the chaotic battlefield, hidden within the darkness of the docks, a pair of bloodshot eyes peered through the haze.
Kariya Matou's breaths were ragged, his body trembling as he clutched his right arm. Veins bulged unnaturally beneath his pale skin as the Crest Worms inside him twisted and writhed, feeding off his dwindling life force.
"Damn… it… all…" he rasped.
He had come to observe the battle, hoping to find an opportunity to strike down Tohsaka's Servant. Instead, he bore witness to madness.
A golden tyrant standing above all, treating every other Servant as beneath him. A reckless fool in red charging headfirst into danger. A cunning fox-eared woman bending magic to her will. And the battlefield shifting with every passing second as chaos unfolded.
Kariya knew he was no match for them—not as he was.
But…
His crimson-stained fingers curled into a trembling fist.
No. I won't sit back. Not when that bastard Tohsaka's Servant is standing there, acting like he owns the world.
His gaze locked onto the golden warrior.
"Archer…" Kariya spat the name like venom. Just the sight of Gilgamesh—so arrogant, so untouchable—made his blood boil. But even worse than him… was the man who commanded him.
Tohsaka Tokiomi.
The man who had thrown Sakura away.
Kariya would never forgive him.
A burning sensation spread through his body as he reached into his very soul, feeling the connection to his Servant. The Crest Worms inside him surged, amplifying the pain tenfold, but he gritted his teeth through it.
"This is… my fight now."
The Command Seals on his arm flared as he reached out—
And called forth his Servant.
—-------------------------------------------
A black void tore open beside him.
The air trembled. A suffocating presence erupted from the summoning circle, its sheer weight pressing upon the battlefield like a storm about to break.
Then—
CRASH!
The pavement shattered as a massive, armored figure landed with earth-shaking force.
A dark knight, wreathed in shadows, rose from the impact, his pitch-black armor exuding pure malice. His very presence felt unnatural, a warping force that twisted the air around him.
His hollow, glowing eyes locked onto the golden warrior.
A harsh, distorted breath escaped his helmet.
Gilgamesh turned his head slightly, his gaze flicking toward the new arrival with mild curiosity.
"Oh?"
Kariya staggered, barely able to stand under the strain, but his lips curled into a grin.
"Go, Berserker." His voice was hoarse but filled with absolute hatred. "Crush that golden bastard into the dirt."
A low growl rumbled from Berserker's throat.
—--------------------------------------
"Berserker?" Saber's eyes narrowed, assessing the new arrival.
Lancer let out a sharp breath. "Hey, King of Conquerors. Were you planning to ask him, too?"
Rider chuckled. "He doesn't seem terribly interested in negotiations, does he?" Rider soon turns to Waver. "Boy. How powerful a Servant is he?"
Waver swallowed hard. "I… I don't know."
Rider glanced at him. "What? Are you not a Master? You can sense their strengths and weaknesses, right?"
"I can't tell," Waver admitted, his voice shaking. "That black thing is definitely a Servant, but I can't read its status or anything else about it! It appears it will be another difficult enemy."
"That spirit has some curse or other special ability that entirely conceals everything about him," Saber noted, her grip tightening on her invisible blade. "But that isn't all. With five others present, we have to be very careful. Why did he materialize here?"
—----------------------------------
Berserker moved.
Faster than any armored knight should have been capable of, he lunged straight for Gilgamesh, his blackened gauntlet reaching forward with violent, unnatural speed.
For the first time that night, Gilgamesh actually had to react.
"Who gave you permission to look upon me, you rabid dog? May your death provide me some modicum of entertainment, mongrel!"
The Gate of Babylon flared open once again—dozens of weapons fired in an instant.
Berserker didn't stop.
He snatched a golden sword mid-air, twisting his body as if it were an extension of himself, and swung it straight at the King of Heroes.
Gilgamesh's smirk vanished.
—-------------------------
"Is that truly Berserker?" Lancer muttered, eyes widening.
Rider grinned. "For a madman, he's rather nimble."
Waver blinked. "Huh?"
"What, you couldn't tell?" Rider's tone was laced with amusement. "That black thing casually snatched the first blade that was flying toward him, using it to destroy the second spear as it approached."
—-------------------------------
"You dare lay your filthy hands on my treasures?" Gilgamesh's voice dripped with fury. His crimson eyes blazed as his hand snapped outward, summoning even more weapons from the Gate of Babylon.
"You must long for death, cur! Let us see just how long your parlor tricks can keep you alive! Fool! I belong among the heavens, yet you would have me trod the same earth as you?! Your impudence has guaranteed your death! Mongrel, nothing will remain of your corpse!"
—----------------------------
From Assassin's eyes, Kotomine Kirei observed the battle with a calculating gaze.
"Gilgamesh is serious. He plans to open the Gate of Babylon even further," he murmured.
Tohsaka Tokiomi's brows furrowed. "Repeatedly exposing his Noble Phantasm to the others… How rash."
Kirei glanced at him. "Your decision?"
Tokiomi exhaled. Then, by the power of my Command Seal, King of Heroes, quell thine anger and withdraw."
Gilgamesh's entire body tensed as the glowing red mark on Tokiomi's hand pulsed with authority.
The Gate of Babylon instantly shut.
A deadly silence filled the battlefield.
Gilgamesh's lips curled into a sneer.
"You dare to order a king to withdraw?" His tone was filled with condescension, but beneath it was unmistakable irritation. He cast a final glance at Berserker before shifting his gaze back to Issei.
"You have some nerve, Tokiomi. You were fortunate, mad dog. And you, clown, pray for tomorrow. For I'll hunt you down." His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement and malice. "Mongrels! By our next meeting, see that you've culled your numbers. Only a true hero is worthy to look upon me."
With that, Gilgamesh turned on his heel, his golden presence fading as he vanished from the battlefield.
Rider let out a low whistle. "It would seem that Archer's Master is less stubborn than he is."
Issei exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. Then, he turned toward Berserker, who was still standing in battle-ready posture.
"Hey, thanks for the assist, big guy."
Berserker's glowing eyes flickered toward him, a low growl emanating from his armor.