Rider felt the magic barrier go up and shook his head in concern. His master had made a dangerous error. Most servants would be able to sense him if they were close enough. "Master, I should check outside to make sure someone isn't waiting to ambush us."

Zelda's cheeks colored as her servant politely pointed out her mistake. "Good idea Rider I'm sorry for creating this problem." She wasn't one to hold her power above people. So she needed to set the record straight now. "Rider please call me Zelda or Lady Sheikah if you insist on formality. Our lives are in each other's hands, so we must be on somewhat equal footing."

He nodded to her request finding it strange. "As you wish Lady Sheikah. I should go out alone while you stay under cover in this building. As a living human you are far more vulnerable to a servant's attack."

She agreed to his sensible request with some conditions. "Of course Rider, however I insist on being near the exit so I can support you as needed. The Grail Wars have always been meant for cooperation."

"Understood Lady Sheikah, I will strive to honor your request." Another unusual wish from this human girl. He was beginning to think this war might have a different outcome. However, his main priority right now was to ensure both of their safeties. He unslung his shield and drew his sword as he stepped out into the unoccupied street. The ring of steel was unmistakable as a red spear met his weapon. The servant responsible had jumped out of the darkness. Rider had been ready for such a response.

The black haired man smiled at his teenage adversary. "Well done kid I can respect your awareness. However, with a master as stupid as yours the culling to come is their fault." Multiple spear attacks followed the words. The younger opponent managed to block each with his shield or by parrying with his sword. Lancer was really starting to enjoy this fight. "Your better than I expected. Looks like I need to get serious."

"Thanks your very skilled so I take that as a compliment." The young man in white smiled as the speed of his foe's attacks increased. He barely managed to prevent fatal wounds as the battle went on. Red streaks of blood began appearing all over his body. The fluid of life was all that kept his shredded shirt in place.

"It's been fun kid but it's time to end this, Gae Bolg!" The spear seemed to disappear for a second. Then the older man felt steel pierce his gut and laughed. "Nice try, but your death has already been decided. This wound will give me time to recover." Lancer frowned as the wooden shield his opponent wielded shattered. Then the sword went higher cutting into his heart. Still he smiled, because he wouldn't have to listen to that selfish brat anymore. Then his body disappeared as he was defeated.

Zelda was in shock that was the legendary spear Gae Bolg. It was supposed to go straight for the heart. "Rider, how did you survive Cu Chulainn's fatal attack?"

"Luck mostly and the Deku shield I was wielding can prevent a single serious attack. Then it's destroyed as a result for this incarnation." He had another shield he could summon, but it is closely tied to his true name. So he would wait as long as possible to bring it out.

"I see, thank the goddesses you had it then. Good job Rider we're one step closer to our wishes now." Then Zelda realized he was bleeding a lot. "Oh no, I'll give you mana right away so you can heal. Show me your wounds please."

Rider followed her request as he peeled what remained of his shirt off. A wet trail of blood came with it making a disturbing squish sound. His master froze mid way to his wounds. She couldn't help enjoying his well defined muscles underneath the red. The servant smiled proudly at giving Lady Sheikah pause he was a man after all. He silently waited for her to snap out of it.

She gave herself a visible shake then provided what he needed to heal. As much as she enjoyed the view things couldn't stay that way. "Uh, we should get you a new shirt." Then she felt a suttle shifting in the flow of mana. As she watched a blue shirt of similar make to the white one covered his upper body. A gold reinforced sleeve replaced the green one on his sword arm. She hid her disappointment that he could fix it so easily. Mana can do many things if you know how.

"We should go back inside Lady Sheikah. I can feel how depleted your energy is. You need sleep I swear to keep you safe while you do." Rider knew healing him had been the main cause of her exhaustion. Without further word his master blushed at him pledging to keep her safe as if she were a real princess.

Emiya residence...

Shiro was working late in his shop. He realized when he checked the clock that he needed to go to bed soon. He had school tomorrow. The red haired boy was lucky he got up to stretch, because it saved his life. The sound of breaking wood followed as his worktable was smashed to bits. The culprit was a tall thin man with an arm that looked coated in metal. "Who are you?"

The tall man laughed. "I suppose you could call me your inevitable death."

The stranger lunged for another strike that narrowly missed. Shiro didn't see much point in talking and started running. He wished everyone wasn't gone today. He ran all over his home avoiding the deadly thin man.

Eventually, the teenager gave him the slip for a moment and went back to his workshop. He hoped to find a weapon he could use. Then he fell into the center of a circle he had never noticed before. He really needed help to stop this killer that was after him. As if in response to his plea the circle lit up brightly. Suddenly, a tall blonde man appeared wearing white and gray clothes that looked foreign. He was wielding a golden bow and had a half smile on his face.

"Don't worry master, with me on your side that villan won't know what hit him. You can call me archer for now." Then the man charged outside and started scanning the battlefield he found himself on. His class gave him sight far superior to any other so he found his target quickly. A golden arrow buried itself in a heavily shadowed portion of the house. This caused the killer to leave his hiding spot in order to dodge it.

"Well the mage got himself a servant. I would love to play, but my masters orders were clear. I'm sure we'll see each other again." Then the tall man seemed to disappear leaving Shiro and Archer alone for now.

The blonde man smiled fully as he saw his opponent dash out the gate. "See master, with me on your side your safe now."

Shiro laughed in relief. "Thank goodness you really saved me there Archer. Though I gotta ask. What did he mean when he called me a mage?"