Bone of my Bow

Chapter 7

  Leaping from the railing, I landed in front of Illya as magic sparked over my skin. The blond Servant held his sword at his side while looking at me with an unamused expression. I grabbed Illya to pull her behind me, but she screamed and swung her tiny fist in fear.

  She couldn't see, and I couldn't speak to let her know who I was. Pulling her to my chest, I held her protectively while grabbing her hand. Illya struggled until I traced a bow over her palm.

  She only paused for a second, and being the smart kid she was, understood.

  "Yumiko?" Illya muttered, and the blond a few feet away looked bored.

  "I'm not against cutting you down to get to her." He declared. "Either put her down or die." I only held Illya closer while digging into my pocket for gems. I had no weapons nor Servant to fight this demigod, but maybe I could distract him long enough with magic to get away.

  He was quick and keen with his abilities, so I wouldn't be able to just run. I'd have to fight and bolt when there was an opening to.

  His gaze drifted to the gems in my hand, his mouth turning into a flat line. My heart was racing from adrenalin and fear. Facing Caster wasn't even half this terrifying because I knew I had a chance against her whereas this Servant was nothing but unknowns and even took out Berserker.

  The golden circles appeared behind him, and I threw the gems, causing explosions as I quickly got distance between us. Spears cut through the smoke at high speeds, and I barely dodged while holding Illya as she clung to me and cried for Berserker. I had to duck down to avoid a longsword shooting through the air where my head had been.

  I threw more gems and shot Gandrs after them, creating more smoke and dust to form a screen. I ran for the stairs and reached the top before getting through the wide entryway. Just a little further, just a little-

  Pain shot through my nerves before I hit the ground. A spear-headed chain had shot through my thigh, dragging me down as I felt like screaming from the intense pain. Blood soaked my pants and smeared across the floor as I was being dragged back towards the stairs. I let Illya go and pushed her towards the hall.

  She was so confused, and I pushed her again, pleading in my head for her to run while she still could.

  "Yumiko?" I pushed her leg in a last-ditch effort before I was pulled out of reach. Illya finally got it and turned to run down the hall. Sighing, I turned my attention from her to the chain in my leg.

  I fired magic at the chain itself, but it didn't even burn. Raising my aim, I hoped the Servant was on the other end. I heard explosions through the smoke as I was getting closer and closer to the top of the stairs.

  A scream pierced my ears from behind me, and my eyes shot towards the sound to see Illya being held by her hair by a boy in a school uniform. It was that little asshole that had been Rider's Master. I went to shoot a Gandr at him to free the little girl, but another chain shot through my arm.

  Baring my teeth against the pain, I only heard the idiot laughing as Illya struggled and cried. I raised my other hand, but the chains suddenly yanked me down the stairs. My head bounced against the steps, and everything went black.

✧☾✧

  Coming to, I heard sniffling and saw a sunset sky overhead. The light hurt my throbbing head, and there was a heavy sigh.

  "There's no need to cry, they're not going to die."

  "I know that!" Rin snapped back, and I quickly sat up. I immediately regretted it as my head throbbed. Clenching my jaw as I held my head, I blinked a few times to clear the fog.