2: Humans Need Heroes
"Saber… don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing you of anything, but if you don't mind, please answer honestly – what is your wish? What is so important for you to involve my little girl in the bloody conflict?"
For Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald this Holy Grail War was a great failure even before it started. His precious catalyst from Macedonia has been stolen. Then the next relic, a replacement prepared in a great hurry, just didn't work.
A hero connected to this object could be materialized in Saber or Lancer class, but no one answered Kayneth's desperate calling. Does it mean that both classes were already occupied? Could it be that he, an extremely talented magus from an obscenely aristocratic family, would end with a weak Servant, not even one of the Three Knight classes? Or maybe without a Servant?
No, it was not possible. The Command Spells were shining proudly on Kayneth's hand. He has been chosen by the Grail to participate, to show other magi the meaning of true power, to crush his opponents in an epic magical duels. There is still a chance for him to summon a perfectly matched Heroic Spirit. Anyway, only a bad dancer complains about his shoes. A champion doesn't rely on tools to win.
But time was running out without mercy and Kayneth just couldn't accept another failure. This try must be the last. Although the magus did not want to admit this, he was so desperate right now, that he would probably welcome with open arms even a broken Servant of the worst possible class. That's why he breathed a sigh of relief, when the ritual ended and he could finally announce his success.
"Archer, huh?"
Sola-Ui winced, not really impressed by their new familiar. He looked too fragile, clearly unfitted for melee combat. As expected from an Archer class Servant, and from this particular faceless hero, who was famous of his specialization in guerilla warfare, striking from the shadows is the thing he can do best.
Kayneth's mind was already working at full speed, analyzing the situation, reconsidering his plans and tactics. Despite all the sad things his fiancé said about cowardice, about avoiding open and fair fights, lord El-Melloi smiled to his own thoughts.
This tool had some potential for a Master, who is a good tactician, no doubt. Kayneth was sure, that he will soon learn to use this Servant to his full capacity.
In the underground magic laboratory in the Tohsaka mansion three men gathered around the summoning circle could not believe their own eyes.
The specific hero indeed answered their calling, just as they had planned, and was now standing before them in his full glory, extremely powerful and majestic in his golden armor. Under different circumstances Tokiomi would have already announced his victory, but… Something was wrong. He looked at father Risei, waiting for an explanation.
"Has something like this ever happened before?"
The elder Kotomine only helplessly shook his head.
"What kind of a welcome is that?" The golden Servant frowned; there was also an obvious threat in his voice. "Do I sense disappointment? The offering was indeed worth my attention, so I couldn't ignore it and I've answered your calling. But I will not tolerate such insolence."
"No, mighty King of Heroes," Tokiomi explained, a little pale, carefully choosing his words. "It's a great honor for us to have you materialized here. We are surprised that you do not belong to any class, that's all."
"Ha! As if any of this tiny containers could be enough for me!" Gilgamesh gave him a wide, self-satisfactory smile. "I guess it can't be helped. You should be grateful for the sole fact, that I've decided to come."
"Of course, we are grateful, the greatest of all kings." Tokiomi bowed with respect and looked at Risei again, waiting for his decision. "What should we do?"
"The Tohsakas, being one of the three founding families, always have priority in joining the competition and the Grail itself made the summoning of this Servant possible, so I have no choice but to accept it. Classless or not, your team is a rightful participant."
"Thank you, father Risei." Tokiomi smiled, letting himself show some joy of grasping such powerful card in the upcoming game. "Let the battle begin! Gentlemen, we are one step closer to winning the Grail!"
"It's… problematic." Kiritsugu sighed. "With Lancer and Saber we have an overwhelming advantage over other Masters, but Illya is too young to participate in the war. The risk is too great."
They all gathered in one of the chambers, Jubastacheit in the center of the room, Emiya and his wife at the opposite sides of the table. Lancer accompanied her Master on the one side and Saber stood behind Irisviel on the other. There was no aggression between the Servants, but they still observed each other carefully, just in case.
"The best course of action would be to extract her Command Spells and pass them to a better prepared magus." Jubastacheit ignored completely a very unfriendly gaze, that Saber gave him, and continued. "But it's impossible in her case, unless we want to rip out her magic circuits. She must go to Japan, there's no other way."
"It would be great to go there together," Irisviel said hesitantly. "We'll be much safer if we all stay in the castle in Fuyuki, right?"
"Not really." Kiritsugu crushed her dreams almost immediately. "If an enemy attacks the castle, even not knowing, that Illya is a Master, he will most likely target her first, assuming that she's our greatest weakness." He glanced at Saber, while saying this. "We must keep the fact, that Illya is a Master, secret as long as possible. And guard it well, just like the true name of Saber. Revealing it is like asking an enemy to kill them both."
They all agreed with Emiya in silence. Although both Servants preferred to fight openly and fairly, respecting the code of honor, there were some priorities important enough to bend the rules a little. And safety of a Master is clearly a top priority.
"Elder, I have a question." Something visibly bothered Kiritsugu. "How is it possible that such famous Heroic Spirit has been summoned here spontaneously? Is it because we're in his homeland?"
"We have a relic for him in our treasury," Old Man Acht answered simply.
"Then why you didn't use it?"
"Saber's weak point is too troublesome, summoning him was never truly worth the effort." Another quick and straight response. "If he's already here, he will be a good support for your Lancer, but I expect nothing more."
Kiritsugu was not so sure about it, but did not argue with Jubastacheit. Even not being Saber's Master, he could sense how powerful this Servant is. Summoned in his homeland, by a magus with an incredible potential, he was certainly blessed with additional skills and Noble Phantasms. But such thoughts were meaningless right now, all will be decided on the battlefield.
Even if Saber felt offended, he did not show it in any way. Arturia noticed this fact too and reacted with a thin smile. Emiya took it as a sign, that they will be able to cooperate.
"Saber should act under your command, Kiritsugu Emiya, but not openly." Jubastacheit got back to the main topic. "His Master will stay in another hideout."
"Grandf…" Worried Irisviel tried to interrupt this speech, but was mercilessly ignored.
"I ordered to speed up the manufacturing of her assistants." It looked like Jubastacheit had already decided and would not accept any changes in his plan. "Illyasviel will receive a bodyguard and a teacher to increase her magical knowledge. The building will be well protected and none of you is allowed to visit it, so it won't be discovered by the enemy. You will separate at the airport in Fuyuki."
Saber was visibly surprised, that the Einzberns want to keep him away from his Master, but decided to listen patiently to the end. There will be yet a time to propose another solution.
"With Saber acting independently, the others may decide to hunt his Master down at all costs," Kiritsugu said after a moment of hesitation.
"Indeed, there's always a risk."
"Then it would be better for both Servants to stay with Iri."
"So she will be targeted by everyone? They may even form an alliance to eliminate her."
"But I will be well protected by our two amazing knights." Irisviel smiled to them gently. Although it was not visible at first glance, both Servants appreciated this compliment. "I will be probably the safest person on Earth."
"So we will go with the first plan and then join forces if it fails," Kiritsugu concluded and the rest accepted this idea with more or less visible enthusiasm.
"If I may say something…" Saber decided to speak at last. "I still think that I should be the one to protect my Master." He sighed, seeing no signs of approval. "Well, I see I have no choice and I will respect your decision, but I insist at least on strengthening our bond with Master Illyasviel and making a proper contract, so I could sense any possible danger better than now." In fact, he could barely detect the presence of Illya, not to mention her current location. "Master should be also taught how to summon me for help with her Command Spell."
"Kiritsugu?" Irisviel looked at Emiya with hope. She evidently agreed with Saber in this matter and was happy, that Servant showed some initiative.
"Yes, it would be wise," Magus Killer admitted after a short while. "Irisviel, you will assist in this process."
I don't trust you either, Saber thought, but only nodded in response. He had nothing to hide.
"Good." Jubastacheit stood up, their council was over. "Your departure will be delayed, but I won't let you go until we finish the preparations. Spend your remaining time here wisely."
It was not a suggestion, but clearly an order. They all bowed before the master of the castle, accepting it.
Actually, they had no other choice.
This part of the castle is strangely quiet, Saber noticed. He was following Irisviel through the long corridor to Illya's room. It looks like time has stopped in this place. Good to know that some people still have some respect for tradition.
They met no homunculi on the way and he quickly got bored, watching only the snowy landscape outside the window. There were some things he would like to ask Illya's mother, but he did not want to speak without permission again.
Fortunately, it was Irisviel who started talking.
"Saber… don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing you of anything, but if you don't mind, please answer honestly – what is your wish?" She stopped and turned around to look at him. "What is so important for you to involve my little girl in the bloody conflict?"
This point of view could seem surprising, but Saber understood all her doubts and fears. He could not blame Irisviel for asking this question and he did not hesitate to answer honestly.
"I have no wish and I do not desire the Grail. I've come because someone called for me, because I had a feeling that I'm needed here. I want only to make the wish of Illyasviel come true." Suddenly he kneeled before Iri on one knee, lowering his head. "I'm sorry, I should have been wiser. I didn't know that my Master is this young and I had no intention to expose her to danger. I will do what I can to keep her safe."
"I believe you." Irisviel gently placed a hand on his head, like a princess would do to a knight in her service. "Kiritsugu told me, that a Servant is just a tool, and I should not let my imagination go wild in a presence of a legendary hero, but... I can't totally agree with him. I've learned a lot about humans and I know that they need heroes just because they want to believe in their righteousness and power to save the world." Irisviel smiled. "You wouldn't be here if it wasn't true."
"Thank you for putting so much trust in me, Lady Irisviel."
"Illya likes you already, I can't just ignore it, can I?" She chuckled, but then became strangely serious. "Just keep your promise, that's all."
Saber raised his head to look at Irisviel, well aware of the importance of her words. To keep your promise – it seems so trivial, but means so much. For little Illya it was a matter of life and death.
"I will."
"Good." The smile she gave him was stunning. "Come, your Master is waiting."
Thank You for comments, PMs and other kinds of support! If I don't answer - it's only to avoid spoilers, so please forgive me.
There will be more Illya and Arturia next time, I suppose.
Thank You for reading! It would be nice to know your opinions.