Following Archer as he walked away from the elevator, Thomas listened as the Servant spoke; the other gentleman was being quite ambiguous with his words, but the experience Magus caught his meaning nonetheless. [color=aba000]“Given that your reputation precedes you Archer, I’m going to have to ask you to clarify your meaning. I’d rather win this war and survive than not, but I hope you are not suggesting we do something that might risk attracting the attention of the Church or the Clocktower?”[/color]

[@PKMNB0Y]

****

Upon seeing his opponent seemingly disappear Rider immediately pointed his shield in that direction and began turning his head back and forth to locate his opponent. Was this teleportation, invisibility or something else entirely? He had known a fight with an Assassin would not remain a simple duel, no matter what his opponent appeared to be on the surface.

When he finally located his opponent it was in the air above him, the samurai already descending towards him with her sword flashing downwards. Shifting his weight the bulky warrior leapt back, seeking to move himself out from under the attack while also being fully aware that he would not be able to dodge it completely; at the same time he raised his shield arm up, positioning the object between himself and the quickly descending blade.

Making it just in time, Rider’s shield rang out as Assassin’s sword collided with it. The force of the blow forced his arm down and the Carthaginian stumbled back ungracefully before he caught himself, coming to a stop a few feet away from where the Japanese swordswoman had landed.

Breathing a little more heavily, Rider raised his shield up in front of him again and retook his ready stance. It was clear by now, as if it wasn’t just from looking at them, that Assassin was much faster than he as well as being the superior swordsman; in terms of power he had the advantage, just due to his attacks having more weight if not more strength behind them and his shield was allowing him to fend off her attacks in spite of his other disadvantages. This was still a winnable fight in Rider’s mind; although he didn’t know how she had disappeared as she had he had seen nothing to suggest she could survive his Noble Phantasm should he decide to go all out. [color=ed1c24]“Aah. I’m too old to be fighting like this. Holding back your full strength is a young warriors ploy.”[/color]

Raising his voice to be heard by the familiars that his Master was no doubt watching this fight from, Rider spoke. [color=ed1c24]“Have you seen enough to judge her worth yet Master? Should we accept their alliance, or end this now?”[/color]

[@VitaVitaAR][@Raineh Daze][@Anza]