[] Have Assassin utilize her new Noble Phantasm and catch Lancer off guard. Blow her away in one go before she can react.
"Assassin! Let loose!" you ordered as you felt the effects of the Bounded Field more now. Your body was growing hotter and your senses were becoming hazy. You can't stay here or risk turning into flesh soup! For her part, Chiyome seemed to understand what you meant and was quick to evade Lancer's attacks.
Assassin braced herself and stopped dodging, moving forward to meet Lancer's blow head on. Chiyome braved Lancer's strikes and parried back, sparks flying through the air before weaving through her foe's chain. She then took out lit firecrackers and detonated them in a sweeping flourish. Lancer flinched and was momentarily distracted, allowing Chiyome to deliver two heavy swings.
Turning in place, she managed to loosen Lancer's hold on her scythe before the enemy Servant retaliated and sent her flying with a backhand. Sheathing her sword, Chiyome ran forward and threw two Kunai at her foe, forcing Lancer to swat them aside before Assassin kicked off the ground to jump, slashing fast as she descended.
"
Celestial Weave, " Chiyome breathed as fire burned upwards alongside her slash only to descend as she chased after Lancer with her next swing.
Throwing a Kunai, she forced Lancer to parry before taking a blow which dealt damage to the enemy Servant's stance. Chiyome realized this and sought to destabilize Lancer as much as possible. Sidestepping a swing and weaving beneath a chain, Assassin threw a kunai at Lancer's leg before tossing up a pellet in the air.
Lancer parried the kunai but had her attention divided by the pellet which burst and echoed a deafening sound. She gasped before opening her eyes to see Assassin lunged at her. Lancer snarled and performed Mana Burst once more, swinging Harpe down at Chiyome and disarming her with one blow.
With her foe unarmed, Lancer moved to reach out to your Servant.
"NOW!" you roared as Lancer's eyes widened.
Chiyome drew a second sword from the air, glimmering from the light provided by the crimson eye which hung overhead. Assassin was already in mid-swing, giving Lancer no chance to evade even if she wanted to. That was probably why she stood her ground and raised her guard for what was to come, standing steadfast as Chiome's sword appeared in full.
"
Snake Slaying Dance of the Heavens, " Chiyome declared as her sword surged with power, the Noble Phantasm roaring as the air split in its path.
"LANCER!" Sakura cried out as she held out her hand.
Assassin was able to cut through Lancer in one swing, slicing through the ground and heavens itself, splitting the Bounded Field in half as well as cutting the clouds themselves. Lancer gasped as she found Harpe split in her grasp as well as her left arm severed from her body. Her eyes widened as she gaze down upon Chiyome whom had her at her mercy.
"Saburou!" Assassin cried out as black serpents hissed upon flying from behind her, biting into Lancer's flesh and sinking their fangs deep. They sent her staggering back as her arm bled from Assassin's strike, that glimmering blue and green blade shining in her grasp.
The Bounded Field had been shattered and its effects were quick to dissipate. You managed to hold up your cane before striking it into the ground, forcing the Evil Spirits which you directed to dissipate all at once. Lancer fell down her knees as she held her side with Chiyome standing over her, victorious.
"It's over, Lancer," Assassin declared as she looked down on her foe, "You lost."
"Then why not kill me?" Lancer grit her teeth as she glared at Assassin.
"Because there's a bigger threat in this War. We can't have you dying yet until you've helped us," Assassin said as she turned to you, "Isn't that right, Hans?"
Sakura let out a breath before falling down her knees, "We... Lost."
"The Fight isn't over yet, Sakura. That Blackened is still out there... I know you're worried about the future but you can't let that thing keep roaming," you told her as you put your weight behind your cane, "And if we kill Lancer now, it's only going to make things worse for us. The future can wait, people need you now."
"If you let us go, then well just fight you again," Sakura said as she slowly got up.
"That won't be the case," a voice echoed behind you.
Lancer and Sakura turned to face a woman walking up from behind you. Dressed in her knightly armor, Artoria revealed herself to the Master and Servant with her invisible sword in her hand. Her eyes were fixed squarely on Sakura whom looked back at the King of Britain with a stunned expression.
"By all accounts, you've lost this bout. In terms of skill, magecraft and strategy, you've lost on all fronts. Were it anyone else, Rin would be hearing some very bad news right about now," Artoria said as she calmly lowered her weapon, "Sakura, you've done enough."
"And let this bastard do as he pleases? You think this is some kind of joke? I don't care who you are, but you're not going to stop us," Lancer snarled as she slowly got up.
"If you refuse to concede, Lancer, you'll find yourself outnumbered on this one. Don't jeopardize Sakura's wellbeing any further than you have," Artoria sternly rebuked as she tightened her grip.
Chiyome made her presence known as she held her sword as well. Lancer grit her teeth as she kept her hand on her weapon, but before she could attack Sakura spoke up.
"Lancer, stand down," Sakura ordered but she wasn't looking at her Servant, she was looking at Artoria. She held her arm as she walked over to the Knight King and said, "I understand. We'll concede from the War. But you don't get to coddle me, Artoria. You just made me realize that I'm still lacking."
"If it gets you to stand down," Artoria sighed as she shook her head, "I'll take whatever anger you have. But know that there's bigger things at work here."
You watched this from the side and managed a breath of relief. Chiyome seemed satisfied as well, even if she had to pull out her Noble Phantasm. Now you just needed to get to Miyu from here on ou-
CRASH
Something descended from the skies and landed behind you. Your eyes widened upon seeing the visage of a Sphinx looking down on you, its body dripping with black mud and its golden eyes shining bright. Lights burst from its eyes and nearly blew you apart had Artoria not moved in the way and taken the brunt of the blow.
"Guh!" she gasped as she slid back while protecting you.
You turned, "Assassin!"
Chiyome reacted as she ran toward the Sphinx with her blade in hand but the monster's body was quick to burst into infernal flames. She abandoned her charge and hit the ground, dashing away from the beast's claws as it turned towards her. Artoria moved in and tried to enter its guard but the monster spread its wings to blow hot wind towards you.
"Aegis!" you barked as you held your cane up to protect Sakura behind you.
Artoria was blown back but a shadow passed over her as Lancer threw a chain down to grab on the beast, only for it to melt upon coming close.
"Up above!" Sakura cried out as a golden boat drifted through the sky, its cannons primed towards your group down at the cemetery.
"SHIT!" you cursed just as it fired. You turned to your Servant, "Asssassin! Knock them out of the air!"
Golden beams thundered downwards but Assassin managed to get in front of them and brace herself. With her sword singing, she activated her Noble Phantasm once more, swinging twice as she split the air and space before her.
"
Snake Slaying Dance of the Heavens! " Assassin snarled as she cut apart the beams of light with her swings, forcing them to dissipate as her blade was just about to touch the golden boat.
A Barrier kept that from happening as a man stood on the edge of the boat, looking down on all of you from where he stood.
Sphinxes emerged from the boat and flew down towards your group as the vehicle itself moved further past the cemetery to the very end of it.
"He's headed towards where Miyu is..." Sakura breathed as she held her bow, "Luvia's with Miyu but I doubt she can handle that thing on her own."
"I'll handle these monsters. Go, Sakura! Retrieve the Grail and run away!" Artoria ordered as she bared her sword towards the monsters.
"On your own?" you asked with a frown.
"She's not exactly alone," a woman's voice said before Caren stopped hiding behind a large gravestone, "Secure the Grail. We'll handle things here."
"Always the flair for theatrics, aren't you? You trying to be dramatic or something?" You asked as you glanced her way.
"Better run before I use these Seals on you," Caren warned as she activated one of her Command Seals, "I order you, Artoria, by our Temporary Contract and these Command Seals, don't hold back against these things."
"On it," Artoria replied as she tensed and shot towards her foes.
You turned to Sakura and said, "We have to move. Assassin, go on ahead and get to Miyu now. We'll catch up."
"Yes," Assassin replied as she moved.
Lancer grit her teeth and held her side before walking over to where her arm fell. She then faced Sakura and said, "I'll go on ahead too. You stay clear."
"Lancer, no. You stay with us," Sakura said as she gave her Servant a hard look, "We need you here. We can't be left unguarded."
"Leave me alone with that prick then I might not hold back," Lancer warned her Master as she glanced at you.
"Fair enough," you replied with a nod as the three of you ran. You looked up ahead to see that the golden boat had made its descent, only for its cannons to light up and fire all at once. Piercing pillars of light burst forth and surged through the air, pummeling the ground as you saw Chiyome evade through the volley with sheer skill.
"Lancer, can you still fight?" Sakura asked as she ran by your side.
Lancer grinned, "Sure."
Sakura nodded and said, "You have my permission to use your Noble Phantasm. Take down that boat!"
Lancer slid to a halt and held up her remaining hand as her scythe vanished. In its place was a shining bridle which surged with raw power as you struggled to see through the light. Light pierced through the air and shot over your group, causing you to knock down Sakura into the ground to keep her from being hit.
Lancer stood her ground as soon a magic circle was made manifest and a Divine Beast rivaling the Sphinx appeared in full. You recognized it as being similar to what Rider used. So she was also able to access it, huh? Chiyome dived through the air to get close to the boat but cannon fire kept her at bay, forcing her to keep her distance.
A cannon was fixed on your location.
"ASSASSIN!" you yelled as Chiyome targeted the cannon aimed at your group with an explosive cluster of kunai, the impact being enough to shift its aim by a few degrees but it still fired.
You got up in front of Lancer and held up your hand, "AEGIS SUPREMA!"
The golden shield burst forth, taking a brunt of the blast but it was like clay against a vicious torrent of water. It did little to protect you from the beam's heat and damaging winds but it was enough to give Lancer the time to fully summon her Divine Beast. The wings of Pegasus unfurled and Lancer was able to ride on it as your shield shattered from the light.
"Witness this, boy. The strength I hide," Lancer declared as she held on tight to the Pegasus' reins as it flapped its wings once, power filling the air, "
Bridle of Chivalry ."
Similar to how Rider had used it in his fight with Chiyome, Lancer controlled the winged horse and had it charge. She didn't even need to soar high up and descend but she instead lunged forth with a speed five times faster than a bullet. It wasn't enough time for the Blackened's boat to evade so it simply fired every single weapon it had on her.
Lancer burst through the beams of light, punching through them before smashing into the golden boat in full and taking a huge chunk of it.
The boat was soon bathed in flames as it ended up descending into the graveyard with a crash. Lancer swooped up the air as she and Assassin met each other's gaze, only for Lancer to look away and fly up the sky with her Pegasus. You ran up to Chiyome as she glanced at you, a smile of relief on her face before you and Sakura looked towards a nearby mausoleum.
Pieces of debris had managed to blow its roof apart so you and Sakura were quick to run towards it. You both saw the door fall down and Luvia step out with an alarmed look. She first looked at Sakura by your side before looking your way, her hands twitching before she noticed Assassin nearby. She took stock of the situation and stamped down her instincts.
"You made it then," She said with a grim look.
"Where's Miyu?" you asked her with a sharp tone.
Luvia hesitated before she glanced at Sakura who could only nod. After a moment, she stepped aside, "She's inside. Sh-"
"Is she safe?" you cut her off before Luvia nodded in response.
"Then we have to get her out of here. We're in no state to fight the Blackened," you told her as you turned to Sakura, "Let's go."
Luvia sighed as she nodded as well, "Follow me. I've put her behind several layers of barriers to keep her safe. We can take the secret passage beneath the mausoleum back to Ophelia's hideout."
"It'll be much safer than the open at the very least," you said as you walked by the tomb of an old Duke or something buried here. Luvia went to the back of the mausoleum and opened a door hidden behind a statue, stepping in to lead you to a hidden chamber leading underground.
The tunnel was lit with gemstones until you reached the end of it. You were then allowed entrance into a room hidden beneath the graveyard leading to what could only be catacombs. This was the place you saw in your vision earlier this evening. You looked ahead to find Miyu standing with her back turned to you, facing you only upon hearing footsteps.
The girl's golden eyes widened upon seeing you before you paused while the others filed in.
"Sakura? Luvia?" Miyu asked as she glanced at them.
You and Assassin stood side to side in front of the other two as Miyu was forced to meet your gaze. She was fine... You could only feel relief at this point.
"Miyu... It's time to leave," you told her as you held out your hand.
However the girl simply looked at you... And took a step back.
"Your Wish, I won't grant it, Hans," Miyu declared as she clenched her fists.
Chaos
[] "What... What do you mean you won't?"
[] "You're right, Miyu. You won't. All I need is your capacity to grant it. Nothing else."
[] "I don't know what Ophelia told you, but I can explain. Just not now."
[] "Wow. That's the first time I've seen you decide on something strongly. You've grown up, Miyu."
[] Write in...