Most of the day was spent practicing on the barrier covering the apartment complex. Naomi tried strengthening it to hone her magic and accidentally shattered the dome few times. The clock ticked two hours before it was time to leave to meet Edward, so she packed up her papers and frustration and gave up for the night.

She walked in on Lancer standing in front of the open fridge, drinking straight from the orange juice carton.

"You're supposed to get a glass for that," she scolded more out of tension than caring if he was filling the container with spit wads.

He put the carton back in the fridge and licked a line of juice from his upper lip. "I didn't want enough to grab a glass."

Naomi sat at the bar and rummaged through her purse. She fished out her phone as Lancer threw an arm over her shoulders. He leaned a hefty portion of his weight on her as he tried to get a look at what she was doing. The screen blinked, void of notifications.

"Still nothing?" He asked.

"No." Naomi pinched the nerve between his thumb and forefinger.

Lancer make a choking sound and backed off, waving his hand out.

"Ready for tonight? I doubt we'll leave without some kind of fight," Naomi asked.

"Are you kidding? I'm ready now. Let's go kick Saber's ass."

It was dark when they arrived at the church. Edward was leaning against a concrete bollard near the church's entrance with his hands in his pockets.

He had a neutral smile and pushed off the post. "Good. You decided to come."

Naomi shrugged despite the annoyance that crept up at seeing him. Lancer was hanging back in Spirit form on her request.

"Because you gave me such a great ultimatum."

Behind Edward, orbs of light shimmered and coalesced into a tall, blond haired man in shining silver armor.

Naomi took a step back, anticipating an attack. She did not trust this guy from the Clock Tower, and she did not want a repeat of Joan.

"My lord." Saber bowed his head. "The Servant you sensed is still at the school, but I have been unable to locate them. My apologies."

"It's fine, Gawain. Knowing they're still around is good enough." Edward turned toward Naomi. "The school is within walking distance. I prefer to use my own two feet to machines."

"Gawain is his Servant's name? I've never heard of him," Naomi thought to Lancer.

"A knight of the round table. Huh. Revealing his true name like that. Talk about an idiot."

Naomi was intrigued. "Like, King Arthur round table?"

"Exactly. He wields the sister sword to Excalibur. He won't be an easy opponent." Lancer's voice lifted eagerly. "I wonder if he's as good as the real thing."

"How do you know all that?" The grail telling Servants how to use a coffee maker was leagues different than giving them knowledge of every other Servant. Lancer's knowledge was going to be indispensable if she could dig up dirt on a servant. Now she understood why it was paramount to keep a Servant's true name secret. Joan had simply told her it was a big no-no.

"You didn't say another Servant and Master would be involved. Are you expecting us to fight with you against them?" Naomi asked Edward.

"I did say we would join forces. This Master and Servant need to be put down. Consider it your first trial run for the Mage Association."

"I want to be an apprentice at the Clock Tower, not join the Mage Association."

"Every magus has to be part of the Mage Association. Usually I would have sent a mage killer after you for illegally practicing magic, but you're getting an exception. Be grateful."

"Illegal?" She balked. She had never heard of magi needing a license. Killing someone for it sounded absurdly extreme. Despite all of Joan's harping on the Mage Association, Naomi had been determined to learn more magic. The Association was going to be her best bet to make it part of her life and not a hobby that she couldn't share with anyone. She didn't think they were this bad. For the first time, she was starting to get nervous about the prospect of going to London.

Lancer's voice echoed through the air. "I don't make a habit of interfering in others business." Lancer materialized next to her with his head haughtily thrown back. His lance appeared, and he lazily swung it in a circle. "But I have to make an exception when you threaten my Master."

"Lancer. One of the three knight classes." Edward eyed him like a piece of art.

Lancer was grinning from ear to ear and Naomi could feel excitement rolling off him in waves.

Lancer's presence made Naomi feel more in control and somewhat cooled her shaken nerves. As long as she had a Servant she wasn't helpless to the whims of others. She wondered, if she beat Edward here and now, and let Lancer kill him, there would be no one to send assassins for her life. Screw it. She didn't want anyone's help in this war.

"There's no point to this. You can evaluate my skills in other ways," Naomi said. "I don't want to team up with you."

"You get that I have to kill you if you don't come with me? Have I not been clear enough?"

He was a Master and so was she. There was another way to settle this. "That's reason enough for me to reject your so-called request. Lancer!"

It was risky to attack Edward. Maybe her future relied on his evaluation of her skills, but she wasn't going to put up with threats and she wasn't going to be used by some kid.

Lancer was giddy as he flipped Gae Bolg in a flash of red. Spinning it like a baton before pointing it at Gawain. "I thought you would never ask!"

"Go kick his Servant's ass."

"Leave him to me!" Wind gusted around Naomi as Lancer shot forward as if fired from a canon.

Gawain blocked Lancer's attack with his sword. Lancer spun his lance over his head then held it out toward Gawain. "Come on and fight me. Blade-to-blade."

"You want to die? Fine," Edward said. "Gawain. Kill Lancer."

Gawain held his sword in both hands and let it drop as he fell into stance. "Yes, my lord."

The Saber charged forward, his whole body like a rolling tank in a silver suit of armor. Naomi hastily put distance between them. She had been stuck between Lancer and Assassin's fight and Lancer nearly paid the price for her interference. Gawain looked much more powerful and could probably cleave them both with one stroke.

Naomi retreated further across the parking lot but was careful to stay out of view of the road. Lancer danced around Gawain's strokes that were inhumanly fast, but consistently too slow to catch Lancer. Lancer gracefully danced around Gawain and deflected the blows. Gawain wasn't as quick as Assassin or Rider.

Edward followed her. "Lancers are weak to Sabers and you've never been taught as a magus. You don't stand a chance." He held his hand up and chanted. The cap on a nearby fire hydrant popped off and water was drawn out like string being yanked through a straw.

Liquid burst from the hydrant and curled around Edward. The water formed into the head of a fanged dragon at the panicle of the water geyser. "You've made a stupid decision. I'll be acting on behalf of the Mage Association and dispose of you."

"So, you're going through the moody teenager phase. I get it." The only magic she had experience fighting against was fire and earth. Water would be tricky.

Edward chanted again, too quickly for Naomi to decipher the ancient words. At the end of his incantation, the dragon's mouth silently roared, and the geyser of water jetted forth from the fire hydrant. Naomi put her palms on the ground and generated a shielded dome. With runes, she didn't need to chant a spell. She willed her prana into the runes painted on her skin and the magic responded.

The water crashed against her barrier, batting it with little effect. The hydrant eventually ran out of water and a pool formed in a circle.

Her shield fell, and the water collected in around her feet. "I thought a magus from the Association would be stronger. A dragon head. Really?" She glanced behind her to see the Servants had taken their battle down the road.

The shing of clashing blades echoed midair as a car drove unaware underneath them. The impacts created vibrations that Naomi could feel in her bones. There was a shattering of glass and crunch of metal as they disappeared into a building.

"If all you have is a flimsy shield then you won't last long." Edward's voice was steely.

She knew she couldn't beat him like this. She would have to get creative.

Edward was able to take something like a stream of harmless water and turn it into a weapon. Maybe she could do the same with her barriers.

Edward began chanting and the water around Naomi's feet sprang up in columns. One of the columns shot towards her. She deflected with a micro barrier that burst from her palm and was the size of a dessert plate. It only lasted long enough to stop the attack. The water scattered harmlessly and dampened her clothes and skin.

Naomi couldn't block all of the rising water, so she ran toward Edward before he could start a bombardment. The water threaded thin and whipped her back with enough speed and force that they jolted her back and left it stinging.

She managed to reach Edward and rushed her palm toward him and released a micro barrier. It snapped his hand that he was holding out to control the water. Edward lurched back, holding his wrist.

Naomi didn't pause and used her other palm to hit him in the chest. Edward stumbled back, bewildered. She stopped in front of him, ready to attack again. Naomi hadn't trained for fights like this. She had nothing to work on but flying by what felt right. The thought was terrifying and exhilarating in the same moment as her mind went blank.

Edward jerkily straightened his shirt. "I guess I have to be more serious if you're going to put up a fight."

Lancer was right. Edward thought they weren't a threat.

Her anger rose like a rising heat. "Did you think I would just roll over?"

Edward walked backwards. Naomi didn't want to give him the chance to put distance between them. He seemed to like fighting at range where she would have no way to attack. Naomi came at him again, snapping her open palm at his head. Edward dodged the attack and chanted in the same movement. The water washing down the pavement reversed flow. The liquid shot upward and wrapped around her neck like a live snake.

She staggered back, pulled by the water. It expanded and encased her face, forcing her to hold her breath and close her eyes. She reflexively tried to grab the tendril, but her hands phased right. Her lungs quickly burned to breathe and her muscles tightened.

By bursting a micro barrier at the thread of water connected to the ground, she broke the thread off from its source. The liquid fell away and she coughed up water.

"Maybe with a few years of training you would be a decent magus," Edward said.

The water whipped around her ankle and yanked her foot out from under her. She caught the fall with her hands, scrapping them on concrete as blunt force rattled through her arms and water sloshed around her wrists and soaked her pants.

The cold water shot into the air and encased her in a bubble, robbing her of sight and sound as she was forced to close her eyes and the water rushed into her ears. Shoving prana into her runes, a barrier expanded and blasted the water away. She skidded to her feet and ran at Edward, determined to keep him from chanting another spell.

Edward raised the back of his hand to face her. His arm was tattooed with countless seals. Many were half smeared. Each one was lit up with a crimson red light.

"Lancer! I command you to restrain your Master." Edward's voice roared.

Naomi almost made it to Edward when an arm hooked around her middle and locked her against the person's side. Her arm was outstretched, inches from Edward's face. She continued the attack and let a micro barrier start forming in front of her palm. Lancer swiftly grabbed both her wrists and locked them behind her back with such speed and force that she thought her shoulders were going to dislocate.

She cried out from the pain as Gawain caught up, his blade raised. Lancer swung Gae Bolg around to brace against the attack.

"Gawain! Stay your blade!" Edward ordered.

The Saber's eyes turned panicked. He had thrown all of his weight into the assault and couldn't stop. He rotated his blade struck Gae Bolg with the flat side of his sword. Naomi could feel the impact rattle through Lancer and cold air gushed around them as sparks flew. Gawain backed off but kept his sword at the ready. Lancer let go of her wrists. His chest heaved, and his pupils were silted like a viper's.

"That was a Command Seal. How?" Lancer snarled at Edward.

That was exactly what the hell Naomi wanted to know, too. Only she should have been able to command Lancer.

Edward's face stretched in a satisfied smile and he pulled down his sleeve. "I'm this Grail War's observer. I can command any Servant as needed."

Naomi rubbed her wrists, still jarred from being grabbed like by Lancer. "Isn't that cheating?"

If Edward could control any Servant, then the war's winner was already decided.

"I stand by strict rules. I only use the Seal's when the Grail War is being obstructed or a rule is being broken. There are consequences if I abuse the powers I have been bestowed."

Her words were biting as she gripped her wrists. "And which one just happened?"

"You were being an obstruction."

"Are you telling me Master's are allowed to kill each other?" He hadn't said a rule had been broken, and he had been the first to attack her.

"The killing of Master's is frowned upon but it is not forbidden. I am bound to allow it, but I think those Master's are disgusting and undeserving of the Grail.

"You just tried to kill me!" Naomi was livid and wanted to throttle the teenager.

"I told you why your death was decreed. It had nothing to do with the War. But, I'll let you two live a bit longer. I can still make use of you and your Servant."

"Isn't that convenient," Lancer spat. He rearranged his grip on Gáe Bolg and spread his feet.

"You will serve me." Edward's seals shined bright against the night.

"Hah. Serve you? Not likely!" Lancer thrusted Gáe Bolg

As Lancer spoke, Edward chanted, "By this Seal. I order that if you disobey me, Lancer, you have to kill your Master."

Naomi could feel Lancer's breathing stall. Gáe Bolg stopped inches from Edward's chest and a pommel of a sword broadsided Lancer's head. He went down. Hard.

"Lancer!" Naomi jumped over Lancer's collapsed body and stuck her hand out, ready to erect a shield.

Gawain didn't show any indication of attacking again. His lips were drawn tight he didn't twitch a muscle.

"I still don't know who your Servant is, but his loyalty is commendable."

"Screw you!" Naomi was shaking as she gripped Lancer who was out cold.

Naomi's seals began to glow bright red. Edward pointed a finger and it started to glow. She had Command Seals too. She could reverse what he had done.

"Lancer! I Command-"

"Finn Shot," Edward interrupted.

A green light fired form Edward's finger like a bullet. The light struck Naomi in the chest before she could finish getting to her feet. She was blown back by the blast that spread over her on impact as if the geyser from the fire hydrant had hit her square on.

She doubled over, gasping for breath as pain spread over her front. Her knees sank into onto the cold pavement and it was an icy shock through her wet clothes.

Determined to move through the pain, Naomi opened her mouth to the continue with the command to reverse the spell. But, when she tried to form the syllables, it felt as if her throat swelled shut. She coughed, finding it impossible to breathe until she stopped trying to speak. She gripped the front of her waterlogged shirt and pulled it away from her skin, trying to give her lungs room.

"I understand why you're angry, but I'm doing this for a reason." Edward lit a cigarette and took a long drag. His eyes were callous as he looked down on her and Lancer in disappointment. "I'll take back my decision to kill you for now. I think I can make this work."

He started walking toward the church. "Gawain. Watch them until Lancer wakes up. It shouldn't take long."

Naomi covered Lancer the second Gawain started to move. They would have to go through her to do anything to him. Gawain merely bowed then turned sideways to avert his gaze. He was going to stand sentry, but not attack. Naomi tried to speak her command again, but her throat closed up. It was impossible to use a Seal without her voice.

Edward leaned against the bollard he had been occupying when Naomi drove up and he smoked his cigarette. She couldn't take on Edward and Gawain on her own, so she had to infuriatingly wait. She was already sick and tired of her inability to fight. She knew she wasn't some great trained magus. That's why she wanted to be admitted to the Clock Tower. She hadn't expected the Grail War to directly hinge on her abilities. This was supposed to be a Servant versus Servant fight. This was all starting to go so far above her head that she might as well be at the bottom of the ocean while everyone else was in space.

Naomi turned her attention to Lancer and placed his head in her lap. Blood was mixed in his hair where Gawain had struck with his sword. She gently brushed back his mane and sent healing mana into his body.

"I didn't hit him too hard. He'll be alright," Gawain said not unkindly while glancing down at them.

She gave him a sharp look. Letting her eyes say how pissed she was at him and Edward. Gawain respectfully looked away. Naomi wished she could pick up Lancer and carry him away, but he was too heavy, and Gawain would stop her from trying anything. All she could do was heal the wound on Lancer's head. She held him, tense and ready to use her barriers if Edward changed his mind and ordered Gawain to kill them. Not that she would be able to do a damn thing against the Saber.

It was a few minutes later when Lancer started to stir.

He wheezed out a groan. "What hit me?"

Naomi brushed back his bangs with a worried expression then sharply looked between Edward and Gawain. They were watching, but not moving.

Lancer grinned warily. "Whatever it was, it must have been worth it."

In any other situation, she would have yelled at him or felt embarrassed. Right now, she was too shaken after figuring out that she was in deep shit and too far in to back out.

Edward dropped his cigarette and stomped it out in a pile that had been growing at his feet. "Finally up?"

Lancer's eyes widened and he swung his arms out to rock to a sitting position. He held his arm out and Gáe Bolg shot off the ground where it had fallen into his waiting hand.

Edward walked toward them. "Lancer. Grab your Master's throat with both hands."

"Are you crazy?" Lancer spat, then his arm straightened without his control.

He jumped into a crouch and spun around. He knocked Naomi flat on her back. Gáe Bolg clattered on the ground as both of his hands wrapped around her throat. Naomi grabbed his arms out of out of reflex and froze under him. His grip was loose and barley touching her neck. She swallowed thickly and her already sore throat burned. Lancer his face scrunched up and his eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Don't forget. If you don't follow my orders you have to kill your Master," Edward reminded him.

Lancer looked back at Edward with a cold glare. "You have a captive audience. Just like you wanted."

Naomi swallowed again and the fingers around her throat flinched. "Lancer. Can you still hear me?"

"Loud and clear." His tone was straight and professional, a testament to his anger. "This is hell of a predicament to be in."

Naomi couldn't agree more. "He used a spell so I can't talk. Command Seals don't work unless I say them out loud. If we wait until it wares off I can reverse the command."

"How long will that take?"

"I don't know. I'm trying to dispel it." As she spoke, she tried to remember where she had drawn the experimental rune on her body. There had never been a proper spell for her to practice it on so she had no idea if she could get rid of whatever Edward had hit her with. She had figured it wouldn't have hurt to try painting it on herself just in case. Dispelling was in the same school as healing, so she figured there was a chance shit could be useful to a Servant.

Edward used another Command Seal. "Dismiss your weapon."

"I hope you'll be ready to die soon." As Lancer spoke, Gáe Bolg vanished in wisps of red mana. His fingers flexed around her throat, but he managed to restrain from applying force.

"I won't be," Edward said with finality. "I have you and your Master's life in my hands." His mouth ticked upwards. "Or rather, you have your Master's life in your hands. You can kill her at any time if you don't want to listen."

"Bastard," Lancer seethed. His thumb twitched up her neck and rested on her pulse.

Naomi tightened her grip on his arms and her heart hammered a mile a minute. Naomi didn't know Lancer well enough to gauge his anger limit or know how far he would go if pushed. If Lancer wanted to kill her to get to Edward, there was nothing she could do to stop him since her voice had been taken away. She was terrified that Lancer was going to kill her right here and now. Every time his finger twitched, she flinched.

"Pick up your Master and follow me." Edward walked to his Servant who had remained silent as a statue. "Let's go, Gawain."

Gawain bowed then picked up Edward. Edward sat in the crook of Gawain's arm and held onto his Servant's shoulder.

"Can you get on my back? I'd rather keep my hands free," Lancer asked her and slowly released her neck.

Naomi nodded, and Lancer moved out from between her legs. He remained crouched and turned his back to her. She hesitated then tentatively wrapped her arms over his shoulders and hooked her fingers together. Lancer gripped under her thighs to keep her from slipping and quickly stood.

Gawain took off at a run.

"Hold on tight," Lancer warned.

Naomi squeezed him with her arms and legs and Lancer freed one hand to grab both of hers. It was large and warm against her cold fingers. The touch was comforting, like an apology. Lancer darted after Gawain, easily keeping pace, and readjusted his grip to her thighs.

The wind that rushed around them bit into her wet clothing and stung her eyes. Naomi buried her face in the back of Lancer's neck and involuntarily started to shiver. His back was warm, but his body heat wasn't enough to stave off the whipping wind. She tried to keep her mind off the cold by focusing on the dispel rune. Prana poured into it, but it wasn't reacting correctly. She could picture its shape and position in her mind, but there was no change in her ability to speak.

What could have only been around ten minutes felt like an eternity. Lancer landed behind Gawain and the sight of a high school evoked no emotion except 'prison'. It wasn't a school she went to, but Naomi didn't have fond memories of those days. Every day had been a bore in what seemed like its own ecosystem of bitter kids.

Edward motioned for Gawain to set him down. Lancer followed suit and crouched down so Naomi could find her feet. She stepped away from him and Lancer stood rigidly at attention.

An electric jolt fired through Naomi's magic circuits and made her hair stand on end when they entered the grounds.

Edward looked back at her with interest. "I was going to be disappointed if you couldn't sense this Servant."

Naomi couldn't believe the powerful surges of energy that electrocuted the ground she stood on. It was like what Rider had done to grab attention, but it wasn't as far reaching.

Gawain bowed slightly so he wasn't towering over Edward. "This Servant and Master do not appear to care if they are found. Please be cautious."

Edward waved him off. "Their over confidence will be our advantage." His eyes were on Naomi she could see the gears turning behind his blue irises. "I wish I hadn't needed to silence you. It would have made the job easier."

Naomi opened her mouth to tell him off without thinking. Her throat swelled shut, choking her. Her hand hovered over her neck as she coughed, trying to force oxygen through her constricted and abused throat.

Lancer's eyebrows were pinched, and he formed fists at his side. "I'm not sorry it's not working out for you."

Lancer's anger and mounting frustration was so powerful she could feel it oozing through their Master-Servant bond. She was tense, wondering if he would snap at some point. She was at the mercy of everyone here. Any one of them could easily kill her.

She didn't question how Edward came across a master key for the school. He let himself in as if he owned the building. For all she knew, he did.

"This magic feels slimy." Naomi held back a gag. The sensation was crawling and disgusting.

Lancer's eyes slid to her. He was standing close and sounded distracted. "It stinks. That's for sure."

"Don't worry. I'll figure out how to break his command and curse."

Lancer smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "I won't hold it against you if you can't."

That he wasn't holding his breath stung more than anything. She felt like a failure as a Master that her Servant didn't have faith in her. It made sense after her poor performance as of late. More prana poured into her dispelling rune and she bit the inside of her cheek.

The entry way of the school was further saturated with magic that slithered over her skin like oil.

Edward held up a hand with a short chant and a bobbing orb of green light sprang forth. It illuminated a small area and floated in front of him as he walked.

"You didn't get close enough," Edward chided Gawain. "The magic is coming from a classroom on the third floor. The Servant and Master are sure to know we're here by now."

"Hey!" Lancer barked. "I still can't summon my lance because of you."

"And it will stay sealed." Edward said and turned to walk up the stairs.

"That's fine. All I'll need to kill you is my bare hands." Lancer followed them up and Naomi took up the back of the train.

They were almost at the top when Gawain drew his sword and took point.

"Hellooo there," a high pitched yet clearly male voice greeted.

Naomi glanced around the group to see a lithe man standing at the top of the stairs. If it weren't for the open chest shirt, she would have thought he was a woman.

The stranger had large purple curls spilling out from under a red hat that bore a clock at the center and two large fabric horns sprang from the sides. Under his unnaturally purple eyes were equally purple tattoos hanging under his lashes like clock hands. A red bowtie finished off his garb. His attire was a mismatch of red and purple with plaid style leggings. He looked like something out of a circus act.

"Get a load of this clown," Lancer snarked.

With how saturating the magic in this place was, she couldn't tell if he was the Master or the Servant. Her guess was on the latter. No human looked that unnatural. He was uncanny like a mannequin brought to life.

The man's lazy smile and cat-like eyes slid over them. "My Master has sent me to greet you. It's nice to see that we have three guests. Splendid, splendid!"

Edward was quick to start throwing demands. "Who is your Master?"

"I will escort you to him of course. Come, come. It's best to not leave him waiting. Master hates waiting." The unearthly servant waved them toward him and took off out of sight.

Edward began sprinting after him and Gawain followed suit. At the top of the steps they could see the Servant waiting for them to spot him before he bounded up the next flight of stairs.

"I don't have a good feeling about this," Naomi muttered in her mind.

"Yeah. I'm not sure we should be running blindly after this guy," Lancer voiced.

Surprisingly, Gawain was the one to acknowledge him. "I have to agree."

Edward's light orb led the way, bobbing up the dark stairs and through the school's hallway. Street lamps cut through the windows and bathed the space with a soft glow.

The eccentric Servant trapezed ahead, staying just far enough that they only caught glimpses of him. At last, he disappeared into a classroom on the third floor.

Edward paused. "Prepare yourself," he told all of them. "Even I don't know exactly what we're about to face."

Gawain took point again and entered the classroom. Naomi faltered in the doorway. The slimy feeling seemed to flow from the room like fast current and it made her skin crawl.

"Something isn't right. The air smells off," Lancer said as if reading her mind.

The room was turned upside down. The desks were shoved to the sides and stacked on top of each other in a messy pile. Many of them were overturned in a tower. In the middle of the room was a faded summoning circle. Venous dark purple masses in the shape of pods pulsed every so often. They stood around the summoning circle and fleshy pink vines were spread across the floor, connecting them to the circle. At the back of the room was the teacher's desk as if it were a throne. Upon it sat a man with brown hair that was starting to gray. He had an overlapping stomach and was likely in his forties. On the desk were empty liquor bottles tipped on their sides.

Bile rose in Naomi's throat.

Lancer snapped a leg off one of the desks and tested the stress of the metal.

"Caster," the man at the desk acknowledge his Servant that was half bowed before him. "What have you brought me today?"

Caster leaped up a stack of desks and perched on a precarious point. It was a wonder the furniture didn't collapse under his weight. "Friends for you, friends for me. Your wish was for companionship, yes?" Caster teetered on the desks.

"Yes!" The Master's grin was lit by Edward's orb that lit the up with a sickly glow. Despite the wine bottles littering the floor, the man's eyes were lucid. "You're an amazing Servant. Brilliant! You've brought me not one but two Masters. Fine friends."

Caster sprang up his perch and crouched on his fingers and toes. "I was made to serve."

The man picked up a bottle that was still upright. "Come have a drink with me so we can get to know each other."

Edward's eyes swept the room with barely constrained disgust. "Fine then."

Gawain reached out to him. "My lord, I would advise against-"

Edward shot him down. "Silence Gawain. Know your place."

The knight deflated. "Yes, my lord."

Naomi felt a bit bad for Gawain even if he was the enemy and had knocked out Lancer. His Master was an overbearing jerk.

Caster's Master poured the liquor into a golden cup embedded with various colored jewels and handed it to Edward. He took it with a fake smile and sniffed the contents.

The Master beckoned Naomi with a waving hand friendly smile that was off. "Why don't you join us?"

Naomi was about to try and speak but quickly remembered the curse. Instead, she gave him a frustrated face.

"It would be better If we got acquainted first. She's lost her voice for the moment." Edward held the goblet aloft, his hand under the rim.

She silently fumed next to Lancer and redoubled her efforts on the dispelling rune.

The strange older man turned his attention on Edward. "A one on one conversation would make it easier to get to know you."

Edward raised the goblet to his lips then set it down. "Why don't you tell me what you and your Servants are doing here at the school? I'm curious."

"Curiosity is dangerous," the Master rumbled. His body language was relaxed but his eyes were predatory.

Edward propped one hip on the desk. "I agree. It's why I asked so I know if its waters I ought to tread or not."

Naomi couldn't fathom how Edward had put on and kept up his cool facade. She couldn't imagine setting another foot into the room let alone making small talk with the man while his unnerving Servant observed.

"You're a smart fellow. We should get along just fine. My name is Fuller what might be yours?"

She kept staring at the flesh things, wondering what their purpose was and what they were made of. It couldn't be anything good.

"Miss!" Fuller called out to her. "It's your turn to introduce yourself. Come here and share a drink."

She crossed her arms and glared at Fuller. She wouldn't leave the entrance without it being her corpse.

"I don't think she cares to try your swill," Lancer couldn't help saying.

"You remind me of my students. Stubborn and obstinate. Caster, mind taking this to her?"

The Servant bounded down from the upturned, stacked desks and nimbly took the goblet between hanging fingers. He cartwheeled on one hand without spilling the contents. Lancer stuck the desk leg out in front of her that he had ripped off previously.

"Don't come any closer unless you're looking for a fight," Lancer warned, his voice chilling.

Caster glanced sideways at Lancer with a lazy smile.

Caster bowed before Naomi, holding the goblet out for her to take like a butler presenting a fine wine. "For you."

If only to make him go away faster, Naomi took it from under Lancer's improvised weapon.

Caster cartwheeled back the way he came and bounded up the desks without rattling them.

Fuller raised his cup. "Let's see if a small thing like you is capable of holding their drink."

"Small?!" She balked incredulously.

"You do have trouble reaching the top shelves," Lancer managed to tease despite the tense situation.

She sniffed the goblet to hide her growing displeasure.

She tipped the drink back. It smelled like sour wine with something she couldn't place floating underneath. She held it just shy of the liquid touching her lips, then hurled the goblet back at Fuller, hoping to catch him off guard.

Her poor aim made it fly by his head and the liquid splashed his shoulder, soaking his white-collar shirt.

Fuller sighed. "You're worse than the kids I teach."

"Ask him what he's doing in here," Naomi said. "Why is the room covered in…flesh?" She could hardly believe what she was looking at and was disgusted by whatever those pod things were.

Lancer was all too happy to oblige and raised his voice while taking a step forward, twirling the desk leg. "How about we get to the point. All this posturing is annoying. My Master wants to know what you're planning with your grotesque ornaments."

"Master," Caster interrupted. "Wasn't there something you wanted to show your new friends?"

Fuller rubbed his chin. "There is something. Do the two of you enjoy art?"

Edward didn't miss a beat. "I visit auctions now and again."

Naomi's eyes screwed up in confusion. "If they stall any longer I'm going to personally kill them both."

"I'll hold them down for you."

She couldn't help smirking at Lancer's reply.

"Did you know that timing is an art?" Fuller asked.

Edward easily said, "I wish I could get El-Mellio II to understand that."

"You're a smart fellow and you're right on time to see my greatest work finished." He looked up at his Servant. "Caster!"

Caster raised his arm to the ceiling and snapped his finger. Fuller watched in anticipation, waiting for something. Caster's amused smile fell to a disappointed frown. "It appears they did not like your concoction."

"I thought at least one of them had tried my drink?" Fuller sighed. "You are no friends of mine. You don't wish to see my art finished. First my students don't care, now this."

The tumorous growths on the floor popped, spilling black pus on the floor. Naomi leaped back and almost retched at the sulfurous smell that spread through the air.

Fuller slowly removed himself from the desk with a grunt. "See, it's already started. I can't stop it now and it will be incomplete because you ruined it."

Edward jumped off the table and ran to Gawain's side. Saber pulled his sword and held it toward Caster.

"There might still be time to use one of them!" Caster said gleefully and leaped off his post with blinding speed straight at Naomi.

Lancer shoved her back and spun the desk leg around Caster's scissors. Naomi stumbled into the hall as Lancer spun around Caster's weapon.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were a statue!" Caster mocked.

Lancer kneed the inside of Caster's arm. The desk leg fell to the ground in bent pieces and Caster stumbled, nearly dropping his scissors. Lancer smashed his elbow into Caster's back then kneed his stomach, sending Caster flying.

The Servant crashed into desks that turned into an avalanche.

The liquid that had burst from the pods was gathering into a single mass. The liquid raised up and took the shape of a humanoid as wide as a man and at least ten feet tall with no neck. The sludge caved in, giving it a semblance of pits for eyes and a cavernous mouth void of teeth. The thing moaned, expelling gas from its open maw. Sludge dripped from its limbs, pooling at its feet and reabsorbing into the creature.

The monster extended its hand and reached for anything standing in its path.

"Gawain, Lancer! Don't engage!" Edward bolted from the room. Gawain hesitated before following.

Naomi didn't have to be told to run.

The creature's hand smashed the floor with a loud splat. Its hand deforming into a puddle before reforming itself.

"What is that thing?" Naomi asked while running down the hall.

Lancer was right behind her. "Hell if I know. It's big and ugly and I don't have my lance."

Edward panted out, "Break the window!"

Gawain smashed the hilt of his sword into the glass. His powerful blow sent shock waves through the building as it shattered industrial strength glass like it was made of sugar.

Edward jumped and Gawain followed after him.

Naomi put on the breaks, not ready to jump out of a three-story window. Lancer didn't give her a chance to contemplate her options. He snatched her up and launched out of the window.

Wind rushed around her and Naomi squeezed her eyes tight. Butterflies in her stomach threatened to crawl up and burst from her chest as she tried to grab onto something. Lancer's clothes were too tight to grip so she ended up hanging onto the edges of his shoulder armor in an awkward bridal style.

Lancer landed in a deep crouch to absorb the shock.

The monster's form was starting to ooze out of the shattered window. Its mass plopped on the grass and started reforming.

"What kind of magic is that?" Naomi asked.

Lancer's brow creased as she analyzed the creature. "Something foul."

"Hurry up!" Edward shouted. Gawain was holding onto him, standing on the nearest building.

Without hesitation, Lancer raced away from the school. Naomi threw her arms around his neck to keep steady as the world blurred. Lancer jumped into the air, taking to the roof tops.

They didn't travel far.

"This is a major setback," Edward said as he was set down.

Naomi squirmed out of Lancer's iron grip. "Ask him what that thing was." She wanted to yell at Edward so badly as she took aggressive steps toward him.

"What was that thing?" Lancer asked for her, sounding just as angry.

"It was an amalgamation of liquefied corpses. If you had drank his so-called wine your insides would have putrefied. You would have become part of that thing. There may be hope for your brains if not your magic."

Her insides churned at the thought.

"You're dismissed for the night. Lancer. Make sure your Master ends up at the church at eleven in the morning tomorrow."

"Hold it. You're just going to leave? That's it?" Lancer asked.

"That's it," Edward concluded.

"Are you going to give me back my weapon?"

Edward motioned Gawain and was picked up. "There's nothing but yourself preventing you from summoning it. Let's go, Gawain."

Gawain took one last look at Lancer and Naomi before jumping off the building.

Lancer made a sound of disgust and kicked a fan attached to the roof. It crunched and flew off the roof and onto the street below. Naomi stood still, aware they were free yet still attached to a leash. Lancer walked back to her with pinched brows.

"I'm still working on it," she promised and held her arms close with a violent shiver as a snowflake fell on her nose.

Her clothes had somewhat dried from all the wind and time that had passed, but they were still thoroughly damp and clung to her body. Her extremities were starting to tingle. She would have to change soon and find a way to warm up.

"Good." He bent down to grab something. "Hold your hand out. This will help."

She did as Lancer asked. Something flashed in his hovering fist and he dropped a smooth object into her palm. It was a translucent stone with a rune marking on it. Almost immediately, she felt heat flow from it and snake down her arm. It didn't reach very far, only extending to just past her elbow.

"Thanks," she said in bewilderment.

He took a step forward. "Hang onto that until we get back. You ready?"

Naomi nodded. "I want to go home."

Lancer scooped her up and she held the stone close to her chest. Its flickering warmth spread through her and helped warm her core as Lancer raced back to her apartment. Joan was going to be livid if she found out what had just happened. Naomi was starting to think she might have to suck it up and tell Joan. Her Aunt was much more powerful than her and she might know what to do about Edward.