The world screamed.
Fire. Dust. Blood.
Familiar smells.
Unfamiliar air.
He didn't emerge with grace—he arrived with weight.
The weight of a life dragged from death.
Chains clinked as he stepped into the circle, boots cracking bone dust.
No armor. No splendor. Just scars.
His breath was slow. Controlled.
The air curled with mana—coiled, tense, binding.
He opened his eyes.
The cathedral was in ruins.
Fitting.
The gods had always liked their games broken.
Where am I?
He saw the boy: thin, rattled, standing in the rubble like he belonged to neither world.
Muttering. Laughing nervously. Trembling.
A child playing with war magic… and somehow, it worked.
Saber did not move.
Chains dangled from his wrists, chest bare and marked by time.
He looked through the boy.
He's afraid. Good.
He should be.
And yet—he stood.
He called me.
That means something.
A flicker stirred.
Not pride. Not duty.
Something older.
Something primal.
So… I fight again.
His voice cracked the silence like steel grinding stone:
"Who calls me from death… to fight again?"
The boy froze. Eyes wide. Then:
"Um… I did?" Lucian whispered.
Saber's gaze was iron. His words, colder:
"Are you asking me… or telling me?"
Lucian blinked. Swallowed.
"I did," he said again—this time firmer.
"Good."
"Then tell me… why have you summoned me?"
Lucian hesitated. Looked down.
Then:
"I need your help."
"Someone I care about has been taken."
"I need the Grail… to bring her back."
Saber said nothing.
His stare didn't blink.
Then:
"And why should I help you?"
Lucian snapped—his fear cracking into frustration.
"I'm your Master!" he shouted. "You're supposed to listen to me!"
Saber didn't flinch.
"Lower your tone, boy."
"You are no Master. Just a child… playing with forces you don't understand."
Lucian tightened his jaw.
Stepped forward.
"I may not know everything," he said quietly, "but I brought you here."
"That means something."
The silence dragged—heavy as iron.
Then:
"What do you want from me?" Saber asked.
Lucian held his gaze.
"To fight."
"To win the Grail."
Saber tilted his head.
"And?"
"And to save her," Lucian added. "Someone important."
Another pause.
Then, flat and final:
"Weak reason. But honest."
Lucian frowned.
"Is that a no?"
Saber stepped forward.
Chains whispered across the stone.
"It's not a yes… either."
Lucian didn't step back.
He stood as Saber's stare bore into him.
Then—
A slight nod.
"Then we are bound."
Lucian blinked.
"That's it?"
Saber glanced at the summoning circle—now pulsing faintly with life.
"Say the words. Seal the contract."
Lucian fumbled through his jacket, pulling out the worn summoning page.
His hands trembled as he spoke:
"In accordance with the pact, I command thee."
"Thou art Saber—my sword."
"I am thy Master."
"Our fates are now joined… until the Grail is won."
The circle exploded in crimson light.
Spirals of heat wrapped around Lucian's hand—burning, searing, claiming.
He gasped. Three marks etched into flesh, glowing before fading to black.
Saber watched without a word.
Lucian looked up.
"So… it's done?"
Saber nodded.
"You are my Master."
A pause.
"For now."