The Storm [1]

An hour passed by slowly, and on cue, a raspy groan could be heard from Mars. The Chaldeans were all by his side, with Caster leaning against a wall with his gaze fixated outside their temporary shelter.

"Mars, are you alright?"

Mars blinked slowly. The dark room with only small pieces of auburn light made the atmosphere give a sense of melancholy. It showed how high the stakes were and how fast they needed to end this Singularity.

"I still feel the aftereffects of those blades. Did I heal?" Mars gazed over his body, seeing that he did heal, but it was too perfect. His skin had no rash or scar.

"Oh! Caster cast a rune to heal you faster, but it was up to your passive self-healing to patch the rest," Gudako answered eagerly. Her happiness was apparent as if it was showing a sunny day, and Mars could feel the effects empowering him a bit.

"Thanks…" Mars said before his eyes laid upon the blue-haired Servant. His stomach belched with utter disgust, and Mars could feel something ready to come out of his mouth, but he refrained from doing so. Mars figured it was the Servant.

"Think nothing of it. As much as I would not like to help that bastard, Gilgamesh, you're not him, thankfully," Caster smiled with one eye closed.

"Gilgamesh? You mean the guy I made a contract with is…THE KING OF URUK?" Mars could feel his head going dizzy, and a humorous laugh rattled from within his head, but Mars ignored it.

"The one and only. We were surprised to hear about it as well. I won't lie. I'm quite happy he was generous enough to lend us his aid. We wouldn't have made it this far without his help, and yours as well, Mars," Gudako spoke, but her chirpy tone became dry at the end, earning a frown from Mars.

"I'm sure you would still prevail if I weren't here. I'm not as grand as the King Of Heroes or some hero of a legend like Caster, but I am your friend, and it's my job to make sure you're in tip-top shape for the battles to come. Until Gilgamesh is bored, I will help you. Let's hope he sticks around for all the future Singularities."

"Well said!" Caster praised with a small clap. "As much as I would like to have you rest a bit more. We have Saber, King Arthur, to deal with. She's going to be the toughest fight so far."

Mars cupped his chin but then. "KING ARTHUR IS ACTUALLY QUEEN ARTHUR?"

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""Yes"" Everyone replied blankly as if he was the odd one out…which he was!

"Okay…I'm starting to feel happy. I think it's because of Gilgamesh or something. He wishes to see his treasure again."

"Eh?"

"Don't look at me. I'm just telling you how…I oddly feel considering me and Gilgamesh are fused," Mars scratched his head sheepishly, a torrent of anticipation and longing brushing against his soul. It would seem Gilgamesh wanted to see his dear Saber again. Mars didn't understand for some reason, but it also affected him.

It was annoying that Gilgamesh was practically still messing with him, causing a trifle of headaches, but Mars needed to get used to it. Mars resumed his gaze on everyone, taking in their posture and eyes. They were ready but also expectedly afraid, fearful of fighting the legendary King Arthur in battle. Of course, anyone would. Even Mars felt uneasy at learning who the Saber was.

For all his power, Gilgamesh had a slight tinge of fear, something Mars felt was foreign to the King Of Heroes, but even the greatest must fall eventually. Perhaps they fought before? If so, the battle must've been engraved into Gilgamesh's core that even after returning to the Throne Of Heroes, that memory became a part of his soul.

"So…we got a plan?"

"Yes!" Gudako cheered. "We just go fight her head-on!"

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"HAHA! I expected no less from my Master. Let's us depart for our final battle."

No one said a word afterward. They began to their final march towards the area where the Greater Grail was located. Saber was located within the mountain, inside a limestone cave. They knew that since Archer was defeated earlier, he would not show up here since Caster said he had a habit of staying within this cave as well, like a guard dog…which Mars found ironic.

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The group made it to a wide-open area, which seemed to be behind the mountain. It was shattered, showing signs of previous battles, and the air was thick with pressure beginning to cause Gudako and Olga's knees to buckle. Mars, Mash, and Caster remained unperturbed, but Mash began sweating. Mars had to keep his head up high. The Heroic Spirit within him would not deem anything else other than that.

"Oh…? What an interesting group you found, Castaway," A female voice, full of stoicism and slight playfulness, entered the air, spreading throughout the area.

"There she is…" Caster grumbled as a figure jumped down. They were quite distant but just enough to reveal their opponent's appearance.

"And…that aura. Hm, that bastard is here?"

Mars narrowed his eyes when he exchanged looks with Saber…she looked like the altered Medusa, with pale skin, pale-yellow eyes, and full black armor with some red decor. A black sword with red lines was held firmly in her hands as her once lifeless eyes changed tune, becoming heated with the intensity of an erupting volcano upon looking at Mars.

Mars, however…"I didn't think King Arthur would be beautiful…I can see why Gilgamesh sees her as a treasure…but I'm not him. I can feel his distaste for your current appearance, but I'm different."

Mash suddenly flew in front of the group. Her shield was firmly planted in front. "Magical signature rising! Prepare yourself!"

Saber rose Excalibur in front of her face. "Swallow the light, sword of promised victory…"

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"EXCALIBUR MORGAN!"

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<i>AN: Here's the second upload for the day. The next chapter may be Sunday night. If not, Monday afternoon. </i>