Coming off another hiatus, but luckily a far shorter one then my four-year break, another chapter has been produced. As always feel free to comment and review.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chapter 12
Drake POV
Grassy fields had given way to cobblestone roads, and the echo of my sneakers upon the ground not only voiced my anxiety but fueled it as well. Having been given a crash course on what a 'bounded field' was, I can safely say I was perhaps better off being left in the dark on the subject. But then again, the only thing in Ceinwyn's brief lesson was the fact it was highly dangerous, life threatening, and undoubtedly connected to the war,
"... Ceinwyn is this such a good idea?", the fact that I was able to follow the neon pink outline of the maid's shirt made me regret ever stepping foot into London, "Somebodies going to see us… if it's connected to the war, every Master and their mom is probably on their way here-"
"Calm yourself Drake", effortlessly keeping pace, Saber ran by my side, her sword sheathed at her hip. My paranoia induced thoughts questioning why she wasn't in astral form. But the obvious answer to that question was the comfort her physical sight provided, "Simple reconnaissance is necessary in any war. If we were hide ourselves away until the end, we would just prolong an ensured defeat"
That was the one point the swordswoman and Ceinwyn actually agreed on. We now moved through the back-alley ways. Subconsciously I saw the benefit to not sitting on the sideline waiting. It was like playing a game of Risk. Sure, camping out in South America or Australia meant you were a defensive powerhouse in the early game. But without going out and engaging with the more aggressive army you could never build up enough resources to expand. Eventually the more experienced and daring players would crash through your pitiful attempt at resistance by the end.
"... I-I don't know why we can't view their activities from farther away though. Isn't that the whole point of why Ceinwyn reinforced her eyes?", of course I only knew that outcome of the game so well because I always used it to ensure myself second place. But this was an actual war, and in battle your drive to obtain victory was synonymous with your need to remain breathing, "Half the city's probably been alerted to this thing by now!"
My whisper came out with desperation. The wave of prana above looked like clear ocean water. A tidal current reflecting the light of the cosmos above, as on the ground the erosion of civilizations was pushed out and in with the coming of time. Regretfully, nobody else seemed disturbed by this natural phenomenon besides us. In fact, ever since we entered the city proper, we actually hadn't even passed a single citizen. No beggars huddled up in the alley, or foolhardy teenagers ready to express the presence of their youth through summer night activities. My brain had just assumed it was a cultural difference, and that the United kingdom just dealt with its crime and homeless problem leagues better than New York. And while that was true… the impossible bareness of one of Earth's most famous city only added to the night's silent horror,
"The Clocktower mages are at work", Ceinwyn lead us into an unoccupied alley way to hide our conversation, "With the war forced upon their place of sanctuary, the most powerful bloodline chose London to produce this exact setting"
None of what she stated out loud made sense, but it was the first one of my questions the strawberry haired young woman found necessary to answer. Or maybe, as I breathed in countless volumes of air, she just used this as an opportunity for a break. Last thing we needed was me to forecast murphy's law with another asthma attack,
"... Know idea w-who… these Clocktower guys are", oxygen kept going in and out of my lungs at a normal rate. Bending over I was the only one winded and had to catch my breath between words, "but wouldn't having a war in their backyard give them home field advantage?"
"For two out of the last three wars, the Clocktower's interference has sparked havoc for other magi families seeking the grail", Ceinwyn voice was polite, but by the way she shook her head this information was viewed by her as the most obvious thing in the world, "Almost more than the Church, the main households wish to limit the Clocktower's influence in a conflict they never deserved to even witness"
Wait, the Church is involved too?... I guess that makes sense if this is the Holy Grail war, I straightened my back. Not having the mental endurance at the moment to think about all the religious things that have just been presented to me. Instead, I drew myself to the slight venom Ceinwyn used when describing the other competitors. Looking back on the way she looked at my 'ancestor' portraits though, it was clear which side she was raised to be on,
"By forcing the grail to appear here, the association was out maneuvered on two fronts. The first being that much of their resources have to be used to cover up the existence of the magical world", that made… sense I suppose, although if anything having the war in your homebased should make it easier, "The second being… any mages inside the Clocktower that were chosen for the war forfeited their command seals. Under threat that all the houses would unleash their Servants on the Clocktower and cripple the organization"
"W-wouldn't a Servant give them a way to protect themselves?", it was probably the wrong time for me to delve into a topic I didn't remotely understand, "... and if the households hate these other guys so much, who's to say they're not gonna attack them anyway?"
Ceinwyn looked taken aback by this. Almost as if I insulted the very people she worked for by even pondering the ideas of them breaking an oath. Before she could move to correct me on the oversight, Saber intervened,
"While important to discuss, such strategic theories can be worked upon after are reconnaissance", the knight brought us back to reality, "At the moment we need to focus on the threats that will appear in the here and now"
Reeling my curiosity back in, I look towards Saber and nod, with the narrowing of Ceinwyn's eyes her own acceptance to the statement. My brief moment of rest over, we turned around to come back for our discussion at a later date. Only… such a thing would soon prove impossible.
Sensing the air pass through my body like a thawed river, an armor gauntlet latched onto my forearm. Particles of blue light dancing down from the now fluid like field that cascaded itself down to street level, Saber dragged my arm through the bounded field mist.
Caught off guard, I turned around only for my eyes to go wide. Sword unsheathed and seemingly reacting to the magical atmosphere with a light glow, Saber stood in a defense form. Acting as the barrier between me, Ceinwyn, and the man who now stood in the path of our exit.
Hair black as the night, it curled in great volume from his head into an unkempt beard that traversed halfway down his torso. His clothes were certainly not of this area, but also not the garb one would think a hero would wear. A simple brown stained tunic, that appeared so used and rotten, it's very odor seemed incorporated into its fashion statement.
"A fisherman spots a fisherman from afar".
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Saber's POV
The accented voice came out surprising posh. Not that such a tone hid his rather disgusting cheesed hued teeth. As a mercy, whatever foul stench they contained must have been caught in the hair of his beard, and made keeping focus on the obvious Servant all the easier,
Alas this engagement will be anything but child's play, the swordswoman thought, bringing up her sword in a defense posture. The very blade itself trying to block the man's vision from reaching Drake and Ceinwyn. A tactic she thought she would first utilize if she once again came across Archer, This man's jest is well deserved
"For the man who cast the line is always searching for fish, but his location is forever known", thin lips aimed slightly downward, the retort held no praise. Simply an acknowledgement on Saber's part.
"An inaccurate interpretation of the proverb", the man remained unmoving, even as his voice infected the alleyway, "But then again I was not using it correctly to begin with"
Creating a new barrier, Saber heard Ceinwyn step in front of Drake herself. A knife being unsheathed from a place not even the swordswoman could ponder. Her only thoughts revolving around the mysterious Servant that had laid a trap so purposely,
"If you wish to continue your verbal joust about the slimy creatures you so adorn, may I suggest the nearby pier. My sword shall point you in the correct direction if you are confused", my stance didn't change from defense. In no way could I move until he made the first attack. Any indication of aggression on my part could be met by an unknown counter that could allow him the half second he would need to get to and dispose of Drake. As honorable as his maid's heroic front was, even Ceinwyn must know she couldn't impede a Servant's strike.
"Quick to violence, and here I thought your words would reveal a more civilized approach to combat", the man sighed, and once again his insult offered a compliment. As Saber felt herself… actually wanting to agree with the man. His disapproval and almost disappointment like scowl, holding a degree of fondness to it that the knight class had to fight off, "But when you butchers hear the word 'war', you simply view it through your profession. I can hardly fault you for such a thing"
"The nobleness of philio-", my mind shifted as I saw a blade move through the night. The obviousness of its stealth made apparent by the lack of reflection the metal actually had, "Master behind you!"
The order was worthless, as before Drake could even process the command, my steel proved his only defense. Clashing against the void filled metal, mine proved superior. The near forearm length needle mounting has no resistance.
My sword produces nothing for it but thin blue lines. That webbed across its breaking points as it shattered into pure mana. The remnants being picked up by the bounded field that encompassed us all,
"You bear the marks of an assassin", suppressed angered flowed through my veins, more so then when Archer had delivered his cowardice shot towards Drake, "How could you do such a thing"
I was… losing control of my emotions. No… no it was worse than that. The anger I housed right now; it was different to the one I should be feeling. Sure, it was mounted to a new height, but all of it was produced because of the bearded man before me. I felt… betrayed by him. A Servant that I should only know as my enemy, who I could not have possibly met in life, let alone curse at as if he was a misguided court mate,
"Rest assured my noble Saber, I am no bottom dwelling Assassin", Saber tried to flinch out how oddly relieved that made her feel. Especially as the filth adorned Serevent own eyes narrowed in annoyance, not on her but the direction of the blade, "Regretfully, I was summoned by one"
Two more blades danced out through the alleyway. Saber instantly twisted her sword in her hands so the one aimed towards her speechless Master was repealed harmlessly on its broad side. Moving to intercept the other, the knight had to stop herself… as it swam across the sky towards the paradoxical figure.
"Watch out!", I did not see if the object struck the foul man. For I was drawn to Ceinwyn's desperate cry to warn him. Processing the two recent attempts on his life, Drake looked at the pink haired woman confused. I did as well, but only because my mind had wanted to screech to the heavens with the same warning.
What is this mental trickery?, I wished to close my eyes, and resemble my brain. Banish these thoughts of concern for an opponent I knew wished harm despite his attempt at enlightening words. Such a brief escapade was far beyond my reach.
"Your words have made yourself a slaughterer of men tonight Caster", the danger of that class should have taken my full attention, but the robe man who emerged had earned more. The Master stood above the stone-built alleyway. His black robes appearing out from the night like a spirit in thin air, only the golden cross that betrayed his faith seeming real, "Robbing the faithless of a merciful death"
Paled face, the Church practitioner flicked his wrist. Another one of those dreaded darts crystallizing in his grip.
"Forgive me my child, in a pure world I would allow you the chance to be saved. But it would be a sin to overlook the damnation marked upon you", Caster's Master looked towards Drake's command seals.
Despite the clear threat to his life, it wasn't until Drake himself back towards me that I remembered I was to protect him, not the beard spell user, from this disturbing man.
"Such a Roman'', Caster muttered with a sigh, and for a moment both Ceinwyn and I nearly relaxed our grip hoping that meant he was on our side, "No good will come from this trapped system. You've already murdered my very will with your blasphemy. Regrettably though, you shall come forth Saber, and let quickness be your Master's pyrrhic reward"
"... G-guys?", true terror laced Drake's words, as without even knowing I was moving towards Caster. Entranced by his words for half a step. But that was all the Servant needed, as the priest's legs lit up green and darted into the alleyway.
Casting aside the probability of Drake fleeing, the father thrusted towards the younger man's juggler, before his victim's eyes could barely process he moved. Bursting out with prana, I desperately tried to intercept… but the force pulling back my mind latched onto my body.
The ocean of prana moving overhead, making all of Caster's words visible. Morphing them into spirits that latch onto my appendages and mind. Making all my movements appear as if they were traversing through a marsh.
"DRAKE!", frozen in place, Ceinwyn herself was trapped by the now hostile atmosphere in the same way.
Clenching my teeth, I moved with the speed of a primed athletics, but such things seemed little more than a handicap at this level of relativity. Focusing prana through my steel, I launched a burst towards the man. The secrecy of my name limited the attack's power, as it compressed the air between Drake's neck and the now outstretched blade. The explosion of the magic sent both Masters flying backwards.
The more experienced robed figure maintained his feet and skidded across the cobblestone, while Drake tumbled head over heel into the wall. Covered in dust, and emerging bruises, the wild haired brunette slowly rose to a seated position. Rubbing his head, his own movement seemed as unimpeded through the strange atmosphere as the priest's.
We need to retreat!, Saber thought, holding back panic. Her mana outburst briefly creating a bubble washing away Caster's strange assault on her mind.
Whispering something to the night however, the accented man's lips called forth the current to fill in the void. Doing a quick series of flurries, Saber's steel struck the literal air. But even if the blade lost no speed, it had zero effect on its incorporeal target,
The mana burst is the only attack with an effect, with nowhere to run, the swordswoman could only watch as the bounded field closed in on her, Such a strategy will drain my mana far too quickly, and Drake does not provide enough as it is. Even if the flow was stronger, I do not know Caster's limitation, or if I could be precise enough to free Ceinwyn from her imprisonment.
Making no decision at all was far worse than making a poor one. Aiming her sword up again on instinct, Saber watched as Caster's Master craned his next before spawning another needle. No doubt in a haze, Drake had to do a double take as the man once again approached to finish him off.
Fear beaming from the teenager's eyes, the priest moved towards him slower. Waiting for either Saber to unleash another wave of energy too soon which he could easily predict now. Or until she was under Caster's will once more, taking advantage of any hesitation that may cause.
...No…, outplayed in one movement, the swordswoman felt the tickle of air call to her. Trying to will her concern off of Drake and onto Caster. Perhaps she could do a mana burst on herself, but such a thing was useless. The priest could use that opportunity to slay her Master in the moment she was lost in her own attack. Worse yet, even if she had the speed, she would still have to move through the bounded field to get to either Drake or Ceinwyn, Maybe Excalibur
Trying to make a decision, Saber already knew she ran out of them when she looked towards her steel. The noble Phantasm could achieve a hollow victory… maybe. But as was, it might catch both Caster and his Master off guard and defeat them, it would certainly prove fatal for her two comrades at this range,
"Drake", the altered prana was beginning to affect her again, and she was one inhale away from breathing it in. With her last words she wanted to tell Drake to run, but where would he even go. His temple would be skewered in the time it took his head to move, and Saber couldn't even pretend there was an outcome were the young man managed to escape even outside the alleyway. He had no training, no skill, and all his magic was either in newborn circuits or his…, "Use the seal Drake! Command me to-"
There was an explosion that engulfed Caster. Almost like a ray of the sun beat the dawn and slammed into the alleyways opening. Any concern Saber held for that Servant was burnt to crisp by the attack as well, as an echo of sound cleansed the immediate area.
Rushing forward, Saber didn't question the good fortune that had interrupted her terrible idea. Unleashing a superhuman overhead slash, forced the priest to retreat. His professionalism being the only thing allowing him to get out of the way, as the holy sword cleaved through the brick and created a ravine between Drake and Caster's Master,
"When I give you an order Master, you cannot hesitate", the whisper shook Drake to his feet, as Saber sent all the venom for the tone at the robed man before her, "This coward certainly won't, even as I pierce through his rotted heart"
The priest's face remained blank at my promise. No more than two feet between him and the tip of my blade, I rush forward for an efficient thrust. There would be no poetry in this display of swordsmanship, just an efficient execution to end a threat.
Taking a step back my steel once again only made an enemy of the air. The robed figure naturally dispersed into a darkness that made the rest of the void shine. Where he went, I do not know, but two glowing green daggers tried to pursue him through the shadow,
"Sir Drake, are you injured?", Ceinwyn had regained control over her senses as well. Rushing to the panicked looking brunette's side.
"I-I'm fine", the stutter in his voice said otherwise, but that was only a mental wound that he willed away, "... b-but what the hell?"
Unexpectedly, Drake looked towards both Ceinwyn and I with anger and confusion,
"Y-you told me to focus up during the war… but you…", whatever he was upset about, the hazel eyed Master's cheeks turned pink and he shook his head, "L-let's just focus up-"
"If I may, you should all bring such focus here", annoyance instantly cut through my mind. The display of the explosion now makes it clear it was produced by an arrow… fired from an obnoxious archer.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Isaac POV
Every second you are not commanded to skewer your own heart, is a second you should value above all others, my mouth was nearly scraping the rooftop.
It had all been going so well, we had seen through Caster's bait and stayed well away from the bounded field's edge. Managed to have said spell weaver reveal himself by making his prey Saber, and as such my own test subject. And just as that tourist idiot was going to get put down by the priest, he'd be ironically avenged. As a well-trained shot from my own Servant, known for his bowmenship and nothing else, would paint the nearby wall with the executioner's brain matter.
An outcome that would quite literally take care of two opponents with one stone… but such a task proved impossible for my Servant's simple mind. Not only did he unleash a volley towards the clearly more powerful Caster, but he also now voiced our position to all of London,
"For go your pettiness Master", Archer stated without truly caring for my appalled state, "Saber's command seal had made your unimaginative ending come to a crashing halt far before my first arrow was fired"
"I… THIS ISN'T SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK YOU INSUFFERABLE SIMPLETON!", I yelled. Too angry to care that all the other Masters were now aware of Archer's and my abysmal relationship, "YOU HAVE NO- bugger it!"
Two reinforced knives swirled in the air towards me, and in my rage, Archer kept a level head to quickly shoot them away. The face he made, seemingly treating the iron as if they were tomato's mocking his performance, rather than weapons that were meant to split apart my skull,
"Out of all the onlookers, I do believe you and the lovely Saber should only be offering me praise", I put my hands down when it became clear Archer would block any future attacks as well, as my eyes followed him towards the pink haired maid who tried to kill me. Her outfit had changed… but the new choice was certainly… humorous when worn by an Aelle servant.
"I'd sooner praise a frog for eating a leech", the knight spoke up first. Saber got in between her Master and the explosion that held Caster, but her words were aimed at my Servant.
Archer rolled his eyes,
"That certainly would explain the lidded gaze you sent Caster's way", the sword woman's face turned pale in what was, at first, disbelief… until a quick glance towards her Master's blushing face confirmed that she and the maid had in fact looked… fondly towards the bearded man during their time in the field. Whatever was in that magical atmosphere was still beyond my own knowledge… but at the very least it didn't seem to affect Archer, myself, or Saber's Master when it expanded over this area of the city.
"Can one fault the fairer sexes for wishing for love rather than war", the bearded man emerged from the aftermath of the attack. A scowl on his face marking his smile was the only casualty of the attack.
Great now the night has been a complete waste, I turn to condemn Archer further. Only for once my Servant's face grew serious. His ever elaborate hand now firmly on the string of his bow, an arrow already attached.
"But was it truly their wish, Caster?", Archer's words held no playful venom for the man. His initial attack… it wasn't supposed to be so ineffective. The priest's heroic spirit, he was far more powerful than my own.
"LOOK OUT MAN!", the foreigners' words entered my ear. The distinct North American accent being a warning he must have said on reflexes given are status as enemies.
Triggering Archer's own response, an arrow of pure sunlight was shot between my legs. A forearm length needle emerged from my own shadow. Only to retreat back into the darkness as the bowman's attack lit up the immediate area.
"We need to-", another needle shot towards me from the darkness, only to be intercepted again. But as my brain finally began to process the trap that now surrounded me, more darts kept coming. Archer's heightened reaction struggling to keep up.
This was the priest doing no doubt, as down below Saber was also moving in a circle around the Aelle and his maid. Having to block even more of those dreaded barbs then Archer. They were being shot from everywhere at once. The priest utilizes the very darkness as ammunition.
"Leave!", the olive-skinned man began twisting his bow around to guard me, "A sentiment shared between even our enemies at the moment Master!"
That much was obvious, but I certainly didn't like the fact Archer flipped the script and was the one to point it out. This whole night… all my planning… ruined in a single moment. Not even by one of the other households but the Church no less. This was an embarrassment to my name. A fate I would shutter out if my birth didn't already invite it in. Frozen, my stupidity was about to cost me my life.
"Control your breathing Sir Drake", at least I wasn't alone. The foreign Master seemingly bending over due to his panic, as his breaths came out in wheezes. His Servant no doubt assumed the worst. Unable to look back to confirm or deny it though, less she allowed her defense to slip up and usher the fate she feared most.
"I-I don't… Ceinwyn I don't want to die", the wheeze came out like a child, and sensing his fear the attacks seemed to speed up. No doubt enhanced by Caster if it was giving the Servants trouble...or at least that's what I wished so my pride could only be wounded instead of killed, "S-Saber get us out of here!"
His left arm glowed crimson before it could be soaked in the same red hue. Prana wrapped itself around Saber creating a void in the field. A brief calm in the storm. All that was needed for the swordswoman to use her brief overload to grab hold of both maid and Master alike. Launching herself skyward. Her silhouette reflects the moon, as if a painting to depict their costly defeat.
"Master, order me the same decree", Archer's words reached me before my mind could process the shame that would come. But he knew more than I at this moment. That with one opponent gone… Caster and the priest would now focus all their attention on us, "Now Isaac!"
If I was to not waste the precious second to of life, Archer had to offer my real name up as tribute as well with the command seal. Less the cost for this battle be our lives,
"I command you, return us to shelter Archer", my words were whispered. Two hands wrapping me up like a crippled soldier needing to be carried off the field of battle. The guns stopped, as the enemy used the silence to laugh at my action. Knowing that he got more then he wanted from this engagement as the outer layer of my sigil waned into the night.
Not that it mattered under the power of the seal, but my Servant arced himself in the same direction as the blonde knight. His eyes scanning the horizon we now made for far more than my own. Looking for something even after we landed.