Ch 8
Waver gulped as he felt his teacher's eyes on him. Calm down I have nothing to fear, Rider will make sure nothing bad happens to me. He gulped as he looked at his teacher and then at Rider who had a bored expression on his face. Rider sighed, "What is so important that you have to interrupt this fine conversation we are having?"
A smile spread across his teacher's face as he held his hand towards him, "I just wanted to chat with younger Waver Velvet for a moment. It wont take too much of your time I promise."
Rider rolled his eyes, "Fine but do not attempt to harm him. Harming a king's servants is a serious offense, after all a king has to look after all of his men and help them when they need it."
Waver noticed Lancer shift uncomfortably in his seat and for a second he appeared sad. However, his teacher just nodded, "No problem it won't take long." Kayneth then turned to face him, "Now Waver I just want to talk to you for a moment."
Waver gulped as he rested his hand on a sphinx for comfort, "What do you want to talk about?"
A rather large sphinx moved in front of him and he felt safer surrounded by them. Kayneth chuckled as he smiled at him, "Waver I want to speak to you about the prospect of working together," he said in a silky tone.
"Working together?" He asked, something is definitely not right, everything about him seems off. He looked over his teacher and he appeared to be waiting for him to lower his guard.
"Yes work together," Kayneth said as he stared at him and Rider. Rider snickered and rolled his eyes as if he his teacher had told an amusing joke. Kayneth's nostrils appeared to flare but he did not say anything. "Anyway Waver I think we could work well together under my guidance I will be able to help you achieve great things."
Waver looked at his teacher as he felt the hairs on his neck stand up. He didn't say anything as his teacher continued to talk. "You see Waver this is a war we are in and a child like yourself could use some help. If we combine our forces we will have a much better chance at winning and when we do I will assure you that your standing in the Clock Tower will be higher. So what do you say? Lets combine our efforts," he said as he extended a hand.
Waver stared at his teacher in shock, a child eh? I've made it this far without you, Rider is all I need to win.. He was going to respond but that was when he heard the sphinxes growl and stand up all around him. He looked around but saw nothing but he could tell that something was not right, everything in his body was screaming at him to run. "I am sorry but Rider and I can do this alone," he said looking firmly at his teacher.
To his surprise, his teacher laughed, everyone stared at him as if he were a madman. "Foolish Waver, very well I am afraid this is as far as you will go," he said with a smile on his face. The sphinxes growled as Waver noticed a shadow lunge at him, he ducked just in time while a sphinx blasted the shadow away.
What the hell was that? He got up and that was when he noticed that Assassin was here. There are so many of them he thought in horror as the sphinxes formed a protective area around him. Assassin or whatever it was surrounded them, they were everywhere around the garden area they were at.
Saber stood up and drew her blade as her master stood behind her while Archer rolled his eyes, "Foolish Tokiomi can you go any lower?" he mumbled as he drank some wine. Rider looked around as if amused while Lancer sat at the table with a sad expression on his face.
"Assassin you are a bit too early. You can help clean up when we are done," Rider said as he sighed and drank some of his wine. Waver gripped a nearby sphinx tightly as they all growled at the Assassins.
This isn't good he thought as he felt his legs shake. The Assassin's surrounded them yet to his surprise Rider seemed calm and a bit annoyed. The Assassin's laughed at Rider's comment while Kayneth smirked at him. "Well you see Waver now you are most definitely outnumbered and outmanned," he said with a chuckle as he looked at Archer who just rolled his eyes and avoided his gaze.
This is a trap! Is Archer a part of this? He looked at Archer who seemed to be preoccupied with his wine glass while Lancer sat at the table with a blank expression on his face. He doesn't seem interested in fighting and Lancer looks as if he wants to be anywhere but here at the moment. Saber was standing beside her master her sword was drawn but he wondered how she would be able to help them out in their current situation.
Rider reached out to grab his glass but a knife was thrown at it knocking the glass onto the table and spilling the remainder of the wine on it. Uh oh he thought as Rider let out a laugh. "You all wish to see the power of a pharaoh huh?" Rider stood up and in a flash, his casual street outfit was replaced by his normal Egyptian garb. Waver gulped as Rider gave off a bright and powerful glow.
The glow was so bright that he had to close his eyes for fear of going blind. He gripped a nearby sphinx tightly as he felt a surge of magical energy throughout the area. When the light dissipated he slowly opened his eyes and noticed that he was kneeling, in fact the sphinxes around him were all kneeling. "What is this place?" He looked around and for a second he thought that they were back in the pyramid but the place was larger and grander than the pyramid. It was a large thrown room with various paintings and images on the walls. He was so awestruck by the place he was at that he decided to kneel out of respect.
He looked around and found that Rider was standing facing Kayneth while the other servants were at the table. Where are the Assassins? That seemed to be the question on everyone's mind even his teacher who looked around nervously.
Rider looked at Kayneth and laughed, "Look on my works, ye fools who dare defy the will of the Gods and kneel before me. The sun descends here, in our unlimited Brilliance. This is Ramesseum Tentyris, a manifestation of all my might, of all the power of the pharaohs and the Gods of Egypt!"
Rider laughed while Waver looked in shock, Rider really is strong he sometimes forgot that since his servant was a bit arrogant and liked to joke around but he could feel the energy and power radiating from this structure and it was just a reminder that Rider could be serious and that he was a very powerful pharaoh.
"Now then Saber," Rider said turning towards her. Saber put her arm around her master as if unsure what was about to happen. "Fear now for you are not my enemy at the moment. Check your wound it should be healed." Saber carefully did and to her surprise, the wound was healed, Lancer's injury was gone. "I shall extend a bit of my protection to you so that you and Lancer may have your final fight, it was something I much enjoyed. You have my word that no harm shall come to your master"
Saber looked at Rider carefully and nodded, "Thank you Rider." While Lancer nodded and looked around not sure what to do.
"Where are the Assassins?" Kayneth said. "Lancer come back here this instant!" Lancer sighed as he did what he was told.
"Oh don't worry the various Assassins are being taken care of," Rider said with a laugh.
Waver sighed as he felt Rider turn to him, "Boy come join me we shall watch the entertainment." Waver looked around nervously and carefully followed Rider up the steps towards his throne. He sat down on a smaller chair a sphinx brought while Rider sat down on the throne.
"Now then Lord Kayneth if you wish to fight me I am afraid I must refuse, for I believe Saber claimed to have wanted to fight Lancer first and I will respect that since I enjoyed their battle," Rider said. "Saber and Lancer you are both great warriors and I will allow you both to continue your fight here uninterrupted, do not worry I shall not interfere."
Saber looked at her master who nodded before looking at Rider, "Fine we shall fight but so long as no harm comes to my master."
"No harm shall come to her, you have my word as a pharaoh," Rider said looking Saber in her eyes. Saber nodded as her master wished her luck before stepping to the side.
Saber and Lancer looked at each other while Archer sat down and sipped his wine. Kayneth looked angry and quickly looked at Archer who only slightly nodded his head as if telling him to go on, "Fine," Kayneth spat. "We shall fight Saber but then we shall come for you."
Rider chuckled, "Oh and my pyramid cancels out noble phantasms but if you wish to use them I shall allow it, I do enjoy my entertainment."
Saber and Lancer exchanged a look before they both looked up at Rider, "We shall just fight with our blades," Saber said
Rider nodded, "Good now let the battle begin," he said loudly as he clapped his hands. Saber looked at her master who nodded and took a few steps back. They both bowed to each other slightly as they gripped their weapons
The room they were in was big enough for them to fight between the two without any problem. "Lancer defeat Saber this instant!" Kayneth said as the two servants drew their weapons.
"Yes my lord," Lancer said as he gripped his lances. Waver noticed that Lancer seemed a bit more relaxed and he could tell that he was happy that he could fight Saber again.
"Saber good luck," Saber's master said. Saber nodded and approached Lancer while Archer watched from the side while sipping wine. Then Lancer charged at Saber and the two began their fight.
Waver watched the two servants, he could have sworn that he saw a small smile on Lancer's face as he gripped his spears. Saber and Lancer charged at each with their weapons and sparks flew as their weapons made contact with each other. They both moved quickly and Waver had a hard time keeping track of their movements. He noticed Rider and Archer watch the fight with amusement while Saber's master supported her servant.
"Come on Lancer defeat her!" Kayneth yelled. Lancer only nodded, Waver noticed that his face was happy as he exchanged blades with Saber and that he appeared to be ignoring his master's voice as he was lost in the heat of battle.
He must really be enjoying this he thought as he watched the two servants fight. They occasionally did damage to each other but overall they were far from being defeated. He noticed Saber's sword was still covered in wind though he swore he saw bits of it occasionally. Rider must be respecting her wishes to keep it hidden or he just doesn't care.
As the fight progressed Saber and Lancer were slowly starting to wear each other down. Throughout the fight Saber's master healed her when she could and Kayneth did the same but at a lesser rate. Lord Kayneth is looking more irritated by the minute. He looked at his teacher and saw a mixture of frustration and apprehension on his face as he looked around as if waiting for Assassin to appear. Occasionally he would also look at Archer as if waiting for him to do something, but Archer was busy sipping wine and watching the fight completely ignoring his teacher.
"Don't worry about Lancer boy he is a noble warrior he and Saber will provide excellent entertainment for tonight. Also, Assassin is being taken care of," Rider said from his throne.
He looked up at Rider and nodded, "That's good, how do you think this will end?" He asked pointing to Saber and Lancer fighting. Lancer appeared to have gotten a blow on Saber who managed to slash him with her sword.
Rider chuckled, "We shall see me and Rider have our money on Saber though. But as a pharaoh I am not taking sides, if they wish to kill each other that is fine, they are both excellent warriors."
Waver nodded as he continued to watch Saber and Lancer fight the two servants fought with equal ferocity. As time wore on it appeared as if Saber was gaining the upper hand. Then it happened, for a second it took Waver moment what had happened as Lancer lunged at Saber who managed to avoid his spears and slash at him with her sword.
Lancer's eyes widened Saber struck him again. "Lancer!" Kayneth yelled as Lancer fell to his knees. Saber pointed her sword at Lancer whose body was already starting to glow. "Lancer get up this instant!" Kayneth yelled, though his voice sounded as if he were pleading.
"Rider should we do something?" He asked looking up at his servant.
Rider shook his head, "No boy, this was an excellent battle between warriors and Lancer fought honorably."
He turned and looked at Lancer's body which was starting to disappear. Lancer let out a sigh and his face appeared calm and he appeared to be smiling, "Thank you Saber this was a battle I will never forget." Saber nodded as Lancer turned to face Rider, "Thank you for this opportunity, sadly I will not get the chance to clash blades with you great pharaoh." To Waver's surprise Rider nodded.
"Lancer don't go!" Kayneth yelled his face contorted with fear and anger. But it was already too late, Lancer was gone and eliminated from the Holy Grail War.
When he disappeared there was silence as Kayneth took a few steps back in horror only to be met by a large sphinx. He yelled in terror as he fell to the ground. However, the sphinx did not go after him as Rider snapped his fingers and it stepped aside.
"That was an amazing battle Saber. Both you and Lancer are worthy of the title of knight. Now I say we end this banquet," Rider said as he clapped his hands. There was another bright light and Waver covered his eyes and the next thing he knew they were back at where they were at before, with the exception there not being any Assassins around.
"Thank you all for coming now I am afraid it is late and my subject and I need are rest," Rider said as he got up and snapped his fingers. Waver looked up and saw the ship descend from the sky.
"W-Wait!" Kayneth yelled. They both turned to see Kayneth looking at them with a mixture of shock and fear. To his surprise his teacher turned to face Archer who had gotten up. "What about our alliance? You have done nothing this whole time why did you not help us?"
Archer sighed and laughed, "I do not recall agreeing to any alliance mongrel. I did agree to come enjoy drink and entertainment with other kings under a banner of truce." Archer then turned to face Saber and then Rider. "See you both around this war will get much more interesting."
Rider nodded, "This meeting is over. Hopefully, in the future we can have this meeting again. As for Assassin they were taken care of by my pets."
Saber and Rider both nodded as Archer disappeared leaving a shocked Kayneth. "No this cannot be," he said in frustration as he glared at Waver. "I will get you for this," he spat as he turned around and ran off. Looking back on that instant Waver realized that this night was the last time he would see his teacher alive.
"Good riddance, he isn't worth killing," Rider said as they both got on the ship Rider and Saber exchanged final pleasantries as they both headed off back towards their pyramid.
When they both got back to the pyramid Rider turned to face him. "Boy, you should sleep in here tonight. We do not know what other tricks the enemy might have," Rider said as he turned away from him. Waver nodded and followed the Sphinxes to a spare room in the pyramid. "Oh boy," Rider called out.
"Y-Yes," He said turning around.
He turned to see Rider face him, the expression on his face emotionless, "You did a good job today, you earn my praise for offering me good advice despite the circumstances. Even great pharaohs such as I occasionally need and you were brave enough to give it to me."
Waver felt his eyes widen; he is praising me he realized as he stood in shock. He did a small bow not saying a word because he didn't want to risk angering him further. "The honor is mine. It was through your might that we won," he said avoiding Rider's gaze.
"True, but you are a great strategist and I recognize your talent, " Rider said as he patted his shoulder.
He recognizes my talent? He was in shock by Rider's words. He stared at Rider as if he had said something weird but Rider's eyes held no malice.
"It is true that lineage does matter yet despite coming from a minor family you still prove yourself capable. You are not arrogant as these modern mages are and you fight with all of your strength which is admirable. I recognize you as a great tactician and mage despite your shortcomings," Rider said staring at him with his eyes. Waver looked into them and saw that there was a fiery passion in them and a look of approval as he felt him stare through him.
"Th-Thanks Rider," Waver said as he felt a warm sensation flow through him. He did another bow, this one deeper. "No one has ever praised me as you have," he said trying to hide the emotion in his voice. He recognizes my potential? The thought rolled through his head and he couldn't help but think that he was dreaming. Ozymandias the pharaoh who was one of mankind's greatest rulers recognized him as something.
"Well most mortals and modern mages do not recognize talent; humans really do lack sense without a strong ruler," Rider said with a sigh. "Now get some rest, for tomorrow we will celebrate." Waver smiled and nodded as he headed off to his room in the pyramid.
AN: Well here is another chapter done. Ozymandias's noble phantasm apparently can act as both a reality marble and it can also be used just like FGO. It also can cancel out noble phatasms so when he summoned it it canceled out the power of Lancer's attack so Saber's wound could get healed.
Yeah Kayneth thought archer and assassin would be helping him but Archer chose not to fight. So Kayneth ended up losing. When Rider summoned his Noble Phantasm the Assassins were scattered throughout the temple complex and killed.