Chapter 13: An Entry

"Sakura, are you absolutely sure you understand what you're doing?"

Kariya pressed, his voice laced with concern.

"Of course I do, Uncle Kariya."

 Sakura countered with a nonchalant shake of her head.

"Sakura, Berserker may appear powerful, but once the fighting starts, I'm worried you won't have enough magical energy to sustain him."

He crouched down to her level, his brow furrowed as he tried another approach.

"It's okay. Berserker is the strongest. He can win even without my magic or any support. I believe in the servant, my hero who came to save me."

Sakura, however, remained unfazed.

Kariya interpreted her confidence as blind trust, a childish belief in her Servant's prowess. But for Sakura, it ran deeper than that. 

She understands Berserker more than anyone.

Berserker possessed a unique ability: Battle Continuation. Unlike typical Servants, who relied on their Masters' magical supply, Berserker could automatically regenerate injuries and replenish his own magical energy when not in combat.

Even grievous wounds would heal within seconds once the fighting stopped, allowing him to return to peak condition in a blink of an eye.

This very trait was the reason Sakura, despite being a child with limited magical reserves, could maintain her role as his Master. Berserker's built-in "battery" meant she rarely needed to expend her own energy.

Furthermore, even during battles, Berserker possessed a colossal reserve of stamina to fuel his actions.

The drawback, however, was that sustained use of powerful Noble Phantasms could deplete his reserves faster.

But again, the beauty of Battle Continuation was that a brief respite from battle was all it took for him to be fully restored.

As his Master, Sakura's primary responsibility was to ensure her own safety. This knowledge, this understanding of Berserker's nature, was the unshakeable foundation of her unwavering confidence.

---

Bang!

The crack of an explosion echoed through the air.

"Tch, did it not work?"

Jonouchi muttered, narrowly dodging another attack from Lancer as he darted behind cover. He'd gambled on a lucky draw from his deck, a magical card he hoped would tip the scales in his favor, but it seemed fate wasn't on his side today.

Just then, a new threat emerged. Kyouko Sakura, catching sight of Jonouchi's hiding spot, unleashed her own brand of magic – "Rosa Phantasma," the Red Phantom!

Her form shimmered and split into multiple copies mid-air, surrounding Jonouchi in a dizzying array of Kyouko Sakura clones.

"Clones?!"

Jonouchi shrieked, panic flooding his features. His gaze darted towards the three remaining cards clutched in his Duel Disk, his mind racing for a solution. Before another thought could form, he bolted, sprinting away from the advancing Kyouko army.

"Don't even think about escaping!"

Kyouko bellowed, directing seven of her clones to give chase. Freed from Caster's mind control, she was laser-focused on capturing Jonouchi.

While the magical control had been dispelled quickly, a sigil remained etched on her body, a constant reminder of her ordeal. Thankfully, it didn't impede her ability to use other means to subdue her opponent.

"Damn it, even though the controlling spell was quickly lifted, this magic circle is still active?"

Frustration glared at her. The sigil, though harmless in itself, rendered her spear useless in combat. It was like fighting with both hands bound, a severe restriction on her abilities. This was precisely why she was determined to track down Caster.

Remaining with the sigil active was a gamble. What if it wasn't lifted soon? What if she encountered another Servant in this weakened state? The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.

Capturing Caster, the one responsible for her predicament, was no longer just a mission – it was a matter of survival.

---

Clang! Bang!

The clang of metal resonated through the air as Kenshin's broken blade met Saber's attack. The impact was brutal, piercing his arm with a sickening crunch. Yet, with lightning reflexes, Kenshin parried the follow-up strike with the hilt of his shattered sword, delivering a bone-jarring blow to Saber's shoulder.

"Kh!"

A sharp hiss escaped Saber's lips as pain lanced through her. Despite the wound, a grudging respect for her opponent bloomed within her.

"Even with a broken blade, your counterattack was masterful. Your swordsmanship… truly exquisite."

"And yours equally impressive," Kenshin replied, adjusting his stance. The admiration in Saber's voice wasn't lost on him.

'The cross scar on his left cheek. A highly skilled assassin with a sword.'

Earlier, her conversation with Kiritsugu had hinted at Assassin's identity. The telltale cross scar on his cheek, the unparalleled skill with a blade – it all pointed towards a legendary figure.

Though she couldn't pinpoint the exact era, Saber knew she was facing a renowned swordsman of the past.

"I am just an executioner who lurks in the shadows."

Kenshin stated stoically, dismissing the notion of historical recognition. Achieving fame wasn't his objective. He was content with remaining a shadowy figure – a ghost in the annals of history.

Interestingly, Kiritsugu's intel seemed to corroborate this. The records made no mention of "Himura Battousai."

For Kenshin, it was a double-edged sword. While obscurity offered a certain freedom, it also meant a lack of recognition for his past deeds.

"This time, I will defeat you."

Saber declared, brandishing her sword with renewed determination.

"…"

Kenshin remained silent, his gaze flickering to the wound on his arm, which had already begun to heal. Saber's possession of the legendary sheath was a revelation gleaned from Kiritsugu's briefing. Upon hearing the name, a spark of recognition ignited within him.

Artoria Pendragon, the King of Knights!

The sheer power wielded by this "King" who ruled a nation was a humbling realization for Kenshin.

'I am not strong enough.'

This war had laid bare the limitations of the skills he honed during the Bakumatsu period. Against such formidable opponents, victory wouldn't come easy.

Saber's eyes narrowed, catching a glint of determination in Kenshin's gaze. 

"If necessary, unleash your Noble Phantasm. Take down Assassin!"

She recalled her conversation with Kiritsugu,

Driven by his unwavering resolve to save Illya, Kiritsugu was prepared to eliminate both Kirei and his Servants. Saber, too, was prepared to escalate the battle. The clash of ideals and blades was about to reach a fever pitch. Every move, every exchange held the potential to tip the scales of victory.

"Defeating you in a direct swordfight might prove troublesome," Saber declared, her voice imbued with newfound resolve. Golden light shimmered around her, her holy aura intensifying. "But next…"

A surge of foreboding washed over Kenshin. He narrowed his eyes, sensing a potent danger emanating from the King of Knights. This foreign monarch clearly possessed abilities beyond his comprehension.

With a flourish, Saber raised her blade. The sacred sword glinted in the sunlight, revealing its true form: a magnificent weapon adorned with swirling golden sparks of light that exuded an awe-inspiring pressure.

"This is…!"

Recognition surfaced on Kenshin's face. He couldn't stand idly by and allow her to unleash this power. Though its exact nature remained a mystery, his instincts screamed at him to act.

With a burst of incredible speed, Kenshin propelled himself towards Saber, bridging the distance in an instant.

'As expected. Among all the foes I've faced, your footwork and swordsmanship are unparalleled in this world, Assassin, but…'

Saber, unflinching, met his charge head-on, raising her holy blade high. "Excalibur," the name of her sword resonating with power, "the Sword of Promised Victory!"

This legendary weapon, an "Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm," was the pinnacle of King Arthur's strength.

"EX—" A blinding aura erupted from the blade as Saber began the invocation for her Noble Phantasm.

Boom!

But just as the words were about to leave her lips, a deafening explosion shattered the tense moment. The ground trembled violently, throwing both Saber and Kenshin off balance.

"What?!"

They exclaimed in unison, disoriented by the sudden disruption.

As the dust settled, a colossal figure emerged from the haze. Towering over them, clad in jet-black armor, a monstrous swordsman exuded an aura of pure menace. His weapon, a colossal blade radiating an ominous glow, spoke volumes of his destructive potential.

Kenshin's eyes widened in recognition. A single word escaped his lips.

"Berserker!"

===

So, can anyone guess Berserker's idendity?