~ Reyes’ POV ~

As I was sitting back in my chair while Shirou and Tohsaka were on their way here. Fools they are, to think they could confront us in our own territory. They’re not what I’m concerned about though. Soon enough Gilgamesh should be arriving before they do.

The bounded fields placed around the castle alerted us of his presence not long ago and everyone gathered in the lounge room for a last-minute talk.

“Please be careful Ojou-sama, Gilgamesh is not someone to be trifled with.” Sella reminded in a worried tone.

Illya just rolling her eyes slightly, “You worry too much. Reyes will be there to protect me so there’s no need to worry.”

Before Sella could reply Leysritt added, “You should know Reyes’ is strong enough to keep Illya safe by now.”

“I’ve told you, use manners when addressing them! But you are correct, my worries are unneeded.” Sella gave in with a sigh.

I turn to Caster and Assassin, “We’re ending this war today, it’s about time we moved on to the next world. This one’s getting a bit boring wouldn’t you say?”

With their lips curling up in amusement they gave me their respective replies, “Yes, it would seem so Master.”

“I will follow you ‘till the ends of time Master.”

Exiting the room to prepare themselves, I was left behind with Illya. Turning to me she wore a bright smile and hugged my side, “I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us when we leave!”

Chuckling lightly, I simply place my hand on her head, “Then we better not waste any time then.”

Placing my mask onto my face as I let out a bone crunching crack from my finger I adjusted my voice, “It’s show time.”

Hearing the sounds of conflict from outside, Illya hopped onto my back with a determined look on her face as I charged at full speed through the hallway.

Running through the brick wall, smashing it in the process, I laid my eyes on the two dead homunculi in the garden of flowers. Sella and Leysritt were found dead.

Glaring directly at Gilgamesh Illya shouted, “How dare you! Berserker, kill him!”

Rearing my head back I let out a primal roar while unconsciously using an illusion on my mask, making it open its beak as well, and picked up the axe that laid next to Leysritt’s cold body.

Seemingly undeterred by my actions, Gilgamesh just raised his hand as a dozen or so golden portals shimmer into existence beside him. Raising my axe in a defensive stance I prepared myself for the inevitable fight.

“It seems as though you’re prepared to die by my hand. You should be grateful to fall under my power.” He boasted pridefully.

“We’re not the ones dying today, just wait till Berserker gets a hold of you.” Illya shot back.

Gilgamesh frowned in displeasure, “I was going to show mercy by making your death painless, but it seems as though you need to be taught a lesson.”

Giving a silent command, he waved his arm out in an arc as swords began spitting themselves out of the portals. Sweeping my axe horizontally I stopped them in mid air and hit them a second time, sending them back towards the arrogant blond but was useless as he sent them back into his ‘vault’.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance he brought out a never-ending string of attacks as numerous weapons tried to pierce me. Focusing on deflecting the blows left and right I failed to notice a long metal chain work its way towards me through the garden.

Suddenly my instincts yelled at me to dodge to the side, but I was one second too late. The bladed chain sank deep into my arm and through it entirely while wrapping itself around it like a serpent.

Looking at my left arm in surprise I turned my head towards the one responsible as he laughed at my situation.

“Hahaha, so the beast is finally caught. I’ll make sure to make you suffer for defying me.” He said happily.

Coming to a quick solution I replied, “Just try.”

Dropping my axe as I brought my unchained hand up, I amputated my left arm while ignoring Illya cry out in shock. As Gilgamesh stared on in surprise, I swiftly moved in closer to return the favour.

Not having enough time to recover, Gilgamesh stumbled backwards as I tore a hole into his abdomen, missing his vital organs unfortunately.

Gaining some distance, the blond looked down at his wound and hatefully spat out, “YOU DARE TO LAY A HAND ON ME?! I WILL END YOU!”

Not being able to defend myself after losing a limb, I focus on protecting Illya from the onslaught. Eventually I fell to my knees in exhaustion, covered in blood and swords that stuck themselves to my body.

Illya jumped off my back and cried out to Caster and Assassin for aid in desperation. Two figures landed behind me and I turned around as I heard a gasp from one of the two Servants.

Chuckling darkly, I bitterly said, “To be seen in such a state, how pitiful.”

Snapping out of their daze, the two women eyed the King of Heroes with a stare that could freeze hell twice over with ease.

Assassin declared, “You’ll pay tenfold for your aggression towards my Master.” With Caster silently agreeing.

“It was to be expected, he defied me after all. It’s time to send him back into the afterlife, and you’ll be joining him.” Gilgamesh taunted.

Charging directly at Gilgamesh, Scáthach thrusted her spear multiple times in a burst of speed. Leaping backwards to avoid the attack, Caster then fired off electricity towards his back.

Summoning a line of shields to defend himself with, he turns to Caster and directs his attack at her while keeping Assassin at bay. Failing to get a hit in, Caster teleports to Assassins side and casts a support spell similar to reinforcement and hangs back to heal me while Scáthach begins her assault again.

“Are you alright Master?” Caster asks in concern which I wave off casually.

Bringing myself up to my feet I witness one of Gilgamesh’s swords pierce Assassin’s heart. Her body falling to the ground before disintegrating out of existence.

“Ha! That’s one bug out of the way.” The blond cheers.

Growling in anger I ignore the pain from my injuries and lunge at the prick. Failing to notice Gilgamesh’s smirk I was then struck by the chain once again. Only this time, it was a fatal hit.

“REYES!!!” Illya cried out.

I just turned to her and mentally sighed before disappearing from the world along with Caster.

~ Shirou Emiya’s POV ~

I was nervous. I was confused. I was determined.

I don’t really understand much about the magus or how their world works, but I know that I will save Illya. I will save my sister.

Over the past couple of days after our fight with Berserker, I was confronted by Illya at a café. I was cautious at first, but that soon faded away as I talked with her. We talked about mundane things at first which was admittedly pleasant, before she started asking me questions about my goals and perspective.

I just answered her like I would any other person, “I want to be a hero of justice.”

After hearing my response, she gave me a strange look along with what I think is… disappointment? I was never really good at reading people so I’m not entirely sure. She gave me permission to ask her some questions afterwards when I was getting curious.

Not being able to hold back my curiosity I asked why she called me ‘onii-san’ as well as the reason for participating in the war. Surprisingly she’s Kiritsugu’s biological daughter, which made me confused and upset about why Kiritsugu didn’t mention her and why she still looks as young as she does.

I wasn’t able to question her at the time since she left shortly afterwards while ignoring my second question.

Later I approached Tohsaka about it, leaving out some details, and was shocked at what I was told. The Einzberns were monsters. They had no regard for life, even if they’re homunculi, and if my guess was right, they experimented on Illya as well considering both Saber and Tohsaka thought she was a homunculus herself. Which could also explain her young appearance.

I couldn’t stand it, so when Tohsaka suggested we attack the castle with a sneak attack I accepted immediately. No way was I going to let her stay with the Einzberns.

But I was too late. As we arrived we could hear that a battle was already being held and decided to observe the situation. Approaching the courtyard, which also seemed to be a garden, I saw the mighty Berserker kneeling down with no sign of life left in him. Looking to my right I could see that Tohsaka was just as shocked as I was.

As the Servant was fading away I could see a blond-haired man walking towards Illya with sword in hand. My eyes started to widen as I realised what he was about to do, so I sprinted towards him as I abandoned our hiding spot and pulled out my metal pole I had readied with a reinforcement and called out for my little sister.

Before she could react to my voice, the man stuck down and beheaded her. My pace came to a stop as I stared at her head that laid in the grass. All I could see was her face of sadness, a face that showed despair, a face of someone who I would never see again. Someone that I failed to save.

I was so out of tune with the world around me as I failed to notice Saber push the unknown man inside the castle. Tohsaka shook me out of my shock and dragged me towards the fight that continued on inside.

Staring at the blond I glared at him and asked, “Why did you kill her? She was already defeated so why did you kill her?!”

Looking at me with a smug face he replied, “Isn’t it natural that I dispose of insects?”

My anger growing tenfold I try to calm my emotions by taking in deep breaths before I was forced out of the way by a sword that was heading my way. Rolling to the side I turn my head to see my attacker, only to be faced with Archer.

Unknown to anyone in the room, six figures could be seen outside on the roof as they observed the fight unfold.

A dark laugh could be heard from one of the figures as they spoke, “Time for act two.”