Chapter 33: The Next Level
Riya groaned softly as he woke, the velvet sheets warm around him.
His body ached — not painfully, but noticeably. Like he'd run a marathon. Or done something more intense.
Which, in a way... he had.
He sat up slowly, sheets sliding off his chest, hair a mess and expression dazed.
There was a faint warmth in the air, mixed with the scent of roses and dream residue.
He sighed.
"Damn... last night was... yeah~"
Just as he was about to flop back onto the pillow, the door hissed open.
"Up already?" came Richard's voice, loud in the quiet.
Riya grunted, reaching for a shirt. "Barely. I feel like I've been hit by a truck."
Richard leaned against the frame, smirking. "I won't ask. You look like you enjoyed it."
Riya rolled his eyes. "What do you want, Saber?"
"We're about to hit the next floor. Thought you'd want a heads-up."
Riya blinked. "Already?"
"Get dressed. The next level's not... friendly."
Riya stood and stretched. "Give me two minutes to reboot my brain."
Richard moved to the window. "It's chaos out there."
Riya joined him.
Smoke curled from buildings.
Distant figures dashed through streets smeared with mana-blood.
Fallen Servants flickered like dying stars.
"A mess" Riya muttered.
The view felt suffocating — a reminder of the bloodshed below.
"I think it's time we stepped out," Riya muttered.
They descended into the alley.
The air was thick with burning wood and mana.
The street was worse up close — bodies scattered, debris and broken armor forming a grotesque mosaic.
"Welcome to the battlefield," Richard said.
"It's worse than I expected," Riya muttered.
"But... it is an opportunity."
Richard smirked. "Planning to take advantage of it?"
Riya said. "Maybe"
Moments later, they moved rooftop to rooftop, scouting the battlefield.
Until the air cracked with pressure.
"Cu Chulainn!" a voice rang out.
A blue blur crashed onto the rooftop — spear drawn.
Behind him stood a woman with twin-tails, and deadly eyes:
Rin Tohsaka.
"You're in my way," she said coldly.
Cu dashed forward, no warning.
Richard met him head-on, their clash sending mana shockwaves across the rooftop.
Steel and spear sang in deadly rhythm.
Riya turned toward Rin, who was already casting.
Crystals whirled in her hands — sharp and glowing.
He didn't flinch.
He reached inward, and invoked Atalanta's bow.
It formed in his grip. He loosed a rain of shimmering arrows, shattering her spells mid-air.
Those that missed whistled past her like comets.
Rin leapt back, barely avoiding the last wave.
One arrow detonated behind her, cracking the rooftop.
She landed, breath sharp. "You're stronger than I expected."
Cu backflipped away from Richard, retreating to Rin.
Silence stretched. Then Rin brushed dust from her skirt. "Name's Rin."
Riya didn't smile. "Great first impression. Want to try again with fewer explosions?"
Rin's smirk returned.
She sauntered to the rooftop's edge.
"You've got strength. And brains, from the looks of it." She gestured to the burning city.
"This floor's a mess. But together, we could rule it. Join me!"
"Join you?" Riya echoed.
She turned, wind catching her hair.
"Together we could Control the flow of the battle."
"Take the Servants of those we defeat."
"Thin the competition."
He studied her.
It made sense. Ruthless. Strategic. It played to his strengths.
But —
"You tried to kill me."
"I test what I want to trust."
Riya crossed his arms. "And what makes you think I'll trust you?"
"Because you're smart. You know this war won't be won alone. And we both want to win. I can see it in your eyes. You need it"
He said nothing for a moment, then: "I'll give you my answer tonight."
Rin smirked. "Dramatic. I like it."
She turned, Cu following.
Riya watched them go.
There were more pieces in play.
As the day passed, Riya remained above the city, watching.
Masters and Servants fought, some strategically, some wildly.
The battlefield shifted constantly — survival demanded adaptability.
He caught glimpses of powerful Masters.
Potential threats. Potential allies.
Rin's words echoed: Together, we could rule it.
It was tempting.
But trust — wasn't something easily earned.
As the sun set, Riya returned to the rooftop where they'd first met.
The sky glowed red and orange.
The winds picked up.
The air felt electric.
Footsteps echoed.
Rin appeared from the shadows, confident.
"You're punctual," Riya said.
"Of course," Rin replied. "Didn't expect me to be late, did you?"
"I've had time to think."
"And?"
He looked out over the city, then met her gaze. "I'll work with you. For now."
Rin's smile widened, eyes gleaming. "Good. So… what's next?"
Riya turned back to the burning skyline, the wind tugging at his coat.
His voice was low, resolute.
"Simple," he said. "We make sure every Master left on this floor… dies."
Rin raised an eyebrow, her smirk sharpening. "Efficient."
Riya nodded once, eyes fixed on the chaos below. "Then we take what's left — their Servants, their assets, their leverage."
He stepped closer to the edge, his silhouette stark against the fire-lit sky.
"And when there are no Masters left on this floor except the two we could crush at any time… we move on."
"Floor by floor."
"Clearing the board. Until we're the only ones left standing at the top."
Rin let out a quiet laugh, the sound smooth and dangerous. "I knew I liked you."
Her smile deepened, sharp and approving.
They stood in silence, the weight of their agreement settling.
Below, the city still burned.
But now, the battlefield would bend to them.
Tonight, the game had changed.
And soon, everyone would know it.