A violent explosion swept through the entire cavern.
Chaotic currents of air tangled and collided, crashing together without end.
The cavern, swaying and close to collapse, revealed its own miracle-like concept of never falling.
Despite the violent quaking, it still stood tall and unbroken.
"Mash?", After releasing her Noble Phantasm, Mash had fainted.
Fujimaru Ritsuka, bracing against the shield, supported her.
"It worked," Olga Marie clenched her fist.
Who knew—
"Ex—", The cold voice rang out from within the smoke.
Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't believe it, "No way?"
"How could it be?", Olga Marie was shocked, "She took her own Noble Phantasm head-on, yet still…"
The radiance gathered again.
The flickering magical energy in the air clearly showed. This was no bluff.
"It's okay, I can still…", Mash, after briefly blacking out, woke.
Supporting herself on the ground, trying to rise, "I absolutely can't fall here. I must…"
"That's enough," A hand pressed her shoulder. Shirou crouched beside her, comforting her, "Leave the rest to me."
Not even waiting for his words to fall, he vanished from the ground.
When he reappeared, he had already charged into the smoke.
Through the haze, he saw the scarred and battered Artoria.
To say his heart didn't ache would be a lie.
But facing the Ahoge King in this state, he could not pity her. Nor could he hesitate.
She had to be defeated.
Durandal appeared in his hand, and in the next instant, so did Dáinsleif.
"Shirou," Artoria saw him, and without a moment's pause, turned her holy sword.
"Ex—calibur!"
Unrestrained light shot skyward.
And with it, her Noble Phantasm released—
"Broken Phantasm!"
BOOOOOOM!
A second explosion, like a nuclear blast.
"Senpai!"
"Mash!"
In the terrifying shockwave, the two clutched each other's hands tight.
Fingers interlocked.
Olga Marie stumbled out of the storm, yelling, "Enough already! If you want to flirt, do it after we leave this place!"
She dragged the two back into her barrier zone.
———
At the center of the blast, Shirou and Artoria faced each other.
The world cut off around them.
"So it really is you," Ever since realizing she was the Saber summoned by Manaka, Shirou had suspected.
But he was puzzled.
With the scabbard, the Ahoge King shouldn't have been corrupted by the black mud.
Now it seemed, she had reversed herself willingly.
There must have been a reason she did this.
Avalon expanded, its barrier enclosing the two.
"Shirou," Artoria's gaze was solemn. Her first words were, "You should value your body more. As a Servant, recklessness could be excused. But as a living human, how could you…"
"Didn't Saber do the same?"
Shirou refuted, "Not caring about your own injuries."
"I am different," Artoria denied sharply, "I was born as a warrior."
"What difference is there?"
Shirou held out his hand, the Command Seals on the back clear, "Saber is Saber. I am me. Isn't that right?"
"…"
"Yes, that's true."
Remembering Shirou's firm choice, Artoria's expression softened. She said, "I'm glad to see you again. So, isn't this fine, Shirou?"
Shirou smiled wryly, "After calling me so many times, now you ask for my opinion? Too late for that."
"Then I'll take it as agreement."
Artoria showed a rare domineering side.
Then, her emerald eyes looked into his.
Shirou looked back at her.
Almost without words.
Before meeting, it felt like there was so much to say. But once face-to-face, no words came.
And it seemed they weren't needed.
Just looking was enough. They understood what the other wanted to express.
"Shirou," Artoria's body began to turn ethereal, "I'm glad I met you. If I had the chance, I'd want to make you a Knight of the Round Table."
"More than your knight, wouldn't you rather have me cook for you?", Shirou smiled bitterly.
"Of course," Artoria answered seriously, "Hunger is the greatest enemy."
"Right. Hunger is the greatest enemy," Shirou nodded deeply.
"Well then, time's about up."
Feeling her body dissolving, Artoria spoke, "Be careful, Shirou. The war around the Grail is only just beginning."
"I know. Grand Order," Shirou replied.
"Yes," Artoria nodded, "If you know, I don't need to explain."
Her eyes fell on Mash, "This should count as the guardian's victory…"
A sad smile spread across her lips, "Such a pure knight's style. No wonder you risked yourself to guide her to release her Noble Phantasm."
'In the end, no matter how fate changes, if I stand alone, do I always arrive at the same ending?"
She did not say this aloud.
[A/N: Referring to Mash fusing with Galahad. So she counts as half a Knight of the Round Table, corresponding to the legend of King Arthur's death.]
Shirou scratched his head, "I didn't really risk myself. Honestly, I had one more move left. But since you had the scabbard, it didn't matter if I used it or not."
He was talking about the Arondight.
He had prepared it with the system.
If Mash couldn't hold out, the system would've awakened him instantly and forced it into play.
"I see," Artoria understood, "Looks like I was overthinking."
"I'm glad Saber worried for me," Shirou smiled, "So you should also take care of yourself. Otherwise, I'll always worry for you."
Didn't he realize she had already let go of her wish?
She came here to confirm if Shirou was her Master.
But this was fine too.
If he knew she would die here, this man would surely grieve for her.
Though she too felt sorrow for not finding release.
But somehow, it was different.
She thought, Shirou surely believes that as long as they both keep walking firmly on their paths, they will meet again.
And then, he would save her.
'But, let me apologize here.'
A punishment from the King, for him always lying to himself.
With that thought, Artoria smiled, "I will, Shirou."
It felt like revenge, yet also a return granted early.
Suddenly, her hand was taken.
So abrupt a gesture.
Naturally, Artoria was surprised, "Shirou?"
"I'm sorry, Saber," Shirou spoke softly, "To make you face such an ending again."
"Though it may be impolite, I still hope you'll allow me, at least let me stay with you to the end."
He didn't want her to die alone.
Her pupils widened, emotion filling them.
Finally, Artoria smiled naturally, "Yes, I agree."
"Thank you."
'The one who should thank is me.'
Artoria closed her eyes, savoring this rare companionship.
A surge of unwillingness rose in her chest.
Say it—
If she spoke, if they renewed the contract, she knew Shirou would agree.
The boy was waiting for her.
But…
'It's enough.'
'As I am now, my heart is satisfied.'
With a smile, King Arthur left this place…
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