Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 24 (Orleans)

Rubble fell from the grand roof, melting away from the flames before it struck the ground. Fafnir soared in the sky above Orleans Castle, unleashing a torrent of fire down upon its foes. Blue flame met its advance, blocking the dragon's attempts to incinerate its enemies. As the fire cleared, several arrows shot skyward, aimed towards the dragon's wings and eyes. Fafnir cast the bolts aside with a beat of its wings and moved higher, an instinctive reaction against the next attack. Sigurd burst forth from the smoke, blade in hand, slashing at where the beast had been moments ago. But Fafnir was already beyond his reach.

The dragon raised its head, preparing a blast of fire at the unprotected dragonslayer. The wave of death hurtled forward, attempting to consume its target. Before it reached him, a burst of butterflies engulfed Sigurd, and he vanished from the air. The dragonslayer reappeared next to Oberon, as the Faerie Prince conjured more butterflies to weave illusions around Fafnir.

"We need to lure it down somehow," Ophelia said, silver spirits swirling around her as she maintained a barrier to protect them against the heat.

"If you have any suggestions for dealing with massive dragons, I am all ears," Leo said dryly, his book and quill in hand.

"Not the time Leo," Ophelia glanced back into the hall. "I do have my eye but..."

"You worried that 'Gilles' will interfere?" Leo followed her gaze. Towards the back of the hall, Caster had retreated, bringing Gilles with him. He stood by Jeanne's coffin, saying something to his counterpart that Leo could not hear.

"If you didn't need to worry about them, could you deal with Fafnir?" Leo said, a wild plan quickly forming.

"I... maybe," Ophelia said. "Our situation is not great either way. Even with my eye, I don't know if Sigurd will be able to defeat Fafnir."

"Very well," Leo sighed and turned to Oberon. "Oberon, we are going to deal with that Caster. Ophelia, I will bring back Gilles the Dragonslayer. With him, we will turn it around on Fafnir."

"You..." Ophelia hesitated, then nodded. She had many things to say about the reckless action that Leo was suggesting, but their situation did not allow for certainty. They had to make a choice and do something to turn the fight around.

"Stay safe," she said instead. Leo glanced at her for a moment, before looking away.

"I will give a signal. When I do, use a Command Spell on Sigurd's Noble Phantasm. I will work out something on my end."

"Hurry then," Ophelia turned to face the dragon, reaching up and pulling off her eyepatch. Her Mystic Eye gazed out at the great Dragon, as it broke free of Oberon's illusions and turned once again upon the gathered Servants. The dragon reared back its head, heat gathering in its maw. Ophelia looked up at it, her expression shifting from concern to serene, her voice calm and collected.

"Saber, attack it now."

"Yes, Master."

Sigurd leapt forward, charging down Fafnir. The dragon opened its maw, prepared to unleash its fire, but nothing came. Confusion was visible on its face for a second, enough for Sigurd to close the distance. Even as Fafnir began to soar higher, Gram found purchase in its leg, leaving a deep gash. The dragon roared in pain and turned with a snarl. Atalante continued to pepper it with arrows, and Kiyohime conjured fire to assault its sense. The battle had begun to turn.

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"I am glad I kept Fafnir in reserve, just in case," Caster mused, watching the fight unfold before him. Beside him, Gilles knelt in front of Jeanne's coffin, staring at it in shock.