Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

"Wings of the crane, flawless."

"Skill surpassing Mount Tai."

"Spirit piercing the Yellow River."

"Fame that shakes the heavens."

In a voice as calm as a chant, the fully unleashed black and white blades traced a deadly arc, severing the twin spears in the Servant's hands. Two more daggers flew from behind, embedding themselves into his shoulders.

A swift shadow leaped into the air, its eyes blazing with iridescent blue light as it uttered the final verse.

"Two heroes fall together!"

Black and white. A cold, gleaming arc.

The Card Servant wearing a cowboy hat froze in place. A gentle breeze blew—and his head separated from his body, dissolving into dust. Only a single Class Card, depicting a drawn bow, remained floating in the air before Sakatsuki snatched it.

"Archer, Billy the Kid." The young man shook his left arm, still aching from the lightning-fast trio of gunshots. His coat bore scorch marks from the flames of the previous battle. "A fine fight. Farewell."

[Current Charge Progress: 7/7]

[Ability Extractor activated (1/3)! Charge progress reset to zero!]

After successively defeating a certain fire-breathing serpent woman (who shall remain nameless) and the legendary American outlaw Billy the Kid, the Ability Extractor had finally reached full charge.

Sheathing his twin blades, Sakatsuki whistled—as if summoning a steed—and projected his motorcycle, patting its sleek frame.

"Ready for your upgrade?"

The engine roared in delight as Sakatsuki mounted it and twisted the throttle once more.

Sword in the Stone streaked through the night like a comet, vanishing without a trace.

***

Inside the cramped skyscraper of the Mirror World, two figures sprinted for their lives.

"That kind of strength plus a possession ability?! Even Gáe Bolg didn't work! This is straight-up cheating!"

"Miyu got hit by Berserker! For now, we retreat and come back another day!"

Gasping for breath, the two girls finally reached their destination just as Miyu stirred awake from the jostling.

"This is far enough, Sapphire." Leaning on the staff, the weakened magical girl staggered a few steps before dropping to one knee, eyes closed.

"Limited Dimensional Reflection Path forming… Central coordinates locked. Reflection path established within a 2-meter radius."

Suddenly, Miyu stood and took a step forward.

A step that crossed the boundary between the reflection path and the Mirror World!

"Miyu?!"

"Jump!"

The voices overlapped. Luvia reached out toward the cerulean magical girl—only for her to vanish in the next instant.

Without the Sapphire Wand, neither she nor Rin could return to the Mirror World.

Which meant Miyu had locked herself in an arena with Berserker!

But fortunately… she wasn't alone.

A long ponytail swayed as a lithe ninja crouched atop the skyscraper outside, golden eyes tracking the rampaging warrior below. A kunai slipped silently into her grip—then flew!

"Sorry. This path's closed."

***

The front door burst open before Sella could speak. The little princess of the household barely paused to slip on her shoes before dashing out.

"Illya?!"

"I'm going out!"

Behind Sella, Irisviel stepped forward. "Let her go."

Recalling their earlier conversation in the bedroom, Irisviel's lips curled faintly—her eyes warm with amusement, yet shadowed by lingering concern.

"Safe travels, Illya."

***

"Hey, Illya. What do you mean by 'not doing well'?"

"There's something I need to do with Miyu. At first, it was just curiosity, but… when it felt like we were about to lose, I kept thinking I had to find a way… and then I failed."

"I'm not like Miyu. I'm useless. Because of me, everyone got into trouble."

"Illya, are you really that afraid? Afraid of failing because of your own mistakes?"

"Of course I am! Because of me, everyone was in danger."

The girl's voice trembled, her small body shaking.

"Of course I'm scared! What if my mistakes lead to something irreversible?!"

"I see. That might happen. But Illya, do you think you're the only one who's scared? The only one in pain?"

Her mother's embrace stilled the trembling.

"Miyu, was it? No matter how amazing someone is, being alone is painful."

"Someone like me… even if I'm not by her side, she can handle things on her own…"

"Do you really believe that?"

"Could it be that Miyu said those things deliberately, bearing all the pain alone?"

"Carrying your share of fear as well."

Her mother's words still echoed in her ears as Illya ran with all her might, her tiny body fueled by an inexplicable strength, driving her relentlessly toward her destination.

"Ruby! I want to help Miyu! No matter how scared I am, I'll reach out to her again!"

Her petal-like dress unfurled as Illya gripped the Ruby Wand and took flight. Soon, she spotted her destination—and the two girls pacing anxiously at the entrance.

"I believe… I believe I can do this! Because to me, Miyu is—"

As the Mirror World gateway opened, bathed in the light of teleportation, Illya's gaze hardened with resolve.

"—my most important, my dearest friend!"

***

BOOM!

Another explosion echoed in the distance, as if from a battle—but Miyu had no time to dwell on it.

"Lady Miyu, what are you doing?!" Sapphire finally realized her master's intentions and cried out.

Miyu steadied her ragged breathing and slowly rose. "This is fine. Finally… I'm alone again."

"If something like last time with Illya happens, it'll be troublesome."

Last time?

Did she mean… when Illya transformed into that other form and fought the Saber?

Before Sapphire could process it, Miyu retrieved a card from the pouch at her thigh.

On its surface stood a fully armored swordsman, solemn and imposing.

"That day… Illya showed me the true way to use these cards."

Even if only once, Miyu had instantly deciphered the summoning pattern!

Placing the card on the ground, she touched it with the base of her staff—and instantly, a familiar magic circle unfurled!

"This is—!" Sapphire's shock went unnoticed as Miyu began chanting in a calm, steady voice.

"Let thy body be under my command, thy fate entrusted to my blade."

"If thou submitteth to the call of the Holy Grail and obeyest this mind and reason, then answer me!"

The ceiling shattered. A small figure was sent flying, only to rebound off the wall like lightning and lunge back at the towering giant. Despite the overwhelming difference in strength, she swung her kunai once more.

Clang!

Sparks flew as Berserker swatted irritably at the persistent insect—unaware of the radiant glow intensifying nearby.

"Thou who art the gatherer of all that is good, thou who art the vessel of all that is evil."

"Hear the threefold chant, circle the seven heavens, and descend—O guardian of the scales!"

CRASH!

The figure grappling with Berserker was hurled away. Though she didn't bleed, metallic fragments scattered in her wake.

But this time, she wouldn't have to struggle alone.

"PHANTASM SUMMON—INSTALL!"

With that cry, a figure clad in blue and gold shot through the dust, cleanly breaking Berserker's guard—and plunging a holy sword through his heart!

"No retreat!" The transformed girl wrenched her blade free, amber eyes blazing with resolve.

"Today… this battle ends here!"

***

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