Hello everybody my name is Trevyler and welcome back to Grail War of Justice. Anyone got any guesses on who the servants are yet? I'd hope so because it's kind of obvious. Well...maybe not to everyone. Okay so once again I'm writing this before the first chapter has gone up because I really just feel like writing chapters for this story. I don't think I've ever been able to write like this for any of my previous stories so I'm gonna write as many chapters as possible while I still feel like doing so. So this chapter will follow Rin and Archer and will basically cover the rest of the prologue of FSN. You know things like Archer vs Lancer, Shirou not dying when he is killed, etc. So let's begin.
CHAPTER 3
Rin decided to skip school the next day. Of course it would cause a bit of an uproar since she hadn't called in sick before. She didn't care though. This was far more important than her idol image.
Plus she'd gotten to sleep in a little today. When she'd awoken, she was surprised to find the living room in perfect condition just as she'd asked.
"Guess he's a pretty good guy after all." she commented.
"The sun came up long ago." a voice said behind her.
She turned to see Archer entering the room with a tray of tea and cups.
"You're quite the lazy one. Aren't you girl?" he said.
She took that last statement back.
She sat down on the couch as he poured her a cup of tea.
She lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip, "This is good." she noted.
Archer smirked in pride or smugness. Which one she couldn't tell. Maybe it was a little of both.
"What are you smirking about?" she asked.
He didn't give her a response.
"More importantly, have you remembered who you are?" she inquired.
"I'm afraid not." he answered.
She sighed, "Fine. I'll figure out what to do about your amnesia in due time. Get ready to go out Archer. I'll show you around the city." she told him.
He set down the teapot, "Before that Master, aren't you forgetting something important?" he asked.
"Something important?" she said confusedly.
"Good grief...," he wanted to facepalm, "We have yet to carry out the most important exchange of our pact." he stated.
"Most important exchange of our pact?" she repeated, clearly not understanding.
"Girl...You really are not a morning person, are you?" he asked, emphasizing the word girl.
"Who do you think you are, 'girl' this and 'girl' that?!" she exclaimed.
Then it dawned on her, "Darn. Our names." she spoke quietly.
"It finally clicked. So, Master...From now on, what shall I call you?" he asked.
She looked up at him, "I'm Rin Tohsaka. Call me whatever you want." she answered.
He brought a hand to his chin, "I will call you Rin then. Yes the sound of it suits you very nicely." he said to himself and to her.
Rin coughed as she choked on her tea, caught off guard by the comment.
The master and servant spent the entire day traveling the city together. By the time it was dark, they'd found themselves on top of a skyscraper in the main city.
Rin stood looking out over the city, "What do you think? Doesn't this place have a great view of the city?" she asked.
Archer materialized beside her, "If we'd come here in the first place, we wouldn't have had to walk around all day." he responded.
"What are you talking about? All you get from up here is a panoramic view of the city. You can't get a feel for how a city is laid out unless you go places in person." she explained.
"That isn't quite true. My class isn't called Archer for nothing." he retorted.
At her questioning look he continued, "Without good eyesight, a bowman is useless. I can make out how many tiles are on that bridge." he elaborated.
Rin's eyes widened, "Amazing. The Archer class really is made up of Archers." she said.
Archer snickered, "You don't say." he teased.
Rin wondered if she'd be able to put up with his attitude for the remainder of the war.
When she'd attended school the next day, she was shocked at what she discovered.
Rin leaned against the wall, "Has a magic barrier already been established?" she wondered aloud.
"Not fully, but preparations seem to be well underway." Archer replied in spirit form.
"To act so boldly, this person is either a heavy hitter or-"
" a complete novice" she finished.
"Precisely." Archer replied.
"If a bounded field can be sensed by others, it's a third-rate hack. A first rate mage stays hidden until they're ready to strike."
"What is your plan Rin?" her servant asked.
Rin pushed off the wall, "I don't give a damn whether this person's first rate or third rate. Whoever started to put up crude garbage like this in my territory gets taken out!" she stated seriously.
Rin was so busy talking, that she didn't notice the person walking down the staircase nearby.
She continues, "Listen Archer. Let's decide whether to remove or leave it once we determine what kind of field it is." she said.
Suddenly the sound of papers hitting the floor. She turned to see her former sister Sakura kneeling down to collect the papers she had dropped.
"We'll talk later Archer." she told the servant.
She approached the purple haired girl, "Let me help you, Sakura." she said, kneeling down as well.
Sakura gasped, "Tohsaka-senpai!", she paused for a second, "Thank you, Senpai." she said with a smile.
Rin smiled back, "It's no problem." she assured.
Later, once all the students and faculty had left, Rin found several magic circles placed around the school.
The last one was on the roof, "That makes seven. This one seems to be the trigger point." she noted.
Before she could evaluate further, she noticed something come towards her out of the corner of her eye. She jumped out of the way just in time to see a spear lodged into the ground where she had just stood.
"Well well. Looks like someone's got pretty good reflexes." a male voice called.
Rin looked up to see a man standing casually on the fence above her, "A servant." she thought.
He work a sleeveless black bodysuit that was encased by rib cage like armor. On his right arm was an armored black glove and a dull grey spaulder held by a black strap. His left arm was concealed in black bandages up to just below the shoulder. The tan cloak obscured his face and blew gently in the breeze alongside his tattered red waste cape. The outfit was complete by a pair of armored knee boots.
The spear, which appeared to wrapped in some sort of cloth that was also attached to the man's arm, returned to its master.
"It's too bad that won't happen again. I was only playing with you after all." he said.
The smug, almost malicious smile on his face made her uneasy, "Judging by your choice of weapon I'd say you're servant Lancer." she guessed.
He had the spear over his shoulder now, "That's correct. Thanks for stating the obvious Little Missy." he said.
Rin knew this servant was ticking her off already, "For a supposedly heroic spirit you don't seem very heroic." she remarked.
"Well not all of us can be fairy tail heroes now can we?" he asked rhetorically, smirk never leaving his face.
It was still very unnerving. This guy could kill her at any moment and he was busy toying with her. Were all servants like this? Because the ones she met didn't live up to the standards she'd set in her mind.
Lancer looked to her right, "Isn't that right, Archer?" he said.
Rin gasped, "Archer. He can see you!" she exclaimed, now in full alert mode.
The man chuckled once more, "So I guess my assumption was correct. Well Archer, why don't you come on out." he taunted.
When nothing changed, Lancer shook his head, "Maybe you'll need a little persuasion then." he said, looking at Rin.
Recognizing the man's intentions, Rin took off as fast as she could towards the end of the rooftop, reinforcing her limbs as she did so.
She could feel Lancer approaching her at inhuman speed. One wrong move and she was a goner.
"Just a little further." she told herself.
When she was close enough, she used all her strength to jump the fence surrounding the rooftop.
"Archer, you handle the landing!" she instructed.
As she headed for the ground, she was caught by Archer who quickly took physical form to catch her.
As they landed, she tumbled forward, trying to keep her balance and catch her breath.
Fear struck her as she felt the blade coming for her. Relief washed over her as it was blocked by her own servant.
She got some distance between her and the servants just to be safe.
She now noticed the sword in Archer's left hand. A black sword with hexagonal patterns that looked to be Asian in origin.
Lancer pointed his spear at Archer, "So are you ready to get started then?" he asked, tauntingly.
Archer paused to look over his shoulder slightly while still keeping an eye on Lancer. He was waiting for her orders.
"Archer. You will receive no assistance from me. This is your chance. Show me what you've got." she ordered.
Archer smirked in response and let loose a wave a energy. There was stillness for a moment before Archer disappeared from the spot he stood.
Lancer was prepared though. He blocked the blow with little effort. A quick parry followed. They exchanged blows. Getting a feel for the other.
Archer suddenly pulled back only to close the distance once more at rapid speed. He strike fiercely. Attempting to penetrate Lancer's defenses.
They moved with blistering speed. The naked human eye had no chance of tracking them other than the faint blur and the glowing of their strikes.
Lancer thrust the spear forward,now using both hands, aiming to pierce Archer's chest.
Archer brought down his sword. The blow blocked just in the nick of time.
Then he pushed back with great force, screaming as he did so, throwing his adversary off balance.
Lancer went flying back, skidding to a stop a a few yards away from Archer.
Rin watched with intrigue, "So this is a battle between servants." she said in awe.
Lancer charged at Archer. Ready to strike. And Strike he did. The fury of thrusts forced Archer back. Archer's sword shattered.
Lancer grinned psychotically, "Big mistake." he stated, going in for the kill.
"Archer!" Rin shouted.
Archer moved back, mouthing words that could not be heard. Suddenly a set of twin swords appeared in his hands. He brought them up quickly to take a few slashes at Lancer to keep him at bay.
The strategy succeeded, with Lancer getting knocked back a bit, giving them some space between them.
Lancer had his spear in his left hand again, "Well, well, well. I wondered what was up with you. A dual wielder, huh?" he remarked.
Archer didn't say anything, just raised his swords to strike. Archer disappeared in a blur of red, coming from above to attack his foe.
Lancer pulled back. His spear raised just in time to absorb the blow meant for his own body.
"An archer playing swordsman intends to beat me. How foolish." Lancer taunted.
They exchanged blows once more. Neither one seeming to gain the upper hand.
"Playing you say? Well at least I'm not a coward that would hide my face. I honestly wasn't expecting one of the three knight classes to contain one with such indecency." he insulted.
"Tsk. You're one to talk!" Lancer shouted back.
Letting his rage fuel his attacks, Lancer struck Archer with precision and power. Shattering many swords in the process. Yet no matter how many were destroyed, Archer always had more.
Lancer looked annoyed, "To think I've disarmed you twenty seven times and still you have more. Nor have I gained any insight as to your identity. Just what kind of Heroic Spirit are you?" he questioned.
Archer seemed amused, "I could ask you the same question. You seem familiar, but something isn't right about you." he responded.
"We're two of a kind then. However, I'd like to stay unique. Could you please die for me?" he asked, in an unsettling matter.
His glowing, red spear left his hand, spinning in a horizontal motion, Archer side stepped it. He realized his mistake when it occurred to him the weapon was heading straight for Rin.
Archer ran as fast as his legs could carry him, hoping to intercept the blow aimed to kill his master.
In the nick of time, he knocked the spear off course, embedding it in the ground behind Rin. She looked to be in a state of both shock and relief.
Her breathing was heavy and her eyes were wide, "Thank you, Archer." she said, appreciatively.
Archer gave a slight bow, "Of course. It is my duty after all, Master." he replied.
Rin looked around, "Wait, where did Lancer go?" she wondered.
Archer crossed his arms, "It seems his attack was a distraction so that he could track down the person that had been watching us." he informed her.
Rin panicked, "Could it have been a student?" she asked herself.
She turned to her servant, "Come, Archer. We must investigate. If there is someone here then they are in grave danger." she ordered him.
"Very well. I fear we may be too late, but I will do my best." he said, fading away into spirit form.
Rin rushed into the school building, hoping that she did not find a body. She wanted to hope that there wouldn't be any witnesses.
That hope was crushed when she found Archer standing next to a body laying in a pool of blood.
She steeled herself, "Archer. Follow Lancer. If we don't at least learn his master's face this will all have been for nothing." she commanded him.
He gave a nod and silently obeyed, vanishing into magic particles once more.
She slowly approached the body, "This is your responsibility, Rin." she told herself.
She knelt down next to him, "Lancer pierced him with his spear. If his heart was hit then there's no saving him." she said, sadly.
Noticing than he was still breathing, Rin sighed.
"I'll sit with you until your time comes." she told him.
When she rolled him over, she gasped in horror as she saw his face. The face of Shirou Emiya.
"Don't do this to me...Why are you here? Why did you have to pick this hour on this day to be here? How am I supposed to look her in the eye tomorrow?" she asked, desperately.
As she got herself under control she had an idea. She took out the pendant from her father, "There's still a way." she whispered.
Back at home, Rin was mentally and physically exhausted from the whole ordeal.
Archer appeared before her, "I'm sorry, but I failed. This master is very cautious." he said upon returning.
Rin merely shrugged, "Oh. I guess I shouldn't have expected it to be that easy. " she replied.
Suddenly she was aware of something dangling above her. She looked up to see the pendant she used to heal Shirou.
"You went to get it for me?" she asked.
"Don't lose it again. It doesn't suit anyone, but you." he said in response.
"You think? Well, thanks." she told him.
'Like I thought, there doesn't seem to be any mana left in it at all.' she thought in disappointment.
A problem occurred to her, "Hang on..." she started.
"What is it, Rin?" Archer inquired.
"When Lancer's master learns that the witness they thought they killed is still alive..." she trailed off.
"He'll probably send Lancer back to finish the job." he concluded.
They went out again to try and stop Lancer's eminent attack on the boy she'd saved.
Archer carried Rin and they jumped from rooftop to rooftop across the city.
Archer didn't approve of this action, "This isn't your burden to bear..." he tried.
Rin was stubborn though, "After all it cost me to save him, I'm not about to let him die!" she exclaimed.
When they landed, she burst into a sprint to the Emiya household.
Archer seemed on edge, "Wait, Rin!" I'm sensing more than one servant!" he called out.
Surprised by that, Rin stopped and searched to find that he was correct in that deduction. One of them was Lancer, but who was the other servant?
Suddenly a figure dropped down behind Rin, "Good evening. Would you like to explain just what you're doing here at this hour?" a voice asked.
Rin turned around and looked at the mysterious figure. The sword in his hand said all that need to be said though.
Rin was shaking, "The Saber-class servant..." she said in awe and fear.
Well that's chapter 3. Tell me how I did on the fight scene and how I can improve please. Fight scenes aren't my area of expertise as far as writing goes. I could use some pointers. For this one I basically copied the normal Lancer vs Archer fight from the prologue. I also don't plan on writing extremely long fight scenes in this story unless the plot demands it. Mostly because fights that drag on really annoy me. One of the things that annoys me about most anime is the fact that fights will go on for like 4-6 episodes at times. Don't expect anything like that from me. Remember to review or PM me if you have have any comments, suggestions, or things you'd like to discuss. I appreciate feedback. It's really helpful for me. Anyways, have a great night everyone and I'll see you next time.
~Trevyler