“Hm, I had no intentions of returning so earnestly But Martha really did leave so hastily.” 

A pause as they consider, pondering their options. No, it would not be right to leave with Christmas so near! Who else would be able to spread holiday cheer? 

He didn’t have his memories of his grail war, and even if he did he may not be able to really think too hard about them, after all he was enraged right now. Worse than even his usual Berserker self. Even without memories though, every cell of his body wanted to tear this golden king to pieces. Hit him so hard that his armor was what caved his body in. Yes, he was so angry that he could think of nothing but destroying this Archer.

“▂▂▃▃▅▅！”

He raised his sword with one hand, the other held in front of him. He paused for a second, allowing the air to grow still and silent between the two. Then in a flash the Berserker charged, sword raised into the air before coming down in an attempt to hit the Archer, he then let go of the now stuck blade, spinning around to kick at Gilgamesh. While doing so his other hand now grabbed the blade and held it in front of him, ready to intercept any oncoming attacks.

“▃▃▅▅▃▃ー！！”

Ah, there he went. The familiar starting posture, the stillness just moments before a fight as muscles bunched in preparation. A second that felt like eons for the combatants. A flicker of movement, the beginning, that left the King’s smirk turning into a full-blown grin of mirth. A gauntleted hand was raised, batting the side of the massive sword as it came down to swat it to the side, a brief reach outward with his other hand before the realization that the Hero had used the momentum of his failed initial assault for the follow-up. 

Eyes widen, his arm up in a flash to block with his armor. Even then, feet briefly take to the air as the much smaller spirit is sent hurtling back, digging heels into the ground to keep from tumbling. The air behind Gilgamesh rippled like water, several glimmering blades sliding forth from his Gates before rocketing towards the Berserker. Of all things, the King was in quick pursuit, using that massive blade of his opponent as a stepping stone to leap over him. 

“Don’t disappoint me!””

He caught the grip of an extravagant axe nearly as big as he was, the momentum of his leap used with a trained mid-air spiral to send himself and the blade on a collision course with the Berserker’s head.

“Tch, what a waste of my time.” He bemused, taking a moment to pour himself a cup of wine as he watched the proceedings below him. 

Large glass apparatus hovering beside him to get a close view of everything beneath without having to jeopardize his position. The introduction of Heracles had sparked his interest, but the sight of two other hims, along with his actual Master in the fray, had dissuaded the King from leaving his throne to deal with the situation. Surely he would be summoned if actually needed, but until then he’ll merely-- 

A pause, something whistling made him flick a finger, bringing the large glass around to find the source, and spotting a humanoid-shaped rocket heading straight for his ship. A brief curse, his wine and looking glass evaporating into wisps of gold as he has little time to do more than brace for his surprise visitor. Perhaps this would be a lesson in humility to some, but surely not for him. Just a brief tactical error, after all.

@pcrdiseseekers​ inquired: "can we eat together for the festivities, gilgamesh?" it might be an invitation for a date. (saber arturia)

It wasn’t often that Gilgamesh bothered with modern holidays beyond wanting to gain some amusement from them, though he must confess that perhaps it was well-off for the more modern of their ilk to enjoy some normalcy. Especially given the hellish events transpiring near every day anymore. He had just been returning from the cafeteria after handing off several bottles of wine when the Saber managed to cut him off in the hall. 

Granted, the question took him by surprise, so much so that he couldn’t catch his widening eyes before they happened. Nevertheless, composure returned quick, even if his pale features were graced with a touch of pink he would utterly refuse to acknowledge.

“Oh, asking me to celebrate with you, are we? I suppose I have some time to spare from my schedule since you asked so kindly.”

She blinked a few times, but nodded. Man it was really beautiful to see what Caster can do. By now, the only place Yuuki hadn’t gone was the volcano. Though she wasn’t wanting to go there, she was worried about getting hit by the lava. “Of course. I’ve been to most places on the island except for the center where the volcano is. I’m not wanting to get hit by any lava.” She said simply, before being caught off guard. “You think I’d wander away from you, Your Highness?” Yes. 

Ugh… She had to wonder if he knew that all of the gold particle effects were hell on the eyes – one weapon had her squinting. She forced her expression back into complacency when he turned – his expression…dimming somewhat. Did. Did she look that bad?

Perhaps she had been taking it too easy since arriving in Chaldea. There was so much support from all sides, she wasn’t as self-sufficient as she used to be. Had her skills as a Master deteriorated…?

Tampering down her annoyance, she began forging onward. “I’m fine, just not used to the terrain yet.” That made the decision for her: they wouldn’t take a break until they eliminated an energy signature. As she went, however, curiosity began to shift her focus. “How are you not having a heat stroke in all that armor?” Every time they left the cover of trees and walked out under the sun, he turned into the world’s most annoying lighthouse. How the hell could he stand it?

Oh, something really loud and really pissed was yelling off in the distance. That…boded well, actually. “Feeling up for a real fight?”

“Please, this island is a mere drop in pail in comparison to the summers in Uruk,” he explained mildly, shimmering between trees before the next he passed under left mere cheetah print attire. It appeared he’d noticed her displeasure and decided to change. “But still, it appears to be troubling you.” 

A brief pause, consideration, as the air rippled like water and a small pendant dropped into his awaiting hand. Without asking for a shred of permission, the King was already moving to place it around Hakuno’s neck with an absentminded hum, experience with long hair showing with his precise and gentle movements before he let the chain fall behind the hair with an expert little flourish that pulled her hair up and behind it. 

The heat tampered off in an instant, as if she was shielded by a thin layer of cool pristine water, while he opened his mouth to explain more-- well, there was the sound of something he simply couldn’t ignore.

“Do you need to ask, Master?”

Something in her wanted to flinch as he casually held their opponent at bay – as if the shadowy, snarling thing wasn’t something horrific – but she tampered it down, expression flat, posture stoic. She typically wasn’t this jumpy; it may’ve been her concern for the other Masters and Servants fraying her nerves.

“I’m not going to wait around and hope somebody else handles this.” Realizing the severity of her tone, she tacked on: “The faster we resolve the Singularity, the better for everyone, right?” It was less a question and more an assertion, the tremors beneath her feet bringing a furrow to her brow.

She was still unused to…climate in general, the island heat already making her sweat. The air felt thicker somehow, and the uneven terrain meant a lot of stumbles and scrapes. She didn’t want to think about the possibility of lava.

“Da Vinci mentioned strong energy signatures – as long as we can bring them down quickly…” A hand raised to rake her bangs out of her eyes. “We don’t have reconnaissance like we did on the Far Side, should we just wander around?”

“As you wish, Master.”

The statement was emphasized by shoving the Shadow’s weapon back, bringing the faux Servant onto their off-foot. A flash of gold and a streak of red-- Gae Bolg, long before the Ulster hero used it, jutting through the Shadow’s chest as it fizzled away into nothing but unused magic in the air once more. It was going to be tiring to be here, with enemy’s around every corner, but it wasn’t as if that was any different from before, either. Quite familiar, in fact.

The spear faded in gold light back to the Treasury as he graced Hakuno with his gaze, contemplating their options himself for the briefest of moments. Using his sight to get a ley of the land, while certainly the way to solve the issue in no time at all, would take whatever dredges of fun there was to be had here out. So, 

“That may be the only option, unfortunately.” A beat, as not just his gaze but actual attention falls onto Hakuno, usual smirk dipping a hair lower. “I didn’t think you’d tire so quickly. Don’t tell me you’ve gotten sloppy.”

There was a moment where she thought she was done for, her magic wasn’t good enough and there was no way she had the proper strength to destroy one with her naginata. And yet, there was a voice that had told her she was safe. She’s totally not going to admit she’s extremely happy to see him and that she was doomed without him? “I’m sorry. It’s a bit harder than I thought. I’m very blessed to have you here, Your Highness!” Yeah there went that plan. She’s grateful to not be dead, and a part of her is glad to be spending time with him. “I’m always grateful for your foresight. This island is crawling with these berserker shadow servants. I’m not good enough with my stealth.” 

“They’re like piranhas. The second they smell blood in the water, there’s little you can do to hide from them.” The tablet was shut as it glimmered, dissolving back to the Treasury for now as his gaze flit about the area. It was certainly a tad annoying to be here, but it was good to know his Master wasn’t dead, as much as the universe seemed determined to prove that statement false.

“I hardly see the need for us to be here,” the Classless Servant mused, crimson gaze flicking up to one version of himself sat high above the island on their throne while he surely sensed the Caster version somewhere far in the distance. Never mind the fact that he himself hardly felt the effects of the island, as being the purest form of himself made it a trifle thing to contend with. Still, it was a worrisome little buzzing, like a displeased gnat trying to get your attention.

“but if that’s your wish, Master, I’ll have to humor you.” 

“You’re truly awful at keeping yourself alive, aren’t you?”

It was said amidst missiles of magic buffeting a shadow Berserker, before the flurry of flames rising from the ring beneath them incinerates what was left of the measly assailant. Had Caster wished to be here? Not in the slightest, as the hum of magic already agitated something in the back of his mind. Yet, his Master was here and he was bereft to aid in this cause.