Other Dimension's Knight

Due to his injury, Shirou had a hard time waking up. Even with the help of Avalon, the multiple wounds that Archer gave him were too deep. Not only he was cut accross his back, but he had two deep stabs in the legs and one in the torso. The one in the torso reached his stomach and if it wasn't for Avalon, Shirou would have died a long time ago. Alexander was angry at Archer for really trying to kill Shirou, even if it was useless. Although it was a conflict that his master had to undergo at one point, he wasn't really sure if it was beneficial to let Archer near Shirou like this anymore.

To top it all, Saber was mad at Alexander for leaving Shirou to Archer like this and at Archer for trying to kill her master even though they were supposed allies. Although saber didn't say anything on the way home, the glares she sent to Alexander were enough to convey her thoughts about the situation. This morning, Saber was waiting in the dojo for Alexander, who was looking around the city first to check the situation with the threat and the holy grail war. He realized that assassin wasn't here anymore, he disappeared supposedly killed by another servant but Archer couldn't be the one that finished him. Although Archer was decent, against assassin he wasn't a threat except if he went all out, and Alexander doubted that Archer was ready to expose his cards next to Caster.

He didn't manage to see who took assassin down, but he had a bad feeling about this whole situation, and his intuition never betrayed him so far. Something was happening in this war that he probably wouldn't like, and he wasn't sure if he was able to take care of it before taking care of the other threat. Since he was summoned as a normal servant, he had most of his abilities blocked. Although he wasn't afraid of the servants and could kill them pretty easily if he needed to, it would still take a toll on this weakened body and he needed every strength he could to stop what was threatening the earth.

Sakura already went to school early this morning, and Alexander didn't want to leave her alone. The 'thing' in the Matou residence had moved this night. He wondered if it has something to do with the disappearance of assassin, but he couldn't let it take Sakura, after all she seemed important for his plan. Saber was enough to protect Shirou and he could trust her on this part, even maybe more than himself considering what happened yesterday, but right now he needed to explain himself to Saber.

Alexander sighed before heading to the Dojo. Meanwhile, shirou was having a bad sleep. During the night he nearly died and now he needed to rest in order to let Avalon heal him. He dreamt of a barren land. The air was dry and he was standing on the top of a hill. The sky wasn't blue but had the color of rust, and the wind had the smell of steel. Shirou was stuck here for hours now in his dream. No matter where he went, the barren land never showed its limits, and the wind continued to blow. Shirou just kept on walking, not knowing where to go and when to stop...

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Alexander pushed the door of the dojo open and looked at Saber, who was sitting at the back of the dojo with her eyes closed. She opened her eyes when Alexander sat down in fron of her.

" So what went through your mind yesterday in order to let Shirou deal with Archer alone? " asked Saber as she looked at Alexander angrily.

" This is something that he has to endure, it was supposed to be a good wake-up call for him alas I didn't except Archer to take things this far. " said Alexander, looking quite calm compared to Saber who was nearly fuming in anger.

" You.... do you realize that Shirou nearly died because of you?! " said Saber

" Yes... And I'm sorry for it, it was my mistake as I've said. But I would still let Archer and Shirou fight each other if the opportunity arise again, it is a trial that he must take. " said Alexander.

Saber didn't know why Alexander was saying such things about Archer and Shirou, but ultimately she decided to trust Alexander as she knew that there must have been a good reason for him to act like this.

" Very well, I shall trust you this time. " said Saber, picking up a wooden sword and putting herself in stance in front of Alexander.

Alexander looked a bit surprised at Saber's trust but just picked up a wooden sword of his own and also put himself in stance.

" I hope you didn't forget our previous conditions. If I win you must tell me your true identity and your relation with me. " said Saber, focusing on Alexander for the spar.

" *sigh* Although you're really obstinate, I shall obey to your conditions. " said Alexander as he engaged the fight against Saber.

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Shirou woke up agitated from his nightmare. He dreamt of Shinji's death and of his body being transformed into swords with the terrible pain that came with it. Covered with sweat, he looked at his right arm and noticed that the swords weren't there like in his nightmare. Although his wounds weren't completely healed, his recovery rate was still ridiculous. Except for the wounds in his torso, everything else was already healed during the night. Shirou now realized what Saber meant by recovery magic, but he had no idea what was the source of this healing. He remembered yesterday's events and a bitter taste came as he remembered Alexander leaving him alone against Archer, who totally looked like he wanted to kill him despite their alliance.

He couldn't trust Rin anymore. First she killed Shinji and now she sent Archer to kill him. He also thought that he couldn't trust Alexander anymore as he betrayed him, but the last words he said made him think that there must have been something else that forced Alexander act like this. Although he was still quite angry at Alexander for not saving Shinji, he himself knew that he was an enemy and that it was necessary to eliminate him, but deep inside he still couldn't cope with the fact. For him that wanted to be a hero of justice, it was unbearable to see someone die while asking for his help. It brought back his memory of the Fire in Fuyuki ten years ago.

As his anger against Alexander quenched a little bit, he wondered if Rin really sent her servant to kill him, as Archer's reason for trying to kill him seemed more personal than anything. Yesterday Shirou and Archer had a debate, well more like an argument about his ideals. Shirou, being stubborn didn't want to concede with Archer that nearly went against his ideals and the argument quickly escalated.

He dressed himself with the school uniform before heading towards the dojo where he heard the sound of wood clashing against each other. He guessed that it must have been Saber and Alexander sparring and wanted to see the level of swordsmanship that would come out from two servants fighting against each other. So with a bandage over his torso, he opened the door of the dojo.

Nothing happened this morning, Shirou couldn't find the opportunity to talk about yesterday's events since he was already late for school. Alexander simply informed him that assassin disappeared, probably died and that Sakura was probably in danger since the 'man' in the Matou residence started to move. Alexander was tasked to follow Shirou in school to protect Sakura and Shirou would summon Saber if something happened. They had two servants on their side and it would be stupid to not utilize it. Rin's servant made very few appearance in the war so it was likely that Alexander was Rin's servant in front of most people involved in this war, and it wasn't a bad idea to keep it that way. Unfortunately they had no contact with Rin since Shinji died and it would be dangerous to assume that the alliance was still up considering the circ.u.mstances of Shinji's death.

With that in mind, Shirou and Alexander headed towards school, not knowing the darkness that awaited them.