Chapter 5
(Dion Lesage, Final Fantasy XVI)
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Archer is waiting in front of the church. Bother Shirou and Tohsaka stare down the former ally as he stands guard to their greatest obstacle.
Archer smirks. "Knowing you, I was certain you'd be here."
That familiar sarcasm. That contemptable snark. Even though he turned coat he was still the same Archer that was once the Servant of Tohsaka.
Archer notices no response and continues. "So? What strategy have you come up with? Knowing you, there's no way you would charge headfirst without a plan."
"And you are indeed correct Archer."
Archer's eyes widen as a man with blonde hair, bronze eyes, silver armor and white clothes appear. In his hands lay a spear rather than a lance as the class would describe him. In every sense of the word, he is royalty. If one were to tell a fairytale or a fantasy novel and describe a prince, this very person would be the image that most people would imagine.
A true prince of a royal empire.
Aarcher grits his teeth. "Lancer… so, Tohsaka. You already managed to form a contract with another Servant. How fickle. Perhaps I was right to leave when I did."
Lancer kneels. His signature attack is being prepared.
Tohsaka glances over at her allied Servant. "Lancer… please…"
"I am aware, milady. I will beat him for his betrayal but I will not take his life. That was what you specifically requested of me, and I shall do my best to deliver." His eyes not leaving his opponent, he notices he brings out his two familiar blades. While they did not resemble anything from his home country, or even continent, he has experienced clashing with those weapons before due to their first encounter. He guesses these blades come from the far East.
Tohsaka nods as both Shirou and Archer run past Archer and make their way into the church.
Lancer glares at Archer. "I cannot believe you would betray a Master such as her."
"Circumstances have happened that you would not understand Lancer." Archer snarkingly replies as he gets into his stance.
"Her elegance, her kindness, even her wit. She would stand even above the queen of the Empire I served. Your betrayal is a slight that cannot be forgiven."
"You're so soft-hearted, Lancer. Have you heard of the saying, 'the grass is greener on the other side'?
"From where I stand Archer, you are a withered flower tainting the garden!"
With that, Lancer leaps up in the air and twirls in the sky. His lance is now pointing downwards as he spirals down like a drill.
As a Dragoon, this is their signature skill.
The Jump then the Dragon Dive.
Archer could meet him in the air, but he knows that Lancer would have the advantage. From glancing at his spear, he could tell that he already has experience fighting airborne. Archer does not.
Archer instead poses to block the attack as he crosses his swords. The spear clashes with the swords as sparks fly, signalling the start of the battle.
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Archer and Lancer have been fighting for a good while.
Despite the numerous leaps and dives that Lancer has done, Archer has managed to block them with swift and precise movements.
Lancer thrusts his spear only for Archer to parry them. He comes rushing in only for Lancer to twirl his spear and slash at Archer. Archer slides under the attack and leaps back. Lancer comes in with another thrust. Archer blocks that attack.
This was a cycle that has repeated itself for a bit. Thrusts, slashes, blocks, parries. Neither of them had gained the advantage over the other.
Archer breaths heavily as he counters another strike.
This was not a wild beast like Cu Chulainn where he could leave openings in his guard as bait for Lancer to take. Here, he could not be afforded to leave such openings as his opponent is a tactician. The baits could be used as opportunities.
From the way he fights, the way he carries himself, and the way he strikes, it is clear that he is not used to fighting in this body of his. His skill may be nothing to scoff at either, as clearly Lancer is trained and has experience on the field.
But Archer is aware that he has a far more powerful form.
Archer parries and dodges until finally he manages to retreat to a space far enough that the spear of Lancer does not reach him.
Lancer glares at Archer. "What is the matter, Archer? With you having lost your attitude, I can only assume you have grown tired."
Archer lets out a couple of breaths. He has no time in him to counter that argument.
"My apologies for this sudden burst of strength. But you see, last time my master held me back by using a command seal." Lancer explains.
Archer's brows burrow as he notices Lancer suddenly leap in the air at speeds that he couldn't comprehend.
Archer leaps out of the way and instantly, the floor is pierced by the spear as Lancer is shown right where Archer once was.
"So that means, this time, there is nothing holding me." Lancer adds before kicking his spear up and throwing it at Archer.
Archer manages to twist his body to dodge the strike before leaping further away from Lancer. He summons his bow mid air to fire three explosive shots at his opponent.
Lancer just stares as small satellites are summoned and blast the shots out of the air. Turning them into nothing but dust. Lancer opens his hand as the spear is resummoned to his side.
A standstill. Lancer is more powerful than Archer, but Archer has had more experience fighting beings that are stronger than him. Lancer has the greater potential and power while Archer has the flexibility and quick wit to last in this battle.
This battle will only truly end if one of them uses their Noble Phantasm.
Lancer sighs. "I do not understand Archer. Your skills, your talent, your wits. Surely you and your first Master would have been able to best Caster. Yet, you turned over to her side… why?"
"Are you still in shock about that, Lancer? I already did say that I would choose the best path to victory, no matter how small." Archer replies.
"You truly are a coward." Lancer points his spear towards Archer.
Archer stares at the spear before staring back at his opponent. "Yes… I may be one. But it has made me survive up to this point."
"And this point will be your last. A traitor's life never lasts long." Lancer prepares his posture.
Archer scoffs. "A traitor? I'm sure you of all people would know what it is to betray someone. Kinslayer."
Lancers grip on his weapon slackens slightly. "What… did you say… Archer?"
Archer knows he's most likely not going to survive this. Yet he still pushes onward, his plan still in motion. "You've heard what I said, Dion Lesage. I know that you already know what it means to betray someone. So why bother with this hypocrisy?"
Lancer, now identified as Dion Lesage, the Crown Prince of Sanbreque, the Leader of the Holy Order of the Knights Dragoon, grits his teeth in rage. "Very well. If you dare to call me that, then you must be eager to face my full might."
"I've never been afraid of a little dragon fire." Archer says as he mentally prepares the best course of action in his mind.
Lancer's eyes glow blue. "This is no mere fire. But the power of light itself!" He roars out as a large beacon of light emerges from Dion, blinding all who see it.
Archer glares at it. His opponent was transforming in front of him.
Dion is unlike other Dominants. While they all had the ability to semi-prime to use some of the more powerful abilities of their Eikon without having to fully transform, Dion did not have access to that.
That is because Bahamut was too powerful to merely Semi-Prime.
With a mighty roar, the light disappears. In its place, flying in the air is a great steel dragon. It glows yellow and blue as it soars in the sky. The radiance of it's power shines through as each flap of its wings sends shockwaves to the earth. The span of its wings spread at least three city blocks. Its scales like blades on its skin.
Ah.
This was truly a mystical being.
Bahamut, the Eikon of Light, the most powerful Eikon rises higher to the sky and glares down at Archer. Bahamut was as grand as a phantasmal being, even the great Fafnir would tremble at fear at the sight of him.
'Shit… I've never interacted with this Lancer before. Most likely, he'll unleash an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm...' Archer stares at the sky as light seemingly focuses on a singular spot. 'However, I wouldn't put it past him if I angered him enough for this to be an Anti-Fortress.'
Archer knows that logically, there is no way Lancer will pull of a feat such as destroying the church. Not when his allies are in there. He's a man of his word, and he usually intends to keep it.
However, the words he said may have cut too deeply for honor to matter at this point.
Bahamut has multiple Flares in his arsenal. Various levels of his breath that can range from Anti-Army to Anti-World.
Gigaflare, which is Anti-Fortress, capable of destroying the strongest of structures. It is a focused blast that can tear right through enemy structures and annihilate opposing factions.
Teraflare, is Anti-Army. However, it can be argued that it is defensive in nature, as Bahamut uses that energy to envelope itself in light and blast it outwards like an explosion.
Megaflare, is Anti-Army as well. However, this one is more definitive in its offensive nature. It utilizes multiple satellites and all of them blasting multiple bursts of light, capable of bombarding armies from a safe distance. While each blast is not capable of destroying a fortress, it makes up for in scope. Capable of wiping entire armies from the battlefield.
Then there is the most powerful move of Bahamut, Zettaflare. Capable of burning the entire planet if left unchecked. It is a blast more powerful than Gigaflare and can pierce the core of the planet. However, it is impossible for Lancer to utilize this move as is. Not without a power source that is on the level of a Mothercrystal or a Holy Grail.
Judging from the range, Archer can cross out Teraflare. He doesn't have the power to use Zettaflare, so that only leaves Megaflare and Gigaflare. Gigaflare would probably destroy the church but Megaflare may go beyond even the church and cause unintended collateral damage.
The energy is piling up.
Archer grits his teeth.
No matter the option Lancer chooses, Archer cannot run. There is no room for him to evade or hide. The only option left for him was to face it head on.
But would a shield even work against the might of Bahamut?
Rho Aias may not even work against this type of Noble Phantasm. Its layers are meant to protect oneself against a thrown weapon. It is highly doubtful that the breath of a dragon counts as a thrown weapon, let alone one as powerful as this.
Defense is out of the options. Evasion and blocking the next attack would be impossible…
That leaves offense. He'll have to counter this next attack with an attack of his own.
Archer goes through Unlimited Blade Works. He needs a Noble Phantasm that can specifically hurt Dragons.
He goes through it all. Cursed swords, blessed swords, mundane swords, legendary swords. He scans through all of them. Western, Eastern, ones made from steel and ones made from iron. He scans them. Those born from epics and those born from tragedy.
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There is one.
"Trace…"
The image comes to his mind. The song of the Nibelungenlied, the legendary Dragon Slayer, the Phantasmal Greatsword. The one that felled the Sky Demon. The Holy Sword belonging to the Dragon Blooded Knight.
"…ON!"
In his hands it appeared. In a flash of blue lightning, it becomes a reality.
A greatsword. Having manifested, it was dark in color and seemed like an ordinary greatsword with magnificent design and a blue jewel at the hilt.
But this was the Noble Phantasm of the great Dragon Slayer. One of the more infamous legends in history.
This was the greatsword of Siegfried.
He could not use the Noble Phantasm as an arrow. That would take to much time for him to modify the blade into an arrow. This was not like Caladbolg II, where he had done so countless times for him to have done it so naturally.
So, he has to take it head on with the blade.
"The evil dragon shall fall…" Archer closes his eyes as he chants. He twists his grip on the hilt, making the jewel glow a bright blue as the sword itself lights up with the same color.
Bahamut rages as energy is focused on a singular point. "In courage, conviction, that we find our redemption."
"And the world will reach its sunset…" Archer opens them as he glares down at the attack. The swords energy beginning to pierce the night sky.
"That we might make our ascension." Dion chants as he resides in Bahamut. If this Archer was truly worth saving and has the strength that his Master sees in him, then Dion shall put that to the ultimate test.
"I will bring you down." Archer poses, ready to strike the dragon's attack.
Bahamut roars. "Holy mother, set us free! Gigaflare!"
"BALMUNG!" Archer swings down his sword.
The breath of light comes to crash down to the earth while the blade's energy stops the blast right in its tracks.
This is one of the more unexplainable elements of the Holy Grail War. Witnesses will without a doubt see this clash and have this memory forever ingrained into their hearts, their minds, and their souls.
To say this moment was a reenactment of myth would be kind. For this is a whole new legend that is happening right in front of their eyes.
The flash of light against the hue of blue. The strength of an eikon against the will of man. This is the climax of a legend.
Dion glares down at Archer. This is already one of his more powerful attacks. He knows that if he goes any stronger, he will destroy the church.
The breath of a dragon versus the light of a dragon slayer.
Archer grits his teeth to the point he hears cracks and feels teeth break under the pressure. "Even the sword of the great Siegfried cannot stand up to this Noble Phantasm…!' He holds on as best he can. He cancels out the world. He shuts off any unnecessary thoughts and thinks of all he can do to survive.
The flare goes further and further downward. The light of the sword is dying out.
Archer pours nearly everything he has into it. All his prana, mana, his focus, his energy, all of it into the sword as it bursts once more in a final flash of light.
Dion glares at him. "You actually…"
Archer roars as the sword lights up and blasts as much as he can. The sword roars in response to his will as the light grows stronger.
Both beacons of light explode in radiant fashion. The night sky is littered with light. The shockwave is scattered throughout the city as houses and buildings shake and shiver under the pressure of the clash.
The church stands. While not unscathed as the upper right portion of the church has been blown off, reduced to nothing but ashes.
But what of the contestants of the clash?
Dion reverts back to a human as he lands on his previous spot. There was so much dust and debris from the sky, that he could not see if there was any living being left out there.
He opens his palm as his spear is in his hands once more.
His eyes widen as he notices a single life emerging from the dust.
"I'm impressed, Lancer. Your strength as a Dragon actually rivals even that of Fafnir, perhaps even surpass him." Archer mutters as he limps out of the rubble.
His right and left arm are shot. He is bleeding from his forehead and most of his armor and battle gear have been torn off as a result from the blast.
Lancer's shock is evident on his face before it is instantly wiped away. "Who are you, Archer?"
"Who knows? I'm just a simple bowman"
"I demand an answer. For all your snark, for all your sarcastic behavior and foolish skullduggery, you have the strength to survive one of my most powerful attacks. I have never heard of an Archer that uses the legendary sword of a dragon slayer nor wield blades from the East. You are anything but a simple bowman." Dion glares.
Archer chuckles. "Under the right circumstances, I may just be. Perhaps I was someone who caught a glimpse of the sword. Either way, both of my arms are shot, I'm out of mana, and I have no means to fight you right now."
He was right. At this moment in time, Lancer could finish off Archer with a simple poke of his spear to his Spirit Core.
"But have you noticed, Lancer? Her prying eyes have stopped watching."
Lancer stops and feels the air around him.
He was right.
Caster is too focused on the boy and the girl.
"Indeed, they have… so that means… you intended for this?" Lancer asks Archer.
Archer raises his hands in surrender. "I told you, haven't I? I take the path with the higher chance of victory. No matter what."
Lancer grits his teeth. "You sink lower and lower the more I interact with you Archer. However, I have done both my job and what was asked of me. I shall remain here no longer."
With that, Lancer walks away and vanishes into his spirit form.
Archer sighs as he looks up in the air.
Just a bit longer.
Just a bit longer before he can kill Shirou Emiya.
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AN
We don't really see how Dionn fights other than that one where he fought the Akashic and did the classic Final Fantasy Dragoon leap he did in Waloed.
I used the lyrics to Bahamut's theme as his chant. Thought it would have been cool.
Anyways, I can't really think of who to add in next. I just watched Mushoku and I don't want Rudy to come in since he's most likely going to be a terrible influence… and I don't know how the other characters would fit into this story well enough for me to write them in.
But I definitely need another anime character, I've been placing too many games. I would do Frieren but I dropped it and haven't finished it because of Uni. Maybe Alphonse or Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist? I dunno.
Anyways, that's all she wrote.
Many thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. If not, then thank you for your time.