At the Temple of Time's core, the ultimate powers representing creation and protection still fiercely collided.
Gilgamesh's arrow of creation shredded chaos itself, constantly obliterating the surrounding laws of space, seeking to revert all things to original nothingness. In contrast, Lord Logres's Excalibur was orderly and restrained—a sword fixed by the planet's will, stubbornly preserving the existing laws and trapping all destructive forces within its radiant blade.
Where their powers met, countless shifting black fissures opened up—proving that even the laws of the Temple of Time itself could not withstand their existence.
Yet, even in what appeared a stalemate, the balance was slowly, imperceptibly tipping.
Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm was powerful, but it relied entirely on his own magic and a temporary boost from the secret elixir. Meanwhile, Lord Logres fought within her home territory, supported by the Demon King wielding the Ten Rings.
It had been an unfair war of attrition from the start.
"Onore…!"
Gilgamesh clenched his teeth, feeling the pressure from the opposing side mounting ever higher.
"Don't you dare think you've got me beat, you mongrel!"
He roared, and again, golden ripples flared behind him.
This time, from the ripples emerged a gigantic golden chalice radiating the aura of the divine age—the Great Chalice of Uruk!
It was the wine cup he used to drink with his dearest friend Enkidu—a symbol of Uruk's kingship and vessel of tremendous magical power.
The dazzling golden beam vanished in a flash.
Lord Logres was now enveloped in a brilliant, ornate scabbard formed of countless points of light.
She had abandoned the long-distance exchange and chosen to protect herself with the sword's sheath—an absolute defense. Transformed into a golden comet, she ignored the raging storm and launched a reckless charge straight at Gilgamesh!
Her aim was clear. Ranged attacks would not decide the outcome. Only by ending the oldest king's reign with a fatal blow at close quarters could she hope to prevail.
She cut a straight path through the torn space, gathering the radiance of the stars in her holy sword.
He watched, helpless, as golden omens of death filled his vision—death's shadow looming closer than ever before.
Yet, the expected terror never came.
In that final instant, Gilgamesh flashed back to the grand space opera he had witnessed at the Tohsaka estate ten years ago, the vision Steve had performed just for him.
A smile of relief spread across his lips.
"—Avalon, the Ideal Land Beyond the World!"
Suddenly, a clear, distinct, and incredibly familiar voice rang out right before his eyes.
The next moment, a gentle, golden light—warmer and softer than the sheath of Lord Logres's sword—spread before him like the dawn's first ray.
Within that brilliance, one could see the vision of apple trees and sparkling lakes.
Boom!!!
Lord Logres's ultimate sword flashed, fiercely striking the golden light.
The two powers—born from the same source—collided violently.
In the end, the sword light, powerful enough to sever causality itself, was completely separated and dissipated by the laws of the fairyland, vanishing into nothingness.
When the light faded, a young woman in blue battle attire and silver armor stood quietly before Gilgamesh, holding the golden sword sheath.
He was stunned.
Without looking back, Artoria spoke in a calm voice to the man behind her. "Now is not the time to indulge in fantasy."
"You said you'd deal with other me, and then left right away. That's not the way of someone who claims to be serious, is it?"
Her words, simple but powerful, struck Gilgamesh's weakened will like a heavy hammer, rekindling his fighting spirit as never before!
"Heh… Hahahahaha!"
Buoyed by the exhilaration of survival and the surge of new resolve, he let out a piercing, triumphant laugh. "Well said, Saber! Exactly right!"
"No doubt, I was a little careless earlier!"
Straightening up, he sheathed the divine bow above him; once again, golden ripples danced around him, and the prototypes of countless Noble Phantasms began to move.
He stepped forward, and with rare resolve, drew the crimson primordial sword Ea, standing shoulder to shoulder with Artoria. Without hesitation, he offered his former nemesis his back.
"Then, let me show you, what power two Kings united can unleash!"
"This, which no one could have obtained…"
A battle that transcends era and script—now reaches its glorious climax!