Darkness.

He opened his eyes.

More darkness.

He closed them again.

"Lancer!" Called a familiar voice. An achingly familiar voice.

He opened his eyes.

"Woman!" He screamed, "Why? Why are you here? What could you possibly want from me now?"

"Lancer…" She trailed off, her eyes pleading, hurt.

"Leave! Leave at once!"

She was frozen in place, they both were, unable to back away yet unwilling to utter a single word.

He looked up at her figure floating before him, her once injured head and body had been completely healed by what he could only presume as one of the many aspects of being dead.

"So I take it you lost." It wasn't a question.

She looked away. "Yes."

"humph." He grunted, understanding.

"Why are you here?" He asked, finally looking her in the eyes. Oh, how I've missed those eyes…He cut himself off, instantly frustrated with his humiliating train of thought.

She met his gaze. "I'm here to set you free."

"What?"

"I'm going to give you a second chance." She said, determination set in her features.

"You give me a second chance?" He asked, incredulous, and laughed hoarsely.

"You have no right to make that decision for me! You were just a distraction so that my filthy master could sign away my life! And at my own hands, no less! Ha, that bastard…he will pay for what he has done, a thousand times over!" His voice was dark, unrecognizable, his face contorted with anger.

"Lancer—"

"NO!" He said, backing away. "No…leave me—"

"Diarmuid!"

He froze, surprised.

"Diarmuid, First Knight of Fianna," she said, "surely you do not hate me so that you would wish it to end like this, in shame and betrayal."

It was his turn to look away.

"Surely I have not misjudged you."

"WHAT?" He exclaimed, exasperated. He was through holding back. "What could you possibly do to save me? In case I am mistaken, you are down here with me, how…why would you come here?"

Her eyes softened, and she gave a small smile.

"I'm here because I choose to be. I believe in second chances—" She paused, "For both of us."

"Arturia…" For the first time in his life, Diarmuid, The First Knight of Fianna, was speechless. He gazed at her lean figure, illuminated by her own light, she glowed gently from the inside out. A long diminished fire ignited in his heart, quickly spreading throughout the rest of his body, through his arms and legs, up his neck, all the way to the tips of his toes. He clutched at his chest.

"Diarmuid?" She asked, concerned, "Are you alright?"

"pft," He chuckled, "I'm such an idiot. I just can't resist you."

Before she could say another word, he was in front of her, wrapping her in his arms.

"Lancer—"

"shhh" He said, and then more gently, "Call me by my real name."

"Diarmuid," She whispered through his shirt, and tilted her head back, "Give life a second chance."

He kissed her then, she moved to pull away, but the motion only caused him to hold on tighter.

He pulled back slightly, "Arturia," he said, a mixture of both mischief and compassion in his eyes, "I do believe you have gotten weaker."

She frowned slightly, then smiled, a broad smile so bright that it could light a fire in the hearts of men, who would no doubt fight to the death just to see it again, to feel its warmth, her warmth. But they'd never get the chance, because this smile was his. No, he thought, it does not belong to me. It is for me. Just as no sword, no saber, could be contained, not her smile nor herself could be subdued and kept for one's self. No, she was as bright as the sun, and just as powerful; too beautiful to gaze at and too intense to control. He admired her very essence, and no matter how much he loved her, he knew it was up to her to decide their fate.

A hand cupped his cheek, snapping him back to reality. It was small, soft, and strong, and it belonged to her.

"Diarmuid." She said gently, yet firm enough as to leave no room for objection, "Give life a second chance. Give me a second chance—"

She had barely finished her sentence before his lips crushed against hers. This kiss, unlike their first, was passionate, desirous, frightening, and beautiful all at the same time. And for the first time in her life, Arturia gave into it completely.

The moment seemed to last all of a few seconds, and all of a lifetime. It was hard to tell which. When they finally broke apart, Arturia gently stepped out of his embrace, her sword, Excalibur, formed in the base of her hand. She looked up at him and said, "It is time. Summon Gae Dearg. We must do this together." He nodded once, and silently summoned his crimson spear.

Arturia extended her sword, "Place your tip against mine," she instructed. "We must combine and release our power towards that spot," She said, pointing to a faint grey mark floating just above their heads, "it is the weakest point of this realm, we can create an opening and escape through there. Though there is no telling what awaits us on the other side." Looking back at him she said. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

The corners of his mouth lifted, "Where better to be than fighting beside the King of Knights?"

"We may not be reborn in the same time period, let alone as humans." She warned.

"I'll take my chances. Besides, anything's better than this hell hole." He said, and touched the tip of his spear to hers.

"Do you trust me?" She asked.

"I trust you."

And together they disappeared in a flash of black and white light.