Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Fate/Zero or Type-Moon.
A/N: Fourth chapter is up and with it the first battle of the Grail war. Let's what I can do with it…
The First Battle
"Here."
"Sorry that you had to carry me like that…"
"It's fine. You were pretty light."
Irisviel smiled and let go of Archer once he safely touched back down on the ground. He had run all the way to the edge of the pier while carrying her in his arms in order to get their destination as quick as possible. Archer's eyes narrowed as he felt the two Servants in the area confront each other. He turned towards Irisviel with an expression of utter seriousness.
"Iri, stay behind me. One of the Servants noticed me earlier but the other one doesn't know I'm here yet." Archer told her.
"Okay." Irisviel nodded. "Can you tell which Servant is stronger?"
"Hm… both seem pretty formidable on their own." Archer said as he analyzed the two presences he felt. "The Servant that saw me has this strange feeling about it, while the other…"
Felt familiar.
"…I can't place it, but I know for certain it's powerful. That's all I can say." Archer finished.
"Hm… well, I'll follow your lead." Irisviel said with a determined nod.
"Alright. Just remember to stay close." Archer smirked. "Master would kill me if I did anything to get you hurt."
Irisviel gave the Servant another smile before following after him as Archer moved deeper inside the pier complex.
A few meters away, two more Servants were just about finished confronting each other for the first time.
"I am Servant Saber of the Holy Grail War!" Saber proclaimed as he prepared himself. "Now, let us begin!"
Waver's breath hitched as Saber declared that the battle had begun. Neither Servant moved as Saber held his ready stance while Lancer just stood across from him, smiling without taking any kind of position. Waver blinked when a look of discomfort crossed Saber's face.
"…Is what I'd like to say." Saber muttered as he gave Lancer a puzzled look. "But Lancer, do you not have a weapon befitting of your class?"
Waver remembered that he had asked the same thing when he had first learned his Servant's class.
"I can use weapons, but is that really such an issue?" Lancer asked, tilting its head to the side curiously. "Both you and my Master seem so fixed on something so trivial…"
"When I fight, I think it best to engage a Servant when he is at full strength. We might be enemies, but fighting as equals at full power is just showing proper respect for your opponent!" Saber proclaimed.
"…Is that how it goes? Sounds rather foolish to me." Lancer commented as it played with its hair.
"Do not insult me." Saber said, glaring at the Servant. "If you lack a weapon that is fine, but if you are hiding yours I ask that you reveal it to me so that we may cross blades properly!"
Lancer's eyebrows raised its eyebrows at that.
"Oh ho…? If I have a weapon why should I be forced to reveal it? Your demand sounds quite humorous when I can't see the weapon you hold in your hand." Lancer smirked. "Why don't you show me what that sword of yours looks like if you want to see mine?"
"…Well, I…"
"But revealing your weapon would also give away your identity isn't that right?" Lancer interrupted the Servant. "What if my weapon would reveal mine? Why would I show it to you then? What kind of Servant would willingly let an enemy know of their true identity?"
"…Does your weapon give away your true name?" Saber asked.
"That's not the point, I was giving an example." Lancer rebuked him. "Or what if my weapon was my Noble Phantasm? Would you show me your Phantasm if I asked?"
"T-That's…"
Waver quietly watched the exchange between the two Servants. A Noble Phantasm was a Servant's ultimate attack or special ability that no other Servant had. It was a trump card that would surely reveal the Servant's identity, but depending on the power of the Phantasm, the opposing Servant to whom it was shown may not live to tell others of it.
But of course, if other Servants who weren't the target did see a Servant use their Noble Phantasm, that Servant would have an advantage in learning the Heroic Spirit's weaknesses.
Saber for his part couldn't find the words to respond to Lancer with. The Servant's argument was sound, and he couldn't reveal Caliburn or his Noble Phantasm without giving himself away, so…
Well, Saber didn't have to finish his thought, because Waver decided to take this time to interrupt their banter.
"Geez, Lancer, if you have a weapon you can use without revealing your name then use it!" Waver shouted. He jabbed his finger in Saber's direction. "Can't you see how strong this Servant is? If you don't go all out from the beginning you'll lose!"
Lancer turned towards its Master with surprise in its eyes.
"Do you not have any faith in the Servant you summoned, Master?"
"I-It's not that…" Waver said, turning away from the Servant's face. "It's just you haven't really shown me your abilities so you can't blame me for wanting to see what you can do. If it bothers you, prove to me that you're a strong Servant."
"…Well, I don't think I have anything to prove to you since I already know I'm strong." Lancer boasted confidently, making Waver blink at how sure it sounded. Lancer turned its attention back to Saber. "And I'm no knight so I don't see the point in a chivalrous way of fighting…"
Lancer shrugged its shoulders helplessly.
"But I can use weapons just fine, so I guess I don't mind showing some to you." Lancer said as it held a hand to its chest and closed its eyes as it muttered something quiet under its breath. "I only hope my King will forgive me for borrowing his treasures and showing them off to those he might consider mongrels without his permission…"
Waver briefly saw a flash of golden light cover Lancer's hands. After the light disappeared, Waver saw an exotic looking halberd in his Servant's hands.
Where had that come from…?
"Will this do for a weapon?" Lancer asked.
"…That's fine." Saber replied as he hardened his stance. "Now… let us begin!"
"Wait."
Saber began to kick off but stumbled when he heard Lancer's request. He gave the Servant an incredulous look as Lancer held its hand up in a halting gestured while holding the halberd on its shoulder with its other arm. Lancer's head turned as it stared at the end of a stack of containers leading around a corner.
"I don't like people who eavesdrop. If you want to watch, come out where we can see you."
Waver and Saber were silent as Lancer seemed to address someone who they couldn't see. The area around the pier warehouses was silent in response to Lancer's words.
"Hey, c'mon. If you keep hiding I'm going to get angry."
A few moments of tension, a man with dark skin and a red coat emerged from behind the containers Lancer had been looking at. Following closely behind him was a silver haired woman in a white coat. Saber's eyes widened as he looked upon them. He hadn't even noticed the other Servant. He mentally berated himself for focusing solely on Lancer and forgetting to keep his surroundings in check. The woman had an uneasy expression on her face while the man smirked at Lancer.
"Didn't even give me time to take up a good position, did you?" The man said.
Archer greeted the Servant in his own way as he decided to step out from cover. There was no sense in agitating the Servant if it already knew where he was. His gaze shifted from Lancer to Saber who looked at Archer with narrowed eyes.
When Archer took in the Servant's features, he saw a face that he suddenly recognized.
"I know that Servant…"
But he was careful not to let his discovery show on his face. He made sure Iri kept standing behind him as he turned back to Lancer when the Servant answered to his greeting.
"But isn't it better this way where you can see our battle up close?" Lancer smiled, its face open and welcoming.
Archer and Irisviel were surprised to feel a sense of calm just looking at him.
"H-Hey, Lancer, how long did you know these two were here?" Waver asked.
Waver's eyes fell upon the woman next to who he could assume was the Master. Silver hair and red eyes… she looked human enough but those features really stood out and she certainly seemed different from most people…
"Do you mean to interrupt our duel?" Saber demanded.
"I think my presence alone should shake you up more than the idea of my stepping between your little fight." Archer replied wryly. He remembered that face all too well now, and a few memories that came with it. "I wouldn't mind leaving if you'd let us, but if it's okay to watch…"
"I don't have a problem with it." Lancer replied. It turned towards Saber. "What about you, Saber?"
The man was hesitant to reply. He wasn't exactly keen on letting another Servant watching their battle and letting him seeing his fighting style. While Lancer was in the same position, the unknown Servant would have all the advantages…
"Saber, go ahead and fight."
Everyone looked up when they heard a man's voice echo from every direction and address the Servant. Saber seemed to process the voice's words for a moment before his expression turned resolute and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
"Very well. Ready yourself, Lancer." Saber said.
"I've been ready. I was just too busy answering to complaints." Lancer grinned and crouched as it took a stance with the halberd pointed at the ground.
Archer and Irisviel stood against the wall of containers, far enough away so that they wouldn't be caught up in the battle but close enough where they could easily watch the Servants battle. Waver took his place far behind Lancer, nervously waiting for his Servant or Saber to make the first move.
Lancer was the first to move.
In spite of what its slight build and appearance would suggest, Lancer was quick enough to give the class it had been summoned in some honor. A series of quick jabs and swipes at Saber's chest and neck were the first attacks witnessed by the spectators, all of which Saber deflected with his sword, its form hidden from sight thanks to Invisible Air. After parrying Lancer's initial assault Saber countered with his own attacks, taking broad, powerful swings at the Servant trying take advantage of Lancer's smaller frame and attempted to overwhelm it. Lancer smiled as it sidestepped, twisted and backpedaled to avoid the strokes of Saber's. Its eyes were focused on where the winds concentrated, and even as its oversized tunic billowed in the face of the winds, Lancer had no trouble moving around or maneuvering its weapon as it spun its halberd around and took a horizontal swipe at Saber. The knight kept his eyes on Lancer, blocking the blow with relative ease before resuming his melee. Saber's eyes narrowed as Lancer continued to jump and pivot just outside of his striking range. Not one of his attacks were being blocked, Lancer just somehow managed to avoid each one while taking swipes and jabs at him with its halberd when it could.
Lancer was an agile Servant, it came with the class, but those watching could tell that Saber was a bit faster.
Yet, Lancer still somehow managed to avoid the Servant's attacks.
"I can tell Lancer's not an amateur with the way it handles that lance…" Saber thought to himself. "But it's no expert. I can block its attacks easily, but the point and blade on that halberd gives it many different ways to attack me…"
But the most troubling was how easily Lancer was able to read his attacks. The Servant was starting to find its way around Saber's guard as it avoided the barrage of attacks, and it was only a matter of time before he was hit.
"Well, just avoiding my attacks won't be enough to keep me from hitting you." Saber thought as the gales compressed tightly around Caliburn. Saber took a low strike at Lancer, and as he predicted, the Servant had opted to jump back to avoid the attack.
When Saber's swipe came to a point where the blade's tip was pointing at Lancer's body, Saber released the wind in a sonic blast that caught Lancer full in the chest.
Saber's eyes widened a fraction when all the blast did was make Lancer stumble. Still, he saw an opportunity for victory and seized it. Saber swung his sword to cut through his opponent.
His eyes widened completely when the blade struck Lancer. The teal-haired Servant blinked when it felt something hit its side. Lancer glanced down at the blade.
It had done absolutely nothing to the Servant.
It didn't cut Lancer through or sever it at the waist like any other opponent. There was no indication that Saber's attack had done any damage other than the cut on Lancer's tunic. Waver, Archer and Irisviel all watched in shock as Lancer simply stood there, unmoving and unhurt by the attack that should have been a fatal blow. Lancer's curious look was its only reaction to the hidden blade sticking to his side. Lancer stared at the swirling winds for a few moments before raising his halberd again.
Thinking quickly, Saber retracted his blade and swung again. This time he made sure to build up his prana in the blade, releasing the energy as soon as the blade struck Lancer.
That attack yielded better results. Lancer was sent flying this time.
"Lancer!" Waver cried out as his Servant's form was sent tumbling and bouncing across the pier grounds.
He watched as Lancer came to a stop a few meters away from Saber, and was surprised that it had kept hold of its weapon. Waver felt dread pool in his stomach when he saw the unnatural angles Lancer's body had twisted in. Waver blinked and was surprised that when he looked again Lancer was standing up, its body seeming no worse for wear despite the blow it had taken and the way its body had seemingly ended up.
Waver let out a sigh of relief. The tension of his first battle in the Holy Grail War was getting to him, making him see things worse than how they actually appeared. Not too far from where the young magus stood, Archer and Irisviel were making their own observations.
"Archer, does something about that Servant seem strange to you?" Irisviel asked as she stared at the smiling Lancer. "Something about it doesn't seem quite human…"
Archer rolled his eyes slightly. The fact that Lancer had treated that sword strike as if it had been hit with a stick instead kind of made the answer to that question obvious, but he could see what she was getting at.
"Lancer seems to possess a unique type of body." Archer muttered to her. "There's no other way it could've shrugged off those two attacks like they were nothing. I'm also wondering where it pulled that weapon from…"
But Archer was only half paying attention to the battle. His eyes darted around the arena and he stretched his senses as far as they could go. He would leave it up to Iri to take notes on the battle. He had to make sure no one else who might be hiding in the shadows could strike at them. After all, Saber's Master was nowhere to be found.
"At least my Master seems to be staying on top of things." Archer thought, his reinforced eyesight catching sight of two figures atop the warehouse roofs.
As Maiya left his side to take up a different position, up on the rooftops Kiritsugu kept an eye on the battle through the scope of his gun. He turned from the battle to check on his wife, feeling relief at seeing her out of harms way, then moved over to Archer who was leaning casually against one of the containers.
Kiritsugu was actually disappointed that Archer wasn't taking part in the battle. While he had internally criticized Archer for revealing his and Iri's location at first, it did allow them to observe the other Servants and would give Archer an opportunity to strike down whoever the victor was easier due to fatigue from battle. But because of Archer's inaction, he wouldn't get a chance to see his Servant's abilities.
To Kiritsugu's annoyance, his own Servant remained a mysterious enigma. He claimed to have forgotten who he was so they didn't know what Heroic Spirit they had summoned in place of King Arthur, but his appearance also didn't provide any clues to who Archer might be.
As much as he hated being in the dark about the man he was leaving to guard his wife, Kiritsugu was patient. His Servant's skills would be revealed in due time, as would his identity…
Plus, Kiritsugu had a feeling Archer knew more about himself than he let on.
But that wasn't his primary concern at the moment. He could think about such things at a later time.
"Maiya, do you see any sign of Saber's Master?" Kiritsugu asked his assistant through the communicator he had.
"Not yet." Came the quick reply.
"Keep searching then." Kiritsugu ordered as his eyes moved over to Lancer's Master. "Saber is a powerful opponent. If we can take out his Master, we won't have to waste our time worrying about fighting him."
"Understood."
The connection cut as Kiritsugu focused the sights of his scope and homed in on the head of Lancer's Master. Waver Velvet was his name if he remembered the boy's picture. Kiritsugu thought the boy was too young to fight in a War like this, but he should've known what he was getting into. There was no mercy in this War and he wouldn't survive it without seeing some bloodshed. Kiritsugu's fire rested on the trigger of his gun.
Well, maybe he would spare Waver from having to spill anyone's blood if he were to spill his first.
Kiritsugu suddenly tensed as he felt as if the entire world was watching him. He couldn't explain sudden feeling. It felt like the very air around him was pressing down on him and it made the man feel extremely uncomfortable. Kiritsugu moved his scope over to look at the enemy Servants and his eyes widened when he found Lancer staring straight up at him. The Servant had a deep frown on its face at it kept looking up at where he was perched overlooking the battle.
"Does Lancer know I'm here…?"
As if answering to his thought, Lancer shook its head at him and suddenly pointed the tip of the halberd directly at Irisviel.
Kiritsugu grimaced and immediately pointed his gun away from the battlefield, having received and understood Lancer's message.
"So he noticed…" Archer mused, clicking his tongue as Lancer smiled again and turned away from where Kiritsugu hid.
Lancer's level of Presence Detection was unbelievable. If it could see him and Iri from an even farther distance away from the pier it should've been no surprise for the Servant to notice Kiritsugu and Maiya, even as the two moved about in the shadows.
"You can read my moves well, Lancer." Saber commented as the Servant righted itself. "But if this is the extent of your skill then I'm afraid you are no match for me."
"What a thing to say… you're chivalrous and rude." Lancer sighed, the comment irking Saber somewhat. "You're taking this so seriously. It's not exactly the contest of strength I had imagined, but I am finding some enjoyment in it…"
Lancer glanced at the halberd as it thought about its feelings on the battle. As it said, the Servant was enjoying the duel with Saber, though it felt a little sad that it hadn't gotten the first strike. Another part of it felt anger at how Saber challenged its fighting abilities and about the demands the Servant had made earlier, but Lancer really didn't mind that too much. Still, it felt the sudden need to prove Saber wrong.
"Very well, I just have to hit you then." Lancer said more to itself than anything but Saber heard the words regardless.
Lancer ran forward with its halberd first, closing in on Saber and delivering more thrusts and swipes exactly as it had done before. Saber had already been expecting the attacks, parrying and blocking the attacks with seemingly no extensive effort. He had already read the motion of Lancer's attack pattern and had no problem keeping from being hit.
That was when Lancer did something unexpected.
Lancer swung the halberd down in a vertical strike, and as soon as Saber raised his sword to block it Lancer let go of the weapon. The halberd was suddenly gone before Saber could parry and his eyes widened when he saw a sword in Lancer's hand all of a sudden and closing in on his right side. With his arms and sword raised upwards and with the simultaneous change of weapon and attack, Saber wouldn't be able to move in time to block with his sword.
Instead, Saber jumped back, hissing in pain as the sword cut through his armor and left a deep gash on his right side. Putting some distance between himself and Lancer first, Saber inspected the wound. He couldn't imagine it slowing him down to much, but…
"From a lance to a sword…" Irisviel murmured. "Can Lancer use multiple weapons? Or could it be…?"
"A Noble Phantasm…" Archer finished, nodding absently as he stared at Lancer.
At first he had thought it was similar to his own Projection magecraft with how quickly Lancer had discarded and switched weapons. But there had been no evidence that the sword or even the halberd had been projections. Both weapons had seemingly appeared out of thin air, but if Lancer wasn't creating the weapons it used, then it was definitely pulling them out from somewhere.
Archer guessed it had something to do with that golden light he'd seen when that halberd first showed up. When Lancer had dropped the lance the golden light had appeared again, making the halberd disappear and replacing it with the sword in the same moment.
Waver was drawing his own conclusions on the spectacle. Now that he was watching his Servant fight he could see his abilities and strengths, and through their connection of Master and Servant he could feel Lancer's prana flare when the halberd first appeared and when it had switched weapons.
"Lancer's summoning them from somewhere… but I don't know where…" Waver muttered as he watched the battle.
Lancer and Saber were unaware of their audience's thoughts and commentary. Lancer smiled politely at Saber.
"Do you have a higher opinion of me now?"
"You appear to be a master of many weapons." Saber replied, somewhat happy about the surprise. "I was too careless. The way you switched from that lance to the sword caught me off guard."
"I wouldn't really call myself an expert. I entertained myself with my king's treasures when he allowed it. I suppose I picked up some of my skill from that." Lancer said, swinging the black sword idly with one hand. "I was the only one ever given permission to touch them though…"
"Do you have any other weapons to show me?"
"Even if I felt I was allowed to, showing you all these treasures would take years." Lancer replied. "I'm already reluctant to use them as it is, so I won't be showing any more than necessary. Please understand."
"I can't guarantee I won't force you to." Saber challenged with a confident smirk. "If switching between weapons is your only method of hitting me, you may have make exchanges faster than you think!"
Lancer shrugged as it said something unusual.
"Well… I've gotten bored of using these toys and I don't think it'll be a problem hitting you if I just keep you in place."
"What…?"
Lancer ran forward, taking a sweeping swing at Saber's head. The knight raised his sword to block and was shaken by how much power was behind the blow.
"Ghk…!?" Saber grunted in surprise. The force Lancer was suddenly pressing against him had somehow increased.
Saber hardened his stance and pushed back, moving to block again as the black sword came from the other side this time. It appeared that Lancer could concentrate more power in its attacks with a blade than a spear. The Servant's surprising durability and strength was baffling given its size. Moving to counterattack, Saber swung his sword down on Lancer's head. In response to the attack coming down on it, Lancer sidestepped, extended its left hand and…
...Caught Saber's hidden sword with one hand to everyone's shock.
"Hm…" Lancer didn't noticed Saber's shock as it felt the blade up with its hand, feeling around the protective winds as it felt them and gauging the sword's shape and length.
Saber for his part was shocked. How had Lancer caught his sword?! The way its hand had been positioned should have made Caliburn cut clean through the Servant's fingers and even then the wind magic hiding his sword should have prevented anyone but him from touching it in the first place!
Wrenching Caliburn out of Lancer's hand and releasing another blast of wind as he did which caused the Servant to stumble, Saber swung around and slammed the edge of his blade into Lancer's abdomen.
But Lancer recovered too quickly, bending back to avoid the sword that swept over it. Righting itself and stepping close to Saber, Lancer dropped the black sword and launched its counterattack.
It punched Saber right in the chest.
The Servant's eyes widened as he felt the blow even through his armor. This time it was Lancer who sent Saber flying as the Servant was blown back by the strike. Saber managed to right himself and landed on his feet, holding a hand to his abdomen as he winced from the pain.
Those watching only looked on in continued shock.
"What… what is that Servant…?" Irisviel whispered, holding her hands to her mouth in shock.
"Whatever it is, after seeing all that it's obvious it's not completely human." Archer said solemnly. "Just what the hell is its body made out of to give it that power and durability…?"
Saber watched Lancer warily, keeping a firm grip on his sword. This Servant was full of mysteries and was more powerful and dangerous than Saber had previously thought. He wouldn't be able to hold back any longer now that Lancer had determined Caliburn's length and shape. Having done so would allow Lancer to time and aim attacks more precisely and accurately, if it hadn't already been doing so earlier. That punch and the power behind it had also made Saber realize just how badly he had underestimated his opponent, and he felt no comfort from the fact Lancer had chosen to switch from the sword to its fists.
"By the look in your eyes I don't think you'll let me touch your sword again." Lancer said as its left hand flexed. "But I think I'll have an easier time hitting you now."
"I welcome you to try." Saber replied.
Lancer would oblige.
From his perch, Kiritsugu watched the Servants continue battling with a small amount of wonder behind his eyes. Though they looked human, but their strength and abilities were clearly not of this world.
"So this is the Holy Grail War…" Kiritsugu mused to himself.
He watched closely as Lancer took on a different form of attack. The smaller Servant's speed was a closer match to Saber's now, and it appeared Lancer was far more skilled using its hands rather than weapons. It was surreal watching those fists block and knock away Saber's hidden blade, with no blood or cuts to show for it. Despite that, both Servants' abilities to read their opponent and time their attacks had them locked in a stalemate. Lancer couldn't get close enough to hit Saber and couldn't break Lancer's guard.
Kiritsugu felt a strong gust a wind from his left, and knowing that it wasn't the cause of a stray wind blast from Saber's sword, turned in the direction he felt it.
Through his scope, Kiritsugu's eyes came upon a figure crouching on top of a large crane that stood high above the warehouses. The figure's skin was blacker than the moonlit night sky and the white mask that covered its face appeared to be looking down at the battle below.
"Assassin…" Kiritsugu muttered under his breath, recognizing what appeared to be another Servant. "Maiya, come in."
"What is it?" Maiya's voice crackled through the communicator he wore.
"Have you found Saber's Master yet?"
"Negative. I've retraced my steps back several times already and haven't managed to spot him. I assumed that he might have a way to hide his presence or keep others from seeing him."
"Perhaps." Kiritsugu replied, disappointed and annoyed that Saber's Master continued to elude them. Well, they would have to put off their search for the moment. "Forget get that for now then. We have a new problem. Can you see what's on the crane?"
"…A Servant."
"Assassin." Kiritsugu confirmed. "I want you to keep your eyes on him. It looks like he's just here to observe but that could change at any time. If you feel he's about to take any action, let me know."
"Understood."
High above the assembled Masters and Servants, Assassin's sharp eyes analyzed the movements of the humans and Heroic Spirits below. They had found out that many Servants were gathered here and had reported it to their Master, and he had been sent to observe.
Assassin smiled underneath his mask. Though watching was his primary objective, his Master had given him permission to take out any of the Masters if he saw the opportunity present itself.
But Assassin was content to watch for now, and with a pose that could be compared to a black hawk in the dead of night, Assassin stayed perched above and would wait until the perfect moment where he could strike.
Elsewhere, miles away in Tohsaka's manor, Kotomine Kirei sat in Tokiomi's study. His teacher had left him alone to take care of the house that served as their base of operations to answer a message his father had made earlier that evening. Risei had mentioned something about introducing Tokiomi to someone who could be trusted and had agreed to help them with the War and had left for the church soon after he had received the calling. Kirei was left alone to attend to matters after the man's departure, and had sent Assassin to spy on the battle that was currently taking place at the pier warehouses near Mion River. Even if his eyes were shut, he was currently witnessing the battle through the eyes of his Servant.
The moonlight that filtered through the large windows of the study served as the only light source, and the only sound that could be heard was Caren's light breathing as she slept soundly on the couch next to him with her head resting against a pillow on his leg. He had been remembered to cover her small body with a light blanket when she had begun to doze off.
"Saber, Lancer, Archer…" Kirei said quietly as he saw the Servants through Assassin's eyes.
The Servants were all human in appearance though Kirei could easily tell each was different. Saber obviously appeared powerful with a high ranks in all stats, and hadn't yet revealed any Noble Phantasm apart from the wind magic which concealed his sword. However, as Kirei continued to watch Lancer the strangely inhuman Servant was becoming increasingly more problematic in Kirei's opinion. That body had to be made of some kind of tempered steel if it was capable of stopping a sword. Then last of all there was Archer who hadn't demonstrated any of his abilities, but whose appearance intrigued Kirei somewhat. He wondered what his identity was and what era Archer came from when he looked like that.
And then there were the Masters standing close by.
Assassin hadn't managed to spot Saber's Master, but Lancer and Archer's Masters stood out in the open and in plain sight. Lancer's Master appeared to be a cowering teenage magus who maintained a healthy distance from the battle. Archer's Master appeared to be standing next to him in front of the crate containers.
"Silver hair and red eyes…" Kirei murmured, remembering from his research about the Einzbern family and what their homunculi were generally said to look like. Tokiomi has mentioned the Einzbern family before and how that they had hired Kiritsugu Emiya to presumably fight the Holy Grail War for them. Apparently they had still created a homunculus to be act as their Master. Tokiomi would no doubt be interested to hear of this.
"Emiya Kiritsugu…"
Kirei muttered the man's name when his Servant's eyes fell upon the man before turning back to the fight between Saber and Lancer.
Kirei felt the same about Kiritsugu the way, unknowingly to Kirei, that the Magus Killer felt about him. Kirei had devoted many hours of extensive research on the man, fascinated by his deeds and confused by them at the same time. Even at a young age the man had been responsible for a number of assassinations and had taken part in the fiercest of battles. Kirei compared the freelancer's work to the jobs he himself had taken while he had been a heretic hunter of the church, one of the Executors.
Tokiomi had shared his opinion about the infamous Magus Killer some time ago and had shown disgust at the way the man lived. Kirei could see why, as Kiritsugu used underhanded tactics and modern technology and weapons to finish the job even though he was a magus. Most if not all magi detested the thought of using any technology when they had access to magecraft and Tokiomi was part of that majority, as the man possessed not even a phone, television nor any other convenient tools of the modern age.
None of this seemed to bother Kiritsugu. He would use any and whatever means to complete the jobs he was given or took on himself. Magecraft was just a tool to him. But Kirei didn't see him as the degenerate Tokiomi did. No, Kirei saw Kiritsugu's life and actions very similar to his own. He saw Kiritsugu as a man on a journey to find an answer, though to what Kirei wasn't certain.
And then at the height of his infamy, Kiritsugu had stopped. Nine years ago, almost too abruptly, Kiritsugu had turned away from the life he had lived thus far and joined the Einzbern family after agreeing to take part in the Holy Grail War.
Kirei couldn't understand why. After a lifetime of fighting and searching why had he suddenly chosen to stop? The priest could only think of one reason…
Emiya Kiritsugu had found his answer. It was the reason he was in this War.
"At first, his journey seemed as though he was only seeking his own death. But for nine years he disappeared and then became a Master of the Holy Grail War." Kirei thought to himself. "Did he find his answer when he joined the Einzbern, or does it have to do with the War…?"
And that was the difference between himself and the Magus Killer. The fact that constantly ate at Kirei…
Kiritsugu had found an answer to his question, while Kirei still searched tirelessly for his.
Kirei hoped that he would find out during the course of this War, but if he didn't…
Maybe Kiritsugu Emiya was the clue that would finally help show him the way…
"Hm… interesting!"
Rider smiled to himself as he witnessed the battle from afar, high on top of the Fuyuki Bridge that connected the city for which the bridge was named to Shinto and Miyama. Rider had been exploring the region of battle all day and the previous night, and only after the moon was high in the sky had he noticed the first battle of the Holy Grail War was already well under way.
"Ah… but it's gotten rather redundant by now…" King Iskander muttered to himself, crossing his arms as he contemplated on the battle.
The battle was quite the spectacle. Lancer movements were quick and efficient, almost like an animal on the hunt and even without a weapon the Servant's strength was more than enough to carry it through battle. Saber's very being radiated power, his movements were swift and carried strength, but Rider could tell that Servant had yet to unleash his true power. Both were formidable opponents, possessing strength and endurance far greater than normal men, but neither Servant had an advantage over the other.
Rider had wanted to wait until more Servants revealed themselves, but at this rate the War couldn't progress! It would be far more convenient for him if he could take out the other competitors after they had already gathered in one attack, but it seemed like that wasn't meant to be.
Still, Rider felt that he could wait no longer. He wanted a chance to fight both Saber and Lancer, for both seemed like they would make for worthy opponents. He couldn't let either of them die until he had a chance to battle each of them himself! And then there was the idle Archer. He would fight him as well! While Rider wished for the other three Servants to show up…
...No! There could be no more waiting! He would announce himself to his fellow Servants, and those who had not the courage to answer his call would have none of his attention!
"It is time to begin my conquest in this War!" Rider grinned as he drew his sword and cut the space of the night sky.
Rider smiled as his Noble Phantasm, Gordius Wheel, manifested in the sky with thunder and lightning clapping and sparking behind it. The King of Conquerors mounted his chariot, took the reins and set off towards where the Servants were gathered.
Tonight, the great King Iskander would ride to war!
Archer watched as Saber and Lancer clashed once again. It was a contest to see who would land the next blow now since neither Servant had landed a decisive strike since Lancer's punch. It was surprising to see Lancer stand up to Saber's blade using only its fists. Even with prana burst the Servant didn't falter. But Archer wasn't paying too much attention to Lancer.
No, his attention was on the other Servant.
He remembered that Saber. It was the same Saber that had been summoned in the Holy Grail War he had been a part of in his past. Or future, he guessed. This Saber was the same King Arthur Kiritsugu and Irisviel had tried to summon but had gotten him instead.
"So… he was summoned in the fourth too, huh?" Archer thought as he stared at the Servant.
He remembered fighting alongside this Servant. Often times he had felt inadequate, small, and powerless when standing next to the King of Knights. Archer remembered those feelings of inferiority, but felt none of them now. Other details were slowly coming to him. He had been Saber's Master, but… no, that was right, but he hadn't been responsible for summoning the King of Britain. If not him, then who…?
...No, there had been another person but to Archer's irritation he couldn't remember their face…
From where he stood, Waver was watching his Servant fight. Now that he saw the Servants fighting he could get a grasp on their strengths and see their stats for himself. Saber was strong, no doubt, but his Lancer… he had doubted it at first when he summoned it, he had panicked when Lancer tossed away that sword but witnessing the battle now…
Despite the Servant's demeanor and attitude, Lancer was definitely a strong Servant.
Saber jumped away from Lancer as the Servant tried to sweep his feet out from under him with a low kick. Saber smiled a bit as he watched the Servant.
"I'm impressed by your strength, Lancer." Saber said, pointing his blade at the Servant. "But strength alone won't be enough. If you have another weapon that can present more of challenge, I suggest you use it."
"Both you and my Master seem to love telling me to do things…" Lancer sighed, though it maintained its smile. "And while you can't seem to tell if I'm hiding any more of my abilities…"
"Are you?"
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not." Lancer said. Its expression was humoring. "But I know for a fact you're still hiding your true power, Saber."
"…Your ability to read others is also astounding." Saber admitted grudgingly with a small smile. "But I'm afraid revealing the full extent of my power would compromise my identity, and I'm not willing to do so while we have an audience."
Archer smiled and waved mockingly as Saber gestured to him. Lancer shrugged and smiled.
"Then don't ask me to grant your requests when you cannot grant mine in return, please. Let's just enjoy our test of strength."
"Ha… very well." Saber smiled. "But I maintain my assertion that if you continue to fight in such a way, you will not be able to beat me."
"We'll see." Lancer replied, crouching low to the ground. "Get ready."
"Make sure you do as well." Saber shot back. "This next stroke will surely draw blood!"
"That would be quite a wonder…" Lancer muttered amusingly to himself.
And just as the Servants began to clash again, Archer noticed something galloping towards them from the sky.
"Iri, get down!"
"Eh…?"
Archer shielded Irisviel as lightning struck the center of the battleground, making both Lancer and Saber retreat before the electricity could strike at either of them.
"What?!" Waver shouted as he tried to keep his balance in the face of the lightning and wind. Even as he shielded his arms with his face, he managed to catch a glimpse of the object that descended onto the field of battle. "A chariot?!"
And someone was riding it?!
As the beasts that drove the chariot landed, Rider stood to his full height, pumping his arms towards the skies as he bellowed out his greetings.
"Sheathe your swords, for you are in the presence of royalty!" Rider shouted as his gaze swept over the assemble party of Masters and Servants. "I am King Iskander, King of Conquerors! I have been brought forth in this Holy Grail War as Rider!"
"That's Rider…?" Irisviel gasped as Archer stepped aside but still stood by to guard her.
"What an overbearing guy…" Archer muttered. His face collapsed into his palm. "And did he really reveal his identity just now…?"
Rider continued, oblivious to Archer's words.
"While it may be true that I am your enemy in the battle for the Holy Grail… I would ask the three of you…" Rider brought his fists together as he extended his gracious offer with a wide grin. "If you would consider surrendering yourselves and acquiescing the Grail to me? Do so, and I shall gladly welcome you all as allies! Should you choose to follow me, you shall come to know the thrills of world domination!"
Archer and Saber were shocked into silence for a moment at the man's words. Was he being serious, and after making such an entrance was that all he had to ask?
Lancer didn't share the duo's shock, and proceeded to give Rider an answer.
"Sorry, but I can't do that. While you seem like an interesting guy, I already have a king whom I serve." Lancer replied politely with a smile. "And I hate to disappoint you, but he has already long since dominated this world and made it his, just like everything else."
"Eh…?" Waver turned to Lancer as he said this. Could Lancer be talking about someone it knew in the past?
"You interrupt my fight just took make this foolish offer?" Saber said lowly, having regained his bearings. His voice rose with anger as he continued. "To a knight such as myself, that is a grave insult! And I am already a monarch, the King of Britain! Even if you are a king, I will not lower my head to another!"
"King of Britain… I knew it…!" Irisviel gasped.
"Huh?" Archer gave her a surprised look. "You knew who Saber was?"
"Yes, I had a feeling. This sensation…" Irisviel declared, holding her hands to her chest as she felt Avalon resonate deep within in. She had felt it the moment she laid eyes on Saber. Avalon was reacting to its owner! "Saber's true identity is that of King Arthur!"
"Oh…? You're younger than I imagined the King of Knights to be, boy!" Rider laughed.
"I may be young, but my strength is nothing to laugh at." Saber said, glaring at Rider. "Continue to mock me, and I won't hold back!"
"Hm… and what about you?"
Archer smirked when Iskander addressed him.
"Would you join with me? I could offer you more than just the Grail."
Rider frowned when Archer shook his head.
"Sorry, but I'll have to decline your offer as well." Archer smirked. "It's nothing personal, but I've got my pride as a king too, after all."
"Huh…?" Irisviel turned towards Archer in shock. But hadn't he said that he wasn't a king before…?
"It wouldn't do to betray my Master either." Archer went on. "My Master's not really someone whose bad side I want to be on. Nothing personal."
Rider gave a defeated sigh as all Servants refused his offer.
"Well, this is a shame. I would have liked more people to call my comrades." Rider sighed. More quietly, Rider muttered, "I suppose I'm alone in this War. My Master isn't someone I would willingly call my ally…"
Rider shook his head and smiled again.
"No matter!" Rider began shouting again. "To rest of the Servants we cannot see, I ask you to join us!"
"Rider…" Saber frowned as the man shouted. He blinked when the man bid him silent with a sharp hand gesture.
"Just a moment, Saber." Rider grinned. "While I enjoyed your and Lancer's battle, I would like to give the Servants who are not here with us a chance to answer my summons."
Turning his attention away from the young king, Rider continued to shout out.
"Whoever is listening, hear me! Come and join your fellow Servants in this gathering of heroes and answer my call as you answered to the Grail that brought us all here! Though if you are too cowardly to show your face, know that Iskander, King of Conquerors, holds you in utter contempt!"
And then the battleground was silent once again. The assembled Servants and Masters waited with bated breath to see if anyone would rise to Rider's provocation.
Only one other pair of Master and Servant was around to answer the King's challenge.
In the shadows of the ruined warehouses, far from the other Masters and their Servants, Kariya Matou gave a sinister smile as Rider's voice reached his ears.
He and his Servant would be happy to oblige.
Kariya gave the signal.
"Go, Berserker!"
Lightning fell down on the battlefield once again.
"Woah!" Rider barked as his oxen reared when the bolt struck only feet away from his chariot.
"Geez, again with the lightning!" Waver cried out as the blast blew him off his feet this time.
"The Fourth War definitely has more special effects than the Fifth…" Archer mumbled quietly so no one could hear him.
While the ground crackled and sparked as the remaining electricity discharged, a tall figure with golden hair stood up wearing a smile that radiated excitement and confidence.
"Ask and you shall receive! How did you like my golden entrance?!" The Servant shouted, pumping his fists in the air. "I am Berserker of the Fourth Holy Grail War! Now…"
Berserker brought his right fist into his open left palm and cracked his knuckles.
"Which one of you wants to go first?" Berserker asked with a confident smirk.
Wise Up!
Class: Lancer
Master: Waver Velvet
True Name: Enkidu (We don't get Gil in this fic, so his Best Friend is here to make up for it!)
Gender: ?
Alignment: Chaos Good
Strength: A- (It's in its legend. Battle with Gil shakes the earth and whatnot)
Endurance: A++ (There's a catch for this, but more on that later)
Agility: B+ (A tiny bit slower than most Lancers, but still pretty fast)
Prana: C
Luck: E
Noble Phantasm: EX
Class Abilities:
Magic Resistance: E / Defense against Magecraft. It cannot nullify them, but damage is somewhat reduced.
Skills:
(Unknown)
Noble Phantasm:
Caress the Land: EX / Enkidu's feel for nature and the world itself. It gives Enkidu an ability that is akin to the skill Presence Detection at its highest rank, allowing the user to detect the presence of people and objects with little to no concentrated effort. Not even those with high Presence Concealment can hide from this ability. This same ability that allows Enkidu to connect with nature will also change the way this Servant is affected by or interacts with nature magic of any kind, reducing the magic effects to a certain degree.
Gate of Babylon (Fake): E – A++ / Gilgamesh's treasure room. Enkidu does not have the key to open it, but because of its deep connection and friendship with its king it is given the ability to "borrow" tools from the vault for its own use. However, it can only use one tool at a time and can not reuse a weapon it has previously equipped.
Notes: A little buffed up for a Lancer, but Enkidu WAS Gilgamesh's only true friend and the King of Heroes was quite OP. His best buddy has to play the part since it's got big shoes to fill.
A/N: So, what do you guys think? Wise Ups on other Servants will be shown in the coming chapters as well. And Lancer may or may not have all his Skills/NPs up there.
Anyway, next chapter we get to see Berserker and end the first night of the Grail War. But I want to know what you guys thought about this chapter first so give me lots of feedback. Ah, please. It helps inspire me and it's really important when things are really starting to get underway. Thanks for reading.
Kiiam