(Onboard "Chariot My Love")
"Isn't that (Excalibur)?" someone voiced aloud, although all three Servants were thinking it when the sudden beacon of (not their) victory lit up a ways southward of where the Chaldeans had first attacked from.
"They relocated? Clever," Medb muttered. "If they had stayed in place, doubtless one of Cú's anti-army attacks would have skewered them all at once."
"Ah, but because we're moving south and the landing Servants are moving west, this means they can't hit us both with a single blast due to the angle now." Originally, the druid had worried simply taking the direct path to shore would leave his colleagues in the ideal position to become 'collateral' if the Chaldeans simply attacked again with more firepower.
"I hope you have a plan in case that light comes in our direction," Bazett raised an eyebrow towards the Caster. "Don't expect me to riposte it from here."
"I happen to know that Chaldean Servants are notably weaker than regularly summoned ones," Cú replied briskly, grounding his staff into a matching depression in the ship's deck that had been made for such occasions. "With our onboard reserves of magical energy, a simple throwing of energy at one another is to our benefit, as I don't believe Artoria Pendragon will have any particular conceptual advantages to exploit."
A moment passed as the group waited for the brilliant torrent to be unleashed.
"It's coming for us." Cú inhaled as though the act could draw up magical energy from the massive ritual circle that made up large parts of the Chariot My Love. In fact, of course it was his magical circuits connecting to form energy into a defense.
"A cage of flames, yet verdant. Protector. Swallow up and disarm the destroyer. (Wicker Guardian) !"
A massive towering entity of wood, wreathed in a shimmering green flame like a pretense at foliage, wielding only an equally giant shield of dense hardwood appeared in front of the druid, and unhesitatingly began striding forward, aegis at the ready, gaining speed as though to counter-charge the sprinting strike of (Excalibur).
Ahead and behind of the flagship, human druids were still casting as many defensive spells as they could in the swiftly dwindling time left to do so. The sudden gust of magical wind that had aided in their sudden formation and heading adjustment had immediately ended when the casters' focus switched to this task.
"Hmm, that's troublesome." Cú was viewing the field through the eyes of his Noble Phantasm. "It seems Artoria's attack had a lot more dispersion than I expected; she must not have sufficient control over the Holy Sword."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Medb inquired, sensing from the context that it wasn't.
"Some of the ships at the ends of our formation will take the edge of her attack directly as the Guardian won't be able to totally block it. Unfortunately, I think they'll be instantly lost. That said, I recommend you brace for impact as the Guardian will nevertheless be destroyed and there will be some leak."
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(Chaldeans)
*Phew* "What was the effect?" Artoria lowered her sword, or rather the hilt that was left of it. Shrugging, she put the ruined Excalibur away and took out Caliburn again.
"They blocked it with a stronger defense than before, seems like." Gudao lowered his telescope Mystic Code. "I think some of the strike was deflected to either side and took out part of their formation, but those would be picket ships and the like. Hard to tell how much damage the blow-through energy did to the main body of the fleet, given all their defensive setups block useful scrying."
"Medb must have left at least one Servant on her flagship, then." Jeanne considered what this might mean. "One less for the melee, then."
"A few of the smaller ships that were headed landward were taken out, but there's still a number rushing towards us," d'Eon added. "They must have druids on them, the way they're running."
Gudako thought for a moment. "We should try to split them up and take them right on the water's edge. Sasaku, can you hit them from here?"
The magical girl Servant considered this. "With spears, yes. Human-level wards would probably not stand against them, but the damage would also most likely not be structurally-compromising."
"If they're using magecraft for speed, taking out the druids would slow them down," Jeanne pointed out. "It should be worth a shot. Focus on one at a time so they can't keep in formation."
"Unless the Servants jump out and, you know, swim," Elizabeth pointed out.
"At least that means they won't have the support of whatever the landing craft might have for such events," d'Eon shrugged.
The Masters considered their options quickly. After a moment, Gudao voiced their deployment strategy. "Ok Sasaku, switch to spears and start shooting from around this location. The rest of us will head over to the enemy's likely landing zone and try to take the Servants piecemeal. But make sure to keep shooting at the main fleet as well so they have to either fully withdraw or deal with you."
"Isn't that a recipe for getting her caught out alone?" Marie asked with a frown.
"Ideally they would try and split off one, maybe even two people for that. Then, you need to switch back and fly over to us. Means the enemy detachment has to waste even more time trying to return to the main battle." Gudako seemed to be on the same wavelength as Gudao.
"Well, if we see the big ships trying to close in then at least we'll know to expect something like, what, magecraft cannons?" Jeanne wondered.
"It's possible. They're currently moving away from their Servants, but I could see them trying to get an angle to avoid having to shoot over their landing group to hit is. If so we should probably get moving," Gudao concluded.
"I'll head further south along the cost and set up a firing position. Like you said, if I spot anyone headed in my direction I'll fly over to you."
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(Landing Craft "Agile Swimmer")
"They're attacking us?"
"We've already been hit?!"
The crew on deck were panicking as their splinters of their vessel shredded the air around them, striking some unlucky souls who would not be making back home in time for Christmas.
"We should switch to defense." The captain, more experienced in receiving fire than his crew, calmly suggested to their prestigous passenger, a giant wreathed in spikes.
"Unfortunately, that will not save you," Cú Chulainn Alter replied with equal calm. "First of all, because that isn't a conventional magecraft attack, but ward-piercing spears hitting us at very high speed. And second, because I detect that our onboard pair of druids have already perished."
Indeed, even in that moment it was clear that the 'wind' that had been helping them race towards the shore had now ended.
"With minimal natural wind, we're sitting ducks," the captain raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry."
"You're being attacked by a Chaldean Servant," the Queendom Servant replied coolly. "I will disembark. Have your men furl the sails and the enemy will stop attacking. Or more likely... yes I think they've already shifted targets. Focus on damage control, you're out of this fight."
(Landing Craft "Swift Ferryman")
"It seems that the lead ship has been disabled !" the lookout sounded on edge while making his report. "The enemy emplacement seems to be splitting their guns between us and the main fleet !"
"It's not guns," Cú Chulainn's eyes allowed him to see the true nature of the attack. "It's just a single Servant. Look on the shore and you can see the rest of them."
"What should we do?" the captain asked while watching the Servant take out his green Gae Bolg.
"Just keep going ahead. We'll need to be closer before we can do anything about either threat. Oh about the one shooting us, I guess hope to be lucky, it's solid shot so these craft should be able to absorb a lot of punishment."
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(Chaldean formation)
"Yeah, I can see one of them swimming for it," d'Eon told his comrades. "A really big one, he's using the ships as cover from Sasaku's shots."
"Should I blast them away?" Elizabeth asked eagerly.
"Hmm, wait for a better time," Gudako tried to calm the excited would-be idol down. "Currently your attack would be mostly absorbed by the ships and water, not the enemies we need to take out."
"Besides, the range is a bit far," Gudao pointed out. "Whoever comes up first, attack them together. And make sure to not let them use that heart-targeting technique, it'll do anyone in with just one throw if they are allowed to get it off."
"She's taken out another ship," d'Eon reported after their magical girl had apparently switched to Medb's fleet and now switched back to the landing group.
"Hey, what's that?" Marie pointed to the current lead ship, where a Servant was raising a massive shimmering drill into the air before taking a leap off his carrier into the water. A rumbling could be heard as the nearby waterline abruptly receded.
"That was Fergus," Gudako recognized the signature sword, (Caladbolg), that Scáthach had told them about earlier.
"I think he's trying to generate a tsunami !" Gudao hurriedly announced. "Get inland or we'll be scattered by the wave !"
Jeanne immediately responded by grabbing Gudako who was near to her and heading in the stated direction. Taking inspiration from this, Marie secured Gudao and followed suit.
"They're going to land for free," Elizabeth complained as the Chaldeans beat a hasty retreat ahead of the water.
"They spent a Noble Phantasm that didn't harm us," Artoria corrected her. "Besides, they've messed up the landing zone as well, so we can take advantage of that. And we outnumber them, right?"
"Yes, the detector said there were five of them. Well we're actually five ourselves without Sasaku," Gudako recounted.
"They've used a Noble Phantasm and unlike us, don't have the Command Spells to fall back on," Jeanne mumbled. "Since they're separated from their supporting element, we need to take advantage."
"Ok, let's stop here," d'Eon suggested, seeing the extent of the water's flow. "They're forming up on the beach. Hmm, I can see that one of them is using his spear to block Sasaku's shots that are hitting them in the flank."
"Excellent, though we can't count on her keeping him occupied once we close into melee," Elizabeth immediately realized.
"Mhm. Though I only spot four of them, you're sure on the detector reading?"
"It's cranked up in sensitivity and still shows five, so..." Gudako thought about it.
"One of them must be swimming to stay out of sight and approach Sasaku?" Marie suggested.
"Probably. Should we wait so he gets further from the other four before attacking? We should have the advantage then," Artoria flourished her sword idly.
"About that, they're advancing right toward us actually," d'Eon added.
"A bold move. Jeanne, please be ready - they're going to use those spears at least once before we can close," Gudako directed their remaining Ruler.
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(Queendom Braves)
"So that is the famous Chaldea, huh." Cú Chulainn eyed the formation they were approaching, swatting away incoming spears with his own crimson one without much thought. "I'll have to leave the opening blow to you."
"Hmm, that's quite a collection of beauties," Fergus commented while bringing up the rear. "What are the chances they're all into training like Scáthach?"
"Funny you bring that up, since Caster said they probably have her training them, so I wouldn't underestimate their ability. Which should be true for any Servant, really." On their right side, another Cú Chulainn hefted his verdant spear. "We should be nearing my range."
"The moment he starts deploying Gáe Bolg, we will all charge together. Doubtless their support can't keep shooting once we're in close." Their leader held out his his own spear at the ready, though the Chaldeans didn't seem interested in attacking at the moment.
"Alright, I will unleash my Soaring Spear that Strikes with Death. (Gáe Bolg) !"
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(Chaldeans)
"Right, though his spear looks different from hers, the technique is as what Caster demonstrated," Artoria had taken over watching the enemy from d'Eon as she had learned about Cú Chulainn's various fighting techniques directly from the Lancer's own mentor, Scáthach.
"Jeanne-" Gudako started, but paused when it was clear the Ruler already had her banner in hand. One of the side-benefits of having her bring up the rear was that the rest of the group passively screened their defensive ace from the enemy eyes.
"I remember the timing."
"The rest of them are picking up speed. As we should have expected, they don't seem upset by the ground conditions after it all settled down a bit," Artoria handed the telescope back to Gudao and turned her attention towards wielding Caliburn.
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(Queendom Braves)
"Hmm, so once he fully unleashes it, it's still red in the end," Fergus commented idly while the air ahead of them filled with descending spears reaching down towards the Chaldeans like the bloody fingers of death.
"Charge."
The three Celts, arranging themselves in a triangle, broke into a sprint as a sudden flare of light from the Chaldean formation seemed to eat up the attacking spears, sending the weapons careening off in all directions.
"They had a defensive play like that?" Cú Chulainn frowned. "No wonder they seemed oddly nonchalant."
"It's just a trade," Cú Chulainn Alter grumbled as just ahead of them, a weaponless woman stepped out in between the two Chaldean swordswomen making up their front line.
There was a brief moment in which they could see her waving in their direction, like royalty taking her leisure in the limelight. But then something large shimmered into view, hurtling towards the Celts like a wild horse. Or rather, it was a horse, wasn't it?
"What's this Noble Phantasm?" the giant rumbled while throwing his spear at the phantasm without slowing. "Very well, I shall unleash the curse. (Curruid Coinchenn) !"
A step, another step and Marie's (Guillotine Breaker) was upon the Berserker, who hacked his way though it with sheer brute force. And the bone-claws on either arm. The shattered and scattered parts that survived flew across the battlefield as the Alter's forward momentum brought the cutting and slicing whirlwind of claws into the faces of the Chaldeans' frontliners.
"Ugh, I missed my chance," Elizabeth complained to no one in particular as she hurriedly swung her large weapon at the attacking giant. To think that even Marie's attack couldn't slow him down enough for me to wind up my new technique !
"Bleed and die," Cú Chulainn Alter growled, swiping at the apparently hardly armored target that presented himself to him. However she quickly back-stepped, using a combination of angle and her shield to avoid taking a clean hit. Automatically, the Berserker went to use his own left arm, which had a second equally powerful claw - but from that side, Artoria's Caliburn came in and entangled itself in the bony weapon.
The Alter made a backhand sweeping motion, which freed his left claw, albeit losing a part of it that the Chaldean's Holy Sword cut through.
"None of that, you're mine !" Cú Chulainn's red spear stabbed swiftly, forcing Artoria to backpedal and parry as the Lancer smoothly shifted to quick thrusts while advancing to keep the Saber off his ally.
Turning his head, Fergus motioned with his hand for the catching-up Cú Chulainn to flank right with his now-green-again spear. "Alter, I'll fight with you."
"Get your own," was the terse reply as a pair of claws kept swiping away. Somehow, though, Elizabeth's footwork kept her a deceptively distant target, though it was obvious that she was never going to be able to defend herself if caught within the Berserker's ideal range.
Taking advantage of the gap between the engaged Artoria and Elizabeth, Fergus thrust himself into the Chaldean formation just as d'Eon, spotting the spearman rapidly approaching the Chaldean left, stepped out from the center to engage, drawing his saber against the incoming verdant lance.
His first priority was to identify the Masters. As long as they were not in range, he could let loose with his sword. However, he found himself being blocked bodily by two women. It only took a moment to identify that between the two of them, one - the Jeanne d'Arc known to be with Chaldea - had likely been the defensive Noble Phantasm owner, while the other was clearly Queen Marie, as he had seen in Queendom depictions, who commanded the horse Noble Phantasm.
And that meant they had all used their trump cards, so... "I can take you both on at once !" Fergus roared in delight.
"Ugh." Jeanne swung her banner down, flicking the fabric around and securing it to the shaft with her forward left hand while taking on a spear-wielding stance, point forward. It was probably only a coincidence that the implied line of attack was aimed at the enemy Saber's groin.
Marie glanced sideways, catching Jeanne's eye as the two moved to the attack.
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Notes:
The Chaldean group is facing the shore (ie, facing east). Remember that means the Chaldean right (south) corresponds to the Celtic left.
Thus (using Chaldean facing), Artoria is on the right, fighting Cú. Elizabeth is in the center, fighting Cú Alter. d'Eon is on the left, fighting Cú (the Prototype one). Fergus has gone in between Artoria and Elizabeth and is deeper into the center, facing Jeanne and Marie. Obviously the Masters quickly moved behind those two.
Sétanta is moving along the shore (ie, headed southwards) so from the Chaldean perspective, he is swimming/running far to their right (which is where Sasaku is located).
While it obviously depends on context, if you take a spear/polearm (and are right-handed) you can imagine your left hand is forward if you are thrusting in a two-handed grip - your right hand moving forward pushes the point out to the target. If your right hand is closer to the head, this makes for more natural cutting (glaive etc), your right hand moves in an arc, as does the end of your weapon (with a cutting edge). Obviously you could cut and then suddenly thrust with your right-hand forward though, or the other way around (and even switch your grip etc).