Wrought Iron Cross
By Bubbajack
Beta: Diller
Disclaimer: I still don't own FSN or Campione, I also don't own any weapons you'll see in this fic unless I say I do. Any weapons you see belong to someone else.
Ch.10: Apotheosis, and Italy...
Archer's eyes snapped open he felt a presence in his room with him, a presence that felt...hostile. He sat up and locked eyes with none other than Berserker better known as Hercules. But something was different about him now. His skin was no longer the color of led. It was now a healthy bronze color and, upon his head was a cloak made out of a lions' pelt. Strapped to his back was a large bow and quiver full of arrows. The two warriors stared at each other for a moment before Archer asked "Is there something you want Berserker?"
Much to his surprise, the juggernaut answered him "What I want Godslayer, is what all of divine nature want, to fight you." He said gruffly.
'Oh shit, don't tell me he's...' Archer thought "You've become a Heretic God haven't you?" Archer asked.
The massive brute nodded "I have regained my senses among other things. Now, cease this prattle and don your armor, unless of course, you are afraid?" Hercules taunted.
"Tch, hardly." Archer huffed before his eyes widened momentarily before narrowing at the former berserker and asking "What about Illya? If you've done anything to her..." Archer threatened only for the giant to raise his hand and say "Regardless of what the child did to me, I would never lay a hand on her."
Archer was surprised "Why?"
The Heretic God looked solemn and replied in equal tone "I have already killed one child, that being my own. I will not kill another, no matter what she's done to me."
"I see, meet me outside in ten minutes." Archer requested.
"Very well." And with that the newly minted heretic god disappeared in a flash of golden light.
Archer sighed as he reached for his armor and cloak which had just been returned to him by Yuri Mariya just hours previously after insisting on cleaning it. 'I can never catch a break can I?' He thought sourly.
The two met in the backyard outside and stared at one another. Dawn was just breaking in the sky, turning it a light purple color. Archer decided to try and reason his way out of this one more time "Are you sure you want to do this?"
The bronze-skinned god merely nodded, causing the young Campione to sigh before he traced twin copies of Durandal and nodded signaling he was ready.
Next thing anyone knew, the quiet of the morning was shattered by the sound of clashing steel, as both Campione and Heretic God tried their best to kill each other. Archer quickly dodged to the left to avoid being struck with an arrow that was as big around as a tree limb only for it to slam into the house, taking out the wall, and kick up a cloud of dust.
Moving in with his divine enhanced as well as reinforced limbs, Archer threw both copies of Durandal, before he traced two more and before moved in and struck the behemoth, and using one miracle each on the traced blades he managed to sever both Hercules' right arm and left leg, forcing the Heretic God to topple over, but not before he was flung away by Nine Lives, which had taken the form of a massive club.
Skidding to a halt several meters away, Archer glanced behind him and saw all the other residents of the house now watching the fight with wide eyes.
"Stay back, Hercules is a Heretic God now, which means this is my fight. Aoko, protect the others." He ordered.
"Indeed, this is a fight between heroes, between gods, between forces of nature! Mere mortals have no right to interfere, they can only watch as forces beyond their comprehension clash! Now come Godslayer, come and give me your all, for I intend to do the same!" Hercules said as he got back upon his feet, both his limbs fully regenerated.
'Oh great, God's Hand has been turned into an Authority.' Archer mused as he traced thirty broken versions of Caladbolg in the air around him and fired them all simultaneously at the Heretic Hero causing a massive explosion.
"That's not going to be nearly enough to bring down a Heretic of Hercules' caliber." Hel commented.
Illya glared at the Heretic Goddess "And what makes you say that?"
The seemingly sightless goddess responded "Because, he got lucky with those swords, it probably won't happen again. He needs to pull out his authorities or else he's doomed."
The goddess of the Underworld was forced to eat her words slightly; Hercules came charging from the smoke of the explosion, with several gouges torn from his flesh by the A-ranked Broken Noble Phantasms.
'Oh shit, this... this is not good.' Archer thought to himself as the former berserker charged him swinging his axe-sword.
"Rho Aias!" He called out, summoning the seven petaled crimson flower that represented the only shield of the Trojan War capable of blocking Hector's spear.
Archer was immediately brought to his knees as five of the Aias' petals were destroyed in one blow, with the final two breaking on the second. But as the last two petals were shattered, Hercules was shot point blank in the face with a Broken Dainslef, its crimson stained blade now a jagged arrowhead, while its spikes served as makeshift fletching.
The doomed to kill curse on the blade, plus the fact that it was A-ranked after being broken, insured that Hercules was killed a second time. Using this brief respite, Archer Intended to summon his shadow army only to find he could not.
'Shit, I forgot that I won't be able to call forth anymore warriors till the new moon. The Golems are out too as Hercules is a Steel god and [Steel Golem] are only effective against Earth Gods and Goddesses'. That leaves me only one option.'
"You win Hercules." Archer said calmly.
"What, what nonsense are you speaking Emiya?" The Steel God rumbled as he eyed him suspiciously.
The God Slayer merely chuckled and said "No nonsense, I just can't win against you. My Authorities are all still on recovery from the fight against Type-Mercury, and although I could just spam A-Ranked Noble Phantasms at you till you die, I'm sure you'll be expecting that by this point and be more than prepared to dodge or deflect them. Hence, I surrender." Archer then sat on the ground and assumed the lotus position.
Hercules let out an annoyed grunt of displeasure "Had you informed me that you were not in peak fighting form beforehand, I would've gladly waited. There is no honor in killing a crippled foe."
Archer shrugged "It's a bit late for that now isn't it?" He paused for a moment before he asked "So, you going to finish me off or are we just going to stand here waxing poetic?"
The Heretic nodded "Very well."
Hercules stepped forward slowly intending to finish this fight...only to have his arm completely blown off from behind. Howling in pain, he glared at the now standing and smirking Campione. "You know, I wasn't sure that would work, but I'm glad it did."
"What did you do Godslayer?" Hercules growled.
"When I blew your head off using Dainslef, I set up several miniature versions of Rho Aias behind you." He said nodding behind the former Servant of Madness, who turned seeing that indeed, there were two small versions of the shield of Hector on opposite sides of the yard behind him.
Seeing Hercules still didn't understand, Archer decided a demonstration was in order. Reforming another broken Dainslef, he formed yet another compact shield to his right and shot it at the shield...the sword turned arrow struck the shield, only to bounce off and then it struck one of the other shields already set up striking it too, and finally embedding itself into Hercules' right leg.
Letting loose a scream of pain, Hercules ripped out the cursed arrow as if it were no more than a splinter before breaking it and, glaring at the Campione, said "I see, you surrendered to distract me so you could reflect an arrow off your shields and attack me from behind. Most impressive, but I don't think you were lying when you said you couldn't currently use your Authorities' which means your all out of tricks now."
"Not quite." Archer responded still smirking.
"What are you planning now?" Hercules said while eying him distrustfully.
"Not much just this." The Campione responded, then before anyone could so much as blink, hundreds of miniature Rho Aias appeared, overlapping with each other and forming a slightly translucent dome around the two mortal enemies.
Hercules was now on guard; Nine Lives was raised and prepared to deflect any incoming projectiles. Archer then quietly spoke the name of this new technique "Reflecting Dome of the Fiery Heavens. This fight is going to end one way or another in here." Archer promised.
"Do your worst Emiya!" Hercules challenged.
"My worst huh, alright as long as you do the same." Archer conceded calling forth a massive Greatsword with cloth wrapped around the lower half of its blade.
"As you wish." Hercules said before changing Nine Lives into a massive bow, with arrows that were drenched in the corrosive poison of the Lernaean Hydra, nocking nine massive bolts, while Emiya's blade gathered orange light.
As one, they both attacked; with Hercules firing his barrage of arrows and Archer calling the name of his blade before unleashing a crescent blast of energy.
"Balmung!" Archer called as he swung the blade and unleashing its destructive power. The Crescent wave of energy managed to destroy the arrows of Nine Lives, but was knocked off course in the process.
Hercules took this as an opportunity to charge forward, intending to finish his foe...only to be struck from behind and to the side by that very same crescent of energy, which left a deep gash on his back.
"What madness is this?" Hercules asked as he was struck yet again, this time in the side of the head.
"I'd have thought the demonstration from earlier would've made that rather obvious." Archer stated calmly as he watched the crescent make it way back for yet another attack.
Too late, Hercules' eyes widened in realization "You were trapping yourself, you were trapping me!"
Nodding, Archer responded "Yes, you see this dome is basically a three hundred sixty degree mirror allowing energy based attacks to reflect off of its surface near indefinitely and from angles no one, not even you would ever see coming. I told you the fight was going to end in here didn't I?"
'No, I won't lose, not to him, not like this...'
"NOT LIKE THIS!" Hercules screamed before he bull rushed the Campione, shoulder tackling him and busting straight through the side of the dome, the blast from Balmung following them out and, upon striking Hercules for the last time, making them both tumble into the dirt.
Despite his wounds received in the dome which included a missing left hand, right foot and two fingers on his other hand, Hercules was the first one up; intending to finish the fight...Only for a shield form in front of his target in the form of his former master.
Illyasviel stood firmly in front of the Heretic God her crimson eyes locked with his, full of hardened resolve, and her arms outstretched at her sides as if she were trying to physically bar him from coming any closer.
Hercules took this sight in for a moment before he changed Nine Lives into its Axe-sword form and implanted it into the ground, before raising an eyebrow at his former mistress and asking "Just what do you think you're doing, little one?"
Still leveling her gaze at her former Servant Illya coolly responded "What does it look like Hercules? I did not come all this way just to sit back while my Servant kills my Onii-chan." She finished haughtily.
The former Mad Servant chuckled at his masters attitude "Former Servant child, unless you think yourself so arrogant that you can command a god?" he challenged before he added with a smirk "Onii-chan, he is no more your brother than Megara was my sister and you think about him as such."
It took all of Illya's self-control not to blush as she shook her head causing her white locks to sway slightly before she said "S-shut up Hercules! Anyway, I am well aware you are beyond even my ability to control now...but, knowing that, I cannot help but wonder why you haven't extracted your vengeance upon me yet?"
"Vengeance child, for what may I ask?" Hercules asked going from amused to confused.
Now Illya was annoyed "You know exactly what I'm talking about Berser-I mean Hercules! I placed you under the Mad Enhancement simply as a punishment for the fact that your very existence caused me pain! I felt that, as I had to suffer so did you. So, I'll ask you again, why haven't you exacted your vengeance on me yet? I dare say I have it coming." She finished quietly.
The God stood before his former master, his shackles undone, the red haze of madness lifted from his mind. This is why; when he heard what his former Mistress had to say, her leaned down until he was eye level with her before he spoke in a much softer tone "Foolish child, do you truly know nothing of my legend? In my goddess induced rage I slew my own daughter as well as my wife Megara. Regardless of what you have done to me, I would never raise my hand to you. You have suffered enough already."
Illya felt herself tearing up at her former Servant's words, but she quickly squashed the urge to cry. Her pride as a magus as well as Hercules' former master would not allow her to lose her composure in front of him. After she took a moment to collect herself she said "Thank you Hercules, what will you do now?"
The Heretic Steel God planted his massive blade into the earth and then sat down resting his back into the flat of Nine Lives. He hummed in thought for a moment before he spoke "If Emiya is willing; I will stay here and continue to protect you Illya, as he has admitted he is not yet up to full power and should a heretic god attack, I fear for your safety." He said at length.
After a moment of deliberation Archer nodded "That's fine; just try not to cause any more trouble for me. Same goes for you Rider." The Campione said before he stood and turned his gaze upon the Rider class of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
She too had ascended to godhood he could feel as much. However, he had no desire to fight her for several reasons. First off, she was probably the closest person to Sakura next to himself. Secondly, as he had told Hercules he didn't have access to most of his Authorities at the moment, although if it came right down to it, he could probably use his [Steel Golem] Authority to take her. Lastly, he'd rather have her and Hercules on his side than against him.
Thankfully the purple-haired goddess nodded her head slightly before saying "Before we came here Sakura's wellbeing was my primary concern, that hasn't changed."
Archer stared into her visor as if he could see into her Mystic Eyes themselves before he nodded and said "That's all I need to know."
With that said Archer silently made his way back into the house and began to cook breakfast. Sakura naturally went to help him with Pandora following close behind as everyone else sat silently at the table. Deciding to break the silence Dante asked "So, umm this is one way to start off the morning huh? I prefer hot coffee and cold pizza myself, but watching bro fight for his life works too."
This caused Zelretch to laugh and say "Yeah, nothing quite wakes you up like a fight to the death eh?"
This remark caused him to get his head blasted off by an annoyed Aoko, who grumbled out "Not funny Old Man..."
After his head regenerated, Zelretch chuckled out "I thought it was hilarious."
Just as Aoko was about to blast him again, she stopped when she heard her husband clear his throat, and peered at her pointed from where his head was poking out from behind the kitchen door. After a brief staring contest, Aoko relented pouting slightly before crossing her arms and saying "He started it Shirou."
To which the Campione retorted "If you two don't settle down there won't be any breakfast for anyone because of all the racket your making and its either Archer or Emiya!" with that said he popped his head back inside the kitchen to finish breakfast...
Back in the kitchen, Sakura and Pandora were chatting amicably about something or another. Archer hadn't bothered to reinforce his hearing so he had no idea what they were talking about; as he approached he began to catch snatches of their conversation.
"-very kind even though he doesn't act like it." Pandora said.
Nodding while cracking an egg Sakura responded "Oh yes, Sempai has always been very kind and helpful towards others usually to the point of not caring about his own wellbeing." Archer heard his childhood friend sigh slightly before she said "I do wish he would be more careful."
Archer watched as Pandora patted the seemingly older girl comfortingly on the back before saying "Hey now, don't worry so much. He's a Campione now which means he can shrug off pretty much anything anyone throws at him sans a Heretic God."
This seemed to reassure Sakura a bit, as she smiled and nodded slightly before saying "Your right, but I still can't help but worry about him. Speaking of Sempai, how exactly do you know him Pandora-chan?"
The question was innocent enough, but alarm bells and red flags suddenly went off in Archer's head as he thought about Sakura's and even worse Aoko's reaction to the fact that he had a seemingly thirteen year old who was in fact a millennia old goddess as his fiancé.
'Somehow, I highly doubt they would let me explain the situation that brought this on before they began beating the crap outta me. Not that it would hurt but it's the principle of the matter.' He mused to himself as he moved to stop the bubbly goddess from answering. He was a few seconds too slow.
"Oh, well he's a very important person to me. Just like he is to you I suspect." Pandora responded cheerfully.
Upon hearing this, Sakura looked up sharply and stared at Pandora for a long hard moment before asking sharply "What exactly do you mean Pandora-san?"
"Oh c'mon no need to be coy, you like Emiya-kun. It's pretty obvious Sakura-chan." The true Goddess needled playfully.
Emiya watched as Sakura's face turned beet red and she went back to preparing breakfast muttering "Sempai would never want to be with me though, I'm tainted in so many ways, by both Shinji and Zouken. If he ever found out, he'd never look at me again." She sniffled at the end.
Pandora sensing her distress patted her back comfortingly and said "There, there, now. I'll have you know that there are worse things than being living summoning material for a Zoroastrian god."
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Sakura sniffed.
Pandora tilted her head to the side curiously "Oh, I thought you knew. You seem to have a strong connection to the Zoroastrian god Angra Mainyu, a god that symbolized all the worlds' evils in Zoroastrianism."
Sakura looked at Pandora fearfully "You mean-but that doesn't-How?" She finally asked.
"Hang on a sec and I'll tell you." The lilac haired goddess responded putting her hand up in front of Sakura and a moment later a golden light enveloped her hand and then Sakura's body. Moments later it disappeared and Pandora adopted a puzzled look before she said "What in the Hades? You have numerous familiars in your body, but the ones we should be concerned about are around your heart. They have not only a connection to Angra Mainyu, but something else...no someone else."
'Zouken!' Sakura realized with a start. With the realization that a piece of Zouken's body resided inside of her own, Sakura felt like retching. She felt even more tainted than she ever had before. Her legs gave out beneath her, but before she hit the ground, she was caught, and found herself in the arms of her sempai.
"S-sempai, how much of that did you hear?" Sakura asked her voice trembling as she paled in fear.
"Everything, and let me tell you something right now Sakura-"
The purple haired magus braced herself. She was prepared for being told she was disgusting, that she was revolting, that he never wanted to see her again...she was completely unprepared for "What happened to you, while tragic was not your fault. You are not some hideous unclean monster, you are my friend, and I'm going to help you. Understand?"
"Sempai..." Sakura muttered before she teared up and began crying into his shirt.
Emiya was at a loss. 'Oh shit, did I say something wrong?'
Patting his childhood friend on the back he said "There, there Sakura umm don't cry, eh...it'll be alright?" he said awkwardly.
Pandora couldn't help but let out a chuckle and shake her head at her fiancé's naïveté. "You didn't say anything wrong Emiya-kun, in fact, you said everything right."
Archer looked at Pandora in relief, before glancing down at Sakura and saying gently "You're going to be ok Sakura; I promise no one will hurt you anymore. Not on my watch."
Her voice slightly muffled from being buried in his chest, the unwilling Matou heir responded "Thank you Sempai, you have no idea h-how happy I am to hear you s-say that."
Archer stroked his friends' hair reassuringly before saying "Do you need to go sit down for a bit? I'm sure Pandora and I can finish breakfast?" he said while phrasing it as a question and looking at the lilac haired goddess for confirmation.
Much to his surprise, when he turned around, he found Pandora putting the finishing touches on breakfast. Shaking his head in amazement the former Servant and Counter Guardian could only ask "Magic?"
"Of course, though I hope the food is up to your standards." Pandora responded sounding hopeful.
Setting Sakura on her feet while still holding her close, Archer responded "I'm sure it'll be fine. According to your legend you're supposed to be the perfect wife aren't you?"
Pandora chuckled sheepishly "Yeah that's true. Anyway, I'll get this out to the others you get Sakura to a room where she can lay down for a bit, she looks beat." The True Goddess said concernedly having taken a shine to the introverted girl over the past month she had been staying at the Kusanagi residence while periodically checking in on her mother.
Nodding silently the former Counter Guardian carried his lilac haired friend towards the room that she and her sister shared, and managed to tuck her into her futon right before Rin showed up at the door, with a worried expression on her face.
"Emiya is everything-?" She began only for her former Servant to hold up a hand to forestall any questions and, motioning for her to follow, led her to his office.
Shutting the door behind him he walked around his desk, and faced the window for the longest time without saying anything. After so long of this and feeling something might be terribly wrong with her sister Rin bit out "Well, what's going on Emiya? Is Sakura ok or what?"
Letting out a long winded sigh, Emiya turned and faced his other friend from, to him was so long ago and said in a very even tone "Rin, it appears as though Zouken has been using Sakura in an attempt to create some kind of pseudo-Holy Grail. Now, I have no idea how this happened or what exactly was done to her, but I can promise you this. I will get to the bottom of this and I will fix it." He said promised strongly before calming and adding "Do you have any questions?"
The Tohsaka heir looked at her friend for a long moment as if she was seeing him for the first time before saying slowly "I had always wondered you know? I mean her hair turned purple for goodness sakes! How could I not you know? But this, this is...You do realize there may be nothing you can do, don't you Emiya-kun?" she said to him in a hollow sounding voice, the voice of a girl who had failed her sibling in every way possible.
Archer shook his head "I refuse to accept that, you can't tell me that in a world in the Age of Gods, where men can defeat gods and steal their very divine power for their own, and take the title of King; that it is possible nothing can be done for her."
The two were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. It was Ichirou, who looked at Sakura concerned for a moment before he said "Emiya-kun, if you'll indulge an old man for a moment; I think I may know of a way you can help Sakura-chan and patch things up with Aoko-chan at the same time, as well as possibly do me a favor."
"Really Ichirou-san?" Rin asked surprised, while Emiya asked shrewdly with narrowed steel colored eyes "What do you mean patch things up with Aoko gramps, and what kind of favor?"
Sighing, Ichirou said point blank "Emiya-kun you died! Sure you came back from the dead but you died by sacrificing yourself to save the world. I'm not saying what you did wasn't noble-"Ichirou said quickly upon seeing the former Servant about to protest before he continued "-But I am saying it was very foolish of you to sacrifice your own life without thinking about how it would affect others."
Archer lowered his head and sighed in defeat. He was slowly beginning to see that maybe, just maybe, the way he went about doing things was wrong. 'At the very least; I should see what he has to say. Who knows it might even work.' The crimson clad man thought somewhat optimistically.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked the elder Kusanagi male.
Ichirou smiled and said "Here's what I had in mind..."
After eating a breakfast which was almost as good as his own, Archer asked to see Aoko in his room for a minute to discuss something in private. She looked confused but agreed. Once the married couple were away from the rest; Archer turned to his wife and opened his mouth to speak, only to close it and rub the back of his head and mutter "I didn't think it would be this hard."
Looking at her husband in confusion and worry, she asked concernedly "What's wrong honey, usually when you have something to say, you say just say it. Does it have to do with Sakura?"
Archer sighed before sitting on his bed and prompting Aoko to do the same before he nodded and said "In a way, yes." He then took a deep breath before looking Aoko in the eye and saying "Aoko, how would you like to get away with me for a little bit?"
"Huh, Emiya what-what brought this on?" She asked confused by the sudden turn this conversation was taking.
"Several things, the main one being the people around me seem to be intent on beating it into my head that I should value my life more, but you of all people should know how hard that is for me." The Campione responded.
Aoko nodded, she knew all too well. Archer then continued "I realize that I-haven't been exactly fair to you Aoko. Lying about my contract with Alaya being nullified, attempting to erase my own existence without taking your feelings into account, not just once but twice, I feel like I don't deserve you honestly. Not after all the shit I put you through. But if you'll let me; I'd like to try and see if I can fix things between us. So, uhh...want to go to Italy with me?"
With tears in her eyes Aoko threw her arms around her husband and cried into his shoulder. If it hadn't just happened with Sakura moments ago, he would've thought he'd said something wrong. After a moment she let him go and wiped her eyes smiling at him and saying "Italy huh, sounds like fun. Where will we be staying and how long?"
"Well gramps has a friend in Italy who would let us stay with her. Apparently she has a villa out on the island of Sardinia. We'll be staying for about a week."
"A week Sardinian villa...what's the catch?" She asked narrowing her blue eyes at her husband.
"What makes you think there's a catch?" Archer asked innocently.
Crossing her arms over her chest and flipping her red hair out of her face, she deadpanned "Because you're my husband and I know how your mind works."
Chuckling in response, Archer responds "You know me too well dear. Yes, I did have something I wanted to do while on vacation, one involves returning a Grimoire that is in gramps possession to Miss Zola."
"And the other thing?" Aoko inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Do you remember that girl who brought Mariya back?" he said in hushed tones.
Nodding Aoko said "That Kranjcar girl, how could I forget? She looked dead on her feet, that poor girl." Aoko finished sympathetically.
Archer nodded in turn and said "Yes the very same; from what I've gathered, she is a part of a group called the Bronze Black Cross that has a base in Italy. If you're willing, I would like to find her and thank her for bringing Yuri back."
Much to his surprise Aoko nodded happily to this, saying "That's fine, that girl deserves some kind of compensation, and since we're heading to Miss Zola's house anyway making a delivery is no trouble."
Letting out a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding, Archer said "Thank you Aoko."
Smiling at her husband she said "It's no problem."
Deciding to press his luck a little he asked "Aoko, do you think you could do me a favor?"
"Hmm, what is it Shirou?" She asked.
Disregarding the fact she called him by his first name, the former Servant of the Bow began "Well, I was wondering if you'd..."
When he'd finished his request Aoko, who now had a very serious look on her face asked "Why?"
Sighing he explained "I need someone to look after things while we're gone. Sparda can't do it because he needs prana from you to function, and I don't even want to think about what we'd come back to if we left Hercules and Medusa here to take care of anything that may come up."
The image of a wasteland that was once japan flashed briefly through the mind eye of each of them causing them to shudder before Aoko nodded saying "I see your point. Wait what about Dante and Vergil? Can't they watch over things while you're gone?" She suddenly asked.
"I'm afraid they wouldn't take the job seriously enough. Vergil would treat a Heretic God as a chance to test his strength, and Dante would just consider it fun." He responded while rubbing his eyes.
Sighing herself, Aoko nodded knowing her husband was right in his assessment of his siblings. 'Besides, either one of them with the powers of a Campione is just too scary to think about.' She thought.
"Ok, I'll do it." Aoko said at last realizing no one else could do the job.
"Thank you Aoko." Archer said smiling at her.
The married couple made their way out into the kitchen where everyone else was either cleaning up or getting ready to go and do their daily routine. Clearing his throat, Archer said "Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment? I have an announcement to make."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared expectantly at the Campione who said "Aoko and I will be going on a weeklong vacation to Italy soon. While we're there, we'll be enquiring about Sakura's condition with a friend of Gramps, who we'll be staying with." He added a little louder when he saw Rin about to go into some kind of rant, silencing her prematurely.
"When do you leave? Pandora asked.
"We haven't booked tickets anywhere yet. I need to make some enquiries, and make sure everything will be looked after while I'm gone. While I'm looking into the former Aoko will be taking care of the latter. That's all I had to say everyone." The Campione said before walking off to his study on the third floor were a nexus of portals were located. Before he entered he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and dialed a number he had on his contact list. It rang for a moment before it was answered.
"Hello Sir Emiya, what can I do for you?" Alice Louise Goddodin asked on the other end of the line.
"Hello Miss Alice, I was wondering if it was ok if I came over for a bit. I need some information on an organization in Italy, and I thought you might know of their location."
Hearing her chuckle from over the phone she said softly "You are always welcome Sir Emiya never doubt that. Come, ask your questions."
"Thank you Alice, I'll be by in a moment." Archer said before he hung up.
He then made his way toward the center portal before stepping through it. This portal led directly to Alice's bedchambers. It showed just how much both she and, more importantly, her father trusted him to allow him to have such brazen access to his daughter. Now on the other side of the portal and several thousand miles from home, he was in front of the speaker of the Witenagemot...who was currently bathing in a what looked to be an antique bronze clawed porcelain bathtub full of bubbles, with her golden hair tied up in a bun.
Taking it in stride he said "You know Alice if you needed a few minutes to finish up, you could've just said something." While he made sure to keep his eyes locked on her face and only her face, before taking the armchair seated next to the tub.
"I told you Sir Emiya; you are always welcome here, no matter the circumstance. Now, tell me exactly who it is you're looking for." She demurely said eager to help her secret beloved.
Clearing his throat, Emiya said "I'm looking for a girl by the name of Liliana Kranjcar of the Bronze Black Cross organization."
Her eyes drooping slightly from the heat of the bath, Alice nodded before reaching over to a stand and ringing a small crystal bell. Moments later, a maid appeared "Please bring me all the files the Witenagemot has on the Bronze Black Cross organization." The Highest Witch of the Heavens requested.
Bowing the maid made her way out of the chambers to fulfill the request. Archer, upon seeing her about to fall asleep in the bath said "I think it's about time for you to get out before you drown."
Nodding she said "I do believe your right Sir Emiya. Would you hand me that bathrobe over there please?" She politely requested pointing to a red silk bathrobe that was hanging on a nearby hook.
Archer got up and grabbed the garment, only to toss it aside when he heard a scream. He managed to catch Alice just before she would've fallen and struck her head on the floor. Holding the damp, nude woman in his arms bridal style, he said "I think you should take it easy for a bit."
He then deposited her in the armchair, before going back and retrieving her bathrobe. Keeping his mind on the task at hand, he paid no mind to her smooth, soft pearl white skin, her now toned and healthy curvaceous womanly figure, or the mingling scent of shampoo and body wash in her shining flaxen hair as helped her into the robe...nope, he paid those things no mind at all.
'Ok, she's attractive I admit. Hell all the girls I know are attractive; but I'm married and that's all there is to it.' He told himself as he pulled up another armchair and sat down across from the English beauty.
Moments later the same maid reappeared carrying a thick beige folder, handing it to Alice, the woman bowed respectfully to them both before departing.
'She must've been cold.' Archer thought as Alice held onto the file with trembling hands, while her whole form shook.
In truth, Alice Louise was shaking, but not from cold, no, she was shaking from the thrill, the sheer exhilaration of having Sir Emiya run his hands across her bare body, even if it was only to help her don her bathrobe like a gentleman, anywhere he even accidently touched her flesh felt like it had been warmed by the forge of a fire.
Taking a deep breath she mentally slapped herself and said 'Get ahold of yourself Alice! You are twenty-four, the face of the Witenagemot, and the Highest Witch of the Heavens! Not some high school girl whose only responsibility is homework and who has a crush on the handsome new teacher!'
Letting her breath go, she said calmly "Let's see what we have here Sir Emiya. You said you were looking for a Liliana Kranjcar correct?"
"Yes." He responded with a nod.
Alice began thumbing through the folder before stopping and saying "Ah here we are the headquarters of the Bronze Black Cross is located in Milan Italy, along with their rivals the Copper Black Cross. What's more is it seems that Miss Kranjcar is the granddaughter of the current head of the Bronze Black Cross."
"I see." Archer said as he narrowed his eyes in annoyance, clenching his fists.
"Sir Emiya, is something the matter?" Alice asked concerned.
Emiya shook his head and said "No, nothing you need to worry about Miss Alice. You wouldn't happen to have more specific directions to their location?" he asked.
"Yes as a matter of fact; just a moment please." Alice said before she rifled through the papers for a moment before pulling out one in particular and going to the desk she had in her room where she began copying down the instructions on a blank sheet of paper with a ballpoint pen.
Handing him the copy she said "Here you are Sir Emiya, is there anything else you require?"
Even if when centuries later, Archer will say he doesn't has no clue what made him do what he did next. But somehow; the idea he'd originally had while on his first date with Yuri came back to the forefront of his mind.
'Could it work? Well I don't see why not I mean I already control the Balkans and Japan, and Alec founded his own organization specifically to oppose the Witenagemot so I don't think he would care and who cares if he does.' Archer thought.
"Actually, I've been thinking about something for a while now and I wanted your opinion on it." Archer said at length.
"What might that be Sir Emiya?" Alice asked curiously.
"Well, as you know I defeated the Devil of the Balkans a little over five weeks ago and now, I not only control the Balkans; but Japan as well. I was actually thinking of forming my own magic organization and I was wondering if perhaps the Witenagemot would like to join; seeing as dear little Alec has no love for your organization and all."
Alice to her credit only blinked twice. That's how long it took her to process exactly what was being told to her and all the possibilities and possible problems that could come with accepting his proposal. She knew he wouldn't do anything to her if she refused; he was much too noble for that.
'If I refuse nothing changes...but if I accept...I should see what he expects in return first.' The Highest Witch of the Heavens decided.
"What exactly would be expected of the Witenagemot if we joined your organization Sir Emiya?" She said becoming very businesslike.
Smirking a bit, he teased "Now, now Alice were both friends here, no need to act all shrewd with me. Though I can't blame you for it, you're just looking out for your own people are all. And to answer your question what I would require from you is to act as a...place of study of sorts not just for the rich and entitled but for all comers. I believe first and foremost in a proper education for everyone regardless of status. Before I became a Campione I was considered a failure as a magician. I only had one or two skills I was good at and it was only by developing those skills to their utmost through trial and error that I amounted to anything at all." He told her much to her surprise.
"Ah you thought I was born with natural talent like you were didn't you? He asked before he shook his head and responded to his own question "No, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but was an amateur at best. I would never want anyone else to have to go through the dangerous trial and error like I did."
Alice felt her respect and admiration for King Emiya grow even more by learning his difficult origins. But regardless of how she felt personally, she still spoke for the Witenagemot and so, she said "If it were just me you were asking Sir Emiya; I would join you in a heartbeat no questions asked. However, since you are asking the whole of the Witenagemot then I will need to call an assembly and we shall put it to a vote. How long will you be abroad?" she inquired.
"At least a week; possibly ten days." He responded.
Alice nodded "I should have a response for you by the time you return."
"Well that's good to hear. Do you need to know anything else about this before I go?" He inquired.
Alice put her tapped her finger on her chin in thought for a moment before saying "Other than a name to call your organization by I can't really think of anything."
"A name huh? I never really thought of that, just what I wanted it to do." He admitted.
Nodding Alice supplied some advice "Well considering its your organization, I think it should be named after something that represents you like a sword or perhaps iron or steel, that and something people can rally behind you know, like how kings had their banners and whatnot back in the middle ages."
'Something personal to me and something people can rally behind huh? Well, I was called the Wrought Iron Hero in the papers a few times when I was alive and crosses have been a symbol of peace, justice, protection.'
"I guess for now, we can call it the Wrought Iron Cross. At least until I can come up with a better name." Archer told her.
"Wrought Iron Cross, I like it." Alice commented nodding.
"So if there's nothing else, I'll see you in ten days then?" Archer asked.
"It's a date Sir Emiya." Alice joked while only wishing she wasn't.
"See you then Alice." Archer said with a little wave before he crossed through the portal.
'See you then; my beloved Campione.' Alice thought watching him leave before she wrung the bell beside her and summoned her maid once again.
Turning to her she said "Please help me pick out something formal to wear before informing my father that I request the Witenagemot gather as soon as possible."
"And if Lord Goddodin should ask what this is about?" the maid inquired while heading towards the closet and laying out a simple yet elegant blue dress.
"Tell him King Emiya has made us a proposition we all should consider."
"Understood, do you require assistance getting ready mistress?" the maid asked.
"No thank you Esmeralda you may go." Alice said giving her a smile before she departed.
As Emiya appeared back home he felt the last vestiges of Aoko's magic fading away. 'Good, it looks like I stayed away long enough.' He thought, afraid that his magic resistance might interfere with what she needed to do.
The maniacal cackling he heard coming from the kitchen confirmed that he'd arrived just in time.
Making his way downstairs he found Aoko standing in the middle of the kitchen with the others looking in from the kitchen window while Rin was frozen in fear against the wall looking terrified at her master Zelretch and for good reason. The years had been melted off of him, caused by his battle with Crimson Moon Brunestud and now, after nearly five thousand years he was back to his full power, back to his prime.
His hair was now a dark; almost pitch black and he possessed a neatly trimmed beard and goatee that was also just as dark, he lacked his grandfatherly appearance now looking to be in his late twenties to early thirties. He still possessed his vampirism if the crimson eyes were any indication.
Calmly approaching the Fourth of the Twenty seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, the Campione said "Well I see you enjoyed our little present Zelretch."
The Apostle immediately stopped his cackling and locked eyes with the Campione. There was a tension of a sort in the air. Zelretch broke it when he spoke and said "Don't you mean your gift boy? You know as well as I that little Aoko would never have done this without you convincing her. Now, I believe that one good turn deserves another and there is only one thing I can think of that can satisfy such a thing as this..."
Zelretch then swept his cape aside, revealing his Jewel Sword, before he drew it and slowly walked towards the Campione. Both Aoko and Rin tensed, but Archer did nothing, merely watching the Apostle curiously.
When he was close enough, Zelretch took a knee, and offered Emiya his blade; hilt first saying seriously with all traces of humor temporarily gone from his tone "Never before has anyone so foolish or stupid enough to attempt to return me to my former glory. For doing so, there are only two things I can offer you Shirou Emiya Sparda, son of both the Magnus Killer Kiritsugu Emiya and Sparda the Black Knight. The first is the offer to become a Dead Apostle which seems pointless as you are in your own way immortal now and I daresay, your immortality is much more effective than mine own. The only other thing I can give you is my fealty. Do you accept?"
Every now and again in a person's life, time seems to stand still, as if holding its breath waiting on answer. This was one such moment. Archer's hand hovered over the hilt of Zelretch's blade as thought about everything this could mean.
'Well, at the very least; having him on my side is better than having him against me.' Archer reasoned before he picked up the blade before briefly touching each of Zelretch's shoulders with the point of his own blade, saying "I accept your fealty and with it I extract these oaths. Do you swear to protect the innocent, destroy the wicked, follow my orders when seriously given, and at least attempt to keep your mischief in check?"
Smirking a bit at the last one Zelretch nodded and said "I do."
"Then rise, and reclaim your blade." Archer responded.
The ceremony over, Zelretch rose with his smirk on his face and said "Well that's that huh?"
"Almost." Archer said before cutting his head in half with his own sword which rapidly regenerated.
Raising an eyebrow Zelretch asked "What was that about?"
"Well, I was going to smack you and tell you this is so you don't forget your oaths but that seemed...insufficient." Archer responded cheekily.
Zelretch just threw his head back and laughed for a moment before reclaiming his sword, sheathing it and saying "I can tell things are never going to be boring around you."
"We'll have our slow days I'm sure. Now, I have your first set of orders for you. While Aoko and I are gone, you are going to look after things."
"Ah, sounds easy enough. Hell, I could've done that as I was, as I am now; it'll be a snap." He responded snapping his fingers for emphasis.
"Good to hear, and in your downtime if you could keep an eye on a few side projects of mine I really appreciate it."
Nodding Zelretch said "Sure it's no problem."
"Congratulations Zelretch-san!" Pandora chirped.
"W-W-What the hell were you thinking Emiya? Or were you even thinking when you asked Aoko-sama to do this?" Rin stuttered out; white as a sheet.
"Oh no Rin; I wasn't thinking at all, when I asked my wife, who is a time manipulating magician, to restore the fourth most dangerous Dead Apostle Ancestor to his prime and his power along with it. And with Gods coming from their myths on almost a daily basis trying to wreak havoc, whatever could I have been thinking, restoring his power and putting him in charge while I'm gone?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Alright I get it no need to be an ass about it." Rin complained.
"Anyway there's only a couple of rules that I except to be followed while I'm gone. Firstly; no one is to enter my workshop. Secondly; no buy exuberant amounts of jewelry, manga, real-estate, stocks, pizza, ice-cream, or knives like when I went to the Balkans for a week."
Rin, Illya, Kaoru, Dante, and Virgil all whistled innocently while Hana; who was also be referred to in that second rule asked "But my stock choices actually turned out well, doesn't that count for anything Lord Emiya?"
'That's true, she more that made back the money that was spent on buying the Blue Note and Kaoru is getting us a nice sum in monthly income by renovating and renting out houses.' Archer mentally conceded.
"Ok let me revise that statement, no over spending unless it can somehow bring it more money than was spent."
"Understood my Lord, anything else?" Hana asked as Dante, Virgil, Illya, and Rin sulked.
Archer thought a moment before shaking his head "No, that's about it the only other thing I can think of is if a Heretic God shows up, is have Zelretch hold it off while he sends one of you to come and get me."
"Wouldn't it just be easier if you let us handle it?" Dante said sounding bored.
Archer briefly imagined what it would be like if either of his brothers' or Root forbid, Zelretch were to gain Campione status... He quickly decided it was something to be avoided at all costs.
"No, I think it would be best if Zelretch just trapped them in a pocket dimension and waited till I got home to deal with them." Archer deadpanned.
"Fine whatever." Dante huffed.
"Anyway that's it, just keep out of trouble or at least try to. Now if you'll excuse me, Aoko and I need to go pack." The Campione said before he left the room his wife following close behind.
In Milan Italy, a young boy walked the streets with a confident, some would say arrogant smirk on his face. 'These people, these humans in this day and age, they know nothing of the times of old, of war, of strife, of victory. I pity them; and yet a part of me is also glad that they need not suffer and die like they did so long ago. Even if they are satisfied with this peace, I am not. I desire battle, conquest, and above all victory.'
"And I will have it, and once it is in my grasp all shall remember my name." The young man said before walking off in a southwestern direction before disappearing in a gust of wind.
Back in Japan, Archer had just finished packing his suitcase when he heard a knock on his door, without turning around he called "Come in Aoko, its open."
Pushing open the door and hanging on the frame, Aoko sighed and said "One of these days, one of these days I swear I'll get you to show me how you do that."
"Now, now Aoko every magician has his or her secrets." Emiya teased.
"You're no magician honey. The rotting corpse and I are the only Magicians here." Aoko countered equally as playful, if not more so.
"Too true, so are you all packed?" he asked.
With a slight smirk on her face, Aoko nodded "Yep I've got everything I could possibly need. Sunblock, flip-flops', shades, big sun hat, that white and blue string bikini I wore during our honeymoon, Beowulf."
Seeing her husbands raised eyebrow, Aoko merely shrugged and said "Well I did say I was brining everything I could possibly need didn't I?"
"True." he conceded before he asked "So are you... excited to head out tomorrow?"
Giggling a bit Aoko let go of the doorframe and sauntered towards her husband before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close before whispering into his ear "You don't have to try so hard to be upbeat, I know it's not really your thing, but I appreciate the thought."
Aoko then kicked his door shut with her foot before she pushed him down on his bed, prompting him to look at her and ask "Aoko?"
"You want know something honey? When you-did what you did-I had never been more furious with anyone in my entire life, not even my dear sister had ever managed to get me as upset as you did." She told him as she crawled across his body, pinning him in place not only with her physical strength, but also with her words and her gaze.
"I know, and I'm sorry dear." Archer apologized yet again.
While holding his arms down by the wrists, and sitting on his waist, Aoko nodded and said "Yeah, I know you are." She then smiled a bit mischievously and said "That's why I'd like to give you a little preview of what I'd like to happen on this vacation...if you want that is?" she asked innocently while unbuttoning the top two buttons of her usual white shirt, revealing a bit of her cleavage.
In truth, though Emiya acted caustic and cold, he was still human he had not quite become a robot incapable of feeling anything. This is why he wanted nothing more than to say yes right now to her proposal...but his conscience however wouldn't let him.
"We shouldn't what if the others hear?" he said.
"Then they'll assume we are doing what married couples often do and if their smart, they'll leave us alone." She finished with a slight growl.
"Aoko I don't think-"He was silenced by Aoko wo placed a finger on his lips and shushed him, before leaning over him hiding his head in a curtain of crimson red hair before she said softly "That's your problem Emi-kun, you over think everything. You are so used to needing to be ten steps ahead just to survive that you apply the same thinking to everything." She then cupped his face with her hands before kissing him and saying "You need to stop thinking, and start doing."
"Aoko." he said weakly his defenses crumbling, only for her to kiss him again and say "Tsk, tsk, no more thinking Emi-kun right now, what is it you want? What is it you really want right now?"
Archer didn't even need to think about it "You, right now I really want you."
Smiling over her victory Aoko let go of his face before sitting up and saying "Ask and ye shall receive oh Lord."
(Lime Start, just skip to the next line break if you don't want to read)
She then proceeded to finish unbuttoning her top before casting it aside, revealing she wore a black lacy bra underneath. She giggled at seeing the mesmerized look on her husband's face, and was flattered and secretly relived that she had this effect on him; even with all these other women constantly around him. She locked eyes with him and then said seductively "It's not fair if you're clothed and I'm not Emi-kun."
In response to this, Emiya put an arm around Aoko, holding her in place while he used his teeth to pull one arm out of his jacket, then switched arms and did the other while Aoko worked on getting his armor off. Soon enough; he was wearing even less than his wife. Aoko slowly ran her hands down his washboard abs while his hands in turn traced the contours of her figure. There touch each caused the other to gasp and moan in pleasure.
Aoko then undid her bra allowing her breast to swing free of their black lacy prison, before she leaned down and began an intense make out session with her husband, taking his lips in a searing kiss before licking his bottom lip with her tongue asking for entrance. Entrance he only gave after flipping her over on her back, with himself now above her in the dominate position. Archer smirked at her for a moment before claiming her lips in a long French kiss where both their tongues struggled for dominance for a bit, before he broke the kiss and trailed kisses down the left side of her face, kissing her cheek and her neck before ending at her collarbone making her moan loudly as that was one of her sweetspots.
His mouth then traveled further south causing her to giggle first, before she moan as he paid due attention to her breasts, kneading one while he played with the other by sucking and occasionally biting down on it gently.
"Ooohhh honey, I-I see you haven't lost your touch!" Aoko moaned, gasping on occasion.
"Me, lose my touch, never dear." He said before leaning forward and kissing her forehead lovingly.
She giggled a bit before she shook her head and sighed asking "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" he asked kissing her briefly again.
"How do you always make me feel...feel like I'm still that sixteen year old girl who was trying to balance her life as a witch with the life of a normal girl even though we both know I'm not her anymore?"
"It's because I love you and you love me. When you love someone there will be moments when you feel like you did when you first met them." Archer explained.
Cocking her head to the side she asked "In your case wouldn't that be a bad thing?"
Kissing her cheek he said "Yes, but when I look at you I think of the parole you got me and I love you for that, that and so much more Aoko." He said honestly.
"I love you too." She said sharing a kiss with him before asking "So, what now? If you want, we can continue?" She offered spreading her still fully clothed legs suggestively.
Archer was tempted, sorely so to take up her second offer, but in the end, he decided against it. The main reason being this wasn't their house it was his grandfather's and to go any further may be seen as disrespectful.
"No we can't it isn't right, not when this isn't our home." He responded firmly.
Aoko closed her eyes and nodded knowing her husband was right, to go as far as they did in another's home was disrespectful, to go all the way would be downright rude. So the couple untangled themselves from one another, before picking up and donning various pieces of discarded clothing. Aoko walked to the door again fully clothed before turning and asking "So what did you think of the preview?"
In response, Archer replied "I think I may want to join the mile high club on the way to Italy, interested?"
The Fifth Magicians cheeks became as red as her hair before she said "Not on your life Emiya!" Before she flung the door open and slammed it shut to the sound of her husband's laughter.
The group had decided to come and see them off at the airport terminal.
"Ena hopes you have a good vacation Emiya-sama, Aoko-hime." Ena said bowing respectfully to the two.
"Have fun you two, but not too much fun-"Hel warned playfully having warmed up to the Godslayer and his wife in her month long sabbatical from the netherworld.
"For once I agree with the gothic Lolita, I'm too young and too cool to become an uncle yet." Dante said while ignoring the seemingly sightless glare that was being sent his way by Hel.
"Speak for yourself Dante; I personally can't believe I'm not a grandfather yet between the three of you myself." Sparda complained.
"Have fun on your trip." Virgil said simply with an accompanying nod, which his elder brother returned.
Soon everyone else had said their goodbyes bar one. Mariya Yuri dressed in the very same outfit she wore on their first date stepped forward and said "I hope you both have fun, but please be careful, and try not to get into any trouble Emiya-kun."
"I'll try Yuri, you stay safe too ok?"
The Hime-Miko nodded and said "I will." She then hesitated a moment before saying "I know its last minute Emiya-kun, but could I have a moment of your time?" she quietly pleaded.
Her tone made it seem important so Archer nodded and led the brunette away from the others so they wouldn't be overheard, before asking "What's the matter Yuri?"
When Yuri Mariya turned to face him he didn't know what it was, but he could tell there was something off about her, like she currently wasn't herself.
"Thank you for seeing me at such short notice Beast of Alaya, oh I'm sorry, I should say former beast now shouldn't I?" Yuri questioned with a joking mischievous gleam in her eye, and in a calm girlish tone that didn't fit her.
"Who are you and why are you, and why do you possess my Vassal? He asked deadly calm.
"You'll find out soon enough if you don't figure it out while on your vacation. Suffice to say once you come back we'll have a lot to talk about you and me." 'Yuri' said calmly.
"You want me to go on this vacation for whatever reason, don't you?" Archer asked his voice like steel.
"It would be to your benefit if you did." Yuri confirmed with a nod "Not just for your relationship with your wife, which will improve drastically if you go, but you will also gain new allies and save many lives than if you don't." She warned him.
She had him at the 'saving many lives' and he were sure whoever she was, that she knew it too. So he did the next best thing he could.
"I want an oath, a magically binding oath that neither Yuri nor any of my other friends will be harmed by you." He said.
"I promise on all that is, could've been, and may yet be that no harm shall come to your friends by my hand." The entity swore.
Archer then added "Or the hands of your servants."
"I only have one and he doesn't even know it yet." The entity responded.
Archer narrowed his eyes dangerously at her prompting her to sigh and say "Or my servants."
He held his glare for a moment before he nodded and said "Fair enough; we'll speak more when I get back. I hope, for your sake my friends particularly Yuri remain unharmed while I'm gone-"He then leaned in close to her and whispered "-because if I come back and find them injured I'll be holding you, whoever you are; personally responsible, understood?"
"I understand you perfectly Shirou Emiya Sparda, now get going, your wife's waiting." The entity in Yuri's body said shooing him away like he was no more than an annoying fly.
Archer looked behind him and saw that Aoko was staring at him curiously, clearly wondering what was going on. Sending her a friendly wave, he turned back to Yuri who was now back to normal and looking saddened.
"I'm sorry about that Emiya-kun." She apologized, bowing slightly.
Emiya just ruffled her hair in response and said "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault, though I assume since you are apologizing you were still aware when that...thing took you over?"
Straightening and blushing slightly she nodded saying "Yes its akin to having an out of body experience, I can watch and listen, but I can't do anything." She said in a very frustrated tone.
"Don't worry; I'll get to the bottom of this ok? For right now who or whatever this is wants me in Italy so I feel its best I go. But I promise we'll figure this all out when I get back alright?"
Yuri nodded knowing her King was good to his word. "Have fun on your trip Emiya-kun.
"I will Yuri be safe ok?" he said ruffling her hair one more time before he walked back towards his wife, more than ready to begin his vacation.
Chapter Length: 11,044 words – Date Completed: 5/3/14
AN: Hello fellow dwellers and fans of WIC! It is I Bubbajack and against all the odds in the betting pool, I am not in fact dead and neither is this story! Rejoice for I am back and I deliver unto thee chapter ten of my great saga! Lol but seriously guys and gals despite how long it took me to post this, with the posting of this chapter this fic is now over 100k words...and I'm just getting started! Anyway till next time, which will be sooner I swear! Bubbajack out!
P.S. This was my First EVER lime and I haven't done a lemon yet. You need to crawl before you can walk you know? But anyway, what did you guys think for my first 'scene' of that nature? Was it good, was it bad, can I improve it somehow? Let me know please! Seeya later!