ACT III

Chapter 1

The sound of clashing steel permeated the air around the house and its surrounding grounds, but yet, those sounds were not heard anywhere beyond the perimeter of the house due to the presence of a Bounded Field which prevented outsiders from stumbling upon a secret battle royale that existed over hundreds of years.

The tip of Lancer's spear drew red arcs in the air. There was something about the way Lancer swung his spear around that showed a delicate mix of elegance and ferocity. Despite that, Lancer was actually on the defensive due to Archer's incessant flurry of shots aimed at Lancer.

"You seem to be trying to prevent me from attacking, Archer," Lancer said, casting a grin at Archer.

"Why, of course," Archer replied. "Ever since we learned your identity, I for one am very careful of your abilities. It's strange that a god would actually be summoned as a Heroic Spirit!"

"Indeed it is," Lord El-Melloi II mused to himself. Lugh was a very powerful being during his time. Also, it was extremely strange that a god would be summoned because beings with high divinity are not supposed to be considered as Heroic Spirits. More worryingly, this god possessed a very dangerous Noble Phantasm. Shiro may not have had the time to trace the spear to learn of its capabilities, but Lord El-Melloi II knew at least one thing; a god's Noble Phantasm would be something of a different level altogether if pitted against a Noble Phantasm belonging to a mere mortal or even a demigod.

"You flatter me," Lancer replied thrusting his spear into the ground. "Indeed I have quite the reputation as a warrior in the past."

"That's not answering the question," Archer replied, lowering his bow. "Upon my summoning, I understood that gods cannot be summoned to participate in this war," Archer continued. "So, either the stories about you being a god is not true, or you lost your divinity at some point in your life."

"I like people like you, Archer. You're very perceptive, despite your looks."

Archer's blue eyes gleamed as he raised his bow again. "Flatter me all you want, but I'm not convinced that you should even be summoned."

Lancer sighed and raised his arms up. "Fine, I give. You showed me your Noble Phantasm already, so I should offer something in return-"

"Lancer! What on earth are you doing giving information to your enemy?" Bree interrupted, grabbing Lancer's arm.

"Relax, lassie," Lancer replied nonchalantly. "I'm only answering his question. It's not like I'm revealing anything about my weakness."

"But still.."

"Like I said, lassie. Relax," Lancer repeated, patting Bree on the head. Turning to Archer, he began to speak. "You see, laddie, it is indeed true that I am a god, at least according to the legends about me. But nobody seems to have known the circumstances surrounding my death."

"Your... death?" Bree asked.

"Indeed. I discovered that one of my wives was having an affair, so I searched for that man and killed that pitiful sod. However, his children laid their hands on me and drowned me in a mystical pool, which stripped me of my godhood."

"Eh, so you were stripped of your divinity? Is that the reason why you are able to be summoned?" Lord El-Melloi II asked.

Lancer picked his spear up. "Indeed, that may be the case," he replied. "Now then, we have gotten to know each other a little more. Now let's determine who is the better warrior!"

Archer raised his bow up again. "I'd be obliged to accept, but god or no, your Noble Phantasm is something I do not know of, and I do not intend to leave you an opening to use it on me!"

"Ah, now it's me who is flattered," Lancer replied, spinning his spear casually. "I would have been able to use it regardless of whether I was under attack or not. It's just that my Noble Phantasm requires a lot of prana to power it, which is something I no longer possess, due to my lost divinity. However, I can do it, perhaps once or twice in a battle, so if you actually desire for me to show you what my true power is, you're welcome to try it!" Lancer goaded.

"Perhaps not!" Archer replied. "I don't know what it is, but I imagine that it is a very powerful attack nonetheless."

"So now, we are stuck in an impasse, Archer. You do not wish for me to use my Noble Phantasm, and you can't land a hit on me with yours. And also, Berserker doesn't look like he wishes to lay a hand on you." Lancer rested his spear on his shoulder as he relaxed. "I'm afraid I have to either call it a draw here, or must use my Noble Phantasm. It's my Master's call here."

"Saber is King Arthur?" Bram asked, still surprised at how the legendary King of Britannia would appear to be a girl barely out of her teens as the rumours said. "But nonetheless, I believed your task was to support your Master in engaging with Emiya Shiro!"

"Master of Rider," Caster replied, her countenance darkening even further. Her once beautiful form and appearance was no more. In its place, a dark and menacing aura surrounded her, and her eyes seemed to pierce the soul of whoever looked upon it. "This is a personal feud between my sister and I. As such, I do not wish for anyone to interfere with this. That includes you, whom I have an alliance with," Caster replied.

Bram swallowed. It was clear that Caster would put an end to any interference from himself, and Rider would not be spared from being attacked by Caster. "Fine, then!" Bram replied. "Carry on your little family feud here. I will not offer you any assistance, so if you fall here, you have nobody to blame but yourself!"

Caster scoffed. "Don't you think me weak compared to my sister. She may have the physical prowess, but it is I who has the means to defeat her!"

Bram did not reply. Instead he turned around to face Rider, who was unmoved by the events that happened earlier. "We shall withdraw from this battle, Rider. Instead, we will go and search for Emiya Shiro and fight him."

Rider said nothing at first when Bram got onto Rider's horse, but while they were scouring the surrounding areas in search for Shiro, Rider finally spoke.

"A word of advice, boy. You should be wary of Caster."

"Indeed I should," Bram replied, his voice seething with anger. "That woman truly messed up my plans!"

"That is not what I speak of, boy," came Rider's reply. "I sense treachery in Caster. If you value your life, and if you wish to win this war, you must kill her."

"What?" Bram exclaimed. "That is impossible!"

"You've also fallen under her spell, boy." Rider replied. "Caster has already weaved her web of deceit onto every one who is following you as well. If you listen to me, you will not only win this war, but also leave this war with your life intact."

"Why are you so confident in saying that?" Bram asked.

"I speak from experience, boy," Rider replied. Just then, he stopped his horse and pointed towards a tall building. "The target you have asked me to seek stands before us."

Bram squinted. They were still a ways off from the place that Rider pointed out, but he could barely make out the silhouette of a man standing on the roof of the building, with a bow in his hands.

It was Emiya Shiro.

"Good. Let's keep him busy. Kill him if you can-"

Bram's sentence was not completed when an explosion rocked the sky. Shiro had preemptively struck with a shot from his bow, which Rider deflected with his sword. When the fire and smoke dissipated, Shiro was nowhere to be found.

"Cheh, he's leading us on a goose hunt," Rider scoffed. "We have to renew our search."

"Damn, I can't lend any support to anyone now that Rider is on me," Shiro thought as he made his escape, jumping off the roof of the building and making his way through the streets towards the river. He tried his best to remain out of sight as he sought a new vantage point on the bridge. With Rider hot on his heels, he may end up back at the mansion if he had to continue providing support and still be able to fight against a Servant.

For now, as he arrived at the banks of the river, he had to shake off Rider's pursuit and get to the bridge, which was several meters further down the river. If Rider spotted him at his second vantage point, he would have no choice but to return to the mansion and participate in the battle directly.

"Found you!" Rider bellowed, charging at Shiro.

"Damn!" Shiro cursed. How Rider was able to locate him so soon did not make any sense, but he had to turn and fight.

"You think I cannot find my target so easily, huh?" Rider said. "I sacked countless cities in my time so pursuing a fleeing target is a simple task for me."

"Ugh, well then, you got me," Shiro replied, tracing Kansho and Bakuya. "Well then, since the chase is over, you will have to fight me before you can declare me caught."

A wry smile formed on Rider's face. "You think a mere human would dare to face me?"

"Careful, Rider. He managed to make Berserker retreat once," Bram warned Rider.

"I'm not Berserker, kid," Rider replied, dismounting from his horse. "You dismount and stand aside," Rider continued. "I shall cut this kid down now."

Shiro was quick to launch into an attack, hoping to catch Rider off guard, but Rider was also quick to block Shiro's attack.

"Hah, you hoped to cut me down before we even began, huh?" Rider goaded as Shiro quickly retreated out of Rider's range.

Shiro wasted no time in making his next move. Tracing his bow again, Shiro attempted to fire a barrage of shots at Rider, hoping to keep Rider pinned in one place as Shiro sought to gain more distance between them.

Despite Rider's efforts to close the distance, Shiro's constant shooting made it difficult for Rider to advance forward.

"Oi, Rider! What are you doing? Take this fight seriously!" Bram demanded.

"Hmph," Rider scoffed. "That boy seems to know full well that he has no chance fighting me face to face. It is evident in how much distance he is trying to place between us."

"I don't care how!" Bram replied impatiently. "Emiya Shiro poses a threat to our plan!"

"If you wish for me to fight seriously, it is going to mean that I will use my Noble Phantasm to instantly close the distance between us for me to gain the upper hand," Rider replied.

"Fine, then. Use your Noble Phantasm to close the distance to Emiya Shiro!"

Rider wasted no time in releasing his prana as he called for his horse. A sharp whistle pierced the air, which was followed by the sound of thundering hooves. Bram looked on as Rider's horse galloped at full speed towards Rider. Never before had he seen such a display of strength and elegance embodied in one being; at least not until this moment. Rider's horse did not slow down or break his stride as he charged onwards past Rider, who grabbed the reins of the horse and mounted the horse effortlessly despite the fact that the horse was in full gallop.

The air was thick as Rider's horse began to emit a greenish aura. The ground beneath the horse began to change, as the illusion of a grassland took shape on it. Rider leaned forward and spoke to his horse.

"Charge onward, and may our enemies fall in your wake."

The horse's countenance seemed to change as the muscles began to bulge slightly, while the aura that was emitting from the horse consolidated around the horse and its rider. Shiro was quick to notice this as he quickly traced Caladbolg II and nocked the sword to his bow.

"I am the bone of my sword."

Rider scoffed at Shiro's effort. "You fool, none can withstand the might of my charge, and you will be no different." Tightening his grip on the reins, Rider's voice bellowed as he called on his Noble Phantasm:

"Othar!"

The horse charged forward at speeds that were impossible for a horse to achieve, if it wasn't for the fact that this horse was unlike any other horse. It was said that one man was able to forge an empire unlike any other from the back of this mighty beast. None could withstand the powerful charge of his armies who fought on horseback, but this horse stood above and beyond the other horses in the army, and was aptly chosen by this man who led the most powerful mounted army ever seen by man. The gap between Rider and Shiro was closing very quickly, but Shiro was already prepared to fire.

"Caladbolg!"

The sword loosed by Shiro was also quick to find its mark, resulting in an explosion that shook the area around them.

Rider was unscathed by the attack due to his Noble Phantasm's unique ability: Othar - the Stallion that Rends the Heavens. Without breaking stride, Rider barreled on toward Shiro, who wore a stunned look on his face. With the distance closing rapidly, Shiro had only one option left in order to survive Rider's attack.

"I got you now!" Rider said as he drew within striking distance of Shiro. Rider raised his sword as it began to crackle as prana was gathered at the tip.

Shiro closed his eyes and focused his energy onto producing the only defensive armament he could use efficiently. He would have preferred if he didn't have to use it, considering that he would have to spend more of his prana onto using it, but given the circumstances he was in, walking away from this fight was far more important.

Rider pointed his sword at Shiro, and the prana which was gathered at the tip of the sword reached its maximum charge.

"Isten Kardja!"

Rider's Noble Phantasm: Isten Kardja - the Sword of Mars, delivered an attack that spread out from the tip of the sword in a cone, destroying everything that was caught in its range. For Shiro, it looked almost like an attack used by Saber, but the difference was that Saber's attack had a far more focused beam compared to this almost haphazard release of energy.

Shiro's outstretched right hand tensed up as he recited the incantation he used regularly to strengthen the use of his ability.

"I am the bone of my sword."

In the moment when Rider was executing his attack, Shiro called upon the famous shield.

"Rho Aias!"

The traced shield began to take shape at the end of his outstretched arm, its sevenfold barriers quickly forming a powerful barrier around him. The prana release also began to spread out and take the shape of a seven petaled flower before him. With the use of Rho Aias, Shiro was able to mitigate the brunt of the blast. However, Shiro had to sustain some injuries to his arm because of the sheer power of the attack, which was able to shatter four of the seven petals spread out in front of Shiro.

This time, Rider was the one who wore a surprised look on his face. Dismounting from his horse, he stood before Shiro, who was in a crouched position on the ground, holding his injured arm.

"You're the first to survive my attack, kid. An entire army would not have stood a chance against that."

"You're also the first to survive mine, Rider," Shiro replied. "So the both of us possess an ability that granted us absolute defense, which means that we're stuck in a fight that neither of us can win. Shall we call it a draw, then?"

"Hah, I wouldn't hope for such an outcome," Rider replied. "My Master has ordered me to keep you out of the battle, and if I had to kill you, I must."

Shiro held his uninjured hand up. "As you can see, Rider, I cannot participate in any battle any further. You have fulfilled your Master's orders, have you not?"

"Hmph. Point taken," Rider replied, turning away from the battle.

"I have to say, you were quite a formidable opponent in this fight. Even more so than Berserker or Assassin, Rider," Shiro said. "Or should I call you… Attila the Hun?"

Rider stopped. Without turning to face Shiro, Rider spoke after a brief silence. "So you recognise who I am?"

"That sword of yours is unmistakable, despite the fact that I only came across some written records kept in the Clock Tower," Shiro replied. "Anyway, this fight was a good one, Rider."

"I wouldn't say the same," Rider replied. "All you did was to keep your distance and you called for a draw when you realised you were unable to defeat me."

"What can I say, Rider?" Shiro scoffed. "A mere human taking on a Servant? Like I said earlier, your orders have been carried out perfectly, so there is no reason to continue, no?"

"Hmph," Rider scoffed in return. "For lacking so much in a warrior's pride, you certainly know how to survive your battles." With that, Rider continued to walk away as Bram was seen running towards the scene of the fight.

"Hey, wait a minute! I said that we need to keep Emiya Shiro out of the fight!"

"He won't fight anymore, boy," Rider replied. "I've broken one of his arms and he has already surrendered."

"Eh," Bram replied, staring at Shiro, who was now seated on the ground. The riverbank around them was scorched by the earlier exchange, and bits of rubble from the upturned sidewalk was strewn all over the place. However, among all these rubble, Bram noticed something strange in one place. Walking over to that place, he looked at the ground.

There was a blockage of prana underneath the surface here.

"Rider, I need you to tear a hole in the ground right over here."

"W-wait. No, you can't do that!" Shiro exclaimed, struggling to get up on his feet.

"Now, Rider. The fact that Emiya Shiro over here does not want me to do so means that Lord El-Melloi II is hiding something over here!"

Shiro struggled as he strode toward Bram, and placed his hand on Bram's shoulder, trying to push him away. "You can't do this, Bram!"

"Rider! Do it now! If Emiya Shiro continues to be a nuisance to us, kill him!"

"You don't understand, Bram!"

Rider's sword began to glow again as prana gathered at the tip of the sword. Aiming it at the ground, Rider shot another burst of energy at the ground, which blew a gaping hole in the ground, kicking dirt and rock up all over the place, and knocking Bram and Shiro down to the ground. Bram got up first and walked quickly to the hole, looking into it.

"Oho, so this is what you have been up to, Lord El-Melloi II."

There in the ground placed carefully on the leyline was the device that Lord-El Melloi II used to disrupt the flow of prana in the city. Destroying these regulators would allow for the Grail to be summoned as usual.

"I have to say, Emiya Shiro, you have done me a great favour," Bram said, turning to Shiro. "Granted, you did not mean for me to discover your plans, but you already have. For that, I shall spare your life here. You've done the Association a great deal of service by ensuring that the Grail be brought back to the Association, whereby it will be put to good use."

"Ugh, no. Bram, that Grail is dangerous to us all!" Shiro said angrily, tracing Bakuya in his good arm. Rider was quick to knock the sword away from Shiro's hand, and stepped on Shiro's hand to ensure that he wouldn't be able to attack again.

"Know your place, kid. Your life has already been spared, so it would be wise not to throw it away," Rider said to Shiro.

"Rider! The Grail isn't what is was supposed to be anymore! Don't allow your Master to destroy these regulators! Bram! You have to listen!"

"Let's go, Rider. We have to locate and destroy these things to ensure that we will be able to earn our prize," Bram told Rider, ignoring Shiro's pleas. "We can start by destroying the one over here."