As I Pray, Unlimited Blade Works

A/N: And here's our next chapter. I hope everyone reading the story so far has enjoyed it.

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To my reviewers:

@Ray: I'll definetely consider your advice to put the story on FanFiction.net, although there will be adult content, so I felt that it fit better on this site. I'm glad that someone who read the story chose to review it, regardless. Thank you for your support, and please continue to read on and review!

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Carefully balancing upon a tree branch, Archer looked down at the large house below him. At nearly one in the morning, the Emiya residence was peacefully asleep. No lights shone in the windows, and the stillness of the night remained undisturbed as the Servant leapt from his perch to land lightly upon the ground. He approached the domicile silently, his boots making no sound as he walked through the tall grass.

‘Well,’ he thought to himself. ‘Isn’t that nostalgic…it’s just as I remember.’

He began to move closer, but stopped upon feeling the faint pulsing sensation of magical energy. He smiled thinly, remembering the barrier field that surrounded the property. Quickly moving his hands, he drew symbols through the air, muttering the appropriate counterspell. The pulsing sensation subsided…the barrier had been dispelled.

“Stupid boy,” Archer whispered. “You’re a thousand years too early to deal with me – and my powers as a mage hardly register in comparison to Rin or Ilyasviel. Your presence in this Holy Grail War is like an insect walking among giants…you should have quit the moment you saw what you were up against.”

He ignored the main building, instead walking towards the shed that stood a ways off from the actual house. He would be there. Upon reaching the shed, he opened the door, marveling that the door wasn’t even locked. Had he really been this stupid? There inside lay a red-haired young man surrounded by various tools and appliances, his eyes closed in sleep. Archer smiled grimly, moving his hands in a complex series of arcane gestures. Finally, he spoke without turning around.

“It’s not like you to skulk about in the shadows, Saber.”

A streak of silver and blue flew by him to land in front of the prostrate figure. Saber’s blonde hair made a halo around her head as she landed, her armor chiming like bells. Green eyes glared out at him from the relative darkness of the shed, but only for a moment. The female Servant quickly turned to her ward, shaking his shoulder with a mailed hand.

“Shirou,” she said urgently. “Wake up…we may have to fight!”

To her confusion, the red-haired boy merely turned restfully, murmuring in his sleep. “We can’t do that, Saber…what if Fuji-nee saw us?”

Saber’s fair cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink. “Just what are you dreaming about…!?”

“It’s useless, Saber,” interrupted Archer, grinning amusedly. “He won’t wake up for a while.”

The girl whirled on him, all traces of embarrassment vanishing instantly. “You! What have you done to my Master?” She raised her invisible sword above her head, her eyes promising a swift end if he could not provide a satisfactory answer.

“I needed to talk with you, so I’m keeping him asleep. That way we won’t be interrupted.”

Saber hardly seemed mollified by this response, keeping her sword raised threateningly. “I should kill you now; I have no reason to listen to the words of an enemy.”

Archer spread his arms, showing her that his hands were empty. “As you can see, I am unarmed. Surely a knight would not attack a man who is unable to defend himself.”

Saber gave him an angry look, but lowered her sword slightly. “Are these Rin’s orders? Is this how she repays mercy, by breaking our alliance?”

“No. Rin doesn’t know that I’m here.” It was true. He’d told Rin that he was going to scout the area, and that he’d return shortly. She would have accompanied him, but he’d insisted that she go to sleep, saying that a fatigued Master would only slow him down.

I trust you, Archer.

He grimaced slightly. Had he lied when he had told Rin he wasn’t betraying her? What would she think if she saw him here? He quelled such thoughts by telling himself that ultimately, this was for her own good.

“So you came here to murder Shirou of your own accord? Is the Grail so important to you that you would sink to such ignobility, Archer?”

“I’m not Assassin – I don’t murder people in their sleep, regardless of what they deserve.” The last part was accompanied by a dark look at Shirou, who was still sleeping contentedly. “I’ll kill that kid in fair combat.”

Saber regarded the white-haired Servant angrily. “What quarrel could you have with Shirou? Has he wronged you in some way?”

“More than you could ever imagine, but I’m not here to make excuses for my actions. I came to deliver a warning.”

The female Servant raised her sword again, her armored feet set in a perfect stance. “What warning?”

“In the event that I should fail…if by some chance that kid should manage to win this war…make your wish, Saber.”

She looked at him in confusion. “What do you mean? I’ve never had any other intention.”

“Are you sure? What if Shirou were to ask you to do something? Let’s say…to destroy the Grail?”

Saber gasped, but said nothing.

“A familiar scenario, is it not? After all, you’ve been betrayed once before, haven’t you?”

“How do you know this?” Saber’s voice was wary. “Who are you?”

“My identity is unimportant. However, I do know who you are, king of knights.”

“Enough!” The armor-clad maiden rushed him, pinning his body to the wall with one gauntleted fist. With her other hand, she held the invisible sword to his throat. “Play no more games with me, if you value your presence in this world!”

Archer breathed slowly. Her body was pressed so close to his that their faces nearly touched. He could feel her hot breath on his cheek. The feeling was intoxicating, bringing back memories of their time together. He forced himself to remain calm, looking at her with a confident expression.

“I know you, Saber. You won’t hurt me,” he said quietly.

She grit her teeth, her grip on him tightening. “What is your goal?”

“I told you – I came here to deliver a warning. If you should win the Holy Grail War, do not obey your Master’s request.”

“If you are suggesting that Shirou will use the Command Spell to force me to destroy the Grail, I do not believe he would ever treat me in such a dishonorable manner.”

“Your naïveté is astounding, Saber. Would you not have said the same thing about Kiritsugu Emiya…right before he forced you to act against your will?”

“Shirou is not his father,” replied Saber, her voice ringing with conviction. “However, if he was to do so, I would have no choice but to acquiesce to his wishes. As a Servant, you should know that better than anyone.”

“This is true,” conceded Archer. “But I am not suggesting that he will force you to destroy the Grail. No, I am saying that your dream is so weak that you will do so of your own volition!”

He barely had time to react as Saber’s gauntlet struck him across the face in a vicious backhand. He staggered from the force of the blow, falling into a rack of tools with a clatter.

The blue knight regarded him coldly. “The knight’s code prevents me from doing harm to an unarmed man, but it does not require me to stand and listen as you insult me. Draw your weapon, Archer…I challenge you!”

“That’s a nice expression,” croaked Archer, standing unsteadily. One side of his face was bloodied where the armor’s edges had struck him. “But you have feelings for this boy, do you not? Rin told me how he saved you from Berserker.”

Saber glanced towards Shirou uncertainly. “What are you saying, Archer?”

“I’m saying that you’re in love with your Master,” he replied frankly.

He flinched as she raised her sword again. “Wait,” he said quickly. “I meant no insult...I merely state what we both know to be true.”

The blonde knight looked at him indignantly, her face red. “I…I do not know what perversion you practice with Rin,” she stammered, “but there is no such relationship between Shirou and myself!”

“I did not suggest anything improper,” Archer reminded her. “Simply that you have feelings for him. There is no dishonor in that, although he’s unworthy of you.”

“You…” Saber started to protest, but Archer cut her off.

“All I ask is that you make your wish. Remember my words, should the time come.”

He turned, preparing to leave.

“Archer,” called Saber. He glanced behind him questioningly. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but you won’t be able to kill Shirou. I will defend him with my life.”

“Yes,” he answered simply, bending his knees in preparation for a leap. “I know.” And with that, he was gone, jumping from tree to tree as he made his escape from the Emiya mansion. Saber wanted to give chase, wanted to run him down and force him to answer her questions, but recognized that she couldn’t leave Shirou defenseless. So instead, she settled down next to him with her sword across her lap, resting her back against a wall of the shed.

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Archer alighted on the windowsill of Rin’s room, opening the window and stepping inside softly so as not to disturb her sleep. Rin lay upon her bed, her pajama-clad body untouched by the covers. As he watched, she tossed fitfully, moaning in her sleep. The red knight crossed over to the bed, drawing the blankets over his Master in one smooth motion.

“Forgive me, Rin,” he whispered, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “There was something I needed to do.”

“Papa,” murmured Rin. “Papa, don’t leave…don’t leave me all alone. Archer…”

At the mention of his name, the Servant looked up, startled.

“Please,” continued Rin. “Don’t leave me…”

Archer sighed. “I’m a terrible Servant, Rin...and I’m certainly not much of a companion…but I’ll stay, as long as I can. I promise.”

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A/N: I know that not many will read this story, but if you do - please leave a review. I love to hear back from my readers. Until next time!