Flying above the buildings, a small little bird flapped its wings towards a particular mansion in Fuyuki, as if it were attempting to rest from today's flight. But this bird in particular would actually fly in the opposite direction if it had a proper sense of mind, caused by the unnatural wrongness the target house gave off. If anything, any animal with instincts would have long turned away and avoided this house at all cost.

All due to the underlying smell of death that came from the building itself. An aura of sorts that made all local animals steer clear no matter what. They're simple minds outright screaming at them not to go to the house, making them scurry away from the mansion to avoid whatever lay inside.

But a bird made into a familiar would have its instincts dulled to outright removal. As such, the bird ignored all warning signs and flew as close to the mansion as possible. Its eyes attempt to spot any person around, observing every detail on the surrounding area to better report to its master. What it got was the humming sound of another pair of wings.

Turning its little head, the bird turned to see what it was.

"Qlck." It had little time to process anything other than the confusion of why it only saw darkness.

Snap!

Then nothing more.

Zouken's mood was quite good, as he sat on his chair. The back of his head relaxing against the wooden chair while smirking at the minor amusement brought to him. A foolish magus, a Master most likely, attempting to spy on him. Shame for them as his lovely little pets got to the bird first before the avian could even get close, his familiar insects tearing the creature apart teeth first.

He didn't know who sent it, but Zouken didn't mind, his pets having gotten a little meal and…

"And I even get this as a bonus." Zouken taunted, his eyes settled on the slouched form of his pathetic son, Kariya, who glared at him before wincing, letting out a sharp breath of pain while clutching his chest. As if someone had driven a nail into his ribs.

"How was your first battle, dear boy?" Zouken asked viciously.

"J-just fine." Kariya wheezed out, looking unamused by Zouken's question.

"And yet just look at you." Zouken shaked his head mockingly. "Is one fight all it takes to get you down, dear boy. If so, then how else will you keep that little promise of yours?"

"!" Kariya, miserable as he was, suddenly glared at Zouken angrily. Giving a look that might just kill were it not for the fact his body trembled in both rage and agony. The worms did their part, both to support him and consume him. Zouken smiled once more.

"Tch." Clicking his tongue, calming himself, Kariya sputtered out, "I just need a little rest is all. That's it." Clenching his fists, Kariya added, "It'll take more than this to bring me down." A chuckle escaped Zouken's lips.

"Hm. Yes. I suppose that is true." With a look that just screamed amusement, Zouken said, "Then I suppose I shall leave you, oh great Master." Standing up, Zouken began to leave the room. "After all," A glint came into Zouken's eyes. Nothing good that would come of it. "I need to educate dear Sakura for today."

A crunching sound is heard, no sooner than Zouken finishes his sentence. From Kariya's mouth, blood leaked out as the man then spat out what appeared to be a busted tooth, his eyes never leaving Zouken's form.

"Good-bye." But Zouken didn't bother to look at Kariya in kind. The elder Matou already knew what Kariya was feeling, relishing in it.

Because as much as Kariya wanted to get up and scream, the man knew he couldn't Shouldn't. Something Zouken knew and exploited as he then left the room to resume Sakura's tutelage for the day, with Kariya left behind, his blood boiling red.

"...Sakura." But just one word calmed him down, at least a little anyway. The image of a young girl came to Kariyas mind as he licked his lip, sucking in the leaking blood and biting his lip.

Oh how Kariya hated Zouken.

That miserable vampire. That miserable worm. If Kariya had things his way, that wretched thing would be dead while he was elsewhere, living a simple normal life away from the chaos and cruelty that was the moonlit world he was born from. Away from those inhumane magus, people that used others, tossed them away like garbage, and murdered them.

Admittingly, perhaps Kariya was being a bit overly cynical, but he knew very few magus, with one of them, unfortunately, being Zouken himself. A depraved but powerful magus who just didn't know when to roll over and die.

Which made Kariya all the more upset that he couldn't do anythingto save Sakura from Zouken's grasp. If anything, Kariya had to crawl back to Zouken just to entertain the notion of letting Sakura go if he won the Holy Grail.

'And I will win the Holy Grail.' Kariya bit his lip further, preferring the sting compared to the slithering agony beneath his skin. Enduring, enduring it all. Enduring everything to keep himself moving, no matter the cost. That was all he had done so far. Endure the pain for Sakura's sake, who went through so much.

"I wish I could see you, the way you were before." Kariya muttered, staring back where Zouken left, remembering how Sakura used to be, should be. Yet Zouken and that bastard Tokiomi had reduced the once happy girl to a former shell of herself, now resigning herself to the worms and the pain they brought her.

A complete contrast to the smiling girl who hung with her big sister and mother in the past.

Sucking in a sharp breath, Kariya then narrowed his one good eye as he looked at his hand and made a fist. "Berserker. Come."

By his side, Kariya's Servant came.

Tall, imposing. Immediately one in their right mind could tell that Berserker wasn't someone to be messed with. Her blade especially considering that just by looking at it Kariya felt himself sweating in a cold chill. His own brother actually yelped when he first saw her and her sword. According to Zouken, something about the imprints of the living was left on it, with those imprints being screams and curses. Grudges.

Kariya couldn't say he understood much of the concept, but he got the jist of it. Berserker killed so many that her body was bathed in angry blood. He could use that. "By any chance, have you found any Servants while on patrol?"

While he was recovering from last night's fight, Kariya sent Berserker out to see if she could find anybody. Even having her scope out if she could find whatever hole Tokiomi crawled under.

"...No." No apparent luck though. Shame. Kariya really wanted to capture Tokiomi at his weakest before beating him for all the crimes he committed. Then Kariya can give Sakura and Rin the life they deserve. All they needed was…someone to be with them after Tokiomi's death.

"For now, stay here I guess." Any further thoughts on how he can help Sakura will have to wait war was still on, and Kariya couldn't save Sakura, Rin, and Aoi until he won. "You can go around later to find them. Need some more rest, then we ca-ughh!"

"Master..!" Berserker leaned down, putting a hand on Kariya's back as he clutched the mess that was once his left eye. Swallowing any pained hisses as Kariya then felt the pain go away.

A snarl formed on his face, replying, "G-got-no-found one."

Zouken did a lot of things to Kariya during his 'training' period (the monster), but it did 'aid' Kariya at times. It just so happened that Zouken lent Kariya some minor abilities, such as connecting Kariya to the worms that had been sent out to patrol when it came to locating other Masters and Servants.

When a worm found one, the blasted thing then sent the message to Kariya. Zouken 'helpfully' added a function that made Kariya feel what felt like a sharp stab to the eye whenever one of the worms spotted a target. This way Kariya wouldn't miss the message. Again, Zouken was an asshole.

'But if it helps me find one of the Masters, then so be it.' The sting in his eye was nothing compared to the training he endured. One of the worms had spotted a Servant. Through the link, Kariya focused while Berserker stood guard, seeing a person walking down the streets.

The person in general looks young and a little skinny, having short wavy hair and looked as if they were talking to someone. Obviously, this wouldn't be such a big deal in general, however the worm would only send a message if it detected an unusually high amount of mana that was being used, something most normal people can't do.

But a human using their mana to upkeep a Servant? Well, that was a different story.

"I need you to go out again,but no fighting." Just one fight reduced Kariya to this mess. There was no telling what a second so soon could do to him this soon in the game. "Just…just observe them for now. In spirit form."

"...Under…stood." Berserker nodded, with the woman then vanishing away into her spiritual form, leaving Kariya behind as he sighed, leaning his head back and staring at the ceiling. It was clear that he was at a disadvantage, even a blind man would tell that his chances of winning were next to none.

'But I won't give up.' No matter what.

"I can't believe it. He was there. He was really there." Walking in a depressive mood, Waver could only shudder as he passed by some people. Head down as he recalled what happened before. Along with the additional knowledge of what would happen to him when he was caught by him.

A moan escaped Waver's lip. His expression looked like that of a beaten dog.

"Now that's a poor look for a soldier." It was then Waver felt a hand slam into the back of his head.

"Ow!" An armored hand which hurt. Turning, Wave glowered at Saber and opened his mouth, ready to complain at him. It took a second to realize he was seeing Saber, Waver's face then becoming panicky. "What are you doing out?!" He then squealed.

"Knocking some sense into you." Saber crossed his arms. "Obviously."

"Wha-bu-!" Waver looked around and saw how normal people were now staring at them. Or more specifically, Saber. His armor, his cape, his blonde hair. He practically screamed foreigner, or maybe some cosplayer on the street. Either way, Waver didn't like it. "What are you doing?!"

"Speaking to you. Duh." Saber responded honestly, confused as to why his Master seemed so distraught.

"You're not supposed to be out here!" With Waver forced to explain the obvious as he smacked Saber in the chest, only to wince soon after as the metal was tougher than expected.

"I'm not?" As for Saber, he just continued to be oblivious to what his Master even wanted. Forced to temporarily suppress his anger, Waver instead grabbed Saber by the hand and dragged him to the nearest bench, forcing him to sit. Saber complied, not noticing the stares he got from other people while Waver sat next to him, hands on his face.

"How'd I end up with this?" Waver bit down, confounded in how he gained a Servant that didn't even seem to realize all the rules he was breaking. Still, what's done is done. Better to get this talk over with before Saber did even more stupid things.

"Look. Saber," Waver started as he turned to face the Servant in question. Telling him, "You're not supposed to let yourself be seen. It's a problem."

"Hm. Is it because of my smell?" Saber couldn't deny that after a battle he sweated quite a bit. Certainly that would get some people scrunching up their noses.

"No!" Waver then paused, sniffing the air. "No! Not that." Then he continued on while jabbing a finger onto Saber's shoulders. "Didn't the Holy Grail tell you anything?"

"...mmmm. A little." The fact Saber sounded so uncertain only made Waver wonder if he got ripped-off by the Holy Grail when it came to summoning. Saber sighed. "Honestly, it's not as if I received nothing." Crossing his arms, Saber explained himself. "I know I came here to serve you, becoming a Servant in the process. All while unjustly killing strangers for a chance at victory."

"Unjust?"

"What else would you call killing strangers for a prize you didn't ask for? Fair?"

"...okay…That's fair." Waver admitted, though soon crossed his brows together. "Wait, hold up. What do you mean you didn't ask for it?" Waver spread his arms, adjusting his sitting position. "The Grail only calls upon Servants who heard a Master's call for the Holy Grail. You had to have come knowing this."

"Well I didn't get that memo I suppose." Saber shrugged, being completely honest. "All I know is that I died…Then I came here."

"But…what..how does that..?" That made no sense at all. Servants only arrived because they accepted what was happening and the role they played. The Grail gives them all the knowledge needed for them to understand what they must do.

'B-but he doesn't know any of that? D-Did I do something wrong perhaps?' A mistake in the summoning circle? Some ingredient he missed for the ritual? To think, he joined this war only to see now just what a horrible disadvantage he's in.

The battle at the site was still on Waver's mind too. How Saber, the strongest of the seven Classes, was slowly getting himself trounced by the others.

Oh, sure, Waver wasn't going to say the man was weak. Saber did pretty well in facing Rider and handling the other Servants that came. 'But 'doing well' isn't going to cut it.' Waver thought.

Rider, Berserker, Lancer, all of them were above Saber's weight class somehow. The best Class, despite being skilled enough to survive, wasn't strong enough to deal with them. Waver saw what happened with Lancer. The sword looked as if it would break when slammed against the Servant's body.

Rider? Practically pushed him against the wall. No need to say anything about Berserker, who outright manhandled him. All of this made Waver realize how in over his head he was, with his own teacher now on the hunt for him. Just the thought made him shiver in his own shoes at his teacher ripping the life out of him. What should have been a joyful triumph became replaced with cold realization. Like someone splashing water on him to wake Waver up from whatever fantasies he had on winning.

Or a knife plunging into his chest in this case, seeing as Waver felt like death was just around the corner for him.

Saber, noticing his Master's sudden mood change, raised an eyebrow in concern. "Is there something wrong?"

Waver only moaned. "Oh, it's nothing." He sarcastically said. "Absolutely nothing!" Throwing his hands in the air, Waver then cried out, "Because there's nothing to fear when I'm going to die!"

"Nonsense." Saber replied back, frowning. "Who says you'll die."

"Me! I did!" Waver shot back, growling. A hiss escaping his breath, saying, "Because look at us. Look at me! Round 1 in this war and already we had to run back with our tails between our legs."

"Tails…that's not even close to what happened." Shaking his head, Saber couldn't help but feel a little insulted. "I understand that the other foes weren't weak, however-"

"But nothing!" Nearly on the verge of shouting, Waver only held back enough to instead hiss out, "We fought, you got nearly beaten up, my teacher declared my death, and we ran away without accomplishing anything!" Slamming both hands on the bench, Waver grunted as if he'd been kicked, his head slacking down as he muttered, "It's over."

What should have been a chance to prove himself has now become a harsh realization of what the Holy Grail War truly was. Waver, who had once been proud at what he had done and could accomplish, only now realized that victory wouldn't be gained as easily as he expected. One fight was all it took for him to see this.

"Don't be a fool!" Just as all it took was a slap to the face for Waver to be knocked out of those thoughts. Now he could only focus on the stinging pain on his cheek turned red.

"Owww." That really hurt.

"Whoops." Little top hard there. Still, Saber felt he got his Master's attention, and explained that by saying, "Only a fool would think loss is imminent."

"Wai-what?" Blinking, and rubbing his cheek, Waver growled out, "Did you not see who we had to face?" Their power. Their strength. Waver saw their parameters and all of them were above Saber.

"I did." With no fear or stutter in his voice, Saber replied, "And so what?" Such a comment was said so casually, that Waver was stunned for a few seconds, not even sure what to say to him, but Saber still had his own two cents to put in. "Master, do you think that just because someone is stronger, then they're unstoppable."

Processing what he heard, after a bit Waver spoke up his opinion. Telling Saber with some uncertainty, "Well, I mean, ye-"

Saber slapped him in the face again.

"Oww!"

"Well, think again." Clenching his fist and giving Waver a look of disappointment, Saber boldly stated, "Because even the weak can overcome the strong." There wasn't a hint of hesitation to Saber's words. He spoke as if what he said were fact. Believing in it fully.

It was there for just a bit, Waver found himself thinking back to his old school days. Where he himself proclaimed that one didn't need to have an old lineage to be considered the best.

But the words of mockery from his fellow students soon whispered in his mind. The constant rebuke from Kayneth himself, along with the fight coming right back front and center. With a bitter tone, Waver said sarcastically, "Yeah, right."

While he didn't like it, Waver had to accept reality. He had been in over his head, thinking that the Command Seals he got and a Servant made him invincible. But the confidence and self-esteem he had was being beaten down, leaving him to only whimper without barking back.

Saber could only sigh at the beaten state his Master was in. His mood, reminiscent of soldiers who gave up at the sight of a strong enemy without even trying. 'And I suppose I can't deny I haven't felt this way before.'

Powerful monsters. Wicked beings. Things that made even Saber waver, a feeling that his Master was feeling now. Here he hoped he could change his Master's mind, to motivate him into action. But it's clear simple words won't do it, with little success to rouse his spirits if his Master is already like this after one battle.

Even worse, as disappointed as Saber felt towards his Master, he felt the same towards himself.

Not only did he fall back against the enemy Servants, Saber lamented his inability to show his Master just what kind of man he was. Someone that could be leaned on, trusted. Now, Waver only saw him as the defeated Servant who ran when the going got tough. Who failed to show any results that would result in his Master feeling pride for him.

His master only saw a man who struggled against a young girl, unable to leave a scratch on his foes, then run away when the going got tough. Saber didn't regret the choice, of course. As a soldier, he knew when to retreat, which was nothing to be shameful of. Still though, being considered a lost cause stung him more than he admitted.

With a soft sigh, Saber just sat in silence next to Waver. The two unspeaking, ignoring the stares the passerbyers gave them before they moved on with their lives.

"Um, excuse me." Until one person decided to simply speak with them instead of going past them.

"Hm?" Waver, not in the mood, just looked up and was ready to just tell the lady to go away. "Sorry miss, but can y-" It was only a bit after when Waver felt his body freeze up. Saber had the same feeling. The two, now similar to a deer in headlights, now felt as if they were staring at a great light. Or in this situation, sensing the powerful mana that the person speaking to them emitted.

Long white hair that went past her shoulders, Waver and Saber saw a woman dressed as if she didn't belong in this city. How right they would be considering she didn't even belong in this timeline, just like Saber. It took just a quick glance for Waver to 'see' who the woman really was.

"S-Servant!" All Masters had the power of Clairvoyance, the ability to see the parameters of what a Servant had, and how strong they could be. For Saber, while he lacked such a power, as a Servant he was gifted with the ability to sense those like him. That, and his own honed instincts practically told him that this woman was no ordinary woman.

Hand on his sheath, Saber bluntly spoke aloud, "Are you friend…or foe?"

There were civilians around, and Saber rather not endanger them. But he didn't desire the same for his Master, and as sorrowful as it is, in war, innocents died everyday. Even if an army tried not to get them involved.

"I'm…not a friend." For the mysterious woman, she gave her answer. But continued to speak, in a soft calm voice that seemed to soothe Waver's own panic, saying, "But I do not desire to be a foe. To anybody."

Now there were three people sitting on the bench. In total silence, none of them speaking to one another. For the two men it was especially jarring considering that in spite of what the woman said, there was some kind of air around her. One that put them on end, as if she was dangerous.

'Granted, she is a Servant,' thought Saber, as he gave a glance at the woman, analyzing her.

She held no weapons, her clothes didn't seem special, why, she didn't even have her guard up. She should be aware that he could strike her down with his sword right now, especially with how close they were. Either she was very naive…or she had a trick up her sleeve to help her out if things got messy.

"Mmmm."

'But…' A good look at her showed how his fellow Servant, in spite of having a strong aura about her, seemed more curious than hostile. The way she looked at the passing people, the buildings, the small animals accompanying their owners. Thank goodness that there weren't too many people around at this time, and the few that were Waver could just hypnotize them away. Not that it stopped the woman from looking interested in what he did as a result.

Even Waver noticed this trait, unsure if he should feel worried or not. Deciding he may as well initiate the conversation, he sucked in his gut and gained the courage to ask, "So…" Leaning a little back, wary, Waver stared at the rather beautiful woman. "You…said you aren't a foe?"

"I'd rather not be." Waver flinched when the woman stared at him, as if fearful she might strike. Instead, all he got was a calm expression that bore no traitorous intentions. Merely hopeful from what he can tell.

"I…I was supposed to be dead." The woman states, looking a bit disturbed. "I should have joined with the others, with all those before me who claimed the title of Maiden, the Maiden with Eyes of Blue."

"A title?" Saber asked, with a nod coming from the woman.

"One I wore with pride. A title I held with respect, without sin." The woman looked down, disheartened. "Much more compared to the title I have now, Archer."

"Archer." Waver now had knowledge on who she was. And while he was tempted to see her parameters, a part of him actually refused to do so. Maybe it was because he didn't want to get caught, then attacked for the disrespect, or maybe it was because he wanted to respect her privacy. Especially since she showed no aggression or acts of bellicosity towards him.

"Hmm." Archer, not knowing of Waver's thoughts, just continued. "I should have joined with my mother, and her mother before her. Instead, I find myself…here" Lifting her hands, Archer stared at them before clenching them. Saying in a sharp tone, contrast to her soft voice from before, "Told I am to fight to the death. To serve a man who calls himself my Master."

It didn't take a genius to see Archer was bitter, outright detesting, judging by the tone of her voice of her situation. Something Saber himself could agree with, seeing as he felt the same.

"Oh, I understand that very much." In an act of companionship, Saber nodded and steadily said, "To be expected to fight, when you don't want to, I can see why this would upset a fine woman such as yourself. After all, fighting can be quite terrifying."

"Mmmm, to me, it is. Though my other-half might say otherwise." Archer explained. Though considering the last of her words held no context to them, the two men were only confused by what she meant. Still, they continued their conversation with her. Discussing Archer's worries.

"Okay…So, you wanna drop out of the war? Withdraw from the looks of it?" After saying those words, Waver then had a look of realization on himself. "Wait…can a Servant even withdraw in the first place?" He knew Masters could do that, by going to the church for protection. But what about Servants? Could they even do that?

'...probably not.' Waver concluded, with Archer probably knowing the same.

The young woman appeared nervous, saying aloud, "I…never really fought in the front-lines. I won't say I'm an ordinary woman, many in my home would say otherwise. But…beyond my other-half, I hold very little power. And being called here to fight, well…"

"You feel lost. Your boundaries, disrespected." In an attempt to comfort her, Saber gave a brief nod in her direction. There was no judgment in his voice, just simple understanding. Archer gave her own brief nod, as she did feel the way Saber described it as.

For Waver, he could only scratch his head. "Weird…I thought Servants came because they wanted a wish." Admittingly, Waver can't deny his knowledge of the Holy Grail War was…lacking, in some areas. He only knew as much as he did because he read old reports and second-hand accounts from what was written down about the Holy Grail War, considering it an interesting topic in the Clock Tower.

What he learned however was enough. Catalysts, Command Seals, Servant Classes, those types of things. With a mention going how Servants answer the call to serve their Master and get their wish.

But here, it sounded as if Archer didn't have a wish. 'Actually,' Waver checked Saber. 'He was kinda the same, I think?'

Was the information he read wrong then? Granted, there was a chance the two were lying, but it didn't feel like it. But, does it even matter? 'I mean, ignoring some of their problems, isn't being alive good enough for them? Not to mention a chance for a genuine wish.'

The Holy Grail practically gave away such a prize, which called in magus of all sorts. Sure, nobody has, from what he read, won the rights to the wish since the Holy Grail was made, but isn't such a wish worth fighting for? After all, with it, Waver could attain the respect he deserved and show his fellow students just who he was.

'Well…assuming I survive.' Waver then reminded himself of what happened earlier. At how Saber was beaten down and forced to run away. Getting the wish? Ha! He'll be lucky enough if his wish of escaping unscathed from this battlefield even happened, let aside not get caught by his teacher, because Waver heard stories of people who crossed El-Melloi.

It never ended well.

"Ahem." Having enough of his depressed thoughts, Waver decided to get the conversation moving. Getting Saber and Archers' attention as he told them, "Okay. So I guess we now know one another's motives…sort of." At the very least, Waver knew one thing. "Basically put, you don't want to fight anybody."

Archer nodded.

"Then, great!" Waver smiled innocently. "Then I suppose Saber and I will be on our way while you…Enjoy the sights, I guess." Even if Archer wasn't a super-duper strong Servant, she could still snap his neck like a twig. As such, if she really is being truthful, then Waver was glad that some competition is dropping out. All that would leave is five other Servants, with Waver expecting some might kill the others while he and Saber sat back in safety.

"Um, Master." Standing up, Saber appeared to have some thoughts to share. "Actually, I was thinking-"

"Anyhow!" Interrupting Saber, Waver also got up. Either through bravery or foolishness, Waver grabbed Archer's hand and shaked it as politely as he could. Archer looked a bit baffled by this action but said nothing. "It was nice meeting you Miss…Archer." Waver shrugged. "But Saber and I have to get going."

"Actually," Saber tried once more to speak up. "I thought that perhaps-"

"Like, seriously, we have to go." It was dawning on Waver that staying in one spot too long might not be a good thing. That, and he was getting hungry. Maybe his proxy 'family' had finished making a nice dinner. Wait, actually, it was already past midnight, but maybe some leftovers were in the fridge.

So without further ado, Waver stepped back and began to turn away. "It's been fun, but this is good-"

"DraaAaAgooON!" A sword drenched in grudges and curses then came into Waver's view with a howl that sounded more beast than human. With the sudden appearance of a woman, a very familiar woman, now here without anybody having noticed her until this very moment.

Saber shouted something, but Waver didn't hear. Instead, he simply watched, unable to move, as he was about to meet his end from the cursed sword coming down at him with every intention to slice through him like butter.

He didn't even have a chance to close his eyes.

"RUAGHHH!"

Meaning he was fully capable of seeing a bright light that came from behind, blinding him while hearing a roar that was certainly not human while the Servant in front of him screeched. Then…

"Oh, Master." With a giggle, Lancer made her way to Kirei, speaking aloud through their Servant contract. "It seems you and your dear father need to stay up a little later." It seems Archer at last made her decision.

Hm, Kariya sending a dragon-slayer/hater to scout while Waver and Saber meet the beautiful Maiden with Eyes of Blue. What could go wrong?

At least Waver sent the few people around away. Though it may not stop anybody nearby from checking the scene out because humans for some reason, when hearing roars and terrifying scratches, just take out their phones and try and check out the situation. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.