Good morning my dear readers, here is Striker, ready to publish a new story. This time it will be from Fate/Stay Night—or more specifically from Fate/Zero.

However, before we could start I would like to praise those who helped me to create such an interesting and mind-screwing story filled with drama, action, a bit of romance and some hinted reference from other series.

Those persons are my associates: JeffersonStarshipBlack, Doctor Lecter Sith and Spencer Chamberlain. Without their aid, this story would never be born. Many thanks to you guys!

*EDIT*

22/4/2020

Well, it seems like no one can even made a reference for other stories without ending up getting flames, huh? Well, I'm man enough to realize I had made a huge mistake here so I re-wrote the chapter to avoid those insults regarding "plagiarism" and talked with a lot of people to dismiss any misunderstanding.

Chapter 1: Mismatching Summoning

Let me tell you a story about a particular man, a very particular person who once upon the time believed in his ideals more than anything else and dreamed to save people from despair, sadness and grieves.

Always striving for the sake of others, fighting to bring justice no matter what because it was a long lost promise he made with his father. He promised the man who raised him that he will attain this dream and save the World, he will become a Hero of Justice he said—a very childish thought and he knew that too since the very beginning but he did so regardless.

His trials to attain this impossible dream was full of grieves, pain and blood. Always looking for the next battle with no hint of hesitation in his gaze, never backing down when it came to help others. Gallant like a knight of the Fairy Tales, this lonely man appeared when he was needed—and when he wasn't.

However, for all this noble traits he had in life, he had a fatal flaw. His Selflessness, as paradoxical as it sounds.

You see, while this virtue would be seen as one of his greatest characteristic… The views he had regarding his own value were twisted, thus he lack sufficient selfishness and never cared about himself and considered his life as a mere tool to be used in the battlefield. He was an unsheathed sword that lost its original purpose.

He focused his attention in helping others while neglecting his personal life. He never stopped to take a look on those who were close to him and merely shrugged off his and their problems as if the matter little in the full worldwide scale insight of the World's suffering.

Obviously, this mindset was the very reason he fell on despair all alone with no one with him. Dying like an outcast for a betrayal was not in his 'What-To-Do' list but he reaped what he sown.

Many persons wondered what pushed him to strive for his ideals so fervently. Some of them questioned him what he would ever get from his self-destructive path just to reach a goal he would never attain even in death. Others simply brushed the subject off, knowing they would never understand him in the first place.

Perhaps this has less to do with some idealistic conceptions born from a childish mind and more to do with a futile attempt to fill a void in his very heart. And emptiness that was present in his soul after a traumatic event in his past.

No one would ever know for sure—maybe this Hero didn't know this himself—but if there is something they agree what that this man was just a broken shell with an evident lack of a real purpose.

The actual "answer" for this puzzle was lost long time ago.

This Hero, known as the Wrought Iron Hero or "The Hero of Justice", still strive to help even after knowing his life was gonna end as long as he could find this answer.

…

And even in death, the man's still trying to find this answer.

(?)

His world was a wide, death and battered battlefield full of the weapons he saw in life. It was world that recreated and preserved every memory of his life as a human in the form of bladed weapons of all shapes and sizes, ranging from small daggers to giant longswords.

The man who dwells sat in a small rock located on top of a large hill, gazing down at the battlefield with a bittersweet expression.

"What a sight we got here, isn't it Illya?" He muttered with sadness as he said the name of that precious person he had in life. "There are times I wonder what would've happened if somehow decided to stick with you and the others back in Fuyuki, living a normal life" He said bitterly, leveling his gaze up to see the dark-gray clouds and the hovering giant gears in the contaminated sky.

Thinking about it, the man couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle at such a bizarre sight he couldn't see in the "Real World". This world was more akin to an interdimensional steel factory than an actual world per se. Granted, this plane of existence didn't exist in the same reality as Earth.

This place not only was the manifestation of his ideals and powers, it was also the very representation of the concept 'Sword'. The very definition of his entire existence was imprinted in the structures of the world where he dwells.

Every single blade on his world not only represented his powers but also the essence of his existence, as everyone of them were a small fragment of his soul—every-single-one held a part of his memories—and that's something very unbelievable as well as tortuous considering how he got them in the first place.

There is an old saying which states: "You should be careful what you wish for"

That phrase couldn't be better applied to someone like the "Heroic Spirit" EMIYA, a man who lived for his ideals and strived to obtain the power to save the world—and he succeeded in the last one but he paid the price.

Originally a human with an unyielding will and dreams to help the worlds, EMIYA was in fact a particular case of a fool who got betrayed by his very Ideals and now he is nothing the Counter Force's glorified attack dog.

"It's not like I didn't ask for this ending when I made that damned deal with Alaya" He scoffed with a frown, recalling that day with disdain.

Just what did he expect? He is the fool trapped here for all eternity due his own delusions. He has no rights to whine. Even then, he had plenty opportunities to save his soul in the past if only he decided to toss away his so-called ideals and pursued a more mundane existence. Sadly though, Emiya Shirou was anything but normal to begin with.

Grunting in annoyance at the memories of his past-self resurfaced, the man shifted his gaze to the very first weapon he was bestowed with in this world. A sword so similar yet different from the others when it came to both practical and emotional, being more a memento given by him by one of his long lost friends.

Huh, talking about friends and family, his minds drifted to more pleasant memories as he recalled the happiest moments he got when alive. A particular one was about a small picnic with all his loved ones—which happened years before all this happened.

"Ah… Here I am again, lamenting my past actions" The Counter Guardian shook his head in annoyance.

While the man known as EMIYA has long forgotten some aspect of his life in the Human Realm, he still could recall some pieces of his memories—the most treasured ones who defined his whole being as a friend, warrior, protector, "Hero" and… A Brother.

It's more like a joke of cosmic proportions than his life turned out to be end in such a tragic manner considering he would've avoided that ending if he was a bit more selfish.

...

He looked at the blackened sky of his World with a hint of sadness and nostalgia, remembering his sole greatest failure; the death of Illyasviel von Einzbern, his "little" sister—well… Big Sister if he has to be truthfully honest.

The day that little snowflake died was one of the (if not the) most terrible and painful moments in his existence. Heck, he was so focused in becoming a 'Hero of Justice' that he never tried to look for a solution and save the Einzbern girl. She said she wasn't mad and told him it wasn't his fault… Deep down, EMIYA knew that's not the true.

He didn't bat a flying damn about making a greater effort to help his love ones, for God's sake…! The people who loved him not as a magus, tool or mercenary but as his own person! Just what part of this shit wasn't his fault?!

Those memoires will always haunt him like poltergeists!

Then the end of his journey was a testament of the foolishness and naivety he proudly held in life. Thoughts of deals, betrayal, and then death flashed across it.

What he would do to save them.

EMIYA literally would do anything in order to help his precious people… Even if that means challenging Fate itself.

"Huh… What are you even thinking, you moron? As if you could do something" He chastised himself with an angry scold.

As if a siren had blared, he was snapped out of his thoughts quickly. He knew this sound, the sound of royal trumpets in the air as if announcing to his world that legends had arrived.

This was the sound of The Holy Grail War summoning him.

"… Well, that brings back some unpleasant memories. Thank you, Alaya" The white-haired man chuckled dryly as he rose up from his seat, waiting for a respond from his master.

FLASH!

Suddenly seven big round buttons appeared in front of him, each having a title stamped on it. The buttons were all yellow with the titles being blue.

Saber

Lancer

Rider

Caster

Assassin

Berserker

"No-Class"

…

Why was there someone with "No-class"?

Why there was a "No-Class" Servant in this war? As far as he knows there is no such a Class in the Grail Wars system, and let's not talk about the fact that there were more participants in this war.

It didn't make sense, the grail was only supposed to summon seven servants—his 'experiences' during and after live in the moonlit world taught him many things though. Like seriously, his past meetings with the likes of Zelretch usually ended up with him placed in the most unlikely situations. And he vaguely recalls a war with sixteen Servants in one of the many schemes that resulted from that old vampire's shenanigans!

"As always, nothing is easy when dealing with a Grail War" EMIYA chuckled with a dry look as he waited for seven of the buttons to gray out so his 'Master' could select the class he was most suited for in this case.

Archer.

As a proficient bowman with unparallel mastership in the art of archery, EMIYA couldn't ask for a better option. In fact, you could say it was the only class in which he could exploit his full potential as a Servant.

He wasn't neither the most talented swordsman nor the greatest magus—and he will be damned if he chose the Lancer Class!— he also didn't share many traits with other classes like Rider or Berserker (that one would be troublesome indeed). Perhaps he could serve as an Assassin but alas, that would mean he had to give up his more powerful trump cards.

"Well, it can't be helped. A failure will always remain as a failure" He muttered, already waiting to take his leave.

FLASH!

However, when he was about to dismiss those orbs… He saw something that made his (metaphorical) blood freeze.

'A Ninth Servant?!' He widened his eyes in shock, not only for the sudden appearance of the newcomer but the "class" he/she(?) represented. It was something that made the stoic Counter Guardian shivers in fear.

Avenger

"Just… What kind of Grail War I'm gonna be send into?" He asked aloud, his lower lips trembles a little as EMIYA recalled the most dreadful Servant he has met when he's still Emiya Shirou.

Angra Mainyu, also known as "All the World's Evil". An Eldrich amalgamation of curses, hatred and dark energy given life by the collective thoughts of a religion and the desire of revenge of a dying villager turned into a piss-poor Servant who died shorty after the beginning of the Third Holy Grail War.

To say that the Grail Wars in Fuyuki got fucked up ever since then would be the understatement of the century. Just what the hell were the Einzbern magi thinking?! And now he would have to face Avenger again?!

"No, wait… That won't do… There are others Heroic Spirits that can qualify as an Avenger" He rationalized cryptically, overcoming the fear with a calculative insight.

Frankly speaking, the Avenger Class was one of the Irregular classes that plagued the (not-so!)perfect system of the Holy Grail Wars. Also, while most Heroic Spirits are usually summoned in the class they're most suited to, there are cases when they can be invoked as Servants from one of these irregular classes, like the Avenger Class.

Anyhow, EMIYA would feel relieved if he didn't have to deal with that thing known as All the World's Evils ever again… Still, the fact that he was gonna be sent to an Irregular Holy Grail War with Eight Servants—excluding himself of course—was not a pleasant thought.

It truly did seem that this grail no longer follows the rules that were made for it.

He looked at the sphere and sighed. "Truly, I hope things won't come later on to bite me in the ass" EMIYA grunted with a bitter grin.

He looked up at gears of his world and sighed. The man once known as Shirou Emiya sighed once again as he hoped that this time that, things would end just a bit more in his favors.

Truly, his prays were pitiful and would most likely meet deaf ears… But perhaps this time he could—

(Unknown Location)

At the frozen lands of Germany, located within a unknown region who was hide by magecraft, there was magnificent castle at the top of a mountainous area. It was a large building with medieval-esque design that represented the landlord's both regal heritage and status.

It was a marvel preserved from the outsiders from more than a thousand of years. And it was also the place where our story truly begins.

There was a small church on the eastern end of the big structure—more isolated than its subsequent buildings that composited the castle's terrains—where a young couple stood near the altar inspecting the summoning circle they would use to invoke forth their representative Servant which will aid them in this Holy Grail War.

And as all summoning rituals needed a catalyst, they wasted no time to put it in the magic circle. It was a blue and golden scabbard, a masterpiece not crafted by human's hands but by the Fae kind. A testament of its divine nature was the Mystery that carried.

The first person was a man with a lean yet toned body, onyx black hair and grey-colored eyes which held a dull and nearly emotionless stare, resembling a corpse gaze. He wore a long black trench coat over what seemed to be a black suit with a matching color tie.

The man's looks weren't what you may call outstanding attractive but he wasn't ugly either. In fact, if he did not look like a cold-blooded killer you could say he has some semblance of a ladiesman appearance-wise… On the other hand, his companion was his complete opposite both in appearance and aura.

The individual besides him was a young and stunninglybeautiful woman with long silver-colored hair with alluring red eyes, an epitome of beauty who has pale skin and an impressive hourglass figure—which was more emphasized with the caring and warm smile on her face. Her clothes consisted in a white coat with matching high-thigh boots along with a short skirt.

She looked unnaturally beautiful and eyecatching even for humans' standards. Granted, she wasn't a real human woman but an artificial being created by magecraft machinations, a homunculus.

"Are you ready?" She asked the man, her bright smile not faltering even when receiving a distant 'Hm' from the man. Well, it's not like she couldn't see through her husband emotionless mask.

When it comes to cold and distant mask while in his job, there was no one better than Kiritsugu. He was the infamous Magus Killer, a hired assassin who lived from hunting magi on a regular basis… Incidentally he was also the new Master of the Einzbern, her husband and the father of her child.

An odd and a bit paradoxical combo to have in a husband but she didn't mind. Irisviel von Einzbern was just that good when judging the true characters of the people, and she knew that this man wasn't as callous and clod as he may appear.

The black-claded man stepped forward and then he starts to chant.

"Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the Archduke of contracts to the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.

The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.

Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill).

Repeat every five times.

Simply, shatter once filled

— — — — I announce.

Your self is under me, my fate (doom) is in your sword.

In accordance with the resort of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.

Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.

You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance — — —!"

And with that, the summoning circle glowed bright blue, followed by a blinding light accompanied with strong gales of wild wind. When the light disappeared standing in the middle of the circle was a blond haired and green eyed woman wearing a blue formal dress with silver armor over top of it.

"Servant Saber has answered your summons. I have only one question: are you my master?" She said.

The new Master confusedly looked at the woman with evident surprise if his slightly widened eyes where any indication but still nodded regardless. It was to be expected. Of all Servants he thought he was gonna summon, the thought of having a little girl as a Servant who belong to the arguably strongest Class was a bit… Disappointing to say the least, something that the Servant herself noted almost immediately but she opted to remain silence for the moment being.

Kiritsugu and Irisviel, seeing there was no reason to stay in the church anymore, turned to leave the place since they're fulfilled their objective to summon a Servant.

What's the point in wasting valuable time here?

…

The answer appeared in the most unlikely way.

"Ngh…!" Holding her hand with immense pain, Irisviel groaned as she saw in shock how red-colored stigmas suddenly appeared at the back of her hand. "Those are…!"

Her husband and his partner Hisau Maiya—who remained near the exit door until this happened—rushed at her quickly and were stunned by this, not knowing how to react.

BZZZ—FWOOOSSSH!

Before anyone could articulate a single word, gusts of winds burst from the summoning circle as it began to glow more brightly unleashing electrified sparks in the air.

"W-What's going on?!" Irisviel cried in pain as the stigma on her hand began to glow more brightly. She could already guess what was going to happen next but the mere thought was way too bizarre to be truth.

"I don't know Iri, this wasn't supposed to happen" Kiritsugu said with a neutral tone, masking his real concerns about his wife's well-being with a calculative gaze in order to find what was happening.

And then—

FLASH!

A new pillar of light exploded, creating a shockwave that almost knocked out the humans as they covered their eyes due the intensity of the light. Shorty after the glow dissipated, a new figure materialized in front of them.

A tall and fairly muscular young man with spiky white hair and tan skin, his eyes has the deepest steel-grey color they have never seen before. His attire consisted in a red shroud wore over his arms and shoulder as well as waist, a black light armor that covered his torso, dark pants and black steel toed boots.

Kiritsugu didn't have to be a genius to figure out this man before them was a Servant.

"Master, orders!" Saber yelled to her master as she raises her sword, looking intensely at the mysterious man like a hawk.

"…" Kiritsugu thought for a second, from the fact that his wife had what it seemed to be command seals and the reactivation of the summoning circle, it's more than obvious that the grail had chosen his wife to be a master.

Certainly, such a thing would be preposterous due Irisviel's true nature as the 'holder' of the Grail vessel but alas, the red marks in the woman's hand were an indication that the Grail didn't share their thoughts.

However, the newest Master knew that such an event was not so uncommon in truth. Past Masters from the Einzbern's family were not different from her regarding their particular condition and it was exactly for this that the Head of the Family wanted a more battle-oriented Master to get rid of this weakness even if he has to allow an outsider like Kiritsugu to taint their noble blood.

From a purely strategic insight, the addition of a new Servant on their side was like a blessing from heavens. More allies mean higher possibilities to win the war and any magus would use this asset to the fullest potential since two Servants fighting for the same team was an overwhelming force worth of reckoning. However, this servant was an unknown factor on Kiritsugu plans and was likely that he could react hostile the moment he saw another Servant on the same roof as him.

"Hmm… A church… A bit odd for me to be summoned here considering my experiences with the Holy Church but meh, I've been invoked in worst places" Finally, the Servant spoke up with a neutral tone as his eyes scanned the area with a curious gaze until his grey eyes fell on the group and Servant before him, making him wide his eyes in shock. "Oh shit…"

Irisviel couldn't help but smile apologetically at this, she can tell the sight of so many people—and one of them was a Servant no less!— took the man by surprise. And her assumptions were confirmed when the red-claded Servant narrowed his eyes with wariness.

She could only pray that this night won't become a nasty blood bath as that was the last thing she needed at the moment.

Next to her, Kiritsugu was looking at the new Servant with a calculative gaze, his mind was working at a mile per hour trying to figure out the possible outcomes of this unexpected meeting. Worst case scenario, a fight between both Servants would happen, which would endanger his wife and daughter—who was waiting for them at the outside the church!

That was something he wanted to avoid at all cost. But if possible he would have the Servant incapacitate so he could think what to do with him.

A second later though, the red-eyed woman saw how Kiritsugu's gaze gained a more thoughtful look. Obviously an idea came to his mind and he quietly shared it with her and Maiya with just a mere glance.

This idea was pretty simple, by ordering Saber to fight the mysterious Servant, Kiritsugu would get a fair idea of his combat strategies and fighting style as well as the kind of power he may or may not has under his sleeve. Granted, this still can be reckless from his part but they were already at the church's exit so the odds of causalities were low. Besides, the Magus Killer was not a fool since he's already planning a good strategy to deal with the possible threat and he knew his Servant was more than a match for the newcomer.

"Master! Orders please!" The blond Servant asked, focusing her stare at the newcomer.

Kiritsugu shifted his gaze to the eager Saber and commanded.

"Saber, attack the Servant"

The blue-claded Servant waste no time and rushed at the newcomer, raising her invisible blade with all intent of striker the mysterious Servant down in one blow. Her sword rapidly fell in a vertical slash to butcher the enemy.

The man in red reacted instantly.

CLANG!

Steel met steel in an instant as her sword had met the blade of two others that had not existed a moment before. They were married swords by the looks of them—one was black and the other was white—and they were the same shape and had the same details, just different colors. A mere look from those blades told the Magus Killer the swords were most likely from Chinese origin.

Instantly, a crater formed by the sheer pressure of Saber's strength as she pulled her sword to unleash a combo of lightning swings to severs the man's limbs. But the red-claded Servant unforeseen this and jumped a few meters away from Saber.

"You will not escape!" The swordswoman shouted as she used her magical power to enhance her already impressive physical might and, with a leap, she rocketed to the mysterious figure swinging her sword in a horizontal slash.

"Persistent, aren't you?"

The red-claded man hissed in annoyance as he moved his body in the last second, barely avoiding the attack, and with a strong thrust, the servant threw off Saber and kicked her in the gut sending her spiraling to the floor.

But the moment Saber was pulled away, she rose up again and ran at the white-haired man with a war cry, swinging her invisible sword skillfully at the enemy in lightning fast movements impossible for the human eye to see.

CLANG!

The mysterious man was not a pushover either and he parried the attacks from the blond Servant using the weight and momentum of the swings in his advantage, followed by quick slashes of his own that were easily blocked by Saber thanks to her heightened six sense and battle experience.

Soon, both Servants initiated at violent exchange of blows where their blades flew at amazing speeds, generating small shockwaves and igniting sparks in the air with each strike and while at first they seemed matched, Saber quickly gained the upperhand in terms of physical capabilities.

"Tsk! You had to be Saber, huh?" The red-claded Servant grunted as he blocked from Saber using his swords. It was evident for them that the blond Servant was the strongest in this little spar.

However, strength is not always the deciding factor in a fight.

The grey-eyed man parried the last blow by moving his waist and arms to the side, purposely lessening his grip so the invisible blade would fall on the ground by the sudden move and jumped to take distance from the knight.

"I must say, your stats are top-notch. As expected from the Saber Class" The red-claded man complimented the Servant of the Sword with a sly smirk.

"Flattery will get you nowhere but I must say you're not half-bad" Saber replied with a faint smirk, even if this man was her opponent she could tell he was skilled in swordplay. As a swordswoman, she could respect that.

"Heh! You don't need to be easy on me you know. As far as I can tell, you're still holding back a lot" The grey-eyed man commented, smirking playfully like a sly fox. "Or perhaps is this the full extent of your strength? Nah, I don't think so"

"You want me to go all out?" Saber raised an eyebrow with stared at the man in curiosity.

"That way this fight will be more exciting, don't you agree?"

"…I'm sorry but I cannot do so. If you haven't paid attention, we're not in a proper battlefield and I can tell there are more people coming here" The blond girl shook her head with a neutral look.

Her respond made the white-haired man sigh in slight irritation. "Be that way then. Just don't whine like a brat if you end up death" He said with a serious tone and change his stance—a horribly made one full so open that it wasn't funny.

"What are you getting at? Is this some kind of sick joke?" Saber, clearly disgusted by the battle stance.

Seeing the blond girl's scold made the red-claded man grin with some amusement. "On the contrary, Saber. I'm taking you with all seriousness"

As they exchanged looks, Irisviel analyzed the situation with a troubled look. Sure, she wasn't that versed when it comes to battle subjects but her husband taught her enough for her to realize the mysterious Servant's stance was full of openings.

And as a proud knight who treated her opponents with respect, this irked Saber as she didn't take the man's replies so well. Incited to attack, the blue dressed knight rushed forward, propelling her speed with the burst of magical energy.

It's clear she wanted to end the match but even thought this action seemed to be the result of silly thoughts of annoyance, the magi knew the Servant of the Sword was being highly insightful and didn't lowered her guard.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The exchange of blows from their blades was wild and fierce. Blurs of blue and red was all the magi could grasp with their sight, only being able to glance after images and gusts of wind, it was a testament of how powerful were the Servants as a whole.

However, even then they could still use magecraft to enhance their sight in order to track the Servants' movements (if only a little), and what they thought would be a one-sided battle in Saber's favor turned out to be quite the opposite.

Every thrust, swing and slash aimed at the openings in the white-haired man's stance was swiftly parried and countered. Not only that, the mysterious Servant seemed to be able to predict Saber's next move to a certain degree.

"Hmm" Kiritsugu hummed, narrowing his eyes at the show.

Irisviel could already tell he was thinking in the odd match between Servants. The Einzbern woman wasn't a prodigy when it comes to fights or a master tactician but even she can tell this was prolonging too much. By logic, Saber's top notch stats would be more than enough to overwhelm the seemingly physical inferior opponent in a frontal fight.

And yet here they where, watching how this newcomer not only was able to keep up with the blond swordswoman but even push her back a little even when using such an atrocious stance.

That didn't make sense, not only the stance but the man's carefree attitude regarding it.

Most Servants are warrior spirits whose battle prowess was imprinted in their legends, having insane levels of cunningness and wits to compensate a match where they would be in disadvantage. Sure, there are cases of Heroic Spirit who are not suited for direct combat like Assassin and Caster, but even they are knowledgeable enough to not pursue a fight using a poor made stance. Magi and modern soldiers were the same too.

In battle, a single opening in your defenses could be the decisive factor to determinate the victor from the one who will taste the bitter defeat. And what kind of moron would fight a full-fledged warrior like a Saber with that stance? Obviously, a suicidal one but both Magus Killer and his companions knew better than underestimating a Heroic Spirit was a silly move.

So the real question was… Why was this man using that stance?

Irisviel, being the inexperience one she was couldn't tell. Kiritsugu always taught her that one must keep a strong defense with no weak points and would never argue against that logic willingly as most persons would do the same when fighting.

However, what the homunculus was unable to grasp was perfectly understood by both mercenaries—Kiritsugu and Maiya.

The mysterious Servant was deliberately using this stance to lure Saber to attack those weak spots so he could catch her off guard with a good counter strike. It was an unorthodox style that has high odds of failing if used with cunning and adaptable fighter experienced in these dirty tricks… But against opponents so stubborn in the traditional sense like Saber it was very effective.

Kiritsugu couldn't help but feel a strange sense of respect and pride(?) for this mysterious man, which unnerved him a little but he regained his cool and dismissed those silly nonsense.

CLANG!

With an upward slash, the man was finally able to break through Saber's defense as he used a frontal kick to launch Saber to one of the pillars. She crashed against it violently and grunted in slight pain, but she didn't suffer any serious wound that could hinder her. She simply fell on her feet and adopted a more defense approach when she noted how her offensive strategy was ineffective.

The blond Servant was no fool. Even in the midst of battle she could analyze the situation objectively. Being an experience warrior who fought many battles in her life, plus her sharp instinct, she already guessed something was off and knew that she has been tricked by the newcomer—besides his cocky and irritating smirk was a huge dead giveaway!

She underestimated this man but it won't happen twice.

Kiritsugu took advantage of the man's focus on Saber, he acted quickly and points his gun towards him, an Origin Bullet ready to be fired at the Servant's face. The conceptual weapon he carries was specially designed to deal with magi, leaving them powerless by destroying their magic circuits. He knew what it did to magi, but not to servants. In fact, he didn't have the intention to fire the bullet with so little data. Rather, this was more a bluff to distract the Servant so Saber could incapacitate him with a sneak attack.

The servant slowly raised his hands, the married swords disappearing into thin air. "Now, now I didn't come for a fight" He said as he began to look around the large room to find his connection. Looking around the room the mysterious red servant was a bit stunned, though his face didn't show it, to see the current occupants of the church.

His eyes roamed over everyone in the room until he felt the person who was giving him a serious amount of prana. He looked towards the source—the one who was providing his a substantial amount of energy since the very moment he arrived—and he quickly widened his eyes slight when his gaze landed on the beautiful woman, it wasn't because of her looks or alluring presence though. The white-haired was genuinely in awe as if he was looking at a very familiar face.

The servant walked up, albeit hastily, to the white-haired woman. He didn't back away when he heard Kiritsugu cock his gun and Saber tighten her grip on her sword. Instead, he addressed the woman.

"I guess by the connection I feel between us that you are my Master, aren't you?" He said smirking at her, showing a nonchalant bravado at the obvious killer intent directed at his person. "I was hoping for a less violent welcome, but at least this time I have a Master who summoned me properly" He added with a bitter chuckle, clearly referring to the colorful meeting from before.

His amusement died when Irisviel spoke up.

"But I didn't summon you"

"… What?" The look on the servant's face was of utter confusion before he let out an annoyed groan. "Well… Doesn't matter much, considering the connection has been already formed between us there is nothing to do with this" He said with a small frown, completely let down by the revelation.

Irisviel, for her part, still wanted to protest. "But I told you—" She couldn't finish her line.

"By our contract, I will be your servant for the duration of this war" He said looking down at her with a faint smirk. "Even if you don't acknowledge it, facts are the facts. You have been selected by the Grail and I'm your Servant unless you want to surrender your Command Spells to another person" The white-haired man elaborated, leaving no room for a discussion.

"Ok…" The Einzbern woman begrudgingly agreed with him. She sighed in defeat as her ruby-red eyes stared at the Servant with a more nervous look. "W-what's your class?" She asked stammered with a stutter. It can't be help since she didn't expect this outcome even in her wildest dreams.

"I am he Archer class Servant, is a pleasure to meet you Master" He answered with a polite bow.

Seeing how the mysterious Servant now identified as Archer show a more relaxed demeanor, all occupants in the building lowered their guards and let out relieved sighs. It seems like he wasn't here to fight… Not yet at least.

And that's how the most unlikely meeting between the Grail vessel and the Counter Guardian happened. Neither of them could tell what would happen now but surely, things wouldn't turn even more troublesome than they already were… Right?

(Meanwhile— At Fuyuki)

"That bratty little shit…!"

Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, one of the best lecturers and magus from the Clock Tower, was completely—and rightfully— pissed off right now.

For a man of the High Class who had been praised all his life due his great potential and unmatched talent not only for magecraft arts but also several subjects like politics and business managing, the fact that a simple commoner from a pitiful no-name magi family successfully stole his Servant's catalyst under his nose was something beyond infuriating.

"The next moment I meet him, I swear I'm gonna rip his limbs slowly!" He snarled as he threw a bottle of wine at the wall of his office. This development was not foreseeing by him and was caught completely off guard by Waver Velvet's insubordination.

But make no mistake, a man like Kayneth wouldn't have reached the position where he was without having countermeasures for these kinds of situations. He has two spared catalyst to use just in case the first one would be compromised in some way.

The first one of his tow backup catalyst, the remnants of the mystical swords Moralltach and Beagalltach, would allow him to summon Diarmuid Ua Dauibhne, or Diarmuid of the Love Spot. While they may serve as an outstanding catalyst, his desire for retribution made him chose that catalyst instead.

In most timelines, the man known as Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi would have no choice but use the magic swords' fragments… But things were simply different here.

"Even if this Servant is most likely to be one of the most rebellious heroes, I'm sure I can handle him well enough" The blond man mussed as he took an ancient tome of magecraft, a book made of gold which was wrote in an ancient language he couldn't read.

This book held the crystallized knowledge of its creator, a tome full of Magecraft wisdom. It's said that this book alone is an invaluable asset and a 'One-in-a-Million' existence. He bought it from an ominous looking magus merchant a few months ago and, even if that man was a pain to deal with, his merchandises were outstandingly remarkable in both quantity and quality.

"It's time…" The Prodigy mussed with a satisfied smirk of superiority as he set the catalyst on the center of the summoning circle. It was finally time to invoke the Heroic Spirit.

He began the chant.

"Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the Archduke of contracts to the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.

The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate.

Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill). Shut (Fill).

Repeat every five times.

Simply, shatter once filled

— — — — I announce.

Your self is under me, my fate (doom) is in your sword.

In accordance with the resort of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.

Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.

You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance — — —!"

A bright flash of light filled the room as wild gales of wind circulated through the whole room creating a swirl that almost swallowed Kayneth if he didn't use his mystic code, Volumen Hydrargyrum, to protect himself.

The mini-hurricane, however, didn't stop its rampage as it increase in size and started to slice through the floor, walls, and the ceiling as if a razor sharp chainsaw was swung madly in random directions.

"Tsk!... It's more powerful than I thought!" Kayneth gritted his teeth and held his hand in pain, the stigmas shone brightly and his magic circuits were being dried for the sheer output in the summoning.

KRA—KRROOOOM!

Then, a lightning fell from the very skies, phasing through the building's ceilings and then landing furiously in the summoning circle as a blinding light shone.

When the storm passed, Kayneth dismissed his mystic code and spared a sight to the circle… And then he saw him.

It was a very tall man with a muscular lean built and tan skin with some red-colored tribal "tattoos" around his unprotected arms, he has spiky green hair that resemble the lively colors of a forest while his eyes were from a deep red-crimson color as if the fire itself manifested through his slit-pupil eyeballs. His attire, an ancient and poor maintained wardrobe, he dressed in bronze-like light armor with covered his lower half and upper body leaving just his arms and head unprotected.

Also, this man was holding a jade-colored long spear that seemed to be crafted beautifully by both a master blacksmith and a noble man artisan.

"Here is it… The most powerful hero in the Mesopotamian Mythology… The Accursed One. The One who was Forgotten by History" Kayneth muttered in awe, a wide smile forming on his lips as he stared at the towering man.

Said Servant just stared at the man with an impassible look, showing no emotion on his eyes or facial features. "Thou there…" His voice, soft and gentle in nature and yet holding authority and some hint of perpetual curiosity. "I ask thee… Are thou thy Contractor?"

For the first time in his entire life, Kayneth felt the urge to kneel but his ego quickly kicked those preposterous thought out. He was the Master here, not this mere familiar!

"I am!" The heir of the Archibald Family bellowed in pride and elegance. "Tell me, are the Lancer-Class Servant?" The blond magus inquired. Even though the spear on his hand was a dead giveaway of his class, Kayneth needed to be sure since there was also the possibility that the weapon the Servant carries has nothing to do with the Class he belonged.

"Indeed…" The Green-haired spearman nodded with a neutral but polite tone.

Kayneth couldn't stop himself from bursting in mad laughs. He already saw the parameters of his new Servant and lo and behold, they're anything but outstanding but that was to be expected when the Servant in question has The Lord El-Melloi as it Master.

"Now… With this, victory is at my reach" Kayneth mussed with a wicked smile.

← To be Continued

Well, that's it folks! This was the prologue of this new story of mine. This chapter was more like an introduction as you can see but worry not, next chapters will have more actions and some shocking facts regarding his untold story of the Fourth Holy Grail War.

I mean seriously, when you know there are two extra Servants in a standard war, you know things will become pretty wild~! And man, our dear Protagonist, Archer/EMIYA, will has to face some broken enemies and not only a certain golden king—which is not(!) an Archer on top of that. Those of you who knows and/or played Fate/EXTRA surely must have an idea of what will be his class~! XD

Besides, the inclusion of this new figure who is taking Diarmuid's spot certainly is something to not dismiss either. You can expect a hell of a battle in this Grail War.