Fate/Before Zero: Fragments of Light and Darkness
Chapter 3
Long ago, someone whispered that to OUR ears.
We realized that humans were all the same.
As goodness and evil were all borne from the same root.
As long as humans exist, the birth of good and evil were inevitable.
It was a forever never changing world.
Cries, please, prayers, and songs of lust, greed, envy, wrath and pride.
As time moves onwards, the sins pile up, evil grew.
So, we heard them. We stored them into our existence.
Until one day, we could fulfill their solemn hearts' utmost desire.
For humans were born both good and evil.
And it was our duty to represent humanity's darkest side.
That was our hope, and the only value of our life.
We thought that time would never come.
We were wrong. It did. We were called, we were needed.
And, to fulfill the request of a man who wished for slaughter,
Angra Mainyu arrived as the world's greatest evil.
Kill them all. Kill them all. Kill them all.
Yggdmillennia Castle, Day before the Departure
He was summoned into this world not too long ago.
He was received by a man who appeared to be noble in appearance and had spoken words of fancy and compliments to him to take his side.
Indeed, he knew the man's heart, it was like that of a king he once knew, cunning yet kind but deep within a passion so violent that it could either preserve or kill.
"WELCOME! WELCOME!"
Those were the man's first words to him as he spread his arms wide.
"O, great hero of the Spear, you who had overcome trials in your life, had trained to become the strong arm of a nation, had lived to fight for security, I humbly welcome your presence to my domain!"
The man was magnanimous and was also prideful to his assets. He could not help but stare at that man's eyes.
"I am the one who had called for your aide. I am Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia, the Lord and Ruler of Trifas."
The man introduced himself to him and he simply nodded in acceptance.
He glanced around, noticing the thick walls and the stained glasses and paintings and lightings decorating the room.
It was obvious to him that it was more than a simple stronghold, it was a castle.
But it was a castle so different than the place he had once lived and died at yet it was still something that brought him reminiscence of his days in the past.
It would have been great, he thought, to fight for this place and to defend it with pride and honor.
However, the Grail had given him knowledge that this was not the battleground.
"I am the hero of the Spear, as you had already mentioned, and I have felt, you are indeed my Master."
It was a respectable response, and he knew he had to give it like that as the man in front of him seemed to have a high position in society to own such a construction.
Nevertheless, he was like this to everyone. To allies, acquaintances, and enemies, he showed a heart of purity while cleaving the hearts of men who had pointed their blades at him.
He had killed like a madman yet had wept like a maiden that was deflowered while murdering young lives who came to war for prestige and glory.
Those eyes that the man possess, he believed, that were like his when he had committed ten thousands of sins in his life.
"What is your wish of the Grail?"
He asked after forging the contract with him.
The man bowed his head to him, but he quickly shrugged it off as he was supposed to be the one giving respect to the former.
"You are indeed the man depicted in the Epic."
His master had said to him as he exited his bow.
"Master, I thank thee for the compliment yet may I suggest avoiding believing tales about my life as it could disappoint you in the future."
He suggested and the man, who's his master, nodded with a smile.
"To your question, my wish for the Holy Grail is simple yet ambitious."
He looked at his master's eyes as he had said this.
It was indeed filled with aspirations.
"For my family's sake, for its rise, for its prominence, for its attainment of glory, for its—evolution."
If anyone would understand this man, he thought, it would be him.
As his master had said this, he, the Servant, understood that they were alike in terms of desire.
Although they may employ a different process for the undertaking, it was this similarity, desire, which made them complimentary to each other.
"We both seek the same thing, Master."
He confessed with a smile.
He was filled with joy as someone who he would call, 'Master', shared the same wish as he.
"I also fight for the sake of everyone I consider my Family."
PRESENT TIME
The two Sabers had activated their Holy Swords.
Lancer glanced at both blades with eyes filled with admiration.
"What beauty and splendor!"
He screamed deep-within, at the same time, the shine of the swords gave him fear and shivers.
His gut was telling him that those swords would cut through his javelins and slash his armor apart.
They were not like before which he could parry and avoid.
This time, each brandish of the blade, would slash a life out of him.
Saber Alpha tightened the grip on his sword.
His instincts were telling him, "Lancer is not yet serious. Finish him now or else—."
Reluctant he was, he admitted to it.
Lancer was a dangerous opponent. Although they were cornering him to an edge with their swords, he would always find a way to squeak past their assaults.
He was a veteran in the battlefield and his experience surpassed that of both Sabers.
Saber Omega, who was anguished and maddened by Lancer, adjusted his body, preparing to charge and to cleave the air apart.
This was the first battle for both Sabers and they had never thought they, who possessed the power of numbers, would be cornered instead.
Penuvia, the master who had devised the plan, was shocked to this outcome. Kicking aside Saber Omega's unruly behavior and disregard of their plans to seek engagement against a single enemy, it was beyond her imagination for a spearman to fight against her Saber, especially two of them.
After all, she knew who Saber was and had admired him in her days of reading and listening to poetries and tales of knights of old.
As he sees through Lancer, his parameters were above average, with only the parameter of Luck being awfully poor and she believed it was because Darnic was an unlucky man himself.
Yet, she wondered, if his stats were above average yet not excellent, how and why could he fight like an A rank Servant?
Juvia, who was powerless and speechless, prayed for the Sabers safety.
Both sisters had thought of attacking Darnic, or at least ordering one of the Sabers to attack Darnic, the choice being Saber Alpha, but Lancer was unpredictable, who had yet to take out his cards.
"Do not use your Noble Phantasms unless needed."
That was Darnic's order to Lancer after they had arrived at Fuyuki.
He knew Lancer was an excellent hero, personally chosen by him to summon, but what made him the proper man to be his champion was because of his heart.
He knew no treachery, and was an honest person in mind and soul.
A hero who had killed for the sake of protection, but at the same time, branded as a man who would never have darkness in his heart, and would always uphold the righteousness of the good.
He was a martyr to this belief, but had accepted them until his end.
"Come, Sabers!"
Lancer exclaimed, drawing a circle around him as he does with his right foot.
Saber Omega, as expected, was the one who went inside first.
He swung his sword horizontally from the right, aiming at Lancer's left shoulder.
Lancer, to his defense, raised his javelin but what shocked him was what transpired at the moment of contact.
The javelin, forged and made by the best blacksmiths of his time, and was sturdy enough to break through the armor, shield and skulls of his enemies, was cut apart as if it was paper.
"I will die. I will die."
Lancer felt this moment but at the same time, rejected it as it was merely an illusion played by his senses.
He saw through the blade, and Saber Omega was wrathful that he was once again outwitted.
Lancer leaped backwards multiple times, but what awaited him was a vertical slash from Saber Alpha.
He had no expression on his face. He was like a machine made for combat, as he was a while ago as well, and had little emotion as he danced around in elegance. Due to this, he coolly received the hostility, dropped the remaining javelin, and raised both arms and clapped his hands, gripping the blades.
"Impossible!"
"No way. . ."
Penuvia and Juvia simultaneously released the words unconsciously and took away what Saber Alpha would have shrieked in the situation.
Saber Alpha was too surprised to react, while Saber Omega regained his momentum that he had lost and charged again.
Lancer did not idle as a second after he gripped the blade, the javelin that fell towards the ground was flipped by his right foot and he kicked it towards the Saber Omega who had plunged himself towards him.
It was as fast as it was when he threw it with his arm, though not as powerful, as Saber Omega felt but it was still dangerous nonetheless.
He cleaved the javelin with the sword and still proceeded in his advance but was breathless by Lancer's display of arms expertise.
He kicked his right leg on Saber Alpha's, destroying his balance, grabbed his right shoulder, and used Saber's weight to drop him down to the ground.
It all happened in the instant the javelin flew at Saber Omega.
However, the spearman did not lose his focus nor paid attention to the feat he just succeeded.
He did not show any face of pride, joy nor anger, as was mentioned before, he was a machine, and such personality gave him enough concentration to his battle sense.
A light materialized on Lancer's hands and formed a pole that stretched up to 2 and half meters.
Saber Omega felt something akin to admiration on the pole's appearance and noted that it might probably Lancer's personal spear.
He once thought that Lancer's Noble Phantasm must be his ability to produce javelins or to throw them at high-speed, but took out the idea from his mind after a realization.
An archer can produce his arrows through prana.
Then a spearman, who excelled at spear throwing might be able to produce his own spears at his disposable made by prana.
Lancer must probably be that sort of hero who had thrown spears at the throat of his enemies and had become renowned through that feat.
He also had felt, that Lancer's two javelin technique, was odd and unrefined, as if it was a forced usage and not his comfort zone.
To sum it up, hesitant Saber to admit, Lancer was going easy on the two of them before this.
And, it made him boil in anger.
As the distance between him and Lancer shortened, a wicked smile was seen in Lancer's face.
It was the first, he thought, throughout the duel that he had shown an expression while in combat.
Lancer's aura changed and vibrated when it was felt by both Sabers.
The two weapons clashed, the spear and the sword, and Saber Omega was surprised that Lancer's weapon was undamaged.
Saber's Holy Sword was the sharpest and strongest he had ever known to have been wielded, eclipsing even the greatest of holy swords in terms of fierceness of its blades.
A while ago, the sword was not activated, but now it was, and it would only be natural for it to cleave weapons, shields and armors apart, as if nothing.
But, the spear proved to be capable of receiving his sword, and proved his belief that it was Lancer's Noble Phantasm.
Only Noble Phantasms of equal degree with his blade would not falter from its sharpness.
They now exchanged blows of blinding speed.
Each thrust of sword and spear were repelled.
Each slash of blades of both weapons were parried.
But, the advancement was being accomplished by Lancer.
Every time they let their weapons meet, Lancer would achieve the higher ground, and would prevent Saber from pushing him back.
Saber Alpha, who was knocked down, regained his self, and launched towards Lancer with an anguished face. At the same time, Saber Omega took a few steps back, and jumped towards Lancer with a vertical slash like that of the other Saber.
Two attacks in one instance.
An ordinary warrior and hero would have their feet crumble and soul perish at the face of this onslaught. Furthermore, these were sword skills renowned and seen as one of the greatest.
No one should be able to escape such attacks without a scratch.
But Lancer, time and time again, had proven to have conquered the twin blades of the Edelfelts.
He raised his spear, and swung it from the right to the left, to deflect the first sword, sending Saber Alpha to Lancer's left side, and then went the same for Saber Omega.
The two sabers shoveled their feet to the ground, and charged onto Lancer again.
Lancer, unfazed, twirled his spear around his body, and parried sword strikes, slashes and thrusts over and over again.
It was the dance he had mentioned a few times, while wearing a face devoid of lust for blood, but produced attacks like that of a maniac.
"Unbelievable."
The Edelfelt sisters could only gasped at Lancer's display of spear techniques.
Darnic on the other hand, was calm and enjoying the fight as if it was entertainment.
"Who are you, spearman?"
Saber Omega asked with a voice panting in rage.
"I second the question. With that skill with the spear, if not the greatest . . ."
Saber Alpha had acknowledged Lancer as a formidable opponent but at the same time, bewildered by him.
It was still beyond human comprehension for someone, regardless of skill with the spear, to overcome the onslaught of two master swordsmen renowned with their status while in possession of a sacred Holy Sword.
"You took our attacks as if they were simply a breeze, defended them without complaint, and repelled them as if they were a mere insect. And all that, disregarding the fact you have yet to the initiative to attack, I know not if you are skilled or cunning or both."
Saber Omega angrily remarked at Lancer.
"Do not look down on yourself, darker Saber. I must say, both of your sword skills were far surpass those of my time, and had proven yourselves to be worthy opponents. But, in this situation and battlefield we have, it was inevitable that I gain the advantage."
"What?"
There was a murmur of that question and it came from Penuvia while both Saber gritted their teeth.
Both understood it now.
Lancer hardly ever attacked, he always defended.
They could only speculate but both agree that Lancer must possess a skill or a Noble Phantasm that allowed him to be superior against his foes when he becomes a defender.
In spite of the knowledge of Lancer's trick, the two Sabers cannot counteract against the Spearman.
Lancer was an intelligent foe, and would not abandon his advantage through careless offense.
Saber Alpha took permission from his Master while Saber Omega did as well.
What came afterwards was a gleaming light of azure radiance.
"Saber?"
Lancer was overwhelmed.
The two swords were now glowing in splendid brilliance.
"We came to a conclusion that we cannot allow you to live on, Lancer. We must end this with this strike."
"I see," Lancer murmured as he witnessed both swords glowing. It was no way that it would be an activation of a Noble Phantasm. He realized that it was a mere preparation for a do-or-die fatal attack that could make Lancer loses his head or his limbs.
Darnic was also surprised of this last card trick of Penuvia and Juvia and glanced at them, seeing faces that had lost its pride through humiliation.
It was inevitable. The two Sabers, regarded as the strongest, were outmatched by a spearman and were forced to reveal more of their cards against a single foe that was outnumbered.
"Lancer," Darnic issued on his Servant through mental conversation, "you are now allowed to use all of your Noble Phantasms."
Realizing it was a fatal position to be without his proper armaments, Darnic took out the prohibition of Lancer's Noble Phantasms.
On that, Lancer smiled, and his head shone in bronze flare.
It was a shining bronze boar-tusk helmet.
It was radiating like the Sun, and gave off an immense gleam that brought both admiration and intimidation in the battlefield.
As it shone, the light reflected on Lancer's armor.
The Sabers widened their eyes in amazement.
It was merely a helmet but its appearance was that of a creation of the divine—something both never witnessed in their lives. If it were a crown, it would have been great but by no means was the helmet any lesser.
"As the both of you are ready to aim for my neck, I shall defend with all my strength."
He readied his spear, as the helm he wore, as if an illusion seen by the two swordsmen, shrouded the spearman a veil of divine protection.
"This Holy Grail War will truly be most satisfying!"
A man, with an unkempt white hair dressed in white off-the-shoulder tunic, white shorts, a thick golden belt and sandals, exclaimed.
"Are both of them living up to my expectations in terms of statistics, Master?"
The man glanced at the woman beside him.
Kaguya Matou eyed all the participating Servants in that area through her Servant's eyes, and sees through them.
She nodded to the man's question, "Yes, Rider, they are indeed powerful. The two Sabers' statistics were excellent, living up to the standard of the best class."
They were standing on top of a cliff, on the other end of a mountain, just 500 meters from the battlefield. It was the perfect vantage point seen by Rider.
"I suppose their sword skills are refined and steady but they lack—elegance. Ah, yes. They should put more grace unto it."
Rider judged them as he placed his thumb on his chin.
"But what interests me most, is that man . . . that spearman."
They had arrived at this fight not so long ago, and had witnessed how Lancer outwitted both his opponents who were considered as famed master swordsmen.
"Lancer will be a powerful opponent," Kaguya agreed, "but Saber had yet to completely shine his sword. It still surprises me though that there are two Sabers and two Masters. However, after identifying the Masters, it seemed the answers are given."
Kaguya understood and knew of the Edelfelt's interesting Sorcery Trait and it was not shocking to see this as a result.
"Fighting two Sabers will still be a tiring task," she remarked as she glanced at Rider whose eyes were pasted on the battle.
"Worry not Master," Rider assured, "I don't think we should worry about the twin blades in the future."
Kaguya was curious to know what Rider had meant on that remark but was unable to ask due to Lancer's 'brilliant' showing.
"Hoh!" Rider suddenly exclaimed, "It seems I'm not the only one who possesses a divine armament."
They both saw a brilliant shine, like the Sun in the sky.
It was a glinting helm worn by a hero whose spear techniques surpassed the realm of men.
"Ah, Master, let me join the battlefield!"
Rider roared as he prepared himself to jump off the cliff and to head to the battlefield.
However, Kaguya pulled his tunic and stopped him.
"No, we will only observe and that is an order, Rider."
"Kill joy you are, just because you are unable to have fun in that pit tonight, doesn't mean you will prevent me—"
Before Rider could finish, Kaguya kicked his butt and left him tumbling down the mountain.
"Master. . . that was just. . . ," Rider complained rubbing his head.
Kaguya ignored his rants and focused his eyes on the fight where she suddenly sees something rather surprising.
"Rider," she addressed her Servant, "it seems this fight is about to end."
"STOP!"
A shout of protest was heard from the entrance of Darnic's territory.
It was a priest wearing a black robe and a golden cross hanging on his neck.
His eyes were fuming with rage and his hair swaying with the gentle breeze.
His face was filled with sweat and his breathing was somewhat heavy.
Clearly, one could sense that he had ran towards here from great distance aiming to protest.
"I am Risei Kotomine, overseer appointed by the Church for this Holy Grail War," he introduced himself as he caught his breath, "I hereby. . .declare that this fight. . .be ended!"
"WHAT?"
Penuvia roared in disbelief.
"Older Sister, please, he's the judge. Don't even try to argue against him."
Juvia tried her best to ease her Sister's already hot temper but to no avail.
"No, little sister. This fight is about to end and will end in our favor. I will not accept such an ending!"
"To your favor? You must be dreaming, Edelfelt."
Darnic mocked the older sister getting a glare from her.
The three servants whom were in combat, halted their movements and watched the discussion of their masters and the new arrival.
"I have yet to decide the announcement of the war," Risei declared, "in this times of chaos, it was only natural for things to pass in a more directed and organized manner."
"Organized? Do you think such a concept would suitably be applied in this conflict of magi? You think like a fool, priest! As such of others! Which was why I hated your faith."
"Do not complain or go against the regulations, more so, do not insult God, woman!"
Risei was enraged by Penuvia's comments.
"Penuvia, stop it," Juvia pulled her sister's dress. She already dropped the respectable address she always gave her as she was too anxious in this situation.
"Which side are you on, Juvia? If this fight would end without us getting a kill, our plan would end in failure!"
"It has already failed, older sister. It already has."
Penuvia clenched her fist and gritted her teeth and shouted, "You cannot stop us, priest," and then reverted her eyes to her Saber, "resume the fight my sword! Take the head of that insolent Spearman!"
"As you wish, Milady."
"Master of Saber, if you continue—," Risei was unable to finish his address as an explosion was set off beneath his feet. It was a bomb, set by Penuvia, made through a harnessed jewel she kept and threw it at the priest.
Risei flew backwards but was able to survive the explosion.
"This is an act of treason against the Church, Edelfelt!"
"Little Lady, you should stop this nonsense."
Darnic backed up the priest, clearly with intent of winning his favor rather than concern of his safety.
"We magi do not adhere to the Church, foolish believer," Penuvia coldly glared at Risei, "Besides, how can you stop us, Masters that possess a Servant?"
It was a direct challenge to Risei.
"Come stop me if you dare."
Seeing the exchange has ended, the battle was resumed by Saber Alpha.
Vowing his loyalty to his Master, he raised his sword, and prepared himself in attacking Lancer while on the other hand, Saber Omega, awaited his Master's response but it was clear he would like to continue to fight.
"So, you will ignore the overseer and push onward, Saber? It seems your loyalty are true and I must respect you for that. However, this won't end in your Master's favor."
Lancer warned the swordsman.
It was clear that after this fight, someone has to face punishment for disobeying the rules.
But, his Master had clearly announced that such would be later and it was not that of a priest's affair to halt the war of magi and Servants.
"Thank you for the warning, Lancer, however, tonight I shall have your head."
"No, Saber. It is I who shall take his'."
Saber Omega retorted brandishing his blade and charging towards Lancer.
That was when something had occurred.
All three Servants felt extreme danger that could cease their lives at that moment.
Even Rider, who was recovering from his fall, felt the great power that suddenly arrived.
The sky was shining with shooting stars.
That was what Juvia thought when she saw the display on the night sky.
But those weren't shooting stars as they were clearly—
—heading for this direction.
Multiple 'stars' rained over Lancer, the two Sabers, Darnic, Juvia and Penuvia.
The earth shook and the sky grumbled in a thunder roar.
The Heroic Spirits, proud of their expertise and skills, were unable to react against the 'stars' fired upon them.
The onslaught spanned for five seconds and after that, what was seen was utterly incomprehensible.
It was a cage made of arrows forming around the participants in the engagement.
No one was able to count but it could be approximated not it was around a hundred of projectiles were fired, which had constructed this artificial jail.
But, what was surprising was not only the number of arrows, but also how the one who fired them, released them in such quick succession and had created something using mere Archery.
. . .but did the one who fired these did this simultaneously or were the arrows fired at the same time?
The Servants who witnessed and experienced the attack all have the same answer.
"One-hundred arrows were fired in a single nock of the bow."
Rider whispered as he was amazed but what made him more amazed was the fact that. . .
"He fired so many but was still able to hide his location. . ."
Rider was confident with his eyes ability to see long distances, especially above a mountain since he was raised near the sky.
But the one who fired the arrows, the Archer, still managed to conceal the origin of the attack and was now almost invisible from detection.
"The fact that his vision would be clouded by the darkness, the mist and the forest made it more terrifying."
Archer must have had eyes which allowed him to see through obstructions, or were able to snipe enemies freely without weakness due to his immense skill with the bow.
In short, he was powerful beyond comparison.
Kaguya, his Master, placed her hands on her mouth and whispered to Rider, "So that was the ability of the Archer servant in this War?"
Rider slowly nodded. He was now feeling thrilled.
He may have met the Servant he was looking for in this banquet of Heroes, someone who would be capable of challenging him using his utmost strength.
Risei broke the silence that had befallen on the participants below, "Have you cooled your mind, Edelfelt?" He simply addressed them formally, having thrown out the rage he had a while ago.
"What is the meaning of this, priest?"
Darnic asked as he tried to squirm his way out of the cage of arrows.
"I asked Archer's master and Archer himself, to aide me in putting a halt in this unauthorized fight."
He said honestly without stuttering, "As you can see, Archer tried his effort not to harm anyone."
That was the most surprising one.
If Archer had changed his thoughts and aimed at everyone's head and hearts then three pairs and Servants and Masters may have already died before the officially start of the banquet.
"Maybe you are all aware now that going against my rules is futile."
Then, Risei's attention aimed at Lancer, who broke through the cage of arrows with his spear, which was then done as well by the two Sabers with their swords.
The Servants had an anxious and irritated face—excluding Lancer who was smiling.
He approached his Master and freed Darnic from the cage, "Are you unharmed, my Master?"
Darnic nodded as he fixed his clothes and his long hair.
The Sabers also attended to their Masters.
Penuvia then violently shouted, "What right do you have to challenge me, Priest!?"
Risei calmly approached Penuvia, but then sensing hostility, Saber Alpha tried to push Risei away but five arrows struck the ground on where Saber Alpha was.
He quickly backed off and then glanced at the direction on which the arrows came from but was unable to see the trigger man.
This diversion was enough for Risei to enact punishment on the hot-tempered Edelfelt Master.
"What are you doing?"
Juvia exclaimed from her lungs.
Risei, as fast as a bullet, elbowed Penuvia's abdomen, grabbed her hand that contained the command seal. Her hand gleamed, as she was still shocked by the blow, and the action being done brought her even more pain.
Saber Alpha dashed at Risei to stop him but was halted by another array of arrows, this time, aimed to harm Saber. He tried to destroy the arrows but the speed overwhelmed him, piercing his armor, his greaves and his leggings.
Saber Omega looked for Archer, the man who had been firing the arrows, but was also unable to locate him. "SHOW YOURSELF COWARD!"
Was all he could say.
As if an answer to the insult, Archer fired an arrow aimed at Saber Omega's neck—but barely missed, grazing it. It was obvious to Saber that that was intentional.
Penuvia screamed in pain but after a few seconds, Risei pulled out and walked away.
"Due to Penuvia Edelfelt, Master of Saber, not only violated my rules but also voiced opinions against the Church, and most importantly, God and had directed killing intent on the overseer, I, Risei Kotomine, remove her of a command seal."
Juvia hurriedly went to her sister's side and tried to help her but was push away by the latter.
"Saber, carry me. Let's leave this disgusting place."
She said in a fierce tone but it was obvious she had no more strength to show her wrath.
Saber carried her, like how a knight did to damsels in distress, and flew off.
Juvia looked at them with tearful eyes as Saber Omega went by her side.
"We must be going as well, Master."
Juvia nodded and let herself be carried by her Saber.
"This is not over, Lancer. . .and you, Archer, wherever you are."
He whispered in a cruel and hostile tone before flying off as well.
"I never knew this war's overseer was this strict," Darnic mockingly remarked as he walked towards Risei.
"I should have punished you, and the younger Edelfelt as well, but I thought that would be overusing my power as overseer."
"It was a wise decision, Father Kotomine."
Danric smiled at him. It was a smile that contained violent passion of desire.
"It was nice to finally meet you in person, as I hope, that in the near future, we do not clash in ideologies and get along properly."
Darnic humbly said as he chided Lancer afterwards with a gesture.
Risei nodded in acceptance, "Then, I must leave. I apologize for barging on your property, Lord Darnic."
Risei left with a heavy heart. He hoped that this judgment won't cost him his head on the future as it was obvious he had put a thorn on the Edelfelt's heart.
"What do we do now, Master?"
"This place is no longer safe. We must look for a new place as our headquarters."
Darnic answered Lancer's question while staring at the night sky filled with stars.
Lancer nodded as he turned into spirit form, "I shall survey the area as we take our leave."
Seeing that the fight was over, Rider and Kaguya also left, with Kaguya eyeing the priest who's the acting overseer and Rider still looking for Archer's whereabouts.
"Rider, I will tell you now, I won't tolerate failure."
Kaguya coldly commanded her Servant.
Rider chuckled and flew off, carrying her Master as well.
Three Servants fought, swinging blades and spear.
A rain of arrows pierced their spirits as the judgment of an iron fist halted the proceedings.
This was the end of the first fight, though unofficial, of the Holy Grail War.
And, with still many more to come, the thorn has already been placed.
What does the future has in store for the Masters who had borne more than pain and humiliation in this night's banquet of destruction?
Chapter END~