The Master drummed his fingers against the table, considering the possibility. Those dogs were turning out to be another unexpected but potent asset. "…Maybe. It might mean stepping into Caster's territory, though, where he'd have the advantage…" he glanced towards his Servant's left arm. "And you're still not at full fighting capacity."
"I can back her up while tracking him," Assassin X chimed in. "Or if you're insistent on me staying with you and Maiya, Master, I can provide her with a clone instead." He shared a smile with a grateful Saber.
Kiritsugu hummed in thought before finally saying, "…We'll leave that possibility open for now." He ignored the sense of camaraderie between his Servants; someone had to focus on the bigger picture. "But we still need to take precautions while here. Iri, have you figured out how to work the security spells inside the forest?"
Irisviel nodded brightly. "Yes, they shouldn't be difficult." Then her excitement faded. "But… aside from Lancer's curse and Caster, there's one thing that really bothers me, Kiritsugu." Everyone looked to the homunculus. When he nodded for her to go on, she went on. "What about the other rogue Servant?" Her hand trembled, so she clutched it tightly. "The other Rider?"
His eyebrows narrowed at the next point. This Servant was of particular concern. "Rider X has been the hardest to locate. Aside from his high-speed travel, he's been to just about every part of the city, including its borders, from what the dogs have reported to me."
Saber frowned as well, her thoughts traveling to that hulking, violent, unpleasant foreigner. "Maybe he is mapping the city's terrain himself," she offered. "I may be wrong, but he seemed to have a tactical mindset underneath his arrogance. And if he is really on his own, he would have no allies to join up with."
"I agree about Rider X knowing more about tactics than he let on." Saber blinked in open shock at her Master agreeingwith her, but Kiritsugu went on as though he hadn't noticed. "But he does have allies. Assassin X?"
The Servant of the Shadows had picked up a paper pad and a pen and had begun sketching something on two separate sheets. "Last night, Maiya received a visitor during our mission at the Hyatt." Saber kept her frown as she recalled the attempt to use dishonorable tactics on the Master of her new rival, but she held her tongue out of solidarity for their partnership. "While fighting him, I noticed Kirei Kotomine had these on his hands."
He showed the women the two drawings. One a mass of circular sweeps, almost certainly Command Seals in Irisviel's eyes. The other, an angular face with spikes pointing upward.
She didn't recognize it, but Saber did after a moment of thought. "That symbol… it was on Rider X's chestplate, I'm positive of it." Her frown deepened. "So, Kirei Kotomine is the one who summoned him? The one who used to be his Master?"
"Used to be… and might still be." For once, Kiritsugu Emiya shared Artoria Pendragon's feelings. "Assassin wasn't killed in his confrontation with Tohsaka's Servants. Assassin X killed two more of him and evaded a third while extracting Maiya. So, if Kotomine has retained the service of one of his Servants…"
"It's not unthinkable that the other one cutting ties with him was just a ruse," Assassin X finished, his wariness visible even through his mask. "Which also means that Kotomine is still part of the War despite supposedly relinquishing his rights as Master. Remember what the name of the overseer is?"
Irisviel blinked as she tried to remember. "Yes, Risei…" her crimson eyes widened, "…Kotomine. His father."
Assassin X nodded to her before glancing to the final occupant. "Maiya also did a little digging around for me. We knew before that Kirei Kotomine had apprenticed under Tokiomi Tohsaka before going his own way when his Command Seals appeared, but she discovered another interesting detail."
The dark-suited woman stepped closer and reported in a neutral tone. "Risei Kotomine has been a longtime friend of the Tohsaka family. And I checked the city records. Fuyuki Church is official Tohsaka property. All evidence suggests that the overseer and his son, the Master, may be subordinates of Tokiomi Tohsaka."
That statement stilled the room as Irisviel and Saber processed the theory the other three had developed. Finally, Irisviel asked, "Are you sure about this? The overseer is meant to be completely neutral, and accusing him of siding with a Master would be a grave offense for the Church."
Kiritsugu nodded. "I know, and we don't have any concrete proof either. We wouldn't be able to call out the Church with mere speculations." He folded his arms. "But that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. Until we know for sure, assume that Kotomine and Tohsaka are in an alliance and have the Church on their side. Understood?" Everyone nodded to his words. "Saber, Assassin X." Both Servants focused on him. "Remember my orders concerning Kirei Kotomine?"
"Yes."/"Of course."
"The same applies for Rider X." Kiritsugu's expression darkened at the mention of that foreigner. Wherever he came from or whatever he could do, he had a bad feeling about the self-proclaimed conqueror. "I don't know how exactly he fits in this plan, but I'm positive he's still under Kotomine's command. The second you see an opportunity, destroy that Servant."
"Understood," the Heroic Spirits said in unison. Concerning Rider X, everyone was in agreement about the danger.
Then the last of the Emiya bloodline let his arms fall to the side, relaxing again. "As for the other Servants, let them exhaust themselves in the search for Caster." His smirk returned while saber's frown remained, though for other reasons. "It'll be a total frenzy out there, especially if they choose to fight in the forest here, where we can control the battlefield. Once they're exhausted, Assassin X and I can pick them off. Including Lancer, if we're lucky."
"With all due respect, Master," Saber said in a tight manner, "I would prefer confronting Lancer myself. Settling our duel honorably and on equal grounds. The rest may be another matter, and I understand the chaos of war, but this is a matter of knights between him and me."
But he simply began to collect all of the papers and photos, sorting them away for future reference. His face showed no indication that he had even heard her. This rankled Saber, because she knew he had heard his request, but that he simply chose to ignore it. Ignore her honor. She made to rage at him for insulting the pride of the Heroic Spirits, for doubting her abilities so blatantly, for not showing her the trust he did-
'I'll see what I can do.' Assassin X's voice traveled into her mind. She spared a quick glance to see the Copy Ninja subtly raising his hands in a placating gesture.
The King of Knights took a breath to calm herself, deciding to let the issue slide. Kiritsugu Emiya's ways still infuriated her pride as a knight, but she trusted her comrade. She knew that he acknowledged her side as well as their Master's and would at least try to find a way to help. '…Thank you.'
Irisviel watched the Servants nod to each other before turning to see her husband clear the table without another word. His movements were economic, emotionless, like the actions of a machine. She could smell traces of tobacco from his clothing. His strategies showed no regard for magus pride, for any concept of honor, for value of human life. The way he had coldly ignored any statement from Saber that didn't have anything he would deem useful… Irisviel's heart lurched a bit. There was no doubt, her Kiritsugu was reverting back to who he had been before meeting her. Before they had found love together.
She felt anger for how her love had treated Saber, relief that Assassin X was working as ever to keep the fragile balance between them… and sorrow. The homunculus had known that the Mag Killer would have to reemerge for the War to be won. It was why the Einzbern family had approached him in the first place. And her love for him, their child and their wish hadn't wavered.
Yet Irisviel von Einzbern couldn't say she was happy with the state Kiritsugu Emiya was in.
"Unless there's anything else," he said while grabbing the sides of the map, "the meeting's over now. Irisviel and I will stay in the castle with the Servants and prepare for Caster. Maiya, head back into the city and continue gathering intel. Notify me if anything changes and keep your head down." Folding up the map, he walked out of the dining room without another glance.
"Right." Maiya acknowledged the request with no sign of pride or exhaustion. She'd been given her tasks and would carry them out. If it meant seeing Kiritsugu's dream fulfilled, she would lay down her life without question. Whether or not his plans were morally bereft was of no consequence. She collected her own files and made to leave as well.
Then she felt a presence next to her. "Sorry for holding you up," Assassin X said while continuing to sketch something on a sheet of paper, "but there might another matter you can help us with." Maiya stopped in her tracks and waited patiently. She had no opinion about Saber, but this Servant had proven to be useful and reliable in their working together. She appreciated him saving her life, as well as what he had been teaching her since yesterday and all of the other little niceties he took the time to show her. Even if those were redundant.
Kakashi finished one last line before showing his work to her. On the paper was a stylized suit of armor, few ornamental features other than the tassels hanging from its back and the sleek round helmet with a narrow visor. "I'm no artist," he admitted, "but this is roughly what that Berserker looked like with my Sharingan." As a foreign Heroic Spirit, he had no innate knowledge of the ones that belonged in this world. But that didn't mean he had no alternatives. "Maybe this can give us a clue to Berserker's identity."
That particular Servant put him on edge, though not quite like Rider X did. In the black Servant's case, it was his ability to veil himself from Master's eyes, his unmatched martial mastership despite his insanity… and his targeting Saber for some reason. Could they have known each other in life? Assassin X would've shown her the photo, but she seemed on edge right now, and he didn't want to burden her. The King of Knights has probably encountered hundreds of her "subjects." It might be hard to pick out one amongst them all. Even for her.
Maiya accepted the paper, staring quizzically at the drawing for a few moments. "…Nothing springs to mind now, but heroic mythologies aren't my area of expertise. I can think of a few sources that might be able to help us, though." She folded up the paper and put it away, nodding to her ally. "I'll see what I can find. Thanks." She frowned. "But why didn't you-"
"Mention this before?" He scratched his head. "I only thought about it just now, honestly. There were plenty of other concerns at the table, and thinking about us not having any way to learn about the other 'X' Servants like the ones here gave me this idea." Maiya accepted the reasoning with a nod; fair enough. Assassin X took on a thoughtful look. "You know, a clone of mine could go with you into the city. It couldn't hurt to have an aide and a bodyguard."
Maiya stood there in silence for a time until she finally shook her head. "Your clones make you divide your od, and the real you will need every bit of strength for aiding Kiritsugu. I can handle this by myself, without attracting attention."
"…Alright. If you're sure." The masked Servant relented as she nodded in thanks and moved on, her thoughts elsewhere. There were still a few things to check here before she could leave, but something else perplexed her. Not her answer to Assassin X's offer, but rather… that it had taken her so long to give it. Back when it had been just her and Kiritsugu, she'd have declined help in a heartbeat if it meant giving said help to him. What had changed?
She briefly glanced over her shoulder towards the shinobi from another world conversing with an oddly pale knight. Then her training kicked in, helping her compartmentalize. And so Maiya walked on.
Assassin X watched his ally go; he wondered if maybe he should send a clone to watch out for her, just in case. Maiya might be insulted at the lack of trust, but she doesn't seem the type for that. Caught up in his thoughts, he turned around to almost bump into another. "Oh, sorry… Saber? Are you alright?"
The young woman had remained in the room, calming herself down. She may've consented to Kiritsugu's initial strategy for now, but that didn't mean she was happy about it or forgiving towards his disrespect. So, she'd closed her eyes, smiled briefly at Irisviel squeezing her shoulder in solidarity before heading after her husband, and recalled Merlin's old lessons about restraining anger. The usual trick of counting until she was calm worked once she'd reached 134 and she'd opened her eyes…
To see the picture Assassin X was showing Maiya.
The Servant of the Sword stood frozen at her spot, emerald eyes widened in shock. "…What?" And a hint of horror.
Then she quickly recollected herself upon registering her partner's question. "O-oh, yes, A-Assssassin X. M-my apologies." She cleared her throat and tried to smile.
All the while, her thoughts were in turmoil. That armor… the helmet… Could it be? No, no, that's not possible. I-I must be mistaken…
Assassin X didn't need his left eye, a final gift from his teammate, to recognize a fake smile when he saw one (he'd given plenty himself over the years). Or the conflict in his friend's posture. "Are you sure? You look a little pale right now."
Saber's smile fell away, but she managed to suppress her inner strife just enough to settle for a disappointed frown. "I-I suppose I am still frustrated with the choice our Master has made for dealing with Caster." She released a genuine scoff. "Or I should say, not dealing with Caster." A part of her ached at this deception; she liked and trusted Kakashi.
But… there were topics she didn't want to delve into with anyone. Even friends.
Besides, she was certainly mistaken about the picture. Hecouldn't be Berserker… right?
Assassin X could tell that what Saber said wasn't everything. But he had a feeling that whatever was bothering her, it was personal. So, he chose to give her the benefit of privacy. "Yeah, I admit I'm not fully on board with simply letting him rampage about." Relief flashed in her eyes for a split second, he almost missed it. But he continued. "Still, we should be careful. Especially in this kind of situation."
A crazy Caster obsessed with Saber, all the other Servants right on his tail to either end him or capitalize on the situation… and the duo here smack-dab in the middle of it all.
"True," Saber admitted grudgingly, "but it just frustrates me, Assassin X." She began to pace out into the hall, her friend right behind her. She had to move, to vent somehow. How can Kiritsugu mock the pride of us Heroic Spirits so casually? How can he spit on honor like that? How can he be so, so…"
"Heartless?" Assassin X offered, drawing a sigh and a nod from her. A part of him ached at the words; there had been a time when he'd been little better than Kiritsugu, after all. Where others had voiced the same complaints about him. Kakashi hadn't been a complete monster, he'd simply believed in different virtues than…
He shook his head. Not a good time to dwell on that. Instead, a different idea came to mind. Recalling the look Irisviel had in her eye when she'd left, he continued to walk beside Saber and extended his hand to her. Saber eyed it in puzzlement. "Well, let's have another look," was all he said.
Irisviel found her husband up on the balcony overlooking the front garden. He leaned on both elbows against the cold stone, seemingly staring out into the night. He looked so exhausted now, a far cry from the cold planner he had been in the dining room.
Nevertheless, she steeled herself. They needed to have a word. She had to see for herself whether her husband was still there or if the Mage Killer had taken his place completely. "Kiritsugu…" she began as she walked along the balcony wall.
He spoke when she was about halfway to him. "If…" he paused as though hesitant. Then he tried again. "If I were… to cast this all aside… and run away from this War… would you come with me, Iri?" Kiritsugu couldn't help himself. Every word was pain to him.
Irisviel had frozen in shock. Of all the things for him to say, she hadn't expected this. "What about Ilya?" Her thoughts flashed to their sweet little princess. "She's still in the castle."
"I'd go right back for her and get her out." Kiritsugu answered, fire returning to his words. His fingers ground into his biceps, the echoes of pain spurring his words. "I'd kill anyone trying to stop me!" His words were too desperate to be anything but the truth. "And then…" his mind travelled to deceitful hopes, of images of a life they could have… "I'd give everything I have for you and Ilya. I'll-I'll protect you from anything."
One look at his face, at the war inside his painfully broken eyes, and Irisviel realized the war raging within the man. The war between a devoted, loving husband and father and the ruthless terror of magi worldwide.
Kiritsugu had changed. He himself realized it, much to his own fright. Before he'd met Iri, before they'd gotten their beautiful Ilya, he'd been alone, empty. Nothing to lose because he'd already sacrificed just about everything precious to him. Maiya was an asset, a trusted tool that he'd found along one of his many missions. He appreciated her services but couldn't allow himself to have any deeper feelings for her. For her sake… and for his. Everything, magic, guns, people, all just tools for the sake of his dream. A world without bloodshed.
Then came the day he made that deal with the Einzbern head. The day he learned there was indeed a way to see his dream fulfilled. And with that day came the meeting of Iri, saving her, teaching her about the world, teaching her how to be human, and relearning some of that for himself in the process. Then came Ilya, their child. Two lights in the darkness of his heart.
Two lights that he utterly feared would be snuffed out now that the final trials were here.
Irisviel's heart ached for him. She knew him well enough to recognize this struggle inside him, but this idea of fleeing worried her. "…Can we really just run away?"
"We can. Our chance is right in front of us-" Kiritsugu's voice broke. He knew it was just a ridiculous fantasy, but he wanted to believe so badly…
Two arms circled him from behind. "You're lying," Iri whispered behind him, burying her moist eyes into his back. He glanced conflicted over his shoulder as her hug tightened. "You know that's a lie. Kiritsugu Emiya would never run away. He would never abandon a chance for the Holy Grail and his quest for saving the world." She squeezed him tighter, tears staining his jacket. "You'd never forgive yourself. You'd judge and find yourself guilty…" her voice hitched, "and you'd take your own life."
Kiritsugu let these words wash over him, seeing the truth behind them and wishing they were wrong. But he couldn't. And he poured out his final fear.
"Kirei Kotomine…" Iri glanced up from his back at the name. "He terrifies me… He's set his sights on me. Maiya and Assassin X told me as much. He used Kayneth as bait to get to me. He figured out what I was planning.
"And then Rider X…" both shivered upon remembering that metallic creature. "There's something about that Servant that makes me think danger's right around the corner with him. I'm not sure what his intentions are… but the fact that Kirei Kotomine was the one to summon him… both terrify me, Iri. They scare me like no one else ever has in my life. I've already sacrificed you for victory…" his voice cracked from the pain. "…I've left Ilya behind… and now the most dangerous man in the War has designated me as his target. He's the one enemy I wanted to fight the least!"
Irisviel von Einzbern finally understood what had troubling the man she loved. It was so easy in theory to revert back to his old ways, to be the Mage Killer once again. But with her and Ilya now in his lives, he wasn't quite as steadfast as he used to be.
And she knew what her response to this would be. "I'm not letting you fight you alone, Kiritsugu." She stroked his back alongside her promise. "I'll protect you. Saber will protect you. Assassin X will protect you." Her throat caught upon thinking of the other woman that knew him so well, but she accepted him gratefully. "And… Maiya is here for you, too." Anything to help her beloved find his strength to win.
Kiritsugu finally relaxed into her embrace, husband and wife taking the luxury to enjoy this moment. This one moment of peace in a time of war.
Unknown to them, this moment had been witnessed by one other pair. Assassin X slumped against the wall by the doorway, having carefully selected a position where the shadows would hide them the most. He released an explosive sigh; the moment between Kiritsugu and Irisviel had been far beyond what he'd anticipated. He'd noticed his Master had seemed at war with himself these last few days, but to have that much weighing down on him…
'…Still think he's heartless?' he asked his companion. Saber was still staring at the scene in open shock. This scene of… vulnerability just now… she'd have never believed that could come from one like Kiritsugu Emiya. To see him so unsure of himself, so scared of another Master and his Servant… so worried for his family…
One side of her wanted to say it was all just a deceptive ruse. Another side, the noble one, chided her for such thoughts because she knew they stemmed from her prejudices towards Kiritsugu. So, Saber sighed as quietly as she could and nodded to her friend. 'I cannot agree with his methods, Kakashi. Even after seeing this. I know now that he does indeed have a heart, but that doesn't excuse his dishonorable plans.'
'I'm not saying they do, Artoria. I don't want you to stop arguing with him over these things at all. If anything, this shows us there is indeed a soul we can appeal to. Just…' Assassin gave her a slightly pleading look. 'Try to be patient with him. Please?'
Saber stared back at hm, then smiled. 'For Irisviel's sake, for ours,' she glanced one last time to her Master, basking in his wife's touch, 'and for his.' Not for the first time, she wondered if she was really so blind that she couldn't see the natures of those around her. "The king does not understand the hearts of men."
And not for the first time, she was grateful for the partner the Grail had assigned her. He inclined his head back down the way they'd came, and at a nod from her, they both skedaddled before the human and homunculus might take notice of their presence.
They needn't have worried; Irisviel was roused from her hopes by a sudden sensation inside her Magic Circuits that she recognized. An alarm. "Kiritsugu…"
"Company's here?" He straightened in her arms, allowing his old training to surface. "Good thing Maiya hasn't left yet. We can plan a counterattack."
Kiritsugu gently freed himself from his wife's embrace. He'd treasure this moment between them another time. "Iri, get a crystal ball ready for remote viewing." Now there was work to work only a Mage Killer could do.
They went back inside to find Maiya and the Servants already preparing themselves. The latter two likely sensed the presence of an enemy Servant and had alerted Maiya before she could leave. All five gathered back into the dining room where Kiritsugu and his associate locked and loaded their firearms and Irisviel set up a crystal ball as asked, Saber and Assassin X hovering over her. The Bounded Field outside sent an image to the enchanted item, allowing them to view it with perfect clarity. After a few moments of searching, Irisivel's eyes narrowed. "Found them."
The ball displayed a scene of Caster leading a group of children through the woods. Some were boys, others girls, none could've been past the age of ten. They all appeared to be in some frightful trance, following their captor who was walking along like he had all the time in the world. Caster's twisted magic at work.
Saber glared at the troubling parade while Assassin X's brow narrowed. This was the first time he, Kiritsugu or Maiya had seen him, but this freak's appearance matched the descriptions his hounds had given. "How far away are they, Irisviel?"
"About two kilometers north of the castle." Irisviel frowned; he was moving just along the skirts of her Field. One more step, and she'd be able to do more than just view.
And Caster seemed to know that. "He's baiting us," Saber muttered in disgust.
The two women focused on the children. "Hostages?" Irisviel guessed.
"Definitely," Assassin X replied grimly. "We charge down there without thinking, and he'll set off a trap for us that could kill those kids in the process."
"But we can't abandon them, either," Saber countered, drawing a nod from him. It wasn't ideal circumstances for her, not with her left hand, but she wouldn't let that stop her from protecting those below.
Then those large fish-like eyes snapped up to right where Irisviel was viewing, and Caster smiled at her. She gasped. "He knows we're watching!"
The deranged Servant bowed before them. "I, Gilles de Rais, have arrived as I promised." The crystal ball replayed his voice so clearly it was as though he was in the room. "Now I humbly ask to bask in the presence of the Holy Maiden." Saber and Assassin X braced themselves, but they hadn't received any command yet. And… they knew they'd be running into a trap.
Caster waited about in the woods, the children having gathered around him, then huffed. "Well, it seems you're taking your time. No matter, I have prepared for a period of waiting." With a snap of his fingers, the kids all started, turning their heads and looking about as though in a daze. Their charm had been lifted.
Judging by Caster's chipper tone, that was not a good thing. "Well, boys and girls, it's time for a little game." He planted his hands on his hips and leaned down towards them, the young souls backing away in rising anxiety. "How about hide-and-seek? Oh yes, that's a delightful one. You all know the rules, do you not?" He lifted a spindly finger up to his chilling grin. "You have to run and hide from me, for if I catch you…" The hand reached out and snagged a boy in pajamas, with short blonde hair and terrified eyes, by his head.
Irisviel's hands went to her mouth while the others tensed. "No!" Saber shouted, but it was no use. Caster couldn't hear her, and even if-
"STOP!"
Caster paused at the cry, then he was suddenly flying backwards, the boy released in his surprise. He tumbled head-over-heels across the ground, dirt flung up from his impact. The poor child quickly picked himself up and cowered away with the others.
The five inside the castle had witnessed this sudden turn in shock, then growing interest as a new presence drew steadily closer. Groaning, Caster lifted his mud-stained face to glare in angry surprise at his new adversary.
Caster X stepped out from among the trees, keeping his staff pointed at the other Servant of Spells. His tight posture told a clear story of his anger even before he spoke in a deep growl. "You will not harm these children. Not when I stand here, and not ever again." His hands snapped the staff sharply to his left. Simultaneously, an invisible force seemed to pick Caster up and hurl him screeching further away until he crashed into a tree. The force of his impact snapped the trunk in half, the upper part collapsing atop its breaker.
The wizard glared beneath his hat at his enemy before relaxing as he shifted towards the terrified children. "Come, I will not hurt you." His voice was so gentle as he beckoned to him with his right hand, the watching Irisviel felt an even greater swell of relief than when she first sensed his presence. Maiya hid her own relief under a stoic face. Saber and Assassin X had grown hopeful as well; they remembered this one briefly appearing at the docks, and his sole interest then had been to safely extract his partner. The King of Knights respected Caster X for how he had treated Berserker (regardless of who was underneath the armor).
As for Kiritsugu, he'd been bracing himself for when that boy would get slaughtered. There was nothing they could've done for him, the fact gave him no joy, but he'd accepted it. The other Caster's arrival had been a bit of a surprise. Is he alone or did Berserker come, too? Either way, looks like the other Servants might get here faster than I'd expected. Good.
First the boy that had been spared a crushed skull ran over to his savior, then the rest soon followed, crying tears of relief. They all huddled around the old man, hugging what they could of his robed legs. Caster X tended to each of them with gentle words, and they seemed thankfully unharmed. The sharpest eyes among the viewers could make out a soft smile amidst his hat and beard.
Then that faded as a vicious snarl echoed through the air. The broken tree where Caster had been thrown into shook violently, then was tossed aside with a grunt. Caster pushed himself with a huff to his full height, blood trickling from his face. The telekinetic push had been painful, but even a weakling like him suffered no injury from an ordinary tree falling on him.
The children all fearfully drew closer to Caster X, grabbing tightly to his clothes. The wizard himself straightened and glared towards the one that shared his class and nothing else. "It is not nice to intrude upon children's playtime," the Demon Marshall sneered at the newcomer, his hand drawing a wretched book from his robes, "but I suppose the game can change." He flipped open the book to a certain page. "Cthulhu fhtagn."
And the children began to tremble. Not from fright this time, oh no. Caster X took one look at their anguished faces and understood what a horrified Irisviel did as well. "He's turning the children into sacrifices!" The other snapped their eyes her, then back to the ball with varying levels of fear.
However, the other Caster had not been idle. He swiftly raised his staff and chanted something in a language no one recognized before slamming its base into the ground. A wave of light erupted from the wood that washed over the little ones. A counter spell, they guessed: whatever would've happened to those young bodies immediately ceased and receded. They collapsed to the ground, sobbing but alive and unharmed.
Caster stared in almost comical shock at the development, then his mouth closed into a feral snarl. Teeth ground audibly together as he spat out, "You… just what are you, fool?" He jabbed a finger at the other Servant, head lowered as he checked the scattered kids so that the hat obscured his face. "Some sort of priest? A 'holy' man slaving under the will of that wretched God? How dare you interfere with my work!"
Caster X lifted his head from the girl he was caring over, and his enemy recoiled for a moment. If he had been angry before, the foreign Servant was now furious. His blue eyes blazed silently like a raging blizzard but were so powerful that those in the castle, even Kiritsugu, were quietly relived that they weren't the source of his aggression. "I did indeed serve higher powers in my old life," he replied in a calm yet booming tone, "and of my own choosing. But that is not what should concern you, foul creature."
His right hand travelled to his side and drew forth a long sword of magnificent steel that no human blacksmith could've forged. Kiritsugu and Assassin X tilted their heads in curiosity as Caster X levelled the blade's tip towards his enemy. Very few Heroic Spirits in that class had any martial prowess, yet his elderly body did nothing to mar the steady stance he took, sword in the right hand, staff in the left. The knight in Saber nodded in approval.
"I do not enjoy repeating myself." Caster X warned his counterpart. "And I have wasted enough words on you as it is." The kids quickly pulled themselves to their feet and returned to cowering behind the old Servant, eyes fearfully trained on their kidnapper.
The air around them began to crackle with mana. Two Casters stood on opposite sides, in every sense of the term: one in robes of luxurious colors and fabric, with skin pale as the moon, short black hair swept back and bulging clear eyes of unnatural size and hateful insanity, clutching his tome of human skin and dark knowledge; the other in much humbler robes of a simple grey, with wrinkled yet healthy skin, long gray hair flowing from his head and sharp eyes the color of a stormy sea, holding staff and sword at the ready.
Then Caster spoke in a near whisper. "Yesss. The time for words…" He swept his hand with his spellbook wide. The ground began to rumble while Caster X's sword emitted a blue glow, drawing his attention. "HAS PASSED!" Caster screeched alongside the arrival of a starfish-shaped monstrosity that erupted in front of him.
The crystal ball flared up from the sudden influx of Magical Energy, forcing everyone to look away lest they get blinded. But the situation was clear. Two Servants were fighting on their doorstep, and the children were still in danger. Irisviel looked to the Servants, her friends returning her determined gaze, and commanded, "Saber. Assassin X. Defeat Caster!"
"At once!" Saber said, converting her suit into her armor and charging right out of the room. Assassin X spared a glance towards their actual Master and received a nod; much as Kiritsugu would've preferred keeping him in reserve, someone needed to watch Saber's back. Especially when he had a hunch that more were on the way.
That, and maybe he had developed some measure of respect for her righteousness.
Either way, both Servants sped out of the castle side by side to the northwest parts of the woods.
-130:55:24
Caster X cleaved off the limb of one monster before blocking the strike of another with his staff. He then drove Glamdring's glowing blade into its flesh, the otherworldly creature shrieking as the magically enchanted blade pierced its insides. Another sweep of his staff, and both were hurled away from the Servant and the children huddling behind him.
But more came to take their place, tentacles lashing out for him. What's worse, he noticed that the ones he'd injured were slowly starting to recover. "Head back," he whispered down to his charges as he walked backwards, the children quickly moving so as he wouldn't stumble over them. His sword and staff swung again and again, beating and cutting and stabbing, driving back these eldritch Horrors spawned by Caster. And yet their wounds closed and they continued to attack.
One tentacle lashed out for a little girl hanging onto the wizard's left, drawing a frightened cry from her. Glamdringflashed down, severing the foul flesh in one move before it could touch her. Gandalf then struck his staff against a large tree before channeling his magic into it, simultaneously igniting its many dead branches and splintering the trunk itself. The burning tree fell over with a loud groan onto a good portion of the Horrors. They screeched in agony from the flames trapping them, and Caster X noted that they weren't healing quite as well as before. Provoking the wounds with fire or repeated strikes prevents regeneration, he noted.
But more continued to emerge around an increasingly frustrated Caster, and instead of blindly rushing in like their predecessors, these spread out amongst the forest. They were slowly surrounding the group. If Caster X wanted to make these Horrors stay down, he'd have to get serious. But he couldn't do that and keep the young ones safe at the same time.
Gilles de Rais may've lost his mind and valor long ago, but he had once been a knight and military officer of the Hundred Year War. He still retained some measure of tactics inside his God-loathing brain. The Demon Marshall had noticed that while powerful, the foolish priest before him wasn't the most mobile of combatants, and he needed at least some time to concentrate to unleash his despicable witchcraft. Otherwise, he was limited to close-range fighting. He is skilled, but two arms can only do so much against multiple enemies. And watching over the children limits him further. A cruel leer spread beneath his narrowing eyes. It's only a matter of time.
Sure enough, the Horrors had moved with unexpected quickness through the woods to cut off any retreat. The group was now trapped. As the bearded Servant glanced warily at the crowd of tentacled creatures slowly closing in, Caster took a few steps towards him. "You see? Your faith fails you. Your might wanes." He jabbed a finger towards him, the kids flinching away from the digit. "Return these dear things to me, and I promise you shall die swiftly."
Sobs could be heard from the boys and girls, the spark of hope they had beginning to suffocate inside this nightmare. They had just wanted to wake up from all this terror and find themselves home again, safe with their families. Many closed their eyes and awaited despair…
"You are so misguided in every way, Caster."
That calm, deep voice rumbled into their ears and made them look up teary-eyed at their protector. The old man stood straight before them, weapons clutched tightly. Not a trace of fear in his eyes or his heart. "My strength is far from gone," Caster X intoned as he glared at the approaching Horrors, "my faith has yet to fail me, I shall certainly not die easily," and thrust his staff forward, "and you will not touch any of them again!"
Blinding light erupted from the tip's stubs, driving back the creatures of darkness and forcing Caster to avert his massive eyes. The children looked on in wonder, the light not hurting their eyes but rather reigniting their hope. When it settled again, the deranged Servant glared back and snarled, "So be it!' The hand holding his book lashed forward like a twisted sword, and his beasts began to move again. Caster awaited them unyielding…
Then the ones to his left were swept away by a massive force of pressure. Those Horrors were split in half with such strength that the pieces were sent flying in opposite directions.
And in their place stood a young woman in blue and silver, golden hair over fierce green eyes, an invisible sword held to her side in post-slash. "Well spoken, wizard." Saber straightened from her Mana Burst-enhanced entrance and cast a respectful gaze to the group. "Though your fortitude in facing these odds alone is to be praised, I would offer you my sword in assistance." She bowed her head. "In part as thanks for your actions last night."
The kids stared at the newcomer in utter awe, and Caster in turn briefly doffed his hat to her with a smile. "Though you owe me nothing, your assistance would be most welcome, milady. These creatures are a bit more troublesome than I thought."
She returned the smile for a second, "I am no lady but a knight, Caster X, thus my sword is yours tonight," before glaring towards the one that had placed these poor things in harm's way.
Upon seeing her, Caster's angry snarl shifted into a gentle smile of joy; in some ways, a far more terrifying expression. "Ah, Jeanne! So good of you to finally join. My apologies that you have yet to witness my canvas of despair." He bowed deeply before Saber, shooting a sidelong glare at Caster X. "This foolish monk is impeding my progress."
Her grip around her sword tightened, something he noticed. "My actions sicken you, don't they? I'm sure you've come to hate me." He let out a little giggle that turned the other Servants' stomachs. "Yes, that fire in your eyes. I turned my back on God, after all. What I've done has surely made you judge me unforgivable."
The air shimmered before wires suddenly appeared around Gilles. They forced him against a tree and bound him tightly. "Well to be fair…" the struggling Servant glanced up to see yet another Servant perched among the branches. The wires' end affixed between two of his left fingers, Assassin X stared right back down at him with both eyes. "You're proving yourself a pretty despicable person by most measures."
Caster thrashed about in his bonds, his hand still gripping Prelati's Spellbook tightly. He rose his head to shriek his fury at the interloper… and found himself locking gazes with an odd red eye. The dots surrounding its iris began to circle, slowly, then quicker until they were a blur. It fascinated him for some reason.
He blinked… and the man was gone. Caster looked back down to find himself no longer tied up and glanced further about, wondering what had happened.
"Hello, Gilles."
He froze. That voice… Could it be? He slowly turned his head forward… And there she stood. Clad in her purple garbs, pieces of silver armor that melded perfectly with the headpiece holding back her majestic hair, amethyst eyes, firm yet gentle, gazing levelly at him…
Tears began to gather in his eyes. "Jeanne…" he sobbed in his joy, "oh sweet Jeanne…" His left hand, the one not holding his Spellbook, reached for his holy maiden. "You have remembered-"
Her form flickered.
Caster blinked, withdrawing his hand. "Jeanne…?" Or rather, he tried to. For some reason, his arms wouldn't move. The world about him rippled as though it were a body of water, and she… she swam in and out of focus. "No… What is this?" Gilles de Rais whispered in fear, glancing about himself, wondering why moving his body below the neck was so hard.
Then she was gone. And in her place stood a slightly surprised masked man, eyes of different color blinking. "Well... darn."
Caster glanced down to see his body still bound and the man's hand was reaching for Prelati's Spellbook. "You…" His face contorted into a rictus of pure rage. "HOW DAREYOU!"
A mass of tentacles erupted from the book, forcing Assassin X to withdraw his hand. Unfortunately, his surprise made his grip on the wires slacken; Caster pulled himself free from the tree and lashed out his free hand towards his face. "I shall feed you your own eyeballs!" Luckily, Assassin X leaned just far enough out of the way that the long fingernails only scratched his skin. He flipped away as more creatures rose up around his enemy.
Saber had been aiding Caster X in fending off those Horrors that were still attempting to attack the children. Her sword, hidden from all, cut through the twisted flesh easily, but the injuries closed up soon enough if she didn't press the attack. Even those she had bisected during her arrival had simply grown into twice their original number. Her new ally was more than holding his own against the Horrors, but it was still a stalemate at best. Especially with them having to watch the little ones. If only I could use my left hand…
A Horror to her left was suddenly split down the middle with a screech, the smoking halves failing to heal. Assassin X finished his somersault next to his partner, Lightning Bladecrackling around his right hand. 'So much for the easy way,' he grumbled over their link. He liked Caster X, but it was a bit too early to trust him with all their plans.
'I thought your Sharingan was working on him?' Saber asked as she finished her friend's work with a thrust of wind so great that it blew the Horror's pieces to atoms.
'At first,' Assassin X replied, jumping up to rescue a boy in pajamas that had been snagged by a tentacle. Noting how his lightning burned the flesh, leaving unhealable wounds, he quickly returned the kid to the rest, huddled up in a circle that the three Servants defended. 'If I had to guess, I'd say his mind's just too warped to be tricked. And I seem to have made him angry.'
'He was angry before.' That's when a whole new wave of Horrors arrived to join the existing ranks.
'Angrier, then.' Saber just sighed at his wit, eyeing the masses warily. Even with the new Servants' presence, the group was once again surrounded. Tentacles twitched and lashed out, ready to strike. Saber, Assassin X and Caster X quickly gathered around the frightened children, making sure to cover each other's blind spots.
Caster stepped onto a fallen tree to elevate himself, allowing his enemies to clearly see his enraged features. "Oh, Jeanne," he said in a deceptively soft tone, "I believe I said that I would take preparations for when we meet next." He held his unholy tome up for them to see, the eldritch energy radiating from confirming the suspicions all three Servants had. That had to be his Noble Phantasm.
And the key for creating these Horrors. "There is no way that book is just an Anti-Unit," Assassin X muttered. "It's making far too many of these things for that."
"Which is why you attempted to take it while having him bound in your illusion," Caster X discerned. There was no judgment in his tone, only comprehension.
"Thought it was worth a shot."
"SILENCE!" Caster screeched down at them. Hatred blazed in his eyes as he trembled on his perch. "A filthy slave of God that interferes with my work… and a devil that feeds me a pitiful illusion of my beloved maiden…" His eyes sharpened at headband Assassin X wore. "And that symbol… you must be the master of those beasts!" he fixed his gaze on Saber. "Dear Jeanne… I beg of you to step aside. These two must face punishment for their crimes. I assure you, once I have ripped their souls to shreds and paraded them through the darkest pits of Hell…" his hands twitched vividly in accordance with his promise before stilling. "I shall have plenty of time for you," Caster glared at the last of the group, "and the little ones."
Saber only glared right back at him, stepping between the traumatized children and her enemy. "I've long since lost interest in competing with you for the Grail, Caster." The deranged fool appeared hopeful for a moment, likely misinterpreting her words. The King of Knights slashed her sword to the side. "The reason I fight now is to cut you down with my own hands!" Assassin X and Caster X stood by her side, wordlessly eager to lend a hand.
As for Caster, his thoughts were so utterly twisted he could howl out in a mixture of joy and rage. "How mighty, Jeanne! Your nobility, your valor! Truly you are the Holy Maiden that overshadows any God!" He swept his hands wide. "So be it! Face the odds while your tormentors fall, stand proud amidst their carcasses!" The Horrors began to move in.
Assassin X's hands flashed into a multitude of signs before his right hand traveled up to his mask. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" A series of fireballs erupted from his mouth, scorching any monster they struck. He turned his head in an arc to spread the area of effect.
Caster X nodded beside him, a little twinkle of humor in his eyes. "Impressive fireworks, Assassin X. Though as one who has some experience in making them," he held his staff aloft, "yours lack a little flair." Sparks shot up from the wood, growing in size and traveling in an arc until the new fireballs split apart to rain down on the Horrors. A ring of flames had now been formed around the Heroic Spirits as well.
Assassin X shrugged in concession. "Fair enough, mine was a bit of a rush job."
And then Saber stepped forward, raising her wind-enshrouded weapon. "I would join this competition myself," she spoke in a rare moment of jest, "but I lack my own means of summoning fire." She reared back her sword in preparation. "Therefore, I must make use of yours." Her horizontal slash was accompanied by a gust of wind, Invisible Air's contribution. It wasn't powerful enough to snuff out the flames, quite the contrary; it blasted them further into the Horrors, burning them further. Many writhed in pain from the repeated flame attacks.
Unfortunately, there were still plenty of them to go around. They'd been bought some breathing room, but regular slashing and cutting attacks simply resulted in the Horrors' injuries healing or them splitting into more Horrors. Fire and heat (such as Assassin X's lightning jutsu) lent some permanence to the damage, but with such a large mass, it meant fighting one-on-one would be suicide. And having to watch over the poor children didn't make matters easier, but the Horrors were so tightly packed together, they couldn't safely slip them out while fighting. At least one would die in the process, and none of the three could accept that.
Oh, each of the three still had their respective aces up their sleeves, but there were… complications in each case as well. For Saber, she couldn't use the full power of her fabled sword with only one hand. Assassin X's required a clean line of sight, and it would only be of real help if aimed at Caster, who had hopped off his perch and was hiding somewhere behind his creations. Caster X's was of a finite source, and while it would almost certainly wipe out all of the enemies present, it would leave him with little for future battles.
That left them with teamwork, and to be fair, they were doing a damn good job together. Winds sharp as a razor rose with each of Saber's slashes, accompanied by a flurry of kunai with explosive tags or the elements themselves. Caster X's sword, shining blue with light, aided its cousin whenever the need arose, and a bubble of white mana would emerge whenever one of the creatures got too close to any child before the foul things were struck by Assassin X's lightning.
Countless pieces of dozens of Horrors lay scattered across the ground, too damaged by blade or heat to be healed. And still more came. By now the trio was starting to get a little winded, but they pressed on. Any single one of them would've long since been trapped amidst the tentacles. Saber considered as much while she chopped another to pieces, her back guarded by her partner's electric Noble Phantasm. She would've fought these things alone, but… she greatly appreciated the help of her fellow heroes. Caster X, blasting away another Horror with his telekinesis, had nearly reached the same level of respect in her eyes as Assassin X.
"What do you think, Jeanne?" Caster's voice rang out among the sounds of battle. "This ought to rouse a few memories. Everything is the same as it was then… Surrounded by heathens and wretched beings. And you, standing with your head held high, undaunted by the odds stacked against you. There's no doubt anymore you are the holy maiden, Jeanne…"
Assassin X flipped high, limbs flying about from the Lightning Blades in both of his hands. "I don't suppose a good punch to the noggin will convince him he's mistaken. I'd be willing to give it a try."
"Even the most stubborn of Dwarves I've met didn't have heads this thick." Caster X paused in between carving apart a Horror to shake his head in disgust and some pity. "A mind torn by grief and desperation is a terror like few others. I have seen it far too often."
"While I agree," Saber grumbled as she ran through a beast attempting to capture a girl, "I might consider giving Assassin X's theory a test. If nothing more than to shut him up."
"Why?! Why won't you see the truth?" Caster raged from behind his army, cradling the book his friend had painstakingly carved so long ago. "Do you still believe in God's favor like that fool monk? Do you think a miracle will come to save you and those children from this hopeless situation?" He spat on the dirt. "Ridiculous! Look at the Battle of Compiègne! Even with all the grief you've suffered, with meeting your end in God's blaze, why would you waste time continuing to be His puppet?!"
Caster X slammed his staff's pommel against the ground, blowing away the creatures in front of him. This allowed him a short chance to lock glares with his counterpart. "Do not speak so derisively of faith merely because your prayers were unanswered." Gandalf the Gray levelled his staff at him. "If you truly wished to see this 'Jeanne' again, would you not try to make amends for your sins? Your brutality shows your true nature, monster! She is but an excuse!"
The accusation made something snap inside Caster. His Jeanne, the beacon of light he had devoted everything he had, cruelly cast out of God's grace, dismissed as an excuse?! He howled his fury to the night. "DAMN YOU ALL!" And even more Horrors arose.
Assassin X slumped his shoulders a bit. "Not that I don't agree with you, my bearded friend, but…" he eyed the wall of tentacles approaching them. "It's not like we needed things to get tougher." When this is over, I will never eat another serving of octopus sashimi again. I'll just pass them to Saber, she's got the appetite.
Though winded herself, Saber squared her shoulders and braced herself. She needn't have worried, though: red and yellow flashed in a swift wind through the Horrors on the left, scattering them. Those on the right were shredded by a hail of metal balls. And those that had circled around the three were split in half by a silver blur. All of this happened within the same second.
"Standing proud against the masses…" a familiar green boot stepped in front of her. Lancer twirled her twin spears with a dazzling smirk. "The swordplay leaves something to be desired, but the fortitude certainly upholds the standard the King of Knights should set."
"You can flirt with the runt on your own time," Archer X growled as she stomped up next to him, minigun smoking. "Just be glad we're not the last guys to show up."
"Excuse me?" Saber X snapped his massive sword to get the blood off while strolling up to Caster X's side, amusement across his face. "I think that fancy visor's mucking up your eyesight, Blackberry. I got here first." He thumbed at his own chest.
"You been pickling yourself up again, dumbass? We got here before you did."
"Regardless of which of you arrived first," Caster X huffed to the both of them, "you have our thanks for the assistance." And as he knelt down to check on the little ones, he grumbled, "And technically I was the first to engage Caster in combat…"
Caster's mouth hung open, making him look even more like a fish than usual, then it closed into a snarl. "Wh-who are you people?!" He yelled in fury. "What gives you the right to intrude?!"
"Intrude on what, Fisheyes?" Saber X sauntered over next to the children huddling by Caster X. "You trying to play out some sick fantasies with the runts here?" His lip curled in disgust. "I'd hunt you down, buddy, even if there weren't a prize for your ugly neck."
"And for the record, Caster," Lancer stepped next to his rival, "it is you that is the intruder here. Saber shall fall by my spear, and I won't tolerate anyone taking that prize from me."
"No!" The madman squealed, clawing at his hair like a wounded animal. "Nonono! I prayed for this! The Holy Grail that restored her…" a savage expression rose on his face. "She is mine… flesh, blood, soul… every last bit is mine!"
His audience glared at him in collective disgust. Archer X shook her head as she revved up her minigun. "Okay, I cannot begin to point out all the ways that just sounded wrong."
"Amen to that, sister." Saber X muttered, sneaking a drink from his flask in an effort to drown out the ugly feeling. He glanced over to his counterpart. "Bad breakup?"
"Wh-what?!" Saber spun to stare at him in revolted horror. "I have never countered this abomination before the Holy Grail War! He is mistaking me for another named Jeanne in his madness, and I would thank you all for not encouraging this delusion!"
Lancer merely shrugged with some humor amidst his resolve. "Caster, you can settle your love affair with Saber on your own time." He grinned at her indignant sputtering next to him. "If you want to make her submit to you and spirit her away, then by all means."
"THAT IS NOT HAPPENING!"
Fighting down the urge to snicker at her reaction, he continued. "However, on my name as Diarmuid, I refuse to let Saber fall to you, not when she has lost an arm because of me!"
Saber watched him in honest respect, her anger fading away. Lancer was truly invested in ensuring they would finish their duel as befitting knights. Most of the foreigners around them were impressed as well, Caster X smiling to himself. These knights would've been fine additions to the Fellowship.
Much as he appreciated the help, Assassin X leaned over mischievously to his partner. "Picking up quite an entourage, aren't we?" he whispered into her ear. While still looking at the spearman, Saber's mind inadvertently traveled to certain passages she had read recently…
Damn that book to hell. Her expression remained neutral even as she smacked the back of her left gauntlet into his face. The ninja moaned, cradling his masked bloody nose.
Behind them, Archer X twitched minutely.
Caster was growing more infuriated with each passing second. Why did there have to be so many blasted obstacles between him and his wish, his maiden of godliness. He cursed the God and fate for hindering him so, for continuing to torment him even as a Heroic Spirit. But it didn't matter. Jeanne would see the truth, and he would eradicate anyone that dared stand in his way.
Despite his bruised nose, Assassin X for his part was grateful he'd gotten a chance to catch his breath. A plan was starting to form in his mind, but there was one other detail. Eyeing an irate Bluebeard further away, he turned to one particular Servant. "So, I don't suppose your partners will be joining us as well this evening?"
"Nope, just me," Saber X answered bluntly.
Lancer laughed in good humor. "Are you certain you can stand by yourself here? Rather confident of you, even for a Saber."
"You kidding me? Unlike you fancy-pants knights, I hunt monsters for a living." Both "fancy-pants" knights mock-glared at the Huntsman for that. Seemingly unnoticed by the perpetrator, the halved monsters behind him began to bubble and regenerate. "And for the record, Pretty Boy, the only reason I'm a Saber…" Chatting away, the Servant calmly held his sword to the side and squeezed the trigger on the guard just as the Horrors reared up…
And were sliced into ribbons.
The other Servants watched in curiosity and respect as Saber X ceased twirling about his weapon to reveal it wasn't a sword anymore. The great blade had become curved and sharp on both sides, the handle had elongated into a bent form.
Qrow Branwen held Harbinger's scythe form in both hands while finishing his sentence. "…is because there isn't a Reaper class in this stupid Grail War."
Lancer eyed the large scythe before laughing. "I wouldn't mind an opportunity to visit your home one day, if for no other reason than to see what sort of warriors would learn to wield weapons like yours."
Saber nodded beside him, wondering if there could've been a way to combine her sword with her spear before remembering this really wasn't the time for whimsies like that.
For a moment, Caster grew pale. The curved silver blade resting in the hands of this thin, red-eyed creature… Could he be Death itself? Here to separate me from my beloved Jeanne again? …It matters not. Not even Death can stop me here, not with the power I hold!
The King of Knights then focused on him, a confident smirk on her face. "While your weapon, Saber X, is impressive, let me make one thing clear to all of you:" she lifted her sword to chest level, "my right hand alone is enough to kill a hundred of these creatures."
Lancer scoffed playfully. "Is that number supposed to be noteworthy?" He walked over to her side, Gáe Dearg and Gáe Buidhe pointing towards different targets. She wasn't worried; they were both knights of honor. She trusted him nearly as much as she trusted Assassin X.
"Yeah." Saber X moved to the front himself, the moonlight scattered through his scythe's serrated edge. "A hundred's pocket change, I wouldn't get out of bed for less than three hundred."
A familiar flurry erupted as new Horrors were mowed down. "Amateurs." Smoke wafted from the many barrels of Archer X's heavy gun. "You meatheads can talk when you've taken down a thousand."
Caster merely shook his head in exasperation. "It's as though I am with Legolas and Gimli again." Nevertheless, he stood up from checking on the children and prepared his own arms.
The boys and girls looked between this assembly of heroes throughout time and space in wonder and no small amount of hope. But fear remained in their hearts, fear that rose whenever they looked at the man with big eyes and a scary book not far away. I want to go home was the first thought in all of their minds.
"Just be glad Guy isn't here." And a chuckling Assassin X saw an opportunity as he eyed a gap among the shredded creatures. "But with all of us here, I can finally do this." He brought his index and middle fingers into a t-shape, prompting the other Servants aside from Saber to guard themselves. They needn't have worried; picking a fight with newfound allies was neither the shinobi's style nor intention.
Po-poof! Two exact doppelgangers of Assassin X appeared in a bust of smoke next to their progenitor. Saber was the only one unsurprised by their appearance. Caster X grew curious at the event; duplicating oneself wasn't something even the ancient wizard had seen often on Middle-Earth. Saber X recalled some Huntsmen and Huntresses back home with that trick. Archer X recalled that little trick at the start of their own fight.
The Shadow Clones paid little mind to their audience. Instead, they walked over to the group of children and gently began loading them up. "Now that we have an opening," the real Assassin X explained to the other Servants, "my clones can get these kids to the city."
Saber nodded at his logic. "Meaning they'll be safe, and we no longer need to worry over them." She paused as a thought came. "Why not the castle? Irisviel would surely watch over them."
Assassin X shook his head as his clones finished getting all ten children divided into five among them. "Too risky right now." She understood his concern; with these many Servants about and potentially more on the way, the castle was a potential target.
Each clone carried three children on his back and held two more stiff under their arms. Not ideal or most comfortable for the little ones, but they wouldn't fall. With a nod to the rest, they promptly sprang up and away through the woods. New Horrors arose to try and stop them, but Lancer and Saber X eviscerated them within one second. Caster howled in outrage but there was nothing he could do to stop their escape.
Assassin breathed out a sigh of relief and a little exhaustion; the latter which Saber and two others noticed. She patted him with her left arm while Caster X smiled to them in gratitude, something they returned. Lancer nodded to the Copy Ninja in respect. "Wise and honorable of you, Assassin X." The others turned as one to face Caster, alone amidst his Horrors.
"And stupid."
Assassin X quickly threw his head back as a bullet whizzed through where it had been. He shot a sideways look at the perpetrator. "I thought Caster would be your target tonight?"
"He's the primary target," Archer X trailed him with the pistol in her left hand, holding up her minigun in her left.
Saber immediately sprang between the two, sword at the ready. "Archer X, what are you doing?" Lancer glared at her. "Assassin X is our ally-"
"For now, genius. But if we want the Grail, he's got to go. And I don't know how his little double-double trick works, but I can tell it took up some of his mana." Saber frowned at the other female. She was right, though; Assassin X had explained that the Shadow Clone Jutsu involved dividing the caster's Magical Energy evenly among the original and the clones. Currently, he was at a third of his full strength and would remain so until both clones had disappeared, transferring the od back to him.
"Doesn't mean I can't fight, Archer X." Assassin X spoke calmly as ever, even while he kept watch over the two guns. "Are you really sure you want to do this now? If I die, my clones will disappear, leaving the kids helpless again."
The big body didn't move. "…Casualty of war," she replied after a hesitation. "An honest shame, but they're not my kids. Besides, crazy as Caster is, you and me still have a score to settle." The visor snapped to Lancer opening his mouth. "Zip it. I'm letting you have your precious duel with Saber, but you never talked about Assassin X. This is what needs to happen if we're to win this War."
She knew that this Servant was in league with the Emiya man, and after the meeting with Rider X last night, Texas had come to the conclusion that she couldn't take any chances with the enemy here. Assassin X was a serious threat, she knew it with every bone in her body. He had to die now. The others were torn between keeping watch on a slightly giddy Caster and looking like they weren't sure whether to intervene or not. It was now or never.
Lancer didn't agree with her, she saw his glare. Of course, he didn't. He was still living out his knightly fantasies, and he hadn't learned about what kind of sneaky bastards were in this thing. Even if she'd have told him, it wouldn't have changed his stance, she could feel it.
Just like always, she had to take care of all the things everyone else couldn't handle."Step aside, knee-high," Archer X snarled at the swordswoman. "You can play around with lover boy for all I care, but your masked buddy's got to go."
Saber didn't budge. "No." She wouldn't have acceded to this Servant's deplorable ways even if Kakashi weren't her friend.
"Suit yourself." Her handgun disappeared, and the Freelancer swung her minigun around to aim at the duo.
The air flashed, and half of the gun fell to the dirt with a clunking sound. Archer X barely had time to process this before she was suddenly hooked and hurled away with a "Fuck!"
Lancer, Saber and Assassin X blinked at the events that had transpired in one second. Then the blonde knight spoke, "Not that I do not appreciate your aid, but why?"
Saber X retracted his scythe with a huff. "She's been pissing me off with talking like only she knows what war's about, plus, I think I've been spending too much time with Candy Bar." He proceeded to stalk off after where he'd launched the heavy Servant, waving behind him. "I'll keep her off your back. The four of you ought to be enough for Caster, and I'm part of a three-Servant team, so," his shoulders shrugged, "technically, we don't need Seals that badly."
Lancer stared at him, then at Archer X who had just rolled to her feet with a snarl. He wanted to help her, but he also wanted to stop Caster, and he couldn't endorse her pragmatic ways. Finally, Diarmuid of the Love Spot just sighed. "Try not to kill her, please?"
"I'll see what I can do." That was the best Qrow could offer him, and they both knew it.
Lancer closed his eyes, conflicting emotions warring inside of him over this situation. Elation, frustration, regret… A hand clapped him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes to stare into Caster X's. "Trust in your partner to survive this night and steady your spears for the task at hand." The old man advised him. "You can settle your grievances with her afterwards."
A glance to the side showed Saber and Assassin giving him reassuring looks. The latter added, "She did survive Rider's chariot running over her."
That drew a short laugh from the Celtic warrior. "Never thought I'd be assured about my comrade's fate from the one she just tried to kill… these are strange nights."
"We are in a strange War," Saber agreed with a smile. She nodded her head towards the army of Horrors Caster was desperately amassing. "Shall we?"
A sharp grin slid onto Lancer's lips. "Oh, by all means." He spun both spears until they were blurs. "I believe I need to vent a little."
Saber looked to her friendly rival one more time, then glanced to her partner. 'Can you manage?'
'Please.' Kunai danced between Assassin X's fingers. 'I might not be at full strength, but I can provide support all the same.' Sharing one last smile with her, he then joined the other three in charging at the monstrosities before them.
Caster trembled before their continued defiance of him. Robbing him of his children, barring his path to dear Jeanne, barely acknowledging him… "Unforgivable…" he growled, sweeping his arm forward. "Don't underestimate me!" His Horrors surged at the heroes.
Archer X was seething as Saber X approached her. Not only did this drunken bum pick a fight with her, but Assassin X was still alive, and Lancer wasn't even going to help her? The soldier in her conceded that Caster needed to be dealt with, but an even louder part in her was screaming What the hell?! He's supposed to be my partner, dammit! What, he wants to play with the Saber doll, her pet and the geezer?
Fine. Who needs him? Twin SMGs appeared in her hands that she aimed at the scythe-wielder. "Congratulations," Agent Tex growled, "you've just reached the top of my shitlist."
"Likewise." Saber X brandished his weapon with a spin and sank into a combat stance. "Half the things that come out of your mouth just don't sit right with me."
"Got a problem with my voice?"
"No… voice sounds a little familiar to be honest." The Corvid Reaper's eyes narrowed at her. "It's your words that bug me. Hell, they ruin the voice."
"Save it for a Servant that cares." Her guns erupted with fire and lead as his legs pushed off the ground, scythe slicing through the air in a whirl of motion.
Further away, Rider X watched the proceedings with amusement. Seems like Archer X's partnership with Lancer is growing a little strained, now. Well, when two people cannot see eye-to-eye, conflict is inevitable.
Just after he had finished a promising meeting, an Assassin had alerted him to Caster leading his little parade through these parts, and lo and behold, this was Einzbern territory. The tyrant discerned that the deranged Servant still believed Saber was his precious "Jeanne" and was trying to bait her.
So, he'd flown in Alt-Mode Starship over the woods, curious to watch how things would play out. The young humans meant nothing to him; tiny pounds of flesh that were abundant on this moist little planet. Caster could kill ten thousand in his twisted little games, and Rider X wouldn't shed a tear. Partially because he had no tear ducts, of course.
The other Caster's appearance had been initially unexpected, though he supposed it wasn't that shocking. Another expert in magic ought to be able to follow Bluebeard's (odd name for one that lacked a beard) bloody trail, and once their battle began and Saber and Assassin X joined in as well, more were drawn to the forest like predators towards their prey.
He had assumed his natural form and wondered along the outskirts, noting the abilities he hadn't seen yet. The opposing powers of the two Casters were a fine show, and Saber X's sword transforming into a scythe intrigued Rider X. Now that was a weapon he might try to claim later. Such a work of combative art deserved to be in the hands of a Cybertronian conqueror.
However, he wasn't here simply to amuse himself. He'd wanted to gauge the threat level of his competition, and though Rider not being here dampened his excitement somewhat, he could be patient. If Caster survived the night, he could draw out those that hadn't appeared. If not, then there were other ways. As for the ones that had arrived, he was confident he could sway Archer X into an alliance, but the rest were too honorable for his taste; needing to kill Dreadwing proved that honor wasn't such a useful tool for his purposes. Saber and Lancer were both formidable combatants. Proud, skilled and powerful, yet straightforward. Rider X could handle either of them in their own time. Especially with Saber being one-handed. Saber X's weaponry increased his unpredictability, but nothing unmanageable. Caster was already proving himself an unwitting pawn and could perhaps be more.
But the final two, Assassin X and Caster X, those could be dangerous. They each had a surplus of tricks, and Rider X had a hunch that he'd yet to see all of them. And they were clever as well, and righteous. Something about the masked warrior and the old man made Rider X wary. He wasn't sure how they could interfere with his plans, but he'd learned to trust his instincts long ago.
Better both perish tonight lest they go on to be trouble later down the road.
As Caster X directed flames with his staff to strike at the Horrors like waves of water, he cut off another tentacle with that glowing sword. He then joined Saber in beating back more coming from the south, exposing his back.
Perfect.
Rider X lifted and primed his fusion cannon. The muzzle glowed with mana, ready to blast a hole through the withered insect…
Then a part of the darkness erupted to Rider X's right. Something slammed into his face, the force of the blow sending him skidding into a tree. The Decepticon shook his head to clear the ringing inside his head, then glared at his attacker. "Well, well…"
Berserker drew back his right fist with a shuddering growl. Shadows wrapped around him, making it difficult to tell where the knight ended and the night began. He stalked towards the larger Servant, armor rattling with each step.
Rider X stepped away from the tree and wiped away some Energon from his lip. "It seems Berserkers are naturally inclined to challenge me." He laughed a bit. "Though I'm curious. I would've thought Saber was the one you were really interested in." A finger pointed towards the insane Servant's right arm. "Or the masked Servant that took that limb from you. Wouldn't you want to even the score? Eye for an eye, arm for an arm?"
What little was left of Berserker's sense of reason registered these words. The king was here, he could sense it. And so was that ally of hers, the one with silver hair and no mouth and eyes of a different color. The one that had the king's friendship.
The Knight's head shifted slowly, as though struggling against itself. The visor glowed red with hate through the trees. There the king was, fighting proudly against the hordes of monsters. Swinging the noble sword that haunted his dreams. Back turned to him, as if to mock him. Rage boiled within his armor. "Arrr…"
Then the old man stepped into his line of sight.
The old man who had restored his arm, who tended to his rage with kindness.
The old man who had referred to him as "sir" even when he had long forsaken such an honor, who treated him better than he deserved.
The old man who reminded him of who he had once been, who encouraged him to be that man again.
The old man… who this metal monster had been about to shoot in the back.
Rider X frowned as that blazing visor shifted back towards him. A gauntlet reached up to snap off a large branch hanging above him, the wood turning black with red veins at the cursed touch. "Rrrr…"
Then Berserker was no longer in front of him, but in the air, arms reared over his helmet. "Nraaaa!" He brought the branch down in a swing that Rider X blocked with crossed arms, but the ground cratered beneath his heavy feet from the blow. The thin piece of a plant was now as hard as iron, its twisted shape giving it an almost barbed surface. The larger Servant pushed his opponent off, only for the knight to flip back gracefully onto his feet.
Rider X rolled his shoulders as a little excitement bubbled inside him. He was a gladiator right down to his Spark. Merely observing battles had never been enough for him. "So, are you trying to protect your partner from me?" He deployed his arm blade, the tip piercing the earth beneath. "Or is this merely you not wanting to share the kill?"
Berserker's only response was to hold his makeshift club in front of him with both hands. Rider X smiled darkly as he brought up his sword to face level. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter." He gestured with his hand's other fingers. "Come on then."
And so another battle between Servants began inside the Einzbern forest. Busy night.
…I seem to be playing a game in this chapter: "How many times can I make Caster reach a new level of anger?" Didn't really occur to me until I was almost done. *Shrug*
As for Kayneth's goodies like the, snickers, "Prismatrix Reactor," in canon, he had brought a sizable collection of Mystic Codes with him to use in the Grail War. Kiritsugu bombing the Hyatt destroyed them, leaving him with only Volumen Hydrargyrum, but here, he didn't use his base, ergo, I have the perfect excuse to give him a certain edge. Now it just comes down to see if he can use them properly.
Ah, one of these days, I hope this little story might end up on a Tv Tropes page or at least be recommended there.
Lancer X-
Class: Lancer
Master: Tokiomi Tohsaka
True Name: Jade
Titles: Verdant Defender of Edenia
Sex: Female
Source: Mortal Kombat
Region: Edenia
Alignment: Neutral Good
Strength: B
Endurance: C
Agility: A
Mana:B
Luck: D
NP: C
Class Skills-
Magic Resistance: Grants protection against magical effects.
B: Lancer X's home Edenia was a world of wonder and magic, and she trained in the ways of a warrior and assassin since her youth. She is unaffected by spells with three verses or less, and even High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals can be resisted to an extent.
Presence Concealment: The capacity to hide one's presence as a Servant. It is a common skill to the Assassin class.
A: Lancer X was trained to serve as an assassin for her world's conqueror. She can hide from the senses of even enemy Servants, though this Skill decreases by one rank and possibility of detection rises when Lancer X moves to attack.
Personal Skills-
Double Summon: Is a rare Personal Skill possessed only by a few select Servants, permitting them to simultaneously possess Class Skills from two distinct classes. It is limited only to some of the extra classes, the cavalry classes, and "modern classes" like Gunner.
B+: Lancer X possesses Class Skills and Noble Phantasms of both the Lancer and Assassin classes.
High-Speed Divine Words: The power to activate Thaumaturgy without the use of Magic Circuits. The language of the Age of Gods, back when words played a heavy role in spellcasting. As such, it is power long lost by modern magi.
C: Lancer X's Edenian heritage allows her to wield older magiks, though she has the mentality of a modern spellcaster; magic is a tool for combat, not an area of expertise. Nevertheless, she possesses a few tricks, such as the ability to summon a verdant aura around her body that temporarily shields her from attack. Limited teleportation and Reinforcement are also part of Lancer X's repertoire.
Resolute Devotion: Is a Skill that represents one's feelings towards a loved one, which the person won't even flinch at committing self-sacrifice.
B: Lancer X was a noble person in life, the virtue others attributed to her most being loyalty. She would give everything, including her life for the sake of her closest friend and/or her beloved. Thus, her magiks and Noble Phantasms gain plus-modifiers when she battles for someone she is loyal to, such as her Master. This Skill would be A-rank were it not for her rebelling against the conqueror and subsequent ruler of her homeworld.
Noble Phantasms-
Edenian Sojourner Staff: "For The Sake of A Lost Home": C (Anti-Unit): Lancer X's chief weapon is an emerald bo staff of otherworldly materials. It can change length from a simple handle for easier transport to longer than Lancer and boasts sufficient strength for melee combat. Though both ends are blunt, Lancer X has enough strength to pierce enemies with Edenian Sojourner Staff, and her agility allows her to perform acrobatic maneuvers not unlike those of a dancer. Its perfect balance allows for throwing like a javelin, and Lancer X can summon it back to her hand. This staff's power and versatility can further be enhanced via Lancer X's High-Speed Divine Winds and Resolute Devotion, so even its current rank may increase for a brief period.
Promise Keeper: "Sharpened Enforcer of Honor": D (Anti-Unit): For ranged attacks and part of her Double SummonSkill, Lancer X employs a three-bladed boomerang. She can hurl it with excellent accuracy to disable multiple targets, and the weapon is enchanted to respond to her mental commands; even without touching it, Lancer X can control Promise Keeper to have it return to her hand or fly around her, cutting others with its razor-sharp edges. Similar to Edenian Sojourner Staff, the blades can fold into one another, leaving Lancer X with a dagger for up-close-and-personal confrontations.