"So, it's finally starting," a certain short Ruler said as she felt the battle between the two servants, "The Holy Grail War is starting… though I have yet to explain some of the new rules of the War…"
"Wait, there are now new rules for the Holy Grail War?" Yumemi asked, "What sort of rules would be necessary for the Holy Grail War?"
Chiyuri didn't come to visit them, which is a relief for Yumemi. They were researching about the events of the previous Holy Grail War when Ruler suddenly sensed the clash that was happening at the port between two servants.
"A sort of rule that would prevent one servant having an advantage over other servants," Ruler plainly states.
Yumemi was confused. Isn't the whole purpose of the Holy Grail War is summoning servants that are stronger than the enemy's Servant? If there were a rule to balance the said rule, then what is the point of the Holy Grail War? And what sort of rule would balance the war for all Servants? She followed after the Ruler, who was heading toward the port.
Touhou: Corruption of Holy Grail
Stage Two: Chapter One: Unlawful Battles
Saber drew her swords, and attempted to attack Lancer with one of her swords. She slashed her sword, but rather than cutting into Lancer, Lancer parried it with her scarf, before spinning and lunging an end of her scarf toward Saber. Saber dodged, before drawing her other sword and used both swords to attack Lancer. Lancer backed away, before pointing her finger toward Saber.
"I'm sorry, but you won't be able to cut me that easily," Lancer said as blue lightning surrounded her.
Saber recognized what was about to happen, so the teal Saber backed away as Lancer shot out orbs of lightning at Saber. Saber dodged them, which each exploded into smaller orbs. Saber dodged each of them, but one of the smaller orbs managed to explode and shock Saber. Saber groaned, but recovered from the electric shock.
"It stung," Saber remarked as she pointed one of her blades toward Lancer, "But it won't stop me from defeating you. I have beat many enemies, and I have beaten you before… I won't lose!"
"True, but it doesn't mean you will defeat me again," Lancer said, "After all, I have more tricks up my sleeves."
It was a bluff, but Lancer knew that she would have to win this battle or else her master would get really angry at her. Still, it's strange how one of the enemies she would be facing in the Holy Grail War would be that half-ghost, half-human swordsman. Lancer lunged forward her drill, charged with electrical power at Saber, who parried it with one of her swords.
Saber, taking the moment that she had brought by parrying the drill, used her other sword- the Hakurouken, and slashed Lancer with it. But Lancer backed away, and moved back, ready for another strike.
Meanwhile, the other Saber watched as her fellow Servant fought against Lancer. She is currently honoring the desire of her ally, letting her defeat Lancer by herself. But she felt… useless. Even though as a knight she believed that it was only fair if one servant fought another one in a duel, she wanted an opportunity to prove herself…
She noticed the water from the sea slowly rising, and its heading toward the area where Saber and Lancer are dueling. She moved forward to investigate, only to find the water lunging toward Irisviel, who was unaware because of her observing the duel. Saber called out, "Look out, Master!"
Irisviel turned, only to find herself envelope by the water. The other Saber stopped fighting to find her master trap within the water. "Master!" She called out, but was hit by an electric orb.
"Lancer, did you do this!?" The Teal Saber asked as she recovered from the shock, "Is this your trick?"
Lancer shook her head. "No, I don't have control over water… And besides, why would I resort to dirty tricks?"
Lancer and Saber stopped fighting. They all become tensed at the thought of an enemy servant… Sure enough, there is a mysterious figure floating toward them.
But before anyone could say anything, they heard a voice from the figure. "It seems like I got one, though it wouldn't be good if she died right here." a girl in a sailor uniform said as she spun her ladle, "I am Rider, or you can call me the Captain, fellow Servants!" Rider smirked, and she spun her ladle once more, causing the water to disperse.
"Now which of you three want to face me?" Rider said as she summoned her anchor.
The Blue Saber checked Irisviel, who had drowned by Rider, but she coughed out all the water that had entered her system. She's not dead, Saber sighs with relief. Saber turned to face Rider. "I would be your enemy," Saber proclaimed as she summoned her sword, masked in invisible air.
Rider grinned as she prepared her anchor. But before any further clash could happen, a young boy suddenly ran toward them, out of breath, "RIDER!" He yelled, though it is quite obvious he was more worried, "Why did you decide to come to the battlefield yourself!? Can't you just defeat them from afar?"
"Foolish Master!" Rider shouted, "There's no fun if I were to hide behind and defeat them! As a Servant of the Holy Grail War and a Captain, it's my responsibility to fight others upfront!"
Waver sighs, but he suddenly froze when someone's voice can be heard. Someone from his days as a student at the Clock Tower. Waver shivered as the voice spoke, "Waver Velvet. I suppose you are a Master at the Holy Grail War, and seeing that you have summoned yourself a rather peculiar servant, I suppose you were the one who has stolen my Catalyst…"
"Really now, let's see how I would deal with you once I got my hands on you…" the voice continued, but was quickly interrupted by Rider.
"Hey, if you are trying to threaten my Master, then why don't you show yourself?" Rider exclaimed.
There was a slight pause, but instead of showing himself, the voice only said, "Lancer, your target is Rider and her master. Defeat them."
Lancer sighs as her master gives her new orders. She ready herself to fight Rider, who is unfamiliar to her though she swore that Rider gives off the same vibe as someone from where she's from. The Teal Saber, though, faced Lancer and asked, "How about our battle? Isn't it going to be me the one who's going to put you down, Lancer?"
Lancer replied, "My master has ordered me to take someone else down for the moment…" She sighed, "How bothersome. I just want to call it a night…"
But before any of the Servants could do anything, there was a large explosion that went off. All the servants can hear a maniacal laugh going off, and Waver shivered in fear upon hearing it. They saw a flying girl, with wings with rainbow gems off it, approaching them. "Hahaha! I wanna PLAY!" The girl shouted. Berserker have arrived.
The Four Servants went on guard upon the arrival of Berserker. Each of them knew of the infamous Berserker, but was surprised at her insane nature. Could her summoning as a Berserker cause her to become like this? They were unsure. "I see so Many TOYS!" Berserker shouted as she clapped her hands in excitement, "Which one should I PLAY with First!? I'm so HAPPY!"
Archer observed the situation from afar, and there's one thing that is clear to her- Berserker is very dangerous, and is one of the first targets she needs to take out. She recognized one of the Sabers to be that half-phantom half-human swordsman, whose abilities would be quite troublesome. Lancer is a messenger of the Dragon Place, and seeing that she is able to summon electric orbs means she borrows the powers of the Dragon God. Rider being that one phantom from that Temple and can manipulate water meant that as long as she is facing her on land, Archer would win. Though, with the other Saber she has no clue to what her identity could be.
Berserker, being the sister of that one vampire, has the ability to destroy anything as Archer recalled. That would be quite troublesome, seeing that she is now a Servant rather than an immortal. But one thing concerns her- the amount of Servants in the Holy Grail War that is from Gensokyo.
It made her wonder about the other Servants, are they also from Gensokyo? The only exception is the other Saber, but seeing all other classes only have members of Gensokyo fulfilling them, means that the other Servants more likely than not could be from Gensokyo. Archer sighs, but she could defeat all the Servants if they are not playing by the spell card rules.
But suddenly, someone enters the War- the Yama.
"All Servants, cease your fighting," a voice called out, prompting all the Servants to focus on the voice that called out to them.
Ruler arrived on the battlefield, and all the Servants- save Berserker, recognized who Ruler is. "No way, it's the Yama…" Saber called out as she remembered one of the lectures she received from the short lady.
Lancer and Rider also recognized her though it's more because of the aura that Ruler gives off. Berserker doesn't recognize her due to her insanity- but she could feel that it wouldn't be good to attack the Ruler. Ruler sighs as she looks at the Servants currently assembled at the battle area.
"And I thought all the Servants would be here, but it seems there are only a small handful of you," Ruler said as she scanned the area, "I have come to announce one thing- the Holy Grail War will not continue like this! There is simply no way that I will allow these unlawful battles to continue!"
The Masters that were there were confused, so is Artoria. Irisviel, who has just recovered from the attempt on her life, and Waver, both masters, were dumbfounded. Isn't the purpose of the Holy Grail War to have Servants attack each other with all their ability? Then why is the Ruler opposed to the battles?
Artoria, though, asked Ruler, "Ruler, I have no idea who you are, but why are you against the battles carried out in the Holy Grail War? The battles are a natural occurrence in the Holy Grail War, surely there is nothing wrong with Servants clashing against each other…"
"Which is exactly right the battles are unlawful," Ruler states, "The rules of the Holy Grail War have changed- rather than clashing the ways you guys have been doing since the start of battle- we would established a new rule-"
"The Spellcard System."
Author's Note:
And now it'll be called the Holy Danmaku War… Anyways, the Holy Grail War started, and now everyone will be forced to use the Spell Card System. I wonder what sort of Spell Cards would Artoria use… hmmm…
Please Review?
Stage Two: Chapter Two: Danmaku
