Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 15

I stirred from my bed. The dream that I had faded in my mind, replaced by the harrowing feeling of emerging back to reality

As consciousness slowly overtook my anatomical function, I stayed still in my position while slowly peeking at my surrounding.

No mana pulse. Noises non-existent. Clean sweep of the room reveal nothing out of place

Confirming that no hostile presence is nearby, I allowed myself to fully wake up

The comfy feeling from the pillow prevented me from moving, it's hold capturing my hardened heart in a vice as gentle as a caress, yet the temptation to sink into the pillow's softness is anything but

I closed my eyes in bliss, intending to continue staying as so until the alarm had rang, or at least until the first ray of sunlight had hit the house

Except it already did

....

As reality came crashing down on me, I jolted awake, throwing the bedsheet to the side in haste

Just how long did I sleep?

I walked to the window and tore open the curtains. Warm, radiant sunlight greeted me back, shining down on my shocked form from above.

Quickly closing it, I mentally took a count to three and count down to zero.

The confusion was now mixed with realization that something is lacking. For once, I had woken completely late and wasted my precious time

I looked around my room. My vest and mot personal items are still gathered in one place, only with the absence of one very important thing . An object I would always carry with myself at all time

My feet carried me out of my room.

The house is in the same state as yesterday, if not cleaner. Somebody might have did some housework while I was sleeping. It might have been Saber. In that case, it could only be her who took it

I rounded the corner and came to her sitting alone in the living room

It was adjacent to my bedroom, separated only by a thin wall. The interior inside has been neatly arranged, leaving only a small table in the middle on which Artoria is sitting

"Saber" I called out

"Good morning, Master"

The sound of silence permeated the room following my greeting

Saber looked up. Her stern look turned into a smile upon seeing me

She is wearing civilian clothing that I'd prepared for her beforehand. Blue jeans, white blouse, and an azure bow tied at her neck that just happen to match her appearance in Stay night

"Morning. I wake up today and notice something in my room is missing" I crossed my arm "I was hoping there's an explantion for it"

She tilted her head in response

"I don't understand"

"Almost all of the clocks in this house has been removed, including the one in my room" I narrowed my eyes "Artoria. What did you do to my alarm clock?"

"Ah, you're talking about that noisy device"

Saber frowned. She then shrugged

"It was disturbing your sleep, so I got rid of it"

"That was, unnecessary"

"Or was it?" The blonde stod up from her crouching position and approached me "Since you are the Master, it should only be appropriate for you to get a long rest to save up magical energy, shouldn't you?"