Chapter 13

With a loud thud, a golden axe struck the ground—only to vanish a moment later.

Not far away, Berserker was pressing forward with relentless force against the two kings of Uruk, fighting as though it were second nature.

"Damn it… this bastard's protected against projectile attacks," muttered Gilgamesh, who had activated his Gate of Babylon and was observing his enemy with the all-seeing knowledge granted by the Omniscient and Almighty Star.

"Yeah," Berserker sneered, shrugging off another attack. "As long as I can see it coming, ranged attacks won't do a thing."

"Then I suppose I'll just have to deal with you up close," Enkidu replied with a fierce grin. As a warrior born for battle, he didn't mind getting his hands dirty.

Enkidu's white robes shimmered as countless chains sprang forth from them, wrapping around Berserker to immobilize him. But with raw, brute force, Berserker snapped the bindings as if they were thread, lunging forward with a vicious attack.

His red spear slashed directly at Enkidu. Enkidu scrambled to intercept the strike, locking the spear in place with his chains to reduce the impact. But he hadn't anticipated what came next.

With no hesitation, Berserker dropped the spear—and from the black robe behind him, another red spear appeared. He stabbed Enkidu straight through the side.

Blood splattered. Enkidu staggered back, landing heavily on the ground, trying to regenerate his injuries.

But something was wrong.

His recovery was slower than expected, and he could feel something dark preventing the wound from healing.

"A cursed strike… You're no ordinary warrior. You've fallen," Enkidu said grimly, studying Berserker with wary eyes. "You're a corrupted knight."

"We're wasting time. Lancer," Berserker growled as magic began to surge into his weapon, radiating overwhelming power.

"Enkidu! Come back to me!" Gilgamesh shouted, rushing to his friend's side with concern. "That Noble Phantasm… it's a weapon of fate itself!"

"It's too late now. Take this—Pierce, Spear of Deaththorn!"

In that moment, Enkidu's heart felt the crushing premonition of doom—and the prophecy came true. A red spear shot through his chest, piercing his heart with horrifying precision.

"Lancer!" Illya screamed, her eyes wide with horror as she saw Enkidu collapse. She rushed forward, trying to reach him.

"You're next," Berserker said coldly. The red spear embedded in Enkidu suddenly burst with crimson spikes—and in the next second, those spikes were aimed at Illya.

Frozen in terror, Illya shut her eyes and screamed internally for the one person she trusted most.

"Help me, Shirou…"

But the pain never came.

When she opened her eyes, she saw him—his familiar back standing firm in front of her.

"Illya… I'm here," Shirou said, shielding her with the Scarlet Queen blade.

In that moment, Illya saw a faint shadow behind Shirou's form—the man who had once sacrificed everything for the Holy Grail.

"Well, well… Emiya Shirou. I didn't expect you to show up. But it's no use—the Lancer is dead. Neither of you can stop me," Berserker growled, though his voice betrayed a hint of unease.

"Who said Enkidu is dead?" Gilgamesh barked. He had already pulled Enkidu to safety, out of immediate danger.

To Berserker's shock, Enkidu rose again—still wounded, but alive and standing.

"Impossible! I pierced your heart. How are you still alive?!" Berserker cried.

"This king possesses a Noble Phantasm that replaces the heart in times of crisis," Gilgamesh smirked. "You can't kill Enkidu that easily, Cú Chulainn."

"Cú Chulainn?" Illya blinked in surprise. "But… this version of him is so different from what the legends describe."

"That's because this Berserker is based on an alternate version of Cú Chulainn, from a divergent history," Enkidu explained. "His strength, his mentality, even his Noble Phantasms—they've all been altered."

Sensing the shift in momentum, Cú Chulainn prepared to retreat—but Shirou stepped forward, blocking his path.

"I'll show you what I've learned."

He placed a hand on his chest, silently reciting the incantation Red Archer once taught him. The Unlimited Blade Works shimmered into existence—and in a flash of light, everyone was pulled into the realm of infinite swords.

"A Reality Marble? You're still using that old trick, Shirou Emiya?" Cú Chulainn chuckled.

The truth was, after Shirou had traveled with Sousuke, Sousuke had revealed his true identity and trained Shirou during their journey. Shirou had absorbed his teachings—because everyone's hope rested on him.

"This time, I'll finish it. I'll send you back to the Throne of Heroes."

"If you can, then come!" Cú Chulainn roared.

Their weapons clashed—steel against steel—and the battlefield echoed with the sound of fury.

But despite Shirou's resolve, he was being pushed back.

Cú Chulainn, mad with corrupted power, overwhelmed him with speed and strength. Shirou could barely hold his ground.

However, he wasn't fighting alone.

From behind Cú Chulainn, a golden halo emerged. Weapons and chains flew out, striking at Cú Chulainn and disrupting his attacks—long-range support from Gilgamesh and Enkidu.

For a moment, the battle stood evenly matched.

"Tch… It seems I'll have to show you my full strength," Cú Chulainn growled.

Red light enveloped him once more. When it faded, hideous red thorns jutted from his black cloak, and magical energy surged around him like a storm.

"He's been holding back all along," Shirou muttered, eyes narrowing.

"Let's end this, Shirou Emiya!"

Cú Chulainn moved like lightning—only an afterimage remained. The next instant, he was upon Shirou.

Shirou raised his weapon on instinct, but the force of the blow launched him through the air.

He was tossed around like a ragdoll, unable to land a single hit. Gilgamesh and Enkidu tried to provide support, but Cú Chulainn was too fast, too strong.

Then—everything froze.

A chilling wind swept across the battlefield. Ice gathered around Shirou's feet. His body, now cloaked in dark armor, bore a horned blade—Frostmourne.

The power of the Lich King had awakened.

Though the Unlimited Blade Works vanished with its emergence, the battlefield itself trembled.

Cú Chulainn stared at the transformed Shirou, not with fear—but with exhilaration.

"Yes… now you're finally worth fighting."

Shirou didn't respond.

The Lich King had temporarily taken control of his body.

"Let's see if you're worthy to face me," Shirou—the Lich King—said coldly, lifting Frostmourne and pointing it at the maddened warrior before him.