204 Fallen Fate

As Gilgamesh and Silva moved away from Fuyuki, the Black Faction reunited with all its members. Skadi continued to serve as the vice leader of the faction as she directed both Masters and Servants.

" Everyone keeps your senses on high alert; it's only a matter of time before the Red Faction appears. With that in mind, Caster of Black."

" Yes, Lady Skadi?"

Tamamo, despite having a keen interest in Silva due to his animal features that marked him similar to her, she treated his first wife with respect... For now.

" I want you to hunt down Lorelei with Caster of Red to grab the Command Seals and use them to deal with Archer of Red."

" I thought you had confidence in your lord husband, Lady Skadi?"

The fox Miko insinuated with narrowed eyes, but the Queen of Snow and Ice stated calmly.

" My lord husband may wish to test his measure against the King of Heroes, but he does value efficiency above all else when it is preferred, so having a backup plan is something he would approve of, and with that said, you have your orders."

Tamamo said no more as she and Medea went to hunt down Lorelei as the rest of the Black Faction kept their eyes open for the Red Faction's appearance. Mordred got everyone's attention, with annoyance being heard in her voice.

" Oi, oi, oi, isn't that breaking the Statue of Secrecy!?"

All other members of the Black Faction looked in the direction that the Saber of Red was looking at and saw the floating fortress coming to them. Rin sighed as she complained.

" This whole war is ridiculous."

" True enough, Rin, and I think it's time to end this Great Holy Grail War."

Skadi said as she used her wrist phone to make a call.

" Gray, can you be a dear and use your lance to take down that floating eyesore before it reaches the city? Yes, thank you. My lord husband? He's off having fun against one of the enemy Servants. I will see you at home, Gray."

The Queen of Snow and Ice ended the call, and soon, a light appeared above the floating fortress that formed a massive lance of light that Artoria recognized along with Mordred.

" Rhongomyniad!? How!?"

" Father's Lance!?"

Rin then added with exasperation.

" I really shouldn't be surprised anymore by the absurdity that follows Silva, but really, just really, a call to order air strike Noble Phantasm!? Good night, everyone."

The Tohsaka head turned around to leave and sleep off her growing migraine, and no one stopped her. Ishtar followed her summoner as she felt no one could survive that attack and wanted to polish the gemstones Silva gave her. Saber of Black then demanded from Skadi.

" How is Rhongomyniad still within the world?!"

" You have your half-sister to thank for that, Artoria."

The Queen of Snow and Ice answered calmly, and the Saber of Red added her question.

" Hold on, who's currently wielding Father's lance?"

" Why Gray, of course."

" That cloaked wench that avoids me and Father like the plague?"

Skadi nodded in reply and then ordered.

" We better check to see if there are any survivors."

" Hold it; explain how someone other than Father can wield that lance."

" Later, we have a war to finish."

The Queen of Snow and Ice curtly said as she left to investigate and hide the wreckage of the fortress as it could clue in the mundane world on the existence of the Moonlit World. Mordred grumbled but complied, and while Artoria was curious about Rhongomyniad, she kept her questions to herself as Skadi had a point. Sakura was happy that her adoptive father's wish was within reach and soon followed her teacher along with Medusa.

Irisveil and Illyasviel soon followed with their respective Servants in tow.

***

Wild laughter could be heard from the wreckage of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as a large slab of stone was removed to reveal Beowolf and Sola-Ui. Berserker of Red continued to laugh as he called out.

" What a rush! One moment we were on our merry way to the battlefield; the next, we were swatted out of the sky! I wonder who could have taken down that witch's fortress?"

" Berserker! Stop fooling around and go check on Assassin and Reines!"

" Yeah, yeah, Master, I'm going."

Beowolf went over to where the throne should be in the wreckage and saw a fuming Semiramis ranting with fury. Reines was giving the Assassin of Red a wide berth.

" Those uncultured swine! They ruined my garden!"

" Hey, Queeny, so much for your fancy fortress."

" Don't tempt me into giving you a particularly unforgiving poison, Berserker."

Berserker of Red just laughed off the fellow Servant's threat as Sola-Ui finally reached the ruined throne room and asked her fellow Master.

" Can you get in contact with the Queen?"

" Unfortunately, the communication Mystic Code broke during the attack."

Reines said as she shrugged and then dusted herself off before asking her Servant.

" Assassin, how usable is your Noble Phantasm in its current state?"

Semiramis huffed as she spread out her Mana, then answered.

" The majority of my gardens are useless, but the throne still gives me a slight boost to my abilities; however, that's all."

" We better fortify our position if nothing else because I don't doubt the Black Faction would shoot us in the back if we flee."

Reines said as she frowned, but an unfamiliar voice room called out.

" A bit late for that, Masters of Red."

The Masters and Servant of Red turned to see the source of the voice, Sakura Branwen, with the rest of the Black Faction by her side except Medea, Tamamo, Rin, and Ishtar. Sola-Ui and her fellow Master looked at one another with bitter smiles and said.

" I/we surrender."

" Oi, Master! Let me at least fight first!"

Berserker of Red called out, and Assassin of Red reprimed him.

" Fool, do you honestly think we stand a chance?!"

" No, not particularly, but it would still be a good fight."

Semiramis and the Masters of Red looked at Beowolf in exasperation, and Sakura chuckled at the battle-hungry Berserker. In contrast, Mordred called out with an excited smile.

" Hey, Old Man, if you're looking for a fight, I can give you one!"

" Oh, much appreciated; I haven't done much of anything since I got summoned."

" Wait, Berserker, don't-!"

Saber and Berserker of Red rushed at one another with reckless abandon while both sides sighed at their antics. Their fighting went outside the wreckage, and Skadi decided just to disregard those two's battle as she focused on the remaining Servant of Red. Runes filled the sky as the Queen of Snow and Ice wanted to end this war for her husband once and for all. Reines spoke out to Skadi, trying to bargain.

" Surely we can reach a suitable agreement!?"

" Maybe so, but both I and my husband grow tired of this war."

" Assassin!"

The Master of Semiramis called out, and the dual-summoned Servant tried to use the remaining power of the Hanging Gardens to counter the Queen of Snow and Ice's attack but was overwritten with runes and a magical blast rained down on the three of the Red Faction.

***

Lorelei sighed as she realized she had lost her chance to drag Silva to her bed the moment the Hanging Gardens of Babylon fell. Not long after, she found herself surrounded by Tamamo and Medea and held up her hand to use her Command Seals to kill Gilgamesh so she could give up her rights as a Master and save her skin.

" King Gilgamesh, by the power of the Command Seals, I order you to end your life."

The two Casters looked surprised at the Queen of the Clock Tower's choice, as they fully expected her to Summon Archer of Red to her. The Command Seals disappeared from her hand, and she told the Servants.

" Since I am no longer a Master, that means I am no longer your enemy."

" Tamamo begs to differ."

The Caster of Black said as she was going to end Lorelei but was stopped by an unexpected guest.

" Actually, since she has given up the Grail, she is free to go."

" Who are you?"

" I am the Ruler Class Servant for this Great Holy Grail War."

Tamamo clicked her tongue in annoyance as she could not go against Ruler, and since Archer of Red had been betrayed, the only thing left to do was call it a night. Himiko then asked Lorelei with a serious expression.

" Tell me, Lorelei Barthomeloi, you wouldn't happen to know any particularly handsome men?"

The Queen, the Vixen, and the Witch were stunned by the sudden and unexpected question.