Fuyuki Bridge.
Night had fallen on the city, leaving the giant red bridge in cold darkness illuminated only by the street lamps.
The highway that connected Minami and Fuyuki over the Mion River had quite the charming sight under the moonlight. A bit more on the romantic side if Nobunaga would convey her opinion. The cold wind clouding her breath was nice and comforting. A fair contrast against the warm morning sun.
The salty smell of the water flowing under the structure was very welcoming after having spent an entire day inside the nearby community centre as well. Though she was clad in her tight-fitting battle gear, to be able to relax to the breeze without a care in the world had Nobu wishing Lelouch and herself weren't fighting a war right now.
Had things been different, they could be strolling along the empty bridge, enjoying a moonlit date under the dark blue sky.
But no. The bridge was empty with her alone. After Lulu made several calls to his hypnotized police, informing them to keep civilians away from the area, not even a car had rushed past in the last few hours.
'Not that any interlopers would have stopped me at this point,' Nobu sighed into the night. Her breath formed a small cloud before being carried with the breeze. 'Casualties or not, nothing will stop me from taking down our enemies.'
As all Japanese, and by inclusion the Fuyuki citizens, were her subjects, it was therefore within her rights to take their lives if they intervened. It may offend many that she would think so little of her people, but if any were so oblivious to the auspiciousness of the surrounding atmosphere, to the bloodthirst in the air, then their idiotic survival was the least of a demoness' worries.
'It ends tonight.' Her breath made another cloud that brushed against her flowing crimson hair. 'With our victory.'
Lelouch's plan was in motion. With two hostages in either hand, as well as a mad knight lying in wait in his shadow, her adorable Master would deal with the Magus Killer easily. Though Nobunaga yearned to fight next to him, this was still fine. Besides, being integral to his plans was still… a satisfying thought. One that had her cheeks flushing slightly.
'What am I getting all flustered for?' chiding herself, she composed herself with a light chuckle. 'After all, he is my fellow demon. He will be the only one to stand as my equal in this world. Yes… Of course…'
She meant to state it as fact. But the fact her mind was locked onto something as trivial as that… it reminded her of the woman within her that she'd never been in life. Truly, a folly her old self would scoff at, but not one her present would ever deny.
Besides, It was the truth. No one would stand between them. And together, no one would stand in their way.
'Not the naïve King of Knights. Not when one of her former comrades awaited for her with a vengeance.' To think Nobu had been summoned as the Servant of Retribution when the Knight of the Lake, Sir Lancelot himself, would be gunning for his former king due to personal issues. 'Hmph, and here I thought I was an actual fool of a leader in life. To have what legends depicted as your most noble vassal turn on you…'
The thought was hilarious and pitiful all at once. While Nobu had once been betrayed and killed for it, at least her legacy was saved by another of her retainers. For King Arthur, one betrayal turned into civil war. Her legacy, which was Camelot, was lost to myth and fables.
And now, it seems a certain knight was out for blood.
Or so Lelouch's conjecture went upon hearing of Berserker's true name. Still, Nobu thought it was plausible enough, considering her Lulu was a smart enough cookie to guess facts from a glance alone. Avenger scoffed, regardless. 'You better take care of your former liege, Black Knight. Not unless you want me to burn her alive.'
There had been a time when Nobu was worried that Saber's foolish wish would poison Lelouch's mind. Back then, he was lost and uncertain. But now, when Lelouch and she were bound together, Nobu swore she would make sure no one, nothing, would hinder them or come between them. Ever.
Not their foes nor death itself. Not even the end of this war.
They had made their contract. Plagiarized as it was from an immortal witch of his past, Oda Nobunaga was still his and Lelouch vi Britannia was now and forever hers. Not even oblivion will ever change that.
"The time has come to wrap up this little farce of a war. While I so enjoyed letting loose for once in aeons of sitting idly within the Throne, I'd much rather enjoy living in this era of peace…" The Demon King muttered to herself while smiling with a feral expression, but the fiery spark in her eyes hid a maiden's wish. 'With him… and only him.'
But of course, she still had her job to do. She then raised her katana forward and shouted to the skies.
"Come forward, King Iskandar! Let's end our argument and come to a resolution to our conundrum, here and now!"
Rider didn't make her wait too long. The night sky roared with lightning as a bolt struck the centre of the bridge. Street lamps flickered, but upon relighting, the familiar chariot of the Grecian Conqueror appeared. Two divine bulls grunted and bellowed as they glared at her, but neither managed to intimidate the Daimyo. It was their owner who she directed all her attention on.
"Avenger," he greeted her with a calm voice.
"Rider," she answered back.
Surprisingly, he didn't speak or boast as he normally would. Instead, he dismounted and approached her. Reciprocating, she approached him but stopped short of a few meters as did he. From over his shoulder, she spied Waver Velvet standing by the chariot. A measly boy he was, Avenger had to give the brat props for remaining by his Servant's side. In the end, he was one of the very few Masters both she and Lelouch had to commend for having guts.
It still wouldn't save him from being cleaved by her blade, but at the very least, she would grant him an honourable and peaceful death.
"I see that neither of you faltered at my invitation, despite your recent loss to a certain brat." She eyed Iskandar's knowing expression. The man was aware he'd been played like a fiddle, but she could see he neither held a grudge nor was he going to be a sore loser despite her taunts.
"To waver at the decisive battle would only insult the challenger, would it not?" Iskandar eyed her back with a grin. "I came here to save your face. After all, an upstart can only earn their place after beating that which preceded her."
"And I shall," she grinned back with eagerness. "Let it be known that tonight, history shall be decided by the victor. The crown of all the world's Conquerors shall go to whoever leaves alive on this eve."
"Naturally, however," Iskandar raised a palm as he smiled awkwardly. His other hand went to scratch the back of his head. "While I know this is supposed to be the final boss battle or at least the first stage of it, would you mind sharing one drink with me?"
"… … Eh?" When Nobu raised an eyebrow, he elaborated.
"Our little banquet of kings didn't end very well, and I… sorta feel awkward about not ending it on a high note after all. Since you and Saber are still alive, I'd thought to see if we could properly finish it this time."
As he said so, Rider delicately pulled out a bottle of fine wine and a couple of cups out from under his cape. Nobunaga couldn't help snorting when she saw it.
"Snrk… What is this? Some kind of plan to poison me?"
"Oh, please! I would never poison my own drink. It ruins the taste and is certainly a waste of perfectly good wine! I would know." Iskandar snickered as he reminisced about the past for the briefest of moments. "Besides, I'm not an assassin and have no means to make a poison strong enough to slay a devil like you."
Nobu snarled as her katana dispersed into fragments of light. "Hoh? You acknowledge me as a devil now, do you?"
"Don't get your hopes up, woman." He snarked back with a smirk of his own as he sat down. "While I am wary of you and your Master, my opinion of your lordship still stands. I respect it, but I will not abide by it. Conquest is the name of my game, and it only ends with my overwhelming victory or immediate defeat!"
An amusing thought for someone about to die, but Nobu had to concede some respect in that. Still, should she waste time sharing a drink with him? Lelouch was currently alone facing the mercenary assassin and she needed to return to him as quickly as possible. Still, at the same time, Nobunaga felt like she was required to at least humour Rider. If not on a whim, out of politeness would do.
She decided to consult her Master via their mental link. 'Rider is here and wants to have a little chat. How is your situation? Should I finish him right now?'
'If Rider is so casual, he might anticipate an attack from you at any moment. Play along and wait until he will let his guard down…' Ever prompt in the decision-making, Lulu immediately responded without a hint of concern in his thoughts. 'Do not worry about me. Everything is under control.'
'I'll take your word for it.'
Nobu was confident he was alright. He was her equal after all. Still, she wasn't wasteful playing along. Iskandar was going to die so, in a way, this was his last drink before death. She was feeling merciful tonight, hence she allowed him to pour a drink after accepting the cup he offered.
"It seems we have the time, but do please make it quick, Rider. My Master won't make it as he's very busy right now, as is Saber, so it'll be just you and I."
"A shame. Here I thought I could request we play one more game." As Iskandar finished pouring her cup, he handed one to his Master as well, the boy seemingly trying not to glare at his Servant for the lackadaisical admission of fraternizing with their foes. "What? Don't look at me like that, boy! The young prince's sharp mind is both a treat to work with and an adversary I very much wish to try my hand against. From one game alone, I can tell. He will be my greatest opponent should he rise to the taste of conquest as I have!"
'He already has and will never be your equal, you bumbling buffoon…' That the oaf was seemingly boasting about the time he spent with her Lulu had touched a nerve in the redhead. So much so that she couldn't help but down the fine wine without tasting it at all. "Hmph. After tonight, I'm afraid you'll never get to play with him again."
"Oh? How possessive of you, little lady. Don't tell me you've already gone that far with him! Ahahahahah—!"
"We have promised our futures together, now and forever until the end of time!"