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Chapter Begins:
Rin's ears rang with a screech as Berserker and Saber separated from each other, exchanging another blow.
With a crestfallen face, she approached Shirou, who was hiding behind a large tree, eying the fight.
From the opposite side of the tombstone, Black and Sakura walked out as well.
"… What happened?!" Shirou asked. "I thought you went to…"
"Tch!" Rin tsked, annoyed. "Sigh… It's almost impossible for us to harm them now…"
Then, with a grave tone, she told him about what happened when she had attacked Black.
"… Imaginary Number Space?!" Shirou frowned. "What's that?!"
"Most Mages are born with an Elemental Affinity from the Five Great Elements," Rin explained. "But… there are some exceptional cases. For example, I was born with an Affinity for all Five Elements. Sakura… was born with none…"
Shirou's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Wait…" Rin said, sighing. "Even though she wasn't born with one of the Five Elemental Affinities, she did have an Affinity. It's called Hollow. It's an imaginary element which gives access to the Imaginary Number Space — an alternative space within the Reverse Side of the World."
This was all something Rin had guessed after learning what happened at Matou Mansion through Kirei Kotomine.
Otherwise, for Rin, Sakura had always possessed a Water Elemental Affinity — something that had been forced onto her by Zouken Matou.
"Is it troublesome?" Shirou asked.
Rin's brows twitched. "Troublesome?" she let out a breath. "Well… it isn't effective against physical forms — like us. But against spiritual forms — like Heroic Spirits — it's nothing short of nemesis… If she used her magic against Saber, then…"
Shirou's head snapped toward Sakura, who was looking at him, standing next to Black.
"The only thing working for us right now is that Sakura doesn't seem to have any interest in hurting Saber, or participating in the War directly," Rin commented, narrowing her eyes at Black and Sakura duo. "Still, it's better not to take chances. The sooner we finish this battle, the better it will be for us…"
Rin refrained from mentioning Sakura being a Master and having Rider as her Servant.
Given Shirou had almost died because of Rider, she didn't know how he would take that information. It didn't seem like even Sakura herself knew of the incident at Homurahara Academy last evening.
Booooooooooooooooom!
Wind blasted the trees' canopies as rubble flew in all directions.
Berserker and Saber separated from each other on a wide path, both panting.
Saber was already injured. As if that wasn't enough, Berserker was much stronger than her physically. The only reason she had survived till now was because of her advantage in Mana, experience, weapon, and timely assistance from Archer now and then.
On the other hand, Venom found himself getting weaker as well.
A full coating of Selfless Breathing Constant demanded lots of stamina, pushing Kai beyond his physical capabilities. If it were just about fighting against Saber, then he might have considered going a step further, taking all his chances against her.
However, a great part of the coating was being used to cover the two swords he held in his hand right now under Venom's black flesh.
This wasn't Limitless Blood Firmament, letting him compile buffs from different Blood Essences.
That meant he must manage it with the Skills and Items he had on himself.
Also, if he were to use Murasame's Little War Horn's buff, then he needed to wield it.
The issue was, if Excalibur were to even lightly strike Murasame, the sword would lose over half its Quality instantaneously, Kai feared.
The same was true for Sounga as well.
Both swords had remained with Kai the longest — for over a thousand years. Moreover, they both had their own uses other than just being swords, making them quite important.
Until Kai got his hands on higher-grade Swords, he must keep using them, making sure they didn't break — something that was becoming incredibly difficult as he kept sharing blows with Saber.
So, as Saber got Shirou's nudge to finish it, Kai, within Venom, also nudged the Magical Creature to finish it off soon.
And by finishing — Kai literally meant finishing…
"We have no hopes or dreams to discuss. Nor do we have the freedom to name ourselves," Saber said, pointing her sword at Berserker. "All we can do is to exchange blows to kill each other… Very well. I shall answer with a strike using my full…"
Venom growled. "I have hopes and dreams," he said, letting out a pulsating red breath. "And… I also have the freedom to name myself."
Saber's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps, I will learn your name in the next life, then. Here I come… Berserker!"
Boom!
The ground upended as Saber shot herself forward.
From the other side, Berserker crossed his blackened swords, his feet digging deep into the earth.
A magnificent tremor coursed through him, the entire earth behind Berserker separating into two parts, the crack disappearing somewhere into the forest.
Saber raised her sword, the blade of the invisible sword, for the first time, manifesting over a blue and golden hand guard.
Noble Phantasm: Ex —
The red smoke surrounding Berserker felt tangible as the very space rippled around him.
Venom's figure blurred as he gained two more heads and four more arms appeared on his body, all wielding the same swords.
Then, with blinding speed, the massive creature shot toward the incoming Heroic Spirit, the edges of his blackened swords glowing red.
Three-Headed —
Saber poured her everything into the sword and hacked, a holy, golden glow oozing out of the blade.
Pure evil glared back at her as yellow bolts of lightning cracked around him.
— Calibur!
— Vritra!!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Rin grabbed Shirou as the hurricane blasted him away, reinforcing her footing while simultaneously using a magical shield.
Even then, it didn't seem possible not to get blown away herself.
Everything had gone absolutely black, clouds of dust oozing thick bolts of lightning.
And, through the rumbling noise, gritting her teeth, Rin happened to sense the buzz in her mind.
It was Archer — screaming — "RIN! RUN!!"
Rin's heart gave out.
Slowly, through the dust, her gaze landed on the spot where Saber and Berserker's blows had met each other.
Or… had almost met each other.
Because — pressed between the swords — there was a… figure.
Like a red and black robe.
Like a — Shadow.
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AN: Original Image of Saber and Berserker's final strikes is available
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