Fifth Morning (2)

"...I really liked this house."

"Milady, we could always rebuild it."

"No, Sella. It just...wouldn't feel right. It's gone and nothing will ever change that. I might as well accept that fact and move on."

The Homunculus maid didn't seem particularly pleased with Illya's tone but accepted it nonetheless, gazing out over the ruined remnants of Kiritsugu's home alongside Shirou and her master.

The Japanese-themed building hadn't fared all that well when a group Servants had conducted a battle on its premises, the fire afterwards finishing what little of the foundation remained along with a sizable chunk of the neighborhood.

All that was left was rotted wood and ashen dirt.

"Do you have any idea of where to live after this, Milady? I imagine there are a number of properties around the world that would be suitable for-"

"We're returning to the Einzbern mansion."

The Homunculus took undue pleasure in how Sella almost tripped over nothing, whirling to face her with a shocked expression while even Shirou gave her a dubious look.

"What?! Milady, I cannot imagine Master Jubstacheit will be pleased with your performance-"

"I imagine he wouldn't. But he lied to me, Sella. He lied for a decade that Papa and Onii-chan didn't care about me. And I'm sort of a reincarnation of the Archmage herself right now, with an ideally growing proficiency in the long coveted Third Magic. Any complaints about 'collateral damage' will be just that...complaints. He wouldn't dare do anything to alienate me, not when I'm in a position to achieve what our family has wanted to reclaim for centuries. And besides..."

A cruel smirk appeared on the albino's lips.

"The Church would be far more interested in a member of the Burial Agency with access to an old line of Magus secrets and contacts than they would just another fighter, don't you agree? They have Onii-chan for that. Oh, and Shirou will be right alongside me when I'm talking to our esteemed Einzbern head."

The cruel smirk showed teeth and became outright malicious.

"I think the second-and very much improved-Magus Killer with a bone to pick with that old fossil will help negotiations proceed smoothly, wouldn't you say so, Sella?"

Not seeming comfortable in the slightest with Illya's intent to easily part with family resources or so brutally depose its head...the maid nonetheless resignedly sighed as she wryly replied, "It is as you say, Milady."

"Geez, be a little more excited, Sella! Leysritt isn't here to balance out your stiffness so you have to start relaxing, understood?"

Pouting fiercely the taller Homunculus retorted, "You are whimsical enough as is, Milady! One of us has to remain level-headed!"

"That's Onii-chan's job now that he'll be living with us. So you can take that stock out of your ass, Sella."
"...I beg your pardon?!"

"Err, wait, that's not what the guy at the market said...was it stick out of your ass? Yes, that sounds better-OWIE!"

Glaring malevolently at Illya as she pulled harshly on the young woman's cheeks-causing crocodile tears to form at the edges of the albino's eyes-Shirou decided to leave them be, instead turning his attention to Saber and Assassin as they approached with a pair of individuals he didn't recognize.

"We have visitors."

Not missing a beat Sella released Illya with a neutral and composed expression once more adorning her features as the albino scowled at her caretaker, nonetheless turning to face down the approaching figures with a calm air.

Jack quickly broke formation, bounding towards the three of them with a smile as she eagerly stated, "I found your things, Other People!"

Reaching beneath her tattered cloak the Servant produced a small wrap of cloth and a firearm, Illya's expression lighting up with joy as even Shirou appeared mildly relieved, taking his father's Thompson Contender from the diminutive Servant with a nod.

"Thank you, Assassin. I thought I had lost this."

"Yes, thank you! I was certain Papa's things had been destroyed along with the castle..."

Gingerly unwrapping the covering of both the photograph and journal Kiritsugu had left her Illya couldn't help but smile, glad the Servant had completed her search of the castle they had left in a hurry so quickly.

And said Servant was practically glowing with delight at their gratitude, eyes shining as she swayed on the spot, responding with a bashful, "Eh heh heh, it wasn't hard for us! We're pretty good at scavenging for things so it was easy~!"

Hugging the items to her chest Illya felt a great deal of giddiness, telling the Servant, "I think that's all we need you for right now, Assassin. Can you go check on Sakura and the white-haired bitch? They might need someone to keep an eye out for them, if Mage Association people are already showing up. Lancer will make sure the Enforcer is safe for the moment."

"You got it, Other Person!"

The young girl astralized without further comment as the trio turned a collection of gazes towards Saber and the pair of new arrivals, both keeping their cool under the scrutiny.

"So. Who are you two and what does the Mage Association want with us?"

The taller man stepped forward, calmly asking, "My name is Waver El-Melloi II, I am a Lord and instructor of the Clocktower. This is Reynes El-Melloi Archisorte, my younger sister and sponsor. We-"

"Forgive my interruption, but was El-Melloi not the name of the Master of Lancer ten years ago? I thought you went by the name of Velvet."

Saber's sudden inquiry caught Illya and Sella off guard, surprised that Saber seemingly knew this individual, who was familiar with her in turn.

"Indeed, King of Knights. My original family name was Velvet but after the conclusion of the war there were...circumstances. Thus, I adopted the name of El-Melloi at Reines' request and am currently in the process of repairing the damage that was done to the family name."

The younger Magus gave a short curtsy and innocent smile, remarking, "And he has done an excellent job of it so far, despite many instances of reluctance."

Illya decided to disregard the editorial in favor of asking, "It sounds as if you were a Master in the Fourth War, Lord El-Melloi. Judging by your familiarity with Saber and vice versa."

"That I was. And unless I am horrifically mistaken you're the Einzbern Master of this war, correct?"

Illya merely nodded, hesitating briefly before asking, "In that case...did you ever run into the Einzbern representative of the last war, one Irisviel von Einzbern?"

Nostalgia crossed Waver's face, tone distant as he replied, "I did. A number of times, actually. Do you-"

"Ahem!"

A brief clearing of Reines' throat interrupted the flow of conversation, Illya glaring at the innocently smiling Magus as Waver sighed, stating, "I was charged with the responsibility of gathering information on the aftermath of this Grail War due to my experience in the Fourth. As much as I wish I had the luxury to indulge in tales of the past, I cannot."

Illya glowered, fully prepared to tell him to take a hike or risk being slaughtered on the spot-

"But an exchange of information seems like a fair enough trade, one that fulfills my mission statement quite nicely. I shall tell you of the Fourth and in exchange you will tell me of the Fifth, is that acceptable?"

Smirking at the offer Illya cheekily remarked, "I could just threaten to delete you off this plane of existence, you know~!"

Saber gave her a warning look, intoning, "Lady Illyasviel..."

"Ahh geez, I was only kidding, Saber! You and Sella have no sense of humor...at least Onii-chan likes my jokes!"

The mildly confused look from said Onii-chan shot a hole in that proclamation alongside his next words.

"That was a joke? I thought we were going to kill them."

"...Never mind."

She turned her attention back to the perplexed looking Waver and Reines, authoritatively stating, "Fine, but you answer my question first!"

Nodding at the request Waver responded, "I did not speak more than a few times with her but ended up on the same battlefield in a number of instances. She was a composed, brave and slightly tragic woman, I would say. Constantly on the front lines of battle alongside the King of Knights while the Magus Killer kept to the shadows."

Illya almost jerked, belatedly remembering that Papa had also been partnered with Mama during the war.

"You also knew the Magus Killer?!"

An amused scoff left the man, tone dry as he explained, "Hardly. Had I ever crossed paths with the man I would no doubt be very dead. Kayneth El-Melloi attempted the feat and you can see how that turned out."

Nodding in grudging acceptance of the fact Illya refocused as Waver tilted his head, asking, "My interactions with the Homunculus were limited, why not ask Saber? She spent a great deal of time with the woman and seemingly remembers the Grail War."

Illya blinked before feeling like smacking herself across the face. Of course she could just ask, Arturia was going to be sticking around for a while, after all!

"With that said, can you now explain the circumstances of the Fifth War, and all that it entailed?"

Illya briefly considered what to say, what was safe to impart that would ensure she and Shirou weren't hounded endlessly for a series of events they hadn't caused...and decided the truth wasn't that dangerous of a thing to impart with. All she would do is leave out the part of her being a newly formed Magician and Shirou being an Apostle Ancestor.

...She had no idea if that would work but it was worth a try, at the least.

"Okay, but this may take a while..."


"And so here we are, did that inform you of everything you wanted to know?"

The group had moved into the remains of a destroyed furniture shop, a lucky few pieces remaining intact enough that they served reasonably well enough as places to sit.

Illya would have preferred it if things were less dusty, granted...but that was what happened when the city was lit on fire. Everything became inundated with ash and cinders.

"My my, it seems both the Magus and Church representatives failed rather embarrassingly in their duties. This will no doubt go down in history as the single most disastrous breach in secrecy our association has ever witnessed."

Scowling at Reines' comment Illya shot back, "And had you been a part of it you would have not even survived long enough to fix things. Don't act like you have some kind of natural superiority when you weren't even selected to join this competition."

The blonde's smile became noticeably predatory as Waver quickly attempted to divert the discussion, stating, "You mentioned that Servants came spilling forth from the corrupted Grail, the ones from the previous war...tell me, was there one in particular? An aggravating and boisterous Rider with a voice that could crack granite?"

"You mean Iskandar?"

"That's the one, yes."

Illya was unsure of what to say to the man's inquiry or what he was looking for when Saber intervened, stating, "He inquired after your health, El-Melloi II. He remembered you and lamented that he was unable to see how you have changed over the years...but passed on with a smile nonetheless."

"Ah, right...that Rider was probably his Servant from the last war."

A small smile crept over the Magus' features at Saber's reassuring words, murmuring, "I see...the King looks after his subjects, after all..."

Saber seemed a bit put off by that statement but thankfully he focused once more on her and Shirou, remarking, "You said the King of Heroes was killed...who performed such a feat?"

"I did."

Illya resisted the urge to kick Shirou in the leg as both Waver and Reines looked dubious.

She hadn't specified that part because that would lead to a bunch of questions, dammit!

"You did? You don't seem the impressive sort..."

Illya breathed a silent sigh of relief as their dismissive tones-

-and resisted the urge to curse as Waver merely focused more intently on her brother, musing, "You clearly aren't Human...and you are in the company of the newly ascended Third Magician, so I sincerely doubt you're normal in any sense of the word."

The albino jerked, not managing to hide her surprise at the accurate assessment as the Magus raised an eyebrow in her direction.

"I'm not an idiot, Einzbern. I saw the remains of the Greater grail system supplying you with power and your compatriot here is obviously an Apostle...perhaps the newly minted Ancestor? I can think of precious little reason a Vampire would be in the company of a Magician unless they were previously acquaintances..."

"Dammit, why did this guy have to be smart?! I don't-"

Illya's train of thought cut itself off as Shirou blinked forward, moving faster than her eye could follow as both Magus abruptly found their views dominated by sharpened metal floating around their bodies and an unyielding hand clasped around their throats.

"Should I kill them, Illya?"

Briefly entertaining the idea the Homunculus quickly discarded it with a sigh. Killing the Mage Association's messengers would definitely cause problems as opposed to maybe causing problems...not to mention Saber didn't look entirely pleased by the proposed murder, even if she wasn't yet intervening.

She needed the Servant to tell her about Mama, that meant staying on her good side. And judging by her expression whenever her Papa was mentioned Emiyas were no doubt on her short list.

"Leave them alone, Onii-chan...you're right, Lord El-Melloi II. I recently acquired a limited access to the Third Magic and this is my brother, the 26th Dead Apostle Ancestor...and the second Magus Killer."

Illya didn't bother hiding her smirk as both Magi noticeably flinched at that apocalyptic-at least to them-statement, Shirou stepping back while dismissing his traced weapons.

"Oh, and I'm not Einzbern anymore. Onii-chan and I are to be called Illyasviel and Shirou Emiya, is that clear?"

This time the fledgling Magician let loose a small cackle as Waver looked vaguely ill, Reines keeping her expression so neutral that it was a tacit admission of unease.

Well, she could sympathize. Her Papa had been some kind of boogeyman to the Magi, to imagine his chosen successor with the power and abilities of a Dead Apostle Ancestor? That was the kind of stuff nightmares were made out of. It would be like giving Herakles back his sanity while retaining the strength and durability of a Berserker class.

The older Magus pulled out a cigarette and shakily lit it, remarking, "To Hell with this, I'll wait for the third negotiator of our group to show up. He can deal with you two."

The younger woman released a sigh, adding, "It could be worse, dear brother...imagine if we had brought Gray along?"

Waver suddenly coughed out a puff of smoke, tone bitter as he said, "Don't even joke about that, Reines. Like I need another headache to deal with..." while glancing at Saber, who tilted her head in confusion.

Wishing to ask who this 'Gray' person was but deciding the other bit of that conversation was more important Illya asked, "Third negotiator?"

"Yes, he's more suited to dealing with absurd situations like this...in the meantime, I'm going to need a moment to think and come to terms with everything you've told me."

The Homunculus traded a curious glance with Sella and Shirou, wondering who this mystery third individual they had travelled with was.

Probably nobody important, like another haughty noble.


Nobody important. Right.