Matou house was at all times dark, its family patriarch having extreme aversion to sun. As such it was cold, quiet, foreboding place, where if one were to listen carefully they would hear skittering of insects regardless of time of the day. Sakura was used to it however, sometimes finding it the only place where she could be herself to the fullest even if she missed company, as no one would willingly seek Zouken Matou. Since the beginning of the Holy Grail War it became her sanctuary, base of operations and place from which she commandeered Berserker. She went out only once since then, when Big Sister was out with her Servant to eliminate Tohsaka from competition. Unfortunately, older girl was smart enough to recognize when she was outclassed and escaped.
No matter, I will get her.
Sakura was once more in the basement, overseeing Berserker's healing from injuries inflicted by Saber. It was frustrating how that one Servant was unmovable obstacle on the path to the Grail. Not on the scale of Archer, but still. Blonde knight was tricky thing, not budging under Mordred's terrifying madness nor, when it became obvious raw power alone wouldn't do, pragmatic approach to fighting Knight of Betrayal preferred.
"Sakura." As usual when Matou Zouken arrived, activity among insects increased, simple beings madly crawling over each other, over Sakura and over their master.
"Grandfather, to what I owe your visit today?" Sakura was unsettled. Since the day of summoning, good four months earlier, Zouken had little interest in anything related to War.
"I was observing battles between masters. You need extra strenght, Sakura, if you want to fulfill your end of a bargain. Archer alone is your greatest enemy, aside of Saber and Rider alliance. That's three Servants you won't defeat on your own." It was a trap. One more trap on this treacherous road. And yet it was truth.
"And... what do you propose, grandfather?"
"Oh, it's quite simple, Sakura." Old man gave her wide grin, making his face disturbing sight. There was some glee in his voice and she knew why. "You can use my old gift. Your Servant is uniquely suited for madness it can bring forth, so it won't be much of a hindrance."
"I... I will think about your words, grandfather." Was all she managed to speak.
"Good. Remember, you promised me Grail. See to it that you do everything in your power to win."
With it, Zouken departed, his sinister laugh reverberating through the house. Sakura glanced at Berserker, whose face was completely passive.
Give her to me.
Shirou dreamed of plain filled with swords. Even if he couldn't tell the details of the world, he recognized weapons in close proximity to him. Masamune and Muramasa. Kanshou and Bakuya. Totsuka Blade and Daishintou. And more, most nameless. And behind swords were spears, axes and hammers. The world was reverberating with sound of hammer hitting the anvil, heated metal cooled in cold water, and many other sounds Shirou learned to associate with smithy. And above it all one voice was chanting the same thing again and again.
"I am... of...sword"
He recognized the voice, he heard it already. But where?
"Fire...blood...steel...body"
Words resonating with his soul. And even though he did not hear everything, Shirou was certain that they hold power. Even in their incomplete, diminished state.
Shirou dreamed of world of swords.
Satsuki dreamed of dying garden. Because even if it was lucid and beautiful now, she knew better. In the middle of garden lay Snake, its purple scales seemingly absorbing morning light. Its head rose, until its eyes (red eyes!) were on the level of her own.
"Beautiful, isssn't it?" Snake's hissing voice was sweet, it encouraged her to trust him. But she knew who it belonged to. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. At least, not hers.
"...withered..."
"But ssso full of life."
"...robbed of..."
"Why not allow yourssself to hope for better? You are my progeny, you know."
"...despair...nothingness..." Snake hissed aggressively, its head backing off, as if preparing to strike.
"Then, you will lose it all. By throwing away my gift, unintentional it may be, you sign your death warrant. You will die. After losing everything."
The garden withered in blink of an eye, lively green replaced by dull red, flowers and trees in fool bloom vanishing, replaced by barren wasteland.
Satsuki dreamed of loss.
"Trace on."
Inhale.
Shirou holds his hands up and projects Kanshou and Bakuya. Black and white swords materialize almost instantly. He dismisses them and projects Masamune. It's only fraction of second faster than previous projection. He frowns. How? It had taken him weeks to perfect his projection of Masamune. And yet he could project swords he saw only few days earlier with almost the same amount of skill.
He needs to get better, and fast. His enemies are many and they are powerful. They have Taiga and he will need every ounce of power to rescue her. He needs to help Satsuki obtain the Grail before she loses her humanity or other masters kill her. He needs power to shatter obstacles on their path. Additionally, it won't be long before other masters discover Shirou is hiding at Ryudou Temple. With only one way in, it can easily become death trap if the wrong enemy decides to attack them here.
Shirou concentrates once more.
Judging the concept of creation. Hypothesizing the basic structure. Duplicate the composition material. Imitating the skill of its making. Sympathizing with the experience of its growth. Reproducing the accumulated years. Excelling every manufacturing process.
His body is burning from the strain. What he is now projecting is far from 'sword' but it's also something he is intimately familiar with in another way. Slowly, inch after inch, Bow of Hydra materializes, imperfect and full of flaws, far cry from his usual projections. Shirou is panting hard and is barely capable of holding eight feet long monstrosity, but he is proud. It is his most difficult projection to the date.
Heracles' main weapon, notable part of legend about his twelve labors. Powerful weapon on its own, great against Phantasmal Beasts. But its not all of it. And Shirou know that if he wants to uncover all capabilities of the weapon, he needs to practice, to perfect it. So, ignoring pain, he dismisses imperfect weapon and concentrates once more.
Shirou's body burns as he forges weapons.
Assassin observes silently residence of Caster's master. There is little to none defenses on the property, least of all anything that could be created by Caster Class. It is still early and there are still no people on the streets, but soon that will change. Assassin ponders next course of action. They could easily slip in and kill master. But there is no guarantee they would manage to get out before Caster sensed them and tried to kill them and deny Father victory. They could observe further, even if Caster never left his master's side or they could try their luck somewhere else.
But, Assassin mused, all other masters were even more difficult to get to.
Lancer's master while living in hotel, which translated to poorer bounded fields, had always had her Servant on hand. And both of them were fast enough to dodge even surprise attack. Going against Archer's master was not only suicidal, but would put their Father in great danger. With his Independent Action Archer would surely go after them in revenge and find Father. Saber's and Rider's masters were allies living together with at least one of the Servants always on guard. They were the safest from Assassin.
Which left only Caster and Berserker. But Matou house was, despite all appearances, veritable fortress, full of familiars serving as additional eyes and bounded fields, most of which pretty nasty. But Tohsaka Residence... If not for Caster's continued presence, it would be easy for Assassin to deal with master there.
Assassin suddenly tensed as Caster showed himself in mansion's door, until he astralized and took off. They watched him with wary eyes, just in case it was some ruse. But the other Servant didn't return. They had to act now. But Father didn't order attacking other masters just yet. But such an occasion wouldn't repeat itself, would it?
Decision made, Assassin stood up and jumped off of the tree they had been standing on, leaping over the wall. They landed lightly, invisible and completely silent. Garden was quiet and they quickly spotted Caster's master as she planted gems around, setting up additional bounded fields. They crept silently, carefully concealing themselves from magical detection. Assassin fingered handle of their knife as they wondered how to kill.
Activate our Noble Phantasm. Even without all conditions met, victim will be dead.
Assassin shook their head. No. Father was unable to properly supply them with prana. Best not to waste it when mundane solutions could accomplish their goal just as good.
Like in old times. Prevent her from calling Servant and take your time. Try one last time to find warmth.
Tempting. So very tempting. Also very risky. Caster could be not far away enough and feeling his master's distress, he could arrive just in time to kill them.
Quick and clean. Throat, base of the spine, heart. Any of those will do the job.
Yes, that would be for the best. They took the knife from holster, creeping slowly behind the girl in red. They hear her muttered curses as she sets another bounded field. She kneels to plant another gem.
Assassin springs to action, one hand grabbing girls hair, slitting the throat with knife. Girl's scream turns into helpless gurgle as blood spurts from grotesque wound. Assassin is not finished just yet. They pull knife back and stab it in the girl's chest, straight into the heart, ignoring crimson liquid splattering their face. Then into stomach, gripping slippery knife tighter. With last slash they hack off hand with Command Spells from rest of the body.
Girl dead, Assassin turns invisible again and runs off, back to their Father. Surely, he will be proud.
"...By throwing away my gift..."
Satsuki spend most of the day hours pondering the meaning of her dream. She guessed long ago that any dream starring Snake had deeper meaning. But what was it? She certainly recognized garden from her dream as the same that materialized when she fought enforcer. And that second voice. Who it belonged to? And the words it spoke... she suspected they were only parts of the bigger whole. The only thing left was decipher the meaning.
Satsuki guessed long ago that Snake represented her sire, Michael Roa Valdamjong. Hell, as she later learned, it was his title! And her dream indicated that he gave her some sort of gift.
Certainly not vampirism. Satsuki thought bitterly. More of a curse than anything.
So what else? And did it even matter anymore? Her dream indicated, after all, that she somehow refused it. How? Even with her limited knowledge of magecraft, Satsuki suspected it was impossible to get rid of something without even knowing about it. It would certainly be ironic of her, to lost yet another thing, this time without even knowing she possessed it.
Nothing new. I can only lose everything. Even my magecraft is substandard.
"Endless loss..." Satsuki paused. Where did that came from?
There was gnawing suspicion in the back of her mind. Strange garden she materialized during fight with Lancer's master. Mysterious dreams with unknown voice. And words of power, resonating with her, words she spoke unaware. The name of the thing escaped her for the moment. There was something. She knew it.
"Rider!" Purple headed woman materialized silently before her, ready to carry out her will. "Go to our first hide out. Bring me books on Thaumaturgical Theory. I have to find something."
Her Servant nodded shortly and vanished. Satsuki sighed tiredly. She hoped their fortune would reverse itself soon. They couldn't lose much more.
I wonder... If I am to lose my life next... will it be to you, Tohno-kun?
Satsuki shuddered at the memory of Shiki's blue eyes. They promised death. Memory of that one time when she saw him in action, using power of those strange eyes was still fresh. And Satsuki had no doubt that her precious crush would kill her. Yesterday... it was apology. For not managing it previously. But that was it. Even she couldn't delude herself enough to believe he wouldn't kill her to get to the Grail. If what he said was true...
I lose you again, Tohno-kun. First your presence, then yourself and now your love. Why me?
AN/
I am terribly sorry for such a long time between chapters, but this one was hard to write properly. I ended rewriting most of it few times.