"They're actively provoking us, huh?"
Saber could sense the sharp killing intent in the air—it was unmistakably Assassin's presence.
"Heh, it's exactly the same as when we first met."
With a faint chuckle, Saber remembered how she sensed the same aura when she had taken Irisviel to the beach.
---
"Saber..."
"You don't have to tell me. This time, I won't hold back."
With a glance at Kiritsugu, Saber donned her armor and gripped Excalibur. Then, without hesitation, she sprinted toward where Assassin's presence was strongest.
---
"...."
Kiritsugu instinctively raised his hand to light a cigarette, but his fingers stopped halfway. Flashes of Illya's innocent face danced in his mind, stirring something deep within him.
'No matter what... this time, I will win.'
Lowering his hand, Kiritsugu clenched his fist, his resolve unshakable. Suddenly, a sharp noise broke the silence behind him, piercing the quiet of the empty warehouse by the sea.
Without a second thought, Kiritsugu whipped out his pistol and fired in the direction of the sound.
Bang!
Clang!
In the next moment, the sharp clang of deflected bullets rang out, and Kotomine Kirei darted out from the shadows, wielding his signature black keys.
"Finally, I've been waiting, Kiritsugu."
Even under the effects of the Geass, Kirei still acted much like his usual self—only now, in his mind, everything was subordinate to one command: the King above all. Everything else remained unchanged.
---
Kiritsugu didn't respond. His eyes remained cold and focused on the man in front of him.
A priest trained in martial arts... If he lets Kirei get too close, things could get bad.
So, Kiritsugu pulled the pin on a grenade and tossed it at the rapidly approaching Kirei.
Boom!!
An explosion rocked the area, a thick plume of smoke filling the space, momentarily halting Kirei's advance.
---
Clink, clink...
Listening carefully to the soft sounds of shifting debris, Kirei's sharp instincts kept him alert.
"Where did you go?"
Dodging the last few bullets, Kirei found that Kiritsugu had disappeared within the smoke.
"Hiding again, are we? How sneaky of you..."
---
Swoosh!
Assassin brandished the sacred sword he had taken and locked eyes with Saber, his gaze icy cold.
"Even though a lot has happened... Finally, no one can interfere this time."
"Let's settle this once and for all, Assassin."
"That's exactly my intention."
Both charged at each other, their swords clashing violently in the air.
Clang!
Clink! Clang!
Sparks flew as the sound of metal striking metal echoed across the battlefield.
'As expected... Your swordsmanship is as deadly as ever. And now, with a weapon like that, your threat has only grown.'
Saber parried the flurry of rapid strikes, recognizing how much sharper Assassin's attacks had become since their first encounter.
---
"Hah!!"
"Take this!"
Whirlwind Slash!
Dodging Saber's blade, Assassin twisted his body midair and swung his sword toward her waist.
Shing!
But Saber leaped back just in time, Assassin's blade only slicing her armor, leaving a shallow gash.
Earth Dragon Slash!
Assassin pursued relentlessly, swinging his sword with a force that tore the ground apart, sending debris flying.
Whoosh!
"Haah!"
But a blast of wind from Saber's sword scattered the flying rubble, neutralizing the attack.
Creak, creak...
Amidst the swirling debris, Assassin emerged from the cloud of dust.
Using the chunks of ground as cover, he prepared his real killing move.
Soaring Dragon Slash!
From a crouched position, Assassin lunged, his sword aimed upward toward Saber's neck.
'But Assassin... you have one fatal flaw.'
Watching Assassin's blade coming toward her, Saber felt calm. In her mind, she had already predicted his weakness.
---
Mana Burst!
Saber suddenly accelerated, dodging the incoming blade while simultaneously swinging Excalibur toward Assassin.
Slash!
Splat!
Both swords sliced through the air, landing their marks as the two fighters slid past each other.
Shhhh...
Blood sprayed across the ground as their bodies slowed to a halt.
---
"Ugh..."
Saber placed her hand on her neck where a crimson line had appeared. Even with her increased speed, it hadn't been enough to completely evade Assassin's attack. He was simply too fast.
'What a terrifying opponent... You've gotten even faster since this war began.'
Saber stared straight ahead, assessing Assassin carefully.
Drip, drip...
Blood dripped from Assassin's chest, but he didn't flinch. His expression remained cold, his gaze unwavering.
---
"This fight... it's impossible to predict."
Weber observed the clash through his familiar and sighed, almost as if accustomed to this level of battle. After the grand battles they had faced, this one seemed almost subdued.
"It doesn't matter. One of them will die here, and that will determine the outcome."
Lelouch's eyes were sharp as ever. Always focused on the bigger picture, he was indifferent to emotions in battle. What mattered to him was the result—the path to victory.
"I get it. You're just hoping Assassin wins, since you already control his Master. You can finish him off whenever you like."
Weber glanced sideways at Rider, seeing through his cold logic. Even though Saber was technically an ally, Rider clearly hoped the enemy would win.
Lelouch didn't waver, his gaze calculating.
"Only the victor can smile in the end."
Weber, still young and inexperienced, couldn't argue with that.
---
"Is Saber really going to use her Noble Phantasm to end this?"
Suddenly, Weber's eyes were drawn to the glowing light forming around Saber's blade.
"What...?"
Lelouch hadn't expected Saber to resort to such a decisive move this early. If Assassin took a direct hit from Excalibur, it would all be over.
"But why now?"
Assassin was fast—fast enough to dodge it. That much was clear.
---
'Come, Assassin. I know exactly what you'll do.'
Saber gripped Excalibur tightly, her mind clear as the glow intensified around her.
---
"Ugh..."
Assassin knew the power of Excalibur. One hit, and he would be obliterated. There was only one option—he had to dodge.
Excalibur!
Golden light exploded toward Assassin, and with lightning reflexes, he darted to the side.
---
"He dodged it!"
"And now he's closing in!"
Weber and Lelouch watched as Assassin, using his incredible speed, began closing the gap between him and Saber, even as the golden light from Excalibur faded away.
---
Saber stared at him. As he rushed forward, she smiled inwardly.
'If it's you, Assassin... you'll definitely dodge. If it's you... you'll definitely get close.'
'If it's you... you'll swing your sword right now!'
With unshaken confidence, Saber met his gaze as their swords clashed once again.
"Let's see who will survive this!"
Both their swords struck true, crossing in midair.
Squelch!
Splat!
The sound of blades cutting into flesh echoed across the docks as blood splattered the ground.