"I still don't quite understand what's going on here," Shirou said. After the previous encounter, Shirou, knowing naught about what to do, invited Rin, Archer, and the newly summoned Saber to his home. Being the gracious host he was, he provided refreshments to them, hoping they would stay a minute and explain the night's events to him. Which they did.

"How are you not getting this?" Rin asked. "You summoned a Servant to fight in the Holy Grail War, so now you try to win! The whole thing is really simple if you think about it for two seconds."

"It's really simple if you omit the important details and intricacies involved," Archer chortled.

"I mean, the whole thing seems pretty far fetched," Shirou said.

"You summoned a Servant, correct?"

"...Yes?"

"And you saw that monster that tried to kill you?"

"Well yeah, but-"

"But nothing! Now that you've summoned a Servant, other Masters with Servants of their own will try to kill you."

"And this girl…" Shirou looked to the armor clad young woman, who returned the glare.

"Saber," she said.

"Saber… she's my Servant? And I summoned her?"

"That's the gist of it." Archer said.

"And how did I do that exactly?"

"What do you mean 'how'?" Rin asked incredulously. "You don't know how you summoned your own servant?"

"Not really. I think I died, actually."

"That can't be healthy," Archer joked.

"This just feels… unreal," Shirou mused.

"We're not getting anywhere with this," Rin sighed. "Come on Archer, let's go," Rin said, getting up to leave.

"As you wish, Master."

"Wait!" Shirou yelled. " What if that monster comes back?"

"We'll be fine. You focus on yourself."

"But-"

"Ugh," Rin groaned. "Look, see me on the roof after school tomorrow. You clearly won't understand anything unless I beat it over your head. You should be thankful that I can't just leave you on your own in good conscience."

"My, how gracious and kind of you," Archer quipped.

"Shut it," Rin ordered. They quickly left before Shirou could ask anymore questions, leaving him with his so called Servant.

"So…" Shirou started. "I don't suppose your house is anywhere near here."

"That is irrelevant, as I am your Servant, it is my duty to protect you. Therefore, I shall never leave your side."

"...Great…"

The Dragonslayer was not one for idling about. Especially during times of war, which was an odd description for the current situation in Ornstein's mind. Yet, the Dragonslayer was kept very busy, either fighting on the front lines or overseeing training of the King's knights. Therefore, not having orders when there was so much one could be doing nearly drove the Dragonslayer mad. He had finished the task assigned to him, and was now instructed to wait. Fortunately, his 'Master' had a sizeable library to which Ornstein helped himself. It was an odd feeling: none of the tomes of lore available had mentioned the kingdom of Lordran, nor its King: the Lord of Sunlight. In fact, there was no mention of anything familiar to the Dragonslayer, even in books recounting myriad myths and legends. Not a single chart or cartograph displayed a familiar location. He could not even satisfy the small pride held for himself by finding a simple mention of the Four Knights. It was truly perplexing, and, if the Dragonslayer were honest, quite unsettling.

From what the so dubbed 'Lancer' understood of the Grail War, the Masters summoned Servants to fight by procuring an object associated with the figure they attempt to summon. A successful summon attributes a class to the Servant and they are magically bound to the Master until the Master dies, can no longer sustain the link between them, or claims the Grail for themselves. Ornstein found it particularly contrived and convoluted, but in his mind that was true of most sorceries.

"Lancer." The stern voice brought the Dragonslayer out of his reverie. Ornstein slightly turned his head, acknowledging that he heard. The man, clad in the common garb of a priest spoke to him. "I understand that you had a confrontation with the Berserker?" He nodded. "How would you rate its strength?"

Ornstein grimaced. Just the sight of this man sent him into a rage. Luckily his expression was hidden under his helmet. "... Strong."

"Hmph," the man, his Master, scoffed. "Caster has shown itself. If we let it be, it will pose a problem later. Take care of it immediately." Without another word, he left

The Dragonslayer heaved a sigh. "I will find no answers here," he mused. "Perhaps this Caster will be another familiar face."

The Abysswalker's heart wrenched for his young Master. Having learned that this Kiritsugu individual had died severely affected the young lady. After this revelation the previous night, Illya demanded they return, where she promptly lay on her bed and cried until she passed out from exhaustion. And this he understood: if one devotes their life to another, tying their purpose to someone other than themselves, they inevitably end up at their mercy. Artorias had learned this lesson long ago, and for that, he lost his life. The soulless that served her tried to wait on her, but the Abysswalker kept them away. Regardless of his Master's trust in them, he still saw them as a threat, and until she said otherwise, no one would see her. It was until the sun was high in the sky that she rose, eyes still showing signs of her distress.

"Things never go as one expects," she said, a distant gaze upon her visage. Artorias sympathized. "Well, there's nothing to do about it now." Illya faced the Abysswalker. "You have done so much for me. Please, take a well deserved rest." She gave him a pained, forced smile, trying to assure him that she was alright. He could obviously see she was distraught, but he dematerialized his form. If she wanted to be alone, he would oblige her. She was his Master, after all. Illya sighed once the Berserker was no longer physically present. Crying over Kiritsugu's death was quite unbecoming, but she couldn't help herself. And yet, she still felt that gnawing pain inside her, telling her she still had unfinished business. She rose from her bed with rekindled determination.

"Very well, Kiritsugu. If you will not pay for your sins, then someone else will."

"Goddamn it, where is he!?" Rin Tohsaka paced the roof of her school, every so often impatiently tapping her foot. "Classes have been dismissed for an hour now!"

"Getting worried, Master?" Archer invisibly said.

"Of course I am! That guy doesn't know anything! For all I know, he probably got-" Rin was cut off tirade as Shirou walked onto the roof.

"Sorry I'm late, Tohsaka-san. I had to help with the-"

"Whatever it was isn't important! What we're doing here is a matter of life and death!"

"...Sorry?"

"You should be. We are in the middle of a war! While I wouldn't care if you went off and got yourself killed, the fact remains that other Masters might not hesitate to involve civilians. I know someone like you wouldn't doesn't have the guts to do something like that, and that's why I want us to work together. Especially if Caster is anything like the one from the last War."

"Caster?"

Rin nodded. "Have you seen Kuzuki-sensei today?"

"No, I heard he took a personal day or something."

"He's the Master of Caster, who attacked you last night. And if his Servant is that willing to fight, we're in trouble."

"No way…"

"And even with the three of us accounted for, there are four other Servant classes, only one of which I know who it is. So it is imperative that you take in all I'm about to tell you."

Rin proceeded to spend the next few hours ascertaining Shirou's knowledge of magic and the Grail War, both of which were next to nothing, and explaining to him everything he would need to know, topics ranging from the War's history and rules, to the mechanics of maintaining a Servant. Unfortunately for the both of them, Rin was an impatient and terrible teacher, growing increasingly irate every time Shirou asked for clarification or was unaware of something Rin considered common knowledge. Doubly so when she learned he was unable to provide enough mana to allow Saber to maintain an incorporeal form. This made for an arduous, grueling experience for all parties, save Chester, who couldn't help but laugh every time Rin yelled, 'How can you possibly not know this!?' turning what should have been a lesson no more than an hour's length into an event that lasted until the sun nearly set.

"Why the hell did I agree to this?"

"You're too tense to think straight. A pleasant stroll will do you good."

"That doesn't explain why I have to roll you around everywhere."

"I'm a crippled old man; only got one leg, you know. Real difficult to move myself like that."

"Ugh, what a pain."

"Quiet, boy. Your voice is disrupting my brief moment of tranquility."

"Hey, watch your tone! I'm still your Master!"

"A Master in name only. I don't know what deal you struck with that young lass, but we both know I exist here due to her."

"I still summoned you!"

"Congratulations, you summoned an old paraplegic to fight a war you couldn't handle yourself. Truly an accomplishment that will go down in history." Gehrman gave a wry chuckle. "Now shut it and let me breathe in this fresh air."

"You should still show me some respect," Shinji mumbled as he continued wheeling Gehrman through the forest. The First Hunter had insisted that the forest air would soothe his old bones. Shinji didn't care to understand what he meant, but went along with Gehrman's whims anyway. If his Servant felt better then he would fight better, he figured.

"You know, it's been said that forests such as this draw magic like a siphon," Gehrman said.

"Yeah, of course I knew that," Shinji lied.

"I'm not one for magic myself, but perhaps you could learn something here."

"Whatever."

"Be that as it may, I must say I'm glad to be subsisting on that girl's mana. It has a much better… flavor than what I'm used to." Gehrman gave a feeble laugh.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll understand when you've gained some years. I've been around for a while, so I take my pleasures wherever I can get them."

"That won't matter once we win the Grail. Then we'll have whatever pleasures we want! I'll finally have everything I could possibly fathom…" Shinji began to giggle hysterically. "They'll see… they'll all see!"

Gehrman raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't put much stock in promises like that. Things of that nature never end up how you want."

"What do you know!?"

"Oh, struck a nerve did I?" Gehrman scoffed. "Can only wonder what you'd wish for that riles you so. You'd probably just wish for that girl from earlier if I had to guess."

"What!?"

"Don't tell me that's what you want this Grail for…"

"S...so what if it is!? If I win the Grail, not only will everyone see how important I am, Tohsaka will have to love me!"

"If that's all you want, a doll could satisfy you. I had a good one for some time, would be no trouble to acquire one of your own."

"That's pathetic. What kind of loser has to look to a doll for companionship?"

Gehrman shook his head. "Like I said, I take my pleasures where I can get them." Gehrman fiddled with his cane. "Life is tough, boy. Don't do anything you'll regret or you'll end up like me."

"That shouldn't be too difficult," Shinji said with a sneer. Gehrman snapped his head up.

"Hold!" At his sudden yell, Shinji stopped. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" with a sudden gust of wind before his eyes, the sky darkened and an eerie fog rolled in.

"Prepare for a fight, boy." The unforgettable sound of a summoning portal opening chimed into Shinji's ears. Seemingly from nowhere, a dark spirit appeared in front of them, clad in armor and tainted a dark hue, red as blood. It regarded them for a moment, and then made a waving gesture.

"What is that?" Shinji asked.

"You smell not of blood and seem to retain some semblance of sanity," Gehrman said to the spirit. "You are no hunter. What do you want?" The spirit said nothing, and instead unsheathed a zweihander. It then proceeded to bow, as if asking for a duel. Gehrman smirked. "I see. You don't look too tough. Watch and learn, boy. I'll do this with one hand." With creaks and cracks sounding from his bones, Gehrman stood from his wheelchair. With a flourish, he replaced his cane and procured a large, one handed blade. "Make your move, spirit."

The spirit ran forward, slamming its weapon down. Gehrman deftly dodged, but the blade was now headed right for Shinji.

Gehrman grunted. "Move if you don't want to die!" Shinji was paralyzed, unable to do anything but scream. The blade came down with a mighty crash, the wheelchair now in pieces, missing Shinji by a hair. He collapsed to his knees, breaking into a cold sweat. Gehrman charged, going for the spirit. It rolled backwards, evading the attack. "Sloppy," Gehrman said. He dashed at the spirit, who raised its sword defensively. Gehrman slashed with his blade. The spirit blocked a few strikes, then rolled away. Now on the offensive, Gehrman went for another attack. As he went, the spirit back stepped, and brought its sword down with another crash. Gehrman smirked. Quickly pulling back his attack, he sidestepped around the spirit while it was recovering from its failed attack. Violently, Gehrman brought back his blade, and with a mighty thrust, backstabbed the spirit, goring the body until his blade came out the spirit's side in a visceral display. The spirit was defeated, and dissipated into the air before its body could fall to the ground, the fog leaving with it.

The First Hunter sighed as he sheathed his weapon, turning to Shinji, shaking on his knees.

"You should get out of this while you can. A war is no place for cowards like you." Shinji didn't respond. Gehrman shook his head. "Go home, while you yet live, boy. I tire of this place." He dematerialized, living Shinji to snivel as long as he pleased.

Shinji didn't understand what happened. He knew what he was in for when he summoned Rider, but as he saw that blade headed straight for him…

"Damn it!" He cursed, trying his best to shake away the fear that gripped him. "How am I supposed to be a good magus like this? I'm a Matou! I'm supposed to be better than this!"

"A Matou, you say?" Shinji nearly jumped at the sudden voice. He turned to see a young purple clad girl, who politely curtseyed to him.

"I was taking a stroll through these woods to clear my thoughts, so imagine my surprise to see a scion of the Matou line wallowing in self pity."

"W...what?"

"How terrible it must feel to have your own Servant want nothing to do with you."

"Servant?" Shinji's eyes went wide. "Does that mean you-" as if to answer his question, a gauntlet clad hand gripped his neck and lifted him.

"But the fact that you have a Servant makes us enemies. It is then expected of me to end your life here, is it not?"

This is it. Shinji thought as his life flashed before his eyes. I'm going to die.

"But, unlikely as it may be, perhaps you may know something. Please humor me." Shinji nodded as best he could whilst within the grip of her Servant. "Does the name Kiritsugu Emiya mean anything to you?"

"Emiya…?" Shinji struggled to say. "I know a Shirou Emiya…" The girl's eyes widened. The armored man released him, allowing Shinji to breathe freely.

"Do you know this... Shirou personally?"

"I… guess?" The girl smiled. "How rude of me not to introduce myself. Illyasviel von Einzbern. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Einzbern?" Any magus worth their salt would have heard of the Einzbern family. Cloning their entire lineage has no dwindled their magical abilities in the slightest, though the process is full of its own troubles, though he was not too familiar with that aspect.

"I would like you to help me. I have business with Shirou Emiya, and could use someone with whom he is already acquainted. In return, I will not kill you."

"Yes! I-I mean... together, we'd be unstoppable?" He punctuated with a laugh that came out more nervous than he was hoping. Shinji may have been haughty, but he would have to be a bigger fool than he was to pass up this offer. With the skill of an Einzbern at his disposal, the rest of this war should be a breeze. And if he got on this eight year old's good side, he'd have no trouble getting rid of her and her very threatening Servant. Though it seemed like she wasn't giving him much of a choice in the matter.

"I am glad you see how this would benefit you," she smiled. "Please come with me. We have much to discuss." With that, she turns and walks deeper into the forest. The Servant drew his blade, urging Shinji to follow her. He didn't want to be left alone with a guy who could kill him without leaving any evidence, as he had enough near death experiences for one day. As such, he went along with the girl for now. But, even though he had a plan for the moment, there was no telling the many things that could go wrong. In fact, Shinji thought, looking from an outside perspective, he must seem really stupid. Which is why, as they trekked through the weald, an overwhelming feeling of anxiety began to overpower him.

"What am I about to get into?

So, what have we learned?

1. I am a hack

2. I have no concept of time

3. Haru is the Best Girl in Persona 5