Chapter Six: Midnight Skirmish
Marcus breathed in the cool night air. The clear skies and full moon made it the perfect night for him and Lancer to begin their recon. Lancer, clothed in his Roman armaments, materialized beside his Master.
"Shall I take the lead?" asked Lancer.
"That'd be a good idea." concurred the magus as he tightened the rune-inscribed gloves on his hands. "But don't get too far ahead. I don't want us to get ambushed and unable to support each other."
Lancer nodded in agreement. The two started off down the street. The nearest location was one of the hotels marked on Marcus' map.
Marcus pulled a rune stone from his pocket and tossed it towards the building. It bounced off the wall harmlessly. He tried another rune stone, this one with more mana poured into it. The wall cracked slightly but nothing else happened.
"There isn't a magus here." said Marcus, turning and leaving. "If there were, my runes would have been repelled by a barrier."
Lancer inclined his head in understanding. Marcus didn't expect him to understand the complexities of magecraft. Lancer didn't seem all that interested in it either. The magus imagined the Servant saw magic as just another weapon in one's arsenal, not as an ancient and all-powerful art.
"I believe the outlet mall is next." said Lancer.
"Right." affirmed his Master. "We have to pass a park on our way there."
"I know the place." said Lancer. "I explored it earlier in the day."
"Good, that'll make things easier for us." said Marcus, glad to see his Servant wasn't afraid of taking the initiative.
The two walked in silence. To Marcus' surprise - and relief - they didn't run into a single person. A stray cat was the only creature to cross their path. Marcus didn't want to run into any bystanders on their first night out. A magus and a man dressed in armor and wielding a spear stood out like a sore thumb. Such attention would be counter-productive to Marcus' cause. Not that he really had one. He had already met the conditions of the magical contract. Anything after that point was just icing on the cake. If, and that was an exceptionally large "if", he won the Holy Grail, he would simply wish for Kári's magic circuits to be restored. Then they could live a life free of threats from the Mage's Association or the Church.
"Master, hold a moment." said Lancer sharply.
The command was so sudden, Marcus almost bumped into his Servant.
"What is it?" asked Marcus.
"Into those bushes." said the Servant, gesturing to a clump of bushes on the outskirts of the park. "There are three people in the park, two of which are armed for battle."
Marcus darted to the bushes with his Servant. When he was comfortable, he peered through the branches at the figures. There were indeed three figures standing in the center of the park, two of which were most definitely Servants.
The first Servant had an irresistibly handsome face with angled features. His hair was light blond and tied back in two braids. His eyes were as blue as the ocean deep. He wore a silver breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves; a dark blue hauberk, and a white cloak accented by dark blue shoulder pads. Strapped to his left hip was a longsword of great beauty.
The second Servant, standing opposite the first, was not only handsome but muscular. His fair skin suggested he was from northern Europe. His long chestnut brown hair was unkempt, partially concealing his silvery eyes, and the lower part of his face was covered with a thick beard. He was bare-chested save for a pair of ancient scabbards strapped to his back. Around his waist was a metal-studded leather skirt that reached to just above his knees.
The girl that stood next to the first Servant caught Marcus off guard. Odds were she was the first Servant's Master, but he wasn't expecting her to be so young. She couldn't be much older than sixteen. She was Asian, that much was certain, with shoulder-length auburn hair and aqua green eyes. She wore a white jacket with orange accents, a jet black skirt, with equally black tights.
"So, you're the Tohsaka representative in this war?" said the second Servant, flexing his muscles unnecessarily. "My Master will be disappointed. He was hoping a woman named Rin would be participating."
"You will address her as "Milady", and you will show her house the respect it has earned." warned the first Servant, standing tall before the much more intimidating warrior.
"Whatever you say." said the well-built Servant, shrugging in a mocking manner. "But if we're going to be talking about manners, we should address yours. You will refer to me as "Your Majesty" because that is what I am."
"You are no king I recognize." declared the first Servant. "But I will do you the courtesy of an introduction. I am Rider, Servant of the Tohsaka family, and Knight of Camelot."
"Careful there, Rider." warned the second Servant. "Reveal too much to me and I will know your identity. That said, I suppose I should return your courtesy. I am Saber but I cannot reveal my Master's name, for I have been forbidden to do so."
"What do you want around here?" demanded Tohsaka. "The war isn't supposed to start until…"
"Until all of the Servants have been summoned?" finished Saber, crossing his arms. "Yes, that's the rule we are all bound by. The last Servant of this war was summoned only moments before. I have been ordered to go on the offensive."
"Then are we to do battle?" asked Rider, placing a hand on the hilt of his glorious sword.
"That's the idea." said Saber.
As quick as lightning, Saber reached behind his back and drew the two sheathed swords. Marcus couldn't help but stare in awe at the marvelous blades before him. One was as dark as night, with blood red patterns running up and down the blade. The other was as white as the full moon hanging in the sky above its wielder, with a series of runes Marcus was unable to identify. It was clear from the moment these blades were drawn, that they were both very ancient and very powerful. No ordinary hero would be able to wield such weapons without great cost. To draw upon two without a moment's hesitation could only mean Saber belonged to an equally ancient legend.
"Draw your blade, Rider." commanded Saber, dropping into a fighting stance. "If you do not, you will fall here and now."
"Milady, shall I engage this Servant?" asked Rider, turning to his Master.
The Tohsaka heir looked at Saber with apprehension. Marcus didn't blame her. To face Saber on the very first night of the war must be nerve racking. He almost felt sorry for her. Almost. After half a minute of silence, she looked up at her own Servant.
"Don't worry, Milady." said Rider with an assuring smile. "I will not fall this night; this I swear to you."
Finally, the girl nodded and Rider drew his splendid blade. At the same time, a well-crafted shield materialized and strapped itself to his opposing arm.
"Come, Saber, and taste my steel." said Rider, raising his sword in a salute.
Saber did not return the salute. He took advantage of his opponent's chivalry to launch a precipitous assault. The swordsman brought his black blade down on Rider. The chivalrous knight raised his shield, blocking the blow. The force of Saber's strike forced Rider to one knee but he did not seem harmed.
Without giving his foe a moment to recover, Saber brought his white blade around Rider's shield. Rider threw all his weight back, letting gravity pull his exposed body away from the strike. Saber's second blade was now trapped between Rider's shield and body. Rider lunged forward, pinning the sword against the backside of his shield with his chest. He twisted, forcing the weapon from Saber's hand. In the blink of an eye, the pommel of Rider's sword struck the pommel of Saber's remaining one, sending the black blade flying through the air.
"You got him!" cheered Tohsaka, echoing what Marcus was thinking that very moment.
Rider brought his blade around and thrust forward, the tip pointing at Saber's throat. Saber backhanded the sword away without receiving so much as a scratch and grabbed hold of Rider's outstretched arm. He threw the Servant across the park and into the playground slide, which collapsed under the abrupt force.
Saber recovered both his blades and stood waiting for Rider to stand once more. When the knight did, the dual-blade wielding epic hero let out a deep, resounding laugh.
"That was impressive, Rider!" complimented the swordsman. "No warrior has ever bested me like that. I shall take this battle seriously from here on out, as a token of my admiration of you."
"You have been playing up until now?" asked Rider, wiping a trail of blood from his mouth.
Saber replied with his swords. He lunged forward, bringing the white blade down upon Rider. Rider avoided the blow with a sidestep. Saber had predicted the move, however, and brought the black sword down on the spot Rider had slid into. A quick maneuver from Rider prevented him from being cleaved in half but didn't save him from sustaining a gash to his left bicep.
"Rider, are you okay?" asked Tohsaka.
"Don't worry, Milady." said Rider, stepping back to gauge his foe. "I underestimated him. It will not happen again."
Saber launched another attack. He brought blow after blow down upon Rider's shield. With each blow, Rider took a step back. Marcus had never seen someone attack with such ferocity and skill. His blades flashed black and white in the streetlights, making them hard to follow.
Rider saw an opening in Saber's attack and launched a counter-attack. He struck his shield against Saber's chest, knocking him off balance. The knight lunged forward with his blade, aiming for his foe's exposed chest.
"Nice try." goaded Saber. He deftly performed a backflip, effectively rendering Rider's counter-attack useless. "But it'll take more than that to best me."
Rider followed his failed counter-attack up with another shield thrust. The flat surface of the shield struck Saber's face with a sickening crack. The bare-chested swordsman stumbled back clutching a broken and badly bleeding broken nose.
Marcus was amazed at the two warriors. Neither could gain a decisive advantage. They were evenly matched. The magus wondered why Rider's Master didn't join in the fight with long ranged spells. If she had done that, then Saber would be hard pressed, even with his class' exceptional magic resistance. The two Servants clashed once more.
"Lancer, have you noticed any spellcasting from Tohsaka?" asked Marcus.
"She hasn't spoken any incantations or used any magical objects." said Lancer. "At least none I've noticed."
The two Servants had continued their battle. They slowly drifted in the direction of Tohsaka. She gave a small squeak of surprise and got out of their way. She positioned herself by the destroyed playground. She continued to watch with bated breath, showing no signs of casting even a basic healing spell to support her Servant.
"Why isn't she doing anything?" muttered the magus.
Then a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps she hadn't begun her magus training yet. Would Rin Tohsaka have been so foolish as to send her only child into the Holy Grail Wars with nothing but her Command Spells? The thought was ludicrous but, at the same time, it made sense.
Then another thought crossed his mind. A much darker thought. If Tohsaka was unable to cast spells, then she was completely defenseless. Rider was too preoccupied with Saber to bother with protecting his Master. If Marcus wanted, he could attack Tohsaka himself. He didn't even need Lancer to do it. A simple blow to her sternum with his rune-infused gloves would be enough to kill the adolescent girl.
Marcus came into this conflict prepared to do whatever was necessary to obtain victory. Now that he was presented with the opportunity to take out one of his opponents, however, he was hesitant. He hadn't counted on facing a defenseless girl. Moreover, he was certain Lancer would try and stop him if he tried to commit such a heinous act. He could use a Command Spell to force Lancer to do it, but that could cause problems later down the road. He didn't want to lose Lancer's trust. Not for something as trivial as this.
A scream brought Marcus' attention back to the battle. At first he thought it had been Tohsaka who'd screamed but the look of alarm on her face told him otherwise. The scream came again, this time much louder. It was a terrible scream, one full of rage and anguish. It sent a chill up Marcus' spine. It was followed by another horrific scream, a woman's scream. Then a third scream, not unlike a child's.
"Something's coming, Master." said Lancer, reading his spear.
Marcus nodded in agreement and opened his magic circuits, channeling mana into his gloves. A dozen other screams joined in, sending a stab of fear into the pit of Marcus' stomach. The disturbing sounds were becoming louder and more numerous. Rider and Saber had stopped fighting to listen. All three Servants and the two Masters were on edge. They did not know what to expect from this.
Then something burst from the shadows behind the destroyed playground. It was a large, muscular man with dark skin and bloodshot eyes. His back was lined with a multitude of scars that could only have been made by a whip. He wielded a club cloaked in black mist.
"Berserker." growled Lancer. "Of course it would be Berserker."
In the blink of an eye, Berserker appeared behind Tohsaka and raised his club.
"Milady!" yelled Rider, disregarding Saber entirely and rushing to his Master's aid.
He wasn't going to make it. Tohsaka turned her head and beheld the monstrous madman behind her. Her eyes grew wide with fear. Marcus' mind flashed back to his own inner dialogue moments before. Not like this. It wasn't honorable.
"Lancer, go!" commanded Marcus.
Lancer lunged towards Tohsaka. He was much closer and much faster than Rider. The Roman soldier placed himself between Rider's Master and Berserker. He thrust his spear up and forward, plunging the blade into Berserker's chest. Berserker let out an earsplitting scream as his body failed him. The colossal warrior dissolved into nothingness.
"Milady, are you alright?" exclaimed Rider, pulling his Master away from Lancer and examining her closely.
"I'm fine, Rider. Really I am." said Tohsaka.
Marcus joined his Servant and looked down at the teenager. She was unharmed but visibly shaken. She had been caught completely unprepared, just like everyone else. It was clear now she had no skill in magecraft yet. Rider looked at Marcus and Lancer, gaging both of them with experienced eyes.
"You have my thanks, Lancer." said Rider. Then his eyes grew wide. "You're the man I met earlier today aren't you?"
"Yes." said Lancer, shouldering his spear. "Though I suspect neither of us knew whom the other was."
Rider nodded in agreement. He then bowed to Marcus.
"I am in your debt, sir." said Rider. "You saved Milady from Berserker, and for that I owe you my life."
"It's fine." said Marcus, not sure what to say. Years on the run made it hard to accept praise from a stranger.
"So strange that a class noted as the strongest of all the Servants would die so easily." said Saber, remaining where Rider had left him. "Of all the Servants in this War, it was he I was looking forward to battling the most."
"I agree with Saber, Master, the Berserker I struck was no epic hero." concurred Lancer. "Otherwise he would have reacted to my sudden appearance."
"Maybe you just got lucky." said Tohsaka.
"Doubtful." said Rider. "Saber and Lancer are right. The Berserker that Lancer slew was no epic hero. I doubt he came close."
Another ghastly scream echoed through the night, followed by a dozen more. All three Servants readied themselves for battle. There was a sudden whoosh of air behind Marcus. He turned around in time to see another man, this one thin and wielding a dagger. His skin was fair but his eyes, those bloodshot eyes filled with rage and anguish, told him who this man was.
"Berserker?" exclaimed Tohsaka.
There was no doubt about it. This man was yet another Berserker. A mad warrior who lusted for the blood of his enemies. Lancer pulled Marcus aside and slew this one as easily as the first. That was when everything erupted into chaos.
The moment Berserker had vanished, dozens more appeared all around the playground. Not a single one looked like the other. Some were large, some were small. Some were men. Some were women. Some were children. Each and every one of them had those bloodshot eyes. Each and every one of them was Berserker.
"What the hell is this?" said Saber, facing the three Berserkers nearest him.
"I don't know." said Rider, pulling his Master close. "Some sort of Noble Phantasm that lets Berserker create copies of himself?"
"Each one is different though." countered Lancer.
One of the Berserkers, a woman with a staff, gave a hair-raising scream and the others responded in kind. Then they all attacked. Saber was the first to come in contact with the enemy. He drove his black sword into the chest of one and beheaded two more with his white one.
Lancer let his spear vanish into thin air, bringing forth three javelins, the tools of the common Roman warrior. He threw them straight at a gaggle of madmen making their way towards him. All three were thrown with enough force to go through the bodies of their intended targets and kill the Berserkers behind them.
Rider blocked an incoming hammer and skewered the wielder through the throat. Before the hammer vanished, he kicked the weapon towards another Berserker. The weapon made contact with the madman's head, thoroughly crushing it.
The three Servants cut through each Berserker without a single hardship. When one, a teenager, tried to stab Tohsaka in the back with a small knife, Marcus leapt forward and delivered a mana-infused blow to the back of the Servant's head. The disturbing crack told him the Servant's neck had been broken.
"Thank-you." said Tohsaka.
"Think nothing of it." said Marcus. "Just return the favor someday."
"I will." said the teenage girl with a nervous smile.
The number of Berserkers continued to increase. There seemed to be no end to them. Eventually the three Servants were simply overcome by sheer numbers. Rider and Lancer were now fighting back to back. Saber had placed his own back against a nearby tree to narrow his opponents' angles of attack.
"I don't get it, why do they keep coming?" exclaimed Lancer, driving his spear through the head of the female Berserker who'd been wielding the staff.
Marcus took out another Berserker attempting to sneak up on him and Tohsaka. He couldn't figure out this puzzle. He'd never heard of an epic hero or historical figure who had this ability, legendary or otherwise.
"I've had enough of this." said Saber, cutting three Berserkers in half with a single stroke.
He pushed himself away from the trunk of the tree and held the white blade in front of him. The blade rang like a church bell as the runes upon it emitted a golden light.
"Emit your radiance, Neagling!" commanded Saber, holding aloft his blade.
The white blade gave one final, echoing ring and the blade became as bright and white as snow. All of the Berserkers took notice of Saber and focused their attention on him. Saber's body emitted a white mist which became thicker and thicker as his enemies surrounded him.
Saber looked upon his foes with renewed confidence. In that moment, Marcus beheld the true nature of an epic hero. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Saber lunged forward, cutting through the ranks of his foes with even greater speed, strength, dexterity, and endurance than before. Not a single Berserker was able to react to this sudden burst of power. They fell by the dozens but they kept coming.
"A sword that grants its wielder power equal to the challenge he faces." said Rider, observing Saber closely. "There are few epic heroes capable of wielding such a fine blade."
The Berserkers continued to assault Saber, though not a single one stood a chance. Then came one as tall as a small building. He wielded a mighty club crafted of pure iron. Saber struck the club with his white blade, but it was turned aside. Saber thrust forth his black blade, aiming it directly at this Berserker's weapon.
"Commit yourself to this heroic deed, Hrunting!" commanded Saber.
The red markings upon the blade turned brighter as the tip touched the iron club. The sword drove itself all the way to the hilt through the opposing weapon. The club shattered into half a dozen shards. The shard struck nearby Berserkers, killing them instantly. The giant Berserker had been caught unprepared by the appearance of a second Noble Phantasm and was unable to defend himself against Neagling. He was slain a moment later.
"And an ancient demonic blade which no weapon outside a Divine Mystery can withstand." added Lancer. "Yet another fine blade which few epic heroes could wield."
"That is Beowulf, King of the Geats." concluded Rider in awe. "Until this moment he had truly been holding back against everyone. I doubt even the King of Knights would stand long against him."
Saber was now invincible on the battlefield. Every Berserker's attention was now on him and him alone. No matter who came at him, they couldn't withstand the might of both Neagling and Hrunting. Marcus, Rider, and Tohsaka were in awe of the scene before them.
"Master!" exclaimed Lancer suddenly.
Marcus turned his attention to Lancer but was blocked by a large Berserker wielding an axe. The gargantuan mad warrior brought the axe down on Marcus so swiftly and suddenly, there was no way to defend himself. Just before the axe made contact with Marcus' head, the weapon stopped and quivered.
At first Marcus thought that Lancer or Rider had slain the madman. But neither was near enough to react. The Berserker seemed to be resisting the urge to cleave him in two. The warrior straightened himself and vanished in a wisp of black smoke. All around them, the Berserkers vanished into thin air. Then, just as suddenly as they had been surrounded, the three Servants and two Masters were all alone. Saber's aura and blade returned to their natural state, indicating the threat had truly vanished.
"What just happened?" asked Tohsaka.
"I don't know." said Rider, joining his Master as he sheathed his blade. "But it would appear Berserker has withdrawn."
"But why?" said Saber, sheathing his own weapons. Now that the battle was over, he looked a lot more tired than he had a moment before. Using such powerful Noble Phantasms clearly took a toll on the wielder.
The five stood in silence for several minutes as they considered the possibilities. Then Saber spoke up.
"I think we are done for the night." said Saber. "Continuing this battle would be pointless when none of us are at the top of our game."
"I agree." said Rider, allowing his shield to vanish. He waves his hand before him, summoning a majestic horse to appear at his side. He mounted it and offered his hand to Tohsaka. "Shall we, Milady?"
Tohsaka nodded and took her Servant's hand. The knight pulled her into the saddle and turned to face Lancer.
"Again, you have my thanks." said Rider. "I swear to you I shall return the favor one day."
"I'll hold you to that, Rider." said Lancer, shouldering his spear once more.
With that, Rider and Tohsaka vanished into the night. Marcus turned to face Saber, but he was gone. He looked back at Lancer. The warrior looked tired but not particularly exhausted. His time in the Roman military had clearly prepared him for facing such overwhelming numbers.
"Come on, let's go back." said Marcus, pulling his gloves off and pocketing them.
"Yes, let's." agreed the Knight of the Lance.