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Chapter Text

"I ask of you, are you my Master?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka only leapt in the air with joy, pumping his fists around and shaking Mash's shoulders in a wild manner, the poor girl's eyes spinning like cyclones as her Master and friend jumped with joy.

"We did it! We did it! Mash look! We got the King of Knights!"

Saber's eyes looked at them with a somewhat worried and clueless expression.

"E-Excuse me-"

Fujimaru only ignored the Saber's words, continuing to celebrate with joy.

"R-Ritsuka...! We should at least help her understand where she is...!" Mash asked out with a worried look towards Artoria, her eyes glancing between her Master and new servant.

"Ah! You're right!"

With that, Fujimaru finally looked at Artoria, before throwing his arms wide open with a big grin.

"Welcome to Chaldea, oh King of Knights! You're here to help us save humanity!"

----

To Artoria, the feeling of saving Humanity felt oddly familiar...

"My King! You are here!"

Upon seeing a familiar knight with short silver hair and a towering build, her feelings of discomfort soon washed away.

"A-Ah... so you are all here too?"

After speaking with Mash alone, her thoughts of Galahad had been rampant whenever she spoke to the girl. The young girl didn't deny her calling of Galahad towards her either.

Despite them being servants, as well as their new forms of weaponry and looks, Percival carried the same loyalty to Artoria those many years ago.

"It has been a strange time here, my King! There are many who look quite like you..." Percival spoke out with a bright smile. "We've mistaken a few for you, but the presence of you here now was more than noticeable!"

Artoria gave a small nod, glancing around at the establishment as they walked the halls.

"This place... there are many servants here from what Master had said. Are the others here as well?"

Percival tilted his head, before giving a nod.

"Yes, a few others are here from our Round Table! We could always meet them when you wish to. There are so many servants here that it's quite lively."

A small smile graced the King's lips, as her eyes closed for a brief moment.

"So many servants in one place... It feels so strange to me..."

A large bell rung out, before Percival smiled, the sounds of footsteps from further down the hall echoing in the hall.

"What is the sound for?" Artoria asked, her stance now in an alert stance from the sudden blare.

Percival let out a chuckle, causing the King of Knights to blush a little.

"My King, it's just the alarm for lunch at Chaldea."

"L-Lunch...? As in food?"

Percival nodded. "Correct, my King. Everyone is quite fond of the food here. Many servants who are not of origin here find solace. I have never seen so many grand heroes with such joyful expression upon feasting on a meal!"

His eyes glanced back at Artoria, who's eyes were wide open and staring down the hall, her mouth hung open with a bit of drool.

At the new, oddly unsightly look on his King's face, Percival let out a loud cough.

"M-My King... your face..."

Artoria blushed once more, before sighing.

"M-My apologies, Sir Percival... I..."

She shook her head, before a loud grumble came from her stomach, embarrasing the King further.

"A-Ah... I-I..."

Percival only barely contained a laugh, looking to the side.

"I believe you are hungry, my liege...?"

Artoria only nodded with a flushed face, causing the knight beside her to take a deep breath to prevent himself from laughing at his King.

"We must make haste... if you are hungry, your body must be in a disorderly manner!" Percival said out loud, his expression slowly shifting to one of resolved care for his King.

"Y-Yes... I would appreciate it..."

A warm smile graced the lips of Percival's, before he began to lead the way towards the cafeteria alongside his King.

----

Later...

"Oi, Archer! Get me another bowl!"

"Ask me that again mutt and I'll cut the portion in half-"

"Archer! Isn't that too cruel to Cu?"

"Tch..."

Artoria stood at the entrance from one of the many halls, and upon looking at the large cafeteria, her eyes widened in awe.

"So many servants..."

"Yes, they are quite the lively bunch, aren't they My King?" Percival spoke, glancing at the many servants with a smile.

Across the cafeteria, were several servants enjoying their meals and causing mayhem.

On the eastern side, Atalanta, Chiron and Achillies sat together, laughing and enjoying their meals with a few laughs while a group of small children, appearances that looked all too familiar to Artoria shared laughs and smiles as well.

"Hmm... some of them look familiar." Artoria muttered out, her eyes glancing on a few magical girl versions of Illya and Rin, before glancing away.

"Do they? Has My King met a few like them?"

Artoria gave a nod, her thoughts reflecting back on her time in Fuyuki.

"Yes... I can remember a time where I had met a few individuals and servants..."

But why could she remember? She had expected to forget those memories upon coming here to Chaldea through summons...

"You, Archer in Red! Have you prepared the greatest of meals for the King of Heroes!?"

Upon hearing that voice, Artoria's expression soured.

"I-Is that...?"

Percival only nodded with a tired smile.

"Y-Yes... the self-proclaimed King of Heroes..."

Gleaming in golden armor, Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes and arrogant man Saber had met during her time in Fuyuki, had reappeared and walked into the cafeteria. A few eyes also fell on him, several already tired of what seemed to be an imminent show of brawn.

Then, it felt like a thunderbolt had striked through her brain.

"Archer in Red...?"

Her eyes immediately flung to the kitchen counter, meeting a familiar figure with a sleeveless, black & silver lined metal plate with an apron on; tanned skin and white hair...

But... was his white hair always down?

Without thinking, she began to walk forward, passing by several tables and leaving Percival, curiosity filling her as she took on Archer's appearance.

She couldn't recall him looking like this back in Fuyuki, where they had worked together and gone against each other.

Gilgamesh, catching sight of Artoria, only smirked.

"If it isn't the King of Knights...! I, Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, grace you with my-"

Without looking at him, Artoria walks past the King of Heroes, shocking him, Percival, and others onlooking the loud commotion Gilgamesh had caused.

"K-King of Knights...!"

"To walk past the King of Heroes... how amusing!"

Saber did not listen to anyone else, nor could she recall hearing what the others were saying about her dismissiveness towards Gilgamesh.

But upon approaching the kitchen counter, she spoke out to the red bowman as if it were second nature.

"Archer...?"

Though everyone was confused by the sudden callout of a class name rather than the servant's actual name, EMIYA glanced behind him upon hearing the familiar voice, his eyes meeting the shorter King's green ones.

But upon seeing him, her eyes widened in pure surprise at his facial complexion.

It resembled the person she had fallen in love with...

And she uttered another name.

"S-Shirou...?"

EMIYA, upon seeing the King of Knights looking up at him with a surprised look thanks to his new appearnce, immediately cleared his throat.

"I-I believe you've mistaken me for someone else, Saber..."

Upon saying that, his signature smug smile came to his face.

"Or have you not given up on that boy despite him choosing Rin?"

Artoria quickly blinked, before clearing her throat.

"R-Right... n-no, I must've been mistaken is all..."

The odd silence that filled the cafeteria at their reunion was all that remained, before EMIYA glanced around with an annoyed, yet troubled look.

"Tch... well, is there something you want from me?"

Saber blinked quickly, before rubbing her arm.

"I-I... uhh..."

EMIYA then chuckled.

"Or is your gluttony still prevalent?"

With that, the King's expressioned changed into crimson, and her flustered look had become an irritated one.

"T-That is not true! I am not a glutton!"

"Oh? I don't seem to recall that..."

Despite the silent air in the cafeteria, the bickering between them slowly became natural, and the air of the cafeteria became filled with chatter again.

Percival watched with a surprised look, his hand rubbing his chin with an interested gaze.

"Hmm... so my liege knows of the mysterious Archer...?"

Gilgamesh, who had been ignored previously, suddenly walked up to the two at the kitchen counter.

"You insolent fools... dare ignore me!?"

EMIYA and Artoria glance at him, before frowning.

"Tch... if it isn't the mighty gold man..."

"King of Heroes... what a pleasure meeting you here..."

Gilgamesh could easily tell that EMIYA was an ass when it came to greeting him, but his obliviousness to Artoria's sarcastic voice made him seem idiotic to those watching.

"I had asked you, faker. Have you prepared my meal?"

"Oh yes, gracious King... I must've left it in the trash bin around the back. Surely a mighty King like you would do anything to retrieve his morsels-"

Gilgamesh slammed his fist on the counter, teeth gritting as he stared at EMIYA.

"You dare mock me!? Your arrogance will determine your unsightly death by me!"

EMIYA only smirked.

"Oh? Am I so worthy to engage in a battle with the so mightiest King of Heroes?"

"W-Why you...!?"

The sudden gleam of golden circles began to summon behind Gilgamesh, the noble phantasms within the Gates of Babylon slowly sliding out as he cursed out at EMIYA with an expression of pure hatred.

"Enough! You will perish now!"

"W-Wait!"

Sliding into the cafeteria was Fujimaru, waving his hands up in distress.

"What the hell is going on!?"

EMIYA only chuckled at the sight of his Master, turning back around and working in the kitchen as if nothing had happened. Artoria glanced at him, before turning back to Fujimaru.

"My apologies Master. Shi- no... Archer and I had provoked the King of Heroes with our actions, forgive us..."

Fujimaru glanced at EMIYA and Saber, before letting out a sigh.

"R-Right... just don't be rude... I thought we had told you that too, Archer of Red..."

EMIYA only shrugged.

"It was misunderstanding of my words."

"You dare believe me to misunderstand someone else's words, you faker-!"

"G-Gilgamesh! That's enough...!" Fujimaru called out, waving his hands and standing between them. "And I told you about attacking other servants with your weapons in Chaldea! We have a training room for that!"

Gilgamesh only clicked his tongue.

"Do not stand in my way."

Saber stood beside Fujimaru.

"Master is right, King of Heroes. We shouldn't fight each other, now that we are all here to fight together against a greater threat that aims for humanity's disappearance."

Upon seeing Saber stand beside his Master, Gilgamesh scoffed.

"Tch..."

EMIYA wore a smug smile on his face from behind, before handing a plate of food to Boudica, who then approaches the group.

"Here, King of Heroes. We had it made, please do not worry..."

With a conflicted look and scoff, Gilgamesh took the plate, before disappearing back down the halls. Fujimaru and the others watched the golden figure disappear down the hall, before their Master let out a deep sigh.

"Whew... crisis averted."

"Master, I apologize for the altercation..." Saber spoke out, bowing her head with shame. "I didn't mean to provoke the King of Heroes."

"N-No... I think the blame lies more on Archer..."

He side-eyes EMIYA, who whistles behind the counter.

Fujimaru then lets out a sigh, before dusting himself off.

"In any case. We're lucky he didn't end up destroying half of the cafeteria like last time..."

"L-Last time...?" Artoria asks with a shocked face.

"Yes," Fujimaru answers, his eyes side-eyeing EMIYA again. "A certain Archer loves to provoke him and it ended up with a battle... I got them to stop before they destroyed the entirety of Chaldea though..."

Artoria shook her head. "No, Archer is well known for provoking people with his words."

Fujimaru glances at Artoria and EMIYA, before tiltling his head with a small smile.

"I take it you two know each other...?"

EMIYA took off his apron and hung it onto one of the racks, before summoning his cloak and slicking his hair back, his elbows and forearms resting on the counter.

"We had been opponents in a grail war before."

"And allies, Archer..." Artoria said with a bit of distaste at his choice of memory.

Fujimaru grinned. "Oh! That's cool! You two must work well together, right?"

Artoria thought back to the times that she did fight with EMIYA.

Even though it had been brief, she could not lie that he knew her fighting style quite well. Every attack he made had been synced with hers perfectly and effortlessly. He had even assisted her in exploiting the enemies weakness, as well as capitalizing on weak points where her abilities would do best...

And fighting against him, he had figured out her entire fighting style and mindset without even lifting his blade.

"...I suppose you can say that, yes." She answered with a hesitant look at EMIYA, who only shrugged.

"Then would you guys mind helping me with this Singularity?"

The two looked at him with a confused look, before Fujimaru smiled brightly.

"It's the first one! Singularity F! Otherwise known as Fuyuki!"

Upon hearing that name, the two of them glanced at each other warily.

Chapter Text

"I ask of you, are you my Master?"

Artoria stood there silently in the training room, her sword pointed at the ground with a conflicted look.

Some time ago, she could recall herself saying that to Shirou Emiya, the young redhead boy that sat in that dark shed during her second summon in Fuyuki.

Yet... something about seeing EMIYA look exactly like him had struck a chord she didn't understand yet.

EMIYA himself had explained what he was when he had opposed his younger self...

He was Shriou, a human turned Heroic Spirit used to clean up after humanities follies and events that would lead to their extinction.

Again, and again, and again...

The thought pained her, and she could only imagine how agonizing that life was.

Had that path been so predetermined, that he was faced with death and brought back to kill people again for the sake of humanity continuing every time...?

Her expression had become somber, her grip on her sword slowly loosening as the blade lowered itself further, before a familiar voice came from behind her.

"Still repeating that line, Saber?"

Her head snaps behind to see EMIYA standing there with his arms crossed and wearing his red cloak.

"Yes," she answers, looking back at her drawn blade. "Just to confirm it over and over that this is not a dream."

EMIYA lets out a sigh and shakes his head.

"You should treat it as any other grail war. The only difference is we are all alligned with the same goal; to save humanity from incineration."

Artoria gave a small nod, glancing at EMIYA with a small smile.

"This place... there is a sense of peace here despite it... unlike our last war..."

EMIYA winced a little at the mention of their previous grail war, before sighing.

"...you got that right."

"And there are a lot more servants than I expected." Artoria continues, glancing around the training room. "They seemed a bit more relaxed than I would have thought. Almost all of them seemed to be in a good mood and getting along with each other."

"...yet that mutt and self-proclaimed King of Heroes is here..." EMIYA spits out with a bitter look.

"M-Mutt...?"

"Forget my words, that was nonsensical rambling..." EMIYA says with a loud sigh and closed eyes.

"...very well."

Artoria looked around, before turning her attention back to EMIYA.

"Archer... are you...?"

EMIYA's eyes opened back up and looked at her, before another sigh escaped his lips, well aware of what was on her mind.

"...why do you ask?"

"Just answer me, Archer..." Artoria says with a determined, albeit cautious look.

"...I don't have an answer."

EMIYA then sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"That brat made me rethink... now I'm not sure how I feel about..."

EMIYA's words fall short, his thoughts a mess before he turns to look at Artoria with a resignated smug smile.

"But I'm a Counter Guaridan... so it's my job to help here."

Saber looks at EMIYA with a conflicted expression.

When he had fought her and Shirou during their time in Fuyuki, he had provided his goal so easily.

To destroy his younger self; to prevent another him from coming to life...

Yet in his eyes now, she could see that he was lost.

Like a machine working it's orders, he never did anything that steered away from that...

Without conscious thought, she walked over to him.

"Archer."

He looked back at her, raising an eyebrow at her sudden approach.

"...What?"

Her eyes were not visible and she was staring down, unable to face that tall, tan-skinned man.

"Why were you so insinstent on becoming a champion of justice...?"

The expression Artoria gave him when she looked back up at him, made a painful pair of memories resurface from the rubble of death and carnage he had done in his afterlife...

Just like how Kiritsugu had found him that day beneath the rocks surrounded by fire...

His answer was simple...

He loved the Saber in his time, and wanted to meet her again by becoming a Heroic Spirit; to become recongized enough to reach the Throne of Heroes, to meet his Saber in Avalon.

Yet... that would never come...

And furthermore, this was not his Saber...

EMIYA took a deep breath in and sighed.

"...that is for me to know, Saber. You should know it's not right to pry into other people's business."

"...then why are you still fighting...?"

"That is also for me to know."

Frustration bubbled up in her stomach from his selfishness.

"Y-You can't just..."

Artoria then closed her eyes, her head shaking as she knew he was right about her asking for more details about his life.

"...then I will ask you again, until you answer me."

EMIYA looked at her incredulously.

"What...?"

Saber then raised her head to look up at him, her eyes now filled with an odd sense of determination.

"I will ask you again soon, and I will hope for an answer."

EMIYA looked at her in disbelief, before rubbing his forehead.

"Good grief... ever so stubborn..."

Feeling a small sense of victory at his lack of protest, she then stepped back.

"Would you allow me to do that, to ask you again someday?"

EMIYA looked at her, an odd sense of nostalgia and affection forming back in his iron heart from decades ago, before sighing.

"Do as you please..."

With that, Artoria's lips curled into a warm smile, the air filled with an atmosphere that felt all too familiar yet enjoyable for her.

Until her stomach growled again, causing a small chuckle to escape the red-bowman's lips, as well as cause his signature smugness to appear.

"...always a glutton."

"S-Silence... I'm not a glutton, you know this, Shirou."

EMIYA prepared to lecture her on calling him Shirou, before feeling a sense of warmth come from a memory long ago.

With it, he only shook his head in exhaustion.

"To prove my fact... that you are very stubborn."

He then began to walk, before glancing at Artoria.

"I'll make you something. It's best for us to enjoy our time before we head into that Singularity for Master."

Artoria followed the red-bowman with a sense of something else bubbling in her chest; a comforting warmth and restlessness, before shaking her head, her mind suddenly flowing with the idea of eating cooking that was all too familiar to her.

The King of Knights was considered someone to be a very diligent and refined King who watched over Camelot. Many servants themselves had known of such a personality being described of her, as well making a image themselves of what she was like.

However, the sad look that graced the King's face everytime she finished her plate of Katsu Curry and Rice was something that had shocked them all.

As well as her lack of etiquette when taking a spoonful of the meal... and another spoonful... and another...

The mysterious Archer in red that stood beside her however, seemed to be the only person not shocked by this... which further confused the present servants.

"T-To think my King was so..."

Percival could not finish his sentence, his eyes watching in complete shock at his King reach the 6th plate of food.

"You are still a splendid cook, Archer." Artoria complimented amidst a bite.

The compliment caused another memory to resurface in his mind, before he shook his head.

"It is a necessity, as you know. It would not be useful cooking if it did not taste great..."

"How about me then? Why not give me more?"

The complaint from Cu only made EMIYA click his tongue.

"Tsk, if you believe that you deserve more then you're better off searching for food in the trash."

Artoria glanced at Cu, then at EMIYA as she swallowed her food.

"Archer, why don't you provide Cu with as much as you gave me...?"

That question threw EMIYA off immediately. If he said that it brought nostalgic memories of him and the Saber he loved, what would the reaction be?

He would rather spend another 100 years being a Counter Guardian than admit that to the world.

"I simply know how you are, Saber. That mutt is another matter."

Despite his odd choice of words, Artoria felt an odd sense of warmth that she was being treated such a way... albeit specially.

She began to feel guilty, before looking at EMIYA.

"I-I can't be the only one to recieve such extra treatment, n-no...?"

EMIYA looked to the side, seemingly in thought.

"Hmm..."

Artoria knew the answer was no, and her face pinkened from the embarrassment of getting special treatment in front of several other notable heroes and servants.

"A-Archer...?"

EMIYA didn't answer, an amused, smug grin on his face, causing Artoria to blush further.

"D-Don't ignore me, Archer!"

"I simply don't have an answer, so I can't say anything."

"Y-You...!"

"Oh, you two are here already!"

Artoria and EMIYA glance over to see their Master approaching with a grin, Mash accompanying him.

"Ah, Archer of Red and King of Knights...! It's a pleasure to meet you again!"

Mash gave a small bow and smile, before looking towards Fujimaru.

"Are we going to head out soon?"

Fujimaru rubbed his hands together, before nodding.

"Yup! After I get something to eat too. Archer!"

Several other servants glance at Fujimaru, before he rubs his neck.

"E-Er... Archer in Red... is there anything I can actually call you by?" He asked awkwardly, rubbing his neck.

EMIYA glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, before sighing.

"I have no name. I'm simply Nameless."

"Alright, Nameless it is!"

"W-Wait what-"

Fujimaru then grinned.

"Nameless, I request some Katsu Curry as well!"

Artoria glanced at her Master, before looking at EMIYA timidly.

"I-If I could have another... A-Archer..."

The red bowman looked at the two, before letting out a deep sigh despite the smile that graced his lips afterwards.

"Good grief..."

In the Fuyuki Singularity...

"Master, this is..."

Artoria glanced around awkwardly, before looking at EMIYA, who glanced at the flames around them with a sigh.

"Tch... how nostalgic."

"Ahhhh... it really is!"

EMIYA's expression then soured, before he turned to Fujimaru.

"Master, why did we bring him...?"

Cu Chulainn only grinned with a shrug of his shoulders, his spear resting along the back of his shoulders.

"Master simply needed someone who knew the place well. I was in the war with you both, wasn't I?"

"I'd prefer that Caster Medea over you..."

Artoria shivered at the memory of her time in the UBW route, the dress she had worn being a not so loving memory...

As well as fighting Archer for a brief moment whilst being Masterless...

"I-I can't say I agree, Archer..."

EMIYA glanced at them both, before sighing.

"This will be quite a fun trip..."

Fujimaru glanced around the smoldering cars and roads, his eyes looking up towards the broken buildings.

"What a... well, mess. You guys really fought in this kind of setting?"

Cu looked around with a wonderous expression.

"Hardly. This looks like the basement of that mansion I saved that girl from..."

Artoria raised an eyebrow. "Rin? What happened to you after that?"

"Tch..."

Cu kicked a nearby rock before grumbling.

"I had a command seal used on me to commit suicide... that damn crazy priest..."

EMIYA only smiled smugly.

"How fitting... an annoying dog serving a crazy priest."

Cu, despite the bulge on his head, only laughed.

"And you lost to a weaker version of yourself. I say we're in the same boat."

"If that was the case, then that boat must've sunk with you on it."

"Hah, you wanna test that theory?"

Artoria stood between them with a frustrated look on her face.

"Enough. We're here to deal with the Singularity, not play warrior."

EMIYA and Cu looked to the side, while Fujimaru only smiled in amusement, fanboying deeply inside.

"Man, this is so awesome."

After slaying another group of skeletons, Mash wipes her forehead and smiles.

"Thank goodness! We managed it yet again, Master."

Fujimaru nodded, looking at the other three servants along him and Mash.

"You guys are making this a lot easier than I thought it'd be!"

EMIYA chuckled. "They aren't as dangerous as they look, Master..."

"If there are enemies, our main goal is to defend you, Master."

"Like Saber said, they aren't too big of a deal."

"Archer said that, Lancer."

"Hah? He'd say something that smart?"

"Oi, mutt. You should watch how you speak."

Cu only shivered in disgust.

"Ugh..."

Alongside them, a young woman with long white hair and golden-amber eyes stood there, smiling at Fujimaru.

"I'm a little surprised you can summon such servants, but I guess breaking rules is part of the quota as magus, huh?"

The woman's name was Olga Marie, the Director of Chaldea.

Her eyes turned to Mash, before smirking.

"I see you're getting used to being a Servant. Is it because you know what we're up against that you're not afraid anymore?"

"I don't know about that... no matter how good I am with my weapon, when it comes to the battle itself..."

Artoria looks at Mash, before giving a warm smile.

"You are doing amazing, Mash. We are lucky to have you protect our Master."

"Saber's right. The more the merrier, as they say." EMIYA backs up, crossing his arms.

A beep comes through, before a projection with Doctor Roman appears.

"Hey, be on alert! I'm picking up something in your guys vicinity! It's-"

Cu lifts his spear, before pointing towards a direction ahead. A shadowed figure suddenly bolts towards them at blinding speed, before being deflected and redirected to the side by Cu Chulainn.

"Tch... Rider." The blue-haired Lancer mutters out with a bitter tone.

Mash looks at the event in surprise.

"A-A servant?!"

Marie's reaction is relatively the same.

"F-Fujimaru, you can do something about this right? W-Why are there servant's here?!"

Fujimaru looks at her with a scared expression.

"H-Huh!? What about you!? You lead the whole Chaldea-"

Cu rests his spear on his shoulders, smiling.

"Calm down, Master. I can handle it."

Artoria steps up beside Cu, causing him to look at her in surprise.

"I am also here to help, Master." Artoria says with a determined gaze, before turning to EMIYA. "You as well, right Archer?"

EMIYA raises an eyebrow at Saber's inclusion of him, before summoning Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands.

His will was weak to Artoria.

"Alright. Leave it to us, Master."

He glances behind and at Mash, before cocking his head to the side.

"Mash, protect Master and the Director."

Mash nods vigorously, before holding her shield in front of Fujimaru and Marie.

"Leave it to me!"

Without further words, EMIYA summoned his bow and prepared firing arrows, whilst Cu and Artoria began to charge inwards.

"Lancer!"

"Alright!"

Cu, upon seeing Rider dash for him, thrusted his spear forward, the shadow servant dodging to the side and preparing to attack him, before being met with a sword blow from Saber, sending the shadow servant back.

Shadow Rider stood back up, dashing forward, before a hail of arrows began to rain down, causing her to get struck by one while attempting to dash back.

However, her dash back was met with a thrust from Cu's spear, piercing her body from the right, before Saber raised her sword and brought it down on the shadow servant.

Upon landing their blows, they dodge back before the shadow servant's body was barraged by another hail of arrows, the dust and smoke clearing to reveal nothing but fading shadow particles.

Mash and Fujimaru's eyes were wide open in shock at the domination.

"W-Wow..."

"Oh... my... GOD!"

Fujimaru then pushed pass Mash, scaring the poor girl before he leapt into the air and jumped around victoriously.

"No one's winning against you guys! Who would've thought I could summon three incredible servants, AND have you all on the same team against a single enemy!"

Marie only shook her head at the Master's enthusiastic energy, while EMIYA only chuckled.

"We're lucky to have ended her quickly. I believe that the shadow servants can still use their noble phantasm's. Had we taken any longer with our team attacks..."

Artoria nodded, looking at her sword.

"If it had been a one-on-one battle with that Rider, I'm not sure if I would be victorious."

Cu crossed his arms with a sigh.

"Honestly, it feels too eerie. It's like they don't even use mana either and can expend themselves however! Ugh, what a pain!"

EMIYA looked towards his Master, before glancing around.

"Now that the trouble is gone, let's continue-"

The group nodded in agreement, before EMIYA's expressioned hardened.

"Another servant..."

Marie looked at them with a frustrated expression.

"A-Again?!"

EMIYA immediately dashed towards Mash and Fujimaru, the shadow assassin, Hassan, being parried, before dodging away from an attack by Saber.

"...Assassin." Artoria muttered, raising her blade.

Cu looked at the shadow assasin, before a look of disgust came across his face.

"I'm not sure what it is... but I feel like I've got bad blood with him... like I need to even a score."

Saber raised her sword. "Be careful, Lancer. We did not have this Assassin in our grail war."

EMIYA nodded, raising his Kanshou and Bakuya.

"Indeed. Don't slow me down, mutt. Saber, you stay here."

"Eh?! But-"

"Archer's right, Saber. I've got a score to settle with this thing... I think..."

EMIYA clicks his tongue. "I don't have a good feeling about him either..."

As if on cue, the Assassin's hand slowly unveils from under it's cloak, causing EMIYA to glance at Cu.

"Don't get touched by that mutt."

"I could say the same to you, you bastard."

Coming towards them at a blitzing speed, Lancer prepared to thrust his spear forwards once more, while EMIYA leapt over him, firing several arrows at him. Shadow Assassin dodges it with ease, flying past them and towards Lancer.

"Tch... is he really coming up close..."

"Mutt! Heads up!"

EMIYA flies down, clashing his blade against the Assassin, throwing the servant off balance before kicking him towards Cu.

"Haha!"

With a wide grin, Cu reels his spear back.

"Gae..!"

His sentence is cut off, when another spear comes towards him, before being deflected by Saber.

"Archer!"

EMIYA raises an eyebrow, surprised by Saber's sudden movement to Cu, before recieving a blow from another servant, sending him back towards the other while Assassin leaps away. Saber rushes quickly to EMIYA, before the tanned-skin man stands back up with a groan.

"Tch... another one." He hisses out.

Cu Chulainn raises an eyebrow.

"Hah...? Another Lancer...?"

Artoria raises her sword, looking at Mash.

"Miss Mash, please protect our Master."

The Shadow Lancer who had arrived, only frowned at the numbers of servants.

"Three servants against two? How cruel..."

EMIYA rubbed his side, before giving a smug smile to their opponents.

"Guess you guys can talk."

"Hmm... isn't this interesting..."

A magical shot flies past and strikes the ground near the Shadow Servants, causing them to back up.

"W-Who are you!?"

Jumping down to them with a robe and blue hair, the group exchanged looks with the sudden appearance of a man, before the new arrival's eyes met with the blue-haired man of their team.

The two blue-haired servants exchange looks, before their faces became a look of annoyance and confusion.

"Hah?"

"Hah?"

Fujimaru looked at the two, before his jaw hung open, EMIYA, Saber, and Mash also looking at the moment in confusion.

There was... two Chu Chulainns...?

Chapter Text

"Hey, you're me!"

Both of the Cu Chulainn's had said that out loud while the Shadow Servants simply stood in the distance, exchanging confused looks.

"There are two of Caster...?"

"No, that one has a spear..."

"But I'm Lancer...?"

"How should I know...?"

EMIYA only had a sour expression at the sight of two Cu's, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

He could hear his soul scream in anguish at the sight of two of them.

"Ugh... and just when I thought this trip was already a hassle..."

"Archer, be mindful of the new Caster." Artoria said with a small frown, her eyes looking up at the tanned-skin servant beside her. "He could aid us."

Caster Cu glanced at EMIYA, before frowning.

"...Archer? No, you're not him... at least not exactly. This is annoying, tch..."

Lancer Cu only nodded in agreement.

"See?! Someone finally gets me!"

"Caster."

The blue haired Caster looked over at Artoria, her refined gaze staring at him in return.

"Would you be able to help us?"

Caster Cu glanced over at the Shadow Assassin's, before shrugging.

"It's better than working with them. They kind of hate me."

"Sounds about right..." EMIYA muttered out, summoning his bow. "But Saber is right. It'd be helpful if you assisted us."

Lancer Cu glanced around his other version's body, before frowning.

"Huh? No Spear? What are you, a madlad?"

Caster Cu winced at the observation, before shaking his head.

"I'm a Caster. I don't use spears... unfortunately."

"Huh? Be like the red one then. He's got two swords even though he's an Archer."

"Or the King of Heroes..." Artoria said with a bitter taste in her mouth. "He also doesn't use arrows... or a bow..."

Fujimaru only snickered behind Mash. "The Archer class doesn't seem to consist of many actual Archers..."

"Master, I don't think Atalanta would appreciate that..." Mash muttered out with a shy voice, holding her shield tightly.

"Caster, will you help us?" Artoria asked once again.

Caster Cu glances at them, before sighing.

"Alright. The enemy of my enemy isn't exactly my friend but... we'll see if we're friend or foe eventually."

"Hmph, like that's needed." EMIYA said with a click of his tongue.

Caster Cu's eyes fall on EMIYA again, before he sighs.

"And... I feel really weird fighting with this guy again."

"Again...?" Mash questions.

"I'll tell you later, young lady."

"Archer, don't provoke Caster." Artoria lectured EMIYA, giving him a small glare.

The red bowman let out a sigh, before stepping back behind Mash alongside Caster Cu.

"Saber, mutt, you two can handle them while we give support."

"Why are you calling the other me a mutt...?"

"Don't ask."

After the defeat of the two shadow servant's, the group continues travelling, an extra addition within their party.

"Huh, so you don't carry Gae Bolg with you anymore...?"

"Nah."

"So you're the sole survivor like Doctor Roman said, Caster?" Artoria asked with a tilt of her head.

"If by that you mean I haven't lost, then sure. Our Holy Grail war turned into something entirely different along the way. I don't know how it happened either but..."

Caster motioned to the areas around them.

"As you can see, the city became engulfed in flames and the humans just vanished. Only the servants remained."

Mash looked at him with a worried expression. "Then... how did you guys stay without a conduit for mana?"

Caster Cu shrugs. "Beats me, but Saber was the first to continue the Holy Grail War. Although... the chap went rampaging like crazy. She got to everyone, you name it. Archer, Berserker, Lancer, Assassin... all defeated."

"So you're the survivor, or well, the only Servant left, correct?"

Caster Cu gave a nod. "Yup. Any Servant defeated by Saber ended up like those two, corrupted by the black mud. Them,  and then the monsters that sprout up around like maggots all began looking for something together. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm one of the things they're looking for two, since this Holy Grail War won't end until they kill me."

"And as Doctor Roman said, you're the only surviving Servant excluding Saber, yes?" Marie asked, crossing her arms.

"Yes."

"But to end it, you have to take down Saber. But you can't do it alone to win, so you asked us, isn't that right? For your own sake?"

"That's right, but it isn't a bad deal, right?"

EMIYA could only agree with his thinking, whilst Saber and Cu had cautious looks on their faces.

The expressions were suddenly washed away before each of the Servants put their guard up.

"Archer, Caster, please stand behind us once more. Miss Mash, please assist in defending Master and those two, alongside the Director.

"G-Got it!"

Glancing at the number of skeletons approaching them, Artoria raised her sword.

"T-There are many enemies..."

"You can handle this much, yes Saber?" Lancer Cu asked with a small grin.

"Of course. I've been to many battlefields."

An arrow flies past them, as EMIYA only scoffs.

"Then prove it, Saber. Me and Caster will assist once again."

"Understood. Thank you, Archer."

"Don't mention it."

Lancer Cu and Artoria then dash into the crowd of skeletons, Caster Cu attacking the ones with bows alongside EMIYA.

"Not a bad shot with the bow." Caster Cu remarked as he shot another magical round from his staff into the crowd.

"If I had been a bad shot, then I would not be qualified for my job."

EMIYA clicked his tongue at the thought of going back to thoughtlessly slaughtering people to prevent humanities destruction as a Counter Guardian, before shaking his head.

"Whatever the case, let's continue to aid."

"Archer!"

EMIYA raised an eyebrow, before looking back at Fujimaru who was peeking out from behind Mash.

"Can you teach me how to shoot arrows!?"

EMIYA felt a brick land on his head, before sighing.

"Master, please joke around another time."

"But I'm serious!"

"Then the answer is no."

"Please!?"

"Good grief..."

Eventually, after fighting waves upon waves of skeleton, Mash glances at EMIYA, then back at Lancer Cu, a troubled expression plastered on her face.

"Lancer, Archer... I have a question."

The two look over at the young girl, before she rubs her head.

"Umm.. how does a Noble Phantasm activate?"

EMIYA glances over at Caster Cu, who walks over with a raised eyrbrow.

"Why do you ask?"

Fujimaru and Marie also approach the group, their eyes falling on Mash as well.

"Yeah, you seemed a little troubled." Fujimaru points out, placing his arms on his hips with a small smile. "Is something wrong?"

Mash rubs her arm timidly.

"W-Well... I've gained enough experience under Master's command but... I still don't know how to unleash it. I'm like a defective servant."

The small beast, Fou, which resembled some sort of puppy, simply said it's name with a sad tone.

"Ah... so that's what it is." EMIYA said, glancing at Mash with crossed arms. "I understand your sense of responsibility, but thinking like that won't get you anywhere."

"Archer, don't be so harsh." Artoria scolds him, her eyes glaring at him before looking towards Mash with a softer expression. "It is normal for us not to know, but perhaps it will take a bit of time."

"Yes, if anything, you could master it right now. Servants and Noble Phantasms are basically the same thing." Caster Cu says with a smirk.

Fujimaru looked at them in confusion. "Huh...? But wouldn't make servants less special?"

"Hahh...? We're Heroic Spirits, Master. We have more than enough capability to prove ourselves as one." Lancer Cu says with a frown.

EMIYA facepalms. "That's not what he meant, you mutt. Regardless, he is right, Master. I believe Mash can master, or at least use her Noble Phantasm."

"He is right. Since you're not using it, your magical energy isn't ciruclating right. "Caster Cu says, rubbing his chin.

Artoria looks at EMIYA with a curious gaze.

"Archer, you don't have one, no?"

EMIYA shakes his head. "No, I am not a special servant."

Artoria feels her heart drop a bit at his blunt yet deprecative response, before Caster Cu speaks up again.

"Let's see, maybe enthusiasm? No, perhaps too reserved? Anyway, I'm sure it's because you just don't yell out when you practice."

"Really?"

Mash then repeats her words, only louder with Fou also copying her.

Marie only covered her ears with a ticked expression.

"Hey, don't yell all of a sudden! You're gonna burst my eardrums, seriously!"

EMIYA watches them, a small hint of amusement on his face. Artoria notices his small shift in expression.

"Archer, were you smiling?"

Upon being caught, EMIYA's expression quickly died.

"I was not."

A small sense of joy came from Artoria's chest, before she shook her head.

"Now is not the time to have banter with allies. We are here to solve this Singularity..." Artoria reminds herself.

After Mash apologizes to the director of Chaldea with a timid expression while Caster Cu only rubs his cheek.

"...no, that was a metaphor. Anyway, it seems you have the enthusiasm. Fujimaru, you heard the young lady. Do you mind if we take a detour?"

Fujimaru rubs his cheek, before sighing.

"Detour? What kind?"

"What? I'm just talking about special training. It won't take long."

EMIYA crosses his arms. "Hm... special training..."

"Is this okay?" Artoria asks.

Lancer Cu seemed offended. "Tch, of course it is! It's me doing it!"

"That's exactly the issue." EMIYA says with frown.

"Let's just see if it works, Archer. We can trust Lancer, and if he is also Caster, then I say we can trust him too." Artoria says with a nod.

"See? Saber gets it." Caster Cu says, before looking at Fujimaru. "I'm Caster right now, so leave the healing to me."

Caster Cu then walks over to Marie, before smiling.

"First we'll start off small. Let me inscribe some misfortune-bringing runes... okay! We're done."

Marie looks at her coat with a confused and worried expression.

"Huh? What are you doing? Why are you inscribing runes on my coat...?!"

"Even if something targets you, you can take care of yourself, right?" Caster Cu says with a chuckle.

As if it were a script, a couple of skeletons begin to appear and find Marie, their eyes set on her specifically.

"And look, here they come!"

Marie looks at Caster Cu with both anger and fear.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

EMIYA and Artoria share glances, before letting out a sigh.

"Lancer... is still Lancer, even as Caster it seems..." Artoria says with a resignated tone.

EMIYA's expression shares her disappointment.

"D-Director, get behind me!" Mash calls out, sliding in front of her and Fujimaru. "You too Master, prepare for battle!"

"Alright, that should be enough. To put it simply, a Noble Phantasm is part of a Heroic Spirit's instinct. It's hard to use it if you think too much."

Caster Cu then laughs, smiling at Mash who glances back at him with a worried expression.

"Therefore, you must first use up all of your energy, young lady! Man, I'm a genius!"

Fujimaru looks at him with a frown. "Maybe you're an idiot?"

EMIYA nods in agreement. "It seems he is an idiot regardless of Class, Master."

Artoria only looked at them, before holding her sword out in it's spirit form.

"Mash, we will help if it gets rough. Please do your best."

"U-Understood! Leave it to me!"

The battles go on for a while, before Mash sighs and lands on her bottom, huffing heavily.

"I can't... go on... any more back-to-back battles... I'm sorry Caster..."

She stands up wobbily, holding onto her shield.

"Rather than test my will, please teach me some solid theories-"

"...you just don't get it, do you? Did I miscalculate?"

Caster shrugs it off before looking back at Mash.

"Oh well, let's cross that bridge when we get to it."

He then raises his staff, before pointing at Mash.

"I will be your next opponent. You don't have to hold back because we're allies..."

He then glances at Fujimaru.

"...and I'm not gonna hold back when I kill Fujimaru."

"Wha-"

Marie holds her arm in front of Fujimaru.

"What are you talking about? Are you crazy?! What does Fujimaru have to do with this?!"

"A Servant's problems are the Master's problems." Caster Cu answers, looking at her with a calm expression. "Didn't I mention that you share the same fate?"

His eyes then fall on Fujimaru.

"You've had the same thought, right? When the young lady can't stand anymore, it's your death."

Artoria glances at EMIYA, raising her spirit sword carefully.

"Archer..."

"Yeah..." He answers, his expression become more stern as he steps beside her. "Let's make sure he doesn't actually kill Master."

Lancer Cu looks at the two of them, before sighing.

"Man... I really want to see if the other me can really handle the young lady, but I guess I'll help if need be."

Mash raises her shield, standing in front of Fujimaru and Marie.

"...Master, please stand back! I won't be a hindrance to you! I won't!"

Caster Cu smirks at her confidence.

"That's what I like to hear. Alright, let's have a real Servant Battle."

Lancer Cu lets out a whistle.

"Putting so much on the line for her Master... she's a keeper."

EMIYA and Artoria frown at Lancer Cu's only perception of the events that had transpired, whilst Mash's face blushed despite her serious expression.

The clashing of the staff and shield, along with the several explosions of Caster Cu's spells sent debris and dust across the terrain they stood on. Marie had to cover her eyes several times, while Fujimaru watched with a determined gaze.

"...she's really holding on in there." Lancer Cu commentates, glancing at Fujimaru. "Master, she's quite the efficient Servant, even without a Noble Phantasm."

Artoria nods in agreement. "Yes, Mash's will is very strong when it comes to defending Master."

Fujimaru looks at her with a dumbfounded expression.

"Huh? Me?"

Lancer and Marie look at him, before letting out tired sighs.

"Long way to go, Master."

EMIYA looks at the two of them, before seeing Mash fly back towards them with her shield raised, her breathing now turned in to heavy pants.

"Hahh... Hahh..."

"Hmph, seems she's reaching her limit."

"Okay, it's time to finish this."

Mash's eyes glance upwards at Caster Cu, who raises his staff with a large magical insignia forming behind him in a red fire.

"Burn to the ground with your Master!"

Artoria immediately glances at EMIYA.

"Archer!"

"No, I won't."

Her expression immediately shifts to a confused gaze.

"W-What?"

"Trust in her."

A large essence of mana flows around Caster Cu, as he raises his staff and points it down at Mash.

"My spell is the coffin of flames, a giant of verdant thorn. Retribution, a shrine that will purfy human misery..."

He then grins, his expression now filled with a thrill of battle.

"Befall the Wicker Man! And behold, as both good and evil bite the dust...!"

Mash's eyes watch the large flames flow towards them, before she raises her shield, a large glow forming around them as she lets out a large cry with the activation of her Noble Phantasm.

After finding her Noble Phantasm, or at least her pseudo version of it, Caster Cu continues to help spar and train Mash on Noble Phantasms. The crew eventually reach a large cave within Fuyuki, both naturally formed and oddly changed through years of mankind interference.

"The Greater Grail is back here. It's a little far back, so don't get lost."

EMIYA and Artoria glance around wearily.

"Archer, this place is..."

"Yes, you remember where the little brat had fought the King of Heroes? It was near that area."

"...to think you killed the King of Heroes."

Fujimaru's ears pick up on that, before glancing at him with awe.

"Y-You beat Gilgamesh before...!?"

EMIYA sighs. "I finished him off. Someone else did the damage."

Though Artoria wanted to tell her Master that it was the younger version of EMIYA that had done the damage, she decided to respect EMIYA's lack of information about himself.

After all... when this was all over, he would be gone again to repeat events like these...

She quickly shook her needless thoughts away, before Fujimaru spoke up again.

"Say, Nameless, I've never seen you actually go all out against Gilgamesh. Who would win?"

EMIYA looks at his Master, before sighing.

"Let's discuss these things back at Chaldea, Master."

"B-But it's a good topic, isn't it!? They said when you and Saber had fought Berserker Heracles, one of his lives were taken effortlessly by you! And from what I've heard, there was a time you took six of his lives in different ways each time!"

Although EMIYA could only remember the time he had helped Saber and his younger self fight Berserker, he couldn't recall taking six lives.

But as he thought about it, a wave of memories and excruciating pain pierced through him, causing him to nearly collapse and land on a knee.

"Tch...!"

He squinted his eyes, feeling the pain burn even more.

The others around him began to look at him with worry, before the pain slowly subsides.

"A-Archer!?"

His eyes meet Artoria's, her expression nearly fallen apart entirely, before he coughs.

"I-I'm fine... I just had a little stumble."

Lancer Cu and Caster Cu look at him skeptically.

"That seemed more than a stumble..."

They were right.

Within that second, memories of himself somewhere had flown through.

A battle with Berserker and Illya.

He had summoned his Reality Marble to fight the Berserker, and he had indeed taken six of his lives before he died.

The pain was from his death, and the memories must've been from some other form of himself.

"Tch... how annoying."

He slowly lifted himself back up, before sighing.

"My apologies Master."

"N-No worries, it's my fault for bringing it up..."

He then shuffled a little, before looking back at EMIYA.

"B-But... it's still... a good topic to ponder on..."

EMIYA quickly bonked his Master's head, before shaking his head.

"I'll indulge on it when we get back to Chaldea."

"Really!?"

"...please keep your voice down, Master."

The crew continued to walk on, before Marie glances at Caster Cu.

"Say, Caster... I forgot to ask you something important. Do you know Saber's True Name? It sounded like you'd fought several times."

"Yes, I know it. Anyone who gets hit by Saber's Noble Phantasm will found out that bastard's True Name..."

Caster Cu rubs his forehead.

"The other Servants were all defeated because Saber's Noble Phantasm was that powerful."

"A powerful Noble Phantasm, is it?" Mash repeats, her peaking from beside Fujimaru. "What was it like?"

"The sister sword of the Sword in the Stone. It's the most famous sacred sword in your time period."

He then raised his finger.

"it's name-"

"The Sword of Promised Victory, Excalibur. Wielded by King Arthur, the proud King of Knights."

Everyone's eyes glance around wearily.

"N-Nameless, was that-"

Although the voice was indeed EMIYA's, Fujimaru's eyes fall upon a different EMIYA standing on top of a nearby cliff.

His skin had several black veins on his left side going all the way up his eye. His hair was down as well, with entire top part of his usual red cloak now tied around to just his waist, the bottom of the coat now torn.

"I-It's you Nameless!" Marie says with a worried look.

"Ah, speak of the devil." Caster Cu sighs out. "Or shall I say, the faithful follower. As always, I see that you're still the loyal knight."

"Hmph, I don't remember becoming a follower of anybody. I'm just here to chase away unwanted visitors."

"In other words, you're the gatekeeper. I don't know why you're protecting Saber, but let's end this here. Isn't a game that never ends boring? For better or worse, we need to move the pieces forward."

The darkened EMIYA lets out a scoff.

"From the way you talk, I think you understand the circumstances. Yet you are still absorbed by your own desires. You still haven't changed despite being a mage now. In that case, I will knock some sense into you."

"Ha, big talk for a mere Archer!"

Lancer Cu backs him up.

"Yeah! Big talk you red coated-"

"Master, let me handle this."

Everyone's eyes fall on their own EMIYA.

"Huh?"

EMIYA's eyes turn to Fujimaru, then towards the other servants.

"I will handle this ordeal myself."

Artoria looks at him with a hint of concern.

"Archer...?"

"I will handle it, Saber."

"But-"

EMIYA ignores her and steps forward, his gaze meeting the darkened version of himself.

Upon meeting his gaze, another wave of pain and memories began to flow through his head.

From his judgement, it was the darkened EMIYA's memories before him.

"Tch..."

With it, the words Caster Cu had spat out earlier also bounced around in his head.

"I don't know why you're protecting Saber, but let's end this here."

He didn't really think much of it, but as he gained the memories of his darkened self and the life he had before, along with the Artoria that stood beside him now...

It was a little punch in the gut for him.

"Oh... I see, so you're also protecting her..."

EMIYA then let out a chuckle at hearing his words, moving his thoughts for a later time.

"Hmph..."

His signature smug smile then returned to his face as he summoned Kanshou and Bakuya into his hands, his eyes meeting his other self's stoic expression.

"What a cruel twist of fate..."

Chapter Text

"It's like watching a battle of machines..."

Caster Cu and Lancer Cu nodded in agreement at Mash's assessment, soaking in the sights of two nameless Archer's fighting each other.

With each blade clash, the two would counteract in the same way. They wouldn't call it battle instinct, but rather refined experience of someone who's fought over and over again.

Noticeably, they didn't possess any fighting spirit...

But the amount of close calls both EMIYA's had were madly high. Every strike or swing would be an obvious fatal wound if landed, but both EMIYA's simply dodge each other's attacks instantly.

That was EMIYA's ability, Mind's Eye (True).

Artoria's eyes only watched with a vague sense of awe, and worry.

"...they do fight like machines, don't they Lancer?"

Lancer gave a nod and rubbed his neck. "Seriously... it doesn't feel right watching them. Not because they're pathetic fighters or anything but..."

"It lacks passion, right?" Caster Cu says with a frown. "It's like watching two starving slaves fight each other..."

Artoria's eyes fell on their own EMIYA, trying to understand the expression he was making.

While the darkened EMIYA's expression was a stoic expression, her own EMIYA's expression was...

Solemn; a gaze filled with a hint of sadness.

But why...?

"Archer..."

Although her words were not heard by her own EMIYA, their blades clashed and pushed their own EMIYA back, before the two Archer's stared off at each other.

"Hmph... what a nasty sense of déjà vu..."

The darkened EMIYA lowered his blade slightly, before smirking.

"Oh? Did you succeed in killing the brat then?"

Artoria's gaze hardened at the mention of Shirou, before Chaldea's EMIYA scoffed.

"I wish, but I guess my ideals won me over again."

The darkened EMIYA's expression faltered, his eyes scanning Chaldea's own version of himself, before he let out his own scoff.

"...you've gone soft, huh?"

"Even if it's hell, I guess I am what I am."

Although the words didn't really make sense to anyone around, the two opposing EMIYA's stood there in silence.

"What did he do? Surely you couldn't just lose to yourself."

"Hah... I wish I had an answer. The brat's attack was undoubtedly weaker, and I most certaintly could've dodged it."

Chaldea's EMIYA then looked down at his hand, his eyes gazing over his clenched fist on Bakuya's handle, before the two clashed again with their blades.

"...and yet, I didn't. So I wonder... if what I said a long time ago is still truthful even today."

His eyes stared at the darkened version of himself, before he let out a chuckle.

"And I'm sure I know myself all too well, to know we had something other than these ideals to pursue."

Despite Chaldea's EMIYA leaving a wide opening for him to be striked down, he thrusted Kanshou forward towards his other version's chest.

...yet despite the easy counterattack the darkened EMIYA could take, he could not swing his blade down upon hearing Chaldea's own version speak.

"I'm sure I know myself all too well, to know we had something other than these ideals to pursue."

His thoughts went back his own Saber, the idea of meeting her seeming blissful, before feeling the blade pierce through his stomach.

Upon looking down at the blade, then at the other version of himself, the darkened EMIYA chuckled.

"Hah... now I see what you mean."

"It's annoying, isn't it?"

"Definitely... but it is bittersweet."

After pulling the blade out of the darkened EMIYA's stomach, a wave of blood came out in a cough as more gushed onto the floor from the wound. The shadow servant glanced down at the ground, grasping blood onto his hand before his eyes looked back down at the group who stood in the distance.

"...Caster, you asked why I was protecting her?"

Caster Cu raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Now you want to answer?!"

The smug smile returned to the darkened EMIYA's face, before shook his head.

"I simply wanted to fulfill my own wish."

Upon saying that, his wounded body began to slowly disintegrate, his eyes falling on Chaldea's EMIYA before he spoke out his last words.

"...although not Avalon, it seems you've fulfilled your promise with her."

Chaldea's EMIYA's eyes widened at those fading words, watching the shadow particles fade away, before vanishing his blades into thin air.

Artoria could not hear what they had said after the mention of her former Master...

But two words stuck in her mind upon faintly hearing the darkened EMIYA's words.

"Avalon", and "Her".

His eyes stayed fixated on the ground, before a voice came out from behind him.

"Archer?"

His eyes turned around, spotting Artoria walk up to him, before he let out an exhausted sigh.

"...what an ordeal."

Despite Caster and Lancer Cu trying to get more information on EMIYA, the red-bowman only waved them off with a disgusted tone.

Despite them both participating with EMIYA in their wars, they still did not understand his existence, let alone who he was.

Artoria's expression had only become more worried as she watched EMIYA walk beside them.

His expression seemed to have lost it's signature smug grin and smirk, replaced by a contemplated and solemn look.

The only time it came back was when anyone interacted with him.

"You seem to be very interested in Nameless, Saber."

Artoria nearly leapt into the air at her Master's words, before she cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure.

"I... simply feel worried about him. I'm not used to him being so quiet."

Fujimaru tilted his head. "It's a little weird, huh?"

"Very, Master. His attitude is usually similar to the King of Heroes... although it is more sarcastic and not as self-inflating."

"That's true... Gilgamesh does have a knack for buttering himself up."

The two think of their own moments with Gilgamesh's self-obsession, before letting out tired sighs.

"But you're worried about Nameless?" Fujimaru asked, rubbing his chin. "I didn't know the King of Knights had so much concern for someone that everyone else doesn't really know."

Artoria didn't get it either.

He was not the Shirou she was summoned by, nor was he a Shirou like the one she knew.

But the small notions of respect, and even care he gives to her doesn't leave her chest or mind.

It was as if he was someone she had fought, lived, and even wanted to die alongside with.

Someone more closer to her than her own round table...

But how could that be possible? Was he a knight from before that she couldn't remember?

EMIYA must've caught on to her staring, as he waved his hand in front of her.

"Saber, did you see something or are you still upset I tried to kill your Master before?"

She sputters, a hint of red dusting her face as she lets out a shaky sigh.

"...I guess you could say that. You are a complicated person, Archer, and it befuddles me."

EMIYA shrugs, before speaking out again.

"What does it matter? I'll disappear again soon anyways."

The words nearly tick her off, the two of them now behind the group walking ahead.

Unable to control her short emotional outburst, her hand grabs his wrist, causing the red-bowman to look at her in surprise.

"S-Saber?! What are you-"

"Don't say things like that!"

Although she wanted to say the words with a passion, they only came out as a somewhat loud whisper, away from the ears of their group.

EMIYA's eyes look down at her in surprise as she refuses to look upwards at him.

"Why am I losing my composure...? Why do these words urk me so...?!" Saber scolded herself internally.

She took a shaky breath, before speaking again.

"Just... don't say something so casually. I don't like it when someone thinks of their lives as something so miniscule."

Be it the memories of those who laid down their lives for her, or the lives she had to take from others...

Words like those never stuck well with her.

An awkward silence falls upon them, neither really sure of what to say.

The slight tremble of Artoria's grip on his wrist didn't help either.

"...it was just a joke, Saber."

"A horrible joke..." She spat out bitterly.

EMIYA scratched his head with a contemplative look, before he spoke to the King of Knights once more.

"You should let go, we're leaving Master behind."

"Only if you agree not to say such words..."

"The truth isn't something I try to hide, Saber."

"Still...!"

Her eyes finally glance up at EMIYA, a look of shock on his own as she speaks out with a pleading tone.

"Do you care more about saving others than your own life...?"

Artoria couldn't figure out whether this question for her, or him.

But the bubbling questions and emotions she felt upon meeting EMIYA again did her no good.

Silence fell upon them again, before EMIYA shook his head.

"I'm a Counter Guardian, you know this Saber."

She finally let go of his wrist, her eyes watching him walk off with a hurt expression on her face.

"I'm only doing my job."

Upon walking away and catching up to the others, Artoria followed from a distance, her throughts an utter mess.

How can she hate him and his hurtful words...

How can she hate his actions and attempts on her Master's life and even her own in their previous grail war...

When his past is too tragic and has no ending?

What can she do other than feel pity and sadness for a man who can only suffer from his own ideals and choices with no end?

Why was this so familiar to her?

Several battles have passed since their small quarrel. Fujimaru let out a sigh as Caster Cu stopped, glancing around.

"Time for the Greater Grail. This will be our last break. Is there anything you've left undone?"

Everyone shakes their head, before Fujimaru sits on the floor.

"Can we go back to base first?"

"Master..."

His eyes turn to Artoria, who lets out an exhausted sigh from his joke, before Fujimaru smiles.

"Alright fine. No, I'm ready."

Caster Cu grins at his resoluted answer.

"That's good to hear. I dislike Masters who can't make up their minds when push comes to shove."

Both EMIYA and Artoria glance away upon hearing Caster Cu's words, before EMIYA looks at Fujimaru.

"You're still a rookie, but you've got the most important thing a pioneer can have. The divine luck to grasp fate, and the ability to make decisions."

Caster Cu then lets out a snicker, before continuing on.

"Don't forget to be reckless. People like that are the ones who'll get blessed by the stars."

Marie glances at Caster Cu with a frown, before looking towards Fujimaru. Doctor Roman, are you checking vitals? Fujimaru looks paler than usual."

"I don't know what he's talking about. Whether we forge ahead or go back, we need to rest first.

"I agree with the Director, Master." EMIYA answers, looking at Fujimaru. "You should rest. I'm sure the advice I've been giving you alongside this trip is being put to use?"

Fujimaru scratches his head with an awkward laugh.

"Ahaha..."

"Given your absurd response, I can only assume you haven't..."

EMIYA rubs his forehead, before Doctor Roman's projection appears.

"Yeah, this doesn't look very good. It's because of the unexpected Servant contract. You never used your magic circuits and now they're running at full capacity. Not to mention that you have Lancer, Saber, and Archer with you as well aside from Mash. It's probably putting a lot of stress on your brain..."

EMIYA and Artoria give Fujimaru a small glare, while he shrinks behind Mash.

"Mash, set up camp." Doctor Roman says, his projection rubbing the back of his neck. "It's time to make warm tea with plenty of honey."

"B-But what about actual food...!?" Fujimaru asks out with a pleading voice.

EMIYA sighs. "I will handle it, focus on resting."

His eyes then turn to everyone else.

"That applies to all of you, Servant or not."

Fujimaru grins from behind Mash.

"Alright Mom."

Though the word were just a teasing remark, Mash tilted her head a little.

"...Master has a point. You are kind of like a Mom, Nameless."

EMIYA bristles at her comment, before sighing.

"Ensuring allies are at their peak performance isn't a 'mother' thing. It's called using the best of your assets."

Lancer Cu clicks his tongue.

"And who are you calling an asset? Master should only be calling us that."

"...isn't that too degrading for Heroic Spirits?" Fujimaru whispers out to Lancer.

"Anyways... I will handle the food. Whoever wants to help can help."

Upon setting camp and refuging for an hour, Doctor Roman had sent a few supplies for EMIYA to use at his disposal.

With it, although sandwiches weren't exactly fulfilling considering their work, EMIYA's work on them did wonders.

Mash and Fujimaru laid on he ground sprawled out, letting out sighs of contentment while Lancer Cu and Caster Cu discussed their pasts whilst eating.

"Man... that really hit, doesn't it Mash...?"

"Yeahh... Nameless is really good at cooking..."

EMIYA only let out a chuckle.

"It was just a sandwich. You two make it sound gourmet."

"It was gourmet! I've never tasted a sandwich that was this good!"

Marie, who was sitting beside Fujimaru and Mash only let out a sigh.

"I-It's good... b-but I'd rather prefer fruit."

Despite her words, she had finished the sandwich. She also had brought along dried fruits and the three had shared with each other.

"Would you also like some tea, Director?" EMIYA asks, handing a cups of tea to the Servants and Fujimaru.

"No, I prefer coffee."

"Coffee is not very good and will burn you out much quicker, Director."

Upon hearing his concern, Marie's stubborness falters slightly, before she shakes her head.

"I'd still prefer coffee nonetheless."

Although he was a servant now, her attitude reminded EMIYA of a certain twintailed girl he met in highschool.

Because of it, he makes her a cup of coffee, before handing it to her and ruffling her hair.

"Do be mindful of your own body, Director. Chaldea will need you."

Marie's guard nearly unravels, taking the cup gingerly and facing away from him with a small blush.

"T-Thank you for the concern, but I-I'll be fine..."

EMIYA smiles a little, before glancing over at Fujimaru.

"Master, we will rest for another hour so the food can digest. I will clean up now, so don't destroy yourself."

He glances over at Marie, before chuckling.

"And do ensure the Director is in good health."

Marie's face flushes further, preparing to retort at the red-bowman, before Fujimaru and Mash appear beside her, checking up on her with a seriousness thanks to EMIYA's words.

EMIYA stepped back and began cleaning up, before seeing a pair of hands with armor plating help.

Glancing to his side, Artoria stood there to help him.

"...you don't need to help me, Saber. You should rest."

"...I want to apologize for pushing, Archer."

EMIYA raises and eyebrow at her, before sighing.

"I'm not really upset at you for asking, but rather you lack of understanding."

"Still... even if I do understand it, this does not make it any less easier to take in."

An amused smile and soft chuckle came out from the red-bowman, before he began to bag up all the things he used.

"...do my words resonate too much with you?"

Artoria flinches, her expression agape as she glances at EMIYA.

"Y-You..."

EMIYA only shrugs, setting the bag of tools down before looking at her.

"I understand that it can be difficult seeing our mistakes in others, but I don't consider mine a mistake."

A resignated smile then graces his lips, before he looks over at Fujimaru.

"...as you know, that red-haired brat made me not consider it one. Seeing Master now too, makes me feel less regret on my decision."

His eyes then fall back on Artoria.

"So you too, Saber, should be more proud of what you have done rather than regret it. After all, you're a King."

EMIYA chuckles a little, before a familiar smile appears on his face, causing Artoria's heart to skip a beat.

"And King's should lead by example, as well as stand tall for their people no matter the odds, no?"

Artoria's face pinkened slightly, before she turned away from EMIYA's gaze.

"...you don't change no matter how much time passes."

Artoria's mind had begun to run rampant, feelings she could not understand flowing from somewhere and into her body.

His words and expressions were all so familiar... so warm... a comfort that she hadn't remembered.

But the Shirou she knew didn't do that often, and if they were, it was given to Rin more than not.

So... why does this feel familiar to her? Why does it work on her so easily...?

Even as her time in her own era, she could not obtain feelings like these...

So why did he manage it so easily...?

"What are you going on about?! I told you before that you're all just tools to me!"

EMIYA and Artoria turn their attention to Marie, while Fujimaru and Mash simply smiled despite her rather cruel words.

"Mmhmm..."

"There, see?! Even this shadowy-like monster-thing agrees with me!"

...

An awkward silence falls upon the crew, while Marie looks to her side with clear fear plastered on her face.

"KYAAAAAA! MASH, HURRY UP AND GET RID OF IT! IT'S GONNA EAT ME! IT'S GONNA EAT ME!"

"D-Director!"

EMIYA and Artoria watch as Marie dives into Fujimaru, sending the two tumbling away from the monster while Mash battles it off. Lancer Cu and Caster Cu also watch, seemingly confident in Mash's abilities.

EMIYA and Artoria only let out a sigh of amusement at the events.

EMIYA's eyes then fall on Marie and Fujimaru, who were now in a rather "assumptious" position, before smirking.

"Director, Master... I don't believe now is the time for flattery."

The two's faces turn red, before Marie pushes herself off Fujimaru and points at EMIYA.

"Y-You! D-Don't assume such things! I was simply getting out of the way a-and tumbled into Fujimaru!"

"I don't recall that, Director!" Lancer Cu calls out, the two versions of Cu Chulainn snickering and high fiving each other.

Mash eventually destroys the lone skeleton, before also seeing her Master and the Director with red faces.

"H-Huh? Did something happen between you two, Director?"

Although her innocent question was out of concern, Marie leapt to her feet and waved her hands in denial.

"N-No! None at all! Don't be ridiculous!"

"Archer, it isn't nice to tease them."

"I have to find amusement somehow."

Despite the sigh that left her mouth, Artoria couldn't help but smile at his antics.

It was a rather brief moment of bliss for the Chaldea team.

The crew eventually passes through the cave and meet a large opening with a high cliff, the Greater Grail glowing on top in a red, golden light with an abyss of black in the center.

"This is the Greater Grail... It's an ultra-superior Magical Reactor... What's it doing on this island nation in the Far East?"

"According to our data, it was built by an eminent family of alchemists called the Einzberns." Doctor Roman answers through Chadlea's device. "Though apparently, they didn't belong to the Mage's Association, and were solely made of homuncli."

"Sorry, that's it for the chitchat. The lady has noticed us."

Upon glancing up on the cliff, the Alter version of Artoria stood there, her blade stabbed into the ground while her hands wrested on the sword's handle.

"...it's Saber!"

"Unbelieveable magical output... so that's King Arthur...?" Mash asks, turning towards Artoria. "I-Is she as strong as you?"

Artoria nods. "Yes... but her magical output is higher than mine. If I had to assume, it is because of her darkened state."

Artoria's internal thoughts only became conflicted upon glancing at this "altered version" of herself.

It embodied everything that she considered evil within herself.

And now she saw it up front, a sickening mirror she wish she didn't see.

"...I see. You've got a few interesting Servants with you."

"What!? You can talk!? You were just maintaining your silence all this time?!"

EMIYA and Artoria look at Caster Cu with confusion, before Artoria's Alter speaks again.

"Yes, and you were being watched the whole time you were chatting. I merely acted as a scarecrow."

Her eyes then fall on Mash.

"But... It's interesting. I'm curious about that Noble Phantasm."

She then lifts her sword out of the ground, her darkened hands grasping the hilt.

"Be ready, strange girl. This sword shall test the truth of your shield."

Mash steels her expression, before noticing Artoria Alter's eyes turn to the side.

Her gaze fell upon the other version of herself, and most importantly...

EMIYA.

"...Archer."

Only for a split second, Artoria Alter's blade lowers itself, before Chaldea's Artoria stands in front of EMIYA.

"I will be the main force against her, Master. Please let me be so."

Fujimaru looks at her in surprise, before nodding.

"A-Alright! Mash, Caster, please help her and defend us! Lancer, Nameless, you guys help Saber on the assault."

Fujimaru then glances around, before noticing Lancer Cu was nowhere to be seen.

"L-Lancer...!?"

"Focus, Master!" Artoria calls out, her gaze flicking from Fujimaru then back to the cliff.

EMIYA's eyes silently gaze up at the Altered Artoria, who's gaze also does not tear away from his own.

"...Archer, why are you here?"

The question from Artoria's Alter halts everyone, before EMIYA lets out a sigh.

"I'm simply here to fulfill a promise I made."

Although those words cause Artoria Alter's expression to fall into a daze for a second, her expression returns to smile of malice.

"I see... how nostalgic."

She hops down the edge of the cliff and onto the same ground as them, Chaldea's Artoria stepping forward and holding out her Excalibur.

"...I've come to end this."

"Is your past so sickening to look at?" Artoria Alter asks with a smirk.

Artoria closes her eyes, before letting out a deep breath and reopening her eyes with a gaze of redefined hope.

"No, it's just..."

Her gaze then falls behind her, onto the other servants and Chaldea's force...

And finally on EMIYA, whose words from their camp conversation echo in her head.

With that, her lips curved upwards into a proud smile, her gaze meeting her Altered version's own gaze.

"...I've finally left that past behind with no regrets."

Chapter Text

The loud clashing of Noble Phantasm's was too bright and powerful for the cave to handle.

Upon ending the conversations, Artoria Alter had immediately attacked with her Noble Phantasm. Mash had used her own to shield it, before the team began to team up on her.

With the absence of Lancer Cu who had disappeared sometime between their break and the battle currently, Mash was on defense alongside Caster Cu. Artoria was the front of their battle; the sword that led their path while EMIYA switched between engaging during her openings and creating them using his bow.

Despite the clash of Excaliburs, Chaldea's Artoria's was clearly falling short of power compared to Artoria Alter.

Furthermore, Fujimaru's mana being transferred to several servants was slowly getting to him. Despite the servants that he had already contracted with in Chaldea, it was much more noticeable when he had to witness multiple of his servants fight in battle first hand.

"Kugh...! Archer!"

EMIYA quickly seized the opportunity to create and opening, firing his bow towards Artoria Alter who pushed Chaldea's Artoria's Excalibur back, before kicking her normal version away. She then parried the arrows, before leaping back as EMIYA dived in to go one on one in combat.

"Nameless! Be careful!"

"Keep your concerns to yourself, Master...!"

Compared to Chaldea's Artoria's battle with herself where the blades had been clashed at every equal instance with Chadlea's Artoria being pushed more during each clash...

EMIYA's battle with her Alter self was more of a dance.

Similar to how when he fought her, and worked alongside Artoria...

It was as if he could see through her movements, mannerisms, and distinguish how to counterplay and use every attack she put to her advantage.

The only issue was that compared to Artoria's own battle style, her Alter's version had a much more violent and unhindered manner.

Similar to EMIYA, it was strike with every intent to win and kill the enemy, not simply clash blades and learn.

However, EMIYA's battle knowledge and experience seemed to slowly win, despite the close calls he always has.

"Archer, jump!"

Leaping upwards, Chaldea Artoria runs under and swings her blade horizontally, clashing it against the braces of Artoria Alter and shattering it, sending the Alter servant back with a grunt.

"...how dishonorable..."

EMIYA lands beside their own Artoria before sighing.

"...her power and mana levels are infinite. If we don't end this soon, we will fall first."

"Yes, her powers are stronger than mines by a decent margin. Her skills are not so different, but the difference in mana and power output is making this difficult to prolong."

"Prolonging fights isn't exactly my forte, Saber." EMIYA says with a click of his tongue.

Artoria thinks of his words, before nodding.

"Understood..."

She glances at him with her sword raised, feeling oddly self conscious about her question.

"A-Archer..."

"What?"

"Fight... alongside me."

He raises an eyebrow, before Artoria clears her throat.

"Quickly. I trust you to follow my movements, so aid me with the clash of swords. We will entrust Caster with our back up firepower."

EMIYA looks at her skeptically, her odd demeanor throwing him off, before he gives her a nod.

"Very well."

He then summons his Kanshou and Bakuya, before raising them and calling out to Mash.

"Mash, do protect Master, understood?"

Mash nods. "Y-Yes! I will protect him and the Director, please do your best!"

EMIYA and Artoria give each other a nod, before dashing towards Artoria's Alter with equal speed.

The sight to Mash and the others as they watched them tag-team on Artoria's doppleganger was nothing short of beauty.

The two danced perfectly with each other, the pressure of each clash and swing around their bodies to attack Artoria's Alter was too much for even the Altered Servant to handle.

Jumping into the air, EMIYA follows Artoria Alter, the two clashing blades up before he pulls out his bow, firing down at her as Caster Cu's fireballs follow behind.

"This is for keeping silent, you crazy bastard!"

Marie and Fujimaru let out a weary sigh at Caster Cu's provocation, before Artoria Alter falls, heavily injured by the arrows and fireball.

"Tch...!"

Falling down on the ground, she clashes blades with Chaldea Artoria, each strike resembling two different opinions of their lives, before the damage taken from EMIYA and Caster finally wins and Artoria Alter falters under the original Excalibur.

"Y-You...!"

Suddenly, Artoria Alter's Excalibur shines a deep black and red glow, shocking Chaldea Artoria.

"W-What!?"

Sending her flying back, the blade's end becomes extended immensely as she shouts her words.

"M-Mash!"

Fujimaru looks at her, as Mash rushes towards Chaldea Artoria.

The distance between them was too far for her speed.

"Ex... calibur!"

The black and red sword came swinging down towards Chaldea's Artoria's, her eyes widening slightly.

Caster Cu was too far to drop a spell to get her out of there, nor reduce the damage.

Mash was a considerable distance away, there wasn't enough time.

And she could not bring her own blade up in time, the darkness that had touched her own Excalibur from Artoria Alter's sudden boost paralyzing her own mana usage.

"Is this... it?"

...

"Rho Aias!"

Flying down in front of Chaldea Artoria, EMIYA holds his hand out, the beautiful display of a seven petaled flower appearing in front of all of them, as he looks back at Chaldea Artoria.

"Ready your Excalibur, Saber. Master, Mash! When this falls, Mash must use her's right after."

Mash looks at EMIYA with a scared expression.

"A-Again...?! B-But that's-!" 

"No choice! We're limited on mana and that Saber has no end to hers. Not only that..."

EMIYA winces, the petals of his Rho Aias slowly breaking from the Excalibur Morgan's blast.

"I-It's much more dangerous against Rho Aias than I had assumed..."

Caster Cu nods and prepares his strongest attack.

"Saber, I will help you attack with your Excalibur! Young lady, be sure to head straight ahead after Archer's!"

"Y-Yes...! I will!"

Chaldea Artoria slowly raises her blade, the damage from Excalibur Morgan's slowly disappearing as she eyes the back of the red-bowman in front of her.

The petals began to slowly break, the blackening filling the iridescent flower as EMIYA's body slowly takes in more injury.

"Kugh...!"

The final petal remains as EMIYA curses.

"Caster, I'm ready!"

"Young Lady?!"

"I'm ready!"

Caster Cu then summons his strongest spell, raising it above him as Mash jumps past Chaldea Artoria, who raises her Excalibur upwards.

Finally, EMIYA's flower finally shatters, sending the red-bowman flying back as the flower shatters like glass, before Mash steps in front and holds her shield out.

"Lord Chaldeas!"

Summoning a huge wall in front of them, Mash's shield and Noble Phantasm holds it off as she closes her eyes tightly.

"N-Now!"

Caster Cu points with his staff with a steeled expression.

"With this, our holy grail war ends!"

Chaldea Artoria raises her sword, and shouts the words she's said many times.

"Ex...CALIBUR!"

As soon as the Excalibur Morgan's blast disappears from Mash's Noble Phantasm, a golden light and fire from the sun upon Artoria Alter, her eyes widening.

Although she had put her efforts into that attack, the sight of the Iridescent Flower, Mash's Noble Phantasm, and the familiar golden light had made her tenacity falter for a second.

With it, the blast hits her, sending her back and damaging her immensely; the burns and golden light burning through her skin and striking the darkness at her core.

As the dust finally settled, Artoria Alter weakly stood up.

"...Unbeknownst to me, my power has weakened..."

She weakly pushes herself up using her Excalibur Morgan, before slowly attempting to raise it.

"I stayed my hand at the very last moment. I was going to defend the Holy Grail to the end, but my tenacity wavered."

Stepping forward, despite his wounds, was EMIYA, who's eyes met Artoria Alter's own.

His hair had fallen down again, resembling his old appearance as Shirou Emiya, the left sleeve and top half of his cloak entirely burnt away.

"Ultimately... no matter how my fate changes, I will always meet the same end if I'm alone." Artoria Alter says with a weary, yet defeated smile at EMIYA.

Summoning Kanshou in his right hand, he looks at Artoria Alter.

His face was plastered with an immense sadness, earning a small chuckle from the darkened Servant.

"...how you can make such a face even when I'm like this confuses me, Archer..."

"You know well that I cannot hate you, no matter what you end up as."

A short silence fell upon them, before Artoria Alter gently grasped EMIYA wrist holding Kanshou, sending the blade through her abdomen as a finishing blow.

Artoria Alter's face slowly shifted into a warm smile, her eyes staring up at EMIYA as her hand gently pressed itself onto his chest.

"...thank you, Shirou."

She then weakly lifts herself up, her lips meeting EMIYA's in a tender, yet quick kiss, before she pulls away, her eyes falling onto the rest of the group.

"Grand Order, the battle to obtain the Holy Grail has only just begun."

She then turns to Chaldea's Artoria, who's expression is shocked from the kiss, before a smug smirk crosses the darkened Servant's face, putting Chaldea’s Artoria in a odd state of unknown jealousy.

"...Be honest with my Shirou, King of Knights. He is the only person who accepts us after all."

With her last sentence, her forehead slowly rested on EMIYA's chest as her body began to slowly disappear into golden sparkles, the small golden lights fading away.

"Did she...?"

Caster Cu interrupts their own Artoria with a grin.

"Damn, what a crazy lad! You really had it in you, Archer! Say, how about-"

Before he could finish his own sentence, he also began to slowly disappear into golden sparkles as well.

"W-Whoa!? Crap! Am I being sent back too!?"

The group looks at Caster Cu, before he speaks out again.

"I don't like this, but whatever. Young Lady, I leave the rest to you! If there's a next time, try to summon me as a Lancer!"

Mash smiled a little at his words.

"But we already have one of you as Lancer..."

"C-Crap! Noooooo!"

Caster Cu then finally disappears, as Fujimaru and Mash exchange glances, before laughing.

Marie looks at them with a heavy sigh, simply glad that they had won, while Artoria's eyes remained on EMIYA.

Despite the small bit of blood that had stained his lips upon his kiss with Artoria Alter, he stood there silently, gazing upwards to where the Alter’s sparks had disappeared to.

"They are both gone, seems we've won."

Doctor Roman then appears on his projection, giving a nod.

"Yes, you guys did a wonderful job! I'm sure the Director would be pleased... hey, where is the Director."

Marie, who stood a fair distance from EMIYA, began to mumble softly to herself.

"Grand Order... how did that Servant know that name?"

"Director."

Her eyes flick up towards EMIYA who looks at her, before sighing.

"I understand your concerns with the strange knoweldge from Saber's other version, but shouldn't you congratulate them on their victories?"

Her face turns slightly red, before she looks towards Mash and Fujimaru.

"H-Huh? O-Oh!"

Fujimaru tilts his head, a little concerned from Marie's odd behavior, before she begins to speak again.

"Well done Fujimaru, Mash, and you too Saber and Archer. Several points are unclear, but let's call this mission complete."

She eyes the crystal that had been left behind by Artoria Alter that rested in EMIYA's hand, before speaking again.

"Let's get this crystal back to Chaldea first. It's the reason Saber became abnormal... it's clearly the reason why Fuyuki City became a Singularity."

Marie steps over to Mash and Fujimaru explaining to them about what they would perhaps do next whilst being a tsundere, trying her best to compliment them without seeming too vulnerable.

EMIYA watches with a small smile, before seeing Artoria step up towards him.

"Archer... no, Shirou."

EMIYA looks at her with raised eyebrows.

"...she... no I... no..."

Artoria felt her cheeks burn slightly, the odd feeling of jealousy still warring in her heart before she shook her head.

"My other version... kissed you."

EMIYA blinks, before coughing, a small hint of red becoming visible on his face.

"...she did, yes."

"And she said that you accept... me no matter what... but..."

She looks up at him despite the small pink blush on her face.

"What does she mean by that...?"

EMIYA's heart skips a beat, his face growing in heat before he lets out a cough.

Could he really explain this to Artoria... at least the one that stood in front of him now?

She was not the Artoria that he was with in his previous life... and she is one who harbored feelings towards his past version of another timeline.

But at this point, how could he lie?

The truth would have to come out eventually.

"...I will explain it to you when we return to Chaldea."

Artoria's eyes sparkle a little.

"Y-You will...?"

"Yes..."

His eyes then become sharp, as his expression shifts to another pressence nearby.

"However... seems we have a guest."

A pair of footsteps with the sound of clapping accompanied by it slowly reveals itself into the cave.

Professor Leff stood there, his eyes falling on the crew as he walked over.

"Well... I didn't expect you'd get this far. Beyond my plan's expectations and my own tolerances."

His eyes then fall on Fujimaru.

"Master Candidate #48. It was my mistake to naively overlook you as an improbable child."

Mash looks at him in surprise.

"P-Professor Leff...?"

Dr. Roman then speaks through his device.

"Leff?! Professor Leff, you say?! He's there?!"

"Hm, is that Romani I hear? So, you survived as well. I told you to come to the command room immediately, but it seems you didn't listen..."

Leff then lets out a sigh.

"Honestly... Trash who can't even follow orders. Just the mere sight of it makes me want to throw up."

His face was now formed into a malicious grin.

"Why is it that humans always try to avoid their preordained destinies...?"

Mash and Artoria immediately take notice, as Mash quickly stand in front of Fujimaru.

"M-Master... fall back! That person is dangerous... That... That isn't the Professor Leff we know!"

Fujimaru steps back warily, also noticing the strange behavior.

"...I-It's not him."

"Leff... Oh, Leff! Leff! You're alive!"

Marie immediately prepares to run to him, her eyes filled with relief, rejoiced to see him.

"Thank goodness! Without you, I don't know how I could protect Chaldea-"

EMIYA then stand in front of Marie, holding his bare arm in front of her.

"N-Nameless...!?"

"Stand back."

"W-What are you-?!"

Artoria then stands on the other side of Marie.

"Director, please stand back."

Marie looks at them with concern.

"B-But-"

"Tch... how irritating...!"

Leff then curses, before looking at Marie.

"You see Olga... you're not actually alive. You're already dead. Your body, at least, long ago."

He then chuckles, his face still plastered with a malicious grin.

"You see, I placed a bomb under your feet to explode and cause havoc amongst Chaldea's control room, as well as killing you. You had no aptitude when it came to Rayshift, right? After obtaining the thing you so desperately desired, your main body is gone."

Marie's eyes looked at him with an empty gaze, her expression filled with shock.

"Y-You're joking... r-right...?"

Leff then warps them all to the visual of CHALDEAS, the area now filled with red.

"W-What... why is it all red?!"

Marie looks at it in fear, as EMIYA eyes it carefully.

"...Humanity is..."

"Not a sliver of blue representing human survival remains." Leff says, grinning at them. "Nothing but a burning, bright, red! This is the outcome of the mission!"

He then laughs as Marie looks at him with a frustrated expression.

"Y-You...!"

"Isn't it wonderful, Marie? Once again, your incompetence has brought forth tragedy!"

"Tragedy...?"

Their eyes all fall on EMIYA, before he looks over at Leff with a smirk.

"That so?"

Within the burning red, a glow of blue begins to spark and glow around within the fire, constantly pulsing despite the red color taking it over again, and again.

The strange pulse causes Leff to look at him in shock.

"W-What did you...?!"

"I was summoned here through Master yes, but my job as a Counter Guardian is to prevent Humanity's perish. After seeing this event, and you as well, Professor... I had my suspicions alongside Alaya's information. The only bombs you don't remember going off were the ones beneath the Director, correct?"

He then lets out a chuckle.

"While you believed Director's lack of aptitude to be her issue with Rayshift, perhaps it only awakened now. I simply managed to save her... even though I could not do the same for the other candidates."

Professor Leff curses, before pointing at EMIYA.

"I planned for her to be killed regardless! I will have my ways-"

"I'm afraid not."

EMIYA looks at Marie, before looking back at Leff.

"I had already sent a certain mutt to protect the Director's body. If anyone attempted to stop him, he'd have to tell them that the Director instructed him personally. Anyone who you had on your side. If they interferred... they'd die."

Marie looks at EMIYA in awe, before he points his blade at Leff.

"I'll admit, I am rather late in preventing humanities end thanks to my own incompetence and issues I have here at Chaldeas... however, that small blue flame is enough."

The crew suddenly warps back to the cave, as the whole cavern begins to shake.

"Well... even with it, your attempt to escape will be more than difficult." Leff says with a grin. "Although there are difficulties... my plans seem to have run well."

Leff's eyes fall on EMIYA.

"And you, Hero of Justice. Will that small flame of humanity really be enough for you?"

EMIYA scoffs at his words, before smiling.

"As if you know me."

Leff then disappears, before Marie snaps out of her daze.

"R-Roman! Get us out of here, now!"

"I'm trying, but if I'm doing an Emergency Rayshift for you three, you may all lose consciousness!"

Fujimaru curses, before looking at Mash and Marie.

"Forget that! Take us out, quick! The Singularity itself is collapsing."

EMIYA and Artoria look at them, before nodding.

"We will help you three until you Rayshift, Master."

Artoria nods in agreement, before taking Mash and Fujimaru's hands.

"Quick! This way!"

EMIYA looks at Marie, the poor lady still in shock at Leff's betrayal, before lifting her up bridal style.

"Snap out of it, Director. We must move."

A few hours have passed since the collapse of the Singularity.

Gathering the rest of the Servants, and staff, EMIYA and Doctor Roman explained the ordeal alongside Marie.

All the other Master candidates had not been as fortunate as Marie to be under EMIYA's protection. They had all been moved to cryo under Roman's decision after the bomb explosion, while Marie agreed that it was for the best.

Leonardo Da Vinci had also helped with explaining. She had recently joined them, and was a bit of a crazy person.

After the meeting, Fujimaru, Marie, Mash, and EMIYA were in a break room.

"So... the outside world is basically gone because of these Singularities?"

"Indeed. I failed to save the other candidates... and their critical condition means we have to leave them in cryo to prevent their deaths. But since we cannot contact the outside world..."

Marie shivers, hugging herself.

"That means everyone... cannot get medical aid until we can contact our world again."

She looks down with a hurt expression, before shaking her head and looking at Fujimaru.

"I-I'm sorry, Fujimaru... I've put everyone in danger..."

Fujimaru shakes his head, doing his best to comfort her.

"N-No! It's not your fault! It's Professor Leff's... I can't believe he betrayed us all..."

An odd silence falls between them, both EMIYA and Fujimaru attempting comfort Marie before she finally recomposes herself.

"And so that's about it... I know this situation looks terrible... but I can trust you, Fujimaru."

Marie looks at him as she asks this question, while Fujimaru nods in response.

"...I'll do whatever I can to save us all."

Marie's face pinkens slightly, as she looks to the side.

"Y-You saved me... if you hadn't brought Nameless either, I perhaps would be dead like Leff said..."

She then stood up, pointing at Fujimaru and EMIYA, attempting to hide her vulnerability but failing miserably.

"D-Don't get any wrong ideas, okay?! I'm just... I-I'm just glad I'm not dead and you guys saved me!"

EMIYA and Fujimaru exchange glances, before EMIYA lets out a chuckle.

"So... you have opened up to us, Director?"

Her face reddens further, before she glances away.

"...s-so what...?"

She really did remind him of Rin...

EMIYA gets to his feet and dusts his cloak off, before sighing.

"I... need to speak with someone, so I must excuse myself Master."

The crew eyes him suspiciously, before EMIYA lets out a sigh.

"Director, Master, please do not do anything abnormal to each other while I'm gone..."

Their faces flush a deep red, as EMIYA disappears out of the room with a smile.

Walking down the halls, he eventually spots Artoria waiting by his room.

"...Shirou."

Her gaze meets his, before the red bowman rubs his neck.

"Right... of course."

"Now is the time for the explanation."

Artoria places her hands on her hips.

"What does my other self mean by you accept us? I understand that you are Shirou, yet... I cannot understand at the same time, so if you would please-"

"Artoria."

Her eyes widen at him calling her by her real name, while EMIYA gazes to the side.

Despite the inner trifles, and the conflict that still existed within him... as well as his obvious future after all of this...

He finally tells her the truth, his eyes meeting hers.

"I... was in love with you once."

She looks at him in complete shock, as he spoke one more time.

"And... we had been lovers."

Chapter Text

“L-Lovers...?!”

Artoria never really indulged on her feelings. Her duty as a King was a state of constant professionalism.

Because of such, she did not understand her own feelings well.

But upon hearing EMIYA’s blunt statement despite the rather awkward expression on his face, her heart had sped up by a mile and her cheeks had been dusted pink.

The tanned-skin bowman could probably see the pink that had covered her milky skin now.

Letting out a cough and desperately trying to regain her composure, Artoria covers her mouth with her fist.

”I-I see...”

The blasted feeling in her chest continued to grow restless, as she questioned him further.

“...b-but what does this mean then?”

EMIYA rubs his neck, his eyes looking down at her cautiously.

”...do you know what love is, Sa- no... Artoria?”

Hearing her name come from his lips, in a voice that sounded so familiar yet now more mature and manly made her heart skip a beat.

Artoria looked down awkwardly.

”I... I do know what love is, yes...”

She looks back up at him.

”But I cannot say I’ve experienced it correctly... or at all...”

EMIYA crosses his arms and closes his eyes.

”Well... loving an individual means... to accept both their faults and strengths, no?”

Artoria nods in agreement.

”I can see how that would be the meaning to love, yes...”

”Now that other version of you. What do you think she was?”

Artoria immediately felt a brick land on her head, her Alter’s words echoing in her mind.

—”Is your past so sickening to look at...?”

She knew well that this other version was everything she considered bad about herself.

Her faults... weaknesses, behaviors and negativity that could consume her at any moment.

“...she is what I do not like about myself.”

EMIYA nods.

“And I told her that I could not hate her... no matter what she becomes.”

Artoria’s heart began to beat quicker, her mind piecing his words together as EMIYA continued to explain himself.

”I said those words because I couldn’t hate the girl I had fallen in love with. Be it her negative traits, or the positives...”

EMIYA’s eyes gazed silently into Artoria, who’s heart felt both euphoric and anxious.

”I-I... h-how am I supposed to take your words...?” She sputtered out, unable to wrap her head around his words.

EMIYA scratches his head with shut eyelids, before meeting her eyes with a resolute expression.

”It means that I love you, Artoria... regardless of what timeline or version of you there is.”

As if planned, memories that were not her own experience began to rush forth into Artoria’s head.

Memories from another “her”, where she had indeed become Shirou’s lover.

Memories as simple as spending time together late at night at his estate, him simply cooking for her and the two sparring to train him.

She closed her eyes and clutched her head weakly, the red-bowman instinctively reaching out to console her, before stopping himself.

His mind still tried to reason that this was not “his” Artoria.

Artoria then opened her eyes, breathing heavily.

"Then... do you...?”

EMIYA scratches his head.

”I... I know that you are not the Artoria of my time that I fell in love with, nor are you the one who held feelings for me...”

He then looked at her with a weary, yet warm smile that Artoria could faintly recall from a place she did not know…

”...but you are still Artoria, so I cannot lose these feelings no matter how hard I try to reason it for myself.”

EMIYA’s hand gently reached down to hold a strand of her golden hair near her left cheek, the pitiful expression on his face making Artoria’s heart ache.

For a man who had been suffering for countless years, he still hopelessly clung to a love that he had no knowledge of it still existing.

And despite all of that, he could still smile brightly like when she first met Shirou Emiya, even if this wasn’t the one that had summoned her.

His hand brushed past her hair and rested gently on her cheek, the strange coldness of his hand soothing the heat that her blush had created.

Artoria didn’t move away from his touch either, her eyes seemingly unsure of where to look aside from his own.

”Forgive me, Artoria.”

Her heart sank slightly at his apologetic tone.

How could he apologize so genuinely, as if the world had fallen upon his shoulders and he had failed the world?

How could he apologize and look so pitiful, as if he owed her much more than she ever knew...?

Artoria’s face had not cooled down at all, the strange feelings in her chest continued to bloom further and bigger before she huffed out in frustration and…

...was it worry? Affection for EMIYA?

”I... I’m not sure if I can forgive you.”

EMIYA only gave a defeated smile towards her, accepting her words as a confirmation of him being a failure, before she spoke again.

”But... I-It is not because of your feelings, Shirou..."

Her eyes met his, a confused yet genuine and determined gaze staring into his own.

”Y-You... have done something to me... a-and I don’t get it.  Whenever we battle... work together, talk or just spend time... I feel weird.”

Artoria placed her hand on her chest, the metal braces clinking against her chest plate.

”...I-I feel restless... yet comforted and warm. Everything you do... f-feels stronger than when others do so... and even though these feelings have blossomed since I came here and met you again... t-they’ve existed prior to that.”

Her hands find themselves raised up to her cheeks, pressing against her skin to hide her blush.

”...I-I feel like a foolish girl... a-and yet... these feelings are too strong... too grand for me to get rid of. That is why I cannot forgive you for making me this way...”

EMIYA’s expression has gone into a fully awed look as Artoria tried her best to express herself.

”...a-and yet... even though I do not understand this strange feeling... you do..."

Her eyes finally lifted themselves up and meet his own, her expression now one that EMIYA could faintly recall nearly several lifetimes ago.

”If I may request, Shirou... will you... help me understand these feelings...?”

EMIYA looked at her, his expression filled with shock.

Although he was well known to mess with others, and even Artoria questioned if he’d take her seriously, his expression spoke enough.

The both of them were still in their tattered outfits, and EMIYA’s hair was still down to resemble his past identity.

But the expression, the warm and gentle smile he gave at Artoria’s request was enough to let her know that even if he too, was not the Shirou she had taken a liking to in Fuyuki…

He was unremarkably still Shirou Emiya.

Kneeling down onto one of his knees, EMIYA gently took Artoria’s hand with his, pressing his forehead softly against her hand.

”I would be honored, Your Majesty.”

Although he would usually say it in a way that ticked her off, the tone he used was too gentle, too affectionate that she could not help but blush.

And upon accepting her request, a glow began to shine within him; a golden and white light.

Upon opening his eyes, Artoria could see Avalon, the very sheathe for the blade she wielded resonating within him.

”Shirou... y-you...”

Although Artoria was left speechless, EMIYA’s eyes glanced down at the glowing light from his chest, before chuckling bitterly.

”...a long time ago, the sheathe had lost it’s purpose since the holy grail was dismantled. Because of it, we were no longer connected...”

”Y-Yet... you held onto it...? W-Why would you...?”

EMIYA looked up at her, smiling gently.

”...it was all I had that was left of you. I couldn’t bear to get rid of it... but now that you are here...”

Artoria’s eyes met his, before a genuine; a smile she hadn’t felt grace her lips in years, formed on her face as her tone had become soft, affection blooming in her eyes.

”...it works.”

EMIYA nodded with a smile.

”It seems my hopeless longing... was not so hopeless.”

”Could this be fate...?” Artoria asked, the corners of her lips twisting upwards slightly.

EMIYA slowly stood up, his hands taking hers carefully.

”Maybe... or perhaps its sheathe has finally returned to its sword.”

Artoria couldn’t help but giggle at his words, the strange feeling of joy and bliss silencing everything else she had been through, and existed beside today.

”Shirou... when did you get so poetic...?”

”I have to be good with words for my job.”

”...that doesn’t sound believable...”

“I’m good with words, aren’t I?”

Artoria couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

”...sometimes for one thing, and sometimes for another.”

Weeks had passed since their explanations and confessions.

The attitude change in both of them was clear as day as well.

Artoria’s aloof and rather stoic attitude as a King was always prevalent whenever she spoke with others in Chaldea. The Knights of the Round Table and many others from the Singularities that Fujimaru, Mash, and Marie had solved also took note of her normal behavior.

All of that would quickly shatter whenever she came into contact with the mysterious red-bowman.

Her eyes and tone would soften, and her expression seemed to become more and more relaxed the more time she spent with him.

The amount of smiles and laughs that came from her when she was with the mysterious bowman had thrown every Knight of the Round Table collected so far, into a disarray.

EMIYA’s attitude was also noticeable.

Although he was undeniably helpful and thoughtful despite his sarcasm and taunting attitudes to nearly everyone, as well as his strange way of attempting to distance himself from growing close to nearly every person who approached him in Chaldea, he had a soft spot for Artoria.

He would treat her similarly to everyone, throwing small taunts and using his sarcastic tone to promote banter, yet the look and demeanor the two shared was as if they were best friends who knew each other for eons.

It confused everyone because even the Knights of the Round Table and servants who had participated in Fuyuki’s Grail War could not recall the two being relatively close.

In fact, Medea could almost recall the two seeming like enemies.

Heracles also agreed, saying that even though they had worked together to fight him before, the red-bowman was more insistent on killing Artoria’s Master than deal with Heracles.

”Archer of Red, we need answers.”

EMIYA, although he had just opened his room door to take a walk, he was met with multiple people from the Arthurian Legend.

Gareth, Percival, Mordred, Lancelot, and Merlin stood at his door.

”...what am I answering exactly?” EMIYA asked amidst an exasperated sigh.

Mordred was the first to speak up, albeit very loudly.

”My father! What have you done?! You have changed him, he is not the person I remember! You have twisted him you-“

The person to cover her mouth was Lancelot, who shook his head with a sigh.

”Forgive Mordred. He is simply worried about his Father...”

Lancelot then eyes EMIYA skeptically.

"But I am also not as fond, do understand."

EMIYA scratches his head.

”I see... that’s fine, but why do you not refer to each other by your genders?”

The group glance at each other in confusion, before Mordred glares at EMIYA.

”Call me that ever again and I’ll slice the living hell out of you!”

”Sir Mordred...”

Merlin lets out a sigh, before looking at EMIYA.

”That aside, we want to know... your relationship with our King.”

Percival nods. “Indeed! Ever since his majesty arrived, our King seemed to know you more than anyone else! Not only that, but you two seem to know each other very well...”

Gareth looked up at EMIYA, stepping around him curiously.

”Yes... I don’t get it... I have never seen you before! So how do you know His Majesty?”

Seeing the rather innocent curiousness in Gareth’s gaze, EMIYA couldn’t help but find the young girl similar to Illya.

Reaching his hand out, he began to ruffle the young knight’s head, causing the poor girl to squeak and look up at him with a flustered face.

”E-Eh…?!”

EMIYA smirked at the reaction before shrugging.

”I simply worked alongside Saber before.”

Lancelot crossed his arms.

”Yet you know of our King’s true name.”

EMIYA rubs his neck.

”...she told me it, so of course I do.”

Those words threw all of them off, with Mordred and Lancelot crashing onto the floor.

Merlin only smiles at the sight.

”Haha, truly amazing...! How can you make King Arthur herself share such secrets with you...? I’m quite jealous...~!”

EMIYA frowns, feeling weirded out by Merlin’s questions.

”...it’s not really important.”

Gareth, compared to Merlin, had a much more innocent way of guessing.

”Perhaps His Majesty likes you!”

The other members of the Knights Round Table turn toward Gareth with dumbfounded expressions, while Merlin laughs even louder.

”W-Wait! C-Could that really be the c-case Archer of Red…?!”

EMIYA only let out a sigh, questioning the events taking place in front of him.

”That’s...”

Though he could usually answer things with a stoic expression and blunt tone...

He could feel heat rise up in his cheeks.

”C-Could it be...?”

Percival then looks at Merlin, then at EMIYA’s reaction, before grinning.

"Y-You...! By the blade... you're courting His Majesty!?"

Lancelot and Mordred simply gawk at Pecival's guess, while Merlin only laughs harder.

Gareth, who hadn't really thought of her words, exploded into a deep reddish hue after putting together the words of Percival and her earlier words.

"E-Eh!? H-His Majesty and N-Nameless...!?"

Merlin snickers. "So even Artroia... haha!"

EMIYA rubs his neck, suddenly finding the situation he was in both utterly embarrassing and oddly annoying.

"Tch... if that's all you must ask, then I will be on my way..."

Gareth then covers her face with her hands.

"I-I'm so very sorry A-Archer in Red...! I-I shouldn't have assumed something so scandalous...!"

EMIYA only feels his embarrassment furthen at the innocent girl's words.

"...well, you're not exactly wrong."

The words had slipped out of his mouth before his brain could re-register that there was other knights aside from Gareth beside him.

Lancelot and Mordred only looked at him like idiots, simply too stunned to speak, while Merlin was howling with laughter.

Percival, however, was the only one with a rather dignified yet complimenting smile.

The thumbs up he gave to EMIYA gave the red-bowman an odd sense of bromance with the Knight.

"...I'm leaving."

With that, EMIYA finally walked away, rubbing his forehead as his faced still remained heated from his blush.

"S-Seriously... what the hell am I doing now...?"

Behind him down the hall and currently approaching the group of Knights was Artoria herself, her eyes glancing at them curiously.

"...What are you doing here?"

The Knights then look at Artoria, before Percival lays it down thick.

"A-Archer in Red is courting you, your Majesty...?"

With that, Artoria's face burned brighter than ever in blush.

The rumor had not died down at all within the two days that the Knights had learned about the depth of their King's relationship with the mysterious bowman.

At first, the real knowledge and depth was only known between the Knights of the Round Table, Artoria, and EMIYA.

However, Mordred's frustration at both not understanding why Artoria chose EMIYA, and how he changed her, had caused her to mutter words that fell onto Marie Antionette's ears. The lady had a knack for saying what she likes without a second thought.

Because of such, she absolutely loved romance in the air, and once it had caught wind of her ears, she had already told the world of their possible relationship.

EMIYA currently stood in the cafeteria, cooking for the several servants that resided there.

However, now more than ever, he could feel the endless gazes clearly aimed towards him.

Alaya had better send someone because EMIYA was having second thoughts of Humanity now.

"So bowman, heard you and Saber got all lovey-dovey."

EMIYA immediately frowned, his eyes falling on Lancer Cu who sat with his hand resting against his cheek, a now smug grin on the Irish Man.

Next to Lancer Cu, was Caster Cu.

Although he had been summoned and cursed loudly since he was still Caster, he was just as amused about the recent events as his Lancer self.

"...at this point, who hasn't?" EMIYA mutters out bitterly, placing the food portions down for the two Cu's.

Lancer Cu takes a bite before shrugging.

"I'm not gonna say anything annoying, even though you really urk me. I'm just honestly impressed."

EMIYA scoffs at his words.

"Oh? Is it because I possess abilities you don't?"

"Who had a wife?"

"I'm sure she suffered greatly."

Although there was a bulge on Lancer Cu's head, he did his best to keep cool and spoke again.

"Seriously though, I was never one to go for the quiet woman. You like those kind of women?"

EMIYA shivered a little at the memories of Artoria's rather joyous attitude when he had loved her in his time.

"...ahem. I cannot say she was always aloof."

Lancer Cu looks at EMIYA in surprise.

"H-Huh?! Seriously?! You're not messing with me, right?!"

EMIYA did not answer with any words; only a sigh escaping his lips as he continued to cook.

Lancer Cu only clutched his head.

"Damn! Women who show a secret side to a person are keepers! Who knew YOU knew how to pick them?!"

EMIYA's face blushed slightly from his words. It was not from the words itself, but the interesting gaze of other servants falling onto him because of Lancer Cu's loud mouth.

"If you keep shouting I'll cut your portion down even more."

Lancer Cu frowns at his words.

"Come on man, everyone already knows you two have something going on! Just look at how Saber is with you!"

Caster Cu, who had been silent since he was shocked at how good EMIYA's cooking was, finally spoke up.

"Even in the Singularity, you two seemed to have some moments."

EMIYA rubbed his chin, before shaking his head.

"Seriously... where did all of this annoying attention come from...?"

"Did you really court the King of Britain...?"

Stepping nearby and sitting onto one of the stools beside Lancer Cu was Jeanne d'Arc.

Fujimaru had managed to obtain her, as well as her Alter self and a few others after they solved the Singularity involving Orleans.

EMIYA only sighed at Jeanne's question.

"...no, I did not court her."

Jeanne looked at him, before a warm smile graced her face.

"Hehe... it's rather refreshing to see your expression become much more... lively?"

EMIYA only cursed at Jeanne's perceptiveness. The girl of Orleans had a strange ability of figuring out underlying emotions in people.

It was also why she and her Alter self bickered with each other, yet got along relatively well.

Lancer Cu nods in agreement with Jeanne, smirking as he rubbed his chin.

"You're right... he DOES seem a lot more lively... ever since they came back from the Singularity..."

Jeanne placed her hands in her lap, smiling at EMIYA's awkward reactions to their perceptions.

"You're an amazing person, Archer. Even though I was a little intimidated by our first interaction, you are quite the kind man."

EMIYA shrugged his shoulders.

"I am not sure kind describes me well, but I can be tolerable."

"You are too hard on yourself, I'm not sure if the King of Britain would like that."

Although Jeanne was always a helpful and caring individual, it seems she too could not resist the urge to tease someone lost in the throes of romance.

After a few more conversations, everyone clears the cafeteria, leaving EMIYA in there. The red bowman would always insist on leaving last, cleaning up the cafeteria and kitchen while telling others to rest because they would be a hindrance to him.

Whether he meant it or not, the majority knows he was just a stubborn man with a sense of Justice.

After cleaning up the remnant of the Servants, EMIYA walks out the kitchen before seeing Artoria stand there, her eyes glancing around cautiously. She was still wearing her usual dress, but the armor chestplate and braces were nowhere, showing the girl's slim figure.

EMIYA had been too used to her wearing armor that he had forgotten how she looked without it.

Another embarrassing memory flashed through his mind, before he cleared his throat and walked over to her.

"Saber? Why are you here so late...?"

Artoria immediately felt heat rush to her face, before she cleared her throat.

"W-Well... the recent events have transpired into something I can't control."

EMIYA raised and eyebrow as Artoria shook her head slowly.

"I apologize, Archer. I was just too... nervous to come here when everyone else was, so I wanted to ask if you could make something for me now..."

Artoria rubbed her arm anxiously, her face turned to the side to not meet EMIYA's gaze.

"I know this is selfish... p-please forgive me, but I'm still troubled."

EMIYA only chuckled softly at her words.

"Don't worry, I understand. My share of interactions today had been just as... nerve-racking."

Hearing his reassurance and own experience, Artoria couldn't help but feel relieved and at ease now, a small smile growing on her face.

"I-Is that so?"

EMIYA nods, before motioning her to follow.

"Well then, let's go."

"Wait, Shirou."

EMIYA looked at her, before she raised her hand shakily.

"Can... you hold my hand?"

EMIYA felt a hint of red grow on his face, before he cleared his throat.

"I-I... can't say I expected that. May I ask why?"

Artoria shook her head, her own blush growing deeper.

"I... I just want to feel your hand, please."

The strange request both made EMIYA feel absolutely joyous like some schoolboy simp and utterly asahmed at his guilty pleasure of adorable things.

Especially if it involved Artoria.

With a slight hesitation, EMIYA lifted his hand, his palm resting right on top of Artoria's own as her breath hitched for a slight second.

Raising her other hand, gently placed it on top of EMIYA's, before a warm smile graced her lips.

"...you're amazing, Shirou."

EMIYA could feel an odd sense of relaxation fill him at Artoria's demeanor.

"You flatter me, really."

Her eyes gaze up towards his with affection, her top hand gently tracing the top of his own palm.

"...did you really fight for humanity for so long?"

Her tone had become much softer, the expression on her face growing into a hint of concern.

EMIYA only smiled wearily at her question.

"You know how I am... I can be quite stubborn about helping others."

Artoria only smiled again at his words, her two hands gently squeezing his.

"I can understand that..."

Her eyes stayed on their hands, the sight of her smaller hands entrapping his rather larger one between them made her feel oddly dainty.

Letting her guard relax... and letting such strange feelings woo her was something she was not used to at all.

Yet it felt so perfect that Artoria couldn't stop but let herself be taken.

EMIYA only chuckled at her lovestruck gaze, before meeting her eyes, both of their lips curled upwards into warm smiles.

"Come on, your Majesty. I'll serve your food."

"If you would, please. I'd be greatly honored."

EMIYA then led Artoria, the two of them exchanging words, small laughs and smiles with each other in the vacant night of Chaldea's cafeteria, their hands still holding onto the other.

Chapter Text

"And just when I thought I've seen everything already..."

EMIYA rubbed his forehead with a loud sigh, his eyes slowly re-opening to glance upon the new Artoria that had joined the ranks.

A smaller Artoria, one with a rather innocent and girly appearance had been bestowed onto Chaldea. She, compared to the older version of herself, wore colors of white and silver.

She looked exactly like a Lily.

Which was ironic cause that was the name she considered herself upon being summoned as a Servant in front of Fujimaru.

"Nice to meet you, Master! Since I am still in training, please call me Saber Lily! I look forward to working with you in the years to come!"

Now why was EMIYA here at the summoning rituals?

Fujimaru, Mash, Marie, and even Dr. Roman had considered EMIYA as someone who knew why the world had gone absolutely chaotic, and so they preferred him as Fujimaru's closest aide.

"Lily... this is Artoria, right?" Marie asked, looking at the shorter girl with a curious expression.

"Yes, how do you know my name?" Lily Artoria asked, her head tilting with an innocent gaze.

Although Mash and Marie had the urge to completely smother the girl in affection, they both held back and glanced at each other with an air of understanding.

"There's someone similar to you here already, young lady." EMIYA answered, the young knight's eyes shifting onto the tall man. "Or rather... she is you."

Although EMIYA could swear he answered her curiosity with ease, the younger Artoria's eyes looked up at him with an awe expression.

"...are you a hero?"

The words the came out of her mouth made EMIYA's inner consciousness slap itself.

"W-What...?"

Artoria Lily walks around EMIYA, her eyes gleaming with joy.

"You're like a hero! Or well... um... you feel like one? You're a Heroic Spirit too, right?! That means you must've been a hero!"

EMIYA could feel hesitance well up inside his chest. How could he say he murdered scores of people, both enemies, allies, and innocents, to the young knight in training who was still as innocent as a village girl?

EMIYA coughed, before sighing.

"Yes... I suppose I'm some sort of hero."

Fujimaru rubbed his neck with a laugh, before looking at Mash and Marie.

"Hey, doesn't it feel weird seeing every Artoria version take a liking to Nameless...?"

Mash's expression was only a smile, before she looked at Fujimaru.

"Well... I think the two share quite the history if every version takes a liking to him, right?"

Marie snickered at their words. "Pfft... maybe he has a soft spot for Artoria's...?"

EMIYA could hear their words and it only complicated his already complicated feelings even more.

Although EMIYA had initially wanted to go back to his own room to rest, Fujimaru had given him orders otherwise.

--"Nameless, you should show Saber Lily around! I'm sure she'll be much more happier in your company!"

EMIYA thought about his Master's words as he walked with the smaller Artoria down the halls to the cafeteria, the feeling of absolutely decimating going through his once before disappearing again.

"Hey, Archer in Red, do you have a name?"

EMIYA glanced down at the younger knight, before sighing.

"It's not a necessary thing to give to others. You can refer to me as Nameless like the others."

"But that's not respectable enough! You are helping me, so I at least want to respect your sense of identity!"

EMIYA sighed at her innocent, yet endearing plead.

"I appreciate it, Your Majesty... but it'd be better for you not to know me well."

Lily Artoria frowned at his words.

"Nameless... that is too sad for a person to have no name. You look like a very lonely and sad person, Archer in Red..."

EMIYA felt a little guilty for making the innocent knight feel so sympathetic to his life, but he quickly shook the feeling away before patting the knight's head.

"Rather than feel sad for my state of being, you should continue after your goals, Your Majesty."

"You keep referring to me as 'Your Majesty'... um..."

Lily Artoria suddenly stopped, before rubbing her arm shyly, her gaze looking up at EMIYA with a timid expression and slight blush on her cheeks.

"D-Do you think... I can be a King...?"

"Of course I do."

Her eyes look up at him in surprise.

"E-Eh!? R-Really...?"

EMIYA only nodded, before motioning her to follow him down the hall to the cafeteria.

He already knew she had the makings of a King...

After all, he had fell in love with that very person that had become the King of Knights.

"Y-Your Majesty!?"

Lancelot, Mordred, Gareth, Percival, and Merlin stood there in shock at the small Artoria that stood beside the Red Archer.

"Merlin! It is nice to see you once again!"

Lily Artoria took Merlin's hand and shook it with a beaming smile, causing the other knights and EMIYA to glance away from her radiating aura of purity.

"S-So... t-this is my father as a young child...?" Mordred asks, finally looking back at Lily Artoria with a conflicted expression. "T-This girl is... er..."

Lancelot only stares in disbelief, his mind trying to incorporate this feminine, pure and innocent knight image the young girl portrays the rather stoic and aloof King he knows.

Merlin remains unaffected by her appearance, simply smiling at the sight of the younger knight once more, while Percival and Gareth also attempt to solidify themselves into reality.

Lily Artoria walks up to Gareth before smiling happily, taking the other young knight's hands into her own.

"Hello! I'm Saber Lily! I look forward to working alongisde you!"

Gareth begins sputtering, trying her best to find words before holding onto Lily Artoria's hands with her own, bowing her head down.

"Y-Yes, I-I also look forward to it as well! Y-Your Majesty...!"

EMIYA and Percival share an exchange of glances, before EMIYA motions him on with a nod.

Percival clears his throat and holds his hand out, in which Lily Artoria accepts with a beaming smile.

"I also look forward to working with you... Y-Your Majesty..."

"Likewise! May we do our best from now on! I hope we can all be close!"

EMIYA only smiled at the sight, before walking past them.

"Alright, please take care of her. The kitchen calls for me."

Lily Artoria looks EMIYA walk past, before reaching out and grabbing the end of his cloak.

"W-Wait!"

EMIYA halts, looking down and behind him at the smaller Artoria.

"W-What is it...?"

"U-Umm... y-you're not going to leave... r-right?"

The girl's expression was pleading him not to go. The other knights in the background were all sprawled on the ground from her ability, twitching from the cuteness overload, while Merlin watched in amusement.

"N-No... I'm simply going to make food for the Servants..."

EMIYA points at the counter and kitchen where other Servants were already at.

Lily Artoria, noticing her foolish and useless worry since EMIYA wouldn't be far away, felt her face burn a bright red, before letting go and lowering her head.

"I-I'm so sorry...! I-I was just... w-worried..."

EMIYA let out a weary sigh and smile, before patting the young knight's head.

"Worry not, Your Majesty. Mistakes are things to be learned from, so you are alright."

EMIYA finally managed to recompose himself before heading to the kitchen counter, his red coat disappearing as he put on an apron.

The time cooking for other servants went relatively well, before EMIYA was forced to make sure several of Chaldea's Children were by his side of the counter.

Sitting at the counter where he would take his break at was Lily Artoria, Jack the Ripper, Miyu, Chloe, Illya, Santa Lily Jalter, and Nursery Rhyme.

Boudica who had the urge to gush over all the children had to be reprimanded a few times by Tanamo, as well as scolded a bit by EMIYA since he was already in charge of them.

It wasn't really his "role" per se, but Fujimaru and Marie had noticed that EMIYA had a tendency to be soft on nearly every female within Chaldea, and even more so on the kids (despite his strict teachings when they acted up).

When he was asked about it by Marie and Fujimaru, he couldn't answer with a direct face, only able to turn away with a conflicted expression while saying "I can't help it."

Marie thought it was nice for him to be such a chivalric person, but it also made her think of the possibility that he was ironically a charmer to women despite his awkward demeanor around others.

And unfortunately for EMIYA, most of the children were females.

So Boudica and Manamoto thought it'd be good for him to take care of them given his tendencies.

Inclined to disagree and say it's Boudica's duty, he could not bring himself to say such words at the girl's recommendation.

"So... you're like... my big brother?"

EMIYA looked at Illya, each of the children looking up at him as he sat across from them at the counter, before sighing.

"...it's a complicated answer, and I'm not sure you'll be willing to listen."

"But she's not wrong right...? You're... kind of our older brother...?"

Miyu tilts her head at Chloe's words.

"Hmm... he does feel familiar... doesn't he?"

EMIYA shakes his head at their discertion of him.

"Whether that feeling is prominent whenever you see me or not, I am not your big brother. I am just an Archer."

"Hmm... then what's your name, big brother?"

"I don't have one... and I told you that I'm not your-"

"My original self said you're kind of like a knight... is that really true?"

EMIYA's eyes fell on Santa Lily Jalter, preparing to answer her, before Lily Artoria interrupts with sparkling eyes.

"I-I knew it! You must've really been a knight! You embody qualities of one as well, Archer in Red!"

"No, I don't-"

"He also has armor that looks like a knight under his apron!" Jack adds on, her eyes gleaming brightly. "And you have those two knives! I saw it in the training room!"

"No, I'm not a knight-"

"But you fight with blades even though you're an Archer!" Rhyme comments, earning nods from all the other children.

EMIYA covers his face with his hands and lets out a loud sigh.

"...this is going to be a hassle."

After a couple of minutes, EMIYA silently glances at the children who were now eating the food he and the other servants had prepared, the group of children sharing and enjoying their time together.

Unable to restrain the smile that appears on his face, Jeanne notices as she passes by.

"I see you're quite satisifed, Archer in Red."

EMIYA quickly slaps himself and removes his smile with a slightly embarrassed expression, earning a small laugh from Jeanne.

"It's hard to hide true feelings for so long, Archer. You shouldn't be so uptight."

"I do not act uptight, so I'm afraid that won't happen."

"You're quite the stubborn one..."

EMIYA lets out a sigh and glances over at the group of children, before Jeanne speaks up again.

"The knight girl... that must be King Arthur when she was younger, correct?"

"That is correct."

"And the other... smaller version of me... must be my alter version before she became an adult..."

"That is also correct."

Jeanne lets out a small sigh and smile, before looking at EMIYA.

"I'm glad you're dependable for the younger Heroic Spirits. Although they may be unfathomable heroes and warriors, they are still just children at the end of it all."

Although EMIYA's eyes were still fixed on the children, the words from Jeanne must've been heard by Atalanta, as the lady also began smiling, her eyes also fixated on the group of children.

"Sometimes, I feel like a parent..."

"You are kind of like a mother, if I am to be honest, Archer of Red."

EMIYA bristles at Jeanne's words, causing the Holy Maiden to let out a small laugh.

"I-It's just... you're very gentle with all of them. You are strict, yes, but mostly gentle. It's really odd and refreshing given your presentation to the servants around."

"Tch... I'd assume my image to others is quite something."

"I was intimidated by you at first, so I can relate to the feeling of it..."

EMIYA rubs his neck awkwardly, before Jeanne pats him on the shoulder with a smile.

"You don't need to worry. After knowing how you truly are, you're an amazing person."

"That's pushing it..."

"Is it?"

EMIYA only let out a sigh at her willingness to compliment his character.

"Hoh! Is that the Archer of Red!?"

EMIYA and Jeanne turn around, before seeing Nero Claudius standing before them with a smile.

"I thought you looked familiar! We meet again!"

EMIYA rubs his neck, memories that were not his own timeline already providing info on who she was.

"Ah... I see. It is good to see you once more, Emperor."

"Indeed! I'm quite glad you are here! Have you prepared cooking for me as well?"

Jeanne giggles softly at her question, eyeing EMIYA's apron, before EMIYA rubbed his forehead.

"Emperor Claudius... please do mind that I have to recieve an order from a person first, before I can even make them one."

"Ah, then I order it now!"

"No that's not how it-"

"But you said I must order, so it's only right I correct my mistake now!"

"I get that but-"

"Then there should be no worries, Archer of Red!"

Although Nero had a beaming smile on her face, EMIYA could only groan in exhaustion.

"...right. You will have to wait a bit then..."

"You will be cooking it, correct?"

"Does it really matter? The other's are quite competent in cooking."

"But I do not know their cooking! I can recall yours during our grail war!"

"I wasn't-... no, but why would you even remember that?"

"It was commendable! Why would I not?"

"I... seriously can not understand you sometimes."

Jeanne gently rubbed EMIYA's shoulder.

"Worry not, Emperor of Rome. Although he may not feel like he is up to the task, Archer is quite kind deep down."

"I know well! Even though his stature and expressions do not resemble someone with the chivalries of a Knight from Britannia, he most certainly holds the qualities for one!"

EMIYA, seeing Jeanne and Nero's shared understanding of him, let out a sigh.

"Right... then-"

"Archer in Red!"

EMIYA turns to see the children now approach him, each of them asking him for another serving.

"Good grief... I should've just skipped out on cooking today."

Another hour passes as EMIYA remains alongside Lily Artoria and Nero. The striking resemblance of Artoria and Nero threw him off a little, but their attitudes could be no different.

And although Nero would be quite the fireball for others, Lily Artoria seemed to admire Nero's abilities and sense of kingship. Even though some parts seemed foreign to the young knight, Nero would sometimes put it in a way that helped Lily Artoria understand a bit more.

"Ah, Archer... you are here."

EMIYA, glancing up from his aimless thoughts, met eyes with Artoria.

"Ah, Saber..."

Artoria's eyes then fell on Nero and the younger version of herself, a sense of confusion flowing through her.

"Greetings... you are...?"

"Big me!"

Artoria felt her brain shut off, before glancing at the younger version of herself.

"I... ah, you are-"

EMIYA looked at the two exchange glances, before smiling.

"Correct... she is you."

"I see... that is unexpected."

"So I really do become a King!"

Nero glances at them with a curious gaze, before looking at EMIYA.

"Archer of Red, you have history with these two?"

"Something like that."

Nero's eyes scan Artoria's expression and the small glances she takes at EMIYA, then back at EMIYA, before nodding.

"Humu... I see... so it is like that!"

Nero then stands up after finishing her meal, before pointing at both Artoria and EMIYA.

"I wish for the best of you! May courting be in your favor!"

With that, she begins to stride off to her own room down the hall.

Artoria's face had pinkened slightly, while EMIYA's remained exhuasted as always.

"Hahh... the woman will never change."

"The Emperor of Rome is as strong minded as always..."

Lily Artoria looks at her future self, then at EMIYA curiously.

"Courting... like King and Queen?"

The two freeze up, before EMIYA quickly shakes his head.

"No, don't mind the Emperor of Rome... that woman's words are unpredicatable sometimes."

"Archer of Red, are you and big me very close?"

Artoria clears her throat, the blush on her cheeks growing even more red, before attempting to explain.

"A-Archer... he helped me. We also fought in a Grail War together, so he and I share a bit of history."

"Ohhh... but what does that have to do with courting?"

EMIYA rubs his forehead. "It's... the Emperor of Rome says things quite confidently but her confidence is misplaced. Ignore her words."

Lily Artoria hummed to herself softly, her head nodding slowly.

"I see... hmm, then you're more like a trusty knight for big me, right?"

EMIYA thought her words over, before nodding.

"Something like that, yes."

"Ah! That's good, you are very trustworthy to me!"

EMIYA could feel himself grow slightly flustered at the innocent girl's response, before letting out a small sigh.

"I suppose that's better than being seen as a threat..."

"I see you're still as efficient as ever, Archer!"

"I should thank you, shouldn't I?"

Artoria's lips curve upwards into a smile, before the clash of their blades send them both back.

"I suppose so... but I did not teach dual wielding..."

EMIYA nods, lowering his hands with a smug grin.

"Is it too much for you?"

Lily Artoria watched the two's sparring match with awe and interest.

"Woah! They really fight well! Even though Archer says he's ranked lower in stats... he still holds his own well!"

Artoria shatter's Kanshou and Bakuya, before EMIYA re-projects them once more, slashing at Artoria who barely fends it off with her Excalibur.

"Hmph! I know well on how you fight, Archer."

"You are not the only one."

EMIYA then removes his dual blades, before summoning a standard broadsword from his projection magic.

"I believe it's best to play it fair with you?"

"It was fair earlier, was it not?"

"I mean more so in fighting style."

Artoria lets out a small chuckle, before smiling in acknowledgement.

"Very well, I do not mind."

The two clash blades once more, this time to Lily Artoria, she could clearly see the shared swordsmanship the two now fight with.

Similar in every movement, and seemingly filled with an equal amount of battle experience, the pair's every move, slash, thrust, and dodge were too amazing to the young knight's eyes.

It was as if the two were simply mirroring each other.

That was, until EMIYA's sword would shatter a few times, resulting in him constructing a new one.

Her older version also crazy strength compared to EMIYA, so Lily Artoria could see the difference in who was sent back during each clash, and who remained still.

"So you two were the ones to dare disturb my slumber? How undignified."

EMIYA and Artoria slowly lower their blades, before glancing near the doorway.

Standing there was none other than Gilgamesh, his gold-plated armor shining even with the limited lights on.

Glancing to his right, he could see a younger Artoria looking at him with a curious expression. Having no hesitation, he walked over her and smirked.

"I see, a little girl watching a King fight a fool? You are wasting your time! If you wish to see a real battle, then perhaps I should show you."

Lily Artoria, who was completely lost at the golden man's odd speaking, glanced at her older self and EMIYA, who already seemed like they were ready to strike down Gilgamesh.

"I see... the golden man of shamelessness. What a honor..."

Gilgamesh glared over at EMIYA upon hearing his words, before gritting his teeth.

"You faker... you are neither a hero, nor a servant."

EMIYA let out a sigh, before giving Gilgamesh a smug smirk.

"And you are neither enjoyable to see, nor to talk with."

Artoria walked up to the two and shook her head.

"Both of you, do not fight. Master has already scolded us once before."

EMIYA looked to the side with a triumphant smile, while Gilgamesh prepared to talk again before being cut off by Artoria.

"King of Heroes, what business do you have here?"

"It's a simple one. You two are disturbing my rest with your unsightly battle."

"Training is a requirement to remain in shape. Any knight, and servant, would be doing so often, King of Heroes."

"Hmph, as chivalrous as you are naive, King of Knights. There are those who are deserving of training, and those who are not."

"Are you saying Archer is not deserving of it?"

Gilgamesh laughs at her words.

"Do I need much explanation? His strength is lackluster compared to anyone of the Saber class, even those in his own. You sparring with him is beyond ridiculous!"

Artoria could feel a tick form on her forehead.

"King of Heroes, what he and I do together is none of your concern. If you came to complain, then we will address the issue, but do not mock us."

Gilgamesh smiles smugly, before reaching his hand slowly towards Artoria's chin.

"I am free to do as I please, for I am the only one true King of the world."

Lily Artoria rushes in front of her older self and smacks Gilgamesh's hand away, shocking the two.

"Leave big me alone!"

Gilgamesh's face morphs into a look of offense and anger.

"You dare... not only interrupt, but touch me with your hands?"

"Big me doesn't like you anyways, goldie! She likes Archer of Red!"

Artoria's face burns red at her younger version's words.

"W-Wait...!"

"And I know that she does! She only smiles a lot with him, but not with you! You make her angry, so you're not very helpful to her!"

Artoria's face burns further at her younger version's perceptiveness. Although such abilities would be amazing for a knight, why must it be used on her relationship with EMIYA?

"...tch, how unsightly. A child attempting to scold me is but a hindrance."

Gilgamesh raises his hand slightly, a golden glow and spear from his Gates of Babylonia forming, before looking down at Lily Artoria's adamant gaze.

His eyes remain on the small girl's eyes, before the golden glow behind him fades away with him lowering his hand.

"...hmph, naiveity seems to run rampant in every King but I, how ridiculous."

With that, he turned away and walked back to the entrance.

"...Somethings are only beautiful because it cannot be in your hands..."

EMIYA raises an eyebrow at Gilgamesh's strange words, before the Golden Servant disappears out the training room. The two servants let out a sigh, before fixing their eyes on the younger Artoria.

Although he had left, Lily Artoria's expression remained peeved, her arms crossed.

"He's not nice at all! He doesn't share any noble qualities, how can Master make a contract with someone so insensitive?"

Artoria nods in agreement with her younger self.

"I too, can never get used to it. He is a man of trouble, even if his strength is unquestionable."

"You really are a bigger me! Like a future me!"

"Yes... um... I am."

Lily Artoria flashed a bright and innocent smile at her future self, while Artoria simply looked down at her with a fond smile despite her awkward disposition.

EMIYA on the other hand simply glanced out the doorway, thinking quietly on Gilgamesh's words.

"Hmm... I suppose I too can understand that man, even if he is irritable to be around."

Lily Artoria continued to stroll around Chaldea alongside her older version and EMIYA. The cape and armor, alongside the crown that Artoria wore continued to fascinate her younger self. Lily Artoria constantly asked questions about Kingship and the future of Britain, and although tragic, she could see hope in the future through her older self.

Eventually, the group halted outside of the Summoning Room, the sounds of magic being heard from within.

"Master is... summoning another Servant?" Artoria asks curiously, her eyes fixated on the door.

"It would appear so. Should we also enter?" EMIYA asks, his eyes glancing at the two blonde's beside him.

Lily Artoria rubs her chin, before nodding.

"Mhm! Let's go inside!"

"Alright. Master! If you'll-"

A large boom echoes from inside, sending the door flying open and into EMIYA, who flies into the wall behind them.

"S-Shirou!?"

"Archer!?"

Both Artoria's run over to him in worry, before he lifts the door off with a groan.

"Tch... what rotten luck..."

"Rotten luck?"

EMIYA's eyes look towards the dust coming from the room, before a silhouette all too familiar to him.

"...you have got to be kidding me..."

Stepping out from the dust and in front of Fujimaru and Marie, was none other than Artoria Alter, her eyes falling on EMIYA with a small smirk.

"Hmph, seems we meet again, Shirou."

Chapter Text

"Hmph, you still wield your blade well, Shirou."

"Why does this always happen to me?!"

EMIYA sprints through the hallways of Chaldea with a strained expression, clashing blades and deflecting attacks from Alter Artoria's Excalibur Morgan while the onlookers nearby watch in confusion.

"I-Is that... His Majesty?"

"But she is in an all black attire...?"

"And that would be the Archer of Red fighting our Kingship, no?"

EMIYA flies past the few knights of the Round Table, before glancing at them with a fearful look.

"Oi! Give me a hand, won't you?!"

Artoria Alter flies towards EMIYA as the two clash their blades again in a standoff, before she glares at the Knights.

"Intefere, and I will not hesitate to punish you."

Although the threat wouldn't mean much since Fujimaru would not allow it, the Knights of the Round Table knew how strict and cruel their King could become.

And even if it was just a glance at her alter, they could tell it was all the "evil" things that their Kingship possessed now incarnated in front of them.

So in response, they simply waved flags of surrender towards EMIYA.

"Archer!"

Pursuring the two lovers in quarrel was the original Artoria (his lover lover), Lily Artoria, Marie, and Fujimaru.

"Hmph, they're persistent."

Artoria Alter let's out a sigh of exasperation, before smirking at EMIYA, who's face was anything but pleased.

"Why do you run away from me, Shirou? Is it too unsightly for you?"

"Y-You... seem to misunderstand. I told you once, didn't I...?"

He shoves her blade off and Artoria Alter skits back a little on her feet, before smiling with a hint of warmth.

"Hmph... how you can say such words will always confuse me."

EMIYA wipes the bit of sweat off his forehead, before standing straight.

"...if you want to spar, you can just ask... but even I am not avaliable whenever you wish, Saber."

"You know I do not like you calling me by such a class."

"...and you know I cannot just say your name so brazenly."

Although Artoria Alter wished to retort, she couldn't help but feel soothed by EMIYA's words.

Even though he had a sharp tongue and witty comments, he said things that made her feel strange, yet exhilarated.

Her thoughts were cut short when she swung her Excalibur Morgan around, clashing the Blade of Darkness with Artoria's own Excalibur.

"Tch...!"

"Oh? I see you are here as well."

The two fly back, preparing to clash again before Fujimaru shouts.

"Stop it already! Nameless, get them to stop!"

EMIYA looks at his Master with a dumbfounded expression.

"Master, these are the two people who could easily beat me to a pulp with their strength alone! Have you gone insane?!"

Despite his clear reluctance to get involved with the squabbling of Artoria's anymore, he stepped forward and held his hands out in front of both of the Artoria's.

Artoria halted herself immediately, looking EMIYA with a confused expression, while Artoria Alter simply lowered her blade and smirked.

"I see... so you are still as chivalrous as ever."

"Rather, I am acting by our Master's orders. Please don't cause anymore scenes when we are with Master..."

"B-But Archer...! She attacked you!"

"I understand that, but I'd rather we not destroy Chaldea with both Excalibur's exploding the area..."

Fujimaru and Marie look at the scene, before Fujimaru snickers.

"See Director...? I told you something about the Artoria's and Nameless really is a thing! He stopped both of them and saved me a Command Seal...!"

"Fujimaru, this isn't the time to suspect romance! They keep putting Chaldea in danger!"

"I know, but isn't this really good!? We can gossip all the time!"

"Is that what you take this place for?! We're trying to save humanity you doofus!"

In the distance, EMIYA looks at both Artoria's beside him, their eyes now fixated on him, before he lets out a sigh of confusion.

"...w-what? You two are looking at me as if you wish to say something..."

Artoria turns her head away, a small hint of pink blooming on her face.

"M-My apologies, Archer... I was just..."

"She was looking quite boldly at your facial features."

Artoria's head begins to steam, before she looks at her Alter version in frustration.

"Y-You...!"

Artoria Alter only grins at her other version's reaction, before smirking at EMIYA.

"Although, she is not wrong for doing so. I was also staring at your facial features."

EMIYA, feeling both flattered and embarrassed, clears his throat.

"R-Right... for now, let's just come to the agreement that you two will not fight each other no matter how opposing you two are, yes?"

"Y-Yes... that should be a given since Master requests it."

"Hmm... very well, if our Master says so then I suppose it is fine to abide by it."

EMIYA nods with a relieved expression, before glancing to the side.

"Well... since that's settled, we can-"

"It's an evil me!"

Sliding right next to EMIYA was Lily Artoria, wielding her blade and pointing it at Artoria Alter.

"You have become darkened, corrupted by evil! Stand back, Archer! I will protect my most trusted knight!"

"Oh, so the me from back then is here too...? How shameless..."

"You are not privileged to judge my actions! I will not end up like you!"

Artoria Alter holds the tip of Lily Artoria's sword, causing the younger girl to yelp, a sense of fear in her eyes despite her reluctance to back down in EMIYA's defense.

"How amusing..."

"Y-You will not harm him!"

EMIYA lets out a groan, before pushing Lily Artoria's blade down slowly.

"You don't need to worry anymore. We've come to an agreement."

Lily Artoria looks at EMIYA in surprise, then back at her older version's Alter with a skeptical gaze.

"An agreement...?"

"Yes. I will spar with her when she wants to and I'm avaliable, and she will not destroy the entirety of Chaldea."

"That is... a very strange deal, Archer..."

Lily Artoria then closes her eyes, before gazing up at EMIYA with a determined look.

"T-Then... I too wish to train with you!"

"Yeah yeah-... no, wait what?"

"You already train with the older me! But now there's another me! I want to train too!"

"No, wait... why am I even training you? There are better people to learn swordsmanship from Lily..."

"But I do not want to train with them! I want to train with you! I can't let the evil older me corrupt you!"

"How did you even get to that conclusion...?"

Alter Artoria watches the two in amusement, before smirking at her younger self.

"Oh? I'm afraid our sparring sessions will be much more experienced than yours, young Knight."

"Y-You...! I will show you! You won't win!"

EMIYA only rubbed his forehead in confusion.

"W-Wait... no, why are they arguing about training? Did I do something wrong...?"

"Archer, I too will train with you."

EMIYA's gaze slowly turns to the original Artoria, who's expression had also become resoluted in her decision.

"If these two are training alongside you, I do not wish to fall behind either. Please, allow me to train alongside you."

"I..."

EMIYA glances between the three Artoria's expectant gazes, then back at his Master.

Fujimaru however, was only grinning widely like an idiot.

On the front of his hand was a Command Seal shining, restricting EMIYA from denying them.

"Damn you, Master. I will remember this..."

EMIYA then let out a tired huff, before crossing his arms with a reluctant expression.

"F-Fine..."

Lily Artoria cheers happily, smiling at her older version.

"Let's train together, big me!"

"H-Huh? Oh... yes, let us grow stronger together."

Artoria couldn't help but smile at her younger version's enthusiasm, before her gaze falls onto her Alter version.

"I also will not be bested by by darkest self either."

Artoria Alter only smiles smugly at her mirror's words.

"You have become much more confident, and it seems your doubts are gone as well. Very well, I will consider you my competitor."

EMIYA meanwhile, rubs his forehead in contemplation.

"I really hope this does not get any worse..."

As the days passed by, EMIYA noticed it to get much more chilly. At first he just figured Antarctica was naturally this cold, but once the cold had managed to sweep into the warm hallways and rooms of Chaldea's Headquarters, he figured December had come around.

"Hmm... so it is that season already? Master, what day is it?"

Fujimaru let out a fat yawn, before rubbing his eyes as he walked alongside the red coated Archer down the hallway.

"Mm... I think it's the 24th...? It's Christmas Eve..."

EMIYA rubbed his chin, thinking quietly to himself about the day.

"Hmm... Christmas... I'd assume Boudica and the others in the cafeteria plan to bake something wonderous for the holiday. I could lend a hand..."

His eyes trail along the paintings on the hallway's walls, before chuckling.

"Or perhaps I can get Master a present. Maybe even Artoria one..."

EMIYA quickly shook his thoughts away, the sudden thought of Artoria smiling at a gift seemed to turn his cheeks a slight red.

"So... is there anything you want to plan for us, Master?"

Fujimaru stretches his arms, before sighing.

"Honestly? Nah... I just want to sleep in but I don't think many of the servants have celebrated Christmas, so maybe I could show them?"

"So many gifts to so many Servants, huh? You're quite late on the preperation then since you only have the rest of today..."

"Thanks for destroying my will to please my Servants, Nameless..."

EMIYA chuckles lightly at his Master's words, before patting his back with a smug smile.

"Perhaps you should the make them all gift each other instead, it would be less work for you, no?"

A lightbulb shines above Fujimaru's head, before looks at EMIYA with a big grin.

"You are RIGHT! Nameless, I have the perfect plan! Here, I will go decide who has to give gifts to who, alright?"

"That's wonderful-"

"And first and foremost, you will gift the King of Knights for Christmas!"

"W-Wait, Master-!"

"And she will gift you back! Haha, I'm a genius! Thanks Nameless!"

Fujimaru then runs off, skipping his way down the hallways before snatching Marie who had just turned the corner.

"Director, we're playing matchmaking today!"

"W-What!? H-Hey!"

EMIYA watches the pair disappear down the hall, Mash following them with a worried expression as she shouted questions at them, before the red bowman let out a tired sigh.

"...a gift for Artoria, huh?"

EMIYA then crossed his arms, before walking down the hallway as well.

"Just what would make the King of Knights smile brightly...?"

"Gah! I have to give a gift to Nero!? This has to be a curse! Master must've gone crazy!"

EMIYA listens to Boudica's complaints with closed eyes, his expression giving a "just smile and wave" feeling.

"Seriously! Master... he's definitely doing these pairings on purpose! I mean, Morrigan with King Arthur's Alter? Isn't that a recipe for disaster...?"

"Seems like you are troubled Boudica, woof!"

Boudica sighs and waves Tamamo off with a small smile.

"It's just a troublesome sort for me... I do not work well things related to my past."

"Master is doing very strange pairings for this, yes."

"I am to give to a gift to Atalanta! She is similar to me, so it should not be too hard, woof!"

EMIYA chuckles softly at her words, before leaning his cheek against his hand.

"Well, I suppose you've got your confidence prepared..."

"What about you, Archer? Or... Nameless? Have you been designated someone to gift?"

"Ah..."

EMIYA clears his throat, before sighing.

"Yes... or well, Master said I am to give a gift to the King of Knights."

"Hoohhh...~? As expected of Master...!"

"You sound like you're enjoying this, Boudica..."

"How can I not? That girl... the King of Knights is like a little sister to me! And to see YOU of all people court Her Majesty..."

"I... I-I am not courting her. Why does everyone say this...?"

"Regardless, she has chosen well! You are a good man, Archer!"

"Please do not flatter me."

"Not only that, but your cooking seems to have already won her over. Can't say I, nor Tamamo can beat that."

"...someone kill me."

"Isn't that too much for my praise?!"

Tamamo Cat raises her hands in protests.

"I can cook better than Archer!"

"See what you've started, Boudica...?"

"Don't be so fickle! If anything, it helps Tamamo get motivated to make amazing dishes and beverages!"

"Hmph! Yes, I am very much indulgent in my hobbies!"

EMIYA smiles tiredly at the two.

"Right..."

"Archer of Red!"

EMIYA glances his over shoulder, before seeing Jack walk up to him, her eyes shining expectantly.

"I can get a red velvet cake, right?!"

"H-Huh...? Uh... if we have any, why?" EMIYA asks the young child with a raised eyebrow.

"Well... I never had any before I came here so... I was just wondering what it tastes like..."

Seeing the usually sociopathic assassin now become shy because she was asking for sweets quickly threw Boudica and EMIYA off their game. Boudica, doing her best to not hug the small child, was held back slightly by Tamamo, who's face was plastered with a disappointed frown.

"Handle yourself, woof!"

"B-But cuteeeeeee...!"

EMIYA clears his throat, before glancing around.

"Hmm... is it just you? I'd assume you asked because the other kids didn't want to?"

"Ah... y-yes... that is right..."

EMIYA sees all the children peeking around the corner of the hallway, before sighing.

"Hah... you kids are such odd ones."

The red bowman then stands up from his stool, before pointing at the group peeking by the corner.

"Come over here."

The kids let out a synced yelp, each of them all rushing to stand in front of EMIYA.

The first to speak was Miyu and Illya, who both spit out the same words with a bow.

"W-We're sorry! Please don't scold us, big brother!"

EMIYA spits out his tea that he was drinking, coughing loudly and sending all the kids into a frenzy at the fear of being scolded.

"W-We're sorry, please don't put us in timeout! I don't want to hold my arms up forever again!"

"I don't want to sit in a seiza pose again...! Not for that long...! We're sorry!"

The child version of Da Vinci shivered at the thought, while the other children nodded in agreement, surrounding EMIYA to help him.

"W-We j-just didn't know what to say!"

"Yeah!"

"We're sorry!"

"Please forgive us!"

EMIYA pounded his chest with his fist, before shaking his head.

"Alright, alright... I get it, so stop surrounding me..."

The kids immediately froze and stepped back, forming a small huddle like penguins trying to keep warmth.

Behind him near the counter, Boudica's nose spewed blood as she fainted on the ground from cuteness overload, Tamamo cat facepalming in response.

"Alright... I'll bake it, but that means you children will have to sit at a table and cause no trouble for the other Servants, understood?" EMIYA offers, dusting himself off.

"Yes!"

All of them nod vigorously, their eyes shining with determination as they gave a salute, before travelling to a table.

EMIYA then glanced over his shoulder at Boudica, her face plastered with joy despite her twitching body, before shaking his head.

"Sometimes I worry for you, Queen of Victory."

EMIYA then stepped behind the counter and wore his apron once more, working adamantly and professionally to create a cake.

Atalanta, who had been watching the whole feud, smiled a little as she sat quietly at the counter near EMIYA.

"You are quite good with the children, Archer of Red."

EMIYA glances over his shoulder at the servant, before nodding.

"I would call it more of a... tolerance with children than ability to nurture them."

"You say so, but you are quite indulgent with their antics. Your stature and expressions do not give that impression, so I can understand why the children were hesitant to speak to you directly."

"That's why they sent out Jack, isn't it?"

"Yes... ah, and thank you for being kind with that child. She is a pitiful one; a child I hope can recieve love and affection someday."

EMIYA sighs softly, scouring the cupboards and drawers for ingredients before speaking again.

"I understand. They have you, do they not?"

"Ah... well... I-I'm not as good as you with children..."

EMIYA laughs softly to himself.

"So what? There is a start for everything."

"...laughing and giving words of wisdom does not make sense to me, Archer."

"It's my way of talking, can't change it."

"Stubborn..."

Her eyes look quietly at the children, then at EMIYA again.

"Tell me, Archer of Red... why do you indulge in their antics? I'm sure I've seen other humans and servants struggle to indulge with children, yet you don't seem to struggle with that. Not only that, but you are male."

EMIYA stiffens a little at the mention of his gender, before letting out another sigh.

"...I simply understand what they yearn for. As for my gender... I don't really care much about that."

Atalanta eyed the red bowman curiously, before her lips curved upwards into a smile.

"...you are a rare man, Archer. Even though you're a Heroic Spirit... we do not know your name..."

"That is what I am. A nameless spirit."

"...why the most respectable and admirable man has to be a nameless hero... that does not sit well with me."

Her eyes fall upon the children again, before she lets out a sigh.

"I am sure the children and many others on Chaldea think the same..."

EMIYA could feel his heart sting a bit at her words.

It took him back to him overhearing the Valkyries talk to Fujimaru about him.

–"Master, please excuse me some time! I sense a brave warrior! Ah... but he's a servant, so I cannot lead him like a human..."

He didn't think much of it at first, but it stuck itself into his head later on the in the weeks.

He had been taken immediately after his death to work for the Counter Force, so his human soul must've still resonated within his body even as a Counter Guardian.

Perhaps that was why the Valkyries were confused. The saddened looks on their faces were even more uncomfortable for EMIYA to see.

"...they do not need to be so worried about my name. The respect you all give, and the honor of being alongside so many heroes is already enough."

Though the words had slipped out of his mouth since he was lost in thought, Atalanta's eyes widened in surprise at his words.

At the nearby tables where other servants sat also glanced over at the counter in awe.

Now, why had everyone been able to hear that?

The children had stopped talking and causing havoc at EMIYA's request. Because of this, everyone had already been curious on what EMIYA had done to get the ragtag band of children to cease their antics.

This in turn left everyone else silent as they analyzed the red bowman alongside Atalanta.

And since Atalanta had just finished her words, the only person talking was EMIYA.

Although the servants wish to say something, they knew that deep down behind that man or swords and distance...

He was a good man.

Everyone's favor towards EMIYA rose up.

"Shirou, cook something for me."

"You again... Alter, why are you here?"

"Because I am hungry. Now, cook a meal for me."

"The least you could say is please."

"Now."

"And if I refuse...?"

"Then we will fight."

"Alter, no more arguments with Archer. He is already exhausted dealing with the other servants, do not be so insensitive."

"Do you even try to have fun with Shirou?"

Artoria bristles slightly at her Alter's words, the red on her face from hearing his name glowing softly on her cheeks.

"Y-Yes! Do not say such things, and do not say his name so brazenly!"

"I don't see the problem..."

EMIYA holds his hands out to the both of them with a disappointed sigh.

"Enough... I already had meals made for you two, but they are being finished. Boudica will give them to you when it is ready, but I will take my break."

"Ah... so soon?" Artoria asks, her eyes suddenly becoming puppy like.

"Yes... I have been here for seven hours, Saber. I would like a break."

"Hmm... then my meal can wait."

"It's fine-"

"I won't hear it, Archer."

EMIYA looks at her with a raised eyebrow, before Artoria smiles softly at him.

"Rather... I just wish to spend time with you. Do you mind?"

EMIYA could feel himself become flustered at Artoria's honest words.

He stood no chance against her sincere side.

"Alright... I'm not sure we'll have much to do, but if you want to tag along."

"Very well. I will be in your care."

She then followed EMIYA side-by-side with a warm expression, the sight of the two seemingly shining of Royalty; of a Queen and King traversing the halls together.

Although, who was Queen and who was King was always hard for the servants to choose since the personality traits usually associated with the gender were completely flipped for these two.

Watching them leave the cafeteria, Artoria Alter face held an amused expression, before chuckling softly to herself.

"...so that's how it is? Hmm..."

"From what I've heard, Master is designating everyone to give gifts to another for the Christmas holiday. Is that true?"

"Yes. It's a hassle, but a lot of servants haven't experienced it so Master began his journey."

Artoria nods, looking down slightly before speaking again.

"Say, Archer... do you find... my Alter strange?"

EMIYA looks at her with a clueless expression, before shaking his head.

"Not particularly. When she is not trying to kill me, she has her charms."

"Charms."

That word bounced around in Artoria's head for a bit, wondering what the Archer of Red could find charming in what she considered her worst parts.

"Why do you ask?"

Artoria's face pinkens slightly, before she shakes her head with a sigh.

"N-No reason... I was just curious since.. she is what I am supposed to be at my worst..."

"Hmm... I see."

The two continued walking down the halls, EMIYA feeling a small air of awkwardness forming between them.

It wasn't because he held hostility to Artoria, that was definitely not the case.

But her demeanor and unwillingness to actually look at him was enough to give the red-coated Archer then impression that he had done something.

"Saber, did I say something weird?"

"Ah! N-No... I just... you are such a strange person."

EMIYA smiles slightly at her words in amusement.

"Really? I understand us being Heroic Spirit's and what not but... you are certainly not one to say who and who is not strange."

"I do not mean it like that..." Artoria replies with a small huff, her eyes finally meeting EMIYA's. "I mean that... you are too... caring."

"Too caring... now I'm really lost."

"I-I don't know how to phrase this... I-It's... you're such a strange person, Shirou."

EMIYA nods in agreement.

"Yes, I am nothing like my past self."

"That's not it..." Artoria says with a small sigh, before looking around.

EMIYA raises an eyebrow at her odd action, before the King of Knight's speaks again.

"I don't understand why you care so much about... servants. For some odd reason, you rush along the frontlines even when the ally servant is capable of defending themselves."

She points at him, causing the Archer of Red to look at her in surprise.

"A-And furthermore...! You do such things many times when it involves me! I do not get it!"

EMIYA rubs his neck, knowing fully well why he does so.

Obviously, he was in love with this Excalibur wielding chick.

But it was also that because he knew how Artoria was, he found it practically impossible to ignore the King of Knights view herself as nothing but a "tool for the people".

In fact, he could see himself in her, and being where he is now, as a Counter Guardian...

He definitely could not let his loved one go through that experience.

"It's simple... you know what Counter Guardians are, right?"

Artoria looks at him with a confused look, before nodding.

"Y-Yes... tools to clean up after humanities follies..."

"Yes, that is what I am. Saber, you know what it is then, that I do for the rest of my life?"

"You... endlessly work to save humanity."

Her voice had become softer, her eyes looking down with a conflicted and pained expression.

"I... so that is... why you do such things? But how does that...?"

"What do you do, Saber? As a King, and when you were a Servant before the Fuyuki Singularity... how did you think of yourself?"

Artoria pursed her lips, knowing well what he meant now.

Before, she had been blind and could not see anything wrong with how she viewed herself as a person of disposal at her Master's orders.

But now... why did it sadden her? Why did this feeling of guilt form whenever she thought of how she used to be?

"I... I am a servant, and that is final."

Although those words should've been easy for her to say like before, they came out with a struggle.

EMIYA's stare only served to make it harder.

"...d-don't look at me, this is not enjoyable."

"I didn't say it was..."

"You are giving me difficulties, Archer."

"That is the way of life, Saber."

She clenched her fists, glaring up at him with a small blush and hint of frustration at his antics.

"This is unfair. You know well that I am... difficult, but must you be so brazenly upfront about it...?"

"If you do not handle it in the face of pressure, what makes you think you'll do it when there isn't any?"

"T-That's... even so, can you not be a bit chivalrous?!"

"That is contradictory to how you think of yourself, is it not?"

Artoria's words fail herself once more, an odd sense of irritation growing within her alongside a sense of stubborness.

Not because she is trying to prove a point, but because EMIYA was right.

She did not think of herself as woman often, and acts of chivalry shouldn't be given to her because she does not think so.

So why did she ask him for it? Why does she continue to argue with him, even with his logic is sound?

"I... ugh, I do not like you, Archer..."

Her tone had now become petulant, causing EMIYA to smile smugly.

"Hah... so even you have a childish side still?"

"S-Silence! This is... y-you're just being infuriating! I cannot tell whether you enjoy me suffering or enjoy messing with me!"

"It could be both, but I'm not so harsh."

"What sense of logic do you follow with that thinking?!"

EMIYA then let out a laugh, the bright smile on his face causing Artoria's flames of irritation to simmer down.

Seeing him smile so lively... even when he knew what awaited him after they saved humanity...

It gave her a sense of yearning... and a heavy heart...

"Aha... s-sorry, I couldn't help but laugh at your childish manner. For someone so dignified to act that way amuses me... so what is-"

His sentence is cutoff as Artoria stands in front of him, her hands reaching up to touch his cheeks.

"S-Saber... what are you doing...?"

She slowly lifts the sides of his lips with her thumbs, before smiling warmly up at the Heroic Spirit.

"...please smile more, Shirou."

EMIYA's eyes widen, before he lets out a small huff, a small tint of red dusting his tanned skin.

"...I admit defeat."

Artoria couldn't help but giggle lightly at his words, before placing her hands back down and stepping back.

"I think I've been with you long enough. I am also still craving my lunch so... will it be fine for me to leave?"

EMIYA sighs and waves her off.

"Yeah yeah, go on."

Artoria looks at him, before shaking her head.

"...you are too wonderful, Shirou. You make me feel... much better."

Without further words, she quickly stepped forward again and placed her hands lightly on his chest, before tippy toeing, her lips meeting his quickly for a kiss, before she stepped back and smiled.

"Farewell, Shirou."

Unable to face him due to the growing blush on her face from such an action, Artoria quickly excused herself and made her way out of the hallway, leaving the Archer of Red in shock.

"...hah."

His face began to burn red, before he slapped himself across the face with a small scoff.

"Get it together... you won't be here for long, damnit..."

With that, EMIYA trudged away to his room with a conflicted heart.

Even if he knew he would disappear into his endless life of killing once this was over, he couldn't help the new bloom of yearning grow in his chest.

"If this time could exist forever, I would want that."

The night of that day would've been incredibly enjoyable for EMIYA... had he not awoken in the middle of a snowfield.

EMIYA, opening his eyes and glancing around in confusion, found himself lying in a land of blanketed snow as far as the eye can see.

"...now I most certainly must be dreaming."

"Nameless?!"

EMIYA's eyes swung to the side, his eyes meeting Fujimaru's.

"...Master, what did you do?"

"I-I didn't do anything! I swear!"

"Emerging from the Rayshift Tunnel, your eyes were met with the sight of a field blanketed in snow... a most literary beginning. The use of the second-person lends a certain sense of subtlety to the sentence, don't you think, Master?"

Fujimaru and EMIYA's eyes turn to the figure before them, dressed in a lively christmas attire, before the figure speaks again.

"And if it isn't... Shirou..."

EMIYA looks at Fujimaru, before closing his eyes.

"Dear Master... I'm afraid I must kill you to save myself."

"W-What?!"

"I am only messing with you. But Alter, what do you want?"

Alter Artoria walks forward, smiling at them with a christmas hat and large bag slung over her shoulder.

"I feel the sudden urge to kick you in your arse, Shirou... but I guess having you alongside me will make things easier, so consider your butt-kicking postponed."

"Duly noted."

"Though our contract is but a temporary one, any Master seeking to transport me must be like Shirou."

Fujimaru looks at EMIYA, then at Alter Artoria, before spitting out something stupid.

"A-A m-miniskirt...? Alter—"

Her cheeks pinken slightly, before she frowns.

"A m-miniskirt, you say? Well, I suppose one could see it as such..."

She then lets out a cough, before speaking with a louder, more commanding tone.

"But mind it not, and allow me to say this in advance: One who would be Santa is unbothered by the cold!"

Although her tone and words were clear, EMIYA's eyes fell on her legs that shivered in the snow, before he let out a sigh.

"...you are a magnificent liar, Alter."

"Shirou, I will murder you."

"Is that a good or bad thing?"

"I will kill you without joy."

"Now that is a threat."

Fujimaru lets out a snicker, before Alter Artoria stops both him and EMIYA from making further noise.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Santa Alter. I am a Santa Claus of Evil who slashes apart the icy breath of Midwinter!"

EMIYA and Fujimaru look at each other with wary expressions, before Alter Artoria speaks again with a frown evident on her face.

"...you seem to misunderstand me. I merely wish to express my daily gratitude by delivering presents to all. However—after going through the trouble of gathering presents, I have lost my means of transporting them."

"You didn't steal them, did you?"

"No Shirou, you know that I am not fond of underhanded tactics. That is beneath me, which is why you do such things now."

"Fair counterattack."

"Continuing on, the reindeer that I had hired previously to pull my sleigh have all run away in fear."

Somehow, those words did not surprise Fujimaru or EMIYA. The two only looked at each other and let out a sigh of pity for those who were designated as reindeers before them.

"What a bunch of cowards. All I did was use Excalibur Morgan as a jet engine to propel us into the stratosphere."

Those words also did not surprise them.

"I could pull the sleigh myself, but such a thing would tarnish the dignity of Santa Claus. I cannot capture the heart of children everywhere without a reindeer... which is why—you two understand, don't you?"

Fujimaru nodded reluctantly, whilst EMIYA let out an exasperated sigh.

"It is for that purpose alone that I have unsummoned you here by force, Master. As for bringing Shirou, that is because he will be my helper."

"I don't remember agreeing to these terms..."

"As part of my daily gratitude to you two, I bestow upon you two the honor of being my reindeer."

"You didn't have anyone else you could ask, didn't you?" EMIYA asked with a small smirk.

Alter Artoria let out a scoff, though the small dust of pink on her cheeks revealed the truth.

"Nonsense. Don't suggest such outlandish things, Shirou."

"This is part of your duty as king then?"

"No. I am not a king here, but a Santa Claus!"

"And I'm Actually Satan, but sure."

"Regardless, kindly refer to me as those terms... no wait, the presents have drawn in some uninvited guests..."

EMIYA slowly stood to his feet, dusting himself off from the snow, before glancing around, noticing the murderous gazes in the distance.

"Master, do leave it to me."

Alter Artoria looked at EMIYA with a small smile on her face.

"Take up your sword, Shirou. Your body shall know what it means to go into battle with Santa!"

EMIYA glanced at Alter Artoria, noticing her trying to still play off the cold, before taking off his coat and wrapping it around her.

The action leaves her with rosy cheeks, while EMIYA stood in front of her and Fujimaru—summoning his Kanshou and Bakuya blades into his hands.

"Merry Christmas to me..."