Chapter 30: The End? More Like the Start
Riya and Muramasa sat on a rock, the battlefield quiet at last.
Behind them, Sieg and Astolfo were cuddling, completely wrapped up in each other.
Riya squinted at the scene with a twitch in his brow.
Of course... just one more day left and they start spooning in front of me.
Still... it was their last day together.
He will let it slide.
He and Muramasa had their own goodbye to worry about.
Not that either of them said anything.
There was no need.
With Riya bouncing across timelines, he was bound to see Muramasa again.
Not goodbye.
Just... see you later.
Eventually, the two lovebirds woke — both red-faced the moment they realized their cuddling had an audience.
Which, naturally, led to a bit of a fight between Riya and Astolfo.
Insults were thrown.
Eyes were rolled.
Muramasa sighed.
Classic Muramasa.
But by the end of it, they were all laughing.
And then — as if on cue — the Greater Grail began to shine.
A glowing entrance appeared, pulsing with magic.
It was time.
Everyone already knew Riya would be the one to step inside.
He'd saved the timeline, killed the priest, cleaned up the mess.
All that remained... was the prize.
Riya took a step forward—
And a portal ripped open right behind Astolfo, nearly making him jump out of his boots.
From it stepped Zelretch, smug as ever.
Riya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course it's you."
Zelretch grinned. "Just came to congratulate you on fixing the anomaly. Killing Shirou and preventing his wish — textbook success."
Riya stared at him. "You traveled dimensions just to clap me on the back?"
Zelretch shrugged. "That, and... I was curious what kind of shine the Greater Grail gives off when it's freshly cracked."
He peered at the artifact, eyes twinkling.
Then his tone shifted.
"Oh. Almost forgot. You'll need three of these Grails to make Chaldea, by the way."
Riya froze.
"...Three?"
Zelretch nodded casually. "Yup. Chaldea isn't cheap, you know."
Riya's eye twitched.
He came here just to drop that on me.
That old bastard.
Deep breath.
Just do what the dimension-hopping magical girl fanboy tells you.
Eventually, you'll get home. Probably.
Riya muttered, "Sigh* I'm going in. don't do anything weird while I'm gone."
He stepped into the Greater Grail.
Inside, it was... peaceful.
Almost like Avalon.
Flowers bloomed underfoot.
Mana shimmered in the air like stardust.
But before he could admire the view, a mechanical voice rang from the sky.
"Riya Riot. You are the victor. State your wish."
He blinked, and then said, "Can you manifest in a smaller form? Like a portable core?"
"Confirmed."
The world shimmered.
A golden chalice now rested in Riya's hands — smooth, compact, brimming with raw potential.
A door appeared before him.
He walked through it.
Outside, the Grail's glow faded.
It was already over.
He then turned to the others.
The Servants were beginning to fade, their bodies dissolving into motes of light.
Sieg was crying — Astolfo held his hands, whispering promises.
Their final kiss was short, but filled with emotion.
Then Astolfo turned and hugged Muramasa and Riya tightly.
"I'll miss you both," he said with a quiver in his voice.
Muramasa, with a small smirk, replied, "I won't."
They both chuckled.
Riya looked at Sieg. "The road to becoming a Heroic Spirit isn't easy... but I think you've got it in you."
Sieg nodded, wiping tears from his eyes.
Riya then pointed his heart toward Muramasa.
They nodded to each other — warriors' respect.
This wasn't the end of their story.
Astolfo and Muramasa faded.
Only Riya and Sieg remained with Zelretch.
"I'm ready," Riya said.
Zelretch opened another portal, swirling and shimmering like moonlight.
"Good luck on your next mission," he said.
Riya paused. "Can I at least ask where this one's taking me?"
Zelretch smirked. "The Moon."
Riya's jaw dropped. "What does that even—?!"
Too late.
Zelretch shoved him in.
"Daaaamn youuuu, Zelreeetchhhh—!!"
His screams echoed inside the portal as it snapped shut.
Silence.
Sieg and Zelretch stood alone.
Sieg glanced up. "...Need any help? Doing heroic things?"
Zelretch grinned, an almost dangerous glint in his eye.
"Of course."
Poor Sieg... he had no idea what he just signed up for.
End.