Scene Break - Fuyuki Theater, Main Hall
Saber reached the main stage at last. Passing through the entrance, she pushed the main door open, and an empty music hall appeared before her eyes.
In the middle of the stage, the Grail floated, encircled by flames, shining with eye-catching golden light.
Saber: (In thought) Irisviel...
Remembering her voice and her smile, Saber bit her lip with a sob. The city was eternally covered in falling snow, and the words of Irisviel as they had exchanged vows, flashed in her mind.
Irisviel: Saber, you must win the Grail. For you, and your Master.
Saber: (In thought) ...Yes, I will at least keep this promise. Only this promise...
She stepped forward resolutely. And then-
???: Too slow, Saber. Even if you were bitten by that domesticated rabid dog, you should not have let me wait this long.
A devastating golden form was standing in the middle of the aisle in the spectator stand, blocking Saber's way.
Saber: Archer...
Archer: Heh, don't make that expression. I know you are envious of my riches, but do show more restraint. That undisguised expression is really tasteless like a dog gone hungry for too long.
Saber: You, get out of the way...
Her low voice was filled with hatred. The insane obsession filled her once-clear jade eyes with a pale and terrifying yellow.
Saber: The Grail... is mine...!
The many wounds on Saber's body could not stop her; roaring, she swung her sword at Archer. But after a single step, her left leg was immediately pierced through by a Noble Phantasm that shot out of the air. She fell to the ground, preventing herself from groaning.
Archer merely snorted, the Gate of Babylon trained on Saber as he spoke with an uncomfortable emotion in his eyes.
Archer: Saber... this sight of you crouched on the ground, fallen in such presumptuous obsession, makes you even more beautiful. I don't know why you are so obsessed with some wish-granting Grail. That a woman like you exists can already be considered a rare miracle, no?
Saber: What... are you saying-?
Archer: Throw away your sword, and be my wife.
In this situation, in this circumstance, Archer's words surprised Saber. She was stunned by the sheer unexpectedness of it.
Saber: ...Wh-what did you say...? What are you planning?!
Archer: Abandon these pointless ideals and vows. These things will only restrict you and bring you misfortune. In the future, you need only desire me and live under my protection. In that case, I vow, on my honor as King of everything, that I will grant you all the happiness in the world.
His presumptuous tone was enough to re-ignite the flame of anger in Saber's conflicted heart.
Saber: Is this ridiculous motive... your reason for fighting me for the Grail?
A second Noble Phantasm exploded as it flew past Saber's nose. The force of the impact blew Saber into the air.
Archer: I am not asking your opinion, but informing you of my decision.
Archer's face displayed a bloodthirsty joy, relishing the sight of Saber's furious resistance. This proud Heroic Spirit had never seen his opponent as a competitor of equal standing with himself.
The enemy was worthy only of being manipulated and humiliated; he liked to admire the sight of their surrender to him. Saber's desperate retaliation, on which she had gambled her all, was to Archer only an ordinary entertainment.
Right then, Saber noticed a second figure in the hall, on the wall, approximately two floors up, within the semicircle-shaped box that did not protrude outward. Kiritsugu Emiya, her true Master.
A ray of sunlight emerged from hopelessness.
Kiritsugu still held the forceful commanding power of the Command Seals. If he could lend her the magecraft power that he possessed, the ability to make the impossible possible, perhaps she could break this stalemate and vanquish this presence.
Kiritsugu raised his right hand, showing the Command Seals carved on the back.
Kiritsugu: ...In the name of Kiritsugu Emiya, I order you with a Command Seal...
Saber: (In thought) Help me win... Give me the Holy Grail!
Kiritsugu: Saber, use your Noble Phantasm... and destroy the Grail.
How the significance behind these words should be explained, and how she should understand them—Saber's mind went momentarily blank.
Saber: ...Wh-?
From the heart of the deactivated Invisible Air, the form of the golden sword appeared. Even if Saber's brain refused to understand, the physical body of the Servant loyally accepted the command of the Command Seal. The precious sword began to accumulate light, independently of its bearer's intention.
Archer: What? Impossible... Saber, what are you doing?!
Saber barely resisted the Command Seal with all her might, due to her class' Magic Resistance. Her form was about to be torn apart due to opposing forces clashing intensely.
Saber: Why?! Kiritsugu, why did it have to be you?!
Kiritsugu had wished to obtain the Grail so much—why, at this moment, why did he reject it? Was he going to let the ritual, which his wife had given her life to realize, go to waste?
Realizing that Saber's unnatural actions were the doing of the Command Seal, Archer finally noticed Kiritsugu's presence.
Archer: Are you trying to ruin my wedding, mongrel?!
Kiritsugu: I use the third Command Seal to command again-
Saber: STOOOOOOOP!
Kiritsugu: Saber my puppet... Destroy the Grail.
Its owner shrieked out in tears, and the Sword of Promised Victory was brought down. vanished. Saber closed her eyes, not daring to look directly at this sight—the last hope had now been destroyed. Her fight had ended. How could she look upon this tragic scene with open eyes?
Within her gradually vanishing awareness, she mocked herself.
How was she to understand this man who had not crossed paths with her beyond the three orders he had given? She had once been unable to understand even the hearts of those at her side.
Saber: (In thought) ...Perhaps this is the punishment meted out to an inhuman puppet who cannot understand others...
Timeskip
Through the fragments of debris, Kiritsugu saw it in the revealed night sky: a black sun, which he had seen when he had touched the black mud; the sign of the end of the world.
Angra Mainyu (Aka Angry man jew ) - All the Evil in the World. Its destructive power could burn away all the life in the world, and at that moment it descended like a great waterfall from above the municipal hall.
Archer, standing in the spectator stands on the first floor, could not escape this baptism.
Kiritsugu: (In thought) This ... this is ...!?
The turbulent black waves carried away the helpless golden Servant. No, he was not simply carried away; the moment he had touched the black mud, he had vanished. Archer's body had been broken down and absorbed by the black mud in the blink of an eye; he had become one with the tempestuous flow of mud.
It consumed the ground-floor spectator stand like a tsunami; Kiritsugu, escaping the misfortune in the box, stared blankly at the sight.
The cursed waterfall that descended from midair showed no signs of stopping; the black mud became a river as it passed through the entrance of the hall, flowing out of the building and spreading out toward the surrounding districts.
Thus, the massacre began.
The people were all sleeping soundly; the mud of death sensed the presence of human life and became a burning curse that attacked their pillow side. It burned houses and courtyards.
Sleepers, wakers, Walkers, and escapers—all burned without exception; having waited within the Grail for sixty years, it now mercilessly seized all life it touched, seemingly celebrating its fleeting freedom.
After some time, the hole in the sky disappeared, and the black mud no longer poured forth. But it had brought a large-scale fire.
The people who had been unable to escape turned one by one into burnt black corpses. A magnificent red lotus of fire bloomed in the night sky; on the ground was staged an endless banquet of death.
Kiritsugu Emiya witnessed the entire process. He ran amidst the debris and towards the city.
He had to save someone. Anyone.
If he didn't, he did not know what would become of him.
Scene Break
Passing through the deep darkness, Kirei Kotomine regained consciousness. He felt the hot air first of all. He opened his eyes to look around at the surroundings; the blazing inferno before his eyes seemed to be grilling the sky.
Kirei: This place is...?
He had thought that he had touched that mud and entered the inner world of the Grail again. But as he saw the naked man at his side, he immediately denied this possibility.
Kirei: Gilgamesh, what happened?
Archer: Who can say? That mud spit me out. I imagine it to be a message from the heavens that I should incarnate in this world and rule it.
Kirei: You have achieved incarnation?
Archer: Infuriatingly enough.
Kirei tore open the vestments at his chest, checking the spot that should have been shot through. He had no heartbeat.
Kirei: ...Did you heal me, Gilgamesh?
Archer: That ... ah. You did look dead, but you and I are linked by the contract. I received this flesh body because of that mud, so perhaps there is also some reason that you are alive again.
Kirei: You're saying that it willingly gave me life?
Archer: All the Servants have been eliminated; I am the only one left. Do you know what this means, Kirei? This is your wish. Kirei Kotomine, what you see is exactly what you most desire.
Kirei: This... is my wish?
If this thing that was filling the emptiness in his heart at this moment could be called satisfaction
Kirei: Destruction like this... can make me happy?
At this moment, Kirei Kotomine finally understood the true form of his own soul. The collapse of everything was so beautiful. People who were tormented were so lovable. Tortured screams by his ears were so satisfying. Burnt corpses were so laughable.
So, he laughed hopelessly at the height of this sin.
Kirei: What am I?! Hahaha! Why so twisted? Why so filthy? Am I really the descendant of Kotomine Risei? Hahahaha, impossible! Impossible! What is this?! Could my father really have sired a dog?!
Even the feeling of hopelessness that tugged at his heart was so sweet. Kirei's body trembled from his manic laughter. He could feel everything from his fingertips to the top of his head, clearly and distinctly.
Kirei: (In thought) I am alive. I truly exist, right here.
Archer: Satisfied, Kirei?
Kirei: ...No, not enough. Just this is not enough. True—I have finally found my answer in this life that is full of question marks. This is a very great improvement. However, this doesn't solve any problems. I only bypassed the process and method of solving the question to arrive directly at the answer. Just like that, how will you have me acknowledge it, and even then what is there for me to acknowledge?
Gilgamesh: Hoh?
Kirei: Within the equation from which this strange answer is derived, there should exist a reason that is simple and easily understood. No, there is definitely one. Then what exactly is it...? I must clarify it, I must find it. Even if it takes my whole life, I want to understand.
Emi: What a joke you are.
The smile of genuine happiness vanished from Kirei's face at the voice.
The girl, Emi, and her Servant, in a different form, manifested as if out of thin air. She was smiling as if she had just heard a good joke.
Kirei: You...
Emi: You honestly thought I died? You saw what I am, and what I did. It's clear who is superior between both of us.
This was the reason why Kirei did not attack. He knew he was hopelessly outmatched against a being like Emi, the girl who knew everything.
Emi: So, in essence, you want to see your first childbirth so hard that you would cause genocide for it? Hah! How can I not laugh at you? But, do you know what's best about all this? Look over there.
She pointed at the side. A silhouette was amidst the raging flames. Kiritsugu Emiya. Kirei prepared himself for a confrontation, but the Magus Killer moved his gaze away as if he wasn't even there, wandering away aimlessly.
Emi: That man, broken and devoid of emotion as he is, will find his salvation amidst this inferno you wished for. He will find his answer, if you may, something that you will never be able to accomplish.
Kirei: ...What?
Emi: You heard me. Do you think Angra Mainyu let you live free of charge? Think again. I think I see your final fate, to be honest: Just a priest. No one to remember you, no one to bury you, your soul returning to the Root, unsatisfied with your existence as a whole. You will NEVER find that answer you seek. Me? I won. And in time, Emiya will realize he did not lose completely. But you? You lose. What a comedy indeed.
Kirei clenched his fists until he drew blood. The impotence of being outmatched and the sudden doubt gripping his heart were draining his recently discovered happiness.
Emi: If you excuse us, we'll take our leave.
Archer: You seem to have found your true self as well, mongrel girl.
Emi: Maybe. Maybe not.
Archer: Hmph. To be the Master of a Calamity of all beings. Truly a fascinating existence.
Zaegar: No idea what you're talking about.
In a flash of light, he returned to his usual appearance. He smirked while resting his elbow atop the girl's head.
Zaegar: I'm no "Calamity" or shit like that. I'm the Foreigner, fucker. My Mistress is just infinitely better than yours, and you know it.
Archer: So I see.
With that, Emi turned and left in a huff. Both the Foreigner and the King of Heroes considered a final duel, before discarding it to attend their Masters.
Zaegar: There's bound to be another of these things down the road.
Archer: Be sure to respond to the summons, in that case. Then, we shall settle the matter in the future.
Zaegar: Oh? Do you want me to get summoned? Well, then I'll be happy to come here again and beat the tar out of you for the, let's see, fourth time? Yeah, I do keep count. See you later bitch boy.
He then smirked at Kirei before paying them no further mind as he joined his Mistress's side.
Despite this newfound happiness, Kirei Kotomine felt nothing but overwhelming humiliation.
Scene Break - Zaegar's Residence
They had returned to their temporal abode for the last time before their departure. This was more Zaegar's request than anything.
They entered one of the guest rooms and saw the sleeping form of a little girl.
Zaegar: Oh, good. She's alright. So, is the walker dead?
Emi: No idea what you mean by Walker but if you mean Zouken then yes.
Zaegar: Heh, that walker went out with a bang. Madlad, no cap. So, can you tell me the gist of her backstory?
She proceeded to tell a summarized version of the violet-haired girl's origins. By the end of it, he was frowning, clearly annoyed.
Zaegar: ...So, her "father", which was Goldilocks's Master, got killed, right?
Emi: Yes. Why?
Zaegar: Right. Tell me where her family is right now.
Emi: I see what you want to do. But what if they don't want her back?
Zaegar: Oh, they'll want her back. Leave that to me.
She wisely decided to just tell him the location he desired. Her Servant being angry was something she genuinely did not want to know.
Scene Break - The Next Day.
???: ...ura...
There was a voice calling out to her.
???: ...Sak.. ra...
It sounded... familiar.
???: SAKURA!
She opened her eyes. Emotionless purple eyes met tear-rilled jade ones. A spark of recognition lit up in her.
It couldn't be... This was a dream. She was sure of it.
???: Sakura! You're awake! It's me, Rin!
She didn't bother responding. She was sure she would wake up and return to that hell at any second. It was better to wait than enjoy this cruel dream.
???: I-I'm so sorry! I was scared of trying to find you! Please, just talk to me! Sakura!
Tears fell from the jade's eyes and landed on her cheeks. She felt that sensation she was alienated from for an entire year.
Impossible, she tried to say to herself. This was just a dream.
And despite that, she unconsciously responded to the tearful cries.
Sakura: Big... Sister...?
Rin: Sakura!
She was embraced. She felt... warmth. The same warmth she felt when Uncle cared about her.
She felt something run down her cheeks and touched it with her hands.
Tears. From her own eyes.
This... This wasn't a dream at all.
This was real.
Sakura: Big Sister...?
Rin: Y-Yeah, it's me... Welcome home, Sakura.
Yes... She was free from that hell.
She was finally home.
Scene Break - Three Days Later
For three days since the war ended, he had accompanied her all the way home.
Now, they had finally reached their destination.
The Enishi Residence was modest, yet it could be classified as the upper end of the middle-class status in society. It stood alone in the middle of the beautiful countryside.
Emi: ...This is it.
Zaegar: Well, shall we?
She nodded. Despite her being a little more than a week away, entering her old home was nostalgic. It brought memories of previous experiences, both good and bad.
Without pause, she guided him to her brother's room and opened the door.
The inside was what one would expect of a normal little boy. Toys and toys lay scattered around the floor, which had recently been dusted.
In the center of the room was a crystalized individual, encased in a material so exquisite and rare in the Moonlit World that a diamond would pale in comparison to it.
Zaegar: So, that's him, huh?
Emi: Yes...
Zaegar: So, what's the plan?
Emi: Simple: She's going to die.
She expected her Servant to do a double-take. He merely raised an eyebrow. He had probably heard this kind of thing before in an adventure.
Zaegar: And...?
Emi: There is a certain Magic I sought. The Third Magic: Heaven's Feel. The materialization of the soul.
Zaegar: Huh... Oh, I think I know where this is going. You're gonna use it to materialize his soul, right?
Emi: Use it? No. I'm giving it to him.
She placed her hand on the crystal and concentrated. A white light emerged from her palms and infused the crystal with energy.
Emi: Now...
With a touch, the crystal broke, releasing the prisoner. Emi held his body with extreme caution while Zaegar watched.
The little boy weakly opened his eyes to see Emi smiling down at him.
???: ...Big... Sister...?
Emi: Kosuke... It's okay.
???: ...?
Emi: It's okay to take a rest. I'm sorry to have taken so long. You can take a little nap now.
???: I'm... sleepy...
Emi: Sleep, then. Don't worry, you'll wake up like never before. And I brought friends who you can play with.
???: ...Friends...
Emi: Yes, friends. So, sleep now. We have so much to do when you wake up.
???: ...Okay...
She closed her eyes, bringing the room into silence. A lone tear slipped from Emi's eye.
Just then, Emi stood up, a fiery conviction in her eyes.
Emi: I have a body to create from scratch. Will you help me?
Fou: Fou, fou!
Zaegar: The fuck are we waiting for?
Emi: Come on, then. We have no time to lose.
Scene Break
No matter what he did, he could not possibly leave this crimson world. It was so absolute hell that even a young child was able to comprehend it. And so he fell.
In the end, with a deep breath, he looked up at the rain clouds. He could no longer breathe.
???: Just—it's so... painful.
He spoke with frank emotion for the people who could no longer complain. It was just so painful. Living was painful. So much so that he even thought he might as well just disappear now and be at ease.
With a hazy consciousness, he meaninglessly stretched out his hand— not for salvation ... the sky was so... far. He simply thought that in his final moment.
And thus, his consciousness disappeared, and the raised hand suddenly fell, caught by a large hand before it touched the ground.
...He remembered that face... The figure of the man who was joyous from the bottom of his heart at finding a living human being, tears amassing in his eyes. He looked so very delighted, as though the one being saved was not the boy, but this man.
And so, speaking in envy of him who stood at death's edge, the man said "Thank you", expressing gratitude for... something.
Kiritsugu: Thank you, for letting me find this.
Expressing gratitude to someone for letting him help and save just one person - his smile could not be surpassed.
The boy fell into a blissful sleep, jealous of the man's salvation.
Scene Break
Zaegar and Fou had watched Emi work tirelessly to create a perfect body. It took her an entire day, due to wanting nothing but the best. He was content to provide many components.
After it was finally finished, they could only wait and hope.
They waited for an entire week.
Until now.
The body suddenly twitched. Emi was the first to jump at his side, leaning her head down at the chest.
She heard a faint thump. Tears burst out of her eyes.
Emi: A heartbeat... he's... alive...!
He was breathing as well. It was like a newly constructed machine's triumphant debut, as the body, or not the little boy, started to function normally.
Zaegar: ...Yeah.
Emi: Hey, come and see-!
She lost her excitement when she looked back at him.
He was finally fading away from this world and his hollow mask was cracking apart.
Zaegar: Welp, our job's done here, don't you think?
Ophis: Yeah.
Fou: Fou.
Zaegar: Yeah no fuck you, your staying where you belong bitch.
Emi: You're... leaving...
Zaegar: Mmm-Hmm. Tell me something real quick. You asked me, but I forgot to ask you: Was I a good Servant?
She stared at him for a moment before clearing her tears. Then, she smiled at him, conveying her affection to her beloved Servant.
Emi: Baka. I can't compare you to other Servants. As far as I know, only Zaegar is and will ever be my Servant.
Zaegar: Heh. How was the experience?
Emi: It was the best time of my life.
Zaegar: Of course it was.
Ophis: Well, with what's about to happen, I think it's gonna get better.
Fou: Foooooou, fou! (Translation: And don't be creepy to her!)
Emi chuckled at this. She looked at her Servant in the eyes and gave him her best smile. One that was only reserved for two people in the world.
Emi: My Zaegar. My Servant. My light. I love you.
At her smile, he couldn't do anything but return it, but his hollow smile was diminutive in size, yet highlighted his beauty like never before.
Zaegar: Keep that smile for her, Emi. If you do, then that dream of yours will come true. Until then, Servant Foreigner, movin' out!
He struck one last dramatic pose before the two of them faded away.
Despite it all, Emi still smiled. She wasn't saddened by this anymore.
Instead of mourning his departure, she celebrated his arrival and the time they spent together.
???: ...Uuu... Where...?
With that same smile, she turned and greeted her precious brother in her new life.
Emi: Hello, Kosuke. Did you sleep well?
???: Big Sister? Um, I think I did... I don't hear Mommy or Daddy anymore.
Emi: So I see.
???: I've never seen you smile like that, Big Sister. You look so pretty.
The smile widened as she stepped forward, warmly embracing him. The little boy was slightly confused but returned it nonetheless.
???: ...Um, you said you brought friends, right?
Emi: I did. Unfortunately, they went home.
???: They left? But, why are you smiling? Aren't goodbyes... sad?
Emi: Sometimes they are, sometimes they're not. Looking back, you realize that the experience you spent with them compensates for the eventual goodbye.
???: Wow... They must have been good people...
Emi: Nope. They're all a bunch of jerks. Especially one named Zaegar. Would you like to hear the story? I'll make you breakfast while I'm at it, yes?
Her brother nodded. She helped him stand up before taking his hand and setting off towards the kitchen.
While on the way, she told the tale of the best experience in her life with a happy smile on her face.
Fate/Yhwach No its Fate/Zaegar: End
__________________________________________________________________________
4th World Completed - Fate/Zero
As we conclude our journey through the fourth world of Fate/Zero, I'm eager to hear your honest thoughts. Reflect on all the highs and lows, the moments that resonated with you, and those that perhaps fell short of expectations.
Now, let's talk about Zaegar. How do you see him now, after all we've been through together? Has he grown in your eyes? Changed? Share your personal thoughts.
And what about the fullbringer? The enigmatic figure who's been lurking in the shadows—any guesses on their identity? Let's speculate together.
And hey, did you catch those subtle hints I sprinkled throughout our adventure? Those little breadcrumbs of foreshadowing? If you did, kudos to you! If not, no worries—it's all part of the fun.
I'm genuinely excited to hear your thoughts, dear readers. Your voices shape our journey, and I can't wait to see where they lead us next.
Decide the fifth world
Timeline/Era of the Fifth World
What should Yhwach/Zaegar's Goal and purpose be in the next world?