Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 44

The Clock Tower uprising

No one can foresee how it happened. If a person was to be asked about what transpired, he could only shake his head and gave a negative answer

Save for a few, most does not know of the events that happened, more so how it will shake the thaumaturgical foundation persisting for centuries to its core

It started one evening, a month after the children had started their training with the Shadow Servants

Clash and rings of metal filled the training room in a series of simultaneous explosions. Ten blows deflected by eleven strike. The air splits and the wind howls between them

The two opponent have barely been locked in combat for six seconds. In that time, eleven pair of weapons have to be traced over and over with each impact. 

Shirou's sixty circuits flared as a burning feeling spread through her

Pushing aside the pain warning of her limit, she raise her blade to block a swing from Saber's blade, grunting from the power of the swing

The metal ground against each other, the force behind them devastating. With a single push, gale exploded between them

Shirou was pushed back several meters, while the Servant took a step back

Without a single word, they dashed toward another and entered a second blade lock

Ever since the day she was introduced to Kiritsugu's summon, Shirou felt as though she had been presented with a more perfect version of herself

The two blades weaved around each other in their dance of death and beauty. As the two clash once again, she could feel her technique improving this time

Over and over she had fought against this woman and Merlin. She analyzed her swordstyle, her stance, and even her temperament. She tried different strategies to take her down

In the end, a conclusion was drawn, the opponent is overwhelmingly stronger than her. 

It was the first time she had met someone who can outmatch her in every way. As much as she hated to admit it, Saber can easily flatten her if given the chance

Shifting her circuits, the redhead ignored the pain and pour Mana to the ground. Blades erupted from the ground, causing Saber to dodge back in surprise

But if Kiritsugu think a mere imitation of a Servant can replace his daughter, he would be wrong

Throwing her arm back, Shirou hurled the last blade from her hand toward her opponent

Saber sidestep the projectile by gyrating on her feet. At the same time, she use the added momentum to deliver a downward slash that splits the floor underneath them

The ground ruptured with consecutive impact, sending rocks flying through the air, some of which passed by the redhead and leaving trails of blood on her cheek.  

She simply Reinforced her leg and leaped over the wave, landing on the other side of the room as the floor underneath burst open, jumping off the crater to an advantageous height

Shirou planted her foot to the wall and kicked it to launch herself back, swinging both blades downward to meet with Saber's. Sparks flew through the air upon impact as the two weapons ground against each other, with Shirou slowly losing momentum from her inferior strength

Yes, the opponent is stronger than her, but she wouldn't be called the second Magus Killer if strength is all she have

The girl loosened her grip and let go of the blade, letting them shatter into thin air as a new pair formed on her other hand, slashing down at the Servant's exposed naval