Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 44 (Septem)

"Lev Lainur!"
Leo glared at Lev while glancing back at Stheno. While she still breathed, her body was riddled with holes, having been pierced by Lev's attack. She wouldn't have long left. But Leo could not focus on her right now. Not while such a dangerous threat still remained.

"I had expected to find you here. I received no reports of you on the front lines. At first, I considered it a shame that my plan had not trapped all you Chaldeans. But for every cloud, there is a silver lining. With you here," Lev's mouth split into a wide, sharklike grin. "I can kill you personally."

Leo gritted his teeth. There was no movement from the icy cocoon Anastasia had erected, which meant Kadoc was either injured or biding his time to strike. Meaning he and Oberon would need to fight Lev without any support until they were ready. Not a prospect Leo liked. There was a reason his previous strategy for dealing with Lainur had involved enlisting another hero. But they had little choice now.

"You might find me harder to kill than you realise, Lainur."

"Perhaps. But, before killing you, I am afraid I have a job to do. So just stay over there and don't make a fuss, alright?"

Lainur adjusted his green tophat, and turned to face the pool of light. Around him, magical energy suddenly gathered, forming points of light. The lights sparkled and then exploded, unleashing powerful beams towards Leo.

"Oberon!" Leo yelled.

"On it Master!"

Oberon stepped in front of Leo, tapping his foot on the ground. A fantasy shield covered in vines and flowers shot out of the ground, interposing itself between the pair and the attack. As the beams pummeled into the wall, Leo quickly wrote into his book.

Oberon's defence shall protect Oberon, Leo and Stheno from Lev Lainur's assault.

The text flashed gold, and Leo fell to one knee as the familiar exhaustion flooded his body. But it had worked. Oberon's shield, while shaking, was holding steady. The Faerie Prince glanced down at Leo, raising an eyebrow.

"Master, I can protect us from these attacks, but launching an attack from here is impossible."

"I know, I know. We just have to hold out and wait for our chance. I will think of something."

"Quite a solid defence you have there!" Lev Lainur's voice called out over the blasts of energy. "A pity that's all you can manage. Just stay put like the good little mage you are, and let me destroy Rome while you hide, yes?"

"... what did you just say?"

A new voice rose above the thundering attacks. Limping into Leo's vision, was Gaius Julius Vindex. His leg had been hit by Lev's previous area of effect assault, leaving him with a severe limp. Still, he dragged himself forward, uncowed, using his sword to support himself while glaring at Lainur.

"Ah, Vindex, you survived! You really are tenacious for an ordinary human, aren't you? I am quite impressed."

"Quit the bullshit Lainur!" Vindex snarled. "You promised to help save Rome! That by it surviving under a new ruler, it would achieve what you wanted! What the hell do you mean, your gonna destroy it!"

"Really, Vindex, must I explain everything?" Lev shrugged unapologetically. "It's true that if Rome survives its promised destruction, it might bring about the destruction of the future that my Lord desires. However, it's far more certain if we just destroy Rome here and now. Reduces any risk factors, you understand?"

"... yes, I understand perfectly. Which is why I cannot allow this to continue."

Suddenly, Vindex moved, his sword flying through the air as he threw it at Lev. Ignoring the wound to his leg, he charged, leaping forward with incredible speed, covering the distance between him and Lainur in a final suicidal dash.