So before studying starts...
Chapter 7: Fate Finale Latter Part
Interlude
Hmm… he was pretty strong… well, nothing more than that though.
Assassin leans back as he thinks back to the night before. Berserker and his Master had shown up and launched an attack. Since there was a boundary around the temple, they headed in through the front gate. In retrospect, considering Berserker's strength and his Master's arrogance, he doesn't doubt that they would have launched a frontal attack even if there wasn't a barrier.
For someone so huge, Berserker could move quickly. That kind of speed should be not be possible for someone with so much mass. It was comparable to his own sword speed. No… it was far greater than his sword. If Berserker could move that fast while so big, had he been smaller, he would have been able to move even faster.
One swing from the rock sword was enough to tell of the strength behind it. But strength was all it had. There was no technique. There was no skill. There was no foresight. A raw attack of pure power. That was all it was, and all it will ever be as long as he is Berserker.
However, his defense was his strongest point. Not one of his attacks even scratched the giant's skin. Caster's attack seemed to damage him for a bit though. Not any notable damage, but he was forced to defend on many occasions. Most of it was to keep his Master safe.
Well, it doesn't even need to be said, but if his Master dies, then he will die. Against such an insanely strong opponent, obviously attacking the Master would be the best course of action. Even if Caster's Master was good, the three of them together barely managed to defend the temple, and Berserker and his Master were still alive.
"You should use this time to reflect on what you did wrong last night," Caster's voice drifted to him.
"I was thinking about it, until you show up. Now I don't really want to."
"There is no saying if Berserker will attack again tonight."
"And there's no saying if he won't."
"Nevertheless, you will still have to keep guard."
"Don't I always?"
"Don't get cheeky with me. Or do you want me to explode your ribs again?"
Assassin winced. "Let's not have to come to that."
"Good."
"… By the way. It kinda seemed like you knew him."
"… … … I'm… not sure."
"?"
"He was able to resist my spells, spells that come from the Age of the Gods."
"So you think he's someone from that time as well."
"I can only think of one person who would be that strong. And we have little chance against him in a fight if I'm right."
"So who are you thinking of?"
"…Herakles…"
"… … … … … … … … … … … Don't know. Don't care."
"Take this more seriously. If he really is Herakles, then nothing will be able to stop him. The greatest of the Greek heroes, endowed by many of the most divine deities, and strongest of any mortal men when he was alive. Now that he is a heroic spirit, his legend is spread far and wide, and his strength would only grow."
"Two things. One: if he is this Herakles, then sure. Two: even if he is, I don't care. I have no interest fighting a mindless puppet, even if he is the greatest puppet in the world. He can be the greatest hero the world ever knew, but if he's Berserker, then he's useless. There's no thrill in fighting a warrior when he's not at his best."
"Hmph, you sound like that Lancer that showed up."
"Heh… now there's a guy that speaks my language. Too bad that his Master made him hold back. Could've been a pretty good match."
"If his Master really held him back, then you should have done everyone a favor and killed him there."
"Nah, he said his mission was just to scout, so the next time we meet, we'll be able to go all out. So I let him go."
"… … You… let… him… go…"
"Yep. I said I'm always here, so he'll know where to find me if he gets bored."
"… … … I should kill you right now."
"What? Don't you have something you look forward to? All I want right now is a good fight. Preferably though… I want to try fighting against Saber."
"Your swordsman's pride talking again?"
"Something like that."
"Well -?"
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"A bounded field is set up at the school!"
"…."
"…. …. …. Ah~ Souichirou is safe. I'll be off to look into this. Be sure to greet Souichirou when he gets here. He just came from the school, so I'm worried about his health."
"… Fine. An assassin schoolteacher teaching ethics. Man, all the Masters here are so weird."
"Says the guy who's Master is a torii."
Assassin had no comeback for that.
Interlude Out
Interlude
"…"
"You felt that too?"
"Indeed Lancer. It seems that someone is trying to set up a bounded field at the school."
"Don't expect me to do anything."
"Not at all. You've already met up with every other Servant, so I can't expect you to hold back against them anymore."
"And that's what I don't get! Why hold me back at all?"
"Patience is a virtue, Lancer. You would do well to appreciate the finer things in life."
"Just shut up, you fake priest…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"You know, there seems to be some good fighters this time. Saber was pretty good, actually managed to avoid my lance. Assassin was okay too, but we couldn't really go all out."
"…"
"That Caster chick knew some interesting tricks too. Too bad Berserker couldn't be sane. He seems strong enough already without the Mad Enhancement. Wonder what his Master's thinking…"
"…"
"Hey… say something will ya'?"
"… I believe you just told me to shut up."
"What are you, five?"
"Not at all. I just like to avoid trouble where I can."
"That attitude is going to get you in more trouble later."
"By the way, I didn't hear you mention Archer."
"Tsk… don't remind me. Seriously! What kind of archer fights with dual blades?"
"A dangerous one. Especially if he managed to cornered you with swords rather than arrows."
"I wasn't cornered! And just who's fault was it that held me back? If I had been fighting at full strength, I would have killed him immediately for that stunt!"
"And all of that is in the past. Well, I'm thinking of another mission for you."
"Oh joy! What will it be this time? Tea ceremony with the Masters? Rescuing lost cats? Fishing for dinner?"
"I might hold you to that…"
"You can't be serious!"
"No, I'm not. Well, I'll tell you the details later."
"Tch…"
Interlude Out
Interlude
"Ojou-sama, a bounded field was set up a few minutes ago at the local school."
"Don't care. And don't disturb me right now."
"Please take this more seriously Ojou-sama. As you know, the Einzbern family is counting you to win this war."
"…! Grr… darn you Lesyritt!"
"You are not very good at Old Maid, Illya."
"… Will you two please take this more seriously?"
"What's there to take more seriously of, Sella? I don't care what happens to that school."
"But Illya, what happens if that boy gets caught up in that?"
"Hmph! If he gets killed from that then he wasn't as worthy as I thought he was. He isn't worthy of me personally killing him."
"…Oh my…"
"See Lesyritt? Ojou-sama knows where her priorities lie."
"Exactly, Sella!"
"… I was just thinking how cute Illya is when she's all 'tsuntsun.'"
"W-what?"
"Lesyritt! Hold your tongue, and take that back immediately. How dare you insult Ojou-sama?"
"If I'm holding my tongue, just how do you propose I take that back?"
"A-a-anyways, there's nothing between me and Kiritsugu's son, other than my desire to kill him for betraying the Einzbern family."
"…"
"If you say so."
"More than that, there's something I need you two to check."
"What is it, Ojou-sama?"
"It seems that someone tried to break the rules during the summoning of one of the classes. Well, they're already in the war so nothing can really be done, but check it out anyways."
"Is it enough to disqualify them from the war?"
"No… since we, the Einzbern, broke almost every other rule in the third war, to make an issue of it now would be calling the kettle black. Well, Sella, can I count on you?"
"Of course, Ojou-sama! I'll be off at once."
"Good. Then Lesyritt, another game!"
"Hai."
"W-wait… just me alone?"
"Well you were so enthusiastic about it."
"Good luck, Sella."
"…Wahhhh~ cruel Lesyritt!"
Interlude Out
Interlude
In the dark, an old man smiles. Zouken was happy. His useless grandson had done what he had predicted, made a beacon that alerted more or less everyone in the city. How effective this will be is dependent on how much the other Masters know, but confusion will be sown. At the very least, except for the two Masters who witnessed the whole scenario, everyone else should be wondering what had happened.
Well, it seems that Sakura was not as enthusiastic about what had happened. When she stormed into the basement, even he had to raise an eyebrow at her demeanor. He answered her truthfully. He knew that Shinji was planning something incredibly stupid and would have no chance of success, but he didn't know that Shinji was planning to set up that bounded field at the school.
How was he supposed to stop Shinji when he didn't know the specifics of the plan? He also pointed out that as Rider's true Master, she should have been the first to have known. That she doesn't and got caught off guard only shows that she is not as prepared as she thought she is.
He agreed with her revoking of Shinji's right as a Master, though he played up his disappointment. In all honesty, he had hoped that Shinji's stunt would make her angry enough to take back her position as Master, though he never thought it would work this well. Shinji had served his purpose. There was no more use to him.
His plan was moving along well enough. Sakura left shortly after speaking with him to go somewhere. She didn't tell him, but he could tell that she was going to the Emiya house. Either to silence the Master or to broker a deal with him. If she can talk well enough, perhaps he would be a potential ally. Knowing Emiya Kiritsugu, his chosen heir would be quite powerful and a powerful pawn is always useful.
For now though, he'll focus on his end. To tip the war in his favor, another unknown variable will have to be included. If that variable is able to weaken another faction, then all the more to him.
"-[][][][][][][][][][][]!"
The dark writhing mass in front of him starts to spread until they form a circle. From the middle of the circle he could hear the unfortunate sacrifice chuckling.
"Hehehe… what do you know? My ribs did get exploded again…"
Assassin was taken off guard. Under the pale moonlight, his chest exploded from seemingly nothing and now he lay useless on the ground. He can tell that he is being used for some sinister purpose, but what he doesn't know.
"-[][][]—[][][][][]-[][][][]…."
The sickening sounds of gnawing. So that's what he's being used for. He sighs. He wouldn't have minded it much if he had died from a fight. For him to be used as fodder for something or other… well, it can't be that honorable if it's being made from his flesh.
Whatever was being born from his carcass is slowly eating away at him. It slowly bites and eats at his organs. He couldn't die from something like that. Pain doesn't matter much to him, being a spirit and all, but it is mildly discomforting realizing that his body is being chewed slowly.
Even if he wanted to call for help or even warn Caster, he can't. His arms and legs are useless and his vocal cords are already eaten. Well, his end is fitting. An ignominious death for an ignominious spirit. Still… he can't shake the feeling that he would have felt much more satisfied if he had at least met with Saber…
Under the pale moonlight, a thin dark figure stands up. Its face is ashen white like that of a skull. Another figure, just as grotesque meets up with it.
"Hello… Master…"
"Welcome to the land of the living, Assassin."
Tiger Dojo
Tiger stylized screen doors open to a dojo.
Illya: What!
Illya: The!
Illya: Hell!
Illya: Was!
Illya: THAT?
Taiga: Welcome to the Tiger Dojo, where lost readers can find reprieve.
Illya: I know that there were development issues, but seriously?
Taiga: For the sake of readers and plot, this place was created.
Illya: Why? Why? Why?
Taiga: Jaa... about today's episode...
Illya/Taiga: WHY AM I THE THE BOKE? / WHY AM I THE TSUKKOMI?
Tiger stylized screen doors close.
Tiger stylized screen doors open to a dojo.
Taiga: Welcome everyone to this episode of Tiger Dojo.
Illya: I think we've already done this gag before.
Taiga: ...
Illya: I think we've already done this gag before. It was so important I had to say it twice.
Taiga: Well, never mind all of that. So you were saying?
Illya: Mou... it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to leave a gag hanging, but we do need to hurry this up.
Taiga: Well, we don't have to hurry it up so much since the main chapter was so short.
Illya: Like the title stated, this was supposed to be the latter part of the previous chapter.
Taiga: Why did it turn out like this anyways? It was more like an interlude in an interlude.
Illya: Remember how we were talking about the bad pacing in the previous chapter?
Taiga: Not really. I don't even remember what I had for breakfast today!
Illya: Not something to be proud of. Anyways, there was a reason for that.
Taiga: Reason, or excuse?
Illya: Excuse... definitely excuse. Ahem. Anyways, the reason was because for a while, the story actually ended on this chapter. That's why it carries the "Finale Latter Part."
Taiga: Seriously?
Illya: Kinda. We'll be able to talk about all of the branching paths that didn't get included once this story ends.
Taiga: You mean, if it ever ends.
Illya: It'll end. It'll definitely end. It'll probably end. No! It'll definitely end! I mean, I guess that up to now, this counts as the introduction to this story.
Taiga: I don't know if I want to call it long or short...
Illya: Since the first part is concluded, in celebration, we'll talk about some other stuff!
Taiga: You mean that since we have to fill the time slot, we're just going to talk about some random things.
Illya: Don't worry about the details. So, what do you want to talk about?
Taiga: Eh? You didn't think of a topic?
Illya: I have several, I just thought that I should let you go first.
Taiga: What's with this uprighteous attitude?
Illya: You can pick from these:
1. Magic of the Nasuverse
2. Kohaku's new shady drug
3. Zelretch messing around again
4. It's a Clock Tower conspiracy
Taiga: Oi, oi. Templates like that are forbidden. And are we really so out of ideas that we have to resort to this kind of gag?
Illya: Well, speaking of templates, I guess that we can talk about how these Tiger Dojos are created.
Taiga: Oooh. Fourth wall be damned huh? Ahahahaha!
Illya: It's a bit early in the story to be telling, but we've got nothing else to do really.
Taiga: Do tell, do tell then. I always like these segments.
Illya: (Since it's the only time that you actually get to show up.)
Illya: Well, the author basically gives us a keyword, and then everything is adlib.
Taiga: Ahahahahaha!
Illya: ...
Taiga: ...Wait, is that it?
Illya: That's it.
Taiga: That's shockingly simple!
Illya: I guess you could say that these Tiger Dojos are the purest form of writing: Stream of Consciousness.
Taiga: Hearing that makes me feel that what little worth I have is slipping away...
Illya: Eh? You don't seem as energetic as usual.
Taiga: No... I just saw something frightening, so I'm trying to limit my movements.
Illya: Something frightening?
Taiga: Yeah, did you see the ending to Carnival Phantasm?
Illya: No. Is it any good.
Taiga: No... rather, it was excellent. A real eye opener. That's why I'm only going to limit myself to facial expressions and one frame speaking animations!
Illya: That's physically and logically impossible. Geez, I don't really get the fuss.
Taiga: It's an adult thing. "Extravagance is the enemy!"
Illya: Somehow, that feels wrong coming from you.
Taiga: Jaa, so anything else to talk about?
Illya: Eh?
Taiga: Or are we actually ending on this kind of note?
Illya: Well, we're running out of things to adlib.
Taiga: Well, why don't you give us a preview or something.
Illya: Of what?
Taiga: I don't know, like what you always do. Something about False Advent Wars.
Illya: You do realize that was just a one time gag right?
Taiga: Gahhhhh... this Tiger Dojo's gone on long enough!
Illya: And already you're tired.
Taiga: I get tired when my ideas get shot down.
Illya: You mean idea. And don't worry, it wasn't the first.
Taiga: ...I'll beat that attitude out of you!
Illya: GAHHH! STOP SWINGING THAT SHINAI!
Taiga: MENNNNNNNNNN!
Illya: You're using too many animation frames!
Tiger stylized screen doors close.
And thus concludes this first part. Thank you for reading.
On another note, Stay Knight is coming along increasingly slowly. In fact, any slower and it might as well be deleting what I've already written.
