Like before, Lancer thrust forward at a speed invisible to the human eye. However, that time Shirou could see it. A blue blur, as well as a crimson line.
Shirou’s blade swept through the air to parry.
A clang resounded as the two crimson weapons clashed. However, the greater leverage on Lancer’s weapon sent Shirou staggering back.
Gae Bolg instantly swept around to pierce Shirou’s heart again.
Shirou narrowed his eyes and focused, willing himself to block. Reality seemed to skip for a moment and then Shirou’s blade was screeching as it brushed Gae Bolg aside. Like that, the lethal blow was avoided. However, it wasn’t Lancer’s only attack.
A roundhouse kick connected with Shirou’s torso and sent him flying through the air. Whether by coincidence or fate, the trajectory of his flight just so happened to land him in his shed. The door was pushed open by his collision and Shirou landed on the cement floor, bouncing a few times and sending pvc pipes and other scraps scattering across the shed.
“Kuh… damn, that hurt.”
Luckily he had reinforced his body, otherwise that would have been fatal. Even so, he didn’t get out of the impact unscathed. The projects he left laying around cut into this shirt and grazed his skin, causing flecks of blood to scatter.
“Dammit.”
He didn’t have time to worry about that though. Lancer would be barreling through any second- no, any instant now. So before that guy returned he had to get ready and fight. His sword and technique wasn’t enough. He needed something more. But he didn’t have the time to craft it. He didn’t have a moment left to think. So-
Suddenly, light filled the shed. It was blinding, a pure white. At the same time, beneath his feet, Shirou saw a sigil light up. The glyph left behind by Kiritsugu to summon his Servant in the past war.
“OF course. How could I forget?”
Shirou forced himself to stand up, bracing his body against the edge of the shed. At that very moment, a blue flash charged in, carrying with it crimson lightning.
However.
If Lancer’s entrance was a bolt of blue and red lightning, a beam of blue and gold emerged to repel it. Lightning clashed against light speed and a clear metallic sound echoed in the night.
“Tch!” Lancer clicked his tongue and jumped out of the shed. With his departure, there was only one person remaining.
They were cautious, maneuvering to block the entranceway. An invisible blade was in their hand and emitted gentle winds. That breeze shifted the person’s golden hair, the few strands not kept in a bun behind her head stirring like the wheatfields of her homeland.
Saber turned her head slightly backwards and said, “Are you my Master?”
Shirou was stunned. Even if he knew about it, facing her words and her beauty left him momentarily breathless. However, he quickly recovered from the psychological blow and nodded. “I am.”
“Very well. The contract is complete. From this moment on, I shall be your sword.” With those words said, Saber turned her attention back to Lancer, although not before pausing her gaze on Shirou’s sword. “…Your orders, Master?”
Shirou started walking back towards the entrance. “Isn’t it obvious? We send Cu Chulainn packing.”
Lancer must have heard him speak. The Irish Child of Light let out a groan and said, “Come on, kid! Couldn’t you at least keep it to yourself?”
Saber smiled. “Oh? So it is the Child of Light that I face… thank you for the information, Master.”
“No problem,” Shirou said. “Now… you take the lead. I’ll provide support.”
Saber nodded. “As you say. Then… I will begin.”
With those brief words, Saber kicked off the ground and charged towards Lancer.
“Dammit!” The Irish Servant scowled and quickly readied himself for combat. Gae Bolg shifted into a defensive position. Not a moment too soon.
Saber’s sword cut through the air towards Lancer’s neck. If he hadn’t pulled his spear back, it might have been the end. Even so, in blocking Saber’s blow he came under the full brunt of her mana-empowered strikes and was sent backwards a few steps, his feet digging into the ground to not be sent flying. However, after a few more blows he realized that it was pointless since Saber didn’t relent.
Staccato notes of steel clashing reverberated through the night.
Saber’s initiative left Lancer without any room to breathe. It took everything the Irish Servant had to not get dealt a fatal wound.
In another time, the battle would have ended up differently. While powerful, Saber wouldn’t be so domineering. The difference lay in Shirou.
In the canonical time, Emiya Shirou had yet to awaken to his magical circuits or true abilities. The result was a malformed connection between Saber and Shirou, threatening her with disappearing from overuse of energy.
But in this timeline, Saber had no such restrictions. It was true that the connection was weak between Shirou and Saber when she appeared, but he could perceive it within his mind’s eye as well as feel it. The sensation of a taut string, ready to snap. Simultaneously, it was fraying as threads of the required prana were fading away. Seeing that, Shirou immediately reinforced the connection. Not only that, but he enhanced it, using the connection to reinforce Saber on top of her mana burst.
If Saber was surprised about the steadily increasing prowess in her abilities, she didn’t note it. Instead, like a true legend, she rolled with the events and used the enhanced abilities to pressure Lancer.
Faced with such a dangerous situation, Lancer decided to allow a hit from Saber. Blood sprayed from the Irishman as he was sent backwards, leaping with the force of Saber’s blow.
At first, it seemed like that would be the end for the guy. However, his eyes narrowed and he landed on his feet, the distance between the two servants opened yet again.
Saber didn’t pursue. Instead, she straightened and flicked her sword, causing the blood to scatter.
Lancer stared at Saber with sharp eyes. “I was wondering what kind of weapon you were using, but it was a sword after all. Tch. Should have expected it with that kid’s abilities.”
“Oh?” Saber smiled. “Are you so certain, Lancer? I might very well be using an axe… or perhaps a spear like yourself?”
“Cut the crap.” Lancer scowled. “...Dammit. And I thought the kid was having a run of bad luck. Looks like the joke’s on me though.”
Shirou took the time to step forward.
The clash between the two Servants had been short and he could barely follow. However, he saw enough.
“Lancer,” Shirou said. “Are you sure you want to continue?” He raised his crimson sword and stood by Saber’s side.
Realizing Shirou’s intention, Saber nodded and raised her weapon as well. “Indeed, Cu Chulainn. The tides of battle are not with you in this affair.”
“Hmph. You two are underestimating me here.” With those words said, the air suddenly grew cold. Lancer shifted his stance, pointing his spear against the ground. “Even if you know who I am and what I can do… that doesn’t mean you can dodge this. If you do… then I’ll consider getting out of here.”
Shirou’s eyes grew wide. “Saber-“
“Gae.”
Saber’s eyes widened as well and she tried to retreat. But it was too slow. She was already in Lancer’s range.
“Bolg!”
However, both of them were wrong. The target of the attack wasn’t Saber, but Shirou.