Can the Corrupted Holy Grail be Permanently Destroyed in the Fate Series?

The Holy Grail in the Fate series is a powerful and complex artifact that grants wishes but often becomes corrupted by the negative emotions and desires of the souls it absorbs. The idea of completely destroying the Grail is a recurrent theme in the series, exploring the intricacies of desire, fate, and the cyclical nature of human aspirations. In this article, we will delve into the concept of the Holy Grail, its corruption, and the attempts to destroy it in the Fate series.

Corruption of the Holy Grail

The Holy Grail's corruption is a central theme in the Fate series. Due to the negative emotions and desires of those who interact with it, the Grail becomes tainted, leading to tragic consequences. This corruption is most vividly displayed in the events of Fate/Zero, where the Grail's power spirals out of control, culminating in a chaotic and destructive struggle among the participants.

Destruction Attempts

Despite the Grail's corruption, characters within the series attempt to negate or destroy its influence. In Fate/stay night, particularly in the Finality of Destruction -track, Shirou and Saber work to counter the corrupting influence of the Grail. However, the series suggests that while one can stop the Grail's influence in a given timeline, the concept of the Grail itself—representing human desire—cannot be entirely eradicated. New corruptions may arise as the nature of human desire is cyclical.

Is Complete Destruction Possible?

The series portrays the complete and permanent destruction of the Grail as highly unlikely. The Grail is deeply intertwined with human nature and desires, meaning it can potentially return in some form. Even if the Grail is physically destroyed, its essence and influence may persist in some manner, as seen in the events of Heaven's Feel's Normal ending, where the Grail is destroyed by an Excalibur blast.

Moreover, in the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars, we see Kiritsugu Einzbern's plan to destroy the Grail's physical basis. The Grail's power is drawn from a magical circle located in a cavern under Mount Enzou, near Caster's temple. Kiritsugu's strategy was to disrupt this power supply by detonating explosives along the ley lines of Fuyuki, the city where the Grail Wars take place.

Conclusion

While characters in the Fate series attempt to destroy or negate the influence of the corrupted Holy Grail, complete and permanent destruction is portrayed as a challenge. The Grail's existence is fundamentally tied to human nature and its desires, making it an enduring and cyclical element in the series. However, in the context of the Fate series, the Grail can indeed be physically destroyed; the key lies in targeting its physical manifestation and power source.