---

"-Guess I'll go up with you."

Nero jumped onto the roof of the UFO with ease, her frilly coat flapping behind her as she grabbed her Maestro once again. His outfit was absolutely adorable, which made perfect sense really. She had chosen all of it, it could be nothing less than perfect.

The hatch closed behind them as the skeleton she had dubbed Anicetus the Second took the helm, having earned his name after she learned he could pilot the ship as well as her Maestro, or almost as well anyways. Nobody could truly match up to her Maestro in the end. Regardless, the Emperor had decided to name the skeleton after a former freedman of hers, one of the finest admirals she had ever had the pleasure of riding with.

"Keep a sharp eye out, okay? If an Archer or flying-type Rider catches wind of us, you'll be our only hope." Andrei clung to her tightly, a blush spread across her cheeks as she clung to him in turn. She was pleased, very pleased by her Maestro's actions.

"Umu! Rest easy my Maestro, if anyone wants to get to you they have to go through me!" Nero's eyes were filled with enthusiasm, she remained completely steady even as the flying saucer took off with nary a sound. A wonderful chariot, she would have to make more once she rebuilt Rome alongside her Maestro.

---

---

Liliana observed the Servant through the eyes of her familiar, smiling as she finished cooking the steak that had been in the fridge. "Lancer! A Servant wants to play in the forest!" She flipped the steak onto a plate quickly, moving the plate to the table as she looked at little Timothy watching tv. His parents weren't home yet, hopefully they didn't show up while Ajax and Liliana were gone, otherwise things would be really awkward when they got back. Oh wait, they probably wouldn't be able to find their own home thanks to the bounded fields. Oops.

Oh well, it's not like they would be here long. Liliana slipped her monocle on as she opened the window facing the river, her attention focused on the Servant challenging them. Something was hiding stuff about them unfortunately, probably a secondary Noble Phantasm or some sort of Personal Skill. It didn't matter too much though, her Parameters were as clear as day to the Atlas alchemist, and boy was this Servant weak! "They're a Rider, their stats aren't too impressive but I'm sure they have a trick up their sleeve!"

A breeze blew through the open window, the cold Montana winds chilling her to the bone. She didn't mind though, she was too excited to focus on something inconsequential like the cold winter. It was already factored into her predictions anyways, paying more attention to it was a waste of valuable time that could be spent on thinking about more important things. Much more important things.

Lancer Ajax
Downtown->Forest[

---

"Lancer! A Servant wants to play in the forest! They're a Rider, their stats aren't too impressive but I'm sure they have a trick up their sleeve!"

"It doesn't matter." Ajax stood up, a slight smile on her face. "It is a fool move, but one I can respect."

Finishing the rest of her drink, and some food, she headed for the window, before carefully grabbing her Master. "Let us answer this call, and see who may be bold enough to issue such a direct challenge. Do not worry, I will protect you should there be treachery, Master."

The sheer speed at which she travelled allowed them to reach the forest in a relatively short amount of time, as Ajax remained in her spirit form. It was easy enough to find the challenger, as they weren't trying to hide, but indeed was broadcasting their location brazenly.

Seeing the stranger in armor, she set her Master down, before materializing entirely, revealing her massive armor-clad frame, bigger than even the statuesque gorgon of another war. Perhaps the black giant of that war would have towered over her, but in this there seemed none that could even match her size.

"I answer the challenge." Was all the words she offered to the challenger.

But... Instead of readying her armaments, Ajax simply spread her empty hands, perhaps a show of bravery, perhaps daring the challenger to attack her. Or perhaps it was a challenge to see if her opponent would meet her in bare handed combat.

Hua Mulan, Forest Area, Sundown

It's about time.

Rider expects a country inferior to hers to have some sort of redeeming quality, that they would be much bolder and punctual when facing a challenge from another more directly.

Sad to say, she was expecting too much. Nevertheless, better late than never I supposed.

"You're a big guy, This should be fun." She smirks and cracks her head after seeing the absolute unit before her.

"Truth be told, My master sent me to go hunting despite the frigid weather and quite frankly It's not my style to pry on other people's business and never did like straying far away from home. So, I decided an open challenge in the middle of this field to those who are willing." She said, oozing with such arrogance and moxie attitude of a proud warrior.

"I don't know what class you are, but it matters not. I'll level with you, seeing you graciously accepted and trouble yourself coming here." Responding to her opponent's challenge to a fisticuffs, Rider happily oblige and performs a swift and fluid movement of her arms and post a stance, seemingly uncommon with the western part of the world, or is it?

"I'll be your entertainment for this evening, Let us talk with our fist and fight with honor and chivalry," She said, harnessing the flow of nature, being one with the earth itself.

"before we begin, Would it be foolish to know the name of the warrior who stands before me?"

Lancer Ajax
Forest Area

---

"No names needed." Ajax stretched for a moment. "It is that kind of war."

Short, and concise. She did not show any sign whether the stance Rider took was anything strange, or even if she recognized it at all. Ajax stopped for a moment, as if looking towards the canopy of the forest for something, before turning back to Rider, readying herself for combat. She did not take up any sort of stance, simply opting for a relaxed standing posture.

"Come. Defeat me, nameless one, if you can."

Master. Remember to be on guard. This Servant shall not harm you whilst I still fight them, but other treacheary might abound, with or without this Servant's knowledge.

Whatever tricks this enemy Servant might have and employ, they would find that Ajax would not be defeated that easily.

Hua Mulan, Forest Area, Sundown

Not much of a talker, eh? Respectable.

Clearly, this servant has free its mind and seemingly focused on other things, perhaps, he's playing a ruse seeing it's just standing there idly as if he's baiting Rider to attack him.

That, or just plain confident about its size.

It doesn't matter.

No more foreplay.

Strike first, Strike hard, No mercy.

With a twist of her pivot foot, Rider instantly dashes in a blink of an eye, almost becoming a blur to some. Despite wearing her armor, Her movements are not hindered. With the agility of a monkey, Rider makes the gap closer to the towering man much effortless than it seems.

She gets in the face of her opponent and with a fluid motion, She performs a nimble cartwheel, following with two ax kicks while spinning away to from a short distance.

The kicks she left were precise and deadly, both of which were aiming for her opponent's head. the first kick was designed to knock off his helmet to reveal his identity and the second, knocking some sense into her enemy by hitting him straight in his jaw.

"Too good to introduce yourself, huh? typical men and their high horse"

If there was a word to describe the company of Saber, it would have to be; Refreshing. There was a boundless enthusiasm and energy that assured Richard there would be nothing wrong with this war, and that complimented his own casual confidence remarkably well. He had to suppose it did the same for Saber, given Richard wouldn't have to think hard to postulate how most Master's wouldn't think kindly on their Servant acting as handymen and hired muscle for every Tom, Dick, and Jane who passes them by.

He wasn't one to turn down the good karma for small deeds, so it worked out well for everyone.

The only one who wasn't blessed by their union was the poor salesmen who sold them the minivan they now drove from their base of operations, a weathered old machine that was still in working order. Seeing the haggling skills of a heroic spirit from times where barter was a more common form of exchange is nothing if not fascinating.

"I could back a currency with your promises Saber. Good to know this'll be a cheery outing around town." Richard declared from the passenger seat, assured that his Servant was the more adept driver out of the two as they cruised from the downtown area through the Historical District, their route aiming for the forest but not at any great speed.

"Seems someone has already responded to that earlier challenge, so let's take our time and see if we can pick up anyone moving about towards it. Would certainly be easier talking in pairs then in a mosh pit." Richard said, peering out the window with peculiar intensity, his glasses oscillating between various spectrum of light to try and detect anything that might signal conflict or bizarre passage. So far they hadn't discovered anything amidst the Historical District, but they weren't doing anything to conceal themselves either, so perhaps another Master and Servant would find them first.

Lancer Ajax
Forest Area

---

@Argonaut

Oh? A fast moving person, no doubt one that utilizes their speed and skill to overcome opponents that rely on sheer brawn. The style wasn't something she personally knew, but martial arts was martial arts regardless of whether they originated from Greece or anywhere else in the world. It reminded her of... that person, and that pissed her off slightly, even if she knew that was irrational.

Ajax simply moved her body when Rider threw two kicks at her, striking her shoulder instead of her head.

There was no snarky reply, no witty comeback, just Ajax rushing towards her with a vengeance. No sign that she even felt the blow, but she was definitely retaliating with a swing of her own. For a body that large, one might think she'd be slow as a snail, moving ponderously, as if a glacier swallowing any before them, but her movements belied her size, almost like a cheat, as she attacked, a single punch aimed at Rider's center.

Hua Mulan, Forest Area

Be like water, Shapeless.

Slither like a Snake, and weave.

Stalk like a Tiger. Crouch, and pounce.

One of the many mimicries of Rider's arts.

Rider's kicks were a 'no sell' to the towering man and believe me, she is well aware of that as she notices that her opponent just shrug it off like it was nothing.

She knows she has to work harder and smarter to topple her enemy. Rider smirks of the challenge of besting a mountain before her. Sounds fun I do love a challenge.

The armored heroine doesn't easily lose heart about such inconvenience nor the determination to strike again. She knows she has to be better. Her martial arts isn't the level of a kung fu master perse that can take one's life with just one hit, and yet, she wishes to achieve that with her perseverance and self-discipline, slowly aiming to reach that zenith of her practiced skill. Anyways, enough about that, let's back to the battle.

The opposing juggernaut was not playing around and responded with a strike on its own, coming at her like a mad bull.

The punch her enemy threw was easily telegraph in a way. Perhaps too easy? Nevertheless, Rider has to counter.

Like a nimble boa and inches away from her enemy, Rider dances with danger, only grazing her armor with the length of her opponent's arm aim at the center.

She twists and turns, and crouch herself underneath the length of her opponent's arm.

The Heroine balance herself and prepares to deliver a devastating blow given that opportunity. She stomps her pivot foot on the ground, centering herself, harnessing the Qi around her. You can feel the ferocity of a Tiger radiating from Rider's presence.

She performs a stance once again, prepping her elbow as a form of a deadly weapon.

Bless by the art of her bravery, the sturdiness of her armor padding around her joint and a kung fu technique that bypass layers brought to you by the martial artists of the world's no.1 country. This explosive short-range strike is nothing to scoff about.

Targeting her opponent's collar bone head on, This seemingly simple forward elbow strike is much more devastating than it looks. It targets the soul, rather than the physical body, rapturing the body from the inside, causing pain and trauma deep within their spirit.

Even tho her stat is not optimal based on the feats of her strength, it's enough to maim an opponent due to the severity of its technique.

Bones will break and blood flow will stop from this art. That is if it connects towards her opponent.

Lancer Ajax
Forest Area

---

@Argonaut

Her enemy's movements were good.

Another dodge, with a quick followup to close their distance, and attack her in extreme close range. An attack that could perhaps fell any man.

Were it be that Ajax be any man.

The moment Rider moved, Ajax too was moving, following up her punch by shifting her body, bringing her knee upwards and into Rider's solar plexus as her outstreched arm closed around Rider's back and side. An enveloping move to grab Rider as well as a straightforwards crushing attack. The only move Ajax made to defend against that short range bajiquan elbow was the twisting of her body as she moved to knee Rider.

---

The plain looking vehicle rumbled over the bridge and into the district isolated by water. It passed by the venerable buildings of the area as it took a leisurely path, along the scenic route, a small point of light travelling through this tranquil December night. The architecture around here was from a time long past, but in Saber's eyes, this was...

"...There's something!" A voice brimming with energy remarked to his Master, who was watching out the window. Richard would have felt it at roughly the same time. Energy denoting both a Servant and Master in one place. At the next intersection they came to, Saber made a right turn, increasing the minivan's speed to catch up with this unknown pair.

As the car came over a hill, it became clear that they were not pursuing just a pair. Alongside the Master, who seemed to be a youngish girl, walked two other mages. Of course, they would be invited as well. "If you don't mind, I will attempt to sway the hero while you speak to the reason of the magi, assuming their relationship is so simple as all that." This group would definitely have felt the vehicle approaching, and with a Servant in tow they would likely be able to flee, but with superior numbers, why hasten to escape? As long as the hero didn't pick up anyone and start running, Saber would eventually pull up next to them, coming to a stop as much or as little as they did.

"Good evening, all, even if it is an unfavourable season for war in the traditional sense." He spoke as he pushed open the driver's side door and stepped outside, seemingly unbothered by the sharp cold even in his casual and light civilian clothes, not that anyone here could ever mistake him for a civilian. He crossed his well-muscled arms, which were only barely held in by his short sleeves. Saber could not quite be called a giant, but he nonetheless cut an imposing figure as he stood before the group. "Please don't panic, we're not here to launch an attack."

"You look to be headed somewhere tonight, so my Master and I thought to offer you a drive!" Saber gave a grin to the other Servant present, no matter if he found him to be in physical form or otherwise. "Additionally, to my fellow warrior, I propose we fight together as allies. For the Grail, if you like, but I'll gladly support a comrade in any noble goal he has set his heart on!"

Frederika Bernstein&Lancer Mortholt
Historical District.

---

@ManyThings@Lonewolf685

"...and you two aren't a match for Servants, so if you see one, just run and pray they don't see you."

It was just a repetition of her previous instructions, but these two were young and likely to be overconfident even against a Servant. There was no harm in reminding them again. Rika, noticing Lancer having not said a word since they left, turned to him.

"Lancer, is something wrong? You've been silent for quite a while now."

Lancer was, indeed, oddly silent throughout their nightly trek. At first, it was because he was focused on looking for any threats that would come across his Master, especially in unfamiliar territory like the supposed cursed soil they stand upon. For a moment, however, he forgot just what he was doing in such a place. While he wished to ask the young lady Rika, he did not want to trouble her with the burden that seems to be his terrible memory. Because of this, Lancer had resolved to stay stoic throughout the remainder of their journey, following his Master in spiritual form, quietly...

... At least until that metal carriage rolled in.

Materializing before Rika, Lancer held his arm out to the side, spear in hand. The spear in question was a horrifying thing to behold, a somewhat fitting weapon for the maimed and ragged warrior that Lancer appeared to be. As the van made its approach, Lancer turned his head to his Master, looking at her with his one good eye.

"There's a Servant in that van, no question about it. What are your orders, m'lady?"

Frederika was about to answer before the van stopped, a large Servant stepping out as pretty as you please, before greeting them both. Such an unexpected action that she froze until he reached the end of his speech.

"Additionally, to my fellow warrior, I propose we fight together as allies. For the Grail, if you like, but I'll gladly support a comrade in any noble goal he has set his heart on!"

Looking first to Lancer, then to the two magi following her, she took in a deep breath.

Before running swiftly away as she reinforced her body.

"I refuuuuse!" Came her answer as she ran.

The two magi following her ran as well, though they took different routes from her. It was an order based upon the assumption that she would be the primary target, and hence they would not be attacked immediately should they not be near her.

Lancer, hold off that Servant!

There was no magi that did anything without having analysed that action for their own benefits, and certainly none that would approach willingly an unknown space that was the van, especially one a magi was already sitting in, in a war like this. In that small space, there was any number of tricks even third rate mages could employ to defeat even the best. She may not have much in the ways of combat experience, but she wasn't someone unfamiliar with the ways magus works.

Perhaps if the mage contacted her discreetly to meet upon a neutral ground, Rika might have considered it, but to sit in a van that might or might not be rigged, within reach of a Servant that she had no knowledge of, was far beyond foolish. The Servant himself may be honorable and just, but ultimately they were tools, whims to the holder of the Command Seals.

Very well. I will rendezvous with you as soon as I take care of him.

As soon as his Master started running, Lancer looked the other Servant up and down, trying to determine whether his attempt at diplomacy was either a ruse or something genuine. In any case, Lancer relaxed a bit at this Servant's choice of attire, leaning his spear onto his shoulder, believing that the Servant before him didn't serve as an immediate threat, at least for the time being.

"I must say that it is rather bold of you to request for an alliance so early in this war; and with complete strangers, at that. While your offer is something to consider, I'm afraid that I must honor my Master's refusal. What sort of knight would I be if I made such decisions against my Master's wishes, anyway?"

Letting his spear dematerialize, Lancer crossed his arms over his tattered poncho, looking directly into the well-muscled Servant's eyes while appearing to let his own guard down.

"Now, if you still wish to remain on friendly terms, I must ask of you to turn back from wherever you came from and allow my Master to proceed with the business that she had planned, tonight," whatever it was. "Of course, if you surely insist on staying where you are, I have no obligation to stop you. The only order that my Master has given me so far is to hold you off, after all. In that case, I will have to ask you to leave my Master alone until she's able to find a safer place to retreat to. In any case, I'd suggest you make your choice now, while the night is young..."

While the threat Lancer made was rather open, it still would hold some weight. As soon as the sun had set, Lancer's own strength already began to rise. Even now, due to the blessing unique only to him, Lancer's power continued to increase. If the Servant before Lancer wished to engage him in combat, it would be wise to do it soon, and fast.

Hua Mulan, Forest Area

Trading a blow for blow isn't really optimal for a fighter such Rider. She has to use her opponent's strengths and turn it against them. It's like the basic principle of martial arts after all right?

Before anything resolves, for mere fracture of a second, Rider is able to analyze the situation of her opponents attack.

A quick recap of what is gonna happened, and will happen.

The knee to the gut is imminent and at the back and there's an entire arm waiting to constrict me.

*Sigh* how did I get myself tangled in this predicament? Stupid.. Stupid... Stupid... My ancestors and my fellow soldiers must be rolling in their graves right about now. Can't believe this bastard has natural combat knowledge base his movements and reactions, my enemy's brutish fighting style is somewhat close to a grappler or a brawler type I would say? can't tell.. but right now there are important matter to take care off, like not getting crush driving force of this juggernaut. She shakes her head and focused on situation.

Rider's next move was set. This is turning into a test of her endurance and combat knowhow in the most dangerous close-quarter combat of her life.

The sequence of action now follows as Rider executes it with precision.

The interlock between the two warriors was rather too close for comfort. You can literally cut a knife between the two fighters butting heads with one another.

Rider's explosive elbow strike connects, all Rider has to do is slightly shift her trajectory towards her moving opponent within this point blank range.

As for kneeing Rider for an exchanging blow, Lifting it in this situation means you have to give up most of your center. Luckily for Rider, Her stance was firmly rooted and able to respond while maintaining her balance with a knee of her own.

Rider retort with a shin for a knee.

She has to take this bullet or else it's mush midriff for the heroine. Rider's enchanted armor around her leg area should be able to block and withstand the incoming blow.

It collided, hard, like really hard.

The sound of metal meeting the bare skin of her opponent thuds and echoes within the radius of the forest with such force.

The heroine grunted in pain and felt some of her bones shattering from high impact of her opponent's inhuman strength the moment it struck. If it wasn't for her armor it could be much worst, and the word 'worst' is an understatement from the predicament she is in.

Now for the separation, Before this brute overpowers her while their legs was caught in a crosslock, Rider sucks up the pain and harness an explosive attack on her fist, converting her previous elbow strike into a palm strike with no wasted movement. Rider's motion was so fluid and such thing of beauty its like you are watching a classic kung-fu movie.

With a swift palm push strike and little space to respond, She strikes her opponent's rib cage based on the angle they are in right now. With that hit, A Qi explosion follows, She pushes herself off her opponent, propelling herself backwards from the force right before her foe has the chance to grapples her. This technique normally pushes back the enemy with the lethal strike of your palm, but in this case, it's hard to do that if your foe is sturdy as a rock and just won't budge. So instead of using it offensively, Rider goes for the defensive effect of this art.

Rider controls her landing from the force and center herself once again. The Heroine performs a stance, fist forward, bounces up and down like video game character, shaking loose the tremendous pain of her broken leg and seemingly asking for more.

was she enjoying this?

Lancer Ajax
Forest Area

---

@Argonaut

Ajax was getting pumped up, her blood boiling with excitement as Rider struck a strong blow against her. A blow deep enough for her to feel it, and even injure her where it struck, but considering her durability and sheer size, it wasn't one that would really hamper her. A knife would be sufficent to kill a cat, but against an elephant, it would be sorely lacking. Thus Ajax was hurt, but not impeded, moving as if uninjured, even those two moves against her barely moving her body backwards.

But... her opponent did not seem to have that sort of endurance. A simple move for Ajax, but one that would have utterly crushed Rider's spine if she didn't escape immediately. Even now Rider was favouring her broken leg, exchanged for escaping with her life.

Thus Ajax did not follow when Rider retreated, feeling slightly deflated.

"I commend you for that surprising move." Ajax spoke simply. "But you will die should we continue, if that is the extent of your abilities."

She turned, moving towards her Master, making it clear she was no longer interested in the match. "In honor of our match, I will allow you to retreat."

It reminded her of her matches with the other heroes of the Trojan war. There was no exchange of gifts here however, for her opponent was not Hector, nor any other Greek heroes. The mere design of Rider's armor and their fighting style was enouugh to confirm that for her.

The turning of the page. Turn the page to continue reading the music, to continue the symphony. That was how life worked. Many were aware of this and knew there was always crescendos and diminuendos.

Yet where was the crescendo of his life? Sure he always got close to forte yet he never got his fortissimo. The country rode the coat tails of his success and he was forced to live in the shadow of his crumbling life. If only he could leave something that was only him. Enitrely him. Leave a proper mark, with the right method.

Yes, that would be the way. His ending was ambiguous, the disease killed him right? The awful poison running through his veins, was that the disease that reached his heart? Or was it the poison he had digested. In this eternal realm, he did not know. Yet he could feel it. Finally. The calling he had been awaiting.

The smoke around the circle cascaded around the shadowed figure as his robes brushed against the floor. Looking down upon his hands he smirked and ignoring the obnoxious obviously American dialect being thrown at him, he began to laugh at his fate. Here he was. The esteemed conductor and composer, a young heroic spirit and one who was considered youthful and immature in his exploits. What a curse he was given. The smoke began to swirl and from it a baton was swished suddenly to make the final whisps disperse.

"Boy you say? Very well if that is how you will treat me so be it" The young Russian boy stared up at the taller more rounder American man dressed ridiculously which caused him to squint his eyes a little behind his spectacles. "I suppose you are the one to be my Master in this grand Ritual? Very well. Allow me to make my introduction as you seem polite enough to allow me that privilege. I am Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky, summoned in that of the Caster class as expected with the reputation of my many works. Now I ask of you master, are you prepared for this war and if so, will you allow me to make some alterations to this abode you have set up for yourself here."

He turned with a cold gaze to Dimmadome, looking his master up and down. In the end, he could tell this was a man of ambition and drive. Besides the classic American attitude, he could tell this was someone who had victory within his grasp with the right means. A nod to him was a last thought as he gazed around the room. yes, this would do nicely.

"HOO WEEE! Well, butter my biscuits and call me grandpappy! I'm officially a master in these youngin's holy thingamajig!" Clay takes off his ten-gallon hat and pondered upon the command seal on the back of his hand. Clay fans his hat from the excitement he's feeling right now and look twice on the servant before him. A musical child prodigy was standing before the old coot.

"I suppose you are the one to be my Master in this grand Ritual? Very well. Allow me to make my introduction as you seem polite enough to allow me that privilege. I am Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky, summoned in that of the Caster class as expected with the reputation of my many works. Now I ask of you master, are you prepared for this war and if so, will you allow me to make some alterations to this abode you have set up for yourself here."

"A Casta huh? In all of my years as a magic user, I always did question myself why would a mage in a mage war would ever summon another mage to fight his own battles? The grail can be weird and redundant I reckon." he mumbles.

"But eh, enough of the unimportant hubbub.. lemme tell you first off, you got spunk kid, I know raw talent when I see one!" Clay said like an enthusiastic manager amping up his talent. Was the Prospector treating his new servant like an idol?

"Anyhow, Don't worry your pretty little head sonny boy, you happened to be talking to Clay Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmadome estate and most of everything the light touches here in Montana. I got resources for days if that is what you are asking. If there's anything you need, just ask." He introduced himself with a hearty laugh. A humble brag yet has every right to do so basely on the reputation he has here in this state.

"Pyotr, Pyotr, Pyotr now where did I hear that name before?" He constantly snaps his fingers."Oh, You're that nutcracker guy, right? mah granddaughter always listens to that classy tune and seems to be one of her favorites, damn, I miss my booger-bear." He sighed.

"But enough strolling around in memory lane, Let's see what you got Caster. You've got an audience of one and happens to be the richest one here in the state! The stage yours if this is what you desire.." Clay claps his hand and leans back at the comfort of his luxurious chair.

"Work your magic, superstar. this place needs a makeover anyways.."

@Scallop

Montana was more out of his comfort zone than Chen had expected. He’d been taking his time for the summoning and his entrance into the war, but he’d been here. Planning, anticipating and setting up his own base of operations. How else would he start a mission he had thought upon his first arrival in America of his life. After setting foot in the country, he could feel the heaviness of the atmosphere compared to his home. But then again, a vacation that was also work couldn’t be complained about.

Having secured a place to head for, the zoo’s closing hours had witnessed a Chinese man in a suit enter it’s gates, his purple tie standing out and matching his lilac hair that was slicked back to give some aura of professionalism. After a slight scuffle with some employees, he was permitted to talk to the manager, giving him his offer across with enough enthusiasm and complexity to keep the man occupied. The staff were certainly confused when it was announced that a third party would be coming to take care of the moderation and maintenance of the zoo whilst they were all given two weeks of leave. The manager himself, never left the zoo that night with everyone else. Security attended as usual but unfortunately for them they let Chen approach them with ease.

He sat upon a bench now, wiping his hands with a handkerchief again after cleaning up the summoning circle. The zoo had been a perfect place, but he wouldn’t dare kill any animals himself to use as his material for the circle to summon his heroic spirit, fortunately those security guards were squishier and more unprofessional than he had expected. Chen would be the first to admit he was impressed with what he had accomplished, The order would be impressed by his summoning alone and even if he survived the war without success, he was sure that he would be awarded more than he needed for his grand plans. He had acquired a great relic from the ancient Order as requested and with the relic by his side now after using it for the ritual, the great Mesopotamian hero answered his call yet, now he had set about his business. Chen still looked on at the Servant and spoke up after his silence following the summoning.

“Great Sargon, forgive my uh let's say negligence, but remind me of your class?” He asked with a nervous grin as he took a bite from the sandwich he had brought with him chewing it and swallowing it before speaking again. “Of course it’s not that important, we can acquire victory either way of course” Chen looked to him with thoughtful eyes. He didn’t know much about the Akkadian empire or Sargon but what he did know was impressive. He wondered if Sargon would live up to his name in battle.

“My class?” The man spoke, softly at the moment. It was soft because he was comfortable. Upon his summoning less than an hour ago he’d set his mind at ease by finding the only animals that he could compare to his own magnificence. It was a simple manner for the man to tame such… ‘Wild beasts.’ And as he leaned back, Sargon rested himself against the belly of a lioness, while another rested by his side. In total, the man possessed a full pride, all resting beside him with comfort alongside their new master.

“It’s Rider.” Sargon said, all while his fingers drifted through the golden fur of one of the beasts. Far more golden than one would expect, and befitting the King of Battle. “You speak of acquiring victory as if it is the end goal. Rather, it is merely one of many goals, with dominion over others, and conquest of the land as the true end goal.” He raised a hand, one that wasn’t preoccupied with his pets, and raised it in Chen’s direction. In it materialized a goblet, filled to the brim with a red wine. “The grail can be considered something to dominate. Even if we win each battle, it is still possible to fail to conquer the grail.” He spoke a bit like a sage. Or perhaps a man who saw conquest as the one true philosophy in life.

This may have come off as more inspirational, if not for a lion cub walking by with an arm ripped from the bodies of one of the guards that Chen had killed earlier. Mauling it with adorable claws, and cute fangs until the male cub was drenched in sweet, crimson blood.

Sargon smiled, and then laughed. His cup raised to his lips when he was done enjoying the lion’s first feast. “I like this one. He is full of fire.” Sargon said, having drained half the goblet in one go. “That one shall be our new mascot. What do you think?”

Chen looked up from his perch and listened to Sargon’s little speech, observing him as he spoke. How glad he was he at least got a talker, he was terrified he would have been cursed with a Berserker who only talked in grunts and flashy acts of aggression that lacked the subtlety that Chen prided himself with. He turned over his sandwich and finished it, looking to the King of Battle’s goblet of wine with a smirk and tilted his head.

“He would make for a pretty fitting mascot that’s for sure. The young cub, already with the taste of blood on his tongue and ready to take on the world.” He smirked a little bit and rocked slightly, wondering what their first move would be subconsciously, then realized right now he had to focus on what his servant had to say. “Let’s say we fail to conquer the grail, yet we did win every battle, would you say that’s a loss or a gain? To you is the grail a means to an end or is it just the final battle of a King who wanted one last good fight?” Chen asked this with a certain look of curiosity.

“You see Rider, if I fail to conquer the Grail it’s not over for me, I can grow and adapt and sue the experience, I wonder if you feel the same about it” he nodded to him and then to the cub. “Lucky for him, I kept the janitor alive, more obedient than one would expect, but alive”

“That is a complex question.” Sargon said after a long pause. Having finished his wine. Only a little of the red wine still remained in that goblet, swishing around as the Rider gave it a swish in his hand. “I guess you will just have to wait and see.” He declared, shifting about and slowly rising. A lioness raised her head off his lap as he stepped over another.

In the corner of the room lay another lion. The male. It was no longer moving, and Sargon let out a sigh. “Good, it’s finally dead. We can begin.” He said, raising the head just a bit more, till scarlet blood dripped into his empty goblet. “Chen, I shall begin work on getting my weapons ready.” He said, never once referring to Chen as a master. He was, if anything, an ally. To call him a master of himself would be, to Sargon, the ultimate act of submission. And he, as the original master and conqueror, did not find himself submitting to others. It had become too embedded in who he is.

Next, he walked away, and within a minute, as Chen was left with Sargon’s pride of lions to watch over him, the bleating of a goat could be heard echoing through the area, until silenced. Sargon returned later, alone. The goblet gone and the blood with it. Grabbing the lion’s body, he threw it over his shoulder, and finally the lionesses stood to join him. Sargon walking off to work on more of whatever it was he had decided to focus on for the time being.
“If you are interested, feel free to follow. We’re going to be busy. And then… We’ll have to find a leyline.” He explained, adjusting his cape as he did so. “We may also want to meet the other servants and masters in this war. An alliance in an early stage of the war is best. Since it will give us access to a greater network of information.” It was simple planning to be honest.

Chen watched the pride of lions around him with a slight nervous nature in his smile that he offered them. Was this how it felt to be out of his depth? Chen always thought growing up he was in a lion’s nest of men and women willing to kill him to further their own ego and will, yet now he realized the real danger that lay beyond his world. It was Sargon who was in another time, but Chen felt like everything had changed for him more than he had expected.

With the return, Chen looked to Rider and got to his feet, brushing off his suit pants and nodding. “I have a means of easy communication with other masters, I’ll begin sending out some familiars with those means. I do believe I could secure us a leyline at the same time which would be the best possible option two birds with one stone as it were” He smirked and began flicking his playing cards from his sleeve into his hand and flicking them between each other. “As much as I would like to witness you at work, I’ll be a little preoccupied, I have a few matters of my own to lay out for this war, as amazing as your power is Great Sargon, I can’t simply rely on that.” he nodded and walked from the pride of lions and when he was far enough away, three birds fell to him and he slipped cards onto their feet, attaching them with string and sending them off. One card for each bird.

The Master of Saber blinked owlishly from the front passenger seat, struck still by the exaggerated response of the first Master he came across. He'd been prepared for anything from blatant psychopaths to arrogant and powerful archmagi. "On a sliding scale of one to ten, that girl managed to exceed and fail my wildest expectations."

I mean, she's not wrong. It would be alarmingly easy to kill her in such an enclosed space, but considering we'd both have Servants, that goes both ways. Richard thought as he brought a hand through his hair, eyes closed as though blocking out the Servant left in their path. With a heavy sigh he brought down his arm and propped on the open window while he stuck his head out to better address the waiting Heroic Servants.

"So, I'm going to assume your a Lancer by the whole spear and lack of horse. We're not looking for a fight first thing out of the gate, so Saber and I are going to get out of your hair. I'm sure we'll find another road to take, so don't worry about showing us out, we'll get the door ourselves." Richard said, not feeling up to watching a Servant when the opposing Servant didn't even have a Master who'd stay to watch. He wasn't looking for a fight, but he wasn't keen on being sidelined if one broke out either.

"Come on Saber, we'll see if Lancer's Master is less jittery another time."

It's a shame, even my eyesight's deteriorated in this form.

Arthur's Servant was standing atop one of the towers within the military compound they have chosen to reside in. While he was in a quite imposing position, it wasn't something nearly as dramatic as one would inspect. Aside from his long, black coat, the lithe Servant was also obscured in shadows, the morning sun's rays threatening to pierce through this umbral cloak.

An Archer should always be a few steps ahead of their opponents, Master. If not, then we lose the advantage of fighting at range. The Archer-class Servant leaped off the watchtower, making his way toward Arthur. That aside, it seems I won't be able to do any reasonable scouting from here. Not at this time. Because of this body, I can only fight closest to my true talents under the light of the moon, let alone scout. I'll be departing at night, after all.

Archer didn't seem too keen on speaking with his Master aloud. As a matter of fact, it's something he's never done as soon as the contract was made. To Arthur's companions, it seemed like his Servant was nothing but a muted shadow who skulked behind the Freemason. Of course, it was all for a good reason...

Houyi was ashamed of his current form.

---

---

Balancing on the topmost beam of the unfinished skyscraper was a figure garbed in black, cloaked with the very night sky, itself. To most onlookers, this figure would blend into the night. Of course, even to those with keen eyes who knew exactly what they were looking for, they wouldn't find it when gazing upon this specific being. While it was clear that he was a Servant- a Heroic Spirit drawn by the Holy Grail- the exact nature of his being remains hidden. What was apparent, however, was the glowing arc held within his hand; a bow, seemingly made out of light, itself.

A Rider-class Servant? Well, whatever it is, it shall be brought down.

The figure's eyes opened, softly glowing with the light of the moon. Imbued with moonlight, it allowed this Servant to see and track whatever was illuminated by the moon's guiding light. While it had its own limitations that sets it apart from the superior Clairvoyance, it still allowed him to spot that disc soaring through the sky. Raising his bow and pulling back on its string, a shaft of light coalescing in this Archer's hand, knocked by the bow. With one effortless motion, Archer released the arrow as it flew across the night's sky, like a shooting star.

It was an arrow released by a god among archers, though this did not grant it any intrinsic qualities on its own. Rather, the shot itself would be best described as "freakishly perfect". There were only a few archers, barely a handful in the Throne of Heroes, who would match with the skill and technique that this particular Archer displayed. Even this Archer's own concealment is incapable of hiding this flawless technique.

The arrow, however, was rather unique, as while it took the shape of one, it wasn't even an arrow at all...

It's as if this Archer had fired the Moon, itself, towards the flying vehicle.

To encroach upon his territory was unacceptable. To step into his kingdom with their dirty feet, to invade his land with their presence, it enraged him. He looked down upon Houyi with disdain, hefting his mighty bow up to bring death to the invader. A single arrow was drawn from his quiver, nocked into the bowstring with practiced ease. The giant of a man pulled back the string of the bow, glaring at the Servant beneath him with impunity.

The arrow was released, heralded by an explosion as the string of the massive bow snapped back into place. Not even a moment later the ground in front of Houyi exploded into a cloud of earth and debris, two more arrows following to force Houyi to retreat. The dust began to settle after a few moments, revealing the destruction brought forth by his attacks. Arrows as long as Houyi was tall stuck out of the ground, the earth where Houyi once stood now nothing more than craters. The arrows were made of some sort of golden substance, unlike any metal Houyi had ever seen. Any attempt to pull one out if the ground would be fruitless, they were simply too heavy to be lifted, especially when they were lodged this deeply into the ground.

The myriad construction workers working on the building didn't even react to the destruction brought forth by their boss, not even a flinch as the shockwaves from the Servants attack buffeted them. They just continued working on the skyscraper, working on the next floor. The closest thing to a reaction was one man hesitating for a moment before tossing another worker a wrench. Closer observation on Houyi's part revealed nothing wrong with them, no glassy eyes, no stilted movements or stiff muscles. Just a team of fifty people working in perfect unison.

The giant stood atop the unfinished skyscraper with another arrow drawn, aiming directly at Houyi with what seemed to be boredom. Yet something dwelled within his eyes, something that betrayed the bored facade he put up. Disgust. He was absolutely disgusted by the thing before him. "I have taken pity on you rabbit. This is your one and only warning. Leave now before I skewer you and hang you upon my wall like the animal you are."

Master's Clairvoyance revealed the stats of the enemy Archer. Strength: A. Endurance: B. Agility: A. Mana: A. Luck: D. There was no doubt, this was a Top Servant.

"Well... That is..." Shortly after Hou Yi had left, the connection was broken. One moment they had been focused on one task, and the next... Gone. He should have warned archer about the bounded field, but it seemed archer had been focused on his own objective. And suddenly... That was gone.

"Of course... I expected this could happen. This archer was a risk. I was aware of the risk that came with it." Arthur let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. It wasn't that he hadn't had faith in that servant, it was unfortunately a matter of poor compatibility. Thankfully, he had expected this. Adjusting his coat, he raised himself from his chair. He let out a sigh once more, hissing out in frustration. "That's why I had plan B."

He reached for a radio, flicking it on and speaking into it. "Plan A didn't work out like we had wanted. I'm moving onto plan B. Bring the secondary servant in. I'm taking over that contract." The organization didn't accept failure. They had plotted far in advance. They had developed a back up. Another master, made into what could be called a living battery, had been stored in the facility. All to hold onto another servant that could be called on in case of differences with the first.

"Send in the second archer."

(For those curious about what is going on. Cu had to quit do to extensive events out of his control. Lonewolf's servant character is having ownership transferred to Arthur to make up for this.)