Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 20

Gilles's blade sunk into the neck of the wyvern, choking out its last cry of defiance. Ripping Ascalon from its neck, he turned and raised it to the heavens, challenging the accursed beasts that patrolled the sky above him. Only 5 remained from the original group, but they swirled cautiously above him. As the standoff continued, a sudden burst of magical energy registered in his senses. As Gilles had become more acclimatised to his two Noble Phantasms, he had found his sensitivity to magical energy had increased. The prickling of his skin was a sensation he was now familiar with. A Servant was using, or building up a Noble Phantasm. The fight in the town had gotten serious. But he had seen the mages and their Servant's fight before. The only enemy who could draw out that much power would have to be...

"Damn it, she's here!" Gilles turned and began to run towards the town. Above him, the wyverns also turned and flew towards the fighting. Gilles could only watch as they outpaced him toward the town's edge. As they flew, 4 of the creatures suddenly twisted in midair. Their bodies grew bloated, their limbs sticking together, fusing into a ball of flesh. A hand emerged from the mess of fang and scale, gathering dark flame. The sphere was held high above the Dragon Witch, as she emerged from her cocoon of flesh, landing on the back of the surviving wyvern, eyes locked on the town before her. As she beat Gilles to the town edge, the fireball left her hand, landing in the centre of the ruins. The explosion nearly knocked Gilles off his feet. Raising his head, he saw the smoke rising from the shattered ruins, with the Dragon Witch watching from her wyvern.

The creature looked down at the destruction, perverting Jeanne's face with a look of delight. Seeing that face, her face, a memory rose unbidden in his mind's eye.

"Gilles, please. Protect France while I'm gone."

Gilles tightened his grip around his swords and continued to run, putting all other thoughts aside.

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Leo looked out over the devastation. Thick smoke blocked his vision making it impossible to see what was going on. He couldn't see Ophelia, Sigurd, Atalante or Kiyohime. He still felt his connection to Oberon, but it was still impossible to make him out in the thick smoke. Unfortunately, he had no time to search. Above him, descending on wyvern wing, was the Dragon Witch. She gazed down at him, lips twisting into a cruel smile.

"So, mage, still want to make me an offer? With all your friends dead, you have no one left to defend you."

Leo's hand instinctively moved to his quill at his side, but he stopped himself. If he acted he would be killed before he could achieve anything. He knew that Oberon at least had survived the blast. If he kept her distracted here, it would give the survivors a chance to regroup.

"Of course, I still want to make you an offer. My deal from before still stands after all."

"You mean that information about the Dragonslayer?" Jeanne let out a cold laugh, flame dancing between her fingers. "Don't think you can fool me twice. It was obvious that the Servant that just attacked me was themselves a Dragonslayer. I don't need your help to work that out."

"Indeed, my compatriot summoned a dragonslayer. But he is not the man I am referring to," Leo spread out his arms, in a gesture of surrender. "The man I am talking about is someone you know well. Gilles De Rais."
"Gilles?" Jeanne frowned. "What are you-" Her eyes suddenly widened, and she leapt off the back of the wyvern. Her mount was not so lucky.

"BALMUNG!"

The wave of blue aether cut through the town, atomizing the wyvern that was caught in the blast. As Jeanne landed on the ground, Gilles leapt out of the ruins, Balmung still glowing with the remains of its power. With a clash of metal, the two blades collided with Jeanne's spear, and the Dragon Witch pushed him back with a snarl. Gilles landed next to Leo, weapons in hand.