The shinai comes down with an arc, a slight wind accompanying it as it falls straight to its target.

The sound of bamboos colliding echoes as the shinai is blocked by the other. It is then brush aside and the wielder tries to dodge out of the way but-

"Ngh-!"

It is too late as the other shinai impacts my chest, taking the air out from my lungs as I fall on my back.

"That is enough, Shirou." Saber said, putting down her shinai.

Again, I cannot seem to overcome her. Her speed, strength, and instincts are so much better than mine. I guess I should've known this when I asked her for training, but still…

Can she go a little easier on me at least?

I groan as I sit up. Saber looks at me with a calm gaze, handing me a towel.

"Here, wipe yourself. You have gotten better since we started."

"Yeah, but I'm still not good enough."

"Patience is key when it comes to gaining strength and skill. Do not be hard on yourself."

"I know, but…"

"Look here."

"Hm?"

I turn to look at her as I am wiping away the sweat and-

"Ow!"

Her finger flicks me in the forehead, recoiling my head back.

"As I said, do not be hard on yourself. Doubt only leads to stagnation. My Master would not want that for you either."

"Right…"

Tohsaka has been helping me with some magecraft lessons since she moved in, but it has been slow to say the least.

Despite being able to use my circuits now, I can't seem to do anything except for projection and reinforcement.

It's frustrating.

"Anyway, that is enough for tonight. We will train again tomorrow."

"Right, thank you, Saber."

She nods as she walks out the dojo, leaving me by myself.

I sigh as I fall down on the floor, looking up at the ceiling. Why can't I improve faster? I feel as though each time I make a step forward, there's always a roadblock stopping me in my tracks.

There's got to be a way… there has to be or else…

I sit up and look at the shinai beside me. I stare at it for a few moments before grabbing hold of the hilt as I stand up, assuming a stance.

I breathe in, and I swing.

I twirl, I twist, momentum builds up, the world fading away as I focus within myself.

Each motion, each movement, my mind emptying itself as I swing repeatedly, trying to get the bare semblance of what strength I can muster.

And yet, I feel as though nothing's really there. Not a single hint of skill is anywhere within my body, I'm just swinging like my life depends on it.

Because if I don't improve, if I don't try even a little, I will never realise that dream… unable to look him in the face again…

"Ahh!"

I let out the final swing before succumbing to my knees.

And yet, even though I try, I can't seem to get stronger.

What a failure I am…

"You seem to be having a bad time."

That voice?

I turn and there, I see her leaning on the doorframe of the dojo, her arms crossed beneath her chest.

Her golden hair flutters as she pushes herself off the frame, striding towards me. The silver chains on her leather jeans rattle with each step she makes while her crimson eyes look at me with amusement in her gaze.

"Archer…?"

How long has she been watching?

"I would've thought training with that Saber would improve your skills by now, but that doesn't seem to be the case now, is it?"

She leans in close to my face, mockery plastered on her face as she lifts my chin with her finger.

"Although, I do like that determination."

I brush aside her finger. "What do you want?"

"Nothing really. I was just enjoying the show you were putting on, too bad it has to end on this note."

She kicks the shinai beside me.

"Well, sorry to disappoint."

"You should be. If this is all you can do, then I doubt you will be able to see your dreams come true, no matter how unlikely it seems for one such as you."

My face twitches as her words stab into me like daggers.

Even if what she said is true, even if I'm being stubborn, I can't accept it.

"Although, I do want to see how much you have actually improved…"

She walks around me, tapping her finger on her chin, humming to herself before she stops. A smile forms on her lips as she turns to look at me, a chill running down my spine when I stare at her eyes.

"Why don't we have a little spar, just you and me, Master."

"With you? Are you really sure?"

"Of course. I want to know if you are a master worthy of me, a queen in her fullest lustre. Now, grab your weapon and get prepared."

"But-"

"Now."

I gulp as I stand up and hold my shinai, assuming my stance while Archer moves back, putting some distance between us.

I don't know what she's really thinking, but I'm not going to back down. Not now.

"Ready?"

"...Ready."

She smiles at me for a brief moment before her face completely changes, not a hint of emotion anywhere as she stares at me with sharp eyes.

As if she's staring at an insufferable bug.

"Good."

Then, a severe pressure emanates from her in a second, a burden being put into my mind like bricks as a legion of portals manifests behind her, weapons forming out of them as they set themselves on me.

And with a raise of her hand as I prepare myself for the eventual onslaught-

She snaps her fingers, and the weapons burst out like a swarm of bullets.

So quick-!?

I dodge and parry the projectiles to no avail as they blow against my body in multiple ways, pain flaring up with each hit.

Is she trying to kill me?

"Do not worry, I made sure they're dull."

Still hurts like hell-!

I breathe frantically, adrenaline boosting up to numb my pain, heightening my senses as I reinforce myself, circuits activating within while the weapons come towards me.

Futile are my attempts to dodge the assault as they still hit, my steps inching back from each subsequent attack, further away from Archer who stands and watches as her treasures do the work.

My eyes focus on the weapons, sword, axes, mace, and hammers, all aimed to inflict pain as much as possible as I raise my shinai, pouring magical energy into my eyes-

Thoughts flowed through me as quickly as they came, an array of memories forcing themselves to my mind like liquid pouring through the gaps as I brought down the shinai, my consciousness losing control-

And one, two, and three clangs echo in my ears as I blink, regaining control of my thoughts. Three weapons laying beside me, seemingly having been… cast aside?

What happe-?

I didn't have time to think before I was hit, the force impacting against my reinforced body, pushing me back to the other side of the room.

Did I parry them? How? How could I possibly be able to…

A flash of memory appears for a brief second before fading.

Those memories, are those from the weapons themselves?

My thoughts hastily circulating in my mind as I push myself up, armaments waiting in their portals for a spark to be lit within their barrels.

And from in front of me, Archer stares at me with a singular eyebrow raised.

"How interesting."

I hold my shinai, struggling to gather my breath as my body shakes from top and bottom.

If those memories are truly what they are, then I just need to make them my own, turn them into my own will.

Doesn't matter how, all I know is that I must.

And the weapons burst towards me. I take a deep breath as I close my eyes, gathering the memories to the forefront of my mind, my hands tightening around the shinai's handle, seconds lasting eternity while information flows rapidly.

Their skills, their technique, their hardships, I feel the souls of the weapons themselves calling out to me, telling me to take up their past if only for a moment as I raise up my shinai, opening my eyes.

And then, I strike.

I parry away the swords while I dodge away, the past guiding my hand, putting more magical energy into my legs, making them better, faster as I rush to Archer, whose face grows more curious by the second.

Occasional hits fall upon my body as I groan, grinding my teeth, enduring the pain while the distance between us shortens with each step.

Just a couple more steps and I will be in range-!

"Guh!"

A dull sword smacks against my hands, casting my shinai away, just as I am close to Archer's position, her eyes looking at me with a sense of victory, knowing that she took away my only chance.

No, it can't end like this, not when I have gotten so close!

Deep within me, something pulses, akin to a heartbeat, but more. As I focus on that pulse, my veins burn, an electrical sensation searing against my body as a greenish hue glows alongside the path of my veins like a labyrinth of circuits.

A weapon, I need a weapon-!

The sensation intensifies as the pain breaks through the walls of my adrenaline, sparks manifesting through the tips of my fingers as Archer's widening eyes stare at my display.

Then, it starts to form. A blueprint of my mind turning into reality as the transparent shape of a sword manifests, completing itself by the second as I raise it up in the air, Archer now in front of me, her neck in my sights.

The dull sword, now fully formed, falls with an arc, aimed at her neck as time slows down, my victory ensured, and from the corner of my vision…

Her lips twist upward.

"How greedy."

What-?!

The sword stops in its motion just mere inches away from her neck as chains now bound me, coiling themselves around my limbs like a viper's hold.

My grip loosens and the sword falls from my grasp, memories fading away into blue wisps as it descends into the floor.

And like that, within a single second, she immobilised me without even moving an inch, and I was unable to land a single hit.

It almost leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Even then, I was still able to reach her. That counts for something.

"That's some trick you pulled."

The chains pull my arms up, adrenaline dwindling while my body reels in intense pain as Archer grasps at the blue wisp only for them to slip through her fingers, staring with curiosity in her eyes. Stepping in close, she takes hold of my face, her breath brushing against my lips, her crimson eyes alluring me.

"Copying my treasures, even if dull, is unforgivable, you know that?"

She drags a lone finger on my chest, tingling my skin through what is left of my shirt as it reaches down towards my abdomen, stopping just in the middle.

"But…"

Then, a portal manifests beneath and she reaches with her hand, her finger sliding down into the portal, pulling out a bottle of red liquid.

"It would be a shame if you die from these wounds now."

She opens it, forcing my mouth open, she pours it into my throat. The warm liquid flows down as I gulp down every drop, unable to stop it.

She removes it from my mouth, putting it back into her vault as I cough out from the forceful intake.

Then, my body starts to change, or should I say, heal. I feel the pain subsiding with my wounds disappearing. Did she make me drink a potion?

"Why?"

"Because you are what binds me to this world, of course. Did you forget?"

I know that, but this seems… a little odd, even for her.

"And also, you interest me."

Interest?

"...in what way?"

"The way you are. Despite you copying my treasures, I will forgive you if you hold my interest long enough. Anyway," She turns her back against me, striding towards the door as the chains disperse back into the vault, causing me to fall onto the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. "This was a fun little experience."

She turns back to glance at me. "I would like to do this again tomorrow, after your sessions with Saber of course, little Faker."

And with those words, she leaves the dojo. The moment the door shuts, I lay down on my back, exhaustion kicking in after the expense of energy I had spent.

Archer…

I can't understand what she's thinking, her words and personality are not what I would call pleasant, but… I have a feeling she's more than what she shows on the outside.

Maybe, by spending time with her like this, I may be able to understand her, even if only a little bit.

I close my eyes, resting myself and recollecting the memories I have seen as my consciousness fade to darkness.

The chill air of the night brushes against my skin as I swing. Circuits-like veins expand over the shinai, energy slowly pouring in through the gaps while I concentrate on the flow.

Out on the yard, the moon looming over me, I practise alone, disregarding the outside world, focusing only on this one task.

Days passed after that spar with Archer. Since then, we have sparred with each other, my body being put through the wringer in the process and her healing me once it's done. Despite the pain, I feel as though I'm getting better through those moments, more attuned to myself and my… abilities.

I do not know what exactly causes me to reproduce the weapons from Archer's vault, I know it's projection, but, they seem more… complete. Akin to the real thing. Using the memories within my mind as its material.

The memories I gathered from observing Archer's treasures still linger, but their contents became vague over time. As if they're decaying from something I do not yet know.

If there's a way to preserve those memories, then I will have to find it. Either through sparring with Archer, or practising by myself.

Those spars, I have come to grow fond of them as time passes. Even if it hurts, even if Archer's arrogance and mockery annoys me, though she has gotten softer as of late.

Nevertheless, there's one thing I need to do, and that is improving myself in order to make myself useful.

My newfound abilities aren't enough as long as they're unrefined. With Tohsaka's help, I may be able to prove myself yet.

Although, she did get mad when I told her what happened on that day.

"You are certainly pushing yourself hard." A familiar voice reaches my ears.

I stopped, my shinai suspended mid-swing. Fog exiting from my mouth as I breathe, turning my head toward the porch, sweat trailing over my eyes.

"Archer? I thought you were asleep."

"Turns out, I wasn't. Not with your little exercise."

Archer leans on one of the poles with her arms crossed, her gaze watching me, finding my routine amusing as if I was a kid playing with a stick.

"You know you are wasting time doing this."

"Maybe, but I have to try if I want to get better. I can't just rely on you and Saber forever."

"Oh really? And here I thought you were enjoying our times together."

"That… is not what I meant."

"You're really breaking my heart here, little Faker."

She pushes herself off the pole, coming down on the yard while her hair sways softly from the nightly wind.

"Stop calling me that."

"But that's exactly what you are. A faker relying on the memories of the past. How is that any different from relying on me?"

She walks around me, a mocking tone present in her voice, sliding her hand on my neck, a tingle following her tips as I brush away her hand.

"That's different and you know it-"

"I decide what is different or not. In this case, it's no better than imitation."

"No it's not. No matter what you say, it is different."

"Then prove it. Prove you can stand on your own two feet by sparring with me without using the past."

"But that-"

"I, of course, will use my own skills. No other powers or anything, just us and our own strengths."

She stands in front of me, a portal manifesting beside her, a sword handle sliding out. Wrapping her hand around the grip, she pulls it out with a flourish.

A blunt sword sits in the grasp of her fingers as she lets it hang on her side, assuming no stance, standing there as if nothing will hurt her.

"Are you ready, Faker?"

I hold up my shinai as I breathe in and out, pouring magical energy into the bamboo sword, reinforcing it.

"I'm ready."

She smiles.

"Good."

Then she rushes in, thrusting her sword at me with quick steps. I parry it, and I counter, but she dodge out the way, slashing back at me in the process.

It strikes against my arm, pain pulsing through as I groan.

I brush away her sword as I put distance between us while Archer waits for my next move with a smile.

I grip the handle tighter, the past crawling to the forefront of my mind, but I reject them.

Because this is her and me, our own powers against each other.

And if I beat her, then I will prove that my abilities are different from what she says.

I have to believe in myself.

I charge in, my shinai descending towards Archer.

It is blocked and pushed aside, the blunt sword aiming toward my face as I dodge it, missing me by inches while I continue my assault.

Left, right, down, overhead, she deflects them all, not a sign of struggle within her movement as she parries aside my shinai and slash at me.

I block it and brush it aside, following up with a counter to which she parries.

It is akin to a dance, one of steel and bamboo, striking against one another while we twist, twirl, parry, and block. The moonlight illuminates upon us as we attempt to outmatch each other, the outside world fading away into nothingness.

We focus within this world we have created, the only sight and sound present being ourselves and our clashes, time forgotten.

Different ages, different eras, different lives. They all clash in this simple dance of skill.

Damages accumulating on my being the further I go, pain numbed away by adrenaline, my only goal is to beat her.

And yet, a feeling builds up the longer it goes, the more I cross with her blade, something within me pulses.

Is it excitement? Is it being in the moment?

Is it the first time I have ever been like this?

Those feelings are soon lost as I swing my shinai, the moonlight shining behind it as it falls down to lay the final blow-

A clang, and the shinai slips from my fingers. Parried away by Archer's sword, who now points at my throat with the tip.

The world shattered and reality restored. I stare into Archer's crimson reptilian eyes, a slight smile adorned on her face.

Fog exits from my mouth.

Despite all my efforts and determination, it seems I still can't beat her.

She lifts my chin up with her sword.

"Looks like I have won again."

She strides towards me, slowly lowering her sword with each step, until she towers over me. Her gaze upon me as her sword returns to the vault while her hand cups my face. Her breath on my lips.

"Now, I ask you one more time. Is your power really different from borrowing from it?"

"...Yes."

"Despite what you say, the results are clear. You are nothing without the past."

"If that's the case, I reject it. The past and the present can still coexist regardless of your words!"

Our gaze connects with one another, trying to stand my ground, notwithstanding her glare, moments fading away as the nightly sky passes by.

"Pfft-"

A slight chuckle, her shoulders shaking while her lips twitch as her chuckle builds up, then-

"Hahaha!"

She laughs.

It's nothing I have ever heard of. Unlike the mocking and arrogant laughter I have grown accustomed to, this is more… genuine.

The sound of her laugh, it's like soft wind chimes resonating in my ears, almost like a beautiful melody.

"Archer…?"

"I have never seen anyone as stupid as you, and yet…"

Her laugh subsides, her expression softer than ever.

"I have also never seen anyone that interested me the same way as you since them…"

"Them?"

"...An old friend from long ago."

Her face twists almost as if in pain at the thought of it.

"But, that's in the past. As for the present…"

She stares at me.

"I suppose something of a reward is in order."

"Reward? But I lost, how could I-"

"I decide that. After all, you did manage to make me laugh in a way I hadn't for so long."

Her behaviour, her demeanour, it's different. Not ever had I seen her act this way before.

Then, Archer leans in close, her breath on my lips. Her eyes peers into me, enticing me into their influence as her body pressed against mine. Her hand on my cheek.

"Archer…"

"This will only take a moment…"

Then, a taste of roses falls upon my lips as hers presses against mine.

Time seems to freeze, an eternity lasting for this simple moment, a kiss that shouldn't take a second to break away, now lasts forever.

It's something I never thought possible. That Archer herself allows this is almost absurd.

And, why my heart is beating so much just from this alone. Whereas other threats in the past made it beat rapidly, they pale in comparison to this one moment.

And then, she pulls away. Leaving behind the faint sensation as her eyes half-close, smiles at me.

"That doesn't feel enough, does it?"

"What do you mean…?"

"After all, this is just a little taste of the reward that I want to give you."

"There's more?"

She smiles.

"Follow me and I will show you."

She gives one more kiss before detaching from me, motioning me to follow her as she returns to the house, towards her room.

I follow her, going to her room, not knowing the full extent of what I'm about to get into.

Somehow, it feels as though the night has only started.

I enter Archer's room, the same scent of roses permeates every corner of the interior while the moonlight shines through the gaps of the window, as I look around and see-

"Come on, don't be shy."

My heart pulses at the sight. Illuminated by the moonlight, her hair and eyes gleaming within the faint-lit room. Her white shirt unbuttoned, releasing and revealing her skin, her cleavage as she stares with half-lidded eyes, sitting on the futon. Her smile is alluring while her jacket peels off her shoulders, stopping at just her upper arms.

The sight of her in this state, it makes me feel something that I am guilty to admit. I feel aroused.

I have always known her to be beautiful since she was summoned, but not to this extent.

"Don't keep me waiting, for this is your reward~."

Her sultry voice enters into my ears like a manipulative charm as I gulp. Walking up to her, sitting down as she leans to me, her breath on me while her hand rests on my chest.

She pushes me down, saddling me while her hands roam from my chest to my face, cupping my cheeks. Her hair descending down from her back, covering my sides like golden curtains.

My heart beats against my chest, hearing my own blood rushing within my veins as her face leans in, her gaze trapping me in a hold.

"Ready, Faker?"

"...Ready."

"Good."

Then she closes my lips with her own, her taste spreading into my mouth as her tongue slithers inside, wrapping it around my own.

I wrap my arms around her back as we kiss, her body pressing against me, her warmth combining with mine.

Her hands slide under my shirt, feeling them on my skin as they pull up, leaving my chest bare.

I remove her jacket from her shoulders, continuing to her shirt while our tongues are caught in a duel.

Then, she pulls away. A trail of saliva follows her tongue as she rises up, her jacket and shirt discarded, leaving only her chest bare.

Sweat trails down her body and the crevices of her breasts while her deep breathing causes them to rise up and down. Her leather jeans rub against his legs as she fidgets on my waist. A devilish smile adorns her face as she slides her hands down, her eyes looking at me with lust and desire.

She stops at my pants. Unbuttoning it, she pulls it down. Letting my erection out to the world.

She puts herself down on it, feeling her entrance through the leather exterior as she starts to stroke it, slight electric-like shocks pulsing through my body with each stroke.

She leans herself back, putting her hands on my legs to steady herself as she continues her stroke.

Pre-cum oozes out my tip, groans exiting my mouth as pleasure swarms my mind.

Then, she slows down, pressing on my erection hard, making sure to depart one last bit of pleasure as she watches me with a smile, taking enjoyment out of my twisting expressions.

The moment she stopped, she pulled herself down, positioning herself between my legs. My penis is then put between her fingers, veins pulsating as she starts to stroke it in gradual motion.

The warmth and touch of her hand is almost too much to bear as she picks up the pace, swift strokes replacing the leisurely motion while I groan.

She leans her face in, her breath on my tip as she kisses it a few times before licking it, keeping pace with her strokes.

Shocks envelop my body, my toes tucking into themselves as Archer's tongue caress my penis. Wrapping it around me while still rubbing it with her hand, her saliva dripping down its length as it combines with the pre-cum, giving it a glossy and sticky appearance.

Then, my penis is engulfed within Archer's mouth. Warmth swathes around it as she bobs her head up and down alongside her stroking.

My penis twitches, a climax almost nearing its peak, and Archer knows this judging by the look in her eyes. She sucks and licks on my member, gradually raising her head up as her motions crawl to a halt, stopping at just the tip.

And before I reach the climax, she releases from my penis with a loud pop, touching the tip with a finger as it pulsates. Flashing a teasing smile at me.

"Not yet, there's still more to come…" She whispers.

Waiting for a few moments to let it calm down and discarding her jeans, she again saddles my waist, her entrance above the very tip of my penis.

I gulp as I watch her lower herself, the anticipation overcoming me, Archer enjoying the moment while she steadies my member for a smooth insertion, the tip touching her entrance and-

She slams down, a pleasured gasp escaping her lips, her walls enveloping me as well as taking my virginity, all in an instant.

I can feel her, a swirling boundary of flesh encasing me; hidden from my sight and yet so conceptualised within the very gaps of my mind. A warm, wet internal environment that aspires to consume me whole.

She rises up and down, my penis reaching the very depths of her body, a blockage stopping me from reaching further- hitting her womb each time she descends.

Pleasure exits from our lips, riding upon it with the elegance of royalty, as though this is a simple matter. She steady herself by pulling her arms back, her hands on my thighs as she watches me with a half-lidded gaze.

Not wanting to be the only one not doing anything, I put my hand on her thighs, and I thrust my hips. Moving in rhythm with one another while she let out a slight moan.

Time doesn't seem to pass, our bodies connected through each other, our warmth, sweat, pleasure, and fluid mixing together, an accumulation that is spent on this moment; the interconnectedness of our emotions, our thoughts, and our feelings.

Love wasn't something that I could understand easily, but… maybe, despite all my annoyance, my thoughts, I felt something akin to that, from that very day. When I first lay my eyes on her.

Through our times spent together, sparring with each other, I grew to like her regardless of her personality. Her haughty and arrogant behaviour, her distasteful attitude towards anyone who was below her, despite all that, despite how naive it may be, I believe that it's all a facade, a mask to hide her loneliness. Her true self.

Her laughter from before is proof of that and…

"I haven't seen anyone who interested me the same way as you since them…"

Them… her friend.

Was they really a friend, or was they something more?

No matter what the answer may be, the moment she spoke of them, a flash of sadness glinted in her eyes before she washed it away.

That was the first time I saw her like that.

"You are nearly done, are you not, Faker?" Archer said in between gasps.

Her voice snaps me out of my thoughts, redirecting my attention to the twitching feeling in my penis.

I am almost at the climax.

She picks up her speed, leisurely wrapping her arms around my neck. Holding her waist, we kiss, closing our eyes as we immerse ourselves in the last remaining moments.

One final thrust, then I burst. My semen fills into her as we hug one another tightly, moaning into each other's lips.

We detach from our kiss, saliva forming a bridge between our lips as we stare into each other's gaze.

Slight fog escapes our lips through breathless air as sweat covers the entirety of our bodies.

"That…"

"Was good. Though an amateur, you did well enough."

She said with a smile. She presses herself against me, leaning her face on my shoulder with her arms still around my neck.

We stay in that position for a few minutes, content with enjoying this simple respite between us.

"...If you ever have the choice, would you be my loyal retainer?"

Then, a whisper. I glance at Archer, her face hidden within the crux of my shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that, would you stay by my side until the end? Regardless of what may happen?"

…Staying by her side…

Is she worried that she'll be left alone? Afraid of that loneliness that cages her?

If so, if it means not leaving her in that loneliness trapping her, then…

"I will stay by your side no matter what."

A moment pass, and-

"Thank you."

I hear a warm whisper.

"Well, am I now worthy of you?"

A gentle laugh.

"Perhaps."

I chuckle before it transitions to a yawn, exhaustion now overtaking me as my vision blurs.

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

"Heh. Then let us rest, you and me."

Archer leans back from my shoulder and falls to my side, pulling me down with her into the soft cushion of the futon.

We face each other. A smile adorning her face as she slowly closed her eyes, her hand grasping my own.

"Sleep well, Master."

"You too, Archer."

And so, I close my eyes as my consciousness fades, our hands locked together as we fall into a deep but pleasant slumber.