Fate/ Grand Crypter

Chapter 45 (Septem)

Kadoc, Anastasia and Oberon materialised on a rooftop, not far from where the Demon Pillar had emerged. The Demon Pillar, as Leo had called it, had burst forth in the middle of a market square. Bodies littered the ground around its emergence, and the monster's eyes kept flashing, launching beams of destructive energy out across the city, each one an envoy of death that slammed into a building or structure.

"We need to stop it before it destroys the city!" Kadoc said, quickly assessing the situation. "Oberon, are you able to distract it?"

"Distract that monster? Alone? You're harsher than my own Master." Oberon muttered, casting his gaze over the creature. "I can probably keep its attention, but that's all."

"Go. Keep it focused on you. Anastasia and I will need time, but we can hold it down."

"Don't keep me waiting," Oberon leapt off the roof, landing on a giant moth that shot off towards the Demon Pillar.

"Hey Lainur! Congratulations are in order! The new look is an improvement! You're such a looker, even I need to show my admiration! Please accept this token of mine!"

Insects swarmed up around Oberon, attacking the Demon Pillar. The assault was ineffective, but the red eyes all turned to face Oberon. With a flash, several lasers lanced towards him. The Faerie Prince dodged, his mount weaving through the barrage like a leaf in a storm.

Kadoc watched Oberon for a moment before turning to Anastasia.

"The next part relies on you, Ana. I can give you the magical energy needed, but in the end, it will rest on your shoulders. Can you handle it?"

Anastasia met Kadoc's gaze, and a bright smile slowly formed on her face.

"Ah, that's it. That's the look I wanted to see. This suits you far better than when we first arrived."

"What are you-?"
"It's nothing, Kadoc. I can do anything, so long as I have your support. So, Master. Are you willing to give me everything?"

Kadoc hesitated, then reached out and took her hand in his own, gripping it firmly.

"I told you when I first summoned you. Put your life in my hands, because I will be entrusting my future to you. At this point, it's not just my future, but the future of everyone at Chaldea. So, I will give you all I have. Let's smash that monster and save the city."

"Well said, my Master."

Keeping his hand in hers, Anastasia stepped up so that she and Kadoc stood side by side, facing the fight between Oberon and Flauros.
"What is your order, Master?"

Kadoc's grip tightened in her hand as he spoke.

"Caster, with my Command Spell, I order you. Destroy that Demon Pillar."

"Yes, Master."
Magical energy flowed from the Command Spell into Anastasia, then from her out into the city, towards the walls. The Northern Princess raised her eyes, glowing with power and focused on the Demon Pillar, activating her Noble Phantasm.

"Viy, behold it all. Pierce through everything."

Beside her, Kadoc also spoke a chant, activating a spell he and Anastasia had laid long ago.

"Jaws of steel, close. Hunter's rope, snare. The beast has entered the trap, let it be caught in the jaws of man's world."

Anastasia's Noble Phantasm was, at its core, not a damaging ability. It was the full release of Viy's Mystic Eyes, a powerful effect that twisted causality itself to create a weakness within the opponent. Alone, it could do nothing; it was instead supplemented by Anastasia's powerful control of ice magecraft. Kadoc had agonised long and hard over how to get the best use out of combining both his and Ana's magics. One of his solutions had been trialled here, in Rome.