5 Chapter - 4

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Chapter - 4: Oni vs Lancer

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[Interlude] - [Third Person]

The battle erupted with a thunderous impact as Otakemaru lunged forward, his monstrous strength cracking the floor beneath him. Lancer reacted swiftly, his spear intercepting the incoming strike with a resounding clash. The force of the collision sent shockwaves through the air, each combatant momentarily locked in a contest of power.

But Otakemaru's relentless assault did not waver. With a fluid motion, he twisted his body, redirecting his momentum into a follow-up blow. Lancer's keen reflexes came into play as he deftly evaded the strike, the rush of wind brushing past his face.

Seizing the opportunity, Lancer shifted his stance, his leg propelling him forward in a fluid motion. His spear became a flurry of motion, aimed directly at Otakemaru's head. The rapid succession of forward stabs created a barrage of lethal strikes, each aimed with unerring precision.

Otakemaru's eyes narrowed as he met the onslaught head-on. His endurance proved to be a formidable defense, his body absorbing the impact of Lancer's strikes. The clash of metal against metal echoed through the air as the two warriors engaged in a frenzied exchange.

Lancer's movements were a testament to his agility and finesse, his calculated strikes aimed to find a weakness in Otakemaru's defenses. Yet, the Oni's sheer strength and resilience allowed him to weather the storm, his body withstanding each blow without yielding.

The battle continued with an intensity that defied prediction, a dance of combat that shifted between moments of calculated strategy and pure instinct. The surroundings bore witness to their struggle – debris scattered, the ground bearing the scars of their clashes.

Otakemaru gracefully evaded Lancer's spear thrust, contorting his body to slide beneath the lethal arc. Seizing the opportunity, he launched an uppercut, a burst of force aimed at Lancer's chin.

Lancer's instincts kicked in, propelling him backward to narrowly avoid the powerful blow. A grin of exhilaration had just begun to form on Lancer's lips, a testament to the enjoyment he found in the battle, when his expression abruptly shifted to shock.

A searing pain erupted across Lancer's neck, blood cascading from the fresh wound. His hand instinctively shot to his throat, fingers coated in his own life's essence.

What met his gaze was the arm of his opponent, was a grotesque transformation – his once-human hand had morphed into a monstrous claw, the wickedly sharp appendage a stark contrast to his former self.

"You noticed, didn't you?" Otakemaru's voice was matter-of-fact, his gaze unwavering as he explained his unsettling ability. The monstrous claw he had displayed underwent a swift alteration, becoming slender and almost innocuous. "One of my abilities is to modify my body," he elucidated calmly, his words a chilling reminder of the peril that lurked within the fight.

A shiver coursed through Lancer's frame as he absorbed the implications. A formidable adversary had just revealed another layer of his lethal arsenal. Otakemaru's subsequent declaration sent a surge of adrenaline through Lancer's veins. "Next time, it will be in your head..." The threat hung in the air, each syllable laden with the weight of impending danger.

Lancer resettled into a battle-ready stance, his thoughts racing as he contemplated his next move. The battle had escalated, the fun heightened.

Despite the dire circumstances, a smile graced Lancer's lips. The thrill of combat coursed through him, an exhilaration that transcended the looming threat. He was a formidable adversary, a fact Lancer had come to appreciate.

His thoughts meandered, pondering the significance of his opponent's strength, the mysteries of his abilities, and the enigma of his identity.

Otakemaru surged forward, his hands grotesquely transformed into large claws. Lancer mirrored his motion, both combatants launching themselves into the fray with a resounding clash.

A symphony of collisions echoed through the air as they engaged in intense hand-to-hand combat. This time, Lancer took the offensive, capitalizing on his increased speed and showcasing his superior spear skills.

Otakemaru's movements were a blend of evasion and calculated defense. He skillfully dodged incoming attacks, or when necessary, positioned his body to absorb the blows. He couldn't help but notice the potency of Lancer's spear, its edge capable of slicing through his flesh – a sensation he hadn't experienced in a long while.

Swift and agile, Otakemaru leapt and weaved through Lancer's and a well-timed twist, he delivered a powerful blow, only to be met with the pommel of Lancer's spear, deflecting the attack. As Otakemaru descended, he swiftly kicked off the ground, landing in a crouched position before launching a counterattack.

Lancer's spear spun in his hands, seamlessly intercepting Otakemaru's clawed strikes. The clash of their weapons reverberated in the air. Lancer's determination was unwavering as he seized an opening, launching a swift sharp attack.

Otakemaru's form shifted, narrowly evading the strike before countering with a powerful heel kick, leveraging Lancer's spear as a fulcrum.

Lancer's smile grew as his strike reached Otakemaru, but his expression quickly shifted to one of surprise and alarm. His eyes widened as he lost sight of his opponent, and the only perceptible clue was the faint sound of crackling electrical discharges.

However, experience honed through countless battles allowed Lancer to react swiftly. He spun his body around, spear at the ready, detecting a presence behind him. As he turned, his eyes fell upon Otakemaru, who had once again transformed his arm into grotesque hammer-like appendages.

*BOOOOM!*

Their weapons collided in a fierce clash, the impact resonating in the air as an intense parity settled between them. Yet, Otakemaru refused to accept a stalemate.

He channeled all his might into his transformed limb, emitting a ferocious roar as he exerted his strength. Lancer was forcefully propelled backward by the overwhelming force, hurtling through the air until he crashed into a nearby building several meters away.

The building absorbed the impact of the collision, crumbling from the sheer force of Lancer's collision. Otakemaru landed on the ground, a mixture of irritation and rage coloring his expression. He gazed at the spot where Lancer had been sent flying, his monstrous appendages gradually returning to their normal state.

Emerging from the rubble of the building, Lancer stood tall and unharmed, a triumphant smile on his lips. It was evident that his attack had not inflicted significant damage on him.

Looking at Lancer's appearance, Otakemaru's surprised expression turned into a smile, and he gradually toned down his aggressive attitude, letting his bloodlust subside.

His next words, however, seemed to confuse Lancer. "You're holding back," Otakemaru stated with his eyes half-closed, a sense of impatience evident in his tone. "Why?" he pressed, clearly expecting a battle rather than a simple exchange.

Lancer found himself displaced by the question and frowned momentarily. Finally, he let out a chuckle. "You noticed that, huh? Good for you. Actually, I don't want to hold back, but my ... annoying Master has made me weaker," he explained, with a hint of irritation in his voice as he recounted his situation.

"You also have problems with your Master, I see...." Otakemaru nodded, understanding the sentiment. He, too, had had problems with his Master, though he hoped his words would have some effect on the girl.

Lancer, intrigued, asked, "Are you facing the same thing?"

Otakemaru shrugged nonchalantly. "I do have a minor issue with mine, but at least it hasn't hindered me in combat," he replied, his tone indifferent. "Well, if you can't give it your all right now, then there's no point in fighting further," he declared with a sigh, indicating his willingness to disengage from the battle.

Lancer nodded in agreement. The truth was, he was indeed constrained by the command spell, rendering him incapable of achieving victory over Otakemaru.

Otakemaru's predatory grin grew wider as he posed a question, his anticipation palpable. "Can you give it your all in the next battle?" he inquired, his excitement evident.

Lancer's brow furrowed slightly as he considered the question. "Well... my Master has forbidden me from defeating any opponent for now. But, considering it's just the initial match..." A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a glimmer of determination in his eyes as he nodded in affirmation.

Satisfied with Lancer's response, Otakemaru's smile persisted. "Excellent. You're a seasoned warrior. It would be a shame to end your life in this compromised state," he remarked, his gaze fixed on Lancer.

As Otakemaru turned to depart, Lancer couldn't let him go without saying something. "Wait!" he called out, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and interest.

But to his misfortune, it was already too late. The sound of lightning crackling filled the air as Otakemaru vanished, leaving Lancer's call unanswered.

After a moment, Lancer let out a sigh, his curiosity and interest momentarily left unresolved. He couldn't help but smile, however, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

"Maybe this war won't be as dull as I initially thought," Lancer mused quietly to himself, a glint of hope shining in his eyes as he prepared for the battles that lay ahead.

And with this little warm-up battle between two mighty heroes of mankind's past.

The great Holy Grail War had officially begun.

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