By Continuing to Question

...There you are, Karna.

Arjuna.

No obstacles remain for me. Even if they did, I would destroy them all.

This will be the end. I may be called a coward, but I will kill you.

I need to kill you! You know me, after all!

...So this is karma. There is not room enough in the world for two supreme marksmen.

My lance should be alone in its ability to scorch the land.

There's no question of who dies here. The loser will become unnecessary.

Come at me, Arjuna. Lay it all on the line. Give it everything you have!

Don't speak down to me! You asked for it!

...Brilliant.

Haha...hahahaha! Hahahahaha! I win! My...my...my...!

...

...Why, Karna?

Why...why did you smile?

And then I was summoned as a Servant, and participated in many battles. I trust Master wholeheartedly.

He may be ordinary, and there are times when he is too optimistic...yet still, he's a good Master.

Faithful. Accurate decision-making skills. And he does not treat us Servants as mere familiars. He treats us with respect, but is not distant.

Many Servants would consider him the ideal Master. I number myself among them.

That is why I unleashed the absolute limit of my Noble Phantasm's power. And yet...

I have yet to show my true face to Master. No, I mustn't show it...

My blunt ugliness out in the open...!

Master. I have detected numerous enemies. It seems like a surprise attack.

Comfortable battles. A sense of fulfillment I feel knowing that I am fighting in the cause of absolute justice.

The most wonderful cause of saving the world. Ah...I cannot stop laughing.

？！

...No, it's nothing. Now, let's go annihilate the enemy.

Enemy response, zero. No problems on our end. I recommend returning.

Yes, Master. Good work to you as well. I will have sesame buns ready for you.

Yes, understood.

？！

By the way, Master, was there something on my face a few minutes ago?

Nothing? I didn't look myself?

At least on my end, I did not see any fluctuations in his Spirit Origin value. Perhaps it's fatigue?

Arjuna, you've been volunteering for battle rather frequently recently.

And the other Servants, especially the battle-hungry ones, have been complaining that it's not fair.

...I may have overexerted myself.

Understood. I will be sure to leave the battles to the other Servants for a while.

Okay. Good work again!

Ah-ha, Senpai. I win in this round of cards. I will be taking this sesame bun as my prize.

...S-Servants don't gain weight. That applies to Demi-Servants, too!

...Probably.

Hehe. Don't sulk, Senpai. I have one for you, too.

？！

Sweet dreams, Senpai...

Yes, good night.

Fou!

？！

？！

...I defeated him. He's defeated.

Haha...hahahaha! Hahahahaha! I win! My...my...my...!

？！

Master!? You...

...saw my face, didn't you.

You're finally awake, Master.

...I am surprised.

You do not seem at all bewildered by the unexpected scene you just witnessed.

It seems that we have fallen into a Servant's dream. It's likely that it's my dream, or that of someone who has some connection with me.

If it's mine...then I apologize in advance.

Spoken like a true Master. But getting too used to this is hardly a good thing.

You may one day be a prisoner of a different type of nightmare... Should you die inside a dream, your spirit will perish.

When you say "again," do you mean you fall into the dreams of others often?

This is neither a Rayshift nor a case of teleportation.

It's truly a curious phenomenon... But this is a first for me.

？！

Anyway, we can do little if we remain in this darkness. We must analyze our surroundings.

Master, do not move. If we lose sight of each other, it will be difficult for us to find one another again.

...It's subtle, but I sense a breeze. Let's head in that direction.

This place is like a labyrinth...and it's quite elaborate.

Not only that... No...one moment.

This is not right. I do not understand.

？！

My only sense of this is, I admit, intuitive, but this labyrinth does not lead any higher than we are now.

The only path leads lower...to the bottom.

？！

Yes, exactly. It's nonsensically structured, as only dreams can be.

Honestly. My apologies. This is most likely my own nightmare.

Were this your nightmare, it wouldn't have been as malicious as it is now.

Is this Eli the mixed dragon Servant? Hahaha. A concert festival certainly sounds interesting.

Eh? A nightmare? Isn't it just music? What? I don't get the underlying issue?

That...is terrifying.

My own mother, perhaps reflective of the times, spoiled me. Yet I still feel maternal love from Nightingale's fierceness.

Either way, isn't it nice to know the Servant is genuinely concerned for you?

A dream where she chases after you with a tank of disinfectant on her back? ...I see, that IS a nightmare...

？！

Anyway, let's begin our descent. I have a feeling that that is our best option.

It is annoying, though, to have so many creatures scuttling about... No, it shouldn't be an issue.

We should have no trouble breaking through. Now then, let us cut them down.

...Master. I am afraid I have some bad news.

Firstly, this miasma is only getting thicker. Secondly, the incoming enemies are exponentially powerful than the ones we previously fought.

...It can't be...

？！

...Let's just move forward.

Considering we're in an underground labyrinth, the air here is dry. I see...

The environment is quite similar to the world that I lived in. However, I never heard of such a labyrinth as this before.

And...

I sense a strong, regal aura. If this place is similar to my world, it could only mean...

Ah, you're here! Arjuna!

I knew it was you. Rama, great king of Kosala...

To think that the grand hero himself would condescend to address me that way...what an honor this is!

Now, then...answer me this, Arjuna.

Are you an honorable Kshatriya? Or are you something else?

Answer me after this battle!

This is my answer: I am a Kshatriya, but I am a Servanta familiarat the same time.

I have a warrior's pride. I fulfill my duties as a familiar.

I can be both. I will not forsake my pride as a warrior, even as I swear my loyalty as a familiar.

So you understand the theory. A sensible answer, as I would expect from the great Arjuna.

But your response is acceptable only because this is a peaceful moment. I wonder whether you can give the same answer in a time of crisis.

...Are you mocking me?

Move on to your next trial, hero. Your destined enemy awaits!

...I know. There's only one warrior in this world who radiates such fighting spirit.

You've come, Arjuna.

Karna... Why are you here!? You shouldn't be in a place like this!

My presence here suggests that you believe otherwise.

An enemy who puts a question to Arjuna... That is my role here.

I ask of you, my sworn enemy: Who are you?

...!

Got you!

Goodbye, Karna...!

？！

...

Master...?

Suffer?

Nonsense. Karna is my sworn enemy.

As a Servant, I am bound to cross blades with him every time we meet...

...That's...not true. Karna is my sworn enemy.

I have more than enough loathing for him.

With a Master by my side, there is no reason why I should not shoot him down.

？！

...However...

Karna. Our fight is over. I know you are not fool enough to ask for a rematch right here.

Leave. If you do so, I will spare your life.

And...to answer your question: my True Name is Arjuna.

I am a Servant of Master Fujimaru.

...That's a lie.

...What did you just say?

Do not lie to yourself, Arjuna.

As a Servant, you are forgetting one crucial thing.

As long as you hide from that, you are not a true Servant.

...!

I am...

Fujimaru and Arjuna. You must proceed further, to the depths of the abyss.

You are free to withdraw. There are manners even between friends, and some things are better left undisturbed.

You may think of the worst case scenario. It may be a brutal scene where everyone will get hurt.

？！

Master...

It seems Master's mind is set. Arjuna, what will you do?

...

Why should I fear the depths of my own abyss! Master, let us go!

No matter what evil or carnage awaits, justice lives within my heart!

I see. Then let's go.

...I see. So that is me.

A man who sits on the throne, wearing a cold smile. He shows no fear of forsaking the path of a warrior.

What we see ahead is the dark Krishna. Arjuna, is that the true form of the darkness you possess?

Yes. It is an ugly thing, I must say.

Krishna.

He's one of the avatars of the god Vishnu, and it was he who sided with Arjuna in the epic of Mahabharata.

There is no doubt that he existed. He is one of the great heroes who toyed with our armies.

He is even said to have been a charioteer for Arjuna.

But there was another Krishna...one who nested himself here.

Krishna! The me who has taken the name of my friend!

So you've returned, Arjuna. Or is this an expedition?

Have you come here to expel the darkness and seek light?

That's right!

How foolish, my friend!

As the one called Kiriti, the Shining Crown, the only thing that can save me is the darkness found in the innermost depths.

How ironic. How sad. By growing stronger, by forming closer bonds...

I am left with no choice but to kill those with whom I have bonded.

And now...you have two individuals you must kill.

That's...

Please...do not look at me! I'm a hero. I'm a hero. No. That is not me!

I must be a proper hero. That's why I must conceal that "me"!

Especially in front of you, Master!

That's right. I am all that he thinks of as ugly and embarrassing. That's my role here.

And so, I must kill you. Swiftly, quietly, and gently.

？！

...What did you just say?

Master...!?

？！

But...but I am...! I was privileged!

I respected good! I hated evil...I lived as a proud warrior!

There is no way I have such malice within me!

No... I cannot allow something so vile to exist within me!

That's right, Arjuna!

Not one person has ever seen this face of mine. No matter who it is, I must kill them.

If I don't, I cannot remain a hero. This murder is a harsh necessity if I am to remain a hero!

You are louder than usual, Krishna.

You must be panicking. A third party has never reached this far in.

Rama represents the many obstacles in one's life. I represent Arjuna's antagonist.

And then you, Krishna...you are Arjuna's ally. And at the same time, you are here to represent evil.

You are the dark shadow that burrowed into his heart at a young age...

You hold completely different beliefs, priorities, and morality than him... You are his other personality who speaks to him from within.

Yes. We are all mere personalities comprised from Arjuna's memory, myself included.

But Master was the exception. He merely answered the call out of concern for Arjuna.

Wh-what? Concern?

Arjuna.

In the end, we never once rode out in chariots or took up arms together.

Consequently, I always thought we were bound to be enemies.

But it's different now. Things have changed.

When we were in America, I knew you understood my thoughts...or rather, that you were on the verge of understanding.

I...

Shut up...shutupshutupshutupshutup! Know your place, Karna!

Just like me, you are evil itself. That's why you were defeated...

Lend me your hand, Master. Together with Arjuna...

We will silence this dark Krishna. Convincing him will come after!

Ungh! Not yet! Give me your hand, Arjuna!

We must stand up together to fight against evil!

...

...No. That's wrong. You're wrong, Krishna.

I know it's wrong.

Wh-what?

I've been thinking about this the whole time. It's because of you that I was able to fire that arrow.

I blamed all my cowardice, everything I did that was unbecoming of a true warrior...on you.

...At that time, I just wanted relief. I thought the battle with Karna was going to last forever.

The person I had been was being swallowed, and I despaired, knowing I was moving away from the path of a warrior.

But I must accept it. No matter how much I wish to resist, the one who fired that arrow was...

Don't say it, Arjuna! If you say it, you will be cursed for thousands of years!

You must say it, Arjuna.

There is no correct answer. The only thing you can do is hold on to your conviction until the very end.

There will be times when you will feel lost. That is why we must walk the path with Master.

A Servant needs to live their second life carrying their doubts with them.

After all, you have never before reached this place where you now stand, not even in life.

...I was the one who fired the arrow.

I held that arrow, I fit the arrow to the bow, and let it loose. It was me, Arjuna.

I'm sorry.

Krishna. At that decisive moment, you were not on the chariot with me.

That's right.

Krishna was fighting elsewhere. But after he learned of how much humiliation you suffered, he kept quiet.

...You are going to be admitting your own evil. Whether you be alive, dead, or even a Heroic Spirit, you cannot ever take that back.

You will bear this regret for eternity.

That may be true. But I have decided I will no longer fear regret.

...

I see...Then I shall hold on to that regret of yours.

Krishna?

Maybe...just maybe...my existence is the leak in the dam.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

Nothing. I'm just talking to myself. Don't worry about it. It's time to wake up, Fujimaru.

It's unlikely I will make another appearance anytime soon. You should forget about this whole dream.

I will not be appearing here again. Farewell Arjuna. Farewell Master.

I will fade away too.

But I must apologize, Master. The numerous times you were put in danger...all of it was because of me.

It is probably because the bond between you and I has grown stronger.

The deeper the bond I form with someone, the more fearful I become of them learning of the existence of my Krishna.

That's why I called you to my dream, and tried to kill you.

I'm such a fool... A vile, detestable betrayer. I would not protest should I be put to death.

...Master. Now you know all of who...of what I am.

And yet, you still embrace my everything...my light, my darkness, and my evil.

I see... Then I will never again fear that smile of yours, nor this darkness. Never again...

？！

You have awoken, Master. I thank you for showing me such a wonderful dream.

And I would also like to apologize for putting your life in danger.

But I am in something of a bind. The crime that I committed should cost me my life, but if I do offer up my life, I would not be able to fight for you anymore.

Whatever should I do?

？！

...Good morning.

I will waver no more. I will dedicate all that I have to serving you.

But now that I think about it...

I felt like I was on a long, long journey... Yet it seemed a short thing at the same time.

There is nothing absolute in this world. Various substances prowl, wander, and are transient.

Emotions are no exception. Even love can one day change to hate and sadness.

Or the opposite might happen.

But there is just one thing that I can say with confidence.

...I feel fortunate to have met you.