Noble Phantasm Training [2]

With intense lavender eyes meeting blank crimson, they exchanged a nonverbal battle. Their eyes displayed an ocean of solid conviction that they seemed like the heroic spirits themselves in the midst of battle. Mars's stare remained cold, like a frigid winter day that would leave you stiff with the sheer brush of the air. However, Mash's heated stare countered the icy gaze, causing a perfect balance.

Mars gave another mental command, shrugging his head nonchalantly, signaling a rain of various weaponry from bygone eras and those yet to grace them. Mash responded in kind, lifting her large shield effortlessly before slamming it down. A sudden sensation flowed through her like a chilly breeze, and her instincts exploded from their shackles, consuming her in their escape.

<i>"What is this feeling..."</i>

The sound of Mash's shield hitting the ground cracked it, firmly planting it. A blinding bright blue light formed, lighting up the area, countering the golden sheen that basked them in its glory. A barrier of energy formed in front of Mash by a few meters, spanning a wide distance to cover Gudako and Mash, seemingly responding to her vehement desire to protect and acquire her Noble Phantasm.

As this happened, Gudako and Olga were thoroughly shocked to see the barrier form around them like a protective bubble. The various weapons bounced off, with none able to pierce through. This was all in accordance with Mash's desire and will, something that the group will need in this perilous quest to save Humanity!

It took a full, lengthy minute for Mars's attack to stop. Mash's barrier had no signs of deterring or breaking any time soon. It was the manifestation of Mash's resilience. It was almost dreadfully dangerous. It showed how she was ready to be the fortress that Humanity needed, with Mars being the bow and arrow. They were a perfect match. Now all they needed was someone who could plan and a Saber.

The translucent barrier faded into small flickers of light as they traveled up to the gloomy, dark sky. The fire surrounding the city was a common sight for the Chaldeans, invoking a sense of despair to root inside them to match the environment. However, they needed to overcome their shakiness for the situation and expunge it.

"Mash! Great work!" Gudako's voice entered the air, traveling through everyone's ear. The praise was full of warmth that Mars and Mash could help but smile simultaneously.

"Thank you, Master! I…did it," Mash voiced lowly. Her tone was a bit raspy, most likely due to her power output for the Noble Phantasm. It was clear the other Servants were on their way.

<i>"I still yet to know its name..."</i>

"As much as I would like to hear Master praise us more, we should retreat. The other Servants were most likely watching, especially the other Archer if he has a keen eagle eye."

"Mars is correct. These shovels won't help us against Servants!"

"Olga…I don't think the Heroic Spirit I made a deal with would have some random shovel in it," Mars deadpanned as he felt his brow twitch. He felt disrespected, and his eyes showed a light of contempt for Olga's words.

"It's okay, Senpai. I don't agree with the Director."

"See! Be more like this fine young lady here, Director!" Mars added playfully as he patted Mash's head, making her face slightly redden.

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The group continued to walk, with Mars flying on his red carpet, acting as a decoy and a hawk. He knew there were more Servants around. He could almost feel their lingering presence but couldn't exactly pinpoint one of them. It was quite frustrating, to be honest. Mars was beginning to think there was something wrong with him as well. He should be a bit more powerful, if anything else, but it feels like his senses were thrown out of wack!

Mars's ears felt something in the air. It was like the air was being sliced as something flew through it at high velocity. The red carpet responded to Mars's anxiety and flew down just in time to avoid some arrow piercing through the air with a shot of pristine precision. The group went on guard once again as they also felt the dangerousness of the situation they found themselves in again.

"It's the other Archer!"

"This guy is blending in perfectly, and from that trajectory, we seem to be in his crosshair. Thankfully we have a few hiding spots," Mars commented as he looked at the cracked rubble and buildings surrounding them.

"I'll handle this one!"

"Mars, I know you're confident, but you can't possibly defeat a well-trained Archer," Olga voiced her feelings on the matter. It was true. Mars was still getting used to his powers, he wasn't seasoned just yet, and if he died, then hope would be lost.

"This is practice for me, Director! And for some reason, I feel a pulse telling me to show off a bit."

Olga looked at Mash and Gudako with half-closed eyes before shaking her head. She didn't expect to see two successful Demi-Servants, Mash seemed to be fine, but Mars seemed to be giving in to the impulses of the Servant he contracted with. Was this a side-effect? Could the Servant meddle with the host's emotions and thoughts? It was possible, yet the thought seemed so foolish.

"Hmph! Fine! I won't tolerate failure!"

Mars gave a thumbs-up as the red carpet rose. Mars began to move his head slowly, taking in the ruined city. The black smoke blocked Mars's vision, but not enough to render him blind. Fuyuki was once a beautiful city, but it was no longer that city, it was a battlefield of hell, and only the victors could survive such a trial.

Gold portals opened behind Mars as he began to take aim. One portal released a longbow, bigger than Mars's body, accompanied by a few arrows that seemed to be standard, but they held something innate. The arrow's end looked like a bird's tail feather, a vermillion color that shouted power and authority.

Upon holding the large bow, Mars felt a sensation creep into his body, the thoughts behind the weapon, and not the thoughts of its user, but the weapon itself! This was weird, it felt like a foreign power, but it felt so familiar, like the scent of grandma's freshly baked cookies. Why did he bring up cookies to compare the sensation?

Mars took one of the arrows between his fingers and carefully aimed it toward the enemy Archer. This was going to be a battle of long-range and skill. Olga Marie was correct in saying he wasn't seasoned at all. He threw those weapons without finesse, but it was still regarded as Archery. It was weird, cause wouldn't that make certain Lancers, by extension, Archers? Eh, Mars wasn't going to sweat that.

Mars released a pent-up breath. He felt his muscles sooth, freeing themselves from their constrictive tension. Mars's eyes sharpened with that of an elite predator, and he surveyed the area. The enemy Archer was moving, most likely trying to avoid being shot and finding cover. They were blending in perfectly to the environment, and it seemed that Mars was glaring hatefully at the air, not his target. The movements of the opposing Archer were with such proficiency that it was beginning to cause a minor headache to brew in Mars's head.

"Damn! He's good."

"Mars, switch that damn bow!" Olga Marie shouted abruptly, getting Mars's attention. "If it's not compatible, then improvise with another. If you're so enthralled in this frivolous contest, then don't make us look like novices!"

Mars let the words hang for a bit before a faint smirk appeared. The soul within him seemed to agree with Olga's words of encouragement. Mars also noticed that Olga's time in this singularity was changing her. She was bratty before, but now she seemed more grounded and firm that her words didn't seem forced but from the heart and her very soul. Mars had no choice but to respond in kind!

"Very well, Olga! I shall show you a great display that'll have your jaws plop off!" Mars spoke sonorously, his confidence shooting up as he swapped the bow with another. This time it was a bow of smooth white with shining gold outlines, but what threw Mars for a loop was that it possessed more than one string. The first was thin, the second seemed thicker, and the last was a rainbow color.

Mars ordered the carpet to move around at high speeds but keeping a distance away from the Archer. Mars could also feel another Servant, but they seemed to be observing, and their intentions seemed pure. Mars will ignore that one for now.

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"He doesn't look like that arrogant King of Gold," The tone was sardonic. "Why is he not just throwing weapons so stupidly? He's trying to fight me in a battle of archery? Perhaps this oddity is arrogant…or perhaps he wants to separate himself from that gold bastard, hmm."

The source of the voice came from a young man with tanned skin and messy snow-white hair, on the left side of his face, he had red crack-like markings from below the eye to his jaw, wearing a tight, sleeveless black shirt with white lines on the torso, with matching pants of similar design, and wrapped around his waist was a red cape with the bottom being torn.

The Archer frowned for a few moments, but a spike of anticipation bubbled within him, causing a forgotten feeling to erupt, and his dull, lifeless eyes flickered with amusement.

"Let's see who hits their mark first."

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<i>AN: You guys seem to be enjoying this quite a bit if the Power Stones (And collections) are anything to go by, tbh I don't care much for ranking, I write this for fun. So I hope those who enjoy this story stick around and comment, I don't have any comments on this story, but its not a problem, if i'm being honest I prefer it that way since some people tend to go overboard. </i>

<i><i>Another thing! I'll be writing shorter chapters, 1K words minimum and 2k max. That way I can pump out more chapters. In the mean time, this story will be updated every Friday! </i>