Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 17

The darkness encroached on me as we fell rapidly to the ground

"Saber"

Like a guardian spirit, my Servant caught up to me midair and wrapped me around her arms, carrying me bridal style as we slid off the mountain's slope. 

With a kick of her armored boots, the ground burst open from underneath. 

We flew through the night sky of Fuyuki. Saber jumped from building to building, her form nothing but a dark blur as she carried me in her arms

I know she could go faster than that. The fact that Saber hasn't done that show she has a much better grasp on her power than I thought

-Or maybe she knows going at a faster speed would harm me with the whiplash. I'm not going to complain anytime soon

"Keep going, pet"

I pat Saber's head. 

Ignoring the blonde Servant's indignant sputtering, I glanced at the surrounding foiliage to observe their geography

Most of the land here has been abandoned long ago, the vegetation left to grow in the wild with no manual culling. Standing proudly in the midst of it all is the rapidly approaching Matou residence

It was set here in the late 18th century by the immigrating Zolgen Makiri, known today by their altered name Matou. 

The residence consists of a singular large building with branching rooms and several hidden compartments buried under the ground. Windows only exists on the lower floor, with the rest entirely shrouded in mystery 

I already dug up the building's blueprint from the city hall's architectural database. Tracing back the room led me to the conclusion that it was built for covert operations more than a natural defense like the Einzbern's castle

In that case, normal breach tactic would do

"Stop down there" I tapped her shoulder. Saber nodded

My Servant slowed down and dived into the forest. With several swings of her sword the foiliage was sent flying, leaves and branches scattering through the air. 

The trees cleared away, making ground for us as we landed quietly on the dirt

As Saber set me to the ground, I took out my WA2000 and load the mag into it 

I sneaked my way forward through the trees. The leaves and dirts almost masked out my presence in the dark, ensuring almost perfect anonimity from the unaware

Exhaling, I sat down in a crouched position and raised the gun while observing the dim light in the distance with my thermo scope on. 

In the dark, only the cold air of the forest greeted me back. The normal blue is all I see, coupled with the occasional heat traces of wandering animal in the area

I slightly lowered it. My hand raised up, gesturing to my Servant who readied her blade

In principle, this plan of us is quite simple

We go on our separate tasks for a more efficient assault. While she lures in the enemy Servant, I'll locate and take out the Matou's Master. 

If Saber stall him out long enough, or alternatively if I managed to prolong the fight until she arrive by my side, our chance of eliminating another competitor from this war will drastically increase

I gave a clean sweep of our surrounding once again, before nodding

"Go" 

Artoria complied. Wind swept forth as she dashed away, leaving me alone in the darkness.