All Your Base

[Ray Rummo]

[] And nao for a short, craptacular post that I got lazy with half-way through. :V []

Ray wasn't certain what had happened first, what had woken him up from his much needed sleep. Was it the howls of whatever it was that had entered his makeshift home? Or was it the screams of his makeshift family being attacked? He didn't know what was taking place, that beasts had been feasting on flesh of those who took hm in. He heard yells, shouts, battle crys; fighting back against the unknown monsters that had assualted them. But one by one their voices faded, they're cries of war dispersing into the darkness of the night.

Ray, wraped in his blanket and pressed into a corner of the room out of fear of what had so easily dealt with the adults that lived in the warehouse with him. He was alert, eyes shifting between all the corners in the room, expecting them to spantanously appear from them like some kind of twisted boogieman, and the entrance to his room. He was scared. He knew from the screams, and while he couldn't tell exactly what had happened, he knew. He knew his friends had been killed. Ray was the only one left.

He sat there, unmoving and watchful, the sudden silence of the warehouse putting him on edge. They were out there, somwhere in the shadows of the night. He had hoped, prayed, that quiet atmosphere was the sign of the beasts abscence. That by some miraculas chance they had left after, a-after....He felt something coming from his stingy eyes, sliding down his cheek down to his chin. It was a tear. It was soon joined with a torret of drops, flowing down his face as the boy - this ten year old - cried. Whether it was over the deaths of the people kind enough to take him in, or the thought that the monsters were still roaming around his home, searching for any survivors left, he didn't know. And so the child quietly sobbed to himself, pressed into the corner of his room.

His crying ceased the moment he heard the inhuman growl. Ray couldn't see it clearly, the beast was standing out of what little light came through the window. The best he could make out was the jagged shape of it's head. Or what he assumed to be it's head. It took a step forward, scraping it's feet -no, claws- across the floor. It's growling grew louder, the shape in the darkness drawing closer. And all Ray could do was silently watch his soon to be murderer stalk towards him.

'Berserker' was his inner prayer, hoping that the knight in blue would save him. Help me Cewy, your my only hope!

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

Hrm.

Saber ran a hand across what amounted to be thin air, feeling something unfelt, seeing something unseen. To the untrained, there was nothing. Sigurd, on the other hand, felt a tingling, a shimmering sensation, an invisible bubble.

Something familiar.

Runes.

Swiftly made, meant to alert its creator of any trespass, nothing more. A Magus' territory. Marked... not in the safety of a house nor a grand mansion, but a rundown warehouse. A derelict warehouse, left for the bereft and the weary. Still, a Magus was a Magus was a potential Master, so...

Materializing both armor and weapon, Sigurd walked in the forbidding building, announcing his presence loudly and harshly with a swift kick to the metal doors. They fell from the hinges, clanging hollowly.

Immediately, a hairy man, sporting an enviable beard and carrying a paper bag madly dashed at Saber, eyes wildly darting to and fro. Almost startled, Saber reacted quickly and instinctively, clotheslining Mr. Fred with enough force to send him sliding back several feet, stopping against a broken-down machine. Head lolling, neck broken, he limply dropped the bag's contents - immediately, the pungent smell of half-seared flesh and charred fur filled the air as a poorly roasted raccoon rolled out of it.¹

Sigurd wrinkled his nose in disgust, before turning away. What had frightened the man so? No sooner had the question entered his mind was he answered by a wounded growling. A shadowy creature, resembling an offspring of a wolf and a hound, rounded the corner of a machine, loping into view. It growled again, clearly offended by the one who had stolen its prey.²

A single slash ended any delusions of grandeur on its part.

So.

These creatures were not just a localized phenomenon. Not just limited to his Master's summoning. Sigurd briefly thought on it, before discarding the thought. So long as they were not a threat to him, these beasts' origin did not matter to him. What did matter was the lack of the flashes and flares common to Magi and their spells. Not even a fwoosh. He'd think that a Magus would at least attempt to defend his territory, though the lack of bodies, save for eviscerated hobos,³ suggested otherwise.

Dead, fled, or hiding.

At the very least, Sigurd could confirm the beasts' labor, ensure the Magus' death. So he strode across the warehouse, casually swatting the occasional creature that got too uppity for its own good. One dog... two dogs... three dogs... then this one dog... then Saber chanced upon a bundle of rags.

At least, it would resemble a bundle, were it not quivering, trembling, a wreck of a person... and Saber didn't even have to look at his face to know.

Gingerly, he reached down with a hand, finding purchase on the threadbare blankets.

With a harsh, sudden motion, he swept it up, revealing a young boy, exposed to the world.⁴

Hrm.

"Hah. What have we here?" Sigurd snorted, scarcely believing his eyes. The last survivor. A child.

----
¹_{A... Raccoon. Who eats a racc- degenerates. Deviants and Degenerates.}
²_{More of Master's pets. Wonderful.}
³_{...The war does attract all kinds of people, indeed.}
⁴_{I said it before. ALL kinds of people.}

[Cu Chulainn]

The warehouse looked quiet from the outside, but Berserker knew that if the field goes off, then something is definitely wrong inside it. The field was hastily made, his mistake, he was too eager for combat and went too far, leaving his master too vulnerable.

His master, right. He still doesn’t quite know what a kid want in a war like this. The fact that he managed to summon and maintain him so far means that he has the required prana to act as his master, but he’s still a kid. And by the outburst earlier, he seems to have about zero battle experience, much less understands that some servants like him won’t be harmed by something as piddly as a basic spell like that.

He had hoped that his master would just run instead of actually trying to engage something, anything at all. Even if it’s a normal threat like thieves (though why thieves would try to break in an abandoned warehouse in the first place is beyond him), he doubt that his master would have enough prana to defend himself after the summoning earlier.

Approaching the warehouse closer and closer, Berserker can actually see that something is wrong. His senses starts to pick up something in the general direction of the warehouse, a sense he’s all too familiar with, having experienced it once this night already.

Another Servant. The worst possible situation.

Normally, Cu Chulainn would praise his luck. Two exciting battles in such a short time would be a boon for him normally. This time, however, it’s not just about him. Indeed, this concerns not only his own continuing tie to this world, but that of another person’s life. And a kid at that.

He made that mistake once a long time ago; he won’t repeat it again now.

Despite sensing the other servant’s presence and determining the general area of his master’s whereabouts, Berserker is still in the dark about the situation inside of the warehouse, or how the servant had managed to find his master. He’s after all, a kid, and he had not detected a workshop when he set up the bounded field earlier.

Then it dawned on him. Bounded Field, of course, it’s all his bounded field’s fault.

Damn it. Berserker hastily makes his way inside the warehouse, only paying attention to his surroundings at a passing glance. Even though it’s comparable to a fast moving slide show, Berserker can perceive the general pictures of the current state of the warehouse. Chaos, upturned empty boxes, smell of death, and the lifeless body of the earlier man he saw from the ceiling earlier. It’s one of the kid’s caretakers, dead. Mouthing a silent respect to the fallen man, he immediately sets his sight to the deep end of the warehouse, where his master is.

It was only a split second until he found the source of his discomfort. A giant of a man, clad head to toe in armor, casually carrying what appears to be a two-handed sword in one hand. A Saber. Had he not been worried just a moment ago, Berserker’s face would be one of utmost joy. Yet now his face reflects his current state of emotion, halfway between a happy grin and rage.

"Hah. What have we here?"

A stab of the spear in between the two contrasting figures now separates the armored giant and the child.

”Someone you should leave alone, friend.” Berserker holds his spear as if acting as a gateway between his master and the Saber.

[Ray Rummo]

Ray's blanket was ripped from him, fear gripping the boy as his childish sanctuary was torn away. He tumbled across the ground, flipping right in front of the beast that had stolen his blanket. It was a tall man, really tall. He looked even taller then the ceiling. His body made of steel, or so Ray thought. With every motion the mans body clanked, with every step the earth shoke. He was a walking horror, Ray's childish mind unable to comprehend the creature that stood before him. Nothing he had ever seen in his life had ever been like it.

Ray looked into the..thing's golden eyes, a brief, faint glow happening the instant they locked eyes. No, Ray realized, it did resemble something. It was the only thing a child his age could understand, could compare such a being to. It was the monster of his dreams; the monster of everyone's dreams. The creature that chased you through the twisted, demonotic forests of a boy's imagination. The source of a child's weeping and need for a mothers comfort. This beast was a scary black man nightmare given iron form.

It was staring right at him.

"Hah. What have we here?" And then it spoke, it's voice ringing with power and full of amusement. Dropping his blanket to the ground, the beast was content with staring at the boy. Unsure, or maybe it just didn't care, of what to do with him. Ray, scared witless of the iron giant, sat there. He was scared that the slightest motion would set it off. That it would kill him for the tiniest mistake. So the persudo eye-staring contest continued, boy vs. his own nightmares, onetoo scared to look away and the other unaware of the competition it had entered with the ten year old.

Then, out of seemingly no where his knight appeared. He was a blue blur, swiftly moving in and standing between Ray and the iron man. His spear lifted, his stance firm: Ray's servant had arrived. and with his words..”Someone you should leave alone, friend.”..Ray knew his hero would protect him.

"Lancer!" Was Ray's cry to the heroic spirit, in his confusion and frantic haste confusing the man's given class.

[] Left unspell checked because my comp is on the verge of a seizure. :V []

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

The spear came out of nowhere, a blur pinning itself into the concrete floor. Swiftly, blue followed red as the child's guardian raised his weapon, firmly aiming the point at Sigurd's chest.¹ He spoke calmly, yet with so much rage packed on his voice, "Someone you should leave alone, friend."

"Lucky child..." Sigurd breathed softly.

A Servant. So the field did belong to a Servant! Servant... Lancer! Lithe of form, he wore little more than light armor in the form of a blue catsuit. Built for speed.

The other composed himself with a cool and cocky calm, lance held at the ready. Only his eyes, hard and clear, revealed his intentions. So, he was one of these types, a hero, an unbeaten icon. So much like him, but not betrayed. Not given to a dragon's whims.

Saber cocked his head to the side, an infinitesimal gesture that was all but invisible in the dark night. He had come here to in search of a Master, and he had found both Master and Servant.

So, let us have at it. You do yourself no favors by waiting. Regin's words rang in his mind, gruff as usual. His mentor, who had schooled him in the ways of battle, from the moment he picked up a sword.

With that thought, Saber rushed Lancer, quickly covering the meager space between the two. His form suggested a high amount of agility, so no point in swinging a slash that would miss, so...

Sigurd punched out with his sword arm, letting the heavy, blunt end of his weapon drive itself forward.

It came at the other Servant with the force of an onrushing freight train.

----
¹_{Bounded Fields. They do nothing but alert you to me. SABER FACT.}

[Cu Chulainn]

The only thing that stopped Berserker from just engaging the other servant from battle is the safety of his Master. He is, after all, still sitting within range of the oversized sword of the Saber. Moreover, this Saber seems like someone who have no qualms of killing anything as long as it’s in his objective to do so, or even killing anything at all. Even clad within his (…or her, but that’s a bit of a long shot) armor, the Saber is giving the impression of someone who enjoys killing.

Well, not much difference from him, given the broad context, but he likes to have standards.

He glanced at the boy; his expression is that of a relieved and happy boy. That’s good he thought, better than letting another die by his hands, under his watch, by his mistake. As long as he can protect his Master, that should be enough. Easier said than done, maybe, considering his Master’s age, but the boy seems to at least know what he’s getting into. So with luck he can at least come out of this al-

“Lancer!”

Berserker nearly did a face-fault, which is a mighty feat in itself because the ‘blow’ itself came so unexpectedly and out of nowhere. Maybe it’s just the pressure getting into his head, and the first thing he saw was Gae Bolg he tried to justify a reason for the word that his Master just said, if only to get his mind back to focus to the foe in front of him, and it mostly worked, if not for the fact that he’s about a second late to avoid the Saber’s charge and he have no choice other than to meet the charge head on.

The collision shook the entire empty warehouse with a shockwave from the impact. It was not a deadly gust of wind, but the force is enough to send smaller objects flying. The Saber’s strength is prodigious, but Berserker still holds his ground, but it’s clear to the both of them who is winning the stalemate, as the Saber slowly but surely gains enough ground to push Berserker more and more to the wall.

Realizing that his master is still behind him, Berserker tries to change the course of where the Saber will bulrush his way, but it’s too late. At this rate, the combined weight of both of them would crush the boy’s little frame to death, not the most favorable outcome in Berserker’s position. Glancing backwards to determine the most favorable course of action, Berserker prepares his body in order to keep the timing just right…

Lowering his strength just a little bit to simulate him losing the deadlock, Berserker angled his body so that he can easily twist his body in mid-air…and coinciding with another surge of strength from the Saber, he quickly kicks the ground in order to gain more momentum. With the angled ‘jump’ he quickly grabs his cowering Master and shield the boy with his own body as it collides with the wall, sending pain towards his back, as negligible as it is. As he landed, he stabs his red spear towards the ground, slowing the velocity of his fall and better controls his own landing, careful not to accidentally hurt the boy with sudden pressure towards his limbs or legs.

The situation is now more favorable for Berserker, as the cramped space of the warehouse’s corner had been replaced by the open field of the warehouse’s grassy backyard. Setting down the boy in at his left hand, Berserker mouthed a brief sentence towards his Master.

“This place’s not safe anymore; we should find another place to hide. Your orders, Master?”

Berserker find himself staring towards the hole in the warehouse, now occupied with the large frame of Saber, and speaks another sentence, this time with a more urgent tone.

“Better hurry up with the decision, Master. We don’t have all the time in the world right now.” He said as the Saber makes his way towards them.

[Ray Rummo]

"Lucky child..."

Was the monster's sole comment as he stared down Ray's knight in blue. Though Ray was unable to see his servant's face he knew the hero was returning the glare. At least that's what the Rummo boy was imagining the man behind the steel helmet was doing. Glaring at the two of them. Then he charged.

Lancer met the mans charge, flying from his spot in a blur and clashing in the center of the room. The moment their weapons collided the warehouse, maybe even the entire area around the warehouse, shook with enough force to send small bits and pieces flying into the air. Ray himself had levitated off the floor for a brief second before falling back onto his kester. The boy hadn't noticed what had happened, too focused on the titanic test of strength between his servant and the monster who had stepped into his makeshift home. Ray could tell even at the tender age of ten. His servant was losing the battle of brute force.

But lancer knew this too. Kicking off the ground the blue knight twisted enough to escape the clutches of the man who had attacked them. Yanking Ray off the ground mid-flight Lancer had smashed his way through one of the walls. He used his body as a shield against the pieces of rock that were blasted off by the force of Lancer's tackle. Ray, cradled against Lancer who was tumbling through the air, wasn't able to see how Lancer managed his landing. Not that the boy would have cared given the situation. He was more concerned about getting as far away from the one after them.

Once safely on the ground Ray was released back onto his feet. His servant kneeled to meet Ray at eye level. The knight in blue mouthed a sentence to him.

“This place’s not safe anymore; we should find another place to hide. Your orders, Master?” He glanced over to their exit, Ray following the eye's of his Servant to spot the figure of the steel man who had attacked them. Even in the dark of night Ray could still see his immense form.

“Better hurry up with the decision, Master. We don’t have all the time in the world right now.” This sentence was voiced, urgent yet hushed in hopes of avoiding the ears of the giant coming their way. Ray didn't have to think of what his plan of action would be. The Rummo knew this wasn't a battle he wanted to fight. Not today.

"Let's escape." Was the boy's quick reply, unable to take his eyes off the immediate threat.

[Enkidu]

*During the events of Cu Chulainn's previous battle*

Its strange, Enkidu muses to herself, watching people and events without actually seeing them.

Enkidu sat alone atop a single sky scrapper nearly half a kilometer from the site of a small battle taking place in Ponte a Moriano sector of the small city of Lucca. It was the first night following her summoning and her master Renard Aestling was still asleep, too tired from the great strain of summoning a hero of her stature and quality to do more than rest in their hotel room. Feeling boredom, Enkidu had set out to try and find another Servant to fight only to detect the presences of two Servants and several dark beings fighting at the edge of her senses

Moving into investigate, Enkidu focused her senses upon the Earth, letting the rhythm and motion of the world around her tell her of events far removed from her. This ability wasn't any sort of clairvoyance per say, it was merely a supernatural ability granted to her as a child of the Earth to sense the presences of foreign entities. With the existences of spirits being in opposition of the natural balance of Gaia, it was easy for Ekidu to divine their location and their actions based on the movement and existence of the presences.

So Enkidu had set down to 'watch' the proceedings, being mindful of her master's weakened condition by not interfering with any of the fights around her.

The battle was fairly linear in nature. The evil presences were easily disposed of by the two Servants and the battle itself only lasted as long as it did because of the sheer number of evil presences attacking them. Eventually the evil presences were dealt with and one of the Servants beat a hasty retreat. From what the Servant was running from Enkidu did not know. The Servant's presence was strong enough that she did not believe that he or she was injured.

Getting up from where she was seated, Enkidu decided to follow him, using her skill at sensing presences to follow him at a distance that he was unlikely to be able to sense her.

After a while of discretely following his trail, Enkidu noticed that the other Servant had stopped at a nearby warehouse. Moving in to get a better idea of what was going on, Enkidu noticed that there was the presence of another Servant in the warehouse.

The presence of the other Servant was quite different than that of the one she had been following. While the Servant she had been following had an animal-like presence to him, almost as if her were a dog or wolf, the other Servant felt like a greater kind of beast. As she focused her senses on the other Servant Enkidu was slightly taken aback by what she felt. The other Servant felt as if he was both a man and a monster. He was simultaneously made of human flesh and dragon's hide. He was wrapped in greed and covered in wrath. In the few moments that she had focused on him Enkidu could tell her was an evil being. No doubt the evil Servant had invaded the first Servant's base and was attempting to kill the first Servant's master.

Nodding to herself, Enkidu made her way towards the warehouse. Normally she would continue to observe in respect for her master's weakened condition but that evil Servant..........he reminded her of the Bull of Heaven. He was so full of rage and hate.......she wondered how he could even function.

Making her way over to another warehouse adjacent to the first Servant's base, Enkidu listened in on the exchange of words and blades between the two Servants. One Servant was a Saber and the other a Lancer, if Lancer's childish master could be believed.

Yes, the Saber in the warehouse had definitely arrived there to kill Lancer's master before the other Servant could arrive. Enkidu bristled at the thought. Such actions were beneath Heroic Spirits such as them. To see such an evil and cowardly man participate in the war for the Holy Grail raised her hackles in rage.

Making her decision Enkidu materialized her ax, the great ax Anu forged of the Earth itself and granted a fraction of the powers of Gaia. Lazily spinning the ax by its chain at her side, Enkidu quickly brought the spinning ax to an optimal speed. Raising the spinning ax above her head, Enkidu swung outwards, launching her weapon across the gap between buildings towards the side of the warehouse.

When the ax met the wall of the warehouse there was a great and terrible sound of tearing metal and stone as the ax sheared through the wall like it was paper. With a flick of her wrist the trajectory of the ax shifted slightly and an opening was formed by her attack. Jumping down to the opening she had made, Enkidu collected her ax and held it at the ready.

Smiling sweetly at the other two servants, Enkidu greeted them both. "Hey there, sorry to interrupt your party but you two sounded like you were having fun!" turning to Saber, Enkidu hefted her ax. "Attacking the master is a pretty cowardly for a knight don't you think? You really should be ashamed of yourself. How about you forget the child and fight the Servant like a proper warrior huh?" Shifting into a proper battle stance, Enkidu awaited his reply.

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

Before Sigurd could step through the crumbling hole in the wall, he heard splintering and smashing, parts of another wall falling down. Attention temporarily engaged, Saber grunted his surprise as his head snapped back, looking towards the source of the commotion.

An axe.

An axe wielded by a waif of a girl. The newcomer lightly stepped in through the rubble, hefting her weapon menacingly. Then she smiled, an utterly lackadaisical air about her. "Hey there, sorry to interrupt your party but you two sounded like you were having fun!" She said jovially, teasingly. Turning to Sigurd, she seemed to adopt a semi-stern, lecturing tone. "Attacking the master is a pretty cowardly for a knight don't you think? You really should be ashamed of yourself. How about you forget the child and fight the Servant like a proper warrior huh?"¹

With that, the girl widened her stance, dropping the relaxed pretense, holding her ax at the ready.

Sigurd warily looked between Lancer and the girl, largely ignoring her question. It... was... a WAR. That answered her question. It was as Regin said - The fool willingly gives up his advantage. The warrior keeps it.

He was surrounded on both fronts. A clever trap², cunningly baited by a small boy, sprung by a Servant girl. For the briefest of moments, he considered retreating, before discarding that notion.³ He was invulnerable. He was Sigurd Fafnesbane. He was the dragon.

This was no contest.

"Then... fight. The both of you," Sigurd hissed coldly, turning away from the both of them, stepping back and planting himself, a little hunched and crouched. His head swiveled between one Servant to the other, eyes never fully leaving one or the other for more than half a second. The waif seemed eager enough to attack him. He would oblige her.

Two foes. Sigurd stood alone between them. But he knew that he would not lose. He held his weapon loosely, balancing it between the floor and his grip.

"Come. at me, bros"

----
¹_{I could make an argument about outnumbering your foe. I could, totally could. But won't. Because I'm a good person like that.}
²_{No Ackbar references, please.}
³_{Of course not. What do you take me for, Bedwyr?}

[Cu Chulainn]

“Let’s escape.”

The order is urgent, spoken in a tone that best described as a mixture of fear and steely resolution. Following his gaze, it’s easy to see why the child has the expression currently displayed as plain as day for the world to see on his face. It’s not often that ten years old had that close of a brush with certain death, and the steel-clad servant on the other end of the open field would most likely had no hesitation of doing exactly what Berserker had in mind had he didn’t make it on time.

Well, for now a retreat would’ve been a good idea. The other servant seems to be not as fast as Berserker, if his movement earlier is any indication. A bit strange, the knight should be a Saber; he should be able to keep up with the speed at the very least. But he already experienced something that shouldn’t be in this war, so multiple classes at this time won’t faze him in the slightest. Maybe he’s another Berserker.

While the preparation for a retreat is sound, the plan quickly gain another factor in its list of consideration as an axe burst into the scene, cleaving the nearby walls like it isn’t even there. The axe is ornate, probably belonged to some divinity or royalty in a distant past. It’s a fact that normally won’t bother Cu Chulainn in the slightest, but this axe feels…different somewhat. It feels…irritating, like it has something to do with an asshole king who obviously had too much time in his hands. He has no idea why he feels that way; certainly the newly revealed owner doesn’t feel anything like that.

On the contrary…the girl feels too…happy go lucky. Berserker is no stranger to warrior women; having been taught by one and bested another in combat. However the girl is too…happy. It’s like she can’t differentiate from games and battles, a different sort of battle lust than what Berserker himself, a fact that he’s quite puzzled about.

He has no pretense that the other servant is here to ‘help’ him, judging from her response though she won’t harm his master maybe because they both goes to the same school of adorable-ness, but he won’t drop his guard just yet. For now, he had to make sure that his master won’t get hurt in the crossfire.

“Yeah, this is going to get messy. Kid, you’d better hide first and find a safe place. Don’t even stop for strangers, they might want to kill you, understand?”

Not much of a motivational speech, but it’ll do for now.

Making his way to his feet, Berserker traces the motion of something in the air. It was a rune, Gyfu, the rune of the Spear. As the shape of the Old English rune appears on the air besides him, his spear now glows even brighter red. Taking another stance, he glance towards the newcomer, seemingly now had taken a proper battle stance, and back to the steel-clad knight.

"Come. at me, bros"

”Don’t mind if I do brah.”

As if on cue with his statement, Berserker launched himself towards the knight while still keeping one eye towards the girl. With a great thrust, he stabs his spear once again aimed towards the knight’s right abdomen.

[Ray Rummo]

[] Tiny post just to get Ray out of the way. Try not to die too fast Cewy. :V []

“Yeah, this is going to get messy. Kid, you’d better hide first and find a safe place. Don’t even stop for strangers, they might want to kill you, understand?”

Ray, who had been silent through the events that had just transpired before them, nodded his head. Satisfied Berserker stood and turned on his heels, prepping for his battle against the iron giant that had been tailing after them. Not that Ray had seen it himself. He was already running as fast as his little legs could carry him down the street. They’re plans to escape derailed Ray forced to run off by himself while his servant battled alongside an unknown girl. She was completely different from the knight that had been chasing them. While he was terrifying and monstrous, she was cheery. (She was pretty too! Unlike the appearance of the ...Saber. Ray was almost positive he was one.) Her entrance into the fight brought a flash of hope that the two of them together could take down the beast servant.

Reaching the end of the block, the howls and crys of battle following him down the road, Ray ducked into an alley way. Poking his head out just long enough to see the three-way between servants Ray moved back inward and made haste towards one of the dumpsters. His first thought was the hide in it, soon discarded when the reality of being unable to physically lift the lid up hit. And he’d be trapped if the Saber should win and his servant was-Ray shook his head, determined not to think such things. He had to believe in Lancer believe in each other etc etc. He instead headed down the alley and turned with it to find a mess of garbage cans, bags, things that had fallen out of both of them and...a cardboard box.

It was obvious where he was going to hide.

[Enkidu]

Immediately after her grand entrance and her smooth (in her opinion) address to the other two Servants, Enkidu watched avidly and waited for their response. For a brief moment, the armored giant gazed at her, observing her and judging her. Apparently finding her wanting the great knight blatantly ignored her comment, regarding her warily together with the spear wielding man farther away from her.

Grrrr what a jerk! Enkidu thought, a small frown now marring her face. How dare he ignore her like that when she was talking to him! That mongrel! He was probably thinking something along the lines of 'this is WAR' or something boring like that. Did he know that this 'war' of his was a game to her? Yes, it was the greatest game of all; a game that the participants put their lives on the line to win the greatest prize in the world. Yes she thought. I'll show him just what this game is about when I remove his head with my axe.

Enkidu was about to comment on such when she saw the knight shift slightly into a defensive position."Then... fight. The both of you,"

Enkidu grinned. So that was how he was going to play it? Glancing over at the spear wielding barbarian behind her, her grin got just a little bit wider. That was fine with her. She would gladly work with another great warrior to kill such a boorish knight.

Watching the spearman send his cute little master off to hide somewhere in a disinterested manner, Enkidu readied herself as the the other two Servants and herself squared off.

"Come. at me, bros"

”Don’t mind if I do brah.”

On that cue, the blue searman shot off like a loosed arrow and assaulted the armored giant in a frontal attack, his spear glowing a bright red from the rune that he had used. Absently noting the strange rune, Enkidu was not impressed. She had seem much more powerful written magic during her time in Uruk.

"Here I come breh!"

As she said this, Enkidu shot off towards the evil knight herself, angling her avenue of attack so that she was assaulting the knight from his left side, forcing him to move his sword across his body to block her attack and thus leave himself open to the spearman's attack.

As she drew near to the other two Servant's, Enkidu grabbed onto the shaft of her axe with both hands and swung horizontally at the knight's torso with all of her might, hoping to force him into a dangerous position.

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

”Don’t mind if I do brah.”

"Here I come breh!"¹

With that, the two warriors launched themselves towards Sigurd. The crimson spear came directly towards the Saber's torso, the axe from the left. Two deadly, impeccably timed attacks. Sigurd looked between the two opponents, the blue and the teal blur, quickly deciding that the heavier ax necessitated his immediate attention. He quickly passed his weapon to his left hand, dragging his a pair of jagged marks across the burnished steel side with his right fingers. The Sowilo glowed a molten yellow, before the Rune of the Sun extended along the edge of the blade, engulfing the weapon in a raging fire. Sigurd held the sword wide, unconsciously stepping to the left.

But he made no attempt at defending himself, so sure he was of his power, of Fafnir's might. Sigurd eagerly anticipated them breaking their weapon against his armor. They were nothing more than the many people who had challenged him, challenged Gunther's right to rule.

Then the attacks came. The spear slashed against Sigurd's side, not a direct impact, but still with enough cutting force to eviscerate men. The axe smashed squarely into the Saber's chest with enough power to hew solid stone asunder.

Both attacks bounced off the Saber. The barbed point scraped uselessly against Sigurd's abdomen, less than the bluntest of knives against his defense. The spear overpierced nothing but thin air, leaving the lunging and overbalanced Lancer nothing to brace himself against. The axe warbled and screeched as it reverberated against the Saber's hide, shivering with the resonance of the strike.

Sigurd, on the other hand, was completely unaffected by the failed attack. He smirked. He was proven correct. That smirk convulsed into a vicious grin, as his eyes glowing dangerously. Now, came the counterattack. As soon as the spear lanced by ineffectually, Saber was already in motion, assuming a two-handed pose. With a mighty howl of a roar, he swung the blazing sword in a devastating arc of destruction, an attack capable of cleaving anvils.

----
¹_{Who says breh nowadays? Honestly.}

[Alexandra Ritter von Ehre]

"Haaah...."

What a boring night. A sigh escaped the lips of the young lady before she concentrated on her nails again. A little bit to the left and... finally round. Why did the Rules suggest to do everything at night? It was really difficult to have a normal sleep rhytm with this chaotic War Rules blocking all the fun from it. They could just kill all spectators, anyway.

What harm could be done? But Rules were Rules, and it was a bit too early to break them. It was just the first night after her summoning after all, and she did not regret it so far. Saber was a more than suitable choice, albeit a bit too energetic for this time of the day. At least he had his fun, like a child who finally managed to find the Lego House of some punk just to crush it, and the punk himself. The blood of his enemy would certainly fit him, and he was the type to eagerly comply with Alexandra's imagination.

She was a bit further away from her servant, than most other masters, but still close enough to provide him with what he needed, prana and to feel strong warriors clash against each other. Well... the evening was still dull, and boring. Taking care of an enemy master was all nice, but without the slightest enjoyment if Saber could not meet a suitable challenge. The young master was not exactly the kind of person to forget her ambitions for a little enjoyment, albeit prioritizing it quite high. There was also the little fact that a master was supposed to keep their servants in a good mood. Trashing junk was a better fit for a trashman, than a knight.

She almost was about to call her servant back and let the enemy live a little bit longer, just to attack a bit later again, followed by a break and attacking again. Alexandra was willing to put a bit more effort into this little plan to enjoy the enemy's fear as long as possible. There was just so little you could get by killing an opponent. Wearing them down, filling them with despair and then wringing them out when they were ripe, was such sweet temptation. It was difficult to keep the horses in check, and the only thing for her to do. A bored mind could come with some interesting phantasies now and then, and she was extremely bored.

At least until a slight shift in balance occured. Someone with a high level of prana returned to the vicinity. Hmm, the servant of that master? ...Wait, no. There are two? Instead of worrying that Sigurd would eventually have a showdown with two enemies at once, Alex' grew a wide grin, before pushing a strawberry through the opening of her full lips.

"Unnnm. Delicious~ I should have brought more, but at least things sweeten up over there as well. Aren't you glad, Saber-chan?"

She said those words to herself, and took another of those sweet fruits. Calling it a proper dinner was pure nonsense, but there was not so much a lady could get herself with all the troubles and procedures. Losing the temporary living place came with some vexations, and she was unfortunately not a Heroic Spirit like Saber. It would definitely be helpful, but also less enjoyable. One had to play the Role of the young, helpless and innocent Princess, or the Knight would not have much to do.

Another spark made her feel alive, as more prana was sent from her to Sigurd, like an endless appearing flood of sweet malice. She nurtured him well. It was still a bit strange, and the most recent attack almost appeared as if two servants were fighting against one. The master of Saber was not too shocked about this, yet why were they teaming up? Did they realize what they were up against or were they just too shy to participate in a Battle Royale? Nevertheless, the Masters also had their right to decide and it was unlikely that everyone of them allowed them as much Freedom as Alexandra did.

"Hmm...?" She thought to have felt something or someone nearby and the echo of footsteps reached her ears. There was no doubt that someone was approaching. The young master jumped off the small wall and landed gracefully, while still regretting that specialized Reinforcement had not been a part of her training. Jumping off buildings just seemed more spectacular and provided a better view at the night sky. She advanced quietly into the direction, heading towards the source of the unknown Prana Signature and then the sounds just stopped....

What? There is not really any great hiding place around. Was that just my imagination?

But there still felt something off about that Alley. Alexandra was already amazed what people could find in garbage cans. Probably it was not so uncommon to hide corpses in them nowadays, or it was just the right time for murder. A pity that she had yet to witness an actual killing case, rather than always coming too late. It felt like coming too late to a party and only getting some left-overs, that were despite being high grade quality still just left overs.

"A Kitty? Heeeeello~~ little kitty kitty. Come to me~"

[Cu Chulainn]

It seems that whoever taught the axe-wielding girl how to fight certainly did a great job, as she’s able to match up with Berserker’s movement even if it’s the first time they’ve seen each other. Silent agreement exchange notwithstanding, or even exist at all, the two of them are now concentrating their attacks towards the same target. Perhaps with the same instinct about the most dangerous foe in the room, his spear and the girl’s axe found their way towards the Saber’s body in a perfectly timed sandwich.

…And manages to fail to make even a small dent on the Saber’s armor.

It’s not the fact that the spear fails to make its impact that annoys Berserker; it’s the fact that he only realizes this now that irks him. He’s no stranger to magical armors that resists attacks, but as Ferdiad’s bulwark can attest it was only the matter of finding the right counter to the armor or the fatal spot of the armor where it can be exploited. But now it’s already too late. He did felt that the armor was unusual, or perhaps whatever it is that’s behind the armor, but he foolishly believed that his rune was enough. Evidently it’s not the case now.

The spear thrust misses its mark, a proof that the Saber’s more skilled than he thought, or at least less reliant of his apparent invulnerability. It’s as if he had anticipated the stab’s angle from the way Berserker telegraphed his stance earlier, a fact that normally Cu Chulainn can anticipate and counter. But he’s not entirely Cu Chulainn now, his desire to fight is even greater than before.

It’s a fact that he’s trying to limit, for his master’s sake.

As long as it’s something similar to Ferdiad’s bulwark, then he possesses the counter to the armor. But it runs the risk of revealing his identity to the girl as well, not that he’s particularly worried about that fact but he’d rather not waste his master’s prana. Who knows how much the kid really got in his reserve now?

As the spear overshoots its mark, Berserker uses the tip of the spear to halt his falling momentum while he sees that the girl’s axe had met the same fate of his spear. Neatly balancing his body with the spear, Berserker now turns his attention towards the Saber, who prepares his stance for another huge arcing slash intended to clear both him and the girl.

A huge, slow slash.

So zetta slow.

He has seen the Rune of the Sun in action before, it would be a bad idea to try and stop it without weapon. So he doesn’t try to.

Aiming for Saber’s hands, Berserker uses the spear as leverage in order to keep his right foot steady and firm as it halts Saber’s swing mid-way. The resulting clash once again resulted in a stalemate that Saber would most likely win, but now there’s a third factor in the clash, namely the girl with the axe.

He hopes the Axe-girl is still on his side. But even if she’s not, given the nature of the war, he can still use the momentum to escape again, just like earlier. Here’s hoping that the kid’s managed to find a safe hiding place too…

[Enkidu]

It was certainly invigorating, Enkidu marveled, to fight alongside another great warrior again. How many years, centuries, or eons has it been since she had been in a battle of equals? No, a battle against a greater foe?Enkidu certainly wasn't as dim as she let on and she could tell just from his presence that the armored giant was a serious threat. He gave off the same sense of barely restrained violence that Humbaba gave off just before she and Gilgamesh fought him. Not even the Bull of Heaven was able to summon up the sheer malice and menace that the giant or the armored knight in front of her could.

Therefore she was not wholly surprised when her ax slid off of the knight's armor with a sharp shrieking sound, leaving her slightly unbalanced. No, the only outward sign of her displeasure was a slight frown that had replaced her vicious grin from before.

As her ax cleared Saber's body, Enkidu glanced up at Saber and saw his powerful but slow attack home in on her and Berserker. Knowing that she normally would not be able to move out of the war in time, Enkidu changed the course of her weapon and angled it towards the ground. As the giant ax hit the ground, Enkidu used it as a makeshift pole and vaulted herself in the air, away from Saber's giant sword.

As she neared the apex of her vault, Enkidu watched as Berserker stopped Saber's swing and created a stalemate that he would not likely win. The green-haired girl's frown deepened. Saber had shown an armor that could stand up even to her mighty ax Anu with nary a scratch on it's burnished plate. He certainly had made things hard for her.

Swinging her ax above her head, Enkidu launched it straight towards the back of Saber's head, using the chain that was connected to it to control the weapon's flight. Saber's armor was certainly formidable if it could block Anu, but time would tell if it could block even the force behind her blows. If not then Saber would very well die from the sheer force of the blow of her ax connecting her his helmet. If so then a retreat may be in order.

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

The Dragon's shadow was a valuable tool. It rendered Sigurd impervious to all attacks, to all bodily harm. It made him invincible, and one of the mightiest warriors across legend. But the Saber fully knew that it was not just a gift. It was also a curse, weighing down on him. Bearing down upon both body and soul. He was feeling these effects sorely in this battle of speed.

The girl jumped, neatly clearing the sweep. The swing continued - then stopped as the Lancer closed what meager distance there was between them, lashing out with a foot, striking at the axis of attack: Sigurd's hands. The fire went out as the blue-haired Lancer attempted another stalemate, digging the point of his spear into the ground as support.

Sigurd looked up, and slightly back. The girl was still in the air. More to the point, she was preparing to attack, swinging her axe on a length of chain, faster, and faster, until it was nothing more than a metal blur. The Saber acted quickly. He leaned back, taking a sudden step away from the Lancer, right hand closing around his foe's ankle in an iron grip. The Saber let the sword slide out of his left hand, point smashing into the concrete floor, and reinforced his grasp on the Lancer, pulling back.

The Saber brutally yanked the Lancer off of his foot, spinning to meet the girl's attack.

Too slow. The axe was like the furious ocean, directly smashing into Sigurd's head as swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon.

However, Sigurd was the mountain to the axe's typhoon. He did not bow before the otherwise-devastating attack, did not falter. As expected. The axe had failed again, limply bouncing off his dragon-hide.

Sigurd completed his turn in the next moment. He returned the girl's attack in kind, bodily hurling the Lancer at the airborne Servant.

[Ray Rummo]

Ray was not uncomfortable hiding away in his back alley box. His small size helped naturally but Ray had always felt more comfortable hiding away from others. Hide and seek was his favorite game of all time, which transferred into a wonderful skill at disappearing from any adult's sight to avoid his daily lectures.

Though in his current, ragged state, too hasty and tired to use it at his full potential, Ray had settled for squirreling himself into a box found in a nearly empty alley and kept as still as physically possible. Not the brightest choice by the kid at the moment but Ray thought he was relatively safe, for now. It wasn't like the other servants cared about him in favor of fighting Berserker Lancer, so what was there left to chase him? That didn’t mean he needed to get comfortable, still hiding away in an alley from people who could kill him in a single strike, but he could feel his eyes dropping just a bit. At a child of ten, having spent his energy summoning a spirit from the throne of heroes and running from the monster of a servant, it was surprising that Ray had even lasted this long. Maybe, Ray thought, he could take just a quick nap…

And then he felt it. Even with his need to skip lectures in favor of playing in the woods, Ray knew what this feeling was. He was sensing the prana but of what it belonged to he couldn’t tell. Man? Servant? …Beast? He didn’t know. Ray, now alert, stilled himself, on all fours in a kind of froggie position. At ten, it was really the best he could do to prepare for whatever it was that was heading down the alley.

[Enkidu]

Anu was a powerful weapon. Forged by the gods themselves during the first days of man, the ax was made from fragments of metal from the core of the Earth itself. It was a devastating weapon that could destroy entire armies and could slice through gods and giants as easily as it did armor. And yet, here before Enkidu was a warrior who was impervious to her weapon even when she struck with all her strength.

It was a galling idea that there could be warriors who could so easily outclass her. Certainly Enkidu had been expecting something like this in a battle between the greatest warriors to ever live but it still made her a bit miffed to think that there could be warriors who could take blows from a weapon like Anu and remain unscathed.

It was for that reason that Enkidu launched her ax at Saber's head. Surely he force that the blow would deliver to his head would harm him even if it did not bypass his armor at all.

When Anu connected with Saber's head and caused absolutely no harm at all Enkidu wasn't exactly surprised. The blow to the head was all a part of determining exactly what kind of protection Saber's armor offered him. Obviously it was some kind of magical effect, possibly one that prevented internal harm judging from how well he took a blow to the head.

After having thrown her ax, Enkidu looked up and spotted that her jump had taken her near the nearest rafter that was supporting he building. Reaching upwards, Enkidu grasped the rafter and used all her strength to haul herself up as quickly as possible. It was not a moment too soon.

Immediately after being hit, Saber grabbed Berserker by the ankle and launched the blue-clad spearman towards her. Seeing her predicament and knowing that She could not retrieve her ax in time to block the blow, Enkidu tried a different approach.

Yanking her ax back towards her, knowing that it would not make it in time, Enkidu simply got into a shaky stance a mere half a second before the blue-clad Servant hit. When Berserker had gotten within arm's length of Enkidu, the green-haired Servant grabbed Berserker by the wrist and swung him around before sending him speeding off back towards Saber with his lance in hand.

[Cu Chulainn]

He watched as the massive axe failed to make even the slightest dent on the knight’s armor, a fact that perhaps is a bit of an error in his judgment. He didn’t expect the knight to not even reel for a bit after the attack. That’s perhaps one of his most telling mistakes; he did assume as soon as the Saber withdraws his blade he’ll withdraw his foot and create another opening, but Saber didn’t even relent one bit, still locking his foot and the blade in a stalemate.

So he can do nothing when the Saber grabbed his foot and just throw him to the girl.

Being airborne won’t inconvenience a warrior as swift as Cu Chulainn one bit, normally. What makes it worse however; is the fact that he’s now flying towards his battle partner, making overt evasion risky as it could constitute as aggression. The last thing he need right now is to turn this into a three-way, not when there’s technically two unknown factors here. So he decided to relax and wait until the girl’s decided on the next course.

Then the girl grabbed him by his arm and swung him back towards the Saber. Not cool.

At this point of time, Cu Chulainn realizes how the projectiles of war must feel when there are two incredibly skilled opponents at opposite sides of the battlefield. It’s a bit annoying, even as the wind rushes through his body Berserker can’t help but sigh indignantly, cursing this annoying turn of events.

This has gone far enough.

Stabbing his spear to the ground, Berserker once again uses the same technique to halt his velocity and safely land with his two feet on the ground. Wasting no time idle, he immediately side steps the Saber, searching for his blind spot.

It’s regrettable that this technique requires a bit of preparation. But the result should be obvious at the end of the day…

At the blink of an eye Berserker arrives at the spot just beside Saber’s right-most eye. Berserker begins to gather prana towards his spear again, this time without gestures of runes or even a command word as the spear again glows red. Without another pomp and ceremony, Berserker dashes forward while staying close to the ground, spear pointed towards one target.

The Heart.

Damnit Kubo.

GAE

No amount of enchanted armors or fast sword parries will save you now.

BOLG

As the red blur travels like streak of light, at that very instant the spear’s tip had already pierced Saber’s heart. The greatest of piercing and killing curse, The Spear of Barbed Death has found its mark.

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

The Lancer neatly righted himself in midair, landing feet first in front of Sigurd. But he did not stop there. No, his momentum carried him, allowing him to slide under Saber's reach. He nimbly maneuvered his lithe form into Sigurd's blind spot. He hunched low, nearly flattening himself against the cold floor. A look of grim determination on his face, the man in blue readied his spear, which was glowing red, glowing with untold power.

It sounded of death. It looked of death. It reeked of death. Whispered a promise of ruin and a fated demise. The air buzzed as it weighed down upon Sigurd, the one who the spear had marked for death. With a roar, the Lancer announced his own identity as he thrust his cursed lance at Sigurd, marking him for death. All Saber could do in that brief time was to turn, locking his gaze with Lancer.

The air hissed and squealed as it boiled away from the screeching lance.

GAE
No.
The unstoppable force met the immovable wall.

BOLG

The screeching abruptly died, replaced by the sound of a bad radio turned to a dead channel. A static-y warbling filled the air as the light faded from the spear's point, which was firmly vibrating against Sigurd's chest... an inch away from his heart. But that inch might as well have been leagues, for all the good that it did. Saber's form thrummed, a bulwark against the machinations of fate itself. Hummed against the spear... hummed with something more than mere armor shuddering against a mighty strike.

"...You are Cu Chulainn. Lightsson," Sigurd rumbled. The greatest hero of the Isles. Even his weapon was rendered ineffective against Fafnir's protection.

As always.

Sigurd disengaged from the spear, leaning slightly back, revealing untarnished steel, steel unmarked by the expulsion of power, and then close the distance between the two. He raised his free hand, bringing it into a vicious, gauntleted backhand aimed for the face.¹

----
¹_{Slap dat lancer berserker!}

[Alexandra Ritter von Ehre]

The box only needed to move or shiver in fear to make it more apparent that someone had chosen it as a hiding place. It was not exactly a big object either, but still enough to fit a person. Yet who would do that? If he was that scared, why didn't he try to flee to the Church?

!? ...A sudden change in her servant's prana made her shiver and scared. Of course it was only an imaginary pain, but her mind played a trick on her and she felt like she had been stabbed as well. Old memories surfaced and she was about to succumb to the madness completely. Only some strings still held her in the realm of sanity, and one of those had just thinned out dangerously close to ripping.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Alexandra shouted angrily at her servant for his miss, or should she say 'Hit'? He clearly relied a bit too much on his armor. There were some servants in this War who would make short work out of this tough construct of steel, or rather ether.

"Haaa...."

It also made difficulties to ignore the nauseating feeling in her chest and her body involuntarily bended over slightly, Alex clutching to her own heart. It would not look any different if she had really just gotten stabbed herself, or sick. Maybe she had not recovered entirely from the sickness that had tied her to the bed during most part of her childhood. But she could not allow herself to be weak. Never again! The purple haired magus denied her weakness the right to take over and deny her the right for revenge.

She shifted her own body weights backwards and automatically looked at the sky, almost losing her own balance, before stabilizing herself. It was pitch black, just how she liked it and a smile formed on her lips, able to forget the mistake of her Knight, or that she had almost landed on her buttocks.

Don't lose Saber. I know that you can perform better. Huhu.

A second later, the focus completely rested on this unknown magus in front of her, but she did not approach it. She was interested enough to lift it and take a look, but this would only expose herself to danger. Who could know what would be smashed in her face in the very moment she lifted it up. Although for some seconds angry enough to destroy everything in the alley including the mystery box, the young magus managed to delude herself into being happy and stopped herself from needless desires for destruction for the time being.

Things could turn out far more interesting, if violence and friendliness were applied in balance, and a toy had to be treasured to some extent until it got boring. Being too harsh with it and breaking it would be counter-productive~

"Now Mister or Misses in a Box." There was no need to use Magus in the current situation, albeit Magus in a Box sounding slightly better. A pity that most magi were working by themselves or their family might be happy about receiving their proud magus in a box, all his body limbs carefully sorted and arranged to fit into a small gift box. This was an idea worthy of keeping in mind for the future.

"Would you mind coming out? There is really no point in hiding~ Besides, I am not going to harm you?"

And she spoke the truth, more for her own sake than that of other people, but readied herself for any kind of hostile act. He or she could be a little piglet that got driven into a corner and rashly tried to attack. She was also a very experienced magus, but none who specialized in binding techniques, and it entirely depended on the power of this Hiding Piggy, how well she could take him down without crushing him.

"We are completely alone. There is no need to be scared."

Although it was reason enough to be scared, when there was nobody around to help him, and Alexandra assumed that he could even be a master. One of Saber's enemies might actually be a servant of this pitiful bundle of shivering flesh. So cute~~ Perfect to be gobbled up. Ah, no.. too early was the decision. It was better to follow that hunch for now. The purple haired woman smiled reassuring, well aware that this boxed human might not be able to see her features.

[Ray Rummo]

[] Ya, so, lazy/tiredness kept me from written up Ray-in-a-bawks sneak attack. I'm a disappointment and I know et. :V []

"Now Mister or Misses in a Box."

Whoever it was – notably female and intelligent enough to do more than growl and pounce on his hiding spot with all the bestial hunger of a predator – was standing right in front of his little hiding spot. But beyond that, even if he wasn’t in such a beat up shape, Ray couldn’t tell.

"Would you mind coming out? There is really no point in hiding~ Besides, I am not going to harm you?"

“That question mark is qui~ite suspicious.” There was plenty point in hiding…just not when you’ve already been caught. A brief flash of childish accusations and arguments revolving around ‘You’re caught’ ‘Am not’ graced him, a reminder of how often play time in the woods had devolved into a fight between the two best friends, only to be forgotten at the suggestion of another game or lunch call.

Ray found that, despite what was happening this very moment, and the very real potential danger he might have found himself in, he was suddenly missing his expansive forests and giggling playmate.

"We are completely alone. There is no need to be scared."

“If only I weren’t a rundown ten year old boy, I’d totally see through your dastardly scheme to get me to pop out of my box and out into the open so you could try to kill me in a gruesome fashion.” Ray, who should have known better then to poke his head out to look at a complete stranger, did so anyway. Logic gave through to fatigue and it wasn’t like Ray could just pretend he wasn’t there anyway; they were practically on top of him.

Lifting it enough to get a look at the new arrival the first thing he noted was that she was pretty, like the green haired one before. She didn’t give off the same cheery aura and reassurance the green one had but…it wasn’t like she was trying to kill him, right? He gave her his own weak smile; face smudged a bit with dirt and noticeably tired. He managed to just barely squeak out a ‘hello’ to her.

[Enkidu]

[]Well after a month, I'm finally posting again. Sorry for the huge wait.[]

After having thrown Lancer from her position in the rafters, Berserker settled herself on the rafter once more and prepared to assist the blue clad Servant. Watching Lancer as he landed, Berserker began to once more spin her ax above her using the long chain attacked to the weapon. As she did, Berserker watched the events below in hopes that Lancer would do something interesting for once.

She was not disappointed.

Shortly after Lancer landed he dashed forwards and activated his Noble Phantasm. With it's activation the spear began to glow an angry red as a sudden feeling of blood lust permeated the air. For s moment, Berserker had a feeling of deja vu as if she had seen this scenario before. The spear struck a cord within her. There was something familiar about the weapon that she could not quite remember.

Before she could ruminate on the subject any more Lancer made his move.

GAE

Lancer attacked with his spear and a sudden recognition filled Berserker.

BOLG

The spear Gae Bolg, a weapon that had once been in the treasury of her dear friend and one of the countless nameless weapons she and her friend had wielded on their adventures. It was a weapon of terrible might that would always kill it's target by piercing the target's heart. The fatality rate of the weapon was one hundred percent.

So how was Saber still standing?

Looking a bit closer, Berserker saw that impossibly the spear was resting against the armor above Saber's heart instead of piercing the armor like it should have. Feeling a sudden chill crawl down her spine, Berserker snapped her eyes upon Saber's sword. The blade was still in it's scabbard but even seeing the hilt sent a twinge of recognition through her.

There were very few heroes throughtout history who were said to have been completely invincible. Certainly there were many heroes who seemed invincible due to their skill or power, but few were actually invincible to all harm no matter what. Such heroes were few in number and all of them were powerful beyond measure. She had no way of knowing who the Servant was just by his invincibility though.

That blade on the other hand seemed particularly familiar to her.

As she thought about it, the hilt seemed exactly the same as the hilt of another sword she had seen before. The sword that she had seen was an intricately wrought blade that Gilgamesh kept in his treasury in a place of honor among his countless, priceless weapons. It was a sword that was known as Merodach and then later as Gram and then Balmung.

Thinking on it, she had no way of knowing if that was really Balmung or if it was another sword bu if she could get Saber to draw it she would be able to confirm it.

Enkidu listened as Saber called out the name of the Lancer, Cu Chulainn and watched as he reared his hand back to deliver what would be a devastating back hand to the blue clad spearman.

Knowing that time was short, Berserker let loose her ax and sent it flying towards Saber. As Saber brought his hand down the ax impacted his arm, flinging both it and the ax away from Lancer.

Leaping down from the rafter Berserker pulled upwards and back on the chain connected to her ax, sending the weapon tumbling into the air again and towards her waiting hand.

"You aren't the only one who revealed yourself Saber. After all, there aren't that many heroes who have ever had the honor of wielding Balmung like yourself."



[]Before anyone calls bs I would like to point out that this says that both Gram and Gae Bolg were a part of Gate of Babylon. So Enkidu would supposedly know of them. Enkidu is really only guessing though and will only be able to tell who Saber is if he draws his sword.[]

[Alexandra Ritter von Ehre]

(I hope to not post out of order too much, but I guess that I can post... so I do it.)

Either she had somehow found a little love for children within herself, that did not involve eating them, or it was just an act of deception, and she wanted to play a little bit with this magus boy, but Alexandra smiled friendly instead of moving in to attack.

"Hello, are you playing a game with your friends? It is not the best time for this though. Your parents might be worried sick about you."

She ducked down a bit and stretched her hand towards the box filled with childish naivety. "Come, I bring you home, or do you want to eat something first?"

Of course she had no long nose, or a candy house to lure in little children, but to some extent she thought that this was a very classic scene. Especially after having her own servant advance into this kid's territory. She was not exactly sure what or who this child was, but he was clearly coming from the direction where Saber crushed all opposition. He did well and was still alive, despite Alexandra having begun to worry a bit. She was actually herself quite surprised that he managed to remain unhurt.

She still thought that he was the strongest and while his most useful Noble Phantasm seemed to be quite prana consuming, this did not cause any form of discomfort in the young lady, but the armor was not only a benefit. It made him slow, and she had seen the difference in another encounter, which would make fast hitters a real danger if they ever were to unleash powerful Noble Phantasms that could pierce him without even going for his vulnerable spot, and what if there were attackers who could do that?

...Saber was not fast enough to get away. But, it seemed that her worry was unnecessary and the Dark Ally remained as strong as ever, probably enjoying himself in the company of two other Heroic Spirits. She did not feel like calling him back out of whim, this time. Right now those impulses were used for another action, which was to speak with this little kid, rather than just eliminating him. If her hunch was correct, with this course of action also removing one of the servants from this conflict. However, wouldn't that be extremely boring?

[Cu Chulainn]

The spear missed.

Nay, it didn’t miss. Something impeded it, an enchantment of invincibility. He couldn’t help but remember the one warrior with the enchantment he’s most familiar with, one Cu Roi. He remembers how Gae Bolg had been ineffective to him, and he had to go through loops and hoops just to kill him. Here, he sensed something similar from the armored knight.

"...You are Cu Chulainn. Lightsson," Indeed he is, and his spear has revealed his identity towards the knight. That’s not a concern anymore, and indeed it wasn’t really much of a concern for Cu Chulainn, and what’s done is done. In the middle of a battle, a trivial concern such as a name would hardly impede his prowess in battle.

Cu Chulainn tries his best to move his spear out of the way and prepares for another attack, but the knight reacted faster from the aftermath of the showdown. But it was before he could react that the girl's axe would intercept the knight's hand, deflecting the hand from the would be attack while Berserker regains the distance he lost when he advanced earlier. The situation has now back to neutral, before he even fired his phantasm. He saw the girl retrieved back the axe by the chain for the umpteenth time this evening, but this time the girl let out something interesting, an eye for an eye if you will.

"After all, there aren't that many heroes who have ever had the honor of wielding Balmung like yourself."

The Grail immediately fills his head with information after this sudden revelation. Balmung. The reforged sword. The sword that was wielded by the one who slain the Dragon Fafnir. Indeed, there was only one man who had the honor of wielding such a sword.

“Dragonslayerr.” He hissed, turning his attention to the Saber once more. Now it makes sense why his spear can’t pierce the Saber’s defenses. It’s not something akin to his foster-brother’s bulwark. It’s an enchantment of the whole body, even the heart. The earlier comparison to Cu Roi had been more apt than he had thought. To think that it’s another woman, what are the odds of that eh?

Twirling his spear, he points the tip once again towards the Saber, still standing unmoved from the center of the warehouse. He knew that he’s running out of options in a straight fight, only the runes and his other technique would probably suffice…that and the battle-spasm, but his master is now safely hiding somewhere. Not to mention activating it would be quite a strain for anyone, much less a child like him.

Normally he won’t depend on anyone else in a straight up fight, but the axe girl seems to have another idea. The normally aggressive Cu Chulainn is now quite subdued, taking a stance in order to intercept the next attack of the Saber. Looking for an opening, he’s now considering a retreat, remembering the way that his master ran earlier.

[Sigurd Fafnesbane]

Sigurd growled coolly, not quite confirming nor denying the other two Servants' speculations. He so wished that it would have taken longer. Truly, he did. He did not want others to join the disconnect between Sigurd of Legend, Sigurd the knight of Dragon's Blood, with Sigurd the Slayer, Sigurd of the Niflungs. The Dragonslayer that was, and the Dragonslayer that is.

But.

This prospect excited Saber. His name was known. Something in that fact kindled his blood, his father's blood. The warrior's bloodline descended straight from none less than the Father of the Slain, Odin himself. The Volsung blood hissed with the prospect of danger. Sigurd slowly drew Balmung from its scabbard, carelessly tossing the ponderous thing aside. It smashed to the barren floor, thunderously ringing in the empty space. He gripped the familiar weapon in both hands, revealing its unadorned glory to both enemies.

Balmung, his fire, his blade, his will. Balmung, sword of ruin.

"I am."

Sigurd raised his fabled sword, stance subtly shifting into a more relaxed pose, a leaner, fluid, dangerous one. He stared the two Berserkers down, point lazily dancing between the two. "Once more?" The shadow of a grin departed his voice. "A Holmgang, Berserkers."

What irony would that be, if the warriors of Odin would accept the challenge laid by a man of Tyr. A traditional duel. Ahh, but it had been a long time since he had participated in one of these.

Now was the time to do battle, for their swords to do the talking!

[Enkidu]

Enkidu watched intrigued as Saber drew is sword. The armored Servant had not denied her claim nor had he affirmed it either. The dark warrior had simply stood stoically against her words and drawn his sword, letting his actions speak for him. When he had drawn his mighty blade, Saber tossed aside the large and heavy scabbard letting it crash against the ground nearby, creating a small crater as it landed.

As his happened Saber brought his rue weapon to bear Enkidu had to stifle a gasp. The sword was magnificent. It was everything she remembered and more. Unbidden memories of her life came forward. He travels with her friend, her battles to gain honor and glory. In an instant Enkidu saw Saber’s blade and remembered everything she would never have again and a single thought echoed in her mind, a single whispered name of the only man to ever love and care for her.

Gilgamesh.

A screech brought her out of her memories as Saber raised his sword before him with both hands, his stance bearing a challenge to all who would oppose him. "I am." he called out, confirming her previous claim. "Once more?" he spoke again, his voice full of subtle amusement, as if their attempts to injure him were a simple game. "A Holmgang, Berserkers." He spoke then, his voice ringing out in the abandoned warehouse.

Enkidu blinked at that, her head tilting to the side in confusion. A Holmgang? she wondered, What is that? As soon as she though those words, a flash of information came to her, a flood of information granted to her by the grail. A Homgang, a ritualistic duel in which one would wager their honor. It was something that she could respect, even though she wasn’t a warrior of their tradition. No, it would suffice to say that their own warrior tradition was an imitation of her own as she had lived while the Norse civilization had been but a futuristic dream.

Enkidu giggled then, a gentle and soft sound like chimes ringing through the spring air. The sound drew the attention of the other Servants and Enkidu found herself smiling at their confusion.

”Ho, a duel then? Isn’t that what we were already doing? I’m not warrior of the Norse traditions but it sounds fun~ Lets do it!” Enkidu punched her fist into the air in a show of her excitement and she readied her weapon to attack. Her large ax, a weapon that was almost a pole arm in size was gripped by both hands and brought to bear facing Saber.

Grinning then Enkidu spoke once again. ”Since everyone else has introduced themselves I’ll do it too! I’m Enkidu adventurer of Uruk and companion of the King of Heroes! Nice to meet you~”

[Ray Rummo]

[] Quick post since I've been holding up this thread forevar []

Ray, who was nothing more than a ten year old boy hiding in a back alley under a grimy box, was frightened. For all his promises and desires and bravado to save his best friend in the whole world Ray was still just a child. He wasn’t prepared for war. Not at this age. A war composed of heroes from all ages clashing over a single prize, a sole wish to be granted to the victor.

On the first night, no, the first few hours of summoning his hero Ray had already come face to face with a monster. It was a terrifying iron man (beast?) who tossed Ray’s servant aside after a brief struggle. Just as they were to make their escape another – friendly, pretty – appeared and it became a battle between them and the creature while Ray ran by his lonesome.

"Come, I bring you home, or do you want to eat something first?" Ray was tired and hungry. As if to emphasize this fact Ray’s stomach rumbled, a lack of proper meals and the nights events leaving him starved. The woman’s words were sweet to him, a promise of food tempting the boy to practically leap into her arms. In fact before he knew it his hand had nearly reached her out-stretched one.

However, he hesitated, giving the woman a look over. Lowering the box slightly, as if the barely holding together cardboard would protect him if things went sour, Ray managed to squeak out a single question. “Are you with the p-people over there?” With the hand he had been using to reach out Ray pointed in the direction of the vague noises – which Ray of course knew were those of battle.

[Cu Chulainn]

Getting quite irritated at the knight’s proud attitude, Berserker gripped the handle of his spear tightly, watching as he withdraws the re-forged sword Balmung from its sheath. It reminded him of the death-sword Caladbolg a bit, though it’s obviously different, in a way that he can’t properly describe. Rather than throwing himself headlong at another battle, Berserker now grows increasingly worried about the way that his master never actually contacted him after that escape. Obviously the kid is still alive as he still feels the trace of prana that keeps him anchored in this world, but he could at least say ‘Hi’ or something…

Unless he doesn’t know how to do that, which is a perfectly reasonable assumption.

Silently cursing himself to not try it sooner, Cu Chulainn watched as the knight relaxed his stance, not quite getting his guard down as the sword rests at his side. It’s more of an invitation to attack him rather than any apparent overconfidence because of his invincibility. Answering his challenge with another grin, Cu Chulainn again brings her spear to a stance, anticipating a coming assault whether it came from the knight, the girl, or himself.

As the girl joins the merry activity of ‘revealing your identity for the world to see’, he can’t help but be curious of this so called King of Heroes. It seems to be a familiar moniker, though he can’t recall just where he heard it in the past, let alone the circumstances. It carries quite a…negative connotation though, that’s what he can describe of this nagging feeling in the back of his head. If the girl wants to participate then feel free, she’s not this King of Heroes after all.

“Very well then. It’s not something that happens everyday, isn’t it?” Once again dashing towards the knight’s position, he opens with a series of thrusts. However, it seems to be more subdued than his earlier attacks, with him gauging just how the knight would respond, as well as keeping an eye towards the axe-girl’s behavior.

Hey kid, you’re still alive out there? Answer me if you do.