So this plan of ours-?
It's a mess, but it should work.

Three shadow'y faces turn towards me as the world shrinks in my vision.

That is, granted, as long as the misses pulls the final trick off.

In an instant, Archer pulls out an unprovoked sword. It is blazingly white. I don't see nor hear him tear my back in half.

I can hear Lancer shout in fury at Archer over the pounding of blood in my ears. He catches me before I fall face-first into the earth, dropping his legendary lances, holding me gently but forcefully. I catch a glimpse of Berserker howling at Archer, who remains unchanged.

Deus et natua non faciunt frusta! Why must you hasten me?

We'd best get this show on the road, those fools are on our trail.

Berserker is then beside me, breathing hastily in my face.

I apologize ma'am, some of us lack proper etiquette.

I would have responded, but I choke on a mouthful of blood.

This is part of the plan, I try to convince myself, shaking fists holding myself up.

This is supposed to happen, I try to whisper as I scramble in panic, falling lower and lower to the ground.

This wont work.

Its not like we can turn back now.

Berserker wipes my mouth clean before I can sputter out more …red stuff…

Wait, is that all mine? Is that all… my blood?!

He forces something down my throat, wedging his hand deep in my mouth. I sputter and gag as Lancer forces me up into a sitting position.

And this will work?
It is as you said previously, my friend.

My blurry vision fades quickly like a rock disappearing in an infinite sea. I reach up for Lancer's face, the man that cradles me to his chest. His eyes are beautiful, but filled with despair as he watches my body contract in agony.

We can do naught but trek forward.

I open my eyes one last time and see myself standing behind Lancer. I step closer to myself, caressing my check in my own hand. I faintly feel someone pooling blood from my back, and I see myself splashing it on… itself…myself.

What is happening.

Who is that?

So this plan of ours….

It's a mess, but it should work.

There's no way Caster would willingly let the girl near him.

I'm not a girl anymore, Archer.

We will disguise thyself as myself. The petite doctor's silhouette lights up my mind.

And I will mock myself as thyself.

Lancer stands, ragged and widelegged, as the knight veers closer once more.

The shadow stands, straddling the frail body, one dainty foot pressed firmly into the body's lifeless face.

The small body grimaces altogether; it convulses underfoot.

A frail arm rises up to grab the woman by the ankle.

Archer will take me, mocked as you, misses.

And Lancer will bring you closer to Caster. This is similar to my Dangerous Game in that it will reshape you. Alas, you must remain diligent, for it will not enhance you.

Archer frowns as he notices movement out of the corner of his eye. The heaped body stirs, reawaken by the bloodlust in the air.

"Took you long enough." He smiles, a smile fit only for an asshole. "It looks like the beauty rest didn't do much good for you."

"Shuttap, you ass."

No, I will take the girl

I'm not a girl, Archer. Not anymore, at least.

But you don't object to it?

How could I? You're supposed to be protecting me.

Then it's decided.

Mea anima est cum te. Nostra animae sunt cum vobis. Fair ye' well, my dear.

Do not be afraid, Kazumi Hashimoto. We will not fall on this day.

He strikes me down, here and there.

He struck me down, hasty and agitated by the warning presence of outsiders looming just out of his imperial sight.

He made the others jump, don't get me wrong.

And he was the reason I lost a few pints of blood.

Thank you, Berserker. I stand up and roll my shoulder. Silky blonde hair falls back to long, tangled black. My clothes falls back to its natural, chaotic state. The wound on my back slowly begins stitching itself back together

"You didn't even fucking hesitate, you monster."

Twin blades appear in Archer's waiting palms; its as he has done a million times before, a practiced dancer readying for a serenade with Death.

"How could I? I'm your protector," his foxy grin lights me up, his eyes on the daunting, still figure before us. "I had to play my part."

"You're still a monster."

"So you have said, girl."

.

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Shazam. I got a few of you off guard :P. Hopefully this makes sense – if not, I suggest you read through it a few times so it will sink in.