A cold and desolate landscape yet still covered in flames. Lying within this apocalyptic wasteland lies the last hope for humanity, for in less than a second, the global population had decreased from seven billion to less than a hundred.
Shielded from the planet's incineration, is a sleek, almost futuristic building so white that it blends in within the snow of the mountains that surrounded it.
In the white halls of CHALDEA, a young lady walks with an air of unparalleled dignity. She wears armour that is both elegant and unyielding, silver plates catching the light as she moves with practiced ease. The deep blue fabric beneath, lined with gold, softened the harsh edges of steel, a reminder that she was more than just a warrior, but a king.
Every piece was crafted for both protection and agility—broad pauldrons guarding her shoulders, gauntlets fitting snugly over her hands, and the plated skirt shifting fluidly with each step. She carried the weight of it effortlessly, as if it were simply a second skin, forged not just from metal, but from purpose.
She is Artoria Pendragon, Britain's Greatest King, Wielder of the Holy Sword Excalibur, and King of Knights, summoned to help save humanity's present and future from its doom. She is one of the many Heroic Spirits summoned from the Throne of Heroes at the request of the last Master, Gudao Fujimaru.
Artoria found the young boy to be an interesting Master. He was unlike most Magi, who saw Servants as simply powerful familiars or tools. Gudao treated the King like an equal, a friend. She appreciated the kindness, truly. Especially since CHALDEA allowed for Servants to access all their memories, even those from previous summonings. Though she wasn't a true Servant in those summonings, her memories of her previous grail wars were cloudy. But now she had clarity, she doubted she would be able to tolerate another Kiritsugu Emiya as a Master. Of course, it didn't help that thanks to her regained memories, she also remembered that boy.
His flamelike hair, his amber eyes, his wide back that he'd shove in front her like shield despite her warnings, and the determination in his voice every time he spoke of his dream. He was a foolish Master, but maybe that was the perfect option for a foolish servant like herself.
Perhaps that is why, for the first time since she pulled out the Sword of Selection, that she fell in love. True love. Shirou Emiya was many things, but of all of them, he was her hero. He broke her out of the chains of her selfish desire. He was the one showed what it was to feel romantic love. For once, she didn't feel like King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. For once, she felt like Artoria, a girl who finally felt love.
As parts of Artoria begin to glow gold and dissipate in the wind like dust, she tells her red-haired Master one last thing, "Shirou, I love you." She has a smile on her face. It is one of joy and sadness, for she has proclaimed her feelings to the she loves, and because she will most likely never see him again.
"ARTORIA!" Her master shouts, much to her surprise. There is that familiar look of determination on his face. That always seemed to tell her that everything would be okay. "I promise, I'll find you! Even if it takes me a thousand years! No matter what! When we next meet, I will be a Hero of Justice that you can proudly love!"
Artoria Pendragon couldn't help but smile with tears in coming down from her eyes as she returns to where her life ended.
For the first time in her life, Artoria's mind was not thinking of restoring her kingdom, but of meeting her one true love in Avalon.
And yet that thought would never come to be, for despite severing her contract with Alaya, despite waiting in Avalon, despite looking into the horizon for centuries, hoping to see her lover to appear one day, that day never came.
When she heard Gudao's call through the Throne of Heroes, she hesitantly accepted, and as she felt herself being transported to CHALDEA, she gave one last look to that horizon, and felt her immense sadness deepen for she didn't see that burning red hair appearing.
During the Fifth Holy Grail War, Artoria had given up her desire to revive her kingdom, to restore her people and fix her countless mistakes that she had made during her rule. But it was in CHALDEA, where she learned the true error of her wish. Was it the constant mockery from Iskandar from the moment she had been summon? Perhaps it was when she finally came to tentative understanding with Mordred, even if it almost caused two powerful Noble Phantasms being used in the middle of the CHALDEA? Or maybe, it was when she sat down one day and realised that there was no point in changing the past. That there was no heroism in undoing her mistakes, and that she would not being doing such an act for her people or knights, but only for herself, for in life the only role she knew was being a living martyr who sacrificed little parts of herself as each day of her rule passed.
But, even if she gave up that selfish desire, what did that leave her with? Whilst she enjoyed the company of servants, she made friends with, like Siegfried, Benkei, or her knights, there was always something missing. It was as if she yearned for something that she had long since missed.
Artoria stops walking for a second and looks out at one of the few windows in the facility. Past the snow landscape that was within Chaldea's shields, Artoria saw the flames that had consumed mankind. She wondered, what was Shirou doing when humanity died? He should be about 28 now. Had he forgotten her, and treated the Grail War like horrible memory? Perhaps he fell in love with another, and started his own family? Or maybe, just maybe, he was still searching for her, for some way to get into Avalon.
The last thought triggered a guilty feeling within her. What if he was there right now, having suffered and toiled through countless trials to reach her, only to find his goal to be empty, devoid of his lover.
"Oi! Saber! Are you coming or what?" Artoria looks away from the window and sees Ireland's Child of Light waving at her with an annoyed expression. Despite how many times she insisted him to call her Artoria, Cú Chulainn still referred to her by class. According to him, his memories of the Holy Grail War they shared made it feel odd to call Artoria by her true name. "Get a move on! At this rate, Master will have already summoned the new servant before you even reach the summoning room!"
"Fear not, Cú Chulainn," She responds calmly, much to the wild Lancer's chagrin, "I shall be there in time; however, it will be best if you march ahead instead of waiting for me." The Hound scoffs and walks away like she suggested. She also walks, pushing the thought of her unattainable love out of her mind. Artoria wonders who her Master will summon this time. The last servant he summoned was Ishtar, a Sumerian Goddess of Fertility brought in as a Pseudo Servant with the body of Rin Tohsaka. It had taken Artoria a little time to getting used to the idea, but she stopped calling the Goddess by her body's name once she realised that unlike Zhuge Liang, the goddess would not relinquish control to her host. It had saddened her, but she accepted it regardless.
The King of Knights finally reaches the Summoning Room, a large space with a simple summoning circle in the middle. In front of the circle was her Master, along with the Demi-Servant Mash Kyrielight, Cú Chulainn, and several other servants hidden in their Spirit Forms, ready to protect Gudao in case the summoned servant turned hostile. It was much a needed protection, especially since the appearance of Caligula who nearly punched Gudao's head off his shoulders in a fit rage upon summoning. The Roman Emperor had thankfully calmed down and remained sedentary since the incident, but extra caution was taken upon future summonings.
It was clear that she had appeared right on time, as Gudao had just about finished chanting the necessary words for the ritual, "Come forth, pass on your judgement, and punish my enemies... Guardian of the Scales!"
A pillar of light bursts from the ground at the moment Gudao says the last word, and for a moment, just a moment, Artoria could swear she saw a glimpse of a wasteland within the light. A wasteland littered with swords. But quickly enough, the light vanishes and the newest addition to CHALDEA is revealed.
The servant is a tall figure, his silver hair is slicked back, his skin is tanned like colour of bronze, and his eyes… His eyes are cold and grey, like a weathered sword that has seen countless battles. He wears a crimson red coat that he dons over his black chest plate.
Artoria couldn't help but feel that the servant was familiar in many ways. Yes, she instantly recognised that this man was the Archer Class servant summoned in Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War, summoned by Rin Tohsaka. But moreover, there was something about the look in his eyes that she never noticed during her previous meetings with him. It reminded Artoria of herself, upon a hill of corpses during the Battle of Camlan where she fought Mordred. But the regret in Archer's eyes is so much more encompassing. Artoria regretted some her actions and her behaviour, sure. But Archer? He looked as if he regretted his entire life.
Archer spoke, his voice deep and full of gravitas, yet lacking any real emotion, "Archer-class Servant. I have been summoned and come at your request." He looks analytically at his new master and makes quick glances around the room. It was clear that he had detected all the hidden servants barring those with a strong Presence Concealment skill.
Gudao was visibly a little intimidated by Archer, but quickly he centred himself, and gave the servant the typical greeting he gave to all newcomers to CHALDEA. "Ah, hello!" The Master welcomed with a genuine smile on his face, "I'm Gudao Fujimaru, and this is Mash Kyrielight. Welcome to CHALDEA, Mr…?" It was clear that Gudao was fishing for the Archer's True Name, with far less subtlety than Artoria had in her pinkie, though that most certainly wasn't saying much.
"Ha! Master, don't bother trying to get answer out of this bastard." Cú Chulainn grumbled, "He figured out my name in a couple of minutes, but he never bothered telling me his during the entire war!" As much as Artoria wanted to come to Archer's defence, she had to admit that his secrecy was indeed annoying throughout the war, however the fact remained that the servant took out seven of Heracles's lives by his lonesome. That feat was more than enough to cement the idea that he was a strong ally to have your back in battle.
"Unfortunately, Master," Archer begins, decidedly ignoring the Hound of Ulster much to the annoyance of the servant, "due to the nature of my summoning, I have lost memories of my identity. But fear not, for my combat prowess remains the same."
However, it was Artoria's time to comment on CHALDEA's newest addition, "Going with that excuse once more, Archer? For your own sake, try not lie like that in front of Kiyohime"
The nameless servant looks towards Artoria, and for a moment, she sees a faint look of recognition in his eyes. No, not recognition. Longing. Yearning. Affection. But faster than light itself, those emotions disappear, replaced by that emotionless look of a dead man.
The Archer's face warps into his signature smirk, and he counters Artoria's jab at him, "Ah, so you're here as well, Saber? I hope this Master isn't as much of fool as your last one." Though anger and annoyance filled her inside, Artoria kept up her wall of indifference.
"Hey you two, let's not fight, okay?" Gudao pleads desperately, "We don't want another Gilgamesh incident, do we?" The incident the Master was referring to nearly caused a massive hole in CHALDEA that damaged energy output in the facility for a while. Turns out that the King of Heroes had made an enemy out of a lot of Servants. "Anyway, Archer if you could follow me-" But as soon as Gudao turned to look at Archer, the Crimson Bowman had disappeared, "Uh, where did he go?"
"The bastard must've turned to his spirit form and gone off on his own" Cú scoffs with an eye roll, "I think he enjoys acting all broody and mysterious."
Artoria can't help but agree with the Lancer, "Yes, he always was a little antisocial. He seemed to prefer his own company rather than being around our masters and I." However, as she said that, she remembered an expression the Archer had made when he thought she wasn't looking. It was one of yearning, of having seen something he had once lost. At the thought of the memory, she decides to also defend that pitiful man, "However, he is not unkind. He sacrificed his life to stop the Berserker of the war from killing us, and if I remember correctly, he took out seven of the Berserkers' lives. So be assured that he will be a competent ally."
"Thanks, Artoria" Gudao nods, before talking to Dr Romani Archaman on his communicator.
As humanity's last master talks to the acting director, Artoria could only think about the nameless Archer. Why did he seem so familiar in a way that made her heart hurt? He is simply another servant that she fought before, like Cú Chulainn or Heracles. But she felt as if there was something missing when it came to Archer. Confused and annoyed, Artoria walks out of the room, absentmindedly wandering to wherever her legs took her.
The King's mind drifted away to her thoughts of that fateful war in Fuyuki. Though her and Archer hadn't interacted much due to his insistence, there had been a single conversation they had shared in that. A real conversation.
It was late into the night, Artoria's Master had fallen asleep, and so too had Rin Tohsaka after unpacking her bags. The Saber Servant was uncomfortable for an enemy Servant and Master to be staying in the same roof, especially because of her unfortunate situation which required her to sleep and eat, meaning she wouldn't be able to guard her Master should to Archer attack him in his sleep.
Saber looked at the time on the wall clock and decided that she had enough time to get a snack before she went to sleep. She walks through the house, slowly remembering every detail that had not changed since the Fourth Holy Grail War that she had also fought in.
When she arrives to the living room, Artoria was surprised to see the Servant Archer standing in the kitchen. On his face was a wistful expression that was almost unnatural. Saber did not move as she watched the scene. It's like looking at a painting. The way the moon reflected off his silver hair, those tired eyes that were normally stern, and the way he slouched ever slightly like he was in an environment where he could finally let down his guard. The scene seemed too personal for her to intrude on, it somewhat reminded her of when she would go to her old hometown from where she lived before pulling out Caliburn. But why did the Archer have such feelings towards her Master's kitchen?
The crimson bowman looks up and even looks embarrassed as he notices Artoria standing there, simply watching him. "Ah, Saber. Why exactly are up right now? The less sleep you get, the less mana you will have in the morning, which makes you a liability on the field." Artoria couldn't find it in her to be annoyed at the archer. Perhaps next time he decided to be snarky ruffian, she probably would, but this time, Artoria couldn't stop thinking about how vulnerable the opposing Servant had looked.
"Apologies Archer," She apologises, walking towards the kitchen, "I decided to acquire what the people of the modern day call a 'Midnight Snack.' Fear not, I will be quick in this task." Perhaps she could make what her Master would call a 'BLT.' Truly, the quality of food had grown exponentially over the last millennia.
Archer nods, "Very well." But he doesn't say another word as Artoria grabs a piece of bread from a bread pan. He watches as she grabs a few slices of bacon from the fridge and tears some leaves off a ball of lettuce. He then despairs as she slaps them together and begins to edge the monstrosity towards her mouth. "Saber, what in hell are you doing?"
Artoria stops her actions and looks to Archer, "Is there a problem, Archer?"
"Absolutely. Saber, why are you eating uncooked bacon?"
"Uncooked? Are you sure it is? I know its colouration is odd, but it is normal for war rations to look a little strange." There is pause between the servants, and Artoria feels as if she perhaps admitted something embarrassing.
Archer sighs, before walking back into the kitchen. "Put down that sorry excuse for sandwich and take a seat Saber. I will make you something that can be considered more than merely edible." Saber can't help but acquiesce at the sheer confidence in his voice. The moment he steps into the kitchen, it is like he has become a king of his own kingdom, and Saber was not one to depose a king.
She takes a seat and watches as Archer turns on the stove and grabs a pan from a cabinet. Saber wonders how he knew where the cooking utensils were, but chalked it up to either a skill, or he had already searched the kitchen before she entered the living room.
As he pours oil onto the pan, he asks Artoria a question, "Saber, tell me something. What does it mean to be a hero? A title? A responsibility? Or something more?"
Artoria was surprised at the question. She honestly didn't think someone as bitter as Archer would be interested in something like heroism. Nor did she expect him to hold such a question in importance, judging from the expression on his face. "An odd question, Archer. What brought this on?" But her question is answered with silence, so she sighs and continues, "To be a hero is neither of the options you gave, for they trivialise the concept of heroism. To be a hero is a goal you never achieve but always try to strive towards. I have met many who claim to be a hero, but none have even come close to meeting the ideal. Through countless battles, I have seen those who actually do embody what it means to be a hero both rise and fall, yet I do not believe I myself could ever be considered a hero."
Archer's eyebrows rise in mild surprise as he places a slice of bread on the same pan as the sizzling bacon. "You do not consider yourself a hero? Surely a knight like yourself is more deserving of being called one than anyone else."
When did she mention to Archer that she was knight? Ah, it probably an obvious conclusion from the way her armour looks and the way she carries herself. "I suppose one who isn't a knight wouldn't understand, but I did not fight those battles out of justice, but of responsibility. I fought for the people, whether our assault is in the wrong or in the right, my actions were in the name of my kingdom."
There is a long silence between the two, and Artoria wonders if she had offended the Archer, though that notion disappears when he laughs with slight tinge of madness, "Hahaha! If only I had heard that when I was younger." Artoria is a little taken aback, for this was the most emotion she had seen from Archer since she had met him. It was almost pitiable. "One last question, Saber." He says, taking a head of lettuce from the fridge, "Have you ever fallen in love?"
Once more, Artoria was shocked by the question but retained a calm demeanour. The Once and Future King thinks back to her life. She remembered her wife, Guinevere, who married Artoria out of duty, not love. But still, for the longest time Guinevere was Artoria's greatest confidant, second to perhaps Merlin or Lancelot. Artoria had thought that what she had with Guinevere was the same as any husband-and-wife relationship, but with time, she realised that Guinevere was more like a sister to her. It was why she forgave Guinevere for her affair with Lancelot. She had hoped that the two would have happy lives. If only Lancelot hadn't been rash and foolish.
Artoria noticed that Archer had been patiently waiting for her to answer, and decided to reward that patience, "No, Archer. I have never known romantic love. How about you?"
There is a small smile on Archer's face, perhaps mournful or regretful, "Yes. An exceedingly long time ago."
"She must've been quite a woman" Artoria notes. She sees a minute change in Archer's eyes. They didn't seem to be the eyes of indifference, which reminded her of dull steel. Instead, they were more like a sharpened blade, full of fervour and power. But that lasted only for a second. Archer was definitely well-versed in keeping up a wall.
"She was… everything".
Suddenly, the Servant places a plate in front of Saber. A sandwich. Perfectly cooked bacon, roasted tomato, shredded lettuce, and a basil sauce along with mayonnaise, all encased within the greatest pan grilled bread Artoria had ever seen. Without another word, Artoria grabs the BLT and shoves it in her mouth with the elegance of a King (or so she would claim). In all her existence, she had never tasted such a fine meal. Not even Avalon had food on par with what she had just consumed.
Before the King of Knights could demand for more, by the time she looked up, the Archer had disappeared and all the utensils he used had been cleaned.
She sighed. It seemed that this Archer would continue to remain a mystery.
As the memory of the Grail War that she had long since forgotten resurged to her mind, Saber frowns. She remembers that the next morning she had essentially forgotten that conversation, not out of malice or disinterest, but instead because Taiga and Sakura had arrived, and Shirou's delicious breakfast distracted her from how good Archer's BLT tasted. She had never thought that a Servant could cook so well. No offence to Boudica, but the food from the cafeteria simply couldn't match Shirou's artistry.
But now that the memory came back to her attention, she wondered why the Nameless Archer hadn't said anything more after that. Why had he asked her those specific questions? And in deeper section of her mind, Artoria wondered who exactly was it that captured such a cold man's heart. Frankly, she was genuinely surprised that he even had the capacity to love.
Artoria snaps out of her thoughts as she crashes into something- no, someone. "Ah, my apologies. I was lost in my thoughts." She apologises. When she looks up, she resists the urge to say the modern phrase, 'Speak of the Devil' as she sees the nameless Archer looking down at her with an eyebrow raised, blatantly judging her.
He reaches his hand out, an action some could mistake for kindness were it not for the smirk on his face. Regardless, Artoria took his hand merely out of respect for his manners, and kept her still expression as the Archer snarked, "And what were you thinking about, Oh King of Knights? Fallen Kingdoms? Traitorous Knights? Foolish Masters?"
For once, Artoria's mask of indifference cracks as she retaliates in annoyance, "For goodness' sake, what is your problem with Shirou? What did he do to you for you to hate and mock him with such fervour?! Why is the one of the most noble of people I've ever met a target of your jeering?" Once Artoria had finished her outburst, the King realised that she had fallen into the Archer's trap. To get her to lose composure. It was something she very rarely did, yet in less than fifteen minutes after his summoning, the steel-eyed man had done it with ease.
Yet, she wasn't met with further mockery, or another sneer. Instead, the nameless Archer's normally cold look seemed to be a miniscule amount warmer, and the corners of his mouth raised barely an inch, forming a very, very, familiar smile that Artoria couldn't seem to place where she remembered it from.
Wordlessly, the man turned around and walked away. To Artoria, even his back looked familiar in a way that more than when her mind goes to other servants involved in the war. She wonders to herself, will the man's name and past ever be revealed whilst they save humankind? Or will it remain as a mystery even now?
Just who is Archer, and why does he look at her with such yearning?