Crimson and emerald entwined. False and true mixed. Illusions and reality became indistinguishable, overturned with the curse of cause and effect.
In the moment that he didn’t have, Shirou appeared in front of Rin and swept out with his sword to parry Berserker’s weapon.
The reinforced stone crashed against Shirou’s projection.
He had to block it. The attack would be parried. The effect was determined. However, the paths leading to that result were few.
To everyone else, it was an instant. However, to Shirou, it was an eternity.
As if scanning through all possibilities, he saw an infinite kaleidoscope of fates spread out before him. Finally, however, the threads coalesced into one.
Shirou’s sword broke, causing Berserker’s attack to be diverted ever so slightly to the side and miss. However, in response, Shirou’s legs splintered and his right hand was torn apart. Not only that, but the shrapnel from his shattered sword lacerated Shirou’s body, sending blood scattering in every direction.
It was an explosion. Not of force, but of blood. Parrying the blow dealt a heavy consequence to Shirou. If not for the fact that he could control every aspect of his body, he would have already fell over.
Everyone froze. Even Berserker. The mad Servant’s eyes cleared for a moment and flicker of emotion could be seen within. It was a moment of hesitation.
“Master!” Saber’s voice echoed in the night. A moment later, wind howled. Golden light flashed and then Shirou saw blue and gold blur through the air. However, before it collided with the gray Servant, Berserker vanished.
“…Hmph. Stupid Onii-chan… this isn’t fun anymore.” Ilya shook her head and walked away into the night.
Saber looked like she wanted to pursue but quickly ran to Shirou’s side. She dismissed Excalibur and grabbed Shirou. “Master!”
Shirou didn’t respond. It was all he could do to remain conscious and standing. However, he could sense that Avalon was fast at work. His more serious wounds were being healed while he stood.
Saber must have realized that as she let out a sigh of relief. However, she turned to Rin and frowned.
The Tohsaka heir was stained with blood and flesh. Her eyes were wide in shock.
“Tohsaka- no, Rin.” Saber spoke to her in a stern voice.
Rin slowly blinked. She looked at her blood-soaked body and then to Shirou. “Em…iya-kun?”
“You-“
Before Saber could say anything else, Archer appeared behind Rin. He glanced at Saber and then Shirou. After that, his gaze settled on the broken sword in Shirou’s hand and sighed. “I’ll take care of Rin, Saber. You focus on getting your Master back home.”
With those words said, Archer picked Rin up in a princess carry and jumped into the night.
Saber watched them leave and shook her head. Archer had a point.
The king of knights turned to Shirou and said, “Master. Are you conscious?”
Shirou didn’t respond for a moment, but eventually said, “…Yeah. Is she gone?”
“Rin?”
“Yes.”
“She is.”
Shirou let out a long sigh. “Good. I can focus on healing up now.”
Crimson and emerald light covered Shirou’s body. Using structural grasp and reinforcement, he slowly and carefully pieced his shattered body back together. At the same time, he reinforced the broken parts to become stronger.
Saber stared at Shirou with wide eyes. After a moment, she said, “…It would appear I have quite the impressive Master.”
“Don’t praise me too much. This is the best I can do for now.”
Shirou managed to repair his vital organs and bones as well as close the more serious wounds, but he was still bleeding out from the scratches that remained.
He immediately staggered. Fortunately, Saber was there to grab him.
“Thanks,” Shirou said.
“You are welcome, Master. However… I would have very strong words with you about your actions tonight.”
Saber’s voice was cool. Even without knowing her too long, Shirou could tell she was upset.
“Yeah. But that’s later. Sorry to rely on you for this, but do you mind taking me back home? I can’t feel anything.”
His circuits, having been entwined with his nerves, led him to be completely numb. No, that wasn’t completely true. He could feel a vague sensation, but it was like grabbing something through layers of wool.
Saber sighed. “Very well.” With that, she lifted Shirou and placed him over her shoulder.
It was a comical sight. Since Saber had a relatively petite form, it was ridiculous for her to carry around Shirou. However, superhuman strength and speed compensated for that.
“Rest easy for now, Master.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
Shirou sighed and then closed his eyes, letting fatigue take away his consciousness.
===
When Shirou regained consciousness, Saber arrived at the front of the Emiya household. She must have sensed him stirring as she said, “Are you conscious, Master?”
“Just Shirou will be fine, Saber,” he said. “And can you put me down?”
Saber nodded and did as she was asked. After that, she stared at Shirou’s body and nodded. “Your body’s healing capabilities are truly powerful. Wounds like those have killed many a man in the past.”
Shirou rolled his shoulders and stretched. “Yeah, well… this body’s good for something at least.” After ensuring that he was back in top capacity, Shirou nodded and walked to the front gate. Although he’d left his key behind, it didn’t take much effort to project one and unlock the door. After opening it, he glanced back and said, “Come on, Saber. We can talk inside over some more tea.”
Saber had been looking around the Emiya household with strange emotions in her eyes. After hearing Shirou’s words however, she nodded. “Understood.”
Shirou went ahead to the kitchen to prepare some more tea. Behind him, he heard footsteps and the door sliding shut. Saber must have entered.
Like earlier, he prepared another pot of tea and then sat down at the kitchen table. Saber walked over and sat across from him.
The Master and Servant pair sat there for a while in silence, both surveying the other.
Shirou observed Saber and contemplated her identity. First of all, she was beautiful. It was to the extent that Shirou wondered how she ever pulled off being a man in the past. A delicate face framed by golden hair. Clear eyes that were a wondrous shade between blue and green. A regal atmosphere that couldn’t be faked as well as perfect mannerisms. Second of all, she was a lot stronger than in canon. He still wasn’t sure if it was a result of his reinforced connection or just the fact that he had so much more mana output, but a glance at her stats showed that every attribute was at A, with strength and mana being A+ respectively.
The strongest Servant next to Berserker. That was who Saber was. But then again, what else could you expect from King Arthur, the most famous legendary hero?
Saber was the first to break the silence between them. “Master… no, Shirou. I must ask you… are you truly not a magus?”
“I’m not.”
Saber frowned. “Then… do you perhaps possess a mana core as well?”
“A mana core?”
Saber nodded. “An old… friend would be a stretch, but a mentor of mine once said that I lacked the talent for magecraft but possessed a large capacity for mana itself. The source of that was the mana core I held in my body, one born from the bloodline of a dragon.”
Shirou nodded. “Right. The Pendragon line would do that.”
Saber froze. “…You know my identity?”
“Of course. Who else has Excalibur for a Noble Phantasm?”
…Barring that other Saber Servant, but Shirou kept that tidbit to himself.
Saber smiled. “Impressive. You are quite wise for someone your age. However… you are also quite reckless.” Saber’s smile dropped. “What led you to protect Rin in such a reckless manner? While I know not the full extent of your power, it surely would not have been much difficulty to simply take her and retreat. Why stay?”