25 Chapter 22 Fate

"However, I will need something from Kiritsugu first. Namely a certain "Avalon?".

I extended my hand towards the man who took a step back and said, "Avalon! How-".

"Future, remember? I need it along with Saber so once I destroy the main worm beside Sakura's heart I can heal her for any damage I may cause".

Saber nodded at my explanation but Irisviel spoke up.

"What if we are attacked while you and Saber are away?".

"I've already got that all planned out. Since every other Master in the war believes that you are the Master of Saber here, you shall accompany her since Rider is bringing along his Master. Lancer will be present and his Gae Dearg will be very useful when dealing with all the worms. While you Kiritsugu will continue to act from behind the shadows and watch Lancer's Master. Kayneth is a cunning opponent".

The three of them accepted my explanation and waited until the specified time at the Einzbern Mansion.

I myself just sat on the roof until Saber arrived and sat down beside me.

"You're a very peculiar man, Caster. I would've loved to meet you back when you were alive".

"Nah. You wouldn't want to do that".

"Hmm? Why so?".

"Because it's pretty boring were I'm from. There's no war, no death... I mean there are still people who get murdered and there will always be people that disagree, but...".

Saber moved her head forward trying to catch my words,

"But it's just not me... The life that I had and the life that I was brought too, are two entirely different things. One was boring, the other exciting and adventurous! I had a second chance at life!".

Artoria believed that his second chance at life was this life. The life that was granted to him by the Grail, little did she know that he was living his "third life".

"Sounds lovely Caster. I know what you mean, I would love to have a second chance, to redo all the things I failed, that's-".

"But that's kind of boring don't you think?".

Saber furrowed her brows, "Are you saying that my dream in boring to you Caster? That my failed legacy is not exciting?".

Kagami shook his head and sighed, "No, no. That's not what I mean. I admit, your tale is not one for the faint of heart, but I once heard someone say, "If you spend your entire life pleasing the one's around you, you'll end up the most popular dead person in town". You shouldn't wallow in the past regretting everything you didn't do, but look to the future! And do all the things you haven't done!".

The blonde King scrunched her face. She appeared conflicted to Kagami.

"But what about the things I did! The people I failed, the words that I didn't live up to! What about the sacrifices that was built around my legend! What about them! And you! Aren't you trying to change the past? Isn't that a little bit hypocritical?".

"I know it is. But I don't care".

Artoria wanted to storm off the roof, but not before smacking Kagami in the face a couple times to set him straight.

But Kagami crossed his arms and lifted his head up to the sky, "Do you believe in fate, Artoria?".

Her facial expression didn't change and said, "No. I don't believe that my path was set from the moment I was born".

"That's one way of thinking about it. I'd like to think it brought me to you".

Kagami smiled at Saber and moved closer to her,

"And the people that you will save, the one's that you will befriend and serve you, will their fate's change when you go back?".

"Of course! They-".

"But you won't forget about me, will you?".

Saber stopped and went wide-eyed. Would she forget about everything in this new life? Her experiences with Irisviel, her Master, the thrill when fighting Caster or Lancer. Would everything be erased? Forgotten? Or would she remember? She must if she wanted to change the past, right?

"See! Even if you were to go back and change everything, wouldn't you just live with more regrets! That you were given a second lease on life and you didn't take it! The memories and experiences you carry will always be shared by those you created them with!".

Kagami pointed to her heart.

"All the good times and all the bad, will be shared by those you cherish! This may be the most hippie thing that has every come out of my mouth, but, you can always find new people to carry those burdens if they get to heavy!

New friends to have new adventures with! New enemies to battle and create hardships from! New people, with different cultures, ideologies and perspectives! Stop worrying about the past... and look to the future!".

The sun started to rise over the horizon and Kagami stood up and watched it intently.

"This is your life Artoria. Not anyone else's. Live how you want to live. Do whatever you want to do. This isn't just a fight for a magical cup. It's a fresh start".

Kagami extended his hand to the King, who was enthralled with his speech. So much of it collided with her ideals and values, but... why couldn't she retort it?

She looked at the hand warily and then looked at Kagami's smiling face.

'New friends huh...'

The image of many handsome men and women filled her mind.

'Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan, Sir Kay, Merlin, Father, Mother... Mordred...'

She remembered all the times they smiled together and all the times they fought.

Saber unconsciously placed her hand in Kagami, who lifted her up causing her to shout,

"Unhand me!".

"You're the one who took my hand? But never mind that! Have you decided!".

"Well...".

Taking a deep breath Artoria said,

"I have not fully dedicated myself, however! I do not oppose your way of living Caster! If a second chance at life will be more fulfilling then repeating my mistakes then-!".

"I will look towards the future! A tomorrow where my dreams, and my ideals will be the only driving point in my life. A... utopia... and everdistant dream...".

Kagami gave her a massive smiled before pulling her close to him.

"Then! The first thing we shall do! Is save Sakura! Do you agree Artoria?".

Saber was still not used to him calling her by her real name but nodded resolutely anyway.

She could feel Kagami's hand around her waist and her hands on his chest. His enthralling and charismatic aura even drew her, one of the most famous Kings from legend, into it, unable to escape.

'Maybe the future won't be so bad after all...'.

Little did the two of them know, that a figure was watching them both, also affected by Kagami's words.

....

"Alright! Is everyone here!".

The place where Kagami asked to meet everyone was exactly the soon-to-be Emiya household which was for sale and vacated temporarily. The actual owners where the Yakuza, but what they didn't know won't hurt them.

"Haha! Four Heroic Spirits! Why, Caster, color me impressed!".

The aforementioned scrunched his brows as he didn't the fifth Servant.

"Where is Lancer? I know his Master opposed but-! He's here!".

In the corner of his eye a tall handsome man wielding two spears with a mole under his eye walked slowly as a red headed woman walked beside him.

'Hmm? Sola-Ri? Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about her'. Thought Kagami.

"I apologize for the delay Caster. But I had to leave my Class behind and come only as Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Knight of Fianna".

Kagami nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"So long as you're here Diarmuid. With your help, saving Sakura will be all but assured".

It was at this moment that both Waver and Sola-Ri stepped forward and said, "How exactly?".

They looked at each other and smiled.

"There's something that you both will be familiar with as you are both Mages. And it's the reason why I've gathered so many different Heroic Spirits with different abilities.

It's to save Sakura, whose body has been infested with Crest Worms".

Everybody looked sick. They all turned to Kariya who vomited blood and said, "Zouken Matou has been keeping himself alive for over 300 years. His real name is Zouken Makiri, one of the founders of the Holy Grail War".

"Wait! What! You mean to say that one of the original creators of the Grail, the Grail that we're trying so hard to compete for, is still alive and we're trying to kill him?".

Kagami nodded.

"Yes. He is extremely hard to kill as he's changed most of his human flesh for Crest Worms. His main body, his true body is actually located beside Sakura's heart. It will take the coordination between more than one Servant to eliminate the Crest Worm".

Waver asked me, "Can't you do something with your Magecraft? It might be possible to-".

"I can't. All of my Primordial Runes are specialized to increase my offensive capabilities and defensive power. None of my Runes are used for Healing".

The man gulped when he heard Primordial Runes. It was fair enough as even a copy of a Primordial Rune made Touko Aozaki famous let alone originals.

"If I may be so bold-".

"Never mind that Master! We've got someone to kill and a little girl to save! Onward men!... and women!".

Rider smiled and lifted up his sword to the sky trying to raise moral.

"I concur with Rider. We should strike now and try to keep the amount of destruction to a minimum".

*Growl*.

"Lancelot's right. We need to save Sakura before anything else".

Much to the surprise of Kagami and Irisviel, the Saber Servant was standing beside the Knight of the Lake and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"For now at least, let us put how blood lust aside until we complete this... It would be an honor to fight along side you once more... Lancelot".

The black mist faded a little until a voice was heard,

"My.... King....".

Saber smiled before walking towards me.

"Where to first?".

"The Matou bloodline has degraded significantly, so much so that Zouken is the only true Matou left and all the other Mages their are first and second generation Mages that have been attracted my Zouken's lure of magecraft that can't normally be obtained by those without a bloodline".

Waver clenched his fist before Sola-Ri patted him on the back.

"I have already scouted the place and every Mage in the Matou Mansion has been implanted with Crest Worms... they no longer have control over their bodies. I will not judge on how you deal with them, but try not to kill them. If we defeat Zouken before we kill them we might have a chance to save some of them".

They all nodded. Every single Heroic Spirit was a "Hero" after all. They wouldn't want to kill innocents if they had the chance. Although it would be harder for them to deal with, it would be for the best.

"Oh and one more thing".

Kagami smiled at 8 people in front of him and smiled.

"Let's go in through the front door. I have a statement I want to say to the entire Magical World. That the Age of Men is over... the Age of Heroes... is just beginning".