A/N: This chapter has some suggestive themes but nothing overt, so some discretion is advised. Edited on June 11th, 2021 for revision, grammar, and typos.

The Fuyuki Church was supposed to be a safe haven for those of faith, and also those that lacked it. Even under the 'care' of Kirei Kotomine during the Holy Grail War, that had not changed.

However, that night, it was a fortress commanded by an evil witch, guarded by a red knight, where two women were subjected to indescribable horrors.

That description was cliché, childish, ripped straight from a book for the young of age were there were clear heroes and villains, yet Shirou Emiya could not find a better description for the current situation. The Master and his Lancer Servant Ortlinde advanced towards the entrance.

Past the gate, on the other side of the courtyard awaited the red clad Archer Servant. He stood in front of the church, guarding it. Even if he was far away, he could see his irritating smirk.

"I expected you to come running forward to save them both without a second thought, Emiya Shirou. But it seems you have grown, if just a little." Shirou grit his teeth. He could imagine what Caster was doing to Thrud, he had seen a glimpse of it the other night. The proud blonde Valkyrie, stringed with her hands over her head and bent forwards, face twisted in shame and pleasure. It sickened him to his stomach.

And now, Rin was suffering the same fate, or worse. And all because of this twisted man.

"And you have sunk lower and lower since I first met you, bastard. I can't believe I took your advice." At this, Archer's smirk disappeared, and the Servant drew his twin swords.

"Hmph. As expected from a machine such as you. Incapable of changing or growing, always remaining a child. No surprise you summoned those dolls as your Servants." The boy's fist tightened into a ball. He could shake off insults towards him, but towards the Valkyries…

"Master. Remind yourself of the plan." Ortlinde's calm voice brought him back from his anger. He looked down, feeling warmth on one of his hands. The culprit was his Servant, holding his with her own. She trusted him. He trusted her. There was no need to doubt themselves.

"Right. I'll leave this on your hands, Lancer." he said, moving forwards toward the church, leaving her and the red knight behind. Archer did not make a move as he ran past him. He knew how fast Ortlinde was, he knew any move would be met with an instant response.

He descended into the dark hallways, the weight on his back getting heavier by the second.

Shirou arrived at the basement, which was adorned by pillars and moonlight. He could see Caster waiting for him, Kuzuki was leaning against a pillar nearby, an uninterested expression on his face. Behind her was Thrud, flushed, breathing heavily with her mouth open. He felt a pit form in his stomach, but suppressed it by force of will.

"Welcome once again little boy. Come here to enjoy the show?" The Witch of Colchis walked toward the Lancer Servant, grabbing her face and squeezing her cheeks. The blonde woman did lot look like she was there at all, and she offered no resistance. "We were having so much fun."

"Let her go, and I'll leave peacefully. Nobody has to die." He said, standing his ground. Medea's amused smile faded into a frown.

"Really now. And why should I, when I can do this instead?" A snap of her fingers, and Thrud's body convulsed as she screamed into to the ceiling. Shirou's heart shot up to his throat.

"Stop!" He yelled, extending a hand. Caster laughed.

"Oh, worry not boy. It's not pain I'm giving her. Quite the contrary. Yet she refuses to accept it, clinging to her fickle divinity as if she were not a simple tool of the gods. It disgusts me." Shirou held his body in place, despite it pleading him to run up and rescue the Valkyrie. But he trusted her. He knew she could resist for a bit more.

"Fine. Have it your way, Caster." He said. "Trace; On" Kanshou and Bakuya appeared in his hands. Seeing his preparation for combat, Kuzuki went to stand before Caster.

"Your plan is foolish, Emiya. I suggest you retreat for your own sake." His voice was emotionless as always, eyes dead like a fish.

"I can't do that." He replied, fixing his empty stare with one of his own.

"Very well." The teacher dashed towards the boy at incredible speed, ready to deal a neck crushing blow. Shirou barely had time to raise his words to block the attack. They engaged in close combat, but Kuzuki was faster, his technique flawless and unpredictable, while Shirou was using borrowed memories. He had trained with Thrud in the way of the spear for some time, but the twin swords simply called to him much more.

Kuzuki got trough his defence, kneeing his stomach and hitting his face with enough force to launch him backwards. He slid a few meters before standing his ground. He swallowed the pain and the blood. The teacher launched forwards once again. The boy threw Kanshou away and reached behind his back, pulling something that had been enveloped in paper, prepared precisely for this moment.

Flesh struck metal. Despite the force, the technique and the magical enhancement, Shirou barely felt the impact. The 'Divine Iron Shield' Hildr had lent him was a beauty already, but feeling it's effectiveness was on another level.

He capitalised on his opponent's surprise, and slashed with Bakuya at him. Strapping the shield to his forearm, he traced Kanshou and began his offensive. Every counter attack was blocked by the heavy shield, allowing the boy to continue his offense. Yet, some of the force still transferred to his arm, but he could just reinforce any broken bones.

He figured Kuzuki's fighting style and began gaining ground on the teacher. However, Caster noticed this and began firing magic missiles at him. Seeing their purplish light, he raised his shield, but Divine Iron was from the same time period as Caster's magic, and thus it's effectiveness was reduced significantly.

The beams impacted and sent him barreling backwards into a pillar.

He sat there for a moment, his vision blurry. The explosion broke his shield arm, he could barely lift it without great pain now. Breathing was hard, but he had to get up before Kuzuki finished the job.

"You really thought that you could come here alone and beat me with Servants barely at half strength and no magecraft skills? Archer was right, you do have a death wish. Or maybe you are so deluded that you really think you can be the Lone Hero that saves everyone." Caster's tone was between mockery and disgust, floating along the ground with her cape spread open like a sinister butterfly.

This was not part of the plan, but he could work with it anyway. All he needed to do was get up; and buy some time. Medea and Souichirou were approaching him at a slow pace.

"You're right." He said, voice hoarse and spitting blood. His functioning arm was using his knee as leverage to get up. His back hurt horribly, but it didn't matter. He could reinforce it. "I don't mind dying if it means I can save somebody. That much is true. However…" Both Caster and Kuzuki stopped in their tracks. The teacher was as impassive as ever, while Caster cocked her head to the side.

Shirou reached behind him. In his pocket was a small, smooth stone. Using his back and the pillar to hold himself steady, he took another breath.

"I made a promise to these wonderful girls, that I would remain by their side, that I would become the Hero they are searching for. And because of that, I can't die here selfishly! I can't afford throw my life or theirs away like nothing!" With all his might, he charged the stone with magical energy. Invisible indentations were flooded with green energy as he said his next words while throwing it with all his might.

"EWHAZ!"

The stone seemed to consume itself as the magical energy condensed unto itself. And from the void emerged a pink haired girl, with a luminous crown upon her back, holding a jagged spear.

"Here I am! All fired up and ready to go!" Hildr's battle scream shook the whole building as she flew towards the Caster class Servant. Despite the witch's best attempts, the space was small, and Lancer was too fast. Before she could cast another spell, Hildr was on the offensive.

"Impossible! A rune from the Age of the Gods?!" Indeed. The Valkyries were daughters of Odin, and had been given access to the primordial runes and their spells. Ehwaz was the rune for Horse, but it's meaning was far deeper. Friendship, teamwork, trust, love. It was fitting that this rune's spell allowed one to bring fort a familiar to their position.

Kicks, slashes, thrusts, punches. Caster was defenceless against the melee fighter. Even with practically infinite mana, no amount of it could repair her spirit core if damaged. Kuzuki had no way to reach them, to help his Servant. But, he still turned towards the wounded boy.

"If I end you, Lancer will also disappear. I hope you've made peace, Emiya." The teacher got into a fighting stance, while Shirou could do little other than shakily hold his ground.

"End this, Lancer!" he screamed, before his opponent rushed towards him.

"Yes, Master!" Hildr kicked Medea into a wall. Yes, it have her distance and time to cast spells. But the Valkyrie had her own trump card. She poured mana into the Noble Phantasm.

"The all-father's word is absolute, his wisdom ever reaching. This is his declaration." Her jagged spear took on a heavenly glow as she chanted the incantation. Caster readied a spell, space and time distorting around her.

"LANCER!" Medea screeched. Hildr felt her body stop in it's tracks, but it was too late. The spear had left her hand, and it was all it needed, for it's true power lay in the fact that no matter what, it would not miss.

"Gungnir!"

In a second it was over. Caster was pierced by the spear of light, her spirit core damaged beyond repair.

To Shirou Emiya, it was like seeing a butterfly fall from the sky. Before he noticed, Kuzuki was at her side, catching her in midair, and then straddling the woman in his arms.

Hildr landed at Shirou's side. She raised her hand, and the spear flew back into it. They both approached the Master and Servant pair in front of them.

"Master… Souichirou…" The witch tried to speak, but her throat was rapidly filling with blood. Her body started fading away, blue ember sprites peeling away from her.

"Yes, Caster." His voice didn't change. Not one bit.

"Please… Live… Like we promised." She caressed his cheek.

"I'll get the grail for you. That will be my objective for what remains of my life." Before the woman could say anything else, she had faded away, leaving Kuzuki alone in the dark hall.

He stood up, as if nothing had happened. But even someone like Shirou could see where things were going.

"It's over, Kuzuki. Walk away." He told him. The man turned to him. His expression, his posture, his eyes, none of that had changed at all.

"I'm afraid that's not possible. We are both bound by oaths to those we loved. Just like you cannot afford to die, I cannot afford to leave. That's how it is. Without this, I am nothing." The man, once again, got into a combat stance.

"Don't try it, Master of Caster. You can't win." Hildr's edge and seriousness was unnerving. Shirou had to remind himself that, despite her bubbly and always excited personality, she was still a Warrior Maiden that traveled trough countless battlefields, judging worthy souls to be taken to Valhalla. She was, at her very core, like every other Valkyrie.

"Even so, I have to finish this." Hildr narrowed her eyes, going into a battle stance.

"Then I'll give you a glorious death."

Kuzuki said nothing else as he dashed towards them, intent on killing. His technique was unchanged, but without Caster's enhancements, he was little more than fast.

In a second, Hildr's spear pierced his chest, and in the next she had lodged it out of him. As blood dripped from the wound to his heart, Kuzuki fell to the floor, back flat, and then stopped moving.

He had died without ever changing his expression.

The man had been empty his entire life, and now that he finally found purpose for his skills and sins, he had the woman he loved killed in front of his eyes. Shirou felt disgusted at himself, but seeing Thrud ahead of him, his doubts and fears were erased.

"Hildr. Are you alright?" he asked the pink haired Valkyrie. He wasn't just about to ignore her. He cared about the three of them equally.

"Magical Energy reserves low. Combat effectiveness at twenty percent and lowering. Requesting respite." Shirou nodded, and Hildr began leaning slightly on her weapon for support as she took deep breaths.

"What about Ortlinde?" The Valkyrie close her eyes as her head wings twitched.

"Archer proved no match. He retreated but… It can't be…" Hildr's eyes widened, and bags formed under her eyes.

"What's wrong?" He asked. He prayed Ortlinde was alright.

"Nothing Master, just a small discrepancy. Go help Thrud." He let out a sigh of relief as he rushed towards the blonde Valkyrie.

With Caster gone, her bindings and her contract had disappeared. She lay on the ground, face down as her body was engulfed in golden light.

"Thrud!" He yelled, going to her side and turning her body to face him. Her face was back to normal. The girl opened her beautiful ruby eyes to look at him. Wonder and relief spread across her features.

"Master," She whispered.

"I'm here,"

"But… Why? I'm unworthy. I'm broken. I've strayed from my path. These feelings…" Shirou shook his head, she was delusional he guessed.

"Ortlinde and Hildr need you, as do I. Please, make a contract with me," His pleads fell on deaf ears.

"I… cannot…" Her strength was fading. She was ghostlike.

No, he would not let it end like this. He would save her.

"I am your spear. You are my shield." He began chanting what came to his mind, what she reminded him of. Her eyes watered.

"Together…" She grabbed his right hand with her own fading one. "We'll forge a path…"

"To face the end of time." His hand was engulfed by a red glow. The contract was ready.

"I accept you as my Master, Shirou."

"I welcome you as my Servant, Lancer."

Extra Scene: Identity

Ortlinde stood opposite of Archer, shield held high, spear ready to thrust forwards. Her mystic code was active, it would grand her flight and limited protection against projectiles and physical attacks. Runes were considered unnecessary.

Their battle had been more even than she calculated. She had counted on Shirou's magical reserves lowering her stats, but did not expect Archer to receive as much mana as he had on him. Still, his style would have been effective against any kind of human opponent. Leaving openings deliberately so attempts to attack them would be punished was a devious strategy. But far from glorious or honourable.

They rushed at each other once again. She dodged a stab from Archer, and kicked him in the face. She had the opportunity. She could stab this unworthy warrior trough his shoulder and incapacitate him.

However, when Archer turned to face her, she noticed his hair was disfigured. Correction, she had kicked it back into it's original form.

Reanalyze. Master detected. Failure to confirm.

Reanalyze. Hero detected. Failure to confirm.

Reanalyze. Master identified.

No. Reanalyze. Master Identified.

Reanalyze. Master Identified.

Reanalyze. Master Identified.

Her mind stopped for a second, stuck in this endless loop. If Valkyries could feel disbelief, this would be it. She needed to forward this information to Hildr.

Her momentary distraction allowed her foe to jump away. He was now twenty meters distanced from her.

"You are pretty tough for a doll. Tell me; why haven't you finished me?" He asked. Despite his injuries, the man could still smirk and act like he was better than anyone else. Ortlinde decided to humour him. Shirou had not restricted her on talk. Her only objective was to buy time, and Hildr had already engaged Caster.

"Master Shirou has asked me to leave you alive, for Rin Tohsaka's sake."

"And you obey? Despite me being a traitor in your eyes?"

"You are most dishonourable indeed. I evaluated you as hero, but I made a mistake. You are no more than a coward. However, despite my feelings on the matter, I must obey my Master's orders." Archer let out a 'hmph'

"As expected from a machine. You all really go hand in hand. Pitiful. But…" Archer glanced back for a moment. Ortlinde saw images of Caster's defeat. "… Looks like our battle is over."

"Not yet. What is Rin Tohsaka's location? She is not in the church."

"That's my little secret. I'm afraid if you don't let me go, she'll die. And that would go against your Master's wishes, wouldn't it?" Her spear shook for micro second. A burst of static, a flash of heat on her face. Some part of her almost defied her orders. Some part of her wanted to run him trough right there. But they had Thrud now. Their objective was accomplished.

"Very well." She stood down. Her battle mode disengaged. With a smirk, he faded away into the night.

That devilish smirk, that was a new feature. One she had never seen on her Master, but that she could confirm he was able to do.

A/N: Finally. Can't believe it took me three days to write this. Well, I was also writing something else, and had work to do, but still.

Shirou is slowly learning to value his life. Yes, it's dependent on his Servants, but at least he wants to live a little. Maybe he'll eventually learn to be happy on his own.

Next chapter will feature Thrud and Shirou. Expect something shorter, a bit more spicy, but still no smut.

I'm not sure if this is how the Valks would think internally, so if you have any opinions on that. Let me know in the reviews.

That is all.