A dream.
A face. Soft and beautiful. More breathtaking than any Taiasu has seen in three worlds now. Shoulder-length red hair, though brown at the roots. Beautiful eyes that shine somewhere between brown and green, and a smile that lights up the darkest room.
Or the darkest heart.
The face flashes through his mind like a strobe light. Each time, he can feel his heart twist. Ache. Sob.
Writhe.
This face that should bring joy and happiness is only causing him pain. No, not the face, but the memory of what has happened to the person to whom the face belonged.
A memory that remains fresh, and yet just out of reach.
The first rays of light from the morning sun pierce the veil of sleep. Taiasu shields his eyes, allowing them to adjust comfortably. "Where the hells… oh, right…!"
He sits bolt upright.
The face comes back into his mind, and with it a twisting sensation in his chest, like something trying to crush his heart. His breath falls short as he leans forward, gasping for air. A powerful torrent of emotions tear through his heart and his mind.
Anger. Sadness. Abandonment. Betrayal. Loneliness. Isolation. Misery.
Suffering.
What… is this…?
He clutches a clod of earth between his hands, crushing it in his grip.
I've never… even seen… this person… who the hells… what…
Pain of loss is not a new thing for him. He's lost and had to say goodbye to quite a few friends, but this was something on an entirely different level, made worse by so many unanswered questions.
Who is she? I've never seen her… What happened? Why can't I remember?
Then, as suddenly as it had all come upon him, it fades. He can still remember the face. Almost hear her voice. And the sadness that comes with it, and he has to shake his head to bring himself around.
Come on… get it together… No time for a complete mental breakdown…
"Maybe I should learn to refuse requests," he mutters to himself.
Most of his conversations the past day were with himself.
He then recalls his brief encounter with the silver-haired maiden, that Illyasviel, and her silent, statuesque sentinel, the giant she had called Berserker.
Fitting name…
The giant hadn't spoken a word. Just a single roar followed by a series of slow, powerful attacks.
She seemed nice after that…?
He recalls what she had asked him.
So… what's a Servant… in this context…? And why did she think I was one?
He shakes his head.
Right. First things first…
He executes his first crystal infusion of the day with six distinct clusters in the same manner he had done the preceding night.
Not even sure it's necessary… I feel fine. Better than fine. Well, better than yesterday, anyway…
He shrugs as the light from the clusters wanes, and collects them after the last wisps wink out of existence.
After finding his bearings, he ascends the wall from his resting place, and begins observing the premises. Someone is already awake and moving about in the residence.
That would be Emiya…
Taiasu watches the movement as best he can for a few moments and then moves to the vantage point he had discovered yesterday and waits.
Half an hour later, the girl with the purple hair makes her way in through the main entrance. He watches as she quietly enters the residence, and he continues to watch and wait, his fingers thrumming against his legs in a rhythmic pattern. The teacher, Fujimura, arrives after a time, enters, and… that's it.
Why the hells did he even have me come here?
He hadn't received a complete picture. Just an earnest request and a promise that 'he can handle it', whatever the hell 'it' is. He frowns and sighs again. The teacher leaves first, and the girl leaves a short time later. Taiasu watches as the girl makes her way along the same path she and the boy had taken. By her expression, something weighs on her mind. Some time passes, and then Emiya leaves as well.
Time for me too then, I guess…
Taiasu resumes his covert surveillance.
As he conceals himself, he can't even feel the hit to his aether.
Weird… Maybe I should skip the lunch time infusion?
On reaching the temple intersection, there is some apparent commotion, and the wail of a few sirens.
Taiasu has neither the time to investigate, as Emiya isn't stopping, nor the inclination to do so, and he continues to follow, taking care to avoid the boy's enhanced perception.
They both cross the threshold of the school, and one of Emiya's schoolmates stops him.
"Morning, Emiya."
Ah, Ms. Brown… er, Mitsuzuri, right?
Other than her almost red hair, he hadn't given her any more proper consideration yesterday than he had Tohsaka when he'd first seen her. She wears the same archery outfit that Ms. Purple had donned yesterday. Her eyes are similar in color to Emiya's, somewhere between gold and yellow. She's pretty, yet unremarkable. Not unattractive, but not stunning either. She bears a distinct lack of the feminine charm possessed by her peers.
Nothing wrong with that… just not to my taste… Wait, I have a taste?
Taiasu smirks as he realizes something he never knew about himself.
"Mitsuzuri? You're still dressed like that? Homeroom starts soon. What makes you think you have time to talk to me right now?"
The girl smiles and laughs.
"Cold as always, Emiya. But you're right." Then her brow dips, and her smile vanishes. "Hey… You were just thinking bad about me."
"Not on your life. I was just thinking about an objective truth. How you feel about that is on you, though."
She smirks. "I can't argue with that answer, but only because you didn't give me an answer. You never let your guard down. Shinji could learn a thing or two."
Emiya tilts his head. "Eh? What's he got to do with anything?"
She huffs her arms stick outward as she rests her hands on her waist.
"You guys are friends, right? You're the only guy-friend he's got. I'm the archery club captain, in case you forgot, so it's normal I'd draw a line between a problem member and a problem member that dropped out."
"I guess so…? The club has nothing to do with it, but I can only describe our relationship as… something like an inflamed appendix. Unsavory and inseparable. At least, not without major trauma."
Mitsuzuri frowns again. "Hey, don't speak like that about the club. You got off easy when you left Shinji and quit, but think about those left behind, like Sakura and I, before you talk like that."
As they continue their discussion, Taiasu has to stifle a yawn as his eyes glaze over.
Emiya tilts his head again. "So, what? Did he do something again?"
Mitsuzuri's eyes narrow. "Yeah. Every single day. But what he did yesterday was excessive, even for him. He drove one of the first years out."
"How's that?"
"He had a fit and took it out on the kid. He gathered a gaggle of girls around the poor guy. The kid hadn't even held a bow, and he made him shoot. He'd just laugh at him every time he missed until he hit the target." She shakes her head.
Emiya's eyes widen. "And… you just let that happen!?"
"The hell, I did! I'm just one person. Even the captain can't always be there, you know that."
Emiya stumbles back a bit, then catches himself.
"That's… fair… Sorry. Seriously though, what was he thinking? He may be harsh with his teaching, but I never thought he'd pick on someone like that."
Mitsuzuri sighs. "I don't know why I'm surprised you'd think like that."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're thinking bad about me, aren't you?"
The girl smirks. "Nope. Just considering an objective truth. How you feel about it is on you."
"Fine, I had that coming… But what about Shinji? Do you know why he was being like that?"
Taiasu frowns.
Because he's an insufferable little twit?
"Well, I think he got a harsh rejection from Tohsaka. At least, that's what I heard, anyway."
Emiya's mouth goes slack. "Tohsaka… You mean, that Tohsaka?"
Mitsuzuri laughs. "Know any others? The honor student from class 2-A, Miss Perfect, Tohsaka Rin."
"Never heard her called that before…" Emiya mutters.
She shrugs. "Anyway, he's been like that since yesterday. That's why I've been stuck there today, to make sure he doesn't pull any crap like that again."
The boy sighs. "Do your best, Mitsuzuri. I know he's hard to deal with, but he should settle down soon."
"Sure, until he asks Ms. Perfect out and gets shot down again." Mitsuzuri frowns. "Who knows what comes after that."
Emiya shakes his head. "No chance he'll try that again. He's not that thick."
"Yeah, but what's he supposed to do if she keeps coming around? You wouldn't know, but Tohsaka has been coming around quite a bit. But it might be good for his attitude if he gets a reality check now and then."
Emiya winces. "That seems kind of harsh…"
He opens his mouth to speak some more, but the girl stops him.
"I think we're out of time for a chat. You should come by and see my skills when you have time." With that, she runs off.
Emiya mutters a bit, and heads off as well, with Taiasu invisibly in tow.
Class proceeds apace with little of note transpiring.
Emiya, along with many other students, leaves the classroom when lunch rolls around and Taiasu remains in lock step.
They arrive at a modest sized room the small man doesn't recognize, but on entering he sees someone he does recognize—the boy with the glasses, Ryuudou.
Both Emiya and Ryuudou situate themselves at one of the several tables, and begin eating. As the smells waft past his nose, Taiasu has to hold his stomach to prevent it from growling.
Wait… When did I even eat last?
He frowns, remembering the cold, half-eaten fettuccine.
Even cold, it would be better than this…
Ryuudou's face has a small frown as he looks between his lunch and that of his associate. "Emiya, could I trouble you for some of your fried chicken?"
"I don't mind, but why is your lunch so… lacking? I know you live in a temple, but that's not a part of it, is it?"
He sighs, looking down. "No such thing. It's just how my father is. Basically, he's trying to push asceticism on me. I'm thinking of running away to join the circus." Ryuudou's words that sound like a joke are delivered with a dry and flat tone.
"Sounds like him. Anyway, just remember this for next time." He points to the chicken on its way toward Ryuudou's mouth. "Make sure to repay that debt."
"Of course. It's a part of my training, after all." He offers a shallow bow before devouring the chicken. After finishing that, Ryuudou presses the conversation forward. "Did you know about what happened at 2nd avenue? Near where we part on the way home?"
Emiya looks up, but his mouth is full, so he just arches his eyebrow.
"I don't know much about it, but from what I heard there was a murder. Several, actually. An entire family of four, except for the youngest child."
His tone is quite casual, but his words make Emiya's face pale, and he stops chewing.
Taiasu can feel his appetite wane.
What a thing to talk about over lunch… Jeez.
"The odd thing is the weapon was something long and sharp, but not like a knife."
Getting over the initial shock, Emiya swallows hard. He looks at Ryuudou, frowning, his eyebrows drawn inward to a point.
"… Did they catch them? The murderer?"
"It doesn't seem so. Between this and the accidents from faulty infrastructure, things like a curfew are only…? Emiya?" Ryuudou stops talking.
"No… it's nothing…" the boy lies, shaking his head.
"I was just surprised by your expression. Sorry… talking about this at lunch was thoughtless of me." Ryuudou offers a contrite apology.
The entrance of a stern-looking man into the room ends the gruesome conversation.
This guy…?
It was the same man who had come in after homeroom yesterday. Wearing glasses, a green suit coat, pants and tie, with a white dress shirt, his hair running a gradient between black and gray, and his eyes a piercing gray color.
"Excuse me, is Ryuudou here?" the stern-looking man asks in a flat tone.
Taiasu's eyes widen.
No… Not again… Not… now!
The moment the man's voice reaches his ears, he can feel another resonance event starting. There's no time to even consider a viable hiding place.
He can see a forest on a mountain. Icy rain falls from the sky.
It's not like the last one… Or maybe it is? I can't even tell anymore…
Even though he has no form, he can feel the cold. Even though he's not here, he still feels the damp rain soaking into his very being, forcing from him a violent tremor.
He sees a girl, a woman in a long purple cloak with a hood concealing her face. He can just make out her light blue hair. Her eyes remain concealed. Under the robe is a long, purple, form-fitting dress. She lies on the ground, covered in blood, and in her hand she holds a strange-looking weapon. A dagger, but far too unwieldy looking for typical combat. Rather than being straight, the blade zigs and zags. The color suggests it's not even forged, but cut from some form of crystal.
Most impractical.
Who's this… Who did the Echo…!
A detached, almost atonal voice ends Taiasu's pondering.
"What are you doing there?"
The source of the voice pulls in his attention. If he'd had form, he'd have gasped. The man who had entered the student council room is the man who is speaking to this woman in his vision now.
It's resonating with him, then.
He watches the scene as it continues to unfold.
The woman loses consciousness, and the man lifts her limp form, carrying her with him through the forest.
The scene dissolves, and another takes the place of it. A well kept shrine. A small part of a much larger temple complex, by what he can see. They stand on the wooden floor amongst the many pillars which support the roof of the structure. An open air structure without walls, but a few wooden guard rails serve as guides for those who come visit to remain on the pathway into and around the shrine's open design.
Taiasu strokes his chin. Or he would if he had one here.
The woman wakes up to find the man still watching over her.
"So you've awakened. Can you tell me your circumstances?" He continues to speak in a detached and formal fashion, betraying not a hint of emotion.
The woman only stares up at him. Her hood is no longer up, so Taiasu can make out her features. Her eyes match her light blue hair, which is much longer than one could tell if they were considering her appearance while her hood was still up. Her ears, like Taiasu's, are quite distinct. Unlike his rounded ears, hers come to a point. They also do not protrude so much and are serving well in enhancing her comeliness.
Yes, like many of the women he's seen since arriving in this world, this one is also quite fetching.
She doesn't answer the man who carried her. She only stares at him, eyes wide and form trembling.
"You can go home if I did something bothersome. If you wish for me to forget this night, then it will be so."
"No…" The first word the woman speaks is a refutation of his offer. "This is fine…"
The woman then speaks of many things, all of which fly so far over Taiasu's head they break escape velocity on their way out of the solar system.
A Holy Grail, Servants, Masters. She calls herself Caster. She speaks of having killed her master, and that she was about to disappear when the man had found her.
Killed her… Master? She doesn't seem like a bad person… Why would she do that?
As the woman finishes her unbelievable story, which Taiasu finds also incomprehensible, she asks the man a simple question.
"Do you believe such a story?"
Had he a form, Taiasu wouldn't have known whether to nod his head, or shake it.
I don't know if I believe it or not, but I damn sure don't get it…
"Was that a lie?" the man asks, his tone unchanged.
The woman offers only a single, solemn shake of her head. She extends her hand out toward him.
"I need… you to be with me tonight."
She says something even more unbelievable. The man's expression changes. The first and only time Taiasu has seen it change during what has felt like several hours. And it's so brief that the only reason he knows it changed is because the man only ever wears the same expression.
"I can… I must ask, though…"
He reaches out toward the woman.
"Do you prefer I be kind, or do you prefer I be rough?"
Ah… ah! I'd like to leave now, please…!
The Echo acquiesces as the man takes the woman into his embrace.
'Phew… That was… oh fu—!'
Taiasu comes out of the resonance just in time to avoid seeing a particularly intimate moment between the woman and the man. The same man who is now towering over and staring down at him.
Emiya is kneeling down, hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him.
He'd collapsed against the wall, and as last time, his concealment had failed the moment he found himself fully at the Echo's mercy.
Ryuudou is also aware of his presence and giving his full attention.
I'm screwed. So screwed. I've got these swords, nobody in this world carries weapons. This can't be legal. I hope the prison cells are comfy…
"He's coming around," Emiya says, sighing with relief.
The teacher nods, then speaks.
"Child, where are your parents."
"Child? Hey, I'm—"
Taiasu bites down on his tongue to keep himself from finishing the stupid thing he was about to say.
They think I'm a kid…? Maybe I can still get out of this…
He hops to his feet and offers a shallow bow. "Sorry, I got lost looking for them. I didn't mean to disturb your meeting." He inches toward the still open door. "I can find them on my own, thanks for—"
"Why are you dressed like that?" Ryuudou asks, his head tilted to the side.
"Ah… this is a prop. My parents have me doing amateur stage performances as a hobby."
This is the stupidest story ever, no way they buy it…
"Are your parents' teachers here?" the teacher asks.
Taiasu shakes his head a couple times.
"Not… teachers… They moved here recently and were trying to plan for my future. We were looking at schools to decide which to attend."
"Schools? This is a high-school," Emiya cuts in.
Crap! I don't know what a high-school is! It must mean a school for older kids.
"Emiya. The child said his parents are planning for his future, so that must include his future schooling as well," Ryuudou says, sighing.
Taiasu nods eagerly.
Oh, thank every god. Okay, small man. Speak less, speak a lot less.
Emiya scratches the back of his head. "Okay… but why would they bring him here… dressed like that?"
Ryuudou nods in agreement. "More than that, who would dress their child like that."
Oh damn, oh gods, oh crap…
"What… would I know. I'm just a kid, doing what my parents say…" Taiasu says through clenched teeth. "And I need to go find them. I'm sorry for disturbing your lunch! Please excuse me!"
With that, he gives no chance for response as he runs from the room as fast as his short legs permit, forgetting that his short legs can carry him much faster than legs of that sort should.
Emiya pokes his head out of the room, seeing the child turning a corner at the end of the hall just a few seconds after he had bolted. A corner that is at least twenty meters from the door out through which he had just rushed.
That's… definitely not normal.