Chapter 16: The Price of Dignity
-84:09:52
"Urrgh…"
Slender fingers gently pressed against Kirei's battered chest, keeping him on the concrete ground. "Steady, Master," Bilal the Mending spoke softly, gaze behind his skull mask fixed on the bandage he was applying to the priest's right arm. "There is still much to be done."
The Hassan network had been stretched quite far due to their diminished number and increased efforts to go unnoticed. But when they sensed collectively their Master in danger, Bilal, the one of their collective who knew the most of healing, had fortunately been closest. The one who had called Assassin and Rider X into this world had been caught in a powerful explosion. Preliminary analysis determined that he had instinctively moved backwards, allowing him to evade it to an extent, but damage had still been done; nasty burns, internal bleeding, two cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder from the impact, not counting the vicious bite mark on the other one. A hound, perhaps?
If Kirei Kotomine were a less physically trained man, he'd have perished from his injuries. As it was, Assassin had a fair bit of work on his hands once he'd recovered his Master and brought him to safety. His medical knowledge alone was admittedly outdated, but with what the Grail provided on modern times, he could at least ensure the Hassan's wouldn't need to find a new Master too quickly.
Still, Bilal mused while applying a salve to the burn on the man's right cheek, this shall take time and-
He stiffened upon registering another Servant's presence in the alley he'd hidden Kirei away in. But then Rider X's massive form materialized before him, allowing him to relax (if only a little) again. The foreigner, too, had seen better days; damage and scorch marks were splayed across his frame, and that odd light-blue blood of his trickled from one or two gouges on his chest, but the metallic familiar showed no signs of being in pain. Rather, those crimson orbs were trained on the injured man before him. "How is our Master?" He rasped out in an unreadable tone.
Assassin turned from his partner to his current patient. And their Master. "I've managed to keep him from the brink of death, and he seems a step away from regaining consciousness." A sigh escaped his mask, the symbol of the order he'd served faithfully in life. "But his injuries are too much for me alone to treat. Especially if he is to do battle again."
This outcome, Kirei Kotomine would not appreciate. Neither did his Servants, for that matter. Just when he had seemed this close to finding his initiative, now stood the risk of him not being physically capable for that. And after all they had sacrificed in this Grail War, Hassan of the Hundred Faces was very much invested in claiming their wish: completion in mind, body and soul.
Megatron had similar thoughts, and truth be told, he still felt frustration over this night's events. That damnable Berserker knocking him out of the sky, Assassin X and Caster X still alive (Zouken voicing his displeasure about the latter situation through their link)…
And the true form of Saber's blade. "The Sword of Promised Victory" which had shined with such magnificence, as though to say he could not hope to defeat her! As though only those fated for glory would receive it!
No, the lord and master of the Decepticons vowed to himself. Saber struck at me with that sword, and I still function. I can defeat her, as surely as I can defeat Rider. As surely as I can defeat Gilgamesh, Caster X, Berserker and anyone else fool enough to try and stop me! Nothing would stop him from seizing the Holy Grail and subjugating all of existence under his will.
Certainly not the fleshy weakness of his Master. "We cannot deliver him to Tohsaka," Assassin was muttering next to him, "not without risking exposure of our survival. The same goes for his father, and he does not appear to be a magus, either." He shook his head, loose strands of purple hair swaying, before glancing up to his partner. "Perhaps that old man you have for an ally…?"
"No. My arrangement with Zouken is one of mutual benefit but little trust. Delivering our Master to him in such a state would give him an opportunity to claim power over us. Besides, I do not favor being in anyone's debt, much less his." Rider X stepped closer to Kirei and knelt before him. He lifted his right fingers up to his face, concentrating as mana flickered.
"I may have something, though, that can restore his strength."
A chill crept up Bilal's spine and traveled to every corner of his body. A single crystal shard was now clutched tightly in the Servant of the Mount's hand, glowing violet with power. An odd humming sound seemed to be emanating from the shard like a twisted melody. But watching it, listening to it was… unsettling, the Hassan noticed. Vile, unclean, dangerous… Evil. Not a moniker anyone in the Hashshashin would give lightly. But the Servant of the Shadows couldn't think of anything more fitting. "What… what is that?"
Unlike his partner, Megatron was admiring the crystal before him, testing the sensations of it and growing pleased with the result. Though it may have been birthed from Unicron, he surmised, on this world, Dark Energon is myNoble Phantasm and answers to my will.
Out loud, he said, "This is but a fraction of my secret weapon, Assassin, a power like no other that I discovered while conquering my world. It can even raise the dead."
"But… Master Kirei isn't dead… yet…"
"Oh, I know." An amused sound escaped Rider X that made Assassin shiver again. "And I do intend to ensure that remains the case for him." And though no one would've believed him, Megatron said this with sincerity. Kirei Kotomine had proven such an interesting person throughout their time together, his Servant from another universe was actively invested in seeing how he would develop. For good or evil? Staying on the path of the faithful, or succumbing to his inner darkness? Either way, Megatron wished to see the final result.
And if his little experiment provided him with a little insurance against the priest's possible betrayal… all the better.
"If his spirit proves strong enough," the shard flipped about in his grip so that the tip hovered like a dagger over Kirei's chest, "then he will conquer the power. If not, it will conquer him."
"And… in the latter case?"
"You and I will need to find ourselves a new Master." And so Rider X stabbed without hesitation the dark shard into the human's body.
It seemed to dissolve into a violet mist that seeped into the stab wound. An aura of the same color (and malevolence) began to spread over Kirei's body, covering every last part of him. Then, as Rider X watched with an eerie sort of curiosity, he began convulsing violently, his Magic Circuits visible through that same purple. The right hand surged up, its fingers curling into a fist, then struck against the ground hard enough to crack it and make Bilal flinch.
And all the while, the priest continued to thrash uncontrollably as the violet blazed. "Agh… Uhh…" An old part of Megatron grew pleased at his Master; for all the pained grunts that escaped his lips, Kirei had yet to actually scream. And through his own connection to the Dark Energon, he sensed that the battle within would be resolved soon. You simply cannot bore me, can you, Master?
But they were still in a War, and the conqueror had other matters to attend to, as well. 'Archer X,' he sent his thoughts to the tentative ally he'd made, 'Report. Where are you?'
The black-armored Servant of the Bow's answer was clearly frustrated. 'I'm in the rural part of this stupid city, trying to shoot down that ass of an Assassin X. Oh, and Lancer's trying to spear me, too, but other than that, I'm just fucking dandy!'
Ah, I thought she was speaking with a trace more agitation than usual, Rider X pondered amused. But to her, he stated, 'The battle is over for now. Caster has perished, as I'm sure you've noticed.'
'Yeah, it's kinda hard to ignore a giant golden mana-nuke going off by the river! Who the hell did that?!'
'That was Saber's Noble Phantasm. She is more powerful than we had calculated,' Rider X admitted grudgingly. He was fairly certain she couldn't have gotten a good look of his ace in the hole, but that he'd needed to draw it in the first place… infuriating and yet exhilarating at the same time. 'Fall back to the Matou mansion for now. We need to revise our next moves. I shall head to your current position-'
'Like hell, you're going to.' Anger flickered in him at the interruption, but Archer X continued with nearly equal heat. 'I don't need any help for this. I'll kill or escape from these two clowns myself.'
'I am not making a suggestion, woman…'
'And last I checked, I'm an equal partner in this alliance, not your fucking subordinate. See you back at Zouken's damn mansion.' If the mental link were like a telephone, she'd have snapped the receiver shut. As it was, the finality in her words left much the same impact.
An uneasy Assassin continued to watch the thrashing body of their Master, even kneeling down to ensure he didn't swallow his own tongue. Rider X, however, was too busy silently fuming to pay him any mind. That rebuttal just now reminded him why Archer X had such a dysfunctional relationship with her original team. She was an exceedingly deadly soldier, but the problem was, she was well aware of that. Add her temper to her pride, and Megatron suspected her aggression increasing as the Grail War went on was due to the fact she hadn't won yet. He didn't doubt she was planning to betray him and Zouken; Archer X had slain the man who summoned and bound her spiritual essence to this world, after all. Why would she be any more faithful to an alliance with people even more treacherous than her?
Moreover, her infatuation with Lancer persisted. No matter how the surly woman attempted to dress it up, Rider X knew she wanted her ex-partner. Maybe more than the Holy Grail itself, if not now, then with each passing hour. He couldn't be sure whether she could bring herself to kill Lancer or if she would let him kill her, but either way, this obsession made Archer X a liability. And with Caster gone and this new Avenger X's allegiance dubious, he couldn't afford any negligence. The situation between Archer X and Lancer needed a resolution. Quickly.
Rider X crossed his arms behind his back and frowned in contemplation. Killing that knight is easily within my power even at present, but it would shred any hope of cooperation to pieces if Archer X learns of what I'd done. Lancer is also far too noble to ever join forces with us, even if offered the chance to finish his precious duel of honor with Saber. The only way to coerce him would be through a Command Seal, and his lie with-
He froze as a certain idea crept into his processor.
A subtle, ruthless idea utterly devoid of any humanity.
No wonder the Cybertronian's metallic lips curled back to bare his denta into a devilish grin. Oh, this I shall savor.
'Megatron,' Zouken's voice stirred him from his musings, 'it seems you've instigated and taken part in an eventful evening.'
'Indeed, I have,' the Servant "replied" evenly. 'Did you enjoy bearing witness?'
'Oh, I was definitely tickled more than once with the collective performance, the anguish of a few certain characters in particular.' An idiot could recognize the frustration layered underneath the elderly man's saccharine tone. 'Yet, I must say, the ending was a bit disappointing. Caster returned to the Throne of Heroes with only one of our enemies' Servants joining him.'
A sliver of heat crept into his next words. 'Truly a shame that said Servant wasn't Caster X.'
Rider X's smile widened by a fraction. He'd surmised that the Matou patriarch was a patient man, considering he was willing to throw this Grail War in order to punish his spawn and wait another sixty years for the next one. But for Zouken to be this on edge about the foreign wizard… He's already summoned an irregular Servant, and he might make other reckless decisions. Caster X's presence may make him even more careless… Excellent.
But for now, their alliance needed to remain intact. There were too many other Servants running loose for either being to betray the other. So, Megatron kept his mental message cordial. 'Patience, my friend. I promised you Caster X's death, I simply never stated when it would happen. But you've actually made contact with me at an opportune moment. I have a plan that may bring us one step closer to victory.'
For about a minute, there was silence over the link. Then came an amused, curious, 'Do tell.'
Rider X glanced down to where his still-convulsing Master lay, violet-tinged blood trickling from where he'd bit into his own lip. "Assassin." His partner looked up from his restraining the priest, involuntarily shivering at the gleam in those optics. "Your other personalities have been tracking the other Masters and Servants since before the river battle, yes?" The behemoth received a tentative nod as an answer. "Which one was sent after Lancer's Master?"
"The Sophia-Ri woman?" Bilal inclined his head to remember before replying. "That would be Macour the Quick. He should still be in her vicinity."
"Excellent." Another piece of his plan falling into place, Megatron returned to his other conversation. 'Tell me, Zouken, just what are those little worms you cultivate capable of?'
Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri breathed a heavy sigh of relief once that great flash of light ended. Her eyes, even Reinforced, couldn't see through the mists that well. She had only been able to send a pre-prepared familiar, a clockwork bird-thing among Kayneth's Mystic Code collection, to monitor the battlefield, and it was shredded to pieces halfway through the aerial battle of those three Servants. All this left her with little to help her Servant.
But a glance at her right hand reassured the woman; there the Command Seals were, clear as the nighttime stars. "Thank goodness…" Sola-Ui breathed in relief. If the handsome knight contracted to her had perished, the Seals would've been reclaimed by the Holy Grail. But not only did the two remain, but they would soon become three once again. "Once I've collected the reward for Caster's death, Lancer and my bond will be truly complete." Granted, others might've argued about the Heroic Spirit's contributions, but Sola-Ui could be persuasive when needed. Kayneth could've attested to that if he still lived. "Archer X won't claim him… we'll be together…"
A heavy ringing sounded inside her head, making her jump in shock from the fence. That was all that saved her hand from the knife that sliced there an instant too late.
Despite the irritation at her attempted amputation failing, Maiya Hisau kept her expression neutral as she circled the redheaded woman seated on the roof. Urushi hadn't taken long to find her, but the associate of the Mage Killer had decided to delay her attack until Sophia-Ri seemed completely distracted.
A tactic that would've worked if Sola-Ui hadn't plundered her late fiancé's collection of Mystic Codes. One of which was a pendant that had been crafted by a blind Hungarian magus roughly three hundred years ago. Comparatively simple in design, but it would warn its owner should anyone with hostile intentions approach.
Sola-Ui clutched the bleeding cut on her right arm tightly, her thoughts too rattled to apply healing magecraft there yet. Her sight kept flickering between her attacker and the back of her hand. Her Command Seals were still there, but it had been too close just now. If I'd lost it, then Diarmuid wouldn't come if I called. He wouldn't protect me! Rage swept through her at that thought, and she went for her bag. This woman before her would pay for what she'd nearly stolen!
Maiya had already been moving to close the distance for another attempt but paused when something gold was ripped from the woman's bag. The night flared up for a moment, and she barely evaded the streak of heat that rippled past her and burned a hole in the fence behind her.
A vicious scowl decorated Sola-Ui's normally pristine face as she adjusted her left-handed grip on the Eye of Ra. The solar beam emanating from the medallion's jewel followed the dark-clad woman, blazing with a fury second only to the one inside her. She'd had the foresight to let this treasure collect sunlight during the day, and now it would incinerate every last trace of this fool.
The attacker ducked under a sweep, the distance between the two women widening. Sola-Ui flicked her weapon downwards, the beam finally catching her. Smoke wafted from Maiya with a loud Poof! The woman maintained the stream for a few seconds, satisfied with the immolation of this female rat, before shutting if off. The charred corpse before her would serve as a warning to others-
Except all that lay before her was a scorched piece of a pipe.
Her pendant flared up with another warning and she spun around, Eye of Ra flaring up, but Maiya's gun barked first. The golden Mystic Code went flying through the air alongside a cry from Sola-Ui, the woman staggering back from the bullet wound in her left shoulder. Her white blouse was stained with her own blood, but the magus finally put her Magic Circuits to work on repairing the damage even while she fumbled inside her purse for something, anythingelse.
Maiya didn't so much as raise an eyebrow at the crude dagger levelled shakily towards her. Despite the crimson edge, she could tell with a glance that it wasn't suited for combat like the knife in her own hand. "S-stay back, you wench!" And her target's panicked state confirmed without a doubt that Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri had never been in a fight before.
A fact the noble by magus standards was becoming painfully aware of again now that the blood which had surged through her head in all her fury was starting to leak out of her hastily patched wounds. She couldn't hope to defeat this woman, not alone. And much as it pained her to lessen the bond with her beloved, magi had to make sacrifices.
Maiya's eyes narrowed at the red glow from her target's Command Seals and levelled her gun at the forehead. By the power of my Command Seal… Fire and lead erupted from the muzzle twice-
-84:01:19
Lancer bounded off the roof as yet another claymore detonated in his wake, the moonlight outlining his lean body and making his eyes gleam. Most women (and a fair number of men) would've appreciated the sight, Love Spotor no Love Spot. Hell, Archer X found her eyes roaming over his figure before making them focus on the red tip heading right for her. She threw herself to the side before it tore through the supports of a water tower right behind her.
The Freelancer rolled smoothly to her feet, an SMG materializing in her right hand and a combat knife in her left. The latter she swung to deflect a flurry of shuriken hurtling from behind. Assassin X somersaulted away from the bullets fired as payback, his fingers snapping through three handsigns within half a second. "Wind Style," he briefly pulled his mask down to suck in air, "Air Bullets!" and spat it out in a series of pressurized bolts that sent Archer X stumbling backwards. She cursed while trying to right herself, firing her gun blindly.
Every single one went wide, of course, and Tex barely managed to parry the next series of attacks from both of her opponents. A slash from Gáe Daerg disassembled her SMG, and the next nearly took her head. Lancer was much calmer now; though the tension in his posture painted a clear image of his persisting anger, his actions displayed restraint. He'd been boxing her into a corner for a while now, forcing his treacherous partner to exhaust her tricks.
They were close to the borders of the forest from a few nights ago. Even with Zouken keeping her from bleeding out, Archer X was running low on both firearms and explosives. She could probably still take Lancer with some good old-fashioned fisticuffs, but unfortunately…
She parried a jab with her knife and grabbed hold of the spearman's sole remaining Noble Phantasm to reel him in for a roundhouse kick, but two kunai hurled by Assassin X sank into her supporting leg. With a pained growl, Archer X fell forward only to take a knee to the gut from Lancer. Her armor took the worst of the blow, but it still knocked the air out from her.
She rolled away, letting go of the spear in the process, until her back struck a wall. Archer X tried to rise in defiance to her feet but fell grunting back to one knee; that masked bastard had thrown one of his stupid little knives into her ankle tendon.
…Unfortunately, Assassin X was also there. Between his own combat prowess and cooperative nature, the shinobi had helped Lancer slip around nearly all of Archer X's remaining traps with little damage. He's always, always screwing around in my business… Archer X grumbled to herself while cycling through what was left of Weapons of War's immediate repertoire. Been saving the minigun and missile pod, but they're too unwieldly for this little distance between us. Plus they won't just shred that jackass but Lance- damnit! He's been trying to kill me for the last few days, and I'm still pulling my fucking punches! Face it, Tex, it's him or you if you want that fucking Grail. After everything you've done in this War, can you really just drop the damn ball now?!
Then a familiar velvet voice cut through the soldier's self-scolding. "Raise your head, Archer X." She instinctively looked up to see Lancer striding to where she crouched, his spear pulled back for one final lunge. "You can at least have the dignity to face me when I avenge our lord's murder."
Diarmuid didn't let his eyes drift away from the armored cretin before him, but his ears picked footsteps behind him. They were of a slow pace, though, and he recognized the sound of Assassin X's sandals. The ninja moved within view to his left, obviously ready to stop Archer X should she make a break for it. Otherwise, he made no move to strike. He's relinquishing the final blow to me. Lancer nodded to the veiled man in gratitude for his honor.
Archer X's fists clenched as she went over her options; the knife wound in her ankle slowed her on the left, and Assassin X was guarding her from the right. No time for her arsenal to replenish for something less lethal to Lancer… Damnit. Her fingers loosened and fell to her sides as the man she'd abandoned in this second life took one final step. Texas squared her shoulders and sighed to herself, all resistance leaving. "Get it over with, Pretty Boy."
Well… there are worse ways to go out. And at least it's by his hand. With those thoughts in her head, she stared one last time into those… fuck it all, those alluring eyes as he thrust the red spear towards her-
And halted.
Archer X had been bracing for her death by impalement, but now she blinked perplexed at the red tip trembling in front of her chest armor. What the…?
Assassin X shared her confusion and focused more on his current ally. Sweat was glistening down Diarmuid Ua Duibhne's face while his body had grown stiff as a board. His hands gripped his spear nearly as tightly as his teeth were grinding against one another. Blood trickled down his lip. "What's wrong, Lancer?" The Copy Ninja finally asked warily, not letting their enemy out of his sight.
No answer came from him, and when she continued to remain unimpaled, Texas warily let her sight travel up to the man's face. She found it to be scrunched up in exertion, his eyes glistening with conflict and pain. This emotional maelstrom confused her and made… something stir. Why isn't he ending it? I thought he wanted to kill me… Is he…?
Then as Assassin X took a step towards the knight-class Servant, he convulsed even more as though struck by lightning before suddenly spinning on his heel. Lancer hissed to the ninja, "Stop me!" just as he bounded off awayfrom the other two Servants. Both could only stare baffled for the next few seconds, the Love Spot-warped thoughts in Archer X's brain jumbling about against each other. Wait, he's running away from me? Did he change his mind, is he going to fight one of the others? He… he doesn't want to kill me? The stone-cold soldier had never felt so utterly unsure about something in her "life."
Kakashi recovered quicker and decided to alert his allies. 'Saber, Kiritsugu, something's happened to Lancer. He was just about to finish off a cornered Archer X when he suddenly ran off. He's headed in a straight line back for Fuyuki Bridge, I think he's acting under a Command Seal.'
'I'm currently driving to your location with Irisviel,' Saber replied. 'I should be able to intercept him.'
Their Master inquired, 'What about Archer X?' His words were clinical, carrying no confusion over the situation or concern about what might've happened to their temporary ally.
'She's still with me and injured.' Assassin X spared a glance at the kneeling rogue, still as a black statue. 'I intended to let Lancer dispatch her, but-'
'But you'll have to handle that yourself now, Assassin X,' Kiritsugu cut through with a coldness that didn't surprise the ninja. 'She's too dangerous to keep alive just for Lancer to mend his pride.'
Assassin X suppressed a sigh; he could practically feel Saber's agitation over the mental link. Even with his status as a skilled enemy, both Servants liked and respected the spearman. But ultimately, she voiced no objection, and he himself was already turning to finish the job. Kiritsugu was inhumanly insensitive about the rival duo's situation, but he wasn't wrong.
Regrettably, while her feelings about Lancer were precariously unstable, Archer X had zero conflict concerning Assassin X. Even as he readied Lightning Blade, she materialized her missile pod while unleashing its entire salvo within seconds. The rooftop and much of their already battle-worn surroundings promptly went up in smoke and flame, the Man of a Thousand Techniques barely managing to flip out of the blast radius.
And even then, he knew the reason he'd gotten off with just a slightly singed wardrobe was because Archer X hadn't put any real effort in aiming. Nor did she have interest in staying around, from the looks of it. 'Assassin X, what's happening over there?' Kiritsugu's voice appeared in his head; no surprise, even if he hadn't heard the explosion, the smoke ought to be visible for kilometers. Rather, Kakashi thought he could've heard a sliver of concern in his Master's question.
Thoughts for later. 'Archer X doesn't want to comply with our intentions. Surprisingly.'
'She's escaped?'
'Not quite…' The Sharingan's sight pierced the fumes to detect the familiar ebony-clad familiar; she'd activated her cloaking feature, but it wasn't enough to hide her from that eye. 'From the way she's moving, I'm pretty sure she's tailing Lancer.'
'Can you catch up with her?'
His legs were already bending. 'Shouldn't be a problem.' But just as he made to take off, a heavy rumble preceding a variety of panicked screams caught his attention.
Archer X's errant rockets had severely damaged much of the surrounding rooftops, leading to pieces crumbling off from the rest and beginning to fall to the streets below. To make matters worse, people had taken notice of the noise and plumes, and small crowds had gathered. They fortunately had the good sense to disperse start running when the first debris came down, but not everyone was fast enough. And the biggest pieces had yet to fall.
Assassin X's mind raced. If he stayed, he might not be able to reach Archer X and Lancer in time before something happened. Saber could probably take both on now that she could use her left hand again and Lancer was missing a spear, but with those two so agitated, he didn't feel good taking any chances. But if he left, someone was almost certainly going to die down there, maybe a few if they were unlucky. Kiritsugu would chalk them up as acceptable losses… can't ask him for help even if he could. The Hidden Leaf shinobi shook his head, this was like trying to look left and right at the same-
Naruto's face inadvertently appeared before him, frustrated one second, then flashing a broad grin in realization.
The blonde knucklehead's teacher could've slapped himself. Why are the simple answers so hard to figure out sometimes? Assassin X grumbled to himself, fingers in a t-formation. One of life's great mysteries, I suppose.
Most of the people had moved yelling and scrambling to what seemed like a safe distance, but some weren't so lucky. A teenaged girl had taken a bad hit to her leg and lay crying on the street, and a man and his son, originally enjoying a lengthy evening stroll together to talk about the upcoming holidays, found their own retreat cut off by a sizable chunk smashing down in front of them. The little boy cast his brown eyes terrified up above them as more tumbled downwards. Then he was pulled into the chest of his crouching father and saw nothing else. "Dad, no!" But the man stroked his boy's head and readied to try and throw him to safety, desperately hoping that at least he'd survive the debris falling towards him-
Then all of a sudden, a heavy gust of wind overtook everything else.
Next thing they knew, the two found themselves unscathed on the other side of the debris blocking their way. Even the injured girl had been brought next to them, her broken leg set and wrapped in bandages. She was unconscious and her face was scrunched up in pain, but she seemed to be breathing steadily. Moreover, the falling boulders had all somehow been smashed to dust, leaving everyone below unharmed.
"Shirou, are you alright? I-I don't know what happened, but-"
"I-I'm okay, Dad." The boy's reassurances did little to stop his father from patting him all over, but he didn't mind. He always felt safe when around the big man, even after… all this. "R-really. …What about you?"
Dad finally stopped checking him, sighing in relief. "I… I'm fine, Shirou. Not a scratch." He then pulled the youth in for a tender hug, stroking his auburn hair. "Course, that'll change when your mother hears about this…" he murmured, making a slightly hysterical laugh escape from both.
But between his father's arms, the boy still looked up to where all those rocks had come from.
Later, he'd swear he saw a man kneeling on one ledge, staring down at them. But then smoke had welled up, and nobody was there.
Maiya cast one more look about her surroundings before affirming her report over the phone. "No, not a trace of Sophia-Ri anywhere. I don't have a clue who could've helped her." Her usual cool tone was marred by irritation.
She'd had the woman dead to rights, but just as she pulled the trigger, Urushi had pounced onto her from the right a second before something heavy would've smashed her skull in. I knew there was a reason I told him to hang back,the disciple of the Mage Killer considered. Neither she nor the canine managed to see their attacker before they vanished, though, and by the time Maiya had regained her bearings, Sola-Ui was gone. Whoever helped her was fast. And sneaky enough to evade Urushi's nose.
The latter the hound confirmed by walking around her in a slow circle, scrunched-up snout in the air, before making a disappointed huff. "Whoever scampered off with her must've loosed some kind of stuff in the air. It's messing up her scent, and I can't pick up any new ones." His head and tail dropped, saddened at letting his friend down, but the woman only petted his head while relaying the situation to Kiritsugu.
Maiya Hisau was honestly not frustrated with Urushi at all, she was angry at herself. She'd fixated so much on neutralizing her target that she'd neglected paying attention to her surroundings. An amateur's mistake. Now what should've been a simple kill had escaped. Yet another complication for Kiritsugu…
Yet the man who rescued her gave no indication of sharing their frustration. "Can't be helped, then," that cool tone she'd known for years finally answered once she was done. "Saber tells me she's close to intercepting Lancer, and Assassin X and Archer X are right behind him. Head for the same area; if Lancer really is being commanded to do something, this could be a trap. Be ready for anything."
"Understood." Maiya snapped her phone shut and nodded to Urushi, who released himself with an affirming grunt and a Poof! She then bit down on the tip of her right thumb hard enough to draw a drop of blood and performed the five handsigns Assassin X had taught her before slapping her palm on the roof.
A fresh burst of smoke, and now Guruko sat to attention before her. "Urushi told us the basics, Biscuit's doing fine aside from a bruised rib."
"Good to hear." Maiya nodded at the news and made for the door, the hound loyally trotting after her. "Keep your nose sharp, maybe we can still catch Sola-Ui." But even as she said the words, she doubted it would happen. The redhead couldn't have been responsible for Lancer's actions. She had been at Maiya's mercy even with her little magic toys' help, and she was unmistakably infatuated with her Servant. If she had used a Command Seal on Lancer, then it obviously would've been to call him to her side. This very instability coupled with the Seals had been why Kiritsugu had assigned his assistant to eliminate Sophia-Ri.
So whoever had "rescued" her most likely did it to steal her Seals and gain control over Lancer. But aside from what the Servant could've been commanded, the biggest question was who? It can't have been Kirei Kotomine, Maiya mused while heading down the building's steps. I'm 74% positive that my attack put him out of commission at least for tonight. And even if it didn't, my clone confronted him twenty minutes ago, thirty, tops, in the Shinto half. There's no way he could've crossed the distance to here even by car. The other Masters didn't fit the profile, either, and they were all most likely retiring for the night to replenish their Servants' strength.
That left one other suspect: Zouken Matou. Kiritsugu said his Shadow Clone tried to dispatch him inside his own mansion. But could an old man come all the way out of his mansion and abduct a young woman all by himself? The head of the Matou clan's abilities were largely unknown save for the insect magecraft he had warded off Kiritsugu's clone with, leaving anything as possible.
However, even as the dark-wearing woman and her furry ally made their way to the oncoming clash between knights, they failed to discover that Sola-Ui Nauda-Re Sophia-Ri wasn't that far away. Nor was her "savior."
"Just when you think you've encountered every kind of evil in this world…" Macour the Quick murmured while maintaining his grip. A fresh wail bubbled up in his captive's throat, but he'd kept his hand on her mouth, reducing what escaped to nothing more than a tiny groan.
Sola-Ui couldn't have screamed for help even if she'd wanted. Special Crest Worms sent from Zouken Matou had infiltrated her body and burrowed their way through every last organ and tendon, feasting on the mana inside her Magic Circuits. While Assassin had been quick to knock her unconscious and swipe her from the roof lest that other woman or her blasted mutt realize what had happened (with their current numbers, the Hassan's really needed to hide their involvement in this War for as long as possible), the Worms had taken their sweet time climbing into her.
According to their progenitor, this slowness was necessary; if they moved in for the young lady's Magic Circuits too quickly, Lancer could've alerted through their contract. Thus, the disgusting things had gathered around her brain and Command Seals before sinking their "teeth" in, painfully turning poor Sola-Ui into Zouken's newest puppet. The first order of business had been to use Diarmuid's remaining Seals for two quite specific commands.
That done, the Crest Worms were now collecting all they could from Sola-Ui's body while ensuring she didn't die just yet and deprive Lancer of his supply. And making doubly sure that she couldn't somehow interfere with the Heroic Spirit's current mission. It left her in obvious agony, though, and even Hassan-i-Sabbah, a Heroic Spirit who'd committed his fair share of despicable acts, found no joy in watching over her twitching, broken body.
His fellow Assassin, Strange Arm Gozour, winced from where he stood watch. Those same massive fists that had almost crushed the other woman's skull a while ago clenched and opened again from his unease. "Is this really for the best, brother?" Gozour finally rumbled. "I'd be lying if I said I was comfortable with these deeds." He ceased briefly in his vigil to stare with pity at the blood and tear-stained face of their captive. "With the last of her Seals gone, can we not put her out of her misery now?"
"Not while Lancer still breathes, Rider X was very specific about that," Macour reminded him with a sigh. "And I'd rather not risk earning his ire, would you?"
"Heh, he knows he cannot just kill off what few of us remain, not when he still has so many enemies running about." A shiver traveled through the big dark-skinned Servant despite his words, though. The Assassins' partner had told them what to do over their telepathic link while the Matou Worms had been delivered by their airborne "cousins." And even if he hadn't actually stated it, both personalities were certain that Megatron had devised this scheme himself. Further consideration about other factors and just what the result was meant to be had made their bloods freeze in their veins.
So, even if the extraterrestrial tyrant still needed what was left of Hassan of the Hundred Faces, who could say what he would do to them to ensure they followed his orders?
Gozour finally sighed before returning to sentry duty. "All this for our wish, brother?"
"All this for our wish, brother," Macour confirmed with more resignation than he'd have preferred. They were among a member of the Hashshashin, those who had dwelled in the shadows, beings uncelebrated as more traditional heroes would be. The creature of darkness they had struck a deal with, though… perhaps he was Iblis himself in disguise.
But it was too late for Assassin to turn back now. The darkness was his home and his prison.
And for poor Sola-Ui, trapped in misery and weeping at how fate had dangled the greatest prize she could've imagined before her only to snatch it away, trying and failing to send what was almost surely her final thoughts, her love, to Diarmuid… for her, it was simply too late.
-83:51:25
In the beginning, there was nothing. Then with a great explosion, there came light and life. And simultaneously came darkness and death.
The light formed its own being, Primus, as did the darkness, Unicron. Though in a sense brothers, as they were the same and yet opposite in every way, neither could accept the other's presence. Battle was inevitable.
But as the titans struck at each other again and again with fist, blade and energy dwarfing that of the stars themselves, the battle became never-ending. For every action Primus took, Unicron had the appropriate reaction. For every power Unicron unleashed, Primus created the exact counterforce. Entire galaxies were born and died as their clashes continued, but never was there a victor in sight. They were equals.
Until Primus chose to change the nature of their battle. He stepped down and birthed thirteen smaller beings, each having received his blessings in one form or another. Alone, each being, each Prime could not hope to match Unicron. But Primus knew together, the Thirteen would find a victory. So, as a final gift, he shaped himself into an entire world for them to call home. A world for them to hone their gifts, to prepare for the clash with their greatest enemy, and to enjoy what small whispers of peace there be in the cosmos. A world… named Cybertron.
Unicron hounded the stars in search for his immortal enemy, millennia passing before he managed to catch a whisper of his presence. He traveled swiftly, prepared for anything Primus could throw at him… but it was the Thirteen Primes who confronted him. The Chaos Bringer could not have imagined such a tactic… the very idea of bestowing one's own power to lesser, weaker beings… After a great battle, his consciousness was sealed away inside his own body, which in turn became a planet teeming with life. Oh, the irony. The humiliation.
Yet fragments of Unicron remained, scattered among the stars. The energy that had coursed through his being as blood flowed through an organic lifeform… the dark reflection of the same energy which originated from Primus, Energon…
Dark Energon.
Most avoided it, fearful of its corruptive, chaotic nature. A few, though, found some sliver of courage to contain it and attempt to study its essence. Fewer still worked up the nerve to try and wield it… those paid the price for their insolence. To think they could hope to tame an embodiment of destruction, the foolishness!
Then after eons of slumbering, the Dark Energon sensed a change in its surroundings. An imbalance. Conflict had ever been present on the face of Cybertron, such was the way of the universe. But now, a war was being waged, one far greater in scope than ever before! Primus himself would have wept at the destruction the successors of his disciples were leaving in their wake.
If the blood of Unicron were capable of emotion, it would have felt the highest of joy.
Yet it only began to stir when a certain individual came for it. One of the leading figures behind the war that ravaged Cybertron, in fact, the very cause of it! A Spark brimming with desire and arrogance, things Dark Energon had seen in others before him… yet also combined with a will strong as the forces that bound the universe itself.
Events began to take place, events that would lead to the near reawakening of Unicron itself. Yet one moment sang out at present, the very moment where this creation of Primus had confronted the blood of Unicron. Another that bore witness had screeched his disbelief at the sight before him. "No! No one can control Dark Energon! It dominates and destroys everything it touches!" Then he had fled like the quivering speck he has.
But the one who had challenged the ultimate corruptive force in existence? He laughed. "I… am the dominator." He strode out before his assembled soldiers, all bearing witness in frightened awe at what their leader had claimed. "I… am the destroyer. I. AM-
Kirei Kotomine awakened with a heavy gasp, rising to a sitting position… and almost toppling off his perch. "Careful there, Kirei," a familiar voice rang up around him, "we are at a fair altitude. And it would be a shame for you to perish after your recovery."
A pair of hands grabbed hold of his shoulders, steadying him to where he sat. A glance behind him revealed one of the Assassins, a rather short one with long arms and fingers. Fine tools for surgery or thievery. Or both. Kirei noted the caution veiled by the skull mask's eye slits before studying his whereabouts: both he and his Servant of the Shadows (one of them, at least) were seated atop Rider X in his spaceship form, high above the buildings of Miyama Town. The aircraft showed no signs of prior conflict, indicating the Cybertronian Heroic Spirit had used Kirei's mana to replenish his strength. The engines produced a slight whine that few would hear from this height.
The priest forced his breathing to slow, drawing in more oxygen (harder than usual, we must really be high above ground) before releasing it in a measured pace. Once he'd managed to calm from the, the… well, there was little other way to describe what he had viewed in his dream other than a creation story. The very beginning of a world, of a race, mere flashes, an abbreviation, really, but what an incredible sensation for a religious man! Father would turn green with envy if I told him of this experience, Kirei mused with a little humor.
That faded, though, when he remembered how he came to view this. Not through the "eyes" of a sentient being… but of a primal, unquestionably malevolent force. But how could I have seen all of this just Rider X's memories? He's old, but nowhere near old enough to have witnessed the time of these Primes, let alone Primus and Unicron's battle. So…Then Kirei's thoughts caught up with the very final scene shown to him.
Did he… does he… The Master thrust his hands out in front of him and instinctively activated his Magic Circuits. They flared up briefly visible to his prepared eyes, but instead of the traditional turquoise of mana…
They crackled a horrifyingly familiar shade of violet. "Rider X…" More of his own memories were returning now: him watching over Tokiomi at the battle of Mion River, noticing who he thought was Kiritsugu Emiya and confronting him, only to discover it was that lackey of his, then the hound biting him, those exploding papers- A trap set for me. He concluded. But… he rolled his shoulders experimentally and checked his body; not so much as a whisper of pain. But that ominous glow from his Circuits persisted. "What… what have you done to me, Megatron?"
His whisper was met with a blood-chilling chuckle. "Why, I saved your life, Master. Such is my duty as a loyal Servant, and you were in a rather precarious state." A ripple of menace emanated from the priest's transport. "Now, I understand you're not a very social person, but considering I bestowed a sliver of my true power to return you to full health, in this situation, you would say, 'thank you, Rider X,' and I would answer, 'you're welcome, Master.'"
Thank him? Thank him?! Kirei's teeth ground against each other in silent fury. Looking aside from the obvious fact that Rider X would never just give him power, not without the possibility that the Master could now become a puppet to his own Servant…
What the metallic creature had done was unforgivable. He'd defiled a devout priest's body, perverted his nature! Dark Energon was a force of chaos and destruction, a wretched power that had ravaged an entire world from the inside out! And the very perpetrator of that crime of inimitable magnitude was now carrying him to where perhaps only the Devil would know. Kirei seethed as he felt this loathsome energy bubbling inside of him; what injuries he'd sustained had healed up as though they'd never existed, and his limbs, his very muscles felt stronger, as if he were using Reinforcement or the like. But this all seemed… normal now.
Kirei Kotomine could not have felt more revolted by all this, much less because he couldn't be sure if his revulsion was sincere or forced.
His eyes traveled down to his left hand where the final remaining Command Seal over Rider X rested. Part of him wanted to order the wretched titan underneath him to tear out his own Spark as punishment for his… desecrating his Master! That would finally rid Kirei of the monstrous feelings that had plagued him since this ridiculous War had begun. And if Rider X's death meant his own, either by the fall or Dark Energon's disappearance, so be it.
He raised his hand, noting how Assassin braced himself behind his Master… and froze up. Kirei could neither say nor even think the command he wanted to give. Something was… barring him. Of course… the Master snarled to himself. Dark Energon may have originated from Unicron, but it currently exists as a Noble Phantasm. Rider X's Noble Phantasm.
He'd seen what the violet crystals were capable of, reanimating the dead, asserting control over them… The same power that had revitalized Kirei Kotomine was the source behind his hesitation, it just had to be. Damnit!Thanks to his carelessness, the Master was now at risk of being controlled by the Servant. Oh, the irony.
"Well, Kirei?" That damned familiar spoke up again as he slightly adjusted course. His tone oozed of amusement, no doubt at the power he now held over the Executor. "Aren't you curious about how the Grail War has developed during your time of recovery?"
Warning bells began ringing inside Kirei's skull; what did he mean? The city was still standing, so Caster and his monstrosity must've been eradicated. But what about the rest? Was Kirit- master Tokiomi still alive?
The member of the Church's Eighth Sacrament drew in a breath to steady himself; yes, the War continued. In time, perhaps with Tokiomi's help, he would find a way to purge himself of Rider X's corruption.
…And loath though he'd admit it, his curiosity had been awoken. "Assassin, tell me the proceedings. Keep your report brief but essential."
"Yes, Master," Bilal the Mending acquiesced with a bow of his head. "Saber destroyed Caster and his monster with her Noble Phantasm, Excalibur." Kirei's eyes narrowed. So as suspected, the blonde female was indeed the King of Knights. He also detected a slight increase in speed from their transport. Agitation? "Saber X is dead, slain by Avenger X, but his two partners and Master, Waver Velvet, remain. As do Kariya Matou, Kiritsugu Emiya, sir Tokiomi, and their respective Servants. Most have retired to their bases now, with little interest in more battle." Relief flickered inside Kirei's mind at hearing his teacher was still doing well (even if that meant Archer would probably continue to pilfer his wine reserves).
And… he still had a chance to encounter Kiritsugu Emiya. But before he allowed himself to ponder more on that, Kirei noticed a few details missing. "What about Lancer and his Master? For that matter, what is the status of Archer X and that… unexpected Servant?"
"Avenger X was hurled away from the battlefield by Saber X before the latter's death, but we are certain he survived. We have yet to narrow down where exactly he is, though, aside from somewhere on this side of the river. As for Archer X and Lancer…" The dark Servant paused in his debriefing, but a hesitant glance down to the silver metal underneath them gave a hint.
Perhaps it was the new "connection" between them, or perhaps he'd simply developed an understanding for the foreigner's thought process. Perhaps it was both. Either way, Kirei Kotomine caught on quickly. "Anything you'd care to add about those two, Rider X?"
"Oh, a few little things, Kirei." The aircraft promptly dipped downwards towards one of the lower buildings' roofs in Miyama. It then stopped to hover a few meters above the spot, silently beckoning its passengers to depart. They did so warily (Kirei noting in trepidation how easily his non-Reinforced legs landed onto the roof with nary a stumble), and then Megatron reassumed his normal form to touch down, a wicked grin on his face. "But I feel what I've helped organize would be better shown than told."
He gestured with his left hand out towards the other residences. "Lancer shouldn't be far away, and Archer X follows him as ever. I brought us here to ensure we could enjoy the spectacle without being drawn in ourselves." A red optic settled meaningfully on his partner. "My thirst for battle has been sated tonight, and I assume yours has as well, Master?"
Truth be told, Kirei's cells was practically vibrating inside him, like animals eager to break free of their cages and rampage. Dark Energon's influence, no doubt. He took a long breath to steady himself, remembering his bajiquanlessons, and forced down the urges. "Very well," the man turned towards Assassin to initiate shared perception (and maybe find a distraction from the fire bubbling within him), "let's have a look at what madness you've instigated, Decepticon."
He couldn't stop running. His legs, tirelessly crossing rooftop and street one pace at a time, simply refused to stop moving no matter how much his mind begged them to. 'Lady Sola, please! Or… whoever else you are! Stop this madness!' But Lancer's telepathic pleas went unheard. He didn't really think the lady who'd become his Master was responsible for these heinous orders, but… what was he supposed to believe?! Who could have done this? Rider X? Avenger X? How is this happening? What should I do? Even as all these thoughts raced through his mind, Lancer's body persisted in following what he'd been commanded. No matter his agony over this. The Seals… I can't-
He leaped high over a clearing… and then a miracle in blue and silver was before him.
Lancer's reflexes kicked in, Gáe Daerg raised in front of him to block an invisible blade. The force of the blow sent him hurtling downwards, where he performed a three-point landing in the clearing that cracked asphalt. The knight rose swiftly to a running position and made to continue when he was stopped again by his foe.
His foe, his admirable opponent, his finest rival in this Holy Grail War. "What is the meaning of this, Lancer?" The King of Knights asked worriedly despite the sparks flying from their weapons locked. Her emerald eyes shined not only with that chivalrous resolve he couldn't help but respect… but also a compassion that eased his pain by some measure. "What could force you to abandon your duties like this?" She nodded behind him; Archer X was close by.
Diarmuid knew, he'd sensed her presence right behind him through the entire run. Her chasing him, now; another little irony. And he couldn't do a damn thing. But to Saber, he hissed, "What else could force us Servants?" The remark visibly rattled her; she understood. His pride was already in tatters, lessening the sting of his next plea. "Stop me, Saber. Stop me before I try to kill him!"
Then Lancer's arms pushed her back despite himself, but instead of pressing the attack, he made to leave. Saber quickly cut him off, forcing him to stay. Still, they both knew he'd try making a break for it again. "Kill who? Who's making you do this?"
"I don't know, but-" A gunshot rang out before something zipped past her forehead. Saber held back a wince while trying to keep her sword in place. One misstep, and Lancer would slip away.
"Get the hell away from him!" Archer X crashed against the pavement next to them, sniper rifle aimed up. It fired again but failed to hit any target on account of a sandal kicking its barrel.
Assassin X landed a fair distance between the soldier and the knights, releasing a trail of lightning with a distinct canine appearance that struck Archer X. Despite her armor, the voltage stung, sending her convulsing wildly backwards. "That," her opponent noted, "was for that flashbang-grenade combination you lobbed at me." He prodded a scorch mark on his left shoulder with a wince before it suddenly healed up. "Ah, many thanks, Irisviel."
"My pleasure, Assassin X." The white-haired woman replied from where she leaned against her car. Her outstretched hands trembled slightly, but she noted with relief that her magecraft was still usable. For now…
Archer X flipped back onto her feet with a new gun and a growl. Her partner was here, he hadn't attacked her in all the time she'd chased him, maybe he really had come around to her way. Crazy thoughts, but a girl could hope, right?
And of course, now that fucking doll dressed up like a knight and her mummed-up stooge decide to interfere because life's just a bitch like that! Well, to hell with them. Plain and simple.
By contrast, hope grew all the more inside Lancer's heart upon realizing Saber's group had arrived. Maybe there was still a chance! "Assassin X!" He called out even as his arms continued to jab through the swordswoman's guard. "Do you know a way to counteract a Command Seal?"
The shinobi nimbly evaded a flurry of bullets aimed at him before answering. "I'm not sure, but that's really what's going on, isn't? You've been given a command?"
"Two," Diarmuid bit out while trying to leap over Saber. Fortunately, she proved fast enough to stop him yet again. "Please, find a way to stop this! If you don't, I'll be forced to hunt Caster X down!" Both Servants and their homunculus friend started at what he'd said.
This revelation was a bit of shock for Kirei Kotomine as well. Even while he kept part of his attention on the battle, witnessed through the senses of the hidden Assassin and relayed to him, he still turned to the other viewer with an accusing glare. "Caster X? Was that your doing?"
"Partially," Rider X replied smoothly. "The idea for forcing Lancer into this position was mine, yes, but… let's just say my… associate has little fondness for that old meddler. And small favors help keep alliances strong."
Kirei frowned to himself, processing what he'd just learned and weighing it next to his prior observations. Quicker than he'd thought, the pieces of Rider X's machinations began sliding into place before him, forming a picture that chilled and fascinated him:
Coming into contact with his hidden "associate," Zouken Matou, Megatron had explained to him the details of his plan. From there, the magus had likely sent out a collection of those revolting creatures (he'd learned about them from Assassin) to the one monitoring Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri. The Servant then abducted her and infested her body with Zouken's magecraft, bringing her body, and most importantly her Command Seals, under his control.
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald had already expended a Seal on Lancer nights ago, and Sola-Ui wouldn't have had time to restock, so that left her with two Seals. Judging by how Lancer kept trying to turn towards Archer X, likely intent on finishing her despite the current situation, but would always freeze up, Zouken must've used one for a particular command:
Do not engage Archer X until you've killed Caster X.
And to make sure the knight wouldn't "misunderstand his responsibilities," Zouken subsequently invoked the final Seal:
Kill Caster X. Now.
Despicable… and utterly brilliant in using Lancer, the noble fool, Kirei scoffed to himself. If he weren't so busy resisting the commands, he could surely slip away from this battlefield, maybe even kill Assassin X in the process. Archer X's presence and… zeal in "aiding" him would keep the rest off his back. Is he really capable of dispatching Caster X, though? …His red spear is a natural counter against magic, and with his fighting skill, it ought to be possible even without the yellow spear. So… yes, he stands a fair chance. Berserker's presence would complicate the battle, of course, but with a little help from Archer X, Lancer would have nothing to impede him from finishing her as well once his task is done. But he wouldn't accept a victory like that… not one tainted by the blood of an honorable man. An amused smirk began to play on Kirei's face before he covered it in horror. It was just like earlier today, during that discussion with Megatron and Gilgamesh. What am I doing, imagining such a scenario?! Is because of the corrupting power Rider X put in me? Or…?
He sucked in a breath to calm himself and forced his mouth into a disgusted frown. Either way, the events in his mind were just a possible outcome that seemed unlikely especially now. Does Rider X seriously expect Lancer to succeed in his current conflicted state with two Servants in his way? Why doesn't he join in himself to let the knight run free? Cowardice? …No, despicable though he is, Megatron wouldn't just stay away from a fight. His pride as a former champion among gladiators wouldn't allow it. If he really wanted Lancer to succeed, he'd intervene. But the way things are now, Saber and Assassin X are going to-
It was in that moment Kirei Kotomine understood what his Servant's true intentions were. And he wasn't sure what disturbed him more, this sinful idea… or his own exhilaration at it.
So, that's the command over him? Saber mused as she swung her sword at a fast pace, forcing him to parry. They weren't meant to inflict serious damage but to keep the fellow knight bogged down. She sensed he was telling the truth from the hesitance in his stance, the straining of his muscles against each other. Lancer was obviously fighting against his own body this entire time.
But both the King of Knights and her friends (as well as Kiritsugu and Maiya, kept up to speed by Assassin X) wondered: who could have given him this command? Sophia-Ri had no reason to want Gandalf the Gray dead other than him being an opposing Servant. And even then, there were plenty of other targets Lancer could've been sent after otherwise, like Kakashi who'd been literally right next to him at the time. Maiya's recounting indicated that another party had involved itself and most likely made use of her Seals. Which, the Servant duo sadly noted, almost positively meant that the woman was beyond saving. A fact Lancer himself was beginning to realize if the renewed anguish on his face was any sign.
But there was no time to commiserate over yet another failure for Diarmuid. The command to take Caster X's life kept urging him on to leave this battle and find the wizard he respected, and Assassin X's earlier answer had weakened his hope. Moreover, he could tell from their movements that both of his friendly opponents had expended much throughout this night's events. Even the magic of that pale woman could only do so much to keep them on their feet.
They would press on, of course. Lancer knew that neither the blonde king nor the masked ninja would ever let a little thing like exhaustion prevent them from performing their duties. Or having each other's backs.
A grenade from Archer X briefly rattled Saber, almost leaving her open for Gáe Daerg, but Assassin X instantly appeared between them to kick the thrust off course. His partner simultaneously stepped in front of his back to deflect gunfire with her sword, then she spun to slash at the spearman trying to break for the left while he drove back the blackguard with a large fireball.
Lancer couldn't stop a bittersweet smile from crossing his face. There it is. No words were exchanged between Saber and Assassin X, not even glances were necessary at this stage. They simply fought in perfect synch, covering each other's vulnerable points and assisting when things looked a little precarious. And so fluidly, it was as if they'd rehearsed this battle. They were from completely different worlds, could've only known each other for a few days, a week at most, but the duo acted now like they'd been standing side-by-side all their lives.
They weren't just allies after the same prize, they truly shared a silent but strong bond. Artoria Pendragon and Kakashi Hatake were comrades. Friends.
Envy was unbecoming of a knight, but after everything else he'd managed to botch up, feeling this emotion didn't weigh so much on Diarmuid's conscience now. Besides, it paled next to his respect of these fine heroes before him. "Saber. Assassin X." His smile grew more grateful at how the addressed turned attentive despite the battlefield. "Facing your dual fighting resolve refreshes my heart more than the coolest breezes."
Saber smiled back at him while a brief chuckle came from Assassin X, the latter quickly flashing him that odd eye-smile. "A knight and a poet. No wonder you're so popular."
Lancer's own laugh was cut short by an almost feral growl. Furthest from them, Archer X twitched savagely about where she stood, the fury emanating from reminiscent of another Servant in dark armor. Why's he complimenting them?! He's supposed to be my partner! He's stopped gunning after my head, but he's still saying more good things to that stick-up-her-ass Princess Charming and that weird ninja asshole?! "Whose side are you on, make up your fucking mind already!" She howled before unleashing her next barrage.
Kiritsugu ducked behind a cement column a second before the next explosion rang out. Smoke billowed from the side and pebbles could be heard cracking against his hiding place. He sneaked out a careful peek and allowed himself to sigh in relief; Iri had found cover, and Maiya was by her side. He could trust them not to get involved in this chaos of a fight. No human could hope to survive here; even a Servant was bound to die from Archer X's onslaught. Good thing Iri set up the Bounded Field in advance…
The Mage Killer took another scan of the area with a thermal imaging camera; still no sign. Whoever had set all this up wasn't watching their results in person. Probably via proxy like a familiar. Still, that shot down the possibility of him eliminating them, leaving the only way he couldcontribute by invoking a Command Seal of his own. And that was a risky decision.
He'd been able to save his Seals thanks to his Servants' cooperativeness (which, honestly, the Master owed to Assassin X most of all). Technically, expending one now wouldn't be such a great loss, especially seeing as Kiritsugu could claim the reward of more Seals from the Grail War's overseer. But even though Saber had delivered the final blow, he didn't trust Risei Kotomine one bit. Heading to the church could mean walking into a trap.
Besides, Kiritsugu was at least seventy percent sure that Rider X or Zouken Matou was behind this mess. Maybe even both. But the Matou patriarch was bound to have fortified his home's defenses against another visit, and that foreign monster was who knows where by now. The ninja hounds could narrow his position, but finding Rider X wouldn't do any good without a Servant to kill him. And both of Kiritsugu's were tied down here.
He looked at the battle again. Archer X was growing more erratic with each passing minute while Lancer had ceased trying to attack her. No, Kiritsugu corrected himself, it's not so much that he isn't targeting her as that he can't target her. His body keeps freezing up every time he so much points his spear in her direction, like what Assassin X reported back then.
In light of all these observations, the most suitable course of action was perfectly clear to the machine that is Kiritsugu Emiya. 'Assassin X, Saber,' he sent to both Heroic Spirits following him.
'Let Lancer run loose and finish off Archer X.'
He noted approvingly how both only flinched for a moment on the battlefield before regaining their focus. But Saber, of course, still frowned. 'You can't be serious, Kiritsugu!'Her reply was quite irate. 'If we don't keep Lancer here, he'll chase after Caster X! Either he kills him, or Berserker,' a hesitation before she sliced a rocket in half, 'will tear him apart!'
'None of that is of any concern to us, Saber,' her Master answered coldly. 'Lancer, Caster X and Berserker are all enemies in the long run. Helping them is a luxury and a waste of time put to better use in dispatching bigger threats.' His thoughts sharpened slightly; he was not in the mood for a debate. 'Like, say, the insane soldier currently trying to blast you both back to the Throne of Heroes?' Another explosion punctuated his point rather nicely.
Kiritsugu held back a sigh as he saw the King of Knights' aggression increase. This was the most practical course of action they could take: he carried no ill will against the Gray Wizard, but circumstances aside, Lancer wielded perhaps the best possible weapon against Caster X. Berserker maybe, too, considering how his own Noble Phantasm functioned. One killing the other would remove a strong piece off the board, and if Berserker was among the casualties, then it'd be one less distraction for Saber. But no, she probably still wanted to settle her silly little duel with Lancer. Ridiculous sentimentality between two knights. 'Master…' she practically snarled, but he ignored it.
He still had one Servant he could count on, after all. 'Assassin X, pull Saber back and wait for Lancer to leave.'
A new explosion, more powerful than the previous ones, swept out, almost knocking the hunter off his feet. But he could still hear the Copy Ninja's rather testy retort. 'Easier said than done...'
-83:34:48
The yard where the four Servants were fighting erupted in fire and smoke. The freshly materialized missile pod spat its payload out with all the fury of the one aiming it. Saber, Lancer, and Assassin X were forced to stay on their toes lest they risked getting blown to giblets. The Servant of the Spear stabbed his class weapon into the ground and vaulted over two streaks with a grace that would've won him Olympic sponsors (and fans) across the globe. He landed closer to his ex-partner and made to swing down Gáe Daerg's tip, only to freeze up yet again. Damn this command… he grunted in desperate anger before glaring at her. "You have no idea how lucky you are-"
"Oh, I'm lucky, am I?!" She shot back with a venom that actually rattled him for a bit. "Quit screwing around with me!" Another missile zipped past him to blow a wall to rubble. They were lucky to be fighting in a deserted part of the town, but without the Bounded Field set up by Saber and Assassin X's Master, they'd have attracted an audience by now.
But what drew Diarmuid's attention more than the destruction around him was the anguish written across his enemy's body.
She just couldn't understand it. Was Lancer an enemy or an ally? Did he want to kill her or not? Why was he trying to run away one second and then swing that red stick of her the next? Agent Texas' mind had been so utterly warped by the influence of Lancer's bewitching effect and the increasingly strange circumstances that she couldn't make heads or tails of her own thoughts. That geezer or Rider X might've tried contacting her a while ago, but honestly, even if someone had sat Archer X down and explained the entire situation to her step by step, she still wouldn't have understood. Add antagonistic factors like Assassin X and Saber (a rival?), and she had become too agitated to listen to reason.
She didn't even know if she wanted her old partner dead… or just wanted him.
The problem was, while Archer X's mind (and maybe heart) was trying to figure this all out, her body was busying itself with trying to blow everything and everyone around her to kingdom come!
Maiya quickly pulled Irisviel away from her beloved Mercedes and towards one of the few intact walls left. In the process, she shut down any protests with two lines: "Cars run on gas. Gas explodes." The homunculus accepted the logic with a grudging nod and a silent prayer for her favorite toy.
Assassin X slashed through a collection of grenades thrown in his direction before noticing a blur of green through the plumes. Lancer trying yet again to get away. The Copy Ninja hesitated for only a second before slapping both palms against the ground. "Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
The earth rose up in front of Diarmuid's path, forcing him to dig his heels into the dirt lest he collide headfirst with the newly formed wall before him. Sadly, the blasted command compelled him to let no obstacles stop him; one slash from Gáe Dearg reduced the wall to pebbles. But a new obstacle took form in a length of chain that wrapped around his torso.