Outside the city.
Lelouch looked at Fuyuki as the city was bathed in the light of the setting sun. Currently, he was standing alone on one of the rooftops, waiting for his allies to continue their plan. He turned around and saw the forest not so far away from him. The Demon Emperor thought about their plan one more time.
'The forest would be a good place for a fight against someone like Gilgamesh. Trees should provide cover for Nobunaga and Lancer to come closer to Archer and finish him in close combat.' Avenger was supposed to lure Gilgamesh into the trap, while Lancer was already waiting inside the forest, hiding and preparing for the fight.' To kill a Servant of Gilgamesh's calibre, one would require at least two servants. Archer knows that we're in an alliance with Lancer and his Master but without anyone to assist him, our side has the advantage. Lancer only needs to make sure Gilgamesh won't be able to escape, Nobunaga will deal with the rest.'
Lelouch knew they couldn't underestimate someone like Archer. They didn't know his Noble Phantasm and how powerful his Gate of Babylon could be at full strength. However, they planned to kill the Demigod Servant before he could unleash any of his trump cards. Once Avenger and Archer were inside the forest, Lancer would attack him from behind. Even with one spear, he should be able to impale Gilgamesh with it, if not score a direct strike to the head.
Lelouch didn't forget that the Einzberns owned this forest. In fact, he hoped for Saber to join the battle. Artoria was a knight and had that typical honour-focused approach to battle, something that could be used against her. With Archer gone nothing should prevent Lancer from fighting Saber one on one.
Well, at least that's how they'd challenge her in theory. In practice, Nobunaga would simply be waiting for the right moment to step in and catch Saber off guard. If Avenger and Lancer were capable of beating the King of Heroes by themselves, then the King of Knights would be no issue.
However, this was a secondary objective. Killing Archer was their top priority tonight.
'A spear that pierces any armour, quite useful right now. Even if it doesn't kill Archer, it should encumber him and give Nobunaga time to activate her Noble Phantasm.' She told Lelouch exactly what her most powerful attack does and the Demon Emperor would admit it was an extremely handy Noble Phantasm for this situation. 'No wonder she was able to sense Archer's divinity. Interesting how the enemy of Budha is able to work against other Deities as well.'
His thoughts were soon interrupted by the arrival of Kayneth. The head of the mage family said nothing as he walked closer to Lelouch and looked upon the forest. However, the raven-haired young man noticed that his temporary ally was smiling.
"From your smile, I can see that everything worked out."
"But of course! This was nothing for me!" Kayneth proudly proclaimed as he showed his hand with a new Command Seal. "It took some time to sort out the small things but now I, well, we can use the spare Command Seals from the previous war without any issue."
"Excellent. What about his arm?"
"I left it to Sola to watch over. She can handle it." The older man laughed at his little joke while Lelouch narrowed his eyes.
"I would recommend being more careful with your future wife." Kayneth looked like he was about to argue but Lelouch continued." I think it is obvious that she is more interested in Lancer than in you, Kayneth."
The Master of Lancer said nothing as he silently stared at his three Command Seals. Kayneth wasn't a fool and could see how Lancer had charmed his fiancee, even if the bastard said he didn't intend to. It doesn't matter, once he won the Grail War and Lancer disappeared, Sola would come to her senses.
"I appreciate your concern, Lamperouge. But this is a matter of my family. So please stay out of this."
"Hey, I just wanted to warn you. Besides." The Demon Emperor felt how Nobunaga sent him a message through their connection.
"We will be there in one minute."
"Our friends are already here." Lelouch said as he looked at the sky and saw the gold aircraft approaching the forest."Oh my, it seems Archer has something interesting in his treasury."
"W-what is that?! I thought he was the Archer class, not Rider!"
"Speaking about Rider." Lelouch pointed in the direction of the city. Both allies stared at the massive figure of Iskandar as he was riding towards the forest in his chariot. Neither of them doubted that young Waver was inside it as well. With a frown Lelouch said. " Well, this does complicate our plan a little bit. However-," the former emperor raised his hand and eyed his Seals. "-I still have these little helpers."
"And we have enough to spare." Kayneth nodded, as he raised his hand as well. The Magus was about to use one of his Command Seals and order Lancer to penetrate Archer's armour...until both of them were interrupted.
A monstrous scream echoed across the forest. All the Masters froze while the Servants narrowed their eyes. The Heroic Spirits could sense just how suddenly the gigantic magical signature had appeared inside the forest. Then it rose above the trees and came into full view of the participants.
Lelouch had seen a lot of weird and terrifying things back in his previous life and barely any of it had fazed him...but this new creature was something that sent shivers down even his spine.
'WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!'
***
Waver looked terrified at the giant creature. He'd never seen anything like this in his books.
"R-rider?"
"Huh, a Phantasmal Beast in our day and age? Now, that's unexpected." Iskandar commented, his expression stern. "This might be more of a challenge than I thought."
***
"Saber!"
"I see it, Irisviel. Don't worry, I should be able to handle it." Artoria assured her, as she clenched her now-healed hand. If needed she would use her Noble Phantasm.
The King of Knights shot a glare at the monster and took off towards it, ready for battle.
***
"That's one big ugly yokai," Nobunaga said.
She didn't need to turn around to know that Lancer had materialized behind her. They were closest to this monstrosity. Both Avenger and Lancer stared at the beast, thinking about what to do and waiting for new orders.
***
Tokiomi and Gilgamesh silently stared at the scene below them. Vimara was high in the sky and Archer was certain that nothing would harm them there, but his Master was busy thinking about how to deal with this situation before this monster could do anything to Fuyuki.
"Your highness, as your humble subject, I beg you to eliminate this creature before the citizens notice it," Gilgamesh said nothing, his eyes turned from a monster in the forest towards the other Servants, at least those he was able to notice. However, one of the participants of the war had caught his attention.
Archer smirked, before deciding to humour Tokiomi's request this one time. Besides, he could spare three treasures for this task.
***
On the ground, before the forest stood one man. His face was covered in a hoodie but one could notice that part of his face was deformed. Kariya looked at the creature but his focus soon shifted to something else in the air. His eye soon found gold aircraft in the air. It didn't take Kariya long enough to realise who it was.
Archer.
If Kariya could kill Archer right now, nothing would stop him from winning this war. Not to mention, it meant that Tokiomi would lose.
"Berserker." As he commanded, the black knight appeared behind him. Kariya pointed at Archer in the sky and let out a single order." Kill."
It was enough for the crazed Knight of the Lake.
***
Back in the forest, the mad Caster was having the time of his life.
Gilles de Rais laughed like he'd never laughed before. Right now he was inside his new friend, its tentacles gently and protectively covering him. The giant monster had numerous appendages, all of which would help to deal with Servants who decided to come here and stop him.
Fools! All of them! Now, Gilles was unstoppable. He had won the war the moment his Jeanne was summoned, right now he just needed to show it to others. His Noble Phantasm worked perfectly! His new pet was strong enough to kill anyone who would dare to stand in Gilles' way. None of the other servants could stop him now.
Caster let another bout of insane laughter slip through his lips. He didn't forget about Ryuunosuke, his wonderful Master had been so understanding. He deserved the show of his life!
"Allow me to show you what COOL really is."