My apologies for the wait on this one, I've had to do a bunch of action for it and I'm...admittedly not very good at that. I will admit, there won't be too much deviation from the original game's story at the moment, however that will change in the future so please bear with me if you can. In any case, here is the next chapter and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Singularity F: Shadow Servant

"I ask of you," the Servant asked, "Are you my Master?"

She was petite, no more than five feet tall but the aura of command she gave off easily made her seem over six. Her hair was a shining gold, highlighted by the flames that flickered around her. Her eyes shone like emeralds in moonlight, they held a firm and just gaze that was simply arresting, they were eyes that could easily see a person's character. She was dressed in a royal blue gown over a white petticoat, silvery white armor covered the front and sides, accented with blue crescents upon the chest plate. In her hands...Cira couldn't tell what she held as it was hidden by a gently swirling wind that eddied the smoke and ash.

"I...am," Cira blinked, "And...you might be?"

"For a novice Master, Cirawynn...you can actually summon strong spirits," Olga Marie started, "Those parameters... Nothing below B rank."

"That's...good right?" Cira asked before turning her gaze back to her new Servant, "Sorry...I'm still kinda new at this."

The Servant's gaze turned kind and she gave a smile as she gave a short bow.

"It is no worry at all, Master," the woman said, "You may call me Saber, for that is my class. As for my true name…"

She looked around and her hands tightened around whatever weapon she held.

"I do not believe it is wise to tell that here. Perhaps somewhere safer. That being said," she turned back to Cira, "My fate is your fate, please make good use of this sword."

"O-Of course," Cira stammered, coming closer and offering her hand, to which the Servant took and shook firmly, "My name is Cira, the woman over there is Director Olga Marie and this…"

She turned to Mash, who still stared in wonder at the full-fledged Heroic Spirit before her.

"This is my friend and first Servant, Mash,"

The woman turned towards Mash and froze slightly, her eyes flicking towards the shield before flicking to Mash and back again.

"Something wrong, Saber?"

"No, Master," Saber stated, "I believed that I saw something familiar...I was incorrect. Forgive me,"

"No worries! None at all," Cira smiled, "I just hope we can work together,"

"Shouldn't be a problem," Olga Marie stated, "She seems to be the noble sort, but we'll see. We should get moving. The bridge would be a good place to start looking for clues about this place."

Saber looked at the director and then at Cira.

"Master, your orders?" she asked.

Olga Marie gave a huff.

"What is it with your servants questioning my authority?" she mumbled.

"Because you are not our Master, she is," Saber's reply was curt but polite, "Unless I see her command spells upon your hand, I will defer to her for all decisions. I understand you are her senior in these matters, however, you are not the one who brought me to this place."

A thrill of pride rushed through Cira as Olga Marie's eyes narrowed, but Saber's emerald gaze did not falter. It did, however, flick back towards Cira, expectant.

"The Director is right," Cira said, "It would be a good idea to get some height to see what's going on,"

Saber nodded, taking her weapon from the ground as the shimmer of wind suddenly disappeared.

"Then let us be off," she said, looking towards the direction of the bridge, "It is not a far walk, we should make it there without incident,"

The small group started towards the bridge. Saber and Mash taking point but not so far ahead of the two humans that they could not jump in to fight. Cira was lost in through, looking around and trying to figure out exactly had happened here while Saber and Mash started to talk.

"A...Demi-Servant?" Saber asked, "I do not understand...forgive me, I do not wish to push on delicate matters. It is a new term for me,"

"As far as I know, I am the only one ever," Mash admitted, "The problem is, I don't know who saved me so there are a lot of things I don't know…"

"Such as things that could save our Master," Saber sighed, "I know what you are speaking of. You do not know the Shield's name, do you?"

"No," Mash mumbled, "Do you though?"

Saber shook her head, "I knew many knights in my time. Being garbed in armor as you are I would assume the one who saved you was a knight as well. However, judging by that alone the number of Heroic Spirits would be great,"

"So you are a knight then?"

The other Servant gave a soft laugh.

"Indeed, I cannot say more due to the potential of unfriendly ears listening, but that much I can say," she smiled, "I was a knight when I was alive. Many, many years ago."

"Your True Name...is that why you hide your weapon?" Mash asked, "Being a knight...it can't be too honorable to hide a weapon as you fight."

Saber sighed, turning her gaze skyward for a moment before returning to the road.

"My blade is as legendary as my own story...as much as I despise trickery and deceit, I must keep it hidden for the protection of my Master," she finally said, "Perhaps it will be revealed in time. But for now, we should be keeping an e-"

It was as if a pulse rippled through the air, causing Mash to stagger while Saber's invisible weapon reappeared in her hands.

"You sensed that?" she demanded, to which Mash nodded sharply.

"Servant?" Mash asked.

"Servant."

A streak of red appeared in the ashen sky, glittering ruby against it. Mash's eyes flashed and she dove backwards, shield raised as Saber hefted her blade.

"What's going on?" Cira asked, snapping out of her thoughts as Mash stood in front of her.

That was when the first projectile hit.

Mash was pushed backwards slightly from the blow, causing Cira and Olga Marie to yelp and duck down as crimson sparks flashed around them. More projectiles fired, peppering the asphalt around them and gouging massive chunks out of it...but the shield held. Cira peeked out from behind the sable metal just to watch Saber cut another projectile out of the air. She repeated the maneuver as the projectiles rained down on her and on Mash, moving so quickly and agilely that it seemed more a dance than anything. Cira felt an armored hand grab the collar of her blouse and yank her back in as another volley of crimson energy smashed against the shield with sonorous clangs. She ducked down as another explosion fired off...yet this one was far away.

"Lower your shield, Shield Maiden," Saber's voice called through the dust kicked up by the rain of projectiles, "Our nemesis has ceased his attack."

Mash lowered her shield and Cira stood upright, staring at the shattered remains of...whatever it was that had been shot at them. Twisted, razor sharp shards of metal littered the street...but Mash's shield seemed untouched.

"What was that?" Cira asked as Saber's blade disappeared once more.

"It would appear to be an enemy Servant," Saber stated, pointing at a building that seemed to smolder from a recent explosion, "However, he ceased his attack when someone else decided to take advantage of his fixation on us."

"Is he dead?"

"I do not know. I know I cannot see him and he has ceased firing upon us," Saber said, "We must hurry and keep moving. For if we stay here, he will turn his eyes back upon us once he is finished with his current opponent,"

Cira nodded.

"Let's get to the bridge. Hurry...maybe we can see more from there,"

The quartet picked up speed, Saber leading the charge while Mash stayed beside Cira and Olga Marie to keep them safe should more dangers arise. They finally managed to get to the bridge, stopping as they saw the massive gaping abyss torn in the asphalt road. It was a miracle the bridge still stood.

"What now?" Cira asked, "I doubt we can get up top to see what's going on around...at least it wouldn't be very safe."

"We'll just have to keep investigating," Olga Marie sighed, "We'll run into something soon enough I'm sure."

"Sooner than you think," Saber said, her blade reappearing as she set it into the ground.

"Another one!?" Cira demanded.

"Aye, and they are not being overly cautious about it," Saber stated, "They want us to know they're here. They are toying with us, they believe they have the advantage."

"One servant to two?" Olga Marie scoffed, "Well, one and a half but still. Besides...we should be able to win in an all out fight, right?"

"Perhaps. I know nothing of this servant's parameters, I do not know their class, just that they have revealed themselves," She looked towards Mash, "Protect Master. Should they engage us, we need to get Master and Lady Animusphere away from this place. I will distract them as you run."

Mash nodded and Saber raised her voice, loud and clear over the ruins.

"It does not befit a Heroic Spirit to be sneaking around like some thief in the night!" Saber called, "Come! Show yourself!"

"Odd that you are here of all places, Heroic Spirit of the Sword," a soft, sultry voice purred...echoing in quality before sharpening as dark violet sparks coalesced into a hooded figure of a woman, "I would have thought you were back in that awful cave."

"Why cower and hide in the dark when battle is to be won in the light," Saber said, readying her sword.

"What kind of servant is she?" Olga Marie asked Cira as Mash stood protectively between them and Saber, "You should be able to tell. Focus. Can Saber win this fight."

"Uh…" Cira stammered before looking closely at the other Servant.

Her vision shimmered slightly, light dancing around the servant in golden motes that seemed much dimmer than the ones around her Saber.

"Focus." Cira thought, "You have to focus harder!"

The motes of light flashed into recognizable letters. Her jaw dropped slightly at seeing the B and A ranks of her Saber but that wasn't what she was looking for. She turned her attention to the other Servant.

"I don't know. It's hard to say. It's weird," Cira admitted, "Her statistics are all over the place, ranging from E to A+...it'll be difficult but...I do know her class. She's a Rider, Saber,"

Saber gave a small nod and her feet shifted to a more ready position.

"I do not know what you want, Rider, but I assure you. Between the two of us, Shielder and myself...you will not get to our Master," Saber grinned, "So, I suggest you go your separate way and find some other place to darken. You cannot fight both of us alone."

"Oh?" Rider smiled, "And what makes you think I will be fighting fair?"

Mash suddenly stiffened.

"MASTER LOOK OUT!" she yelled, body checking Cira out of the way as something silver flashed and caused her and Olga Marie both to tumble down the hill they stood on.

Cira groaned as she lay on the ground for a moment, her eyes flicking up to the bruised sky. She pushed herself off her back and sat up, rubbing her head as the sound of steel clashing together made itself known.

"Director?" Cira asked, looking around.

"Get. Off." came the growl from Olga Marie, though it was strained.

Cira looked down to see she'd ended up landing on the Director, and with a sympathetic hiss, got off and offered her hand to her.

"Sorry...I guess Mash didn't calculate the fall when she pushed us," Cira admitted, "Is she still up there?"

"You're the Master, not me," Olga Marie huffed, brushing herself off as she batted Cira's hand away, "They're your Servants."

Cira was silent for a moment, listening.

"They're still up there. I can hear the sound of the attacks off of Mash's shield...Saber's got a massive presence so I can definitely tell she's up there," Cira said, "We should get back up,"

"We'll just be in their way," Olga Marie countered, "Mash got us away for a reason. I doubt whatever that heroic spirit is doing up there would be good for us if we got hit."

"Then let's see if we can get back up and observe from a ways away?"

Olga Marie gave a smile.

"Now you're thinking like a Master," she grinned, casting her head about, "Ah, there's some stairs leading up to the top street level. They should be sturdy enough to get up there."

Mash batted another chain-like structure away with her shield as she and Saber fought together. Saber dove out of the way, rolling up to her feet as she came out of the dive, her invisible blade slashing the chains from the air as they dove at her. She was so intent on reaching the enemy servant that she didn't catch the flash of silver behind her until a loud, booming clang caught her ear. The chain bounced off the sable metal of Mash's shield, the sharpened end clanking to the ground...thwarted from piercing through Saber's back.

"My thanks," Saber nodded, "If you can keep my back clear I may have a shot at her,"

"Got it!" Mash nodded, grunting as another chain smacked into her shield and caused her feet to slide a little bit.

The two Servants fought back to back, Saber carving her way through the front line and Mash thwarting any attack that came at her back. The enemy Rider snarled, throwing out a chain and ensnaring Saber's left arm.

"Saber!" Mash yelled, turning to face her...only to watch Saber grab the chain and yank it towards her.

Caught off guard the enemy servant stumbled forwards as Saber used the momentum to shoot towards the off-balanced Rider. A ringing sound caught the stillness and Rider shrieked as blood spattered the pavement in an arc and she was catapulted backwards. Mash's violet eyes widened in surprise as Saber stood upright, her invisible blade outlined in a crimson line down one side where she had slashed Rider. She untangled her arm and dropped the chain at her feet with a huff.

"I never was a fan of those," she stated, flicking her blade to clean the blood off it and render it unseen by the eye again.

"That was…" Mash started, coming up and planting her shield again, "That was amazing! Is gone?"

"Wounded and winded," Saber replied, "I suggest we get Master and get o-!"

Saber was yanked off her feet at that moment and dragged a ways away with a sharp yelp of surprise. Mash bolted after her, slamming her shield down with all her might down on the chain and severing the links that were wrapped around Saber's ankle.

"Clever," Saber growled as she used her sword to push herself back up to her feet, "My thanks, Sir Kyrielight,"

"Y-You can just call me Mash," the other girl stammered, "I'm not a knight...I think,"

Saber gave a smile, but it fell as Rider strode back through the dust. She was covered in cuts and bruises and her cloak was even more torn up from her flight. She also looked extremely pissed off.

"SABER! MASH!" came Cira's voice from behind both Servants.

"I will distract her, you take Master and Lady Animusphere and run," Saber murmured quietly, not taking her emerald gaze off the Servant before her, "I shall catch up to you."

Mash gave a nod as she moved her foot backwards, ready to sprint.

"Looks like you ladies are having a bit of trouble," a male voice called from the sideline.

"CASTER!" Rider snarled, whirling to face the voice only to have an explosion of crimson and orange fire in her face.

Mash immediately took the chance and bolted towards Cira, standing before her Master and the new threat as Saber took slow steps backwards, her eyes tracking both Rider and the new arrival. He was tall and slender, his features obscured by a fluffy blue hood and robe. A staff of ornately carved wood lay easily in his hand, almost as if he were bored.

"Tell you what," the man, Caster, drawled as he strolled up to Saber, "I don't trust you, you don't trust me...but we have something in common. We both hate her. So how about we get rid of her and then we talk this out like proper Heroic Spirits, yeah?"

Saber eyed him warily, her green gaze meeting up with his crimson one.

"Look, that's your Master, yeah? The blonde girl behind the Shield wielder?" he asked, to which he received a curt nod, "You don't want her to die and frankly I don't either. I haven't seen a living human in a long time. You and I take this corrupted thing out and we can have a long talk, ok?"

Saber gave a sigh and nodded, motioning for Mash to come forwards.

"As long as you do not harm our Master, I shall fight alongside you," she said, readying her blade.

"What about you, Shield girl?" Caster asked, looking at Mash, "Help me and Saber get rid of Rider to protect your Master?"

Mash looked at the enraged Rider as she swatted at the flames that still ate at her hair before turning her gaze back to Cira, who nodded.

"I will help," she said.

"Good, so...let's lead Rider away from the non-Servants in the area, eh?" Caster grinned, as he leaned on the shoulders of both female Servants, getting shoved off politely by Saber and an awkward look from Mash, "I've got a surprise set up just for her, so let's get her mad enough to follow me."

Saber's only answer was a faint smile before she dashed forward, sending ashes and asphalt flying into the air. She leaped up into the air in a blur of silver and blue, her sword arcing down in a streak of nothingness in which the air shimmered. Rider dashed out of the way, hurling more chains at the aggressor Servant. Saber smacked the chains out of the way as Mash darted in, swinging her shield at Rider. Rider ducked under the blow and kicked at Mash, catching her in the midsection and sending her into Saber, who caught her with a grunt.

"OI! Why don't you pick on someone that's pissed you off more, old friend!" came Caster's yell as he fired off another set of runes that glowed brilliantly before exploding in Rider's face.

"STOP THAT!" Rider roared, charging at Caster only for him to dodge out of the way, dancing backwards with light steps and leading her into an open field.

Mash and Saber followed, trailed by Cira and Olga Marie, to what looked to be an old schoolyard. Caster using his staff to bat away the chains that Rider continuously threw at him.

"Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE!" Rider shrieked as she grabbed at his staff, "I have you on the defensive, you can't even cast a spell to get back at me! Just give up already!"

Cira watched the exchange with horrified wonder. She'd heard stories of Grail Wars and of Servants fighting...but even this was incredible to watch. They moved so quickly and with such force that it was often hard to track them until they sent up massive explosions of ash from where their attacks landed. She watched as Saber and Mash both prepared to go in...only to stop at a look from the new Servant. He subtly shook his head, his eyes flicking to the ground and then back up at them as Rider grabbed his staff and hurled him away from her.

Her two Servants both looked puzzled until Mash pointed something out on the ground.

"What's going on?" Cira asked as she and Olga Marie managed to catch up, both panting to catch their breath...chasing Servants was not easy!

"He's made a minefield out of what look to be runes," Mash pointed out, "That's why he brought her here."

"A well thought out plan," Saber agreed, "Though it seems all we can do is watch right now."

"Idiot!" the Caster Servant scoffed, wiping the blood away from his nose as he got up off the ground, "You honestly think I need time to cast runes? Go back to school, snake."

And that was when the rune underneath Rider's feet detonated in a column of white-hot fire. Rider shrieked in agony, batting at the flames that covered her entire being and Saber rushed forwards, rocketing forwards at a speed that Cira didn't think was possible. There was a gleam of brilliant gold as Saber leaped up into the air with a roar, turning ever so gracefully as she brought the blade down into Rider's shoulder and through her. Blood sprayed from the wound and Rider howled as Saber yanked the blade free, sending even more blood to spurt. Her blade was completely coated in scarlet, outlining it for all to see. Rider gave a shuddering breath as she fell to her knees, breaking apart into pale violet particles and fading to dust.

"Nice work," Caster grinned as Saber flicked the blood off her blade and cleaned the rest of it off with her gauntlet.

"You as well," Saber nodded, "Now,"

She planted her blade into the ground as the others ran up.

"I believe it is time for your end of the bargain," Saber finished.

"Yeah, yeah I owe you that much," Caster sighed, "I'm Caster if you didn't know...and this hellhole is the Grail War I was summoned in,"

Master: Cira Albion

Servant: Shielder- Mash Kyrielight

Servant: Saber-Unknown