Saber leapt above and through the city as fast as she could with two masters in tow. It was nearing evening, and the overcast helped conceal the bizarre movement of the masters and servant. Rooftops and high altitudes remained the main point of contact before the incredible warrior displayed her ability to traverse the sky with amplified physical prowess. Although Saber would never admit it, she was demanding her fair share of mana to perform such a feat; surely hauling two masters in either arm a task for even the great king. She slung Shirou over her left shoulder as though she were a firefighter making a rescue, while she managed to cradle Rin close to her chest with the other arm, the young woman doing everything in her power to relieve her servant of whatever weight she could.

'You are nervous, Master.' Saber spoke quietly into Rin's mind. Perhaps she could feel the stress leaking through Rin's tight grip.

Is it that obvious? Rin admitted.

'No, but I pride myself in knowing you rather well at this point, so, it is clear to me and me alone.'

…I'm scared of what we'll find and how it might change the war completely.

'A valid concern.'

I'm scared I won't be able to save her…again.

'If it is any consolation, Rin, know that you command the most powerful of servants. There is little that I shouldn't be able to overpower, especially considering the ritual we enacted last night.'

R-right…

That was another matter entirely. One Rin just didn't have time to deal with right now. She prayed she would get the chance to have a proper talk with Saber concerning her reservations, but considering the potential fight they were quickly approaching, the morbid part of Rin's line of thinking attempted to lure her in with the notion that such a conversation might never come to pass…and it was terrifying to consider.

'Rin…?'

It's nothing. Let's just find Sakura. I can feel the improvement in our link, but I'd rather not go in blind just yet. Getting Sakura out of whatever predicament she's in is our primary goal.

'Consider it done, Rin. However, I predict we may find ourselves dueling Berserker, and considering the anomalies of this war, it might be best to deal with him now while we still understand the proceedings of the fight before us.'

A sound evaluation, and one Rin seconded without hesitation. Other than Gilgamesh, Berserker was the biggest threat, and removing him from the board would be massive in ensuring Rin and Saber moved forward in the war…and perhaps had another day or two together.

'On an…unrelated note, Master.'

Yes?

'I…do not know how to explain it, but due to this boy's close proximity, I cannot deny that I feel a semblance of melancholic longing.'

What? Rin snapped flatly.

'Please do not think anything of it. But do recall the prior discussion. I know not what this means, but it is surely proof that this boy might have some connection to the previous war, no? Excalibur's existence within me trembles, and I…'

Let's just focus on the task at hand, okay? Rin knew she was being unreasonable, and would owe Saber an apology later, perhaps, but she was already perturbed by the fact Shirou was being handled in any way by her lover. Such talk was too lethal for such a fresh understanding of feelings.

'Indeed. Forgive my distraction.'

No. No, it's fine. I'll talk to him later. Promise.

'Thank-you.'

Once Saber made it to the forest's entrance, she placed both Shirou and Rin down, allowing her armour to engulf her body in a blinding golden light. The temperature had dropped notably, and Rin could almost feel the ancient magic that coursed through the area that engulfed the Einzbern's territory. This was Berserker's home turf. Rin didn't favour the cruel reality, but the possibility of Sakura being in danger didn't give her leave to hesitate whatsoever.

'Archer said he's coming our way in a second.' Shirou sounded serious, oddly quiet the entire trip. He zipped up his jacket, staring into the darkness of the forest with a resolve Rin didn't find unattractive.

'Is there an update?' Rin fidgeted with her pigtails in irritation, needing to know Sakura was okay. She was picturing the worst-case scenario, and the images of the Matou basement were haunting no matter how diligently the mage attempted to steel her emotions.

'…Nothing yet. Just that we need to hurry. Sakura has Rider with her, but even she's keeping her distance, which is not good.'

'Damn it…' Rin huffed, but then a hand found her own, and Saber silently clutched her, staring into Rin's eyes with sincere commitment.

'I am here, Master. All shall be well.'

Rin hated that part of her was worried what Shirou thought of the interaction, but thankfully, Archer soon appeared, coming out of his astral form. Saber released Rin's hand then, either consciously aware of the distress her master was under, or more so interested in what the other servant had to say. Either way, despite her frustration caused from Saber's comments about Shirou now, more than ever, Rin found herself watching Archer with a bizarre notion of intrigue, his presence causing her chest to tighten and a strange semblance of sadness to overtake her mind.

'What's the situation?' Saber demanded of the man. He glanced in Rin's direction for a moment, and then addressed the other servant more casually than his words might properly demand.

'I recommend we simply allow the ensuing confrontation to occur and deal with the remaining players. I personally would prefer not to get in that girl's way when she is in such a state.'

'You mean Sakura?' Rin crossed her arms as she stepped closer to the red-clad warrior. He eyed her once more, but then looked away, as if staring into the darkness and seeing what caused even him so much hesitation.

'She is willing to engage with Berserker and the child for whatever purpose. Rider marches alongside her as though there is no other choice. She has seemingly lost all reason.'

'Then we talk her back down. Nothing's changed.' Shirou huffed, moving closer to the entrance of the forest.

'Your method of "talking" requires the privacy of a bedroom, does it not, boy? Other than what I possibly observed to be an abandoned shack of some descript, there is no such lodgings available within the immediate radius.'

'I can calm Sakura down without that for a bit, Archer. Just take us to her.'

'Again, I would prefer not to.' Archer refused stubbornly. 'This has been a long time coming and you know it. We've lost her, and if we approach that girl now, unprepared and unclear of what she's capable of, we'll surely lose one or more of us as well.'

'Then I'll go alone.' Shirou was already leaving, but Rin stopped him, tugging on the sleeve of his jacket.

'Don't be an idiot, Emiya-kun!' She hissed in annoyance. 'I'm concerned about Sakura as well, so, Saber and I will come with you if Archer truly intends on running with his tail between his legs.'

'Tch. Such obvious provoking will not change my mind, Mas – ' Archer stopped midsentence, and Rin's eyes widened as she looked to him, the tall man turning away so that his face was hidden. 'So be it.' He swiftly changed the subject. 'Other than Assassin, I am the most capable servant when it comes to recon. At least allow me to guide us properly so as to avoid a direct confrontation we have no hope of winning.'

'I doubt such a battle exists.' Saber chuckled. 'Not anymore, at the very least.'

'Hmph. So, something has changed about you? Not ideal…' Archer muttered, taking the lead and likely assuming the rest of the group to follow considering how quickly he began to traverse within the Einzbern's forest.

'He almost called you Master, Rin.'

I…I know.

'Why?'

That I don't know.

'…A subject for another time?'

Yes.

It stirred Rin's heart more than she preferred. Archer calling her "Master". Why did it feel so familiar and…right? She adored Saber. Summoning Saber into her life was the best turn of circumstances Rin could have ever hoped for. Archer was a dreadful, arrogant, deceitful, and potentially even treacherous man. How could the Tohsaka heir feel anything but disdain toward him? Yet, the pull she had experienced upon immediately meeting him had only gotten stronger, and Saber claimed a similar tug toward Shirou, even going so far as to suggest the boy had some form of link to her summoning from the previous war.

What the hell was going on? Logically, Rin might suggest that she and Shirou had brought forth incorrect servants, both destined to harness the power of the other's heroic legend. But how did that make sense? They summoned at different times, did they not? The Grail couldn't possibly have made such an error unless the summoning of both individuals had been done at the exact same moment, and even that would be difficult to do on purpose let alone by accident.

The young Tohsaka heir shook her head as she and the rest of her small party delved deeper into the forest, thunder cracking overhead and a low rumble filtering through the ground beneath them.

'Hm. We're about to hear him.' Archer spoke quietly and, as if responding with perfect timing, Berserker's unmistakable howl pierced the air around everyone, circulating through the forest and ricocheting off every tree in an unsettling manner.

'Move faster.' Shirou grunted. Surprisingly, Archer did just that, perhaps now confident he could do so without being easily traced considering the projected confrontation was about to occur.

'Sakura…' Rin bit at her lip, imagining her little sister and Rider standing before the incredible, godly might that was Illya's Berserker. Images of Crest Worms infiltrated Rin's mind then, and she gasped, Saber's grip finding her arm.

'We will save her, Rin. Come.'

The group proceeded swiftly, Archer leading the way and Saber bringing up the rear. Berserker's growl grew closer, the successive clanging of weapons indicating a battle had started. Rin was forced to begin covering her ears, the anxiety she felt mixed with the sounds of the most threatening servant in the war not helping her own state of mind. The deeper they all proceeded into the forest, the darker it became, and soon, the pitter-patter of a storm began. Rain fell softly, for the most part, with a low rumble of thunder threatening in conjunction with another outburst from Berserker, this one notably smaller than the previous two.

'This is the worst.' Rin openly complained. It was almost comedically dramatic, as if the Grail itself was orchestrating the grand encounter.

'Nearly there – ' Archer began, but when Berserker screamed once more, it was so loud and bloodcurdling the entire party stopped their advance, the two masters both grunting in discomfort as they blocked their ears from the horrid, nightmarish noise.

Without another word, Archer launched himself from the group, his incredible speed propelling his form directly toward the source of the strange shift in Berserker's call, his presence disappearing into the darkness of the trees.

'Fear…?' Saber whispered.

'Archer! Wait!' Shirou dashed after his servant, also becoming engulfed by the forest.

'We need to go, too.' Rin knew there was no other path. She started forward as well, but her legs were heavy, and her breaths were coming in sharp gasps of air. She clutched at her chest, and old, terrible memories of guilt and shame weighed her down, the rain proceeding to grow heavier alongside her emotional burden.

'Bravely forward we march no matter what challenge seeks to break our will, Rin.' Saber supported her master, and the two women soon were jogging, Rin's body still lead, but her heart absorbing the courage her glorious servant imparted upon her.

'Why would Berserker, of all servants, be scared?' Rin huffed, her mind working through too many scenarios for her muddled nerves to handle.

'For better or worse, I believe we are about to find out.'

Saber was right, of course, to an extent. In all eventuality, Rin and her servant soon caught up with Archer and Shirou, a small opening in the forest clearly indicating where the battle had begun and ended. The ground was in an upheaval, and Rin scanned the area hastily, noting Rider and Shirou kneeling next to Sakura's form, her body flat and unmoving upon the earth as the rain fell over her.

With a whimper, Rin stumbled to her sister, choking back the tears that insisted on building within her eyes as she too knelt next to her.

'She's just unconscious.' Shirou reported, his voice heavy and low.

'Berserker retreated.' Archer was looking into the forest, as if waiting for the colossal beast to return. 'The woman won't tell me why, although even a fool, at this point, could determine the cause.'

'Rider.' Rin implored, sick of the questions, assumptions, and terrible scenarios her imagination wouldn't let go of concerning her little sister. 'What happened?'

'…We must return home.' Rider simply stated, blood dripping from her mouth and obvious cuts about her distractingly perfect body. She had evidently dueled with Berserker, on some level, but it couldn't have lasted long before…Sakura stepped in?

'I understand that, but we have Archer and Saber prepared to take down Berserker now. Are you telling me we shouldn't?'

Rider was, as always, unreadable behind her visor.

'Please.' The servant refused to give further specifics, and thus, Rin was stuck at a crossroad.

'What should we do, Saber?' Rin decided to seek counsel from the one person she trusted above all others, at this point.

'I can answer that.' Archer turned, his arms crossed and his glare amidst the fading remnants of daylight within the growing storm more lethal than ever. 'Kill the girl.'

'Archer!' Shirou hissed.

'We're not doing that.' Rin refused outright.

'We humour the whims of that thing any longer and we won't have the same luxury of retreating the way even Berserker did when whatever she is hosting decides to kill us all. Tell me I'm wrong, Rider. Tell me that girl is more human than not at this point.' Archer stepped closer, and Rin could tell he was dead serious.

As outrageous as his proposition was, Rin also couldn't deny the reasoning. If Sakura wasn't her sister, would she still so instinctively want to oppose the warrior's suggestion? She had personally caught a glimpse of a strange presence within Sakura. Had Zouken truly somehow managed to create some form of vessel for the Grail? As the war moved forward, was this thing Archer remained ever cautious of growing in its madness? All speculation still, but whatever the head of the Matou family was planning for Sakura, Rin would bet her entire collection of gems and jewels that it wasn't virtuous, by any stretch of the imagination.

'She is my master.' Rider stood up, her dagger and chain manifesting in her hands. 'And you shall not touch her.'

'You wouldn't win in your state.' Archer chuckled.

'Yet I would.' Saber stepped forward, and Rin knew she did so for her.

'It's not happening and you know it, Archer.' Rin joined her servant, staring down the man. 'Shirou would readily use his final Command Seal to protect her. Stop playing the villain. You're better than that.'

'Am I?' Archer smirked, but then his expression seemed to soften as he searched Rin once more, barely hiding his intrigue.

'Archer.' Saber spoke up, irritation in her voice.

'Hmph. So be it. This "war" is a farce either way. I will continue playing this ridiculous game for the time being. What choice do I have?'

'Thank-you.' Rin breathed out, addressing her servant again. 'I do believe we should still confront Berserker here and now, but it would mean leaving my sister in Rider's care while she's injured. That doesn't sit well with me.'

'Thus, the only option for pursuing our foe at present is to separate. Not ideal.' Saber confirmed.

Rin glanced back to her sister, two pieces of her persona vying for superiority as she weighed her options. If she was half the mage her father was, she would pursue Berserker here and now, leaving Sakura and whomever else wished to stay behind. The moment Berserker was out of the picture, Rin practically guaranteed herself a solid chance at winning the war – even if Gilgamesh wanted to try Saber again. With Archer presently willing to help Saber fight the legendary beast that was Berserker, there was an even better chance of coming away from the confrontation victorious. Tokiomi Tohsaka would have discarded those no longer useful to him to reach his ultimate goal.

However, with Rin's ambitions changed so drastically thanks to the feelings she and Saber had finally confirmed, was putting her servant in harm's way really her best course of action? Would it be so terrible to enjoy one more night with Saber before effectively ending the war by taking down Berserker?

Logic versus emotion. Ever the Tohsaka heir's own personal struggle. Why couldn't she be as cold as her father, at times? He would be utterly embarrassed on so many levels…

'I…think we've done enough for today.' Rin finally concluded, a wave of affection fluttering through her mana lines as though Saber wasn't altogether upset, thankfully.

'Agreed.' The King of Knights seconded. 'Sakura-san needs to be comforted, and although I would gladly challenge Berserker on my own, promising victory by accepting the assistance of both Archer and Rider is the better method of attack. Additionally, fighting in such weather is far from ideal, and when one mistake could cost us the war, I am hardly willing to take that risk.'

'Not when your success is at stake, Rin.' Saber added privately, almost causing the mage to blush.

Shirou was already picking Sakura up, cradling her in his arms lovingly.

'I'm glad we're on the same page, Tohsaka-san. I wasn't going to allow Archer to leave my side anyway. Not when Sakura is like this and needs help.'

'Right…' Rin grimaced. "Needed help" meaning sex. What had happened to her poor sister that she had to endure such a seemingly unhinged lifestyle that forced the once tentative Sakura Matou into some sort of vexatious role? The older sister had somewhat gotten her answer from Zouken Matou's manor, and thus, she decidedly put her foot down once more.

'Saber and I will accompany you back to your place, Emiya-kun. Sakura's state is worse than ever, as Archer has pointed out, and I want to ensure she is safe for the night. My command of support spells far exceeds your own, so, if she needs higher level assistance, I'd rather be immediately present.'

'Er…' Shirou was obviously hesitant, and his embarrassment only served to cause Rin discomfort that didn't need to be revealed.

'I-I'm well aware of what you need to do! I'm not implying any support in that scenario, got it?'

'Oh! Okay! Good…' Shirou laughed nervously.

'I'm speaking of the nighttime and potential side effects this most recent fit might bring about. I'd like to monitor Sakura prior to deciding how we will return to confront Berserker come the morrow. Is this acceptable, Archer?'

'…So be it.' The man stepped forward, nodding to Rider. 'Give the girl to her servant. I don't like the feeling this forest is giving me. Let's abandon the mission now if we're going to.'

'Very well.' Saber took Rin into her arms.

'Ignore my drowned rat look.' Rin sighed in annoyance, the rain picking up even more.

'You're more than aware that your brilliance mocks any attempt to thwart the natural allure I feel toward your person, Rin.'

'Jeez…' The master groaned, tightening her hold around Saber's neck.

In another moment, the three pairs of masters and servants were gone from the forest that effectively protected the Einzbern's castle, only a lone, cloaked being remaining within the shadows of the foliaged space, prepared to share the titillating information he had just learned with his equally devious master.