Saber carries Irisviel in her arms as she runs on the water toward the servant that sent out the challenge.
Her Mana circuits hum pleasantly for being so close to her master that it almost distracts her from the serious task at hand.
Saber and Irisviel arrive at a spacious abandoned construction site that had one lone servant standing between the middle area of the metal crates light shining down on him.
Saber gently puts down her Master who stands tall by her side without an ounce of fear.
"So you're the only ones who showed up."
"Yes, it would seem so."
"I'm happy to see another brave warrior in this war, I hope you have the skills to back it up."
Saber equips her armor and her grip her sword covered in Invisible Air.
"I accept your challenge and will bring victory to my master."
Armed with his two lances he takes his stance.
"Then let's begin."
They quickly trade blows neither of them letting up as Saber deflects both lances at the same time. Her instinct allows her to react to his strikes but she can tell he is a master with his weapons.
After the first exchange they back away Lancer smirks as he felt the cut on his right cheek.
"Well your skills are truly remarkable I'm enjoying myself greatly, Saber!"
Saber has a slight smirk of her own as she holds her proud stance.
"As am, I, Lancer, know that your skills exceed what I expected."
A man's voice echoes through the area she doesn't take her eyes off Lancer but she instinctively seeks out her master's mana to make sure she is safe behind her. When she feels the warmth respond to her she focuses on the new man's voice.
"Lancer, stop playing around and use your Noble Phantasm to kill Saber!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Lancer drops the short yellow spear on the ground and the cloth that covered the red spear dissolves and she feels the sudden power that has been unsealed.
"Here comes my true power, Saber!"
He sprints forward swinging the lance with precision Saber blocks the swing but the weapon cuts through her Invisible air she backs off glaring at his lance.
"So that's the sword you're hiding this is even more exciting then!"
Every time their blades clash her invisible air gets chipped away but on the next bout aiming to slice his chest but is blocked by the other end of the spear. She backs off before he chases her going for her head that barely misses his target as she rolls back to her feet.
"What's wrong, Saber, you're on the defensive come at me with all you've got!"
Taking a deep breath she thinks coming up with an idea griping with both her hands she lifts her sword and sprint toward knowing her armor will protect her.
As she comes within his range she suddenly feels pain on her right side like her armor didn't even exist. The pain is surprised but she quickly backs away before she takes any more damage she holds her side realizing it didn't cut through her armor.
"Saber!"
The worried voice of Irisviel calls out to her then she feels the warmth of her master's magic as the injury is quickly healed, Saber stands proudly with the sword at the ready before proclaiming.
"Thank you for your help, Master!"
Lancer chuckles before his voice is full of mirth.
"What a pain looks like I have my work cut out for me."
He slowly backs away looking at her with a challenging glare she meets his eyes with steady confidence.
"It seems your blade can cut even through magic armor, so be it then."
She sheds her armor to her blue and white battle dress and brings her sword to her side ready to cut down the other servant.
"Then I will fight you without my armor!"
She gathers Mana around her preparing to strike and Lancer backs away slowly reading for the clash.
"You plan to finish this in one blow then I shall do the same!"
At that, she charges at him at full speed before her instinct goes off as the yellow spear appears in her vision.
Saber had miscalculated about his noble phantasm as takes a cut across her wrist.
She pivots to gain her balance again as the other servant loses his grip on his other weapon after hitting her.
"You should have kept that armor equipped, Saber. That mistake will cost you dearly."
She knows something is wrong when she feels Irisviel's magic wash over her but the wound doesn't heal. Not taking her eyes off her opponent she forms a mental link with her Master.
-Irisviel, are you able to heal me?-
The hum of warm magic rapidly flows through her body but her wound still doesn't heal.
-I'm trying but, it's not working!-
The confusion, The fear of having done something wrong are the emotions that push through the mental link. Saber sends out a calming pulse of magic between the link that brings Irisviel to focus on that sensation.
-Irisviel it's not your fault it has to be his Noble Phantasm...-
Saber feels her master relax through the link Irisviel stops trying to heal her and focuses on providing her mana for the continuing battle.
-I believe in you, Artoria.-
Feeling reinvigorated she refocuses her attention with both hands on the hilt of Excalibur even with her wound making it difficult to have a firm grip she still stands proud. Her eyes never leave her opponent who speaks confidently a smirk on his face.
-Thank you Irisviel.-
"I see your master is done with attempting to heal you, Saber."
He casually holds his two spears at his eye level.
"Though you figured out my Gae Dearg could pierce through any armor."
"But your mistake was getting rid of your armor leaving you open to attack my other Noble Phantasm, Gae Buidhe."
Saber realization at the true name of her other servant she begins to speak.
"I see now, you have two cursed spears, one causes a wound that can never heal, and the other that can pierce through any armor."
"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne of the Accursed Spears it is an honor to battle with someone of such skill."
He smiles joyful that she figured it out.
"There is no hero that would mistake that blade, I am honored to battle the Legendary King of Knights your skills as a swordsman are befitting for one of the powerful Saber class!"
He readying his lances his smirks to the other warrior.
"Now let's see if you can still fight me even with that wound!"
She firmly holds her sword ready to win this duel.
"A little scratch will not stop me from defeating you, Lancer!
Before they can clash again A triumphant shout comes from above as a chariot with two bulls rides between the warriors interrupting their battle. The tall man lifts both his arms in a grand gesture.
"I am Iskandar the Great, The King of Conquerors you both have shown great promise in your battle. Join me for we shall sail the seas and conquer the whole world!"
