[center]
[img]https://image.ibb.co/dqueFJ/Theoderic_Border.png[/img]
[h2][color=gold]Black Rider[/color][/h2]
[h3]Einzbern Forest Outskirts, Miyama[/h3]
[hr]
[@Crusader Lord][@Breo][@Phonic]
[/center]

With his move successful, Rider dashed towards where his blade had dropped just as the explosion was heard. Before he could reach down to pick his sword up, Rider noticed that the blade began to shake rather... oddly. To Rider, it seemed that there are other Servants fighting not too far from where his and Lancer's battle was taking place. Turning back around to his opponent without picking up his sword, Rider had seemed to relax a bit. He had some sort of feeling that whoever is battling in the outskirts of the woods may be the same Servant that had made this same attack...

In any case, Rider knelt over, grabbing his blade. With the mood feeling a bit muddled, it didn't seem like Lancer was going to attack him, and if he were to strike him while he's down once again, Rider was confident that his instincts would help him make a proper defense; and besides, if the battle were to continue at this point, Achilles would have to face the might of [i]two[/i] high-class Heroic Spirits. In the end, it seems like it was a stalemate, for now. 

[color=gold]"Very well,"[/color] Rider began, standing up and sheathing his blade to his hip, [color=gold]"if you die before our rematch, then I will win this war and use my wish to bring you back and defeat you then."[/color] With his cocksure response, a small half-smile formed on Rider's face. While he was confident that he would win this war, he genuinely did not want to see what he believes would be his greatest rival die before they could have their full battle. Despite his brazen reaction, however, Rider still was certain that he needed to prepare specifically for their next battle. He was forced on the defensive during this fight, and neither he or Lancer had used their trump cards. At the very least, a sense of pride welled up in Rider since he didn't need to draw them in the first place. As far as he's certain, his identity, and even his class container, is a mystery to even them.

[color=gold]"You go on ahead. I will go and check on my own Master. If there's another battle happening in these forests, then there is a chance that they may end up at her workshop."[/color] With that, Rider turned away, fading slowly into spiritual form. While he was a bit curious of investigating once again, Rider believed that if his feeling was true and it was once again the work of that Archer from before, he would find naught but more craters. Rider's intentions from the beginning of this battle were to defend against any potential interlopers, anyway, so he had no interest in pursuing Lancer; and besides, it would be a waste of energy to chase the fastest hero, anyway.

[center]And so, Rider, along with his steed, made his way back to his Master in spirit form. Even as a spirit, however, Rider's body began to ache. The attacks that he had endured were, indeed, no joke.[/center]