-Chapter 3-

The cold night air buzzed with lingering tension as Lancer twirled his red spear, the playful grin on his face a clear contrast to the sharp glint in his eyes.

"Ane-san, you're summoned?" he asked eagerly, tilting his head as if he couldn't quite believe it.

Narumi gave a small shrug, her familiar grin teasing at the corners of her lips. "Ah, yeah. My real self is probably with Scathach."

At the mention of Scathach, Lancer shuddered, his entire posture stiffening. He muttered, "That damned hag."

Narumi chuckled softly, amused by his reaction. But Lancer's grin returned quickly, sharp and defiant. "You old hags!" he teased.

Narumi's playful smile vanished in an instant. "Aah!" A deadly aura radiated from her, dark and suffocating, as if death itself had slipped into the air.

Lancer tensed, a shiver running down his spine. For a moment, the playful light in his eyes flickered, but he held his ground.
"If you think I'm not going down without a fight, you're wrong," he said, his voice steady despite the goosebumps crawling over his skin. He twirled his spear once more, lowering into a ready stance. "After all, this gives me a chance to fight you."

Narumi crossed her arms, raising a brow as if daring him to make the first move. "Heh. You sure about that, Setanta?"

For a moment, the air felt charged with the promise of battle. Lancer's stance tightened, ready to launch himself forward at any moment.

Before either of them could move, Lancer paused, his spear lowering slightly. He glanced off to the side, as if listening to a distant command from his Master.

"Well," Lancer sighed, disappointment clear in his voice. "It seems my Master wants me to come back."

Narumi snorted. "Tch, lucky you," she said with mock irritation.

Lancer grinned as he turned away, raising his spear over his shoulder.
"See you later, Ane-san."

Narumi waved him off. "Well, if you don't die," she teased with a smirk.

Lancer's laugh echoed into the night as he disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the faint hum of residual mana in the air.

As Lancer's presence faded, Narumi turned her attention to the silent knight beside her. The moonlight caught on Saber's silver armor, making her look both regal and distant. But Narumi could see through the mask—that familiar cold gaze couldn't hide the flicker of longing buried deep within.

"Artoria," Narumi said softly, her tone carrying a warmth that hadn't been there moments ago.

Artoria's lips parted slightly, but no words came. Her blue eyes softened with something unspoken—hesitation, emotion she wasn't ready to confront.
"Na..." she started, her voice faltering.

Without waiting for her to finish, Narumi stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

For a brief moment, Saber stiffened in surprise, but then she relaxed in Narumi's arms, her body sinking into the warmth she had missed for far too long.

"It's been a long time since I saw you," Narumi whispered, her voice soft and full of bittersweet affection.

Artoria's breath hitched, but she leaned into the embrace, closing her eyes as if savoring the moment. "Na..." she whispered again, as if trying to find the words she couldn't quite say.

Narumi smiled gently, her hand resting against Artoria's back. "Didn't you always call me mother?" she asked softly, brushing back a stray lock of hair from Artoria's face.

For a moment, Saber didn't answer. Then, almost as if the word was too heavy to speak aloud, she whispered, "M...mother."

Hearing Artoria call her "mother" again was enough to stir emotions that Narumi had buried for centuries. The sound of that word—so small, yet so meaningful—brought back memories she hadn't touched in far too long.

This is the first time I've seen her in... how long? she wondered. The last time must have been before... before she went to that final battle.

Back then, Artoria had been so young. Too young to carry the weight of a king.

I practically raised her as my own, Narumi thought, the memory stirring a warmth and guilt she couldn't ignore. Merlin, Uther, and I had created her, shaping her into the king she needed to be. But after all that... we left her with knights to raise her.

Narumi frowned slightly at the thought, regret simmering quietly. I couldn't stand it. I disagreed with the whole plan, leaving her to those stiff knights.

So, I stepped in. I raised Artoria myself, teaching her what I could, giving her the care and affection that others never would. She wasn't just a creation—she was my daughter.

But in time, Merlin took over, molding Artoria into the king she was destined to become. He made her perfect. A king for a kingdom destined to fall.

I let him. I stepped aside. I was immortal, after all—what interest did I have in politics or war? It was easier to let her follow her path while I went back to my wandering life.

But the regret lingered in the back of my mind. If only I had stayed... if only I had helped... Would things have turned out differently? Could I have spared her the burden?

Merlin had always told me:
"It is her destiny, Narumi. You cannot change it."

That damned incubus. Narumi sighed, the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. I shouldn't have listened to him.

For a moment, Narumi held Artoria tighter, as if trying to shield her from the weight of her past and the fate she couldn't escape. In this moment, Artoria wasn't a king or a warrior—she was simply the child Narumi had once loved and protected.

"Mother," Artoria whispered again, her voice barely audible but laced with raw emotion.

Narumi's heart ached at the sound, but she smiled gently. "It's been far too long, Artoria," she whispered.

The two of them stayed like that, locked in a quiet embrace beneath the silent sky. The night around them was still, as if even the war had paused to give them this fleeting moment of peace.

They both knew it wouldn't last. Soon, the war would call them back to their roles. But for now, in this brief and fragile moment, they were simply mother and daughter again.

Ah... it's been so long since I hugged Mother.

The warmth in Narumi's embrace was almost overwhelming. For a moment, the weight of my crown and sword disappeared. I was no longer a king. I wasn't a Servant. I was just a daughter, held safely in the arms of the person who raised me.

I miss this... I've missed her so much.

But then, the heavy truth settled over me.

Mother is here... which means she's an enemy in this war.
The thought felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

I need the Grail. I need to make things right. But… how could I possibly fight her? I couldn't even imagine raising my sword against Mother.

Maybe... maybe I shouldn't have become a king at all. Maybe I should have stayed with her... I should have never trained to become a ruler.

But before I could let my emotions unravel further, I sensed another presence—a Servant, coming closer.

Narumi and Saber broke the embrace, their affectionate moment shifting into sharp focus as both warriors readied themselves. Their bodies tensed, alert to the incoming danger.

"Y'know, Artoria, you should go to your Master," Narumi said with a small smile. "He's probably really confused right now."

Artoria opened her mouth, hesitating. "But—"

Narumi gave her a knowing look, her gaze soft but resolute. "I don't really have a wish," she said gently. "I got to see you again... and how could I ever hurt my daughter?"

It was as if Narumi had read her mind, pulling the words Artoria could not say from the silence between them.

Before Artoria could respond, two arrows whistled through the air, streaking toward them from the shadows.

Without hesitation, Narumi slammed her palm against the ground.
The earth trembled, and a massive wall of dirt erupted between them, the arrows embedding harmlessly into the barrier with dull thuds.

Narumi leapt to the top of the dirt wall, her eyes narrowing in the direction the arrows had come from.
"Stay back, Artoria," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I'll handle this."

With a burst of speed, Narumi shot forward, streaking through the night toward the attacker.

As Narumi closed in, more arrows launched from the shadows, homing in on her with deadly precision. But Narumi swatted them aside with smooth efficiency, her hand movements so fluid it was as if she were brushing away flies.

"How... how the hell are you slapping those arrows?!" Rin's voice echoed through the night, her disbelief palpable.

Narumi's grin widened as she closed the distance. "Good question, isn't it?" she called back playfully.

Archer's eyes narrowed. "Rin, stay back. She's strong."
His bow remained drawn, arrow nocked and ready, but the wariness in his stance betrayed his unease.

Narumi grinned as she slowed to a stop a few meters away, her stance relaxed. "You've got good aim," she said playfully. "But you'll need more than arrows to stop me."

Archer said nothing, his cold gaze locked onto her, calculating his next move.

Before anything could escalate further Shirou Emiya stepped outside, his confused expression lit by the faint moonlight.
"Saber...?" he called out, noticing her standing nearby. Then his eyes landed on Rin, and his confusion deepened. "Tohsaka? What are you doing here?!"

Rin crossed her arms, her frustration obvious. "Good evening, Emiya-kun," she greeted sarcastically, her tone sharp despite the situation. "Mind explaining why there are two Servants standing here?"

Shirou blinked, confused. "Servants?" he asked, clearly lost.

Narumi chuckled and glanced at Artoria with a teasing grin. "Heh, Saber... your Master's a complete novice."

Artoria pouted, giving her mother a mildly irritated look. "He's not that bad..."

Narumi only laughed, shaking her head. "Well, at least your Master is better than mine."

Narumi turned her attention to Rin, studying her with a grin. "Heh, you're pretty calm for someone at a disadvantage," she said with a playful glint in her eye.

Rin's response was sharp and calculated. "Calm is the only way to survive in this war," she said smoothly, her hand inching toward the gem in her pocket. "But I don't trust anyone that shows up uninvited."

Narumi raised her hands in mock surrender. "I like you, kid. I'm the Servant Rider. I just came here because I sensed a fight."

Narumi gestured toward Saber. "And that one over there? She's with the boy. That's her Master."

Rin gave a slight nod, her gaze flicking between Saber and Shirou. "So why are you still here, Rider?" she asked cautiously, still on guard. "If you're not their enemy, what do you want?"

Narumi shrugged, grinning. "Eh, why can't I be here?"

"This is the Holy Grail War," Rin said flatly, her voice edged with suspicion. "Don't think I'll just trust you because you're acting friendly."

Narumi tilted her head playfully. "Well, you seem pretty fun, Ojouchan. What are you worried about?"

Rin tensed, and Archer shifted slightly, readying himself for battle.

"Wait!" Shirou called out, stepping between them with a panicked expression. "Please stop! I don't understand anything that's going on!"

The tension shattered like glass.

Rin sighed, exasperated. "I only came here because Emiya-kun was attacked by Lancer." She turned back to Narumi. "Now, what about you, Rider? Why are you still here?"

Narumi smiled mischievously. "Why can't I be curious?" she asked innocently.

Rin narrowed her eyes. "Curiosity is dangerous in this war. So, if you're not going to explain yourself properly, I'll assume you're—*"

"Relax," Narumi interrupted with a grin. "I'm not here to fight. Like I said, I'm Saber's mother."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Wha... what did you just say?!" Rin's voice cracked slightly in disbelief.
Even Archer's normally stoic expression faltered, his brow raised in shock.

Shirou blinked, struggling to process the words. "Saber... has a mother?!"

Narumi gave a playful wink, clearly enjoying their reactions.
"Surprise."

Artoria lowered her gaze, her voice soft but certain. "Yes. Rider... is my mother."

The silence stretched in the aftermath of Narumi's startling revelation.

Even after Artoria's quiet confirmation, the room still buzzed with disbelief. Rin's arms remained crossed, her sharp eyes flickering with doubt, though she didn't openly challenge the claim.

Archer stood in the background, his usual stoic demeanor betrayed by a subtle shift in his expression. He wasn't one to show his thoughts easily, but it was clear the news had rattled him.

Rider is Saber's mother? Even for Archer—who carried memories of countless battles and histories—it was a twist he never saw coming. He studied Narumi carefully, cataloging everything about her. But nothing about her fit any legend or record he knew.

Still, he said nothing. If Saber had confirmed it, there was no reason to doubt it further.

Eventually, the group made their way back to Shirou's home, the atmosphere tense but not hostile. Shirou trailed behind, his mind a jumbled mess of confusion, questions, and disbelief.

Once they were inside, Rin wasted no time.

"Alright, Emiya-kun," she began, standing with her arms crossed as if giving a lecture. "You need to understand what's happening if you want to survive."

Shirou listened closely as Rin explained the Holy Grail War—the battle between seven Masters and their seven Servants, all fighting for the Holy Grail, an artifact said to grant a single wish. She detailed the rules, dangers, and participants.

"The Grail doesn't care if you're ready or not," Rin said sharply, her emerald eyes piercing through Shirou's confusion. "It's happening whether you want it to or not. And once you're involved, you can't back out unless you're dead or someone else wins."

Shirou frowned, absorbing the gravity of her words. "So... this war is dangerous. And innocent people could get hurt." His fists clenched at his sides. "Then I have to join. I can't let people get caught in this mess."

Narumi leaned lazily against the wall, a mischievous grin on her face. "You do know you're one of those innocent people, right?" she said with a teasing glint in her eye.

Shirou's determined expression didn't falter. "I don't care. If there's a chance I can protect someone, I have to do it."

Rin sighed, brushing her bangs from her face with frustration. "You really are reckless..." she muttered. Then she straightened and crossed her arms again. "Fine. If you want to participate, you'll need to meet the overseer of the war. The Church provides protection to those who are defeated, and Kirei Kotomine can confirm your involvement."

"Kirei Kotomine," Narumi repeated quietly, as if tasting the name with mild amusement. Her gaze sharpened, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

Rin turned back to Shirou. "We'll go to the church and Kotomine will give you more details about the war—and you can decide if you still want to be part of it."

Shirou nodded firmly. "If it means I can protect people, I'll do it."

Narumi chuckled softly. "Bold words. Just try not to die before the fun starts, kid."

Rin shot Narumi an annoyed glance. "This isn't a game."

"For you, maybe." Narumi gave a casual shrug. "I'm just here to enjoy myself."

Saber shifted quietly beside Shirou, her gaze flickering between her mother and her new Master with mild exasperation.

Despite the light banter, an agreement was made. They would head to the church the next day, just as Rin had suggested. Shirou had chosen his path—reckless as it was—and now there was no turning back.

The night settled in, leaving each of them to prepare in their own way for what was to come.

The night was cool and silent, the only sound being their soft footsteps against the pavement. Rin led the group briskly, her posture straight, eyes sharp with purpose. She walked as if nothing could catch her off-guard—but the way her hand occasionally brushed the pocket with her gems betrayed her lingering unease.

Narumi trailed behind with Saber, walking comfortably, as if she were on a leisurely stroll instead of escorting her daughter's Master to meet the overseer of a deadly war.

Halfway through the walk, Rin glanced back at Saber, whose gleaming armor still shimmered in the moonlight.

"Saber, switch to your astral form," Rin said firmly. "That armor makes you stick out like a sore thumb. Even at night, it's way too conspicuous."

Saber shifted slightly but shook her head. "I can't."

Rin's brows furrowed. "What do you mean you can't?"

Before Saber could respond, Shirou awkwardly shrugged off his jacket and held it out to her. "Um, here... This should help a little," he offered, clearly unsure if it would make much difference.

Saber looked at him, blinking in surprise for a moment before accepting the jacket with a small nod. It hung awkwardly over her armor, but Saber seemed grateful nonetheless.

Rin shot Shirou a sharp look, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "You probably botched the summoning," she muttered. "That's why Saber can't enter her astral form like other Servants."

"I don't think so..." Shirou scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "I didn't know what I was doing. I just... did it."

Narumi, walking silently behind them, narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. She studied Saber's posture, the hesitation in her movements, and the tension that lingered in her gaze.

This is strange... she thought. She's not a proper Servant, is she?

The thought gnawed at her, and she knew Saber's behavior confirmed it—even without saying anything, Artoria's silence was telling.

Rin glanced over her shoulder at Narumi, her suspicions deepening. "You're still coming with us, Rider?" she asked pointedly.

"Yep," Narumi answered casually, her tone light and playful.

Rin's brow twitched slightly. "And when exactly are you planning to return to your Master?"

Narumi gave a cheeky grin, clearly enjoying Rin's growing irritation. "Maybe later?"

Rin's eyes narrowed. "How can you even be this far from your Master?" she asked sharply.

Narumi shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unfazed. "Maybe I'm just that good?" She flashed a mischievous smile, loving how much it annoyed Rin.

Rin exhaled slowly, trying to stay calm, though it was obvious that Narumi was getting under her skin.

"You really enjoy testing my patience, don't you?" Rin muttered, her voice tight with frustration.

Narumi chuckled. "Aw, don't worry, kid. Can't a mother spend some time with her daughter?"

Before Rin could fire back, Narumi wrapped an arm around Saber's shoulders and pulled her into a gentle, affectionate hug.

Saber stiffened slightly, not used to such displays of affection—especially not during a mission. But she quickly relaxed under Narumi's arm, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.

"Mother..." Saber whispered, her voice quiet but filled with emotion.

Narumi grinned, giving her daughter a playful squeeze before releasing her. "There's my good girl."

As they continued walking, Narumi leaned in close to Saber, lowering her voice so only her daughter could hear. "Neh, Saber... you're not a proper Servant, are you?"

Saber froze, her eyes widening slightly in shock. She hadn't expected her mother to see through her so easily.

That reaction was all the confirmation I needed, Narumi thought, smiling softly. Even if she won't say it... I already know.

"Hah... What happened in that battle?" Narumi asked gently, though her tone carried a hint of concern.

Saber looked down, guilt flashing briefly in her blue eyes. "Mother, I..."

"Shhh," Narumi said softly, patting her daughter's shoulder reassuringly. "We'll talk about it later, okay?"

Saber gave a small nod. "Okay..."

As they neared the church, Narumi's playful demeanor shifted. Her senses sharpened, her instincts prickling with unease.

This place... she thought, her gaze hardening. The closer they got, the clearer the taint of corruption became. It was subtle, woven into the very air that surrounded the church, but Narumi could feel it—dark, oily, wrong.

So this is the place... where that corruption came from.

She paused for a brief moment, slipping into astral form to observe silently from the shadows. From her vantage point, she watched as Rin and Shirou stepped toward the entrance of the church.

Inside, the church was dimly lit, the faint glow of candles casting flickering shadows on the walls. Kirei Kotomine stood at the altar, his expression calm and composed, hands folded neatly in front of him.

"Good evening," Kotomine greeted, his voice smooth and emotionless. "You must be Shirou Emiya."

Rin crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and wary. "Kotomine, explain everything to him. No shortcuts this time."

"Of course," Kotomine replied, his polite tone betraying no emotion. "I will explain the rules, confirm your participation, and inform you about the church's protection for defeated Masters."

Narumi, still in astral form, narrowed her eyes as she studied Kotomine closely. There's no doubt about it... this priest is corrupted.

This isn't just ordinary darkness, Narumi thought, her gaze cold. I'll need to investigate this place further. I don't trust him.

As Kotomine continued speaking, Narumi's mind drifted back to her original mission.

I only came here to save Sakura... That was supposed to be my goal. She exhaled softly, a trace of irritation creeping into her thoughts.

But now... she thought, her gaze flickering toward Kotomine. This corruption isn't something I can ignore. This war... this isn't going to be as simple as I thought.

Hah... so many problems. And all I wanted was to save Sakura.

The air outside the church was thick with tension, though the quiet night belied the brewing storm. Rin and Shirou had just finished their discussion with Kirei Kotomine, the weight of his cryptic words still lingering in their minds. As they stepped through the church gates, Saber stood waiting, her composed presence a reassuring constant in the chaotic swirl of the Holy Grail War.

"I have decided to fight as a Master," Shirou declared, his voice steady, though Rin could see the flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

Saber turned toward him, her gaze unwavering. "Will you agree to me as your Master, Saber?" Shirou asked, extending his hand as a gesture of trust, the weight of his decision heavy in the air.

Saber's blue eyes softened slightly, though her tone remained calm and formal. "My agreement is irrelevant, Shirou. You have been my Master from the beginning."

Shirou smiled, a sense of purpose settling in his chest. "Then I'll be counting on you, Saber." He extended his hand further, offering it as a sign of their pact.

Before Saber could respond, a soft voice broke through the moment. "Eh? Are you taking advantage of my daughter?" Narumi, now materialized beside them, her tone light and playful, brought a sudden shift to the mood. She gave Shirou an amused glance, her lips curved into a teasing smile.

Shirou blinked, his cheeks turning a shade of red as he stammered, "W-What?! No! I—"

Narumi's laughter was soft, almost musical, as she waved off his flustered reaction. "Relax, Shirou. I'm only teasing." She threw a playful wink at Saber, who nodded ever so slightly, her face betraying a faint hint of amusement.

Rin smirked at Shirou's embarrassment, crossing her arms and leaning back slightly as she observed the exchange. But the smirk quickly faded as her gaze turned serious. "Shirou," she began, her voice cutting through the banter, "as Masters in this war, we're enemies now."

Before Shirou could respond, Archer materialized beside Rin, his arms crossed, his expression cool but thoughtful. "Enemies or not," he said smoothly, his sharp eyes gleaming, "we might as well enjoy this brief moment of peace. It won't last long."

Shirou frowned slightly but looked at Rin with a calm sincerity. "I don't want to be your enemy, Tohsaka," he said earnestly. "The only reason I'm participating in this war is to stop innocent people from getting hurt. That's all I care about."

Rin stiffened slightly at his words, clearly caught off guard. Shirou's sincerity disarmed her, but she wasn't about to let it show. "W-Well, don't expect me to go easy on you just because you have noble intentions," she muttered, her cheeks faintly flushed. "You're still a Master, and I can't let my guard down."

Shirou smiled softly. "Besides, you've already helped me. If you hadn't told me about this war, I'd still be in the dark."

Rin huffed, turning her head slightly to avoid meeting his eyes. "I-I just didn't want to owe you anything. That's all," she said quickly, as though trying to dismiss the idea of any deeper motive.

"You're a good person, aren't you?" Shirou asked, his voice soft but genuine.

Rin's face flushed deeper, and she snapped her head back toward him, her eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and embarrassment. "F-Flattery will get you nowhere, Shirou!" she sputtered, trying to regain her composure.

Shirou chuckled lightly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I know," he said, his tone warm. "But I don't want to fight you. I actually like people like you."

Rin's face burned with embarrassment, and she quickly turned away again, crossing her arms tighter. "Y-You're an idiot..." she muttered under her breath.

Narumi, watching the entire exchange, couldn't resist the opportunity. "Oh my, Shirou," she said, her tone full of playful mischief. "First my daughter, and now Tohsaka? You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"

Shirou's face went crimson as he sputtered, "W-Wait! No! I didn't mean it like that!"

Rin, equally flustered, whipped around to glare at Narumi. "S-Shut up!" she huffed, her voice betraying how flustered she was by the whole situation.

Narumi chuckled softly, enjoying the reactions from both of them. "Relax, Rin. I'm just teasing," she said, smiling warmly. "You're a good boy, Shirou."

Before any more teasing could continue, both Narumi and Saber suddenly tensed. Their instincts flared as they sensed a presence—something powerful and unmistakable—approaching.

"The one I sensed is here," Narumi said, her tone growing serious, the playful glint in her eyes fading instantly.

From the shadows, a voice echoed through the night, sweet but laced with an unsettling edge. "So, are you done chatting?" Illya stepped into the open, her innocent smile a stark contrast to the malice hidden beneath her words.

Rin's eyes widened as recognition dawned. "Illyasviel von Einzbern... Berserker," she whispered, her voice tightening with apprehension.

The ground seemed to tremble as the hulking figure of Berserker appeared behind Illya, towering over her small frame like a guardian of destruction. His presence was overwhelming, the sheer force of his mana like a storm crashing against the night.

Narumi's eyes narrowed as she took in the sight of the massive Servant, her heart stirring with recognition and something close to reverence. In a low, almost whispered voice, she spoke a name that carried weight across the ages. "Heracles."

-end-