Kiritsugu could still remember the sorry state he had found Maiya in. That hellzone had broken her. She was an empty shell, barely functioning outside of death. That was her whole life. He couldn't just leave her like that. It was wrong. So very wrong. He had seen it before. He had seen it countless times but had done nothing. She was the last straw. That small part of himself that wanted to play hero latched onto her. He thought he could save her. Give her a new life.
Yet here she was. Dead. Torn to shreds. Kiritsugu didn't want to believe the sight when he first saw it. Maiya was a skilled combatant. She could handle herself. It's why he put so much faith into her and her training. He had done that himself, given her a second chance. Yet all of it was for naught. She was dead. It was his fault.
He would not cry. He had to be strong. He had to persevere. No matter what happens, he would make sure that the killing would stop after this war. All of it. All over the world. No one should go through this. Which meant he had to blaze his way through the other masters in the Holy Grail War. He eyed the knife with a small flag attached to it: the Communist Russian flag. Irina was mocking him, but he wouldn't bite her bait. He was smarter than that.
But she had hurt him and he would make her pay before this war was over. He had to go back to homebase. Irina wouldn't just strike here. He had to make sure Irisviel was safe. He had already lost her once in this war. He didn't want to lose her again. He needed to see her. He needed to spend as much time as he could with her, yet it seemed the world conspired against his wishes.
Like it always did.
Kiritsugu gently reached down and picked up what was left of Maiya. He couldn't pick up every piece of her, but he was not going to just leave her like this. She deserved better. He would see to that she had at least a grave.
Now he just needed to get Saber and Beast. They had to make sure, but deep down, he already knew it was too late.
Saber had nearly dragged all of them back to their home base. She didn't want to believe that the base was in danger. Not for one moment. Irisviel had just came back to them. She was safe. Her friend was safe. That was what she kept telling herself. Her heart did moarn Maiya. She seemed like a dependable and well spoken woman but Saber hadn't gotten to know her well.
Irisviel was different. She was her friend and that meant that she would protect her with her life. Thankfully Lancer was with her. No doubt Lancer could keep any threat away. Yes, that had to be it. Lancer had kept her safe and she'd take another one of his legendary drinks. It'd quench her thirst and she could laugh again.
None of them talked on the way there. That would be a waste of energy. They had to run. To race back home. No one wanted to say what was on their minds for their fears could get the better of them. They had to focus.
The moment they reached the house, Saber barged into the house first. If there was still danger about, she would protect her friends and master with her life. Thankfully she didn't sense another servant about. This didn't mean that Assassin wouldn't try to attack. She doubted the servant would given how she acted but a command seal could make Assassin do anything her master wanted.
She could fight Assassin here. The confined space of the building meant that Assassin couldn't use her agility. Her illusions were a bit of trouble and she could escape the house. It wasn't that big, but if the pinned her deep within the abode… oh right, Japanese houses tended to have thinner walls. She could still work with that.
She calmly walked into the house with her sword at the ready. However, before she could make it far into the house, Beast rushed passed her. Saber's eyes widened, "Beast, wait!"
"Lancer!" Beast called out as she raced through the house. "Come out now! Avenger's master…."
There was a sudden pause that unsettled Saber. It was too sudden and quick. The scream that came from the room made her use a Prana Burst to catch up. Saber's form stopped in motion the moment she saw what had caused Beast to scream.
Beast was on her knees before the bleeding bodies of Keyneth and Sola-Ui. Both of their heads had bullet wounds, paining a good portion of the room with their brains. Saber could tell this wasn't recent. Avenger had been here. She just knew it.
"W-We have to find Lancer," Beast sniffled. "He could still be out there. Servants don't just die after their master is killed. We have to look."
"Beast," Joseph ran into the room and turned. He gasped and held up a hand to his mouth, trying to resist the urge to vomit. Kiritsugu said nothing and acted like it was nothing the moment he walked into the room.
"Lancer!" Beast cupped her hands around her mouth. 'Come out right now! This isn't funny!"
"Beast," Saber softly spoke but it was laced with rage. Her form was starting to shake. "Lancer isn't here. He's gone."
"Don't talk like that," Beast turned to glare at her. She stood up. "Don't you dare say that. Lancer wouldn't just lose to Avenger. He couldn't."
"You know as well as I that Avenger isn't to be trifled with," Saber rounded on her. "We lowered our guard and he took advantage of that. He killed Lancer."
"No," Beast shook her head, her breathing becoming erratic. "He can't be gone. He can't be…" She started to shake, tears started to go down her cheeks. Joseph was at her side in an instant and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face into his chest and wept.
Saber turned back towards the dead couple. She balled her hands into fists, "Damn it." Her fist smashed down onto the counter, demolishing it in her rage. "Damn it!" She had failed Ruler. She had failed Irisviel twice now. Even Lancer and his masters. She had failed them to. Was this her life? Constantly failing those she loved and trusted? This was not a life she wished to live but it seemed to never go away.
She turned towards Kiritsugu, "We have to find her."
Kiritsugu nodded, "Finding Irisviel is our top priority. It will take some time-"
"Find her now!" Saber snarled.
Kiritsugu didn't say anything. HIs expression was still that of a blank slate. Saber did not know what went through his mind but honestly, she didn't care. As long as he found Irisviel, he wouldn't be a useless master. He left the room, leaving the group to mourn.
Saber kept staring down at the bodies. She had promised herself that she, Beast, and Lancer would make it to the end. They were a team. Allies. They deserved to see this to the bitter end but now? Lancer was the third death in the war with seven servant still about. It was still so early. He had so much more to do. So much more to say. This was not fair.
Saber gripped the pommel of her sword. A pain erupted in her chest. Lancer was a good man. He always smiled. He was so kind. He did not deserve this. She would make Avenger pay dearly for this. Immensely. He would not walk away from her next time. He was a dead man.
Avenger sat back in his chair in his formal student wear. His Zero suit was dismissed as he was in his private room. He had a lot to think about right now as he rubbed his chin. Tonight had been a success. So much so that a good number of the remaining Russians were celebrating. I mean, why shouldn't they? After the massive failure that was Caster's downfall, they needed something to pick up their spirits.
Tonight had been just that. Lancer and his masters were dead. So was an agent of Kiritsugu's. This gave them more breathing space and weakened Kiritsugu's alliance. This meant they couldn't go on the offensive as much as they used to and would really have to worry about the other factions if they got aggressive. Avenger had to admit though that Lancer wasn't the most powerful servant, his agility could have made him a dangerous foe if pressured and given aid.
Thankfully he was dead. Irisviel was in their possession and that meant that Kiritsugu would be cautious. He knew that Irina was not above killing her. He wouldn't risk anything going awry. Not with his wife in harm's way so that gave them some breathing room.
All in all, everything was going swimmingly. The only things that could mess this up were if everyone joined against him but he highly doubted that. Archer and Assassin had no reason to hate him as Lancer hadn't been with them that long and they were enemies of Kiritsugu's faction. Kirei would love nothing better then to kill that man, so he was safe in thinking that Kirei would rather fight Saber and Beast then him.
Yet with all that going on, he was troubled. It wasn't the battle or the schemes. It was Irisviel. The moment he had seen her, she had reminded him of his dear sister Euphemia. He winced every time he thought about her. He was so stupid back then. So incredibly stupid. He never should have said that. Why did he say that? He was usually on top of things, yet to make the dumbest mistake in history was not in his character. It was like something compelled him to say it.
Maybe he really didn't want the war to end. His hatred of his father and the royal family was immense and part of Japan was in their stranglehold. Of course, given time and a new emperor, it could have changed but the people of Japan would become complacent with the situation. He didn't want that.
So maybe he did do it on purpose, but every time he remembered her sweet smile. How it hurt his friend Suzaku so much after her death. He couldn't imagine doing it again. He couldn't reason with himself that it was for the greater good. It was horrible and disgusting. He would change that and bring her back to life.
Yet Irisviel was just like her. Just as innocent and kind. He could tell all that by just looking at her. That short bit of conversation back during the first night of the war. How her eyes sparkled just like Euphemia's. Hurting her was out of the question. He would make sure his master would get that through her head. Irisviel may not be Euphemia, and he knew that he shouldn't treat her like she was, but this was eating at him.
"Yahoo," Irina shouted as she slammed the door open. He could see a bit of color in her cheeks and a big smile on her face. She obviously had a bit to drink. "Avenger, how're you doing?" She closed the door behind her.
Avenger furrowed his brow. She wasn't wearing her overcoat or much else other than a simple white t-shirt which… didn't do much to hide her impressive bosom. He tried not to think about that. She had a good and strong body which was more pronounced now without all the clothing. He had a lot of experience back with the girls of his world. He coughed into his fist, "I am doing well, thank you Irina."
"Awww," Irina moved closer and leaned down. He chose not to look down to see how her breasts jiggled slightly. "I was so sure you'd be happy too. Is there something wrong?"
"Just thinking about my sister," Avenger honestly said.
Irina frowned, "Ah, should have guessed. I get that same look when I think about my father." She pouted and then smiled.
Avenger gasped when she straddled his waist, "What are you doing?"
Irina giggled and pressed her chest to his, causing him to blush. "You need to relax. We're celebrating tonight."
"I think you need to leave," Avenger spoke, trying his best not to look at her.
Irina pouted and trailed a finger over his chest, "But you used up a lot of mana recently. I want to help you recover and this is the best way."
Avenger's eyes widened. He remembered that little trick about mana regeneration, "That isn't-"
Irina crashed her lips against his. It seemed like she'd get her way after all.
Kirei stared at the corpse of his father. He had placed him in a casket. It wouldn't do to just keep him on the ground. He'd bury him later. He hadn't closed it yet. He wanted to keep looking. The death of his father brought him a strange bit of joy that he couldn't describe. The pain and anguish he saw on his face before he killed him was immensely thrilling. Oh how it sent shivers down his spine.
His father had birthed a monster. He wouldn't deny that. His goal however was still not met. He needed to meet with Kiritsugu, even if it was just a formality. The man must have been like him. A mercenary magus who went to the worst warzones in history and agreed to participate in a Holy Grail War. Only those who sought death went through all of that.
Wasn't he death incarnate? Possibly. Maybe they were both grim reapers who sought out the souls of the innocent and wiped them clean. Either way, Kiritsugu would die by his own hands after he got his answers from him.
He didn't look up immediately when he heard Assassin's growling, "I hope you had a good time at the party."
"Who did this?" Assassin was flexing her claws, looking like she was ready to rip into a poor individual's body and tear it to shreds. Now that he would love to see.
"Given the bullet wounds," Kirei didn't smile as he said that. He wouldn't give himself away. "It was the Russians."
Assassin's eyes widened, "Avenger is responsible?"
"That or his master," Kirei wanted to chuckle. The russians and Avenger were wild cards he didn't like. He needed to get rid of them as they were the biggest obstacle between himself and Kiritsugu. Rider wasn't much of a concern. Even though he was a competitor, his master didn't seem to be taking the initiative. Irina was and that was why she must die.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Assassin snarled. "Avenger has to pay for this. For Ruler."
Kirei nodded, "That he must. Go get Archer. We have a battle to win." Assassin vanished and Kirei let out a smirk. This was far too easy.