~Shinji Matou POV~
Damn, you know, seeing him on a screen and seeing him in real life is completely different. I thought while dodging the meaty claws of the hulking giant, which was Heracles. Like most of these servants that were manifested by the cards, he was significantly weaker. Instead of his usual fighting style as a berserker that consisted of clotheslining the opponent with his giant stone axe-sword, he was now coming at me and Miyu with his bare hands. Not that it seemed to hinder the demi-god in the slightest, as he crushed the roof we were fighting on with his bare hands.
"Miyu!" I yelled out as I jumped over Heracles, and using Medusa's chains, I held him down with the monstrous strength skill. Not a second later, blood was sprayed on me from the wound from the red spear that went through his chest.
Before I could react, a black blur shot at me and an indescribable pain shot through my chest, despite the magical enhancements I had at maximum output. I was flung through the air and slammed into the barrier of the mirror world.
Damnit, even with both of us going all out, we barely got that life. But at least we got it down. Now we need to get through eleven more lives; thankfully, God Hand is ranked down to C rank, so I can use Assassin's Noble Phantasms.
While she had a Noble Phantasm with the name Zabaniya in it, she wasn't able to qualify for the title Hassan-i-Sabbah. During her life, she was a candidate for the title, but she was unable to obtain an original divine miracle by the name of Shayṭān like the other leaders. While she wasn't able to create a divine miracle herself, she was able to faithfully recreate all past eighteen Zabaniya techniques.
Uninstalling the Rider class card, I quickly put it in my bag of holding before installing the Assassin class card. Once I transformed fully, I used presence concealment. With no one able to see me, I took in what was happening. Miyu was running away from Heracles while attacking any time she could, but any attack done by Gae Bolg was deflected due to the bullshit that was God Hand.
Rin and Luvia were trying to be of some use, but any gems they tried to use were easily swatted away or were dodged completely.
And now! Seeing an opening in the berserker's defense, I dashed forward and jumped onto the giant's shoulders. Heracles tried to swing at me, but my body moved on the instincts engraved into this saint graph as my body contorted in an inhuman way to dodge it. I felt my presence concealment drop, but that was fine.
"Zabaniya–!" My left shoulder seemed to detach from my shoulder and flash out of the robe I was wearing, allowing me to touch Heracles on his forehead. Of course, Heracles even with subpar stats was still Heracles one of the greatest fighters in history, so he easily reached up and grabbed me immediately. I felt him trying to squeeze me in his grip, so I used the Noble Phantasm Zabaniya: Heretical Reminiscence, which allows the user's body to turn into smoke. The original Hassan who created it could use it for a week without stopping, but even with the Noble Phantasm Zabaniya: Phantasmal Pedigree, the nameless assassin could only have it last a couple of seconds. But that was all I needed as I slipped out of his grip and finished the chant for the first Noble Phantasm I used. "Cyber Phantasy!"
*Boom*
Heracles' head glowed for a second before it exploded, pushing me away. The explosion was very close, but with Zabaniya: Febrile Inspiration, a defensive technique that makes the user's skin as hard as a Demon Realm crystal, I survived. Once I regained my footing, I looked back at Heracles and saw that he was now missing the upper part of his body.
"Matou-san, what was that?" Miyu asked while walking up beside me.
"It was mine noble phantasm. Now I want thou to take Tohsaka and Edelfelt out of the mirror world and join back with thou and not bear back when thou doth." I said, getting a confused look from Miyu. "Sorry, this servant's personality is a lot; I was saying to take Tohsaka and Edelfelt out of here and to stop holding back; after all, you know how to use the cards."
Miyu's eyes widened in shock, and her mouth opened to say something, but the roar of Heracles pulled our attention. "Miyu, I'll answer any questions you have later. For now, get them out of here while I pull Heracles into the building," I said before dashing toward Heracles. As expected, the giant was in tip-top condition once again and came at me with the mentality of a raging bull. But that was exactly what I needed as I weaved in and out of the smoke cloud that Heracles was making bigger with each failed attack, using Zabaniya: Meditative Sensitivity to do so with ease. As his attacks failed one after the other, my plan was coming closer and closer to completion, and after about a minute of dodging, I felt the ground shifting under me, and I knew it was time.
Reaching up under my hood, I flicked my now longer blue hair that moved like serpents through the air before they sliced into the ground with ease, making it give way and sending Heracles down to the floor below. It was thanks to Zabaniya: Raving Shadow Flash that my hair was now longer and as sharp as sharpened steel.
Turning slightly, I saw Miyu with Rin and Luvia. Giving her a quick nod, I proceeded to jump down after Heracles didn't want him coming back up here after all. As I fell after Heracles, I flipped over the desk that was thrown my way and activated another Noble Phantasm once Heracles was in my sight.
"Zabaniya–!" My right arm began glowing a bright red before it extended to crazy lengths. It went all the way up to Heracles, dodging his grabs, until I was able to touch his chest. All that happened in a couple of seconds before I landed on the ground. My arm was pulled back as a glowing heart appeared in my grasp. Heracles, perhaps sensing the danger, came charging at me, but it was too late as I crushed the heart. "Delusional Heartbeat!"
*Boom*
Instead of his attack landing, he missed me by an inch, barreling through the wall. "Nine more," I said with a grunt as I activated my presence concealment as Heracles crashed through the walls. Alright, next Zabaniya: Unfeeling Patrolling Spirits!
A thick white mist came out of my body, and that mist created many creatures, such as massive beasts, great serpents, and giants, that went to attack Heracles. I couldn't help but sigh in exasperation as he tore through them with ease, but that allowed me to activate Zabaniya: Delusional Poison Body. Pulling a dirk from under my robe, I sliced my palm, drawing blood that I flung at Heracles. As soon as the blood touched Heracles's skin, it immediately began to sizzle and burn away.
Alright, I just need two more strikes, and he'll be dead again.
With that thought in mind, I continued to use the Jinnīya to distract him, allowing me openings, and with the poison, he was slowing down considerably, allowing me to hit him with a glob of spit.
The final strike from me to him was him being held by one of the serpents and me pushing my arm through his chest.
Where are you, Miyu? I only have one Noble Phantasm left! I thought while flipping over the kick from Heracles and landing on it, I used it as a springboard to dodge the hands that were about to grab me.
Heracles continued to chase me through the building, smashing walls left and right, but with presence concealment, and drawing his attention by dropping it every so often to draw the attention of the mad berserker, just stalling for time so Miyu could come and help.
"Master Shinji, that magical signature!" Kunzite said, and I couldn't help but smile as I felt it too.
"Alright, time to use my final noble phantasm," I said with a smile as I ran at Heracles. As I ran at him, I opened my mouth, concealed by my veil, and released a high-pitched sound. This was the noble phantasm Zabaniya: Ichor of Reverie.
Heracles suddenly stopped in his tracks as he dropped to one knee. And while he already had signs of getting up, it gave me enough time to activate my last offensive Noble Phantasm. My right arm stretched and allowed me to touch his chest. "Zabaniya: Dead Heartbeat Melody!"
In an instant, a shape was blasted into his chest, and if I was being honest, it reminded me of Sakura's command seals that she had for the fifth Holy Grail War.
"Alright, Miyu, you're up!" I said as I dashed away from Heracles.
From above, a blur came through and stopped right beside me. There, Miyu stood wearing a blue and gold outfit that consisted of a skirt, a top, a pair of greaves, and a pair of gauntlets. The skirt is very short and has a gold trim along the hem. The top is also very tight and has a gold collar and a gold design on the front. The top also exposes her midriff. The greaves were silver and reached up to her knees. The gauntlets were also silver in color and covered her arms up to her elbows. Her hair was also now styled into a ponytail.
"Well, look who decided to show up after all," I said while smiling at Miyu.
"Sorry for the delay, Matou-san! But I'm ready to help you." Miyu said while brandishing Excalibur at the awakening Heracles.
"Okay, I'll leave the damage to you; I'll be the distraction if you need it," I said, but before I could do anything else, my install state dispersed and the assassin class card came out of my chest. "Never mind, it looks like I used the card too much," I said with a sigh before I began using Cross Tail. "Looks like I'm on support duty, but I can still help."
I had no idea if these wires could even hurt him through God Hand since it was a conceptual armor that takes rank into account.
"Thank you, Matou-san," Miyu said before dashing a Heracles with his following suit to meet her charge head-on.
Miyu moved with grace, dodging Heracles's initial attack, and in a quick movement, she slashed his chest. That wasn't enough to take him out, as he sent a kick at Miyu, but with a thought, I pulled her out of the way with the wires of Cross Tail.
"Miyu, his body is a Noble Phantasm that gains resistance to whatever kills him, so after you kill him with the weapon, you'll have to use the Noble Phantasm." I said while dodging Heracles.
"Understood!" Miyu said as she went to attack Heracles, dodging his attacks with ease and weaving between each of Heracles's strikes. Whenever she was in a spot where she couldn't dodge, I would pull her out of danger.
It wasn't long until Miyu stabbed Heracles through the chest; she then pulled the blade up, spraying blood everywhere.
"Now Miyu!" I yelled as I bound Heracles's arms and legs with Cross Tail before he could resurrect.
Miyu, without hesitation, brought Excalibur to her waist, and magical energy began to gather. Heracles had already resurrected and was fighting against the bindings, snapping some of them, but they were holding up surprisingly well.
"Ex-Calibur!" With an upward swing, she released the beam of golden light that rushed at the struggling Heracles. But even as his struggle intensified, he wasn't able to break all the wires in time, and he was consumed by the beam.
Hopefully, he's dead, but knowing who he is, he's more than likely alive. I thought with a sigh as I ran over to Miyu, and I was able to catch her just in time before she fell back to the ground with the Saber card coming out of her.
"Go ahead and rest, Miyu; I'll handle it," I said with a smile as I grabbed the Saber Class card.
"But..." Miyu said before I shut her up with my wires.
"You don't have to do everything alone anymore; you can rely on those around you now. Don't let your brother's efforts be a waste. Sapphire, make sure she's safe as well." I said while laying her against the wall to rest before walking to the last place where Heracles was. "Now. Illya, I know you want to do your little dramatic entrance, but we don't have the time." I said toward the opening above me while also feeling the vibrations that were getting stronger by the second.
"Wah! Shinji-san, you knew I was here!" The voice of Illya rang out before she floated down.
"Now come on, we're going to do a power of friendship power-up here," I said with a smile as I walked up to her. "Now let's do this together!"
"Yeah, let's end this, Shinji-kun! And keep moving forward!" Illya said with a smile as we crossed Kunzite and Ruby the Saber class card between them.
"Parallel Include!" We said it at the same time. With a flash of light, I was now holding Excalibur and looking up, and to the side, I saw Illya holding one as well, and floating above us were seven more copies. Obviously, the ones here weren't the true Excalibur that was forged by the fairies, just an imitation of a noble phantasm, but that was more than enough.
It was just in time as Heracles finally arrived at the top of the building. We pointed our respective Excalibur at Heracles, and the ones above us mimicked our movements.
"Excalibur!!" We said at the same time as several beams of light that combined were shot at Heracles, incinerating him from the face of the mirror world.
As soon as the beam disappeared, the include state was terminated, turning it back into the class card, and I fell onto my back, and even my Prisma Trace state dispersed, bringing me back to my normal clothes.
"If he's not dead, I will eat the most disgusting food in the world," I said with a sigh while closing my eyes, allowing myself to relax since the fight started.
"Ah, Shinji-san, are you okay?" Illya's voice rang in my ears, and if I had to guess, she probably had a look of concern on her face. But I was too tired beyond belief due to using about 12 noble phantasms back to back to fight Heracles.
"Let me rest for a minute or two to get my strength back."
"But the mirror world will collapse any second. Also, Miyu is glaring at you." Illya said nervously.
Opening my eyes and looking around, I saw Miyu was now standing and glaring at me while Sapphire tried to get rid of the wires around her mouth, failing to do so.
"Fine, let's head up first, and then I'll deal with my wires, Miyu," I said as I used Cross Tail to pull myself up onto the rooftop, but not before grabbing the Saber and Berserker class cards, followed by Miyu and Illya. "Come here, Miyu," I said, signaling for her to come over, to which she complied. With a quick use of Cross Tail, I cut the loose strands I left on purpose, letting them fall to the ground.
"Good job, you three; let's go home." Rin said with a smile, and judging by the smile on Luvia's face, she felt the same, but being the stubborn person she was, she didn't say anything. "Prepare the mirror road spell, Illya."
"I got it," Illya said before activating the spell, bringing us back to the real world.
"Now without further adieu, here is your reward," I said with a smile while handing Rin the Berserker, Saber, Assassin, and Rider cards, while Miyu handed over the Lancer card and Illya handed over the Caster and Archer cards. "Make sure you do your jobs properly next time so children don't have to get involved."
"While I would like to argue with you, you're right. I'll keep that in mind. I don't think me and Luvia could have gotten through this with you, Illya's, and Miyu's help, so thanks for fighting till the end." Rin said with a maturity that surprised me, even making me slightly embarrassed. "Now all I have to do is go back to London with these cards and–." Before she could continue, the sound of a chopper's propellers filled my ears, and Luvia quickly grabbed the cards. A helicopter then came over the side of the building, and Luvia jumped onto the ladder that was already over the side.
"Oooooohohohoho!! You got careless at the last moment, Tohsaka Rin!! Don't worry, though, I'll take these personally to the Wizard Marshall himself!!" Luvia laughed maniacally while the helicopter flew into the distance.
"Whaaaaaaa–!?" Rin yelled before running over to the edge of the building and then jumping off onto the building across from this one. "Get back hereeeeeeee!!"
"Hahahahaha, I guess I'll let them fight for today!" I said with a laugh as I turned toward the sunrise, taking in its splendor. "So what do you two plan to do now?" I asked the duo behind me with a smile.
"Um, I might have to head home soon; after all, Sella-san might worry about me," Illya said nervously.
"And I should make sure Luvia-san is okay," Miyu said with her usual emotionless face, but I could tell it was softer than before.
"Before you two go, let's relax for a little bit. After all, we won and got all the class cards," I said while relaxing.
"You should take Shinji-san's suggestion, Miyu-sama; you deserve to rest," Sapphire said with concern.
"Yes, it's just like a romantic–!" Before the perverted stick could continue its perverted rant, I shot a water bullet at it.
"Please stop and just let us relax, you perverted stick," I said with a sigh before relaxing once again with Illya and Miyu.
[***]
"I swear you two are such a hassle," I said with a sigh while grabbing the class cards out of the unconscious Rin's hand. With a sigh I looked over to Luvia who was also unconscious after they had their little fight. Using my chains, I bound the remaining cards with myself before putting the others back, only taking the Assassin and Caster class cards with me as I left.