Leaving Arjuna behind to deal with his brother was a far better alternative than letting that backstabbing priest escape your wrath. Decision made, you leave to explore the melted slag that was once a hall of splendor even now, all around you can see decadent embellishments of gold and ruby while exquisite engravings are embedded into the white marble columns, it would've impressed you, if you hadn't met Gilgamesh that is, now this sort of extravagance was mundane.
You could feel a grouping of five presences further inside the immense palace, but they didn't seem as important to the one that was rushing towards your group at a blistering pace. Your muscles start to tense, and you feel the anticipation and excitement that always arrives when conflict is imminent. As you focused on the approaching attacker you couldn't help but notice that despite your Bloodlust being present it was vastly diminished compared to before, perhaps it was due to reclaiming your power?
It didn't matter right now as the presence was here, getting ready you feel your lips tug into a jagged grin as your usually hidden claws start to emerge, any time now...
It was hard to tell who it was that emerged from the shadows due to the bright flames engulfing them, but you weren't any ordinary being as you recognized the figure inside, it was the pale man whose stoic expression belied his faint smile, this was the same man who defeated both of your Archer's combined attacks by himself, he was guaranteed to be a tough opponent.
Just as you're about to rush your eager opponent, he accelerates right past you and everyone else continuing to head in the direction you came from, towards Arjuna you idly note; Wait that didn't matter were you just ignored?
You try to think of a moment when someone, anyone has ignored you before, there was nothing. Everyone you have met acknowledged you even if they didn't know who you were, mortals, monsters and magi alike have never snubbed you to this degree. Not even Uncle Zel has ignored you and that's saying something, you've been on the other side of hatred and disdain from many but never has anyone brushed past you like that, unforgivable!
This wasn't going to slide, you were going to chase after that pasty fool and teach him a lesson, "Master don't let the enemy trick you, we can't let Kotomine escape, can we?" You look down towards Gilgamesh lecturing you for what seems the hundredth time.
You sigh as you sheathe your claws even giving it the barest amount of thought it was as clear that Gil was right "Fine but I don't want to let that Servant get away with ignoring me, I mean us." Gil gives you a skeptical look, but he doesn't seem to speak them out as he answers you.
"Karna is heading towards Arjuna as it is a fight from long ago both wish to continue however if you wish to make sure Lancer pays, you may empower Arjuna, haah it's honestly expected considering both of their luck."
Oh, right his name was Karna, well you had your answer, so you pay no mind to Gilgamesh's excessive information, taking a deep breathe you activate your pattern of black command seals upon your right arm "Archer of Black by my command seal defeat Karna with all of your might!"
That takes care of that, you were about to continue until you heard a clearly audible whisper, well to you anyways.
"Wasn't that Karna guy already supposed to be weakened? Was a command seal really necessary, I mean I think Arjuna could win don't you I mean he's real strong, oh but do you think our Master knows better? I mean she does seem knowledgeable I guess, she's supposed to be really ol, uhh experienced right?" that obnoxious voice, there was no mistaking it, you take a glance behind you at the vertically challenged Rider, she seemed to be questioning Siegfried instead of you.
Saber for his part simply shrugged while shaking his head he seemed to freeze though when he catches your gaze, it must've been a bit awkward for him considering he was carrying Shuten-Douji, the useless lay about was still insensate over that minor discipline from earlier, it totally wasn't a big deal.
It was a bit of a surprise that this was the first time you've heard Astolfo talk in awhile considering she seemed like an incessant chatterbox from the little you've heard from her, she also seemed to be trying to keep her tone down to prevent you from hearing, was she being respectful or…
Might as well nip it in the bud "Is there a problem Astolfo?" your Rider slowly creaked her neck in your direction her wide pink eyes met your own as she nervously stuttered "N,No there's no problem Master!"
Hmm you weren't sure if that was a good answer, but the conversation is interrupted "We don't have time, every moment we waste talking amongst ourselves is giving that much more advantage to our enemies." Gil's tone was clear and concise he didn't seem angry, but you haven't seen him this serious until now.
There was no arguing with that so everyone bar Shuten nods their head, Gil gives everyone a look before nodding his head, arms crossed "Good, Onwards to the Red Faction!" You pick up your pace at Gil's admonishment and everyone behind you follows suit until you spot it, a giant wall in your way.
You couldn't advance directly so you'd have to take some winding path towards Shirou... not. You swipe in the direction of the wall and watch it turn to dust before you, hmph did they really think some mere wall could prevent your advance?
On second though perhaps that wasn't the smartest move considering what you see further within, a mass of giant green serpents surrounded what seemed so be a mix of them and a dragon...
"SSssahhhah" it was a sound unlike anything else, a sibilant roar that reverberated all the way down to your bones, spraying glowing green ichor across the room; Whatever it was it didn't seem weak "The Basmu, one of the divine beasts birthed by Tiamat herself, tch seems like they set a trap for us. We can't be caught up in it Master, The Red Faction will escape us if we take too long here!"
"Ughh I don't wanna fight that!" Astolfo seemed to be scared of the Divine beast while Siegfried looked at the poisonous serpent with determination, Assassin on the other hand was sulking in Saber's arms, at least she wasn't insensate anymore.
You didn't have much time to think as the giant dragon reject lunged towards you it's arms splayed out like scythes, but you already had a plan, hey you're getting used to this!
What is Arcueid's Plan?
[] Arcueid Confronts The Basmu
-[] her personal plan(Write in her tactics)
[] Servant/s fights The Basmu.
-[] Write in which Servants (Can choose multiple but cannot decide their tactics if Arcueid is not present)
[] Everyone attacks The Basmu.
[] Command seals you will use Sorry was going to add this but forgot lol.
Do note that everyone who doesn't fight The Bašmu will automatically go forward to confront the Red Faction's Servants(Arcueid and her choice of Servants can also fight against the Basmu together).
A/N: So, I give up QQ, I'm letting people min-max how they want at least it won't lead to super OOC shenanigans in this update(Speaking of OOC, the usual tell me if you spot anything that doesn't fit).
Btw I feel sorry for Karna, history is repeating itself I mean he loses all his swag and then is still going to have to fight a buffed up Arjuna I guess that's Lancer Luck vs Arjuna's A++ luck, that stat is scary O.O.
