When she had created and participated in her own Elimination Chamber Festival, she hadn't felt a shred of fear or anxiety. It was all for a purpose. She was in it to win it and couldn't afford to lose. Life or death, as they say. She knew of course that the heroes couldn't kill her. At least, that was what she was banking on. Archer had to keep assuring herself that the audience would accept her and want her to win. Why wouldn't they? She was the victim of their games and hatred. It was only fitting that they would sympathize.
However this wasn't the Elimination Chamber Festival. All of the people outside under the night sky were waiting to see her play her violin. She wasn't going to kill anyone. She was just going to play. She looked at her hands. Back before everything went wrong, I didn't have to worry about that. I would just play and my creator and myself would be loved. It was so simple, but now. She couldn't help but see tints of blood on her hands. She hadn't felt this in the park. There weren't that many people but… she knew in the back of her mind that it was wrong.
The smiles of the children made her feel slightly sick, but she kept that to herself. Her creator made her to make them happy but she wasn't a cute simple creation anymore. She was a murderer. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked back.
It was Assassin but she had created a human illusion to herself. Now she was a was a well developed human woman in a white suit and had a long braided hair. "Stay strong, Archer. Don't get cold feet on us now."
Archer sighed, "I can't help it."
"Aww, where's that stuck up 'I can do no wrong' attitude you usually have?" Assassin said. "Should I go steal that Waver and bring him here to cheer you up?"
Archer blushed and glared at her, "You will do no such thing. I do not even like him that much." She crossed her arms and looked away.
"Liar," Assassin giggled and then pulled Archer into a motherly hug. "You're going to do great, Archer. I know that much."
Archer smiled and returned the hug, "Thank you." She pulled back. She could feel her usual bout of confidence returning as her smile turned into her typical smirk. "Now excuse me, I have a concert to perform."
"Knock them dead," Assassin fist pumped.
"Which reminds me," Archer said. "Shouldn't you be spying on the other servants and masters?"
"And miss out on your big debut?" Assassin quirked an eyebrow. "No deal. You're my friend and a friend never abandons someone who needs them." Behinds her several illusionary flags and confetti shot out, all with encouraging words on them. "I'll be right here with you all the way."
The servant of the bow couldn't help but feel cheerier because of that. Archer nodded and went out in front of everyone. It made her feel nice to have someone to support her. She had Mamika before but… she pushed buttons she shouldn't have. It wasn't like Archer had planned to kill her. Okay, she was going to destroy all of reality but that was different. She ignored that small point of self hatred over that break down. It wouldn't do her any good to feel bad about things that she couldn't change besides her creator's untimely death. Anyways, she had her violin and bow in hand. Her fingers fidgeted over them. She was sure Assassin would enjoy this performance as well. She smiled and bowed before everyone before straightening herself up and getting into position. She closed her eyes and started to play. 'Setsuna… this is for you.'
The late night air held the stench of uneasiness. Everything felt so lonely and in every shadow, something could be lurking that would love nothing better then to steal a little girl away. Rin couldn't help but slightly gulp as she moved through the alleyways. It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but her best friend was in danger. She was not going to let anything happen to her. So she put aside her fear and made to find her. She was a magus. They danced with death all the time. This was no different. She just hoped that she could get her friend and get out before the serial killer got her.
Rin kept to the shadows, using everything available to not be seen. Assassin had taught her a thing or two during her visits. She honestly missed the servant and secretly hoped to see her again before the end of the war. Given the fact that she hadn't been seen yet, her training had paid off. At first she didn't find anything useful, which honestly annoyed her greatly. In movies, the heroes would bump into the bad guys before long. That's just how they worked.
Thankfully for her, it was starting to happen like the movies. She saw a chipper man with orange hair, leading a child by the hand with him. Beside him was an extremely beautiful woman. An otherworldly, voluptuous beauty that would make any man, or woman if they bent that way, fall to their knees. Her green clothes, lipstick, and eyeliner just enhanced the image. She decided to follow them. Not just because they were creepy but because of the off look of the boy. He didn't seem to be all there.
When she kept up with them, she was surprised to see them with another kid. This just sealed the deal for her. She had to follow them. They could lead them to the murderer and the one who took her friend. Unfortunately for that plan, a cop decided to pull over and talk to them.
Rolling down his window, the cop stuck out his head. "Hey, don't you know you aren't supposed to have kids out this late? They could-"
He stopped all of a sudden when the woman looked into his eyes. As she walked over, Rin could see that the cop's eyes started to grow green.
"We're just having a pleasant outing, officer~" the woman purred. "Just drive off now. Bye-bye."
The cop slowly nodded, "Bye-bye." With that, he took off which caused the two remaining adults to chuckle.
"Ah yes," the man fist pumped. "You are so cool, Caster!"
"Shhh," the woman now known as Caster put a finger to his lips. "Be a good boy and shut up. We can't have anyone discovering us so soon. Not when we're away from our hideout."
"Oh yeah, that special throne of yours-"
Caster put her whole hand on his mouth, "Shut up." She hissed. Rin could see that her eyes took a snake like, green hue to them. Something about this throne was important to her, Rin noted. "Nobody should know until we have them right where we want them. Now be a good master and do as I say?"
"Aren't masters the ones that should be leading?"
Caster patted his cheek, "You are lucky you're cute or I'd have torn your mind to shreds."
"That sounds awesome," the man gave a happy go lucky smile. "Hey, can you teach me to do that?"
Caster stared at him for a moment before sighing, "Sure. Why not." With that said, they went on with the children in hand.
Rin looked down at her mana detector her father had given her. This would help her find where they were keeping the children and if she was quick enough, she could go in, get her friend, and get out. She just hoped it would be that simple. She ran as she finally got some sort of reading, making sure to keep to the shadows. Finally, she came to a long winding staircase. Getting curious, she moved her mana detector closer. The little girl let out a shout of surprise when a burst of mana came from the device. She was certain that this was the place. There was so much mana here.
So she steeled her nerves and started to descend. Every step felt like she was getting closer and closer to her possible death. A part of her wanted to run away and hide. She should have stayed with her mother. Yet, she couldn't do that. Her friend needed her. She balled up her fists. She would never just leave her friend behind. Friendship wasn't something you could throw away and abandon. She would get Kotone and make sure she was safe, even if she had to punch Caster and that man in the face to do it.
Finally she came to a dark room. Thankfully for her there were some glowing stones about so she could make out shapes and such easily enough. Rin moved forward and knocked her foot against something. That's when she saw a small girl laying face down on the ground. Gasping, she knelt down and tried to turn the girl over. "Come on. Are you… Kotone!" She smiled as she hugged her brown haired friend, but frowned as she pulled back to see her friend still out of it. Her friend had quite a bit of gook on herself and looked to see some green goo of some sort on the wall as though Kotone had fought out of it but hadn't enough energy for anything else.
That's when she looked about herself and screamed. Unlike Kotone, the other kids, and she spied an adult or two, were sticking to the walls by the same green goo. In fact, some of them were inside strange green chrysalis's. Rin thought it was something out of a science fiction novel she read a few times in the past. She gulped, unsure of what to do. Still, she resolved to get Kotone out of here and call the cops. They could help the rest.
"Well, well, well," Rin's eyes widened as she spun around to face Caster. The woman was smirking down at her with a hand on her hip. "Such a cute little girl. Did you lose your way?"
"I think she wants to help us," the man smiled down at her. "Isn't that nice of her."
Rin gulped and stood before Kotone, "Let her go."
Caster quirked her head to the side, "Do you think to order a queen around, human? If you are, then I would be glad to punish you for that misdeed. I can however be generous." She motioned to the door, "We were about to leave. If you want to live, you can depart."
"Not without Kotone," Rin stomped her foot. "She's my friend and friends don't leave each other behind."
Caster's left eye twitched slightly, "Friendship is a weakness, little one. It has no real power and one day it will fail you. Leave now and set aside this stupid notion of friendship. You are better off on your own."
"That's stupid!" Rin shouted, surprising Caster. "Having a true friend is better then going at it alone. My daddy talks a lot like you but…" She looked at Kotone before she curled her hands into fists, "I won't be like that. Not now, not ever." She raised her fists, "I am a magus but more importantly, I am her friend. Kotone is coming with me whether you like it or not."
Caster scowled as a green aura surrounded her, "Do you believe friendship will save you? That it could possibly defeat me?!"
"Yes!" Rin scowled. "Otherwise I would have ran, you ugly hag! Unlike you, I have a friend to draw strength from. I won't lose. So unless you want me to beat friendship into that stupid head of yours, get out of my way!" Rin wasn't thinking logically. Normally she would have run. A magus looks after their own, but Kotone was her friend. She was someone she'd protect because she deserved it.
Caster knew those eyes. She knew them all too well. They were hers. That stubborn mare that stood in her way and stopped her. Who took her hive. How dare she have those eyes! How dare she!
Caster's hands glowed with green, fiery magic. There was something in her eyes that made Rin almost regret her actions, "You are just like them! Those stupid ponies. Well I'll kill you right here and now and prove how pitiful friendship is. When I get my wish I'll do the same to them! So thank you for being a practice run, you RAT!" Caster brought her hand up to cast a spell on the girl.
Before she could do anything, something crashed through the wall. Out of said hole jumped a large, red armored rat that swung a large jagged red sword at Caster. Caster moved out of the way of a lethal strike but it still left a gash on her side.
Caster cried out in pain and surprise before she glared down at the creature before her, "Berserker? How dare you interrupt my attempted murder!"
"Berserker is the one who will murder-kill tonight," a mad chuckle escaped the large, humanoid rat.
Caster just hissed and shot a ball of green magic to Berserker. He ducked and rushed forward to strike again. The moment he would have hit her, Caster burst into green flames. Berserker's sword was caught in a pair of black jaws. Rin gasped as she saw Caster's true form. An insectoid horse like creature filled with holes. Caster growled and jerked the sword to the side, sending Berserker into a wall.
Berserker actually righted himself in the air and hit the wall with his feet. Pushing himself forward, he launched himself at Caster who put up a shield to deflect the blow.
"Do you think you can slay me, Berserker?" Caster laughed. "I am a queen! I am you ruperior. I am unstoppable!"
"You are annoying!" Berserker snarled and charged again. Once more, Caster blocked the blow with a shield and tried to hit him with a spell. Berserker dodged it with his swift footwork and tried to strike again, only hitting a wall.
Rin scrunched up her face as the battle went on. She noticed something about Caster as the battle was taking place. The two combatants having torn up half the shop. Thankfully, aside from Kotone and herself, most of the people were on the other side of it and were still fine. As for Caster, she was agitated as she dropped her shield again to fire. Rin gasped as her eyes widened, "Berserker. Caster can't defend and attack at the same time!"
Caster turned her head to her, "Shut up!"
Berserker took the initiative and slashed at Caster. Caster reared back, gaining a large gash across her chest before smashing her hooves into the ground, and causing a magical shockwave that threw everyone back and away from her.
"You hurt me twice," Caster growled. "It won't happen a third time!"
"Oh yes-yes," Berserker cackled, eyeing her with a mad glint. "Two misses. Only need one to kill. The next one will kill-slay you!"
"Then try again and fail again, Berserker." Caster growled, her horn lighting up to cast another spell. "I will end you here and now!"
"I don't think so!" The two servants turned their heads to see Rider walk into the room. His sword was drawn as he glared at Caster. "Your reign of villainy ends here."
"At the very least come up with something original if you want to face me," Caster deadpanned. "Either way, I am thankful that you two would come here. It saves me the trouble of killing you later."
"Well if you're so confident then come get me," Rider smirked as he got into a battle stance.
"No-No!" Berserker hopped on his furry feet in anger. "My battle. My kill! She is mine!"
"I'm willing to share if you are," Rider chuckled.
Caster looked between Rider and Berserker. She chuckled, "The Grail obviously knew who to choose to be my opponents. Such simpletons." Before the other two could react, a burst of magic sent everyone flying back. Rin held Kotone close to her as to not let her friend get hurt.
Caster snarled and charged the downed Rider. Thinking faster as Caster was atop him now, he shouted, "Thrysta vindr!" The large burst of air sent Caster flying up and smashing into a staircase above him.
Caster looked down and snarled. She used her buzzing insect wings to fly up, "We shall take this outside, Rider. I think-" She was cut off when she, finally outside, was smacked away by the dragon Saphira.
Rider smiled and waved, "Thanks."
"Not a probably, Eragon." Saphira chuckled through their mind link. "I'll take care of Caster. Just leave her to me." With that the dragon took off after the servant.
Rider wasn't really worried about her. She was a dragon after all. Even a servant would be wary of them, especially if said dragon was tied to a servant already. He turned to Rin and Kotone, "You're lucky I was out for a nighttime flight. I'll get you out safely."
Berserker got in between them, "No-No, my master wishes to see them safe. Yes-yes, Berserker will take them to him like he wants me to." He snarled, "For now."
Rider scowled, "I don't think I trust children in your care, Berserker. Please let's be civil and let me help them. I can blend in with the humans of this world much better than you can."
Berserker narrowed his eyes and brandished his sword, "They are coming with Berserker."
"Please step aside. I don't want to fight you." Rider moved into a defensive stance.
"Funny," Berserker grinned. "Berserker does." With that said, Berserker gave out a battle cry and charged. His sword met Rider's as the servant of mounts blocked the servant of madness's strike. Berserker moved his other sword to attack, but Rider was quicker. Rider tried to slash his opponent's shoulder, but Berserker moved out of striking range.
He struck again from the side but Rider parried it. He pushed back the sword, making a sweeping motion to lop off Berserker's head. Berserker surprisingly leaned back just as the sword came at him, so the blad missed the rat. He pulled back and slashed at Rider's midsection. He jumped back, gritting his teeth. He looked down to see that Berserker had easily cut through his enchanted armor. Thankfully, it was only a shallow cut.
"So that sword of yours," Rider spoke. "It can cut through any armor, right?"
"Dwarf Gouger is the best sword," Berserker cackled. "No armor can stop it!" He jumped forward to strike him again.
Rin couldn't help but stare in awe at the two servants before her. They moved with such speed and power that no mage could possibly try and match them. They could wipe out a ton of magi with just this bit of skill and that wasn't even including Rider's magic.
"Well seems I've outstayed my welcome," she heard the man from earlier say. She looked over to see that he was trying to sneak up the stairs.
"Hey!" Rin shouted. She stood up and glared at him. "Stop right there!"
The man chuckled and turned to them, "Oh right, I better take a couple of souvenirs." He reached out with a bracelet wearing arm, "Do you want to come play with me, little girl."
"No!" She slapped the hand away and stomped on his foot.
The man yelped and then growled. He grabbed her by the arm, "That wasn't very nice."
Rin was about to speak when her detector started to go off. She gasped when she saw his bracelet, knowing it was magical. She figured it must be the thing controlling all of the kids right now. So she decided to try and take her mana and overload it.
"Whoa!" The man cried, smiling. "A little magus. Cool, but that's not going to be enough little girl." With that said, the mana around her hands turned green. A sickly aura started to take over and all thoughts and reasons started to evaporate. It felt like she was drowning on dry land. It felt sick and wrong on every manageable level.
Yet she couldn't help but glance at Kotone. 'Kotone…. Kotone…. No, I can't let her be taken away. NO ONE TAKES MY FRIENDS AWAY FROM ME! NO ONE!' That's when her mana started to take control again. Her anger, fear, and everything else poured into the bracelet.
"What?" The man cried before it shattered, sending him to the ground. "Oh she's going to hate me for this." With that said, he started to run up the stairs. Luckily for him, both servants were too preoccupied with fighting to pay much attention to his escape.
Kotone started to groan, "R-Rin?"
"Kotone!" Rin smiled and raced over to hug her friend. "I'm so glad you're alright."
"Yeah," Kotone gasped as she saw Berserker jumped onto a counter and try and slash downwards at Rider. The servant of the mount blocked and tried to slash upwards, but every strike was pushed away with Berserker's second sword while his main one, Dwarf Gouger, would try and slash him. "Who are they?"
"I don't know," Rin honestly answered.
Rider meanwhile was having a hard time. Berserker wasn't as fast as he was but he was incredibly more nimble. As well, Berserker's two swords complimented each other and made attacking him difficult. Hence why Rider hadn't scored as many cuts or slashes on his opponent as had Berserker. He would make a note to watch out for it in a future battle. He wasn't overly worried. His first battles were usually against him and he always did improve by the second, but the goal here was surviving and getting all of these children to safety. It didn't help that he could sense that Saphira was having a bit of trouble with Caster outside. He was thankful that makeshift boundary field he had been able to create made sure the normal people of the city wouldn't notice anything until everything was done.
Berserker gave a number cry and jumped at him with a spinning slash. Rider blocked it but the forced knocked him back and nearly off his feet. Berserker landed on his feet and his next blow smashed against his sword, throwing his arm to the side and the sword out of his hand. Berserker grinned as he thrust out his Dwarf Gouger to skewer him.
The only thing that saved Rider at the moment was his elf-like reflexes. He swerved out of the way as the blade merely slashed his side and thrust out his hand, "Jierda!" The spell allowed him to hit harder, breaking pieces of Berserker's breast armor and sending him flying into a wall.
The servant of madness groaned for a couple of seconds before righting himself. His glare was filled with nothing but hate and madness. He gave a hate filled cry and charged. Rider moved quickly and leaped over to his sword. Berserker was faster and made ready to skewer him before he stopped. Rider stared at the servant with his sword at hand, only to see that Berserker seemed shaken. His eyes widened as he realized something must have happened to the servant's master. Wanting to use this circumstance he charged and made ready to end his opponent.
Unfortunately for him, a large black furry mass of muscle smashed into him and knocked him into the wall. "Master, are you alright?"
Berserker shook his head and glared at the larger rat, "Ska, you stupid-idiot. Berserker had him where he wanted him." He wavered, almost falling over if Ska hadn't caught him.
"You're hurt."
Berserker shook his head, "No-No. It must be that infernal master. Stupid-stupid master."
Ska picked him up, "We should go before Rider gets back up."
Berserker snarled and struggled weakly, "No-No. Berserker-" He cringed, "Stupid-stupid master. Get the little man-thing."
With that said, Ska quickly grabbed Rin and Kotone with him as well much to the little gil's protests and ran for it.
"Stop!" Rider made to run after them but looked at all the other people still stuck in the green gook. He gritted his teeth, realizing that he couldn't just leave them be. "Damnit. Saphira, are you alright?"
"She's gone," he could hear Saphira growl on the other end of his mental link.
"We'll get her next time," Rider said. "Just keep on the lookout if she returns. I'll get the civilians out."
Caster was slammed into the ground. The dragon hadn't been too kind when grabbing her and throwing her around, so she had blasted it in the face. That had made it let her go though it still slammed her into the ground. Getting up, she snarled up at the dragon. "Dragon. Such simple creatures. You would do well to know your place when in the presence of a queen."
"I hardly find you befitting of such a title," the dragon answered her telepathically. At that, Caster made sure to block her mind off from any probing magic. "So please, die like the bug you are."
Caster's eyes widened, "Bug… you called me a bug." Her magical aura increased. She was thankful she had feasted beforehand or she doubted she could actually take on a dragon. "You will die!"
The dragon roared and charged. Just as she was about to tear Caster to shreds, Caster's form changed in a blaze of fiery magic. Smacking her to the side, now stood a giant scorpion, fly monster. Its large mouth gaped at her, showing off jagged dragger like teeth that looked like it could actually bite into her. Its legs were jagged as well, to which Saphira the dragon knew that they could potentially pierce her hide.
The transformed Caster gave an inhuman shriek and charged. Saphira answered with a bellow and let loose a stream of fire. Caster screamed in pain but didn't let up, smashing into the dragon and knocking her to the ground. Raising one of her jagged legs, the servant of magic tried to skewer the dragon's head. Saphira slashed the leg away and used her wings to push her up and Caster away. Rolling onto her feet, she growled at the enemy servant and then roared.
Caster returned it and the two magical beings clashed again. Caster tried to slash at her, but Saphira parried it with one of her paws before snapping at the enemy. Pulling back, Caster screeched again only to be met with a face full of fire. Shrieking in pain, Caster swiftly spun around and slammed her tail into the dragon's side.
Saphira let out a grunt of pain before throwing herself at the other creature. Smashing into her, they rolled onto the ground. Each one slashing and biting at the other. Unfortunately for both, neither could get at their opponent's neck. They slashed and smacked any such strike away only managing to inflict minor injuries around their legs. Saphira got a lucky strike with her claws, raking them across Caster's face and almost taking out an eye.
Caster gave a roar of indignation and snapped her jaws onto Saphira's shoulder, just below her neck. The servant of magic pushed her to the ground, pinning her in place Saphira cried out and tried to push the opposing creature off of her. She slashed, bit, and everything else she could think of. The insectoid monster Caster refused to let go. Her teeth cut through the dragon's thick scale and hide easily enough as though she had transformed them into the perfect cutting utensils.
Saphira's eyes widened when she realized she was growing weaker. She looked down to see that Caster was glowing lightly. She was feeding on her magical energy. If she kept this up, she would die and disappear, leaving Eragon alone. That stopped her from moving. 'Eragon? Alone? No, No. Never. He can't live without me.' That was the bond dragon riders shared with their mounts. They were tied to each other and lived for each other. She couldn't imagine a life without him and she wouldn't put him into such a position where he had to live without her. 'If she wants my magic so badly, then let her have it!'
Summoning the magic within her, Saphira let it smash into Caster. The servant of magic gave out a yelp before the dragon finally threw her off. She gave her a torrent of flames that burned Caster's side and let her claws gouge out huge chunks of flesh from one of Caster's limbs.
Caster gave a cry of surprise and back away, but Saphira wouldn't let her leave. She pressed on, biting and clawing at Caster. This time, her attacks were getting through. Caster's body was littered with burns and bleeding wounds. Saphira had her own share, but she was a dragon. She could live through them easily enough.
"Caster!" A male voice called out.
Saphira cast a small glance towards the orange haired human coming towards them. Once she spied the command seals on his hand, she instantly knew this was Caster's master. She would kill him right then and there and be done with this monster. Unfortunately for her, Caster was having none of that. The servant of magic gave a cry of rage and let one of her jagged legs rake over Saphira's chest. The dragon roared in pain before Caster's long tail slammed her into the ground.
Caster made a run for it, turning back into her original self with a burst of magic. She turned back to Saphira, "This isn't over!" With that said, she teleported herself and her master away.
Saphira growled, angered that she hadn't been able to finish off Caster right then and there. She was right in her grasp.
"Saphira," she heard Eragon talk to her. "Are you alright?"
"She's gone," she said bitterly.
"We'll get her next time," Eragon reassured her. The gentle tone he always carried soothed her anger. "Just keep on the lookout if she returns. I'll get the civilians out."
Saphira gave a sigh of relief. At the very least they accomplished something this night. She was honestly surprised by Caster's power. She could actually change her shape at will and turned into such a monster. She hoped she could finish her off before she decided to turn into a dragon. She was not keen on fighting another dragon if she could help it.
This took longer then expected, but what can you do. College finals are coming up so I'm thankful I got something out. I wanted to change things up with this episode and drawing on a bit of King of Beast's story with a clash here, I thought it could be cool to show off Berserker's skill as well as Caster's abilities. Not to say that Saphira and Rider aren't cool. They are. I hope you enjoyed the fight and please leave a comment. They are greatly appreciated. Until next time, take care.