Upon entering the schoolyard, Rin did not react. She kept walking leisurely, as if unaware of the Bounded Field placed over the entire school. It was oppressive even in its nascent stage. The atmosphere was stale and unpleasant, the air within stagnating like sails in a doldrum. A normal person wouldn't sense a difference, but to Rin, it was like breathing smoke.
Saber, do you sense that? she asked.
I do. Feels super weird.
Any ideas? she pressed.
Nope! Magecraft is for mages.
Rin rolled her eyes. She would get no help from Saber.
Whoever created this Bounded Field was either too arrogant to care, or too stupid to understand the consequences of such a blatant attack on her territory. She would destroy them regardless.
In the hallway, Rin spotted Sakura holding a stack of papers that reached her nose. She walked cautiously, yet the papers wobbled precariously.
"I'll help, Sakura," Rin said. Without waiting for a reply, Rin took half of the stack from her.
"Huh? Tohsaka-senpai?" Sakura asked, startled.
Rin scanned the papers. "World history handouts? That would be my homeroom teacher. Is Kuzuki really making you carry all these?"
Sakura nodded. "He said there was a misspelling in one of the questions."
"Meticulous as always," she said. "He shouldn't be making a girl carry all these by herself."
They walked to Kuzuki's office. "By the way, Sakura. Were you with a foreigner yesterday?"
"Ah, y-you were watching, senpai?" she asked.
"Just by chance. Was he bothering you?" He was blonde and tall, with sanguine red eyes, dressed in black biker gear. Sakura had appeared uncomfortable with his presence, but Rin hadn't gotten involved. According to Saber, he was human.
Sakura was silent, then shook her head. "No, he seemed to be lost, and he was saying a lot of things that I didn't understand, so I eventually got away."
"That's good," Rin said. Finding nothing more to say, she switched to a question she often asked her. "How has everything been?"
Are you happy?
Sakura smiled. "I'm doing fine."
Rin kept her expression neutral. "Well, if Shinji does something again, tell me. I'll set things straight."
For a moment, Sakura appeared troubled, before smiling once again. "Nii-san has been kinder recently. You don't need to worry, senpai."
They reached Kuzuki's office and dropped off the papers, then parted ways.
The honorifics Sakura uttered still felt wrong to Rin's ears, even after all this time. Shinji didn't deserve Sakura as a little sister, but there was nothing Rin could do. Those brief considerations were her only interactions with Sakura. A helping hand, a brief conversation, and a casual greeting were as far as she ventured. Sakura scarcely reciprocated. She held to the behavior befitting two acquaintances, allowing the distance between them to burgeon. Rin respected her decision. Past was past.
The classroom was as noisy as usual. She peered through the window, letting the chatter fade into the backdrop, concentrating on her next steps. The Bounded Field was a dangerous sign of the battles to come. The Grail War was supposed to be a clandestine affair. School, at least during the day, should have been a safe haven, away from combat. But in the last war, Caster had summoned a demon in the middle of the city, all in plain sight. He had broken all the unwritten rules. Who's to say her opponents wouldn't do the same?
Nowhere was safe. Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald had learned that firsthand. As had mom. How had El-Melloi II protected himself? Luck, he had claimed. Pure and utter luck. But though he derided it, he had a strategy too. He had never left his Servant's side, and hid in obscure, isolated areas when needing to convalesce. Rin had learned much from her days in his office. But that avenue was blocked, the bridge burnt when she had backstabbed Gray.
At 8 a.m. sharp, Kuzuki entered the room. The students quieted like soldiers in the presence of their commander. Rin listened with half an ear, lost in thought. "Good morning, class. Homeroom shall commence shortly. I have an announcement to make. We have a new student joining our classroom today." The room erupted into gossip, as students contemplated who could be joining at such a strange time.
Repercussions, Lord El-Melloi II had warned Rin. As the new student strutted through the door, she realized just what they were.
"Hello. My name is Luviagelita Edelfelt." With that proclamation, Rin's head swiveled to the front of the room, where the new student stood proudly in the brown uniform of Homurahara Academy. She flourished a white gloved hand. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Rin fought to keep her emotions lidded, only partially succeeding. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, and mouth was a circle.
Mordred sensed her shock. Rin, who is that?
A magus. From the Clock Tower. We know each other.
Is she your friend? Mordred inquired.
Rin scoffed silently. Not in a million years. She shouldn't be here. I don't know why she is, but it's definitely something nefarious. Keep a close eye on her. She might be a Master.
Got it.
"Quiet," Kuzuki said. He silenced the class with a hard look. "Edelfelt will be joining our classroom for the next semester. She hails from Finland. Please give her a warm welcome."
"Thank you, Kuzuki-sensei," Luvia said. She smiled and met Rin's scowl, a glint in her eyes. "I hope to have a wonderful experience in this beautiful country."
Rin glared, and Luvia's smile grew.
"Please take a seat," Kuzuki replied. He made no further comment.
Fortunately, there were no open seats near Rin, so Luvia was appointed a desk at the opposite side of the room. Rin kept sight of her in the corner of her eye, waiting for her to pull something. A subtle curse, a mockery, anything. Unconsciously, her left hand laced around the pendant in her pocket. It was filled to the brim with her father's mana, more powerful than any of the gems she had ever owned. Last night, she had acquired it after finally deciphering his will. Her trump card, her own Noble Phantasm of sorts. With this heirloom, if Luvia dared challenge her, Rin would never lose. No attack came, however, and classes were quiet. Until lunch began.
Students flocked to Luvia like pigeons to grain. They surrounded her desk, which quickly swelled into a mass of people. The buzz was infectious, and more students thronged the classroom, eager to meet the beautiful foreign transfer student. Luvia preened before the attention, welcoming all with open arms. Positively buoyant, she would chirp and smile and say she was honored to meet them, excited to learn more about Japanese culture, and then beseech that they please excuse her oh-so-awful accent that she was terribly embarrassed about, to which the students would wholeheartedly assure her that her speaking was excellent, and that they would love to get to know her.
Worst of all, most of her act was genuine. Luvia enjoyed meeting new people, and thrived in their attention. The only mask she wore was one of humility. Unlike in the Clock Tower, she suppressed her noble airs, and treated others as equals, rather than commoners.
It was an entirely different form of popularity from Rin. In the past two years, she had built herself a reputation on precipitous heights, intimidating people with sheer disparity. To any intrepid enough to court her, she drove away with icy winds. Others she treated with respect, but at an arm's length away. Not close enough to be anymore than classmates. In contrast, Luvia was a summer breeze through a sunny sward. She swept people away with her energy and grace, yet never made them feel ostracized or belittled. She invited people to come closer, to join her circle. Before lunch had ended, she had won the hearts of the entire second year student body.
Rin left the classroom, unable to tolerate more of her antics. If only they could see what lay beneath the surface. Then they would know how aggravating Luvia could be. She navigated through the mess of people in the hallway and went up to the rooftop.
Without any clouds in the sky, the sun shone down at her, but did nothing to warm her. She kicked up some dust blanketing the rooftop tiles, watching the particles swirl and fall before taking a seat herself. She took a deep breath, then exhaled audibly. Finally, peace and quiet. The rooftop may be dirty and cold, but it was her spot and no one else's. Save for one.
Two headaches in one day. The Bounded Field and Luvia. Were they related? She thought not. Luvia wouldn't put ordinary people at risk, nor was she interested in the Grail. She was here for something else.
Emiya arrived while she was ruminating. "Good afternoon, Tohsaka," he said.
She greeted him in response. They exchanged their food as per usual, but he seemed oddly expectant as she slid the lid off his lunchbox. She gasped.
Rin had heard before that cooking was considered a form of art. Today, looking into Emiya's dishes, she was inclined to agree. The food was a forest of pink, white, green, violet, brown, and black. Salmon sashimi, bright pink and corrugated with white, with not a hint of discoloration. It smelled of the ocean. It lay upon fluffy white rice, garnished tastefully with daikon radish and shiso leaves. A glass vial of soy sauce, if she chose to use it. And on the side was an gourmet Mont Blanc cake topped with a chestnut.
"You shouldn't have," she said weakly. She ran the numbers in her head. The total cost of ingredients far exceeded her weekly budget, and then there was the intricate preparation. How was she supposed to one-up this? "This is too much."
Emiya leaned against his arm, propped up on the ground. "I've been out of it, but that's not an excuse for being rude. I wanted to make it up to you."
"I wasn't really upset," she said honestly. He had been distant lately, clearly preoccupied by something that weighed heavily upon him, enough such that dark circles had made themselves prevalent around his eyes. She had been worried, but not angry. "I can't accept this."
He gave her a pointed look. "Tohsaka, do we have to play this game again?"
She touched one of her twin-tails. "You're so stubborn. Look at all this food. You're going to make me gain weight," she complained, but there was no heat to it. "Did you make these yourself?"
"Most of it," he said. "I don't bake very often, so I went to a bakery in Shinto first thing this morning."
"How much was it?" she asked. A five hundred yen crepe was a splurge for her. She didn't even glance at the more expensive items.
He shrugged. "Don't worry about it," he answered.
"Emiya. Tell me."
"Just eat. You don't have to pay me back," he urged.
She crossed her arms. "I don't like owing debts."
He sighed. "Tohsaka, aren't we friends?"
"I mean, I guess so. Why?"
"Friends don't owe each other debts," he said plainly. "And if you don't eat it, I'd feel very sad and disappointed."
Rin took on an angry flush. "F-fine. Just this once though. You better not do this again," she muttered.
"Thanks, Tohsaka." He grinned.
They fell into their usual rapport. Shirou was back to his normal self, attentive and respectful, and Rin was happier for it.
"By the way, have you heard about that new transfer student?" he asked.
"Don't remind me," she lamented. "I don't want to talk about her."
"This morning, Issei was complaining about her too. He said he would be twice as stressed from now on."
Rin laughed. "For once I agree with him. She's so annoying."
As if summoned, the rooftop door burst open, and the devil herself eeled in. "So this is where you were!" Luvia exclaimed. You have got to be kidding me, Rin groaned silently.
Heels clicking on the stone, Luvia pranced towards the two of them. Her eyes widened with a flicker of emotion, before sharpening. She faced Emiya. "And who might this be?"
"I'm Shirou. Shirou Emiya," he said awkwardly.
"Sherou?" she repeated in that terrible accent of hers. Then, she grasped his hands together in hers. "My name is Luviagelita Edelfelt. What a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"
"I-it's nice to meet you, Edelfelt," he tried.
"Using my last name is far too formal. Please, call me Luvia," she said.
Rin's eye twitched.
"O-okay. Nice to meet you," he said. He hesitated. "Luvia."
Luvia beamed, and Rin's chopsticks snapped in half.
"Splendid! Sherou, why don't we go to a more pleasant location? This rooftop is far too drafty. I worry I might catch a cold here. Oh, perhaps you could even show me around the school!"
With no small amount of force, Rin wrenched their hands apart. "Emiya," she said calmly. She donned her friendliest smile. "I have something to discuss with Luvia. Please wait inside until I'm done with this… person."
His eyebrows raised, Emiya nodded hastily before fleeing through the door. Once Rin was sure he was down the stairs, she pulled Luvia up by the collar and backed her against the chain link fence.
"Why the hell are you here?" she growled dangerously.
Luvia glowered back. "Forever uncouth, I see. You should be happy that I've deigned to visit this backwater country."
"If you're a Master, I will give you one warning. Surrender your Command Seals, leave my city, and I promise no harm will be done to you."
"Please, I'm no Master. I'm simply an observer. Why would I care about winning some silly Far Eastern Ritual?" she responded.
An observer for the war? Rin had heard of such roles. She didn't truly believe Luvia was a Master; if she was, she wouldn't have gifted Rin the fragment of the Round Table back in London. "Did Lord El-Melloi II put you up to this?"
Luvia smirked. "Whatever could you mean?"
Rin tightened her grip, straining the fabric of Luvia's vest. "I'm not in the mood for this. You don't understand what's at stake here."
Her eyes gained an icy fury. "What? My life? I surrendered that paltry thing the moment I chose the path of magecraft. Do not disrespect me, Rin Tohsaka."
Not your life. My mother's, Rin thought. But instead, she prompted, "You feel it, don't you? The Bounded Field, waiting to trigger."
"Of course I do. Did you think I came here just to see you? Unhand me at once." Unsure, Rin slackened her hand, allowing Luvia to free herself.
Luvia turned to the bulkhead, carefully scanning each wall, then stopped. "There it is," she said. Rin followed her gaze. On the corner of the wall adjacent to the door was a crimson sigil, only visible to the eyes of magi. It was composed of circles within squares and squares within circles, bordered with symbols she could not read, with wriggling shapes converging towards the center of it. Luvia gave her a disappointed glance. "You did not see it? They aren't difficult to find."
Rin was caught off-guard. "I was planning to search for them tonight," she admitted sheepishly. "How did you know?"
"A hunch. I've noted some others already today, scattered throughout the school. The rooftop seemed like a natural place to investigate next."
With a focal point now located, Rin analyzed the Bounded Field, together with Luvia, studying its composition, power, and purpose. They were not pleased with what they discovered.
"This is graver than I imagined," Rin murmured.
Luvia grimaced, agreeing. "It's primed to devour everyone in this school, and absorb the souls from any killed."
Rin's mouth flattened. "So it would seem. But the energy of a soul is unusable for magi."
"Which begs the question: who would need such a thing?" Luvia mused.
Rin could only think of one answer. Saber, she conferred, dreading the answer. Do you subsist on souls?
Yup. We're basically spirits. Spirits eat spirits. And when you eat, you get stronger.
The purpose of the Bounded Field became clear at once. The magus was an enemy Master, seeking to strengthen their Servant by using the school as a battery. It was a method Rin could replicate, though on a smaller scale. A stranger could be vanished, and their immediate family could be hypnotized. The notion sent her skin aprickle.
Saber. Never speak of this again, she commanded.
Her Servant effused approval. Will do, Master.
Rin explained what she had learned to Luvia, who did not seem surprised. "Indeed, this is an issue that only we can handle," she said.
"'We'?" Rin scoffed. "I'm not working with you."
Luvia snorted. "And I feel the same. But this is a matter beyond us. Tonight, I will scour one side of the school. I suggest you scour the other. We needn't cross paths."
Rin considered her suggestion. Luvia was ultimately a good person, she thought. Infuriating, but righteous. Rin could trust her to do the right thing. But she was still suspicious. "I won't turn down your help. But you didn't need to enroll in Homurahara for this alone. What are you really here for?"
"You are correct. The Bounded Field was not my primary purpose. I only sensed it this morning," Luvia said. "Be proud, Rin Tohsaka. I'll show you firsthand just how superior an Edelfelt is."
Then, with a quick incantation, she drained the sigil and left, leaving Rin to stew in her thoughts. She sagged against the wall, shoulders slumped. Dealing with Luvia was as exhausting as a long workout.
A couple minutes later, Emiya opened the door. He appeared bemused and curious. "Tohsaka, what was that all about?"
Rin waved her hand, clearing the air. "She and I have history. Not a good one, mind you."
"Luvia looked really happy when she was coming down the stairs though," he said.
Rin narrowed her eyes. "Don't talk to her anymore."
He tilted his head. "Why not?" he asked.
"She's a terrible person and an even worse influence. She'll lead you astray, like many others. Okay, Shirou?"
"She seems like a nice person to m-wait what?" he stuttered. Shirou's face pinkened.
"I said, 'Okay, Shirou?'" she repeated, all cool.
He rubbed his elbow, looking away. "Why are you using my first name now?"
"I mean, Luvia says your first name and you say her name back. Why can't I say Shirou?" she challenged.
"It's not like you can't, but it's really sudden…" he trailed off.
"Better get used to it," she huffed. "You best start using my first name too."
Somehow, Shirou's cheeks became even rosier. Cute. This was more enjoyable than she expected. "I..."
Rin smiled. "It's just my name, Shirou. One syllable. You said her first name, didn't you?"
"I did, but…"
"But?" she teased. "Come on, just try it."
"R-rin," he mumbled.
"Again."
"Rin…"
"Again."
"Rin."
"Good," she giggled. He was scarlet by the time they were done. "Much better. "
"Is it over?" he asked lamely.
"Mhm. Great job, Shirou. I'm proud of you. You can go now."
"So cruel," he sighed. He headed for the door, defeated. "Bye, Toh-" She glared at him. "Rin."
She bade him farewell. Once he was gone, a wide smile broke her lips. She pumped her fists with felicity, practically skipping down the steps back to class.
Why are you so happy? Isn't it just a name? People called me 'Sir Mordred' all the time.
You wouldn't get it, she hummed. It's different.
Rin rode that high for the rest of the day, lips twirling whenever she recalled it. Her stress melted away. Bullying was so fun.
Remembering her purpose, Rin found an obscure room in the building, then reclined in an empty seat. In the meantime, she completed her homework, chatted with Saber, and watched afternoon club activities from the window. All was right. The track team was running, the soccer team was playing, and the baseball team was practicing.
She waited until evening stole the light of day, painting the school in shadows and gloom. The premises were empty, all the other students having gone home. Moonlight was the sole illumination, but it was more than enough to navigate the building. Rin scrutinized her side assiduously, checking for any signs of the Bounded Field. Luvia was supposed to be on the other end of the school doing the same. So far, Rin had found three sigils, successfully depowering, but was unable to deactivate them. She hoped Luvia was having better luck.
Rin found the fourth sigil in the classroom of a third-year math teacher. It was hidden underneath the podium. She crouched down, gathering her magical energy, ready to depower it.
"Abzug Bedien-"
Behind you! Saber yelled. Before Rin could react, Saber's gauntleted hand shoved her out of the path of the dagger meant for her heart. The blade buried into the wall until only the handle could be seen. Rin fell to the ground, stock-still. She had nearly died. Sword flashing, Saber leapt in front of her, parrying the incoming blades with trained precision.
Rin leapt up, body reinforced. Across the room, perched from the ceiling was their enemy, shrouded in black with a white skull mask. "Assassin," she breathed. Knives flashed in his hand. Where did he even come from?
"Stay behind me!" Saber ordered. She kept her eyes locked onto the enemy. Her back was to Rin. "He's after you!"
Assassin caromed off the walls and ceiling like a bullet. He was searching for an opening, a lapse in guard to strike Rin dead. Blades flew from all angles, but Saber deflected each and every one, alloyed strikes resounding.
"Fight me, you coward!" she screamed. But with seemingly limitless ammunition, Assassin kept his distance from Saber, not even bothering to attack her. All of his blades were focused on Rin, the barrage unceasing.
"Don't worry," Saber said, concentrating on her opponent. "As long as I'm here, he'll never lay a finger on you."
Rin tensed, feeling worse than useless. Every time Saber tried to attack, Assassin would immediately launch a blade at Rin, forcing Saber back. If it weren't for Rin, she could go on the offensive. Rin was a giant weight. She couldn't take it.
Saber! Get us out of here.
You sure? I can keep this up all night.
If we stay here, we're locked in a stalemate. We fight to win.
Understood!
Suddenly, Saber hurled a nearby desk straight into Assassin's path, forcing him to leap out of the way. Then, she picked Rin up and crashed through the classroom window, diving straight into the schoolyard. Assassin soon followed, plunging down like a hammer, dagger first. Even with one hand carrying Rin, Saber easily blocked his melee onslaught, then spun mid-air, landing a solid kick into his torso, propelling him back.
"Much better," Saber said, satisfaction evident. She alighted on the dirt and dropped Rin down like a sack of rice. Bursting forward, she chased after Assassin. Unleashed, Saber was impossible to ignore. Their blades clashed in blurs, leaving sparks behind as they fought through the open air. They moved faster than Rin could imagine, raining blows upon each other in flurries of steel. This is how Servants fight, Rin thought. This is what Saber can do. With a mighty blow, Saber tore her opponent's dagger from his grip, then punched him in the stomach, sending him sprawling under the moonlight, spinning uncontrollably.
Assassin crashed into a wall, caught himself by the arm, then swung upward, touching down onto a fencepost. He was a fair distance away from them. He dropped his knife, raising both his arms from beneath his cloak. A giant lump took the place of his right forearm, covered in the same black fabric of his cloak. Snagged by his left hand, the cloth came loose as a massive ribbon, flowing through the sky, dozens of meters long. From the spindly hand attached at the end of it, Rin suddenly realized that the ribbon was Assassin's right arm, thin and mercurial.
Before she knew it, Saber was by her side again.
"I don't like that at all," Saber muttered. "Get behind me."
With a sudden leap, Assassin floated in the sky, limned in twilight, and his right arm began to fly forward, twisting and curling like a snake about to strike. Saber wielded her blade before them, prepared for anything. Rin readied a handful of gems.
But then there was a faint sound of panicked footsteps, not too far away. Assassin's head jolted to the side and his arm bent at an impossible angle, hurtling straight towards the source of the noise.
A finger to the chest, a flash of red light, and the arm reeled back like a sling. Assassin then turned around and vanished into black dust, gone from sight. A moment later, the boy collapsed with a gurgling cry.
Tentatively, Saber lowered her sword.
"Is he gone?" Rin questioned.
"I think so. But I'm not letting my guard down."
"Good." Rin let herself calm, then walked to the fallen student.
Miraculously, the boy was still breathing, but he was hanging on by a thinning thread. Soon it would snap, and he would die, an unfortunate witness to the war. She couldn't save him, but she could at least remember him.
She flipped his head, and her insides turned to ice. His skin was sickly pale. Ruby-red blood spilled from his chest. "No. No, no, no. Not you. Why, of all people, of all days and of all times? Why did it have to be you?"
The plan changed. If it was any other boy, she would have let him die. But not him. Not Shirou.
Without wasting a second, Rin laid his back flat against the floor, then tore off his blazer. She nearly vomited. The damage was worse than she imagined. His heart was crushed into a pulpy mass of muscle, gushing blood everywhere. She could see the imprints of Assassin's fingers engraved into it from where he had squeezed it, utterly destroying the heart. Shirou was going to die.
No. Rin rebuked herself harshly. She was the proud heir of the Tohsaka lineage, and she would not fail today.
She tore her pendant out of her pocket. This was her father's gift to her, his final legacy. Without hesitation, she tapped into it, extracting as much of her father's magical energy as she could. It was familiar and reassuring, like an old memory. She channeled it into Shirou's heart, rebuilding it from the ground up, willing him to recover. For a terribly long moment, Rin wasn't sure if she had succeeded. Then, his breathing steadied, and color returned to his complexion.
Rin slumped back, relief flooding her body like an ocean. Her own skin was damp and clammy, hair coated in sweat, body trembling. It evoked a frighteningly similar image from all those months ago, like for like. Fate had a sense of humor.
"You better thank me for this," she said, though she knew he was unconscious. "Idiot."
The magical energy stored in her pendant was accumulated over a lifetime. She had spent all of it. A lifetime in a second's time for a second life. She didn't regret it a single bit.
At home, Rin lounged on a cushioned chair, staring at the ceiling blankly. She was exhausted, her mind spent. Today had been far longer than she anticipated, and she yearned to jump straight into bed. Now that she was out of the cold, the warm throes of sleep were calling to her.
Saber tapped Rin on the shoulder, jabbing her awake. "You could have used that on your mom, you know," Saber pointed out, referring to the now lost pendant. "Could have healed her right up."
In her head, Rin came up with a hundred excuses that Saber would have accepted, each valid in their own way. But instead, she thought of the way he lit up when she praised his food. Or the way his eyes softened when he spoke of Fujimura and Sakura. Or of all the times he silently aided people, never seeking a word of thanks. She thought of lunches, conversations, and gentle smiles. Of a tender memory, a glowing sunset, and a beautiful determination. He made Sakura happy. He made Rin happy. He was pure and kind and good. "I couldn't let him die," she said. And that was enough.
But he had survived to witness two Servants fighting. Alarm came over her like a sudden chill. She shot to her feet. "We have to go! Assassin's going to finish the job."
"We're saving him again?" Saber asked, disapproval in her tone.
"Yes. Hurry up!"
"Fine, whatever. Might as well kill Assassin while we're at it," Saber grumbled, before scooping Rin up in her arms. She dashed out of the mansion, leaping from rooftop to rooftop according to Rin's directions. In only a couple minutes, they arrived at Shirou's home.
Saber rushed to his gate, then stopped, frozen in place. "What the hell?" she breathed, no more than a whisper.
Standing before them was the facsimile of Saber, but older, as if Saber had aged twenty years. She towered over them, gazing down with impossible beauty. Her eyes were shining emeralds, her golden tresses weaved in an ornate braid. Her silver armor gleaned under the streetlamp. It was as if someone had extracted all of Saber's wild ferocity and exchanged it with nobility. Her hand gripped something, but Rin could not discern what it was.
"FATHER!" Saber roared. She readied her blade and charged, frenzied beyond control.
"Saber, stop!" Rin screamed, but her Servant did not obey. Not out of defiance, nor because she didn't hear Rin; rather, she couldn't. Like a moth to a flame, Saber was enraptured by the enemy Servant, spellbound to her form, as if she was the most important thing in the world. To Saber, she likely was.
Yet, as son clashed against father, as metal sang and shockwaves tore through the road, Rin could only think of a single person.
A/N: I originally had a different sequence outlined, but Shirou getting his heart gutted is a beautiful tradition 3.