Fate/ Stay Night:

Chain Reactions of Fate

Ch. 10

"I thought it was necessary for me to become king. But what do I want to do once I become a good king?" — Mordred (Fate/ Apocrypha)

I hopped off the bus and made my way toward the large and somewhat imposing stadium. Thankfully for me, there weren't many people around meaning I was clear from having a possible attack, hopefully. Sadly, as I made my way into the building after just paying to get in I was greeted with… "And with that, the tournament has concluded with Homurahara Academy as the winners!"

Whelp, shit. Can't say I didn't try. Even though the tournament was over, I still decided to head inside anyway. As I did so, I saw people getting up and leaving the bleachers and the different teams filing back to the lockers. At this point, knowing that'll I'll have to wait for Saya to come back, I decided it'd be best if I waited outside as going through this large group of people was less than ideal for me given the circumstances.

I decided to go rest close to one of the doors.. "So, Daisuke what are you going to do about your cousin's 'gracious,' offer?" I sighed, surprisingly finding comfort in the fact that I wasn't the only that this was weighing heavily on, even though at the end of the day, it would be my decision that would affect the outcome of how this Grail war would play out for the both of us.

"I-I don't know. I don't want to think that at some point we'll be double-crossed but at the same time…" I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "I don't know if this sounds foolish or not, but before I make any sort of commitment to anything I'd at least like to see who the last master turns out to be…" I said.

For what feels like a minute there is a long stretch of unperturbed silence. Making me feel as if my thoughts may be too unguided for being an amateur, only for Archer's next words to prove me wrong and renew a bit of hope in me that I'm more cut out to be a master and I first originally thought. "It's interesting, when I first found myself being summoned again for the Grail Wars once more, I was more than skeptical of who my master was, what kind of ideals they held. Were they similar to my own or were they so radically different that I'd find myself not caring and just doing as my master said until we either won or both perished. By no means did I expect to get summoned by my last master's son. Not only that but get the chance to see how similar they are in terms of they don't give themselves enough credit in their brilliance at times."

I would be lying if I said I wasn't taken aback. "Archer, do you—" but he stopped me, "I don't say things I don't mean on a whim. Daisuke you're like your mother in more ways than you realize don't overestimate your brilliance, understand?"

"T-Thanks Archer."

At the same time, I got lucky in the fact that I noticed Saya and her family walking out. "Saya, wait up!" I call hoping she'll hear my voice and hopefully turn around and notice as I began walking toward her. She does as she stops and turns around at the sound of her voice begin called, I ultimately found myself stopping as well, but for an entirely different reason altogether.

Damn it, she was beautiful. I was pretty sure that she got her looks from her mother without question. "D-Daisuke, what are you doing here?" She asked. While I'd normally answer without any hesitation, her beauty still had me still stunned for words. Her hair was fixed identical to her mother's, yet it managed to frame her face perfectly with her soft brown orbs. The add to her was the archery gi. It was simple, yet effective in every way.

"Y-Yeah… I, uh… Hey…" My voice trailed off. Why was she leaving me speechless? It's not like we'd never talked, we were childhood friends damn it!

"Hmm…" Archer chuckled. "S-Shut up, Archer," I grumbled. He only laughed more. Archer, however, wasn't the only that seemed to find this interaction be amusing as I could see aunt Arturia and uncle Shiro chuckling. While Saya's aunt wasn't chuckling outright, her face did look be amused by this situation.

"Isn't there something you want to say to him Saya?" her aunt chiming in. Hearing her aunts words Saya's began to tint to a rosy red. "A-Aunt Illya!" she stammered turning to her aunt and giving a soft glare in retaliation.

"Would… Do you want to come home and eat dinner with us? We can call your mom and Sakura over," she said.

After a small moment of silence, I'm able to find my voice. "Y-Yeah, sure…" I said.

"Well, come on," she said smiling as she starts walking away. It doesn't take long for me to fall into step beside her. "So… how was the tournament…" I say striking a conversation this time with ease as we make our way back to the Emiya household.

Fate/stay night

A hearty yawn escapes my lips as I prepare myself for bed. As I'm about to turn off the light and call it a night, my eyes catch a glimpse of a leather-bound book resting on my desk. "Oh, yeah…" I murmured. I pull the covers off my body, swinging my legs on the edge of the bed, hopping up and walking to my desk and grabbing the book and making my way back to bed.

I pulled the covers promptly back over myself before opening the book to its next entry.

February 13, 1980

I've gotten closer with some of the other kids here on the island, but they still are too superstitious to want to even attempt come to my house to play, no matter how many times I've told them what my father and I are doing isn't something to be afraid of. They seem to be so convinced in what I'm pretty sure their parents have fed to them that it's impossible to sway them to believe otherwise.

My dad's research is still stagnant as ever with no chance of diminishing or progressing. Again, I pester and pester him to let me help, but once again, he ignores me.

Things seemed like that they'd continue that way forever, at least not until Shirley came. She's the first ever person that lived on this island that wasn't scared of science and saw it as superstitious "thing," to be afraid of. Which, surprisingly worked out for my father, who just so happened to be scouting Shirley for her brilliance at apparently being the first person at age 13 to have a master's degree of all things.

Yeah, I know that sounds hard to believe, but it is true. Shirley even told me herself, while also being somewhat embarrassed by it. Is...is it wrong that I think that I kinda—

Whatever he wanted to write here he seemed to have deliberately crossed out himself. Only to continue to a different sentence and topic entirely. Even though I think I understood what he was trying to say Even if he was too embarrassed to write it.

Shirley helps a lot with my dad's work which I envy to an extent as no matter how many times I beg he always says no, but Shirley didn't even have to ask. Still when Shirley isn't helping my dad with his experiment, which also thanks to Shirley's help my dad realized that imbuing flowers with the formula he created you could produce something to possibly react positively to the 'time manipulation'.

Now we had glowing potted flowers that my dad was currently testing on and off. Besides that, though, Today Shirley took me to a cliff hangout where we hung out with the rest of the guys today. Thankfully, I didn't have to introduce Shirley to anyone as she already knew the guys. In fact, it was pretty much to the opposite, they were all coming up to Shirley asking about what she did for us. They were all being utterly annoying if you ask me. Shirley being the nice person she was, only told them bits and pieces. Cleaning, groceries … the smaller things, which if you think about it technically wasn't a lie, but thankfully they seemed satisfied with that. Still, my guts always twist up when I see other people talk to Shirley and it's not me.

Anyway, I should probably head to bed. Shirley and I have to do some important task for dad tomorrow and I don't want to miss it.

The page ends there. If she got one thing from this particular page in the journal, it was that whomever Kerry was they really had quite a crush on Shirley. "I wonder if Kerry ever told her how he felt?' well, if they did, that would have to wait for another day was the droopiness in my eyes and body was too taxing to ignore. And so, once I put the book down I drifted off to sleep.

Fate/ Stay night

Breakfast happened like normal, with Fuji-nee popping by much to aunt Illya's surprise as she hadn't seen her in quite some time. Aunt Illya was also rather surprised to learn that age hadn't slowed Fuji-nee one bit as she was just as hyperactive and loud as she'd always been. Sakura, Aunt Rin and by extension. Daisuke also stopped by, but then again, we had school this morning, so it wasn't really a surprise. Once I ate breakfast, I grabbed the lunch my dad went through the trouble to make, even though I told him plenty of times that I'd be fine with the school food, he insisted. I guess dad really liked cooking no matter what. I mean he was a chef at one of the most popular restaurants downtown, so…

As Daisuke and I were about to leave, I was stopped by my mom much to my confusion. "Saya?" she's said as I slipped my foot into my shoe. "yes, mom?" I looked past my mom for a second to see a glimpse Fuji-nee chatting animatedly with Aunt Illya. She did realize we did have school this morning, right? I sighed, a small smile rested on my lips before focusing my attention back to my mom. "Do you mind stopping by the training school after school is over, there's a lesson I need to teach, and I could really use a hand with a demonstration partner," she explained.

"Yeah, I don't really have anything to do after school so I'm all yours," I said. My mom smiled, "thank you, Saya."

I smiled back.

"Now you best get going, otherwise you'll be late," she reminds both of us. Daisuke and I say our final goodbyes as we make our leave. "don't forget Fuji-nee you are our teacher. I don't think being late is such a good idea," I called out.

"Ah, oh, crap!" we heard Fuji-nee exclaim as Daisuke and I let out a chuckle. As we continued making our way toward the gate, we were blindsided by a rough rush of dust and a "See you at school you two," as Fuji-nee flew past us like a speck on the wind.

"Yep, age really hasn't slowed her down," Daisuke commented. Only for me to reply with a resounding, "Yep."

As we continued the trek to school we were greeted by someone either of us expected, "Hey you two, wait up!" we stopped. Not because they asked, but we could've sworn our ears weren't playing tricks on us. "Hey, Saya did you hear that?" Daisuke questioned just as unsure as I was. "I think I did, but we have to be hearing things wrong, right?" I said back. We glanced at each other before both giving a nod that it was okay to turn around. Low and behold, we weren't being tricked. It was truly the last person we'd expected. Ryouji Matou.

"Morning you two," he greeted as we both stood there silent at these sudden turns of events. "Well aren't you two gonna say anything, geez!" he exclaimed.

"Uh… Hi?" I replied confused by this sudden interaction.

"Yeah… Hey," Daisuke replied. Ryouji sighed, "You two are the worst."

I gave a short laugh, "Can you blame us? You're the one coming to us. That… That like never happens."

"Yeah, well don't—" he started to say only to stop himself. "look, let just get going, alright?" Ryouji walked right in between us. At the same time, Daisuke and I gave each other confused glances before deciding it was best to not question it for now and just head on to school with this newly added company.

Little did neither us realize this wouldn't be the only weird thing to transpire today. Far from it.

[10 minutes into walking...]

"So… How have ya been, Ryouji?" I ask in hopes to spark some conversation between the three instead of riding on this current wind of dead air. "Fine, I guess," I was surprised once more as Ryouji was usually one to shut down conversations before they started but for him to answer automatically was… I stopped, catching both boys off guard. "Saya?" Daisuke questioned confused. I walked in front of Ryouji giving him a soft pout.

"W-What?" He asked. I placed a hand on his forehead. "W-What the hell are you doing?" He stammered a small blush on his cheeks as he was caught off guard by this sudden interaction. His head didn't seem hot which made me relieved. "Good, you don't have a fever," I said smiling.

"Yeah, why would I?" he exclaimed.

"I don't know this whole scenario seems weird, so I… thought you might have a fever?" I let out a soft chuckle. Ryouji scowled, pulling his head from my hand. "You're still weird as ever, Saya," he said as he continued to walk ahead of both Daisuke and I. "Geez, thanks for caring Saya," I grumble sending a soft glare at his back. Daisuke placed a soft hand on my shoulder. "Don't let it bother you, Saya. Let's just keep moving."

"Yeah," I replied.

While Ryouji left me annoyed. It didn't last long as soon as we got closer to the school there was some sort of somewhat of a large crowd gathering for one reason or another. "What's going on?" I questioned, I glanced over at Daisuke Who seemed just as lost and confused as I was. "Who knows. Let's Check it out though." I nodded as I followed behind Daisuke. It seemed that Ryouji was already one step ahead of us as we could see him making his way into the crowd. As the Two of us got closer, while we still didn't have the luxury of seeing what was going on, we heard it.

"P-Please just leave me alone," a soft female sounding voice pleaded.

"But why? This is how we greet new freshman. Come on, please?" coaxed another voice which sounded like a male voice.

"N-No, please. I really need to get to class."

"Aw, c'mon. You can miss a bit of class, can't you?"

"N-no, please, anyone help!" The female voice cried. At this point, Daisuke and I had heard enough. We pushed our way through the crowd the glares and insults we received from people just watching did nothing to affect us as we continued to charge forward. Once we reached the epicenter of the commotion we were surprised to see that it was between what seemed to be an upperclassman and Asuna?!

"C'mon don't make me look like a fool in front of everyone," the upperclassman replied in a low growl. The upperclassman roughly tugged on Asuna's wrist. "No!" Asuna tried to pull her wrist out the upperclassmen's grip but he just wouldn't let go.

"She said "no" are you deaf or do you just enjoy picking on people below you?" I questioned grabbing his arm yanking it off and glaring at the upperclassmen, status be damned. "Who the hell are you!"

"Her friend and I suggest you let her go," I stated.

"Yeah? You and what—" before he could even pose the question, Daisuke popped in between the three of us. "Dude, stop," Daisuke warned. "and who the hell are you? Some Knight in shining armor?" he said glaring daggers at the three of us. "Something like that."

This annoyed the boy to no end, but he had better things to do with his time at this point. He knew when to back down. He sucked his teeth glaring daggers at us before turning sharply on his heel and heading toward the school. This pretty much told everyone that was standing around expecting some sort of show to break out that what they thought they were going to get clearly wasn't going to happen and they began to disperse.

God, people could be the worst at times. Watching someone get hurt instead of acting. I understood not wanting to get involved and possibly cause more trouble, not everyone needed to be a 'hero' so to speak, but it still sickened me to a fault.

"Hey, are you okay?" Daisuke's question of worry pierces my ears causing me to focus on the current situation at hand. "Yeah, are you alright, Asuna. I know that's not the best kind of introduction given this is your first week at school," I said giving a short laugh

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to you two."

"No prob, what are friends for?" I replied smiling. Asuna smiled back at the both of us. "We should probably head to class, we don't need Fuji-nee chewing us out," Daisuke reminded. "Yeah, let's go," I said. From this point, we stuck to Asuna like glue, not enough to be overbearing, but just enough to let anyone thinking it was okay to mess with her a no-go.

Before any of us realized it, lunch reared its head. I watched as Daisuke shot up out of his seat like a bullet shooting out a gun and making his way out of the classroom. "Be back in a bit!" he called. "Good luck," I called pulling out my boxed lunch from inside my desk. "S-Saya where is Daisuke going?" she asked curiously as she to pulled out her lunch box. "Oh, he's going to get bread from the bakery. One thing to learn even whenever you don't have your lunch is its best to get to the bakery early, otherwise… Things can be really bad…"

"Oh… Bad? What do you mean by—" Asuna started to say, but I cut her off as a way to answer her question. "Last time Daisuke went to go get food, he came back with bruises and a black eye." As I said this, I noticed Asuna's face seemed pale at this news. "Don't worry, you should've seen the other guy. Daisuke and food aren't to be messed with," I smirked.

"O-Oh…" she replied giving a small smile.

I pulled off the cover of my food and grabbed my chopsticks and began chowing down. It didn't take long for Asuna to follow suit. We both continued to eat in a comfortable silence. "I'm… Back!" Daisuke's voice sounded ragged as it hit both I and Asuna's ears as we looked up from our food and saw Daisuke looking like someone ruffled his feathers pretty good. "Did you manage to get any—" I started to ask, Daisuke then showed a Corcette sandwich, Apan bread, and milk in his hand.

"Yep." he smiled warmly. I felt my heart skip a beat and my cheeks heating. 'Please don't be blushing, don't be—'

"Hey, Saya, you alright? Your face seems a little red." Daisuke placed a hand on my forehead. "I-I… W-Wha… Wha…" but the words refused to fall from my lips. "I-I gotta… Bathroom!" I stammered out as I bolted up from my seat and without a response headed to the bathroom.

Fate/Stay Night

"W-What just happened?" I commented confused as I slowly lowered my hand onto the desk. I glanced at Asuna. I notice her shrink under my gaze slightly. "Maybe she's not feeling well?" Asuna commented. I shrugged as I grabbed my sandwich and began pulling the wrapping off and taking a hearty bite. "Delicious!" I moaned in delight as the sandwich flavors and spices invaded my mouth.

Asuna and I continued to eat our lunch in a calm silence. Minutes continue to tick by and yet Saya has yet to return. I find myself getting worried that something terrible might have happened. It seemed I wasn't the only one that felt this way as I watched as Asuna had all but finished her food and began to stand up. "I-I'm gonna go check on Saya. She's been in the bathroom for a bit now."

"Yeah, sure," I said trying to sound as unconcerned as possible even if that's not how I externally felt. I watched as Asuna got up from her seat and headed to the bathroom. This just left me by myself. "Tohsaka, you lucky s.o.b. You really don't realize how good you have it, huh?" I looked over to see that one of my classmates, it had short brown hair and sharp black eyes, was currently looking at me with a look of sadness. I think his name was Toshio. He was part of the track team if I recall correctly. "What are you even talking about Toshio?" I replied.

"Dude, you are either the nicest dude I've ever known or the dumbest," He said as he sat down in Saya's unoccupied seat. "Gee, thanks," I said not finding his honest attempt at a joke at all amusing. Oh, did I mention Toshio is pretty much the self-appointed class clown.

"You've got two girls hanging out with you and you don't even realize how most of the guys in here would kill you to be in your shoes. Plus, Saya totally has the hots for you."

"W-what? Your jokes aren't funny, dude."

"I'm not joking."

"Y-Yeah, whatever…" I replied dismissively. "Hmm… it's official, you are stupid."

"Screw off, Toshio," I grumbled. "Look, if you want to deny what's clearly in front of your face fine by me, but if I get to Saya first don't—" for some reason hearing that irked me in ways I couldn't imagine. I gave a hard glare at Toshio, I noticed him pause in whatever witty remark he planned on using. "I'm just gonna go…" he replied rather slowly. "Yeah, you probably should," I said threateningly. Toshio got up from Saya's seat like a bat out of hell sprinting to the other side of the classroom, not even bother to spare a looking in my direction.

The annoyance at Toshio's unwanted input eventually waned out, only to be replaced by fear as now, both Saya and Asuna had yet to come back. 'What the hell was going on?" Just as I was about to react a figure out where my two friends had gone off to, my fears instantly dissipated as the door opened and Saya and Asuna walked in talking animatedly as though nothing was wrong.

"What took you guys so long," I commented as Asuna and Saya were now sitting in their original spots. "What, did you miss us?" Saya teased, I tensed, trying my best to play it off. "You wish! It's not like you'd need me anyway," I said grabbing the rest of my Corcette sandwich and stuffing it in my mouth and chewing somewhat annoyingly. "God, do you have to do that right now?" Saya rolled her eyes clearly annoyed, yet somewhat amusing by what I was doing. I always had a way of making her laugh even If she sometimes denied it.

Eventually, lunch reached its end as we settled back into the rest of our lessons for the day.

Far from telling eyes, on one of the buildings across from the school. Two figures immerse themselves in the shadows.

"And you're sure you can sense the presence of a master at this school, correct?"

"Yes, Master, I assure you. Back where I'm from I was known as a street-rat by most and had my share of luck. In fact, you could say I was 'a diamond in the rough'. So much so, I'd stake my life on it."

"Hmm… Alright, I trust you. But we will not strike now, it is best to do it when they are alone, and or if we have to, we could always use the extra mana. Possibly killing a master this early will prove to be less of a hassle later when things really begin to kick into gear, wouldn't you agree."

"Yes, as always, sir. Your brilliance knows no bounds."

"Now, now. How about we play a round of cards?"

"That sounds fun! I am not going to lose again this time."

"Hmm… we'll see about that."

Fate/Stay Night

"God, why did we get chosen cleanup duty?" Daisuke complained as he continued to wipe down the desks. "Look, I know It's not what we wanted, but the faster we clean, the faster we'll get out of here," I reminded as I swept the floor, "Plus, I've got to meet my mom for her demonstration and I really don't want to be late."

"Yeah, Yeah," I heard him whine. As either of us continued our cleaning spree in a comfortable silence, it was at that moment, things decided to go horribly, horribly wrong…

Piercing screams hit our ears. Along with an earth-rumbling explosion. "W-what the hell?!" Daisuke cursed as both of us dropped our respective items and ran out into the hallway. Students were corralled up at the windows in a vain attempt to get a peek at the commotion outside.

We too, were in the majority as we were just as curious if not more so. I looked at Daisuke nervously, and to my surprise, he seemed just as nervous. "I'll go check it out!" I say, placing a hand on his shoulder and walking into the large building crowd. As I managed to get a closer look, my eyes opened in horror. On the grounds below in scorched cement were words that sent a chill down my spine like no other.

Are you ready to play a game?

"Are you ready to—" before I could fully repeat the words in hopes of piecing together what I was seeing. I felt a sudden surge of negative mana I'd never felt before. 'Shit, this is—' It was at this moment that there was a loud 'thump'. Other students' bodies around me dropping to the floor like mannequins. My eyes instantly found Daisuke, as I found myself being thankful that he wasn't affected by whatever the hell was happening.

"W-What the hell is going on?!" Daisuke exclaimed.

I could look only around me in horror.

"I-I… I don't—" the words were lost me as they came out somewhat slurred. 'W-What?' My vision was blurry. "D-Daisuke…" his name was loose on my lips. I didn't even feel myself move, let alone fall over. If Daisuke called my name it was mute as the world around me went black.

Fate/ Stay Night

"S-Saya!?" I cried out her name as I watched her body fall forward. My reflexes kicking in as I grabbed her before she could hit the ground. I slowly laid her now unconscious body on the ground. "S-Saya? Saya, please wake up," I called as I tried to shake her awake, but it was like she was immune to my shaking.

"She isn't going to wake. No matter how many times you shake her. In fact, none of your classmates are going to wake so easily…"

The sudden intrusion of the voice in my head startled my senses.

At the same time, I noticed Archer physically forming himself. His eyes steeled. I gave a nod signaling him as he knew what needed to be done before becoming invisible once more.

What do you want?

I questioned internally as I was pretty sure whoever they were, they could hear me.

"It's simple really, to kill you. You are a Master are you not?"

As I listened to the voice's words I could feel anger rising in me. Why? Why involve all of these innocent people? Saya and who knows who else. No! I wouldn't let this person have their way, Holy Grail war be damned! I picked up Saya bridal style and leaned her against the wall. I pushed a stray bit of her soft auburn hair out her face and gave her a small kiss on her temple. "Don't worry Saya, I'll fix this!" My resolve hardened. I made my way back in the classroom and went immediately to my bag reached into the very bottom of the bag.

"Here they are," I said. I pulled out ten little blue gems on a key ring that I could easily pull off that my mom says she's been infusing with my blood since I just a baby. I let out a breath. I was really going to have to use these. I gave the gems a light squeeze in my hand. I walked out of the classroom. Students bodies still lay on the floor as if in some horror movie. I look through the window that all the now unconscious students had looked at.

My eyes widened. Are you ready to play a game? What the hell do you mean by that?

"It's exactly as written. Listen, my Master isn't one for boring one-on-ones. So instead, he's decided to make this fun, hehe!"

Yeah, well this isn't funny, asshole!

"I'd beg to differ, but everyone has a different sense of humor. Anyhoo, if you haven't figured it out by now, we're cyphering power from every student in this school. And if you don't hurry and find us, everyone here will die, got it?"

So, you're playing a sick game of hide-n-seek!?

"Are you ready to play?"

When I find you, you and your Master you will pay, that's a promise.

"Yeah, Yeah… Anyway, are you ready? 3…2…1… Go! You only have 30 minutes…"

With that, the voice in my head ceased as if to tell me that the game was afoot. While I didn't really know what this servant's Master had in store, I knew I had to be on my guard no matter what. With that I got moving. 'Hang on, just a bit longer Saya.'

"Archer, I'm gonna need your help more than ever, okay?"

"I'll be right by your side, don't you worry."

I smiled, "Let's do this!"

Fate/Stay Night

Darkness blanketed everything around me. "Where," was I? Why? The last thing I remembered was being at school with Daisuke and then…

Everything after that was blank.

Silence… why was there this overwhelming and deafening silence? To say I was scared was an understatement, I was terrified.

"Daisuke?"

I called out his name, nothing. Silence and darkness ruled everything… I could feel my chest tightening and my breaths becoming more erratic.

"Momma! Papa!" I cried into the abyss. And once again was greeted with silence.

This was pathetic. I was supposed to stronger than this. And yet, the moment I'm alone, I crumble like a rag doll.

"Really? Crying? Are you really worthy of being my master? Hah!" The voice was brash and mockingly so.

"H-Huh? W-Who? I looked around me feverishly. Darkness. Was I going insane? At the same time, a small yelp escaped my lips as I felt a burning sensation on my left hand. It was as though it were a small light in the darkness as I saw the sigil.

"I-I'm… I'm…"

"Alright, looks like you're gonna need some help seeing as you don't seem to be able to dispel this on your own."

"D-Dispel? Do you mean I'm trapped?"

"Bingo~"

"H-How did you find me then?"

"Easy~ ya called out to me."

"I-I did? But I don't remember—"

"Well… more like deep down your soul cried out for anyone to help. And I, being the amazing servant that am. Have heard your summons and thus, here I am~"

If I were being honest it sounded as though they were bragging, but that did manage to bring up something that she found interesting. " But where are you exactly?" everything around me was pitch black. At the same time, a blinding light erupted from the deep deep recesses of the dark.

Instinctively, I moved my body toward the light. My hand reaching out... I then felt a warm feeling envelope my hand as though something were on the other side pulling me through.

A sharp gasp left my lips as my body jolted to life and my eyes opened with a start. "W-Where…" My words soft as recalled the events from earlier I had seemingly forgotten. "Oh, right… everyone…" I glanced around sadly at the comatose students.

"W-Why would someone—" as I could feel a small wave of anger flash through me. I similarly also felt my mana which for the most part, remained rather dormant due to me not really needing it, flaring with such an intensity, that it felt as though I were burning on the inside.

"W-What the—" my words were cut short as my eyes now widened as a red magic circle was now forming beneath me. Suddenly, I remembered something very important that somehow managed to slip my thoughts. My eyes drawing to my left hand and sure enough…

"I-I'm… Ah!" The magic circles brightness intensified to a blinding degree as I instinctively cover my eyes to shield eyes from its blinding rays.

Fate/stay night

"Master, do you—"

"Yes, all the pieces are finally in place. This battle can finally truly get underway."

"And to think Master, we'll kill two birds with one stone!"

"Yes, that is a possibility. But it's important to not be overzealous. One mistake and it could be our end."

"You could be right, Master. This kid is—" the teenage looking servant flinched. His mana was being depleted somewhat rapidly. More so than he anticipated. 'quite a resilience, this kid. Even so, I won't let him win. Plus, I've never had this much fun before!" a smile danced on his lips.

"Archer, any luck?" I called as I pulled back what had to have been the 20th classroom door up until this point. I was once again greeted with a taunting teenage servant sticking their tongue out at me playfully as a "Bzzt! Wrong, try again!" left their lips only adding to my annoyance as well as drive to find them. "This is…" I raised my right hand, my thumb and index finger now in the shape of a gun. I said an incantation, a dark blue like ball formed on the end of my finger. I fired it, it left the tip of my finger like a heat-seeking bullet and made its way toward the servant dissipating instantly. "….Getting to be really annoying," I grumbled.

"Nothin' yet Daisuke."

"Okay, thanks. Keep Searching."

"Understood."

"Next room then…" As soon as I stepped out of the room, I was immediately overwhelmed with a sudden influx of magical pressure I'd never felt before. "A-Archer do you feel that…"

"Yes, and I think the final servant's final been chosen by the grail."

"Oh, great. And it feels like it's coming from inside the school. Archer you're going to have even more on your guard."

"Roger. You be on your guard too Daisuke. We're dealing with two masters now."

"Don't worry, I will." I there was a part of me that prayed that whomever this Master was I wouldn't have to meet them. While the other part of me was telling me not to hold my breath. With my guard at an all-time high, I continued on, final Master or no, I had no time to waste!

Fate/Stay night

"Heya, Master!" The voice echoed happily through their imposing steel and blood-red lined armor, with a helmet with two spiked horns on the that looked like a demon. It took a moment or two, but I was able to pick up on the voice almost instantly. "I-Its you! F-From my nightmare dream thing!"

"Very descriptive there, ey master?" they teased. I could feel my cheeks heating in embarrassment. "W-Well…" I tried to come up with some excuse, only to be met with laughter. I could feel my cheeks puffing up in further embarrassment. "Aw, who woulda thought my new master could be so cute!"

"P-Please… stop…" I pleaded.

"Okay, okay… Anyhow…" they held out their hand, clearly wanting me to take it. And while I couldn't see their face, there was something deep inside my core that told me they were smiling underneath their suit of steel.

"Now I heard you call out in the darkness and answered—and as such we are now bound together until we either win or lose. And so, I must ask… Are you fully prepared to be my master?"

It was funny how such a simple question could end up being so imposing. Still, it was a true and earnest question. Deep down I knew what I was being asked. This wasn't a dream. It was real, as real as it was gonna get. By taking this hand in front of me, I was a master. No turning back.

And so…

My hand reached for the armor-clad hand in front of me. Their grip was strong as they pulled me to my feet. As if also acknowledging the pact between us the light radiated in a bright heavenly glow once more before dissipating completely into nothing.

"So Master, as the start of this pact drawn between us, you got a name?"

It took a second before I realized that they were still holding my hand as I could feel my cheeks heat again. I hastily pulled away in the hopes that they didn't notice. If they did, however, they did nothing to acknowledge it.

"Well, Master…!"

I jumped slightly as we seemed to be on two different plains on existence for a second there. "A-Ah, my name is—" my introduction was cut short by the sound of an explosion.

While the explosion seemed to startle me, it had the opposite effect on the servant beside me. "Oi, so things have already gotten underway? Perfect!"

"P-Perfect…!? But my words were lost on me as my newly made servant sped immediately began to make their way down the corridor of unconscious students. Their armor clinking loudly against the tiles "W-Wait where are you going?" I called. They stopped, bothering to give me an answer. "Sorry, Master, but I'm guessin' that whoever did this…" they gestured to the students. "and that explosion are still in the school, yeah? So…" they didn't have to finish. I immediately understood what they meant. A fire rose inside me. They were right, whoever had done this had to be stopped no matter what. "You're right, we need to stop them!" I began following my servant. With my thoughts more coherently focused. I realized that Daisuke didn't seem to be among the comatose students. Which, while that managed to give me some semblance of comfort, it simultaneously filled me with a sense of dread. 'I hope you're alright Daisuke,'

Without a second thought, I ran after my servant. "We'll properly introduce ourselves later, yeah?" they said, sounding satisfied in my decision. I gave a resolute nod. "Alright, then. Be on your guard Master! We have no idea what we're headin' into!"

"Yeah, I will," I replied. As my servant started to move once again, I stopped them. "W-wait, is there something I can at least call you… y'know temporarily?"

"Ah, to keep us unknown from the enemy, smart Master!" from what I could tell from their inflection they sounded pleased by my wits. "T-Thanks," I replied, not used to the sudden praise. With that, we continued on our way, watching each other's backs to the best of our ability.

"Oh, by the way, call me Saber. Saber of Red," she replied.

"Saber… Okay!"

Fate/Stay Night

(Minutes prior to the explosion...)

God, it was like jumping at shadows. Except I could see the shadows clear as day, yet still had to continue to deal with them.

Taunt.

Shoot.

Taunt.

Shoot.

It was beginning to feel like a fruitless task. It didn't help that the latest clone I'd shot down decided to let me in on the fact that I only had 5 minutes left. "Damn it!" I cursed. I ran out of another classroom.

As I did so, it was as if my scrambling was being rewarded. As my eyes caught a glimpse of something glimmering far off in the distance outside the window 'What the hell?' I murmured as immediately went over to check what I assumed to just be my eyes getting the best of me. But sure enough, it looked as though, while I couldn't tell exactly what, it was something. And with my time was crunched enough as is, I'd rather take it than nothing at all.

"Hey, Archer? Can u hear me?" I called out. In turn, I got a response back telepathically. "Yes, Master?"

"You're still searching around the school, yeah?"

"Yes, did you find something?" he questioned his voice sounding intrigued, yet with an edge of concern. "I need you to go to the top of the roof for me. And if possible fire an arrow at the building across from you. Can you do that?"

"Of course I can. Would I really be in the Archer class if I couldn't shoot from such a simple distance?" Archer's tone holding an air of smugness to it. "Heh, you're right," I commented. "Anyway, just shoot the arrow, I'll be watching."

"Okay, but I do have to ask—"

But I already beat him to it.

"I just need you to test something for me."

"Hmm… Okay, I trust you. I'll let you know once I'm there and just give the signal."

"Okay. I got it."

It took about a minute before I got a response back from Archer. "I'm here," he said. "Alright. Watch your arrow as you shoot it, got it?" I stated. "Understood."

"Alright…. Ready, and… Fire!" I exclaimed. I watched to the best of my ability the arrow as it flew towards its destination. 'Now, if I'm correct about this…' and just as I thought… it reflected.

"Archer," I called.

"I'm already one step ahead of you, master."

They had intended a wild goose chase, to begin with. Well, as far as I was concerned their game ended, now. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me out of the school. Eventually, I reached the front of the school. As I was about to continue running toward where the other master's hideout clearly was, I was stopped by the front gate of the school that was usually opened by this point in time closing. "Oh, no you don't!" I exclaimed as I pumped my legs to the best of my ability, scrambling as I did so.

Just as I was about to reach the gate. A tall lanky figure with short black hair, baggy patched white pants, zero shoes, and a Black tattered vest stood happily on the top of the gate.

"Well, Well… You have proven yourself to be quite a young and resilient master. Probably one of the youngest I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with." He said as he walked leisurely along the top of the fence like a performer at a circus. It was oddly mesmerizing to watch.

"Well, it's over now your game ends here for both you and your master. Undo the spell now!" I demanded.

The servant not seeming at all taken aback by my threat. "I'm not joking." venom dripping from my voice as I raised my hand and formed my fingers into a shape if a gun once more. Letting them know I was not afraid to unleash hell if I had to. Though, with this person being a servant that most likely meant that I'd never probably never be landing a blow anytime soon. Still, I wasn't gonna let them get away with this. Thankfully, while Archer's presence, while no longer on the roof where he'd previously been. I could feel his presence somewhere close by, probably holding a trained eye and arrow on the servant just in case he tried something funny.

"Release the spell!" I exclaimed. Again, the servant simple began to pick their ear, not paying me any mind. I fired a shot. They effortlessly dodged. "Geez, kid. Really?" his voice not sounding even the slightest of concerned.

"Release them!" I demanded. This earned a chuckle from the young servant. "You and what army kid?" he jumped down off the gate rather gracefully. "From where I'm standing…" as he walked toward me, from this point forward I wasn't sure if I'd accidentally held my eyes shut too long during the blinking process or what, but he was immediately gone. Vanished so much without a trace. "What the—" my words immediately caught in my throat as I felt a foreign feeling next to me. "You're not in the right to be making such demands." I shuttered as their voice suddenly tickled my right ear. I had on time to react, as they were seemingly gone once again.

'Is this some sort of mind game? Or is it possibly a visual trick?'

'Archer, can you see them?'

'Possibly, but I truly can't be sure. And firing a shot right now isn't the best idea given we have no idea what we're dealing with.'

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. I was playing right into their hands. The servant as cocky as they seemed to be was right. I wasn't in the right to make any demands. I was pretty much a fruit ripe for picking!

Damn it!

With my current and somewhat simple plan to fight turned against me. The servant saw this as the time to go on the offensive as before I realized it, I was greeted with a sudden unbearable heat burning down on me, but from where? I looked around me only to be met with nothing only for Archer to grab my attention, "Daisuke, the sky! Look up!" he exclaimed. I followed his instructions exactly. Only for my eyes to grow wide and my whole entire being to freeze undoubtedly into place.

Meteors that looked as big as planets were raining from the sky!? I was doing to die from meteors!?

As the eminent feeling of death loomed over me and nothing else, Archer appeared in front of me bow and Arrow raised valiantly. "Archer..?" we're the only words that managed to slip from my lips. While from Archer, they were words I would come to learn were just the first but by far from the last piece I would uncover to truly understand the man I considered my servant and the person my mom called a friend. The servant simply known as, Archer.

"I am the bone of my sword…"