I own nothing

I, Emiya Shirou, are currently being assaulted by a lance-wielding man.

The reason? It must be because I saw his fight against that red guy. I wondered if I had involed myself in some mafia business.

"You should give up, kid. And I'll give you a painless death."

"...Nice offer. But I don't wanna die right now so, no thanks."

What options do I have now?

Running? It's impossible. He's much more faster than me.

Hiding? Not a good choice, either. Same reason above.

Fighting back? I don't think I'll last long but… Okay, fighting back. If I can't win by strength, I'll win by strategy. With that thought, I ready my weapon, which is paper reinforced by my magecraft.

This is not a good weapon, but I don't have anything else at the moment. I have a katana but I put it in my room, and I don't think he'll let me get it.

"You choose to fight, huh. Okay, show me what you can do."

He jumps at me with an impressive speed. I respond by jump out of the room, into the backyard.

He chases after me, but the moment he steps on the ground.

BOOM!

I detonate the mine in the ground. I have about 10 of this things, but I only plant 3. Sakura and Fuji-nee usually come to my house so I don't want them to accidentally hit it.

"Did it get him?"

My question is answer when the man steps out, completely unharmed.

"Nice bait, kid. But if you want to wound me by this, you need to have enough fire-power to destroy a building."

That much! It seems he's not joking around. And he said 'wound', not 'kill'. Is this guy even human?

"Anything else, kid. If you don't, then here I come!"

He thrust his spear at my heart. I have predicted this beforehand, so I swing my weapon to deflect it. But he suddenly dissappears and reappears behind me, and kicks me in the gut. I cross my arms to guard, the impact sends my crashing into the storehouse.

"Guh…!"

"This is disappointing. Well, it's my fault to expect from a normal magus."

He casually walks to me.

"You're quick-witted, kid. Maybe you're the 7th."

He said somethings uncomprehendedly.

"But no matter, this is the end."

So this's where I die.

No, I can't die, not like this. I REFUSE TO DIE!

Suddenly, a light burst out behind me. From the light, a figure jumps out and intercepts my attacker.

It's a beautiful blond hair girl. Her beauty makes me stunned for a few seconds.

"I ask you… Are you my Master?"

"I ask you… Are you my Master?"

"…Master? What're you-"

"Our contract is now complete. I, Servant Saber, will engage the enemy Servant, Master."

She moves faster than I can think.

The knightly girl leaps out of the shed without hesitation.

"…!"

I get up and follow the girl, forgetting the pain in my body.

There's no way that girl will be a match for him.

Even armored like that, she is a girl smaller than me.

"Wai-!"

My words are silenced by the sound.

"What…?"

I can't believe in my eys.

This time, my head really goes blank.

"What is she?"

The sound of weapons.

The moon is hidden behind the clouds and the yard has returned to its original darkness.

In it, sparks are born from steel hitting steel.

The lance-wielding man wordlessly attacks the girl who jumped out of the shed.

But the girl parries the blow of the lance and knock away all following attacks, driving the guy back with every blow.

"…"

I… can't believe it.

The girl called Saber is overpowering that man.

The man's lance is thrown with even more power than before.

But…

The girl parries it with the "thing" in her hands and closes in on the man.

"Damn…!"

The man retreats a bit.

He holds his lance vertically to protect his ribs as the girl goes for them.

"Guh…!"

In each of the girl's blow is a terrible amount of magical energy.

The outrageous amount of magical energy is penetrating the opponent's weapon just by touching it.

Every time the girl swings, the yard is filled with light.

This is not a fight between normal humans. And the fighters are monster in the shape of human.

I'm a little angry that that bastard was holding back when fighting with me.

"Coward, what are you doing, hiding your weapon…!"

The man complains while avoiding the girl's fierce attacks.

"…"

The girl doesn't answer, but only attacks even more with the things in her hands...!

"You…!"

The man retreats with not even a chance to counterattack.

That's only natural.

Because the girl's weapon is invisible.

As he cannot sense her range, it would be careless to attack recklessly.

The girl definitely has "something" in her hands.

As you can't see what shape it is nor how long it is, you can't tell anything about it.

But from what I have seen so far, I'm sure that "thing" is a sword. The way she attacks gives me an image of a sword, even its range.

Their distance opens.

The two stare at each other silently.

"What's wrong, Lancer?

It would not do your name credit if you just stand there. If you will not come, I will."

Lancer? What kind of name is that? He uses a lance so his name is Lancer? Seriously?

"Let me ask you this first.

Your weapon, is it a sword?"

It seems the man has figured out her weapon, like I did.

"Who knows?

It might be an axe or it might be a spear. It might even be a bow, Lancer."

"Heh, interesting, Saber."

Lancer lowers his lance. It look likes he is indicating that he doesn't want to fight anymore.

But I know that stance.

I had seen it in that fight a few hours ago in the schoolyard.

It's the fatal move that was supposed to have ended the show.

"I'll ask this since this is out first meeting. Do you want to call it even?"

"I refuse. You will fall here, Lancer!"

The girl answers not missing any beats.

"I see. Geez, all I wanted to do was check things out, you know?"

It's exacly like back then. The magical energy rumbles in a whirlpool, centered on that lance.

He readies to unleash his ultimate move. This is not good.

But this is also my chance.

Taking the pistol I hide in my storehouse, I aim at Lancer's head.

I know this will not do anything to him, but I can make an opening for the girl as he is focus all his attention on her.

"If it comes to this, I'll take that heart of yours!"

At that moment.

"Gae…"

I fire my pistol.

"Bolg-"

The bullet hit him in the temple, not doing any damage as expected. But it's enough to distract him.

"What the-"

"Saber, now!" I shouted.

Like obey an order, the girl lunges forward and delivers a blow with all her might, as if smashing him down…!

Unfortunately, with a unbelievable reflex, he evades it. But he didn't evade it completely as a large wound appear on his body.

"Damn! Good plan, kid. Catch me off guard likes that."

"Gae Bolg… you are Ireland's man of light!"

Lancer frowns.

His hostility disappears and he clucks his tongue in annoyance.

"…I screwed up, huh. Indentity found out and wounded. It seems tonight is not my lucky night."

The pressure goes away.

Lancer turns his back and moves to the edge of the yard.

"I want to continuing our fight… but unfortunately, my Master is a coward. He's telling me to go back since my real name is discovered."

"…..Are you running away, Lancer?"

"Yeah. I don't mind if you come after me, Saber.

Just be prepared to die when you do."

With one bound.

Lancer easily jumps over the wall and disappears.

"Wait, Lancer…!"

"I think you should answer some of my questions first." I approached the girl and said.

I know she helped me but she is a strange being. I can't let my guard down until I know what she is.

"Who are-?"

"Why were you so reckless?"

She cut me in before I can finish my sentence. Her face is serious.

"What do you mean?"

"It's when you shoot Lancer. Why did you do that? Do you know you could get killed?"

"That, huh. Doesn't it work out perfectly?

And don't say it is reckless. It is all my plan."

"Plan or not, please restrain doing this from now on."

"Okay, okay, I get it. So let's get back to the topic.

Who are you?"

"…? What do you mean? I am Servant Saber.

You summoned me, so I don't think you should need to confirm it."

The girl answers in a quiet voice.

"Servant Saber, you say...?"

"Yes, so please call me Saber."

She replies without hesitation.

"So, what is a Servant? I don't think you mean a lackey, right?"

"You are not a formal Master, correct?"

"Huh…?" Another strange word comes out.

"But you are still my Master. As long as we have made a contract, I will not betray you. There is no need for you to be cautious."

"Uh…?"

She found out, huh. I don't want to offend her so I pretend to be natural, but it seems to be futile.

Back to the situation, her words make no sense to me.

All I know is that I am her "Master" and she is my "Servant". I think these words have deeper meaning.

"First, stop calling me 'Master'. My name is Emiya Shirou."

I think she slightly surprise when she heard my name. Does she know me?

"Then I shall call you Shirou. Yes, I like the sound of that better."

Did she just call me by my first name on our first meeting?

"Why are you calling me-

Ouch…!"

Pain suddenly runs through my left hand.

The back of my hand is burning.

My hand feels like it is in a fire, and on it is a strange mark that looks like a tattoo.

"What the…"

"That is called a Command Spell, Shirou.

It is the three claims on a Servant's obedience, and the life of a Master. Please do not use it thoughtlessly."

"I always think carefully before doing anything. And you still didn't answer my-."

Before I can finish with "question", the air around her changes. It's like when she fight that Lancer before.

"Is it an enemy?"

"Yes, I shall face them now.

There are two enemies outside. Judging by their presence, it should only take a few second to defeat them."

Saying so, Saber jumps lightly.

Like Lancer, she leaps over the wall and disappears outside.

"Hey, wait!

Geez, this girl. Only do what she want."

I run to the gate with full force, unlock it, and jump outside.

I search through the dark.

The moon is hidden, now of all times, and it is completely dark.

But…

I hear something nearby.

"There…!"

I run to the small road and caught the sight of Saber.

She is confronting a familiar guy in red.

Saber runs at the man in red with one blow, and…

"Stop, Saber!"

I shout, and she stops immediately. I am really her "Master".

"Why did you stop me, Shirou? This is a chance to take them down!"

"Of course I have to stop you.

What the hell are you thinking, leaving me like that to go fighting.

You should explain everything to me first."

"You shouldn't demand something like that when facing an enemy."

"It's your fault that we have to face another enemy. And I don't care. I hate being left in the dark."

The two of us stare at each other until I hear a familiar voice.

"Uhm, so you are an amateur right?"

We break our staring contest and look at the one who is talking.

"But first, good evening, Emiya-kun?"

"Tohsaka…?"

It's none other than Tohsaka Rin, the school idol.

Ater out meeting, Tohsaka starts explaining to me about what I had involved myself in. And it seems that Saber is not in her good shape because of not being proper summoned.

She says the priest is the one who know about Holy Grail War the most.

So I, Tohsaka and Saber are now going to the Fuyuki Church.

"Why do you look at me like that, Shirou?"

Saber asks me. The reason why I look at her is because she is wearing a YELLOW RAINCOAT right now.

"Saber, I know you want to hide your amour. But you fail badly at that, you know. That raincoat only make you more noticeable."

"…What!? I only want to hide my armour, so it's not a problem."

Saber says that but her flushed face says otherwise, though. Even Tohsakais giggling at the corner.

After a few minutes walking, I can see the church.

It is magnificent. The whole top of the hill must be the church's land as a flat field welcomes me as soon as I reach the top.

"Shirou, I will remain here."

"Huh? Why?"

"I did not come for the church. I followed to protect you. If your destination is the church, you should not go any farther, so I shall wait here for your return."

Saber says clearly. But to me, it is somewhat suspicious. It seems she hide many things from me, not just her real name. The only thing I know is she had been summoned before.

I can always use 1 Command Seal to make her speak, but that is not worth it. I think she had some past with the priest here.

"All right. Then I'll be going."

Inside the church is a man, which I assume is the priest.

"Is he the one?"

"Right. He is a magus, but he is pretty much a beginner, so I bring him here.

I believe it was the rules to report here when one becomes a Master, right?"

"Very well. Then I must thank this young man."

The priest slowly turns to me.

This guy, I feel something very wrong about him. And my intuition tells me that someone is watching us in the dark.

"I am Kotomine Kirei, the one entrusted with this church.

What is your name, seventh Master?"

"Emiya Shirou."

"Emiya-Shirou."

The priest slowly smiles as if he has met someone pleasant.

"Then let's start. Emiya Shirou, you are Saber's Master, correct?"

"Yes. I don't know anything about this Holy Grail War thing. So I hope you will explain to me all of it"

After a few minutes

"Okay, I have gotten the gist. But I still have some questions?"

"Oh, and what is it?"

"How many times this thing has occurred?"

"Up until now, there had been four War, this is the fifth."

"That many?! Then what happened to the last war."

"It is an event that everybody in this town known about.

Fire hundred killed or wounded. A hundred and thirty four buildings burned down. That inferno, still unexplained, is the remains of the Holy Grail War."

That confirmed it. I know there was something about the incident ten years ago.

"The last question. The winner of the Holy Grail War will have a wish, right? Is it the Master or the Servant?"

"Both. The Servant summoned to the Holy Grail also wish for it, so both will be granted a wish."

"Okay, I'm good now."

"If you don't have any more questions then, Emiya Shirou. Tell me your decision as to if you want to join this battle, the Holy Grail War, now."

"I already have my answer, I will…"

"I will join this battle as a Master. I'm in your care, Saber."

"Yes, as long as your Command Seals are still on your body, I will be your blade."

With this, we shake hands. I think we will make a good team.

"Let's go. We're going the same way until we get back to town."

Saying that, Tohsaka starts walking.

Following after her, we leave the church as well.

The three of us descend the hill together.

"I have something important to talk to you."

I turn to Tohsaka, who makes a confused face.

"Huh? What is it?"

"Do you have a wish that you want to be granted as well, Tohsaka?"

"You do know that we are enemies, right? But okay, I will tell you. I don't have any wishes."

"Huh? Then why participates in this?"

"I only want to be recognized as the winner of the Holy Grail War. That is my duty as a Tohsaka."

"Good. Then, do you want to form an alliance?"

I says, surprise both Tohsaka and Saber.

"What are you saying, Shirou?"

Saber shouts to me.

"Yeah, as she said."

Tohsaka as well. Do I speak to low?

"Okay, do you want to form an alliance?"

I repeat, this time with louder voice.

"That is not what I mean. Why do you want to form an alliance with me?"

"There are 3 reasons:

First, this will increase our chance to win. Although Saber is not at full power, she can still fight effectively. Two servants are still better than one, correct?

Second, it is to ensure my survival. I'm an amateur so obviously, they will target me first. With you, I can survive this more easily.

Finally, you don't have to worry about us fighting each other. Because I will let you win."

This surprises both Tohsaka and Saber, again.

"What are you saying? Do you want to surrender?"

Saber angrily says, Tohsaka wants to say the same as well, it seems.

Well, I just said I will join this battle a few seconds ago, and now I said I will let someone else win. She has the right to feel angry.

"Then let me ask you, Saber. Why do you fight in this War?"

"Of course to get the Grail, is there any other reasons?!"

"Then why do want to get the Grail?"

"Isn't it obvious, I have a wish that needs to be done."

"That is the point. Tohsaka don't have any wishes, so she will wish yours when she wins. And Tohsaka will have the title of the winner of the Holy Grail War as well. It is a fair deal, isn't it?"

Tohsaka and Saber's eyes wide open at this. They are completely loss at words. It seems they don't expect me to say this.

"So what do you think, Tohsaka? I want your answer right-"

"-Hey, have you finished talking?"

A yound voice echoes through the night.

The voice like a song is unmistakably that of a young girl.

My vision is drawn to the top of the hill.

There. A long shadow

"-Berserker"

Tohsaka mumbles a word.

I don't even need to ask. That thing is definitely a Servant. And he is very dangerous. Much more dangerous than Lancer.

"Good evening, Onii-chan. It's the second time we've met like this."

The girl smiles as she says so.

It is that girl. The one that warned me to summon something two days ago.

And then, the girl lifts the sides of her skirt and bows unsuitably for this situation.

"Nice to meet you, Rin. I am Illya. Illyasviel von Einzbern. You know the Einzbern right?"

"Einzbern…"

Tohsaka's body moves slightly as she seems to recognize that name.

"This is bad.

In term of skill, that guy is a lot better than Saber.

No, he can even fight against six Servants at the same time."

I know he is strong, but that strong huh.

"Archer, attack by the way of your class."

"What about defense?"

"Saber will do it. Emiya-kun, we will form an alliance right now."

"Good. Ready to engage, Saber."

"Roger."

Archer go back. It seems he will attack from afar while Saber will hold him here.

"Are you done talking?

Then I will begin. Kill them all, Berserker."

She orders the thing behind her, as if she's singing.

The larger body flies through the air.

The thing called Berserker comes flying down the whole distance from the top of the hill.

"Shirou, stay back!"

But before he can land, a rain of arrows fly down and push him back, an explosion engulfs him-. But he is completely unharmed.

"Impossible… No effect."

Tohsaka says surprise by this.

Not stop at that, Berserker, with a speed I cannot see, lunges at me. He swings his sword high, prepare to smash me to pieces.

Saber runs, her raincoat comes off. She runs in front of me and stops Berserker's great sword with her invisible weapon.

Saber draws her sword back and unleashes a powerful blow, which makes Berserker jumps back a few meters.

Saber jumps at him. She then delivers many strikes. Even though her weapon is invisible, Berserker parries all of it at ease, like he can see her weapon.

Saber jumps back, their distance opens.

"Shoot, Archer!"

Tohsaka says, and an arrow flies through the sky, hits Berserker directly.

But just like the last time, not even a scratch.

"What is this guy body made of?!"

Saber and Berserker continue trading blow.

The gray figure swings its giant sword as if it's the only thing it knows how to do.

Saber doesn't have the time to dodge it and blocks it with her sword.

Each of Berserker's attacks is a fatal one that must be blocked with all her might.

Therefore, Saber has to stay on defense.

But I won't last long.

"Saber, opens the distance. Tohsaka, shoot arrows again."

I shouts to both of them.

"Don't you see that it do not have any effect?!"

"Just do it!"

With this, Saber jumps away. Berserker tries to go after her but a rain of arrows interrupt him, force him to deflect it.

Although some arrows hit him, they don't do any damage to him at all.

"You should just give up, Onii-chan. Even with two Servants, you can't win."

"You're very confident in your Servant, Illya."

"Yes, Berserker is the strongest. Because he is the greatest hero of Greece, Heracles."

"Heracles you say!"

Tohsaka shouts worryingly.

But I grin. All the cards have been gathered.

"Why are you grinning like that, Onii-chan?"

Illya asks, confused by my expression.

"Because today is the day the great hero will fall."

"You think you can defeat my Berserker."

"Just you wait and see."

"Saber, do you think you can kill that thing in one strike."

I talk to Saber through telepathy. The priest has confirmed the Master and Servant can communicate like this without letting anyone else hear the conversation.

"I think I can if get a clean hit."

"Good. Then we will use the same strategy like the time with Lancer."

"I refuse. It's too reckless. With an enemy like this, I cannot let you enter the batterfield."

"Not me. Archer will creat an opening for you."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Try to keep distance with Berserker. And when I give a signal, blow up all of his left side."

"I understand. I believe in you, Shirou."

I end the conversation and turn to Tohsaka.

"Tohsaka, I have a plan."

IIIIIII

"Are you ready, Tohsaka?"

"Yeah, you better make this work."

"Good. Now,… GO!"

Understand my signal, Saber gathers a huge amount of prana into her weapon and leaps forward.

Seeing that, Berserker lunges at her. At that moment.

"TOHSAKA!"

Hearing that, an arrow comes flying at Berserker head.

And as I had expected. Berserker is distracted by this and uses his gigantic sword to parry it, leaving an opening to Saber.

But something unexpected happen. Berserker has caught her weapon.

But Saber still not give up. With her strength, she push the sword forward.

"Hahhhhh…!"

A golden light emit from the sword. A huge amount of prana burst out, destroy Berserker left side and tear through the air.

"There it is, hahh…!"

I reinforce my arm and throw the gems I borrow from Tohsaka into the sky. They land perfectly into Berserker body.

"Phew, mission succeed."

"I can't believe it works. It seems we got lucky."

Tohsaka says but I don't agree.

"It's no luck. I know Berserker will get distracted. But I don't expect he could catch Saber sword. It almost give me an heart attack there."

"How can you know this, anyway?"

"Do you remember when I told you to shoot arrows?"

"Yes, so what?"

"Archer has shot him three times.

The first and third time he deflects it. But the second time he let it hit him.

Strange, right? If the arrows are useless, why bother parry it?"

"Why?"

"The answer is he will parry the arrows if he is moving. So by forcing him to that situation, an opening will be created.

"Isn't it just your guess?! What if he ignores the arrow, or dodges it?"

"He won't dodge. Because Illya wants to show off her Servant's power to us. I get it in our conversation. And I bet 80% that he won't ignore the arrow. But no matter, my plan works out perfectly, isn't it?"

"Geez, I can't believe I listen to you… Hey, there's something wrong."

"What?"

"Why Berserker still not disappears? If a Servant is killed, he/she will disappear immediately. So why?"
"So he can really do it, huh. Get away from there, Saber!"

Hearing my order, Saber jumps away.

And then, Berserker stands up. His wound start to heal. After a few seconds, all of his wound disappear, just like it is not even there in the first place.

"I can't believe you can take one of Berserker's live, Onii-chan. I'm impressed."

Unbeknownst to her, I already predict it.

Even with a servant this strong, it's too reckless to fight two Servants at once. So this guy must have some trump card hidden.

And this is what I thought, a Noble Phantasm that can heal the user, or let him revive after death. This explain why Illya is pretty confident and recklessly let that mad dog running wild.

My plan has two steps. First, creat an opening for Saber to destroy his left side. Second, put the gems I borrow from Tohsaka into Berserker left chest to kill him again if he can return to life by destroy his heart from the inside. Of course I have told this to Tohsaka as well.

"I had fun enough, so I will let you live. Bye bye, Onii-chan."

With that, the girl leaves. Her figure disappears into the darkness.

Tohsaka wants to say something but I stop her.

"Let her leave, Tohsaka."

I don't know how many time he can resurrect. I threw six gems into his body. If it is not enough, then we are screwed. It seems Tohsaka wants to retort but no words left her mouth.

With this, my first night in the Holy Grail War ended.