"What's an Xyz?" As the three magus and their Servants walked to the church, Saber was asked a particular question by his Master. One that he finally had time to answer.
"You mentioned how that monster was some sort of xyz monster, remember? Told me it was from space or whatever."
"Space?" Rider tilted her head. "I thought space was only full of trash."
"What? No! Where did you even get that?" asked Waver while glancing at Irisviel who shrugged. Unlike Kiritsugu, she had no idea what he saw in Rider's memories.
Kariya for his part once more wished he could talk. This conversation sounded interesting, and asking his own questions felt like it'd be nice.
"Anyway!" Waver looked back to Saber. "Start explaining. Might as well know more about who we're facing."
Irisviel agreed with her ally. Recalling how Saber briefly spoke about these Xyz monsters before they had to leave for Einzbern castle. "Any information would be useful."
"Oh boy." Sighing, Saber felt a little pressure since it seems they all assumed he knew the answers. All of them at that. While he didn't want to disappoint, best to break the news anyway. Plus, it could help out regardless. "Alright. Sure, I'll explain. But just letting you know, I'm not an expert in Xyz monsters. My knowledge comes from a good friend."
"A soldier?" Waver guessed.
"A monster." Saber corrected, smiling. "He was rather vicious. Nearly killed me a few times." Saber chuckled as if his life being targeted were amusing when it wasn't. The only one who didn't look surprised was Rider. As for why?
"Hm. I see." She nodded to herself, as if everything made sense. "I suppose trying to kill someone is the best way to be friends." Now it was Irisviel's turn to look startled. Kariya just took a step to the side, finding this conversation a lot darker than he expected.
"Ah. Um, I suppose my phrasing was a little off." Not wanting for any more misunderstanding to continue, let aside derail the conversation at hand, Saber said, "My friend was troubled, but after a good talk and duel, he gained a unique power known as Xyz." Saber's eyes narrowed. The topic finally became serious. "To be frank, those with the power of Xyz, Xyz beings, come from another dimension."
Kariya really wanted to talk now. Though any questions he had may be spoken anyway since everyone else looked more interested by this little revelation. Except for one other, who walked by his side at this very moment.
"I've heard of them." Berserker grunted as she tried to think back a little to her life. It was blurry, but she could recall a few things here and there. If only just barley. "Creatures….monsters…who enter the world. Like dragons." As if normal dragons weren't bad enough. Loathsome lizards.
"Right you are ma'am." Confirming her words, and ignoring her last sentence, Saber added, "From what I know, most Xyz monsters come from another world that entered the normal world. Though like my good friend, it is possible to gain the power of an Xyz through some…method… I assume. I don't know, honestly." The only reason Saber even knew this was because his friend, Gagagio, had become an Xyz monster after remembering who he truly was.
He had no idea how that even worked.
"And, just to note, all Xyz have something known as overlay materials. Aside from a few exceptions, using one material can allow the Xyz to use their ability. Nasty abilities for some."
"So that monster was an Xyz." And something from another world to boot. Waver wondered if perhaps this 'other world' was the Reverse Side. Irisviel also thought the same as it felt like the only answer. Although, that did leave one other thing.
"You said that beast was a Number too. What does that mean?"
"...I'm not certain either." It was shameful to admit it, but it'd be best to be truthful that Saber wasn't all knowing. "I know that Numbers are all some type of Xyz, but other than that, nothing else."
The look in Kariya's eyes just said, 'Just great.' His expression equally fitting such thoughts, as such information said nothing to them.
"Y-you have to have more than that." Waver nearly begged. Still remembering just how tough that monster was. He may not have been the one fighting it, or even near it for that matter, yet the destruction wrought by it could still be felt in the city. That wasn't even mentioning how it couldn't even be hurt by attacks. Even from strong Servants.
"I'm sorry, but like I said, I was never an expert on them." There's no denying that Saber is being earnest with his words. He genuinely had little idea of what the Xyz truly were beyond the scraps he had.
"Then I suppose we'll just have to do our best." Only Lancer seemed unconcerned. If anything, there wasn't a trace of worry or fear in her eyes. Everyone's eyes then fell to her, almost as if they had forgotten about their guide.
Having been so quiet that it was like she hadn't even existed. One didn't need to raise their voice to see that, for just a bit, everyone felt suspicious. If only due to how carefree Lancer was acting who's Master is supposedly captured. One would imagine that Lancer would show a shred of worry.
"Ah, we're almost there. Be ready." Still, suspicion would have to be put away for now. The church was in sight, where if Lancer's words were indeed true, their enemy was waiting. Putting on a facade to kill them all and win the Holy Grail War.
"Are you all ready?' It might have been silly to ask, but Irisiviel asked anyway. Looking to her fellow Masters who all nodded. None of them are willing to back out. Their Servants equally determined to put down the monster who threatened them and the city.
"Alright then." Taking a breath, Irisviel looked towards the church. "Let's get going."
Now, all everyone could hope was that they could defeat Assassin and put an end to his schemes.
"Rank-Up Magic Barian's Force!" The collective hope from before was now being dashed. After having pulled the rug under Assassin, wounded him, then kept his phantasmal beast occupied, everyone had hoped that this was it. That he could be defeated.
Instead, the group's goal is now being consumed by a light that gives off an air of danger. It did more than just blind them though, letting them know that a Noble Phantasm was being used. It also gave everyone a feeling that made them all on guard. Their hair rising with a chill in the back of their spines.
The light wasn't normal.
It felt like something that didn't seem to belong in this world.
Like it was more than just a fancy show of power.
The edges that weren't consumed by the change distorted and twisted, until reality itself seemed to tear apart as a great hole was opened to a storm of darkness. Assassin, still glowing, shouted, "Go! Chaos Evolution!"
The beast shrieked in glee. Its form suddenly transformed into energy itself, one that flew into the vortex without stopping. The Servants unable to stop it as it slipped past them until it was gone from their sight. Though they would be seeing it soon again.
"Hahahaha!" Assassin then began to change himself. While difficult to see due to the light, his form began to grow, morph into a larger size while new appendages seemed to tear out of him. At the same time, an explosion of chaotic color burst from above. Where at last, as if the world finally realized something amiss was going on, the storm seemed to be forced away into nonexistence.
Its purpose had already been served though.
"What…." Irisviel felt her body shaking. Unable to even finish her sentence, as a presence that far exceeded her own slowly came down upon them. Waver finished her words in her stead.
"The hell?" It wasn't a good sign.
Even Kariya didn't need a voice to know that gasping would be an understatement. Although the sounds that came out of him made up for it when inside his own body, the man could feel his father's vile worms actually squirm. But for once it wasn't because they were trying to tear into his nerves and eat him alive.
"Mm..Ugh!"
"Master!"
It was because they were so damn afraid that the one in his throat actually forced their way out of his body. With a gurgle and a retching splat, the Crest Worm fell out of Kariya's mouth while leaving a nasty taste on his tongue along with vomit. The disgusting worm is actually squealing as it desperately tries to crawl away. Berserker stomped on it, and while normally this would give Kariya a smile, he couldn't find the will to do so. Not in this situation. Not when every other worm inside him seemed just as afraid as even him.
The Servants themselves weren't even spared from this. Rider looked as if she could drop her own sword at any second. Saber began considering the idea of retreat while sweating. As for Berserker, the most composed of them all, even under madness the cloud in her mind cleared enough to say that this wasn't an opponent she could beat. It wasn't something any of the Servants could overcome.
"My. Afraid of a little change." It was then Assassin spoke aloud, to all present. He spoke with confidence. Like his words were truth and fact, with a menacing undertone in it. "You'd best get used to it. Like the weather, even people change." A glance at Assassin showed just how true his boast is.
No longer floated a deadly but weak Servant with nothing going for him but his pet monster. Now, floating above was a Servant that looked as if he hit the gym and got jacked to the max. Having muscles that put to shame any person who actually worked out, wings, not to mention a massive eye right where his abdomen should be.
All while the very definition of power surrounded him.
"Go on. Take a good long look. It'll be the last thing you see." Assassin grinned as he looked down both physically and literally at those who thought could defy him. Having a clear sense of pride at the power he wielded. The power he rightfully gained and controlled, feeling invincible with a burning sensation felt within his body. He liked it.
A screech is heard.
"Oh. How rude of me." Waving a hand down, to make another introduction, Assassin added, "It's not just me you'll see last, but him as well." The ground below cracked, caused by massive red claws impacting the ground by a mere touch.
Number 96 was already demonic looking before. Claws, massive teeth, a big build. Now, it somehow looked more terrifying.
Instead of standing it was bestial in terms of how it stood, with longer bright red claws supporting it. Its 'face' had changed into something a bit slimmer, while still possessing the fiery red eyes but with the center split to show a violet chaotic mess with orbs floating inside it. All things considered, it really did look more like a beast now. A demonic beast.
With enough magical energy that easily surpassed all the Servants and Masters in the entire area. Likely due to the consumption of all those Command Seals it had eaten along with whatever Assassin did to transform it into this. A true monster.
With none unable to look away. Not even Saber, who had been on the verge of grabbing Risei when, like the rest of his allies, had frozen. On the ground, while unconscious, the three men that are Tokiomi, Kirei, and Risei also seemed to shudder under the magical energy being emitted from the two who had transformed.
"Good. Good!" Enjoying their expressions, Assassin raised his muscular arms and lifted his hands. "Allow me to introduce to you, Number C96: Dark Storm!" At the same time he ended his sentence, the newly dubbed Dark Storm shrieked in pride. Unveiling an aura of absolute pride and power, causing the human Masters to step back.
"And it makes me glad you understand who is your superior. Teamwork. Working together. None of those things can save you from me." His right palm began to glow. "After all, what can ants do to a God?" A wave of energy left Assassin's hand and lit up the sky. In an instant a massive red energy barrier formed in place, falling down and cutting everyone off. The entire church ground was surrounded by this barrier and ensured nobody may enter or leave.
"Not good." Waver turned around to see their exit was gone.
"You think." Exasperated, Kariya grabbed a small stone on the ground and tossed it at the barrier. The stone hit the barrier and seemed to burn up into smoke as a spark of electricity that pulsates the entire sphere field sparked on impact. "Yeah, that isn't good." Kariya could finally talk only for there to be nothing worth speaking about other than their apparent doom.
A malicious sound that sounded very much like a mocking giggle came from Number C96, grabbing their attention. It simply stepped forward, making no apparent signs at attacking them at all. Almost as if it were just asking them to go first.
"Well, what's the matter?" To edge them on, Assassin seemed to go along with Number 96's actions. "Weren't you the ones who tried to kill me? Go on. Do it. Or have you become cowards in the face of true power?"
It was obvious to everyone that this was a trap. Yet ultimately there wasn't much any of them could do regardless here.
'There's no way out, he trapped us all in here.' What Assassin did was create something similar to a bounded field. A powerful one at that as Irisviel could see no way to take it down. It would likely only disappear if Assassin is defeated, which seemed close to impossible to do.
Still…
'Not like we got anything better to do.' With a shout, Kariya called to Berserker and commanded, "Take that bastard out!"
"Rider. Help Berserker!" Irisviel called out at the same time.
The two female Servants, while still wary, obeyed. Whether it was a blessing or not, under the red-dyed grounds they were on, Number C96 made no action that it would move, let alone dodge. Not even Assassin nudged a single finger. So confident they were that no action their opponents made would harm them.
If Rider had her way, she and Berserker would knock out that smirk and turn it into a frown. The two Servants lifted their blades, focused themselves, and each brought down their weapons in hopes they could at least cause some damage. The monster before them may be stronger, but surely they could cause some harm to it. As such, their blades slammed into the creature's head.
With such impact, a scream is heard.
"Ahhhh!"
"Guhh!"
Two screams at that, with neither coming from Assassin or Number C96.
"G-Guys!" Behind the other two Masters, Waver stared in shock as he saw Irisviel and Kariya collapse on the ground, both clutching their faces and screaming. Kariya twisted and pulled at his skin while next to him Irisviel gripped the side of her face with trembling fingers.
The two Servants who heard their Masters screams turned their heads.
"Grah!" Number C96 lifted its tail and slammed the appendage against them both. The two slammed into the field barrier which shocked them until they fell onto the ground.
"Hahaha! Was that all?" Laughing at the pitiful sight, Assassin turned to Waver who found himself unable to move. Like a deer in headlights as he could feel Assassin staring directly at him. "What about you, boy? You aren't going to let your companions fight alone, are you? What happened to teamwork?"
Waver could feel his hands turning into fists. Both out of anger and shame that he wasn't helping. Assassin seemed to notice this before smiling. "Well, if you're not going to do anything…" His head tilted to Number 96.
"Ruaghh!" With a shriek the Number lunged towards Waver. All it would take is a single strike and that'd be the end of Waver. The young magus unable to do anything, he doubted reinforcement would even help.
"Master!" So it was a good thing Saber came at the last moment. Leaving the three men behind, Saber had run towards his Master and managed to grab him before Number 96 could bisect the human in two.
"You!" Not willing to let anybody else get hurt, Saber quickly dropped Waver and shot towards the center of the creature's head and like the girls before him, stabbed directly into its head.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Only to hear a scream from his Master and turned to see Waver on the ground in pain.
"Ahh-ahhhhh!" Waver gripped the top of his head as if he were attempting to force the pain away. But it did nothing, since he didn't even have a wound. 'Wha-what is this?!' Even under this agony, Waver knew that nothing had even touched him. Yet all the same his head felt as if it had been stabbed at the center.
"Master!" Concerned, Saber considered leaving for Waver's side, but hearing Assassin laughter Saber surmised that he must have been behind his Masters pain along with the others. Why else would they be on the ground screaming?
A hiss from the monster in front of him said that leaving would be a bad idea. As it lifted a single claw, Saber couldn't allow it to harm anybody else. So he struck. Even if he was weaker, even if he couldn't accomplish much, Saber didn't want his Master to be harmed as he sliced into the monsters neck to see if he could breach the armor.
"Uaghhhhh!" Once more his Master screamed. Waver now held a hand against his neck, feeling as if someone sliced into it and left the blade inside. His body struck with an unseen injury.
"You!" It was at this time Rider had gotten up, her armor having protected her a bit from the electricity the sphere field gave off. Her blade aimed at Assassin, demanding, "What did you do?"
"Me?" Assassin sounded hurt, as he was being accused unfairly. Just as quickly he chuckled at her rage. "Why, I did no such thing. In fact," Number C96 growled. "Ask him instead." His other-half gleefully rushed at Rider. It lifted itself on its hind legs and roared, as if challenging her. Completely exposing its underbelly which was covered in its usual black armor.
Rider didn't let this chance go and already found herself in front of it and stabbed where she figured was its chest. Hearing Irisviel shriek caused Rider to snap her head towards her and watch her new Master clutching her own chest and shaking.
"Wha-?" A claw slammed into her and shoved Rider into the ground. Number C96 roared victoriously as it lifted its claw again and slammed it down a few times onto Rider. If the Sky Striker had any words to say, none could be heard other than a painful cough before being slammed again.
At the same time, Berserker came and slashed at its side, only for her Master, Kariya, to cry out and grab his own side.
Despite having madness, the more rational part of her mind in Berserker started to become suspicious. To confirm this, she ran to it and then lifted her blade, striking what she considered to be the creature's heel. Her blade slammed against it and left no mark, yet she heard Kariya scream once more, this time lifting his legs and taking hold of his heel.
"Figured it out, did you?" Her instincts flared as she turned around to see Assassin suddenly behind her. Before she could even defend herself, Assassin shot an energy blast directly at her chest, sending her away. "And here I thought Berserker's were just brutes."
Number C96 screeched in what sounded to be joy as it walked behind Assassin. The two standing still, Assassin practically dripping in his own smugness as he crossed his arms, not doing anything whatsoever to attack them.
Saber took that chance and ran to where he knew Rider was at. Looking into the broken ground, Saber found Rider crushed into it with cracked armor. Grabbing her, Saber pulled Rider out and lifted her up, knowing full well she was hurt. He saw Berserker getting up, huffing as she had burnt marks on her armor. As for their Masters, all of them were slowly getting up but looked weary. Breathing heavily and looking a tad pale.
Each of them grabbing parts of their body as if they'd been struck, even though neither Assassin or Number C96 so much as touched them. Yet it was those 'wounds' that made Irisviel figure it out right after Berserker.
"Reflection." She panted out, still feeling the 'injuries' on her. The slicing sensation that came upon her body despite knowing she had no physical wounds on her. It was for that, she realized it. "You…you're reflecting the attacks…no…the pain your monster would feel and…hah…place it on us." She felt more tired than she should.
"Very close." Snickered at them, Assassin lifted his chin. "But ultimately, yes. While it isn't me doing this, the end result is the same." Number 96 growled in a more eccentric behavior. Displaying a more smug growl. "For any of you fools that attack dear Dark Storm, all damage is reflected onto the Masters themselves."
And from the looks of it, the damage took actual life itself.
'I did wonder how Dark Storm's ability would translate in this world.' Assassin briefly considered if those attacking Dark Storm would take the damage itself. But it seems just like back home it was the 'player' that took the damage. Or Master in this case, where while they didn't suffer any physical wounds, Assassin could see that the Masters took both the pain and bits of their own life.
'It'll be difficult to actually tell just how many 'life points' a person has, though…' Smirking, Assassin could see the fools looking oh so tired. That limping idiot also looked worse for wear than the other two. He probably wasn't in the best condition, meaning the damage he took was greater than the other two. It was also just as likely that too many attacks on Number C96 could end their life just like in the game at home.
"I win." Came the bold declaration as Assassin snapped his fingers, Number C96 howling as it slowly walked to the so-called heroes. Its own tail wagging a bit to indicate what it would soon do. There was no need for Assassin to dirty his own hands on lesser beings when his other-half could kindly do the deed itself.
As such, there was no further need to incite C96 to attack as it leapt at the three Servants with full intent in massacring them.
"Move!" Still holding onto Rider, Saber ran in one direction with Berserker in the other. C96 didn't care, as it simply turned to chase Berserker but also struck at Saber at the same time, its tail heading towards him. Forcing himself to turn, Saber took the brunt of the attack against his back, causing him to fall where he then turned around so that only he would hit the cracked pavement than Rider.
As for Berserker, she ran from the howling Chaos Number as it slashed at her. Uncertain if using a sword even for defense would work, Berserker simply did her best to avoid each strike. Of course, as she was far from the fastest Servant, eventually one of Dark Storm's claws struck her and managed to tear through some of her own armor.
"Ugh." By instinct, a consequence of Madness Enhancement, Berserker lashed out without considering any other option. Her sword falling onto the Numbers wrist in a pointless attempt to slice it off.
At a distance, Kariya knelt as he clutched his left wrist. But after about a year of enduring his own brand of pain, he tolerated it to try and think of a way out of this mess. 'Damn. What do we do?' He had no ideas.
Not that he could think of anything because it was becoming much harder to think of anything when he felt his body wracked with more and more pain, Berserker slashing at the Chaos Number which hounded her relentlessly. As he buckled over, Berserker found herself unsure what to do.
As she avoided Number C96's attacks, she found her footing to be unstable. Each attack made the ground below her to crack apart from Dark Storm's relentless strikes. Everytime she slipped past between its attacks she felt the wind graze against her before she was forced to move back. Whenever she was forced to parry, she had no choice but to restrain herself from going all out as her attacks affected her Master.
Number C96 twisted around with a shriek as Berserker found its tail slapping against her side. Knocking her directly into the sphere field and once more found herself experiencing an electric shock.
"Ugh!" It wasn't the worst thing to experience, all the same, it still caused her body to spasm and caused her to not move the way she wished. Which also meant she could do nothing as Number C96 brutally slammed Berserker with its palm. Between the electric sphere field and a palm that was sandwiching her in, Berserker could do little but experience more shocks onto her body.
Number C96 presses her body in closer. Chittering happily as it seemed amused at her suffering. Listening closely to the way she grunted, desperately holding back her screams. Perhaps a stab to her gut should make those lungs howl.
"Get away from her!" Though any noise it sought was soon drowned by a fool, Saber. Number C96 did nothing, not even turn its head. It wasn't because it believed its other-half would protect it. If anything, it needed no protection. All it had to do was just let Saber attack it an-
"Hraah!" Number C96 suddenly felt Saber actually climb atop its body. "Take this." Where the Servant then did something that blinded its right eye, not long after that, soon enough Saber crawled down and hung onto its 'face' over Number C96's left eye.
"Ruaghhh!" Blinded, Number C96 let go of Berserker as it then tried to move around to get rid of what's covering its eyes. Not knowing that Saber had pinned his cape onto the left while ensuring Number C96 couldn't just pluck him off its eye. Deciding if attacking couldn't work, then distracting it would do.
"Rider." With time bought, Irisviel ran to where Saber had placed Rider, Waver not too far behind.
"Uhhh." Rider had seen better days, but she was still alive and healing. Focusing her mana to quicken Rider's healing, Irisviel bit her lip as she looked towards Number C96, knowing full well that sooner or later, Saber would be thrown off and everyone would be right back where they started.
"We need a plan."
"A plan!" Exasperated, Waver didn't look any more optimistic than he had before. Throwing his arms to where Saber and Number C96 were duking it out, or in reality, Saber holding onto dear life with no progress being made. "What kind of plan would even work!? We have nothing to even let us win!"
Dark Storm was still immune to any battle damage. It had a full tank of mana while everybody else was running on low. Any form of attack made is inflicted on them which hurt a lot and made them tired.
That wasn't even mentioning Assassin, who continued to stare in the sky without lifting a finger, as if he won, which may as well come true soon. If it weren't for his overconfidence, then Waver wouldn't be surprised if all of them had been killed faster.
"We got nothing that can turn the tide against them!" Even if Saber had been at full strength, he doubted the Servant could lay so much as a scratch on Number C96. None of the Servants here could do anything in their current situation.
"..." A fact Irisviel herself knew was true. Despite the advantage they had earlier, their plan had failed when Assassin escaped their sights and used the Command Seals to empower himself. There was no denying that at this moment, none of them would live the way things were now.
"Ahhhh!" Where whatever time they had had finally run out as Saber was finally grabbed, lifted, then smashed into the pavement with Number C96 howling victoriously. Rider still needed time and Berserker still couldn't move from the electric shocks.
It hadn't even been five minutes since Assassin used his Noble Phantasm and already they were at their end.
"N-No." Not even Kariya could deny this truth, as he saw Number C96 walking towards all of them. "B-Berseker!" He called out to her. "Get up!" He looked at Berserker, his eyes practically begging for her to get up. When she couldn't lift even a finger, all Kariya could do was turn and see Number C96's shadow over him with Assassin smirking ear-to-ear. He would be the first to fall.
Including his dreams.
"...Sakura." The claw lifted up and slashed down.
The red-tinted field was suddenly enveloped in a bluish light that blinded everyone. The barrier itself then cracking as whatever hit it was slowly breaking down the sphere field as it were.
"What!?" Assassin roared as he turned around to the source of the light. He looked up-
The Barian Sphere Field shattered like glass as a beam of blue light enveloped him and everything in a five meter radius before he even realized it, let aside scream.
The impact caused by the blue beam caused everyone to fall on the ground, Number C96 being no exception to it. The light blinded everyone for the next few seconds until eventually it began to fade away. The dust settled with the sphere field now vanishing away, like it had never even been there in the first place.
For what may as well have been hours nobody said a word.
Perhaps they were knocked out. Perhaps they were simply shocked. This turn of events had caught them all off guard, as failure and death had just stood in front of them expectantly. Ready to take their heads.
"Ku-kuh!" Waver was the first to find his voice. Coughing as he rubbed his eyes only to flinch, forgetting he had been touching the dirty ground with them and wincing. Around him, Irisviel and Kariya are shown to be relatively alright, if a little shaken. Slowly getting up from the ground and off their knees.
A moan from nearby Irisviel indicated Rider is okay. Berserker and Saber were unknown, but they were likely alright.
"Ruagh!" Number C96 being included on that list. Crawling back up on all fours, agitated, the Number found itself vexed at what had just happened. It didn't even know what happened in the first place.
All it knew was that playing around was over. It was going to kill the humans, the Servants, and whatever else that might get in its way. With a defiant shriek, Number C96 twisted around to find its first victim.
"Gruaaaghhh!" So it was considerably caught off guard when from the sky a white dragon came down and slammed right across from it. Countless razor-sharp teeth shining under the sun which made its scales glow as bright as those from Astral World. For just a bit it was distracted by the disgusting reminder of those people.
Blue-Eyes White Dragon had no such reservations and slapped Number C96 across its face with a back-hand. While the legendary dragon wasn't much of a hand-to-hand fighter, for obvious reasons, let it be said being slapped by a dragon with enough force to flatten a bus wasn't any fun.
Number C96 knocked back from such superior strength and grinded onto the ground itself.
"I apologize for our lateness." Stepping forward, Archer had come. "We hadn't realized the situation had gotten so dire."
"A-Archer!" Waver shouted, fully recognizing the two, dragon and Servant.
"That's Archer." Getting up, Irisviel finally had a good look at the Servant Tohsaka commanded and couldn't deny she was impressed. The magical energy coming out of the two was amazing.
"...Well, better late than never." Kariya coughed out some dust in his throat. But better that than blood, the man being happy he hadn't been sliced to pieces. "Still," He hacked. "Does this change anything?" Instead of the answer coming from one of the other Masters, it instead came from a much angrier source.
"YOU!" From the hole made, Assassin came out from the dirt. Dirt and ash covered his body, looking like a mess as he even smoked a little from being hit by an attack that could melt through steel. Eyes burning from the humiliation.
"You…" Archer blinked. "...and you are?" Her words served to anger Assassin more. The Servant looked ready to lunge just for that comment alone.
"Dragon!" But he wouldn't do anything as Berserker, who's eyes shot wide, seemed more likely to do the lunging. Her mouth warped into a snarl where her focus on the true enemy was gone. Replaced when she saw Blue-Eyes staring down Number C96, only to be made clear all thoughts on assisting her allies is gone.
"Oh no. B-Berserker!" As a man who's witnessed Berserker's actions first hand, Kariya is well aware that he couldn't allow Berserker to attack Archer and her dragon. Not now anyway. Not when they had to face two powerful foes. The unity everyone needed would be shattered and make them easy pickings for Assassin with Berserker attacking Archer, who's clearly here to help.
But what could he even do? Speaking wasn't going to help, let alone commanding her to stop. Which left only one other option. 'Shit.' Lifting his hand, where his Command Seals laid, Kariya was ready to use another.
At the same time, Assassin's expression made it clear he was getting sick and tired of all these interruptions. This was his moment. His victory. It was supposed to be perfect.
"In that case," Lifting his finger, Assassin pointed it at the woman and her pet lizard that dared interrupted him. Deciding that there would be no more playing games. "Number C96! Noble Phantasm! Shadow Consumption!"
Instead, better to just show how truly outclassed everyone was.
Shrieking, Number C96 felt a surge in power before everyone where three strange red diamond-shaped crystals appeared in front of Number C96. Its body glowed as one of the crystals then shattered, where from behind, two long tails burst out and flickers before coming straight towards Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"Hahaha! For the price of harming me, suffer as all your power is drained!" Everyone watched as the two tails made way to pierce through Blue-Eyes. Aside from Saber, who was the only one who had an understanding of Number C96's power, it didn't take a genius to know that being hit by those would be very bad. Archer herself felt a desire to turn away as the two tails came down towards her other-half.
At the same time, she also noticed Berserker already aiming her sights at both her and Blue-Eyes. Whatever alliance made between the three Masters was now about to break and collapse.
"Hah. And things were getting so good." Rider turned, having thought she heard someone. Only to at first see nobody behind her.
"Ah. Hello." Then, appearing out of spiritual form, Lancer smiled as she held something close to her. A book of some kind. "Here," She then opened the book and revealed its pages. "Allow me to assist."
The results were immediate.
Everyone felt it all at once, the Servants the most.
Rider, who was getting better, nearly gasped as she felt the power of the Sky Striker outright leave her. The recovery feeling as if it did nothing as she felt something in her become dull and quiet. Across from her, Saber himself did gasp. But not because he felt weaker, but to his own surprise, stronger.
Yet the effects weren't anywhere near as strong as it were to Berserker.
"..." She didn't even have time to scream, let alone give her own vocal howl towards Blue-Eyes. Her own sword dropped as her grip loosened from her hand. Her eyes rolled back as the strange book's power took hold not just on her body, but her very Saint Graph itself.
All 'effects' are negated before the scriptures. A unique and powerful Noble Phantasm, one that made all prohibited in using the supernatural to augment their own natural abilities.
Berserker, for all the strength she cared, none of it had truly been hers. Instead, all of it was gained from the blood spilled on her from those she killed. Their grudges turned into a curse that defiled her mind while enhancing her own strength. For a long time she held onto these curses to enhance her power.
Against a Noble Phantasm that negated such a gift, that silenced the curses in her, the madness brought onto her… which proved more than effective in knocking her out from the sudden stripping as the power of her blood lost effect. Her body hitting the ground, unmoving from the ground. All while the armor and sword seemed to revert as they too lost their power.
The only one not as affected was Archer and Blue-Eyes, and even then the white-haired maiden felt the connection between her and Blue-Eyes grow fragile.
"Ahhhhh." All while Assassin felt himself choke as the power of Chaos in him suddenly grew silent. Number C96 didn't fare any better, howling as it felt the very same power within it go dull and its Noble Phantasm just die out. They weren't the only ones who felt this weakness, yet all the same, similar to Berserker, their power was being crippled as their transformation relied on Chaos.
Worse than that, through the discomfort of this assailing weakness, Assassin felt something was wrong with the unique Personal Skill his other-half had. The very same that defended it from being annihilated from battle. It felt…muted.
"There we go." Lancer said aloud, overlooking everyone. "This should help even the odds."
"Odds!" Taking note of Lancer's sudden appearance, Waver shouted angrily, "We were nearly killed! Where the hell were you?" He wasn't normally one to get mad like this, not being that type of guy. Being nearly killed though made his mood rather sour.
"We could have used the help a while ago." While grateful Berserker wasn't attacking Archer, Kariya was just as upset at Lancer. "Hell, you just went off."
"Ah, that." What a shame that she did have to show up in the first place. Lancer's eyes settled on Archer for a moment, a look of hidden contempt, before turning innocent and saying, "I was waiting for the right moment to weaken Assassin." Holding her Noble Phantasm, the Forbidden Scripture, Lancer added, "And as you can see the results speak for themself."
While still upset with Lancer, her words were indeed true. One look at Assassin and Number C96 showed the two looking tired, where they seemed to struggle to even stand. Made better that whatever the latter had been about to do had been nullified and protected Blue-Eyes from whatever Noble Phantasm the Number had been ready to unleash.
"However, I should warn you that I cannot use this Noble Phantasm forever." If one gave a good look, observing Lancer's fingers revealed that they seemed to struggle in keeping the book open. Almost as if the scripture refused to stay open. The text glowing briefly with the sentences acting almost alive as they seemed to move.
"In other words," With his strength returned to him, Saber glared at the two monsters. "We must act now."
Rider lifted her sword. Most of her power had been stripped… but the armor around her had functions of their own and she was nice and healed up. From her side, she turned and caught something that had been thrown to her. A lance.
Lancer beamed at her.
"That'll do more damage than your sword." Giving a tense look, Rider dematerialized her sword and held the given lance.
Blue-Eyes for her part roared as Archer stepped back, not wanting to get in their way. The two Servants and one dragon now looking at the cornered culprits who were quick to understand what was happening here. Assassin's eyes bulging once more at how the unexpected occurred.
"N-No. No!" He won't die like this! Perish because these fools got lucky. It was a fluke. A mistake.
For a split moment Assassin then saw both Yuma and Astral, just before they won.
"Number C96!" Assassin roared. "Get them!"
"Shraughhh!" Feeling very much the same like Assassin, Number C96 shrieked in its own defiance. It couldn't use its Chaos Overlay Units. Its reflection ability and immunity to battle destruction, gone. But it wouldn't cower before its foes either. As one, the two foes rushed to their enemies with every intention of killing them. No longer holding back.
"Haa!" Saber came in front of Assassin and rammed his sword through Assassin's chest. The blade cleanly comes through Assassin's chest and exits out his back,strange alien blood covering it with Assassin coughing out his own saliva.
With a simple roar, Blue-Eyes used its extraordinary strength to smash its claws against Number C96's head. Its armor cracking under the weight, no longer protected by its Personal Skill nor able to reflect damage to benefit whatever damage it took.
As one the two had rushed for one final act of defiance.
As one the two will now fall together.
"Hmph." Coming to Assassin's side, Rider looked at the two who caused all this trouble. "I suppose beyond your abilities," She lifted the lance. "You're not all that strong." Then threw the lance with enough force that it tore through Assassin's side.
"Ah-!" Assassin didn't have much time to even process the pain, let alone that this was it for him. That lance, whatever it was, easily tore through his core like it was nothing. Likely due to the fact that Assassin is a creature anthesis to the lance's own sacred power, limited as it is.
With his core gone, all Assassin could do was wheeze one last time.
Sliding the blade out of Assassin's body, Saber lifted and sliced off Assassin's head. Giving a single look at his foe before saying, "You shouldn't have 'played' with us."
Nearby, Number C96 gave a final wail.
Separated as the two are, Assassin and Number C96 were still the same being. The same soul. When one dies, it would surely affect the other no matter what. While it might have been different if Number C96 died instead, Assassin dying was another matter as he's the linchpin holding the two together. Allowing Number C96 to exist in the present day.
Cracks appeared all over its body with its own magical power leaking out rapidly. If left alone, the Number wouldn't even last two minutes.
"Ruagh!" Blue-Eyes had no intention of letting it live even a second longer. With sparks escaping its mouth, Number C96 could do nothing as a stream of light consumed it fully before it was vaporized from existence. A loud explosion went off that could be heard everywhere, even across the city.
All that remained was a crumbling church and an ashen ground with dust all around.
"U-Ughh…" Whether it was the noise that woke him up or the discomfort of mana being drained out of Tokiomi was a question that wouldn't be answered. After all, he had more important matters to deal with.
Bouts of throbbing pain hit Tokiomi first as he slowly woke up, followed by his face feeling stiff and sore. Trying to get up proved to be a mistake as Tokiomi collapsed down, the beating he took still having an effect on him alongside a lack of eating and drinking.
'U-wha…what's going…' Still, Tokiomi tried to figure out what was going on. Even as a killer headache went on in his brain, the magus couldn't stop himself from wondering what situation he was even in.
Immediately he smelled smoke while his senses told him of strong magical energies somewhere around him. "Guh." Getting on his knees, Tokiomi slowly tried to get back up. Attempting to use both hands to stand when he felt a stinging irritation on his left hand.
"...!" Or his left stump as Tokiomi was reminded immediately of what he had lost a while ago. Giving a brief yelp, Tokiomi breathed heavily and choked as there was floating dust all around him. Coughing it out while using his one good hand to rub his eyes, Tokiomi tried to concentrate on what was going on. A magus needed to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in a Holy Grail War.
"!" Right! Holy Grail War! His mind finally catching up, Tokiomi remembered the pain he suffered from that horrible monster that called itself Assassin. His left hand was taken. Risei being possessed and forced to do Assassin's dirty work. Now-!
Clumsily getting on his two feet, Tokiomi took a step forward, doing his best to avoid tripping. He needed to get away from here. Get back to his workshop, recuperate from the damage inflicted and figure out what was going on since he was knocked out. He just needed to get out of here.
With this in mind Tokiomi prepared to leave before anybody who wasn't an ally came for him. In his current state, even a second-rate magus could easily kill him without even trying.
Keeping his mouth shut, squinting through all the dust, Tokiomi turned to find an exit.
"...uuh." Only to hear a familiar voice coming from the side. Turning, Tokiomi saw someone getting up, being in a kneeling position and mumbling a little. While tricky, Tokiomi recognized who it was. Kirei.
Taking a small risk, Tokiomi attempted to go to his apprentice when he found himself stopping.
?" Because right beside Kirei was Lancer, who seemed to be helping her Master get up. A commendable attitude while reassuring since even if trouble did come, perhaps Lancer could buy them some time.
Even then despite knowing all this for some reason Tokiomi didn't feel assured in the slightest. Even with all the dust around, Tokiomi could still see Lancer helping Kirei get up.
Where one could spot the silhouette of wings right behind her.
Dark Mist really should have just killed them. But he was always one who liked putting on a show to make it clear that he's unstoppable. That no matter what anybody could do, nobody could touch him. After all, he's the strongest Number.
Too bad life doesn't follow whatever script he writes. Had he just attacked he'd have won the Holy Grail War. Archer and Blue-Eyes would have had their power stolen and Lancer, terrifying as she actually is, would have been nothing to him either. Would have been worse if he had the exact power he had in life, the one where he could bombard other dimensions. But that Saint Graph really limits his power.
But Lancer struck since while she didn't care who had won, Dark Storm powering up was a very bad thing for her. After all, she's even weaker than Assassin when it comes to base attack points. Though her constant usage of the Forbidden Items are definitely slowly biting back against her if you all read her lore in the Master Guide.
Edit: Forgot to add Number C96: Dark Storm's new stats. Some new information has also been added. Enjoy.
Name: Number C96: Dark Storm
Master: None
Servant Class: [N/A]
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Strength: C - ?
Endurance: B - ?
Agility: D(+) - ?
Mana: B - ?
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: A+
Class Skills:
None
Personal Skills:
Duel Spirit: E (B)
Unlike most spirits or wraiths, Number 96: Dark Mist, is a spirit that comes from the world beyond earth. And like most Duel Spirits, is capable of dueling others in the popular duel monsters card game. Normally this skill would be ranked at B, but due to the current world having no duel monsters game, it's reduced to E.
Divinity: B+
Upon transformation to Number C96, Dark Storm's Divinity rises. Were it not for being limited to a Saint Graph, Divinity would become Divine Core.
Number Wall (-):
A Personal Skill all Number monsters have that protects them from being destroyed in battle or effect by non-Numbers. Though certain Noble Phantasm, divinity, or specific skills can potentially bypass this protection.
Noble Phantasm(s):
Rank-Up Magic Barian Force (Anti-Self) (B):
This Noble Phantasm increases the Divinity of Number 96 to B Rank while simultaneously changing all Parameters and ranking Saint Graph into a higher state. Allowing Number 96: Dark Mist to become NumberC96: Dark Storm and attack much more ferociously with new abilities alongside it. Abilities that include energy beams or a Barian Sphere. Can only be used once.
Once used, Assassin also loses all qualifications as a Servant. However, in exchange for immense power, the target's Saint Graph begins to burn out and potentially destroy them. A consequence due to the user being a 'shadow' with the power of Chaos being to much for a Saint Graph to properly contain.
Shadow Consumption(Anti-Unit) (A+):
Shadow Consumption is the higher-ranked version of Shadow Gain. While similar to its former state, Shadow Consumption can drain a Servant entirely of their magical power. Servants targeted by this and, if they survive the drain, become no stronger than normal humans with the magical energy increasing Dark Storm's reserves.
Life-Infliction Reflection (Anti-Unit) (C+)
As an evolved Chaos Number, Number C96 gains more than just immense power, but the power to inflict any damage to it towards others. Those who seek to harm Number C96 will find them feeling the exact pain it would.
However, this Noble Phantasm only works against those who would send familiars or beings of proxy against it, with battle damage sent to the leader/Master instead of the ones actually harming it. Though those who feel the damage will also lose bits of life until eventually they very well may die.