Fate/Regalia ~Colosseum~ (In-Character matches)

**I3uster** · November 26th, 2012, 09:10 PM

Prodi Segnius Gias & Trickster
Location: The Immaterial Yet Missing Colosseum
Turn: 4

Trickster knew of the flurry of blows that came for him just a moment before they were delivered, but in the face of this overwhelming power there was no way out for him.
He only could resign, accept the blows, and pray.

Luckily for him, praying had always worked out for him in the past.

"Zdrowaś Maryjo, łaski pełna, Pan z Tobą,
błogosławionaś Ty między niewiastami,
i błogosławiony owoc żywotaTwojego, Jezus.
Święta Maryjo, Matko Boża, módl się za nami grzesznymi
teraz i w godzinę śmierci naszej. Amen"

The man spoke as the Berserker struck him in a frenzy.
But no matter how hard he struck, how strong every blow seemed to wreck the enviroment, resulting in more and more splinters of broken wood flying through the air the Berserker just wasn't able to hurt his opponent in any meaningful way.

Yes, Trickster had never been a Saint in his life, indulging in vices, his riches and even the occult, but the grace of God shone on him in the time of his greatest need, when he faced the greatest evil a man could ever face.

Well, the second greatest anyway.

It would not take long until the Berserker however would focus on his...charming Master, so he had to devise a plan.
For now, he needed time. Someone to occupy Berserker for the time being.

He called out the name of an old friend.
"Kazimierz."

And nothing happened.

Servant still occupied with Trickster. Has activated defensive skill, leaving me vulnerable.
Master has started erratic movement patterns to evade shrapnel. Trickster's help is required.
Mobility options calculated, evasive maneuvers in case of attack laid out.
Observing secondary opponent. Hitting invulnerable Trickster.
Analyzing weak points. Waiting on an attack is best course of action.
Redirecting additional output to Humilitas. Pure Eyes maintained.
Information compiled. Waiting for additional input. May the victor be justice.

She sneered. There was nothing she could do except stand around, waiting for the hawk to descend. Attacking the Servant was foolish at this point, she needed to have him immobilized somehow. But at least there was one thing she was certain of now.

The are evil.
Attacking with no mercy, with incredible fury and will to destroy.
Evading, hiding from the dangers of real combat.
Trying to strike me when I expect it the least.
Only evildoers work like that.
No doubt.
They must be vanquished.

"HAWK! Do you hear me? You fear me, don't you? But not what I am! No! I am just a simple woman. But what I embody! You flee, because you have something to hide! Your Servant attacks like a monster, knowing not the boundaries an honorable fighter would know! And yet, you embrace your cowardly and monstrous nature! Just once, I make you an offer! Die at my hands! Not at the hands of a simple woman, no! These hands are the hands..."

The cieling of the magically created territory burst, and without warning a giant spider now occupied the middle of the room, hanging down from a thread that seemedto just continue into the sky forever. But the girl was seemingly not irritated by this display, pointing at the hawk and finishing her speech.

"...OF JUSTICE!"

After she finished shouting, Trickster spoke to the spider.
"Nice to meet you again Kaz, could you be a good familiar and protect that girl?"

Spiders were unable to emote by any human standards, but still, the beast seemed incredibly irritated by what just happened.
"Hate you..." it's mouth formed...words, interrupted by clicking and hissing.

"I'll pay you back some time, I swear..."
Its six eyes focussed the man, it's behind slightly raised itself as if to threaten him.
"Make me a human again."

"Oh, don't be like that Kaz, you know what they say, half the limbs half the fun!"

Spoiler:

**Tobias** · November 26th, 2012, 10:03 PM

Tobias the Hawk
Location: The Immaterial Yet Missing Colosseum
Turn: 5

The sound of berserker's iron rod tearing through yet another example of magical knowledge filled the air with clink of breaking glass and the tortured sound of wood breaking. Try as he might, Berserker's power, amazing as it was, was no match for the divine blessing which completely shielded the enemy Servant from harm. Yes, for the moment, his Strength seemed useless.

...That however, was a violation of the principle of the greatest heroes of Greece. In later days, Heroes might become legendary who were wielders of powerful weapons, armaments, magecraft. These heroes might be considered to have been made that class of Ether Liner known as a Legendary Soul by use of their talents and their weapons, such might even be considered the most suitable for the battle of Noble Phantasm that epitomized the clash of the might Servants.

However....in Greece, such a person could not be considered a Hero.

While it was true that Heroes often were given wondrous weapons by the Olympian Gods, one value still held true of all the most powerful mythical heroes from lore. These men, were heroes with or without their weapons, Indeed, even the heroic spirit who challenged Asterion and laid him low was a hero who slew many monsters through the power of his hands and the strength of his body, attributes celebrated in the great Olympian games which even today still are used as a symbol of the most worthy of men. The premise that a hero is something separate from the weapon in his hand or the clothes on his back.

"Kazimierz."

A recreation of a legendary epic, a miracle given form and function by the power of pure mystery, was called out by the Servant of guile. But the result was not what would have been expected. Indeed did a strand part in the sky and drop to create a path for a phantasmal beast....but, none emerged, and in mere moments, to did that strand whither and die. For Trickster was not a hero who could rely on his own strength, the bane of the Labyrinth was against him, that inescapable death which fell upon seven men and seven maidens each year. Yes, those lost souls who were fated to die, who entered the labyrinth and were not strong heroes. Did they not also take up weapons, armor, mere things which were laid to rest at the power of Asterion, the bull of Crete? Of course, every year another warrior or set of warriors would try to save themselves by supplanting their own lack of strength with a weapon, but it was useless.

This was the concept of Gymnos. The contest of unarmed strength unmodified by anything but one's power.

But whose power? Of course, nobody else but the two warriors who faced each other in naked battle and fought for supremacy.

{Berserker's STR EX.

Trckster's STR score E.

EX - E = 5

Gymnos modifier to Kazimierz

B--- >C ---> D ----> E ---> Null.}

Because the Servant of rage could not in anyway touch the Servant of magic, there was only solution. Throwing up his arms in a maddened frenzy at not being able to rend asunder his prey, he turned to the other member on the field, sighting down on the alchemist who was busy taunting his master. Tossing his head in fury, he lowered his horns and again, as in the days of old, charged down a kill like so many others who had fallen in Crete.

Tobias could hear the Alchemist, his ears weren't as powerful as his eyes of course, but there was nothing wrong with them. Poor deluded shade. She must have had no idea that there was no escape from this place, no difference between the victor and the defeated, they were nameless wraiths to return to the endless dream, figments of light and air given psuedo shape. Some might envy her that ignorance, after all their situation was neither enviable nor escapeable, also called hopeless, but the Hawk was happy he could face his fate head on. As his faithful Servant charged toward the enemy Master, Tobias beat his wings a few times to gain altitude, the enemy Servant was a magic user and it was likely he would be targeted if he did not maintain his evasions.

Wise up!

**Verg Avesta** · November 26th, 2012, 10:51 PM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 7

"Keep on talking! The moment you bleed, the sharks will be tear you apart!"

By grasping the chain with her powerful fist, Rider suddenly yanked at the link to the anchor-tipped spear. The weapon immediately swung backwards, travelling back to the waiting arm of its owner, avoiding the snares of Caster just barely. Rider gave a fearsome grin, aiming the weapons straight at the sky. Then, just like that, she threw the pole towards the air, before taking a hold of the chain and swinging it in a large arc above her head.

The result was obvious. Like a spinning wheel or the blades of a windmill, the anchor-spear started spinning around, tearing the air and creating a howling wind. Though it was not part of its power like the water, the wind that roared around the weapon was like another part of the woman, enforcing her image as a hero of seas with salty gales.

"Your shield may protect you against the thrust, but what about the blunt!?"

Then, just like that, Rider let go of her grasp, allowing the spear to run free. It created an immensely large arc, swiping all across the battlefield with one fell swoop. The spearhead itself flew far away from Caster, but the chain between the weapon and the bracelet of the woman headed straight at him, in a manner not unlike a bulldozer. Though the damage might be shielded, it would not remove the pushing momentum unless countered in a different way.

But even that might not be enough. Because Rider's menacing grin showed, that even in the case that the attack was blocked, she still trusted in something.

"Hiya!"

The bumbling Alonso suddenly found his tumbling charge intercept, and the sky and earth changed their place. Moriko, who had nearly been toppled over by the man, had easily re-directed the force, throwing Alonso around in one graceful move. It was clearly a practiced art, something not possible to a complete amateur.

Moriko sighed, and looked at the man now lying on the ground, and put her hands to her hips.

"Be more careful, please. Such a way of acting is rather unsightly, don't you think?"

Moriko heaved another sigh, and squatted down. She took a strange form of cylinder that had been strapped in her back, under her shit. She opened the cylinder, and started emptying the contents of it calmly, like preparing a picnic. She occasionally looked at Alonso, seeing if he was starting to gather himself.

"But you really are not the type of Master to fight by your Servant? Hum, well, in that case us two are rather similar. Not that I am completely dissatisfied by it. I tend to like people of my type far more than others, as you can imagine."

In the midst of her strange activity, Moriko, after a while, gave another gaze at Alonso.

"So? What do you plan to do now, Oji-san?"

Tonbo Moriko

Rider

**I3uster** · November 26th, 2012, 11:16 PM

Prodi Segnius Gias & Trickster
Location: The Immaterial Yet Missing Colosseum
Turn: 5

A dire situation. Help had not arrived as it should, and Prodi was facing certain destruction now. A command seal might have brought Trickster in to shield her, but he was just impervious to physical attacks, the merciless strikes of the Minotaur would have still thrown him out of the way, buying her maybe an instant.

"Well, he never was a reliable fellow..." Trickster lamented the fact that his tactic did not work, followed by him speaking in strange tongues again.
Back to basics it is then.

Prodi felt the supporting surge of power. It might have just provided her the edge she needed to defeat the evildoer. Now she only had to focus.
Focus harder than any human should ever be able to.

Initializiation Gula Overdrive
Initializating Ira Overdrive
Initializating Acedia Overdrive
Initializating Superbia Overdrive
Initializating Luxuria Overdrive
Initializating Invidia Overdrive
Initializating Avaritia Overdrive

"Evildoer...know this."
The bull charged, it smashed through what were only remains of a once carefully sorted workshop of immense value.
"Justice..."
It almost reached her.

DESPICAPLE CREATURE IS CHARGING. DODGING IS A POSSIBILITY, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO SUCCUMB TO COWARDICE. I AM NOT A COWARD.
ABOMINATION AGAINST ALL THAT IS RIGHT SHOWS SEVERAL OPENINGS . I SHALL STRIKE TRUE, TO RELIEVE THE WORLD OF ITS EVIL.
BEST WAYS TO ENGAGE DREADFUL BEING ARE DURING THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE CHARGE WHERE IT WILL LEAVE ITSELF VULNERABLE FOR JUST THE BLINK OF AN EYE. THE CHARGE ITSELF TAKES AWAY ITS MOBILITY OR ABILITY TO DODGE. I WILL SHOW IT WHAT IT MEANS TO DO EVIL IN MY PRESENCE.
COWARDLY MASTER IS ASCENDING EVEN HIGHER. SHOULD HE ATTEMPT A SPELL TRICKSTER SHALL INTERRUPT HIM. HE IS NO THREAT TO MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.
WEAK POINTS SHOW THEMSELVES ON VARIOUS POINTS OF THE TARGET. I DON'T NEED TO TARGET THEM, FOR MY WEAPON ONLY NEEDS TO HIT IT. THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO UPHOLD THE VALUES OF JUSTICE.
ASSISTING ACEDIA OVERDRIVE. TAKING IN THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE OUR EYES PROVIDE AT AN INCREASED RATE.
INFORMATION COMPILED. JUSTICE SHALL TRIUMPH OVER ALL.

"...shall never yield..."
The horns were facing her. Only a short distance remained between the two, a distance that rapidly grew shorter.

Because she ran at the minotaur.

A foolish action for any human. But her mind did not work like that of a human.

She had modified it, strengthened it, parted it, reassembled it like ATLAS had always taught their members. She shaped her own mind as if it were a matter of course, with no regards to risks, because she just had to be faster, get stronger and become smarter.

It would be were a normal Alchemist would have stopped, but she went further. Not only did she reshape her mind like she wanted, she also did the same to her body. Her eyes were modified by none other than herself, to assisst her mind in grasping reality at a faster pace.

But her masterwork was something else.

Her arm.

As the Minotaur threatened to impale her on her horns, she threw herself on the ground, sliding between the legs of the Minotaur with the momentum she gained.

Her arm clicked.

"...TO EVIL!"

A projectile shot out of it at a speed unimaginable, attempting to hit the groin of the creature. In the middle of her palm was now a small rifle barrel, smoking from the alchemical, self-engineered powder the cartridge was loaded with.

Spoiler:

**Tobias** · November 27th, 2012, 07:40 PM

Tobias the Hawk
Location: The Immaterial Yet Missing Colosseum
Turn: 6

Impossibly, The enemy Master was able to execute a nearly ludicrous evasion that turned into an attack, even Tobias with his amazing eyes could not see how she had gone under his legs without being trampled over, but somehow, that's exactly what had happened! Tobias had just perceived an extremely dangerous weapon lying in store when she had obviously entered some sort of high tension state and launched a rush that was even madder then Berserker's toward her. The hawk realized at that moment there was an incredible level of danger contained within that maddened attack.

He was not the only one. A shock of surprise went through the mind of the beast, as his prey attempted a dive manuever, he shifted his wait and prepared to overrun her, but it seemed through some unlikely twist if fate she had don't the impossible and counter attacked, through his haze he sensed his master's alarm. Death might come to the maddened beast, his master's death would signal his own in seconds.

Even without Independent Action, most Servants could survive for a brief time, but Berserker was a different class, without an anchor his body would instantly burn itself up in an explosion of prana and mass, thus the class used all of its power to protect their Master from harm. They cared for their health in arguably the strongest bond that could exist between the fated pair. For a man may defend his comrades with the loyalty born of shared purpose and friendship, but Berserker was the dog that happily braved all danger to save his Master.

There was a flicker of something beyond rage that appeared in the beast's eye as the gun was leveled at him. A sense of wrongness, that this was not the place he should die. The death of the Minotaur was like the life of the Minotaur, it had the right time, the right form....the right place. That place was...

Home...

It was the first and last word the Berserker ever learned, home, the Labyrinth of Crete, where he was both prisoner and executioner, where he would never be free of. The true Noble Phantasm of Asterion, The Minotaur of the Labyrinth!

"Nostos"

The beast ground out, his bovine mouth barely able to form the single word. And with that, the bullet that had been fired for him stopped, pressed forward for a moment as if impatient to crash into the beast, before it faded along with the world that it had been a part of, for the Phantasm of Berserker, Nostos, homecoming, changed again the world that Trickster had altered.

The ground shifted to a hard rock flooring covered in dust, and bone, the large stone walls four meters wide held splatters of blood where men and maiden had been devoured, overhead a massive ceiling of rock enclosed the trapped who now faced the wandering halls, a reality marble symbolizing the very thing that the Minotaur was famous for.

The arena, and all who had been within, were now trapped in the Labyrinth.

Tobias the Hawk found himself perched in on a massive chair so wide his claws couldn't find purchase, directly in front of him, his Servant, his loyal dog stared madly at him for a moment before reaching over the massive thrown to the wall behind him, from which he took a massive, cruel looking battle ax made of bronze from the hall. armed with his weapon of old, he bellowed a primal burst of fury and rage, signalling that once more the labyrinth was his hunting ground, and all within would be devoured.

The Hawk allowed his borrowed form to fade, returning once more to his man shape. He approached his Servant and after considering a moment, placed his hand calmly on the thigh of the Minotaur.

"Servant, stay thy rage, but for a moment" He intoned, opening his powerful magical circuit and allowing a large flow of prana to cross to his Servant, at the renewed power, Berserker bellowed again, even more furiously then before. Tobias was, of course, in no danger, the power of the beast was threatening to all but that which he desired to protect, to Tobias, it was a comforting strength. it helped bind his will for that which came next.

It wouldn't be so bad, a wraith like him was not long for the world anyway, the body of a phantasmal beast was no bad thing. Bracing himself, he removed from his robes a small, perfectly square cube of quarts. From within its depths, a gentle but strong life pulsed, a symbol of his faith to the dreamworld and the power he was granted thereby, feeling the power within take hold, in a slight Trance, Tobias called the phantasmal beast that would be his new self and made his last change. Tobias the Tooth was now a beast like his Servant, he would ever be so.

The change came quickly, lines of white appearing across his flesh to become powerful furred muscle, Strength and poise given form, a mouth filled with vicious fangs including the two that had given the Phantasmal beast its name, the great white Sabertoothed tiger.

<Now Berserker...let us hunt> Tobias said in quiet communion.

Elsewhere in the Labyrinth, one opposite sides of the great maze, two cell doors slid open. On the west side, the Maiden's cell, containing the Master, on the other, the Men's cell, contained the Servant. The labyrinth beckoned threateningly, roars of beasts heard throughout...

And the question that hovered over the area...could anyone successfully traverse the maze?

Wise up!

**MssrNeko** · November 27th, 2012, 08:07 PM

Alonso Diaz & Caster
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 8

In an impressive show of power, Rider launches her anchor-like spear towards Caster. Despite the current situation, the dapper Servant had to admire the woman's brute strength and cunning. It took a life full of hardships and trials for one to wield their weapon with the control this purple-clad fishwife had. He would not mind having a piece of her fine body; hearing her ecstatic moans and pants as he thrust into her. Their bodies caught together in primal heat and lust, covered in sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids....Shame she'd never fall Caster.

That and that she had to die.

With a toothy grin, Caster quickly casts a spell.

"&$%#%"

The atmosphere thickens as Caster conjures yet another spell. The prana gathers into thick clump of magical energy until it forms a shadowy feline-like figure. Without delay, the ghostly monster pounces at its target: its summoner. As the conjured apparition mixes with Caster, a sudden burst of prana is released and spreads across his body. A shadowy aura surrounds the black Servant as his clothes change colors, from casual black and purple to yellow with a myriad of black spots; Caster's suit was now leopard print. The chain was now close to impacting with Caster, but he just smiles that toothy grin of his as it nears his person.

With an almost elegant leap, Caster dances away from the spear and its chain. The thrown weapon makes a large crash as it smashes into the pristine environment, destroying two large trees. Safely out of reach, Caster performs a dance-like movement similar to an early 20th century American dance.

"Hahahaha. You ain't gonna catch this fish that easily, missy."

Holding on to his hat, Caster spins around to finish his dance. Stopping abruptly, he faces Rider and beckons her to approach with his finger.

"Let's see how fast you are on land, fishwife!"

With an echoing laugh, Caster quickly absconds into the jungle, his laughs taunting the purple-clad woman.

----------------------------------------

Running wildly through the jungle, Alonso found himself accidentally colliding into Moriko. Unfortunately for him, he was the only one to be injured from this unexpected encounter. Moaning from being tossed over by the surprisingly strong girl, Alonso lies on the ground in discomfort.

"Be more careful, please. Such a way of acting is rather unsightly, don't you think?"

"Hey hey, I like to think it is apart of my charm."

Nursing his tender bruises, Alonso picks himself up from the ground. He notices Moriko getting out an assortment of items from her carrying kit.

"But you really are not the type of Master to fight by your Servant? Hum, well, in that case us two are rather similar. Not that I am completely dissatisfied by it. I tend to like people of my type far more than others, as you can imagine."

"Ahaha, what can I say? I can't fight ladies a cute as you or your Servant. Ouchie."

He tries to smile but his pain makes it askew, making him look extremely goofy rather than handsome.

"So? What do you plan to do now, Oji-san?"

Oji-san?

The word was not unfamiliar to Alonso thanks to his time with the Association and his tenure in Japan.

"Oji-san? I'm not old! I'm only 19. That's only a little older than you!"

Folding his arms and puffing out his cheeks, Alonso looked like a child throwing a hissy fit.

"So, what are you doing?"

Caster

Alonso Diaz

**Verg Avesta** · November 27th, 2012, 09:02 PM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 9

[BGM: OFF]

Rider watched Caster disappear into the forest with a touch of annoyance in her face. Clicking her tongue, Rider caught a hold of the chain and yanked it once more, bringing her weapon back from the forest with great speed. She grasped the thick pole of the weapon, glaring into the direction where the magus had disappeared. Cracking her neck, she heaved the weapon on her shoulder and measured the distance between the forest and herself, and where she calculated that Caster had hidden himself.

"I'm reeeeaally not a fan of hide-and-seek, y'know?"

Rider allowed a power to well up inside of her. The water around her started trashing in large waves, crashing against the forest as a huge amount of prana was released all at once. Despite the fact that Rider had used a skill which had drained her magical power, for some reason it was clear that she had not lost it one bit. No, perhaps it was the case that she had regained what she had lost. Nevertheless, that full power of Rider's prana was now being released in a form of a foreboding wave, like a tsunami gathering at the gates of the forest, ready to crash down it.

But it was not water that was being gathered.

No. From the depths of Rider's eyes, a flame unlike any other blazed forth.

"Alright, you land-lubber! I've had enough of this fooling around!"

Prana roared. Rider roared. Fire roared. Together, they created a blast of energy that seemed to shook the area itself, causing Moriko in the far distance wince and hasten putting on the equipment she had taken out. Allowing her true power to be unleashed upon the nature, Rider started laughing like a monster, glaring down the general direction of where Caster had fled to. It was not as if she was pin-pointing the location anymore. No, she was simply taking the whole area in, and sneering down at it like it had been nothing.

And then, like spitting out a curse, and yet sounding like she was praising the heavens, Rider shouted out the true name of her Noble Phantasm.

[BGM: ON]

Flames of Prosperity

"Qílín Ruì!"

Fire ran over heaven and earth.

The weapon of Rider was enveloped in brilliant fire that shot out towards the skies, coating the anchor in flames that knew no mercy. With wicked grin, Rider started swinging the weapon above her head by the chain, creating a typhoon of fire that raged around her. Then, with a roar of rage, she released the weapon just like before, allowing it to cut a large arc through the forest. Trees were toppled by the extended reach of the weapon, covering an area that was colossal. The chain itself was on fire, and with the weapon as its base of gravity, it cut through the forest, destroying it in the process. Flames were spread everywhere, setting the forest ablaze. With just a single swing, the green lustrous jungle had turned into a destroyed hell full of purging flames, ones that reached out towards the skies in their rage.

Rider cackled. She hadn't even tried to aim. She did not need to. With her weapon, she could simply destroy the whole area where Caster, with his speed, had tried to escape to. Now there was nowhere to hide. All of the ares was marked with her holy flames, purging any and all who had been there. Rider cracked her neck once more, and allowed the weapon to return to her hand. With a snicker, she struck the ground beneath her, causing an explosion of water and flames that covered the area.

And from within that explosion came a figure of legends, riding the colossal spear of flames. Rider took to the skies, riding her weapon like a surfboard that cut path of fire in the clear blue yonder.

"Caster, show your pathetic form! There is nowhere to run anymore!"

Rider's roar echoed across the battlefield.

"Crap-crap-crap-crap! I don't have time to listen to you! I've gotta make sure my own Servant doesn't kill me!"

Moriko looked at the destruction around her with eyes wide open, while she was putting on the last pieces of equipment. Her school-uniform was now covered by a green armor, a helmet with a high crest, large arm-protectors and ancient symbols that were carved in the ritualistic gear. Lastly, she muttered something under her breath, and lifted her arm, as if waiting.

Something slid through the thin air, and landed so that she could catch it. It was a ring-shaped blade, one so large that she could have used it as a hula-hoop. Yet, despite that image, there was something very, very threatening in that weapon. Something that caused nearly primal fear. Moriko, now having finished her preparations, turned to look at Alonso.

"Now that it has come to this, what will you do? Will you surrender? Or will you die. Looking at Rider, there does not seem to be other options."

Moriko's eyes seemed now, for some reason, much colder than before.

Tonbo Moriko

Rider

**I3uster** · November 27th, 2012, 09:30 PM

Prodi Segnius Gias & Trickster
Location: The Labyrinth
Turn: 6

She was facing the cieling of the fake reality the beast had conjured. Before her mind could quite grasp what happened, she knew what action to take.
CALL MY SERVANT
CALL MY SERVANT
CALL MY SERVANT
CALL MY SERVANT
CALL MY SERVANT
CALL MY SERVANT
COME TO ME

One of the red marks on her hand vanished.Ragged breathing escaped Prodi's lips as Trickster lent her a hand, helping her to get back on her feet.

It didn't help her calm down in the slightest.

NO IMMINENT THREAT DETECTED. CREATURE WILL MOST LIKELY ATTACK SOON.
THAT IS ASSUMING THEY ARE NOT COWERING IN FEAR AT THIS MOMENT.
EVASIVE ROUTES CALCULATED SHOULD THEY SHOW THEMSELVES AGAIN. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO LET THEM GO AGAIN.
REGULATING BREATHING AND HEARTRATE. FOR NOW I SHALL CALM DOWN, TO STRIKE THEM WITH GREATER FURY LATER ON.
WALLS SHOW NO SIGN OF STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS, THOUG THE STRENGTH OF THE BEAST MIGHT BE ENOUGH TO SMASH THEM. I SHALL REMAIN VIGILANT.
ASSISSTING SUPERBIA OVERDRIVE. NONE SHALL STRIKE US UNPREPARED.
INFORMATION COMPILED. JUSTICE SHALL TRIUMPH OVER ALL.

"You look...slightly unhinged." The Servant smiled as he gave his Master his hand, but his gesture was only met by a wordless glare. Prodi's eyes seemed to flare up, a sign of her zeal being only barely contained by a mind that worked at its limit.

"Not in a talking mood are we? Don't mind me then." He took a few steps back from his Master, kneeling down drawing a circle around him in the ground of the maze with his finger.

He was still under the blessing of the lord for a few more moments, an advantage he had to use in his favor. As he stood up, his eyes once again faced inwards, and he began reciting chants in the unholy language.

The circle around him started glowing in an eerie light. Even Prodi could feel how the air was literally drained of its life. Massive amounts of magical energy were drawn to the circle, lifting Trickster from his feet, who still kept talking in the strange tongues.

It was a ritual to take advantage of the short breather they were granted.

Spoiler:

**MssrNeko** · November 27th, 2012, 11:24 PM

Alonso Diaz & Caster
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 10

Caster is barely escapes the inferno that blazes through the beautiful greenery. The lush jungle foliage is turned to ash as Rider's Noble Phantasm tears through the once serene garden. Caster watches with a frown at his opponents wonton destruction. He had not expected the battle to escalate this quickly, with the release of a Noble Phantasm. The raging fires would blaze until it reached his idiotic Master and made this place his grave. Caster would have none of that.

Dusting off the soot soiling his suit, he summons his prana for two last spells.

"Onini! Ntwiwagye!"

The magical binds shoot upwards as the web-like shield protects Caster once more. But, the magical binds do not fly towards the airborne Rider, they fly towards their summoner. As the binds approach Caster, they become long snakes that wrap around Caster's torso. A bright light, one brighter then the inferno surrounding Caster, shines. Caster's suit now had snakeskin woven within its stitching with snakeskin gloves and boots. Flexing his hands, he feels the strength of his spell fueling his body, giving him new power. Maybe it would be enough?

Knowing that the flash of light would attract his opponent, Caster scans the sky for her.

-----There she is.

-----The Servant Rider.

Her weapon was now covered in a wreath of fire and she was using it as her mount, flying through the sky like a surfboard. He once again found himself admiring her, even now in all her greatness. Caster could only imagine what sort of story Rider had accumulated, what stories she left for her descendants to tell of her legendary prowess.

.............................

Her story.

Caster wanted it.

"LOOKIE HERE, MISSY! I'M RIGHT HERE!"

With a roar that could be heard even above the infernal din, Caster announces his presence. He sees Rider turn her head in his direction.

Now was the time.......

(BGM on)

He grits his teeth into a wide smile. The flames dance as an enormous pressure slams down on the entire battlefield. Magical energy saturates the entire burning forest as it rushes to the gathering point: Caster. His eyes glow with volatile power as prana arcs of his body like lightning. Light bursts from the depths of his throat as an unknown language is spoken, words long forgotten from the realm of mortals. Yes, he could feel the divine blood flow in his body as he consumed the prana. His top hat glows as an animal is burned into its lining: a spider. Caster feels the power reach its apex, ready to manifest itself into the symbol of his claim of being a "Hero".

With a voice more quiet than a whisper, yet louder than the mightiest storm, he calls upon his Noble Phantasm.

All Tales Belong to the Spider

"Anasasem!"

All are blinded by the light.

.............................

A voice is heard.

Its booming echo reverberates across the burning jungle.

It penetrates the souls of Rider, Alonso Diaz, and Tonbo Moriko.

The God of Stories speaks out....

"Listen to my story....

"----And it came to pass, that the little Missy never found the Qilin Rui. You could even say that the Qilin Rui never existed at all."

.............................

The light dims.

The fires are gone.

No, that is not correct.

The fires never happened.

Everything had been reset back before Rider had released her terrible trump card.

The serene waters flow as the sun shines on the lush green fauna.

The Spider of Stories stands across from the Servant Rider.

But what of Rider's weapon?

What weapon?

There never was a weapon to begin with.

-------------------------------

(BGM off)

Alonso shakes away the effects of Caster's Noble Phantasm as he notes the new conditions. He and Moriko found themselves surrounded by green foliage and the sun's rays peeking through the canopy. Alonso could feel his prana reserves almost empty, as Caster had taken most of his energy to power that Noble Phantasm of his. Turning his eyes back to Moriko, he beings to speak.

"I don't want a fight, señorita. But I do not wish to forfeit my spot. I have something I have to do....and I'm sure you do too."

He consciously grabs his the hilt of his sword, but not to attack. He feels that he cannot aggrieve this girl in front of him, so he will defend himself if need be. He needed to hold out so his Servant could win this fight. But if it came to it......Alonso Diaz will win no matter the cost.

Caster

Alonso Diaz

**Verg Avesta** · November 28th, 2012, 12:23 AM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 11

Rider watched her Noble Phantasm disappear into the ether, leaving behind nothing but the fleeting dream of her power. The flames did disappear too, and the forest replaced the destruction that had reigned just moments ago. With indescribable expression on her face, she landed back on the water, allowing the cerulean blue liquid to splash around her. Her previous rage seemed to have faded away, and her eyes were staring straight at Caster with nothing but disgust in them.

"In my travels I have seen many things of wonder and depravity, but never have I seen something so wretched as you. Caster, your existence itself sickens me."

Rider, grasping the air with her now free hand, as if trying to reach the weapon that was no longer there. Therefore, she simply allowed her hand to fall flat against her thigh, before sighing out deeply. Her shoulders heaved, and she gazed at the blue yonder above them. Having been deprived of her steed, she could no longer do anything but stand there, on the water.

But it was strange. Because from somewhere, from the depths of the forest, from the cerulean pond that surrounded them...

...The breeze brought the smell of salt in the wind.

"...It no longer matters how far away you run. The ends of the world are just a step for me. Your fate is sealed."

"Oh dear. It seems that your Servant made her angry. This... this might not be good. I need to finish you off before she goes ballistic."

Moriko swung around her ringblade a bit, getting a feel to it. She tested it by allowing it to draw circles around her, making it swing around her arms before finally settling it so that she grabbed it from the inside, and the blade was encircling her own body. Then, with cold, golden eyes, she turned to look at Alonso. There was no more compassion in them, even if the calming presence still persisted around the girl. Giving a slight sigh, she took one step towards the man.

[BGM: ON]

"I am sorry that it has come to this. But for my own sake, I need to defeat you here. Before she does that."

And then, by extending her hand, Tonbo Moriko whispered the words she had held back, releasing them into the green wind that gently caressed the two on the small clearing.

"
Crescent Green, Under Sky
Tonbogiri.
"

And so, once more, another legend was born.

Bonfires of clan's pride burned brightly, and for a moment, a clear sound of a bell echoed in the distance.

Before Moriko's eyes, the clearing was turned into her domain, to the place where she could perform her greatest feat.

The resurrection of a legend.

Wind cut through the clearing, and in its wake, plants and flowers alike were cut down in a brilliant display of vibrant green wind. In the middle of that viridian gale was a single girl, Tonbo Moriko, her hands holding aloft the quietly spinning blade of the legends. Her golden eyes were now locked straight at Alonso, and their trance-like state was reflect in her aura.

She was akin to a heavenly executioner, send to finally take Alonso's life.

"Now then. Let us end this quickly."

And with blinding speed, the ringblade spinning around her like the wind itself, Tonbo Moriko charged straight at Alonso, and struck towards him with extreme precision.

Tonbo Moriko

Rider

**MssrNeko** · November 28th, 2012, 01:54 AM

Alonso Diaz & Caster
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 12

The tall Servant known as Caster just smiles as he looks at Rider. He knows he can't fight her, even with his spells enhancing his power. He smells the scent of the ocean's water on the wind. He knows that he will not survive the next attack. Perhaps he had been to hasty to unmake Rider's previous phantasm, but such talk is useless. One cannot regret something that wasn't done. You have to just settle with what you have ahead of you. Unfortunately for Caster, he had a very angry Servant accruing an large amount of prana. She is preparing something big and he has nothing left.

................

All he had left was faith in his idiotic Master.

................

"Wretched? Missy, you've never seen the stuff I've seen. And I've seen things that would make your skin crawl."

Brushing off Rider's threats and ill-temper, Caster just laughs softly.

"Let me just say...you're the most fun I've had in centuries, Rider. You've put some fun into these old bones of mine."

For the first time, Caster genuinely smiles. Despite what his opponent thinks of him, Caster admits that this was a good time.

----------------------------------------

Alonso doesn't even have time to breath as Moriko attacks with her deadly weapon. It didn't take a genius to recognize the power emanating from her ring-like weapon; it had the same power of Noble Phantasm. Alonso did not have time to curse his luck for he knew that he would not get the chance to.

In that split second before impact....

Alonso knew instinctively that he would die.

(BGM on)

.................

No, he couldn't die here. He can't die here! Alonso Diaz had to win! He had to------!

"----------!"

With one quick slash, the sword is freed from its sheath.

In this clash of wills and desires, another miracle occurs.

"Uoooooooooooooooooooooh!!"

For not just one Legend has arisen, but another as well.

A fierce warm wind blows as Alonso advances.

"HA----!"

Alonso parries the incoming strike with one of his own. The two weapons clash, sending both owners apart.

He can sense her brief surprise at his successful defense.

A miniscule crack forms on the blade's surface.

Standing tall, he points his unsheathed sword at Tonbo Moriko. The sun's rays bounce off of the sword's violet blade, casting its color around the area. However normal the sword looked, its power was unmistakeable.

Blade of the Wolfslayer

"Lobera"

"Hello. My name is Alonso Diaz de Vivar. Prepare yourself, señorita."

Caster

Alonso Diaz

**Verg Avesta** · November 28th, 2012, 02:45 AM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 13

"Splendid, Alnso Diaz de Vivar. I dunno about those two idiots back there, but this battle... I'm not disappointed!"

A small smile appeared on Moriko's face, and she charged forth once more. In the midst of her charge, she jumped up in the air, the ringblade spinning wildly around her. She extended her hand, and with extreme precision, she shot the blade forward. It curved a path towards Alonso, and though it's speed was great, it was still equal to that of the swordsman. He was able to dodge it, and utilize the moment launch a strike towards the now defenseless Moriko.

The girl saw the coming sword attack, and squatted down, allowing the blade to pass over her head by mere inches. Some strands of her hair were cut, but nothing more than that. She cocked her head sideways, allowing the long crest of her helmet to strike the blade momentarily away. Moriko used this to her advantage to jump backwards, reverse-somersaulting away from Alonso, whose sword struck the air only fractions of seconds after she had been there. It was a whirlwind melee that threatened both the attacker and the defendant.

And like a miracle, glittering in the sunlight, Moriko's rescue finally came. She saw that Tonbogiri had finished its arc, and was now returning to her. She had carefully calculated her throw, like she did with her every strike. A weapon that has no friction; one could never be too careful with it. One mistake, and it meant losing one's own limbs. Therefore, by doing a feint and jumping sideways, Moriko was able to catch the blade with her arm, the ring of legends wildly spinning around her wrist. Quickly, she parried the mythical sword with the flat of the ring, unable to score another crack, as the meeting was but a glancing one.

Moriko jumped backwards once more, used her own body like a pole and entered the center of the ring, before jumping up and kicking the inside of the ring. Like a guillotine's blade, the artifact was send flying straight towards Alonso, threatening to slice him half.

"Truly splendid!"

Tonbo Moriko

Rider

**MssrNeko** · November 28th, 2012, 03:34 AM

Alonso Diaz & Caster
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 14

"Heh, you're pretty good yourself!"

Alonso's blood was rushing, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he battled Moriko in a deadly dance of death. A smile appears on his face as he faces the oncoming weapon, parrying it and sending it back to its owner.

He corners the lithe girl against a skinny tree and lashes out at her with his violet blade. Using the tree, Moriko gracefully somersaults over Alonso and his Lobera and rolls to safety. With that one mighty swing, the spindly tree falls as splinters rain down from where Moriko last stood.

With his back exposed, Moriko launches her Tonbogiri once more at Alonso's backside. Hearing the cutting of air, Alonso sprints to outrun the whirling blade. He runs through the thicket of foliage as the deadly weapon cuts through everything in its path. Seeing an opportunity, Alonso runs up a grabs a hanging ivy and jumps up, leading the blade to harmlessly cut the tree he is on. The tall tree moans as it sways under its own weight, threatening to fall. Swinging himself, Alonso adds weight to the falling tree to give him momentum that launches him from the ivy. Landing safely, Alonso charges the unarmed Moriko.

Alonso's sword strikes fly out like lightning bolts as he assaults the armored Master. One. Two. Three. Four. Each strike misses its target as Moriko swiftly evades each one, some by mere inches. Suddenly, in one swift movement, the Lobera is stripped from Alonso's grasp. It flies through the branches as Moriko aims a powerful palm strike to Alonso's unprotected chin. In danger, the Spanish Master quickly leaps back, avoiding the attack. Using the distance between them Alonso throws out a whip-like kick to her unprotected stomach. Dodging to the side, Alonso's kick shatters the surface of the rock where Moriko was. Without either of their weapons, the two Masters fight each other with only their limbs. Alonso's fierce lightning strikes against Moriko's graceful yet swift movements. Yet each blow has yet to land upon the other.

Barely dodging a powerful palm thrust to his chest, Alonso hears the return of Moriko's weapon. Just in time, Alonso ducks and avoids the returning bladed ring as Moriko effortlessly swings it around and onto the crouching Spaniard. Alonso quickly back-flips to avoid the downward slice, but Japanese girl continues her whirlwind assault. Carefully twisting herself and the blade, Moriko dances with her blade as Alonso dodge each step. Recovering from one of his opponent's attacks, Alonso spots his sword caught, hilt out, in the trunk of a nearby tree. He quickly runs to retrieve his sword but the Master of Rider pursues. Jumping up, he grabs onto his sword and pulls down with his all his might, ripping the wood apart as the blade travels. Spinning around with momentum, Alonso parries an incoming blow from Moriko. As they recover, the tree from where Alonso retrieved his sword from threatens to fall on the two combatants. They both easily avoid the falling tree but find that they are on separate sides.

"I'm not done yet!"

**Sei** · November 28th, 2012, 10:43 AM

Sara Sightfield & Saber
Location: Fallen Colosseum
Turn: 7

At first, Saber is taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of a new threat. For her attack to be stopped in such a manner, it is easy for her to tell that this new entity possesses power on par with that of a Servant. That could only spell trouble for the lone conqueror; however, she has faced numerous situations like this before. As a result, even under stressful situations, she can calmly look at the situation and move herself towards victory. Having already witnessed Invoker's abilities several times beforehand, Saber is easily able to deduce that this is her doing. And the fact that these creatures are far strong can only point towards some sort of 'augmentation'.

Once again, Saber's condition is restored, allowing for her to deal with the task at hand. The first objective is easily to deal with the monster before her. In such a case, her goal is to avoid it rather than defend against it. Much like the creature's mother, the winged assailant favors tremendous strength; however, at the same time it lacks her speed and the natural grace of her movements. Before Saber, one who can feel appropriate action, this creates opportunity.

The second the creature destroys her blade, Saber steps to the side to avoid the straight punch. The heat of the flames encompassing its fist roar in Saber's ear, but thanks to her skill and slight advantage in speed, Saber escapes a fatality as the attack misses its mark and hits her shoulder. To say that the pain that follows is excruciating is an injustice. Her right arm is destroyed... But even still, she her body continues to move less than gracefully, as if programmed to do so.

After barely avoiding the first attack, Saber stumbles forward and howls with a mix of agony and pride. She knows that, in her condition, she cannot properly act to defend against the next attack. Even still, she thanks the first attacker for shattering her sword as opposed to holding it. As stated before, so long as her Noble Phantasm is in effect, Saber's condition will be returned to the height of her campaign. That includes the blade she wields. As she never let go of the handle, her blade's initial destruction was of little consequence.

It is her last comfort; the only shield she has to defend herself from the second attack. But it serves little purpose. Even though Invoker has already exhausted all of her magical energy, Saber herself has already lost the ability to defend. With only one arm, the spatha blade does little more than dampen the blow as the attack rams into her body and smashes her insides. As the white Servant is sent backwards, her vision fades to red while her life slips away.

As Saber drifts throw the air, she spots the incoming final attack shortly before she closes her eyes. The attack is undoubtedly a success. There is no denying that Saber's life ends with this final movement.

Back in the colosseum depths, Sara silently rests against a stone wall. Hugging her own legs, she patiently awaits the return of her loyal Servant. Taking a moment to look at the proof of her position as Master, Sara holds up her hand and looks at the remaining two seals. In this moment, she thinks about how fond of her troublesome partner she has become.

Even if this battle is taking longer than she'd have liked, there isn't a doubt in her mind that Saber will come out on top.

Thinking this, Sara smiles.

Saber has died.

The battle has ended.

However, despite these two truths, the field which has acted as the battlefield does not fade with its creator. And then, the second this is realized, the clang of metal fills the air.

From the ground, a white blur leaps up from where the Servant fell. Except, surprisingly, the white blur is none other than Saber herself.

Creating some distance between her and the attackers, Saber has somehow alluded death yet again and has done so with her body in tact. With a confident smile forming on her face bordering on outright arrogance, Saber looks at her opponents once more and shines radiantly.

"That hurt, Invoker." Making light of the enormous amount of pain she has surely been through, Saber taunts her opponent despite commanding power equivalent to three Servants. "Though I suppose it was bound to happen..."

Raising her blade one more time, Saber points at her enemy.

"Sorry, She-Viper, but tricks like that don't work so well on me- one who has faced the seven rings of hell and ascended into the spheres of heaven."

As stated before, Saber's true strength is attrition. Only now is it evident what that truly means. With one ability, Saber possesses the ability to continuously restore herself to optimum condition. The only hole in this powerful skill is that she can't make use of it should she be destroyed in a single turn. However, she has another ability to overcome this, Golden Legend; a gift from the heavens themselves.

"Though I suppose I should thank you. Seeing how as you've exhausted your reserves, I'm guessing this is the height of your capabilities. As such, I feel that this battle is drawing to a close..."

Saber assumes a stance and readies herself for the final act. Even in the face of such daunting odds, Saber does not back down. She's confident that she can win. Though her opponent has several times as much power as she does, her Master can barely keep her in this world anymore, let alone her spawn. And even without this, Saber has yet to play every card she has available.

"Now come, She-Viper. Allow me to return your favor."

Saber

Spoiler:

**Tobias** · November 28th, 2012, 12:14 PM

Tobias the Tooth and Berserker
Location: The Labyrinth
Turn: 7

Perhaps it was a result of the bond with his Servant, but Tobias felt strangely at home here, in the beast's lair. In an odd way, it seemed even more home to him then it surely it was to his Servant. As they stepped out and into the Maze proper, Berserker threw up his head, air whistling powerfully through flaring nostrils, Because the Tooth was closer to the ground, he didn't understand what the change was until the information flitted hazily across his Servant's consciousness. Where once had been two, there was one.

A crystallized mystery designed to avert disaster, the pair had wisely, though perhaps cowardly, refused to dare the halls of the Labyrinth alone and had reunited. Now that he was alerted, he could even smell the scent of sweat and flesh coming stronger from the Maiden's cell. Well, Tobias had all his miracles as of yet, and he had just the thing to turn the odds in his favor. Tobias would have followed the scent to track the pair, but fact of the matter was, he was outclassed as a tracker here.

For the Labyrinth was the hunting grounds of the bull. Tobias had superior senses and a man's focused mind, but the Minotaur had years of tracking skill built and fortified with the advantage of hunting grounds that were truly, in ever sense of the word, his own. Within the maze, The Tooth could only follow as he loped behind his rapidly sprinting Servant who turned turn after turn unerringly as he chose the shortest path available, without even once getting caught up into the looping dead ends that could snare an unwary or unlucky fellow has he traversed the great halls of stone.

Dead end....there was an idea, in more then one sense.

<Berserker, corner them in the Maiden's cell>

Tobias commanded mentally. The berserkering bull snorted once. He had tracked here long, he knew where his enemy was, and he knew the Labyrinth. These were the abilities of the Minotaur. For a heroic spirit, their senses verged upon the metaphysical, called instinct and danger senses. The bull of Crete had no such power, his senses were those of the beast, brought about superior sight, and sound, the sense of smell and the feel of the air against his body naked but for his fur. These were as much the doom of those trapped in the Labyrinth as were his horn and hoof, for with knowledge of the labyrinth and perfect understanding of his enemy within it, the cunning that was only possessed by a simple beast trapped men and maiden again and again. Yes, this was an order that Berserker understood and could follow.

Had the two entered the maze itself they would have had to track them until they wandered into a dead end, but because they had remained in place, they could be cornered at the Maiden's cell. The Maiden's cell, as the name implied, was a barred room with only the single entrance which lead back into the maze, it was therefor, a dead end. If one reentered the maze, one would encounter any number of curving stonewalls and twisting passages. Perhaps the pair had felt safe thinking they could rest, because they could at least watch the various openings for the sign of the minotaur? Such a pleasant fantasy was surely shattered, when in a single swing of the great axe, Berserker crashed through the wall in between the Maiden's cell and the rest of the maze!

Immediately behind him, through the rubble, Tobias the Tooth jumped through, growling low in his throat.

<But for the grace of god....> Tobias's thought speak rang out over the shocked silence. Remembering the thrum of vibrant power that had once saved Trickster from Berserker's wrath. The alchemist, he could see, was still operating at a high tension mode, the super advanced calculations of that brought the battle into perfect clarity.

Berserker snarled and breathed fiercely, digging his hooves into the familiar ground of home.

<You know...they say an alchemist at his peak is untouchable...nigh invincible even> Tobias said, aiming his great fanged head at the woman of Egypt. <But what do you calculate when death is a certainty? Here is a new calculation, Warrior of Justice...predict your own death!>

When the Berserker charged, in one sense, it was just the same as it had been before, the unstoppable rush of mass and power, the thunder of hooves hitting the ground...no, what had changed was the territory. This was the location for which the monstrous technique had been created, with one arm low, carrying the axe which sprayed sparks as it burned along the wall, the Charge of the Minotaur was given new meaning, this was the death run that had slew many Greeks, nearly to the level of Noble phantasm, A death that was avoided by moving to the side....But in the labyrinth, there was no where to go!

How could one survive a technique of death designed in the Labyrinth, when in the very Labyrinth you were!

<Kill them both!>

Wise up!

**Verg Avesta** · November 28th, 2012, 12:16 PM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 15

”This has gone on long enough. I gave my Master a chance. Yet, she is too late. The time of your doom has arrived, Caster.”

Rider raised her hands to her sides, spreading them as if trying to wrestle the sky itself. Her eye shot open, staring into the blue distance. It was like the whole stature and the presence of the Servant changed, becoming increasingly overbearing instead of the wild roar they had been akin to before. Now, Rider’s form was not that of a excitable pirate, but that of a commander who took the final step.

And at that moment, a whirlwind roared to life.

It carried the stench of salt and dead sea life, the testimony of the billions of different forms of life that filled the sea. This wind trashed around, wanting to consume everything around Rider. It was clear that it did not come from the pond, nor from the jungle – this was, without a doubt, winds of the sea. Gales that whistled over the crashing waves.

In the distance, Moriko suddenly had to rub her eyes, as the salty wind got to her eyes. Immediately, she realized what was happening. She parried last of Alonso’s attacks, before turning to face towards the distance where Rider was, while biting her lip.

“You’re really going for it…?”

The girl seemed somewhat solemn.

Somewhere, seagulls cried. Their very familiar noise came from all around them, but none could be seen. Hearing that cry, Rider’s mouth turned into a grin, and she stared straight at Caster.

“To steal one’s legend, to make it nothing, such is your power… However! Did you not know, Spider, that there are stories you simply cannot change? Fates that are intertwined so deeply into the very earth itself, that you’d have to erase a continent for that tale to disappear?”

Rider’s open hands clenched into a fist, and her prana suddenly surged. It grew, it recovered, in a rate that should not have been possible. It was part of reserves she had been holding back, something which not empowered the legend she was reviving. Her grin widened, and her eye now looked into the horizon, and beyond it. Her cape danced atop her shoulders. Somehow, it made her look like a king of the ancient times, instead of a pirate.

Rider’s laugh, for a moment, overtook even the growing whirlwind.

“That’s right! A legend which is part of the people’s souls even today… This is your doom, Caster!”

[BGM: ON]

The unknown salty wind invaded, inverted, and finally, it eroded the reality itself. World collapsed and disappeared around the fighters, and they found themselves tumbling in a completely new world. Distance and position no longer had meaning, and tactics that the previous battleground had had were quickly discarded. The raging storm of the seas changed all it touched. It warped the world.

In other words…

“…A Reality Marble…”

A sun which scorched from above; long clouds of pure white color, drawing lines into the endless blue yonder which stretched in every direction; deep blue seas which had no end, disappearing into the horizons and beyond person’s ability to see. There was nothing that obscured the vision. Only the limitless sea which expanded into every direction, acting as this new domain that Rider ruled.

The jungle had disappeared in the blin of an eye, and illusion of something that eroded away the reality took over. It could be said that this was the uppermost limits of the miracles of magecraft.

“This is not my own Noble Phantasm. No! This is the Noble Phantasm of my homeland! If you want to erase this, you’ll need to erase the whole glorious history of that land!”

Caster and Alonso, who had been originally in completely different directions, now found themselves back-to-back, on a small island at the center of the huge ocean. Rider, on the other hand, stood on the deck of something colossal, with Moriko now at her side. Rider stepped so that her boot slammed against the railing, and gazed at the two enemies that her hawk-like eye could see in the distance.

Yes. Now, under Rider, and from the mists of horizons around her, more and more shapes appeared, dotting the line between heaven and seas with their sheer number. Hundreds upon hundreds of vessels, some small, some larger than palaces, arrived from the beyond the veil of time, carrying the largest crew the world had ever seen. Mirages turned into reality, and become a solid enemy for Caster and his Master.

They continued all the way to the horizon and back. An endless feet, herded by gigantic ships that were 173 meters long and 55 meters wide. Never before had the world seen wooden ships as colossal as them.

Rider gave a bark of a laugh.

“CURSE THY FATES, FOR THOU HAST MADE ENEMY OF THE HEAVENLY FLEET!”

The Queen of the Seas stood tall at the helm of her ship, and raised both of her arms to the skies, shouting with immeasurable pride.

“This is the dream of China, the dream of Asia! The greatest temple ever built in the name of our country, etched into the minds of each and every citizen from past to the present! This is the dream that I fulfilled for my country, and these are my companions that did it by my side, forever becoming the fulfillment of the fantasy of our country!”

Rider’s eye now fixed itself on Caster, and it blazed with fiery, righteous rage.

“Every single inch of these 100 000 li is my Noble Phantasm! They are my domain under the eyes of each and every citizen of my country! The True Noble Phantasm of the Heroic Spirit Zheng He…!!!”

Rider’s shout echoed in the heaven, and the thousands of sailors from the ships answered.

~Palace that Extends Between the Countries~

“Tiānfēigōng!”

It was the truly ultimate treasure carried by this Rider, the Noble Phantasm that embodied her worth to the country nowadays known as China. The greatest sailor and the adventurer of the time, dwarfing even the famous Christopher Columbus with her travels. She was thought to be an eunuch, for a woman of such humongous size and personality could have never otherwise conquered the world in her unique way.

And it was in this moment, upon the releasing of this Noble Phantasm, that the dreams of the people of China were given form. The divine right handed upon Rider bore now a brilliant fruit, one that stretched endlessly into the horizon in the form of hundreds of ships.

“Ma’am! Preparations are ready! All the ships have taken an aim to the enemy on the island! They have nowhere to run.”

The man who approached and saluted Rider was smaller than she was, and showed utmost respect for her. Rider grinned, tapped him on the back, and then nodded her head towards the island.

“Very well! Jinghong, go prepare the troops! My command shall mark your attack!”

“Ma’am!”

“And the rest of ya scurvy idiots! Our target is that four-legged spider on that island! Give it no time to breath, but hit it with everything you’ve got! It is time we showed him what the fabled Treasure Fleet can do!”

And to answer, thousands upon thousands cries of the crew pierced the heavens and took to the blue sky. It did not matter who their enemy was. It could be a pirate king, it could be a kingdom, or it could be a near-god. Whatever it was, it would be reduced to ash when facing the might of the Queen of the Seas and her crew. Ocean themselves trembled under their might.

And so, this might was directed against Alonso and Caster.

“Well then, Caster. It seems that you have bled to the waters, and sharks have arrived. No matter where you go, you won’t escape from here. These waters are mine to command.”

What remained in Rider’s eye was utter ruthlessness.

“Now… Shall we begin?”

Rider raised her hand, and cannons, catapults, ballistas, bows, and hundreds of other weapons, rounding up to many thousands in numbers, were all trained at Caster and Alonso. Then, like ordering an execution, Rider brought her hand down. The sky itself was blackened as millions of projectiles rained upon the island where the two were. Explosions ripped apart the landscape, as the wave of destruction fell upon Caster and Alonso.

Tonbo Moriko

Rider

**hero** · November 28th, 2012, 03:06 PM

Fukuda Masahiro & Invoker
Location: Fallen Colosseum
Turn: 7

"Keh, give me a break..."

Invoker is beginning to lose her cool, and it's not hard to see why. It seems that, no matter what tactics we use against Saber, she will rise back to her feet. No matter how strong we strike, if we cannot finish our opponent, we are just wasting our energies on this battle. And, in fact, we have already used up almost all of our reserves. This must have been part of her plan... I think I am starting to understand how Sara and Saber fight. This is a battle of attrition and we are losing. There must be something we can do to turn the tides of this deathmatch in our favor. But I couldn't really think of a solution back then when I had Magical Energy to spare, and things are much worse now. So long as this stage remains in play, Saber will have the upper hand. It doesn't matter if it is a one versus one or a four versus one, it will potentially end in our defeat. So, in this battle of attrition, we have to buy time and wait for the Reality Marble to fade away. Endure until then. Will that moment ever come...?

---I am not sure, but there are a lot of people out there who would hate me if I just give up just like that.

"Forget about it, Saber." Invoker shakes her head. "I will play like this no more. If you truly seek vengeance, then come and get it." Echidna taunts her opponent, as she runs her hand through her hair, seemingly unworried. As she does so, the 'guardian angel' places himself between my Servant and Sara's. It becomes evidently clear that he won't let anything harm those who stand behind him. "It is such a shame it has to end like this, really." The half-snake monster gives her opponent a look filled with disappointment. "We could have raised many wonderful children together."

From behind Invoker, I am the only one who can witness her 'master plan' in detail. During all this time, Echidna has been getting ready to give birth to a powerful monster. Nothing compared to the two Servant tier guards that now protect us, right, but I don't think it was ever meant to be a fighter in the first place. Her back in now connected to the marble floor through some kind of organic tube. I instinctively know what that is meant to do: Deplete as much Magical Energy as possible from the suspended reality, making it easy for the 'World' to do its job and get rid of it for us. There is nothing in Echidna's arsenal that can take down a Reality Marble, but with this, we can speed up the process in which it should be dealt with. So long as Invoker and that creature stay alive, we can use this to reduce Saber's chances of victory and create pressure.

And we will definitely survive until it works.

Fukuda Masahiro

Echidna

**Sei** · November 29th, 2012, 10:04 AM

Sara Sightfield & Saber
Location: Fallen Colosseum
Turn: 8 [15]

Saber watches with glee as her opponent assumes a defensive position. Essentially, as the one who has been playing defense for the majority of this confrontation, such a turn of events marks the realization of her efforts. For her, there is no greater feeling.

As Saber's body is completely restored, yet again, victory becomes that much closer.

"It is such a shame it has to end like this, really. We could have raised many wonderful children together."

"Ah~... It simply wouldn't have worked out, She-Viper. Rome was full of monsters, and I've had my fill of them in my first life."

Taking a moment to exchange playful banter with her opponent, Saber feels a change in her field. Though she can't immediately figure out what exactly is happening, it doesn't take her very long to understand that the deterioration of her Noble Phantasm has hastened. Eyeing her opponent with a hint of amusement, Saber notes no change in Invoker, or her offspring for that matter. Going on from their, she deduces that Invoker has given birth to a creature she can't see.

"No matter..."

Even still, Saber knows their is plenty of time left. Even if Beatissimum Saeculum's duration is cut in half from henceforth, there are still seven turns left until it dissipates. However, the victory of this match will most likely be decided in these next movements. With that in mind, Saber slowly raises her sword towards the sky. At this gesture, the wind begins to stir and howl as Saber's magic is released.

"Though you disgust me to the core, She-Viper, I must admit that you've been a worthy adversary. Furthermore, your commitment to your Master has not gone unnoticed... I am pleased with what I've experienced this day."

From within the tempest, Saber's voice portrays no malice as she 'compliments' her opponent.

"...And you are mistaken in your interpretation of what I said. I do not seek revenge for you having killed me... I simply wish to share my true Noble Phantasm, just as you have with me."

With those words, the maelstrom encompassing Saber expands and gives birth to a blinding light. Trajan's forum is quickly flooded by the intense flare, but visibility returns to normal just as quickly. When it does, it is revealed that neither Saber or the surroundings have changed. No, what has changed is the immediate area surrounding the white Servant.

"Felicior Augusto, melior Traiano... Voluntas..."

Lowering her sword towards her opponents, Saber calmly announces the name of her final Phantasm. Surrounding her are ten new warriors, all dressed in Roman attire. Though they all wear stern faces which portray different thoughts, it is clear that they are here for one reason. They are here to fight alongside Saber. Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius... Each man possessing power unlike that of a regular human being, it is easy to say that this Phantasm is like that of Invoker herself. Except, as opposed to creating monsters, Saber has summoned beings from the annals of history itself.

"Behold, my legacy, She-Viper. What you see before you are those who followed me in my rule."

This is Saber's true power. Not a sword, nor a shield, but a legacy; the ultimate culmination of her efforts in life. Though it's true she herself is not as powerful as other Servants, she doesn't have to be. This is because she does not have to rely on her power alone.

-Beatissimum Saeculum, Golden Legend, Voluntas...

All are the fantastic traits which designate Saber as a Heroic Spirit. And all were obtained thanks to the effort of others.

"Charge!"

Not wasting anymore time, the Best Chief commands her fellow Emperors into battle and they do so accordingly.

Eleven versus five. The tables have turned.

Saber

Spoiler:

**MssrNeko** · November 29th, 2012, 04:34 PM

Alonso Diaz & Caster
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 16

There was no time for either Alonso or Caster to behold the majesty of Rider's Noble Phantasm. The cannonade of countless ships explode with a cacophony of noise as a barrage of volatile energy flies through the air. There target was the hapless duo.

All Alonso could see was white.

The noise of ultimate destruction surrounded around him.

He shouts a command. The sting of prana.

A shadowy figure.

And then........

Nothing........

.....................................

Rider's hellish barrage ends. The once beautiful serene garden is now reduced from the purple Servant's outstanding show of power. Ash and debris rain from the sky as the smoke from countless canons starts to die down. It would be unthinkable for any being caught in that dead man's land to live through such an assault.

And yet.....

The smoke thins.

A silhouette of shadow stands in the crater.

It is Caster.

Or what is left of him.

His once magnificent suit is completely in ruins, its sleek coat ripped apart and covered in soot and blood. His top hat was no more, lost during the hellish cannon fire, exposing Caster's closely cropped hair. And the right side of his torso was blown apart, blood flowing freely from the gaping hole. His breath came out haggard, his body shook with tremors as Caster struggled to stand. His spiritual core had been compromised and was leaking precious energy. The Servant known as Caster did not have long for this world.

But at least he had done his duty.

Behind him laid his Master, unconscious from the impact of Rider's attack. Alonso was wounded but not to the extent of his Servant. It seemed that before the cannon fire struck, Alonso had expended his symbols of his Mastership: the Command Seals. In that instant, Caster's prana pool was restored and the skeletal Servant immediately cast his protective spell. But it only withstood one attack before being torn apart. So Caster would cast another yet that would fall as well. And another. And another. And another. Moving quickly and never stopping, Caster had withstood most of the damage of the attack. But what had gotten through his defense was enough to cripple and, ultimately, destroy him.

"Haaa....haaaaa....such outstanding power. N-not bad, Rider."

Caster finally falls to his knees as he coughs up blood.

"D-didn't think you would have this much p-power. Hahahaha."

Raising his left arm, Caster snaps his fingers. The atmosphere around the garden changes as a light appears above Rider. In the column of light, Rider's beloved weapon descends.

"There. I don't ne-need it anymore."

A small groan. It seemed that Alonso was waking up.

".....H-huh? Caster? Caster!"

Seeing his fatally wound Servant, Alonso tries to rise but feels a sharp pain sting through his body.

"Settle down, Master. You're still injured, you idiot. Looks like my healing didn't do all of its job."

Smilingly weakly, Caster forces himself to stand. If he was to die, then he would die standing.

"Ahahahaha. Sorry, Alonso. Looks like this spider is out of time."

Caster's body began to decompose into prana, his core fully destroyed.

"Hahahaha. It was fun while it lasted. At least I got to hear a good story before I left.............."

"I'll remember you, Zhang He. Hahahahahaha....."

His last laugh echoes as his body disappears.

The Servant Caster was no more.

**Verg Avesta** · November 29th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Tonbo Moriko & Rider
Location: Serene Garden
Turn: 17

[BGM: ON]

Rider watched the Servant Caster slowly disintegrate into the air, his spiritual presence becoming nothing more than flakes of dreams that disappeared into the stratosphere. The small island, left in ruins by the bombardment, now only had the magus to rule over it. The thousands and thousands of weapons were aimed straight at him, but none of them fired. Rider simply reached upwards, and from the blinding light, she grasped her weapon, which had returned to her as Caster let go of his Noble Phantasm. There was no smile on Rider's face, and she struck the pole-end of her weapon to the deck of the ship.

"... Well? What do you want me to do, Master?"

Rider's words were without her previous roar for glory. Now, she simply requested to know what her Master wanted to do about the young man staring straight at the armada, with no weapons to defend himself. Moriko, still in her armor, looked at Alonso, and dark clouds crossed her eyes. Finally, she sighed, and grabbed a horn from one of the crew-members of the ship. She blew into it, and the sound echoed across the waters, straight to Alonso's ears.

The message was clear.

'Surrender. Or die. The choice is yours.'

Moriko gave Rider the horn back, and she put it on her waist. Then, she leaned on her weapon, and gazed into the distance. Not at the island, but at the horizon, the remembrance of her once glorious journeys. She had fought with many enemies before. Some weak and cowardly, some boisterous and brave. However, she had hard time putting Caster in any category. She had seen the eyes with he looked at her, and the thought of a man touching her without her consent was enough to make Rider smirk in dark glee at the thought of having pulverized the Servant's body. And the mere thought of having her legend, her Noble Phantasm, taken away from her, was enough to set ablaze the flames of furious rage in her heart.

And yet, she found it hard to hate Caster.

It did not mean she had liked him. No, she could not see him as anything more than an enemy. An enemy she had disliked. But it was because of that dislike that she could not see him with hatred either.

You cannot hate something which you do not like. That would require you to show more emotions towards the target than it would be possible.

"... Very well. Remember me, Spider God. In my journeys, if I ever meet you again, my cannons shall remember your taste. The blood in the water shall gather together the sharks once more, and we shall rip you apart if that is your wish."

Rider raised her fist up to the skies.

What followed was a thunderous roar that echoed from all the ships, as the men of Zheng He cried for the glory of victory to the heavens. And that cheer could be heard everywhere, in all the corners of the massive Reality Marble.

For it was the victory of that reality's Mistress.

"A~aah. No matter how you look at it..."

Rider sighed and her eyes followed the clouds beyond the horizon, beyond that which even she had seen.

"... This world is full of amazing things, isn't it...?"

Thread: Fate/Regalia ~Colosseum~ (In-Character matches)

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