Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 17

The wyverns fell upon the wall in a wave of fangs and fire. The battle was an orchestra of chaos, punctuated by the boom of cannon fire and the screams of soldiers. Leo felt sick, but he put aside his fear and raised his quill. The words slash the wyvern were written, the ink turning gold and rising from the page. With a flash, the gold flew through the air, cutting into the wings of a wyvern rapidly approaching Leo. Its assault cut short, the dragonkin fell roaring in frustration, but the hole it left was filled by two more hungry wyverns, tearing towards Leo with a speed he could not match.

Before they could reach him, however, several insectile spears shot through them, causing them to fall from the sky. Oberon lowered his hand and looked back at his Master.

"Are you alright, Master? I think that the first wave is nearly done. But there are still more to come."

Leo felt his stomach churning. He kept his eyes forward, not daring to look to either of his sides. Where he and Oberon were stationed had survived pretty well, the advantage of a Servant that excelled at mid-range combat. But he knew beyond the corner of his eye would lie the scattered and burnt remains of the soldiers who were not so lucky. Leo was not yet prepared to face them. He was nearly sick with this alone.

"I am fine," he said, bringing his shaky quill to bear on the page. He quickly wrote out words on the page, completing another spell.

Leo Valualeta steeled himself and continued to defend the wall without breaking down.

The golden light permeated the ink, and Leo felt a sense of calm permeate his senses. But he didn't wish to test it. He kept his eyes on the swirling cloud above as he spoke.

"Oberon, how fares the rest of the wall?"

"Hmm," Oberon scanned the wall before speaking. "The soldiers have suffered damage, particularly where you and Gilles are not. But most of the cannons are still working, and the majority of defenders are still here."

"Good," Leo said. "When the next wave comes, use your skill to increase the soldier's abilities. We will need the edge to stay on top of the fight."

"Master," Oberon looked at Leo, almost pitifully. "Your magical energy is beginning to run low. If we combine my skill with my cost during fighting... I cannot be sure you will hold out."

"We will go as long as we can," Leo said, wiping some blood from his face. He looked at the sky. The wyverns were beginning to approach again, and along the wall, cries and warning calls were sounding. "We need to do our best to hold the line," he said.

Oberon sighed and nodded. His wings fluttered slightly, and suddenly the environment changed. Across the wall, the midday sun was shifted into a brilliant dusk, its light silhouetting the diving wyverns. The soldiers across the wall did not know what was going on. The more astute amongst them suspected this was the work of the strange mage and his stranger companion. But none cared. The dusk painted the land below in beautiful shades of red and gold, bringing out the beauty of France, their home. The home being attacked by the vile wyverns that blocked the sun. Anger surged forth and with it strength. With renewed vigour and power, the soldiers raised their weapons and began to fight back once again, surprising the wyverns with their firepower.

Leo raised his quill to follow suit, but exhaustion hit him, and he fell to one knee. He had underestimated the cost of Oberon's ability. The wyverns approaching him shot forward, seeing their opportunity. Their chance proved short-lived, as they were quickly skewered by several magical spears. Oberon stood in front of Leo, glancing back with a hint of annoyance.

"I told you, it was too much for you to handle. Why must you insist on running the most dangerous gambits?"

Leo could not rebut him, he had no strength to do so. Darkness began to close in around his vision, and his head felt heavy. He realized he was about to lose consciousness. He had to try and stay awake, so he could continue to support the soldiers. As the darkness began to envelop him, a hand landed on his shoulder and a voice pierced the fog of his mind.