The clash of spear and sword rent the air, two blinding arcs sparking sonic booms. The sheer force of their weapons' collision could tear the earth and shatter the surroundings…
In a place no detector could sense, a battle unfolded, alien to this era.
A fight not of the modern age, nor the recent past, nor even the Middle Ages. Its roots lay in the misty, legendary chhapters of ancient myth.
Two warriors from different times, wielding awe-inspiring might, summoned by a magical ritual, began a battle transcending time…
Every magus, whether openly watching or lurking in shadows, held their breath. This was their first glimpse of a clash between heroes of that era, a window into the mythic age…
…
…
In the darkness, a man in a black trench coat endured the night's chill, pressed against a massive steel container. Cloaked in shadow, he silenced his breath, but his heart raced, unable to calm after witnessing this incomprehensible mythic battle.
"This is a Servant…"
The return of distant Age of Gods heroes.
Before arriving for the Holy Grail War, Emiya Kiritsugu had studied Einzbern records on these heroes, mentally preparing for beings defying modern logic. But seeing this mythic clash in person, he realized he'd underestimated them.
Britain's radiant king wielded her holy sword, unleashing gales in a fierce assault; the golden spearman spun his magic spear, countering with streams of water.
Martial prowess from legend now unfolded before him.
His trump cards—Origin Bullets, Time Alter, and high-tech modern weapons—seemed laughable against these unreasonably powerful heroes…
Witnessing this, Kiritsugu understood Jubstacheit's warning: "In the Grail War, only Servants can defeat Servants. Only heroes can counter heroes. Act cautiously, never rashly." His situation sank in.
He'd naively thought Time Alter, Origin Bullets, and modern weapons could buy time to target Masters, even if he couldn't face Servants head-on. Now, he saw how foolish that was.
Against the golden man's water-wielding martial skill, stepping forward meant death.
Even with Time Alter, he'd last mere moments, unable to counter. He'd be exposed and skewered.
His mind screamed, "Don't be reckless…" Abandon the absurd notion of facing Servants as a magus.
"Phew…"
Exhaling, suppressing his restless heart, Kiritsugu pulled out his infrared night-vision scope, setting up his Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle to search for other Masters.
He couldn't beat Servants, but magi were another matter.
His title as Magus Killer wasn't for nothing. His pistol's Origin Bullets were every magus's bane.
Crafted from his Origin, they triggered catastrophic mana surges in a magus's circuits upon using magecraft, lethal if struck. No magus who'd faced them lived…
Except that enigmatic Grand puppeteer. That woman was a nightmare.
Recalling the red figure that unnerved him, Kiritsugu shook it off, focusing on finding the golden Lancer's Master.
Though unseen, Kiritsugu's instincts told him they were nearby, observing, ready to support Lancer with magecraft.
Servants and Masters, temporarily paired, couldn't fully trust or sync. Arrogant, self-centered magi wouldn't cede control to Servants. They were here.
Kiritsugu quickened his movements.
He was right, but unaware that this Grail War, disrupted by a certain interloper, had changed Kayneth. Once careless, Kayneth now took it seriously.
As a Clock Tower noble, he scorned rural magi but never underestimated his prized disciple, a potential successor.
Targeting Roy, Kayneth shed his pride, acting with utmost caution.
Canceling his plan to bring his fiancée Sola for a ritual-honeymoon, he had Intelligence investigate the Grail War thoroughly.
To ensure victory, he prepared not just for Roy but all competitors, leaving nothing to chance. He was unshakably secure.
Knowing more of the Age of Gods, he didn't presume to outfight ancient heroes. A magus, not a mage-swordsman, he entrusted combat to Fionn, solving mana supply with a furnace, even for Noble Phantasms.
He gave Fionn full control, free to act when the time was right.
As for Kayneth…
He'd exploit magi's rigid thinking for an ambush, showing reckless attackers a Lord's thunderous strike!
Before arriving, he had Fionn set traps for other magi.
The bait was laid; only the prey remained.
He'd show all magi the terror of a fully prepared Clock Tower Lord!
Roy dared say he'd die in this rural ritual?
Laughable!
He was Kayneth! A genius destined for this era's peak!!
Color-rank magus, Clock Tower Lord… who'd dare kill him in a backwater ritual? Who could?
Don't underestimate him… He'd prove to Roy: your professor is always your professor.
The trap was set; all that remained was waiting.
Who was predator, who was prey, would soon be clear.
…
Unaware of what awaited, Kiritsugu crept under night's cover, climbing containers, calmly analyzing, searching for magi.
Reaching a vantage point, he saw the port's layout: vast, complex, with steel containers perfect for hiding.
But times had changed, magi.
From his perch, Kiritsugu scanned with his infrared scope along container edges. Soon, he found his target—a humanoid heat signature.
Despite concealment magecraft, old-school magi couldn't predict a wildcard like him, using modern tech in a magical ritual. They hid mana, not body heat.
"Found you…"
Seeing the red-orange silhouette, Kiritsugu clenched his fists, elated.
Confirming with a laser sight, he saw a glowing green target—a sitting duck.
He mocked their folly.
Proud of their magecraft, rejecting progress, isolating themselves, they exposed fatal flaws, letting him succeed!!
The Magus Killer seized the chance. Without hesitation, he fitted a suppressor, aimed, and fired.
Bang—!!
The bullet tore through the air, a sharp crack. Kiritsugu saw the outcome.
As always, unprepared magi couldn't withstand a sniper's surprise.
No matter how wondrous their magecraft, their flesh bled, broke, and died.
Smirking, Kiritsugu prepared to leave, knowing the golden Lancer would exit with his Master's fall.
'The Lancer team's done…'
He thought, ready to flee.
"Hmph, caught by such a simple trap? Pathetic sneak!"
But instead of a scream, a sharp, mocking voice pierced his ears—not from elsewhere, but… below!!
Before he could think, his night-vision showed the hidden figure explode upon impact, swelling like mercury, then bursting into countless silver arrows locking onto his position, shooting forth.
The arrows traced his bullet's path.
Swish—!!
Piercing air split his ears, a deadly crisis looming. His mind's alarms blared.
"Time Alter: Triple Accel!!"
At life's edge, Kiritsugu surged mana into his Magic Crest, activating Time Alter at triple speed. Rolling, he leaped from eight meters high just before the attack hit.
Thud!!
Flesh crashed onto steel, barely dodging. Kiritsugu spat blood, bones battered, as if hit by a car.
"Ugh…"
Pain jolted him alert. Dragging his injured body, he scrambled up, limping to escape.
He'd evaded most arrows with Time Alter, but some pierced his left leg and right arm, pain searing.
Seeing the container above, riddled with arrows like a sieve, he gasped, grateful for his quick reaction, or he'd be dead.
'I fell for it!!'
His mind cleared post-near-death.
The target was bait to lure Masters.
Victory clouded his judgment, overconfidence leading to the trap, costing him dearly.
Pain wracked him, heart chilled. He bit down, ready to flee. But a figure below sank his uneasy heart to despair.
"Hoh, what have I caught?"
The scornful, cold voice echoed, piercing the hazy night.
***
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