Fate/Labyrinth

...

The wind whistling through caverns, the soft glow of the moon, the rustling of the bushes as various animals roamed about. All of it, sings of a peaceful night. And so it was, as the three figures slept by a campfire. 

Kato Kiyohira, Aneka, and Saber, all asleep, tired from their battle with the Dark Berserker. 

But, there was another.

One who did not rest. 

Assassin. Aneka's servant, the silent killer, knew better than any that the night was itself the best time for an ambush. Even one as peaceful as this one held only dangers. 

So Assassin did not rest, keeping watch over the immediate area. 

Perhaps Assassin was being paranoid. 

Perhaps they had no reason to fear. 

After all, any enemy nearby surely would have been detected by them already...

...Unless, of course, that servant had concealment skills connected to their legend... the ability to disguise themselves with their surroundings, even without being an Assassin class.

Assassin could not take that risk. If Aneka became injured, or killed, they too would disappear... at least, that would happen considering Assassin did not take precautionary actions. They did, of course, but it would still be a problem for them if she was hurt. 

And so, Assassin would wait. 

A deadly mist, an eerie presence undetectable for any normal human, and for most servants. 

All but a few, of course... 

The paranoid waiting seemed not to yield any results yet, as Assassin knew morning was approaching in just four hours.

It would be another hour before Assassin would see it. A flash in the darkness, concealed movement impossible for any human. 

Assassin thought quickly, and acted yet faster, descending on the position of the movement. 

But, this elusive foe had evaded Assassin. Assassin, of all servants, the being so well suited for sneak attacks and killing, had been evaded by someone unaware of their presence. 

Or, perhaps Assassin had already been detected... 

*Bam!*

The crack of a gunshot in the night sounded yet too far to be fired from the same foe. At least, according to Assassin's assessment. 

They had almost no time to react, only barely avoiding the bullet. Traveling nigh instantly to the position that the bullet was fired from, Assassin prepared to kill the fool who thought they could ambush the most infamous killer in history. 

Yet, there was no one there. 

*Bam!*

Another shot sounded in the dim glow of the night, this one traveling from another direction completely. Were there perhaps many foes, then...?

No. It was one, just one man. This fact Assassin was sure of. 

Strangely, though, the elusive fighter seemed not to go after Kato and Aneka, targeting only Assassin... 

Taking the bullet this time, Assassin would not let this foe escape. Dissipating then reappearing in the exact spot they calculated the bullet had been fired from, they yet again prepared to kill, this time ready to use whatever force is necessary. 

But, Assassin did not find their foe there.

What they did find, however, was a trap set for them. 

Springing up from the ground, branches cut into wooden stakes stabbed at Assassin's misty figure. The sheer surprise of it made it difficult for Assassin to dodge, but they did, as soon as they regained their bearings.

Which was, in all fairness, very quickly.

*Bam!*

Another shot fired, aiming directly for Assassin's spirit core. 

Assassin knew, with their uncanny ability, that whoever or whatever was attacking them was at least 500 meters away from them. But still, that absurd accuracy could not miss!

Assassin could barely dodge yet again, only just managing to make the bullet miss their spirit core. 

With that, Assassin was certain of one thing: If they hadn't moved, that shot would have landed, and they would be dead. 

There was only one thought on Assassin's mind, now; I must find this servant, I must...

But, what could be done? 

There was almost no trace of mana that servants would usually give off, and whenever Assassin traced back the path of the bullet, the attacker would already be gone. 

*Bam!*

 There! I see it now...! Ahh, how contrived! For just a second before every shot, this servant gives off a burst of mana, as though using a passive Noble Phantasm! Then, all I need to do is trace that burst before the bullet is fired, attacking them before they can move!

As the bullet whistled past Assassin's dodging form, they had already devised a plan to counter this elusive foe. Sneaking in amidst the trees, Assassin would lay in wait for their attacker to fire again, instead of attacking. Just before they fired, Assassin would find the presence of mana gathering, and attack there. 

And so the game of cat and mouse commenced, two nearly equally elusive enemies hunting in the darkness before dusk. Assassin, in twisted defense of their master. Their attacker, the mysterious assailant, for unknown reason...

__________________________

...

*Bam!*

...Tch. Heittää lusikka nurkkaan, would you... My bullets are not landing...

The clink of his rifle sounded as the empty shell dropped to the ground. Catching it just beforehand so as to not leave any traces of his presence, Archer dashed to the next position, knowing Assassin would kill him instantly if he would be found. 

This time, though, that deadly mist did not descend on his last position. Archer only had to think about it for a second, before realizing Assassin's strategy. 

Ahh... so, you saw the mana bursts? ...clever thing... You want me to fire again, do you, so you can locate the mana...? ...I see. Then, I suppose I should comply... though, a passive Noble Phantasm won't cut it, for this battle... 

...I'll have to use it, then. 

Archer took a deep breath, preparing to unleash another Noble Phantasm. Halting his breathing and lying completely still in the brush, he took aim; an impossible shot, made possible only by the greatest sniper in history.

"...Knee deep snow, drown my foes-- Rage of winter, lead them down a route of ruin, invaders of the Fatherland... --A slice of a knife to a throat, let their blood turn to ice-- Talvisota!!"

Finishing the incantation as quietly as he could, Archer unleashed his second Noble Phantasm. 

The greatest sniper in history sparred with a devil of mankind's own creation, their battle a game of cat and mouse. 

The battle would go on until sunrise. Assassin themselves were astounded; everything, every sense told them that this Archer had average stats. So then, how was he, a much weaker servant, fighting on equal footing with Assassin? 

____________________________

Once more, Assassin dodged Archer's bullet. Once more, Archer had disappeared. The battle, for Assassin, would not be a problem. No, it was only a problem because of the few shots that got through his defences and the mist; those few shots whittling away at his stamina and health. 

If this continued, Assassin would be killed. 

Drastic measures must be taken, then...

...The master will die if I do this, but I will die if I do not... Very well. ...My apologies, Master... I cannot lose this war: I need this wish...

Those thoughts swept through Assassin's mind, as they decided what must be done for their survival. A technique that, yes, would kill Aneka; but, it would win this fight. 

The air around it dimming, an eerie presence made yet worse, a primal fear inflicted on any in the vicinity. 

Archer, though, seemed unshaken. 

A fact that enraged Assassin. That cold being, that emotionless, otherworldly being without feeling experienced firsthand what it means to face an unshakable foe. 

Sucking in the air around them, seeming to darken the entire forest around them, Assassin was ready to do whatever it took to win...

But, Assassin had forgotten one crucial detail: 

The sun had risen. 

The others had awoken.

That infuriatingly cheerful voice rang out behind Assassin, paired with the sound of a sword being drawn. 

"Hey, hey, I wouldn't do that if I were you. My master might get sad if his friend dies, y'know. ...and really, I don't wanna see that fool sad anymore. Get back to camp, creepy guy. Me 'n the Admiral will handle the negotiations here-!"