The temple air was thick with the scent of incense and cold stone, sending shivers down Shirō's spine. She struggled against the threads binding her, their sharp edges biting into her skin with every movement. The cloaked woman standing before her radiated an unsettling aura, her wild smile making Shirō's stomach churn.
"Who the hell are you?!" Shirō yelled, her voice echoing in the eerie silence of the temple.
The woman tilted her head, her smile growing wider. "I am Caster, a benevolent Servant," she purred, her tone dripping with mockery.
Caster?! Shirō's mind raced. She remembered Rin's warnings about Caster—manipulative, cunning, and absolutely dangerous.
Caster's grin didn't falter as she began pacing leisurely, her long cloak trailing behind her. "You see, Saber, the Holy Grail will be mine. It's inevitable. And you… you will help me achieve it. Wouldn't that be a beautiful alliance?"
Shirō's face twisted in anger. "As if I'd ever work with a witch like you!" she spat, tugging futilely at the threads. They only dug deeper, a painful reminder of how utterly trapped she was.
Caster froze mid-step, her grin faltering as a dangerous glint entered her eyes. "Witch?" she repeated, her voice low and venomous. "Did you just call me a witch?"
Her hand moved to her side, and Shirō's blood ran cold as she saw the gleam of a dagger. The blade was ornate, its edge shimmering unnaturally as if it were alive with magic.
"Such insolence," Caster hissed, taking slow, deliberate steps toward Shirō. "No matter. I'll make you my servant right now. Perhaps then you'll learn some respect."
Panic surged through Shirō as she thrashed against her bindings. But the threads only tightened, their razor edges threatening to cut into her skin if she struggled too hard. She clenched her teeth, frustration and fear boiling over. Useless… I'm so useless…
Caster raised the dagger, her wild grin returning. "Now, Saber, let us begin—"
A sharp whistle cut through the air, and in an instant, Caster leaped back, a glowing arrow embedding itself in the ground where she had stood. The dagger clattered to the floor as Caster let out a frustrated yell. "Archer?!"
Shirō's eyes widened as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, his twin blades glinting ominously under the moonlight. "Took you long enough to figure it out," Archer said coolly, his sharp eyes locked on Caster.
"A-Archer?!" Shirō stammered, relief and disbelief washing over her.
Archer didn't reply. He moved with swift precision, cutting through the threads binding Shirō with a single slash of his blade. She collapsed to the ground, gasping as she rubbed her wrists.
"Come on now," Archer said, glancing down at her. "Make yourself useful, Saber."
Before Shirō could muster a reply, Caster let out a shrill laugh. "Archer, you dare interfere with me?" she sneered, summoning an array of glowing orbs that hovered menacingly around her. "You'll regret this."
Archer smirked, twirling his blades effortlessly. "Big talk for someone who just got interrupted mid-monologue. You witches really do love hearing yourselves speak."
Caster's face twisted with rage as she launched the magical orbs toward them. Archer was already in motion, his blades flashing as he deflected the attacks with practiced ease. "Get up, Saber," he said sharply over his shoulder. "You're not going to just sit there, are you?"
Shirō scrambled to her feet, clutching the wooden sword that Archer had handed back to her. She felt the weight of her own inadequacy crushing her, but she couldn't let that stop her now. I have to fight. I have to do something.
Archer engaged Caster in a flurry of strikes, their clash sending shockwaves through the temple. Despite his taunts, it was clear he wasn't taking her lightly. Every swing of her staff, every spell she cast, was met with calculated precision. But Archer couldn't keep this up forever—Caster's magical power was overwhelming, her attacks relentless.
"Anytime now, Saber!" Archer called out, blocking a burst of energy that sent him skidding back.
Shirō tightened her grip on her wooden sword, her heart pounding. "Right… I'm coming!" she shouted, charging forward despite the fear gnawing at her.
This time, I'll fight. Even if I don't know how.