Chapter 21: Unexpected encounters

The clear aisle between us and Berserker ends right at Straw Hat's feet like someone taking a pair of scissors and cutting the earth in half. One more step and he would have been annihilated. Still shocked, he takes a few steps back. Immediately, he seeks for the origin of the attack.

"What just happened? Do you have even more Servants I should know about?", Illya asks.

So, she does not know who has attacked either. Consequently, it means someone unknown is lurking around.

"We're as surprised as you are. I thought it was your work", Tohsaka replies to Illya.

"Although I'm flattered you believe I can cause such a powerful attack", Illya calmly elaborates, "it was not my doing. Whoever it was- they are a formidable foe"

I look around to find a person, a weapon or anything that could have created this chaos. There is nothing. It is very difficult to spot anything on the streets as all sources of lights are now scattered on the ground thanks to the attack. It is truly a wonder we are all alive. Only the moon is sparsely illuminating the area around us.

"Archer, anyone around here?", Tohsaka inquires her Servant.

"No, I cannot perceive anyone", he states.

Suddenly, Straw Hat runs parallel to the path cut apart.

"Wait, where are you going, Straw Hat?!", I shout at him.

He points at a spot that leads to a small forest west of the household. I look into the shown direction and… I see one glowing eye in the dark. The moment Straw Hat sees that eye, he stops running. He slowly turns around his head. I have never seen such a determined and angered face. It is a confusing expression, almost scary.

"Past this point, there is nothing you can do", he clarifies in a very serious tone.

This is unusual, I have never ever seen him like that before. He is upset.

"Do you know what lies in there?", Lancer asks Straw Hat.

"No, I don't know what is in there or who. All I know is it could cost all our lives. I must see for myself what awaits me. I just know it is dangerous. Don't follow me or this might be your last decision"

With these words, the once carefree man runs towards the forest. However, a shadow submerges right behind him. Straw Hat somehow did not foresee what came next.

"Straw Hat, wai-", I want to warn him.

To my surprise though, I feel someone rushing past me towards the shadow that forms behind Straw Hat. Archer has reacted fast enough and with his twin blades he aims at the shadow that materializes into a solid form. Before Archer can hit it, it can jump away to a small wall on the side. On a closer look it looks like a person. A person even taller than Archer, although it is hard to tell because every part of the body is covered by his long black coat. Only at the bottom, it is visible how it is not a part of his body, because the cloak is very frayed there. The only body part that elevates itself from the undefined dark mass is the face. It is covered by a white mask resembling a skull, stitched across the skin. He looks more like he has emerged from the night, and only the mask makes his appearance detectable to others.

"What, who are you?!", Archer yells at him.

The person does not pay attention and looks at Straw Hat. He looks at him like someone who discovered something unknown.

"I have no business with you", Straw Hat says to him, "therefore, I don't have time for ya"

All of a sudden, the person throws some sort of daggers at him. Straw Hat can easily dodge them all.

"Emiya-kun, get away from him! It must be a Servant", Tohsaka warns me.

I take some steps backwards, but the situation is escalating. That unknown person who almost cut us all apart and now this new Servant- it is all too much.

"Pah, Berserker! Kill him"

Oh, Berserker is also here. He swings his blade towards the wall on which the tall man is sitting, but he can evade it. The Servant can move quite fast despite the clothes and the mask. He jumps towards Straw Hat and tries to cut Straw Hat's throat with another dagger. Straw Hat turns to the right, thus rendering the attack useless. But it was a feint! In one smooth motion, the masked Servant throws the shiny metal dagger against the left side of Straw Hat. On contact… it breaks. Astonished by it, the masked Servant quickly dashes away.

"Everything okay?", I ask Straw Hat.

"I am not concentrated. That's why I can't see what will happen. Oi, Red Devil!", Straw Hat calls to Tohsaka while waving with his arms.

"Y-yeah", Tohsaka answers, clearly annoyed.

"Can't you try to distract this weird guy while I chase that shadow?"

"How should I do that?"

"Maybe you can do it with the magic man"

He is referring to Archer who seems pretty angered.

"At some point, at some point I'm gonna get that guy…", Archer mumbles.

Tohsaka ponders about it. Just as she wants to respond, Lancer interrupts:

"Don't worry, I can handle the big guy"

He can take on Berserker?

"You think you can single handedly fight on par with Berserker? I don't mind, but are you really sure about that?", Illya mocks him.

"Would be a shame if I couldn't", Lancer calmly states.

"I don't think you can beat this enemy on your own", Rider disagrees, "after all he fell before us and still stands against us. He is not an ordinary Servant"

Lancer grabs his spear even harder and carefully observes Berserker. His eyes show true determination and resolve.

"So am I. This battle will be no ordinary", Lancer mentions.

"But Lancer-", I want to say.

I cannot leave him here with Berserker. He is a beast. Even Saber could not kill him. Despite, Lancer smiles.

"Don't worry, kid. I was awaiting such fierce battles. Those are the ones I can truly show what my spear can do. Just for the pride of a warrior, I must fight this enemy on my own"

"It's settled then. We hunt this man with the skull and you, Straw Hat, follow for whoever threw that attack at us while Lancer holds his ground against Berserker", Tohsaka summarizes.

"But-"

"It makes no sense to argue further, Senpai", Sakura tells me, "Lancer made up his mind. There is nothing else left than following the man"

I look at Straw Hat, pan over to Lancer to the strange man with the mask. So many possibilities. I wish Saber was here, but I was not able to summon her. I was blocked. But why? I still do not understand why.

"When the seeds planted will grow and burst into flowers, they can be harvested"

Wha- wait, it is you! You are here again. What do you mean by that? Why did you not let me summon Saber?

"For now, follow the plan"

Follow the plan? Why? Should I not summon Saber now to defend against Berserker? I do not receive any further answers. She remains silent.

"Everything okay?", Sakura asks me.

"Y-yeah. You're right… let's follow that weird man"

"For once, you are insightful enough to judge the situation right. I'm proud of you!", Tohsaka compliments me.

"You're a moron", Archer insults Lancer.

"Don't lecture me, Archer. You of all people have no right to do so. You will never be able to understand the heat of a battle between two heroes", Lancer retorts.

"That is right. I don't and won't ever. I also won't save your ass if you're dying when I come back"

"I'll be done with him before you can find that guy"

"Heh, I accept that bet"

With these words, Archer rushes towards the masked man, but he vanishes into the night. He looks to Tohsaka who nods and follows him. Straw Hat runs off to the forest while Rider is still standing here.

"I can't let you follow me. It is too dangerous, Sakura", she tells her.

"It's even more dangerous here, Rider. It's better if I come with you", Sakura argues.

"Sakura, I think too it is for the best if you stay back in the house. You could get hurt like last time or even worse… I can't apologize to myself if you would get hurt again"

"Neither can I!", Sakura suddenly shouts at me, "the most endangered here right now is you! You have no Servant anymore! You have not the magical power to compete with other Masters! I myself could never ever apologize to myself if you would ever get hurt. You need me and Rider"

"S-Sakura, I…"

I am unsure how to respond. All of her points… as much as they hurt, are true. They are all true. Sakura grabs my hand and looks into my eyes.

"Please, Senpai", she pleads.

I look at Rider behind her. She seems to be as riddled as I am. Nonetheless, I cannot leave her here. Apparently, she has made up her mind as well.

"Alright, I will follow you both"

Sakura smiles and Rider runs into the direction where Archer and Tohsaka left. Sakura follows her. I take a last look at Lancer and Berserker and Illya. They are already caught up in their own fight. There is nothing I can do here. So, I sprint towards Sakura. All of us have set off to different directions. We are now scattered all over the city. Hopefully, this was no stupid decision.