Chapter Seven
The safe house was a dark and rather dreary place. From the outside, it was an abandoned warehouse with adjacent parking ramp. The cracked cement walls were rotten with decay and overgrowth of plants gave it a wild-looking appearance; rusted metal debris was scattered across the ground. It was a desolate place located on the outskirts of town. Kayneth never anticipated they would need to use it as a hideout but after the destruction of the apartment complex he affectionately referred to as his "Magic Workshop" they really had no other choice. Isabelle was just thankful the interior was livable. Using dimensional magic, her father was able to mold a section of the crumbling warehouse into an exact replica of the living quarters of their apartment. However, it was not home.
She could never go home. Assuming she survived the war, Isabelle could never go back to the hospital. Her life in Fuyuki City was over the moment Kayneth chose to involve her in the Grail War. Isabelle sighed deeply before flopping back onto her bed, holding her left arm up to the light. Her eyes traced over the intricate glyphs in a scrutinizing fashion. More and more lately she found herself drawn to Lancer. At first, she was able to ignore it but now ever since that dream Isabelle couldn't get him out of her head. She wanted to believe her runes were failing, that they were defective. However, a careful examination made it quite apparent they were functioning properly. So why am I feeling this way? Am I falling for him? Isabelle shook her head forcefully at the thought. She couldn't allow this. While she cared deeply for the Irish spearman, fantasizing about a romantic future together was completely unacceptable. They were close friends and nothing more. We can't be anything more.
Isabelle jumped in surprise when the door to her room suddenly slammed open. Lancer appeared in the doorway looking out of breath and quite desperate as he supported a badly injured Kayneth. Isabelle felt her blood turn to ice at the sight.
"Miss Isabelle-"
"Dad!" She exclaimed with fright, jumping out of bed and gesturing for Lancer to lay him down. Crimson blood soaked into the sheets as she demanded, "What happened?"
"Milady, I sincerely apologize-"
"Don't apologize, Diarmuid. Just tell me what happened."
"Master Kayneth attempted to breach the castle while Saber and I faced Caster in the forest. He encountered Saber's master and engaged in a dual."
"He was shot twice," Isabelle remarked while inspecting Kayneth's injuries. "The first bullet tore through his shoulder and fortunately missed the major blood vessels but the second one…" She trailed off uncertainly as she examined the entrance wound; the hole was small but emanated a strange aura. Deciding to investigate, Isabelle allowed her mana to seep carefully into the injury and was surprised when she met resistance. Within seconds, a harsh backlash of energy surged from Kayneth's body scorching her skin and sending her hurling backwards.
"Isabelle!" Diarmuid shouted, catching her before she could collide with the wall. "Are you alright?"
"I think so," she replied with a groan, glancing back over to her father. "His own magic tried to attack me. What the hell did he get shot with?"
"I do not know. He was already unconscious when I arrived." Isabelle narrowed her eyes and moved towards the bed, missing the nervous look that flickered across Diarmuid's face when she placed her hands back on Kayneth. She was more cautious this time as her magic tentatively explored the wound, swirling through the damaged flesh until it hit a foreign body. Examining the object further, Isabelle determined it was a bullet and immediately took steps to try and dislodge it. However, the second her magic engulfed the shard a bolt of electric heat shot up her arm causing Isabelle to recoil with a hiss. Looks like I need to do this the old-fashioned way.
"Lancer, I need you to put pressure on this wound here," she instructed before wandering over to the dresser in the corner. Fortunately, Kayneth's dimensional magic pulled into existence not only her furniture but also everything stored inside and after some brief digging, Isabelle pulled out a sterile surgical kit and gloves.
"What is that for?"
"The bullet lodged in his chest is interfering with my magic. I need to remove it before I can repair the damaged tissue." The heroic spirit nodded and moved slightly to the right, allowing her more space to work. He continued to maintain pressure at the other wound site while Isabelle grabbed a scalpel and some tweezers. She would need to be careful when removing the bullet. It was lodged in the back of Kayneth's ribcage along the spine and she would need to successfully bypass several important structures without the use of magic to retrieve it. Lancer watched silently as Isabelle worked, marveling at the steadiness of her hands and how calm she remained. He felt rather useless in comparison.
"Got it," she finally breathed, dropping the tiny metal ball into an empty tweezer box. Isabelle inhaled deeply before pulling off her gloves and placing both palms on her father's chest. "Ok, let's try this again." The change was immediate. Within seconds, Kayneth's labored breathing steadied and the damaged tissue began to slowly knit itself back together. Lancer heaved a sigh of relief at this. He slumped against the corner of the bed and slid to the ground, allowing his eyes to close for a moment.
"Is he going to be alright?"
"I can regenerate his lung tissue and after a few sessions I should be able to repair his spinal cord. However, I do not know if my father will ever use magic again."
"What?" Lancer asked with a start, his stomach filling with dread. Isabelle nodded sadly.
"Whatever this bullet contained, it caused the magic circuits in his body to misfire and reconnect improperly. This is something I cannot fix."
"So, he will never fully recover." It was more of a statement than a question. Lancer hung his head low at the news as his hands balled into tight fists. Isabelle settled herself next to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"This wasn't your fault, Diarmuid. My father chose to press forward without you and even after encountering an enemy he chose not to summon you. The blame is not yours to bear."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know the depths of your loyalty. You would never abandon my father and I'm positive the moment you sensed danger you moved immediately to his side." Lancer sighed deeply.
"I wish he would have waited for me."
"I know, but you can't blame yourself for his rash actions. I love my father dearly but he is not a perfect man. He can be arrogant and incredibly stubborn sometimes. I'm just thankful you were able to bring him back alive."
"It was ultimately by your hands, not mine, that he survived." Diarmuid pointed out.
"My skills cannot revive the dead. You brought him back alive. Now stop being so humble and just take the damn compliment." This brought out a small chuckle from Lancer. He still felt utterly miserable but Isabelle's presence helped. The war wasn't over yet. I still have a chance to make things right.
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Lancer watched with mild anxiety as Isabelle's silhouette disappeared into the backseat of a taxi. Despite his protests, she insisted on making a trip into the city to purchase medicinal supplies. Her stores were currently running low after spending much of the night stabilizing Kayneth. The damage to his magic circuits was extensive and after the initial healing session several of his wounds re-opened as a result of his own magic assaulting his body. Isabelle remained at his side most of the night and looked thoroughly exhausted. Dark rings decorated the undersides of her eyes and her normally vibrant skin was ashen. She appeared completely drained. In fact, Lancer had been on his way to insist she get some rest when he noticed she was in the process of tying her shoelaces. He immediately objected and when that didn't work he insisted on accompanying her. Which also didn't work.
Instead, he was left sitting on the roof of the warehouse watching her descend down the winding road and climb into a taxi waiting at the bottom. Horrifying scenarios plagued his thoughts, keeping him rooted in place long after she disappeared. This was risky. Caster was still on the loose and Saber's master was no doubt searching for their whereabouts. If Isabelle was caught- a violent shiver crept up Lancer's spine at the mere thought. He hated this. But she's right. I can't leave my master alone in his condition and if these herbs can help stabilize his magic circuits then it is worth the risk. I just wish I could be in two places at once…
Beneath him, within the confines of the warehouse, Kayneth stirred in his sleep. He now rested in a make-shift infirmary located down the hall from the living quarters. It was a dimly lit and barren looking room enclosed on all sides by cement walls. Isabelle hated moving him to such a place but the magic pulses spewing out from Kayneth's body threatened to destroy the dimensional enchantments holding the hideout together. To protect its structural integrity, she was forced to place him in part of the warehouse that was not being used. Lancer assured her the arrangement was only temporary but this did not seem to make her feel any better. Kayneth tossed his head back and forth in bed, his knuckles white from gripping the sheets so tightly before he finally woke with a gasp.
He sucked in air as if drowning and his voice was hoarse when he croaked, "That dream I had… It was the legend of Diarmuid. Were those the memories of my servant?" Kayneth blinked a few times and craned his neck from side to side, inspecting his surroundings. He attempted to sit up and was quite alarmed when his arms and legs did not respond. Leather straps kept him bound to the cot, restraining any excessive movement.
"I see that you're awake now."
"Sola-Ui," Kayneth exclaimed, "What is the meaning of this? What- What am I doing here?"
"So, I gather you have no memory at all of what happened to you?" She asked calmly from her place standing beside a water basin. She was wringing a damp cloth in her hands.
"I- I was shot. I defended myself with a Volumen Hydragram, but… What happened to my body?"
"Your body's magic circuits have misfired somehow," she explained solemnly, settling herself next to him. With the moist towel she delicately cleaned his right hand, her fingers tracing over the command seals lightly while stating, "You're lucky you didn't die instantly. Isabelle was able to regenerate your organs and repair most of your spinal cord but your magic circuits were utterly destroyed. I'm afraid you'll never use magic again." Kayneth felt his eyes widen in shock and all the remaining color drained from his face. No, it can't be true.
"But I can't- this can't be…" His voice cracked.
"Shhh, don't cry, Kayneth," Sola-Ui cooed as she brought the cloth up to wipe tears pooling at the edge of his eyes. "It's too soon to give up. It will be alright, we haven't lost yet." Kayneth grit his teeth and swallowed hard, forcing down a sob. His magic was gone. Everything he'd worked for was destroyed in an instant. He shut his eyes tightly, listening to his fiancé as she continued to speak.
"If the Holy Grail is truly an omnipotent wish-granting device, then healing you completely and making you whole again should be easy. We need only to win. If we succeed and claim the Grail everything will return to how it was. So, with that in mind, why don't you give the command seals to me?" Kayneth felt his eyes fly open at her proposition. "That way I can take over as Lancer's master," Sola-Ui continued, her voice like poison honey as she whispered, "I'll win the war and bring you the Grail."
"No!" He immediately refused.
"You don't believe in me? Me, who will marry into the Archibald family?" Sola-Ui asked unhappily, looking quite hurt by his words.
"No, I just… Do you think Lancer would actually just abandon me and swear fealty to you?"
"I do," she replied with a knowing smile, "He is a heroic spirit here by the Grail's invitation. He desires the Holy Grail just as we do. Even if he must change masters, Lancer will accept it for the sake of the goal."
"He won't! Lancer isn't the fine man you think he is," Kayneth asserted harshly, struggling a bit against the straps holding him down.
"And why do you say that?"
"When I asked him what he would wish for, Lancer said, 'I have no interest in the Holy Grail.' A servant with no desire for the Grail is impossible! He's hiding something important from me, I'm certain of it," Kayneth declared, struggling some more. "However, no matter what deep dark secret he's hiding, so long as I bear these command seals he must obey me unconditionally. He is nothing but a puppet, a dog in my grand schemes."
"Kayneth," Sola-Ui warned.
"I won't give you the command seals." Sola-Ui sighed deeply at this.
"You still don't understand, do you?" She mused, the atmosphere surrounding them suddenly growing very cold. She pursed her lips slightly, her nails trailing up his right pinky finger as she said, "You still don't get it. We must win this war no matter the cost."
The entire experience felt surreal. Kayneth wanted to close his eyes, to pretend it wasn't real. His Sola-Ui would not do something like this. However, a slight tug and a brief snap of bone proved him wrong as his pinky finger suddenly dangled limply from his hand. His eyes went wide with horror. This is not the woman I fell in love with.
"Listen Kayneth," Sola-Ui instructed, her voice sickly sweet as she traced his ring finger next. "With my limited skills as a healer it is quite impossible for me to remove any command seals by force. I'm sure your darling daughter could do it but I'd rather not involve her in our domestic disputes, wouldn't you agree?" Kayneth inhaled sharply, fear suddenly taking hold at the mention of Isabelle.
"Don't hurt my daughter-"
"The bearer's willing consent," Sola-Ui continued, ignoring him, "Is the only way for me to take the seals without resistance. If you truly cannot accept this, you will leave me no choice but to amputate your right arm. What's your answer?" A sob ripped free from Kayneth's throat. He lost his magic and now he was going to lose his command seals and quite possibly the woman he loved to his own servant. And Isabelle… After a brief moment of silence, he nodded his consent. Sola-Ui smirked at this.
"See, was that so hard? Now let us begin the ritual. I am already linked to Lancer so the process shouldn't take long."
