Our Fate

"You fellows are even more resilient than I imagined..."

Ozymandias remarked as he stood on a platform, watching Heracles and Siegfried below, with brow slightly furrowed.

'If this drags on any longer, my magical energy reserves will...'

"Berserker's all yours, Archer. I'll keep that man occupied." Siegfried said, tightening his grip on Balmung.

The intense battles had gradually depleted his magical energy reserves, but his eyes burned with even fiercer determination. 

"Understood, leave it to me." Heracles replied in a low voice.

Siegfried nodded, then with a step, he soared into the air, propelled by a reverse force, hovering like a bird. He raised Balmung high, aiming to strike Ozymandias.

"Hoh~ Not opting for a two-on-one but challenging me alone? That's quite courageous of you..." Ozymandias smirked slightly, raising the scepter in his hand. "Very well, I'll grant you this chance to see if you have the courage you claim."

Taking advantage of Siegfried's distraction with Ozymandias, Heracles turned his gaze to Penthesilea beside him.

Penthesilea now no longer exuded the majestic aura she once did. Her armor was on the verge of shattering, her body covered in numerous wounds, looking utterly miserable.

The blessings Ozymandias had bestowed upon her were also depleted in the prolonged battles, returning her power to its original state, if not weaker.

Yet, even so, her eyes showed no change as she still emitted a wild aura, glaring at Heracles like a fierce beast.

"Unforgivable... Unforgivable... You shall pay for what you've done, Heracles!"

Roaring, screaming, consumed by anger, Penthesilea charged toward Heracles recklessly, her wild fighting spirit boiling over, enveloping her in an endless mist of blood, causing the air to tremble.

"Die on my rage, Hero—Outrage Amazon—!!!"

Terrifying magical energy fluctuations emanated, tearing her internal organs apart. Yet, despite enduring such excruciating pain, her determination remained unshaken. This was her decisive blow, perhaps her final one.

She must kill Heracles no matter what!

"I have indeed committed many unforgivable mistakes in the past, harmed many innocent people, but I will not regret it, nor will I seek redemption..." Heracles raised his longbow, aiming straight at Penthesilea's head, his gaze calm like still waters. "Because... this is the fate of a hero."

"Nine Lives!"

*WHOOSH—!!!*

The arrow flew out, instantly transforming into nine blazing divine dragons. They converged back into one, forming an endless shining giant arrow, tearing through the air straight toward Penthesilea.

*BOOOOOM—!!!*

A terrifying explosion instantly erupted, sending shockwaves soaring into the sky, causing the entire temple to tremble slightly.

The scattered magical energy transformed into smoke, lingering for a full six minutes before gradually dissipating.

In a deep pit, Penthesilea knelt on one knee, her former madness and ferocity completely gone. Despite sacrificing herself for power, the gap in strength between her and Heracles was too great, and what was worse, his Noble Phantasm had completely shattered her Saint Graph.

This time, she had ultimately lost.

"I... will never forgive you, Heracles..." Penthesilea muttered as she lifted her head. Even as her body slowly dissipated into light particles, she still stared fiercely at Heracles. "Someday, I will defeat you honorably, avenge my sister, and my people!"

"No matter how many times, I will accept your challenge." Heracles calmly gazed at her face. "Because that's our fate."

"Hmph, fate..." Penthesilea gradually closed her eyes, leaving behind countless radiant light particles.

Berserker of Red, Penthesilea, exited the stage.

*Cough!*

Heracles knelt on the ground, crimson blood slowly trickling down his mouth.

Though he had dealt with Penthesilea, the blow he just received had also affected him, and the intense fight had pushed his body to its limit.

'I need to assist Saber in dealing with Rider of Red quickly, then find Master for help...'

However, just as that thought crossed his mind, a sudden rush of wind sounded in his ears.

*BOOM!*

A figure crashed heavily onto the ground, creating a massive crater.

Heracles's pupils suddenly contracted as he saw the fallen figure clearly.

"Saber?!"

Siegfried lay in the crater, covered in blackened scars from lightning strikes. Especially his back, which was his fatal weak point, was severely wounded. His vitality was extremely feeble as if a gust of wind could extinguish it like a candle in the wind.

"Revealing his true name, and still challenging this pharaoh without hesitation even in such a critical state, all to buy time for his comrades. Siegfried, you truly deserve to be called a true hero. If there's a chance in the future, I'll share a drink with you."

Ozymandias remarked and put away his staff wreathed in lightning, his solemn gaze shifting to Heracles.

"Well then, it's your turn next. Are you ready to face my trial, O great hero of Greece?"

===

As if distant myths stepped out of fantasy and into reality, under the shroud of the dark dusk, pale skeletons made their way into the domain of the living from the realm of death, wielding weapons high as they charged forward, without a moment's hesitation even as their comrades fell around them.

"Damn it! It's been over half an hour! Why are there still so many of these dragon tooth warriors?!"

Gordes smashed the skull of a dragon tooth warrior in front of him with his magic-enhanced iron fist, panting heavily as he questioned.

"Please hold on a little longer, there aren't many enemies left."

Fiore responded while controlling four mechanical spider-like legs, continuously firing magic bullets, mowing down the dragon tooth warriors in front of her one after another like harvesting wheat.

However, shortly afterward, the dragon tooth warriors from the rear would rush forward, fearlessly continuing their charge.

A fine layer of sweat trickled down Fiore's cheeks, her beautiful eyes filled with palpable weariness. Among the four mages of Yggdmillennia present, only she and Darnic's combat performance exceeded the passing line, which put considerable pressure on her.

"Big Sister..." Caules muttered, looking at his sister with concern in his eyes.

It was evident to anyone that Fiore was nearing her limit.

"It's okay, Caules, I can still hold on..." Fiore turned her head to her brother with a faint smile. "After all, I'm your big sister. How can I collapse in front of my little brother?"

"It's the final moments. As long as we hold on, victory will be ours!" Darnic reassured everyone, tightly gripping his staff.

There weren't many dragon tooth warriors left on the battlefield now. As long as they endured these final waves of attacks, they would be completely safe.

At this moment, their Servants still held the advantage, and the Greater Grail was also still in their possession. As long as they persisted until the end, victory would undoubtedly belong to the Yggdmillennia!

'Then, my long-cherished wish, the future of the Yggdmillennia, will all be...'

*Thud*

Just as Darnic's excitement surged inside his mind, a dull sound suddenly came from behind him.

Everyone instinctively turned around to see a male homunculus lying on the ground, a conspicuous large hole in his back, his internal organs already destroyed, and fresh blood gushing out uncontrollably.