The Storm [2]

The blast was large, a tidal wave of pure power, with the ominous mix of black and red with purple strokes. The wave of energy tore the ground asunder with no remorse. The ground cracked and even melted in the wake of the attack like ice out in the sun.

The Chaldean group watched with fear present in their eyes. It was like seeing the visible manifestation of death coming for them. However, despite that, they knew they had to overcome this hurdle, no matter the cost.

"Mash! Prepare your Noble Phantasm!" It was Gudako's voice that tore into the air like crackling electricity. "You can hold off that attack, no sweat! Mars, Please shoot a Sunfire Shot when the dust settles in! We can hopefully catch her off guard! Caster, if you can, we'd like you to use your Noble Phantasm as well."

Gudako's voice held conviction. Her cheerful attitude changed to that of someone whose life was about to end. It was conviction brought out by desperation. It was something every living creature possessed. It takes a long time to force it out when the time is right.

"Well, by Odin's beard, the little lady has grown into a powerful woman! Very well. It'll take a few minutes, but I have no doubt you guys can hold her off until then!"

Caster went back to prepare the requirements for his Noble Phantasm.

"You got it, Master! I hope to see why beautiful Saber is the way she is!" Mars practically shouted as he opened a golden portal to his left.

"Understood! Deploying Noble Phantasm!"

Mash lifted her shield high in the air. Her resolve and newfound motivation from her Master lifted her spirits, so much so that she felt rejuvenated as well as if she had a full night's rest. Mash slammed the Sheild into the ground, locking it down so it won't slip or move out of it.

Excalibur Morgan was closing it. Its speed somehow increased, giving off a resounding bellow of a beast akin to a roaring Dragon. It was earsplitting the closer it got.

Mash gave out her cry and a barrier of translucent blue formed. It was just like before during her training. However, this wasn't training. This was the real deal! It was her will against the incoming destructive blast. She wasn't alone in this. The words of her Master, the calming but strict presence of Mars, and even the director's gaze were enough to boost her.

Mash's eyes shot open. They sparkled with an intensity that would cause a wildfire. The barrier seemed to embolden, responding to her desire to protect those she holds dear.

Disastrous energy clashed with the veil of protection. Both give the clash a theme of testing will and conviction. Saber's pale eyes lit up for the first time. The barrier seemed familiar to her but so forgettable. Saber could feel her Noble Phantasm weaken against the solid fortress of the barrier, not even a crack or dent within the barrier.

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The explosion happened, and a pillar of Excalibur Morgans energy fired into the sky as if trying to cause a rift for the heavens to open and gaze upon the battle on Earth.

The dust settled in the aftermath, the land scarred beyond repair, and the outburst of energy cracked the ground into a mini ravine. Saber stood in the same spot she shot the blast, her pale eyes still glowing in mild awe at her Noble Phantasm being blocked to such a degree. Clearly, they survived, which caused a faint smile to grace her face. If Mars were to see it, he'd faint on the spot.

The winds rippled, and a hole opened through the dust cloud. Saber's dazzling eyes met what she could only perceive as the very sun being shot at her at speeds that would make anyone dizzy. Even so, she only quickly brought her sword up to parry the shot. She expected to cut through it, but it didn't cut right away. Sparks flew from her blade, the little cinders covered the cracked ground, and Saber's eyes narrowed dangerously as she felt this wasn't just some normal arrow. It was only fit to call this a Noble Phantasm.

Saber felt her armored boots dig into the ground, her small body buried. She was grimacing, her teeth bared, and her curious eyes shined with frustration before she put a bit of effort into her parry, inevitably causing the small sun shot to split in half, with the two halves exploding at her sides, the winds pushed against her back, making her skirt frail. Her bangs sway like a pendulum across her eyes.

She was…feeling annoyed. It was bad enough that flashes of that pompous King clouded her thoughts, making her make irrational decisions. However, she needed to remind herself that this Archer was merely using his powers. He wasn't the King…but he'll do in his place.

"I praise you for being able to withstand that…" Saber spoke. Her eyes were directly set on the Chaldean group. Her mind began to analyze how to deal with her new set of enemies.

Saber expected Archer to act the part while the Shielder would defend. Saber was disadvantaged against an Archer, but that alone would not stop her from losing.

"Even your voice is different what a peculiar situation, Saber," Mars's words weren't his own but that of the person he took power from.

<i>Those words.</i>

<i>

</i>

<i>That tone.</i>

That man…Mars should just be Gilgamesh at this point. Saber needed to remind herself to relax. Letting her emotions take precedence over her thoughts would hinder her fighting capabilities. She was not a righteous woman anymore. She was a tyrant, a King who led with an iron fist and a sword that would eviscerate anyone who would oppose her, defy her, or in this case.

<i>Get on her last nerves!</i>

"....I have a question, Archer."

Mars now floated about 15 meters in the air on his red carpet. His crimson eyes were cold, matching the chill of Sabers.

"I shall allow you one question."

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"How would you like to die?"

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<i>AN: New week, new chapters! I hope this was to your liking. We have about three chapters left of Singularity F then we move on. After this arc, I'll probably do a little filler to have the group bond more. </i>