"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Master/Servant Link"
Noble Phantasm
Chapter 18: A shadow looms
It was later in the evening when Archer and Rin eventually made it back to the Einzbern household. Rin had remained silent for the majority of the journey back, although Archer could tell she was anxious about the upcoming operation, if the trembling of her hands was any indication.
"I assume you are going to attempt to enlist the aid of the Einzberns." Archer spoke as they approached the front door, Rin paused and let out a mirthless huff, turning to face Archer with with tired expression.
"We both know its a formality." She let out a sigh "Even if I didn't approach them to ask for help directly, Illya and Emiya-kun would just as likely rush off to the Matou place anyway."
"Hmph." Archer grunted in affirmation, he knew that was true enough. Illya had fallen in love with her ideal of being a Hero, there was very little chance of her passing up the opportunity to rescue a girl in such a situation. Shirou's motivations were slightly more illusive to him. He could see that he also wanted to rescue Sakura from Zouken, however the servant suspected that there was more to his motivation than simply wanting to do the right thing.
It was a strange thing, to believe that the naive boy could even be capable of holding an ulterior motive. "I suppose." Archer shrugged "Although I imagine what you actually want is the Magus Killer."
Rin paused, her expression frozen for a few moments before she looked away "His help would be more useful. As powerful as Ruby is…"
"It is the logical choice." Archer agreed, walking past her "Emiya Kiritsugu is the next best alternative to a Church Executor when it comes to dealing with Magi." he shrugged "I could probably do the job myself."
"But you won't without Illya's consent." Rin cut him off. Archer didn't reply immediately, looking over his shoulder, steel grey eyes locked onto Rin.
"My own distaste for the situation is irrelevant." Archer gave a monotone answer "I am a servant, it is my purpose to act in accordance with my Masters best interests." he turned back around "Eliminating magi because I personally dislike their actions is not in hers."
Rin stared at Archer's back for a few moments before a wry smirk wormed its way onto her face "Admit it, you just don't want Illya to get in trouble."
Archer gave her a deadpan stare in response, but did not deny the accusation. Which was more than enough confirmation for Rin.
Archer opened up the door, walking into the house and removing his shoes "We're back." he moved into the living room, Rin entering behind him.
"Pardon the intrusion." She let herself in, closing the door behind her and moving into the living room after Archer. Then blinked in surprise, sitting on the sofa was a stoic woman with short dark hair in a grey turtle neck woollen sweater with dark brown trousers.
"You must be the Tohsaka Heiress and the Archer servant." She spoke up, an emotionless tone of voice "I am Hisau Maiya." bowing her head slightly "An assistant to Emiya Kiritsugu."
"Well?" Kiritsugu called out, entering the room with a serious expression on his face "I assume you met with the Church official?"
"I did." Rin nodded, crossing her arms "He's agreed to allow for an investigation into Matou Zouken, and should we ask for it, assistance in dealing with him." she cringed, looking down "He also confirmed that the Church was aware of his true nature. He's a...a pseudo Dead apostle."
"I know." Kiritsugu simply replied, frowning "It makes dealing with him more difficult." he nodded to Maiya "Not impossible, but difficult. Depending on how you wish to proceed."
"Are we going to rescue Sakura-san!?" Illya cried out, rushing into the living room with a determined smile on her face, said smile faltered when Rin looked down at her with a cold expression.
"Myself and Archer are going to investigate Zouken." She replied in a curt voice, nodding to the tanned servant "You are going to remain here, in the event you are needed, I will let you know."
"Eh?" Illya recoiled "But I though-"
"There's that cold exterior showing again, Rin-san." Ruby spoke up, floating around and performing an approximation of shaking her head "Its no wonder you weren't fit to be a magical girl. In situations like these-"
"In situations like these, its best to keep quiet." Archer narrowed his eyes at the Mystic code "Your protection will only get you so far and this requires a subtle hand." his lips curled in contempt "Which you have proven incapable of."
"I can be a lot for subtle than Mr 'Bone of His Swor-"
"Enough." Kiritsugu cut her off, sighing and rubbing his temples "Tohsaka is correct. Illya, it would be best for you to remain here."
"But-"
"Illya." She turned around to see Shirou staring down at her with a soft expression, the red haired boy crouched down to her eye level, placing a hand on her shoulder he looked her in the eyes "I...understand, that you want to rescue Sakura. But its dangerous, too dangerous, for you to rush in." he bit his lip and looked down "I know you don't want to leave her there, but its not forever." he looked back up, a small smile on his face "Besides, as big a jerk as Archer is, he'll help save her and the Old man's pretty good as well."
Archer stared down at his younger self, eyebrow twitching but didn't elect to respond. In truth, he hadn't been expecting that. Shirou had told him he wouldn't be a Hero, but for Archer it had been just words, the boy had done nothing to disprove him.
Now though?
It was obvious that Emiya Shirou had no interest in saving everyone, that thought did alleviate some of Archer's concerns. The fact that he hadn't included himself in the list of people going to rescue Sakura was telling. Archer could also see it in his eyes, the boy didn't have that same desire.
Illya looked around the room, a pained expression on her face before she eventually slumped her shoulders, seeing she was outnumbered she eventually relented "Alright…" she muttered "I'll...I'll leave it to you…" she retreated back up the stairs.
"That girl." Rin rubbed her forehead, a somewhat concerned expression on her face before she steeled her expression, turning to Maiya and pointing her finger "I assume you are experience in hunting Magi as well, yes?"
"I am." Maiya nodded her head.
Rin replied with one of her own, then turned to Kiritsugu "Alright. Myself and Archer are going to investigate Matou Zouken towards midnight. Less chance or running into people."
"Hmph." Kiritsugu grunted, then moved over to sit himself down on a chair near the coffee table "And if you discover something?"
Rin flinched, then steeled her expression "As acting Second Owner of Fuyuki, I would like to demand your assistance in neutralising the threat posed by Matou Zouken, in the event that my investigation uncovers evidence of wrongdoing against the Tohsaka family. In exchange for aid, I will formally recognise the presence of the Einzbern and Emiya families occupation in Fuyuki."
Kiritsugu stared at her for a few moments before he let out a sigh and nodded his head "I accept your terms." he replied "I will also be expecting payment for services rendered."
Rin sputtered "E-EH!?"
Archer rolled his eyes and moved towards the kitchen, briefly pausing when he noticed a second presence had followed him. Turning around, Maiya was staring back at him with an unreadable expression.
Archer raised an eyebrow at her "Can I help you with something?"
Maiya frowned, leaning towards Archer and examined his face closely, staring into his eyes, she nodded to herself and leaned away "Madam Irisviel explained your origins to me."
Archer huffed, crossing his arms and leaning against the kitchen counter top "Of course she did. That troublesome woman."
"I don't see it." Maiya went on, "Your only similarity to Emiya Shirou is facial structure. I cannot see the boy in you."
"Good." Archer grunted, lips thinning "I can't see myself in him either. Honestly." Archer shook his head "Its quite relieving."
"Your eyes remind me of the old Kiritsugu." Maiya changed the subject, Archer's lip curled downwards "Doing his best to become a machine."
"That woman said the same thing." He replied, then titled his head "Why do you work with him?"
"I owe Kiritsugu everything." Maiya replied in a determined voice "I am a tool for his use."
"Saved you as well did he." Archer muttered, a self depreciating smile on his face "You lived for his sake, I lived for the sake of his ideals. Look where that got me." he scowled, then looked back at Maiya "I have no recollection of you, so I shall assume you died before Kiritsugu adopted me."
"If it was for Kiritsugu's sake, that is fine." Maiya shrugged off his statement, her expression never changing.
"All for his sake, huh." Archer muttered, then raised an eyebrow at her "What is your opinion of the current situation?"
Maiya frowned "It is for Kiritsugu-"
"I said your opinion." Archer reiterated "Illya charging off to save some girl she's never met and Shirou…" Archer trailed off, a thoughtful look on his face "I can't even understand his thought process."
"It is...concerning." Maiya eventually replied "Madam Irisviel and Kiritsugu would be saddened if she was injured."
"And yourself."
Maiya's expression faltered for a split second before it steeled itself again "It would be...unfortunate. I have grown attached to Illyasviel."
Archer's lip twitched "A tool with emotions." he shook his head, frown returning "You shouldn't try to separate yourself from them like that. Living for someone else's sake is fine, provided you remember you still have your own will." he turned away from Maiya "You should not try to discard your feelings."
Maiya narrowed her eyes at Archers back "That is hypocritical coming from you."
Archer snorted "You are alive. The feelings of a dead man don't matter."
"Illyasviel would be hurt to hear you say such things." Archer's body stilled for the briefest of moments.
"I've already explained to her. I'm not her brother. She should be more concerned with Emiya Shirou's feelings than mine."
"Hmph." Maiya stared at him for a few more moments before something flickered through her eyes "You really are Emiya Kiritsugu's son."
"...Yeah." Archer turned around, looking past Maiya into the living room, an indiscernible emotion in his eyes "Although that man isn't quite my Emiya Kiritsugu. He's much too happy."
Maiya didn't have a response to that.
Illya slumped herself on her bed, Ruby floated around in front of her "Don't feel too bad, Illya-chan! They'll find something and you'll be able to rescue Sakura!"
"Yeah…" Illya muttered, non-committally, she gave a sad smile "I always thought how great it would be if magic was a thing." she gave a hollow chuckle "I'd imagine all the things I could do if I was a magical girl I could fly, shoot spells, save people." her smile disappeared "I felt that for a little bit, when we were helping Rin-san with the class cards...but when it comes to actually saving someone, saving Sakura. I can't do anything." she sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes "What's the point of being a magical girl if I can't help anyone. How am I supposed to be a Hero of Justice if I can't even help one girl."
"Illya-chan…" Ruby mumbled out flying closer to her "Sakura is still going to be saved. You'll have wins and loses, and another opportunity to save someone will come around...but someone like Matou Zouken is a bit out of our league, we'd need a long training montage before we could beat him."
"...Like a full season?"
"Probably two." Ruby giggled, Illya gave a small huff of amusement before she sighed.
"I wanted to show Archer…I wanted to show Onii-chan that I could do it. That as long as you can make someone smile in the end, that its worth it." She turned to Ruby "Because hearing Archer talk about being not being a Hero...I don't like that. Because I know it hurts him, that he thinks it was a mistake." she clenched her hands "I wanted to show him, that even if I have to go through all these trials, even if its difficult, that if someone can smile at the end of it…"
"That's some serious determination there, Illya-chan!" Ruby cried "You really are the best Magical girl!"
"Yeah…" Illya muttered "But if I can't even save one girl…"
"Well, Rin-san said that if you were needed." Ruby cooed, floating around the room "The way I see it...every battle with a bad magician needs at least one magical girl."
Illya stilled for a few moments "But…" she muttered "Rin-san and Shirou said-"
"Up, up, up!" Ruby zoomed towards Illya's face "What do you want to do, Illya-chan?"
"…" Illya's eyes closed for a few moments before they opened up again, red orbs gleaming with determination "I want to save Sakura."
"Then that's all the permission you need." Ruby replied "If you can deal with Class cards, you can beat one crummy old garden worm!"
"Yeah!" Illya grinned.
Chloe turned to her bedroom door after she heard a knock on it, raising her eyebrow she set her manga down and jumped off her bed. Moving towards the door, she opened it up slightly. Her expression flattened itself when her eyes moved up towards Irisviels face.
The woman stared down at Chloe with a strained smile "Can I come in?"
Chloe went to close the door before Irisviel spoke up again "Please, Chloe. I...I want to talk." there was a tinge of desperation in her voice which gave Chloe pause. The young girl grinded her teeth together for a few moments before she sighed and opened up the door fully.
Irisviels smile got slightly brighter as she entered the room, Chloe watched her with suspicion before she closed the door and then moved over to her bed, sitting herself down cross-legged on the mattress.
Irisviel looked around the room, hands rubbing together nervously, her whole form showing her discomfort "You...you haven't asked to decorate the room yet."
Chloe stared at Irisviel in silence, the albino woman cringed at the blank expression "I think some posters would be-"
"What did you want to talk about?" Chloe's voice cut her off, Irisviel flinched at the curt tone she used. The woman took in a deep breath before she looked over to the bed.
"Can I sit down?"
Chloe gestured to her, Irisviel nodded her head ever so slightly before sitting herself down on the bed, resting her hands on her lap.
"Well?" Chloe asked again, in a disinterested tone of voice.
"You were right." Irisviel replied, still looking down at her lap. Chloe blinked in surprise, now giving the woman her full attention "I was ignoring the problems." she let out a shuddering sigh "I was ignoring...you."
Chloe remained silent, eyebrows furrowed.
"The Einzberns…" Irisviel gave a bitter smile "The Einzberns were determined to create the Grail. That was my purpose, to serve as the vessel. In the event I failed, that purpose would have fallen to you." her face morphed into one of resentment "From their perspective, I didn't matter as a person. Provided I fulfilled my role, that was all that was required of me. My marriage to Kiritsugu was basically them paying him for services rendered."
Chloe's eyes widened "Wha…"
"I'm only twice your age." She admitted "Maybe a little older. I was created to age at an accelerated rate and programmed to act a certain way. I didn't have much of a life, when I first met Kiritsugu I was...sheltered." she chuckled "The amount of times he genuinely confused me because he didn't act like I did was astonishing. He would tell me all these things about the outside world and I had never seen any of them. It wasn't long after our marriage that we had Illya...and you I suppose." she looked at the ceiling "You were the first thing I experienced which hadn't been programmed into me." she turned to Chloe.
The tanned girl found herself enraptured by the sheer emotion in Irisviel's eyes. "I loved you." she said "I loved you so much. I never wanted to be apart from you, I always had to have you in my arms or within my line of sight." she smiled "Kiritsugu loved you in his own way as well, I could always see the moment when his eyes would light up just a little whenever you did something."
She turned back and stared at her lap "By the time the date of the Grail War was closing in...myself and Kiritsugu had a conversation. Or in his case a confession. He didn't want to lose it. Lose us. He asked if I wanted to run away with him, if I wanted to escape." her face turned to one of remembrance "I knew if I had told him to stay and fight, he would have. But...then I looked at you. I knew that even if we won...I'd never be able to hold you in my arms again." a tear trickled down her cheek "And I couldn't bear that thought. So...we gave it up. The dream of the Einzbern family to create the Grail. We gave it up for a family."
Chloe stared at Irisviel in rapt attention although a part of her was curious as to why the woman was telling her all of this.
"I thought that was enough." Irisviel went on "I thought that once we had left them, gotten rid of Illya's programming, that everything would be fine. I'd live a normal life and Kiritsugu could have his rest." her expression turned downcast "I guess I was being a little too optimistic."
Chloe hugged her legs to her chest "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be happy…" she muttered out.
Irisviel chuckled, although it was a laugh without humour "No...but I only ever cared about my happiness I think. If I could hold you in my arms without fear of losing you...that was enough for me." he looked back to Chloe "It shouldn't have been. You were right. I knew, probably the whole time, that something like this would happen eventually but I just thought that if I could ignore it, that it would work itself out."
Chloe released a mirthless chuckle of her own "I don't think there's a normal person in this family."
Irisviel giggled "All good families have their quirks." she looked Chloe in the eyes "I am sorry, Chloe. I am so, so sorry that I didn't notice and I am so sorry for what I did to you."
Chloe stared Irisviel in the eyes, tears already forming in her own causing her to look away "I tried...I really tried to hate you." she snorted "But I couldn't...because you really do love me don't you? Even after everything I did, you still love me…"
"I can't not love you." Irisviel shrugged "Whatever else, I am still yours, Shirou's and Illya's mother. You'll always be those little babies to me."
"If you love us so much-" Chloe started, looking desperate "If you love Illya so much, why don't you stop her! She's going to...she's going to ruin her own life, thinking its her responsibility to help everyone!" she scoffed, tears streaming down her cheeks "I even tried to kill her for it! And she still thinks she has to save me!"
Irisviel watched Chloe's tirade with a soft expression, when the girl was finished. Irisviel reached out, placing her hand softly atop Chloe's head, the young girl flinched at the contact but did not retreat. Irisviel giggled at her.
"Wh-what!?" Chloe stared at her in shock "Yo-you think that's funny!?"
"Oh, no." The albino woman shook her head "Its just that you reminded me of Archer. He isn't very honest either." she gave the girl a sad smile "You were just trying to save her in your own way, weren't you. Figuring you could at least stop her before she went too far."
Chloe turned her head away, although she didn't deny it. Irisviel rubbed the young girls hair "You really are just like Archer...right down to being a bit dense." the tanned girl whirled on her to say something, however Irisviel cut her off "Illya has her own life, as do you. You can't ask me to force her to stop...because after escaping a life I was going to be forced into, I won't do that to anyone else. If Illya truly wants to do this, she will."
Chloe slumped her shoulders "I know...But she's...she's…"
"Maybe." Irisviel admitted "But maybe she hasn't found her own Irisviel yet. Kiritsugu used to act thing about being a Hero."
"Tch." Chloe clicked her tongue, the tears still streaming down her cheeks "Its just...I can't have a normal life, no matter how hard I want one...to see Illya get the chance is…"
Irisviel removed her hand, placing it back on her lap "If you had been in Illya's place, you probably would have done the same thing as her."
"No I-"
"Yes, you would." Irisviel sighed "A young girl, dreaming of being a magical girl and suddenly a wand drops into your lap along with someone like Archer. Who wouldn't be tempted to help people?"
Chloe's whole body slumped, Irisviel stared down at her "You're angry because Illya got the chance you never did...and she made the exact same decision you would have."
"D-did you know…" Chloe whispered out "Did you know what would happen when you sealed Illya's memories?"
"…" Irisviel took in a deep breath before answering in a tone of voice which brook no argument "No. Otherwise I would never have done that to begin with."
Chloe allowed a small smile on her face "Alright...You should…" she swallowed "You should probably talk to Onii-chan about the whole…"
"I should." Irisviel agreed, then scooted along the bed and lied down next to Chloe "But for right this moment...I just want to spend time with my little baby girl."
Chloe sniffled, then allowed the tears to fall freely as Irisviel drew her into a hug. The older woman stroking the back of the young girls hair "I'm here. I want you to know that. I'll always be here for you. For all of you."
Shirou removed his head from the door. A relived smile on his face, he'd seen Irisviel sneak off towards Chloe's room and was concerned about the reaction she would get. Although he was pleased to see he had been concerned over nothing.
"Spying. Bad." Shirou jolted and spun around, coming face to face with Leysritt, his eyes widened and he froze.
"Liz." Shirou gaped "I-I was just…" he stiffened when the maid clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Bad Shirou." Her hand tightened, dragging him towards the back door of the house "Punishment."
"Wa-wait!" Shirou pleaded, shocked at the strength of the usually lazy girl "I was just making sure they were alright!"
"Shirou, needs training too." Leysritt replied, still not releasing him from her grip "Also needs punishment. Two birds. One. Stone."
The pair stopped at the back door, Sella raised an eyebrow at them...then ignored Shirous plea for aid, giving him an encouraging smile as she opened the door for the pair of them and allowed Leysritt to lead him outside before closing it behind them.
When she heard several thuds that sounded like taking a bat to a lump of meat, she pointedly ignored the following groans. Then made eye contact with Archer. The servant obviously hearing the same noises. The pair engaged in a staring contest for a few seconds before Archer smirked "You should tell her not to hold back. His stubborn skull can be quite dense."
Sella rolled her eyes at him, but didn't dispute the comment about Shirou's skull being dense.
How could she when she personally agreed with it.
The automatic door to the Airport terminal closed behind the woman. Slinging the steel tube over her shoulder, the purple haired woman in a dark business suit pulled out a picture from her pocket.
Looking over the photograph, she refamiliarised herself with the photographs of the two individuals.
Tohsaka Rin and Luvia Edelfelt. She had studied their families magecraft for a possible encounter.
The Tohsaka girl relied upon jewel craft while the Edelfelts were infamous for their skill in reinforcement. Despite both being regarded as prodigies by the by the clocktower, the woman was confident that she could accomplish her mission with an acceptable margin for success.
She walked over to the Taxi services, she would need to patrol the areas and wait for an opportune time to confront the pair, but she wasn't in a rush. Careful planning was required to ensure that the mission was accomplished and the class cards retrieved.
"Where to?" The Taxi driver turned to her.
"Fuyuki city." Bazett Fraga McRemitz replied in a dispassionate tone of voice, handing over the money for the trip. Getting into the car, she set her mind to work formulating plans.
She had brought along Fragrach in case the Kaleidosticks were powerful enough to require it, however she was confident she would not need to use it. However, it was best for her to be prepared for that eventuality.
The girl stared at the base of the pit with hollowed eyes. Grandfather had always been cold since he had taken her. As if he had lost some purpose in life.
However, she noticed that recently he had seemed livelier. Dare she say, excited. Although he hadn't bothered to explain anything to her. He had barely even looked at her as he had gone about making plans.
Until tonight that was.
"Ah...There you are." The insect bodies coalesced, forming a wrinkled old man. A sneer on his face "I had thought his opportunity lost after the Einzbern weakness...but now?" he let out a rasping laugh "I do not know who created her...but she shall be the perfect vessel. I can already tell that she's close...however, that Servant made it difficult to get near her."
He tapped his cane on the ground, green fireflies illuminated the room.
And the symbol on the floor.
"Sakura...Do you understand what you will do? What is at stake?" She felt that sensation in her heart again. She ignored it. It was best to do what Grandather wanted.
"Yes, Grandather." Her empty voice replied to him.
"Heh, heh, heh…" Zouken released another chuckle "Then...do it."
Sakura opened her mouth and chanted "Let silver and steel be the essence. Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation. Let black be the colour I pay tribute to. Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall. Let the four cardinal gates close. Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate. Let it be declared now; your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword. Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail. Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth. An oath shall be sworn here. I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven; I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell. Yet you shall serve with your eyes clouded by chaos. For you would be one caged in madness. I shall wield your chains. From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power, come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!"
The summoning circle glowed, Zouken smiled as the black fog exploded outwards.
Sakura stared dispassionately at the armoured figure in front of her. Shaowed bodied and red visored helm stared back at her. She barely paid attention to the red seals on her hand.
"A strong servant." Zouken admitted, a grin on his face "It seems we shall have company tonight...Let us prepare for guests then, Sakura."
"Yes. Grandfather." She nodded her head to the old worm. Berserker said nothing, still staring down at Sakura, the only sound to be heard was the heavy breathing of the servant and the chittering of insects.
The shadow raged, hands clawing at the ground as its body fought against something inside of itself.
"gggggggGGGGRRRRAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" The Shadowed servant released a scream as the flakes of darkness seeped from its body. A connection to the grail being formed as something took notice of the presence of another servant.
A full servant.
The back split open, the black fog was flung from its body, the force shattering the ground and leaving a naked figure in its place.
In the silence of the mirror world. The only sound to be heard was the laboured breathing of the golden haired man. A scowl forming on his face.
"Tch…" Pushing himself to his feet, crimson slitted eyes opened up, annoyance visible in them. "To think I would be forced into such a position by mere mages…" he scoffed, condescending voice echoing around the chamber "Their punishment shall come later." he scowled, looking down at the card on the ground and picking it up "Thieves who dare to steal from the King are not granted a swift end." he forced the card into his chest.
Taking a deep breath, he snapped his fingers. Regal golden armour now forming over his body.
"Tch...A filthy hovel for a King to arrive in." He clicked his tongue and looked around with mild interest "Ho? A reality marble...No. Something more mundane." he scowled, a golden portal forming behind him, a single sword grip emerging "To think I would be forced to escape shackles in this manner." he sighed "However, the punishment of thieves takes priority. To steal from a Kings treasury...impudent Mongrels."
AN: I said we'd get to Gil…
I never said which Gilgamesh.
In truth...this is just as much me wanting to have Gilgamesh eventually fight Angelica.
Anyway. Zouken having Sakura summon a Servant (We all know who it is and somewhat ironic set of circumstances.)
Lets face it…
Fuyuki is going to have one crazy gas leak tonight.
