Chapter 5 : Fellow King

The group's trip to the mountain was primarily awkward,with the knowledge that their next foe is nothing to be careless of.Except Caster and Ruler,as one was already experienced with Holy Grail Wars and the other showing barely any emotions.

Ruler,even as a wise and smart king,was getting impatient,so for boredom,he asked one question.
"Master,what is that creature on your shoulder?Even in Hallownest,i never saw one of this kind."

"U-uhm,you can just call me Ritsuka,eh-eh..."The Magus was uncomfortable being called Master."And this creature?He is called Fou."The animal on question was intrigued on being the center of attention.

"Mind telling me of what species of beast are they?"There was an hint of curiosity behind that white mask.

Ritsuka thought for a moment to find an answer,but then,be realized that even he didn't know.

"Fou is Fou, Ruler-san." Mash answered for him,which he appreciated,bu that didn't answer the question-

"...Ok then."

Ritsuka thought that maybe he was the only that didn't understand.There were spiritual heroes and gods,so,that wasn't really surprising.

Besides, Fou was probably a weird mystical pet that they liked to kept around.

"Fou." Ritsuka turned his head around to see the white fluffy face staring at him intensely.Maybe he didn't like being called a pet,but who knows.Then they started a staring contest.Maybe the animal just wanted to play.

Ritsuka felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he stared at the small animal, electing to look away, he missed Fou's look of triumph at having won the stare down.

"Through there." Caster pointed towards the mouth of the cave as the group came to a stop. "The Greater grail lies at the end of that system of tunnels, right underneath the mountain."

"And...Saber is there..."The young Magus was profusely sweating, knowing what was in the end of the cave.

The Ruler, noticing this, entered a mental battle.He wasn't really a people person, just by looking at his past,but still,he wanted to help his Master,who showed genuine respect and care towards him.So, trying to leave the past for a moment,approached Ritsuka.
"Don't worry.We will come out of this alive.As a King,i won't allow you and your friends to be harmed."

"Yeah..." Ritsuka nodded, then gave Ruler a smile

Suddenly,a voice that the group didn't recognize,made itself know.
"Well...I didn't expect you to come here."

The group turned to see a tanned man with white hair standing atop the outcrop. A black tight-fitting combat vest, dark trousers with steel boots was his primary look A torn red waist cape was fluttering.

Grey eyes narrowed at the group as the man uncrossed his arms.

"Ah!The gatekeeper?"Caster guessed,while twirling his staff around.He was edging for a battle.

"Ho?" Archer titled his head "I underestimated you dog.You appear smarter than you look."

Caster's eyes were shining with a murderous intent,while the atmosphere was chilling."What was that, bastard?"

"While I'm having fun insulting you,i have a job to do.So,stand still."The man grabbed a bow in one hand and the other grabbed a sword that spawned with blue lights.

Ruler watched with intensity as the Servant,that most likely is Archer, proceeded to knock the arrow into the bow and pull back the string.

Archer was about to release his 'arrow' when a voice cut through the air "Ath nGabla!" Caster cried out as he slammed his palm into the ground. Archer stopped his movements, fixing Caster with a look of disbelief for a few moments before his expression flattened out.

"Better get going!" Caster called back to the group "I can handle this guy. You deal with Saber and I'll be along to join you soon enough."

"Eh?" Mash blinked at him "But-"

"Stop wasting time lass!" Cu Chulainn shouted to her, not turning to face her as he advanced towards Archer, the servant still regarded Caster with a serious expression. "Don't worry about me, I can take this bastard easily enough."

Mash bit her lip and looked to Ritsuka and Ruler, the Servant stared at Casters back before turning to the other three."Let's go."

"But-" Mash made to argue before Ruler cut her off, although his voice was stern it wasn't unkind.

"He can handle it." Ruler repeated the Casters words."First,we have at our hands another thing to do."

"...Alright." Ritsuka nodded his head, turning to Caster briefly "Good luck!" he called to the Caster before rushing into the cave. Caster grinned at the saying.

"There's a reason its called the luck of the Irish." The Caster retorted back as the group disappeared into the Cave.

"I knew you were reckless, but this was stupid." Archer bluntly stated "A death match from a Caster class of all things?"

"Eh." Cu shrugged, his staff catching fire "Figured its best to teach you a lesson or two about not underestimating different classes." a knowing smirk came to his face."Besides,as an Archer,why are you using swords?"

"I guess this is fair."Archer pulled out a white sword,and begun charging on his bow with it.

The group quickly came to a halt at the large opening. The inner sanctum was massive, a flat top raised section of ground lay in the centre. Ruler frowned behind his helm, he could feel the power radiating from whatever it was that was there.

He was a bit surprised,but still remained calm.

"This is..." Ritsuka breathed out in shock as he beheld it, malignant dark power visibly radiated from the central structure.

"The Holy Grail has been converted into a magical reactor?" Olga widened her eyes as she stared up at the source "And an exclusive one at that?"

"Your Mystical Object did this?" Ruler asked, somewhat interesting at the level of power it radiated.

"Oh-ho?" A voice echoed across the chasm, the group instantly focused onto a figure standing atop the hill, staring down at them. Pale skinned and in dark armour with glowing red lines spread across it, the short woman stared down at them.

Her small stature was completely contrasted by the sheer level of power she radiated from her being.To Ruler,it was like the Hollows Knight's first days.

"An interesting pair of Servants you have there." The altered Saber walked forwards, coming to a stop just at the edge of the drop, her gaze swept over them before falling on Mash, eyes narrowed nearly imperceptibly as she stared down at the girl "A shield, is it?" her face remained blank as she leapt from the ridge, hurtling through the air before crashing into the ground in front of the group with enough force to release a small shockwave.

Ruler and Mash stood protectively in front of the Masters,Ruler raising his white spear in response as Mash raised her shield.

"If you are to take up the mantle of defender, strange girl." The Altered Saber began to advance "Then you must prepare yourself." raising her own sword, she pointed it towards them "With this blade, I shall deem whether your protection is true."

The Pale King stepped forwards, holding his spear out in front of him.

Saber remained blank faced at the gesture, although something flickered through her eyes as she stared at him. "Are you to be the sword ,or better,the spear for her shield?"

"I don't care what you say Arthur." Saber narrowed her eyes at the distinct lack of respect he showed her "This battle will prove if you truly have the power of a King."

"...So be it." Saber shot towards him at the same time The Pale King charged her, dragging her sword upwards along the ground in a vertical slash, Saber launched the first attack towards Ruler.

The King used his spear to clash with her sword.

The second they collided, Arthurs strength proved superior to his as The Pale King was launched into the air with great speed, making him crash into the roof of the cave.

Arthur gave a look of distaste before she returned her gaze to Mash, raising her sword and preparing her herself to stri-

Her eyes widened as her instinct blared. Kicking her legs backwards just as the Wyrm's Spear sailed through the air where her neck had been moments prior, pale golden eyes shifted as they trailed back to the Ruler servant. The stabbing continued on, however a shadow fist formed under her and punched her chin, sending her away.

Ruler leaned backwards so that the back of her fist,after her quick recovery, barely scraped past the front of his mask at the same time her other hand swung the blackened holy sword towards his knee.

She never got the chance to remove his leg as Mash slammed the bottom of the shield into her gut, launching her backwards. Arthur, however, took little time to recover as she skated to a halt. Raising her head and staring back at the servants with no discernable emotion in her eyes.

Slowly raising her sword in response.

Suddenly,a crack appeared on his mask.But this wasn't like the fight with Sir Konrad.This time,on the crack,there was a line of white spikey teeth.The Saber felt the sudden grow on power,so she held her sword for any upcoming trick,while for some reason,Ritsuka was feeling a bit tired.

"Hold your guard.She can be compared to Sir Konrad in his infected form."Ruler advice made so that Mash stiffened her guard.

"Ho?"Arthur tilted her head."So you knew the odd Berserker? I was curious as to who could match my strength."She exhaled."But it matters not, he is dead now and whatever curiosity he was died with him."

"I can hold her,but i will rely on you to tank her hits."Ruler said to the Shielder.

"Yes,Ruler-san."

"Speaking in front of an opponent." Arthur frowned "How arrogant."

Ruler shot forwards, instantly disappearing in a burst of speed as he closed the distance between himself and Arthur in barely a few moments. Raising his spear above his head and stabbing it downwards towards her.

Arthur scoffed at the obvious attack and swung her blade to parry the blow aside, only to widen her eyes briefly as she felt the Ruler match her own strength. 'No...He's stronger. An enhancement?' she briefly wondered before dismissing the claim. He was stronger than her base strength.

So she merely released an explosion of magical energy.

Ruler was blasted away as Arthur charged him down in the wake of the explosion. Sliding to a halt, Ruler was met with Arthurs furious blows as she swung her sword towards him. The two exchanged in a vicious clash between sword and spear.Non of them broke eye contact.

As Arthur batted his spear away, Ruler raised his hand in the air, making a bunch of shadow tentacles swirl around Saber. Then an armoured black fist slammed into his mask, sending him shooting backwards and away from her.
Ruler felt another crack appearing, as another line of teeth began forming around it.

Ritsuka,for some reason unknown to him,was feeling more tired

Stabbing his armoured fist into the ground to halt his flight,he looked up to stare into the Saber's eyes,still emotionless from the hit.

After a moment,a staredown between kings was taking place.

"Hmph."Arthur merely curled their lip in response, swinging their sword towards him at the same time that a jet engine of magical energy erupted from the blade.

Fortunately,Ruler was able to jump in time,making the magical wave missing its target.

Ruler flew through the air towards the wall, he tilted his body so as to hit it feet first, his boots slammed into the rock face as he turned his head to lock eyes with Arthur. The woman recognised his intent and turned to face him as he shot off the wall like a bullet towards her.

The black sword and the armoured fist,now adorned with different rows of sharp teeth, collided with each other with an explosive blast of air.

Arthur pushed the the fist to the side, Ruler allowed her to do so before he swept his leg towards her, his boot making contact with the back of her knee. Arthur grit her teeth in annoyance as she stumbled slightly,Ruler took advantage of the small blunder to raise his spear, stabbing it down towards her head.

Their left hand came away from Excalibur's hilt and wrapped itself around Ruler's wrist, halting the spear's descent, at the same time she slashed her own sword toward Ruler's chest. Recognising the danger, The Pale King's free hand released the spear and latched itself to Arthur's sword-arm.

The two began to grapple, straining against each other's strength as they both attempted to force their own swords to strike their opponents. Ruler's emotions remained unknown thanks to his cracked mask while Arthur grit their teeth before Arthur began to squeeze down on Ruler's wrist.

His metal gauntlet began to groan as steel bent under Arthurs grip.Sharp rows of teeth began growing into Saber's palm, making her forcefully pull her hand out.There was blood coming from her hand.

Ruler could see Mash rushing the woman from behind, something Arthur felt as her golden eyes darted to the side as if sensing the girl, she scowled.

Without a second thought Arthur pulled back her fist to strike him in the chest, only for Ruler to rear back his right arm in a backhanded motion across his left side and slam his elbow into her jaw.

Arthur's head snapped to the side as Ruler kicked away from the ground, leaning back so as to avoid her retaliatory strike at the same time Mash swung her shield into Arthur's back. The woman let out a small gasp as the metal shield drove the air out of her lungs.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she stamped into the ground, spinning her whole body around to face Mash, gripping her sword tightly with both hands and she swung it into the shield. Mash released an intake of breath as the sword slammed into the shield, although she did not falter under the barrage.

Arthur narrowed her eyes, turning around and blocking Ruler's strike aimed at her back, his spear now having rows of sharp teeth. The altered Saber parried the blow to the side but not before Mash slammed the edge of her shield into Arthurs ribs, causing the woman to stumble away from her before turning around to face them again.

Ruler leapt back so as to stand next to Mash, with his cracked wirst and mask beginning to bleed.Mash's eyes briefly flickered to it in concern before focusing back on Arthur with determination.

"A fierce gaze." Arthur noted, moving her other hand to tightly grip the handle of her blade "However, the steel in your eyes is meaningless if you cannot support it." she raised the sword above her head as another burst of power exploded forth from it.

Mash widened her eyes in realisation of what Arthur was about to do.

"Vortigen, Hammer of the Vile King!" Arthur exclaimed as the power exploded forth from the blade in a jet of dark magic "Reverse the Rising Sun, Swallow the light!"

"Lord-" Mash raised her shield as Ruler ducked behind her.

"Excalibur-"

"-Chaldeas!" Mash cried out as she slammed her shield into the ground, the blue light exploded forth and covered them as well as the two humans behind them.

"-Morgan!" Arthur brought the blade downwards, the beam of malignant black power shot across the ground towards them, the Noble Phantasm crashed into the shield like a hurricane of power, splitting off in several directions. Lances of power reflected by the blast carved up along the chasm walls and roof, causing debris to rain down across the cavern.

Ritsuka and Olga let out strangled gasps of alarm as they beheld the devastation, only to cry out in shock when they suddenly felt arms wrap around them,Ruler scooped the pair up under his arms as he zigzagged in order to avoid the falling debris.

Sliding to a stop as the magical energy began to die down, stabbing his spear into the ground,Ruler's mask began to crack once more,with,again,a row of sharp teeth forming around the lines.

"Stay put,Master." Saber nodded to Ritsuka with an oddly calm voice."I'll be back soon." were his final words to them as he spun on his heel, facing the direction of Mash and Arthur before kicking off the ground and disappearing in a blur of movement.

Arthur lowered her sword to see Mash had survived her assault, for the briefest of moments, a minute smile flashed across her face, although it was such a fleeting event that it could have hardly have been said to have occurred at all. Their eyes shot past Mash as Ruler rocketed past the girl towards them, his Wyrm's Spear held in his right hand as he skated towards her, grinding to a halt.

Suddenly,for Arthur,time stopped.
Widening her eyes,she found herself in the ruins of a Throne Room,where Ruler was standing in the middle of it.She tried to attack,but she found herself unable to move.Looking at The Pale King,she could hear something from him.Realizing ehat it was,she tried to escape,but it was too late.

"Pale,Cruel Fate."

Arthur let out a cry of pain as shadows and teeth seared her body and shattered away parts of her armour.

Ruler lowered his gaze,as his Noble Phantasm took action. Arthur, even in a weakened state, was not without some tricks left. Her magical energy exploded outwards from her body, removing any shadow and teeth that clung to her, however the damage had been done.

Heavily wounded with scrathes and dents covering her body and armor, Arthur slowly turned her head to face them when another voice cut through the air.

"You really are quite determined, King of Knights." Caster's voice called out, Mash let out a brief gasp of surprise as the Servant shot past her, sending a quick nod of approval in her direction before sliding to a halt next to Ruler. "But you should know when you're beat."

"Caster." Arthur called back, despite the injuries to her body she still sounded perfectly calm "I see. Archer is dead then."

"Yep." Caster admitted, he twirled his staff in his hands and levelled it towards her "You're finished Saber."

"I can still hold my sword." Arthur called back "Therefore I can still fight. Surely that is reasoning you can understand, child of light."

"...Fair enough." Caster gave a wry smirk, sending the Ashen One a glance "Still, I didn't think a God would have much trouble with a little girl."

The two Servants stared at him, they were briefly united under the common cause of Casters not so subtle jab at both of them.

"She's a King-/You did not seek this 'little girls' blade during the War, Caster." The pair responded at the same time, causing Caster to let out a small bark of laughter.

"No, that's fair enough."Cu nodded his head, then steeled his expression. "Still, if that is how you want it,Saber, I can support that line of reasoning."

"Very well." Arthur nodded her head, readying herself as best she could "Then we shall end this."

"Yeah." Caster nodded his head, the two fell into a staring contest for a few moments.

Then they moved, Caster slammed the butt of his staff into the ground while Arthur charged forwards. The ground beneath Arthur split open as branches wrapped around her limbs, the Saber servant growled before she wretched her arms free, shattering the makeshift manacles in the process.

It didn't buy Caster much time, but it had bought him enough. Arthur, already wounded from taking Ruler's Noble Phantasm to the face, was far too slow to prevent Caster from continuing his chant.

"My Magecraft is a cage of flames! A flaming yet verdant giant!" He jumped away as Arthur slammed her sword into the ground where he had stood,The Pale King ducked away from her when she attempted to slash at him before returning her eyes to the Caster."Retribution! A shrine that purifies the evil of Human affairs!" landing on his feet a good distance from her, Caster thrust his staff forwards."Wickerman!"

Arthur widened her eyes in alarm and looked down as the ground beneath her feet erupted in an inferno, the circle of fire exploded outwards as she suddenly found herself standing atop a giant patchwork wooden palm, huge fingers curled into a fist around her and clenched tightly, Arthur let out a sharp cry of pain. The rest of the giant wooden figure soon emerged from the pit of fire, raising itself to its feet, the cage on its chest swung open, the arm holding Arthur flung her towards the interior of the body, the woman was brutally slammed into the inside of the wickerman as the cage door slammed shut.

The burning giant turned itself, leaning forwards and making no attempt to stabilise their enormous body as it fell face first towards the ground. Saber held an armoured hand in front of his eyes as the wickerman collided with the ground in an explosion of fire, a cloud of smoke soon obscured the sight of the impact.

Caster slowly lowered his staff with a frown, clicking his tongue "Doesn't feel right killing an opponent who's already weak."

But then,he turned towards the affected area and clicked his tounge in annoyance."Are you shitting me?"

Ruler turned his head to see what had upset the Caster, only to see Arthur standing in the scorched rubble, staring at them with a dispassionate gaze.

"You should not worry yourself, Child of Light." Arthur called out, only then did Ruler and Caster notice the golden flakes of light beginning to peel away from her form "I have lost this fight." a small smile flickered across her face "A Victory for the power that protects...so much like that one." releasing a nearly inaudible sigh, her smile vanished "It seems that no matter how it is, I always face defeat when alone.

Caster raised an eyebrow at her "What's up, you're not normally this chatty."

"Is it not the right of a King to show wisdom to the ignorant masses?" Arthur replied, Caster's features flattened "However, you will realise it soon. The Grand Order has just begun."

"Hey!" Caster stepped forwards "Bastard! What the hell is that supposed to-" she had already vanished, Caster lowered his hand to see the limb slowly turning transparent as golden motes of light floated away from his body, he let out a click of the tongue "Well...That's that then."

He turned to see the others already approaching him. "Caster-" Ritsuka made to speak with the Servant gave an uncaring shrug of his shoulders.

"It is how it is." He dismissed "Don't worry about it too much. Still, if there is a next time." a smirk came to his face as he rested the staff on his shoulder "Summon me as a Lancer."

Olga's eyes briefly tore themselves away from Caster as his form disappeared, staring instead towards the location where King Arthur had been standing moments ago, she bit her lip in concern for the words.

"Confirming the disappearance of Saber and Caster." Mash spoke up as Roman's face came into existence through the hologram "...Did we win?"

"I hope so..." Ritsuka muttered next to her, a sorrowful expression on his face "...I kind of hope we meet Caster again."

"With Servant summoning, anything is possible." Romani replied to him, then his face split into a joyful expression "More importantly! You guys did it! The Director must be so proud of you...Where is she?" his face turned more confused as he looked at the pair in front of him to see Olga nowhere in sight.

"Grand Order..." Olga muttered under her breath "How did she know that name?"

"Is there some concern?"Ruler called out to her as he approached, the woman jolted and spun around to face him, coughing into her hand as she brushed herself down.

"No." She shook her head, turning away from the Rulrr and began walking towards Ritsuka and Mash "W-well done Mash, Master Candidate Number 48, and Ruler. Several points of this mission remain unclear, but this mission has been a success, our first objective is to retrieve that crystal-" she pointed to the glowing object behind her,Ruler turned around, only just noticing it, to see the gleaming rock that sat where Arthur had disappeared. "-so we can take it back to Chaldea, considering it is the reason this became a singularity to begin with."

"Alright."Ruler began walking towards it. Then froze.

The others notice him still, sending him fleeting glances of concern "Ruler-san?" Mash called out, tilting her head to the side "Is something wro-" she cut herself off when she felt it as well, rushing past Ritsuka and standing in front of him protectively.

"Well...I didn't expect you to get this far..." A voice echoed out around them through the cavern, an annoyed sigh soon followed "It was well beyond my expectations and plans..."

Ruler sharply turned his head upwards to the outcrop of rock, a figure soon emerged above them on the spot where Arthur had originally stood before she engaged them. Wearing a long green suit with a matching top hat. The man stared down at them with closed eyes and a small frown on his face.

"Professor...Lev?" Mash called out uncertaintly, shifting her body to better prepare herself for any altercation.Ruler was still glaring at the man.

"Eh!?" Romani called out through the communicator "Professor Lev? He's there!?"

"Hmm? Romani?" Lev responded to him in an irritated tone of voice "I thought I told you to meet me in the command centre. Honestly..." his lips spread into a vicious scowl as he opened his eyes to glare at the image of the man "Trash that cannot even follow the simplest of instructions, it makes me sick to my core. Why couldn't you have simply listened to me and haplessly marched along to your death, it would have been much simpler."

Mash widened her eyes in alarm as Olga's face soon turned joyful.

"Lev!" She cried out in glee, sprinting towards the man "Lev! You're alrig-Hey!" she barely got past Ruler when the Servant spun around and wrapped an arm around her waist, hoisting her up and backing away from the direction Lev was in "What are you doing!? Fujimaru! Control your servant!"

"B-but-" Ritsuka hesitantly looked between the Director and Lev, the man staring at the scene before him with obvious amusement.

"Release me!" Olga tried to pry herself out of Ruler grip to little effect.Ruler remained silent as he continued to back away from the 'man' standing above him.

"Was he always an otherworldly being?"Ruler asked, raising shadows to level them towards the man, Olga stilled in his grip, furrowing her brows and turning to face the Servant with a look of pure bewilderment.

"What do you-"

"Something like Demonic." Ruler repeated "Was he always a demon?"

"He's not a-"

"Well...I suppose it is expected of a Divine Spirit to be a little troublesome." Lev interrupted her with an almost cordial tone which was far too exaggerated to be genuine "Although there was a reason I made a deal with Saber rather than Berserker...he was quite enraged when i went to him." shaking his head "Really, and I had hoped that everything would work out so well too..." he turned his head to the spot where Arthur had been and pursed his lips "I hadn't expected Saber to be such a fool though, if she had merely done as I asked I would have been more than content to just leave her be."

"W-what?"

"I suppose it doesn't compare to the complication that is whatever your little circus act is." Lev turned to them with a sneer "I honestly couldn't have predicted what went on here. The failed demi-servant awakens, a Master Candidate is kicked out early and manages to survive, another servant with divine traits appears and Olga somehow survives the bomb I planted under her feet." he shrugged his shoulders "The only thing I could predict was that Romani would be too lazy to follow my instructions and wouldn't be killed. I'm disgusted to know I was right in my estimations of the man, if only because that pathetic nature of his proved to save his life."

"M-my feet?" Olga looked down, eyes wide and shaking "L-Lev? What do you mean?"

"Ah, I suppose I shouldn't give you false hope." The man snapped his fingers and grinned down at her, his sharpened teeth exposed. "I did plant the bomb under your feet and you, in fact, did die. It was what came next that was so surprising. Trismegistus thoughtfully transferred you into this land after you became residual thoughts. You had no aptitude for Rayshift when you were alive, right? You can't teleport while you have a physical body. Understand? You only gained the aptitude you desired after you died! That's why you can't return to Chaldea. The moment you do, your consciousness will vanish."

"...Eh?" Olga slumped in Ruler's arms "W-what? But...I'm dead?"

"Indeed." Lev gave her a smile of faux sympathy "But the thought of you just fading away is too pitiful to think of...so I shall provide you with one last comfort." he raised his hand into the air,Ruler and Mash tensed as he snapped his fingers.

Space behind him ripped open, the image of Chaldeas soon appeared through the tear in space, the burning heavily damaged control room with the burning red orb hanging above.

"Thats-!" Olga cried out in alarm "That has to be some sort of trick right!?"

"I'm afraid not." Lev mockingly replied as he shook his head "I've connected space and time just for you, with the grail in my possession, such a thing becomes mere child's play." spreading his arms wide, Lev let out a bark of laughter as he continued his rant "Now behold, descendant of Animusphere. Behold your folly! Not a sliver of blue remains which represents the survival of the human race. Nothing but a burning, bright red. That is the outcome of this mission, isn't it wonderful Marie? After all it was your incompetence which led to this."

"N-no!" Olga slumped in Ruler's arm "That's not-!"

The Pale King stabbed his spear into the ground, switching Olga to his other arm as he summoned a shadow tentacle in his left hand.The shadow began hurling towards Lev with the intention to crash into him.

Lev watched the tentacle accelerate towards him with a somewhat bored expression, snapping his fingers as a decorative walking cane appeared in his left hand, flicking it upwards and slicing through the shadow with a sudden blade of air.

Ruler 'tsk'ed and leapt back as the wind projectile sliced through the air towards him, narrowly avoiding it as it cut through the ground where he had been moments ago.

"I suppose there was no need for concern after all." Lev sighed "Your arrival and the nature of your own abilities are trivial. Nothing that could pose any threat." the mocking smile returned to his face, the portal closed behind him as the image of the burning Chaldea's faded away "Especially not now that we have already succeeded."

He turned his attention away from Ruler, facing the Master and Roman with a composed expression "I shall introduce myself properly this time. I am Lev Lainur Flauros. Dispatched to 2017 to eradicate humans. Are you listening, Romani?" he looked down at the hologram of the doctor "As a fellow student of Magecraft, allow me to give you some advice. Chaldea is finished, you humans have at last reached the moment of your destruction."

"Professor Lev..." Roman spoke in a serious tone "No...Lev Lainur, is this related to why we are unable to see 2019?"

In response, Lev merely let out a mocking laugh "Fool. It's not 'related' it is simply the reality that this is the end. Unable to observe the future and babbling about how it had 'disappeared' truly that was wishful thinking." sneering at the man, he went on, much to the growing horror present on everyone else's face "The truth is that 2019 no longer exists. It was incinerated the moment Chaldeas was dyed red. Your era no longer exists." he paused, letting out a sigh of exasperation "However it seems Chaldeas' magnetic field protected Chaldea, however it won't be able to do so for long." he shrugs "Not that it truly matters, all those outside will meet the same fate as Fuyuki city."

"So that was it..." Roman breathed out "We didn't lose contact with the outside world...we lost the outside world itself..."

"Hmph. You really are perceptive, aren't you?" Lev shook his head "A pity I didn't kill you earlier." he smiled again, face worked into a snarl "It means nothing in the end though, the outcome is already certain. The end of humanity was not caused by your inability to evolve or some war with an alien race. Rather it was your own folly which lost the grace of our King!"

The area around them began to rumble, Lev looked up "So the Singularity has already begun to fall apart? Dear me, I appear to have rambled on for far too long...Oh well." giving an unconcerned shrug, he merely smiled down at the group "Farewell Mash, Roman, Marie and Master Candidate 48...I am not without mercy, however, and I will depart, allowing you a brief moment to make your final prayers."

Disappearing in a flash of light, leaving everyone else in the cavern alone, the rumbling continued as stalagmites began to fall down from above,Ruler jumped back over to Mash with Olga still in his arm. The woman had gone quiet, muttering incoherently under her breath the whole time.

"Lady."Ruler addressed her, she tilted her head, the only indication she heard him "I do not claim to understand all that has occurred. However, I...would recommend you steel yourself. Dying while afraid...is unpleasant."

She let loose a whimper in response, tears sliding down her cheeks, Ruler cringed behind his mask, he wasn't very good at comforting people. "...I will tell you this. You did...an admirable job during this event." he went on, giving her a slight pause "If these are to be your final moments...I advise leaving this world with the same dignity you walked upon it with."

The woman sniffled, rubbing her eyes "Y-yes...I...I did a good job?"

"You did."

She exhaled "Master Candidate 48...Mash." She addressed the pair as Saber slid over to them, the two staring at her in shock, no doubt realising what the end of the singularity meant for her.

Rock smashed into the ground near them, Mash raised her shield above her head "Doctor, the Cavern is collapsing!"

"I'll get you ready for departure!" The man called back, Mash and Ritsuka widened their eyes.

"But if we leave, the Director will-" Ritsuka made to argue back when Olga cut him off.

"I will hear nothing of it. As our final Master candidate....I order you to return Chaldea's blue." She commanded with as much authority as she could muster, Mash sent the woman a wide-eyed look while Ritsuka stared at her with crinkled eyes.

"Director..."

"P-please...Return it blue."

"...Yes."

"We're trying to pull you back!" Romani called through "Just try to hang onto your consciousness for a little longer!"

"Above!" Ruler cried out in alarm, Mash buckled as a large portion of the roof of the cavern slammed into the shield, the ground cratered as she fell to one knee.

"Romani!" Olga cried out "Get them out of here!"

"I'm try-!" Another boulder slammed into the shield, Ritsuka collapsed as a stray bit of debris hit his head,Ruler snapped his headat him in alarm as he felt his body begin to lighten, looking at his hands he saw a blue glow begin to surround him.

There was a single flash of light which engulfed the group before the ceiling collapsed on them entirely.

"Senpai!" Mash cried out in alarm as she dropped to her knees, tending to the boy with a small cut on his forehead. "Doctor! Get down here!" she called out.

"On my way!" The man replied over the intercom.

A few moments later, the doctor burst into the room, sprinting across the ruined section of the Rayshift chamber with a small bag in hand as he dropped down to Ritsuka's side, looking the boy over as Mash watched desperately from the sidelines. The doctor examined his head before he let out a small sigh of relief "It looks like it wasn't that bad of a hit, probably combined with the exhaustion from being Ray shifted caused him to black out, but I'll need to get him to the infirmary."

This,is going to be a lot to bear for Ruler.

A/N :
Woah.
Inspiration from Souls and Singularities,best crossover fanfiction between DS and FGO.
Well,Ruler has kinda complicated emotions.Some times he is quiet,some times he decides to do the cliché hero and sometimes he becomes ruthless.