"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Master/Servant Link"
Noble Phantasm
Chapter 7: Getting home, the long way round.
There was a tense silence in the living room, Illya remained frozen after the words her father had uttered.
In her haste to appear ignorant she did her best to stammer out a reply "Servant...you mean like a butler?" she chuckled nervously while scratching her head.
If the raised eyebrow from Kiritsugu and the knowing look from Irisviel were any indication, Illya's attempts had failed miserably. She winced at their reactions, it was obvious even to her that they hadn't fallen for it.
"Illya." Kiritsugu spoke in a stern voice, it caught Illya off guard momentarily, she'd never heard her father speak like that before "This is a serious matter. A servant is a dangerous thing an-"
"Archer's not dangerous." Illya replied immediately, a slightly frown on her face before widening her eyes and clamping her hands over her mouth as she realised what she had just said.
"Archer?" Kiritsugu nodded to himself "So that's their class…" he muttered before turning back to Illya "Let me see your hands."
"Eh? Wh-"
"Please." He interrupted her, a slight hint of desperation in his voice "Let me see your hands…"
Illya nodded and waddled over to him before extending her hands for him to look over, he gently took them in his own before thoroughly inspecting them. After a few tense moments he let out a sigh of relief and released them, all the tension in the room seemed to evaporate.
Kiritsugu turned to Irisviel with a relieved smile on his face "It's true...she doesn't have them." Irisviel let out a similar sigh and her shoulders dropped before a small smile adorned her face.
Kiritsugu then turned back to Illya "Your servant...can you bring them here?"
"Ummm...I think he was ri-"
"Right behind you, Master." Archer's voice cut through the air, Illya found it jarring how it lacked any emotion in it. It was a rather hollow sounding tone, she turned around to see Archer materialising in the room, although his focus was placed solely on Kiritsugu.
"Illya." Irisviel's voice caused Illya to turn back around to face her mother "Do you want to introduce us to your...friend?"
"Ah! Right!" Illya nodded and then stood in front of Archer like she was displaying something "Mama, Papa. Meet Archer. Archer, meet Mama and Papa!" she sounded all too pleased with herself.
Archer remained silent. His gaze still on Kiritsugu, his face betraying none of the torrent of emotions whirling within him.
Sadness.
Regret.
Resentment.
Anger.
Nostalgia.
They were all present and Archer himself didn't know how to react. He didn't remember much about his Father from when he was alive, although looking at this man in front of him felt...wrong.
He was without a doubt, Emiya Kiritsugu. Yet he couldn't be. He wasn't the Kiritsugu Archer knew.
He'd seen the photo's dotted about the house. This wasn't the sad, broken man who had died on his porch, gazing at the stars, his whole being made of regrets.
No, the man in front of him was...happy. For lack of a better word. Like the Emiya Shirou he'd seen. The Emiya Kiritsugu in front of him wasn't a broken, regret filled man. He was just...happy.
All it did was confirm a single thing in Archer's mind.
Being a Hero of Justice meant to rob yourself of any chance of happiness. Emiya Shirou never knew of the dream and had found happiness for the simple reason that Emiya Kiritsugu had obviously abandoned the dream years earlier and focused on raising a family.
What other explanation could their be?
It made Archer sick, to see the life he could have lived. Worse, knowing that Illya was on the verge of throwing away her happiness all for the dream which had been rightly abandoned.
"-cher?" He blinked as he realised he had ignored his Master, he turned back to Illya. His face still deceptively blank.
"Yes, Master?" He replied, his tone still hollow.
"Mou! You were ignoring me!" Illya pouted and stomped her feet "I was trying to introduce you!"
"Of course, Master. I assume they have names beyond 'Mama and Papa'?" Archer tried to lighten the mood which a sarcastic remark. Less for everyone else's benefit and more for his so he didn't feel like he wanted to forget ever being summoned here in the first place. It didn't work.
Irisviel chuckled "Yes. My name is Irisviel Von Einzbern." the woman bowed before gesturing to the man in the seat "And this is my husband. Emiya Kiritsugu."
Kiritsugu merely nodded before his gaze shifted to a more analytical one "I assume your name isn't simply 'Archer'?"
Archer shrugged "It was an unusual summoning, as such I can't remember my past. Therefore Archer will have to do."
"Yes…your summoning." Kiritsugu frowned before it reversed itself as he turned to Illya "It's rather late, why don't you head up to bed while Mama and myself talk to Archer here."
"But…" Illya began only to yawn.
"It's fine, Master." Archer nodded to her to head upstairs "You need your rest anyway."
Illya nodded, her eyes starting to become half lidded "Okay...goodnight, Archer, Mama, Papa."
"Goodnight." Three voices called out in reply, the second Illya left the atmosphere in the room changed.
"I want to know how my daughter ended up with a servant outside of a Grail War." Kiritsugu began immediately, his tone brook no argument.
"Oh?" Archer smirked at him "You don't mince words, do you? As expected of the 'Magus Killer'" Kiritsugu and Irisviel's eyes widened at the use of his old moniker.
"How di-"
"But to answer your question." Archer cut him off "I was summoned under...unusual circumstances. Suffice it to say I was without a Master upon my arrival. With no link to the Grail initially I had planned to simply let my mana exhaust itself and fade away."
"Then why didn't you?"
"There were...unexpected occurrences involving your daughter." Archer frowned "She's bound, for lack of a better word, to a rather...annoying Mystic Code and was conscripted into fighting Servants."
"What?" Kiritsugu never raised his voice, that was what made it all the more obvious how much rage he was in, next to him it was clear to Archer that Irisviel was also disturbed by this.
"They are not full Servants." Archer waved off his concerns "Rather they are...shadows of their former strength, when it became clear the danger she faced I offered my assistance to her."
"Who conscripted her?" Irisviel asked out, a look of concern and slight...anger, perhaps? Archer couldn't place the emotion.
"The Mystic Code itself, having abandoned it's original master, it sought out an impressionable young girl." Archer shrugged.
"How many Servants have you dealt with?" Kiritsugu brought the topic of discussion back to the more action orientated portion.
"The association itself already dealt with two prior to my arrival. As for Illya and myself? Four. There is one final servant to deal with."
"And then?" Kiritsugu narrowed his eyes "What will you do?"
Archer matched Kiritsugu's glare with one of his own "I'll satisfy some curiosities and then severe my contract with Illya and return to the throne."
The two stared at eachother for a few more moments before Kiritsugu sighed and ran a hand through his hair "I doubt I could stop you."
"No...you couldn't." Archer replied back rather easily before sighing "However… with that Mystic code clinging to her like a parasite she is now linked to the moonlit world. I would advise teaching her of the… intricacies of Magi."
Kiritsugu made no visible reaction to this other than a slight scowl while Irisviel placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and have him a small smile.
Archer turned to leave but stopped when Irisviel called out to him "Archer, wait!" he turned back to her. She closed this distance between the two of them, hand on her chin she looked over him with a thoughtful expression for a few moments.
"Can I help you with something?" Archer raised an eyebrow at her, feeling slightly uncomfortable under her inquisitive gaze. He could see she was searching for something, and he knew what it was.
"...No." Irisviel replied, backing away from him and sighing "You just...reminded me of someone."
"I see. I regret to inform you that the two of us have never met before today." With those final words Archer disappeared, thankful that the experience was over.
"Iri?" Kiritsugu's voice called out to her, making her turn around to face her husband "Something wrong?"
"I...I don't know." Irisviel sighed and shook her head "It's just… that look in his eyes…"
"What about it?"
"It reminded me of you when we first met." Both Irisviel and Kiritsugu frowned at this, Irisviel being the more confused of the two.
'Why did that look on Archer's face make me sad?' She thought to herself before shaking her head, she was probably just tired and wasn't thinking very clearly. It had been a rather sudden rush to get home after the call from Sella.
Illya didn't know much about this priest in her visions. Yet every time he spoke she felt a shiver go down her spine.
There was something sinister about that smile he had.
"Then what would happen if I used all my Command Seals right now?" Her brother gestured to his hand with the symbols on them while the Priest circled around them.
Rin-san looked absolutely gobsmacked by this and stared at Shirou with wide eyes "Wait, that's-"
"True, your rights as a Master would be lost." The Priest responded quickly before a dark smirk settled on his face "Although I cannot imagine a mage using something as powerful as a Command Seal in such a wasteful manner." He folded his hands behind his back and continued to pace around the pair "He would either be a complete novice or merely a coward."
Shirou's face scrunched up in anger at the declaration, Illya could only frown at the Priest. It was clear to her he was just doing this to wind her brother up.
It made sense that her Brother would want to be a part of this 'Holy Grail War' if it involved killing people, so why was this Priest so obsessed with making sure Shirou stayed in it?
"Have I convinced you?" The fake Priest let out a sinister chuckle "Then let us go back to the beginning, Emiya Shirou. If you insist on on wasting your Command Seals you are free to do so. Simply use them and break your pact with Saber. If you do so, I shall guarantee your safety until the Holy Grail War ends."
"Why would I need you to guarantee my safety!?"
"I was dispatched here to oversee the series of Holy Grail Wars." He turned back to face Shirou and put on an expression as if he were explaining something to a child "Safeguarding mages who are no longer Masters is an overseer's top priority."
"Series?" Shirou grimaced at the implication, Illya as well felt he eyes widen at the idea there were more than one of these "Hang on...The Holy Grail War didn't begin just now?"
The Priest came to a stop at the front of the Church and turned back to face the pair "This is the Fifth. The previous one was ten years ago, making this the shortest cycle."
"This has happened four times before?" Shirou's shock and disgust were rather obvious to everyone in the room, yet the Priest paid it no attention.
"Yes. Each time, the Holy Grail War has grown more brutal. Driven by their desires some Masters engaged in indiscriminate slaughter."
"Indiscriminate slaughter…" Shirou's eyes widened at that before they narrowed at the Priest "Then what would happen if the guy who won the Grail was a complete scumbag?"
"It is beyond our ability to stop one whom the Grail has chosen. After all, it is an omnipotent chalice which grants any wish." The Priest titled his head and smirked again at Shirou, Illya felt that involuntary shiver run down her spine again "However, if you do not wish for that to happen, Emiya Shirou. Then why not claim the Grail for yourself? If you win, at the very least, it will not go to an indiscriminate killer, yes?"
"I have no reason to fight." Shirou remarked, although the words sounded hollow even to Illya.
"Hoh?" The Priest raised an eyebrow "Then you have no interest in what the holder of the Grail does, even if there is a disaster as a result?"
"That's not…"
"If you have no reason to fight, fine." The Priest shrugged "Then you also have no reason to be interested in the events of ten years ago?"
Shirou furrowed his eyebrows "Ten years ago?" Illya also found herself confused, what did something that happened ten years ago have to… do… with the… oh…
"Indeed. At the end of the previous Grail War an unworthy Master touched the Grail." The Priest turned around to face Shirou, his expression blank while Illya could feel her horror rising. "I know not what that Master wished for. All that is clear is the aftermath that followed was a disaster."
"W-wait a minute…" Shirou's face began to turn white "A-are you saying that…"
"Indeed. The New City fire, whose causes remain unknown to this day is the aftermath of the previous Holy Grail War."
"Y-you said this was the fifth one…" Shirou spoke slowly has he struggled to remain on his feet, Illya's mind was thinking back to the first dream she had of Shirou stumbling through that hell. She could hardly contain the sickening feeling in her gut "Has anyone ever won the Grail?"
"One man did hold the Grail, however briefly."
"What happened to him?"
"Nothing." The Priest was no longer looking at Shirou, his lifeless eyes focused on something else "That Grail did not achieve completion. The result of a foolish man letting sentiment get the better of him. Making the Grail appear is trivial, once the seven Masters are gathered the Grail will reveal itself. As Rin says, it is not necessary to slay the other Masters. However, unless you do the Grail will not be completed. It chooses the Master who is most worthy of it. That is why the man who avoided fighting until the very end did not win the Grail."
Rin scoffed "In other words, even if you do get the Grail, its pointless if you don't finish off the other Masters, right? The Master who was first to get his hands on the Grail in the last war was weak." Illya was staring wide eyed at this Rin, this one was far more callous than the one she knew.
"That is all I have to say." The Priest brought the conversation back to the original topic "Decide here and now if you will participate in the Holy Grail War, Emiya Shirou."
Shirou grimaced in thought for a few moments before he replied "If the Holy Grail War is what caused the disaster ten years ago then… I'll fight. I'll fight as a Master."
"Well. That's all I brought you here for." Rin sighed before turning back to the Church entrance "Come on, Emiya-kun."
Shirou sighed and turned to follow her, he stopped after a few steps and spun around to find the Priest standing right behind him. That made Illya jump slightly, she hadn't even seen or heard him move.
"W-what? Do you have something else to say?" Shirou frowned at the Priest who stared him down, giving no initial reply "If you don't have anything else to say then I'm going."
Shirou turned around and made for the doors, as he went…
"Rejoice boy, The wish in your heart will at last come true." the Priest spoke as if he were an oracle.
It simply confirmed in Illya's mind that this guy was really creepy.
Shirou awoke with a start, he was panting in the wake of the dreams that he had last night.
They couldn't be real? Right?
He felt his hand claw over his heart and stare down at his chest, as he pulled his shirt off to examine himself. He breathed out a sigh of relief to see that there was no mark on his chest.
It all felt so real, that fire, his father, that weird guy with the red spear stabbing him and… that woman.
He began to calm down. It was just a bad dream. A really bad dream.
'I'll become one for you. Just leave your dream to me'
Those words were still bouncing around inside his head, his words but not his words. He didn't remember any of this, it never happened. Shirou let out a breath as he wiped the sweat from his brow and began to control his breathing.
It was just a weird dream, it wasn't like he was going to get it again.
Right?
He shook his head, cooking breakfast might take his mind of this craziness. He dragged himself out of bed and got changed into his casual clothes. Good thing it was a weekend, perhaps if he was quick enough he could get into the kitchen before Sella noticed him.
He quickly descended down the stairs and into the kitchen.
'Yes!' He thought to himself 'Nobody is up yet, If I'm quick I can get a few dishes done before anyone wa-'
"Up early, aren't you Shirou?" A rather amused voice gave him pause, Shirou turned to the source to see Kiritsugu sat at the dinner table in a dressing gown with a cup of coffee in his hand "Still desperate to beat Sella to the kitchens are you?"
"O-Old man!?" Shirou sputtered out in surprise "When did you-"
"Last night." Kiritsugu chuckled before giving Shirou a rather exaggerated frown "And I'm not that old…"
"Yeah." Shirou smirked at him "Not yet at least."
The pair shared a small laugh between them before Shirou turned back to the kitchens "Any preference for breakfast, Old man?"
"Hmmm…" Kiritsugu hummed in thought for a few moments before smiling "Been a while since myself and Iri had French toast. I know Illya and Leysritt like it."
"Liz just likes it for the grease." Shirou chuckled and shook his head "Still, I'm sure I can get it done quickly enough before Sella tries to kick me out of the kitchens."
"Still fighting for dominance?" Kiritsugu chuckled when Shirou huffed in response "You know Sella takes her duties as caretaker very seriously when myself and Iri are away."
"I know that." Shirou frowned as he took a pan down and pulled out a few slices of break "But she can at least let me cook once in a while! She's just jealous that I'm nearly as good at cooking as she is!"
"Careful now… Sella hears you say that she might ban you from the kitchen again. You know what happened after that cake incident."
Shirou scowled "I merely pointed out that she used too many coffee beans for her cake! It was slightly too bitter, she just overreacted."
"Sure, sure." Kiritsugu chuckled.
The pair remained in relative silence as Shirou got to work cooking while Kiritsugu finished his coffee.
"Hey… Old man…" Shirou eventually spoke out to get Kiritsugu's attention, his tone was slightly pensive.
"Hm? Something wrong, Shirou?" Kiritsugu frowned slightly at his adoptive son's sudden shift in tone.
"Did you… did you ever want to be a Hero of Justice?" Shirou didn't know why he asked, frankly he wanted to forget about the dream entirely but something in his being just wouldn't let it go.
Kiritsugu stilled slightly, Shirou wasn't facing him so he couldn't see just how completely off guard his Father was at the question. He didn't reply to Shirou for a few moments, causing a rather awkward silence to emerge.
"It's a stupid que-" Shirou tired to change the subject and laugh it off before he was interrupted by Kiritsugu.
"When I was little… I suppose I wanted to be a Hero of Justice." Kiritsugu replied, his tone was a lot sadder than before. He was staring at the bottom of his empty coffee cup as Shirou continued making breakfast.
"When you were little, huh?" Shirou nodded before speaking again "Did you… did you give up?"
"Yeah." Kiritsugu nodded "As you grow up it becomes a lot harder to see yourself as a Hero of Justice. Seems dreams like that have expiration dates."
"I suppose so." Shirou nodded "Do you regret giving it up?"
"Wanting to be a Hero?"
"Yeah."
"...No…" Kiritsugu shook his head, a small smile working itself onto his face "I don't. I don't think I ever will either. I'd rather have you, Illya and Iri than be a Hero of Justice. Maybe I can't make everyone else happy… but it's enough to try and make you all happy."
"I suppose so." Shirou smiled.
"…You're not gonna say something like 'I'll be a Hero for you, Old man' now are you?" Kiritsugu joked and Shirou released a small laugh at that.
"Maybe if I was younger, besides…" Shirou stopped laughing and shook his head "You've already said it's hard to be a Hero. I'm fine with just making a few people happy."
Archer remained in Spirit form for the entire exchange. If he were visible, someone would have accused Archer of having a slight smile. He would of course, deny such an accusation, but he was relieved.
It seems this Shirou had more sense than him. If only Illya was as aware, with that thought Archer's good mood began to vanish.
That girl… why did she have to make things so difficult? Still, with Kiritsugu here it was likely he would rein in whatever self-destructive habits she had as a result of her new found ambition.
"Shirou! You better not be in that kitchen when I get down there!" Sella's voice echoed throughout the house, Shirou winced while Kiritsugu chuckled as moments later the homunclus entered raced down the bottom of the stairs to find Shirou in the middle of serving Kiritsugu his breakfast, a smug expression on his face while Sella scowled slightly.
"Let him have his enjoyment, Sella." Kiritsugu waved her off as he went to have a bite of his breakfast "It's been awhile since myself and Iri had his cooking."
"...Fine." Sella pouted and crossed her arms.
"I smell Shirou-chan's cooking!" The jovial voice of Irisviel was soon followed by the aloof woman racing into the kitchen "Ah! French toast!" the woman beamed and then wrapped Shirou in a rather large hug which took the boy off his feet "You're such a caring child!"
Archer watched as one by one the other residents entered the dining room and sat down to enjoy breakfast. The entire seen was chaotic, laughs and jokes were flung around as Shirou seemed to relish no longer being the only male in the house, that he knew of anyway.
The servant watched the family with… confused feelings.
He found it mainly strange to watch this life which he never lived and was currently living and perhaps he had the slightest tinge of… envy for this version of himself.
He mentally sighed 'Honestly… I really do have terrible luck, don't I?'
"There had to have been a better way of contacting me than this?" Archer raised and eyebrow at Tohsaka while holding up the note which had been placed on the front door.
"What?" Tohsaka frowned "What's wrong with it?"
Archer gave her and incredulous expression before turning the note around to read it aloud "To the butler this concerns. Meet myself and sausage hair in the gathering of children." Luvia scowled and sent Tohsaka a glare while mumbling something along the lines of 'barbaric gorilla'.
Tohsaka said merely shrugged at Archer before putting on a slightly annoyed expression "What did you want me to say!? 'Dear Archer Servant, come meet myself and another high class Magus in a playground?'?"
"I'd have rather you waited to get my Masters attention later, when she wouldn't have to explain to her family that the note on their front door was merely a prank." Archer shook his head "Regardless, you have my attention now. What did you need?"
"Myself and Luvia have been in regular contact with the Clock Tower, reporting our progress with the Class Cards." Tohsaka explained in what Archer and Illya had dubbed 'Rin pose number 4'
"I see." Archer nodded before he narrowed his eyes "Did you tell them about Illya?"
"No, both myself and Luvia have neglected to mention that little fact." Tohsaka assuaged him "As far as their aware, those dumb st- Mystic codes are still in our possession."
"However, neglecting the mention of a full Servant was something we couldn't do." Luvia interjected, her face more serious than usual "As such, our superiors have asked us to keep a close eye on you, as well as ask what you intend to do when the Class Cards have been collected."
Archer nodded, he suspected that the Mages Association would be significantly worried about a Servant currently loose in Fuyuki "Any mention of my Master?"
"No." Tohsaka shook her head "I've merely stated that we are in an alliance. They probably think that I am your Master."
"I see. I suppose I should thank you for that." Archer nodded his head "As for what I intend to do… Once the last of the Class Cards have been collected and barring anymore chaos. I'll break my contract with my Master, as well as her link to the mystic code and be on my way."
Both Rin and Luvia let out a sigh of relief "That's fortunate." Rin nodded her head "Some of the higher ups have been hounding myself and Luvia about that for a few days."
"Speaking of Class Cards. Have you found the last one yet?"
"We've narrowed it down to a small section of the City." Luvia furrowed her brows "We'll likely have it by tomorrow, maybe the day after."
"Frankly, I'm relieved we'll soon have this whole mess put behind us." Rin let out a breath and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Hmph." Archer grunted "That makes two of u-" He cut himself off and looked away.
"Hm? Something wrong, Archer?" Rin tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.
Archer let out a mirthful chuckle "It seems my Master is calling me back."
"Fine…"
"Indeed, it seems she has also requested your presence there as well." Archer smiled internally. The whole message was in fact "Mama and Papa want to meet with Rin-san."
"Oh." Rin blinked before shrugging "I guess she must have some more questions or something."
Archer shrugged "I suppose so." he said as he returned to Spirit form.
"Welcome, Rin-san." Illya smiled as she opened the door.
"Excuse the intrusion." Rin replied as she entered the house and took her shoes off "So, what did you want to ask anyway?"
"Huh? Did Archer not tell you?" Illya looked confused for a few seconds and Rin stared at her with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"No, he just said that you called him home and asked me to come with him."
"Oh…" Illya nodded "It was actually Mama and Papa who asked me to get you. Apparently they want to talk with you?"
"...Really?" Rin strained a smile, she didn't like non-magi getting involved "What about?"
"Specifically why my daughter was caught up with your Mystic code." Another voice had Rin turn to her left and immediately come face to face with a slightly older man with dark scruffy hair "Welcome to my home, Miss Tohsaka. My name is Emiya Kiritsugu."
Rin paled to the extent she could have been mistaken for a ghost "O-oh…" she always knew Shirou's name was Emiya, she just thought it was a coincidence. She didn't actually think he was related to the old Magus Killer!
"Now dear." Another voice interjected, breaking Rin out of her terror induced trance. She turned to see an older woman who was the spitting image of Illya walk up next to the Magus Killer and place her hand on his shoulder "Don't you think you're scaring the poor girl?"
Kiritsugu said nothing but eventually nodded his head "Now...Miss Tohsaka. I understand that your mystic code is… now in the posession of my daughter." He them remembered something "By the way Illya, you can go upstairs now. Papa and Mama have to have a private conversation with the young Miss here."
"Okay." Illya nodded and raced upstairs.
The room remained in a tense silence before Kiritsugu opened his mouth again "As I was sayi-"
"It's not my fault! Please don't kill me!" Rin blurted out and threw up her hands to cover herself. After a few seconds she heard light-hearted giggling, she lowered her hands to see the pale skinned woman slightly laughing while Emiya was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Killing you was not my intention." Kiritsugu sighed out loud "I would merely like to understand why my daughter is now involved in the moonlit world."
"What do you think they are talking about downstairs?" Illya asked Archer, who had materialised and say cross legged on her floor while Ruby hovered around them.
"Probably Magi related things." Archer shrugged his shoulders "Also probably discussing the fact that his daughter was roped into a rather dangerous situation by a short sighted, wilful, trumped up battery." he smirked while shooting a small glance at Ruby.
"Bite me, Satan." Ruby huffed back at him "Besides, Illya-chan seems pretty happy with being a magical girl! It all worked out in the end!"
"And if it hadn't been Illya?" Archer raised an eyebrow "You'd have dragged some poor little girl into this deadly situation."
"You're just jealous you aren't as stylish as Magical Girls!"
"Please…" Illya whined "Stop arguing with eachother." Illya turned to Archer with a reassuring smile "It's fine, Archer. I've already gotten over it, besides Ruby is right. I can at least help people like this."
Archer sighed and shook his head "In any case, both Tohsaka and Luvia have said that they are close to finding the last Class Card. This means that later today, we are going to head out and do more training."
"Eh?" Illya froze, then blanched when she remembered what Archers 'Training' involved "D-do we have to?" She gave him her best smile.
"Yes." Which he promptly ignored "This isn't going to be like the other Class Cards. Berserkers specialise in using their brute strength at the cost of their sanity. This class card servant will already be insane when we encounter it, and it will probably equal me in terms of strength."
"I thought you said they were supposed to be weaker than normal Servants?" Illya asked in slight concern.
"They are, which is why the Berserker will probably equal me in strength rather than turn me into a fine paste on the floor."
"Oh…"
"Yes. This will likely be the most dangerous Servant we encounter, therefore it would be best if you trained in order to at least protect yourself." Archer shook his head "If Luvia is smart, she will probably have Miyu doing something similar."
"...Archer? What will you do after we beat Berserker?"
"I might stick around for a few days, see how things play out with Tohsaka and Ruby. After that." Archer shrugged "I'll return from where I came."
"...Do you have to?"
"You forget Master. I am already dead, I don't belong here and I was never going to remain here permanently anyway, my goal is to protect you and collect the cards. Once that is done, I'll have no reason to remain."
Illya let out a hollow chuckle "I wanted to surprise you by finding our your name before you left… Guess I probably won't have the chance now."
"Don't worry too much about it, Master." Archer stood up and ruffled her hair "I never really cared much about my name anyway."
"Don't think about it too hard, Illya-chan!" Ruby interjected "I'm sure Archer's name probably wasn't that important anyway."
"She's right." Archer nodded then grimaced "Something must be wrong with me if I'm agreeing with her."
Despite herself, Illya let out a little giggle.
She really would miss Archer.
AN: We're approaching the end of the First Arc. Next Chapter will probably have us face Berserker, or at least give the opening to the fight against him.
But yeah, Kiritsugu is back. I'll have him in the story, as well as Shirou and Iri.
But yeah, the next Arc is gonna be a wild ride. Chloe, Bazett and Gilgamesh.
Not to mention Illya's dreams.
Will they play a big role in uncovering who Archer is? Who knows!
Well… I do… but we've got to have dramatic effect now, don't we?
