I gasped as I awoke once more.

My memories seemed almost fleeting in this void I found myself in. I sighed, turning around in the effort to find something of worth in this place.

Nothingness engulfed me.

—Wait. I could hear something. It was someone's voice, and they were asking for help?

I paused, and considered it. I wanted out of this empty pit I was in, and if I could help someone...

—it would be worth it.


Emiya Kirika prayed for salvation. When Lancer's spear stuck her, she screamed, begging someone for help.

—She had to live. Kiritsugu had saved her, and she had promised to him. Promised to become a Hero of Justice.

She was not proficient in Magecraft. The only spells she knew were Reinforcement, Structural Analysis, and Projection. None of them could help her against Lancer. But her will was strong enough to deny reality, and call a spirit from the Throne of Heroes.

She turned her head as shining white light emerged from the magic circle in the center of the shed, and Lancer leaped backwards. She could make out the shock on his face as he exclaimed, "You're a master!?"

She had no idea what that meant, but she hoped it was good. And then,

—She saw him. Radiant gold armor, and shining blond hair. His face was exotic in the way those models in Fuji-nee's magazines were, and she could not help but blush at his intense stare. Those red eyes bored into her soul, seemingly looking into every one of her memories and judging them.

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he gazed at her. Her heart fluttered as he spoke.

"—I ask of you, are you my master?"

"W-who, are you you?" Kirika was completely shocked, but her train of thought was interrupted by Lancer.

"Oi! So you were a master this entire time, were you lass!" Kirika's eyes snapped back to the spearman, and she wondered what would happen next.

"Hmph. Mongrel, if you touch my master, I shall obliterate every bone in your pathetic body." The golden man turned towards the blue-haired lancer, and chuckled. Her eyes widened as portals appeared in the sky, They were golden ripples, and from them emerged weapons, weapons of such great quality that Kirika could not help but tremble.

"Stay here, girl." His tone was strict, so Kirika meekly nodded her head. In one second, the lancer rushed forward but was repelled by an onslaught of weapons from the portals.

"Tch. You win this time, Archer." Lancer turned sharply and leaped over the fence.

"It appears that his master has called him." The golden haired man turned towards her, and she could see the intensity reflecting in his cat-like eyes.

"W-who are you? What's going on?" Now that danger had been averted, Kirika broke down. She had no idea what was going on— what Magecraft were those two using?

"So you truly do not know anything. I am Archer, a Heroic Spirit summoned by you to fight in the Holy Grail War." He studied her reaction.

"Holy Grail War?"

"Oh? Wait here, master. It appears an unwanted guest has arrived." With that statement, Archer leaped into the air and over the wall surrounding the Emiya residence. Kirika didn't know what was going on, so she ran towards the gate.

When she exited, she was shocked to see Rin Tohsaka, the school idol, along with a blonde girl wearing silver armor facing off against Archer.

"A-Archer! What are you doing!?" She could see the portals flying above his head, and knew that he would probably attack. She didn't want anyone to get hurt, and just wanted to figure out what was going on.

"I am eliminating an enemy. Surely you must understand mongrel."

"That's not right— you shouldn't just kill people!"

Archer appeared almost amused, and she could make out the blonde girl and Tohsaka tense. The stand-off continued for the next few seconds untill Archer broke the silence with a laugh.

"Very well then. I shall abide by your commands, Emiya." Kirika wandered how he knew her name, and why he stressed it so much. The portals faded out, and Archer declared, with a amused smirk plastered on his face, "You two mongrels should thank my master for your survival!"

"Too think you were a master, Emiya-chan." Tohsaka seemed almost irritated. "Since I'm so kind, why don't I help you? You're clearly in over your head, so let me explain it to you."

Kirika considered it. She really needed some information, and hesitated before turning to Archer. Gone was the sadistic smirk, and in its place was a gentle smile. The blonde girl looked shocked by the sudden change in attitude.

"—Follow your own heart, Kirika. I can not make all decisions for you, as we are partners. What will you do when I can not protect you?"

Kirika reconsidered, and then nodded her head to Tohsaka.

"You can come inside, Tohsaka-san. I'll make us some tea."


Saber would not let anyone deny her the grail. When she was summoned by Rin Tohsaka, she was thankful that her master was agreeable and provided a good source of mana. However, she could not enter Spirit Form, which forced her young master to find alternatives.

Thus Saber was enrolled at the local High school under a fake name, and learned a little about the prospective masters in this war. It was where she first met Kirika Emiya.

She first wandered is the girl was related to her former master, but dismessed such thoughts. The girl was far too kind and innocent to think of such things, and only wished to help people. It was a noble ideal, when the modern world seemed more focused on getting ahead than good morals.

So imagine her surprise when Emiya Kirika summoned a servant after getting attacked by Lancer. Her master had healed the girl, but Lancer had returned to finish the job.

In her desperation, the girl must have called out to the Holy Grail.

The only problem was the servant she had summoned— Gilgamesh, King of Heroes.

Saber remembered his ego and arrogance well. He was no knight and was a pure tyrant and hedonist, who seemed the least interested in any master. Until now, that was. He had been obedient to Kirika, shockingly, and even turned down his ego.

Not once in her presence did he call his master mongrel, and he appeared to even like the girl. It was not a cruel like, evidenced by the gentle smile appearing on his face whenever he gazed at her.

And now her master had agreed to explain the rules of the Grail War to Emiya while Archer sipped from his tea. He was being quite civil and had not interrupted yet.

"—So Archer is a Hero from the past?" Kirika looked at Tohsaka for confirmation,

"Yes, he is! He must be a pretty powerful servant to repel Lancer!"

At that moment, Archer decided to interfere. "Mongrel, to compare me to that dog is nothing short of an insult. If I wished, I could end both you and you pathetic servant's lives immediately if I so desired. "

Rin tensed, before sighing. "Well then, Kirika. You'll have to register at the Kotomine Church if you want to participate in the Grail War."

"Ok, then. Should we go there now?"

Rin looked suprised, but quickly concealing it. "Of couse- I'll even show you the way!" Her smile turned smug, and she declared, "That's how awesome I am, Emiya-chan!"

Kirika nodded slowly before the two of them left the room to get ready, leaving Saber behind with Archer.

"If you hurt my master, I will have no choice but to kill you."

Archer just appeared amused by her words before responding. "I don't care about this war. You are free to have the Holy Grail. Be honored, mongrel. "

Saber gaped at Archer in pure shock. Where was his arrogance— did he not even care if one of his treasures was "stolen"?

"Do you truly have no wish Archer?"

"My wish already has been granted." His face appeared thoughtful. "When I fist laid eyes on that girl, I knew she was special. Every one of her actions only confirmed my suspicions!"

Arthuria hoped Archer didn't want to rape the poor girl.

"She is empty inside, and sees no value in herself— such a thing is soo amusing, is it not? To see her try to help others to find some self-worth..."

"Do you not have any care for your master?" Saber interjected Archer's ruminations. She would not lose to him again— not when she still had to save Britain. Regardless of his change in attitude, Archer was still her enemy.

"Hmm. I do. She is a kind girl and far too innocent to be thrown into this war. That is the sole reason why I shall protect her— to allow that beauty to truly grow into something splendid."

The King of Knights could not hide her dislike for Gilgamesh. "You mean to bed her, do you?"

"Watch your tongue, mongrel. " He then smiled at her, before completely changing the subject. "You must have been a splendid figure in life, to ascend to the Throne. I shall look forward to fighting you in this war."

Arthuria was completely flabbergasted to Archer's sudden 180. "Thank you for saving my master at the school. The king does not forget his debts." With a graceful step, Archer left the room and Saber with her thoughts.

She heard Rin call her and sighed.

She would win the Holy Grail.

CHAPTER END

New fic— had this idea in my head for quite some while. Tell me what you guys think, if you like it I'll continue it!

Thank you for reading!