Sorry for the wait. Been focusing on Aegis of Humanity and not to mention mid-term. So here is chapter 6 of Another DxD though I'm seriously considering changing the title. As a matter of fact, I think I got the title switched between this story and Aegis of Humanity considering the focus. Really, I probably should change the title.
Disclaimer: I do not own DxD or Nasuverse or even Mahou Sensou.
Chapter 6: Gathering Masters
As Archer release her arrow, three black keys landed between her and Noire, deflecting the arrows without breaking. Noire smirked as he felt the presence of his Servant close by. Now it is time for him to properly counterattack.
Archer jumped back almost to the edge of the building to avoid the sudden bombardment of spells aimed at her. She prepared her arrows and was about to aim at the new enemy when more black keys came soaring towards her. Archer of Blue had to use her bow to deflect the blades but that split second decision earned her another barrage from the aerial enemy. It is thanks only to how quick she is with her feet that she could evade the volley of magical blasts before it finally stops.
Even so, Archer did not let her guard down. It's a good decision as a figure in black holding black keys almost drew her blood with a swipe of her blades. Again, it is Archer's sharp senses and nimble feet that saved her. The battlefield on the top of a skyscraper became silent and the air heavier as Servant and Master joined to fight Archer.
"That attack using magic, there's no doubt that you are Caster."
"Ufufu, that's right, I'm Caster of Red. It is an honor to meet you, Archer."
Caster of Red casually chuckled. Even in a combat situation, Sophia Brave is still as relaxed as normal. Her Master though is still tense and black keys are in his hands, ready to attack at any given time. Archer frowns.
"You're not taking this battle seriously."
"Mou, there's no need to be so tense. I doubt we will have a fight to the death today. The Grail War barely starts and I know that not all Servants have assembled."
What Caster said was true. The Blue team didn't have all of their Servants assembled. Saber of Blue and Caster of Blue are still unaccounted for according to Father Kotomine. They have been summoned but they haven't arrived in Fuyuki.
"You're overeager to fight, Atalanta-chan."
Both Archer of Blue and her Master immediately tensed when Caster uttered her name with a devilish smirk.
"You… how did you know?!"
Archer demanded. There's no way that Caster should've known her identity. She's not even a Greek hero from her features alone.
"Ohh, that's a secret for you to find out."
Caster winked playfully. Noire look at his Servant and is sorely tempted to hit her on the head. She is possibly the most laid back Servant in the whole War with Rider of Blue being her only competition in that regard.
"So, shall we continue or will you retreat? I don't mind either way. Just know that if you decide to fight, we have the advantage."
They've been had and both Archer and her Master knew it. Not only had she failed in killing the enemy Master who proves to be formidable in his own right but now both Master and Servant are together and proved to be quite a combination from their short skirmish. To add insult to the injury is the fact that her identity had been revealed far too early. All the advantages now lies with the Red Master and Servant team by knowing her identities and possibly her Noble Phantasms.
'Archer retreat, you have failed.'
Her Master ordered with a slight hint of anger. That's right, she had failed. It is rather frustrating but she will retreat for now and plan their next move. It is too early to unleash her Noble Phantasm when she doesn't even have a clue on who her enemy is and the extent of their power.
"I will retreat for tonight. But mark my word, I will be the one to hunt you down, Caster and Master."
Archer growled before astralizing herself. The short skirmish had ended in the Red faction's strategic victory.
"Phew, she's powerful, I really don't know if I could survive if you didn't intervene."
"Ehehe~ praise me more, Master."
"…Caster, just call me Noire. It feels odd being called Master by someone who is clearly a friend of my mother."
"Ohh, did I see a tinge of red there? You don't have to be embarrassed but I understand. So how does your fist battle felt?"
"To be honest, it's a very close call. I don't know if I'm fast enough to block Archer's next attack and I could've died then. It is… out of this world. I've fought against many Apostles and Magi and even some other things in the other world but none could compare to Archer, Atalanta you said? How did you know her identity anyway?"
"You forgot that I was once a Master in the Third Heaven's Feel."
"So Atalanta was summoned before and you recognize her?"
"Something like that. Now, let's go help Xeno-chan."
"Ohh, right, Xenovia!"
Noire remembered that last he saw Xenovia, she was fighting against another Servant.
"Don't worry, Rider is on his way… uhh, her… what's Rider real gender anyway? Anyway, Rider is currently heading to Xenovia's position. We should help them, just in case something happen."
Noire nodded before pinpointing Xenovia's location with his clairvoyance ability. When he found her, the magus activated his magecraft and disappeared into the shadow while Caster took flight.
Xenovia clashes fiercely with Berserker of Blue. It is painfully obvious that Berserker is the superior of the two as Xenovia began to feel numb with each clash of their blade.
"Haa! Impressive, most impressive little girl! I didn't expect my first fight to be against a Master. My Master thought that you would be easy picking without your Servant but you proved him wrong. And that weapon of yours, it is slightly different but it is a Noble Phantasm, right?"
"Khh, so powerful. This is the strength of the heroes of old? You truly deserve the status of hero indeed."
Berserker continue sending a flurry of thrusts at Xenovia who began to be overwhelmed by Berserker's speed, skill, and power. It took her everything just to parry his swords and Xenovia knew that Berserker is still holding back. At first the fight seems to be roughly equal with Berserker of Blue being slightly superior but it was wishful thinking for Xenovia to expect a Servant to be on the same level as her. No, Berserker surpassed her and some more in not only speed and strength but also skill, especially skill.
To compare Xenovia's skill with Berserker's, it is like Xenovia is only a beginner in swordmanship when faced against the legend. Berserker strikes fast, strong, and accurate and he doesn't miss a single beat. He is ferocious and wild but his precision made it hard to think that he is a Berserker.
Even when compared to Vasco Strada, a legend in his own right back in her homeworld, Xenovia doubt that Vasco could match Berserker for a long time. He can match him much longer than her but defeat Berserker? That would take Vasco's full power along with Durandal and Xenovia still doubts that victory is certain. Berserker is just that powerful.
The sound of clashing steel continues to echo throughout the empty street as Xenovia began to be pushed back. She is staggering. Her hands are bleeding but she still kept a strong grip on Durandal. It is her only lifeline against the ferocious hero. Without it, she will definitely die. Her black keys, customized to be stronger as they were, won't be able to hold back Berserker's blades.
"I admire your persistence girl. Tell me, what's your name?"
"*huff huff* Xenovia Quarta, wielder of the holy sword Durandal!"
"Hoo, Durandal the peerless sword. No wonder you could survive for so long against me. Anyone who can wield such a magnificent weapon must certainly be exceptional. But alas, you are a Master in this war and I have been ordered to kill you. It has been fun, little girl!"
Berserker raise his left sword high. Xenovia is already on her last dreg. Kneeling on the ground with Durandal barely held in her grip, Xenovia look up towards Berserker although her sight is obstructed by blood running down from her forehead due to the last attack that nearly killed her.
"Hippogriff!"
"!"
The trajectory of Berserker's sword changed to defend against the talons that threatened to rip him to shreds. As this happens, Xenovia's consciousness began to dim but she felt herself falling into an arm. The last thing she saw was a combination of black and silver as she lost consciousness amidst the sound of numerous explosions.
-Tohsaka Manor, the next day-
"*gasp* I'm alive?!"
Xenovia Quarta opened her eyes to see the ceiling of a house.
"Ugh, what happened to me?"
"You fought against Servant Berserker."
The voice of a familiar male answered her. Xenovia almost jumped out of the bed but she can't. Her body is hurting all over.
"Please, try not to strain your body. You've taken quite a beating from Berserker. If it weren't for your exceptional durability, you would've died."
Noire told her.
"Noire? How did I survive? I remember Berserker's sword…"
"Rider used his Noble Phantasm, Hippogriff, to stop Berserker. I had to carry you away from the battlefield since you're already unconscious by then. Don't worry, Rider had retrieved Durandal."
Noire casually pointed to the blue broadsword propped up beside the bed. He knows that Xenovia would like her sword to be in arms reach when she woke up.
"Ohh… thank you."
"I got to say, it's impressive. You survived so long against a Berserker class Servant in a direct fight."
"Yes, it's very impressive Master! I really have an awesome Master!"
Rider suddenly appear, almost breaking down the door, and was about to glomp Xenovia before Valerie came and push the Servant away. She brought with her Xenovia's breakfast on a tray.
"How are you feeling? I've managed to heal all your wounds last night. Your hands are so bloodied and you were bleeding profusely that you were conscious until Rider and Noire came is a miracle."
Xenovia tried moving her arms and stretching. She's still sore but the pain lessens by time. She finally tries to get up from the bed only to notice that she's wearing nothing but her underwear. Noire's cheeks instantly reddened at the sight of Xenovia's impressive curves.
"I'll be waiting outside."
Noire quickly ran outside and slam the door shut.
"Well, I almost forgot that he's here."
Valerie did some more diagnosis on Xenovia while letting her have her breakfast on the bad. After she's done, the two of them went down to meet the remaining Red faction Masters who have all assembled just earlier when Xenovia was still unconscious.
"So Saber and Assassin have arrived."
"Yes. Their Master is a pair of siblings from the Emiya family."
"Emiya? I think I've heard that name somewhere."
The one who reminded Xenovia was Noire who was waiting outside the door together with Caster.
"Emiya is not a really old family but gained fame, or infamy, from the deed of its previous head. The one you're trying to remember is Emiya Kiritsugu, the infamous Magus Killer, a renowned assassin that had taken the lives of many unscrupulous Magi."
"An enforcer?"
"More like a bounty hunter. The Magus Killer himself passed away a few years ago. The Masters we will be meeting are his children while their mother came to accompany them."
Now gathered in Tohsaka manor's living room are seven Masters that made up the Red faction. Their faction has finally assembled with each of their Servants standing on guard near their respective Master… well, as 'on guard' as Caster and Rider can be in their case. The two energetic Servants just couldn't really stay still.
"Now that we are all here, let's start with introduction first. I am Shijou Noire and this is my Servant, Caster."
The young boy who looks like a male version of his mother introduced himself first. Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia was honestly very surprised when he first saw Noire and Fiore enjoyed his expression. After all, Darnic had once cross path with the Third Wizard Marshall 'BEFORE' she achieved Second Magic and she defeated him. That was in the Third Heaven's Feel. Caster waves to everyone with her ever-present smile still on her face.
"My name is Valerie Tepes, apprentice of Zelretch. My Servant is Berserker, my ancestor."
The blonde vampire introduced herself. Just by hearing her name and what she said about her Servant immediately made the Emiya family and Tohsaka Rin almost spit out their tea in surprise. Valerie hadn't introduced herself with her full name when they first met Tohsaka Rin and as expected, her identity along with her Servant's did surprise everyone, even the other Servants who did not already know. Of course, her status as Zelretch's apprentice doesn't help. But what surprises them most is the identity of her Servant. The Red team had agreed in revealing the identity of each of their Servants and although Valerie didn't say the name, everyone knew who Berserker is just from connecting Valerie's name and that honestly surprises them.
"Xenovia Quarta, sub-member of the Burial Agency. My Servant is Rider, the twelfth Paladin of Charlemagne, Astolfo."
The blue haired exorcist introduces herself along with her Servant. Xenovia still feels unsatisfied for failing to summon Roland using her sword as possible catalyst since even if it is from a different world, it is still Durandal, though perhaps the fact that it came from a different world is the reason why Astolfo was summoned instead. Like Caster, Rider waved to everyone with a smile.
"My name is Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia. My Servant is Lancer, the Valkyrie Brynhild."
Unlike Vlad who stood still like a statue with a neutral expression, Brynhild is the epitome of a noble warrior maiden and gave everyone a light bow as her name is introduced.
Then comes the Master and Servant pairs of Fuyuki.
The first to begin the Fuyuki resident's introduction is the twintail Tohsaka, the host of the meeting. Behind her is her Servant, a man with tanned skin and white hair wearing a black armor and red shroud that Xenovia easily identifies as a holy shroud, what's more, it is a familiar shroud but Xenovia can't remember where she had seen it before.
"I'm Tohsaka Rin. My Servant is Archer but due to problem in his summoning, his memories are in shambles. It won't hinder his performance though."
Rin introduced herself. Though some are upset that Rin cannot reveal Archer's real name, some are indifferent. But there are two people who had suspicion about Archer. Assassin and Caster eyed the Servant of Bow carefully as if hoping to find out something. But in the end, the two Servants put the matter about Archer aside. It doesn't matter much at this moment.
Next to introduce himself is the red headed Emiya.
"I'm Emiya Shirou. My Ser—"
Before Shirou can continue, his Servant stopped him, giving him a nod before turning to the others. He is strangely seated next to the only adult Emiya although those who knew his name won't find it very strange. He has mesy black hair and empty eyes wearing modern day suit and a black trenchcoat, hardly clothing one would consider being worn by legendary heroes.
"I'm Assassin, Emiya Kiritsugu. After the introduction is finished, I have something to say regarding the Fourth Heaven's Feel."
Assassin, Emiya Kiritsugu spoke in the familiar near emotionless voice he used around his family. He would've smoked if it weren't for the presence of minors and his wife. Strangely enough, his cigarettes are considered part of him enough to be summoned together so he always has one available to smoke.
Last to introduce herself is the little half homunculus daughter of Kiritsugu and Irisviel, heiress to the Emiya family magecraft. Her servant, a handsome young man with blonde hair clad in silver and blue armor reminiscent of a knight.
"I'm Illyasviel Emiya. My Servant is Saber. His true name is King Arthur Pendragon."
There was a slight pause before three people made the same reaction.
"""Eeeehhhhhhhh?!"""
And done! So this chapter concludes Noire and Xenovia's short battle with Archer and Berserker of Blue and followed by the introduction of the Red faction. For Noire's design, just imagine a male version of Shijou Momoka, only taller. For those of you who don't know Shijou Momoka is a character from Mahou Sensou. It is not as popular as DxD or Fate but I like the series. Sophia Brave also came from Mahou Sensou though don't look for her in the anime. She had only appeared in the LN so far and her design can be seen in the cover of volume... uhh, 7 I think. Or was it 8? She wore her battle uniform in the cover so you can see what she's wearing in this story. I won't spoil anything about her role in Mahou Sensou though.
Poor Xenovia got bedridden right on the first day of the Grail War. Well Shirou almost got killed too many times in one night so it is not as bad. Xenovia will improve as the Grail War goes on but for now she and Noire, although powerful enough, cannot defeat a Servant without a strong support.
There is a concern I am having. It is about Issei. I realize that he is not really suited for either 4th or 1st True Magic style-wise. Issei was never a magic fighter anyway. So I will give him something else. Now, I already have one of Issei's girls listed as a user of True Magic, possibly the 1st but could become the user of the 4th. I'll probably ask what to do about the last True Magic to complete the set in a few chapters but I'm just saying for now. Issei will still be equally powerful though. He has Boosted Gear and his magic combined with Origin. I'm just gonna work with that. Possibly by giving Issei a Reality Marble.
Now for Revs.
Judgement of the Arbiter: you got it spot on. Those who reads any Fate related stories probably plays FGO anyway so it's not a surprise if it is hard to keep a Servant's identity a secret for long.
PizzaSpinner: The Grail War will develop Noire's relationship with Xenovia and Valerie along with some of his future harem so I can't exactly skip it. Plus I'm already this far in the Grail War.
Hayane234: Don't know. Probably in another 10 chapters or so. Issei will appear after the end of the Grail War arc where the story will return to when Noire and Issei split up back in Romania where Issei had a meeting like Noire did with Valeria and Xenovia. After that, the story will focus on Issei for a while until Noire's return.
dragonrider66: What's that about the archer? Anyway, I'm only making a little adjustment with Shirou's power but it will mostly remain the same to the point of it being no real difference. I'm not going to make a new power for Shirou since I can't imagine Shirou without swords. And your guess about Assassin is answered in this chapter.
Guest: I'm not really a cat person but yeah, the alignments are sometimes confusing. I also love Tamamo very much. I admit, I never did played Extra and CCC to the end with Servants other than Tamamo. I have save datas with other Servants but I never did finish any of them. Tamamo is just perfect for me (even if using her made the game harder). And good news if you like Tamamo. She will appear in another incident when Noire goes back to DxD world. Although that is still chapters away, I can confirm her appearance in the story. I think it will be around after the Three Factions Meeting arc. Also, you can expect more Master vs Servant battle from Noire, Xenovia, and later Valerie and Shirou as they are the only ones powerful enough to engage any Servant in battle. Rin managed to fight Caster Medea in Fate since she has her advantages but I doubt she could fight the other Servants.