Every time I come back to this story to consider cancelling it, I find more and more people following it, and it ends up making me reconsider whether I should cancel it or not. Honestly a part of me just wants people to give up on this story so I can be justified in cancelling and deleting it. I just don't have the motivation to write a Fate/Dark Souls story anymore, especially when I've put it off for so long. It doesn't help that I've even forgotten some of the things I was intending to write, another result of leaving it on hiatus for a long time. I'm leaning towards just deleting the story and being done with it just to get rid of the stress it's giving me.
Well, either way, here's a short chapter, just to show I haven't forgotten about it at least. Apologies for any clear and noticeable errors, my heart just wasn't in this one.
Chapter 7:
'Tactical Retreat'
Saber and Caster kept their distance as a furious Archer and Berserker clashed across the harbour.
The monstrous servant was very livid when the dark knight dared to strike him, and summoned down a hail of magic arrows to fend him off.
But not only did Berserker dodge them effortlessly, his unrelenting attacks continued to overwhelm Archer, forcing him to back off and teleport a short distance away.
Every time he did though, Berserker would quickly close the distance and continue his attacks.
It was only after Archer had done away with his bow and materialised a large scythe that he started to turn things around.
Temporarily, as Berserker's unrivalled ferocity continued to overwhelm the monstrous servant, even so, Archer was still slightly able to match him blow for blow.
Lancer, who was also still watching, decided to take the opportunity to relay a message.
"Smough, inform our master that we should leave. Our strategy has failed, there's no need to remain here any longer." Lancer said quietly to the large servant.
The executioner surprisingly agreed, backing off, "Of course." He said, slowly slipping away while the other servants were distracted with each other.
Turning his attention back towards the clash between sword and scythe, Lancer quietly asked, "Why you? Of all of us, why did it have to be you?"
Despite matching his opponent blow for blow, it was clear to Archer that Berserker's skill and swordplay was just too much for him to keep up.
Roaring at his opponent, Berserker lunged at Archer like a mad beast, easily blocking his opponent's scythe as he rushed in for another assault.
Missing his next attack, Archer tilted his head to the side, just enough for the dark sword of his opponent to leave only a scratch.
Teleporting a good distance away, Archer raised a hand and touched the cut on his cheek.
When he saw the blood on his finger, he grit his teeth and glared at the dark knight. "How dare you...how DARE YOU!"
Archer's entire body slowly started to burn up, flickers of flame lighting up all over his body. "You will rue the day you chose to spill my blood, dark knight!"
"That doesn't look good." Irisviel said as she backed away a little.
Saber, who stood protectively in front of her, replied, "Don't worry, Irisviel. For the moment, Archer is focused only on Berserker."
Caster frowned, and said, "Let's hope it stays that way. The power I feel coming from Archer is very concerning."
"Master Kirei, my brother observing the battle wishes to relay a message to Master Tokiomi."
Kirei looked at Assassin for a moment, then turned to the gramophone. "Go ahead."
"What is it Assassin?" Tokiomi's voice asked, coming from the old gramophone.
Assassin bowed his head slightly, before replying, "Archer is preparing to unleash his full power. It would be wise if you had him retreat for the time being, we cannot afford to resort to such measures this early in the Holy Grail War."
A brief silence followed, before Tokiomi's voice responded, "You're right."
Looking at the command seal on his hand, Tokiomi wondered if ordering a servant such as Archer to retreat was a wise idea.
At the same time, he was being reckless, foolishly revealing his powers and in doing so, providing their enemies with an advantage.
He had to make the command, and if Assassin himself was suggesting the idea, then it must have been important.
Raising his hand, the command seal began to glow as Tokiomi spoke, "By the power of my Command Seal, I order you..." He just hoped Archer wouldn't take this the wrong way. "Quell thine anger, Devourer of Gods, and retreat."
The flames that engulfed the area slowly began to die down.
Eventually, they all but faded away, much to the confusion of all those present.
Archer scowled at Berserker as he quietly spoke, "...Consider yourself very lucky, dark knight."
He turned and announced to the other servants, "And the rest of you as well. Be very fortunate that my master decided to show you mercy this night. But next time, I will not hold back. This, I promise you all."
And like that, the monstrous servant disappeared in a flash, teleporting out of sight.
"What...what just happened?" Irisviel asked.
Caster thought for a moment, and replied, "Judging by the manner of his departure, and given how willing he was to continue the fight before he left, I can only conclude that Archer's master made use of a command seal to order him to withdraw."
Saber almost chuckled. "I wonder why."
With Archer gone, Irisviel felt a little more safe, but that feeling didn't last when she looked over at the other two servants.
Lancer and Berserker, who were noticeably staring each other down.
This didn't escape Caster's notice, who then quietly said, "We should leave too."
Saber looked at him, surprised that he of all people would even suggest such a thing. "You can't be serious."
"Berserker's full attention is on Lancer right now." Caster replied, adding, "This is no longer our fight, yours or mine. There's no need for either of us to expend prana when we can reserve our strength for the next battle."
The sword wielding servant seemed reluctant to agree.
He was about to protest against the decision, until Irisviel spoke up, "He's right Saber. We don't need to fight any battles that we can avoid."
"Irisviel…" Saber looked down at her, still feeling somewhat reluctant.
However, he eventually gave in when she smiled a little at him. "...Very well."
Caster slowly backed away and turned to leave. "Follow me."
Saber and Irisviel followed, the former staying protectively close to the latter, still being wary of Caster.
Lancer caught them at the corner of his eye, but was unable to budge, unwilling to turn his back on the servant whose full attention was on him.
The dark knight tightened the grip on his sword, looking ready to attack any minute.
And then...
In the blink of an eye, Berserker launched an assault on Lancer, the latter who quickly leaped away from the deadly attack.
"Even now, you are consumed by the very thing you fought so hard to destroy!" Lancer said.
Again, Berserker attacked, launching himself into the air and bringing his sword down on the spear servant.
Swiftly, Lancer dodged, leaping to the side, causing Berserker to cut through the entire container.
"This isn't you! You're stronger than this old friend!" Lancer added, mentally pleading for the dark knight to cease his attack. "Think of Gough! Think of Ciaran!"
The mention of those names earned a loud, furious roar from the mad servant, prompting him to charge the spear wielding knight again.
Lancer waited until he delivered another strike, before rolling to the side, dodging it. He proceeded to jump into the air and landed on top of another container not far away, and looked down on the dark knight, bracing himself for another attack.
"Withdraw, Lancer." The sound of his master's voice called out in the distance.
Relieved, the knight bowed his head. "At once."
Lowering his spear, he turned to the mad servant who was glaring in his direction, and simply said, "We will not fight here, there has been conflict for the night. But should we cross paths again, I will honour you with a duel."
As he turned to leave, the spear wielding servant then glanced back once last time, and said,
"Farewell for now, Artorias."
He left, jumping into the air and dematerialising.
The dark knight growled, then let out a furious roar.
From the shadows, Assassin frowned, growing concerned over the odds of winning the Holy Grail War.
His concern was shared by the rest of his brothers.
Ornstein the Dragonslayer.
The Executioner, Smough.
Artorias, the Abysswalker himself.
Even Saber and Caster had demonstrated that their power and skill were on par with these great knights.
Of course, there was also Archer. Or rather...
Aldrich, the Devourer of Gods, and a Lord of Cinder, like themselves.
Thankfully, the latter was on their side.
But it made Assassin wonder, for just a moment.
What would happen if it eventually came down to just Aldrich, himself and his brothers.
Would Tokiomi order Kirei to use a Command Seal and force them to take their lives?
The very thought of it angered the Abyss Watcher. That they were simply here to ensure another's victory, it angered him to no end.
Hearing Berserker's roar in the distance, Assassin clenched his fist and held it close to his chest.
"The wolf blood in my veins..." He muttered to himself as he looked out over the now empty battlefield. "I fear this Holy Grail War will not go as originally intended."
Elsewhere...
Having managed to get a good distance away, Irisviel, Saber and Caster finally ceased their retreat, having made it back to the small beach, the last location they were at prior to tracking down Lancer and his challenge.
"This should be far enough." Saber said, keeping a close eye on Caster as Irisviel looked around.
In truth, Saber, intentionally led them to this location in hopes that the sight of the ocean would soothe Irisviel's worries, remembering how much she enjoyed it earlier.
While she was taking a moment to rest up, Saber turned to Caster, the latter giving him a neutral stare.
"Something you wish to say?" Saber asked.
Caster sighed, looking at a loss for words, a first for him. "Well, I think some form of gratitude, no matter how little, would be appreciated."
Saber just glared at him. "Gratitude for what?"
"For stepping in to assist you against Lancer and his ally." Caster said, looking a little offended now. "Had I not stepped in to help, it would only have been a matter of time before they struck you down."
A scoff was Saber's response. "Ha! The fact that that's the conclusion you jumped to shows just how stuck in the past you really are. I'm far stronger than I was before, and make no mistake, I would have defeated Lancer and his ally eventually. I had everything under control."
Caster didn't seem to agree. "You did NOT have everything under control! You were on the defensive for the majority of the battle! There were few times where you actually tried to counterattack!"
As expected, Saber also didn't agree with him. "I DID have everything under control! I had a plan! And had you not interfered then there would likely be one or two fewer Servants in this war! The very fact that you doubt my abilities just proves that you are indeed stuck in the past, thinking my power hasn't changed since that day!"
"YOU are accusing ME of being stuck in the past?" Caster looked angry now. "You are the one who continues to hold grudges and bring up that very past every opportunity that you get!"
Saber clenched his fist and closed the distance between them, still glaring him in the eye.
"BECAUSE YOU RUINED MY LIFE!"
Just as it looked like they were about to come to blows...
"STOP!"
Irisviel stepped between them, gently trying to push them away from each other.
Thankfully, the two heard her, and slowly backed away a few steps.
"Please. Stop." Irisviel pleaded, looking up at the ash black knight.
Saber looked away, ashamed that he lost his temper in front of her like that.
Caster too, tried to disguise his shame of letting his anger get the better of him, looking away in silence.
"...Forgive me, Irisviel." Saber apologised with a bow of his head.
Accepting the apology with a nod of her head, she then proceeded to ask. "It's not like you to get worked up like that Saber. You're clearly familiar with Caster, is he from the same...um...world as you?"
"That would be correct." Caster answered for him.
Saber just frowned at him, a little annoyed that he answered the question before he could. "Yes...he is." He answered anyway.
Irisviel tried to muster up a smile, and added, "I see. I figured as much. The way the two of you speak to each other, it was clear right away that the two of you are from the same world."
Both Servants just exchanged glances with each other, unsure how to respond.
Looking back and forth between the two knights, Irisviel then said, "In fact...the way you two act towards each other, if I didn't know any better, it's almost as if the two of you were like-"
"Brothers?"
She stopped, looking up at Saber in surprise.
"That's because we are." The sword wielding servant added, looking Caster in the eye with mixed emotions as he told her the truth.
"We are brothers."
Next Chapter:
"Indeed. He was truly a King without equal."
"Can I trust you to behave yourself while you're here?"