[] Make an escape. Whatever happens, you're not to confront that Blackened Servant. It's powerful, probably stronger than any individual Servant in this War so far! You have to leave and make a plan!
This makes the second time you're running in this goddamned sewer! You kept running as you reinforced your leg, noticing how the rubble behind you was being pummeled. Assassin grit her teeth as she glanced at you before you understood what she wanted. She wanted to buy you time but you weren't having it. That thing was stronger than the previous Blackened!
Assassin heeded your intentions and kept carrying Ayumi as the three of you managed to leave the tunnel. Now here comes the hard part, actually getting as far as possible from that thing. What was your next move? The Blackened could easily catch up to you if he wanted to, thus making a confrontation impossible to avoid. How do you lure him away? Can you even do that?
An explosion burst at the distance, lighting up the evening sky.
"Shit," you breathed as you looked up to the Blackened rise up from under the reservoir. The man was now riding a golden boat hovering over the skies. One of its cannons turned towards your group before you and Assassin split up.
A beam fired a furious lance of light, driving itself through the buildings and compounds in its way and setting all alight. Explosions followed as the earth itself was sundered by that singular shot. Golden eyes searched but you managed to hide among the wreckage while keeping a low profile alongside your Servant and Ayumi.
You tried to calm yourself as a follow up shot didn't come.
"Well... That's a big guy," you murmured as you studied the boat from afar. Though calling it a boat would be understating the grand appearance of the golden ship which embodied the might of the sun itself, "Egyptian. Must be Mesektet then... Though are we seriously fighting Ra?"
"Ramses II... Meryamen... Foster Brother to the Prophet Moses..." Ayumi breathed as she held on to Assassin, "His true name is Ozymandias and he is the fourth Servant called forth by the Beast."
You turned to face her and frowned, "How do you know that?"
"I... Just do. The information is in my head but I couldn't parse it well. In any case, it's a powerful Servant that would require the strength of others to defeat. If he becomes aggressive, he would single handedly slaughter the other Servants in this War," Ayumi warned you as she held her head as it stung in pain.
"What do we do?" you asked with a concerned look at her.
"He's not fully hostile yet. Like a robot that was just programmed to standby. If we leave, he would most likely return to where he came from for now until some conditions are met. Still, I don't know what those conditions are," Ayumi said as she met your gaze, "Confronting him now will only get us killed."
"If he truly were on standby, why was he trying to get you to come with him?" Assassin asked in a sharp tone.
"I... I don't know myself. The last thing I remember was being alone in the apartment. And then in the next moment I was there, looking at him... Hans, there's something going on under the city. A huge swell of magical energy," Ayumi began saying as she held herself, "Almost like a cauldron."
"That... Can't be good," you murmured before you looked behind you, "Either way, we can probably sneak away. I'll try and lure him away with some familiars while we go in the other direction."
"Got it," Assassin said as she picked up Ayumi, leaving you to use the stones nearby and imbuing them with magical energy. You molded and utilized the skills you actually learned from the Luctworth to construct a decent golem.
Etching a Rune upon it, it activated before you slapped it on the back on its back while you turned away. The golem then marched on, emitting large amounts of Magical Energy and no doubt catching the attention of the Blackened. You managed to catch up with Assassin as she concealed her presence while another beam of light fired from the golden boat.
The golem was vaporized where it was running. Now's your chance-!
BANG
A beam of light went straight for your group once more, forcing Assassin to throw Ayumi at you as she summoned a large black snake. You used your body to catch Ayumi before the black serpent took the brunt of the golden light and exploding. Assassin was sent flying back while you and Ayumi rolled on the ground.
You looked up to see the golden boat drifting towards you, its cannons raised. The barrels began to light up and begin to fire, only for a streak of light to tear through the sky. You managed to see a white comet fly towards the golden boat as one of its large cannons was raised in response. The Blackened fired, lighting up the sky as golden light moved to clash against the White Comet.
They clashed with the White Comet blasting through the light released by the golden boat. The Blackened immediately switched tactics and maneuvered the boat out of the Comet's path and allowed it to merely graze it. Ozymandias' eyes narrowed as his precious ship had been damaged but it was preferable to a severe damage being dealt to him.
The Blackened spared one last glance at your group... And then at Ayumi before the boat's thrusters activated and sped away. Such a destructive Noble Phantasm released in one go and it was enough to catch even that Blackened off guard. The White Comet slowed down and burst into white feathers, revealing a masked rider wearing black mantle.
"Getting yourself into these sort of trouble, that's just typical of you," a woman's voice said as you turned.
"Nice to see you too, Ophelia," you replied as you kept your hand protectively over Ayumi.
Ophelia noticed your movements before closing her eye and shaking her head, "You should stayed imprisoned until the War was wrapped up."
"You know I can't do that," you replied as you frowned.
"Fine. Then tell me this, what did that girl offer you in return for your cooperation?" Ophelia asked as she had you and your group surrounded between her and her Servant riding on what could only be Pegasus. She continued as she swept her hand before her, "You know that she's the one controlling those Blackened..."
"She's not who you think she is. She's just caught up in all of this. I was offered nothing so I'd appreciate it if you just let us go, Ophelia," you told her as you narrowed your gaze.
"I think the time for niceties is over, Hans. This time, I'll have to eliminate that girl alongside your Servant," Ophelia declared as you pulled something from your back.
Ophelia moved and took off her eyepatch.
You drew your handgun behind your back and took aim. Your finger hovered over the trigger while Ophelia's Mystic Eye glimmered as she stared you down.
"Assassin!" you snapped as your Servant reacted.
"I won't let you!" Ophelia's eye shined bright and Rider began to move. You imbued the gun with magical energy and watched it glow as you aimed it downwards. Ophelia's eyes widened as the gun burst in your hand, the light from it erupting and half blinding you but Ophelia's ability reduced the explosive force of it.
Ophelia was forced to close her eyes on instinct as Assassin knocked Ayumi to the ground while she turned to face Rider flying down on Pegasus. Chiyome summoned a black serpent from the ground to catch Pegasus but Rider swung his sickle and cut through the jaws of the giant snake. Assassin used this time to throw up two pellets in the air and had them explode into brilliant flashes.
Light erupted and robbed Rider of his sight for a split second only to block as Assassin clashed against him. Rider was forced to carry Assassin with him as they both shot to the air.
Ayumi gasped as she watched Assassin fight against Rider while on the winged steed. Behind her, Hans' hand was burned badly while Ophelia tried to regain her vision.
"You're not making this easy, Hans... Are you really willing to risk this city for your Wish?" Ophelia growled as she raised her gaze, "Look at you, can you really fight another War after this?"
"I'm not dead yet aren't I?" you smiled as you clenched your fist and swung it up, raising three Aegis shields, "I'll keep fighting till I can't anymore."
"Those Grails of yours, that's enough magical Energy on hand to match the Fuyuki Greater Grail... If not more. If you do succeed in this War, what sort of War are you planning to wage after it? How much destruction? How much bloodshed? Do you plan on sacrificing everything to achieve your goal?" Ophelia questioned as she grit her teeth.
"Well isn't that something? You always complained that I never acted like a proper Mage. Well look at me now, Ophelia... Isn't that how an actual Mage would be?" you replied as you stood before her.
"This isn't the time for jokes, Hans," Ophelia intoned as she got ready.
You chuckled and shook your head, "I know. It's just funny how a Magus like yourself would preach about the collateral damage of what I'll do in the future. And you come from a prestigious family too, it's a miracle you have the ability to empathize with others much less the faceless masses in a War."
"You didn't answer the question, Hans. The Next War will be of your own making. It won't be like the others you've fought in where they're established by others. The deaths of those caught in it will be on you... And what destruction will follow will also be on you," Ophelia said as she straightened her back. She then glanced at the girl by your side, "That's all but guaranteed by the company you keep."
She's not backing down... Not in her mission to eliminate your Servant and to neutralize Ayumi. She's serious...
Brilliant Lights
[] "I guess there's little need for words then? Sorry it had to be this way... But I'll give you the chance to stand down. This is your last warning, surrender now and I'll let you go."
[] "Then may I propose a counter offer then? How about you join me instead? That way, you can have a hand reducing the damage in the next War. How does the name Crypters sound as faction for us?"
[] "I'd love to explain but your expression tells me that you're ready to throw down. I'll humor you and see how far you can get with me. I won't kill you though, I figured I'd return the favor for your mercy all those times before."
[] Write in...
