A/N : Hello Everybody! Still alive here! Somehow. But man a whole year and a half since the last update….. yikes. I am REALLY sorry about that. But I did say for a reason that updates will be scarce and this will probably end up as a one shot (well two shot now I guess). Real life is a bitch and thanks to the pandemic, we were hit quite hard IRL. Only now has my life started to become somewhat stable but I wont lie to you guys, this fic is probably still dead most likely.
Think of this extra long chapter of the VN's prologue (yes the ENTIRE prologue lol) as an apology…. And most probably as a good bye. I just wanted to end it with a full chapter rather than just a goodbye note. Sorry if I got your hopes up for a full continuation of this story. If anyone wants to pick this up, be my guest!
So hopefully this one big long chapter is good enough (45 pages…. So must be worth something lol). Though I had to rewrite it from scratch since I lost the original files so the quality has definitely gone down from what it could have been purely because of how frustrated I was and almost rushed a few parts.
But without further ado, please enjoy this chapter and make sure to review and even roast the fuck out of this mess for any and all mistakes I have definitely made.
"All right then let's get started" Ayako muttered as everyone settled down. There was some apprehension among the group but that was overshadowed by their curiosity. With everyone finally settled in, the screen finally turned on and the visual novel experience began.
[Prologue Start]
It was a thrust like lightning.
A spearhead thrust to pierce my heart.
Trying to dodge it would be useless.
Being lightning, it's invisible to the human eye.
But…
The lightning that tries to pierce me…
…is repelled by the moonlight that tries to save me.
The screen was half lit so not much was visible except for one crucial detail. A person was visible. The armor she is wearing is not beautiful at all and as unrefined as the cold night. The clanging noise of steel clashing was not beautiful at all. It's just that the knight was beautiful enough to turn it into a charming sound like a bell.
'Whoa….' Shirou Emiya was star struck meanwhile the other people in the room seemed confused. The person on screen didn't seem to be anyone they recognized.
'Its not well lit but for some reason that room looks familiar….. huh I wonder why?' Taiga wondered as she tried to recall. Sakura had similar thoughts.
Meanwhile Rin was tense.
'I have never seen this woman before. And her attire looks like a knight's armor… is she a servant? Will the Holy Grail War and Magecraft be revealed to everyone THIS early? What are you playing at Kaleidoscope?' she mused.
"I ask of you, are you my Master?" The woman asked. "I have come forth in response to your summons. From this time forward, my sword shall be with you and your fate shall be with me. Now, our contract is complete."
The question left everyone confused except for a couple of people who winced at the question.
'DEFINTELY a servant then….. oh dear' Rin lamented. It looks like the Holy Grail War and Magecraft as a whole will be exposed here. She mentally prepared herself to ready an explanation for when her secrets would eventually be revealed by the novel.
The image on screen finally becomes clearer. What was previously hidden was now visible. The injured form of Shirou Emiya was now fully visible. Shirou was on the floor gazing up to the armored woman in wonder with his uniform stained with blood suspiciously close to his where his heart is.
….
….
….
"WHAT!?" was the collective shout.
"W-wha….. what the…" Ayako's shocked mumbling was drowned out.
"E-Emiya? Why was he there? And was that blood on his – "Issei's confused questions were cut off.
"SHIROU! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU GET INTO? WHY ARE YOU INJURED? WHO IS THIS WOMAN? WHY IS SHE THERE?" Taiga roared ferociously, her voice ringing with panic and anger.
Shirou recoiled in the face of her questioning.
"H-how should I know? I don't know who that is. I have never seen her before. And I don't know why she said what she said" he tried to placate the panicking Fuji-Nee.
Illya merely watched the shenanigans with a smirk.
Rin on the other hand was stunned into silence. Shirou Emiya was going to be a Master in the Holy Grail War. Shirou Fucking Emiya was going to be her enemy in the upcoming murder death kill fest that is the Holy Grail War.
'Why? Why him? Why did it have to be him? Is he a magi too? Was he living and practicing Magecraft in MY territory without even informing me? Or is he not a magi and the grail just decided to choose him? I think it did something like this in the last war too. Would I have to fight him to death? Dammit why did it have to be him? I don't even want to know what SHE will do if anything happens to him'
While everyone was busy with their shenanigans, no one noticed one Sakura Matou looking down with her hair covering her eyes and biting her lip. Her knuckles turning white with how hard she was clenching her fists.
'Senpai…. Why? Why you? Why did you have to get involved in this whole mess Senpai?' she lamented.
Finally Illya had enough.
"Can you all stop? There's no point in freaking out like this. This shows us our future or at least something very close to it so we'll find out what happens eventually. It'll be faster to just keep watching and find out for ourselves" she reasoned.
Everyone who were freaking out paused and processed those words and saw the merit behind them.
The screen lit up again and a young child was seen on screen. It was a story of 10 years ago and the child was being pet on head by a man. The child musing that the pat was too rough since the man didn't know how much force to use as that was the first time he had pat her head.
Rin tenses up as she recognized the scene.
"I'll have to get going now. You know what to do right?" The man asked while the child nodded "yes" politely. The child who was now revealed to be a young Tohsaka Rin.
Everyone looked on in silent curiosity.
Rin mused internally that if she had known this was their final meeting, she would have tried to make a joke. Tried to make him laugh. She felt sad in retrospect that she wasn't able to do any of that. The man told her about her about heirloom jewels, the jewels inherited from the master, and how to manage the basement. Rin knew he won't be coming back and could only listen with rapt attention.
"Put the Association in your debt by the time you mature. I'll let you decide what to do after that. You should be able to take care of yourself." Were his words.
Ayako looked at Rin beside her who was focused on the screen "Tohsaka….." she murmured. Putting the oddity of the statement aside, watching a young Tohsaka on the screen was quite surreal.
A war had started…..
"say wha?"
Rin tensed 'No no no no no…. already?'
Not a war between countries but between people. Seven people to be precise. Seven Magi with differing goals and allegiances started to compete and kill each other.
"Rin, the Holy Grail will appear eventually. It is our duty as the Tohsaka family to win it. More importantly if you are to be a Magus, you can't avoid it" And with that he patted her head one last time and left. That was the end.
That was the last time she saw the man, who entered the Holy Grail war as a master and died. The man who was her teacher as well as her father.
.
. . .
. . . . .
"Huh?!"
"War?"
"Magi? Magus? What the fuck are those?"
"Tohsaka do you know about this? Is this true?"
Shirou was stunned 'Tohsaka is a Magus too? And whats this about a war happening? That sounds REALLY bad….'
Rin sighed 'This is gonna be a LONG day….'
It took a while but finally everyone calmed down. There were a lot of questions for Rin but she refused to answer them stating that watching the show will be answering them anyway (hopefully).
Of course she had no way of actually knowing that but she had a feeling that since Zelretch himself had decided to reveal Magi and Holy Grail War to the people in this room, there WILL be an explanation for them. And if there wasn't… then she'll cross that bridge later.
Everyone decided to continue the show.
[ 1/31 (Jan, 31) Ten years later ]
Rin froze as she saw the date. 'That's not too far from today! This "future" is much closer than I first thought'
The screen shows a relatively lavish bedroom with the sounds of an alarm bell ringing loudly. Tohsaka's sleepy voice could be heard as she lamented being woken up early in the early morning. 7 o'clock to be exact.
"…What? Come on, I was up late last night, so…" 'I was deciphering my father's will until early this morning, and I've used up too much magical energy. In other words, my mind and body are dead tired'
"Not really a morning person are you Tohsaka-san? How irresponsible tee hee" Taiga asked cheekily. Issei for some reason smirked as if amused in finding a fault in "Miss Perfect". Rin decided to ignore them, twitching eyebrow notwithstanding while Shirou deadpanned at the supposed adult in the room.
'Deciphering her father's will huh…Must be quite the chore if it took Tohsaka-senpai all night' Sakura mused dryly.
Tohsaka eventually woke up and got out of the bed. She went through her morning rituals and got ready for school. She looked at the clock and saw it was a bit past seven. At least she won't have to run to school. Not that she would ever do something as clumsy as rushing or running to school of all things. It is the custom of the Tohsaka family to act with composure and elegance at all times after all.
Taiga's eyebrow twitched in irritation as she remembered the 'rare' times (cough all the time cough) she had to rush or be late for her classes. 'Hmph there is nothing clumsy about that!' She defended herself from the non-existent attack on her.
The Tohsaka Family is bloodline with ancient history and being able to use the power of "Magic". A family of Magi. Tohsaka Rin is also a Magus.
That grabbed the attention of everyone.
Magic is just what it sounds like… magic. Nothing like abracadabra or whatever. Just think of us as people who do strange things by casting spells. We are basically heretics who hide ourselves from the world and are prohibited from standing out.
"So you are a sorcerer Tohsaka?" Ayako asked trying to make sense of this.
On top of that, the word sorcerer is completely inaccurate.
"Ah…. Nevermind then…."
Things no one can do, things beyond the ability of modern science… The ones who can make such "miracles" are the ones we call sorcerers. Miracles that can never be achieved, regardless of time or effort… those we call sorcery. Those things that are mysterious, but achievable with time and effort… those we call magic. That's why what I do is called magic rather than sorcery. It's complicated, but that's how it is, so just accept it.
Just as there are things possible only through science, there are also things possible only through magic.
It was the master of the Tohsaka family who said that if science is moving toward the future, magic is moving toward the past. Something about the past and the future ending up at the same place, everything always running toward the zero point.
"Huh… quite fascinating. Is this true here as well Tohsaka?" Issei asked in curiosity.
Rin nodded.
"Yeah so far it seems to be about right. I think watching this will give enough of an explanation" Rin placated him.
Ayako and Taiga were just trying to process all of it. Who knew something like MAGIC existed so close to them.
Meanwhile Shirou was intrigued. He already knew about magecraft but Kiritsugu wasn't really a traditional magus so seeing things from this perspective was quite interesting.
As Rin left her house for school, she pocketed a ruby red pendant. It was a pendent that might as well be the greatest jewel she had. No, that's an understatement. It's much stronger than that. She found this after decoding Father's will last night. It contains the equivalent of ten years of her magical energy. There was said to be an heirloom, and this might well be it.
'TEN YEARS worth of magical energy? Holy shit that's one hell of a trump card!' Rin, Sakura, and Shirou thought collectively. With that much energy, pretty much anything was possible.
'It's a good thing I found about it right now. That could have come off as a nasty surprise attack later in the war' Illya thought seriously. Now she can prepare for something like this and with her Berserker, she can DEFINITELY work around that trump card.
The magi of Tohsaka, are skilled at the transformation of power. We put our magical energy into jewels whenever we have free time. To put it simply, the jewels are bullets and we are the gun. The only other thing I can say I received from my father is the Magic Crest of the Tohsaka family engraved on my left arm. In essence, this is the proof of the successor, and it's like a tattoo that condenses all the inherited magic of the Tohsaka family.
Ayako blinked.
"Huh…. Didn't expect something like that when I heard there was magic involved you know? So you are just a fuel tank for gems Tohsaka?" Issei chimed in.
"Pfft fuel tank Tohsaka….Tank-saka pfft" Ayako stifled her amusement.
Taiga nodded.
"So a tattoo can give me magical powers huh? Magic is so weird hehe" Was her 'brilliant' speculation.
"That's NOT what it means! Its much more complex than that! Ughh you know what never mind…." Rin sighed in frustration but was also relieved how they were taking it all in stride for now. 'Maybe this won't be too much of a hassle after all'
With that Tohsaka left her house at seven thirty exact activating the magic barrier around her mansion on the way out. On the way she observed something odd. It was way too quiet. At seven thirty, the street should be filled with students going to school and people going to work. Even when she reached the school, there were no students to be seen so far.
"Huh that is quite odd. The streets shouldn't THAT quite at that time especially on a school day. Unless…" Shirou mused quietly.
"Oh, Tohsaka? You're up early today." Came a familiar voice.
'Unless she is too early' Shirou finished his thought.
Ayako perked up. "Ha ha! And here I am!" She exclaimed excitedly.
Tohsaka turned and greeted Ayako. She asked the time and found out the reason why everywhere is so barren.
She came early. A whole hour early. Its barely seven right now. Tohsaka sighed "I guess the clocks at my house were an hour fast. All of them. Not just my alarm clock, but the wall clocks as well."
Did Father arrange for all the clocks to go mad when the pendant was removed from the basement? Oh well. No point dwelling on it now.
"You off to morning practice as usual?" Rin asked Ayako.
Ayako sighed. "Yeah. The archery club has lots of problem students and one good member quit. So I have to get them to look good to attract the new freshmen in April."
Ayako, along with Taiga, pointed her gaze at Shirou who shrugged awkwardly and looked away while Sakura nervously smiled.
'Sorry for the trouble Mitsuzuri….' The red head apologized mentally.
Ayako then invited her to the Archery club for a bit and have tea with her. She dragged her in the club while happily talking away. It's a bad habit of hers. She talks like a guy when she's expressing her true feelings.
"I DON'T talk like a guy….. right?" Ayako muttered.
None of her school mates responded to her or made eye contact. Better to avoid that landmine.
"Well, I'll come straight to the point. How's it going, Tohsaka? Have you found a reliable partner yet?"
"Oya? Oya Oya? Oya Oya Oya? Now THAT'S an interesting conversation hehehe" Taiga chimed in mischievously. Meanwhile Rin and Ayako could feel a headache coming already.
Tohsaka asked back the same and both deflected the question with a no comment. Apparently they both have a hyper competitive relationship and want to defeat the other in their bet. The bet being that whoever gets a boyfriend wins and the loser will have to obey the winner for a whole day.
"That was… unexpected. Didn't think either Mitsuzuri or Tohsaka would involve such a childish bet" Issei muttered.
'I never thought Tohsaka and Mitsuzuri had a side like that. Especially Mitsuzuri. To think she too has a girly side to her. Shocking. Truly shocking' were our resident Emiya's thoughts.
"Oi Emiya… you weren't thinking of something rude just now were you" Ayako sharply stared at Shirou as if suspecting his thoughts.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I was just thinking objectively about the truth. Though, it's up to you if you want to feel angry about it." Was his curt reply.
Ayako stared at him pointedly and then shrugged and looked away.
The talk went on and soon Ayako's captaincy came up.
"I'm the captain in name only, so all I can do is keep an eye on the problem members. There are people better than me, so it's not a very dignified captaincy." Ayako claimed.
"You should have more faith in your skills Ayako-chan! You worked hard to get to your level!" Taiga huffed with Sakura and even Shirou nodding in agreement.
Embarrassed but happy at the praise, Ayako simply nodded with a bashful smile.
"Really? But Fujimura-Sensei says that your skills are outstanding."
"Ugh… Well, if she says so, that gives me some confidence. Yeah, I guess it's no good to think about people who don't come here anymore. Yeah, if Fujimura-Sensei said that, I guess I should take being captain more seriously."
Once again Sakura and Ayako were staring pointedly at Shirou as if trying to guilt trip him but he just looked straight ahead and tried his best to ignore them but was failing spectacularly. Issei's curious glances weren't helping either.
Just as she was about to leave, Sakura Matou entered the Archery Club for her daily morning practice.
"Ah, morning, Matou. You're alone this morning?"
"…Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't be of help."
"Nah, it's okay. If he doesn't want to come, there's no point forcing him to."
'Ok this is getting kinda ridiculous now' Shirou thought as his eyebrow twitched. He was aware of the pointed stares he was getting from Sakura and Ayako with Taiga joining in as well now.
With that Rin decided to leave the club, bidding the two members goodbye. She went outside and right outside the club met someone she would rather avoid. That person was none other Shinji Matou.
"Ah, Tohsaka, good morning. I'm lucky to see you so early."
"Ughhhh" Rin sighed in annoyance.
"Hohoho now THIS gonna be good" Ayako smirked while Sakura grimaced.
They "talked" for a bit. Meaning Shinji stroking his own ego and Tohsaka trying to end the conversation. Apparently Shinji misunderstood that Tohsaka was interested in him because he saw her watching the Archery Club multiple times. To this Rin decided to set him straight.
"Honestly, it seems you still don't understand.
…It's not my style, but I'll put it in terms even you can understand.
Matou-kun, I'm saying that I have even less interest in you than in archery. Frankly, I never even knew you were in the range, and I'm not about to start looking out for you now either."
With her piece said, Rin ignored Shinji's outrage and went into the school building.
Ayako whistled in appreciation. "Nice Tohsaka! About time someone smash his ego!"
Shirou just sighed. Talk about a humiliating experience.
On the way to her class she met Fujimura Taiga Sensei who REALLY appreciated being greeted like an actual respected teacher by a student. Shouldn't that be normal tho?
"You are such a respectful student Tohsaka-san! You and your class should learn from her and show your teachers some respect Shirou!" Taiga pouted.
Shirou just rolled his eyes but smiled any way. "Hai hai. I'll try my best" 'Its not that we don't respect you, we all just feel very comfortable with you so we treat you so familiarly Fuji-Nee' he thought with a hint of fondness.
Meanwhile Illya just yawned quietly. "This is nice and all but I wish we could get to the war faster". She wasn't really interested in the daily life of the Tohsaka heir. Now if the focus was on Kiritsugu's "son" then she might actually care.
Rin then proceeded further and ran into none other than the Student Council President, Ryudou Issei.
"Gah, Tohsaka." Issei's rude greeting reached her ears. They had their small talk with Issei complaining about Rin interfering with student council matters and such while Rin being faux polite and just trying to mildly rile him up for fun.
Everyone was staring at the duo.
"Tch" Issei scowled while Tohsaka just smiled.
This continued when suddenly a familiar person emerged from the Student Council room.
"Issei, the repairs are done" said none other than Shirou Emiya.
Illya perked up 'Its about time! Its rude to keep a lady waiting you know!'
While Ayako sighed. "Always the repairman huh Emiya?" She asked wryly. It wasn't uncommon to see Emiya just helping out with repairs and other such tasks. It was so prevalent that he even got assigned a nickname by the rest of student body, Fake Janitor or Brownie or something like that.
"Just for once enjoy your youth Shirou you dummy" Taiga lamented.
Shirou shrugged. "I like helping others so its fine isn't it?"
Issei thanked Shirou for his help and the two talk about some other things that might be in need of repairs so they made to leave. Just as they were leaving Shirou turned around to face Rin.
"You're up early, Tohsaka."
And with that, he leaves.
.
. . . .
. . . . . .
"Was that supposed to be a greeting Emiya-kun?" Rin smirked.
Shirou flushed at Rin's teasing tone "I-It would have been weird to leave without greeting you t-t-that's all" How was he supposed to know it might come off so awkward.
Taiga facepalmed while Rin and Sakura giggled.
Illya pouted 'That's it? I wanted to see more of Onii-chan!'
Why couldn't this have been from HIS perspective?
"…That's fine, but…"
How can I put it?
I just think it's hard to tell whether a guy who looks at home holding a wrench is useful or scary.
"You know now that you mention it, Emiya DOES seem way too at home with wrench. As if he was born to be a repairman haha" Ayako teased.
'Nah… I think the kitchen suits him FAR more. Tee hee he might as well just live there with how much devoted he is to cooking!' Taiga thought cheekily.
Shirou just shrugged. He didn't mind the teasing. 'As long I get to help people I don't mind repairing stuff, an ally of justice can help in repairs too you know! Every little help counts..' He mused while remembering his goal he inherited from Kiritsugu.
Finally Tohsaka reached her class and her school day began. Later Rin went to the roof and had her lunch. The roof while cold at this time of the year, allowed her to eat in peace without the burden of social interaction. It's a difficult balance, being a good student while trying not to be too social. She wanted to be the best student, the most elegant. To be the number student in the school both academically and physically. To be otherwise was a dishonor on the Tohsaka name! ….. or so she told herself in her vanity, no conviction!
But at the same time, she also have a dangerous job as a magus, so she shouldn't associate with normal people. Normally, any magus whose identity is discovered has no choice but to eliminate the witness.
…She doesn't want to do that.
So inevitably, her social life has become a shallow one.
"Wait what? Eliminating witnesses? As in…." Issei questioned while gesturing a throat slitting motion. Rin nodded and Issei went pale.
"Ah… I see. Thank you for going out of your way to avoid that outcome Tohsaka" Issei showed her his appreciation, pleasantly surprising Rin and Shirou who knew how much Issei was suspicious of Tohsaka and was not exactly a fan of her.
Soon the school ended and Rin went back. When she reached home she was greeted by the answering machine. It was a message from her "guardian", Kotomine Kirei. He left her the message of the Holy Grail War fast approaching.
"You already show signs of the Command Spell. Quickly, summon your Servant and open the Command Spell. Unless, of course, you're not planning to be a part of this Holy Grail War. If you value your life, you should run to the church quickly."
"Well that's not ominous or anything….." Ayako muttered trying to hide her worry.
The requirement to enter the Holy Grail War. That is to summon a familiar called a Servant, and to form a contract with it. No matter how great a magus a person is, one is not considered a Master until he has a Servant under him. Servants are beings very different from normal familiars. The methods of summoning and controlling them are different as well. A magus planning to enter the Holy Grail War usually prepares a catalyst to summon a Servant, but…
"I don't have any catalyst yet…. And judging from this so far, Father didn't left me anything like that in his will either" Rin muttered despondently. She was REALLY hoping that maybe father had left her a catalyst that would establish a connection with the Saber servant aka the strongest servant class. Though seeing as Emiya would most likely be summoning the Saber Servant that probably wouldn't have worked anyway. Oh well at least he left her that extremely powerful gem to her. That would SURELY be a useful trump card.
Meanwhile everyone else (except Illya) were watching with rapt attention. All this stuff was fascinating and so surreal. If it wasn't for Rin basically confirming everything, most of them wouldn't have believed any of this stuff.
"…Huh! It's fine. I can do it without help from that sort of thing. After all, there can't exist any Masters capable of handling Saber other than myself."
"Tch someone's full of themselves…" Illya tsked. 'Berserker is better than any Saber servant anyways!'
With that declaration, Rin began the summoning process down in her basement. Late at night. It was almost two in the morning, exactly when her magical energy is at its peak. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes as this would be her only chance…
"Wait Tohsaka! Weren't the clocks in your house behind by an hour?" Shirou chimed in.
Rin froze and her eyes widened. "Oh crap! I messed up!" She was dumbfounded. 'Arghhh! Why do I ALWAYS mess up at the most important part!'she lamented.
"Well sucks for you heehee" Illya's giggling were not helping.
With that Rin proceeded with the summoning ritual. An intricate magic circle was displayed glowing blood red. Power swirling around it as Rin's magical energy flowed into it. Rin's focus was impeccable. Despite the strain on her magical energy, Rin didn't falter.
…
I shall become a part of the tool to attain mystic power
…
…I am melting from my fingertips. No, I am being filled from my fingertips.
The mana I am taking in is so concentrated that the original senses of my body are being repainted.
So, being filled is the same as being destroyed.
…
…My body is burning hot.
…I start to sweat.
Stab, stab. Swords are driven into my body.
…
This is the pain caused by my human body rejecting itself as the Magic Circuit.
No matter how great a magus you are, a human is human.
This pain will result as long as people use magic in a human body.
…
The Magic Crest starts up on its own to help me, and as a result, violates my nerves even more.
…
The harvested mana in my blood.
If that is burning iron, then the Magic Crest itself is like a nerve made of thorns.
It runs through my body like a centipede with fangs
I lose myself within that pain.
…
Several people winced at the graphic description of the ritual and the toll it took on Rin's body and even her psyche.
"Holy shit this is intense…." Taiga whispered.
"That sounds so unbelievably painful…" Ayako was worried and with how calm the Rin beside her was, the ritual seems to be going exactly how she expected it to be (barring the time mess up of course). 'Until a few hours ago I thought I knew you well but man… It feels like I didn't know anything about you at all'
"Talk about overwhelming" Issei was perplexed.
Meanwhile Shirou was mesmerized by the whole process.
The ritual finally came to its final phase. Rin's chant to summon her Servant and complete the contract echoes throughout her basement.
"Make an oath here.
I am the one who shall become the virtue of all afterworld.
I am the one who shall lay out the evil of all afterworld.
Thou art Seven Heavens clad in the Three Great Words.
Emerge from the ring of control, guardian of balance…!"
As the glow died down Rin regained her vision and looked at…..
Rin leaned forward to see the results of her summoning. She had been waiting for this moment for a whole decade now. Years and years of preparation. All the magical training under that Fake Priest and then the additional hellish training she put herself through would be tested in this upcoming war. This was the perfect chance for her to see what Servant she would be summoning. And even if the Servant summoned here might be a product of her messing up the time, it would still be some great information and might even give her an estimate as what to expect in her near future.
'This is it! It wont be the Saber Servant but it should still be someone plenty strong!' Rin was excited.
Illya narrowed her eyes. 'Lets see what Servant do you summon, Berserker will beat that Servant into the ground regardless'
Nothing…
Rin's eyes widened in horror. 'W-w-w-what? No nononono….'
I've raged out that much ether and nothing has formed.
And on top of that…
I hear an explosion from the living room.
"W-what the hell! Why is this happening? And why the living room?" Rin's cry echoed in the room while everyone else winced.
Illya snickered. "Guess the magus of the Tohsaka line isn't anything special after all" Illya taunted much to Rin's chagrin.
Rin rushed upstairs and broke open the door to the living room. There she saw the clock and noticed a crucial detail. The clocks are still an hour early meaning that it was one in the morning right now. Meaning she did the ritual earlier than she intended and her magical energy wasn't at its peak.
"…I did it again."
I can do most things just like everyone else, but I have one hereditary curse.
That is, to make the biggest mistakes at the most important times…
"That's a weird curse Tohsaka. Are you sure it's a curse and not just you being clumsy?" Ayako teased.
Rin huffed. "What a ridiculous speculation Mitsuzuri-san. You sure have a great imagination. But let's focus here shall we?"
Rin sighed.
"…Well, what's done is done. I should reflect on my actions."
With that she turned her attention to the man sitting in her living room. The man was casually sitting in the wrecked room seemingly without a care in the world. His red and black attire seemed to contrast with his white hair and tan skin. He was currently staring at Rin which prompted Rin to address him.
'Hmm that must be my Servant' Rin wondered.
'Wonder who he is and how strong is he? But no matter what, Berserker is much better' were Illya's thoughts.
"Are servants supposed to look like that?" Issei wondered.
"Hm? What do you mean Ryuudou-kun?" Taiga asked.
Issei cleared his throat in nervousness as everyone looked at him.
"Ah…. I assumed that since this is a supernatural war with Magi that the servants summoned to fight in the war would be like monsters and other supernatural creatures. I just didn't expect a servant to be a human….That being is a human right?" Issei questioned.
Illya smirked.
"Yes and no. The servants summoned in this war once upon a time were human warriors themselves but have ascended past that and have become Heroic Spirits. The grail allows Magi to summon Heroic Spirits in the form of Servants and make contract with them. But with how ridiculous Heroic Spirits are if you pay heed to their numerous legends, then I guess classifying them as monsters isn't exactly wrong" Was her explanation.
'Heroic Spirits? For human to one day become a hero, an ally of justice…. I WILL reach that one day! Maybe this will show me how to.' Shirou mused.
Naturally Illya's comment incited a lot of questions from others which she shut down quickly citing that their questions might be answered by the show anyways, much to the growing chagrin of Issei, Ayako and Taiga.
Irritated at her own blunder Rin turned to the man sitting in her ruined living room. "So… What are you?" She asked her supposed Servant.
"Those are your first words? I guess I have been called to a terrible Master." The guy in red gave an exaggerated shrug.
Just standing here, I can tell this thing has outrageous amounts of magical energy. Its human appearance won't fool her. This is certainly an existence far beyond human, a "ghost" that has reached the level of spirits as a human.
"Just to check, but you are my Servant, right?" Was Rin's immediate question.
"That's what I'd like to ask. Are you my Master? This is the first time I've been summoned so roughly, so to be honest, I still can't grasp the situation." Was the servant's immediate response.
Rin's eyebrow twitched. 'Just answer the question normally! I can already tell he is going to be a handful…'
They went back and forth in trying to establish their dynamic and status quo. They kept going on and on for a while. Rin getting increasingly annoyed at the Servant's sarcastic smirk.
"Well? Are you a magus worthy to be my Master, young lady?"
"It's the duty of the summoner to confirm first. Now answer me. You are my Servant, right…!?"
Ayako rolled her eyes. "Enough with this pointless back and forth. You both know that you are his Master and he is your Servant. Just get to the point already!"
Rin stared at her, exasperated.
"It isn't pointless Mitsuzuri-san. There needs to be great care taken when establishing the terms of any magical contract or it can leave room for some dire consequences for a Magus and their life" She explained.
Ayako nodded sheepishly in understanding.
"Oh, I see. Well, let's suppose that's true. Then, where's the proof that you are my Master?"
"Here. This is proof that I'm your Master, right?"
Rin smirked in triumph as she showed him the back on her hand to highlight the Command Spell on it to signify her status as a Master.
"I don't think that's what he is talking about Tohsaka…" Shirou chimed in.
The Servant in the rubble looks confused, then…
"…Man. Are you serious, young lady?" His face clouds with discontent.
Rin looked confused. "Wha… what do you mean, am I serious?"
"I mean, that way of thinking. So you're a Master if you have a Command Spell? A Command Spell is only a tool that governs the Servant. Geez, you act like a Master just because of that? What I wanted to see was, are you worthy for me to pledge my loyalty to?"
Rin flinched at the question. She hadn't considered that's what he meant. A Servant is fundamentally much superior to their Master. Why should a Servant be subservient to a mere Magus? Working together with a magus is pointless unless they can show their worth and can proves that their partnership would be mutually beneficial. However now she made it look like she is ignorant and not reliable. 'What a terrible start' she lamented.
"…So, what? I'm not fit to be a Master then?"
"I'd like that, but no go. Since you have the Command Spell, it seems you are my summoner. It's unbelievable, but it seems you really are my Master."
Rin's eyebrow twitched. That casual dismissal was really pushing her admittedly short temper.
"I'm not happy, but I'll accept it. You're my Master for now. But I have conditions as well. From now on, I will ignore your opinions. I will decide how to fight, and you will follow my plans. This is the best I'll compromise on. You don't mind that, right, young lady?"
Rin's temper was now reaching boiling point.
"I don't think I like where this is going" Rin grumbled while Illya smirked at seeing the Tohsaka Master being dismissed by her own Servant.
Everybody else were nervously looking at the fuming Rin while Shirou was ignoring it all and was purely focusing on the Servant on screen and his words.
"…I see. You accept unhappily, but what do you mean about ignoring my opinions? You're my Servant, right?" Rin asks him in a trembling voice, just in case.
"Yeah, in name only. So, formally I'll obey you. But I'm the one doing the fighting. You can hide in the basement here and stay there until the Holy Grail War ends. My victory is yours, and I shall give you everything that I earn in this fight. You shouldn't have any complaints about that, right? That way, even an inexperienced person like you should make it out alive."
Rin was getting REALLY pissed off with how he kept dismissing her status and potential capability as a master.
The Rin watching this was also getting annoyed at the Servant on screen.
Meanwhile Shirou who was purely focusing on the Servant and his words, had a difficult expression on his face but lightly nodded in understanding nonetheless.
'Something about this guy seems off. Don't know what it is but he rubs me the wrong way for some reason. But….. I think I understand what he means to say here. He must believe Tohsaka to be inexperienced for the war so he wants her to stay back and stay safe while he would be on the front lines fighting. He doesn't even care about his own victory or any rewards from the war itself. He just wants her to make out of this alive. He is willing to fight for the sake of another. He seems kind of annoying but he is a hero alright'
Of course he was the only one thinking along those lines while the rest of the crowd was just waiting for the inevitable Tohsaka explosion.
"Oh boy is he pushing her buttons…" Ayako winced at the storm that was about to unleash.
"You wouldn't be able to use the command spell anyway. Well you can leave the rest to me. You just worry about your own safe…ty…?" The servant trailed off as saw her livid expression.
"I'm pissed! Fine if you say it like that, I'll use it!" Rin roared in rage. Archer tried to placate her but she was far too gone in her anger and bellowed out her command.
"Vertrag…! Ein neuer Nagel Ein neues Gesetz Ein neues Verbrechen!"
(I announce to the Command Spell! By the order of the Holy Grail, give the law of obedience to this one, my Servant!)
Everyone was silent as they witnessed the scene in front of them. Rin was mortified and had her head in her hands.
"Pfft…. Hehehehe! What a waste of a Command Spell! Good job Mage of Tohsaka!" Illya's laughter just added on to Rin's embarrassment.
Her comment left the others confused.
"Wait why it is a waste? Wouldn't absolute obedience be a good thing?" Ayako wondered.
Illya shook her head while still giggling at Rin's miserable expression. "That's not quite how it works and you may find that out soon"
The servant looked at Rin with exasperation meanwhile Rin was drowning herself in self-hate over wasting a Command Spell.
Apparently Command Spells were very powerful tools available to Master that allowed for actions far beyond the norm. The Command Spell forces the Servant to act according to an order. It doesn't merely stop their actions, it strengthens their actions as well. It is the three crystallizations of a great magic that allows a Servant to surpass limits on their ability even they can't control. A very powerful but extremely limited tool to surpass the limits of flesh and blood as well as give three orders with unconditional obedience.
However, The Command Spell works poorly on broad orders.
For broad and long-lasting orders like 'protect me through this' or 'win this battle', the power of the Command Spell weakens. The force will last a long time, but since the associated pain is weak, some Servants will be able to disobey. In contrast, a single, simple order like 'deliver the next blow with all your power', or 'don't break that glass' is absolute, and even the most powerful Servants will find it hard to disobey.
Ayako grimaced. "Ah so that's why. Such a strong tool but you already lost one of the three spells. Man no wonder you were so distraught Tohsaka"
"Well its whats done is done. No use crying over it. At least now I know not to do that so I wont waste in the future when my time comes" Rin sighed.
Illya smirked 'The war is already looking promising! Now if only we can focus on Onii-chan more!'
"Ugh… so the Command Spell I just used was meaningless…?"
"…Normally, the answer would be yes. But it seems that your abilities as a magus are on a completely different level."
Rin perked up. "Huh? Does that mean…."
Illya's eyebrow twitched. 'Don't tell me…"
"That Command Spell should have only changed my attitude to 'well, I'll respect Master's opinions slightly'. But right now, I feel a strong bind from your words. If I disagree with you, let's see… it seems like I drop a rank. In other words, it's like my body feels heavy when I go against your will."
"Unbelievable…. Dropping a whole rank just for disagreeing? That's just crazy" Illya was shocked. It spoke volumes about Rin's potential and capabilities as a Magus if such a waste of a command can show such a result….
'Maybe I am underestimating her a bit. I better be careful about her'
"I don't get it…. What does it mean? Is dropping a rank that big of a deal?" Taiga was confused and Ayako and Issei were giving questioning glances as well.
"Hmm it's a bit hard to quantify but think of it as being dragged down by chains along with heavy weights slowing you down. How much you get weighed down depends on how many ranks you drop. However while I don't know the exact numbers, even a single drop in rank can be pretty significant" Illya explained halfheartedly while still deep in thought.
Taiga, Ayako and Issei nodded in understanding while Shirou turned to address Rin.
"So it looks like your command wasn't a waste after all. Right, Tohsaka?" He tried to comfort her. 'Man she must be a really strong magus! She sure is something. I am not much of a magus but even someone like me can tell she is very capable '
Rin breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her expression. "Yeah I guess that's true, isn't it? No point in crying about it now. Thank you for that, Emiya-kun" she smiled at him sweetly while he tensed and looked away, a bit flustered.
"Let me take back what I said before, Master. You are young, but you are an outstanding magus. It was my mistake to patronize you and try to keep you out of the battle. I apologize for my rudeness."
He adjusts his stance and bows his head politely.
"Uh…hey, stop it. We argued a lot, but they say both sides are usually at fault in this sort of thing…"
"I see. I'm glad you understand."
"…You changed your tune quickly."
The servant's sarcastic smirk was definitely not helping.
Rin's eyebrow twitched while the rest chuckled at her expense.
"Hehe I like him" Ayako chimed in.
They talked a bit more and it was revealed that the Servant she summoned was of the Archer Class and not Saber as she had intended. She expressed her disappointment but didn't fault Archer since it was her fault to begin. Archer didn't appreciate her fixation on the Saber class and in turn downplaying his capabilities and value so he challenged and promised to make her regret her words. A challenge which Rin wholeheartedly accepted as she realized that despite his twisted personality and sarcastic remarks, Archer was in fact a surprisingly pure guy.
"Well, fine. Leaving that aside, which heroic spirit are you?"
Archer doesn't answer. His sarcastic tone disappears, and he frowns seriously.
Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
"I can't answer the question of who I am, because-"
"Hold on. If it's for a stupid reason, I'll be pissed."
"It's…"
Archer must be really troubled as he opens his mouth like he'd rather not say anything.
"It's because I don't know myself."
.
..
...
"I beg your fucking pardon? Is this is a joke? Is he making fun of me?" Rin was ready to burst in rage.
Seeing his master about to rage, the servant quickly explained his position.
"…I didn't mean to insult you, Master. But this is what you get for your failed summoning. It seems my memory is confused. I know who I am, but things like my name and origin are a bit vague… Well, they're trivial things to be missing, so we shouldn't worry about it."
"How is that a trivial matter? I am going to fight with him and know nothing at all? That's anything BUT trivial!" Rin was about to lose her mind.
Illya couldn't help but laugh.
"Now THIS is a first for the Holy Grail War! A summoning so botched the Servant lost his memories hahahaha! Your name would be etched in history for such a miracle Rin!"
"Shut up you damn brat!" Rin was definitely not a fan of the albino runt's mocking.
Meanwhile the rest of the crew were just silently observing.
"Don't worry about it? Of course I'm worried about it!
If I don't know which heroic spirit you are, I can't tell how strong you are!"
"Oh, that's no problem. It's a trivial matter."
"Trivial, you say? How can I make a plan when I don't know how strong my partner is!? There's no way we can fight like this!"
"He could be a lowly infantry guy for all we know hehehehe" Illya was having way too much fun at Rin's expense who was gritting her teeth in anger.
Shirou disagreed with Illya in this regard. 'He is a legendary hero summoned by a magus of Tohsaka's caliber. He might just be one of the strongest servants in the war'
"What are you saying? I am the servant you summoned. Naturally, I am the strongest." Claimed Archer as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. Straightforwardly. The knight in red looks at her with absolute confidence and trust. There's no dishonesty in Archer's words.
Shirou nods in understanding.
"Huh….." Sakura blinked.
Rin froze. Her anger evaporating almost instantly as she felt flushed.
Illya rolled her eyes.
Issei raised an eyebrow.
Ayako and Taiga smirked. "Aw! That's just adorable!"
Rin froze and as she processed his words, her face felt like burning due to embarrassment from the honest unexpected praise.
"…Well, fine. It'll make no difference that no one will know your true identity. They do say that to fool your enemies, you must first fool your allies…"
She looked away from Archer to hide her embarrassment.
"All right. I shall not question you about your true identity for now. So Archer, here's your first task."
Archer looks pleasantly surprised and seems ready to jump into the combat, seemingly accepting Rin's aggressive nature. That expression was quickly wiped off his face when Rin shoved a dustpan and broom in his face.
"Huh?"
"Clean the room downstairs, please. You made that mess, so be responsible and clean the place up."
"Hold on. Just what do you think a Servant is?"
"A familiar, right? He's a bit insolent, so he's difficult to control."
Sakura couldn't help but blink in wonder. "Huh….. wasn't expecting that but makes sense I guess. That living room was a mess and would have been a nightmare to clean"
Ayako turned to Tohsaka "Is that his punishment for pissing you off before?"
"Ara I don't know what you are talking about Mitsuzuri-san" Rin merely smiled serenely.
"Objection. I refuse such an ord-"
"Really? This is an order as a Master. Doesn't your body feel heavy when you go against your Master's wishes?"
Archer swallowed his words and scowled at her. He groans for a few seconds and closes his eyes in dismay. "Understood. Damn you, Master." He accepted gracefully.
With that seeing it was getting very late into the night, Rin decided to rest for the night and went to sleep. She'll deal with Archer tomorrow.
[ 2/1 (Feb, 1) ]
Next morning Rin woke up late, exhausted from the summoning last night and so decided to skip school. As she got down to the living room, she marveled at how clean it was.
"They call him Archer but his broom skills are top notch huh? He is great cleaner hehe" Rin giggled. "He must have felt bad about making such a mess of the living room or he wouldn't have done this. I should call him admirable or maybe just a nice guy-"
"The sun's already up. You're pretty loose. …You're really not a morning person, are you? "
That wiped off Rin's smirk and replaced it with a look of annoyance while Ayako, Issei and Taiga were snorting and stifling their chuckles while the rest just stared awkwardly.
That woke Rin up and she scowled at him. After exchanging names and finalizing their contract, Rin decided it was time they go into town. Servants could go into spirit form, so there wasn't a chance of others seeing him easily anyway.
"Get ready, Archer. Since you were just summoned, you don't know your way around yet, right? I'll show you around town."
Rin nodded. She was gonna skip school anyway so showing Archer the world he was summoned into and the town where he'll have to fight is the best way to utilize that time.
With that said, they went out and explored the city with Rin showing and explaining Archer everything about Fuyuki City.
"Huh….. never thought I would see tour guide Tohsaka" Ayako smirked.
After showing Archer Fuyuki and Miyama City, they came across an abandoned park in the middle of the urban part of the city.
Shirou stiffened as he recognized the location – because how could he ever forget that place? – while Taiga looked at him worriedly.
The park was huge and should have been filled with kids playing around but it was completely barren. A desolate feeling running through the place.
"It was about ten years ago. They say there was a huge fire in this area. It burned for a day until it went out just as it began to rain. Afterwards, the town was rebuilt, but this place was left as it was. It was burned to ashes, so they made it into a park."
A vision of that fiery hell flashed in Shirou's mind as his breath hitched. Seeing him space out, Taiga reached out to him.
"Shirou…. Are you doing ok?" she whispered softly, trying to snap him out while not attracting other's attention.
Shirou composed himself and gave her a nod. They turned to the screen to focus on whats happening.
Archer says nothing but just looks around as if noticing something special.
"…You seem to have noticed. That's right, this is where the last Holy Grail War ended. I don't know the details, but the last war ended here, and the place has been like this ever since."
Shirou's eyes widened.
"What?! The last war? There? Is that true Tohsaka?" He questioned Rin with a surprisingly sharp tone startling all who knew him.
"Y-yeah. The war ten years ago was the fourth Holy Grail War. It was the one where my father fought in and died in and it ended at that location from what I know." Rin answered his question, surprised by how the usually docile boy was acting.
Shirou clenched his fists in anger.
"Oi Emiya are you feeling ok?" Issei asked his friend worriedly. With Ayako also wondering
"I see. That must be why this place is full of so many grudges."
"Grudges? Probably because of that the people that….." Issei trailed off. The word 'died' went unspoken. Everyone paused in an uncomfortable silence while Shirou's eyes glazed over with a blank yet haunted look, much to the concern of Taiga and Sakura.
'Must have been a real large number of people if it left a stain so prominent even a decade later' Illya wondered.
Hmm. You can sense those kinds of things?" Rin was surprised.
"Servants are spirits. We are beings similar to grudges and formed obsessions. Therefore, we are sensitive to such 'remnants' like us. There were places in town with strong regrets, but this place is on a completely different level. To us, this place is more like a Reality Marble."
That snapped Shirou out of his daze. 'Reality…. Marble?'
"To think he would bring up a reality marble as comparable…. That place must be REALLY bad" Illya frowned.
"Is that a big deal?" Ayako asked.
Reality Marble. One of the magics considered to be pinnacle of magi, said to be infinitely close to sorcery.
"Ah nevermind"
A boundary field is something applied to an existing area or building to protect oneself from outside enemies. But it is merely a transformation applied to what already exists.
But a Reality Marble is different.
A Reality Marble is an image that erodes reality.
The imagined world of a magus a boundary field that paints over reality by letting a magus's heart take form. That is what we call a Reality Marble.
In other words, it's a large-ranged magic that distorts, no, remakes the world as the magus wishes…
"T-that's ridiculous!" Issei was shocked.
"Remaking reality?! That's… wow. That's a lot to take in" Ayako was similarly baffled.
"Tohsaka-san does something like that really exist? That sounds completely impossible!" Taiga couldn't believe what she just learned.
Rin and Illya were silent as they were just going to let the novel answer their questions for them while pondering about the place Archer compared to a Reality Marble.
Shirou tilted his head. 'Huh…. That's interesting'
Rin expressed her surprise at an Archer knowing about the taboo of taboos of magecraft while Archer chastised her for her narrow minded view, stating that a Hero is well versed in both magic and weaponry and cautioned her to not underestimate her competition going forward to which Rin obliged.
"…Rin, I'm going to be honest. You are excellent, but because of that, you have a habit of underestimating others. You should reform that habit before you grow up."
Rin flushed in embarrassment while Illya and Ayako snickered at her, lighting up the weird mood from before.
Suddenly, Rin's Command Spell starting reacting, indicating that a fellow Master was watching them from nearby.
At this everyone tensed.
Rin and Archer tried to reach out their senses to find the Master but failed so ultimately decided to take caution and leave the place quickly and avoid any potential conflict.
Everyone relaxed after seeing Rin and Archer leave safely. At least they won't have to witness a deadly battle just yet.
After traveling to some more places, it was night time to Rin decided to head to a particularly high building roof which would give them a good view.
"What do you think? This place has a great view, Archer."
"…Geez. I pity whoever you go out with someday. You dragged me around all day."
Rin scowled as she heard a couple of snorts at her expense.
"Hm? Did you say something, Archer?"
'Nothing much…. Just his honest opinion' Shirou mused.
"Just an honest opinion. …Oh, this is certainly a nice place. If we had come here to begin with, we wouldn't have had to walk around like we have been."
"What are you talking about? Certainly it's a nice view, but all you can tell from here is the overview of the town. You have to go to the places themselves to know the layout."
"That's not true. My class isn't Archer for nothing. You can't be an archer unless you have good eyesight."
Sakura nodded. "Makes sense. Can't really aim if you don't have a good enough eye"
"Is that so? So can you see my house from here, Archer?"
"No, I can't see the neighboring town from here. At most, I can see as far as the bridge. At that range, I can count the number of tiles."
"…. What the fuck? That's way beyond good! What the hell! How far is that anyway? Too far from normal that's for sure" Ayako was bewildered.
'That's like 3-4 kilometers of range! Absolutely incredible! So this is a legendary hero huh?' Were Shirou's thoughts.
"I'm surprised. You really are Archer." Rin exclaimed while Archer looked annoyed. After exchanging a few verbal jabs, Archer fell silent while mapping out the town's layout. Rin not wanting to disturb him went near the roof edge and gazed below at the night crowd, while pondering about the other Masters and their potential activities.
Suddenly she felt eyes on her. Her command spell didn't react so it wasn't another Master so she just observed the crowd again. There are many people walking around on the road.
Among them is a person.
One person is looking up at her as if looking up at the moon.
Rin blinked in surprise. "Wait what?"
I can't tell for sure who it is.
I can't tell for sure, but I still know who it is.
…It's surprising.
What's he doing at this kind of a time?
Taiga titled her head. "Someone you know Tohsaka-san?"
Rin shrugged. "This hasn't happened yet so I have no idea who could it be. Maybe it'll tell us?"
Archer calls out to her as if noticing her excitement but she brushes it off as seeing someone ordinary and unrelated to them. Unable to hide her frustration, she left the place she was standing on and got ready to leave,
'There's no way he could have seen me from the ground. He must have been looking up at the building by coincidence. So it doesn't mean I was noticed. …But still. I'm angry that I let him see me acting as a magus.'
Rin frowned while others looked at her in confusion.
'That's… a worryingly strong reaction. Is the anger for being almost seen as a magus or because of almost being seen by this certain someone?' Shirou wondered on his own.
With that over they both decided to call it a day and left for Rin's house when suddenly on the way they noticed something.
Someone was walking ahead of them on the hill road. "Huh? Sakura?"
Rin stiffened. 'Oh what is it now?'
Rin quickly hid as she didn't want to be seen by someone she knew since she skipped school that day.
On the road, there's the well known first year student…..
and a foreigner she doesn't recognize.
They are talking about something.
…No, it seems the foreigner is talking to Sakura against her wishes
Sakura shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know who that is and have never seen this person before" She answered the unasked question Shirou had when he looked at her.
Her admission caused Shirou, Taiga and Ayako get tense with worry as the idea of Sakura being alone with this stranger was not a pleasant thought at all, especially in the night with this magic war right around the corner.
'From now on, I will go personally to drop Sakura to her home even if she always denies my offers' Shirou made a vow to himself.
Archer asks whether she knows the foreigner.
"No, I don't know him. There are lots of Western-style houses around here, so he might be visiting one of them."
She says that much, then scold herself for being too soft where that girl is involved.
Sakura's eyes widen in shock at that admission and turned to look at Rin whose eyes were glued to the screen in front of her. Her shock intensified when she observed her expression for what it was one she had never seen on that face for her.
'She is worried… she is genuinely worried… for me?'
"…Archer, is he human?"
"I don't know. He has form, so he should be human. At the very least, he is not a Servant."
"Right. He's not a Master either, so I guess it's just a minor quarrel."
…Still, I know she's not the kind of girl to get into trouble with a guy…
Warmth filled Sakura as she heard those words from Rin but brutally crushed them when certain memories came rushing in as if to mock her. 'If only you knew….' she thought with a hollow look which she quickly wiped away before Shirou could notice.
Soon after that the foreigner left and Rin decided to finally head home with Archer. She called Kirei to inform him of summoning a servant and soon hung up on him and went to sleep after that tiring day to recover her energy for the future, while thinking about being part of the Holy Grail War now, which her father participated and lost ten years ago.
[ 2/2 (Feb, 2) ]
After waking up the next day Rin tells Archer about her immediate decision of going to school Archer hesitates but doesn't object any further. He must have realized yesterday that she not the type to take back decisions.
Issei snorted quietly. 'That's an understatement! That woman can be as stubborn as an ox when she wants to!'
Archer is sarcastic, but he has an honest side to him. So it seems he won't complain about something he's accepted. Yes, in other words, he's faithful in an awkward way.
Taiga tilts her head in consideration. "Honestly from what I have seen so far…. Yeah that's a really good way to describe him. Nice intuition there Tohsaka-san!" she complimented.
It was decided that Archer would follow Rin around in spirit form to protect her whenever she goes outside including school.
"It's certainly hard for anyone who isn't a teacher or student to get in, but wouldn't it be a problem if someone already there is a Master?" questioned Archer.
"I don't think that's possible. In this town, there's only one family of magi other than the Tohsaka. That other family has declined, and they don't even have a Master. He isn't a Master and his successor doesn't have enough magical energy to become a Master, so we can just ignore them." "
"I see. So, there is another magus at the school you go to. But you say that magus doesn't have sufficient magical energy to become a Master, is that correct?"
"Exactly"
Sakura's eyes widened in horror while others digested the conversation and soon all hell broke loose.
"Wait what?"
"There is ANOTHER Mage family in the town?"
"Forget the town! There is another Mage in our SCHOOL?"
"Is that true Tohsaka? Who is this mage?"
Shirou stiffened. 'Another Magus family? Did Tohsaka knew about me and Kiritsugu after all? With Kiritsugu gone the Emiya mage line is gone and I can barely do basic magecraft properly so I am definitely not a worthy successor to Kiritsugu's magecraft. So does that mean she was aware of us all this time? Kiritsugu said that the Second Owner didn't know about us but maybe he was wrong… All this time I thought we were well hidden….' Shirou was lost in thought with his own (wrong) assumptions.
Illya giggled at the chaos that ensued from that exchange while Rin rolled her eyes in frustration. This kind of nonsense was exactly why she was so worried when this whole reading started.
'Oh well lets get this over with…' She sighed and opened her mouth to reveal the truth…
Until she saw THAT face
Everybody else was too busy looking at Rin for answers so they didn't notice. But Rin did. She froze as she saw the absolutely defeated face of Sakura Matou. The poor girl looked like her entire world was about to be torn apart. She had a look of someone about to lose something precious and they couldn't do anything to stop it.
She knew enough about Sakura from her… observations, that the girl had developed a small yet happy slice of life with Shirou Emiya in his household.
It was nothing special on the outside. Going to his home early in morning, helping him in cooking and other house chores, coming together to school, going to the Emiya house after school while shopping in the market for dinner, cook dinner alongside the boy and have a nice warm meal together before she heads back to the Matou house.
Perfectly normal. Mundane even. But it was something that Sakura held precious as her own small share of happiness. And it relied on Shirou Emiya not knowing the truth behind Sakura and her family's involvement with the magical world. She wanted to keep Shioru Emiya away from the magical world and its cruelty. All she wanted was a small normal life but unfortunately that was about to be ripped away. Because once the truth comes out, nothing will remain the same…..
Rin gulped. 'It wouldn't have lasted either way….. With the way things were going, the truth was bound to come out sooner or later' she tried to reason with herself.
She knew that. Even Sakura knew that. She had always known that. It doesn't matter if it is now or later, the truth would be revealed. No doubt about it.
Rin took a deep breath. No point in hiding it. No use in delaying it. It was better to reveal it now. They would find out either way. Sakura cannot preserve her charade of normal life with Emiya-kun for long now. That was a fact. So it was better to get done with it right now and clear everything up sooner rather than later.
Yet…
'How can I do that when you make a face like that?' Rin asked herself while looking at Sakura's defeated face. Despite her rationality screaming at her, her heart just couldn't bear to see that look on Sakura. Rin closed her eyes. 'Honestly…. I am way too soft whenever she is involved' She thought derisively.
Seeing that everyone else was still waiting for her answer, she finally opened her mouth.
"Let's drop this topic for now" She said to the shock of everyone. Especially one Sakura Matou.
"What? Surely you can't just expect us to just ignore such a huge thing Tohsaka!" Issei exclaimed.
"Ara? Didn't you hear Ryuudou-kun? The other me already told you more than enough. The other Magi right now isn't a threat and is only living their life right now. If they do become a noteworthy threat later on, then the novel will surely tell us. Telling their identity wouldn't do anything but disrupt someone who may not even have done anything of note. Seems unfair no?" was her half-baked reasoning.
It was basically a wait and watch approach. Issei, Taiga and Ayako looked to protest but decided otherwise when they saw Tohsaka's stern determined expression.
Taiga sighed. "Well the novel would reveal it to us anyway so I guess waiting is fine. And if it isn't relevant than I'd rather a fellow student or teacher not get in trouble over something they might not even do"
Shirou nodded in understanding while Sakura masked her sheer relief somehow while sending a grateful look towards Rin, who gave a small but sad smile before looking away.
Sakura knows it wouldn't last for long but she just wants to preserve it for a little bit longer if possible.
'Thank you….. Nee-san'
After everything had calmed down, they all turned back to the novel.
I will state with confidence that there are only two magi at our school. One of them is me, and the other is only an apprentice who doesn't have enough power to become a Master.
Shirou grimaced. 'Yeah she definitely knows its me' he once again wrongly assumed.
After a short discussion, they head for school where they encounter something strange.
There seems to be a Boundary Field set up at the school
Everyone's eyes widened except Illya who looked more curious than anything.
Not complete but the preparations seems to have already started.
"If he's doing this so openly, he must be a real big shot…"
"Or a complete amateur. A boundary field that lets others notice the abnormality is only third class. To be first class, it has to be hidden until it's activated." Rin finished what Archer was implying.
She moved in the school angrily, determined to severely punish whoever set up such a miserable thing in her territory.
Knowing how invested Rin was in stopping this field and its owner somewhat calmed down the people watching, though the tense atmosphere still remained.
While going upstairs Rin met Sakura and had some small talk with her and eventually the topic of the foreigner from other day came up. Turns out that she didn't know that person and he seemed lost so he was asking a lot of things from her but she couldn't understand too much so she ran away. With her curiosity sated Rin turned to leave but paused at the last moment.
"Sakura, how are things?"
"Ah… yes, it's okay. I'm doing fine."
"…I see. Well, if Shinji does something again, tell me. He doesn't know when to stop, so it will only get worse if you don't say anything."
"It's fine. You don't need to worry, Senpai. Nii-san has been kind recently."
'…If she says that with such a smile, I can't say anything else.'
With that they went their separate ways.
Ayako titled her head. 'I don't really see Tohsaka readily engage in conversation with someone like that. Usually its others approaching her or just her trying to mess with others like the Student Council President sitting here.' She wondered but didn't ask because it didn't seem the right time for such things.
Shirou meanwhile smiled.
"You were worried about her huh Tohsaka? You really are such a good person. Thanks for looking out for her" he thanked her whole heartedly. It was nice to see such a reliable person looking out for Sakura.
Rin flushed in embarrassment. "w-w-w-what are talking about saying stuff like that?! I was trying to sate my own curiosity that's all !"
Of course no one believed her if the amused looks were anything to go by.
Illya meanwhile narrowed her eyes as she looked at Rin. 'She is much different than what I was told to expect. Onii-chan seems different too…..'
She didn't know what to think of all this so she stuck to observing quietly. 'Of course the war will show them for what they truly are'
After school ended Rin decided to inspect the Boundary Field. Her search for its origin took her up to the roof where she found the sigil in red. There are all sorts of boundary field, from ones that conceal the area from people's eyes, to ones that limit the use of magic within them. The most aggressive of all are those that oppress life forms within them.
The boundary field laid out over the school is of that kind. This boundary field doesn't just drain one's strength. Once activated, it will literally "dissolve" all the people within it. This is a soul-eater. It is a Bloodfort that dissolves people within it and claims the souls that seep out.
The true nature of this field had everyone's eyes widen.
"W-what?"
"That'll be a massacre!"
"N-no way!"
"T-that's horrible!"
Shirou Emiya narrowed his eyes in anger at the thought of so many innocent lives "dissolving" like that in such a horrible way. He grit his teeth so hard he could almost taste blood.
"Why…." He grit out in anger. 'Why? Why would someone threaten so many innocent people like that? Just for some stupid cup?! This bloodthirsty monster needs to be stopped!'
Rin slowly took huge breaths to calm herself down.
"This hasn't happened yet. And I will make sure it never will! No way in hell will I let something like this get completed! Whoever did this is going to PAY!" She proclaimed in a quiet, determined yet anger filled voice.
"…Dammit. This isn't something I can handle."
The Bounded Field was created with extraordinary skill and she cannot take it down fully. So she did what she could and drained the magical energy from the sigil in front of her to temporarily drain it. It was all she could do to slow it down at the very least.
While studying the field she came to the conclusion that the purpose of the field is to dissolve everyone in the school and feed the extracted magical energy to the magus' servant.
The conclusion did nothing but bring about horror and disgust from everyone in the room that goes to the school.
Illya frowned in distaste at such a method. She didn't really care for the lives of those in the school, but such a drastic measure is sure to attract attention of all sorts of people which would be unwelcome for her and her goals.
"So the magical energy the Master provides isn't enough?"
"It's not that, but it doesn't hurt to have more. In war, if you lack strength, you make up for it with supplies, right? It's a basic tactic for a Master to steal energy from the people around them. In that regard, this boundary field is very efficient."
"That annoys me. Don't ever mention it again, Archer."
I say so while staring at the mark on the ground.
For some reason, Archer sounds happy as he confidently answers,
"I feel the same way. I do not intend to do so either."
Despite his anger at the situation, Shirou and the others breathe a sigh of relief. At least Tohsaka and her servant weren't that twisted to go through such methods.
Rin moved forward to erase the mark in front of her when,
"What you're going to erase it? What a waste"
"!" She turns around abruptly because of the sudden voice.
On top of the water tower ten meters away, stood a man in blue looking down at her. His grin is wild and a bestial smell carries on the wind.
Illya's eyes narrowed. "A servant…." She stated much to the discomfort of others.
Everyone stares at Rin with worry but she ignores them and focuses on the screen.
"Is this your doing?"
"No. Petty tricks are the magi's job. We only fight as we are commanded to. Isn't that right, you over there?"
While gazing at the Archer in spirit form the servant declared. His intent to fight clear as day, he raised his arm and suddenly a blood red spear appeared in his hand out of nowhere. Sensing immense danger Rin bolted for the edge of the roof and in less than a second used her magic to jump off, using Archer to catch her on the way down. She tried to make as much distance as possible but fails to outrun the blue whirlwind that is the other servant.
Seeing as escape was not an option, Rin and Archer prepared themselves for head on combat.
"Servant… Lancer"
"That's right. And your Servant is Saber…Or maybe not. Who the hell are you?" Lancer questioned
Archer didn't respond, annoying Lancer who then sneered at him. "…Heh. You're not the type to engage in one-on-one combat. So you must be Archer." Archer again doesn't rise to the bait.
Seeing Archer was just waiting for her, Rin gave the command.
And with that, the fight started.
Rin and Illya leaned forward, eager to see the capabilities of these servants, how they fight and to gleam any potential weaknesses as well.
'Let's see if any of you are a match for my Berserker!' Illya gleefully thought.
'Ten years of preparation. Let's where all that effort has led me to. Show me your strength, Archer class Servant' Rin thought with narrowed determined eyes.
Shirou's eyes were fixed to the screen. 'A fight between real heroes of legend….You better protect Tohsaka, Archer' He clenched his fists.
Ayako looked at the screen worried. Along with Taiga, Issei and Sakura.
'Please let everything be okay'
Clashing twirling gusts of wind. The two servants move forward at incredible speeds and engage in combat. Archer using a shortsword tries to rush in a breach Lancer's guard but Lancer is just too skilled and keeps Archer at bay quite easily while unleashing his own deadly offense, forcing him to defend at the same time. The servants trade attacks in a cacophony of blades with unbelievable speed and skill.
"T-this is incredible!"
"What speed! What skill!"
"Attacking at such speeds yet defending at a moment's notice is just unbelievable!"
"They really are heroes…"
Everyone watching couldn't help but marvel the beautiful yet deadly fight in front of them.
A vacuum of steel unfolds. Rin wants to support Archer but couldn't as her magic is too unprecise and would only end up hindering him. While lamenting she couldn't help but marvel at the strength of these Servants.
Servants are different from regular familiars. Servants are heroes from the past. Fictional or not, the superhuman beings who have gained concrete existence in folklore are termed as heroes. The ultimate ideal humans have created, the greatest human people have created. These are the heroes, the heroic spirits.
Illya sighed "Is this really the appropriate time for a history lesson?"
Rin blinked "Well Ryuudou-kun, looks like you'll be getting your answers about servants here. Good for you. Better pay attention everyone because I will NOT repeat anything"
Everyone else nodded and focused on the explanation.
These heroic spirits are beyond human, so its natural they cannot be controlled by humans or even be summoned by humans. But the Holy Grail makes that impossibility into reality. But even the grail has its limits. Instead of indiscriminately calling upon such spiritual beings, the grail utilizes seven furnished classes to allow them to take form more easily but only summons those that match those classes.
Those classes being,
Knight of the sword, Saber
Knight of the lance, Lancer
Knight of the bow, Archer
Mounted Soldier, Rider
Magus, Caster
Silent Killer, Assassin
Mad Warrior, Berserker
Only the heroic spirits with attributes of these classes are summoned to the present to obey the Master and become a Servant.
That is the Servant System
A summoning and contract with a heroic spirit beyond human control, to win the "miracle" beyond human grasp.
The ultimate competition, held only on this ground, the one and the only Holy Grail War!
"… That's a lot to take in…" Taiga rubbed her forehead.
"That's much more intricate than I ever expected" Issei nodded.
A loud clash broke Rin out of her thoughts and she focused again on the battle.
"About time…." Illya muttered.
Archer's shortsword flies from hand as Lancer disarms him. Seeing an opening Lancer sped in to eliminate the defenseless Archer once and for all. His speed and technique is flawless and it seems to be it for Archer,
But the attack is intercepted with a loud clang. As the dust settles, Archer is revealed once more. Except this time, both his hands have short swords. A pair of matched swords, mirror images of each other.
Shirou's eyes are fixed on those swords for a good while. 'Those swords…. They're beautiful'
Lancer and Archer engage in combat once more. This time seemingly faster and deadlier than ever. Archer tries to close in but Lancer is too skilled. Lancer keeps disarming Archer by destroying those swords, but Archer is able to conjure a new sword to replace it immediately. They continue this dance of metallic death and it seems Archer is slowly but surely closing in little by little.
Lancer finally admits his carelessness.
That even though he doesn't know who is before him, he will be the loser if he dismisses him as a mere bowman.
Lancer with his extraordinary speed widens their gap seemingly to recover. While Archer's charge was outstanding, it was still slow compared to Lancer.
"…Twenty-seven. I've disarmed you that many times, yet you still have more."
Lancer mutters in irritation and confusion.
Rin briefly mentions her own confusion about Archer using swords like that even though as an Archer, his most powerful weapon, his "proof of heroism", his "Noble Phantasm" should have been a bow. Not swords that can be seemingly thrown and produced on a whim.
Lancer frowns further.
"…All right then, I'll ask you. What hero are you? I've never heard of a bowman using two swords."
"On the other hand, it's easy to tell who you are. It's said that only the fastest heroes are chosen as the lancer, but you surpass even that. There aren't three lancers in this world at your level. And on top of that, there's only one with such beast-like agility." Was Archer's response.
Illya's and Rin's eyes widened as they processed Archer's statement.
'Did he already figure out Lancer's true identity…?'
At that instance, the air freezes with murderous intent. Lancer has taken stance and is looking ready to finish off Archer. The spear is pointing to the ground as if intending to strike it, but the magical energy in the air made it clear that Lancer intends to kill Archer right there.
"Crap." Rin is frozen.
He'll be beaten.
I don't know what kind of Noble Phantasm that is, but Archer will be beaten. Archer will die when that lance is thrust.
Everyone looked on worriedly. Archer just showed how capable he is but for Tohsaka to announce his defeat as an inevitability… Just what kind of monster were they facing?!
So if anything that can stop this battle and Archer's defeat, it would…
"WHOSE THERE?!" Lancer's voice roared.
It would be the chance appearance of a stranger we have all overlooked.
The sound of fleeing footsteps. That figure is definitely wearing a school uniform.
"Wait what?" Ayako said.
"There is somebody there?!"
"What kind of idiot is there at that late at night?!" Taiga definitely wasn't happy.
Shirou frowned and clenched his fists. 'Not good. If it is an innocent bystander then they are pretty much dead'
Lancer rushes to chase the stranger. Probably to silence them since they witnessed what was going on, Rin realised as she urged Archer to follow him. She curse her carelessness.
It's the rule of magi to eliminate any witnesses. Which is why, if one didn't want to do that, one just had to allow no witnesses.
'I've done that until now, so why do I have to make a mistake today of all days…!?'
Rin looked on in worry. 'As always I mess up at the most crucial step. Please save that person, Archer' was her prayer.
Finally Rin reached the scene in the school building.
A student is lying on the cold hallway floor and Archer is standing still.
Everyone held their breath.
…A smell hits my nose.
The blood on the floor makes clear that it's the smell of death.
Rin closed her eyes in lament while others had their eyes widen in horror. Illya didn't care but kept her silence.
'My incompetence took your life. Forgive me…. I will NOT let it happen this time!' Rin could only apologize and pledge to herself to do better.
Shirou was mad. So mad he could barely contain his anger by gritting his teeth. 'An innocent life, taken just like that. This all kinds of wrong! No! I WON'T let it happen this time!'
"…Follow him, Archer. Lancer will probably go back to his Master. This won't be worth it unless we at least find out what his Master looks like."
Illya nodded in agreement. Better to make this all worth something.
Archer goes after Lancer. I'm left alone with the student lying on the floor. I can't look straight at him. But I must. This is my fault. This is my fault. This is my fault…
Ayako looked at Rin in worry, who was focused on the screen with a regretful but determined expression. 'Tohsaka…'
No one spoke a word and observed silently, the previously tense atmosphere replaced by a solemn one.
Judging from how the flow of blood from the wound isn't too severe, it must have been a quick stab to the heart. It's not too severe, but it's all over when the brain doesn't get any more blood.
"…But it's amazing he isn't dead yet."
Several eyes widened in hope. But they were dashed by Rin's next words.
He's still breathing faintly as if to give his last scream. But that will only last a few more seconds.
"I have to look at his face. I should at least do that."
They all leaned forward, if they can learn who it was, perhaps this unfortunate fate could be prevented from occurring.
I try to touch the head, facing the ground, and realize my fingertips won't move.
…They're trembling.
I'm used to such things. I've lost many things due to my mistakes and my selfishness. That's why… I'm ready for a day like this.
So why… why am I so angry at myself?
'I see….' Shirou understood almost immediately as he looked at the Rin near him who was also looking frustrated at these events. 'She really is kind, nothing like the typical Magi Kiritsugu warned me about'
"Sorry, I'll see you off at least" With that she controled her trembling fingers and failing knees and looked at the fallen student's face.
"…Stop it. Why does it have to be you?"
"Huh? Oh no who is it?" Taiga asks voicing everyone's worry.
I grit my teeth. I'm really pissed off. Why is it him? Why did it have to be him? I'm not mad at Lancer for killing a witness quickly and perfectly, just as a Servant should do.
I'm just angry at him for staying late at this place, on this day…!
"….."
Sakura's face flashes in my mind.
Said junior was startled at her mention. 'Why did she think of me?... no…' Slowly realization started to creep in for her, Rin and Taiga who looked equally as horrified.
She will definitely cry.
'No… no…. NO NO NO PLEASE NO! ANYONE BUT HIM!'
And I recall one red-tinted day after school, a long time ago. A distant sunset. Someone always running alone. And a boring girl staring at that from far away.
"Senpai….." Sakura's heartbroken whisper seemed to echo across the silent suddenly it was all too clear who had been stabbed by Lancer that night.
Issei and Ayako were shocked and horrified, their eyes widening.
Illya's were also wide, out of sheer rage. 'He killed Onii-chan. HOW DARE HE! I AM THE ONE WHO MUST KILL HIM! I WILL DESTROY THAT LANCER AND HIS MASTER!"
Meeting and killing Kiritsugu Emiya and his "son" were the sole reason she had bothered with this war… And Lancer had took that away from her. He will pay for this. Berserker will make sure of that.
Meanwhile the red head in question,
'At least it wasn't the life of some innocent bystander. That's a relief' Were Shirou's thoughts. Then he noticed how distraught everybody else was. But before he could have said anything…..
"SHIROU!" he was tackled by a crying Taiga.
"F-fuji nee! Calm down! I can't breath!" He rasped
"WHY? WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU SHIROU?" Taiga was almost sobbing at this point.
"Sakura-" Shirou tried to ask Sakura for help but froze when he saw her lost and heartbroken expression. "Sakura….."
Ayako gasped when she heard him and rushed to hug Sakura, knowing just how devastated the poor girl must be while trying to calm herself as well. 'Emiya…. Dead?... no way….. there is just no way…'
Rin was crushed with guilt. It was her fault. Her actions cost Emiya-kun his life. Her incompetence ripped apart Sakura's happiness. She caused her sister such pain 'Even now…. I can't do anything right…Sakura….. I'm so sorry'
Issei couldn't believe what was happening. 'Emiya….. stabbed through the heart? No… this can't be….. this is a nightmare'
They were all aware that none of this has happened yet. That maybe all this could be changed and no one has to die. But to experience the murder of someone close to you, even on a screen, can be emotionally devastating. Seeing someone you know be on the verge of dying can strip away all rational thought. And in a certain junior's case, the scene in front of her was nothing short of a horrific nightmare. Not something one can easily move from and think logically.
Seeing everybody so emotionally shaken did not sit right with Shirou. 'They all are worrying for me. This isn't right. I caused them pain.' His mind flashed back to the fire. How he couldn't save anyone. How he abandoned those in need. How he a little kid ignored their cries for help and continued to walk through that hell. How he was saved instead of them. 'I don't deserve this. This is isn't right! Even by dying I wasn't able to save anybody!... wait…..'
In his self-lament, Shirou remembered something.
"I'm not dead" he remembered the scene in the shed with that beautiful knight.
"I'm NOT dead!" He exclaimed firmly and loud enough for everyone else to hear, gaining their attention.
"That scene in the shed, the one we saw in the beginning. That chest injury in that must have happened because of this! Which means that hasn't happened yet!"
He turns to the sobbing Sakura who now had her eyes on him. "I'm not dead. I survive this. I must have" he states as if to give her hope.
Everyone's eyes widen in realization.
Illya was the first to recover. "That's true Onii-chan! Even in the scene now you haven't truly died yet!"
Rin nodded in relief. "Something must have happened! Something that must have allowed Emiya-kun to live!"
Her words giving everyone hope as they all realized it too. Sakura and others brought themselves under control and prepared to continue watching. Sakura latched on to the hope given to her and perhaps with her emotions going wild had forgot a small detail.
The detail of her sister somehow also knowing of that precious memory of that one sunset long ago with a boy running tirelessly, and a boring girl watching it all intently.
…There is a way.
I might fail and lose my last resort in the process, but there is still a way.
No, I'll lose my last resort whether I succeed or fail, so the result for me won't change.
Those who understood her words, looked at Rin. Knowing how big of a cost it was. Illya and Shirou were speechless. Shocked by how much the young magus was willing to lose, to save the life of one Shirou Emiya.
Sakura on the other hand could only feel one thing. Gratitude.
'Thank you… thank you Nee-san!'
For just a moment I thought something. Thought about using up such a thing. Something her father left just for her. Such a powerful chunk of magical energy. A reliable last resort to win through this battle. A precious, precious thing just for her-
"So what, idiot?"
I shake the feeling off and kneel in front of the one who will become a corpse in another second.
Everyone gazed at the screen intently. Hoping against all odds that she is successful.
After some time, the procedure is complete.
"….Man, I've done it." The pendant in my hand becomes lighter. My father's memento is drained to almost emptiness and falls onto what used to be a dying body.
Sighs of relief could be heard across the room.
"Thank you Tohsaka-san"
Rin nodded at Taiga's words. Looking at Sakura's relived expression she only had one thought as she suppressed her smile 'Honestly, I really am too soft when it comes to her'
I didn't have the power or skills to revive someone with a damaged heart, damaged blood vessels, and on the verge of brain death on top of that. That's why I had to make up for my lack of skill with this powerful object. I just did what I could, and ended up saving his life.
"…It would have been awful if I failed, but since I succeeded, I guess it's all right. Yeah, I feel fulfilled to be honest, so this wasn't such a bad experience."
I'm just bluffing.
"Archer was right. You really are something else, Tohsaka." Shirou smiled at her.
His genuine praise and soft smile had her blushing for a bit but just ended up smiling back at him. A small but sweet smile gracing her face.
"…Let's go. What's done is done. I have to head back before he wakes up." Yeah, there's no need for me to stay here any longer. Archer should be following Lancer, so I should go home by myself.
On her way back, she remembered that she had left her pendant at school but shrugged and kept walking towards her home. It was all spent and didn't even have magic close to her ten jewels. Without magical energy, that thing is meaningless now.
Ayako frowned. "It was still a gift from your father right? His last gift…. Isn't that worth something?" she asked.
Rin shrugged. "What my father intended to leave for me was enough magical energy to win the Holy Grail War. Nothing more nothing less"
Shirou also chimed in "You don't need to be that strong, Tohsaka. Its ok to worry about stuff like that"
Rin was surprised at his concern but smiled anyway. "Its fine Emiya-kun. Really. It really isn't that big of a deal"
Ayako nodded in acceptance. 'But still….. to have your father's final gift be nothing more than that…. That's just too sad….. But I guess that's how it is, being a magus'
After reaching her home, Rin sat in the living room waiting for Archer to come back. While waiting she started to think of plans for the war as well as the servant classes and how the knight classes of Saber, Archer and Lancer fair very well against magic.
The audience blinked at the sudden detailed exposition but appreciated the new knowledge all the same.
The clock, already fixed, strikes eleven when Archer finally comes back home.
"…I'm sorry. I failed. It must be one cautious Master. At the very least, Lancer's Master is not on this side of town."
"I see. Well, I guess it won't be that easy."
"You seem down, Master. Where are your high spirits? Don't tell me you got scared by that one fight. If you so order, I am ready to go battle Lancer again right now."
They keep talking about stuff regarding the war until Archer asked a certain question.
"So Rin, what is your wish?"
"Wish? I don't really have one."
"Excuse me?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
"What?" Oh, Archer's making a funny face.
"Of course he is! What the hell do you mean you don't have a wish? Then why are you even participating in this war?" Illya was definitely irritated at Rin's answer.
Rin just sighed in annoyance. "Lets just watch this. It'll probably reveal the reason anyway"
"All right, if you don't have a specific wish, why not wish for something ambiguous? Like ruling the world?"
Shirou was startled. "What the hell?" he asked almost angrily. 'What the hell is this hero doing suggesting something like that?'
"Why? The world is already mine."
And just like that the indignation vanished.
"…. What?"
Seeing Shirou and everyone else's dumbfounded expressions, Rin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hey now, Archer. The world is just another word for the things you value around you, right? That's something I've had since I was born. If you tell me to rule such a world, I already rule it."
Archer looks at me with a troubled expression. I'm amazed. The guy really is hard-headed.
"No….. I don't blame him for that look. His state of mind is completely understandable" Issei deadpanned at the smug Rin sitting across the room.
"Ridiculous. The Holy Grail is a power to grant wishes, a power to obtain the world. Are you saying you're seeking it, yet you have no wish?"
"But ruling the world would be so troublesome and there's no point in wishing for something so pointless. You seem to lack imagination."
Ayako was starting to get a headache. "That's some impressive mental gymnastics right there"
"I fight because there's a battle, Archer. And I'll take whatever I can get. I don't know about this Holy Grail thing, but I can just use it when I find something I want, right? As a human, there are infinite things I might want in life."
"I… I guess I can understand that line of reasoning"
Archer's shoulders slump. "…I give up. You're certainly a worthy Master for me."
"…Huh. A Servant has no right to choose their Master, but I'll ask for the heck of it. Why am I a worthy Master for you?"
"It goes without saying. You're unmistakably the strongest Master. No one would be a better Master to serve than you."
"Yeah she is definitely the best master from what I have seen" Shirou nodded in agreement. Rin blushed at his honest comment and looked away in embarrassment.
"I am the only master you have seen…dummy" she mumbled in embarrassment.
"Oh, thanks. It doesn't sound like flattery when you say it." Rin was definitely embarrassed. I find it hard to deal with Archer because he speaks frankly even though he is so cynical. But I am happy that he trusts me.
Archer then notices something.
"-wait a minute, Rin. What happened to that jewelry of yours?"
"You mean my pendant? Oh, I forgot it. It's out of power, so there's no use for it, right?"
"That's true, but… well, if you say so."
"Yes, it's a memento of my father, but it's not like it's my only memory of him"
Archer frowned. "That's no good. You don't have to be that strong, Rin."
With that Archer takes out the pendant I had left at school.
"Oh… you went and picked it up for me."
"…Don't forget it again. It only looks right on you, Rin." As if he's embarrassed, Archer looks away as he hands me the pendant.
"Aw he was worried about you! Isn't that just adorable?" Ayako smirked while Rin just rolled her eyes at her.
I accept it. Empty of magical energy, it's just an expensive but ordinary jewel, and it doesn't hold any power. But, as Archer would put it.
Even if there's no power left in this pendant, it still has meaning as something my father specifically left for me.
Then… maybe I can just laugh off the fact that I helped that guy by sacrificing my trump card.
"Hey, wait a sec." Something clicks in my head.
I wasn't thinking straight back then because of my regret, but thinking about it calmly, I missed something.
Now everyone was worried wondering what Rin meant.
He saw us, so it'll be dangerous unless we adjust his memory.
Rin and Illya's eyes widen as they realized whats wrong.
"Oi Magus of Tohsaka… surely you didn't make a mistake like this….. right?"
"Oh no…." Rin's dread filled whisper only served to worry others more.
Basically, Lancer prioritized eliminating the witness over his battle with us. Lancer's thinking probably matches his Master's.
So… if such a Master finds out the guy they killed didn't die, what would he do?
"Oh" Shirou eyes narrow as he too realizes what that means. 'I just hope no one else gets caught up in this mess. If its just me then that's acceptable'
"He wouldn't let the guy keep on living"
The tension from before comes back full force this time. But all they could do was keep calm and hope Shirou somehow makes it out of this mess.
'So this will probably how he would end up summoning the Saber servant then….' Rin thought.
I get up from my sofa.
…It's been three hours since then.
I might not make it, but…
Issei joined his hands together in a prayer. 'Please make it in time!'
I run through the night. Fortunately I know where his house is. No I didn't look it up, but it just happens that an acquaintance of mine goes there a lot, though I have never been there myself.
Sakura lightly gasped as she understood the meaning of those words and briefly looked at the tense Rin across the room but shook her head and decided to focus on the threat to her senpai's life on screen.
It wasn't until midnight when the familiar Japanese styled Emiya household came into view.
I strain my ears in the cold atmosphere.
In the frozen feeling, I feel a small sense of an enemy.
"…He's here. The Servant from before…!"
Everybody tensed. The enemy servant was already there before them and with how strong he was, Shirou's chances of making out alive didn't seem good, much to their worry.
Just as I'm about to command Archer to go in. A bright white light, like a fallen sun, comes from within the house.
The presence is eclipsed by another presence.
The wave of power of the Servant Lancer is consumed by an even larger wave.
Rin leaned in. Wanting to observe this as close as possible. "That has to be the summoning of the Saber Servant"
Illya nodded "That means we must have finally caught up to the events shown in the first scene"
"No way…" I can only mutter. But it's true.
To prove it Lancer jumps over the wall and leaps away as if fleeing from this place.
Sighs of relief echoed throughout the room. Lancer fleeing from the Saber servant, which must have been that blond swordswoman from the first scene, probably meant that somehow Shirou had made it out alive.
"…Hey, Archer. Is this another one of your hypothetical scenarios?"
"I don't know. But this makes seven. All the Masters are here now, Rin."
Archer answers calmly.
I've lost my normal judgment. That's why I didn't even consider the obvious event that would follow.
Shirou blinked at those words. "Wait don't tell me….."
The wind blows strongly. Clouds cover the sky like umbrella. The unlit suburbs are enclosed by darkness.
And the Servant jumps over the wall, coming down like a demonic bird-
The tension returns again in the room.
"What?"
"No way!"
Rin grimaced already seeing where this is going. 'Makes sense I suppose, the servant was just summoned and had to face another Servant attacking her Master. So the presence of another Servant and Master would definitely be a concern for her. And with Emiya-kun being an inexperienced Master, he probably has no control over this Servant's actions'
She looked at Shirou and his horrified expression. 'Honestly…. Don't you dare blame yourself for this! So stop making a face like that….. dummy'
Archer has reacted already.
But I couldn't react.
That was my mistake.
The battle ended with that small opening, not lasting even a second.
The tension in the room was at its peak. Worry for Rin and Archer was on everyone's mind.
'Heh…. Now that Onii-chan is fine, lets see how you handle this Rin'
Almost everyone's mind.
"Huh, Archer…?"
Archer pushes me aside and the Servant slashes him.
It happens in an instant.
Archer, who handled Lancer's fury of attacks beautifully, has been taken down with one blow
Sakura gasped with her hands covering her mouth. 'No no no no no! Nee-san!'
Shirou meanwhile grit his teeth and looked at the screen in horror and frustration. 'Its all my fault. Tohsaka is in this mess because of me! All because of me! Sorry Tohsaka. Please be okay….. I WONT let this happen this time. I can NOT let Saber attack you like this again!'
"Archer disappear!"
But I made it in time. Just before the enemy servant could have cut off his head, I forcibly removed him. The sharp pain in my hand tells me that another Command Spell has disappeared from my hand due to the excessive command.
Archer may have survived, but Rin's fate was still up in the air. And the audience could do nothing but watch as these events unfolded in front of their eyes. Hoping that just like Shirou and Archer, Rin too makes out of this alive, despite how unlikely it seems.
Giving no consideration to Archer's disappearance, the Servant attacks me.
"Don't underestimate!" Rin took one of her prized magical jewels and unleashed a devastating wind spell. Even if it can't defeat the Servant, it should at least slow it down.
But…
It did nothing. The swirl of wind that instantly tears apart anything caught within it disappears like a magic trick the instant it touches the Servant.
Rin sighed and closed her eyes. "Of course….. magic resistance"
'Such strong magic resistance' Illya wondered to herself. 'Rin's attack just now was no joke. Its strength was definitely not something to be taken lightly….. Its just that this Saber's resistance is just that high….. how vexing'
She can't be hurt by magic, and I've lost the protection of Archer, so I can't stop this Servant. I barely managed to avoid one blow, but that's all.
I look up at the night sky.
In it is the figure of cold-hearted Death who is looking down at me as I lay miserably on the ground
"Wha…"
The wind blows. In between the dark clouds in the spiral sky, the moon shines. The falling moonlight and the beautiful face…
This is the Servant that drove off Lancer, defeated my Archer in one strike, and annulled my magic with no trouble.
"That magic was splendid, magus" The girl's voice is like a bell. Yes, this voice is like a nightmare right now. It's only natural. The more beautiful my enemy is, the more of a nightmare it is as I cannot believe the difference in our strength.
Silence reigned supreme as everyone was shocked at the events that were happening in front of their eyes. Few wanted to voice their frustrations and their fears at what was happening. But they were all too stunned to do anything but watch in silence. They could only hope that it somehow works out.
"But this is your end, Master of Archer."
Of course that hope was soon dashed and dread finally started to settle in. All they could to watch in a solemn almost mournful silence.
On the verge of death, I understand.
With just one look, without proof…
This is the card I wanted.
The one said to be the strongest of all Servants, the hero of the sword.
I look up at the moon, accepting my death.
There's no time for me to flee or plead for my life.
I will die here and Tohsaka Rin's Holy Grail War will end on the third day.
There is only disgrace and regret, and I will probably vanish bearing a grudge against my enemy.
Shirou could do nothing but feel helplessness and regret. If only he hadn't dragged Tohsaka into this. But again, Shirou Emiya could do nothing but watch, as another was about to die right in front of him.
Sakura could only look on in horror. Never had she thought she would witness her strong sister in such a horrifying situation. She could do nothing but feel powerless and helpless, as she always had and only watch as her sister is about to meet her end.
But still, I don't feel anything.
Something must really be wrong with me.
Even though I'm going to be killed in an instant, I adore her again.
That's right.
If you ask for regrets, that's it.
But I guess it can't be helped. Because she is the most powerful Servant. Because her figure is just so heartless, so infinitely valiant and so very beautiful…..
[Prologue End]
And with that, the screen flashed a brilliant white and the prologue finally came to an end. The screen eventually shifted to a title screen and a mystical yet ominous sounding music played in the background while everyone there sat stunned. Never did they expect a mere prologue to be anything like that.
Rin grimaced and tried to mask her frustration.
'Is that it then? A whole decade of training, shedding blood, sweat and tears, preparing for the war under that shitty Fake Priest… all of it to amount to nothing? All that effort and I ended up dead right when the war truly began…. Heh I really do mess up at the most crucial times' she thought to herself in almost self-loathing.
But seeing as how effected everyone was at her "death", she decided its best to give everyone a rest. She too needs a break and needs to process what she just witnessed.
'Lesson number 1 : What NOT do in this stupid war….'
A/N : And just like that we have reached the end of this chapter, and probably this story too. I once again apologise to anyone who was looking forward to the continuation of this story. I can totally understand your disappointment and won't blame you if you feel angry at me. I understand. I just hope this last chapter was good enough for everyone and maybe someone else can make a full Fate Stay Night VN reading/watching fanfic which we all can enjoy (and will probably be leagues above my own lmao)
Hope you all have a great day, and great futures ahead.
And with that this is goodbye… and thank you for sticking around for so long despite my dumbass disappointing you all. Deepest apologies for that.
