Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 7

Mash held on to the shield tightly, listening to the sounds of combat outside. Behind her, the other members of Team A shifted uncomfortably, while Leo slept soundly on the table. She was responsible for their protection, she had to make sure they were safe. The Director hadn't interacted much with Mash in Chaldea, so Mash had mostly relied on Dr Roman or Lev Lainur for instructions. Now that it had come to this, Mash was determined not to fail Director Marie. She had reached out to her in the command room, tried to help her. Now that she was a Demi-Servant, she needed to meet her expectations.

"Mashie, you can calm down a bit." Peperoncino leant into her, giving her a reassuring smile.
"I am sure that Kirshtaria and Director Marie will be able to handle the enemies with their servants."

"Pepe's right Mash," Beryl said cheerily. "You can just come relax with us, I am sure-"

"Beryl Senpai." Mash interrupted and raised her shield. "Please stay behind me. Hostiles are approaching."

The sounds of footsteps were quickly approaching from the corridor. The battle was still continuing outside, so the only people this could be were enemies. Mash took a deep breath and rushed out into the corridor. She needed to protect the members of Team A, so she needed to keep the fight out of their room.

As she stepped into the corridor, she caught sight of two figures running up the hall. Assassin, and an unknown Servant. She steadied herself, raising her shield as the pair approached. Assassin let out a low laugh, as he slowed to a stop in front of her.

"The shield bearer again. We didn't have a proper fight last time, that Saber interrupted it. Sadly, I will have to let Lancer have the pleasure of fighting you this time as well."

Beneath the dark contamination that covered Assassin, Mash caught what looked like a smile. She tensed, readying herself for the attack.

"My target you see... are the mages that are hiding behind you!"

Both Servants leapt into motion. Assassin darted forward, keeping low, while Lancer threw his spear at Mash. Lifting her shield, Mash blocked the spear, realizing her mistake too late. While she dealt with the recoil from that blow, Assassin was slipping past with no resistance.

"NO!" Mash moved to intercept, but the enemy Lancer was already on her, spear coming down on her a second time. Assassin got past her and moved towards the classroom where Team A was. Mash desperately struggled to get distance from Lancer, but the opposing Servant was too strong. She had never fought with this weapon before, and although the techniques came naturally to her, she was still struggling. But she needed to get to Assassin before it was too late.

As Assassin stepped forward, approaching the classroom, there was a sudden flash of light. Runes appeared beneath his feet, and fire blasted up at him. A voice emerged, from a figure stepping out of the shadows at the end of the corridor.

"Oi oi, surely you brave heroes don't need two of you to fight just one girl, right?"

Assassin leapt backwards, landing clear of the blast. He jerked his head up, ignoring Mash as she held back Lancer.

"Caster." Assassin's voice dripped with contempt. "Done hiding and decided to come out and fight as well?"

"I don't want to hear anything about hiding from you, Assassin!" Several runes appeared in the air again, followed by several spheres of flame that shot down the corridor towards Assassin and Lancer. Assassin continued to retreat down the corridor, dashing past Mash as he did so. Mash felt the offensive from Lancer pause as he defended against the fireballs, and she pushed him back, taking the chance to re-establish her defensive line.