Back in the castle things weren't going in Kayneth's favour.
He still felt pain from getting shot minutes before but what made things worse were his enemies. He expected master from Einzbern family to be similar to some talented magi he duelled within Clock Tower. However, female homunculus was anything but that. She would dodge his gandr when he tried to shoot at her but thanks to her damn familiars that were assaulting and forcing him to use his mercury shield he couldn't do anything. Wired birds were not regular creation and were made with high quality, Kayneth could easily tell it. Einzbern homunculus wasn't what he expected to see in the Grail War. She would easily dodge his spells and mercury attacks.
Kayneth didn't even see her using reinforcement, it would appear she was doing it on her own. His face frowned when Irisviel dodged another attack. He used his mercury and sent it after her. Liquid mercury quickly flowed towards her inside castle hallways. When she wasn't looking mercury transformed into a small spear and launched at her.
However, before it could reach the female master, Maiya appeared. Black Haired woman had run towards its master. Not caring about the danger, she threw something in his direction and took Irisviel into her hands before rolling away. Kayneth left opening in his mercury shield to shoot gandr and didn't pay attention when Maiya threw another flashbang at his direction. Kayneth screamed in pain as he covered his eyes.
Maiya didn't waste a moment and started to fire at him. However, his shield automatically moved on its own to protect him, blocking every bullet.
"Maiya, where is Kiritsugu?" asked Irisviel as she took cover behind one of the walls. She pulled out wire and started to make another familiar.
"Kayneth familiar is unable to see relying on other senses. I left it to Kiritsugu." she said without breaking swear and firing at silver shield before taking cover and reloading."He will be here soon."
Irisviel smiled, happy that her beloved was okay. Her face quickly became serious as she summoned wired bird and sent it at Kayneth."The moment you see opening fire at him. Knowing Kiritsugu, he will strike from behind. We need to keep Kayneth focused on us. That what he would have wanted."
Maiya's face didn't have any emotion but she glanced at her madam with pride."It would seem Kiritsugu influenced you more than I thought."
"You can't even imagine." laughed Irisviel before her reinforced birds exploded. She made sure to put more prana into them this time. The small exposition was enough to make a hole in Kayneth's defence. Maiya started to fire once she saw it but none of the bullets reached its target this time. Instead, another layer of liquid mercury covered Kayneth.
"You think I will fall for the same trick second time?!" shouted the master of Lancer."I'm a heir of Archibald family! You need something powerful than mere familiars, Einzbern. You think mere guns can kill me?" he grinned behind his two layers of shields. None of the bullets would be able to pierce his defence. He just needed to finish two women in front of him and victory will be his.
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A few minutes before that.
Kiritsugu dodged another attack from the silver slug before running from the room. The creature Kayneth created was unable to see therefore was attacking in his general direction, it would seem it was able to hear or use other methods to sense him. It was fast and had enough power to kill him with one hit, but its strategy was basic and could have been easily predicted. Magus Killer just needed to dodge it and wait for an opening to use his Origin bullet.
'Right now!' thought Kiritsugu before aiming Thompson Contender at mercury ball and pressing the trigger. Bullet flew towards its target and made an impact but to Kiritsugu's annoyance, his enemy didn't stop moving. Quickly thinking, he took cover behind one of the walls while silver bulb continued moving and attacking anything in its direction. It would seem that his opponent lost him.' If I want to deal with this thing I need to find Kayneth.'
The situation wasn't good, Kiritsugu was busy while Irisviel and Maiya were somewhere else. He needed to act fast. However, soon he heard gunshots. He turned his head to direction were noise was coming from and soon saw Maiya running down the stairs while shooting at another mercury familiar that was following her.
Maiya knew about trap while her chaser didn't. Having no problem dodging it, she took cover next to Kiritsugu while her enemy activated their trap. Neither of them was paid attention to an explosion that covered mercury slime in debris. Instead, they used the moment to reload.
"Where is the second one?"
"Still, trying to find me," answered Kiritsugu as he reloaded Thompson Contender. However, soon both of them heard a noise."Shit."
"Kiritsugu, we have a problem." Under debris that covered that should have killed the second slime, silver liquid started to slowly flow out before combing in one."What do we do?"
He was silent for one moment before speaking."Go and find Irisviel. Protect her no matter what. I will deal with them." Kiritsugu didn't give her a second to respond. He made several shots at the window before them."Go."
Maiya did as he ordered and jumped through the window. He knew she would be okay, they were on the first floor. Now Kiritsugu needed to get rid of these two. He dodged attack one of them, as the one who was originally after Kiritsugu rushed at him. As rolled forward, its attack completely missing him. Now two of them were in one place, while he had escape road. However, when two mercury slime contacted each other started to combine, becoming bigger. 'Well, at least now there is only one.'
It moved towards him but Kiritsugu has run away from it. His origin bullets didn't work on it, only passing through it. There were magic circuits or magic crest to destroy, his special weapon wasn't effective against this type of enemy, It meant that Kiritsugu needed to find something else.' Think, Kayneth is specialized in several different fields of magecraft. This thing must be created by using alchemy. There must be boundary field against it!'
An idea popped in his head. Kiritsugu returned to the main hall, to the destroyed main entrance. He left the castle, knowing that annoying creature didn't leave him. He didn't look back to hear it.' Now it must work!'
Mercury familiar didn't stop its chase after Magus Killer who fired several shots at it. The silver creature rushed at Kiritsugu who calmly staying, waiting for it. However, once it was at the main door, creature froze. Kiritsugu smirked as a pentagram lighten up with blue light. This was one of Einzbern family defensive boundary fields against fairies and ghosts that lived in this forest. It would appear, Kayneth didn't destroy it when he entered the castle.' Doesn't matter now. I need to find Kayneth.'
As Kiritsugu entered the castle, he heard gunshots and explosions coming from the second floor. He pulled out Thompson Contender and made his way there. Upon reaching the second floor and finding a place of battle between two magi he saw both Irisviel and Maiya fighting against Kayneth.
Not wasting time, he aimed and prepared to fire Origin bullet and finish him. However, at that moment something happened. An unexpected explosion destroyed the wall that was leading outside, leaving a giant hole in the castle and allowing to see night forest. However, it wasn't the most notable thing that happened. A lone figure appeared in the corridor and stood between Magus Killer and his target.
Kayneth eyes went wide when he heard an explosion coming behind him. Kiritsugu narrowed his eyes, while Irisviel's eyes went wide. Maiya already prepared to fight a new enemy. Behind shields, Kayneth wasn't fast enough to turn and was last to see new figure."You!"
Kiritsugu has come back to his senses and pressed the trigger. Origin bullet flew towards its target, Kiritsugu knew that Kayneth's shield would be nothing against his special bullet. However, before it, could happen a new figure moved. She raised her katana to block a flying bullet. Once it was stopped, the origin bullet fell on the ground.
Everyone froze. Both masters considered using their command spells to call for their servants. However, before either of them could react redhead woman turned to silver shield and smashed it with her fist being covered in red energy. Kayneth let out a scream when she grabbed him by colour.
"Wait!"
"Avenger!"
No matter what they shouted, the female servant didn't hear them and simply jumped away. Lancer's master in her hands, screaming and shouting for his servant. Once she was gone, Kiritsugu and his two female companions rushed to the hole in the wall to see them but they already disappeared out of sight. Moments later Saber appeared and claimed that Lancer abandoned their duel before leaving in spirit form. She noted that he was panicking. Irisviel walked to her husband who pulled out a cigarette and started smoking already thinking about their next move.
"...we need to find Avenger's master quickly." was his only words.
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Somewhere in the forest. She stopped when they were far away from the castle, among trees near the place where Avenger and Caster fought not so long ago. Redhead woman turned to look at what she brought.
Avenger couldn't help but smile once she landed on the ground, enemy master at her hand.' Correction. The enemy for now.'
"Release me!" magi in hand shouted but she could easily sense fear inside him. She did as he asked, actually trying to do it carefully. Once he stood up blonde magi immediately stepped back. Avenger could see the terror in his eyes."Wha-"
However, before he could say anything, Avenger grabbed him by the shirt and placed her katana near his throat. He froze, now terrified for his life more than ever. Avenger simply stared at nothing before shouting.
"Come out, Lancer. I don't have intentions to harm your master." Avenger said and pressed her katana closer to his neck if she added more pressure it would cut the skin. Blonde master gulped before yelling.
"Do as she says, Lancer!"
After a moment of silence, a male servant appeared. He stood before them, his red spear pointed at her. Avenger could easily see that he was angered.
"Release him at once." was he all he said and before his scared master could add anything, she answered.
"My, why so serious. You know I saved him back in the castle." she laughed when Lancer raised his second spear." Very well. I will do it but not before you will swear that you won't attack me or flee with your master."
Lancer narrowed his eyes."And why won't we do it?" Avenger smirked.
"Because not only did I saved your master when he was almost killed but I also want something that all of us will find beneficial." Lancer's eyes didn't leave her but Avenger could tell that he started to think about it.
"...and these benefits are?" asked a man who was a hostage. It would seem that despite clear fear this magi could see opportunity. Avenger was pleased, already thinking about how she and Lelouch could use it.
"An alliance."
There was a pregnant silence, two servants staring at each other. Lancer was silent not knowing what to do, while Avenger was calm. If it didn't go as she wanted then she had a second plan. She would cut enemy master and deal with a servant in front of her. Without his master, Lancer won't be able to fight at his full power for a long time while she could
It would appear blonde magi forgot about blade pressing against his neck, as he was lost in thought, trying to find the best choice of action. A few seconds later he had spoken.
"Lancer, lower your weapon."
Male servant eyes went wide."But my lord! She might kill-"
"If she wanted it, then I would have been already dead!" shouted blonde magi at his servant."Can't you understand that I'm at such position were anything might lead to my death?" he asked his servant with an irritated tone. Lancer didn't say a word and silently lowered his weapons. Blonde magi asked his captor."Now, are you happy lady-"
"Avenger will be fine. And yes. I'm pleased with it." she said before releasing him. Magi made few steps forward before almost falling if not for his servant who quickly caught him. Lancer helped his master to stand up but knight's eyes never left her. Avenger just smiled at him, to what Lancer only frowned.
"Avenger it is. It would seem we got off on the wrong foot at the start." said magi, trying to sound friendly."Now, what about an alliance you were talking about?" he asked with a glint in his eyes.
Avenger smirked, pleased with how things were going on. While she wasn't able to finish off Caster but she managed to find Saber and her master base. Not to mention to save Lancer's master.
'I'm interested how is my master doing right now.'
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Another chapter done with 2,239 words and hope you like it!
Author: Before electricity was discovered, what were electric eels called?