Morning has come, and with morning came breakfast for another day. Inside the Matou home, everybody was eating the fine breakfast Shirou had made for them all. Eating it with glee as the taste satisfied them all, with only Rider not joining them due to keeping a watch out. Though in Shirou's opinion, while just a guess, he felt she was just uncomfortable around many people.
'A bit of a shame.' Shirou thought as he ate his breakfast. 'I thought maybe I could get her input on the meal.'
Either way, at the very least everybody else was enjoying the food. Shinji quickly grabbed seconds with Musashi getting fourths. Thank goodness the Matou home had plenty of funds to buy their food, otherwise Shirou would never have been able to make this much. Although there was one person that seemed to be missing.
"Hey, Shinji." Shirou spoke to his friend. "Where's your grandfather? I thought he lived with you." Then for a moment he saw Shinji flinch with Sakura doing the same. After a bit, Shinji spoke.
"Um...grandfather is usually busy with work...So he doesn't really eat breakfast with us." Shinji then whispered, "Thankfully."
Nearby, Sakura internally agreed.
"Hm. A shame." The ignorant Musashi says. "Eating with family is good. Though I wonder, what does your grandfather do?"
"That's true." Ozpin thought the same. "Just what kind of job does your grandfather do?"
This time it was Sakura that spoke. A bit nervously however, and rather slow. "He...Simply runs some old businesses with partners. Nothing more." Of course what Sakura said was an utter lie. Truth be told, neither of the Matou siblings actually knew what Zouken did other than his magecraft. Not that they had any intentions to find out of course.
"He sounds like a good man." Ozpin said, though looked a bit confused when Shinji scoffed.
"Moving topics aside," Shinji then decided to change the flow of conversation. Not wanting to continue speaking of that damn worm that he was related to. "So when will Tohsaka get here? I was under the impression she needs to be here so we can start our plan."
"Maybe we should go to her house then." Musashi suggests as she slurps down another bowl. "I mean, unless someone has her phone number."
"Doubtful." Shinji rolls his eyes. "That girl doesn't even have a phone. So no contacting her."
"Then I guess we'll walk." Shirou says as he finishes his meal and starts grabbing the dirty dishes. "We'll speak to her about our…" Shirou eyes Sakura. Not wanting her to get involved, and so far has been able to fool her into thinking they were just doing a project together. "School project in visiting Issei's home."
Sakura just smiled at him. "Then good luck senpai." She grabs her own dishes. "I'll just start cleaning up here."
"Yeah. You do that." Shinjui says making Shirou give a slight glare at him causing Shinji to back off a bit. Really, that guy.
"Then I suppose we should get going." Ozpin stands up, then walks to Shirou and leans a bit to his ear. Whispering, "Though, what should we do about your friend?" Shirou looks confused, so Ozpin elaborated further. "This place was already attacked before, and it may be possible it can happen again."
Damn, he's right. Illya attacked already, and if she comes then Sakura could be endangered. Being just lucky with her last time. They needed someone to stay here just in case. "Then we can leave either Saber or Rider here." Shirou says to Ozpin before looking at Shinji and goes to him. Telling him, "Think you can have Rioder stay here?"
"Huh. Why?"
"Because someone needs to keep watch over the house in case Illya comes back. I don't want Sakura to be here alone." Shinji scowled a bit, not liking to have to send his Servant away from him and protect her of all people. Still, it wasn't as if he needed her right now. Not to mention Saber will be with them, so that meant they weren't undefended.
"Tch. Fine." Shinji relents with Shirou glad that there will be someone to watch over Sakura in the shadows, just in case. Shinji then gets up and moves toward the door. "Come on. Let's just get this over with."
So with that everybody finished their food, put their plates away and then left, leaving behind Sakura with Rider to watch over them. As for Saber herself, once they went outside she began watching over them from the rooftops while the three men began their walk towards Tohsaka's house. Along the way thought, Shinji began asking Ozpin some questions.
"So, I got a bit of understanding what aura is from Emiya. But I want to hear it from you. What exactly can aura do?"
"Well, not too different from what I already told you two." Ozpin tells them. "Physical function is increased, a defense shield surrounding you with enough practice. The capability of increasing the durability of items you hold and even heightened perspectives with the possibility of a power being gained. A semblance."
"...I expected more, but I suppose it isn't all bad." Shinji admits as he looks at his hands, clenching them. "Though I don't really feel any different."
"Ozpin said it takes time for you to feel the effects." Shirou tells his fellow Master. "But trust me, it works. I got hit by Berserker and while it hurt like hell, I began healing up."
"Woah, what?" Shinji was shocked. "You took a hit from that ape and survived?!"
"Er, to be fair, Berserker wasn't serious." Shirou says as he knew if Berserker wanted him dead, then he'd be dead. "But still, it's pretty neat. I can feel myself moving faster too."
"Yes, from where I come from, aura aids us in facing certain enemies." The Grimm particularly on Remnant. They had brute strength that could match Huntsmen, and were absolute terrors in the battlefield. Aura changed that alongside Dust, to give humanity a chance at survival.
"Hmph." Shinji just huffed. "Well...I suppose it's still neat." He'd rather be shooting Gandr's and hypnotizing people, but he supposed being super strong and having a healing power isn't all bad. Plus if he's lucky, he'll gain this Semblance power proving how superior he was to other regular people.
"You of course will need to train later though." Ozpin then tells Shinji and Shirou. "As I said before, aura increases all your physical power. Meaning soon enough, you'll need to concentrate to ensure you don't accidentally hurt regular people."
"Right." Shirou nodded in understanding. He's seen what Ozpin could do, and how strong he was compared to other people. He probably had to focus so when he shaked a person's hand, he didn't crush it. Soon enough, the same could be said for Shirou and Shinji too.
"Especially for you Matou." Ozpin then looks at Shinji. "While Emiya has about average for aura, you seem to have slightly above average meaning you'll be a bit stronger."
"Stronger." Instead of looking worried, hearing those words instead made Shinji feel...satisfaction. 'I'm...better than Emiya.' Shinji had to do his best to not smile as he couldn't help but feel joy that someone was actually complimenting him.
As they moved though, two people walked past them where they heard some interesting news.
"-true? That some girl got attacked by a bunny?"
"Oh yeah, definitely." The other person said. "Word on the street is creatures made of bone are coming out. Like a horror film."
"Just what's going on in this city?"
"Yeah. Because it's definitely not stupid gas leaks as the officials keep saying. Morons."
When the two people left, Shirou gritted his teeth. "So much for magecraft being kept under wraps."
"It happens." Shinji shrugs. "Despite the Association doing their best, sometimes their excuses are rather poor." As such, not everybody is stupid enough to believe their lies." Not that it mattered of course considering that nobody had any proof either of what was truly going on. As such, even if there are those smart enough to see through the Association's cover stories, with no evidence to back their talk the mass majority of the crowds will just think it is what they were told.
"Still though, these monsters prowling around...are we certain this isn't Caster's doing. A form of trickery." Ozpin then recalled an old memory, from eons ago. Where his old love used her control of the Grimm to make it look like it would threaten people, but use her powers to kill it making it seem like the bird wasn't under her control but just another rampaging Grimm.
"I don't know to be honest." Shirou admits as he remembers that night. Of how those creatures attacked all over. "I can't deny that maybe Caster really was trying to fool us, but she definitely didn't seem happy with those creatures."
"I say it's a trick." Shinji sighs at how foolish Emiya is. "Casters are known for their manipulation. Heck, this is probably just a scheme to fool us all."
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter right now. We're here." As Shirou said, they were now in front of Tohsaka's home. It was time to inform her of their plan to attack Caster and Assassin. No need to let them gain even more power while they do nothing. Shirou walked up to the door and knocked, hoping this time Tohsaka is home.
"About time you got here." Thankfully she was, as the door opened up. While she frowned at Shinji, she relented and let them in. Everybody entered her home where Shirou saw Archer nearby. The Servant then smirks at Shirou.
"Let me guess. Came here to offer a foolish idea to us." Shirou frowned.
"No." He really didn't like this guy. Something about him just upsetting him. "If anything, we came up with a plan to go against Caster and Assassin."
"Then let us hear it." Archer moves away while Rin sits down, ready to listen. Saber had also entered passing by Archer who gave her a narrow gaze for some reason.
Ozpin looking at Shirou and nodding, letting Shirou know he may as well explain what plan they came up with. So Shirou did, as he began telling Rin what he and the others came up with last night. That to ensure no more people get hurt and to prevent Caster from becoming too strong, they'll take the fight to her when she least expects it. Using their numbers to defeat her while the rest took on whoever her Master is. After finishing explaining, Rin at last spoke.
"Well, it isn't a horrible idea I admit." That was a good response at the least. "Truth be told, I was actually considering taking on Caster as well. The amount of people going unconscious is becoming a problem. Plus...I'm certain you all heard of those rumors of creatures prowling the night."
"That's old news by now." Shinji chuckles. "At this point, even normal people are figuring it out."
"Whatever." Rin growls at Shinji's response, but moves on. "The point is, those things are getting out of hand. Archer and I have been investigating them, and we've discovered they're coming out of Caster's workshop."
"Hah! Knew it!" Shinji looks all smug. "See Emiya. I was right all along."
"Sure Shinji. Sure." Shirou rolls his eyes a bit. He then looks at Rin. "So Caster really is behind these creatures as well."
"More than likely, yes." Rin says as she begins to explain. "Truth be told, they do seem to originate from her lair. But as I'm certain you saw and what you told me, she had no control over them, correct."
"Are we certain it isn't just her trying to trick us?" Ozpin then asked with Saber herself also backing Ozpin up.
"Yeah. I've seen my fair share of mean witches who act all innocent, then throw a nasty spell my way." She then huffed while crossing her arms. "Really mean to."
"I wasn't aware that your legend has you facing witches." Shirou said as he never knew that. Though then again, it wasn't as if he ever bothered reading Musashi's legend in the first place. He wasn't exactly a book worm and mainly worked with technology.
"Right…" Rin began pondering if history got Musashi's legend all wrong or something. I mean, if they somehow missed that she was a woman with that pair on her, then what else did they miss in her story? Ignoring that though, they had a plan to talk about. "In any case, it's highly likely that these monsters are Caster's doing, and she just lost some form of control over them."
It wasn't unheard of. Normally magus looked in awe of Casters summoned in Holy Grail Wars. After all, they held knowledge that modern day Casters didn't have. Wielding power and knowledge that magus would literally kill for. However, this also made magus forget that these Casters are far from perfect and can make mistakes. No doubt Caster here tried to summon these creatures as back-up like the dragon-tooth warriors but lost control over them.
In a way that did benefit them, as it meant she can't use them against them. However now they were at risk of these things being exposed to the public with the only saving grace being that they only came out mainly at night and didn't actively attack people. But it's only a matter of time until someone really sees them and takes a picture on their phone.
"Then I suppose we'll be attacking tonight?" Ozpin asked with Rin nodding.
"Once we take her out, then these creatures will vanish and boom, everything will be back to normal." Rin crosses her arms with her own smile.
"Then we can celebrate and party!" Musashi chips in. "Right Master?"
"Um, sure Saber." Shirou gives a half-smile. "I suppose stopping Caster and Assassin will be worth a meal."
"Then let's get heading toward them." Musashi takes out her weapons and makes a few moves. "Just remember, I call Assassin. He's mine to battle."
"Sure." Rin agrees. "Archer here can help you out by sniping him."
Musashi narrows her eyes. "He can handle Caster. But Assassin is mine."
"Oh." Archer speaks up, cocking his head a bit. "You realize that with my help, we can take down Assassin much easier. You distract him and with a well placed shot, I can kill him quickly so then we can aid Rider in taking on Caster."
"No." Musashi rebutes Archer. "He's mine and mine alone to face. It'll be an honorable duel between two swordsman."
"Honor huh." Archer scoffs as he chuckles a bit, upsetting Musashi at his attitude. "So you're telling me you're willing to endanger the plan just so you can have this 'honorable' duel. My. It seems history has pictured you all wrong. Though then again, in history you're historical battle with Kojiro was one where you deceived him just to win against him."
Musashi turned red, though not from embarrassment. "That was an accident!" She says to Archer angrily. "I didn't mean to do those things!"
"...I apologize, but do any of you know what she's talking about?" Ozpin then asks the others.
"Don't look at me." Shirou tells him. "I don't really read history much." Shinji looked at him confused, since he was the only one who didn't know Saber's identity. Though upon hearing the word Kojiro, his mind began connecting as he swore he heard that name before.
As for Archer and Musashi, both were now glaring at one another. Hostility can be seen in their eyes. Not wanting a fight, and her home being destroyed, Rin spoke up to get their attention. "Hey! Both of you stop it!" Both then looked at her and Rin just sighed. "Okay, look. Saber. Can you handle Assassin or not?"
"I can." Musashi says with confidence. "Something in me just says I can fight him, and even win." Archer just clicked his tongue with Musashi growling at him. For some reason, Shirou felt glad there was another person who disliked Archer.
"Alright, fine." Rin then just relents. "I guess you can just distract Assassin from helping Caster while Rider and Archer deal with her. If we're lucky, we might even find their Masters and deal with them."
Shirou looked a bit uncomfortable at that while both Ozpin and Shinji seemed fine. Still, maybe they could deal with the Masters in a different way. Until then though, Shirou supposed there was one thing to do now.
"So then we should start moving?" Heading towards Casters place, and observing until nightfall.
"Sure." Rin agrees as she stands. "Let's just eat a little, do our business, then leave to deal with Caster once and for all." Tonight is where they defeat Caster and ensure her death alongside Assassin. Only then will they become a step closer in winning this Holy Grail War.
"This Holy Grail War truly is becoming a small entertainment." Flying above the city, in the air with over half his body disfigured into flying hideous bugs, Zouken grinned at what he was seeing. His body hidden with magecraft while he observed from a safe distance at seeing this new alliance about to face Caster. What fun that should be.
"But," Zouken then chuckled. "Perhaps I can make things a little more fun." Zouken would need a back-up plan just in case his primary plan failed. So what better way to do so then get his own Servant. He just needed the proper catalyst. 'Or...maybe something new altogether.'
His little bugs below the ground buzzed about. Where they showed all sorts of information as they watched the ongoing happening in the town. Particularly, of certain strange creatures wandering the night.
A catalyst can be used to summon heroes. Certain items used for summoning can call upon a hero related to that item. So then, what kind of Servant may be summoned using one of those walking monstrosities. It seemed Zouken had a choice to make. Either way, it'll be fun.
It's time for the battle between the Alliance and Caster's group to start. But it seems a nasty worm is watching, and may make a move against our heroes. Either way, heroes will collide and we'll see who's left standing. Until next time.