[video] // sword of promised victory

[croibhristeoir]

[Darkness. Lancer, Saber and two other individuals stood within sight of the Mion River. The air was tense, atmosphere betraying the tremendous battles being waged just out of view of the video.]

What happened? [Lancer stared intently at the young Master in green with a phone in his hand--he could have idly recalled the time he, Rider, and Lancer himself were together for a drink. But that was a different Waver in a different iteration of the war, and at any rate there were more important things to think about.]

Um... there's a message for you. 'Saber's left hand is an anti-fortress Noble Phantasm' or something like that...

[The composed Servant's expression turned to one of surprise as he turned to Saber, who honestly seemed a little awkward.]

Is that true, Saber? [He knew who she was, having seen that glorious holy sword on the first night of the war. But to think even a sword with such fame held by a woman of such skill could be that powerful...it was startling, even awe-inspiring. After a moment, the woman in blue and silver nodded.] And it... it can demolish Caster's monster in but one strike?

[Another nod. Saber's sea-green eyes met Lancer's golden, the two sharing in the unwavering determination that could be held only by those made for the battlefield.]

Lancer, the weight of my sword is the weight of my pride. My injury from the fight with you is an honor, not a chain. [Saber spoke with absolute conviction, so there could be no mistake between them.] It is as you said in the forest. If I am backed by Diarmuid Ua Duibhne as a substitute for my left hand, that alone is worth any army ever known.

[For a moment, there was no response from the knight with gold and crimson spears in his hands. He stared out at the river, distantly and with thoughts that were for the moment his own. Although he and Saber were enemies as dictated by the Holy Grail War...no one understood them quite like the other could. The understanding of chivalry and honor that could exist only between knights...oh, how he loved it. She was truly the greatest ally or adversary he could ever have asked for.]

Hey, Saber. You know, I can't forgive that Caster.

[He may have known nothing about what he would eventually do or what was the right choice to make. Whether he should keep to his loyalty with Kayneth or his heart with Issei. But at this moment, on the battlefield? This was what he lived for. What he enjoyed above all else, a world of blades and magic and chivalrous combat. It was this camaraderie and this thrill of combat that made golden eyes shine with determination and a confident smile spread across almost unnaturally beautiful features.]

He treats others' despair as righteousness, and rejoices at spreading fear. On my oath as a knight, that is an 'evil' which I cannot overlook.

[If nothing else, he knew that. He knew Caster was an evil which would not be allowed to exist in a just and right world, and so as a knight he would take it upon himself to eliminate it. That was what mattered. Lancer could hardly believe he'd been so focused upon Kayneth and Sola that he'd lost sight of this feeling--the simple joy that came with doing what was right.]

[Lancer's grip tightened on both his lances...then he stabbed the crimson one into the ground, taking its shorter golden counterpart in both hands. Saber stared in utter disbelief for half a second before realizing what he was going to do and interjecting to stop him.]

Lancer, wait--

Which of us is the one that must win here? [He interrupted her in a quiet, contemplative tone, cutting off Saber without raising his voice in the slightest.] It is neither 'Saber' nor is it 'Lancer'.

[It no longer mattered who won. It no longer mattered Sola was unhinged or Kayneth was filled with hatred, it didn't even matter that the Grail was corrupted. In this one single moment, all he cared about was one thing.]

The one thing that must claim victory here is the chivalry we serve. Isn't that right...Arturia?

[He looked straight at her with a confident smile that was surprisingly gentle for the situation. Then, without a moment's pause he snapped the golden spear clean in half.]

[In a moment, it became a whirlwind of magical energy, the curse dispelling from Saber's arm as the broken Noble Phantasm dissolved into nothing. Still smiling as if he hadn't a care in the world, Lancer spoke again.]

I entrust my vow of victory in that one strike delivered by King of Knights. I'm counting on you, Saber.

[She raised her formerly-cursed left hand and curled it into a fist to answer his determination. Any injury that lance had inflicted was gone, her fighting condition back to full in a matter of seconds.]

It's a deal, Lancer... Right now, I swear upon victory by my sword!

[The last thing the video showed would be a tremendous torrent of wind and the scarcely-seen flash of a sacred and shining blade.]


[ooc:...you saw no misfire.]

Comments

[unknownrival]

Congratulations on your victory.

[There's no reason to even worry that they lost. The community would have shown that instead.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Damn skippy. When Lancer does reply, the background is apparently the rooftop of a building in Fuyuki.]

Thank you. [Still smiling, just as confident as before.]

[unknownrival]

A shame you had to lose a weapon to do it, but you're more than skilled enough with the other.

[croibhristeoir]

It was for a greater purpose than my own. I will miss it, but as you said. I can manage just fine with one.

[unknownrival]

Then I don't think there should be any regrets.

[croibhristeoir]

I never regret anything done in combat.

[unknownrival]

What shall be done for the returning victorious warrior?

[croibhristeoir]

...Issei, what's that look for?

[unknownrival]

What look?

[sandinmyboots]

Your master's gonna blow a gasket. Good for you!

[croibhristeoir]

Oh...you're right, he could. I did not even consider that.

[Beat.]

...I didn't even consider it. I didn't think about what Kayneth-dono would say.

[sandinmyboots]

I don't know what Caster did or is going to do, but I bet Kayneth would value it less than his victory. You've won the 'decent human being' battle but lost the 'respect of my master' war, I think. Which is either funny or sad; I haven't decided yet.

[croibhristeoir]

Caster has been defeated. I...only did what I had to in order to ensure that was possible. I would think Kayneth-dono to understand that much.

[sandinmyboots]

I don't think he'd care if you just saved wherever you are - Japan, right? - from being melted into orange juice, he'd still want his victory.

[croibhristeoir]

[Kefka get out this isn't Evangelion.]

...you're probably right.

[sandinmyboots]

[he saw the Tang, man, when Eva ended on the comm last spring. he saw it. he is scarred for life.]

This is what happens when an idiot like you has to work for an idiot like him. His ego and your honor fetish are going to get you both killed.

But it was worth it for you?

[croibhristeoir]

What, sacrificing Gae Buidhe to defeat Caster? I would say without a doubt in my mind that it was worth it.

[video]

[material_guy]

How's yer boyfriend feel about you flirtin' with other girls?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Excuse me?

[video]

[material_guy]

I mean, I'm more into blondes too, but...

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

What are you talking about?

[video]

[material_guy]

The good looking girl there.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Saber or the Einzbern girl?

[video]

[material_guy]

The blonde one.

Other one's not bad.

The mousy girl in the sweater's already spoken for by someone else here, last I heard.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...Greed, the one in the sweater wasn't a girl.