AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for checking out the first chapter of this new series. I was so excited to do more that I sat down to get the second one sent up right now. This one starts with an intense battle before going over to the other cast members' perspectives. By the end of this chapter, you will meet all seven of the servants in this war. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 2 – First Confrontations
Lancer smirks as she surveys her opponents, the cool breeze ruffling her hair. She takes a step forward, and instantly the temperature drops, causing frost to form on the ground. She raises her hand, conjuring ice shards that float menacingly around her. With a flick of her wrist, she sends them hurtling toward Rider and Saber.
Rider, her silver eyes gleaming with determination, dashes towards the projectile. Rose petals swirl around her as she leaps into action, using her incredible speed and agility to evade the icy projectiles. She twirls her red scythe, parrying and deflecting the shards with her weapon's long, curved blade. Spotting an opening, Rider dashes toward Lancer, swinging her scythe in wide arcs, aiming to catch her opponent off guard.
At the same moment, Saber creates a radiant aura enveloping her as she readies her sword. She charges forward, unyielding in the face of Lancer's ice. With a mighty swing, Saber sends shockwaves rippling through the air, shattering the incoming ice shards, and disrupting Lancer's cold battlefield. Determined to land a fatal blow, the purple spirit rushed to the opposite end of Rider to deal a parallel slash.
In response to Rider's and Saber's offensive maneuvers, Lancer froze the surrounding air between her and them. The rooftop becomes a frozen battleground as ice spreads rapidly, threatening to encase her two attackers. Rider reacts quickly to dash through the icy terrain, leaving a trail of frosted rose petals where she once was seconds ago. Saber generates a barrier to shield herself from the encroaching frost but was still pushed back by its force. Suddenly, Saber gasped as Lancer plunged her rapier through the barrier and into her right shoulder.
"Viola!" Rider called out as Saber gritted her teeth through the pain. However, the purple spirit soon felt a freezing aura overtake her body, encasing her in an ice ball inside her barrier, "What did you do to her?"
"She's not dead, not yet," Lancer spoke, her icy gaze flickering with sadistic pleasure as she takes in the sight of Saber's frozen form., "This will just keep her out of my way from testing your abilities." She said while letting go of her weapon to focus on the red-hooded girl. With a flick of her wrist, she summons a torrent of frigid wind, sending a wave of razor-sharp ice shards hurtling toward Rider.
Rider's eyes widen with concern for her friend, but she knows she must focus on the task at hand. Swiftly, dashed through the wind by surrounding herself with a swirling vortex of rose petals. Using her incredible speed and agility, she evades the deadly projectiles and weaves through the frozen onslaught. With every dodge, Rider edges closer to Lancer. The red-hooded girl leaped into the air, but the sadistic general raised her right hand to fire an ice spear, knowing her opponent could not evade from this position.
However, Rider's scythe changed its form. It now resembled that of a sniper rifle as she opened fire. Lancer gasped before barely dodging out of the way, unable to launch her ice spear. Rider then aimed towards the sky, firing a shot to propel herself down while changing the weapon back to its scythe form. Descending with remarkable speed, she aims a powerful strike toward Lancer's toros, hoping to shatter her defenses and bring her down.
Suddenly, Lancer grinned. She effortlessly summons a wall of ice to intercept Rider's attack. The clash between the red scythe and the icy barrier reverberates through the rooftop, creating a cacophony of metal and ice. Rider knew she could not strike through this thick of ice, but that was never her plan. With the right angle now, she fired a shot from the top of her red scythe. Lancer looked to see the bullet crash into the ice that encased Saber, creating multiple crakes. Those cracks then formed into an eruption of ice as Saber was set free. She removed the rapier before rushing towards Lancer with immense power in her blade.
The sadistic general created an ice wall again, but the Saber's sword cut through it like butter. The blade looked as though it was about to bisect Lancer, whose own wall of ice locked into a guaranteed hit. However, Lancer spoke one word before impact. A plume of white mist filled the area and silence soon followed. Rider and Saber looked at Lancer a gasp as their target was gone. The blade had crashed into an ice wall before coming to a stop.
"Very nice," Lancer's voice was heard a few meters away, walking over to her rapier, "I think you both pass for today." She said before picking up the weapon, "We can stop for now." The sadistic general said before swinging her weapon to remove Saber's blood.
"What?" Saber and Rider said in unison.
"There's no need to rush this war," Lancer spoke, "I want a savor every battle in it." She said with a smirk, "So, I'll let you two live this time." She said before a white mist started to cover the area, "And I'll see you in class tomorrow." Just as she was about to fade away, Saber rushed in for another slash. However, she only hit the cold mist. Lancer had escaped. The two remaining Servants looked at each other in confusion.
"…So…" Rider spoke, "Wanna walk home together?" she said as Saber remained flabbergasted at the situation.
The two exited the roof and school in their uniform attire. They walked down the streets of the orange sky with Rider leading the way, "Man, Lancer seems strong." The red-hooded girl commented, "I wonder if all of them are as strong as her."
"Yeah," Saber commented, "You seemed to hold your own against her."
"Well, I have a friend who fights like she does. So, you could say I've had a lot of practice." Rider said with a giggle, but then noticed Saber had an uneasy expression, "What's wrong?"
"Why are you being friendly with me?" Saber asked, "You helped me against Lancer, even freed me when you could have left me to lower the total number of Servants." She said with a focused gaze, "You know only one of us can win in the end."
"Yeah, I know." Rider responded, walking with her hands behind her back, "But I still want to help people in need." She said with a smile, "Where I'm from, people train to hunt monsters so that our world can someday see peace. No matter where I am, I want to keep doing that for anyone I see oppressed by evil." The red-hooded girl said before looking at Saber with a smile, "That's my wish."
"Heh, that sounds more like a fairy tale than a wish." Saber responded, "But I like it." She then placed her hand on her chest and bowed, "If you are okay with it, I would suggest we form an alliance until we are the reaming members of this Holy War." She said before extending her right hand, "So that in the end, it will be one of us to gain the grail."
"Deal." Rider said as she shook Saber's hand, "Now, how about we have a sleepover to celebrate? We can stay at my place."
"That sounds lovely." Saber responded, "I don't have any food left at my place."
"Your fridge wasn't packed with food?" Rider asked.
"…Nope." Saber lied, then smiled, "Can you cook?"
"Yeah, I'm good at that, I got you covered." Rider said with a smile, "Wait till you try by cookies, they're super tasty." She said as the two made their way to the red-hooded girl's home.
Meanwhile.
In the middle of the city, Lancer sat atop a water tower, her mind drifting into deep contemplation. The world around her is still, the peacefulness contrasting with her intense nature. Her piercing blue eyes gaze into the distance, reflecting a mix of determination and longing, "My first fight and I already had to use my trump card." She thought of her power and control swirl through her mind, for she is a woman driven by her insatiable thirst for dominance. She ponders the concept of strength, its many forms, and how it intertwines with her desires. To her, power is not just a means to an end but a way of life, "Heh, I wonder if I have gotten soft in this summoned form." The sadistic general leaned back on her thoughts of strength and authority, yet there is a flicker of loneliness in the back of her mind. Despite her formidable abilities, Lancer cannot escape the feeling that true connection eludes her. She craves a kind of companionship that goes beyond the realm of dominance and submission, a connection that speaks to her heart rather than her desire for control. "I cannot let myself waste this moment, not when I can be with him again if I win that grail." As the water beneath her rippled, Lancer contemplates her mortality. She realizes that even the most powerful individuals are ultimately subject to facing a foe that will one day beat them. This recognition stirs within her a sense of urgency, a desire to make her mark on the world in a way that transcends her existence. As the sun begins to fully set, casting a warm glow across the landscape, Lancer remains seated on the water tower, letting her first battle in this realm wash over her, "My, what a time to be alive again."
Meanwhile.
Night had fallen over the school, but one female student with long black hair had gone to the roof. However, her uniform was a sleeveless black top with a red tie. She looked at the frozen damage caused by the battle of Servants, "Tch, there's no doubt about it. This must be her work." She spoke while examining the ice, "Why? Why is she here?" the mysterious girl spoke before hearing someone's footsteps from being. She turned to witness a young man walking about with a red clock over a black attire with white gloves. His blond hair almost matched his golden eyes, which looked like the red ones of the mysterious girl, "Who are you?"
"Somebody like you, but of a different class." He spoke with a look of focus in his eyes, "You felt the power here as well. A fight between multiple Servants as the war started." He said before smiling, "So, which class are you-" Suddenly, the red-eyed girl rushed while spawning a katana. The blade emitted a black aura as a slash was made toward the boy's neck. However, he caught the strike with his right hand, forcing a struggle between the two, "I'll place my beats on Assassin now."
Assassin focused before jumping back to escape a follow-up hit. However, in looking at her blade, she noticed no blood from her cut, "How did you avoid its curse?" she asked as he showed his right hand. Under the torn glove was a metallic hand with barely a scratch on it. He then clasped his hands, before grabbing the wire fence near him, reforming it into a spiked metal bat, "You're Caster."
"What tipped you off?" Caster said while pointing at her with his bat, which had a small design of his face on it.
"This fight will only end one way." Assassin said as she reposed her sword, "I will kill you."
"In that case," Caster said before resting the bat on his right shoulder, "How about we form a truce." He said with her remaining quiet, "Look, you know who did this, which means she is from your realm. Don't you think that's a bit odd? I mean, if the grail could pull from any realm, why pick two of the same ones for this war?"
"What's your point?" Assassin asked, "Even if it is the same person, I killed them before and will do it again."
"Are you sure she would let you make it that easy? What if she recalls you as well and is prepared for a rematch?" Caster asked as Assassin went silent, "Something about this whole war seems off to me. Right now, I can't focus on getting the answers when I'm by myself." He said before tossing the bat to the ground, "So, I propose we work together to uncover these secrets while watching each other's back. What do you say, Assassin?"
"You would throw your weapon away when faced with an enemy whom you just meet?" Assassin commented.
"If you want to fight here, then I have no choice but to use every ability I have to defeat you." Caster responded, then sighed, "But, something tells me you also don't want to fight this war alone." He said as she went silent again, "If I had to guess, this isn't your first time being in this situation."
"…" Assassin sighed before sheathing her blade, "Very well, I will agree to this alliance." She said before walking forward, "But as a warning to you. Everyone who has partnered with me has either died at the hands of our enemies." the red-eyed killer said with a focused glare, "Or by my own."
"Noted." Caster said responded with a smirk, "So, let's get to know each other more." He said with a smile, "How about I treat you to a late dinner, I saw this noodle shop on the way into the school." He said as she remained silent but nodded in agreement.
A short while later.
As Assassin sits down at a table, a mountain of noodles is placed before her. The aroma wafts through the air, teasing her senses with its mouthwatering fragrance. Her eyes light up with anticipation as she prepares to indulge in this absurd amount of noodles. With a determined look on her face, Assassin picks up her chopsticks and begins her feast. She attacks the noodles with gusto, skillfully twirling them around her chopsticks and bringing them to her mouth with practiced precision. Bite after bite, she devours the noodles with impressive speed, displaying her impeccable eating prowess. As the noodles disappear into her mouth, Assassin's appetite seems insatiable. She eats with focused determination, savoring each mouthful despite the incredible quantity before her.
Next to her, Caster sat with a modest bowl before him. Looking on in astonishment as Assassin ate more than her body mass in noodles, "You uh, were really hungry." He said as time passes, and yet Assassin shows no signs of slowing down. The noodles seem to vanish before his eyes as she continues her relentless consumption. Her dedication to this noodle barrage is evident as she remains focused, undeterred by the sheer absurdity of the amount she's consuming.
"I had already eaten all that was in my fridge on the first day here," Assassin said amidst her culinary conquest, her expression remaining calm and composed. Years of discipline and self-control shine through, even in the face of this extraordinary feat. She understands the importance of maintaining balance and control, even when faced with a seemingly limitless supply of noodles. "And you said you would treat."
"Yeah, starting to regret that now." Caster said under his breath as he worried about payment. As the last few strands of noodles disappear, Assassin finally completes her meal. She leans back in her chair, a sense of satisfaction evident on her face. Despite the tremendous quantity she consumed, she remains composed, her assassin's discipline carrying over even to her culinary endeavors. Caster looked around to see the other patrons of the noodle shop. Assassin's display of eating prowess leaves onlookers amazed and perhaps a little bewildered by her seemingly bottomless appetite. He then looked over to the cook, who was overjoyed at the girl who ate every bit of his prepared food.
"Now then, let us discuss matters." Assassin spoke while cleaning the corners of her mouth with a napkin and turned to Caster, "The opponent on the roof, I do not doubt in my mind that it is a woman I faced in my realm. I war general with complete control over the power of ice."
"How can you be so sure?" Caster asked, "Did you see the fight?"
"No, but I would know that cold aura anywhere." Assassin responded, "Her power, she can freeze anything." She said with a focused gaze, "Even the passage of time itself."
"Then how did you beat her?" Caster responded, but Assassin went silent.
"For some reason, that moment is jumbled in my memories." Assassin spoke, "I'm sorry, but I cannot give you a straight answer to that question." She said before looking back at her sword at her side, "But so long as I can get one good cut with my blade, she will die again."
"So, she must be freezing the air and water molecules around her to create ice instantly." Caster spoke as he wrote in a small notebook, "I would assume she is freezing the molecules around her to the point that she can move through at the perception of stopped time."
"For someone in the caster class, you seem to look at things very logically." Assassin said with half-open eyes, "Do they not have magic in your world?"
"Magic is simply what we do not understand without full context," Caster explained, "I believe in the principle of equivalent exchange. Where alchemy can be used to understand one's structure, deconstruction, then reconstruction into the new form." He spoke, "With this, you can rationalize all situations to understand the laws of the world and how to operate within them." He said with a smile, "Take that bat I made, I was able to use the chain-link to reshape the metal into a new form for combat."
"That interesting…if not a bit headache-inducing." Assassin spoke, then recalled something else from that altercation, "What of your arm, it's prosthetic?"
"Oh, that…" Caster commented as he turned to his right arm, "That was the cost for breaking one of the rules of alchemy. A moment I can never forget." He said before his right fist tightened, "Which is also why I don't understand how this war can be possible. How is it we can exist in this world without breaking the laws of reality." The red-cloaked alchemist then turned to Assassin, "I need to figure this out before it's too late." He said before looking at the clock in the restaurant "But for now, let's call it a day and regroup in the morning."
"Understood," Assassin said before the two stood up. After paying for the meal, they left the establishment and began walking down the road, "I do not live far, but I would rather we don't know each other exact locations yet."
"Fine, I get it." Caster responded with his hands behind his head. As they walked the silence of the sleeping neighborhood meant that all that was heard were their footsteps. They approached a fork in the road, each about to make their way home. However, an individual stood in their ways.
On Assassin's side, a young woman with blueish black hair tied into two uneven twin tails was seen. She wore a black, form-fitting jacket with high collars that covered her upper body. It matched the color of her shorts and boots. She matched the red-eyed killer's glare with her blue iris, which seemed to ignite a flame. On Caster's side, a small boy with short blond hair was seen. He wore a beep blue robe with a white-collar bow and golden pin. His golden eyes match those of the red-cloaked alchemist, but black lines ran down his eyes.
"You two, are you Servants?" the blue-clocked boy asked.
"If we are, what's it to you?" Caster responded.
"There's no need to fight, we only want to talk." The blue-clocked boy said, "I'm Berserker, and the one on the other street is Archer."
"…" Archer did not say a word in response but remained focused on Assassin.
Caster then whispered to Assassin, "Is that girl the one from your world?"
"No, she's different." Assassin spoke before placing her hand on her sword. At the same time, Archer spawned her black blade, "I can kill her if you focus on Berserker."
"They say they just want to talk; we shouldn't resort to fighting unless we have to," Caster was saying until turning back to Berserker, "Funny, you seem a little small to be a Servant, especially one called Berserker."
"I mean, compared to most humans, you look pretty short yourself," Berserker commented as a vein appeared on Caster's forehead. The red-cloaked alchemist clapped his hands before touching the ground, causing electricity to race across toward Berserker. Suddenly, the concrete erupted at the blue-clocked boy's feet in the shape of a fist. Berserker jumped back to dodge while tightening his fist in a fighting stance.
"Really…" Assassin turned to Caster, who had focused his rage on Berserker.
"…!" Archer did not waste time as she dashed in with her black blade raised. Assassin responded in kind as she drew her katana. The two clashed weapons while glaring into the other's eyes, a combination of reds and blues reflecting as the Holy Grail War's conflict continued.
AN: There you go, things are getting heated a bit as we have a small warm up between Lancer, Rider, and Saber. We then get the introduction of Assassin and Caster, as well as concluding with Berserker and Archer. I like showing how teams are forming and how Lancer's mentality is in her moment on the water tower. Now we have some more match up to see other's abilities in action, as well as some insight on Caster noting all the oddities of this series so far. I'm having a lot of fun with this series and hope you are too. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.