Hello to all of you ! Hereis my chapter of the week. A little bit longer than usual, because a lot of things to tell. Good reading ;)

The Master-Servant pairs until chapter 7

* Adelaide Fleury - Gilgamesh 'Child' (Archer)

* Waver Velvet / Lord El-Melloi II - Iskandar (Rider)

* Dorian Janson - Unknown (Assassin)

* Master Unknown - Unknown Servant (Rider)

* Master Unknown - Unknown Servant (Archer)

* Rin Tohsaka - Servant Unknown (Class Unknown)

* Fiona of Elvaren - Gilles de Rais (Saber)

* Evelyn d'Elvaren - Joan of Arc (Lancer)

See you soon in a line, don't hesitate to send me your remarks by reviews. Have a good week !

Lenia41

Chapter 8 - Panic at Charles De Gaulle

Place unknown - Date unknown

When she opened her eyelids, it was not the sand and the darkness which offered themselves to Adelaide's eyes. The burning rays of the sun at its zenith seemed to dazzle her somewhat, reflected by the immaculate white walls. A city extended under his glance, immense and vast, with innumerable more or less complex buildings built with the same rock to the irreproachable whiteness. The archaeologist could almost distinguish the contours of the streets and the mazes of the alleys, with the panorama that the balcony where she was, offered her.

When she lowered her gaze to the railing that separated the balcony from the void, Professor Fleury was surprised by the height that separated her view from the barrier. Because of her small size, the Franco-British woman was not used to having such a high viewpoint. This fact did not fail to surprise her and to make her even more confused about the situation she was in.

Where was she?

This city was not familiar to her. If some architectural features reminded her of old Iraqi, Egyptian or Turkish buildings, as in Baghdad or Cairo, they differed in several points. The daybreak did not allow him to benefit from the night prism and the contours of the stars to try to extrapolate his position with the help of astronomy.

The sort of promontory where Adelaide was built gave a clear view of the desert expanse that surrounded her, of its dry, cracked soils, as well as of its rare shrubs rooted on the few spaces nibbled by strips of dried grass.

His vision suddenly blurred, as his body moved without his consent. Armed interlocutors dressed with oriental pomp and circumstance were approaching her, without her knowing them.

Who were they?

Their attitude seemed cautious and deferential as they bowed and stood back, stepping aside to let a woman pass, clad in an elegant, long green cotton tunic, edged in gold and tied with a red cloth belt. Her sleeves covered her entire left arm, while her right arm was left free, her fingers partly covered with a white cloth. A black veil covered her mouth, emphasizing her light skin and revealing only her forehead and her eyes of a soft and wise brown. Her wrists and ears were adorned with solid gold jewels, while a golden chain covered her forehead below a purple headband. Finally, as befits Oriental dress, a white veil covered her head before cascading over her shoulders and down her back.

What language was she speaking?

It looked like Sumerian or Phoenician, but it was also different. The phonemes seemed older, rougher, more foreign to the specialist of these ancient languages. It is only when the woman - whose dress was rather close to the effects of the priests and priestesses, according to the rare parchments and rather reliable tablets that they had been able to find on this subject - handed her a wax tablet that Adelaide could formally recognize an ancient Sumerian.

Who was this woman?

Siduri.

This word slipped into her mind without her knowing why. The grapheme seemed terribly familiar to her, without being able to identify it clearly at the moment.

Her head took one last look at the horizon that stretched out in front of her. For a brief moment, the landscape seemed familiar to her, before fading away in the clouds of movement. She could not lower her eyes on her person, nor identify really the voice which answered her interlocutor, and did not understand the content of the exchanges between what seemed to be two protagonists. The one or the one whose gaze she was borrowing and the priestess moved away from the balcony to go back inside.

The sun was drowned in the devouring darkness. Adelaide felt herself lose her footing, falling into the void.

In the skies of Paris, France - Year 2014. Present time.

A hand rested on her shoulder and shook her with gentle firmness. Adelaide protested, grumbling in her non-existent beard, still tired. She thought she had gained a few minutes of respite when familiar lips landed on her cheek to place an insistent kiss.

- Mm... Yes, what? What is it?

- We're on our way. I thought you'd rather be awake before we land than on the way down.

- Thanks Waver, that would indeed have been a bit rough. Did our friends make it through the flight?

- Yes, I was even able to finish my book while keeping our two trolls from getting off the plane.

- Excellent! What do they predict for the capital?

- Dullness, probably rain by the time we get there and a little 12 degrees.

- At least, we should not have to support it a long time before joining Gascony.

By habit quickly acquired, Adélaïde threw a glance on her left to see how Archer was doing, who was finishing in all haste a game of play probably against Rider. Under the insistence of the stewardess evoking the imminent landing, he switched off and stored reluctantly the portable console in the backpack placed at his feet.

The usual turbulence shook them for the duration of the descent, until the braking felt on the runways of the largest airport in Paris located in the city of Roissy-en-France.

Adelaide hoped that they would not have any bad surprises when they arrived on French soil.

Roissy-en-France, Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, France - Year 2014

Quietly seated in the privilege class travelers' lounge, a little girl hummed a classical music tune with good humor, Her long blonde hair had been gathered into a long braid that reached to the middle of her back by a black ribbon. Her pale complexion was illuminated by her broad smile and her blue eyes, in which shone a sparkling glint of mischief.

Her navy blue coat, long-sleeved fitted white shirt, blue tie with black stripes, black pleated skirt reaching below her knees, black ballet flats and her private school's crest hanging from her torso, indicated her family's high social standing.

The d'Elvaren family had indeed risen to the rank of the noblest lineages of French mages.

Little Fiona d'Elvaren was one of the youngest heiresses of this house whose origins went back, according to the claims of its deans, to the fifteenth or sixteenth century. The ten year old girl had been carefully educated in magic, high society and school, and had entered one of the most elitist mage schools in France in the sixth grade.

With her radiant smile, her good manners, her good humor, a rather sharp mind for her age, her talents in choral singing and her promising innate abilities in magic, the schoolgirl left few people indifferent to her presence and natural charm. The angelic face she wore also concealed her facetiousness, her sensitivity, her sweetness of character, a certain candor, an inexhaustible curiosity but also a dreamy, sometimes distracted temperament.

It was a point of vigilance about his young Master that Saber would keep in mind.

The Servant's six-foot, slender, even skinny build concealed ninety-one pounds of battle-tested muscle. He was dressed in civilian clothes with black pants, black boots, leather gloves, a blue-gray cloth jacket over a black shirt. His black hair had been gathered into a catogan and his dark eyes remained alert. It would only take a moment for him to conjure his full armor and sword if the situation called for it.

After a strong start, the first few days had been fairly quiet.

Saber considered that this calm was only apparent. The Grail War had already begun. There was a good chance that other participants would be in the capital. Her Master had been fortunate to live in an estate far enough away from the big cities, the distance had protected her. The girl had chosen to fight, however, which made her all the more interesting.

Heaven had shown a strange sense of humor in choosing his Master.

Once he had recognized Fiona as the Lady he was to serve, Saber had vowed to do everything in his power to protect the girl with such an innocent and generous heart. Leaning against a pillar in the hall's termina, the knight asked his Master.

- Fiona, wasn't your aunt supposed to land half an hour ago? The screen shows her flight as arrived, but we still haven't spotted her among the other passengers.

- Don't worry Saber! Aunt Evelyn sent me a message ten minutes ago. The plane had to stop on the runway because there was no boarding gate available. She should be here any minute now!

- Such a delay hardly seems to surprise you. Is it customary in your time?

- Let's just say it happens a lot with public transportation. You've never heard of the legendary 'French delay' or the 'five minutes of politeness' for guests so they can get ready. My father used to say that this was a tradition for the SNCF. It must be said that the train caused him many problems in his travels, between delays and last minute cancellations.

An eyebrow raised, Saber was about to share his astonishment when his instinct put him on alert. He immediately moved closer to his young Master, immediately on guard. This icy sensation that had crossed him... it did not tell him anything good. His hunch was confirmed when countless airport users suddenly collapsed on the ground all around them.

As if she had felt it too, Fiona had risen and was scanning their surroundings with eyes that were both worried and determined. The child was most serious as she turned to him.

- That energy... it looked a lot like a magical barrier, didn't it?

- It is a barrier, the knight confirmed, keeping an eye on her. A pretty powerful barrier. I also detect the presence of several Servants in the area, three or four of them.

It was rather unusual for so many Servants to be concentrated in one area at this stage of the ancient battle royale. Strategically, it did not seem appropriate to reveal himself so early to his opponents, in broad daylight with witnesses present. Were they so confident in their abilities that they would ignore all strategic sense and basic caution with such an assault? Fiona had made up her mind and her blue eyes burned with unwavering determination.

- We have to get them away from Auntie. We're following the plan, Saber.

- Your wish is my command, Master.

After a short bow, the Servant's full armor replaced his civilian clothes in a few moments before he erased his presence. Soon there was no trace of his existence. With resolute eyes, Fiona waited in the now lifeless great hall, amidst the slumbering bodies.

Her magic spun gently through her fingers, ready to crackle at the first spark to ignite her. Anyone who tried to touch even one of her hairs would soon burn their fingers.

Finally! Adelaide was not angry to be back on the cow floor. The flight had only lasted a little over an hour, but the strange dream that had haunted her nap never ceased to question her. The mage wanted to believe that following the events in Iraq, the Uruk site could haunt her. However, she had never had the imagination required to set up such a scene. It was not like her to dream about ancient languages that were considered dead. What appealed to her most, however, was the degree of detail in the retranscription of the city of Uruk as depicted in the 'Times of the Gods', in all its splendor and grandeur.

However, there was no sketch and no such precise description of the ancestral city in question.

- Do not think so much my love, you risk to catch a headache, threw to him Waver while damning him the catch on the handles of their backpacks of hold to put them on the cart.

- Jerk. Turn seven times the tongue in your mouth before speaking, that would avoid you to say ineptitudes, answered Adélaïde of a vexed tone that belied the amused gleam of its blue eyes.

- Only if it's yours that turns it into my mouth, he replied mischievously with a teasing smile and a wink as they left the baggage claim hall.

The baggage claim area was as busy as usual, teeming with travelers eager to retrieve their belongings. Godric hadn't strayed too far from them, exploring the room at his leisure while keeping them in his sights. Archer had not wished to make himself invisible at the moment, enjoying the little game of his own cover. Rider was at his side, concealing his presence because of his imposing carrure but without preventing himself from carrying on a rather animated discussion with his younger companion. The mood was rather good so far.

The two Servants suddenly turned their eyes towards the exit doors of the room.

It was then that a strange and unpleasant sensation seemed to emanate from it and spread to the immense hall, which stopped Adelaide for a moment. The French mage turned to her husband, her eyes serious and worried. The director of the London Academy of Mages returned her seriousness and nodded. He had come to the same conclusion as she had: a barrier, set up by an experienced mage.

Raising an eyebrow, the archaeologist could not help but remark aloud.

- Didn't you tell me that fights had to be discreet, like not in front of everyone?

- Maybe it's changed since my time," Waver answered without losing any of his usual calm.

Oh, that. It's true that no one had come to explain the rules to them... wasn't there supposed to be a judge or some kind of sanctuary? Funny times, really... no respect for the rules. Without breaking her confident smile, Adelaide slipped a few crystals of magic into her right hand and prepared herself for any possibility, already thinking about how to use her surroundings.

- It looks like we've got a nice welcoming committee... we've got to do it justice," the Franco-British mage said with her usual high-spirited energy.

- It would be indeed the least of the politenesses, replied her fiancé with calm and determination.

As if they had heard their thoughts, Archer and Rider appeared at the same time at their sides. Standing tall to the left of his Master, Iskandar was visible and already dressed in his battle armor, sword in one hand and his lightning chariot already conjured at his side.

- Ah, a little exercise! It's not a moment too soon," said Rider with a very wide smile, delighted.

- Oh me, I never say no! I'm always happy to help," Archer said after him.

Placed to the right of his Master, Gil smiled angelically as his crimson eyes flashed red. Numerous chains already stood ready around his hands. The two Masters hoisted the hiking backpacks onto their shoulders and left their wagon there.

A sudden gust of wind blew open the sliding doors of the hall, caressing the faces and lifeless bodies of the unfortunate, magic-deprived travelers who had collapsed en masse on the floor. Ominous figures loomed on the horizon, the crack of battered bones and the snap of gaunt jaws sounding like a macabre horn in the silence of the hall.

Adelaide frowned as she extended her magical perceptions. The air reeked of unsavory magic, resembling necromancy. Invited by Rider and Waver, she and Archer climbed onto the lightning float. The four of them struggled to fit, but the space would suffice in a fight.

In an instant, the spell of unreal calm was broken.

As the skeletons rushed toward them, Archer's chains clattered through the air and struck the piles of animate bones with force, while Rider's lightning incinerated the meager, countless entities on the spot. Clinging to the chariot with one hand while her fiancé held her by the waist, Adelaide grabbed a handful of enchanted crystals and focused some of her magic on them. Through their sacrifice, she was able to conjure a kind of high-pressure water lasso to repel other walking skeletons. They could not hold the chariot and its Bulls of Paradise for long because of the many lifeless bodies that were strewn about the floor, so they would not kill them by accident.

- Well, what do we have here? Were butterflies caught in the web of my fence?

A hooded figure stood proudly on the upper floor of the hall, like a general supervising his troops with his army of skeletons. Dressed in a large indigo robe with a purple shawl, a black veil with a golden jewel covered most of her features while a dark cloak wrapped her slender shoulders. One of her black-gloved hands firmly held a dark-colored magic wand. Only her thin lips stretched into a mocking smile, her pointed nose, her pale face, a black headband around her neck and a few strands of purple hair were visible with all this attire covering her.

- What a misfortune to find you there. I had other prey in mind, but since you've come this far... I'll take care of you first. I am Caster, the one who will make you taste defeat.

- Well, that's a woman with confidence to spare! A word of advice though: don't try to sell the bear's skin before you've killed it, Adelaide commented good-naturedly.

- Are you the bear in the story? Gil asked, turning to Rider, looking confused

- I'm willing to be the bear if I don't get my skin ripped off," commented Iskandar.

- It's an expression," Waver replied, running a hand over his face.

- Well, it looks like she's not going to give us a break. A change of plans is in order," Adelaide said to Waver without taking her eyes off the Servant. On your mark, my dear.

It soon became apparent that there were not too many Masters and Servants to face her. The Enchantress seemed to have channeled a great deal of magical power through her barrier, and while standing well clear of them, she rained down a relentless barrage of well-felt curses. She didn't hesitate to use her skeletons as cannon fodder or a human shield, not caring about the civilians collapsed at their feet, unlike them.

She was a tough one. Waver, despite his experience and the rigorous training he had undergone over the past few years to increase his level as a mage, could only counter and negate a large portion of Caster's assaults. His remarkable elemental mastery was matched with insolent ease by their opponent, who openly laughed at their inability to break through his defenses. To fire she protected herself with an enchanted shield, to wind she countered with her own wind powers, to lightning she responded with her own rays of concentrated magic, to the water or earth Adelaide sent her way she summoned a high-flying ice.

This was bad. As long as they couldn't get near her, they couldn't hurt her.

Rider and Archer went to great lengths to try to exploit the few opportunities left by Caster. The two Servants and their Masters knew soon enough that they would not be able to keep up with the pace and power rained down on them by the Servant whose Master was nowhere to be seen.

They adjusted their strategy accordingly. Waver and Adelaide, on whom Caster was particularly focused, tried to hold her attention to give Rider and Archer a chance to get closer to their enemy's position. Iskandar, a true force of nature even when he had to fight on foot, was relentlessly mowing down skeletons with a spirit that never waned. The young Gil came to help him, using his chains to protect their Masters or to reach the Caster in order to immobilize him and interrupt his furious assault.

Adelaide preferred not to use all the cards in their hand so early in the War. It was not wise to reveal all their strategies and skills in the first fight.

Their efforts were slowly starting to pay off. Accustomed to fighting back to back, Adelaide and Waver sought to create explosive combinations with their respective elemental affinities and magical expertise. Combining water with lightning, wind with earth, covering each other's backs with barriers or sentinels in the form of small golems, they held their ground for the time being and worked to open a path for Rider and Archer to strike a decisive blow.

The window of opportunity they had hoped for finally presented itself to them, albeit with difficulty.

As Rider and Archer pressed their advantage and pressure on Caster, forcing her to retreat and dodge to avoid them reaching her height, she managed to catch them off guard. Indeed, when Gil managed to grab her in his chains, he was displeased to find that it was not the real Servant but a simple projection of herself created by magic.

Slowed by hordes of skeletons and forced to defend themselves by shields conjured by Archer, they noticed Caster charging straight at their respective Masters only too late.

The devastating rain of light that fell on them forced the two Masters to separate to ensure their respective protection, especially when the Servant sought to strike them in close combat with a strange zebra dagger. Her speed surprised Adelaide, who had no time to put up a barrier to repel her. A strange enchantment paralyzed her completely. With an evil smile on his lips, Caster leaned towards her, advancing slowly in front of her.

- I don't use it much, you should feel honored young Master. Principles of magic, divine providence, principles of this world, all creation... I return everything to its origins!

Just when she thought she was lost, a golden flash blinded her as a small figure stepped between her and the dagger at the same time Caster brought his blade down.

- Rule Breaker!

With some horror, Adelaide saw Caster's demonic smile at Archer's sudden appearance to defend her. Damn it, this is exactly what she had been waiting for! Alas, she did not know the nature of this enchantment and she could not warn her partner in time.

A grimace of pain tore at Gil's lips as the cursed dagger sank into his shoulder, simultaneously igniting an unspeakable affliction in the teacher's left hand, where her command spells were located. Snarling in pain, Adelaide focused her magic to try to pull Caster away from her young Servant, forcing her back under the threat of the gigantic fists of a small golem, conjuring the familiar as quickly as possible.

She rushed to the boy's side, who had dropped to one knee, dignified despite his pain.

- Are you okay, Archer? Sorry, the bitch managed to sneak up on me. How are you feeling?

- I've seen better days..." Gil grumbled with an incendiary look at Caster.

- We need to figure out what that bitch did to us. Blast it... Waver, Rider! We've got a problem, we've got to pull back for a while. Think you can last a few minutes without us?

- We'll take care of it! replied Iskandar who was getting closer to the Master by mowing down his enemies.

- Don't take too long, though, if you want us to still be here when you come back! Waver added without ceasing to alternate between spiritual barriers and elemental magic attacks.

- Got it, we'll be back as soon as we can! Come on, Archer, give me your arm, we'll get out of here.

- If we have to, but we'll be back," he grumbled, "you better not finish him off without us!

With soft firmness, Adélaïde passed an arm around his shoulders to support him and withdrew, not more satisfied than him of the situation. They would come back yes, they would not leave them behind.

As quickly as she could with Archer's wound and the hordes of skeletons chasing them, the archaeologist tried to take over and defend her teammate with her magic.

Their footsteps echoed mournfully on the cold, uniform pavement of the airport's arrival hall.

Adelaide tried to ignore the unusual fatigue she felt, concerned about the condition of her young friend who really didn't look well despite the dignity he was trying to maintain. Despite his weakness, Archer's crimson eyes blazed with frustration and annoyance. The Servant looked paler and paler, and when his legs wobbled, Adelaide immediately stopped and unstrapped his hiking backpack to free his shoulders before reaching out a hand to Gil.

- You can't stand on your legs anymore and your injury worries me. Come on, climb on my back, it will be better.

- Okay," grumbled Archer grumpily as he obeyed willy-nilly.

- How light you are! Compared to my hiking backpacks, you're like a feather.

- Oh that's okay... I'm watching my figure! Protested the Servant with a sulky pout.

- Say right away that I am heavy, eh. Hold on okay? One is not far from the exits any more.

- I wouldn't dare say that," joked the Servant weakly with a slight smile.

All right, she had to keep him conscious. As long as he was talking, he was still in a state to be healed. It reassured her a little that he didn't seem to have completely lost his usual sense of humor. The mage was surprised to find a little girl alone in a hallway, who gave a surprised little cry while lighting a flaming ball in one of her hands. Adelaide raised a hand in peace.

- Hello! I don't want to hurt you, don't be afraid. What are you doing all alone, my little one? Did you lose your parents during the evacuation? You mustn't stay here, it's very dangerous.

- I'm not alone, ma'am," the child replied with a smile, "and my aunt must find me.

Adelaide raised an eyebrow. She couldn't see a soul around the little girl, who couldn't have been more than ten years old, charming with her long blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. Her attire suggested that she was from a good family and that she was a schoolgirl, which surprised the mage even more that she was not accompanied. All the other people present were collapsed on the ground, totally unconscious and drained of their magical energy. The archaeologist made sure to keep her voice as soft and reassuring as possible when she spoke to the little girl.

- I don't see anyone though. Are you sure about this? Your aunt may have been evacuated, don't you think? It really wouldn't be safe to linger around here, there's a very powerful mage nearby.

- Oh, I know and we'll fight if we have to, but I have to find Auntie!

- We' will fight? Who are you talking about? And where were you supposed to meet your aunt?

- Well, Saber, of course!

- Nice to meet you," said a deep voice that seemed to emanate from somewhere behind the little girl.

A tall figure appeared out of nowhere just behind the child, a man with a pale angular face framed by dark hair and clad in full armor. Saber... another Master-Servant pairing, just her luck! Adelaide glanced uneasily at his faded, almost completely obliterated command marks, then thought of the badly bruised Gil.

A Saber-class Servant, no less... the situation was really not looking good for them!

The archaeologist tightened her grip to support the young Servant on her back, determined to protect him as best she could in case this strange pair decided to attack them. The opportunity was perfect after all, they were both exhausted and made vulnerable by Caster.

- Look, I have no intention of fighting you and to be honest, I'm in no condition to do so. My enemy is out there with allies but my young friend here is injured.

- We can give you a hand, if you want! Replied the young girl with solicitude.

- I appreciate the thought but I don't want to send you to the slaughterhouse, especially if you're expecting someone. I just need to see what my friend has and how I can help him.

- Maybe Saber could give you some information. What do you think, Saber?

She was taking a very big risk, but the situation left her with little choice. Gently, Adelaide slid Archer off her shoulders and laid him gently on the ground, laying her coat under him. At least they didn't look hostile at the moment, she could live with that. Her features were genuinely concerned about young Gil's closed eyes and his more difficult breathing. The tall man approached and knelt toward them, his dark eyes on the injured man.

- I'm no expert, but I know a wound caused by magic. The attack he suffered has weakened him greatly. It is very strange for a Servant, if he has access to his Master's magic. Please tell me exactly what happened.

- He intercepted an attack that he thought was mine, when in fact he was the target. I was not quick enough to understand the true intentions of the enemy Servant, much to my regret. This Caster plunged a curved dagger space into his shoulder, gorged with magic. He's been getting worse and worse ever since, it frustrates me that I don't know what I can do to help him.

- It seems that she has broken your bond of Servant and Master. What was broken needs to be reforged.

- You're not in very good shape either, ma'am. You'll probably need more strength to be able to heal it, I can definitely help you. Let me do it! said the smiling girl.

Adelaide looked at each of them in turn, before looking at Archer. Her resolution was soon made. He had helped her out of a very bad situation in Warka, she would not abandon him. What would life be without a little risk-taking, after all? The archaeologist moved her hiking backpack away a little to make room for the very young Master whose name she did not know.

- Okay. It's partly because of me that he's in this state, I can't leave him like this. I'm relying on you two. If he makes it, I won't forget the help you gave. I'll make it up to you somehow, sooner or later," the teacher promised with conviction.

She held out a hand to seal the agreement, which was soon gently shaken by the girl. As Saber stood beside them, alert for their protection, hand on the hilt of his sword, the blonde-haired girl sat down beside her and took her hands in his.

- Close your eyes and focus on your magical circuits, please. I'll share some of my magical energy with you, and you can channel it to restore your strength.

The girl's energy was warm and comforting, like a fire lighting up the surrounding darkness. The archaeologist already felt a little better after the intervention of the girl, who released her hands and took the time to breathe a little.

- I did what I could, now it's up to you! Saber and I will hold the fort until your friend feels better, but I advise you not to waste time, ma'am.

She could already see skeletons approaching them on the horizon. Adelaide, not sure how to proceed, decided to trust her instincts. Taking one of Archer's hands in her left, she closed her eyes and focused first on her magical circuits, activating them one by one. The teacher focused her magic and searched for the remnants of the bond between her and her Servant, the contract symbolized by the faded command spells. Eventually she found them and meticulously worked to reweave the bond, one thread at a time, with great care.

The mental effort was substantial, but the teacher was determined to do everything she could to succeed.

Adelaide let a deep sigh escape her when she had finished her delicate operation. Hoping to have succeeded, the Franco-British mage focused on the flow of energy to re-launch it through the newly rebuilt link. There was only one way to know if she had succeeded. The mage leaned on her arms for support and asked her young friend in a low voice.

- Archer?

Archer's eyelids fluttered open, revealing two purple eyes that were already a little brighter. He slowly straightened into a semi-recumbent, semi-sitting position, stretching his limbs and neck one by one. Without bothering to hide her relief, Adelaide let a frank smile bloom on her lips.

- It worked! How do you feel?

- More alive is a good sign.

- Take some time to recover. I'll go help our benefactors while you wait.

Patting her shoulder in a friendly manner, Adelaide got back on her feet. She herself was feeling better already, the girl had shown formidable abilities in healing magic. She gave a thumbs up to Saber, who was fighting alongside her young Master, to signify the success of their attempt. Cracking her fingers, her heart rejuvenated, the mage prepared her magic and used the terrain to build solid stone walls, dropping several soldiers into a crevasse or impaling some on spikes. She was careful to save her magic, so that Gil could recover and have enough later to be on his feet. They would fight in tandem.

The mage had time to appreciate the swordsmanship of this Saber, whose sword mowed down his opponents with ease while the young mage had fun incinerating more skeletons. This would be a warm-up for her before she went back to rubbing against the spines of this volatile Caster.

The last skeletons in her grasp were seized by chains that sprang up behind her, squeezing them in a final embrace before reducing them to a rapidly dissipating pile of bones. Adelaide turned and saw Archer standing right behind her, arms crossed and grinning with determination.

- Did you miss me? The Servant asked with his usual aplomb.

- Nice to see you back on your feet, you look great.

- I feel fit enough to burn a witch or two and I already know which one to start with.

- We won't linger any longer then. We thank these two and we go to join the others.

Taking advantage of the welcome lull, the girl had approached them with a curious look and an enthusiastic smile. Her sparkling blue eyes rested sometimes on Archer and sometimes on Adelaide.

- It seems that you are better, that reassures me! Wouldn't you like to stay a little longer with us?

- It would have been a pleasure, but we shouldn't worry your aunt, and our friends are waiting for us.

- Oh, it's a shame, but I understand. My name is Fiona, and you are ?

It was then that the Franco-British woman noticed with some embarrassment that, in all the rush, she had completely forgotten the least of the courtesies. She would soon remedy that.

- I did not even introduce myself, excuse me. You can call me Adelaide. Thank you both so much for your help, I don't want to keep you here any longer. Please be careful.

- Adelaide, if you want to please me, stay alive until we meet again. I'm sure Saber would be as delighted as I am to fight you fair. There would have been no honor in fighting you bruised and battered, it would have been less fun," Fiona replied amiably.

- I confirm, Saber approved in a calm voice. Be well until then, Lady Adelaide, Archer.

- You too, take care and see you next time! Gil said with politeness and renewed energy.

Interesting characters and intriguing personalities... Adelaide was a little saddened that a child was connected to the Grail Wars, but she had a feeling the little one would not be lacking in resources. She wouldn't have been able to summon a Saber-class Servant without it, anyway. So there were other pairs who were looking for a good battle, not a bloodbath.

However, the mage did not have time to dwell on this encounter. She was taken out of her thoughts when she felt young Gil grab her and pull her by the arm, with a measured but firm grip.

- Do not drag! If not it will not remain anything any more of Caster, it is necessary to give him his just punishment!

His crimson eyes burned with a new determination as well as with annoyance. At least he had regained all his usual energy, it reassured her a little to see him impatient as often. He was right, however. Waver and Rider would appreciate it if they came back to lend a hand.

They each had their own battle to fight. The four of them had no more time to lose.

Without hesitation, Adelaide let Archer lead her and hurried after him up the great hall, while Fiona dashed in the opposite direction, followed closely by a very alert Saber.

The closer they got to where they had left Rider and Waver, the fewer skeletons there were. Adelaide could almost track them by the lightning strike marks and the destruction they had left in their wake, while avoiding the civilians drowsy by Caster. These had obviously brought her to a deserted sector of the hall where there would be no collateral victims.

Fortunately, this one seemed entirely concentrated on her fiancé and Iskandar, none of them had heard them approaching yet. They could finally take her in pincer.

Archer's features were serious and closed, while his blood-red eyes were annoyed. As Rider prepared one of his lightning charges, Gil glanced at him to silently ask for his assent, which Adelaide gladly gave. Surely he wasn't the only one who wanted to make that arrogant Caster bite the dust, after the icy humiliation. Golden circles appeared around the mage and Archer, from which countless weapons sprang up.

- Hi! I've come to return the favor, Caster. You were so kind to give me a taste of your blade, I have some for you as well. Don't thank me, it's only fair. Gate of Babylon!

Nothing and no one could have stopped the deluge of blades that rained down in gold on the Servant, who was trapped in the front by Rider's lightning charge. Pierced like a ball of needles and struck by lightning, she screamed in pain. Looking at them with eyes filled with icy fury, dignified despite her severe injuries, Caster suddenly froze before concentrating the magic around her and then dissipating it like a thick fog.

When the dark cloud dissipated, there was no trace of Caster's presence. She had left only the unconscious bodies of travelers and the physical damage to the hall in her wake.

Adelaide immediately went to her fiancé to inquire about his condition, with Archer on her heels.

- How are you doing? It took a while, but as you can see, our young friend is feeling much better.

- He looks alive, so that's something. I'm fine, I haven't lost my touch too much it seems.

- I can tell you that. Rider seems to be doing well too. At least we came back in time.

- Yes, you hung around but not too much. What do they say about the French again? Ah yes. Fashionably late.

- Well, let's get our stuff and get out of here. With all this ruckus, we'll never have peace otherwise. Although I'm afraid we'll have to make a stop here, considering the state of the airport...

Indeed, given the deterioration of the departure and arrival halls, Adelaide feared that the airport would be closed for the time of the repairs and their flight cancelled. This was not exactly what was planned.

- We should go get something to eat, it's getting hungry anyway! exclaimed Iskandar.

- I wouldn't say no to a good rare steak. Confronting witches, that puts in appetite, added Gil.

- Mm, I know some good places in Paris. Are you up for it too, Waver?

- I never say no. And our two kings have enough gold somewhere to pay for it," Gil agreed with a hint of an amused smile.

- Cheapskate! Archer retorted, pretending to be offended.

Adelaide merely smiled in amusement, while running her hands behind her back in a thoughtful manner. She was worried about Fiona, but the little girl seemed resourceful and very determined. They had earned a good rest and a good meal, before thinking about the next step of their journey.

- Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. There has been an incident at the airport. Please remain seated and keep your seat belts fastened.

Murmurs rose in the first and second class cabins of the international flight from London, before turning into shouts of protest from French and English. A blonde-haired woman in a white blouse, jeans and matching jacket ignored the growing clamor to focus on what the window might show her.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw dark shapes appear on the tarmac.

- Jeanne, have you seen the dark entities that are lurking on the tarmac?

- Yes, I see them. I also feel the presence of a Servant... no, five Servants in the airport. I can't tell you who they are, though. One of them is approaching our position. These poor people are in danger of being caught in the crossfire, so I suggest we get off the plane very quickly.

- I agree. I can't stay here anyway knowing that Fiona is at the mercy of other Servants. Let's try to limit the collateral damage and get to my niece as soon as possible.

Evelyn unbuckled her belt and rose from her seat, not paying attention to the astonished or reproving looks of the other travelers. As she grabbed her light carry-on bag, her companion got up and followed suit, apologizing to the passengers. A stewardess immediately approached the two women who were heading for the front door of the aircraft.

- Ladies, please return to your seats! We do not have permission to join the airport at this time and are grounded on the runway indefinitely.

- I understand that, but it is imperative that we get out. Please step aside.

- You are not allowed to leave the aircraft until we are stopped at one of the airlocks or at a landing staircase. Sit back down now, ma'am.

- What part of 'it's imperative that we get out' don't you understand? Evelyn insisted unperturbed as she presented her Intelligence badge to him. I ask you to cooperate, Miss, and not to waste any more time.

The stewardess remained dumbfounded and wanted to ask her superior. This one refusing to take a decision wanted to refer to the captain. The latter, although grumpy, knew how to recognize the precious sesame of the British Intelligence Services and the precedence it gave to the bearer.

- Thank you for your cooperation, sir, and I suggest that you move the plane as far away from the airport as possible, for the safety of your staff and passengers, as soon as we get off.

As the other passengers looked on in amazement, the front door of the plane was unsealed so that Evelyn and her teammate could sneak onto the runway after a well-controlled jump. Jeanne did not wait a moment more to exchange her civil clothes for her blue tunic decorated with several plates of armor at her waist, her arms, her legs and of a helmet girdling her head. Her folded standard soon appeared in her right hand, as she walked up to her Master.

- These monsters are numerous, we must eliminate them before they attack the civilians!

- They couldn't have gotten there by themselves. Their mage is probably lurking around the area...

- Evelyn, be careful! Jeanne warned her before gently pulling her back.

An indigo streak of magic had crashed in front of her, gnawing at the gravel ground at her feet. Immediately Evelyn grabbed her pistols, modified by the mage armorers of the Secret Service of London, while her companion stepped in front of her to protect her in case of need. Her features determined and her eyes celestial, the Maid exclaimed in a clear voice.

- Whoever you are, stop tormenting these poor people and show yourself! I am...

- Jeanne! exclaimed a shrill voice that immediately displeased Evelyn. It is you, Jeanne!

- Who are you? I summon you to show yourself," insisted the Servant in a softer voice.

Evelyn was concerned to sense a certain hesitation in her partner, who had never shown any until now. It was worrisome that the opponent was already aware of Lancer's True Name, considering how important that name was to them. The agent was preparing to move forward to confront the threat that was disturbing Jeanne when she was told to stay behind.

Two shadows appeared gradually in front of them, in the middle of a horde of dark entities which split to let them pass. The first individual was unknown to her. He must have been two meters tall and she could not judge his build. It seemed muscular, but she could hardly distinguish it from the strange attire the man wore, clad in a large inky blue mage's robe with a large red and dark blue collar. His complexion was pale and his features angular, accentuated by large eyes with a disturbed look. His dark hair was cut at the neck and was pushed back, revealing his broad forehead.

The other figure remained in the shadows for the time being, masked by a dark aura that showed only a sketch of his features, so she could not know his age, gender or face.

The strange figure who seemed clearly disturbed to Evelyn addressed Lancer again, with a broad smile that would have been welcoming if it didn't clearly look predatory to her.

- Jeanne, at last I find you! We will punish those who humiliated and killed you, I promise.

- Anyone you know, Lancer? Evelyn asked in a neutral voice, looking at the Servant.

- I... Gilles, is that you?

Lancer's voice had lost its usual assurance, as if she were hesitating about what to do. Gilles? Did she mean Gilles de Rais? Evelyn turned her attention to the sinister figure. Her family had kept alive the memory of his legend, in its brilliance as in its shadows... but she had the feeling that she was not in the presence of a commendable man. The look that his bulging eyes cast on Jeanne and on her displeased her greatly. She felt her fingers trembling on the trigger of her pistols, waiting for an excuse to shoot.

- O sweet Jeanne, join me in celebrating this reunion! I can give you more than this woman can. I can give you back the life that was unjustly taken from you. Join me...

- Lancer? Are you sure you're all right? If this creep is bothering you, I'll be happy to shut him up... quickly and permanently," Evelyn asked, concerned for Lancer and already annoyed.

- Lord... it's Gilles I'm sure, but so... what happened to you, my friend?

Jeanne didn't seem to be paying much attention to him anymore, such a distraction was hardly like her. Evelyn was about to intervene when a second voice, deep and familiar, was heard near her.

- So you were chosen and you even invoked the Pucelle d'Orléans... when I called Gilles de Rais. Could one call that fate or destiny?

- You? I suspected that you were involved in something troubled... what are you doing here? Evelyn replied in a voice that was almost whistling and cold.

- Come on, that's not the way to greet your brother. Have you forgotten your manners, Evy?

The darkness dissipated, revealing her haughty features. With shoulder-length hair, a solid build, a pointed nose and a dry face, Lord Cedric of Elvaren stood before her. With an unshakeable calm he looked at her with his unfathomable brown eyes, a shining book in his hand. The two Masters looked at each other coldly for several minutes, before Evelyn scolded.

- Certainly not, you have the welcome you deserve. What did you expect after what happened? You're not stupid enough to believe that I would welcome you with open arms.

- I dared to hope that time would soften your behavior. I was obviously wrong.

- Just as I was wrong in thinking that you would be reasonable. We are both dissatisfied. Don't think I'm going to let you hurt Fiona. My niece will not suffer because of your poor choices.

- And don't think I'm going to let you take my daughter away from me, you'd be crazy to think so. But don't worry, your coming here won't be in vain. I'm going to need you, whether you like it or not.

- You can stick your finger in your eye up to your buttocks if you think I'm going to let you, Cedric. Turn yourself in now and you might just avoid life in prison or some other undesirable fate.

- I'm not surprised by your answer, unfortunately. Very well. Caster, we will follow the plan. Do what you will with his Servant, but I want them defeated and alive," said Lord Cedric in a cold voice.

- At your service Master, the Servant exclaimed with a slight bow to him before turning to Evelyn and Lancer. I welcome you to my sacrilegious banquet, enjoy it!

After a hearty laugh, he conjured up a codex with a sinister presence and placed one of his clawed hands on its pages. Immediately, more hideous creatures appeared, like a wriggling black tide about to devour them alive. Evelyn kept a pistol in one hand, her bag over her shoulder, and turned to Lancer to say in a friendly manner.

- I understand. It's never pleasant to be confronted by an old friend, I've been there. If you don't think you have the heart to fight him, I won't force you to do it, Lancer.

- I thank you for your consideration. I'll do my duty if he forces me to," Jeanne replied in a determined tone.

Evelyn simply nodded and prepared to shoot. She was more adept at short or very long range, but her job had encouraged her to develop versatility. Not being gifted with the same talent in magic as her siblings, she had sought to compensate with her own abilities and, if necessary, some small, effective weapons.

They valiantly repelled wave after wave of entities, countering or avoiding the magical assaults wielded by Caster and Cedric, based mostly on necromancy. When had Cedric ever thought of studying necromancy, even though he was already very talented and respected? She may have had many differences with him, but he had never been so crazy.

Jeanne's support was more than helpful. Her colleague Lancer was able to repel the monsters with her folded standard, which she used like a spear. She would only deploy her standard when they could no longer repel their opponents in order to use her most powerful defensive technique, her Noble Phantasm Eternal Brightness, which could withstand almost anything.

Evelyn, on the other hand, drew on the techniques of Reinforcement, to increase her physical and sensory skills. Finding an innate affinity for this art, sometimes despised by mages, she was able to develop a real efficiency which, underestimated, proved to be very effective. She knew so well the human anatomy that she knew which points of the body she could exploit to minimize the efforts deployed while maximizing the effects generated against her opponents.

The agent tried to keep her distance as she let Lancer take the offensive in an attempt to stop Caster, concentrating on dodging and attacking at long range with her twin pistols whose bullets had been carefully enchanted to affect magically endowed and bound beings.

Her face blanched as she saw a wave of fire speeding toward her position.

Fire... the only phobia she had ever had, the fear that had taken root since she was a child... there was nothing she could do to deflect or stop the advanced pyromancy spell. Cedric knew that she was terrified of fire, the same element that had rejected her during Elvaren's initiation test.

She was surprised to see the flames suddenly deviate from their trajectory, as if they were drawn in another direction. Rather than consuming her, the fire fell on the closest monsters in her vicinity. A small, familiar figure rushed to her side, looking not a little proud.

- Fiu, that was close! Are you all right, Auntie?

- Fiona! Thank God you're okay. Stay close to me, it's very dangerous here.

- I'm staying close to you... to protect you, declared her dear niece stubbornly.

- Where is your friend, the one I talked to on the phone?

- Well, he's right here," replied Fiona with an obvious air, pointing to her back.

Evelyn was surprised that despite her alert senses, she had not perceived the arrival and presence of the Servant who had placed himself between them and the demonic spawn. Without turning his head, concentrated on his task of protecting them by mowing down their innumerable opponents with his sword, the knight glanced at them to make sure they were in good condition and contented himself with a cordial and brief greeting.

His controlled expression showed first a great joy at the sight of Jeanne, then a grimace of unpleasant surprise when he noticed the presence of the Caster. The man, who clearly had to be a Saber in view of his weapon and his armament, calmly asked Fiona.

- What is this abomination? Good Lord, Jeanne! Can I go and help him, Master?

- You may, just be careful! I don't want to lose you, but I'm not too worried. Faced with such a bad copy, you have no chance of being defeated, replied Fiona with a smile.

- Thank you Fiona. Don't worry, I'll be back without fail. It's time to move on. Holy War Order!

The man swung his sword skyward and then forward as an azure aura began to surround him. It concentrated in the blade of his heavy sword, and then roared into the heavens, giving a brief glimpse of light to the cloudy weather. The presence he exuded seemed much stronger as he began to charge into the enemy hordes, mowing down countless entities. Nothing seemed to be able to stop its progress, despite the efforts of Caster and Lord Cedric. Caster seemed both enraged and unsettled, losing some of his control over the entities.

Driven by extraordinary strength of will and supernatural punching power, Saber was soon at Lancer's side and pushed Caster back with a powerful lunge as he tried to approach.

- Back off, you depraved spawn! Do not defile with your presence the noble soul of La Pucelle!

- Jeanne, oh Jeanne! Let me make you even more beautiful," Caster whined loudly.

- Poor creature. I cannot call you Gilles, my true companion being by my side," answered Lancer, pointing at Saber, "but I pity you with all my heart.

Evelyn put a hand on Fiona's shoulder, shocked that her father would engage in such impure magic, so eagerly attacking her beloved aunt, whom she did not want to part with. Her brows were furrowed as her eyes were alert and trying to analyze the situation.

This Grail War seemed more and more irregular with each discovery she made.

An as yet unknown number of participants, scattered all over the world, two different versions of the same heroic soul called into the same conflict, no guidance...

Evelyn's resolve to supervise it and to quickly remove any candidate who was too dangerous was strengthened, both for the safety of her country and that of her niece, whom she considered her daughter.

For now, she had to make sure she got them out of the slurry and put an end to the confrontation.