Sometime later, after much grumbling, sighing, and a rather frustrating game of hide-and-seek with Tomoe's bag, the duo finally arrived at their destination.

The church stood tall and imposing, its silhouette bathed in the moonlight. Tomoe eyed it warily, still clutching his recovered bag like it was a lifeline. He wasn't religious by any means, but the place gave off an odd mix of serenity and unease.

"Hey, Shinji," Tomoe began, breaking the silence.

"Hm?" Shinji didn't even look back, already stepping toward the church gate.

"We're here already," Tomoe pointed out, stopping just short of the entrance.

"Yes, I'm aware," Shinji said flatly.

"Then can you finally explain what the hell is going on?" Tomoe's voice carried a mix of frustration and desperation. "You said you'd tell me when we got here."

Shinji stopped, turning back to face him with an annoyed grimace. "Well," he drawled, "I guess we are technically at the church now… fine. What do you want to know?"

"What happened earlier? What was that thing that attacked me? What happened to me? Who are you really? What—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop!" Shinji raised his hands, looking half-amused, half-annoyed. "Slow down. One question at a time."

Tomoe clamped his mouth shut, glaring as he waited for Shinji to start talking.

"Look," Shinji said with a dramatic sigh. "I'll give you the basics while we walk. Better than standing here all night."

Tomoe begrudgingly nodded and followed Shinji as they moved through the churchyard.

"That thing that attacked you?" Shinji began. "That was a Servant."

"A Servant?" Tomoe repeated, the word unfamiliar on his tongue.

"A rogue one, to be exact," Shinji clarified. "And, surprise, you and I are smack in the middle of a supernatural war. Lucky us."

Tomoe blinked, processing the words. "We?"

"Yeah, we. As in you, me, and a handful of other unlucky people."

Tomoe frowned. "But why me? I'm just a normal high schooler!"

"Not anymore, you're not," Shinji said, smirking. "You've been chosen as a participant. Congratulations."

Tomoe stopped walking, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "That's it? That's the big explanation? You're just going to drop that on me like it's no big deal?"

Shinji stopped too, turning with a shrug. "Pretty much. Look, I just saved your life; do you really think I'm obligated to give you a TED Talk about all this? Besides, we're here now." He gestured toward the church's entrance. "C'mon."

"Wait! What about my—"

"Answers?" Shinji interrupted with a sly grin. "You'll get them inside. From her."

"Her?"

"The overseer of this war." Shinji stepped forward and pushed open the heavy church doors, his voice carrying a note of reverence.

"Caren Hortensia."

The doors creaked open, revealing the church's dimly lit interior. At the center of the space stood a petite girl with flowing white-grey hair that cascaded like silk, her golden eyes piercing yet serene. She wore a black church outfit that contrasted starkly against her pale complexion, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.

Tomoe froze, his breath catching in his throat. She's… beautiful. He wasn't sure if it was her otherworldly presence or the soft glow of the candles around her, but to his eyes, she was easily the most attractive girl he'd ever seen.

Caren tilted her head slightly, her gaze settling on Tomoe. Her expression was calm, unreadable, but her voice carried a gentle authority as she spoke. "Welcome, Tomoe Enjou. It seems you've had quite the eventful night."

Tomoe swallowed hard, feeling both awestruck and wildly out of his depth. "Uh… hi?"

Shinji, standing to the side with an amused smirk, clapped a hand on Tomoe's shoulder. "Smooth."

Z

The air inside the church felt cold, yet somehow to Tomoe he felt a little bit warm, as soon as Caren spoke.

"Why, we meet again, Matou-san," she greeted with a small bow, her voice soft and melodious. It carried an air of calm reverence that made Tomoe momentarily think she might actually be a saint.

Wow, she sounds really nice… Tomoe thought, completely caught off guard by her serene demeanor.

"Hey, Caren, uh…" Shinji began awkwardly, clearly trying to keep things professional.

But Caren, without missing a beat, cut him off with a question so unexpected it was like a thunderclap in a silent room.

"Are you here to invite me to an orgy?"

The sheer bluntness of her words froze Shinji mid-sentence. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound came out.

Tomoe, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed, trying to reconcile the lovely nun-like figure before him with the vulgarity of her words. Did she really just say that?

"W-what the hell are you talking about?!" Shinji finally spluttered, his face a mix of horror and indignation.

Caren tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes shining with an air of innocent curiosity. "Weird. Didn't you ask me to join your daily orgies not too long ago?"

"I DID NOT!" Shinji roared, his voice echoing through the church. "I WAS JUST FLIRTING!"

Caren clasped her hands together in prayer, her voice soft and serene once more. "But you still asked, didn't you?"

"I WAS EXPECTING YOU TO REFUSE!"

Tomoe blinked, his confusion growing. He glanced between the two, trying to make sense of the escalating exchange.

Shinji groaned, running a hand down his face in frustration. The memories of their first meeting flashed through his mind, and he felt his stomach churn. I really should have just shut up back then…

It all began when Shinji first came to the church as part of his participation into the Holy Grail war. Caren's beauty had struck him instantly, and, being Shinji, he'd tried his hand at flirting. Not because he thought he stood a chance—oh no, he fully expected to be shot down. It was more out of habit than anything else.

Instead of refusing him, however, Caren had responded in the most devastating way imaginable. She had calmly and thoroughly eviscerated him.

It started with her questioning his womanizing habits, then moved to a ruthless analysis of his masculinity, then his orientation, and finally his dignity.

By the end of it, Shinji had been left a broken shell of a man, his self-esteem and pride lying in ruins.

Ever since that fateful encounter, any lingering attraction he might have felt for Caren had evaporated like water in the desert. He had sworn to himself never to flirt with her again, lest she finish what little was left of his soul.

"Ah, so you lied to me then," Caren continued, her voice laced with mock disappointment. "To play with a maiden's heart like that… what a sinner. O Almighty, please forgive this sinful man."

"STOP TRYING TO MAKE ME LOOK BAD!" Shinji yelled, his voice cracking slightly in frustration.

Caren ignored him, closing her eyes and placing a hand over her heart. "O Almighty, please also forgive me for being so seductive to men. It is a burden I must bear with grace."

"AND STOP PRAISING YOURSELF!"

Tomoe, watching all of this from a safe distance, slowly took a step back, edging further away from Shinji.

Unfortunately, Shinji noticed. He turned on Tomoe with an expression of utter betrayal. "Hey! Don't tell me you're actually buying this bullshit!"

Tomoe hesitated, glancing at Caren's serene expression, then back at Shinji's desperate face. Weighing his options carefully, he nodded.

"You… you traitor!" Shinji shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You're picking hoes over bros?!"

Caren's eyes sparkled with amusement, though her expression remained calm. "Slandering the innocent me now, Matou-san? It seems my suspicions about your masculinity are indeed correct."

"STOP! TRYING! TO! MAKE! ME! LOOK! BAD!" Shinji barked, each word punctuated by a wild gesture.

Tomoe sweatdropped, feeling increasingly out of place. Is this really the person who saved my life earlier?

As the two continued their bickering, Tomoe sighed and adjusted the strap of his bag. "This… this might take a while."

Z

It took a while, but the storm of bickering finally settled. Now, the nun—Caren, as Shinji had called her—stood calmly before Tomoe, her golden eyes fixed on him with a mixture of curiosity and expectation.

Meanwhile, Shinji was off in the corner, squatting with his head hanging low, muttering a string of incoherent curses about nuns, betrayal, and dignity.

Tomoe glanced at him, half-considering whether he should say something to lift his spirits. Then he thought about it again.

Nah.

"Welcome, Tomoe Enjou," Caren said, her voice smooth and composed, drawing his attention back to her. "I understand you have business with me?"

Tomoe nodded quickly, glad to finally speak to someone who might offer real answers. "Yeah, uh… Shinji said you'd explain everything. About that thing that attacked me… and why this…" He lifted his hand, showing the red tattoos etched into his skin, still faintly glowing under the dim church lights. "…why this happened to me."

Caren's gaze dropped briefly to his hand, her expression unchanging. "Ah, yes. The Command Seals," she said with a small nod. "As you can see, you have been chosen. You are a Master."

"A… Master?" Tomoe repeated, his brows knitting together

.

"Indeed," Caren replied. She turned and began walking deeper into the church, her steps light and graceful. "Come, sit. This tale is not one that can be told standing idly in a doorway."

Tomoe hesitated, glancing back at Shinji, who was still in his corner. "Uh… what about him?"

Caren didn't even turn around as she replied, her voice laced with gentle amusement. "Leave him. Matou-san will rejoin us when his pride has recovered."

Tomoe looked unsure, shaking his head. "That… might take a while," he muttered under his breath before following Caren further into the church.

Z

Inside the church's main hall, the flickering candlelight cast an almost ethereal glow around Caren, her presence regal and composed as she motioned for Tomoe to sit on one of the pews. He hesitated for a moment, still rattled by everything that had happened, but eventually took a seat. Caren stood before him, hands folded neatly in front of her, her expression calm and unwavering.

"Now then," she began, her voice steady and serious, "what you experienced earlier was the result of your inadvertent involvement in what is known as the Holy Grail War."

Tomoe blinked in confusion. "H-Holy Grail War?" he echoed, his voice trembling slightly.

Caren nodded solemnly. "Yes. It is a secret ritual, one that has been passed down through the ages. Seven Masters, each chosen by the Grail, summon powerful beings known as Servants to fight in a battle royale. The last Master standing is granted the right to claim the Holy Grail—a relic said to grant any wish."

Tomoe's mind whirled as he tried to absorb the information. "So… wait, you're saying I'm part of this war now? I didn't sign up for that!"

"Few do," Caren replied with a small, almost pitying shrug. "The Grail's methods are… not always considerate. You were chosen, and the proof of your participation lies in the Command Seals on your hand."

Tomoe's eyes instinctively moved to the red markings on his palm, the swirling tattoos glowing faintly. His stomach twisted in unease. "But why me? I don't even know how to fight."

"That is why you were also given a Servant," Caren explained, her voice unwavering. "They are your champion, your sword and shield in this war. The knight you saw on the card earlier—that is your Servant, Saber."

"Saber…" Tomoe whispered, the image of the knight on the card flashing back to his mind.

He paused, his thoughts still clouded. "Wait, but I was fighting all by myself before... and no one helped me..." He trailed off, his confusion mounting.

"Ahem!"

A loud cough broke the silence, coming from behind him.

Tomoe turned and saw Shinji, who was still sitting off to the side, watching the exchange with an unamused look on his face.

"Except him," Tomoe muttered under his breath, his frustration bubbling up.

Caren took a deep breath, the air in the room seeming to grow heavier. "Ah, yes, about that…" she began, her tone shifting slightly as she prepared to explain further. "There has been a new rule implemented."

"New rule?" Tomoe asked, his mind still struggling to keep up.

Caren sighed, clearly irritated with what she was about to say. "Yes, new rules. Now, instead of fighting as a pair of Master and Servant, the Master is expected to fight for the Holy Grail using the power of the Servant. You, are expected to fight on your own."

Tomoe blinked, his eyes wide. "W-What does that mean?" he asked, his voice growing tense.

Shinji's voice suddenly cut through the conversation, dry and almost detached. "It means you've got to fight in this war, personally."

"What?!" Tomoe exclaimed, his mind reeling. "Why?"

"Who knows?" Caren replied coolly, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "The founders of the Holy Grail ritual have been contacted, and none of them claim responsibility for this change. The Einzbern, the Matou, or even the Tohsaka… none of them…"

Tomoe's heart skipped a beat as he processed the last part. "Tohsaka?" he blurted out. "As in Tohsaka Rin? Why is she involved?"

For a split second, Caren's expression shifted, a subtle tightening of her lips, but she quickly masked it with a neutral smile. Her eyes, however, were sharp, as though she disliked the interruption.

Tomoe flushed, suddenly feeling like he had overstepped. "Sorry," he muttered, looking down.

Shinji, who had been silent up to that point, sighed deeply from his corner. He looked over at Caren, his expression one of weary resignation. "Perhaps you should start from the beginning, Caren."

Caren gave him a pointed look, but her expression softened ever so slightly. "Maybe I should," she replied, before her eyes turned back to Tomoe, her voice hardening again. "There is much you need to understand, Tomoe Enjou. And I will be the one to explain it to you."

Her tone left no room for argument as she prepared to continue, the weight of her words pressing on Tomoe's shoulders.

Z

"Wars don't come out of nowhere, Enjou-san," Caren began, her voice even and commanding as she folded her hands in front of her. "Though perhaps, in its inception, it was never intended to be one."

Tomoe tilted his head, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Caren let out a soft breath before continuing. "The Holy Grail is an artifact created by the collaboration of three powerful magi families. Its original purpose was not to serve as a prize in a conflict, but as a means to achieve the Root—the Akashic Records, the ultimate source of all knowledge and existence."

Tomoe opened his mouth to ask a question, but Caren raised her hand, stopping him in his tracks. "Please hold your questions until I've finished."

His shoulders slumped slightly. "Fine," he muttered, looking visibly disappointed.

"The creation of the Holy Grail ritual was a combined effort," Caren explained. "The Einzbern family prepared the vessel. The Tohsaka family prepared the land upon which the ritual could be performed. And the Matous…"

Before she could finish, Shinji interrupted, his voice flat. "The Matous prepared the summoning and command systems. We made it possible for Masters to call forth their Servants and control them."

"You keep mentioning servant what are they?" Tomoe asked, shinji smiled as he explained.

"Servant is a term for heroic spirits summoned into this world to fight in the Holy Grail War," Shinji began, leaning back in his seat. "They're not ordinary people. These are legends, heroes from history, myths, and stories brought to life."

"Heroes… from myths?" Tomoe repeated, blinking in disbelief. "Like… King Arthur or Hercules?"

"Exactly," Shinji confirmed, nodding. "Though don't be surprised if they're not exactly like the stories you've heard. History has a way of twisting the truth, and the Grail summons them in forms that reflect their true selves—or at least, the most famous version of them."

"Servants are divided into seven standard classes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. Each class emphasizes specific skills or combat styles. For example, Saber is known for exceptional swordsmanship, while Archer excels at long-range attacks."

Tomoe looked down at the card in his hand, the knight depicted on it seeming even more significant now. "And… mine is Saber?"

Shinji smirked. "Lucky you, Enjou. Most first-time Masters don't get such a powerhouse. You might have a shot at surviving this war."

"What do you mean?" Tomoe asked in confusion.

"The Saber class is often considered the strongest overall, with balanced attributes in offense, defense, and agility." Shinji replied.

Caren glanced at him briefly, her lips tightening ever so slightly, but she didn't admonish him.

"Indeed, now back to me..." she said simply, while Shinji waved his hand into the air in apology.

"But as with many human endeavors, ambition soon took hold. What began as a cooperative effort devolved into a competition. Each participant sought to claim the Grail for their own purposes. The once-noble ritual spiraled into conflict, and thus, the Holy Grail War was born."

Tomoe's eyes widened slightly. "So… the fighting wasn't supposed to happen?"

"Correct," Caren replied, her tone firm. "The first Holy Grail War was a disaster. It devolved into chaos, with no clear victor. The ritual was not properly completed, and the Grail remained unclaimed. It was such a calamity that the Church was eventually forced to intervene."

"And that went so well, didn't it?" Shinji muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Tomoe glanced at him briefly but chose to ignore the comment. He found Caren's calm, melodic voice far more pleasant to focus on.

Caren continued as if Shinji hadn't spoken. "Since then, the ritual has been overseen by the Church, and it has been repeated every sixty years. The goal remains the same: to properly utilize the Grail to achieve its intended purpose. Yet, time and again, the participants—Masters and their Servants—have turned it into a brutal contest."

"So… every sixty years, people are dragged into this war?" Tomoe asked, his voice quieter now, the weight of her explanation settling over him.

Caren nodded. "Correct. Until the Grail fulfills its original function, the ritual will continue, generation after generation."

Tomoe sat back, trying to process everything. A war he never wanted, with rules he didn't understand, and a history steeped in violence and ambition. The realization left him feeling both daunted and deeply uneasy.

"And now," Caren continued, her voice steady but laced with an edge of gravity, "we are at the Fifth Holy Grail War. The Fourth War concluded a mere ten years ago." Her golden eyes bore into Tomoe's. "In fact, I believe you already know what happened at the end."

Tomoe's face contorted in horror as her words sank in. His complexion went pale, and he stumbled over his words. "Don't tell me…"

"Yup," Shinji cut in bluntly. "The mountain fire from ten years ago? That was the result of the Fourth War."

Tomoe froze. Memories from that fateful night flooded back—the inferno lighting up the horizon, the suffocating heat, and his mother holding him tightly as they watched the devastation unfold in silent terror. His voice trembled.

"That… that was this?"

Shinji nodded, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Yeah. That's the kind of thing that happens when this war goes out of control."

"And now… now we're supposed to fight in this war?" Tomoe's voice rose in a mixture of disbelief and growing panic.

Caren's demeanor remained calm, her hands folded neatly in front of her. "If you wish to claim the Holy Grail and the wish it offers, yes."

"And if I don't want to?" Tomoe asked, desperation creeping into his tone.

Caren's lips curved into a faint smile, one that seemed to carry both reassurance and something colder. "Ah, I was waiting for that question."

She straightened slightly, her composed air more pronounced as she explained. "That is precisely where the Church comes in."

Tomoe leaned forward slightly, clinging to her words as she continued.

"The Church, as you may have surmised, serves as a neutral party in the Holy Grail War. We do not participate in the conflict but act as its overseers. Our role is to ensure that the rules of the ritual are upheld and that the war remains hidden from the general public."

Her voice took on a more formal tone as she listed their responsibilities. "Our duties are threefold. First, we verify the legitimacy of both Masters and Servants. Second, we intervene should the war threaten the secrecy of magecraft. Third, we provide sanctuary to those who have lost their right to fight—or to those who choose to forfeit it willingly."

Tomoe's eyes widened at that. "Sanctuary?" he echoed, a spark of hope in his voice. "You mean… I don't have to fight?"

"Yes," Caren confirmed with a nod. "That is precisely what I said. Should you wish to relinquish your claim to the Grail, you may do so, and the Church will provide you protection."

Tomoe exhaled in relief, some of the tension leaving his body. "T-then… can I—?"

"Whoa, hold on there, Enjou," Shinji interrupted, raising a hand to stop him.

Tomoe blinked, startled. "What? What's wrong?"

"Not trying to freak you out," Shinji said, his tone oddly grim, "but giving up might not be your best option here."

Tomoe frowned. "Why not? If I don't want to fight, why shouldn't I just quit?"

Shinji's gaze flicked toward Caren, prompting her to speak. She sighed, the faintest trace of weariness slipping into her expression.

"Yes, about that…" Caren began carefully. Her golden eyes softened slightly, but her voice carried a distinct weight. "There is… an issue with the current state of the ritual."

Tomoe's stomach churned. "What kind of issue?" he asked warily.

Shinji folded his arms and leaned back against the pew, his expression dark. "The new rule. The one you heard about earlier? It's not just about Masters fighting instead of their Servants. There's more to it—and it's not pretty."

Tomoe turned back to Caren, who gave a reluctant nod.

"The Grail's war process… has become unstable," she admitted. "While sanctuary is an option in theory, the changes to the rules have made it increasingly dangerous. Forfeiting your claim does not necessarily guarantee your safety."

"What?" Tomoe's voice rose, panic lacing his words. "But you just said—"

Caren raised a hand to calm him. "The Church will do everything in its power to protect you," she said firmly. "But there are… elements beyond our control. The Grail itself has begun to deviate from its original purpose. I fear that even those who withdraw from the war may still find themselves targeted."

Tomoe's heart sank as her words registered. "So… you're saying I'm not safe, even if I quit?"

Shinji sighed and placed a hand on Tomoe's shoulder. "Look, man, I get it. This whole thing sucks. But trust me, you're better off figuring out how to survive this mess instead of running from it."

"I… I don't understand," Tomoe stammered, his voice trembling with confusion and frustration.

"Let me explain," Caren said calmly, stepping forward. Her golden eyes fixed on him as she gestured toward the red markings on his hand.

"That mark," she began, "is proof of your status as a Master. Through it, you can command the power of a Servant. It is a bond that ties you to the ritual and gives you the authority to wield extraordinary strength."

Tomoe's gaze drifted down to his hand, the weight of her words pressing heavily on him. Before he could ask more, Caren's hand moved to point at the card he still held tightly.

"And that card," she continued, her voice steady, "is called a Servant Card. It contains the essence of a Heroic Spirit—a legendary figure whose soul has been summoned to participate in this war. By using the command 'Install,' you can merge with the soul of the Heroic Spirit contained within and temporarily become one with their power."

Tomoe blinked, staring at the card as if it might suddenly come to life. "Merge… with a Heroic Spirit?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"That," Shinji cut in, arms crossed, "is the first rule that was changed."

Tomoe looked between them, trying to piece it together. "Wait… changed? You mean it wasn't always like this?"

Caren nodded solemnly, her expression tightening slightly. "Correct. The Holy Grail War was never meant to be fought in this manner. Traditionally, Masters command their Servants—distinct entities that fight on their behalf. But now, due to the modifications in the ritual, Masters are required to become their Servants to participate."

Tomoe's confusion deepened. "Why would anyone change the rules like that?"

"That," Caren said, her voice dropping a notch, "is a question without a clear answer. What we do know is that the change appears to have been implemented hastily, without the meticulous care such a system requires. And because of that, a mishap was born."

Tomoe frowned. "Mishap?"

Caren's golden eyes met his, a faint shadow of unease flickering across them. "The Grail's summoning mechanism has become unstable. It continues to summon Servants… but without Masters to bond them to."

Tomoe stared at her, processing her words. "Wait… so you're saying—"

"The Holy Grail is creating rogue Servants," Caren interrupted, her tone grave. "Powerful beings, each with the strength of legends, running unchecked. Without the control of a Master, these Servants are unstable and dangerous."

Tomoe felt the blood drain from his face. "So… that thing that attacked me earlier…?"

Shinji nodded grimly. "Yeah. That was one of them. A rogue Servant."

Tomoe's knees felt weak as he slumped back against the pew. "This… this is insane. How are we supposed to survive something like this?"

"By fighting," Caren said firmly, her gaze unwavering. "You were chosen by the Grail, Enjou-san. Whether you wished for it or not, you now have the means to defend yourself. And more importantly, the duty to see this war through."

Her words weighed heavily in the air, and Tomoe couldn't help but feel like the walls of the church were closing in around him.

"That's why, even if you give up your right as a Master, the Church cannot guarantee your safety," Caren said, her tone unyielding, her words cutting like a blade through Tomoe's spiraling thoughts.

Caren speak solemnly. "Other Masters may honor your decision and avoid targeting you. However, the rogue Servants have no such sense of decorum. They may act without logic or restraint, driven by their own needs and instincts."

"And even if they don't attack you while you're here," Shinji interjected, his voice unusually serious, "what about when you leave? Or worse… what about your family?"

Tomoe's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't considered that. His mind raced with images of his parents and siblings—defenseless, caught in the path of something as monstrous as the Servant he had encountered earlier. His face turned pale.

"That's why it's better to keep that card," Shinji continued. "Even if you don't want to fight for the Grail, at least use it as a means of self-defense. Otherwise, if you're caught defenseless against these rogue Servants… you won't stand a chance."

Tomoe swallowed hard, gripping the card in his hand more tightly. The weight of Shinji's words pressed on his chest like a stone. "But… why?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Why would these Servants attack anyone? For what reason?"

Shinji fell silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. Caren, standing before them, maintained her composed demeanor, her golden eyes steady.

"It's to survive," Shinji finally said, his voice quiet but firm.

Tomoe looked at him, confused. "To… survive?"

"The Heroic Spirits summoned without Masters are not only unstable," Caren explained, her voice as steady as ever, "but they also lack the vital energy necessary to maintain their presence in this world. Normally, a Master provides this sustenance through their magical energy."

"But without a Master," Shinji added grimly, "they need to find another source to keep existing."

Tomoe felt a chill run down his spine. He already had an idea of what was coming, but he desperately didn't want it to be true. "And that source is…?"

Caren's calm voice delivered the answer like a death knell. "The human soul."

Tomoe froze, the air seemingly ripped from his lungs.

Shinji leaned back, crossing his arms. "They devour people, Enjou. It's the only way they can survive in this world. That's why they're so dangerous. They'll attack anyone—Master or not."

Tomoe's knees buckled, and he sat heavily on the pew, staring blankly ahead. "So… I'm not just in danger… I'm also a target."

"Yes," Caren said simply, her expression unreadable. "Whether you like it or not, you are part of this war now. And survival demands that you use the power given to you. Anything less…" She trailed off, her meaning clear.

Tomoe looked down at the Servant Card in his trembling hand. The image of the knight stared back at him, its silent gaze both reassuring and daunting.

"As it stands, the Fifth Holy Grail War is separated into two parts," Caren explained, her voice measured and deliberate.

Tomoe's attention sharpened, despite the weight of despair clinging to him. "Two parts?" he echoed weakly.

Caren nodded, her serene demeanor unbroken. "The first part is to stabilize the Grail. This is achieved by hunting down all the rogue Servants and returning the wasted energy they've consumed back into the Grail. Ideally, this will restore balance to the ritual… hopefully." The last word was barely above a whisper, and though her face remained calm, her tone betrayed a flicker of doubt.

"And the second part?" Tomoe asked hesitantly, already dreading the answer.

"The second part is where all remaining participants will fight each other to claim the Holy Grail," Caren said simply. Her calm delivery did nothing to soften the blow.

Tomoe slumped in his seat, his head dropping into his hands. "So, either way, we just end up killing each other in the end, huh?" he muttered bitterly.

"Not necessarily," Caren replied, a glint of something unreadable in her golden eyes.

Tomoe looked up, startled. "Eh?"

"The marks of victory are not the lives of the participants," Caren clarified, "but rather the ownership of the Servant Cards."

"This card?" Tomoe asked, holding up the one in his hand.

"Yes," Caren said with a small nod. "If you lose that card to another participant, you are considered to have forfeited your right to the Grail. As such, it is not your life that guarantees participation in this war, but the possession of that card. So, make sure you keep it safe, Enjou-san."

Tomoe stared at the card in his hand, the knight depicted on it seeming to glare back at him, as though judging his resolve—or lack thereof.

A heavy silence filled the room as Tomoe sat there, lost in thought. The reality of his situation pressed down on him like a suffocating weight.

Then, breaking the silence, Shinji's voice cut through. "Now the question is," he said, leaning back against the pew, his arms crossed, "what are you gonna do, Enjou?"

Tomoe looked up, meeting Shinji's gaze. The weight of the question hung heavily in the air, and for the first time since all this began, he realized that he had no clear answer.