The Chariot's Charge
The ruined highway trembled as the wheels of war thundered across the battlefield.
Lucian barely had time to process what was happening before the chariot was upon them. Blue flames erupted from its wheels, leaving scorching trails in its wake. The metal groaned under its sheer momentum, chains snapping and lashing through the air like whips.
At the helm, Rider stood tall, her long white hair flowing behind her like a banner. Her crimson eyes locked onto Lancer with deadly intent.
She was not here for Lucian.
She was here for battle.
Lancer grinned, resting her sword on her shoulder.
"Well, well, I was starting to get bored."
Lucian, still catching his breath, shot her an incredulous look. "You're joking, right? That thing is coming right at us!"
Lancer laughed.
"Exactly! Now stay out of my way, Master."
The chariot roared forward, and in a split second, Lancer vanished.
---
The moment Lancer disappeared, Rider reacted. She yanked the reins, and her chariot screeched to a halt, kicking up dust and fire.
Her instincts screamed.
She swung her spear to the side just in time—Lancer materialized mid-air, her massive sword descending in a deadly arc.
CLANG!
Sparks erupted as the blade met Rider's spear. The force sent shockwaves across the battlefield, shattering the ground beneath them.
Lancer flipped backward, landing gracefully.
Rider exhaled sharply, her grip tightening.
"Fast."
Lancer chuckled, spinning her sword. "You have no idea."
Rider smirked. "Then show me."
With a flick of her wrist, the chains from her chariot snapped forward.
Lancer barely dodged as the first chain slammed into the ground where she had stood, shattering the pavement.
A second chain whipped toward her face.
She caught it with one hand.
For a moment, both Servants locked eyes.
Then—Lancer pulled.
Rider was yanked forward.
Lancer capitalized instantly, lunging forward with a spinning slash aimed for Rider's torso. But Rider, still in motion, released the chains and vaulted backward, using the chariot for leverage.
The two warriors moved with impossible speed, their weapons clashing over and over. The sound of metal striking metal roared through the night.
Rider, sensing an opening, thrust her spear forward.
Lancer barely dodged, twisting her body as the spear ripped through her coat.
She landed, glancing at the tear in her clothing.
"Tch. That was close."
Rider smirked.
"This will not be a fight won with speed alone, Lancer."
Lancer cracked her neck, tightening her grip on her sword.
"Good. I was hoping for a challenge."
Then, with a surge of mana—they clashed once more.
---
Lucian, watching from the sidelines, felt utterly helpless.
He could barely keep track of the fight—their speed, their strength, their sheer presence was inhuman.
But he wasn't just a spectator.
If he stayed idle, he'd be the first to die the moment something went wrong.
He needed to do something.
Digging into his coat, he pulled out a handful of runes. They were basic—defensive charms, minor attack spells—but they were all he had.
He pressed his fingers against the nearest rune and whispered an incantation.
A faint glow surrounded his body—a protective barrier.
It wouldn't last against a direct attack from a Servant.
But it might buy him time.
His mind raced.
Rider was powerful. Too powerful.
And her chariot was a massive problem.
"If I can disrupt her movement..."
Lucian's eyes darted to the battlefield, analyzing every element. The broken road, the debris, the still-burning wreckage—
Then it hit him.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small explosive charge.
Not a magical artifact. Just pure, old-fashioned firepower.
If he could destroy the terrain beneath the chariot—
It might just give Lancer the opening she needed.
His heart pounded.
He had one shot.
He moved.
---
Lancer and Rider's battle raged on, their attacks becoming more and more ferocious.
Rider lunged forward, using her chains to restrict Lancer's movement.
Lancer snarled, her body trapped.
Rider raised her spear, her eyes flashing.
"You fought well, but this ends now."
Lancer grit her teeth, struggling against the chains—
Then—
BOOM.
The ground beneath the chariot exploded.
The force of the blast sent Rider's chariot skidding sideways, throwing her off balance.
Her crimson eyes widened.
Lucian, standing from the side, grinned.
"Lancer! Now!"
Lancer's chains shattered.
With one fluid motion, she vanished.
She reappeared in front of Rider, her blade aimed for her chest.
Rider, still off-balance, barely had time to react.
The sword struck.
Blood splattered across the battlefield.
Rider staggered.
She coughed, clutching her wound, but she remained standing.
Lancer grinned, resting her sword on her shoulder.
"Looks like your ride is out of commission."
Rider, breathing heavily, smirked.
"This... is far from over."
---
To Be Continued...