When he realized it, Lancer’s spear was already thrusting towards his heart. It was the second time that night. Cause and effect reversed, with the fate of Shirou’s heart being pierced by Gae Bolg written out in stone… at least that was what should have happened. However, that time was different.
Shirou could see it. Although faint, although it should have been impossible, exposure to the curse ahead of time allowed him to subvert the cause and effect just a tiny bit. Enough to take a step sideways, to turn his body just ever so slightly aside.
Thus, instead of piercing his heart, Gae Bolg pierced through his left arm.
“What-?”
Lancer cried out in surprise.
“Lancer!” Saber shouted and instantly charged in, swinging her sword.
Lancer clicked his teeth and then retreated. His skill to disengage combat triggered and he was suddenly crouched on top of the fence surrounding the Emiya household.
Shirou clutched his left arm. Blood oozed from beneath his fingers, but focusing on it caused the wound to slowly heal.
Saber came to a stop in front of Shirou, her sword raised to defend.
Seeing all of that, Lancer sighed. “Damn, kid. Your luck is out of this world. First you survive being stabbed through the heart by Gae Bolg. Then you summon Saber. And now, you even managed to dodge Gae Bolg’s activation… If this wasn’t a war I’d be tempted to pick you up as a student. Hell, even Teacher would be interested… but it looks like that’s not gonna happen.” He straightened and saluted Shirou. “See ya around, kid. Try not to die before we fight again, alright?”
“This isn’t over, Lancer!” Saber shouted and started to chase after him, but Lancer was already gone.
Shirou called out. “It’s fine. Let him go.”
Saber hesitated before nodding and walking back to Shirou. She immediately eyed his wounded left arm and said, “Master. Are you alright?”
Shirou smiled and waved his right hand. “It’s fine. See? Not a scratch… well, not a big one, anyway.”
It was a patchwork job. He remembered how Rin had reconstructed his heart and did a similar thing to restore his arm. Maybe because he was missing steps of the process, or because he wasn’t suited out for that sort of magic, it didn’t work as well.
Shirou stared at it and frowned. “Maybe I should have just used reinforcement…”
Strengthen his cellular processes and align the repair process. That would have worked better. A note for next time.
Saber scrutinized the wound before smiling. “That is a relief. However.” Her eyes instantly narrowed. “Master. What gave you the idea of stepping forward into our combat? Did you not state that you would offer support?”
“Ah, about that…”
Before Shirou could explain, the sounds of bells rang throughout the Emiya household.
Saber instantly went on guard. “An enemy Servant.” She turned towards the entrance, preparing to run off. “Master, wait here and-“
“Stay.”
Saber froze. She blinked and turned back to look at Shirou. “Pardon me?”
Shirou waved his hand. “It’s fine. Besides, it’s safer to let them come to us than charge out to meet them. Here at least we have the home field advantage.”
Saber looked around, contemplating Shirou’s words, and then nodded. “I see. Very well, Master. I will follow your lead.”
The two waited in silence. Saber stood in a quiet vigil, her sword prepared to act at a moment’s notice. In comparison, Shirou was completely at ease. His eyes were closed and reflecting on the clash between Lancer and Saber. More importantly, he was reflecting on Gae Bolg’s activation.
Both his body and his eyes had received the spear’s form. If he concentrated, Shirou was certain he could replicate it. While it wouldn’t be perfect, it should be enough with some reinforcement from the curse he had assimilated. A perfect trump card to use on… basically only Rider, Caster, and Assassin. Archer could see it coming a mile away, Berserker could tank it no problem, and Lancer knew his own attack well enough to block it.
Well… that was the normal activation. It still had a viable usage as a spear volley carpet bomb…
Footsteps echoed through the empty courtyard. Soon after, the invader appeared.
Shirou wasn’t surprised, but it looked like the trespasser was.
Tohsaka Rin stared at Emiya Shirou with wide eyes for a fraction of a second before settling on her usual poker face. “So, Emiya-kun. I see that you summoned a Servant.”
“A Servant?” Shirou muttered. “…I guess so. But more than that, what are you doing here, Tohsaka?”
After those words, the air behind Rin distorted and revealed Archer. The crimson Servant of the bow scowled at Shirou and said, “Are you sure you don’t want to take him out here and now, Rin?”
“Shut it, Archer! Go… keep an eye on the surroundings or something.”
“Tch. Whatever you say, Master.”
After saying that, Archer vanished into mist. When he disappeared, Rin turned her attention back to Shirou and said, “It’s a bit chilly outside. Do you mind if we go inside to chat?”
Shirou nodded. “Alright. It’d be good to get some things cleared up… though I’m curious as to how you’re involved in everything. Ah, and Saber. You can relax. Tohsaka won’t be trying anything here.”
“Master-“
“It will be fine.”
Saber stared at Rin with caution before relenting and dissolving her sword. After that, the Servant of the Sword followed Shirou, making sure to keep guard between him and Rin.
Shirou noticed, but decided to let it be. Better to let Saber throw Rin off with her caution than him mess up by saying something he shouldn’t know.
Shirou opened the door to his house and left it open for the girls to follow him in. After taking off his shoes, he headed towards the kitchen while calling out, “Do either of you want tea?”
Rin replied first. “Whatever you have will be fine with me, Emiya-kun.”
Saber responded afterwards. “Yes, Master. I am fine with whatever you make as well.”
“Alright.”
Shirou walked into the kitchen and set a pot of water to boil while preparing the tea bags and cups. Afterwards, he took a seat at the kitchen table. A few moments later, both Saber and Rin walked in.
Shirou gestured towards the spots on either side of the table and the open cushions. “Sit wherever. Tea should be ready in a bit.”
Saber nodded and took a space directly to Shirou’s right. Rin took a seat opposite of him.
The two Masters stared at each other for a while before Rin broke the silence. “So you might be wondering what happened, Emiya-kun.”
Shirou nodded. “I am. Just what is going on to have a legendary figure like Cu Chulainn running around to kill me?”
“…Eh?” Rin gave Shirou a strange look. “What do you mean, Cu Chulainn?”
“You know? That blue guy with the crimson spear? I’d have called him a cosplayer if not for the fact that the spear he was carrying around was the real deal.”
Rin paused for a moment and muttered, “So that’s who he was. No wonder he seemed familiar…” The Tohsaka heir shook her head and then turned back to Shirou. “Anyway, that’s not too important. First of all… you’re a magus, aren’t you?”
“I’m not.”
“…Eh?” Rin blinked and then said, “W-Wait a minute. What do you mean you’re not a magus, Emiya-kun?! With that much prana flaring off your body, you’ve got to be one!”
That time it was Shirou’s turn to be confused. “Prana? Flaring? What do you… ah.” Shirou blinked and nodded in understanding. “So you can sense the way of the world as well, Tohsaka?”
“Way of the world?”