Second Morning (2)

"So who is this Kirei Kotomine and why do you need to kill him, Onii-chan?"

The duo with astralized Servant in tow had parked Shirou's motorbike and began making their way on foot towards the Church that served as the headquarters of the Overseer of the Grail War, Illya closing her eyes as she enjoyed the slowly rising sun, the warmth and chill of morning air downright pleasant, compared to the biting and often painful cold of the Einzbern castle.

"He was a master in the previous war who Oto-san fought against and killed."

The Homunculus raised an eyebrow.

"Onii-chan? Why do you need to kill a dead person?"

"Because he was revived somehow when Oto-san's attempt to destroy the Grail backfired, leading to the flames that killed so many. His life is connected to the Grails and thus, I need to finish what Oto-san started."

Illya felt her curiosity tingle as she asked, "How do you know all of that, Onii-chan?"

One of the clearest and most blatant signs of dislike she had ever seen on her step-sibling thus far, a narrowing of his eyes, caused her to almost miss a step.

"A few months after the war ended Kotomine visited our home, aiming to finish what he started and kill Oto-san...instead, after Oto-san spoke to him privately, he came out smiling and said that he was to be my teacher, to train me to fight like he could."

...Illya couldn't shake the mildly ominous feeling that was pooling in her gut.

"Why would he let Oto-san live? And even do all of those things for him?"

"Because Kotomine is somewhat similar to me. A person that was both born and molded differently than most. He enjoys only the suffering and misery of others. That is why he agreed to train me. Why he agreed to spare Oto-san. So that he could cause me pain while training, so that he could watch Oto-san slowly succumb to his curse."

A pause.

"And so that he could confront me in the war, knowing I would participate and try to save you. As you are the vessel for the Grail he intended to capture you and kill you before my eyes, then going on to fulfill his wish."

Illya barely even heard the parts about her kidnapping, demise and whatever else it was that her brother said.

No, all she heard was yet another crime her Papa had committed against her last remaining family member. And the Einzberns didn't count!

Grr...if she ever somehow happened upon her Papa-in this life, the next or the next after that-she was going to have some choice words for him!

She almost missed Shirou's next grumbled words, an odd expressing of emotion for the usually taciturn and stoic boy.

"He's nowhere near as bad as his daughter, at least..."

The albino blinked, curiously asking, "This man has a daughter? That seems...odd. He didn't, you know...force himself on someone? Since he's apparently really creepy like that?"

"No, there was no rape. He just married and conceived with a dying woman because he was curious. He told me so himself. And Caren is...just the worst."

Illya cocked her head, unable to stop herself from asking, "There's someone worse than the man who wants to use a corrupted grail and enjoys others suffering?"

"Yes. His daughter inherited Kotomine's cruelty, yet is tempered with the the devoutness of a true believer in god to do good in the world. So she is merely aggravating beyond description rather than actively harmful."

The Homunculus could only give her brother a strange glance at his annoyed cadence, wondering just who this girl was that could inspire such emotion in her brother's words.

A small sigh left said sibling as they approached the church, his expression once more becoming neutral.

"One last warning, he's not here right now...but a Servant from the last war was gifted a body during the Grail's manifestation, managing to endure all the way to this one. Archer, King Gilgamesh."

This time Illya did trip over her feet.

"A-a Servant survived?! And one of the first Heroes of the world?! Onii-chan, mention information like that sooner!"

"He's not here right now so it wasn't important."

Resisting the urge to groan the albino settled for pinching the bridge of her nose, Shirou wordlessly pushing aside the heavy church doors and striding inside without a seeming care in the world, Illya hastily following him.

"Welcome, my lost lambs, to this House of God...have you need of my services?"

Illya immediately felt something slimy and cold crawl down her spine as she heard the first words of Kotomine Kirei speak. His words were powerful, composed...and the fragment of the Grail within her seemed to pulse, to reach out towards the man and make her physically ill. Matters weren't helped as she recognized that face...after all, it was the one that had throttled her Mama when all she could do was helplessly lay in one spot, not even able to defend herself.

She didn't let any of that distress show, merely meeting the priest's unyielding gaze directly as he smiled at the pair.

"Ahh, Shirou Emiya, greetings. The day has finally arrived, has it not? The culmination of your long years of suffering...but where are your Command Seals? An individual such as yourself would have a strong wish indeed, even disregarding your connection to those who are involved with the Holy Grail War."

Illya glanced at her sibling out of the corner of her eye, his features slack as he idly replied, "Why would I be selected as a Master? My wish for the Grail is one of destruction and erasure, no matter how twisted and broken the system is I doubt it would willingly pick one who actively wishes for its dismantlement."

Never losing his slight smile Kotomine strolled out from behind his podium, hands clasped behind his back.

"Hmm, a valid point. Perhaps you and Kiritsugu Emiya should not have so freely admitted to me your plans and aspirations, the Grail may not have removed you from the selection process then. A Servant would have greatly increased the chances of saving your sister."

"I'll make do. Is the war set to begin?"

"In due time. So...you are Illyasviel von Einzbern. Kiritsugu Emiya's child."

Fulfilling the bare minimum of manners required Illya curtsied, replying, "Indeed. Although I would politely insist that you refer to me as Illyasviel Emiya, rather than Illyasviel von Einzbern."

Her response only seemed to make the priest smile all the wider, rather than surprise him.

"Ah. So you have heard of the lengths your father went to ensure you had a future."

"I did."

A wholly unnerving grin lit up the man's features.

"In all honesty I should be thanking you Emiyas, your family has been nothing but fascinating to observe. Your father, slowly struggling against inevitability to provide for a daughter who was raised to hate him, twisting and molding a child with no memories to suit his whims, inflicting me upon him just to provide the slightest better odds of success..."

His eyes closed as if in peaceful ecstasy.

"A pity there was no funeral, I would have happily composed quite the heartfelt eulogy."

It was taking every bit of self-control Illya possessed not to command Berserker to turn the fake priest into a crimson splash on the floor during his speech, her temper only held at bay by Shirou's calm and unaffected countenance.

She eventually managed to bite out, "I'm sure Papa would have greatly desired that, Kirei Kotomine."

She whirled on Shirou, eager to see him put the stupid priest out of his misery with far greater enthusiasm than before.

"Are we done here, Onii-chan?"

Merely directing a glance back at the priest the redhead asked, "Has the war begun? Have all Servants been summoned?"

A smile was his only reply as Kirei calmly walked out the room into a side passage, Illya nearly exploding at the rude gesture until she heard several clacks and whirs followed the priest's muffled voice speaking to someone punctuated by a final click, the man returning with an ominous smirk upon his lips.

"Rejoice, Shirou and Illyasviel Emiya! The fifth Holy Grail has begun and with it your chance to offer up your most precious wish to the Grail! The Servants have been summoned and the Masters have been chosen...let the games begin."

Illya didn't bother hiding her scoff, turning to her brother in eager anticipation-

"Illya? Wait outside."

-and she nearly blew a gasket instead.

"What?! Wait outside?! Onii-chan, I want to-"

"Listen to your sibling, child. This matter is between him and me. And the Church bounded fields have only observed one Master entering, then one Master leaving. It has no record of your brother, just as I planned it."

The albino blinked in confusion, Kirei scoffing at her.

"Did you think his goal of ending my life was some manner of secret? I helped forge the boy, ergo I know of his desires and mentality. Removing a threat to your survival as soon as possible is only logical."

Kirei's eyes once more roved back to meet Shirou's resolute gaze.

"And I am admittedly curious...you are a twisted and outlier individual, Shirou Emiya. Much like myself. I knew that much the moment I laid eyes on you, knew it every second I beat you down only to watch you rise backup with no change in expression."

The priest's gaze became positively gleeful.

"Your father's teachings, my skills, your own skewed nature...Kiritsugu and I have made of you a Magus Killer far superior to the old. And I have long desired a rematch, to test myself once more against the famed slaughterer of Magi after my initial defeat."

Illya scowled, sharply asking, "That's all? You want to fight him just because you're angry you lost the first time around?"

"You speak as if that is not a reason enough on its own. But this battle is only one where I can win, daughter of Kiritsugu."

A benevolent smile revealed the priest's orderly teeth.

"Should I lose, I die at the hands of a monster I created, unleashing a being more twisted than myself upon the world, a final cruelty to mark my passing. And should I win? I shall bear witness to the fading light of this Emiya's eyes, the dimming glow as he realizes all his efforts, all his pain...they were for naught, that his sister will soon fall to my hand and fuel my fondest wish."

Illya's only reply was sharp retort of, "You'd never live long enough to see it. And my Onii-chan is not a monster like you."

Her resolute tone caused Shirou to blink in surprise as she stalked past him, stating over her shoulder, "I'll be waiting outside, Onii-chan. Hurry up, would you?"

The doors slammed shut with more force than was necessary, Kirei chuckling as Shirou continued to look at them with a bemused expression.

"She is your opposite in almost every conceivable mannerism."

"...So it would seem."

Without another word the two separated, moving fifteen paces apart from the other.

"Will the King of Heroes make an appearance if I end your life?"

"Hmph. You assume much of King Gilgamesh if you believe he would make any effort to spare my existence. A decade of life on this world has made a sedentary and caustic man of his majesty. Regardless, I sought an audience with him and asked that he not intervene. He granted his blessing. One of us will leave tonight...and the other won't."

Both men relaxed, staring the other down. One was smiling, the other wasn't.

"Ready, Sensei?"

"Of course, Shirou-kun...begin."

Light flashed, blades flew and the battle was on.