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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Chapter 13: Lullaby of the Lamb

I had another nightmare.

This time I managed to see part of my aggressor's face, her smile as she innocently tore through my skin and meticulously destroyed my bones in the darkness.

You will never leave. We are linked~

Those words sow dread in my poor soul the mere remembrance of them.

I was once again incredibly cranky and I groaned as my head fell on the table during breakfast.

Thank God I had removed the plate I had used to eat my morning waffles or I would have had to go back and clean my face.. again.

Yawning some 'Good mornings' to my Servants I was ready to enjoy an entire day doing the very thing I loved and craved to do when feeling unwell!

And that is... nothing.

By nothing, I meant 'Nada, nope, lazying around and other things that required me being at home doing the opposite of hard work'.

I settled in my couch, some sheets covering my entire body as I prepared myself to enjoy a full morning nap that should last until lunch.

Sighing in relief, I closed my eyes and started to imagine good things-

*Peck*

...As I was saying imagining good things-

*Peck* *Peck*

My eyes snapped open as I turned my stare at what was causing this noise.

I noticed something by the window nearby and my sight revealed... a bird?

That was new and I was going to call BS if the War was turning in some Disney thingy when I looked closer to the small critter and realised it was no bird.

Well, it had some resemblance to a bird if it was made by glowy, skeleton-like skin.

I blinked and I noticed the small rolled paper in its beak and, opening the window, slowly extended my hand towards the unnatural small thing.

"Bite me and I will bite you."

The bird-thing didn't react to my warning, merely moving its beak close to my open palm and released the letter on it.

I didn't waste time and I opened the paper to find- What is this?

What were supposed to be Kanji were written in a very wobbly style, almost impossible to decipher.

Thankfully I had been no better in my first years at school and thus I was quite the expert in reading this hideous calligraphy.

Sean-kun,

I send you this invite to lunch at the Einzbern Mansion.

Taiga-san has taught me how to write in Kanji ( I hope it is not too much bad) and I wanted to ask your judgement of my current level of understanding.

At this there were several kanjis scratched or outright blanked out with ink, yet the lowest bit and signature survived the merciless attack.

Your friend, Illya.

...I was kinda getting bored staying there doing nothing.

I grunted as I picked myself up from the couch and walked up to one of the stools with my jackets, picking one and readying myself to leave.

"Master, are we going out?"

I almost jumped in fright at Assassin's unexpected presence and subsequent question.

"I-I am just going to have lunch with a friend. I will be back quickly."

The Servant stared at me for several moments, then he sighed. "Fine. Remember to use your Command Spells to call us in case you need us."

I nodded and smiled. "See you in the afternoon, Da-Assassin."

My legs never ran so much quickly, my mind never bashed my poor tired brain so ruthlessly.

I paused two minutes later, already in the path to the woods to pick up what had just happened before I left.

Why did I almost called him dad?!

Sure, Assassin had started to train me with his work's tool (aka guns and knives) and he had also been quite supportive when I killed Shinji...

...It was the sleep. There was no other reason for it, yes.

Yet as I continued my walk to the Castle, I felt the gnawing sensation I was wrong about something.

I shrugged the feeling away, focusing on the main event of the day.

I mean, another lunch at Illya's was going to be a blast like usual and I failed to see how it would end badly-

I jinxed myself.

My hands were trying to hopelessly massage the temple of my head as I groaned at whom Illya had also decided to invite.

Shirou Emiya was grinning and it was hurting my innocent soul beyond the reasoning of humanity.

I sent a quick glare to the smiling little minx by my side and her smile widened even more as she seemed to have taken... revenge.

Seriously Illya, Taiga couldn't have been that bad- Wait yes, she might have been especially since she was a little, cute thing.

"C'mon Sean-kun, Oniichan is not that bad."

The Master of Saber flinched briefly at the last adjective but seemed to endure it as he continued to stare.

"So, Sean, do you think-" "I was planning to add a jacuzzi and a massive TV in my living room."

The Emiya frowned. "I meant-" "No, I am atheist and will not switch to any religion."

A giggle interrupted my roll as Illya catched our attention. "I think Sean-kun doesn't want to speak with you, Oniichan." I felt my arm catched by her two small ones. "He loves me more!"

...Whaaaaat?

Shirou recoiled from the jab, a slighly infuriated smile in his face. "Sean is just confused and-" "And I'm hungry, what has your hard-working maid prepared for us mortals?"

The maids entered the room that very moment and I grinned even more as I noticed the blush on Sella's face... and the pout on Leysritt's?

The reserved maid slowly walked around the table and bowed, her hands forward with a small box.

I blinked but complied with the silent request and opened it to reveal...

My eyes widened in surprise as I eyed the small, transparent bag containing several delicious-looking cookies.

I turned to the close-eyed maid and I tilted my head in confusion. How should I reply to that kind of generosity?

I smiled as my hand hovered above the box and settled on Leysritt's head.

Her eyes snapped open in rare surprise as I patted her. "Thank you."

She blushed and bowed twice before making a quick walk back to the confused Sella.

"A-Anyway, today we have decided to serve a proper meal to Illyasviel-sama-" I felt Illya's small hand grasping mine and squeezing it softly. "-And for Sean-sama."

...

The squeeze seemed to increase as a red-faced little Einzbern was stunned to silence by this unexpected title.

How was I coping with this new tidbit?

Well, my mind reassured me that there had to be a much more simple reason for why I was called now with that honorific-

"Sean. Young master."

...I was shocked yet my face was stuck into blankness as I tried to understand what was going on.

As I went to ask the most important question, I felt a sharp pain on my head almost making me collapse on my seat.

I had expected no one to see that small scene... I was stormed by everyone.

"Young master." "Sean-sama." "Sean." "Sean-kun."

They all rushed to me and I was ready to reassure them that I was fine when another fiery stab of pain finally took the toll on my poor brain and I fainted on the spot.

Boo! You suck!

I woke up in sweat and labored breaths, trying to understand what had just happened, how this pain had forced me in-

*Pat*

I blinked as my thoughts died and my eyes looked into two worried rubies.

"You truly are a dummy, Sean-kun."

I was at the Einzbern Castle, that I remember and I was alone with Illya in that room.

Her hand pushed my head back in the pillow, comforting warmth from her starting to soothe down the painful migraine.

"Assassin broke the window the very moment you fell unconscious but he calmed down as we got you there."

"W-Where-" "My room." She replied calmly as she took a small wet towel and put in on my head. "You got a serious fever... and your Servant told me of your nightmares."

"I-It's nothing." Her concerned look did calm the growing dread as she dropped something I was truly not expecting.

"I had those nightmares too... of the shadow lady."

I blinked in panic and was ready to hyperventilate once more when her hands grasped mine.

"You are fine, Sean-kun." You are not. "You are safe." You will never be. "I am here."

The dark voice didn't rebuke this last part and I smiled.

"Why are you avoiding killing Servants?"

My smile froze as I realised where this discussion was going to end.

"It was better to get them alive, better ways to deal with the opposition-"

"The only opposition now is Saber, Rider and Lancer. We literally represent more than half the entire competition and I think you know what I am asking you to tell me."

I wanted to lie. "Please." I seriously wanted to lie and be a jerk, to become the scapegoat to my little attempt... yet I failed in my resolve.

"I cannot let you go." She blinked and grimaced at those words.

"I told you that my body will not live too much after this War. I am not human-" "Don't! Don't... dont' you dare lying."

"And what I am supposed to do, Sean? Make some hopes to actually live after this whole cheap show? To dream of having an happy ending?"

...

"Yes."

She scoffed. "You are a romantic idealist, Sean, but we both know that ideas alone cannot win the world-" "Then I am truly a romantic idealist, a dumb one to boot, as I fail to surrender my dream."

A small smile glowed in her face as I grinned widely and determinately.

"Truly dumb you are." She sighed and squeezed my hand again. "But you are my dummy, aren't you?"

In that very moment, Sean Graham's wish changed and became even more selfish than the original one.

To defy death? What a tragic foolishness..

AN

For those who wish to cry a little and find determination along the path, go and search in YT the Illya's Sacrifice MV.

That was what mostly kickstarted most of the fanfic.

Are you crying?

Shuddup! Im not cryi-BWaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaahaaaaah!

Review Q&A

merendinoemiliano: Thank you and good luck with your exams!