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Clarent Blood Arthur: A Fate/Stay Night Fanfiction
Chapter 12: Dog Fight II
Miyama District, 9 PM
"Doesn't look like we'll be finding anything here."
"I concur, Shirou. It seems this area of the city is devoid of life."
"Yeah, sure looks that way." Rin nodded in agreement. She, Shirou, and Saber had spent a good portion of the evening patrolling Miyama's business district. What always seemed to be filled with the hustle and bustle of the big city during day was lifeless by comparison once dusk had set in. Only the bright street lights illuminated the area, providing a source of light for those who are looking for a way home. Tonight, they served two other purposes; first,as a spotlight to detect enemy Servants and Masters lurking in the shadows and, second, to perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive Ruler. "How are things on your end, Archer?"
"It's as the kid said." He answered. He was on look-out duty, using his keen eyes to scan the entire city for any trace of irregular activity. "Perhaps we should retire for the— what the?!"
At that same moment, a pillar of white light burst forth from the ground a good distance away, so bright that even the ones on the ground could see it. All of them could not turn away from the splendor of what they were witnessing. And just as it came, it vanished as quickly.
"Tell me you all just saw that, right?" Rin would be the first to speak out of the group.
"No need to state the obvious, Master."
"Can you just tell me where that came from?!"
Archer focused on the task at hand. He looked towards the direction of the pillar and zoomed in on the source. Sure enough, he saw three figures; That Leticia girl (who he knew for sure was Ruler), Lancelot, and...
"Oh shit."
"What is it Archer?!"
The red-clad Servant was stirred by the voice of his Master, regaining his bearings for that moment "I see three figures in the blast zone. Lancelot, a girl and a man with blonde hair."
"A girl?" Rin spoke out loud as Shirou and Saber looked at her intently "Do you think she's Ruler?"
"I wouldn't doubt that." Archer continued to watch, a sliver of fear brewing in his stomach. While he does remember facing off against Gilgamesh, he never remembered it to be THIS early in the War. "If you wish to meet her, then I would have to advise against it. To do so now would be to walk into certain death."
"Why? Now would be the best time to meet this bothersome Servant!" Rin expressed her displeasure at the proposal before turning to her to other allies "What do you guys think?"
"I agree with Rin." Saber would be the first to speak up. "To meet with Ruler now would give us an idea of her character. I also wish to speak with Sir Lancelot. There is much I wish to discuss."
"I want to see Ruler too." Shirou added in his two cents. "It'll be good to see what we are up against and what kind of person she is."
"Then it's settled then." Rin nodded in affirmation as she spoke with a tone that told her Servant that he'd have to just go with it. "We'll all go."
"...Fine." Archer's disapproval was thick in his tone, but he knew he was outvoted on the matter. "If you must know, they are located near Kotomine Church. With any luck, the good Father might be watching."
"Thanks, Archer." Rin looked to her comrades and, after giving each other a mutual nod, began to sprint towards the church.
"Good grief." Archer followed suit, leaping across the cityscape while preparing for what's to come "Looks like it's up to me to get their asses out of the fire. Again."
"Milady! Are you hurt?!"
Leticia, also known as Servant Ruler, turned to see Gawain rushing to her side, already clad in his immaculate white armor. "I am unharmed, thanks to Lancelot's efforts." She affirmed with a smile meant to ease his worries before turning to where her savior stood. "But I fear we are not out of danger just yet."
Before them, clad in a black jacket that did nothing to detract his noble features, stood Gilgamesh the King of Heroes. He gave a sneer towards his fellow 4th War compatriot, who answered with an impassive gaze.
"If I may, I shall join Lancelot in putting this cretin in his place." Gawain drew Galatine and was about to join the fray when the Knight of the Lake held out a single arm to stop him.
"You shall do no such thing." Lancelot never tore his gaze from the King of Heroes as he spoke. "Though I recall naught about the War I participated in, I do know of Gilgamesh's capabilities. His treasury houses almost every Noble Phantasm in existence. Though valiant your stand will be, victory will not be within reach."
"All the more I should—!"
"Then who will tend to our Master?" As he cut him off, he turned to Ruler who wore a concerned look on her face. "If she were to fall here, we lose our anchor this world. T'would be a matter of time before we too shall vanish, and so would our chance of redemption."
Gawain's expression spoke of the conflict within, how the itch to join his fellow knight in battle clashed with the strong point he made. Still, he knew that Lancelot was right. If he were to join, he would only get in the way.
"Very well. I shall follow thy lead, Sir Lancelot." The Knight of the Sun finally relented, dissipating Galatine with a sigh. "I only ask you try not to perish, as you and I still have much to settle."
"Easier said than done." Lancelot let out a small laugh, smiling for the first time in a long time. "Go. Take Lady Arc to our safe house whilst I hold him off."
"Understood. Let us be off, milady."
"Yes." Ruler nodded before turning to Lancelot with a worried expression that lasted a split second before turning tail and quickly departing with Gawain with a great leap towards the rooftops.
"So you have finished. I must admit, that took some time."
Lancelot turned to see Gilgamesh, still wearing his signature smirk while he watched the proceedings. "I'm surprised." The Knight of the Lake faced the king without any outward trace of fear. "I had thought you would try to take down Ruler though moment she fled, O King of Heroes. Surely it is within your capacity to do so."
"She and Saber share a commonality, one that I find interest in." The blonde shrugged, ignoring the tinge of disrespect in the other's voice. "True, it would be so easy to clip her wings with but a gesture, but it would not do to ruin such a beautiful flower in my garden. The Faker, however, will not get that same treatment."
"Another thing that catches my interest is your presence, mad dog." Gilgamesh droned on, referring to the knight's old nickname "'Tis a pity you remember nothing of the last War. However, seeing you sane serves as adequate entertainment."
"Entertainment?" Lancelot raised his brow at the King of Heroes' statement.
"Yes, Berserker. Entertainment. You see, your class kept you insane for most of the last War. As such, I was not able savor whatever despair you had felt knowing that she was a participant in the War or of knowing what her wish was. That will not be a problem now. Perhaps I should make you watch as I dominate your precious King, break that haughty spirit of hers as she becomes my personal play thing—"
The King of Heroes was not able to finish, as Lancelot was upon him quicker than most people can blink. With a mighty roar did the greatest Knight of Camelot bring Arondight down upon his foe. Whilst Gilgamesh was able to leap out of harm's way, the resulting impact left a crater where pavement used to be.
"I see you your rage has not lost it's furor." The King of Heroes quipped, partly amused at how riled up his opponent was. "Still, you have a committed the offence of raising your hand against the King. As such, the punishment is death!"
As he finished, several golden distortions of space appeared above him. Several weapons of every type emerged, all their edges aimed at the Knight of the Lake.
"I only have but one King." Lancelot grunted as he coiled himself for the next strike. "And it is definitely not YOU!"
The battle now joined, the Knight sprinted for the King with deadly intent even as weapons of all sizes rained down up him. Arondight was swung to parry the first weapon that came upon him, a broadsword of slightly smaller length. It twirled in mid-air for a few seconds before he caught it with his free hand.
Many of Gilgamesh's opponents, including Saber herself, would have fallen many times over at this point due to the overwhelming amount of Noble Phantasms within the Gate of Babylon. However, Lancelot was a man who had mastered all of forms of arms. As such, he could use any and every weapon from Gilgamesh's treasury to it's full potential, claiming them as his own in his hands. This was his first Noble Phantasm, Knight of Honor.
Said mastery of arms was in full display as Arondight and the other sword cut the air with swift, accurate strokes that parried any and every weapon that came across his path, the clanging of steel echoing the air for every successful block. For those too large to defend against, he made it a point to apply just enough for to redirect the blades while he dodged, knowing that to stand still meant certain death. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Gilgamesh opened his treasury even further, intent on bombarding his foe with more weapons in an attempt to overwhelm him. Within a split second, Lancelot deflected a guan dao and caused it to land close to his feet. Thinking quickly, he planted both swords into the ground after defending against the latest volley and picked up the polearm, twirling it with such grace that only an accomplished warrior could accomplish.
"Judging from it's make, a certain Saint of War may have wielded this." Lancelot didn't have time to admire the weapon's history as Gilgamesh did not relent on his assault. He quickly advanced, using the weapon's amazing reach to deflect any attack that came too close. Once he was within reach, he poised himself for a thrust meant to run the King of Heroes through where he stood.
"Hmph. Stealing my treasures as you had back then does not amuse me at all, dog." Gilgamesh's obvious displeasure was thick in his tone as he timed his jump back perfectly as Lancelot thrust, the very tip of the blade barely missing it's target.
"Stealing? I wouldn't call it that." The Knight of the Lake grinned with that cheeky remark. "As they will end up in your treasury once more after use, you could say that I'm borrowing them."
"Hmph, for you to be so arrogant. Perhaps it was for the best you were summoned as Berserker back then. Now I will make sure that your annihilation is absolute!"
As the barrage began anew, Lancelot tossed the guan dao aside and picked up a pair of twin axes for each hand. Each swing conveyed the ferocity required to wield them, swiftly parrying several weapons before tossing them at his opponent. Gilgamesh quickly responded by dedicating two of his weapons to deflect the thrown projectiles. As he continued to dodge flying weapons, the black knight scanned the area quickly for a weapon that suited the situation.
"Yes. This will do perfectly."
He sprinted for his choice, the giant stone slab of a cleaver too large for any mere mortal to wield while grabbing Arondight along the way. As if he knew what Lancelot was going for, Gilgamesh fired up the Gate of Babylon once more with every intention of catching his prey. While the firing rate of was like that of a machine gun, Lancelot was able to run fast enough to make it in time. Before he could get skewered where he stood, he shifted the blade so that it's flat faced where the Gate was firing from. The result was a make-shift bulwark that shielded him from the numerous weapons that came out.
He wasted no time following that up, pushing it in front of him while bull-rushing the King of Heroes. The expression of surprise that this dog had gotten close to him twice nearly cost him as he stood before Lancelot, watching him lift the weapon of the mighty Heracles with one hand over his head with the slightest hint of awe. He managed to regain his wits just in time to to leap back once more, this time summoning a hail weapons straight into the ground to act as a make-shift wall.
At that same time, Lancelot brought the massive weapon down with all his might. While he managed to break through Gilgamesh's defense with one blow, he was unable to land a fatal strike. The best he had managed to do was leaving a gaping tear on his shirt and a massive hole on the ground.
It infuriated the King to no end.
"How dare you..." Gilgamesh's shoulder's trembled with rage at the blow to his pride. "You dare damage the King's clothes, let alone touch him, you dog?!"
In his anger, The King of Heroes opened his Gate so wide it threatened to pour out on Lancelot, who stood defiant with Arondight on one hand and the slab on the other.
"For that, I shall make sure that not even a speck of your remains will see the next sunrise!"
"Oh, dear. It seems that the King of Heroes has gotten riled up."
Seeing as this was occurring just outside his church, Kotomine Kirei did not retire to his quarters just yet. Whilst he did not want Gilgamesh to reveal himself this early, he had at least hoped that he would be able to dispose of Ruler before she became a problem.
That, unfortunately, was not the case.
Not only was she able to escape relatively unharmed, Gilgamesh was up against the Servant who could naturally counter the Gate of Babylon at the last War. The King of Heroes would no doubt be able to dispose of the Knight of the Lake should he get serious, but Kirei feared that he may draw too much attention. He knew he couldn't control him, but at least the priest could plan around the force of nature that was Gilgamesh.
The thing is, it was pretty hard to do so.
"I only hope that Ruler does not trace him back to me." He sighed deeply. Seeing as Gilgamesh has this in the bag and that Lancer won't be back for a while, Kirei was about to turn in for the night.
"Ah, so that was Kariya's Servant. To see him sane is a rather unique experience, wouldn't you think, boy?"
Unable to deny that chill running down his spine, Kirei turned around slowly to see an old man, hunched on his back and walking on a cane, facing him with a nasty grin. While he looked fragile due to his age, Kirei knew better than to underestimate him. For one, the foyer began to reek of rot and decay once he appeared.
"Matou Zouken." The priest gave him a nasty sneer. "'Tis rare to see you away from mansion, let alone go to a sacred sanctuary no less."
"Certain events have forced my hand." The ancient Magus answered with a chuckle. "I am sure you are aware of it too? This Servant called Ruler."
While part of Kirei wondered how the decrepit worm learned of this, he mused that his whelp of a grandson may have informed him. So the priest only gave a nod, prompting Zouken to continue.
"For centuries, the Grail had summoned only seven Servants, each of which is to be used to fuel the Grail. For it to deviate and summon an additional class container is most certainly strange." The Matou Patriarch scratched his chin in thought at the quandary. " Maybe it has something to do with how the last War ended? Or how the this one began a mere ten years after?"
"It's hard to say for certain." The priest finally spoke, doing very little to hide his contempt for Matou Zouken. "One thing we can say for sure: The Grail intends to have a winner this time."
"And with it, as much untold destruction as the curses pour forth." Were his unspoken words.
"Perhaps you are right. I do envy you, boy, for being able to meet this anomaly personally." Zouken chuckled heartily. "I wish to gain an audience myself, hence my appearance. Alas, I had arrived all too late. Perhaps I shall try another time?"
"Mayhaps." Kirei kept his impassive expression as he talked to the one man he could say was worse than he could ever be. "I would tread lightly around her; She could find out about your little Black Grail."
"My, my! How dangerous she sounds!" Old Zouken laughed as if he had been told a funny joke. "I shall be sure to be at my best behavior around her. Though I have to say, dog of the church or otherwise, your development pleases me, Kotomine Kirei."
"Excuse me?"
"A tale for another day, seeing as I do not wish to be pierced by Black Keys again." Another chuckle is let out as Zouken hobbled his way out of the church with a nasty smirk. "Until we meet again, Overseer."
Once again, Kirei was alone in the church with his thoughts. Zouken's interest in Servant Ruler, he believed, complicated matters even further. As such, he walked towards his quarters as he had intended.
Tomorrow was a long day, and there was so much work to be done.
It is said that one under the protection of the Fae gains luck beyond compare, manifesting itself on the battlefield where the blessed one can perform miraculous feats of arms that goes beyond the limits of what the human body can accomplish.
However, even that kind of luck eventually has to run out.
Lancelot stood before Gilgamesh, his defiant stature slowly wavering as weapons of all makes littered the broken pavement around where he stood. His breaths were heavy, showing his exhaustion. His body, bruised and cut from weapons that have zoomed past his defenses, trembled as he struggled to hold his stance, a sign that the noble knight was all but spent. He wanted to crumple then and there, but the sharp pains from all over reminded him that he was still very much alive, and very much in danger.
"For you to have opened my vast treasury to this extent is a commendable feat." Gilgamesh smirked as the Gate of Babylon opened once more. "'Tis no exaggeration that many have deemed you 'The Greatest Knight of the Round'."
"Praise from the God-King of Uruk." Lancelot laughed mirthlessly, his sides aching from doing so, as he stood before certain death. "Certainly not something one receives at any given day."
"Indeed, you should feel honored. I may allow you to walk away from this, Knight of the Lake. Consider it a boon from the King for such a valiant effort." The King of Heroes spoke with a sneer. "Of course, that is only if you kneel before me and acknowledge me as your true king."
"...I believe you already know the answer to that." Lancelot shook his head, gritting his teeth and determined to remain defiant to the bitter end. "As long as I draw breath, my allegiance is to the Once and Future King, Arturia Pendragon! I will NEVER bow down to another!"
"Such loyalty is admirable. Very well, if that is what you wish, then die in her service."
Those words, with the finality of a death sentence, were the trigger that was pulled. As soon as he finished speaking, Gilgamesh launched weapons toward the knave who refused his most generous offer. Lancelot was now too tired to defend, his stamina all but spent in his lengthy battle, so he fell on one knee with his head bowed down, all but ready for the end. Even with the knowledge that he would fall here, the knight smiled; At the very least, he was able to protect his liege lord, something he was not able to do in his old life. He can pass on without regrets this time. Well, except one.
"I'm sorry, my king. I had hoped we would meet again."
Lancelot of the Lake closed his eyes, waiting for his inevitable end.
Release the Wind King.
Which is why the Knight of the Lake was quite surprised when a blue blur dashed in front of him and, with a battle cry, thrust her sword forward to release a mighty gale that knocked the weapons intending to impale him away. Not daring to even hope, he slowly raised his head to see that his savior turned back to him with concern in her eyes.
"'Tis good to see you, my old friend." Her tone, usually one that was stoic and aloof, held a hint of warmth as she regarded her former vassal.
"My king...?"
"It has been quite a while hasn't it, Saber?"
The King of Knights looked with a look of utter shock on her face as she gazed upon Gilgamesh, but quickly repressed it. Regaining her cool, she kept a firm stance with her blade pointed at her foe. "What are you still doing here, Archer? The 4th Grail War has been past!"
"Is it not obvious, dear Saber? I have remained in this era instead of disappearing."
"That is impossible..." Saber muttered as Rin and Shirou arrived at the scene moments after she did. The boy took stock of his surroundings and, as he gazed onto the many weapons littered about, felt a paralyzing buzz in his head.
"This is..." He was overwhelmed as knowledge of every weapon he saw, from it's structural design to it's history, flooded his mind. He didn't know why or how it was happening, but it was. He felt as if his brain would fry from the information he was absorbing.
"Shirou, snap out of it!"
Rin's shriek dragged him back into the realms of reality, allowing him to remember the dire circumstance they were in.
"Sorry about that, Tohsaka." He apologized.
"What the hell was that about?! Never mind, I'll drill you about that later." She asked with obvious irritation in her voice. She then turned to where the Servants were, her ears perking up when she heard that the Lancelot's opponent was a remnant of the 4th War. "And things just HAD to get more complicated..."
"Alas, that is a story for another time." Gilgamesh chuckled as he drew all the weapons on the field back into the Gate with a single gesture. "I had hoped to meet you again in more ideal circumstances. Alas, your dog has damaged my best clothes."
"And you would flee because of such a trivial offense?" Saber looked at him incredulously.
"Rest assured, I will make him pay for his crime. However, I will do so in my own time." Gilgamesh turned to leave, his form slowly evaporating in golden mist as he took his leave. "And when I am done with him and that faker of a Berserker, I will come for you and for Ruler. You had best be prepared by then."
Saber relaxed her stance once she was sure the man had disappeared. After taking a deep breath to calm herself, she then turned to Lancelot, who was still bent on one knee, and offered him a hand.
"Can you stand, old friend?"
The Knight of the Lake was stunned, to say the least. Then again, that was to be expected of a perfect king. To forgive when wronged, to die to himself for the sake of his people...
This was the cruel existence she lived. One he knew he played a part in.
He accepted her offer nonetheless, allowing the much smaller girl to pull his larger frame so he stood on his feet.
"You have my thanks." He nodded politely towards Saber, then turned his attention towards the two Masters. "It seems my king has chosen dependable allies. For that I am thankful."
"Indeed." Saber nodded with a smile, that serene smile that Shirou found beautiful. "Whilst both are headstrong in their own ways, I could not ask for better comrades in this Grail War."
"Uhm...thanks?" Shirou was at a loss of words, unsure of how to react to Sir Lancelot himself praising him.
"I hate to interrupt such a beautiful reunion and all." Rin decided to ruin the moment at the most inopportune time. "But where the hell is Ruler?! Archer said he saw her here with you!"
"I had asked Gawain to escort her to safety after she was attacked." Lancelot explained "That man is an anomaly, one which we intend to deal with."
"Mr. Lancelot." The Knight turned to face Rin when she addressed him with a scowl on her face. "If it's possible, can we meet up with your Master? Everything considered, we could use some answers in this messed up War!"
"As far as I know, Ruler wishes to remain anonymous for now. Also, whilst our job is to eliminate oddities such as that man, we must remain impartial in this War."
"Oh, come on!" The Knight of the Lake was surprised by her sudden outburst. " You weren't impartial when you were going to chop Berserker into-!"
"Calm down, Tohsaka!" Shirou cut in, deciding that it was his turn to be the voice of reason.
"Sir Lancelot." The black knight turned when his former king was the speaking to him. "I understand your stance here, but as Rin said, this War has created more questions than answers, more mysteries that need unraveling. Speaking with Ruler could give us the answers we need."
After pausing to consider her words, Saber then added. "Though I may no longer have the right to do so, can I ask you for your assistance in this matter?"
"I shall see what can be done." Lancelot finally relented after letting out a deep sigh. "I will speak to Ruler about this, but I make no promises."
"Thank you so much, Sir." Shirou nodded with a thankful smile.
"No thanks necessary. You have proven an ally to my Master, which is more than enough." Lancelot unsummoned Arondight, thus signifying the battle's end, before turning to leave as well. "Though I cannot assist you personally here, I wish you the best of luck, my King."
"You have my thanks, Lancelot." Saber nodded with a small smile. "I would like to discuss matters with you further...if that is alright."
"We shall see, King of Knights."
With one last smile, Lancelot vanished into the night, thus ending this latest battle of the 5th Holy Grail War.
"Looks like it was all sorted out in the end."
Archer sighed as he relaxed, loosening the arrow he had drawn back just in case things went awry. Of course, he had gone into a sniping position a few skyscrapers away from the battlefield to provide support. The fact that he did not have to deal with the King of Heroes was an immense relief.
"I would like to have a word with Ruler myself." the Counter Guardian let loose a sigh. "For now, we wait. Maybe we might get lucky."
Archer then unsummoned his bow and leaped through the city to rejoin his Master.
Had he lingered a little longer, he would have spotted a shadowy figure slowly lumbering around town.
End Chapter 12
A/N: It took a while, but the latest chapter of Clarent Blood Arthur is finally here!
Sorry I took so long; real life and laziness is always a nasty combination. Nevertheless, I'm here now and I'm ready with his new chapter!
First, I'd like to thank my new beta-reader, Shrapnel893, for coming on board. He's been really helpful, giving me solid advice on how I can fix my earlier chapters and how I can improve this latest one. Especially with the technical side, which I admittedly am weak at.
Speaking of earlier chapters, I'm going to do some rewriting in the near future. This is mostly to fix grammatical errors, lessen Shirou's Fate/Stay-in-the-Kitchen tendencies and one battle some readers have been griping about.
Mordred: About damn time too.
Other than these things, there really isn't anything left to talk about. For now, I'm the King of Beasts and I'll see you all in the next chapter!
Mordred: Next time, on Clarent Blood Arthur: Recuperation!