Chapter 3: Misconceptualization

#12-A sharp tongue is a powerful weapon when paired with a sharp intellect. And like any weapon, both must be honed properly if they are ever to pierce flesh.

This was strange. I'd never seen it like this before.

It was the night when Father found me. I saw the man Father killed tossing aside debris while kneeling on the ground. I walked closer and looked over his shoulder, seeing my younger self, motionless and dirty, lying in the rubble.

I watched the scene play out, knowing what would come next. The first lesson Father taught me. Instead, there was a sudden flash of golden light. I turned away, blinded by the sudden flare erupting from the man. When the burst of color finally died down, I looked back to find the man as I remembered him. A smile of elation and joy on his face, unknowing of what was about to happen.

But Father was nowhere to be seen. The man spoke, his words muted and indiscernible. He picked me up and held me, hugging me close as he continued speaking. This wasn't what happened.

Then, the world shifted. Gone was the dark, ashen landscape of shadows and rubble, replaced by an all-consuming white light shining down upon a rusted valley. The world was a barren wasteland, dirt and ash swimming across the air and inconsistent landscape. The ground rose and dipped, forming countless hills and valleys across the ethereal expanse.

"Where am I?"

Suddenly, my back flared as though set aflame. My head jerked back to see the hilt of a sword protruding from my back. I also saw several dark shapes, nearly consumed by the blinding white of the sky, hurtling towards me.

I ran, sprinting as fast as I could, dodging and weaving to throw off the weapons' aim. No matter what I did, the blades would always hit. With every passing second, new pain shot through my body, blades embedding themselves into my back. Somehow, no matter how much the weight and agony increased, I kept running. I ran because it was all I could do.

A sharp pain burned into my leg, and I fell as more blades impaled themselves in my back. I tried to keep moving, pulling myself forward by anchoring my hands in the rusty dirt. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to get there.

And then I saw him.

Off in the distance, a lone figure stood atop a hill, gazing out toward the never-ending horizon. I could barely make them out, the skyline wrapping around them like a white sheet. However, I saw they too bore numerous swords in their back. I couldn't call out to them, couldn't give them any sign I was in this world as well, but they still seemed to sense me. They began to turn, and I heard a sharp whistling.

Something slammed into me, and my eyes shot open. The world was silent save for my hurried breathes. I was in the guest room, the morning sun struggling to peer into the room through the curtains. I worked to calm myself, relaxing my tensed body as my breathing slowed.

What was that dream? It made no sense. I had never once regretted my Father saving me, so why would I see that first half. And what about that second half? An empty world of dust and hills under an endlessly white horizon. Blades piercing my body as they had done to the only other inhabitant.

"It seems this place," I slowly sat myself up. "Draws out strange dreams."

I pushed the sheets back and swung my legs off the bed. I glanced over at the occupied futon, finding Saber still sleeping soundly. I silently opened the door and slipped out of the room, heading down the stairs. I glanced at the hallway phone to find its digital clock saying 6:20. Seemed I had time on my hands.

I moved to the kitchen, but even before I opened the door, I knew someone was already in there. The sounds gave it away. I opened the door to find Archer, dressed down in a black button-up and trousers, wearing a red apron and standing before a steaming metal pot.

"And here I thought she may have been joking," I said with the shake of my head.

Archer watched me as he slowly stirred a ladle through the pot.

"I suppose there's no need for me to make breakfast then," I shrugged and turned to leave.

"Then, perhaps your time would be better spent," I heard Archer reply. "Working to not be a burden on my master."

I looked back at him, raising my eyebrow at the unexpectedly cold words.

"You believe me to be a burden? You underestimate me, Archer."

"Not at all," Archer moved to a steaming skillet, flipping a sizzling hamburger. "I simply understand what you are doing, Shirou Kotomine."

"And what would that be?"

"Using my master as a crutch."

I narrowed my eyes at the words. This servant had barely interacted with me, but, with six words, he had somehow gotten under my skin. I couldn't remember the last time a verbal jab actually bothered me.

"I'm only taking the path to victory. Surely, a servant understands the value of using every resource at your disposal."

"Yes. And I also understand using others to hide your own weakness."

I felt my teeth clench. I mentally began calming myself. Ignore the words, focus on the meaning. He was getting at something. Otherwise, this was simply antagonization for the sake of it. So, what…

"It must have been hard," sardonicism weaved into Archer's words. "Growing up surrounded by your betters. How long have you depended on Rin?"

I resisted balling my fist. Archer had control of this conversation. Anything I could say would fall short, lacking the knowledge to drive it home. The best way regain power was to appear unbothered and wait for an opportunity.

"Perhaps you should forget about winning," Archer turned his eyes back to the pot. "Someone without drive could never hope to accomplish anything."

"And that's where you're wrong," you didn't always have to wait long.

He continued focusing on the pot, acting as though he hadn't heard me.

"Someone without drive can do almost anything. It's once they find drive that their options become limited. Tell me, Archer. What have you accomplished in your life?"

I didn't think he noticed his hand clench on the ladle he held. I might've hit a sore spot.

"Every hero is driven to face evil for one reason or another, but one thing always remains the same."

He raised his eyes, locking gazes with me. His grey eyes dared me to continue. Who was I to deny his request?

"You all die in failure. After all you accomplished in life, you die knowing you failed when it mattered most, only to be summoned back to die all over again."

We stared each other down, neither of us willing to surrender.

"So, tell me, Archer. What right does a failure have to judge others?"

He didn't respond, but he did stop stirring the pot. So did I.

I left the room and exited out the back of the mansion, wanting to reevaluate his words in peace. What better time to do so than practice?

Instead of pulling out the handles and infusing them with mana, I projected the whole of the black keys into my hands. Instinctual knowledge began to flow through me as I began going through the stances, unconsciously following patterns I had never studied.

Projection was the only magecraft I excelled at. Well, aside from reinforcement. If I focused, I found I could project most inanimate objects, so long as they weren't too complex. However, it was different with blades, as they took the least amount of mana to create. Any other kind of objects taxed my circuits far more than a weapon of any size. But it was more than that.

When I created a weapon, I just knew how to wield it. It still required work to be able to replicate the movements laid out in my mind, but it was always clear to me how to best utilize each weapon. It was unusual, and neither Rin nor Father could explain it. All I knew was, that this was the one thing I could do that Rin couldn't. I took a childish pride in that fact.

I threw the three keys in my right hand out over the lawn. I called on the mana in the blades, stopping them in midair and spinning them in place. I then reinforced the three in my left and hurled them at the others. Each blade shattered one of the others with pinpoint accuracy, dissipating after the fact.

I closed my eyes and began focusing on archer's words, continuing through the stances. What was Archer's reason for antagonizing me like that? Last night, he seemed content with my presence, so it was odd he would attempt to rile me up today.

"Using my master as a crutch."

That was the one that actually had some bite. I didn't need a crutch, nor was I Rin's burden. I was her equal, maybe even her superior, and I would prove it in this war. Then, I would finally…

"Master."

Unconsciously, I spun and hurled a black key at the source of the sound. Saber's eyes widened, and she barely avoided the blade which flashed past her and thrust through the open door to impale itself in the ceiling.

She looked at me with narrowed eyes as I quickly composed myself.

"I apologize, Saber." I gave her a small apologetic bow. "I was lost in thought and reacted without thinking."

Saber walked down the steps toward me, not taking her eyes off me for a second.

"I see," she replied, surveying the wide-open space. "Did I interrupt your training?"

"I was actually was just practicing my magecraft," I half-lied, looking out over the Tohsaka estate. "This place was always useful in that way."

"You've known Tohsaka for some time," she stated.

What a blunt way of putting it.

"It won't affect my judgement," I reassured her. "I will do what needs to be done to win this war."

"That was not my concern," Saber shook her head. "However, if other masters became aware of your connection, they may use it against you."

"I won't let them," I said simply, walking back toward the manor.

The moment someone went after Rin was the same moment they met death. The only one allowed to defeat Rin was me.

Saber followed me inside, moving off to the sitting room as I made my way up the stairs to my room. Once inside, I quickly changed into my uniform before exiting.

Instead of heading downstairs, I moved along the walkway toward the other side where several other rooms laid on the right wall. I moved past the office and bathroom to reach Rin's room, one room away from the master bedroom. I didn't understand why she stayed in her room when I was younger, but I understood now that the master bedroom held too many reminders.

I opened the door without knocking, knowing she'd be too asleep to respond if I did. I walked in to find Rin, her arm slid under her pillow, sleeping peacefully with her face toward the door.

I moved to the nightstand and picked up the clock. 6:34. She really needed to start waking up earlier. With that in mind…

I replaced the clock on the nightstand and laid a hand on her shoulder, giving her a light shake.

"Time to get up, Rin."

I didn't try lowering my voice. I was waking her up, not lulling her to sleep.

"We have a long day ahead of us, and, so long as I'm here, they're going to be even longer."

She murmured something but obviously wasn't awake. I shook her a bit more firmly. Her left arm lifted, trying to brush my hand away. I released her shoulder, taking a step back as she stopped moving once more.

"I'm sorry, Rin," I hadn't done this in a while. "But you leave me no choice."

I projected a whistle into my hand and blew into it hard. A sound pierced the air, and Rin's eyes flew open, her body tumbling out of bed as she flailed in distress.

I looked down at her as she groaned in mild pain. She stared up at me, tired anger blazing in her eyes.

"Five years of blissful rest," Rin growled at me. "Five years without that evil whistle. How could you do this to me?"

"I wouldn't have to if you got up at a reasonable time."

"Nothing about this is reasonable!" she batted sluggish limbs against my legs.

Rin brought herself up, her hands balled into fists as she continued to glare at me.

"I suppose you'll either have to get used to the whistle or waking up early once more." I smirked.

She looked about ready to declare war on me and all whistles in existence, but instead, she grabbed my arms and turned me around, shoving me out the door. I let myself be pushed, hearing the door slam behind me.

I moved back toward the stairs, finding Saber waiting at the bottom.

"Master, what was that sound?"

"It may have been a declaration of war," I said with a smile. "We should enjoy Archer's cooking while we can. It may be our last meal."

Saber watched me sternly as I descended the stairs toward her.

"You would be more humorous," she said with a shake of her head. "If I could tell when you are joking."

After Rider's previous attacks, Saber didn't want me at school unprotected. After assuring that, if anything happened, I would call her with a command seal, she finally relented.

Rin and I left the manor and began the long walk toward the school. Neither of us spoke, mostly because she was still irritated by my wakeup whistle. This changed when I led us past the Matou residence.

Sakura smiled as I came into view, raising her hand in greeting before she spotted Rin. Her hand froze as a confused look crossed her face.

"Morning, Sakura," I greeted, ignoring the odd look she gave me. "Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day."

"Good morning, Senpai," she replied, a small smile gracing her face as she turned to face Rin. "And good morning to you, Tohsaka."

"And to you as well, Sakura." Rin gave a smile in turn.

Interesting. One uses the surname while the other uses the given. I had never seen these two interact, which was honestly strange with how much time I've had with them both.

"Tohsaka met me on the way from the bus stop," I lied. "We decided to keep each other company. I hope you don't mind another person joining us."

Rin's eyes flitted toward me when I used her surname, but she seemed to pick up the message. At school, the only person who knew we spent as much time together as we did was Issei, and he wasn't the type to spread rumors. We'd carefully kept it that way as not to bring the wrath of her admirers upon me. It would be annoying to have to deal with them every day.

"Oh," Sakura said, her smile broadening slightly. "I don't mind. I was just wondering if this was why you didn't walk me to school yesterday."

Even if it was a free day for most students, many club activities were on every day of the week. I always made a little effort to walk her to school no matter the day. I could tell it got under Shinji's nerves whenever he saw it.

"I actually overslept," I said, feigning embarrassment. "Father then decided he needed help at the church, so I didn't have time to contact you."

"I see. It's okay. I was sure you had a good reason. I'm glad I was right."

I suddenly felt a twinge of shame about lying to her. I couldn't tell her the truth, but that knowledge was hardly comforting.

"Well," Rin moved ahead of us. "I think it's time we got moving. Don't want to be late, after all."

"R-Right," Sakura stammered, glancing back at me as she moved to follow Rin.

I began walking as well, the two girls leading us as I thought about what just occurred.

It wasn't that Rin had used Sakura's given name, but that Sakura wasn't surprised by it. Even so, she used Rin's surname. Both familiarity and distance between them. What was the connection? They never interacted as far as I knew, but Rin was comfortable enough to use her first name. Was that why she went to the Archery Club? It would explain it, but it all goes back to why.

The rest of the trip was walked in silence, no one seeming to want to brooch a topic. Once we reached the school gate, Sakura went off to the Archery Club, giving us both a farewell as she did.

"So," Rin watched Sakura go. "You walk her to school?"

"Almost every day," I replied, mildly curious as to why it mattered.

Rin watched her for several seconds longer before turning to face me.

"I'll be coming to talk to you during lunch. Don't go running around the school this time."

I frowned as she walked away. Sakura must have flustered her if she forgot I was supposed to meet her on the roof. I continued wondering what connection she had to Sakura. There was something there but pressing the issue would likely make it harder to discover.

Nothing of real interest occurred till lunchtime, although Shinji was unusually irritated today, even for him. I thought about annoying him for that tofu he promised but decided to wait for another day. I could lord it over him when the time came. However, he also seemed to be avoiding me, having one reason or another to cut our talks short. How odd.

Issei sat across from me, his face down on the table while his arms curled around his head. Apparently, the last few nights had been quite restless for him. Understandable. It was likely Caster siphoned mana from those at Ryuudo regularly, especially after what Rin told me. He'd be better once I dealt with the servant.

The far door slid open, and Rin strolled in.

"I'm sorry," Issei said tiredly with a lazy wave of his hand, not looking up. "But the student council will not be accepting requests for the foreseeable future."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not here for the student council," She said, moving to take the seat beside him.

"Oh," Issei's arm flopped back to the table. "It's only you, Tohsaka."

"Truly, a greeting befitting the student council president."

"I don't have patience for games today, Tohsaka."

A knock came from the door Rin entered through. Issei let out a groan of annoyance.

"Shirou, whoever it is, tell them to go away."

I watched the door slide open and said, "You really want me to say that to Mr. Kuzuki?"

Issei shot up straight, his features sorting themselves into a neutral, if a little tired, expression.

Souichirou Kuzuki was the type of teacher most students feared. Strict, serious, and highly attentive, the man was quick to notice and correct students misbehaving in his class, not to mention the standard he held his students to. He was widely regarded as one of the toughest teachers in the school, but that was likely the opinion of those who disliked effort. The man was knowledgeable and treated everyone fairly, which I discovered first-hand when I took his World History class. This, however, did show me that his reputation wasn't unearned, but merely blown out of proportion.

From what Issei had told me, his father had taken a liking to the man, allowing him to live at the temple for the last two years. It was likely he too was under the effects of Caster's mana draining, but if he was, he didn't let it show like Issei.

"Ryuudo," he said after glancing over both me and Rin. "I need to speak with you."

"Yes sir," Issei straightened his clothes as he went to join Kuzuki out in the hall.

Once the door had closed again, Rin started speaking.

"I think Rider is using this school as a hunting ground."

I raised an eyebrow at that. In a lot of ways, it made sense. If her master were at this school, she would be able to narrow down which students wouldn't be noticed if they went missing and pick them off. It's possible I was just another victim before I summoned Saber, turning me into an enemy.

"What makes you say that?"

"I didn't discover it until today, but several of my classmates have gone missing over the last two days. I inquired as to what happened when I discovered the absentees and was told they hadn't received any calls to explain the absences."

This was bad. Rider, it would seem, was more fervent in her hunting than I thought. Her master had to know it would draw their enemies' attention to the school, so why were they being so reckless.

Then it clicked. I was right. Those whose absence wouldn't be noticed. Rin probably only noticed the discrepancy because of the empty chairs. I doubt she could name a single student who went missing, let alone describe their appearance. If I were Rider, I would have also followed the targets home and taken their family with them. The school wouldn't act on it for several days, which was likely where the magic circles came into play with whatever function they served. It all fit together, except for one piece.

Me.

I was a top student and close friend of the student council president. If I were to suddenly disappear, Issei would bring it to everyone's attention, never mind Rin. Targeting me after Saber was summoned made sense, but why break the pattern before I had done so? What was I missing?

Issei re-entered the room, moving over to his chair once more. He sat down and leaned his arm on the table, a serious, contemplative expression on his face.

"What's the matter, Issei."

I had a feeling I wouldn't like the answer.

He turned his eyes toward me before flicking them to Rin. Rin noticed the glance and adopted a stern expression. Issei sighed in resignation. He knew he wasn't leaving till he told both of us.

"What I'm about to say doesn't leave this room," he said, his tone firm. "I'm only telling you this because your friend is in the same club."

Rin's eyes were riveted on Issei, leading me to suspect she also knew who he meant.

"Late last night, the faculty office received a call from a family saying their daughter hadn't made it home from Archery Club practice. From what the other members reported, the last person to be seen with the student was Shinji Matou."

Shinji? How did he fit into this, if at all? The idiot was a womanizer, but he could never be Rider's master. The Matou family had been barren of magic circuits for decades. The only member of the last generation born with them, Kariya Matou, had been killed in the last grail war. Was Shinji just another pawn, or was it simply coincidence?

"What was the student's name?" Rin asked, and I noticed she had started unconsciously leaning toward Issei.

Issei gave us both a grave look before answering.

"Ayako Mitsuzuri, the Archery Club Captain."

That wasn't good. One look at Rin confirmed my fears. Her jaw had been set tightly, and her hands curled into fists.

At least she had plenty of motivation.

"I think we should let it happen."

Rin looked at me like I had gone mad.

School had closed early, so we had the grounds to ourselves. We had decided to talk on the roof as to avoid any unwanted attention.

"When that spell is activated," Rin said slowly, glaring at me all the while. "A bounded field will be put in place. No one will be able to leave or enter once it has been erected. It will effectively turn the school into a killing room, and you want to 'let it happen'?"

"Neither Rider nor her master will be able to leave as well. For once, we will know for certain where they will be, and that they won't be able to escape us again. It will be our best chance to kill them both in one fell swoop."

"And what about the students and faculty?" her words gained an angry edge. "Do you really think they'll come out of this unharmed?"

"I think," I kept my voice level. "That we don't have a better idea. This plan will give us the best results."

"Are you just forgetting about Shinji?" her voice rose another octave. "He was the last one seen with Ayako. He…"

"Is likely a dead-end," I cut her off. "Shinji doesn't have the capacity to be a master. He either has nothing to do with Rider, or he's a pawn in the master's plan. Neither would be of any use to us."

Rin growled at me and looked down through the fence at the ground below.

"These are people's lives, Shirou. Don't make it sound so simple."

I had known the moment I set myself to suggest the plan it'd be met with backlash. Rin may act like she doesn't care, but she hated the thought of people dying needlessly. I didn't believe pointless death either.

"We'll stop them before anyone dies," I said confidently, unsure if I was lying.

She had to understand. This was our best chance. Rider had already killed so many, and I couldn't let her keep amassing power. If it took risking the lives of every person in the school to stop her, so be it.

She continued gazing over the ground below. We silently stayed there for several seconds before she spoke.

"The moment it happens, you will summon Saber with a command seal."

It was a command, and one I could agree to.

"Understood."

When we got back to the mansion, Rin declared that she needed a shower. I wasn't sure why I needed to know that, but it meant I had some time to keep my promise to myself. I immediately went to the washing room, only to find the pile was gone. Archer must have done them already. I had a feeling Archer had done a lot of things around the house. Why would Rin say I was her butler when she clearly already had an effective one?

"Perhaps it really was a joke," I said to myself as I left the room.

I went out back to the manor grounds, planning on practicing with my black keys. Imagine my surprise when I found both Saber and Archer waiting for me.

Saber was kneeling on the lawn with her hands in her lap and eyes closed, the picture of regal serenity befitting a king. Archer, in contrast, was lying on his back with his arms crossed behind his head, not a care in the world. I wondered if this was all they'd been doing since we went to school.

"Saber," I stood before my servant. "I would like to make a request."

Her eyes opened, and she gazed up at me questioningly.

"A request?" her head tilted to the side.

"I want you to fight me like you intend to kill me."

That caused Archer to raise an eyelid while Saber narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Are you certain, Master? I'm sure you're aware the scale at which I do battle. I may not be able to hold back."

She sounded like Father. Alerting me to the risk without a hint of concern or worry. It was comforting in a way.

"It has to be real," I said as I removed my jacket and placed it on the grass.

At a certain point, it was how Father began training me. He believed the best teacher was true experience. He always stopped himself right before the death blow, but I knew that there may come a time when he couldn't. It worked.

Saber watched me for several seconds before standing up and walking further into the wide lawn. I followed, already projecting three black keys into each hand.

After we passed the ruined stone stand, Saber turned to face me as her armor manifested across her form. Her hands went to her side, their grip tightening around her invisible blade. I shook my head, planting the right keys in the ground before projecting a longsword.

"Even I'm not that suicidal."

I held out the blade toward her, and she seemed reluctant to release her unseen weapon. However, she took the blade from me and began examining it as I stepped back, retrieving the keys. After giving it a few experimental swings, she readied it as she had her normal blade.

I threw the key between my left pinky and ring-finger as I charged forward. Saber's blade swept the key aside before blocking my strike with my right keys. I prepared to follow-up by slashing up with my left, but Saber parried my hand away before I could, stabbing the sword toward my midsection. I reinforced and angled my body, the blade glancing of my skin as it sliced through my shirt. I was immediately forced to arch backward as Saber slashed the outstretched blade upward. I jammed the keys into the ground and flipped off them to gain distance, pulling them out as I did.

After I landed, I crossed the keys before me in time to block Saber's downward strike, the force of the which cracked my projections. We remained there, Saber increasing the pressure until the keys shattered. I reeled back to avoid the attack only to find her blade at my throat.

Saber withdrew her blade and planted it in the ground, resting her hands atop it. I took two steps back and reforged the black keys in my hands.

"Again."

Saber watched me briefly before drawing her blade up once more. She likely didn't understand what the reason for this was, as this sort of training was rather absurd. I knew I wouldn't be able to reach the level of a servant, but I wanted to see how large the gap between us was.

We did this several times, each ending with Saber halting her blade before it pierced anything important. As we continued, I slowly began adapting to Saber's fighting style. The rhythm of her attacks and reactions began to open before me, allowing me to last longer and predict her actions. This was fortunate, as it was the only reason I was able to keep up. Her speed and endurance outclassed my, which was to be expected, leading me to rely on my instincts predicting how she would strike next.

I took a few steps back, sweat beading down my face. Saber stood once more with her hands atop her hilt, waiting to see if I'd challenge her again. I patched the dents and cracks in my keys while replacing the two missing ones, knowing the next clash would be the last.

"Again."

I took a single step forward, tossing the keys to spin in the air above us. For an instant, her eyes followed the twirling blades as I knew they would. I launched off my foot, closing the distance immediately. Her eyes were on me, preparing to counter whatever I had planned.

Excellent.

The keys stopped their flailing and directed themselves toward Saber. They shot through the air as I thrust out my right palm to strike her gut. This twofold assault would give me my first landed blow against the servant. However, her armor would protect her enough that the strikes would deal minimal harm.

I didn't blame Saber for what happened next. I told her to treat this as a true battle, so the blame is squarely on me. However, despite my earlier thoughts, I believe there was a part of me that didn't think this would happen.

My right hand and half my forearm fell to the ground as Saber's blade cleanly passed through to prevent the attack and sweep through the air to bat away the keys. Her eyes widened slightly. She may have been just as surprised by her action as I was. I gritted my teeth, biting back a scream of pain.

I tried to focus. I needed to get this treated. I could deal with the repercussions of losing a limb once that was finished. I moved to rush toward the mansion, only to be stopped by a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Shirou," Saber turned me to face her. "Do not move."

I complied. Saber clearly had a plan, using my name to call my attention. The eschewing of my position to bring authority upon herself. It was a king's prerogative to claim such authority, after all.

She took my wounded arm in hand, blood washing out quickly, and scooped up my misplaced limb. She placed the severed pieces together and closed her eyes in focus. Light began to blaze from the wound, magic power flooding through my arm. Within several seconds, the light faded, and the only remnant of the wound was the blood soaking into the tattered remains of my sleeve and slowly dripping off my arm.

Saber released my limb, and I raised it to my eyes. I pulled the bloody sleeve back, turning the arm side to side. I experimentally flexed my fingers. Each digit moved as it always did, as though nothing had happened. I tore the ruined sleeve off and used it to wipe the blood from where the wound had been. Not even a scar remained.

"How…" I was baffled. How did Saber accomplish this?

"It seems," Saber closed her eyes with a sigh. "My suspicions were correct."

Her eyes opened again, seeming to examine me in a new light. What was she eluding to?

"Master," it seemed we had returned to the status quo. "I now understand how it is you summoned me."

She reached out her hand and placed her finger on the center of my chest.

"As with my previous master, you bear Avalon."

Avalon? King Arthur's scabbard? I was getting tired of asking so many questions without answers.

"What led you to this conclusion?" I asked as I slowly felt the pain receding from my arm.

"I'll admit, when your chest injury healed as quickly as it had, it felt oddly familiar. However, it was only after your leg injury that I was almost certain. When we were returning to the mansion, I noticed a pull on my mana similar to when my previous master used Avalon."

That's the second time she's referred to her master in the fourth war. The piece of the puzzle that didn't seem to fit.

"Master," her face became inscrutable. "I believe it is time you told me your connection to Kiritsugu Emiya."

Discerning emerald eyes watched me carefully, awaiting my response. I would have done the same thing in her place. Coincidences don't exist when it comes to magic.

"I can honestly say that I have no knowledge of a connection," I said, my gaze unwaveringly meeting hers. "My knowledge of the man extends no further than his death in the grail war."

Silence stretched on as the afternoon breeze swept gently through the minor distance between us. I could tell my answer wasn't the one she was hoping for. It wasn't the answer I wanted either.

"I don't believe you're lying to me," Saber shook her head. "But this does not change the fact that, somehow, you must have come into contact with him."

Even if she was right, how could I ever know? The only time I may have met him was before the fire. It infuriates me that we may never know how I came to possess Avalon simply because of my ruined memories. I allowed myself a moment of irritation before refocusing.

"How I acquired it doesn't matter," I looked down at my reattached hand. "What matters is how we can use it."

"So long as you bear my scabbard," Saber turned to retrieve the longsword from where she dropped it. "Any injury you receive, no matter how grievous, will be healed without fail."

That is extremely useful, which means…

"And the drawback?"

Saber looked back at me.

"It drains my mana to do so. Usually, the drain is negligible, but something like a limb or a heart takes a larger toll."

I dissipated the longsword in her hand. She glanced down at its evaporating form before her armor followed suit.

"I'll have to be more careful then," I began walking back toward the mansion, looking down at the tattered red cloth in my hand.

I had a suspicion about what Saber said before, but, even without the possibility, I couldn't needlessly waste her energy. All the more reason to trap them tomorrow.

It seemed Archer had stood up at some point during our fight. He watched us through his ever-analytical gaze as I passed by.

"This won't change anything," he said as his steel-grey eyes followed me.

"You're right," I replied coolly. "In the end, I will win. No matter what."

He didn't reply as I continued forward. After I entered the building, I headed up the stairs and to my room. I removed my shirt, hanging it on the desk chair before delving into the wardrobe for a replacement. I settle on a solid black t-shirt, slipping into my red jacket before closing the wardrobe.

"Master."

I look back to see Saber in the doorway, holding my discarded school jacket.

"Put it on the bed," I straightened my jacket, the familiar weight of the black keys hidden throughout a calming presence. "I'll be heading out till nightfall."

"Then I will accompany you," Saber moved to and laid the jacket on the bed.

"No, you will not," I moved back out into the hallway.

"This is a foolish decision, Master," she berated calmly, following me as I descended the stairs.

"What's foolish is walking around with a servant that is unable to conceal its presence. You would be like a beacon to any servants we might pass."

"But you will be vulnerable. We've already seen what Rider is capable of. She may strike today."

"I will not live in fear of the dead," I moved to the front door. "If anything happens, I'll summon you with a command seal."

I opened the door, and I heard Sabers steps halt behind me.

"You are far too stubborn a master," she said with what I thought was an indignant huff.

"I'll be back by nightfall. Tell Rin I headed out."

I closed the door and walked to the gate, going through it as well.

I just needed to get away from it all. Particularly Rin. The entire walk home had been cast in stony silence, and the reason wasn't hard to understand. She cared far too much about what could happen to unimportant factors. No amount of reasoning would be able to dispel that worry, something I knew from experience, but it didn't change the fact that it was the best course of action. We were in a war, and sometimes, the cruelest methods were the only ones that garnered results.

#34-If you are in a battle for survival, remember that there are no rules. Do not submit yourself to the limitations of others.

I needed to think. Alone. Unbothered by the more intrusive aspects of others. And I knew where to go.

"What a coincidence, finding you here."

I looked off to me left, finding a familiar girl in purple with a small smile on her face.

I must have been truly lost in thought not to have noticed her. She was a beacon of color against the dull greys and blacks that made up the landscape of Fuyuki Central Park. This barren park at the center of Shinto was where the Grail manifested in the last war and was consumed by the flames that overtook Fuyuki. Of all the places that they rebuilt after the fire, this park was one of the few left unchanged. I understood why. The entire park reeked of negative feelings left over by all the souls lost that night. Humans, even if they were unable to identify why, were instinctually repulsed by such places.

Typically devoid of people, this park was a perfect place to think alone. When I moved out of the Tohsaka mansion, I found myself wanting for another place of solitude. This park was somehow peaceful despite the encroaching anger and fear of those lost lives, though that might have just been for me.

"I don't believe in coincidences," I said as I continued my stroll through the park.

"You must live a boring life," the girl scurried up to walk next to me. "Where's the fun if everything happens for a reason?"

"Why are you here, Einzbern?" I slipped my hands into my jacket pockets, feeling the black keys within.

"Don't be so cold, Shirou," I restrained from throwing her off as she grabbed my arm. "There's nothing fun about the cold."

"Who gave you permission to use my given name?" I looked down at her, smile ever present on her face.

"I did," she giggled. "So, you can use mine too."

I narrowed my eyes as I faced forward once more. If she planned to kill me, there were far better ways to do it. If she planned to ally with me, she would have made it a stipulation of the deal. If she thought I would go back on our agreement, then she was as intelligent as I expected. None of these told me why she sought me out this day.

We walked silently for several minutes before she began pulling on my arm. I looked to see she was practically hanging off it, trying to pull me toward the side.

"Come on," She had begun to pout as she strained against my unmoving arm. "Let's go somewhere else."

Child or master. An innocent demeanor and a friendly word contrasting a frigid smile and immense power. Which was the truth? Maybe neither. And I wouldn't find out standing here.

I allowed myself to be led out of the park and back onto the streets of Shinto. We wandered through the city, the young Einzbern dragging me by the hand as she glanced about in childlike wonder.

"I had assumed you'd already seen the city," I told the girl. "You found me fairly easily, after all."

"Nope," the girl shook her head, glancing back at me. "I've barely gone outside the castle walls."

"Really? Then how did you find me?"

"That's a secret."

I frowned at the girl, who only broadened her smile in response.

The sun had begun to move down toward the horizon, the bright yellows of the day slowly fading into orange as she dragged me further onward. All the while, I couldn't figure out why this girl was doing this. I could chalk it all up to a child wanting to interact with others, but that potential was lost after our deal. This was an act, and I would find the reason for it.

We continued our aimless journey through Shinto, the small girl scampering around to all the sights I had become accustomed to as though they were great attractions. She would zoom off to examine something, dance around with an innocent smile, or question me on what something was, always ending with retaking my hand.

Despite myself, I found I was enjoying this little trip. I had come out to clear my head and relax, and this girl had invaded my peace, dropped my guard, and dragged me around the city. I should have been irritated, maybe even wary, but I couldn't remember the last time I enjoyed doing absolutely nothing.

Eventually, we began crossing the walkway of the Fuyuki Bridge. Einzbern seemed to have tired herself out on the way here and was much less fervent in her leading. Halfway across the bridge, the girl let go of my hand and moved to the look over the bars of the guardrails, barely rising above the rail.

She looked out over the Mion River, a content look crossing her face as the sun began setting, casting rays of light to scatter across the river like an array of sparks.

"Today was a good day," she said, her voice calmer than at any other point that day. Again, my thoughts drifted to last night when her entire demeanor seemed to change, replaced by one older than their appearance.

I found myself moving up beside her and leaning on the rails to gaze out over the river with her.

"Why did you seek me out today?" I asked her once more.

She didn't answer immediately. I wondered if she even knew the reason.

"My father and mother fought in the last Holy Grail War. Neither of them survived."

Both her parents? But that would mean…

I looked at the girl out of the corner of my eye. She was too old to be born right before the fourth grail war but too young to be the age she just implied. This also brought up the question of if she could actually know how I came into possession of Avalon.

"My father was a good man," she continued. "No matter what happened, he always put me and my mother first, even before his dream. However, when it was time for the Holy Grail War, he and my mother went off to fulfill his dream."

She gripped the bars of the guardrails and leaned backward, shifting her eyes to the sky.

"I never saw them again. My grandfather told me they had both failed and paid for it with their lives. He told me the duty to win the grail war had fallen to me. The next few years were torture, overshadowed by the sheer isolation of those frozen castle walls. I felt empty, chilled by a never-ending cold that swept over everything I'd known. I wondered if I'd ever be warm again."

Every word seemed to age her further, and I almost felt the cold she had on every syllable.

"I'm not fighting this war because I want to. I won't even be able to make a wish if I win. I have to win because it's the only reason I exist. Even if I win, my existence ends with the grail. I'm fighting to die."

She looked at me, and I got the answer to my earlier question. She was neither an innocent child nor a powerful magus. She was a lonely, empty girl, who lost everything important to her except her life. I understood the familiarity I saw in her eyes last night. I wondered if she saw the same thing.

"Somehow, I thought you'd understand," she gave me a sad smile.

I watched as a gentle wind flowed by, catching her hair to blow behind her in a white wave. She was almost ethereal like this, more a spirit passing through than a girl.

"I lost everything to the war as well," I watched as the sun began to fade below the horizon. "The only thing I have left from before that fire is my name."

I didn't know why I was telling her this. Just because she told me her life story didn't mean I had to reciprocate. I just… felt like I could. I couldn't explain it beyond that.

"I didn't want to fight in this war either. I summoned Saber by accident in response to a servant trying to kill me. The only reason I'm fighting is so I can survive."

"That's not true."

I looked away from the water to the girl. She was standing straight now and watching me, her red eyes focused on my face.

"If you were only trying to survive, I'd be dead already."

She was right. I would have killed her when it was clear Berserker was nowhere near us. I almost had.

"And what about you?" I asked her. "I'm sure a magus powerful enough to command Berserker could kill me easily. Yet, here we are."

She giggled as I had accepted was her response to most things I said, but something about this time felt more… real, like the previous times were always mired by some underlying falsity.

"I guess were both bad masters, huh?"

I could change that. One quick movement, and that would be the end. She couldn't stop me. What may be my greatest threat, gone in an instant.

"I suppose we are."

We watched the sun disappear, the night laying its claim to the world once more. It was time for servants and masters to rise from their dens and wage their unseen war. I wondered if Rider would be coming to kill me soon.

"If you win the war, Shirou," Illyasviel asked. "What will you wish for?"

"The grail can't grant my wish," I answered instantly.

"Hmm," Illyasviel pushed off the guardrail. "If I could make a wish, I think I'd wish we'd met sooner."

I raised an eyebrow at the girl.

"Why would you wish for that?"

Illyasviel gave me that same sad smile from before, turning away to move down the walkway.

"Because, maybe, we could have been friends."

And she left me with that. Enemies. That's all we were. It was all we could be. When I saw her next, one of us would end up dead. That was the nature of the grail war. That's what I told myself.

I stayed on the bridge for several more minutes, thinking about tomorrow. I either killed Rider, or Einzbern would come for me. Whoever they were, Rider's master would soon find himself on the edge of my blade. Rin would be told about the bet I made with Berserker's master, call me an idiot for betting my life, and then proceed to join me against Berserker. That would leave me only three servants to worry about, none of which would be a threat.

"And nothing of worth was lost."