This is the moment when story starts to differ from original Fate/Zero plot. I'll hope you'll enjoy.


Chapter 3: Bloody Forest

"Archer, you bastard! To attack an unarmed women behind warrior's back!"

Saber was charging at him with incredible speed, powered up by her anger. He considered dodging, but had not enough time to move.


Rin used to observe her territory from above, usually from rooftop of the highest building, Archer remembered. It was strange that Tokiomi finally made a move and joined him at the observatory point. Strange, but also somehow similar. Amazed how daughter resembled her father, he was enjoying a view with his Master.

A bit nostalgic grin showed up on bowman's face.

"What is it, Archer?"

"It's nothing, Master. I was lost in my thoughts for a while. I apologize for that."

"Still no sign of Caster or lost children?"

"No, but I'm sure that we will track them from here. Master, you really do not want to join other teams in this hunt?"

"No, it's Tohsaka's family duty to protect this town. Or maybe you will need help do defeat Caster?"

Archer smirked.

"We have nothing to fear from this Servant. But he cannot be left alone to do as he pleases for too long, Master. Casters are experts of gathering magical energy from bystanders."

"And you don't like it, Archer?"

"Just like my Master."

Tokiomi smiled with satisfaction. His decision was right. As a guardian of Fuyuki's magic, he could not just hide behind Assassin's back and let others solve this problem. It would be a shame for Tohsaka to not respond, while other Masters already did.

And his Servant was acting a bit on his own in this matter, too. He explained that he just don't like meaningless death. Well, reasonable enough for a motive, but he was extraordinarily excited about this order to hunt down a murderer. Tokiomi concluded, that Archer had some nobility inside, but was trying to hide it for some reason.

Maybe he will tell me his true name at last? I can just force him to do so, but it may change our relations for worse. He seems much more reliable and useful than I thought. It would be a waste to make him distrustful again.

But he had to ask a more important question, and this moment was as good for it, as any other.

"Archer, what is your wish?"

Warrior in red looked surprised. He even opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated and remained silent.

He had something in mind, but never realized that it's strong enough to be a wish. And, actually, Tokiomi was the last person who should know this desire.

"Well…?"

"Master, are you chasing Caster because you care for people or only because it's a matter of your family's name honor?"

"Answering a question with another question is rather rude, don't you think?"

"But these questions are similar in many ways, Master."

Tokiomi did not know how to react to not put his authority in danger. Well, you have to respect someone to obey him, and being honest and trustworthy seems to be the best way to gain authority. In ideal world, it would be like that, for sure.

"I see, trading information… Fair enough, but I asked my question first, Archer."

"I… cannot tell you my wish, Master."

Tokiomi squinted, intrigued and… angry.

"Why is that?"

"This wish - if I can call it like that - is too personal to share."

"Oh? And what if it collides with mine? How could I trust you not knowing it for sure?"

"It has nothing to do with your wish, Master, it's just personal. I can swear it, if you want me to."

"So, you're just fighting for yourself?" He sighed. "No, you don't have to."

Bowman nodded and gave Tohsaka a calm reminder.

"Now's your turn, Master."

True meaning of Archer's expectantly gaze was obvious. He was simply asking: "What kind of man I'm fighting for?". Tokiomi decided to be honest.

"First I thought only about my family's good name, but now I care for both. Does it satisfy you?"

"Yes, Master."

Quick, outright and simple. What an eccentric Servant I have… Well, it doesn't matter. He is a weapon and I should be only concerned about the way of using him in battle.

Rational thought, it was indeed. But presence of Archer obliged Tokiomi to act differently than usual. Something within this heroic soul, despite his nihilism and sarcasm, provoked Tohsaka to think of his own motives and desires. Archer have never mentioned or demanded such behavior from his Master but it was… inevitable. Red mage was not sure if Archer knew of his strange influence on others.

And then a wave of magical energy ran through Tokiomi's magic crest and his Command Seals burned with sharp pain.

"You felt it too, Archer?"

He shook his head affirmatively.

"There." Archer was looking at the forest around Einzbern's castle. "Caster is coming for Saber, probably. What are your orders, Master?"

"Dispose of this trash, Archer."

"Understood."

And red-mantled hero jumped into the night sky, like a hunting hawk.


An excellent spectacle to provoke Saber, indeed. She will rush to save the children, no doubt, she's foolish enough.

So am I.

Damn it, too late.

Massacred corpses of children were lying around, like abandoned dolls. Smell of horror and blood was filling the air. Archer was sure that this scenery was arranged only to enrage Saber. And it was working perfectly.

Only one child remained, now safe in Arturia's arms. But something seemed terribly wrong. Too much dark energy emanated from the ground and from the boy himself.

"Saber, step aside!"

Archer shouted and released an arrow, targeting child's back. But it was already too late. Tentacles ripped out from boy's flesh and blood splashed on Arturia's face. She was not able to move, pure terror in her eyes.

"Calm down, Saber. We have to defeat him first, there's no time for complaining now."

Red warrior attacked Caster, but enemy just hid himself behind a living wall of sea anemone-like monsters. Archer was now trapped inside the circle of tentacles with King of Knights.

And difference between them was frightening. Saber was almost exploding with righteous anger, and only a calm resignation emanated from Archer. His silent composure was making him more similar to a cold-blooded murderer than a legendary hero. For Arturia he was now a second target to eliminate.

"You cannot forgive yourself that you did not make it in time to save them, Saber? So do I. Believe me or not."

"Archer, you…"

"What are you doing?" Red spear nailed tentacles, which were about to entwine Saber's leg, to the ground. Yellow spear followed and get rid of another ones, which were targeting Archer. "It's not time for talking. We're in the middle of a fight here!" Lancer took up a position near Saber, guarding her back.

Archer had to admit that this time his self-proclaimed arch-enemy was right.

"So…" He said in his typical, harsh way. "Do you have any plan or you don't mind to follow mine?"

"Which is?"

"I'll annihilate these portion of slime minions with a single attack. At the same moment Lancer will pierce Caster's book to cut his mana off. And Saber will…"

"Yes, I'll cut off his head, don't worry. He cannot be forgiven."

And you will be next – that was Saber's thoughts, Archer was somehow sure about it.

"Fine for me", Lancer agreed. He slashed some more tentacles, fighting back to back with Saber. It was nice to look at them, but Archer had to take care of himself, when creatures surrounded him. Kanshou and Bakuya in hands, a walking whirlwind, he did not allow any of this sea anemone-like things to touch him.

But they knew, as did Caster, that they cannot fight forever.

"Have you finished your final prayers?" Caster was proud of himself and already announced his victory. "Now, tremble and fall into despair!"

Archer was not listening to his mumbling anymore, preparing projections, with his mouth pursed in a self-satisfied smirk.

"Here comes his final blow. Saber, Lancer, get ready."

Rain of swords hit the monsters, and they had no slightest chance to dodge or defend. At this moment of total surprise, Lancer launched an attack, and he was fast like a fiery arrow. With a book pierced, monsters disappeared in fountains of blood, covering the ground with red. And from beyond this crimson curtain, Saber attacked, determined to cut off a head of her enemy.

It turned out that Caster had enough self preservation instinct to cast a spell right in Saber's face. Red mist blinded her and burned her eyes to some degree. She moaned with pain, while her sword hit only an empty space.

Shit. So he ran away anyway.

Archer had no time to waste for a talk, especially with Lancer nearby, so he jumped and disappeared from other Servants sight. It looked like he was going to chase Caster, but enemy's presence had vanished already.

But there was another Servant nearby behind the trees, and his Master with a cold aura, full of murderous intent. Not to mention a smell of fear and spilled blood.


"Dispose of this trash" – this was his Master's order and Archer obeyed. He felt obliged to stop Kirei from tormenting these women, who were already defeated and could do him no harm.

Projected sword-missile was heading towards Kotomine's heart.

Someone blocked it halfway. One of the Assassins materialized with a deadly knives in hand.

"You are breaking our alliance?", she asked, ready to defend her Master at any cost.

Archer did not answer, ready to project another weapon and attack Kotomine from behind. Priest gave him a strange look. He released injured woman and let her hit the ground.

"Let's withdraw now. We finished our business here."

And he just left, with his masked Servant guarding his back. Archer had no more reason to fight them, he checked the wounded instead.

Not good. She will not survive long.

He transferred some healing energy to white-haired woman with a gentle touch. His hands were all stained red with her blood.

Damn, I'm wasting my Master's mana to heal an enemy. Hmmm, she's not a Master nor enemy in the true sense of the word. But it will be hard to explain anyway.

What's her name? Saber called her Iri, if I remember correctly. She looks like Ilya…

"Archer, you bastard! To attack an unarmed women behind warrior's back!"

Saber was charging at him with incredible speed, powered up by her anger. He considered dodging, but had not enough time to move.

He blocked with half-projected Kanshou, but power of her strike was enormous. Archer's sword broke and vanished. Saber's blade cut his arm badly and another strike was coming. He had no other choice, but to jump back and run away, not to mention that he did not want to fight back.

As he suspected, Arturia did not follow him, but was taking care of the wounded.

"I won't forgive you!"

Echoes of her scream were chasing him all the way back to mansion.