Battle for a Contract - Rider vs Assassin

Risei drove them far outside of town, toward a hilly area to the southeast. After a short drive, Risei turned down a dirt road and came to a stop on the edge of a wide plain on the side of a great hill. From here, they had a great view of Fuyuki down below, its city lights gleaming in the darkness.

Kirei stepped out of the car and scanned their surroundings. He still had a nagging worry that they had been followed, but he felt no other presences than Assassin. Only he could feel them, arriving one by one in the shadows around them.

Another strange emotion tugged at his heart. It wasn't quite nervousness, but something else that put his nerves on edge. Was it excitement? He hadn't felt anything like this while watching Archer's battle before. He tried to ignore the feeling. He had a duty to be carried out; he couldn't let himself be distracted.

Of course, he had no reason to be nervous. This contest was merely a formality, another necessary step in the quest for the Holy Grail. He already knew who was going to win.

"My father and I will remain at a distance," he said, gesturing to the empty ground out in front of them. "To avoid any collateral damage. Archer, you remain with us if you would like, though you are certainly in less danger from any residual effects."

Rider straightened his spine, focused. "Where would you like me to stand, my lord?"

"If it is alright with you, I would prefer to judge the battle. I wouldn't want any cheating." she crossed her arms, pinning assassin with a firm gaze.

He nodded in agreement with Archer, then turned to the other Servant.

"I will leave that up to you," Kirei answered Rider. "You are more aware of the range of your attacks. I'll trust you not to let us get caught in the crossfire. Assassin doesn't really have any ranged attacks that can threaten us."

Atalanta nodded, and waited for the contest to begin.

Rider walked into a nearby clearing, ignoring an itching pull at the back of his neck. He was nervous, but there was no time to be distracted by it now. His life was on the line! He couldn't fail anyone else!

He drew his sword and stood tall, valiant and ready.

A long silence passed as Rider waited for his opponent to appear. Only darkness surrounded them.

Then, he heard a chuckle. Echoed a dozen times, from all directions.

"So, you think you can take the likes of Assassin?" came one voice from his left, a light, female one.

"You?" came another from his right, a low grumble. "A small child such as you, with one tiny blade?"

Another behind him, a dry scratchy voice. "We are one with the shadows, invisible and intangible."

From his front, a croaky whisper. "And we will strike as the shadows. As inevitable as death!"

A knife whistled in from the darkness to his right.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

Rider gasped, and pushed off with his foot to dodge.

fuyumin carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

He leapt to the side, bracing himself as soon as he returned to solid ground. He couldn't tell how many there were, wouldn't be able to until it was too late... Unless!!

"LA BLACK LUNA!" He whirled the hunting horn from his hip and blew as hard as he could. A magnificent and terrible din erupted from its bell, the roars and cries of beast and fowl. The sound fanned out in waves, wracking the bodies of all within its reach.

Atalanta jumped back quickly to avoid the wave of noise. She resumed watching once she was out of range.

Noble Phantasm
LA BLACK LUNA - The Magic Flute that Causes Panic


As soon as Rider ripped the flute from his hip it transforms into a massive horn that wraps his body. The blast from it rips across the battlefield, shaking the ground even as far away as Kirei and Risei are standing. Kirei's eyes bulge as the windows of the limousine shatter.

The bulk of the gathered Assassins are too close to the horn to escape. As the sound waves hit them, their bodies are instantly turned to dust, scattering in the four cardinal directions.

Rider
HP: 200/200
MP: 240/300

After the echo of the sound fades, five figures emerge from the shadows, all that remains of the Assassin army, shaken but determined to win.



"How dare you?!" the largest one roared.

"Once we were many people in one body," the second added.

"Now we are one Servant in many bodies!" said the third.

"Though our numbers are diminished, we will not fall to the likes of you!" said the fourth.

The fifth finished, "Prepare to face the fury of Hassan-i-Sabbah!"

All five charged forward, knives at the ready, crossing the distance in an instant.

Damascus carried out 5 launched of one (CLASH.) :

, , , ,

But Kirei grinned knowingly. Zabaniya, the Noble Phantasm that split Assassin's multiple personalities into many bodies, was indeed powerful. But the cost of that power was that Assassin's strength was divided among them. The individual bodies, even five of them together, were no match for a whole, unified Servant such as Rider.

Rider danced and clashed around, blocking whatever he could with his blade and dodging with steps.

fuyumin carried out 5 launched of one (CLASH.) :

, , , ,

He pressed his hand against a cheek, blood pooling to the cut on his skin. There were still five against him, but they didn't seem very strong somehow. He raised a hand in the air.

"ARGALIA!" The lance appeared in his hand, breaking free from a shaft of light. He swung towards them, reaching for the closest.

fuyumin carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

The targeted Assassin attempted to duck under it and come in with a swift attack of his own.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

[[Clash result: Assassin wins - 5 damage]]

Assassin just managed to avoid the tip of the deadly lance and score a minor wound across Rider's cheek.

Rider
HP: 190/200
MP: 240/300

"Not so fast, knave!!"

fuyumin carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

The Assassin moved to dodge.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

The spear went straight through his torso. He let out one feeble gasp before dissipating into mist.

Assassin
Bodies: 4/35

The other four came in to attack again.

Damascus carried out 4 launched of one (CLASH.) :

, , ,

While Rider was able to fend off three of the attackers, one got through, scoring another hit.

Rider
HP: 185/200
MP: 240/300

"No!!" He spun on his heel and rounded towards the first assassin he saw, lunging with the point of his lance honed true.

fuyumin carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

The Assassin dodged again. Once again, all four came in to attack. Though they pressed harder and harder, Rider still did not seem to be hurting all that much.

Damascus carried out 4 launched of one (CLASH.) :

, , ,

Another hit, etc.

Rider
HP: 180/200
MP: 240/300