"My love, I'll do whatever I can to support you. As my husband, and dearest friend, you've shown me all that I could ever want to see about the outside world. This is just my way of showing appreciation. Your wish is beautiful, and it will create a happy world for Illya. To that end, I would be honoured to serve as the Grail Vessel."

Kiritsugu's wife, Irisviel, had said those words to him.

But now, when it was finally time to perform the ritual, he had to wonder: Did she really mean it? It hurt him to think she thought so little of her own life that she'd sacrifice it so readily. A part of him knew she was entirely sincere, but another part of him hated that.

All he wanted was to bring peace to the world. So why did he have to sacrifice those he loved? His wife meant more to him than anything, and the idea of a life without her was too terrible to contemplate. Having their daughter, Illyasviel, would be comfort, but no compensation. Nothing could compensate for anyone's loss; human beings were too unique for that.

He looked at her now, in the room Jubstacheit had set aside for the ritual. She smiled at him, a smile of purity and innocence. He could only feel a sense of despair when he looked at it. He could enjoy nothing more in this world, for he knew that all good things would be taken from him eventually.

Irisviel von Einzbern, the culmination - no, the precursor of the culmination - of the alchemy of the Einzbern magical family, holding the ancient relic.

Avalon, the crystallization of his most secret wishes. Kiritsugu was too much of a pragmatist to allow himself to think that he could achieve his ideals without its aid. Something within him resonated with it, and so he knew that the relic Acht had chosen was the most appropriate to him. When he had met Acht, it had seemed to him that the man knew more of his heart than Kiritsugu himself did.

He regretted having told Irisviel his dream. The hope it brought in her eyes created a strong quality of pain in him. It was like he had shot her with his Origin Bullet, and infused his own dream into her. It was frightening, the level of power he had over another living creature, homunculus or not. Whatever Irisviel's origins, she had definitely developed into something that could only be described as human, in her thoughts and emotions. He loved that about her, that despite being a machine in nature, she had transcended her limitations to achieve humanity.

Whereas he had been born a human, but had thrown it away at the time of the great fire on Arimago Island. Natalia had said to him, "Doing what you think you should, rather than what you want, is a task for a machine, not a human being."

He wished he could have followed her advice, but it seemed as if everything he did originated from that one defining event, and he could not escape it. He felt caught in the endless pangs of Samsara, the cycle of death and reincarnation. He didn't know how to reacquire his lost humanity. It seemed like he had already killed it.

But when he looked into Irisviel's eyes, he saw that the life and love he had put in her was very much alive. It had even resulted in a completely new person. Their child was the physical incarnation of their shared love, but beyond Illyasviel, he could sense Iri reflecting his love and hope back at him.

She was his humanity, now.

Every time he killed, he had to turn off his emotions. Natalia had commented that he was a born assassin, who could immediately disconnect his emotions from his trigger finger, but she failed to realize the toll that takes. When he had finally convinced himself there was no more humanity left, things were easy. He could pretend that he was dead and gone, and now only the body of the man named 'Kiritsugu Emiya' still walked this earth. Then he could ignore the demands of his soul.

Irisviel showed him that this was a lie. A delusion.

He was not strong enough to go on pursuing his goals, and he feared that he would crack before the work was done. He was fairly confident in his abilities as a Magus-Killer, but he was deeply worried for his psychological health. In that sense, being with Iri was a boon to him, as she always managed to restore peace of mind to him. He was deeply grateful to her, and loved her and Illya more than any other.

"Kiritsugu," she said to him now, in the front of the pews. "Are you all right?"

"Iri," he said, brushing off her question. "Put the scabbard on the altar."

Irisviel did as he asked, though he could sense that some of his own worry was present in her face as well. Did she notice, he wondered.

He stood over the summoning circle. Acht had ensured it was readied, with all the necessary components, days in advance. Kiritsugu was not one for the ritualism and formality that the Einzberns were so fond of, but he co-operated with them for the sake of peace.

He held his hand over the circle. Avalon on the altar before him began to glow, even before he uttered a word. It was as if it had sensed his thoughts, and responded to them. How silly, he thought.

"Fill, fill, fill, fill." His voice was even, though his heart felt the import of the moment. "As each is filled, so it is destroyed."

A voice rang out in his head. It was the sound of a girl, asking him to kill her. Was that the ultimate fate of all things? To fill with love, and light, and then to crush them under the boot of darkness?

"Let silver and steel be the essence."

The steel of a bullet was a stronger thing than soft, pliable silver, but those were the two forces that ruled this world. Kiritsugu knew this well, and had frequently exchanged steel for silver when he felt it necessary to further his plans. Men died as much to silver as steel, and they both sickened him.

"Upon it rests the cornerstone and the Archduke of Contracts."

THe main difference between human contracts and magical contracts, was that magical ones were inviolable. He had had to kill people before to collect on promised payments. If contracts were the cornerstone of this world, then the world must be founded on magical means to have any basis in reality. In order to support the new world he wanted to fashion, he would have to employ the detestable means of True Magic to create the foundation, even if it killed him. Magecraft required sacrifices; Equivalent Exchange was the most basic principle upon which all others rested. The True Magics were something beyond even that, and their price would be commensurately higher.

Well, he was prepared.

"I call to thee! Thy body, formed of my will. Thy sword, enforcing my fate!"

If Kiritsugu's fate were enforced and carried out to its logical conclusion, it would be like shooting an Origin Bullet into the heart of the World itself. He would untie the fibers that created human nature in its present form, cut and retie them in a manner more suited to his own nature. If any sword could enforce this, it would be the Sword of Promised Victory. So he put his faith in the King who loved his subjects, with the hope that he of the Table Round would willingly pledge his sword.

It was always easier when all involved parties were aligned to a common goal.

"An thou bend to my will, and my justice, heed the Grail's call and answer me!"

Most men would be tempted to answer the Grail's call, as it promised them infinite power over other men, or perhaps over themselves. Kiritsugu had no such selfish motives, as he had convinced himself that it was a foreordained fact that he would end up suffering and dead by the end of this. He merely wanted his end to mean something, as a man who could be proud of his death. He trusted himself not to waver in the face of the opportunity to use the Grail for anything else, for there was nothing - would be nothing, after Iri was gone - within him that could want anything, save that.

"O Seven Heavens, clad in the Three Holy Souls! Burst free from your shackles, and arise, o Guardian of the Scales!"

The room filled with light, though the light could not penetrate Kiritsugu's darkened heart. He kept his eyes open the whole time.

Irisviel gasped at the shining light.

XXX

Where am I?

Oh. There is grass. A meadow, filled with life, and the joy of light. The sun shines, and the wind sings. The sky is high, the unreachable eternity of our salvation.

There is a girl. Her golden hair reflects the sun, sending rays of light into my heart.

Her clear eyes reflect the sky, and I can see in them the promise of everlasting peace.

She smiles at me, and I find her arm outstretched. I grasp it nervously, and she laughs as she leads me forward on the endless grass.

As we walk, I ask her if she will leave.

"If I do, I shall return. My remaining with you is eternal; separations are only temporary, and will be judged as such by the great cycle."

Despite the confusion her words brought me, they carried a strong security. I needn't worry about losing her.

My love.

Soon we reach an incline in the flat plain. I am scared of ascending it, fearful that I may never descend back to safety.

But she urges me forward, and I cannot bear to lose her shining countenance.

The peak is invisible, but as we grow closer, I make out a shining blade. It is embedded in a stone, a symbol of the destructive powers bound to a secure foundation, and nullified.

When we reach the sword in the stone, she urges me to pull it out.

I do not want to, but I could not bear to make her sad.

I try, but it only comes out halfway. No amount of effort on my part will do anything more.

I fall to the ground in anguish, worried that she will be disappointed in me.

She just laughs at my clumsiness, and with a light stroke of a single hand, she pulls it out.

The sword in her hand glows gold, and she floats above the ground.

She raises it, and aims for the stone in which it was encased.

I call to her, telling her not to destroy it. There is still much within that stone I need, and I cannot lose it yet.

She looks at me. "Whom do you desire? The sword or the stone?"

"I... I want both. Can't I have both?"

She shakes her head. "No, you cannot."

I cry.

"I cannot choose," I tell her.

"Then you shall have neither."

She turns toward me, and lowers her sword onto me.

XXX

Kiritsugu returned to himself. The vision he had just seen must have been connected to the ritual, the work of the Grail in some way. It troubled him, but he put it aside. His Servant stood before him.

"I ask you," the voice said, its owner hidden behind obscuring mist. "Are you my Master?"

"I am," he said. "You are the Servant Saber, whose True Name is Arthur Pendragon?"

The mist cleared.

Kiritsugu was taken aback by the face he saw behind it, fixed in a solemn gaze at him.

It was that of the woman in his vision.

"I am Arturia Pendragon, Queen of the Britons. I have been summoned into the Saber Class. My sword is yours, Master."

"I expected a man, but no matter," Kiritsugu said. "I shall expect you to fulfill your duties as Servant; until I give you further orders, you are to protect the woman behind me."

Saber looked at the delicate form behind her Master.

"Understood," she said. "Her life shall be as my own. You need not worry; her safety is guaranteed."

He smiled. "I hope so."

XXX

Saber stood by the window in the Einzbern estate, as Irisviel sat at a table nearby.

"Why does Master not keep me dematerialized," Saber asked. "It seems inefficient of him, to keep me in physical form when there are no threats nearby."

"Kiritsugu has his reasons," Irisviel said, with a note of longing in her voice. "He always knows what he's doing, even if it's not obvious to others. But Saber," she lifted her face to the Servant, who turned to her. "I think in this case it's quite clear."

Saber tensed.

"Is there a threat of which I am unaware, milady?"

"No, that's not what I meant." Irisviel laughed. "Just that he probably thought I'd be lonely here without him, so he wanted me to have some company."

Saber's fingers relaxed their grip on what would have been her sword, had she manifested it.

This era was strange and wonderful in its own ways, but in other senses it really wasn't very different from her own. Much like she and her Knights had quested for the Holy Grail, so too Magi left their families to do the same.

She knew that the wives of most knights were happy - indeed, proud - to see their husbands off, but the loneliness was something that plagued them. Especially the ones of higher status; it seemed that they had a greater tendency to the cloistered life. But that was really just one reason among many for a knight to be absent; it was something their women had to get used to, eventually.

She wondered how Guinevere had spent her time.

Well, she didn't need to wonder. The highest knight of the Table Round, Sir Lancelot du Lac, took it upon himself to keep her entertained when her husband was away.

He had been extremely ashamed of his actions, but in truth, Arturia was glad that he had supported Guinevere during those times. She cared deeply for the Queen, and often felt torn between obligations to Country and People on the one hand, and the Queen on the other. Lancelot gave her the opportunity to pursue the work of ruling the nation without any qualms about it.

For this reason, she had not pursued strict justice for him, and was secretly happy when he had escaped burning at the stake.

That was another of the changes in this era, was it not? Justice, generally speaking, was far more lenient than it had been in her time. Certainly, many people were imprisoned for their crimes, but the death penalty was only reserved for the most heinous offences. And there were public advocates to support the accused, who received fair trials in public courts of law!

Truly, the ideals she had fought for, a just country under just laws, had been realized beyond her wildest dreams. A state that serves the common man, without being his oppressor.

If things had progressed so, did it really matter if Britain had succumbed to destruction? Which was more important, the land or what it stood for?

"It is my honour, Lady Irisviel," Saber said with a light bow.

"You know, this 'Lady Irisviel' business is a bit satisfying, in an odd way..." Irisviel mused. "I almost feel like asking you to call me by my name only, without title or honourific, but I'm enjoying this far too much."

Saber smiled. "I am glad."

Irisviel stood, and came to Saber. She clasped Saber's hands in her own.

"Hey, Saber. I'd like to get some fresh air; would you care to accompany me? My knight."

"Of course, milady."

Saber opened the door leading out of the room, and gestured to Irisviel to exit first. Irisviel made a light bow of her own, then went through the doorway.

Saber looked about the room before she left, just in case. The nature of an enemy was that they always lurked behind corners, in places where one would least expect them to be. Her Master seemed the type who would rebuke her for needless caution, wasting time.

Old habits died hard, surviving even the transition from life, to the Throne of Heroes.

Satisfied, she closed the door, and followed Irisviel down the corridor.

Irisviel walked with a light gait, almost skipping. Saber was glad to see her charge so happy, and her carefree manner reminded her of her own life.

The carelessness with which she had lived her earliest years, before drawing the Sword of Promised Victory.

Those were truly dreamlike days, so hazy on the very bounds of her memory. She had near-perfect recollection of certain moments in her life, but very little of the days before she took upon herself the royal destiny.

All she could remember was light, happy footsteps. Running on the grass, playing with the other children. Her white clothes took on dirt and grass stains, but she didn't care. The fun of those days came back to her now, and she felt she could understand and appreciate how Irisviel felt right now, and quite apart from her obligations to her Master, she wanted to preserve that happiness.

The corridor was dark, lit only by fluorescent lights intermittently placed along its length.

"Almost there, Saber!" Irisviel called, running ahead a bit.

She reached a wooden door with black iron bindings upon it, and opened it.

A black automobile waited outside the door, which seemed to lead to a driveway. Irisviel excitedly opened the door on the driver's side, and jumped in. She honked the horn.

beep beep

She opened her window and stuck her head out. "Saber~! Come on!"

Saber came to the passenger's side, and opened the door.

"Irisviel, I thought we were going to take a walk-"

"Heheh... This is much more fun, though, wouldn't you agree?" Irisviel wore a devilish smile, reflecting deep wells of impish mischief from the lowest reaches of her soul.

"Your wish is my command, milady," Saber said, getting into the car gingerly.

"Indeed it is, Saber, indeed it is." Her smile was beginning to worry Saber, but she calmed herself with the knowledge that her charge was merely having a bit of fun. And if so, who was she to argue?

Saber smiled reluctantly, and began to put on her seatbelt.

"Oh, don't bother with that," Irisviel said, her hand on the stick shift.

"But it is the law in this country, is it not? Furthermore," Saber said, looking at Irisviel's waist, "I see you are not wearing a seatbelt yourself, milady."

"Yes, and?" Irisviel was now fiddling with the mirrors, holding one eye closed in a perpetual wink as she endeavoured to make the reflection angle just so.

"And it is my duty to ensure your safety, Irisviel."

"Kiritsugu worries too much, sometimes," Irisviel said, still checking the mirrors. "I have you with me. What else do I need to be safe?"

"I cannot protect you from an incoming car, or building."

Irisviel left the mirrors, and turned to Saber. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted, and her face smiling. "If that becomes an issue, I will be glad if you would use your Invisible Air to propel us out of the path of danger."

Saber was shocked. She grabbed Irisviel's shoulders. "Milady, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of that skill of mine. It was not made for transport."

Irisviel pouted.

"Milady, I am serious. My honour as a knight rests upon my due diligence to keep you safe. Please, humour me."

Irisviel sighed. "Fine... I'll put my seatbelt on."

Saber took her hands of Irisviel's shoulders. "Thank you, Irisviel."

"My pleasure, Saber." Irisviel locked her seatbelt into place. "In the end, the last thing I'd want to do is worry you. Your concern is far too touching for me to make light of it."

Saber sat, calmly waiting.

"All right!" Irisviel pulled the stick back. "Let's go!" Her foot slammed on the accelerator, and with a screech of the tires, they sped down the stone-paved road.

As they passed the scenery on either side at lightning speed, weaving in and out of lanes, Saber was impressed at Irisviel's driving ability. That is, at her ability to drive like this without collisions.

Truly, admirable.

Watching pedestrians on the sidewalk duck for cover, and other cars swerving out of the way, she understood the pride Irisviel projected through her driving. It was as if everyone who saw her respected her as the King of the Road, and made way for her passage.

"Wahooo!" Irisviel shouted in glee, as the car drifted over a ninety-degree turn.

Saber saw that she had the same look on her face that she herself had worn during jousts. The rush of wind as the horse galloped forward, the cold steel of the lance in hand, the fear of being impaled by the enemy, the excitement of overcoming the challenge and emerging victorious - Irisviel felt all these things, Saber knew.

"Thank you, Irisviel."

"What was that, Saber? I didn't- WHOOOOO!" The car managed to wind its way on a perpendicular path through two lanes of traffic. The cacophony of car horns behind them made conversation impossible.

Thank you, Irisviel, for showing me what it was like. I had forgotten - no, I had tried to forget, but I was unable.

I suppose Kiritsugu must indeed be wise, just as you say. Not only did he think to protect you by assigning me to your guard, but he may have known that your influence would help me regain the joy I had lost. Perhaps a lack of joy makes efficient, fair rule easier, but I may have acted too rashly in simply jettisoning that part of me from myself. Perhaps the epitome of kingship is a king who loves both her people, and herself.

Perhaps there is indeed something to be gained by being happy on the throne.

Irisviel now drove the car over a small hill, and their speed caused them to remain in the air for a brief moment before crashing back down.

The inside of the car was shaken by the impact, and Irisviel turned to Saber. "Saber, are you all right? I'm sorry about that... I didn't see the incline."

"No, Irisviel, worry not. I am quite well. In fact," Saber sported her own devilish smile now, "What say we double back and do that again?"

Irisviel's eyes brightened. "I like this side of you, Saber."

She moved the car back in front of the hill. "You ready?"

"Whoo," Saber said.

The car flew.

Hello! Hope you liked this chapter!

I suppose I was in the mood for a bit of fluff. I've not written Kiritsugu nor Irisviel before; honestly, I think the way I wrote Iri is very reminiscent of Taiga Fujimura. Or, well, her driving persona is.

I finished this while listening to Asian Kung Fu Generation (it's long, so call them AKFG or ajikan)'s album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M, as well as the OST for the nonexistent Tsukihime anime. Which is a very good OST, I highly recommend it.

Only one Servant remains for the next chapter. See y'all then!