"That was ludicrous."
Kiritsugu muttered to the empty room. These Gods.. they were toying with him. It was laughable, really. Just as he expected, they were just as fickle as humanity. They attempted to leave no room for victory. Their loss' were meant to weed the participants out faster. Had his son not saw through Loki's master trickery with his clairvoyance- they would have fallen to his challenge. Ridiculous.
It was clear now, just how far he and Shirou had to go to secure their victory in the tournament. With him being lackluster in the appropriate skills necessary to fight full on Gods, and Shirou unable to utilize his magic without completely tiring himself, they would need to result in his original tactics. It was a shame, the boy he had come to raise had believed him to be a righteous man, but had yet to really see how he fought and killed. It had actually created quite the argument, when he realized how he manipulated their little teammates in that ship war.
That boy, he was a good kid in the end. He had done something right, in his ways of teaching. Unfortunately, there was no reason for him to be better, as he begged him to be. He was always the type of man to do what was necessary for his means, even if it meant playing downright dirty. This was definitely no different, in a tournament that seemed anything but fair to its participants in the Underworld, no less.
Kiritsugu sucked in a drag of the bud of his cigarette, and let lose a stream of smoke from his lips. His leg hung over the other, as he leaned back into the plush sofa. The room was eerily quiet, only the sound of water running in the bathroom as Shirou cleansed himself making a sound. Cold, dark eyes studied the spin of the ceiling fan. He began sorting through his next plans, when an array of dust interrupted his thoughts.
"I see you live up to your reputation, Magus Slayer," the sly voice cooed, "I was correct in my assumption that you would create quite a show."
The cigarette left his lips in a slow motion at the figure that materialized before him. This was a striking turn of events. Never did he think he would be visited by such a presence. He remained collected, smearing the tip of the remnants of the cig into the ashtray on the nightstand beside him. His empty, onyx eyes narrowed, full of suspicion,
"You... What business do you have here?"
The form glided across the room, tediously examining the merchandise he had purchased from the market in the Hotel. His gracious hands lifted a ceramic bowl that he examined thoroughly before offering Kiritsugu a wry smile,
"I have means that I need accomplished, but there is a persistent wrench being thrust into them." He carefully places the object back into its rightful place on the furniture. Strolling leisurely to harass more of his belongings, he went on, "Tell me, how do you suppose we make a deal?"
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
That was a definite surprising turn of affairs. After some generous leverage, the spirit had finally left. Not a moment too soon, as the running stream of water had abruptly stopped. His victory was now almost guaranteed. He inferred it was not wise to entirely bet everything finished, despite this specific encouragement. The soul could not entirely be trusted. Now the question was if it were smart to indulge his idealist son on the matter that just occurred before him..
The watch hummed, rattling on the surface of the night stand. Adjusting the collar of his black suit, he stood and meandered to the bathroom door. Nonchalantly leaning his back to the corner of the door, he informed his son to be ready to give a short speech. They were not allowed to go on about the specifics of their match, but rather their strategies and how they felt about their win.
"Haaah...?" Shirou exasperated loudly in confusion among the steam that heated the washroom. After ruffling the towel through his scarlet spikes, he in a frenzy, wrapped the blue fabric around his waist. "What for?"
"Our victory against Loki. Apparently, we are appearing with the other victors. Precisely in one hour." His son's groan escaped through the door between them and a smirk curled at the corner of his lip. It was a tedious effort, with no real reason... All for good entertainment, as his new informant - and inconspicuous ally - relayed to him moments ago.
Shirou, splayed his palms flat on the enameled steel of the sink, and glimpsed the white forming in his messy hair. He wanted more than anything some time in between to rest after their match against Loki. He was pushed beyond his limitations, and five hours was not enough time recollect himself. Now he had to appear before a crowd to boast about that suffering win? It was nonsensical, even after their Healers had dealt their handiwork on his handicaps.
Dressed in a simple white t-shirt and shorts, Shirou exited into their room that still lingered with the smell of smoke and met his father with a faint smile. He collapsed onto the bed, and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. What would they say in front of the crowd? Would they ask them questions? Kiritsugu's nonchalant shrug had him covering his eyes with one arm.
Kiritsugu was much colder than he had remembered, and it made him second guess the image of his father he once knew and looked up to. At every angle and turn, he's had to argue over his backhanded ways of handling things. All he could do was stop him from going too far when things got messy, otherwise, he did understand why he had to be that way, here. He drops his arm. It was no use thinking about that now.
As they come up with their sham of a speech, something gnawed at the back of Kiritsugu's deliberation of what to do next in the upcoming tournament trials. Having information on what each round will consist of now, there were things he said that did not add up. How would these things lead to the goal of that conniving soul? It was too peculiar not to investigate, so while they played along with their little alliance, he was sure, he and Shirou would be on the winning side of things.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The crowd was as exuberant as always, cheering as their Panel entered one by one, with the exclusion of Dolos and Athena, in a series of flower petals and flashy notions. The grand cast of the other side's people chanted in bleachers around the stadium, furthering their happiness all the while the frustrations of Haley. She would never get over their unanimous enjoyment of their deepened struggles to compete to save their souls. Now they were to stand before them, engage in their stupid humiliation of boasting about their wins? She couldn't understand it. Simply surviving their wretched methods of torture was not her vision of, "victory".
Waiting for Briscella's signal to enter the Arena from the stands, she and Diarmuid sat, filled with distaste for the unfathomable array of winners alongside them. The tension was not easily split even by the strongest among them. Haley stunk with worry, as her Knight's control was wavering between curse filled rage, and control of oneself. She was thinking of how best to soothe his fits. If he could just ignore their presence, and get through this little escapade...
Diarmuid gritted his teeth attempting to disregard the circle of victors he was a part of. To his far right, that blasted Kiritsugu leaned against the wall, hands shoved in his trousers pockets accompanied by that kid who fought beside him. To his left, the witch Medea and her.. well, whatever the man was to her. There was also that strange duo of a young woman and man that his Master had mentioned she recognized from the introductions long past.
Then there was his ultimate betrayal, as furthest away as possible. It was barely within his power to hold down the rage that seeped through his clamped fingers. The light feeling in his chest gone, replaced with relentless indignation. His teeth were practically cracking under pressure from how hard he ground them together. Kayneth, no longer handicapped, seemed alone, which he believed a costly mistake.
A steady hand softly overlapped his own and gave a reassuring squeeze,
"Easy... I'm here. Just focus on me... okay?"
He released the clench of his jaw, and attempted to swallow his agitation, which proved highly difficult. The one thing he was known for was keeping his cool in the lengths of battle, surely he could suppress it. He sucked in a breath, and leveled his gaze with the lady beside him. He returned her tender smile with his own. The benevolence that hugged her appearance steadily replaced the ferocious pounding of his heart with an assuaged feeling instead.
Guilt washed over, he has always passed on his troubles regarding his curse to her. He needed to be in command of his sensitivities, otherwise all of her time would be of waste,
"I apologize, my Lady... I must do better, no, I will do better." Her giggle lacked mockery, but instead was sweet like candy,
"Oh shoosh. You're doing just fine. They haven't met your wrath, which shows your restraint," she pat the muscle in his chest, "That's a good thing."
Still stifling with the wretched burning of the curse's impulses, he nods in agreement. She was indeed correct. Thinking back, in his previous bits of rage, he had... well, she had suffered for it. If he could of done that to her at the time, he could only imagine the result if it were Kiritsugu or Kayneth in her place. He was to ask her if she had come to pass her fear of him from that time when, the blaring of Bercella calling them all to center stage, cut his inquiry.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Nine wooden chairs in a circle laid out at the center of the Arena, waited for them to take their seats. Observers lined the corners, waiting for any of them to take action on one another. They were to be in such close proximity to their enemies, and he was unsure how comfortable he felt being that one of them reeked of murderous intent. That Diarmuid spirit still harbored a strong grudge against his father, and he felt it rightfully so knowing their... connection to each other. Another repercussion of Kiritsugu's cruel past, and he aimed to get revenge from what he could tell.
Then there was Medea, the caster class servant from the fifth Holy Grail war. She was his personal enemy, and when they had gone to defeat her- she had been defeated by true Assassin, after... Shirou's eyes drifted to his former teacher, Souichirou had been mutilated. There were so many ghosts from their pasts in this tournament and he was glad his father had found a way to mitigate at least one of them onto his side, even if it were temporary.
Planting his rear on the hardwood chair, Kiritsugu surveyed the surrounding company. It was a shit show. To think his son's enemies, and his own were sitting around them like a campfire. Too bad there was no song, and the only fire was in the belly of the beast across from him. Strangely enough, the blood he vividly remembered being across both his eyes, only stained one, and was no longer in its entirety like before.
"Now, that the previous Forsaken have finished their punishment games," Briscella started and Haley's head perked, had... already finished their games? Wait, it had only been a few hours since the Boss battles had ended... did they really thrust them into battle that soon after? The warning from Ozzard... was that why said not to get too injured from their fight? Had he really given them such a warning? "We must hear how you all prevailed so well against our Elite! Please come forth, Medea and her Forsaken Souichirou, and tell us!" Briscella called, waving her hand at the scowling, elf eared woman.
Listening to the impish woman speak of her ability as a Heroic Spirit set off alarm bells. She was in her prime, and not a copy of herself, since exiting the Throne of Heroes during its leakage. Her open admittance was dangerous. Shirou whispered that the Counter Force had close eyes on her according to the information he heard from his future self. He grunted, after her cocky exterior finally left the platform, purple hair swaying behind her, they were called Briscella woman, who was agitating to say the least, compelled him to speak, in light of his son over their grand victory.
He casually glanced around the panel of judges and met eyes with all of them. The golden Heroic Spirit King snarled, seemingly remembering him. According to his son- he stuck around the living world long after his service in the fourth Grail War, retaining his memories even after being swallowed by the Shadow. The contempt he most likely held for him was probably equal to or greater than that of Diarmuid, since he ordered Saber to destroy the Grail during their final fight.
"The victory was brought forth through my strenuous planning, and my son's wonderful abilities. We won't be discussing them, as there are clear competitors surrounding us, but let's just say it played a key part in taking the upper hand."
Briscella nodded happily, agreeing notably for them being the smartest victory among the gathered,
"Tell us, do you believe you and your Detainer can win over the remaining competition?"
Kiritsugu circled the competition with his eyes, and readied to attempt another scheme. It would be interesting if it should work. Meeting the eyes of his informant he titled his head to his chest,
"Yes, I believe we can. This competition is a farce in terms of adversaries. Sure, we have Heroic Spirits to fight, but given past experiences," He sideways glanced the ticking time bomb that he targeted his next words to, "The pride of Heroes is easily trampled on."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Diarmuid was not sure why those simple words were trigger enough to sway his composure. The smug grin on the bastard's face and the way his eyes targeted him, only fueled the flame in his heart hotter. He was driven only by the hate slithering in his boiling stature that erupted like a kettle. He raised from his seat.
"For crying out loud!" His Master's limited patience intercepted his advancement, catching him off guard by the sheer outrage in her voice, "Seriously, what the hell did Diarmuid ever do to you!?"
The chair tumbled behind Haley, as she shot out of it, her fists trembling at her sides. Her and Diarmuid had enough on their plate with her bounty, Loki, and this entire tournament to have one of the competitors antagonize them over petty nonsense.
Ah, so it was the woman who would be the one to react, he could work with that. Kiritsugu pressed his eyes together calmly, pretending to show little interest in her outburst. "What are you talking about, girl?"
"Don't think I missed the way you looked at Diarmuid when you said those last few words," She barely let out a breath, but her senses tinged with confusion and worry from the surrounding company. She didn't care. Even if the entire Arena thought her to be insane, she would call out Kiritsugu on his nonsense. Even if not a soul understood his game, she was going to make sure he knew that she clearly did. "Your demeanor stinks of provocation and it's directed entirely at him! His pride and honor is what makes him ten times a better person than you ever will be!"
Medea crossed her arms across her chest as she leaned lazily into the back of her chair. Well this was certainly interesting and unexpected. That Haley character clearly believed his intentions were aimed directly to her Forsaken. For what purpose did that even serve? She questioned this scenario with a raise of her eyebrows and Souichirou answered her with a shrug.
Chuckling, Kiritsugu goaded them further, "Girl, that pitifully retired Knight and his shattered honor is not worth my time."
"Come on, old Man, stop instigating them," Palms up, Shirou patted the air. What was the point of him galling them for? This is the second time he personally went after them in some way. What was his deal?
The heat rushed to Haley's ears, and she bit back a scowl. Really, he was pitiful, now? What other slights did he having hiding in his closet for them? She searched her brain for any sort of witty retort, but came up emptier than the blank eyes on their intimidator. With nothing else to say, she reeled in her outburst and readied to sit until she stumbled over hard wood. Her head sung, and the clear view of the ceiling reminded her the chair toppled over.
Pathetic. That was his Detainer? He could have done better. She was nothing short but a little girl, bewitched just as in his legend. The nerve of his former Servant. It was despicable how he continued to ravish in his lust and even here- have a lady under his spell. Now, he had to sit and compete with him yet again, and listen to his useless rubble. Couldn't he just meet his damn end, already? There was planning Kayneth had to do, and this little interview for the crowd needed to conclude.
It was unmistakable, they weren't the craziest duo there, after all. Laughable! The bickering, oh the bickering, ever so entertaining. Elicia clapped her hands, her laughter not containable, anymore. Her dear husband, Rolfe, gripped her hand shook it with delight, joining in on her hysterics.
"Well, at least the interruptions have silenced themselves," Briscella said with a boisterous leap across the air followed with guffaws in the crowd, "Now, shall we continue?"
If anyone could turn his hopeless fits around; it was his wondrous Master. The angst in her voice when she questioned that bastard, and the way she defended his honor... it had stilled his heart. Her eruption diverted his irate behavior that would have handed them a senseless conclusion in their fight. How silly she looked was how foolish he felt for letting such a nonsensical comment ignite such carelessness. He held out his hand to the overturned woman whose scene almost had himself in a fit of laughter also,
"The brevity in your words was quite endearing, but such delivery is not worthy of it, my Lady." Diarmuid whispered offering her a wink, with his most boisterous smile, "But you have my thanks."
As humiliating as that spectacle was, she could only find herself laughing too. Especially when even Diarmuid could poke fun at her for it. She flipped the chair back and sat, tuckered out from the stress that was this simple interview.
Sitting through the rest of victors was a pain, but was also informative. Haley figured that while this was for the audiences pure entertainment and wanting to hear more from the teams capable of bringing down the God's of the tournament- she considered it was also to give advantages over the "top" competitors. There was no doubt in her mind that aside from that naughty, crazed couple, that the surrounding champions were doing the same.
Finally their turn, Haley kept it simple. They won because of their careful strategy they planned with the information given to them from the key. They did their best to manipulate the situation around them. Of course there was more to it, like the hint given to them from one of their sponsors, and the sheer capability of her healing. Or how Diarmuid was responsible for most of their success with his quick thinking. However, all this would remain their own little hidden gems.
"Of course! That definitely fits with your match. Now tell us, quickly, what of that little squabble earlier? Would you care to explain that?"
She froze and met the stare stained with unease in Diarmuid's eyes. It should of been obvious that the scene she created would easily find its way back into conversation. She had to be quick witted, say something that will shut this discussion down,
"Stomping on a hero's pride... it felt personal because..." She hiccuped. Nope, she was not handling this right but had to run with it and hope to escape the trap of further questions, "Our pride is all that we have, sometimes." She hung her head, "Even in this tournament- even if the end is bleak... We pride ourselves to be better, to do better, and if someone attacks and wrecks those precious feelings.. well..." She lingered, thinking of what Diarmuid's pride as Knight meant to him. How it was all stripped away from him time and time again and the hopelessness he felt because of it, "What else does one have, after that? Nothing, and that is... an end worse than death."
It was with great fervor, that his hand held hers. Those words were geared toward him, with pure sentiment and heart for his inner turmoils. Her head lifted slightly, tilting towards his so she could gift him a sweet smile as she squeezed his hand. What had he done, to have someone who would defend his core values so valiantly? His heart began to race, and his breaths hitched...
Briscella smiled,
"Something like that is indeed precious, necessary, even. I see, I see, well," She glanced to the panel members and was given the shake of the head to not further press the question that followed after such a statement. Her attention gleamed back to the lot of competitors, "That is all we have time for, today."
Haley dropped a relieved sigh, and the stampede of her heart slowed to a regular pace. Thank goodness. She was worried she would follow up with why Kiritsugu would target their pride personally like that, if her outburst were correct. She was not ready to answer that question without opening doors she was sure Diarmuid and even herself; wanted to keep sealed tightly. Plus, it was almost certain she'd be giving insight to his curse that lingered. If she did, she was sure the enemy could easily take advantage of that as Kiritsugu had just tried.
Immediately dispelling form his chair, Kayneth bowed to his superiors and waved on an Observer to get him the hell out of there. While it was wonderful gaining knowledge on his enemies, he had places he'd rather be. Just witnessing this ordeal told him he had to redo his strategy. He had an idea for his Detainer, that he was sure this would progress them pleasantly. Tch... his Detainer... that man and his obsession with the girl was either going to break him, or win him everything.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Diarmuid trailed Kayneth's rushed exit, not forgetting his presence was also among them. It was strange, why had his Detainer not joined them? The quick mention they were unavailable from Briscella was odd indeed. They passed over it so quickly, he definitely assumed something was amiss there. He was suspicious of it, quite frankly.
Scanning the fellow contenders as they left, he sized up their potential against them. Most were doable, and most he had experience with before. That was either a blessing, or a hindrance depending on their own plans against him. The Grail removing memories of past summons rectified the situation he and his Master were in now. Ah well, it was best not worry. He would take them on as the time came, and with how the tournament had been doing things- he was more worried for the challenges than his opponents.
Anyhow, he glanced at the panel that discussed among themselves. The group that was defeated by the lot that left, had two souls missing the entire time. Dolos... was it.. and Athena seemed to be absent. He began to ponder why, when his Master hooked her arm under his,
"Ready to go...?" He offered her a generous smile and nodded. Maybe he was thinking too much into whom was or wasn't present on the stage, but he would not entirely dismiss it.
The door clanked heavily behind them, and Haley slid down the metal to the hard floor. She blew a raspberry, and looked up to her Knight,
"You did good, back there. Your control over what the curse does to your emotions has come a remarkable way."
He joined her, sitting closely to her side and crossed his legs. That was not entirely true,
"Not quite... I had almost broken down but..." He ran his fingers through his raven hair, "It was you that leveled me." She cocked her head at his statement, clearly confused, "My Lady... your challenge to Kiritsugu's jab towards me snapped me back into reality. Thank you."
Haley linked her arm under his and rested her temple on his shoulder. She would do it, time and time again for him. He was worth so much more than that monster could ever care to appreciate. She wanted him to know that, but when he pulled his arm from her, to instead ensnare it over her shoulder to press her further into his side, she... was not sure what to say.
His head sloped to catch hers, "Would it... be too bold to continue like this, even if for a little while?"
She pulled at the fabric on his t-shirt. No, this.. was fine, even if her heart stammered to find the correct rhythm. It was... a strange feeling that she welcomed, however dubious she was of it. She released his shirt and hugged his waist, sighing into his shoulder. Yeah, she could be fine with this, even for a little while.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"That was all you could muster from him?" The agitated figure said, folding their arms across their chest, "The whole point was to erupt much more madness in that scenario."
"It seems he is not as broken as you described him," Kiritsugu stated simply, lighting the tail of his cigarette to bring delicately to his lips, "I believe that to be in your error, not mine."
His informant hissed, and gazed over the rooftop to the Coliseum afar, "Seems so. No matter, there is something we can do about that." the person pressed their eyes closed, "Things shall continue as planned. Be sure to rest, as the next battle will be a long one."
Kiritsugu blew a stream of smoke, and nodded as they departed. Their little encounter was brief, but he knew what he had to do next, not only for their plan, but for his own as well. He turned his head up, gazing at the stars. Their next challenge... survival of the fittest, eh? Well, he was not worried. With who he had in the background, all would go as planned, and he was going to rather enjoy it.