Something was wrong.
Ren: "You expecting someone?"
Silence.
Then—
BOOM!
The door exploded inward, barely attached to the hinges as a shadow darted through the dust cloud, moving far too fast for a normal person.
Steel flashed.
My instincts screamed. I threw myself back just in time—a dagger passed inches from my throat, slicing through the air with lethal precision.
I hit the floor hard, rolling across the wooden boards to gain distance. The air thickened with something toxic. Poison.
The intruder—a slender, hooded figure—landed lightly where I had just been. Her dagger gleamed with venom, its violet sheen catching the dim light of the room.
She barely made a sound as she moved. No wasted motion. No hesitation.
???: "Tch. Missed."
Her voice was soft. Almost apologetic.
Jeanne was already in motion, stepping between me and the intruder. Her grip on her flag tightened, the fabric rippling from the sheer force behind her stance.
Jeanne: "An Assassin…"
Her golden eyes flickered dangerously.
I scrambled to my feet, reaching for my pistol. Damn it, where—
There.
My handgun was on the coffee table, just out of reach.
I dove for it.
Assassin vanished.
No, not vanished—she erased her presence completely.
For a split second, there was nothing.
Then—
A dagger materialized in my blind spot.
I barely had time to react before—
CRASH!
Jeanne swung her flag like a warhammer, the impact shattering the floorboards beneath her. A shockwave ripped through the air, sending dust and splinters flying.
Assassin twisted midair, barely avoiding the attack as she flipped backward, landing effortlessly on the kitchen counter.
Assassin: "…Fast."
Jeanne: "You have no idea."
She lunged.
Jeanne's flag cut through the air with a whipcrack, the fabric rippling like a blade. Assassin barely managed to twist her body mid-air, the tip of the flag grazing her cloak before she kicked off the wall and rebounded toward Jeanne.
The dagger came for her throat.
Jeanne deflected it with the shaft of her flagpole, sparks flying as steel met enchanted metal. Assassin pivoted, her movements impossibly smooth and efficient, her next strike already targeting Jeanne's exposed ribs.
I barely followed their movements.
The sound of clashing steel filled the room, each strike too fast for me to properly track. Assassin was relentless, her dagger a blur as she aimed for Jeanne's vital points with mechanical precision. Neck, heart, liver—each strike designed to kill instantly.
But Jeanne… she wasn't just defending.
She was pushing forward.
Her grip on her flag was unyielding, her swings a terrifying mix of speed and raw power. Every time Assassin tried to land a blow, Jeanne's flag was already there—blocking, deflecting, countering.
I reached the table.
My hand closed around the pistol.
I turned—
And Assassin was already moving toward me.
Jeanne: "Ren—!"
Too late.
Assassin's dagger flashed toward my chest.
I raised the pistol and fired.
BANG!
The gunshot roared through the room.
Assassin jerked sideways, twisting her body unnaturally to avoid a direct hit—but she wasn't completely fast enough.
The bullet grazed her shoulder, cutting through her cloak.
She clicked her tongue in irritation but didn't slow down.
She was still coming.
I fired again—but she was already too close.
She knocked the barrel aside with her dagger, the blade scraping against the metal as she aimed for my ribs. I barely managed to twist away, the poisoned tip tearing through my jacket instead of my skin.
Then Jeanne was there.
She slammed her flag into Assassin's side with enough force to send her crashing through the remains of the door.
Dust and splinters flew everywhere.
A tense silence followed.
I stayed still, my pistol raised, heart hammering in my chest.
Jeanne didn't relax either. She kept her flag raised, golden eyes scanning the ruined doorway for any sign of movement.
But—
There was nothing.
The night was quiet.
She was gone.
Assassin had retreated.
I turned to Jeanne, my eye twitching as I took in the sheer devastation of my house.
The wooden floorboards were splintered and cracked, some completely ripped apart from the sheer force of the battle. The table near the couch had been shattered, jagged pieces of wood and glass scattered across the floor. One of the walls had a deep gash running through it, like someone had taken a massive blade and sliced straight through. The bookshelf in the corner? Knocked over, books spilling everywhere.
And the worst part?
There was a massive scorch mark on the ceiling where Jeanne's flames had exploded, leaving behind a dark, charred crater right above my head.
Ren: "…ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
I ran a hand through my hair, trying not to lose it as I surveyed the ruins of my own damn house.
Ren: "My house! My floor! My furniture! Do you know how much this is gonna cost to fix?!"
Jeanne: (blinking, completely unfazed) "Master, you were just attacked by an Assassin, and this is what you're focusing on?"
Ren: "YES! Because that Assassin is gone, but my destroyed floor? My broken walls? My damn ceiling?! Still here!"
Jeanne: (crossing her arms, unimpressed) "I was defending you. Would you rather be dead?"
Ren: (groaning, waving a hand around at the disaster zone) "I mean—no, but still!"
I stepped forward and immediately winced as a sharp piece of wood stabbed into my foot. I kicked it aside with a frustrated grunt, barely resisting the urge to scream at the sheer stupidity of this whole situation.
Ren: "Great. First night of the War, and I'm already in debt."
Jeanne: (sighing, shaking her head) "Master, you have bigger things to worry about."
Ren: (grumbling as I picked up a half-burned book from the floor) "Yeah, yeah. Like how I'm going to survive this War… and somehow afford repairs."
Jeanne: (smirking slightly) "At least your priorities are unique."
I shot her a glare, but she just shrugged.
I let out a long sigh, rubbing my temples as I surveyed the absolute wreckage that was once my home. The walls were covered in deep gashes, chunks of plaster littered the floor, and my coffee table had been reduced to splinters. The air was thick with the scent of dust and gunpowder.
With a tired grunt, I dropped onto what remained of my couch. The moment I did, there was a loud CRACK—the already damaged frame gave way beneath me, and I sank an extra few inches into the ruined furniture.
Ren: "...Well, that's just how it is."
Jeanne: "You seem oddly calm about this, Master."
Ren: "Calm? No, I'm just too tired to care right now. I'll freak out about it later."
I leaned back—or at least, I tried to. The broken couch barely provided any support. Jeanne sat across from me, arms crossed, her golden eyes watching me with an unreadable expression.
Jeanne: "So, what do you plan to do now?"
Ren: "First thing? Figure out where I'm supposed to sleep tonight. Second... I guess I should decide if I'm even going to school tomorrow."
Jeanne raised an eyebrow.
Jeanne: "You're actually considering going?"
Ren: "I mean… yeah? It's not like skipping will magically fix my house. And if I don't show up, people will start asking questions."
Jeanne: "Master, you were just attacked by an Assassin-class Servant. Your home is in ruins. Do you really think going to school is a priority right now?"
Ren: "Look, it's not like I have anywhere else to be. And if I start acting weird, people might get suspicious. Tohsaka especially."
Jeanne: "Suspicious or not, you won't be much use in a fight if you exhaust yourself pretending nothing is wrong."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She had a point. My body still ached from earlier, and I wasn't exactly in peak condition. But skipping school just felt… wrong.
Ren: "...I'll sleep on it. If I even have a bed left to sleep on."
Jeanne: "Good. Because you're not going anywhere without me."
She said it like an order. There was no room for debate. And honestly? Sleep sounded nice, but I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to.
I pushed myself up from the remains of my couch, wincing as the broken frame creaked beneath me. Jeanne watched me with a neutral expression, but there was something in her gaze—concern? Amusement? It was hard to tell.
Ren: "Well, I guess I should check if my bed still exists."
Jeanne: "And if it doesn't?"
Ren: "Then I get to enjoy the wonderful experience of sleeping on the floor. Wouldn't be the first time."
She frowned slightly at that but didn't press the issue. I made my way through the wreckage of my home, stepping over broken furniture and scattered debris. My bedroom door was still intact, which was a small miracle. Pushing it open, I braced myself for the worst.
To my mild surprise, my bed was still there. A little dusty from all the debris, but still in one piece. The same couldn't be said for my bookshelf, which had collapsed under the impact of the earlier fight. Books were scattered everywhere, some torn, others covered in dust.
Ren: "Could've been worse."
I grabbed a spare blanket, shaking off the dust before tossing it over the bed. Jeanne stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
Jeanne: "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
Ren: "What, worried about me already?"
Jeanne: "Just making sure my Master doesn't die in his sleep. That would be an embarrassing way to go."
Ren: "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
She rolled her eyes but didn't push further. I sat down, rubbing my face with my hands. Today had been… a lot. And tomorrow wasn't going to be any easier.
Ren: "Alright. Let's just… get through the night."
Jeanne: "Agreed. I'll keep watch."
Ren: "Don't feel like sleeping?"
Jeanne: "Servants don't need sleep."
Must be nice.
I didn't argue. Instead, I let my body relax, my mind drifting as exhaustion finally caught up to me. Jeanne remained by the door, an unmoving figure in the dim light.
For the first time since the war began, sleep came quickly.
The world around me was soft, almost unreal. A hazy warmth filled the air, and for a moment, I felt at peace.
I stood in a familiar place—the house I had lost so long ago. The scent of home-cooked food drifted from the kitchen, and the sound of laughter echoed through the hall. It was distant, like a memory I could barely grasp, but it was there.
Then, I saw them.
My father sat at the table, newspaper in hand, a small smile playing on his lips. My mother moved about the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. It was such a simple, ordinary scene, but it made my chest tighten.
Ren: "Mom…? Dad…?"
They didn't react to my voice at first, as if I wasn't really there. But then, my mother turned, her warm eyes meeting mine.
Mother: "Ren, sweetheart, breakfast is almost ready. Why don't you sit down?"
Her voice was exactly as I remembered—gentle, soothing. My father set down his newspaper and looked at me with that familiar calm expression.
Father: "You're up early. That's a surprise."
I stepped forward, my hands trembling. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. But it felt so real. The warmth of the room, the smell of food, the way they smiled at me—it was everything I had longed for.
Ren: "I… I missed you."
My mother tilted her head, as if confused.
Mother: "Missed us? What are you talking about, Ren? We're right here."
I opened my mouth to say something—to tell them the truth—but the words caught in my throat. If I said it, if I acknowledged it, this dream would end.
Father: "You look troubled, son."
Ren: "I…"
Before I could answer, the warmth started to fade. The kitchen blurred, the walls darkening. My parents' figures began to distort, their voices fading into static.
Mother: "Ren, are you alright?"
Father: "You shouldn't linger in the past."
I reached out, desperate to hold onto them, but my hands passed through their forms like mist.
Ren: "No—wait! Please, don't go!"
But the world crumbled around me, their faces disappearing into the void.
I jolted awake, gasping for breath. My chest was tight, and I could feel the sting of unshed tears. The sunlight filtering through the ruined house did little to chase away the cold emptiness left by the dream.
It was just a dream.
Just a cruel, fleeting dream.
Jeanne's voice called from the other room.
Jeanne: "Master, someone's at the door."
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to push the dream aside. I had more pressing matters to deal with.
Ren: "There's a door to knock on?"
Jeanne: "Technically, yes. Though it's barely hanging on its hinges."
Dragging myself out of bed, I took in the full scope of the destruction. My walls were cracked, furniture overturned, and my front door… well, what was left of it was hanging on for dear life. Another knock—this time more impatient.
I reached for the handle, but the moment I pulled it, the door came right off the hinges, crashing to the ground with a dull THUD.
Silence.
Standing on my doorstep—now just an open entryway—was Rin Tohsaka. Her sharp blue eyes flickered between the fallen door, the wrecked living room behind me, and finally, my face. She took a breath.
Rin: "…Right. So, either you threw the worst party of the century, or you've had some very interesting visitors last night."
Ren: (scratching the back of my head) "You could say that."
Rin stepped over the fallen door, her gaze sweeping across the destruction.
Rin: "This… is a lot."
Ren: "Yeah, well, you know how it is. Wind, earthquakes… home renovation disasters."
Her brow arched.
Rin: "Ren." (crossing her arms) "I sensed a Servant battle last night. Right near here. Want to tell me what happened?"
I forced a chuckle, stepping slightly to the side to block her view further into my house.
Ren: "Oh, that? Yeah, crazy stuff, right? You'd think I'd know if some mythical warriors were throwing hands right outside my house. But nope, just a normal guy here, minding his own business."
She stared at me.
I stared back.
She tilted her head slightly.
Rin: "Ren."
Ren: "Rin."
Another pause.
Rin: (sighing) "Look, if you're trying to pretend you're not involved, you're doing an awful job at it."
Ren: "What? Pfft. Me? Involved in the Holy Grail War? That's crazy." (gesturing at my ruined house) "Do I look like a Master to you?"
Rin's gaze flickered to the obvious magical burn marks, the embedded dagger in my wall, and the shattered remains of what was probably once a coffee table.
Rin: (flatly) "Yes."
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Jeanne, sitting near the window, gave me a look of pure amusement.
Ren: "…I can explain."
Rin: (crossing her arms) "Oh, I can't wait to hear this one."
Rin stepped over the wreckage of my living room, her gaze sweeping across the destruction with a mix of irritation and disbelief. The place was barely standing—chunks of the ceiling had collapsed, shattered glass littered the floor, and what remained of my couch looked like it had lost a fight with a wrecking ball.
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Rin: "You really let your place go, huh?"
Ren: (deadpan) "Yeah, I was thinking of redoing the decor. Thought 'war zone' was a nice theme."
Rin: (crossing her arms) "Right. And I'm guessing this 'remodeling' was courtesy of Assassin?"
Ren: (grimacing slightly) "Yeah. Showed up in the middle of the night. Not exactly a pleasant visitor."
She clicked her tongue, glancing at the broken walls.
Rin: "Strange. Assassin is supposed to be the one Servant that avoids direct combat. Unless…" (her eyes narrowed at me) "They were specifically sent after you."
Ren: (shrugging) "That's what I figured. Not exactly comforting."
Rin: (exhaling through her nose) "So, what are you going to do now?"
Ren: (pausing) "Haven't decided yet."
She shot me an unimpressed look.
Rin: "Your house is barely standing, and you haven't decided?"
Ren: (sighing) "Skipping school feels like admitting my life is completely off the rails."
Rin: (bluntly) "Your life is off the rails."
Ren: "Yeah, but still."
From the side, Jeanne finally spoke, her voice calm but firm.
Jeanne: "Master. It would be unwise to act as if nothing has changed. There is no guarantee you will not be attacked again."
Rin's attention snapped toward her, eyes narrowing slightly.
Rin: "I'm going to assume you're his Servant."
Jeanne nods. Rin's gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if analyzing something. She didn't ask for a class, which I appreciated. The less she knew, the better.
She folded her arms, her expression turning serious.
Rin: "Alright, let's get to the point. We both know this war isn't something you can handle alone. So, I'm offering you a deal—let's work together."
Ren: (raising an eyebrow) "An alliance?"
Rin: (nodding) "For now. I'm not going to pretend I'm doing this out of kindness. You're not exactly a major threat in this war but there are people who are. If we don't take out the real enemies first, we won't stand a chance."
Ren: (leaning back slightly) "So, a temporary truce, huh?"
Rin: "Exactly. We keep each other alive until the real threats are gone. Then, when the time comes, we settle things our way."
I considered her words. It made sense. And I wasn't in a position to turn down help, not after last night's attack. If nothing else, Rin was smart—she wouldn't be making this offer if she didn't see a tactical advantage.
Ren: (exhaling slowly) "Alright. Temporary alliance. But if you try anything, I swear I'll haunt you."
Rin: (smirking slightly) "I'll take my chances."
At that moment, a presence flickered into existence behind her. A red coat, steel-gray eyes, and an ever-present look of vague disapproval.
Archer: (crossing his arms) "Well, this is going to be a headache."
I tensed slightly, though I should've expected him to finally show up.
Rin: (without looking back) "Took you long enough."
Archer: (shrugging) "I wanted to see how much of a mess this idiot got himself into first."
Ren: (deadpan) "Wow. I feel so welcome."
Archer smirked slightly but didn't respond. He just glanced around at the destruction, then at Jeanne. Their eyes met for a brief moment before she turned away.
I got the feeling those two weren't going to get along.
I sighed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as Rin and Archer stood by the remains of my front door. Jeanne sat on the couch—or what was left of it—her arms crossed, watching our conversation unfold with mild disinterest.
Rin: "Well, I suppose this is where we part ways for now."
I yawned, stretching a little. "Yeah, sure. Not like this morning could get any worse."
Just as I said that, I leaned against the wall, trying to shake off the last bits of sleep. Bad idea. A loud creak echoed through the house before a chunk of the already damaged wall collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.
I froze. Jeanne stared. Rin blinked. Archer smirked.
Ren: groaning "Oh, for the love of—"
Jeanne: flatly "Master, was that necessary?"
I coughed, waving the dust away. "Oh yeah, totally planned that. Just making the place more... open concept."
Rin: raising an eyebrow "Open concept? At this rate, you'll be sleeping under the sky before the Grail War is over."
I sighed, looking around at the state of my house. The door was gone, the walls were falling apart, and my couch had seen better days.
Ren: "You know, I think I should just move."
Archer: chuckling "Might be for the best. This place isn't exactly battle-ready."
Jeanne let out an exaggerated sigh.
Jeanne: "And where exactly do you plan to go, Master?"
I shrugged. "I don't know, maybe I'll just live in the Grail once I win."
Silence. Rin stared at me like I'd grown a second head. Jeanne's expression remained blank, but I could tell she was holding back some kind of remark. Archer outright laughed.
Rin: smirking "That's… definitely not how it works, but sure, keep dreaming."
Ren: grinning "No one said I couldn't try."
Jeanne groaned, rubbing her temples. "You've got issues, Master."
I just shrugged, looking at my ruined house once more. Yeah, I was going to need a new home soon.