All eye fell on the self-dubbed Saber. Her words were not met with any kind of response the invisible servants. The empress lowered and frowned.
"You wound my pride, dear subjects." She said with a sigh, turning away. "I'd hope this evening would have been a grand prelude of heroes. But it seems I've been summoned amongst a rabble of cowards." Lancer grew concerned with her words, and began to shift back. "However, no one can deny their empress a final performance." She whipped back around. Her sword quickly slashing the space around her, before slamming it into the ground. Before any of the servants could react to her actions, she flung her arms apart, and sung out: " Aestus Domus Aurea!"
A rapid swell of magical energy swirled up around her, and exploded outward. Caught in the radius, all three servants were struck with a flash of light. Lancer could feel his form forcefully rematerializing as his eyes adjusted to the light. Before he could even try to see the other two servants, Lancer was quickly overwhelmed with his surroundings. They were at the heart of a massive in-the-round theater, beautifully ornate in its decoration and design. Columns and ornamentation of gold overlapped the overpoweringly velvet crimson that filled the space. It was an extravagant stage that matched it's equally extravagant user.
"With that settled," Nero chuckled, happily looking about her theater and it's newfound guests, "Why don't you three introduce yourselves."
Lancer, as well as the two other servants were absolutely dumbfounded. Even as Nero continued to stand before them, exuding confidence.
Lancer took a moment to glance over the other two servants. Neither held weapons, nor did it seem they were dressed for combat. Closest to Lancer stood a tall almond-skinned man, adorned in but a few robes, shimmering gold jewelry, and an elaborate headdress that seemed to elongate his features further. This mysterious servant held himself in a rather odd manner, looking to be in his late 30's early 40's, with an elite air about him. Further away was woman, taller and older than Saber, but shorter than Lancer. A thick mane of tight black curls cascaded down her shoulders and upper back, and her clothing was but a loose blouse and long skirt held to her by a bound waist corset. She also seemed the most irritated by the situation, her expression stern and unfettered by Saber's displays.
"And why should we do that." The woman spat at Saber, her words laced with an accent Lancer couldn't discern.
"It's only courteous." Saber sneered, looking over the woman, her disgust clear. " Though I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand that."
The other female servant grimaced, her hands curling into fists before she crossed her arms. Turning up her nose she let out a scoff, she spoke.
"It's like a tyrant to misjudge her people."
The corners of Saber's mouth twitched as anger seemed to rise in her throat. Lancer and the other male servant watched as her expression twisted with rage.
"I suggest you tread carefully, miss." Saber said, her tone far from even, " We wouldn't casualties before the ritual."
The woman rolled her eyes. "Likewise." She huffed. "I'm sure your master would be very disappointed to end his bid so early."
Lancer saw the muscles on Saber's neck and shoulders tense up as she took a step towards the other female servant.
"Exactly." The other male servant interjected, physically shifting himself in front of the other female servant, " There is no need for us to end this ritual before it even begins." He said, finishing with a slight bow to Saber and the other servant.
"It seems at least one of you have manners befitting of a challenger." Saber sneered, her temper evening out. "And who do I have the pleasure of such an introduction?"
"Caster." He said simply with a smile as he took a step back.
Lancer frowned as Caster moved to reduce the tension between the two women with more idle conversation, all the while dancing around his actual identity.
"... I must say your theater is quite lovely." Caster continued, "I'm sure we all appreciate it's beauty. I know I've always had a weakness for artistic merit."
The other female servant gave a reluctant grunt in agreement as Saber beamed.
"I'm glad to have such a cultured subject in my presence!" Saber chimed in before turning to face the silent Lancer, "But what say you? Have you not seen something so glorious?"
Lancer glazed down at her, his violet eyes unwavering as he spoke, " I have no interest in your frivolity."
Saber blinked, taken aback by the servants words, before promptly shifting to a familiar state of frustration.
"What gives you the authority to call my theater frivolous, servant? Hm?" She growled, stepping closer to him in a rather imposing fashion despite her small stature.
Caster looked nervously over at Lancer as he continued with his response.
"I do not need authority to judge when someone's creations bear no merit."
"Is that so?" Saber grinned, her rage obviously swelling.
Lancer had grown tired of her games, so his reply was swift and tactless. "Especially the creations of a tyrant."
Before Caster or the other servant could even draw a breath, they were surprised with the sudden crash of metal onto a substance of equal if not more strength. Within that same instant, the theater around them dispersed and swelled back towards the servant that summoned it as raw magical energy. It wasn't until a second crash shook the ground that the two other servants caught sight of what was going on.
Saber stood with her back to them, clutching her gnarled sword tightly against a shimmering white lance that was tightly spiraled. Both of their weapons briefly interlocked before swiftly jerking apart.
Saber shifted back on her heal before springing forward, slashing her weapon to her opponent's left, to which he quickly blocked with his own.
"Lancer." She hummed as she twirled into another attack, making note of his class.
Lancer grunted in response, pushing back her attack. Saber flitted back, her sword across her form as she took a moment to look at her opponent. He had been unphased by her sudden attacks, not even a single shimmering hair was out of place. Saber grinned as her weapon filled with a new fervorous light.
She darted forward once more, slashing towards his shoulders and throat. Expectedly her sword did not reach it's mark as Lancer shifted back and moved his weight in such a way the piqued Saber's curiosity.
She swung again, studying his motions. There was a controlled wildness to the way he struck back against her, a distinctness in which muscles pulled along his arm and throat when his lance struck her sword. Saber's previous fit of anger had all but diminished, and had been replaced by an intense curiosity.
Her attacks did not relent. She pressed closer with each slash of her saber, until they were but inches from one another. Saber jabbed forward, purposely snagging her sword on Lancer's weapon. Quickly, she leaned in, and murmured:
"Who are you?"
Lancer unlocked his lance from his opponent's weapon and took both and in his hands. Thrusting it forward with intense speed to knock Saber back a considerable amount.
"I will not risk the safety of my master any further." He huffed, watching Saber steady herself. "I suggest you do the same."
Saber smirked. " I haven't risked anything, Lancer." She said, holding out her sword towards the other servant, "I've merely been sampling my oppone-"
Her words were cut short by the sound of the cathedral doors slamming open, as well as the sudden cry of her Master.
"Saber! Stop this at once!" Lampri called towards his servant, racing into the courtyard.
Saber rolled her eyes and turned towards the oncoming youth. " Oh what is it now?"
"The war hasn't even started yet!" He hissed, motioning for her to disperse her weapon. " Do you want to be disqualified?!"
"Lampri!" Boomed the commanding voice of Darius from the cathedral doors as he and the other four masters emerged from within. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Still looking for an assassin ^^ check out the last chapter for info on that!
Saber: Empress Nero | Master: Lampri Le Barb
Lancer: Identity Unknown | Master: Henning Anolen
Archer: Unknown
Caster: Identity Unknown Master: Unknown
Rider:Unknown
Assassin:Unknown
Berserker:Unknown