Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/stay night. It belongs to Type-Moon.
Chapter 9.5: Interlude: Dreaming
So that's the plan then. Tomorrow, we attack Caster. Normally I would've wanted to do so myself, but I get the feeling that I should work with these people, so we'll do it together. Right now, it'll be me, Saber, Archer, the kid, and that Tohsaka Rin girl. They've decided to leave Sakura here since it'll most likely be too dangerous for her.
Can't say I agree though. I don't want the girl being left alone, but they're right when they say it's the best thing to do. As far as I can tell, she's a Servant-less Master, and that's always bad news. Anyways, I've reinforced the boundary field around this place with my runes, so it should keep most riff raff out, although a Servant will be able to break through it pretty easily.
From the beginning though, I didn't expect Archer to show up. Whatever he did yesterday after saving us, he seems to have chased off Assassin, although I keep feeling something off from his story. Still, the Tohsaka girl has a good head on her shoulders, and she can keep that stupid bowman in line.
Once she arrived, it only took a short while to explain everything that we'd been talking about previously. Archer, the bastard, voted for killing me right off the bat. As if he even could. Even in this condition I can take down that pathetic excuse for a bowman. Of course Tohsaka immediately shot him down. I think I like her already. She's already accepted my alliance proposal, although only until we take down Berserker.
Anyways, she agrees with Sakura about Sasaki being a wraith. Getting my ass kicked by a damn fake should be pretty embarrassing, but I don't really care. I can honestly say that he won fair and square, even with all the terrain disadvantages I had. It's a shame that damn sandworm of a True Assassin showed up in the end. Actually should I even be saying that? He did save my life after all, even if it was by accident.
But damn, the people in this war are tough. I barely won against Rider, and got absolutely pulverized – no wait that's a bad word to use, -splattered, by Fake Assassin. And that damn Archer who uses swords...
Bah, whatever. I don't want to think about that. I'll just focus on tomorrow's battle. Caster shouldn't be much trouble against my Magic Resistance, and Berserker won't last long against three of us. Then I'll be able to finally kill that Archer, fight Saber properly, and take down Kotomine. And then I can bring back Bazette.
At least I don't have to sleep in the shed this time though. Shirou decided to lend me one of the spare guest rooms for the night. This futon is pretty uncomfortable, but I still need to sleep if I want my wounds to heal in time for tomorrow, so here goes nothing...
I'm floating. Where am I floating?
There's a hill.
It's green, with bright grass full of life.
I... want to climb that hill. I want to see what's at the top.
I go. It's slippery. Even as I move forward I slide back down again. But I persevere. I need to see what's at the top!
Why?
Do I even need a reason? It's there, so I have to climb it. I continue to climb, and make progress. I've gotten used to the slippery parts, and I can now move around most of them. As long as I choose my path carefully I'll make it to the top.
I've gone a long way. I can already see something at the top of this hill. It's a shape. A human shape, standing, pointing to the sky. I want to meet that person. I feel that if I do, this whole trip will have been worth it.
Is it worth it?
Of course it is. I have to believe it's worth it. If it isn't, then what will all the climbing have been for? I can't go back, because that would mean I lost.
And that's unacceptable. I refuse. I won't fall back down. I'll keep climbing. Even as my body is growing heavy from wear I'll keep climbing.
Why not just stop?
Because if I do then...
Then...
I... don't know. I don't know anything other than this hill. It's scary. If I get to the top then maybe I'll be able to see the rest of this world.
Then it won't be so scary anymore.
I'm close now. The figure is thick. The setting sun is obscuring it, but I can definitely see a human figure there!
I run. I want to see it. I want to see what I have worked so hard to accomplish! I want to know what lies at the top of the hill!
Must you? Must you climb?
Yes. I must.
No one is forcing you to climb.
That doesn't matter. I'll climb because I want to.
I'm finally there. At the top. The sun is behind the figure. Now that I can see it, the figure is about as tall as me, but much wider and thicker.
I walk around the figure. Once the sun is at my back I'll be able to see my destination.
What about the view?
I don't need that. I can just stay here forever, now that I'm at the top. The sun is setting. I'll only be able to see either the view or the figure.
I don't need the view. What use is it to me, who is already where he needs to be?
The sun is at my back.
Do you need this?
Yes. This is what I need.
You don't have to. No one would hate you if you stopped here.
Shut up. This is the only path. There is nothing other than this hill. Nothing! There is nothing to see out there! I'll stay here forever!
The sun is at my back.
I look.
The stone is tall. It is smooth. But it is marred. Chains circle it. And I see two human figures strapped to the chain.
One is a woman. She has red hair, and is wearing a suit. One of her arms is missing. Her body is already rotting. I can see the maggots writhing around her flesh.
I shudder, and quickly turn my eyes to the other.
The man is wearing a blue jumpsuit, marred by hundreds of wounds and scars. There is blood everywhere. He has tied himself to this stone. He carries a spear in his free hand, to fight off anyone who dares to untie him.
Why does he seem familiar?
Do you want to stay here?
Yes. I... want to stay here?
Do I?
It doesn't matter. The sun has set. I cannot see anything other than this hill.
It's fine, right?
I grab those chains, and tie myself to the stone. No one moves. I am the only one. I pull the chains tighter, until I can barely move.
One more.
If I pull one more time I won't be able to free myself.
Do you want to stay here? Is this where you want to be?
I...
The corpses aren't smiling.
My hand is moving.
The smell of rotting flesh.
No.
Nothing but death.
It pulls tighter.
They are tied here.
No!
The chains cannot be broken.
NO!
And I scream.