Long ago…

The Hundred Years' War

Unspecified Location

The thin right hand hand of a young, courageous girl reached over to a single dandelion on the ground. In the next instant, she had plucked it out of the ground, separating it from mother nature.

Much like her partner, she too had pearly blue eyes. In a sick, twisted way, she mirrored Medusa's interaction with the wine, albeit she was much more innocent in comparison.

"Griffith…?"

"Hm?" Another voice responded from far away.

A wide, pure smile grew on her face as her face heated up. "Would you like to make a wish, by any chance?"

Present Time

What the hell is this?

The Idea of Benevolence? The Idea of Evil?

Who do I believe here?

Him coming closer to me allowed me to get a better look at his appearance.

He was thin, yet somehow he had a decent build all at the same time. It helped with the androgynous look, but I can't help but think that this guy's thrown up everything he's ever eaten, or maybe he's never eaten at all.

The cruel crown of thorns, the nails pushed through his wrists. Ouch. How can he even walk around like that? He's not even trying to pull them out. That's what I would do if I were in his shoes. Metaphorically, obviously, as he's completely naked.

Besides, why does he even have those accessories? Those things would be the last accessories I'd associate with Satan of all the people.

The Holy Trinity is common knowledge. The Son, The Father, The Holy Spirit.

…It might be safe to say that Griffith has corrupted one side of the trinity. How? Not sure. Might be because of his nature as the Idea of Benevolence.

I don't know how to think. I can't think.

But…

I know is that Satan isn't just a deceiver, he is THE deceiver. There's no way that is his real appearance.

I can't let myself tremble now.

"Or... what?"

"What?"

"Or else what...?! What do I have to lose from denying you besides my own life?!"

He looked a bit insulted. "...In this world, is there anything more solid than a dream? That is what you will lose... first and foremost, that is. It's been quite a while since I've killed anyone with my own hands, a thousand years or so. Time passes slowly when you are mortal. As I yearn for the delight of spilling blood once more, I can see that your friends are quite good candidates."

…

He pulled his hand back, standing back up. I could do nothing but despair while he enjoyed.

"Rin Tohsaka, Luviagelita Edelfelt, Taiga Fujimura, Sakura Matou... oh, oh, oh my..."

He's even threatening people on the other side of the planet?!

"You used to be friends with Shinji Matou as well up to some point, right? I saw that he was recovering." A wide grin came upon his face. A few of his Servants had darted their eyes to his behavior. Even they were distraught. "So many victims for me to look to. Indeed, so many, so little time... for your amusement, I shall string up all their corpses near the Clock Tower, you will see them all when you think you're just headed for another day of learning, however, death will not await you after this event. I know it would be more painful for you to live with it."

His behavior really speaks for itself. Even though he's 'pure,' he still threatens me like this. I don't have anything else to say, but...

Damn it. Damn it all.

What did I get myself into?

"I will give you two choices. You can completely stay out of this; forget everything that happened between you and the God Hand and continue life as normal. That, or you can come with me into a perfect world. Whatever desire you may have, I shall make it come true. Material possessions? Or perhaps do you want something from the mental domain? Friendship? Love? All-"

"Excuse me? I'm right here!" Jeanne commented, frustrated.

"Not now."

She grit her teeth in her anger, but who is she to question her Master?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel tempted, but thanks to Kotomine's trickery, I've got some experience. I can hold on to reality, even if only for a bit.

It's a confusing situation. I'll go with the plan and lure him back into the Clock Tower. If he lets go of me, I'll have plenty of time to confront the demons about this whole Idea of Evil schtick he talked about.

"Tomorrow."

"What tomorrow?"

"Come back to the Clock Tower tomorrow. I'll make my decision by then." Gotta say something to lower his defense. "I'm convinced. I'll stop working with those demons. Just the matter of whether or not I'll join you."

"Very well. I am happy to hear that. I will have to ask you for that Behelit, however."

Uh oh.

He put his hand back out, gesturing towards me with a wide smile. "Let this be a sign of our truce."

Shit. That went completely sideways. What do I do, what do I do...?

In my moment of distress, a voice came to me. Not just any voice, the voice of one of those demons.

You who have been picked by Causality itself... give up the Behelit for your life. Have no fear.

...

What?

"Emiya? Are you there?"

Maybe it's Griffith himself doing this, yet, he seems confused as much as I am.

I'll... go with it.

If you value your life as much as any other human, if you wish to carry on in this world, you must make this insignificant sacrifice.

I thought their power was fading. From here on out, it's their problem if this whole thing doesn't work. Can't claim any responsibility.

...I still hesitated. My free hand was trembling as it slowly approached the pocket holding the Behelit.

My hand feels the smooth, stone-like texture of the object while I pull it out.

Griffith was quick to nab it out of my hand with his right. In contrast, he did not hesitate. Not one bit.

Interestingly, a change had occurred when the Behelit came into his possession. It had turned red. Not sure what that means.

"Thank you for this gift..." The smile he had put on while asking me for the Behelit was a fleeting one. It was already gone. "This gift... no, it cannot be called a gift. A curse."

"Your majesty?" Medea said to him in her concern, placing a hand on his cheek.

"No need to worry, Caster. I'm perfectly fine. This curse given to me by Causality however... I am incapable of cherishing it. It is up to me to destroy this." He used his left to take off Medea's hand off his cheek. "Now, Shirou, I'll perform a miracle of the highest order. One that cannot be replicated by any mage, even those of the Age of Gods. Let this be proof of my honorable action, my honorable beliefs."

Now that he says it, I realize I haven't gotten anything out of him except for his true form. I still don't know what he wants, or what he's going to do.

I noticed something. Out of seemingly nowhere, thorny roses had started to wrap around his right forearm, starting from his elbow, slowly going all the way to his hand and the Behelit he was holding. They were growing in real time.

Of course, the thorns couldn't be ignored, they were stabbing into his forearm, causing bleeding, he didn't care.

Soon, the roses made their way to the now crimson Behelit, overtaking it as well by completely wrapping and surrounding it. The roses started to crush the Behelit, putting pressure on it. Didn't take long for said Behelit to break, the energy in it was released in the form of Mana in the air.

"The ability to weave life. No creature holds the ability to create life and control nature as I, the one true savior, do. Saber, please free our guest. That will be enough."

I grit my teeth while Artoria pulled Excalibur back out of my palm.

This is gonna be an absolute pain to deal with for the rest of the month, longer maybe.

"Gh..."

"You are free to leave now."

Not that I want to stay here for any longer.

Without another word, I turn my back on the Satanic group, holding my wounded hand, only for his voice to stop me.

"Wait, Shirou." He turned towards Rider. "Medusa, please be a dear and fetch Emiya our bandages. It'll have to do for now."

Or just use your 'control over life?' Is that too much to ask for?

Rider stood up, heading towards the kitchen.

A few moments of awkward silence later, she was back, holding the bandages Griffith requested. She slowly made her way over to me. Admittedly, I feel scared, but she's under his orders. I'll be fine. I think.

"Stay still."

Grabbing onto my wounded hand, she gently wrapped said bandages. Oddly soothing, even if I'm right in the heart of danger.

"Done."

"Have a good night, Emiya."

Yeah, I won't. Thanks.

I turn my back once more.

No one said a word, I didn't say any back to them. I'd rather have it that way.

Griffith's Perspective

At last, the boy left. Good. At this point in time, he is but a scared mutt.

I stand up from my position, only to feel something grab my chin. The soft hand of a darkened Jeanne. She forced me to look at her.

"Hey, hey, Lucy Goosey, what was that back there all about? Eh?"

"In this era, you must say everything sweet and positive that comes to mind in order to win over the hearts of the masses. That is simply the way of this world. Of course, you know that my heart does not belong to that naive young man."

"Thought so." A wide smirk. "Glad you know your place."

My place...

My position is above her.

I've granted her desires, perhaps far too many of her desires. She too has fallen for the deception.

I don't have anything else to say. I pull away from her grasp, walking back to the harp. Once more, I take my seat next to it, simultaneously preparing to tug on its strings again.

...

...

That is, when two feminine arms wrapped around my neck from behind, from the shadows, her garbs resting on my shoulders. The frosty breath of the Queen of Winter draws against my constantly shattering, porcelain-like skin.

"Oh... oh, oh dear... dear Tonelico... for how long have you been watching?"

The king of the white blind sheep.

Rin Tohsaka's Residence

Knock knock.

"Coming."

Oh, thank God. She's fine. Perfectly fine, at least it seems like it so far. Goodness, I'm glad to get that off my mind.

Those threats will forever stay on my mind no matter what. Even if I join him, even if I kill him...

Haunting to say the least.

The door opened.

"Shirou--!"

Instantly pulled into a hug by Tohsaka in casual clothing.

Can't say I didn't need that after being stabbed in the hand by Saber.

She looked up at me. There was a mixture of sadness, worry and anger all in one on her face.

"Where the hell were you today?! You were gone for the entire day, you weren't answering your phone either!"

"Hey, hey, Rin, calm down. I'm fine. I, erm... I got pardoned by Cypher right after the moment I last saw you."

"R- Really?" She backed away. Her worries were washed away, thankfully.

"Yeah. Sorry, I just got really caught up in the calming atmosphere he had made. We had dinner."

"...So you two are friends, then?"

"I guess."

"Huh. That's great. Having a higher-up friend really does you wonders."

"Yeah."

"Hopefully you'll be attending in full tomorrow. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, no, everything's fine. I just, erm... I wanted to ask you, are you fine?"

"Yeah? Why do you ask that?" That is when her eyes shifted to my bandaged hand. "Shirou? Is everything fine? What happened to your hand?"

"Sorry, I'm a little paranoid these days. As for this," I raise my hand, looking at it. "...Louis has some really sharp knives. That's all."

Evidently, she was suspicious, but went with it anyways. I reckon it's because she's too tired to continue. "...Be more careful next time. You should go get some sleep."

"I will. Thanks."

"See you tomorrow."

"Night."

She closed the door on my face.

Now it's a matter of getting back at the God Hand before tomorrow. I already gave up the Behelit, it'll have to be them that reach out to me. I have a few words to say to them with what Griffith revealed to me.

Long ago...

The Hundred Years' War

Unspecified Location

"Hey," A freckled man with blonde hair spoke, the hair having been made into a ponytail at the back. "Hey, Guts, still hanging on?"

The 'Guts' he was talking to had blood all over him, huffing and puffing. He was resting on a log. Next to him was a greatsword, a bit too big for the average joe. "Yeah. Trying... to."

"Relax, deep breaths." The man sat down next to Guts. "Here, take this." He offered Guts a napkin from one of his pouches.

Guts looked at the napkin with confusion. "Seriously?"

"What? Better than nothing."

"...Right, I'll take it. Thanks."

And he so, he did as he said he would, taking the napkin from his hand.

"Gonna be honest, can't believe you made it out of that one."

"Heh, that's my thing. I'll say this though, I did worse than usual today. Next time you see me," A large grin. "I'll be bringin' Hell with me."