As night fell over Ryuudou Temple, the place became forbidden to ordinary people. Torrents of immense magical energy surged here, swirling in auroral bands visible to the naked eye, casting the entire mountain in supernatural brilliance.
The atmosphere was thick with oversaturated ether; every breath felt as if pure energy filled one's lungs, making the spines of all the magi tinglingly aware.
Steve's invitations to the last two camps landed like boulders thrown into a calm lake—no one doubted his words or dared refuse. With four first-rate Servants already present, declining was simply not an option.
The promise hung in the air: "The Holy Grail War's wishes will be granted." To say nothing of the four spiritual pillars that pierced the sky, like swords of Damocles.
Irresistible lure, naked power and open conspiracy—all wove together into an inescapable trap.
…
The first to arrive was the Rider camp.
The Gordius Wheel thundered through the night sky, landing in the courtyard with a crash and a gust of awe-inspiring aura that sent the maples fluttering.
"Ha ha ha! Magnificent! As a king, I accept your invitation, Caster!"
Iskandar vaulted triumphantly from his chariot, voice booming to the heavens. "The long-awaited banquet has begun!"
In stark contrast, Waver Velvet scrambled wearily behind—pale and nearly collapsing at the sight of all present... the stoic Saber, the grim Berserker, and above all—the divine presence about Gilgamesh, King of Heroes.
Iskandar's gaze swept the court, locking with Gilgamesh's in a silent storm of kings.
Yet, to their shock, Gilgamesh smiled mischievously and turned away, accepting the other's place without challenge.
Time seemed to crawl. Just as Waver was about to buckle under pressure, the final guests arrived.
Unlike the Rider, Lancer's camp arrived quietly, but with a suffocating intensity. Moments later, Lord Kayneth appeared at the end of the path, dressed impeccably and wineglass in hand, as if this fateful meeting was his own garden stroll—his blue eyes sharp and cold, surveying all with open arrogance and disdain.
His Servant, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, followed close behind—handsome and grave, his two spears at the ready, nodding respectfully to Saber and focusing his keen gaze on the event's host, Steve.
Thus, with Assassin long departed (having perished the night before during Steve's visit to Einzbern Castle for the Kings' Banquet), and Kirei Kotomine still wandering in confusion at Fuyuki Church, all six remaining Master-Servant pairs were gathered at last.
As Kayneth's spotless shoes crossed the courtyard's barrier—
— KAAAN!
A profound, cosmic sound burst from the temple's central shrine. An indescribable surge of magical power—like a tidal wave—spread across the grounds.
This was more than mere magecraft; it was a higher phenomenon, a torrent that seemed to connect infinite parallel worlds—the very surge of possibility.
All eyes turned. Within the shrine knelt the young Red Archer, breathless and pale with effort, clearly at his limits. Before him, Tokiomi chanted ancient spells to stabilize the circuits; Irisviel, eyes closed, channeled pure energy with both hands at the magic circle's core.
There, a sword took shape—exquisitely beautiful, not of metal but forged from countless sparkling crystals and gems, each facet reflecting a different world and night sky, galaxies spinning within. The whole of the multiverse seemed contained within this sword.
"We succeeded..."
With his last ounce of strength, Red Archer spoke, then collapsed.
As his words faded, the sword rang out—announcing its birth.
An unimaginable flow of ether burst from the blade, piercing the clouds, letting moonlight cascade over the entire courtyard.
Projection of the Jewel Sword Zelretch—complete.
"This... This is..."
For the first time, Kayneth's mask of arrogance cracked, hands slack as his wineglass slipped silently from his fingers. As Lord of the Clock Tower, none knew better than he what this sword signified.
"Ahhhhh!"
Iskandar's eyes gleamed like never before, roaring in honest delight:
"Glorious! Caster, the banquet you called us to... has truly become a finale to astound even a king!"
Preparations, at last, were finished.
Steve stepped from the temple's shadow, floating calmly to the sword and taking its hilt in hand. In that instant, it felt as though he held infinity itself.
He turned to the six Master-Servant pairs, his voice warm yet forceful enough to rend the world:
"Welcome, all, to the end of the Holy Grail War."
"I know you harbor doubts, suspicion, even contempt."
"But tonight, all that will end."
He gently touched the sword's tip to the ground. Instantly, streams of magical runes unfurled, enveloping the entire courtyard.
"Before I explain my plan, let me make one thing clear."
"You're not here to fight. I haven't invited you to surrender."
Glancing at Kayneth, at Waver, at all of them—he declared:
"This is the Jewel Sword Project."
"The core goal was explained to Saber and Archer's camps, but let me now reveal it to the rest of you."
With carefully measured words that overturned everything they knew:
"It's a plan to grant EVERY Master and Servant here their wish—at the same time."
...