sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

Well, if this guy's trying to pull people in, we might find other Servants roaming around. Better beat the mastermind behind it before we get stuck in a traffic jam.

Lien does have a lot of prana, so that's why the Servant acted so rashly in trying to obtain her. As for this place, I thought about how it may act as some sort of makeshift pathway for Servants to cross.

I agree with Cu though. When Diarmuid defeated two of them, it got rid of a rift, but in the same way, we could possibly open one up?

We would have to find a location that has enough prana to create a rift, then. I agree with the assertion that it would be where our enemy is.

[ If there isn't already one there, really. ]

And then there's that sea of mud... Is it from the Grail...??

[WELL, whatever they need to get back.]

Anyways, I could analyze this city more thoroughly to find a weak spot that can become our exit. Depending on what we're dealing with, we send one or both of you two to fight off anything that gets in our way.

Finally. Usually, I'd say that I can fend off whatever's in our way on my own, but I want to see what Good-Looking over here can do.

[ he's taking this seriously, promise. ]

[JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII]

I trust you'll both fight well. I'll be with Lien in the meanwhile.

[ fighting with his childhood hero...!!!!! But ok, that aside, he'll be reassuring enough to append: ]

As your Servant, I promise you our enemy's head.

[ not literally, of course ]

Hear that, Ai? He's gonna bring you back a present!

I'll get to work right away. Shouldn't take long!

[No more jests and word mincing. She gets down on her knees and starts analyzing the area.

It wasn't as if this dimension wasn't big, but there was a quality Lien could only describe as paper thin. In no time at all, she sees a place where a thin crack in the air is forming, but still untouched. And there's a large muscular Servant; his arm is bent, proof of Ai's hit on him. And through her view, she also sees another being on top of one of the buildings as if waiting and watching.

She finishes up and conceals her hand again.]

Okay, we gotta head to the bridge. There's that Berserker like Servant, the one we saw first near a new rift. I think there's another guy though and he's perched on a nearby building. Can't tell what class.

Edited 2014-12-16 02:28 (UTC)

[ Berserker, huh. He pulls a bit of a face, not because he's not confident that he can beat the other Shadow Servant, but because Berserker is a tricky Class to contend with.

(And, in another dimension, in a lighthearted comedy series, a literally herculean Servant grabs Cu by the leg and sends him launching into the stratosphere in his quest for batteries.) ]

Let's hope it's a human, and not another Servant.

Alright. We'll all go to the bridge, but Lien and I will stay out of sight. When the danger is cleared out, I'll break open the rift.

[Although it's directed at them both, this is very much for her Servant.]

Please come back safely!

Understood, Master.

[ And he turns towards the direction of the bridge, as if he's about to start running (Cu also gears up for a sprint)—

—before he realizes that not everyone is Rank A+ in terms of speed. ]

...Should we go ahead?

[Lien nods.]

It's for the best. You two go on ahead. I'm not completely helpless and I got Miss Space Distorter here.

[And she proceeds to ruffle the hair of her twin. And then ruffles some more. And more.

To the point where Ai's normally straight hair is mussed up and she cups her face in her palm and just nods to Cu and Diarmuid; "Yes, please go, I'll handle this person thing..."]

[ Cu watches this scene unfold with a look that says that he wants in, and after Lien is done, he reaches out and spectacularly messes up her hair, compensating for poor Ai's torture. ]

Don't bicker, ladies.

[ An easy smirk, and he motions for Diarmuid to get a move on; the latter hardly needs to be prompted, and in a blink of an eye, the both of them are yards away, beelining towards the bridge for their fight. ]

[Lien let's out a, "HEY!!" So now there are twins with mussed up hair. Lien and Ai Thao watch as their Servants go on, a blur to their human eyes.

✘✘

The twins reach Riverside Park with the bridge right up ahead. Ai Thao's stance is alert and on the lookout for danger. Lien, is somewhat the same, but it doesn't show as much.

Then there's that feral bellow, the kind that only large creatures or large men would make.]

We're definitely close! I hope it's been going well so far.

[Lien nods in agreement; Cu had shown his worth in their first battle. Diarmuid is going to have to show his own if she's going to believe he's worthy of protecting her sister.]

Edited 2014-12-16 07:08 (UTC)

[ Berserker is a tricky opponent, but the two Lancers have the upper hand in both number and skill: their opponent only has use of one arm, which is a good starting point, and the two spearmen's combined agility is forcing the bigger Servant into a tighter corner with each clash.

It helps that Cu Chulainn and Diarmuid are both from the same country of origin; their techniques are similar, carved from the same foundation, and complement each other without the use of verbal communication for cues. When Cu cuts a wide arc with Gae Bolg, Diarmuid follows up with a strong inwards strike, grazing their enemy's flank with his cursed lance. It's like a complicated dance, too quick to catch the details of but well worth watching.

By the time Lien and Ai arrive, the two have managed to make more than a few permanent cuts on their opponent (bless Gae Buidhe), and Cu is yelling "give me a hand" to Diarmuid, bearing canines, his pupils dilated and staring straight at Berserker.

A light smirk, and Diarmuid drops down, bracing himself on the bridge hard enough for the cement to fracture. ]

—Now!

[ And gracefully, he catches Cu as the blue-haired warrior jumps onto his shoulder, effectively launching Cu towards Berserker so he can drive Gae Bolg into the Servant's chest. ]

[Ai Thao let's out an, "Alright!" pumping one fist in the air. Lien is sort of surprised at her usually gentle sister being excited. But it was a stunning fight and she couldn't deny that. Lien smiles, with her hands on her hips.]

We really didn't need to worry now, did we? Let's catch up with them after the dust settles...

[Lien frowns slightly though. Sure the Berserker was taken care of, but there was that issue of the other figure she perceived through the reflection. If he had jumped in to assist the other Servant, Diarmuid and Cu would have had more trouble. But why wait now unless...??]

AI!!!

[From a nearby building, there is a gleam and a shot flies towards the two Masters. Ai Thao, however has a better reaction time and steps in front of Lien, her Mystic Eyes of Distortion on full blast. A human versus a Servant usually doesn't bode well, but one with the powers to bend at least stood a small chance. The arrow is slowed down by Ai Thao, but the force of it is causing both of the young women to be pushed backwards, like an unstoppable force of wind until Lien pushes her twin down and they both let the arrow fly over their heads until it lands, creating a mini crater in the cement.]

Okay! So there's that!

[ Archer. From his vantage point, his spear still lodged in Berserker's chest, Cu sees the glimmer of that shot and yells to Diarmuid: ]

I'm done over here, go get the other one!

[ It hardly needs to be said, before Diarmuid kicks off, getting between the enemy Servant and the two Masters to deflect a volley of arrows headed their way. Gae Dearg is a blur, batting down arrows that might as well be shots fired from an artillery gun, before both the weapon and its wielder move out of sight into the building to take care of Archer.

During all of this, Cu steps back and away from the disappearing Berserker, light steps taking him back towards the two girls. ]

Everyone in one piece?

Yes, we're fine!

[Ai's helping Lien stand up, the latter just calmly dusting the debris off her clothes although her lips are a thin grimace. Ai Thao looks towards where they arrows were fired.]

As long as Diarmuid is taking care of that Servant, we should get to that rift and start making an exit.

[Meanwhile, the Archer's ever so sharp vision, doesn't miss the Lancer that was coming his way. Instead of arrows, this time he takes out needles. A single sliver of a needle is tossed at Diarmuid, but then it turns into hundreds, and then thousands of needles trying to rain down on the hero. Archer wanted to keep the distance instead of having to deal with dual wielder, but if worst, comes to worst...]

Edited 2014-12-17 01:10 (UTC)

[ A quick "got it", and Cu starts to move... but not too quickly, in case the enemy starts attacking them again, the bastard.

Meanwhile, Diarmuid has to assess how best to dodge this incoming attack: the size of the needles isn't an issue, but the number is. A frown, and Diarmuid changes direction (he knows better than to try to block all of them), catching the peripheral of the volley instead of meeting it head-on. The shots are heavier than he anticipated and a few graze his leg, but the damage is minimal.

However, it is effective in getting Diarmuid to make a momentary stop, to regroup and readjust his stance. ]

...You seem more lucid than the others. Where is your Master, Archer?

[ Assuming the other Servant has one. ]

Alright, rift, rift, rift...

[Lien is right behind Cu, already taking off one glove and stuffing it in her pocket. Lien sees her twin glancing every now and then towards Diarmuid's direction as they make their way down the bridge.]

Hey. Don't worry about him. If that guy knows what's good for him, he better come back for you.

[Ai Thao blinks, but nods, turning her focus back to follow Lien and Cu.

This Archer is different from the other rogue Servants; the shadow corruption has become a part of him, making his outer appearance pale and his outfit blackened. His eyes are also pale. At Diarmuid's question, he stands up, shifting his quiver on his back.]

I've none. And as for what I am doing here instead of residing in the Throne of Heroes, I cannot say. Instead, I've been thriving here for god knows how long.

[He points towards the sea of shadows.]

This dimension is in a sad state and I have only been thriving due to that sea. It's not like I've been idle though; I am in need of a Master. One that can free me from this wretched emptiness.

[Archer takes out an arrow, tossing it in the air as if playing around.]

Of course, fortune shines down on me this day. It seems I have two to choose from.

Edited 2014-12-17 01:37 (UTC)

[ Cu only offers a quick "stay here" before he makes his way towards Diarmuid, noting that they're speaking instead of fighting: a negotiation? There's not much he'd like to say to this guy in terms of reasoning this through, and that impression is given a more solid footing when he catches the tail end of what the enemy Servant is saying. ]

Give it up, Archer. No one here's shopping for more Servants. If you've got any sense of pride, go back to the Throne with some sense of dignity.

[ His tone is light, but definitive. ]

[Lien starts off after Cu as if she doesn't want to be left behind, but Ai pulls her back.]

You told me not to worry, so neither should you.

[Ai Thao's eyes search for the rift until she spots it, right in the middle of the bridge. The twins make their way over to the rift trying to figure out the best way to deal with it.

Archer casually flings a needle at Cu's direction, not expecting it to really hit him. There was something else in mind, but what it was remains a mystery.]

Dignity. I've almost forgotten that word existed. But, if that's the case...

[More needles appear between his fingers.]

You would do me honor, Cu Chulainn and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, if you engage me in battle. If I am defeated, well, that's that.

[Archer raises up his hands and pulls; Lancer and Diarmuid would find themselves in a web like cage, threatening to close in on them both; the effects would probably hurt a LOT.

The needle thrown at Cu wasn't just a provocation; a trap had been set up.]

But if I win? Your Masters are mine.

Edited 2014-12-17 02:00 (UTC)

[ Neither of the Lancers look particularly perturbed by the fact that they're blocked in, if only because they had no intention of running away in the first place. They both hazard a glance towards their respective Masters, before they come to the same conclusion: ]

Fine.

[ Echoed in smooth tenors, one with slight gravel in anticipation for the fight, the other a low whistle to signal his readiness. Twin red spears position themselves in combat motion, and though both parties are outwardly calm, it's not difficult to tell see the cold indignance that flows under their collective composure.

If Archer thinks that either of them are going to relinquish their Masters on a whim, he's spectacularly misinformed.

Predictably, it's Cu that moves first, slicing through the first step of wind resistance with his spear to get a head start, aiming a wide arc at his enemy's head. ]

[Lien is right in front of the rift, and loading her hand with prana. Last time, her fingers had barely grazed the surface and that was when she was interrupted. This time, she was ready. Ai is watching the Servants from afar to give her sister an update if needed.

Lien touches the thin thread and is surprised, not by the tingling sensation that runs throughout her arm, but rather at how the sensation itself feels familiar. For once, she's not quite sure how to read this rift; its nature was not physical. It was unnatural, yet natural and when she stretches out her index finger and thumb as if trying to open up the crack herself, she's able to see the other side. But why did it feel so familiar? Did it have to do with the past...?]

Ai. I see the other side. Get ready to break this thing open.

[On the Servant side of things, Archer makes a duck as Cu attacks first, making a mighty leap backwards to create distance. He fires an arrow from his back and it's a powerful and fire filled shot.

He doesn't forget about Diarmuid though and he executes his other trick. Archer pulls his cloak over to conceal himself and then starts throwing more needles towards them both; he would have made a fine Assassin in spite of his preference for long range attacks.]

[ The bothersome part is deflecting these shots without it bouncing towards Diarmuid, but Cu manages, letting the arrow lodge itself in their cage before it fades out of existence. Projectiles are such a pain.

Diarmuid is vaguely in agreement with the sentiment, being that he has to fend off a volley of needles, but that's objectively less tricky than the fact that Archer just went full Harry Potter with the Invisibility Cloak on him: attacking blindly is difficult, and he has to pay close attention to where the attacks are coming from before he takes a literal stab, with Cu moving in a wide arc to see if he can intercept their opponent on the other side of their boundary. ]

Edited 2014-12-17 02:52 (UTC)

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