Disclaimer: Fan of Fanfics21 does not own anything save certain elements, OCs, and concepts.
We ran as fast as we could, the intent to kill was strong in Archer as I felt my blood pumping with excitement. Why was it like that? I had no idea, but I knew deep down it was in my fighting nature as my instincts told me to duck as I did so. Where my head was 5 seconds ago was an arrow piercing the wall as Saber deflected another. "Caster, we need to distract Archer and get this fruit, Saber, you'll retrieve it. I don't sense Assassin or his Master in the Arena so you can handle this." I ordered as my Servants nodded their heads as Saber dashed off towards our intended area as Caster and I hid behind a wall.
"We need Archer occupied, first we lure her someplace that her arrows will proven to be useless against. A place in the Arena that isn't familiar to...her..."
"Master, what is it that-"
I merely pointed at the towering Citadel 50 meters away and it screamed out of place in this Arena due to the architect being a vast difference from the Greek. "That's our area. Archer's home domain is Greek architecture so she knows the routes and hidden sectors that could prove to be fatal to us. Plus it'll see how compatable we are."
Caster smiled at the chance to see how compatable they were (in a different context) as she excitedly nodded her head as she looked at her Master. "Race you there~!" she challenged. Naruto smiled at that and the two got into a get ready stance and with an unheard sound, dashed towards the Citadel as vollys of arrows filled the sky. Willing it, Naruto summoned forth his Wraith Blade as Caster summoned her mystic mirror as they began a dance of deflection from the coming barrage of arrows.
"Sixty four~!" Caster called out as Naruto grinned as his phantom weapon glowed and emited a dome-like pulse that repelled numerous arrows. "Hundred and thirty five." he countered cheerfully as he was starting to like this little competition with his adorable vixen. "I won't lose to you Goushujin-sama!" Caster called out with a cheerful yet determined tone.
"Umu, great skills Praetor." Saber mused as she calmly walked through the city, dispatching any enemy programs with ease as she watched their race and competiton from afar. "I say you were something that sought a 'beauty' that even I can understand, the meaning of this 'gift of life', you ever so sought the meaning of it for one born unto this cruel world as a mere pawn. Yet, even with the little talent you had, you fought on, unrefined till you grew in power, yet still weak and yearning for something precious and beautiful. Stripped of most of your original power, and not even a proper magus, you decided to fight on no matter what. A star that refuses to fade even in the shadows of death. I say you were tuly honored with even the privelege of having me as a Servant, and that vixen as an additional one."
Saber had seen his lost past in good detail, of how he was a fake being created similar to the homunculus of the magi and with a fiery will, refused to have his will bent to others as he sought for the answer to life, and that of a family. She admired that determination to face whatever was thrown at him to find that answer and she found this journy he still is undergoing beautiful in its own way. A fake that is a nobody is fighting against the masses to reach out to something that could not be answered, and it made her heart pound with excitement. This boy, no, this young warrior was truly something else that she had not seen not even in her own lifetime. She would help Caster nuture this young one into a fine warrior and see to it that he has found the answers he sought, even if it meant defying the Moon Cell and SERAPH itself to do so.
For the high heavens forsake a beautiful soul pleading for something and refused to be snuffed out.
Archer narrowed her eyes in mild annoyance as she watched the Master and Caster deflect her arrows and having fun doing so as they were escaping her range. She quickly began tracking them, remembering the structure's and routes of this town like it was the back of her hand. She pondered why though, would they go to the Citadel that has invaded the Moon Cell. With each step she took her animal instincts were kicking in as the atmosphere was being pushed down by an unseen pressure that she could not describe. Her Master was very cautious of this amnesic boy for certain reasons and she was partially proven right to the Servant as the blond boy fought against her, and survived, even now deflecting any arrows she fires with no signs of fatigue.
Her bow, the bow of the goddess Artemis was supposed to pierce anything and even give other Heroic Spirits a hard time when in combat. Her bestial skills enhancing her naturally honed skills beyond that of what humans could ever hope to achieve. Yet there they were, countering her every arrow she fired like it was some game. Her human side wanted to kill them, while her bestial side developed a sense of...interest in the blond Master. This had confused the Heroic Spirit as her bestial side was acting up as of late. Even when the opponent's Saber left for another area, her bestial side wanted the blond. Yet Caster was also interfering and her bestial side was growling with hostility.
Her human side was confused at her other half and was quite curious why her bestial side was acting this way, and the human half, being a creature of curiosity (which has gotten many humans in past, present and future into trouble.) wanted to know, and is telling Archer to follow those two to find out why her bestial half is acting like this. So obeying the combined instincts to follow, she did. After all, she is a huntress of Artemis, no?
"We made it," Naruto breathed as he marveled the massive doorway as Caster eyed the door cautiously. "Ano, Master...this door is sealed with a strange lock and is protected by very powerful spells, some obviously from the Age of Gods, to others I am not familiar with." she noted as Naruto eyed the base of the door as a strange keyhole leaked a strange blue energy, a blue energy that was resonating with him. Naruto walked up to it and summoned the Soul Reaver and without consent and alarm of potential danger from Caster, inserted the weapon and turned it ninety degrees counter clockwise and pulled it out, causing the glyphs of magic to fade out as an ominous song echoed throughout the Arena.
Temari and Kankuro shuddered and looked at each other with a sense of dread. They had heard of the remnants of the Cypher Citadel had appeared within the Moon Cell and never knew why it would show up. Sure numerous Cyphers had entered this Holy Grail War after hearing Naruto had awoken here and most wanted vengeance for his crimes. But they never knew which part was summoned here, until that ominous song echoed even in the school grounds. Servants instinctively manifested in response and were on guard.
That song alone sent untold amounts of terror down to their very souls as they ran to the Arena. "Temari, the Deathsingers...!"
"I know Kankuro, if Naruto has opened that lock, then the Taken King's Legacy will rise again." Temari answered sternly as her heart was filled with utter fear. That power...that vile power is awaiting for its master's return and with a place like this with perfect subjects to take...Temari's blood turned cold at the thought and picked up the pace.
Archer's insticnts screamed to run, yet at the same time, insisted on hunting her prey as she dashed after them. Inwardly, she wondered if she was traveling to Tartarus with the way this vile song was echoing throughout the Moon Cell as she cautiously entered the opened Citadel.
Saber paused from her plucking of golden apples when the song rang in her ears. Memories of that day she died, that bitter end at the edge of a knife and ascension as a Heroic Spirit. She knew this beautiful yet horrific song anywhere. Death had come, and is ready to claim a life.
Naruto and Caster walked deeper within the Citadel, taking notice of strange beings on the sides, standing there twitching in unseen agony with a burning blue supernatual flame within before kneeling and another group creating a saber arch towards an alter, where a masked priestess stood, waiting. "Welcome back my fallen King." she greeted as Naruto held his arm out to stop Caster from doing anything. "You know of me?" he asked as the priestess bowed her head. "Indeed I do my king, waiting for a long time for your return." she replied as she looked at him. "My name is Inori, Inori Uzumaki. Your loyal Will," she spoke as Naruto paused at it.
"Um, Master, are you by any chance, a king?" Caster asked as Naruto shrugged. "He is indeed, Servant Caster." Inori spoke, a mild hint of amusement in her voice. "He has lost many of his memories, and I along with eight others, were created with the purpose to aid him when the time was right." she answered as Naruto walked forwad with Caster with his eyes narrowing. "You're not a real Uzumaki, are you?" he asked.
"No my king, I am an artificial human created as a weapon-" Naruto felt an inside fury grow within him. "-until you found me. You rescued me and gave me the choice to choose my own path. You gave me that name, in memory of a girl whose tale moved you and wanted to pay homage to her. I took the surname Uzumaki because I view you as a father figure. I am sorry if I offend you by taking that name." she apologized. "No, don't apologize." Naruto spoke, "I find it fitting for you to be an Uzumaki. Even if not related by blood, you carry the spirit of an Uzumaki and their determination."
This caught Inori's attention as Naruto gestured to the outer sanctum. "This place has been guarded for a long time, evidence of battle raged here and you still stand protecting it for me. I find it proud to name you as a daughter of mine." Caster took notice of the place and took notice of signs of battle as the place looked like it was constantly repaired and cleaned many times over. Signifying how many battles this priestess had faced protecting this building. She could feel magic unlike any other within this place and pondered what could she guarding that her Master, knowing that he is no doubt royalty is connected to.
Inori smiled at the words and bowed her head. "You are both a great father and a king, one that makes even your people loyal to you even in death." At those words, the twisted creatures knelt as one of them spoke. "We the Taken were former followers of yours, we forsoke our wills to you to prove ourselves loyal as always, my King." It spoke. Naruto felt it, the creatures, these 'Taken' have no will of their own. "How do they not harm anyone without wills of their own?" Naruto pondered as Inori bowed her head. "Me and the other eight were taught by you to make sure to command them in your absence so they do not cause any trouble."
Caster's curiosity was getting the best of her since this involved her Master (and her new king), and this Citadel was clearly involved with him. "Excuse me miko-san, but what exactly is this place for?" the Servant asked as behind the mask, Inori looked at her. "This is an elemental shrine. The Nine have built them in times of need when our king is stripped of most of his power. These shrines-no, forges as you so affectionately called them, are to temper the Soul Reaver, and in return you, with power you once wielded in life." the priestess explained as Caster looked surprised and Naruto looked impressed, until a Taken appeared and knelt before them. "Priestess...Servant Archer is breaching security..." it spoke.
From under the mask, Inori smiled. "I see, then it will be possible now, to awaken one of the dormant forges. Archer shall be the key." she spoke as it gained Naruto's attention. "This is an ancient forge with puzzles to solve, solve them to activate it, and lure Archer to the altar. The Deathsingers will finish it there." Inori told them both as Naruto and Caster looked at each other, wondering what they had gotten involved in.
Duck, shoot, jump, barrel roll, swipe to neck.
Notch arrow, aim, shoot, kill.
Smell of death, dried blood, maggots eating rotten flesh.
Unnatural creatures, unholy song, purge the corruption.
Archer's animalistic eyes glowed in the dark as she stalked her prey. The section of the Citadel changing as an unknown power has begun to surge through the building. Her instincts screaming for survival of the fittest as she stepped forward. A faint, audible click echoed out and Archer immediately jumped to avoid a barrage of arrows impaling the wall next to where she stood as said arrows exploded with flame.
"Kuso, I could have sworn I'd have gotten her!" Caster pouted as she slapped talismans onto the projectiles for the traps as Naruto was manipulating the layout of the building as he analyzed the energy levels and where Archer was on the holographic map displayed to him. "Fear not my dear vixen, this will making things fun." he replied with a grin as he pressed a certain part of the map as the walls seperated as something began walking out, and the area shook as the creature roared. Caster paused and blinked at the display of the creature and wondered why such a thing was doing in a place like this for a few minutes before shrugging and resuming her work.
Naruto on the other hand took notice that Saber was walking in and began manipulating the map to open the pathway for her to rejoin them. "I see she's got what we needed, now to lure Archer into the altar." Naruto muttered to himself.
Archer fired another arrow as the beast roared in twisted pain as it fired a beam of concentrated energy from its numerous eyes as she curled her lips in disgust. It was unnatural and disgusting, a twisted perversion of life. Dead One she decided to call the beast, as it roared and charged at her, trying to swipe her with its massive claws. The room was shifting again and a new pathway opened up. Archer was no fool and she ran through it as it closed behind her as she heard the beast slamming its fists against the wall in anger.
Dead One roared angrily at the sight of its prey escaping. It rammed its body against the wall where Feral One had fled. It had been so long since it had a good fight, to fulfill its duty, and to kill again. It heard the Citadel powering up, and now it realized what was happening as a new pathway opened up. The Progenitor had returned, and needed the inner sanctum protected. It will fulfill the duty it was born for, even if it meant death to fulfill it.
*With Naruto's Team*
Naruto sighed as he continued shifting the building's interior in constant movement, his brain calculating the probabilities and rate of time until the plan came into motion. "I see you're quite a tactitian when it comes to it Praetor." Saber mused as she walked in with her sack of fruits she acquired in the labryinth. "Yes, the mind is as sharp as any blade, and as destructive as any known weapon of mass destruction. This beast I've unleashed is following my plan accordingly. Now all I need is Archer to reach the altar of the forge and deliver the blow...May I have a fruit?" Naruto asked as Saber tossed him a golden apple as he eyed it. A cursed fruit that was irresistable, and forced weight onto the devourer as it slowed their speed. This was what ruined the Chaste Huntress' legend of refusing to marry, and now, as Archer, will be her death.
"Saber, eye the map and open necessary pathways for us, Caster and I are finishing this." he ordered her as Saber nodded her head as she bit into one of the spare apple as she relished in its taste.
*The Dark Forge*
Archer's instincts were in direct conflict with the song growing louder with each agonizing step. Her human half screamed to run, while her bestial side was determined to risk it all to hunt her prey. That was when her nose picked it up in the air, foxes on the prowl. Prey was here and her pride as a huntress would not be broken so easily. To hunt is to live and die, such is the law of the jungle. She walked into the massive chamber and sitting there near the altar of the strange citadel were her prey. Naruto and Caster were sitting there, seemingly talking to each other about something. The air was on her side, her scent wasn't detected, and she was in the shadows. Carefully, she notched an arrow and took aim, her shot aiming for the Master's skull.
That was when she heard a menacing rumble from behind and the stentch of decay. Archer's eyes widened and she leapt away in time to avoid being crushed. It was impossible! Dead One should have been trapped in that room! That was when she heard Naruto's laughter as Caster's fire spell blasted her. "All according to plan," he grinned as he suddenly frowned as he looked in a different direction. "Saber, stall those three, the ritual is about to begin." he spoke out as from within the Master Control room, Saber merely nodded her head and proceeded to unleash a barrage of booby traps upon the two Sand Siblings and Servant. "Let's see how long you'll last in the labryinth of the minotaur!" Saber exclaimed with glee.
Archer squirmed in the creature's grip as its numerous eyes glared at her as she watched a replica of the moon in front of the altar as Naruto walked in the back chamber behind it. "Ah, a mirror not in proper position, don't mind if I do!" he exclaimed as she heard something turn as light reflected on the moon and then with silent awe, she watched the fake moon shine as brilliantly as the real one. "By Artermis..." she muttered as she watched the light from the fake moon model turn into energy as it gathered up onto a dark purple crystal hanging above the altar as the creature slammed her in the center of it as it pinned her down.
She realized she was an offering as hints of fear began to gnaw at her soul as the massive crystal above glowed with a dark purpose as it fired a dark beam at the center of altar, which she was on as she screamed out in agony as she felt her life beginning to fade from her body as it was being absorbed into the altar. She felt a sense of calmness afterwards, as Atalanta could have sworn she saw Lady Artermis carressing her cheek in a reassuring way.
Naruto walked towards the fading Servant and gestured the strange creature guarding this forge to release her as he knelt down to her. He took her hand and placed the golden apple in it. "For the fairest hunter in all of Greece." he told her as he gently walked back. Atalanta blinked at the fruit, recalling how it had made her break her vow to Artermis due to its irresistable taste. He was not using it as a trick, but as an offering of respect to her. Her human maiden half was flustered by the compliment, as her bestial half was proud of the acknowledgement as she weakly bit into the golden apple and smiled.
Even if she lost in this war, she had won the acknowedgement of being the fairest hunter. That victory, was as sweet as the apple.
Naruto watched Archer's form fade as her energies fed the dark altar with the already empowered forge as the additional energy shook the place. Subconsciously, the Soul Reaver flared to life and against his own will, plunged itself into the altar as it devoured the energies of the ancient forge as Naruto was lifted up in the air as the Reaver basked in power as its color changed.
Caster watched in awe at this baptism as she saw the core of the phantom weapon turn silver with a black wavering outline color of energy. She sensed a blessing of numerous deities in the forge, and it was overwhelming her. She knew it was numerous lunar deities involved with the forge and for a brief glismpse, she saw several resting their hands on her Master's weapon.
"The elemental power of Darkness is mine to wield again...!" Naruto exclaimed, the blade held high over his head as a sense of fulfillment and invigoration in his voice. With that, the ominous song echoed throughout the citadel in a louder volume as a single screech that chilled the hearts of many.
"No..." Temari gasped as her body was being consumed by the Moon Cell. "Shit! He's awaken the power!" Kankuro cursed as he froze when the screech echoed throughout the Arena. "Kankuro...I've already lost...Naruto must..." Temari tried to speak, but was too late as the Moon Cell erased her from the planes of existence. Kankuro clenched his fist in anger as he vowed to make the Uzumaki pay for this.
A/N: Been a while eh? Thanks for your time and patience for this update. Next update will be the elimination match and a bit more socializing of Servants. Including the update on Naruto's Servants' stats.
