Act 1- "Death Of Beginning"
Chapter V: "Invincibility Part 1; The Armor"
"Time to end this, Jayendra," Elizabeth whispered as she dashed towards the mountain's base. As her Servant took most of the guards, she was able to worm her way into the mountain without much resistance. She entered a small cave which was lit up by an array of torches on both sides of the tunnel pathway.
"They really made use of this mountain as a base. Very resourceful of them. As expected of one of the prestigious magi families in the world."
As she ran through the tunnel, she swiftly threw small droplets of "crystals" on the floor for every turn she makes.
"This will come in handy later," she mumbled as she drew out another set of crystals from her pocket. As she continued moving forward, she sense a high-amount of prana approaching her.
She made an excited grin on her face. She expected that she wouldn't just be able to barge in without much resistance even with her Servant taking all the attention. Although she would have preferred ending this quickly, she wouldn't mind taking out a trash or two along the way.
"Let us see what these homunculi can do," she said to herself as she saw a group of homunculi wielding halberds and swords made of Rhenium.
Those weapons, made of metal rarer than tungsten steel, are too heavy for a normal human being too wield. However, these homunuculi are not normal human beings. They are magic circuits that are human beings in form. Instead of human beings that possess magic circuits, they are the opposite. Because of this, they possess superhuman capabilities at the cost of brief lifespan. They are truly terrifying weapons. Aside from this Indian Magi Clan, only a certain magi family from the North had succeeded in creating homunculus fit for combat.
"Eis Krummshschwert," Elizabeth exclaimed as she leaped towards the group of homunculi marching towards her. At that moment, a crystal clear blade formed on both her forearms. As she landed at the center of her enemies, the blades materialized completely and at that instant, she swung her entire body like a twister.
Those who were unprepared for that moment were cut apart by the blade made of ice. On the other hand, those who tried to counter with their weapons failed with their arms sliced apart.
It was natural to have guessed that this girl, who was merely a magus, could not match these homunculi specialized in close combat.
But, that was the flaw of the idea. She was not "merely" a magus but something akin more to a warrior instead.
She was similar to the Executors of the Church.
She was one of the handful Enforcers of the Mage's Association.
Skilled with exterminating magi, she had perfected the art of fighting enemies in close combat through the use of her magecraft: Ice Requiem.
It was a magecraft ability of the Straus family that centered around the usage of "ice element" as a form of magecraft. Because "ice" was not classified as a basic element of magecraft, there were only a handful of people who have it.
As more homunculi approached her with their weapons swinging for her head, she thrust her blade of ice and from it, fired a bullet of crystals.
Like a machine gun, a rain of bullet crystals fired from the blade while at the same time the length of the blade lessened as it happened.
Piercing the head, chests and legs of her enemies, the "ice" she possessed was as sharp as a real sword and as deadly as a modern day rifle.
Because of these aspects and her experience with her own talent, she was widely known as the "Ice Reaper" of the Mage's Association.
Feared by criminals of the magi world and marked by the Church as "terribly dangerous", she had gained an infamous reputation under such youthful and beautiful appearance.
As she finished off the last homunculus with a stab to the chest, she resumed to her original plan and ran onward.
Arriving on a staircase made of rocks, she tried to look around for signs of traps or enemies.
After observing, she described the staircase, "So they even made this? Or was it made by its previous owner. .? Either way, this is quite nice."
As she complimented it, she noticed a man in red walking down from the stairs.
She noticed the man has a stoic expression while wielding two blades, probably made of Rhenium like the previous homunculi, on both hands.
"You don't seem to be a magus, are you a homunculus?"
The man did not respond to the answer but merely stared at the lady who was glaring at him.
"You don't want to talk, huh? Very well then!"
Elizabeth angrily raised her hand and pointed a finger at the man. In an instant, a black bullet was shot from the finger.
It was Gandr. A curse deployed through pointing a finger.
As three Gandr bullets were fired heading straight at him, the man raised his right hand sword, and swung it in a speed equal to the speed of sound.
The sword deflected all the Gandr bullets that were fired at its wielder.
"Hmp," the man let out that word as a response to Elizabeth's greeting.
"You. . ."
She glared angrily as she raised her right hand to the man who was still moving down on the stairs.
"Eis Pfeilen. Dauerfeuer!" She exclaimed as arrows made of ice were fired from the hand she had raised.
However, unlike the bullets of ice made before, these arrows had no origin to act as an ammo. Thus, it was being done in a "continuous fire" with each arrow being automatically made through prana.
In spite of this terrifying weapon, the man did not falter nor showed any signs of fear. He merely raised both his swords and swung them at the arrows at incredible speed, matching the projectiles.
Each arrows that approached him were smashed to pieces in less than a second time.
It was a monstrous display of swordsmanship of someone who not a human nor a Servant.
"Impossible!"
Elizabeth gasped as she was shocked on what the man before her was doing.
Even for a homunculus, that was just too unreal.
As she had already concluded that this "weapon" wouldn't work, she stopped the spell and took three steps back.
"Are you done playing?"
The man finally spoke. To Elizabeth, it was a sarcastic question of her being mocked by the opponent. But for that man, it was simply an honest question. For him, he never once thought he was being attacked.
"Damn you!"
The Enforcer roared as she clenched her fist and shouted, "Turm von Glacia. Eis Saule!"
"Hmm?"
The man moved his body to the right before a pillar of ice pierced from the ground.
A second after that, the man leaped backwards as a pillar of ice pierced from the wall he was aligned with.
"So you used the crystals as catalyst for this?"
Elizabeth nodded and smirked at her opponent.
"That is why you are dead."
The man looked at where he was standing. Numerous shattered crystals appeared on the floor that he smashed a while ago.
"I see."
He whispered without an emotion before a barrage of ice spikes impaled him from the side and below.
However-
"Preposterous!"
He jumped to his left, which no wall was present, high enough to evade the spikes, and then flipped his body to land straight to the ground. The second he laid his right foot on the floor, he dashed straight to Elizabeth without an inch of hesitation.
That evasion the man made was almost impossible to fathom even for a homunculus.
Normally, homunculus are similar to robots.
They have inhumane specifications, transcending mankind in any way possible.
On the downside, they lack human emotion and sometimes the ability to think during critical situations.
But-
This homunculus clearly possess outstanding intelligence and that surprised Elizabeth.
She had seen homunculi in her life.
She also had experienced watching first hand the homunculus of the North that possess a halberd fight and it wasn't as great as this.
At this moment, Elizabeth realized, she was not fighting a mere homunculus.
"You!"
Elizabeth roared as she materialized the set of ice blades she used earlier on both her arms before charging towards the approaching foe.
The two's metallic sword and ice blades collided.
Each swung and brandished their weapons to their finest.
However, the one who was clearly losing was the Ice Reaper.
Her ice blades were being cut apart by the Rhenium made swords of her foe which made her shocked. The ice blades she always materialized were as hard as steel. Even if the material made for her enemy's weapon was greater than steel, it was still impossible to cleave her blades apart like cutting paper.
"So this is only where the Enforcer of the Association can go?"
As if mocking his opponent, the homunculus emotionlessly whispered to her the former while exchanging blows.
Elizabeth, while gritting her teeth, ignored her foe's taunt.
She was not paying attention at the latter's words but rather, had been trying to figure a way out of this nearly hopeless situation. If she doesn't think fast, she's done for.
Eventually, the ice blade on her right arm finally gave up, shattering into several pieces of ice crystals.
"Damn it."
"Elegant but fragile."
The red-dressed homunculus took a step forward and raised his left blade, swinging on the weaponless right side of Elizabeth.
"Eis!"
Before it was able to connect, the Enforcer turned the part of the floor where the homunculus landed his foot and purposely altered his balance.
Fortunately for him, he possessed outstanding reaction time, and was able to correct his form before completely falling part.
The time that was lost due to this gave the Enforcer the chance to break away from combat taking several steps away from him while manifesting a new pair of ice blades.
"Clever."
"You are not bad yourself, homunculus."
Elizabeth sweatdropped as she grinned at her emotionless opponent.
He was extremely good.
If comparing his level of expertise with the swords, he would be beyond doubt on par with those in the Holy Church's Burial Agency.
But Elizabeth, in spite of facing such a monstrous opponent, would never surrender. Especially, if she has an ace that can definitely turn the tides of this duel over to her favor.
"If I can pull that out completely, I will win."
She told to herself with utmost optimism.
"State your name."
The girl was surprised by this statement and let out a loud "huh" after hearing this.
"Is it against an Enforcer's code to hide their identities to their opponent?"
"No, but I was just surprised that a homunculus was interested in knowing my name."
Deep inside, Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. Thank god this person has no idea how "infamous" she is as the Ice Reaper. Else, her reputation and pride would have been tarnished.
"Elizabeth Straus."
The homunculus nodded to the girl as she had gave her name.
"Fine name, dazzling warrior of the ice. I am Devadas, the right-hand of Lord Jayendra."
"Devadas?"
Elizabeth murmured as she had heard the homunculus name.
"Have I heard that name somewhere before?"
She was lost in deep thought after hearing the name.
"Now that we know each other, it will be easier to converse with you."
"Huh?"
The girl was shocked with Devadas' words.
Is he trying to negotiate?
He was the one who was winning the engagement.
So why?
"What are you scheming?"
Devadas shook his head as an answer.
"Don't think of me as a foul person, Mrs. Straus."
As if annoyed by hearing her name from Devadas' mouth, she showed an irritated face and interrupted the homunculus.
"Its M-I-S-S."
"I see."
There was a brief and awkward pause between the two before Devadas broke it off with a cough.
"Going back, as you can see we are lock horns and I might very well slaughter you once my reinforcement homunculi brothers and sisters arrive. However, I do not wish to let my siblings perish in this meaningless engagement when the War has yet to truly bloom. My Master share the same belief."
In short, the team of Lord Jayendra wishes to end the fight against Elizabeth and Lance before anyone of the key pieces for this Holy Grail War perishes.
"How cunning."
Elizabeth replied with sarcasm.
She has a bad feeling about this.
But she knows that if she refuses then it will mean death. There is still the use of a command spell to call Lancer and help her out but it can mean the other Master can call his Servant as well.
It is either take the gamble of retreating with their backs against them or try fighting to survive.
"What is your decision, magus?"
Brilliant crimson lights flashed to the cloudless night sky like fireworks. But, it was not the sky that was being lit upon, it was only where it was reflected. The source of the lights came from the ground.
Sounds of blazing flames, burning trees and grumbling earth shook the forest in this starry evening.
Fire scorched the dark forest, coloring it to its now burning form.
How come such a forest fire appears in the middle of the night where the Sun is not present to ignite the trees to flames?
Or, how come "fire" exists in a place where there could be no source for it?
Both questions were quickly given an answer.
There is a Sun.
There is a source of flames.
That "origin" was none other than the man in black and golden armor while covered with a scarlet cloak.
The night breeze brushed his white hair as the flickers of the fiery flames flew alongside it.
Holding a pitch black bow that appeared to be rather "old" in its appearance, stood on top of a tree not covered with flames.
These flames are not mere flames. They are his will; They are his identity.
Like the Sun, his flames ignite everything.
Yes, he was truly like it. As he was the son of the Sun, he too appeared like the Sun.
Whenever he nocked an arrow from his bow, it was as if the Sun's rays fired.
Flying arrows of the flames of the Sun, not even a forest under the lunar light could escape its fiery wrath.
But someone unaffected and undaunted by these godly flares was standing at the middle of a hellish inferno.
How come he was still able to stand?
How come he was not burned by the Sun's fire?
How come he was able to stay alive inside hell's earth?
Is his body resilient? Or is his spirit is simply in the possession of an unshakable fortitude?
The answer is both.
Aside from possessing Bravery that surpasses an A rank, which gives him absolute immunity to mental hindrances such as fear and fascination,
that man's body is a miracle of an achievement itself.
His Noble Phantasm: Epalxi Anthektiki: "Bulwark Of The Achaeans", was the crystallization of that achievement.
He was left unscathed throughout a ten year war that took hundreds and thousands of lives.
Even in the face of many heroes and warriors, his body stood superior over any of them.
This was a body blessed not by the gods but simply through his own "will".
It was a body he was born into and eventually nurtured it to what it was in the greatest war of wars.
Because he "did not receive any wounds" which was one of his greatest achievements as a Heroic Spirit, the Noble Phantasm was portrayed as "attacks that would inflict wounds" would be negated. Basing from his powerful endurance, the attacks/Noble Phantasm's ranks would not be used to "check" for this protection's verdict but rather, the rank of the "wound" they would cause. It could be said that an A rank attack may cause an A rank wound but that is not always the case. As Lancer's body is A rank in Endurance, plus include his powerful armor, an A rank attack may not even cause an A rank wound in the first place. Thus, what is needed is not an attack/Noble Phantasm equal or superior to penetrate the protection but a "wound" that is superior to it.
The protection is conceptual rather than an actual armor in manifestation.
That is his body; His noble phantasm that he gained through effort.
Is it truly a miracle of an achievement? Or is it actually an achievement of a miracle?
"LANCER ADMITS IT. ARCHER IS WORTHY OF A HERO!"
The man known as Lancer, who is muscular and broad, while wielding a gigantic spear, roared at his opponent.
Archer nodded and accepted the words of praise by the giant.
"You, too, are indeed a hero, Lancer. Although you possess vanity in your heart, I cannot help but admire your soul that lacks a thread of intentions that are filthy. . on the meantime."
Yes, Archer had seen through this man. He may be prideful, merciless or loud but those are normal traits of hero raised in a war.
This man's heart is as big as his heart. Or so it was in his legend-
The battle had already lasted for 15 minutes.
Since the first arrow was fired, Lancer had already destroyed 82 of them and received 36 and was still unscathed, but had yet to face Archer up close.
Archer, on the other hand, had been in the safe zone the entire duel as he sniped his opponent.
However, this condition and situation may change at this moment.
Lancer, in spite of his slow mobility, had almost closed in at Archer's locations on several occasions.
He forced Archer to resort through the use of his flames to constrict Lancer of some of his movements.
The flames caused Lancer to be more cautious of his movements. Even though his protection negates wound inflicting attacks, it does not complete apply against indirect infliction of wounds. No matter how weak the wound will be, if it is continuous, it will end up straining the Noble Phantasm until it reaches or surpasses an A rank. This is a digression to his Noble Phantasm and Lancer personally knows this. Which is why. . .
In an instant, Lancer dashed forth through the burning forest. He had removed his armor earlier but manifested the leggings, gauntlets and vambraces as he ran. He curled his body, dematerialized his spear, and then leaped into a jump that surpassed the height of the trees. Applying his high strength to his large legs, he used them as a propeller to increase his height and travel distance and covered a path that would normally be taken by a high ranking agile Heroic Spirit through 5 seconds of movement.
Archer spotted Lancer's leap and used the opportunity to aim and shoot him as he carelessly jumped without cover.
The blazing arrow surged onwards straight at the giant but as soon as it reached arms length, Lancer shielded himself with his armored forearm.
He continued to try to block the several arrows that approached him. Although he blocked a few, he was still left almost unscathed by the attacks. . .except for a few burns.
Lancer gritted his teeth. The flames are truly terrifying. He believes that it is almost on the same level as the Sun Chariot used by the Trojan Hero when they had fought. In other words, this "archer" he was fighting against had some sort of connection with a Sun god. He recalled that that Trojan Hero was never seen using a bow and he would never think of that coward to be this good in Archery to corner him like this.
"RAAAAAA!"
Lancer growled as he dashed forth once again which surprised Archer as he had heard it from afar.
The former was frustrated. So frustrated that he had to think so hard about his opponent. He was truly a person of muscle that despises using the mind.
He repeated the same movement and suffered the same array of attacks.
Archer caught glimpse of his intention and decided to change his location once again but Lancer did not allow it.
He readied his body once more, dashed to his most powerful sprint, and leaped to his highest height, which caused the earth to truly shake like an earthquake upon landfall.
The trees were shaken and dusts flew around.
And, Archer, who was trying to move away, failed to do so and was 12 meters from his opponent.
"LANCER SEES YOU!"
The giant eyes the golden armored bowman wit his wild eyes.
The calm and composed Archer accepted his glare and grinned.
Since long range tactics is now not an option, this situation is the most disadvantageous for Archer. . .is what Lancer is thinking.
He charged towards the bowman and materialized his spear along the way, aiming to cleave his enemy's neck into half.
Lancer calmly waited for his opponent.
He aimed at him but did not fire his bow; He merely loaded it with an arrow.
As Lancer was now at arms length, Archer curled his body as the weapon was swung, and fired the arrow on close range.
Like the several engagements so far, the arrow did not dealt any wound but Archer pressed on and fired three more arrows, this time enhanced by his flames, aimed at the head, torso and left leg.
Lancer ignored the arrows and continued to swing his spear. The arrows, however, did not deal a wound but the flames did but the former pressed on and ignored the searing pain.
Due to the momentum that Archer had when he evaded the first swing, it was natural for him to have trouble adjusting his body to evade the second.
This was the window of opportunity for Lancer.
He focused the entire force on this one swing that targets Archer's chest and roared on the process.
"THIS IS THE END, ARCHER!"
The attack connected and Lancer believed that Archer's body had been cut into two.
Only if that was real.
Archer was blown away but was able to adjust himself in mid air.
Unfortunately for Lancer, only a small cut appeared on the chest of the bowman and was later healed by the magus that operates with him.
This result was unprecedented.
This was not what Lancer expected.
That blow was a slash that obtained Lancer's full force.
It was an A+ rank worth of attack.
But how come a mere cut was the result of that attack caused by his spear: Metaiodoxia Dory: "Magnanimous Lance Of The Rampart", which is vanity itself.
He was not invulnerable like his cousin Achilles. He was different.
"Are you surprise, Lancer?"
Archer asked with a slight smirk on his face. He definitely caught Lancer's dumbfounded reaction.
"Bastard. . ."
Lancer glared as he tightened the grip on his spear.
"You are not the only one that possess such invincibility."
Archer smiled and nocked an arrow on his bow.
Lancer charged with an angered expression while the bowman continued the fight up close.
Archer resorted on close-range archery that only few archers could excel into while Lancer showed his polished skill with his large spear.
But, even though this is an up close battle with the advantage over the bigger, longer and better suited weapon for close range combat, the Spear, Lancer
was clearly at the disadvantage.
It was all because of that invincibility that Archer possess.
Even though Lancer has one, his is nearly crumbling in the face of Archer's flames.
While his opponent, no matter how powerful his spear strikes and slashes are, will take them like it is nothing.
That armor is so sturdy that it can receive a bulldozer without flinching.
However, this situation, may appear hopeless for Lancer but he can't help but smile at it.
It is a fight that reminded him of the duels he had with his mentor, Chiron and cousin, Achilles.
And Archer, shares the same feelings.
The fight continued with a one-sided advantage over the spearman.
This prompted Lancer, who was nearing to using his spear's true form, to truly unleash his true power.
~Chapter END
[AN: I will fix the Servant Cards and present them properly by the end of Act 1. So, as for now, they will look as simple as this.]
Thank you for the reviews! I really appreciate it and hope for more reviews in the future. Please look forward for the other servants especially Caster.
Lancer Servant Card
True Name: Ajax the Great
Master: Elizabeth Straus
H/W: 225 cm/ 130 kg
Parameters
STR: A+ MGK: C
END: A LUK: E
AGI: D Noble Phantasm: ?
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: C ~ Defense against spells below two verses. Incapable of protecting against magecraft of Hight-Thaumaturgy.
Personal Skills
Instinct: A ~ One's natural sixth sense. At this rank, this ability is nearly close to precognition.
Battle Continuation: A ~ Strength and vitality for predicaments. Even if his heart was stabbed, bones were broken and limbs decapitated, he could still fight for a matter of time.
Bravery: A+~ Mental fortitude to negate confusions and fascinations. A bonus of increasing melee damage was added.
Divinity: C ~His father was one of the sons of Zeus. In short, a grandson of a god.
Noble Phantasms
Epalxi Anthektiki: "Bulwark Of The Achaeans"
Rank: B+
Type: Anti-Unit(SELF)
Range: 0
Number of targets: 1
Description:
The crystallization of the legend of Lancer of never been injured in the entirety of the Trojan War. As he was blessed with a body with an abundant strength, wounds never inflicted him and was able to crush all his foes with his devastating muscular body. Although it he never received any divine protection from the gods, this strength alone was the very reason he was one of the most prominent and feared heroes of the Achaean army during the 10 year war.
The Noble Phantasm acts as a protection from any "wound-inflicting attacks". As it was the crystallization of a "body that was never wounded", the Noble Phantasm replicated the miraculous achievement and turned his body to be "immune to any wounds that would lesser than his body". Attacks or Noble Phantasm ranks or effects are ignored by this protection, instead, it measures the "wound" that would be inflicted if it does or doesn't surpass his outstanding A rank endurance, due to his body being the "actual protection". If it didn't, the "attack/Noble Phantasm" which was the medium of the "wound" would automatically be negated. However, this Noble Phantasm only applies to wounds caused through "direct" attacks. Indirect infliction of injuries might be negated but if it was continuous, then the "body" would only be able to negate against an A rank worth of continuous indirect infliction of wounds.
Metaiodoxia Dory: "Magnanimous Lance Of The Rampart"
Rank: ?
Type: ?
Range: ?
Number of targets: ?
Description:
?: "?"
Rank: ?
Type: ?
Range: ?
Number of targets: ?
Description:
?
Archer Servant Card
True Name: Karna, Son of Surya
Master: Jayendra
H/W: 178 cm/ 65 kg
Parameters
STR: C MGK: A
END: C LUK: B
AGI: A Noble Phantasm: ?
Class Skills
Magic Resistance: C ~Can defend against spells below two verses. Cannot protect against higher forms of magecraft.
Independent Action: A ~Ability to act even without a supply of prana. Can continue existing for at least a week even without a support from a Master.
Personal Skills
Divinity: A~ Son of the Sun God, Surya. ?.
Prana Burst [FLAMES]: A ~ The innate ability to empower weapons with Prana. In this case, prana of flames can be use to envelop the body or the weapons.
Riding: A ~ ?
?: -~?
?: A~?
Noble Phantasms
[no information]