DanMachi: Ultimate Lich King

"What should I do?"

Saber wandered the streets, dejected. Her unauthorized attack had yielded no results and left her injured.

She felt guilty and wanted to apologize to her Master, but Kiritsugu Emiya refused to see her. Unwilling to stay at the Matou mansion, and with Maiya Hisau's whereabouts unknown, Saber walked alone.

As dawn broke, the streets were deserted; Saber, in her armor, walked unnoticed.

"I've awaited you, Holy Maiden," a devout voice startled her; a kneeling figure appeared before her.

The wide robe was unfamiliar; the gaunt face and bulging eyes resembled those of a victim; a deathly aura surrounded the man, making Saber frown.

"Who are you? I don't know you. What 'Holy Maiden'?" Saber asked coldly, her invisible sword pointed at him. This was clearly a Servant.

"Oh, oh… sniff…"

The unknown Servant sobbed, clutching his hair; his dramatic demeanor shifted to a pathetic one, revealing his unpredictable and dangerous nature.

"I am your most loyal servant, Gilles de Rais! I awaited your resurrection, our reunion! I came here for this, Jeanne of Arc!"

"Gilles de Rais? I don't know you, or 'Jeanne d'Arc.'"

The Servant became more agitated.

"What… you've forgotten? Everything from your life?"

"Enough! I don't know what you're saying! Leave! Or I'll attack!" Saber interrupted, her anger boiling over from her reckless actions; she wouldn't hesitate to unleash it on him.

The Servant's fervent gaze died down; his contorted face calmed; he saw Saber's unwavering resolve.

His desperation turned to determination.

Words weren't enough… your heart remains closed, Jeanne? The Servant's voice lacked its earlier despair.

"My apologies. I'll need to force a cure. Next time, I'll be prepared."

The black robe receded; the Servant stood, a stark contrast to his earlier weeping; he exuded an aura of terrifying power; even tyrants would fear him.

This was a formidable enemy—Saber's intuition was correct.

"I promise, Jeanne! Next time, I'll free you from God's curse!"

He vanished; silence returned; Saber lowered her sword, staring at the empty street.

"Was that the last Servant? His madness… could he be a Berserker?"

Though he didn't look like one, it could be a disguise. Of the remaining Servants, distinguishing Berserker from Caster would be easy.

But what did the Berserker mean? He seemed to mistake her for someone; this was important; she needed to tell her Master.

This wasn't the time for conflict; Saber believed her Master would forgive her failure if she apologized.

She would defeat Lancer and bring victory to her Master.

Saber headed to the hotel she shared with Maiya Hisau. Kiritsugu had booked it outside the Matou mansion, as Saber disliked Kariya Matou.

Saber arrived, materialized, but Kiritsugu and Maiya were gone.

Sighing, Saber turned on the TV, sitting on the bed, knees drawn up.

This famed hero felt helpless and lost; she didn't know what to do.

She'd come to win the Grail, but her first day ended disastrously.

Her dominant hand was injured, still throbbing; her Master ignored her, acting independently.

How could she continue fighting?

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