[h1]Rider[/h1]

Rider smiled, watching the Habsburg Servant intently.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that he is unharmed… I look forward to the pleasure of speaking with hi-”

The engine revved, and the opposing Servant instantly reacted, moving forward and beginning a chant. Catherine’s eyes ignited in gold light, flicking to the food truck. Magical Energy began surging out of her at an incredible rate. In the past few days she’d had little cause to make use of her expansive reserves, but the time had now come. As the other Servant muttered the last of his aria, Rider extended a hand out in a sharp, cutting motion toward the truck, where portals were beginning to open.

[i][b][color=ed1c24]“Огонь!”[/color][/b][/i]

The surge of energy from Rider permeated the air with a sudden heat, and her face was taken over by absolute determination. A resounding boom shook the area, echoing from the trees in the distance and rebounding off the remains of the estate. Like lightning after thunder, an ear splitting wail pierced the thick air. A bolt of searing red streaked out from the treeline like a comet.

[i]“Naoko, the gas, now!”[/i]

The projectile slammed into the ground just behind the Winter Palace as the glimmering chains writhed out toward the vehicle and exploded in a blinding starburst of orange-red light. The following shockwave sent a rumbling subbass pulse through the countryside. The force of the blast would serve to repulse the chains, if only for an instant. More importantly, it would push the truck forward, out of harm’s way, if a bit roughly. The artillery strike ripped up the ground, tearing the concrete and earth into a cloud of fine particulate that served as a sort of smoke screen for the food truck, and shrouding the path from the piercing gaze of the other Servant.

It had only been for a moment, but Sophie had seen the chains as they emerged, and her eyes were now sharply focused on the man that stood before her. Her stomach twisted up as the realization of what those chains meant came to her. Again, Magical Energy began flowing out of her at a rapidly increasing rate. The sabre at Rider’s side flashed from its sheath, and she held it leveled before her. It took all she had not to tremble, but a bold grin emblazoned itself across her face.

“Oh-ho! Forgive me sir, I did not realize I was in the presence of the King of Heroes!”

Her fingers gripped tighter around the hilt of the sabre.

“But now, let us speak, Ruler to Ruler, without outside distractions! I pray that you’ll refrain from accusing me of petty thievery again, and I can forgive you making such a hasty attack in the midst of a dialogue. Now then…”

Rider dipped the tip of her blade slightly, smiling.

“It seems to me that you’ve already had your share of trouble this day. There’s no need to take this any further here. If your Master will agree to it, we can arrange a meeting, and sort out whatever misunderstandings and misconceptions each of us might have. How does that sound, King of Heroes?”

Internally, Rider’s very being screamed to run. The Servant before her was not something she could expect to face seriously and live. Maybe under perfect conditions, but here and now she was almost certain to lose if it came to blows.

[i]“Master… I am ashamed to admit I don’t think this is a fight I can win. If it comes to it, you may need to use the Command Seal you spoke of.”[/i]