Saber's Fate

The darkness slowly shifted; all she knew was that she was alone. Nothing. Ah…So I've finally died….But then, why am I still conscious? A whisper of wind and the abyss lightened to grey, then white. A second murmur of wind brought a light mist into the grayness, striking a memory from deep within Saber's mind. Strange, this smell, is it…a bay… the ocean? Suddenly colors flooded the world of white, making her mind whirl. Blinking, her view came into focus. Whaa? W-Where am I? Saber cringed at the bright light, squinting as the boardwalk and crystalline water further away materialized in front of her. The mist faded as she looked down at her hand, "Strange… I'm still alive!" She inhaled deeply. Now exactly wher- A sudden dash of vertigo whirled through her mind, she was back fighting Mordred, his lance piercing her side. Lying under the tree, struggling for air. Waiting for Sir Bedivere and becoming a Servant and the darkness surrounding her after the destruction of the Dark Grail. The words of her faithful knight echoed within: Can you see it, King Arthur? The continuation… of your dream? She fell against the boardwalk railing, weak from the sudden vision of her past. Her strength slowly returning, she stared at the rail till the feeling had completely passed; only then did she notice the familiar weight of her armor was gone. Staring down at her blue skirt and white blouse, she then examined her surroundings for the first time; a familiar looking bridge was just to the right of her. Can it be…? Fuyuki City?! A grin filled her face; the earth whirling around her as she spun with arms outstretched, reveling in the joy of her return to the one place she knew true happiness. Something caught her eye on the bridge, she watched for a moment, and then with a small smile, she stepped forward.

Shirou looked across the bay, thinking about the last two weeks. His fingernail absently etched the grime on the bridge railing. Looking down he read F A T E. Just thinking the word made him laugh. How ironic is it, that when you finally find something you treasure more than anything, you always lose it….a wry smile escaped him as he looked out across the city, thinking of Hercules, Archer, Rider, Shinji , Saber and the fallen and the sacrificed during the Grail War. He watched a hawk soar past the bridge and dive toward his school, lost in the thought of the many years he could have had with the girl he loved. So adsorbed was he in his sad reverie, he didn't hear the sound of boots coming near. Not after a thousand years will I forget that I loved a woman named Saber.

"Shirou!" Spinning around, Shirou felt the earth flip out from under him, dumping him on the walkway. His eyes locked onto the figure walking across the bridge. With a quirky wink, Saber smiled, trying to suppress her laughter. Shirou's eyes grew wide as he stared into the enigmatic, emerald eyes he longed for. DAMN! I must be hallucinating. Saber… Oh Saber… Saber stooped and clasped Shirou's hand: It felt real enough. He was able to stand with her help. With just a glance, Saber knew the question he yearned to ask, so she answered: "If you wish hard enough, you can always see the continuation of a dream." His dumfounded expression giving way to sheer happiness, he threw his arms around Saber, holding her closer than ever before. "It doesn't matter how you got here. I won't lose you again, not even if all the Servants in the world came to tear you away.". Hand in hand, they began walking slowly as Saber chuckled. "I wouldn't let them; your cooking is too good!" Her statement evicting Shirou's grin. "Hey… I'll make lunch early, if Tiga hasn't taken the fridge with her. Ha! I bet you'll starve her at dinner tonight… is Chazuke still your favorite?"

END